Middle English Vocabulary Education August 25-29

1) Hithe (n.) - A small port; a wharf.

For now is Culham /hithe/ i-com to an ende,
An al the contre the better, and no man the worse.

- Lelandi Itinerarium

Pronunciation: /hiT@/

2) Stum (n.) - Strong new wine, used for strengthening weak liquor.
According to Howell, stooming wine was effected by putting herbs and
infusions into it.

There strength of fancy, to it sweetness joynes,
Unmixt with water, nor /stum’d/ with strong lines.

- Brome’s Songs, 1661

Then to the Queen, let the next advance,
With all loyal lads of true English race;
That scorn the /stum’d/ notion of Spain and France.

- Songs of the London Prentices

Pronunciation: /stum/

3) Dwale (n.) - The night-shade. It is highly narcotic, and hence used
to express a lethargic disease.

Whenne Joseph had tolde this tale,
Thei fel as thei had dronken /dwale/,
Grovelynge doun on erthe plat.

- Cursor Mundi, MS. Coll. Trin. Cantab.

Pronunciation: /dwAl@/

4) Lingel (n.) - A shoemaker’s thread.

The cobler of Caunterburie, armed with his aul,
his /lingel/, and his last, presents himselfe a judiciall
censor of other mens writinges.

- The Cobler of Caunterburie, 1590

Pronunciation: /lingEl/

5) Brigantayle (n.) - Bringandine, an extremely pliable kind of armour,
consisting of small plates of iron sewn upon quilted linen or leather.

Of armis or of /brigantayle/,
Stood nothynge thanne upon batayle.

- Gower, MS. Soc. Antiq. 134

Pronunciation: /brigAntaIl@/

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For some reason there wasn’t a word of the day on Friday. So this week we only get 4 new words to learn.

1) Peat (n.) - A delicate person.

A citizen and his wife the other day
Both riding on one horse, upon the way
I overtook, the wench a pretty peat,
And (by her eye) well fitting for the seat.

- Donne’s Poems

Pronunciation: /pEt/

2) Cendal (n.) - A species of rich thin silken stuff, very highly esteemed.

Her gomfainoun was of cendal Ynde,
Of gold ther were on thre coronne.

- Arthour and Merlin

Pronunciation: /sEndAl/

3) Sclatyre (v.) - To be negligent.

/Sclatyre/ thy clothys bothe schort and syde,
Passyng all mennes syse.

- MS. Cantab. Ff. ii. 38

Pronunciation: /sklAtir@/

4) Drihe (v.) - To endure.

For as me thenketh, I myght /drihe/
Without slepe to waken ever,
So that I scholde noght dissever
Fro hir in whom is al my lyght.

- Gower, MS. Cantab. Ff. i. 6

Pronunciation: /drih@/

1) Plattinde (v.) - Journeying forth.

Of hem ne wolde nevere on dwelle,
That he ne come sone /plattinde/,
Hwo hors ne havede, com gangande.

- Havelok, 2282

Pronunciation: /plAtInd@/
2) Encloyde (adj.) - Hurt in the foot. [Note: “enclowed” is defined as
nailed or riveted]

The hors on woche sche rode was blac,
Alle lene and gallyd on the bac,
And haltyd as he were /encloyede/;
Theroff the womman was anoyede.

- Gower, MS. Cantab. Ff. i. 6

Pronunciation: /EnklOId@/

3) Roune (v.) - To whisper. Sometimes for speech or song in general.
It is occasionally used in its primitive sense, to counsel or consult.

On hys knees he sette hym downe
With the prest for to /roune/.

- MS. Harl. 1701

Pronunciation: /run@/
4) Coarte (v.) - To compel, or force.

Dyves by dethe was straytely /coartid/
Of his lyf to make a sodeyne translacion.

- MS. Laud. 416

Pronunciation: /kOArt@/
5) Slade (n.) - A valley; a ravine; a plain.

It had bene better of William a Trent
To have bene abed ith sorrowe,
Than to be that day in the greenwood /slade/,
To meet with Little Johns arrowe.

- Robin Hood, i. 118

Pronunciation: /slAd@/

While Sherwood Forest and King Richard are real, Robin Hood and his Merry Men have long been thought to be fiction. Some things are believed to be impossible to have happened, which is where the speculation comes in about Robin Hood. But researched in England have just found something that proves at the very least the Sheriff of Nottingham existed. Beneath the Galleries of Justice Museum there are caves that have been unearthed which were used as a prison by the infamous Sheriff in medieval times.

The prison caves are where the “shire reeve”, or sheriff, resided at the Shire Hall and County Gaol, which is a medieval terms for jail. They are part of an underground labyrinth of more than 400 man-made sandstone caves and chambers. These caves and chambers date to Saxton times. They have also had many uses over the years, which include cellars, storage areas, secret passageways, and escape routes.

