Ap

Son of. Rhodri was Evan’s father, so his name became Evan ap Rhodri.

Birth-date

The day someone was born. Celebration began at night and continued for 24 hours similarly, a "marriage day" did not end till 24 hours had passed.

Candlemas

Candlemas, February 2nd celebrated the presentation of Jesus 40 days after his birth. Candles were blessed to celebrate “light.” Was also considered the day when people would know whether winter would be finished. A traditional song said: "If CandleMass be fair and bright, Come, Winter, have another flight; If CandleMass bring clouds and rain, Go, Winter, with your freezing blight!" In the United States, Groundhog Day steps in to predict the weather.

Child of Bush & Brake

Sometimes men fathered a baby with someone they would or could not marry. The law required the man to pay a fine (child support.) If the woman did not want to keep the child, after it was weaned, the father had to take custody. It makes one wonder if the baby was conceived in the bushes. Brake makes one think of cars and drive-in movies. Definitely not the ‘brake’ Hywel Dda had in mind.

Claim-time

Once a year, people with disputes were supposed to settle them. Two men might have argued about land. They needed to call the king, or his delegate, to agree on who owned what. People who owed money had to agree on the claim and those who thought they had been stolen from could pursue a just settlement. Sometimes, a claim was unusual. If a king believed a neighboring kingdom had killed some of his people, he might pursue a decision by warring on the neighbor. Or, he might…keep reading. You would not want to spoil a surprise would you?

Date of Easter

In 532, Pope Boniface II changed the date for Easter.

Day

The next day began in the evening. Eg. At sunset on Tuesday evening, Wednesday had started.

Dda

"Good" -- King Hywel the Good was the son of Cadell.

Divorce

Despite Holy Church’s decree against divorce, the law permitted it. One factor could initiate the process. If a groom discovered on the wedding night the potential wife was not a virgin, he had to leave, with a certain weapon fully erect. Then he’d march away, find witnesses and all would return to wherever the couple had slept. The divorce was instantaneous. There were many categories for divorce; if one person changed his or her mind the next day, if a partner turned out to be infertile, or wait 7 years and divide everything, according to a rather complicated plan. Trust me on this one; it's a lot easier than reading the Iorwerth, Cyfnerth, or Blegywryd redactions which were in Welsh, then translated.

Edling

The kings in Wales declared which son or nephew would be the next king; some named all their sons, which sometimes led to war. Evan's father had no living sons; Evan was the edling at seven summers of age.

Ferch

Ferch means 'daughter of'.

Honor Price

The amount of money someone would have to pay for an offense. There is a multiplicity of potential offenses, with corresponding fines that might go to the king or to the person who was injured.

Marriage honor price depended on the status of the woman. If a man married a king’s daughter, he would owe the father 24 pieces of gold, to be paid the morning following the wedding. Sums went down if a woman was of a lesser legal status.

Injured by Someone

Complicated, depending on the injury. If someone was inadvertently blinded, the fine could be high. Suppose 2 friends walked through some trees, and branches impeded the walk. If the 1st person, walking in front, pushed a branch out of their way, it was necessary to say 'Ware the branch!" If that wasn't said, and the branch blinded the 2nd friend, a fine was owed. Eyes could not be replaced.

King's Cat

Don’t kill it, even it if keeps you awake all night! Fine costs the value of a full grown ewe and her lamb.

May Day

The entire month of May was dedicated to Mary, because it conquered winter and flowers began to bloom. Many flowers were named for her: Marigold, Mary tapers, Lady’s Smock, Lady’s Thistle.

To go ‘maying’ meant to go into the fields on the first day of May, and gather flowers and green branches to decorate doors and windows. Men wore bits of flowers and women rose before dawn to pick flowers to make into garlands for their church or statues of Mary.

Michaelmas

Celebrated September 28th for the Archangel Michael, credited with leading a band of angels to defeat Lucifer. The name, Michael, means “who is like God?” Goose was the traditional food served on Michaelmas.

Murder

The fine depended on who was murdered, whether someone helped, and whether someone told [red-tongued one.] There are nine ways a person could be fined. Sometimes the family chased the murderer and killed him. Then the dispute became did the family or the church get that person’s honor price.

Ready Breasts

Woman who was nursing a child.

St. David

St. David is the patron saint of Wales, feast day March 1. He was known for many good works, and is best remembered in a phrase he uttered before he died: 'do the little things." On March 1, 2009, Wales celebrated the day with parades, over 2500 visitors to a botanic garden, free entrance at Chester Zoo for anyone with a first or last name of "David" and hundreds of people dressed in traditional Welsh costumes. In the United States, Sir Tom Jones was scheduled to sing in Boston, and Wrigley Field in Chicago illuminated the evening with red, green and white lights, the colors of the Welsh flag.

Summers

Someone's age.

Theft

Stealing something disrupted the integrity of a society that could not afford to lose things. It was the only capital offense. In other words, 'steal my stuff, you will die.'

Whitsun

Also known as “White Sunday” was celebrated the 7th Sunday after Easter, on the day of Pentecost. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, and was considered one of the holiest days of the year, according to the Law of Hywel Dda.

Part of this glossary stems from a brilliant academic work published by Emeritus Professor Dafydd Jenkins, called “Hywel Dda, the Law.” © 1986 and 1990. Any mistakes in law are most definitely mine. Other resources include too many books to mention and the privilege of having Welsh friends.

Acknowledgements:

     Chambers Book of Days by Michael Tillman

     Celtic Prayers from Iona by J. Phillip Newell