A complete glossary and descriptive classification of the vocabulary of Crestiien’s Guillaume d’Angleterre

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis has been to investigate in detail and from several standpoints the complete vocabulary of Crestiien's Guillaume d'Angleterre. The Glossary, compiled from an exhaustive inventory of all but the commonest words, attempts to define semantically and, as far as possible, syntactically, every word occurring in the text, and to provide copious references to the contexts in which the words defined occur. The Notes to the Glossary discuss essentially problems of interpretation and definition. Some problems of textual criticism proper and etymology have inevitably been raised in these Notes, and tentative solutions advanced. It has been as much the purpose of the Motes to bring into the open unresolved difficulties as it has been to suggest solutions. The Descriptive Classification, in which all full words and most form words are arranged in their semantic categories, is intended firstly to provide an objective basis for any comparative study with the authenticated works of Chretien de Troyes. Such a comparison may consequently have a valid contribution to make to any new enquiry into Crestiien's identity. Secondly, it is intended to reflect the manners, customs and thinking of the period in which Guillaume d'Angleterre was written. Guillaume d'Angleterre a remarkable social document, is worthy of such a study. Unlike most twelfth-century romances with their almost exclusively aristocratic attitudes, this poem shows, albeit from a point of view apparently in sympathy with or respectful of aristocratic 'otherness' and privilege, a remarkable interest in, and a considerable knowledge of the social position and commercial activities of a rising burgess class treated at the time with some condescension by the aristocracy. In a word, the Descriptive Classification of the vocabulary is intended to reflect the author's 'world view’, and to show the historical importance of the literature of the times.