Dawnflight (65 page)

Caledonian(s).
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of the nation of Caledonia, terms used by Latin- and Brytonic-speakers.

Camboglanna (Brytonic, “Crooked Bank”).
Fortress near the western end of Hadrian’s wall, built on a high bluff overlooking the Cambog (Cambeck) Valley, located in present-day Castlesteads, Cumbria, England.

Càrnhuilean (cairn-WHEEDL-ay-ahn; Caledonaiche, “The Rock-Elbows People”), Clan.
Caledonaiche term for Clan Cwrnwyll of Rheged, Brydein. Full Caledonaiche designation:
Càrnhuileanaich Rhiogachd Bhreatein
. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
càrn
(“rock pile”),
na h’uilean
(“of the elbows”).

Càrnhuileanach (cairn-WHEEDL-ay-ahn-ack; pl. Càrnhuileanaich; Caledonaiche).
Of or pertaining to Clan Cwrnwyll of Rheged, Brydein, a term of my invention referring to Arthur’s Brytoni heritage that uses the
-ach
suffix convention for indicating membership in a given group. Also translates to “Man of the Rock-Elbows Clan,” a reference to the physical layout of the clan’s seat, Caerlaverock, as a triangular fortress of “elbows.” Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
càrn
(“rock pile”),
na h’uilean
(“of the elbows”).

cena (Latin, “dinner”).
A typical Roman evening meal, served by courses, including soup, meats, vegetables, fruit, and nuts—whence the phrase “from soup to nuts” originates.

centurio equo (Latin, “commander of horse”).
A cavalry centurion, usually an ala commander. Badge: copper brooch with a red enamel ring around the legion’s symbol.

centurion.
Latin:
centurio
(“century commander”). Mid-grade military officer; in Arthur’s army, this is usually a century or ala commander, or commander of a garrison staffed with fewer than four centuries or alae. Badge: copper brooch with appropriately colored enamel ring around the legion’s symbol.

century.
Latin:
centuria.
Infantry unit consisting of approximately 100 soldiers, commanded by a centurion.

Chalice, The.
Cup once used by Iesu the Christ, enshrined at the Sanctuary of the Chalice.

chamomile.
Medicinal herb.

clan-mark.
Caledonaiche:
fin-cìragh
(“clan-crest”). A tattoo representing the Caledonach clan’s symbol, usually painted with woad dye. A woman receives the clan-mark on her right forearm when she achieves the status of àrd-banoigin. During the bonding ritual, the àrd-banoigin receives her consort’s clan-mark on her left forearm. Likewise the àrd-ceoigin is tattooed with her clan-mark, also on the left forearm. The clan-mark is a special classification of warding-mark. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
fine
(“tribe,” fem.),
cìr
(“cock’s crest,” m.),
carragh
(“monument,” fem.).

Clota.
Caledonach/Brytoni deity symbolized by a leaping salmon, Goddess of Wisdom.

Clota’s River.
Caledonaiche:
Ab Chlota
. Caledonach term for the River Clyde, which forms the northeasternmost end of the Firth of Clyde. Caledonaiche name origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
abhainn
(“river”) and proto-Celtic/Pictish
abar
(“river mouth”), plus my invented possessive form of the name Clota,
Chlota
.

cohort.
Latin:
cohors
(“company”). Military unit usually consisting of ten centuries or alae or combination thereof, commanded by a prefect (non-nobleman) or tribune (nobleman).

coltsfoot.
Medicinal herb.

Common(s), The.
Caledonaiche:
An Coitas
(pl.
A’Choitais
). The beehive-shaped buildings scattered throughout Caledonach settlements. Caledonaiche name origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
coitcheann
(“common,” adj.).

compline.
The last of eight Christian canonical hours of the day, occurring at approximately two hours past sundown. Origin: Latin
complere
(“to fill up”).

Council of Chieftains, The.
Conclave of Brytoni chieftains that convenes to pass judgment on matters involving more than one Brytoni clan.

currach.
A small wicker-framed, hidebound, flat-bottomed boat for one or two people, propelled by paddle.

cù-puc (KOO-puck; pl.
cù-puic
(KOO-pweek); Caledonaiche, “dog-pig(s)”).
An epithet. Origin: based on Scottish Gaelic compound
cù-muc
(“dog-sow”), with a change in consonants to make it sound more satisfying when spoken aloud.

