BOOK XX. *421-*432
These lines are found only in Hart’s printed edition. Pinkerton thought there was “no reason to view them as an interpolation,” and Jamieson regarded their agreement with the account in the _Howlat_[103] “a strong presumption of authenticity.” By Skeat they were at first accepted as genuine, but afterwards, influenced by the reasoning on Barbour’s rhymes of P. Buss in _Anglia_,[104] he surrendered them as an interpolation. In the passage of twelve lines three rhymes occur, which are unusual--more strongly, impossible--for Barbour on the basis of his admitted work. These are _battell--tell_, _to be--de_, _ho--to_. In the first case, Barbour, it is claimed, elsewhere always uses the “liquid” form _bataill_ (_battalyhe_) to rhyme with another word of the same character as _assaile_ or _travaill_ (_travailyhe_).[105] In the second, he “never rhymes _be_ with _de_ (correctly _dey_),” as Skeat puts it, for _de_ (Icel. _deyja_) was still influenced by the terminal semi-guttural, giving it an “impure” sound, whereas “be,” with no ghostly after-sound, is quite “pure.” The final example brings together two different values of “o,” and, it may be added, in the four cases in which Barbour uses the word, it is in the form _hoyne_.[106] These rhyme-tests had also been applied to the same result by Mr. W. A. Craigie.[107]
[103] See below.
[104] First Series, vol. ix., 493-514.
[105] But note _battell_, two syllables, in xiii. 395, 418; xiv. 175; and _battell-stede_ (xiv. 301).
[106] V. 602; vi. 564; x. 226; xiv. 152.
[107] _Scottish Review_, 1893, p. 192 note.
With this conclusion Mr. Brown agrees, “although on slightly different grounds.”[108] Hart’s edition, of course, takes a place in his general scheme of redaction. But he would “hesitate to reject the lines on the rimes alone,” and “The _be, de_ test” seems to him “quite untrustworthy.”[109] Skeat thinks it unanswerable.[110] Mr. Neilson pleads “that this canon begs the whole question of the text of the Bruce ... first you find your canon; then you edit out of your text all that is disconform.”[111] Arguing specially on its application to _The Legends of the Saints_, he points out that “There are not a few metrical and other solecisms in the Bruce,” and that the “exceptional _e_-rhyme” is the stamp of transition.[112] It is to be observed also that Chaucer, Barbour’s contemporary, and more careful in such matters than he, rhymes _ho, y-do_ in the _Knight’s Tale_.[113] In the _Alexander_ occurs the _tell--battell_ rhyme.[114] On the whole, the test is perhaps not so conclusive--out of Germany--as Skeat imagines. Further, from the indubitable reference in the _Howlat_ to the _Bruce_, Neilson accepts the latter as the sole source of its digression, and the lines as therefore authentic.[115]
[108] P. 135.
[109] P. 135.
[110] _Pref._, liv.
[111] _John Barbour_, p. 50.
[112] _The Scottish Antiquary_, vol. xi., p. 107 note.
[113] Group A, 2533-2534.
[114] P. 308; 26, 27.
[115] Chambers’s _Cyclopædia of English Literature_, i. 175.
If, however, what has already been said of the passages from Hart hold good,[116] then this one must go with the rest. Fortunately, in this specific case that argument can be greatly strengthened, for the lines have never been tried by their relation to the context and their historic implications, and that obvious and indisputable test puts the question beyond doubt. They have but an outside connection with the narrative of Barbour, and otherwise are in flat contradiction thereto. So much is at once evident from the closing couplet:
“And took it up in gret daintie; And _ever in field_ this used he.”
[116] _Pref._, pp. vi-viii.
It is a series of performances of this kind that is contemplated, not a single example, which is all that Barbour’s account gives room for. Douglas is credited with a habit of this sort, “ever in field”; while Barbour, like Froissart, knows of only one battle in which Douglas fought while bearing the heart of Bruce.[117] Nor is Barbour likely to have omitted such a “point of chivalry” on the part of his twin hero, had a valid tradition of it existed in his day.
[117] _Cf._ notes on Book XX. 393, 431.
The problem becomes clearer when we consider alternative and later accounts of the expedition of Douglas, for which see note on Book XX. 191, 192. Evidently the idea of his going to the Holy Land, as Froissart explains the commission,[118] and as it occurs in Bower, gave an opening for embellishment, which expands in the hands of Boece to the extent of thirteen victories achieved by Douglas over the Turks! This, however, is only to give more precision to a composite account contained in the _Buke of the Howlat_ of the middle of the fifteenth century, a poem written in glorification of the Douglases. The author, supposed to be Richard Holland, speaks of the great friendship Bruce had for Douglas: “Reid the writ of thar work to your witness”[119]--a clear reference to the _Bruce_, especially as in xxxv. and xxxvi. he paraphrases the reply of Douglas to the King in Book XX. 223, 234. Thereafter, however, he strikes off from Barbour. Douglas goes to “the haly graif,” where--
[118] In part; but see the reconciling passage in note on xx. 191-2.
[119] Stanza xxxi.
“XXXVII.
“He gart hallowe the hart, and syne couth it hyng About his hals[120] (neck) full hende (respectfully), and on his awne hart.”
[120] But _cf._ xx. 307, where this comes before.
The story then proceeds:
“XXXVIII.
“Now bot I semble for thi saull with Sarasenis mycht, Sall I never sene be into Scotland!”
An extension of the original commission, be it noted, and a motive for what follows:
“Thus in defence of the faith he fure to the fecht With knychtis of Cristindome to kepe his command. And quhen _the batallis_ so brym, brathly and bricht, War _joyned_ thraly in thrang, mony thousand, Amang the hethin men the hert hardely he slang, Said: ‘Wend on as thou was wont, Throw the _batell_ in bront, Ay formast in the front, Thy fays amang;’
“XXXIX.
“‘And I sall followe the in faith, or feye to be fellit,-- As thi lege man leill, my lyking thow art.’
* * * * *
Thus frayis he the fals folk, trewly to tell it, _Aye quhile he coverit_ (recovered) _and come to the Kingis hart, Thus feile feildis he wan, aye worschipand it_, Throwout Cristindome kid (known) War the dedis that he did, Till on a time it betid As tellis the writ.”[121]
[121] _Cf._ also xlii.
So we go back to Barbour (“the writ”), but in the final scene there is no mention of throwing the heart, any more than in the genuine _Bruce_, though it is stated that “His hardy men tuk the hart syne upon hand.”[122]
[122] XLI. _Cf._ _Bruce_, xx. 486, 487.
Obviously we have in these stanzas, and especially in the words underlined, the source of the lines in the _Bruce_, which are further in express contradiction to Barbour’s narrative, and have no place in it. The threefold argument leads inevitably to the one conclusion that these lines are an interpolation, and, as a corollary, that their source is the _Howlat_. Mr. Amours, in editing that poem,[123] has gone so far as to say that this is “almost certain.” I would remove the qualification.[124]
[123] Ed. S.T.S.
[124] _Cf._ also _Preface_, pp. vii-viii.
APPENDIX E
THE “ALEXANDER” AND THE “BRUCE”
_The Buik of the Most Noble and Vailyeand Conquerour, Alexander the Great_ is an anonymous Scots translation of three French romances in the Alexander cycle, dated, in a rhyming colophon, 1438, and published for the Bannatyne Club in 1831. Between this translation and the _Bruce_ there is a remarkably intimate and undisguised connection, not only in spirit and method, but in “the diction as a whole, the choice of words and the arrangement of the sentences, (and) the abundant use of alliteration,” to such an extent that “in reading the _Buik of Alexander_ one would often think that he discerned the singer of the _Bruce_.”[125] A few examples have been given in the notes, but for a full survey of this literary phenomenon the reader must go to the dissertation quoted from above, or to Mr. J. T. T. Brown’s _The Wallace and the Bruce Restudied_, pp. 100-112 (Bonn, 1900), or Mr. Neilson’s _John Barbour, Poet and Translator_ (London, 1900), which is devoted to the subject; or, for the parallels in the Bannockburn account, to Mr. Neilson’s article on Barbour in Chambers’s _Cyclopædia of English Literature_, vol. i.
[125] _Untersuchungen über das schottische Alexanderbuch._ Albert Hermann, Halle, 1893, pp. 26, 27.
On the facts there is no dispute; for explanation three hypotheses have been put forward. Hermann, accepting the 1438 date, concludes that the translator of the _Alexander_ was so familiar with the language of the _Bruce_--“here and there, indeed, knew it by heart” (_stellenweise es wohl auswendig wusste_)--that his translation was necessarily strongly influenced thereby.[126] This is inadmissible; the French poems are earlier than the _Bruce_, and to these the links of connection ultimately go back. The relationship is really deeper than the mere language of the translation, as Hermann himself indicates. Mr. Neilson, accordingly, in a detailed and forcible argument, claims Barbour himself as the translator of the _Alexander_, arguing that, the literary proofs being so conclusive, the date given must be an error, “scribal or printer’s.”[127] Given Roman numerals to begin with, such a slip is not in the least unlikely; variations of this sort occur in the _Bruce_ itself,[128] and 1438 may have been a misreading of 1338, or the date may be that of the scribe’s copy, not of the actual work. Mr. Neilson has an ingenious section on the wayward fortunes of dates.[129] Thus, reversing Hermann’s thesis, he holds that “Barbour’s mind and memory had been steeped in the _Alexander_ when he wrote the _Bruce_.”[130] Mr. Neilson’s argument and conclusion are vigorously contested by Mr. Brown in a _Postscript_ to the work cited. His more elaborate hypothesis is that David Rate translated the _Alexander_ in 1437, and that “John Ramsay, Sir John the Ross, wishful to improve the plain song of John Barbour, used the translation of the _Alexander_ extensively, taking freely whatever he required.”[131] Mr. Brown’s negative criticism is independent of this proposition which is involved in his wider theory regarding the construction of the _Bruce_. The eclectic conclusion of the writer in the _Cambridge History of English Literature_, vol. ii., is: “Either the book (_i.e._, the _Alexander_) is the work of Barbour preserved in a somewhat later form, or the author was saturated with Barbour’s diction, so that he continually repeats his phrases.”[132]
[126] As cited, p. 35.
[127] As cited, p. 45.
[128] _Cf._ p. 292.
[129] Pp. 43-47.
[130] P. 56.
[131] P. 162.
[132] P. 448.
In the dust of the conflict a crucial fact has gone unobserved--namely, that one of the parallel lines enumerated by Brown and Hermann appears in the portion of the _Bruce_ incorporated in his own work by Wyntoun.[133] _Here, then, we have a line of the alleged translation of 1438 occurring in the “Bruce” as it existed before 1420._ Thus the only outstanding difficulty of Mr. Neilson’s proposition disappears. The effect on the rival propositions is obvious.
[133] The _Bruce_, I. 160; _Alexander_, 8, 8; _Wyntoun_, Book viii. chap. ii. 246; _Brown_, p. 110.
APPENDIX F
MR. BROWN’S “SOURCES” FOR THE “BRUCE.”
In pursuance of his “hypothesis of fifteenth-century redaction” of the _Bruce_, Mr. Brown applies what he claims to be “fair and ordinary tests” to six “selected examples,” in order to show that his hypothesis “has a basis in demonstrable fact.”[134] I shall notice such of these very briefly, premising that I do not consider Mr. Brown’s use of his tests either “fair” or “ordinary.” So much, I think, will appear.
[134] _The Wallace and The Bruce Restudied_, p. 92.
1. _The Trojan War_, _Alexander the Great_, _Julius Cæsar_, and _King Arthur_.
(_a_) The only thing urged against the _Trojan War_ passage[135] is that it is in the suspicious company of the others, and these, Mr. Brown suggests, are derived from Chaucer’s _Monk’s Tale_, from which he produces a selection of lines to parallel those in the _Bruce_. It may be urged,[136] at the outset, that two contemporary poets dealing with the same set of historical events are very likely to display similarities. As Chaucer himself begins by saying--
“The storie of Alisaundre is so commune, That every wight that hath discrecioune Hath herd somwhat or al of his fortune.”
[135] I. 521-8.
[136] _Bruce_, I. 529-548; _Monk’s Tale_, Group B., 3821-3908.
But even in Mr. Brown’s “selected” lines it is the divergencies rather than the similarities that stand out. Chaucer says nothing of “Babilony’s tour”; “his awyne hows” is no parallel to “of thyne owne folk”; and “Bot, ar he deit, his land delt he” has no equivalent whatsoever in the _Monk’s Tale_. Yet Chaucer has forty lines to Barbour’s eight. In fact, the “example” is a stock one, even to its phraseology, as witness these excerpts from sources half a century and more earlier than either poet: _Commendatio Lamentabilis_ on Edward I. in 1307, “magnus Alexander ... Nam ille annos regnans duodecim veneno hausto vita defungitur (15); _Vita Edwardi Sec._ (c. 1326). Sed ille magnus Græcorum imperator Alexander, _totius orbis domitor, cum cunctas nationes orbis subicit, per familiares proditores toxicatus occubuit_.” Do such close parallels prove that either Barbour or Chaucer borrowed from chronicles which they never saw?
(_b_) Mr. Brown argues that the _Julius Cæsar_ parallels are “not less remarkable for significant agreement, as regards the sequence of the narrative,”[137] and that “so far as concerns the diction it (the _Bruce_ passage) approaches even nearer the Chaucerian original.”[138] But where Chaucer speaks of Cæsar conquering “thoccident” and “the orient,” Barbour enumerates the countries. Is this similarity of diction? According to Mr. Brown, he is giving “simply an expansion of the Chaucerian phrases.”[139] Elsewhere, in such a case, Barbour is convicted of “summarising” or “assimilating,” here of “expanding.” This is Mr. Brown’s “fork” from which no author could escape. In twelve lines Barbour comments on Cæsar’s conquests, his imperial position, and his death, and in forty-eight Chaucer gives a detailed biography introducing Pompey, of whom Barbour says nothing, and Barbour is thereupon charged with following “the sequence of the narrative”--as if he could avoid doing so! That Cæsar by both poets is styled “Emperor” goes for nothing; that was the medieval way; as also was the statement that he was killed in “the Capitol,” as Shakespeare, too, believed. But the most striking note of difference remains. Barbour says of Cæsar--
“Hys eyn with his hand closit he, For to dey with mar honeste.”[140]
[137] P. 98.
[138] P. 99.
[139] P. 97, note.
[140] I. 548, 549.
Now Chaucer remarks: “Of honestee yet had he remembrance,”[141] and Mr. Brown enrols the word “honestee” among the things “not to be explained either as commonplaces or as mere coincidences.”[142] We see Barbour’s idea of his “honeste”; this is Chaucer’s:
“His mantel over his hypes casteth he For no man sholde seen his privetee.”[143]
[141] 3908.
[142] P. 99.
[143] 3904-5.
Mr. Brown here seems to have followed Cæsar’s example and “closit hys eyn”!
(_c_) The only point made with regard to the _Arthur_ lines[144] is the calling of Lucius “Emperor,” and regarding this see my note on the passage. Geoffrey of Monmouth does the same. That Wyntoun corrects Huchown, and not Barbour, in this usage--well, Mr. Brown can make all he can of that. Barbour’s dozen lines on the familiar _Arthur_ story is charged with being “an excellent summary of the _Morte Arthure_,”[145] a poem of 4,364 lines! No “expansion” here!
[144] I. 549-561.
[145] P. 99.
2. The _Alexander_ allusions in Bks. III., X. With reference to these see Appendix E. But why should Mr. Brown speak of “the famous grey palfrey of Lord Douglas” on the strength of one notice in Bk. II. 118? There is nothing to justify the epithet “famous”; and _Ferrand_ was no more an unusual name for a “grey” horse than _Blanchard_ for a white one. Bishop Lamberton might have had “a grey” as well as Eumynedus.[146]
[146] See note on passage.
3. _The Ferumbras Romance._ I have analyzed this passage in my notes to Bk. III., 435-462. Mr. Brown contends that the adoption of the form _Ferumbras_ for the French _Fierabras_ “points to a knowledge on the part of the Scottish poet” of either the _Syr Ferumbras_ or the _Sowdone of Babylone_, in both of which this form occurs. It is possibly an adaptation of the spelling _Fierenbras_, which occurs in _The Destruction of Rome_ and also in a fragment of the romance.[147] But there is nothing more remarkable in Barbour’s intrusion of the “m” here than in his calling Lubaut or Lybaut, _Lumbard_ in Bk. X. 324,[148] or Capaneus, _Campaneus_.[149] More significant is the name _Lavyne_ for _Balan_, which is the normal form for all the existing texts, French and English, save the _Sowdone_, where we have _Laban_, _Lavane_ and _Lavyne_, and _The Destruction of Rome_ (French), which has _Balan_ and _Laban_, the latter of which has given the spelling in “v.” Mr. Brown, however, rules out the _Destruction_ for Barbour, as being “merely related to the Charlemagne cycle,”[150] though Dr. Hausknecht accepts it as the original of the first part of the _Sowdone_.[151] Why, then, should Barbour, too, not have known it? Mr. Brown’s conclusion is that the name, with other material, points to the whole passage being based on the _Sowdone_, and the _Sowdone_ being post-Chaucerian--in which opinion he follows, and even goes beyond, Hausknecht--of the beginning of the fifteenth century, after Barbour’s death, it obviously follows that the lines cannot have been his work.[152] Against this may be put Hausknecht’s own conclusion, to which Mr. Brown makes no reference: “It is worthy of notice that the account of the Fierabras romance, as given by Barbour, may be considered, on the whole, as identical with the subject of the French _Fierabras_ or the English _Syr Ferumbras_, _but not with the_ _Sowdan_, as there is no mention made of the combat before Rome, nor any trace of what makes up the first part of the _Sowdan_.”[153] A few additional facts will substantiate Hausknecht’s statement.
[147] E.E.T.S. _The Sowdone of Babylone_, _Introd._, pp. xxxi, xxxii.
[148] See note.
[149] II. 534.
[150] P. 114.
[151] As cited, p. xxv.
[152] Pp. 115, 116.
