16th Century Irish Dress

           I feel that claims that Irish clothing changed very little over time are completely false.  A 4^th century Irishman did not wear the same thing as 10^th, who didn’t wear the same as 14^th, which certainly wasn’t the same as the 16^th—which is what I will cover in this article.

           There are common elements throughout—such as the leine gel, the white or saffron dyed linen shirt; the wearing of the Irish Brat, or large, fringed, cloak—a garment which seems to have been truly omnipresent[1]; and the predilection to wearing tight, or no pants.  In addition to the Irish styles of dress, English and Continental fashions were also slowly adopted (often with the addition of the brat), and were more prevalent in major cities (particularly port cities), among the upper class, and later in the century.

           Throughout this period the English rulers (Henry VIII…) attempted to enforce freshly created laws forbidding Irish modes of fashion, and haircuts—this is one of our prime sources on the essentials of Irish clothing.  Articles targeted were the glib hairstyle, women’s headwear, the dying with saffron, the  amount of cloth used in the leine, and ,particularly, the Irish Mantle (with its fringe).

Men’s Clothing

Leine:  This (in various forms), along with the brat, was one of the two main articles of Irish dress throughout the ages.  The leine was invariably made of linen, likely a heavier weight, tightly woven type than is commonly available today.  The colour by this time was almost invariably saffron dyed yellow (a bright yellow)--or natural for the destitute.

           The leine was usually long—ankle length—and bloused over the belt in order to pull it up to knee level and allow greater freedom of movement.  Necklines seem to have been roughly ‘V’ shaped and often fairly deep.  I believe that they were probably rounded in the back, making the neck opening a loose teardrop shape when laid out flat during construction.

The sleeves of the leine were very wide at the cuff, often hanging to the knee—but were narrow at the top[i].  An interesting evolution on these is that though the sleeve itself is very wide at the cuff—they were not necessarily very long.  Several images show the sleeve stopping just below the elbow, presumably to give greater freedom of movement and reduce the chance of entanglement I believe that at least occasionally the sleeves were full length, and in the “bagpipe sleeve” style.

There were NO pleats on the sleeves—do not even think about it, much less use a sleeve with drawstrings in it.  This is a renfairism, dating to the 1960s-70s.

In 1541 an act was passed to try to limit the amount of fabric that went into a leine—previous to that Henry VIII tried to pass a law limiting them to seven yards (the yard measure was then, as now, 36 inches), in 1539[ii].  The amounts given as allowable ranged from 10 cubits for a laborer, to 20 cubits for a nobleman, with a kern being allowed 16.  These are 5.5, 11, and 8.8 yards, respectively[2].  Remembering that the linen being woven at the time was only 20-22 inches wide it could be quite doable to get 2.75-5.5 yards of modern 45 inch material into the garment.

In Derricke’s Image of Ireland we see a completely different form of leine and inar.  After reading an article on the subject[iii], I agree with the author that those images were made by an engraver who was going off of Derricke’s notes.  Also, there is the theory that the work Image of Ireland was propaganda against the Irish—trying to make them look foolish, and ripe for invasion.  Another thing is that the rest of the images are fairly close on what the clothing looks like—it’s Image of Ireland that is the anomaly.  Looking further at one of the woodcuts you can see that the sleeves appear to be only elbow length (ish), are sewed partway up the opening (same as the Dutch watercolor), and seem to have the bottom of the opening tied to the wrist.   

Brat: The brat, or cloak[3], is one of the iconic garments of the Irish (along with the leine).  It was made of heavy wool, with a heavy woolen fringe along the top edge similar to faux fur.  The brat has been interpreted as being both rectangular or semicircular[4], and should be from the knee to ankle in length.  Interestingly they are often depicted in this period as being ragged—this however may have been a form of social commentary, as we do not have any illustrations from this period that were done by an Irishman.  Another thought is that the bottom edge of the brat could actually be dagged.  Interestingly, in the images we have of the brat being worn, there is no evidence of a broach or pin holding it shut—it seems to just be draped over the shoulders, and perhaps held shut with the hand.

In Sir William Herbert’s letter to Lord Burghley (25 May, 1589) he says the following about the brat.

“Eightlie, the mantle servinge vnto the Irishe as to a hedghogge his skynne or to a snaile her shell for a garment by daie, and a house by night  it maketh them with the Contynuall vse of it, more apt and able to lieu  and lie out in bogges and woodes, where their mantle serveth them for  a matteras and a bushe for a bedsteede, and thereby are lesse addicted  to a loyall dutifull and Civill lieffe.”[iv]

The fringe is the most notable part of the brat—it serves to keep the weather off your neck and even as a hood—it is the thickest around the neck and runs down the front edge of the cloak.  It has been stated that the fringe was separate from the brat, and could be taken off (for political reasons)[v]—and presumably recycled.

