A Divine Hat: a History of the Miter

[@Valkanna.Nublet]

No one can top you when it comes to hats, you've got it covered.

[@jamesrivettcarnac]

He is the top hat man around

[@Vesnicie]

Looking fab for Advent!

[@scented-leafpelargonium3366]

Twaddle. 🙄

[@typhoidtyphoon]

Tossing one of these onto the hatstand from a distance would be impressive. Good job, as usual.

[@uzul42]

If the Pope would manage to do that, I would be impressed indeed. _"Francis, Pope Francis"._

[@joanhoffman3702]

This is one of the most wholesome channels on KZbin, and informative and entertaining, as well. Please keep tipping your hat to us. 🎩⛑️🎓🧢🪖👑👒

[@mikeyratcliff3400]

He's a top lad,I wonder what Mercedes could do us, I know I'd be wearing on me head!

[@mikeyratcliff3400]

I said merch you stoopid machine, not Mercedes!

[@lawrencecarlstrom3465]

I'm not sure why I need this information but I do. I have a silly grin whenever you put out a new video. Thanks.

[@bjornkeizers]

That's a miter fine hat you've got there, good sir.

[@hatred9427]

Just when you think Hat Historian has done it all, the next video shows you the most iconic example possible. Another wonderful video to bless the start of December! Thank you kind man!

[@aaronbecker5617]

Raised Catholic and i always wondered why the pope wore a funny hat! Great channel 👏

[@kellydalstok8900]

Wearing funny hats is a prerequisite in religions.

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

The Funny Hat Club has been wondering for a while why its Grand High Poobah no longer wears his best hat.

[@AI-hx3fx]

I love that design of mitre! Very nice one. (Et pax tecum, frater! Good to see a fellow Catholic, and came across this as our new bishop was ordained and enthroned!)

[@vonpfrentsch]

Your way of narrating is so fascinating and bears so many historical facts that we wish you would continue to speak for ever. Thank you for your precious work.

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

Fun fact. In Spanish, the chess bishop is called "alfil," from the Arabic al-fil, "the elephant." Another reason why churches may keep the miter in use is practicality. In a ceremony with lots of people, like a procession, the miter is the only way to know where the bishop is 😄

[@randywatts6969]

Puts me in mind of the opening procession of Vatican II ecumenical council, all 2,000+ bishops were wearing miters

[@danielhixon8209]

I have watched a bunch of your videos, and remain impressed both by your research and the fact that you keep coming up with new hats to talk about. A fellow Anglican priest once told me that the western miter was shaped like a flame, or tongue of fire, to signify the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 in the New Testament. I have no doubt that this was something people came up with later, after the hat was already in use. But it is a good symbol.

[@12oradsrgobry]

Each time I see one of your videos I end up by thinking, well that is it, he did all the hats. You always end up finding another one! Amazing the amount of head gear we put in our heads. Keep it up!

[@Runningtaco]

I got 2 for 1 information in this video. The miter of course, but also why grenadiers had similar head ware. I grew up playing Age of Empires III and always wondered why the grenadier troops had funky looking looking hats and you explained that in this video as well and makes perfect sense so thank you for that my man!

[@patavinity1262]

I had no idea how complex the evolution of the mitre was. From a cone, to a dome, to a double camel hump, to a pair of horns, then a 90° turn, then gradually getting taller and rounder until we have the shape we know today.

[@danukil7703]

0:53 While the Eastern Catholic Churches (such as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, pictured here) do share much in common with the Eastern Orthodox Churches, it is nonetheless important to distinguish them

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Why? They're the same Church if the Creed is correct.

[@kevincrandell7953]

Really enjoy the enthusiasm you bring to the topic.

[@luddite6239]

Fascinating! I'm glad you performed your customary tipping of the hat at the end. Otherwise, we would never have seen that dazzling lining!

[@ornettecoleman5849]

Very interesting video, as always I'll just point out a little mistake : the bishop at 0:55 is not an eastern Orthodox bishop but an eastern Catholic bishop. He uses the eastern (aka byzantine) rite but he's in communion with the pope and not with the eastern Orthodox churches

[@ronfraser5401]

I truly love and look forward to every one of your videos, I never realized that there was so much to hats. Please keep up the great and informative videos.

[@SharonPadget]

Thanks. Love your videos.

[@Zeppflyer]

Have a blessed Advent!