[153] P. ix, note. The italics are mine.
In the _Sowdone_ the twelve peers are shut up in “Egrymor”; Barbour gives “bot eleven.”[154] Mr. Brown says of the _Bruce_ account that, “Every line is traceable in the _Sowdone_.”[155] There is no trace of line 452, or of Lavyne’s “flot” in 456; Charlemagne, instead of “being joyful” at the news that his peers were alive, there bursts out in anger against the traitor Ganelon.[156] Conclusive, on Mr. Brown’s own case, is the fact, noted by Hausknecht, that the relics mentioned by Barbour “differ from all other versions.”[157] It is not “off the croice a gret party”[158] in the _Sowdone_, but simply “the crosse, the crown, the nailes bente”;[159] and there is no mention of “the sper.”[160] Nothing is said of the cross in the _Fierabras_ or the _Syr Ferumbras_, and the _Destruction_ has the crown of thorns, the cross, the nails, and the “signe”[161] or shroud. Nor did Barbour invent “the sper,” for it is spoken of in this connection, though not in the final distribution, in the Provençal version of the _Fierabras_: “_e del fer d’una lansa_,” the spear-head.[162] It would seem, then, that Barbour was using a version of the romance different, in certain particulars, from any we now possess. At any rate, Mr. Brown has to get round these awkward corners before he can transfix Barbour on _Lavyne_.
[154] 444.
[155] P. 115, note.
[156] “_Genelyn_,” 2843-6.
[157] P. ix, note.
[158] P. 461.
[159] 665.
[160] _Bruce_, iii. 459.
[161] Hausknecht, note to line 665.
[162] _Der Roman von Fierabras, Provensalisch_, p. 5, line 15; Immanuel Bekker, Berlin, 1829.
4. _The Tydeus Episode_, Bk. VI. 179-268. It may be granted that Barbour here is not, as Skeat supposed, drawing directly on the _Thebaid_ of Statius, even in memory. But then no more is Lydgate in his _Story of Thebes_;[163] having used, according to Dr. Koeppel, some French prose epic based on the classical story,[164] now lost, or giving in his poem “a transcript from a French rendering of Statius.”[165] There was ample material, including even, as Gaston Paris has suggested, an abridgment of Statius in Latin prose. Mr. Brown contends that Barbour’s “redactor” borrowed from Lydgate. But here, again, the differences are sufficiently vital to thwart such a conclusion. “Betwix ane hye crag and the se”[166] has no equivalent either in Statius or Lydgate, as is clear from Mr. Brown’s own citations;[167] nor has the detail that the “gret stane ... throu the gret anciente, Wes lowsyt reddy for to fall,”[168] for which Lydgate has:
“Beside he saw with water turned down An huge stone, large, round, and square.”[169]
[163] c. 1420.
[164] _Brown_, p. 117.
[165] Gregory Smith, _The Transition Period_, p. 8.
[166] P. 211.
[167] P. 118.
[168] Pp. 252-3.
[169] Ed. 1598, fol. 381.
In an inductive literary argument differences must be accounted for as well as similarities, and any other possible sources must be satisfactorily eliminated. Opinions as to “the classical parsimony of independent translators”[170] are purely speculative.
[170] P. 119.
5. _The Hannibal lines_, Bk. III. 207-248.--Here Mr. Brown’s argument needs only to be summarily stated to show its inadequacy. Wyntoun borrowed from Barbour in some instances, but not in this; therefore, since there are similarities in the way the same story is told, the _Bruce_ lines are drawn from the _Cronykil_.[171] Wyntoun confesses to having translated from Orosius, Mr. Brown says through Martinus Polonus, and he follows his author closely. Barbour’s narrative is brief and, in several details, faulty, in which he diverges from both the Latin author and his Scots translator.[172] The startling error in chronology, especially, “would not be readily made by one using Martinus at first hand,” but with the _Cronikyl_ before him the writer was quite likely to do so![173] The peculiar “touches” in the _Bruce_ passage are noted, but unexplained. It is assumed that “The agreement with Martinus is much too close for it to be considered to be written from memory;”[174] and “there is nothing in Martinus that should lead us to expect independent translators to ascribe such a victory to God and in terms so similar:
“Bot throw Goddis gret powste.”[175] “Bot throw the mycht of Goddis grace.”[176]
[171] P. 125.
[172] P. 126. See notes on passage.
[173] P. 127.
[174] P. 126.
[175] _Wyntoun._
[176] _The Bruce, &c._, p. 126.
But the terms are not “similar,” and both are a mediæval rendering of _divina miseratio_ in Orosius and Polonus. The whole argument in this connection is involved and haphazard. What is there illegitimate in the simple hypothesis that Barbour wrote from a well-stored but not perfectly accurate memory, and that Wyntoun preferred the first-hand to the second-hand source? So we explain both similarities and differences. Wyntoun’s lines are a plain following of his Latin author; Barbour’s a brief summary, with expansions and comments of his own leading up to the moral he wishes to enforce; and in this case Mr. Brown cannot point to a single line in common.
6. _Froissart and the Bruce._--Here Mr. Brown prints his parallels in full, and the matter can be safely left to the judgment of the unprejudiced reader. It need only be remarked that Froissart (1) calls Douglas William instead of James; (2) sends the heart to the Holy Sepulchre[177]; (3) makes Bruce choose Douglas; (4) embarks him at Montrose; (5) takes him to Sluys; (6) lands him at Seville: while Barbour (1) is right as to Douglas; (2) sends the heart against “Goddis fayis”; (3) makes the barons choose Douglas; (4) embarks him at Berwick; (5) says nothing of Sluys; and (6) lands him at Valentia. Of Barbour’s “motive” lines, of the repentance for blood-spilling and the saving of his sins,[178] Froissart (or Le Bel) has no trace. The two narratives are independent, though, in their trend, alike.
[177] _Cf._, however, on XX. 181.
[178] 171-177.
APPENDIX G
LANGUAGE AND ORTHOGRAPHY
The language of the _Bruce_ is Northern English, the dialect spoken north of the Humber. Barbour himself calls it “Inglis” (Bk. IV. 253), and Scottish writers down to the sixteenth century do the same. The name “Scots” is therefore a term of pure convenience, signifying the English spoken within the political borders of Scotland, which continued to be an independent literary medium after the Northern English of England had ceased to be such, and had yielded place to the standard dialect of Chaucer and his successors. But the language of the Aberdeen Barbour is substantially that of the Yorkshire Richard Rolle.
The most obvious characteristic of the northern tongue is that in development it was far ahead of its southern contemporary, in so far as it had absolutely got rid of inflections, not even retaining the final _e_ which casts its shadow over Chaucer. Where the final _e_ occurs in the _Bruce_ it is non-significant and unsounded. Like the variable spelling, it is the result of the writing of English by scribes accustomed to the sounds and orthography of contemporary French, which was rich in final _e’s_[179]--a process which had seriously complicated the straightforward phonetic spelling of Old English. A peculiar Scots fashion, however, was the representation of the long vowels by a combination with _y_ or _i_, sometimes in addition to a final _e_, which came to be regarded as the sign of a long vowel. Thus we have such groups as _mar_, _mair_, _mayr_: _done_, _doyn_, _doyne_. In these and similar cases _y_ is simply an alternative form of _i_; at first it would be written before letters like _m_, _n_, _u_, where _i_, having no dot, might be mistaken for a part of the succeeding letter; then in practice the two would become interchangeable according to the caprice of the writer. In this matter the scribe of C is rather more regular than that of E. Now, such a diphthong as _ai_ was in time reduced to a simple sound, when the _i_ became superfluous, and came to be looked upon as a sign of length. With this function it was afterwards, at the pleasure of the writer, transferred to the company of other long vowels where there was no original diphthong. Thus we have the long vowel sound represented in three ways--simple, with following _i_ (_y_), or with terminal _e_. In cases like _tais_, _gais_, however, the _i_ is part of the termination of the present tense of the verb, of which Barbour is particularly fond.[180]
[179] Sounded as yet, like those of M.E., but in time to become silent. Anglo-French is Norman-French developed in England; it was closely related to Old French, familiar to the scribes through the romances.
[180] Buss, _Anglia IX._, pp. 505-507. _Cf._ also Murray, _Dialect of the Southern Counties_, p. 53.
But while Scots--in the sense indicated above--had thus early parted with its inflections, it was, on the other hand, more conservative than the southern dialects in its treatment of the vowel sounds. It retained, for example, the Old English _ā_, which in Southern English was rounded into broad _o_ (_oa_)--_cf._ _ga_, _stane_ (O.E. or A.S. _gan_, _stan_) for _go_, _stone_. In the _Bruce_ (X. 199; XII. 299) the rhyme _more_, _before_ may show the rounding influence of _r_.[181] Vowels in words of French origin show slight modification. Anglo-French nasal _a_ before _m_, _n_ tends to become _au_, whence _daunger_, etc., and _o_ or _u_ to become _ou_ as in _baroun_, _felloun_. _Ai_ and _ei_ incline to merge in long _e_ as _feble_ (O.F. _faible_), and _sesyt_ (O.F. _seisir_); but _ai_ may also become _a_--_e.g._, _tratour_ for O.F. _traitor_.
[181] Buss, p. 509.
Aphæresis occurs in such shortened forms as _stroy_ (destroy), _semble_ (assemble), etc.
The following peculiarities may be noticed among the consonants:
_ch_ sometimes = “tch” in middle and end of word--_e.g._, _fech_ = fetch (II. 532).
_h_ is silent in _hoost_, as in all Anglo-French words of Latin origin, and sometimes drops out--_e.g._, _ost_ (II. 559, etc., O.F. _ost_), also in _ayris_ (heirs, V. 520).
_b_ in combination with _m_ is dropped both in pronunciation and spelling. _Cf._ _chamyr_ (II. 97), _tumlit_ (IV. 182, etc.). C _Hummyr_ for Humber; E _Humbre_ (XV. 538).
_d_ usually dropped after _n_--_e.g._, _henmast_ = hindmost (XII. 268, etc.); sometimes intrusive--_e.g._, _suddandly_ (VI. 11), but _suddanly_ (VI. 220). In _avantage_, _aventure_ from French the English _d_ is intrusive.
_f_ represents final _ve_ in _pruf_ or _preif_, _leiff_, _driff_, _knaf_, _haf_, etc., retaining the voiced sound (_v_) which it had in A.S. between vowels, and _r_ _l_ and vowels.
_g_ in words of French origin has before _e_, _i_, the English sound = _da(j)_, which was also then the French one--_e.g._, _liege_, _jugis_.
_l_ as indicating merely a long vowel is unsounded in _walknyt_ (VI. 296), _walk_ (wake, VII. 179, etc.). So we have also _falt_ (VI. 345, etc.) and _fawt_ (III. 298); _realte_ and _reawte_, etc. Skeat holds that the _l_ in the first case represents but a way of writing the first _k_, so that the words should be _wakk_, etc., but this does not cover the second case.[182]
[182] S.T.S., I. lxxxix., and Glossary.
_m_ and _n_ are often interchanged, as in _confort_, _manteme_, etc.
_ng_ becomes _n_ before _th_ as _lenth_, _strenth_, etc. _Cf._ also Grammar. The nasal _ng_ may take the place of the liquid _n_, as in _ryng_ (I. 78, etc.) for “reign” (Fr. _regner_). The French nasal _nce_ is represented by _ng_ or _nch_--_e.g._, _Vallang_ (II. 201) or _Vallanch_ (V. 472) for “Valence.”
_r._ Metathesis of _r_ is very characteristic of the Northern dialect--_e.g._, _fryst_ (first), _brist_ (burst, A.S. _berstan_), _tursit_ (O.F. _trusser_), etc.
_s_ is changed to _sch_ in _schir_, _isch_ (issue), etc.; but on the other side we have _sall_, _suld_ (shall, should) and _Inglis_.
_z_ has in _Fiz_ the Anglo-French sound _ts_, as in _rats_.
APPENDIX H
GRAMMAR
NOUNS
_Singular--Possessive Case._--1. The inflected genitive or possessive is formed by adding _ys_ or _is_; MS. E, on the whole, shows a preference for the former. Sometimes the final consonant is doubled. _Cf._ _a manis hand_ (VII. 580), to _mannys fude_ (X. 189).
2. Nouns denoting relationship are uninflected, as in Anglo-Saxon: _Mordreyt his sistir son_ (I. 557). _Till his brothiris pes_ (XI. 652) is an exception found in both MSS. For _And sperit of his brotheris fair_ (XVI. 21) in C, E has _brodyr_.
NOTE.--_Wode-syde_ (E _woddis sid_, IX. 139), _sonne-rising_, _hous end_ (VII. 163), all common combinations. Editors, however, usually read the termination of the last as _housis_, though it seems to fall under the same category.
_Plural._--1. The plural also is in _ys_ or _is_, more seldom _es_, representing A.S. _as_. It “formed a distinct syllable in monosyllables and words accented on the final syllable.”[183] The latter part of the statement is not, however, uniformly true. _Cf._ _battalis_ (XI. 122), _bischoppes and prelatis_ (XX. 294), etc., which are dissyllables.
2. Simple _s_ occurs only after _r_ and _y_ (_i_)--_galays_, _werriours_, etc.--but _spurys_, _baneris_, _towris_ also occur. _Feys_ (I. 58) and _fays_ (I. 223) are to be read as two syllables.
3. Final _f_ (_ff_) is generally changed to _v_, as _theif_, _thevis_; but _wif_ preserves the _f_ throughout, as _wifis_, _wiffys_, etc. (E, however, in XII. 246, has _wyvis_); and _lif_ has _lyvis_ (XI. 590), or _livis_ and _lyffis_ (X. 106), or _liffis_ (IV. 137).
4. Words ending in _er_, _ir_, _yr_, _yn_, _ill_ for the most part reject the final vowel before the ending of the plural: _dochtrys_, _lettres_ or _lettrys_, _wapnys_, etc. Where the vowel is retained, it is silent, as in _schulderis_ (IX. 356), _letteris_ (XVII. 31, 39), etc.
NOTE.--_Burges_ in XVI. 80, XVII. 236, is clearly unaltered in the plural, and this would seem to apply also to _marras_ (VIII. 35), _hous_ (VIII. 514, etc.), and _mos_ (VIII. 173), which are usually read as three and two syllables respectively. _Cf._ on _Singular_ (2).
5. Of strong plurals, besides _men_ and its compounds, _ky_ and _brethir_ by change of vowel (_Umlaut_), we have _eyn(e)_ (A.S. _eagan_), with singular _e_ or _ey_ (VI. 523), _oxin_ or _oxyne_ (X. 381, 388), _schoyne_ (II. 510). These (with _hosen_ and _fan_ (_faes_)) are the only plurals in _n_ preserved in Northern English.
6. Some old neuters (A.S.) take no inflection in the plural: _deir_, _hors_, etc.; _hous_ has _hous_ and _housis_ (X. 60, etc.), but _cf._ on (4) (note); _thing_ has _thing_ (XI. 27, etc.) and _thingis_. _Cf._ also _gudis_ and _gude_ (XVII. 517, 521). One form is in _er_ or _ir_, _childer_ (XII. 246) or _childir_ (XVII. 515), A.S. _cildru_.
7. Nouns indicating time, space, quantity, weight, and number are unchanged in the plural: _fifty yheir_ (in I. 522 occurs _ten yheris_, quite an exceptional case), _tuelf moneth_, _six and fourty wyntir_ (A.S. plural also _winter_), _twa myle_, _tuenty thousand pund_, etc. For _paris_ in C (XIII. 463), E reads _payr_. In XII. 234 C has _thre gret avantage_, where E gives _avantagis_, but reads _vasselagis_ (!) to rhyme.
8. Only _men_ suffers inflection in the plural possessive: _the Inglis menis fewte_ (VIII. 19), _of othir mennis landis_ (XI. 148). In _till Scottis men possessioune_ (XVII. 202) we may have, as Henschel suggests,[184] a piece of “scribal carelessness;” but Hampole undoubtedly uses this as a valid form:
“Sal dede _men_ banes be set togyder Thurgh messes, and rightwis _men_ prayers.”
[183] Murray, _Dialect of the Southern Counties_, p. 153.
[184] _Darstellung der Flexionslehre in John Barbour’s Bruce_, p. 12.
PROPER NOUNS.
In general, these follow the common nouns in their forms, but note:
1. Two names ending in _s_ have no inflection for the genitive: _King Adrastus men_ (II. 529), _Thomas prophecy_ (II. 86). This occurs also in Chaucer.
2. _Douglas_ has both flectionless and inflected forms: _the Douglas men_ (X. 398), _the Lord Douglassis men_ (XX. 481).
3. Possessive or genitive formed by _his_: _Hannyball his mekill mycht_ (III. 232). _Cf._ also VI. 435, 446. Originally, as here, confined to proper names. A special example is in the reading of C (XVII. 940): _Berwyk his toune_; E _Berwykis_.
ADJECTIVES.
1. There is no distinction in the _Bruce_ between strong and weak adjectives, the latter in Chaucer being indicated by a final _e_, and used after the definite article, demonstrative and possessive pronouns, etc., nor is the plural similarly distinguished from the singular. In all these cases the Scots adjective is invariable; the final _e_, which often occurs, is of no grammatical significance. There is no difference between _the gud Erll_ (X. 686) and _the gude Erll_ (XX. 603), while the plural is _gud werriours_ (XX. 416).
2. The only example of inflection is the form _aller_, genitive plural (_er_ = _-ra_, A.S. _eal-ra_). It occurs once: _throuch thar aller hale assent_ (I. 137).
3. The comparative and superlative are formed by adding _ar_ or _er_ (seldom _ir_) and _est_ or _ast_. In words of two and more syllables _mar_ (_mair_) and _mast_ (_maist_) also occur. The same rule applies to adverbs. The final consonant of a monosyllable may be doubled: _thikkest_ (VIII. 81), but also _thikast_ (XVII. 156).
