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A Grammatical Miscellany of 1427–1465 from Bristol and Wiltshire

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2016

Nicholas Orme*
Affiliation:
University of Exeter

Extract

English grammatical miscellanies, of which numerous examples survive from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, are a major source of the history of education in later medieval England. We mean, by miscellanies, collections of treatises and exercises relating to the study and teaching of Latin. Works of this kind were compiled for their use by university scholars, members of the religious orders, and the masters and pupils of ordinary grammar schools. The study of such works today, most of whose contents have yet to be printed, adds greatly to our knowledge of medieval English life and thought. The Latin treatises on grammar which they contain reveal the history of the study and usage of Latin in England. They make it possible to reconstruct the grammar curriculum of the English schools and universities, for which other evidence is rarely available. They contain the earliest grammatical treatments of the English language, too, in the form of English glosses and translations of Latin grammatical works, long before the publication of the first definitive grammar of English in 1586. Of wider interest still, the miscellanies contain numerous school exercises which aimed to teach Latin to pupils through references to the speech, activities, and surroundings of everyday life. Such texts are especially valuable, since they preserve many illuminating details of English social history that have not survived elsewhere.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Fordham University Press 

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References

page 301 note 1 The best modern discussion of late-medieval English grammatical MSS is by Thomson, D., A Descriptive Catalogue of Middle English Grammatical Texts (New York & London 1979). It contains a good bibliography. A list of medieval English and European grammatical works is being published by Bursill-Hall, G. L., ‘A Check-List of Incipits of Medieval Latin Grammatical Treatises,’ Traditio 35 (1978) 439–74, and in progress.Google Scholar

page 301 note 2 I acknowledge gratefully the permission of the rector and fellows of Lincoln College, Oxford, to publish material from the manuscript.Google Scholar

page 301 note 3 Oxford: Clarendon Press, forthcoming. I am indebted to Dr. Ker for his kindness in communicating his description of the MS to me before publication. The manuscript is also discussed, and item 3a is edited, by Wilson, Edward, ‘An Unpublished Poem on Plant-Names from Lincoln College, Oxford, MS. Lat. 129 (E.), Notes and Queries ns 26 (1979) 504–8.Google Scholar

page 302 note 4 Lincoln College, Oxford, MS Lat. 129 (E.) fol. 18.Google Scholar

page 302 note 5 On Londe and his school see Orme, Nicholas, Education in the West of England, 1066–1548 (Exeter 1976) 3840.Google Scholar

page 302 note 6 Since he transcribed item 1g at Bristol on 20 May 1428 (MS fol. 24).Google Scholar

page 303 note 7 MS fol. 120v.Google Scholar

page 303 note 8 Worcester, Hereford & Worcester Record Office, Reg. Thomas Polton, fols. 104–5.Google Scholar

page 303 note 9 The Register of John Stafford, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1425–1443, ed. T. Scott Holmes (Somerset Record Society 31; 1915) I 63, 96, 150.Google Scholar

page 303 note 10 London, Public Record Office, Exch. KR, Clerical Subsidy Rolls, E 179/52/147.Google Scholar

page 303 note 11 Salisbury, Dean & Chapter Archives, Reg. Harding, fol. 104v.Google Scholar

page 303 note 12 Above, note 10. For the date of the subsidy see Calendar of Fine Rolls, 1430–7 (London 1936) 269–72.Google Scholar

page 303 note 13 Trowbridge, Wiltshire Record Office, Reg. William Aiscough, fol. 76.Google Scholar

page 303 note 14 Valor Ecclesiasticus tempore Henrici VIII, ed. J. Caley (London 1810–24) II 130.Google Scholar

page 304 note 15 Reg. Aiscough, fol. 82v.Google Scholar

page 304 note 16 Valor Ecclesiasticus II 139.Google Scholar

page 304 note 17 Wiltshire Record Office, Reg. Richard Beauchamp, fol. 119.Google Scholar

page 304 note 18 Ibid. fol. 41.Google Scholar

page 304 note 19 The quotation is to be found in William of Malmesbury, De gestis regum Anglorum, ed. W. Stubbs (Rolls Series; London 1887) I 131–32.Google Scholar

