[MR] ISO source for haversack use and patterns, 1100 AD

[sca_bard at yahoo.com]

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Fen asked:
<<< I want to design and make a "game bag" or haversack type pack for  
use on the?archery range.? Shoulder slung resting on left hip.?Would  
prefer to fit it to my persona?(anglo-saxon 1000-1100AD)

I'm curious?about how common?these were for hunter?types (basic  
peasant?gear?)?and any good resources you?may know of to start my? 
search.<<<


Karen Larsdottir has pages with visual references for several kinds of bags.  On this page:
http://www.larsdatter.com/pilgrims.htm

the very first link goes to a carving of three pilgrims carrying bags like you describe, and the carving dates from 1120-1130 by her notation.  Some of her other links/collections of links might also help you. I've looked for bag information for a slightly earlier Anglo-Saxon persona, and it's not easy to find!  I recall that Karen's site was the biggest help.  

The Utrecht Psalter is earlier than you're asking for (ninth century) and it hails from across the Channel, but it shares a style with some Anglo-Saxon manuscripts and it has many small, unexpected details.  I haven't combed it for a bag picture, but it wouldn't surprise me to find one in there.  There's a book... I think it's at the University of Maryland... that contains excerpts of the Utrect's illustrations, organized by theme.  ("Instruments," "Camp Life," etc.)  If my memory doesn't deceive me, it's this one:

Les illustrations du Psautier d’Utrecht : sources et apport carolingien / Suzy Dufrenne. Association des publications près les universités de Strasbourg ; fasc. 161. 1978.
UMCP Art Library Folio | ND3357.U8 D83 1978

I remember that the captions were in French and I had to puzzle them out, so I think that's it.  If you've got time to drop by UMD (park carefully! they ticket!) that might be worth your while to make some photocopies.

The Bayeux Tapestry would be another famous source that might show such a thing, but I don't think there's a bag in there.  I have a digital copy on CD and went through it once, looking for examples of banners; there are cups and knives on tables, and details like servants with shish-kebabs, but I don't remember any bags.  (But I wasn't looking for them at the time, either.)

YIS,
 - Teleri the Well-Prepared