4. Change of vowel (_Umlaut_) appears in two cases--_sterkar_ (E _starkar_) (XV. 491) and _eldest_ (I. 51, IV. 71). _Ill_ or _evill_ is the Northern form for _bad_, compared with _wer_ or _war_, _werst_ (III. 192). _Mor_, for _mar_, occurs twice to rhyme with _befor_ (X. 199, XII. 299). _Er_ gives _erar_.
5. After the comparative comes usually _than_, which is always used by Rolle, but there are four examples of _na_--_wes starkar fer na he_ (VI. 538), also III. 229, II. 519, X. 637.
NUMERALS.
1. _Ane_ before a consonant sometimes becomes _a_: _in a nycht and a day_ (III. 429). _The tane_ and _the ta_ are compounds of this numeral, with the old neuter _thaet_ (_thet_) of the definite article, really _thet-ane_, _thet-a_. The former is a substantive, the latter an adjective: _the tane suld be kyng_ (VI. 186), _the ta part_ (III. 239). Similarly _the tothir_ = _thet othir_ (I. 7, etc.), which is throughout used for the ordinal “the second,” as _formast_ is sometimes used for “the first”: _Fule-hardyment the formast is, And the tothir is cowardis_ (VI. 337, 338).
2. Note _thresum_, _fiffsum_, _sex sum_, where “sum denotes conjunction” (Jamieson’s _Dictionary_), three, etc., together; _half deill_ (A.S. _dæl_, a part); _twa part_ = two parts; _yneuch_, singular (usually adverb), used for quantity, and _ynew_ (_enew_), plural, for number. _Cf._ XX. 337, and I. 558.
N.B.--For demonstrative, etc., adjectives, see also Pronouns, Demonstrative, etc. Note _sam(m)yn_ (same) as adjective and adverb (V. 72, XII. 49, etc.). Distinguish _ilk(e)_ = same (A.S. _ylc_) from the distributive _ilk_ (A.S. _ æle_) = each. Others are _sik_ (_syk_), _swilc_, etc.
PRONOUNS.
_Personal._--1. In MS. E besides _I_ is found the strong form _Ik_ or _Ic_ (A.S. _Ic_). The latter is entirely wanting in C, which has everywhere _I_.
2. The third person feminine is _scho_ (A.S. _sēo_), once spelled _sche_ (XIII. 635), a Southern effect, where, however, E has _scho_.
3. Note the gen. sing. mas. and gen. plur. in _magre his_, in spite of him, and _magre thairis_, in spite of them.
_Possessive._--1. The genitive cases of the personal pronouns are most often adjectives. Before words beginning with a vowel they are _mine_, _thine_; before words beginning with a consonant they become _my_, _thi_; words beginning with _h_ may have either form.
2. The forms used absolutely are _myn_, _his_, _ours_, _yhouris_, _thaires_: _That suld be myn_ (V. 223), etc.
_Reflexive._--1. The personal pronouns serve as reflexives: _I will me spied_ (XI. 638); _And went hyr hame_ (V. 177).
2. There is also the form in _self_, more seldom _selvyn_, _selvin_. When the subject is a personal pronoun this may drop out: _that himself suld wele Kepe the entre_ (XI. 445).
3. _Self_ is both singular and plural: _That thai mycht help thameself_ (X. 619).
_Demonstrative._--1. The Northern plural of _this_ is _thir_, which supplanted _thas_ as _thise_ did in the Midland. Its origin is obscure.[185]
[185] _Murray_, p. 185.
2. The plural of _that_ is _tha(i)_. Distinguish from _thai_ (they), 3rd pers. plur.
3. _Yhon(e)_, more often an adjective, has also a substantive use in three cases only (IV. 502, 506; XIV. 280).
_Relative and Interrogative._--1. The relative pronoun is _that_ or _at_, never _quha_. _At_ is a purely Northern form. _Quhais_ and _quham_ occur occasionally as oblique cases. In _quhom_, as in words like _so_, _mor_, etc., there is evidence of Southern influence. _Quha_ is used as an interrogative. The simple _quhilk_ occurs but once (XVIII. 225, see note), where E has a different reading; otherwise it is in the form _the quilk that_.
2. The relative in the oblique cases is often omitted: _the small folk thai had thar_ (IX. 261). This is a marked feature of the _Wallace_.
_Indefinite._--1. _None_ for _nane_ occurs only once (IX. 485); and so, too, _ilkone_ for _ilkane_, rhyming with a proper name (XI. 303). _Nane_ is used both as substantive and as adjective. As adjective it comes before a word beginning with a vowel. Before consonants and _h_, _na_ or _no_ is used. In two cases _no_ precedes a vowel: XIII. 145; XVI. 249.
2. _Othir_, often = “each other,” as _Thai dang on othir_ (X. 680).
3. The plural of _man_ has a pronominal use = _one_, German “man”: _as men in the Bibill seys_ (I. 466); _men mycht se_ (X. 678), etc.
VERBS.
1. Note the periphrastic form with _gan_ in E (_can_ in a few cases), _can_ always in C: _all the land gan occupy_ (I. 184); _all can thai cry_ (XII. 200). The past tense of _can_ is _couth_: _thar vittale all fast couth fale_ (VIII. 460): whence, by analogy, the false form _begouth_ for past of _gan_, itself the past of _ginnen_, to begin.
2. Weak verbs form their past tense and past participle in _it_ or _yt_, the latter being more common in E. In certain cases the vowel drops out, as in _dwelt_. After _r_, _l_ (_ll_), _n_, the ending is often in _d_, as _herd_, _ansuerd_, etc.
NOTE.--_Felt_ for the ordinary _feld_ occurs once, in III. 119. _Cald_, too, for _callit_, is forced to a rhyme (XIII. 61). The proper past of _send_ is _send_.
3. The present tense indicative is, _I spek_, _thou spekis_, _he spekis_, _we spek_, etc. But when the personal pronoun is separated from the verb, or when the subject is a noun or relative pronoun or other form, the ending is in _is_ or _ys_ throughout. _Cf._ _yhow that takis_ (XVI. 592); _yhe that this redis_ (VI. 269); _all men fleis the did_ (IX. 90), etc.
4. The imperative plural is in _is_ (_ys_): _departis us_ (VI. 543). It is more rare without the ending (XI 309; XII. 227, etc). This, however, is the rule when the imperative is followed by its pronoun: _luk yhe_ (XII. 217).
5. The present participle ends in _and_. Doubling of the consonant may occur after a short vowel--_e.g._, _wonnand_ (X. 160).
6. The verbal noun (so-called) ends in _yng_ or _ing_. In many examples the _g_ is dropped, as the tendency was and is in Scots, and we have a form in _yn(e)_. _Cf._ _fechting_ (XII. 119) and _fechtyn_ (III. 241). And these may rhyme, which shows that in sound the difference was not apparent (_cf._ IX. 120). Sometimes the particular form depends on the MS.--_e.g._, VI. 520, C _supposing_: E _supposyn_. The same thing is found in proper names with a similar termination.
7. The past participle of strong verbs has ending _yn_ or _in_, seldom _en_. _Clymen_ in X. 648, where the correct form, _clummyn_, is given in 606, is either really a surviving or intruded infinitive, or has been assimilated to it.
N.B.--VII. 524, C _cum_: E _cummyn_; X. 506, C _won_: E _wonnyn_.
8. The infinitive has dropped all trace of an ending. The _e_ which sometimes appears is silent. It is formed by prefixing _to_ or _till_, in certain cases with _for_ in addition. For one case we have a reduced infinitive with _at_: _a-do_ (X. 348).
ADVERBS.
1. _him allane_ is a strengthened form of _him ane_ (VI. 272, 320), and is the more frequent of the two; equivalent to German “allein” and analogous in construction to the pronoun with _self_. In Early Scots _alane_ is attached to the dative, in later and modern Scots to the possessive, _his ane_, etc.: the fuller form, from a confusion with _lone_, is now _his lane_, etc.
2. The surviving phrase, _the morn_ (XIV. 478) occurs once for the older _to-morn_. Mr. Gregory Smith says that the former “begins to appear in M. Sc.” (Middle Scots, 1450-1600),[186] and MS. E indeed reads _to-morn_ in the passage above.
3. Note the compounds with _gat_ (a way), _thusgat_, _swagat_, etc.: in XIX. 253; C _swagatis_; E _swagat_: also _howgatis_, etc., preserving Genitive ending.
4. The forms _on liff_ (XVIII. 154), _on slepe_ (VII. 192), _on stray_ (XIII. 195), etc., are peculiarly Northern forms for “alive,” “asleep,” etc. _Cf._ also _on fer_, _on flot_.
PREPOSITIONS.
1. _Till_ = _to_, the former being a Northern fashion. C frequently extends to _on-to_, _on-till_, as in VI. 622, XVII. 29, etc.
2. Note the verbal preposition _that I of tell_, etc.
3. _Be_ and _by_ are common to both MSS., C more frequently the latter, probably a Southern influence. Strictly in Scots _be_ alone denotes agency; _by_ usually = beyond, as in _by ordinar_, etc.
CONJUNCTIONS.
1. The verb _suppos_ is several times used as a conjunction.
2. _the-quhethir_ = _thohquhether_ = _thohquether_, “nevertheless,” unknown to the Southern dialects.[187]
[186] _Specimens of Middle Scots_, p. xxxviii.
[187] _Specimens of Early English_, Morris and Skeat, vol. ii.
GLOSSARY
1. Familiar words slightly disguised by spelling are not included.
2. C = Cambridge MS. of _The Bruce_; E = Edinburgh MS.; H = Hart’s printed edition; S = Skeat’s edition for Scottish Text Society (S.T.S.); N.E.D. = New English Dictionary; A.S. = Anglo-Saxon; A.F. = Anglo-French; O.F. = Old French; O.N. = Old Norse; N.E. = Northern English; v. = verb; p.t. = past tense; p.p. = past participle; s. = substantive.
3. _i_ and _y_ are completely interchangeable. In such cases as _ar_, _air_, _ayr_ (_ere_), consult under first or earlier form.
4. Only the more significant or interesting references have been given, or those of single occurrence.
A, one, a single: _A gatis_, in one way, uniformly, IV. 702
Abaid, _s._, delay: _v._, waited = abode
Abais, _v._, to abash, dismay, discourage; _p.p._ Abaysit, dismayed
Abasing, Abaysyng, etc., _s._, dismay, discouragement
Abandoune, Abaundoune, give up; make subject, IV. 655, etc.; behave boldly: _at abandoune_, recklessly; _in abandoune_, loosely
Abovin, _prep._ and _adv._, above (A.S. _ábúfan_); also Abuf
Acquyt, _v._, free
Ado, to do = _at do_ (N.E. infin.), X. 348
Afald, “one fold,” single, XX. 618
Affeir, Affer, _s._, bearing, pomp
Afferis, belongs to, becomes (Anglo-Fr. _afferir_, to belong). See Effeir
Affermit, confirmed
Affy, trust
Agane, Aganis, against
Air, Ayr, _s._, heir
Air, Ayr, _adv._, ere, formerly (A.S. _ǣr_). See Eir
Air, _v._, are, IV. 704
Alabast, alabaster
Alkyn, _adj._, every kind
Aller, _gen. pl._ of all: _thar aller_, of them all, I. 137. See _Grammar_
All-gat, Allgait, always; every way, XVIII. 451
All-weldand, “all-wielding,” omnipotent
Alsone, Alsoyn(e), as soon, very soon
Als-tit, very soon
Alsua, also
Alswith, very quickly
Ameyssyt, appeased, XVI. 134 (O.F. _amesir_)
Amonist, _v._, to admonish, exhort, VIII. 348
Amonestyng, Amonystyng, _s._, advice, exhortation
Amorus, _adj._, amorous
Amouris, _s._, love
Amovis, _v._, moves; _p.p._, Amovyt
Anamalyt, _p.p._, enamelled, XX. 305
Anciente, antiquity, VI. 252 (A.F. _ancienté_)
Anent, _prep._, near; towards; opposite to, XIX. 512
Anerly, only, merely, alone
Angyr, anger, affliction, suffering, I. 235, II. 519; also _adj._, Angry, difficult, unfavourable, V. 70; pained, III. 530; annoying, XVIII. 515
Anis, Anys, once: _at anys_, at once
A-pane, for all that, nevertheless; really a mere expletive: “at a pinch” (Skeat)
Apert, _adj._, open: _in apert_, openly, XIX. 217
Appurvait, provided
Aquynt, acquainted
Ar, Air, Ayr, _adv._, before, formerly (A.S. _ǣr_)
Ar, an oar; _pl._ aris
Arbytre, judgment, decision, I. 75 (O.F. _arbitre_ or _arbitrie_)
Arest, _s._ and _v._, arrest, stop
Arettit, _v._, _p.p._, accused, XIX., 20 (O.F. _aretter_, to accuse)
Arsoune, saddle-bow, XVI. 131
Assay, _v._, “essay,” try, attempt, attack; also _p.t._, underwent, I. 448
Assege, _s._, siege; also _v._, Assegit, besieged
Assenyhe, war-cry; also, ensenyhe
Assentit, “assented,” agreed
Assignit, _p.p._, assigned
Assis, assize, court of law, XIX. 55
Assolyheit, _v._, _p.t._, absolved, set free
Assonyheit, _p.p._, excused (O.F. _essoigner_)
Assouerans, _s._, assurance
Assouerit, _v._, “assured,” give confidence to, encourage, VI. 225; also _intrans._, to have confidence in, rely upon, XI. 309
Ath, Ayth, oath
Atour, _prep._, over, above
Atour, _s._, gear, equipment (O.F. _atour_, _ator_, furniture, gear)
Aucht, _v._, ought; _p.p._, possessed, I. 45
Auchty, eighty
Aulde, old
Availyhe, Availl, to be of use
Avalyhe, in phrase IX. 147, “avail what may avail,” come what will.
Availl, _v._, lower
Avaward, vanguard
Avenand, handsome, graceful (O.F. _avenant_, well-proportioned)
Avent, _v._, to give air to, cool, XII. 145
Aventurous, “adventurous,” dangerous, risky
Averty, shrewd, prudent
Avisè, skilful, II. 271, prudent
Avisment, Avisement, advice, consideration
Avis, advice, opinion; sound judgment, X. 269
Awayward, in their going away, XVI. 584
Awblasteris, arbalisters, crossbow-men, XVII. 236 (E). See Oblesteris
Awmener, a purse (O.F. _aumosniere_, a bag for alms)
Awter, altar, II. 33, 34
Aynd, _s._, breath (O.N. _andi_)
Aynding, _s._, breathing
Ay-quhar, everywhere
Ayr, oar; _pl._ Ayris
Ayth, oath
Bacheler, Bachiller, a young knight, not displaying his own banner but following that of another
Baid. See Abaid
Baill, burning mass (A.S. _bǣl_, great fire)
Bailyheys, bailiffs
Bair, _v._, _p.t._, bore
Bait, Bate, a boat (A.S. _bāt_)
Baitit, _v._, _p.t._, baited, fed. See Bayt
Baneour, a banner-bearer
Banys, bones
Banyst, _v._, _p.p._, banished
Banrentis, bannerets, XI. 259: knights bringing vassals under their own banner. _Cf._ Bacheler
Bar, _v._, _p.t._, bore: _bar on hand_, maintained against, hence condemned, excluded, I. 62. See note
Barblyt, barbed
Barell-ferraris, vessels for carrying liquid, XV. 39. See note
Bargane, _s._ and _v._, fight, encounter
Barganyng, _s._, fighting, combat
Barnage, baronage (O.F. _barnaige_, gathering of barons)
Barnè = barnage (word of two syllables)
Barras, barriers, outwork (O.F. _barres_; _pl._ of _barre_, a stake)
Barrit, _p.t._, barred
Basnet, a helmet of conical shape (O.F. _bacin_, a basin, giving dimin. _bacinet_)
Bat(e), boat. See Bait
Bath, both
Battaillyt, Battalit, furnished with battlements
Battale, battell, a battalion, division of the army
Battel-sted, a battlefield, XV. 74
Bauld, _adj._, bold; also _adv._, Bauldly
Bayt, to feed
Bawlmyt, embalmed
Be, _prep._, by
Bedene, Bedeyn, straightway, quickly; in XV. 108 as an expletive, or with no particular force
Beforn, _prep._ and _adv._, before
Begouth, _v._, _p.t._ of began. See _Grammar_.
