Shoe Traditions Around the World and Across History
The cultural significance of shoes varies, depending on the historic era and location. In the ancient Middle East, shoes were seen as symbols of authority. The placement of one’s foot on a defeated enemy’s head or neck demonstrated dominance. To kiss the shoe or foot of a ruler was a ritualized display of submission to his authority. That belief in the shoe or foot as symbolic of authority eventually made it to Europe. In medieval France, for example, kings required vassals to kiss their feet as a demonstration of allegiance.
One such, King Charles III of France, grew tired of Viking raids, and figured that it takes a thief to catch a thief. So he granted Normandy to Rollo the Viking, in exchange for the latter’s agreement to become Charles’ vassal, become a Christian, and fight off other Vikings. To seal the deal, attendant bishops urged Rollo to kiss the king’s foot as a display of fealty. Rollo adamantly refused to kiss another man’s foot. Instead, he ordered one of his warriors to kiss the royal foot on his behalf. Rather than kneel down to do so, however, the Viking remained standing, lifted the king’s foot to his mouth, which caused Charles to topple over.