One of these types had a wooden 'platform' sole raised from the ground, either with wooden wedges or iron stands. Pattens were worn by both men and women during the Middle Ages, and are especially seen in art from the 15th century a time when poulaines-shoes with very long, pointed toes-were particularly in fashion. Pattens were worn during the Middle Ages outdoors, and in public places, over (outside of) the thin soled shoes of that era. In fact, medieval English also used the terms clogs and galoches alongside pattens but, if there were subtle differences intended, that is no longer clear and all medieval and early modern overshoes are now usually referred to as pattens for convenience. In modern use, however, the term is properly restricted to overshoes. Historically, pattens were sometimes used to protect hose without an intervening pair of footwear and thus the name was sometimes extended to similar shoes like clogs. It was also spelled patyn and in other ways. The word patten probably derives from the Old French patte meaning hoof or paw. Women continued to wear pattens in muddy conditions until the 19th or even early 20th century. Pattens functioned to elevate the foot above the mud and dirt (including human effluent and animal dung) of the street, in a period when road and urban paving was minimal. Pattens were worn outdoors over a normal shoe, had a wooden or later wood and metal sole, and were held in place by leather or cloth bands. In appearance, they sometimes resembled contemporary clogs or sandals. Pattens, also known by other names, are protective overshoes that were worn in Europe from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century. The man has discarded his very long pattens the woman still wears hers. 'Lovers on a Grassy' or 'Garden Bank', a 1460s engraving by Master E.

In this detail of the Arnolfini Portrait of 1434, these pattens have been taken off inside the house.

15th century shoes