Glossary of Medieval Costuming Terms,
Items of Clothing and Accessories.

You may well have noticed that whilst a garment shape may not alter greatly over hundreds of years, the name of a garment or fabric may differ from period to period. Listed here are common costuming garment names and a brief, simple description thereof. Armouring terms have not been included; it's already a very extensive list. By no means do I suggest that a name or item of clothing was not used before the indicated date. The dates refer to common reference.

A
agrafe large brooch for robe or cloak fastening
agraffes 16th century onwards. hook-and-eyes used for clothing or armour
aiglets 15th to mid 17th century metal tips on the ends of laces.
aiguillettes see aiglets
alb long, white robe worn by Christian priests.
almoner corded purse of silk or leather attached to a girdle or belt used to keep alms
amice 16th century grey fur, possibly squirrel
anademe fillet or garland of flowers or leaves for the head
anlace short sword or dagger
apron Worn by artisans or workers to protect clothing for men and women. Usually rectangular linen sewn onto a waistband
attire 15th century on. headwear of gold and jewels worn on occasions of state. later shortened to 'tire'.
aulmoniere see almoner
aumer see almoner
aumuse a kind of hood with shoulder coverings split at the front.

B
back, bak 14th century term loosely for any outer garment.
bagpipe sleeve close fitted at the armhole, bagpipe shaped at the elbow and buttoned at the wrist. Popular on the houpelande. Also called poky sleeve
balandrana 12th & 13th century wide travelling cloak.
baldric 13th to 15th century wide belt to suspend sword, dagger, pouch etc, often decorated and worn at hips or over shoulder. Often with bells.
barbe 14th to 16th century pleated linen veil and wimple often worn by widows
barbette fine linen band encircling the head- wide at the crown and thin under the chin like a strap.
barmecloth, barmefell, barmeskin 14th to 17th century leather apron
baselard see anelace
basen see bazan
bauson skin skin of a badger
baudric see baldric
bawdric see baldric
beaver, beaver hat 14th century on. beaver skin hat
bell late 13th to early 15th century travelling cloak. Circular, sometimes hooded, sometimes with side vents.
bend 1. 1000 to end 15th century. Fillet or circular ornament worn on head.
bend 2. synonym for stripe.
birlet 15th century circular padded roll as worn with chaperons by men.
bliaud see bliaut
bliaunt see bliaut
bliaut 12th century. Loose tunic worn by men and women with very wide sleeves.
bliaus see bliant
bonet 15th century headgear- small round cap, often with fur trim. Worm under the crown by the king. Often worn with a jewelled ornament.
bosses late 13th to end of 14th century decorative cauls of network or linen covering thick plaits of hair, generally artifically enlarged and arranged on each side of the head above the temples. Worn with a veil. Also templers
bourrelet see birlet
bourse 1440 to 18th century large purse or bag.
bracer yeoman's glove with long, ornamented leather top.
brael 14th century breech girdle
braies medieval to 15th century male underwear, long and loose with a drawstring waist, progressively getting shorter as time passed.
brayette end of 14th century narrow braie-girdle buckled in front.
breast-kerchief late 15th to mid 16th century kerchief wrapped about the shoulders and folded across the breast for warmth. Worn under the gown.
breeches 13th century- long under trousers with a drawstring waist
brodekin, brodkin, brotiken see buskins
buskins 14th to late 17th century boot reaching mid-calf or to the knee favoured by travellers & country people. Womens buskins may be made of velvet, satin or Spanish leather for travelling.
burgundian gown popular late 14th to 15th century style of gown with a high waist, full skirt, fitted sleeves and deep V neckline, usually fur trimmed
burlet see birlet
butterfly headdress 2nd half 15th century. Headdress with wire frame supporting wire for the veil fixed to a small fez-shaped cap worn on the back of the head.
buttons from at least the 13th century onwards in England
buttoner 14th century close row of ornamental buttons down the front of a houppelande
bycocket hat turned up behind and down in front similar to the chapeau

