Medieval Glossary

Oriel: 1) Projecting room on an upper floor (in the medieval sense; later an upper-floor bay window). (Gies, Joseph and Francis. Life in a Medieval… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Oriel

Soke: 1) Land attached to a central manor for payment of dues and for judicial purposes. Often large units – perhaps of very ancient origin.… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Soke and Sokeman

A vicomte was a French nobleman corresponding in rank to a British or Irish viscount. A comte was the same as a count. *Source: Oxford… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Vicomte and Comte

Geld 1) The Anglo-Saxon land tax used for military purposes, especially the payment of the royal fleet (geld = payment or tribute in Old English).… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week

Cantred: – Name applied by Anglo-Normans (usually when making grants of land) to pre-existing territorial units; later used of administrative divisions of certain counties in… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Cantred or Cantref

Thanks to a friend of mine for recommending this term. Assize /??sa?z/ Show Spelled[uh–sahyz] Etymology: Middle English assise, from Anglo-French, session, legal action, from asseer,… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Assize

Jupon /?d?up?n, d?u?p?n; Fr. ?ü?p??/ Show Spelled[joo-pon, joo-pon; Fr. zhy–pawn] Etymology: 1350–1400; ME jopo(u)n < MF jupon, equiv. to OF jupe a kind of jacket… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Jupon

Terrage Levy of 4th, 9th or 12th sheaf of the harvest. (Duby, Georges. Rural Economy and Country Life in the Medieval West, 555)

Moot (gemot in old English) A court or meeting, as in burhgemot, portmoot or portmanmoot – common names for town courts, or the London folkmoot… Read More »Medieval History Term of the Week: Moot