Historical Accuracy

Circa 300AD - 800AD The name barbarian in ancient times insinuated a person not belonging to or part of one of the great civilizations (Roman & Greek). The term originates from ancient Greece referring to people who were from outside Greece. They used "barbaros" to describe people who were non-Greek, primarily because they didn't speak Greek and their languages sounded like gibberish to the them ("bar-bar").The term carried a connotation of being uncivilized or foreign, often implying cultural inferiority. When the Romans adopted the term, it was used to describe people outside the Roman Empire who were perceived as less civilized.

The barbarian invasions, now more neutrally known as the migration period, was a time of migration, invasion, and settlement of various tribes, notably the Franks, Goths, Alemanni, Alans, Huns, early Slavs, Pannonian Avars, Bulgars and Magyars within or into the territories of the Roman Empire and Europe as a whole significantly reshaping the continent's demographic and political landscape. The Viking era took place approximately 800AD until 1050 AD, and are often considered one of the last groups associated with the traditional notion of "barbarians" due to their raids and explorations from the late 8th to the mid-11th centuries. However, modern scholarship recognizes the complexity and sophistication of Viking society.

Useful links:

Vikings: The last barbarians

Viking Clothing

Barbarian invasions

Medieval times, also known as the Middle Ages or the Dark Ages, was a historical period in Europe lasting approximately 1,000 years, from around 470 A.D. to 1500 A.D. This era began following the fall of the Roman Empire and was marked by significant social, economic, and political upheaval. For many Europeans, it was a time characterized by poverty, famine, plague, and pervasive superstition. The Middle Ages also witnessed substantial events such as widespread migrations, the rise and spread of Christianity, frequent invasions, and numerous conflicts across the continent. 

Medieval clothing varied greatly depending on social status, occupation, and wealth. The clothing of the noble class was made from fine materials like silk, velvet, and brocade, often richly embroidered and adorned with jewels. Men wore tunics with hose, while women wore long gowns with elaborate sleeves and headdresses. Whereas peasant clothing was made from coarse, undyed wool or linen. Men typically wore tunics and trousers, while women wore simple dresses. Both sexes wore cloaks for warmth.

Useful links:

Medieval fabrics 

History of the Middle Ages  

Clothes in Medieval England  

Within our Barbarian Collection, we offer a substantial subcategory featuring Tribal Celtic and Pict costumes. The Celts were a group of Indo-European people identified by their use of Celtic languages and cultural similarities. There were numerous major Celtic tribes spread throughout Europe, with the Picts, Gaels, and Britons being the most prominent in modern-day Britain and Ireland. The origins of Celtic cultures are often debated, but some believe they began to develop as far back as 1200 BC. The end of the Celtic tribes is also highly debated, with the general belief that most tribes had been defeated or assimilated by 600 AD. The most prolific Celtic era occurred during the end of the Bronze Age and throughout the Iron Age.

Over several decades, the Picts assimilated into Gaelic culture. Pictland, also known as Pictavia, gradually merged with the Gaelic kingdom of Dal Riata, giving rise to the Kingdom of Alba, later known as Scotland. Scholars suggest that the tribes commonly wore tunics with belts and cloaks, and they are often credited as the first in Europe to adopt trousers. Utilizing berries and plants, they dyed their garments, likely incorporating patterns and plaids reminiscent of the tartans now associated with Scotland. Renowned for their craftsmanship, the Celts extended their artistry to their attire, embellishing garments with embroidery, brooches, fringes, and utilizing materials such as wool, hemp, linen, silk, furs, and leather.

Useful links:

8 facts about the Celts

A guide to identifying the Celtic regions  

The Celtic Picts of Scotland  

Pict| Celtic culture, Iron Age & Scotland 

The Celtic period| Customs, Clothing & Lifestyle

The Roman Empire, one of the most influential civilizations in history, began in 27 BCE when Octavian (later Augustus) became the first Roman emperor, following the end of the Roman Republic. Augustus established the imperial system and expanded the empire's borders. By  117 CE, the Roman Empire had expanded through numerous military campaigns, conquering territories, and reached its maximum extant, spanning three continents including Asia Minor, northern Africa, and most of Europe. In 286 CE the Roman Empire was split into eastern and western empires, each ruled by its own emperor. The western empire suffered several Gothic and Germanic tribe invasions, economic troubles, and internal strife and, in 455 CE, was sacked by Vandals. Rome continued to decline after that until the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. The Roman Imperial period lasted until 1453 CE in the East, with the fall of Constantinople. The eastern Roman Empire, more commonly known as the Byzantine Empire, survived until Turks took control of its capital city, Constantinople (modern day Istanbul in Turkey) in 1453 CE. 

