(Encyclopedia) plainsong or plainchant, the unharmonized chant of the medieval Christian liturgies in Europe and the Middle East; usually synonymous with Gregorian chant, the liturgical music of the…
While historians have often noted the changes in the power of the presidency, other important aspects of the office have changed as well. These include how the President is selected, when the…
(Encyclopedia) umbrella, a small canopy used as a protection against the sun in China, Egypt, and elsewhere in remote antiquity. It was often an emblem of rank. During the Middle Ages the umbrella…
(Encyclopedia) Mâle, ÉmileMâle, Émileāmēlˈ mäl [key], 1862–1954, French art historian. Mâle pioneered the study of French art of the Middle Ages, its forms, and especially the Eastern sources of…
(Encyclopedia) KirkcaldyKirkcaldykərkôˈdē, –kôlˈ– [key], town (1991 pop. 46,356) and district, Fife, E Scotland, on the Firth of Forth. Industries textiles and furniture manufacture and light…
(Encyclopedia) abracadabraabracadabraăbˌrəkədăbˈrə [key], magical formula used by the Gnostics (see Gnosticism) to invoke the aid of benevolent spirits to ward off disease and affliction. It is…
(Encyclopedia) Anne, Saint, in tradition, mother of the Virgin and wife of St. Joachim. She is not mentioned in Scripture, but her cult is very old. In the West she has been especially popular since…
(Encyclopedia) Gurney, A. R. (Albert Ramsdell Gurney, Jr.), 1930–2017, American dramatist, b. Buffalo, N.Y., B.A. Williams College, 1952, M.F.A. Yale School of Drama, 1958. He is best known for often…
(Encyclopedia) Andelys, LesAndelys, LeslāzäNdəlēˈ [key], town (1993 est. pop. 8,580), in Eure dept., N France, Normandy, on the Seine. The twin communities of Grand-Andely and Petit-Andely form a…
(Encyclopedia) Fools, Feast of, burlesque religious festival of the Middle Ages. It occurred during the Christmas and New Year's revels, on or near New Year's Day. In many places a Lord of Misrule…
