Medieval expressions for RP

[gonger]

Hello everybody,

Some discussion on Discord made me do some quick research for easy to use medieval expressions that could enhance our RP immersion.
Comments and additions are most welcome.

Without further ado, onto the list! Use at your own leisure!

Fare thee well,

Master Gonger

How to address someone correctly

Female
Noble — Lady
Urban / respectable / married — Mistress
Lower rural status — Goodwife

Male
Lord corresponds to Lady: "My lord"
Sire was a form of address, not a title, and was used mainly when speaking to a man of high rank (especially a king, prince, or knight).

Master (Middle English: maister)
This is the direct male equivalent of Mistress.

Goodman (Goodyman)
The male partner to Goodwife

Greetings / Salutations

Hail — a friendly greeting or shout of approval
Well met — “Good to see you”
Good morrow / Good day / Good e’en — time-of-day greetings
Blessings upon thee — a pious greeting
Peace be upon thee / Pax vobiscum — formal or religious greeting

Politeness

Prithee… — please (short for “I pray thee”)
I beseech thee… — a humble request
By my troth… — “truly” or speaking earnestly
Pray tell… — “Please tell me…”

Questions / Small Talk
How dost thou fare? — how are you?
How now? — what’s happening?
What news? — any news?
Whither goest thou? — where are you going?

Farewells

Fare thee well — goodbye
Godspeed — “have a safe journey”
Anon — until later
Mayhap we shall meet again — hopeful farewell

Romantic speech

My heart is thine — a romantic line
Thy beauty doth rival the stars — poetic compliment
Thou art wise / beautiful beyond measure — praise / compliment

Flavorful Archaic Words

Anon — soon, later
Alas / Alack! — sorrow or surprise
Mayhap / Belike / Perchance — perhaps
Fie — an expression of disgust
Hark — listen
Yonder — over there

huzzah! — cheer
looby — fool
poppet — term of endearment
fopdoodle — simpleton
cockalorum — arrogant person


And what does The Bard suggest?

Greetings

Good morrow to thee
Well met
Hail, friend
God give thee good den
How now? — What’s going on?

Requests

Prithee… — please: "Prithee, lower thy voice."
I pray thee…
Pray, tell me…
Be so kind as to…
Wouldst thou…?

Filler terms

Marry! — mild surprise or emphasis
Forsooth — truly / indeed
By my troth — I swear / honestly
Faith, I know not — I don’t know
In sooth — in truth

Curses / Exclamations

Zounds! (God’s wounds)
’Sblood! (God’s blood)
Fie upon thee!
A plague on’t!
Out upon thee!
Alas! / Alack!

Insults

Thou art a knave
Base cur
Thou milk-livered coward
Idle-headed jackanapes
Thou art as honest as a snake in the grass
Villain!

Romantic Speech

My heart is thine
I am thy servant, evermore
Thou hast ensnared my soul
Fair one
Sweet mistress / gentle sir
I would cross oceans for thee

Farewells

Fare thee well
Godspeed
Until anon
We shall meet again, anon
I take my leave

Some grammar
Pronouns

Thou / thee / thy / thine — informal, intimate, or insulting
You / your — polite or respectful

Verbs

thou dost, art, hast, wilt
he/she doth, hath

"Thou dost mock me."
"He doth protest too much."

More information:
https://www.timeref.com/rpg/medieval_dialogue.htm
https://iloveromanticfantasy.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/a-glossary-of-medieval-terms/
https://www.translatormax.com/translator/medieval-knight-speaking-style-translator


Edited to add addressing information.