picard

The earliest mention of 'picardus' dates back to around 1100 and concerns a certain 'willelmus picardus' ("William the Picard") who died during the First Crusade. The term is attested in Latin in the writing of Matthew, in his 'Chronica maiora' written presumably between 1236 and 1248, and qualifies the students originating from the region "neighboring Flanders": "Those who stirred up the turbulent strife were from the parts contiguous to Flanders, whom we commonly call Picards." (1285) 'Langage pickart' (attested in the Livre Roisin)