The ffirst chapitre treateth how Eracles conquerd Per [...] and slewe Cosdroe / and brought in to Iherusalem the very cr [...]se ca­pitulo primo

tHe Auncyent hystoryes saye that Eracles was a good crysten man and gouernour of thempyre of Rome / But in his tyme M [...]chemet had ben whiche was messager of the deuil And made the peple to vnderstonde / that he was a prophete sente from our lorde / In the tyme of Eracles was the fals lawe of ma [...]chomet sowen and sprad abrode in many partyes of thoryent / and namely in Arabye / in so moche that the prynces of the londes [...] wold not gyue faith to his secte that he prechid and taught whiche is cursed and euyl / but he constrayned them by force and by sw [...]rd to & alle their subgets to obeye to his commandemens / and to byle­ue in his lawe / Whan Eracles had conquerd Perse and slayn [...]s­droe whiche was a puissaunt kynge he brought agayn to Iheru­salem the very Crosse / whiche they had ladde in to perse / And abode and dwellyd in the londe of Surrye / And dide do ordeyne and chose a patriarke a moche wise man named Modes [...]e / By whos counseil he dyde do make agayn the chirches / and habylled the holy places / and clensed them that the tyraunt Cosdro [...] of Perse had smeton doun and destroyed Eracles sette grete en [...]eu [...]e & made grete [...] for to repayre them / And whiles he entended ther abou [...]e / homar the sone of captap whiche was a prynce of Arabe the thirde after ma­chomet / cam in to this contree named pales [...]yne with so grete nom­bre of peple that alle the londe was couerd with them / and had thenne taken by force a moche stronge Cyte of that londe named Iadre / ffrom thens he drewe hym toward damaske / and assieged [Page] the cyte / and by strengthe toke hyt / ffor he had sogrete a nombre of peple that nothyng myght resiste hym / themperour heracles which yet dwellyd in a parte of this londe named Cylyce herde tydynges [...]f this peple / And sente good espyes & trewe in whiche he trusted [...] see and serche their couine / ffor he desyred moche to haue a [...] with thise peple on the felde and fyghte and chase them out of [...] londes and cytees whiche obeyed to Cristente & to thempyre of [...] But whan his messagers cam he had by them knowleche cer [...]ynly that he had not peple ynowhe to fyhte ayenst them / ffor the [...] were so fyers & so orguylloꝰ of the grete nombre of peple that theyhad / that they thought / nothyng myght resiste them / And ther vpo [...] heracles had deliberacon̄ and counseilled with his peple / that it [...]ld be lest dishonour to departe and retorne in to his cōtre / than [...]ffre his peple to be destroyed & myght not amende it / Thus thēne he departed out of Surye by cause the kynge of Arabe & his peple were of so grete power & so proude / as they y^t fonde all the contre habandon̄ned to them / ffor in a short tyme they had conquered alle the contre of Surye vnto Egypte / One thyng that was t [...] fore happenned in this contree whiche heelp moche them of Ara [...] ten­a [...]ce their power ffor cosdroe the puissan̄t kynge of perse of whom I haue spoken to fore / had ben with grete puissaunce in Surye / and had destroyed the Cytees and castels / brent townes & chirches and slayn grete partye of the peple / and the remeun̄t had brought in to Captyuyte / And toke the cyte of Iherusalem with force and slewe within the toun̄ xxxvj. M. men / And bare away with hym the ve [...]ay crosse that our lord Ihesu Cryste suffred deth on for vs And ladde with hym the patriarke of Iherusalem named A­charye and brought hym with hym with the other Caytyfs /

Here recounteth thistorye how that the puissaunt kynge Cosdroe wastyd the Empyre of Rome for tauenge the deth of themperour Maurice / fader of his wyf / capitulo ij^o.

nOw I shal telle yow why he had so doon / lyke as I sayde / he was a ryght myghty kynge / now had ther be an emperour at Rome named Mauryce whiche as we fynde was moche acqueynted with seint gregor [...]e And was his gossi [...] [Page] ffor the sayd seynt Gregorye had cristenyd to hym a doughter na­med Marie / This Maurice gaf her in Maryage to this Cosdroe / And ther by was a grete frenship bytwene them / & grete alyaūce bytwene them of perse and the Romayns as longe as themperour lyued / in suche wise / that for the loue of his wyf / & the Romayns whiche were Cristen / This Emperour made Cosdroe to be baptised But after it befylle y^t foca slewe in treson this Emperour Maurice / And was Emperour in his place / and was called ffo [...] cezar / whan cosdroe herd herof he had merveyllous grete sorow gre [...] de [...] ­dayne / grete orguyel & grete hate ayenst the peple of the Roma [...]ns by cause that he whiche had slayn theyr lorde vntrewly / and was yet blody of the blood of the emperour they had chosen to [...]e their lord and had gyuen to hym thempire / ffor this cause [...]e ente [...]ded to his power to hurte and destroye al thempire of Rom [...] [...] And for this cause for tauenge the deth of the fader of his [...] whiche ofte enticed hym therto / he entred in to the londe of [...] whiche thenne was subget to thempyre of Rome and [...] destroyed it / lyke as I haue said to fore / and voyded almost [...] the peple that was therin / ffor whiche cause This kynge [...] aforsaid & his peple of Arabe that fonde this londe so voyde [...] the better doo theyr wylles with alle /

How this puissaunt kynge entred in to Iherusalem and demaū [...]ded dylygently of the Temple and reedyfied it and assigned gr [...]e reuenues therto for tentretene it capitulo iii^o.

wHan they cam in the holy cyte of Iherusalem. they fonde it destroyed and deserte / sauf a fewe cristen men whiche dwellyd there and were suffred that they shold lyue as Cristen men and make agayn their chirches and that they shold haue a patriarke In the while that this myghty prynce duellid in Iherusalem he began tenquyre moche eu [...]entifly of the peple of the toun̄ & pryncipally of the patriarke whiche was named So­phonye / & had ben chosen after modeste whiche was deed of whom I haue spoken to fore In what place the temple of our lord [Page] had be whan Titus the prynce deffeted and destroyed al the cyte / he shewid to hym the very certayn place & the fondamentes & a parte of the muraylles whiche were then̄e yet apperyng / he made anon to be sought & to be brouht to hym without longe taryeng grete nombre of masons & of carpenters / & dide do be fette stones of marble & of other manere & alle thynges necessarye therto he dide do assemble as moche as shold nede / And deuised the maner and ordynance of the mesure / and of the dyspences for to make the temple / And as he was a noble prynce of hy [...] affaire & noble / he brought anon to ende this that he had emprised in suche wise that the tem­ple was reedefyed in suche forme and estate as it yet apeereth / this saide prynce hym self assygned grete rentes & reuenues ffor euer more for to sustene and repayre alle that shold be nedeful to thedy­fi [...]es and other necessites of the temple / and for the seruyng of the lyght day and nyght by the handes of them that he commysed to kepe the temple / Ther is in the same temple within and without letters of golde in the langage of Arabe whiche deuyse as we suppose / who was he that reedefyed the temple / and what tyme / And how moche it costeto rebylde it /

How Charlemayne by his lyberalite gate for the prouffyt of cris­ten peple in hethenes / thamytye of hethen prynces / capitulo iiij

tHus it happed that this holy cyte of Iherusalem for the synnes of the peple was in seruage and in daunger of hethen peple longe tyme / That is to wete cccc xxx iiij / yere contynuelly / but not all way in one manere / They were one tyme better & another tyme werse / lyke as the lordes chaunged whiche were of dyuerse maners & condicions / but neuertheles thise peple were alway in subiection / It happed that one grete lorde of this saide lawe had nyghe in his seignorye all the londe of thoryent sauf only ynde / This prynce was named / Aaron & his surname ressit / This man was of so grete cortosye / of so grete largesse / of so hye vygour / and of so grete affaires in alle good maners that yet the paynems speke of hym / lyke as they doo in ffraūce of Charlemayn / they were bothe in one tyme this aaron & this charlemain [Page] And therfore in their tyme the cristen peple in Iherusalem were in better poynt / than thei had euer be to fore vnder ony of the hethen peple / ffor Charlemayn the good Emperour whiche so moche traua­illed and suffryd for our lorde / and so moche enhaunced the fayth of Ihesu Criste to thende that the Cristiente in Surye myght be the better and more debonairly cherysshed and entreated / Pourchassed so longe that he had the loue and acqueyntaūce of the said Aaron by messages that wente and cam / Wherof this Aaron had moche grete Ioye / And aboue alle the prynces of the world he louid and honoured themperour Charlemayn̄ and the Cristen peple that we­re vnder hym / And alle the holy places that were vnder his po­wer / he wolde that they shold be entretiened mayntened and wel aourned lyke as Charlemayne had desyred and sente to hym worde / Wherof it semed that our peple beynge there / Were more vnder the power of Charlemayne than vnder the power of the hethen men / Whan he myght fynde the messagers of Charlemayn / he charged and laded them alle with richesses of thoryent / with clothes of sylke with spyces / Ieweles of golde of dyuerse fa­cions / And with ryche precious stones whiche he sente to his frende Charlemayn / And largely he gaf and rewarded the messa­gers / And emonge al other thinges / He sente into ffraunce an Olyphant / This debonayrte pourchased the good Charlemayn for the Crysten men that were in captiuyte vnder the said Aa­ron / And in lyke wyse the said Aaron for the loue that he bare to Carlemayn pourchassed for other Cristen men that were in al hethenes vnder dyuerse lordes as in egypte And in Aufri­gue / That is to seye in Allexandrye / And in Cartage / ffor [...]e sente grete yeftes and moche good to sustene the power of Cris­ten men & sente grete presentes vnto theyr lordes & maistres myscreauntes & amyable letters / In suche wise that he pourchassed their loue & acqueyntaunce / by whiche they conteyned them more debo­nairly vn to cristiens y^t were in theyr subiection thus dyde the hye prynce charlemayn vnto the hethen lordes that were fer fro hym / ffor it is to be bileuid / that yf he had ben nyghe to them that he wold haue essayed for to haue delyuerd in another maner the peple of our lord lyke as he dyde ryght gloriously in many places /

Of the noyse that sourded emonge the hethen men discordyng in theyr lawe / and how they of egypte yssued out of theyr londe and of the euyllis that they dyde capitulo v^o.

iN this season it happed that a grete debate sourded bytwene the mescreaunts of Egypte / and the mescreaunts of Perse / ffor eueryche partye of this peple wold haue the seignourye vpon the other / The Rote of this grete hate and enuye sourded ande aroos of that whyche discorded / and yet dyscorde of certayn poyntes of theyr lawe / in suche wise that they haue dyuer­se names / ffor they that holde the lawe of perse haue the name in theyr langage. soun / And they of the lawe of Egypte be named siha. And they be not so ferre fro the very crysten lawe / as ben the other / It happed that they of Egypte yssued out of theyr londe / and conquered alle the londes vnto Antyoche / And emonge the other cytees that were taken / The holy cyte of Iherusalem cam vn­der theyr power and seignourye / The peple that were there in cap­tinyte were resonably wel entreated / tyl it happed by the suffraūce of god that his peple shold be chastised / and that was by a desloyal and cruel lord and calyphe of Egypte whiche was named hecam / he passed in malyce and cruelte alle his predecessours in suche wyse that the peple of his lawe helde them as wode men of pryde / of rage / and of falsched / Emonge the other tyrannyes he commanded to caste doun to the ground the chyrche of the sepulcre of our lorde Ihesu Cryste / whiche had ben made first of Constantyne thempe­rour / by a noble Patryarke of Iherusalem named Maxyme / and after r [...]edefyed by modest that other patriarke / In the tyme of he­racles of whom we haue spoken to fore / he sente to them a fals ca­liphe one his bayly whiche was lord of Rames and named hyart This dyde the commandement of his lord and caste it doun to grounde / In this tyme was patriarke of this chyrche a right va­lyaunt man named Oreste / and was vncle vnto this vntrew kynge of Egypte broder of his moder / And this was the reson why he was so cruel ayenste Crystiente / ffor the heethen men sayde that he shold neuer be ferme in theyr lawe / by cause he had a crys­ten moder / And for to take away this suspecion he destroyed this [Page] holy chirche of the holy sepulcre / whiche was the fontayne and be­gynnyng of our very creaunce /

How thaffliccyon. iniuries and tormentes of crysten men grewe in the tyme of Calyphe hetam capitulo vj^o.

fRo thenne forthon began thestate of our peple at Iheru­salem to be more greuous and more sorowful than it was wonte to be / ffor they toke grete displaysir at theyr ber [...]e for the chirche of the resurrexion of our lorde whiche they sawe so destroyed emonge them / And on that other syde they were char­ged ouer sorowfully wyth tributes. taskes and tayllages a [...]en [...]t the custome and preuyleges graunted to them of hethen prynces▪ And also they were deffended to make ony festes on the da [...]es of theyr hye festes / but thenne they were compellyd to traua [...]lle by force and angre / or they were commanded not to yssue out of [...] howses ne dores / but holde them cloos wythin / to thende that t [...]ey shold make no semblaunce of feste wythin them / And [...]et al [...]o they myght not be therin in pees ne assured / but they caste at [...] by the wyndows grete stones. donge. dyr [...]e. and foul or [...]re [...] And yf it happed somtyme a Crysten man to saye a light wor [...]e that dyspleased ony of the hethen men / Anon he shold be taken like a murderer and brought to pryson / and shold lose therfore his fys­te or fote / or he was brought to the gybet / And alle the good that he had / was brought in to the handes of the Caly [...]e [...] Som­tyme they wold take the chyldren of the crysten peple / bo [...]e so [...]es and doughtres in to theyr owne howses / and made them mes­creaunts ayenst theyr wylle / And somtyme by betynge / and another wyth lyes and flaterye made many yonge folke to renye our fayth / And thus they dyde to our peple moche [...] and grief / But notwythstondyng / good crysten men le [...]te not / but admonested and conforted the peple to suffre al this [Page] with a good herte and veri penitence for the faith of Ihesu Criste and promysed them for thise shames / the Ioye / thonour and the glorye of heuen whiche euer shal endure / The good Cristen peple spack so to gydre / that they enforced them to holde And ke­pe their cristen fayth the more surely / By cause they dyde them so moche harm And repreef It sholde be ouer longe a thin­ge to rec [...]unte to you / Alle the meseases & the myschiefs that the peple of our lord endured that tyme. But I shal shew yow one exampel / to thende that by the same ye vnderstonde the more of other / One of the hethen men ouermoche malicious and vn­trewe whiche hated of ouermoche cruel hate the cristen men / he aduised and thoughte an a day how he myght brynge them to deth He sawe wel that alle the cyte helde the temple in moche grete honour & reuerence whiche was reedefyed & the laye peple named it / the temple dominus / & that they whiche had the charge to kepe it dide al their peyne to kepe it cleen & nette / now ther was a place to fore the temple whiche was named thaitre of the temple / Whiche they wolde kepe as clene / as cristen men kepe their chirches and aultres / And this vntreu man that I haue said yow of to fore. Toke by nyght in suche wise that no man sa­we it / a dede hounde al roten and stynkyng and brought it in to the same aitre to fore the temple / On the morn whan they of the toun cam to the temple they fonde this dogge / Thenne sourded and aroos / a crye / a noyse and a clamour so grete thurgh alle the toun / That ther was nothinge spoken of but of this hounde· They assembled / and put out of doubte / that this was not doon ne caste there but by the Cristyens / Alle the hethen men Accorded to this poynt that alle the cristen peple shold be put to deth with the swerd / And there were theyr swer­des drawen redy out / And they also that sholde smyte of their heedes· Emonge the crysten men was a yonge man of a moche grete herte and of grete pyte / And spak to the peple and said to them / ffair lordes trouthe it is / That I am not culpable in this thinge. ne none of yow as I byleue certaynly / But it shold be ouermoche grete dōmage yf we alle shold deye thus ffor by this shold alle the Cristendōme be quenchid in this lon­de / Wherfore I haue thought in my self / How I shal de­lyuer yow alle by thayde of our lord / Two thynges I [Page] desyre of you for the loue of god / That one is that ye praye for my sowle in your orisons / That other is that ye deporte and honoure my poure lygnage / ffor I will take this thinge on me / and saye that I all one haue doon this fayt whiche they put on vs alle / they that doubted the deth had grete Ioye whan they herd this / and pro­mysed to hym their orisons and thonoure of his lygnage / In this maner that they of his lygnage eue [...]more on palmsonday shal bere tholyue whiche signyfyeth Ihu Criste whan he cam in to Ihe­rusalem / Thus this man cam to fore the Justice / And said to them that the other Cristen men were nothyng culpable in this fayt / and sayde that he hym self had doon the dede / whan they h [...]rde this / they delyuerd alle the other / And he only had his heed smeten of /

How at the requeste of Themperour of Constantynoble the crist [...]n men obteyned lycence to bylde agayn the chirche of the holy se [...]ul­cre capitulo .vij^o.

sVche diseases suffred the peple of our lord in this tyme but Ihu cryste that wel can sette remedyes in thinges m [...]ru [...] illous & out of ordre / & recomforte them after ffor t [...]is vntr [...]we prynce of egipte hetam deyde / and his sone named d [...]r regned a [...] ­ter hym / This daher renewed the alyaūces with themperour of constantynoble whiche / was a Romayn and named Elio [...]litans / he prayde the said daher whom he moche lou [...]d that he wold suffre that the Cristen men myght reedefye the chirche of the holy [...] whiche his fader had do beten doun̄ / he graunted it for the loue of themperour / It was not longe after that this emperour deyde and after hym regned Constantyn whiche had to surname Monoma [...]ques / whiche is to saye in grece as a man fyghtyng allone T [...]e poure cristen that were in Iherusalem had lycence for to make agayn their chirches / but they had not the power for their pouer [...]. And herupon they had a counseyl that they wold sende to thempero­ur / and requyre hym for goddes sake that he wold helpe and socour of his Almesse for the reedefyeng of this holy werke / Ther was in the toun̄ of Iherusalem a good man named Iohan [Page] Cariaintes born in Constantynople & had ben a grete gentilman of the contre as of his lignage / But yet was he more gentil of herte & good manere / This man was comen on pylgremage to the holy sepulcre and had lefte alle the bobaūce and thonour of the world / & had taken thabyte of relygion / ffor to folowe our lord Ihesu Criste in ponerte in the place / where he suffred pouerte & messease for vs This said Iohn was prayd of alle the cristen peple there that he wolde entrepryse this message for to go to themperour for the loue of god and of them / he dyde it with a good wylle and departed and cam in to Constantynoble and spak to themperour / and dide alle that he was requyred / ffor themperour graunted that he wolde make alle the dispences that shold be ne­deful to the byldyng of this holy chirche / and wolde reedefye it at hi [...] owen coste / This Iohn was moche Ioyous whan he had so wel accomplissyd his message / and toke leue of themperour and cam agayn in to Iherusalem / whan he had said to the peple. the good tydinges that he brought / they made grete Ioye And many we [...]te grete terees for pyte / by cause they thoughte that our lord wolde not alway forgete them / whan he had doo to them suche c [...]mforte / In this tyme was patriarke in Iherusalem an holy man named nycesores / Themperour held ryght wel his promesse ffor he sente without taryeng grete partyr of his tresour / and dide do make the chyrche of the holy sepulcre moche hye in thestate and manere that it is yet / And was ful made the yere of thincarnacion of our lord a M xlviij And had ben xxxvij yere destroyed This was ryght the yere to fore that our peple recouerd the cyte / Whan the Cristen men there had made agayn the chirche / they were moche Ioyous and were also therin well comforted of all theyr mescases and repreues that they suffred wherof they had grete plente / not only in Iherusalem / But also in alle the cyt [...]es aboute / as in bethleem / And in the cyte where Amos the prophete was born named Tecua / As ofte as the Caliphe sente in to the lande a newe bayly / so ofte were sette on them new tributes & taillages whiche they myght not well paye / & yf they payed not anon they menaced them for to caste doun their chirches to the ground / & saide they had of their lord cōmandement so to doo thus in this sorow were the cristen peple / one while vnder them of egipte / another tyme vnder them of Perse / but this was not but yet a begynning to them as whan they cam vnder the power of the [Page] turques / ffor the turques conquerd the Royame of perse / and also of Egypte Thus the holy cyte fylle in to their demayne / whiche demened it so cruelly & tormented it so cruely / that it semed to the peple of our lord that they had be in fraunchise and in grete reste vnder them of Egypte and of perse Thus helde the turkes them there viij yere /

Of the turkes fro wens they cam / and how they grewe in to grete puisaunce and dide chese them a kynge for to mayntene their war­res capitulo / vijj^o.

for as moche as we haue spoken of the turkes / & shal ofer speke of them in this book / me semeth good that I saye to yow fro whens this peple cam first / & wherby they had so grete power / The turke & turkemans cam out of a lynage Roce of a contre toward the Eest whiche is in surye And were a peple moche rude & without ordynaūce / ne had no contreye ne no certayn dwellyng place / But went all aboute fro londe to londe / & sought pastures for their beestis / ne neuer duellid in castel ne toun̄ And whan they wolde meue from one place to another / t [...]enne wente euery lynage by hym self / And they made in euery kynred or lygnage a prince whiche was theyr Iusticer by thise p [...]ynces all their mesfeates and trespeaces were redressyd and amendid / And they obeyed and dide that he or they cōmanded / They caryed with them alle theyr thynges seruauntes / menages / houshold / thier Oxen kyen sheep / and other beestis In this thynge was alle theyr ry­chesse / They laboured no londe by eeryng ne sowyng ne they coude neyther bye ne selle / ffor they had no moneye / but their beestis their chese and Mylke changed thei for to haue other thinges that they neded Whan they had ben in one place and had nede to goo in to another / they sente the wisest of their peple vnto the princes of the cōtre / And they made couenauntes for them for to dwelle in theyr wodes & pastures for the / tribute that they shold paye lyke as they shold accorde / Now it happed that a grete partye of this peple departed fro the other / and entred in to the londe of perse / & fonde this londe moche plentyvous of pastures / and ryght good of suche as they neded / And gaf to the kynge the trybute that they were accorded fore / And dwellyd there I can not telle how lon­ge / This peple began to growe and multeplye in suche wise that [Page] there were of them a meruayllous grete nombre / in so moche that the kynge and they of the contre self began to haue grete doubte of them and fere / leste they myght doo harme by the power that ouer­moche grewe and encreced / here vpon they had a counseyl emonge them / that they wold dryue and chasse them by force out of theyr londe / But after they chaunged theyr counseyl / and semed better / that they shold charge them with suche tributes that they myght not suffre / And thenne they shold departe by their owne agrement lyke as they were come / Thus they dyde / But they suffred longe thise greues / til atte laste whan they myght nomore suffre / thei coū ­seylled emong them self that they wold nomore paye to the kynge whan the kynge herde this / he dide do crye thurgh alle his Royam­me / that they shold yssue out of it by a certayn day that was named to them / And that they shold passe the flood named cobar whiche is vtterist part of the Royāme of perse on that other syde / And whan they were departed and on the playn they sawe them self ouer & apperceyued that they were so grete plente of peple that no londe myght suffyse them / ne withstonde them yf they helde hem to gydre ffor to fore whan they dwellid in perse / they dwellid fer a sondre in suche wise that they knewe not their power / But now whan they sawe that they were so many / they had meruaillous grete desdayne of that they had suffred / and the pryde & grieuousnes of one prince They take counseyl emonge them and sawe that no peple myght resiste them / but myght conquere alle londes ther aboute / But one thynge destrobled them / and that was / they had no kynge on them / And thenne they dyde in this manere / They fonde emonge them an hondred lignages / of whiche euerich had his meyne / And euery lignage brought forth an Arowe marked in suche wise that the Arowe of eche lignage myght be knowen / and whan alle thise Arowes were brought to gydre / They called a lytil chylde / and commanded hym to take vp suche one as he wolde / ffor they had acorded emonge them / that of the lignage that the Arowe shold be taken vp by the chylde / they shold chese them a kynge / The chylde toke vp one of a lignage that after was called Selduces / Now they knewe that of this lignage they muste chese a kynge / And they toke an hondred of the most prudent & wise men that they coude fynde in al the lignage / And commanded that eche of them shold brynge an arowe / wheron his name shold be wreton / And after they called the chylde / and bad hym take vp one of the Arowes / And concluded emonge them / that he shold be kynge / of whom he [Page] toke vp the arowe / he toke vp one / on whiche was wreton Selduc / This Selduc was a moche goodly man / and gretely honoured / in his lignage / he was grete and stronge a good knyght and wel proued / and semed wel to be a good man and of hye werkes / They chees alle this man for to be theyr kynge as they had promysed / And dyde to hym homage and feaulte by oth and obeyed hym and honoured hym lyke as is don to a new kynge / This kynge for the first of his commandementis commanded and made do crye ouer­all on payne of lesyng of theyr lyues they shold repasse & goo ouer agayn the flood of Cobar / and retorne agayn in to perse / ffor they wold no lengre be in danger for to seche place and stede where they myght dwelle / but wolde that they shold conquere this l [...]nde and other / and reteyne them in theyr seignourye / lyke as he sayd and commanded it was don / ffor the peple conquerd in a short space by force of armes not only the Royame of Perse / but alle Arabe and other contrees of thoryent / and toke them by strengthe and retey­ned them vnder theyr power / And thus it happed that this peple that tofore had be so rude / and lyued so out of rule as beestis after gate in lasse than fourty yere so grete seignouryes as ye now [...] / And mounted in so grete pryde / that they wolde no more haue the name lyke as the other had / wherfore they were called turkes [...] The other that wold not leue theyr maner of lyuynge were alle [...]way named and yet ben Turquemans / Thise peple whan they [...]ad conquerd this contre of thoryent / they wold entre in to the Royam [...]me of Egypte / ffor they were of moche grete puissaunce / And des­cended in to Surrye / and conquered the contre / And emonge the other cytees they toke the holy cyte of Iherusalem / And suche peple as they fonde there they demened right euyl and torment [...]d and greued them more than they had ben to fore / lyke as I haue sayd to you to fore /

Of thorryble synnes regnyng thenne in crystiante as wel in thyse partyes / as in tho partyes capitulo ix^o.

yE haue herd how this peple that were crys [...]en were deme [...]ned in this contre of thoryent / Now ye may bere how the crystiente is contened and ruled in other partyes of the world / knowe ye for certayn that this tyme were foūden but fewe▪ that had the drede of our lord in theyr herte / Alle right wysnesse / alle trouthe / alle pyte were faylled / The fayth of Ihesu cryste was [Page] as it had be quenchid / and of charyte men spack not / debates / dis­cordes / and warres were nyhe oueral / in suche wyse that it semed / that thende of the world was nyghe / by the signes that our lord sayth in the gospell / ffor pestylences and famynes were grete on therthe / ferdfulnes of heuen tremblyng of therthe in many places and many other thinges there were that ought to fere the hertes of men to drawe them fro euyl / & to brynge to them the remembraunce of our lord / But they were as deef and blynde of heeryng and of seey [...]g / this that was nedeful to them for to saue theyr sowles / The prynces and the barons brente and destroyed the contrees of theyr neyghbours / yf ony man had saued ony thynge in theyr ke­pyng / theyr owne lordes toke them and put them in prison and in greuous tormentis for to take fro them suche as they had / in suche wyse that the chyldren of them that had ben riche men / men myght see them goo fro dore to dore for to begge and gete theyr brede / and somme deye for hungre and mesease / As to the chirches ne Religy­ouses they kept not theyr priuyleges ne none other fraunchyses / but were taken fro them alle that mocht be founden as wel meo­bles. rentes. and other thynges / ye the crosses chalyces and the sen­sours they toke fro the chirches / and molt [...] them for to selle / yf ony fledde to the chirche for to warante and saue hym / he was taken & drawen out vylaynously as out of a tauerne or an other place / To Monkes and clerkes were doon wronges and all the shames they myght / Ther was no iustyce / but on them that trespaced not ne forfayted nothyng / The contrees were ful of theues & of mur­driers / In cytees ne in good townes was noman sure / There reg­ned customably dronkenship / lecherye / playeng at dyse & roberyes / ther was no mariage kepte / ne lignage / And also as of euyl lyf were the clerkes or werse / as the other / The bysshops ne the other prelates durst not reprehende ne chastyse none for theyr euyl wer­kes / The Rentes of holy chirche they gaf ne payd none / but solde the benefices / And fynably I saye yow that alle euyl werkes had surprysed alle crystiente / in suche wyse that it semed that eueryche dyde payne for to serue the deuyll /

