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SaṁainGoat
As always, there's a kulak essay for that...
https://www.anarchonomicon.com/p/no-medieval-armies-didnt-look-like?utm_source=publication-search
https://www.anarchonomicon.com/p/no-medieval-armies-didnt-look-like?utm_source=publication-search
CatSoc 
can’t read it either, but the headline makes it sound like historical nerds are making a big fuss over nothing. I think hollywood does have a problem with putting a grey filter over medieval period piece movies and shows but I am able to just enjoy it for what it is
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Sorry, forgot she paywalls old articles. Here's an archive link.
Her point is that they did used to brightly dye and embroider their clothes, but that their clothes were hard-used and probably faded and wore out quite quickly.
https://archive.is/p8b5d
Her point is that they did used to brightly dye and embroider their clothes, but that their clothes were hard-used and probably faded and wore out quite quickly.
https://archive.is/p8b5d
I think faded color fabric is a fair argument for the people that labored, but I still take issue with the fact that hollywood makes all peasants wear clothes that look like soiled and tattered brown potato sacks. as the article mentions it is true that most people had 1 or 2 complete dresses, but they were very high quality and meant to last.
when it comes to people of nobility, I maintain that modern day movies and tv show costumers are allergic to brightly colored fabrics that would have been historical. and even when colors are present, they are muddled and darkened. I have doubts about the faded textile argument when it comes to nobles because they would rarely be active in the sun enough for that to happen. I think medieval movies during the 50s and 60s were the last to get it right. we just kind of have to accept that anything medieval now will have a gloom and doom palette, a dark age before bright colors were invented.
when it comes to people of nobility, I maintain that modern day movies and tv show costumers are allergic to brightly colored fabrics that would have been historical. and even when colors are present, they are muddled and darkened. I have doubts about the faded textile argument when it comes to nobles because they would rarely be active in the sun enough for that to happen. I think medieval movies during the 50s and 60s were the last to get it right. we just kind of have to accept that anything medieval now will have a gloom and doom palette, a dark age before bright colors were invented.
Ponces would show off their clothing wasnt faded and it would be a gigantic mideval dickwaving contest over the most vibrant fabrics among both peasants and nobility. Especially with purple, until very recently historically speaking purple faded like a motherfucker.
during the 14th century it became such a problem with the nobility over lowly prostitutes flaunting their vibrantly colored and embroidered clothing they received as gifts or bought with their money that sumptuary laws were passed to prohibit them from wearing it and mogging the nobles in their own fashion
Additionally military uniforms especially self provided ones during the early to middle medieval period I would assume would be vibrant as all hell because its a giant fucking banner of "PLEASE DONT STAB ME IM ON YOUR FUCKING SIDE" during balls to the walls skirmishes.
The Court Jester 1955.
Fading also happens from washing and being in the rain.
And when they were at home... sure they probably wouldn't have worn their best tabard out every time they went hunting, but on campaign they would have worn them any day they could reasonably expect a battle.
Also dyes back then often weren't as colour-fast as they are now and detergents weren't as gentle.
And when they were at home... sure they probably wouldn't have worn their best tabard out every time they went hunting, but on campaign they would have worn them any day they could reasonably expect a battle.
Also dyes back then often weren't as colour-fast as they are now and detergents weren't as gentle.
I will concede that colors will fade with multiple washes and from the elements of hunting or long military campaigns. but medieval movies still go out of their way to minimize (and outright erase) the colors beyond just being hard worn and faded. if you look at the example of the original post with The King, he is literally stripped of all heraldry and color, down to just a cold steel harness that only serves to reinforce the grey aesthetic.
I dislike that the author of this article justifies this trend by saying the colors just isn’t compatible with modern film cameras because it captures too much detail. I cannot buy that because the viewers will see the fabric in 4K, the studio cannot afford the added cost of aging the colored clothing so they must opt to make the entire wardrobe dirty brown and covered in eggshells, or just omit colors entirely. to me it just sounds like an apologist for what is really just the director’s desire for a gritty scene and tone for the film.
all this being said, I still enjoy modern fantasy and medieval period piece media. I must give props even to The King with Timothy Chalamet, because despite the lack of color, even faded colors, I was pleasantly surprised by how historically accurate the armored sword fighting was in the film.
I dislike that the author of this article justifies this trend by saying the colors just isn’t compatible with modern film cameras because it captures too much detail. I cannot buy that because the viewers will see the fabric in 4K, the studio cannot afford the added cost of aging the colored clothing so they must opt to make the entire wardrobe dirty brown and covered in eggshells, or just omit colors entirely. to me it just sounds like an apologist for what is really just the director’s desire for a gritty scene and tone for the film.
all this being said, I still enjoy modern fantasy and medieval period piece media. I must give props even to The King with Timothy Chalamet, because despite the lack of color, even faded colors, I was pleasantly surprised by how historically accurate the armored sword fighting was in the film.