Lion at Bay (52 page)

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Authors: Robert Low

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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.uk) 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

HarperCollins
Publishers

77–85 Fulham Palace Road,

Hammersmith, London W6 8JB

www.harpercollins.co.uk

Published by HarperCollins
Publishers
2012

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

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it, while in some cases based on historical figures, are the work of the author’s imagination.

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