Medieval vs. Modern English
The English language has considerably changed over the centuries. Many words are not used any longer, whilst others have changed meaning. What follows is my perception of some of these words in today's language, followed by the actual meaning in Medieval English. Here we go:
ADULTERINE CASTLE
Modern: A slutty stone building.
Medieval: A castle build without a persons' liege lord's approval.
ASSART
Modern: Aesthetic representation of backsides.
Medieval: To turn woodlands into pasture or cropland. To assart lands within a forest without license is a grave offense.
ASSIZE
Modern: (v.) To gauge the magnitude of somebody's backside.
Medieval: The meeting of feudal vassals with the king it also refers to decrees issued by the king after such meetings.
BANALITIES
Modern: Something lacking originality.
Medieval: Fees which a feudal lord imposes on his serfs for the use of his mill, oven, wine press, or similar facilities. It some times includes part of a fish catch or the proceeds from a rabbit warren.
BARBER-SURGEON
Modern: A hairdresser who (illegally) performs surgery.
Medieval: Monastic who shaves faces/heads and performs light surgery.
BURGESS
Modern: A female hamburger.
Medieval: The holder of land or house within a borough.
CARDINAL VIRTUES
Modern: Money, Brains, Looks, Money.
Medieval: Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude and Justice.
CRUSADE
Modern: A vigorous and dedicated action in favor of a cause.
Medieval: An exercise in Burning, Killing, Raping & Pillaging that took place in Palestine.
DOUBLE MONASTERY
Modern: A place where monks lead a double life and worship two Gods.
Medieval: Combined monastery for men and women but sexually separated. Ruled by either an Abbot or Abbess.
ESCHEAT
Modern: To be a crook, in Spanish (e.g., Manuel es un cheat).
Medieval: The right of a feudal lord to the return of lands held by his vassal, or the holding of a serf, should either die with out lawful heirs or suffer outlawry.
FITZ
Modern: Something that goes with gin.
Medieval: An Anglo-Norman prefix meaning son.
FORMARRIAGE
Modern: To be in favor of marriage. (Well, you know, De Gustibus...)
Medieval: The sum commonly paid by a serf to his lord when the serf's daughter marries a man from another manor.
FRANK PLEDGE
Modern: A solemn promise, made by someone called Frank.
Medieval: The legal condition under which each male member of a tithing (district) over the age of twelve is responsible for the good conduct of all other members of the tithing.
HERIOT
Modern: A Macho disturbance.
Medieval: A payment which a feudal lord may claim from the possessions of a dead serf or other tenant, essentially a death tax. There are various forms of heriot. Generally, if a tenant dies in battle the heriot is forgiven.
HIDE
Modern: The skin of an animal. Also, the evil alter ego of Dr. Jekill.
Medieval: A unit of measurement for assessment of tax, theoretically 120 acres, although it may vary between 60 and 240 acres. It is by custom the land that can be cultivated by one eight ox plough in one year.
HUE AND CRY
Modern: Paint yourself and weep.
Medieval: The requirement of all members of a village to pursue a criminal with horn and voice. It is a duty of any person discovering a felony to raise the hue and cry and his neighbors are bound to assist him in pursuit and capture of the offender.
HUNDRED
Modern: Bo Derek x Bo Derek = 100.
Medieval: Anglo Saxon institution. Subdivision of a Shire. Theoretically equals one hundred hides, but hardly ever (You couldn't trust anybody in those days, could you?).
INLAND
Modern: Located in the interior of a country.
Medieval: Land exempt from tax.
KNIGHT'S FEE
Modern: A monetary reward for one-knight stand.
Medieval: A fief which provides sufficient revenue to equip and support one knight. This is approximately twelve hides or 1500 acres.
MAN
Modern: A carbon-based bipedal life form, that is not a woman. Also, a dog's best friend.
Medieval: To be a lord's man, to owe obligations to, in the forms of labor or service. A woman can be someone's man. (Say what?)
MAN-AT-ARMS
Modern: Dog's best friend, with two upper limbs, that are used to connect the shoulders to the wrists.
Medieval: A soldier holding his land, generally 60-120 acres, specifically in exchange for military service.
MARCHER LORDS
Modern: Power walkers.
Medieval: The name commonly given to Norman landholders on the Welsh border.
MARK
Modern: Sucker.
Medieval: A measure of silver, generally eight ounces, accepted throughout Western Europe. In England is worth thirteen shillings and four pence,two thirds of one pound.
RAPE
Modern: Forcing sexual intercourse against a person's will.
Medieval: The Sussex equivalent of a "hundred."
RELIEF
Modern: Feeling of well-being, following the removal of pain or distress.
Medieval: The fee paid by the heir of a deceased person on securing possession of a fief.
SERGEANT
Modern: Non-commissioned officer of an army.
Medieval: A servant who accompanies his lord to battle.
THIRD PENNY
Modern: What comes after the first and the second penny.
Medieval: The local earls' one third share of fines in shire or hundred courts, often allocated afterwards to a particular manor or church as income.
TOWN AIR IS FREE AIR
Modern: Yes, quite. Polluted, but free.
Medieval: Words used in many town charters to proclaim free any serf who lives there for a year and a day without being claimed by his lord. (Urbanization, finally explained).
VILLAIN
Modern: A wicked person.
Medieval: The wealthiest class of peasant. They usually cultivated 20-40 acres of land, often in isolated strips.
VIRGATE
Modern: A gate that has never been opened, a virgin gate.
Medieval: One quarter of a "hide."
WARLAND
Modern: The terrain on which you play Warcraft.
Medieval: Land liable for tax, as opposed to Inland, which is generally exempt from tax. (Tell that to the Inland Revenue Service!)
YOKE
Modern: A tremendously oppressive force (e.g., Wife, Teenage Daughters, Mother-In-Law, Boss...)
Medieval: A measurement of land in Kent equal to half "hide."