Did men ever actually throw their jackets over puddles so women could cross?

I guess the title says it all, thanks in advance.

No. The story about Walter Raleigh involves the Queen, not just some random woman. Whether or not that one is true, it was never a common occurrence. The fact is that there have probably been deliberate re-enactments for dramatic, or less noble purposes, but it isn’t a social convention, and never was.

Tris

And it wasn’t a jacket in the story. It was a cloak, which makes somewhat more sense.

This is the original version of the story, as recorded by Thomas Fuller in his History of the Worthies of England. However, this was not published until 1662, eighty years after the incident is supposed to have occured. It is true that Fuller must have written this somewhat earlier - he died in 1661 - but, like many of Fuller’s anecdotes, it is clearly meant to be read more as entertaining gossip than attested fact. It’s just a good story.

Of course they did. Cite.

Very interesting, thanks all.