Tak v Bowes Departed by Elizabeth Benns & Gina Barrett is an in-depth study of Article 4, British Library Manuscript Harley 2320. This treatise, which dates to the fifteenth century, gives instructions for making forty different braids of varying complexity.

Braids such as these were used for a variety of purposes during the medieval period; lacing clothes, purse strings, decorative trim and seal tags. This book discusses the background of the original manuscript; who may have owned it, how it was made, and compares the spelling and language with other similar documents.

 Tak v Bowes Departed concludes with modern instructions to make each of the braids; original errors have been corrected and noted, and each braid is clearly illustrated for reference. The instructions are provided as both text and diagrams, and include a detailed overview of the technique of 'fingerloop braiding' for those new to this skill.

Tak v Bowes Departed will be an invaluable resource for a wide audience; dress historians, costumiers, curators, re-enactors and crafters alike.

This 2019 reprint is an A5 sized book

CONTENTS

Introduction

Book Production in the Late Middle Ages

The Manuscript

The Directions

Contractions and Spelling

Fifteenth Century Braiders

Fingerloop Braids

Directions for Making Many Sorts of Laces

The Directions: Preliminary Notes

Key to Diagrams Used

Modern Instructions:

• 1. A Broad Lace of 5 Loops

• 2. A Round Lace of 5 Loops

• The basic exchange

• 3. A Thin Lace of 5 Loops

• 4. A Lace Baston

• 5. An Open Lace of 5 Loops

• 6. An Endented Lace

• The basic two-person exchange

• 7. A Thin Lace Bordered on Both Sides

• 8. A Lace Bordered on One Side

• 9. A Thick Lace Bordered

• 10. A Condrak Lace Departed

• 11. A Hollow Lace

• 12. A Hollow Lace

• 13. A Lace Dawns

• 14. A Lace Piol

• 15. A Lace Covert

• 16. A Double Lace Covert

• 17. A Lace Compon Covert

• 18. A Lace Endented

• 19. A Lace Maskel

• 20. A Broad Lace of 7 Loops

• 21. An Open Lace of 7 Loops

• 22. A Lace Round Party

• 23. A Broad Lace Party

• 24. A Lace Bend Broad

• 25. A Lace Bend Round

• 26. A Lace Bend on his Bows

• 27. A Lace Chain Broad

• 28. A Lace Chevron of 12

• 29. A Broad Lace Chevron

• 30. A Round Chevron

• 31. A Chevron of 16

• 32. A Chevron Round of 16 Loops

• 33. A Lace Pens Powerer

• 34. A Broad Cross and Eyelet

• 35. A Round Cross and Eyelet

• 36. A Lace Ounde Broad

• 37. A Lace Ounde Round

• 38. A Grene Dorge The reversed exchange

• 39. A Grene Dorge of 12

• 40. A Lace for Hats

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

Index