Judge/Clergy robes

[Christine]

Just curious, what was usually worn underneath the robes? For real that is, I'm not trying to be funny, lol! Men of the church or judges with their long, flowing robes, what was usually worn underneath? I was having this discussion with some friends about robes of the middle ages and we were just curious.

[Cheeky Actress]

Are we speaking in American or English Courts?

If English...(UK)...

Well, As the chief judges are also Law Lords (the Lords Temporal) the robes and wiggery is in-line with the other archaic dress, again much of it devised in the 18th century still used in the House of Lords.

But up until the Reform (back in 2008, I think), the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales announced changes in court working dress for both the English and Welsh courts.

The array of robes worn by High Court Judges will be abolished and replaced by a modernised and significantly simplified robe. The wearing of wigs in the civil and family courts will be completely abolished. High Court judges presiding over criminal trials in the Crown Court will appear in the robes they currently wear in the winter.

[Quartermaster James]

I don't know about the clergy, but for judicial robes generally one takes off one's suit coat and dons one's robe. One continues to wear one's trousers, shirt, tie, vest, etc., under the robe.

Edited April 8, 2009 by Quartermaster James

[Christine]

Thanks and yeah, I meant English or European.

[Christine]

There are some dumb people out there who think when they see a man wearing flowing robes that he's actually wearing a dress. Ugh, *shakes head* some people are just so ignorant.

[Tartan Jack]

There are some dumb people out there who think when they see a man wearing flowing robes that he's actually wearing a dress. Ugh, *shakes head* some people are just so ignorant.

On "clergy" robes . . .

The Catholic, Lutheran, and English white clergy robes are based upon and derived from Roman robes worn in legal courts and were intended to look official.

Today, they are worn over "normal" clothing.

The Reformed/Calvinist black robe is DIRECTLY rooted in the scholastic garb from the late middle ages and the renaissance periods. They are intended to show the pastors as educated and wise, as groups like the Presbyterians require masters degrees and have a certification process, much like a bar exam for lawyers. It is worn over normal clothing for the day.

Monks are a separate entity and it depends on the type of monk and climate as to what is worn underneath.