It appears to have been common practice for the women of the Anglo-Saxons peoples to wear a brooch on each collar bone area. This is presumed to have fastened the peplos or tube style dress. A third is often worn centrally. This may have been be used to secure a cloak, to keep the arrangement in place when breast feeding or simply to balance the 'pull down' on the back of the neck from brooches and beads. It should be noted that although the brooches are often referred to as a 'pair' it is common for them to be an unmatched 'pair' in England, particularly earlier in the period, this may be due to less trade or changes in fashion.
Continental evidence shows a higher incident of true pairs.
Typically female brooches of differing types are found in specific areas consistent with that type. Early in the period same types can be seen both on the continent and in England. This evidence tends to suggest, quite strongly, that there were differing cultural groups within the larger group we know as the Anglo-Saxons each of whom settled and propagated within defined areas. Further brooch groups show evidence of Romano British craftsmanship and as the period progresses the Germanic influences on these types can be seen in their development, suggesting interaction of the two groups. Brooch styles were under constant development and the degree of isolation of groups from each other in England and from their homelands on the Continent can be seen reflected in the style development.