Marshal [mahr-shuhl] Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French mareschal, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German marahscalc marshal, from marah horse + scalc servant Household… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Marshal
Berm [burm] Etymology: French berme, from Dutch berm strip of ground along a dike; akin to Middle English brimme brim 1) Strip of ground between… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Berm
Advowson [ad-vou-zuhn] Etymology: Middle English avoueson, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin advocation-, advocatio, from Latin, act of calling, from advocare 1) The right to appoint… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Advowson
Joist Etymology: Middle English giste, joiste, from Anglo-French giste, from Vulgar Latin *jacitum, from Latin jac?re to lie One of parallel timbers stretched from wall… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Joist
Michaelmas [mik-uhl-muhs] Etymology: Middle English mychelmesse, from Old English Michaeles mæsse Michael’s mass Michaelmas: The Feast of St. Michael on 29 Sept. (MEDIEV-L. Medieval Terms)… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Michaelmas
Exchequer [eks-chek-er] Etymology: Middle English escheker, from Anglo-French, chessboard, counting table, exchequer 1) The financial department of the royal government. The chief officers of the… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Exchequer
Barbican bahr-bi-kuhn Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French barbecane, from Medieval Latin barbacana 1) An outwork or forward extension of a castle gateway. (Gies, Joseph and… Read More »Medieval Term of the Week: Barbican
Rectory [rek-tuh-ree] The full income, endowments and office attached to the benefice of a parish church. (Heath, Peter. Church and Realm, 1272-1461, 367) *term definitions… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Rectory
Seneschal [sen-uh-shuhl] Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Gothic sineigs old and to Old High German scalc servant 1) Manager of… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Seneschal
Quintain [kwin-tn] Etymology: Etymology: Middle English quintaine, from Anglo-French, perhaps from Latin quintana street in a Roman camp separating the fifth maniple from the sixth… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Quintain