INGENUITY AND LUXURY 



were in use, and from the time required for the evo- 

 lution of gloves to this stage of perfection, we may gain 

 some conception of the great antiquity of the custom 

 of glove-wearing. 



Gloves were conspicuous during the Middle Ages as 

 part of the regalia of kings, princes, and clergy. 

 Among the many beneficial laws made by Charlemagne 

 was one which allowed the clergy unlimited hunting- 

 rights in order that they might kill a sufficient number 

 of deer to provide themselves with skins for their 

 gloves and book-covers. At that time a hidden sig- 

 nificance had been given to the custom of glove-wearing, 

 gauntlets playing an important part in some ecclesi- 

 astical rites and ceremonies, and certain ceremonies 

 of kings and princes. This led to great extravagance 

 in designs and peculiarities in the patterns of gloves, 

 particularly among the nobility and the upper church- 

 men. These extravagances became so conspicuous in 

 the fourteenth century when even the lower clergy had 

 been granted the privilege of wearing gloves, that sump- 

 tuary restrictions against any but the plainer types were 

 imposed by the upper churchmen. 



The custom of hawking, which became popular as 

 early as the fourth century, is also responsible for the 

 custom of wearing gauntlet gloves in certain countries. 

 As the hawks were perched on the hand of the hunter, 

 some protection to the hand and wrist was necessary 

 against the sharp talons of the birds. Gauntlet gloves, 

 therefore, came into use, the custom of wearing them 

 while hunting extending itself eventually to other oc- 

 casions. 



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