From Oxford to All Places: The History of the Mortarboard Cap

The Historical Roots of the Mortarboard Hat

Originating in the Middle Ages and the early customs of British institutions like Oxford and Cambridge, the distinctive mortarboard hat has come to represent intellectual success. The history of academic regalia, which in turn reflects medieval religious norms, is intricately linked to its design and development.

Origins in Ecclesiastical Attire

The 12th and 13th centuries saw the development of academic attire as we know it today, during which time European institutions were strongly associated with the Catholic Church. Long robes and hoods were worn by scholars, many of whom were priests, to show their religious affiliation and to keep warm in medieval lecture halls without air conditioning. These customs, which were especially affected by the biretta, a square-shaped hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy, gave rise to the square cap, which was a forerunner of the contemporary mortarboard.

The biretta was a useful yet symbolic headdress that represented clerical position and intellectual pursuit. Elements of the biretta were added to scholars' changing regalia during the 14th century, when colleges started to codify academic dress norms, signifying their position in the academic hierarchy.

Development in British Universities

At the illustrious universities of Oxford and Cambridge, which were instrumental in standardizing academic dress, the mortarboard's characteristic square shape started to take shape. In contrast to previous ecclesiastical fashions, a variant of the biretta with a flat, square top was worn by faculty and graduates by the 16th century. This flat top served as a place to balance tiny objects like books and symbolized the bookish nature of academics. It was both symbolic and useful.

The Renaissance's emphasis on symmetry and geometry had an impact on the shift to a four-cornered form. The design of the mortarboard was further developed as secular influences started to blend with academic traditions, turning it from a symbol of strictly religious allegiance to one of scholarly authority.

Evolution and Global Adoption

The mortarboard had become a staple of British academic ceremonies by the 18th century. As universities standardized their regalia, its name—which comes from its similarity to a mason's board used to carry mortar—became well-known. The cap, whose flat square represented the foundation of knowledge, was worn by graduates as a symbol of their academic accomplishments.

As colleges spread throughout the world in the 19th century, institutions outside of Britain, especially those in the US, adopted the mortarboard in different versions. The tassel, which became a crucial component of graduation ceremonies, was one of the minor changes made by American universities. During the ceremony, the tassel's movement from side to side represents the passage from student to graduate.

Modern Significance

The mortarboard is still used today as a globally recognized emblem of academic achievement. The essence of the mortarboard has persisted, despite contemporary alterations that represent institutional distinctiveness through changes in shape, color, and material. Its past reminds us of academia's long history of tradition and its development over the ages as a celebration of education and intellectual inquiry.

The mortarboard hat has evolved from its medieval beginnings to become a beloved component of commencement ceremonies, connecting modern students with the illustrious history of academic achievement.