Dawnflight (66 page)

Hadrian’s Wall, Hadrianic Wall.
Latin:
Hadriani murum
. Caledonaiche:
Am Balla Deas
(“The South Wall”). Frontier fortification built in northern Britain by the Roman Emperor Hadrian early in the second century A.D. Extends from Wallsend on the River Tyne through Carlisle to the Solway Firth near Bowness-on-Solway.

Hag, The (also the Crone).
Caledonaiche:
An Cronag h’Eugais
. Late-life manifestation of the Life-Goddess. Caledonaich who see the Hag believe they soon will die; hence, she is also referred to as “the Hag of Death.” Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
cron
(“evil,” “harmful”),
eug
(“death”), both of which are masculine nouns.

Herring Cohort.
Unofficial unit designation for the relief troops sent to the Isle of Maun to combat the Scotti invasion, based on the fact that most of the troops were smuggled to the island in the holds of herring boats.

Horse Cohort.
Latin:
Cohortis Equitum
. Unit in the Brytoni army consisting of eight cavalry alae and no footsoldiers, formed as a result of the Brytoni-Caledonian treaty forged after the battle of Abar-Gleann. First Ala is comprised of Brytoni horsemen; the remaining alae are comprised of Caledonians.

hypocaustum (Latin, “under-burning”).
The Romans’ system of heating rooms by pumping hot air from an underground furnace into pipes running beneath the floors.

joining, joining ceremony.
Caledonaiche:
a’phòg naomhair
(“the holy kiss”). The Caledonach marriage ritual, optional. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
a’phòg
(“the kiss,” fem.),
naomh
(“holy”).

Jutes.
Powerful Germanic tribe that originated on the Jutland peninsula in modern Denmark and began migrating to Britain in the late 4th century A.D.

Keeper of the Chalice, The.
Christian holy man selected to guard the Chalice and maintain its shrine; usually also serves as Abbot of Saint Padraic’s Monastery.

kyrie eleison (KEE-ree-ay ee-LAYee-zone; Greek, “Lord have mercy”).
Chant performed during the Christian mass.

Laird (Scáthaichean, “Lord”).
Honorific applied to the overlord of the Scáthaichean.

lann-seolta (lahn-sayOHL-tah; Caledonaiche, “blade-cunning”).
The term applied to Caledonach warriors who are particularly adept at predicting their opponents’ moves in battle, especially in regard to swordsmanship. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
lann
(“blade”),
seòlta
(“cunning”, “skillful”).

lavender.
Medicinal and aromatic strewing herb.

legate.
Latin:
legatus
. Senior Roman military officer, usually a legion commander, equivalent to a brigadier general. Badge: silver with appropriately colored enamel ring around the legion’s symbol.

legion.
Latin:
legio
. The largest unit in the Roman military infrastructure, usually consisting of six infantry cohorts and at least one cavalry ala, commanded by a legate. Technically, Arthur is
Legatus Legio Draconis
(“Legate of the Dragon Legion”), but his status as Dux Britanniarum is more descriptive and therefore supersedes the “legate” title, so I don’t use the term “legate” in this text.

Levitical law.
Ancient Hebrew law as set forth in the books of Moses—the first five books of the Bible, collectively known as the Pentateuch—but especially in the Book of Leviticus. The legal code derives its name from the tribe of Levi, the only one of the twelve tribes of Israel sanctioned to form God’s priesthood.

Life-Goddess, The.
Caledonaiche:
Deò-Dhì
(“Life-Breath from Her”). Caledonach deity who presides over every phase of mortal life, changing her manifestation from Maiden to Mother to Hag as the situation warrants. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
deò
(“breath,” “life,” “spark”),
dhìth
(“off her”).

Lothian, Clan (LO-tee-an; Brytonic).
Caledonaiche: Clan
Lùthean
(LOOT-hay-ahn, “People of Power”); full designation is
Lùtheanaich Ghò Do-dìon Bhreatein
. Brytoni clan of the region of Gododdin, Brydein. Banner: rearing amber bear on dark green. Cloak pattern: forest green crossed with dark blue and gold. Gemstone: amber. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
lùths
(“power”).

Lugh.
Caledonach/Brytoni Lord of Light, symbolized by a bull.

