| [4] | This manor house was then held by a Norman, Ivo Taille-Bois, a nephew of William the Conqueror, one who figures greatly in this tale and in “Hereward the Wake;” the manor had belonged to Earl Leofric. According to Domesday book (350-351 B.) Ivo had large estates in Holland (South Lincolnshire.) |
| [5] | Trust me! truly! surely! may we praise the Lord! are mild asseverations, but it is implied that in those days restraints on profanity were necessary. It has been asserted that profane swearing is coeval with Christianity, rather, perhaps with canonization—men called upon their patron saints to witness, and went beyond them. In Demosthenes’ oath— “By earth, by all her fountains, streams and floods!” there was no profanity. |
| [6] | St. Etheldreda (or Æthelthryth) was the foundress and first abbess of Ely monastery (A.D. 673). See Appendix, [Note A]. |
| [7] | This is not the Lucia of Mercian fame; but St. Lucia, whose day in the old calendars was 13th December. See Appendix, [Note B]. |
| [8] | St. Ovin was steward to St. Etheldreda. His cross, erected by himself or to his memory, is still seen in Ely Cathedral. See pp. [45] and [57], and [Note C]. |
| [9] | This reference to standing upon piles appears indefinite—the idea seems to have been suggested by Ingulph’s assertion that the first abbey of Crowland was built on piles, which is not at all probable seeing that all traces of the abbey buildings are found on gravel—and the probabilities are that the site for the ancient monastery was there selected for that very reason. The gravel ridge runs south-west towards Peakirk. (See [map].) |
| [10] | In Dugdale’s Monasticon a plan shewing the site of the Priory is given; it was south of the market place, west of the Welland, and not half-way between that river and Westlode. The refectory still exists: it is divided into seven dwellings, called “Abbey Buildings.” See Appendix, [Note D]. |
| [11] | There was an abbot of Malmsbury, named Elfric, in 974. (Gesta. Pont. Ang.) |
| [12] | St. Chad was first bishop of Lichfield (669-672). “Here perished, according to the tradition, in the fiery persecution of Diocletian, a thousand British Christians with Amphibalus at their head.” (Life and Legends of St. Chad.) But this Saint was more than Bishop of Lichfield—he was bishop of the Mercians; (this diocese included about seventeen counties) hence the force of Elfric’s appeal. St. Ovin had made a pilgrimage from the Fens into Yorkshire and joined St. Chad, at that time abbot of Lastingham. |
| [13] | Thurstan was then abbot of Ely, but more of him hereafter. |