.2: 'frebore,' free-born.
2.2,3: 'Whyles . . . outlaw': supplied from the Wynkyn de Worde
text.
4.4: _i.e._, worthy of a groom, or young man.
5.3: 'and,' if.
6.4: 'unkouth,' unknown.
7.1: Wanting in all versions.
7.3: 'som,' supplied from Wynken de Worde's text.
8.4: 'messis,' masses.
9.4: 'allther moste,' most of all.
10.2: 'dout,' fear.
12.3: 'reve,' pillage.
13.1: 'no force,' no matter.
16.2: 'lere,' learn.
16.3: 'fer dayes,' late in the day: 'gest,' exploit.
18.1: The Sayles, a small part of the manor of Pontefract.
18.2: Watling Street = the great North Road.
18.4: 'Up chaunce,' in case.
19.4: 'dight,' prepared.
21.2: 'derne strete,' hidden or obscure path.
23.1: 'iyn,' eyes.
25.2: 'Hende,' noble.
27.2: 'in fere,' in company.
28.2: 'carefull chere,' sorrowful face.
28.4: 'lere,' cheek.
31.4: 'meyne,' company.
32.4: 'noumbles,' entrails.
34.1: 'Do gladly' = make yourself at home; a hospitable expression.
Cp. 103.1 and 232.1.
37.1: 'or ye wende,' before you go.
38.4: 'let not,' leave nothing undone.
39.2,4: 'have parte of,' perhaps means 'protect,' or 'take my
part.'
45.3: This refers to 'distraint of knighthood,' instituted in 1224,
compelling military tenants to receive knighthood or pay a
composition.
46.3: 'okerer,' usurer.
48.2: 'disgrate,' unfortunate.
49.4: From the rhyme it is obvious the verses have here been
confused, especially as all copies print 50.3 before 50.2.
52.4: 'just,' joust, tilt.
53.4, 54.1: 'beth' (in another version 'both'), are.
54.1: 'sette to wedde,' put in pledge.
56.1: 'lese,' lose.
57.1: 'quyke' = quick, alive.
59.4: 'blowe,' utter.
60.2: 'on a rowe,' in file.
61.1: 'ruthe,' pity.
61.4: 'chere,' entertainment.
62.2: 'borrowe,' security.
64.2: 'shope,' shaped.
65.4: 'or,' before.
66.3: 'pay,' liking.
72.2: 'mete,' measured. So 73.1 'met' = measured.
74.1: 'loughe,' laughed.
78.4: 'tene,' trouble.
81.2: 'knave,' servant.
81.3: _i.e._, he shall stand for thee instead of a yeoman.]

THE SECOND FYTTE (82-143)

+Argument.+--The knight goes to York to pay down his four hundred pounds
to the abbot of St. Mary Abbey, who has retained the services of the
high justice of England 'with cloth and fee,' an offence defined as
conspiracy