A Rood, a Rod, a Pole, or a Cross:
How the Early English Understood the Crucifixion
July 16, 2015
G.D.O'Bradovich III
We have previously researched images of the Crucifixion from the Renaissance. We will determine whether the English originally understood the Crucifixion as a occurring on an upright rod or pole and only latter adopting the cross, or if they always have understood the Crucifixion on a cross.
We are indebted to the Oxford English dictionary for our research into the "Holy Rood" and the "Holy Cross." Since we believe that the events of the crucifixion have been established by the year 1800, citations after that date will be omitted and secondary sources are in red.
We are indebted to the Oxford English dictionary for our research into the "Holy Rood" and the "Holy Cross." Since we believe that the events of the crucifixion have been established by the year 1800, citations after that date will be omitted and secondary sources are in red.
1
1. The cross upon which Jesus Christ suffered death.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 3/78
Huy founden roden þreo..Þo nusten huy of þe þreo þo holie croyz þat huy souȝten ȝwich it miȝte beo.
c1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 45
By þyn holy crois þu hast aȝen bouȝt þe world.
a1400 Coer de L. 1304
Thus, thorwgh tresoun of the Eerl Joys, Surry was lorn and the holy croys.
1470–85 Malory Morte d'Arthur xvii. x,
Thenne he took her by the brydel and sayd, by the holy crosse ye shalle not escape me.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Publyke Baptisme f. ii*,
Receyue the signe of the holy Crosse.
1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 51
Blesse thee with the signe of the holie crosse.
2. In the titles of certain religious societies or communities.
1426 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 246 (note) ,
Willielmus Rydware, magister Gilde sancte Crucis de Bermyngeham.]
1547 Rep. Commissioners in Eng. Gilds (1870) 248
The guilde of tholye Crosse in brymyncham.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 3/78
Huy founden roden þreo..Þo nusten huy of þe þreo þo holie croyz þat huy souȝten ȝwich it miȝte beo.
c1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 45
By þyn holy crois þu hast aȝen bouȝt þe world.
a1400 Coer de L. 1304
Thus, thorwgh tresoun of the Eerl Joys, Surry was lorn and the holy croys.
1470–85 Malory Morte d'Arthur xvii. x,
Thenne he took her by the brydel and sayd, by the holy crosse ye shalle not escape me.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Publyke Baptisme f. ii*,
Receyue the signe of the holy Crosse.
1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 51
Blesse thee with the signe of the holie crosse.
2. In the titles of certain religious societies or communities.
1426 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 246 (note) ,
Willielmus Rydware, magister Gilde sancte Crucis de Bermyngeham.]
1547 Rep. Commissioners in Eng. Gilds (1870) 248
The guilde of tholye Crosse in brymyncham.
2
Holy Cross day n. the festival of the Exaltation of the Cross, September 14th; holy cross toad n. a frog of New South Wales, Notaden bennettii, so called from a dark cross-shaped marking on the back.
1662 Bk. Com. Prayer, Cal.
Holy Cross Day.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 232
And the four and twentieth, which is Holy-Cross-Day, according to the Calender of the Greeks.
The particular wooden structure on which Jesus Christ suffered death, believed to have consisted of an upright post, with a horizontal crossbar; the holy rood. (Often written with capital C.)The identical cross is believed by large bodies of Christians to have been found buried in the ground, by Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 326; hence, the legend of its finding or invention, the adoration of the fragments of it, and stories of miracles wrought by it, play an important part in the religious literature of the Middle Ages. In this connection the word is often qualified as holy Cross, real Cross, true Cross, Saint Cross. Stations, way of the Cross. The antecedent history of this sense in English is found under the earlier name rood n.
c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 48
Do a rode! do a rode!
c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 50
Lyht adun of þe croyz.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 3/78
Huy founden roden þreo..Þo nusten huy of þe þreo þo holie croyz þat huy souȝten ȝwich it miȝte beo.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxi. 1
Crist..when he hyngid on þe crosse.
c1386 Chaucer Pardoner's Tale 623
By the croys [so 2 MSS., 3 cros, 2 crosse] which þat seint Eleyne fond.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8507
Þe croce [Fairf., Trin. Cambr. cros; Gött. crois]..O ihesu crist.
1470–85 Malory Morte d'Arthur xxi. vii,
Somme men say..that kyng Arthur..shal come ageyn & he shal wynne the holy crosse.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) John xix. 19
Pilate wrote a superscripcion and set vpon the crosse.
