GLOSSARY. À, of, as Thomas à Kent, Thomas of Kent. AB'ACUS, the staff of office of the commander of the Knights Templars. ABBEY-STEDE, an abbey with its lands. ABROACH, tapped. AGNUS CASTUs, a willow-like tree, be able to transmute common ALEM'BIC, a chemical vessel used for distilling. ALFRED, the greatest of the Saxon kings; reigned, 872-901. AMICE (Am'is), a long priestly cloak, also a hood. AVAUNT, begone. AVE (Hail), the first word of an invocation or prayer to the Virgin Mary. AVE MARIA (Hail, Mary), see Ave. AVOUCH, 1. to maintain, answer for; 2. to affirm. BALDRIC, a shoulder-belt, a girdle. BAN, to curse. BANDITTI, Outlaws, robbers. BARBED, clothed with armor (said of a horse). BARBICAN, an outwork of a castle. It usually defends the entrance over a drawbridge. BARRIERS, 1. the palisades or fence enclosing the ground for a tournament; 2. the fortifications beyond the outer walls of a castle. BARROW, a burial mound; grave. BARTISAN, a balcony or overhanging turret of a tower or castle. BASTA! enough! stop! BAUBLE, a stick with a fool's head carved on it, carried by a jester or fool. BAY (turned to bay), to turn and face one's pursuers, as a stag turns against the dogs. BEACON-LIGHT, signal-light. BEADS. Under the name of a rosary, beads are used by Roman Catholies in counting or telling their prayers. BEAKER, a large drinking-cup. BEAU-SEANT (said to be a corruption of Baussant, black and white), the war-cry of the Templars, referring to their banner, which was black and white, indicating that they were terrible to their enemies (the Saracens or Mohammedans), and helpful to their friends (the Chris- BEAVER, the movable part of a hel- BELIAL, an evil spirit, Satan. BENEDICITE, bless ye, or be ye blest. BESHREW, to wish a curse upon. BILL, a kind of spear with a cutting edge. BLACK-LETTER, old English print, so called from its heavy type or black letters. BLENCH, to shrink from. BLESSED LADY, the Virgin Mary. BLITHE, merry. BLOTCH, an eruption of the skin, an Egyptian disease. BODKIN, an instrument for piercing holes in cloth. BOLT, an arrow for a cross-bow. BOLT-HEAD, the steel head of a bolt or arrow. BONNET, a round cap. that inflicts punishment, the side of severity as opposed to mercy. BRAGGART, a vain, boasting person. BRAKE, a place overgrown with brushwood, etc., a thicket. BRAND, a sword. BRAWN, pork boiled, pressed, and pickled. BREVIARY, a Roman Catholic ser- BROTHER, to act as a brother toward. BUCKLER, a small shield, carried on the arm. BUCKLERED, defended, protected. CAFTAN, a Persian garment. CAITIFF, a despicable knave. CANARY, wine made in the Canary Islands. CANDELABRA, tall or branched candlesticks. CANON, a law or rule of the Church, or the rules of a religious order, as the Templars. CANONIZE, to declare a saint. CARACOLE, to move in half-turns, to wheel. CARDECU, a small French coin. CARDINAL, a dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church, next in rank to the Pope. CARTEL, a written defiance or challenge. CASQUE, a helmet. CASSOCK, 1. an outer coat; 2. gar ment worn by priests. CAST, 1. a trick; 2. a throw. CAVALCADE, a procession of persons on horseback. CELIBACY, the state of being single CHAMBERLAIN, one who has the charge of the apartments of a king or person of high rank. CHAMFRON, armor for the head of a horse. CHANCEL, that part of a church where the altar or communiontable is placed. CHAPLET, a garland or wreath for the head. CHAPTER, 1. a division or branch of a society or brotherhood; 2. the body of persons who manage the affairs of a cathedral, or religious house. CHAPTER-HOUSE, the building attached to a cathedral or religious house, where the Chapter meets for business. CHARGER, a war-horse. CHATTELS, any property except land. CHIAN WINE, a kind of Greek wine. CHIVALRY, 1. knighthood; 2. the qualifications of a knight, as courtesy, valor, dexterity in arms, etc. CHURL, 1. one of the lowest class of freemen, a peasant; 2. a rude, surly fellow. CISTERCIAN, one of an order of monks founded at Citeaux, France. CLARION, a shrill-sounding trumpet. CLERGY, REGULAR AND SECULAR: the former were those who lived together under some religious rule, as the monks; the latter, those who had the care of par ishes, as the priests. CLERK, a priest, monk, or friar. CLIPT WITHIN THE RING: ancient coins were neither strictly round nor milled on the edge as at present, and dishonest persons could therefore clip off a small piece without its showing; in this case the piece cut off was so great that it came within the circle or ring on the face. CLOTH-YARD SHAFT, an arrow the length of a yard for measuring cloth. CLOUT, the white cloth in the centre of a target. CNICHT, a military attendant. COAT OF MAIL, a shirt of small interlinked steel rings, or of small plates, overlapping like the scales of a fish. COCKLE-SHELLS, shells found in abundance on the coasts of both England and Palestine, and worn by pilgrims as a sign that they had visited the Holy Land. COCKSCOMB, 1. an ornament resembling the comb of a cock, worn on a fool's cap; 2. the cap itself. COLLOP, a slice of meat. COMMONS, the common people, those without rank. COMPLAISANCE, desire of giving