Medieval Terms List

[Graylorne]

For those who are interesting in historical lists, this link might be of interest:
ORB: Medieval Terms

 

[Dan]

Thank-you so much!

This is an incredible, and exhaustive list, and just what I need for my research

I'd add another thank-you to your post if I could!

 

[CupofJoe]

That is a great link!
Many thanks.

 

[artisticrainey]

Something related and also useful:

Middle English Dictionary

It's a Middle English dictionary, useful if you find a Middle English word you don't know the meaning of.

 

[Telcontar]

Very interesting and informative list. Thank you for the link!

 

[Jmurphy9029]

Very helpful and informative!

 

[Varamyrr]

Indeed it is. You don't happen to know one in dutch?

 

[SlimShady]

Thank you. That list is phenomenal.

 

[Weaver]

My friend Grace (who is a bit obsessed with historical clothing) would say that Medieval Terms list is sadly incomplete: it has nothing about the clothing people wore then (ever mistake a kilt for a kirtle? oh, the embarrassment!), nor about their food and drink (much needed because there really are people who think that mead is a kind of beer), and these things are bound to come up in medieval-ish fantasy fiction.

I'm not saying that we cannot sometimes make up our own terms for such things, but it helps to know the real-world (oh, the temptation to make a joke of that!) terms. Besides, you may recall the warning issued to would-be science fiction writers about calling a rabbit a smeerp: Don't do it. Same thing applies for fantasy. No need to call that thing on the platter a zikkabande if it has the same ingredients as an apple-stuffed pheasant and is served on the same kinds of occasions.

 

[rockman]

Another page for the bookmarks!

Lots of great information, thank you.

 

[Graylorne]

Well then, here are two links especially for Weaver's friend Grace:

Glossary of Medieval Cooking Terms
www.greydragon,org/library/underwear1.html