Chaperon

The headgear this man is wearing is called a chaperon -- related to the modern French word chapeau. The chaperon could be a simple hood or a very elaborate one with a liripipe or hanging point so long that it had to be wound around the head to avoid tripping over it.

The picture is from the Chapel Saint-Erige, probably completed in the year 1451, a time when chaperons were extremely fashionable throughout Europe.

It was not until the early part of the eighteenth century that people began to use the word chaperon or chaperone to designate elderly aunts, ladies-in-waiting, or other persons charged with making sure that young people didn't get into the sort of mischief they are likely to get into when left to their own devices.

Apparently, the term was originally metaphorical. The chaperon protected the young person the way the hood protected the head.

Comments

Can you enlighten me? I thought this was a capuchon? how does a capuchon differ from a chaperon?

Thanks

[lo]

a capuchon is a hood, a chaperon is what you see above