Glossary
To better understand The Lion in Winter, familiarize yourself with these essential vocabulary words and allusions!
| WORD/PHRASE | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| Vexin | (n) A historical county of northwestern France. |
| Dowry | (n) C. 1400, “money, goods, or estate which a woman brings to her husband in marriage.” |
| Connubial | (adj.) Relating to marriage or the relationship of a married couple. |
| Medea | (n) A character in the ancient greek play Medea written by Euripedes. In the play, Greek princess Medea learns that her husband Jason is leaving her for a princess of a different Greek kingdom. Medea takes vengeance on Jason by murdering not only his new wife, but also her own two sons. Medea then escapes to Athens to start a new life |
| Annul | (v) Declare a marriage to have had no legal existence. In the 12th century in England, the Catholic Pope would have to declare a royal marriage annulled. |
| Helen | (n) A figure in Greek mythology said to be unbelievably beautiful. Her abduction by Paris of Troy was the most immediate cause of the Trojan War. Famously known as “the face that launched a thousand ships.” |