An Elizabethan Lexicon
Language in the sixteenth century was rich,
poetic – and coarse. Here are some of the words I have gleaned in many years of reading histories and plays of the
period. Some still in use, many sadly long gone.
I apologise for the extraordinary number of derogatory
words there were for women, especially when men do not suffer the same
treatment. But you’ll have to blame our sexist ancestors for that!
 M
Maiden: female of any age
Maling cords: ropes for tying packs onto horses
Malkin: a kitchen slut or an effeminate man
Manchet: high-quality wheaten bread flour or a small round loaf of the same
Mantle: loose, sleeveless cloak, and fastened at the neck or breast
Margery-prater: hen
Mark: monetary unit - two-thirds of a pound
Marker and santar: thief’s accomplices
Master’s side: highest grade prison cell
Maunderer: professional beggar
Maund: to beg
Meet: suitable, appropriate
Mercer: dealer in textiles, especially expensive ones
Miasma: foul vapours, unwholesome air carrying disease
Miniver: white fur
Mistress of the game: prostitute, brothel madam
Mittimus: Letter from a JP or other authorised official committing a person into custody (an arrest warrant)
Mixen, midden: dunghill
Mooncalf: born fool, simpleton
Moon-man: gypsy
Morion: visorless helmet, chiefly worn by foot soldiers
Mort: woman
Mortbell: funeral bell
Mortcloth: shroud
Mort-stone: a wayside stone where pallbearers lay the bier for a rest
Motion-man: puppet-master
Murrain: plague
Murrey: dark, blood red
Musket: long-barreled weapon, fired using a stand and capable of penetrating armour. A heavier version of the arquebus, using same matchlock principle
Mussulman: Muslim
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