Henry Beaumont—Earl of Warwick; historical figure; DB
Hospitallers—Knights of the Order of St. John DOL
Hugh de Montbryce—Norman-virgin hero of ILDE; brother of Antoine and Ram CP, PIB
Husembro—hidden cove on Danish coast WVP
Hylda—Christian name of Mabelle’s mother, purported to have been strangled by her husband, Mabelle’s father.
Hylda Rhonwen de Montbryce (Rhoni)—Daughter of Ram and Mabelle born in captivity in Wales; CP, AMOV; heroine of DIK
Iftikhar ad-Daula—historical figure; governor of Jerusalem DOL
Ingram Maknab—Scot; son of Neyll. STL
Isembart Jubert—Rat catcher from Montbryce; instrumental in saving the lives of Hugh and Devona; ILDE
Isolda verch Llewelyn—Welsh healer, heroine of WTH
Ivar Sigurdsen—Dane; captain in WVP
Jacquelle—Rhoni’s maid DIK
Jennet—Northumbrian peasant woman STL
Johann Dieter Marius von Wolfenberg—Dieter’s son by his first marriage, CA
Johara—Arabic name given to María Catalina; means ‘jewel’ DOL
Joleyne—Norman mistress of Ram de Montbryce before he meets Mabelle; CP
King Harald Hardråda of Norway—Historical figure; pretender to the English throne; killed by King Harold’s army at Stamford Bridge; CP
King Harold II of England—Historical figure; Saxon brother-in-law of Edward the Confessor. Claimed the throne on Edward’s death; slain at Hastings by the Conqueror’s army; CP
King Henry I—Norman king of England; son of William the Conqueror; known as Henry Beauclerc; succeeded his brother William Rufus on the throne. Historical figure; PIB;HK
King Malcolm Canmore of Scotland—Historical figure. CP & AMOV
Kingston Gorse—Sussex village, site of fictitious manor deeded to Antoine ILDE;HK
King William I of England—William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandie. CP, ILDE; historical figure
King William Rufus—William II of England; son of the Conqueror; AMOV; historical figure
Kirkthwaite—Surname of Agneta’s family AMOV
Kirkthwaite Hall—Ancestral home of Agneta’s family, destroyed in a raid by the Scots AMOV
Kjartan Eldarsen—Danish; comrade of Reider in WVP
Kolbrand’s Path—fictitious seat of the MakNab clan on the coast of Scotland STL
Köln—German (Saxon) town, known as Cologne in English; CA
La Blanche Nef—Infamous White Ship that sank in 1120 taking with it hundreds of sons and daughters of the English nobility, including the Crown Prince, William, son of Henry I STL
La Cuisinière—Legendary Norman cook at Montbryce Castle; her name simply means ‘The Cook’ CP
Lande Pourri—A wooded area outside Caen PIB
Laurent Deschamps—military commander at Montbryce in Ram’s absence CP
Le Manio—ancient giant monolith in Carnac HK
Leofric Deacon—Saxon friend of Caedmon AMOV; badly injured at Alnwick; marries Coventina Brightmore; appears in STL
León—kingdom/region in central Spain DOL
Les oreillons—mumps HK
Letyce Revandel—villainess HK
Lindisfarne Abbey—historic Benedictine monastery on Holy Island STL
Llansanfraid—site of Myfanwy Mabelle’s priory DIK
Llys (plural Llysoed)—A building that served as a royal court for a commote in Wales. Stone castles were virtually unknown in England and Wales before the Conquest
Lope Velasco—known as The Wolf; looks like a crow; henchman of Vermudo Díaz DOL
Lorcan MacFintain—villain DIK
Lothar von Süpplingenburg—Saxon Duke who became Holy Roman Emperor CA
Löwe—Dieter’s Rottweiler, CA
Lucien Lallement— brother of heroines of HK
Lux—Rosamunda’s palfrey HK
Mabelle de Montbryce—Norman heroine of CP; wife of Ram de Montbryce; Countess of Ellesmere and Comtesse de Montbryce; AMOV, PIB, DP
Mabelle de Valtesse—Maiden name of Mabelle de Montbryce; CP, AMOV, PIB, DP
Magnus Braunschweig—Dieter’s comrade, CA
Malraux de Carnac—Breton, villain HK
Màni—Norse god of the Moon
Marc Lallement—father of heroines of HK
Margaret, Queen of Scotland (Saint Margaret)—AMOV, CP; historical figure known for her piety; Saxon; second wife of King Malcolm Canmore; sister of Edgar Aetheling.
