Transactions of the Burgon Society Volume 6 Article 2 1-1-2006 Tudor Sumptuary Laws and Academical Dress: An Act against Wearing of Costly Apparel 1509 and An Act for Reformation of Excess in Apparel 1533 Noel Cox Follow this and additional works at: https://newprairiepress.org/burgonsociety Recommended Citation Cox, Noel (2006) "Tudor Sumptuary Laws and Academical Dress: An Act against Wearing of Costly Apparel 1509 and An Act for Reformation of Excess in Apparel 1533," Transactions of the Burgon Society: Vol. 6. https://doi.org/10.4148/2475-7799.1047 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in Transactions of the Burgon Society by an authorized administrator of New Prairie Press. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Transactions of the Burgon Society, 6 (2006), pages 15–43 Tudor Sumptuary Laws and Academical Dress: An Act against Wearing of Costly Apparel 1509 and An Act for Reformation of Excess in Apparel 1533 by Noel Cox In the United Kingdom, as in other modern liberal democracies, there are few, if any, restrictions upon one’s choice of habiliment.1 There have in the past, however, been repeated attempts in most countries and civilizations—from the Romans (and indeed earlier civilizations) onwards—to strictly control aspects of apparel, by legislation.2 They were motivated by political, moral or economic considerations. However, these sumptuary laws, as they were known,3 were generally a failure, for many reasons. Those who wished to ignore them often could do so with impunity.4 The frequency of such legislation is a sign both of the perceived importance of The author would like to acknowledge the assistance of Professor Bruce Christianson and Ms Susan North in the preparation of this paper.