[@xavielzorro6140]

Thank you for your researches and documentation, it is always a pleasure to listen to a brillant man. Would you excuse my poor english as a native French. Well, one day I enjoyed a lesson from my building Master about the "Mitter Pattern" ( I work as stained glass maker) that we fînd sometimes in church bays or pavement tiles....may you find it interresting: the legend tells the same geometry lays under the design for bishop's ones: In shape of a pentagon, the mitter passes through a construction in "Mandorle" (almond) which is the intersection of 2 circles. 3 types of mandorles exist, and one of them used the notorious golden ratio... Then the center of the design steps on the forehead of the bishop ( as a function), the bottom on the heart, and in symetry the upper point above the crown of the head. Well, enough symbolism for today, I wish you the best, Regards

[@LymanPhillips]

Wow! I didn't expect that lovely powder blue silk lining at the end. How luxurious!

[@Paul9443]

Excellently dressed for this video, I am impressed! That Miter is absolutely gorgeous!

[@anthonydiaz2185]

Catholic here. This is fascinating! Thanks for sharing.

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

I always love your videos, and absolutely love seeing Scrooge in the background. It would be interesting to go into detail on the variations of the Top Hat.

[@TheGrenadier97]

It's amazing how things evolve in Catholicism, at least up until the II Vatican Council. One can see a mixture of logic with increasing symbolism and some fancy influence at the same time.

[@helenvojtko9673]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@pickleshanks]

3:55 “…it grew to a point…” is basically the gist of the video.

[@tptman001]

You should do the beiretta.

[@jasonhammond4640]

In woodworking, the miter is a 45° cut or joint. It's been said that it was named after the bishops hat.

[@DrexelGregory]

I’m impressed with how thoroughly accurate this was. Bravo.

[@JasonThu]

I'm curious about the hats often depicted in portrait paintings (or current/contemporary film/TV shows) of Renaissance popes and cardinals. (As in the portraits of this wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Papacy. And sometimes with the hat might have dangling strings on the sides I think.) They look like skull caps / zuchettos (as sometimes depicted being worn under a mitre/papal crown as in Pope Nicholas V's image) but larger and often covering the ears... is that a different type of hat, or is it just a zuchetto fashionable that time (and perhaps to keep the ears warm?)? I haven't been able to really get an answer on that. Hopefully you can help out!

[@tessat338]

Our bishops wear a skull cap like a kippa under their miters, so that their heads are never completely uncovered. I remember that the bishop removes his miter for part of the mass and then puts it back on for other parts.

[@charlotteillustration5778]

Thank you. As ever, very well researched and presented and therefore very entertaining!

[@janerkenbrack3373]

When you mentioned the 16th century excessive height of the miter, I was reminded of the later wearing of excessively tall powdered wigs by fops and dandies during the "macaroni" period. Perhaps there was some influence of the former over the latter. After all, both have a connection to Italy. It seems improbable, but still, ostentation crosses many lines.

[@ericjome7284]

I love your channel. Great work!

[@TheGrenadier97]

Sidenote: medieval bishops who also had secular duties including military may had worn small decorative mitres on top of their helmets in battle, althought it's more probable that they and their men had heraldry instead.

[@TheCatLady65]

Is it weird that I love this channel?

[@coldlakealta4043]

nope. it's fun, interesting and informative - a desperately rare combination on You Tube

[@t.wcharles2171]

Nice vestments, very seasonal for Advent.

[@trikyy7238]

Done one about the dunce cap?

[@Lassisvulgaris]

7:10 "Bring forth The Holy Hanfgrenade...."

[@LemSportsinterviews]

i think hats are neat (:

[@Leidon00]

this video is the first time that I have realised.... you have a very eclectic collection of hats....

[@nemesislooms6315]

Fascinating and well presented as usual - but throughout, I could hear Dylan Moran's routine about religion (q.v.) - "Quick! Death is coming! Put the gold hat on!"

[@phenomadology23]

Thanks, I've always been curious! Just a reminder that in some churches (like mine), women are ordained as bishops as well!

[@JustJimWillDo]

Very impressive, lots of information in this one. Not going to lie, I had to check, not once but twice that I didn't have the speed set to 1.5x, because, damn, son!

[@6williamson]

very cute and well researched!

[@jerrystaley1563]

Thank you for another one of your superb and informative videos. Although you mainly stayed on the religious aspects of the miter you did touch a bit on its military side. Didn't the Hessian mercenaries of the American Revolutionary War wear such headgear? At least I seem to recall seeing artwork showing such. PS: Great picture of Disney's Uncle Scrooge McDuck sitting atop his pile of riches. JJS

[@jksandman000]

Do one on birrettas and saternos

[@jimbobjones5972]

What you are referring to as the Orthodox Church is primarily the Byzantine Rite. The distinction is important because there are also Roman Catholics who worship according to the Byzantine Rite and wear the same investments, including the headgear, as the Orthodox.

