The Anathemata
The Lady of the Pool (continued)
Crayford Ness!1 and reaching to the Malabarbers that our Elfreda sent to from Wantage, far far far back, that was the brightest jewel of this land ever and a great layer of keels and ought have his day in the calendar if any ever ought. Or else the clerk of Bridgewater come lately from fishing in Tiber-water, that sang to me Come Hither Love2 in I-talian-cum-Somerset, told to me false annals!
David Jones notes
1 The Thames above and below Crayford Ness is called the Erith Rands.
2 Cf. Chaucer, Prologue, 671-72,
‘That streyt was comen from the court of Rome
Ful lowde he sang Com hider love to me.’
additional notes
a The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that in 883 the Pope sent King Alfred a fragment of the True Cross, and Alfred sent alms to St Thomas and St Bartholomew in India (Malabar) from Wantage where he resided. Alfred is credited with being the founder of the English navy.
DJ note 2: Chaucer is here describing the Pardoner (a person licensed to sell papal pardons or indulgences).
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