Of a bataylle that themperour Romayne of Constantynople had ayenst a puissaunt prynce of thoryent named Belphet ca^o. x^o.

oWr lorde that by his pyte chastyseth in this world for to spa­re in that other / and can wel bete his children that he loueth [Page] for to saue them suffred a grete flawe to come in to the contre for to chastyse the peple / ffor in this tyme whan themperour Romayn was lord in constantynoble / yssued out of the partyes of thoryent a puissant hethen prynce named Belphet. whiche brought with hym so grete plēte of peple out of perse & surye that they couerd all the cōtre / & the multitude was so grete that it myght not wel be nō ­bred they brought with them ca [...]tes / Charyottes / horses· camels / beuffes / kyen / & other smale beestys so grete plente / that vnnethe it myght be byleuyd / & with this grete apparayl / This grete force & strengthe he brought in to thempire of constantinoble / & began to take & waste all that he fōde / & where as they fonde fortresses cy­tees or castellis they toke it al with assault / ffor nothyng myght resist e them. but that they smote all doun to therthe / all the pepl hool fledde to fore hym / this tydynges cam to themperour that this gre­te lord had supprised & taken alle his contre / anon without taryeng he sente all about in thempire. & dyde then̄e somone all his hoost & assembled as moche peple as he coude gete / & as moche good as [...]e myght fine for this worke that was so grete / whan his peple wer [...] comen he yssued with as many men of arm [...]s and of warre as [...] myght haue / & drewe to that parte where this bel [...]t cam he fonde hym to sone as he that was ferre entred in to the londe / whan they knewe that eche of them was so nygh other / they ordeyned th [...]y [...] bataylles for to fyghte / & assembled so cruelly & of so grete ang [...] as peple that had eche to other grete hate. The he [...]hen foughte fo [...] tenhaunce theyr lawe & for tencrece theyr power [...] & the cristen men defended theyr fayth & the lawe of Ihesu criste & to saue and ke [...]e theyr liues & franchyses and theyr wyues / childeren & theyr con­tree / The bataylle was moche grete & cruelle. moche peple sla [...]n [...] blode shadde here & there Atte laste the grekes myght not suffre t [...]e faytes ne the grete plente of the mescreaūs and f [...]edde as discomfyted so fowle· that none retorned agayn· but ranne awa [...] with oute ordenaūce euerych̄where he myght best saue hym they that folowed them dyde alle that they wolde. They slewe many▪ & toke gre­te plente a lyue. And emonge alle other Themperour was taken hym self / whan tydinges cam in to the contre that the batayl was loste· and themperour taken / ther was grete sorowe of alle tholde men. wyues / & childeren that had not ben there / belphet this pryn [...]ce of myscreauntes seeyng that he had thus playn victorye of the cristen men· mounted & aroos in to grete pryde / ffor he thought wel that he shold fynde no barre that shold letee hym to doo his will in [Page] thempyre. whan he was lodged & his hoost aboute hym / he cōman­ded themperour to be brought to fore hym which had be taken in the bataylle / & he sette his foote vpon the necke of themperour / & this dyde he ofte & whan he shold mounte vpon horsbak or descende / in shame and despite of the fayth of our lord and of the cristen peple Whan he had thus a whyle shamed reuyled & despyted themperour He lete hym goo & delyuerd hym & som of his barons / that had he prisoners / & whan themperour was come agayn in to constanty­noble / the barons of the londe reputed hym as ouermoche disho­noured / as he that had shamefully conduyted the bataille & toke hym & raced out his eyen & lete hym vse his lif in sorowe & shame This prynce belphet began to take alle the londe in suche wyse that in a lytil whyle he cōquerd fro the lystes of surye vnto the see cal­led the braas of seynt george / which is wel xxx iourneyes of len­gthe / & x of brede / & in som place xv / & whan he cam to the braas / he wold haue passed in to constantinoble / whiche is on that other side of that litil see / but he myght not finde shippis ynowgh / Thus the cristen peple of that londe for theyr synnes were vnder this cruell peple / emong the other the noble and hye cyte where saynt peter was & made fyrst as chyef of cristente / that is antioche was taken in the ende and subgette vnto the turkes / thus had this belphet in his seygnorye & demayne the londes named celessurye / the two cili­ces / pamphylee / lyce· lycarne / cappadoce galace / bethuye & a parte of the lasse asye / all thise coūtrees ar moch fertile & ful of peple / this hethen peple began to bete down the chirches & greue the cristen pe­ple as it plesyd them / ffor so grete affraye & drede was in the her­tes of the cristen peple / that they all fledde vj iourneyes fro the sa­id belphet / this was a thynge that greuyd merueylously the ho­ly cyte of Iherusalem & the peple of the coūtre / ffor whyles them­perour of constantynoble was in good pees & in his grete power / many grete socours grete comfort of ryche yeftes & of large almesses cam· vnto the peple of surye / and also fro the londe of antioche. But thenne they had loste alle. & had none hope that euer ony ay­de ne socours shold come to them / wherfor they supposed euer to be in seruage & captyuite without ony raūson

Of many maners of tormens that the cristen peple suffred for theyr synnes / in that tyme / capitulo xj^o.

wHyles that this tyme was so peryllous for the seygnorye of thyse hethen men / cam oftymes in pylgremages the grekes [Page] and the latyns in to Iherusalem / ffor to praye oure lord and crye hym mercy / that he wold not forgete thus his peple. yet many cam theder in grete perylle. ffor alle the countrees by whiche they shold passe were ful of theyr enemyes / and ofte they were robbed and slayn / And whan they myght escape and come to the holy cyte / they myght not entre therin. But eche persone muste paye a besaunt for trybute. wherof happed ofte that they that were des­poylled had not wherof they myght paye this trybute / & myght not entre in to the town / And for this they suffred Colde / hun­gre / and grete mesease / And many deyde. And herof the Casten men of the town were moche greued / For they susteyned them that lyued / And muste burye them that were dede / and sec [...]e such thyng as was nedeful to them self & other / They that myght entre in the town were yet more greued / ffor som were murdred in the holy places of the cyte secretely / & was doon to them moche [...] & repreef openly· Ther was fyl the caste in theyr visage & other spytte in the myddes of theyr visage / & som men bette them / w [...]erfore the cristen men of the town that had som acqueyntaūces with the hethen men conduyted and ladde th [...]m to th [...]yr p [...]lgremages for to kepe them to theyr power. There were in the cyte of them of Malfe which is a cyte of puye [...]l which had a chirche in [...] n [...] med saynte marye de la latyne whereby was an hospital of [...]ou [...]e peple. where as was a chappel that was named saynt Iohn [...]l [...] ­mont / This saynt Iohan was a patriark [...] of All [...]andr [...] [...] of the chirche of our lady had in his cure & in his [...] this hospital. & pourchassed alle that was nede [...]ul for them. There were receyuyd alle the pour pylgryms whiche had not w [...]erof [...] [...]yue / And this hows was of moche gre [...]e cha [...]yte Thus were [...]f [...]ccisten peple in grete disease in the toun / But there was nothyng that displesyd them. as whan they had made theyr deuocion [...] [...] holy places in the toun with grete traueylles & grete cos [...]e. And whan they were in the seruyse of our lord the hethen [...] cam in with grete noyse & crye· and satte vpon the aulce [...] threwe doun the chalyces / brake the lampes / & the tapres / & yet for more to angre the cristen peple / they toke ofte the patriarke which was thē [...]ne by the herde and by the [...]eer / And threwe hym down to the grounde / & defowled hym vnder theyr feet. of whiche alle [...] had grete sorowe & moche pyte / In thyse so [...]owes & meseases we [...]re the cristen men in the londe of S [...]r [...]e as I haue sayd you to fore CCCC four score & ten yere / and alwey cryed vnto our lord for [Page] mercy with syghes & treres / & prayde hym deuoutly that he wold not alle forgete them / But the good lord that aftir the tempeste & derke weder can wel brynge clerenes and fayr season behelde this peple in pyte / And sente to them comforte and delyuerance of the tormentes in whiche they had longe ben

How aftir the had ben four CCCClxxxx yere in serua­ge of the hethen peple / our lord pourueyed remedye for his cristen peple / capitulo xij

i Haue wel said to you byfore / that out of many londes cam pilgryme in to Ihrlm / emong all other ther was one which was of the royame of ffrance born in the bisshopprych of Amyens That is to were / one named peter whiche had ben an heremyte in a wode / And therfor he was called peter theremyte / this was a litil man of body & as a persone had in despite & lytil preysed by sem­blaunt / But he was of a merueyllous grete herte / of moche clere engyne / and good vnderstondyng / and spak right wel / whan he cam to the gate of Iherusalem / he payd the trybute of a besaūt & entred in to the cyte / and was lodged in a good cristen mans hows / This petre alwey enquyred & demaūded moche of his hoost of the gouernaunce & estate of the cyte / And how the cristen men contey­ned them vnder the hethen men / And how theyr lord demened & gouerned them / his hoost whiche had longe ben in the towne / tol­de to hym alle the maner playnly of the tymes passyd. And how the cristent [...] had be defowled / And the holy places dishonoured / whiche was sorouful to here / And he hym self which a good whi­le had be in the town for to doo his pylgremage / sawe wel & per­ceyued a grete partye of the caityfnes / in which the cristen men we­re / he herd saye that the patriarke was a good wyse man deuote & religyoꝰ which was named symeon / Peter thought that he wold goo & speke with hym / & demande of hym the estate of the chirches of the clergye & of the peple / he cam to hym & dyde so as he though [...] And asked of hym alle thise thynges / The patriarke apperceyued wel by his wordes and his coūtinaunce / that he was a man that dredde god / & right wyse and vnderstondyng / And began to telle to hym by layser / alle the meseases of the cristen peple. whan pe­ter herde thise sorowes of the mouthe of this good man whom he byleuyd wel coude not absteyne hym fro grete syghes / & wepyng many teeres for pyte / & ofte d [...]māded of the patriarke yf ther were ony cōseil & remedye for this werke / & the holy & deuote patriarke [Page] answerd hym· we haue made many orysons & prayers vnto oure lord god for to receyue vs in to his mercy and grace. But we ap­perceyue wel / that our synnes be not yet purged / ffor we ben cer­taynly in the culpe and blame. whan oure lord whiche is so right­wys holdeth vs yet in the payne. But the renōme of the contrees by yonde the montaynes is moche grete here. that the peple there and specially of them of ffraunce ben good cristen peple and moche stedfaste in the fayth. And therfor oure lord holdeth them at this day in moche grete peas and in hye puissance / yf they wold praye our lord that he wolde haue pyte on vs / or that they toke counseyl for to socoure vs / we haue certaynly hope that our lord shold helpe vs by them for taccomplysshe oure werke. ffor ye see wel that the grekes and themperour of Constantinoble whiche ben our neygh­bours and as kynnesmen maye not helpe ne counseyle vs / ffor they them self ben as who sayth destroyed / And haue no power to de­fende theyr owne lande / Whan peter herd this / he answerd in this maner / fayr fader trouthe it is. that ye haue sayd / ffor of that londe am I· And god be thanked / the fayth of oure lord is moche better holden there and kepte / than it is in ony other londes that I haue ben in. syth that I departed on my Iourneye fro my contre / And I byleue certaynly that of the mescase and seruage in whiche thise hethen mysbyleuyd peple holde you Inne / that by the playsyre of almyghty god by theyr good wylles they shold fynde coūseyl and ayde in this your grete nede & werke / wherfor I counseyl you one thyng yf it be aggreable to you & seme good / that is that ye sende your lettres vnto oure holy fader the pope and to the chirche of rome vnto the kynges prynces & barons of the occident & weste parte / In which late them wete playnly how it is with you / & that ye crye to them for mercy / that they wolde socoure you for the loue of god & for his fayth in suche maner / that they myght haue honoure in this world & sauacōn of their soules in that other / & for that ye be pour peple / ye haue no nede to make grete dispēcis / yf ye thynke I be sufficiaunt for so grete a message / ffor the loue of Ihu Criste & remyssyon of my synnes I shal entreprise this vyage and offre my self to take so moche traueyl for you / And I promyse truly to you that I shal late them haue knowleche / how it is with you / yf god sende me grace to come thydre / whan the patriarke herd this / he had moche grete ioye / he sente anon for the moost saddest & wysest men of the cristen pepl & for the clerkes & laye men & sayde & shewde to them the bounte and the seruyse. that this good man offryd to [Page] them / They were right glad / And thanked hym moche / Thenne anon withoute taryenge / they made theyr wrytynges and sealed them with theyr seales / and delyuerd them to peter theremyte /

How the said peter theremyte entreprised the more hardyly his vyage by thapparicōn or vision that he sawe in his sleep / ca xiij^o.

tRuly our lord god is swete / pyteous / and mercyful / ffor he wylle not suffre to perysshe / ne to be loste / them that haue in hym ferme and stedfast hope / And whan the men lacke helpe / god sendeth to them his ayde / And this may clerely be seen in this werke / for fro whens cometh that this pour man / whiche was lytil & despysed persone wery and brused of so grete Iourneye and waye / that durste enterprise so grete a dede and werke / how myght he we­ne that our lord wolde accomplysshe so grete a werke by hym / as for to dylyure his peple fro the myserye and caytyfnes that they had ben in nygh fyue C yere / But this hardynesse cam to hym of the grete charyte that he had in hym / And the fayth wrought in hym for the loue that he had to his bretheren / In thise dayes hap­ped a thynge / that moche lyft vp his herte to poursue his enterpri­se / ffor this good man / whan he had taken this message and char­ge therof / he wente moche ofter than he was woonte to doo to the holy places in the cyte. and cam on an euentide to the chirche of the holy sepulchre. and made there his prayers deuoutly with gre­te plente of teeris / Aftir this he sleepte vpon the pamente / & hym semed that our saueour Ihesu Criste cam to fore hym and charged hym self to doo this message / And said to hym petre aryse vp has­tely / and goo surely thedyr as thou hast entreprysed / ffor I shal be with the / It is now tyme from hens forth / that my holy Cyte be clensed / and that my peple be socoured / Petre awoke in this poynt And was fro than forthon more abandouned vnto the waye and also sure as his Iourneye and message had be doon / he entermed and appoynted his departyng for to doo his erande / And had leue and benediction of the patriarke / he descended doun to the see / and fonde there a shyp of marchauntes that wolde passe in to puylle / he entred in to the ship / the which had good wynde & in shorte tyme arryued at bar / peter yssued out & wente by londe to rome he fonde in the contre the pope vrban / and salewed hym in the name of the [Page] Patriarke and of the cristen peple of Surye and delyuerd to hym theyr lettres / & sayde to hym by mouthe moche truli & wysely the grete sorowes the miseryes and vyletees that the cristen suffred thenne in the holy londe / as he that was expert therof / and coude wel saye to hym the trouthe

Of the persecucions of the chirche in that tyme / and how the pope Vrban was putte oute of the see of Rome by the bysshop of Rauenne / ca^o.xiiij

iN this tyme Harry themperour of Allemayne had a gre­te debate ayenst the pope Gregory the seuenth to fore this Vrban / and the discorde aroos for the rynges and the croses of t [...]e bisshoppes that were dede in thempyre / For suche a customme had ronne a grete whyle there that whan the prelates were deed t [...]e rynges and croses of them were brought to themperour / And [...] gaf them to his clerkes and his chapylayns or whom he wolde [...] sente to the chyrches and bad them that they shoolde holde them for theyr bisshops and archebisshops without other election & o [...]ther proef / by whiche holy chirche was adommaged sore / For he sente ofte persōnes / that were not propice therto / The pope grego [...] sawe that this customme was ayenst the right and lawe [...] and also ayenst reason / and prayd hym amyably to leue this [...] the loue of god of holy chirche and for sauacion of his sowle [...] it apperteyned nothyng to hym / Themperour wold not leu [...] [...] for the pope / wherfor the pope cursed hym herof themperour had so grete despite & so gtete desdayne / that moontinēt he began to wa [...] ayenst the chyrche of rome / & ayenst the pope he made to rise an ad [...]uersarye / Tharchiebisshop of rauenne whiche was named Gilbert & was wel lettred & moche riche / This bisshop trusted ouermoch [...] in thayde of themperour / And in the plente of his rychesse [...] And he cam to rome / and deposed and put out the pope of his se [...] by fauour & force / And becam so fel and of so gre [...]e pryde that he had that he forgate his wytte & reson that he ought to haue by his cler­gye / And sette hym self in the see / And made hym to be holden for pope as he that wel wende to haue ben it [...] I haue said you to fore [...] that at that tyme / Cristen peple were in gret paryll thurghout allthe world / & that the comandemens of the gospel were moche for­goten / and of holy chyrche / And men ranne faste and ha­boūdantly to the werkes of the deuyl & to allsynnes / & whan this discorde and Scysme was so grete / Thenne alle trouthe was [Page] goon & the fayth of our saueour was lyke as it had ben alle perysshed / The bysshoppes / the abbottes and the prouostes were beten & sette in prison / And alle theyr thynges were taken awey fro them namely by them that helde of themperour / In this debate was do­ne alle the shames and repreues to the pope / Thenne the holy fa­der sawe that he was not obeyed as he shold be / and that he was in paryl of his lyf / And he went in to puylle / by the helpe and coun­seyl of Robert guichart / whiche thēne was lord of the contre / This Robert dyde vnto our holy fader / and to his peple as moche of ho­nour of servyse and bounce as they wold take and yet more / at laste on: holy fader wente hym in to salerne / & becam seke and laye doun & there deyde / & was there buryed / The Cardynals that were there Chose another whiche was named viator / whiche en­dured but one moneth or there aboutes After hym they choos this vrban that I spack of to fore / This vrban sawe that themperour was yet in his ma [...]ce & his angre / & durst not abandone to hym ne put hym in his power / but helde hym in the forteresses of some barons that for goddes sake retryned hym in grete doubte / whiles he was in this poynt / peter theremyte cam to hym / and brought to hym the message fro the Crysten men in the holy londe / our holy fader the pope knewe moche wel / the bounte / the wytte / and the re­ligion that was in this peter / And / ansuerd to hym moche swetly and sayde that he shold goo hastyly speke to the princes and ba­rons of the royame of ffrannce of this werke / for yf he myght escape sauely fro the handes of themperour he hym self had Intencion to passe the montaygnes / and drawe hym toward tho parties for to helpe the better to this wherke / yf it were possible / Thenne peter was right glad of this good answere of our holy fader / and passed lombardye and the montaygnes and cam in to ffrance / And began diligently to gete the barons like as he was sent ex­presly to them / and tolde to eche of them the shames and discon­venyences that the hethen peple dyde to the Crysten folke in the holy londe / And the same he said to the mene peple / for he assembled them oftymes / and tolde to them the sorouful state of the londe & Cyte of Irlm / in suche wyse that he made them to wepe many a t [...] ­ere / And at euery tyme he made some fruyt by his sayeng and ex­hortyng the peple to gyue socours to the holy lande / And like wi­se as saynt Iohn baptyste preched to fore to make the way to fore Ihū cryste / so in the same wyse this Peter brought tydynges to fore the comyng of our holy fader / wherfore he hym self whan [...]he [Page] cam was the lecter he [...]d and byleuid / and the more dyde in this werke /

Of a general counseyl that the pope vrban ordeyned for the re­formacion of holy chirche & thamendement of the peple / cap^o. xv^o.

iN the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord M.lxxxxv. re­gned the fourth harry kynge of almayn and emperour of Rome / the xviij yere of his regne / and the xij of his Empire and In frannce regned thenne philipe the sone of harry / Then̄e sawe our holy fader the pope vrban that the world was moche empey­red and torned to evyl / and helde a counseyl ther vpon of the prelates of ytalye at playsance / where he made establysshemens by theyr counseyl for tamende the maners of the Clergye and of the laye peple / After he knewe wel that he was not sure in the power of themperour / and passed the montaygnes and cam in to the ro­yame of frannce / he fonde the peple euyl endoctryned / and ouer­moche enclyned to synne-Charite faylled / and warres and dis­cordes were emonge the riche men / And thought that it was nede to doo his power & myght for tamende Cristiente / he ordeyned a generall counseyl of alle the prelates that were bytwene the mon­taynes and the see of Englonde / this counseyl was sette fyrst at Clony / Another tyme at puy [...]r̄e dame / And the thirde tyme at Cleremont in anuergne / This was in the moneth of Nouembre / Ther were many Archebisshops / bisshops / abbotes / and grete pre­lates and persones of holi chirche of thise parties Ther were by th [...] general counseyl many coumandements gyuen for [...]mende cler­kes & layefee / for teshewe synnes / and recou [...]re good maners / There was holy chirche al reformed of whiche it had grete nede / Emonge alle other Peter theremyte was there whiche forgate not the werke that he was charged with / but admonesced the prela­tes eche pryuatly by hym self & prayde the comune peple openly moche wel and wysely / Thēne toke our holy fader the wordes and shewed generally to alle the counseyl / what grete shame it was to alle the cristen men of our faith / that was so nyghe destroyed y [...]d & faylled in the place where it began / and it myght be grete fere and drede whan it faylled at the heed & welle / that the ryve [...] shold not endure / that were rennyng thurgh the world / And saide mo­che wel that alle the very Cryst [...]n peple shold take herof grete des­pite of thus desheryted by their defaulte / and his contre d [...]l [...] ­uerd to his enemyes / And promysed that yf they wol [...]e toke [Page] vpon this pylgremage. he wolde chaūge theyr penaunce in to this werke· And yf they deyde in this waye confessid and repentaunt· he wolde take it on his fayth. that they incontinent shold goo in to the Ioye of heuen. On that other syde as long as they were in the seruyse of our lord. they were in the warde and kepyng of holy chirche. bothe they and theyr thynges in suche wyse that they that dyde to them ony domage. shold be acursed. & alle this commanded he to be kept of alle the prelates that were atte coūseyl. This doon he gaf euery man leue. and commanded shold preche this pylgre­mage and pardon. And tolde to them that alle men shold trauayll to gyue and make longe trewes and pees of the warres for taccō ­plysshe the better this pylgremage and to performe it.

How many noble & hye men and other of the Royame of fraunse crossed them for to goo ouer see. ca xvj^o.

oWr lord gaf his grace vnto our holy fader the pope in vtte­ryng of the word of god· which was said in suche wyse. that it was fyxed & roted in the hertes of them that herde hym. and not only of them that were present. but of alle other that it was recorded and told vnto. ffor the bisshops wente in to theyr coun­trees & preched to theyr peple like as it was to them commanded How be it that it was a strange thyng & right greuoꝰ for a man to leue his contree. his wyf. his childeren / and lygnage. And leue them that he loueth by nature. But whan one thynketh what re­ward he shal haue of our lord so to doo. thenne he geteth a feruent loue in hym self for the charyte of our lord. and leueth the natu­rel loue of his flessh. for to saue his sowle / and this myght wel be perceyued and s [...]en. ffor the peple of the Royame of ffraunce and the grete barons and other lasse that were enclyned to synnes & acustomed to doo ylle as I haue said to fore. aftir they herde this prech [...]g. entreprysed so vygorously the werke of our lord and auowed them to ward this pylgremage as ye shal here. ffor it se­med that euery man ought to entreprise tauenge the wronge and shame that the hethen dyde to our lord and to his peple in the londe of Iherusalem. Ye shold haue seen the husbonde departe fro his wyf. And the faders fro the childeren. and the childeren fro the fa­dres. And it semed that euery man wolde departe fro that he louyd best in this wrold / for to wynne the Ioye of that other / Ther was so grete affraye and so grete a meuyng thurgh alle the londe that vnneth ye shold haue foūde an hows / but that som had enterprised [Page] this viage / I saye not that alle that wente were wyse and of pure entencion toward our lord / ffor som monkes wente out of theyr cloystres without leue of theyr abbottes or pryours / & the reclu­ses wente out of the places where they had ben closed in / and wen­te forth with the other / Som wente forth for loue of theyr fren­des to bere them felawship / Other wente forth for bobaunce les [...] they shold be reputed for euyl and not good / And som there were that wolde withdrawe them for theyr creancers and haue respite of theyr dettes / But how that it was theyr entencions within theyr hertes semyd good for the grete enterpryse that they shewed outward / And it was of grete nede that this pylgremage was chosen at that tyme / ffor there were in the world so many synnes that they withdrewe the peple / fro our lord / And it was well be­houeful that god shold sende to them som addressement by whiche they myght come to heuen / and that he gaf them som traueylle as it were a purgatorye to fore theyr deth / At this counseyl auo­wed presently this pylgremage the good bisshop of Puy named Aymart / whiche aftirward was legate in the same hoost / and conteyned hym moche wysely & truly / Also the bisshop of Oren­ge whi he was an holy man and relygyous auowed t [...]ere the sa­me viage / And ynowhe of other whiche were not at that counseyl that enterprised the same vowe / Our holy fader had commanded / & made the bisshops to holde it / that alle they that wolde auowe this pylgremage shold sette the signe of the crosse on their right sholdre / ffor thonoure of hym that bare the torment of the crosse vpon his sholders for to saue vs / and taccomplysshe this that oure lord sayth in the gospell / Who that wil lyue aftir me / renye hym self & take the crosse & folowe me / wel forsaketh he hym self that leueth / that the flessh loueth / for sauyng of his sowle / whan one of the gre­te barons was croysed so on his sholdre in a contre. alle the peple of the contre that were also crossyd cam to hym and chees hym for theyr captayne and made to hym feaulte for to haue his ayde and warantise in the waye of the sayd pylgremage /

The names of noble men that enterprised this pylgremage as wel on this side as beyonde the montaynes / capitulo xvij^o

iN the Royame of fraūce and of Allemayne / hughe the yon­ger brother of the kyng of fraunce / Robert therle of flaun­dres / Robert Duc of Normandye Sone to kynge William of [Page] Englond / Stephen therle of chartres & of bloys which was fader to erle thybauld the olde whiche lyeth at laigny / Raymond therle of tholouse / and many knyghtes of that londe / The valyant man Godefroy of buyllon Duc of lorayne with his two bretheren Bawdwyn and eustace / And one theyr cosyn Bawdwyn sone to the counte huon de Retel / Therle garnyer de gres / Bawdwyn the erle of henawde / Ysoart the erle of ye / Rembout therle of Orenge / William therle of forests / Steuen therle of Aubmalle / Rotrout the erle of Perche / Hughe the erle of saynt pol / & many barons & knyghtes that were not counted / As raoul de bangenel Euerard du puisat / Guy de garlande which was s [...]eward of fraunce / Tho­mas de ffe [...]re. Guy de possesse / Giles de chanmoūt / Girard cherisy / Rogier de baruyle / Henry dāsique / Centon of beart / Guillem aman [...]ux. Gaste the bediers / Guillem de montpellyer / and Gyrard de Roussilon / ye may wel knowe that with this peple were croyssed moche grete plente of knyghtes and other with grete nombre of comune peple / whiche peter theremyte gadred in the Royamme of fraūce & in thempyre of Allemaygne. And by yonde the mon­tayns men croyssed them also / Buymount the prynce of Tarente. whiche was soon to Robart guychart that was Duc of puylle. & Tancre his neuew. his sustres sone. and many other grete barons of this londe that were not so renommed ne knowen as thise were There was grete Appareyllemens and araye that was made for this pylgremage. The grete men had enterprised that assone as the wynter was passed they wold putte them on this pylgremage· The mene peple. the knyghtes· the barous. and other aftir they were acqueynted that one with that other / sente to eche other let­tres and messages for taccorde to goo to gydre / and apoynted the tyme of departyng. and of the waye that they sholde holde / And whan Marche was come. ye sholde haue seen horses arrayed with sommyers palfroyes and stedes / tentes and pauyllons· and to ma­ke armures. ye maye wel knowe that there was moche to doo of many thynges. ffor the barons were acorded that they shold not goo alle to gydre. ffor no contre myght suffyse ne fynde that which shold be nedeful for them / ffor whiche cause alle the hoostes neuyr assembled as ye shal here tyl they cam vnto the cyte of Nycene. The mene peple charged them self not moche with tentes ne Ar­mures. ffor they myght not bere it. And therfor euery man garnysshid hym aftir that he was with moneye and goodes as moche as he supposed shold be nedeful for hym. Whan the daye of departyng [Page] cam ther were grete sorowes grete wepynges and grete cryes at departyng of the pylgryms / ffor there were but fewe howses but of them som wente / And suche howsholders ther were / that they wente alle and caryed theyr wyues and bare theyr childer [...]n with them / It was a merueyllous thynge to see this meuynges / ffor it had not byfore be acustomed to see suche thynges in fraunce / ne neuer byfore was crosse born ne taken for pylgremage