 The fringe may be made by a couple of methods, such as layers of wool fabric that has been unraveled; or by taking individual wool yarns, passing them through the fabric and fastening them on the other side—as though you were rug hooking[5].  Another option may be to use fringed or tufted weaving or tablet weaving.  The color of the fringe could be either the same colour as the rest of the cloak, or a contrasting/complementary one.  While the fringe was often wool, it was at least occasionally made of silk threads for higher class wear[vi].

           Another peculiarity of the Irish brat was that it was at least occasionally made of a shaggy wool, a faux fur resembling sheepskin or the pelt of a wolfhound.  This is created during the weaving process by inserting short lengths of woolen yarn or unspun wool between the warp threads and packing the next weft thread onto it.  I would suspect that on the wrong side of the fabric the little bits of wool fiber would be felted together to prevent your shags from pulling out.  I do believe fringe could be woven into the material the same way[6].

Inar or Ionar:  The inar is commonly referred to as the jacket of the Irish.  It was commonly made of wool and seems to have been considered a surface for decoration  (more on the decoration in a moment).  As a garment, it is an optional outer layer.

           The inar is extremely short and open in front, with the main body only coming down to around the bottom of the sternum and a pleated skirt below that reaches to the hips or waist.  A fabric belt or band of trim holds it closed and covers the seam between the skirts. 

The sleeves on this jacket were also peculiar—they had the bottom seam open for the length and were closed at the wrist with a tie or button (or allowed to hang loose).  This was of course to allow for the voluminous sleeves of the leine.  Interestingly enough, in the above image you can clearly see that the sleeve cap is off the shoulder and that the bottom opening is rotated slightly to the front.

           On the ornamentation of the inar, in the images available, there appear to be two types with a third combining the decorative elements of the other two.  The first, and more fancy are floral patterns in the form of stylized vines and the occasional flower.  The second are lines of trim (contrasting strips of material) sewn on at even intervals—on the body they may be either horizontal, or diagonal.  On the sleeve they appear always as horizontal, perpendicular to the length of the sleeve.  There is also one example that has floral decorations on the body, and stripes on the sleeves[7] (this is the third, combination style). 

In addition to this there are contrasting stripes, which can be interpreted[8] as fabric bindings or facings, occasionally shown on the neckline and sleeve openings.  There may also have rarely been slashing on the shoulders.

           There is also a possibility that the floral patterned inars are appliquéd with gilded leather.  It is known (via contemporary description) that the Irish did decorate with gilded leather, but on their quilted “jack”.[vii]

Trius:  The pants of the Irish.  They were uniformly tight fitting on the legs, and likely had either stirrup straps running under the foot, or integral feet.  Often they are depicted as being a simple plaid or checked fabric, with the legs cut on the bias to allow stretch.  See Extant Garments.

Headwear:  Strangely enough, the Irish are usually depicted without headwear.  This may be because they didn’t always wear hats, or could be a political commentary (by the English) that they were barbaric—remembering that elsewhere at this time hats were mandatory part of “civilized” dress.  It seems that for the most part the Irishman did not wear hats, as  they have long hair--“this hair being exceedingly long they have no use of cap or hat”[viii].

           There are a few sketches of Irishmen wearing hats—a low crowned hat with a broad brim, sometimes upturned; a beret type that may have had feathers in it; and one of an archer with a pointy skullcap type thing.  I also have seen a sugarloaf type hat in several cases.

           Other than the native headwear, caps and hats were also being imported from England, with dramatic spike in volume in the last few decades of the 1500s.  From the 1530s (at least, due to a law passed requiring all males to wear English knit hats on Sundays) that variety, at least, was commonly owned—if only in the cities.

           There have been a couple of extant finds of the broad hat.  They were found in a bog at Boulebane, near Roscrea, and are a yellowish brown colour (I believe that they may have been black originally, and were bleached by action of the sun[9]).  They are made of several pieces of thick wool felt sewn together and have tags of wool approximately an inch long stitched on.

           In addition to the three found in Boulebane, felt hats have also been found in bogs in Donegal, Mayo, and Sligo counties.  However, like many bog finds, the actual dating could be problematic.

