Ancient Jewellery in the Middle Ages

Little is known of the ordinary usage in the wearing of ancient jewellery. The presence of jewellery was predominant in occasions such as feasts or festivals, weddings, banquets, dances, tournaments, and religious anniversaries celebrated with splendor and devotion by many during the Middle Ages.

There are social circles in every community and the lower ones had been noted to have had two categories of jewellery—one is the cheaper and simpler pieces, which they can use daily, if not for small occasions; the other one is the more expensive and grander jewellery to use during grander occasions. Weddings fall in the latter category for both the guests and the couple-to-wed to match their best dresses (such is the categorization for clothing).

During the Middle Ages, there was no discriminationas to who gets to wear brooches, girdles, chains, collars, circlets or chaplets. Both men and women were adorned with such pieces. The physical presence however may be more obvious for women because they had head ornaments and the dresses were heavily trimmed with gemstones, too. Men usually reserved their jewellery pieces for feast days.

It even became an issue as regards to who should be more arrayed with fine jewellery, men or women. The argument on power, personal adornment, social effect, and even religious issue on vanity were raised.

Jewellery is not only for adults. Children have their own set of ornaments, more so if they are part of noble families and wealthy bourgeoisie. The styles were similar to those worn by adults; they are just smaller and relatively cheaper. Babies had been known to be given crosses more for protection than decoration.
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