Sable A black colour used in heraldry (More...)

Sacristy Safe storage for the church valuables

Saltire Diagonal cross on a shield used in heraldry (More...)

Sanctuary Location of the church to the east of the alter rails

Sap To undermine a wall

Scriptorium Place in a religious community where manuscripts were written and decorated

See Ecclesiastical area under control of a bishop

Sepulchre A tomb

Shaft the part between the capital and the base of a pillar but usually applied to the small columns clustered around pillars or found in the jambs of doors or windows

Shaft The main part of a column

Shell Keep A high circular or many sided keep built on top of a motte with domestic buildings inside

Sheriff From shire-reeve. The person who represented the workers within the manor

Shield Used for protection against blows during combat. Made from wood or metal and held by a strap at the rear.

Shingle Small tiles of wood used to cover a roof

Siege The blockade of a castle or town to force the surrender of the occupants.

Siege tower A timber tower sometimes with wheels that attackers used to reach the height of the castle

Sinister The left side of the shield from the holders viewpoint. Shown on the right when looking at a shield design

Slight To destroy a castle and make it useless

Slype Covered walkway between transepts and chapter-house

Solar The private living quarters of a Lord. Usually next to the great hall

Spandrel Triangular space above the haunch of an arch

Spingald War engine used for throwing large arrows. Similar to a ballista.

Spire Conical construction on top of a tower

Stained Glass The glass is stained with metallic oxides and painted afterwards with finer details

Stairs Series of steps made of wood or stone giving access to different floors

Steeple Combined spire and tower where there is no defined join

Strapwork Ornament that imitates interlacing bands of leather

String-course Band, sometimes projecting, of horizontal masonry

Tabard A tunic having no sleeves and open at the sides that is worn over the armour and decorated to show the wearer's faction

Tenant-in-chief A lord who has been given land by a king

Thegn A high-ranking member of the Anglo-Saxon king's family or followers

Tie-beam Horizontal beam used to hold rafters from spreading

Tintures Colours, metals and furs used in heraldry

Tracery Ornamental stonework in a window

Transepts Located to the north and south of the choir, providing extra chapels and useful for holding the central tower up

Transom Horizontal division of a window

Trebuchet Siege engine used to throw large objects

Triforium The portion of the internal wall of a cathedral above the arcade and below the clerestory that fronts the area above aisles

Turret A small tower

Tympanum Space between the lintel of a doorway and an arch above it

Undercroft The crypt below the church