ALLEGORY – A form of literature, popular in the Middle Ages, that joined biblical and classical traditions together in a story which often had a hidden or double meaning.  Various human qualities and virtues could be depicted as male or female characters in the story.

​

TRÉBUCHET – A military device for hurling stones, arrows, etc.  Often used in a siege to launch stones and other objects over a wall onto a city under attack, it originated in China. 

​

CHIVALRY -  A code of behavior and training for knights in the Middle Ages, emphasizing correct conduct in war and in everyday life, with an emphasis on courtesy towards women.

​

CLERIC -  Member of a religious order.  Clerics played significant roles in education and government because of their ability to read and write Latin.

​

DITIÉ  -  Term from Old French meaning a composition or poem, which might be spoken aloud.  From the Latin words for “to dictate” and “to speak.”

​

HUMANISM – A philosophical movement influenced by Classical literature and centered in Italy during the 15th Century.  Emphasis was on education for everyone in order to create more autonomous and free-thinking individuals, which in turn would encourage them to behave prudently and virtuously in society.

​

LOMBARD – Medieval French term for an Italian person;  many Italians living in Paris were originally from the region of Lombardy. 

​

MANTLE  -  A loose sleeveless cloak or cape, worn especially by women.

​

ROMANCE -  A book in prose and/or verse, with the story usually centering on themes of love and courtly manners, popular in the Middle Ages.

​

SURCOAT – A sleeveless over-dress or outer coat of rich material.

​

VIRELAY – A form of French verse with interlacing rhymes, having alternating long and short lines.