Norman nobles of the 12th century鈥楾he mantles of kings and nobility were very long; sometimes so long to train on the ground. On other occasions; they fell as far as mid leg (111; 112).'鈥楶eople from all ranks and status in society; the clergy and the laity; generally wore boots; principally for riding horses. They were usually very short; and rose only to mid calf. Sometimes they were embroidered (113).' Handcolored copperplate engraving from Robert von Spalart's 鈥楬istorical Picture of the Costumes of the Principal People of Antiquity and of the Middle Ages' (1796).