Lugnasadh (loo-NAH-sah).
Summer festival celebrated by non-Christian Caledonaich and Brytons on August 1, characterized by horse racing and livestock sales; named for the god Lugh.

mac (Caledonaiche).
“Son of,” followed by the mother’s name; e.g., Angusel mac Alayna. Origin: Scottish Gaelic.

machaoduin (mack-EYE-dween; pl. michaoduin; Caledonaiche, “son(s) of the unmanned”).
Scáthaichean:
o’neduine
. An epithet with obvious parentage connotations; can apply to jerks, cowards, the condemned, the exiled, and traitors. Female form is
nichaoduin
(pl.
naichaoduin
). Origin: Scottish Gaelic
mac
(“son”), plus my invented compound,
aoduin
(“un-man”), inspired by
ao-
(negation prefix),
duine
(“a man”).

macanrìgh (MACK-ahn-ree; pl. micanrìgh; Caledonaiche, “son(s) of the chieftain”).
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
mac
(“son”),
an rìgh
(“of the king”).

Macsen (Brytonic, “Great One”).
Arthur’s horse (white stallion), named in honor of a predecessor of Ambrosius, Macsen Wledig (“Great Prince”).

Maiden, The.
Caledonaiche:
An Òigh Naomh
. Early-life manifestation of the Caledonach Life-Goddess. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
an òigh
(“the virgin”),
naomh
(“holy”).

mansio (Latin, “abode”).
The inn reserved for use by high-ranking military officers and civilian dignitaries; most Roman fortresses quartering a half cohort or more had one.

Manx Cohort.
Latin:
Cohortis Mavnium
. Unit of the Brytoni army stationed on the Isle of Maun consisting of one infantry century posted to Ayr Point (with the men from that century being rotated to guard the Mount Snaefell signal beacon, as well), two centuries at Caer Rushen, two centuries plus two cavalry turmae at Tanroc, and three centuries and three turmae at Port Dhoo-Glass.

map (Northern Brytonic).
“Son of,” followed by the father’s name; e.g., Urien map Dumarec. Brytons of southern clans use the variant
ap
, also in conjunction with the father’s name.

Mark of Argyll, The.
Caledonaiche:
Fin-cìragh h’Argaillanaich
. Designation of Argyll’s clan-mark, a pair of doves in flight. See clan-mark.

matins.
First of eight Christian canonical hours of the day. Properly occurring at midnight, the prayer service is sometimes combined with lauds, which is held at dawn. Origin: Latin
matutinus
(“of the morning”).

Maun.
Latin:
Mavnum
. Isle of Man in the Irish Sea.

Mel (Caledonaiche, “Honored Spouse”).
The àrd-ceoigin’s honorific, prefixed to his name; optional. Closest modern equivalent is when a woman chooses to hyphenate her husband’s name to her maiden name. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
màl
(“tribute”).

mo laochan (moe LYE-kan; Caledonaiche, “my little champion”).
A term of encouragement usually applied to boys; female version:
mo laochag
. Origin: Scottish Gaelic, a diminutive of
laoch
(“hero, champion, warrior”).

Mona (Latin).
Brytonic:
Ynys Mon
. Anglesey Island, just off the coast of Wales. The island was a noted center for Druid worship and training until the Romans got nervous in the 1st century A.D. and destroyed their shrines and groves.

Móran (MOE-ran; Caledonaiche, “The Many People”), Clan.
Chaledonaich moniker for the Brytoni Clan Moray of Dalriada, Brydein, coined simply because there are so many of them. Full Caledonaiche designation:
Móranaich Dhailriata Bhreatein
. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
móran
(“many”).

Móranach (MOE-ran-ack; pl. Móranaich; Caledonaiche).
Of or pertaining to the Brytoni Clan Moray of Dalriada, Brydein. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
móran
(“many”).

Moray (moe-RAY), Clan.
Brytoni clan occupying the region of Dalriada, Brydein. Banner: black boar on gold. Cloak pattern: black crossed with gold. Gemstone: jet.

Most Sacred Ground, The.
Caledonaiche:
A’Bhruach Mò
. Area in the Nemeton within the innermost circle of stones where the altar resides. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
a’bhruach
(“the small area of high ground”),
mò
(“greatest”, “greater”).

Mother, The.
Caledonaiche:
A’Mhàthair Naomh
. Mid-life manifestation of the Caledonach Life-Goddess. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
a’mhàthair
(“the mother”),
naomh
(“holy”).

Mount Snaefell.
Highest point of the Isle of Maun; location of the main Brytoni signal beacon and Wyllan’s forge.

Narrow Sea.
Latin:
Angusta Mare
. English Channel.

Navarchus Classis Britannia (Latin, “Commander of the Brytoni Fleet”).
The Brytoni fleet commander’s official title, though Bedwyr seldom uses it.

Nemeton, The.
Caledonaiche:
Nèamhaitan
. A Caledonach holy place, a clearing surrounded by two sets of standing stones or live trees; each clan seat has its own. Caledonaiche name origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
nèamh
(“heaven”, “sky”),
àite
(“a place”).