Begunnyn, Begonnyn, _v._, _p.p._, begun
Behaldand, _v._, _pr. p._, beholding
Behufis, _v. impers._, it behoves: _behufit away_, had to go, VI. 210
Bekand, warming, XIX. 552
Belif(f), speedily, soon
Bemys, beams
Benk, bench
Berdlass, beardless
Berfrois, a tower, modern _belfry_. See note X. 708
Berne, a barn
Berynes, _s._, burial, variant of “buriness” (A.S. _byrignes_, a burial)
Bet, _v._, beat, XIII. 158
Bet, _v._, _p.t._, improved, mended, XIX. 497 (A.S. _betan_, to better, repair)
Betane, pursued, _p.p._ (Northern) of _betake_, III. 159
Betaucht. See Beteche
Betraiss, to betray; _p.p._ Betrasyt, Betresyt
Beteche, to commit, hand over; _part._, betaucht
Betyd, _v._; _pr. sub._, happen
Biggit, built and so, inhabited, XIV. 383
Bikkyr, Bykkir, to skirmish; _pr. part._, Bikkyrring; _p.t._, Bykkerit
Blenknyt, _v._; _p.t._, blinked, glanced; variant of next form
Blenkyt, looked to the side, glanced, shone (A.S. _blīcan_, to shine)
Bodword, a message, XV. 423 (N.E. only)
Bodyn, _p.p._ (obs.), of Bid, bidden, challenged to fight; armed, VII. 103
Bollis, bushels
Boruch, pledge (A.S. _borh_, a pledge)
Bot, but
Boune, Bown, Bowne, prepared, ready; _adj._ and _p.p._; _v._, bown, to make ready
Bow-draucht, bow-shot
Bourdand, jesting, humorous, VIII. 383 (O.F. _bourder_, to jest)
Boyis, fetters, X. 763 (O.F. _boie_, _buie_)
Brad, Braid, broad
Bra-syd, brae--_i.e._, hill-side
Brast, _v._, to break, “burst,” XV. 479; _p.t._, Brest, Brist. See _Language_, “r”
Bredis, _v._, expand, spread out, XVI. 68 (A.S. _brædan_, to spread)
Breid, breadth: _on breid_, in breadth (A.S. _brædu_, breadth)
Brig, Bryg, _s._, bridge: as _v._, Briggit, bridged
Brocht, broucht, brought
Browdyn, _p.p._, embroidered
Bruk(e), _v._, enjoy
Brulyheit, broiled, burned
Brym, shore; originally “the line which separates the land from the sea” (Max Müller)
Bryn, to burn. See _Language_, “r”
Brynstane, brimstone
Bundin, Bundyn, _p.p._, bound
Burchis, _s. pl._, burghs, towns
Burd, board: Burdys, Burdis (II. 96, V. 388), the boards of a temporary table
Burgeonys, leaves, fresh shoots, V. 10
Buschement, an ambush
Busk, to prepare oneself, get ready; _past_, buskit
But, _prep._, without: _but persaving_, without being seen, XVII. 92
Bynk. See Benk
Byrd, it behoved; _past of reflexive verb_: VI. 316
Byrkis, birches
Byrnys, “birnies,” shirts of mail
Cald, Cauld, cold
Call, to drive. See note on X. 227; labour, XIX. 174
Can, did (_auxiliary_). _Cf._ Gan
Cant, active, brisk
Car, “care” in sense of grief, regret
Cariage, Caryage, _s._, baggage
Carle, Carll, churl, peasant
Carpand, _v._, _pr. p._, talking
Carpi(y)ng, _s._, speaking, narrative
Cataill, Catell, property, III. 735, V. 275. See Fe. Chaucer has it in this sense
Cause, Cawse (two syllables), causeway, highroad (O.Nor.F. _caucie_ = _chaussée_)
Certis, certainly, I. 21, XVII. 812
Chak-wachis, _s._, “check-watches,” inspectors of the guard
Challans, _s._, challenge
Challans, _v._, accuse, XIX. 60 (O.F. _chalonger_)
Chalmer, Chamur, Chamyr, Chawmer, chamber. See on _Language_, “m”
Chapyt, _p.p._, escaped
Charge, business on hand, I. 141
Chargeand, _pr. p._ of charge, load, XVI. 458; _p.p._, chargit, IV. 401, etc.
Charre (two syllables), _s._, a collection of chariots or waggons
Chasty, _v._, to chasten; check, I. 122; reprove, IX. 742, 743, 751
Cheis, Cheys, choose. See Ches
Chekys, gate-posts, X. 229
Chemyr, “Chimer,” a loose gown, specially that of a bishop, to which the lawn sleeves are attached, XVI. 580
Ches, _v._, to choose; _p.t._, Chesi(y)t; _p.p._, Chosyn
Chevisance, provision, III. 402 (O.F. _chevir_, to furnish)
Cheyff, in: directly from the Lord Paramount
Childer, _s. pl._, children. See _Grammar_
Childyne, _s._--_i.e._, childing, travail with a child
Chos, _s._, choice, III. 264
Claif, Clafe, Claff, _v._, _p.t._, clove, cleft
Clap, knock, noise, X. 401
Cled, _v._, _p.t._, clad
Cleket, catch, trigger (F. _cliquet_, a catch), X. 401; XVII. 674
Clengit, cleared, emptied
Clergy, learning, IV. 689
Clerkis, men of learning, I. 249
Clething, clothing
Cleuch, a gorge, hollow
Clummyn, _p.p._ of Clym, climb
Cole (two syllables), a buffet. See note on VII. 623
Com, _s._, coming
Compering, _s._, comparison, I. 261
Compositur, arbiter, I. 883
Conabill, _adj._, proper, fitting, III. 290, V. 266 (O.F. _covenable_, suitable)
Confort, comfort
Conand. See Cunnand
Consaf, _v._, conceive; _p.p._, consavit, XX. 186
Conteyning, Contynyng = containing, _s._, demeanour, behaviour
Conteyn, _v._, demean or carry oneself; _past_, Contenyt
Contrar, _adj._, contrary; also Contrar, _s._, oppression, I. 461
Contraryit, _v._, _p.t._, countered, opposed
Convyn, Convyne. See Covyne
Cosynage, relationship, V. 135
Cosyne, cousin, near relative
Coupillyt, “coupled,” united
Couth, (1) could, (2) did _auxiliary_, III. 460, XX. 250; past of _can_. See _Grammar_ (_Verb_)
Covatis, covetousness
Cover, _v._, to recover; _p.t._, Coverit
Coveryng, recovery, IX. 113
Covyne, _s._, counsel, XIII. 122; agreement, mental power, IX. 77; secret design or contrivance; condition, XIII. 219 (O.F. _covine_, _couvine_, _convine_, manner of being, contrivance)
Crakkis (“cracks”), explosions; _gynis for crakkis_, engines for explosions, guns, XVII. 250; so also _crakkis of wer_, XIX. 399
Croice, _s._, cross, III. 461
Cruk, _s._, a “crook,” a large hook, X. 363
Crykis, crevices, X. 602, 605 (O.F. _crique_)
Cuke, a cook
Culter, a coulter, IV. 113
Cummyrsum, “cumbersome,” difficult to cross
Cun, _v._, to know, XIX. 182 (A.S. _cunnan_, to know)
Cunnand, _s._, covenant, agreement
Cunnannes, _s._, cunning, III. 712
Cuntyrnans = Countynans, Contenance, face, manner, IX. 273
Cunyhe, a coign, corner
Custumabilly, customarily, XV. 236
Dang. See Dyng
Dantè, Daynte, _s._, pleasure, eagerness, honour, affection
Daw, of, “of day”--_i.e._, out of life: _doyn out of dawis_, killed, VI. 650
Dawing, Dawyng, _s._, dawning
Dawit, _p.t._, dawned; _p.pt._, Dawyn
De, _v._, to die; _p.t._, Deit
Debowalit, Debowellit, _v._, _p.p._, disembowelled. XX. 285, 570
Ded, Deid, _s._, death; _pl._, Dedis, XVII. 115: _done to ded_, slain
Dedeynyheit, him, _v._, _p.t. impers._, he deigned
Defawtyt, “defaulted,” put in fault, I. 182
Defoull, defile
Degyse (three syllables), feigned, XIX. 459 (F. _déguisé_, disguised)
Deill, _s._, part, bit: _nocht a deill_, not a bit
Delitabill, pleasant
Deli(y)ver, _adj._, nimble, quick; also _adv._, Deliverly, Delyverly
Demanyne, to waste, spoil, ill-treat; to rule, manage; to be behaved, to conduct oneself, V. 229: _p.t._, Demane(y)t (O.F. _demener_, to treat, exercise, etc.)
Dempt, doomed
Demyng, judgment, doom
Demys, judges, decides (A.S. _dēman_, to judge)
Den, _v._, to dam, XIV. 354
Depart, to part, depart, VI. 552
Der, _v._, dare, risk. III. 382
Deray, disorder, injury (O.F. _desrai_, disorder, harm)
Derenyhe, _v._, prove, vindicate (O.F. _desraisnier_, to render a reason, defend); _s._, single combat or duel, XIII. 324, 325
Derff, strong, daring
Deris, _v._, harms (A.S. _derian_, to harm)
Det, _s._, debt
Devis, _v._, narrate; determine, propose, plan (F. _deviser_, speak, decide, etc.); also _noun_, _at all devis_, in every way, IV. 264, etc.; _at thair devis_, to their liking, according to their plan, X. 363
Devour, duty (O.F. _deveir_)
Dey, _v._, to die; _p.t._, Deyt. See De
Dicht, _v._, dress, prepare (A.S. _dihtan_, to prepare); _p.p._, Dycht
Digne, worthy
Dik, ditch, entrenchment; as _v._, _Dik thame_, entrench themselves, XVII. 271
Disclar, _v._, declare, I. 75
Discrif, Discryre, _v._, describe; _p.p._, Discrivit
Discure, _v._, discover
Discurrouris, “discoverers,” scouts, spies
Disese, _s._, discomfort
Disherys, Dysherysys, _v._, disinherit
Dispari(y)t, _v._, _p.p._, in despair
Dispend, _v._, to spend
Dispending, _s._, what they might spend--_i.e._, money--VIII. 509
Dispitous, _adj._, spiteful, cruel; also _adv._, spitefully, severely, angrily
Disponis, _v._, disposes
Dispulyheit, _p.p._, despoiled
Dissaf, _v._, deceive
Dissat, _s._, deceit
Distrenyhit, compelled
Distrowbilling, _s._, disturbance, annoyance, V. 216
Dittit, closed up (A.S., _dyttan_, to close up)
Do, thrive, succeed, II. 128
Dochtrys, daughters, I. 200
Dongen, Dungin. See Dyng
Dosnyt, Doysnyt, stunned, dazed
Dour, determined, stubborn, severe
Dowtyne, _s._, doubting, XIV. 230
Doyne, _p.p._ of do, done
Dre, Drey, _v._, endure (A.S. _drëogan_, to suffer)
Dreid, _s._, dread, fear: _but drede_, doubtless, IV. 277; _withouten dreid_, without doubt, V. 579
Dreuch, Drewch, drew, dragged
Drif, Dryf, Dryve, _v._, to drive; continue, X. 699; pull, X. 255; Drafe, Drivin
Drouery, Drowry, love. See note on VIII. 492
Dule, sadness, grief (O.F. _duel_, _dueil_, sorrow, suffering)
Dulfull, “doleful,” sad
Dusche, a heavy blow
Duschit, fell heavily, XVII. 693
Dyng, _v._, strike; _past_, Dang; _p.p._, Dungin, Doungyn
Dynnyt, made a sound, XVI. 131
Dyspitit, _v._, _p.t._, treated spitefully, hated, IV. 596
E, Ey, _s._, eye. See Eyn
Effer, Effeir(e), Effere (also Affeir), _s._, bearing, demeanour, I. 361, V. 608, VII. 126, etc.; stature, XX. 515; equipment, belongings, XI. 196; business, X. 305 (O.F. _afaire_, thing, business, etc.)
Efferis. See Afferis
Effray, fear; also Effraying
Effrait, Effrayit, _p.p._, terrified; also _adv._, Effrayitly
Eft, again, VI. 378
Eftir, _adv._, afterwards; _prep._, after; also Eftirward, Efterwartis
Eftsonis, soon after
Egging, _s._, urging, pressing
Eild, Elde, _s._, age
Eir, Er(e), _adv._, “ere,” before
Eisfull, easy, V. 70
Ek, _v._, add to
Ek, _adv._, also (A.S. _ēac_)
Eld-fadir, grandfather
Eldris, Eldrys, elders, forefathers
Elys, eels, II. 577
Emang, among
Embandownyt, _v._, _p.p._, subjected. See Abandoune
Enchawfyt, _v._, _p.p._, heated, incensed
Enchesoun(e), Enchesone, occasion, reason, cause (O.F. _enchaison_; Lat. _occasionem_)
Enclynit, _v._, _p.t._, inclined
Endentur, _s._, indenture
Endlang, _prep._ and _adv._, along; forward, XIX. 356: _endlang furth_, right along forward, XVI. 548
Eneuch, enough
Enew, _adj. pl._, enough
Enfors, _s._, force, XVII. 448
Enforsaly, Enforcely, forcibly
Enforsit, “enforced,” strengthened
Engreif, Engreiff, grieve, annoy
Engynour, engineer, XVII. 434, 663
Enkrely, Encrely, especially; really, III. 529; earnestly, heartily
Enpres, Enpris, Empris, enterprise; price, value, X. 507
Ensample, Ensampill, etc., _s._, example
Enselyt, _v._, _p.t._, sealed
Ens(s)enyhe, war-cry (O.F. _enseigne_, banner, war-cry)
Entencioune, intention, X. 527
Ententif, attentive; also _adv._, Ententily
Entremas, or Entremess, something served between the courses of a banquet (O.F. _entremès_ = _entremets_)
Enveronyt, environed, surrounded
Erar, _adv._, sooner, rather
Erd, earth: _at erd_, on the ground
Erding, Erdyng, _s._, burial
Erdit, _v._, _p.p._, buried
Ernystfully, earnestly, seriously, VIII. 144
Erynes, fear, II. 295
Es, Eys, ease, I. 228: _male es_, _mail eis_, disease, XX. 73, 74. See Male-ess
Escheiff, XIX. 778. See Escheve
Eschele, Eschell, a squadron, company (O.F. _eschele_)
Escheve, _v._, to achieve; _past_, Eschevyt; _p.p._, Eschevit
Eschewe, _v._, to eschew, avoid
Espyne, a long boat, XVII. 719 (O.N. _espingr_)
Et(e), _v._, to eat; Ete, Eyt, Etyn, VII. 169, 170
Etlyng, Etling, aim, endeavour, intention
Everilk, every
Exorcisaciones, exorcisings, IV. 750
Eym(e), uncle (A.S. _ēam_); Emy’s, uncle’s
Eyn(e), eyes; _pl._ of E, Ey
Eyth, easy, XVII. 454 (A.S. _īethe_)
Fa, Fay, a foe (A.S. _fāh_); _pl._, Fais, Fayis; also Famen, foemen
Failyhe, _v._, to fail, give way, faint, lose
Fair, _s._, manner, XI. 256; condition, success, XVI. 21; journey
Falding, _s._, falling, change
Faldyn, fallen, XI. 547. See note
Fall-brig, “fall-bridge,” drawbridge, XVII. 419
Fallow, _s._, fellow, companion
Fallow, _v._, to follow
Falset, Falsat, Falsade, falsehood
Fand, _v._, _p.t._, found
Fanding. See Faynd
Fantiss, Fayntice, faintness of heart; Fantyss, deceit, XVII. 51
Far, _v._, to fare, go; _p.p._, Farn, Faryne; _s._, ‘fare,’ circumstance, pomp; effort, XVII. 400; good cheer, XIX. 730; _adv._, fairly, becomingly
Farand, Farrand, handsome, fit, II. 514, XI. 95
Fardele, a bundle
Farlyit, _v._, _p.t._, wondered. See Ferly
Farsis, _v._, stuffs (F. _farcir_, to stuff)
Fassoun, Fassownys (_pl._), fashion, way
Fast, _adv._, earnestly, zealously, I. 42; strongly, vigorously, XIII. 129
Faucht, Fawcht, fought
Fawt, Faute, fault
Fay, faith, fealty: _at a fay_, “at one faith”--_i.e._, subject to the same lord
Faynd, _v._ (Scots form of Fand, obsolete verb), try, tempt; _past_, Fayndit; _p.p._, Fayndit (A.S. _fandian_, to try, prove); also _s._, Faynding, “tempting of Providence” (Skeat), III. 268. _Cf._ XII. 364
Fe, Fee, cattle; property, XIII. 725 (A.S. _feoh_, cattle, goods); Chaucer has “catel” (cattle) in this sense of wealth; _of fee_, by fief, in feudal ownership, XI. 456; _pl._, here Feys, I. 58
Feble, _v._, to become feeble, II. 384
Feblis, _v._, to enfeeble; _p.p._, Feblist
Fechand, fetching, III. 428. See _Language_, etc.
Fecht, to fight
Fechting, Fechtyne, _s._, fighting
Fechting-sted, _s._, place of fighting
Feill, Fele, Feyll, _adj._, many (A.S. _fele_)
Feir, Fer, _adj._, unhurt: _haill and feir_, safe and sound
Feir, Fere, _s._, companion (A.S. _gēfera_, a travelling companion)
Fell, _v._, pertained, XVII. 176; befell, happened
Felloun(e), Feloune, “terrible,” cruel, wicked; also _adv._, Fellounly, etc.
Felly, _adv._, cruelly, severely, exceedingly; also Fellely
Felouny, _s._, cruelly, fierceness, harm
Fendis, fiends, IV. 224
Fens, defence, XX. 384
Fenyhe, _v._, to feign; also _s._, Fenyheyng, feigning, I. 74
Fer, _adv._, far: _fer out the mair_, very much the more, VI. 666; _on fer_, afar; _Fer-furth_, far forward, XIX. 376
Ferd, fourth
Ferd, _v._, _p.t._, fared. See Far
Ferlifull, wonderful
Ferly, _s._, a wonder
Ferly, _adj._, wonderful (A.S. _fǣrlīc_, “fear-like,” strange); also _adv._
Ferm, _adj._, firm; _adv._, Fermly
Ferrer, Ferrest, _adj._, farther, farthest, XIX. 537, 530
Ferryit, farrowed
Fersly, fiercely
Fesnyng, Festnyng, _s._, fastening, compact, XX. 57; confinement, XV. 309
Fetrys, fetters
Fewte, fealty, service
Fey, dying, doomed, XV. 45 (Icel. _feigr_, doomed to die)
Feys, fiefs, I. 58
Ficht. See Fecht. Fichtyne = Fechting
Flaggatis, faggots
Flaikes, hurdles, XIX. 742*. See footnote
Flang, _v._, _p.t._, flung
Flatlyngis, flat, XII. 59
Flaw, flew; _p.t._ of Fle
Flawmand, “flaming,” fluttering brightly, XI. 192
Flechand, cajoling
Fletand, Fleting, floating
Fleying, _s._, “fleeing,” flight, XIX. 459
Fleyit, _p.p._, frightened, scared
Flicht, Flycht, flight
Flote, a fleet (_cf._ A.S. _flota_, a ship); _on flot_, afloat, XIV. 359
Flure, floor, V. 400
Fluss, pool, XIII. 20
Flyt, float, III. 420
For, _prep._, against, XIV. 115
Forbeft, quite beaten, XVII. 793; Beft (N.E.) means “to strike, to beat”; “For” is intensive
Forby, by
Fordid, “did for,” spoiled
Forfalt, forfeited, XIII. 499
Forfayr, go to ruin; _past subj._, Forfure, go wrong, fail, X. 529 (A.S. _forfaran_)
Forgane, “fore-gainst,” opposite to, XVI. 555
Forlorn, quite lost, X. 246
Forly, _v._, violate, I. 199
Formast, _adv._, foremost
Forouch, For(r)outh, For(r)ow, _prep._, “for with,” before
Forout, Forowt, without
Forouten, Foroutyn, Forowtyn, _prep._, without, besides (A.S. _forūtan_)
Forouth. See Forouch
Forow, Forrow, before
Forsicht, Forsycht, _s._, foresight
Forsuk, avoided, turned from, XIV. 315
Forspokyn, _v._, _p.p._, agreed upon
Forswat, _v._, _p.p._, covered with sweat, VII. 2
Forsy(e), strong
Forthi, therefore (A.S. _forthī_)
Forthirmar, _adv._, farther
Fortravalit, _v._, _p.p._, exhausted by labour
Forwounderit, _v._, _p.p._, greatly surprised, VI. 10
Foundyn, _v._, _p.p._, found
Foysoun(e), Fusioune, abundance, great number (O.F. _foison_, plenty)
Fra, from
Frakly, eagerly, VII. 166 (A.S. _frac_, bold)
Franchis, liberty, XI. 268 (O.F. _franchise_, freedom)
Fra-thine, from that time forward
Fray, _s._, fear, XV. 255
Fraying, clanking, clashing, X. 653 (O.F. _freiier_, to rub)
Frely, noble, III. 578. See note (A.S. _frēolic_, free-handed, noble)
Frer, a friar, XVIII. 300
Frest, delay (Icel. _frest_, delay)
Freyast, freest
Freyndsome, friendly
Froggis, frocks, X. 375
Froytis, fruits, X. 191
Frusch(e), _s._, rush, crash, charge; _v._, to crush in or break violently (O.F. _fruissier_, _froissier_, to break)
Fudyr, “fodder,” a load, specially a waggon-load, as here, X. 198 (A.S. _fōther_, a load)
Fule-hardyment, _s._, fool-hardiness, VI. 337, 340
Fundyng, benumbment with cold (O.F. _emfondre_).
