Draft of a paper concerning the history of dress, undated (Series 87.02) - No. 0014

[Page 14]

No. 1.                       Bonnet    Cap, Hat, Bever

Englishmen do not appear to have usd any ornamental Covering for their heads in Early times, hoods (See No. 15) contrivd for use only appear to have were universaly worn  it is probable that Bonnets were first introduced in the Reign of Hen 7th or possibly in that of Richd 3d  Soldiers however wore hoods as a Part of their uniform in the Battle of Bosworth.
The Bonnett resembled in general appearance the [Seat] bonnet now in use, it was frequently ornamented by a Sprig of jewel calld a Sprig generaly having '2 or 3' Branches
1486        In 1502 1486 The Lord major [Drank?] to John Percival his Carver who stood uncoverd before him & they created him Sheriff for the ensueing year, on this John Coverd hismself head and sat down at the table.    walton Daniel
The Italians wore bonnets long before this time  it is probable the Custom Came to England from thence
The Cap was probably another name for the Bonnet  the Cappers were
 incorporated in the years
1505         in 1505 a Cap of maintenence was Sent to Hen 7th by Pope Julius     Howe
1514         a cap of maintenance was sent by the pope to Hen 8th Stowe
Felts         in the beginning of Hen 8th Reign began the making of Spanish Felte in England before that time & since the English used to ride & go winter & Summer in Knit Caps Cloth Hoods & the best Sort in Silk Throned hats Howes 876
in the Print of the Court of wards supposd to be taken about the year 1585 Burgleigh the President wearing the Collar of the [Garter] is coverd with a Felt hat  The cheif Justices are Coverd with Caps the Surveyor wears a Silk figurd hat  The rest are uncoverd but their Bevers with rather narrow brim lay on the Table
1633        [Whillerte?] tell us that his marques had rich Sprigs in their Caps p. 21
sprigs   these therefore were the Fashionable apparel of the head in times of  [Society?] Bevers or Felts had not yet prevaild over them
The Tuft of Herons Feathers necessary to  Compleat the Plume a Knight of the Garter is calld technicaly a Sprig 
Geofrey Earl of Anjou was Called Plantagenet Planta Genista because he wore in his Cap or Bonnet a Sprig of Broom  Sandford p.34
aglet       1580  an aglet or jewel in ones Cap  Alveary
1192?  Richard the first while in Captivity invested the Emperor with the  Kingdom of England by delivery of his Hat  Danyel p 102
Bareheads  in the Saxon almanae in the British museum all the [indecipherable] represented
gentle or simple are bareheaded    Strut vol 1 Pl: 10 &c       
1367         in 44th Edwe 3d they began to use Cappes of divers Color especialy
Red with Costly Linings Camdens Remains p 233