#medieval research

[fawnpalmer]

coffee, pastry, research, laptop

October 10th, 2025

Words Written: 673

Mood: wistful, bored with myself

[devynconstance]

Just finished braiding some yarn to test out on my medieval dress. The believe the cord I was using originally was too thick for the eyelets and it was making it difficult to get the dress on and off so this is the first solution I'm attempting.

Not sure if the yarn will hold up even with the braiding but it's worth a shot before moving onto more extreme measures.

Fun fact braiding or weaving wool, flax, or leather was an extremely common form of cord making in viking and medieval period, though definitely not the method I used here.

This is a lucet (not my photo)

And it's a tool that can be used to weave together said previous materials and/or yarn into a strong cord (much stronger than a 3 strand braid). The benefit of such a method is you aren't limited to a predetermined length of cord prior to braiding and can essentially make a really long cord relatively quickly (with the added bonus of it actually looking historically accurate when used with historical pieces)

Seeing as I didn't have this tool on hand to try out and I'm really just in the testing problem solving phase in my project I just went with a regular 3 strand braid despite its obviously inferior qualities.

I could have also used a fingerloop braid instead which would be much stronger in the long run and would produce a similar result (and would still be historically accurate).

However, I forewent this method for the moment because I was unsure if I had enough yarn on hand to accommodate this method (I'm using the last of what I had on hand) and I didn't really have the time to learn how to do this braid for this project.

That being said though I hope to learn both methods for upcoming historical projects because there is nothing better than using historical methods when making historical garments.

[ahb-writes]

Medieval Nicknames, Pet Names & Diminutives — Male

Adam: Adnet, Adenot, Adkin, Ade, Add

Aloysius: Lowis, Lewis, Lewin, Louis

Amyas: Amyot, Amand, Amadis (Fr)

Ancel: Ansel(l), Anselm, Ancelot, Anscelin, Hanselin, Anselin

Andrew: Dandy, Tandy, Dancock

Anketil: Antel, Anker, Antin, Aske Asketil, Askil, Annakin(Yo), Asti

Arnold: Arnaud, Arnot, Arnel

Auberon/Aubrey: Oberon, Avery, Avo, Aves, Auvery, Aubert, Albray, Albert

Bartholomew: Bart, Ba(t)te, Barty (Scots), Batty, Batkin, Bette, Bartelot, Bertelot, Bertelmew

Christopher: Stoffer, Kit(te), Kester, Kitelin, Christal (Scots)

Denis: Dionysus, Den(et), Denzil, Denisel

Egidius: Aegidius, Giles,Gille, Gillard, Gilo, Gisel

Elias: Ellis, Elcock, Helle, Eliot, Elwaud (Scots), Elwat, Eluat, Eluolt, Elkin, Helyas, Hellis, Elyet, Allat, Alard Adalard, Elicoc, Hellcock, Elie

Geoffrey: Jeppe, Geff, Gepp, Jeeves, Jeff, Jefcock, Jeffkin, Jeffrey

Gerald/Gerard: Girard, Garard, Garrald, Garrood, Jarrold, Jarrot, Jerald, Greoud, Jared

Gilbert: Gibb, Gibelin, Gibelot, Gip

Hamo: Hamlet, Hamlin, Hammet, Hamnet, Hamon(d), Haim(o), Hame, Hamon, Aymes, Hamekin, Hawkin

Henry: Hal, Harry, Herry, Hanne, Hen(kin), Hanekin, Halkin, Hawkin

Hilary: Ilarius, Illore, Eularius, Eylarius, Ellery, Hille

Hugh: Hugo, Huiet, Hughelot, Ugo ,Hugelin, Huelin, Hulin, Hudde, Huglin, Hudkin, Hukin, Howe, Hewe, Huget, Hudelin, Huhel, Huwet, Huchon (Fr)

James: Jago, Jacob(i), Jacce, Jack(lin), Jagge, Jakot, Jackett, Jackamin, Jex, Jem(me), Gimelot, Jimme, Jaycock, Jakock, Jankin, Jaques, Cob(et), Jakemin

Joel: Juhel, Jool, Jol, Johol, Joelin, Joylin, jollein

John: Jack, Jankin, Jenkin, Jan(cock), Hank (Flem), Henk(e), Henkin, Hann, Jonet, Jehan, Janin, Janne, Jenin, Hancock

