Morning's Journey (67 page)

Eingel(s).
Terms the Eingel people apply to themselves that are more Germanic pronunciations than the Latinized form, “Angli.”

Einglaland (Eingel, “Angle-land”).
Eingel name for their collective kingdoms; England.

Eireann (Scáthaichean, “Ériu’s Head”).
Ireland. Latin:
Hibernia
. Caledonaiche:
Airein
(“Men of the Plow”). Eingel/Saxon:
Æren
(“Brazen”). Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
airein
(“plowmen”). Eingel/Saxon name origin: Old Anglo-Saxon
æren
(“brazen”).

elder.
A medicinal plant.

Epona.
Caledonach/Brytoni deity: Horse-goddess symbolized by a prancing mare.

Falcon of Tarsuinn, the.
Symbol of Clan Tarsuinn of Caledonia, an attacking falcon.

Fates, the.
Greek goddesses presiding over the destinies of mortals’ lives.

fealty-mark.
Caledonaiche:
dìleas-tì
. A scar on a Caledonach warrior’s neck made by his or her sword wielded by the person to whom the warrior has sworn the Oath of Fealty. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
dìleas
(“faithful”),
tì
(“intent”).

Feast of Christ’s Passion, the.
Easter.

ferch (FERK, Brytonic).
“Daughter of,” followed by the father’s name; e.g., Morghe ferch Uther.

Fiorth (Brytonic), the.
Caledonaiche:
Ab Fhorchu
(“River of the Flowing Hound”). Firth of Forth, southeastern Scotland. Caledonaiche name origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
Abhainn Fhorchu
(“River Forth”),
forasach
(“forward,” adj.),
cù
(“hound”).

Fleet Commander, the.
Latin:
Navarchus Classis Britannia
. Admiral in charge of the Brytoni war-fleet. Since the word “admiral” originates from Arabic, I considered it appropriate to employ a different title; technically, in Arthur’s Roman-based military force, the fleet commander is equivalent in rank to a legate. Badge: silver dragon brooch with a blue enamel outer ring.

Frisians.
Coastal Germanic tribe culturally similar to the Eingels and Saxons. Historically, they began migrating to Britain in the early 5th century A.D.

games helm.
Ornate helmet specially designed for Roman cavalry games rather than combat in order to attract the attention of potential wealthy patrons.

Geall Dhìleas (Caledonaiche, “Oath of Fealty”).
See Oath of Fealty. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
geall
(“promise”),
dhìleas
(“of faithfulness”).

Glaschu Monastery.
Christian men’s religious community located near the Brytoni fort Caerglas in present-day Glasgow, Scotland. The monks are famed for their uisge beverage.

Gododdin (go-DOTH-in).
Brytonic:
Guotodin
. Caledonaiche:
Gò Do-dìon
(“Deceptively Difficult Defense”). Brytoni-controlled territory corresponding to modern southeastern Scotland and northeastern England. The Brytonic name is derived from the Latin name of the Celtic tribe inhabiting the area at the time of the Roman occupation, the Votadini. The Caledonaiche version implies that the region is deceptively well-defended. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
gò
(“deceitful”),
do-dìon
(“difficult defense”).

Green Griffin, the.
Symbol of Prince Ælferd of the West Saxons, a green griffin on gold.

gwyddbwyll (Brytonic, “wood sense”).
A strategy board-game that figures in many ancient Arthurian tales, such as
The Dream of Rhonabwy
in the
Mabinogion
. Although
gwyddbwyll
translates to “chess” in modern Welsh, the game apparently predates chess’s introduction to Europe and so most likely was played very differently than chess.

Gwynedd (GWIN-eth).
Mountainous and sparsely populated region corresponding to present-day northwest Wales. Name origin: Brythonic variant of the Latin designation of tribal residents during the Roman occupation collectively known as Venedotia.

Hag, the (also the Crone).
Caledonaiche:
An Cronag h’Eugais
. Late-life manifestation of the Life-Goddess. Caledonaich who see the Hag believe they soon will die; hence, she is also referred to as “the Hag of Death.” Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
cron
(“evil,” “harmful”),
eug
(“death”), both of which are masculine nouns.

Ha’satan (Hebrew, “The Accuser”).
Satan.

hauberk.
Saxon chain mail shirt that reaches to mid-calf.

heliodor.
Caledonaiche:
clach-gréin
(“sunstone”). Ancient Greco-Roman name for the greenish-yellow form of golden beryl, a semiprecious gemstone, from Greek
helios
(“sun”). Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
clach
(“stone”),
gréin
(“of the sun”).

