PURPLE
The use of the color Purple has always been mystical and limited in early history. For sure the purple dye for fabrics had been extremely expensive for eons, up until 1856 when aniline was created by William Henry Perkin.

Ancient records report that the Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelian (215-275 CE) told his wife that he could not afford to give her a Purple shawl because it would literally be more expensive than its weight in gold.

Only the richest of Nobles could afford to wear purple fabrics. Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603 CE) of England even ordered by Law that only Royalty could wear it. Misuse was severely punished.

Jane Hayward Data contains 1350 images of stained glass. When viewing all these, I found that the few persons portraying purple clothing are either Royalty, Biblical or Religious figures.

Hans Holbein the Elder only used Purple for Jesus' clothing in the "Kreuzigung Christi" window, for Maria's robe and the Angels' wings, both in the "Letztes Gericht" window in Eichstatt. His son, Hans Holbein the Younger was very well aware of the restrictions for Purple clothing. Does the Purple for the bodice of Katrain indicate her Royalty?

Detail of Letztes Gericht in Stained Glass
As excecuted by Hans Holbein the Elder

Queen Catherine Howard
in Stained Glass

"Katrain"

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