Belt Fittings

Belts were a virtually essential element of military uniform, serving to carry swords and daggers and a variety of military equipment. In many feudal and military societies, moreover, they functioned as a sign of rank and accordingly were of precious metal and sometimes even jewelled and were conspicuous in being buried with the wearer among his most highly-prized possessions. Though it is not entirely certain that all the pieces were actually belt fittings, they clearly fulfilled a variety of functions. The buckle, the rectangular plaques and the suspension element were for the attachment of a sword or sabre, or both. The M-shaped elements and the spacers would have been from the belt proper; and some would have been used to decorate pendant straps.