Cwrnwyll (KEERN-weedl), Clan.
Caledonaiche:
Càrnhuileanaich
(“The Rock-Elbows People”). Brytoni clan occupying the region of Rheged. I invented this clan name to be evocative of Cornwall, the region ascribed by tradition for Arthur’s birth. The fact that it renders very nicely into Caledonaiche is something I didn’t discover for almost 25 years. Banner: rampant ivory unicorn on crimson. Cloak pattern: dark red crossed with sky blue and saffron. Gemstone: ruby.

Dalriada (Latin).
Caledonaiche:
Dailriata
(dale-ree-AH-tah; poss.
Dhailriata
(jhale-ree-AH-tah); “(of the) Necessary Meadow”). Political region in the northwest sector of Brydein consisting chiefly of the Kintyre Peninsula and western islands of Scotland plus the Isle of Man. At the time of this story, the Scotti incursions into this region were just getting underway, and historically the Isle of Man was never considered part of the later Scotti kingdom of Dál Riata. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
dail
(“meadow”),
riatanach
(“necessary”).

Dalriadan(s).
Caledonaiche:
Dailriatanach
(dale-ree-ah-TAN-ack; poss.
Dhailriatanach
(jhale-ree-ah-TAN-ack), pl.
Dailriatanaich
(dale-ree-ah-TAN-ache), poss. pl.
Dhailriatanaich
(jhale-ree-ah-TAN-ache)). Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of the Brytoni region of Dalriada.

Dance of the Sun, The.
Caledonaiche:
Ruidhle a’Ghrian
. One of the Caledonach activities performed on Àmbholc day to encourage the sun to provide days with increasing amounts of daylight. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic:
ruidhle
(“dance”),
a’ghrian
(“of the sun”).

decurion.
Latin:
decurio
(“commander of tens”). Junior-grade military officer, usually a turma commander. Badge: iron brooch with appropriately colored enamel ring around the legion’s symbol.

Doann Dealghan (DOOan dayALL-ghan; Scáthaichean, “Dalgan’s Fortress”).
Scotti seaport on the northeastern coast of Ireland, present-day Dundalk, which claims a link to the mythological Irish hero Cú Chulainn.

Doves of Argyll, The.
Caledonaiche:
Na Calmain h’Argaillanaich
. Symbol of Clan Argyll of Caledon, a pair of silver doves in flight on a dark blue background; also referred to as “the Argyll Doves.” Origin: Scottish Gaelic
na calmain
(“the doves”), and my invented term,
h’Argaillanaich
(“of Clan Argyll”).

Dragon Legion, The.
Latin:
Legio Draconis
. Northern Brytoni army unit, whence the term “Pendragon” originates. When Arthur took command after Uther’s death, this was the only legion in existence—what was left of it.

dubh-lann (doo-lahn; Caledonaiche, “black-blade”).
The ritual challenge to the clan’s present or future àrd-ceoigin. By Caledonach law, the àrd-banoigin cannot interfere and must accept the winner as her consort, regardless of her personal feelings. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
dùbhlan
(“challenge”); compound of
dubh
(“black”),
lann
(“blade”).

Dunadd (doon-ATH, Brytonic, “Fort on the River Add”).
Caledonaiche:
Dùn At
(“Swelled Fort”). Hill-fort near the town of Kilmartin on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, that is believed to have been the capital of the ancient Scotti kingdom of Dál Riata. In this story, it is the Seat of Moray, home fortress of Urien and Dumarec. Caledonaiche name origin, which is the oldest written form of the fort’s name: Scottish Gaelic
dùn
(“fortress”),
at
(“to swell”).

Dunpeldyr (DOON-pell-deer; Brytonic, “Fort of the Spear”).
Caledonaiche:
Dùn Pildìrach
(doon peel-DEER-ack, “Fort of the Turning Ascent”). Traprain Law hill-fort near Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland, which serves as the Seat of Clan Lothian and the home fortress for Annamar and Loth. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
dùn
(“fortress”),
pill
(“to turn”),
dìr
(“to ascend”).

Dun Eidyn (doon EE-den; Brytonic, “Fort of Eidyn”).
Caledonaiche:
Dùn Éideann
(doon EYE-day-ahn, “Well-Armed Fort”). Hill-fort on the summit of what is known today as Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland, located on the south bank of the Firth of Forth. Site of the battle where, prior to the opening of
Dawnflight
, Uther was killed by King Colgrim and his invading Angli army, forcing Arthur to take command of the retreating Brytoni troops to prevent a rout. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
dùn
(“fortress”),
éideadh
(“armor”).

