How did priests dress in in the Middle Ages and why?

Answer 1

many of the monks and priests usaully wore black/brown robes

answer: priest's did not wear black clothing. Monks wore black. Priests usually wore white

Answer 2

The word clergy covers a wide range of different grades within the Church, from doorkeeper to Pope. Dress was different at each level.

Perhaps you mean "what did medieval priests wear?", which is a question already asked and answered incorrectly many times on this forum - priests definitely did not wear black or brown clothing.

The main garment of a priest was a white linen albreaching almost to the ground and with long sleeves. Over this and around his neck he wore a long strip of linen, like a draped scarf called a stola. This had three embroidered crosses - one at each end and one in the centre (at the back of the neck). Another, smaller, strip of embroidered linen hung over the priest's left wrist - the maniple.

Around the waist of the alb was the linen belt known as a cincture, ending in hanging tassels or fringes.

Over the alb the priest might wear a coloured silk chasuble (like a poncho with points at bottom front and rear), or a heavy woollen cloak called a cope, depending on the type of service to be held. These garments could be decorated with embroidery and might be coloured according to the particular point in the Church calendar. A black cope would be worn at burial services.

The link takes you to an image showing medieval priests in various orders of dress for various services - the alb should be much whiter than shown:

Answer 3

The main garment of all secular clerics (churchmen) was the alb, a long linen garment which was made as white as possible. Over this priests wore a stola or stole, which was essentially a long linen scarf with elaborate embroidery.

Depending on the service due to be given, a priest would either wear a silk chasuble over these, or a cope. The chasuble was sleeveless and shaped like a poncho, while the cope was an elaborately-decorated cloak held together with a wide strap across the chest.

The white alb symbolised purity, the stole was essentially to keep the priest's neck warm and free from drafts, while the colour of the chasuble depended on the particular time in the Church calendar. A black cope would be worn to preside at a funeral.

A bishop wore exactly the same robes as a priest, but with additions: a mitre, a ring, a dalmatic and in his hand a crozier.

http://wiki.answers.com/What_did_priests_wear_in_the_middle_ages#ixzz19WC5sjUG

Answer 4

The dress of European priests has remained almost constant since medieval times.

The main garment was a full-length, pleated white linen alb, symbolising purity. This had long, full sleeves and could be decorated with panels of embroidery (apparels) at the lower front and rear hems. This garment was the essential piece of clothing for clergy.

Over the alb the priest wore a long, narrow linen scarf called a stole, fringed at both ends and elaborately embroidered. At the end of the medieval period the stole was worn crossed over the chest, but earlier both ends were simply allowed to hang straight down from the neck to the knees. The cord belt was tied around and over the stole to prevent it flapping about in the wind.

The outer garment was either a poncho-like chasuble of coloured silk or a woollen cloak called a cope, depending on the type of service to be conducted; burials usually required a black cope, but otherwise priests did not wear black clothing - a mistake made frequently by modern re-enactors and Hollywood films.

Around the neck the priest wore an elaborate collar termed an amice, attached to a square or rectangle of linen which covered the back of the neck and shoulders. Again the amicewas elaborately embroidered. It was turned down over the chasuble.

Over his left wrist the priest hung a maniple, a symbolic strip of linen which was fringed and decorated.

Shoes were worn on the feet; these could be simple leather turnshoes or elaborately embroidered shoes of cloth with leather soles.

The priest was obliged to have his head shaved in the Roman tonsure. He might sometimes wear a cap, or a headband, but would usually go bareheaded.

The link takes you to an image showing medieval priests in various forms of dress for various types of service. Note that their albs are depicted as muddy-coloured or greyish when they should be pure white:

Answer 5

Answer from a CatholicOkay, I wasn't around back then, and I don't know anybody that was. But, I assume that since all clothes were handmade back then, that most people didn't have a lot of clothes. I'm pretty sure that priests just wore their habit if they were religious and, if they weren't, then they wore their cassock (soutaine).

Why_did_priests_wear_special_clothes_in_medieval_times

Answer 6

they wore long black cloaks

Answer 7

Sack cloth