Revised Glossary (1098 – 1244)
A
abbas (m.) / abbatissa (f.) Abbot, Abbess.
abbatia/abbacia/abbaye/abaye (1) Religious community, often but not always
Benedictine, defined by the fact that it is autonomous, although, unless exempt,
subject to the diocesan bishop. (2) Village in northern Syria and Cilicia. The word
may carry a meaning specific to the region. To a western historian it implies a
property which was – or had been – subject to an abbey, or even, in Norman parlance,
a parish.
acatepan / catepan Originally a military title, it came to be used in the Byzantine empire
with reference to a governor, although inferior to the dux.
accensor lampadarum Lamp lighter.
acolitus Acolyte.
ad ignem et focum hospitati Settled inhabitants.
ad limina visitatio Obligation of a bishop to report personally to the Holy See every four years.
ad seminandum et ad garetandum Agricultural two-year rotation system, with half the land
sown with cereals and half partly fallow [see garet] and partly sown with a
nitrogenous crop.
ad usum et consuetudinem According to legal practice.
advocatus/avocat Lay protector of a church.
agareni Muslims.
agger Mound.
agricola Farmer. Inhabitant of a casale. So possibly the equivalent to rusticus, villanus.
alberga/albergue/auberge (1) Provisions owed to the lord as an element in feudal service.
(2) Lodging in Acre for the central convent of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
albus White.
amandles Medicines.
amiratus Admiral.
amitus Worked silk.
anchoragia/ancoragi/anchoraticum/ancorandum Harbour tax.
angaria Labour services.
annona Harvest.
ansiani Ancients.
ἀνθρωπος λίζιος Liegeman. Greek form of homo ligius.
apotheca Shop selling merchandise. See ypotecarius.
appaltus Lease
aquarium Water trough.
ara (1) Pigsty. (2) Unknown [in a reference to land ‘ubi rex facit aram’].
arabus/arabis/alarabus Arab.
aratrum Unit of land measurement; and see carrucata.
arbor morarius Mulberry tree.
arc Arch.
archer Bowman.
archidiaconus Archdeacon.
archiepiscopus/archipresul/archipraesul Archbishop.
area/aire Threshing floor.
armenius/ermine Armenian.
armes Weapons.
armiger et serviens Armsbearing sergeant.
arnesium Harness [armour and weapons].
arrière-ban General conscription for the needs of defence.
arsena Arsenal. See tarsana.
artificii actor Artisan.
asinaria Stables beyond the northern wall of Jerusalem, where the Hospital of St John of
Jerusalem kept its donkeys and beasts of burden.
assasini/assasi/assessini/assidei Assassins: members of a Shi‘ite sect.
assisia/assise/assize/assisius/ascisius (1) Law promulgated in formal circumstances by a
ruler. (2) Rent granted out of certain revenues [thus assidenda], often as a fief-rent.
assisium Minor cathedral benefice.
assisius Churchman holding an assisium.
assisus Rent overseer.
atrium Area immediately before the entrance to a church.
auctorixator Authoriser of a charter.
auctor muneris Donor.
aula Palace.
aumonier Almoner.
aureum Commonly used of bisantius.
aurifaber/aurifex Goldsmith.
auri librae Pounds of gold.
austus aque Water source, mouth of water pipe.
auxilium Obligatory service of providing assistance.
avocat Lawyer.
avunculus Uncle.
B
baculum Staff often handed over formally in the exchange of property.
bafumaria Disused mosque. See mahomeria.
bail en emphytéose Emphyteutic rent.
baiulatio/baillage/bailulus (1) Office of baiulus. (2) Wardship of minors.
baiulus/bajulus/bailli/baylivus/baliuus/bailitus/balius/bailo/baill/ bailliz/bau (m.) / bauilla (f.)
depended (1) Officer or agent. (2) Regent. (3) Lieutenant of absent ruler. (4). Officer in charge
depended of a commandery of a military order.
balistarius Crossbowman.
balneum/balnea Bath house.
bambasi/banbacium/bombaxum Cotton.
bancus/banca Stall of money changer.
bannum (1) Power of judicial enforcement. (2) Prohibition.
barbacana/berbacana/avantmurs Barbican.
barbanus Uncle.
barberius Barber.
barbota Type of ship.
barcha Small boat.
baro [pl. barones]/baron Baron.
beduinus/bedevinus Bedouin.
beneficium Grant, especially of property.
berquilium/berchile/bechile/barquile/barchilia Arabic birqa. Cistern.
bibliotecarius Librarian.
bisanciorum feudum Money fief
bisantius/byzantius/besancius (1) Besant. A gold coin, the weight, and worth, of which
depended on the local mint. (2) Unit of weight.
bisantius/besantius albus/besan blanc White besant. Cypriot currency, drawing on
Byzantine traditions.
bisantius sarracenus/sarracenatus Saracen besant. A gold besant modelled on earlier
Fatimid coinage, although reformed in the middle of the 13th century to remove the
Muslim elements in the inscription.
bisantius vetus Gold Egyptian dinar.
bisantiata A besant’s worth.
bivium Crossroads.
bladum/bled Wheat.
boni viri Honest men, prud’hommes, often with reference to members of a court. See probi
viri.
boquines Goat skins, possibly.
bordellus Small house, possibly a brothel.
bouteillerie Office of butler with perquisites.
boveria/bovaria Cattle sheds.
boves Oxen.
brabantinus Coin and unit of currency.
bucheria/bocherie/becaria Meat market.
bunna Boundary mark.
burgensis/borges/borgois Burgess.
burgesia/borgesie/terra burgesie Property held in burgess tenure.
burgus/bourg Town.
busini Candles.
buticularius/buteler/boutellier Butler.
buza/bucce Unit of measurement of liquid, especially wine.
