Henry VIII and 16th Century Codpieces

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[{"selector":"#anim-20cf4762-00d0-4bc5-a235-0be492ae2203","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b24cd53-1bbe-4103-943a-218effc01294","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] But close study revealed an unexpected item of clothing! Learn more

Codpieces were originally designed to close the gap between the two separate legs of men's tights.

[{"selector":"#anim-c5efa713-9db5-41f8-97e3-01a243d62488","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":900,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b8fadc1-bc96-40a2-9a94-d380e3939fa8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.54795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":2000,"duration":900,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] But what began as simple modesty protectors soon grew into elaborately embroidered silk paddings. Portrait of Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol by Jakob Seisenegger

[{"selector":"#anim-a18390df-baf0-42a9-948b-12d922c34e25","keyframes":[{"transform":"rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","opacity":0},{"transform":"none","opacity":1}],"delay":2000,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both","iterations":1}] ' cod' was slang for the scrotum. Portrait of Antonio Navagero by Moroni

[{"selector":"#anim-99e25ebb-deba-463b-bc00-6a844758b67c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Portrait of Guidubaldo della Rovere by Agnolo Bronzino

[{"selector":"#anim-f41345d3-b7b0-4097-afc7-8db0029d568b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sexually transmitted diseases were rife. A codpiece could protect fancy clothing from ointments and treatments. Portrait of Alessandro Farnese by Alonso Sanchez Coello

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[{"selector":"#anim-68aa1b3d-20cd-4c05-a6e0-5c470b440cbb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Portrait of a Soldier by Giovanni Battista Moroni

[{"selector":"#anim-82ef86be-c5da-470f-a2ab-e87651d71fa0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Portrait of Pier Maria Rossi di San Secondo by Parmigianino

[{"selector":"#anim-54bda393-6d69-4d62-833f-4bffaa4e951a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2000,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sadly the codpiece went out of fashion towards the end of the 16th century. Portrait of Prince Philip of Spain by Titian

Like most men of that era Henry VIII wore his codpiece proudly. He'd be a bit miffed to learn Tina didn't include it in her painting! Learn more