Wigs

Richard Guthrie wearing a bob wig.

A wig is a head or hair accessory made of human or animal hair. It is used as a fashion accessory by the upper echelons of 18th century society. 

Types of Wigs

Allonge 

• An along is a wig with very long, usually dark curls. They originated in France and were popularized by King Louis XIII in the first half of the 17th century. 

Ramillies Wig

• The Ramillies wig had a long plaited queue with two black ribbons affixed, one at the top and one at the bottom of the queue. 

Tie Wig

• The tie wig evolved from the Ramillies wig. It was very similar to the Ramillies but had a short plait or pigtail at the back of the head with a back ribbon affixed to it. The wig also had a few rows of horizontal corkscrew curls on both sides of the head. It is part of the official military dress code and is typically worn by officers. 

Bag Wig

• The bag wig also evolved from the Ramillies. It is very similar to the tie wig, but lacked the queue or pigtail. Instead, the hair on the back of the head was gathered in a black silk bag or pouch and then tired with a large black bow. 

Bob Wig

• A bob wig is  more affordable and less fashionable than the bag and tie wigs. They tended to be simpler, lacking the plaited queue, pigtails and ribbons of its counterparts. They are typically worn by tradesmen and businessmen and are more popular in the Colonies. 

Peruke Wig

• A peruke is a wig with long curly hair that is pulled back at the nape of the neck. 

Judicial Wig

• a judicial wig is a wig used by magistrates. They are long and white with corkscrew curls. 

Characters who Wear Wigs

• Richard Guthrie (bob wig and peruke)
• Captain Hume (bob wig and Ramillies)
• Lord Thomas Hamilton (Allonge and bag wig)
• Admiral Hennessey  (tie wig)
• Lord Alfred Hamilton  (Allonge)
• Lord Peter Ashe (Ramillies)
• Lord Kensington (tie wig)
• Clerk (bob wig)
• Mock Judge (judicial wig)
• Eleanor Impersonator (blonde wig)
• Pardon Clerk (tie wig)
• Commodore Peter Chamberlain (tie wig)
• Dr. Marcus (tie wig)
• Court Official  (tie wig)
• Mr. Soames (tie wig)
• Judge Adams (judicial wig)
• Governor Raja (tie wig)
• Mr. Oliver (tie wig)
• James Oglethorpe  (tie wig)

Gallery

Richard Guthrie wearing a peruke.

Lord Alfred Hamilton wearing an allonge wig.

A pirate wearing Judge Adams' judicial wig and carrying his head.

Commodore Chamberlain wearing a tie wig.

Lord Thomas Hamilton wearing a bag wig.

Hume in a bob wig.

Trivia

• Christa Schoeman was a wig maker for Black Sails.