söndag 15 januari 2017

Socks for the ladies

When reenacting 15th century you tend to just make knee-high hose if you are a lady and long for something less warm during those hot summer events. And then came the short sock in linen, usually referred to as the Tross-frau sock. Whilja has the most thourough description of it here:
Well I could not possibly use that now, it seems to be later period? Imagine my happiness when I stumbled over these ladies feet. Look closely and you'll see that they are wearing what definetly looks like short white socks. Possibly with a black edge and a slit in the side. 

Konzil von Konstanz Prozession, Wien Austria Nationalbibliothek Cod 3044, fol 44r

Konzil von Konstanz Procession, Wien Austria Nationalbibliothek, cod 3044, fol 45r
I have looked at the different interpretations of the so-called Trossfrau sock, many based on the german extant one in linen exhibited in the Altes Rathaus in Regensburg and found that most see it as a 16th Century phenomenon. My first thought was that this must be what these ladies are wearing. But the cut does not look the same at all.
Linen sock in Regensburg, photo by Elsa Hahma

And then I remembered the naalbound sock from Uppsala, with a slit and a black edge. Doesn't this look exactly like what these ladies are wearing? And it is shaped to follow the shape of the common sidelaced 15th Century shoes. So I guess I will have to order some new footwear for the summer. Even though it's not a linen sock a short sock is still by far less warm to wear during hot summer days than kneehigh hose.
Naalbound sock from Uppsala, possibly late 15th Century

2 kommentarer:

  1. Hi, the shoes on paintings in cod 3044 are shoes, black and white shoes and no socks.

    SvaraRadera