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1400Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales
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1400Illegal English Bible
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1412Chaucer’s influence
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1419English: language of government
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1425Medicinal plants
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1430Chess playing
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1440Recipe for 'custarde'
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1455Gutenberg Bible
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1469The Legend of King Arthur
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1473First English printed book
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1476Caxton's Chaucer
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1477Valentine's day love letter
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1480The Fabillis of Esope
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1487Heretics burned at the stake
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1490Caxton's 'egges' story
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1493Medieval phrase book
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Intro
This English-French phrase book gives us a glimpse of everyday English expressions of the 15th century. It was probably intended as a guide for merchants who traded with France, equipping the reader with a set of common colloquial phrases. Several phrases, though familiar, sound distinctly old-fashioned, such as Sir god spede you and Sir howe fare ye. Others may seem quaint, but hint at current expressions. Sir god gyue you good day is not unlike ‘have a nice day’ in present-day American English. Right wele is still used in the north of England in response to someone asking after our health.
Here is a Good Boke to Lerne to Speke French, c.1493–96.
Shelfmark: IA.55535.
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