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.