6337. Sir Robert was a knight's name; Robin, that of a common man, as Robin Hood.
6338. Menour. The Friars Minors were the Franciscan, or Grey Friars; the Jacobins were the Dominicans, or Black Friars.
6339. loteby, wench; see P. Plowman, B. iii. 150, and note.
6341. Elsewhere called 'Streyned-Abstinence,' as in ll. 7325, 7366; F. 'Astenance-Contrainte,' i. e. Compulsory-Abstinence.
6345. I. e. 'Sometimes I wear women's clothes.'
6352. 'Trying all the religious orders.'
6354. All the copies wrongly have bete or beate for lete, i. e. leave. Some fancy the text is wrong, because Méon's edition has 'G'en pren le grain et laiz la paille.' But (says Kaluza) three MSS. have—'Je les le grain et pren la paille'; which better suits the context.
6355. To blynde, to hoodwink; F. 'avugler.' For blynde, G. and Th. actually have Ioly! I supply ther, i. e. where; for sense and metre.
6359. bere me, behave; were me, defend myself. The F. text varies.
6365. lette, hinder. The friars had power of absolution, independently of the bishop; and it was a bitter grievance.