New Event: From Monastery to Mortar Boards – a living history of academic dress
Posted: 23rd October 2026
This event provides a special opportunity to share with Educators, (who have a black academic robe as their formal “clothing”), the Burgon Society's fascination with academic dress. With the help of the Master Educator and the Burgon Society's Chairman we will share the history of our organisations and their traditions of robes/regalia of office.
Speakers from the Burgon Society will explain the roots of academical dress in medieval clerical garb and sumptuary laws and give a whistle stop tour of key features of robes for those new to the topic. We will be showing examples from the Burgon Society Archives and bringing a range of academic dress from faith-based universities and other religious institutions which Members may not have seen.
We ask those attending to come wearing interesting examples of academic dress if they can and for Burgon Society members to be ready to explain what they are wearing to other participants. Educators are welcome to wear their normal black gown in any case.
Tickets may be booked here
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