Medieval Underwear? Just Go Commando!!!
House Graydragon’s Coat of Arms
I once attended a Society for Creative Anachronism Arts and Sciences event in Berkley. It was held on the UC Berkley campus and was, in essence, a convention featuring various classes, lectures and symposiums on everything Medieval that you can imagine. In the Kingdom of the West such events are commonly known as A&S’s.
At this particular A&S, I chose to attend a class on medieval underwear. Yes, you read that correctly. Underwear. You see, at the time I was fairly satisfied with my garb overall, but I found it somewhat anachronistic to put medieval clothing on over my Hanes. I figured, if there was a simple form of medieval female undergarments, preferably Saxon circa 1100 A.D., I would give making and wearing them a shot.
So, I attended a 90 minute class in medieval underwear, and what did I learn? I learned that medieval men and women didn’t really wear underwear! There was none!!!
That’s one hour of my life I’ll never get back, however, the instructor was humorous and the class was fun, so I don’t consider the experience wasted. Anyway, to save you grief, I’m letting you know that unless you’re persona is from the late, late middle ages, just wear normal underwear. 
Failing that, you can go commando and settle for hosen, if you are a guy that is. House Greydragon’s website includes a wonderful page on hosen, tunics and trewes. Check it out to get that household’s take on medieval underwear.
SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism, medieval, middle ages, renaissance, history, underwear, lingere, hosen, trewes, tunics, tunic, House Greydragon, household, households, Greydragon, go commando
July 19th, 2007 at 1:09 am
Whoever taught you, you might want to check their sources.
We have evidence of Medieval underwear, just not a lot. My favourite picture is of two men wearing something that looks a bit like giant diapers :).
July 19th, 2007 at 1:58 am
One class we’ve all missed:)!
July 19th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Gillian,
Thanks for the tip. Care to share your resources? I’d love more info!
Thanks,
Lori
July 20th, 2007 at 5:27 am
I’ve just changed computers and can’t find things easily. I promise that if I come across these pictures, I’ll let you know. There was one in a Book of Hours - maybe use ‘peasants’ and ‘Book of Hours’ as search terms in your sources?
And I’m serious about wanting to know your teacher’s sources for the lack of underwear.
March 17th, 2009 at 6:59 am
dear fransisco!~ i love u.. jk i want a divorce!!!!!!
March 17th, 2009 at 7:01 am
hey !!! i love taniqua!!
March 27th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Thanks for the info…..
June 9th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Thank you too…..
August 5th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Hmm… we do have evidence of underwear in the Middle Ages, for both men and women- women and men both wore the ‘diaper-like’ underwear that Gillian was talking about, but apart from that, we do have evidence of both sexes wearing the tighter, more fitted braes/trewes that are typically thought of as being worn exclusively by men. :] Good luck on your search!
November 4th, 2009 at 8:13 am
With this issue you exactly meet the point.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:32 am
I’m fascinated by the diverse range of views and opinions. Who’s your “go to” guy?