CLOTHING & APPEARANCE
Clothing
I have based my reconstructions on the dress of the Irish at home in Ireland, I believe that the evidence points to a strong Irish influence in culture and dress in the Deisi during our period. The Irish influence waned later on and during the 9th century the people in the area where throughly Welsh in culture even to the extent of modifying the geneology of the Royal line to show a more acceptable Romano British ancestry. Until recently it was believed that two distinct types of dress existed in Ireland during this period, the nobles wearing the Leine and Brat (tunic and cloak) and those from the lower classes wearing the Ionar and truibhs (a jacket and short trouser combination). However, closer inspection of primary sources (illuminated manuscripts and monumental crosses) show a mix between all classes.
I have based my reconstructions on the dress of the Irish at home in Ireland, I believe that the evidence points to a strong Irish influence in culture and dress in the Deisi during our period. The Irish influence waned later on and during the 9th century the people in the area where throughly Welsh in culture even to the extent of modifying the geneology of the Royal line to show a more acceptable Romano British ancestry. Until recently it was believed that two distinct types of dress existed in Ireland during this period, the nobles wearing the Leine and Brat (tunic and cloak) and those from the lower classes wearing the Ionar and truibhs (a jacket and short trouser combination). However, closer inspection of primary sources (illuminated manuscripts and monumental crosses) show a mix between all classes.
The Leine (Lee nah)
This was a long tunic made from linen and worn by both men and women. In our period it was long sleeved, tapered to the wrist, it could reach from the knee or down to the ankle in length. This garment was the primary item of dress and the class and status of the wearer could be shown by the level of decoration, quality and possibly the length of the garment. The Brat This is the famous woollen cloak of the Irish, this item was a prized export. It could be very wide with the width of the material being an indication of the wealth of the wearer, we hear of cloaks being 5 or 7 folded. The brat could be a single colour , striped or many coloured. The Ionar (Eye nar) We do not have an absolute pattern for the ionar, it appears to have been a short jacket with either wrist or elbow length sleeves and made from wool. The ionar was closed with a brooch. The origin of the ionar appears to have been the coats worn by Anglo Saxon warriors. Osain Osain are tight trousers either knee, just below the knee or ankle length. They are generally associated with warriors and labourers. 8th century monuments shown warriors wearing ionar and osain as well as leine and brat and combinations of both. It is likely the same would have been in the 5th century. Belts No evidence exists of belt buckles until the 6th century. A tablet woven belt is likely to have been worn in the 5th century. Shoes The Irish had a habit of going bare footed, when shoes were worn they consisted of a simple pair of shoes following the Lucas patterns. |