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 A
Briefe History of the Codpiece
Part the First
by Lord Samuel Piper
The codpiece has held a certain fascination, as well as other
important items, for those of us in the Society for Creative Anachronism. It has
been regarded with fear and ignorance by many men and a certain reverence by
some women. This timely bit of scholarly research should help dispel the fear
and ignorance. Any ladies having problems with the "reverence" bit will need to
speak with me personally.
| Many have assumed that the "cod" in "codpiece" referred to a fish.
Because of modern slang usage, or perhaps due to total loss of touch with
reality, some have assumed that "piece" meant a firearm. Such suppositions
are as far from the etymological truth as can be imagined without rattan
blow induced hallucinations. |
Not a cod fish
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In Middle English, "Cod" (or "Codd" in Old English, "Coddd" in Exceedingly
Old English) meant "bag" or "scrotum", which led to some interesting
moments when dining out at the Renaissance equivalent of Long John Silver's.
"This is the tastiest codd I've ever had in my mouth" was a guaranteed show
stopper, bringing about numerous jokes and a homicide or two.
Also not a cod fish
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The codpiece began as a flat piece of material covering an improvement in men's
fashion -- a well placed slit. This new, "easy access" region in men's pants
allowed men to relieve themselves while standing without lowering their pants.
Soon after this technological breakthrough was coined the popular after ale
phrase "Once more into the breeches." |
The simple flap was buttoned closed, laced closed, tied closed, or
occasionally glued closed after a particularly exciting night at "The Yellowe
Rose Publick Howse."
The codpiece remained flat cloth for a number of years. While visiting England,
Duke Fabrizio of Bologna, dressing hastily after a quick romantic interlude,
used the flap to contain (or perhaps restrain) his nether parts while appearing
before King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn.
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Queen Anne Boleyn |
Queen
Anne, amused at the Italian's conspicuous bulge, remarked "Be that thine codling
or art thou glad to see me?" Of course, "codling" is 15th century English for
either a "small, immature apple" or "any of several elongated greenish English
cooking apples," so we may never know if the Duke's fruit was being ridiculed or
complimented. |
| King Henry was very distressed by the whole business and assumed this
bulge (from Middle French "boulge" meaning "leather bag" or "curved part",
or perhaps "curved part in a leather bag") to be the latest Continental
style in courtly fashions. He immediately ordered his codpieces padded in
order that he not look out of date by comparison to Duke Fabrizio,
commanding, "My codpieces must compare favorably to Bologna." Those tailors,
very literal-minded fellows all, envisioned pork sausages and thus began the
whole size contest that continues to this day. |
Henry VIII
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Common or
"bologna" codpiece
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Egg-shaped or
"huevos rancheros"
codpiece
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Be-ribboned or
"foofy" codpiece
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Armored or
"sausage o' steel"
codpiece
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Richard III
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Coming in Part the Second :
More word origins - What happened when the codpiece of King Richard III (Dick
to his friends) came unbuttoned. |
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