B.

Baccalarii, Med. Lat. A contraction of bas-chevaliers: poor knights; distinct from knights bannerets, who were also termed rich knights.

Baccelleria, Med. Lat. The order of bachelors. Thus we read,

“La flor de France et la bachelerie.”

Bachelor or Bachelier has been derived frombas échelle, the lowest step of the ladder. (Meyrick.)

Baccha, Gr. and R. A Bacchante; a woman who celebrates the mysteries of Bacchus, in the temples of the god, or in the Bacchic orgies. In the numerous representations of Bacchantes which occur on monuments of ancient art, they carry thethyrsusin their right hands, and wear a wreath of ivy or vine-leaves on their heads. They appear also in the disguise of Lenæ, Thyades, Naiads, Nymphs, &c.

Bacchanalia, R. (Greek,Dionysia). Festivals held in honour of Dionysus or Bacchus.

Bacchos, Gr. and R. A short, richly ornamentedthyrsus, carried by the Mystæ, at Eleusis, on occasion of their being initiated in the mysteries. There was a proverb in Greece which said: “Many carry theBacchos, but few are inspired by the gods.”

Bacillum(dimin. ofBaculum, q.v.). A small wand, especially the lictor’s wand.

Backgammon, originally calledtable board, is mentioned in a MS. of the 13th century. The name ofbag-gamonis first found in 1646.

Baculum,Baculus, R. A general term to denote any kind of staff, except such as form the insignia of any rank or office, or are employed in certain professions.

Fig. 54. Badge of King Henry V. in his chantry in Westminster Abbey.

Fig. 53. Planta genista, or broom.

Badges.Small heraldic shields, worn by servants and others, showing, in embroidered cloth or silver, a figure or device; common also “in the furniture of houses, on robes of state, on the caparisons of horses, on seals, and in the details of Gothic edifices.” (Lower, “Curiosities of Heraldry.”) Fig.54from the cornice of King Henry’s chantry in Westminster Abbey shows the adaptation of heraldic badges in architectural ornament. (The description is inserted underBlazon, q.v.) The Badges worn by the military followers of the feudal leaders answered the purpose of our modern uniforms. Among remarkable badges are the “Bear and ragged staff” of the Earls of Warwick, the red and white roses of Lancaster and York, the sprig of broom (Fig.53) of the Plantagenets.

Badgers.Brushes of badger’s hair, for blending or softening. (SeeBlending.)

Bagordare, Med. It. A burlesque tournament in which the combatants were attended by fools instead of heralds and esquires.

Bagpipe.This ancient and favourite instrument of the Celtic races is represented in an O. E. MS. of the 14th century. Several of the Hebrew instruments mentioned in the Bible and in the Talmud were kinds of bagpipes. So was a Greek instrument called “Magadis.” In Russia and Poland, and in the Ukraine, it used to be made of a whole goat’s skin, and was called “Kosa,” a goat. It is of high antiquity in Ireland, and a pig playing the bagpipe is represented in an illuminated Irish MS. ofA. D.1300.

Baijoire.(1) A medal or coin on the obverse or reverse of which were two faces in profile, placed one over the other. (2) An ancient silver coin of Genoa, and an ancient Dutch gold coin. The term is certainly derived from an old word Baisoire [baiser, to kiss].

Bai-Kriem, Hindoo. Literally, roasted rice; a stone employed in some of the monuments of the ancient Cambodia. (SeeBien-Hoa.)

Bailey.(SeeBallium.)

Bainbergs(Germ.Bein-bergen). Shin-guards or modern greaves.

Baisoire.(SeeBaijoire.)

BalanceorScales. In Christian symbolism the balance symbolizes the Last Judgment. The Scales and Sword are also, generally, the attribute of personified Justice.

Balandrana.A large cloak, of the 12th and 13th centuries.

Balayn, O. E. Whalebone for crests of helmets.

Baldachin, It. A canopy of wood, stone, or metal over seats and other places of honour, common also over fireplaces and beds, and carried in coronation and other processions over the most honoured persons.

Baldric,Baudrier, orBaudrick, O. E. A girdle or sash, usually a belt of leather, and worn over the shoulder. They were sometimes hung with bells. (SeeBalteus.)

