4 SHOE FRAGMENTS

(a) Sole of a pointed shoe found in Little Britain. 14th Century.
(b) Forepart of shoe. Found in Little Britain. 14th Century.
(c) Child's shoe found in Moorfields. 15th Century.
(d) Portion of a broad-toe shoe. 16th Century.

Addition: Information supplied by June Swann, world authority on historic shoes visiting from UK, during her inspection of shoe collection 18th October 1993.
a) Sole man's shoe. A good size. Has been repaired with stitches at waist - 5 to the inch. Edge flush 4 1/2 to 1". Looks as if its been used as a base for stamping things out on - much later pinking marks - may - imprinted into leather.
Probably 1450-65 (Wars of Roses period). ie. 15th century not 14th century. Pointed.

b) side laced. 4 pairs of holes surviving. Cut upper. Probably was from a leg boot. V-shaped seam does not make sense if it was a side laced boot - thus probably from boot. More likely 15th century. Has had facing under stitch holes. Has had binding around edge at top of foot. Buffed seam here. 5 stitches to 1 inch. No side lining. Lines inside suggest that is may have been lined. Modest toe - modest for 15th century. Probably prominant little toe. Probably right foot, lacing on inside. Probably no bunion on wearer.

c) Child's leather ankle-boot. Pointed toe; no heel. AB66 - Museum of London number. Nice little sole . Street dirt. Has been in contact with cloth - fragment remaining on. Joined at outside waist (so join visible). No back seam. A one-piece wrap-around upper. Front is cut, and has one strap and circular buckle remaining - rusty iron, probably held on with thin strap. May have had bellows tongue. Comform to standard pattern but a very nice child's boot. Toe worn out - child has grown out of it.

d) Not a very broad shoe - was up to 8". AB.67 - Museum of London number?
May be man's , but slightly possible may be woman's or youth. has been too narrow for wearer - the earlier shoes were even broader, so feet could grow very ?
Typical early 20th century museum cobbling - large, crude stitches. Toe lined originally. Repaired - cut with stitch holes at waist for repair - probably heel was repaired. 4 stitches to the inch.
Quare throat cut - almost certainly not what the shoemaker did. Pair of side seams. 1 1/2" high only at side seams - not very practical for muddy streets.
Back end missing - bacause uppers joined and sole repaired.
Hole at side may be from tying pairs together, or to attach buckle. Was buckle-bar shoe 1530s.

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History Collection

Collection Item Data