C
caballaria Unit of land measurement, relative to a knight’s fief or holding.
caban Unknown. An element in the assessment of charges levied in the
commercium of Antioch.
calamita Unknown [in a reference to a house ‘ubi fiunt calamite’].
calcis fornax/calidus furnus Lime kiln.
caldei Chaldeans.
caliga ferrea Chain mail.
cambiator/cambitor/campsor Money changer.
camelarius Camelteer.
camelinus Surcoat.
camera (1) Room, possibly also an apartment. (2) Private treasury: thus camera regia,
holding the king’s private funds.
cameraria Office and perquisites of camerarius.
camerarius/chambellan/chambrier Chamberlain.
campus (1) Field. (2) Town square.
cancellarius Chancellor.
candela Candle wax.
candelarius Official in charge of candles in a church.
canna/canne Unit of measurement of length.
cannamella/canimel/zalamellus Sugar cane.
cannetum Sugar cane plantation.
canonicus/chanoine Canon of cathedral or member of an Augustinian community.
cantaria/quintaria/quintardi Arabic qintar. Unit of measurement of quantity or weight.
cantaria et pondera et mensurae/cantarii, buzae et modii Weights and measures.
cantor (m) / cantatrix (f) Cathedral canon responsible for liturgical music. See precentor.
canuta/cavuta Unknown.
canutus Unknown.
capella Chapel.
capellanus/chapellain Chaplain .
capicerius Presbyterium or chancel: in which the altar is placed.
capitagium/capitatio/capitale redditus Poll tax. See chevagia.
capitaneus/chevetaine Captain.
capitulum Chapter of cathedral canons or of a religious community.
caprarius/cabrarius Goatherd.
caput ecclesiae Chancel.
carat [pl. carates]/qiratum/carctus/karacta Arabic qirat (1) Coin and unit of currency,
being, in the 13th century, a 24th of a besant. See carrubla. (2) Unit of
measurement, based on the weight of a carat/carrubla. (3) Taxation by weight.
karavenier Officer in charge of the caravanna.
caravanna/caravanus/karavane/ karavanna/garavanna (1) Convoy by land and sea of
animals or ships carrying goods and merchandise. See also passagium. (2)
Department in the hospital of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem responsible for
storing bedclothes and utensils. (3) Department in the marshalsy of the Knights
Templar, where warhorses were stabled and their tack and saddlery were stored and
repaired. (4) In the later 13th century land (or sea) based military expedition of the
brother knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
carbo Charcoal.
carcosium Slaughterhouse.
carcubin Precious cloth. Unknown.
cardinalis Cardinal.
carnarium ad ossa mortuorum Charnel pit.
carnifex Butcher.
carpentarius Carpenter.
carrage/karrage/carragium/cavages Arabic kharaj. Muslim land tax maintained by the
Latin settlers. See also terragium, terraticum. The form cavages brings to mind the
Cypriot poll tax of chevagia [see below], but cavages is more likely to have been a
land, not a capitation, tax.
carrubla/karubla/carouble/carrupla/quarrobla Alternative word for carat.
carrucae propriae Demesne land.
carrucata/carrucha/carruca terre/carruga/carratata/cartica/cartata Carrucate, a unit of land
measurement, defined by the amount that can be ploughed by a pair of oxen.
Translated into Venetian Italian as masi. See also aratrum.
cartica greca Greek carrucate.
carrucatae franciae/francae/francesie/liberae Carrucates freed from usual services.
cartula Charter.
carubius/quarubius/caroblers/karoblers Arabic kharub. Carob tree.
carublerium/carrobletum carob tree plantation.
casale [pl. casalia]/casella/chasel Village settlement inhabited usually, but not always, by
indigenous peasants.
casatus Rural tenant.
cassarium Meat market, possibly.
castellanus/chastellain Castellan.
castelletum Fort.
castellum/castrum Castle.
casula (1) Hut. (2) Chasuble.
casula dalmatica Dalmatic.
casula doxi Gilded chasuble.
catepan, see acapetan.
cathedra Bishop’s throne.
cathena/catena/chatena/katena /chaine/chaene (1) Urban district around a port. (2) Port
office responsible for the taxation of ships and of imported and exported goods. (3)
Court [cour de la chaine/cathene curia] responsible for minor maritime cases.
catholicus Catholicos. The head of an independent church .
cathrans/catrans Arabic qatran. Bitumen.
cava/cavea (1) Cave. (2) Depression in the ground. (3) Valley.
cellarium Cellar.
cellerarius/cellerier/sellarius (m) / celleraria (f) Cellarar.
cementarius/cimentarius Builder.
cenobium Monastic community.