Balea,Balia, Med. Lat. (fromβάλλω, to throw). (1) A sling. (2) Aballista. From their skill in the use of slings, the inhabitants of Majorca, Minorca, and Ivica had the appellation Baleares.

Bales, O. E. (Lat.balascus; Fr.balais). An inferior kind of ruby.

Baleyn.(SeeBalayn.)

Balista.(SeeBallista.)

Balista a pectore, Med. Lat. A hand cross-bow.

Balistrariæ, Med. Lat., Arch. Cruciform openings in the wall of a fortress to shoot quarrels through from cross-bows.

BalletysorTuptai, Gr. A ceremony consisting in a mock combat with stones, which took place at the Eleusinian festival.

Fig. 55. Ball-flower.

Ball-flower.An ornament characteristic of the Decorated style of the 14th century. It represents the “knop” of a flower.Ball-flowersmay be seen in the Cathedrals of Bristol, Gloucester, and Hereford.

BallistaorBalista, Gr. and R. (βάλλω, to throw). A military engine for hurling large missiles. It was constructed of wood, and consisted of two uprights connected horizontally by a double cross-beam. Strands of twisted fibre formed the motive power of the engine, which was fitted with an iron groove. The cord was drawn back by men, with the aid of a drum or pulleys. The ancient balista was used to shootstones; the catapult to projectheavy darts. Some balistæ threw stones weighing three cwt. The mediæval balistæ threwquarrelsor stones.

BallistariumorBalistarium, Gr. and R. A shed or magazine in whichballistæwere kept.

Ballium, Med. Lat. (1) (from Ital.battaglia). TheBaileyor courtyard of a castle. (2) The bulwark which contained such a Bailey.

BalneæorBalineæ. (SeeBalneum.)

Balnearia, R. A general term for all the utensils used in a bath, such as strigils,unguentaria,guttæ, oils, perfumes, essences, &c.

Fig. 56. Balneæ. The Caldarium.

Balneum,Balneæ,Thermæ, Gr. and R.Balneummeant originally a tub or other vessel to bathe in; next, the room in which it was placed; when there were many such rooms the pluralbalneawas used.Balneæwere the public baths, under the Republic, when they consisted of ordinary baths of hot and cold water.Thermæwere the magnificent and luxurious buildings adapted for the hot air system. They contained (1) theApodyterium, or dressing-room; (2) theFrigidarium, where the cold bath was taken; (3) theTepidarium, a bath of warm air; (4) theCaldarium, with a vapour bath at one end, a warm water bath at the other, and aSudatorium, or sweating bath in the middle. The pavement, calledsuspensura, was over a furnace,hypocaustum. The bathers were currycombed withstrigils, which the Greeks calledstlengisorxystra; and they dropped oil over their bodies from narrow-necked vessels calledguttusorampullæ. TheThermæcontainedexedræ, or open air chambers, where philosophers lectured, and libraries, and had gardens, and shady walks, and fountains, with statuary attached to them. The ruins of theThermæbuilt by Titus, Caracalla, and Domitian remain visible (Fig.56).

Balon,Balein,Balayn, O. E. Whalebone.

Balsam of Copaiba.An oleo-resin, used as avarnish, and as a vehicle, for oil painting.

Balteolus.Dimin. ofBalteus(q.v.).

BalteusorBalteum(a belt), R. (1) A baldric or wide belt which passed over one shoulder and beneath the other, for the purpose of suspending a sword, buckler, or any other arm. (2) The ornament on the baldric on which was marked the number of the legion to which a soldier belonged. (3) A richly ornamented band of leather placed round a horse’s breast, below theMonile, or throat-band (q.v.). (4) The broad belt in the sphere, which contains the signs of the Zodiac. (5) The bands surrounding the volutes of an Ionic capital. (6) Thepræcinctiones, or small walls, or parapets, separating the different tiers in a theatre or amphitheatre. (Generally aBELT.)

Baltheus, Med. Lat. forBalteus.

Baluster.A small pillar, swelling in the centre or towards the base.

Fig. 57. Balustrade.

Balustrade, Arch. An enclosure or parapet composed of ballisters (q.v.), and by analogy, an enclosure consisting of any other ornament, such as trefoils, carved work, &c. Fig.57represents a balustrade of the pointed Gothic style.

