![Three views of a gold ring with inscription reading CASPAR, MELCHIOR, BALTAZAR](https://nms-supercool.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Images/Departments/Scottish-History-and-Archaeology/medieval-ring.jpg?w=570&h=426&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1718713228&s=894bd125f118916073046c66cf6ea4db)
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](https://nms-supercool.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Images/Departments/Scottish-History-and-Archaeology/medieval-ring.jpg?w=771&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1718713228&s=435bdc737f0eb254a7d3583daff17f69)
- 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
- Research theme
Scotland's Material Heritage
Project contact
Contact list of staff members
Dr Alice Blackwell
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