swēot

Posted on August 18, 2022 by Hana Videen

swēot, n.n: a troop, band, squadron. (SWAY-ot / ˈsweːɔt)

Medieval manuscript image of a troop of soldiers standing beside a castle, one of whom bears a blue standard with a gold eagle; a face looks out from a window in the castle, and a soldier climbs a ladder up its wall, where a couple guards watch helplessly. — Wauchier de Denain, Histoire ancienne; France, 14th century; Bibliothèque nationale de France, NAF 3576, f. 150r. [gallica.bnf.fr]

scip-fultum

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Hana Videen

scip-fultum, m.n: naval assistance. (SHIP-FULL-tum / ˈʃɪp-ˌfʌl-tʌm)

Medieval manuscript image of soldiers on a sailing ship with a man blowing a horn from the prow and a blue flag with three gold fleur-de-lys; part of another ship is visible on the right, and in the background is a city in flames. — Grandes chroniques de France; France (Paris), c. 1404; Bibliothèque Mazarine, ms. 2028, f. 2r. [initiale.irht.cnrs.fr]

gūþ-getawa

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Hana Videen

gūþ-getawa, f.n (plural): battle-gear, equipment for war, armour. (GOOTH-yeh-TA-wa / ˈguːθ-jɛ-ˌta-wa)

Medieval manuscript illustration of a man in a knee-length skirt, long-sleeved coat and pointed helmet; he brandishes a sword in his left hand and holds a shield in his right. — Psychomachia of Prudentius; England, late 10th or early 11th century; British Library, Cotton MS Cleopatra C VIII, f. 18v. [bl.uk]

rand-bēah

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Hana Videen

rand-bēah, m.n: the boss of a shield or the shield itself. (RAND-BAY-ah / ˈrand-ˌbeːax)

wiþerling

Posted on May 19, 2022 by Hana Videen

wiþerling, m.n: an adversary. (WITH-er-ling / ˈwɪ-θɛr-lɪŋ)

Medieval manuscript illustration of a hairy quadruped with a long tail, mane and rainbow stripes opening its mouth wide towards a two-legged, rainbow-winged dragon whose head is hidden in a hole in the dirt. — A panther scaring a dragon in a bestiary; France (Thérouanne?), c. 1270; J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XV 3, f. 88r. [blogs.getty.edu]

mægen

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Hana Videen

mægen, n.n: force, might, strength, power; an exercise of power, effort, a mighty work, miracle; a force, military force. (MAE-yen / ˈmæ-jɛn)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is about the second day of the world. Read it on Patreon.

feorh-ben

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Hana Videen

feorh-ben, f.n: a life-wound, mortal wound. (FEH-or’h-BEN / ˈfɛɔrx-ˌbɛn)

Medieval manuscript image of a haloed, kneeling man being struck on the head by the sword of a knight, blood gushing out; three other knights brandish swords and a robed figure stands in the background with a cross. — Thomas Becket murdered by a group of knights in the Huth Psalter; England (Lincoln or York?), late 13th century; British Library, Add MS 38116, f. 13r. [blogs.bl.uk]

heard-hīþende

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Hana Videen

heard-hīþende, adj: cruelly ravaging, violently attacking. (HEH-ard-HEE-then-duh / ˈhɛard-ˌhiː-θɛn-də)

Medieval manuscript illustration of soldiers beside a body of water in which there are giant hairy long-toothed creatures; some of the soldiers are already in the water and are being consumed by the creatures. — Romance of Alexander; Belgium (Tournai), 1338-1410; Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264, f. 54v. [digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk]

bealo-nīþ

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Hana Videen

bealo-nīþ, m.n: violent enmity, pernicious evil, wickedness. (BEH-ah-loh-NEETH / ˈbɛa-lɔ-ˌniːθ)

Medieval manuscript image of a surprised-looking giant snail sitting on a hillock, watching as a warrior approaches with sword and shield at the ready. — Genealogical Chronicle of English Kings; England, 4th quarter of 13th century; British Library, Royal MS 14 B V, membrane 3. [bl.uk]

bord-hrēoþa

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Hana Videen

bord-hrēoþa, n: cover or protection of the shield, used as a general term for shield or phalanx; perhaps a shield ornament. (BORD-H’RAY-o-tha / ˈbɔrd-ˌhreːɔ-θa)

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