1/2 I recently heard the notion in an online discussion, that medieval christian veiling was a matter of practicality.
That is something I have heard quite regulary in reenactment/living history circles and it always irks me a bit when that aspect of veiling is so heavily emphasised. Yes, veils can also have practical effects like holding back the hair for working, protecting the head from dust, sun and the elements in general.
#livinghistory #reenactment #womeninhistory #womenshistory
2/2 And while you are at it, you may as well show your wealth in a veil and make it fancier, play with its forms and test the limits of the mandate.
But it was primarily understood as a symbolic piece of clothing, worn to express a particular order in society.
This citation from Heinrich von Langenstein, quite an influencial theologian in the 14th century (and also philosopher and mathematician) teaching at the Universities in Paris and Vienna, lays it out pretty bluntly.
#livinghistory
Diu Minnezît
Das gemeine Wip
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