Prompt Cast
The Tradition and Purpose of Wearing Wigs in British Courts
TLDR Lawyers in Britain wear wigs in formal and solemn proceedings for anonymity and disguise in criminal court, a tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Originally worn due to the prevalence of syphilis and hair loss, wigs are still mandatory in criminal cases, although there have been efforts to make them optional.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Lawyers in Britain wear wigs, but the reason behind it is not related to their roles as defense attorneys or prosecutors.
02:03
Lawyers in Britain wear wigs for formal and solemn proceedings, as well as for anonymity and disguise in criminal court.
04:08
Wigs in the British court system have been around for hundreds of years, even after they went out of fashion, and there are different styles for barristers and judges.
06:11
Wigs in the British court system are traditionally made of horse hair, but have also been made from other materials such as goat hair, cotton, and even human hair.
08:28
Wigs started to be worn in English courts because syphilis was rampant and losing one's hair was a common symptom of the disease.
10:35
Wigs fell out of fashion in Europe, including England, within less than 100 years, but they are still worn in criminal cases in English courts.
12:35
Wigs are still required to be worn in criminal cases in English courts, but there have been efforts to make them non-mandatory.
Categories:
Society & Culture