census/cense/censuels/censuales (1) The rent due on all city properties and lands held by
burgess tenure. (2) An annual payment made to the papacy by privileged religious
orders. (3) Tax.
cereum (1) Wax. (2) Candle.
charruée, see carrucata.
chevagia/chevalia Poll tax, originating in the Byzantine system, owed by peasants
on Cyprus between the ages of 15 and 60.
chevagius Person owing chevagia.
chevalerie Knighthood.
chevalier Knight.
cimeterium Graveyard.
cingula/zona Belt, cingula.
cisterna Cistern.
civis Citizen.
claperius Monument.
claustrum Cloistered enclosure in a religious community.
clericus/clers Cleric.
clibanus Bread oven.
clicha Unit of quantity.
cliens Dependant.
clientes belligeri Armed dependants.
cocus/coqus Cook.
cognatus Relative.
cogones Cogs: square rigged ships of northern European design.
collatio Tax.
collis Hill.
coloni (1) Farmers. (2) Immigrants.
comes/conte (m.) / comitissa (f.) Count, Countess.
comes palatinus Count Palatine.
comitus Sea captain.
commeatus vel semita Lane.
commendator/commandeur Commander. The title of an officer in the military orders, either
(1) in a senior role in the central convent or (2) leading a local or ship-board community of brothers. See preceptor.
commercium/commertium/comercium/commerce/commerc Byzantine komerkion. (1) A
combined market and import tax, inherited from the Byzantine empire. (2) A general
term for trade.
commodare To pledge.
commune/communia/coumune Commune.
communitas Community.
conductus Aqueduct or water channel.
confallonerius Standard bearer.
confrater (m) [pl. confratres] / consoror (f) [pl. consorores] Lay associate in a confraternal
relationship with a religious order or community.
consanguineus Relative.
consiliori Counsellors.
constabularius/conestalle/constabilis/comestabulus/counestable Constable.
consuetudo [pl. consuetudines]/consuetudinaria/costuma Custom, the word being often
applied to customary laws or taxes. See also usus.
consul/consele Consul.
conventus Religious community.
conventus publicus Public meeting.
conversus Lay brother in a religious community, who does not have the full chapter-rights of
a choir monk.
corba Unit of measurement of liquid.
cordoenarius/cordarius/coriparius Cobbler.
corvei Labour services.
corvesarius/curvesarius/corveser/corvesier/convoisier Leatherworker, cordwainer.
costorer Tailor.
cours des Syriens Courts established to deal with minor cases between Suriani.
crocea Cope.
crucesignatus Crusader.
cubicularius Chamberlain. See camerarius.
cudaria Unit of measurement.
cuffrus Coffer.
cultellus Knife.
cuneus Seal matrix.
cuppa Cup.
curator ovium Shepherd.
curba Unknown. Type of settlement.
curia/cort (1) Judicial court. (2) Courtyard or courtyard building.
curia generalis A general assembly, usually consisting of the High Court and
representatives of the burgesses, the church, the military orders and sometimes the
Italian communes.
curia regalis/regis/curia regni Ierosolimitane (1) royal court. (2) High Court.
curtile/curtille/cortillus/cortile/curtilia/curtilium/curtivum/curdivum Rustic or urban
farmhouse.
curtis courtyard.
custos (1) Guardian or warden, as in titles of office [custos asinarie, custos
helemosine, custos pauperum, custos portus, custos egrorum, custos infirmorum,
custos operis]. (2) Curtain.
cutocothroffium Hospital.
cyrotheca Liturgical gloves.
cyrurgicus Surgeon.
cysternarius Officer in charge of a cistern.
D
dacita Tax, tribute.
dapifer, see senescalcus.
datio census Tax, customs duty.
decanus Dean.
decima (1) Church tithe. (2) A land rent of one tenth of produce.
demanium Domain, demesne. See dominium.
denarius/denier Coin or unit of currency. It rated at 34 to the besant in Latakia.
derem/derame, see dirham.
de statis, rubis et de mensuris Weights and measures.
diaconus Deacon.
dimi/dymi Levy, originating the Byzantine taxation, imposed on peasants in Antioch and
Cyprus.
dinar Muslim gold coin, the model for the besant.
dirham Muslim coin, stemming from the Byzantine drachma.
dispensator Official or agent in charge of a western agricultural settlement.
divisio Boundary.
doctor Teacher with a degree.
doctor clericorum Master of a cathedral school. See magister clericorum; magister
scholasticus.
doga Ditch.
domesticus Servant.
domicella Maidservant.
domina/dame Lady.
dominatio et ligietas Liege lordship.
dominica in ramis palmarum Palm Sunday.
dominium (1) lordship. (2) Demesne land. See demanium.
dominus/domnus/dongnus/dognus Lord.
domuncula/domumcula Small house.
domus (1) House. (2) Religious order. (3) Commandery of a military order.
domus convitii Prison.
domus serice Silk factory, possibly.
donné (m) / donnée (f.) Donat, holding a type of confraternity.
dos/doarium Dowry, marriage portion.
dotalicium Dowry rights.
douane, see secrete.
drap Unit of measurement of material.
draparia Cloth.
drapperius/draperius/trapparius/drapier/draper Conventual officer in a military order,
responsible for issuing clothing and material.
