Dictionary For The Historically Challenged

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

This is where we can get help with a specific word, and what it means.


Bailey - A Bailey in a castle is a courtyard. In the Bailey there were guardrooms, stables, kitchens and storerooms. The Bailey would be in between the gateway and the motte.

The type of castle called motte and Bailey castle was named after the Bailey and motte inside it. The Bailey has just been described above. The motte is a keep at the top of the hill.

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Bluestocking - A bluestocking is an educated, intellectual woman. Such women are stereotyped as being frumpy and the reference to blue stockings refers to the time when woolen worsted stockings were informal dress, as compared with formal, fashionable black silk stockings.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluestocking

******

curricle

A curricle was a smart, light two-wheeled chaise or "chariot", large enough for the driver and a passenger and— most unusual for a vehicle with a single axle—usually drawn by a carefully-matched pair of horses. It was popular in the early 19th century: its name — from the Latin curriculum, meaning "running", "racecourse" or "chariot"[1:] — is the equivalent of a "runabout" and it was a rig suitable for a smart young man who liked to drive himself, at a canter. The French liked the English-sounding term "carrick" for these vehicles. The lightweight swept body with just the lightest dashboard hung with a pair of lamps was hung from a pair of outsized swan-neck leaf springs at the rear. For a grand show in the Bois de Boulogne or along the seafront at Honfleur, two liveried mounted grooms might follow. (See picture on post number 34.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curricle

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Dais - Dais (pronounced /ˈdeɪ.əs/ or /ˈdaɪ.əs/[1:]) is any raised platform located either within or without a room or enclosure, often for dignified occupancy, as at the front of a lecture hall or sanctuary.

Historically, the dais was a part of the floor at the end of a medieval hall, raised a step above the rest of the room. On this the lord of the manor dined with his intimates at the high table, apart from the retainers and servants. In medieval halls there was generally a deep recessed bay window at one or at each end of the dais, supposed to be for retirement or greater privacy than the open hall could afford.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dais

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Fortnight - The fortnight is a unit of time equivalent to fourteen days. The word derives from the Old English feorwertyne niht, meaning "fourteen nights"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortnight

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gig

Gigs travelling at night would normally carry two oil lamps with thick glass, known as gig-lamps. Gig carts are constructed with the driver's seat sitting higher than the level of the shafts. Traditionally, a gig is more formal than a village cart or a meadowbrook cart. A light gig can be used for carriage racing. OED gives the date of first known reference to a horse-drawn gig as 1791. (See image in post 35)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig

*****

Larder - In medieval households the larder was an office responsible for meat and fish, as well as the room where these commodities were kept. It was headed by a larderer. The Scots term for larder was the spence, and so in Scotland larderers (also pantlers and cellarers) were known as spencers. This is one of the derivations of the modern surname.

The office generally was subordinated to the kitchen, and only existed as a separate office in larger households. It was closely connected with other offices of the kitchen, such as the saucery and the scullery.

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motte - A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle situated on a raised earthwork and surrounded by a protective fence. Many were built in Britain, Ireland and France in the 11th and 12th centuries, favoured as a relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel most small attacks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motte-an...

*****

Sandalwood - Sandalwood is the name of different fragrant woods.

Sandalwood essential oil provides perfumes with a striking wood base note. Sandalwood smells somewhat like other wood scents, except it has a bright and fresh edge with few natural analogues. When used in smaller proportions in a perfume, it is an excellent fixative to enhance the head space of other fragrances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandalwood

*****

Score - Score is related to "share" and comes from the Old Norse "skor" meaning a "notch" or "tally" on a stick used for counting. ... Often people counted in 20s; every 20th notch was larger, and so "score" also came to mean 20. (Definition from John H. Conway and Richard K. Guy, The Book of Numbers. New York: Copernicus (1996))

Therefore, the number of twenty can also be called a score.

*****

Sennight - means a week, also from Old English to refer to seven nights.

Fortnight which refers to a 2 week period is still used in UK and Australia.

eg. We say, "We will organise the meeting to occur once every fortnight" rather than saying "once every two weeks".