Of thauentures that a Rowte of Cristen men had in this viage / Of whome one Gaultyer withoute knowleche / was Captayne / capitulo xviij^o

tHe yere of thyncarnacion of our lord. M. four score xvj / the eght daye of Marche cam a gentilman a knyght right noble named Gaultier without knowleche to his surname. with hym cam a merueyllous grete plente of folke a foot. ffor ther were but fewe men a hors bak in this rowte / they passed in allemayne and drewe hem toward hongrye / The Royamme of hongrye was alle enuyronned with grete waters and large mers [...]s and depe lakes in suche wyse that none myght entre ne yssue but by certayne [...]la­ces and strayt entrees that ben as yates of the londe· In hongerye was thenne a kynge a moche valyaunt man named Coleman [...] / And was a very good cristen man / He knewe that Gaultier cam by londe with grete peple / and had therof moche grete Ioye / and helde wel with the pylgremage that he had en [...]erprised be receyued them debonayrly in his londe. and commanded thurgh his royame that they shold haue alle maner vytaylle good sheep▪ and alle that they neded / The pylgryms passed alle hongrye in good peas tyl they cam to the ende where they foūde a wace: whiche was named Marce / This was the boūde of hongerye toward th [...]yent· they passed this water in good peas. and entred in to [...]ongrye. And witthoute knowyng of this Gaulteer some of his peple abode ou [...] the water / And cam to a castel named Malleuylle. for to by vi­taylles of the whiche they had nede. The hongres by cause that alle the hoost was passed sauf they which were but a fewe. runne vp­on them / And bette them / And dyde to them ouermoche shame· They passed the water and cam to gaultier / and shewde to hym playnly how they had ben demened without forfa [...]ce: They had moche grete despite and moche sorowe herof. And had passed the [Page] water agayn· yf they had had not so grete peryl and so grete dis­tourblyng· And thought they wold goo theyr waye and leue for tauenge this thynge / So long they wente tyl they cam to belle graue· whiche is the first Cyte of bongrye on this syde· Gaultier sente to the duc of the town and requyred hym that he wolde late them ther by vytaylles / he wold not suffre ony to be sold to them Thoost had grete disease for lak of vytaylle / and myght not len­ger kepe them. but that a grete parte of them wente a fowragyng for to gete vytaylles for them and for theyr beestys / They founde grete plente of beestes in the contre / whiche they toke and brougkt to theyr lodgyngee / whan they of the contre herd this. they armed them & assembled grete peple of the coūtree. & ran vpon them whe­re they droef their proyes & fought with them / & toke the beestes fro them / & many of them they slewe. & hūted the other away the nō bre wel of Cxl of onre men shytte them in a monasterye for to kepe them there sauf / but the bōgres cam there aboute / & sette fyer on the chirche and brente alle / Gaultier sawe that he ledde with hym many folyssh peple whiche he coude not rule ne sette alle in ordenaūce / And withdrewe hym fro them & toke them that wold be ruled and obeye hym and wente in to forestes of bongrye which ben large and long and began to passe the moost wysely and styll that he myght / tyl he cam to a cyte named stralyce / and is a contre named danemarche the moyen / There fonde he a good man that was duke of the londe / whan this duke knewe what they were & whyther they wente / he receyued them moche debonayrly. and made them to haue vytaylles and other thynges good cheep. And dyde to them bountes and seruyses ynowgh for the oultrage that was doon to them at belgraue. And dyde redresse and yelde agayne to them as moche as he myght recouere / and aboue alle this / he dely­uerd to them good conduyte and sew [...] tyl they cam to constanty­noble / whan they were come to constantinoble themperour sente for gaulteer. he cam vnto hym & sayde to hym thoccasion of his viage & that he wolde abyde there peter theremyte. by the commandemt of whom he had brought thyse pylgryms / whan themperour herde this / he receyued hym mochewel and swetly / and assygned to hym a fayr place without the town / where as he lodged hym with his felawship. and commanded that they shold haue vytaylle and alle other necessaryes good chepe / and ther soiourned they a whyle

How Pieter the heremyte was chyef of a grete hoost in this [Page] viage toward the holy londe· capitulo xix^o.

it was not longe aftir that peter theremite cam fro his contre / with grete plente of peple vnto the nombre of xl / M / he cam in to lorayne. and passed francone / bauyere· osterych / and drewe hym toward hungrye. Peter sente his messagers to the kyng of hongrye to thende that he myght passe his Royamme. he sente hym worde that he shold haue good leue yf they wold goo in peas without medlynges and oultrages / They answerd that they we­re pylgryms of our lord / & had no talente for to trouble the pees / Thus entred they the royamme of hongrye / and passed by the lande without ony debate. vytaylles and other thynges had they ynough good che [...]pe / At thende they cam to the castel of whiche I spak to fore / named maleuylle: There herd they saye / what was doon to them of the retenne of Gaultier and the grete oultrage doon to them without cause / & sawe yet the armes and despoyllis of theyr felaws that had be robbed there hange yet on the walles /

Oure pylgryms that sawe this were alle as they had ben out of theyr wytte & ran to armes / & began euery man to do wel. they toke the toun by force· & smote of the heedes of alle them that were within sauf a fewe which ran in to the water & were drow­ned· ther were foūde of them that were deed wel a four M / & of [...]e­ters meyne were slayn an C / whan this was don the hoost fōde there grete plente of vytaylles / & abode wel v dayes in that place / The duc of bongrie which was named Iucita vnderstode how thise pilgryms had venged their felaws ayenst them of maleuylle & doubted for as moche as he had defended the vytaylles to our peple & that he had slayn many of them. And hym semed that bellega [...]ne was not strong ynough / therfor he lefte the town / and wente in to a strenger castel / Thus alle they of the cyte yssued with their goodes / and drewe them to the depe forestes / Peter whyles he laye yet at maleuylle herd saye that the kyng of hongrye had herd of the deth of his peple / wherof he was moche angry / and that he somo­ned and assembled alle his power for tauenge his men that had be slayn / And doubted therof / And was no merueylle / wherfore he made tassemble alle the shippes that myght be founden atte ry­ue of the see to hym / and made his peple to departe moche hastely his cartes and charyottes / & the beestes they had merueyllous grete praye & lad awey grete rychesses fro the castel of maleyulle that they had there taken whan they were passed ouer in to hongrye· [Page] they cam to fore bellegraue / and fonde the cyte alle voyde. ffor they were alle fled / Aftir they wente eght grete iourneyes by many grete forestes tyl they cam to fore a cyte named Nyze / This town fonde they moche stronge and wel wallyd with grete tow­res and stronge / And within was grete garnyson and the beste men of warre of alle the londe and grete plente of armours and vytaylle / Peter the heremyte and his hoost fonde a brygge of sto­ne by whiche they passed a water rennyng nyghe to the cyte / they passed the brygge and lodged them bytwene the water and the towne. And by cause they had not mete ynough / Peter sente his messages vnto the lord of the toun / and prayd hym fayr for hym and for his peple that were cristen / and pylgryms that wente in the seruyse of our lord / that they myght bye vytaylles of the toun at resonable prys / Then̄e the lord sende worde to peter that he wold not suffre / that they shold entre in to the toun / But & yf he wold gyue hym good ostages / that his peple shold doo no harme ne oultrage to the peple & marcheaunces of the toun that shold come for to selle them vytaylle / he shold sende to them ynough at resona­ble prys· whan Peter and his peple herd this they were glad ynough. They delyuerd good ostages / and anon they of the town cam out with grete plente of vytayl and other thynges necessarye in the hoost /

How some of the oost of peter theremyte vnwetyng hym sette fyre in the subarbes of Nyz at theyr departyng / cap^o. xx^o.

moche was this nyght the hoost of the pylgryms refresshyd of alle thynges that they had nede / ffor they had ben long fro ony good toun. And they of the cyte were to them moche debonair and resonable. On the morne they demanded theyr ostages / And they were delyuerd gladly / And forth they wente in peas. But now ye shal here how the deuyl doth grete peyne for to empesshe & lette good werkes / In this companye had ben the euen a fore a stry [...] to one of the marcchaūtes of the town / and som of the oost / whan the hoost was departed the duchemen assembled to the nom­bre of an hunderd. and for vengeaunce of the stryf / they sawe vij myllenes· whiche stode at brygge nyghe the town / and sette them a fyre and brente them anone / this was not ynowgh. but there was a litil borough without the cyte / and they sette that a fyre al­so and brende hit to asshes / and syth wente theyr waye aftir theyr [Page] felawship whiche knewe nothyng herof / Of this thynge the lord of the town whiche had the euen to fore shewde to them grete d [...] ­nayrte was gretely meuyd for he sawe that they rendrid euyl for god and was half out of his wytte for angre / This felonnye that this fewe dyde was wyted alle the hoost. whiche was euyl & pyte· he made anon arme alle the town & yssued on horsbak and on fote / hym self cam to fore / and prayde and moche desyred his peple for to venge vpon thyse false rowters and theuys the oul­trage that they had don. whan they approched the hoost / they fonde fyrst thise thre malefactours whiche had not yet ouertaken theyr felaws / And ronne on them and smote of their heedes / it had thē / ne be ynowgh. but they were not content· but smote in the aftirst parte of thoost whiche doubted nothyng / they fonde charyottes / sommyers / males· seruauntes· wymmen and childrren / whiche myght not goo so faste as the other / They slewe many and somme they ouerthrewe and ladde away the cariage. And thus retor­ned in to theyr cyte without hurte and alle blody of the bloode of the pylgryms.

How Peter theremyte was aduertysed of alle this. And of the harme that ensiewed / capitulo xxi^o.

pEter was goyng with the grete cōpanye whan a messager cam to hym rydyng & told to hym of this aduenture that was fallen in the taylle of thoost· Peter sente anon to them that were to fore that they shold retourne agayn the way that they were comyn vnto the cyte of nyz / In this retorne they fonde thynges ynowgh that displesyd them. ffor they fonde their felawes by [...]e­ded lyeng by the waye / they had grete sorowe herof On [...] fonde his fader deed / Another his brother. or his sone. and another his wyf or his doughter / there were many disconuenyents. Peter whiche had his entencion pure vnto oure lord / entented not but ca [...]ese the malyce and leye doun the discorde whiche was sourded emong the peple / he sente som wyse and prudent men to the lord and to the moost hye men of the cyte· for to demaunde by what occasion they had don this euil & crueltees ayenst the peple of our lord / They answerd that this was by the defaulte of the pylgryme / & that they had fyrst doon grete oultrage to brenne theyr mylne [...] and bur­ghe. whan Peter and the wyse men that were with hym herd this / They thought wel that it was no place ne tyme to venge [Page] theyr shames And therfor torned the mater vnto peas and acor­de / for to recounre the praye the prysonners and Caryage whiche they had ledde away fro thoost / ffor there were of the mene peple whiche wold not be ruled and wold not suffre them of the towne to haue pees with vs / but wolde aneuge by force the oultrage that they had doon / Peter felte this thynge· And apperceyued anone the euylle that sourded / And sente of the wysest and gret­test of his companye to make the pees / his peple wold not haue pees· He made a crye on payne of deth in his name and the name of the barons / that noman be so hardy to breke the pees that was made And this he charged vpon their pylgremages theyr feaulte and on thobedyence that they had promysed hym / And whan they of the hoost herd this / they remeuyd not / But folyssh peple wente forth and made grete noyse and wold not obeye. The mes­sagers that were in the town for taccorde this that was don sawe that the noyse grewe more and more and retourned to theyr fe­lawshhip withoute ony conclusion or doyng that they had enter­prised / & dyde theyr best to seece the debate / but they had no power ffor there were moo than a thousend pylgryms whiche noman myght holde ne reteyne / But that they wold goo armed to the toun. Out of the toun yssued as many or moo ayenst them ther began the bataylle and the medle grete and thyk and began to slee eche other largely / Peter ne his route meuyd not / but byhelde the bataylle. They of the town that were on the walles and at wyn­dowes sawe that theyr peple had the werse and apperceyued that the grete power of thoost entermeted not of this warre & thought that they wold not helpe them / And opened theyr yates and ys­sued oute by grete rowtes alle armed and smote in the bataylle / And founde of our peple aboute a / v / C. vpon the brygge / And addressyd to them and slewe them alle· sauf somme that were caste in the water / And alle were perysshed. whan the grete hoost apperceyued theyr peple thus euyl demened. they myght suffre it no lenger. but wente to Armes / and smote in to the bataylle / one aftir another lyke as they myght be armed· the peple that had by­gonne this debate were discomfyted fyrst / And began to flee so fast that nothyng myght tarye them / They began to bete them an horsbak that cam for to helpe them / by whiche the good men were discomfyted / And they of the Cyte that were nygh to theyr retrayt began to chase them moche straytly and to slee them / At last whan oure peple were withdrawen / they retorned by the [Page] Caryage and harnoys / And caryed alle and ledde it with them. And toke wymmen and childeren that myght not flee and putte them in prison. There were wel slayn and lost of the peple of the hoost / x / M / and the bongres wan alle the harnoys of thoost / There was a cart loste that longed to peter theremyte alle ful of Rychess [...] whiche had ben youen to hym in ffraūce for to soconre and sustene the necessytees of the hoost / they that myght escape fro this discomfi­ture. drewe them in to the forestes / & hydde them in the depe valeyes in the nyght / And on the morn they began to calle eche other / and to whystle and sowne trumpes and busynes in the woodes. And thus began to reassemble and gadred them to gydre on a territorie

How Themperour of Constantynoble beyng aduertised of thise oultrages sente his messagers to peter theremyte / ca^o. xxij^o.

aT the fourth daye were nyghe alle assembled aboute peter. And they were about a four thousand· they were in moche grete meschyef as they that had lost theyr frendes & theyr peple & almost alle theyr harnoys / not withstondyng they lefte no [...] but wente forth on the waye that th [...]y had en [...]erprised with grete me [...]sease and payne for lak of vytaylle. And as they were in this poynt. They sawe come ayenst them the messagers of thempe­rour of constantynoble whiche spak to peter / And anon he dyde assemble the heye men and Capytayns of the hoost for to [...]ere [...] message that they brought· And aftir they sayd in this manere ffayr syrs· moche euyl tydynges and renomme is comen of you to our lord themperour / ffor it is tolde to hym that ye goo by the coū ­tree of his empyre with force. and robbe the peple of suche as th [...]y haue breke his townes and slee his peple / and doo alle the oultrages and wronges that ye may / the good chere / bounce. & alle t [...]e seruyse that is doon to you auaylleth nothyng ne may adoul [...]e ne as­wage your hertes / Therfore he commande [...]h you that ye abyde in none of his cytees more than thre dayes / But goo your waye strayt forth to constantynoble / ffor he hath commanded vs to goo with you / & that we do brynge to you on the waye vytayll good cheep ynowe. whan thise good men herd this that themperour ha [...] don to them this boūte / they had grete ioye / & excused them of th [...]se bataylles and fyghtyng and shewd openly. what the bongres had doon withoute theyr offence or culpe by force and grete oultrag [...] [Page] The messagers dyrected them on the way tyl they cam to constan­tynoble / They fonde there gaultyer sans sauoyr / & his peple that taryed for them / And thēne they wente alle to ggdre / And lodged them in the place that was assygned to them / And there eche tolde to other of theyr mysauentures: Themperour sente for peter. And he wente to hym / He sawe in the towne many thynges / palaysses many rychesses / and marueylles / But he was a man of grete herte and courage and abasshyd of nothyng / Themperour demanded of hym of thestate of his peple and of other barons of tho [...]c [...]yent / that were thus meuyd to this pylgremage. Peter answerd hym moche wel of alle thynges / And said that they were pour peple & were come to fore / But the prynces and hye men cam aftir with moch grete peple / which wold not long tarye / themperour & his ba­rons of the palays sawe alle that peter was so lytil. And so wel / so wysely / so fayr and so wel appoynt of alle thynges answerd that they merueylled ouer moche / and alowed and preysed hym moche. Themperour gaf to hym grete yeftes / And receyued hym in his grace / And syth he lete hym retorne to his peple. There re­sted the oost of the pylgryms wel at ease & in peas / And a whyle aftir shippes were made redy by the commaūdement of themperour And they passed the see named the braas of seynt george. And cam in to the lond named bythyne / This is the fyrst partye of A­sye / vpon the see / And they lodged them in a place called Cinintot

Of the mayntenyng of the hoost of peter theremyte / And how thre thousand duchemen toke a castel by assault / and slewe alle that were therin with the swerde / capitulo xxiij^o.

tHis was in the marches of theyr enemyes / there was the hoost about two monethes And euery day they fonde fresshe vytaylles to sell good cheep. wherof they were wel at ease· so moch that it coude not wel be suffred longe / They began to meue and made routes for to goo en fourage in the contrey / Ther wente wel somtyme .x.M / or more maulgre the barons that were capytayns in the hoost. Neuetthelesse Peter commanded and sente lettres to them· that they shold abyde and not remeue fro the oost / to pylle tyl the grete Prynces were comen· On a daye it hap­ped that Pieter passed the braas / And cam in to Constan­tynoble for to speke for vytaylles / that began to wexe dere / [Page] The mene peple sawe that Peter was not there. And were the more hardy they assembled· and were of a companye wel eght thousand a fote and thre honderd a horsback. they made theyr batayl­les and wente alle in ordenaūce toward the cyte of nycene ayenst the wille and deffence of alle the grete men of thoost / whan they cam nyghe to this grete cyte. They smote in to the townes about it and toke merueylloꝰ many beestes grete and smale And brought moche grete gayne / And retorned saufly withoute hurte ho­me agayn in to the oost with grete ioye and feste. The duchemen whiche ben a peple rude and hardy sawe this glorye & this gayne that they had wonne / and had grete enuye therat / and were meuid with couetyse of good and to haue wor [...]hip relyed them to gydre alle of that tongue vnto the nombre of thre thousand a foote / and wente strayte toward Nycene / There was a / Castel at foote of an hylle nygh vnto Nycene at leste Foure myle of. These Duche­men cam theder and began tassaylle the castel moche strōgly / they within defended them to theyr power as long as they myght. but it auaylled not / ffor the castel was taken by force / And the duchemen entred therin / And alle them that they fonde within. men. wymmen and chylderen they slewe without mercy / They fōde ther in vytaylle ynowgh and other thynges / and sawe that the [...]l [...]ce was moche fayr and delectable / and garnysshed it and sayde that they wolde it holde tyl the grete prynces. whome they abode and taryed for were comen /

How Solyman lord of that contre reprysed and toke agayn the castel and slewe alle the duchemen that where therin ca^o. xxiii [...] ^o.

sOlyman whiche was lord of this contre and gouernoure had herd longe to fore / that the cristen peple were me [...]yd of the Royamme of ffraunce for to goo in to the londe of surye And that they addressed them for to passe by his londe / Therfore he had ben in thoryent fro whens he was come / & had brought grete plente of knyghtes and other peple / by whom he entended to kepe his londe-And greue his enemyes / that shold passe there by / he was thenne drawen toward our peple. and with his folkes was in the montaynes and woodes / He herde how thys duchemen had taken his castel & slayn his men / & cam the moost hasty wyse be myghte & assyeged the castel / & toke it without taryeng / & he smote of the [Page] heedes of alle them that he fonde / The tydynge cam in to the hoost that Solyman had slayn alle the duchemen and theyr felaws / They had moche sorow therfore / and ther arroos a grete crye and grete wepyng in the lodgys / The peple afote toke herof grete despi­te emonge them / And began to speke shrewdly / And said that the barons of the oost ought not to suffre this· But that they shold renne a horsbak and auenge blood of theyr bretheren that so nygh was shed / The grete men of thoost that knewe more of war­re and of other thynges / than the mene peple wold haue holden them in peas / And sayde this may wel be yet amended / And also themperour counceylled / And it was trouthe / that they shold a­byde the comyng of the gre [...]e barons whiche shold not longe tarye / The peple and the folyssh folke were not content with thyse wor­des / But they had a Capytayne named godefrey bureau. whiche brought them in suche reuerye and murmur that they spake lar­gely and rudely ayenst the knyghtes / And sayde alle clerly that they were vntrewe & euyl. and that they lete not to auenge this by wysedom / but for grete cowardyse /

How oure men armed them for tauenge the duchemen. and of a recountour that they had ayenst Solyman / ca^o. xxv^o.

iT happeth oftyme that the werse counseyl ouercometh the better / And it is no meruaylle. ffor there ben more fooles than wysemen Thyse mene peple and without reson meuyd them so moche and cryed that the barons and other men that were with hem ran to armes an horsbak and on foote. There were wel / xxv / / M. on foote / & / v / C / a horsbak alle wel arrayed / They made theyr bataylles / and wente forth in ordenaunce toward the montayg­nes by the woodes strayt toward Nycene / They were not depar­ted thre myle whan Solyman whiche had moche peple with hym apperceyued them: ffor he cam alle couerd and secretely in the wo­de / ffor to make an assaylle / in the oost of the pylgryms / But whan he herd the noyse & thaffraye in the foreste· he wyst wel that thei were the cristē men that cam ayenst hym & suffred them to passe he hym self with alle his peple drewe hym incōtinent oute of the wode in to the playn where as they shold passe / whan oure peple were yssued they sewed them sodenly / they toke none hede of hym & anon with their felawship ran vpon our men with their speres [Page] and swerdes for tauenge theyr bretheren. The hethen men sawe on that other syde that certaynly they wold fyghte / & that euery man dyd his beste / receyued them moch fiersly / the batayll began moche cruelle / and many were dede on bothe sydes. and the batayl­le dured longe / But solyman had moche more peple on horsbacke whom the pylgryms a fote myght not lenger suffre / But began to flee without ordenaunce / and were discomfyted / The turkes fo­lowed them aftir sleeyng alle them that they myght atteyne / tyl they cam to theyr lodgyng / There were slayn Gaultier sans sa­uoyr / Reygnald de broyes and ffoucher dorleans whiche were good and valyaūt knyghtes / & almost alle were slayn & brought in to prison / ffor of / xxv / M men / & fyue honderd men on horsbak. coude not be founden thre to gydre / But that they were taken [...] slayn /

How peter theremyte beyng in constantynoble was aduerty­sed of this disconfyture / and saued thre thousand cristen men beyng in grete daunger capitulo xxvi^o.

tHis vyctorye brought Solyman in grete pryde / & in grete sewr [...]e he smote in to the lodg [...]s of the Cristen man / where as wer lefte thaūcyēt peple men / wymmen clerkes / & monkes· whom he put alle to deth / he fonde maydens and smale childeren whiche he ledde with hym. for to be euer aftir in seruage. On that one side of the tentes nyghe vnto the see / was an old fortresse for [...]eten and beten doun in whiche no man dwelled. ne ther was fonde therin dore ne wyndowe / Theder fledde of the pylgryms aboute a t [...]re thousand one aftir another for to kepe theyr lyuess / They s [...]o [...]ed thentrees the best wyse they myght with grete tymbre and tree [...]. and with grete stones / The turkes knewe therof [...] and cam and be [...]gan tassaylle it on alle sides moche anguysshously [...] They de [...]ended them the best wey then myghte. ffor they had grete nede. wh [...]les they were thus assaylled / a messager wente h [...]stely to p [...]ter there [...] myte which was in constantynoble as is said to you to fore· This message said to hym that alle his men were peryss [...]yd sauf a lytil remenaunt whiche were at grete meschief in an old hows asye­ged· whiche were in moche grete daunger / yf they had not hasty socoure. Peter was moche abasshed / And had mer­uayllously grete sorowe / Neuerthelesse anon he ranne to them­perour & fyld doun at his feet and prayd hym for goddes sake & [Page] for the [...]auacion of his sowle that he wold sende socoure to this poure peple that were in so grete peryll / that yf he hasted not / they shold be alle deed / Themperour that moche louyd peter sente anon his messagers theder / and commanded the turkes that [...]ssay [...]ed them / shold leue thassault / and departe thens / They wente aweye anon whan they had herde the commandement of themperour But they ledde with them prisonners yn [...]we / horses mules / and other beestes / tentes / pauyllons and gonnes. and wyth alle they. retourned in to nycene / here ye maye here how so moche peple was loste / by the folye of the moyen peple / whiche wold not haue no endure the gouernaunce of the wyse men aboue them. Here maye men wel see that it is grete peryl to truste to the bataylle or warre of them / that knowe not of it /

How a preest named godechan made hym self capytayn of / xl / / M / duchemen in this viage and of theyr oultrages / ca^o. xxvij^o.

sYth that Pieter was passed in to bythme as I haue said / it was not longe aftir that a preest named Godechan had prechyd in duchelonde / lyke as peter theremyte had doon in ffraūce And cam with his peple for to goo in this pylgremage / ffor he had wel assembled / xl / M / of duchemen They entred alle in to the londe of hongrye / ffor the kyng had comaunded that they shold be receyued debonayrly. by cause it were his neyghbours. and that they shold haue vytaylle and other necessytees at prys resonable They that fonde the londe right good began to abyde there alle the wynter / and for the case that they had they began to wexe prowd In suche wyse that they toke away the vytaylles and other thyn­ges / and ledde awey the beestes oute of the feeldes / they toke wy­ues bete theyr husbondes and slewe them / and for noman wold they leue thise oultrages / The kynge of the londe herde the tydyn­ges of this peple· and was moche displaysyd and was moche so­ry therfore / And myght not wyth his honour no lenger suffre it lest it shold torne to ouermoche hurte of his londe and of his sub­gettes. And dyde do assemble moche peple on horsbak and on fote for tauenge on thise duchemen. he began to poursyewe them so fer­re that he fonde them right in the mydle of his royame by a c [...]stel named bellegraue / the kyng had seen & also herd of thoultrages that they had doon in his londe whyles he siewed aftir them / The duchm [...]n knewe that the kynge cam vpon them and was nyghe▪ [Page] and they knewe wel that they had not ben wel gouerned toward hym / But had doon many ylle tornes and wronges in his londe. wherfor they had not deseruyd his grace and his loue: Neuirtheles they ran to armes and sayde that they wolde defende them fro the hongers / and wold neuer deye for nought / but erst wold they selle theyr lyf moche dere / whan the kyng and the hongers sawe this. they thought that this peple were moche stronge and hardy / and there as alle dispayred / And sawe that he myght not ouercome them without grete losse of his peple in that maner / and lefte the force of bataylle / and toke hym to subtilite and falshed / as peple that is ful of barate deceyte and trycherye· The kynge and the hongers sente message to godechan and to the grete men of the companye for to deceyue them by fayre wordes of peas / and sayd to them in this manere

Ouer grete complaynte and moche fowle renomme is comen to the kyng of you fayr syres / whiche hath sente vs hether / ffor as he hath herd saye / ye haue not had to none of youre hoostes no fayth ne trouthe. But haue taken fro them that they hadde· and haue beten And slayn them / ye haue taken their doughters and wyues and doo suche oultrages to them as it ought not be sayd The marcheauntes and other peple that ye fynde by the wayes▪ be not sure· and goo not quyt fro you but be robbed and pyled Of whiche thynges the kyng hath grete clamours aftir hym / Neuirtheles the kyng knoweth wel / that ye be not alle in this defaulte but ther ben emong you many good men and wyse to whom this folye moche displaysyth / And the oultrage of the malefactours whiche haue so angred the kyng and his peple / Therfor the kyng wil not put the defaulte of one partye vpon alle ne it is not right that the trewe pylgryms shold bye the trespaas of the bad / and doubteth to take vengeance on you alle / wherfore we coūseyle you that ye appese the kynge in this maner / And we promyse you in good fayth that ye shal neuer haue damage / offre and [...] your bodyes / your armes and alle your thynges in his wylle & in his mercy / without makyng of ony appoyntement with hym for yf ye wil not so doo. ye see wel. ye haue not the puysaūce ayenst hym / for ye be in the myddle of his royamme. And may not escape hym. Godechan and the grete men of his hoost to whom this oultrages moche displesyd. and the folyes of the mene peple trusted wel in the wordes that they had brought to them. And hade grete hope in the hyenes & mercy of the kyng· They called the peple / counseyled [Page] & prayde them that they wolde rendre theyr harn [...]ys / & put them in the mercy of the kyng / they wold not doo it. & sayde ther shold neuer come good to them to put them vnder so vntrew peple. Ne­uertheles atte laste they dyde by the counseyl & wylle of the wyse men. Theyr harnoys and alle that they hadde they delyuerd atte commandement of the kynge. whan they supposed thereby to haue goten theyr lyf / They ran to the deth / ffor the hongers assaylled them anon in the mydle of them alle armed / And of this poynt toke none hede / they began to slee and smyte of heedes without de­mandyng who was good ne who was euyl They slewe so many that they waded in the blood vnto the half legge / it was sorowe and pyte to see theyr bodyes of so fayr peple slayne in the stretes wayes and feeldes / som happed tescape that wente emong the other· and retorned in to theyr contre / and tolde this meschyef and trayson / by whiche they taught alle the pylgryms that they fonde that they shold not truste to the peple of hongrye /

