Stuffing wasn’t the only attention-grabbing detail of the codpiece. People suspected the King himself of stuffing his codpiece–whether this was simply insecurity or medicated padding to soothe his multiple STDs is still up for debate. And you better believe men lied about their size even then. A piece of clothing first born out of strict necessity grew into an in-you-face, blatant “this is how big my cock is” fashion statement. “Cod” is the Middle English word for scrotum (think about that the next time you watch Peter Pan and Hook is called a “codfish”), and this brave accessory was also known as a “willy-warmer”–so no subtlety there at all. The solution: “ The codpiece, ” Reginetta explains with a mischievous grin. There was an opening left between the man’s legs and many a penis was witnessed dangling about down there. However as hemlines of men’s doublets rose above the groin area, since stockings were sold as two pieces (one pulled over each leg), a very puzzling and indecent dilemma presented itself. Thus, men wore stockings and focused on standing in a balletic 5th position. While women were busy cinching in their waists and billowing out their hips, men were more concerned with showing off their most attractive feature: their calves. This piece is hung with a crucifix, which is probably sacrilegious to say the least. Makeup was minimal and shoes were constructed to be worn on either foot–Bettina says they are, in fact, quite comfortable.Ī proper codpiece, if I do say so myself. This decade Catherine Parr brings a narrower hoop skirt en vogue, nowhere nearly as wide as Elizabeth I’s would be during her reign. The corset became wildly popular during this time and I learned that you can tell the social standing of a woman based on the laces of her corset: if the laces are in the back, the woman is highborn because this indicates she has servants to tie them for her if the corset laces in the front, the woman has no servants and must manage tying it herself. Around us teem men in doublets and jerkins–early predecessors to the 3-piece suit–and women in corsets. She informs me that we have been transported to the year 1544 in the reign of King Henry VIII and his sixth wife, Catherine Parr (who did not get beheaded! ). Rather, she answers each question with a smile and kind eyes making it apparent that she loves what she’s doing and is happy to teach any inquisitive listener. But even as facts and dates slide effortlessly from her tongue, I realize that Ms. 14 years later, it is obvious that I am standing with a real authority on historical fashion. The talented Reginetta (right) and bandmate from the band Allettante, an Italian word meaning “alluring, enticing.”ĭesigning and making clothes had always been a hobby for Bettina when she heard from a friend that the Renaissance Festival was hiring costumers. Reginetta maneuvered her answers around my anachronistic phrasing as deftly as any nimble-fingered tailor sewing a delicate silk. Her character Reginetta hails from Italy (where some of the finest clothes of the day were produced) and our entire interview was conducted, on her side, in a thick Italian accent. Foster is not only employed in outfitting the characters at the Renaissance Festival, she is also an actress and musician herself. Somewhere between watching jousts, dodging flirtatious privateers, and ducking into the Flying Cloud Corset Shoppe, I had the privilege of being introduced to Reginetta (aka Bettina Foster, the costume designer and wardrobe consultant for the Ren Faire).

I can attest that this is the only way to attend a Renaissance Festival–grab a turkey leg and a pint of mead, my friend, and you are going to have a rousing good time! And, not only can you find stands that exclusively sell Lord of the Rings-esque elf ears and Triforce-engraved ocarinas, the actors that mill about interacting with guests are clothed as authentically to 16th Century garb as possible. Imagine, then, my tremendous excitement when a friend of mine announced that her birthday party would be held at the Georgia Renaissance Festival! And, happily, my friends are definitely the type to throw inhibitions aside and don gorgeous homespun costumes, paying attention to each historical detail for legit cosplay action. Be sure to visit their Rivendell location too.

Purveyors of the finest aural accessories since the dawn of the Second Age.

Codepiece italian renaissance