Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to navigation

Practical

Water bottles or pilgrim bottles
Water bottles or pilgrim bottles
Medieval glasses
Medieval glasses
Medieval combs
Medieval combs
Medieval and Viking hygiene cutlery
Medieval and Viking hygiene cutlery
Other medieval accessories
Other medieval accessories
Wool socks or socks made from real wool
Wool socks or socks made from real wool
Items  1 - 20 of 145

scroll to the end

No load more

Items  1 - 20 of 145

Practical medieval accessories are more than mere decoration: pilgrim’s bags, leather arm guards, hand-forged locks and historical shackles were functional everyday items in the real Middle Ages – and serve just as well today at re-enactment camps, LARP events or medieval markets. This category brings together items that sit at the intersection of historical function and modern-day use.

What counts as practical medieval accessories?

Was gehört zu praktischem Mittelalter-Zubehör?

Practical accessories can be clearly distinguished from mere decoration: these are items that one wears, uses or incorporates into a re-enactment – not just displays. In the Middle Ages, everyone, from pilgrims to mercenaries, carried a set of functional items with them or kept them safe in their accommodation.

The product groups in this category include medieval bags and pilgrim’s bags as carrying devices, leather arm guards and arm sleeves as protective equipment, hand-forged locks for securing chests and treasure chests, as well as historical shackles and instruments of punishment for re-enactment and theatrical purposes. Prices range from more affordable entry-level items starting at around €12.56 up to elaborately hand-forged pieces costing around €58.

Pilgrim’s bags and shoulder bags: everyday companions of the Middle Ages

The pilgrim’s bag was one of the most common types of bag in the Middle Ages. Anyone who travelled – whether as a pilgrim on the way to Santiago de Compostela, as a travelling merchant, or as an ordinary person making their way between village and town – carried their belongings in a simple shoulder bag made of linen or cotton. A leather belt and belt pouch completed the ensemble; a pouch on the belt was practically indispensable.

The pilgrim bags in this category are made from sturdy cotton fabric and are available in four colours: natural, brown, red and black. Starting at €12.56, they offer a straightforward way to complement your costume – with minimal effort and a direct historical connection. Whether at the market, in camp or during a LARP event, a pilgrim’s bag proves very practical: small items can be stowed away without dangling from your attire. Click here for the full selection of medieval bags, belt pouches and pouches.

Forged locks and padlocks: security from the forge

In the Middle Ages, a good lock was a valuable possession. Anyone who had something to protect – provisions in a chest, coins in a box, tools in the camp – secured it with a hand-forged iron lock. Master smiths crafted these pieces individually, and even today, the hammer marks and individual characteristics of the craftsmanship can be seen on preserved originals.

The locks in this category are all hand-forged and come with a key. You can choose from a wrought-iron spring-loaded lock, a round padlock (11.5 cm), as well as heart-shaped and leaf-shaped variants. Prices range from €14 to €17. They are suitable as props, as campsite decorations and – depending on the design – as fully functional locks for chests. Anyone wishing to add a historical touch to their campsite set-up will find further suitable wrought iron items among the hooks, nails, fittings and locks.

Leather arm guards and arm sleeves: protection and style in one

Leather forearm guards were not the exclusive preserve of knights in the Middle Ages. Archers wore them to protect the inside of the forearm from the recoiling bowstring. Craftsmen used them for protection whilst forging and felling trees. Warriors and mercenaries used leather arm guards as a first layer of protection beneath or instead of chainmail.

In this category, you’ll find a wide selection: simple arm sleeves made from high-quality genuine leather to get you started from €14.28, pieces with a Thor’s hammer embossing for a Norse look, models with a Celtic triskelion motif, and the Viking armband with a Hugin and Munin motif in brown leather. Those needing more protection should opt for the arm guard with sewn-in steel strips made from soft cowhide leather (€36.13) – it offers noticeably greater stability. For complete forearm protection in re-enactment combat, it’s worth taking a look at the arm guards and medieval arm guards.

Medieval everyday life and practical items: what people really wore and used

What did ordinary people wear in the Middle Ages? The answer is more down-to-earth than some romanticised notions: everyday clothing made of wool and linen, a belt with a pouch or bag attached to it, a simple knife on the belt – that was the typical outfit of a craftsman, farmer or merchant. Leather dominated in everything that had to withstand wear and tear: belts, bags, footwear, arm guards. Hand-forged iron secured possessions and dwellings.

What was popular and typical in the Middle Ages? Functionality over aesthetics was the guiding principle. This meant: no object without a purpose. Jewellery, belt buckles and brooches also served to fasten clothing. Locks not only protected valuables but were also status symbols. A piece of leather on the arm provided practical assistance at work.

Medieval practice, in the strictest sense, refers to craftsmanship and the use of functional objects in everyday life – from the grain mill to the blacksmith’s forge. For re-enactment and living history, it is precisely this everyday knowledge that makes a portrayal convincing: not the costume alone, but the objects one carries and uses alongside it.

