To illustrate the Rights and Customs of former Ages, the Forms of
Laws and Jurifprudence, the Names of Dignities and Offices,
of Perfons and Places; and to render the Reading of thofe Re-
cords, Books, and Manuscripts which are written in that Lan-
guage, more ealy; as well as to restore the true Senfe and Mean-
ing of many Words, hitherto deemed quite obfcure or mis-
tranflated.

Multa ignoramus quæ non laterent, fi veterum Lectio nobis esset familiaris.

MACROBIUS.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR W. CLARKE, AND SONS, LAW-BOOKSELLERS,
JTUGAL-STREET, LINCOLNS INN.

(1779)

PREFACE

TO THE

DICTIONARY,

So many Statutes, Acts of State, Records, Law B

Books, and MSS. are extant in the Norman and old French Language, that a Dictionary is become neceffary to enable the Reader to understand fuch difficult Words as occur therein in that Language; whether fuch Difficulty arifes from the Words being merely idiomatical, or from the Inorthography of them.

There is indeed a Book called the Law French Dictionary; but it is fo trifling a Performance, and fo incorrect, that it greatly misleads the Reader, as will evidently appear to any one who will compare feveral of the Words in that Dictionary a with their Origi

As Oeptaz-Nov. Nar. 6. t.-until the Octaves-translated they have wished.

Deins-ibid-11. b.-Teeth-the Eyes.

Un longayne No. Nar, 16. a. b.-a House of Office, a Jakesa Sheep walk.

Perefoys-Nov. Nar. 17. a. b.-by Turns-the Agreement or Cove

nant.

Defyra-Nov. Nar. 47. b.-tore-took away, fpoiled.

Gefta-Ibid.-carried away-put, caft in.

Ent grand pren-2. In. 506-great Profit therefrom-in great Fear, Reints-Brit. 49. a.—fined-refts, remains.

Ramis-ibid. 66. a.-replaced, fixed on again-torn.

Reys-ibid. 83. a.-Kings-Faults.

Ente faunt-ibid. 242. a.--Tacitly, by being filent-in witnessing, Suppletions-Preamble, Stat. Glou. 2 In. 277.-Helps, Amendments Petition.

nals in the Authors from whence they are taken. Mr. Hughes (whofe Merit in tranflating fo antient an Author, as the Mirroir, was not inconfiderable) has yet frequently mistaken the Senfe of the Text, as I prefume will be manifeft from the Paffages here cited b:

b Inviergoigne-p. 4-to the Reproach-tranflated in condemnation. Fifend les vienes-13-make their Views-make their Vines. La Neece, le Ante le Heire, le Roy-22-the Niece being the Heir of the King-the Nurfe, the Aunt, Heir to the King.

Tache de lour arte-23-infected with their Art-taken with their Art.

En volles Chautes et gargaus dr Oifeaux-23-In the Flight, finng and chattering of Birds-In the Intrails and Bowels of Biras. Garnishant-33-warning-defending.

Moirent de difette-34-die for Want-die.in the Deferts.
Per noyer-47-by being drowned--by hurt.

Apprefter-49-to pray, to be prepared-to take an Oath.
Oifel-50-Bird-Cat.

En pure facote-53-in his Coat only-in pure Sackloth.
Gardaffent-102-fupport-defend.

N'eft atteintable-113-is not to be attainted-is not atteftable.
Son peir-116-his equal-bis fuperior.

A monefter-117-to admonishto fhew.

Eins ceux que-p. 308.-before that-after that.

Quantum venerife Naam-158-when one forbids the replevying a live Diftrefs-when a Man leads away a live Diftrefs.

1

Garrantizables-176— are to be warranted, or to be proved— are to appear.

Ou containes--178—or far off-or contain.

Enemies diferies-178-proclaimed, notorious Enemies-Enemies difcovered.

Si Clerke ordeine-188—if a Clerk ordained—if a Clerk be ordered.
A chever-201-to perform, to attourn-to come to.

D'maine un gule-212-from Hand to Mouth-of his own Hand.
Eft fief des tailles-212-is feifed of the Tallies-by Tallies.
De quire-218-with Leather—with Iron.

Efcu du cuyre- --a Shield of Leather—a Shield of Iron.

Per le refoil de la mer-222-by the Ebbing of the Sea-by the Waves of the Sea.

Sons-223-payment-a Releafe.

Sil fernift fa ley-241-if he performs his Law-if he wage his Law.

If the Word defends made ufe of in a Defendant's Plea had been confidered as derived from the Norman French Word defender, and to fignify to oppofe or deny, and not to juftify; Mr. Booth in his accurate Treatife of Real Actions would not have acknowledged himself so much at a Lofs to explain the Entry of the Defendant's Defence in a Writ of Right. Booth xciv. 112.-3 Blackftone 296.

Nor furely, if the Idiom of this Language had been understood, would this Paffage in Britton, "Si lefglife. "demoerge defcounfeille outre vi. moys, adonques "folonc le Counceil de Lions par l'defcord d's

parties, le fra levefque del lieu counfeiller & dorra lefglife a afcun clerke d'son office, fauve chefcun "droit," been rendered, by fo elaborate and judicious an Abridger as Mr. Viner, in the following Manner.

"If the Church remains difcouncilled beyond fix "Months, then, according to the Council of Lyons,

by the Difcord of the Parties, the Bishop shall be "in the Place of a Counsellor, and shall give the "Church to any Clerk, Javing every one's Right;' inftead of (as with great Deference I think it ought to be translated) "If the Church remains unprovided beyond fix Months, then, according to the Council of Lyons, by Reafon of the Difagreement of the Parties, the Bishop of the Diocefe fhall provide for it, and fhall, ex officio, collate fome Clerk to the Church, faving every one's Right." Britton 225. a. 17. Viner 377.

Per vift enfaver-249-by burying alive--by burning alive. Per urur de eux-261-by plucking out the Eyes-by burning them over the Eyes.

Que ne noirent-271-who do not fend-hurted not.

Afforcement de la ley-282-a forcing, or ftraining of the Law, erring from the Law..

Ou avoient vee-300-or had denyed—or had fent.

Eins ceo que-308-before that-inafmuch as.