Just a couple of bits.
First, it's unlikely that any Herjofsnes garments were found with linen pads
of any sort (linen has not survived in the conditions at Herjofsnes). What
may be being remembered is the polar bear breeches from Angmagssalik (now
called Tasiilaq), and may not be even Norse. It's also possible that they
are thinking of whatever those seal skin things that I've heard Robin
mention.
Women and breeches. In a recent work by Margarette Nockert, the Skjoldehamn
trousers were redated and also were described as a woman's garment. This
doesn't really bother me since in one of the Sagas (sdon't ask me which
right now) a woman was accused of wearing "gusseted trousers, like a man's",
which could be construed as meaning that women (in that time and place)
might wear ungusseted trousers. And quite honestly, "little ice age" or
not, I think that NOT wearing something under your skirts in a Scandinavian
winter is unlikely.
In Italy, things might be different.
I have rants on the ubiquity of the "little ice age" as an an excuse for
things, and the "women were pregnant all the time" myth, but I think they
may be off topic for this list.
Marc
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