"What did Anglo Saxon warriors look like?" Topic

In my mind the richer warriors would wear a helm, a short sleeved mail coat and under that a long sleeved tunic and carrying a shield.

Poorer warriors or earlier warriors would probably not have the mail and might not have the helm and may have the phygian cap intead.

Oh, and while some may have a sword, everyone would carry a saex.

With the exception of saexes for all, you can pretty much get this look using the Gripping Beast plastics.

so, on the whole I am happy, but looking at other ranges, I see a short sleeved overcoat seems to crop up regularly. This also features in the Gripping Beast Dark Age Cavalry pack too. But is it historical for either?

I asked about the decorated short-sleeved over-tunic on TMP in 2015 – TMP link – a propos of depictions of similar garments on Burgundians.

I'd say the spear would be omnipresent. Axes as well.

Spears and Seaxes for the vast majority, I think the Dane Axe only became a Saxon weapon in the 11th century, mostly in units of Huscarls. Bows used by a minority, and these seem to have been used within the Shield-wall for the most part.
Here is a link to Regia Anglorum – a must for wargamers interested in this period link
and link

What period? 6th Century, 10th?

Thanks Gurkan, so mainly because they look 'good' rather than accuracy. :)

I know that The Late Anglo-Saxon Army by Stephenson shows the Saxons in long sleeved tunics, but I suppose that (if you are being fair) fashions can change in 300 years..

jhancock, I was thinking the whole range of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms. Yes I know fashions could change, but you see this short sleeved coat in ranges that cover the whole period.

Summer vs winter fashions change too.

Aethelflaeda, true, but it is not exactly a practical winter outfit.

I suspect it is just a way for manufacturers to add 'interest'