How / C.C / M. cristen men a foote and thre .M. a horsbak withoute capytayn assembled in this pylgremage / and of theyr mayntene / capitulo xxviij^o.

iN a litil tyme aftir this grete occisyon that I haue said to fore assembled moche grete peple a foote without capytayne Neuertheles ther were emong them hye men and good knyghtes But the comune peple obeyed them not / ne byleuyd them of no­thynge / There was emonge them Thomas de fere. clerembault of vendueyl / Guillem Carpenter· And the counte herman / These pe­ple that were a foote dyde many ylles and oultrages by the wa­ye / And ther arrose emong them a madnesse and a rage of whiche they coude not kepe them fro sleyng of alle the Iewes in alle the wayes and townes by whiche they passed / They slewe merueylloꝰ grete nombre at Coleyne at Magonce / and in other places / In thise partyes as they wente was an erle a right noble lord named Emycon / whan he sawe this peple / he put hym self in theyr com­panye for to goo with them in this pylgremage / he chastysed not ne blamed the mysruled peple / but entysed them to doo euyl tor­nes / They passed by francone and by bauyere so ferre that they drewe in t [...] hongrye and cam in to a toun naemd meeszebors. wel supposed they to haue passed in to hongrye withoute ony gaynsa­yeng / but whan they cam to the brygge / it was deffended them & [Page] closed· There was a for [...]resse whiche was closed on that one syde with the ryuer of the dunoe / & on that other syde with the ryuer­named lintans / The remenaūt was enuyronned with a depe mareys / within the fortresse was grete plente of peple wel armed wherfore it was not lyght for to passe that toun by force / ffor the▪ kynge of hongrye had wel vnderstande of the comyng of this pe [...] ple / whiche were withoute faylle wel / CC / M / on fote. And on horsbak were nomoo but thre thousand / And doubted moche that they whan they were entred in to his londe. wolde auenge tho [...]sion that was doon by falsehed and trayson vpon the peple of go­dechan· ffor the rumoure and speche was moche yet of that fowle and vylanous fayte thurgh out al the londe [...] They that sawe t [...]at they myght not passe in to the londe. prayd them of the fortr [...]sse that they wold suffre them to sende m [...]ssag [...]rs to th [...] kyng of hongrye for to requyre his grace that they myght passe in good [...]as & they wold lodge them ther whylest in tho places that were ful of pastures to fore the paas

How this peple began to destroye the londe of the kyng. by ca [...]se he wold not graunte to them leue for to passe / ca^o. xx [...]x^o

a Lytil whyl taryed they that wente to the kyng but retorned anon / ffor they myght not spede of such thynges as they de [...]manded. The kyng answerd that for [...]efte ne for prayer shold they entre in to his londe / whan they of the oost gre [...]e and sma [...]e h [...]rd this / they were moche angry / ffor they had trauaylled and desp [...]ded moche good to come thedyr / And now they had loost thei [...] wa [...]ye / They concluded emong them that [...]hey shold brenne and destro [...]ye the contreye of the kynge / as moche as was on this syde the mareys / They sette fyer on townes and toke the men & de [...]troyed alle the contrey· whyles the [...] dyde thus / the peple of the fortre [...] cam out and with other peple of the kyn [...]g [...]s to [...]he nombre of [...] what of knyghtes and other peple wel armed & passed by shippes er euer the pligrims knewe of it ony w [...]d and they sette them f [...]r to deffende the pylgryms at a paas that they shold not entre· whan the pylgryms sawe this / they ran vygorously vpon them in suche wyse that er they myght saue them self they were slayn alle sauf a fewe of them that withdrewe them in to the mareys [...] and [...]ydde them in the re [...]d / whan thyse p [...]lgryms thus had the vict [...]ye t [...]ey mounted in moche grete hardynes / & said that by force they wold [Page] take the fortresse of hongrye / and withoute leue they wold passe thurgh the londe. Thenne they began to somonne and recomforte euery man to doo wel / They toke poles & made scaffholdes moche grete plente / whiche they sette to the walles / And mounted vp co­uerd with theyr sheldes and targes and assaylled it moche harde­ly many pyked with pykoys and myned the walles with grete force that thentre semed al redy for to entree they that were within were nyghe deed for despayer. ffor they defended slowly as men affrayed in their hertes. ffor they supposed anon to be slayn / & sodenly cam a fere and a drede vpon the hertes of the pylgryms that wened anon to be slayn / And neuer was knowen wherfore it was. and anon fyl donn fro the scaffoldes / & taryed not / but fledde sodeynly / & none wyste why they fledde. The hongers whan they sawe this / myght wyth grete peyne byleue it. that this was trou­the / ffor they sawe no rayson why. Neuertheles whan they apper­ceyuyd they descended doun / & began to folowe the chaas. in suche wyse that them next to fore them. were almost alle taken and sla­yn. In this auenture was fonden none other reson / sauf that the peple was so ful of synne / that they had not deseruyd the loue of our lord / ne thonoure of the world / And therfor theyre synnes acowarded them in suche wyse that they myght not doo ne accom­plysshe this grete werke / whiche they had nyghe achyeued. The erle Emycon cam agayn in to his contre with grete nombre of peple disconfyted / The other barons of ffraunce that I fore haue named wente in to lombardye and so in to puylle / There had they know­leche that sōme of the grete barons were passed in to duras and fro thens in to grece / They wente aftir and folowyd them. In this manere were the peple of ffraunce disperpled and of the contrees ther by / The waye of hongrye was moche more strayte and ner yf they myght haue goon it / And had not be destrowbled by theyr folye / But the other that cam aftir peyned them moche for to goo more wysely and more in peas

How the duc godefroy of boloyne beyng with a grete hoost cam vnto hongrye sente his messagers to the kyng for to demande pas­sage / capitulo. xxx^o.

cOmen was the moneth of anguste in the yere of thyncarna­cion of our lord / M / lxxxxvj / the xv / day of the same moneth The valyaūt godefroy of buyllon duc of loraygne assembled them [Page] that shold be his felawes in this iourneye / And cam fro his con­trey with so grete apparayllement as it apperteyned to his estate / with hym Bawdwyn his brother / Bawdwyn the Erle of he­nawde / Huge the Erle of seynt pol / Euerard his sone which was a moche valyaunt yonge man. Garnyer the Erle surnamed of grees / Bernard the Erle of Toul / Pieter his brother / Bauwd­wyn de bors cosyn to the duc / Henry dasque / godefr [...]y his brother And many other good knyghtes with them / Thise men were so good frendes emonge them and so wyse men that in no wyse they wold departe that one fro that other / they cam alle hool with their thynges in to Osteryche the / xx. daye of septembre vnto a town which is named tayllēborch there rēneth a ryuer named [...]yntans & departed thempyre of allemaygne fro the royamme of hongrye [...] whan they were comen theder· they had herd by the waye euyl t [...] dynges of the grete mesauentures· that Godechan and his peple had in hongrye / They assembled and toke counseyl emonge them [...] how they myght passe this contre in peas / They alle acorded that they shold sende messagers & lettres vnto the kyng of hōgrye for to demande first / by what reason. theyr felaws the pylgryms whic [...]e were theyr bretheren were thus perysshed in his power and [...]is londe / Aftir this they encharged the messagers that they shold [...]ntre with hym in to coīcacion that they myg [...]t passe his Ro [...]am [...]me seurly and in peas / And that herin they put them in deu [...]y [...] [...] payne / ffor this waye was for them moche shorte and more coue­nable yf they myght haue it / than for to pass [...] by s [...] [...] In this message wente godefroy das [...]ue brother of henry· by cause he had long to fore ben acqueynted with the kynge of hongrye / [...]ith [...] sente other wyse men / They wente fo f [...]r that they fonde the kyn [...] And salewed hym in the name of hem that sen [...]e th [...]m. And dely­uerd their lettres of credence / And aftir sayd to hym thyse wordes

How the messagers of the duc godefroy declared their message vnto the kyng of hongrye / And ther vpon his answere / ca^o. xxxi^o.

tHe wyse man & noble Godefroy Duc of [...]yne And the o­ther prynces that with hym come in pylgremage [...]aue sente vs now vnto you And by you wolde knowe· by what occasion the other pylgryms / whom they helde for felaw [...] and bretheren [...] haue so cruelly be slayn and smeton in pieces in your [...]wer / Wel they knowe and sende you worde that they haue ben so slayn. ffor [Page] they haue fonden many of them that ben escaped / Moche they meruaylle how ye & your peple which ben cristen as ye saye / haue thus destroyed the good companye whiche for to enhaūse the fayth of Ihesu Crist ben departed out of theyr contre / in suche wyse that the most mortal enemyes that they haue. had not don werse / They de­sire moche to knowe yf it were by the defaulte of the pylgryms. ffor yf ye haue doon it by Iustyce. or in deffendyng you and youre londes / or other wyse that they wold enforce and take ony thyng away yf it were so / The duc and his felaws wold take it more lightly / But yf it be doo without their trespaas or for hate that ye had to them / & thus murdred them. they that sente vs hether. lete you wete by vs. that they haue lefte theyr owne coūtreyes for ta­uenge the wronges & the oultrages that haue ben don to the peple of oure lord / And yf they finde that ye haue so doo / they be not in wylle to passe ferther. tyl they haue to theyr power auenged the deth of the pylgryms of our lord· And herwith godefroy that a­counted this to the kyng made an ende of his wordes

The kyng was in his palays where he had grete plente of barons of his Royamme and of other peple. thenne answerd and sayde. Godefroy it plesyth me moche that ye be come in to this contrey for to speke to me / It is a moche good thyng for me for two cau­ses / that one is that ye be of myn acqueyntaūce and my frende lon­ge syth / And we shal afferme and renewe our loues and our ac­queyntaunces in this youre comyng· That other cause is that I knowe you to be a man wyse· resonable & of good wille / and am moche ioyous of this that ye shal here my excusacion / trouthe it is that we haue the name of the cristiente / it were & shold be moche fayr to vs· yf we had the werkes / But they that ben passed to­fore with peter theremyte and with godechan haue not the werkes of pylgryms ne of cristen men / ffor we receyuyd peter theremyte & his peple in oure londes and in our townes with grete debonayrte And departed with them oure vytaylles and other thynges we gaf to them / But they lyke as the serpent that prycketh or styn­geth hym that kepeth hym warme in his bosomme / hath guerdonned & rewarded vs for our good dedes / for in thende of the royamme of hongrye / whan they ought to thanke vs and rendre graces to god & to theyr frendes / They toke by force one of oure best cas­tellis / And put to deth alle that were therin. and caryed the beestys with them / they toke alle the maydens of the town lyke rowters & theues. The company of godechan cam after them / they abode not [Page] to forfaytte til the ende of our Royamme / but assone as they we­re entred and passed the yates of hongrye they began to make alle thoultrages they myghte / They brente the townes slewe the men / enforced the wymmen / and bare away alle thynges / they dyde so moche that for theyr trespaces. were wel worthy to haue hate of god & of the world / we that be here in the place & in the dygnyte / by whiche we ought to kepe the peple / as long as it shal please god and our barons that haue sworn the feaulte of the Royal­me myght not wel endure thus to destroye our peple and our con­trey. but haue put to the hand by force in vs defendyng / The thyr­de companye cam also with folke a foote / we doubted the noyse and debate in suche wyse / that we wold not suffre them entre in to our londe ne come emonge vs / Our lord that Iugeth alle the wor­des & knoweth alle thyng / wote wel that it is thus & that I haue lyed to you no worde. Now we praye you that ye excuse vs oue­raal where ye shal here speke of it / whan he had said this be sente the messagers in to theyr Innes / where they had moche grete ho­nour and grete feste / The kyng toke counseyl of his barons and ordeyned his owne messagers whiche he sente to the duc godefroy and to the prynces that cam He had spoken ynowgh to godefroy dasque / and made hym grete c [...]ere / and gaf to hym and his felaw­shippe yeftes / And aftir toke leue of hym and retorned al to gy­dre [...] with the messagers / whan they were comen to fore the duc go­defroy / one of them sayd the message in this manere· The kyng of hongrye saleweth you my lordes / And sendeth yow worde that he knoweth certaynly by renōme that ye be a man of moche hye lyg­nage puyssaūt of peple wyse and trewe of herte prudent and va­lyaunt of body / in suche wyse that your prouesse is born in to ma­ny londes / ffor thyse thynges our lord the kynge whiche neuer sa­we yow preyseth and loueth yow moche in his herte / And hath moche grete desire to doo you honoure / These pylgryme that ben with you / And that haue enterprysed so hye a pylgremage be preyseth moche / and desyreth moche to see them· and to worshippe. and to haue theyr acqueyntaunce: ffor he holdeth hym selfe wrous and gracious that our lord hath sette hym in such a poynt. that he may doo seruyse and bounte to one so valyaunt a man· Therfore vnto you fayr lord and to the hye men of your companye be prayeth / re­quyreth and demandeth for a synguler yefte. that it wold plese you to come see hym at one his castel named Cipe [...]on / ffor be de­sireth moche to speke to you at leyser / & doo that ye wille demaūde

How the said kynge sente for to fetche the duc godefroye / And how he wente / and of the deuyses that they had to gydr [...] ca^o. xxxij

wHan the duc and his barons had herd the messager thus speke he drewe them a parte and toke counseyl / They acor­ded wel that the duc shold goo. he sente for suche companye as h [...] wold haue / And wente forth with thre honderd horse withoute m [...] on his way / hit was not long but he cam to aperon / he passed the brygge / and fonde the kynge whiche made to hym grete ioye and moche honour· And long they spak to gydre / And the kynge excused hym of the deth of the pylgryms / vnto the duc / lyke as he had doon to the messagers / At thende the kyng cam so to poynt that they were appeased goodly / The kyng acorded to hym the passage thurgh his royamme / yf he wold sette hym suche hoostages as he shold chese for to kepe the pees / Alle this was graunted / And he demanded in hostage Bawdwyn brother of the sayd duc his wyf and her maygne / they were delyuerd to hym gladly. Thus entred they with alle theyr peple in to the lond of hongrye / The kynge helde to them wel his couenauntes / ffor he dyde doo crye in alle the townes as they shold passe / and also thereby. that they shold selle to them vytaylles good cheep / and that noman shold meue to them no debate / The duc commanded also and made to be cryed that none on payne of his lyf were so hardy to take ony thynge fro the lond ne fro no man / ne for to doo no wronge. but holde them for felawes and bretheren / Thus it happed that they passed alle hongrye without ony maner stryf or noyse· The kynge rode alwey nyghe to thooste on the lyfte syde / ledyng his hostages with hym redy for tappese yf ony noyse arroos / Atte laste they cam to malleuylle wherof ye haue herd to fore whiche stondeth on the ryuer of the dunoc / There they [...] tyl alle the hoost were passed by shippes / wherof were but fewe / But to fore he had don sette ouer / a thousand men wel armed for to kepe the ar­ryuyng on that other syde. whan the hoos [...] of the comyn peple we­re passed the kyng cam to the duc & to the barons and brought the hostages that were delyuerd to hym / he made to them moche ioye and honour at departyng· and gaf to euerych grete yiftes & ryche Aftir he toke leue and retorned home ageyn / The duc and the ba­rons passed ouer with their peple / and cam to bellegraue a cyte of hongrye of whiche we haue spoken to fore / And there they lodged [Page] them / After they passed thurgh the wodes / til they cam to the cy­te of nyz and after to stralyce /

How the duc godeffroye sente his messagers to themperour of constantinoble. to thende that he shold delyuer huon le mayne and other that he helde in prison. cap^o xxxiij^o

hEre may be knowen the euyl disposicion and deceyte of the grekes / ffor syth themperours latyns faylled in constanty­nople / and thempyre cam vnto the grekes / of whom the fyrst was nycofores. Anon the barbaryns that were aboute them· the blacz and the comans they of hongrye whiche ben toward the eest suppri­sed and toke thyse londes that were so good. plentyuous / and dely­table / And conquerd alle fro the dunoe vnto constantinople· And on that other parte vnto the see Adryane / There is a cyte in lom­bardye nygh to the londe of the marquys named Adre / & is right a litil cyte / But by cause it is nygh the see of venyse and of An­cone hath this see the name of the see Adryane in wrytyng. This see goth right nygh constantinoble / vnto a / xxx / myle. This euyl peple of thempyre of constantinoble had wel wonue vpon the grekes / xxx. iourneyes of lengthe· And x of brede / ffor aboue this see that I haue spoken of is a countre named Epyre. The chyef cyte is named duras / of whiche pycrus was somtyme kynge· Another is named Mayene / that is in the myddle of the londe / where ben also noble Cytees / Nyz and stralyce / In this londe was Ar­chade / Thessale / and machedone / Of thyse thre landes euerych was called Trace / And alle thise were conquerd vpon the grekes But afterward ther was an Emperour named Basilie recouerd thise londes· And brought the blacz and the bongres longe afore this tyme / in suche wyse that the two danemarches were comen agayn to his po wer / but yet wold not the grekes suffre to repayre agayn the townes / ne laboure the lōdes which shold be right good. to thende that none shold enhabyte there· By cause they holde it for a strengthe / And that nothyng shold be fonde therin / Also in espy­re whiche extendeth fro duras· vnto a mount named bagula [...]s / And endureth foure iourneyes. by that passed the other barons / But the Duc and his companye passed by danemarche la Ma [...]en / whiche is named other wyse Mese / They cam by a destrayte. whiche is named the Cloys [...]e of seynt Basyle / And syth they descended in to a playne / Where they fonde grete [Page] plente of vytaylle and of pastures / And cam vnto A [...]ine po [...] whiche is a moche fayr cyte and good / There herd they saye and trouthe it was / that themperour of constantynoble had enprison­ned huon le mayne / broder of the kynge of ffraunce· and many other barons that cam with hym. ffor thise noble men were hasty and cam by lombardye in to puylle / ffro thens they passed to du­ras / And soiourned for tabyde the other barons / whiche ought to come in to tho partyes / ne they supposed to haue doubted ony thyng in the londe of the grekes that were cristen as they were / But the baylly of duras toke alle the moost grete barons. and sente them in yrons to themperour of Constantynoble to doo his wylle with them / he helde them in prison. and abode the comyng of the other barons / by cause yf they cam with grete power he wolde de­lyuer them for theyr loue / and yf they cam not with grete myght he thought not lyghtly to lete them passe. whan the duc godefroye and the other barons herd tydynges of this prisonment / he toke good messagers and sente them with theyr lettres to themperour And they prayde and warned hym that he shold sende to them without delaye this hye and noble man huon le mayne and alle his companye / ffor they helde hym for lordes: bretheren and felaws of this pylgremage. And herin he had don more his wylle and his force than right / whan he had reteyned one so gentil and hye prynce·

How the duc godefroye constreyned themperour by force to rendre and delyuere his prisonners / capitulo. xxxiiij^o.

iN this tyme was Emperour a greke moche fals and ful of tricherye and was named alexes and to his surname Co­nius / he was moche acqueynted and pryue with that other Emperour Nychofores bothomat in suche wyse that he made hym his steward / And was the grettest man of the londe sauf themperour He by his malyce purchaced euyl and harme ayenst his lorde by thassent of grete peple that he helde aboute hym. and toke hym and helde hym in his prison vj yere tofore that our pilgryms cam the­der / The messagers of the Duc and the other barons demanded of this Emperoure Huon le Mayne lyke as they were com­maunded and the other prysonners / in lyke wyse / Them­perour answerde shortly that he wold not delyuere them / They retourned in to the hoost and / said to them thansuer of themperour [Page] whan the duc & the other barons herd this they were moche wroth And concluded emong them by theyr counseyl / that they wold playnly make warre ayenst hym / that dyde so grete oultrage to holde so hye a prynce in prison ne wolde not answere by mesure ne reason / They habandonned to the hooste to take in that contre where they were in. Alle that they coude fynde· And brente alle the townes / Thus abode they in thise partyes. and destroyed alle the contre / And dyde moche grete dommage and harme and· grete plente of proyes and other gaynes cam in to the hoost of the ba­rons / Themperour sence vnto the duc and vnto the other barons / that they shold doo holde theyr peple in pees. And that he wold delyuere huon te mayne and the other prisonners· They agreed and acordid gladly· And cam with alle theyr bataylles renged and in ordenaunce to fore constantynoble· as for tassiege the toun Anon yssued oute huon the mayne· doene dancelle / Guylla ne charpentier. Clarembault de venduel / And entred in to the [...]auyl­lon of the Duc / And thanked hym moche and alle the other of theyr delyueraunce / And the duc and the hooste receyued them with moche grete ioye / ffor they had moche grete ang [...]e and gre [...] despite of that was don to them

The grete despyte that themperour toke that duc godeffroy re­ffused to goo in to constatinoble vnto hym. cap^o. xxxv

wHyles they spak thus to gydre cam the messagers fro themperour to the duc· And requyred them in theyr lordes name that he wold entre with a fewe of his companye in to the town / And come speke with themperour / The duc had counseyl herupon and answerd / that he wold not yet come in to the toune whan themperour herd this. he had therof moche grete despite And deffended oueral that ther shold nomore v [...]taylle be sold to them ne none other thynges. The noble men sawe this· and sente out on fouragyng ouer alle the countrey· And they brought in vytaylle grete plente in suche wyse that they had ynowgh poure and ryche Themperour sawe that this contre shold be destroyed / and doubted that they wold yet doo werse / therfor he commanded to his mar­cheauntes that they shold goo in to the hooste and selle to them suche thynge as they neded· The daye of Cristemasse or of the Natyuite of oure Lord approched / Therfore the Duc and the Barons dyde do crye in the hooste / that no man shold for­faytte ne trespace in tho foure dayes / The mene whyle cam the [Page] messagers of themperour that spak to the barons moche saye that they wold passe the brygge and come on the syde of the palays whiche was named blaquerne· ffor there myght alle the hooste lodge in grete howses whiche were nygh the braas of seynt geor­ge And alle this said they for tricherye and deceyte Neue [...]theles our peple byleuyd them lyghtly / ffor the wynter was moche cold and sharpe of raynes and snowes. in suche wyse that the pauyl­lons roted and ne myght not hold out the water of the rayne / the horses and poure peple myght not endure it· herof toke them­perour his occasion for to sende in to the hoost / and that they shold passe toward the town / and semed that he had grete pyte on them / but his entencion was alle other wyse / ffor he dyde this to thende that he shold enclose them in a place more strayt. that they shold not renne in to the contre. And that he myght haue the grette [...] power to constrayne them therin

Of the descripcion of constantinoble / And of many countre [...] and londes ther aboute capitulo xxxvj^o.

fOr to vnderstōde how the barons were enclosed by the deslo­yaulte of themperour / it is to wete how the cyte of constantinoble stondeth / the see whiche is in venyse cometh nygh vnto / xxx myle of constantinoble / ffor thens departeth an arme like a fresshe water. And estendeth it toward the eest in lengthe / ij / C / xxx / my­le / it is not lyke euen / ffor in somme place it is· but a myle broode And in another it is wel. xxx / of brede or more / after the places that it renneth in· And it renneth bytwene thyse two Auncyent cytees Sexton and Abydon. of whiche that one is in asye / And that other in europe / ffor the arme is deuyded fro thyse two londes Constantinoble is in europe: That other parte is nycene whiche is in asye / This braas or arme thus as it is moost brode toward the see / lyke a roode where the porte is / it is sayde that it is moost [...] paysible / And easyer than the see is. nyghe therto stondeh constan­tinoble whiche is lyke a tryangle. The first syde is by [...]wene the porte and this arme / Ther standeth a chirche of seynt george / of whiche that see is named the braas of seynt george / And this en­du [...]th vnto the new palays of blacquerne after the porte / That other pan of the walle dureth fro this chirche of seynt george vnto the porte aire / The thyrde pan fro that yate vnto the palays of Blacquerne / The towne is moche wel closed toward the [Page] champayne of walles of dyches of towres and of barbicans / Atte porte descendeth a fressh water rennyng / whiche is lytil in the somer / but in wynter it becometh moche grete for the rayne / This water hath a brygge on whiche oure men passed ouer / whiche is enclosid bytwene the grete see and the braas / behynde the yate / where they lodged for tabyde that comyng of other barons Them­perour sente ofte his messagers to the duc· And sente for hym to come and speke with hym· The duc doubted moche his tricherye and wold not goo / But to thende that he toke it not for euyl / he sente to hym thre noble men / that is to wyte · Canon de montagu / Henry dasque / and bawdwyn de bort. and excused hym by them / that the barons that were with hym wold not counseylle hym to goo and speke with hym· tyl that the other barons were comon Themperour was moche / wroth and deffended agayn that no vy­taylles sold be shold to the hoost. And dyde yet werse / ffor he sen [...]e on a daye erly in the mornyng shippes al ful of archers that cam sodenly by the braas right there as the duc was lodged they shot­te grete plente of arowes in suche wyse that they slewe moche peple that was goon on the see syde· And many they hurted by the dores and wyndowes /

How our peple brente theyr lodgys and toke theyr harnoys And of an assault that the grekes made on them / ca^o. xxxvij^o.

wHan the Duc and the other barons herd this / by com [...] counseyl / they sente the brother of the duc for to take the brigge / to thende that they of the toun shold not sease ne take it / They toke / v / honderd men what knyghtes as other wel armed and cam fyrst to the brygge and kepte it and sawe that alle the cyte was meued and armed for to come on them· Our men were thenne adcerteyned that they of the towne were theyr enemyes / And sette fyer in the howses were they lodged in / and in other by whiche they doubted and fered wel a / vj / thousand or seuen in suche wyse that som of Emperours owne howses were brente / After they dyde do sowne theyr tompet [...]es / And wente them alle in ordenaunce after the Duc toward the brygge· ffor they doubted moche that they of the towne wolde come theder for to deffende them the paas / but as I haue sayd bawdwyn brother of the duc had thenne goten it vpon the grekes whom he had oue [...] ­throwen and chased ryght ferre. The hoost and alle the cariage [Page] passed ouer / alle in to the contrey. And arrested there alle in ordenaunce in a fayr playn moche fyers and courageous by the chirche of seynt cosme and damyan / which now is named the pa­lays of buymont & the palays of blacquerne / whan it was come nygh the euentyd there were many slayn of them of the town / & of the other but not so many / The grekes myght no lenger suf­re. but the pylgryms discomfyted them & chassed them sleyng and he wyng alle them that they myght arreche in suche wyse that they droof them in to the toun by force· Thenne retourned they agayne as they that had wonne the felde / And lodged in the playne / The grekes were moche swollen and angry of that they had lost so many men and had ben so euyl demened· And be­gan to ordeyne thurgh the town how they myght yssue oute with moche more affraye and strenger than they had· But the nyght cam that destourned their counseyl. This was an euident thynge that themperour had d [...]n the barons passe the brygge by tricherye and vntrouthe for to haue closed them as within barryers

How after this our peple began to destroye the contre. And ofa message of buymont vnto duc godefroye. And the answer of the duc vpon the same· capitulo xxxviij^o.

aS sone as thoost apperceyued on the morn the day / it was cryed that euery man on payne of deth shold arme hym / on horsbak and on fote / The Capytayns of som bataylle were ordey­ned for to lede the peple in fourage. The other sette them in ordy­naunce for to kepe their lodgys / ffor wel they apperceyued cer­taynly that themperour pourchassed for them alle the euyl that he myght. They that wente for vytaylle withdrewe them wel / lx / myle / They pylled al aboute them alle the townes that they fonde / And brought Corn / Wyn / Beestys. and other Rychesses / Wherof the londe was full that vnnethe myght they conduy­te alle / And they were oute sex dayes / And aftir retornned in to the hooste with alle this merueillous gayne / whyles as they conteyned thus· Messagers cam fro Buymont to fore the Duc / And salewed hym in theyr Lordes name / And delyuerd to hym lettres whiche saide in this manere / He salewed in his letrres the duc as he ought to salewe suche a man / Aftir [Page] they sayde / knowe ye sire that ye haue to doo with a moche vntre­we man / whiche alwey sette his herte and purpoos to deceyue them that truste in hym / Specially he hateth the Latyns to the deth. And doth his power in alle maners. that he can to doo euyl to our peple. And yf ye haue not yet apperceyued it / ye shal kno­we al by tyme as I saye to you / ffor I knowe wel the maly­ce of the grekes / And also the trycherye of themperour / Therfor I pray you / that ye withdrawe you fro constantinoble / And retorne to ward the playnes of andrenoble or of sympole / and there ye may wyntre you where as is grete plente of alle goodes / And I my self yf it please god assone as the sprynge of the yere cometh shal come and hast to meue. And shal assemble with you / And shal helpe you / as my lord and frende. ayenst the vntrew prynce that entendeth to doo euyll with alle his power vnto cristiente / whan the duc had herd thyse lettres by the coūseyl of his barons He sente to hym ageyn other lettres that after the salewyng spak thus / we thanke you gretely. And so doo the other prynces that ben with vs of the loue and trouthe that ye haue sente vs / And knowe ye certaynly that we haue founden on the prynce and on the peple of grekes / lyke as ye wene wel to knowe / we knowe wel that ye saye it of wysedome and of trouthe / But we doub [...]e moche the armes that we toke in our contrey for to warre on the hethen men / shold retorne and conuerte ayenst them that bere the name of cristiante as we our self doo / we attende and desyre moch your comyng / Thenne yf god will whan ye shal be comen we shal doo take you to our counseyl

