woman's cap, it was perhaps the most lawless land
in Europe.
All save those who possessed. zoo merks of
yearly rent were forbidden to wear silk or furs, or
borderings of pearl or bullion; and the feminine
rove of display attracted the attention of Parliarnent
at Edinburgh in 1457. It was ordained that
citizens should make their wives and daughters
appear in costumes suitable to their estate and
position ; on their heads short curches with little
and their wives the same ; the curches of the latter
to be of their own making, and not to exceed the
price " of XI pennyes the elne."
By the same laws, advocates who spoke for money
in Parliament were ordained " to have habits of
grene, of the fassoun of a tuneike, and the sleeves
to be oppin as a tabert."
From the date of the cruel assassination of
James I.-the poet, soldier, and lawgiver-may be
considered the time when Edinburgh became really
[The Castle.
resort to " hostillaries," for the encouragement of
the latter.
During the reign of James I. and his successor
laws were passed against excess in dress j and it
has been said that, though edicts were passed for
everything in Scotland, even to the shape of a
hoods ; (' and as to their gownes, that na woman
weare mertrickes nor letteis, nor tailes unfit in
length, nor furred under, but on the Halie-daie f
and that no labourers nor husbandmen were to
wear anything on work-days but grey and white ;
and even on holidays but light blue, green, red,
