Medieval Latin
form of Latin used in the Middle Ages
Medieval Latin was the form of Latin used in the Middle Ages. It was mostly used by scholars and as the liturgical language of the medieval Roman Catholic Church, but also as a language of science, literature, and administration.
Medieval Latin | |
---|---|
![]() Carmina Cantabrigiensia, Medieval Latin manuscript | |
Native to | Many small states |
Region | Most of Europe |
Era | Developed from Late Latin between 4th and 10th centuries; replaced by Renaissance Latin from the 14th century |
Indo-European
| |
Early forms | |
Latin alphabet | |
Official status | |
Official language in | De facto in most Christian states during the Middle Ages |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | – |
lat-med | |
Glottolog | None |
![]() Europe, 1000 AD |
Despite the clerical origin of many of its authors, Medieval Latin should not be confused with Ecclesiastical Latin. There is no real consensus on the exact tr that Late Latin ends and Medieval Latin begins. Some scholars have their surveys of it begin with the rise of early Christian Latin in the mid-4th century, but others have around the year 500.[1]

Page with medieval Latin text from the Carmina Cantabrigiensia (Cambridge University Library, Gg. 5. 35), 11. cent.
Important medieval Latin authorsEdit
4th-5th centuriesEdit
6th-8th centuriesEdit
- Gildas (d. c. 570)
- Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530-c. 600)
- Gregory of Tours (c. 538-594)
- Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636)
- Bede (c. 672-735)
9th-10th centuriesEdit
- Ratherius (890-974)
- Thietmar of Merseburg (975-1018)
NotesEdit
- ↑ Jan M.Ziolkowsky, "Towards a History of Medieval Latin Literature", in: F. A. C. Mantello and A. G. Rigg (eds.), Medieval Latin: An Introduction and Bibliographical Guide (Washington, D.C., 1996), pp. 505-536 (pp. 510-511)
ReferencesEdit
- K. P. Harrington, J. Pucci, and A. G. Elliott, Medieval Latin (2nd ed.), (Univ. Chicago Pres, 1997) ISBN 0-226-31712-9
Other websitesEdit
- Wright, Thomas, ed. A Selection of Latin Stories, from Manuscripts of the Thirteenth and Founteenth Centuries: A Contribution to the History of Fiction During the Middle Ages. (London: The Percy Society. 1842.)
- Mental furniture from the philosophers, article on the influence of medieval Latin on modern technical vocabulary.