Draft of a paper concerning the history of dress, undated (Series 87.02) - No. 0071

[Page 71]

The ancient Dresses of the English Ladies are more dificult to trace than those of the Gentlemen,  we have two clues however that throw Some Light on the Subject  guide us in some degree  The First is the description of a Ladies dress in the time of  written by the       Herald Randle Holmein   this Heraldic Style of [Bloran?]
he explains his heraldic Technicks to ignorant Readers as Follows 

The Gowns were broad Shouldered & narrow waisted wide Brechd, Set out with a broad Rowle which was Called a Fordingale & gathered up in Plaits & Trusses to make it Full in the Skirt,  The Gorget Standing up being Supported by wyers & a kind of Roll which they Calle Peccadille  The attire Standing round the head was Calld a Bon Grace  The Sleeves round & Full, Set out in the manner of Ruffs or wreeths.
From this which no doubt is a Faithfull Document we may deduce the following schedule of a Ladies aparrell
Q Elizabeth visited Ld Hundsdon in the 14th year of her Reign 
The alveary was Publishd in the ---------- 22  ------
Randle Holm was Publishd in the --------- 
1  Ruff
2  Gorget  Fixd on a kind of Roll Calld a 
3  Piccadille
4  Kirtle
5  Gown  set out with a Broad Rowle Called a
6  Fordingale
7  Bon Grace
8  Sleeves

additional List