Berengaria: Beyond a Bliaut

When you think of 12th century women's clothing, by far and away the romantic images revolve around a bliaut. It is the "princess" dress associated with the Pre-Raphaelite art movement, and perhaps best known from Leighton's painting The Accolade. However while this is the most common option speculated on and reproduced by re-enactors in the SCA, this was not the only clothing style in the twelfth century for women, or necessarily even representative.

A classic illustration of an alternate fashion style is found in the representations of Berengaria of Navarre, Queen of the English following her marriage to Richard I in 1191.  Her style (as you can see) has relatively close sleeves, but a high neckline, and flowing robes, with a veil, belt and pouch:

1. Effigy in Abbaye de l'Epau, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

2. 19th century plaster cast reproduction of above effigy, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

3. Richard Coeur de Lion navigaunt, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

4. Berenguela Navarra, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

If you look at the paire effigies of Richard & Berengaria at Fontevraud Abbey (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons), you can see layers of clothing, particularly on Richard below:

I'm particularly interested in the level of decoration on the reproduction effigy. I'm hoping it is true to the original, which has little or no surviving original paintwork.

For some more detail and good photos of the excavation of her tomb, see la Tumba de Berenguela