English medieval clothing

The Medieval period in England, between the end of the Roman Britain in c. 410 and the beginning of the Renaissance, in England about 1485, was a period of relatively slow changes in costume. Clothing differed considerably between the Anglo-Saxons, Anglo-Danes, Normans and Britons, and also varied with position in the social hierarchy. Both the men and women of lower social classes continued to wear styles that differed little from what was worn in the previous era. In addition to this division, sumptuary laws also divided social classes by regulating the colours and styles these various ranks were permitted to wear, particularly in the era beginning with the reign of King Edward III.