Unexplained death in mediaeval London - and boots

[Duncan Head]

An interesting footwear find at https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/04/tough-as-old-boots-a-thames-skeletons-durable-footwear-tideway-tunnel

As for how the man came to die, we will never know for sure, but there is no evidence of foul play, according to the archaeologists. "He may have been working in the river and the tide got too much for him, he may have fallen over, he may have been tired," Richardson said. "He may have had too much to drink. We really don't know."

[Erpingham]

"But what is unusual about these boots is that we never find high boots like this – they are always shoes or ankle boots," Richardson said. "High boots are just not very common throughout medieval times, and actually [during] Tudor times and the 17th century as well. If you look at pictures or illuminated manuscripts or portraits, very few people are wearing boots."

Rather more common on late medieval wargames figures - of the 10 different 15th century figures on my workbench at the moment, three are wearing knee boots with turned down tops.

Over use of boots is an issue in costume drama too apparently - see the boots section here from Frock Flicks.  While you are there, there is an interesting bit on costume accuracy in the Outlaw King here.  Overall, this is an entertaining source of commentary on historical movie costumes.