Hair: Men’s hairstyles seem to come in two varieties: Glibs and long locks; and the shaven sides.  There appears to be two definitions of glibs[10]--either curled and/or matted hair on the forehead (possibly covering the eyes), or long locks.  Edmund Spencer goes on and says the glib was “A long curled bush of hair, hanging down over the eye…”[ix]

Broges: They don’t seem to have changed much from earlier periods.  Several sources call them primitive and having a single layer of leather for the sole, like the earlier, simple, bag/bog shoes.  In A Discourse of Ireland (1620) it says the following about footwear “His broges are single soled, more rudely sewed than a shoo but more strong, sharp at the toe, and a flapp of leather left at the heele to pull them on.”

           Observations on Clothing in Derricks Images of Ireland

While, as I previously said, I do not feel that Derrick’s images were true to life, I am adding notes on them into my article for the sake of completion.

Leine: It may be seen that all of the men’s leinte have wide bagpipe sleeves (mostly elbow length), a front opening which is not visible—meaning it is wide open, showing the musculature of the chest—and a very wide, pleated hem, which barely reaches the thigh.  The pleats appear to be focused at the sides and back, with few to none at the front.

Brat: When it is shown—which is far more seldom than the usual—it appears to be semi-circular, and has the usual thick fringe.  The fringe in these cases appears to be on the inside, and only goes to the elbow or so.

Inar: The inar in Images of Ireland appear to have a rolled or shawl collar open to the sternum or waist, tight sleeves—with an opening along the underside to allow the Leine sleeve to fall through--, and a very short, heavily pleated skirt. 

           Occasionally, the images show slashes running partway down the upper arm.  In addition, something which may be contrasting trim shows at the wrist and/or elbow.  As for the skirts of the inar, they appear to almost be constructed like a neck ruff.

Trius: It is unknown if the trius are shown in these images.  If they are, they are shown as skintight and were paid no special attention by the artist.

Headwear:  The Irish, other than the Chief—who is wearing English clothing—are not depicted as wearing any headwear.  Propaganda, remember.

Hair:  Somewhat messy, no different from other artists depictions (other than the occasional curling on the sides).  A drooping mustache was worn, either with or without a full beard—some of the Irish are shown as clean shaven.

Broges:  No different than the expected, being of the slipper type.  It does appear that there is a separate sole, which may or may not be true—the artist did show the side seam in some cases.

Women’s Clothing

            There is unfortunately not as much information on women’s clothing, as men’s.  I would also like to apologize in advance for the number of my speculations.  The essentials of the clothing is much the same—a wide sleeved leine, and a brat.  However they seem to be depicted as wearing another, more modish (but still Irish), outer dress as well!

Leine:  Once again, there is not very much information on this garment. It was made of linen, either dyed saffron, or white.  To preserve modesty it was ankle length, and had full sleeves.  There is one reference to the leine (called a chemise in the quote) being the only garment worn, other than a cloak[x].  In The Description of Ireland by Thomas Gainsford (writing in 1618), he says of the women of Ireland “Their apparel is a mantle to sleep in, and that on the ground or some rushes or flags: a thick gathered smock with wide sleeves graced with bracelets and crucifixes about their necks:…”[xi]

           Still an iconic garment of the Irish, it is an ankle length ‘tunic’, ‘smock’, or chemise type garment, sometimes with wide sleeves.  Like the men’s version, it was of linen, either saffron dyed, or white.  However the only illustration available of a lady wearing one, has ‘bagpipe’ sleeves, trimmed with ruffles at the wrist.

In one of Derricke’s woodcuts, the lady appears to be wearing a calf length leine, with elbow length pendulous sleeves.  Over this she’s wearing a waist length jacket laced in front, with a rolled collar, tight sleeves (with the leine sleeve hanging out), and an apron.

Brat:  See the men’s section on the same garment, as there is very little difference in the construction.  To this I will add that there is a comment by Luke Gernon (writing just out of period, in 1620) that their mantles were a brown blue colour with like fringe, or light colours (green, red, and yellow are mentioned) with fringes “diversified”[xii].  He goes on to say that the mantle is worth 4 pounds[xiii] and that the brat was worn inside, as well as out.  Dagging the edges may well be a possibility.

Gown:  There is one extant Irish gown, to my knowledge--from this period--, in the form on the Shinrone gown.  There appear to be two major forms of dress—however, it is reasonable to believe  that the ladies of the period would have copied dresses they were exposed to (i.e. English), particularly the younger generation, and particularly in major population centers (i.e. Dublin)[xiv].

           Both forms appear to have long waists, and are laced from the top of the breast to the waist.  Necklines are shown in both rectangular (Shinrone gown) and ‘V’ necked (Dutch watercolor) forms. 

