This cap belonged to Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, a politician, lawyer and poet who lived at West Woodhay. This style of cap helped to keep the wearer warm. This is a particularly ornate example but most people wore something similar made of plain fabric. Rudyerd was closely connected with the colonial activities of John Pym’s ‘circle’ during the 1630s, and suggested the name of the Providence Island Company, which worked towards establishing the Providence Island colony on Providence Island and Mosquito Coast of what became Nicaragua. Rudyerd supported the parliamentarian cause during the first Civil War.
Period: Early 17th century
Place: West Woodhay
