Vocabulary I
irritation; annoyance
vexation (n.)
showing great enthusiasm or passion
fervently (adv.)
Bubonic plague; also known as the Black Death
The Plague
where monks distribute gifts to the poor
almonry
the book containing the prayers used in Mass throughout a year
missal
a series of 12 crosses erected by Edward I in honor of his wife, marking the place her body rested each night on its way to London for burial
Eleanor cross
What is the time period and setting of this story?
The story is set in England in the fourteenth century during the reign of Edward III.
opening
embrasure (n.)
to satisfy hunger or thirst
quench (v.)
Robin's father
Sir John de Bureford
a room in the monastery where manuscripts are copied and stored
the place in a chapel where monks stood for chanting
chantry
a fortified tower within the walls of a castle
keep
What did Brother Luke give Robin to occupy his time? What did Robin make with it?
Brother Luke gave Robin his knife and some pine wood to whittle. He made a toy boat with it.
disorder or disease of the body
malady (n.)
alongside
Robin's mother
Lady Maud
an officer in a monastery
prior
pie filled with meat or fish
pasty
a building for storing grain
granary
What did Sir John de Bureford's letter say? Where was Robin to go and who would take him?
Sir John's letter gave updates about the war, the Plague, and Robin's mother. He also instructed Robin to go with Brother Luke to Sir Peter.
travelers, especially on foot
wayfarers (n.)
untidy
slatternly (adj.)
friar of St. Mark's who cared for Robin
Brother Luke
a river flowing through central London
Thames
a dealer in metal utensils or hardware
ironmonger
a flat, unsweetened cake made from oatmeal or barley
bannock
Why was Robin worried about meeting Sir Peter and Lady Constance?
Robin was worried about meeting them because he is crippled and knows that he will be unable to do his duties as a page.
illuminated; brightened with light
illumined (v.)
contemptuously; with disdain
fighting in Scotland started by Edward I and continued by Edward II & Edward III
The Scottish Wars
the hollow, lower portion of a ship
hull
an officer in charge of hedges and fences, especially to keep cattle contained
hayward
bell tower
belfry
"Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it."
Who said this? To whom?
Brother Luke to Robin
rude; uncivil
impertinent (adj.)
ravaging; plundering
marauding (adj.)
a book containing the daily psalms, hymns, and prayers of the monks
breviary
the rear of a ship
stern
a maker or seller of bows
bowyer
a puppet show
the Punch and Judy
"Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it."
What does the speaker mean by this?
Although the events of Robin's life are not what he had planned, he can still be useful and hopeful for good to come from his situation.
buzzed
droned (v.)
showing sorrow or pity
ruefully (adv.)
the dining hall of the monastery
refectory
hammered gold often used for gilding
gold leaf
a midsummer celebration of the birth of John the Baptist
Feast of John the Baptist (June 24)
one of Sir Peter's archers at Lindsay
Adam the bowman
What are the eight daily prayer offices (in order)?
Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, Compline