C
caban 14th & 15th century loose cloak with armholes.
cap from medieval times on.
capa hooded robe or mantle
cape known as a cope from 12th to 14th century.
capuchon a hood pre-14th century or cowl
camise see chemise
camisia medieval shirt or smock for both sexes.
caul head covering worn by women, incorporating a decorated hair net of silk thread or goldsmithry, sometimes lined with silk. Later known as the crespine which developed into the reticulated headdress. Also a fret.
ceint, seint 14th & 15th century girdle.
chaisel
chaperon 14th century hood arranged in a variety of styles, often with a long liripipe or tippet which may be worn thrown over the shoulder. Worn by men and women.
chaperon 15th century headdress consisting of a circular roll or burlet, a liripipe or tippet, sometimes left dangling, and a cockscomb-like flopping crown.
chaplet 1. originally a band of flowers for the head.
chaplet 2. 14th, 15th & early 16th century circlet set with gems worn by both sexes on festive occasions.
chaplet 3. late 14th & 15th century wreath of twisted silk or satin made of an ornamental padded roll for any occasion.
chausses 13th & 14th century tight covering for the legs, each seperate and tied to a belt or undergarment. Can be made of leather or cloth. Also hose, chaussembles.
cheisil see chaisel
chemise from early medieval to end of 19th century. Undergarment usually of fine linen. The chemise is sometimes known as a smock for a woman and a shirt for a man. Often very voluminous, knee-length usually without trimming. Oblong in shape- shaped like a long, loose tunic. Sleeves vary from long, short and none.
ciclaton, cinglaton, syglaton see cyclas
cingulum belt or cord worn at the waist
circlet 14th century decorative circle of metal or goldsmithery worn on the head
circular cloak a cloak, circular in shape
cloak Anglo-Saxon onwards. Loose outer garment of varying length falling from the neck over the shoulders. Many different names and styles.
cloche end of 13th century travelling cloak
clogs medieval onwards. Wooden-soles overshoes to raise the wearer above the dirt.
Known as pattens and followed the shape of the fashionable shoe.
cloke-tunic
clot, clout-shoen 15th century man's shoe. Heavy, shod with thin iron plates for labourers.
coat of arms a cloak, three-quarters of a circle, decorated with heraldic devices. Fastened on the right shoulder.
cockers 14th to 16th century knee high rough boot worn by country folk.
cod medieval term for a bag.
codpiece 15th & 16th century front flap at the fork of long hose worn by men like a pocket.
cognisance heraldric badge of a noble family
coif end of 12 to mid 15th century close-fitting plain linen cap covering the ears and tied under the chin.
colobium plain tunic which preceeded the dalmatic
cope medieval voluminous circular cloak often with a hood, although sometimes without when used for ceremonial purposes.with a hood. Front opening. Pictured (left) is a cope from 1280_1300 made of red silk twill embroidered with gold couching and embroidery.
cork 15th century shoe identical to the patten with a sole of cork.
coronet 14th century small, open crown of nobility, less decorative than royalty.
corse 1. 14th & 15th century close-fitting sleeveless bodice, often very decorative undergarment laced to shape the body, constraining the sides, raising the breasts, keeping the waist small and round.
corse 2. see baldric
corset see corse
cote from 13th century. Everyday loose tunic being the main garment of both sexes. A woman's gown- long, close-fitting with long sleeves is usually referred to as a kirtle or kyrtle.
cote-hardie 14th to mid 15th century (men) tight-fitting, knee length tunic buttoned down the front to a low waist. After 1350 shorter sleeves were introduced and the tippet became populer. Tippets and skirts were often dagged, and a belt was always worn at hip level.
cote-hardie 14th to mid 15th century (women) long, tight-fitting gown with long sleeves worn over the kirtle. Very tight around the waist and requiring assistance to dress. Cut low off the shoulders and low neckline, with or without buttons down the front. Fitchets in the skirt were common. No girdle is worn over the top.
cotte Similar to the T shaped tunic dalmatic, but the
angled sleeve joins are masked withembroidered bands. When long, it is called the robe.
counter-fillet late 14th & 15th century fillet securing the veil.
courtepye 14th & 15th century upper garment like a surcote.
couvrechef medieval to 16th century. a fine veil in a light colour, sometimes edged in gold or richly embroidered. 13th century royalty or nobles were of silk or cloth of gold.
cowl
crackows long-pointed toes on hose, sometimes fastened with chains to the garters, forerunner to poulaines.
crespine 16th century crimped or pleated frill. Incorrectly known as headwear consisting of two jewelled cauls or nets of stiff gold wire, semi cylindrical in shape and usually with a securing circlet and veil.
crespinette see crespine
cuf, cuff, cuffie 14th century cap or coif.
cucufa end of 13th century close-fitting plain linen cap covering the ears and tied under the chin
cuker 15th century part of the horned headdress to do with horns.
cyclas- I have three definations and I am unsure which is the more correct. All of these have been found in books of a high standard of information. The definitions are as follows-
cyclas 1. 12th century "A" shaped tunic with keyhole
neckline and split up the front front the bottom hem at the front. Also gardcorp, surcote, syglaton.
cyclas 2. 13th century male and female rich gown worn for ceremonial occasions.
cyclas 3. 14th century outermost garment, tightly fitted, laced at the sides and shorter in front. Worn over a gambeson

