2. Having now given a brief description of the Fashion and Habits of the most remarkable Kingdoms and Countreys used by Men: I shall now give as short an Account of such old fashioned Habits as are worn by the Women of these foresaid places: And among the rest give some account of Women in the Habits, as they are exercised either in Offices or Callings.
Queen
Queen
Queen
Virago
Untranscribed item(s) Famous women (Worthy and Valiant Woman Described. [Judeth, Esther, Deborah, Jael and Queen Elizabeth. Cites] Hen. Isaakson's Chronology)
Woman in farthingale gown
XXIX. He beareth a Woman in a Fardingale Gown holding a Fan in her right hand, and
the other by her side. This was the fashion and manner
of Attire for Ladies and them of the Nobility in the
Reign of our late Soveraign Queen Elizabeth, and King
James her Successor, of Happy and Blessed Memory:
The Gowns were broad Shouldered, narrow Wasted,
wide Breeched, (set out with a broad Rowle which was
called a Fardingale) and gathered in Plaits and Trusses to make it full in the Skirt. Their Gorget standing
up being supported by Wyers and a kind of Roll which
they called a Pecadile: The Attire standing round
the Head was a Boongrace: The Sleeves round and
full set out in the manner of Buffs or Wreaths.
Gentlewoman with coif
XXX. He beareth a Woman with a Coife on
her head, and Gorget or Neckcloth about her Neck;
her Gown tyed up [to show her] Petticoat;
the right hand pendant (or by her side, or hanging
down) the left on her Belly. This I have seen
termed a Gentlewoman, and a Merchants Wife,
all under those degrees, in our Fathers days, did wear
Hats, or Caps with narrow Brims.
Norwich woman
[Labelled draft image not included on the plate.]
Gentlewoman (draft)
[Labelled draft image not included on the plate.]
Citizen
[Labelled draft image not included on the plate.]
Farmer's or freeholder's wife
[Labelled draft image not included on the plate.]
Maid
XXXI. He beareth a Maid or a Damsel in
her becoming Attire, holding a Slip of three Leaves in
her right hand, and the left upon her Belly.
In the days of old, when fair England did flourish: it was
the Habit then of all unmarried Girls, Lasses or
Maids, that were under the degrees of Ladies and
Rich Esquires Daughters to dress themselves in this
kind of Habit, viz. on her Head a Coife and Crosset,
about the Neck a square Handkerchief, on the Body
a Wastcoat and Petticoat, or a Gown, and an
Apron or Kirtle before the Belly.
But now the matter is otherwise, that to see to, there is in the outward Garb no difference between the Maid and Mistris, Dame and Servant; the Children of Tradesmen and Esquires or Knights: a thing abominable in former Ages, but now not regarded, except their whole Portion be on their Backs at a time, and then by the Modester people scoffed at; indeed a fit Reward for Pride.
Shepherdess
XXXII. He beareth a demy Shepherdess
with three Ears of Wheat in her right hand.
As the Crown is the Token of a King, so the
Shepherds Crook is a note by which the Shepherd and
Shepherdess is known, without which they are but a
Man and a Woman.
Therefore in the naming of it, you must understand he or she
beareth that which is the principal Emblem of the Function or Occupation.
Woman's face
Image from published plateLady with hat
XXXIII. He beareth a Lady with her Hat and
Feather, broad Shoulder Band, and Gown with
Skirts after the old Fashion, Coat open; holding
up the right hand, the other on the Belly. This was the
Fashion of old, which was again taken up in the Reign
of King Charles the Martyr, till some Ministers put them
out of Conceit with their Feathers, because they were
greater than their Faith.
Woman kneeling
XXXIV. He beareth a Woman Kneeling
on a Cushion; [with] the Tassels and
Bottom; with a close Hood on her head, a
Ruff about her Neck, with a Bibb, or Breast cloth;
her Gown with Broad Wings and wide
Sleeves, her Kirtle or Apron.
Widow in mourning
XXXV. He beareth a Woman
Habited in a long Robe
close Girt, with a Mantle thrown (or cast) over both
Shoulders, and hooded to the same. This is
like one of the Pharisaical Women, taught by her Husband to Stand and Pray in the Market place, to be seen
of the People. This is a compleat Bearing for such an
Hypocrite as loves the Praise of Men more than the
Praise of God.
Some term this a Widdow in her Mourning Apparel.
Poor woman with patched coat
XXXVI. He beareth a Poor Woman
with a
Hat sans Brim, and a Patched Coat, and Apron
Grey; with a Staff in her left hand.
Previous section
Next section
