Buttons in 1500's Scotland?

Subject: Buttons in 1500's Scotland?
From: ARB
Date: 10 Apr 01 - 08:12 PM

My team and I are trying to improve our D.I. project for our State tournament. We are paying more attention to some of the details like costumes. I watched Braveheart and they didnt have buttons but it was a earlier time period. So if anyone knows when buttons were invented could you let me know. Thanks, Adam

Subject: RE: Buttons in 1500's Scotland?
From: Hansio
Date: 10 Apr 01 - 08:35 PM

I'm actually "Mrs. Hansio", but you can call me Miss.

In any case, "Braveheart" represents (albeit in a highly fictionalised & completely unreliable way; for instance, the script has William Wallace having an affair with a French princess waaaaaay out of his league a full 6 YEARS after he was executed as a traitor---what a guy! Also, it bears noting that Edward II & Isabella had 4 children, amongst whom was the EXTREMELY manly paragon of chivalric machismo, Edward III, to say nothing of his grandson, Edward the Black Prince---ooooh, baby!) events that occurred in the late 13th & early 14th century.

Sorry, I digress....Buttons were a major development in clothing during the 14th century; they were generally made of the same fabric as the garment (typically wool, as buttons would be for outer garments--both sexes wore a simple linen "shirt" beneath their clothing), that had been twisted or rolled into little ball-like shapes. They were fastened with loops, rather than buttonholes, which didn't come along until a bit later.

Now, it bears keeping in mind that Scotland was basically the back of beyond in 1500, and fashions that were au courant in Italy were about 50 years away from reaching the barren North. That said, by the turn of the 16th century, the Scots were certainly familiar with buttons, although they were NOT yet wearing The Kilt!

Good luck with your project!

Subject: RE: Buttons in 1500's Scotland?
From: Bert
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 12:30 AM

Hi there MISS Hansio. I don't know if anyone has yet welcomed you to this asylum which we call Mudcat. But if not then "Welcome aboard". You seem to be just the kind of pedantic knowledgeable curmudgeon that we all love here. Next time anyone is making a renfaire costume (cozzie for you Limeys) we'll know who to ask.

Thanks for the info.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Buttons in 1500's Scotland?
From: Margo
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 12:34 PM

How very interesting! And of course I misread the title of the thread. Around here buttons are generally thought of being attached to a melodian or accordian or concertina.... I'll add this one to me sabine stick! Margo

Subject: RE: Buttons in 1500's Scotland?
From: MMario
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 12:56 PM

If I understand things correctly - Highlanders of the period might well were a shirt/chemise type garment (laced or tied) with a wrapped and belted plaid over that. so - no buttons would be necessary - just a belt...

Lowland Scots would be wearing basically the same thing as English of the same period.

Note: for some reason many people have problems referring to a wrapped and belted plaid as a "kilt". therefore I didn't.

Subject: RE: Buttons in 1500's Scotland?
From: mousethief
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 12:58 PM

Wow, Ms. Hansio, how did you learn all that stuff? I'm impressed!

Alex, who is fascinated with the history of artefacts.

Subject: RE: Buttons in 1500's Scotland?
From: Hollowfox
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 01:09 PM

ARB, you might want to check costuming and clothing history books at your local library (good for the bibliography), or take a look at the Society for Creative Anachronism website as a jumping-off place to link to sites with costuming tips and/or documentation.
Hanso, the explanation of buttons of the time period is excellent, and I do agree about Braveheart, but where else can you see Mel Gibson get drawn and quartered, on camera?