LANGUAGE
The language was not the snoody English you see in the movies. To learn more about the insults of the time, visit Elizabethan Insults
Forms of adress:
- To children, my lad/lass, or good young sir
- Sir or Mistress is always a safe bet for someone who is not nobility but who is dressed well.
- An older man might be addressed as Father.
- Someone of your social standing or slightly above could be called Goodman, Goodwife or by their name or profession as Master Patrick or Master Brewer.
- A familiar tone may be taken by calling someone Cousin.
- Officeholders, such as judges, constables, or bureaucrats, and knights, or esquires may be called Your Honour or Your Worship.
- To nobility, my Lord, or my Lady is safe if you don't know their exact name or title. The Queen is of course referred to as Your Highness or Your Grace . In the third person, the Queen can be called Her Majesty, but this is not appropriate for addressing the Queen directly. Dukes, Duchesses can be likewise be addressed as Your Grace.
Some Vocabulary:
- anon (until later)
- morrow (day)
- e'en (even/evening)
- fare-thee-well (goodbye)
- aye/yea (yes)
- nay (no)
- ne'r (never)
- oft (often)
- wherefore (why)
- mayhap/perchance/belike (maybe)
- enow (enough)
- aroint (away)
- verily (very/truly)
- prithee/pray (please)
- fie (a curse)
- grammarcy (thank you)