Historical use of penannulars?

**MacWage** · 9th June 06, 08:18 PM

In another thread in pics, penannular brooches came up and one poster said something that got me thinking and wondering- :confused:

For any of you historians- armchair or proper :rolleyes: -, what is the latest known use of penannular brooches?

This question is relavant for SCA and other reenactment-type garbs. It is also useful for us who wear Belted Plaids/Great Kilts (the large, non-stitched, things put on around the waist and held together with a belt). Most of the latter pictures I have seen include large, gaudy/showy silver or gold round (solid faced) brooches. I prefer the more simple and subtle penannular, which is also a commonly known "celtic" piece.

The early date and long usage is well established by the many preserved ancient and medieval examples.

So, did they last long enough to overlap Belted Plaids (1600)?

The post said something about "interesting" findings during Culloden excavation/archeaological work. Are they used as late as 1745?

I have never really researched this topic myself, but thought I would use the vast source of knowledge (as well as those other posters of questionable sanity, and the rest) to test the waters (so to speak).

Any answers would be fascinating!
Especially with historical reference/documentation-

**Caradoc** · 9th June 06, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by MacWage

This question is relavant for SCA and other reenactment-type garbs. It is also useful for us who wear Belted Plaids/Great Kilts (the large, non-stitched, things put on around the waist and held together with a belt). Most of the latter pictures I have seen include large, gaudy/showy silver or gold round (solid faced) brooches. I prefer the more simple and subtle penannular, which is also a commonly known "celtic" piece.

The penannular brooch appears to have died out around the 12th Century A.D. - most belted plaids would have been fastened with a bodkin of iron or bone.

I generally tie mine with a leather thong - bring part of the front overturn up to the shoulder, and part of the back overturn up to the shoulder, and tie the two pieces together, or use the bodkin.

I've used penannulars for convenience on occasion. They don't *look* out of place, but they are.

**Pour1Malt** · 10th June 06, 02:07 AM

ai dinnae ken aboot penannular brooch...

but ai've hae offers fur a penannular smooch afor...

**Woodsheal** · 10th June 06, 09:00 AM

The penannular ("almost a circle") brooch is an ancient/medieval item, and does not overlap the period of usage of the belted plaid. None have been dug up at the Culloden battlefield that I'm aware of, including the recent finds there....

Here's a great article on period Highland dress by Mara Riley, who has done extensive research:

http://www.marariley.net/celtic/scotland.htm