Joscelin/Goscelin: Josse, Joyce, Josset, Gotselin, Gotsone, Jukel, Judoc, Joy, Joshin, Joce, Goss, Got(te), Goslin

Lawrence/Laurence: Larry, Lorenz, Larkin, Lorkin, Laret, Lawrie, Lowrie, Low, Laur

Leonard: Leo, Lyel, Leon, Leunot, Leonides, Lionel, Leoline

Luke: Lucius, Lucian,Ludovic, Luck Lucas, Luket

Matthew: Mayhew, Makin, Masse, Math(e), Mathy, Matkin, Maton

Michael: Mihel, Michel, Miot, Mighell, Miche, Miell, Miles, Milo

Nicholas/Colin: Colcock, Cole, Coll, Colkin, Colet, Nicol, Nicolin, Nicks, Nix

Odo: Odelin, Eudo, Otho, Odinel, Othello

Orlando/Roland: Rollet, Rollin, Rowland, Rowlatt, Rollant, Ruel, Rollanz, Rauland

Paul: Poul, Pole, Pauley, Paulin, Powlis

Peter: Pierce, Piers, Pers, Pell, Perkin, Pirret, Perrin, Perr(el), Pierun, Perron, Peterkin, Petri (Scots)

Philip: Phelp, Philp, Felip, Filkin, Philpot, Phipp, Potkin, Potin

Ralph: Rafe, Rafael, Raff, Radulf, Raul, Raulin, Raulot

Randolph: Randall, Randle, Randulf, Rand(y), Hann, Rann, Ranulf, Rankin, Randekin, Ranel, Rendall

Reginald: Reynold, Reynaud, Reginaud

Richard: Rick, Rich(ie), Digge, Ricot, Richelot, Rickard, Dicel, Dic(con), Dicet, Dicelin, Diggen, Hick, Hicun, Hickot

Robert: Rob(in), Robelard, Dobb(in), Hobb(in), Hobelot, Hobelin, Hopkin, Nobb, Nabb, Nabelot, Bobbet

Roger: Hogg, Rodge, Hodge, Dodge, Dogge, Doggin, Hodgekin

Silas/Silvester: Silvanus, Selwyn, Selvayn, Savin, Salvin, Selwin

Simon: Sim(o)nel, Sim(kin), Simond, Simonet, Simcock

Theobald: Tibalt, Tibbald, Tebbet, Tebb(el), Tybaud, Tepp, Talbot

Theodore: Theodoric, Terry, Todrick, Torrey, Tyrri, Tedric, Therry, Thierry (Fr), Deryk (flem)

Thomas: Tom(lin), Tomkin, Tomcock, Tam(lin), Tommis

Torald: Tory

Vivian: Vidian, Fithian, Fidd, Fidkin, Fiddian, Vidgen

William: Wilmot, Guylote, Will(y), Willet, Wilot, Wilcock, Gilot, Gilmyn

(further reading: female names)

[unofficialchronicle]

The holy court of love is a thousand times higher Than the house of reason. Only a man who holds his soul Lightly on his sleeve can kiss the threshold of that court.

Hafez “About Destitute Lovers” translated by Bly and Lewisohn.

[ahb-writes]

Medieval Nicknames, Pet Names & Diminutives — Female

Agatha: Agace, Agate, Agett

Agnes: Annis, Anice, Anes

Ailith: Ailed(a), Alet, Aleda, Alith, Adelid, Ailet, Aliet

Alice/Alison: Alys, Alise, Alicia, Alisen, Alysone, Alisounne, Helisent, Elison (Scots), Elisind, Helysoune, Adeline, Adelina, Adeleide, Adeliz, Alesia, Aelizia, Alot(a), Elisota

Amabel: Amable, Mabel, Mabilia, Mabilla, Amabilia, Amia, Amabilis, Anilla, Amabilla, Anabella, Amalota, Ameline, Amisia, Mab(b), Mopp(e), Moppet, Mabot(a), Amiel, Amand, Amanda [from 1212] Amy/Amice/Amata

Ann(e) : Annot, Annett, Anney, An(n)ora

Avelina: Averilet(a), Avel, Avenels

Avis: Avice, Avina, Avicia, Avizia, Aveza, Havoise

Barbara: Barbarel(la), Barbet(a), Babb(el), Barbel, Babbet, Babot(a), Babeth, Barbary, Barbette, Barb(y)

