304 



DRESS OF WOMEN. 



(Erlingsson) took the cloak and burnt it, and divided the 

 money among themselves. When the Birkibeinar (Sverris 

 men) heard this they called them lieMungs " (Sverri's Saga, 

 c. 41 ; Fms. viii.). 



Women wore the skyrta or serk (che.mise), either of linen or 

 silk, next to the body. It was so made that the breast w r as 

 partly uncovered. They slept in night-shirts, as we find from 



Fig. 1171. From Bayeux tapestry. Woman with long dress. 1 



the frequent occurrence of the word nattserk, which in earlier 

 times had long" sleeves. 



When the house of the chief Gissur at Flugumyri was 

 burnt by enemies, Ingibjorg, daughter of Sturla, escaped out 

 of the fire. 



" She was dressed only in a night-shirt (natt-serk), and was 

 barefooted ; she was then fourteen winters old, tall and fine. 



1 The name of JSlgyva, mentioned on daughter of Alfrun jarl, had been put in 



the tapestry, is evidently the same as Jomsborg to rule Vindland '' (St. Olaf's 



the Northern Alfifa. Saga, c. 252). 



" Svein, son of King Knut and Alfifa, 



