Walking through the picture gallery with the children in the hall of the Renaissance can become crimson with shame. In all the pictures with the men in the groin area flaunts a strange piece of clothing that sticks out and «exalts» manhood. What it is? And why a man in every way emphasized their genitals?
Some fashion historians believe that it was the prototype of the male fly. But other experts say that to the fly "vulgar" item pants irrelevant. The name of this part of the leg codpiece. Why it was needed?
The word "codpiece" has Dutch roots and translates as "valve" or "blade". He appeared in the men's locker room between the XIII-XIV centuries. The peak of his popularity he achieved under Henry VIII.
How it arose?
An important detail codpiece served on the knight's armor. Male body quite vulnerable, so the soldiers needed further protection of this part of the body. At first it was made of chain mail, and then began to pour out of the steel in the form of a capsule. In the Middle Ages codpiece called "shameless capsule."
By the way, this piece wardrobe embodied not only in painting but also in literature. Himself François Rabelais mentions codpiece in his novel "Gargantua and Pantagruel".
modern codpiece
Elegant fashion of the Renaissance went into oblivion, and with it, and the protrusion of manhood. Show everyone that you have in your pants again became indecent. Pompous codpiece receded into the background, giving way to his new "kinsman". Codpiece though and I stayed in the same place, but substantially transformed. Now we can see it on men's breeches and shorts. Somewhere he fastens with buttons, somewhere just exist as pockets, for the convenience of using the restroom. Some historians believe the fashion that served as a prototype codpiece comfortable men's zip his pants.
Photos from public sources
