medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
From: Ms B M Cook <[log in to unmask]>
> I'd appreciate a spot of stylistic advice.
>I have just come across the new (to me) term COUNTSHIP in (of all places) the
on-line DNB which I assume is stylistically acceptable even in the most
rigorous circles.
> What do you think ? May I use the term COUNTSHIP where I would formerly have
used the term COMTE' without being castigated as an ignorant user of modern
jargon ?
i take it that your COMTE' indicates an accent on the E.
why would you use the French when the English County serves perfectly well?
in any case, though i don't believe that i've ever seen the awkward word, it
appears that COUNTSHIP isn't modren jargon at all --au contraire, ma frere, if
any thing, it appears that it has simply fallen out of use (after being
debased by usage in poetry, of all things).
here's the OED on it:
[f. COUNT n.2 + -SHIP.]
1.a. The office or dignity of a count (also used as a title).
b. The domain or jurisdiction of a count.
1703 FARQUHAR Inconstant III. i, Where's that bombast look..your countship
wore just now?
1831 CARLYLE Early German Lit. Misc. Ess. (1888) III. 199 For all which, Anton
and his kindred had countships and princeships in abundance.
1861 PEARSON Early & Mid. Ages Eng. 336 The countships of Northumberland and
Huntingdon, which had once belonged to his wife's father, Waltheof.
1868 BROWNING Ring & Bk. VI. 416 How his Countship sulks!
c
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