D
dagges popular from 1380 to 1440 ornamental cutting of edges of garments. Continued into 14th and to the end of the 15th century.
daggues see dagges.
dalk to end of 15th century. Usually a pin but also a brooch, clasp or buckle.
dalmatica full-length tunic with long wide sleeves. Roughly T shaped. Pictured (left) is the 1300's Dalmatic described as Royal Purple. It has heavily embroidered neck, hem and sleeves
diadem large circle of gold or other precious metal worn like a crown.
dorelet medieval onwards hair-net embroidered with jewels.
dorlet see dorelet
doublet 14th century to 1670. Tight-fitting, short jacket worn next to the shirt, often made of two thicknesses and padded within.

E
english work (anglicum opus) medieval very fine Anglo-Saxon embroidery from the 7th to 10th century.
escarcelle rectangular pouch often worn at the back of the girdle, often with the miseriecord It was secured with a swivel T piece through a slot.
esclavine a pilgrim's mantle or cloak
estaches 2nd half of 14th century. French word for the strings attaching the hose. see points

F
feather pelts 14th to 17th century skins of various birds with feathers attached used for trimming garments in place of fur.
felet see fillet
felt mid 15th century on. Used alone, felt indicated a hat made of felt.
fent see fischet
fermail, fermayll 15th century buckle or brooch.
fibula type of brooch to fasten garments
filet see fillet
fillet 13th & 14th century narrow band to tie about the hair of the head made of stiffened linen and worn with a barbette or frett or both. In the 18th century the term was used to mean a hairnet which covered the whole head.
fischet see fitchet
fitchet 13th to mid 16th century vertical slits in the cotehardie through which the hands were passed either for lifting the gown whilst walking or to allow access to the gown underneath and the pouch suspended from the girdle or belt.
folly bells 15th century form of decoration of small bells suspended by chains from a girdle or shoulder band.
fouriaux 1st half of 12th century. Silk hair-dressing sheaths enclosing the two long plaits of ladies of high rank.
fret, frette 13th to early 16th century trellis-work coif or skull cap made either of goldsmithry or material.
fringe medieval onwards used largely for ecclesiastical garments but rare in clothing before 15th century.
frontlet, frontel, frontayl 15th century on decorative band for the forehead worn by women, made of cloth, gold, velvet, silk etc worn under the veil.
frounce 14th century term for flounce

G
galoche 14th century onwards generic term for the protective overshoe.
galage see galoche
galoshes see galoche
galoss see galoche
gambeson see acketon
gardcorp mid 13th to 14th century garment similar to a cyclas with a slit in the upper sleeve for the arm to go through, and with gathered armbands. Often with a hood and worn with hanging sleeves, the arms passing through a vertical slit in the upper arm.
garde-corps see gardcorp
garnache 13th to mid 14th century male tunic- loose with short cape-like sleeves cut in one with the body and falling over the shoulders. Sometimes called a tabard.
garter medieval onwards- tie or band to keep stocking in place on the leg, avove or below the knee. Usually tied. Buckled from 1550s.
gimp see wimple
gipon similar to the acketon, but worn by itself, later becoming the pourpoint.
gipser, gipciere 14th & 15th century purse or pouch.
girdle medieval onwards long cord, band or belt encircling the waist or hips worn in a variety of styles in differing time periods. During Henry II, Richard I and John, worn at the waistline with material blousing over it. During the first half of the 13thC, the garment was un-bloused and the girdle sat flat. After 1250, sloping downwards to a point in the front.
gite 14th & 15th century gown (but what was it like, hmm?)
gloves from 12th century, but rare before 13th. The function and design of the glove is primarily unchanged.
goffered veil 19th century term for a headdress worn 1350-1420. see nebula headdress
gole 14th century name for the cape portion of the hood or chaperon.
golet 15th century name for the cape portion of the hood or chaperon.
gonel 14th century name for a gown (apparently)
gores 14th century method of sewing- triangular pieces inserted in lower seams to increase the fullness of a gown or inserted at underarm seam in early garments to permit freedom of movement.
gorget 12th & 13th century neck covering. see wimple
gowce 14th & 15th century term for gussett
gown medieval to 16th century. Term for long garment of both men and women. Varying styles and designs through this period.
gussets triangular pieces added to the underarms. Also see gores
guimpe see wimple
gwimple see wimple
gypsire leather pouch or wallet worn on a thin strap over the shoulder
gyrdells 1550 - girdles?

