Dressing for Shakespeare: the Elizabethan Male by C. David Claudon

Our Elizabethan male model wears typical period garments. His basic costume is French in design, having been based on a costume found in The Catherine de' Medici Tapestries, designed by Francois Quesnel, about 1575. Shown and described in Davenport (1965), the model, the Duke of Alencon, was Henry of Navarre's younger brother. Even though he was 21 years her junior, Alencon became a suitor to Elizabeth I. She called him "Froggy." When he died in 1584, she and the English court wore mourning for him for a year. (p. 483-484). He wears a peascod doublet, venetians, hose, shoes without heels, and a band (ruff). The sleeves (usually detachable and interchangeable with other outfits) and the venetians are brocade. His hose are silk, since during Elizabeth's reign, the English learned the secret of handweaving silk hose and they became the rage before the end of the 16th century.

Over his basic outfit, you can dress him in a jerkin and his slops. His hose will be held up by fringed ribbons. To dress him and learn more about what he is wearing, click here

• Barton, L. (1961, rev.) Historic costume for the stage. Boston: Walter H. Baker, Co.
• Davenport, M. (1965). The book of costume, vol. I. NY: Crown Publishers.
• Norris, H. (1938). Costume & fashion: vol. 3: The Tudors (book II: 1547-1603). New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc.

All pictures copyright 1998, C. David Claudon. This web page was created by C. David Claudon, June 16, 1998. Last update October 16, 2003 .

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