Knighthood, Chivalry & Tournament
Glossary of Terms


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The glossary is meant as a growing resource for students, re-enactors, and anyone interested in knighthood, chivalry, or the medieval tournament. The current page is but a brief listing of what we would like to have on the page; if you would be interested in helping with a given area, such as in heraldry, transcribing tournament accounts, translations, or research, drop the author an email at brion@chronique.com. Additionally, we would like to expand many of the definitions here; if you want to try one or more of them send your submissions to the email address above--we can use the help!

Nail Money: Money paid to a herald for services at the tournament, derived from the heraldic duty of nailing the knight’s shield to the tree of challenges.

Nine Worthies: The nine figures of ‘history’, known for their particular qualities of prowess and chivalry. The first iteration of the Worthies occurs in the 14th century, when the list comprised the following:

Later, French authors added a 10th worthy, Bertrand du Guesclin, but this addition did not take hold outside of France. The worthies were a very popular shorthand for a sort of chivalric ‘hall of fame’, an inspiration for poetry, romance, stained glass windows, sculpture, tapestries and woodcuts.

Nobility (ideal): {philosophical problem of}

Nobility: This meant literally descent from a noble or aristocratic family. Despite this, there was an ongoing debate during the Middle Ages on whether man was ennobled by his actions or by his heritage, something similar to our own ‘nature vs nurture’ debate. See also Of Four Quarterings.

Noble House (Maison Noble): See Order of the Star.

Nones: The ‘ninth’ hour of the day, usually 3 pm. See also Canonical Hours.

Norman Conquest: {1066}

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