page 304 note 20 On these schools see Orme (above, note 5) 65–78, 101.Google Scholar

page 304 note 21 Public Record Office, Probate Court of Canterbury, Registered Copy Wills, Prob 11/5 fol. 69r–v (PCC 9 Godyn).Google Scholar

page 305 note 22 Above, note 17.Google Scholar

page 305 note 23 Edited by E. Wilson (above, note 3).Google Scholar

page 306 note 24 On these texts see Orme, Nicholas, English Schools in the Middle Ages (London 1973) 102–5.Google Scholar

page 307 note 25 Thomson (above, note 1) 6–8.Google Scholar

page 307 note 26 Ibid. 129.Google Scholar

page 307 note 27 On Wotton-under-Edge school see Orme (above, note 5) 190–99.Google Scholar

page 307 note 28 On early vulgaria see Orme (above, note 24) 98–100.Google Scholar

page 308 note 29 Orme, Nicholas, ‘An Early-Tudor Oxford Schoolbook, Renaissance Quarterly 34 (1981) 15.Google Scholar

page 309 note 30 Orme (above, note 5) 40.Google Scholar

page 309 note 31 Itineraria Simonis Simeonis et Willelmi de Worcester, ed. J. Nasmith (Cambridge 1778) 178.Google Scholar

page 310 note 32 On Worcester's career see Emden, A. B., A Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500 (Oxford 1957–59) III 2086–87.Google Scholar

page 310 note 33 Orme (above, note 24) 133–34.Google Scholar

page 312 note 34 Horman, William, Vulgaria , ed. M. R. James (Roxburghe Club 169; Oxford 1926); The Vulgaria of John Stanbridge and Robert Whittinton, ed. Beatrice White (EETS os 187; London 1932); A Fifteenth Century School Book, ed. W. Nelson (Oxford 1956).Google Scholar

page 313 note 35 This subject is also touched on by Orme (above, note 24) 137–41, and in ‘Schoolmasters, 1307–1509,’ Profession, Vocation and Culture in Medieval England, ed, C. H. Clough (Liverpool 1982) 236–37.Google Scholar

page 314 note 1 Short hors: B. J. & H. W. Whiting, Proverbs, Sentences and Proverbial Phrases from English Writings mainly before 1500 (Cambridge, Mass. 1968) H525. Y-whyped: curried. Y-flypyd: the nearest medieval verb recorded is ‘flipe’ meaning ‘to strip.’ The Latin form ‘liguritur’ means ‘licked up.’Google Scholar

page 314 note 2 Noun: anon.Google Scholar

page 314 note 3 Pond: pound. Inclusorium: is glossed in Latin ‘catabulum.’Google Scholar

page 314 note 4 Aposyd: questioned or examined in grammar.Google Scholar

page 314 note 5 The lightness of the lime-tree leaf occurs as an image in other medieval English writings (Whiting, Proverbs L139).Google Scholar

page 314 note 6 Exarsatum: recte ‘exossatum.’Google Scholar

page 314 note 7 Bymyfey: added later.Google Scholar

page 314 note 8 By ryst: added later.Google Scholar

page 315 note 10 Sponys: chips. The first two elements of the proverb are recorded elsewhere in the late 15th century (Whiting, Proverbs F187).Google Scholar

page 315 note 11 Ibid. C251.Google Scholar

page 315 note 13 Lotyth: lurk. Cribrifurum: presumably ‘a sieve of thieves.’Google Scholar

page 315 note 14 Wordle: world. Temito: perhaps meant for ‘timeto.’Google Scholar

page 315 note 15 Worl: world.Google Scholar

page 315 note 16 Timmarijs: presumably ‘thymy’ from Latin ‘timus.’Google Scholar

page 315 note 18 Kast: presumably a throw at dice or with a missile. Afore: beforehand. Poynet: a poignet (wristlet or bracelet).Google Scholar

