Hail!
As to what an Englishman doth look like we have the following.
Bede in his Historia Ecclesiastica Book V, chapitle 10 writeth of the Hewalds (awending L. C. Jane), which doth at least tell us they had black and white hair, which would seem to have given rise to the tonames White and Black:
“Horum secuti exempla duo quidam presbyteri de natione Anglorum, qui in
Hibernia multo tempore pro aeterna patria exulauerant, uenerunt ad
prouinciam Antiquorum Saxonum, si forte aliquos ibidem praedicando
Christo adquirere possent. Erant autem unius ambo, sicut deuotionis, sic
etiam uocabuli; nam uterque eorum appellabatur Heuuald; ea tamen
distinctione, ut pro diuersa capillorum specie unus Niger Heuuald, alter
Albus Heuuald diceretur; quorum uterque pietate religionis inbutus, sed
Niger Heuuald magis sacrarum litterarum erat scientia institutus.”
“ Two other priests of the English nation, who had long lived strangers in
Ireland, for the sake of the eternal kingdom, following the example of
the former, went into the province of the Ancient Saxons, to try whether
they could there gain any to Christ by preaching. They both bore the
same name, as they were the same in devotion, Hewald being the name of
both, with this distinction, that, on account of the difference of their
hair, the one was called Black Hewald and the other White Hewald. They
were both piously religious, but Black Hewald was the more learned of
the two in Scripture.”
And in Book II chapitle i of the English slave boys for sale in Rome where we learn they had white bodies and angel-like anseens:
“ Nec silentio praetereunda opinio, quae de beato Gregorio traditione
maiorum ad nos usque perlata est; qua uidelicet ex causa admonitus tam
sedulam erga salutem nostrae gentis curam gesserit. Dicunt, quia die
quadam cum, aduenientibus nuper mercatoribus, multa uenalia in forum
fuissent conlata, multi ad emendum confluxissent, et ipsum Gregorium
inter alios aduenisse, ac uidisse inter alia pueros uenales positos
candidi corporis, ac uenusti uultus, capillorum quoque forma egregia.
Quos cum aspiceret, interrogauit, ut aiunt, de qua regione uel terra
essent adlati. Dictumque est, quia de Brittania insula, cuius incolae
talis essent aspectus. Rursus interrogauit, utrum idem insulani
Christiani, an paganis adhuc erroribus essent inplicati. Dictum est,
quod essent pagani. At ille, intimo ex corde longa trahens suspiria:
‘Heu, pro dolor!’ inquit, ‘quod tam lucidi uultus homines tenebrarum
auctor possidet, tantaque gratia frontispicii mentem ab interna gratia
uacuam gestat!’ Rursus ergo interrogauit, quod esset uocabulum gentis
illius. Responsum est, quod Angli uocarentur. At ille: ‘Bene,’ inquit;
‘nam et angelicam habent faciem, et tales angelorum in caelis decet esse
coheredes. Quod habet nomen ipsa prouincia, de qua isti sunt adlati?’
Responsum est, quod Deiri uocarentur idem prouinciales. At ille: ‘Bene,’
inquit, ‘Deiri; de ira eruti, et ad misericordiam Christi uocati. Rex
prouinciae illius quomodo appellatur?’ Responsum est, quod Aelli
diceretur. At ille adludens ad nomen ait: ‘Alleluia, laudem Dei
Creatoris illis in partibus oportet cantari.’ ”
“ Nor is the account of St. Gregory, which has been handed down to us by
the tradition of our ancestors, to be passed by in silence, in relation
to his motives for taking such interest in the salvation of our nation.
It is reported, that some merchants, having just arrived at Rome on a
certain day, exposed many things for sale in the marketplace, and
abundance of people resorted thither to buy: Gregory himself went with
the rest, and, among other things, some boys were set to sale, their
bodies white (
candidi corporis), their countenances beautiful, and their hair very fine.
Having viewed them, he asked, as is said, from what country or nation
they were brought? and was told, from the island of Britain, whose
inhabitants were of such personal appearance. He again inquired whether
those islanders were Christians, or still involved in the errors of
paganism? and was informed that they were pagans. Then fetching a deep
sigh from the bottom of his heart, "Alas! what pity," said he, "that the
author of darkness is possessed of men of such fair countenances; and
that being remarkable for such graceful aspects, their minds should be
void of inward grace." He therefore again asked, what was the name of
that nation? and was answered, that they were called Angles. "Right,"
said he, for they have an Angelic face [angelicam ... faciem], and it becomes such to be
co-heirs with the Angels in heaven. What is the name," proceeded he, "of
the province from which they are brought?" It was replied, that the
natives of that province were called Deiri. "Truly are they De ira,"
said he, "withdrawn from wrath, and called to the mercy of Christ. How
is the king of that province called?" They told him his name was Ælla:
and he, alluding to the name said, "Hallelujah, the praise of God the
Creator must be sung in those parts."”
