UK local history terms

See also US local history terms

        Castle terms
        Church
        Cathedral

Note: although these are UK terms, those marked * are also used in the US. For instance there is a 'Shambles' in Chicago.

Almshouse: A charitable home for those in need. *

Bastion: Fortress or keep.

Bounds: Area round a College.

Cathedral Close: A special road which backs onto a cathedral, traditionally where cathedral employees lived.

Citadel: Fortress, Keep.

Crenelations: Fancy stonework on buildings.

Cross: As well as being a tombstone, a cross may also be a octagonal monument in the middle of a square.

Guild: A society of a particular trade.

Keystone: Stone forming the top of an arch. *

Livery Companies: Similar to guild.

Masonic Lodge: A meeting place for, or formerly for Freemasons. *

Old _: Formerly of that purpose. (like The Old School House).

Plaza, Piazza: A square formed with buildings of contential appearance (form the Spanish and Italian versions of square). *

Quarter: District of a town (usually where a particular minority live or a particular trade is carried out).

Shambles: Abbatoir/slaughterhouse. A road containing such a building. *

Wynd: Alley (Scottish).