[An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies by Robert Knox]@TWC D-Link book
An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies

PART III
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Riches are not here valued, nor make any the more Honourable.

For many of the lower sorts do far exceed these Hondrews in Estates.

But it is the Birth and Parentage that inobleth.
[How distinguished from others.] These are distinguished from others by their names, and the wearing of their cloth, which the Men wear down half their Legs, and the Women to their Heels: one end of which Cloth the Women fling over their Shoulders, and with the very end carelesly cover their Breasts; whereas the other sort of Women must go naked from the wast upwards, and their Cloaths not hang down much below their Knees: except it be for cold; for then either Women or Men may throw their Cloth over their Backs.

But then they do excuse it to the Hondrews, when they meet them, saying, Excuse me, it is for warmth.
[The distinction by Caps.] They are distinguished also by their own Countrey-Caps, which are of the fashion of Mitres: there are two flaps tied up over the top of the Crown.

If they be Hondrews, their Caps are all of one Colour, either White or Blew: if of inferior quality, than the Cap and the flaps on each side be of different Colours, whereof the Flaps are always Red.
[Of the Hondrews two sorts.] Of these Hondrews there be two sorts, the one somewhat Inferior to the other as touching Marriage; but not in other things.


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