How themperour appesed the duc godefroye and sen [...]e for hym and of the honour that he dyde to hym. capitulo / xxxix

tHemperour was moche anguyssous emong his pryue coū ­seyl. & thought how he myght appese to hym the duc & his pe­ple by cause he destroyed his contre / of which he herd the clamours right grete and ofte / And by cause that he knewe that the messa­gers of buymōt were come / & had brought tidynges / that he wold hastely come he sente ageyn his messagers to the duc & prayd hym that he wold come speke to hym / & yf he doubted of ony thyng he wold sende Iohn his sone in hostage in to the hoost / This message plesyd moche to the barons whan they herde it / & they sente canon de montagu / & bawdwyn de borgh for to receyue the hostage / they receyued hym and delyuerd to Bawdwyn brother of the Duc [Page] whiche abode for to Reule and gouerne the hoost and to kepe the hostage / The duc and other barons wente in to Constantyno­ple to fore themperour which had moche desyred them / The grekes made to them grete Ioye merueyllously what someuer they thoughte. Themperour kyssed them alle. And demanded of eue­rych his name / for to honoure euerych by hym self / as he that wel coude do it. they were wel beholden of alle them of the palays / At last themperour satte in his mageste. and the barons aboute hym And sayde to the duc thyse wordes / we haue herd saye many ty­mes in this londe / that thou art of hyghe lygnage / and of moche grete power in thy contre and a good knyght and trewe / in suche wyse that for the fayth of Ihesu criste [...]enhaunce. hast enterprised to warre ayenst the mescreauntes and hethen peple / whiche greue the cristen peple merueyllously / ffor alle thyse thynges we prayse the and loue in our herte / And wylle honoure the with grettest honour that we may doo / ffor thou art worthy and dygne / It playseth vs and therto acorden our barons / that we cheese the & auo­we for our sone / And we put our Empyre in to thyn hande. that thou kepe it as our sone from henssforth in good estate and in ter­mes of loue / whan he had seyde this / he dyde hym to be clad with the robe of an Emperour / And to sytte by hym / And thenne the barons made to hym right grete feste & solempnyte aftir the cus­tom of the londe in suche thynges / And thus was the pees affer­med bytwene the prynces / and also bytwene the peple

Of the yeftes that themperour made to duc godefroye. to the ba­rons and to the gentilmen of his hoost·capitulo xl^o.

aNone whan this was don / the tresour of themperour was opened & was presented to the duc / and to his felawship / so grete yeftes and so grete rychesses that it was merueylle to see / Ther was grete plente of gold of syluer· and of precious stones / many clothes of sylk ryght ryche: vayssellys of dyuerse facions whiche were merueyllous of facions and of matere / Oure peple meruellyd moche of this grete rychesse / Thyse yeftes cessed not at the fyrst tyme / but fro the day of the Epyphanye / vnto thas­ [...]encion tyde / themperour gaf to the Duc euery weke as moche as two myghty men myght susteyne / of pierrye / of pens of gold of copper and of tyn he gaf to hym ten muyes. euery muye is four busshellys· But the duc departed alle thyse thynges vnto knygh­tes [Page] and alle aboute where he sawe / that it shold be wel employed Whan they had ben with themperour a lytil whyle / they t [...]ke le­ue & cam agayn in to the hoost / They sente agayn Iohan his sone whom they had holden in hostage moche honourably / Themperour dyde do crye vpon peyne of deth / that noman shold doo har­me to the pylgryms / but shold do selle to them alle maner wa­res at prys resonable / The duc in lyke wyse dyde doo crye. [...]hat e­uery man as dere as he louyd his lyf shold doo no force ne wrong to them of the contree / Thus forthon lyuyd they in moche peas / whan Marche cam the duc knewe wel / that the other barons wold come / and apperceyued wel that the wille of themperour was / that he wold passe with his peple the braas of seynt george / To the same acorded the barons and the other of the hoost / And saide to themperour that he wold passe ouer / And he anon dyde do make redy many shippes & passed wel alle and cam in to be [...]hin [...]. whiche is the fyrst partye of Asye. They lodged them aboute the Cyte of Calcedome / Of this cyte fynde we wryten that in the ty­me of pope lyon and Marcyen themperour assambled there one of the iiij grete coūseyllis / where ther were .iij·C.xxxvj / prelates for to condempne an heresye / that a Monke named Entyses had founden· And that helde a patriarke of Alysaundre named discre [...]tus / but there they were dampned / This cyte is so nyghe constan­tynoble that there is but the braas bytwene them bothe. And there was the hoost lodged moche easely / ffor who so had to doo in the cyte of Constantynoble he myght passe twyes or thryes in a day / The cause why themperour made the duc to passe· was for he wold not that / the hoostes of the barons that were to come shold not assembhe to gydre so nyghe hym / And in lyke dyde be to the other barons that cam aftir· ffor he neuer wold lodge tweyne to gydre /

How Buymont was made capitayn of a grete hoost. And the names of many nobles of thoost & of their mayn [...]ene· ca^o. xli

aFtir this maner contened hym themperour and duc gode­froy· But buymont the sone of Robert guychart prynce of Tarente had passed the see adryane / And was come vnto duras / whan alle his hoost was comen he toke his waye thurgh the deser­tes of bougrye / And wente softe an dfayr by cause of them that folowed hym. In his rowte were many noble men / of whom we [Page] shal name to you a part / that is to wyte / Tancre the sone· of graal the marquys. Rychard the pryncipat sone of william ffierbrace. The Brother of Robert guychart / Raymont his brother / Robert the hanse / Herman of caryn / Robert of sourdeual / Robert fytz cristen· vmfrey fytz raoul / Rychard sone of therle Ranyol erle of rousygnol· and alle his bretheren. Ogan of chartes· Anbery of cannac / And vmfrey of montygneux / Alle thyse had made buy­mout their capytayn / They cam in to the cite of castore and made there the feste of cristemasse and helde it moche hyely / But by cau­se they of the contre wold selle to them / nothyng which helde them for enemyes / therfor by force they muste sende out on fouragyng. and brought grete proyes and good gaynes / of whiche they dyde moche harme to alle the contrey / Aftir they cam in to the londe of pelagome / whiche is moche good and fertile and lodged them the­re / Aftir they herd saye that nygh by was a castel right strong wherin alle the popeliquans of the lande were withdrawen for the strenght of the place / And there were none but suche mys­byleued peple / Buymont and his peple armed them and wente theder auon / And founde there moche grete rychesse in the towne and grete proyes whiche they put out a part / And after sette fyer ther in the town / And alle them that yssued they slewe with the swerde. And the remenaunt bothe men and wymmen they brent alle. Themperour herd saye that Buymont cam with grete peple. And doubted moche / And had his comyng moche suspecyonous ffor he had many debates ayenst hym and his of whiche he had alwey· the werse· The souldyours of themperour and alle they that entermeted of armes soiourned and wyntred in thyse partyes by whiche Bumont passed / Themperour commauded to his conestables of alle his peple that they shold cooste buymont with as moche peple as they myghte gete vnto the water named bardare / in suche manere that yf they myght greue ennoye and dōmage in ony paas to them. that they shold come on hym strongly· Thus he had ordeyned cautelously behynd them. but to fore as he / was moche disloyal and conuert / and coude wel make sem­blaunt of other thynge than he thoughte. he sente vnto buymont of his grete men / And by them lettres moche payssyble and of fayr wordes / And of bountes moche debonayr and deceyualle whiche were as folowen

Messagers and letres fro Themperour to Buymont / and the [Page] contenue of the same as foloweth. capitulo xlij^o.

tHe salewyng to fore was moche fayr / And aftir sayde / we knowe certaynly that thou art an hye prynce &· moch noble sone of an noble and valyaunt man / ffor this grete maner we preyse the / and haue the in chierte / And also for thou hast enter­prised. with so good herte and so good wille in this tyme the ser­uyse of oure lord / And the pylgremage whiche is du [...] vnto alle them that byleue in Ihesu criste. we haue ferme wylle & certaynly purpoos to honoure the / And shewe by dede our grace that we ha­ue thought / Therfor we praye and requyre the in good fayth that thou commaude to thy peple that they doo none oultrage to oure peple. & haste / the to come to vs all surely. ffor thou shalt haue therby honour & prouffyt / Our messagers that come to the shal by our commandement doo thyn hooste haue resonable market of vytayl­les and of alle other thynges / The semblaunt of thise wordes were fayr / but ther was ther vnder moch venym and of felonnye· Buymont whiche was wyse and knowyng many thynges had many tymes preuyd the desloyalte of themperour / And receyued thyse wordes by semblaūce moche aworth and in thanke / But be preysed them lytil in his courage. Neuerthelesse he thanketh hym by mouth / and by lettres that he daygned to wryte to hym and sende· cōsidered that he was so smal a man ayenst hym & sence hym other curtoys wordes &c̄ / Thise messagiers that were thus comen conduyted the hoost vnto the ryuer of bardre / whan the moo [...]e partye of the hoost were passed ouer. & the other ordeyned them for to passe after· The conestables of the soldyours whiche had away­ted and folowed them wened to haue founden theyr poynt. And launced on this partye of thoost whiche was not yet passed and were many moo of them than of oures / The noyse and the crye arroos moche grete. Tancre whiche moche was appert & hardy had tho passed half the ryuer whiche was grete· but whan he herd this he retorned agayn as hastly as he myght / and discomfyted / ij.M / of the moost noble of them vigorously and putte them to flyght. And many he toke of them a lyue / whom he brought to fore buymont he demanded them in the presence of alle / wherfore they had ronne so on the hoost of the cristen men / whiche were also cristen and peple of themperour their lord and frende / They an­swerd that they were seruauntes and soldyours of· themperour and muste doo his commandement. ffor by hym they had this don [Page] here by myght alle they apperceyue that herde this. that the fayre wordes that themperour sayde were but deceyuaunce and triche­rye / but buymont whiche was wyse and knewe that he muste passe by thempyre made semblaūt that he apperceyued not / and made good chere to thise men for to couure his courage / And that plesyd not som of his barons /

How Buymont approuched coustantinoble and was sente to come to themperour. And how by the prayer of duc Godefroye he wente toward hym / capitulo xliij^o.

bVymont and his hoost wente so ferre by the countrees that they approched Constantynoble. whan themperour knewe that he sente agayn grete mesagers to hym / and prayde hym en­tierly that he wold leue his hoost and come speke with hym with a pryue meyne / Buymont wyst not what to doo. ffor he was in the daunger of hym so grete a man. whom he doubted to angre / And on that other parte he knewe his falsenesse and deceyuaunce And had wel apperceyued that he louyd hym not / And therfore he fered to goo to hym / whyles he was thus entredeux / The Duc Godefroye cam to hym the thursdaye afore Esterdaye. ffor thempe­rour had so moche prayd the Duc / by cause he doubted that he wold not gladly come to hym / that the Duc wente to hym for to make hym come to themperour / whan the duc and Buymont mette / they made moche grete Ioye to gydre and spak to gydre of many thynges. After entred the duc for to praye hym to come to his fader themperour / Buymont was loth tobeye his prayer and request / But with grete peyne the duc vaynquysshyd hym by prayer / And made hym to goo· Themperour receyued hym with grete honour and ioye and kyssyd hym / And aftir spak so moche to hym and to the duc that Buymont by the counseyl of the duc made to themperour hommage with his hondes and swar to hym feaulte as to his lorde / Thenne shold ye haue seen come out of the tresour of themperour many grete rychesses. gold / syluer / vessel / precious stones / and clothes of sylk so moche that vnneth myght be preysed / whyles that Buymont abode in the palays. Tancre his neuew sone of his suster that was right wyse and of grete her te retched not for to see Themperour ne to speke to hym / But made alle the hoost to passe ouer the braas seynt george & to lodge in bethine nygh to calcedome / where thooste of the other barons [Page] had ben agood whyle / whan themperour knewe that tan [...] had eschewed hym. he was moche wroth· but he made no semblaunt therof. as he that wel coude couure his courage / he made moche grete feste to the barons that were with hym· & euery daye he gaf to them grete yeftes and newe thynges / Aftir they departed by his leue / And passed the braas with the other / There soiourned they & abode the comyng of the other barons· There was brought to them grete plente of vytaylles / and of other thynges fro the cyte of constantynoble and fro the countree aboute·

How the erle Robert of fflaundres with his hooste approched Constantynoble. And how themperour sente for hym / And of theyr deuyses to gydre / cap^o. xliiij^o.

rObert the Erle of fflaundres whiche was comen to fore the wynter to bar a cyte of puylle where the body of seynt Ni­cholas lieth had passed the see and was descended at duras / Ther in a moche fayr place and plentiuous he had wynterd hym / But assone as it began to wexe fayr tyme▪ he toke his Iourneye af [...]e [...] the other / And hasted faste to folowe them / but it ha [...]ed that [...]r he cam to the barons / he receyued the messagers of them­perour that sayd to hym in his name / that he shold leue his hooste and come see themperour and speke with hym wyth a fewe of his meyne / he demaunded and knewe wel / how the other barons had don to fore hym· And therfor he cam in to constantynoble with a fewe of his companye· Themperour receyued hym wyth gre [...]e Io­ye and honour / They spak of many thynges to gydr [...]· And af [...]e [...] lyke as other barons had don he dyde hommage and made [...] of feaulte / Themperour gaf to hym grete yeftes / and to alle th [...]m of his companye· whan he and his peple had abyden and soiourned there· by the wylle of themperour he made his peple passe ouer. And he hym self wente after vnto the other barons / whiche with grete Ioye receyued hym· And spak moche to gydre of theyr a­uentures of the waye. And ofte they were in counseyl. how they shold doo fro than forthon / they were moche displesyd for taryeng of the other barons. whom they abode / It was not longe after but that the messagers of the Erle of Tholouse and of the bisshop of puy were come. And tolde how theyr lordes cam and that they were nygh / And shold be hastely in constantynoble

Of the mayntien̄ of the hooste that therle of Tholouse and the bisshop of puy brought ouer see. cap^o. xlv^o.

tHyse tweyne noble men departed to gydre out of their coun­trees with grete nombre of peple with them / They were ac­companyed with many valyaunt and puyssaunt men of theyr countreyes. Ther was fyrst William bisshop of Orenge / Raybout erle of the same cyte / Gaste de bedyers / Giralt de roussylon / Guil­lem de montpeliers / Guillem erle of forestes / Raymont peles / cen­ton de beart / Guillem de Amauenx / And many other barons moche worshipful· whiche for the seruyse of oure lord lefte theyr countrees. theyr lygnages and alle theyr delytes. They cam alle in to lomba [...]dye· and passed by the syde of aquylee. And aftir cam in to the londe called Ister / ffro thens in to dalmace. whiche is a grete contrey bytwene hongrye and the see adryane / Therin before Archiebisshopps / Iadre / spalete. Antibare and Raguse / The peple of that contre is cruel and moche acustomed to robbe and to slee / There be montaynes and the londe is ful of depe waters rennyng / And large mareyses in suche wyse that there is but lytil londe gaynable / Beestes ther be grete plente in the pastures by whiche they lyue / Neuertheles they that dwelle nygh the see / ben of other maner lyuyng of habyte & of langage / ffor they speke Rōmant / And the other speke not but as they be nourysshid / The noble men of whom I spak / camen in to this londe. And had ther many grete trauayllys and diseases for the wynter which was ouercold And for the contre whiche was euyl garnysshyd of vytaylles / they hadde merueyllous grete suffraunce / ffor alle the peple of the countree for feer of the· pylgryms had lefte cytees▪ castellys. and townes for to flee and hyde. them in montaynes. They had born theder alle theyr thynges / ffrom thens they poursiewed the pyl­gryms / And them that were olde / seke. and feble and taryed after the hoost they slewe alle / The erle whiche was wyse toke hede of the hoost / The other barons he sente to fore / he kepte alwey the riergarde with grete nombre of his peple wel armed aboute hym / the ayer of the contre was so ful of mystes and so thycke / that they byhynde myght vnneth folowe them to fore. ffor this londe as I said to fore is ful of ryuers and rennyng waters / of lakes and mareys / that a grete nyle sourdeth euery day / it semed that it shold neuer sesse / On that other syde the sclauouns and the dalmaces [Page] that knowe the places and the countrees made on them many as­saultes at certayn paa [...] / and shewe many of them that were vn­armed. The Erle and the good men of the hoost closed them in. And slewe many of them. And many moo shold haue slayn / yf the wodes & their r [...]traytes had not be so nyghe / Somtyme it hap­ped that therle toke of them a lyue / And made to smyte of theyr feet and handes / And lefte them lye in the waye for to fere with the other that cam after / In this maner they were thre wekes in that londe in grete paryl / And in grete mysease / After they cam in to a castel named serdre / there they founde the kyng of sklauonye The Erle that was wel bespoken / spak moche fayr to hym / and gaf to hym largely grete yeftes and Iewellys / ffor he hoped ther by that he wold haue holden his peple in peas. And haue don be [...] had couenable market of vytaylles / But it auaylled not / ffor neuer for prayer. ne for no seruyse / myght th [...]y aswage his courage / ne mollyfye the peple of the countre / But they founde them more cruel and more vyllanous than to fore. Thus were they foure wekes after in this sorowe. ffor they were fourty dayes in pas­syng this contre / After cam they to duras

Ambassadours of themperour to the sayd Erle and bisshop / And of the contenue of his lettres / And of the daunger wherin the said bisshop was thenne / capitulo xlv [...] ^o.

tHemperour had in suspection the comyng of therle / by cause that he knewe wel that he was a moche wyse man and of grete courage· And wel herd saye that he had with hym grete plente of good men / Therfore he sente to them to duras noble men of his londe that delyuerd to hym lettres fro themperour which spak in this maner after the salewyng / The good renomme that ren­neth of the thurgh the world. hath made vs to haue certayn ty­dynges / that thou art a man of grete wyte [...] of grete power. and of grete prouess [...] / Therfore we moche desyre to see the and honoure as hym that we loue of good herte. and preyse / And we praye the moche acertaynly and requyre for a grete yefte / that thou doo thy peple passe our contrees without oultrages and doyng harme. And haste the to come to vs alle sure to haue oure grace and oure bounte. we haue cōmanded· that vytaylles and other necessy [...]ees shal be sold to thy peple at prys resonable / whan the Erle and alle the barons herde thise tydynges by thyse lettres. they were glad [Page] and ioyous / ffor they had longe suffred grete diseases / They toke theyr waye by forestes and by montaynes· and passed the londe of Epyre. Aftir they cam in to pelagonne where they fonde moche grete plente of alle goodes / The valyaunt bisshop of puy lodged hym on a day fer fro the hoost in a fayr place that he founde / and in the nyght the bongres assaylled hym in his lodgys and toke hym / But by cause he was necessarye to cristiente our lord sauyd hym that they slewe hym not / ffor one of the barbaryns demaun­ded of hym gold / therfore he defended hym fro the other. that they slewe hym not / In the mene whyle the noyse was herde in the hoost. Thenne they ranne to armes / and syth ran on them / And re­couured the bisshop with alle his thynges / On the morn they toke theyr waye and passed saleuyke / And alle macedome / And after grete trauaylles and many iourneyes they cam to a cyte named Redost / Thether cam the messagers of themperour agayne / And spak to the erle prayeng hym in theyr lordes name / that he wold come to fore his hooste with a fewe of his companye in to constan­tynoble / Messagers ther were also fro the barons that had passed the braas / And requyred the same by mouthe· And by lettres fro theyr lordes. The erle hym self had sente messagers to fore to kno­we the beyng of the countre / and of the barons. And they were retorned whiche acorded moche to the same and counseylled hym to doo that themperour requyred

How the Erle of Tholouse beyng with themperour wold not do hōmage to hym. & of the despyte that themperour dyde / ca / xlvij^o.

bY the prayer of so moche peple therle muste nedes doo soo at theyr instaunce / And thus lefte his hooste / And cam in to constantinoble with a fewe of his meyne / many messagers en­countred hym whiche alle cam for to fetche hym / whan he cam to fore themperour he was well receyued with moche grete chere and ioye of hym and alle the barons of the palays· After themperour dyde to be sayd to hym / and requyred hym right swetly / that for to haue alwey alyaunce and amytre with hym / And also for the grete prouffyt that he shold haue therof· he shold make hommage to themperour / lyke as alle the other had don / he answerd shortly that he wold none make ne doo to hym· Themperour had grete des­dayne and was moche wroth / he sente to fetche the conestables of his souldyours. and for them that had the charge of his men [Page] of Armes / And commaunded them secretely in counseyl· that they shold auyse theyr tyme and poynt and smyte in to the hooste of The Crle / And doo to them alle the harme they myghte And slee grete plente of them / This dyde Themperour comaun­de them the more surely / by cause that he wyste wel that they that were on that othersyde myght not helpe them. And by cause they were his men they wold not s [...]ne greue them / And had commaunded that alle the shippes to bere ouer vytaylle. sholde come hastely ageyn in to the Cyte· So that they on that other syde shold not come ouer a gayn / ffor euer he had suspection thassemble of oure peple / And therfore he made them to passe ouer eche after other as they cam / The grete chere that he made to them / And the grete yeftes that he gaf cam more by barate and of drede than of loue or of largesse / But oure peple and specially the ffrenssmen myght not byleue that this Ioye that he made to them / Ne the Rychesse that he gaf myght come of ony trayson ne of euyl / They knewe not by experyence so moche thēne. as they dyde afterward

How themperour for tauenge hym on therle / made his Co­nestables tenbusshe them / & assaylle the hoost of therle / ca xlviij^o.

tHe conestables whiche had commandement of Them­perour spak to gydre to theyr men / And made a buss [...]e­ment nyghe to the hooste of the Erle of Tholouse / In the nyght whan they had supposed alle well to be assured thempe­rours peple. smote in emong them and slewe and wounded ma­ny or they were awaked and apperceyued it / But whan the crye arroos [...] And the noble men of thooste apperceyued the trayson they armed them and reteyned theyr peple that began to flee and after ran vpon them of themperour· And slewe many / & chassed the remenaunt. On the morn they of the hooste began to be moche esmayed of the trauaylle that they / had suffred in the nyght / And of the trayson of the grekes / and theyr hertes began to cole / and to faylle of the purpoose of theyr waye and pylgremage. And no [...] only the smal & comune peple· but many of the grete & noble men had forgoten theyr vowes & theyr honours & wold haue retorned home vnto theyr countrey. But the noble bisshop of Puy / and [Page] the Biss [...]op of Orenge were emonge them and many good wyse relygyous men and clerkys that prechyd to them the wordes of our lord and recomforted them moche wel / And shewde them that yf they retourned they shold lese thonour of this world / And also of that other· Thus with grete peyne they reteyned them. whan the erle whiche was in Constantynople herde of the trayson that was don to hym in his hoost. he was as a man out of his wytte. & anon sente his men to themperour / And sente hym word that he had betrayde hym. ffor whyles he reteyned hym and made hym good chere. he had doo slee his peple by trayson / And sente worde herof to the barons that were on that other syde. prayeng them as his bretheren that they wold come to hym to auēge it· wel may ye knowe that yf therle had power sufficient. he wold not haue departed tyl he had auengyd hym· And that it shold haue ben dere bought / ffor he was a man of grete courage. And forgate not lyghtly shame don to hym / Themperour sawe that this thynge was goon ouer ferre in suche wyse that he repented hym / that he had so commaunded in his angre and hastynes and hasted hym moche for to sette counseyl in this werke / And sente / for Buy­mont and therle of fflaundres to come and speke with hym / by cause he wold sende them for to appese therle of Tholouse / They cam whiche were moche angry of this that was don / They wente to therle in the name of themperour / But they sayd to hym more on theyr owne behalue than of themperours / They shewde hym wel that it was not tyme ne place for tauenge his shames that had ben don to hym in the seruyse of oure lord· ffor it shold be em­pesshement vnto the grete werke that they had enterprised for to saue theyr sowles / And on that other syde yf they wolde so doo they had not the power ne puyssaunce. therfor it were better to hyde their thoughtes / than to discouere theyr hertes to theyr domage and shame / the Erle thus angry was no fool / but souffred that his wytte vaynquysshe his angre / And said that he wold sub­mette to thyse two noble men that spak to hym and byleue them / They cam to themperour priuely. and shewd to hym al the fowle dede and werke that was commysed / Themperour vnderstode the grete yre that they had in their hertes / & sente for therle to come to hym in to his palays / & excused hym to fore alle pryue & apperte & estrangers. that he had not comanded this fayte to be doon / but it displesyd hym moche / And yet he beyng without culpe and blame therof. he was redy to restore to the Duc alle the dammages that [Page] were don to his hooste after his power· Thus euery day by day / and more and more myght wel be perceyued the grete hate that the grekes had to the latyns / And of the desloyal felonnye that themperour had in his herte / ayenst oure pephe / but it must be suf­fred / ffor it myght not thenne be amended

How at thynstaunt prayer of the barons of the hooste / The Erle made hommage to themperour / whiche gaf grete yeftes to hym and his· Capitulo xlix^o.

aFter the counseyl of the other barons / the erle was therto meuyd / And by the grete prayers of themperour that he dy­de hommage to hym and sware to hym feaulte· lyke as the other had doon / And the pees was affermed emong them· Themperour gaf to them so grete yeftes / that alle they were merueyllously [...] ­mayed / The other barons that were come ouer agayn on the [...] ­ther syde receyued newe yeftes and presentes· After they passed the braas and retourned in to beth [...]e· And they prayd moche the erle that he shold not longe tarye and abyde there. the Erles hoost cam in to Constantynoble / And he made them passe ouer the braas· & to lodge with the other he hym self abode in the toun for certeyn necessytees that he had do to doo and to ordeyne / And [...]e as a moche wyseman prayde and Inated ofte themperour / that he shold enterpryse the seruyse of our lord· And that he wold be lord and capytayn of alle the hoost / where as were so many noble men [...] And he had hope that our lord shold sende to hym suche honnour that he shold delyuere his peple and londe by hym / wel coude the Erle make to hym remonstrance / acordyng to the barons whiche had spoken in this mater / Themperour answerd to them alle in one maner / that this pylgrenagr was a moche hye thynge [...] and that he moche desyred the pardon / And aboue alle other thynge the companye of so hye noble men plesyd hym moche And about hym and his empyre he sayd he had moch cruel peple and moch vntrew as the Bongres the comans and other that gladly wold doo harme to hym and to his londe and conquere his Empyre as moche as they myght gete / And therfore it were grete pa­rylle for me to withdrawe fro my Countreye / well and fay­re he excused hym withoute forth / But that he sayd to oure [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] fore Nycene whan they were alle assembled / sixe. C / thousand men a fote / And of knyghtes and men of armes on horsbak an hundred thousand or moo / They alle had moche grete wylle for to employe them wel in this warre / And desyred moche at this fyrst begynnyng of theyr warre to enterprise so hyely and doo so wel / that alle other peple shold doubte them

Of the situacion of Nycene / And how our peple approched ther to / Merueyllyng of the place and of the strengthe / cap^o. lij^o.