Sleeves appear in a conventional full sleeve with a turned back cuff (this example is a fur lined, outer gown)—obviously not worn with the wide sleeved leine, and just a narrow strip of material running down the outer arm, and fastened at the wrist (which is worn with the bagpipe sleeved leine mentioned above)—the later being the more native form of dress.  Interestingly enough, the narrow form of dress sleeve is apparently decorated with silver buttons, or bezants.  This practice must have been fairly common, as Henry VIII tried to outlaw it[xv].

The forms, introspective of the sleeves and necklines, are with separate skirts, formed of many trapezoids, and gathered in small pleats at the waist.  The other has the skirts and bodice cut in one, or else with a smooth, ungathered waistline—presumably the skirts would have been cut wide—being pieced, and finished with gores as needed, as they were elsewhere.

With the dress was worn a ‘kerchief’ of silk covering the shoulders and collarbone and underneath the dress, for modesty.  As may be seen in the above images, the skirts could be worn tucked into a belt, showing the lining and underdress.

Headwear:  On the headwear there seems to be quite a few regional differences—however, one of the more common written of consisted of 10 ells of fine linen rolled into wreathes[xvi] or myter[11] (Limerick?).  Another says that it appears like a turban, but flatter on top, much like a cheese mold with a hole cut in it for the head (Connaught?).  It seems to have used something like 13 yards of 20 inch wide fabric. A kercheif may very well be another option (Thomond?).[12]

           Writing in 1618, Thomas Gainsford says differently “They wear linen rowels about their heads of divers fashions: in Ulster carelessly wound about: In Conacht like Bishop’s mitres, a very stately attire, and once prohibited by statute: in Munster resembling a thick Cheshire Cheese.”[xvii]

Lucas de Heere, p. 81

Jewelry:  There are numerous mentions of the ladies wearing gaudy bracelets, rings, and chains.  In addition, in the Dutch watercolour painting, you may see a necklace (or carcanet) with an equal armed crucifix.

Observations on the Women’s Clothing in Derrick’s Images of Ireland

           There are very few (two) images of women in Images of Ireland.  These are in the Dinner with the Chief of Mac Sweynes, and Burning of the Farmhouse plates.

Liene: Again, bagpipe sleeves.  These may or may not be elbow length—it is hard to tell with only one example (in the other, she is covered with a Brat).  Mid-calf in length at the most.

Gown: I am not sure what I am looking at here.  Tight “Irish” sleeves (with the opening for the leine sleeve to fall through), and a roll collar.  The collar appears the same as the men’s, but not nearly so low.  The front closure appears to be by lacing.  The dress is mid-calf in length, and has more pleats towards the back than the front.

Headwear: The two examples of the headwear are both of the “cheeseroll” type, with a veil passing under the chin.

Recreating the Garments

Your fabric choices are almost entirely linen and wool.  My suggestions are to use a fairly tightly woven mid-heavyweight linen, maybe 8oz or so, in either white or saffron yellow.  Saffron yellow in this case is a pure, bright yellow of various shades, not tinged by other colours.  Based on imported quantities, the prevalence of new saffron dyed material most likely underwent a decline after 1560.  Lower class—possibly a natural coloured linen.  For the ladies, I would suggest a linen of a lighter weight, especially if being worn under a gown, in the same colours.  The linen for either should, however, drape well—no stiff canvas (or if it is, beat on it or wash a number of times to soften). 

           The inar could be made out of a wool tweed (as was the one extant example), especially if portraying a lower class.  For a richer portrayal, I believe that a boiled wool, such as that used in rug hooking would be appropriate.  On the colours, bright, light colours are good—although on the extant examples they are all shades of bog trash brown.  Orchil (a moss derived purple {or bluish and violet} dye) was available and used, with up to 5,872 pounds being imported (in 1550) in a single year[xviii].  Brazilwood (red), indigo (blue), and logwood (blues and purples…and black) dyes also entered Irish trade during the 16^th century.

           Trius—if worn—should again be a tightly woven wool, often in a 2/2 twill and with the option of a simple plaid.

           For the brat, a heavy tweed for lower class (or working wear), or a heavy weight coating with a smooth surface such as a broadcloth.  The same colours as the inar are applicable—there are no mentions of plaid being used, however, as it seems to be a very Scottish phenomenon.  The fringe should be wool or silk yarns (not very common, and probably not the best choice), either the same color as the main body or a different one.

