12-03-2011, 12:10 AM
And there is the problem of interpolation as these accounts are copied. In Sidonius Book 8 for example:
half naval duties of yours were coasting the western shores on the look-out for curved ships; the ships of the Saxons, in whose every oarsman you think to detect an arch-pirate.
which seems to indicate rowed vessels only but in the same also:
Moreover, when the Saxons are setting sail from the continent,
which would indicate the presence of an actual sail but could simply mean getting ready for the journey.
The interesting point is "look-out for curved ships". According to etymonline.com. old english ceol means "ship's prow," which suggests it was distinctive. It is of course an extension of what we call the keel today, but the curve was the feature which made it stand out. From Bosworth Toller: "brante ceóle, heá hornscipe" - steep keel, the high pinacled ship.
half naval duties of yours were coasting the western shores on the look-out for curved ships; the ships of the Saxons, in whose every oarsman you think to detect an arch-pirate.
which seems to indicate rowed vessels only but in the same also:
Moreover, when the Saxons are setting sail from the continent,
which would indicate the presence of an actual sail but could simply mean getting ready for the journey.
The interesting point is "look-out for curved ships". According to etymonline.com. old english ceol means "ship's prow," which suggests it was distinctive. It is of course an extension of what we call the keel today, but the curve was the feature which made it stand out. From Bosworth Toller: "brante ceóle, heá hornscipe" - steep keel, the high pinacled ship.
Harry Amphlett
