, though they did not skimp the material but made
them wide and loose.

[Illustration: A CROMWELLIAN MAN (1649-1660)

Notice the careful plainness of his dress, and his very wide-topped
boots.]

[Illustration: {Three men of the time of the Cromwells; a type of
sleeve; two types of breeches and boot; a type of collar}]

The women dressed their hair more plainly, the less serious retained
the little bunches of side curls, but the others smoothed their hair
away under linen caps or black hoods tied under their chins. Another
thing the women did was to cut from their bodices all the little
strips but the one in the middle of the back, and this they left, like
a tail, behind. Some, of course, dressed as before with the
difference in colour and in ornament that made for severity. It had an
effect on the country insomuch as the country people ceased to be
extravagant in the materials for garments and in many like ways, and
so lay by good fortunes for their families--these families coming
later into the gay court of Charles II. had all the more to lavish on
the follies of his fashions.

[Illustration: {A man of the time of the Cromwells; a type of coat}]

The Puritan is as well-known a figure as any in history; an
intelligent child could draw you a picture or describe you a Puritan
as well as he could describe the Noah of Noah's Ark. He has become
part of the stock for an Academy humourist, a thousand anecdote
pictures have been painted of him; very often his nose is red,
generally he has a book in his hand, laughing maids bring him jacks of
ale, jeering Cavaliers swagger past him: his black cloak, board shoes,
wide Geneva bands are as much part of our national picture as
Punch or Harlequin.

[Illustration: A WOMAN OF THE TIME OF THE CROMWELLS (1649-1660)

This is not one of the most Puritanical dresses, but shows how the
richness of the reign of Charles I. was toned down. She carries a
muff in her hand, wears a good wide collar and cuffs, and neat roses
on her shoes.]

[Illustration: {Two women of the time of the Cromwells; a type of
jacket; two types of head-dress for women}]

The Puritaness is also known. She is generally represented as a sly
bird in sombre clothes; her town garments, full skirts, black hood,
deep linen collar are shown to hide a merry-eyed lady, her country
clothes, apron, striped petticoat, bunched up skirt, linen cap, her
little flaunt of curls show her still