1598 Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. i. 27
Those blessed feet..naild..on the bitter crosse.
1685 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 471
A little fragment (as was thought) of the true Crosse.
1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. iv. 387
Images..according to the form of the venerable cross.
The day on which the Exaltation of the Cross is celebrated (14 September); = Holy Cross day n. at Holy cross n. Compounds; cf. exaltation n.. (b) The day celebrating the Invention of the Cross (3 May), which commemorates the reputed finding of the Cross of Christ by Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, in a.d. 326. Cf. invention n. 1b.
1496 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 296
The xiiij day of September, wes the Rudeday, in Halyrudhous, to the kingis offerand.
1520 Extr. Rec. Stirling (1887) 4
To be pait on the morne eftir the Rud day.
1597 Returne fr. Parnassus ii. i 739
And a drye cowe shall be 7 years oulde at the nexte roode daye.
1643 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1872) II. 5
The first quarters payment beginning at Ruid Day nixt.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 187/2
The Dominican Monks..Fast seven Months together from Rood Day in September to Easter.
1711 Extr. Rec. Aberdeen (1872) 344
The citizens to be advertised to enter ther children..at Roodday and Lambas.
?1780 'Merry Andrew at Tam-Tallan' Antient & New Hist. Buck-Haven (new ed.) iii. 22
Upon the Rood-day..early in the morning.
The compound has no parallels in the cognate Germanic languages. In Old English (and occasionally also in early Middle English) the first element is treated as a normal adjective inflected for case. Also attested in place names, as Halirode, near Stelling, Kent (1208; later Holyrood Manor, now lost), Holirode, probably Sussex (1309; now lost), Holyrodehampney, Gloucestershire (1509; now Ampney Crucis), Halyrodehowse, Midlothian (1520; now Holyrood Abbey), etc.; and in the names of ships, as Holirode (1230), Holirode (1320).
1662 Bk. Com. Prayer, Cal.
Holy Cross Day.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 232
And the four and twentieth, which is Holy-Cross-Day, according to the Calender of the Greeks.
The particular wooden structure on which Jesus Christ suffered death, believed to have consisted of an upright post, with a horizontal crossbar; the holy rood. (Often written with capital C.)The identical cross is believed by large bodies of Christians to have been found buried in the ground, by Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 326; hence, the legend of its finding or invention, the adoration of the fragments of it, and stories of miracles wrought by it, play an important part in the religious literature of the Middle Ages. In this connection the word is often qualified as holy Cross, real Cross, true Cross, Saint Cross. Stations, way of the Cross. The antecedent history of this sense in English is found under the earlier name rood n.
c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 48
Do a rode! do a rode!
c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 50
Lyht adun of þe croyz.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 3/78
Huy founden roden þreo..Þo nusten huy of þe þreo þo holie croyz þat huy souȝten ȝwich it miȝte beo.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxi. 1
Crist..when he hyngid on þe crosse.
c1386 Chaucer Pardoner's Tale 623
By the croys [so 2 MSS., 3 cros, 2 crosse] which þat seint Eleyne fond.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8507
Þe croce [Fairf., Trin. Cambr. cros; Gött. crois]..O ihesu crist.
1470–85 Malory Morte d'Arthur xxi. vii,
Somme men say..that kyng Arthur..shal come ageyn & he shal wynne the holy crosse.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) John xix. 19
Pilate wrote a superscripcion and set vpon the crosse.
1598 Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. i. 27
Those blessed feet..naild..on the bitter crosse.
1685 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 471
A little fragment (as was thought) of the true Crosse.
1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. iv. 387
Images..according to the form of the venerable cross.
The day on which the Exaltation of the Cross is celebrated (14 September); = Holy Cross day n. at Holy cross n. Compounds; cf. exaltation n.. (b) The day celebrating the Invention of the Cross (3 May), which commemorates the reputed finding of the Cross of Christ by Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, in a.d. 326. Cf. invention n. 1b.
1496 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 296
The xiiij day of September, wes the Rudeday, in Halyrudhous, to the kingis offerand.
1520 Extr. Rec. Stirling (1887) 4
To be pait on the morne eftir the Rud day.
1597 Returne fr. Parnassus ii. i 739
And a drye cowe shall be 7 years oulde at the nexte roode daye.
1643 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1872) II. 5
The first quarters payment beginning at Ruid Day nixt.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 187/2
The Dominican Monks..Fast seven Months together from Rood Day in September to Easter.
