Anglo-Saxon Kit Page

This page is designed to illustrate how one person's kit might meet the requirements of "The Vikings" and the relevant authenticity requirements that that organization requires.
The relevant guide to the Anglo-Saxon Gesith and Thengn Authenticity Assessment can be found here.
Many of the kit pieces (gloves, ringshirt, shoes) can also be seen in my Viking Kit assessment page.

PART 1 - CANDIDATE'S BACKGROUND

Name: Irminric
Social Status: A lesser thegn
Faith: Christian
Marital Status: Married, no children
Timeline: 11th Century
Premise: This persona representation is primarily geared towards participation in Hastings 2006.

PART 2 - BASIC COSTUME AND SAFETY GEAR

Basic Appearance (mandatory)

See relevant garment descriptions for these requirements.

Shoes(mandatory)

NEW SHOES!

In an attempt to further differentiate my various kits, I have recently constructed my first set of turnshoes, specifically from one of the finds in Jorvik.

The shoes are of a turnshoe construction, with scrap sheepskin in the bottom.

Gloves(mandatory)

Made of vegetable tanned leather. Though not authentic, required for the safety rules regarding combat.

gloves

Armguards (mandatory)

Made of vegetable tanned leather. These fit underneath the outer garment so as to be hidden as much as possible.

PART 3 - ITEMS APPROPRIATE TO CULTURAL IDENTITY

Cyrtel (mandatory)

The "under" cyrtel is made from a natural colored linen, edged in a dyed linen (here shown unpinned).

The "outer" cyrtel is made from two differently colored wools of similar weight, and decorated around the neck with a band of woolen tablet weaving.

Saxon outer

It is my understanding that the multi-colored cyrtel would have been more appropriate for an Anglo-Dane, but is still acceptable in this context. Regardless, construction of a more uniformly colored garment is in progress.

Leg coverings (mandatory)

These pants are made from grey linen, with a simple contrasting stitching around the hems. They are fairly loose fitting in the thigs, but the calfs are narrower, even without the leg bindings (so as to be worn alone, if necessary).

Leg bindings

Made from a heavier weight wool, chosen for its color. Created from strips, hemmed, and sewn together. Also shown are the garter hooks.

winningas

Dress accessories

While shown on the cloak in this close-up, examination of the cyrtel photo will show a similar disc brooch to close the garment.

disc brooch

Also see the decorated belt with bronze buckle and tip.

saxon fittings Saxon belt

Helmet updated

Recently added is a new helmet which is more conical in shape. It also is made of of 16 ga. steel and is padded with sheepskin. The bronze buckle and strap are from a 10th C. find (site name forthcoming). Pictures of this helm with the whole kit, are also soon to come.

saxon helmet2

Seen above in the full body images, includes a "Phrygian" cap, made with linen and edged with tablet weaving.

Spear updated

Seen below is the 2 handed spear, shown with the saex for comparison. It is a long-bladed type with a split socket.

Shown below is my short spear, to be used one handed or with the shield. It is a shorter head. Both spears have ash handles.

Better image soon!

Seax

The combat Saex is a Paul Binn's and has a tooled leather sheath. It is of the ‘broken back’ type and has no hilt fittings.

My understanding is that it is currently hung incorrectly. I will reverse it and post corrected pictures soon!

PART 4 - ITEMS APPROPRIATE TO SOCIAL STRATUM

As a lesser thegn, I possess some but not all of the trappings of a greater thegn (a sword, for instance).

Cloaks and mantles (mandatory)

Rectangular cloak is made from fine blue wool and lined with a heavier grey wool in a herringbone weave.

saxon cloak

See disc brooch highlight above for close-up of cloak edging.

Shield (mandatory) updated

While the shields indicated by Saxon Gesith/Thegn kit guide indicate round shields; for a 1066 impression, kite shields would be more appropriate (as indicated by the H2006 kit guide).

The color scheme for all shields is based on that of my local Vikes group "Norsa".

The kite shield shown is constructed from two laminated layers of 1/4" plywood, curved around a form. The shield boss is dished from mild steel. The front and back are covered with canvas. The strapping arrangement is taken from an example on the Bayeux tapestry.

The round shields pictured are constructed from 3/8" plywood covered with canvas and with formed (not raised) bosses. The handles on the back are constructed with a steel bar and a wooden handle. All construction is accomplished with steel rivets.

The edging is cut from a large rawhide and affixed with steel carpet tacks.

Sword (mandatory)

See comment above regarding portrayed status. As such a sword is inappropriate.

Helmet (mandatory)

(see pictures above)

Armour

Pictures of maille over saxon clothing, soon to come! Maille can be seen in this picture, accompanying simple Viking kit.

http://www.vikingsna.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2657

Spear

See pictures above.

Seax

See above.

Legbindings

See above for examples of the garter hooks on the leg bindings.