, hath thought
fit to seeke to remedie the same by correction and
severitie, to be used against both these kindes of
offenders, in regard of the present difficulties of this
time; wherein the decay and lacke of hospitalitie
appeares in the better sort in all countreys,
principally occasioned by the immeasurable charges and
expenses which they are put to in superfluous
apparelling their wives, children, and families, the
confusion also of degrees in all places being great;
where the meanest are as richly apparelled as their
betters, and the pride that such inferior persons take
in their garments, driving many for their maintenance to
robbing and stealing by the hieway, &c. &c.

"Her Maiestie doth straightly charge and command--

"That none under the degree of a Countess wear:

Cloth of gold or silver tissued;

Silke of coulor purple.

"Under the degree of a Baronesse:--

Cloth of golde;

Cloth of silver;

Tinselled satten;

Sattens branched with silver or golde;

Sattens striped with silver or golde;

Taffaties brancht with silver or golde;

Cipresses flourisht with silver or golde;

Networks wrought in silver or golde;

Tabines brancht with silver or golde;

Or any other silke or cloth mixt or embroidered with
pearle, golde, or silver.

"Under the degree of a Baron's eldest sonne's wife:

Any embroideries of golde or silver;

Passemaine lace, or any other lace, mixed with golde,
silver, or silke;

Caules, attires, or other garnishings for the head
trimmed with pearle.

"Under the degree of a Knighte's wife:--

Velvet in gownes, cloakes, savegards, or other uppermost
garments;

Embroidery with silke.

"Under the degree of a Knighte's eldest sonne's wife:--

Velvet in kirtles and petticoates;

Sattens in gownes, cloakes, savegards, or other
uppermost garments.

"Under the degree of a Gentleman's wife, bearing armes:--

Satten in kirtles, }
Damaske, }
Tuft taffetie, } in gownes."
Plaine taffetie, }
Grograine }

Venice and Paris seem to have been the chief sources of fashion; from
these depots of taste were derived the flaunting he