Irish mantles were large, woollen overcoats. They bothered many English commentators for their ability to conceal.
Fynes Moryson (1566-1630): “worn over the head and ears … down to the heels, a notorious villain lapped in them may pass any town … without being known.” pic.twitter.com/JOBacIsZrQ
— 500 Years of Dürer’s Irish (@duerersireland) August 20, 2021
The long ‘manager’s puffa’ of its day.
Good times.
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wooly colonial thinking
Penny-drop moment….perhaps!
Is this where the phrase “assuming” or “taking on the mantle” comes from?
Could be; I remember on a tour of St.Patrick’s Cathedral hearing the origin of the expression: “Chance your arm”.
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-saying-chancing-your-arm
That’s deadly @Paulus.
Nice one :)
Aha!
From t’interweb: Etymology of the phrase “assume the mantle” – From the act of putting on particular robes of office.
Mantle itself is described as “a loose sleeveless cloak or shawl”.
Not specifically Irish I would imagine.
Thanks for the rabbit-hole Broadsheet.
Mantel is the German for coat