Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

later than; following

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

(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 After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

move back and forth very rapidly

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

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

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

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

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

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

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

immediately past

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

the act of departing

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

the force of workers available

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

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

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

the light of the Moon

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

on one occasion

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

above and across; more than

From this reading After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

go across or through

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

on the contrary

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

move hurridly

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

cut with a saw

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

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

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

be seated

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

a feudal lord or baron

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

in or at that place or location

From this reading After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

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

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance

From this reading Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

in the direction of

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

Betrayal of trust; deceptive action or disloyalty against a host or ally.

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

plural of “wall” — 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 Slowly the footfalls of our comrades died away down the low passage, and then the last flicker of their torch passed from the stone walls of that terrible pit, leaving Selred and myself alone in the cold moonlight.

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

From this reading After that there fell a dead silence over all the place, and it was uncanny.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

in a weary manner

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

a native or resident of Wales

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.

in or at the place that

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

during the time that

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

which person or people

From this reading Out through the doors toward the council chamber I saw the Mercian thane, who had been watching us in silence, sit down at the table and set his head in his hands wearily; and I heard Erling try the bars of the door to the guest hall, and finding it impossible to open, after a while pass into the council chamber, and set himself against the great door once more.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading It seemed impossible that all men should sleep in peace in the palace where such a deed had been wrought at our feet.

a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading I had rather the rush and yell of the Welsh over these ramparts they hated than this stillness of coldly-planned treachery.