Nobilis Francus, Francus

Engraving, part of 'Habitus variarum orbis gentium' (Costumes of the various peoples of the world), representing the costumes of men and women from various parts of the world, engraved after designs by Boissard and published by Rutz in 1581.

This engraving represents two French noblemen and a Frenchman. On the left, the first nobleman wears an unbuttoned striped jerkin over a long-sleeved striped doublet, with shuttle-shaped embellishments on the sleeves, tight knee breeches, stockings and flat shoes with rounded points. The collar of his shirt is slightly ruffled. He wears an open cape with a brocaded pattern of scrolling leaves over his shoulders. His hair is short and curly, as is his beard. He wears a headdress made of feathers and carries a long sword on his left hip. A scarf with fringed edges is tied around his left arm. He holds a pair of gloves in his left hand.

The second nobleman wears a slashed doublet with long, slit sleeves over long tiered puff sleeves, with large pearl buttons down the front, long tight breeches and flat shoes with rounded toes. His shirt has a ruff, which frames his short, curly beard. He wears a headdress with a sort of headscarf with stripes on his head. He carries a long, thin sword on his left hip.

The Frenchman wears an unbuttoned striped jerkin over a doublet with long puff sleeves, trunk hose with a brocaded floral motif, stockings and flat shoes with rounded toes. His shirt has a wide ruff. He wears a cape of two tiers over his shoulders, with large fastenings, and a hat with ribbon bows. A belt is tied across his chest, holding his long, thin sword, which hangs behind his left hip.