*****

sirrah

Main Entry: sir·rah
Variant(s): also sir·ra \ˈsir-ə\
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of sir
Date: 1526
obsolete —used as a form of address implying inferiority in the person addressed

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Solar - In relation to the castle, the solar or great chamber was the lord's private apartment, or withdrawing room. Its location was beyond the dais (a raised platform for the high table) or high table end of the hall, usually on the first floor level over an undercroft (plain room used for storage). Sometimes, builders placed a solar in a mural tower or in the keep. In a keep, the solar was located on the protected side so that it could have windows instead of slits to take advantage of the sun. In later medieval fortified manor houses, the solar wing was located in a tower.

Oftentimes the lady of the castle reserved the solar for her use. This type of solar or apartment is referred to as a bower. These often had elaborately plastered walls and decorative fireplaces. The bower became an essential part of medieval domestic accommodation.

It is unclear what date solars first came into use, or who was responsible for their invention.

*****

Stone - The stone is a unit of measure, abbreviation st[1:] which, when it ceased to be legal for trade in United Kingdom in 1985, was defined in British legislation as being a weight or mass [sic:] equal to 14 [avoirdupois:] pounds [about 6.35 kilograms:].[2:] It was also formerly used in several Commonwealth countries.[citation needed:]

Eight stones make a hundredweight in the Imperial system. Given its imprecise definition, it is arguable whether one should use kilograms (a mass) or newtons (a weight/force) as the equivalent SI unit

******

titian hair

Red hair (also referred to as titian or ginger hair) varies from a deep orange-red through burnt orange to bright copper

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair

[Bekah, Fellow Kleypasaholic]

This will be fun!

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

I'm thrilled you started the other thread about furniture and things. I'm very into detail and when I read something, I want to be able to really see it... not have to guess. As an aspiring author I find that to be true, even more-so because I want things to be accurate.

[Eastofoz]

There's an excellent book about period clothes with pictures if anyone's interested: The History of Underclothes.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Wow, that looks great!! Thanks!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Certifiable St. Vinnie's Ninny]

I'd love to read that one, East.

[Eastofoz]

It's really interesting Danielle and worth having on the reference shelf :)

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

It's being transfered to my library. I might order it if I think it will help with the book I'm writing.

[Bekah, Fellow Kleypasaholic]

You're writing a book??? Do tell! I'm so envious, I would love to but I don't think I have the ability or talent.

[Pamela(AllHoney)]

I have great plots in my mind but I have no writing talent. :(

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Bekah wrote: "You're writing a book??? Do tell! I'm so envious, I would love to but I don't think I have the ability or talent."

Oh, as you can tell by reading my scatter brained posts, you don't have to have talent to write. LOL However, having read YOUR posts, I think you're selling yourself short.

I think everyone has a story floating around in their minds, a story just waiting to be told. I would suggest starting a file on your computer or getting a notebook and pen to keep at hand and just start writing the thoughts as they come to you.

Being as this is the first book I've written, or attempted to write, and it takes place in medieval times, I've had to spend a lot of time doing research. I'm a stickler for details... at least I try to be. This started out being one thing, then took on a life of its own. LOL

Anyway, give it a shot! It doesn't amtter what it is or if you think it's any good or not, write anyway!

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Pamela wrote: "I have great plots in my mind but I have no writing talent. :("

I repeat everything I just said to Bekah. And I'll add that the beauty of writing is the ability to express yourself in a way that no one ever has to read unless you want them to.

[Bekah, Fellow Kleypasaholic]

Thanks Dhestiny. You are absolutely right! I should just write for myself. I did actually start one when I was younger, I never finished. But I do have my original notebook where I wrote down all of my ideas for plots, clothes, names, and locations and such. I just am one of those people who start all kinds of things and never finishes them!

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Fortnight

The fortnight is a unit of time equivalent to fourteen days. The word derives from the Old English feorwertyne niht, meaning "fourteen nights"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortnight

[Lisarenee]

Bluestocking

A bluestocking is an educated, intellectual woman. Such women are stereotyped as being frumpy and the reference to blue stockings refers to the time when woolen worsted stockings were informal dress, as compared with formal, fashionable black silk stockings.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluestocking

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Thanks, Lisarenee! I love learning new words! :)

[Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*]

Sandalwood - Sandalwood is the name of different fragrant woods.

Sandalwood essential oil provides perfumes with a striking wood base note. Sandalwood smells somewhat like other wood scents, except it has a bright and fresh edge with few natural analogues. When used in smaller proportions in a perfume, it is an excellent fixative to enhance the head space of other fragrances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandalwood

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Lady Jayne wrote: "Sandalwood - Sandalwood is the name of different fragrant woods.

I wish I could actually smell this!!!

[Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*]

Sennight means a week, also from Old English to refer to seven nights.

Fortnight which refers to a 2 week period is still used in UK and Australia.

eg. We say, "We will organise the meeting to occur once every fortnight" rather than saying "once every two weeks". ^_^

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Larder

In medieval households the larder was an office responsible for meat and fish, as well as the room where these commodities were kept. It was headed by a larderer. The Scots term for larder was the spence, and so in Scotland larderers (also pantlers and cellarers) were known as spencers. This is one of the derivations of the modern surname.

The office generally was subordinated to the kitchen, and only existed as a separate office in larger households. It was closely connected with other offices of the kitchen, such as the saucery and the scullery.

[Eastofoz]

Big thanks to you guys giving those easy to understand explanations :D

How much is a "score"?

What would be the modern equivalent of the "solar"? Would you say a living room/den? What about a "bailey" would that be the "foyer"?

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Bailey

A Bailey in a castle is a courtyard. In the Bailey there were guardrooms, stables, kitchens and storerooms. The Bailey would be in between the gateway and the motte.

The type of castle called motte and Bailey castle was named after the Bailey and motte inside it. The Bailey has just been described above. The motte is a keep at the top of the hill.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Solar

In relation to the castle, the solar or great chamber was the lord's private apartment, or withdrawing room. Its location was beyond the dais (a raised platform for the high table) or high table end of the hall, usually on the first floor level over an undercroft (plain room used for storage). Sometimes, builders placed a solar in a mural tower or in the keep. In a keep, the solar was located on the protected side so that it could have windows instead of slits to take advantage of the sun. In later medieval fortified manor houses, the solar wing was located in a tower.

Oftentimes the lady of the castle reserved the solar for her use. This type of solar or apartment is referred to as a bower. These often had elaborately plastered walls and decorative fireplaces. The bower became an essential part of medieval domestic accommodation.

It is unclear what date solars first came into use, or who was responsible for their invention.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Dais

Dais (pronounced /ˈdeɪ.əs/ or /ˈdaɪ.əs/[1:]) is any raised platform located either within or without a room or enclosure, often for dignified occupancy, as at the front of a lecture hall or sanctuary.

Historically, the dais was a part of the floor at the end of a medieval hall, raised a step above the rest of the room. On this the lord of the manor dined with his intimates at the high table, apart from the retainers and servants. In medieval halls there was generally a deep recessed bay window at one or at each end of the dais, supposed to be for retirement or greater privacy than the open hall could afford.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dais

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

motte

A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle situated on a raised earthwork and surrounded by a protective fence. Many were built in Britain, Ireland and France in the 11th and 12th centuries, favoured as a relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel most small attacks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motte-an...

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Certifiable St. Vinnie's Ninny]

Wow. I'm getting all kinds of education here. Hugs, Dhestiny!

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

You're welcome! I am learning, too :)

[Julianna]

Eastofoz wrote: "Big thanks to you guys giving those easy to understand explanations :D

How much is a "score"? "

A score is twenty.

[Lisarenee]

Stone

The stone is a unit of measure, abbreviation st[1:] which, when it ceased to be legal for trade in United Kingdom in 1985, was defined in British legislation as being a weight or mass [sic:] equal to 14 [avoirdupois:] pounds [about 6.35 kilograms:].[2:] It was also formerly used in several Commonwealth countries.[citation needed:]

Eight stones make a hundredweight in the Imperial system. Given its imprecise definition, it is arguable whether one should use kilograms (a mass) or newtons (a weight/force) as the equivalent SI unit

[Lisarenee]

Uniquely Moi, Since you've got the first post I wonder if we should start listing them in alphabetical order at the top of the page?

[Lisarenee]

Julie, I saw what your wrote but thought I'd expand on it.

Score

Score is related to "share" and comes from the Old Norse "skor" meaning a "notch" or "tally" on a stick used for counting. ... Often people counted in 20s; every 20th notch was larger, and so "score" also came to mean 20. (Definition from John H. Conway and Richard K. Guy, The Book of Numbers. New York: Copernicus (1996))

Therefore, the number of twenty can also be called a score.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Lisarenee wrote: "Uniquely Moi, Since you've got the first post I wonder if we should start listing them in alphabetical order at the top of the page?"

