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.
10
questions
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
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)
6
votes
1
answer
318
views
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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
242
views
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 ...
5
votes
1
answer
210
views
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 ...
1
vote
0
answers
69
views
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 ...
1
vote
1
answer
93
views
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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
134
views
Does Middle English "w" relate to "uȝ"?
Does Middle English "w" relate to "uȝ"?
plow plouȝ
enow enouȝ
raw rouȝ
draw drouȝ
tow touȝ
4
votes
2
answers
366
views
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 ...
9
votes
1
answer
350
views
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 ...
6
votes
2
answers
251
views
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 ...