The English Take on Irish(e) Dress in the Court of Henry VIII

[hsifeng]

The description of the ‘costumes’ for the people portraying the Irishman and Irishwoman for the Christmas entertainments of Henry VIII. Hard to tell if these ‘Irish’ folk were part of the Hunt (if so, hunter or hunted?) or some other part of the masque. All footnotes are taken from original text: Loseley Manuscripts, page 52:

 

Irishsman*

 

A large garment of blewe and redde satten pained, con’ viij y’ds. At vj (s) viij (d) the y’d, liij (s) iiij (d), lined w(ith) black buckeram vi y’ds, iiij (s), w(ith) a hear (wig) of blacke flaxe, and a hed pece of dornix+, w(ith) by estimac’on ij (s) iiij (d), w(ith) a sword price ij (s) vj (d), w(ith) a pair of buskens of bridges satten, con’ I y’d di. at v (s) the y’d, vij (s) vj (d) in all …. lxviij (s) ij (d)

 

Irishewoman

 

A mantele of red and blew satten paned, con’ ix y’ds at vi (s) viii (d) the y’d, lx (s), liyned w(ith) red buckeram, v y’ds, ii (s) vi (d), w(ith) a smock of yellow buckeram, con’ vi y’ds, iiij (s), w(ith) a hear of flax, worth by estimac’on iii (s) iiij(d), w(ith) a girdle of red sarcenet, con’ I q’ter y’d, xvi (s); in all, besides w’kemanship and other charges of provisio’……..lii (s) viii (d)

 

* It is evident from these entries that the attire of the Irish at this period wsa national and peculiar. (original editors note – not mine!)

+ Dornix, a course sort of damask made at Deornick in Flanders.

 

Someone with a better understanding of English coin and Latin numbers will have to work out the price on these. If you figure out the system, please let me know since I am curious as the values of the fabrics and garments in this section altogether – all of which are itemized in this text.

Comments

[shadowd1.livejournal.com]

s = shilling; d = pence; y'd or 'yds = yard/yards.

currently,
1 pound = 20 shilling (20s)
1 shilling = 12 pence (12d)

In Henry VIII's time the Half Laurel or Double Crown = ten shilling; similarly, the Crown = five shillings
http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/BritishDenominations3.html

roman numerals:
i = 1, v = 5, x = 10, l = 50,
j = i and is used at the final position within the number

I'm not sure what "con'" is in reference to.
i figured it out, though not a directly translation, i understand its intent.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the explanation of the "d = pence" and "i=j". I was stumped on those. Now, if only I still could recall the information on relative values of items based on Durer's records of his trips to the Lowe Countries. Oh well, if I get inspired once faire is over I may do a write up!

[shadowd1.livejournal.com]

np. btw, i just calculated out the irishman's garments to compare it with the total given and it used the exchange rate of 1 shilling = 12 pence (i didn't know if the exchange was different)

w00t base 12!

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

So....What did you get?

[shadowd1.livejournal.com]

stupid me, i thought i posted the numeric translation :P give me a few minutes.

-------------------

i take back what i said i did before: what i actually did was multiply out certain yardage * cost/yard using base 12 and received the same total. the total at the end of both does not add up...

--------
A large garment of blewe and redde satten pained, con’ 8 yards. At 6s8d the yard, 53s4d, lined w(ith) black buckeram 6 yards, 4s, w(ith) a hear (wig) of blacke flaxe, and a hed pece of dornix+, w(ith) by estimac’on 2s4d, w(ith) a sword price 2s6d, w(ith) a pair of buskens of bridges satten, con’ 1 yard di. at 5s the yard, 7s6d in all …. 68s2d lxviij (s) ij (d)
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A mantele of red and blew satten paned, con’ 9 yards at 6s8d the yard, 60s, liyned w(ith) red buckeram, 5 yards, 2s6d, w(ith) a smock of yellow buckeram, con’ 6 yards, 4s, w(ith) a hear of flax, worth by estimac’on 3s4d, w(ith) a girdle of red sarcenet, con’ 1 quarter yard, 16s; in all, besides w’kemanship and other charges of provisio’…….. 52s8d
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[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

Now I just need to figure out what the equates to in modern coin....*chuckle*

[shadowd1.livejournal.com]

it's not what you need exactly, but it may help
http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/memdb/index.html

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

*does a happy dance*

New information to mine!

[docryder.livejournal.com]

Using the period spelling of "Low"?

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I am just using to seeing it that way. *chuckle*

[jillwheezul.livejournal.com]

not that it is pertinent to this entry, but l or li stands for pounds.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

I will keep that in mind for future reference. Thank you!