Habit of a German Nobleman in 1577

by Thomas Jefferys

This impressive copperplate engraving gives us an insight into the extremely regulated world of the German aristocrats from the 16th century. This particular plate was produced by Thomas Jefferys, the Geographer to King George III, and it portrays the gentleman in his "Habit," which, at that time, was understood not simply as clothes but as the total social outfit.

The nobleman here is dressed in a high-necked doublet adorned with slashed sleeves, which, being the purpose of this attire, was meant to demonstrate the luxury of underclothes made of expensive linen. The figure is framed by the frilly collars and by the wide pluderhose (paned trunk hose), which indicate that he is a noble and a warrior at once.