What were the 13th century Sumptuary Laws?

The Sumptuary Laws provide a little known but rather interesting tale relating to silver and other forms of jewellery in 13th century Europe.

As Europe emerged from the Dark Ages which began some 1000 years before with the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west, prosperity was increasing. In fact, one could look upon this century as the boom years of the early middle ages.

A result of increasing affluence and the formation of what could pass as a lower middle class was the increased trade in luxury goods both within and across the borders of the newly defined countries.

Whilst the vast majority of people remained as poor labourers tilling the soil, a few small families prospered.

These nouveau-riche families were viewed with distain by the established aristocracy - the women of the new families dressed and behaved just as the aristocrats, even if their dwellings were not so grand.

Under the thinly veiled guise of religious doctrine, which incidentally did not apply to any of the aristocracy, laws were implemented all over Europe to restrict the wearing of silver and gold jewellery by anyone of less than noble birth.

Right from England to the collection of city-states which now forms modern-day Italy, excesses were curtailed with harsh laws and swift punishments.

Thankfully those days are long gone and today even the most humble person can wear dazzling jewellery without fear of punishment at the hands of the law.

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