Hood of the Month

DA, College of William & Mary

Second only to Harvard as the oldest institution of higher learning in America, the College was founded in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA in 1693 under a charter by William III and Mary II. Its earliest-known colours were orange and white, acknowledging the royal benefactors; but since 1923 they have been green, gold and silver. These are derived from its historic coat of arms, which featured a sun rising over the silvery-grey Christopher Wren building, set amid Virginia’s rolling countryside.

US hoods are generally of a simple shape in what is known as a split salmon cut, with a connecting cord holding the sides together. The hoods vary in size according to the status of the degree, as does the velvet trim around the cowl and on the neckband that indicates the faculty. A doctoral hood, which includes a cape, is the largest at four feet (117 cm) long, with velvet spanning five inches (12.7 cm). Although the intercollegiate code of faculty colours has largely broken down, the older institutions still adhere to it. White velvet is used for the broad areas of liberal arts, literature and humanities.

Hoods are black, with the coloured linings (including the cape, if present) indicating the awarding body. With the proliferation of universities additional bands or chevrons are frequently required in order to avoid duplication. In this particular case, the College’s silks are brightened further by the white velvet, resulting in a most impressive and sumptuous item.  

Andrew Plant, FBS

Photograph courtesy of the author.

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