According to Beth Marie Kosir, “The codpiece came into
existence during the Middle Ages, became popular during the reigns of the
Yorkist monarchs in England
[and] attained full prominence during the reign of Henry VIII.” Portraits of Renaissance leaders, such as
Francis I and Emperor Charles V, attest to its global appeal.
The over-sized proportions of Henry VIII’s codpieces support
the theory that as a fashion accoutrement, the codpiece represented “a
statement of the virility of the individual” (Reed). Acting also as a whimsical sex promotion object, it helped a man
establish his rank among other males in competitive royal courts ranging across
Europe .
The codpiece fell out of favour during the reign of Queen
Elizabeth I and, unlike many other fashion trends, it is doubtful that it will
ever return to common use again.
Kosir, Beth Marie.
“Modesty to Majesty: The Development of the Codpiece.” Richard
III Society: American Branch. Web. 22 December 2014.
Reed, C. S. “The
Codpiece: Social Fashion or Medical Need?”
Internal Medicine
Journal.
2004: 684-686. Print.
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