drictura/dreiture/droiture Rights.
drogomannus/durgumannus/drugemannus Arabic tarjuman, meaning interpreter. The office
may well descent from that held by a Muslim legal officer, the mutarjim. The
drogomannus represented the lord in his dealings with the indigenous villagers,
possibly with oversight of legal disputes.
droiture de l’apaut de laudene Unknown.
droiture de la tonie Telonium, possibly.
drugmanagia/drogomanathgium/drugumanagium Office of drogomannus, often held as
a feudal sergeantry.
duana (1) Muslim diwan. (2) Latin secrete.
duana secretorum protonotarius Official in charge of the secrete in Cilician Armenia.
dunae Sand dunes.
dux Military provincial governor in the Byzantine empire. The office was still to be found
in the principality of Antioch, where it was confined to urban localities and apparently
only to civil responsibilities.
E
ecclesia Church.
ectulus Perhaps a corruption of edulus [foodstuffs].
edus Goat.
electus Bishop-elect
elemosinarius/helemosinarius Almoner.
engague Taxes levied on Armenian peasants.
ensis Sword.
episcopus Bishop.
equitatio Mounted raid.
equitaturi Mounts.
equites Knights.
esclavi (1) Slaves. (2) Prisoners-of-war.
esgart/exguardus Legal case creating a precedent.
estraconi/estracones/estacines Shops. See statio.
établissement Law resulting from a formal royal decision.
exactio Taxation.
exactio curiae Court fee.
expeditio Military campaign.
excorticatio Slaughterhouse.
exenia Personal gifts from a peasant to the landlord, payable three times a year. See monet.
F
faber Smith.
fabricae in quibus sunt frena Stables.
familia Household.
familiares Members of household.
famulus Servant.
feodales Feudal rights.
feodatores/feodati Vassals.
feodum/feudum/fié Fief.
feodum militis Knight’s fief.
feodum villanie Form of villeinage tenure.
ferrarius Blacksmith.
fidelis Subject.
fidelitas Fealty.
filius Son.
fiscus Collective term for royal or seigneurial resources.
flumen/flumaria/fluvius River.
foagium Hearth tax.
focay Beer.
focus Hearth.
fons/fontana Spring, well.
forbitor Armourer.
foresterius Forester.
forifactus Criminal offence.
forner/fornerius/furnier/furner (1) Oven guardian (2) Baker.
forum (1) Judicial court. See curia. (2) A market place. See funda.
fossa/fossatum Ditch, moat.
fovea Tomb.
francicia/franchisia Freedom.
francus [pl. franci]/francigena (1) Term used to describe anyone in the East of western
European origin. (2) Used with particular reference to a subject of France.
frater Brother.
frater cliens (1) Confrater. (2). Brother sergeant of a military order.
fratres cutellorum, see assasini.
frater miles Brother knight of a military order.
fructus Produce.
frustrum [actually frustum] terre A unit of land measurement.
funda/fonde/fondicum/fondacum/fundum/funditia/fundicium/fonticum/fontigo/fontego/fundus,
foncium (1) An enclosed market. (2) A group of such markets. (3) An office
administering and collecting taxes from the markets. (4) A court [cour de la fonde],
judging minor commercial cases.
fonde del vin Wine market.
furnus Oven.
G
gabelles Tax [but only to be found in early modern inventories].
galea (1) Galley [ship]. (2) Armour.
galea armata Armed galley.
galeator Galley captain or owner.
galio [pl. galiones] Small galley.
garde Warden, guardian. See custos.
garet/garitus Fallow land, partly sown with a nitrogenous crop. Translated by the Venetians
as mazatica/mazadica/macatica/terra frata.
gastina/guastina/vastina/quastina (1) Deserted casale. (2) Wasteland.
gastinula Small gastina.
gener Relative.
gens/gentes People or peoples in general.
gentiles Non-Christians.
gentilis [adj] Gentle [as in gentleman].
georgiani Georgians.
giraudellus Candelabra, girandole.
gladius Sword.
glenatores Gleanings after harvest.
gradus Staircase.
granerium/grenier Granary.
grangia Farm owned by a monastic community.
granum Wheat.
grant parlement, see curia generalis.
grecus/graecus/grifon Greek.
grippus Boat.
guantus Glove.
gubernator Governor.
H
habitatio Residence
habitator Inhabitant.
habitus Dress of the member of a religious community.
hallah Dedicated bread in Jewish ritual.
harnesium militare Military equipment.
haute cort High Court.
helemosina Alms.
helemosinarius Almoner.
herbae Herbs.
hereditas Heritable property.
herema loca Waste land.
heremita Hermit.
hominium/homagium Homage.
hominium facere To pay homage.
hominium ligium Liege homage.
homo/home (1) Man. (2) Vassal.
homo ligius/homlige/homolige (1) Liegeman. (2) Peasant [homlige] residing in the Venetian
third of the lordship of Tyre.
homo peculiaris Villein.
honor (1) Honour. (2) Distinction. (3) Fief.
hortolanus Gardener with a heritable holding.
hospitalarius/hospitalier Hospitaller.
hospitale Hospital.
hospitatio Lodging.
hospites Lodgers.
hospitium/hostel (1) Hospice. (2) Lodging.
hostes Crucis Christi Muslims [enemies of Christ’s cross].
hostiarius (1) Door keeper or porter. (2) Chamberlain.
