A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases by Christopher Corèdon

Author:Christopher Corèdon
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782042525
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Group Ltd
Published: 2013-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

I

Icknield Way. Prehistoric track which connected the Wash with Salisbury Plain. The meaning of ‘Icknield’ is unknown.

Ictus regis. Lit. ‘king’s strike or blow’. The formal exchange of blows at the beginning of a duel between individual combatants, e.g. *champion and challenger. – Cf. CRAVEN; DUELLUM

IHS. Iesus, hominum salvator = Jesus, saviour of mankind. These initials were often used in images and paintings of Christ.

Illumination. Term applied to the practice of applying gold and silver to initial letters in MSS in this period. The term is now used to include colours, often red, but strictly should refer only to gold and silver. – Cf. RUBRIC

Immixtio manuum. Lit. ‘mixing of hands’. During the ceremony of *homage, the *vassal placed his hands between those of his lord; this was followed by the oath of *fealty.

Impale. Her. Term used when two coats of arms were displayed on the same shield, separated by a vertical line (*pale). When a woman’s family’s arms were impaled upon those of her husband they were placed on the *sinister side. Arms which were not impaled indicated they were those of an unmarried man. – Cf. ARMS, COAT OF

Impeachment. Form of criminal trial which emerged in the 14c, falling from use after the mid-15c. Such trials were begun in the House of Commons with the lords serving as judges. [< OFr. empecher < L impedico = to catch]

In capite. Lit. ‘in *chief’. Latin term indicating land was held ‘in *chief’ of the king, as a *tenant-in-chief would.

In chief. Phrase used of land held directly of the king. Such lords and magnates were known as ‘tenants-in-chief’. The Latin = in capite.

In commendam. Lit. ‘in trust’. Latin phrase used when a *benefice was given to a layman temporarily until a permanent appointee could be found. [< L commendo = to deposit, to entrust]

In curiam. See IN PECUNIA

In denario. See IN PECUNIA

In domus. See IN PECUNIA

In paragio. Lit. ‘in line’. Joint tenure of an estate through inheritance; or, tenure between *parceners. This form of tenure ensured an estate’s unity, the senior partner being responsible for all estate obligations. The English form is ‘parage’.

In pecunia. Lit. ‘in money’. Phrase used in account books for a sum paid in coin, rather than in kind, e.g. grain, eggs, honey. In denarii was also used of payments in cash; in argento was used when silver coins were proffered; in auro for payment in gold. For a payment made in the *manorial court, in curia was used; in the house, in domo; in the *exchequer of a large establishment, in scaccario; in aratro was used if the collector found the payer at the plough.

In scaccario. See IN PECUNIA

In use. See ENFEOFFMENT TO USE

Inblanch. Term used of payments made in assayed coin, rather than in goods or produce. – Cf. ALBA FIRMA; BLANCH FARM

Incensed. Her. Angry (of an animal), with fire bursting from mouth and eyes.

Incipit. Lit. ‘it begins, here begins’. MSS lacked title pages as we know them; instead the texts they contained were referred to by their opening words or words in lists or catalogues of books.

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