Margit Hansdatter—Dane; villain of WVP
Marguerite de Montbryce—Daughter of Robert and Dorianne
María Catalina Tarazon—Aragonese mother of Farah; DOL
María Sancha Tarazona—Farah; DOL
Martin Bonhomme—Norman steward at Ellesmere; son of Mathieu
Massilia—now known as Marseilles, France DOL
Mathieu Bonhomme—Son of Fernand; goes to England to be steward at Ellesmere, father of Martin Bonhomme
Mathieu de Montbryce—Son of Antoine and Sybilla. PIB; HK
Maudine Lallement—mother of heroines of HK
Melton Bernard de Montbryce—Eldest son of Hugh and Devona; named for Devona’s family name and Hugh’s father. PIB
Michel Cormant—Norman steward at Alensonne; father of Barat, Theo and Paul; CP
Moors—peoples of Arabic origin who conquered most of Spain in medieval times DOL
Montbryce—Noble Norman family at the heart of the Legacy
Mont St. Michel—Abbey church of Carolingian origin built on an island off the French coast.
Morwenna verch Morgan—Welsh; betrothed to Rhodri; villain; mistress of Phillippe de Giroux; CP, DP
Moyra—maidservant DIK
Myfanwy Dda—Welsh mother of Rhonwen; healer; murdered by Phillippe de Giroux; CP, DP
Myfanwy Mabelle verch Rhodri—Eldest child of Rhodri and Rhonwen; becomes a Prioress. DP, DB
Navarra—kingdom/region of Spain DOL
Neuadd—The communal great hall in Welsh buildings
Neyll Maknab— villain of STL: stepfather of Nolana Kyncade
Nolana Kyncade—Scot; heroine of STL
Northumbria—North east part of England; site of constant conflict between Scots and Normans.
Nox—Adam’s black stallion HK
Oda—maidservant to Sybilla ILDE
Offa’s Dyke—ancient earthwork built by kings of Mercia DIK
Oiasso—today known as Irún, Spain DOL
Olve—Danish thrall saves Ragna’s life WVP
Order of Saint John—religious order founded to help the sick DOL
Orlaith MacLachlainn—Ronan’s mother, reputed to be a selkie DIK
Ouistreham—village on the French coast HK
Padre Benito—Abbot of San Juan de la Peña DOL
Pamplona—city in Spain; capital of Navarra; famous today for the running of the bulls DOL
Paul Cormant—Norman steward (Alensonne)
Paulina Lallement—heroine HK
Phillippe de Giroux—Norman villain; CP, DP, PIB
Pierre de Fleury—Norman soldier; friend of the Montbryce brothers; killed at Hastings; CP
Pierre de Giroux—Norman villain PIB; brother of heroine, Dorianne
Poling— Sussex village; sight of fictitious manor deeded to Antoine HK
Prestetone—hamlet on Welsh seacoast (present day Prestatyn) DIK
Pyrenees (Perinés)— mountain range between France and Spain DOL
Quique Raúl—bandit leader DOL
Ragna FitzRam—English daughter of Caedmon and Agneta; holy terror; heroine of WVP STL
Rambaud (Ram) de Montbryce—Norman nobleman; hero of Hastings; confidant to William the Conqueror. First Earl of Ellesmere; Comte de Montbryce; eldest son of Bernard de Montbryce, brother to Antoine and Hugh. Hero of CP. AMOV, PIB & DP
Raymond de St. Gilles—historical figure; Raymond of Toulouse; Crusader who took Jerusalem in 1099 DOL
Reconquista—Reconquest of Spain from the Moors DOL
Reg
is—Antoine’s stallion ILDE
Reider Torfinnsen—Danish hero of Wild Viking Princess WVP
Renouf de Maubadon—Norman (Angevin) villain of PIB
Rhodri ap Owain—Welsh villain turned hero. CP, AMOV, DP
Rhonwen Dda—Welsh/Saxon heroine DP. Healer CP
Rhun ap Rhodri—Welsh patriot; son of Rhodri. Twin of Rhydderch. Redhead. DB, hero of WTH
Rhydderch ap Rhodri—Welsh patriot; son of Rhodri and Rhonwen. Redhead. Twin of Rhun. DB, hero of WTH
Rhydycroesau—Welsh border village CP;DP;DIK
Rhys ap Rhodri—Eldest son of Rhodri; hero of DB. Appears in AMOV
Roar Knutsen—Dane; henchman of Gorm in WVP
Robert Curthose—Son of William the Conqueror; became Duke of Normandie on his father’s death; coveted his brother Henry’s throne; captured by Henry at Tinchebray and imprisoned for the remainder of his life. PIB
Robert de Bellême—historical figure; son of Roger de Montgomery
Robert de Montbryce—Eldest son of Ram and Mabelle; born in England. Becomes Comte de Montbryce. CP, AMOV, DP; hero of PIB; DOL;HK
Roger de Montgomery—historical figure; cousin of the Conqueror, notorious for his cruelty HK
Roget—Malraux’s steward in HK
Ronan MacLachlainn—Hero of Dark Irish Knight DIK
Rosamunda Lallement—mute heroine HK
Rosko—port in Brittany HK
Roussel—Norman;first steward of Shelfhoc appointed by Ram
Ruyton—Location of Shelfhoc Hall
Sagrajas—site of famous medieval battle in Spain between Christians and Moors DOL
St. Winefride’s Well—historical place of pilgrimage DIK
Sancho Ramírez—historical figure; king of Aragón and Navarra DOL
San Juan de la Peña—monastery near Jaca; St. John of the Rock DOL
Santa Cristina—priory hospital in the Pyrenees DOL
Santiago de Compostela—Holy site to which thousands of pilgrims still flock; reputed resting places of bones of St. James DOL
Schnell—Dieter’s greyhound, CA
Shelfhoc Hall—Ancestral home of the Woolgars in Ruyton, Shropshire, England.
