Costume & Stuff from the English Civil War
by a most courageous Combat which he fought with the Lord Mount le Ros who by base and slanderous words reviled our King. Digby is on the left we assume. Duelling was outlawed in France and attracted the death penalty, but our hero was pardoned on condition he leave the country. Stirring stuff!
Pamphlet written by John Taylor in 1635. I liked the costume details on the two women. Very nice embroidered jacket on the Bawdy woman with braided petticote and apron. You can tell she’s a tramp by her uncovered head and trailing locks! The virtuous character is rather more plainly dressed, but you can more or less see the shape of her bodice and skirts.
Following some discussion, I’m beginning to think the bawd is the seated woman on the left and the standing figure is one of her “working girls” dressed for the evening. Dressed hair could count as a head covering in the higher classes.
From The Bloody Prince or a Declaration of the Most Cruel Practices of Prince Rupert 1643
Not to be confused with the owner of Basing House, John was a member of parliament from Somerset who fought for the King, leading the garrison of Winchester Castle for a time. Painted by John Hayls, he is wearing a good, sturdy but basic cut buffcoat and and understated red scarf around his waist.
The 1640s Picturebook 