William Caxton

Dialogues in French and English William Caxton

Book Excerpt: ...at Avignon obviously cannot have been inserted by him. The names of English bishoprics, however, are most likely added by Caxton.24^6. Bogars in the French column (rendered by lewd freris, i.e. lay brothers) appears to be a mistake for Begars, Beghards.26^37. Spoylle the cuppe. Another proof that Caxton had forgotten his English. The Flemish is spoel den nap, 'rinse the cup'; the English spoil of course never had the sense 'to rinse.'29^12. Byledyng is an attempt at literal interpretation of the French deduit, delight.29^13. Serouge (serourge) is properly 'brother-in-law'; it is not clear whether Caxton's rendering cosen alyed is a mistranslation, or whether the French word was used at Bruges in the extended sense.30^4-6. This reference to the truce between the English and the Scots is not, as might perhaps be thought, an insertion by Caxton. Michelant considers the truce in quest..