           My suggestion for the broges is to use the Lucas Type Irish shoes, when reproducing them (the Dungiven outfit included a pair of Lucas Type 5 in the find).  Barefoot was also a fairly common option, if we are to believe the illustrations—remember that the general rule is barefoot, barelegged. 

           Lady’s gowns should be some form of smooth, tightly woven wool, in bright, solid colours, much the same as the inar.  A medium weight flannel type would be good, I believe—although I would assume a heavier weight for an outer gown lined with fur (Dutch watercolour again).  I would assume that for a lower class portrayal a tweed such as that for the men’s inar would be appropriate.

           As for a Anglicized Irish portrayal; English Doublet (or kirtle for women), and pants (or tight trius), and hat (semi-optional for me.  Either English or Irish for Ladies)—and wear the Brat.  Figure that the styles could be many, many years out of date—50 years, even.

 

My Documentations on Irish Dress Projects

Inar: Stolen, Dwarven Vest! | A Wild Irish (Wo)Man's Inar

Leine: Who's Sleeves Hang Trailing Almost Unto the Shoe 

Overview of my plans for the Above: The Other Next Project: Wild Irish 

Trius, from the Dungiven find: Obnoxiously Plaid Skinny Pants and the Irish 

Dungiven Jacket 

Brat: 16th Century Irish Brat

Shoes: Dungiven Project; Part Shoe!

 

                           Some Additional Images

Speed's Map. 1610



Lucas de Heere. page 80



Lucas de Heere, page 79

Extant Garments Found from this Period

 

Killery, County Sligo;  In 1824 a suite of clothing consisting of a jacket, trius, and mantle were found only six feet under the surface of a bog.  All of the garments were formed of a rough woolen twill, much like ‘Harris tweed’, and were shades of Bog trash brown in coloration.  We do not actually know when this set of clothing dates from—McClintock dates it to the 15^th—16^th century, based on the fact that the sleeves have the open bottoms, and must have been worn with the wide sleeved leine.  However, the overall form--the long, wide skirts, and the angular sleeves look something like late 17th century coats.  Until the find is carbon dated, we can't know.

           The jacket had 14/15 cloth buttons up the front and a collar that was probably supposed to stand upright.  The overall length was 43 inches, about two feet of which was the skirt.  While the skirts of this jacket were not pleated like those on the more typical Irish inar, it was heavily gored, making the bottom hem something like eight feet in circumference.  The sleeves are in two pieces joined with an angular seam at the elbow, creating a permanent bend in the sleeve, and are open along the bottom seam.  There are twelve small buttons on the outer side of this opening so that it might be closed if the wearer wishes.  The purpose of this is “obviously” the adaptation to allow the full sleeves of the leine to fall through.  The garment was either unlined, or had a linen lining which did not survive. 

           The trius consist of two parts—a baglike uppers, cut rather full, made of a light brown (after being in a bog) wool; the bottoms being chequered and shaped fairly close, much like the earlier medieval chausses, and having the point inset into the uppers.  The lowers were also cut on the bias and the seam runs down the back of the leg.  These pants are said to resemble the ones found in Kilcommon[xix].

           The brat found with this outfit was semi-circular, measuring nine feet on the straight edge, and four feet wide at the center.

Shinrone, County Tipperary: A women’s gown, made of wool in a 2/1 twill weave and consisting of a bodice, and a skirt formed of 23 trapezoids sewn together and gathered to the bodice.  The bodice has a short collar in the back, a deep rectangle in front, and the usual open bottomed Irish sleeves, showing it was worn with a leine.

I am not going to go into too much detail in this document, as Kass McGann has an excellent article on this find on her website (or did, when I wrote this), which may be found in the bibliography.

Dungiven Outfit[xx]:  In 1956 a farmer found a suit of cloths while digging in a peat bog.  Found were a cloak, jacket, trius, as well as a leather belt and shoes.  Both the doublet and the trius were heavily patched (on the inside, in the doublet’s case)—the trius had some six layers of patches in some places.

The Dungiven jacket appears very similar to other English doublets of the late 16^th century.  There are a couple of unique things to it, however—the main one is that the body of the garment was constructed with a single piece of wool fabric, and the selvages run horizontally.  It has a two inch tall collar, small wings on the shoulders, and just about every seam (exception of the arms) has a line of pinked piping sewn into it.  The doubled skirts consist of two lengths of fabric—one about double the width of the other (pinked on the hemmed edges), and there is a small (four inch) gore inset into the center back to provide the fullness to fit over the hips.  The front the doublet is closed with 18 or 19 cloth buttons, and the sleeves consist of a main piece with the seam running down the back of the arm, and a somewhat bell-like cuff.

