A glossary of Medieval Terms

This is a short list of some of the terms used in the Cadfael stories and their meanings.
*Advowson - The right to present a nominee to a vacant ecclesiastical benefice or church office. 
*Alltud - This is the name given to a foreigner who lives in Wales.
*Aumbries - A bookcase; a library, or an archive.
*Ambit - The area or sphere of control and influence of something; also, the open space surrounding a building or town, etc.
*Amerced - To impose a fine upon, to fine, to punish.
*Arbalest - A crossbow with a winding apparatus to enable the bow to be drawn. 
*Ashlar - Masonry employing flat or well-squared stone or brick.
*Assart - Forest land cleared for agriculture.
*Baldric - The belt which crossed the chest from the shoulder to the hip and used to support a sword. 
*Banker - The stone bench on which a mason cuts or squares his work.
*Bannerole - A thin ribbon which was attached to the tip of a lance or long spike. 
*Beard - To boldly and bravely oppose or confront, often to the chagrin of the one being bearded.
*Besetting - Deeply rooted or embedded.
*Blackavised - Dark-complexioned; swarthy.
*Blench - To shrink back, to flinch, to quail; to draw back from.
*Bliaut - A unisex overgarment worn in 12th-century Western Europe, featuring voluminous skirts and horizontal puckering or sometimes pleating across a snugly fitted underbust abdomen.
*Bodice - The upper part of a woman's dress, or a top worn by the woman over a blouse. 
*Bratticed - A wooden structure built over the entry to a castle for archers to shoot from.
*Breviary - A book containing prayers, hymns, and so on for everyday use at the canonical hours.
*Brychan - A blanket made of home spun wool. 
*By-blow - An illegitimate child; a child of an unknown or unmarried father. 
*Byre - A barn, especially one used for keeping cattle in.
*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. 
*Cantref - A medieval land division in Wales
*Cantrip - A willful piece of trickery or mischief; also, a spell or incantation.
*Capuchon - A hood, similar to a cowl which wrapped around the wearer's neck. 
*Cariad - Welsh for beloved. 
*Carminative - Relieving the discomfort of gas in the digestive tract.
*Cassock - Long garment, the habit worn by monks. Nowadays cassocks are worn by priests. 
*Castellan - The name given to the ruler of a castle. 
*Cavil - To criticize for petty or frivolous reasons.
*Cellarer - The person, usually in a monastery, responsible for food and drinks.
*Chatelaine - The lady of a manor house. 
*Chausses - Worn by medieval men on the legs, similar to tights. 
*Clapperdish - A wooden dish once carried by alms seekers having a lid that could be clapped to attract attention and also, if carried by a leper, to warn of approach; see also clapdish.
*Clas - A Celtic monastery.
*Cob - A horse having a stout body and short legs.
*Colloquy - A conversation or dialogue; a formal conference (obs.)
*Commote - A secular division of lands (esp. in Wales).
*Coif - Cap worn by nuns under their veils. 
*Conning - Studying or examining carefully.
*Conversus - A man who joins the monkhood after living in the outside world. 
*Coppicing - The act of cutting back a woody plant to promote new growth.
*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. 
*Cresset - A metal cage, basket or cup with fire in it, used for various purposes.
*Croft - A piece of pastureland next to a house.
*Cross-grained - Having an irregular rather than parallel grain; also, difficult to deal with, contrary or troublesome.
*Currier - A comb for grooming a horse. 
*Decoction - An extraction or essence of something, obtained by boiling it down; also, the process of boiling something down in this way.
*Demesne - Any land retained by a lord for his own use. 
*Diocese - A district which contains a cathedral. 
*Distrained - To seize somebody's property in place of, or to force, payment of a debt.
*Dortoir - The monks' sleeping area.
*Dovecote - A small house or box, often raised to a considerable height above the ground, having compartments (pigeonholes) in which pigeons breed; a dove house.
*Electuary - Medicinal powder which is mixed with honey to be taken orally. 
*Eremite - A religious hermit. 
*Espringale - A military machine like a large crossbow. 
*Estampie - A medieval French dance.
*Exigence - The demands or requirements of a situation; also, an urgent situation.
*Febrifuge - A fever-reducing medication.
*Frater - The monk's common dining room. 
*Furze - A thorny evergreen shrub.
*Gage - Something as a glove or other pledge thrown down as a challenge to combat; also, something valuable deposited as pledge, security, or ransom.
*Garderobe - A medieval lavatory. Shafts cut through the thickness of the wall. Also, a storeroom or wardrobe.
*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. 
*Greensward - A tract of land that is green with grass.
*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. 
*Havering - Hesitant or indecisive behavior; also, long-winded.
*Hauberk - A chainmail coat, originally to defend the neck and shoulders. 
*Helm - The medieval helmet. 
*Hob - The flat projection or iron shelf at the side of a fire grate, where things are put to be kept warm.
*Hobbledehoy - An awkward, adolescent youth.
*Hod - A three-sided box mounted on a pole for carrying bricks; a hodful is enough to fill a hod.
*Horarium - The monastic timetable, divided into canonical hours, or offices, of Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline. 
*Hurple - An impediment similar to a limp; to walk with a limp.
*Husbandman - A tenant farmer. 
*Implead - To sue in court.
*Intaglio - A design or piece of art which is engraved or etched into something.
*Jennet - A female donkey, a jenny.
*Jess - A short strap attached around a hawk's leg in falconry. 
*Jongleur - An itinerant entertainer in Medieval England and France whose roles included song, music, acrobatics; a troubadour; a juggler; a conjurer; see also a charlatan, conman, or mountebank.
*Largesse - Money or gifts, bestowed freely by an important person on a great occasion. 