Fundyn, Fundin, _v._, _p.p._, found, provided for
Funyheit, “foined,” fenced
Fur(e), _p.t._ of Fare, fared, went on his way; behaved, II. 503
Furrit, furred
Fusioune. See Foysoun
Fut-breid, _s._, foot’s-breadth, XI. 365
Fute, person. III. 578. See note
Fut(e)-hate, “foot-hot,” with all speed
Fyschit, _v._, _p.p._, fixed, resolved, XX. 178
Ga, go; _p.p._, Gane, gayn
Gabbing, _s._, lie, deceit (A.S. _gabban_, to lie, jest); _p.p._, Gabbit, IV. 290
Gaddering, Gaderyng, _s._, gathering; as _v._, _p.t._, Gad(d)eret
Gadwand, goad or whip, X. 232. (A.S. _gād_)
Gaf(f), Gaiff, gave
Galay, _v._, reel, II. 422
Gam(m)yn, game, play (A.S. _gamen_, sport)
Gan, _v._ = _p.t._ of _ginnen_, used as an auxiliary, did. _Cf._ Can
Gang, go; walk, in phrase _gang no ryd_, IV. 193; _pr.p._, Gangand
Garris. See Ger
Gast, ghost, XIX. 214
Gat, way: _a gatis_, in one way, IV. 702
Gayne-cumming, “against-coming,” attack, II. 450
Gayne-geving, “again-giving,” restoration, I. 115
Geddis, pikes (the fish) (O.N. _gedda_)
Ger, _v._, to cause; _p.t._, Gert
Gestis, joists, beams, XVII. 597. See note
Ghyle, guile, I. 172
Gif(f), Gyff, _conj._, if: _bot gif_, unless
Gladschip, gladness (A.S. _glaedscipe_)
Gle, Glew, glee; also game or business, affair in _yheid the gle_, I. 90, etc
Glemand, gleaming
Gliffnyt, _v._, _p.t._, looked quickly up
Glowand, glowing
Gottyn, Gottin, _p.p._, got
Governale, government, skill in governing
Graith, ready; also _adv._, Graithly, Grathly, directly, speedily (O.N. _greithr_, ready)
Granting, confession, XIX. 45
Granys, groans
Grathit, _v._, _p.t._ and _p.p._, made ready
Gravyn, _v._, _p.p._, buried, IV. 309
Gret(e), to weep (A.S. _grētan_); also _s._, Greting, weeping
Gretumly, greatly, extremely
Grevis, _s._, groves, V. 13
Grewit thame, _v._, _p.t._, _impers._, it made them shudder. See Grow
Grow, to quake with terror, to shake; _p.t._, Growit, Grewit
Gruching, grudging, XVI. 19; Gruchys, _v._, objects, II. 123
Grund, “ground,” land, XX. 325. See note
Grundyn, _p.p._, ground
Gude, _s._, property, XVII. 105; _pl._, Gudis
Gyit, _p.p._, guided; still _Sc._ in “guy-rope,” guiding-rope (O.F. _guier_, to guide)
Gyn, _s._, device, stratagem; Gyne, engine, XVII. 682, 691; Gynnys, _pl._, contrivance, some sort of net or trap, II. 576 (O.F. _engin_, from Lat. _ingenium_)
Gynour, _s._, engineer. See above
Gyrd, _s._, a sharp stroke, blow; also _pr. p._, Gyrdand, rushing forward, II. 417
Gyrnand, growling, speaking angrily, IV. 322; Skeat says “grinning,” of which it is a variant by metathesis of _r_, but also with a different shade of meaning; it is an ordinary Scots word in sense given
Gyrs, _s._, grass (A.S. _gers_)
Gyrth, sanctuary
Hachit, _s._, hatchet
Haill, Hale, Halle, _adj._, whole, sound: _all haill_, wholly; also = _adv._, Halely, Halyly, Haly
Hailsyt, Halsit, saluted, II. 153
Haldaris, _s._, holders
Half-deill, half-part, half, XIV. 188, 497
Hals, neck
Halsing, salutation, VII. 117
Haltand, _pr. p._, “halting,” lame
Haly, holy (A.S. _hālig_)
Hamly, _adj._ and _adv._, homely, kindly, in a friendly way
Hansell, _s._, a present at the commencement, V. 120
Hardis, _s._, “hards,” or bundles of flax-fibres
Hardnyt, _v._, _p.t._, emboldened, urged on, XII. 500
Harnas, armour (O.F. _harnois_, with dialectal form _harnas_)
Harnys, brains
Hat, _v._, _p.t._, was named; _p.p._, Hattyn (A.S., _hātan_, to be called); _p.p._, _haten_, N.E.
Hat, Hate, Het, _adj._, hot; also _adv._, Hat, hotly
Hawbrekis, hauberks
Hawbryschownys, habergeons
Hawch, _s._, haugh, low-land, XVI. 336
Hawtane, proud, I. 196 (O.F. _haltain_, high)
Haym(e), home
He, Hee, Hey, _adj._, high; also _adv._, loud (A.S. _hēh_)
Hecht, to promise; to be named (A.S. _heht_, _pret._ of _hātan_; used as present, N.E. See Hat)
Hede-soyme, the rope attaching the yoke to the waggon, X. 180
Heill, _v._, cover; _p.t._ and _p.p._, Helit, Helyt, covered, hid (A.S. _helan_, to cover)
Heirschip, harrying, wasting (A.S. _hergian_, to ravage with an army, _here_)
Helde, _v._, to incline; _pr. p._, Heldand, inclining, V. 153
Heling, _s._, covering
Helmys, helmets
Hely, _adv._, highly, loudly
Hendir, behind, past. _Cf._ Hendirmar, Henmast
Her, master (Skeat, reading doubtful), IX. 640
Herbery, Herbry, _s._, lodging (A.S. _herebeorga_, shelter for an army)
Herbery _v. reflex_, to “harbour” themselves, take lodging; _p.t._ Herberyd, Herbryit
Herbreouris, men sent on to secure lodgings
Herd, _adj._ and _adv._, hard
Herrodis, heraulds (O.F. _heraut_)
Hertit, heartened, encouraged, XVI. 662
Hevede, _s._, head, V. 11 (A.S. _hēafod_)
Heych, _adj._, high; _s._, Heycht, Hicht, a height: _into the hicht_, openly, V. 487
Heyt, _p.p._, raised “high,” exalted
Hicht, _s._, a promise
Hicht, _v._ See Hecht or Heych
Hiddillis, Hyddillis, a hiding-place (_sing._), VI. 382 (A.S. _hydels_, a den)
Hidwys, _adj._, hideous; _adv._, Hydwisly
Hing, Hyng, to hang
Hint, Hynt, seized, took (A.S. _hentan_, to seize)
Ho, _s._, delay, XX. *429. See note
Hobland, tossing about, IV. 447
Hobleris, light horsemen--_i.e._, riders on unarmoured horses--(Anglo-Fr. _hobeleor--our_, derivative of _hobin_. See next)
Hobynis, light horses not strong enough to wear armour (O.F. _hobin_, _hobi_, apparently of English origin)
Holl, _adj._, hollow, deep, VIII. 176
Holl, _adj._, whole, VI. 78
How-gatis, how. See Gat
Howis, holes, XI. 153
Howis, “hoes,” picks on long poles for warlike purposes, XVII. 344 (F. _houe_, a hoe)
Hoyn, _s._, delay
Hude, a hood; _pl._ Hudis, XIX. 332
Hufe, remain, lie in wait; _pr. p._, Hufand, Huvande
Humely, Humylly, humbly
Huntand, _pr. p._, hunting
Husband, a small farmer
Huvande. See Hufe
Hy, _s._, haste; _v. reflex_, to hasten (A.S. _higian_, to hie)
Hyde, skin, III. 584. II. 511
Hye, _adj._, high; _adv._, loudly; _v._, to heighten
Hyne, _s._, a hind, lad, XII. 460
Hyrcheoune, hedgehog (O.F. _heriçon_, a hedgehog)
Ic, I
Ik, _adv._, eke; also III. 326. See Ek
Ilk, Ilka, same, each. See _Grammar_ for distinction
Ilkan(e), Ilkone, everyone, each one
Inew, _adj._, enough. See Enew
Inewch, enough
Infair, a house-warming, XVI. 340
Inforcely, _adv._, with great force
Inforsit, _v._, _p.t._, “enforced,” strengthened, IV. 65
Ingrevand, _pr. p._, “engrieving,” annoying
In-myd, _prep._, amid
Innouth, _prep._, within
In-sundir, _adv._, asunder
Intermelle, mixed up, confusedly, XIV. 215
In-till, _prep._, in, into
Intwyn, asunder, VIII. 175
Isch, _v._, to issue; _p.t._, Ischyt
Iwiss, _adv._, certainly, truly, XVI. 154 (A.S. _gewis_, certain)
Jolely, handsomely, well
Joly, handsome, good; gay, high-spirited, VIII. 446 (F. _joli_)
Journee, a day’s work, a battle or feat of arms (_Fr._)
Jowele, jewel, XVIII. 360
Juntly, close up, XVII. 689
Justing, _s._, jousting, XIX. 520
Karlis, “churls,” fellows (O.N. _karl_, a man)
Ken, _v._, to know, recognize, perceive; instruct, direct, show; _pres._, Kennys, IV. 748; _p.t._, Kend; _p.p._, Kend
Kendlyt, _v._, _p.p._, kindled
Kep, Keip, _s._, heed: _takand na kep_, taking no heed, I. 212
Kers, Carse, low land bordering a river
Kest, _v._, _p.t._, cast
Kinrik, Kynrik, kingdom
Knaf, Knave, a boy: _knaiff child_, a male child
Knawyng, _s._, knowledge
Ky, _pl._ of cow (A.S. _cū_, _cȳ_)
Kyndly, _adj._, of nature, IV. 721, etc.
Kyne, _s._, kind: _na kyn(e)_, of no kind
Kynrik, kingdom, royal power
Kyrnaill, _s._, a battlement (O.F. _crenelle_)
Kyt, a wooden vessel or pail
Ladis, _s._, loads
Lafe, Laif(f), Layff, Lave, the rest, the remainder (A.S. _lāf_)
Landar (E., Lavender), Layndar, a laundress
Land-brist, surf
Lang, long. _Cf._ Langar
Lansit, Lansyt, bounded, dashed forward (O.F. _lancier_, throw forward; the O.Nor.F. form _lancher_ has been adopted as “Launch”)
Lans, _s._, rush, leap, X. 414
Lap, _v._, _p.t._, leapt
Lardener, a larder. V. 410
Larg(e), liberal (O.F. _large_)
Larges, bounty, liberty: _at his larges_, to the full, VII. 378
Lasair, Lasare, Laser, Laseir, leisure
Lat, _s._, let, hindrance, XII. 516
Lat, _v._, let
Lat, Layt, _adj._, late
Late, _s._, manner, behaviour, VII. 127 (O.N. _læte_, manners)
Lauchand, laughing
Laute, Lawte, Leawte, loyalty, truth (O.F. _leaute_)
Law, Lawch, low: _compar._, Lawer
Lawchtane, dull coloured, dark (Gaelic _lachdunn_ = Irish _lachtna_, N.E.D.), XIX. 672
Lawit, _v._, lowered
Layd-men, _s._, “load-men,” the men in charge of the pack-horses, VIII. 466
Lechis, doctors
Lechyng, _s._, healing
Leddir, a ladder
Lege, full, free: _in lege poustè_, “in health and full possession of one’s faculties” (N.E.D.), V. 165
Leif, _v._ and _s._, leave: _but leif_, without leave, XVII. 863
Leis, _v._, lose; _p.t._ and _p.p._, Lesit (A.S. _lēosan_, to lose)
Leit, think, consider (A.S. _lǣtan_)
Leit, _v._, let, XVII. 850. See Lat
Lele, Leile, Leyle, _adj._, leal, faithful; also _adv._, Lely, Lelely, Lelyly
Lendit. See Leynd
Lenteryne, Lent, the spring
Lenye, “lean”
Lesing. _s._, lying (A.S. _lēasung_, falsehood)
Lesit, Lessit, Lesyt, _v._, lost
Lest, List, _imper. v._, it pleases, VII. 314 (A.S. _lystan_, to please)
Let, Letting, _s._, hindrance; _adv._ Letless, without hindrance XVI. 568
Let, _v._, to hinder, allay, prevent; _p.t._, Letit, Lettyt
Leve, to leave, to remain
Levir, rather
Levit, Levit: _war levit of_, had taken their leave of, XX. 577
Leyme, flame, XI. 191 (A.S. _lēoma_, a ray of light)
Leynd, to remain, wait
Leysch, leash
Libbard, leopard
Licht, Lycht, light
Lichtit, _v._, _p.t._, alighted
Lift, _s._, sky, XVI. 692 (A.S. _lyft_, air)
Lik, _v._, to please
Lisnyt, _v._, _p.t._, listened
Losengeour, a traitor, IV. 108 (O.F., _losengier_, a flatterer, a traitor)
Lovit, _v._, _p.t._ and _p.p._, praised; and _s._, Loving, praise
Low, flame
Lownyt, sheltered, XV. 276; _v._, Lown, to become calm, to shelter (N.E. and Scots)
Lowp, _v._, to leap
Lows, _v._, to loose; _p.p._, Lowsyt
Lowtit, Lowtyt, bowed before or to
Luff, _s._ and _v._, love
Lufre, “livery,” gift (O.F. _livrée_; Anglo-Fr. _liveré_)
Lurdane, _s._, rascal (O.F. _lourdin_, a heavy [_lourd_], _i.e._, stupid fellow)
Lusumly, “lovesomely,” pleasantly
Lychtyt, _v._, _p.t._ and _p.p._, lightened
Lyknyt, _v._, _p.p._, likened, compared
Lyng, a line
Lynyng, linen, XIII. 422
Lypnyng, _s._, trust
Ma, _v._, to make; _pres._, Mais, Mays
Ma, May, _adj._, more. _Comp._ Ma(i)r, Ma([i.])st
Magre, _s._, ill-will, XVII. 60 (O.F. _mal grè_, ill-will); also as _prep._, in spite of: _magre his_, in spite of him; _magre thairis_, in spite of them
Maill-eiss, Male-ess, disease (F. _mal aise_)
Maistri, _s._, “mastery,” strength
Maistris, arts, XIX. 182
Man, _v._, must, VII. 137; also Mon
Manauce, Mannasyng, _s._, “menace,” threatening
Manausyt, Mannausit, _v._, _p.t._, menaced
Mandment, commandment
Manhede, Manheid, “manhood,” valour
Mankynd, _s._, manliness, IV. 530
Manrent, homage
Manteme, Ma(y)nteym, maintain
Marcheand, _pr. p._, “marching with,” bordering. See next
Marchis, marches, borders (A.S. _mearc_, a boundary)
Marras, morass
Martirdome, slaughter
Martymes, Martinmas (Nov. 11)
Mas, _s._, _plur._ maces
Mastrice, mastery, superiority; “masterly” skill, VI. 566 (O.F. _maistrise_)
Mastry, “mastery,” skill; force, VII. 354 (O.F. _maistrie_, skill)
Mate, dull, dispirited (O.F. _mat_, dull)
Maturite, _s._, deliberation XI, 583
Maucht, might
Mavite, wickedness, guile (O.F. _mauvitie_ for _malvaistié_)
Mawch, kinsman, especially, as here, by marriage, XV. 274 (A.S. _maeg_)
Mayn(e), _s._, “moan,” lamentation
Mekill, much, large (A.S. _micel_)
Melland, _v._, _pr. p._, mixing (O.F. _meller_, to mix); _p.p._, Mellit
Melle (two syllables), a mixture, whence, a battle, etc.
