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Ancrene Wisse, Appendix Two: Proper Name Index

The following index lists all proper names in AW, providing a complete list of occurrences (by part and line number) along with a brief biographical identification. Readers should also consult the Explanatory Notes which provide more detailed information in some cases.

Abraham (7.311-12) Old Testament patriarch (see Genesis 11:26-17:5)
Absalones (7.183) Absolon, the rebellious son of King David, renowned in the Middle Ages mainly for his beauty (see 2 Kings 13-18)
Abyron (5.410) a rebel, along with Core and Dathan, Abiron against the leadership of Moses and Aaron (see Numbers 16)
Adam (2.216, 5.60, 5.270, 5.404, 6.181, 7.43) the first man (see Genesis 1:26-5:5)
Afech (4.1045-49) the site where the Philistines attacked Israel (see 1 Kings 4)
Ailred (6.248-49) Aelred of Rievaulx (1109-67), an abbot and important Cistercian writer, author of a guide on the anchoritic life for his sister
Alixandres (7.186) Alexander the Great (356-23 B.C.), the famous Macedonian king and conqueror
Andrew (3.55, 6.176; Andrews 8.16) the Apostle Andrew, brother of Peter (see Mark 1:16-20 ff.)
Anna (6.344) the wife of Tobias the elder (see Tobias 1:1-9), though the speech ascribed to her in AW really belongs to Sarah, the wife of Tobias the younger
Anselme (2.274, 5.70) St. Anselm of Bec (1033-1109), Archbishop of Canterbury, philosopher and theologian whose Meditations exerted widespread influence on popular piety
Antonie (Pref.99, 3.489, 4.690) founder of western monasticism and most famous of the desert saints
Armenie (6.398) Armenia, an ancient country located in what is now northeastern Turkey, the former Soviet Union, and Iranian Azerbaijan; Noah's ark came to rest in the mountains of Armenia (see Genesis 8:4)
Arseni, Arsenie (Pref.99, 3.497-99) St. Arsenius the Great (?355-450) a prominent desert saint (see Explanatory Note to Pref.99-101 for a fuller biography)
Asaeles (7.184) Asael, the brother of Joab, David's military commander, was slain by Abner, the ally of Saul; Asael was known for his swiftness (see 2 Kings 2:18 ff.)
Assuer (3.309-12) Ahasuerus, king of Persia, and husband of Hester (or, Esther)
Austin, Awstin (2.125, 2.406, 2.652, 2.762, 3.237, 3.242-43, 4.338, 4.649, 4.821, 5.91, 5.312, 5.359, 5.371, 5.420, 5.447, 6.317, 7.31, 7.131) St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), theologian and church father

Banaa (4.1133) Baana, son of Remon, and a general for Isboseth, the son of Saul (see 2 Kings 4:1 and Explanatory Note to 4.1133)
Bartholomew (4.797-98) the Apostle Bartholomew (see Matthew 10:3) who according to tradition traveled to India and was martyred in Armenia
Belial (5.154; Beliales 4.795) a demon mentioned in 2 Corinthians 6:15
Benedict, Beneit (3.490, 4.690; Beneites 4.1415) St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-c. 550), founder of the Benedictine order
Benjamin (5.47) son of Jacob and brother to Joseph (see Genesis 35 ff.)
Beornard, Bernard (2.143-44, 2.343, 2.763, 3.75, 4.703, 4.825, 4.1084, 4.1224, 4.1337, 4.1339, 5.261, 5.263, 5.270, 5.360, 6.87, 6.136, 7.20, 8.273; Beornardes 6.11) St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) prominent Cistercian theologian
Bersabee (2.81; Bersabees 2.91) Bathsheba (or Bethsabee), the object of David's lust (see 2 Kings 11 ff.)
Bethanie (4.994) Bethany, a village near Jerusalem and the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus

Calvaire, Calvarie (2.669, 4.974) the mount of Calvary, scene of the crucifixion [OF]
Cassiodre (4.1237) St. Cassiodorus (c. 490-c. 583) Roman theologian known for his Psalm commentary
Caymes (5.390), Cain, son of Adam and Eve, slayer of Abel (see Genesis 4)
Cesares (7.186) Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.) Roman emperor and historian
Chanaan (5.30) Canaan (or, Chanaan), the promised land (see Exodus 6:4)
Chester (4.922) a town in Cheshire, sixteen miles south of Liverpool
Chore (5.408) a rebel, along with Dathan and Abiron, against the leadership of Moses and Aaron (see Numbers 16)
Creasuse (7.182) Croesus (died 546 B.C.), king of Lydia, renowned for his wealth

