My updated impression as a late 5th century post-roman Briton tiern (chieftain), bearing a title of centenarius. A crossover between roman conservatism and insular fashions. Given the lack of sources, a lot of equipment is conjectural yet I hope it to be a realistic portrayal of a Brittonic warrior that could have fought under Riothamus at Deols in AD 469 or at the battle of Mount Badon.
Lot of late roman equipment, especially the silvered lorica squamata. The scutum bears the pattern of the Mauri osismiaci, the pseudocomitatenses unit stationned in western Armorica, slightly modified to bear more with contemporary insular patterns on metalwork (more swirls, less 'yin yang' look). The sword has a Kraggehul style hilt, was made by Paul Binns, the scabbard by Matt Bunker after fittings from Pewsey and Feltwells.
Several details such as the tunic, the shield boss and the alternance of bronze and silvered scales are inspired by depiction of soldiers from the Vergilius Romanus, a possible british codex from the second half of the 5th century.
My helmet is purely conjectural but bears ressemblance to both late roman helmets, bandelhelms and later anglo-saxon helmets with a mail neckguard, cheekguards and hinges.
Ocrae (leg guards) used after their mention by Sidonius Appolinaris in a contemporary context.
Next steps will be:
- modifications on the thoracomachus with 'closed' pteryges sleeves and a leather cover (the globa)
- possibly shoulder protection on the squamata
- a reproduction of the Four Crosses (Wales) spearhead
- a crested ridge helmet.
Earlier impression with my hamata, romano-british cingulum, sagum and a reproduction of the enameled type F brooch from Dinas Powys:
Photo C. Gattuso.
And finally, in civil garb with the fustis and heavy neck ring:
For it a new sagum, Thorsberg styled, is under way and I also plan to get the Traprain Law buckle reproduced.