oF the cyte of nycene knowe ye that it had be vnder tharche­bysshop of nychomede / But themperour constantyn made it to be taken away fro the power of this archebysshop / and it was a place of honour / by cause the fyrst of the iiij grete coūseylles had be sette there / ffor in the tyme of seynt syluestre the pope / ther was a partriarke of cōstātinoble named alexādre / & emperour cōstātin / ther was a mescreaūt named arrius / which mesprised certeyn poyntes of the fayth / & many men folowed hym. therfor assembled in the Cyte of Nycene .iij.C.xviij· prelates / And there was disputed ayenst this popelican. And by wytnes of scripture and by thaccord of holy men that were there Arryus was condempned and his myscreaunce / Syth after in the tyme of an another constantyn Emperour whiche was sone vnto ayerne. Assembled another counseyl in the same place / whiche was the / vij / Thenne was a­dryan pope of Rome: And Tareste was patriarke of constantino­ple / there were dampned som mysbyleuyd peple that said / that alle the ymages that were made in holy chirche were ayenst the fayth· And they were false cristen men and vntrewe that suffred them This cyte of Nycene stondeth in a playn. but the montaynes ben nyghe / And it lacked not moche but they be round aboute / The countrey is moche fayr and plentyuoue / the grete forestes ben by a ryuer nyghe the cyte toward the weste moche longe and brode / By that ryuer the shyppes bryng [...] vytaylle and other mar­chandyse· in to the cyte. whan it is a grete wynde· the grete wa­wes smyte sore on the walles· On that other part of the toun ben grete dyches brode and depe. And ful of water of a lake and other ffontaynes· The walles aboute be stronge. hye / thycke / And fulle of grete Tourettys / The Peple within [Page] the toun were fiers and hardy and wel aduysed of armes / And grete plente there were / whan oure men approched it they mer­ueylled moche of the strengthe of the toun

How the puyssaunt Turke Solyman with a grete hoost ad­uysed tyme and houre to assayle and smyte on our peple for to reyse the siege / Capitulo liii^o.

sOlyman of whome I haue spoken to fore whiche was a moche puyssaunt Turke had the seygnorye of this cyte / and of alle the countre aboute· he was moche wyse / hardy and manly of his body· ffro the tyme that he herde of the comynge of our pe­ple / he was garnysshed of his frendes and soldyours for to defen­de his cyte and his londe. An vncle of his named Belphet moche puyssaunt and ryche had late conquerd alle the londe that is fro the braas of seynt george vnto surry / whiche is / xxx / iourneye [...] longe / In that tyme Romanus diogenes was Emperour whiche was to fore alexes / that was deposed / This belphet soudan of perse had gyuen the gretter parte of the londe to solyman his neuew in suche wyse that he had alle the londe fro the cyte of ta [...]e that is in Cylyce vnto the braas of seynt george / Thus this Solyman had his baylles in the town of Constantinoble whiche resseyuyd his passages and custommes of the marchans of the toune and of other. This solyman was withdrawen to the montaynes with as moche peple as he myght haue a .x / myle fro the hoost. And dy­de lye in a wayte and espye how he myght fynde the maner to rey­se the siege / yf he had mocht

How Solyman beyng in the montaynes sente his messagers to them of the toun & of the comfort that he gaf to them. ca^o. liiij^o

oWre peple cam to fore the toun and withoute acorde▪ and without ony ordenaūce began tassaylle in suche wyse that they within myght not yssue / ne they without entre But the grete lake that toucheed the town destroubled / moche ffor they myghte maulgre the Hooste goo and come by the see as ofte as they wolde / Oure Peple had none shippes ne myght not deffende the lake. Certaynly they had besyeged [Page] it wel by londe / Solyman that sawe this cyte thus enuyronned with peple wherof he was wroth & angry / And doubted moche that they of the toun shold be abasshed of the grete multitude. therfor he sente two of his preuy messagers. And commaunded them in his name that they shold entre in to the toun / And saye thyse wordes. I holde you so valyaunt men and of suche prouesse that I byleue certaynly that ye preyse and sette lytil by this pe­ple that ben comen fro so fer contreyes where the sonne goth doun▪ And they be wery. euyl ordeyned and garnysshed. and haue none horses that may endure trauayll / we ben fressh and our horses res­ted in our contre / wherof it is no doubte we be better than they an C / tymes· And that ye maye wel knowe. ffor it is not longe syth that we disconfyted in one day moo than / l.M / Therfor conforte you and mayntene you as noble men. fforto morn to fore the houre of none. ye shal be wthiout faylle delyuerd of them alle / but be ye wel aduertysed & redy that whan we smyte in the hoost / ye opene youre yates and yssue vpon them in suche wyse / that ye thēne be parteyners of the vyctorye of thonour / & of the prouffyt /

How the messagers of Solyman were taken by our men. and by them was knowen the couyne of the sayd solyman· cap^o. lv^o.

tHe messagers of Solyman cam vpon the lake· And arry­ued a lytil ferre fro the toun. And after began tespye and see how they myght entre in to the cyte / Oure peple apperceyued them and ran on them. that one of them was slayn atte takynge / That other was brought a lyue to fore the barons / they made hym to be drawen and payned to saye the trouthe· he confessyd and sayde that Solyman had sente them in to the cyte for to garnysshe them & make them redy / ffor theyr lord on the morn shold come & smyte sodanly in the hoost / the barons byleuyd hym wel. And commaū ­ded hym to be kept / And toke coūseyl emong them how they shold doo· Therle of Tholouse and the bisshop of puy were not yet come vnto the hoost / The barons sente for them hastely for this thynge / They cam and rode alle the nyght. in suche wyse that they cam in to the hoost to fore the sonne rysyng. The baners were displayed / and the trompes sowned. Ther was moche peple / & vnneth myght they be lodged in the places that were kept for them / Thenne So­lyman at the hour of tierce / lyke as he sayd that was taken / cam doun fro the montayn in to the playn. Thenne our peple that wer [...] [Page] wel aduertysed armed them· And dyde do sowne the trompettes· Euery man drewe hym in to his bataylle as it was ordeyned / and moche quyckely were alle sette in ordenaunce

How a grete bataylle of Solyman cam smyte vpon our peple And of thende of the scarmuche· capitulo lvj^o.

oF the hooste of Solyman departed a bataylle fro the other wherin where ·x.M / men on horsbak / And drewe them to­ward the gate right toward the south / Ther was lodged therle of tholouse· And this yate was delyuerd hym to kepe / But So­lyman that the day to fore had espyed that waye and had seen no man there lodged / And wende that no man had ben there ffor he knewe nothynge of the comynge of therle ne his companye / this bataylle smote in emong the peuple that were comen / They recey­ued them moche fiersly with glayues & swerdes / & sore adomma­ged them / And made them to resorte agayn bacward· Solyman that ensiewed made them to retourne with hym and assembled to the peple of the erle of fflaundres / The duc godefroye. buymont [...] and therle of tholouse / aduysed and sawe that ther were so many of the turkes / that the erle of fflaundres myght not suffre alle. And adressyd theyr bataylle to that par [...]e / And smote in emonge them· The m [...]dle was moche harde / and aspre / And many turkes were slayn / Ther was so moche don and so wel that Guy de ge [...] lande [...]eneshal of the kynge of ffraunce. Guy du puysett / Rogier de barneuylle / Thyse bare awey the prys to fore alle ot [...]er. But this bataylle endured wel an houre al hoole In thende the tur [...]kes myght suffre nomore our peple / But were discomfyted and fledde away moche fowly / Our peple folowed them not ferre ffor the montaynes and the wodes were ouer nere in which they fled [...]de / But were of turkes slayn / iiij. thousand / and som ther were a lyue taken / Oure peple had moche grete ioye of this v [...]ctorye / and cam ageyn to theyr siege / and besieged the toun as wel as they myghte for to angre and discourage them within the toun. whiche awayted after socoure· They made to be cas [...]e with engynes to them within the toun grete plente of heedes of the turkes tha [...] had ben slayn in the bataylle / The prisonners a lyue and a thou­sand heedes of the turkes they sente to themperour / He coude them grete thanke and had therof moche io [...]. And sente to them agayne newe yeftes of Iewellys of clothes of sylk and other thynges right largely / And commaunded to the marchauntes [Page] that they shold lede vytaylle ynowe vnto the hooste / and other thynges necessarye

How oure barons were lodged in the sayd siege / of their mayntene / And how euery daye they enforced them tassaylle the toun / Capitulo lvij^o.

mOche thought our barons how this cyte myght be assieged on alle partyes· ffor other wyse them semed they myght not gete it / By comyn coūseyl they lodged them alle / They sette ayenst the sonne rysyng the duc and his two bretheren / Toward byse were lodged buymont and tancre and the other barons that were in theyr companye / The duc of no [...]mandye and the erle of fflaundres lodged by them to ward the south / The erle of tholouse hue le mayne. the bisshop of puy. therle of chartres· and other barons many with alle their peple were so lodged that alle the cyte was enclosed sauf the lake whiche was in the weste / And after sente they hastely in to the forest. And made to come grete plente of tymbre for to make engyns / Alle the carpenters of the hooost and sa­wyers cam forth / of whom was grete nombre· In a lytil whyle reysed they engynes and slynges. And made in therthe wayes and caues couerd for to fylle the dyches and to myne the walles. Ther was grete caste of grete stones at the walles and tourettes / so that in many places the walles were clefte and broken in ma­ny partes [...] ffor to doo thyse thynges / they were wel .vij. wekes There were in this whyle many assaultes and fyghtes ofte to fore the yates / On a day the barons acorded that the toun shold be as­saylled· but this assault endamaged lytil the toune ne them within· But ther were lost two valyaunt men / that one was na­med Bawdwyn handeron a ryche man and a good knyght of berry / That other was of fflaundres named Bawdwyn of gaūt noble and hardy / Thyse two wente so ferre to fore daye. that the one was slayn with a stroke of a stone / And that other with an Arowe / Guyllem Erle of forest / And Galles de lylle. thyse two were hye noble men / and assaylled moche that day. In this tyme deyde of sekenes in the hoost guy de possesse a moche good knyght The hooste were sorouful of the deth of thyse noble men / but euery man hoped that our lord wold gwerdone them perpetuelly in heuen ffor the good seruyse that they deyde in. They were hono­rably buryed / And after entended vnto theyr werke /

How our barons made theyr castellys of tree and approuched the toun· And how they within the toun. brake one of them and slewe them with Inne· Capitulo lviij

oN a day the capytaynes of the hooste were acorded that the castellys that they had made shold be drawen forth and ap­roche the walles / ffor eche of the greet men had commaunded to make an engyne hastely in his parte / The erle herman of duche­lond amd henry dasque that were good knyghtes and enterp [...] ­sers had deuysed a thyng of a grete tronke of an oke and had sette theron / xx / knyghtes alle couerd aboue / And vnder they had men ynough sor to myne the walle / They approuched the castel that it ioyned to the walle / The knyghtes aboue began to deffende them And they vnder persed the walle. The turkes within had dressed the grettest part of theyr engyns to this castel and many strokes had smeton so longe that wyth the strok of a grete stone they bra­ke alle and fylle doun to gydre in suche wyse that neuer one esca­ped aboue ne vnder but alle were deed▪ There was grete sorowe in the hoost / And moche more shold be. ne had not be the grete comforte that they had in our lord / They lefte not herfore but euery man payned hym more and more to greue them with Inne / And ga [...] to them so many assaultes day and nyght / that they lete them [...]a­ue but lytil reste / but one thyng ther was that greued our peple moche / And that was that ther cam euery day in to, the toune fresshe vytaylles and newe men / Armours and artyllery by the lake / And they coude not defende it. wherof they were moche marryd

Of the coūseyl that our men toke for tassiege the toun by wat [...] for to constreyne them not for to entre ne yssue / cap^o. lix^o.

hErof wold our barons haue counseyl how they myght dis­trouble this comyng by water / They assembled and acorded that they wold sende of theyr knyghtes grete plente. wyse men and men a fote and take alle the shippes at the see syde that they coude fynde / and sette them vpon charyottes of the [...]oost and brynge suche as they myght brynge hoole· And the other they shold parte in two pyeces or thre. And also they wold sende to thempe­rour and praye hym that he wold delyuer to them shippes / They that had charge of this w [...]ke cam to the see withoute [...]aryeng and fonde shippes grete plente suche as they had nede of. And by [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] the commaūdement of themperour whiche graūted gladly drewe out of the water ynowgh Thenne coupled they to gydre four car­tes or fyue after that the shyppes were / and sette them theron by force of peple al hole / and with many men drewe them forth with cordes and with trayse of the cartes in one nyght / vij. longe myle or more / Thise shippes were taken of and launched in to the lake moche hastely· ffor many hondes make light werke. And the peple wente therto with a good wylle· They had emonge them many maronners that coude wel shippecraft / And they were sette therin· moche peple offerd them self to entre alle armed / they toke as many as neded and garnysshed wel thyse shippes / Somme shippe had in an honderd / and other / l. or xxx. or xx / after theyr gretenes / in suche wyse that the waye that they had in the lake Oure men hadde taken from them· whan they of the hooste sawe that this waye of the laken was take from them. they had grete Ioye. And hoped that the siege shold not endure / The turkes of the toun whan they apperceyued that oure men had don so grete a werke and so stronge. They fyll in despayre and were abasshed and merueylled of the vygour of our peple that had don this in so short tyme / And thenne were they enclosed on alle sydes and had loste the waye for theyr shippes

How after the Cyte was assyeged by water and by londe· oure men assaylled it / And of a Shotte that Duc Godeffroye dyde. Capitulo / lx^o.

wHan the Barons sawe that theyr shippes were in the lake in suche wyse that no man myght greue them. Anon they dyde do crye that alle men shold arme them and come to thassault And it was acorded that eche of the barons shold assaylle in that parte where he was lodged / they admonested and enforced theyr peple to doo wel / Thassault was more / than euer it had be / There somme threwe out of thengyns grete nombre of stones / Euery man dyde his part· toward the south in the partye that was dely­uerd to therle of tholouse / there was an hye toure more grete than ony of the other / by that tour was the palays In whiche Soly­mans wyf was. Therle had. sette alle his entente for to breke this tour longe tyme / ffor he had doo throwen ther at grete stones / And had not broken one stone of the tour / And by cause he wold not for shame so leue it without takyng of it· And ordeyned gretter [Page] stones alle newe / which began to breke the creuaches of the same tour / & with the strokes of the stones moche powdre cam out of the clyftes / The peple of the hoost apperceyued it / And sawe that­the tour began to falle / they passed the dyche / and brought en­gyns vnto the walles· Ther began they with grete exploit to myne the walle and to perse it· they within caste grete stones vpon the engyns / And with shotte of handbowes and arbalesters they hurted many of them that they sawe discouerd / And by cause they sawe that the closyng of the toure began to faylle / they walled it within forth with stones and chalk· and made a right stronge wall good and thycke / Our men that were atte tour had made an hole in the walle that two men myght wel entre attones frely /

On the walle in the parte where Duc Godeffroye assaylled. ther was a turke stronge grete & hardy which dyde grete dommage to oure men / And hurte many with a strong bowe turquoys that he had / And with a lytil of oure langage that he coude / cessed not to saye euyl and discourage them that assaylled and called them Cowardes· hit happed that duc godeffroye sawe it▪ And auysed hym many tymes and was merueyllously displesyd with hym / And thought how he myght chenysshe to be at his [...]ase / he toke in his hand a arbaleste good and myghty / and helde it bent til the turk cam agayn and abandouned hym / The duc toke his sygh [...] and marke and shotte at hym & smote hym right thurgh the bely that he fyl doun to the groūd fro the walle / The crye and the show­tyng began grete in the hooste and the ioye / The duc had grete ho­nour and many good prayers therfore· the other sarasyns that w [...] re on that other parte of this deffence were moche abasshed and ferd that they deffended them the more cowardly. The other that were in the other partyes of the toun caste fro the tours stones vp­on oure peple that were atte assault and hurte many with cas­tyng. shotyng and throwyng vpon oure engyns pytche / Oyle and grece alle boyllyng / And threwe also brondes and other thynges brennyng moche thycke in suche wyse· that somme they brente· They that assaylled on the partye of therle of tholouse at the tour that I sayd to you to fore. laboured sore for to myne the walle / But one thyng destroubled them sore· what someuer they brak on the day / they within made it agayn in the nyght / in such wise that they were in wylle to leue it / And wrought more slowilythan they dyde byforce· wherfor a moche valyaunt knyght of [Page] the hooste of the Normans cam right theder and admonested the assaylles for to goo forth he passed the dyche tofore with his helme laced / the shelde vpon his heed and brake vygorously the walle where as the turkes had made agayn / But ther was none that folowed hym. And they of the wallys threwe so grete stones on hym and so thycke· that they slewe hym in the presence of the other that were by / And after with hookes and crochettes they drewe the bodye vp to them on the walle / And there disarmed hym / and threwe the bodye to our peple· Thenne our men that we­re there toke the body· and buryed it worshipfully / he was moche bewaylled in thoost of cristen men

How after many assaultes oure men beyng in Counseyl. A [...]mbard cam to them whiche offred to make an engyne that shold destroye the toun. capitulo / lxj^o

tHenne sawe the Barons that they loste moche peple with thassault / And dyde but litil harme with theyr engyns vnto the toun and theyr enemyes / Assembled for to make coun­seyl how they myght doo / There cam a man to them a lombard which had seen the grete hurte & losse of our peple / & sayd to the barons that he was a good maister to make engyns yf he myght haue stuff & maters therto propice & necessary / which with goddes helpe shold in short tyme ouerthrowe the tour where to. they had don so moche payne / and wold make large waye for to entre in to the toun who so wolde / They that herde hym promysed hym that he shold haue alle that shold be nedeful / And yet a good reward and ryche for his laboure / This maister toke werkmen and made them to werke as he commaunded that in short tyme he had made his engyn whiche was merueillously strong and grete / And ioyned it to the walle alle ful of men of armes & footemen / they that were on the walles vpon the tour threwe with grete myght grete stones and fyre brennyng moche thycke / but thengyne was so stronge and rude. that the strokes dyde it no harme / ne the fyer myght not fastne on it whan they of the toun apperceyued that they coude not noye this engyn· they were sore a ferde and discouraged merueyl­lously and alle in despayre· Our men traueylled to theyr power to take oute the grete stones atte fote of the walle of the toure / And vndersetted it with strong stanchons and grete / whan they had so moche myned that them semed that it was ynowgh· They [Page] toke theyr habyllemens and sette them ferre fro the walle / and thenne put fyer on alle sydes vnder the toure & wythdrewe them to their habyllemens and to thengynes alle in saufte whiche were a grete way of. About mydnyght the fyre had soo brente and wrought that this tour fylle doun to therthe with so grete a noy­se and tempeste that it semed that alle therthe trembled / And ther was none but he had grete horrour and feer in his herte / Oure pe­ple made hastely do sowne the trumpettes and crye to armes for to come dilygently to thassault.

How after that this engyn had so wel wrought / The wy [...] of solyman with two of her childeren wente out of the toun and were taken by our men / cap^o. lxij^o.

tHe wyf of Solyman that longe had be in mes [...]ase of drede / had so grete feere that almost she deyde for drede· and sayd she myght no lenger see it ne suffre / and made sodanly make redy a vessel and put it on the lake for [...]escape by nyght / But our [...] peple that were in the shippes for to kepe the water fro theyr en [...]myes cam ayenst her and toke the lady with her two sones that she had with her thenne in her companye· They presented them in the mornyng to fore the barons· They made them to be kept right surely with the other prisonners that they had / The Turkes in the toun were thenne in grete meschief as wel for then [...]e that was so grete and brode / as for their lady that they had loste thēne they axed trewes for to speke to the barons to gyue ouer the toun and them self in to theyr handes. Tacius the greek of whom I haue spoken to fore whiche was moche double and malycious spak to the noble men that had the gouernaunce of the toun in counseyl. And shewd to them that thyse pylgryms were straun [...]gers of ferre countrees and euyl and cruel men [...] And shold doo to them alle the harme they myght· And destroye the peple and the londe: yf they yelded the cyte to them. But and yf they wold ad­uowe and take themperour to theyr lord / And yelde them to hym theyr lyues sauf and theyr goodes in to his hande▪ he shold kepe them well and saufly / and shold doo to them grete good [...] ffor [...]e was theyr neyghbour / So moche sayd he and dyde. that they of the toun toke theyr counseyl & cam to the barons and sayd to them that they wold put in the handes of themperour theyr lyues sauf / theyr bodyes the cyte and theyr godes / This displesyd not moche to [Page] the barons / ffor theyr entencion was for to passe forther / & hoped that themperour wolde departe the gayn / proye and goodes of the toun generally in thoost· neuertheles to fore that they wold graū te them this thynge / they sayde that they shold delyuer entierly and doo come in to the hoost alle the prisonners of pieter theremy­te that were in the castel of counthot / And in lyke wyse alle the other that they had taken in the siege. and them to fore that Soly­man helde. And this don they acorded that they shold yelde them to themperour / Thenne the barons prynces and knyghtes and also the comyn peple sente by one· acorde messagers to thempe­rour for to sygnefye hym how they of the cyte had yelded them to hym / Therfore they sente to hym / that he shold sende of his hye and noble men with grete nombre of peple for to resseyue the toun And the persones of whom they had many / ffor they alle acorded that the honour shold be his· And that the toun shold come in his demayne· And the prisonners at his wylle / They that had enter­prised theyr vowe for taccomplysshe. had purposed for to departe fro this place and to goo forth vnto the lande of surye

How themperour sente grete barons for to receyue the sayd toun after that our peple had acerteyned hym that they wolde yelde it / Capitulo / lxiij

gRete ioye had themperour of thyse tidynges / he taryed not / but sente of his moost priue men as wel barons as knygh­tes with grete quantite of men of armes that resseyued the cyte in his name / And garnysshed it of alle thynge that was nedeful & dyde repayre the walles and alle that was broken of the torettes Alle that euer they founde in the toun of Armures of Rychesses and of vytaylles they seased for themperour / And sente the prison­ners in to Constantinoble / Themperour sente to euerych of the barons special lettres. presented to them grete yeftes / And than­keth them moche of thonour / that they had don to hym / And of this that they so wel kepte theyr promesse / ffor that toun had don grete gryef and anoyaunce to thempyre / The mene peple that moch had trauaylled in the siege and had holpen with grete courage / compleyned sore / ffor they had hoped that alle the hauoyr and goodes of the toun shold haue ben departed emonge them / But themperours men bare it alle away· And they that trauaylled for it were not rewardid / the worde that was moche grete cam [Page] vnto the barons / & they sayd that they had grete wronge / ffor the couenaūtes made bytwene themperour & them were suche that yf they gate in theyr waye ony cytees that had ben to fore thempe­rours. they shold deyluere the cyte & the londe to themperour / but the proyes & gayne shold be d [...]parted in thoost. Ayenst thyse coue­naūtes dyde themperour· but it was not tyme thenne ne place to make argument ne debate ayenst the Grekes. therfor the noble men made the comyn peple to tarye· to thende that they shold not [...]npesshe this pylgremage / thus was suffred that the wyf of soliman & his ij sones & grete plēte of prisoners were ledde in saefte vnto thēperour / which made moch grete feste to the lady & her childeren & as longe as they were in the toun he helde them moche honora­bly / after in short tyme he sente them agayn to solyman alle [...]uyte delyuerd without demandyng of ony raunson. this dyde he to thende to haue the loue and grace of the turkes / in suche wyse that ther was bytwene them a counseyl & acorde to greue our peple / & also for another rayson / that is to wete yf they were in such poynt of another cyte or place that the cristiēs cōstreyned so by force that they shold not be aferd to yelde them frely in the hande of thempe­rour / thus was taken the cyte of nycene the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord a / M / lxxxxvij the xx day of the moneth of Iuyn

How our hooost departed on theyr iourney / & how som depar­ted fro theyr felawship / and how solyman determyned tassayle them / Capitulo lxiiii^o.

tHe hoost of the pylgryms departed by the commaundement of the barons the iij daye to fore thentree of Iuylle fro the place where they had holden siege / they wente two dayes to gydre moche peasybly / & after lodged them by a brygge for the ease of the water / On the morn after theyr customme atte spryngyng of the day they passed the brygge duryng the derknesse of the nyght ffor it was not wel day / Or perauenture they departed wetyngly the one fro the other. ffor. buymont the duc of normandye / Therle steuen of chartres / Tancre and therle of seynt pol torned away on the lyft syde / And descended in to a valeye named Gurgom / And lodged them there aboute none by a ryuer where as was grete plente of water / There rested they al that nyght in peas· But neuertheles they made they [...] hoost chaūge theyr watche diligently / alle the other turned on the right [...]onde alle the day / & went thurgh a fayre Countre / & lodged them in fayre grete medowes [Page] vpon the water syde And that one hoost was fro that other more th [...] two myle Soliman had his herte swollen and was f [...]lly an angred that he had thus lost [...] his wyf with his childeren and his noble cy [...]e / he commaunded to folowe oure peple on the lyfte syde / And dyde grete peyne to see how he myght greue them. he had with hy [...] a moch grete nombre of men of armes on horsbak / his e [...]py [...]s were with the pylgryms whiche toke [...]eode of alle theyr c [...] [...]eyne. they dyde hym to wete / that oure hoost was deuyded in two parties / And that the lasse partye was torned toward the lyfte side ner to hym than that other parte / he was moche glad and Ioieful whan he herde thyse tydynges / he sawe that he was wel in poynt for to venge hym / And had his men al redy and ordey­ned his bataylle to poynt at the day sette / departed for to befygh­te oure men. thus as the spryngynge of the daye began to clere / the men that made the watche this nyght that were withdrawen a lytil fro thoost apperceyued them and cryed to Armes. And blewe hornes and trompettes moche affrayedly / the hoost awook sodenly and our men armed them right hastely / And ordeyned theyr ba­taylles as they had deuysed· The wymmen / s [...]kemen and childeren were ledd a part besyde a water al ful of reed by whiche men myght not come to them. to fore were they closed with cartes and charyottes / wherof they had grete plente· And after sente messa­gers vnto the grete hooste. ffrom whiche they were folyly depar­ted for to praye them that they dylygently wolde come socoure them· ffor they were in moche grete paryll / whan theyr bataylles were thus renged euen right the first day of Iuyll at the houre of pryme / be ye certayn that Solyman with a grete nombre of men of armes estemed at two honderd thousand wel armed to poynt and horsed arryued. ther was not one of them but he was on horsbak. O [...]re peple were but fewe / And the moost part of them on foote / And it was no merueylle though they doubted the comyng of theyr enemyes

Of the bataylle that solyman had ayenst som of our peple that were departed fro theyr felawship folyly / ca^o. lxv^o.

wHan the Hooste of the Turkes smote in on our men. the noyse was moche grete of busynes / of trompes / of men and of horses that none myght be herd / and was grete hyd [...]ur to here the fyrst comyng on of the turkes / They shotte so thy [...] ̄ ­ [...]e vpon our peple that there was neuer rayn ne hayl so like in so moch that ther were many hurte of our peple. whan the first route [Page] had made theyr shot [...]e / The second route cam after where moo Ar­chyers were than to fore / & began shote moche more thycke than may be recounted / Our knyghtes sawe that they loste theyr horses & them self by the shotte· And smote in to the turkes vygorously But the multitude of the turkes were so grete / that our men had grete dammage whiche were but fewe. They that had theyr shel­des & targes they kept them som what But they that were with­out armour muste flee / or ellys they had be slayn emong the hor­ses· And many were slayn and hurte / There were slayn of oure peple as wel of footemen as of horsmen two thousand: Ther was slayn a moche valyaunt yong man noble and hardy whiche had don wel alle that day Guyllam sone to the Marquys. Brother of of Tancre / he was smoton with an arowe and deyde in the place / And another valyant man in like wise named Robert of Paris He deyde by his prowesse / Tancre that was hardy made merueylles of Armes / And abandouned hym self. as he that s [...]t [...]e not by his lyf / Buymont sawe hym / & he brake alle the prees / And cam there as he was / And toke hym by the brydle and brought hym bak / the turkes sawe oure men moche. hurte and trauaylled and toke theyr bowes on the lyft Arme▪ And after ran on them with sw [...]rdes and maces in suche wyse that they ouerthrewe them and put them a bak vnto theyr caryage. There they helde them· And hydde them by the reed and deffended them vygorously and suffred the grete plente of turkes discharge vp on them one route after another

Of the dilygence that Duc Godeffroy made whan he was aduertised herof / And how Solyman was discomfyt & his ba [...]gage taken· Capitulo lxvj^o.

oWr barons godeffroy the noble duc and the other prynces herde thyse tydynges how buymont and his companye were at suche meschyef hasted them sore / ther cam to gydre the duc & his ij bretheren bawdwyn & Eus [...]ace· the erle raymont / hu [...] be mayne and many other barons ynowgh· The peple a fooote / And they that were euyl horsed they lefte for to kepe the lodgys / they wente forth / & wel xl / m / alle armed & wel horsed / whan they approched the place where the batayll was & sawe them so put a ba [...] / & [...]erde thafraye of trōpes & hors / the peple of buymont espyed them anō their herte cam agayn / & were ētierly refresshyd & smote in to their enemyes as they that nothynge doubted / & began to doo well. The [Page] good bisshop of puy was there & comforted ofte the barons & the knyghtes for ta [...]enge the blood of the cristen men whiche thene­myes of our fayth had there shedde· Incontinent the barons that cam smote in to the turkes so vygorusly that it semed that ene [...]ch myght abyde the burthon of the batayle. they slewe so many and [...]ete doun in theyr comynge / that the other durst not abyde· But fledde away discomfyted / the nobles folowed them & chaced them wel iiij / myle sleyng al them that they myght atteyne. & they foū de many of our men prisonners that the turkes ledde with them / whom they delyuerd· after they wente to the tentes of solyman· and there they foūde so grete plente of rychesses / of vytaylles / of sheep of horses & other beestes that it can not be recounted / Robes vayssel & pauyllons of dyuerse colours & of straunge facions in suche wyse that ther was none but he was ryche. ffor ye may well knowe that / ij C.M / men that solyman had / behoued grete plente of lodgys & of other estorementes· our peple cam agayn in to oure tentes with grete ioye & honour· ther were lost wel in that batayll of our men a foete aboute a .iiij.M. & of horsmen but fewe· Of the turkes were founden dede / iij / M. & there were of them many grete men / this batayll endured fro the hour of pryme vnto nygh none / & ofte our peple had the werse. ffor as I haue said solyman had / ij C / M / men alle on horsbak. our peple were but / l· M / on horsbak whan they were alle assembled the one with the other / whan our lord had thus gyuen this victorye to his peple / they rested them in this fayr place where the tentes were / thre / dayes / theyr· horses re­fresshed them right wel in this whyle. of the armures & other gayne that they had conquerd vpon theyr enemyes they arrayed & apparaylled them right wel / that to fore were euyl armed / Moche wel dyde they in this. bataylle & grete honour had they and shal euer haue· & in especial they that here be named / Bawdwyn leborgh / thomas de fedre / regnault de beauuays / Gale de ehamont / gas [...]e de bedyers / & g [...]art de cherysy / thēne was ordeyned & acorded by the barons & cryed in thoost / that no man shold ryde fro thens forth by hym self without leue of the capytayns

How the iiij day after this victorye our peple went forth on their waye / & of the grete mesease of thoost the same day / cap^o. lxvij^o.