Mellyng, Mellyne, _s._, encounter; mixture, V. 406
Menand, _v._, moaning (A.S. _mǣnan_); _p.t._ Menit, Menyt
Mengit, _v._, _p.t._, mixed (A.S. _mengian_)
Menyhe, Mengne, host, company
Menounys, “minnows,” small fish
Mensk, honour, dignity (O.N. _mennska_, humanity)
Menskfully, honourably
Menyng, _s._, lamentation
Menyng, _s._, remembrance, IV. 326. See Meyn
Menys, think, XII. 269 (A.S. _mǣnan_, to think on). See Meyn
Merdale, camp-followers, IX. 249
Merk-schot, XII. 33. See note
Mesour, Mesur, _s._, “measure,” moderation: _our mesur_, beyond measure; _at all mesure_, in every proportion, X. 281
Mesurabill, _adj._, moderate
Meyn, _v._, to think of, be mindful of; mention, X. 736
Meyne, _v._, to moan, lament, XV. 237
Misteir, Mister, trade, craft (O.F. _mestier_; F. _métier_)
Mister, Myster, need (as above); also _v._, Mysteir, be necessary, XVII. 215; _adj._, needful
Mocht, Moucht, _v._, might
Mody, _adj._ See Mude, Mudy
Mon, _v._, must
Mone, to remember, bear in mind (O.N. _muna_, to remember)
Mony, many
Monyst, admonished, XII. 379
Mot, _v._, may be, IV. 26
Mow, a heap of corn, IV. 117
Mowence, mutation, change, I. 134 (O.F. _muance_)
Mubill, “movable” property, V. 275 (F. _meuble_, furniture)
Mude, mood, XX. 203; courage, XIX. 622 (A.S. _mōd_); _adj._, Mudy
Murnyn(g), _s._, mourning
Muryt, blocked up, IV. 164 (F. _mur_, a wall)
Mut, make mention, XIII. 60
Mycht, _s._, might: _at thar mychtis_, as much as they could, III. 190; _that all mychtis may_, that is able to do all things, III. 366
Mydlike, _adv._, moderately, III. 71
Mydwart, _s._, midway, III. 682
Myrk, Merk, dark; _s._, Myrknes, darkness
Myschieff, misfortune, danger, loss; evil fate, XIX. 71 (O.F. _meschief_)
Mystrowing, suspicion; _v._, Mystrowit, suspected, X. 327
Myt, _s._, “mite,” a bit
Na, _adj._, no; _conj._, nor: _na thay war_, but they were, V. 372; _na (ne) war_, were it not
Nakit, _adj._, naked, bare, XIII. 459; generally, however = without armour on
Nakyn, of no kind: _nakyn wis_, in no wise
Namly, especially
Nanys, For the, for the nonce, X. 58
Nave, fist; _pl._, Nevis, Nevys
Navyn, _s._, shipping, III. 393
Nedlyngis, _adj._, necessarily
Neid-way, _adv._, of necessity
Neist, Neyst, nearest, next
Neuth, _prep._, beneath
Nevo, nephew
Newlyngis, _adv._, newly
Nigramansy, _s._, necromancy, IV. 747
Noblay, nobility
Nocht, not
Nocht-for-the, _adv._, nevertheless
Nouthir, _conj._, neither; _adv._, not, VI. 522
Novelreis, novelties, XIX. 394
Noy, annoy, hurt (O.F. _nuire_, to injure)
Noyn(e), noon
Noyus, disagreeable, XIX. 742
Nynt, ninth
Nysste, “nicety,” folly
Nychtbur, Nychtbour, _s._, neighbour
Nygramansour, necromancer, IV. 242
Nyt, _v._, _p.t._, denied, I. 52 (O.F. _noier_, _neier_, to deny)
Obeiss, to obey; _pr. p._ as _adj._, Obeysand
Oblesteris, “arblasteris,” crossbow-men, XVII. 236
Occisioune, slaughter, XIV. 220
Ocht, aught, III. 282
Off lyve, alive, I. 293
Of-new, anew
Oftsis, often (“oftsithes,” oft-times, A.S. _sīth_, a time)
Oftymis, _adv._, oft-times
On-ane, anon, immediately
Ony, _adj._, any
Oost, Ost, host, army
Otow, _prep._, beyond
Oucht, Owcht, _adv._, at all; very, XV. 428
Ouirmair, Owyr-mar, farther away
Our, _prep._, over
Our, Owyr, _adv._, too, very; over, across; also in compounds: _e.g._, _Our-drawyn_, etc.
Ourdriff, “drive over,” survive
Our-ga, “go over,” overcome
Our-hy, _v._, “hie or hasten over,” overtake
Ourta(k), overtake; manage, VIII. 190; cover, XI. 125; _p.p._ _Ourtane_, “done for,” condemned, XIX. 55
Ourthwort, _adv._, “overthwart,” beyond on each side
Ourtummyllit, “over-tumbled,” upset
Outane, Outtak, Outaken, Outakin, besides, except
Out-our, _prep._, across, beyond, over
Outraying, _s._, harm, injury, XVIII. 182
Owk, week (still an Aberdeenshire word)
Owth, _prep._ and _adv._, above, outside; beyond, XIV. 352.
Oysis, _v._, uses, are used; _p.t._ and _p.p._, Oysit (O.F. _user_, to be in the habit); Oys, _s._, use
Pailyhownys, Palyheonis, etc., pavilions, tents
Panch, _s._, paunch
Par, for (O.F. _par_): _e.g._, _par cheryte_, for charity
Parage, rank, lineage, I. 102, 276
Paramouris, _adv._, as a mistress
Paske (in comps), Pasche, Easter
Pautener, _adj._, low, rascally (O.F. _pautonier_, vagabond)
Peill, a fort with stockade and ditch. O.F. _pel_; Late Lat. _pelum_ (acc.), a stake, X. 137
Peir, _v._, to equal, match
Pennystane, a flat stone used as a quoit, XIII. 581 (E and H, see note)
Percas, _adv._, by chance (O.F. _per cas_)
Perde = _par dieu_ (F.), an expletive, truly, etc. See next
Perfay, “by my faith,” truly (O.F. _per fei_, by my faith)
Perfornyst, performed, XII. 61 (O.F. _parformir_)
Perquer, by heart, thoroughly (O.F. _per quer_ (cuer), by heart)
Peth, path, pass
Petwisly, Pitwysly, piteously
Pik, _s._, pitch, XVII. 611
Planer, full, I. 624
Play, _s._, pleasure, V. 73; tricks, XIX. 364
Plenyhe, _v._, to complain
Plewch, plough
Pollis, pools, XII. 395, 404
Portrait, _v._, _p.p._, painted, X. 743; formed, shaped, X. 281
Pouerale, “poor-folk,” camp-followers (O.F. _pouraille_, poor folk)
Poustè, Powstè, power; for _lege poustè_, see Lege
Poynt, _s._, moment, opportunity; feat of arms, in _poynt of weir_, XVI. 492, and alone, XVI. 499; _at poynt_, in good condition, favourable, III. 702; _in sic poynt_, in such array, XII. 93; _into sic point_, at such a “point” or crisis, IV. 331
Pray, _v._, to prey; also _s._, with _plur._ Prayis
Preif, _v._, to prove; _p.t._, Previt
Presand, _s._, present: _in_ or _intill_ presand, as a present
Prek, Prik, _v._, prick, wound, spur; Prikand, riding
Prevate, _s._, “privity,” privacy, secrecy; secret design, X. 161
Pris, Prys, _v._, to prize, esteem, praise
Proplexite, _s._, perplexity
Pryme, prime (six o’clock), the first of the “canonical hours”
Pundelan, hero, warrior
Punsoune, a dagger
Punyhe, a skirmish
Pupill, people
Purchas, _v._, to get, procure (O.F. _porchacier_, _pourchacier_, to follow, to procure)
Purchas, _s._, effort; contrivance, plot, XIX. 12
Purvians, “purveyance,” provisions, IV. 397
Pusoune, _s._, poison
Put againe, push back, repulse
Pyne, pain, suffering, distress (A.S. _pin_, pining, suffering)
Queyr, choir, XX. 293
Quhar, where; also in compounds, _Quharfor_, _Quhar-throuch_, etc.
Quhedirand, whizzing or roaring. XVII. 684
Quheill, _s._, wheel
Quhestling, Quhistlyng, _s._, “whistling,” baying (of a dog), VI. 94, 87
Quhet, _s._, wheat, V. 398
Quheyn(e), _adj._, “wheen,” few; also Quhoyn; _comp._ Quhenar
Quhilum, “whilom,” once
Quhyne, whence, VII. 240
Quod, _v._, “quoth,” said, XVIII. 57
Quyntis, _s._, “quaint” devices or decorations on the armour or on flags, XI. 194; XIII. 183
Quytly, securely, X. 548; freely, completely
Quyrbolle, leather hardened by heating, etc., XII. 22. See note
Rad, _adj._, frightened, afraid
Radness, fear
Raid, _v._, _p.t._, rode
Rair, Rar, _v._, to roar
Rais, Rase, _s._, “race,” strong current
Rais, _v._, _p.t._, rose
Raith, Rath, soon
Rakit, _v._, _p.t._, moved with speed (A.S. _racian_)
Randoun, _s._, onrush, force (O.F. _randon_, force)
Rangale, Rangald, Rangall, rabble
Range: _on range_ “in rank,” in “Indian file,” X. 379
Rangit, _v._, _p.p._, ranged, ranked, XI. 431
Ranyt, _v._, _p.t._, rained
Rath, _adv._, soon
Ratret, Retret, retreat
Raucht, _v._, _p.t._, reached, dealt. See Reik
Raw, _s._, row
Realtè, Reawtè, royalty, kingdom
Rebaldaill, Rybbaldaill, rabble; also Rebaldis, rogues
Rebelland, _pr. p._, as _adj._, “rebelling,” rebellious
Rebours, at, in great dislike
Reboytit, Rebutyt, repulsed; also Reboyting, _s._, repulse (A.F. _reboter_: O.F. _rebouter_)
Reconsalit, _v._, _pp._, reconciled
Recour, recovery, II. 543
Recryand, recreant, cowardly
Red(e), Reid, _s._, counsel; _tane to red_, come to the conclusion, taken the advice, XII. 389, XVII. 267 (A.S. _rǣd_, counsel)
Red(e), _v._, to advise
Red, _v._, save, IV. 132, XIX. 677
Redyit, _v._, _p.t._, got ready, IX. 171
Refe, Reve, _v._, to take away; _p.t._, Reft; _p.p._, Revede, reft, V. 12
Refrenyhe, _v._, to refrain
Regnyt, reigned, XIII. 698
Reif, _s._, plunder (A.S. _rēaf_)
Reik, _v._, reach, XVII. 419; _p.t._, Raucht
Reik, Reyk, _s._, smoke
Releif, _s._, payment on taking possession of a property, XII. 320
Releyit, _p.p._, provided with a fresh supply, IV. 456
Relit, Relyt, _v._, _p.t._ reeled
Rely, _v._, to rally; _p.t._, Releyt; _p.p._, Releit
Renconfort, _v._, to encourage
Rengye, Renyhe, Reynye, rein
Renk, “rink,” space, II. 365. See note
Renyit, _v._, _p.p._, denied (O.F. _renier_, to deny)
Renyhe, Reynye, _s._, rein
Repair, _s._, dwelling, haunt, place of meeting or retreat
Repreif, _s._, reproof
Reprief, _v._, to reprove
Rerit, _v._, _p.t._, reared
Rescours, rescue (O.F. _rescos_, _rescousse_, succour)
Reset, refuge (O.F. _recet_, place of refuge); also _v._, _p.p._, Resettit, received
Revede. See Reve
Rewis, streets (F. _rue_)
Riall, Ryoll, _adj._, royal; _s._, Rialtè, royalty, royal power
Richtwisness, righteousness, _adj._, Rychtwis; _adv._, Rychtiously
Rif, _v._, rive
Rik, kingdom (A.S. _rīce_, a kingdom, sovereignty)
Rocht, Roucht, _v._, _p.t._ See Raucht
Rod, _s._, road, path
Roucht, _v._, _p.t._, I should not reck or care, VII. 24 (A.S. _rēcan_, _rōhte_)
Routit, snored, V. 632
Rownand, Rowning, _pr. p._, whispering, XII. 360; as _s._, Rownyng, XII. 368
Rowt, Rout, _s._, a blow; also Rowt, _s._, a company, troop
Roydly, Ruydly, rudely, fiercely
Rude-evyn, _s._, Eve of the Exaltation of the Rood or Cross, XVII. 634
Rusche, to rush, drive back, overthrow, repulse; also Rus, XII. 527; _p.t._, Ruschit, Rouschit
Rybbaldy, _s._, dissipation, I. 341
Ryde, _adj._, severe, XII. 557
Ryg, ridge
Rymmyll, _s._, blow
Ryng, _v._, to reign. See on _Language_
Ryoll, _adj._, royal, XIII. 30
Ryot, _v._, in _ryot to_, made “riot” in, ravaged
Ryth, _adv._, “right,” utterly, I. 194
Sa, so
Sa yhe, say ye, VII. 258
Sad, steadfast, XII. 134. See next
Sadly, firmly, compactly, steadfastly, XIII. 374, 494, XVII. 576 (Mid. E. sad = firm, etc., as in Chaucer)
Sair, Sayr, sorely: _by sair_, pay for dearly, XVIII. 514
Sakless, innocent
Salit, _v._, _p.t._, sailed; _pr. p._, Saland
Sall, shall
Sals, sauce, III. 540
Salt, _s._, assault; also Sawt
Salusit, saluted, IV. 509
Sam(m)yn, _adv._, together
Sam(m)yn, _adj._, same
Sanct, _s._, saint; _v._, _p.p._, sainted
Sanyt. See Sayn
Sar, Sayr, sorely
Sarraly, close together; also _adj._ and _adv._, Sarray, close, closely
Sary, sorry
Saucht, _v._, _p.p._, reconciled, X. 300 (_cf._ A.S. _saht_, peace)
Sauf, Sawff, _v._, to save
Saufly, safely
Sauftè, Savitè, safety
Savourit, scented, XVI. 70
Sawin, _v._, _p.p._, sown, IV. 685
Sawt, _s._, assault: also Salt
Sayn, _v._, _s._, bless; _p.t._, Sanyt (O.F. _seignier_, to bless with the sign of the cross; Lat. _signare_)
Saynd, a message, V. 196 (A.S. _sand_, a sending)
Scaffatis, scaffolds
Scaill, _s._, a scattered company, men in loose order
Scale, Scaill, _v._, to scatter, separate; _p.t._ Scalit; _p.p._ Scalit; also Skalyt
Scarsly, scarcely
Scath, _s._, harm: also _v._, to harm
Scathfull, Scathless, harmfull, unharmed
Schar, Schair, Schare, cut, carved; _p.t._ of Scher
Schavalduris, vagrants, V. 205. See note
Schaw, _v._, show; _p.t._ Schew, X. 161, or Schawit
Schaw, _s._, thicket, grove
Schawdest, _adj._, _super._, shallowest, IX. 354
Sched, clove, divided
Schent, _v._, _p.p._, shamed
Scher, _v._, to shear, cut up
Schiltrum, a close-packed body of men: so in E; C has _childrome_ (A.S. _scild_, a shield, _truma_, a troop)
Schipfar, _s._, a journey in a ship
Schir, _s._, sir
Schire, _adj._, bright; also _adv._, Schyre (A.S. _scīr_, bright)
Scho, _pron._, she
Schoir, Schore, _adj._, sheer, steep
Schonand, shunning, V. 201
Schop, _v._, prepare; more usual Schap, XVI. 573
Schore, _adj._, “sheer,” steep
Schoyne, “shoon,” shoes, II. 510
Schoyr, loud threats (_cf._ Withoutin outher bray, or bost, or _schore_.--_King Hart_)
Schup(e), “shaped,” purposed, attempted; _p.t._ of Schap
Schynand, _v._, _pr. p._, shining
Scowking, _s._, “skulking,” cowardice
Scowryt, _v._, _p.p._, scoured
Scrymmyng, _s._, skirmishing, XIX. 521 (O.F. _escrimer_, to fence)
Se, _v._, to see, watch over
Segis, seats (F. _siege_, a seat): astrological term as “mansions”
Seik, _adj._, sick
Seir, Ser, various, separate
Sekir, safe, sure, firm, steadfast
Sekirly, Sekyrly, certainly
Sekirnis, security, certainty
Sekkis, _s._, sacks
Sembland, “semblance,” show
Semble, _s._, assembly, body of men, II. 380
Sen, since
Send, _v._, _p.t._ of Send; _p.p._, Send, Sent
Sent, _s._, scent
Sentens, meaning, IV. 260
Senyhory, Senyhoury, sovereignty, lordship, rule
Sermonyng, _s._, speech, explanation, IV. 278
Sesand, _v._, _pr. p._, seizing
Sesing, _s._, possession, VI. 496
Setis, snares, III. 479
Seyle, _s._, good, I. 303 (A.S. _sǣl_). _Cf._ _adj._ _Sely_ (_silly_) (A.S. _sǣlig_)
Schawis, _v._, shows
Shraf, _v._, _p.t._, shrived, XI. 377
Sib, related, kin
Sib-man, relative
Sic, Sik, such
Sich, _v._, to sigh
Sith, Syth, times, unaltered _plur_; also Sis, Sythis (A.S. _sīth_, a time). See _Grammar_
Skaith, scath, hurt, injury. See Scath
Skalyt. See Scalit
Skill, reason
Skunnyrrit, _v._, _p.t._, avoided in dislike
Sla, _v._, slay; _pr. p._, Slayand
Slaid, _v._, slid
Slak, _s._, a hollow
Sle, sly, crafty, skilled. _Cf._ Slear, Sleast; _adv._, Slely
Sleuch, _v._, _p.t._, slew
Sleuth, slot, track (O.N. _sloth_, a track)
Slew, _v._, _p.t._, struck in _slew fyre_ (A.S. _slean_, to strike)
Slike, Slyk, mud, slime. For first Skeat gives “slick,” rapidly (?), VI. 78
Slop, a gap, opening; _pl._, Sloppis. _Cf._ _slaps and stiles_ in “Tam o’ Shanter”
Smat, _v._, _p.t._, smote
Snell, biting, sharp, severe (A.S. _snell_, quick, sharp)
Snuk(e), a promontory, I. 188 IV 556
Socht, Soucht, _v._, _p.t._, sought
Solacious, _adj._, pleasant, X. 290
Somdeill, _adv._, somewhat, to some extent
Sop, _s._, a sup, a hasty meal
Sop, _s._, a close body of men; _pl._ Soppis, heaps
Southren, southern
Sowing, _s._, pricking, piercing, XVI. 628
Soym, trace of a cart. See Hede-soyme
Soyn(e), Sone, Soune, _adv._, soon
Spar, _v._, faster, bar; _p.t._, Sparit, Sperit, Spyryt, etc.
