Conservation around the Millennium (Hungarian National Museum, 2001)

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1. Excavation of the Charnel-house. The gaiters were found in the lower layer

2. Pieces of the left gaiter following conservation

Footwear named “habda” had been worn also in Hungary mostly in the areas west of the Tisza River as late as this century (Picture 3.). They were made out of leather and the lace was on the inner side.4 We found three similar leather gaiters from the early 20th century in the textile collection of the Museum of Ethnography, however these were not very similar to the ones found in Vác,

which had obviously not been worn by peasants.

During the 18th century in Western Europe clothing worn by citizens and noblemen included breeches, tights and shoes with tongues and buckles (Picture 4.). Men in Hungary however, did not follow western fashion, but stayed true to the frogged clothing worn during the previous century and the matching eastern style high boots or side-laced ankle boots. (Picture 5.) In 18th century Hungarian shoes made after western fashion were worn by the clergy mainly.5

On the pictures in the encyclopedia of Diderot we can see several different types of boots and even a pair of gaiters (Picture 6.).6 On 18th century French paintings and other pictures most every character wears tights and shoes as their everyday clothing, with the only exception being horsemen, who wear boots on the pictures.3' 7> 8' 9 We might raise the question of why had so many different types of boots been made if everyone wore shoes?

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