H
habit medieval onwards. Originally the distinctive dress of a particular rank or profession- particularly of religious orders.
handkerchief 16th century onwards. The same as today.
hanging sleeves 1400 to 1630 wide, long tubular sleeves with a slit cut through which the arm emerges. Used on a wide variety of garments.
harlot late 14th century expression for hose and breeches combined to resemble modern tights. Often considered indecent when first introduced.
harlotte see harlot
hauketon see acketon
hauqueton padded cotton jacket frequently worn by men at arms.
hawk-glove 13th century onwards. Short glove worn on teh left hand as protectionas the hawk was being carried on the wrist.
heart-shaped headdress 1420 to 1450 womens headware. Tall templers covering the ears and pointing upwards forming a u shaped dip above the forhead. Secured with a circlet and draped with a veil.
hennin 2nd half of the 15th century. French term for the steeple-shaped head-dress. Rare in England. Worn with "loose kerchiefs atop hanging down, sometimes as low as the ground."
herigaut 1375 - early 14th century gown-like garment with three quarter to full sleeves, generally with the sleeves hanging. see garde-corps (see picture at right)
herlot see harlot
heuk 14th & 15th century cloak or outer garment like a cyclas.
When longer, reaching the knees, it was called the tabard.
heuke see heuk
heuse, huseau, housel, houseau 1240s to late 15th century long riding boot reaching to mid-thigh and fitted with buttons, buckles or straps on the outer leg.
hoggers garters
hood medieval onwards. Varying styles over the medieval period. 14th century featured the liripipe.
hooks and eyes used from 14th century
hoqueton see hauqueton
horned headdress 1410 to 1420, rarely to 1460. Headdress with wide templers and wired up to resemble horns which a veil curtains the back of the head.
hose medieval onwards tight covering for the legs, often woolen, usually of a woven material. Usually seperated. Joined together as a pair of tights in the 15th century.
houppelande end of 14th and through 15th century loose outer gown worn by men and women, either shaped or cut on a single slanting line from armhole to hem. Fitted at shoulders. Early forms had high bottle-necked collars. Sleeves were often the bagpipe sleeve or had huge dagged sleeves. There are three distinct styles.
howve 14th century name for a hood worn by men and women.
houve see howve

I
Irish mantle 15th century cloak.

J
jags, jagging see dagges
jerkin 1450 - 1630 mens jacket worn over the doublet but slightly longer, sometimes with hanging sleeves.
jupe 1290 to 1400 see gipon
jupon see gipon

K
kemes see chemise
kemise see chemise
kemse see chemise
kendal cloth made in Westmorland as early as 1389
kerchief medieval to end of 16th century. A draped head covering.
kercher see kerchief
kirtle see kyrtle
knightly girdle mid 14th to 1420 belt worn by male and female alike made of metal clasps joined together and fastened in front by an ornamental buckle or clasp. Worn on the hips, not the waist, over the gipon or cote-hardie but only by nobility.
knop Medieval button or tassel, usually decorative.
kyrtle 9th to end of 14th century womens long-sleeved long, fitted gown like a tunic. Usually worn under a cotehardie. In the 14th century, worn without an overgarment especially by yound unmarried women. often buttoned at front and buttoned to the elbow on the sleeves.

L
lace woven or plaited braid used for trimming or closing garments. Not the lace as we know it today.
latchet medieval onwards. fastening strap on a clog or shoe.
lineclothes, pair of 15th century mens linen drawers.
liripipe 1350 to end of 15th century. Long trailing tippet from the back of a hood or chaperon.

M
mahoitres from 1394. French term for shoulder padding in men's gowns and jackets.
mantelet medieval name for a short mantle or cloak.
mantle 12th century onwards. A circular cloak, long and loose often fastened with a cord linking two clasps at the neck. A mantle does not have a hood. During the 14th century, mens mantle's fastened on the right shoulder with 3 buttons, while the ladies remained fastened at the front, usually with cord.
mantil see mantle
mantlet see mantelet
maunche heraldic sleeve
melote medieval. Originally a sheepskin garment, later a cloak of any coarse fur. Usually worn by monks or friars at their work.
misericorde knight's dagger usually worn on the right hip
mitre
morse the fastening or clasp of a cope
mummer's hood hood with two elongates points off the side of the head. Worn by Mummers or Fools.