1711 Extr. Rec. Aberdeen (1872) 344
The citizens to be advertised to enter ther children..at Roodday and Lambas.
?1780 'Merry Andrew at Tam-Tallan' Antient & New Hist. Buck-Haven (new ed.) iii. 22
Upon the Rood-day..early in the morning.
The compound has no parallels in the cognate Germanic languages. In Old English (and occasionally also in early Middle English) the first element is treated as a normal adjective inflected for case. Also attested in place names, as Halirode, near Stelling, Kent (1208; later Holyrood Manor, now lost), Holirode, probably Sussex (1309; now lost), Holyrodehampney, Gloucestershire (1509; now Ampney Crucis), Halyrodehowse, Midlothian (1520; now Holyrood Abbey), etc.; and in the names of ships, as Holirode (1230), Holirode (1320).
3
1. The cross upon which Jesus suffered; = rood n. 3. Chiefly with the. Cf. Holy cross n. 1. Now arch.
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1900) II. 268
Ic ne gelyfe þæt he to us cume..butan he æteowige þa ylcan dolhswaðe þære halgan rode þe he on ahangen wæs.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Domitian A.viii) anno 200
On þysum geare was gefunden seo halige rod.
a1225 (▸c1200) Vices & Virtues 33 (MED),
Ðin lauerd hes ofearnede on ðare hali rode.
c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 1 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 1 (MED),
Þe holie rode i-founde was ase ich eov nouþe may telle.
c1350 (▸a1333) William of Shoreham Poems (1902) 157 (MED),
Þat was ine þe holy rode, Þorȝ þe schewynge of þe blode Of godes sone.
c1450 (▸c1380) Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 57
But oonly that the holy roode Turne vs euery dreme to goode.
1511 in J. Robertson Illustr. Topogr. & Antiq. Aberdeen & Banff (1857) III. 108
The Halie Rud conserue in prosperite your lordschipes noble lordschipe.
1568 Interlud Droichis Part Play 133 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 320
God bliss thame and the haly rude.
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. O7,
Holy-Rood come forth and shield Us i' th' Citie, and the Field.
1781 M. J. Armstrong Hist. & Antiq. Norfolk IV. 83
The holy-rood or cross, stood on the rood-loft, between the church and chancel.
A crucifix, esp. one positioned above the middle of a rood screen of a church or on a beam over the entrance to the chancel; = rood n. 4.
OE Regularis Concordia (Tiber.) in L. Kornexl Die Regularis Concordia (1993) xliv. 90
Eos accolitus cum puluillo sequatur, super quem sancta crux ponatur : hi taporberend mid pyle folgige ofer þænne seo halige rod beo gesett.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 1070
Hi..geodon into þe mynstre, clumben upp to þe halge rode.
1582 G. Martin Discov. Manifold Corruptions Holy Script. by Heretikes iii. 38
Catholike Christians that reuerently kneele in praier before the Crosse, the holy Roode, the images of our Sauiour Christ and his Saincts.
1676 E. Stillingfleet Def. Disc. Idolatry ii. ii. 505
The Holy Rood of Boxtel in Kent, whose secret engines for moving the eyes and lips were laid open.
1713 W. Stephens Serm. to Protestants of Ireland 12
Daily before the holy Rood in St. Paul's Church at Rome.
1768 Hist. City & County Norwich ii. 481
A constant light was kept burning before the holy rood, on the rood loft, situated between the church and chancel.
Rood Day n.. Cf. rood n. 5. Obs.
a1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Digby) ii,
boute þe tyme of holy rode in Septembre.
1573 P. Moore Almanack A viij b,
At holy Roode, and Gregorie, the nyght and day is equal.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xiv. 616/2
This victory hapned vpon Holyrood in haruest.
1761 J. Mordant Compl. Steward I. 127
It is common to fell or cut underwood from Martinmas to Holy-rood.
In oaths and appeals, esp. expressing assertion and exclamation: chiefly in by the holy rood. Now arch.
OE Homily: Sunnandæges Spell (Corpus Cambr. 419) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 214
Wit sweriað..þurh þa halgan rode, þe Crist for manna hælo on þrowade, þæt hit is soð, þæt wit secgað.
OE Form of Adjuration (Corpus Cambr. 422) in F. Liebermann Gesetze der Angelsachsen (1903) I. 415
Ic eow halsie þurh ðonne Fæder & þone Sunu & þone Halgan gast.., & þurh þa halgan rode, þe Crist on ðrowode.
