the capital founded by Peter the Barbarian—St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia established by Peter the Great (1672–1725), an autocratic czar.
the sailing master—the navigation officer.
the poop deck—the high deck at the stern (back) of the ship, named from a corruption of the Latin word puppis, which means “stern.”
coadjutor—an assistant.
a jury of casuists—a panel of quibblers.
palliating circumstances—excuses, or justifications.
according to the Articles of War—As stated in Article XXII of the Principles and Practice of Naval and Military Courts Martial, enacted in 1749: “If any officer, mariner, soldier, or other person in the fleet, shall strike any of his superior officers, or draw, or offer to draw, or lift any weapon against him, being in the execution of his office, on any pretence whatsoever, every such person being convicted of such offence, by the sentence of a court martial, shall suffer death.”
the Last Assizes—the Christian concept of Judgment Day, when all souls will face Almighty God, the judge.
the Mutiny Act—a law dating to 1689 which sought to halt mutiny and desertion from the British army.
the regicidal French Directory—the five-man government that replaced the French monarchy following the execution of King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, in 1793.
