“Sunday Best”

A commoner of the late eleventh to twelfth century in his “Sunday Best”.¹ The length of garments was one of the prime indicators of social class across cultures in the middle ages, hence this man’s garments are shorter than those of court dress, but still showing elements of fashion, like the neckline which is a primitive version of the one shown on the nobleman page, and the collar on his linen shirt. The woolen tunic is edged with brocaded cloth cut into strips, a lavish indulgence for a man of this class.
Detail of the neckline of this tunic can be seen in a new window by pointing at it.

The turban had gained popularity among Roman men in the eighth century and persisted for centuries. It was never quite accepted as “properly Roman” and so despite being refered to quite often in literature, it is relatively rarely illustrated.

Notes

1. Based upon a fresco in the Church of Nakipari, Upper Svanetti, Georgia.