DressLife for the people in Arthur's time was agrarian with a barter-based economy. There was limited trade with continental Europe, but most common items, such as clothing, were manufactured on the island. The typical dress was a simple tunic and trousers. Domestic construction was wood and thatch and there was usually a central hall that was the social hub of the community.
DressDress changed little from the Roman period to the early Dark Ages. The typical man was fully dressed in three garments. The first of these was a tunic, usually of wool, which hung just short of the knees (Ashe, et al. 210-11). It had a plain neck and either long or short sleeves to help adapt to the weather; sometimes several tunics were worn in layers for this purpose (Ashe, et al 211). Men wore simple trousers that could be tightened at the waist with an equally simple belt (Martin-Clarke 14). Around the outside of the tunic another, more ornamental belt was worn that held the knife or sword of the individual (Martin-Clarke 14). Again depending on the weather, a fur or pelt might also have been worn. (Ashe et al. 211). Only the rich wore undergarments; these were usually of a finer imported linen (Ashe, et al. 211).
Women dressed similarly to men, but their tunics were often ankle-length
and "without sleeves, having the arms and part of the bosom
uncovered" (Martin-Clarke 15). Over this she may have worn
a shorter gown and a cloak similar to a man's (Ashe, et al 212).
To fasten the cloak around the neck, a simple brooch was used
(see right). These accessories have been found well preserved
in numerous archeological excavations, more so than the
degradable
textiles and skins. Some outstanding examples of these fabrics
have been preserved, however. One find of note was from the Thorsberg
peat bog excavation in Germany. Here a typical tunic and pair
of trousers were recovered. It is believed that this style, over
fifteen hundred years old, would approximate that of the British
at the time. Pictures of these garments are displayed at left.
Both the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons functioned in agrarian
societies. Beef and corn were two main staples of 
their diet (Alcock 315). Much time
and effort therefore were spent on animal husbandry and farming.
The typical homestead was an enclosure of several timber-framed
buildings that housed immediate family only (Quennell 138). Some
of these buildings were "small outhouses, working sheds,
barns, and cow sheds" (Quennell 140). In the center of these
was a larger hall that served as the living quarters for the family.
The size and construction of the halls have been determined archaeologically
by interpreting the post holes left in the foundation (Alcock
226).
This hall was equipped with a hearth in the center of the floor,
and "there was probably a hole in the roof to allow
the smoke to escape"
(Quennell 143). The fire was used for cooking as well as warmth.
Meals were a time for people to come together and escape the toils
of the day. In a cheiftain's hall, this atmosphere was enjoyed
on a grander scale. The chief would sit on the north end, honored
guests would sit at the south end, thanes would line the lengths
of the table, and women sat along the back wall (138). Knives
were practically the only utensils used; forks and spoons were
a rarity (143). The drinking horn seen at right would have been
used for mead or other fermented beverages. As the early Welsh
poem Culwch and Olwen relates--"Knife has gone into
meat, and drink into horn."
The Roman style
economy of Britain faded with the fall of the Roman empire. This
economy was currency based and part of a vast trade network. From
the middle of the fourth century until the end of the seventh,
however, much of the island was without any hard currency and
relied alternatively on the more primitive barter system (Alcock
318). International trading, though not halted entirely, decreased
during this time.
There is evidence of British international trading with the
Mediterranean and Gaulish territories. Trading with Gaul often
"brought pottery, jugs, plates and bowls, and doubtless other
perishable goods" into Britain in exchange for the metals
mined in Cornwall and Wales (Morris 442). These metals were also
traded with the Mediterraneans for raw materials for jewelry and
religious objects from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa 
(Alcock 318). The Britains
imported wine and olive oil as well, as evidenced by the presence
of Mediterranean pottery commonly used for their transport. Shards
of such pottery has been found in numerous archeological sites
throughout Britain, perhaps most notably at Tintagel, the reputed
birthplace of Arthur. Hence much Mediterranean pottery found in
Britain is classified as Tintagel pottery (see picture) (Ashe,
et al. 81). These imported wares have been found almost exclusively
in trade centers such as Tintagel and Glastonbury.
There is little evidence of large internal trade routes, and the previously maintained Roman roads fell into disrepair from lack of use (Morris 442). Internal trade was limited to more basic necessities. There is evidence of textile work, for example, from remains of machinery such as looms, whorls, and spindles (Alcock 316). Leather work was also a widespread commodity suggested by the tools such as awls and heavy needles that have been found (Alcock 317). Leather could be fashioned into many articles, such as clothing and shoes like the one shown in the picture.
Specialized
craftsmen and engineers did exist during the dark ages, though
not in the independent local sense that they did during Roman
times. Craftsmen of Arthur's time sought "the patronage of
chiefs and princes" as well as "employment in a monastery,"
as they were able to pay the most for his work (Alcock 316). Monasteries
used them aesthetically as well, to fashion book covers and vessels
for services in addition to utilitarian crafts such as furniture
(316). And, because the culture of the time was agrarian, production
of crops such as corn was on the rise, and the wealthy landowners
had an increased need of engineers to build mills (Morris 440).