Nemetona.
Caledonach/Brytoni Goddess of War, symbolized by a lioness, said to drive a crimson chariot drawn by four winged, fire-snorting black mares.

nic (Caledonaiche).
“Daughter of,” followed by the mother’s name; e.g., Gyanhumara nic Hymar. Origin: Scottish Gaelic, contraction of
nighean mhic
(“young woman offspring”).

North Wall, The.
See Antonine Wall. Caledonaiche:
Am Balla Tuat
. Chaledonaich term for the Antonine Wall. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
am balla
(“the wall”),
tuath
(“north”).

Oath of Fealty, The.
Caledonaiche:
Geall Dhìleas
. The rite wherein a warrior pledges loyalty to a warrior of another clan; precursor of the knighthood ceremony. If trust is an issue for the person accepting fealty, the rite can be used for execution. Origin: Scottish Gaelic.
The person holding the sword asks,
“An dean thu
, [Name and Title(s)],
an Geall Dhìleas chugam
, [Name and Title(s)],
gus a’bàsachadh?”
(Literally, “Make thou, [Name and Title(s)], the Oath of the Faithful to me, [Name and Title(s)], until the dying?”)
The person swearing the oath responds,
“A chaoidh gus a’bàsachadh.”
(“Ever until the dying.”)

og (Scáthaichean).
“Son of,” followed by the father’s name; e.g., Cuchullain og Conchobar.

Old Ones, The.
Caledonaiche:
Na Déathan Sean
. Collective name applied to the Caledonach deities. Origin: Scottish Gaelic
na déathan
(“the gods”),
sean
(“old”).

One God, The.
Caledonaiche:
An Díaonar
. Caledonach term for the Christians’ deity. Origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic
an dia
(“the god”),
aonar
(“alone”).

Otherworld, The.
Caledonaiche:
An Domhaneil
. In Caledonach mythology, this is the realm of the Old Ones, roughly analogous to Heaven but with more traffic of mortals and spirits back and forth between both worlds. Origin: based on Scottish Gaelic
an domhan
(“the world”),
eile
(“another”).

Our Father(s).
Alternate title for
The Lord’s Prayer
, referring to its first two words, sometimes assigned by one’s confessor as a mild form of penance.

Pendragon, The.
Brytonic:
Y Ddraig Pen
(“The Chief Dragon”). Latin:
Draconis Rex
(“Dragon King”). Caledonaiche:
Àrd-Ceann Teine-Beathach Mór
(“High-Chief Great Fire-Beast”). Honorific applied to the Dux Britanniarum, commander of the Dragon Legion.

Pict(s) (Latin, “Painted Folk”).
Epithet applied by Latin-speakers to one or more inhabitants of Caledonia.

Picti (Latin, “of the Painted Folk”).
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of Caledonia.

Port Dhoo-Glass (DOO-glass; Manx).
Brytoni-controlled port named for its location at the confluence of the rivers Dhoo (“Black”) and Glass (“Green”), present-day Douglas, Isle of Man. “Above the river called Dubglas” is the site of battles 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Arthur’s twelve battles on the list cited in chapter 56 of the 9th-century
Historia Brittonum
. On my list, Port Dhoo-Glass is the site of battles 2 and 5.

praetorium (Latin, “governor’s residence”).
The living quarters of the garrison commander; also may be translated as “palace.”

prefect.
Latin:
praefectus
. Senior military officer; in Arthur’s army, this is usually a cohort or garrison commander. Badge: bronze brooch with either a red or green enamel ring around the legion symbol, or both colors if the garrison also has a cavalry unit.

Rheged (HRAY-ghed; Brytonic).
Caledonaiche:
Rioghachd
(poss.
Rhioghachd
; “(of the) Royal Land”). Political region of Brydein encompassing what is now northern England and southern Scotland. Caledonaiche name origin: Scottish Gaelic
rioghachd
(“kingdom”—though it’s interesting to note that this is a female noun).

Rigan, The (Brytonic).
A sea loch that’s the site of a Brytoni-controlled inland port in northwestern Brydein; present-day Loch Ryan, Scotland.

rìgh (REE; Caledonaiche, “chieftain”).
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
rìgh
(“king”).

Rioghail (REEoh-hale; “The Royal People”), Clan.
Caledonaiche:
Rioghailanaich Chaledon
. Member of the Caledonach Confederacy. Banner: purple eagle standing, on gold. Cloak pattern: black crossed with pale purple and red. Gemstone: amethyst. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic
rioghail
(“royal”).