In Medieval Britain, there was a time when to wear the wrong sort of clothing would mean arrest and punishment. This was due in part, to the plague of 1348, when the death of almost half the population led to the distribution of wealth being greater. This meant that those who survived found themselves better off than they had ever been, and the poorer classes began to imitate their social betters in what they wore, ate and how they lived. The Sumptuary Law passed by Edward III was an attempt to restore the social order; by governing exactly how individuals from each class could outwardly display their status.
This form of social control continued until well in to the 17th century. Now, with our relaxed social conformity and (until recently anyway) our greater standard of living, it is only really possible to tell the super-rich and the extremely poor from the rest of us. Who you are, and how you fare in life is much harder to read from outward signs. Unless, for example, you are graduating from the University of Cambridge. Here, tradition pervades thickly, like damp fog on a high hilltop. Navigating your way takes caution, and strict adherence to the official pathway.
The social order is maintained, and displayed: the gown you wear is an outward emblem of what you have become. A 'Mathmo', or perhaps a 'Natsci', each subject having it's own colour, and each level of degree having some other tell-tale sign to those in the know, perhaps the length of the gown, or the length of slit you are permitted. The graduation ceremony itself has elements that are 800 years old, with a parade through the town culminating in a reverential service at the Senate Hall. There is much pomp, with the studious carrying of maces donated by the Duke of Buckingham when Chancellor (1626-28), and earnest entry of the important figures, taking up their allotted places at the front of the hall, while the graduands are assembled in orderly fashion toward the back.
The whole has a feeling of high church or catholic mass. Indeed, the official name for the ceremony is Congregation. There is no doubting who is where in this macrocosmic world. The red gowns are the those at the top, and between them and white fake fur of the BAs are subtle degrees (yes, I know) of social order. As I watched my son, Gareth (Mathmo, Masters, blue flash in the gown) kneel before the Vice-Chancellor, I though, how very medieval. How very moving. Long may it continue.
This form of social control continued until well in to the 17th century. Now, with our relaxed social conformity and (until recently anyway) our greater standard of living, it is only really possible to tell the super-rich and the extremely poor from the rest of us. Who you are, and how you fare in life is much harder to read from outward signs. Unless, for example, you are graduating from the University of Cambridge. Here, tradition pervades thickly, like damp fog on a high hilltop. Navigating your way takes caution, and strict adherence to the official pathway.
The social order is maintained, and displayed: the gown you wear is an outward emblem of what you have become. A 'Mathmo', or perhaps a 'Natsci', each subject having it's own colour, and each level of degree having some other tell-tale sign to those in the know, perhaps the length of the gown, or the length of slit you are permitted. The graduation ceremony itself has elements that are 800 years old, with a parade through the town culminating in a reverential service at the Senate Hall. There is much pomp, with the studious carrying of maces donated by the Duke of Buckingham when Chancellor (1626-28), and earnest entry of the important figures, taking up their allotted places at the front of the hall, while the graduands are assembled in orderly fashion toward the back.
The whole has a feeling of high church or catholic mass. Indeed, the official name for the ceremony is Congregation. There is no doubting who is where in this macrocosmic world. The red gowns are the those at the top, and between them and white fake fur of the BAs are subtle degrees (yes, I know) of social order. As I watched my son, Gareth (Mathmo, Masters, blue flash in the gown) kneel before the Vice-Chancellor, I though, how very medieval. How very moving. Long may it continue.
This "traditional" ceremony will be held all over the country over the next few weeks. I suppose Cambridge and Oxford are the gold standard in this regard. There is something awesome and even in a strange way comforting in the ritual, and yes, spiritual in it's solemnity.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that In the modern social order there is a sort of inverse "law" the more "bling" displayed would put a person in a certain social class - usually unwaged as in on benefits or in a position to open Parliament. Most unPC maybe.
Many congrats to Gareth, I suspect that Edinburgh (if he is still going there) will work at upstaging the English colleges ;0)
Thanks for the comment Sue. Maybe they should bring back some sort of law to stop the wearing of fake jewellery, just as imitation finery was outlawed in the 14thC! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Danny,
ReplyDeleteI read the whole article about Cambridge and had no idea why you were
there - obviously you were. Then came the last part ...
Very moving! You definitely can write and find the right words!!
Congratulation! Through all the troubles of raising children there's no
guarantee for parents that their offspring would make it. What better sign
for a success is there, looking at a son with pride.
I don't want to post this on the blog - I try not to be present with my
e-mail or a profile in the internet 'community'. But if you like you can
post it for me, using my first name. At least that's how I proceeded with
blogs of friends so far.
I want to read the book you mentioned in your first blog entry. But I have
around 20 books borrowed from friends and family that I have to read
first. I'll keep it in mind.
Your son finished his studies! I hope you are not on the border of
depression right now because I have to say it - that makes you look
'reichlich erwachsen' (a phrase meaning you've been an adult for a loooong
time). What's that about Edinburgh? Did he find work there or does he
continue his studies?
Bye
Karin