Literary notes about Contumacious (AI summary)
The term "contumacious" is employed in literature as a powerful adjective that characterizes individuals or groups who defy or resist authority in an obstinate manner. Writers use it in historical and legal narratives to denote a deliberate disobedience—be it a traitor condemned by ecclesiastical authorities [1, 2] or a rebellious figure in military engagements [3, 4]—and even in softer, character-driven portrayals where it lends a sense of stubborn nonconformity [5, 6]. Its application spans from formal declarations in religious treatises [7] to vivid narrative depictions in later novels [8, 9], thereby reinforcing themes of insolence and unyielding defiance that resonate across a spectrum of literary traditions.
- The saint was even said to have been put on his trial in mockery, declared contumacious, and condemned as a traitor.
— from Henry VIII. by A. F. (Albert Frederick) Pollard - But, the cardinal declared Huss contumacious, and excommunicated him accordingly.
— from Fox's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe - At Amersham, he had a sort of pitched battle with the contumacious soldiers.
— from Old Portraits and Modern Sketches Part 1 from Volume VI of The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier by John Greenleaf Whittier - It was in the twelfth century that a certain contumacious knight was imprisoned in the castle of Rhayader.
— from British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions by Wirt Sikes - Robert Hornblower, after a lifetime of meek submission, had suddenly become contumacious and unruly.
— from Other People's Business: The Romantic Career of the Practical Miss Dale by Harriet L. (Harriet Lummis) Smith - Henry must acknowledge himself entirely at his mercy, as a contumacious vassal, and accept any sentence imposed on him.
— from The History of England from the Norman Conquest to the Death of John (1066-1216) by George Burton Adams - Regarding these the context immediately adds, "And He shall threaten the contumacious," or, as another translator has it, "the unbelieving.
— from The City of God, Volume II by Bishop of Hippo Saint Augustine - Hard labor for life had been the sentence pronounced against the escaped and contumacious accomplices.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - He was arrested and cited to appear at Rome within eighty days, but could not do so, and was condemned as contumacious.
— from The Cathedral Towns and Intervening Places of England, Ireland and Scotland: A Description of Cities, Cathedrals, Lakes, Mountains, Ruins, and Watering-places. by Lee L. Powers
