Elizabethan Cloth Colors

This list of cloth colors used throughout the 16th and early 17th century was researched and compiled by Penny Ladnier. It is found in her paper, Color Names Throughout the Centuries. For other costuming information, visit her Web Site, The Costume Gallery's Online Research Library.

Documented in Costume in England: A History of Dress

Bristol Red: Red used for garments.
Lincoln Green: Color used by archers, also named after the town, Lincoln where it originated.
Yellow: Used for mourning.
Russet: 1512, Reddish brown or grey worn by countrymen.
Ash: 1518, Used for gowns and kirtles.
Rat's Colour: 1518, Dull grey, worn by poor people.
Puke: 1522, Dirty Brown.
Popingay Green: 1522, Blue-green.
Light Tawney: 1522, Light yellowish tan.
REDDS, PINK, CROYDE, MOSTYNS, BROWN-BLUE, LIGHT GREYE, FRIAR COLOUR, LONG FINE BLUE: All color names used 1522 but more information is needed on them.

Documented in Costume in the Drama of Shakespeare and His Contemparies

The following colors were the only colours made in England, during one time in the year 1552 by the order of King Edward VI.
Scarlet: Red
Crimson: Red
Murrey: Mulberry colour
Sheep's Colour: Natural
Puke: Dirty Brown
Orange-Tawney: Worn often in plays.
Watchet: Blue
Lion's Colour: Tawney, yellowish tan
Marble, Sad New Colour, Motley, and Iron Grey were also documented on the list, but are in need of more research.




This is a group of King Edward's VI favorite colors, all from 1547-53:

Incarnate: Red
Carnation: Resembling the colour Raw Flesh
Blod, Turkey, and Sea-Water are color names documented in need of more research.




This is a group of Mary Tudor's favorite color's names used in 1554:

Ruby, Crane, and Old Medley are documented and in need of more research.




Other color names used during the period:

Gooseturd Green: 1577, Yellowish green.
The Devil in the Head: 1577, Also called Hedge.
Whey: 1553, Pale bluish colour.
Coleur de Roy: 1531, Bright Tawney color worn by the officials and servants of the King of Scotland.
PEASE-PORRIGE TAWNIE, POPONGAIE BLUE, LUSTIE GALLANT and BISCAYE are all documented in the year 1577, but are in need of more research.

Documented in Elizabethan Costumes from 1550-1580

Bristol Red: A "pleasant" red.
Cane Color: Yellowish tint.
Carnation: Resembling raw flesh
Crane Colour: Greyish white
Dead Spaniard: Pale greyish tan
Gingerline: 1595, Reddish violet
Goose-Turd: Yellowish green
Hair: Bright tan
Incarnate: Red
Isabella: Light buff
Lincoln Green: Bright Green
Lustie-Gallant: Light Red
Maiden Hair: 1605, Bright tan
Milk and Water: Bluish white
Murrey: Purplish red
Orange Tawney: Orangish brown
Peach: Deep pinkish orange
Plunket: Light blue
Popinjay: Bluish Green
Primrose: 1597, Pale yellow
Puke: Dirty Brown
Rat's Color: Dull grey
Sangyn: Blood red
Sheep's Color: Natural
Strammel: 1575, Red
Straw: 1578, Light Yellow
Tawney: Brown tinged with yellow
Watchet: Pale greenish blue
Whey: Pale whitish blue
Willow: Light green


Other color names used needing further research from this period: DOVE-GREY, PANSY, SCRATCH FACE, VERDIGRIS, DAWN, WATER-COLOR, BEANS-BLUE, APE'S LAUGH, CRISTALLINE, SMOKED OX, TRISTAMI, FLOWERING RYE, FADING FLOWER, GOSLING GREEN, CANARY, ARGENTINE, MERRY WIDOW, RESURRECTION, KISS-ME-DARLING, CHIMNEY-SWEEP, AMARANTH, FLAX-BLUE, BOTTLE GREEN, JUDAS-COLOR, OX-BLOOD, DYING MONKEY, BROWN BREAD, MORTAL SIN, HAM-COLOR, and LOVE-LONGING.

Documented in Costume in England: A History of Dress

Coventry Blue: Very popular color during Elizabeth's reign

Documented in Costume in the Drama of Shakespeare and His Contemparies

Color names available at mercers and drapers during 1586-87.
Gentlemen's Grey, Partridge, Pheasant,
Beggar's Grey, Rat, and Ginger.

Names of colors that were accounted for in the Great Wardrobe and were popular during 1559.

Brasell, Celestial, Clay, Drake, Flybert,
Horseflesh, Marigold, Meal, Palme, Pearl,
Soppes-in-Wine, Syamon, and Turtle.

Maide's Blush: 1590, Rose color.