216. _Well, early in autumn._ In writing "The Flight of the Duchess"
Browning was interrupted by a friend on some important business which
temporarily drove the story out of the poet's mind. Some months after
the publication of the first part in _Hood's Magazine_, April, 1845, he
was staying at Bettisfield Park in Shropshire when someone in commenting
on the early approach of winter said that already the deer had to break
the ice in the pond. This chance phrase roused the poet's fancy, and
when he returned home he completed his poem.
238. _St. Hubert._ Before his conversion St. Hubert had been
passionately fond of hunting; hence he became the patron saint of
hunters.
240-247. "The jerkin" or short coat; the "trunk-hose," or full breeches
extending from the waist to the middle of the thigh; the big rimless
hats with broad projections back and front and highly ornamented, were
medieval articles of attire revived by the Duke for his "Middle Age"
hunting party.
249. _Venerers, Prickers, and Verderers_ are ancient names for huntsmen,
horsemen, and preservers of venison.
263. _Horns wind a mort._ Horns announce the death of the stag; "at
siege" probably means "brought to the appointed station." Possibly it
means "at bay," in which case "wind a mort" must mean "announce that the
death of the stag is imminent."
264. _Prick forth._ Spur her horse forth. She was to ride a jennet, a
small Spanish horse known in the Middle Ages.