Dux Britanniarum (Latin, “Duke of Brydein”).
Caledonaiche:
Flath Bhreatein
. Roman military title applied to the commander of the legions stationed between the Antonine and Hadrianic Walls. Prior to the Roman military exodus from Britain in the early part of the 5th century, this force consisted of two legions. When Arthur took this job, approximately 80 years later, there weren’t enough trained soldiers available to form a single legion. Badge: gold dragon, with a red, green, and blue braided enamel outer ring. Historically, this title was applied only to the commander of northern stationary defenses (i.e., troops guarding the Hadrianic and Antonine walls), and it was not a field command. My Arthur doesn’t have that luxury. Caledonaiche name origin:
flath
(“prince”), plus my invented term,
Bhreatein
(“of Brydein”).

Eagle of Rome, The.
Caledonaiche:
An Iolair Rhòm
(“The Eagle of Rome”). The spread-winged symbol of the Roman Empire. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
an iolair
(“the eagle”), and my invented term,
Rhòm
(“of Rome”).

Easgan (AYS-gahn; Caledonaiche, “little willing man”).
Ogryvan’s horse (roan stallion). Name origin: Scottish Gaelic.

Eboracum.
Former Roman legionary fortress and capital of the Brytoni region of Elmet; corresponds to present-day York, England.

Eingel(s) (INE-ghel).
Terms the Angli people apply to themselves that are more Germanic pronunciations than the Latinized forms.

Eireann (AIR-an; Scáthaichean, “Ériu’s Head”).
Ireland. Latin:
Hibernia
. Caledonaiche:
Airein
(“Men of the Plow”). Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
airein
(“plowmen”).

elder.
A medicinal plant.

Epona.
Caledonach/Brytoni deity: Horse goddess symbolized by a prancing mare.

Fates, The.
Greek goddesses presiding over the destinies of mortals’ lives.

fealty-mark.
Caledonaiche:
dìleas-tì
. A scar on a Caledonach warrior’s neck made by his or her sword wielded by the person to whom the warrior has sworn the Oath of Fealty. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
dìleas
(“faithful”),
tì
(“intent”).

ferch (FERK, Brytonic).
“Daughter of,” followed by the father’s name; e.g., Morghe ferch Uther.

Fiorth (Brytonic), The.
Caledonaiche:
Ab Fhorchu
(“River of the Flowing Hound”). Firth of Forth, southeastern Scotland. Caledonaiche name origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
Abhainn Fhorchu
(“the river Forth”),
forasach
(“forward,” adj.),
cù
(“hound”).

Fleet Commander, The.
Latin:
Navarchus Classis Britannia
. Admiral in charge of the Brytoni war-fleet. Since the word “admiral” originates from Arabic, I considered it appropriate to employ a different title; technically, in Arthur’s Roman-based military force, the fleet commander is equivalent in rank to a legate. Badge: silver dragon brooch with a blue enamel outer ring.

Frisians.
Coastal Germanic tribe culturally similar to the Eingels and Saxons. Historically, they began migrating to Britain in the early 5th century A.D.

games helm.
Ornate helmet specially designed for Roman cavalry games rather than combat in order to attract the attention of potential wealthy patrons.

Geall Dhìleas (GAYall JHEYE-lay-as; Caledonaiche, “Oath of Fealty”).
See Oath of Fealty. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
geall
(“promise”),
dhìleas
(“of faithfulness”).

Glaschu (GLASS-koo) Monastery.
Christian men’s religious community located near the Brytoni fort Caerglas in present-day Glasgow, Scotland. The monks are famed for their uisge beverage.

gloria (Latin, “glory”).
A chant performed during the Christian mass.

Gododdin (go-DOTH-in).
Brytonic:
Guotodin
. Caledonaiche:
Gò Do-dìon
(“Deceptively Difficult Defense”). Brytoni-controlled territory corresponding to modern southeastern Scotland and northeastern England. The Brytonic name is derived from the Latin name of the Celtic tribe inhabiting the area at the time of the Roman occupation, the Votadini. The Caledonaiche version implies that the region is deceptively well-defended. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
gò
(“deceitful”),
do-dìon
(“difficult defense”).

Great Disaster, The.
Caledonaiche:
An Ciorramor
. See Alleluia Victory. Chaledonaich term for the mid-5th-century battle against the Breatanaich, doomed when their Sasunaich and Scáthinaich allies fled the battlefield before a single blow was struck. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
ciorram
(“disaster”),
mór
(“great”).

Gwynedd (GWIN-eth).
Mountainous and sparsely populated region corresponding to present-day northwest Wales. Name origin: Brythonic variant of the Latin designation of tribal residents during the Roman occupation collectively known as Venedotia.