Belt: Difference between revisions

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The decorative form that women wear with their dresses, often made of cloth and [[embroidery|embroidered]], is known as a [[girdle]].
The decorative form that women wear with their dresses, often made of cloth and [[embroidery|embroidered]], is known as a [[girdle]].

In the [[SCA]], a distinctly [[white]] belt is reserved for [[knight]]s. Other colours are commonly used for [[squire]]s ([[red]]), [[apprentice]]s ([[green]]) and [[protege]]s ([[yellow]]), but this is just a [[tradition]], not a [[laws|rule]].


Contrary to common [[SCA]] belief, [[period]] belts often had buckles, and were not just straps of [[leather]] with a metal ring attached. Belts with [[buckle]]s can be seen in [[illumination|illuminated]] [[manuscript]]s, and as a [[heraldic]] [[charge]].
Contrary to common [[SCA]] belief, [[period]] belts often had buckles, and were not just straps of [[leather]] with a metal ring attached. Belts with [[buckle]]s can be seen in [[illumination|illuminated]] [[manuscript]]s, and as a [[heraldic]] [[charge]].

==Belt Colour in the SCA==
In the [[SCA]], a distinctly [[white]] belt is reserved for [[knight]]s, one of the few examples of [[sumptuary law]]. Other colours, however are not restricted in any way, although various [[IKA|customs]] exist in various kingdoms and people avoid the use of certain colours to avoid being seen as presumptuous.
*''Red belts'' are often used for [[squire]]s.
*''Green Belts'' are often reserved for [[apprentice]]s.
*''Yellow belts'' are often reserved for [[protege]]s, but green belts are sometimes used for them, as well.


== External Links ==
== External Links ==

Revision as of 02:52, 11 July 2008

A belt is a length of some material, often leather, cord or woven cloth worn around the waist. Metal belts are also known, such as the plaque belts popular in the 14th Century.

Belts can be fastened in a wide variety of ways, using buckles, rings and the like, or they could simply be tied. Many (some indicate the vast majority) of belts had strap ends of similar materials on the end of the belt.

Belts were used to gather clothing, provide support for structures such as scabbards, a knife sheaf, a pouch or for adjusting clothing to keep it out of the weather.

Typical Viking belts were rarely greater than 25mm (1 inch), based on surviving buckles and strap ends.

Belts in the SCA

In the SCA the belt has many uses:

The decorative form that women wear with their dresses, often made of cloth and embroidered, is known as a girdle.

Contrary to common SCA belief, period belts often had buckles, and were not just straps of leather with a metal ring attached. Belts with buckles can be seen in illuminated manuscripts, and as a heraldic charge.

Belt Colour in the SCA

In the SCA, a distinctly white belt is reserved for knights, one of the few examples of sumptuary law. Other colours, however are not restricted in any way, although various customs exist in various kingdoms and people avoid the use of certain colours to avoid being seen as presumptuous.

  • Red belts are often used for squires.
  • Green Belts are often reserved for apprentices.
  • Yellow belts are often reserved for proteges, but green belts are sometimes used for them, as well.

External Links