We at SewYourCosplay created this timeline to help give cosplayers a sense of historic context and framework. To know what was happening in history, to know who the important figures were, that can help bring life to the characters portrayed. We have also tried to find many supporting sewing patterns to fit into that framework, whether you're planning King Arthur (~456CE) or Peggy Carter (1946). We want to be where ordinary patterns become part of your extraordinary life.
Constantinople becomes the capitol of the Eastern Roman Empire.
There is some historical basis for King Arthur, but it's greatly debated. He is supposed to have lived in the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
Novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley retelling the Arthurian legends from the female perspective, and shows how the women in Arthur's life influenced him.
Many Byzantine mosaics have been restored in the Hagia Sophia. Originally constructed as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, then a Roman Catholic church, then Eastern Orthodox again, then it was a mosque after the fall of Constantinople, now a museum.
A period of European history when Norsemen explored Europe by way of rivers and seas, creating many scattered settlements.
A drama series based on the Viking sagas of Ragnar Lothbrok of Norse legends.
View C coat in particular could be excellent for Viking cosplay.
Views A and D could be adapted for Viking / shield maiden cosplay.
View C could be used as a Viking shirt.
View A, with no ruffle or collar, would make a good Viking shirt.
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels of the New Testament, in Latin.
Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans in 800 on Christmas Day in Old St. Peter's Basilica.
King Alfred successfully defended his kingdom against Viking attacks, and was the dominant ruler in England at the time of his death.
Easily adapted into King Arthur and his Knights.
An early Medieval gown and cloak, it but strongly resembles the dress worn by Zoot at Castle Anthrax. All you need is her headdress!
Easy-rated robe pattern as a foundation for Tim the Enchanter. See also McCall's 6231, for a less tapered robe.
A parody of the Arthurian legend by the British comedy troupe Monty Python, released in 1975.
An American animated film where a Scottish princess decides to choose a fate for herself, and ends up causing chaos for her family.
Inspired by the film, view A is similar to the dress worn by Merida in the archery tournament.
Officially licensed Disney pattern for the movie Brave, it includes a petticoat and cloak.
Some Norse traditions suggest he discovered Greenland, but this is disputed. He is credited for creating the first Norse settlement there. He is also the father of Leif Erikson.
A Norse explorer widely regarded as being the first European to discover North America, establishing a settlement in the northernmost tip of what is now Newfoundland.
Shakespeare's play loosely based on Mac Bethad mac Findlaích (Anglicized to Macbeth), probably written between 1599 and 1606. It shows the corruption of ambition for power, and is generally considered one of his more powerful plays.
William the Conqueror invades England in 1066, where be became the first Norman king until his death in Normandy in 1087.
View C adaptable for a Knight Templar.
A series of wars, mostly between the Roman Catholic Church and Islamic factions, over the Holy Lands.
Musketeer & Page (View A, Page, adaptable for a Crusader costume)
Middle Ages knights and a loosely interpreted Samurai of about the same time period.
Note: The hennin (pointed cap) wasn't worn until around 1430.
Early Middle Ages gown and under skirt.
A French blacksmith travels to Jerusalem to aid in its defense against the Sultan Saladin.
A 1939 American film starring Errol Flynn as Robin Hood, Olivia De Havilland as Lady Marian and Ian Hunter as Richard the Lionheart. Richard is taken captive and his brother Prince John seizes the opportunity to take power and oppress the Saxon commoners. Sir Robin of Locksley is the only nobleman to oppose him. He becomes the outlaw Robin Hood.
A historical novel by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), published in 1820, about a noble Saxon family when the English nobility was largely Norman. The Third Crusade had failed and King Richard was captured. Robin Hood appears as a character in this novel, and Scott writes with sympathy toward the Jews of the time (when Jews in England were struggling for emancipation in the 1830s).
One of the earliest mentions of Robin Hood dates to 1198. Ballads linking Robin Hood to Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire date to approximately 1420, and another monk makes reference to an archer named Robin Hood robbing the law-abiding and "infesting" Sherwood.
Shakespeare's play, written about 1600, is based on the legend of Amleth, recorded by Saxo Grammaticus in the 13th century.
Be Robin Hood or the Dread Pirate Roberts (leave off the jerkin and hat) in this ensemble inspired by the high Middle Ages.
Loosely based on the historical Children's Crusade, a young knight joins Richard the Lionheart to protect orphans from the Black Prince.
The Magna Carta ("Great Charter") was drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and agreed by King John as a peace treaty between the king and rebel barons. It was reissued (with offending bits removed) in 1216. It was issued again in 1225 for a grant of new taxes, and again in 1297. The laws contained in that version are part of English statutory law.
One of the main leaders in the First War of Scottish Independence
He successfully fought for Scotland's independence against Edward I, later defeated Edward II re-establishing Scottish sovereignty. He is regarded as a national hero in Scotland.
A movie adaptation of an epic poem by 15th century bard, "Blind Harry."
The English fought to maintain their rule in Scotland as the Scots tried to throw them out of the country.
Historical accessories suitable for Middle ages or lower class Renaissance.
Medieval (French) dress and cap.
Early Medieval inspired dresses. View C is Medieval (French) inspired.
Isabella of France, mother of King Edward III, tried to claim the French throne for Edward when Charles IV of France died. The rejection of her attempted claim led to conflict between the two countries which eventually became the Hundred Years' War.
A massive pandemic of the plague beginning in Asia and spreading along trade routes reduced the world's population by at least 100 million people.
A saint and heroine of France, she received visions from Archangel Michael, St. Margaret and St. Catherine telling her to to support Charles VII in the Hundred Years' War, and regain France from the English.
Shakespeare's play written in 1591 (possibly in collaboration with another writer), it is essentially the prologue to the Wars of the Roses.
Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, was a Romanian folk hero for his protection of that population against corrupt boyars and the invading Ottomans.
We'd love to hear from you. Please send questions or feedback to the below email addresses.
Before contacting us, you may wish to visit our FAQs page which has lots of useful info on Tiki-Toki.
We can be contacted by email at: hello@tiki-toki.com.
You can also follow us on twitter at twitter.com/tiki_toki.
If you are having any problems with Tiki-Toki, please contact us as at: help@tiki-toki.com
Close