1) Before, earlier in time.
1488 if he discesse afore he come to 16, Farnley Tyas
1527 a payr of forks affore geven, Bridlington. Similarly, where ‘place’ was concerned it meant ‘before’ or ‘in front of’: 1484 Mem that … William Robinson, innholder … come a fore Thomas Wrangwysh, then beyng Mair, York
1487 I bewit xij torches … ij of thame to oure Lady alter standing afore my stall, York
1535 to bee beried afore the altare, Halifax. The word is still common in dialect speech.