*Lazarhouse - A building used to house lepers.
*Leat (Leet) - An artificial waterway, used to divert water for use in a mill, etc. 
*Leveret - A young hare less than one year old.
*Liefer - Preferentially, rather
*Linctus - Any syrupy medication; especially a remedy for coughs.
*Litany - A series of phrases or prayers recited alternately by priest 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. 
*Louted - To bend, bow, or stoop (obsolete).
*Lye - A strong alkaline solution used for washing, cleaning and making soap. 
*Maenol - a defined territory organized and ordered around the power exercised by a king, not a kinsman (Welsh).
*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 fertilizer.
*Mellow stone wall - Mellow Stone is a multi-tone stone color which has been achieved using a combination of buff and brown. It is ideally suited to creating the traditional Cotswold stone look.
*Messuage - A house with its adjoining land and out-buildings, usually rented. 
*Midden - Dung heap. 
*Mill leat - A fast-running water-filled channel diverted from a river or stream used to drive the millwheel in a watermill; see also mill race.
*Missal - A prayer book, containing all the services for celebrating Mass throughout the year. 
*Moiety - a share or portion, especially a smaller share; also, a half.
*Moneyer - A minter of coins. 
*Mort - a great quantity or number.
*Mountebank - A trickster or an entertainer. 
*Mullion - The upright post dividing the lights in a window. 
*Mull wine - A red wine with spices (e.g. cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger) served hot.
*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 - Any of several infectious diseases in cattle (such as anthrax).
*Myrmidon - A faithful servant who carries out orders without question. 
*Nacre - Mother of pearl. 
*Napery - household linen especially, table linen.
*Obedientiary - The holder of a monastic rank or office below that of a superior.
*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. 
*Outremer - The French Crusader States established in the Middle East after the First Crusade.
*Palatine - (of an official or feudal lord) Having local authority and possessing royal privileges that elsewhere belongs only to a sovereign.
*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. 
*Pectoral - Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or the lungs.
*Penteulu - The Welsh rank of captain of the royal guard. 
*Pikel - A pitchfork
*Pillion - A pad behind the saddle of a horse for a second rider.
*Pleached - Intertwined, interwoven, plaited; of a hedge, trees, etc. created by interweaving branches.
*Pommel - The upward pointing front part of a saddle. 
*Poniard - A dagger. 
*Postern - A back gate, back door, side entrance, or other gateway distinct from the main entrance.
*Posset - A beverage composed of hot milk curdled by some strong infusion, such as wine.
*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. 
*Rapt -- To transport or ravish; also, to carry away by force.
*Rebec - A three stringed instrument, played with a bow. 
*Rheum - A watery discharge from the nose or eyes. 
*Sacristy - A room in a church where sacred books, vessels, vestments, etc. are kept, sometimes used by clergy to prepare for worship or for meetings.
*Saddle-bow - The front part of the saddle that is arched up like a bow.
*Sarn - A pavement or stepping stone; also, a causeway (ancient Welsh)
*Saeson - An Englishman. 
*Seisin - the act of taking possession; also, an entitlement to a freehold estate with a right to immediate possession.
*Sett - the system of tunnels that is the home of a badger.
*Scabbard - The sheath of a dagger or sword. 
*Scamp - to skimp; to do something skimpy or in a slipshod fashion.
*Sconce - The wall bracket which held a candle or torch. 
*Scrip - A small medieval bag used to carry food, money, utensils etc.
*Scrofulous - having an unkempt or unhealthy appearance.
*Seisin - An entitlement to a freehold estate with a right to immediate possession; also, the act of taking possession, or the thing possessed (property).
*Selion - a medieval open strip of land or small field used for growing crops.
*Serried -- crowded together in rows (especially in troops).
*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. 
*Solar - (obsolete) A loft or upper chamber forming the private accommodation of the head of the household in a medieval hall; a garret room.
*Sop - Something given or done to pacify or bribe.
*Sortes - Divination, or the seeking of guidance, by chance selection of a passage in the Bible or another text regarded as authoritative.
*Springe - A snare; also, to catch in a snare, to ensnare.
*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. 
*Spinney - A small copse or wood, especially one planted as a shelter for game birds.
*Springe - A sprung noose used to snare small game. 
*Stoup - A tankard or other drinking vessel. 
*Stravaiging - to stroll, to roam aimlessly, to wander.
*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. 
*Tirewoman - a lady's maid.
*Tithe - The tax on labour and produce from the land used to support the clergy, usually 10%. 
*Tocsin - An alarm bell.
*Toft - a homestead, especially one on a hill.
*Toper - A heavy drinker or drunkard. 
*Touchstone - A heavy black stone, usually jasper or basalt, used to test the quality of gold or silver. 
*Tref - A hamlet in Britain in pre-Saxon times.
*Trencher - A wooden platter used for food. 
*Troche - A small medicinal lozenge. 
*Troth - An oath, pledge, or promise.
*Turves - pieces of turf; also, as a verb, to cover with pieces of turf.
*Uchelwr - The nearest Welsh equivalent to an English nobleman. 
*Undercroft - A cellar or vaulted storage room.
*Urchin - A hedgehog (obsolete).
*Vallations - ramparts or entrenchments
*Vassal - The holder of a small plot of land from a lord. In return for his services, he received protection from the lord. 
*Vellum - A type of parchment paper made from the skin of a lamb, baby goat, or calf. 
*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. 
*Victuals - 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. 
*Weal - Wealth, or riches.
*Wicket - A small door or gate built in or beside a larger door. 
*Widdershins - anticlockwise, counter-clockwise. Also, the wrong way. 
*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.