alchemy the ancient system of chemistry and philosophy having the aim of changing base metals into gold.
anathemas curses things or persons greatly detested.
anemones and columbines flowers of the buttercup family.
Ann Turner an alleged witch who supposedly helped in the poisoning in the previously mentioned Overbury case.
Anne Hutchinson a religious dissenter (1591-1643). In the 1630s she was excommunicated by the Puritans and exiled from Boston and moved to Rhode Island.
Antinomian a believer in the Christian doctrine that faith alone, not obedience to the moral law, is necessary for salvation; to the Puritans, the Antinomian doctrine is heretical.
Apostle Eliot the Rev. John Eliot who preached to Native Americans near Boston.
apotheosized elevated to the status of God, glorified, exalted.
appellation a name or title that describes or identifies a person or thing.
apple-peru a plant that is part of the nightshade family; poisonous.
aqua-vitae literally, water of life. Here, a strong liquor such as whiskey.
asperity harshness or sharpness of temper.
auditors hearers or listeners.
Bacon, Coke, Noye and Finch English lawyers of the 16th and 17th centuries who added to British common law.
bale-fire an outdoor fire; bonfire; here, a beacon fire.
beadle a minor parish officer who keeps order in church.
Black Man the devil who "haunts the forest."
Bristol a British seaport.
buckramed having a covering of cloth made stiff with paste.
burdock any of several plants with large basal leaves and purple-flowered heads covered with hooked prickles.
cabalistic figures secret or occult figures.
Chronicles of England a history of England by Holinshed, written in 1577.
College of Arms a group which approves titles and coats of arms for hereditary aristocracy in England.
commodiousness the condition of having plenty of room; spaciousness.
compeer a person of the same rank or status; equal; peer.
contumaciously disobedient stubbornly resisting authority.
cope a vestmentworn by priests for certain ceremonies. Here, anything that covers like a cope, a canopy over, or the sky.
Cornhill part of Washington Street. Now part of City Hall Plaza.
Cornwall and Devonshire two counties in southwestern England.
