Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

the state of being allied or confederated

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

plural of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

move gently or carefully

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

an opposing military force

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

past form of “feast” — partake in a feast or banquet

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

past form of “flame” — shine with a sudden light

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

plural of “hilltop” — the peak of a hill

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

plural of “kingdom” — a domain in which something is dominant

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

make (textiles) by knitting

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

the state of being alone in solitary isolation

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

the force of workers available

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

not any; not one

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

a feeling of great happiness

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

except for; apart from

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two fair daughters had Offa, the mighty King of Mercia, and Quendritha his queen.

marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

having been taken in marriage

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

a native or resident of Wales

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England that became the most powerful English kingdom by the 10th century

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

at the time that

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.

an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Wherefore we all rejoiced, and the fires flamed from the hilltops, and in the towns men feasted and drank to the alliance, and dreamed of days of unbroken ease to come, wherein the weapons, save always for the ways of the border Welsh, should rust on the wall, and the trodden grass of the old camps of the downs on our north should grow green in loneliness.

which person or people

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading There had been but one enemy for Wessex to fear, besides, of course, the wild Cornish, who were of no account, and that enemy was Mercia.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Now the two kingdoms were knit together by the marriage, and there would be lasting peace.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The elder of those two, Eadburga, was wedded to our Wessex king, Bertric, in the year when my story begins, and all men in our land south of the Thames thought that the wedding was a matter of full rejoicing.