Beatrice: Beatta, Bete, Beton, Bett(e), Bettris(s), Betryse, Betune, Beitiris (Scots), Beatrix

Bridget: Bride, Bedelia, Beret, Berget

Catherine: Katharine, Catelin(e), Kate, Kitty, Katte, Katin, Catin, Kytte, Catlin, Cat(te), Katerel, Catun, Catell, Catelet

Cecily: Cecely, Cecile, Caecilia, Celia, Sisilla, Siscillia, Sisely, Sisly, Sicely, Sissel(ot), Siss(ot), Cissot(a)

Clare: Claire, Clarel, Clarot, Claret, Claris

Clarice/Claricia: Clarisse, Claritia, Clarissa

Denise: Denet, Dionysia, Denysia

Edith: Eaditha, Idith, Ediz, Alduse, Aldusa, Edusa

Eleanor: Ellen(or), Elaine, Elinor, Elyanor, El(l)a, Ala, Elot(a), Eliana, Helen(a), Alienor(a), Ellett, Elena, Heleyne, Eleni [no Nell yet]

Elizabeth: Ellice, Beth(a), Bess(e), Elizabella, Bethel, Lylie, Lilian, [No Betty yet]

Emme: Em(ma), Emmet, Emmot(a), Emelot(a), Amelot(a), Imme, Emblem Emeline, Emelina, Ameline, Amelyn, Minna, Minota, Imma, Edelina, Emlyn Emerentiana, Emerence

Eve/Avelina: Eva, Evot(a), Evet(te), Evelot, Evelune, Evelin(g), Ivet(ta), Iva, Ava, Avelina, Aveling

Everild(a)/Avery: Averyl, Aveline

Floriane/Flora: Flur, Fleur, Floria, Florencia, Florentia, Florence

Idony: Idonia, Idonea, Ideny, Idone, Yden(e), Idunn, Iduna

Isabel: Isabella, Ysabella, Bel(e) Isabeau, Ilsabeth, Ibb(et), Ishbel, Isla (Scots), Libbe(t), Bella, Bel(ot), Belet, Belissendis, Ibbot(a), Ebbot, Ebota, Ebete, Bete, Bibb(i), Tibb(y), Bibile, Ibelot

Iseult: Iselda, Iseldis, Ysoude, Isolda, Isouda, Isota, Isata, Iseut, Ysole, Isset, Isalt

Ismay: Ismenia, Ismaine, Idemay, Ysemay, Ysmeine, Ismayn, Ismaigne, Hismena, Minna, Emonie, Immine

Jacquetta: Jaketta, Jakemina, Jaqueline, Jemme, Jemma, Gemma, Jimme, Jacoba, Jacelin

Jane: Joanna, Johanna, Jehanne, Jean(ne) (Fr, Scots), Joan, Janet, Janeth, Jenyth, Jehane

Jocelyn: Joyce, Josse, Joy, Jocea, Jocosa, Juicea

Julian(e) : Juliana, Julitta, Julia, Juliet[late], Jill, Jilian, Jelion, Giliane, Giliana, Gillet, Gilia, Gilota, Gell, Gellion, Geleia, Gellie, Gillota, Jell, Jull, Juetta, Jouet, Jewet, Juhota

Laura: Lora, Lauretta, Laureola, Laurencia, Loret(t)a, Lauret.

Lettice/Laetitia: Lece, Lecia, Lecie, Lecelina, Letselina, Lecel, Leceln, Lescelye, Lesellyn, Lett(e)

Love: Lovie, Lovota, Loveta, Lovejoy, Lovekin, Leffeda, Liuete, Loveday

Margaret/Marjorie: Magge, Magot(a), Marguerite, Madge, Margery, Margat, Mergret, Meriet, Mogg(e) Pogg, Pegge, Mogot, Magat, Grete, Greta

Mary: Molle, Malle, Malot(a), Mariot(a), Mary-Ann, Malyn, Malina, Marian, Marykin, Meryet, Maryatt, Mol(et), Marina, Marcella, Maura, Miriam, Poll, Polkin

