Historical terminology?

Nianne · 09-01-2009, 07:39 PM

I'm looking for a word for the area outside of a walled city, like a medeival city. Outside the gate would be overflow housing, usually spreading out down the main road that leads to the city. In my historical reference (french) it uses the term fauxbourgh, which roughly means suburb, but I'm not completely happy with either of those words (one too archaic, the other too modern).

Any suggestions for what to call this housing area?

Fern · 09-01-2009, 07:46 PM

hamlet or village?

Shakesbear · 09-01-2009, 08:03 PM

Suburb comes from from "sub urba" meaning below the city where most of the ordinary people lived in Ancient Rome, so it is not all that modern. Sometimes the areas outside city walls were slums, would that be appropriate?

Evaine · 09-02-2009, 12:33 AM

ex mura - outside the walls?

Smiling Ted · 09-02-2009, 09:36 PM

A "fauxbourgh" would literally mean a "false town" - an interesting indication of how people thought of the area.

Instead of giving it a general name, how about giving it a specific neighborhood name, like "Newstead" or "Exmoor" (ex mura)?

johnnysannie · 09-02-2009, 09:40 PM

Hinterland.

As in:

Main Entry: hin·ter·land
Pronunciation: \ˈhin-tər-ˌland, -lənd\
Function: noun
Etymology: German, from hinter hinder + Land
Date: 1890
1 : a region lying inland from a coast
2 a : a region remote from urban areas b : a region lying beyond major metropolitan or cultural centers

PeterL · 09-02-2009, 10:29 PM

The term would have been different in different times and places. The Roman term was "sub urbis". In Medieval times the suburbs were called various things, but there was a great effort to keep everything inside the walls. Walled towns had privileges that did not apply to areas outside the walls. Keeping the area immediately around the walls clear was also important for defense. Buildings against or near the wall could be used by attackers. Generally the first outlying villages were a few miles from the walled town, far enough that it would be inconvenientto walk the distance several times a day.

Ariella · 09-04-2009, 02:16 AM

The usual spelling in English is 'faubourg'. It's not a common word, but it is the exact term for what you're trying to describe.

09-01-2009, 07:39 PM	#1
Nianne figuring it all out Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 99	Historical terminology? I'm looking for a word for the area outside of a walled city, like a medeival city. Outside the gate would be overflow housing, usually spreading out down the main road that leads to the city. In my historical reference (french) it uses the term fauxbourgh, which roughly means suburb, but I'm not completely happy with either of those words (one too archaic, the other too modern). Any suggestions for what to call this housing area?

09-01-2009, 07:46 PM	#2
Fern practical experience, FTW Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,120	hamlet or village? __________________ Check my listing in the Absolute Write Library

09-01-2009, 08:03 PM	#3
Shakesbear knows a hawk from a handsaw Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Elsinore Posts: 3,208	Suburb comes from from "sub urba" meaning below the city where most of the ordinary people lived in Ancient Rome, so it is not all that modern. Sometimes the areas outside city walls were slums, would that be appropriate? __________________ And my large kingdom for a little grave, A little little grave, an obscure grave . . .

09-02-2009, 12:33 AM	#4
Evaine practical experience, FTW Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hay-on-Wye, town of books Posts: 694	ex mura - outside the walls? __________________ Raven's Heirs and Like Father, Like Daughter by Lesley Arrowsmith are now available on Smashwords (YA fantasy) and I have a blog at http://morwennatower.blogspot.com

09-02-2009, 09:36 PM	#5
Smiling Ted Ah-HA! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The Great Wide Open Posts: 2,330	A "fauxbourgh" would literally mean a "false town" - an interesting indication of how people thought of the area. Instead of giving it a general name, how about giving it a specific neighborhood name, like "Newstead" or "Exmoor" (ex mura)? __________________ "Crazy visions you got. Come with me to barber, we bleed you, you see right, everything good. I buy for you first leech." - The Wrong Sword Read This Blog!: http://theswordthatnagged.blogspot.com/

09-02-2009, 09:40 PM	#6
johnnysannie Seanachie Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tir Na Og Posts: 3,859	Hinterland. As in: Main Entry: hin·ter·land Pronunciation: \ˈhin-tər-ˌland, -lənd\ Function: noun Etymology: German, from hinter hinder + Land Date: 1890 1 : a region lying inland from a coast 2 a : a region remote from urban areas b : a region lying beyond major metropolitan or cultural centers __________________ Rebel Elite 2013 The Sin Eater's Redemption - now available Pink Neon - coming July 3 Hear The Wind Blow, Love...coming September 3 Backlist titles...thirty-seven and growing! http://leeannsontheimermurphy.blogspot.com

09-02-2009, 10:29 PM	#7
PeterL Sockpuppet Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,130	The term would have been different in different times and places. The Roman term was "sub urbis". In Medieval times the suburbs were called various things, but there was a great effort to keep everything inside the walls. Walled towns had privileges that did not apply to areas outside the walls. Keeping the area immediately around the walls clear was also important for defense. Buildings against or near the wall could be used by attackers. Generally the first outlying villages were a few miles from the walled town, far enough that it would be inconvenientto walk the distance several times a day.

09-04-2009, 02:16 AM	#8
Ariella ... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 169	The usual spelling in English is 'faubourg'. It's not a common word, but it is the exact term for what you're trying to describe. __________________ Ariella My blog: Medieval Worldbuilding Information

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