'A Saxon king in ceremonial robes. The great mantle is only worn by royalty or aristocracy; and indeed seems to have been reserved for divine or celestial beings. His hair and beard appear to have been dyed blue; as were seen in paintings from the 8th century and after. The Saxons introduced the royal diadem; a circle of gold worn like a crown.' Handcolored copperplate engraving from Robert von Spalart's 鈥楬istorical Picture of the Costumes of the Principal People of Antiquity and of the Middle Ages' (1796).