Overview of time periods for costumes, Living History & Re-enactment

In this blog, we make leaps over the timeline. This blog serves as a guide for creating your historical character, whether you are participating in Historical Fantasy, Historical LARP, or simply want to assemble a historical costume. Some time periods and peoples are scarcely used in Living History and Re-enactment, while others are immensely popular. Reconstructing less popular peoples is both fun and a challenge. The biggest hurdle is that, for example, almost no objects are made from the Villanova culture. For each time period in this blog, we mention whether there are many objects available from that period to assemble an outfit. Additionally, I mention whether the time period is frequently played in Living History and Re-enactment should you be interested in participating. 

Usually, it is a guideline to keep your outfit accurate to within a hundred years. Objects remained in use longer than they do today. And to base it on originals that were found at least somewhat close to each other. How historically accurate you want your outfit to be is entirely your decision; we provide as many tools as possible for you to assemble in any direction you choose.

Within Living History and Re-enactment, the Greek antiquity is not popular. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of objects from this period, making it no problem to assemble a museum mannequin (also for home). 

In ancient Greece, a rich and influential period occurred that had a significant impact on Western civilization. The Greek antiquity roughly lasted from the 8th century to the 1st century BC.

The Greek civilization began with the rise of city-states, such as Athens and Sparta. These city-states each had their own system of government, laws, and culture. Athens was known for its democratic government and Sparta for its military culture.

The Greek antiquity is also characterized by the flourishing of Greek art and philosophy. Famous philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle developed ideas about ethics, politics, and knowledge that remain influential to this day. Additionally, the ancient Greeks excelled in architecture, sculpture, and theater, with the Olympic Games being an important sporting event.

The Greek antiquity ended with the conquest of Greece by the Macedonian empire under the leadership of Alexander the Great. Alexander expanded his empire to Egypt, Persia, and India, spreading Greek culture over a large part of the eastern Mediterranean. After the death of Alexander, his empire fragmented, but the Hellenistic period continued until the beginning of the Roman Empire. 

In some countries, Celtic or Gallic re-enactment is popular. There is a wide range of items available that you can use to assemble your Gallic outfit. Note that most items are mainly focused on the 1st - 2nd century BC, and as you get closer to the Hallstatt Period, the items become scarcer. 

The La Tène period was a cultural period that took place in Europe between the 5th and the 1st century BC.

During the La Tène period, the Celtic culture developed into a significant force in Europe. The Celts settled in large parts of Western and Central Europe, from Ireland and Great Britain, Gaul (present-day France), the Alpine region, and parts of Eastern Europe.

Characteristic of the La Tène period was the refinement of Celtic art and craft. Beautiful jewelry, weapons, and utensils were made with complex patterns and detailed decorations. The Celts were known for their skills in metalworking, especially in working with iron.

The Celtic society was largely based on agriculture and livestock farming, but also on trade and craft. They were known for their trade networks and their ability to travel over long distances.

The Celtic La Tène period gradually ended with the rise of the Roman Empire. Over time, the Celtic territories were absorbed into the Roman Empire, leading to the disappearance of Celtic culture as it was known during the La Tène period.

To assemble a Celtic outfit, we have created a 'timeline' filter function on our product overview page's.

Despite the fact that this period is rarely approached in Living History & reenactment, there is a wide range available that you can use to assemble your Republican legionary. This period also includes the Punic and Gallic Wars, which in my view makes this period particularly attractive. You can perfectly assemble Republican Roman outfits, but to connect within reenactment, the 1st century AD is more central.

The Roman Republican period lasted from 509 BC to 27 BC. It marked the transition from a monarchy to a republican form of government, in which power was shared by various institutions and officials.

The Roman Republican era was characterized by expansion and imperialism. Rome steadily expanded its territory through military conquests and annexations. This period included significant conflicts, such as the Punic Wars against Carthage and the conquest of large parts of Greece.

Political strife and rivalry between different factions within Roman society were characteristic of the Late Republican period. Despite political unrest and domestic conflicts, the Roman Republic managed to build a powerful and influential empire. It laid the basic for the subsequent Roman Empire, which began with the rise of Augustus and the establishment of the principate in 27 BC.