Fter this whan they had abyden there thre dayes / the fourth daye folowyng by tymes to fore day they dyde doo sow [...]e theyr trompettes & wente forth on theyr waye / Syth they passed [Page] bythyne / And entred in to the londe that was named piside [...] They trauaylled so long that at the laste they fonde a contre moche drye & infertile without waters / The tyme was moche hoot and bren­nyng as it falleth ofte in Iuyll / They had so grete thurst / that they wyst not what to doo· the peple on fote specially faylled and faynted alle for the duste / for the heete / and for thurste / ther deyed wel this same day of mysease fyue honderd men & wymmen And knowe ye certaynly that ther happed a merueyllous thynge that day in the hoost· that we fynde nowher in none other historye / ffor the wymmen with childe that yet were not come to theyr terme / by thanguyssh of the heete & of the mes [...]ase of thurst that they we­re delyuerd of theyr childeren & childed / & not only the [...]our wymmen / but the ryche also / this was a grete sorow & pyte to see / The men that ought to be more hard & stronge ayenst trauaylle. wente theyr mouthes open / & sought thayer and moysture therof whiche they myght not haue. the heete & also the swote destroyed them / ye shold haue seen the horses and other beestes that myght not goo forth in suche wyse that they muste leue them whiche deyde in the waye / houndes for the chace & huntyng / fowles for the flyght as ffawcons / hawkes / & fperhawkes ye shold haue seen that day abyde & deye· & in lyke wyse the grete stedes & cursours whiche were moost perylloꝰ / becam alle araged & wood for thurst / & with grete payne were ledde forth / whan they had ben long in this mesease / Our lord beheld them in pyte· & made them to adresse in to a valeye where they fonde a rennyng water fayr & grete. thēne ranne oure peple to the brynke or ryuage with grete haste. many ther were that drāk so moch that they deyde vpon the place. ffor som of them that had eschewed the deth / fonde it there by cause they kepte no mesure· & this fylle vnto knyghtes & other men & beestes whiche dranke as moche as they wolde / whan they were escaped this e­uyl aduenture· they cam in to a londe moch fayr and fertile ful of woodes of ryuers of medowes and of good feldes labourable / This was by anthyoche the lasse / whiche is the chyef cyte of the londe of pisside and there lodged they with theyr hoost

How somme of the grete Barons of thoost after to haue ap­prouched Antyoche the lasse departed for to goo vytaylle them Capitulo lxviij^o.

fRo thens departed / som of the barons of thoost & [...]elde their waye by cause it was a greuous thyng to fynde vytaylles [Page] to so moche peple to gydre / The fyrst was Bawdwyn Brother to the duc· with hym was peter therle of scaruay· Reynart therle of [...]oul / Bawdwyn de borgh & guyllebert de montcler / ther wer wel v.C / on horsbak / & ladde with them men a fote largely / The second was tancre / & with hym Rychard du pryncipat· Robert danse & other knyghtes grete nombre that they were / v C / on horsbak & had also many men a foote as the other had theyr entēcion and purpose was to ride about· the thoost in the contre for so seche somme aduenture and vytaylle. & yf they had founde ony paryll / grief. pas. or plente of theyr enemyes that they wold [...]ete thoost haue knowleche therof / they wente strayt theyr waye & passed by syde ij cytees. that one was named lychonie & that other Eraclee· after th [...]y torned on the right honde. and passed toward the see side The duc Godeffroy & the other prynces abode in theyr lodgys for the plesaunt & delytable places that they had foūden by cause they wolde playe & refresshe them of the trauaylles & ānoyes that they had suffred. thenne said they that they wold goo hunte in to the forestes which were nygh to them on alle sydes & were ful of wil­de beestes / On the morn they entred in the woode / eche helde his way at his will· the duc as he wente a path thurgh the foreste herde a man crye / & he drewe thederward / & he sawe a poure man that was goo for to fetche wode for to bere in to the hoost fledde strong­ly cryeng to fore a grete bere / The duc ran vpon hym & drewe his swerd for to delyuere the pour man fro the beeste / thenne the bere adressyd hym vnto the duc and lefte the pour man that fledde fro hym / he hurte the dukes hors so sore that he caste the duc to therthe The duc [...] a foote & drewe oute his swerde· the beeste was no­thyng af [...]rd of hym but made a felonnoꝰ crye horryble & hydous & syth ran vpon the duc. & bote hym right cruelly in the thye. after he adressyd hym right vp & embraced hym with his po [...]es or feet to fore for to haue caste hym to groūde. the duc thus hurt as he was was yet moch strōg & fyl not to theerthe thēne / but caught hym by the skyn about the reck with his lyfte hande for to put away his heed from hym. & with that other hand he put his swerd in to his body thurgh bothe the sydes vnto the crosse and so slewe hym After he wente and sette hym doun on therthe right by / ffor he had so moche bledde of his wounde that he had in his thy [...] and was so merueyllously sore hurte that he myghte not stonde longe on his feet. The poure man whiche he had delyuerd fro deth can hastely in to the hoost / and tolde them this tydynge of the [Page] duc. Alle they that herde it were so effrayed that they ranne with grete haste theder / The barons and alle the other that myght goo they founde hym lyeng on the ground pale and discoloured· and after toke hym in a lyttier and bare hym in to the hoost· But ne­uer man was more demened. ne more sorow made· [...]r noe moo pytyous cryes and lamentacions thurgh alle the lodgyses· As wel ryche as poure / and men as wymmen / Anon were fette alle the maistres and cirurgens for to dychte hym & to hele hym. there were many / ffor euerych of the prynces had of them for to awayte on them in the hoost

Here recounteth thystorye of somme aduentures that thenne fylle in the hoost of cristen men / cap^o. lxix^o

iN this sayson the same tyme it happed that another valyaūt man named Raymont Erle of tholouse laye doun seke of a maladye moche greuous and peryllous / Neuerthel [...]sse the hoost [...] wente forth alwey / Therfor he muste be caryed forth in a lytt [...]er [...] On a day it happed that he was so deteyned of his maledye that certeynly they supposed that he shold deye / They that kep [...]e hym made the littier to be sette doun to the grounde. ffor they sawe hym so feble that they thought certaynly that the sowle shold departe▪ The bisshop of Orenge whiche was a moche holy man and a reli [...]gyous sayd the commendacion for the sowle and the seruyse as of one deyeng sauf syngyng masse· Alle the hoost was ouermoche discomforted / by cause they supposed alle. that anon and sodanly to lese thise two grete men whiche were of moche gre [...]e counseyl and of grete ayde / They made prayers and orysons thurgh alle thoos [...] Where as they songe masses· The ryche and the pour prayde moche humbly and with good herte that our lord wold rendre them hool and sauf / for to so [...]oure and counseyle them as they had nede. The barons departed in charyte largely alm [...]sse vnto the pour peple [...] so moche dyde they one and other that oure lord whiche i [...] ful of pyte herde them and gaf helthe to the two noble men in short tyme in suche wyse that they rood al hool & in good poynt with thooste they passed al pissyde. And after entred in to a lande named lycaone. And cam vnto a Cyte called [...] they founde it alle voyde and nothyng therin / they had grete meseases of vytaylle. ffor the Turkes whiche had herde the tydynges that oure peple cam / trusted in none of theyr fortresses / but voyded them and fledde in to the forestes and montaynes / men wymmen & childeren [Page] horses [...]eestes vytaylle & alle other thyng they caryed with them / They suffred moche disease to passe that contre· They cam in to Eracle [...] / And after cam in to a cyte named Marase / There they lod­ged and soiourned thre dayes / Bawdwyn brother of the Duc that was departed fro the hoost lefte his wyf with his two br [...] ­theren / She deyde there of sekenesse / She was an hye lady of En­glond valyant wyse and good / gutier was her name / She was buryed and entrered moche honorably in the same place / She was moche be waylled in the hoost

How Tancre that was departed fro the hoost assieged Tarse / And toke it by certeyn couenaunt. cap^o. lxx^o.

tAncre whiche was a wyse a man and of grete courage rode thurgh the londe sekyng auenture in suche wyse that he fon­de in his waye a cyte called Tarse. This londe of Scylyce is a coū tre of theryent toward the sonne gooyng doun. In this lande ben two grete cytees· whiche ben Archebisshoprichs that one named Tarse of whiche I said to fore / Therin was born seynt poul thap­postle / That other was named anauazie / And eche of thise two cytees haue other cytees vnder them / Tarse founded one of the childeren of Noe Ionen whiche was sone of Iaphet / the sone of Noe· Neuerthles soūns sayth that perseus founded it / but it maye be wel that one founded it / And that other repayred and amen­ded it / Tancre assieged this cyte and constreyned them within what by menaces and fayr wordes / that they yelded it to hym in a manere / They sette this banere vpon the hyest toure of the toun· And he swar and affermed to kepe them from damage and hurte ne non shold be put out of his hows. ne lese ony thyng that apper­teyned to them vnto the comynge of the grete hoost· And thenne shold they yelde the toun vnto the grete prynces of thoost without ony debate / Thus was it acorded bytwene hym and them of the toun. In this toun were cristen men hermyns and grekes / And in alle the londe about· But the turke helde alle the fortresses that medled with armes / And had the seygnorye vpon this peple / And wold not suffre them of nothyng sauf to occupye and la­boure therthe and for to marchaunte to bye and selle

How Bawdwyn brother of Godeffroy sechyng his auentures sawe tācre & his peple to fore tarse & adressed hym to them / ca / lxxj

[Page]bAwdwyn Brother of the Duc and the peple that he ledd [...] with hym were entred in to a countre moost barayn where they suffred grete peyne for vytaylle. After they cam vpon a montayne where they myght see alle the londe of Scilice / and the cytees vnto the see· They sawe tarse nygh them and the pauyllons And they supposed that they had be turkes / that had assieged the cyte / They descended doun for to knowe what peple they were / And also for tenquere the beyng of the countre about / They that were with tancre in thauaunt garde sawe thyse men of armes ap­prouche And lete theyr lord haue knowleche / Tancre wende cer­taynly that they had be turkes that cam for to socoure them of the toun· and made eche man to arme hym dylygently / and sette them in ordenaunce· And after yssued oute ayenst them / The baners displayed But whan they approuched that one to the other / And knewe eche other by the armes / they opened theyr helmes and embraced eche other and made moche grete ioye. And after cam to the cyte. And thenne bawdwyn was by tancre right wel and honourably lodged· ffor tancre had grete plente of vytaylles of whiche bawdwyn and his peple had grete nede

Of thenuye that bawdwyn & his peple had to see the baner of tancre vpon the walle of the toun / & how tancre departed ca / lxxij^o.

iN the morne whan the sonne was vp and cleer daye baw­dwyn and they that were with hym sawe the baner of tancre vpon the hyest tour of the toun· And had therof moche grete enuye· and began to murmure and speke maliciously of that they that had gretter power. and moo peple and better. & said that they ought to haue the worship of this toun / It is trouthe that vnto this day there / bawdwyn and Tancre had ben lyke two brethe­ren in moche pryue acqueyntaunce and trewe loue / But bawd­wyn by enuye of his herte and by euyl wordes that som of his men made hym to vnderstonde was thus of this thynge meuyd. Tancre whiche was moche wyse attemperat and resonable man vnderstode thise wrodes· And dyde moche payne for tapesse hym And cam in persone to bawdwyn. and shewde hym how to fore that he was comen / ne that noman knewe of his comynge were thyse couenauntes made bytwene hym and them of the toune / And his baner sette vpon the toure· And herin he vnderstode not that he myght haue ony shame ne dishonour. Baudwyn was not [Page] content of thise wordes and he founde somme that attysed hym in his folye / he spak grete wordes ylle and iniuryouses to tancre / in suche wyse / that with lytil more they wolde haue don armed theyr men for to haue destroyed eche other. then̄e sente bawdwyn for them of the toun / And whan they cam he menaced them strongly and saide that they shold throwe doun the baner of Tan­cre to therthe / And sette vp his on the tour: And yf they dyde not they shold wel knowe that he wold destroye them and alle that they had without the toun / and take the toun and caste it to ther­the maulgre alle that tancre myght doo / They of the cyte sawe that tancre myght not waraunte ne deffende them ayenst bawd­wyn made with hym suche couenauntes as they had made to fore with tancre / And sette his baner where as he commaunded / Tan­cre saw the force that was don to hym and was gretely displesyd and had grete yre in his herte / But he couerd his thought wysely And wold not suffre the peple that were comen in this pylgremage for to make warre ayenst thenemyes of the fayth of Ihesu Crist· shold slee eche other for thoccasion of hym. he departed fro this place / ffor he doubted that somme noyse or medle myght sour­de herof. And cam to a cyte nygh by named adane / There myght he not entre / ffor a noble man of burgoyn named gelphes was parted fro thoost with a grete route of men of armes as the other dyde for to seke auentures. and he had taken this cyte by force / And had caste out the turkes / And helde it entierly. Tancre herde that somme of our peple helde it· and sente good messagers to gelphes And prayd hym to opene the yates and suffre his men that they myght goo in to the toun for to bye to them suche as they neded / This Gelphes dyde it debonayrly / And hym self gaf to them largely for nought / ffor he had founde the toun ful of gold and syluer of Robes of beestes / of whete / of wyne / of oyle / and of alle good that a man had nede of /

How a lytil after tancre cam to the cyte of anamystre whiche the turkes helde it and toke it by assault / cap^o. lxxiij^o.

tAncre on the morn toke leue of his hooste· And toke his way with his peple / And rode so fer that he cam to a Cyte named anamystre / This was one of the beste cytees of that londe / It was fayr / and moche delytable. Tancre cam theder and knewe certeynly that the turkes helde it / he assieged it al aboute. And fro [Page] the tyme that he cam he assaylled the toun. thus he dyde the first the second and the thirde day / so many assaultes he made to them and hurted them of the toun that they were strongly greuyd and abasshed· they without toke the toun and entred vnder the walles And thus was the toun taken by force / And alle them that he fonde therin of hethen peple he put to deth without mercy· The tou­ne was ful of rychesses and alle maner of vytaylles were grete plente· Tancre departed al the gayn and the goodes of the toun to his men as he that wel knewe how that he shold doo / and to eche man after that he was / in suche wyse that alle his men were ryche They refresshed them moche wel and theyr beestes of the mesease that they had suffred in theyr waye· They soiourned there a grete whyle with moche grete deduyt

How bawdwyn entred in Tarse· And how / .iij.C of our pyl­gryms were slayn of the turkes to fore the same toun· ca ^olxxiiij

bAudwyn sawe / that Tancre was departed fro tarse· And sente for them of the toun and sayde to them that they shold lete them entre in to the toun· ffor hym thought shame to lye long and abyde there ydle without doyng ony thyng tyl the comynge of the grete hoost / They sawe and aduysed wel that they had not power ynough to resiste them. and thought yf they lete them not entre with theyr agreement / that they wold entre ayenst theyr wylle & without force thēne they opened their gates & wold that bawdwyn shold haue two toures where he shold lodge & other of thoste in the howses in the toun alle peasibly / the turkes that had the seygnorye of the toun helde yet the other towres in theyr puis­saunce / they had in moche grete doubte and suspection bawdwyn and his men that were lodged in the toun / And they thought that they shold haue no socours / And aboue this they had moche grete drede of the grete hoost that shortly shold arryue there / and sought emonge them the moyens and maner / How they myght yssue oute of the toun and lede with them theyr wyues and childeren with theyr pryncipal bageus and Iewellys / It happed that this same nyght thre honderd men afore that were departed fro Buymont for to folowe tancre arryued alle to fore this Cyte of Tarse where they thought to fynde hym / whan bawdwyn knewe what peple they were / and that they wente in thayde of tancre / be wold not suffre them to entre in to the toun They were wery and [Page] trauaylled and prayd hym moche swetly and cryed hym mercy many tymes that for the loue of god he wold doo so moche that they myght this nyght be lodged in the toun / ffor they wold nothyng but good· herof the fotemen of this companye prayd hym in lyke wise / But he wold in nowyse here them / Neuertheles by cause they without had mesease / the mene peple in the toun aualed doun with cordes breed ynough and wyn in barellys and other vytaylles· with whiche they myght wel passe this nyght / whan our peple were a slepe in the toun· And they without began theyr first sleep it happed that the turkes that were within the toures / opened the yates of whiche they had the keyes secretely withoute noyse & ledde out their wyues theyr childeren & alle their thynges And alle the hethen men of the toun thought they were not sure with theyr ghestes and yssued out of alle the toun whan theyr wyues and childeren were withdrawen a lytil fro the toun / they wolde leue tokenes cruell and ylle of theyr departyng / they cam vnto the thre honderd pylgrims that laye withoute gate & slepte strongly as they that doubted of nothyng / And put them alle to deth and slewe them / yf ony of them escaped he was happy

How the peple of bawdwyn knewe the departyng of the tur­kes and of the slaughter of the cristen men· cap^o. lxxv^o.

oN the morne erly whan oure men awoke in the toun they sawe the toures where the turkes had be lodged open and the howses voyde / They knewe wel that they were fledde. They ser­ched the walles and yates for to enquyre how they were goon. they wente so ferre that they fonde this grete occis [...]on and slaugh­ter at the gate. Thenne began a sorow and a moche grete crye in the toun / Alle men put the blame and culpe on Bawdwyn and hys knygtes. ffor they wold auenge the deth of theyr bretheren whom the sarasyns had so shamely and vylaynously slayn. By cause that the knyghtes of bawdwyn and also he hym self wold not suffre them to come in to the toun· And in dede the men of foote sayd this was don by grete oultrage & grete falshede· And yf they had not lyghtly withdrawen them in to the toures / they had smy­ten them alle to deth / The knyghtes helde them alle stylle tyl that the footemen were cooled / and after sente messagers whiche spak to them and requyre them to forbere so long / tyl that Bawdwyn [Page] had spoken to them / they were content to here Bawdwyn speke. Bawdwyn excused hym to fore a [...]e / and swar and affermed. that for none other thynge thentre was deffended them. but for that he had sworn to them of the toun / that by hym shold none entre tyl the grete hooste cam / By thyse wordes and by cause other entermeted to make the peas and spoken debonayrly to the mene peple / was bawdwyn acorded to the foote man and his knyghtes also. In this toun they soiourned and abode a certayn whyle / vntyl a mornyng / they sawe in the see nygh them a shippe aboute in myle fro them / They yssued oute of the toun and descended to the see / they that were in the ship approched to them in such wyse that they spak to gydre / they of the ship sayde that they were cristen men. they demaunded of what contre. and they answerd of fflaundres / of holande / and of ffryselande / And trouth it was they had be escumours of the see and robbers the space of viij yere· Now they repented them / And by penaunce cam in pylgremage to / Iherusalem / they desyred them to come a londe / And they cam and made to gydre grete ioye / they had a maister ouer them named guynemer. And was born of boloyne vpon the see in the londe of Erle Eustace fader of the said duc Godeffroy / whan [...]e herde that Bawdwyn the sone of his lord was there· [...]e lefte his ship And said he wold goo with hym to Iherusalem / be was moche ryche of this euyl gayne. And had many men with hym that be ladde in his ship / thenne Bawdwyn lefte / v· C men of armes for to kepe the toun wel in poynt. And after he toke his waye for to seke somme auentures as he dyde to fore / [...]e helde the right way al he cam to the cyte of anamyster· whiche tancre had goten by force of armes vpon the turkes as I haue sayd you to fore / Bawd­wyn thought wel that he wold not lete hym entre in to the cyte▪ And therfor he lodged hym in th [...] gardyns about / Tancre knowe that bawdwyn whiche loued hym not was so nygh hym / And [...]e had not forgoten the wronge and the oultrage that bawdwyn had don to hym. Thenne he dyde do arme his men· and sayde that thenne was tyme for to venge hym / ffor he was nygh [...]is retrayt· & bawdwyn was for fro his. They sente Archiers to fore in grete nombre for to hurte and slee theyr horses whiche they had sente in to the pastures. Tancre had with hym fyue honderd men of armes in good poynt and wel horsed. And smote in sodanly in to the peple of bawdwyn whiche were not aduysed of them / they slewe many and moo they hurted / the men of bawdwyn ran hastely to [Page] arme them & cam & fought with them that ran by the tentes / ther [...] began a bataylle bytwene them moche grete and fiers / but it [...]n­dured not [...]nge / ffor tancre had not so grete plente of peple that myght endure ayenst the m [...]n of bawdwyn· therfor they wold withdrawe them in to theyr toun / but theyr enemyes enchassed them strongly so moche that they muste flee / there was a brygge ouer a water bytwene the hooste and the cyte / the peple of tancre entred so thyck that many were lost and slayn vpon the brygge and drowned in the water / whan they were put in to the toune agayn they were moche angry in theyr herte / and wold take more peple and returne agayn. but the nyght cam that destroubbed it / In this scarmuche was taken Rychard le pryncipat cosyn ger­mayn of tancre and robert danse both two were noble men· by their counseyl and atysement tancre had ronne vpon Bawdwyn· Of that other syde was taken a moche noble man named Gylbert de Mountcler· they were moche angry on that one syde and on that other for them that they had loste. ffor they doubted that they had ben slayn or drowned / whan it cam on the morn and theyr hertes a lytil aswaged / they sente messagers eche to other / And knewe certaynly that thyse men that were taken lyued of whom they dredde that had ben deed· and good men wente byt we­ne / And medled for to speke of pees in suche wyse that they cam agayn to entier concordaunce and parfyght loue by the / grace of the holy ghoost that adressyd theyr hertes / They amended theyr trespaas eche to other / And kyssed to gydre as frendes in good fayth /

How the sayd Bawdwyn retorned to the grete hooste / And how Tancre mayntenyd hym moche wel in conqueryng contrees Capitulo lxxvj^o.

bAwdwyn had counseyl whan he was come to Maraze as I haue recompted that he shold goo no ferther forth / But retorned in to thoos [...] of the barons / By cause he herd saye how the duc his brother had be hurte peryllously / And wold see and kno­we of his estate and how he ferde / theyr counseyl was that tancre shold goo forth. Bawdwyn lefte with hym guy neuers / And them that were in his companye comen fro the shippe / They passed alle syly [...]e and bete doun alle the forestes of the hethen men that they myght fynde. they brente the townes and slewe theyr ene­myes· And after cam vnto a Cyte called Alexandrye the lasse [Page] that they toke by force. and conquerd al the c [...]ntre about· The her­myns and turkes that dwellyd in the montaynes of this contre herde tydynges that Tancre and his men were so valyaunt and so myghty that nothyng myght holde ayens [...] them / And sore dredde that lyke as he conquerd the playne· he wold come vpon them in the montaynes / And destroye the londe entierly and the peple· ffor tappease his courage they sente ta hym good and certeyn mes­sagers· whiche brought to hym grete yeftes. as gold / syluer / pre­cious stones / clothes of sylk / horses / and mubett [...]s / they sente hym moche largely / ffor whiche cause Tancre lefte them in peas· Thus dyde he wel his honoure and his pronffyt in alle places that he went by / in suche wyse that it semed wel to euery man / that oure lord god adressyd his way and mayntened his w [...]rkes vertuosly

How bawdwyn conquerd a grete contre vpon the turkes by the counseyl of a knyght bermyn named panc [...]ace / ca^o. lxxvij^o

nOw ye haue herd how Tancre nayntened hym in sylyce / the grete hoost that folowed hym cam vnto marase / Bawdwyn that had seen his brother the duc hool and sound had herd agayne tydynges of Tancre how he dyde by the contre where he wente [...]e had moch grete desire to gadre to gydre peple & goo serche the cōtre lyke as he dyde to fore / But he had lost moche the good wyl and grace of thoost. ffor they of thoost had herd tolde thoultrage that [...]e had don to tancre and to his men. And therfore many doub [...]ed for to entreprise the way with hym / Buymont and his men also had not lyghtly suffred this thyng vn auengyd ne [...]ad it ben for the loue of the duc his brother / Therfor bawdwyn founde but [...]e­we felawes that wold goo with hym / Godeffroy the duc which [...] was a moc [...]e wyseman / and of good wyll / blamed and rep [...]e [...]yd moche his brother of this werke / he brought hym herto that [...]e knowleched his folye to fore alle the peple. & sayde that be had ma­de amēdes to tancre / after his will & yet wolde amende it vnto his playsyr / & swar that he had doon it more by the counseyl and aty­ [...]ement of other / than of hym self· By thyse wordes [...]e appeasyd the hertes of many men· ffor be was a moche valyaunt man and moch curt [...]ys / & neuer was per [...]yued in hym vylō [...]e he had an her myne with hym moche pryue named pan [...]ra [...]e he was right wyse and an hardy knyght. But he was ouermoche trycherous and [Page] vntrewe he was escaped oute of the prison of themperour of con­stantynoble. And cam in to the hoost at nycene / where he acqueyn­ted hym with bawdwyn And he prayd hym and admonested that he shold take men and goo in to a countre where he shold lede hym to / whiche was moche plentyuous and ful of goodes / And yf he wold goo / he shold conquere it lightly / so ofte he said to hym herof that he began to take his way and departed with two hon­derd knyghtes and other men of armes ynough and feotemen grete nombre / They folowed pancrace alle / whiche brought them to ward byse in a moch ryche lond / they that dwellyd in this londe were alle cristen men sauf a fewe turkes whiche helde the fortres­ses / they were lordes of the contre / and suffred not the cristen men shold meddle with ony armes in no wyse / whan they that were of oure fayth sawe bawdwyn and his men· they were glad and ioyeful / ffor they loued not the turkes· they delyuerd ouer the contre where they had puyssaunce / in suche wyse that in a short tyme that he had conquerd alle the londe vnto the flood eufrates: Baw­wyn was moch drad & doubted thurgh alle the contre ther about in such wyse that for drede / they lefte hym alle the fortresses wel garnysshed· and toke them without debate / the cristen men whiche had receyued hym in to his londe / bycam so fiers and hardy / that they hunted alle the hethen men out of the contre. ther were somme barons of the contre that seruyd bawdwyn with alle theyr puys­saunce / and heelpe hym to brynge alle thyng to his wylle /

