Palisade A wooden wall or fence

Pall A rich cloth covering

Pantry A store-room for bread

Parados Low wall on the inner edge of a tower or above the eaves of a wall

Parapet Low wall on the outer edge of a tower or above the eaves of a wall

Pediment Low-pitched gable above a portico, doors, windows, etc.

Peel Tower Small fortified tower usually rectangular

Pennon A flag with tails hung on the lance to indicate a knight-bachelor.

Perpendicular The last of the styles of Gothic architecture between 1350 and 1550. (More...)

Pier Freestanding pillar of different shapes used to support the weight of walls above

Pilaster A flat column partially built into a wall for ornamental purposes.

Pillar A vertical member usually shaped round, square or polygonal used to support a load

Pinnacle A small tower, usually tapered at the top

Plinth Projecting masonry, often with decorative mouldings, and reserved for the clergy

Pointed the architecture commonly known as Gothic characterised with the pointed arch.

Portcullis A trellis-work gate that is lowered and raised in grooves in a passage

Postern Small entrance of a tower or wall used the main gate is out of use. Can be used as means of escape when castle in under siege

Precinct The close and buildings surrounding and including a Cathedral

Presbytery The east end of the church containing the high alter

Priory A monastic community of monks or nuns run by a prior or prioress and the buildings they occupy

Quatrefoil Window tracery shaped like a four petalled flower

Quire As Choir - The area of the church where the choristers and clergy sit

Quoins Cut stones used at the corners of buildings

Rampart A surrounding wall or raised earthwork

Ravelin A triangular enclosure protecting an entrance to a fort

Refectory Dining-hall

Reredorter Toilets that empty into a stream

Reredos Wall covering or screen behind the alter decorated with the twelve apostles

Respond Half pillar at the end of an arcade built against a wall

Retro-Choir The part of the church beyond the presbytery. East of the high alter. Not the Lady Chapel

Rib Arched section that supports the vault

Ring-work A roughly circular earthwork made from a ditch and bank

Romanesque Architectural style of the Saxon period with round arches (More...)

Rood The cross of Christ

Rood Screen Stone or wooden screen division of the nave from the choir

Rose-Window A circular window that is built of tracery in the form of a rose

Roundel A round disc or panel. As in a stained glass window