To best care for your dark brown medieval lace-up shoes, first remove any loose dirt with a soft brush or a slightly damp cloth. After cleaning, apply a thin layer of suitable shoe cream, leather grease, or leather balm with a soft cotton cloth and massage it in to keep the leather supple. Then, allow the shoes to air dry – avoid direct heat such as from radiators, as this can cause the leather to become brittle. To protect them from the elements, treat the shoes regularly with a suitable waterproofing cream or spray.