Mourning for men.

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: Mourning for men.

I read a lot about what was expected from women during a period of mourning. What about men? If your father died would a man wear black for a prescribed amount of time and decline invites to society events?

Angel Very Happy

(Still here, just writing a lot.)
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"I can fix a bad page, but I can't fix a blank one." Nora Roberts

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:16 am Post subject:

Yes, gentleman observed ruleds of mourning as well. The only specific examples I can cite, though, are instructions for court mourning issued by the Lord Chamberlain whenever a member of the Royal Familed died. The Morning Chronicle on March 13, 1814 anounced mourning orders for the death of the Prince of Mecklenburgh-Strelitz, Queen Charlotte's brother:

Chamberlain's Office Orders for Court Mourning of his late Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Mecklenburgh-Strelitz, brother of the Queen: will change Thursday the 17th, the 24th, and the 31st go out of mourning.

On the 13th, Court Mourning: Ladies to wear black silk, fringed or plain linen, black gloves, necklaces, and earrings, black or white shoes, fans and tippets. Undress [ie not formal court dress]: black or grey lustrings, tabbies, or damasks. Gentlemen to wear black, full-trimmed, fringed, or plain linen, black swords and buckles. Undress: grey frocks.

Beginning the 17th, ladies to wear black silk, fringed or plain linen, white gloves, necklaces and earrings, black or white shoes, fans, and tippets. Undress: white or grey lustrings, tabbies, or damasks. Gentlemen to wear black, full-trimmed, fringed, or plain linen, black swords and buckles. Undress: grey frocks.

Beginning the 24th, Ladies to wear black silk or velvet, coloured ribbons, fans, and tippets, or plain white, or white and gold, or white and silver stuffs with black ribbons. Gentlemen to wear black coats, and plain white or white and gold, or white and silver stuff waistcoats, full-trimmed, coloured swords, and buckles.

I believe for personal, vs official, mourning, that men did indeed wear unrelieved black for close relatives. Remember in Emma that Jane Fairfax mentions how Frank Churchill must observe at least 3 months of deep mourning for the death of his adoptive mother before they are free to marry.
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:33 am Post subject: Thank you, Candice.

I had forgotten that bit in Emma. (I was too busy looking at Jeremy Northam, I suppose.)

Good luck with the unpacking and thank you for taking a break to help me out.

Angel Very Happy

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"I can fix a bad page, but I can't fix a blank one." Nora Roberts