Kampfrauen images

[mmcnealy]

On Monday I went to the library and got a whole load of stuff, one of which was a collection of images from the German single-leaf woodcuts from 1500-1550 volumes 2-4, volume 1 didn't have anything I hadn't already seen in v. 2-4. The collection focuses on images of Kampfrauen (women in the Landsknecht army train, literally means camp women) and what they wore. So after looking through about 3000 pages for images, I found these gems. I've scanned in detail images of their outfits too, so you can see things like the waistbands on the dresses and details on the shoes. Some of them look to be wearing socks. You can find it here.

Comments

[marymont.livejournal.com]

These are really interesting. Of note is that all their skirts are kilted up at the waist, making them short like modern-day dresses. This seems much more practical for walking and for knocking about in camp, even if it is contrary to our image of Med/Ren clothing rules.

German isn't my personal favorite, but this is a good bit for future knowledge if I ever change my mind.

[mmcnealy.livejournal.com]

I though the skirt length was very interesting too, some of them are not kilted up at the waist, yet are almost knee length. I also thought the styling was interesting, no Cranach styles among them that I've seen so far, versus what you usually see at Ren faires or in pictures of re-enactment guilds.

[pandorasbox.livejournal.com]

Hey isn't the term "camp woman" a slang for "prostitute"? hehehhhehhehe

[mmcnealy.livejournal.com]

They certainly could be, but not all of them were. I think the regulation was that the guys could bring along one wife and two daughters or something like that. But considering the death rate in combat, it wouldn't surprise me if some of the widows went that direction.