European Braids

You can see all types of braids all through out European history. The Celts, Germanic Tribes and Vikings as well as the Greeks and Romans wore braids. Braids were extremely popular in Europe during medieval times. Braids don’t belong to one culture and they have significance in many cultures.

• Celts and Germanic Tribes:

In 1780 a body was found preserved in a small bog near Drumkeeragh, County Down in Ireland. A portion of plaited hair over 16 inches long was found with the body -http://archive.archaeology.org/online/features/bog/clothing2.html

“The Celtic people of ancient Great Britain and Western continental Europe were renowned for the long golden hair they often wore braided. Celtic women, somewhat similar to the ancient Greeks and Romans, often wore their hair in elaborate configurations of braids and decorations….

Braiding was common among many nomadic peoples such as the Vikings and other Germanic tribes…

During the 1st century CE Roman writers described the “Suebian knot,” a hairstyle worn by men of the Suebi, a Germanic tribe." -http://m.twirlit.com/2013/07/26/hair-braiding-5000-years-of-style/

(Vikings) "Unmarried girls….At times they may have worn their hair in braids instead…

"Two hogback stones from Lowther, Cumbria depict (Angol-Vikings) women with their hair worn in two braids, falling to either side of the head beside the cheeks” -http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/hairstyl.shtml

• Greeks and Romans:

“During the Flavian period (79-81 CE), the daughter of Roman Emperor Titus, Julia, created lavish up-dos consisting of wire frames, twisted braids and curls. These elaborate hairstyles eventually became popular amongst wealthy Roman women and became even more dramatic in later Roman periods. The more elaborate the style, the more it indicated a woman’s wealth and available leisure time.” -http://www.lovelyish.com/2013/04/15/the-beautiful-and-amazing-history-of-braids/

“The ancient Greeks developed elaborate hairstyles involving braided and curled strands, sometimes decorated with flowers or ribbons.

As with most Greek culture, the ancient Romans appropriated the custom and went even further, using false ringlets and cages they used to hold up the impossibly elaborate concoctions we now associate with that time period.” -http://m.twirlit.com/2013/07/26/hair-braiding-5000-years-of-style/

• Medieval Europe:

“Popular medieval hair style for workers- two plaits brought from the nape of the neck and crossed over the top of her head and tied together. Not only was this style easy to dress at home oneself without assistance, it looked pleasing to the eye, was considered modest and kept the hair tied up and clean when performing manual chores. Often these plaits were interwound with ribbon for decoration and also for securing purposes…

By the early decades of the 14th century, fashionable women in England discarded the barbette and fillet combination in favour of plaits worn in front of the ear on each side of the face. The hairstyle originated in France before the end of the 13th century.” -http://rosaliegilbert.com/hairstyles.html

“Although beautiful braided buns and crowns were commonly worn in Medieval Europe, social life was characterized by conservatism and modesty – and it was socially intolerable for a woman to let her hair loose in public. In such socially rigid times, it was uncommon for people to stray from social norms as the consequences were high. So although women wore thick, beautiful braids – they were mostly to keep a headpiece in place to cover them up.” -http://www.lovelyish.com/2013/04/15/the-beautiful-and-amazing-history-of-braids/

Popular Medieval braid styles were the double braid, the braided crown, the double braided bun, and the fishtail.