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.