“They Call it <i>Schaec</i> in Flemish”: The Language of Abduction with Marital Intent in the Late Medieval Low Countries

Historians use a wide range of terms to talk about premodern partner choice conflicts, ranging from rape ravishment and elopement. This variety largely stems the ambiguity multivalence some frequently used in medieval England, like intensely scrutinized term raptus . Through study language late legal texts judicial records Low Countries, this article shows that Flemish had specific describe an offense not captured by any other available, namely schaec Authorities clearly distinguished between , is seizure women for marriage, rape, sex. Yet, Countries’ multilingual culture as well was inherent many abductions with marital intent, continued make it difficult judges label cases they encountered or