The thread I posted on representing a society with a ridgid class structure had gotten me to thinking about what it would take to 'reasonably' portray a great lord, and the conclusion I've come to (the only obvious one really) is that it can't be done. This from an advocate of portraying all levels of society in encampments....

I've been reading Vaughan's "Philip the Good", and I came across this quote taken from Oliver de la Marches memoires - he was then a ducal page, and present at the events described (it was a goad to try to get cracking again translating it). The incident is the Burgundian army setting out in 1443 tofinally settle Philip's claim to the guardianship of the Duchy of Luxembourg.

"The duke mounted his horse at about 4pm.It was raining hard, and it was a pity that it was not a fine clear day, for this was a splendid occasion. The Nobility was in supurb array, especially the duke, who was a couteous and amiable prince. He liked clothes and adornments, and the way he wore them suited him so well and agreeably that he had no equal in this. With him were eighteen horses identically caparisoned with black velvet embroidered with his emblems, which were steels causing sparks, and over the velvet were large studs of gold enamelled with steels, which cost a great deal to make. His pages were richley decked out and wore various head-armours decorated with pearls, diamonds and balais, marvelously ornate. One sallet alone was estimated at 100,000 gold crowns. The duke himself was armed richley and nobly, with vambraces and leg harness, and these, together with his horses chanfron, were decorated all over with large jewels which were worth a fortune. I speak of this as one who was then a page of the duke...
In brief, the departure from Dijon was extremely splendid, but the weather was dull and full of rain and all this finery was very much spoilt."

What astounds me, being the frugal New Englander I am (and I am considered a spendthrift) is that the finery was put on and worn in the middle of a storm, even though the resulting destruction of much of it would be the obvious consequences. Talk about conspicuous consumption! Were our places exchanged, I'd have had the finery locked up in waterproff chests, to be dragged out and put on to impress the enemy when the bloody rain had stopped.

Can you even imagine what the dukes personal gear would begin to cost in modern terms? I'd like to see a guesstimate!

quote:

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Originally posted by chef de chambre:
...His pages were richley decked out and wore various head-armours decorated with pearls, diamonds and balais, marvelously ornate...

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