Displaying 1 glossary term in Diplomatic Anatomy starting with A
Diplomatic Anatomy
Latin / Greek
Arenga / Proemium (Proem)
Med. Lat. arenga (rhetorical harangue) / Gr. prooimion (prelude, preamble)
A formal spiritual or moral preamble meditating upon the transience of mortal existence, the vanity of terrestrial riches, and the wisdom of purchasing eternal beatitude through pious gifts.
The proem reached high rhetorical artistry in Mercian synodal decrees and Alfredian diplomas, warning that all earthly prosperity fades like a shadow unless redeemed by perpetual grants to the Church.
“+ Saeculi namque labentis tempora, sicut umbrae fugientes, sic velociter tranant, et ideo terrenis caducis aeterna et mansura caelestis regni praemia mercari debemus…”
S 218 — Charter of Ealdorman Æthelred & Æthelflæd (A.D. 883)
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