Tudor History
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
HISTORY ESSAY
What were the differences in dress between rich and poor people during Tudor times?
The Tudor period commenced with the ascension of Henry VII to the throne in 1485 and ceased with the death of his granddaughter Elizabeth I in 1603, who left no children. During these times the population of Britain nearly doubled, leading to food shortages, unemployment and price rises. For many families life changed dramatically, for better or for worse, within their lifetimes.
Portraits of the gentry from Tudor times show the types of outer clothing worn by wealthy Tudors. The basic clothes of the rich and poor however, did not vary greatly. Men wore a shirt and doublet (a close fitting garment like a jacket) and hose, which were very much like thick tights. The hose were sometimes padded, with horsehair, cotton or wool rags. Some people even padded their hose with bran, which was not a good idea, as it tended to spill out if the hose was torn. All women wore long sleeved dresses with skirts down to the ground...