The actual date of the doublet is unknown—it have been made from any time between 1570s to the 1640s.  In 1644, a French Traveler wrote that the “Wild Irish” wearing a small blue cap covering the head and ears, a jacket with a long body and four skirts, and breeches are a pantaloon…(etc.)”[xxi].  However, if you look in Derrick’s Images of Ireland[13]—specifically the plate depicting The Chief of Mac Sweynes at Dinner[xxii], you can see he is wearing a doublet with some similarities: High collar, shoulder wings, longer skirts (mid thigh), which are possibly in four pieces[14]

The trius in this find are an exceedingly well tailored and (probably) close fitting garment.  They were sewn of a fine 2/2 twill tartan in a pattern which is astonishingly complex to my eyes—being made of three irregularly shaped geometric shapes per leg, and a stirrup strap running under the foot.  They  were sewn in running or backstitch with linen thread.

Interestingly, the plaid that the pants are woven in has been reconstructed, and is now modernly known as the Ulster Tartan.

The cloak is a heavily fulled 2/2 twill, and made of three pieces of material—two full width (22 inches) and a scrap to complete the semi-circle.  It is roughly one hundred and two inches on the straight edge, and forty-eight in the center back.

On the belt and shoes in this find, the belt was found casing on the trius, and consisted of two fragments.  The shoes are noted as being Lucas Type 5s, with a separate sole, sewn on with wool thread.

Kilcommon Find:  The Kilcommon find consists of an inar and trius, found in a bog (County Tipperary)  in 1946. 

           The ionar was sewn of a wool in a coarse tabby weave and fairly well corresponds with our illustrations of the garment—a short jacket, with an even shorter pleated skirt, and sleeves consisting of a strip of material fastened at the wrist. 

           The trius consist of a one piece uppers, formed of a 28 inch length of material folded and sewn on the left side.  The bottoms of the legs appear to be much like the medieval chausses, with the point inset into a slit in the uppers.  At ankle level there is a row of seven buttons shaping the area—allowing you a close fitting calf, while still being able to remove your foot.  They did originally have feet, although these mostly did not survive beyond the top.

Bibliography:

H.F. McClintock, Old Irish and Highland Dress: with notes of the Isle of Man.

http://www2.nau.edu/~wew/celt-clothing/

http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/about/bgallery/Gallery/researchcoll/ireland.html  Derrick’s Image of Ireland

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/History/Maritime/Sources/2011phdflavin.pdf Consumption and Material Culture in Sixteenth-Century Ireland.  Susan Flav

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/articles/irish-articles/the-kilcommon-costume-a-16thc-irish-kerns-clothes.html  The Kilcommon costume, Reconstructing History.

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/articles/irish-articles/the-shinrone-gown-an-irish-dress-from-the-elizabethan-age.html          The Shinrone gown, Reconstructing History.

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/articles/irish-articles/the-dungiven-costume-a-16thc-anglo-irish-mans-outfit.html The Dungiven Costume.  I also used her expanded version of the article, found in the purchased pattern for information.  Reconstructing History.

The Dungiven Costume. Audrey S. Henshall, Wilfred A. Seaby, A. T. Lucas, A. G. Smith and Arnold Connor.  Ulster Journal of Archaeology, Third Series, Vol. 24/25 (1961/1962), pp. 119-142.  http://www.jstor.org/stable/20627382   (saved to my computer on 6-20-2012)

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/articles/irish-articles/a-16th-century-irish-linen-headdress.html          A 16^th Century Irish Linen Headdress, Reconstructing History.

http://somebody.to/The%20Irish%20KIlt%20a%20study%20.pdf   Reference to the Ulster Tartan being from the Dungiven pants.

Oxford English Dictionary, 1971 Compacted Edition. 

http://www.english.cam.ac.uk/ceres/haphazard/extra/63-144-57-2/notes.html Extract from Henry VIII’s laws against the Irish manner of Dress, in 1539

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/E620001/ A Discourse of Ireland, anno 1620. Luke Gernon

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/E500000-001/ A View of the Present State of Ireland (1596) Edmund Spenser

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/History/Maritime/Sources/2011phdflavin.pdf  Consumption and Material Culture in 16^th Cen. Ireland.  Susan Flavin.

https://www.academia.edu/2346433/A_description_of_Ireland_A.D._1618 A Description of Ireland: A.D. 1618, by Luke McInerney

http://lib.ugent.be/fulltxt/RUG01/000/794/288/BHSL-HS-2466_2009_0001_AC.pdf Sketchbook.  Lucas DeHeer (1532-1584)

Note: I used the Reconstructing History articles prior to her making them pay-to-read (sometime around June 2014).

