Library Catalogue

Here is a sample of some items on display :

Royal women in the Middle Ages wore long, trailing gowns that were covered by robes known as surcoats. These gowns and robes often contained intricate embroidery around the neckline and long, flowing sleeves, with tight lacing down the front of the gown. Many women of royalty also wore long cloaks lined with ermine. Since wealthy royals were usually the only members of society who could afford tailors, their clothes were well fitting and tight. Corsets worn underneath the gowns became especially popular among royal women in the late Middle Ages.

This is the shield of the legendary El Cid. Rodrogp Doaz de Vovar was a Castilian nobleman and military leader in medieval Spain. He was called El Cid (the Lord) by the Moors, and El Campeador (the Champion) by Christians. He is the national hero of Spain. He became famous for his military prowess in the campaigns against the rulers of Leon, Galicia and the Muslim kingdom of Andalusia. Ironically, when exiled by Alfonso, he worked fighting for the Muslim rulers of Zaragoza, which further bolstered his military record.

Torture instruments! On the left, a person would be attached to The Rack and the handle would be turned, which pulled their limbs in opposite directions. Bones would dislocate and then be torn apart! On the right is the Iron Maiden, a victim would be placed inside,and spikes would penetrate their body, but not vital organs - so it would take them hours or even days to die.

Here is a sample of the books of the time. You will find out more about this procedure when you visit, stay and watch the creation of pages using medieval tools.