Bambino, It. A babe. Image of the infant Christ.

Bambocciata, It. The style of genre painting of Teniers, Van Ostade, Wilkie, and others. It was introduced into Rome in 1626 by Peter Van Laar, who was called, from an unfortunate deformity that he had, Il Bamboccio, or the Cripple.

Banded, Her. Encircled with a band.

Banderolle.(1) A small flag, about a yard square, upon which arms were emblazoned, displayed at important funerals. (2) In architecture of the Renaissance, a flat scroll, inscribed.

Fig. 58. Falling-Band.

Bands.Originally the name given to the collars which (in the 17th century) replaced the ruff of Elizabeth’s reign. At first they were made of stitched linen or cambric edged with lace, stiffened so as to stand up round the neck. Contemporary with these were the falling bands. The engraving (by Hollar, 1640) shows a merchant’s wife with collar or falling band of cambric edged with lace. The term bandbox has descended to us from those days, when similar boxes were made expressly for keeping bands and ruffs in. (Fig.58.)

Bands, Arch., are either small strings round shafts, or a horizontal line of square, round, or other panels used to ornament towers, spires, and other works. (SeeBalteus.)

Bandum,Banderia, Med. Lat. A small banner. The French poets called it “ban,” a word probably of Celtic origin, signifying “exalted.” (Meyrick.)

Bankard, O. E. (Fr.banquier). A carpet or cloth covering for a table, form, or bench.

Fig. 59. The Royal Standard, or Banner.

Banner.In heraldry, a square, or narrow oblong flag, larger than the pennon (q.v.), charged with the coat of arms of the owner displayed over its entire surface, precisely as it is blazoned on a shield, as in the illustration of the Royal Standard, which should properly be styled the RoyalBanner. (SeeStandard.) The Union Jack is also a banner, in which the blazonry of the two nations of England and Scotland are combined, not by “quartering,” but by an earlier process of “blending” the cross and the saltire in a single composition. The profusion of banners at tournaments, in feudal times, when each noble planted his own in the lists, was an element of picturesque effect. The term applies to all kinds of flags, or colours, proper to individuals, or corporations, &c., who display them. It does not appear thatmilitarybanners were used by the ancients. The banners used in Roman Catholic countries bear the representation of patron saints, or symbols of religious mysteries.

Banner-cloth, Chr. A processional flag.

Banneret.A knight entitled to display a banner.

Baphium, Gr. and R. (βάπτω, to dye). A dyer’s workshop.

Fig. 60. Baptistery of St. Jean, Poitiers.

Fig. 61. Baptistery of St. Constance, Rome.

Baptisterium, R. (fromβάπτω, to dip). A kind of cold plunging-bath, constructed in theFrigidarium(q.v.), or the room itself. In Christian archæology,baptisterywas the name given to a building adjoining a basilica, or situated near it, in which baptism was administered. Such is the baptistery of St. John Lateran at Rome. One of the most ancient baptisteries in France is that of St. Jean, at Poitiers, represented in Fig.60. It dates from the fourth century; that of St. Constance, at Rome (Figs. 61, 62), belongs to the same period.

Fig. 62. Interior of the Baptistery of St. Constance.

Bar, Her. A horizontal line across a shield.

BarathronorOrugma, Gr. (βάραθρον). A deep cleft behind the Acropolis at Athens, into which criminals were thrown, either under sentence of death by this means, or after they had been put to death by hemlock or other poisons. It was situated near the temple of Diana Aristobulê.