1562 New Enterlude called Thersytes sig. Aivv,
Or elles by the holye roode I wyl make them thinke, the deuyll caryeth them to the wood.
1597 Shakespeare Richard III iii. ii. 72
But by the holy roode. I doe not like these seuerall councels I.
1715 N. Rowe Trag. Lady Jane Gray iii. 27
No, by the holy Rood, I charge you, mix not With their pernicious Counsels.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vi, in Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads42
And by the Holy rood A man all light, a seraph-man, On every corse there stood.
C1. General attrib., in Holy Rood eve, Holy Rood tide, etc. Cf.rood n. Compounds 1.
OE tr. Theodulf of Orleans Capitula (Corpus Cambr.) xxix. 351
Þonne [he] his heafod foreweard mid þære halgan rode tacne gewæpnige.
c1225 (▸?c1200) St. Katherine (1973) 193
[She] wrat on hire breoste..þe hali rode taken.
?a1425 (▸a1400) Brut (Corpus Cambr.) 292
In whiche ȝere, on Holy Roed ȝeue, deide Sere Iohn of Elham.
1574 T. Tymme tr. J. de Serres Three Partes Comm. iv. 85
The church called Holy Rood Church, which was more beautyful, should be thus serued and spoyled.
1685 G. Langbaine Hunter v. 52
The seasons for these Chases begining about Midsummer, and ending about Holy-Rood-tide.
Holy Rood day n. now chiefly hist. = Rood Day n., b; cf.Holy Cross day n. at Holy cross n. Compounds.
a1225 (▸OE) Rule St. Benet (Winteney) (1888) xlviii. 99
Fram kalendas octobris, þæt is fram þære haliȝe rode dæiȝe oð lenten [OE Corpus Cambr. from kalendas octobris oð lenctenfæsten].
c1300 St. Mary of Egypt (Laud) l. 35 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 261 (MED),
Þe swete rode heo souȝten Þat scholde op-on þe holie rode-day eche manne i-schewed beo.
a1425 Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 392
On Hooli roode Day in hervest.
1486 Bk. St. Albans E v,
Tyme of grece begynnyth at mydsomer day And tyll holi Roode day lastyth.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry §134
At any tyme between Martilmas and holyrode-day.
1612 J. Selden in M. Drayton Poly-olbion viii. Illustr. 130
For the Inuention she is yet celebrated in Holy-rood day in May.
1641 Art. Agreement in Harl. Misc. (1811) VII. 216
That there shall be a league offensive and defensive, concluded and conformed by both parties, at or before Holyrood-day next.
1731 Gentleman's Mag. (1732) 402 Sept. 14.
Being Holy Rood Day, the King's Huntsmen hunted their Free Buck in Richmond new Park.
Holy Rood fair n. = Rood fair n. at rood n. Compounds 1.
1754 tr. Charters granted to Corporation of Ipswich 44
One Fair or Market, commonly called Holy Rood Fair, to be begun on and upon the 14th Day of September.
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1900) II. 268
Ic ne gelyfe þæt he to us cume..butan he æteowige þa ylcan dolhswaðe þære halgan rode þe he on ahangen wæs.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Domitian A.viii) anno 200
On þysum geare was gefunden seo halige rod.
a1225 (▸c1200) Vices & Virtues 33 (MED),
Ðin lauerd hes ofearnede on ðare hali rode.
c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 1 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 1 (MED),
Þe holie rode i-founde was ase ich eov nouþe may telle.
c1350 (▸a1333) William of Shoreham Poems (1902) 157 (MED),
Þat was ine þe holy rode, Þorȝ þe schewynge of þe blode Of godes sone.
c1450 (▸c1380) Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 57
But oonly that the holy roode Turne vs euery dreme to goode.
1511 in J. Robertson Illustr. Topogr. & Antiq. Aberdeen & Banff (1857) III. 108
The Halie Rud conserue in prosperite your lordschipes noble lordschipe.
1568 Interlud Droichis Part Play 133 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 320
God bliss thame and the haly rude.
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. O7,
Holy-Rood come forth and shield Us i' th' Citie, and the Field.
1781 M. J. Armstrong Hist. & Antiq. Norfolk IV. 83
The holy-rood or cross, stood on the rood-loft, between the church and chancel.
A crucifix, esp. one positioned above the middle of a rood screen of a church or on a beam over the entrance to the chancel; = rood n. 4.
