In ancient Britain, from the earliest time to the arrival of the Saxons, A.D. 450, we can find no mention made of ladies’ head-dress, and but little is mentioned until about 1066, and even at this date not any style existed, although Anglo-Saxon females of all ranks wore a veil, or long piece of linen or silk wrapped around the head and neck. This part of their dress was exceedingly unbecoming, perhaps partly owing to the want of skill in the artists, and this head-dress was seldom worn except when they went from home (see figures on preceding page), as the hair itself was cherished and ornamented with as much attention as in modern times.
In an Anglo-Saxon poem the heroine is called, “The maid of the Creator with twisted locks.”
About this time the fashions began to travel northward from Italy, through Paris to London, and caps, hats, and bonnets of various and fantastic shapes were introduced.
(See figures opposite.)
As Shakspeare said:—
Report of fashions in proud Italy,
Whose manners still our tardy, apish nation
Limps after, in base imitation.
Richard II., Act II., Scene 1.