During most of this period great luxury in dress prevailed among the
rich and noble. Silks, velvets, scarlet cloth, and cloth of gold were
worn by both men and women. At one time the lords and gallants at
court wore shoes with points curled up like rams' horns and fastened
to the knee with silver chains.
Attempts were made by the government to abolish this and other
ridiculous fashions, and also to regulate the cost of dress according
to the rank and means of the wearer; but the effort met with small
success. Even the rich at this time had but little furniture in their
houses, and chairs were almost unknown. The floors of houses were
strewn with rushes, which, as they were rarely changed, became
horribly filthy, and were a prolific cause of sickness.