by Robert Low
COIF
Any hood which covered the head and shoulders. Usually refers to one made of ring-metal and worn like a modern balaclava.
COMMUNITY OF THE REALM
Medieval Scotland being enlightened – this referred to the rule of law by all the Kingdom, not just the King. However, it was the Middle Ages, so the Community referred to was one either with land and title, or rich merchant burghers from the towns. The commonality – peasants – of the realm still had no say.
COTE/SURCOTE
Old English and French for men’s and women’s outergarment. The male cote was a tunic varying in length half-way between waist and knee, sometimes slit for riding if the wearer was noble and almost always ‘deviced’ (ie bearing the wearer’s heraldry) if you’re someone of account. The TABARD was a sleeveless version. King John Balliol, whose ceremonial tabard was ritually stripped of the heraldic device, became known as ‘Toom Tabard’ (Empty Cote) forever after.
COWPED
Scots word for tumbled.
COZEN
To trick or deceive.
CROCKARD
The stability of Edward I’s coinage had the unfortunate side-effect of allowing merchants to take the silver penny abroad as currency. This enabled unscrupulous Low Country lords to mint a debased version, which became known as a crockard. See also POLLARD.
CROTEY
The dung of hare or coney (rabbit). See FIANTS.
DESTRIER
Not a breed, but a type of horse – the warhorse of the Middle Ages was powerful, trained and cosseted to the point where it was to be used, at which point, depending on the importance of the affray, it was considered expendable. Destrier is from the Vulgar Latin dextarius, meaning right-handed, either from the horse’s gait, or that it was mounted from the right side. Not as large, or heavy-footed as usually portrayed they were about the size of a good riding horse of today, though more muscled in the rear. They were all stallions and each one, in 1297, cost as much as seven ordinary riding horses.
DRIECH
Scots term to describe a dull, grey day where it never actually rains but you still get wet from an unseen drizzle.
EECHIE-OCHIE
Neither one thing nor another.
FASH
To worry. The phrase never fash means don’t worry.
FIANTS
The dung of the fox, wolf, boar or badger.
FOOTERING
Fumbling.
GAMBESON
Knee-length tunic, sewn with quilted flutes stuffed with wool if you could afford it or straw if you could not. Designed to be worn over or under MAILLE to negate blunt trauma but frequently worn as the sole armour protection of the less well-off. A lighter version, brought back from the Crusades, was known as an aketon, from the Arabic al qutn, or cotton, with which it was stuffed.
GARDECORPS
A cape-like overtunic with a slit under the armpit so that you could wear it sleeveless, its shapelessness appealed to those of a larger size. As if to compensate, many such garments were given BLIAUT style sleeves, sometimes with long tippets, or dagged hems, while the collar and cuffs were trimmed with expensive fur.
GARRON
Small, hardy Highland pony used widely by the HOBILARS of both sides, though more favoured by Scottish foot. It enabled them to move fast, raid like cavalry and yet dismount to fight on foot if faced by the knight on his heavy horse – and no archers to hand.
GLAUR
Scots word for sticky mud.
GRALLOCH
The contents of a stag’s stomach which has been ‘unmade’ after a kill. The gralloch, in medieval times, went to the hounds as a reward.
GUDDLE
Scots term which, as a verb, means to grope blindly. As a noun it means mix-up or confusion.
HAAR
One of the many Scots words for rain – this refers to a wet mist.
HEAUME
Another name for the large medieval helmet. More properly, it was given to the later TOURNEY helmet, which reached and was supported on the shoulders.
HERSCHIP
From hardship, a Scots term for vicious raids designed to lay waste and plunder a region to the detriment of the enemy.
HOBILAR
English word for light cavalry, recruited to counter the Scots raiders and so called because they were mounted on large ponies called hobyn. This gives us the modern child’s toy, the hobby horse, as well as the generic name for horses everywhere – Dobbin.
HOOR
Scots pronunciation of whore.
HUMFY-BACKIT
Scots term for hunchback.
JACK
Origin of our word jacket, this was a variation on the aketon or gambeson and usually involved the addition of small metal plates sewn to the outside. Also known as jazerant.
JACOB’S PILLOW
The Stone of Scone was popularly believed in Scotland to be the same one consecrated to God by Jacob in the Book of Genesis, following a vision while he slept.
JALOUSE
The original Scots meaning was surmise. Some time in the 19th century, the English adopted it but, mysteriously, used it as jealous. It is used here in its original sense.
JEDDART STAFF
More properly known by this name in the 16th and 17th century Border country (the Jeddart refers to Jedburgh), the weapon was essentially the same – a reinforced spear which also incorporated a thin cutting blade on one side and a hook on the other.
JUPON
A short, closely-tailored arming cote worn over MAILLE in action, to display your heraldry.
JURROCKS
Lowlife servant.
JUSTICIAR
An official appointed by the monarch, from the time of William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror, to ease the burden on overworked SHERIFFS.
