The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-30
ROBES OF A PEEREss-
How the Titled Women Were To BE Dressed
Under William the Fourth.


Cassels Family Magazine
A peeress's robe of state follows in the ordar
OF degree OF that of her husband, but for corona
tons there are often special orders issued as OF
the occasion when William " and his oueen
were crowned. Then it was ordained thew we're
to have ''surcoatS or kirtles (kirtles meaning
loose robes) all crimson velvet close bodied and
clasped before, edged or bordered with minever
pure two inches broad, and scalloped down the
SIDES from below the girdle, and sloped away
INTO train proportionable to the length
Of the robe or mantel for each degree viz
about third part thereof. The sleeve of the
surcoat also to be of crimson velvet about FIVE
inches deep, scalloped at the bottom, edged with
mlneVer pure and fringed with gold or silver
The caps of their coronets to be all of crimson
VelVet, turned up with ermine, with a button
ana tassel OF gold or silver on the top, suitable
to the fringe of their sleeves"
The length of the train was regulated BY the
rank OF the wearer thus THAT of a baroness
might be three feet on the ground, of a viscoun~
ess one and quarter yards long a countess ona
and half yards, a marchioness one and three
tourths yards long, and duchess three yards"
The petticoats to be of cloth of silver or any
other white stuff, either laid embroidered,
according to each persons fancy"
The mantle to hang back, being fastened on
each shoulder with cordons of silver and suit
able to stheir fringe, with tassels of the same
hanging down on each side of the waist. The
surcoat or kirtle to be open before, that tho
petticoat may appear"
linen IoloWed still more minute directions as
to the order of peeresses.
THE harnesses crimson velvet caps are to be
furred with minever pure powdered, with two
bars or rows of ermine the mantle to be edged
round with minever pure two inches in breadth,
the train three feet the ground, and the cor
onet according to their degree; viz, a eircla
with six pearls upon the same, not raised upon
points" The countesses' robes or NANTES were
to be the same as heretofore, only the cape was
to be powdered with three rows of ermine edg-
ings three inches in breadth; the train one yard
and half; the coronet composed with small
Strawberries above the rim, The viscountesSes'
robes or mantles were TO be like those of the
baronesses only the cape powdered with Two
rows and half of ermine, the edging Of she
mantle two inches as before, and the train one
yard and quarter the coronet to be according
to their degree, viz, rim or circle with pesTIG
thereon, sixteen in number and not raised upon
points. The marchionesses robes or maRties
were also to be as before only the cape was to
be powdered with three inches and a half Of err
mine edgings four inches in breadth; the tzssin
one yard and three-quarters; the coronet to bo
composed of four strawberry leaves, four pearls
raised upon points of the same height as tbs
leaves alternately above the RIM and the cans OF
crimson velvet, turned up with ermine, tazse2
of gold at the ton The precision with which all
this is laid down shows the Importance ATTACKED
to the several items