This is by far the most popular Roman period. No wonder, as the most impressive deeds and structures in Roman history date from this period. In addition to sufficient articles to assemble your outfit, we also have a very wide range of accessories from this period that offer more depth. For example, you can set up a Roman perfumery on the Re-enactment field. 

This period began with the rise of Augustus as the first emperor of Rome in 27 BC. Augustus implemented important military reforms that laid the basic for the success and stability of the Roman Empire. Under Augustus, the Roman army was reorganized and transformed into a well-oiled machine. He introduced the concept of the professional standing army, consisting of legions of well-trained and well-equipped soldiers. These legions were divided into cohorts and maniples, with a standardized hierarchy and equipment. In addition to this reorganization, Augustus also introduced policies to ensure the loyalty and discipline of the soldiers. He implemented a system of pensions and rewards for veterans and imposed strict military codes of conduct.

However, alongside these successes, the Roman Empire was confronted with challenges and crises in the 3rd century AD . The economic problems, internal conflicts, and the pressure from invading barbarian tribes led to political instability and military unrest. This marked the beginning of a period of uncertainty and change in the Roman Empire, known as the Crisis of the Third Century.

This period is somewhat the underappreciated child of the Roman Empire, but extremely interesting. This is the period of the great migrations. Just like the republican period, there are plenty of articles available to easily assemble a late Roman reenactment outfit. You can also use objects that were commonly used by Germanic tribes such as the Alamanni, Franks, and Merovingians.

This phase in the history of the Roman Empire lasted from the 3rd century AD to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. It was a time of significant changes and challenges for the empire. This period was characterized by political instability, economic difficulties, and invasions by barbarian tribes. The Roman Empire faced internal power struggles, usurpations of emperors, and divisions of the empire. The increasing pressure from Germanic tribes and invasions along the borders seriously endangered the empire.

Religion also played an important role during the Late Roman period. Christianity, which was previously a persecuted minority religion, eventually became the official religion of the empire under Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century. This had significant influence on the society, culture, and politics of the empire.

In the late 4th and 5th centuries, the Western Roman Empire faced serious threats and invasions from Germanic tribes such as the Visigoths, Vandals, and Ostrogoths. These tribes plundered cities, caused great damage, and ultimately weakened the central authority of the empire.

The Late Roman period ended with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, when the Germanic warlord Odoacer deposed the last Roman emperor. The Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, however, would continue to exist until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Below, I include late Germanic, Anglo-Saxon, Frankish, Merovingian, Vendel Period. This segment partly connects to Late Roman but is important to mention separately. This period is often confused with being part of the ‘Viking period’. This period is frequently done in Living History and Reenactment. For this period, quite a few items are available to assemble a costume. There are also many items available from this period to add more depth to your costume, such as matching brooches and other decorations that are mostly found in grave finds. 

The period of the Great Migrations was a time of immense migration and change in Europe, occurring between the 4th and 8th centuries AD. During this period, various Germanic tribes and other peoples were forced to migrate and inhabit new areas, resulting in significant political and cultural shifts.

An important event during this period was the invasion of the Anglo-Saxons in Great Britain. The Anglo-Saxons, a Germanic people originating from Denmark and Germany, began their migration to Great Britain in the 5th century AD. They settled in various parts of the island and eventually formed the basic for the Anglo-Saxon kingdom that would later grow into England.

Simultaneously, there was also an invasion by the Vandals in North Africa. The Vandals, a Germanic people, conquered the Roman province of Africa in 429 AD and established the Vandal Kingdom. They were known for their plundering and conquests in the region.

The Western Roman Empire was severely weakened by the invasions and the subsequent political unrest. Ultimately, this led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.

In Scandinavia, the Vendel Period took place between the 6th and 8th centuries. The Scandinavian people were involved in both trade and warfare. They were known for their shipbuilding skills and were active traders in the area. 

By Viking Age we mean the 8th to the second half of the 11th century AD. This period is very popular, and therefore there are many different variations to make your Viking costume. This can range from just a Viking man (trousers, tunic, belt, leg wrappings, caftan) to in-depth archaeological reconstructions of a Viking from the Birka region or from Greenland. This period is widely practiced in Living History and Re-enactment. 

