An examination of the fabrics, garments and cloth of the Iberian Middle Ages, bringing out in particular the international context. The Medieval Iberian Peninsula, encompassing various territories which make up present-day Spain and Portugal, was an ethnic and religious melting pot, comprising Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, each contributing to a vibrant textile economy. They were also defined and distinguished by the material culture of clothing and dress, partly dictated by religious and cultural tradition, partly imposed by rulers anxious to avoid cross-ethnic relationships considered undesirable. Nevertheless, textiles, especially magnificent Islamic silks, crossed these barriers. The essays in this volume offer the first full analysis of Iberian textiles from the period, drawing on both material remains and historical documents, supported by evidence from contemporary artwork. Chapters cover surviving textiles, many of them magnificent silks; textile industries and trade; court dress and its use as a language of power and patronage; the vast market in utilitarian textiles for lower-status clothing and furnishings; and Muslim and Jewish dress. It also considers Arabic and Jewish texts as sources of information on textiles and the Arabic garment-names which crossed into Spanish. Particular emphasis is given to the the different ethnicities of Iberia and their influences on the use and trade of garments (both precious and common-place) and textiles.

About the Author
Gale R. Owen-Crocker is Professor Emerita of the University of Manchester where she was previously Professor of Anglo-Saxon Culture and Director of the Manchester Centre for Anglo-Saxon Studies. Maria Barrigon is a curator responsible for medieval textiles at the Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, Spain. She has published on the Las Huelgas collection and other early textiles. Nahum Ben-Yehuda is an ordained rabbi and MA in Jewish history. He researches and publishes on textiles and garments in Biblical and Rabbinic texts. Joana Sequeira is a Contracted Researcher at the University of Minho (Lab2PT), Portugal. A medieval economic historian, she publishes on textile production, trade and consumption. Maria Barrigon is a curator responsible for medieval textiles at the Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, Spain. She has published on the Las Huelgas collection and other early textiles. Nahum Ben-Yehuda is an ordained rabbi and MA in Jewish history. He researches and publishes on textiles and garments in Biblical and Rabbinic texts. Gale R. Owen-Crocker is Professor Emerita of the University of Manchester where she was previously Professor of Anglo-Saxon Culture and Director of the Manchester Centre for Anglo-Saxon Studies. Joana Sequeira is a Contracted Researcher at the University of Minho (Lab2PT), Portugal. A medieval economic historian, she publishes on textile production, trade and consumption.

Reviews
Richement illustre, agremente de deux index dont un consacre aux termes textiles, il offre un panorama general sur l'economie textile et la culture materielle de l'habillement dans la peninsule Iberique medievale qui englobait alors une multitude de territoires constituant l'Espagne et le Portugal actuels, et se distinguait par un brassage ethnique et religieux entre chretiens, musulmans et juifs. Richly illustrated, embellished with two indexes including one devoted to textile terms, it offers a general overview of the textile economy and the material culture of clothing in the peninsula Medieval Iberia, which then encompassed a multitude of territories constituting modern day Spain and Portugal, and was distinguished by an ethnic mix and religious between Christians, Muslims and Jews. * BULLETIN CRITIQUE DES ANNALES ISLAMOLOGIQUES *



Book Information
ISBN 9781783277018
Author Professor Gale R. Owen-Crocker
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint The Boydell Press
Publisher Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Weight(grams) 1g