Middle English
Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman Conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English pe ...
''anelas'') was a
medieval
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...
dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a very sharp point and usually one or two sharp edges, typically designed or capable of being used as a cutting or stabbing, thrusting weapon.State v. Martin, 633 S.W.2d 80 (Mo. 1982): This is the dictionary or ...
hat
A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...
appears to have been worn, suspended by a ring from the girdle, almost exclusively by civilians".
Anelaces had a broad blade "sharp on both edges, and became narrower from hilt to point". Auguste Demmin (1870) also uses the term "anelace" for the similar
cinquedea
The cinquedea (, ) or cinqueda is a civilian short sword (or long dagger). It was developed in northern Italy and enjoyed a period of popularity during the Italian renaissance of the 15th and early 16th centuries.
The name ''cinquedea'' means "f ...
s of 15th century Italy. The term is attested from 1250 to 1300 in the Middle English form of ''an(e)las'', which is derived from the
Old French
Old French (, , ; ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France approximately between the late 8th awl), itself derived from the Old High German">Awl (disambiguation)#Tool">awl), itself derived from the Old High German ''alasna''.
French mentions numerous examples of anelaces appearing in 14th century English art. They were also mentioned in literature. In Chaucer's ''Canterbury Tales'', a Franklin (class), franklin (a landowner) wears "an anelace and a gipciere [pouch] all of silk / Hung at his girdle, white as morwe milk", and in an undated English translation of the poem of Partonopeus de Blois, King Sornegur wears "an anelas sharp-pointed".