On Thu, 11 Jan 2007, Sue Clemenger wrote:

> I'm in the early stages of thinking about undertaking a houp...like,
> in a year or so, predicated, of course, on the theory that I'll
> actually have built the correct garments to go *underneath* by then!
> ;o) I've been wondering, though...when did they first start showing up
> as being worn by women?

I've seen them in English brasses from the 1390s or so, but most of the
manuscript images I can think of are 1400-1430.

Be aware, too, that in the 1380s and 1390s you see some gowns that look
like early versions of what we call houppelandes now -- full in the body
but not quite so full as later, high neckline or a bit of a collar but not
the very tall ones yet, fairly narrow but not tight sleeves that haven't
yet grown into the big bells or bags. The transition is gradual, so it's
hard to point to a moment when the gowns officially qualify as
"houppelandes," and probably most of the people at the time called them
all "gowns" (or their language's equivalent of that word) anyway.

--Robin


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