Question

Manuscript illuminators used costume to help place figures in the strict social hierarchy of the Middle Ages and to identify people by profession. Monks, doctors, lawyers, knights, scholars, queens, and courtiers could all be recognized at a glance by their distinctive clothing. It would be a mistake to regard all illuminations as direct reflections of medieval dress. In chivalric romances, wealthy patrons sought images of a perfect world, populated with glamorous versions of themselves and even peasants that were too well dressed.
According to this passage, is a drawing in an illuminated manuscript a good source of information about the Middle Ages?

Explain your answer in two to three sentences.

Answer 1

No, a manuscript illustration is not a reliable source.

People are too well-dressed.

Patrons wanted a romantic view of the “perfect” world.

Answer 2

The correct answer is the following.

According to this passage, a drawing in an illuminated manuscript is a good source of information about the Middle Ages but is only a reference that should be complemented by other written sources in order to have the full picture of the times.

Clothing was a very important aspect of that time that created differences among classes. This help can historians to have an idea of a symbolistic representation through manuscripts illuminations. As a reliable reference, historians need to consult other primary or secondary resources to establish a better criteria in their papers.