-well or-will (eg Boswell, Kerswill)
The so-called Anglo-Saxon language shows very conclusively that the Britons were neither extirpated nor expelled. The Anglo-Saxon weala , wealh , means properly a foreigner, a stranger. The present German name for Italy is Wälschland ; and die Wälsche Bohne means the French bean. Wealh was a term applied at first to all the non-Teutonic races existing in England. Dr. Bosworth explains it as meaning “(1), a foreigner, stranger; (2), not of Saxon origin, -- a Welshman, Celt, Gael, the British inhabitants of Wessex; (3), a servant, slave.” It was applied to other non-Teutonic peoples besides the British inhabitants of Wessex, for Bede calls the Britons of Strathclyde, who were allied to the Cymry, Wealas ; and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (s.a. 924) speaks of the Strathclyde Wealas , who were still nationally distinct.We find it used to denote a servant, as hors-wealh , a equerry, the Briton who had charge of the king’s horses; and at length as a generic name, denoting a class. In the treaty of peace between Aethelred and the Danes, A.D. 991, it is agreed that neither was to receive the other’s wealh, or thief, or foes (“And thæt nather ne hy ne we underfon others wealh ne others theof ne others gefan”). [Davies, John. (1879.) The Celtic Element of the English People. Archaeologica Cambrensis, fourth series vol. X (reprint), p. 213]
0 comments:
Post a Comment