Clothes

Greek and Roman

The Clothes Make the Man

May 30, 2024 Saxo

“The King ordained that his dress, for the time to come, should he of a different texture and colour; one side to be composed of the most ordinary materials, and the other of the most valuable : so that when he looked upon the baser portion, his pride might be abated, and the vicious propensities, in which he had indulged, relinquished; on the other hand, when he surveyed the more gorgeous part, his hopes might be raised, and his spirit animated to goodness.” […]

Britons and Celts

A Dream Mistress of Great Power

May 7, 2024 Saxo

‘Then she handed me a sword with a highly polished hilt.
“Wield this weapon of mine,” said the woman,
“Much blood has been spilt at the bite of its blade,
And as you slash and swish it will serve you unswaveringly.”’ […]

Greek and Roman

The Goddess Prepares for War

May 23, 2023 Saxo

“Then onto the flaming chariot Pallas set her feet and seized her spear – weighted, heavy, the massive shaft she wields to break the battle lines of heroes the mighty Father’s daughter storms against.” […]

Britons and Celts

Coastal Scots, Wild Highlanders

April 15, 2023 Saxo

“The highlanders and people of the islands, on the other hand, are a savage an untamed nation, rude and independent, ease-loving, of a docile and warm disposition, comely in person, but unsightly in dress, and hostile to the English people and language.” […]

Humor

A King and his Chum

March 17, 2022 Saxo

“In reply to Your Majesty’s writing to me concerning the white ceremonial robes: “How many days should I keep on wearing them?” the king should wear them on the 20th and the 21st; two days are more than enough. On the 22nd he can dress normally.” […]

Human Affairs

King-class Fashion

December 28, 2021 Saxo

“You must have neither hat nor cap nor other covering on your head; for one must appear before lords with uncovered head and ungloved hands, with a blithe face and with limbs and body thoroughly bathed.” […]

History

The Charity of the Great Khan

August 1, 2021 Saxo

“When he learns that some family of honest and respectable people have been impoverished by some misfortune or disabled from working by illness, so that they have no means of earning their daily bread, he sees to it that such families (which may consist of six to ten persons or more) are given enough to cover their expenses for the whole year.” […]