Spayn, span, grasp
Spering, Speryng, _s._, asking, information; also _v._, Sperit, inquired (A.S. _spirian_)
Spoulyheing, _s._, spoiling
Sprent, _v._, _p.t._, sprang, XII. 49
Spryngaldis, shooting-machines, XVII. 247. See note
Spulyheit, _v._, _p.p._, spoiled
Squyary, a body of “squyares” or esquires
Stablist, _v._, _p.t._, “established,” settled
Stad, “bested,” hard pressed
Staffing, _s._, thrusting, pushing, XVII. 785
Staff-slyngis, slings on sticks, XVII. 344. See note
Staill, a fixed position, XVII. 97
Standand, _v._, _pr. p._, standing
Stane, _s._, stone; _pl._, Stanis
Stay, _adj._, steep
Sted(e), Steid, “stead,” place (A.S. _stede_)
Steir, _v._, stir, IX. 382 (A.S. _styrian_): _on steir_, a-stir
Steir, Ster(e), _s._, a rudder (A.S. _steōr_, steering, rudder)
Steir, Steyr, _v._, to “steer,” direct, govern
Stekis, _v._, closes
Stekit, _v._, _p.t._, stuck, stabbed
Stemmand, steering, straight, V. 25
Stent, _v._, to pitch, set up; _p.t._, Stentit
Sterand, “stirring,” prancing, XI. 129
Stern, a star; _pl._, Sternis, Steris
Stert, _v._, to start; _p.t._, stert
Stertling, _s._, restless motion. (_Cf._ fische wantounly _stertland_.--_Complaynt of Scotlande_)
Stew, mist, vapour, XI. 614
Stint, _v._, stop, X. 716; _s._, Stinting, stopping
Stith, Styth, “stiff,” strong, hardy (A.S. _stīth_, strong); also _adv._, Stithly
Stoking, thrusting, XVII. 785 (F. _estoquer_, to thrust)
Stole, “stool,” seat
Stonay, _v._, to astonish, terrify, defeat; _p.t._ and _p.p._, Stonayit
Stot, drive back
Stound, _s._, time, while
Stour, _s._, conflict, battle (A.F. _estur_)
Stowpand, _v._, _pr. p._, stooping, VIII. 297
Straif, _v._, _p.t._, strove
Straucht, Strawcht, _adj._, straight; also _adv._
Straucht, _v._, _p.t._, stretched out; also _p.p._
Strecour, _s._, a young hound, VI. 487
Strekit, _v._, _p.t._, and _p.p._, stretched, extended: _strekit weill_, clearly defined, XX. 317
Strenyheit, _p.p._, constrained
Strikand, _pr. p._, “striking” leading, VI. 238; _p.p._ Strikin, fought
Strowit, _p.p._, strewn
Stroy, _v._, destroy
Sture, sturdy, strong (A.S. _stōr_, great)
Sua, Swa(y), so
Suagat, Swagat, so, in such a manner
Succudry, pride, presumption (O.F. _sorcuiderie_)
Sudjorne, _s._ and _v._, sojourn
Suelt, died, IV. 311 (A.S. _sweltan_, to die)
Suet, life-blood, life, XIII. 32
Suld, should
Sum, as _suffix_, altogether, in all: e.g., _fiff-sum_, five in all; _six-sum_, etc.
Sumdeill, Sumdele, _adv._, somewhat, to some extent
Sumkyn, _adv._, of some kind. _Cf._ Nakyn
Summer, the bearing or principal beam; same word as next, XVII. 696
Summer, a sumpter-horse, XIX. 746 (O.F. _sommier_)
Suppowale, support, reinforcement, XVI. iii, 139
Sur-noune, surname, XVII. 152
Suth, _adj._, true; _s._, truth
Suthfast, _adj._, true; _s._, Suthfastnes; _adv._, Suthley
Swa. See Sua.
Swak, a blow, V. 643
Swappit, drew quickly, threw, cast
Swar, _v._, _p.t._, swore; also Swoir
Swat, _s._, sweat
Swonand, swooning, XVII. 648
Swilk, Swylk, such
Swith, Swyth, quickly, soon: _als swith_, as quickly as possible
Swoir, _v._, _p.t._, swore; also Swar
Swome, _v._, to swim, III. 431
Sychand, _pr. p._, sighing
Sykis, streams in a muddy bottom, XI. 300. See note
Syn(e), _adv._, afterwards, then, next, at last
Syndir, Syndri, _adj._, sundry, various, separate; _adv._, Syndrely
Sythyn, _adv._, afterwards
Syttyn, _v._, _p.p._, sat
Ta, _v._, take; _p.t._, Tuk; _p.p._, Tan(e), Tayne; _pr. p._, Takand
Ta; _the ta_ = _thet a_, the one (see _Grammar_); also _the tane_ = thet-ane
Taill, payment by an heir on succeeding to an estate, XII. 320
Tais, _v._, takes
Tailyhe, agreement, XX. 134; _v._, Talit (E. Tailyheit), agreed upon, XIX. 188
Taknyng, Takynnyng, sign, token, evidence (A.S. _tācnung_, a sign)
Takyn, a token, sign, signal (A.S. _tācn_, a token)
Tald, _v._, _p.t._, Told
Tale, number, XI. 5 (A.S. _tal_, number)
Talent, _s._, desire: so also in Chaucer, B. 1137
Tane the, the one. See Ta
Tasit, drew back, V. 623. See note
Taskar, a thresher (A.S. _therscan_, to thresh)
Tastit, _v._, tested, tried
Taucht, _v._, _p.t._, gave
Tauld, _v._, _p.t._, told
Te, _v._, to tie, XV. 282
Tell, count (A.S. _tellan_)
Tend, tenth
Tene, Teyne, anger, vexation, II. 377: _for propyr tene_ in his personal vexation (A.S. _tēona_, injury, insult)
Tent, care, heed
Ter, tar, XVII. 611
Tha(y), those. See _Grammar_
Thak, thatch
Than, _adv._, then; even, I. 217
Thar, _impers. v._, it needs, it is necessary, VIII. 257, XII. 300; _p.t._, Thurt
Thar, _adv._, there; and in compounds, Thareftir, Thar-fra, therefrom; Thartill, thereto; Thar-throuch, thereby
Tharup, “up there”
The-quhethir, however, and yet, nevertheless. See _Grammar_ (_Conj_).
Thine, thence; _fra thine_, from thence, V. 190; Thine-furth, thenceforth, XVII. 722
Thir, these. See _Grammar_ (_Pron._)
Thocht, _conj._, though
Thole, Thoill, _v._, to suffer, endure; _p.t._, Tholyt; _p.p._, Tholit (A.S. _tholian_, to suffer)
Thouch(t), though
Thowlesnes, heedlessness, I. 333
Thra, eager (O.N. _thrār_, stubborn)
Thrang, _s._ “throng,” crowd, press; difficulty, distress, X. 117, XV. 353
Thraw, a little time (A.S. _thrāg_, a space of time)
Thrawing, _s._, throwing
Threllis, “thralls,” slaves; also Thryll; Threldome, _s._, thraldom
Thretty, thirty
Thrillag(e), Thryllage, thraldom; also Thrildome, Thryldome
Thrillit, pierced (A.S. _thirlian_, to pierce)
Thring, Thryng, _v._, to throng; _pr. p._, Thringand (A.S. _thringan_, to press, crowd)
Thristill, a throstle, thrush
Thristing, _s._, thrusting, XIII. 156
Throppill, the windpipe, the throat
Throuch, Throw; _prep._, through
Throwand, _pr. p._, writhing, XV. 230
Thurt. See Thar
Thyrland, piercing, making holes in, II. 540; _pr. p._ of Thrillit
Tid, Tyd, time (A.S. _tīd_)
Till, _prep._, to
Till-hewyn, _p.p._, scarred, cut in different directions, XX. 367; _p.t._, Till-hewyt, clove, cut down, II. 381
Tit, Tyt, _adv._, soon, quickly; _comp._ Titar, Tyttar
Tit, Tyt, _v._, snatch, pull, V. 603, XVI. 132
Tithand, Tithing, _s._, tidings, news
To-fruschyt, _v._, _p.p._, crushed, broken in pieces (A.S. _to_, in two; O.F. _froissier_, to break)
To-ga, fled
To-morn, to-morrow
Top-castellis, top-castles or fighting-tops of a war-ship
To-stonay, to astound thoroughly. (“To” is intensive = Ger. _Zu_)
Tothir in _the tothir_, second. See _Grammar_
Tournys, _v._, turns
To-waverand, wandering in different directions
Towme, a tomb
Toym, Tume, leisure, V. 642 (Icel. _tōm_, emptiness, leisure). See note
Trammys, war-engines, structures of wood, XVII. 245
Trane, Traine, Trayn, stratagem, plot
Tranonting, Tranontyne _s._, stratagem, specially, apparently, a forced march, VII. 508, 608; _v._, Tranontit, XVIII. 360
Trappit, furnished with trappings, armoured (of horses)
Trast, Traist, _adj._, trusty; secure, XIV. 466; _comp._, Trastar; _v._, Trast, Trastit; _adv._, Trastly, Traistly, trustfully, securely, confidently; _comp._ Trastlyar; also Trast, _subs._, appointment, XVII. 36
Travaill, _v._, to travel, work hard, _pr. p._; also Travale, trouble, interfere with, VI. 602
Travaill, Travell, _s._, a difficult journey, IV. 48; labour, hardship; _pl._, Travalys: also Travailyhe
Travaland, toiling, travelling; _p.t._, Travalit, troubled, harassed, etc.
Tray, _s._, vexation, XVIII. 233 (A.S. _trega_)
Trayne, _v._, draw, entice, XIX. 354
Tretis, _s._, a treaty; proposes to treat, X. 125
Treuth, _s._, troth, trust; _gaf treuth_, believed, IV. 223
Trew, _v._, trust, believe
Trewis, Trowis, _s._, truce; also as _plur._, XIX. 200, 203
Treyn, _adj._, wooden
Trist, “tryst,” place of meeting; _set trist_, appointed, VII. 235
Tropellis, troops, small bodies (O.F. _tropel_, _dimin._ of _trope_ = troupeau, a troop)
Trow, _v._, believe; Trowit, Trowit
Trumpe, to sound the trumpet; _pr. p._, Trumpand; _p.t._, Trumpit, XIX. 429. See note
Trumpe, _v._, to sound on a trumpet; _pr. p._, Trumpand
Trumpit, _p.p._, deceived, XIX. 712 (?) (F. _tromper_, to deceive)
Trunsioune, a truncheon, staff of office
Trymbill, _v._, to tremble, II. 295; _pr. subj._, Trymmyll, XII. 268
Tulyheit, _v._, _p.t._, harassed, IV. 152
Tume, leisure, XVII. 735. See Toym.
Tummyll, _v._, tumble: _p.t._, Tumlit, pulled down
Turs, _v._, truss, pack up (O.F. _torser_); Tursit, Tursit
Tutlyng, tooting on a horn, XIX. 604
Twa(y), two
Twist, a twig, a small branch, VII. 188
Twyn, _adj._, twain, IV. 691
Tyd, _v._, to betide, happen
Tymbrys, crests (F. _timbre_)
Tyne, _v._, to lose; _p.t._, Tynt (Icel. _tyna_, to lose)
Tynsale, loss, harm
Tysday, Tuesday
Tyt. See Tit
Umbecast, _v._, to consider, think over
Umbeset, _v._, beset
Umbestount, _adv._, sometimes, VII. 398 (A.S. _ymbe_, about; _stund_, a time)
Umbethink, Umbethoucht, bethink, bethought
Umquhill, sometimes (A.S. _hwīl_, a time)
Unabasitly, boldly
Unbondyn, _v._, _p.p._, unbound
Under-ta(k), _v._, undertake; _p.p._, Undertane
Unfair, Unfayr, unfortunate, evil
Unseill, _s._, misfortune (A.S. _unsǣl_)
Unwittandly, unwisely
Unwemmyt. See Wem
Upcom, _s._, way up; also Upgang
Ure, _s._, fate, luck, “especially ‘good luck’” (Skeat) (O.F. _eur. Cf._ _bonheur_)
Utelauys, outlaws
Utouth, outside, II. 299
Valayis, _s._, valleys; _pl._, of Valè
Vanys, veins
Vaslage, Vassalage, prowess, valour (such as was expected from a vassal)
Vath, _s._, danger (O.N. _vāthi_)
Vaward, vanguard
Vencus, Vencust, _v._, vanquish, vanquished
Vere, spring
Verty. See Averty
Veschall, “vessels”; _i.e._, plate, XI. 117 (F. _vaisselle_)
Viage, _s._, voyage
Vittelleris, Vittelouris, _s._, “victualers,” foragers
Volageous, “flighty,” dashing, unsettled, VIII. 445, X. 553
Vyre, a bolt for a crossbow
Vyre, cast, XVII. 704 (O.F. _virer_)
Wa, Way, _s._, woe; _adj._, sad, sorry
Wach, Wauch, _v._, watch, guard
Wafand, waving
Wageouris, _s._, “waged soldiers,” mercenaries, XI. 48
Waik, weak. _Cf._ Waykar
Wald, _s._, wold
Wald, _v._, would
Walk, _v._, to wake, watch; _p.t._, Walknyt. See _Language_, “l”
Walkyn, _v._, to awake. See _Language_, “l”
Wallyt, _p.p._, walled
Walopyt, galloped, II. 440
Wan(e), _v._, _p.t._ of won
Wane, Wayne, quantity, XVI. 454
Wapnys, _s._, weapons
Wappyt, _v._, _p.t._, struck, knocked, XVII. 691
War, _s._, ware, merchandise, XIX. 194
War, _adj._, aware; wary, X. 333
War, _adv._, worse, XIII. 219
War, _v._, were
Warisoune, Warysoun, _s._, reward
Warn, _v._, to refuse, IV. 392; _p.t._, Warnyt, opposed; warned (A.S. _wyrnan_, to refuse)
Warnist, _v._, _p.t._ and _p.p._, stored, provided with; _s._, Warnasyng, Warnysyng (O.F. _warnir_; F. _garnier_, to provide)
Warnisoun, garrison
Warpyt, _v._, threw (A.S. _weorpan_, to throw)
Warrand, Warand(e), _s._, refuge, place of safety, protection; _v._, Warand, to protect
Warrar, _adj._, _comp._ more aware, V. 546
Warra(y), _v._, to war against; _pr. p._, Warrayand, warring upon, making war
Warraying, _s._, “warring,” warfare
Waryit, cursed (A.S. _wergian_, to curse)
Wassand, weasand, throat, VII. 584
Wat, _adj._, wet
Watyt, _v._ _p.t_, “waited,” lay in wait for, I. 202
Wat(e), _v._, wot, know
Wauch. See Wach
Waverand, _v._, _pr. p._, wandering about
Wayn, Weyn, “weening,” thought, purpose
Wayndist, gave way, swerved, recoiled (O.F. _wandir_, _gandir_, to turn aside, escape)
We, “wee,” a small space or short time
Wecht, _s._, weight
Weddir, “wether,” sheep
Weid, dress; armour, XVI. 580; _pl._ Wedis (A.S. _wæd_, clothing)
Weill, Weile, Wele, Weyle, _adv._, well very
Weir, _s._, war
Weir, _s._, doubt; _but weir_, without doubt
Weld, _v._, “wield”; _pr. p._, Weldand, ruling, guiding
Weltir, _v._, upset, XI. 25; _pr. p._, Weltrand, rolling. III. 719; _p.t._, Weltryt, rolled
Wem, stain, scar (A.S. _wam_); _v._, _p.p._, Wemmyt, scarred, XX. 368
Wend, _v._, to go; _p.t._, Went
Wend, _v._, “weened,” thought, expected; _p.t._, Wenit
Wene, Weyne, _s._, supposition; _but we(y)ne_, without doubt (A.S. _wen_)
Wenyng, “weening,” supposing, foretelling, IV. 765
Wer, _adj._, worse; also War
Wer(e), _v._, to defend, XVI. 594
Wer, Weyr, _s._, doubt: _but wer_, without doubt. See Weir
Werd, We(i)rdis, fate, destiny, and _pl._
Wicht, _adj._, strong, brave, active
Wikkid, _adj._, poor, cruel; _s._, Wikkidness, timidity, weakness, XII. 280; Wikidly, severely, XVII. 809
Will, _adj._, wild, astray, VII. 2 (see note): _will of red--of wane_, at a loss
Wis, _adj._, “wise,” way (A.S. _wīs_)
Wissill, mutually destroy, XII. 580
With, Wyth, _prep._, against, I. 520; by, I. 521
Withsay, _v._, gainsay, oppose, I. 210
With-thi, _conj._, on condition that
Wittely, _adv._, wisely
Wittering, Witting, _s._, knowledge, information
Witterly, Wittirly, for certain
Witty, _adj._, wise, prudent
Wlispyt, _v._, lisped (Old Low Germ. _wlispen_)
Wod, Woud, _s._, wood
Wone, _v._, _p.p._, wont, accustomed
Wonnand, _v._, _pr. p._, dwelling; _p.t._, Wounyt (A.S. _wunian_, to dwell)
Wonnyn, _v._, _p.p._, won
Wonnyng, _s._, dwelling
Worschip, _s._, valour
Worth (Worthis), Worthit, _v._, becomes, became; _p.p._, _Worthyn_: _hym worthit neid_, it became necessary for him, XIX. 209; _wo worth_, woe be to, I. 515
Worthyhede, honour
Woude, “wud,” mad, XVII. 106 (A.S. _wōd_); also Wood, XX. 483
Woude, _v._, _p.t._, waded (A.S. _wadan_, _wod_)
Wouk, _v._, _p.t._, kept watch (A.S. _wacan_, _woc_, to watch, watched)
Woux, Wox(e), _v._, _p.t._, waxed, grew
Wrate, Wrat, Wrayt, _v._, wrote
Wre(y)th, Wreythyt, _v._, became enraged, enraged; _p.p._, Wrethit, XVII. 45
Wrichtis, wrights, workmen
Wrocht, Wroucht, _v._, _p.t._, wrought
Wyndland, _pr. p._, rolling, tumbling over one another, XVII. 721. “Windle-straws” in Scots = dog’s grass
Wysk, _s._, whisk, a quick blow.
