One of the fun things about writing historical fiction is that you can spend many hours going down research rabbit holes, such as checking out Men-in-ruffs or Ruff Men, depending on what you are into.
In Shakespeare’s time it was the men who got to shine in the fashion stakes as much as the ladies, since before sports cars and Rolex watches were around, the best way for a man to display his wealth and status was through the clothes he wore. Which brings us to that iconic item of clothing…the ruff.
A ruff is basically a highly decorative and impractical detachable collar made of starched linen or lace. Only people with money could afford to wear such an expensive and frivolous item.
As well as the expense of purchasing one, ruffs took hours to prepare and could only be worn once before needing to be re-starched as body heat and the weather made them droop.
Of course the last thing a man needs when he’s trying to impress, is a droopy ruff, so in the spirit of frivolous excess, and in homage to an impressive amount of stiffening, I have put together a little honor roll of ruffs.
Who Wears the Ruff Best?
I ran a reader contest, called “Battle of the Ruffs” for my newsletter readers and social media followers where you could vote for who you think wore the ruff best. The prize has already been run but please feel free to comment if you have a preference for any of these fine ruffians.
Did you vote for the same as my readers did?
(BTW, it was when googling ‘Elizabethan ruff’ that the portrait of ‘Rufus’ popped up. Apparently that is what they are called in fancier veterinarian circles.)
- William Shakespeare – top left
- Rufus – top centre
- Prince Henry Stuart – top right (died sadly at 18)
- Robert Essex centre left (Elizabeth I’s favourite until she beheaded him. A bit ruff…
- King James I – centre right (painted at 20, hence looking like he had a ruff night out)
- Robert Cecil- bottom left (adviser to Elizabeth I and James I)
- Rowan Atkinson – bottom right (Blackadder Season 2)
Drumroll please…Battle of the Ruffs.
- In 1st place was No 2 – Rufus…by a nose!
- 2nd place – No 7 Rowan Atkinson who does look rather dashing
