How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
A Britoun book, written with Evaungiles,
Was fet, and on this book he swoor anoon
She gilty was, and in the meene-whiles
An hand hym smoot upon the nekke-boon
That doun he fil at ones, as a stoon. (666-670)
The narrator doesn't explain why the pagan Northumbrian king wants the knight to swear upon a Gospel-book. Nevertheless, it seems to serve its purpose, with the Knight committing the sacrilege that reveals his treachery.
Quote #8
A voys was herd in general audience,
And seyde, "Thou hast desclaundred, giltelees,
The doghter of hooly chirche in heigh presence,
Thus hastou doon, and yet holde I my pees." (673-676)
The fact that the Knight lies is bad, but it's even worse that he slanders a Christian, in the presence of her God. The fact that everyone can hear him represents the publication of the truth. It probably symbolizes the Revelation of the Truth, the Christianity the audience is soon to embrace.
Quote #9
And stolen wer hise lettres pryvely
Out of his box, whil he sleep as a swyn;
And countrefeted was ful subtilly
Another lettre wrought ful synfully,
Unto the kyng direct of this mateere. (744-748)
Donegild counterfeits a letter to her son in an attempt to turn him against Custance. The fact that she intercepts a sealed communication between the Constable and his King is just as bad as the lies she tells in the fake letter. Her deception jeopardizes the integrity of this so-called official mode of communication. Donegild's meddling with the letters represents her greater ambition, to meddle in the affairs of state (which, by the way, was definitely not a place for woman in those days).