Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Today's research snippet. Not a Rihanna in sight: 12thC ladies' names.


In the pile of books around my feet at the moment is Noblewomen, Aristocracy and Power in the 12th Century Anglo Norman Realm by Susan M. Johns. It's the book that told me yesterday about Isabel de Warenne's lovely pink seal. There's a section listing a catalogue of seals for women from the 12th and early 13th centuries. It's an interesting and informative list for any historical novelist in search of a name, reanactors seeking a persona, and just for general interest. What were the names of the day?




These are the women
Royalty:
Matilda, wife of Henry 1
Adeliza of Louvain - 2nd wife of Henry I
Matilda of Boulougne - wife of King Stephen 
Empress Matilda
Joan - Daughter of Henry II (Often called by the Latin version, Joanna by modern writers, written as IOHE on her seal)

Noblewomen: Ada
Aelina
Aeliza
Agnes
Alda
Albreda
Aldith
Alexandria
Alice (very popular)
Alicie
Alienor
Amicia
Aubrey
Avicia
Avina
Basilia
Bertrada
Beatrice
Beaveria
Blanch
Botilde
Burgesia
Cassandra
Cecilia
Cecily
Claricia
Constance
Cristina
Desirea
Egelina
Ela
Emma
Eugenia
Eustachia
Eva
Geva
Gundred
Hawise
Ingrid
Isabella (popular)
Ida
Idonie
Gilliane
Lecia
Legarda
Letia
Letitia
Lucy
Mabel
Margaret
Marie
Marjorie
Matilda (very popular)
Milysant
Muriel
Pavia
Petronilla
Pupelina
Richenilda
Rohais
Sybilla
Tisande
Wimarc 
Ysoude


This is the seal of Joanna, daughter of Henry II and Alienor of Aquitaine.

1 comment:

V. N. said...

I have a fascination for old names. Thanks for listing these!