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ˈPrester ˈJohn
Forms: α. 4–6 prestre, -ere, 6 preter, -our, prater, prest, priester, (6–7 precious), 6–8 presbyter, 7 priest, 6– prester; 4–6 Jon, Johan, 6 Joan, Jan, (7 Jack), 8 Jean, 5– John. Also β. 6 Pretian (= Pret Ian), 7 Prete Gianni, Janni, Prestegian, -giane.
[ME. Prestre Johan, a. OF. prestre Jehan (13th c. in Littré), mod.F. prêtre-Jean, med.L. presbyter Johannes, ‘Priest John’, in It. prete Gianni, whence OF. prette-jan and the β forms above.]
The name given in the Middle Ages to an alleged Christian priest and king, originally supposed to reign in the extreme Orient, beyond Persia and Armenia, but from the 15th c. generally identified with the King of Ethiopia or Abyssinia.
(For the history of the subject, see Col. Yule's article in Encycl. Brit. (1885) XIX. 715– 718. It is there shown that from the first mention of Presbyter Johannes in the twelfth c. European belief placed him in some remote region of the East; but that, after growing knowledge of geography had at once cast doubt upon his existence there, and revealed the existence of a Christian king and kingdom in ‘Ethiopia’ or Abyssinia, ‘Prester John's land’ was located by the Portuguese, and after them by other writers, in the latter region. Col. Yule is even inclined to think that the original germ of the legend may have consisted in vague rumours as to the rule of a Christian king in ‘Ethiopia’, at a time when Ethiopia and India were still vaguely imagined to be conterminous or adjacent regions; although reports of the warlike achievements of Mongol or other Asiatic conquerors may in process of time have been credited to, or associated with, the name of ‘Prester John’. As to the origin of this name or title, though numerous conjectures have been offered, there is no historical evidence.)
13..K. Alis. 2589 (Bodl. MS.) Oute of Inde from prestre Johne Hym com kniȝttes manyon. a1400in Rel. Ant. I. 272 The lasse Asia and the lond of Histria; These ben Prestere Johanes londes. c1400Three Kings Cologne 117 He schulde be cleped preester Iohn..for þer is no degre in þis world aboue þe degre of priesthode. c1400Mandeville (1839) xxii. 246 Prestre Iohan [Roxb. xxix. 132 Prestre Iohne] that is Emperour of the high Ynde. 1485Caxton Paris & V. 69 The londe of Prester Iohan. 1513Douglas æneis viii. Prol. 155 To reyd I begane The riotest ane ragment..Of all the mowis in this mold... The horne and the hand staff, Prater John and Port Jaff. 1562Pilkington Expos. Abdyas Aa iij, The Souldan, priester Iohn & other Heathen princes. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. i. i. 1 That in the East India were Christians, which were gouerned by a King of great power called Præsbiter Ioan. 1620Melton Astrolog. 11 As for Prester Jacke, the Great Mogul, the Sophy of Persia, and the Great Turke, I can see them as often as I doe my Boy. 1712Addison Spect. No. 495 ⁋5 Not to mention whole Nations bordering on Prester-John's Country. 1788Gibbon Decl. & F. xlvii. IV. 597 The fame of Prester or Presbyter John has long amused the credulity of Europe.
(b)1532More Confut. Tindale 85 Bothe the Latyn chyrch & the Greke chyrche and pretour Iohns Chyrche to. 1554W. Prat Africa E ij, The kynge of Ethiope whiche we call pretian or prest John. 1555Eden Decades To Rdr. (Arb.) 51 Preciosus Iohannes, otherwyse cauled Presbyter Iohannes, Emperour of many Chrystian nations in Ethiope. Ibid. 374 In the East syde of Afrike beneth the redde sea, dwelleth the greate and myghtye Emperour and Chrystian kynge Prester Johan, well knowen to the Portugales in theyr vyages to Calicut. 1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iii. x. 86 b, The Prester Ian king of Ethyopia. 1598W. Phillip Linschoten i. (Hakl. Soc.) I. 34 The countrey of Prester John, which is called by them the countrey of Abexines. 1600J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa Introd. 21 The emperour Prete Ianni hath two speciall princely names, to wit, Acegue..and Neguz, a king. 1634Sir T. Herbert Trav. 130 The great Christian of æthiopia, vulgarly cald Prester, Precious, or Priest-Iohn. 1678Butler Hud. iii. Lady's Answ. 277 Like the mighty Prester John, Whose Person none dares look upon.
b. transf. and fig. A ruler likened to Prester John; one who is supreme (in a particular sphere).
1598E. Guilpin Skial. (1878) 34 And fooles doe sit, More honored then the Prester Iohn of wit. 1667Dryden Sir Martin Mar-All v. i, Your Prester Johns of the East Indies.
c. Heraldry. (In the arms of the see of Chichester.)
1688R. Holme Armoury iv. iv. (Roxb.) 287/1 (Coates of Bishopricks) He beareth Saphire, a Prester John or Presbyter John sitting on a tombstone, haueing in his left hand a Mound, and his right extended..with a sword in his mouth..his is the Sea of Chichester. 1894Parker's Gloss. Heraldry 476 Azure, a Presbyter John hooded sitting on a tombstone.
Hence Prester-ˈJohnian a. nonce-wd., of or pertaining to Prester John.
a1643W. Cartwright Ordinary i. iv, On them, a lay Of Prester-Johnian whispers. |