said, that they were candid and fair towards Christians, but black and terrible toward infidels. SCOTT. P. 142, 1. 17. Nidering. There was nothing accounted so ignominious among the Saxons as to merit this disgraceful epithet. Even William the Conqueror, hated as he was by them, continued to draw a considerable army of Anglo-Saxons to his standard by threatening to stigmatize those who stayed at home as nidering. Bartholinus, I think, mentions a similar phrase which had a like influence on the Danes. — SCOTT. P. 155, 1. 16. One pater, two aves, and a credo. Pater and ave are the first words of two Latin prayers; credo is the first word in the Apostle's Creed. These words are used to designate entire prayers. P. 164, 1. 28. A sirvente in the language of oc. The realm of France, it is well known, was divided betwixt the Norman and Teutonic race, who spoke the language in which the word Yes is pronounced as oui, and the inhabitants of the southern regions, whose speech bearing some affinity to the Italian, pronounced the same word oc. The poets of the former race were called Minstrels, and their poems Lays: those of the latter were termed Troubadours, and their compositions called sirventes, and other names. Richard, a professed admirer of the joyous science in all its branches, could imitate either the minstrel or troubadour. It is less likely that he should have been able to compose or sing an English Ballad; yet so much do we wish to assimilate Him of the Lion Heart to the band of warriors whom he led, that the anachronism, if there be one, may readily be forgiven. SCOTT. P. 172, 1. 2. Rere-supper. A rere-supper was a midnight meal, and sometimes signified a collation given at a late hour, after the regular supper had made its appearance. SCOTT. P. 259, 1. 15. Wittenagemote. The general council or parliament of the Saxons. P. 262, 1. 10. Mantelets and pavisses. Mantelets were tem porary and movable defences formed of planks, under cover of which the assailants advanced to the attack of fortified places of old. Pavisses were a species of large shields covering the whole person, employed on the same occasion. - SCOTT. P. 262, 1. 34. Bolts. The bolt was the arrow peculiarly fitted to the cross-bow, as that of the long-bow was called a shaft. Hence the English proverb-"1 will either make a shaft or a bolt of it,” signifying a determination to make one use or other of the thing spoken of. - SCOTT. P. 277, 1. 15. Arblast. The arblast was a cross-bow, the windlace the machine used in bending that weapon, and the quarrell, so called from its square or diamond-shaped head, was the bolt adapted to it. - SCOTT. P. 283, 1. 22. Barbican. Every Gothic castle and city had, beyond the outer walls, a fortification composed of palisades, called the barriers, which were often the scenes of severe skirmishes, as these must necessarily be carried before the walls themselves could be approached. Many of those valiant feats of arms which adorn the chivalrous pages of Froissart took place at the barriers of besieged places. - SCOTT. P. 324. 1. 37. The interchange of a cuff with the jolly priest is not entirely out of character with Richard I., if romances read him aright. In the very curious romance on the subject of his adventures in the Holy Land, and his return from thence, it is recorded how he exchanged a pugilistic favour of this nature, while a prisoner in Germany. His opponent was the son of his principal warder, and was so imprudent as to give challenge to this barter of buffets. The king stood forth like a true man, and received a blow which staggered him. In requital, having previously waxed his hand, a practice unknown, I believe, to the gentlemen of the modern fancy, he returned the box on the ear with such interest as to kill his antagonist on the spot. - SCOTT. P. 387, 1. 16. Essoine. Essoine signifies excuse, and here relates to the appellant's privilege of appearing by her champion, in excuse of her own person, on account of her sex. SCOTT. P. 440, 1. 9 Arisen from the dead. The resuscitation of Athelstane has been much criticised, as too violent a breach of probability, even for a work of such a fantastic character. It was a tour-de-force, to which the author was compelled to have recourse, by the vehement entreaties of his friend and printer, who was inconsolable on the Saxon being conveyed to the tomb. -ScOTT. GLOSSARY OF FOREIGN TERMS AND PHRASES A la rescousse, to the rescue! Anathema maranatha, the curse of everlasting destruction. Benedicite mes filz, bless you, my sons. Capul, horse. Cave adsum, beware, I am here. Clericus clericum non decimat, priest does not tax priest. Cri de guerre, war-cry. De lectione literarum, concerning the reading of letters. Despardieux, good heavens! Destrier, war-horse. Deus faciat salvam benignitatem vestram, God bless your goodness. Deus vobiscum, God be with you. En croupe, behind the rider. En avant, on! Et vobis quæso, domine reverendissime, pro misericordia vestra, and [peace] be with you, most reverend master, for your pity. Exceptis excipiendis, exceptions excepted. Excommunicabo vos, I shall excommunicate you. Faites vos devoir, preux chevaliers, do your duty, brave knights! 479 Fiat voluntas tua, Thy will be done. Fructus Temporum, The Fruit of the Times (title of a book). Gare le Corbeau, beware the Raven. Inter res sacra, among sacred things. Invenientur vigilantes, let them be found watching. La Royne de la Beaulté et des Amours, Queen of Beauty and Love. Laissez aller, go! Latrona famosus, a notorious robber. Manus imponere in servos Domini, to lay hands on the Lord's servants. Mort de ma vie, death of my Life! Mount Joye Saint Dennis! (The French battle-cry.) Nebulo quidam, a certain rascal. Nidering, worthless. Nomen illis legio, their name is legion. Outrecuidance, insolence. Pax vobiscum, peace be with you. Propter necessitatem, et ad frigus depellendum, from necessity, and to drive out the cold. Quære fremuerunt Gentes, wherefore do the heathen rage? Rex delectabitur pulchritudine tua, the king shall delight in thy beauty. Si quis, suadente Diablo, if any one, persuaded by the devil. Ut Leo semper feriatur, that the Lion may always be kept down. Ut omnium mulierum fugiantur oscula, that the kisses of women be shunned. Væ victis, woe to the vanquished! Venite exultemus Domino, come, let us rejoice in the Lord. Vinum lætificat cor hominis, wine maketh glad the heart of man. Vis inertia, the force of sluggishness. |