In the 16th century I can tell you this much. Black was worn for initial mourning, the first year or two, and is associated with "deepest mourning". A cap of linen with a pleated veil was typical in France, and that would usually be white. Deepest mourning was typically depicted by all black, the white pleated veil of France is one exception that I know of. For secondary mourning other colors were deep grey, white, deep purple and black.
Henry VIII wore deepest mourning for a full year after the death of Jane Seymour. Phillip the Bold (IIRC) wore deepest mourning for his father from his early 30s? until his own death. Mary Queen of Scots wore deepest mourning for at least a full year after the death of Frances. Widows would usually wear mourning until a second marriage, or for the rest of their lives. One way that a widow could signal a willingness to marry was to put off the black. Although it was socially expected that even a young woman would wear mourning for a husband for at least two years, one year of deepest mourning and at least one year of secondary. (and here I might be slipping into Victorian custom, so I'll stop.) That's the best I can do off the top of my head. Bridgette. On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 9:28 AM, Jane Pease <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > A question has come up on another list about mourning colors in Europe during > the Renaissance. Black was obviously worn for fashion, not necessarily > mourning. Some sources say that white was worn for mourning in France. What > say you? > > Thanks for your input, > > Jane In No VA _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