I & J
jacobitae/iacobini/jacobins Members of the Jacobite church.
janitor Janitor, gate-keeper.
jardinum Garden.
jarra/jarre/jarta Arabic jarah. Unit of measurement of liquid.
jornata terre A unit of land measurement.
incisor Carpenter.
incola (1) Agricultural settler. (2) Inhabitant.
infidelis Non-Christian.
insula domorum Block of houses.
internuntius Emissary.
interpres, see drogomannus.
introitus Entry charges.
judaeus/judeus/jude Jew.
judex [pl. judices] Judge in the context of burgenses.
judge delegate Representative appointed by the papacy to hear an ecclesiastical case
locally.
judicia Case law.
jugera Unit of land measurement, possible linked to the carrucata.
iumentum Packhorse.
juratus Jurat of a burgess court.
jurisdictio/juriditio Jurisdiction.
jus [pl. jura] Right, privilege.
jus plateaticus Right to take market taxes.
justa Unit of measurement of wine.
iusticiarius Justiciar.
justitia de sangue Justice of blood, the imposing of capital sentences.
L
lacus Lake.
laine Wool.
lampades Lamps.
lancea Lance.
latini Members of the Latin Church.
laycus conversus, see conversus.
legalitatis et justitie exsecutores Members of a court.
legati a latere Legates sent by the pope with specific tasks.
legatus Emissary with plenipotential powers.
legis peritus Learned in law.
lengle Language, nation.
leugua/leuga League: unit of distance.
levita Priest.
libera Free.
libertas Freedom.
libra/livre (1) Unit of measurement of weight: a pound. (2) Unit of currency.
ligesse Liege homage.
ligietas/liggiancia/ligiantia Liege lordship.
lignum Boat.
lingua arabica/saracena The Arabic language. See sarracenice.
litra/littra/listra Unit of measurement of liquid.
litterae patentes Deeds.
locum tenens Lieutenant.
locus (1) A place. (2) Type of property.
logia/loge Large building, with a colonnade.
longobardi Lombards. A term used of the imperial forces in 13th-century Palestine and
Cyprus.
lorica Breastplate.
lunae Lunettes.
M
macellarius Butcher.
macellum Meat market.
macera/mazara Press, as for grinding sugar cane.
magister/maistre Master. (1) Head of a religious order (2) A man with an advanced degree.
(3) A leading technician. (4) A provincial or local officer in a religious order.
magister castelli Castellan.
magister clientium S. Sepulcri Canon responsible for the dependants of the Holy
Sepulchre.
magister puerorum Tutor to children.
magister scholasticus/magister scole/magister scholarum/magister clericorum Master of a
cathedral school. See also doctor clericorum.
magister secrete Executive officer in charge [under the seneschal] of the royal treasury.
magister theologus Master of theology.
magisterium Mastership.
magnus preceptor/generalis praeceptor Grand Commander in a military order.
mahnée Household.
mahomeria/mahumeria/machomeria Deserted mosque. See bafumaria.
maior/maire Mayor.
maison (1) House. (2) Commandery of a military order.
maitre de monnoye Officer in charge of a mint.
manipulus Unit of measurement of quantity.
mansio (1) House (2) Unit of landholding.
mansio domorum Block of houses.
mapa Altar cloth.
marbutinus/marabuttinus Coin. Unit of currency.
marcata Unit of quantity.
marcha/marca (1) Mark: coin and unit of currency. (2) Unit of weight.
marcha argenti/marc d’argent Silver mark.
marcha auri Gold mark, valued in 1207 at the equivalent of 56 besants.
marchio/marchisus Marquess.
marciban/marcibanus/marzapanus (1) Coin and unit of currency. (2) Unit of weight.
marescalcus/mareschallus/maresqualcus/maurescalcus/manesclcus/mareschaudus
Marshal.
maroniti/maronidae Members of the Maronite church.
masarium/masera Sugar press.
massa Staff.
massaratici Furniture.
matesep Arabic muhtasib. Official with jurisdiction in commercial matters and having the
duty of collecting licence fees from shopkeepers, craftsmen and others. He had police
responsibilities in Cyprus and may have had the same in the kingdom of
Jerusalem.
mecuchia Unit of measurement of quantity.
medicus Doctor.
medii Medes.
medietas Land rent of half produce.
mella Syrup extracted from sugar cane.
mensae nummulariorum Tables of money changers.
mensurae Measures.
mensurator ville Official in charge of weights and measures.
mercator Merchant.
mercatura Market tax.
merces/mercimonia Merchandise.
messis Harvest.
meta Boundary mark.
metitus Unit of measurement of quantity.
metra/mitreta/metreta Unit of measurement, as of liquid.
mezuzah Parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah.
mezzina Unit of measurement of quantity.
miege Doctor.
miles [pl. milites] Knight.
miles frater Brother knight of a military order.
miliarius Unit of measurement of distance.
militia/milicia (1) knighthood. (2) A body of knights.
milites feodati Fief-holding knights.
milites leprosi Leper knights.
milites stipendarii Mercenary knights.
minister Senior officer, administrator.
ministerium Office.
mirtus Myrtle.
moabita Muslim.
modius/muid Unit of measurement of quantity.
moiture Milling.
mola Millstone.
molendinarius Miller.
molendinum/molin Mill.
molendinum aque Water-powered mill.
molendinum equorum/equi Horse-powered mill.
molendinum olivarum Olive mill.
monachus/monacus Monk.
monasterium Monastery.
monet Arabic munaʻ. Personal gift from a peasant to the landlord, payable 3 times a year.