Photo Credits:

Thank you to the member(s) of the Elizabethan Costuming group, for sharing the two line drawings, and de Heere's sketchbook.

Cover page:  McClintock, p.34. Original in Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Soldiers, McClintock p.34.  Original by Dürer.

Inar Illustrations: McClintock, p.34. Original in Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Photograph of three Hats: Image from Dunlevy, via http://irishhistoricaltextiles.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/three_felt_hats.jpg

Dutch Water color: McClintock, Front page.  Original in British Museum

Image 2 in Women’s Clothing: Bayerische StaatsBibliothek, BSB Cod.icon. 341, ca 1580-1600. 

Images 3-4 in Women’s Clothing: Lucas de Heere

Woman's Hat. Lucas de Heere.

Killary Jacket: McClintock p.23.  photograph originally from National Museum, Dublin

Shinrone Gown: http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=19946.0.  Original Source Unknown.

Dungiven Jacket: From Henshall’s The Dungiven Costume

Kilcommon Inar:  From the appropriate Reconstructing History page.

 

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[1] A couple of sources (in and just post period) talk about the Irishman practically living in their brat.

[2] Assuming a standard cubit of 20 inches

[3]Brat, Bratt, Bratte: Prob. Adopted from the Old Irish Brat (cloth, especially as a covering for the body ‘Plaid, mantle, cloak’) OED (1971 Printing)

[4] Personally I feel that by this period the brat was generally a semi-circle or semi-oval.  However, either will work.  I’m wondering if it has anything to do with your station—after all, semi-circular you are wasting some fabric….

[5] I have made a brat of the fringed style, and am willing to share my experiments with it.  My documentation for this project may be found here (Fringed Irish Brat)

[6] I am not a weaver.  However, if you search around, there is an article out there on weaving a shaggy cloak.

[7] McClintock interprets these as being strips of fringed material. p.28.  Looking closer at the Dutch Watercolor painting, I believe I agree—they do look fringed.  In addition I had somebody else, who had no preconceptions as to the details, describe the trim in that particular image, and they said it looked fringed.

[8] By myself.

[9] There is an article on the Orkney hood which discusses the effect of sun bleaching on types of wool.  This was one of the results.

[10] Once again referring to the OED.  I tend to feel the first is the one meant, as locks are mentioned in addition to the glibs.

[11] I believe that the Myter (or mitre) referred to in this case, is a turban.  The definition was in use during this period.  Discourse, and the OED

[12] The locations given are discussed with the specific style of headwear in Discourse of Ireland.  However, I am unsure how much in this category changed in the 20 years post period.  Given the rate of change elsewhere in the country, I doubt that is was all that much.

[13] While, personally, I do not feel Derricks illustrations are accurate, primarily due to them being propaganda; I believe it would be reasonable to take his depictions Of English style clothing as being more accurate.

[14] There is something there which could be a depiction of another piece—it bears some similarity to the shoulder wings.  However, I admit this could be wishful thinking on my part.

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[i] McClintock, p.28

[ii] Statute of the Irish Parliament (1537), 28 Henry VIII, chapter xv. 'There is [...] nothing which doth more conteyne and keep many of [the King's] subjects of this his said land, in a certaine savage and wilde kind and maner of living, then the diversitie that is betwixt them in tongue, language, order, and habite, which by the eye deceiveth the multitude, and perswadeth unto them, that they should be as it were of sundry sorts, or rather of sundry countries, where indeed they be wholly together one bodie, [...] His Majestie doth hereby intimate unto all his said subjects of this land, of all degrees, that whosoever shall, for any respect, at any time, decline from the order and purpose of this law, touching the English tongue, habite, and order, or shall suffer any within his family or rule to use the Irish habite, or not to use themselves to the English tongue, his Majestie will repute them in his most noble heart as persons that esteeme not his most dread lawes and commandements [...] wherefore be it enacted, ordeyned, and established by authority of this present Parliament, that no person ne persons, the King's subjects within this land being, or hereafter to be, from and after the first day of May, which shall be in the yeare of our Lord God a thousand five hundred thirtie nine, shall be shorn, or shaven above the eares, or use the wearing of haire upon their heads, like unto long lockes, called glibbes, or have or use any haire growing on their upper lippes, called or named a crommeal, or use or weare any shirt, smock, kerchor, bendel, neckerchour, mocket, or linnen cappe, coloured, or dyed with saffron, ne yet use, or wear in any their shirts or smocks above seven yards of cloth, to be measured according to the King's standard, and that also no woman use or weare any kyrtell, or cote tucked up, or imbroydred or garnished with silke, or couched ne layd with usker, after the Irish fashion; and that no person or persons, of what estate, condition, or degree they be, shall use or weare any mantles, cote or hood made after the Irish fashion; and if any person or persons use or weare any shirt, smock, cote, hood, mantle, kircher, bendell, neckercher, mocket, or linnen cap, contrary to the forme above recited, that then every person so offending, shall forfeit the thing so used or worke, and that it shall be lawfull to every the King's true subjects, to seize the same, and further, the offendor in any of the premisses, shall forfeit for every time so wearing the same against the forme aforesaid, such penalties and summes of mony, as hereafter by this present act is limited and appointed.' The Statutes at Lare, Passed in the Parliaments held in Ireland, vol I (Dublin, 1786). The act goes on to permit horse-riders to wear native clothing, if their safety on horseback would otherwise be risked.  http://www.english.cam.ac.uk/ceres/haphazard/extra/63-144-57-2/notes.html

