Middle English Dictionary Entry
Marcien adj.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | Marcien adj.(2) Also marciane, marcians, mercian, mercia. |
| Etymology | ML & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Of Marcia [a legendary British queen, invented to account for the Lex Merciorum]; laue ~ = Merchene laue.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.87 : Þat lawe..hatte Mercia [L lege Marcia] in Latyn and Mercheyne lawe in Englisshe.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)3710 : Dame Marcye..[F Marcie]..studyed faste to make þe lawe..In Bretons tyme, als y wene, Þey calde þat lawe Marcyene [F Marciane].
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.66 : Howe Guytelyn, kyng of Britayne, wedded Marcian to wife, that Mercian lawes made, by her great wisedome..Marcyan..lawes made of her syngularytee, That called wer the lawes Marcyane.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.206 : Kyng Alurede the..Lawes Moluntynes and Marcians congregate, With Danyshe lawes.