Glossary Advowson - in English ecclesiastical law, the right of presentation to a vacant benefice. Battledore - A wooden paddle used either in washing to agitate and beat clothes, or to load items into a kiln or oven. Benefice - a Church office yielding an income to its holder, or the revenue or property attached to that office. Canon - a clergyman belonging to the staff of a cathedral. Chaffyndysh (Chafing dish) - A vessel with an outer pan of hot water for keeping food warm. Chancel - that part of the east end of a church in which the alter is placed, usually applied to the whole continuation of the nave east of the crossing. Clerestory - upper storey of the nave walls of a church, pierced by windows. Combe (or coombe) - a dry measure of capacity equal to four bushels. Decorated (style) - historical division of English Gothic architecture covering the period from c. 1290 to c. 1350. It was characterised by a desire to break up the lines of a structure, typified by the use of the ogee arch or window, and could be quite rich and even frivolous. Easter Sepulchre - recess with tomb-chest, usually in the wall of a chancel, the tomb-chest to receive an effigy of Christ for Easter celebrations. Executor - the person appointed by a testator to execute a will. Hagge sawe - a saw used to coppice trees. Legatee - one to whom a legacy is bequeathed. Mark - a former monetary unit and coin in England and Scotland, worth two-thirds of a pound. Misericord - bracket placed on the underside of a hinged choir stall seat which, when turned up, provided the occupant of the seat with a support during long periods of standing. [translates as 'mercy']. Milch kine - dairy cattle. Nave - the central space in a church, often flanked by aisles. Ogee arch or window - a double-curved
arch, employed in wood on choir stalls and in stone on
window tracery and wall niches. Perpendicular (style) - historical division of English Gothic architecture covering the period from c. 1335-50 to c. 1530. It formed a backlash against the richness of the Decorated style and emphasized the straight lines of a building, with a strong vertical emphasis. Poople bordes - Wooden boards used to make the dicky or seat at the back of a cart or carriage. Quearn (quern) - a pair of stones used to grind grain. Regency (period) - between the years 1811-20. Sepulchre - a burial vault, tomb or grave. Sizar (Cambridge University. ) - A poor scholar whose assize of food is given him. Sizars used to have what was left at the fellows' table, because it was their duty at one time to wait on the fellows at dinner. Each fellow had his sizar. Skeppe - A basket or container of a certain capacity. A bee skeppe was a bee hive. Tenement - in property law, any form of permanent property, such as land, dwelling, shop etc. Testator - a person who dies leaving a will or testament in force. Trental - a set of thirty requiem masses. Vergesse - The juice of green or unripe grapes, crab-apples or other sour fruit, made into a liquor. Was once much used in cooking as a condiment, or for medicinal purposes.
Wolle Cardys (Wool cards) - tools used for combing wool to remove knots and impurities before spinning. Wymbell (Wimble) - a gimlet; a tool used for boring small holes in wood. Yeoman - A freehold farmer who cultivates his own land; a "rich peasant" exemplified by the English longbowmen of Agincourt. To search for a word not given here, follow this link |
