Medieval Literature Terms

adjective relating to or characteristic of a court or courtly life; elegant and polite in a formal way

• The courtly manners of the gentleman impressed the royal family.
• She always admired his courtly way of speaking to others.
• I can't believe how courtly he was when he asked her out on a date.
• His courtly demeanor masked a cunning mind beneath.

• She was fain to accept the job offer despite the low salary.
• I was fain to admit that I had made a mistake.
• He was fain to go along with the plan even though he had doubts.
• The artist was fain to express his emotions through his paintings.

noun archaic term for haste or speed

verb to go quickly; hasten; speed

• She decided to hie to the library to research for her thesis.
• Let's hie to the mall before it gets too crowded.
• We should hie over to his place and surprise him.
• The sun began to hie behind the mountains, signaling the end of the day.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a knight, especially in being chivalrous or gallant

• The knightly duties of protecting the kingdom were passed down through generations.
• He always felt a sense of pride when he put on his knightly armor.
• Yo, that dude's knightly skills are on point!
• She displayed a knightly courage in the face of adversity.

noun Lancelot - a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend, known for his bravery and loyalty

• Lancelot was known as one of the bravest knights of the Round Table.
• Have you heard about Lancelot, the knight who was always up for an adventure?
• Lancelot was like the OG knight, always slaying dragons and saving damsels in distress.
• In the world of business, he was considered the Lancelot of negotiations, always coming out victorious.

noun a state of spiritual apathy or indifference, especially as a result of being weary or bored

• Accidie is a term used in medieval theology to describe a state of spiritual apathy or indifference.
• Accidie is like feeling lazy and unmotivated, but on a deeper spiritual level.
• I can't seem to shake off this accidie, I just don't feel like doing anything.
• Accidie is like a dark cloud hanging over your soul, draining you of all energy and purpose.