Have you wondered why Judges in England wear Wigs

The Real Reason is Here

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Have you ever wondered why Judges in a few European countries wear wigs in the courtroom? For some, it may seem peculiar, and for others, it may look funnier. Keeping all the speculations aside, let me reveal to you the facts. You should understand that there is a reason behind wearing this attire. First things first, the attire that the Judges wear on their head is called ‘perukes’. In common terms, it is referred to as a wig.

Tradition

Wearing perukes has a long history. It goes back centuries. As per a source, this started in the 17th century. Even today, the judges wear this attire, considering it a historical tradition. The perukes are also called as periwig. King Louis XIII started this custom around 1624. And, the funny fact behind this act is to hide his premature boldness. King Louis XIV (son of King Louis XIII), who had full hair, didn’t follow this tradition in his younger days. However, he did give in during 1670 when he was old. Soon after that, perukes became one of the essential items of attire that a nobleman at the court had to use.

Authority

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The head attire symbolizes authority. And we know that Judges have authority. Their decisions can change the lives of people, be it criminal or otherwise. Judges wear perukes to highlight their position and power. Research disclosed that people who break laws, criminals and offenders, blur out the truth, intimidated by the judges wearing perukes.

Formality

The Judge, being a supreme and powerful designation, needed a formal code of dress. Along with their formal court dress, wearing head attire (peruke) became a part of it. The attire of Judges and noblemen at court thus became a symbol for their leadership and diplomatic skills. Surprisingly, even today, many lawbreakers, unethical businessmen, first-time criminals, and other offenders fear the formal attire of Judges. There are many instances where a lot of lawbreakers have spoken out about the truth and admitted their guilt.

Anonymity

The life of a Judge is at risk and unsafe. The judges, having given many ‘For’ and ‘Against’ verdicts, become the targets of grudgers. In light of this aspect, it became important that the anonymity of judges matters too. Considering this, as a part of not disclosing their full face, wearing the head attire was considered a lifesaver.

The Contribution of Hollywood Movies

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Many Hollywood movies have contributed to the popularity of the head attire of Judges in the courtroom. ‘Pulp Fiction’, a crime and thriller released in 1994, has a big hand in making wigs iconic. The popular Captain Jack Sparrow (yes, I am talking about Johnny Depp) attire of dreadlocks and beads was a form of peruke. And you know what, people just loved it. Heath Ledger (Joker character ) in the movie ‘The Dark Knight’ used a green wig. And this is a type of peruke. Apart from this, many other Hollywood movies used various types of peruke for their popular characters. In the movies ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’, various colorful perukes were used to highlight a uniqueness in the fantasy characters.

From historic to tradition, from tradition to formal, from formal to authority and anonymity, the perukes have grown a long way. It has become a most needed essential part of various attire in Hollywood movies. This head attire, apart from giving non-human features, acts as a peculiar stylizing element.

Present Scenario

Presently, the use of a peruke (apart from Hollywood movies) is not so prominent and quite restricted. They are not in use in every courtroom. Still, judges and barristers use them even today, especially in criminal trials. In cities and regions such as England and Wales, the perukes are still a part of attire and can be seen used by Judges.

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