See exenia.
monticulum Hillock.
mortidatio Murder.
morus Mulberry tree. See also arbor morarius.
morvellarii Mulberry trees, possibly.
mossarins Muslims.
mulanus Official (mullah) in charge of the diwan al-mal, the treasury in a Muslim state.
mulier Woman.
municipium Castle.
murus Wall.
must Grape juice.
N
navalis exactio Tax on shipping. See nol.
navis/nef/navigium Ship.
nazarite Jew bound by vow to be set apart for the service of God.
negociatores Merchants.
nepos Nephew.
nerçi [or verçi]. A type of dye, possibly.
nestoriani/nestorins/nestorini/nestorienses/nestoriti Members of the Nestorian Church.
nobilis Noble.
nol Tax on shipping. See navalis exactio.
notarius Notary.
noval lands Lands that were previously uncultivated.
novenarius/novesimus Property sales tax.
nummularius Money changer.
nummus Coin.
nuntius Emissary.
O
obedientia Dependency of religious community or order.
obulus/obolis Obole: coin and unit of currency.
obulus aureus Gold obole.
octonarius Tax on mill production.
oleum fossimani Unkown.
olfrizium Decoration on episcopal mitre.
olivetus Olive grove.
opera lana Cloth.
opera lini Linen.
optimas Magnate.
ordo Religious order.
ortus/hortus Garden.
outremer (1) Europe, when viewed from the Levant. (2) The Levant when viewed from
Europe.
P
pactio Agreement.
pactonarius/pauctonarius/pautonarius Official in the principality of Antioch, possibly
responsible for guarding bridges and levying charges.
pactum Taxation.
paganus Non-Christian, normally Muslim.
pais Peace.
palatium/palacium Palace.
palea (1) Beds. (2) Gleanings.
palia Wooden stakes.
pallium (1) Stole of particular shape and manufacture presented by the popes to
archbishops. (2) Altar covering. (3) Mantle.
palma Unit of measurement of length.
panis Bread.
panitarius/panetarius Baker.
panni Cloth.
panssions Rents.
papuliones Tents.
paramentum Parament: decorated robe.
paramentum altaris Altar frontal.
paria boum Pair of oxen.
paries Wall.
pariliata, see jugera.
parmentarius/palmentirs Tailor, clothier.
parrochia Parish.
pars [pl. partes] terre (1) Share of property (2) Unit of land measurement.
partes ultramarinae/transmarinae The Levant.
parthus Parthian.
particula terre Small piece of land.
passagium/passage (1) Time of sailing to the Levant from the West, in spring and autumn.
(2) Taxation on goods passing through a region.
pastor Parish priest.
pastura Pasture.
patriarcha Patriarch.
patrones Patrons.
pauper Poor person.
pecten Liturgical comb.
pedites Footsoldiers.
peire (1) Stone. (2) Millstone.
pelliparius Furrier.
pellitia Fur coat.
peregrinus (1) Pilgrim. (2) Crusader.
persae/persi Persians.
persona Parson: rector, parish priest.
pertica Unit of measurement of land.
pertinentia Dependency.
pertusis vulpis Fox hole.
petia/pecia/pettius/pièce Unit of land measurement.
phisicus/physicus Physician.
pincerna Wine steward. See buticularius.
pincernatus Office of butler and the revenues attached to it.
pinula Unknown. Possibly a pine cone.
piscaria/pischaria/piscatoria/piscatio/pescherie/pecherie Fishery.
piscator Fisherman.
pistrinum Bakery.
pix Pitch.
plaga Urban district.
planeta Chasuble.
planicies terrae Flat land.
platearius/placearius/plazarius Civic judicial officer, whose duties related to the platea.
platea/place Open space in a city, similar to a piazza.
platea telarum/place de toiles Cloth market.
plateaticum Market dues.
plebanus Parish priest.
plebs People.
plus dreit heir aparant Most rightful heir present in the East.
pomerium/pomarium Apple orchard.
pondera Weights.
pons Bridge.
pontifex Archbishop.
populus People.
porcharia piggery.
porta Gate.
porta magistra Main Gate.
portator Gatekeeper, porter.
porticalis Portal.
portus Port.
posterula/poterne Postern.
poteria Pottery.
potestas Power.
prastia/prestrie/prestia/prestria Small village.
pratum Meadow
prebenda Prebend.
precentor/praecentor (m.) / precentrix (f.) Precentor. See cantor.
preceptor The title of an officer in the military orders, either (1) holding a senior position in
the central convent or (2) leading a local community of brothers. See commendator.
preceptor magnus Grand commander in a military order.
predium Estate.
preemption Right of first refusal on sale.
