As the simplest and most intelligible method of exhibiting the extent of these changes, I have drawn up the subjoined table, in which are given the lists of vestments known to writers on ecclesiastical matters during this interval of time. These lists are placed in parallel columns, and a uniform system of nomenclature has been adopted, so that the reader can see at a glance the date of the various additions:
| Rabanus Maurus, circa 820. | Pseudo -Alcuin, saec. x. | Ivo of Chartres, ob. 1115. | Honorius of Autun, circa 1130. | Innocent III, circa 1200. |
| Alb | Alb | Alb | Alb | Alb |
| Girdle | Girdle | Girdle | Girdle | Girdle |
| Amice | Amice | Amice | Amice | Amice |
| Stole | Stole | Stole | Stole | Stole |
| Maniple | Maniple | Maniple | Maniple | Maniple |
| Dalmatic | Dalmatic | Dalmatic | Dalmatic | Dalmatic |
| Chasuble | Chasuble | Chasuble | Chasuble | Chasuble |
| Sandals | Sandals | Sandals | Sandals | Sandals |
| Pall | Pall | — | Pall | Pall |
| — | — | Stockings | — | Stockings |
| — | — | — | Subcingulum | Subcingulum |
| — | — | — | Rational | — |
| — | — | — | Mitre | Mitre |
| — | — | — | Gloves | Gloves |
| — | — | — | Ring | Ring |
| — | — | — | Staff | Staff |
| — | — | — | — | Tunicle |
| — | — | — | — | Orale |
From this table it will be seen that the number of vestments was increased, not so much by the invention of entirely new ornaments, as in the exaltation to the rank of separate 'vestments' of what had previously been subordinate. The ring and staff, for instance, were known to the councillors at Toledo, but they do not appear in these lists till the twelfth century.
We must now discuss each of these vestments, noting their shape and the peculiarities which they presented at different times. It will be convenient to follow the order of the above table.
I. The Alb.—We have traced the history of this vestment from its use as a purely secular garment till the ninth century, and have seen how its proportions, at first ample, were contracted till the vestment fitted with comparative tightness to the body, on account of the greater convenience which the less flowing form of the vestment offered for active administration in Divine service.
The material of which the alb was made was usually linen, of more or less fine quality; but we often meet with entries in old inventories of church goods which enumerate albs of other material. Silk and cloth of gold are very commonly mentioned, and velvet is not unknown. Thus we have
- 'Albe sunt viginti de serico principales.'—Inv. Westminster Abbey, 1388.
- '30 albes of old cloth of Baudkyn.'—Inv. Peterborough, 1539.
- 'One olde aulbe of whyte velvyt.'—Inv. St Martin Dover, 1536.
The proper colour of the alb was white; but in England coloured albs were sometimes worn, and we meet with such vestments in inventories passim. The following is a selection:
- 'Red albes for Passion week, 27.
- '40 Blue albes of divers sorts.
- '7 Albes called Ferial black.'—Inv. Peterborough, 1539.
- 'Alba de rubea sindone brudata.'—Inv. Canterbury.