p. [101]. As a man by the neck, i.e., the button was put into a loop resembling a noose. The end of the line is not clear. Perhaps (1) the man hangs light as the flesh drops from his bones on the gallows; (2) the button hangs light because it has no body; (3) the adjective was dragged in for the rhyme.
p. [102]. Boards, trestles, &c. For the chamber only, as I understand it, the hall having its own groom.
p. [104]. In strong stead (text, styd) on pallet he lay. The line is certainly corrupt, and I can make no sense of it. From the context I gather that lay is the present optative of the verb meaning to place, not the past tense of lie. He seems to refer to the servant, as in the next line, and not to the master who is already “winking.” In that case In (Sc., ane?) strong stead must represent something that he places on the pallet—what, I do not know.
p. [105]. Many are false. So often in the romances of the time.
p. [105]. Wax so green. Seemingly the steward’s accounts were kept first on tablets, and afterwards copied into books.
p. [106]. Surveyor. His duty was to examine the dishes and see that everything was right before it went to the table.
p. [112]. Duke John’s house. As his father was king, the man referred to must be John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who died 1399.
p. [112]. [Wide]. The passage seems corrupt. The text says:—
“The selvage to the lord’s side within,
And down shall hang that other may win.”