Belt

Fig. 1. The costume of the 'princess' of Zweeloo, Drenthe, Netherlands, reconstructed and drawn by J. Ypey

Fig 2. Copper alloy and silver buckle and belt plate, from Mucking Essex. 5.8cm total length.

Fig 3. Bronze decorated buckle with rivets - 9cm total length; ring 6.4cm wide by 2.25cm at widest point; plate 6.6cm long by 3cm. (This buckle must have rivetted to a solid leather belt between 3 and 6.4cm wide.)

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General		Back to top
Leather and textile remains from belts are often preserved in situ, along with buckles and objects positioned in such a way as to indicate having been hung from a belt. In art, the peplos type gown is commonly shown 'pouched' over a concealed belt, and sometimes a second more decorative belt is worn over the pouching from which the household objects could be hung. Buckle positions in graves tell us that belts could be worn round the waist, or lower, on the hip and that the buckle itself could be positioned anywhere around the body; front, back, left or right. They are less common than brooches in graves and were of simple design. Strap ends do not seem to be used in this period.		Fig. 1. The costume of the 'princess' of Zweeloo, Drenthe, Netherlands, reconstructed and drawn by J. Ypey
Where there are no buckles in graves, there are still grave goods which appear to have been hung from a belt. In this case the belt could have been fastened by some other means. Rings have been found which could have been attached to one end of the belt and the other end knotted through it. Large beads are also found, which could have acted as a king of toggle.
Men it appears could wear two belts, one to keep the trrousers up and another over which the tunic was pouched and items hung on like the womens belts.

Military Belts	Back to top
An elaborate belt and diagonal baldric is associated with several rich graves usually where a sword is found. These belts are wide with a narrower strip rivetted on which goes through the buckle. They could be reinforced with a variety of belt plates. Fabric belts could be made from wool or the very versatile tablet-weave.
Fig 2. Copper alloy and silver buckle and belt plate, from Mucking Essex. 5.8cm total length.

Fabric	Back to top
As mentioned above belts could be leather or fabric. From Lyminge, Kent the belts were between 2 and 4.5 mm thick, but we don't know how wide. The width of the buckle may give us a clue there.
Fig 3. Bronze decorated buckle with rivets - 9cm total length; ring 6.4cm wide by 2.25cm at widest point; plate 6.6cm long by 3cm. (This buckle must have rivetted to a solid leather belt between 3 and 6.4cm wide.)

Literary Evidence	Back to top
The words belt or fetel may have been used for this item, both meaning a belt or girdle.