39. common sewer. This territory in which the bandits and caitiff knights were gathered is compared to a public drain or sewer which carries off the impurities of the city.
41. marches. Border country, frontiers.
45. Severn. A river of England and Wales, flowing south-west into Bristol Channel.
48. compass’d her with sweet observances. Surrounded her with tokens of his regard.
60. uxoriousness. Fondness for his wife.
78. If the current were less strong the water would break in striking against the stone.
86. all-puissant. All powerful.
93. liefer. More gladly.
100. high. Bright.
145. Whitsuntide. A Church festival which falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter.