Of these, the pig was the most important meat
supply, being killed and salted for winter use. Next in importance
were the cattle. Sheep were kept primarily for their wool. Flocks
and herds were taken to pastures. The male cattle, with wood
yokes, pulled ploughs in the fields of barley and wheat. The
female goat and cow provided milk, butter, and cheese. The
chickens provided eggs. The hoe, spade, and grinding stone were
used. Thread was spun with a hand-held spindle which one hand held
while the other hand alternately formed the thread from a mass and
then wound it around the spindle. A coarse cloth was woven and
worn as a tunic which had been cut from the cloth. Kings wore
tunics decorated with sheet gold. Decorated pottery was made from
clay and used to hold liquids and for food preparation and
consumption. During the period of "lent" [from the word "lencten",
which means spring], it was forbidden to eat any meat or fish.
This was the season in which many animals were born and grew to
maturity. Wood carts with four wheels were used to transport
produce and manure. Horses were used for transportation of people
or goods. Wood dug-out boats and paddles were used to fish on
rivers or on the seacoast.
Clans had settlements near rivers. Each settlement had a meadow,
for the mowing of hay, and a simple mill, with round timber huts,
covered with branches or thatch or turf supported by a ring of
posts.
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