Apparently there was a court on the museum’s site since at least 1375 but the prison was not established until 1449. Locally the caves underneath the museum have been known as the “Sheriff’s Dungeon” but prior to this discovery, there was no proof. Researchers also could only document the caves for their use as a chapel for the Georgian prison that was on the same site after 1780. It is by the documents that were recently discovered by the museum staff that we learn this monumental fact. Finding out that the Sheriff of Nottingham really did exist and used the caves as his prison is a very big find for history.

Of course after a find like this the whole Robin Hood world is in a frenzy. Something that was thought to have been fiction has been proven to be fact. What exactly happened in those prison cells is still unknown. And it may never be known since some facts can be lost to history. But just the fact that the Sheriff was around gives some hope that Robin Hood himself might have existed, even if he was not the hero he has been made out to be.

However it may be that the world will know what happened in those caves. The caves are being excavated along with the adjacent area. And there is an ancient staircase that leads down to the cells which is also being excavated to learn all that historians can about the Sheriff of Nottingham and what he did to his prisoners during his time.

1) Slubberdegullion (n.) - A paltry dirty wretch.

Quoth she, although thou hast deserv’d,
Base /slubberdegullion/, to be serv’d
As thou did’st vow to deal with me,
If thou had’st got the victory.

- Hudibras, I, iii 886

Pronunciation: /slubErdEguliOn/

2) Barbel (n.) - A small piece of armour which protects part of the
bassinet. [note that in medieval English cookbooks a “barbel” was a
carp-like freshwater fish of the genus Barbus]

His /barbel/ first adoun he deth,
Withouten colour his neb he seth.

- Gij of Warwike

Pronunciation: /bArbEl/

3) Tailde (adj.) - Carved.

The wardes of the cyte of hefen bryght
I lycken tyl wardes that stalworthly dyght,
And clenely wroght and craftyly /taylde/
Of clene sylver and golde, and enamaylde.

- Hampole, MS. Bowes

Pronunciation: /taIld@/

4) Guzzle (n.) - A drain or ditch. Sometimes a small stream. Called
also a guzzen

This is all one thing as if hee should goe about
to jussle her into some filthy stinking /guzzle/ or
ditch.

- Whateley’s Bride Bush, 1623

Pronunciation: /guzEl/

5) Lorne (v./adj.) - Lost; undone; destroyed. Still in use, in the
sense of forsaken. Also, to lose anything.

The stewardys lyfe ys /lorne/,
There was fewe that rewyd ther on,
And fewe for hym wepyth.

- MS. Cantab. Ff. ii. 38

Pronunciation: /lOrn@/

I thought I would educate everyone on some Middle English vocabulary. I get an email daily from my Barony and find the words interesting. So I will post five of them every week. I have been saving them for seven days so the first one is going to be more education.
You will see the word, description, it used in a sentence along with how wrote the sentence, and how to pronounce it.
1) Deraye (n.) - Confusion; noise. Also a verb, to act as a madman.

He began to make /deraye/,
And to hys felows dud he say.

- MS. Cantab. Ff. ii. 38

Pronunciation: /dEraI/
2) Lele (adj.) - Loyal; faithful; true.

Hir love is ever trewe and /lele/,
Ful swete hit is to monnes hele.

- Cursor Mundi, MS. Coll. Trin. Cantab.

Pronunciation: /lEl@/
3) Deduit (n.) - Pleasure; delight.

In whiche the 3ere hath his /deduit/,
Of gras, of floure, of leef, of frute.

- Gower, MS. Soc. Antiq. 134

Pronunciation: /dEduit/
4) Querele (n.) - A complaint.

Thou lyf, thou luste, thou mannis hele,
Biholde my cuse and my /querele/.

- Gower, MS. Soc. Antiq. 134

Pronunciation: /kuErEl@/
5) Bayard (n.) - Properly a bay horse, but often applied to a horse in
general.

Ther is no God, ther is no lawe
Of whom that he taketh eny hede,
But as /Bayarde/ the blynde stede,
Tille he falle in the diche amidde,
He goth ther no man wol him bidde.

- Gower, MS. Soc. Antiq. 134

Pronunciation: /baIArd/
6) Ysels (n.) - Ashes.

And whenne the heved schalle be waschene,
make lee of haye /ysels/, that was mawene
byfor mysommer day.

- MS. Med. Line.

Pronunciation: /IsEls/
7) Flayre (n.) - Smell; odour.

And alle swete savowres that men may fele
Of alkyn thyng that here saveres wele,
War noght bot styncke to regarde of the /flayre/,
That es in the cyte of hefen so fayre.

- Hampole, MS. Bowes

Pronunciation: /flaIr@/

Here are some pictures from last weekends SCA event, Push for Pennsic.

Clothes Weaving (Her Majesty the Midrealm Queen is on the right)

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Clothes Dying

This is her Higness the Midrealm Princess with a Falcon

The Baron with his Plastered Face

Done Plastering the Baron’s Face (Ian Drake in the purple is a friend of mine)

Sven Receiving an Award at Court (this is a friend of mine)

Midrealm Court

After receiving The Other Boleyn Girl a few weeks ago via my online rental, I was finally able to watch it. I have to admit I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I know it is based somewhat on Mary and Anne Boleyn and King Henry in real history. I also know it is based off a fiction book of the same name. But being a fan of English history I had to see it.

