Three views of a gold ring with inscription reading CASPAR, MELCHIOR, BALTAZAR
Projects

Dress and the individual in medieval Scotland, 1200–1600

Last updated: 8 February 2022

About the research

This doctoral project will deliver the first national exploration of medieval Scottish dress. The medieval period saw the first moves towards mass production and consumption of dress objects in Scotland. Though museum collections are a rich resource for this newly popular and highly symbolic use of material culture, Scottish research has focussed almost exclusively on high-value jewellery.

This doctoral project addresses this significant gap by exploiting neglected stray-finds evidence to deliver the first national exploration of medieval Scottish dress. By exploring chronological and regional trends in personal adornment, and the role of dress in identities and the life-course, the project will inform future research priorities, enhance academic and public understanding of a key part of Scotland’s medieval past and contribute to museum collections strategies.

Three views of a gold ring with inscription reading CASPAR, MELCHIOR, BALTAZAR
Gold hoop-ring inscribed CASPAR MELCHIOR BALTAZAR, from Castle Hill, Edinburgh.
Project title

Dress and the individual in medieval Scotland, 1200–1600

Student

Lydia Prosser

Project active

2019 - present

Funder

AHRC Scottish Cultural Heritage Consortium (SCHC) – Collaborative Doctoral Partnership

University of Durham Supervisors

Professor Sarah Semple and Dr Pam Graves - Department of Archaeology

National Museums Scotland Supervisors

Dr Alice Blackwell - Scottish History & Archaeology

Research theme

Scotland's Material Heritage

Project contact

Contact list of staff members

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