Brocades and Cloths of Gold: Medieval Textiles and Fashion

When western Europeans first saw the opulence of silk and brocades in the East, they faced a dilemma. On the one hand, these sumptuous textiles were admired and desired but, on the other hand, they were deemed to be frivolous, extravagant, and superfluous. This course will explore how sumptuous fabrics influenced Western European fashion between the eleventh and the sixteenth centuries. It will also study the laws that aimed to limit the access to and the display of opulent cloths and furs.

Tutor: Cristina Figueredo BA MA PhD

Term: Summer

Day: Wednesday

Start Date: 23 April 2025

Time: 2-4pm

No. of weeks: 10

Full fee: £114

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