[238]: This name has probably nothing to do with "anchorite," but is of Celtic derivation.
[239]: Dominus is thus abbreviated amongst Benedictines.
[240]: Kineburgh and Kinswith were sisters of Wulfhere, the first Christian King of Mercia. Tibba is usually identified with St. Ebba of Coldingham.
[241]: The Little Ouse drains the south-western districts of Norfolk.
[242]: A specimen of one of the "libels" is given by Dugdale:
"Come brethren of the water, and let us all assemble
To treat upon this matter, which makes us quake and tremble;
For we shall rue, if it be true the Fens be undertaken,
And where we feed in rush and reed, they feed both beet and bacon.
"Away with boats and rudders, away with boots and scatches [skates],
No need of one nor t'other; men now make better matches.
Stilt-makers all and tanners complain of this disaster;
For they would make each muddy lake for Essex calves a pasture.
"Wherefore let us intreat our ancient Winter Nurses
To show their power so great, and help to drain their purses,
And send us good old Captain Flood to lead us out to battle,
Then Twopenny Jack, with scales on back, shall drive out all their cattle."
["Jack" here simply means a pike, the average price of which at this time would seem to have been twopence. The "Winter Nurses" are the rivers feeding the Fen.]
[243]: The Lernaean swamp was the legendary home of the famous Hydra overcome by Hercules.