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UK local history terms

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. (i.e. 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).

See also: US local history terms, Castle terms, Church, Cathedral

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This article uses material from Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.