Complementary everyday accessories beyond the main categories: medieval combs, Viking and medieval hygiene items, as well as canteens and pilgrim flasks, round off an authentic everyday ensemble.

Which practical accessories suit which medieval style?

A simple pilgrim’s bag made of natural or brown cotton fabric is the most historically plausible choice. This goes well with a simple leather arm guard without elaborate embossing. Together with a medieval belt and a simple shirt, this creates a credible everyday ensemble that works from the Early to the Late Middle Ages.

For a Norse portrayal, the leather bracelet with the Hugin and Munin motif is just as suitable as the arm guard with Thor’s hammer embossing. Both are historically plausible and go well with Viking clothing made of wool and linen. A forged padlock on a chest in the camp credibly rounds off the portrayal.

The triskelion motif features on both the small arm cuff and the larger arm guard – both made of brown leather. The triskelion is one of the best-known Celtic symbols and is suitable for re-enactments of Celtic cultures from the Iron Age and the early Middle Ages. Can be combined with Celtic clothing and matching jewellery.

Hand-forged locks for chests and boxes are among the most convincing details in camp life. They are not only visually authentic but can actually be used as locks. Combined with medieval camp equipment such as cauldrons, lanterns and furniture, they create an authentic picture of everyday life in a medieval camp.

Hand-forged shackles and instruments of punishment are ideal for theatre projects, school events or historical re-enactments focusing on criminal justice. Handcuffs, neck irons and pillories are crafted according to historical models and look convincing on stage. Take a look at the film and theatre props section for further suitable items.

Historical shackles and instruments of punishment: between prop and re-enactment

Historische Fesseln und Strafwerkzeuge: Zwischen Requisite und Darstellung

Medieval criminal justice was public and demonstrative. Handcuffs, neck irons and the pillory were real instruments, not inventions of film studios. The neck irons were attached to the pillory; the pillory forced the offender’s wrists and neck into an uncomfortable position and made them publicly visible. Shackles with iron balls – the cliché from pirate stories has its origins in actual use in medieval prisons and the penal system.

The products in this category include forged handcuffs (€16.80) including a key, iron shackles (€33.61), a neck irons (€31.08), a shackle with an iron ball (€58.82) and a pillory (€46.21). The medieval handcuffs (€37.81) are hand-forged based on a historical original from Lübeck’s Holstentor – a documented model that places the design in its historical context. They are used for historical re-enactments, theatre props, living history projects and collections. You can find a complete overview of this product group under ‘Dungeon Goods’.

Not sure which item suits your re-enactment? We’re happy to help: telephone advice Mon–Fri 8am–12pm and 1pm–3pm on +49 9921 7099288, or visit our warehouse shop in Rinchnach. Vehi Mercatus is a Trusted Shops member, you have a 30-day right of return – and with over 20 years’ experience in specialist retail for the Middle Ages and re-enactment, we know what matters when it comes to functional accessories.

Whether it’s a pilgrim’s bag for your first visit to the market, a leather arm guard for a Viking re-enactment, or a hand-forged lock for your camp chest – in this category you’ll find functional accessories that were actually used in the Middle Ages. Browse through the products and complete your costume with items that really fit the bill.

Frequently asked questions

Ordinary people in the Middle Ages usually wore a leather belt with an attached pouch or small bag, a simple knife on their belt, and leather footwear. Pilgrim’s bags made of linen or cotton were common carrying accessories for travellers and traders. Everyday life was characterised by functionality – every item had to serve a clear purpose.

Yes, most locks are supplied with a key and can generally be used as locks. The spring-loaded lock and the padlocks are suitable for light-duty applications such as securing chests or boxes in storage. However, they are hand-forged props with a historical character – they are not intended for high-security applications.

The hand-forged shackles, handcuffs and instruments of punishment, such as the pillory, are designed for historical re-enactments, living history camps, theatre projects and collections. They are crafted based on historical models – the medieval handcuffs, for example, are based on an original from the Holstentor in Lübeck. They are not intended for the actual restraint of persons.

For a Nordic-themed re-enactment, the leather armband with the Hugin and Munin motif or the arm guard with the Thor’s hammer embossing are suitable. Both are made from high-quality cowhide leather and are historically accurate. Those requiring more protection – for example, for stage combat or archery – are better off choosing the arm guard with sewn-in steel strips.

Entry-level prices start at €12.56 for pilgrim’s bags and €14.28 for small leather arm guards. Forged locks are available from €14.28. This makes it easy to put together a basic kit for market visits or your first camp events. More elaborate items such as arm guards with steel strips or historical shackles range from €33 to €58.

Discover related categories

Medieval accessories Forged items Brooches & ring brooches Medieval pouches Medieval bracelets Pilgrim badges & pewter badges Other accessories

You might also be interested in

10 details for your outfit Getting started with the medieval hobby Tips for the medieval market Clothing in the Middle Ages Caring for leather properly