Sweve - Middle English Compendium

Middle English Dictionary Entry

Swēve n.(2)

Forms	Swēve n.(2) Also (in place names) swaf-, swave-, swap-, swof-, sauf-, sæuf-, sof(fe)-, sop-.
Etymology	From L Suēvus (ult. Gmc.) & OE Swǣfas, Swǣfe, (in place names) Su(u)āf-.

(a) A Swabian; (b) the land inhabited by the Swabians; (c) in place names [see Smith PNElem.2.170].

(a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.253 : Charles wan Gallia Narbonensis and made suget þe Capuanes and þe Beneventanes, þe Danes and þe Sweves [Higd.(2): men of Swevia; L Suevos].
(a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)191b/a : Þe first partie þerof is Alania..þanne Germania, þere Sueues wonede and ocupiede a grete deele þereof.
(a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)192a/b : Þe Sueues..ben some of Germayns in þe ende of þe norþe.
c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)37 : This man..went down in to þe lower cuntres, conqwered on to her empir all þe sueues and saxones and many oþir.

(?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.1171 : Ther cam..Duk of Sweue, Hermest..Ageyn themperour first maliciousli werki[n]g.
(1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)3145-6 : The noumbre of his breþerin grew fast and sore Both in Sueue and Saxone, cuntres ful wyde; In Sueue had neuyr be no religioun before.
(1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)3171 : Þis man þe kyngdames..schuld lese Both of Saxon and Sueue, Teutonie and Frese.
c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)24 : Grete uictories had þis man ouyr..frauns, germanie, with all his prouynces..sueue eke he conquered.