From what i understand simple turn shoes are the way forward.

Maybe roman ish sandles. WIth felted socks. or Naalbinding sock.

Viking sea boots are way out.

There are very few examples of migration period shoes.

But please some one prove me wrong!


Rich

Paul Mortimer uses some nice hobnail, romanish boots in his Sutton Hoo kit. I'm not really sure how historically accurate they are for the period but they sure look nice:

[ Linked Image ]

I don't think he's posted on here for a while, but maybe he'll see this and add some more detailed information.

thanks for the info guys, it has helped alot and given me some things to concider

Hi Ville

'Sea Boots' is a term used by some Viking Age re-enactors, and is probably a re-enactorism with as far as I am aware no real provenance in a maritime context. Essentially think along the lines of the boots used by Russ-Steppe-Slav re-enactors but slightly lower down the calf.

From my own experiance I have found it betterto wear no shoes at all when working on viking age vessels, or tar painted soles with impregnated sand to give some surface purchase on damp timbers.

best
Dave

Period shoes are a vexing issue with the direct paucity of archeological finds from this period, especially as Paul has said concencerning Early A-S footwear and as far as I know this is also reflected on the Continent and Scandinavia for the period we are discussing on this thread.

There is if I recall correctly some provenenace for hobnails, from one of the 'princely' graves from Krefeld Gellup , but these are a bit earlier, but does show that hobnailed boots where at least known amongst the pan germanic milieu, and no doubt worn by feodarti troops...but did the use of such shoes continue in use can't be said with absolute certainty.

Another answer could be the iron age shoes often found in bog deposits, certainly there use has continued in some form right up to the modern age, but turn shoes do appear to be the way forward for now....but as anyone who has ever worn turn shoes on damp grass knows they can prove to be risky!

best

Dave

Thanks Dave and Paul.

so there is nothing solid in this time, make it a bit hard but also leave a fair bit of room for some guessing and approximation.

thanks for the info guys

Mick

Judging by Iron Age/ Migration Era bog finds I would say that simple, single piece hide moccasins constituded the footwear of choice among northern Germanic peoples.

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SHOES/SHOE7.HTM

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SHOES/SHOE3.HTM

Hi

I suspect many folk who have contributed to this thread or have shown an interest in its content may be interested in Steve Pollington's latest work, co-authored with Brett Hammond (photography) and Lindsay Kerr (illustrations) titled
'Wayland's Work: Anglo-Saxon Art, Myth & Material Culture from the 4th to 7th Century' which is available direct from Anglo-Saxon Books or via Amazon Books etc.

This is a book I can strongly recommend for those interested in the warrior cultures of North Western Europe of the period and provides ample reading to digest, drawing evidence from not only the Anglo-Saxon world, but Scandinavia, the Continent and beyond

Here are a few recommendations for the title drawn from Anglo-Saxon Book's own website.

Drawing on British and European publications this important book brings together the evidence for Early Medieval material culture. Well written with excellent illustrations it should be read by everyone with a serious interest in this fascinating period.
Dr Kevin Leahy, FSA - National Adviser - Early Medieval Metalwork
The Portable Antiquities Scheme

The heading of Section IV, 'Wondrous Works', can well be applied as a description to this book - it is a wondrous work that will long be referred to as a ready source of information for the 300 years under consideration.
Peter A. Clayton, FSA - Minerva Magazine, Nov/Dec 2010
http://minervamagazine.com/books.asp?min_issue=NOV_DEC2010

best
Dave

I don't have much experience on this issue but it would seem reasonable that in the summer not wearing shoes at all would be common practice at least for the poor folks, this would solve the problem of wet grass. I have gone bare-foot quit allot and it is not bad at all in the summer once you get some calluses. In the winter of course it is a different story :D

I use an extra pair of thin svine leather soles on my shoes and I don't find any problems moving around on either grass or on the ship.

I don't think that shoes were a matter of class. Leather is cheap and anyone can make a simple turn shoe. Most likely shoes were worn by all during the whole season.

I would imagine workers and peasants in the summer might not have bothered with shoes, if only for the sake of saving on the wear and tear, and because bare feet are a sure grip.

I too can't imagine shoes to be overly expensive for the reasons posted above. Hide and leather would be available wherever animals were slaughtered. Rigsthula mentions, if I remember correctly, that the wife of the son of the mythological proto-rock-bottom-class couple walked barefoot.

Indeed, there are a number of depictions in later Anglo-Saxon manuscript art showing agricutural workers bare-footed in the fields...

best
Dave

The notion that leather is a status material is a modern way of thinking. Leather was never expensive. It covered the animals and the animals were food and labor. Why would you want a leather garment? Everything points to the fact that people wore textile. Leather was a material for the poor. Leather garments was most likely used only for special purposes (such as sealskin for seafaring).

I am having some trouble finding places online where I can get merovingian age and late Vendel period items. Everything from brooches to weaponry such as javelins. I suppose commissioning is the best way to get what one wants, but I'm afraid it might prove stressful on my budget. On the other hand I'm not very keen on cutting corners.