|
AB Language
In English philology, AB language is a variety of Middle English found in the Corpus manuscript, containing '' Ancrene Wisse'' (whence 'A'), and in MS Bodley 34 in Bodleian Library, Oxford (whence 'B'). The Bodley manuscript includes what is known as the Katherine Group; and the Wooing Group texts use this same language. The term was coined in 1929 by J. R. R. Tolkien who noted that the dialect of both manuscripts is highly standardized, pointing to "a 'standard' language based on one in use in the West Midlands in the 13th century." AB language is 'characterized by French and Norse loanwords, colloquial expressions, conservative spelling, and similarities to Old English syntax'.Michelle M. Sauer, 'Wooing Group', in:''Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature'' (2013)/ref> While there is no general agreement among scholars as to authorship, Ancrene Wisse, the KATHERINE GROUP, and the Wooing Group are often combined, albeit loosely, into a confederation of texts. They are connected by ma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
English Philology
English studies (usually called simply English) is an academic discipline taught in primary, secondary, and post-secondary education in English-speaking countries; it is not to be confused with English taught as a foreign language, which is a distinct discipline. An expert on English studies can be called an Anglicist. The discipline involves the study and exploration of texts created in English literature. English studies include: the study of literature (especially novels, plays, short stories, and poetry), the majority of which comes from Britain, the United States, and Ireland (although English-language literature from any country may be studied, and local or national literature is usually emphasized in any given country); English composition, including writing essays, short stories, and poetry; English language arts, including the study of grammar, usage, and style; and English sociolinguistics, including discourse analysis of written and spoken texts in the English lan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Middle English
Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English period. Scholarly opinion varies, but the '' Oxford English Dictionary'' specifies the period when Middle English was spoken as being from 1150 to 1500. This stage of the development of the English language roughly followed the High to the Late Middle Ages. Middle English saw significant changes to its vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and orthography. Writing conventions during the Middle English period varied widely. Examples of writing from this period that have survived show extensive regional variation. The more standardized Old English language became fragmented, localized, and was, for the most part, being improvised. By the end of the period (about 1470) and aided by the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ancrene Wisse
''Ancrene Wisse'' (also known as the ''Ancrene Riwle'' or ''Guide for Anchoresses'') is an anonymous monastic rule (or manual) for female anchoresses written in the early 13th century. The work consists of eight parts: divine service, keeping the heart, moral lessons and examples, temptation, confession, penance, love, and domestic matters. Parts 1 and 8 deal with what is called the "Outer Rule" (relating to the anchoresses' exterior life), while Parts 2–7 deal with the "Inner Rule" (relating to the anchoresses' interior life). Community The adoption of an anchorite life was widespread all over medieval Europe, and was especially popular in England. By the early thirteenth century, the lives of anchorites or anchoresses was considered distinct from that of hermits. The hermit vocation permitted a change of location, whereas the anchorites were bound to one place of enclosure, generally a cell connected to a church. ''Ancrene Wisse'' was originally composed for three sisters who ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Katherine Group
The so-called ''Katherine Group'' is a group of five 13th century Middle English texts composed by an anonymous author of the English West Midlands, in a variety of Middle English known as AB language. The texts are all addressed to anchoresses (religious recluses) and praise the virtue of virginity. The texts * The sermon ''Hali Meiðhad'' ("holy maidenhood"), directed at anchoresses or recluses, praising the virtues of virginity over worldly marriage. It was written in ca. 1182–1198 in the West Midlands of England. * The allegory '' Sawles Warde'' ("refuge of the souls") * ''Seinte Juliene'', life of Juliana of Nicomedia * ''Seinte Margarete'', life of Margaret of Antioch * ''Seinte Katherine'', life of Catherine of Alexandria. All five texts are preserved in the manuscript Oxford, Bodleian Library, Bodley 34. All except ''Hali Meiðhad'' are also in British Library, Royal 17 A XXVII. Additionally, British Library Cotton Titus D XVIII has ''Sawles Warde'', ''Seinte Kat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wooing Group
The Wooing Group (or Wohunge Group) is a term coined by W. Meredith Thompson to identify the common provenance of four early Middle English prayers and meditations, written in rhythmical, alliterative prose. The particular variety of Middle English in which the group is written is AB language, a written standard of the West Midlands which also characterises the ''Ancrene Wisse'' and the ''Katherine Group''.Michelle M. Sauer, 'Wooing Group', in ''Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature'' (2013)/ref> The group comprises: * ''Þe Wohunge of ure Laured'' (The Wooing of Our Lord), a meditation 'emphasizing the desirability of Christ as a lover and his sufferings to gain the love of humanity'. (British Library, Cotton MS Titus D XVIII, ff. 127r–133r). * ''On wel swuðe God Ureisun of God Almihti'' (An Exceedingly Good Orison to God Almighty), also a meditation on the same theme. (British Library, Cotton MS Nero A XIV; Lambeth Palace Library, MS 487 ncomplete. * ''On Lofsong of ure Loured'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