OE Regularis Concordia (Tiber.) in L. Kornexl Die Regularis Concordia (1993) xliv. 90
Eos accolitus cum puluillo sequatur, super quem sancta crux ponatur : hi taporberend mid pyle folgige ofer þænne seo halige rod beo gesett.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 1070
Hi..geodon into þe mynstre, clumben upp to þe halge rode.
1582 G. Martin Discov. Manifold Corruptions Holy Script. by Heretikes iii. 38
Catholike Christians that reuerently kneele in praier before the Crosse, the holy Roode, the images of our Sauiour Christ and his Saincts.
1676 E. Stillingfleet Def. Disc. Idolatry ii. ii. 505
The Holy Rood of Boxtel in Kent, whose secret engines for moving the eyes and lips were laid open.
1713 W. Stephens Serm. to Protestants of Ireland 12
Daily before the holy Rood in St. Paul's Church at Rome.
1768 Hist. City & County Norwich ii. 481
A constant light was kept burning before the holy rood, on the rood loft, situated between the church and chancel.
Rood Day n.. Cf. rood n. 5. Obs.
a1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Digby) ii,
boute þe tyme of holy rode in Septembre.
1573 P. Moore Almanack A viij b,
At holy Roode, and Gregorie, the nyght and day is equal.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xiv. 616/2
This victory hapned vpon Holyrood in haruest.
1761 J. Mordant Compl. Steward I. 127
It is common to fell or cut underwood from Martinmas to Holy-rood.
In oaths and appeals, esp. expressing assertion and exclamation: chiefly in by the holy rood. Now arch.
OE Homily: Sunnandæges Spell (Corpus Cambr. 419) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 214
Wit sweriað..þurh þa halgan rode, þe Crist for manna hælo on þrowade, þæt hit is soð, þæt wit secgað.
OE Form of Adjuration (Corpus Cambr. 422) in F. Liebermann Gesetze der Angelsachsen (1903) I. 415
Ic eow halsie þurh ðonne Fæder & þone Sunu & þone Halgan gast.., & þurh þa halgan rode, þe Crist on ðrowode.
1562 New Enterlude called Thersytes sig. Aivv,
Or elles by the holye roode I wyl make them thinke, the deuyll caryeth them to the wood.
1597 Shakespeare Richard III iii. ii. 72
But by the holy roode. I doe not like these seuerall councels I.
1715 N. Rowe Trag. Lady Jane Gray iii. 27
No, by the holy Rood, I charge you, mix not With their pernicious Counsels.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vi, in Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads42
And by the Holy rood A man all light, a seraph-man, On every corse there stood.
C1. General attrib., in Holy Rood eve, Holy Rood tide, etc. Cf.rood n. Compounds 1.
OE tr. Theodulf of Orleans Capitula (Corpus Cambr.) xxix. 351
Þonne [he] his heafod foreweard mid þære halgan rode tacne gewæpnige.
c1225 (▸?c1200) St. Katherine (1973) 193
[She] wrat on hire breoste..þe hali rode taken.
?a1425 (▸a1400) Brut (Corpus Cambr.) 292
In whiche ȝere, on Holy Roed ȝeue, deide Sere Iohn of Elham.
1574 T. Tymme tr. J. de Serres Three Partes Comm. iv. 85
The church called Holy Rood Church, which was more beautyful, should be thus serued and spoyled.
1685 G. Langbaine Hunter v. 52
The seasons for these Chases begining about Midsummer, and ending about Holy-Rood-tide.
Holy Rood day n. now chiefly hist. = Rood Day n., b; cf.Holy Cross day n. at Holy cross n. Compounds.
a1225 (▸OE) Rule St. Benet (Winteney) (1888) xlviii. 99
Fram kalendas octobris, þæt is fram þære haliȝe rode dæiȝe oð lenten [OE Corpus Cambr. from kalendas octobris oð lenctenfæsten].
c1300 St. Mary of Egypt (Laud) l. 35 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 261 (MED),
Þe swete rode heo souȝten Þat scholde op-on þe holie rode-day eche manne i-schewed beo.
a1425 Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 392
On Hooli roode Day in hervest.
1486 Bk. St. Albans E v,
Tyme of grece begynnyth at mydsomer day And tyll holi Roode day lastyth.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry §134
At any tyme between Martilmas and holyrode-day.
1612 J. Selden in M. Drayton Poly-olbion viii. Illustr. 130
For the Inuention she is yet celebrated in Holy-rood day in May.
1641 Art. Agreement in Harl. Misc. (1811) VII. 216
That there shall be a league offensive and defensive, concluded and conformed by both parties, at or before Holyrood-day next.
