Among the Germanic peoples, a partial shave appears to have been a symbol of nobility. A figure on the Oseberg Wagon appears to depict a man with an undercut, and razors were often found in high status burials throughout the Bronze Age and Iron Age.
In Leo the Deacon’s account of Sviatoslav I, his head was shaved with with some of his hair falling down the side, “which showed high status among his kin”. Sviatoslav was of Norse descent, but similar styles were also recorded among the Wends.
A 12-14th Century fresco from a church in Westerwijwerd, Netherlands, depicts two Frisian warriors with significant undercuts, and only one lock of hair at the front.
William of Malmesbury’s 11th Century Chronicle of the Kings of England mentioned the Anglo Saxons wearing their hair cropped, along with punctured designs (tattoos?) and gold arm rings; clearly high status warriors he was describing.
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