Hat, Viking 6-panel, Trimmed with hand woven braid

The archetype for this hat is usually cited as being from Birka grave 958. While researching I found that Inga Hägg lists Bj 958 as an example of a grave 'that lacks substantial traces of a hat' (Birka II:2). The 'Skoldbuckla' shown in Arbmans "Birka - die Gräber", page 383 usually described as a hat is actually a shield boss. A silver brocaded band which was used as a source for a reconstruction on the Historiska Världar website came from grave Bj 976.

Our hat follows the commonly accepted pattern for reconstructed hats of this period. It is made of 6 roughly triangular shaped wool panels.

The bottom of the trimmed hat features wool braid hand woven in England by Elisabeth DaBorn. Liz produces absolutely top quality weaving, and she is the long established and preferred sources of braid for museums, historic sites,  Regia Anglorum members and members of other Dark Ages groups. 

Trimmed hats are made up as ordered using your choice of fabric and braid style. Choose from the following hat fabrics and braid designs shown:

Braid (left to right) 1) Madder/weld, figure 8 2) Mulberry/woad, reverse S 3) Madder/orchil, lg. S 4) Mulberry/woad, spaced S 5) Woad/tan, reverse S 6) Madder/weld, hook 7/Green/woad, reverse S 8) Madder/weld, interlock 9) Murray/woad, figure 8 10) Woad/weld, reverse S

Although there is some variation due to the handmade nature of this hat, forehead circumference measures approximately-

• Small- 22"
• Medium - 23"
• Large - 24"
• XL - 25"

Please note: Colours for this range have been carefully matched to natural dye samples. Please refer to the Fabric Colours, Weaves and Information section.

This product has been developed in consultation with the Authenticity Officers for Regia Anglorum in the US and UK, as well as the Authenticity Officers for the Vikings UK and NA. Although it is policy for both groups to avoid giving blanket endorsements to vendors, this garment conforms to current Regia Anglorum and Vikings kit standards.

PLEASE NOTE: Each hat is made up custom, as ordered. Please order carefully, as hats are not returnable.