Barba, Gen. The beard, whence the attributivebarbatus, frequently employed to denote one who wears a beard. Thusbene barbatus, a man with a well-trimmed beard;barbatulus, a young man whose youthful beard had never been touched with the razor. Among many nations of antiquity the custom prevailed of curling the beard artificially, so as to obtain long curls or ringlets,cincinni. (SeeCincinnus.) The Assyrians, Egyptians, Jews, Persians, Greeks, and Romans may be particularly enumerated. Shaving the beard was introduced into Rome aboutB.C.300, and became the regular practice. In the later times of the republic many persons began to wear it trimmed, and the termsbene barbatiandbarbatuliwere applied to them. Under Hadrian the practice of wearing beards was revived, and the emperors until Constantine wore them. The Romans let the beard grow as a sign of mourning; the Greeks shaved. The beard is an attribute of the prophets, apostles, and evangelists (excepting St. John); and, in ancient art, of Jupiter, Serapis, Neptune, &c. Neptune has a straight beard; Jupiter a curly silky one. The early Britons shaved generally, but always had long moustachios. The Anglo-Saxon beard was neatly trimmed or parted into double locks. The Normans originally shaved clean, but when settled in England let all their beard grow. Close shaving prevailed among the young men in England in the 14th century; older men wore a forked beard. After sundry changes, clean shaving obtained in the reign of Henry VI., and the beard was rarely cultivated from then until the middle of the 16th century. The most extravagant fashions arose in Elizabeth’s reign, and were succeeded by variations too numerous to detail.

Barbatina, It. A preparation of clay mixed with the shavings of woollen cloth, used in the manufacture of pottery to attach the handles and other moulded ornaments. (Fortnum.)

Barbed, Her. Pointed, as an arrow.

Fig. 63. Barbican.

Barbican, Mod. (1) A long narrow opening made in a wall, especially in a foundation wall, to let the water flow away. (2) The term also denotes an outwork placed in front of a fortified castle or any other military post. In the latter acceptation the termAntemural(q.v.) is also used. The illustration is taken from the arms of Antoine de Burgundy. In this instance the barbican is a small double tower, or out-post watch-house, and the shutter-like pent-house protection of the unglazed window openings bears a striking resemblance to a modern sun-blind.

Barbitos, Gr. and R. (βάρβιτος). A stringed instrument which dates from a very high antiquity; it was much larger than theCithara(q.v.). To strike the long thick strings of thebarbitos, aPlectrum(q.v.) was used instead of the fingers. The invention of this instrument is attributed to Terpander; Horace, on the contrary, says it was invented by Alcæus, and Athenæus by Anacreon. It was a kind of lyre with a large body.

Barbotine, Fr. A primitive method of decorating coarse pottery with clays laid on it in relief. (Jacquemart.)

Barca.A boat for pleasure, or for transport. It was also a long-boat. (SeeBari.)

Barde,Barred, Her. In horizontal stripes.

Barded, Her. Having horse-trappings, or—

Bardings, which were often enriched with armorial blazonry.

Bardocucullus, R. and Gaul. (bardusandcucullus, i. e. monk’s hood). A garment with sleeves and hood worn by the poorer classes among the Gauls. It bore some resemblance to the RomanPænula(q.v.).

Barge-board, orVerge board, is the external gable-board of a house; which is often elaborately ornamented with carvings.

BariorBaris, Gr. and Egyp. (βᾶρις). A shallow Egyptian boat, used on the Nile to transport merchandise, and in funeral processions. The Egyptian sacred barks, with which they formed processions on the Nile, were made of costly woods, and ornamented with plates of gold or silver, and carried a miniature temple (naos), which contained the image of a divinity. The prow and the poop were ornamented with religious symbols of the richest workmanship.

Fig. 64. Barnacles or Breys.

BarnaclesorBreys. An instrument used in breaking horses.

Baron, in heraldic language, signifies a husband. The rank of Baron in the peerage corresponds with that of the Saxon Thane; it is the lowest.

Baronet. An hereditary rank instituted by James I. in 1612.

Baron’s Coronet, first granted by Charles II., has, on a golden circlet, six large pearls; of which four are shown in representations.

Baroque.In bad taste, florid and incongruous ornamentation. The same asrococo.

Barrulet, Her. The diminutive of aBar(q.v.).

Fig. 66. Barry of six.

Barry, Her. Divided into an even number of bars, which all lie in the same plane.

Barry-Bendy, Her. Having the field divided by lines drawnbar-wise, which are crossed by others drawnbend-wise.

Fig. 67. Bartizan.

Bartizan,Watch-turret, Arch. A small watch-tower made to project from the top of a tower or a curtain-wall, generally at the angles. City-gates were in some instances furnished with bartizans. Originally they were of wood, but from the 11th century they were made of masonry, and so formed part of the structure on which they rested; they were, in fact, turrets. (Fig.67.) (CompareBarbican.)

Fig. 68. Bar-wise.

