[256] This is no uninteresting picture of the seclusion desired by our ancestors in the old geometric style of gardening. Of this curious knot-garden of Wolsey the remains are still to be seen at Hampton Court, the maze there forming part of it.
[257] I past not of, i. e. I cared not for.
[258] vaylled, availed.
[259] rathest, i. e. soonest.
[260] blent, i. e. blind.
[261] This is a version of the concluding passage of the Life of the Cardinal.
[262] wyst, i. e. knew.
[263] for the nons, or nonce, for the purpose.
[264] This is Tittenhanger, in Hertfordshire, which Wolsey held as Abbot of St. Albans: there was formerly a palace belonging to the Abbots of St. Albans there.
[265] Sheets of Raynes. The fine linen used by our ancestors is frequently called cloth of Raynes. Rennes in Brittanny was formerly celebrated for its manufacture of fine linen. In the enumeration of the cardinal’s treasures at Hampton Court, many pieces of cloth of Raynes are mentioned. In the Old Phrase Book, entitled Vulgaria, by W. Horman, 1519, is the following passage: “He weareth a shurte of Raynis whan curser wold serve him.”