The Oath

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Aketon – a thick tunic, originally padded or quilted, that was worn over the shirt but underneath a man-at-arms’ hauberk.

Alaunt – a hunting dog, like a greyhound but larger, with a broad head and shorter snout. Known for their ferocity, these dogs were used to hunt big game, even bears.

Ambler – horses for gentle riding were trained to ‘amble’, swinging both left legs together, then both right legs.

Amerce – a financial penalty that was a type of bond. For example, a man would be ‘amerced’ to attend court, and if he failed to appear, the sum was his fine.

Attach – to secure a man’s attendance at court by means of sureties.

Berner – the attendant in charge of hounds.

Centaine – a unit of men-at-arms in the King’s host: a hundred men.

Chevauchée – a technical military term, generally meaning to ride out and pillage an area.

Deodand – a tax, based on the value of a murder weapon, payable as a fine. This tax remained in force until the nineteenth century, when railway companies complained at the value of entire trains being levied for accidental homicides!

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