A brief history of court attire.

 
   A Serjeant of the Law, war and wys 
   That often hadde been at the Parvys 
 
   And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. 
   He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote 
   Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres small; 
   Of his array telle I no longer tale. 
 
   A Serjeant of the Law, wary and wise 
   Who'd often been at St. Paul's steps, to 
   advise 
 
   And every statute he could state by rote 
   He rode but simply in a medley coat, 
   Girded with a belt of silk, with little bars, 
  ...