Dathan (5.408) a rebel, along with Core and Abiron, against the leadership of Moses and Aaron (see Numbers 16)
Davith (Pref.139, 1.363, 2.9, 2.14, 2.30, 2.86, 2.149, 3.4, 3.98, 3.102, 3.122-23, 3.127, 3.131, 3.133, 3.262, 3.280, 3.313, 3.386, 3.626, 4.559, 4.641, 4.806, 4.1427, 5.314, 5.393, 5.450, 6.89, 6.93, 6.96, 7.95; Davithes 2.81) David, king of Israel, author of the Psalms
Dina, Dyna (2.70-71, 2.78, 2.96) Dinah, daughter of Leah and Jacob, violated by Sichem (see Genesis 34)

Ebreisch(e) (3.133-34, 3.208, 3.213, 3.310, 3.312, 4.1050, 5.48, 5.116) Hebrew
Ebrew (4.1136) Hebrew
Egypte (4.501, 6.318) Egypt
Elyzabeth (2.351) Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and cousin of the Virgin Mary (see Luke 1:36)
Emores (2.78) Hemor, father of Sichem (see Genesis 34)
Englelond, Englond (2.405, 4.917; Englondes 4.927) England
Englisc, Englisch(e) (adj. & n. 1.340, 3.134, 3.208, 3.310, 3.312, 3.465, 3.568, 4.796, 4.1063, 4.1136, 4.1158) English
Eve (2.47, 2.50, 2.56-57, 2.60-61, 2.63, 2.215, 2.220, 2.235, 5.60, 5.271, 8.123) the first woman (see Genesis 2:21 ff.)
Exode (2.496, 4.200) the Biblical book of Exodus
Ezechie (3.372) Hezikiah (or, Ezechias) king of Judah (see 4 Kings 18 ff.)
Ezechiel (6.321) the prophet Ezekiel, taken captive to Babylon (for his story, see Ezechiel 1 ff.)

Frensch (adj. 1.340, 4.1297) French

Gabriel (1.298, 2.347, 3.442; Gabrieles 2.236) the archangel Gabriel
Galien (6.281) Galen (c. 130-c. 201), Greek physician and author
Galilee (5.277) Galilee, where Jesus' ministry began (see Matthew 5:23)
Genesy, Genesys (2.71, 2.252, 3.401, 5.47, 7.304, 7.310) the Biblical book of Genesis
Giles (6.30) St. Giles (eighth century) a Greek hermit living in France (see Explanatory Note to 6.30)
Giw (Giwes 2.794, 2.797, 7.251; Giws 1.256, 2.681, 2.794, 7.117, 7.237; Giwene) a Jew, a member of the Jewish faith [OF Giu]
Giwerie (7.115-16) Jewry; in Giwerie = in pawn to Jewish money-lenders [OF Giu- + suffix; see AN Juerie]
Gommorre (5.404) Gomorrah, city destroyed by God because of its wickedness (see Genesis 10)
Gregoire (2.7, 2.294-95, 2.419, 2.515, 2.550, 3.323, 3.364, 4.6, 4.645, 4.649, 4.882, 4.1150, 4.1153, 4.1170, 4.1229, 4.1275, 4.1333, 5.327, 5.382, 5.423, 6.412, 6.431, 7.37, 7.288; Gregoires 2.331) St. Gregory the Great (540-604), pope and church father, author of several influential commentaries
Grickisch (adj. 7.223-24, 7.228, 7.249, 7.252, 7.267-68) Grickisch fur = "Greek fire" or burning pitch used as a weapon (see Explanatory Note to 7.223)

Helye, Helie (3.406, 7.213, 7.219-20; Helyes 6.100, 6.107) the prophet Elijah (see 3 Kings 17 ff.) [based on the Greek form, Elias]
Hester (3.309-10, 3.568, 3.571-72, 3.575, 3.579, 3.583, 3.591, 3.607-08, 3.610-11, 3.625; Hesteres 3.309, 3.574, 3.614) Hester (or Esther) Queen of Persia and wife of King Ahasuerus; her story is told in the Biblical book of Esther
Hylariun (3.489) St. Hilarion (291-371), a desert saint (see Explanatory Note to 3.489-90)

