Mary of Bethlehem bezoar stone— a hard, stonelike object from a goat’s stomach, used by Elizabethans (unsuccessfully) to cure poisoning birch— to beat (birch twigs were often used) blackwork— black embroidery on white linen Board of Green Cloth— the main administrative body for the Court. It dealt with an inquest if anyone died within one mile of the Queen’s person. bodice— the top part of a woman’s dress borage— an herb Boy King— King Edward VI, Elizabeth’s brother, who died young brocade— a rich, gold-embroidered fabric bum— bottom bumroll— a sausage-shaped piece of padding worn round the hips to make them look bigger canions— showy fabric leggings, a little like shorts, worn by men casket— a small decorative box cinnabar— a red compound of mercury and sulfur, used as red coloring for lips, cheeks, painting, etc. City Fathers— the rulers of the City of London close-stool— a portable toilet comprising a seat with a hole in it on top of a box with a chamber pot inside cloth of estate— a kind of awning that went over the Queen’s chair to indicate that she was the monarch cloth of silver/gold— cloth woven from silk thread that had been wrapped in fine gold or silver wire commoner— anyone who did not hold the rank of gentleman or higher and therefore did not have a coat of arms crayfish— a shellfish a little like a lobster but smaller damask— a beautiful, self-patterned silk cloth woven in Flanders.
