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.

Leonardo da Vinci - Polymath Who Contributed in Both Arts and Science

Science and arts are supposed to be the opposite dimensions in the recent times by a number of people. But, do you know that there were a number of people in history, who mastered in both dimensions at the same time? Today also, we can find some people who have more than one skill. Leonardo da Vinci was one such polymath in the history whose name is known for mastering both the fields at the same time.

He was one of the greatest painters of his period. His famous portrait Mona Lisa is popular across the globe even today also. This wonderful painting has gained the attention of masses, and a lot of new versions of this painting have been developed by the modern artists. Moreover, “The Baptism of Christ”, is his another famous portrait, which he made in association with Verrocchio – Leonardo’s master. Many other paintings of this great painter have gained popularity.

In the field of science and technology, he provided the studies on many of the subjects, which were not developed during his era. It will not be wrong to say that Leonardo was centuries forward from his own time. Geometry, mechanics, nature, flying machines, municipal construction, canals and architecture are some on the subjects on which he researched. On the other hand, he also beautifully combined the technology and arts. For instance, he made the portrait of flying machine centuries ago from the invention of airplane by Wright Brothers. Moreover, he was recognized as a sculptor and a musician also.

So, there is no doubt that Leonardo was a genius, who worked in different dimensions. This multidimensional personality was born in the renaissance age, when art, culture and science in Europe were flourished up to a great extent. New styles of painting, sculpture and renaissance clothing came in the limelight. On the other hand, scientific revolution had also begun. As a polymath, there is no doubt that Leonardo played a significant role in both arts and science.

Apart from his dynamic ability, he was a kind man, who loved humans as well as animals. His clear view was that one should be vegetarian and keep mercy on animals if meat is not necessary for health. Moreover, he was always ready to help others. We can take the instance of incidence in this regard. Once, a local peasant in simple renaissance dresses requested him to paint a shield for him.  Leonardo first made a painting of a demon spitting the fire. He sold the painting, made the profit and then decorated the shield with heart pierced by an arrow, and gave it to the peasant.

His ability and kindheartedness gave him so much fame that Francis I, king of Milan, took his head in his hands, when he (Leonardo) was on the deathbed. This great man left this world in the year 1547.

Medieval History of Men and Women’s Dresses

The time period characterized by fall of Roman Empire and the beginning of renaissance is popularly known as medieval period or middle age. This period saw revival around fifth century and lasted till fifteenth century. It was the period when men’s fashion change rapidly in comparison women’s. Clothing styles of men and women very different from each others. In social setup too their medieval costume differed widely. Lower class people were living in miserable condition; they were forced to wear clothing of last century until disrepair state where they had to buy a new set. New Introduced sumptuary laws divided the society largely on the base color and material of fabric.

Women’s medieval costume

The evidence of women’s clothing, what they actually wore comes from mid-fourteenth century. Female dresses were experiencing a great degree of change. Dresses became tighter with lower necklines and designed to outline the feminine posture. Tight lacing to provide fitting shape, for long waist appearance griddles were used and corset became the one of the significant part of their clothing. Open bodice with attached floor length skirt more popularly called surcoat was the elegant part of their dressing. In actual, in the beginning of fifteenth century gowns replaced all the female wears except surcoat.

Hose, kirtle, smock, gown, surcoat, girdle, bonnet and hood were basic clothing of women. However material and color used in making of these garments were distinct for women of each social status. Upper class women wore garments of expensive fabrics like silk, velvet, damask and taffeta in rich and vibrant colors while lower class women wore apparels of linen, shipskin, wool and cotton. Infact in later period poor people were restricted from using cotton because it was heavily taxed while imported (from India) and kept royals only. Skirt was one of the significant features of medieval dresses of women and petticoat made the way for these fashionable garments which were available in myriad designs and patters.

Men’s Medieval Costumes

Regardless of social standing in society medieval men’s garment were consist of tunic, trousers, cloak and leggings. Single brooch was used to fasten the cloak. Tying, lacing and clasping technique were applied as another method of fastening. ‘Have nots’ wore cloak made from wool. Tunics had length between hip and knee and were tied by belt or girdle. Trousers were worn under short tunic or cloak. With narrow trousers Garters or leggings worn as complementary pairs, two pairs of leggings were worn for protection of legs. Lower class people made use of old clothes to make them while wealthier people’s leggings were custom made.

Social status was supreme during medieval period and this notion made clearer by clothing. Generally scarlet colors like red and purple were meant for nobles especially for kings and princes. Among wealthier people nobles were the trend setter. Their clothing made of expensive fabrics was embellished with elaborate embroideries, laces, ruffles and embedded gems.

Negligence by rulers, miserable living condition and unemployment forced some English people towards the path of piracy. Popularly known as sea robbers, their pirate clothing were basically the looted costumes from hijacked ships of merchants and rulers.

Although clothing were one of the major way of dividing people in social hierarchy but so much of severance resulted in invention of new techniques and clothing designing methods which is still making modern human beings gaga for medieval costumes.

Article Published By: Reniassance-Outfits.com