Bier
A framework to carry a dead or top-ranking person.
Condole
Grieve with; express sympathy.
Fain
Obliged, compelled, or inclined; willing.
February 10, 1675
The dates presented in the preface and body of The Sovereignty and Goodness of God follow the Julian calendar, which calculates dates as ten days earlier than the modern Gregorian calendar. While Rowlandson says the attack on Lancaster occurred on February 10, today we would say it occurred on February 20.
Flux
Dysentery, a serious disease that causes blood loss and diarrhea.
Flankers
Protruding fortifications that guard the side of something.
Fortnight
Two weeks.
Furniture
The reins, stirrups, saddle, and other items with which one would equip a horse for riding.
Divine Providence
God's guiding the course of human events.
Garrison
A military fort or camp.
Ground-Nuts
A climbing vine which grows tubers similar to potatoes but higher in protein.
Matchit
Bad.
Nux
Yes.
Papoos
Often offensive, referring to a Native American child (word of Narraganset origin).
Praying Indian
A Native American who has converted to Christianity.
Sagamore
An Native American chief, a sachem.
Sannup
A married Native American man.
Squaw
Often offensive, referring to a Native American woman.
Ter Amicam
Later editions have corrected this phrase to "per amicum," or "by a friend."
The United Colonies
The United Colonies of New England was a coalition of the predominantly Christian colonies Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, and Connecticut. Religiously tolerant Rhode Island was not included.
