Puritan Lady

Another unnamed portrait by an unnamed artist, this time in the Berwick Museum and Art Gallery. The canvas is dated 1638 and the title it’s been given says she’s a puritan. This was the catch all title for the collection of independent protestant sects, all slightly different from the next that grew up in the first half of the seventeenth century and exploded during the turmoil caused by the war. However she could just as easily be a member of a more established church group, or even a (gasp) catholic, there’s no way to tell from what she’s wearing how she worshipped.

The fine details show her double layer linen cuffs and the layers of fine see-through linen that comprise her neck covering. It’s up for debate, but around this time it could have been called a kerchief or a partlet. Both terms were in use, we just don’t know what (if any) distinction there was between the two. The layers however are so thin that you can see her smock beneath the fabric. The details of her bodice (or maybe waistcoat) are tricky to see as it has been painted so blackly there are no details. She has a coral bracelet on her wrist. These were worn as good luck charms and also were thought to have healing properties. Her hair seems to be undressed. but she has covered it with a magnificent broad brimmed hat.

A Bawd

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.