[Regia-NA] Woolen Tunics & Books in North America

Sat, 31 May 2003 23:39:23 EDT

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According to some articles in Archaeology and in a few other publications 
like Costume in Arthurian Britain.  Some of the woolens found in Nydam, Birka, 
and York were very much like tropical weight twills and herringbone, while 
others were similar to a medium houndstooth weave.  Since most post-Roman northern 
Europeans depended almost exclusively on wool, linen, jute, and hemp fabrics, 
there is an incredible range of weights and weaves.  Of course, those peoples 
living would layer their clothing if they could and one of the Birka dig 
sights had the remains of a woman wearing a linen underdress, woolen stockings, a 
wool under tunic, a pair of wrap around aprons pinned on the front with 
broaches, and a woolen overcoat.  Due to the presence of silver and bronze jewelry it 
is presumed that she was at least of the merchant or perhaps wealthy farming 
class.
Being a ACW reenactor, it pays to wear linen underdrawers and undershirts 
beneath wool to remain cool.  I have been at events in May in Georgia where I was 
reasonably comfortable although I was sweating like a pig.
I don't know about Britain, but I frequently get books that are out of print 
through inter-library loan.  Perhaps there is a similar system on the Eastern 
side of the Atlantic with public libraries.

Pagan aka
Patrick Owen
Nashville, TN

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<HTML>According to some article=
s in Archaeology and in a few other publications like Costume in Arthurian B=
ritain. &nbsp;Some of the woolens found in Nydam, Birka, and York were very=20=
much like tropical weight twills and herringbone, while others were similar=20=
to a medium houndstooth weave. &nbsp;Since most post-Roman northern European=
s depended almost exclusively on wool, linen, jute, and hemp fabrics, there=20=
is an incredible range of weights and weaves. &nbsp;Of course, those peoples=
 living would layer their clothing if they could and one of the Birka dig si=
ghts had the remains of a woman wearing a linen underdress, woolen stockings=
, a wool under tunic, a pair of wrap around aprons pinned on the front with=20=
broaches, and a woolen overcoat. &nbsp;Due to the presence of silver and bro=
nze jewelry it is presumed that she was at least of the merchant or perhaps=20=
wealthy farming class.
 Being a ACW reenactor, it pays to wear linen underdrawers and undershirt=
s beneath wool to remain cool. &nbsp;I have been at events in May in Georgia=
 where I was reasonably comfortable although I was sweating like a pig.
 I don't know about Britain, but I frequently get books that are out of p=
rint through inter-library loan. &nbsp;Perhaps there is a similar system on=20=
the Eastern side of the Atlantic with public libraries.
 
 Pagan aka
 Patrick Owen
 Nashville, TN</HTML>

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