Skins & Blankets
In the Middle Ages, hides and blankets were among the most essential everyday materials – used as bedding in camps, for warmth in tents, and as part of clothing for everyone from simple peasants to Viking warriors. Anyone setting up an authentic medieval camp today, or simply looking for a high-quality natural product, will find genuine sheepskins, lambskins and woollen blankets here, all with a traceable provenance.
Skins in the Middle Ages: Everyday materials with a long history
Furs were universally widespread from the Early to the Late Middle Ages – as clothing, bedding and decoration. The Old High German term decke (Old High German: decchi) shows that blankets and bedding were a deeply rooted part of everyday medieval life – far beyond mere luxury.
Vikings made extensive use of sheep and reindeer skins: as bedding on ships, as underlays in encampments and as warm outer garments. The Norse sagas and archaeological finds demonstrate that skins were virtually universally used in the early medieval North. Anyone interested in Viking clothing cannot ignore this material.
Simple peasants wore untanned or roughly tanned hides as outerwear – cheap, warm and locally available. Nobles, on the other hand, favoured fine furs such as marten, ermine or fox as a clearly visible status symbol. In the Middle Ages, noblewomen wore fur trimmings on their coats and surcoats as a sign of their rank – ermine was reserved for the high nobility, whilst fox and squirrel were worn by the broader upper classes. This clear social stratification based on fur material runs throughout the entire Middle Ages.
What types of fur are there – and what are they suitable for?
| Type of fur | Suitability | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Icelandic sheepskin (long-haired) | Historical | Sleeping mat, bedding decoration, cape |
| Icelandic sheepskin (short-pile) | Historical | Seat cushion, decorative fleece, garment appliqué |
| English sheepskin | LARP | Seat cover, delicate skin, machine washable |
| Irish sheepskin | Historical | Cosy underlay, decorative sheepskin |
| Lambskin | LARP | Baby shoes, gloves, small decorative skins |
| Reindeer fur | Historical | Viking and early history re-enactments |
| Hare fur | LARP | Embellishments on clothing, decorative fur |
White tanning vs. other tanning methods: What’s behind it?
- One of the oldest tanning methods in Europe – documented since antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages
- The hide retains its natural colour, resulting in light-coloured leather without chemical dyes
- Particularly skin-friendly and breathable
- In keeping with historical practice – ideal for re-enactment
- Typical of Icelandic sheepskins and Irish sheepskins in the range
- Follows similar basic principles to white tanning
- Produces a softer feel and a more even surface
- Often machine washable on a gentle cycle
- Well suited for seat covers and products in direct contact with the skin
- Typical of English sheepskins in the range
Modern chrome tanning is deliberately not used for the medieval hides listed here. White tanning corresponds to historical practice and is gentler on the skin – an active choice, not a matter of course.
Hides in the Medieval Camp: Uses ranging from sleeping mats to clothing
Sheepskin provides excellent insulation from the ground, regulates body temperature and cushions hard surfaces. A sheepskin under your sleeping bag or woollen blanket makes the difference between a restless and a restful night at the market. Historically, camp dwellers used precisely this combination: sheepskin as a base, woollen blanket as a cover.
Fur collars, shoulder pads or sleeve inserts made from sheep and lambskin are typical elements of Viking clothing and early historical reenactment in general. Hare skins are also used as lightweight trimmings – on collars, coat edges or as decorative elements on pockets and belts.
Draped over chests, stools or benches, furs transform a set-up into a truly authentic medieval ambience. Spotted Icelandic sheepskins are particularly striking in this context. Medieval furniture such as field chairs and chests, on which furs are shown to their best advantage, complement this perfectly.
The sheepskin seat cushions, measuring 40×40 cm, are both practical and decorative. They protect against the cold from below, cushion hard seats and complement virtually any camp style – from Viking to High Middle Ages. Available in plain white and a spotted version.
The hand-woven wool sleeping bag for babies is in a class of its own: made from hand-spun yarn, in natural colours and designed for cold nights at medieval markets. For families who attend markets or re-enactment events together, this is a rare and well-thought-out solution.
