Middle English question

[jesuslovesbono]

Been reading a book that quotes extensively from Julian of Norwich...in the original Middle English. Usually I can understand it, but sometimes I can't figure out a word. What do "anemptys" and "behovyd" mean? The latter I thought was "behooved" but didn't make sense in the context. I tried Wiktionary, which worked for another Middle English

Comments

[scfrankles]

I know absolutely nothing about Middle English but out of curiosity I had a rummage online.

I found this here: me behovyd nedis to assenten, I must necessarily assent.

And a quotation from Julian of Norwich that has a translation underneath: ...in wytt and wysdom we haue oure k(e)pyng, and anemptys oure sensuallyte... - ...in knowledge and wisdom we have our perfection, as regards our sensuality... (Julian of Norwich's "Showings": From Vision to Book By Denise Nowakowski Baker)

[jesuslovesbono]

thanks!

[amiyuy]

I took a Chaucer class a couple years ago.

Here are the definitions from the back of my The Riverside Chaucer.

beh- see bih-.
bihove v (1) be appropriate to, benefit Truth 5; (with dat.) is necessary V.602; b.him (hire, etc.) it behooves him (her, etc.), he (she, etc.) needs to, must V.1359, Tr 1.858; 3 pr. sg. byhoveth Tr 4.1007, behoveth Bo 2.pr3.6, boes (Nth.) I.1027; pr. pl. bihoven X.83; pt. sg. bihoved(e) Rom A 1479, Rom B 1792, bihovide Bo 5.pr6.255

The Squire's Tale line 602 (V.602 in the definition)
`Therfore bihoveth hire a ful long spoon
`Therefore she must have a very long spoon

The Franklin's Tale line 1359 (V.1359 in the definition)
Oon of thise two bihoveth me to chese.
One of these two I am compelled to choose.

Translation from: http://sites.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/teachslf/frkt-par.htm

"bihoveth" here isn't exactly "behooves", but rather "I must choose between these two"

(Sorry for all the edits)

[jesuslovesbono]

thanks.