Medieval glass vessels in England AD 1200-1500 : a survey
A considerable amount of vessel glass of the period 1200 to 1500 has been excavated in England, particularly since the 1960s. This thesis conducts a survey of the vessel glass from museums and archaeology units, from over two hundred sites across England. The glass includes goblets, beakers, bowls, jugs and other decorative vessels, lamps, some liturgical vessels, flasks, urinals, distilling and other 'industrial' vessels, from England, Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. The glass was catalogued, and the functions, dates and production areas of the vessels were examined, to provide a basis for further research. Other sources of evidence used include documentary, iconographical, furnace site and scientific evidence. The use of glass in medieval society was then examined. The sites where glass was excavated were investigated, to establish who used glass. They were found to be high-status castles, manors and palaces; monastic and other ecclesiastical sites; and affluent urban residences. Surprisingly, no glass was found to have been used on less wealthy sites. The social situations in which glass might have been used were proposed. The use of glass vessels as 'symbols of power', suitable for 'conspicuous consumption'
Tyson, Rachel Caroline
Archaeology
Medieval glass vessels in England AD 1200-1500 : a survey. A considerable amount of vessel glass of the period 1200 to 1500 has been excavated in England, particularly since the 1960s. This thesis conducts a survey of the vessel glass from museums and archaeology units, from over two hundred sites across England. The glass includes goblets, beakers, bowls, jugs and other decorative vessels, lamps, some liturgical vessels, flasks, urinals, distilling and other 'industrial' vessels, from England, Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. The glass was catalogued, and the functions, dates and production areas of the vessels were examined, to provide a basis for further research. Other sources of evidence used include documentary, iconographical, furnace site and scientific evidence. The use of glass in medieval society was then examined. The sites where glass was excavated were investigated, to establish who used glass. They were found to be high-status castles, manors and palaces; monastic and other ecclesiastical sites; and affluent urban residences. Surprisingly, no glass was found to have been used on less wealthy sites. The social situations in which glass might have been used were proposed. The use of glass vessels as 'symbols of power', suitable for 'conspicuous consumption'
medieval glass_vessel england survey considerable_amount vessel_glass period excavate england particularly since conduct survey vessel_glass museum archaeology unit site_across england glass include beaker bowl decorative vessel liturgical vessel distil industrial vessel england europe eastern_mediterranean glass catalogue function date production area vessel examine provide_basis research source_evidence use include documentary iconographical furnace site scientific evidence use glass medieval_society examine site glass excavate investigated establish use glass find high_status castle manor palace monastic ecclesiastical site affluent urban residence surprisingly glass find use less wealthy site social situation glass might use propose use glass_vessel symbols power suitable conspicuous consumption