I don’t actually know much about the Tudor history period. I know that Henry VIII had nine wives over the years and that Anne Boleyn was the second who birthed Elizabeth, the greatest monarch England ever had. Beyond that I have never studied his reign. As a history minor who mostly took Medieval English classes I should have but I concentrated on Renaissance and Queen Elizabeth’s time. I have seen season one of Showtime’s The Tudors but that’s about it.

After watching The Tudors and then this movie, I am unsure what is actually right on how Anne came to be queen. The Tudors has Henry being with Mary and then tiring of her right away and being seduced by Anne who teased and tormented him without giving in for a long time. And in The Other Boleyn Girl, he is enraptured with Mary and has a long tryst with her until Anne returns from and exile and begins to beguile him without originally intending too.

The movie was decent and most of the clothing beautiful. I don’t like the style bodice the women wear nor the fabric covering the upper chest and neck. It existed but I’m used to the Renaissance where cleavage was shown fairly openly. In fact cleavage was nothing to see but ankles were scandalous. I wasn’t even sure how far the movie would go in the relationship of Anne and Henry. But it pretty much followed their whole relationship from beginning to the end where Anne is beheaded. And that is not a secret of the film; she really was beheaded by order of the king.

While watching The Other Boleyn Girl though I kept comparing it to what I have seen of The Tudors. How this part was completely different or instead of something happening one way it was another. I am going to get some books on this period and learn. If you want to watch a movie about real characters from history, I do recommend this one. Don’t rely on it to be completely factual though. Take it with a grain of salt and realize that Hollywood embellishes where it can for a story.

Museum Replicas Limited catalog has been around for many years with swords and clothing for fans of medieval and renaissance items. Some of their items they have carried the same for years on end while others have followed current trends. They have expanded their clothing line to follow these trends as well. One of the newest lines is from the hit show The Tudors.

The line has been out for about a year and has expanded from a few outfits and jewels to include more clothing, boots, and accessories of King Henry. This is perfect for those who want to dress like a king or queen or even the king’s mistress, Anne Boleyn. The outfits are not completely period as the show itself is not either but they are beautifully made. And they are recreated with permission of Showtime itself so there is not problem with Museum Replicas selling them.

Jewels or chains of office are available as well for those wanting to complete the look they pick. You can even purchase King Henry’s jousting helmet, although it is not full size, or a letter opener with the ceremonial sword of the famous monarch. And for those who want to own the royal seal Henry VIII uses on the show, there is a paperweight of this seal. The reverse side has the seal of the pope.

There is more of King Henry’s clothing than anyone. I think with the show being about him and Anne Boleyn there would be more of her dresses. But perhaps they are harder to recreate easily since most women’s outfits back then were layers. I would caution that the dresses might not fix exactly as they say. I once purchased a dress and had to return it because while it fit the waist, it was not designed for voluptuous women and thus did not fit me. But if you want to walk around like a queen, get the gown and be the envy of many.

And if you are interested in purchasing them you can visit Museum Replicas at museumreplicas/thetudors

Sherwood Forest is legendary for being Robin Hood’s hideout when he lived and stole from the rich.  In its time it was more than 100,000 acres of Nottinghamshire.  However today with it being cut down over the years for ships, towns, and other things, and from natural causes it has dwindled to 450 acres.  Not only that but of the 1000 trees still in the forest, only 450 of those are still alive. 

This is actually not a totally bad thing.  The dead and dying trees play a vital role by being habitats for animals, plants, and bugs that thrive in such trees.  And ancient oaks, which are what makes up Sherwood Forest, actually spend 300 of their 900 year life span, dying.  The ones that are dying are declining at an alarming rate or one per year.  In February 2007 four of those that are dead but still standing, fell to high winds in one night and three others during the year. 

Trees in Robin Hood’s old home are watching to help keep even those dying from causing damage to other trees but something has to change or the entire forest may end up gone.  Currently there are 15 organizations that are working together on a project called “Sherwood: The Living Legend” to rebuild the forest.  They want to plant 250,000 trees to bring the different parts of the forest back together to make it stronger and alive again.

This plan would more than double the core size of the forest and keep its ecology alive.  The plan would also have visitor and educational facilities for people and have several walking, cycling, and horse trails.  Local communities surrounding Sherwood Forest would be able to celebrate the history and legends better as well.

“Sherwood: The Living Legend” is back by celebrities who have played Robin Hood over the years such as Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Jonas Armstrong who currently plays the beloved bandit on the BBC series.  The real life, present day Sheriff of Nottingham is also supporting this plan.

In order to be able to fund this project and keep one of histories most important forests, the group is trying to win a grant from Britain’s National Lottery for $100 million.  The lottery gives grants to charitable causes.  The Sherwood Forest project is in the running but nothing has been awarded yet.  If you would like to learn more about this tragedy and hopeful outcome, visit http://www.robinhood.co.uk/