medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> I am reading a novel that purports to be somewhat
> historical. In it some 16th-c. French Calvinists
> presume that the Virgin Mary was a redhead and
> therefore fear and despise one of the female
> protagonists b/c of her red hair. The specific term of
> opprobrium is "La Rousse." Has anyone heard of this
> specific prejudice or am I the last person on earth to
> learn of it? I know red hair somehow came to be
> associated with Judas, but Mary...?
Speaking without any authority, I always thought it was Mary Magdalene who
was the red-head. Traditionally, she is the one with the dodgy reputation
even if penitent. Perhaps your author has got his Marys mixed up ....... ???
Brenda M.C.
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