Legal Definitions - collobium

A collobium refers to a specific type of historical garment: a hood or covering for the shoulders. This distinctive piece of attire was formerly worn by serjeants-at-law, a highly esteemed rank of barristers in England who held significant legal authority and from whom judges were often chosen. The collobium was an integral part of their ceremonial robes, symbolizing their prestigious status within the legal system of past centuries.

• Imagine a detailed 17th-century painting depicting a courtroom scene in London. In the foreground, a senior barrister, clearly identifiable as a serjeant-at-law, stands to address the court. His elaborate robes include a prominent, dark collobium draped over his shoulders, distinguishing him from other legal practitioners present. This visual detail illustrates the collobium as a key component of the serjeant-at-law's professional dress during that era.

• In a historical account detailing the appointment ceremony for a new serjeant-at-law in the 15th century, the text describes the elaborate process of being formally robed. Among the various garments presented to the newly appointed serjeant, the chronicle specifically mentions the donning of the collobium as a crucial step, signifying their official entry into this elite legal fraternity. This example highlights the collobium's role as a ceremonial marker of status and authority within the historical English legal profession.