Note 241 — THE PROLOGUE.
Reading edition
Safeguards are outward petticoats, still worn by the wives of farmers, &c., who ride on horseback to market.—Steevens.
They are called so, says Minsheu, voce Saveguard, because they guard the other clothes from soiling. They are mentioned several times in "The Roaring Girl."
Again, in "Ram Alley," act i. sc. 1.
"On with your cloak and safeguard, you arrant drab."