archdeacon: each diocese was divided into two or more archdeaconries; the archdeacons were appointed by the archbishop or bishop and carried out most of his duties
bedstraw: a plant of the genus Galium, used in pillows to induce sleep
butt: a mark or mound for archery practice
crowd: a type of medieval fiddle, primarily Welsh (see Author’s Note)
jongleur: a minstrel who sang, juggled, tumbled; French term, but widely used in an England where Norman French was just fading from prevalence
Lady Chapel: a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, usually situated at the east end of the church
leman: mistress
liberty: an area of the city immune from royal administration; each liberty had jurisdiction for crimes committed in it and contained its own courthouse, jail, and gallows; Liberty of St. Peter is the minster area, under jurisdiction of the Archbishop of York
mercer: dealer in textiles, especially wool
minster: a large church or cathedral; the cathedral of St. Peter in York is referred to as York Minster
pandemain: the finest quality white bread, from flour sifted two or three times
pillory: a wooden frame, supported by an upright pillar or post, with holes through which the head and hands were put as a punishment
rebec: a medieval instrument of the viol class (see Author’s Note)
reredorter: in an abbey, part of the dormitory or a separate building nearby that houses latrines flushed by channels of running water
Town Waits: musicians employed by a town to play on ceremonial occasions (see Author’s Note)
trencher: a thick slice of brown bread a few days old with a slight hollow in the center, used as a plate
wastel: first-quality white bread from well-sifted flour; not as fine as pandemain