# More fun with medieval Latin! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 9, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-medieval-latin/368067 "2006-08-09T21:39:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-medieval-latin/368067/1 "2006-08-09T21:39:53Z")
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_. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-medieval-latin/368067/2 "2006-08-11T06:51:06Z")
No one? Would this be better off in GQ? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-medieval-latin/368067/3 "2006-08-14T06:34:36Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-medieval-latin/368067/4 "2006-08-14T14:19:59Z")
**Cunctator** , your Latin skills are indeed l33t. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-medieval-latin/368067/5 "2006-08-16T07:12:06Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2006, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-fun-with-medieval-latin/368067/6 "2006-08-19T01:53:14Z")
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.