Leg Bindings (Men)

Art
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Literature
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Archaeology

• York, lichen purple ^{[PRITCHARD 1984]:p.68}
• London, Lichen purple, 2 of indigotin (woad blue) ^{[PRITCHARD 1984]:p.68}
• Elisenhof, Germany (8thC): The remains of 17 leg bindings were found. 15 were made of 2/2 chevron twill, 2 were made of 2/1 chevron twill. The width's are between 7.3cm and 9.8cm. [HUNDT 1981:p.47] ^{[PRITCHARD 1984]:p.68}
• Dublin, 1 of different warp to weft ^{[PRITCHARD 1984]:p.68}
• Hedeby Harbour, Germany: 5 fragments of leg bindings were found in Hedeby harbour ^{[HAGG 1984]:p.24}
  
  • Fragment 28: This is part of a sleeve, where an old leg binding may have been reused as part of the sleeve. It is a self woven band of 2/2 twill and is 7.5cm wide.
  • Fragment 29: Fragmentary piece of tabby with cut and hemmed edges, probably a leg binding as it is the right width (7.5 cm)
  • Fragment 43: Self woven band in 2/2 twill, 102 cm long and 7.5 cm wide.
  • Fragment 49B: Fragmentary self woven band in chevron twill. 42cm long and 9cm wide. ^{[HAGG 1984]:p.24}
  • Fragment 55C: Self woven band in chevron twill. 118cm long and 8.5cm wide. ^{[HAGG 1984]:p.28}

• Hedey Settlement, Germany: Two fragments of leg bindings were found in the settlement of Hedeby ^{[HAGG 1991]:p.32}
  • Fragment S26: Self woven band of 2/2 chevron twill. 41cm long and 7-8cm wide.
  • Fragment S34:Self woven band of diamond weave. 58cm long and 11cm wide.^{[HAGG 1991]:p.32}

Discussion
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Cross Gartering

This style became popular in the 11th Century and continues xxxxxx.
Art
The earliest Anglo-Saxon manuscript to depict cross gartering is the Cotton Tiberius C VI dated to c.1050AD. Literature
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Archaeology

Discussion
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Wrapped around the foot

Art

• Harley Psalter fol.1v [OWEN-CROCKER 1976:p.489]. I think there is a typo in her book as it references fol. 27v ^{[OWEN-CROCKER 2004]:p.257} which shows no seated figure.

Literature
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Archaeology

Discussion
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It appears that most leg bindings were simply tucked in to secure them although a number of other options may have been used such as cords, and garters.

With hooked tags

Art
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Literature
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Archaeology

• Birka, Sweden, grave Bj903, a pair of bronze hooks in situ under the kneecaps of a male skeleton. 10th cent. ^{[ARBMAN 1940]}. The hooks were fastened into small iron rings, to which linen tabby possibly from the trousers was rusted ^{[HAGG 1986]}
• Novgorod , A bronze hook, C9-10th. ^{[NOSOV 1987]}.
• Winchester, England, a pair of small silver hooked tags found below the knee, C9th. [BIDDLE 1990].

Discussion
Biddle suggests that a better use for such hooks is to hold together two edges of a garment. For instance, they could have been used to fasten a split in the upper edge of a short stocking, allowing it to fit snugly to the calf. [BEATSON-b] For more information regarding garment hooks see Accessories – Fasteners

Cloth garters and ties

Art

• 'Benedictional of St. Aethelwold', Anglo-Saxon 971-984AD. The three Magi have tassels or tags on the ends of the garters or ties.
  

Literature
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Archaeology

• Denmark, Daugbjerg. As seen on the Daugbjerg bog body (xxxC) simple cords may have been used to hold up the leg bindings ^{[OWEN-CROCKER 2004]:p.118 [CROOM 2000]:p.57-58}
• Denmark, Søgård Mose. ^{[CROOM 2000]}
• Finland. Narrow tablet woven garters were used by Viking Age Finns to fasten their chevron twill puttees ^{[KHVOSCHCHINSKAIA 1992]}, the garters often had plaited terminals interlaced with coils of bronze wire a particularly Baltic embellishment

[BEATSON-b]

• Norway, Skjoldenhamn. c.1024AD. Tablet woven ankle band ^{[LOVLID 2009]}

Discussion
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Leather garters

A pair of leather straps complete with buckles, metal strap retainer loops and strap ends worn just below the knee.
Art
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Literature
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Archaeology

• Lejre, Denmark, 3 finds. Bronze and iron. c.900AD [BEATSON-b]

Discussion
A rare left over from the popular Germanic aristocratic fashion from the Merovingian period. [BEATSON-b]