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17th Century France : THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY in France was the age of Cardinals Mazarin and Richelieu. It was a time of duels and intrigue, as immortalized by Alexander Dumas in The Three Musketeers. Men may have appeared foppish, but both their costume and their gestures made it obvious that they were always ready - and often anxious - for a fight. 1 A nobleman wearing a hat of beaver fur, decorated with an extravagant feather plume. His doublet has small epaulettes and bouffant sleeves, and his shoes are decorated with a cluster of ribbons gathered into a rosette shape. 2 A noblewoman wearing an enormous headdress, consisting of a wire base covered with tulle. 3 A man dressed in an extravagant costume frilled with lace and ribbons, who is walking in the affected manner of a gallant. 4 A gentleman wearing a long jacket in the manner of an overcoat - slung over his shoulders and held on with his left hand. 5 The Comtesse de Saint-Bel-monte, an aggressive and rather masculine woman, who liked nothing better than to wear men's clothes, ride astride a horse and fight duels. 6 It was considered stylish for a gentleman to sling a cape casually over one shoulder like this, leaving the spare hand at the hip ready to draw the sword. This gentleman is wearing matching collar and cuffs, and a doublet slashed behind and pulled in at the waist with a belt made of ribbons. 7 A horseman, dressed in military style and twirling his moustache - a long lock of hair from his wig - with his left hand. 2.8 This gentleman has his cape draped over his shoulders and pulled across his face to conceal his identity. It was usual for a gentleman to do this when entering a crowded room - he would survey the gathering for potential enemies without being seen himself. 2.9 Having drawn his sword, a gentleman would use his cape like a shield during a duel. 10 & 11 Noblemen, wearing similar costumes to those in 1. Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy!
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