Godric of Finchale, although he ended up as an hermit at Finchale, came from Norfolk. This is not from the better known life by Reginald, monk of Durham, but from another handwrit of the saint's life (Harley handwrit 322) given in the foot markings to the 1847 outlaying of Reginald's life :
“Pater sancti hujus viri dictus est Ailwardus, mater vero Edwenna, fortuna quidem et divitiis tenues, sed justitia et virtutibus abundantes. Qui de Nordfolca nati sunt, et in villa qua; dicitur Wallepol, ... Erat enim animo strenuus et industrius, corpore vero viribus integer et robustus, statura modicus, humeros habens latos, pectus amplum, faciem productam, oculos glaucos et clarissime radientes, hirsuta supercilia, frontem latam, nares patulas et productas, nasum decenter in extreme recurvum, mentum angustum, barbam copiosam et aliquantum longam, os erat decens, labia tumentia moderate, capillatura capitis et barbae in juvenili aetate nigra, in senili per canitiem candida, collum habebat breve sed grossum et in eo tumentes nervos et venas, et tibias modicae quantitatis, plantas pedum incurvas, genua per frequentiam geniculationis callosa et dura, in corpora toto cutis asperrima, sed in senectute tota durities ad mollitiem est conversa. ... atque in assiduis laborum sudoribus diuturnus et praestantissimus; et quod corporeis viribus explere forte non poterat, artis peritia, quae diuturna experientia laboris didicerat, et providentiae multae circumspecta disciplina, facillimum sibi fore compellebat. ... Sciebat ex natura maris et siderum vel serenitatem aeris, vel futuras prsedicere tempestates.”
“This holy man's father was named Ailward, and his mother Edwenna; both of slender rank and wealth, but abundant in righteousness and virtue. They were born in Norfolk, and had long lived in the township called Walpole.... For he was vigorous and strenuous in mind, whole of limb and strong in body. He was of middle stature, broad-shouldered and deep-chested, with a long face, grey eyes most clear and piercing, bushy brows, a broad forehead, long and open nostrils, a nose of comely curve, and a pointed chin. His beard was thick, and longer than the ordinary, his mouth well-shaped, with lips of moderate thickness; in youth his hair was black, in age as white as snow; his neck was short and thick, knotted with veins and sinews; his legs were somewhat slender, his instep high, his knees hardened and horny with frequent kneeling; his whole skin rough beyond the ordinary, until all this roughness was softened by old age.... In labour he was strenuous, assiduous above all men; and, when by chance his bodily strength proved insufficient, he compassed his ends with great ease by the skill which his daily labours had given, and by a prudence born of long experience.... He knew, from the aspect of sea and stars, how to foretell fair or foul weather.”
“Pater sancti hujus viri dictus est Ailwardus, mater vero Edwenna, fortuna quidem et divitiis tenues, sed justitia et virtutibus abundantes. Qui de Nordfolca nati sunt, et in villa qua; dicitur Wallepol, ... Erat enim animo strenuus et industrius, corpore vero viribus integer et robustus, statura modicus, humeros habens latos, pectus amplum, faciem productam, oculos glaucos et clarissime radientes, hirsuta supercilia, frontem latam, nares patulas et productas, nasum decenter in extreme recurvum, mentum angustum, barbam copiosam et aliquantum longam, os erat decens, labia tumentia moderate, capillatura capitis et barbae in juvenili aetate nigra, in senili per canitiem candida, collum habebat breve sed grossum et in eo tumentes nervos et venas, et tibias modicae quantitatis, plantas pedum incurvas, genua per frequentiam geniculationis callosa et dura, in corpora toto cutis asperrima, sed in senectute tota durities ad mollitiem est conversa. ... atque in assiduis laborum sudoribus diuturnus et praestantissimus; et quod corporeis viribus explere forte non poterat, artis peritia, quae diuturna experientia laboris didicerat, et providentiae multae circumspecta disciplina, facillimum sibi fore compellebat. ... Sciebat ex natura maris et siderum vel serenitatem aeris, vel futuras prsedicere tempestates.”
