Reliquary - A container to hold the remains or ‘relics’ of a dead saint, often made of precious metals and decorated with jewels
Tapestry - In the medieval period tapestries were woven hangings used to line the walls of a room and keep draughts out, they were decorated with pictures of religious, historical or mythical scenes
Virgin Mary - The mother of Jesus Christ, and a very important figure for Roman Catholics
St George - George was a Tribune in the Roman army, stationed in Palestine in the 4th century AD. He complained to the Emporor about the persecution of Christians, and was imprisoned, tortured and eventually beheaded. He was made a saint because he died for his faith. A Legend later grew up that he saved a non-Christian village in Palestine from a wicked dragon. In the story the dragon symbolises the devil and the princess he saves from sacrifice stands for the Christian church. His story became popular amongst soldiers fighting in the Crusades and he became patron saint of the English army, and of England.
Monk - Man who dedicates his life to the service and praise of god. In medieval times they lived together in monasteries. Monks were more educated than most people, they could read and write, and some made books which were kept in the monastery’s libraries.
Apprentice - Boy assigned to a master craftsman by his parents. Apprentices worked 7 years to learn the craft. At the end they made their ‘masterpiece’ to show they had become skilled craftsmen, and were then allowed to join a guild and set up their own workshop.
Pilgrim - Person who travels to a sacred place, often a shrine or cathedral, as an act of devotion
Romanesque - Style of early medieval architecture, based on the Roman style, which was popular from the 10th - 12th century. It can be identified by its round arches.
Gothic - Later medieval architectural style common from the 12th - 16th century in western Europe. It can be identified by its pointed arches and rich decorative imagery.
Barbarian - Ancient term for a foreigner, used to describe non-Greek, non-Roman or non-Christian people. Possibly deriving from barbe meaning beard; ancient Greeks and Romans shaved their beards off to show how civilised they were.
Puritans - Group of strict English Protestants in the late 16th and 17th century who split from the Church of England because they thought it was not pure enough.