Carol Symes writes:
'The Jews in medieval Perpignan, yielding no doubt to authority,
nevertheless vied with one another in the purchase and display of ever-more
elaborate hats and cloaks - their costume in that city. Thus a mark of
difference became - within their own community - an excuse for a show of
wealth and pride. Even Canon 68 of Lateran IV nods in this direction: ".
. . we decree that such people [Jews and Saracens] of either sex in every
Christian province, at all times, shall be distinguished from other people
by the character of their public dress, seeing that moreover one finds that
this was enjoined upon them by Moses himself."'
I've never been sure if can.68 is indulging in rather heavy irony at the
Jews' expense. The Mosaic commandment could refer to not mixing wool and
linen or to the possession of fringes at the four corners of the garment:
it had nothing to do with status differentials, nor did the carrying out of
the commandment involve public display. Ecclesiastical legislation had more
to do with the ideology of the mark of Cain, than with the enforcement of
scriptural dress codes.
Gary Dickson
University of Edinburgh
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