[MR] What DID viking ladies really wear? Forgive me, it this is offensive

[McKenna]

Bera the Blessed of the Shire of Sylvan Glen (AEthelmearc) scripsit:

>The modern "jumper" apron/dress - a fabric pipe or tube with straps is NOT 
>practical for nursing a baby, and does not accommodate a lady's changing 
>size during a pregnancy.  Given that most women were, more or less, in a 
>constant state of pregnancy and nursing, from age 16 (more or less) until 
>the day the "change of life" hit them,  I have to wonder why such a 
>reconstruction has taken root (except that it comforts our modern 
>sensibilities).

I pray you forgive me, Gentle Lady, but I must to some extent disagree. I 
fear your argument regarding "constant state of pregnancy and nursing" is 
also in a large measure a "modern sensibility."  In addition to the points 
David <chessler at usa.net> makes in his excellent post, there is strong 
evidence that during the medieval period average age of menarche was about 
age 18, not 16, and that amenorrhea and irregular menses were common.  Also 
the length of post-partum amenorrhea was (if memory serves) on average 
greater than 2 years, and that menopause occurred at a much earlier age than 
today.

I beg to doubt that maternity fashions were of major concern. :-)

Yr humble serv't

McKenna,