I suppose that ‘cenning’ is related to Old English ‘cennan’ (‘make known, declare, acknowledge’) and ‘stōw’ is, of course, ‘place’. Thus: place where your birth has been recorded. Similarly ge-bēd-stōw is still exactly the same as ‘gebedsplaats’ (place of worship’) in modern Dutch.
😮 Gosh! Kind of surprised that you’ve not come across West Stow (considering your interest in Old English) but then again I am somewhat older than you 😉 As I said, last weekend was the 50th anniversary and entrance was free (unexpected bonus!) and there were a dozen or so re-enactors there showing off clothing, weaving and tools and they even had the forge going for a bit of blacksmithery. Even if you go on a day when there aren’t any re-enactors the re-built huts are still interesting and the visitor centre & museum are very good. I bought a book containing early English (Germanic) legends and also a small cookery book (not that I necessarily plan to cook the recipes myself, but am intrigued about what the Anglo Saxons ate). If you can get there this coming weekend there’s some interesting activity going on with a Dark Ages merchant ship returns from Northumbria ( https://www.weststow.org/whats-on/event/1299/the-merchants-return ). It’s just about feasible that they’ll navigate the thing up river from the Wash & River Great Ouse all the way to West Stow – or they might do it the easy way & stick it on a lorry. Whatever, looks like an interesting day/weekend out! bísæc! þurhbrúcan! 🙂
I suppose that ‘cenning’ is related to Old English ‘cennan’ (‘make known, declare, acknowledge’) and ‘stōw’ is, of course, ‘place’. Thus: place where your birth has been recorded. Similarly ge-bēd-stōw is still exactly the same as ‘gebedsplaats’ (place of worship’) in modern Dutch.
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I love hearing about the survival of these words in modern languages. Thanks!
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I was at West Stow Anglo Saxon village this weekend for its 50th anniversary. Cracking little place & very interesting!
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OK, I have never heard of this place and now I MUST GO!
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😮 Gosh! Kind of surprised that you’ve not come across West Stow (considering your interest in Old English) but then again I am somewhat older than you 😉 As I said, last weekend was the 50th anniversary and entrance was free (unexpected bonus!) and there were a dozen or so re-enactors there showing off clothing, weaving and tools and they even had the forge going for a bit of blacksmithery. Even if you go on a day when there aren’t any re-enactors the re-built huts are still interesting and the visitor centre & museum are very good. I bought a book containing early English (Germanic) legends and also a small cookery book (not that I necessarily plan to cook the recipes myself, but am intrigued about what the Anglo Saxons ate). If you can get there this coming weekend there’s some interesting activity going on with a Dark Ages merchant ship returns from Northumbria ( https://www.weststow.org/whats-on/event/1299/the-merchants-return ). It’s just about feasible that they’ll navigate the thing up river from the Wash & River Great Ouse all the way to West Stow – or they might do it the easy way & stick it on a lorry. Whatever, looks like an interesting day/weekend out! bísæc! þurhbrúcan! 🙂
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Thanks for the info! I’d love to go see the ship but probably too last minute. I’ll definitely plan a trip in the near future, though. 🙂
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