Abbess (f.) Person in charge of an Abbey

Abbey A monastic community. Abbeys belonged to particular orders, such as the Cistercians (More...)

Abbot (m.) Person in charge of an Abbey

Aisle The passages to each side of the nave, separated from the nave by screens or columns

Alien Priory A priory that was directly dependant on a foreign mother house, usually in France. Disbanded in 1414 due to the security risk they posed.

Almery or Ambry or Aumbry. A box or cupboard for alms, or a cupboard in the chancel for sacred vessels

Almonry The office of the Almoner where alms were distributed

Almoner Monk in charge of a monastery's almsgiving and other charitable work

Ambulatory The processional aisle around the apse at the east end of a church

Antipope Someone elected in opposition to the current Pope. Not recognised by the Vatican City.

Apse A semicircular projection usually found at the east end of a church

Atrium Covered row of columns in front of the door of a church

Aumbry A recess or cupboard used usually for sacred objects

Baptistry Area of the church reserved for the administration of the sacrament of baptism.

Barrow Burial mound built over stone graves

Bay A compartment into which a building is divided. Bays are marked by buttresses, pilasters in the walls, by the position of the main ribs of the vaulting of the interior, etc.

Benedictine Order of monks founded by St. Benedict. Followed the Benedictine Rule

Bull Authoritative papal letter sealed with the Pope's lead seal

Calefactory Warming house in a monastery

Canons The chapter members. The people running the cathedral

Cathedral The principal church of a diocese where the bishop has the throne

Cell A monastic dependency of a religious house

Chamber A room on an upper floor for living and sleeping

Chamberlain Officer of the royal household responsible for running the household affairs

Chancel The east end of the church, sometimes divided into the sanctuary and presbytery. Anglo-Saxon and early Norman chancels were normally apsed and later chancels were square

Chapter The group of canons, with the Dean, who are the governing body of a cathedral

Chapter House The building where the canons and Dean met each day to hear a chapter of St Benedict's Rule read out and to conduct the business of the abbey

Chevet East end of a church with an apse surrounded by other smaller ones

Choir The area of the church where the choristers and clergy sit

Cistercians Order of monks, also know as the White Monks

Clearstory The upper story or row of windows lighting the nave of the church

Cloister The rectangular covered area around an open space (garth) of a monastery or cathedral surrounded by covered walkways used for study and meditation. A photograph of the cloister at Lincoln Cathedral

Conversi Also known as Lay Brothers. They perform manual tasks within an abbey or monastery rather than religious duties.

Crossing The point at which the roofs of the four cross-arms of the church met. Below the crossing is the choir

Cruciform Cross-shaped. A church with transepts has a cruciform plan

Crypt Vault or chamber under the church