Head dresses of the 14th century - Quite characteristic of the earlier part and middle of the fourteenth century, to which the manuscript from which these figures are taken appears to belong, is the variety of ornament which they exhibit. At this period of our annals, almost every different illuminated manuscript, or even illumination of a manuscript, furnishes us with some new form of lady's headdress; and their colours vary scarcely less than their form. The variety of shape and colour in the costume of the time afforded a never failing subject of satire to contemporary writers.This manuscript appears to have been written and illuninated towards the south of France, about the time of our King Edward III. Numerous illuminations of this manuscript consist chiefly of battle scenes, varied now and then with tournaments. The latter are always accompanied by numerous figures of ladies, as spectators, as in this plate.