I need some help working out a translation for these passages from William of Tyre. This is what I’ve done so far, any corrections or additions is welcome.
Baldwin of Boulogne: “dicitur autern fuise corpore procerus et fratre multo major.”
In appearance, [Baldwin] was – -- tall in body like his older brother.
Godfrey of Boulogne: “Hic vulto elegana statura procerus dulcis eloquio moribus egregius et in tantum militibus.”
This one – -- elegant and tall in stature, pleasant and eloquent, — extraordinary and accomplished in warfare.
No one? Would this be better off in GQ?
Sorry Mississippienne. I was going to comment but then got sidetracked. I’ve only just remembered.
I’m no great shakes on mediaeval Latin, but here are my thoughts, for what they’re worth:
Baldwin
On the other hand is said to have been tall in body and much greater (possibly taller? or just better?) than his brother.
Godfrey
This man, with an elegant expression, tall in stature, sweet in his eloquence, outstanding both in his character/morals and his military skills.
I’m fishing a bit here because I don’t recognise elegana. The adjectival form is elegans, elegantis. And even if *elegana * can be considered an adjectival form, *vulto * is a masculine noun. Perhaps things had changed a bit by the mediaeval era.
Cunctator, your Latin skills are indeed l33t.
Here’s several snippets from a conductus composed as a funeral lament on the death of Geoffrey, duke of Brittany, the brother of future kings Richard I and John of England. This utterly defeats my rudimentary skills; maybe someone more knowledgeable can translate.
Anglia, planctus itera
Et ad luctum revertere:
Dupplex dampnum con-
sidera
…
Rector et auctor gloriae
Vim multiformis gratie
Multiformis potentie
Declarat excercitio
…
Fracta potes resistere:
Ergo luctus ingredere
Semper intenta luctui
Parisius sol patitur
…
Revelat nostie fidei typum
rei scientia
Viso carnali, fruitur vera
Christi presentia
I’ve had a stab Mississippienne, but it’s rather hard going. Spellings seem to have altered considerably by the mediaeval period, as, I suspect, have some words’ meanings. It’s also a bit difficult because, I assume, the verses you’ve given don’t flow directly one on to the next. Anyway:
England, renew thy lamentations and come back to mourning: consider thy double loss.
…
Your ruler and source of glory declares the power of his manifold grace and authority by his practice. (or perhaps by his example?)
…
Broken, you can rise again. So commence thy lamentations, always intent on thy grief. Even the day itself suffers.
…
Knowledge of this reveals a figure of our faith, seen in the flesh; the true presence of Christ is enjoyed.