The accounts given of William's Court are surprizing for that age, when one would suppose our ancestors to have been rough and unpolished, little addicted to the softer vices, and totally unacquainted with the effeminacies of succeeding times; but we find that, notwithstanding men's minds were then so much turned to war and athletic diversions, excess and sensuality prevailed in a very scandalous manner among the Nobility, and even among the Clergy. Vanity, lust, and intemperance, reigned through the whole kingdom. The men appeared so effeminate in their dress and manners, that they shewed themselves men in nothing but their attempts upon the chastity of women[98]. So William of Malmsbury, speaking of the effeminacy of William Rufus's Court, says, "Mollitie corporis certare cum fœminis--gressum frangere--gestu soluto--et latere nudo incedere, Adolescentium specimen erat: enerves--emolliti--expugnatores alienæ pudicitiæ, prodigi suæ." By many evidences it appears that a luxury in apparel was very general among the Nobles and Gentry of that age; even the Nuns were not free from it. [98] Eadmer. The garments of the English, before their intermixture with the Normans, were generally plain; but they soon adopted the fashions of these new-comers, and became as magnificent in their dress as their fortunes could bear[99]. So that we see the French have, ever since the Conquest, been the standard of the English dress; and though we often complain of the folly of our times, in adopting French modes, it appears to be a practice that has existed time immemorial. Lord Lyttelton informs us (from Ordericus Vitalis) that there was a revolution in dress in William Rufus's reign, not only in England, but in all the Western parts of Europe; and that, instead of close coats, which till then had been used, as most commodious for exercise and a military life, trailing garments with long sleeves, after the manner of the Asiaticks, were universally worn. The men were also very nice in curling and dividing their hair, which, on the fore-part of their heads, was suffered to grow very long, but cut short behind[100];--a style of head-dressing, which, if introduced now, would spoil all the _Macaroni's_ of the age; for their comfort, however, it may be inferred from hence that similar beings have long subsisted in some shape or other. [99] Lord Lyttelton. [100] Introduction to Life of Henry II.