Archangel, if one is an historian of the early middle ages, then you're reading literature relating to that period - in various languages if you can - and if you're reading original source material, then (relating to the "Celtic fringe") it's in Old Welsh, Old Irish and Latin. You get kind of drawn in, and the events seem very close to you.

The definitions thing is not in dispute - I agree with Matt about the kilt, always have. Personally, I don't think that the leine and brat are the progenitors of the garment. I was just throwing up suggestions. Leine is still the Gaelic for "shirt", and nobody is suggesting that a leine bought from Jenner's, Marks and Spencer, or wherever is the same as the garment depicted on the standing stones in style. Brat just means a "cover", not necessarily a cloak as portrayed in the etchings of the Old Irish: the phrase cuir brat air... means "to coat" (as with paint, for example).

But I digress...