That's a great idea.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Certifiable St. Vinnie's Ninny]

I'm so glad you posted what a stone was. I've always wondered.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

curricle



A curricle was a smart, light two-wheeled chaise or "chariot", large enough for the driver and a passenger and— most unusual for a vehicle with a single axle—usually drawn by a carefully-matched pair of horses. It was popular in the early 19th century: its name — from the Latin curriculum, meaning "running", "racecourse" or "chariot"[1:] — is the equivalent of a "runabout" and it was a rig suitable for a smart young man who liked to drive himself, at a canter. The French liked the English-sounding term "carrick" for these vehicles. The lightweight swept body with just the lightest dashboard hung with a pair of lamps was hung from a pair of outsized swan-neck leaf springs at the rear. For a grand show in the Bois de Boulogne or along the seafront at Honfleur, two liveried mounted grooms might follow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curricle

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

gig



Gigs travelling at night would normally carry two oil lamps with thick glass, known as gig-lamps. Gig carts are constructed with the driver's seat sitting higher than the level of the shafts. Traditionally, a gig is more formal than a village cart or a meadowbrook cart. A light gig can be used for carriage racing. OED gives the date of first known reference to a horse-drawn gig as 1791.

[Eastofoz]

Great idea adding pictures with the explanations :)

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Thank you! I like being able to actually see things.

[Lisarenee]

I love all these definitions. I started to use Sticky notes for bookmarks. I find them useful for marking words I want to look up. I use one per book and just tear off a sticky portion to mark the place of the word I'm interested in. When I'm done reading I go back and look up the word(s). Plus, as an added bonus, if my book falls the sticky note portions stay in place so I don't loose my place.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Great idea, Lisarenee! A friend gave me a book thong for Christmas. That helps as well.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Updated to add definition for titian hair which all of you were probably smart enough to figure out that it meant read hair. I am not that smart and had to look it up.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair

[Lisarenee]

beaux mondes (bō môNd'), or beau mondes (bō mŏndz').
The world of fashionable society or the fashionable elite.
(French : beau, good + monde, world, society.)

[Lisarenee]

Was looking for the definition of ton as used in historical novels. Could it be short for bon ton?
bon ton
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)bän-ˈtän, ˈbän-ˌ\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, literally, good tone
Date: 1747

1 a : fashionable manner or style b : the fashionable or proper thing
2 : high society

What do you think?

[Pamela(AllHoney)]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ton_%28l...

seems to be :)

[Lisarenee]

Thanks Pamela. Did you by chance mean this link(found it from your le bon ton hint):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ton_%28l...

The ton is a term commonly used to refer to Britain’s high society during the Georgian era, especially the Regency and reign of George IV. It comes from the French word meaning "taste" or "everything that is fashionable" and is pronounced the same way as tone. The full phrase is le bon ton, meaning good manners or "in the fashionable mode" – characteristics held as ideal by the British ton.

The terms Beau Monde and polite society have been interchangeable with le bon ton during different periods.

Ton has also been used as an interchangeable term with the Upper Ten Thousand of later 19th century society, including most of the peerage, aristocracy and the wealthy merchants or bankers of the City (London).

[Pamela(AllHoney)]

yes, I don't know why it messed the link up
oh well :)

[Lisarenee]

That's okay. I did have a funny expression on my face when I saw the definition. That is so something I would do. LOL

[Pamela(AllHoney)]

The book I'm reading refers to a macaroni. I had to look it up. Can't put link in correctly :(

A macaroni (or formerly maccaroni (OED),[1:] in mid-18th-century England, was a fashionable fellow who dressed and even spoke in an outlandishly affected and epicene manner. The term pejoratively referred to a man who "exceeded the ordinary bounds of fashion"[2:] in terms of clothes, fastidious eating and gambling. Like a practitioner of macaronic verse, which mixed together English and Latin to comic effect, he mixed Continental affectations with his English nature, laying himself open to satire:

"There is indeed a kind of animal, neither male nor female, a thing of the neuter gender, lately [1770:] started up among us. It is called a macaroni. It talks without meaning, it smiles without pleasantry, it eats without appetite, it rides without exercise, it wenches without passion.[3:]

[Lisarenee]

Does this have something to do with that old song????... Yankee Doodle went to town a riding on a pony. Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni. I always wondered what the heck they were talking about.

[Robin]

Vetiver is a scent referred to in Patience by Lisa Valdez. Its a type of grass http://www.bellasugar.com/What-vetive...

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish, Your Humble Servant]

Thank you soooooo much!