Difference between revisions of "Glossary"

Latest revision as of 18:36, 7 March 2007

alderman: (sometimes aldormann or ealdorman) The title of one exercising authority under the king over a former kingdom, a district, or county; later supplanted by the term earl.

All Saints: A celebration instituted to honour all the saints; celebrated November 1.

antipope: A pope elected in opposition to one believed to be canonically chosen; the result of a disputed or contested election.

calends: (sometimes kalends) The first day of the month in the Roman calendar; originally the day of the new moon.

Candlemas: (sometimes Purification of the Blessed Virgin) Marks the end of the Christmas and Epiphany season; celebrated February 2.

etheling (eðeling): (sometimes atheling) Generally used to designate anyone of noble birth; often used in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to denote royalty from Wessex.

ides: Originally the day of the full moon in the Roman calendar, later became the 15th of March, May, July & October and the 13th day in other months.

Invention of the Holy Cross (feast of): Commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by Helena, mother of Constantine, in A.D. 326; celebrated May 3.

midsummer: Originally the day of the summer solstice, traditionally celebrated on June 24.

mid-winter: The middle of winter, traditionally accepted to be Christmas Day (December 25).

nones: The ninth day before Ides in the Roman calendar; the 7th of March, May, July and October and the 5th of other months.

pall: Fine or rich cloth as used for the robes of persons of high rank; a cloth used on or at the altar, for any of various purposes.

Seven Sleepers: A feast day observed for the Saints "Maximianus, Malchus, Martinianus, Dionysius, Joannes, Serapion, and Constantinus" on July 27.

sheriff (scír3eréfa): A high officer, the representative of the royal authority, who presided in the shire-moot, and was responsible for the administration of the royal demesne and the execution of the law.

twelfth-day: The twelfth day after Christmas on which the festival of the Epiphany is celebrated; formerly observed as the closing day of the Christmas festivities; celebrated January 6.

Watling Street: A Roman road which ran from Dover on the southeast coast of England and is believed to have terminated at Viroconium, which is now Wroxeter in Shropshire.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ;alms : Money or goods collected for the poor; charity.
+;antipope : A pope elected in opposition to one believed to be canonically chosen; the result of a disputed or contested election.
 ;calends : (sometimes ''kalends'') The first day of the month in the Roman calendar; originally the day of the new moon.
@@ Line 30: / Line 32: @@
 ;pound : An English money of account (originally, a pound weight of silver).
+;relict : A widow or widower; the surviving spouse, usually female.
 ;right belief