page 315 note 20 Scolatiso: recte ‘scolatisat.’Google Scholar

page 316 note 23 Cawlestokke: cabbage stalk.Google Scholar

page 316 note 24 Pyppe: pip, a respiratory disease of poultry.Google Scholar

page 316 note 26 Lowys: loves. Spald: shoulder. A similar sentence occurs in some 15th-century vulgaria from Winchester: ‘Draper, howe louys pu a yerde of pis clothe, pe whiche ys well colowryde?’ (British Library, Add. MS 60577, fol. 73).Google Scholar

page 316 note 28 Belsyre: grandfather. Sowgyng: sucking.Google Scholar

page 316 note 29 Sanctimo: recte ‘sanctissima.’Google Scholar

page 317 note 32 Wornges: wrongs.Google Scholar

page 317 note 33 Possidiuo: perhaps intended to mean ‘in possession of.’ Pagus, ‘a district’: apparently a mistake for ‘portus,’ ‘a port.’Google Scholar

page 317 note 34 The proverb has not been found in English in this form; the Latin (with an internal rhyme) may be the original.Google Scholar

page 317 note 36 Candylmasse euyn: the day before 2 February. Fasting was encouraged on the eves or vigils of great ecclesiastical feasts.Google Scholar

page 317 note 37 Green sewe: probably the same as ‘sauce verte,’ a green sauce made with parsley, mint, and other herbs (Two Fifteenth-Century Cookery-Books, ed. T. Austin [EETS os 91; London 1888] 77, 110). ‘Vergys’ (verjuice) and vinegar were other popular constituents of sauces to go with veal or mutton (ibid. 13, 72, 110).Google Scholar

page 318 note 39 Leche fynger: the fourth or ring finger.Google Scholar

page 318 note 42 Flescholeve: perhaps meant for ‘flesh-leave,’ a literal translation of ‘carniprivium,’ the beginning of Lent.Google Scholar

page 318 note 43 Latyn: a Latin exercise.Google Scholar

page 318 note 45 It is healthier to be loose than to be constipated.’ Laxatiuum: is glossed in English ‘laxatyfe.’ Constupatum: is glossed in English ‘costy, as a mon pat may not go to sege.’Google Scholar

page 318 note 46 Asyre: an ounce and a half of pure azure blue cost 2s. 6d. at Westminster in 1290 (Salzman, L. F., Building in England down to 1540 [Oxford 1967] 169).Google Scholar

page 319 note 49 Nudus: recte nudum.Google Scholar

page 319 note 50 Bowke: the nave of the church, open to the laity. A medieval priest commonly drew his hood over his head and face before hearing confession (Myrc, John, Instructions for Parish Priests , ed. E. Peacock [EETS os 31; London 1868] 27).Google Scholar

page 319 note 52 Gold-smyth: godl-smyth in MS.Google Scholar

page 319 note 53 Fyscyus: vicious.Google Scholar

page 319 note 55 Pe byschyp of synt dauyes: presumably Benedict Nicholl(s), bishop from 1417 to 1433. For his biography see Emden, A. B., A Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500 (Oxford 1959) III 2200–1. He is not known to have had any connection with the Bristol area, but may have taken ship from the city when travelling to his diocese.Google Scholar

page 320 note 56 The last part of the English sentence is missing in the MS.Google Scholar

page 320 note 57 But: probably for ‘buth’ (are).Google Scholar

page 320 note 59 Grene gees: young geese. Garlic was a recommended ingredient of sauce for a goose (Two Fifteenth-Century Cookery-Books, ed. Austin, 109).Google Scholar

page 320 note 60 Watt schode: wet-shod. The Oxford English Dictionary records a similar usage of the term to mean ‘drunken’ in 1589.Google Scholar

page 320 note 61 Me: indefinite pronoun (singular or plural) meaning ‘one,’ ‘people.’ Seynt jame: Compostella in northern Spain, for which Bristol was a favourite port of departure. See, for example, The Book of Margery Kempe, edd. Meech, S. B. & Allen, H. E. (EETS os 212; London 1940) I 108–10, 310.Google Scholar

page 321 note 64 Walkyn: welkin.Google Scholar

page 321 note 72 Any holy man should preach boldly to an adulterer and a deserter [in marriage], because an adulterer and a deserter are abominable to God.Google Scholar