pleasure, civility. COMPOUND, to buy off or compromise with. COMPT, an account, reckoning. CONGEE, a bow or courtesy. CONNOISSEUR, a person skilled in some branch of knowledge. COPE, a kind of cloak, with a hood, worn by priests. COPING, the top of a wall. CORSELET, armor covering the body. assist in raising a drawbridge. COURSER, a swift horse, a war-horse. COVER, Woods, underbrush, etc., which serve as a hiding-place for game. COWL, a hood, especially a monk's hood. CRAVEN, a coward. CREDO, the creed of the Roman Catholic Church, the "Apostles' Creed." CREST, 1. the plume, etc., on the top of the helmet, or the helmet itself; 2. the figure or device surmounting a coat of arms. CRISPING-TONGS, tongs for curling the hair. CROSIER, a bishop's staff or crook. CROSS, a coin, half a crown. CROSS-BOW, a bow attached crosswise to a stock like that of a gun. CROWDER, a fiddler, a minstrel. CROWN, a silver coin, worth about $1.20. CRUSADES, military expeditions undertaken by Christians in the Middle Ages, for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Mohammedans or infidels. CRYPT, 1. a cell for burial under a church; 2. that part of a church or chapel beneath the ground, the vaults. CUBIT, a measure of length, about eighteen inches. CURFEW, a bell rung in the evening as a signal for covering fires, extinguishing lights, and retiring to rest. The practice was introduced into England by William the Conqueror. CURTAL-FRIAR, one who acted as gate-keeper to a monastery. CUT-TAIL AND LONG-TAIL, all sorts of people, high and low. CYNTHIA, a surname of Diana, a Greek goddess; the moon. DAIS, the raised floor at the upper end of a dining-hall. DAMASCENE CARVING, carving done at Damascus, Syria, which was famous for its steel. DELL, a deep, narrow valley. DEMI-COURBETTE, a peculiar halfleap, or bound, by a horse. DEMIVOLTE, a kind of half-leap. DERRING-DO, a desperate deed. DESDICHADO (literally, Unfortu nate), Disinherited. DESPARDIEUX, By Heavens! DESTRIER, a heavy war-horse. DINGLE, a narrow, secluded valley. DOLE, money or provisions given in charity. DON, a river in the North of England, Southern Yorkshire. DONJON, the keep or stronghold of a castle. DORTOUR, a sleeping-room. DOUBLET, a close-fitting garment for men, originally double or wadded, for defence. DOUBTED, feared or apprehended. DOUGHTY, valiant, often in an ironical sense. DOWRY, a sum of money given with a daughter at marriage. DRAFF, refuse malt, food for swine. DRAWBRIDGE, a bridge over a moat or ditch at the entrance of a castle. It could be drawn up or let down at pleasure. DRINK HAEL, literally, drink health, i.e. I drink your health. DRUIDICAL, pertaining to the Druids or priests of early Britain. DUBIETY, uncertainty. DUCAT, a silver or gold coin, worth from about 75 cents to $2.25. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR, the last but one of the Saxon kings, reigned, 1041–1066. EDWARD III., king of England, EMBRASURE, an opening in the wall ENNUI, languor or weariness from lack of occupation. ENVOY, a messenger. EPICUREAN, pleasure-loving. EQUERRY, an officer who has the care of the horses of nobles or princes. ERMINE, a kind of fur. ESCUTCHEON, the shield on which a coat of arms is represented. ESPLANADE, an open or level piece of ground. ESQUIRE, see Squire. ESSOINE, excuse or exemption. ESTRADA, an elevated part of the. floor of a room. EVEN-SONG, evening worship. EXCHEQUER OF THE JEWS, a tax laid on the Jews by the Court of Exchequer, which had charge of the king's revenue. EXCOMMUNICATION, expulsion from the Roman Catholic Church. excommunicated person is believed to be lost. EXORCISM, the expulsion of evil spirits by prayers and ceremonies. An FACTION, a political party seeking its own private advantage and not the public good. FAIRE LE MOULINET, (literally, to imitate a small mill, or the small wheel of a wind-mill); to flourish a cudgel. FALCHION (fawl-chun), a broad, short sword, with a slightly curved point. FALCON, a fierce bird of prey, like the hawk, which in the Middle Ages was trained to hunt game. FALCON-WAYS, to attack like a falcon, swoop down on. FATHER, a title of respect. FAYRE (a fayre for the maistrie), one likely to succeed. FETTERLOCK, a kind of fetter put on the leg of a horse when turned out to pasture, to prevent him from running off. A representation of it is often seen on coats of arms. FETTER-KEY, a key to a fetterlock. horse-cloth completely covering the animal and reaching to his feet. FORBODE, forbid. FOREFEND, ward off, prevent. FOREST CHARTER, the charter or law which threw open the forests for hunting; see Disforested. FRANKLIN, a name given by the Normans to one of the inferior Saxon gentry, a substantial householder. FREE COMPANY, see Mercenaries. FRENCH CROWN, a French coin. FRIAR, literally, a brother, a member of any Roman Catholic religious order, but especially one of an order of monks who supported themselves by begging; mendicant friars. These did not land in England until 1221. FROCK, a priest's or monk's dress. FRUCTUS TEMPORUM, "Fruit of the Times," name of a book. FURNITURE, equipments for a horse or mule. GABERDINE, a loose, upper-garment. bat, as a glove thrown down, |