Questions tagged [paleography]
For questions relating to the study of ancient writing systems and the deciphering and dating of historical manuscripts, and individual letter-forms, ligatures, punctuation, and abbreviations.
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Why does "s" have different forms?
Why does "s" in the Bath Old English Gospels (p. 10) have different forms?
soþlice se steorra
and, lo, the star (Matthew 2:9)
- 163
6
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1
answer
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What does the grapheme 'm̃' (m with a diacritical tilde) mean in English? Was it in use?
In a historical English book published in 1875, the grapheme 'm̃' (m with a diacritical tilde) is used in the title.
Ye parish of Cam̃erwell :
a brief account of the parish of Camberwell : its ...
- 61
2
votes
1
answer
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Meaning of Log [long] Life from 1564?
I was reading 16th century texts with early descriptions of the Americas for a poem I am writing and came across this delightful, yet quite cryptic and arcane phrase: "log life"
but this ...
- 1,895
5
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1
answer
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What is the Middle English letter?
What is the Middle English letter?
Wycliffe's Bible (page 16)
Mt.5:27
Studylight:
"Ye han herd that it was seid to elde men, Thou schalt `do no letcherie."
King James Bible:
"Ye have heard that ...
- 411
1
vote
0
answers
69
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What is the letter combination?
What is the Middle English letter combination?
In Mk.9:4 Studylight says it is "pp", but in Mt.21:26 it is not "pp".
Wycliffe's Bible (page 76)
Mk.9:4
Studylight:
"...and Helie with Moises ...
- 411
1
vote
1
answer
93
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Spelling of Middle English "narrow"
What is Middle English spelling of "narrow"?
Studylight says "narwy", but in my opinion the forth letter is "r".
Wycliffe's Bible (page 19)
Mt.7:14
Studylight:
"...hou streit is the yate, and ...
- 411
2
votes
1
answer
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Does Middle English "w" relate to "uȝ"?
Does Middle English "w" relate to "uȝ"?
plow plouȝ
enow enouȝ
raw rouȝ
draw drouȝ
tow touȝ
- 411
4
votes
2
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366
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What does Middle English "bihiȝten" mean?
What does Middle English "bihiȝten" mean?
Wycliffe's Bible (page 87)
Mk.14:11
Studylight:
"And thei herden, and ioyeden, and bihiyten to yyue hym money. And he souyt hou he schulde bitraye hym ...
- 411
9
votes
1
answer
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What is the difference between "if" and "ȝif"?
What is the difference between Middle English "if" and "ȝif"?
Wycliffe Bible
Mt.6:23
In accordance with studylight.org:
"...bodi shal be liytful; 23 but if thin iye be weiward, al thi bodi shal be ...
- 411
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2
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In 1395, why was "her" used instead of "their"?
Why was "her" used here?
Wycliffe Bible
Mk.1:20
In accordance with studylight.org:
"...brother, in a boot makynge nettis. 20 And anoon he clepide hem; and thei leften Zebedee, her fadir, in the ...
- 411