Bar-wise, Her. Disposed after the manner of aBar(q.v.).

Barytes.A heavy spar, or sulphate, thewhitevarieties of which are ground and made into paint (constantorHume’s white). Mixed with an equal quantity ofwhite lead, it producesVenice white, and with half as much “Hamburg,” or with one-third“Dutch” white.

Basaltis a very hard stone, much like lava in appearance, and black or green in colour, used for statuary. The principal specimens are Egyptian and Grecian.

Basanos, Gr. (1) (Lat.lapis Lydius) The touchstone; a dark-coloured stone on which gold leaves a peculiar mark. Hence (2) trial by torture. (3) A military engine, the form of which is not exactly known.

Bascauda, R. A basket, introduced from Britain as a table utensil, considered as an object of luxury. It was the old Welsh “basgawd,” and served to hold bread or fruits.

Bascinet.A light helmet, round or conical, with a pointed apex, and fitting close to the head, mentioned in the 13th century.

Bascule, O. E. (1) The counterpoise to a drawbridge. (2) A kind of trap-door. (A badge of the Herbert family.)

Fig. 69. Ionic Base.

Base, Arch. The lower part of a pillar, wall, &c.; the division of a column on which the shaft is placed. The Grecian Doric order has no base.

Base.Her. The lowest extremity.

Baselard, Fr. An ornamental short dagger, worn at the girdle; 15th century. With such a weapon the Lord Mayor of London “transfixit Jack Straw in gutture.” The weapon is preserved by the Fishmongers’ Company.

Bases.A kind of embroidered mantle, which hung down from the middle to about the knees, or lower; worn by knights on horseback. (Narcs.)

Basileia, Gr. (βασίλεια). A festival instituted in honour of JupiterBasileus. It was in commemoration of the victory which the Bœotians had won at Leuctra, and in which success had been promised them by the oracle of

Fig. 70. Basilica at Pompeii (restored).

Fig. 71. Ground-plan of a Basilica.

Basilica(sc. aula), Gr. and R. (βασιλικὴ, sc.στοὰ, i. e. royal hall). This term owes its original meaning to the fact that in Macedonia the kings, and in Greece the archon Basileus dispensed justice in buildings of this description. The Romans, who adopted the basilica from the above-named countries, used it as a court of justice, but besides this it became a branch of the forum, and even when it did not form a part of the latter was constructed near it, as was the case at Pompeii. Fig.71represents the ground-plan of this basilica, and Fig.70a view of the same building restored. The ground-plan of the basilica is rectangular, the width not more than half nor less than a third of the length. It was divided by two single rows of columns into three naves, or aisles, and the tribunal of the judge was at one end of the centre aisle. In the centre of the tribunal was thecurule chairof the prætor, and seats for the judices and advocates. Over each of the side aisles there was a gallery, from which shorter columns supported the roofs; these were connected by a parapet wall or balustrade. The central nave was open to the air. Under Constantine the basilicæ were adopted for Christian churches. The early Norman churches were built upon the same plan, and the circular apsis, where the judges originally sat, used for the central altar, was the origin of the apsidal termination of the Gothic cathedrals. The first basilica was built at Rome,B.C.182. In the Middle Ages structures resembling small churches erected over tombs were called Basilica.

Basilidian Gems.(SeeAbraxas.)

Basilinda, Gr. and R. (βασιλίνδα). Literally, the game of the king; it was often played by Greek and Roman children. The king was appointed by lot, the rest being his subjects, and bound to obey him, during the game.

Fig. 72. Basilisk.

Basilisk.A fabulous animal, having the body of a cock, beak and claws of brass, and a triple serpent tail. The emblem of the Spirit of Evil. In heraldry, a cockatrice having its tail ending in a dragon’s head.

Basilium, Gr. (βασίλειον). A royal diadem, of a very tall form, of Egyptian origin. Isis-Fortuna is often represented wearing thebasiliumon her head.

Basinet.(SeeBascinet.)

Basonsfor ecclesiastical ceremonies, for collecting alms or for holding the sacramental vessels, were a favourite subject for the goldsmith’s art. Some beautifully enamelled basons of the 13th century represent subjects of hawking and hunting, &c.