The Viking Age was a historical period that ran from the 8th to the second half of the 11th century. It was characterized by the activities of the Vikings, Norse, Danish, Finnish, Baltic, Polish, and Swedish seafarers, traders, farmers, and raiders, who explored and colonized large parts of Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, parts of North America, and even parts of Asia.

The secret of the Viking success was their seaworthy ships with overlapping planks. With these, they could travel long distances and navigate both rivers and open seas. They were notorious for their raids along the coasts of Europe, attacking monasteries, towns, and villages and seizing valuables.

But Vikings were also experienced traders, farmers, and colonists. They established trading posts and settlements in areas such as Ireland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland and North America, where they founded at least the settlement L'Anse aux Meadows.

The Vikings had a rich culture and were skilled in crafts such as blacksmithing and woodworking. They had a complex religion, in which gods like Odin, Thor, and Freya were worshiped. Their gods were largely derived from their ancestors, the Germanic peoples. In later periods, the descendants of the Vikings were also known for their literature, such as the Icelandic sagass, which tell stories of heroism, mythology, and historical events. From their sagas, a wealth of information about the Viking Age can be learned. 

In the late 10th century, the Vikings began converting to Christianity and became more integrated into European society. They became involved in political alliances and trade networks and eventually began to settle as established communities. According to most guidelines, the Viking period ends with the conquest of England in 1066. However, the aftermath of their rule continued, and in some areas even into the 15th century. 

From this period, many objects are available, and it is not difficult to tailor a fully historical outfit, armour or armor. However, in Living History and Reenactment, this period is rarely highlighted. 

The 11th to 13th centuries formed a transitional period in European history, during which medieval society developed and changed. Political conflicts, religious movements such as the Crusades, and cultural developments contributed to the formation of European identity and the basic laid the groundwork for further historical developments in later centuries.

In the 11th century, the Reconquista took place in Spain, where Christian kingdoms reconquered the Iberian Peninsula from the Islamic Moorish rulers.

From the 11th century, the knighthood began to play a prominent role in society. Chivalry had strong cultural and ethical connotations. Chivalry, with its codes of honor, courage, and courtesy, was considered ideal behavior that knights were expected to uphold. Just as the clergy served as the secular intermediary between society and God. The knighthood was closely linked to the feudal system, where knights swore allegiance to a lord in exchange for land and protection. Thus arose the fighting, working, and religious class.

The 12th century saw the rise of medieval towns and the growth of trade and crafts. The Crusades began in this century, with Christian military expeditions to the Holy Land to reclaim it from the Muslims. Gothic architecture flourished with magnificent cathedrals, replacing the Romanesque art style developed by the Normans. In England, the Norman Conquest took place, bringing the Norman dynasty to the English throne and ending Saxon rule.

The 13th century was a period of political and cultural changes. The Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan conquered large parts of Asia and Eastern Europe. The rise of medieval universities in cities like Bologna, Paris, and Oxford promoted intellectual life and the study of philosophy, theology, and science. In England, the signing of the Magna Carta took place, limiting the power of the king and laying the basic for constitutional principles.

The reason why the 14th century is mentioned separately is because so many changes took place that it cannot be mentioned in the same breath as the 13th century. Mail armor was replaced segment by segment with steel armor. A wide range from this period is available. Although not many 14th-century armour parts have been found, we will have to rely on manuscripts. The Hundred Years' War between France and England is especially reenacted in this period. During this period, various living history groups are active. 

In the 14th century, Europe was plagued by political unrest. The Holy Roman Empire experienced a period of power struggle and division, while in England the Hundred Years' War began between England and France, which would last until the 15th century. Italy became the scene of rivalry between various city-states and the rise of powerful families such as the Medici and the Visconti.

In the 14th century, many social changes took place. The traditional role of the nobility and knighthood was increasingly taken over by the civil service, making the nobility a class that preferred to center its power and wealth in decadent parties and hunting trips. But actually became increasingly redundant. Serfdom disappeared and the feudal system began to crumble while the urban bourgeoisie gained influence. Cities like Venice, Genoa, and Bruges became important trade centers. New trade routes were explored and the rise of banking and the merchant class contributed to economic growth.

The plague, known as the Black Death, struck Europe in the 14th century and caused a massive population decline and economic disruption. It also made farmers and craftsmen scarce.

