Re: digitized 1471 (11 Edw.4--30) IPM Sir John Griffith of Wichnor, Staffordshire

<>

Chris is right - in medieval Latin words sometimes had a different meaning from classical Latin, which makes it dangerous to attempt to interpret British medieval Latin sources using just a classical Latin dictionary. So far as I know there is no on-line source for medieval Latin (there are a few word-lists covering fairly narrow subjects, but none anywhere near comprehensive) and there is no avoiding using a printed dictionary. There is only one printed dictionary within the ordinary researcher's price-range:

RE Latham's 'Revised Medieval Latin Word-list: from British and Irish sources' (London: Oxford University Press for the British Academy, 1965).
Physical descrip: xxiii,535p ; 26cm. ISBN: 0197258913

Latham is essential for anyone working on medieval Latin documents, whether originals or printed transcripts. Anyone using it should bear in mind that it does not give the original classical Latin meanings, only additional medieval Latin meanings. Of course a word might appear in a medieval source in its classical meaning, so one has always to look up a word twice, once in Latham and once in a classical dictionary.

An even better source for medieval Latin meanings is The 'Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources', but it is beyond most individuals' price range - at the moment it costs 375 Pounds - and it'll cost more once it's finished - so it has to be consulted in a library. It's being produced in fascicules, and so far they're up to Pel (they've been going since the 1970s, I think, and at present they're bringing out a new fascicule every couple of years). Its details are appended at the end of this posting:

It is really quite uncontroversial that 'nepos' had a wider meaning than just 'nephew' in medieval and early modern Latin. Medieval Latin Wordlist gives the following meanings: nephew; kinsman. Volume VII of the Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources probably has a more detailed entry, but the nearest copy is 15 minute's walk away, so I can't supply it immediately. The next time I'm over there I'll note it and report it to the list - unless someone else gets in first.

Matt Tompkins

'Dictionary of medieval Latin from British sources' edited by RE Latham (formerly) and DR Howlett (presently) under the direction of a committee appointed by the British Academy.

I. A-B prepared by R E Latham
0-19-725948-0 Reprinted 2001 280 pages Ł55.00

II. C prepared by R E Latham
0-19-725968-5 Published 1981 332 pages Ł55.00

III. D-E prepared by R E Latham & D R Howlett
0-19-726023-3 Published 1986 392 pages Ł55.00

IV. F-G-H prepared by D R Howlett
0-19-726082-9 Reprinted 2001 320 pages Ł55.00

V. I-J-K-L prepared by D R Howlett
0-19-726148-5 Published 1997 548 pages Ł55.00

VI. M prepared by D R Howlett
0-19-726240-6 Published 2001 234 pages Ł25.00

VII. N prepared by D R Howlett
0-19-726266-X Published 2002 88 pages Ł25.00

VIII. O prepared by D R Howlett
0-19-726300-3 Published 2003 118 pages Ł25.00

IX. P-Pel prepared by D R Howlett
0-19-726340-2 Published 2005 104 pages Ł25.00

Fascicules measure 305 × 230 mm, and are issued in paperback. Fascicule V is issued together with a hardback case, to help librarians bind up Fascicules I-V as 'Volume I, A-L'.