clæc

Clæc is an Old English word that generally translates to "clay" or "pottery." Its usage in Anglo-Saxon texts referred to the material itself, a type of earth that could be molded and fired. This included both natural clay deposits and the finished ceramic products made from it. The term would have encompassed a range of uses, from simple earthenware vessels for cooking and storage to more refined pottery objects. The manufacture of clæc was a significant craft in Anglo-Saxon England, with evidence of kilns and workshops found at various archaeological sites. The properties of clæc, its malleability when wet and durability when fired, made it an essential material for everyday life. The word's presence in the lexicon highlights the importance of ceramic production in the material culture of the period. Beyond its literal meaning, "clæc" could sometimes carry metaphorical weight, though its primary denotation remained the earthy substance and its products.