Friday, February 29, 2008

Squire

A squire was a young man who aspired to the rank of knighthood and who, as part of his development to that end, served an existing knight as his attendant or shield carrier.

Cuirass

Cuirass, the plate armour, is formed of a single piece of metal or other rigid material or composed of two or more pieces, which covers the front of the wearer's person. In a suit of armour, however, since this important piece was generally worn in connection with a corresponding defence for the back, the term cuirass commonly is understood to imply the complete body-armour, including both the breast and the back plates.

Urus

The aurochs or urus is an extinct, very large type of cattle originally prevalent in Europe. The animal's original scientific name, Bos primigenius, was meant as a Latin translation of the German term Auerochse or Urochs, which was (possibly incorrectly) interpreted as literally meaning "primeval ox" or "proto-ox".
[more at Wikipedia]

Krakow

Krakow or Cracow (1492)

Kraków, in English also spelled Krakow or Cracow is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula river (Polish: Wisła) in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. It was the capital of Poland from 1038 to 1596. The city's full official name, used on ceremonial occasions, is Royal Capital City of Kraków. [more at Wikipedia]

Tyniec

Tyniec - a historic village in Poland on Vistula river, today a borough of Kraków. Famous of its Benedictine abbey founded by king Casimir the Restorer in 1044.