Mat(h)ilde/Maud: Maddy, Tilly, Mathild, Mactildis, Mechtilda, Mazelina, Mahalt, Mahald, Mahaud, Mald, Molde(en), Mauld, Moude, Motte, Till(ot)

Melicent: Melisende, Melisendra, Melusina, Milcentia, Millicent, Melisentia, Milisendis

Oriel: Oriholt, Oriolda, Aurildis, Orieldis, Aurelia

Petronille: Petronella, Perone(l)le, Peryna, Parnell(e), Pernel, Pennel, Purnella

Richilda: Rikilda, Richeldis, Richenda, Ric(h)olda, Rictrudis

Rose: Rosa, Rosalba, Rosamund, Rosalie, Rosan(na)

Sanchia: Scientia, Sancha, Sence, Sanche, Sanctia, Science, Sencey

Sara: Sarre, Sare(t), Sarret, Sarrot, Sarra, [Sally was later]

Sidony: Sedehanna, Sedania, Sedaina

Tiffan(y)/Theophania: Teffan, Teffaia, Tephania, Theffanie, Tiphina

Viola: Violante, Violete, Violetta, Violaine

(further reading: male names)

[ahb-writes]

The Khirghiz (8th-9th Century)

(1) Khirghiz warrior, 8th century

Though isolated, the Kirghiz had advanced weaponry. This warrior's one-piece helmet is particularly fine. Apart from a thickly quilted coat his only other armor is a chest protection of overlapping iron lames. His highly decorated sword is, however, still of the straight double-edged type. (Main sources: helmet from Tomsk area, 7th-10th C., ex-Medvedyev; sword and scabbard from Altai Mts., Kirghiz, 7th-8th C., Hermitage Mus.; Buddhist wall-painting from Koço, 9th C., Staat. Mus., West Berlin; stucco horse from Ming-oi, 8th C., Brit. Mus.; Kirghiz armor, 6th-8th C., ex-Medvedyev.)

(2) Kimak tribal warrior, 9th century

The abundant weaponry found in pagan Kimak graves include types of armor mid-way between lamellar and scale. Some Kimak armor may have been imported from settled civilizations but this warrior's segmented helmet is typical of the medieval steppes and Russia. His bowcase again has tooled decoration portraying a horse-archer while his straight sword has the non-symmetrical quillons more commonly associated with sabers. (Main sources: Kimak sword, 9th-10th C., exKhudyakov; helmet from Legerevskie, 9th—10th C., ex-Mazhitov; Kimak armor, 9th-10th C., exKhudyakov.)

(3) Khirghiz tribesman, 9th century

Later Kirghiz military equipment showed greater Chinese influence. It also had much in common with that of the later Mongols. This heavily armored cavalryman has armor almost entirely of iron lamellae, plus an iron helmet reinforced with iron bands. The beginnings of plate armor can be seen in his shoulder pieces and the disc over his chest which may have covered a lacing system. The laminated vambraces on his lower arms are in a long-established Transoxanian tradition while his shins would be protected by mail strips which appear, though not very clearly, in some Buddhist wall-paintings. The horse's armor is of leather lamellar with a flexible disc over the animal's shoulder to prevent chafing. (Main sources: Kirghiz sword, 9th 10th C., ex-Khudyakov; Kirghiz armor, 9th 12th C., ex-Khudyakov; Buddhist wall-paintings from Bezeklik, 9th-10th C., Berlin, probably lost in WW2; Buddhist wall-painting from Kumtura, 8th C., Staat. Mus., West Berlin; painted paper fragment from Yar, Uighur, 9th C., Staat. Mus., West Berlin.)

(illustration and text from Nicolle & McBride (1990) Attila and the Nomad Hordes; pp. 93-94)

[unofficialchronicle]

On Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of Europe. 

[ahb-writes]

Medieval Weapons Expert Rates Weapons Scenes in Movies and TV | How Real is It?

Tobias Capwell is the curator of arms and armor at The Wallace Collection in London. Here, he reacts to seven memorable scenes featuring medieval weapons and...

This is cool. This clip isn't about guessing about what works and what doesn't, it's about determine what aspects about historical accuracy are optimal for the type of storytelling the artist, creator, actor or director wishes to invoke.

For example, Capwell discusses the function of armor in defense against arrows and the soldier's capacity to continue fighting or continue defense while under attack. Very cool