N
napron 14th and early 15th century term for apron
nebule see nebula headdress
nebula headdress 19th century name for the ruffled veil worn 1350 to 1420. Made of linen and draped over the head. The fabris was woven in such a manner that the edges were wider than the actual cloth giving a frilled appearance. Named as the three rows of ruffles of the veil resemble the nebules of heraldry.
neck-chain medieval to mid 17th century. Gold or gilded brass chain usually worn by men or travellers who could cut off a link in leiu of money.
nifels 2nd half of 15th century name for a woman's veil.
nouch 13th to 15th century jewelled clasp or buckle or a collection of jewels.
nyefles see nifels.

O
orphrey 13th century onwards term for embroidered with gold thread, especially decorating the borders of garments. Later it cam to mean narrow strips of any kind of embroidery, such as orphreys of blue, red and green, also plain velvet.
orfray see orphrey
orfrey see orphrey
orle 14th century border of fur.
ouch 13th to 15th century jewelled clasp or buckle or a collection of jewels.
ourle 13th century border of fur.
overslop 950 to end of 14th century term for a gown, stole, cassock or surplice.

P
paltock 14th to mid 15th century short under jacket to which sleeves and hose could be attached. Later known as the pourpoint
paltok see paltock
parrock 15th century loose cloak with arm holes.
parti-coloured hose mid 14th to mid 15th century. Hose of differing colours worn together, one of each on a leg.
parti-coloured gown or tunic constructed in two contrasting colours, the colours reversed on facing panels. Very popular in heraldic garments. Occasionally one side may be patterened or striped.
pattens 14th to mid 19th century overshoe to keep the shoe above the dirt. Usually wooden soled with straps of leather.
paultock see paltock
pautener medieval name for the bag hanging fro a girdle.
pavade dagger with a sharp blade
peer's mantle circular cloak to wear with parlimentary robes.
peer's robes parlimentary robes- houpeland-style.
pelicon full, fur-lined, loose outer garment
pelisse outer garment lined in fur or sometimes made of leather for outdoor wear
pelisson 14th to early 16th century furred over-gown. see pelicon, pilch
pellard see houppelande
pellotes 1244 similar to a sideless surcote with a high neck and deep cut armholes.
peplum a head veil
petticotte
petticoat small coat worn under the longer coat or gown at the end of the 15th century
phrygian cap 9th to end of 12th century. Common pointed cap with the apex turned over slightly towards the front.
piked shoes 1395 to 1410 then 1460 to 1480. Long pointy-toed shoes known by the French as poulaines. Worn by all classes, but especially the fashionable.
pinson 14th - 16th century light, indoor shoe, often furred.
placcard see plackard
placcate see plackard
plackard 14th century womens front panel or stomacher portion of a sideless surcote, often embroidered or trimmed with fur.
placart see plackard
plastron furred or jewelled band circling the neck and hanging in a band down the front used to secure the sideless gown by hooks to the cotehardie.
points laces used to fasten parts of a costume together
poky sleeve see bagpipe sleeve
pouch 12th to early 16th century bag or wallett slung fromt eh girdle or attached to the belt. A knife or dagger may be tucked into the supporting strap.
poulain, poulaine 1395 to 1410 then 1460 to 1480. A French term for piked shoes. Term rarely used in England.
pourpoint formerly known as the paltock. Short under jacket to which sleeves and hose could be attached. Later forms were padded at the chest.
poynts see points
pullayne see piked shoes
punge medieval purse
purse medieval onwards. At first a pouch, but from 14th century onwards, small drawstring pocket often square with three tassels- one in each bottom corner and one between them.

Q
quafe see coif
quintise similar to a tabard, often dagged, worn over a robe.
quoif see coif

R
rail late 15th century to late 17th century neckerchief folded and worn round the neck tucked into the front of the gown.
ramshorn hairdressing
rayle see rail
reticulated headdress developed from the crespine or caul.
revers 14th century onwards facings or borderings to a garment. Turned back edge.
riband 14th & 15th century border of a garment.
rilling see riveling
riveling 12th to 14th century shoe of raw hide with the hair on the outside.
rochet see rocket
rocket 14th & 15th centuries. A woman's gown, usually white linen.
roget see rocket
roket see rocket
roll, rolle 15th century circular part of the chaperon for men.
roundlet 15th century term for male equivelant of padded roll. Part of the chaperon.

