9th Century Garb of Irish or Norse design

Tom Knighton · Post by **Tom Knighton** » Sun Jun 30, 2002 2:49 pm

Recently there has been alot of discussion about people wearing appropriate garb for their personas. However, I'm having some trouble finding exactly WHAT my 9th C. Irishman would have worn exactly. I know linen and wool for materials, but what patterns?

While I know that the Irish and the Norse weren't necessarily interchangable, I don't know what other culture had contact at that time that would be documented as well as them.

What I need is what clothing would have been worn (as well as appropriate accessories like hats and such) and what they would have looked like. Patterns online would be TOTALLY awesome, but I have a feeling they aren't there

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Bran

Michael B · Post by **Michael B** » Mon Jul 01, 2002 2:27 am

An excellent starting point is: www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest/vikresource.html

I think what you're looking for is typically called "Hiberno Norse" - type it into Google.com and you'll get some interesting results. A lot of work has been done in excavating "Viking Age Dublin".

The way to distinguish yourself as Hiberno Norse would be with good reproduction jewelry - particularly stamped silver arm rings (as per the Cueurdale Hoard - very easy to do with a bit of silver, home made triangular punches, and round nail punches) and cast pennanular brooches (rather than the earlier decorated ones like the Tara Brooch). You should be able to find good examples for sale with a bit of research.

Cheers
Michael B
Reafan

Tom Knighton · Post by **Tom Knighton** » Tue Jul 02, 2002 11:33 am

Thanks!

Is there any evidence to suggest Irishmen wearing this stuff (since my persona is Irish).

Thanks again!

Bran

Michael B · Post by **Michael B** » Tue Jul 02, 2002 5:28 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bran Mac Scandlan:
Is there any evidence to suggest Irishmen wearing this stuff (since my persona is Irish).</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's where things get tricky, I suppose. I don't really know a lot about it, but there's apparently clear evidence of Irish trends influencing Viking work - ie. arm rings and pennanular brooches which combine elements of both cultures. But the extent of intermingling is beyond me.

See http://www.ncte.ie/viking/index.html
and in particular http://www.ncte.ie/viking/insular.htm (note the books cited at the bottom - I imagine they may be helpful on these points).

I imagine it all depends where you place your persona, ie. in an area of strong Viking influence (eg. Dublin) or well away.

I haven't been able to find a site for the National Museum of Ireland, which holds a great Viking Age Dublin collection - and they don't allow photographs to be taken, so all I have is a handful of sketches ...

Cheers
Michael

Engenulf · Post by **Engenulf** » Tue Jul 02, 2002 5:54 pm

what a coincidance!!!! I was aimlessly wandering about re-enactment websites and came acroos this group that has guidlinnes for hiberno-norse and gaeilic kits.
http://www.viking-experience.co.uk/

hope this helps. and from what I've learned from other Norse re-enactors is fur trimed hats and "D" shaped beltpouches are not very hisoricly accurate so watch out for those.
Engenulf

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It would seem fitting for a Northern folk, deriving the greater and better part of their speech, laws and customs from a Northern root, that the North should be to them, if not a holy land, yet at least a place more to be regarded than any part of the worldbeside, that howsoever their knowledge widened of other men, the faith and deeds of their forefathers would never lack intrest for them, but would always be kept in remembrance.
- William Morris