1731 Gentleman's Mag. (1732) 402 Sept. 14.
Being Holy Rood Day, the King's Huntsmen hunted their Free Buck in Richmond new Park.
Holy Rood fair n. = Rood fair n. at rood n. Compounds 1.
1754 tr. Charters granted to Corporation of Ipswich 44
One Fair or Market, commonly called Holy Rood Fair, to be begun on and upon the 14th Day of September.
4
The citations in chronological order.
lOE On þysum geare was gefunden seo halige rod.
lOE ... clumben upp to þe halge rode.
OE ....wige þa ylcan dolhswaðe þære halgan rode þe ...
OE .. þa halgan rode, ...
OE ...þa halgan rode, ...
1225a (▸c1200) Ðin lauerd hes ofearnede on ðare hali rode.
1225a (▸OE) ... is fram þære haliȝe rode ...].
1225c (▸?c1200) [She] wrat on hire breoste..þe hali rode taken.
1275c Do a rode! do a rode!
1275c Lyht adun of þe croyz.
1290c ... þo holie croyz þat huy souȝten ȝwich it miȝte beo.
1300c Þe holie rode ...
1300c ... þe holie rode-...
1340a Crist..when he hyngid on þe crosse.
1350c (▸a1333) Þat was ine þe holy rode, Þorȝ þe schewynge of þe blode Of godes sone.
1380a (1880) By þyn holy crois þu hast aȝen bouȝt þe world.
1386c By the croys [so 2 MSS., 3 cros, 2 crosse] which þat seint Eleyne fond.
1400a Thus, thorwgh tresoun of the Eerl Joys, Surry was lorn and the holy croys.
1400a (▸a1325) Þe croce [Fairf., Trin. Cambr. cros; Gött. crois]..O ihesu crist.
1425?a (▸a1400) In whiche ȝere, on Holy Roed ȝeue, deide Sere Iohn of Elham.
1425a Aboute þe tyme of holy rode in Septembre.
1425a (1869) On Hooli roode Day in hervest.
1426 (1870) , ... Gilde sancte Crucis de Bermyngeham.]
1450c (▸c1380) Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) But oonly that the holy roode Turne vs euery dreme to goode.
1470–85 ... by the holy crosse ye shalle not escape me.
1470–85 .....shal come ageyn & he shal wynne the holy crosse.
1486 Tyme of grece begynnyth at mydsomer day And tyll holi Roode day lastyth.
1496 (1877) The xiiij day of September, wes the Rudeday, in Halyrudhous, to the kingis offerand.
1511 (1857) The Halie Rud conserue in prosperite your lordschipes noble lordschipe.
1520 (1887) 4 To be pait on the morne eftir the Rud day.
Of the twelve primary citations before the year 1500, four have "rood" and eight have "cross".
1523?At any tyme between Martilmas and holyrode-day.
1535 Pilate wrote a superscripcion and set vpon the crosse.
1547 (1870) The guilde of tholye Crosse in brymyncham.
1549 Receyue the signe of the holy Crosse.
1562 Aivv, Or elles by the holye roode I wyl make them thinke...
1568 (1928) ...and the haly rude.
1573 At holy Roode, and Gregorie, the nyght and day is equal.
1574 The church called Holy Rood Church,...
1582 ... the holy Roode,...
1583 Blesse thee with the signe of the holie crosse.
1597 And a drye cowe shall be 7 years oulde at the nexte roode daye.
1597 But by the holy roode. I doe not like these seuerall councels I.
1598 Those blessed feet..naild..on the bitter crosse.
In the 16th century, there are seven references to "rood" and four references to "cross".
1611 This victory hapned vpon Holyrood in haruest.
1612 ...celebrated in Holy-rood day in May.
1641 (1811) ... at or before Holyrood-day next.
1643 (1872) ... beginning at Ruid Day nixt.
1648 Holy-Rood come forth and shield Us i' th' Citie, and the Field.
1662 Holy Cross Day.
1676 The Holy Rood of Boxtel in Kent, ...
1685 ... and ending about Holy-Rood-tide.
1685 (1955) A little fragment (as was thought) of the true Crosse.
1687 ... Holy-Cross-Day, ...the Calender of the Greeks.
1688 ...r from Rood Day in September to Easter.
In the 17th century, there six references to "rood" and two references to "cross".
1711 (1872) ... ther children..at Roodday and Lambas.
