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Dear listmembers, I am interested in the different ways in which blackness was perceived in the 16thC. I have noted the following uses: 1. To denote the macabre / supernatural. Death, Hell, Fiends, etc. (as in the Fairie Queene). 2. To denote a bleaching agent used in the preparation of leather (OED) 3. To denote the presence of divine light (as a Metaphysical conceit, which draws on a Byzantine spiritual convention e.g. Herbert's Sonnet of Black Beauty) 4. To denote an inversion of values (in Barnfield's Affectionate Shepheard and perhaps Jonson's Masque of Blackness, though the approach is different in each of these) Thoughts on the above uses and any comments you may have would be very welcome. My context is the examination of possible subtexts in the use of black in fashion and embroidery during the period. Any suggestions of other possible avenues of exploration would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance for your help. Leon Conrad London, UK