The Lamentable Complaints..

Of Nick Frost the Tapster and Rulerost the Cooke, Concerning the restraint lately set forth against drinking, potting and piping on the Sabbath day and against selling meate. Printed in 1641 as a backlash against government controls on eating and drinking. The tapster and the cook wear standard doublet and breeches with some nice little waist aprons to catch the drips/grease. Rulerost the cook has what looks like a day cap with folded back brim, though this may be a 17th century version of the cook’s hat.

Portrait of a Girl

Painted by Gilbert Jackson in 1638 this painting is in the Birmingham Museums collection. The unnamed girl wears a green silky silver-embroidered bodice (or perhaps it’s braid), trimmed with lace around the neckline and sleeve cuffs. A ribbon bow around her waist is copied by the one in her dressed hair and on the lace collar.