Isaac (3.399-401) son of Absalom (see Genesis 21-28; 35)
Israel (4.1048, 4.1052, 5.353, 5.407; Israeles 6.318) the Hebrew nation, named after Israel, whose twelve sons gave their names to the tribes of Israel

Jacob (2.70, 2.520, 3.403, 5.47, 5.49, 6.126, 6.314; Jacobes 2.71, 2.623) Jacob, Old Testament patriarch, son of Isaac (see Genesis 25-50)
Jame (Pref.79, Pref.87, Pref.91, Pref.95, Pref.97, 2.315, 4.158, 4.827; James Pref.82, Pref.100, Pref.108, 6.30) St. James "the Great" (to distinguish him from James, the brother of Jesus), one of the sons of Zebedee and brother to the Apostle John; his relics were venerated at a popular shrine in Compostella, Spain
Jeremie (2.154, 2.697, 3.410, 3.423, 3.431, 4.182, 4.408, 4.410, 4.1401, 5.128, 5.132, 5.250, 7.92, 7.124) Jeremiah (seventh century B.C.) prophet of Judah (see the Biblical books of Jeremiah and Lamentations)
Jerome (2.386, 3.492, 4.1324, 5.369, 8.155) St. Jerome (c. 342-420) church father, Biblical scholar, translator of the Vulgate
Jerusalem (3.585, 3.593-94, 3.596, 3.600, 3.615, 4.201-02, 4.991, 5.171; Jerusalemes 4.373) Jerusalem
Jesu (1.7, 1.127, 1.132, 1.145, 1.218, 1.233, 1.291, 1.314, 2.381, 2.591, 2.593, 2.597, 2.736, 2.785, 2.801, 2.820, 3.37, 3.193, 3.375, 3.565, 4.21, 4.496, 4.688, 4.725, 4.777-78, 4.841, 4.862, 4.900, 5.282-83, 5.518, 5.526, 6.7-8, 6.60, 6.62, 6.75, 6.78, 6.81-82, 6.212, 6.282, 6.359, 6.40-08, 6.410, 7.82, 7.108, 7.114, 7.144, 7.157, 7.225, 7.270, 7.274, 7.289, 8.220; Jesues, Jesuse 6.14, 7.252) Jesus Christ
Job (2.15-52, 2.719, 3.186, 3.247, 3.333, 4.518, 4.523, 4.528, 4.626, 4.1252, 6.132, 6.189, 6.283, 7.134; Jobes 2.293) Job, the symbol of patient suffering (see the Biblical book of Job)
Johel (3.339) the prophet Joel (see the Biblical book of Joel)
Josaphath (4.1055, 4.1068, 4.1072) Jehoshaphat, king of Judah (see 3 Kings 15 ff.)
Josep, Joseph (2.252, 2.356, 4.983) Joseph, son of Rachel and Jacob (see Genesis 30, 37, and 39)
Josue (5.25; Josues 5.22) Joshua, successor to Moses (see Exodus 17)
Judas (5.21, 5.23, 5.25, 5.47-49, 5.114, 5.118-19; Judase 5.27) Judah, a son of Jacob (see Genesis 29, 35)
Judas (4.1294; Judase, Judasen 4.1293, 5.390) disciple and betrayer of Christ
Judas (Macabeu) (5.21, 5.23, 5.30; Judase 5.27) Judas Maccabeus (died 161 B.C.), leader of the Jews against the Syrians (see the four books of Maccabees)
Judee (5.275-76) Judea, a province of Palestine
Judith (3.104-07, 3.205, 3.208-210, 3.219-20, 5.9, 5.15, 5.25, 5.36, 5.40, 5.48, 5.113, 5.117; Judithe 5.9) Judith, slayer of Holofernes (see the Biblical book of Judith)
Juhan (2.352, 2.533, 3.439, 3.459, 3.468, 3.521, 7.144, 7.205; Juhanes 2.673, 3.535, 4.80) the Apostle John
Julienes (4.793) Emperor Julian the Apostate (331-63)
Julienes (6.33) St. Julian, patron saint of hospitality (see Explanatory Note to 6.33)

Latin (adj. 5.212) Latin
Lazre (5.171, 5.307, 5.310) Lazarus, raised from the dead by Christ (see John 11)
Lorenz (3.57, 6.177) St. Lawrence (died 258), a Roman martyr roasted to death
Lot (7.305-07) Lot, nephew of Abraham (see Genesis 13-18)
Lucifer (2.46, 3.245) the devil (as an angel of light)
Lundene (4.922) London

