I saw a movie called "Good Queen Bess". Charles Laughton played her father Henry VIII...?

Question

His only son was shown at times wearing short britches that appeared to be satin (not silk). Did they have satin in Henry's time, or was this an oversight by production?

Answer 1

Wiki describes Satin as being a fabric that was invented in the Middles Ages and used until today.  So, the film sounds accurate.

"Satin began in the Middle Ages as a term for the more lustrous types of the heavy and luxurious silk fabric samite.  Samite was a luxurious and heavy silk fabric worn in the Middle Ages, of a twill-type weave, sometimes including gold or silver thread."

Answer 2

as the above contributor says, it was a form of samite, which is listed from the early middle ages as a fabric recommended for Coronation clothes. Silk material came from China to Italy, mainly, and was shipped throughout what we now know as Europe. Because of its price, only the very rich, and royal, could afford it, especially when it was woven with metallic thread - in those days, REAL silver or gold.

If you look at portraits of Henry VIII you will see that he wears shiny silk(samite) doublets - the tunic shaped top - slashed to show the fine linen and silk of his embroidered shirts.

He would also have worn silk knitted stockings.

I would guess that most little boys would have rebelled, as they do now, at wearing silk breeches, but Edward the son was a prissy little boy!