1. The request is justified by the description of Monk in the
Prologue as “an out-rider, that loved venery.”
2. On this Tyrwhitt remarks; “I know not how it has happened,
that in the principal modern languages, John, or its equivalent,
is a name of contempt or at least of slight. So the Italians use
‘Gianni,’ from whence ‘Zani;’ the Spaniards ‘Juan,’ as ‘Bobo
Juan,’ a foolish John; the French ‘Jean,’ with various additions;
and in English, when we call a man ‘a John,’ we do not mean it
as a title of honour.” The title of “Sir” was usually given by
courtesy to priests.
3. Attamed: commenced, broached. Compare French, “entamer”,
to cut the first piece off a joint; thence to begin.