S
sabbatons
sandal medieval onwards. Shoe made of a sole and straps arranged over the foot.
Saxon embroidery see English Work.
sclavyn late 13th century to 15th century pilgrim's mantle
sclavine see sclavin
scrip medieval pouch or wallet.
seint medieval name for a girdle.
sendall see cendall
sherte shirt, buttoned and sometimes with needlework.
shirt early medieval on. Man's undermost garment worn next to the skin.
sideless surcote 1360 to 1500 Low neckes and sleeveless and long over-garment surcote deeply cut around armholes to reveal the kyrtle underneath- often fur trimmed and embellished with jewelled band or jewelled bottons
slavin late 13th to end of 15th century pilgrim's mantle.
sleeveless surcote see sideless surcote or surcote.
slops 1. late 15th century A slipper.
slop-hose 15th to 18th century wide breeches worn by seamen.
smock late 13th to 17th century Anglo-Saxon term for chemise. Women's undermost garment worn next to the skin. Fashionable smocks were often embroidered in gold or coloured silks.
socks 8th century onwards. A short stocking worn with footless hose.
steeple hennin tall, pointed, conical headdress popular in the 15th century. Secured with a black velvet band and worn with a veil. see also hennin.
suckeny see surkney
super-cotehardie later edition of the surcote
supertotus medieval sleeved and hooded cloak worn by travellers.
supertunic 9th to end of 14th century, usually called a surcoat or surcote
surcoat see surcote
surcote 9th to 14th century tunic worn by both sexes, starting as a rectangular piece of fabric having a slit at the top for the head and slits for the sleeves. Then becoming the T-tunic which may have had wide sleeves at the wrist. Later, it became more shaped and eventually cut away to become the sideless surcote, then the super-cotehardie.
surkney medieval coarse, loose woolen frock worn by carters and shapherds.
swaddling bands medieval to end of 18th century long bandages for wrapping around the body and limbs of an infant giving it the appearance of a mummy.

T
tabard late 13th century and 14th century outer garment- circular mantle often ceremonial and heraldic.
tabbard see tabard
tache 15th to 17th century brooch, clasp, buckle or hook.
tasseaux circular or square ornaments on mantle where the cord goes.
tater 15th century. from tetour- a hood or chaperon with liripipe.
temples see templers
templers 1. late 13th to end of 14th century decorative cauls of network or linen covering thick plaits of hair, generally artifically enlarged and arranged on each side of the head above the temples. Worn with a veil.
templers 2. first half of 15th century ornamental bosses of goldsmithery or fine needlwork worn over the temples to enclose the hair. Supported by a fillet above the forehead.Often very elaborate and worn with a veil. (pictured)
templettes see templers
tippet 1. pendant-like streamer from the hood or around the arm made of cloth or fur. see liripipe.
tippet 2. from 16th century onwards- shoulder cape
trousers 10th-12th century leg coverings, loose, worn by peasants in England.
tressour 14th century chaplet of goldsmithry or material worn on the head.
tuft 15th century name for tassel
tunic, tunica 9th to early 14th century men's clothing, fitted at the shoulders, widening at the hips. Similar to women's kyrtle. The hem reaches to the upper thigh. Sleeves were varied- fitted at the forearm, or mutton sleeve, most popularly bat-wing. The tunic became shorter amongst fashionable persons. Also cote.
tunicle
Turkey bonnet or hat. 15th century 'flower-pot hat' sometimes called a hennin, and similar in design but without the pointed end.

U

V
vamp 15th century onwards. Upper front part of shoe.
veil medieval onwards. see coverchief.
vexillum

W
wambais see gambeson
wambeys see gambeson
wimple late 12th to mid-14th century. A long veil covering the neck and often the chin, popular in the 13th century and onwards. Usually of fine white linen or silk. Worn with a veil or fillet or both. Similar to nun's wimples of today.

XYZ
Yorkist gown 15th century fashionable French and English gown with long fitted sleeves, front closing V in bodice, bodice trimmed often with fur and full skirt with train. Often worn with steeple hennin and veil. see also burgundian gown.

For a complete compilation of terms, try the excellent "A Dictionary of English Costume" by Cunningtons & Beard (if you can get your hands on one). Most of this information came from there, although it's been cross checked with any other documents I have come across. Feel free to email me with any complaints using the subject heading "glossary whinge" and I'll check it out.

 

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