Y, Yh. See also under I.
Yare(e), Yha(i)r, _adj._, ready; also _adv._
Yheld, Yhald, Yholdyn, _v._, yield, yielded
Yharn(e), Yharnit, _v._, yearn, yearned for
Yharne, _adv._, diligently
Yheid, Yhed, Yhude, _v._, went (A.S. _ēode_)
Yheit, Yheyt, yet
Yhemar, a keeper, groom
Yhemsall, Yhemsell, Yheymseill, _s._, care (Icel. _geimsla_, guardianship)
Yheyme, Yhemyt, _v._, guard, take care of (A.S. _gȳman_, to watch over)
Yhet, Yhate, _s._, gate (A.S. _geat_)
Yhoill-evyn, “Yule-even,” Christmas Eve
Yhon(e), _adj._, yon; _adv._, Yhongat, in that way, in such a way
Yhouthheid, _s._, youth
Yneuch, _adj._ as _indef. pron._, enough, XIV. 235, 364
Ynkirly Ynkurly, _adv._, specially, particularly. See Enkrely
Ysche, _v._ See Isch
Ysching, _s._, “issuing,” sally
Ysche, _s._, “issue,” way out; sally; outlet, XIV. 354
Yscheill. See Eschele
Ythand, _adj._, diligent, constant, tenacious, also _adv._, Ythandly
LIST OF PRINCIPAL WORKS IN REFERENCES
R. S. = Rolls Series. R. C. = Record Commission.
_Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland_, vol. i.
_Alexander, The Buik of_: Bannatyne Club.
_Anglia: Band IX._ (Article, _Sind die von Horstmann herausgegbenen schottischen Legenden ein Werk Barberes_, P. Buss).
_Annals--Fragment_ (Irish) in _Chartularies of St. Mary’s Abbey_, vol. ii.
_Annales Hiberniæ_, or _Annals of Ireland_, frequently cited as _Annals_ in _Chartularies of St. Mary’s Abbey_, vol. ii.
_Annales Londonienses_ in _Chronicles of Edward I. and Edward II._, vol. ii.
_Annales Paulini_ in _Chronicles of Edward I._, etc., vol. ii.
_Annals of Four Masters._ Dublin, 1856.
_Annals of St. Mary’s Abbey_ in _Chartularies of_, etc., vol. ii.
_Archæologia Scotica_, vol. ii.
BAIN, JOSEPH: _Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland_, vols. ii., iii., iv.
BAKER, GEOFFREY, of Swinbroke: _Chronicon Angliæ_ (_circa_ 1400). Ed. Giles, 1847.
BROWN, J. T. T.: _The Wallace and The Bruce Restudied_. Bonn, 1900.
_Buke of the Howlat, The_, in _Scottish Alliterative Poems_. S. T. S.
CAPGRAVE, JOHN: _The Chronicle of England_ (_floruit_ 1393-1464). R. S.
_Cambridge History of English Literature, The_, vol. ii., 1908.
_Chartularies of St. Mary’s Abbey, Dublin._ R. S.
CHAUCER: _Globe Edition_.
_Chronicles of the Reigns of Edward I. and Edward II._ R. S.
_Clonmacnoise, Annals of._ Dublin, 1896.
_Englische Studien_, vol. x. (Article, _Die Fragmente von Barbour’s Trojanerkrieg_, E. Koeppel).
_English Historical Review_, vols. xiii., xiv., xix.
_Exchequer Rolls of Scotland_, vols. i., ii.
_Flores Historiarum_, vol. iii. R. S.
_Fœdera_, vols. ii., iii. Ed. Rymer. 1704-1735.
FORDUN, JOHANNIS DE: _Gesta Annalia_. Ed. Skene (_Historians of Scotland_).
FRASER, SIR WILLIAM: _The Douglas Book_.
FROISSART, JEAN: _Chroniques_. Ed. Lettenhove, 1863.
„ „ _Chronicles_. Translated by Johnes, 1857.
GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH: _History of the Kings of Britain_. Ed. Giles, 1844.
_Geste Hystoriale of the Destruction of Troy._ E. E. T. S.
_Gesta Edwardi de Carnarvon in Chronicles of Edward I._, etc., vol. ii.
_Gesta Edwardi Tertii in Chronicles of Edward I._, etc., vol. ii.
HAILES, LORD: _Annals of Scotland_. Ed. 1797.
HEMINGBURGH, WALTERI DE: _Chronicon_. (contemporary). English Historical Society.
HENSCHEL, F. H.: _Darstellung der Flexionslehre in Barbour’s Bruce_. Leipsig, 1886.
HERMANN, ALBERT: _Untersuchungen über das Schottische Alexanderbuch._ Halle, 1893.
_Historical Letters and Papers from the Northern Registers._ R. S.
_Historical and Municipal Documents of Ireland._ R. S.
INNES, COSMO: _The Brus_ (Spalding Club).
JAMIESON, JOHN: _The Bruce; The Wallace._ Glasgow, 1869.
KNIGHTON, HENRICI: _Chronicon_. R. S. (For the first two Edwards draws largely on Hemingburgh: of independent importance for Edward III.)
_Lanercost, Chronicon de._ Maitland Club.
LE BEL, JEAN. _Chronique_, vol. i. Brussels, 1863 (as _Les Vrayes Chroniques_); also for the _Société de l’histoire de France_, 1904-5. (The work covers 1326-1360. It is substantially the source of Froissart within those dates.)
_Legends of the Saints and Troy Fragments._ Ed. Horstmann. Heilbronn, 1881.
_Loch Cé, Annals of._ London, 1871.
MARIANA, JOHN DE: G_eneral History of Spain._ Translated by Stevens. London, 1699.
MAXWELL, SIR HERBERT: _Robert the Bruce_. (Heroes of the Nations.)
MAXWELL, SIR HERBERT: _History of the House of Douglas_.
MORRIS, J. E.: _The Welsh Wars of Edward I_.
_Morte Arthure._ Ed. M. M. Banks. 1900.
MURIMUTH, ADAM DE: _Continuatio Chronicorum_, R. S. (died 1347).
MURRAY, J. H.: _Dialect of the Southern Counties of Scotland._
NEILSON, GEORGE: _John Barbour, Poet and Translator_. London, 1900. (Also articles in _Scottish Antiquary_.)
_Old Statistical Account_, vols. iv., xviii.
OMAN, C. W. C.: _A History of the Art of War_, 1898.
PALGRAVE, SIR FRANCIS: _Documents and Records illustrating the History of Scotland_. R. C.
_Parliamentary Writs and Writs of Military Summons_, vols. i., ii. R. C.
_Patent Rolls, Calendar of_: Edwards I., II., III. R. S.
_Registrum Magni Sigilli_, vol. i.
REGEL, ERNST: _Phonetic Peculiarities of Barbour’s Bruce_. Gesa, 1877.
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM: _Index of Charters_. Edinburgh, 1798.
RISHANGER, WILLIAM: _Gesta Edwardi Primi_ (own work); _Chronicle_, 1272-1306 (compilation). R. S.
_Rotuli Scotiæ_, vol. i.
ROUND, J. H.: _The Commune of London_ (article Bannockburn).
„ _Feudal England_.
„ _Studies in the Peerage_.
SALTOUN, LORD: _The Frasers of Philorth_.
_Scalacronica_: Sir Thomas Gray (_circa_ 1356). Maitland Club
_Scotichronicon._ Ed. Goodall, 1759.
_Scottish Antiquary, The_, vols. xi., xii.
_Scots Peerage, The._ Ed. Sir J. B. Paul.
SKEAT, PROFESSOR: _The Bruce_, 2 vols. S. T. S.
_Sowdone of Babylone, The._ Ed. Hansknecht. E. E. T. S.
STEVENSON, JOSEPH: _Illustrations of Scottish History_. Maitland Club.
STEVENSON, JOSEPH: _Historical Documents of Scotland_. Register House, 1870.
TRIVET, NICHOLAS: _Annales_. English Historical Society. (Contemporary of Edward I.; uses and abridges Hemingburgh.)
TROKELOWE, JOHANNIS DE: _Chronica et Annales_. R. S. (Not before 1330; prime authority on Edward II.)
_Ulster, Annals of._ R. S.
WALSINGHAM, THOMAS: _Historia Anglicana_, vol. i. R. S. (Late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries.)
WRIGHT, THOMAS: _Political Songs of England._ Camden Society.
THE END
BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD
Transcriber's Note
Page headers have been reformatted as sidenotes.
A half-title page has been removed from the front of the book.
The following apparent errors have been corrected:
p. xvi (note) "xv-xxv" changed to "xv-xxv."
p. 5 "rewate." changed to "rewate.'"
p. 46 The footnote marker 399 was printed as 99.
p. 90 (note) "_Is_ from C." changed to "Is from C."
p. 105 The footnote marker 325 was printed as 25.
p. 115 " Of me" changed to ""Of me"
p. 119 "forrow us. quhill" changed to "forrow us, quhill"
p. 122 ""Sa yhe suthly?"" changed to "'Sa yhe suthly?'"
p. 122 "Yhour men" changed to "'Yhour men"
p. 145 "c uth ta" changed to "couth ta"
p. 145 "E Jedworthis" changed to "_Jedworthis_"
p. 168 "'Yheit may" changed to ""Yheit may"
p. 179 "chere,'" changed to "chere,""
p. 187 "dnrst nocht" changed to "durst nocht"
p. 194 (note) "93. E has" changed to "94. E has"
p. 209 "agane," changed to "agane,'"
p. 210 (note) "H. _a gray_" changed to "H _a gray_"
p. 217 (note) "E. _That_" changed to "E _That_"
p. 220 (note) "Cf." changed to "_Cf._"
p. 235 ""His brydill" changed to "His brydill"
p. 239 (note) "464" changed to "463"
p. 261 "And', in" changed to "And, in"
p. 261 "o! Lumbardy" changed to "of Lumbardy"
p. 263 The letter "n" in "And schot" was inverted
p. 280 The letter "n" in "and yhumanry" was inverted
p. 321 "SEPT., 1319." changed to "SEPT., 1319"
p. 324 "Me think" changed to ""Me think"
p. 326 "ilkane "" changed to "ilkane.""
p. 333 (note) "H. _few_" changed to "H _few_"
p. 335 (note) "(S." changed to "(S)."
p. 344 (note) "_eirded_" changed to "_eirded_."
p. 345 "hailll" changed to "haill"
p. 347 "_Attack by the English Archers._" changed to "_Attack by the English Archers_"
p. 351 (note) "Cf." changed to "_Cf._"
p. 353 (note) "H as E" changed to "H as E."
p. 355 "battale." changed to "battale.'"
p. 370 (note) "weere." changed to "weere.""
p. 370 "fall.'" changed to "fall."
p. 372 (note) "els die"" changed to "els die.""
p. 387 "_Introd._, ii" changed to "_Introd._, ii."
p. 387 "F.I.C." changed to "F.i.c."
p. 390 "Bk. XIII." changed to "_Bk._ XIII."
p. 395 "Holshausen" changed to "Holthausen"
p. 395 The notes to lines 479 and 482 were printed out of order
p. 396 "_dat_" changed to "_dat._"
p. 398 "Alexander. III." changed to "Alexander III."
pp. 399, 400 "_Appendix_ F, III" changed to "_Appendix_ F, iii"
p. 400 "see Appendix" changed to "see _Appendix_"
p. 402 "(_Bain._, ii." changed to "(_Bain_, ii."
p. 403 "359); Cristina" changed to "(359); Cristina"
p. 412 "589 _his baneour._" changed to "588 _his baneour.</i?"
p. 417 "116 _And als frendis._" changed to "117 _And als frendis._"
p. 420 "the left" changed to "be left"
p. 421 "Bk. II. 463" changed to "_Bk._ II. 463"
p. 422 "at St. Andrew s" changed to "at St. Andrews "
p. 423 "154 _Wilyhame Bunnok._" changed to "153 _Wilyhame Bunnok._"
p. 424 "_Bk._ ix." changed to "(_Bk._ ix."
p. 425 "(No. 358)." changed to "(No. 358),"
p. 426 "710 _Lap fra a berfrois._" changed to "708 _Lap fra a berfrois._"
p. 427 "8-9)" changed to "8-9"
p. 431 "_Scotchronicon_" changed to "_Scotichronicon_"
p. 434 "Bk. XII." "_Bk._ XII."
p. 434 "547 _war past._" changed to "548 _war past._"
p. 437 "300 _enveronyt._" changed to "302 _enveronyt._"
p. 439 "themelves" changed to "themselves"
p. 446 "471 _Wilyhame Vepownt._" changed to "472 _Wilyhame Vepownt._"
p. 447 "489-90." changed to "489-90"
p. 447 "143.)" changed to "143.)."
p. 448 "735 _our-raid all Northumbirland._" changed to "736 _our-raid all Northumbirland._"
p. 449 "in Ireland" changed to "in Ireland""
p. 449 "_Maii_" changed to "_Maii._"
p. 454 "af the Lacys" changed to "of the Lacys"
p. 455 "55 _Quha mast_" changed to "56 _Quha mast_"
p. 457 "schiltrome,"" changed to ""schiltrome,""
p. 459 "Bk. xiv." changed to "_Bk._ xiv."
p. 459 "and note)" changed to "and note)."
p. 460 "Bk. XI." changed to "_Bk._ XI."
p. 461 "205 note)" changed to "(205 note)"
p. 461 "in Barbour.”" changed to "in Barbour."
p. 462 "577 _Willyhame Syncler._" changed to "575 _Willyhame Syncler._"
p. 466 "p. lxxxii" changed to "p. lxxxii."
p. 468 "500 _he wald nocht sa soyne assale._" changed to "501 _he wald nocht sa soyne assale._"
p. 470 "_in_ _Morte Arthure_" changed to "in _Morte Arthure_"
p. 472 "declares thut" changed to "declares that"
p. 472 "whch had" changed to "which had"
p. 476 "_ibid._)" changed to "_ibid._)."
p. 478 "liv" changed to "liv."
p. 481 "249 _In England._" changed to "248 _In England._"
p. 481 "Skene, i." changed to "_Skene_, i."
p. 481 "Fordun, _Gesta Annalia_" changed to "_Fordun_, _Gesta Annalia_"
p. 483 "lxviii" changed to "lxviii."
p. 483 "(? l’aigle)" changed to "(? l’aigle)”"
p. 484 "Murimuth, p. 53" changed to "_Murimuth_, p. 53"
p. 484 "Knighton, i." changed to "_Knighton_, i."
p. 484 "i. 445" changed to "i. 445)"
p. 485 "Every day" changed to ""Every day"
p. 485 "_Scala_ apparently" changed to "_Scala._ apparently"
p. 485 "519-20 _ilk day justyng of Wer._" changed to "520-1 _ilk day justyng of Wer._"
p. 488 "everything'" changed to "everything""
p. 489 "129 _Maid hym manrent and fewte._" changed to "*129 _Maid hym manrent and fewte._"
p. 489 "130 _Till Cardross went._" changed to "151 _Till Cardross went._"
p. 493 "421-32 _Bot ere they joyned, etc._" changed to "*421-32 _Bot ere they joyned, etc._"
p. 493 "Appendix D" changed to "_Appendix_ D"
p. 493 "p. 484)" changed to "p. 484"
p. 506 "printer's"" changed to "printer's.""
p. 509 "versions." changed to "versions.""
p. 514 "(4) note)" changed to "(4) (note)"
p. 516 "(XI. 638" changed to "(XI. 638)"
p. 519 "s = substantive" changed to "s. = substantive"
p. 520 "XIX. 512." changed to "XIX. 512"
p. 520 "accused XIX.," changed to "accused, XIX.,"
p. 521 "Banyst, _v._" changed to "Banyst, _v._,"
p. 521 " _p.t._ barred" changed to " _p.t._, barred"
p. 522 "a pledge" changed to "a pledge)"
p. 523 "IX. IX. 77" changed to "IX. 77"
p. 525 "V 70" changed to "V. 70"
p. 525 "Eldrys elders" changed to "Eldrys, elders"
p. 526 "Feble, _b._" changed to "Feble, _v._"
p. 529 "contrivance some" changed to "contrivance some"
p. 529 "called" changed to "called)"
p. 533 "See Neyn" changed to "See Meyn"
p. 533 "_adj_, no" changed to "_adj._, no"
p. 534 ""over-tumbled,'" changed to ""over-tumbled,""
p. 535 "_v._ to prey" changed to "_v._, to prey"
p. 537 "_c.f_" changed to "_cf._"
p. 541 The entry for "Trunsioune" was printed out of alphabetical order
p. 545 "ii. iii., iv." changed to "ii., iii., iv."
p. 546 "I, II., III." changed to "I., II., III."
Inconsistent spellings throughout the book, and inconsistent punctuation in the LIST OF PRINCIPAL WORKS IN REFERENCES have been left as printed. There are numerous discrepancies in spelling between the text and the endnotes.
The following possible errors have not been changed:
p. 149 Than, wit yhe weill his, men wes wa!
p. 194 of fechtaris with hym thar.
p. 271 the note to line 338 may refer to line *338
p. 345 all Cokdaill.
p. 360 sic perplexite.
p. 395 _auserlessene busse._
p. 432 analagous
p. 452 "Scottish enemies”" has no opening quotation mark
p. 457 (see _Bk._ 128)
p. 485 "(À faire" has no closing bracket
p. 541 There are two entries for "Trumpe"