|Archaeology
|Discussion =
Although it is not possible to determine if the depictions are meant to be helmets or hats Ewing seems to think that it is more 'plausible' that they depict hats. [EWING 2007:p.118]. <br>Croom states that in the Roman period the brimless conical hat was known as the 'freedman's cap' or ''pilleus''. In the 1st and 2nd centuries and possibly for longer it was worn by freed slaves to show their improved status. It was also worn on special ceremonies such as funerals or festivals. [CROOM 2000:p.69]<br>
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** Leens. Two hats were found in Leens. Hat 2 is a pillbox cap. It is made from several pieces of the same diamond twill. It has decorative stitches along the seams. [BRANDENBURGH 2009:p.68]
|Discussion=
This style of hat was adopted by Roman soldiers from the late 3rd century. Roman pill-box caps could be made from sheepskin, fur as well as possibly from leather. Vegetius writing in the 4th century refers to a ''pannonian'' which is probably a pill-box hat. It may also be that a padded type of this hat was used under a soldiers helmet for padding. The pill-box cap became a symbol of the Roman soldier in much the same manner as the Roman military belt and as such was not work by the non-military. [CROOM 2000:p.69]
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==Straw hats==
''A hat made from plaitted straw, reeds, willow, bast or other vegetable matter''.
{{evidence
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*There is apparently an Anglo-Saxon manuscript that shows a straw hat but we have been unable to find it.
*A later example can be found in Eadwine Psalter, Cambs. Trinity College MS R.17.1 f.?? c.1147AD
|Literature=*Odin is described as wearing as wearing a broad-brimmed hat in ??????? Saga. This may refer to a straw hat.
|Archaeology =
* Russia, Novgorod. A hat made of roots 'in the manner of a rush hat' and 'shaped like a straw hat' [EWING 2007:p.120] This hat does however date to the 14th C, which is a bit late for evidence of straw hats in the viking age. http://historic.ru/books/item/f00/s00/z0000170/st025.shtml
|Discussion =
Croom states that during the Roman period that wide brimmed straw hats were worn by fishermen and sailors as protection from the sun. He also mentions that the same style of hat was also worn by theater goers when the wind was too strong for the awnings to be used. [CROOM 2000:p.69] <br>
Inwards describes the early origins of straw hats. [INWARDS 1922:p.1]
It is very unlikely that any straw item would survive to be found. Always on poor people. This kind of hat was depicted in use during the Roman period and again in the C12th. It is likely that such a simple hat was in use by common agricultural workers throughout the Viking Age.
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==Skull Caps==
''A brimless tight-fitting cap.''
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