The references to Black and White monks as in orders are to do
with the colour of their robes.
re- whether such 'racial' terms were in use by the time the of the
setting of the name of the rose: Do you mean what europeans call
'racist' when you say ''racial'? William of Baskerville is not meant to
be being racist - the terms black and white are not neccessarily
prejorative in Europe (though they can be). I guess what he calls
the 'Moon-faced monk' (the one who dies in the bath) might be a bit
more upset by his description though (he is meant to be being
slightly insulting here, indirectly, as the monk is gay)!
But as to whther there could have black (skinned) monks in Italy at
that time - what about the north African monastic tradition? There
is also a tradition that an Arabic Islamic convert (John after
conversion, name before not known) who entered the monastery of
Conques in Rouergue in eleventh century, who travelled via
Constantinople (Book of Saint Faith).
Claire Taylor
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