Agreed that 'everyone' wore distinctive garb. But some of it was not
through personal choice: compare the cross of the crusader with the yellow
double crosses of the (penitent) former heretic. Remember that this was an
honour/shame culture. The prostitute's costume was not intended to be
honourific. The Fourth Lateran imposed a badge of shame, a mark of Cain.
Cain, of course, was not to be killed. Recognition for the Jews--let us
say, when they were on the open road--might well have proved fatal.
Gary Dickson
University of Edinburgh
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