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The Codpiece
By Madeline | January 13, 2008
The codpiece, or in Middle English was referred to as a codpece, which literally translated from Latin to mean scrotum bag, has an interesting origination. As is common knowledge, all men in the medieval days all the way through the Tudor era wore hose. These hose were not equipped with the convenient flap that most boxer shorts and pants have today, but were actually knit and sewn with the crotch completely missing. Honestly, this is where the teenager that still lives inside of me cannot help but giggle to imagine a man standing in his crotchless hose with his junk hanging out.
Anyhoo, back to the original topic – the codpiece. Initially, the crotchless pants that men wore were perfectly sensible and, of course, convenient as the tunics they wore were longer. As fashion began to shorten the tunics, it became obvious that men needed a more substantial covering over the boys, thus the codpiece came about. Originally, it was a simple flap or pouch that tied or buttoned to allow easy access for, you know, whatever it happened to be needed for. However, as the years progressed, it became the central focus of many mens attire and it was not uncommon to have them padded to embellish the size a little. It soon became popular to include codpieces on armor and this is where it really started getting fun, because they actually started to sculpt the metal into obscene and terrible humorous codpieces that were so large it’d make a forty year old whore cower in the corner.
The codpiece finally lost its appeal once Elizabeth I took over the throne as the style suddenly became prevalent for the crotches of men to be a slender as possible – probably to emulate the power of feminity as Elizabeth was their sole sovereign. I do find this a little strange though considering how much Elizabeth loved her men.
Ultimately, when the codpieces were in fashion, size certainly did matter. Yes, you know I HAD to throw that in here somewhere… Hehehe
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