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PRUSSIAN TRIBESMEN, 11th-13th CENTURIES
An extract from Armies of Feudal Europe 1066-1300by Ian Heath
106. PRUSSIAN TRIBESMEN, 11th-13th CENTURIES
These three figures are based on depictions of Prussians on the 11th century Lance of St Maurice and the 12th century bronze doors of Gniezno Cathedral, both of which indicate that their dress was basically the same as that of the lower-classes of neighbouring Poland, though a few are shown barelegged and some wear fur jerkins reaching to the waist or hips. None wear armour and only one wears a helmet, of conical shape. From the written sources we know that their tunics and trousers were of linen and wool (the woollen clothes being generally obtained by trading furs with the Poles, Germans and Scandinavians), while their shoes were made of bark fibre or rawhide. Along, woollen cloak could also be worn, pinned with a large bronze fibula, but is unlikely to have been worn in combat. Their clothing was generally bleached, undyed or white, white tunics being banned as ‘heathen’ by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century (despite their own white habits). Chieftains probably wore ornamental belts of silver or gold plaques as well as other silver and gold ornament, and might carry a dagger in a bronze-plated sheath. Helmold describes the Prussians as having blue eyes, ruddy faces and long, mainly fair hair.
Although some sources tend to indicate that round shields were still to be found in use at least in the 11th century, the pictorial sources mentioned above invariably show smallish almond-shaped wooden shields, with or without bosses and horizontal or diagonal strengtheners and sometimes apparently leather-covered and painted with a simple pattern or decorated with studs. Comparison with Polish examples indicates that the type carried by 108, made of 3 planks with a quarter-inch gap between them (to help absorb the impact of a blow), was usually flat at the back but convex in front. Principal weapons depicted are narrow-bladed thrusting spears, swords and axes, though we know from the chronicles that they also used the bow (the quiver-cum-bowcase on figure 107’s back being based on contemporary Polish practice). Swords were of both Scandinavian and Polish origin. 107a depicts one of the narrow-bladed throwing axes employed not only by the Prussians but also by the other Baltic tribes, as well as the Poles and even the Russians.
Adalbert lands in Gdansk by ship. Gniezno Cathedral Doors.
Adalbert says Mass on the morning of his death, with hostile Prussians on the right. Gniezno Cathedral Doors.
Adalbert is martyred by two men, while his companions watch. Gniezno Cathedral Doors.
Adalbert’s remains are bought by the Polish ruler from the Prussians, for their weight in gold. Gniezno Cathedral Doors.
