[143] The courtsey of modern times is all that remains of the old custom of kneeling. [144] The house without. In these early times, dwelling-places were usually built within a court. The court was, among the poor, a spot enclosed by a hedge or fence of sticks, and often a dry ditch; in the middle of this enclosure or house, the _hall_ in which they lived stood--a mere covered room. The chamber or _bower_, for sleeping and privacy, was a second erection within the court; but, in the case of so poor a man as Janicula, probably there was but one covered room, hall _or_ chamber, used for any purpose of shelter. So when the guests came into the _house_ without, the enclosure is meant, within which a single hut stood, built of planks. Janicula’s ox (used for draught, as now in Italy) inhabited the hut with them, and Griselda sets down her can in the stall when she enters the hut. In and around Naples we may still see the turkeys, pigs, and donkeys sharing the hovels with the peasants in this miserable way. [145] On the Continent, even at the present day, the bride is _expected_ to assent to the bridegroom chosen by her parents. Walter treated Griselda with especial consideration and respect by consulting her. Skeat quotes the legal formula of refusal, _Le roy s’avisera_, to show that Walter’s question, “Wol ye assent, or elles yow avyse?” gave her the chance to refuse. [146] In the 14th century it was the custom for everybody to go to bed with the sun. They rose in the morning at 4 or 5, had breakfast at 6, dinner at 10 or 11, and supper about 6. [147] Sergeant and servant are doublets.--_Skeat._ Probably he was a cross between a highwayman and a soldier. Sergeant at one time meant squire to a prince or nobleman. [148] Tyrwhitt. [149] It was common, nay usual, in mediæval times for noble children to be put out to nurse in the family of some equal or dependent, for purposes of security. The removal of Walter’s children from the mother was _not_ an outrage: but concealing their fate from her was. [150] _Panico_, Petrarch; _Panigo_, Boccace. I cannot be sure of the situation of this place, but there is a certain Paganico near Urbino, marked in old maps as a castle or fortress, which is not too far from Bologna to be possibly the place referred to. A river Panaro flows between Modena and Bologna. [151] Tyrwhitt. [152] It was not uncommon in olden times for girls to be married at twelve years of age. [153] Skeat. [154] The smock, or shift, was a high garment with long sleeves, often embroidered with black stitchery. [155] “A jane is a small coin of Genoa (Janua); the meaning is, your praise is dear enough at a farthing.”--_B._ Or the verse may be taken to mean, the smallest coin is dear enough to you when you are tired of better--for novelty’s sake. [156] Skeat; also second line beyond. [157] Tyrwhitt and Skeat. [158] Tyrwhitt. [159] Skeat. [160] Skeat and Tyrwhitt.