1713 Daily before the holy Rood ...
1715 No, by the holy Rood, I charge you, ...
1731 (1732) . Being Holy Rood Day, the King's Huntsmen ...
1754 ... commonly called Holy Rood Fair, ...
1761 ... Martinmas to Holy-rood.
1768 ... kept burning before the holy rood, on the rood lof...
1780? ... Rood-day...
1781 The holy-rood or cross, stood on the rood-loft,...
1782 Images... of the venerable cross.
1798 .. the Holy rood ...
In the 18th century, there are eight references to "rood" and one reference to "cross".
lOE On þysum geare was gefunden seo halige rod.
lOE ... clumben upp to þe halge rode.
OE ....wige þa ylcan dolhswaðe þære halgan rode þe ...
OE .. þa halgan rode, ...
OE ...þa halgan rode, ...
1225a (▸c1200) Ðin lauerd hes ofearnede on ðare hali rode.
1225a (▸OE) ... is fram þære haliȝe rode ...].
1225c (▸?c1200) [She] wrat on hire breoste..þe hali rode taken.
1275c Do a rode! do a rode!
1275c Lyht adun of þe croyz.
1290c ... þo holie croyz þat huy souȝten ȝwich it miȝte beo.
1300c Þe holie rode ...
1300c ... þe holie rode-...
1340a Crist..when he hyngid on þe crosse.
1350c (▸a1333) Þat was ine þe holy rode, Þorȝ þe schewynge of þe blode Of godes sone.
1380a (1880) By þyn holy crois þu hast aȝen bouȝt þe world.
1386c By the croys [so 2 MSS., 3 cros, 2 crosse] which þat seint Eleyne fond.
1400a Thus, thorwgh tresoun of the Eerl Joys, Surry was lorn and the holy croys.
1400a (▸a1325) Þe croce [Fairf., Trin. Cambr. cros; Gött. crois]..O ihesu crist.
1425?a (▸a1400) In whiche ȝere, on Holy Roed ȝeue, deide Sere Iohn of Elham.
1425a Aboute þe tyme of holy rode in Septembre.
1425a (1869) On Hooli roode Day in hervest.
1426 (1870) , ... Gilde sancte Crucis de Bermyngeham.]
1450c (▸c1380) Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) But oonly that the holy roode Turne vs euery dreme to goode.
1470–85 ... by the holy crosse ye shalle not escape me.
1470–85 .....shal come ageyn & he shal wynne the holy crosse.
1486 Tyme of grece begynnyth at mydsomer day And tyll holi Roode day lastyth.
1496 (1877) The xiiij day of September, wes the Rudeday, in Halyrudhous, to the kingis offerand.
1511 (1857) The Halie Rud conserue in prosperite your lordschipes noble lordschipe.
1520 (1887) 4 To be pait on the morne eftir the Rud day.
Of the twelve primary citations before the year 1500, four have "rood" and eight have "cross".
1523?At any tyme between Martilmas and holyrode-day.
1535 Pilate wrote a superscripcion and set vpon the crosse.
1547 (1870) The guilde of tholye Crosse in brymyncham.
1549 Receyue the signe of the holy Crosse.
1562 Aivv, Or elles by the holye roode I wyl make them thinke...
1568 (1928) ...and the haly rude.
1573 At holy Roode, and Gregorie, the nyght and day is equal.
1574 The church called Holy Rood Church,...
1582 ... the holy Roode,...
1583 Blesse thee with the signe of the holie crosse.
1597 And a drye cowe shall be 7 years oulde at the nexte roode daye.
1597 But by the holy roode. I doe not like these seuerall councels I.
1598 Those blessed feet..naild..on the bitter crosse.
In the 16th century, there are seven references to "rood" and four references to "cross".
1611 This victory hapned vpon Holyrood in haruest.
1612 ...celebrated in Holy-rood day in May.
1641 (1811) ... at or before Holyrood-day next.
1643 (1872) ... beginning at Ruid Day nixt.
1648 Holy-Rood come forth and shield Us i' th' Citie, and the Field.
1662 Holy Cross Day.
1676 The Holy Rood of Boxtel in Kent, ...
1685 ... and ending about Holy-Rood-tide.
1685 (1955) A little fragment (as was thought) of the true Crosse.
1687 ... Holy-Cross-Day, ...the Calender of the Greeks.
1688 ...r from Rood Day in September to Easter.
In the 17th century, there six references to "rood" and two references to "cross".
1711 (1872) ... ther children..at Roodday and Lambas.