Bas-relief,Basso-relievo, sculptured figures projecting less than half of their true proportions;Mezzo-relievoprojecting exactly half;Alto-relievomore than half, from the ground upon which they are carved.

BassaraorBassaris, Gr. (a fox, or fox-skin). A long tunic of Lydian origin worn by the Mænads of Lydia and Thrace, who were often called, from this circumstance,BassaræandBassarides.

Basterna, R. A closed litter appropriated especially to the use of ladies, as theAnthologia Latinasays: “The gilded basterna conceals the chaste matrons.” It was carried by two mules harnessed in shafts, one in front and one behind; theLectica(q.v.), on the contrary, was carried by men. During the Middle Ages the same form of litter was a common means of conveyance in England.

Fig. 73. Ground-plan of the Bastile.

Bastile, Arch. An outwork placed so as to defend the approach to a castle or fortified place. A famous Bastile which had been converted into a state prison was that of Paris, destroyed in 1789. Fig.73shows the ground-plan of it. The diminutive of this term is Bastillon, which has been changed intoBastion.

Bastion, Mod. A projecting polygonal buttress on a fortification. The anterior portions of a bastion are thefaces; the lateral portions, theflanks; the space comprised between the two flanks, thegorge; and the part of the fortification connecting two bastions together, thecurtain.

Bastisonus, Med. Lat. A bastion or bulwark.

BatagionorBatagium. (SeePatagium.)

Fig. 74. Naval and Military Badge of the “Bath.”

Fig. 75. Civil Badge of the “Bath.”

Bath, Order of the, numbers 985 members, including the Sovereign; viz.First Class: Knights Grand Cross—G.C.B.—50 Naval and Military and 25 Civil Knights.Second Class: Knights Commanders—K.C.B.—120 Naval and Military and 50 Civil.Third Class: Companions—C.B.—525 Naval and Military and 200 Civil.

BatiacaorBatioca, Gr. and R. A vase of a very costly description, used as a drinking-vessel.

Batière, Fr., Arch. (SeeSaddle-roof.) A roof is said to be “en batière” when it is in the form of a pack-saddle; that is, when it has only two slopes or eaves, the two other sides being gables.

BatillumorVatillum, R. (1) A hand-shovel used for burning scented herbs to fumigate. (2) Any kind of small shovel.

Baton.In heraldry, a diminutive of theBEND SINISTERcouped at its extremities.

Baton.The military baton, or staff, was of Greek origin. (SeeScytale.)

Batter, Arch. Said of walls that slope inwards from the base. Walls of wharfs and of fortifications generallybatter.

Battle-axeis one of the most ancient of weapons. Thepole-axeis distinguished by a spike on the back of the axe. (SeeBipennis.)

Fig. 76. Embattled.

Battled,Embattled, Her. Having battlements.

Fig. 77. Battlement.

Battlement,Embattailment,Bateling, O. E. (Fr.Créneau, Merlet, Bretesse). A parapet in fortifications, consisting of a series of rising parts, calledMerlonsorCops, separated by spaces calledCrenels,Embrasures, orLoops.

Batuz.Norman French forbattus, beaten with hammered up gold; said of silken stuffs so adorned.

BaucaliaorBaucalis, Gr. and R. (βαυκάλιον, βαύκαλις). A drinking-vessel, which varied in shape and material.

Baucens,Bauceant, Med. A black and white banner used in the 13th century. (Meyrick.)

Baudekyn, O. E. A fabric of silk and gold thread.

Baudekyn(Lat.Baldakinus). Cloth of gold, brocade: “pannus omnium ditissimus.”

BaudrickorBaldrock, O. E., of a church bell. The strap by which the clapper is hung in the crown of the bell.

Baukides, Gr. (βαυκίδες). A kind of shoe worn by women; it was of a saffron colour. This elegantly-shaped shoe was highly esteemed by courtezans, who often placed cork soles inside theirbaukides, to make themselves appear taller.

BaxaorBaxea, Gr. Sandals made of textile plants, such as the palm, rush, willow, papyrus, and a kind of alfa. They were worn by comic actors on the stage.

Bay, Arch. (Fr.Travée). A principal compartment or division in a structure, marked off by buttresses or pilasters on the walls, or by the disposition of the vaulting, the main arches, &c. The French wordbaiemeans an opening made in a wall for a door or window.

