I've been researching different forms of address to use in a medieval fantasy WIP. It's been difficult to pinpoint when different forms of address came into use. I found this source: http://walternelson.com/dr/node/253
which lists different forms used in Tudor England, could anyone clarify which of these, if any, were also in use during the Middle Ages?
For now I'm focused on address amongst common people/commoners of the time, not correct address in relation to titles of nobility, that's an entirely separate complex matter. For now, I'm leaning towards the use of "Goodman" and "Goodwife/Goody" as they were precursors to "Master" and "Mistress", I believe. Of course, "Mr./Mrs." certainly seem too modern. In addition, I believe "Father/Mother" were also used as polite ways to address respected elders at some point? Could anyone shine a light on when all of these came into common use?
Also, I would like to use the title "Master" as a substansive title for either master craftsmen/heads of crafts guilds, or scholars, which is a reason I wish not to use it for general address. In this world I'm writing in the use of surnames also isn't universal. Family names/last names are by far and large reserved for nobility (sir–names, if you will). Instead, place of birth is commonly used after the given name, or a possible exception might be the use of "bynames" in case two people in a small community share a given name. Might this have an effect on which possible forms of address to use?
Any information on forms of address/courtesy titles/honorifics is most welcome! Thanks in advance for anyone willing to help.
which lists different forms used in Tudor England, could anyone clarify which of these, if any, were also in use during the Middle Ages?
For now I'm focused on address amongst common people/commoners of the time, not correct address in relation to titles of nobility, that's an entirely separate complex matter. For now, I'm leaning towards the use of "Goodman" and "Goodwife/Goody" as they were precursors to "Master" and "Mistress", I believe. Of course, "Mr./Mrs." certainly seem too modern. In addition, I believe "Father/Mother" were also used as polite ways to address respected elders at some point? Could anyone shine a light on when all of these came into common use?
Also, I would like to use the title "Master" as a substansive title for either master craftsmen/heads of crafts guilds, or scholars, which is a reason I wish not to use it for general address. In this world I'm writing in the use of surnames also isn't universal. Family names/last names are by far and large reserved for nobility (sir–names, if you will). Instead, place of birth is commonly used after the given name, or a possible exception might be the use of "bynames" in case two people in a small community share a given name. Might this have an effect on which possible forms of address to use?
Any information on forms of address/courtesy titles/honorifics is most welcome! Thanks in advance for anyone willing to help.