affinity: the collective term for a lord’s retainers, who offer military, political, legal, or domestic service in return for money, office, or influence
ashlar: paint on stone or plaster to create the appearance of square-cut stone
the bars of york: the four main gatehouses in the walls of York (Bootham, Monk, Walmgate, and Micklegate)
the bedern: the area of York, part of the minster liberty, housing the vicars choral
butt: a target for archery practice
coroner: the official in charge of recording deaths and inquiring into the cause of deaths, among other duties regarding the crown’s property
minster liberty: the area of the city under the jurisdiction of the dean and chapter of York
maison dieu: “house of God”; an almshouse, a refuge for the poor
messuage: the area of land taken up by a house and its outbuildings
staithe: a landing stage, or wharf
vicar choral: as a modern vicar is the deputy of the rector, so a vicar choral was a cleric in holy orders acting as the deputy of a canon attached to the cathedral; for a modest annual salary the vicar choral performed his canon’s duties, attending the various services of the church and singing the liturgy
