Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Franciscans" to "French Language" / Volume 11, Slice 1

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

37806

Title

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Franciscans" to "French Language" / Volume 11, Slice 1

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume of the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica offers authoritative entries on the Franciscans, the French language, and a vast array of historical figures, geographical locations, and scientific concepts. Compiled by distinguished scholars, it serves as an essential reference for arts, sciences, literature, and general information.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume XI of the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, serves as a comprehensive repository of knowledge spanning from the medieval era to the modern age. The volume features detailed entries on the Franciscan order, tracing the history and structure of this significant religious movement. It also provides extensive coverage of European royalty, including profiles of Frederick I through VIII of Prussia, various rulers of Saxony and the Rhine, and historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Fraunhofer. Political history is further explored through articles on the Franco-German War and the evolution of European politics. A substantial portion of the volume is dedicated to the French language, offering a rigorous linguistic analysis that bridges Old and Modern French. The text details the evolution of syntax, morphology, and phonology, noting critical shifts such as the loss of final consonants and the formal distinction between nominative and accusative cases. The entry examines the transition from the flexible word order of Old French to the fixed structure of the modern tongue, alongside changes in adjective agreement and verb conjugation. This linguistic survey is supported by a bibliography referencing key scholarly works by experts like F. Brunot and Ad. Tobler. The volume also addresses the history and traditions of Freemasonry, clarifying its origins in operative masonry and the establishment of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717. It distinguishes between the ancient operative craft and the speculative fraternity, analyzing early records and the 'Old Charges' that governed the society for centuries. Contributions from distinguished scholars, including Alfred North Whitehead, Bertrand Russell, and Sir Charles William Wilson, ensure the highest scholarly standards across diverse subjects ranging from geometry and geology to theology and international law. Ultimately, this volume stands as a testament to the breadth of human inquiry, meticulously documenting the cultural, political, and intellectual landscape of its time.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Encyclopedias and dictionaries