Codpiece

2004-05-18T08:50:04Z

130.95.106.154:

The cod piece developed when men's clothing began revealing the gap left by hose in the crotch. Originally a plain flap of fabric laced over the gap, the cod piece later became a larger and elaborate fashion item in its own right.

Thread

2004-01-15T06:01:45Z

130.95.106.154:

'''Thread''' is either animal or vegetable fibre spun into long, flexible strands. It is used in [[sewing]], [[weaving]] and any number of other fibre [[crafts]].

Thread can be made of a great many different materials including:
* [[Wool]] - (mostly from sheep but also from lesser animals if nothing else was available). Wool tended to snap more easily, and so was used for cheaper projects or where warmth alone was the important factor. Linnen or silk thread was preferred as it was stronger for the width, but wool was more easily [[felted]] and kept the rain out due to natural [[lanolin]]s.
* [[Cotton]] - a rare material in period - mainly imported from [[Egypt]] and [[India]]
* [[Hemp]]
* [[Linen]] - The most common thread in period - came from flax and the best flax grew in [[Holland]]?
* [[Silk]] - expensive during period too, but very desirable for best thread strength as well as brighter colours (it takes dye well), and also for it's fineness (the [[fibre staple]] is very long, allowing for a few fibres to twine for a great length). Generally imported from [[China]], though silk production occured in Italy from the 14th century onward.
* Some [[metals]] eg [[gold thread]] spun around a core of silk or linnen. Period [[artisans]] could get this quite thin by the mid period. Vikings just used thin metal wires (eg silver). Gold was most desirable, and most used as it didn't tarnish like silver.

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Codpiece

Thread