HAT, a covering for the head, worn by the men throughout the western part of Europe. Hats are said to have been first seen about the year 1400, at which time they became of use for country wear, riding, &c. F. Daniel relates, that when Charles VII. made his public entry into Rouen, in 1449, he had on a hat lined with red velvet, and surmounted with a plume or tuft of feathers: he adds, that it is from this entry, or at least under this reign, that the use of hats and caps is to be dated, which henceforward began to take place of the chaperoons and hoods that had been worn before. In process of time, from the laity, the clergy also took this part of the habit; but it was looked on as a great abuse, and several regulations were published, forbidding any priest or religious person to appear abroad in a hat without coronets; and enjoining them to keep to the use of chaperoons, made of black cloth, with decent coronets; if they were poor, they were at least to have coronets fastened to their hats, and this upon penalty of suspension and excommunication. Indeed the use of hats is said to have been of a longer standing among the ecclesiastics of Brittany, by 200 years, and especially among the canons; but these were no other than a kind of caps, and from hence arose the square caps worn in colleges, &c. Lobineau observes, that a bishop of Dol, in the 12th century, zealous for good order, allowed the canons alone to wear such hats; enjoining, that if any other person came with them to church, divine service should immediately be suspended.
Hats make a very considerable article in commerce: the finest, and those most valued, are made of pure hair of an amphibious animal, called the castor or beaver, frequent in Canada and other provinces of North America.