Girdle puches & almoners : the 14th and 15th century
Pokes, purses & swete bagges : the 16th and 17th century
Pockets, purses & work-bags, 1700-1790
Reticules: 1790-1830
Bags, purses and châtelaines: 1830-80
The handbag, 1880-1918
Dance bags, clutches & 'make-do-and-mend': 1918-1945
The new look: shoulder bags & designer handbags: 1945-2000
Man bags, totes and mini bags: 2000s-the present.