Academic Regailia Question

[O'Neille]

I believe they are called Oxford caps and (although I don't know if this next part is true or not) they are worn by Doctors of Divinity.

Oxford caps are also known as mortar boards, square or trenchers. While the cap worn at Oxford is a Tudor bonnet, I believe. I've got a picture of President Truman wearing one in my collection.

Tudor bonnets are known as round caps.

Doctoral variants are the four, six or eight cornered soft tam.

I've seen the divinity variants also. I seem to remember something about Bisbops and Cardinals wearing three and four cornered variants with sewn in piping. I may be wrong but it was in my brain and jumped out on the page.

I found this informative link. http://www.academicapparel.com/caps/...blishment.html So I'll refrain from anymore hijacks. Sorry.

[Riverkilt]

I worked high school and university commencements in So. Cal, Las Vegas, Arizona and Alabama. Once in a while a high school faculty member wore their regalia. Even that little bit made a big difference.

At the university and college graduations the faculty procession was a beautiful tapestry of academic heraldry - whatever the campus. One of the things that made it so were the wide variety of caps the Doctoral folks wore.

And, just like we kilties, faculty in full regalia tend to stand taller and sorta strut and put some proud swish and sway into their unbifurcated robes.

Ron

[pipesndrumsnun]

THANKS for the great information (and good wishes!), everyone!

Riverkilt...what a cool job to have!! I do have the doctoral tam with gold tassel and the doctoral robe with black velvet chevrons (I really love the look of the black on black gown...maybe its a nun thing? ).

I got my grad. attire...drumroll please...from e-bay! It was a real deal (a very nice gown and tam...purchased seperately, but both the good kind, not the junky kind!). The former owner was a dentist, so the velvet on the hood was a lilac color...I got some "education blue" velvet on clearance at JoAnn Fabrics, and Sister Joan is going to sew it up for me. I got the "outfit " probably a year and a half ago...I knew that the big day would be coming up "some day"!

THANKS AGAIN, everyone!!

[Galician]

I seem to remember something about Bishops and Cardinals wearing three and four cornered variants with sewn in piping. I may be wrong but it was in my brain and jumped out on the page.

As the literate class, the clergy would wear what became the doctoral cap. Part of the traditional dress of the Roman clergy is a cap with a stiff "wing" on it for easy handling. For the general clergy, it would be all black, bishops wore a purple one, while cardinals got to show off their red. It's called a biretta. Is this what you had in mind?

[andyfg]

As the literate class, the clergy would wear what became the doctoral cap. Part of the traditional dress of the Roman clergy is a cap with a stiff "wing" on it for easy handling. For the general clergy, it would be all black, bishops wore a purple one, while cardinals got to show off their red. It's called a biretta. Is this what you had in mind?

There is a very good article on the development of the "pileus quadratus" here:
http://www.academicapparel.com/caps/...blishment.html
Piece of trivia: My university Newcastle-upon-Tyne decided in the 1960s that hats would no longer be part of the regalia. In US academic processions everyone wears a hat. So, I wrote to the powers that be at Newcastle to ask permission to wear a hat. They agreed and said I could wear a Durham University tam or some other suitable hat. As an ordained bishop I chose a soft velvet pileus quadratus. I am usually the only one wearing said hat! I think it goes well with formal kilt and regalia.

[Galician]

Thanks, Bishop Andy. It's a very detailed and informative site. I have only one comment (often heard on this forum): pics???