Leg Bindings (Men)

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Viking Age Compendium articles on Men's Clothing:

Leg Bindings

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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Fastening leg bindings

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