KERN
Irish/Scots soldiery. Later, it came to refer to the Gallowglass warriors of Ireland.
KINE
Scots word for cattle.
KIST OF WHISTLES
Scots term for a covered, boiling cauldron or kettle, kist being any kind of container, from clothes chest to tomb.
LATCHBOW
Originally, a light crossbow with a simple latch release, it came to be a common term for all crossbows and arbalests.
LAW OF DEUTERONOMY
Specifically Deuteronomy 20, which states: And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. Used by medieval Christian commanders to justify the sack and slaughter of any city which did not yield before a siege ram or ladder touched the walls.
LIMMER
A low, base fellow – also a prostitute.
MAILLE
The correct spelling of mail, which is also incorrectly referred to as chainmail and should be properly termed ring maille. The linked metal-ringed tunic worn by warriors since the early Roman period. By the 13th/14th century, these had evolved – for those who could afford it – into complete suits, with sleeves, mittens and integral coif, or hood.
MAK’ SICCAR
Make certain. A famous phrase uttered by Bruce’s loyal follower Sir Roger Kirkpatrick of Closeburn shortly before he returned to Greyfriars Church to ensure the death of Bruce’s rival, the Red Comyn. It became the motto of the Kirkpatrick family, under the crest of a bloody hand holding a dagger.
MESNIE
Can refer, loosely, to a medieval household, but more usually to the trusted group of knights who accompanied their lord to war and TOURNEY.
MILLINAR
Any knight or SERJEANT appointed to command a band on foot.
MOUDIEWART
Literally, a mole, but frequently used as an insult.
NEB
Scots word for nose.
NOTARY
/> Nowadays it is a person with legal training licensed by the state to perform certain legal acts, particularly witnessing signatures on legal documents. In the Middle Ages it was a man who could read, write, take notes and acted as clerk to a JUSTICIAR.
ORB
Scots word for young bird. See also SPEUGH.
OS
From the Latin, a mouth or opening – usually applied to the female parts, whether human or animal. In some cases, the os of hind was considered a delicacy.
PACHYDERM
Medieval classification usually applied to elephants, but which also included pigs and wild boar.
PAPINGO
The popinjay or parrot – any brightly coloured bird, or person who resembles one in dress or manner. Can also refer to an archery competition, where such a live bird was placed on a pole and used as a target. It still pertains to the present – there is an annual Papingo Shoot at Kilwinning Abbey – but the papingo target is no longer a bird, live or otherwise.
PAYNIM
Medieval term for heathen, particularly Muslims.
PLENARY INDULGENCE
The remittance of sins, granted by the Catholic church after confession and absolution. However, these could also be sold as a sort of cheque drawn on the Treasure House of Merit, an abuse which was widespread in the Middle Ages.
PLOOTERING
Scots word meaning to walk carelessly, with the added connotation of splashing, as through puddles or into marsh or mud.
POLLARD
A fake silver penny of Edward I’s reign, so called either because of the miscast head (poll) of the monarch or because it had been clipped (pollarded) of some of its metal, making it smaller.
POW
Scots word which can either refer to the head (as in ‘curly pow’) or an expanse of water meadow cut up with small pools.
POWRIE
Scots Fairies which, as you might expect, are not ethereally-pretty winged creatures. They are short and wiry, with ragged pointed teeth and sharp claws like steel. They wear a red bonnet on their heads and are generally bearded with wrinkled aged faces. They kill by rolling boulders or tearing at people with their sharp claws. They then proceed to drink the blood of their victims and dip their hats in it, giving rise to their other name of Red Caps. In particular they haunt castles with a reputation for evil events in the past. Also known as Dunters.
PRIGG
Scots word meaning to beseech or plead.
QUINE
Scots word for a woman or a young girl. See CHIEL.
RIGG
Scots word for a strip of ploughed field.
SCAPULAR
Large length of cloth suspended from the shoulders – monastic scapulars originated as aprons worn by medieval monks, and were later extended to habits.
SCHILTRON
The first mention of the schiltron as a specific formation of spearmen appears to be at the Battle of Falkirk in 1297. There is, however, no reason to believe this is the first time such a formation was used and there are references to the Picts using blocks of spearmen in such a fashion. The name is thought to derive from the Middle English for shield troop.
SCRIEVING
Scots word – to move swiftly and smoothly.
SCRIVENER
Medieval term for anyone who could read and write.
SCULLION
Servant performing menial kitchen tasks.
SERJEANT
The armed ‘middle class’ of medieval England, only differing from a knight in that they had not been recognized as such. Equipment, training and skill were all more or less the same.
SERK
Scots word – originally Norse – for a shirt or undertunic.
SHERIFF
A contraction of the term ‘shire reeve’, he is the highest law officer in a county. A term and idea which has spread from England to many parts of the world, including the US and Canada. In Scotland, English sheriffs were particularly hated, none more so than Heselrigg, Sheriff of Lanark and the man Wallace famously killed to begin his part in the rebellion.
