The Silence of Stones
Page 28
Each-uisge Literally ‘water horse’ in Gaelic. A deadly water spirit or demon.
Ekename Nickname.
Explosive Powder Black powder, gun powder.
Fitheach Gaelic for raven.
Forecastle A raised area at the bow of a ship, a place to observe oncoming enemies, perhaps. Today it’s pronounced fo’c’sle, but in Crispin’s day it was still pronounced as it is spelled.
Gonne Fourteenth-century spelling for the newest weapon and soldier, ‘gun’ and ‘gunner.’
Gunwale Edge of the hull of a ship, where one might lean over the side in a case of mal de mare. Today it’s pronounced gun’l, but in Crispin’s day it, too, was still pronounced as it is spelled.
Mormaer A medieval high steward of a province in Scotland. English equivalent to ‘earl.’
Pavior A man who lays pavers.
Plinth A heavy base at the bottom of a column, statue, or tomb.
Pluralis Majestatis The Royal ‘We.’ Referring to oneself in the plural. Literally, ‘the plural of majesty.’ King Richard was fond of this formality to set himself apart from others.
Rood Screen Architectural partition in a church that separates the quire (choir) or chancel (the area around the altar) from the nave (the long corridor down the center of the church where the laity stands for services). It might be a wooden screen or even a set of stone arches. The rood is an Old English term for cross or crucifix.
Trapper A colorful cloth covering, or leather or metal covering for a horse.
Tyler A man who covers a roof with tiles.