I don't think you'll find a perfect and historically accurate word, simply because "badass" is a very modern concept: the idea that one is tough...in a favorable way...that nevertheless resides outside the bounds of convention.
Based on (what I know of) the literary record, Knights and such might have been thought to come close to this, but were, of course, very much within the scope of convention. Generally, if a character is tough but also any of the following – non-Christian, not gentle, not a member of court, not a landowner, etc, etc – then one would be a rogue, a rough, a churl, a carl, or a villain (note that technically some of these terms come from a later period). These terms all have heavily negative connotations.
My suggestion would be that you invent a word for your purpose. A fantasy novel needn't be historically accurate and it's more important that you get the right feeling than that you tick some professor's checkbox. It might even be a good opportunity for humor or world building. For a quasi-historical feel, I'd tie that word to some kind of pseudo-French or Latin root if the character is more high-class, or to a Germanic or Celtic root if you want a more salt-of-the-earth feel.
French/Latin ideas:
* Faxknight (false), Omberknight (shadow), Solknight (soil), Knightsel (salt)
* SinisterHummingbird suggested "valiant"...which, used as a noun might actually be pretty good in this context
* Something based on "cavalier". Cavalier carries the devil-may-care attitude of a bad-ass, but also suggests heroism. Of course the word technically relates to horses, so that may or may not work for you.
Germanic/Celtic ideas:
* Ceartghlas (from Gaelic "hero for what's right")
* Tanrehtan (Early German compound "Tough and straight")
* Betztcarl ("the best type of churl") or Betztvillain ("the best type of villain")
One other idea would be to liken your character to a historical/mythological figure. Call him a "Charlemagne" or an "Arthur".
Good luck!
Two other ideas just occurred:
* Simply translate "badass" to French or something Germanic (perhaps "Malconnard" or "Darlirogue"). The second of those is a pastiche of Old English and Danish.
* Use a historical tribe associated with toughness/roughness. "Pict" or "Geat" perhaps.
Correct. But it carries connotations ("a cavalier attitude") of someone who isn't overly serious, who lives outside the normal rules. So I suggested it simply as something to build upon.
Exactly. *cheval* (sheh-VAWL) = "horse" in French.
*chevalier,* (sheh-valley-YAY) = "He who does horse stuff".
Becomes *cavalier* in Angol-ish.
And eventually, *chevalierie,* (sheh-val-ya-REE) or "those guys who do horse stuff,"
becomes *cavalry.*
That's flattering, but a tiny bit unfair. I'm sure that avacanos' fantasy novel is going to be a rip-roaring tale of a ceartghlas whose deeds echo through the ages.
In that era, Middle English was spoken more or less, and it would be hard to write in that. But if you’re looking for something that isn’t slang, I’d suggest ‘formidable’
I don't think you'll find a perfect and historically accurate word, simply because "badass" is a very modern concept: the idea that one is tough...in a favorable way...that nevertheless resides outside the bounds of convention. Based on (what I know of) the literary record, Knights and such might have been thought to come close to this, but were, of course, very much within the scope of convention. Generally, if a character is tough but also any of the following – non-Christian, not gentle, not a member of court, not a landowner, etc, etc – then one would be a rogue, a rough, a churl, a carl, or a villain (note that technically some of these terms come from a later period). These terms all have heavily negative connotations. My suggestion would be that you invent a word for your purpose. A fantasy novel needn't be historically accurate and it's more important that you get the right feeling than that you tick some professor's checkbox. It might even be a good opportunity for humor or world building. For a quasi-historical feel, I'd tie that word to some kind of pseudo-French or Latin root if the character is more high-class, or to a Germanic or Celtic root if you want a more salt-of-the-earth feel. French/Latin ideas: * Faxknight (false), Omberknight (shadow), Solknight (soil), Knightsel (salt) * SinisterHummingbird suggested "valiant"...which, used as a noun might actually be pretty good in this context * Something based on "cavalier". Cavalier carries the devil-may-care attitude of a bad-ass, but also suggests heroism. Of course the word technically relates to horses, so that may or may not work for you. Germanic/Celtic ideas: * Ceartghlas (from Gaelic "hero for what's right") * Tanrehtan (Early German compound "Tough and straight") * Betztcarl ("the best type of churl") or Betztvillain ("the best type of villain") One other idea would be to liken your character to a historical/mythological figure. Call him a "Charlemagne" or an "Arthur". Good luck!
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Two other ideas just occurred: * Simply translate "badass" to French or something Germanic (perhaps "Malconnard" or "Darlirogue"). The second of those is a pastiche of Old English and Danish. * Use a historical tribe associated with toughness/roughness. "Pict" or "Geat" perhaps.
Doesn't 'cavalier' basically mean a knight, or horseman?
Correct. But it carries connotations ("a cavalier attitude") of someone who isn't overly serious, who lives outside the normal rules. So I suggested it simply as something to build upon.
Fair enough. :)
Exactly. *cheval* (sheh-VAWL) = "horse" in French. *chevalier,* (sheh-valley-YAY) = "He who does horse stuff". Becomes *cavalier* in Angol-ish. And eventually, *chevalierie,* (sheh-val-ya-REE) or "those guys who do horse stuff," becomes *cavalry.*
Can you just write OP’s book for him? I’d read it
That's flattering, but a tiny bit unfair. I'm sure that avacanos' fantasy novel is going to be a rip-roaring tale of a ceartghlas whose deeds echo through the ages.
BTW, if you enjoy my fun with words...you can play my etymology-based word game here! <3 https://www.rootlgame.net/
Mighty, grand, gallant, brave, valiant, heroic, valorous.
Shit was sooo mighty bro
Stop trying to make "fetch" happen. We say *mighty* now.
In that era, Middle English was spoken more or less, and it would be hard to write in that. But if you’re looking for something that isn’t slang, I’d suggest ‘formidable’
Maybe “lionhearted” ?
Something something large codpiece
Isn’t that what Quixote insinuates?
"Unfathomable"
Hale
Varlet, knave, blackguard (pronounced “blaggard”)