prelatus (1) Bishop. (2) Venetian official in charge of a third of Tyre.
premium Additional tax.
prepositus/praepositus/preposicius/prevost (1) Provost. (2) A leader of a religious
community. (3) Village headman.
prepositus ultramarinus Grand Commander in Europe of the Hospital of St John of
Jerusalem.
presbiter/presbyter Priest. See sacerdos.
presbyter Iohannes Prester John.
pressorius/pressoir Press: for sugar or wine.
presul Bishop.
pretium Price.
primicherius Senior canon in a cathedral chapter.
princeps (m.) / principissa (f.) Prince, Princess.
prior (m) / priorissa (f) (1) Leader of religious community, especially a priory. (2) Chief
priest in a community of brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. (3) Lay
brother holding office of provincial in the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
privignus/privingnus Stepson.
privilegium Charter.
probi viri/probi homines/viri prudentes/proceres, see boni viri.
procurator (m) / procuratrix (f) (1) Senior officer or administrator. (2) Legal representative.
procurator operis Master of works.
procuration Right to provisions on an episcopal visitation.
proditor Traitor.
proria Type of property.
provision Devolution to the pope or senior churchman of the right to choose an
incumbent for a benefice.
provisor Overseer.
pullani/poulains Second generation Latin settlers.
purification Religious rite for women after childbirth.
puteus Well.
Q
quartus Land rent of a quarter of the produce.
quinquagesimus Levy on merchants.
quintalia/quintala/quintarium/quintardus/quintaus/quinta/kyntal/kintau Unit of
measurement.
quintus Land rent of one fifth of the produce.
quondam (1) Deceased (2) Former.
R
raboinus/rabuinus/robuinus Arabic rabi’. Coin and unit of currency. Rated at a quarter of a
besant in 1183.
racemi Grapes.
raitabiles villani Villani subject to a rais.
rais/raiz/raicius/rays Arabic ra’is. (1) Headman of an indigenous village community,
translated by the Venetians as gastaldio. (2) President of a cour des Syriens.
raisagium Office of a rais.
rama Wood.
rapina Pillage
raptus/rat Rape.
ravina Ravine.
rectitudines Rights.
rector (1) Parish priest (2) Governor.
redditus (1) Revenues. (2) Taxation.
regalis moneta Royal coinage.
regie maiestatis auctoritas Royal authority.
regina Queen.
regulus, see rais.
residentia House.
restor/restitutio Replacement of horse.
retrais Supplements to the Rule of the Knights Templar.
rex (1) King. (2) Rais.
riviera/riberia/riparia Coast.
rivulum aque Canal.
robba/rodda Unit of weight.
rota Wheel of water mill
rotulum/rotum/rotutum/ritulum/rotula/rote/rota Unit of measurement.
rubinus Ruby.
ruella Small street, passageway or lane.
ruga/ruiga/rua/rue Street.
ruissel Watercourse.
rusticus, see villanus.
S
sacchi Units of measurement of quantity.
sacerdos Priest. See presbiter.
sacramentum calumpniae Oath before testimony in a church court.
sacrista/sacristanus Sacristan.
sagitarius Bowman.
saisina Possession.
salandrus Fast galley-like ship.
salina Salt pans.
salma Unit of weight and measurement of liquid. The equivalent of two Venetian
biguncidii.
salvaticus (1) Bush. (2) Hunter.
samaritanus/samaritan Samaritan.
samitum Samite.
sancte crucis vexillum Relic of the True Cross.
sanctimonialis Nun.
saracenus/sarracenus/sarrasin Muslim.
sarracenice A word expressed in Arabic.
sartus Building.
satrapus Satrap.
savonerie/savoneria Soapworks.
scapuli Swordsmen.
scaranni Bandits employed by Christians against Muslims.
scriba (1) Scribe. (2) Official, descendant of the Muslim katib, in a revenue-bearing
department, such as a city gate, cathena, funda. (3) Official responsible for the
collection of revenues and for drawing land boundaries in the countryside.
scribanus A scriba [in category 3] holding office as a sergeantry in feudal tenure.
scribania/scribanagium Office of a scribanus.
scriptor Scribe, charter writer.
scutifer Shield bearer, squire.
scutum Shield.
secatores segetum Threshings after harvest.
secretarius/secrétaire (1) Confidential assistant. (2) Official in the secrete.
secrete Central or local treasury and accounting office.
sella Saddle.
sellarius Saddler.
sendatum Silk cloth.
senescalcus Seneschal. See dapifer.
septa Urban district.
sepulcrarius Canon in a cathedral chapter responsible for burials.
sera Lock.
serica/seta Silk.
serventus Servant.
servicium/servitium (1) Service in general. (2) The obligation of service under contract,
feudal or otherwise.
servicium dominium Feudal service.
serviens [pl. servientes] (1) Servant. (2) Sergeant, as in brother sergeant of a military order.
servitus Obligation, such as payment of rent.
servus/serf (1) Slave. (2) Serf. Rarely, if at all, used of a villanus in Palestine and Syria.
sigillum Seal.
sindicus Syndic.
sine precio vel munere Freed from payment of duty.
sire Lord.
skifatus Unit of currency.
