A glossary of Medieval Terms
From Ars Magica
This is a short list of some of the terms used in the Cadfael stories and their meanings.
- Alltud - This is the name given to a foreigner who lives in Wales.
- Arbalest - A crossbow with a winding apparatus to enable the bow to be drawn.
- Baldric - The belt which crossed the chest from the shoulder to the hip and used to support a sword.
- Bannerole - A thin ribbon which was attached to the tip of a lance or long spike.
- Bodice - The upper part of a woman's dress, or a top worn by the woman over a blouse.
- Brychan - A blanket made of home spun wool.
- Caltrop - A small iron weapon. Made up of four spikes set so that however it was laid on the ground, one spike always pointed upwards. Used against horses and infantry.
- Capuchon - A hood, similar to a cowl which wrapped around the wearer's neck.
- Cariad - Welsh for beloved.
- Cassock - Long garment, used by monks.
- Castellan - The name given to the ruler of a castle.
- Chatelaine - The lady of a manor house.
- Chausses - Worn by medieval men on the legs, similar to tights.
- Coif - Cap worn by nuns under their veils.
- Conversus - A man who joins the monkhood after living in the outside world.
- Cottar - A Villein who is given a cottage in return for his work.
- Cotte - A medieval coat usually full length of knee length depending on class.
- Croft - A piece of pasture land next to a house.
- Currier - A comb for grooming a horse.
- Demesne - Any land retained by a lord for his own use.
- Diocese - A district which contains a cathedral.
- Dortoir - The monks sleeping area.
- Electuary - Medicinal powder which is mixed with honey to be taken orally.
- Eremite - A religious hermit.
- Espringale - A military machine like a large crossbow.
- Frater - The monk's common dining room.
- Garderobe - A medieval lavatory. Shafts cut through the thickness of the wall.
- Garth - The grassy quadrangle within the monastic cloisters.
- Geneth - Welsh for girl.
- Gentle - A person from an honorable family.
- Glebe - An area of land owned by a clergyman whilst in office.
- Grange - The lands and buildings of an outlying farm which belongs to a monastery.
- Groat - A small coin
- Gruel - Thin watery or milky porridge, usually fed to invalids.
- Guild - An association of tradesmen, formed to protect its members interests and to maintain standards.
- Gyve - An iron shackle, usually for the leg.
- Hauberk - A chainmail coat, originally to defend the neck and shoulders.
- Helm - The medieval helmet.
- Horarium - The monastic timetable, divided into canonical hours, or offices, of Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline.
- Husbandman - A tenant farmer.
- Jess - A short strap attached around a hawk's leg in falconry.
- Largesse - Money or gifts, bestowed freely by an important person on a great occasion.
- Leat (Leet) - An artificial waterway, used to divert water for use in a mill, etc.
- Litany - A series of phrases or prayers recited alternately by clergyman and congregation.
- Llys - The name given to the royal court of Welsh princes. All buildings of the Llys were made of timber.
- Lodestar - A star forming a fixed point of reference, such as the Pole Star.
- Lodestone - A magnetized piece of metal ore.
- Lye - A strong alkaline solution used for washing, cleaning and making soap.
- Mandora - An ancient stringed instrument, Ancestor of the mandolin.
- Mangonel - A military machine used for hurling bolts, stones and other missiles.
- Marl - Soil consisting of clay and lime and valuable as a fertiliser.
- Messuage - A house with its adjoining land and out-buildings, usually rented.
- Midden - Dung heap.
- Missal - A prayer book, containing all the services for celebrating Mass throughout the year.
- Moneyer - A minter of coins.
- Mountebank - A trickster or an entertainer.
- Mullion - The upright post dividing the lights in a window.
- Mummer - An actor or player in a traditional, usually religious, mime or masque.
- Murage - The tax levied to pay for building or repair to the walls of a town.
- Murrain - An infectious disease in cattle.
- Myrmidon - A faithful servant who carries out orders without question.
- Nacre - Mother of pearl.
- Oblatus - A monk who had been placed in the monastery from a very young age and therefore, had little experience of the outside world.
- Orts - Waste food or scraps.
- Ostler - A person who takes charge of horses.
- Palfrey - A saddled horse for a woman.
- Pallet - A narrow wooden bed or a straw-filled mattress.
- Palliative - A pain killer.
- Pannikin - A small metal cup or saucepan.
- Parfytours - Hunting hounds.
- Parole - The word of honour given by a prisoner that they would not escape if released from prison.
- Patten - A wooden sandal.
- Pavage - The tax levied to pay for the paving of streets.
- Penteulu - The Welsh rank of captain of the royal guard.
- Pommel - The upward pointing front part of a saddle.
- Poniard - A dagger.
- Prelate - An abbot, bishop or other high ranking member of the church.
- Prie-Dieu - The kneeling desk used for prayer.
- Pyx - A small box or casket, usually to contain the consecrated bread.
- Quintain - A target mounted on a post and tilted at by a horseman.
- Rebec - A three stringed instrument, played with a bow.
- Rheum - A watery discharge from the nose or eyes.
- Saeson - An Englishman.
- Scabbard - The sheath of a dagger or sword.
- Sconce - The wall bracket which held a candle or torch.
- Sheepfold - The enclosure for penning in sheep.
- Shriven - Someone who has received confession and has been absolved.
- Shut - A small alleyway running between the main streets of the town.
- Skiff - An open flat bottomed rowing boat.
- Sow - A long structure which was used to cover and protect a battery of men who were charging or ramming the walls of a fortress.
- Springe - A sprung noose used to snare small game.
- Stoup - A tankard or other drinking vessel.
- Sumpter - A pack horse.
- Synod - A council or assembly of bishops and other church officials.
- Tallow - Animal and vegetable fat used to make candles or soap.
- Timbrel - An instrument, similar to a tambourine.
- Tithe - The tax on labour and produce from the land used to support the clergy, usually 10%.
- Torsin - An alarm bell.
- Toper - A heavy drinker or drunkard.
- Touchstone - A heavy black stone, usually jasper or basalt, used to test the quality of gold or silver.
- Trencher - A wooden platter used for food.
- Troche - A small medicinal lozenge.
- Uchelwr - The nearest Welsh equivalent to an English nobleman.
- Vassal - The holder of a small plot of land from a lord. In return for his services, he received protection from the lord.
- Villein - A serf or tenant bound to the land and subject to the control of a lord. He was above the status of a slave, but could not marry without his lord's consent.
- Virelai - A short French poem.
- Vittles - Food and provisions to be used for human consumption.
- Votary - A person bound by vows to follow a certain way of life, usually religious.
- Wattle - Sticks interlaced with twigs and branches and used to build huts and fences.
- Wicket - A small door or gate built in or beside a larger door.
- Wimple - A linen or silk cloth folded round the head and wrapped under the chin. Worn by women especially wives and nuns.
- Yeoman - A respectable freeman, usually a farmer with the status of just below a gentleman. He could vote in county elections.