This publication presents a study of a wide range of evidence to reveal
the use and meaning of dress accessories in daily life in two regions of
Britain, c. AD 1300-1700. Dress accessory evidence from a variety of
sites is brought together to reveal how the small personal possessions
were highly significant objects and held important meanings for their
owners. The archaeological finds that form the basis of the study vary
from large, elaborate gold rings to small, simple copper alloy lace
ends, and have been collated from excavated archives and the Portable
Antiquities Scheme (PAS). The material is drawn from the eastern
Anglo-Scottish and southern Anglo-Welsh border regions. A wide range of
archaeological data is investigated alongside other evidence, namely
contemporary artistic depictions, wills and literature.
Standley investigates the accessories found in urban locations, rural
villages and religious institutions within the two regions to understand
the significance of the assemblages at these site types. Then the focus
narrows to the exploration of the life-histories of individual
accessories or types of objects, and their role in daily life. In the
main body of the study the dress accessories are examined within themed
chapters that follow a life-cycle from the forming of relationships and
romance, to death and burial.
The results reveal the relative homogenous nature of dress accessories
within and between the two regions, differences and similarities in the
types of objects found at different site types, and the potential of PAS
data. The interdisciplinary study successfully marries contemporary
evidence to help place the personal possessions into their context of
use in the past. It also highlights how dress accessories are integral
to our study of sexuality, memory and death, among other subjects, in
the medieval period.
