Uniforms of English Court Trumpeters

1500’s - 2004

One of the more challenging aspects of trying to recreate an authentic appearance for H.M. Heralds is the uniform.  Unfortunately, historical documentation of the reign of Elizabeth I, does not provide a lot of “quality” iconography showing how the trumpeters were attired.  The following gives a pictorial chronology of English Trumpeters through the ages in order for us to develop a design for Elizabethan Trumpeters uniforms that would not be inappropriate.

 

 

Henry viii- 1511

 

According to the Great Westminster Scroll of 1511, a scroll that chronicles the ceremony surrounding the celebration of Catherine of Aragon giving Henry a son, the trumpeters depicted on horseback wear cassocks of Grey and Yellow with red hose.

 

In 1501, the uniform of the Yeoman of the Guard was quite different than the Trumpeters.  Showing the Tudor Household colors of green and white:

 

 

 1558 – 1603 Elizabeth 1

 To the left is one of the very few color plates in existence that depicts Elizabeth’s Court Trumpeters. This plate is for 1603.  Unfortunately, this is her funeral procession, and of course, everyone was dressed in black. The figure behind the trumpeters is the Herald of the Collage of Arms.  He wears the royal tabard over his mourning attire, whereas the Trumpeters only carry the banner on their trumpets.  This would seem to indicate that the trumpeters never wore anything that would mistake them as a Herald.

 

We know from this entry in the Lord Chamberlains book that when trumpeters were sent on the high seas for service, what they were issued the following:

 

“1557, May 18 – Warrant to deliver white and green cloth “for cassocks and mariners sloppes” to Stephan Medcalf, Richard Frynde, Thomas Watercrosse and Peter Farewell, four trumpeters appointed to attend Lord William Haward of Effingham, high admiral of England, upon the seas.”

 

When Elizabeth rode to London to show support for her Stepsister Mary upon her ascent to the throne, the following was recorded as Elizabeth entered London:  “Riding proudly at the head of an impressive entourage, Elizabeth reached London on 29 Jul with 2000 mounted men wearing the green and white Tudor colors, ..”

 

In Alision Weir’s book about Elizabeth, we find this quote from a letter describing Elizabeth’s ride into London on the eve of her Coronation: “... Before the Queen marched her trumpeters in scarlet, while behind her rode Robert Dudley as Master of the Horse..."

 

Based on these historical accounts, we can surmise that the Trumpeters had uniforms that would fit various occasions.

 

The uniform for the Yeoman of the Guard during the time of Elizabeth in 1575:

1700’s

The uniforms of the Trumpeters from 1700 on are well documented.  Note the changes of the head apparel, but the basic uniform retains its long surcoat coat style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distinctively different and retaining a style that dates back to 1500’s, a Heralds Tabard from the reign of Queen Ann (1702).  This basic style of Ceremonial Tabard has not changed since the 1500’s and continues to be used in modern a ceremonies.  Note its basic shape and similarity to the cassocks worn by the trumpeters for Henry VIII.

1800’s

 

Royal State Trumpeter and the 1st Life Guards Trumpeter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1900’s

 

State Trumpeters – George VI, Elizabeth II

It is interesting to note that from the late 1700’s to Modern day, the official State Trumpeters Uniform has changed very little.  The use of trumpeters for ceremonial purposes has evolved to include not only the State Trumpets who are akin to the Household Court Trumpeters of Henry and Elizabeth I, but the military also has trumpeters assigned for their ceremonial purposes.

 

 

 

Uniforms of H.M. Heralds

 

 

In portraying the Royal Court or Household trumpeters of Elizabethan England, we have to differentiate between everyday attire for the trumpeters and ceremonial.  In most faires that we support, Her Majesty is on progress, visiting her people.  This would call for her household to be in everyday attire, as the ceremonial attire would be reserved for those occasions where Elizabeth was receiving foreign emissaries back in London, at the palaces.

 

Based on our research, the large gaps in documentation of the trumpeters’ wardrobe gives us a little bit of leeway in designing what might be an acceptable uniform for an Elizabethan Trumpeter.  Given that the Tudor Household colors were a sage green and white, from Henry VIII through Elizabeth, we can surmise that this very well could have been the color used in everyday wear based on the entries in the Lord Chamberlains Book of Accounts.  The question here would be which color was where, was the cloth striped, halved or quartered?

 

Also in question is whether or not the trumpeters wore a cassock as indicated by the entry in the book of accounts for sea service, or a simple tabard over the shirt and breeches as depicted in the Yeoman’s uniform of 1501?  Throughout the book of accounts, the only time a cassock is mentioned is in direct relation to service at sea.  In Alison Weir’s book of Elizabeth, she quotes a reference to a letter that discusses the preparations of Elizabeth’s Coronation. Weir states that the Trumpeters and Heralds both received new tabards. Since this was preparation for a ceremony, the writer probably means cassocks, as this type of dress is more formal.  Since we are discussing everyday wear, and not ceremonial, for our purposes, we selected the simple tabard vice a ceremonial tabard or cassock. As for the quartering shown, that determination was made for a very simple reason at the time of creation, availability of cloth in a length long enough to not have to be pieced together.  

 

Shirt – Standard long sleeved with a box-pleated collar.  In the funeral plate, they are wearing an Elizabethan ruff.  Since this was a ceremony, we have chosen a box pleat shirt.  White was selected as by this time, we are surmising that Elizabeth has declared that only she and her Yeoman shall wear purple.

 

For breeches, basic black Venetian style was selected for the Trumpeters with a band above the knee.  Because of his rank, the Sgt. Trumpeter wears paned slops accented with red as depicted at the right. To cover the legs, Black or Red hosen, depending on rank of the Trumpeter.

 

For everyday wear, a simple flat cap.  For ceremonial purposes, we see in the iconography available, that a Tall Black Hat would replace this.