Tuesday, January 19, 2010

When Plaid Wasn't 'In'

The British have a nasty history of trying to ruin the Celtic spirit with crazy psychological laws and bans. During the Jacobian uprising of 1745 George II began to worry about Scotland revolting and decided to implement another spirit-crushing law intended for a certain nationality. The law declared that no one
"shall, on any pretext whatsoever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland clothes the Plaid, Philabeg, or little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder-belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid or stuff shall be used for the Great Coats or upper Coats..."
No plaid? I wouldn't survive. The ban on plaid didn't apply to soldiers uniforms. The reason for this: the sight of plaid struck fear into enemies. But Scottish peasant and noble alike were forbidden from donning the fabric of their heritage. Those who dared challenge this decree faced a prison sentence. Well, I happen to know one such daring individual, Jane Duchess of Gordon. The Duchess didn't fear the law and was known to wear plaid; and she got away with it too! No doubt she escaped persecution due to her constant sucking up to the king! It didn't matter too much anyway because by 1782 George III lifted the silly fashion ban.

6 comments:

  1. The sight of plaid still strikes fear into my enemies!

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  2. Those pants that he's got on SHOULD be banned! lol

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  3. Governments do the silliest things. Major credit goes to Jane for ignoring such idiocy.

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  4. Aww I like the pants!

    And yes, Jane was not one to follow directions...or laws

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  5. I agree those pants need to be banned before someone goes cross-eyed. (Though, having some Scot in me, I am a loyal fan of the plaid.)Though on second thoughts, maybe it's the pants together with the hose. One of the other might be okay if done with panache.

    Jane never lets me down. Go Jane!

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  6. I have nothing to add to the conversation...


    Just wanted you to know that I keep on visiting your blog and that I love it!

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