Macabeu see Judas (Macabeu)
Makarie (Pref.100) Macarius "the Elder" (c. 300-90), a desert saint (see Explanatory Note to Pref.99-101)
Mardoche (3.575; Mardochees 3.575, 3.579) Mordecai, the uncle of Hester (see Esther 2 ff.)
Margarete (4.796) St. Margaret of Antioch, a saint reportedly martyred in the Diocletian persecutions; her life forms part of the "Katherine Group"
Marie (1.64, 1.73, 1.85, 1.232, 1.239- 41, 1.246, 1.248, 1.253, 1.255, 1.259, 1.261, 1.264, 1.285, 1.288, 1.292, 1.312, 1.316, 1.327, 1.334, 1.375, 2.218, 2.341, 2.344, 2.356, 4.549, 4.624, 4.994, 4.1372, 5.128, 5.310, 5.436, 6.170, 6.305, 6.337, 6.356, 6.365, 6.367, 8.14; Maries 1.64, 6.363, 6.367, 6.369) the Virgin Mary
Marie (of Bethany) (8.38, 8.40-41, 8.44, 8.46, 8.48, 8.78) sister of Martha and Lazarus and representative of the contemplative life (see Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1)
Marie Jacobi (6.313) Mary, mother of James the Less and Joseph (see Mark 15:40), who was present at the crucifixion
Marie Magdaleine (6.308, 6.310, 8.14) a follower of Christ (see Luke 8:2-3) from whom seven devils were cast (see Mark 16:9), and who was present at the crucifixion (see Matthew 27:56)
Marie Salomee (6.327) Mark 15:40 and 16:1 name her simply as Salome, a follower of Christ who was present at the crucifixion
Maries (pl. 2.673, 2.756, 6.303-04, 6.334, 6.336, 6.338, 6.359-60) referring to the three Marys who visited Christ's tomb: Mary Magdalene, Mary (mother of James the Less), and Mary Salome
Marthe (8.38, 8.40-41, 8.44-45, 8.48, 8.78; Marthen 4.995) sister of Mary of Bethany and Lazarus and a representative of the active life (see Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1)
Martin (2.189) St. Martin (died 397), bishop of Tours and promoter of monasticism; his life was written by Sulpicius
Severus
Meraht (6.305) apparently referring to the bitter fountain at Mara (see Exodus 15:23)
Merariht (5.115, 5.117, 6.305; Merarihtes 5.114) Merari, father of Judith (see Judith 16:8)
Michee (Pref.118, Pref.120) the prophet Micah (or Micheas) or the Biblical book written by him
Mihales (7.38, 8.15) the archangel Michael (see Revelations 12:7)
Moyses (7.11) the abbot Moses, a desert saint (see Explanatory Note to 7.11)
Moyses (7.297; Moysen 3.406; Moyseses 3.330; Moysese 7.186) Moses, the Old Testament patriarch
Muntgiw (6.398) Mount of Jove, (specifically) the St. Gotthard mountains of the Lepontine Alps in central Switzerland; the Alps (in general)

Naum (5.255) the Old Testament prophet Nahum
Nichodemus (6.292, 6.302) Nicodemus, a Jewish leader and follower of Jesus (see John 3:1 and 19:39)
Noes (5.406) Noah, builder of the ark (see Genesis 6:9 ff.)

Oloferne (3.208, 3.211, 3.214, 3.219-20, 5.10; Olofernes 3.12, 5.19) Holofernes, Assyrian general beheaded by Judith (see Judith 2:4 ff.)
Origene (4.697) Origen (c. 185-c. 254), born in Alexandria, controversial church father and Biblical scholar
Osee (3.559, 4.535) the Old Testament prophet Osee (or, Hosea)
Oxnefort (4.922) Oxford

Pawel (1.147, 2.281, 4.161, 4.559-60, 4.611-12, 4.676, 4.720, 4.1030, 4.1032, 5.67, 5.358, 6.4, 6.6, 6.152-53, 6.406, 7.1, 7.36, 7.51; Paweles 6.149) the Apostle Paul
Pawel (Pref.99, 3.489) Paul, the first hermit (see Explanatory Note to Pref.99-101)
Peter (3.505, 3.547, 3.550, 4.673, 4.829, 4.1028, 5.411, 6.16, 6.176; Petres 3.508) the Apostle Peter
Pharaon (4.503, 6.317; Pharaon 6.320; Pharaones 4.501) Pharoah, leader of Egypt (see the Biblical book of Exodus)
Phares (5.119-20) Phares, son of Judah and Thamar (see Genesis 38: 27-30, Matthew 1:3)
Philistews (pl. 4.1049) the Philistines, the enemies of the Israelites (see 1 Kings 4 ff.)
Publius (4.791) a holy man mentioned in The Lives of the Desert Fathers (see Explanatory Note to 4.791)

