Page 66 - Scotland's Unsung Castles

Mezzanine (entresol) Intermediate floor just above the
Invest: Cutting of the ability for a castle under siege to get sup- ground floor
plies or reinforcements
J Minstrels’ gallery: A balcony type structure, usually
inside the great hall of a castle and used by musicians
Jamb (Scots) A vertical side member of a door, window or any (minstrels) to perform.
opening. Meurtriere (French)- An opening in any roof that defenders
Joist - Wall-to-wall timber beams to support floor boards. used to shoot into the room below. (see Murder Holes).
K Moline (French) Hav-
ing arms of equal length, forked and curved back at the ends.
Keep (also donjon). The principal tower of a castle. The Great Mortar - A mixture of sand, water, and lime used to bind
tower. stones together.
Keystone - Central wedge stone in the top of arch. Moat: The large ditch around fortifications could be dry or
Killing ground: From the castle wall the area in range of filled with water.
archers or gunners. Motte: The mound or artificial earthen hill on which a tower is
L built.
Motte-and-bailey castle: A castle consisting of a
Laird - A lord or landowner great tower on a motte

Lancet Window. A narrow pointed arched window with a bailey (wall) around it.
Mural towers: Towers built along a curtain wall to protect
Lantern – Sat on the top of a roof or dome a lantern is a small
the flat front of the wall.
structure with open side to allow in light.
Mullion – A decorative divider between two windows or a
Lattice - An ornamental design made of strips of wood or met-
screen.
al .
Lias - Greyish rock which splits easily into slabs. Mural - A painting that is applied to a wall surface
License to crenellate: Official permission to fortify an Murder holes: Holes in the vault built over a passage-
existing structure usually given by the King, but also by others in way. Missiles could be dropped or water poured through the
holes
authority.
N
Lime wash: A whitewash waterproof wall covering.
Lintel - Horizontal stone or beam bridging an opening like a fin- Nailhead - Projecting ornamental moulding resembling
ishing piece over a door or window. the head of a nail.
Livery: Distinctive dress. The dress would indicate which side Narthex - A vestibule leading to the nave of a church
you were on or identify you as the follower of a particular Liard or
Nave: The central aisle of a building Usually used in the de-
lord.
scription of a church
Loggia: A roofed arcade or gallery with open sides stretching
Necking - Ornamental moulding at the top of a column, but
along the front or side of a building; often at an upper level.
at the bottom of the capital. (see Capital)
Loophole: An arrow slit in a wall used by crossbowmen or gun-
ners. Newel – Originally the main post or pillar of spiral staircase.
However a decretive Newel can now be found on many different
Louvre - Opening in roof to allow smoke to escape from central staircases
hearth or slats in a door or window to admit air and reject rain
Newel stairs: A spiral staircase. Now, used to describe any
Lozenge - Shaped like a diamond. staircase with a Newel.
M Niche. A vertical recess in a wall. Often will contain a statue
Nookshaft - A shaft set in the angle of a wall or architectural
Machicolation: A projecting parapet supported by corbels on
a medieval castle; has openings through which stones or boiling feature.
O
water could be dropped on an enemy
Main Block. The main part of a castle. Usually has the main
Oolite - Granular limestone.
hall and other important rooms.
Ogee A double curve, like an S with the convex part above and
Mangonel: A Long armed catapult like machine used to sling the concave part below
projectiles in a siege. Also known as traction trebuchet
Oratory – A place for private prayer like a private in-house
Manor house: The residence of the owner of an estate.
chapel.
Masonry: Building with stone, brick and mortar, or concrete.
Oriel window: A projecting bay window corbeled or cantile-
Mantlet – Portable protective shield on wheels. Originally vered out from a wall.
made of wood but later metal.
Orillons - A fortification providing defence for defenders in
Merlon: The raised (taller) section of a crenelated Battlement the flank of an arrowhead bastions.
on the top of a wall. See also crenel the lowest part of a crenel- Oubliette - Dungeon or pit under the floor, reached by a trap
ated Battlement. (see Crenelated) door.
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