The latter suggested that an ode expressive of his patrons praise, and his own penitence, would be the most likely to bring about the desired reconciliation.
en.wikipedia.org Knights and rulers would also sometimes cut or pull out their hair in order to show penitence and mourning, and a squire's hair was generally shorter than a knight's.
en.wikipedia.org In times of calamity litanies were held, in which the people walked in robes of penitence, fasting, barefooted, and, in later times, frequently dressed in black ("litaniae nigrae").
en.wikipedia.org For this reason, memorial services have an air of penitence about them, and tend to be served more frequently during the four fasting seasons.
en.wikipedia.org