Most images from this period are of saints and religious figures. They are portrayed in contemporary clothes. Occasionally there are images of ordinary people such as in the popular "Calendar of the Months" which show the main work of each month in the local agricultural cycle. I taking this period as that of Romanesque architecture - roughly 1000-1200.
Two angel musicians wearing long white robes beneath blue tunics and red mantles. Wall painting at St Chef Abbey, France
Faded wall painting of two men in hoods, tunics and hosen. St Chef Abbey, France
A farmer harvesting winter wheat in Italy. Lucca Cathedral.
Farmer pruning vines in March. Lucca Cathedral, Italy
A farmer ploughing and sowing in February and March. Lucca Cathedral, Italy.
Farmer killing a pig in December. He is probably wearing old clothes for this messy job. Lucca Cathedral, Italy.
Man treading grapes in September. He has his tunic pulled up over his belt to avoid stains. Lucca Cathedral, Italy.
Man flailing corn to extract the seed in July. Lucca Cathedral, Italy
Sowing from a stained glass window in Canterbury Cathedral, UK
Sowing from a stained glass window in Canterbury Cathedral, UK
A feast - the Last Supper. Oddly there are women present. Wall painting in Brinay Church, France
The Wise Men. This shows wealthy men and a woman (the Virgin Mary). Vic Church, France.
The blessed going to heaven. The painting has been preserved. The tympanum of Conques Abbey, France.
A couple carrying their harvest home. Santa Maria de Ripoll Cathedral, Spain.
A couple pruning a tree or vine. The woman wears a short tunic over an ankle length skirt. Santa Maria de Ripoll Cathedral, Spain
Spanish soldiers. They carry small round shields unlike the Normans. Santa Maria da Ripoll, Spain
Early medieval fabric. This was difficult to take as the lighting was very poor. Ambazac church, France
King with a viol - maybe one of the old men of the Apocalypse. Cathedral at Oloron Ste Marie, France
Man in hood, overtunic and under tunic with ?flail. Lead font at Brookland Church, Kent
Man digging in large hat as sun protection in July. Lead font at Brookland Church, Kent.
Annunciation wall paintng. Mary wears a red cloak and dress with girdle. Church of St Botolph, Hardham, Sussex
Two bishops, one with a crozier. They are saints from the halos. Clayton Church, Sussex
Boy carrying a sheep. He wears a simple belted tunic and low boots. Priory of Chanteuges, France
Reproduction of wall painting in the Boi Valley, Catalunya, Spain. Two men one with a harp the other with a sword. They have mid-length tunics and trousers with what looks like cross bindings.
Queen from the Lewis chess pieces. The queens always look worried. Late 12th century. British Museum, London.
Knight from the Lewis chess pieces with spear and caparisoned horse. Late 12th century. British Museum, London.
All items (1)