[LMB] A Barrayaran just-so-story

[Peter H. Granzeau]

At 08:51 AM 6/8/2006, Helen Hancox wrote:
>Nelson was Navy.
>
>You can see him wearing his wonderful Tricorne hat on the top of Nelson's
>Column in Trafalgar Square.

Actually, the cocked hat Nelson is wearing is bicorne; tricorne would 
have had a point at the front.  It is the kind commonly called "fore 
and aft", as it was worn with one point forward, usually.  It was 
worn sideways, possibly as an affectation, during Napoleonic times 
and for some time after.  As late as 1960, it was still an optional 
item of uniform for USN flag officers, to be worn with formal dress 
(that is, a uniform that corresponded to civilian white tie and 
tails) and a cloak.  I would hazard a guess that no one ever dressed 
in that manner after 1941, however.  The bicorne hat was also 
sometimes worn rakishly aslant, as well.

I have heard that Napoleon wore his hat sideways as his head was 
wider than it was long, and the hat fit more securely that way.


-- 
Regards, Pete
pgranzeau at cox.net