Ebook: Bodies complexioned: Human variation and racism in early modern English culture, c. 1600–1750

Skin-tones mattered in early modern England. Indexing health, social status, religious affiliation and national allegiance, they helped explain (away) poverty, colonialism, war and slavery. Drawing physical distinctions as a means to power has a complex history – one belying racism’s assumption that such distinctions are natural or timeless.