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[Page 37] 

     The Parsons Tale   198

To Speak of the horrible disordinate scantnesse of Clothing as [been? those Cutted Sloppes of [harsselines?] that through their Shortness cover not the shamfull members of manne  to wicked [entent]? alas some of them shewe the Basse of their [Shap]? & the horrible [Swile?] membres that seemeth like to the malady of the Hernia in the wrapping of their Hosen & also the Buttockes of them fare as if they were the hinder Parts of a She Ape in the full of the mone  & moreover the wretched Swolen membres that they shew, through disguising, in deporting of their Hosen in White & Red Someth that halfe their Shamfull privy member were Flain.  & if so be they deporte their hosen in other Colors as is White & blew or White & Black or Black & Red & so forth than seemed  [this] as by variance of Color that the half of their Privy members ben Corrupt by the Fire of St anthony of the hinder Part of their Buttockes it is Full horrible for to See
1400     Stowes Chronicle by Stowe P. 327
at this time was used Exceeding Pride in Garments, Gowns with deep & broad Sleeves commonly Called Poke Sleeves  The Servants wore them as well as their master & what they stole they hid in their Sleeves   whereof Some hung down to the feet & at Least to the knees full of Cuts & Jagges  Whereupon Hoclure made these verses
now hath the Lord little need of Bro[omes?]  &c
1462     3d Edwd 4th an act was [Parst] to Compell decency in clothing   no Person to wear any Boulsters of Cotton or Stuffe in the array of their bodies   no Person to wear Gown Jacquet or Cloak but of such Leng[th] as when standing upright   the same should Cover his Buttocks & no man to wear Shoes having Pipes having Pikes more than two inches in Leng[th]
Stow  Howes 417

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