Welsh history and its sources: Wales glossary

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Welsh history and its sources

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Wales glossary

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V

Valor Ecclesiasticus

The evaluation of ecclesiastical land carried out in 1535.

Vassal

A person who acknowledged another as an overlord and was bound by obligations to that overlord.

Vestry Room

Originally related to the room where the parish vestry, the equivalent of a local council, met. Developed into meaning an ante–room in a church or chapel where deacons’ meetings and chapel functions were held.

Villein

An unfree agricultural peasant, bound to provide labour service for his lord in return for a small land holding.

Vivaries

Game pens.

Volney, Constantin de

(1757–1820) French aristocrat, author of Les Ruines, ou Méditations sur les Revolutions des Empires (1791), a work advocating equality of all men, the overthrow of despotism, and religious toleration.

Voltairean

Follower of the doctrines of the French philosopher, Voltaire (1694–1778), one of the great figures of the Enlightenment.

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