MEDIEVAL WORDBOOK
By : Madeleine Pelner Cosman
Published by : Facts on File, Inc., 1996
ISBN No. : 0-8160-3021-9
Usefulness 5 of 5 for writers and readers of this period
For those of us with a love of chivalry and romance, Bardic poetry, gowans and dragons, the Medieval Wordbook is a must have. Primarily set up like a dictionary, this book offers definitions of period words.
The Medieval Wordbook focuses on the customs, historical facts, phrases, terms, and titles of an era that survived from AD 500 to 1500 and still lives on in the hearts of many writers, readers and film-goers. It serves as a useful resource for beginning and seasoned writers alike.
This book is not only a dictionary, but can be used as an encyclopedia of literary references, events, arts, terms, food, persons, anecdotes, medicines, activities, etc., of the Middle Ages.
If used with creativity, Cosman's Medieval Wordbook will inspire character, plot, scene and prop in your Medieval writings. A great source for a Medieval Word of the Day to get your pen flowing and your creative juice churning, this book is an inspiration for all.
As a Moderator of two on-line writing e-mail lists, WritersInk@eGroups.com and MedievalWordWizards@eGroups.com, I find this book to be essential in providing appropriate period words and exercises in writing in the Medieval category. I could not do without this book. It should be found on the shelf of every serious Medieval reader or writer.
Lynne Remick is the moderator of Writer's Ink, an on-line writer's group for serious and dedicated writers and poets, as well as Medieval Word Wizards, a word-of-the-day distribution list for writers and poets of the Medieval genre.
For more information on this writing group, go to http://writersmoon.virtualave.net, go to Writer's Ink on the side bar and click on "About Writer's Ink." For more information about Medieval Word Wizards, contact Lynne via LynnRemick@aol.com.