<P_2.3,24>

<heading:edcomment:LETTER_CCXXVI>

To my loving frend M=r=. D=r=. Legge Vicechancellor &c . and to the
rest of the Heads there . (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,24.3)

Wheras the great excess and disorder of Apparell hath not only
impoverished the Realme , but hath bene a special cause of many other
vices and evil examples in all degrees ; for the due reformation
whereof it is <P_2.3,25> godly provided for in all persons and places ,
if due execution were had accordingly : for want wherof , many have
greatly exceeded the prescription of Law , and left the ancient , grave
, and comely apparell generally used of all scholars in both
Universities heretofore ; whereby they were known and reverenced ,
every man in his degree , both in the University and withoute , in
Court and City ; by wearing of that comely , decent , and wonted
apparell ; the due consideration whereof , is referred by her Majesties
Proclamation to the Chancellors of both Universities , supposing that
their commandement will work a perfect reformation of all disorders in
both the said Universities . Wherefore these are straitly to charge and
command you the Vicechancellor and Hedds of the Colleges in the
University of Cambridge , that the Statutes and Orders made in your
University for the special apparell to be worne of all degrees of
scholars , made sithens her Majestie's most gracious raigne , be duely
observed and kept , and that no hatt be worne of any Graduate or
Scholer within the University , except it be when he shall journey out
of the Town , the same Graduate or Scholar having his name in any Table
, or being in commons in any House of Learning in the said University ;
except in the time of his sicknes . (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,25.4)

And that all Scholers being Graduats upon the charges of any Howse , do
wear a square cap of clothe , and lykewise scholers of Howses that be
no Graduats , and all other Scholers that have taken no degree of
Scholers , and do lyve upon their <P_2.3,26> own charges , do weare in
the said University a round clothe cap . Saving that it may be lawful
for the sons of Noblemen , or the sons and heirs of Knights , to wear
round caps of velvet , but no hats . (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,26.5)

And also that every such aforesaid Scholer , being a Graduate , shall
wear abroad in the University , going out of his College , a gown and a
hoode of clothe , according to the order of his Degree . Provided that
it shall be lawfull for every Doctor of Divinity , and for the Master
of any College , to weare a scarlett tippet , or a tippet of velvet ,
according to the antient customs of the realme , and of the said
University : the which gown , tippet , and square cap , the said
Doctors and Hedds shall be lykewise bound to weare when they shall
resorte either to the Courte or to the City of London .
(WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,26.6)

And that the excess of Shirtbands and Ruffs exceeding one inche and
halfe <paren> saving for the sonns of Noblemen </paren> , the fashion
and colore of other then white , be avoyded presently . And no Scholer
nor Fellowe of the foundation of any Howse of Learninge do weare either
in the Universitye or without , so long as he retaine the livings of a
Fellowe or Scholer , any hose , stockings , dubletts , jackets , coats
, or jerkins , or any other kinde of garment of velvet , satten , or
silke , or in the faceing of the same shall have above one quarter of a
yard of silke , or shall use any other light kynde of colore , or cutts
, or gards , or fashion , which shall be forbidden by the Chancellors ,
or in their absence by the Vicechancellor <P_2.3,27> and the more part
of the Hedds of either of the said Universities .
(WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,27.7)

And that no Scholer do weare any longe locks of heare upon his hedd ,
but that he be notted , polled , or rounded after the accustomed manner
of the gravest scholers of the said University , under the pain of six
shillings and eight pence for everye tyme that any graduate Fellow ,
Scholer , Pensioner , or Sizer shall offende in any of the foresaid
Orders . (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,27.8)

The forfeycture for every publique offence committed without the
College to be collected , immediatelye after the offence done , by the
bedells or other Officers therunto appoynted within the said University
, (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,27.9)

and to be payd either to the Chancellor , or in his absence to the
Vicechancellor of the said University , to th'onlye use of the same ,
(WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,27.10)

and by him to be accompted for at his general accompts for his yeare .
(WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,27.11)

And the punishments and forfeytures of all the aforesaid offences by
any of the aforenamed Students within any of the Colleges or Halls in
the said University , to be taken by the Hedds and Sub-Hedds of the
said Colleges and Halls where such offence is committed ,
(WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,27.12)

and to be converted to the use of the said College or Hall .
(WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,27.13)

And thes Orders , together with all other good Orders heretofore taken
for exercises of Learning within the aforesaid University , I require
you and every of you duely to observe and precisely to kepe according
to your Oath and duties , as you will retaine my favour <P_2.3,28> and
would have me to continue my careful government over you : which I
assuer you I will cast off , yf I fynde not a due and spedye
reformation of all disorders among you : (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,28.14)

for her Majesty looketh for the same , both-1 at myne and your hands ,
(WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,28.15)

and that forthwith . (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,28.16)

So I bid you hartelye farewell , from my House in the Strand , this
7=th=. of Maye 1588 . (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,28.17)

Your loving frend W. Burghley . (WCECIL-1580-E2-H,2.3,28.18)