Wednesday, 29 September 2021
Coleorton Tunic © Leicestershire County Council Museums
The fascinating story of the pioneering medieval textile industry in the East Midlands is being revealed in a new exhibition at the University of Nottingham Museum.
Cultures of Cloth in the Medieval East Midlands shows how our medieval ancestors in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire designed and made the cloth and clothing for which the region became famous. For the first time, the public can see collections from around the East Midlands in one place at the Museum at Lakeside Arts on University Park.
Coleorton Tunic replica © Leicestershire County Council Museums
The exhibition examines how textiles were the most important manufactured product in the medieval world and were a driving force of medieval society and economy. English wool from the Midlands was famous across Europe, and English woollen fabrics were in high demand. It brings together a wide variety of objects related to cloth production, trade and consumption. These range from tools for spinning and weaving, to brooches and buckles that once decorated medieval clothing, as well as some rare examples of medieval garments that have stood the test of time and survive today.
One very special object on display is the Coleorton Tunic, which was excavated in 1988 at the site of a medieval and Tudor opencast mine near Coleorton in Leicestershire. It dates to the 16th century and is one of only a handful of surviving items of early clothing that belonged to a working person. It is not currently on permanent display and so this exhibition provides the wonderful opportunity to see it alongside a beautifully made replica.
Dr Christopher King, Department of Classics and Archaeology
Dr Chris King from the University of Nottingham’s Department of Classics and Archaeology said: “It’s rare for textiles to survive in the archaeological record, but wool and cloth once dominated the lives and landscapes of the medieval midlands. Together, the objects in our exhibition show how textiles drew together networks of farmers, craftspeople and merchants across the medieval world and wove together the fabric of medieval life.”
Green Glaze Figurine (Date: 1250-1350) © Nottingham City Museums and Galleries
Helen Sharp from Leicestershire County Council Museums said: “We are pleased to be able to loan the unique and extremely rare Coleorton Tunic and other items to this exhibition. Due to the 470-year-old garment’s fragile nature it has not been displayed for around ten years. Working closely with the University of Nottingham Museum has enabled us to display this fascinating find to the public and we are proud to be part of an exhibition celebrating the East Midlands’ important role in this medieval industry.”
University of Nottingham Museum, Lakeside, University Park
Collections have been brought together from Nottingham City Museums and Galleries, Leicestershire County Council Museums, Bassetlaw Museum, National Civil War Centre, and Derby Museums.
Dr Clare Pickersgill, Keeper of the University of Nottingham Museum said: “it really is wonderful to bring these fascinating collections together and work with colleagues throughout the region to develop this exhibition. Alongside the exhibition there is also a programme of gallery tours and talks.”
The exhibition is now open and closes on the 20 February 2022. Opening times are Thursday and Sunday 12 – 4pm.
Story credits
For more information, please contact Dr Clare Pickersgill, University of Nottingham via email clare.pickersgill@nottingham.ac.ukor Emma Rayner, Media Relations Manager on 07738 291242 or emma.rayner@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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