Horse Cohort.
Latin:
Cohortis Equitum
. Unit in the Brytoni army consisting of eight cavalry alae and no foot soldiers, formed as a result of the Brytoni-Caledonian treaty forged after the battle of Abar-Gleann. First Ala is comprised of Brytoni horsemen; the remaining alae are comprised of Caledonians.

ifrinn (EEF-reen, Caledonaiche, “hell”).
In Caledonach mythology, this is the realm of Lord Annàm and the Samhraidhean, as well as other malevolent spirits and demonic beings. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
ifrinn
(“hell”).

ifrinn fuileachdach (EEF-reen FWEE-layach-dach; Caledonaiche, “bloody hell”).
An expression of frustration. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
ifrinn
(“hell”),
fuileachdach
(“bloody”).

ifrinnach (EEF-reen-ach; pl. ifrinnaich, Caledonaiche, “hellion(s)”).
Evil spirits other than Samhraidhean. Origin: based on Scottish Gaelic
ifrinn
(“hell”).

illegitimus (Latin, pl. illegitimi, “illegitimate (ones)”).
An epithet carrying obvious parental connotations but extremely tame compared with the Caledonaiche equivalent,
machaoduin
.

Ivory Unicorn, the.
Symbol of Clan Cwrnwyll of Rheged, Brydein, a rampant ivory unicorn on crimson, deliberately evocative of the unicorn supporter on the present-day coat of arms of the United Kingdom.

joining, joining ceremony.
Caledonaiche:
a’phòg naomhair
(“the holy kiss”). The Caledonach marriage ritual, optional. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
a’phòg
(“the kiss,” fem.),
naomh
(“holy”).

Jutes.
Powerful Germanic tribe that originated on the Jutland peninsula in modern Denmark and began migrating to Britain in the late 4th century A.D.

Keeper of the Chalice, the.
Christian holy man selected to guard the Chalice and maintain its shrine; usually also serves as Abbot of Saint Padraic’s Monastery.

lady’s mantle.
Medicinal herb.

Lammor, Clan (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Làmanmhor
(“People of Great Hands”). Full Caledonaiche designation:
Làmanmhoranaich Srath-Chlotaidh Bhreatein
. Brytoni clan of the region of Strathclyd, Brydein. Banner: emerald-green stag’s head on silver. Cloak pattern: grass-green crossed with silver and black. Gemstone: heliodor. Brytonic name origin: inspired by the Lammermuir Hills of southern Scotland, where this clan is located. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
làmhan mhor
(“of great hands”), i.e., craftsmen and -women;
Srath-Chluaidh
(“Strathclyde”),
srath
(“low-lying land near river”), and my invented term,
Chlotaidh
(“bank of Clota’s River”).

lann-seolta (Caledonaiche, “blade-cunning”).
The term applied to Caledonach warriors who are particularly adept at predicting their opponents’ moves in battle, especially in regard to swordsmanship. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
lann
(“blade”),
seòlta
(“cunning”, “skillful”).

lauds.
The second Christian canonical hour, occurring at dawn. In some religious communities, this office is combined with matins. Origin: Latin
laus
(“praise”).

lavender.
Medicinal and aromatic strewing herb.

legate.
Latin:
legatus
. Senior Roman military officer, usually a legion commander, equivalent to a brigadier general. Badge: silver with appropriately colored enamel ring around the legion’s symbol.

legion.
Latin:
legio
. The largest unit in the Roman military infrastructure, usually consisting of six infantry cohorts and at least one cavalry ala, commanded by a legate. Technically, Arthur is
Legatus Legio Draconis
(“Legate of the Dragon Legion”), but his status as Dux Britanniarum is more descriptive and therefore supersedes the “legate” title, so I don’t use the term “legate” in this text.

Lion of Alban, the.
Caledonaiche:
An Leóghann h’Albainaich
. Symbol of Clan Alban of Caledon, a white lion rampant on a field of cerulean blue. Also referred to as the Alban Lion. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
an leóghann
(“the lion”), plus my invented term,
h’Albainaich
(“of Clan Alban”).

Lothian, Clan (Brytonic).
Caledonaiche: Clan
Lùthean
(LOOT-hay-ahn, “People of Power”); full designation is
Lùtheanaich Ghò Do-dìon Bhreatein
. Brytoni clan of the region of Gododdin, Brydein. Banner: rearing amber bear on dark green. Cloak pattern: forest-green crossed with dark blue and gold. Gemstone: amber. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
lùths
(“power”).