Rebecca (3.401-02) wife of Issac and mother of Jacob and Esau (see Genesis 24:15 ff.)
Recabes (4.1133, 4.1146) Rechab, son of Remon, and a general for Isboseth, the son of Saul (see 2 Kings 4:1 and Explanatory Note to 4.1133)
Remon (4.1133) Remon the Berothite, father of Rechab and Baana
Ruben (4.1347) Reuben, son of Jacob (see Genesis 29:32)
Ruffin (4.795) a devil

Salome(e) see Marie Salome
Salomon (2.2, 2.305, 2.308, 2.324, 2.365, 2.414-15, 2.417, 2.422, 2.477, 2.500, 2.645, 2.824, 3.584, 3.589, 3.596-97, 3.606, 4.136, 4.648, 4.819, 4.889, 4.953, 4.1238, 6.347, 7.228, 7.254, 7.259; Salomones 2.6, 2.711) Solomon, Old Testament patriarch, son of King David
Samsones (4.902, 4.911, 7.185) Samson, champion of the Israelites (see Judges 13 ff.)
Sare (Pref.100, 3.490, 4.681, 4.686) Sarah (flourished fourth century), desert saint (see Explanatory Note to Pref.99-101)
Sarepte (7.212, 7.222) Sarephta, a Sidonian city and home to the widow of Sareptha (see 3 Kings 17:9 ff.)
Sareptiens (pl. 7.228) Sarephtans (i.e., like the widow of Sarephta)
Sathan (4.673-74) Satan
Saul (3.122-23, 3.127-29, 3.133-34) Saul, king of Israel and enemy of David
Schreobsburi (4.922) Shrewsbury (Shropshire) located on the English-Welsh border
Semei, Semey (3.583, 3.590-91, 3.595, 3.600, 3.606-07; Semeis 3.593) Shimei, an ally of Saul and enemy to David (see 2 Kings 19:16 ff.)
Seneke (2.291-92) Lucius Annaeus Seneca, or Seneca the Younger (c. 4 B.C.-65 A.D.), Roman statesman, philosopher, and playwright
Sichen (2.78) Sichem, violator of Dinah (see Genesis 34)
Sincletice (Pref.101, 3.490) St. Syncletica (c. 316-400), an early ascetic (see Explanatory Note to Pref.99-101)
Sluri (6.390) Slurry, the cook's boy (see entry in glossary)
Sodome (5.404, 7.306, 8.159; Sodomes 8.160) Sodom, city destroyed by God because of its wickedness (see Genesis 10)
Stefne (3.58) St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian Church (see Acts 7:54 ff.)
Syon (2.495, 2.498, 2.502) Zion, one of the high places on which Jerusalem is built; in the New Testament the name sometimes refers metaphorically to the Church

Thamar (5.115, 5.118-19) Thamar, mother (by Judah) of Phares and Zara (see Genesis 38:12 ff.)
Tobie (2.520, 6.344) probably the blind prophet Tobias, who was led into captivity but lived an exemplary life of patience (see the Biblical book of Tobias)

Urie (2.92) Uriah, husband of Bathsheba (Bersabee) and slain by David (see 2 Kings 11)

Ynde (5.485) India
Ypocras (6.281) Hippocrates (c. 460-c. 377 B.C.), Greek physician and author
Ysaac (3.399-400) Isaac, son of Abraham
Ysaie (2.336, 2.363, 2.366, 2.371, 2.655, 3.452, 4.446, 4.455, 4.1079, 5.145, 6.122-23, 6.184, 6.198, 6.226, 7.146, 7.304) the prophet Isaiah
Ysboset (4.1132, 4.1135-36, 4.1141, 4.1147, 4.1170, 4.1178) Isboseth, the youngest of Saul's four sons (see 2 Kings 4)

Zacharie (2.495, 5.42) the prophet Zacharia (or Zacharias) or the Biblical book written by him
Zaram (5.119-20) Zara, son of Judah and Thamar (see Genesis 38:27-30, Matthew 1:3)

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