Poor old Norris - as remarked by another reviewer, once a definitive work, now thoroughly superseded. Thirty years ago, historical re-creationists were desperate to get their hands on a book that many now scorn. Yet I retain a lingering fondness for Norris; there are few sources that give, for example, brooch design, embroidery patterns, shoes, etc., all in one place. It's a good source to hand someone who wants to browse through a general overview of historical styles; once they've lit on something, they can be led to more current and specific information.

(Edited to correct typo.) ( )

I have this book. I personally like it, though it said by many that his work isn't true to information. ( )

Norris History of Clothing in England from 1066 to 1485. Once the definitive work in the field. Now largely superseded by later works which corrected the understandable errors of someone working in a field with little first hand informaiton ( )

If you aspire to strict historical accuracy in your costuming, be sure to support your facts with another resource as much of the illustrations in this book are re-drawings of the originals, and are somewhat lacking in accuracy. However, the historical information apart from the illustrations is pretty good, but lacks consistent sources.

Good for the beginning costumer or theatrical costumer, bad for the historical costumer. I confess a fondness for those 1920s style illustrations, but redrawings are not useful for historic costumers. ( )