Privateering in Elizabethan Era - The Lawful Piracy to Combat Rival Nations

The modern era comprises of international laws and globalization. But, when we give heed towards the Elizabethan era, we do not find any such thing, and the rulers of every nation were busy increasing the power. Every possible mean was being used for accomplishing this purpose of increasing the power. Their purpose was to strengthen the kingdom by hook or crook.

Privateering was one such act, which was meant for strengthening the nations through the mean, which is supposed to be unlawful according to the international laws of today. Privateering was a lawful piracy during that period. It is a known fact that piracy was prevalent in the seas and oceans in the Elizabethan period. The governments tried to take advantage of this act, and they issued the letters, according to which some of their officers were declared as pirates for raiding the treasure ships of the enemy nations. These legal pirates gained so much popularity that their pirate clothes also became part of fashion in the modern times.

In England, ‘Letter of Marque’ was issued, which is why a number of privateers came in the limelight that raided the Spanish and French Ships. These privateers were not only the lawful pirates, but were also the excellent explorers, who would explore the things from the other world. Moreover, they were also the government officers; therefore, they would sometimes go for the battles also. Some of the famous Elizabethan privateers include Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Richard Hawkins, Sir Martin Frobisher, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Richard Grenville. Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh were two most famous privateers, who went for the battle with Spanish Armada also from the English side.

Other nations also used the privateers for the same purpose. France issued “lettre de marquee”, which was the French equivalent to the “letter of marquee”. In France, corsairs were the privateers, who were authorized to conduct the raids on behalf of France at the time of war with some other nation. Unlike English privateers, corsairs in France were not part of the French Navy, but still they were authorized to raid the ships of the enemy nations.

Privateering has been abolished nowadays, but people have still retained their memory in the form of pirate clothing. Similarly, the outfits of the outlaw raiders have also gained the huge fame. The pirate shirts, pants, skirts and gowns etc. of the lawful as well as outlaw raiders can be obtained from a number of websites of the online merchants.

Dressed To Kill In Fascinating Medieval Dresses

Medieval clothing offers a whole range of charming, ornate and magnificent styles which can be imagined only in fairy tales and legends. Renaissance period is the most widely remembered and celebrated era in the world. In United States of America, there is an unusual Renaissance festival where the period is recreated with men and women wearing medieval dresses and costumes, armory, helmets, veils and swords. American Renaissance clothes were not restricted to costumes of King and Queen but also common people like peasants, knights, workers, musicians, dancers and jugglers.

Pirates were also famous for their notoriety in the seven seas in those times. Pirate clothing is high in fashion nowadays and covers a range of shirts, waist coats, jackets, sashes, belts, breeches and accessories like gold hoop earrings, precious stone embedded rings, bracelets, and not to forget the distinct yet trendy leather and latex pirate boots. Pirates called themselves swaggers of the sea and threatened everyone who crossed the waters while they were around. Pirate clothing was a symbol of pitiless and unforgiving seamen who stripped ordinary sailors and voyagers to the last penny.

Pirate shirts are made with wide and laced full sleeves with broad ends while some have full length sleeves with a tapered end with flounce and frill. Their shirts and pants were loose fitted because pirate seamen had to undergo grueling tasks at the Captain’s orders. European medieval clothing for women consisted of different types of gowns, skirts and dresses like Florentine gowns, Roman gowns, Isabelle gowns and Renaissance wedding gowns were very popular then and even now.

Other accessories and cloth pieces were worn to accentuate the shape of the body and reflect feminine beauty. These were bodices, head hoops, gloves, underskirts, waist bands with or without laces, collars etc. Women from upper class were fond of wearing fancy hats to parties and public functions. While rich women spent extravagantly on costly dresses and accessories; the commoners wore peasant dresses, highland gowns, maiden skirts and dresses which were made out of run of the mill fabric.

It is believed that it was with the birth of medieval clothing, that modern fashion was introduced to the world for the first time. There is no other fashion or style of clothing that was followed before the medieval fashion came into vogue. Certain cuts, designs and fabric were used to make these clothes which were never seen by people before. For further beautifying or enhancing the dress use of laces, buttons, frill, broaches, fur and gemstones were used.

