Fearing that the Anglican Communion does not have enough controversy, division and dissent, I must ask you to respond to the following questions:
Gaiters – yes or no?
Gaiters on Provosts (or Cathedral Deans) – yes or no?
Gaiters on this Provost – yes or no?
The picture on Bishop David’s blog will provide you with all the preliminary material you need in the first instance. The PhD on gaiters is here. Of course, this is not the first time we have dealt with Praepostorial Footwear.
Speaking as one who has observed the Praepostorial wearing of gaiters, I am reminded of perhaps the most charismatic-with-a-small-c provost of the 20thC SEC, one Paddy Shannon of Aberdeen. He was responsible for the Pubsign, indeed known in the NE as Paddy’s Pubsign, the introduction of the Clergy Tartan, and the use of the Russian Orthodox Litany and Lord’s Prayer. His congregation thrived, as did the Cathedral’s music. He wore gaiters on every possible formal occasion, and looked splendid, even though his stocky Glaswegian appearance might best be represented in the film of his life by that of Layclerk (In a good way, Gaz, if you’re out there!)
I think it’s to do with Style, which is either worth displaying in Italian Vanity Fair, or not.