Sibell—Mabelle’s mare in CP
Simon Hugo—Norman serf at Alensonne who murders Arnulf de Valtesse to avenge his daughter. CP
Sord Colmcille—St. Columba’s Well, near Dublin DIK
Souflette—donkey in HK
Stephen Marquand—ILDE Norman neighbour of Meltons; grandfather of heroines of HK
Strand—Danish island principality WVP
Sybilla de Taloche—ILDE; heroine; Angevin; widow of Denis de Sancerre, mother of the dwarf, Denis de Sancerre. Marries Antoine de Montbryce
The Wolf—nickname of Lope Velasco DOL
Théobald Cormant—Norman steward; brother of Barat
Thor—alaunt gentil hound belonging to Ragna FitzRam, named after Norse god of thunder WVP
Topaz—kitten HK
Torfinn—father of Reider in WVP; murdered by Gorm
Torod—Norman villain; thug, henchman of Renouf ILDE
Trésor—Cook at Ellesmere. The French word means ‘treasure’.CP
Tristan Bonhomme—Son of Honoré; steward at Montbryce
Túr MacLachlainn—Ronan’s estate in Ireland DIK
Tybaut—AMOV; steward at Shelfhoc Hall; Norman
Valhalla—Norse ‘heaven’
Vangeline Bonhomme—Wife of Fernand; dies in 1066; CP
Vàr—Norse goddess of oaths
Vermudo Díaz—Aragonese; villain DOL
Velox—Hugh’s stallion in ILDE
Victoire—Cook at Domfort Castle; ILDE
Vincent Lallement—brother of heroines of HK
Vormund—Hovawart breed dog; saves Dieter’s life
White Ship—see La Blanche Nef
Wilona Melton—Saxon mother of Devona, heroine of ILDE
Winrod Revandel—brother of Letyce HK
Woolgar—Married name of Ascha Bronson, widow of Sir Caedmon Woolgar, a housecarl of King Harold who died at Hastings; CP, AMOV
Wyvern—Caedmon’s horse; saves his life at Alnwick. AMOV
Ynys Môn—Holy Island, Wales DIK
Yusuf ibn Tashfin—historical figure; Arabic warrior DOL
LEXICON
Fr.=French
W.=Welsh
G.=German
OE.=Old English
S.=Scottish
L.=Latin
D.=Danish
Sp.=Spanish
IG.= Irish Gaelic
Abaya -Arabic garment
Abbesse Fr. Abbess
Adelante Sp. Onwards
A demain Fr. Until tomorrow
Adieu Fr. Goodbye
Af Odin! D. By Odin!
Afon Dyfrdwy W. River Dee
Ahora Sp. Now
Aingeal IG Angel
Alaunt gentil Fr. Breed of hound
À l’Irelande! Fr. To Ireland!
Allons-y! Fr. Let’s go!
Alto! Sp. Stop!
Amour Fr. Love
Ange Fr. Angel
Anoche Sp. Last night
Ap (or Ab) W. Son of
Arrête Fr. Stop!
Arthrite Fr. Arthritis
Auf Weidersehen G. Goodbye
Au revoir Fr. Goodbye
Au secours! Fr. help!
Aux armes! Fr. To arms!
Ave Maria, gratia plena L. Hail Mary, full of grace
Barm OE. Yeast
Basta Sp. Enough!
