This shoe was found in excellent condition at the rear of the Newport Medieval ship. It is called a poulaine and was a very popular type of shoe in the 14th and 15th century. It was made of leather. Since excavation the shoe has been preserved and is now on display in Newport Museum and Art Gallery. The shoe has a long point which was stuffed with hair and moss. The point on this shoe is in fact relatively modest; some shoes had such long points that their owners were often taxed for their extravagance! Nonetheless the owner of this shoe may have been quite well off, as the slits in the sides of the shoe were made so that the wearer could show off his silk stockings underneath! There were three other shoes found at the ship site but none were in such good condition.
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