What do saxons wear

This is how an Anglo-Saxon boy and girl may have dressed Click on the pictures to take a closer look. Anglo-Saxon Girl.

Anglo-Saxon Boy. What do YOU think they wore? Back to top. A tunic was pulled over the head, and reached down to the knees. It was usually decorated at the wrists, neck and hem, and was long-sleeved. A belt was worn at the waist, often with a decorated buckle and strap-end. Pouches, knives and other accessories might be hung from the belt. Shoes were made usually from a single piece of leather, but perhaps with an extra piece to form a sole. They were fastened with laces, toggles or loops.

The short, fur-lined cloak was designed so that the skin of the animal faced outward and the fur brushed against the undergarments. However, woollen cloaks have also been found.

The garment opened either at the front or at the right shoulder. A single brooch, usually circular in shape, fastened the square or rectangular cloak. Other means of fastening the cloth together included tying, lacing, or using a clasp, often made of natural materials such as thorn, bones, wood, or horns. The less prosperous wore woollen cloaks.

The tunic ended between the hip and the knee and had either long or short sleeves. Clasps were not needed to hold the tunic together because when pulled over the head it would sit snugly around the neck without the use of lacing or ties, indicating that the garment was one continuous piece.

Trousers, traditionally worn under a short tunic or with a small cloak, were ankle length. Garters or leggings accompanied narrow trousers. Pieces of fabric attached to the trousers formed belt loops so that the garment could be held in place at the waist by a belt. Leggings, usually worn in pairs, acted as additional protection for the legs.

The first legging, referred to as the legging proper or stocking, consisted of woven fabric or leather. The second was simply a piece of fabric used to tie on the leggings or, if worn around the shin or foot, provided warmth and protection. The lower caste wore leggings made of ripped or cut cloth from old clothes, blankets, or bags whereas the upper caste had custom made leggings. The very rich people sometimes wore jewels. Belts worn at the hips were more of a necessity rather than a luxury.

Buckles were common and most faced the front; however others have been found to face both sides or even, in some cases, were placed at the back of the body. Beads occasionally acted as alternatives, although not often. Leather belts, often decorated, were the most common, often as much as 2 inches wide. Intricate belts, worn to be seen, were placed in view while an additional belt or girdle held the trousers in place under the tunic.

The Anglo-Saxons usually covered their bare feet, except when working. Shoes were made of leather and secured with straps. Hats and hoods were commonly worn, as were gloves and mittens. General attire Clothing of the seventh through the 9th centuries was similar to that of previous centuries and again all classes generally wore the same clothing, although distinctions among the social hierarchy began to become more noticeable through ornamented garments.

These common pieces consisted of tunics, cloaks, jackets, trousers, and shoes. As in the 5th and 6th centuries, a linen shirt acted as an undergarment.

Men generally wore a knee-length linen or woollen tunic, depending on the season, over their shirts. The neck of the tunic opened as did both sides and a belt or girdle was usually worn around the waist. The Anglo-Saxons would pray to the Pagan gods to give them good health, a plentiful harvest or success in battle. Augustine convinced the Anglo-Saxon King Ethelbert of Kent to convert to Christianity and slowly the rest of the country followed suit.

Pagan temples were turned into churches and more churches built of wood started popping up all over Britain. From AD, the Vikings invaded Anglo-Saxon Britain several times, plundering and raiding towns and villages along the British coastline.

The Anglo-Saxons tried to hold them back but groups of Vikings eventually settled in different parts of the country, especially York or Jorvik, as they named it — making it the second biggest city after London.

The next invasion came in AD, in one of the most famous battles of our history — the Battle of Hastings. A descendant of Viking raiders, William brought his army of Normans to Britain to take on the new king, and on 14 October , the two armies fought at the Battle of Hastings. The Normans were victorious and Harold was killed.

This signalled the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in Britain. The Anglo-Saxon period of history shaped many parts of England as we know it today — the words we use for the days of the week for example. Have a go at saying them out loud, below! While you wait for it to be checked and approved why not to add a pre-selected message and a cool badge.

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