Latin was the official language, and it influenced the Romance languages. Greek was also widely spoken, especially in the eastern provinces. Latin became the foundation to many modern day language, most notably the “Romance languages” French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, and Catalan. Many Latin root words are also the foundation for many English words. Roman engineering profoundly impacted future civilizations. Ancient Romans created curved roofs and large-scale arches, which were able to support more weight than the post-and-beam construction the Greeks used. They also built large amphitheatres, notably the Colosseum, resulting in the sports stadiums we see today, with their oval shapes and tiered seating, deriving from the basic idea the Romans developed. They also built expansive road systems, and were successful farmers developing irrigation systems and techniques like crop rotation, pruning and seed selection. The Roman Empire's legacy endures in modern law, government, architecture, and many aspects of Western culture. 

Roman men typically wore a tunic (tunica) as an undergarment, over which they draped a mantle or a toga for formal occasions. Most Romans would have owned at least one woollen cloak. Roman cloaks were worn pinned at one shoulder (chlamys) or joined at the front with a hood (birrus). The toga was a large, semi-circular piece of cloth made from wool. Women wore a stola, a long dress fastened by clasps, and a palla, a large shawl. Wealthier women adorned themselves with jewellery and elaborate hairstyles. Sandals were most commonly worn and shoes were also common, made from leather. Soldiers wore a tunic, armour, and a helmet (galea). The iconic red cloak (sagum) was part of their attire.

Useful Links:

The Roman Empire: A Brief History. 

Traces of Ancient Rome in The Modern Day World 

Ancient Roman Clothing 

Peasant culture has been a crucial aspect of societal development throughout history. It reflects the lives, traditions, and values of rural communities who primarily engage in agriculture. Historically, peasants have occupied a lower economic and social status compared to landowners, nobility, and urban dwellers. They have limited access to capital, education, and political power.

In ancient civilisations, peasants were essential in growing food, building infrastructure, and supporting the economy. They followed seasonal agricultural cycles, lived in simple dwellings, and participated in local religious and communal activities. In medieval Europe, peasants, or serfs, worked the land for lords in exchange for protection and a small plot of land. They lived in tight-knit communities with a strong sense of mutual aid. Religious festivals and communal gatherings were integral. Their daily lives were structured around agricultural seasons and the Christian calendar. Peasants’ diets were simple, consisting mostly of bread, porridge, and vegetables. In the early modern period agricultural innovations introduced new farming techniques, leading to increased productivity but also social upheaval as many peasants were displaced. And by the 19th century came the industrialization, causing many peasants to move to cities seeking work in factories, leading to the decline of traditional rural life. Peasant culture has significantly influenced global history, shaping economies, societies, and cultural identities across various regions and periods.

Peasant clothing has historically been about practicality and resourcefulness, using available materials to create durable and functional garments suited to the demands of agricultural work and rural life. The specific clothing varied depending on the region, climate, and historical period, but common features included durability and functionality. Tunics, shifts, trousers or breeches, aprons, kirtles, shawls, and cloaks formed the foundation of their wardrobe. Over time, peasant clothing evolved alongside that of higher society, though it remained a much simpler version.

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Peasant Societies 

The Peasant Revolt

Medieval European Peasant Clothing  

The Early Modern Era was a transformative period in European history, roughly spanning from the late 15th century, beginning with the Renaissance and the age of discovery around 1450, to the late 18th century ending with the French Revolution in 1789. This era was characterized by dramatic changes in various aspects of life, including the beginnings of global trade networks, significant social and economic changes, witnessing the Reformation, which challenged the Catholic Church's authority, and the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason and individualism. It also saw the rise of nation-states, colonial expansion, and the early stages of the Industrial Revolution. Society was strictly hierarchical, with the monarchy and nobility at the top, followed by the gentry and bourgeoisie (merchants and professionals), and peasants and laborers at the bottom. Nobility and wealthy merchants lived in large, well-furnished homes or castles, while peasants and lower classes lived in modest, often crowded and less sanitary conditions. Urbanization increased, with growing cities becoming centers of commerce and culture.

Clothing was a significant indicator of social status. The fashion was elaborate for the wealthy, who wore luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet, often adorned with elaborate decorations. The men wearing doublets, breeches, and cloaks, while women wore gowns with fitted bodices and full skirts. The lower classes wore simpler, practical garments made from wool or linen.

Useful Links:

Economic History Society

Extreme Fashion in Early Modern Europe 

Timeline of Early Modern History

The Early Modern Period In Europe