In widespread use from the late sixteenth century through the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, this sturdy, broad brimmed knit then fulled cap was particularly favoured by sailors and is the wide brim counterpart of the famous Monmouth Labourer’s Cap. Often referred to as a ‘Peter the Great’ hat, it may also be known by a number of other names.

Recent research suggests that it is possible that this form is the Monmouth Cap referred to in historic sources, and that the flat brimmed version commonly known as the Monmouth Cap today is, whilst of the right date and from Monmouth, a somewhat lighter variation on the theme.

As with all my Historic Hat series of patterns, this begins with a brief discussion of the style, references extant hats and written sources, and provides documentation where appropriate.

Another must have hat for the serious re-enactor, it also makes a very fine fishing hat for more modern wearers!

Minor errata to the historic notes on older versions of this pattern, there is a date ref on page 4 to ‘1940’, it should be 1640 which makes far more sense. This should be correct in any current purchases