Lugh.
Caledonach/Brytoni Lord of Light, symbolized by a bull.

Lugh Longarm.
Scotti deity—possibly the same as the aforementioned Caledonach/Brytoni god Lugh, although the Scots would never admit this.

Lugnasadh (loo-NAH-sah).
Summer festival celebrated by non-Christian Caledonaich and Brytons on August 1, characterized by horse racing and livestock sales; named for the god Lugh.

mac (Caledonaiche).
“Son of,” followed by the mother’s name; e.g., Angusel mac Alayna. Origin: Scottish Gaelic.

machaoduin (mahk-EYE-dween; pl. michaoduin; Caledonaiche, “son(s) of the unmanned”).
An epithet with obvious parentage connotations; can apply to jerks, cowards, the condemned, the exiled, and traitors. Female form is
nichaoduin
(pl.
naichaoduin).
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
mac
(“son”), plus my invented compound,
aoduin
(“un-man”), inspired by
ao-
(negation prefix),
duine
(“a man”).

Macmuir (Caledonaiche, “Son of the Sea”).
Gyanhumara’s horse (white stallion), sired by Macsen.

Macsen (Brytonic, “Great One”).
Arthur’s horse (white stallion), named in honor of a predecessor of Ambrosius, Macsen Wledig (“Great Prince”).

mansio (Latin, “abode”).
The inn reserved for use by high-ranking military officers and civilian dignitaries; most Roman fortresses quartering a half-cohort or more had one.

Manx Cohort.
Latin:
Cohortis Mavnium
. Unit of the Brytoni army stationed on the Isle of Maun consisting of one infantry century posted to Ayr Point (with the men from that century being rotated to guard the Mount Snaefell signal beacon, as well), two centuries at Caer Rushen, two centuries plus two cavalry turmae at Tanroc, and three centuries and three turmae at Port Dhoo-Glass.

map (Northern Brytonic).
“Son of,” followed by the father’s name; e.g., Urien map Dumarec. Brytons of southern clans use the variant
ap
, also in conjunction with the father’s name.

Mark of Argyll, the.
Caledonaiche:
Fin-cìragh h’Argaillanaich
. Designation of Argyll’s clan-mark, a pair of doves in flight. See clan-mark and Argyll, Clan.

matins.
First of seven Christian canonical hours of the day. Properly occurring at midnight, the prayer service is sometimes combined with lauds, which is held at dawn. Origin: Latin
matutinus
(“of the morning”).

Maun.
Latin:
Mavnum
. Isle of Man in the Irish Sea.

mo ghaisgich (mo HEYE-sitch, Caledonaiche, “my heroes”).
A term of respect and endearment. Origin: Scottish Gaelic.

mo laochan (Caledonaiche, “my little champion”).
A term of encouragement usually applied to boys; female version:
mo laochag
. Origin: Scottish Gaelic, a diminutive of
laoch
(“hero, champion, warrior”).

Mona (Latin).
Brytonic:
Ynys Mon
. Anglesey Island, just off the coast of Wales. The island was a noted center for Druid worship and training until the Romans got nervous in the 1st century A.D. and destroyed their shrines and groves.

Móran (Caledonaiche, “The Many People”), Clan.
Chaledonaich moniker for the Brytoni Clan Moray of Dalriada, Brydein, coined simply because there are so many of them. Full Caledonaiche designation:
Móranaich Dhailriata Bhreatein
. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
móran
(“many”).

Móranach (pl. Móranaich; Caledonaiche).
Of or pertaining to the Brytoni Clan Moray of Dalriada, Brydein. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
móran
(“many”).

Moray, Clan.
Brytoni clan occupying the region of Dalriada, Brydein. Banner: black boar on gold. Cloak pattern: black crossed with gold. Gemstone: jet.

Most Sacred Ground, the.
Caledonaiche:
A’Bhruach Mò
. Area in the Nemeton within the innermost circle of stones where the altar resides. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
a’bhruach
(“the small area of high ground”),
mò
(“greatest”, “greater”).

Mount Snaefell.
Highest point of the Isle of Maun; location of the main Brytoni signal beacon and Wyllan’s forge.

naming ceremony.
Caledonach ritual wherein the week-old infant of the àrd-banoigin and àrd-ceoigin is presented to the clan to be confirmed as an heir and tattooed on the heel with the clan’s symbol.

Narrow Sea.
Latin:
Angusta Mare
. English Channel.

Navarchus Classis Britannia (Latin, “Commander of the Brytoni Fleet”).
The Brytoni fleet commander’s official title, though Bedwyr seldom uses it.