In Italy, the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in art, literature, and science, began to manifest.

The ecclesiastical power faced challenges and changes in the 14th century. The papal schism, which began in 1378, led to a division within the Catholic Church, with two rival popes. This schism lasted nearly forty years and caused division and confusion within the church and its followers. Additionally, corruption within the Catholic Church became fatal to its reputation, leading to the beginning of the Reformation

The 15th century is one of the most popular centuries for reenactment and living history. One of the reasons is that in the 15th century the concept of countries and nationalism began to take shape. Also popular is that the hand-and-a-half swords and armors were fully developed. Therefore, this century offers a very interesting basic to reenact. It is quite easy to assemble 15th-century outfits. 

The 15th century was a time of Renaissance and shifts in power. In England, the Hundred Years' War with France was concluded by the signing of the Treaty of Picquigny in 1475. In Italy, various city-states such as Florence, Venice, and Milan became important political players in an era of intense rivalry and conflicts. 

In Bohemia, the Hussite Wars took place. The Hussite Wars were religious and political conflicts in Bohemia in the early 15th century, inspired by the reform ideas of Jan Hus. They began after his execution in 1415 and lasted until the early 1430s. The wars demanded religious freedom, including communion in both kinds, and resulted in a series of battles and the Treaty of Iglau in 1436 that guaranteed some religious tolerance. The wars had a lasting impact on the religious and political developments in Bohemia and the spread of early Protestantism in Europe.

The 15th century marked the beginning of the Age of Exploration. European sailors, including Portuguese explorers such as Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama, explored new routes and discovered new territories. The discovery of South America by Christopher Columbus in 1492 opened the door to a new era of colonization and global trade.

The Renaissance was a period of rebirth in art, literature, and science. It reached its peak in the 15th century. Artists and thinkers like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Johannes Gutenberg made significant contributions to their respective fields. The spread of the printing press had a revolutionary impact on the dissemination of knowledge and ideas. It was the time when reform movements within the Catholic Church emerged. Criticism of abuses and corruption led to calls for reform. A key figure was Martin Luther, who published his 95 Theses in 1517, thus setting the Reformation in motion.

Europe was plagued by various wars and conflicts in the 15th century. The Italian Wars between rival city-states and foreign powers, such as France and Spain, caused great devastation. Additionally, there were also internal conflicts, such as the Wars of the Roses in England between the houses of Lancaster and York.

The 15th century was a time of revolutionary changes, where Europe was confronted with political shifts, explorations, cultural flourishing, and religious reforms. These events would pave the way for the major changes and the rise of the modern era in the subsequent centuries.

Because most countries as we know them today took shape in the 16th-17th century, it is logical that this period is also very popular in Reenactment and Living History. This is also the period in which many European city festivals are held. Due to the many paintings and artifacts that have been preserved from this century, it is quite easy to base outfits on them. 

The 16th century is characterized by the Reformation, a reform movement within the Catholic Church that led to the establishment of new Christian denominations, such as Lutheranism and Calvinism. This caused religious division and conflicts in Europe. The rise of maritime trade and colonialism led to the discovery and conquest of new territories, such as America and Asia, by countries like Spain, Portugal, England, and the Netherlands.

The 17th century was a time of political and religious conflicts. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) tore Europe apart, involving various powers and in which religion, territorial claims, and political rivalry played a role. In England, the English Civil War took place, where royalist troops led by King Charles I fought against the parliament and the Puritan faction. This war resulted in the execution of Charles I and the establishment of a republic under Oliver Cromwell.

The 16th and 17th centuries also witnessed significant scientific and cultural developments. The scientific revolution brought new ideas and discoveries, such as the heliocentric theory of Nicolaus Copernicus and the physical principles of Isaac Newton. In art and literature, the Renaissance continued to flourish, with masters like William Shakespeare and Rembrandt van Rijn.

The 16th and 17th centuries were a time of intense trade and colonization. European countries established colonial empires and exploited resources and trade routes around the world. The Dutch Republic became an important trade center and dominated maritime trade in the Golden Age. England and France also expanded their colonial empires. The era was characterized by great discoveries, wars, and cultural changes that laid the basic for the modern world as we know it today.