An Introduction to English Liturgical Colours (Classic Reprint)

William St. John Hope, E. G. Cuthbert F. Atchley

ISBN 10: 1331884888 / ISBN 13: 9781331884880

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book explores the fascinating world of liturgical colours in the Church of England before the Reformation. The author delves into the historical origins of vestments and altar hangings, tracing their development from Roman civilian dress to their unique ecclesiastical forms. They also examine the symbolism of colours, highlighting how their meanings varied across different cultures and periods. The book offers a detailed look at the colours used in English churches during the medieval period, analyzing the various shades and their significance. It delves into early instances of coloured vestments, revealing the earliest documented use of colours in church rituals. The author further investigates the evolution of colour sequences, tracing the development of colour rules for various feasts, seasons, and services throughout the Middle Ages. Through an analysis of historical records, including wills, inventories, and liturgical texts, the book reveals the complex and evolving system of colour usage in English churches. This book offers valuable insights into the rich and nuanced world of pre-Reformation liturgical practices, shedding light on the importance of colour in religious expression and ceremony. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781331884880_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Introduction to English Liturgical Colours (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1331884888
• ISBN 13: 9781331884880
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Costume and Dress History

About this title

Synopsis

Explore the history and meaning behind the colours used in English church life. This scholarly guide explains how robes, altar coverings, and hangings have reflected faith, fashion, and ritual from medieval times to the early modern period. It shows how colors conveyed seasons, feasts, and special occasions, and how inventories reveal practical choices behind the display of sacred objects.

The book traces the evolution of vestments, thrones, and altar textiles, linking everyday church life to broader cultural shifts. It uses historical records to illustrate why certain colours came to symbolize particular events, saints, or liturgical seasons, and how these practices varied across places and centuries.

• Clear explanations of terms for altar frontals, canopies, and hanging textiles


• Descriptions of colour sequences used in major feasts and seasons


• Examples from inventories and church records that illuminate practice


• Discussion of symbolism and the practical reasons behind color choices

Ideal for readers interested in medieval and early modern church history, liturgical art, and the long tradition of Christian colour symbolism.