Tamsyn Young

AUTHENTICITY INSPIRING HISTORIC DESIGN FOR THE USE IN 21st CENTURY: A CASE STUDY USING THE TEXTILES AND DRESS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY KENT YEOMAN

(Working title of MPhil/PhD)

This thesis takes the yeoman of the sixteenth century Kent for its starting point. Establishing a clear definition from evidence available, of his place in the social order, income, verifying the colours and cloths he was supposed to wear. The research will consider the range of textiles available in other contexts, home, local community and the parish church. Analysis of East Kent archival material, including wills, inventories, Court records and examination of Sumptuary Laws has enabled a dye palette to be prepared. Practical experimentation has begun with this research to authenticate a range of fabrics, which may, have been available to the yeoman.

Research to date has yielded interesting information regarding colour, fibres and cloth handle. The key to this work has been preparing an authentic wardrobe and furnishings a Kentish yeoman may, have been able to own. The information gathered in this study has inspired a second level of research; to take these practical results and use them to create a coeval textile range, which, will be faithful to the original ideas surrounding sixteenth century yeoman. Also to consider the eco friendly use of twenty first century fibres, milk protein, vegetable fibre, soya and recycled materials, using the Tudor colour palette.