Matching furs by era and portrayal
Early Middle Ages & Vikings
Reindeer skins, coarse sheepskins and lambskin appliqués are well documented historically. Vikings made extensive use of skins on ships and in camp – as sleeping mats, cloaks and outer garments. Reindeer skin is the most authentic material for Nordic re-enactments.
High Middle Ages
Noble attire used more valuable furs such as marten and ermine for trimmings and linings. Simpler garments continued to rely on sheepskin and lambskin. Fur as a status symbol was particularly pronounced in this era.
LARP & Fantasy
Furs without a specific historical association create an atmospheric effect in almost any fantasy setting. Whether you’re a barbarian, ranger or Norse warrior – a fur draped over your shoulder or on your camp stool instantly sets the mood. The woollen blankets complete the picture as versatile camping essentials.
Care and storage of real furs
White-tanned skins should not be stored in damp conditions. After rain or damp markets, it is important to dry them thoroughly – ideally laid flat in the open air, not on a radiator or in direct sunlight. Shaking them out occasionally keeps the pile loose and fresh.
Medically tanned sheepskins – such as the English varieties in our range – are often machine-washable on a gentle cycle with cold water. Lambskin products in direct contact with the skin, such as lambskin gloves or baby shoes, can be washed in lukewarm water and are designed for skin compatibility.
Direct heat – contact with radiators, proximity to campfires – damages the leather side: it dries out and becomes brittle. Dry, airy storage helps prevent moth damage; if you want to be on the safe side, add lavender sachets or cedarwood – both protect the material and keep pests at bay.
Wool blankets for the medieval camp: warm, authentic and versatile
Genuine sheep’s wool regulates moisture and body temperature far better than synthetic alternatives. This is not a marketing claim, but a property of the natural material: wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet.
A brief historical note is worth mentioning: the plaid – originally Scottish – was not purely a bedding or travel accessory, but a single, large woven piece of wool that served equally as a cloak, blanket and sleeping mat. The term thus differs clearly from the simple sleeping blanket (Middle High German: decke), which was primarily used as a coverlet. Those interested in kilts and plaids will find a dedicated range.
Used as a sleeping blanket, travel blanket, cloak or camp decoration – woollen blankets are one of the most versatile items in a camp setup. The combination of sheepskin as a base and a woollen blanket as a cover creates a fully historically plausible sleeping arrangement for re-enactment and open-air events. Complemented by a medieval tent, this creates a harmonious overall picture that goes far beyond mere scenery.
Whether as a sleeping mat in a tent, a seat cushion on a camp stool or a shoulder pad in your costume – genuine sheep and lambskins make the difference between a camp that’s simply set up and one that’s truly authentic. Browse through our range of skins and blankets and find the perfect piece for your medieval setup.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, skins were part of the Vikings’ basic equipment. Sheep and reindeer skins were used on ships and in camps as sleeping mats, outer garments and for warmth. Archaeological finds and sagas attest to the everyday use of skins in the early medieval North – both at sea and on land.
A plaid is originally a large, woven piece of wool from the Scottish tradition, which was worn simultaneously as a cloak, blanket and sleeping mat. A simple blanket (Middle High German ‘decke’, Old High German ‘decchi’), on the other hand, was primarily intended as a bed covering. In a historical context, the plaid was an all-purpose garment, whereas the blanket was more of a purely bedding accessory.
In the Middle Ages, sheepskin, lambskin, reindeer hide, hare skin, and furs from martens, ermine and foxes were common. The lower classes used coarsely tanned sheep and lambskins, whilst the nobility and clergy favoured fine furs such as ermine. Alongside hides, wool, linen and leather were the most important materials for clothing and accessories.
White tanning is one of the oldest tanning methods in Europe, documented as far back as antiquity and widespread throughout the Middle Ages. The hide retains its natural colour and is treated without chemical dyes – the result is a light-coloured, skin-friendly and breathable leather. For historically accurate re-enactments, white tanning is the most authentic choice, as it corresponds to actual medieval practice.
Yes, hides were an important clothing material for ordinary peasants. Untanned or simply tanned sheepskins served as inexpensive outerwear that provided warmth and was locally available. In addition, peasants wore coarse woollen fabrics and linen shirts – hides were mainly used during the cold season as coats or cloaks.