But let every wearer of a chain or collar avoid the error of making it too long. The ancient collars were quite short, and therefore rested comfortably and easily upon the shoulders. Official collars have however grown to so preposterous a length that they have to be tied with bows of ribbons upon the shoulders to hinder them from slipping off the wearer altogether! The reason of this is curious and instructive. The old collars were, as aforesaid, of sensible dimensions, but the introduction of wigs in the seventeenth century necessitated the collars being lengthened to be worn outside them. Wigs had their day and at last disappeared from general wear, but the lengthened collars remain, and it has not occurred to any one in authority that they might now advantageously be shortened. So the inconvenience goes on.
[20] On the gatehouse the coronet over the arms has been restored.
[21] In 1426 Sir John Bigod lord of Settrington left to his daughter a covered cup 'pounset cum sovenez de moy'; perhaps a gift to him from Henry of Lancaster. Testamenta Eboracensia (Surtees Soc. 4) i. 411.
[22] P.R.O. Issue Rolls (Pells) Mich. 8 Henry IV (1407).
[23] Accounts, Exch. K.R. 404/18.
[24] Notice of the theft of a collar of black silk dotted (stipatum) with silver letters of SS is entered on the Patent Roll of 7 Henry IV (1406), part ii. m. 29.
[25] Harl. MS. 7026, f. 13.
[26] Norwich Sacrist's Register, xi. f. 111.
[27] John Anstis, The Register of the most noble Order of the Garter (London, 1724), ii. 116 note.