Bébé Fr. Baby
Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus L. Blessed be Almighty God
Bien Fr. Good
Bienvenidos Sp. Welcome
Bliaut Fr. Medieval long sleeved dress
Brychan W. Woven blanket
Cairdis IG Friendship
Camilla Sp. Litter, stretcher
Camino Sp. Road, way
Céard sa diabhal IG What the devil!
Ceilliau W. Testicles,
Chansons courtoises Fr. Courtly love songs
Codex L. journal
Cog -type of ship
Colonus, pl. Coloni L. Bondservants, later known as serfs
Commote W. area of administration in Wales
Comte Fr. Count
Comtesse Fr. Countess
Corre! Sp. Run!
Couilles Fr. Testicles
Críost IG Christ!
Cuirass(e) Fr. Breastplate armour
Currach IG coracle
Cymru W. Wales
Cymraeg W. Welsh language
Da Dad, father
Dañjer! Breton word for danger
Demesne Fr. Estate
De rien Fr. You are welcome
Derrière Fr. Bottom, backside
Dewch yn W. Come in
Dia IG God!
Dieu Fr. God
Dios Sp. God
Ddoe W. Yesterday
Dormitorio Sp. Dormitory
Dors bien Fr. Sleep well
Draugr D. Revenant, lost soul
Droit de seigneur Fr. right of a nobleman to take a virgin before her husband on their wedding night
Dros Cymru W. For Wales
Duw W. God
Duwiau W. Gods!
Eke OE. Extra chamber added to the bottom of a beehive
El Diablo Sp. The Devil
Enceinte Fr. Pregnant
Enchanté Fr. Enchanted; delighted
Enfant Fr. Child. Mes enfants=my children
En route Fr. On the way
Entrez! Fr. Come in!
Exactement Fr. Exactly
Excusez-moi Fr. Excuse me, I am sorry
Fág an bealach! IG Clear the way
Fardeles Sp. Pigs’ livers
Fils Fr. Son
Fortæl mig D. Tell me
Fromage cremeux Fr. Cream cheese
Fy Nuw W. My God
Gaeilge Gaelic
Garderobe Fr. Latrines, privy
Ghiniúna IG male genitalia
God
emite OE. Saxon expletive, God Almighty
God hund D. Good dog
Godisgood OE. Yeast
Go hÉirinn IG To Ireland!
Gottes segen G. Godspeed
Gott sei Dank G. Thanks be to God
Gracias Sp. Thank you
Gräfin G. Countess
Grandmaman Fr. Grandma
Gut! G. Good!
Hackle OE. Conical shaped protection for beehives
Hallowmas Triduum Three day celebration of Hallowe’en, All Saints’ & All Souls’
Hermano Sp. Brother
Hore OE whore
Ich bin es G. It’s me.
Ich liebe dich G. I love you
Ja G. Yes
Jardin Fr. Garden
Je m’excuse Fr. I am sorry
Je t’aime Fr. I love you
Je vous demande pardonne Fr. I beg your forgiveness
Jongleur Fr. Minstrel, juggler, medieval entertainer
Kommen G. Come!
Knarr D. Merchant ship used by Vikings
Labhandair IG Lavender
Laks D. Smoked salmon
Lamellar Armour made of leather plates
Là Fr. There
Lentement Fr. Slowly
Léine S. Shirt worn by men and women (Gaelic)
Liebling G. Sweetheart, darling
Livre Fr. Old French currency unit
Lladrones Sp. Thieves
Llys W. (plural Llysoed) A building that served as a royal court for a commote in Wales.
Ma chère Fr. My dear
Majestad Sp. Majesty
Majesté Fr. Majesty
Mal de mer Fr. seasickness
Mamá Sp. Mother (affectionate)
Maman Fr. Mother (affectionate)
Mantilla Sp. Lacy head covering
Ma petite Fr. My little one
Mea culpa L. My fault; I take the blame
Méchant Fr. Naughty
Meine damen und herren G. Ladies and gentlemen
Mein Gott G. My God!
Mein Schatz G. My darling, my sweetheart
Meine Tochter G. My daughter
Merci Fr. Thank you
Merde Fr. Swear word; shit;crap;damn it
Mère Fr. Mother
Meth OE. ordinary mead
Metheglin OE. Spiced mead (for nobility)
Mi amor Sp. My love
Mignonne Fr. Little one
Milagro Sp. Miracle
Milord Fr. My lord
Minnesinger G. Minstrel
Misericord L. Chamber where monks received their punishment for misdeeds
Mo croí IG My heart
Mon capitaine a tombé Fr. My captain has fallen
Mon petit Fr. little one
Mo stór IG my darling
Muette Fr. Feminine version of muet=mute
Nein G. No
Nej D. No
Noblesse Fr. Nobility