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What did the Anglo-Saxon Pagans wear?

I can find quite a few things on what the Vikings wore, but what did the Anglo-Saxons wear?

do we know what they wore Before the 800's (Christianization)?

Did they have any special articles of clothing? Like something that they only wore for special occasions, like Holy Tides?

Thanks!

9 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The Anglo-Saxons wore similar clothing to the Norse. Male dress consisted in general of:

    Tunic - a simple construction but with decorations suiting status, this was almost knee length and gathered at the waist with a belt.

    Trousers - optional depending on the whether as the tunic above covered one's modesty

    Winingas - leg bindings similar to military putties, these were worn instead of sock and give very good protection to the lower leg and prevent trousers for flapping around.

    Shoes - various types of shoe and ankle boot have been found

    Hat - various styles of hat are depicted in Anglo-Saxon artwork

    Undershirt - a optional item of clothing similar to the tunic, its use is considered to be restricted to the higher classes.

    Have a look at:

    The Ulfhednar: http://www.ulfhednar.org/

    Wulfingas http://www.wulfingas.co.uk/

    Raven Warband: http://www.millennia.f2s.com/

    These sites have photos of replica clothing being worn and Raven Warband has instructions on how to make clothing.

    Aravah, you are wrong:

    Anglo-Saxon belts were thin, around 1" max, trousers were made of wool (as were most clothes) not cotton as this is a more modern import in Europe, items that these days would be cotton were originally made of linen. Norse (more so Rus) wore boots high enough to tuck trousers into, there is no evidence either archaeological or documentary to show the use of such boots by the Anglo-Saxons, documentary and archaeological evidence exist for the leg binding such as the large number of clothes clips found below the knee in graves and such lines as "þonne þu wynyngas habban wille, þonne do þu mid þinum twam handum onbutan þine sceancan." [When you wish to have winingas, then gesture with your two hands round your shin] from Indicia Monasterialia

  • 4 years ago

    What Did Anglo Saxons Wear

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    It depend what you mean by ancient, but it's possible. Northern Indian languages and Anglo-Saxon are both part of the Indo-European family of languages. The southern Indian languages (Dravidian) are not. There are strong indications that ancient speakers of an early I-E language migrated southwards through present-day Turkmenistan into Persia, with one branch moving into India, and another heading westwards and ending up in Europe. The Indian branch ended up linguistically dominating the north, while the western branch dominated all of Europe except the Basque country. While any such people likely intermarried with locals along their route, it would be entirely possible that there are genetic lines that continued through these migrations. However, often a language or parts of it can be transmitted by other means. Trade can be a strong persuader; small numbers of traders can persuade others to learn their language as a lingua franca. Even today a number of languages exist that were originally trade languages, a composite of earlier languages. Lingala, Swahili and Indonesian (Melayu Pasar) come to mind. So, possibly yes, but not necessarily.

  • 1 decade ago

    Greetings!

    There are the Angles, and there are the Saxons. They are separate Cultural groups.

    "Anglo-Saxon" refers to the amalgam created over centuries in Britain, as these groups originated, and still exist on the Continent, and were part of many different migrations to the Isles.

    Basic clothing was tunics and trews. Women wore dresses or skirts. In cold weather cloaks were favored. Various Tribes tended to wear clothing made by that Tribe, but Ancient Cultures had trade with far-off lands, and rich folks wore whatever they wanted.

    To Honor the Gods, folk wore their best stuff. Religion was personal, but various Tribes certainly had special stuff.

    If you are "re-creating" European Rites, ask a European. They still follow the Old Ways in many places.

    /!\

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  • Rai A
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    The Viking's "style"/influences was the result from their trade routes (they bought what appealed to them). The Anglo/Saxon tribes had a stronger tie to the Vikings that the Romans/Mediterranean cultures.

    So I'd suggest the Anglo-Saxon "styles" were more knee length tunics and trousers. Definitely not the Roman-esque styles.

    .

    Source(s): Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    answer: check with the SCA websites, there are some good costume designs, discussions and ideas. Pretty much what the Vikings wore, the Saxons wore. For holidays, fairs or All-Things it would be one's best.

    Also, Osprey military history books can be a good resource.

    males - tunic top, wide leather belt, cotton trousers tucked into soft boots or over the boots (some dispute the crossed lacings that are popular in film and costume books). A hook on the belt for utensils (knife and spoon), usually a small belt pouch. Hair was worn back and braided or loose.

  • 1 decade ago

    i would imagine much the same stuff since thats where viking traditions came from

    Ya i couldn't find anything on any special ritual garments or anything, but its safe to assume the acting shaman would probably have some visual indicator, whether it be clothes or just their general appearance.

  • 3$Bill
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Check the link. I also think they were partial to metallic helmets although this was c. 630

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    leather chaps?

    (i'm totally guessing here)

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