157. #to ð forewarde#, on condition: comp. ‘Al Denemark i wile you yeue,
| To þat forward þu late me liue,’ Havelok, 485, 6. This rare use of
_to_ has probably developed from the notion of associated with.
159. #dide . . . sculde#: ‘did worse here than he should,’ Thorpe. For
#hær sculde#, read ær dide: comp. her, 11/190.
163. Oxford Castle was surrendered to Matilda in the summer of 1141, and
Stephen’s men entered the city, Sept. 26th, 1142. Matilda escaped a few
days before Christmas 1142; she left England early in 1147.
164. #sægen#, if a noun, OE. #sægen#, means report; it is a verb at
8/106, and may be here.