Hose, 15th C, Boiled Wool (MADE TO ORDER)

Full, joined hose. The legs are closed from front to back through the crotch. A shaped and lined but unstructured codpiece covers the front closure area. Legs have a seam running waist to heel, and have a full foot. Thread eyelets located on the upper edge can be used to point the hose to a doublet or pourpoint.

Based on a pair of late 15th, early 16th C. hose preserved in the Alpirsbach Monestary Museum in Bern. Joined hosen of this type are typical of the 15th C. and are ubiquitous in the works of artists such as van der Weyden, van Eyk, della Francesca and Bouts.

The Howard Household Inventory account dated 7th day of December 1463 lists- 'Item, delyverd to John Holme, the xx.i day of Decembr, a payre of knytt hosyn.' 

We are pleased to supply hose to: 

• Destrier, UK 
• English Heritage, UK  
• Griffin Historical, UK 
• Hampton Court Palace, UK 
• Knight's Order of the Lion Rampant, AU 
• The Medieval Siege Society, UK 
• Past Pleasures, UK  
• The Royal Ontario Museum, CAN 
• The Tower of London, UK
• many other groups and societies worldwide 

These hose are made from Merino wool jersey which has been processed [fulled], producing a thick, elastic fabric. The fulling process obscures the weave, so the fabric appears the same as fulled woven wool, even on close inspection. Boiled wool is less authentic than bias cut wool but has more stretch so the fit is as smooth and tight as seen in images from the period. This fabric is more durable than woven and stands up better to activities such as sword practice, combat and horse riding.

Wear with 14th or 15th C. braies, and any of our other late 14th or 15th C. garments.  

PLEASE NOTE: The wool we use for these hose is a specialty fabric which has limited availability. Unfortunately we cannot special order colours, only purchase what the mill has available. In order to expand the colour range we're now using new weaves, some of which have a different texture than what you may be accustomed to. We're happy to send samples on request. 

THESE ITEMS ARE MADE TO ORDER -- Please allow up to 6 weeks for production. If you have a 'need by' date, please note it in the order comments section of your order. 

Boiled wool jersey. Hand finished, no visible exterior machine stitching.

Available in any waist/inseam size from 30" X 30" to 48" X 36". We regret that we are unable to accomodate waist sizes larger than 48".

Sizes are based on actual body measurements, NOT trouser size.  To determine the correct size, measure yourself with a tape measure as follows:

• Waist- Low over hips where jeans or your belt sit.  Hold tape snug but not tight.
• Inseam- From high in crotch along inside leg to floor, barefoot.
• Shoe size (US size if possible)

Several sizes are listed below for convenience- if you don't see the size you need order the closest listed size and indicate the exact size required in the "Order Comments" section of the Order Form.

Regarding fit- Ordering from your exact measurements will give you hose that fit very comfortably. They will be a bit loose and fit much like modern sweatpants (left).  They may also have some wrinkles around knees and ankles.  If you'd like the hose to fit very tightly (right), consider ordering a waist size 1"-3" smaller than your measurements indicate. Hose are cut high enough to stay up as shown without being pointed to a support garment. 

Please order carefully, custom and made to order garments are not returnable.