1713 Daily before the holy Rood ...
1715 No, by the holy Rood, I charge you, ...
1731 (1732) . Being Holy Rood Day, the King's Huntsmen ...
1754 ... commonly called Holy Rood Fair, ...
1761 ... Martinmas to Holy-rood.
1768 ... kept burning before the holy rood, on the rood lof...
1780? ... Rood-day...
1781 The holy-rood or cross, stood on the rood-loft,...
1782 Images... of the venerable cross.
1798 .. the Holy rood ...
In the 18th century, there are eight references to "rood" and one reference to "cross".
5
The following table is a summary of our findings.
|
Time
pre 1500 16th century 17th century 18th century |
Rood
5 7 6 8 |
Cross
8 4 2 1 |
Because we read that scholars consider "rood" and "cross" to be synonymous, and that we do not say "rood" today, we were expecting an increased usage of "cross" at the expense of "rood", not the reverse. Therefore, we will continue with the date until the year 2000.
1815 The Abbot on the threshold stood, And in his hand the holy rood.
1825 The 14th of September is still called Rude day in Lanarkshire...
1825 (1826)... or, as our ancestors called it, the holy rood.
1832 ...they kept a fast from Holyrood, [September 14,] till Easter.
1839 (1840) Then made he sign of holy rood...
1841 ... and one of the Rode or Rood days.
1842 By holy rood, a royal beard!
1843 The passion flower is supposed to blossom about Holy Rood day.
1844 (1859) The hole in the rock where the Cross stood.
1844 The feat..had to be performed on the evening before Holy-Rood (14th September).
1861 ..., and completed Holyrood Eve, 1515.
1866 Under the altar behind the holy rood.
1867 (1881) On the Cross, the full satisfaction was paid.
1872 Holy Cross, an order of Augustinian canons, ...
1883 ‘Holy Cross Day’ in our Calendar, or,...
1884 Holy-cross, a society consisting of clerical members of the...
1891 ... the ‘Holy Cross toad’.
1896 ...near Headon; Holy Rood fair, and Michaelmas fair.
1898 ... on Holy Rood-day, ...
1899 The Holy Rood With its crown'd Christ.
In the 19th century, there are twelve references to "rood" and five references to "cross". We note that one citation from 1825 discusses "Rood Day"and the other reference from 1825 states "our ancestors", unaware that the term was current, not historical.
1901 (1902)He gained the village cross, and prayed them for love of the Saviour and His holy Rood to give...
1910 Among its [sc. the Abbey's] treasures was a Holy Rood, ...
1911 The principal ancient church festival of the month, Holy-rood Day—...
1926 (1973) Roodmas or Rood Day is 3 May,...
1934 Jesus,..surrounded by a drunken rabble, one of whom has put a foot on the holy rood for the deliberate...
1959 Winkler solved the problem by setting up his Christmas tree in the form of a Holy Rood made of agonizingly ...
1963 Tenderest of men in the morning before the ravening ghouls Swept out of his holyrood conscience like lost souls.
1966 You have to peek under the covers, Pike; then by the holy rood of Moses what you see!
1977 Swynnerton decided to preach on Holy Rood Day at Woburn.
1991 I remember Aels and me coming home across Gwredog footbridge with our sweethearts, from Holy Rood Fair.
1998 ...The artist rendered the fire bringer to suggest A Christ figure splayed on the holy rood, ...
1999 Feill an Roid, the Feast of the Rood (or Holy Cross), is the term used in many Gaelic songs for Rood Day (14 September), better known to many hill-men nowadays as ‘the Day of the Roaring’, the beginning of the red-deer rut!
In the 20th century, there are 10 references to "rood". We note that in 1934 was the first reference to "Roodmas" and in 1966, Moses was thought to have not a "holy cross" but a "holy rood" or rod.
conclusion
The masters of the Renaissance were unanimous in their understanding that the crucifixion occurring on a cross and with a superscription of the charge against Christ above his head. However, from the evidence, the early English understood the punishment occurring on a rood, rod or pole, not unlike the stakes used by Vlad the Impaler. Only later did the two words coalesce into the current definition, and as late as 1966, certain individuals understood the rood as a staff.
In closing, we offer the following depiction of Vlad the Impaler condemning Christ and one can image the punishment awaiting the Redeemer.
As always, the Gentle Reader will reach his own informed conclusions.
In closing, we offer the following depiction of Vlad the Impaler condemning Christ and one can image the punishment awaiting the Redeemer.
As always, the Gentle Reader will reach his own informed conclusions.