Hi Chris, A partlet was a an article of apparel worn about the neck and upper part of the chest, chiefly by women: orig. a neckerchief of linen or the like; a collar or ruff; also, a kind of habit-shirt. [OED] Canvas was also used for clothing - strong or coarse unbleached cloth made of hemp or flax. Perhaps not quite so coarse as sailcloth, more like coarse linen? I agree with Paul and Lyn on holidays and kerchief. Cheers, Liz Quoting Chris Bartlett <woodcom@ihug.co.nz>: > > Hello all > > I am transcribing a long 1609 will of Alice Startup alias > Bartlett who leaves a long list of clothes to various > people and have two recurring words that seem to describe > the garment. The writing though quite small is relatively > good and most words are quite easy to read > > The first seems to apply mostly to Partletts where several > are described as a "holilayes" or "holilazes" or "holidayes" > partlett. > > The other item also seems to be an item of clothing and is > spelt a couple of ways but seems to be "carcheife" or "carc_eise" > > In one line this is put into context as > "one paire of bought cloth stockings two holilayes carcheifes > & one holilayes partlett and my new blanket" > > I am also curious about the quality of what was called "canvas" > at the time Quite a number of items are described as being > canvas including canvas sheets and a couple of canvas towels. > The only canvas I know is a very heavy material used for outdoor > awnings and tents. Was the material talked about the will a much > finer fabric. > > regards > Chris Bartlett