A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases [Hardcover]

Christopher Corčdon (Author), Ann Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004

An interest in the middle ages often brings the non-specialist reader up short against a word or term which is not understood or only imperfectly understood. This dictionary is intended to put an end to all that - though such a claim is inevitably rash. However, it has been designed in the hope that it will be of real help to non-academic readers, and in some cases maybe even to specialists. The dictionary contains some 3,400 terms as headwords, ranging from the legal and ecclesiastic to the more prosaic words of daily life. Latin was the language of the church, law and government, and many Latin terms illustrated here are frequently found in modern books of history of the period; similarly, the precise meaning of Old English and Middle English terms may elude today's reader: this dictionary endeavours to provide clarity. In addition to definition, etymologies of many words are given, in the belief that knowing the origin and evolution of a word gives a better understanding. There are also examples of medieval terms and phrases still in use today, a further aid to clarifying meaning. CHRISTOPHER COREDON has also compiled the Dictionary of Cybernyms. Dr ANN WILLIAMS, historical consultant on the project, was until her retirement Senior Lecturer in medieval history at the Polytechnic of North London.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A superb example of clarity and concision...with a generous and readable layout. TLS(Intended) to provide the enthusiast with a guide to medieval language.it succeeds magnificently. (...) It is an invaluable resource. HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW Whoever reads about medieval subjects will wish to own this handy and reliable reference work, and all reference libraries should have it. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF BIBLICAL STUDIESA very useful book. REFERENCE REVIEWS Has many good points; (and is) a pleasure to browse through. (...) More than fulfils its promise to be of assistance to any non-academic reader of history and as such should be on the shelf of all avid readers of medieval history. JNL of the AUSTRALIAN EARLY MEDIEVAL ASSOCIATIONThis wondrous dictionary...an excellent and accessible publication that would greatly enhance any historical collection. www.randlesreviews.co.uk

About the Author

CHRISTOPHER COREDON has also compiled the Dictionary of Cybernyms. Dr ANN WILLIAMS, historical consultant on the project, was until her retirement Senior Lecturer in medieval history at the Polytechnic of North London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 318 pages
• Publisher: D.S.Brewer (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843840235
• ISBN-13: 978-1843840237
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,524,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost a mini-encyclopedia...addictive to browse!, February 24, 2006

By 

Kelly Cannon Hess (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases (Hardcover)

What a pity this book doesn't have the "look inside" feature enabled. I almost doubted it was worth its rather steep price. But when I got a nice fat Amazon gift certificate for Christmas, I took the plunge and found that yes, it is worth it.

I've been an amateur medievalist for about 8 years and have done considerable independent reading. There are words in this book that I've never seen before (ex. leaning staffs: crutch-like sticks that the old and infirm leaned on in church, where it was forbidden to sit). There are words in this book that I've seen but not quite understood, and couldn't find in any other reference work, online or print (ex. chevauchee: warfare by attrition). There are words I've seen conflicting definitions of elsewhere; the DICTIONARY clears up the confusion (ex. garderobe: first, a place to store clothing; only later was the word used as a euphemism for an indoor privy).

This book does more than define words. Many of its entries are so comprehensive (ex. mini-histories of sheriffs and the Cistercian order) as to be encyclopedic. These encapsulations go beyond simply clarifying a particular word or phrase; they actually enhance my understanding of key aspects of the Middle Ages. Topics covered in the DICTIONARY include culture, war, heraldry, church and law, to name just a few. Medieval Latin terms get substantial exposure as well.

I own Cosman's MEDIEVAL WORDBOOK and have found it to be passable as a reference, though not much for browsing. A DICTIONARY OF MEDIEVAL TERMS AND PHRASES is a book I could almost sit and read from cover to cover, just for the joy of discovery.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Research Tool, August 28, 2006

By 

Faithful Reader, USA (Central NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases (Hardcover)

Not exactly bedtime reading, it is a dictionary after all, but what a fine dictionary of medieval terms and phrases. I am researching early Anglo-Saxon England and find this a very helpful tool indeed. For the price it is a real bargain.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Filled with all sorts of things I've wondered about., August 29, 2008

By 

mayflower (BFE North, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases (Paperback)

I have used this book several times as I read novels about the medieval period. It has helped me a great deal. It's filled with valuable information and good insight. But I have encountered a few times where I was not able to find something in particular, to my disappointment. I mean it is a pretty thick book and I assumed it would have everything in it. But not so.
But it is still a valuable addition to my collection and I know I will use it often.