page 321 note 73 Quest: inquest.Google Scholar

page 322 note 74 Lolerdys: arrests of Lollards in England reached their peaks after the Lollard risings of 1414 and 1431, but went on intermittently during the 1420s (Thomson, J. A. F., The Later Lollards, 1414–1520 [London 1965] passim).Google Scholar

page 322 note 75 Boythius: De disciplina scholarium 4.23, ascribed to Boethius in the Middle Ages (PL 64.1232b), but actually an anonymous work of ca. 1230–40, probably from Paris (Ps.-Boèce, De disciplina scholarium, ed. Olga Weijers [Leiden–Cologne 1976] 115). The English proverb is not listed in Whiting, Proverbs. Google Scholar

page 322 note 76 We men of today are in the sixth millennium from the beginning of the world.’ Medieval chronologists often dated the creation of the world to 4000 b.c., so that the a.d. 1400S would fall in the sixth millennium. Ciliade: is glossed in Latin ‘millinario.’Google Scholar

page 322 note 77 Dewllyd: dwelt.Google Scholar

page 322 note 78 For: far.Google Scholar

page 322 note 80 Unless I reply better and more perfectly to my master on the matter set by him before I leave here, I fear I shall be severely beaten.Google Scholar

page 323 note 83 Crachchyd: broken.Google Scholar

page 323 note 85 Crupul: cripple.Google Scholar

page 323 note 86 Y-smete me porowout onware: smitten me thoroughly unawares.Google Scholar

page 323 note 88 Soculyng: suckling.Google Scholar

page 323 note 89 Y-sacryd: consecrated the bread and wine at mass.Google Scholar

page 323 note 91 Comparisonys: either the morphology and syntax of comparison in Latin, or exercises on the subject.Google Scholar

page 323 note 92 Calyce: Henry V was at Calais in 1415, 1416, and 1421; Henry VI was there in 1430.Google Scholar

page 323 note 94 Onnethe: scarcely. Sowle: sowl, any relish eaten with bread.Google Scholar

page 324 note 96 A peler and a defender: the parties in a law-suit which was being settled through trial by battle (Holdsworth, Sir W. S., A History of English Law [5th ed.; London 1931] I 308–10, 678–79). Tote hulle: Tothill, the area west of Westminster Abbey, part of which (Tothil] Field) was open ground (Stow, John, A Survey of London, ed. C. L. Kingsford [Oxford 19081 II 123). It was still used as a place for trial by battle in 1571 (Holdsworth, op. cit. 310).Google Scholar

page 324 note 97 Lygh: light. Chylle: chelle (lamp vessel). Colop: a slice of meat, e.g. bacon.Google Scholar

page 324 note 98 Schold: schlod in MS.Google Scholar

page 324 note 102 Baptisati: recte baptisari.Google Scholar

page 325 note 103 It belongs to the clergy to stand in the chancel, but to laymen and laywomen to stand in the nave of the church.’ Naui: is glossed in English ‘bowke.’Google Scholar

page 325 note 104 Your courtesy is weak.’ Generositas: is glossed in English ‘cortesy.’ Inualida: is glossed in Latin ‘non valet.’Google Scholar

page 325 note 105 Feler: more. Cule: bottom.Google Scholar

page 325 note 106 Fewer: feler in MS.Google Scholar

page 325 note 107 Y-concludyd: confuted or overcome in argument.Google Scholar

page 325 note 110 Prime: the third of the eight daily services or ‘hours,’ said at about 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. The association here with breaking one's fast is also found at Exeter Cathedral, where the choristers seem to have had breakfast when prime was over (Ordinate Exon, ed. J. N. Dalton [HBS 37; London 1909] I 7; Oliver, G., Lives of the Bishops of Exeter [Exeter 1861] 228). Horlage clercke: the clerk of a church responsible for keeping time and ringing to announce the approaching times of services.Google Scholar

page 326 note 112 Flowre and whyte grece: flour and lard. The Latin equivalents ‘similaginis’ and ‘suminis’ are in the wrong order.Google Scholar

page 326 note 113 Worle: world.Google Scholar

page 326 note 114 Worl: world. Y sum tyme: sum y tyme in MS.Google Scholar