[@ERJones-fd6oh]

Fascinating

[@comradederp1576]

Even though the mitre was unused by most militaries by the time of the bearskin hat, Russian Pavlovsk leib Grenadiers still wore them during the Napoleonic wars, being the only Russian Grenadier regiment allowed to wear them. They also wore them into combat, not just ceremonies, against Napoleon in places like Borodino.

[@chanpasadopolska]

Maybe you can do rogatywka (polish four-cornered garrison cap)

[@ppoletto]

bonus Curiosity: one of the heart's valves is called the mitral valve because of its similarity to the miter

[@AF-mw8gy]

No mention of Sinterklaas as a weird surviving popular example! Cool video though, quite a long continuous history on this one.

[@hathistorianjc]

Ahh, true. Not being Dutch, that one didn't occur to me

[@fd4175]

I noticed a few inaccuracies and areas where clarification could improve the accuracy of the content: Good Friday Mass: There is no "Good Friday Mass" in the Roman Catholic Church. On Good Friday, the Church celebrates the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, distinct from the Mass, as the Eucharist is not consecrated. Communion is distributed using hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday, reflecting the solemnity of the day. Origin of the Word "Mitre": The word "mitre" derives from the Greek μίτρα (mitra), meaning "headband" or "turban," not from a piece of armour. This Greek term was later applied to ecclesiastical headgear, evolving in both shape and meaning over time. Orthodox Mitre: The video overlooks the connection between the Eastern Orthodox mitre and the headgear of the Jewish high priest, known as the mitznefet. While the Orthodox mitre also draws inspiration from Byzantine imperial crowns, its shape symbolically ties to the Jewish priestly tradition, linking the bishop’s role to the Old Covenant priesthood. This biblical and liturgical symbolism enriches its significance. Pope Constantine I: Pope Constantine I (708-715) is incorrectly credited with wearing an early mitre. Historical records do not support this claim, as the mitre began its development in the 11th century as a distinct part of episcopal regalia. Protestant Mitres: The claim that Protestant traditions abandoned the mitre entirely during the Reformation and restored it in the 19th century is not universally accurate. Some Lutheran traditions never abandoned the mitre, and its use in Anglicanism remained sporadic until its revival by the Oxford Movement. Excessive Ornamentation: The suggestion that "corrupt popes" led to excessive ornamentation of mitres is speculative and lacks historical evidence. Ornamentation of liturgical vestments often reflected local artistic traditions and the broader culture of the time. Chess Piece Connection: While it is commonly said that the chess piece known as the "bishop" is named due to its resemblance to a mitre, this explanation is speculative. Other languages use different names for the piece, such as "runner" (German: Läufer), which suggests alternative interpretations. Thank you for your effort in exploring this rich topic. Correcting these points would enhance the video’s accuracy and help viewers gain a clearer understanding of this important symbol of Christian liturgy.

[@kellydalstok8900]

Sinterklaas wears a mitre too.

[@robbienl8176]

He was also a bishop

[@genericcommenter1267]

Is there a reason the hat became pointed at both ends however, if not to symbolise the union of Old and New Testaments? I heard one channel say it's to resemble horns but I don't think that's reliable.

[@AleksandrGroves-gb8hd]

In the Orthodox Church the mitre can be awarded to priests whose mitre does not have a cross on the top, unlike the Bishops mitre which has a cross.

[@pedrosiqueira97319]

Whats the sog at the begining of the video ?

[@Gunnarr123abc]

It should be noted before the "Greek style" crown mitres were in Russia after the fall of Constantinople, they wore klobuks as well. Novgorod had a white mitre, while others had black. There was a story about the white mitre, alleging it came from Rome after it's fall. This story was condemned. The white mitre in Novgorod was described as having two horns, in the same manner of the west by a travelling ambassador.

[@musikSkool]

That explains "the Holy hand Grenade!"

[@kilroy7888]

Sometimes I wonder where does he get these hat?

[@thxcuz]

Are you from Missouri?

[@tylerwhittington2891]

Do you make your hats?

[@hathistorianjc]

I wish I had that kind of skill... I'm afraid I don't. I purchase them in various places (I usually include where I got the hat I wear in a given video in the description)

[@bikegames0]

God Speed my good man.

[@AstroMonkey88]

Reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, and Richard Sibbes all had really cool hats.