Today many contemporary dresses and clothes are based on the designs of the medieval dresses. The clothes from the ancient times were also symbolic of the wealth and prosperity of a person and his ability to make investments. The nobility had exclusive right to wear silk fabric in dazzling and rich colors like red, green, gold, orange, royal blue, crimson etc while the poor wore wool and linen in dull colors. It will not be wrong to say that present day trendy clothes have their roots somewhere in medieval clothes and this fashion will never fade.

Renaissance Clothing- Reflection of Social Standing even Today

Renaissance clothing, the inseparable part of middle age has succeeded in maintaining its charm in modern era too. But now their usages are restricted to famous events, plays and in some history based Hollywood movies. Although now-a-days they are not worn on daily basis as earlier yet these renaissance medieval clothing is great source of inspiration for modern designers. It is not like that that they are completely vanished from normal day life; in altered form people are still wearing them.

The variations in the designing, color, fabric was treat to watch. Regardless the kind of technology they had at that time, the quality of the costumes were unmatchable. Even today it is hard to find the same level creativity and quality. Designers of that time knew how to use colors like velvet, violet, red beautify renaissance dresses with embroidery, laces and some extravagant costumes with costly stones and gems. Not only today’s people but the 16th century person also knew how to dress well. If you see the portrait of those persons whether they were rich, poor or commoner you will observe that they dressed well irrespective of their status. Everyone according to their status had managed to maintain the distinctive styling sense.

The factor which influenced the dressing style of men and women of that era was division of classes on the basis of material and color of fabric. If you know poor people were not allowed to wear expensive and extravagant fabrics, even if they want they couldn’t afford. They dressed according to wealth, social standing and importance in society.

If you pay attention to your surrounding you will find people around you wearing renaissance clothing which reflect their status so, dressing accordingly is not aged fashion but still exist. Knowingly or unknowingly we also dress according to our standing in society. This is why a commoner wears pants and shirts, a businessman is more into tuxedos and a socialite wear cocktail dresses. Wealthier people wore more gold, diamond stud jewelries like necklace, earring, ring and others and branded items. They flaunt their expensive accessories like hand bags, foot wear. These things show the same trend that were prevailing during middle age and are not just mere coincidence, they are done deliberately.

It is a fact that our sense of fashion is mirror of bygone era. If people of today’s modern world so strongly attached to dresses of their status then you could also imagine how seriously the people of those conservative times took their clothes.

Renaissance Festivals is a medieval and renaissance clothing online store where you could be able to find the renaissance dresses like medieval shirts, pirate shirts and other costumes in wide array of collection.

Medieval Renaissance Costumes for Renaissance Men Women

Renaissance occurred during the 14th and 16th centuries, but it has left its mark on the man's life forever. There are several ways, the revival of architectural and cultural revolution that is still spoken. Contributions to the gave us is endless, but here we focus on the contributions of clothing. Many aspects of our lives are the result of previous results, the whole world is changing and so are we. However, one might have expected, but clothing is also connected somehow to our heritage.

The story revolves around different times, there were many rulers, another kind of life were created, such as clothing styles, and differs from one region to another. However, Clothing creates such an effect, that even now he can feel that people always want to wear this option. Style and trends have a new sense of rebirth suspension. Renaissance costumes and medieval concepts of the latest styles are always a big hit with young people who feel a great sense of accomplishment of these dresses.

Medieval dresses legendary luxury. These dresses are works of art in themselves remarkable, when he was a symbol of prestige and pride of the user. There are many exciting opportunities for men and women in those days’ famous women pirate dresses, women pirate shirts and hats. These pastimes of medieval costume in the world, particularly among those who believed in the middle ages and who enjoys their image through their clothes on screen. Over the centuries, but still fashionable, have a major impact on people around the world. Revival theme is still widespread, home and fashion shows that small changes to merge to create a past and present.

Pirate costumes for women are very famous among young people in these renaissance clothing for the sensual and delays in conducting their crazy on this peak. Curiosity wears these costumes for Halloween and other special occasions are very high among women. These people how to dress like pirates, of course, add more fun and variety to the case and they feel happy.