‘Doomed to Die’

In eleventh century Ireland there was no such material as cotton (and, of course, nothing like nylon or polyester, either) so clothes were made from linen, wool, or animal skins (leather).

Linen was made from the tough fibres of a plant called flax. The stems of flax were soaked until the outside rotted away and only the fibres were left. These fibres were then spun into a strong thread and then woven.

Wool was made by sheering the sheep and then spinning the wool and lastly weaving it. The wool was often dyed using the various plants to colour it.

Clothes lasted a long time and were very valuable. A cloak could be worth the price of three cows at that time.

Read &Write:

1 Chapter 7 What is the Irish word for tunic?

2 Chapter 7 What is the Irish word for cloak?

3 Chapter 7 What plant was used to dye the white wool of the cloak?

4 Chapter 7 What was used to fasten the cloak?

5 Epilogue What do you think the word léinte means?

6 Epilogue What was Nessa wearing?