“This holy man's father was named Ailward, and his mother Edwenna; both of slender rank and wealth, but abundant in righteousness and virtue. They were born in Norfolk, and had long lived in the township called Walpole.... For he was vigorous and strenuous in mind, whole of limb and strong in body. He was of middle stature, broad-shouldered and deep-chested, with a long face, grey eyes most clear and piercing, bushy brows, a broad forehead, long and open nostrils, a nose of comely curve, and a pointed chin. His beard was thick, and longer than the ordinary, his mouth well-shaped, with lips of moderate thickness; in youth his hair was black, in age as white as snow; his neck was short and thick, knotted with veins and sinews; his legs were somewhat slender, his instep high, his knees hardened and horny with frequent kneeling; his whole skin rough beyond the ordinary, until all this roughness was softened by old age.... In labour he was strenuous, assiduous above all men; and, when by chance his bodily strength proved insufficient, he compassed his ends with great ease by the skill which his daily labours had given, and by a prudence born of long experience.... He knew, from the aspect of sea and stars, how to foretell fair or foul weather.”
[awending from "Life of St. Godric, " in G. G. Coulton, ed. Social Life in Britain from the Conquest to the Reformation, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1918), pp. 415-420 ].
And Hereward De Gestis Herwardi Saxonis II (awent by Rev. W. D.
Sweeting, M.A., from an original Manuscript, contained in a book
compiled by Robert of Swaffham, in the possession of the Dean and
Chapter of Peterborough):
“Ex
Anglorum gente multi robustissimi memorantur viri, et Herwardus Exul
præclarissimus inter præclaros et insignis miles cum insignioribus habetur.
Hujus igitur pater fuit quidem Lefricus de Brunne, nepos comitis Radulfi
cognominati Scabre et mater Aediva trinepta Oslaci ducis, utroque parente
nobilissime progenitus. Puer enim erat spectabilis forma et vultu decorus,
valde decoratus ex flavente cæsarie et prolixa facie, oculisque magnis, dextro
ab alio variante modicum glaucus; verum severus aspectu fuit, et ex nimia
densitate membrorum admodum rotundus, sed nimis pro statura mediocri agilis, et
in omnibus membris tota comperta efficacia.”
“Of
the nations of the English many very mighty men are recorded, and Hereward the
Outlaw is esteemed most distinguished amongst the distinguished, and a famous
knight with the more famous. His father was Leofric, of Bourne, grandson of
Earl Radulf, surnamed Scabre; and his mother was Aediva
great-great-granddaughter of Duke Oslac; most nobly descended by both parents.
For he was a boy remarkable for his figure, and comely in aspect, very
beautiful from his yellow hair, and with large grey eyes, the right eye
slightly different in colour to the left; but he was stern of feature, and
somewhat stout, from the great sturdiness of his limbs, but very active for his
moderate stature, and in all his limbs was found a complete vigour.”
Ælnoth of Canterbury, Gesta Swenomagni Regis 13.2:
"Exercitu uero conducto tam a Gallis et Brittonibus quam et a Cinomannis aggregato ita urbium edes replebantur, ut uix suis domestici focis assidere uiderentur. Anglis autem, quibus non minimi desiderii Danici exercitus aduentum esse didicerat, barbas radere, arma et exuuias ad instar Romanorum coaptare et ad deludendos aduentantium uisus per omnia se Francigenis, quos et Romanos dici pretulimus, assimilare preceperat. Quod perpauci facere."
"He [William "the Conqueror"] gathered an army from the Gauls/French and Bretons as well as from Maine that when together it seemed the houses in the cities were so filled up that the householders could hardly sit by their own hearths. The English, however, who not in the smallest degree desired the arrival of the Danish host, he ordered to, shave their beards, change their arms and clothes to the likeness of the Romans, and, to delude the sight of the invaders [by seeming] in everything as the French themselves, whom we prefer to call Romans. But very few did."
BUT VERY FEW DID!
Farewell.
Ælnoth of Canterbury, Gesta Swenomagni Regis 13.2:
"Exercitu uero conducto tam a Gallis et Brittonibus quam et a Cinomannis aggregato ita urbium edes replebantur, ut uix suis domestici focis assidere uiderentur. Anglis autem, quibus non minimi desiderii Danici exercitus aduentum esse didicerat, barbas radere, arma et exuuias ad instar Romanorum coaptare et ad deludendos aduentantium uisus per omnia se Francigenis, quos et Romanos dici pretulimus, assimilare preceperat. Quod perpauci facere."
"He [William "the Conqueror"] gathered an army from the Gauls/French and Bretons as well as from Maine that when together it seemed the houses in the cities were so filled up that the householders could hardly sit by their own hearths. The English, however, who not in the smallest degree desired the arrival of the Danish host, he ordered to, shave their beards, change their arms and clothes to the likeness of the Romans, and, to delude the sight of the invaders [by seeming] in everything as the French themselves, whom we prefer to call Romans. But very few did."
BUT VERY FEW DID!
Farewell.
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