socer Father-in-law.
societas Company.
socius Companion.
solarium (1) Upper chamber. (2) Upper storey.
solidarius Mercenary.
solidus/sou Unit of currency. On third of a raboinus in 1254.
somarii/summerii/sommiers Pack animals.
soma/saoma Unit of quantity, as in the load carried by a pack animal.
sororius Brother-in-Law.
soudoyer Mercenary.
spacium Area of land.
spina Wall.
spolia (1) Booty. (2) Element in parish revenue.
stabulae/stabularia/stabulum Stables.
stacionarius Shopkeeper.
stagium Residential obligation of Cypriot peasants.
stagnum Water reservoir.
statera Scales.
statera, pensae, modia et mensurae Weights and measures.
statio [pl. stationes] / stacio Shop.
stipendarius (1) Wage earner. (2) Mercenary.
strata Street.
studia scholastica Education.
sub-cantor Sub-cantor.
sub-diaconus Subdeacon.
subditus Subject.
sub-prior/supprior Sub-prior.
sub-thesaurarius Sub-treasurer
succentor/subcentor Succentor.
surianus/sirius/syrus/syrius/syrianus/surien/suliani/syriacus Indigenous Orthodox
Christian who follows an Arabic liturgy.
sutor Cobbler.
T
taberna Tavern.
tablagium Probably a levy on money-changing.
tabulae cambii Booths of money changers.
talenta Money.
tallia/talia Tax.
taneria/teneria/tanarie/tanerie Tannery.
tanerius Tanner.
tarida Merchant and passenger ship, propelled by both oars and sails.
tarsana Arsenal [in Acre]. See arsena.
tartari Mongols.
teloneum/thelonaria/tholoneum Tax.
tenementum Tenement.
tentoria (1) Tents. (2) Dye works.
teneuri Tenures.
tercia Third of produce paid by Greek peasants on Cyprus.
terciaria/tersiaria/tertianaria/tercenaria Tax on a ship’s passengers and crew.
terra candida Chalk
terra cannamelae Sugar cane plantation.
terragium, see carrage.
terrarius Landowner.
terraticum, see carrage.
terre ultramarina The Levant.
testaria Brick kiln.
texarini Dye workers.
texta Gospel books.
textor inscriptionis Charter writer.
theatrum Roman theatre.
theoricus Physician.
thesaurarius/tessaurarius/tesaurarius Treasurer.
thesaurus Treasury.
tithes Church tax of one-tenth of the produce, paid annually.
tolum Rotunda.
torcular Wine press.
tornator Carpenter.
toron/turonium/turon/torronum Hill.
traditio mortis Death sentence.
trebucheta Trebuchet.
treve Truce.
tributalis consuetudo Customary tax.
tributus (1) Tax. (2) Tribute.
trivia Town square.
tuazo Tax on pork butchers in Tyre.
tuctor Guardian.
tuguria Castle.
tumba Memorial.
turcopolus/tricopulus/turcopler/turroplus Turcopole.
turcus Turk.
turnonenses Pounds tournois.
turribalum Thurible.
turris Tower.
turris perforata Gate tower.
U & V
vadimonia Pledges.
vadum Ford.
vallet Squire.
vassellus/vassallus/vasa/vaisellus Ship.
vastina, see gastina.
vavassor Vassal.
vectigale Carriage, tax.
venator Huntsman.
venella Alleyway.
vetulus Assideorum/vetus dominus Assyriorum/vetus de Monte/vetulus Montanus/vetus de
mussa Leader of the sect of the Assassins.
vexillum Banner.
vexillum Balzanum Banner of the Knights Templar.
vexillum beati Petri Papal banner.
via Road, street.
via publica Public way.
via regia Royal way.
viator Traveller.
vicarius Vicar: an ecclesiastical or lay person holding office at will of appointer.
vicaria Office of vicar.
vice-cancellarius Vice-chancellor .
vicecomes/vicomte (m.) / vicecomitissa (f.) Viscount, Viscountess.
vicecomitia Viscounty.
viculus Lane.
vicus (1) A street (2) Urban quarter.
vidimus Confirmation of a charter after a visual inspection.
villa Village.
villania Villeinage tenure.
villanus/vilain/villain (m.) / villaine (f) Villein.
vindemia Vintage, wine harvest.
vineola Small vineyard.
vinum cervese Beer.
vir Man.
virgultum (1) Woodland, plantation. (2) Unit of land measurement.
viri militares Knights.
viridarium/verger Fruit or vegetable garden.
vir religiosus Member of a religious community.
vitrarius Glass maker.
vitricus Lay church official.
vitrum/vitreum Glass.
uncia Unit of measurement of weight.
volta/vauta/arvoltus (1) Vault, undercroft. (2) Warehouse.
volta scura Closed vault.
vrequinnus ad racemos decalcandos Wine press.
usances Customs.
usaticum Customary tax.
usus et consuetudines (1) Customary dues and obligations. (2) Customary laws.
usus et institutiones Custom and practice.
X
xenodochium/xenodoche Hospital.
Y
ypotecarius Shopkeeper selling spices and other merchandise. See apotheca.
Z
zaribel Unknown [corrupted word in a forgery].
zuchar/zucarum Sugar.
