• Renaissance noblemen let their private bits dangle in cloth containers.
• This mimics the protected openings used in knightly armor for urination while wearing armor.
• An important consideration in battle--now rendered into a fashion statement with courtiers.
Why wear hose?
• How else will the knight show off his calf-muscles--which demonstrate his ability to “cling” to the saddle using his legs and guide the horse--even without stirrups? The courtiers (even without horses) still think of themselves as knights….
•Note the “ruff” around the neck--made to resemble protective shoulder harness on late armor.
Why the feather?
• Note the feather again?
• The Courtier is still wearing a sword--because duels still happen.