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Medieval Dyeing
The purpose of this section is to provide to provide some background on dyes used in the medieval period. It is meant as more of "research paper" format, with none of the original work being my own. Some of the sources are chemical tests that identify dye chemicals in medieval textiles, others are dye recipes from medieval manuscripts.
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References to "in period" medieval dyeing manuals are beautifully listed in
Refer to the bibliography for a more complete list.
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Woad has its origins are Mediterranean where it has been used since the Neolithic age and has been grown in Europe since the Iron Age (Edmonds)
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Ne mader, welde or woad no litestere
Ne knew; the flees was of its former hewe
Chaucer "The Former Age" 1380
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