Palatinate or palatinate purple is a purple colour associated with Durham University and the City of Durham. The term has been used to refer to a number of different shades of purple.The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as a "light purple or lavender colour", which is used for Durham (and Newcastle) academic hoods. For corporate purposes Durham University uses a darker shade. A separate colour, 'palatinate blue', is derived from the Coat of Arms of County Durham. The name 'Palatinate' in both instances alludes to the historic status of Durham as a County Palatine.
