Anglo-Scandinavian trade or paganism? OE hæðen in the first Cleopatra glossary

Abstract

hæðen〉, which glosses L mastruca `garment made of skins' in the First Cleopatra Glossary, has been identified as an Old Norse loanword (cf. ON heðinn). This etymological explanation may be supported by the significant role played by Scandinavians in medieval fur trade. This article argues instead that the gloss should be understood as representing OE hæðen `heathen', a mistake for OE heden `hood, cowl', cognate with ON heðinn. This suggestion partially relies on the analysis of the original context of the lemma in St Isidore's Etymologiae and its association with ecclesiastical prohibitions of .beast-masquerades