A Grave Decent Gown: The 1690 Glasgow Gown Order

Abstract

In 1690 the University of Glasgow ordered gown for two of its officers, the invoice for which is in the University's archives. This article relies on the document to examine the designs of the gowns in details, to see how they influenced academic dress at the University to the present day, and to understand the political statement they made at the time, when newly appointed officers were seeking to exercise their authority in the context of a changed national political scene.