The spelling of the word "wert told of" may seem puzzling, but it follows the rules of Middle English. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /wərt təʊld ɒv/. "Wert," meaning "were," is an archaic second-person singular past tense of "be." "Told" is the past tense of "tell," and "of" is a preposition indicating possession or association. This phrase can be found in medieval literature and is often used to describe a tale or rumor that has been recounted.