Bayeux Tapestry.A roll of unbleached linen worked in coloured worsted with illustrations of the Norman Conquest (aboutA. D.1068); preserved in the public library at Bayeux. A full-sized copy may be seen in the South Kensington Museum.

Bayle, Arch. The open space contained between the first and second walls of a fortified castle. These buildings often had two bayles; in this case, the second was contained between the inner wall and the donjon.

Bayonet.A weapon, so called after the town of Bayonne in France, where it was invented aboutA. D.1650.

Bay-stall, Arch. The stall or seat in the bay (of a window).

Beads, Arch. An architectural ornament of mouldings consisting of small round carved beads, called also Astragal. Another name for this ornament is Paternosters.

Beaker(Fr.cornet). A trumpet-shaped vase, or drinking-cup.

Fig. 78. Moulding with Beak-heads and Tooth-ornament.

Beak-heads(Fr.becs d’oiseau), Mod. An ornament peculiar to English architecture, representing heads and beaks of birds. The ancient Peruvians used the same ornament in their architecture, as shown in Fig.79, taken from the decoration of the monolithic door of Tianuaco.

Fig. 79. Peruvian ornament (Beak-heads).

Bear.Dancing bears are represented in Anglo-Saxon MSS.

Beards.(Seebarba.)

Beaver.The movable face-guard of a helmet.

Beds.Anglo-Saxon beds usually consisted merely of a sack (sæccing) filled with straw, and laid on a bench or board, which was ordinarily in a recess at the side of the room, as we still see in Scotland. The wordbedsteadmeans only “a place for a bed.”Tester beds, or beds with a roof, were introduced by the Normans. Early in the 13th century beds were covered much as now, with ‘quilte,’ counterpane, bolster, sheets, and coverlet; and stood behind curtains which hung from the ceiling. In the 15th century the beds became much more ornamental, having canopy and curtains, and these, as well as thetesteror back, decorated with heraldic, religious, or other devices. At the sides werecosters, or ornamental cloths. Between the curtains and the wall a space was left called theruelle, or little street.

Beech Black.A blue-black vegetable pigment.

Bees, in Christian art, are an attribute of St. Ambrose.

Belfry(Fr.Beffroi). The campanile or bell-tower of a church. Frequently detached from the church, as at Chichester Cathedral. (SeeBell-gable.)

Bell.An attribute of St. Anthony, referring to his power of exorcising evil spirits. In heraldry, the bell is drawn and blazoned as a church bell.

Bell-cot, Arch. ABELL-GABLE(q.v.).

Fig. 80. Belled.

Belled, Her. Having bells attached, like the cows in the device of the city of Béarn. (Fig.80.)

Bell-gable, Arch. A turret raised over the west end of small churches and chapels that have no towers to hang a bell in. This is distinct from the smaller turret at the east end of the nave for theSanctus Bell(q.v.).

Bellicrepa, Med. Lat. A military dance, of Italian origin.

Bellowswere called in A.S.bælgorblastbælg. A MS. of the 14th century represents a man blowing at a three-legged caldron with a perfectly modern-looking pair of bellows. Bellows, in Christian art, are an attribute of Ste. Geneviève.

Bell-ring, Mod. The ring in theCrownof a bell from which the clapper hangs.

Bellson the caparisons of horses were common in the Middle Ages. A passage in the romance of Richard Cœur de Lion describes a messenger “with five hundred belles rygande.” Chaucer’s monk has also bells on his horse’s “bridel” which “gyngle as lowde as doth the chapel belle.”

Belt, Chr. A girdle used to confine the alb at the waist.

Belt of Beads, Chr. A rosary was sometimes so called.

Belvidere, It. A prospect tower over a building.

Bema, Gr. (1) A stone platform or hustings, used as a pulpit in early Christian churches. (2) The term is synonymous with sanctuary. (3) It also serves to denote an ambo and a bishop’s chair. (SeeAmbo.) The Athenianbemawas a stone platform from which orators spoke at the assemblies (ecclesiæ) in the Pnyx.

Bembix, Gr. and R. (Lat.Turbo). (1) A child’s whipping-top. (2) The whorl of a spindle.

Benches, for seats, are represented in the 14th century formed by laying a plank upon two trestles.

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