þegen

þegen, m.n: thane, servant, retainer, follower. (THEH-yuhn / ˈθɛ-jən)

Today is the Feast of St Matthew, the “Saviour’s thane” (nergendes þegen).

matthew
From The Getty Iris: St Matthew, about 1120-1140, Helmarshausen, Germany, from Gospel Book. The J. Paul Getty Museum, MS Ludwig II 3, fols 9v-10.

firigend-strēam

firigend-strēam, m.n: a mountain-stream, the ocean. (FIH-rih-yend-STRAY-ahm / ˈfɪ-ɹɪ-jɛnd-ˌstɹeːam)

siren
From the British Library medieval manuscripts blog: Detail of a miniature of a siren from a Bestiary, with extracts from Gerald of Wales on Irish birds. England (Salisbury?), 2nd quarter of the 13th century. Harley 4751, f. 47v. The siren has seized a ship and destroyed its mast. One of the sailors is trying to close his ears to her horrible song.