History key terms

A religious community governed by a prior or prioress, or the buildings occupied by that community.

A person held captive by an enemy during a war.

A place where captured members of enemy armed forces were held during a war.

An old ship used to hold prisoners rather than transport them.

Changes intended to improve prison conditions or the treatment of prisoners.

A privately operated armed ship, or its commander, authorised by a government to attack enemy shipping.

Raiding enemy shipping with permission from a government.

A proposal for a law introduced by an individual MP rather than by the government.

A small area of land cultivated by an individual farming family for its own benefit, rather than as part of collective production.

The transfer of publicly owned businesses or industries into private ownership.

A communal toilet, often connected to a pit that collected human waste.

The king’s private rooms and the group of attendants serving him there. Their close personal access could give them political influence.

A group of leading advisers who helped the monarch govern.

A preliminary presentation before the dramatic performances at which playwrights introduced their plays and appeared with their performers without theatrical masks or costumes.

Supervision of an offender in the community, involving conditions and support from a probation officer.

A name used for opponents of Britain’s war against the Boers; their reasons for opposition varied.

The boundary established by Britain in 1763 along the Appalachian Mountains, beyond which colonial settlement was prohibited.

The royal measure of 1763 restricting colonial settlement and private land purchases west of the Appalachian Mountains unless authorised by royal officials.

The Roman official responsible for a province’s financial administration.

An unusual occurrence interpreted as a sign from the gods, which might require a religious response to restore good relations with them.

The amount that an industry, factory or individual worker is expected to produce within a specified period.

A smaller group of agricultural producers within a commune that became responsible for production decisions and distributing income to its members.

The amount produced in relation to the resources used, such as output per worker.

A permanent force of trained soldiers who serve as a paid career, rather than an army raised only for a particular war.

The process of making military service a more skilled, organised occupation through training, recognised standards and promotion based more on ability.

The nationwide US ban on the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcoholic drinks, in force from 1920 to 1933.

Communication designed to influence people’s beliefs and actions, often through selective information, emotional appeals and repeated messages.

A category of citizens defined by the value of their property, which affected their military obligations and political influence.

Meetings of Protestant clergy to pray and discuss religious teaching. Elizabeth I regarded these meetings as a challenge to her control of the Church and ordered their suppression.

An electoral system in which parties receive seats broadly in proportion to the votes they win.