Quote Originally Posted by Galician View Post
As the literate class, the clergy would wear what became the doctoral cap. Part of the traditional dress of the Roman clergy is a cap with a stiff "wing" on it for easy handling. For the general clergy, it would be all black, bishops wore a purple one, while cardinals got to show off their red. It's called a biretta. Is this what you had in mind?
There is a very good article on the development of the "pileus quadratus" here:
http://www.academicapparel.com/caps/...blishment.html
Piece of trivia: My university Newcastle-upon-Tyne decided in the 1960s that hats would no longer be part of the regalia. In US academic processions everyone wears a hat. So, I wrote to the powers that be at Newcastle to ask permission to wear a hat. They agreed and said I could wear a Durham University tam or some other suitable hat. As an ordained bishop I chose a soft velvet pileus quadratus. I am usually the only one wearing said hat! I think it goes well with formal kilt and regalia.