In the 17th century it was considered extremely rude, if not blasphemous,  to go bare-headed.  The type of hat depended on what you could afford - an ostrich feather used as decoration on the stereo-typical broad-brimmed hat might cost the equivalent of six week's pay for a common soldier (who might instead wear the knitted monmouth cap or woollen montero) .

In befitting his station, Major Hargreaves, has acquired a most splendid headgear - debuted at Berkeley Castle in April 2005.  This page is dedicated to that hat
.

News of the new hat quickly spreads through the shocked  ranks of the gentry.

Major Hargreaves' hat has the ability to block complete monuments from view

The ostrich needs feeding twice a day and must have regular exercise.

'If he doesn't get that feather away from my nose I will find a new place to store my drumstick'

Concern mounts as to the possibility of a light breeze that may dislodge the hat.  A young pikeman bows under the strain.

The experimental windbreak for the protection of over-sized hats

This hat is still being trained

This hat has illusions of grandeur but a small crow's feather will never quite be accepted in the best society.

The broad-brimmed monmouth cap was reputedly designed to mimic the broad-brimmed hat.  This  can have fooled no-one, despite the obvious style and  sophistication of its wearers.

Troops blindly follow their leader - mainly because the ostrich feather obscures any view!

Major Hargreaves explains to a deputation of scruffy musketeers why it was necessary to spend their wages on purchasing his fine hat

The hat loses a staring competition with the pike division ...

... and the musketeers shoot the trainee hat.

But the hat of glory marches on! More soon from series Hats of the Fairfax Battalia!

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