This Icelandic wool Viking shoulder mantle is the perfect layering piece for your Viking fit.
Mantles were a very important part of a Viking's wardrobe. Not only did they provide warmth and protection from the elements, but they also served as a status symbol. A wealthy Viking could afford to have a mantle made of fur, while a poorer Viking would have to make do with wool or linen.
Mantles were also used as ceremonial garments and could be adorned with intricate embroidery or other decorations. In some cases, they were even used as burial shrouds. Given their importance, it is not surprising that many ancient Norse poems and sagas make reference to mantles.
For the Vikings, mantles were much more than simply items of clothing. They were symbols of power, status, and even love.