[@BestFriendOfJesus]

God bless

[@antonivsfortis]

Miter without brimmmm🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ransomcoates546]

You don’t sufficiently differentiate the Roman mitres of the Baroque period, which persisted until after Vatican II, and the ‘midget mitres’ which became fashionable thereafter. Also, the tiara was in regular use up to the Coronation of Paul VI in 1963, thus not disappearing in the mid 50’s, as you say.

[@worldtraveler930]

Do I see a soapstone pipe on stage left? 🤔

[@skipsmoyer4574]

There is also the military miter used in 1600 - 1805 except by the Russian Pavlov Grenadiers Christian countries in the period mostly had metal, Catholic countries mostly fur as mentioned.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

From Church to Military, the perfect headgear for Warrior Priests😂

[@il_gran_signore]

You look almost identical to French KZbinr Alice Cappelle, and coincidentally, Cappelle sounds very similar to "cappello", Italian for "hat".

[@mrs.g.9816]

I used to know a cheeky guy who called the miter a "post hole digger hat".

[@andreaurelius45]

CORRECTION: The Orthodox Christian miter has its originate office in the Tabernacle of Moses. Your discussion is about STYLE of miter. See : DEUTERONOMY

[@JackGroundhog]

Great video as always! Some nitpicking, though: The Episcopal Church USA is not the equivalent to the Anglican Church, it’s the American branch of it, just like the Scottish Episcopal Church is the Scottish branch of the Anglican Communion. Most Anglican branches have the word Anglican in their names, but the Episcopal Church USA, the Church of Ireland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Church in Wales, and of course the Church of England are notable exceptions. Also, it’s not the “Episcopalian” Church, it’s the Episcopal Church. (Episcopal is an adjective, Episcopalian is a noun - a member of the Episcopal Church is an Episcopalian.)

[@thomasbeach905]

He seemed to list all Protestants as Lutheran. Luther and Calvin (and Zwingli and others) went their separate ways. The Calvinists tended to be more austere. The Church of England is more from the Calvinist branch, and was quite austere in its services in American Colonial times, singing mainly psalms. Meanwhile, the Lutherans had Bach.

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Coptic priests wear mitres during the liturgy.

[@capnceltblood5347]

This style of headdress can be seen in ancient Egyptian priests as well.

[@gerardacronin334]

Presumably you had to make friends with your local bishop to borrow that miter!

[@ezrafriesner8370]

Nah he collects them, he’s also god some lovely Jewish hats that I was very happy to see 😁

[@ChristianGuide]

I thought it was spelt as "Mitre?"

[@hathistorianjc]

It is in British English. In American English it's "Miter"

[@Mark3ABE]

If you want to get ahead - get a hat.

[@frederickburke9944]

Hat Historian, where is the best place to get a fedora in KC?

[@hathistorianjc]

Hmmm... the one with the largest selection is probably the Missing Piece in Crown Center. Otherwise, you could also try Michael's on Main.

[@frederickburke9944]

@@hathistorianjc thank you, sir!

[@noodleperson17]

or mitre as we spell it in the UK…

[@NoobNoobNews]

I know this hat from the emperor tts series.

[@vincewhite5087]

Have seen relief carvings from Babylon of creatures wearing a mitre hat.

[@obsidianjane4413]

Humans have long like wearing silly hats to impress each other. But those would have had no cultural connection.

[@robbienl8176]

Dagon worship

[@carlose4314]

0:57 That's the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archbishop.

[@TomFynn]

A miter that is half a meter tall...

[@NoOne18361]

Make a hat of the slouch hat

[@maestromecanico597]

Interesting. And I thought it was started by Peter. (He was a rabbit after all.)

[@SteveMacSticky]

The Greek and Romans took this hat originally from the pagan god Dagon. Look it up

[@Charlie-en1kr]

Wrong, it started as a big fish worn on the head during pagan ritual. It evolved into a miter.

[@ambravirlebreton]

Great work cher monsieur ! Ou plutôt...Monseigneur l'évêque !

[@fozie43430]

Fyi... there is no need to list the Cardinals and Pope, they are Bishops. Cardinals (and Archbishops) are not a higher order. They are named advisors to the Pope and electors of the next Pope. The Pope becomes the Pope by being the Bishop of Rome.

[@mm-yt8sf]

it seems odd to me that the points would be called horns...that seems a little demonic...surely they could have thought of some other term...like "peaks" or "pinnacles" that sound more lofty 😀 or cloven head hoof... 😛

[@vitoscaletta7151]

K now you really just buying hats for the sake of it lmao Keep it up tho

[@crashingstoans7907]

What's the deal with religions and goofy hats?

[@ezrafriesner8370]

Very often it’s because of tradition. Hats like these were the peak of fashion in their day, but several hundred years later they look odd to us.