[iii] TI, Issue #134.  The Sixteenth Century Irish Leine, by Kass McGann

[iv] https://www.english.cam.ac.uk/ceres/haphazard/extra/extraindex.html (page •PRO SP 63/144/57 II)

[v] A Discourse of Ireland, L. Gernon

[vi] McClintock, p.92

[vii] “Noe: all these which I have rehearsed to you, bee not Irish garmentes, but Englishe; for the quilted leather Jacke is oulde Englishe; for yt was the proper weede of the horseman, as you may reade in Chaucer, where he describeth Sir Thopas apparrell and armor, when he went to fighte against the gyant, which shecklaton, is that kinde of gilden leather with which they use to Imbroder their Irishe Jackes.” Spenser’s View of the State of Ireland

[viii] Fynes Moryson, quote from McClintock, p.63

[ix] Consumption and Material Culture in 16^th Cen. Ireland.  p. 72

[x] Don Francisco Cuellar—a Spaniard shipwrecked in Ireland.  McClintock, p.63

[xi] https://www.academia.edu/2346433/A_description_of_Ireland_A.D._1618.  Page 5

[xii] McClintock, p.95-96

[xiii] They weare theyr mantles also as well with in doors as with out. Theyr mantles are commonly of a browne blew colour with fringe alike, but those that love to be gallant were them of greene, redd, yellow, and other light colours, with fringes diversifyed. An ordinary mantle is worthe 4£, those in the country which cannot go to the price weare whyte sheets mantlewise. A Discourse of Ireland, Luke Gernon

[xiv] “I come to theyr apparell. About Dublin they weare the English habit, mantles onely added thereunto, and they that goe in silkes, will weare a mantle of country making.” A Discourse of Ireland

[xv] “…and that also no woman use or weare any kyrtell, or cote tucked up, or imbroydred or garnished with silke, or couched ne layd with usker”Statute of the Irish Parliament

[xvi] William Good, McClintock, p.57

[xvii] https://www.academia.edu/2346433/A_description_of_Ireland_A.D._1618 Page 5

[xviii] Consumption and Material Culture in 16^th Cen. Ireland.  p. 125

[xix] Reconstructing History, The Kilcommon Costume.

[xx] Reconstructing History, The Dungiven Costume

[xxi] The closest contemporary description appears to be that given by the French traveller, de la Boullaye le Gouz, after his visit to Ireland in 1644 during the period of the Great Rebellion. He writes of the 'Wild Irish' menfolk wearing a small blue cap covering head and ears, a jacket with 'a long body and four skirts' (assuming this to mean two pairs of skirts split front and back as in the Dungiven example, and not a single skirt divided at the hips as well as before and behind), 'and their breeches are a pantaloon of white frieze which they call "trews" ' (frieze is wool but there is no indication of tartan pattern). 'Their shoes which they call "brogues" are pointed, with a single sole. For a mantle they have six ells of frieze which they wrap round the neck, the body and the head, and they never quit this mantle (either) to sleep, to work or to eat. Most of them have no shirts.' He goes on, 'The Irish in the North have for clothing nothing but a pair of breeches, and a blanket on their back, without cap, shoes or stockings.'19 .  Page 130, The Dungiven Costume.  Henshall, Audrey S.

[xxii] http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/about/bgallery/Gallery/researchcoll/pages/bg0055_jpg.htm .  Images of Ireland


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