SKITE
Scots word meaning to slip or skate.
SLAISTER
Scots word meaning a dirty mess, or slovenly work.
SLEEKIT
Scots word for crafty or sly.
SLORACH
Scots word for a wet and disgusting mess of anything.
SNECK
Scots word for a bolt or latch on a door. Still in use today in the Borders and north of England in the term ‘sneck lifter’ – the last coin in a man’s pocket, enough to let him open a pub door and buy a drink.
SONSIE
Scots word for a woman with a generous, hour-glass figure.
SPEUGH
Scots word for baby sparrow.
SPIER
Scots word meaning to inquire after, to question.
SPITAL
Medieval short-form of hospital, which was any place – usually in a monastery or abbey – which cared for the sick.
STAPPIT
Scots word for stuffed full.
STOOKS
Scots word for sheaves.
STRAMASH
Scots word for a noisy disturbance.
STRAVAIG
Scots word meaning to wander aimlessly.
STUSHIE
Scots word for being in a state of excitement. Also for a shouting argument.
SWEF
Medieval bastardized French for gently or softly.
TABARD
Medieval short tunic, sleeveless, or with shoulder pieces, designed to show a noble’s heraldic device or arms – hence the term cote of arms. Still seen today on ceremonial heralds.
TAIT
Scots word for a little item or a small portion.
THOLE
Scots word meaning to suffer or to bear.
THRAWN
Scots word for twisted or misshapen, which can be applied equally to a tree, a face or a disposition.
TOLT
Medieval word for a tax, usually on wool.
TOURNEY
Simply put, this was the premier entertainment and sporting pursuit of the medieval gentleman. It involved, usually, the Mêlée, a mass of knights fighting each other. A Grand Mêlée could involve several hundred and be fought over a large distance – it was not a spectator sport. The object of the Mêlée was to unhorse your opponent and take him for ransom – as was expected in a real war – though the weapons were blunted for the tourney and no-one was expected to die or get hurt (though, of course, some did). Latterly, the one-on-one joust became more and more popular, simply because it was a spectator sport and everyone could see your skill.
TRAILBASTON
Medieval term for the itinerant judicial commission ordered by Edward I to combat outlaws and brigands, it became the name for the perpetrators themselves.
VENNEL
Scots word for alleyway.
WHEEN
Scots word for many, a lot.
YETT
Scots word for a door, originally applied to the grilled inner gate of a fortress.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As ever, the list of people who made this book possible is enough to form a rebel army – but, at the head of it stands Jock Simpson, unsung and long dead. He was my English teacher at St John’s Grammar in Hamilton and the man who saw not only the flicker of a writer in the boy, but an interest in the history he was passionate about and which was not taught in any class I was in. If any man began my journey through 13th century Scotland and beyond, it was him.
As an uncaring youth, I failed to see what he had given me until much later and this is my way of saying a shameful sorry for never having acknowledged it while he lived. Hard on his heels, of course, has to come Nigel Tranter, whose books on Scotland’s history, particularly the trilogy on Bruce, are hard acts to follow. I hope he is not birling in his grave too much.
I am also continually indebted to the members of Glasgow Vikings (www.glasgowvikings.co.u
k) and the rest of the Vikings, national and international (www.vikingsonline.org.uk) who provide entertainment and education in several countries and have caused a beer drought in at least one small island. Although they are predominantly Viking, they are interested in all aspects of Scottish history and can gear up to fight at Bannockburn recreations at the drop of an iron hat. The upcoming 700th anniversary is keenly anticipated and I owe gratitude to the NTS and the Bannockburn Heritage Centre for their kind help in this and later volumes.
Katie Espiner, my editor at HarperCollins, has to be congratulated for taking no nonsense from this auld Scot and insisting, wee English beauty that she is, on not permitting me to descend into Scots-speak more than two or three times.
None of this would have been possible at all if my agent, James Gill of United Agents had not had vision to see the possibilities in my writing – I hoist my glass in his general direction.
The process of writing this has been encouraged by a firm band of fans, who have followed the Oathsworn and now want to carry on reading – my thanks especially to Warren Cummin, descendant of the very Comyn in the story, who takes a keen interest from the distant reaches of Canada.
More power to you all for your praise, criticism, comments and unfailing humour. I hope this one pleases you as much as the others seem to have done.
Also by Robert Low
THE OATHSWORN SERIES
The Whale Road
The Wolf Sea
The White Raven
The Prow Beast
THE KINGDOM SERIES
The Lion Wakes
Copyright
HarperCollinsPublishers
77–85 Fulham Palace Road,
Hammersmith, London W6 8JB
www.harpercollins.co.uk
Published by HarperCollinsPublishers 2012
1
Copyright © Robert Low 2012
Map © John Gilkes
Robert Low asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
EPub Edition © February 2012 ISBN: 978 0 00 733794 1