How they of rages sente theyr messagers to bawdwyn pra­yeng hym that he wold come to them· cap^o. lxxviij^o.

tHe renōme of this grete man of whom his prowesse & wyt­te spredde oueral cam vnto the cytezeyns of rages. hopyng by hym to be delyuerid of the seruage in whiche they had ben long. The grettest men that had the gouernaunce of the toun sente cer­tayn Messagers to Bawdwyn and prayd hym for the loue of God for his honoure and prouffyt that he wold come vnto theyr cyte whiche was named rages / as is founden in the byble / Thether sente thobye his sone yong Thobye for to demaunde the moneye that Gable his cosyn ought hym / and on the way wed­ded sara his wyf / the Cytezeyns of this cyte receyued cristen fayth anon after the deth of oure lord Ihesu criste / by the prechyng of seynt Iude appostle brother of seynt Symon / as it is foūde wre [...]on [Page] the book of Eusebee of ce [...]aire / they helde yet fermly this lawe that tyme / but the turkes that were about them constreyned them so moch that they made them paye greuous and grete tributes euery yere in so moche / whan tyme cam for to gadre theyr fruytes· of theyr vynes and other / they raunsouned them and muste paye at theyr wylle / or ellys they wolde destroye alle / Neuertheles in the toun durst noman dwelle but he byleuyd in Ihesu criste· ffor this only toun was holden hool and entierly in the fayth· the hethen peple had conquerd the other townes / and therfor they greued moche the cristen peple of this toun / ne wold not suffre them yssue out of the toun for to doo theyr nedes. ffor on alle sydes of them was the puyssaunce of the turkes / In this toun had the seygno­rye a greek that was moche oold / and had no childeren he had ben there syth the tyme that this londe was vnder themperour of Constantynoble· ffor he was sente thyder by themperour fro to be baylly· And whan the turkes toke alle the countrey / be depar­ted not thens· but abode alwey in his baylliage / Neuertheles [...]e was that made neyther hoot ne cold / ne kept not the peple / but at theyr wyll / whan the Cytezeyns were acorded for to sende for bawdwyn he knewe it wel and was content / whan Bawdwyn herde that they of rages had sente for hym by comyn coūseyl & a [...]corde / he toke coūseyl with his men & fonde by his counseyl for to goo theder· he ordeyned lxxx horsmē without moo for to goo with hym / he passed the ryuer of eufrates / & lefte the remenaunt of his peple in the fortresses that he had cōquerd in the cōtre to kepe them surely / the turkes that dwellyd in this lāde knewe the tydynges how bawdwyn shold come to rages with a fewe men· & made an embusshement by the waye where he shold passe / & sette there grete plente of men of armes / thyse tydynges wer sayde to bawdwyn & therfor he torned to a castel by whiche an hermyn helde / be recey­ued hym gladly & al his men moch honorably & was lodged there ij dayes / the turkes that were en [...]oyed to be so long so embusshed· yssued out and cam with baners displayed to fore the castel where bawdwyn was Inne / none yssued out for ther were ouer many men / The proye that they founde in the pas [...]ures / they brought alle with them· And after torned in to theyr countrey / On the thirde daye Bawdwyn yssued out and toke his waye and cam to Rages / The duc of the toun that was a greek as I haue said to fore cam ayenst hym. And alle the other on horsbak & a foote with trompes and busyn [...]e / The peple of the toun receyued hym [Page] with procession the moost honorably they myght· euerych peyned hym to make hym feste after his puyssaunce

How the duc that was at rages varyed for to holde this that he had promysed to Bawdwyn / capitulo lxxix^o.

gRete suspection had the duc in his herte whan he sawe this Ioye that alle made to Bawdwyn· thenne by enuye he be­gan to fynde occasions by whiche he myght / parte fro the couenaū ­tes suche as he had sente whiche were suche / Bawdwyn shold ha­ue half the Rentes of alle the Cyte and of alle thexploytes / as long as the duc lyued / After his deth whiche was olde he shold haue alle the seygnorye entierly and hool· Now the duc wold not holde this / But sayde that yf bawdwyn wold deffende the cy­te fro the strengthe of the turkes and fro theyr / gryeues that they made in the countre he wold gyue to hym and his men resonable souldye and good wages / whan Bawdwyn herd this that he was come theder for to be a souldyour / he had moche grete desday­ne. and sayd that he wold not abyde there so / but wold ordeyn [...] for hym & his men for to retorne / the Cytezeyns of the toun sawe that this thyng wente not wel / And cam to the duc / and shewde hym that grete euyl & peryll shold folowe yf he lete this noble mā departe / ffor by thayde of hym they and alle theyr thynges shold be kept in peas and deffended / and they shold be in grete franchys [...] The duc sawe wel by thyse wordes that he shold do folye / yf he sette hym ayenst them of the toun / therfore he couerd his herte for that tyme / not withstondyng he considered many thynges and thought / But sayde that he wold acorde therto / and made sem­blaunt that he dyde it with good wille in the presence of alle them of the toun. and auowed bawdwyn to his sone / and graunted hym the half of alle that he had and shold haue his lyf duryng / And after his decees to haue alle as his heyr / Grete ioye had they in the cyte whan this was made / And had moost ferme hope for to recounte the franchyse of the trubutes that the turkes had charged them / with. ffro that day forth they began to remem­bre in theyr hertes the wronges and gryefs that theyr duc had don to them in tyme passed / And thought moche that yf tyme and place cam to poynt / they wold suffre it no lenger / But thought how they myght auenge this that they had suffred alle the tyme that he had be duc

How Bawdwyn wente to assaylle famosette the cyte nyghe to Rages / Capitulo lxxx^o.

a Cyte was there nyghe by / moche stronge and wel garnys­shed named famosette. An vntrew turke named blanduc was lord therof / he was a trychour / but he was noble and har­dy in armes / This sarasyn had don moche harme to the cytezeyns of Rages he sette on them trybutes and dyuerse demaundes ofte as they had ben his bondemen / And for to haue thyse thynges be had good ostages. he helde theyr childeren so fowle as they had ben in seruage. he made them to bere donge and fylthe and d [...]s fowle werkes / herof they of rages were moche greuyd. They cam to fore bawdwyn. and kneled to hym at his feet and prayd hym with ioyned handes right humbly wepyng grete teres / that he wold delyuer them fro this turk forsayd in suche wyse that they myght recouure theyr childeren / whom he helde so shamefully Bawdwyn wold fayne doo theyr request [...] after theyr desire at this theyr first requeste / And to gete theyr loue and thanke he dyde do arme hym and alle them that he myght haue / And yssued with them out of the toun / And cam to fore famosete / And assaylled the toun moche vygorously / But they within deffended them as men wel garnysshed and in a strong place / whan Bawdwyn had ben there I wote not how many dayes and sawe [...] coude not lightly be taken. he lefte in a fortresse nyghe by. [...] knyghtes / and put in it garnyson of men of armes and vytaylles And commanded them that euery day they shold renne to fore the toun of famosete· And suffre to yssue of the toun neyther man ne beste· and after he cam agayn to rages / the Cytezeyns of the toun sawe wel that bawdwyn was a moche curtoys man wyse [...] noble and valyaunt in alle his thynges / And had despyte and gre [...]e desdayne that this old duc whiche was nought worth· and that had don to them moche sorowe / and was not his felaw but his lord in the toun / therfor they toke counseyl emonge them [...] & sente for a puyssaunt man whiche had many fortresses by them in the montaynes named constantyn & acorded alle to gydre for to slee their duc & wold make bawdwyn duc & lord vpon them· ffor they moch hated this old man that without fayll had greued them lōg tyme in many maners / for he toke fro them gold & sylu· & all that plesyd hym in the toun· & ther was none so hardy that durs [...] withstāde hym ne displese hym ffor yf they dide anō by the turkes with whom he was acqueynted made them to destroye theyr vygnes [Page] and fruytes and brenne theyr whete and corne / and lede away theyr beestes / And yf ony of them went out of the toun they had fere for to lese theyr heedes /

How they of the toun of rages slewe theyr duc· and chees bawdwyn for to be theyr lord / cap^o. lxxxj^o.

tHey had not forgeten the wronges and Iniuryes that they had suffred of theyr duc / they hoped al that yf he were deed / thad bawdwyn shold deffende them better than he· Therfore they wente al armed as it was enterprised vnto a tour where as he laye. And began strongly tassayle it and enuyronned round about / The duc sawe that the peple was so sore meuyd and angry on hym / And called bawdwyn and prayd hym to take of his tresour as moche as he wolde and repease the peple / Bawdwyn cam emong them and trauaylled moche by prayers and menaces for to haue supposed to haue repeased them / but he myght doo nothyng ffor alway ther cam moo and more in suche wyse that the compa­nye encreced / Bawdwyn departed thens fro them and spak to the Duc and said that he shold take to hym suche counseyl / that he myght eschewe the furye of the peple / ffor he myght not remedye it· thenne the duc as a man despayred bonde a corde to a wyndowe and descended doun therby / But whan they apperceyued he was thurgh smeton with arowes er he myght come to therthe· Thenne they toke hym al deed / And drewe hym thurgh the toun / And after smote of his heed / And coude not doo ynowgh to satisfie theyr crueltees. On the morn they toke bawdwyn by force ayenst his will in deffendyng hym self / and lyft hym vp as theyr kyng and lorde / They made to hym oth of feaulte / And after delyuerd to hym the grete fortresse of the toun / And gaf to hym at his will Rychesses and moche grete tresours that the grekes had assembled by long tyme / Thus was the cyte of Rages delyuerd withoute contradiction to bawdwyn / Banduc that was lord of ffamosete / sawe how Bawdwyn conquerd alwey the londes and contrees and encreced his puyssaunce / And sente to hym messagers whiche lete hym wete how that his Cyte was moche stronge / and myght not lightly be wonne but he wold selle it hym yf he wold gyue hym .x / M / besauntes / Bawdwyn aduysed hym herupon / & by counseyl acorded to bye it and payd to hym that sōme & recey­ued the toun entierly / & Banduc rendred thostages that he had holden alle thenne / And thus he conquerd the hertes and loue [Page] of them of the toun / that they called hym theyr fader / And they dyde alle that plesyd hym to theyr power and redy tobeye hym to the deth·

How bawdwyn wente and assieged the toun of serorge nygh to rages and tokeit / And of his ordenaunces· cap^o. lxxxij^o.

iN this londe was a Cyte named serorge wherin dwellyd none other peple sauf hethen men / The lord of the toun was named bal̄ak. the turkes that were therin dyde many traueyls and vylaynous oultrages / so many that they prayde bawdwyn theyr lord for the loue of god / and for thaffection that he had to them / that he wold take counseyl and sette a remedye of this thyng / he answerd curtoysly / And sayde that he wold doo it glad­ly. thenne he commaunded that euery man shold arme hym dyly­gently / And whan they were redy / they shold yssue out of rages and goo strayt for to assiege the cyte of sororge / Thenne dress [...]d they theyr engyns and began to leye the siege / And brak the wal­les ond torettes· The Turkes that were within the toun w [...]r [...] moch abasshed· ffor they thought wel that bawdwyn ne his peple wold not leghtly departe fro the siege / ne they vnderstode of no socours fro noo syde / wherfore they sente theyr messagers to bawdwyn / And so entreted that theyr lyues saued· they wolde yelde the toun to hym. Bawdwyn receyued the toun / And put in the grettest fortresse one his bayly that shold doo his commaūdemen [...] in that countrey / And ordeyned a moche grete tribute on them of the toun and lefte hem therin / ffor he had not other peple ynough for to people the toun yf they wente theyr waye / By the p [...]se of this cyte was alle the way delyuerd of the hethen fro [...]ages vnto anthyoche / ffor to fore myght none· goo vnto the ryuer of [...]ufrates for the peple of sororge / Thus cam Bawdwyn to grete honour and to moche ioyous feste in the cyte of rages / Now we shal leue to speke of Bawdwyn / And shal speke now of the grete hoost [...] that cam be hynde after

How the grete hoost cam to fore mares [...]. And how the turkes that were within fledde. And how our peple payned them to con­quere countrees / capitulo lxxxiij^o.

tHe duc godeffroy & the grete plente of the barons & knyghtes and noble men and other with them they passed moche [Page] greuous wayes and were comen by valeyes and montayn [...]s vnto a Cyte named Marefe· this is not that toun that I sp [...]k of [...] fore ffor that is named Maraze / This cyte named Marese was enha­byted with Cristen men· Neuerthelesse the Turkes helde the for­tresses. And had the seignorye of the toun· And euyl entreted the cristen peple. thyse hethen peple herd of the comyng of our peple & fledde by nyght for fere of them / And ther abode none of the toun sauf they of oure fayth / whan the hooste approuched· the barons knewe the trouth of this toun. Thenne they deffended generally that none shold doo no harme to them of the toune ne to theyr thynges / They lodged them in a moche fayre place and delyta­ble / And had vytaylles ynough and good cheep. They of the countre lete the barons of thooste haue knowleche / that ther fast by / was a ryche Cyte and ful of goodes. named Artaysse / And dwellyd in the fortresses of the toun none other but hethen men. The prynces toke counseyl herupon / And sente Robert the Erle of fflaundres theder / he toke with hym Robert de Rosoye And Gossolyn the sone of aconon de montagu / they were wel a thou­sand men of armes whan they cam to fore the toun / Anon they assieged it· The turkes that were within trusted not the wal­les of the toun / And wold haue withdrawen them to the gretter fortresses of the toun· But the hermyns and the other men of our fayth / to whom the turkes had don lōg tyme grete shames & moch harme in the toun / whan they sawe oure men· they had grete affy­ance and truste in them / And toke vnto them moche grete hardy­nesse / And ranne to armes / and er the turkes myght withdrawe them in to the fotresses and toures / they slewe them / and threwe their heedes ouer the walles to our men / & aftir opened the gates & receyued them in to the toun with grete ioye. & therin they fonde al that they had nede of / ffor the cyte was merueyllously ryche· ffro thens vnto Anthyoche was but xv myle / this cyte of whiche I speke is vnder the patriarke of anthyoche / & for fere of oure peple were the moost parties of the turkes fledde in to anthyoche. whan they herd saye that artayse was thus taken / & they had slayn them that were lordes. they toke coūseyl emonge them for to aduyse how they myght hurte thoost· they choos out / x m / to whom they comāded [...]accōplysshe this thyng / they wente f [...]rth / & whan they approched thoost / they put them all in a busshemēt sauf / xxx. wel horsed and [...]ghtly armed whom they sente forth for to drawe men fro thoost they approched so nygh / that the hooste of the toun sawe them / ffor [Page] they made semblaūt for to take fourriers and the horses nyghe them / oure peple ran to armes / & began to folowe so ferr that they fought to gydre folyly vpon theyr watche / they sprange out and wold haue ronne bytwene them and the toun for tenclose them in· but our men assembled them and ran to gydre / and cam deffen­dyng them / vntyl they cam into the toun in suche wyse that they loste noman / The turkes sawe wel that they myght not recouure the toun and began to assiege it / ffor they had peple ynowgh and after began tassayle it· they within deffended them wel that they without loste more than wan· whan the turkes sawe that the grete hoost made them redy and approuche / And that they [...] not. they toke counseyl / and retorned in to anthioche / But the brygge that was bytwene they garnysshed moche wel▪ [...] Erle of fflaundres and the other that were wich hym [...] tayse went not out but kept the toun / but that day a maladre toke goselyn the sone of aconon of montagu a yong man curto [...]s and moche valyaunt. he deyde of that maladye / And was [...] that toun with moche worship and grete lamentacion

How it was commaunded vnto alle the barons to come [...] thoost for to goo vn to anthyoche and of som recountres that [...] had in the waye / cap^o. lxxx [...] ^o.

wHan the turkes that were come fro anthyoche for to re [...]o [...] ure artayse w [...]re departed from thens / at the spryngyng of the day / tydynges cam that the grete hooste was lodged nygh by ffor they had herd saye / how therle of fflaundres was besieged And therfor by comyn counseyl they had sente xv / C horsmen to fore to socoure them yf they had nede. They commanded them that yf the siege were departed / they shold leue peple resonably to ke [...]e the toun / And shold saye to therle of fflaundres and to them that were with hym that they shold come agayn in to the hoost. Tancr [...] whiche had conquerd alle sylyce had in commaundement to come agayn / and he retorned and alle the other also that were departed fro the hooste generally were comen agayne [...] sauf Bawdwyn whiche abode aboute Rages where he did wel his thynges whan the hoost was thus coūseylled & ordeyned they dyde do crye thurgh out al thoost that noman shold departe without leue· Thenne to­ke they al theyr way for to goo strayt vnto Anthyoche / they [...]erd [Page] wel saye that ther ran a water whiche they muste passe. But the brygge vpon this water was moche wel garnysshed of theyr enemyes· to thende thenne that the hoost shold not be destroubled for to passe whan they shold arryue there / by comyn counseyl of them alle Robert the duc of normandye shold goo to fore for to knowe yf he myght delyuere the passage / and to sende worde to the ba­rons what he founde· with hym wente euerard du puysant and Rogyer de barneuylle thyse two he made conestables of his hooste and had thauaunt garde / ffor they were bothe moche cheualrous and proued in armes· thus departed they fro the hooste and cam to the brygge / the brygge was lyft vp whiche is named esencla­ues / And in scripture Orontes / Also it is called in the contre helle The brygge was moche strong / And had at thentre on this syde two hye towres and stronge / In euery tour were .l / men of Ar­mes for to deffende with bowes and arabalestres the entree of the brygge and the passage of the water. On that other syde toward antyoche were comen seuen honderd horsmen for to kepe that syde of the water to ward them / this ryuer of helle renneth on the sy­de of Antyoche· And cometh by another cyte named cesaire / But it sourdeth by another cyte named Eliopee· And is called mallec and descendeth in to the see by there as I haue sayd / whan our peple were comen to this brygge / thentre was wel denyed them. ffor grete plente of turkes were descended doun to the bariers / The other toures rested not to caste stones and shote so sore that it was a moche grete scarmuche and fiers· they fought so moche to gydre that tydynges cam in to the hoost which alwey meuyd. and was thenne not fer fro the brygge. they auaunced theyr paas and sowned trompes and busynes / and smote on them that held ayenst them the paas / they that were in the toures durst holde them no lenger there for fere of the grete peple that they sawe come with the grete hoost / ffor they thought they shold not be there sure. The other also descended / And were put alle to flyght / in suche wyse that oure men toke the brydge / the other knyghtes of oure peple that myght not come to the baryers for the preee whilis the scar­muche was. were moche anguysshous and descended doun· where as there was a place to passe whiche they of the contre knewe not of. And passed ouer and discomfyted the seuen honderd sarasyns that kepte the bancke / So moche dyde one and other that alle the hoost passed delyuerly ouer. And caryage after / they lodged them in a moche / fayr place a / vj / myle fro the toun / On the morn they [Page] approched alle the grete waye bytwene the montaynes and the ryuer. in suche wyse that they lodged but a myle fro the cyte

How Antyoche by succession of tyme had dyuerse names and of the noblesse of auncyente / cap^o. lxxxv^o.

aNthyoche is a moche noble cyte / which conteyneth the third place emong the patriarkes after the chirche of Rome· This cyte was named somtyme Esencianes / after that the wrytynges witnesse / Nabugodonosor kynge of babylone brought sedechyas kyng of Iherusalem theder whan he had taken hym / And slewe his sones to fore hym / And after put out his eyen as is founden in the fourth book of kynges. whan Alysaundre kyng of macedo­ne was deed Anthyochus had this part of the londe & enforced moche the cyte of grete toures and wallys / And wold haue it named after hym Anthyoche and ordeyned it chyef of alle the Ro­yame / the prynce of thappostlys seynt Peter was first bisshop there in a chirche that theophilus made to hym of his hows which was a noble and a myghty man in the toun / Seynt luke the ho­ly euangelyste was born in this toun / to the same theophle wrote he thactes of thappostles / whiche was the .vij / bisshop in anthy­oche / ther was the first counseyl of them that byleuyd in Ihesu Criste after his deth. And thenne was establysshed that they shold be called crysten men of crist. ffor byfore they were called na­zaryens of the cyte that he was of / this cyte was conuerted by the prechyng of Seynt Peter· therfore he gaf it the name theopoble / whiche is as moche to saye as of god oure lord / vnder Antyoch [...] ben .xx. grete cytees / of whiche ben / xiiij Archebisshoprickes / The sex haue two Primates whiche ben called catholicos / that one is in the cyte whiche is named Amene. And that other is at ban­dras. And alle this claymeth thoryent /

Of the situacion of Anthyoche· capitulo lxxxvj^o

tHis cyte of whom I haue spoken is anthyoche / And ston­deth in the londe of this Surye / And is parte of the londe of the grete surye. It stondeth in a moche fayr place and delytable / Now I shal recounte to you how it stondeth / It is a moche grete towne / And aboute moche good londe for to bere habondannce of [Page] whete of corn of fayr fontaynes and smale rennyng waters / and it is emong the montaynes toward the [...]est whiche contre dureth wel yl myle of lēgthe & wel vj myle of brede / aboue ther is a lake or mere assembled of sprynges & wellys that rēne therin / whiche is ful of fysshe / Of this lake yssueth a rennyng water whiche co­meth nygh the cyte. And renneth in to the ryuer that renneth by the toun / the montaynes closed the two sides of the toun· Neuerthe­les ther ben vnder them fressh waters and erable londe. The mount whiche is toward the south is named Oronte / lyke as I sayd you of the ryuer· ffor seynt Gregoire sayth that antyoche is sette bytwe­ne oronte the ryuer & orōte the mōtayne / one partie of this mōtayne that goth toward the see is moch hye insuch wyse that it hath a name by hym self. Somme peple wene that this hylle be perna­sus a montayne of whiche scripture speketh moche / by cause of a fontayne that is atte the foote of the same hylle which is named leschielle buymand / But without faulte this is not the mount of whiche the auctors speke: ffor this montayne pernasus stondeth in the lande named Thessaylle / That other montayne whiche is toward the south is named the black montayne fulle also of sprynges and wellys / of wodes and of pastures / There were wōte aunciently thermytes for to dwelle / thurgh this valeye ren­neth the Ryuer that I spak of to fore / And renneth to ward the see / In the montayne toward the south begynneth the walles of Antyoche and come vnto the Ryner / hit is a grete espace within the closure· ther ben enclosed within the walles two montaynes / vpon the hyest stondeth a fortresse so stronge that it is not prena­ble. but by famyne· Bytwene thyse two montaynes whiche ben moche hye is a valeye right depe· but it is strayt / in that renneth a litil water right faste and swyfte and entred in to the toun and doth moche good to the toun / In the Cyte ben many fontay­nes / but the beste is the fontayne whiche is named the fonteyn of seynt poul. And is nyghe to the eest gate / ther is another fontay­ne without the toun which by crafte and conduytes is brought in to the toun right subtylly Alle the walles of the toun / that is to wete they that ben on the montaynes and they that ben han­gyng / And also they that ben in the playn ben merueyllous thyc­ke· ffor they ben of ouer stronge werke / Ther ben toures moche hye and wel defensable that is toward the sonne goyng doun / The ryuer renneth so nygh the toun / that the brygge on whiche men passe ioyneth to the walles and to the gate of the cyte / The lengthe [Page] of the toun is wel two or thre myle / hit is nyghe vnto the see / xij myle of·

Who that was thenne lord of antyoche / And in what manere he was comen vnto this seygnorye / cap^o. lxxxvij^o.

oF this cyte of Anthyoche was lord a turk named Ancean of the mesque / ther had ben a puyssaunt so wdan of perse / of whom we haue spoken to fore named belphet which had conquerd alle thyse londes· And after whan he wold retorne agayn in to his contrey / he departed entierly his conquest to his neueus and to somme of his meyne / by cause that he wold that they that were his trewe men and frendes shold holde peas eche in his partye / and shold be as defendours and the closyng of the londe / he gaf to his neuew solyman his neuew nycque or nycene with alle theyr ap­pertenauntes as ye haue herd to fore / to another neuew named du [...]ar he gaf the Cyte of damaske / And alle the countre about / and wold that eche of them shold bere the name of soudan / and lyke dygnyte / Solyman by cause be marched on the grekes had euery day debate ayenst themperour of Constantynoble / Ducar was ayenst them of Egypte / And ofte made warre eche to other. ffor they loued not to gydre / To thende thenne that thyse two Soly­man and ducar myght the better mayntene theyr warre· he wold that they were puyssaunt and hye men as soudans· To one his ser­uaunt named assougur which was fader of sangum· And graūt fader of Noradyn of whom ye shal here· here after / he gaf the remō ­med cyte called halappe / To this Ancean of whom I spak to fore he gaf this hye and noble cyte antyoche and lytil lond about / ffor the Calyphe of Egypte helde alle the conntre vnto the boundes of Surye· this ancean whan he herd that the grete hoost of cristen men cam. he sente messagers and lettre [...] to the barons of tho [...]yent and hym self spak to them by mouth expressedly and requyred the caliphe of bandras. and the soudan of perse which was more myghty than ony other / that they wolde socoure his londe and hym. They beleuyd al this lyghtly / ffor Solyman was comen to them / that had wel assayed what oure men coude doo / therfore he also requy­red moche to greue oure cristen men. And that they wold auenge hym / Ancean requyred that they wold deffende hym / The grete barons of thoryent and other hye and noble men promysed hym that they wold helpe hym certaynlye / Ancean forgate not in the [Page] mene whyle / but gadred as moche peple as they myght haue in the contreye aboute hym / as they that fro day to day abode the siege he assembled vytaylles Armures engyns and alle other thynges necessarye to peple assyeged / And prayd moche ententifly the cy­tezeyns of the toun that euery man shold make prouysyon and garnyson for hym self as moche as he myght· Thenne wente the cytezeyns of the toun to vyllages and other places ther aboute / And brought alle in to the cyte whete. wyn / Oyle / and alle ma­ner of beestes / so moche that the toun was merueyllously garnys­shed· many hye. puyssaunt and noble men were comen fro the con­trees that oure peple had passed / whiche were fledde in to this stronge toun for to kepe them self / in so moche that it was sayde / and was trouthe / that ther were in the cyte / vij.M / horsmen alle armed and wel in poynt / And of footemen there were that ba­re harnoys moo than / xx.M /

Dyuerse oppynyon of our men to fore they assieged Anthyo­che / And how they acorded alle for tassiege it / cap^o lxxxviij^o.

oVre men were approched so nygh the cyte that they sawe it nygh to them· After they assembled for to take counseyl how they shold procede forth / ffor there were somme of the barons that counseylled / that they shold tarye the siege vnto the newe ty­me of the yere / ffor the wynter cam on / whiche shold be moche gre­uous to lye out / On that other parte: ther were many of thooste that were sprad about in the cytees and castellys / whiche myght not lyghtly be assembled tyl after the wynter. And ferthermore they sayde that themperour of constantinople shold sende grete pe­ple for to helpe them / Therfor it were wel reason that they shold abyde them / Also on the other syde of the montaynes they sayde they shold haue peple al fressh of whom they had grete nede for tassiege suche a toun And in the mene whyle myght the peple and theyr horses soiourne alle the wynter in the countre about And shold be the fressher and harder and strenger for tendure tra­uaylle and payne whan it shold nede / The other barons acorded that they shold sette the siege forthwith withoute delaye / ffor yf thenemyes that were in the Cyte had the respyte / they shold garnysshe them better of men / of Armures of Engyns / and of other estorementes than they had thēne They also that were co­myng shold haste them the more yf the cyte were beseged for to helpe [Page] them / To this counseyl acorded fynably alle / they ordeyned theyr bataylles / & cam to fore the toun / there they lodged them the x day of octobre· In oure hooste were men wel armed to the nombre of C / C. C / M. / without wymmen / childeren / and other men that bare no harnoys. And yet myght not alle they besiege alle the cyte / ffor without the montaynes / where was thought to leye no siege was at the foot of the hylle vnto the ryuer a grete part of the walle in a fayr playn which myght not be leyed about with peple / In the comyng of this grete hoost / was a moche grete bruyt and noyse of buysyns / of horses of peple· of Cartes and charyottes / But this daye ne on the morn folowynge was no noyse / but semed that the toun had ben alle voyde and noman therin but this was don by cause they had moche grete garnyson of peple & of other thynges

How after the situacion of the toun eche of the hye barons of the hoost were lodged at the sayd siege· cap^o. lxxxix^o.

aNthyoche had conteynyng in the cyte / v / yates / toward tho­ryent / ther was one & was named the porte seynt poul. & that was by cause it was vnder the monastery of seynt poul whiche is hangyng on the territoire / the second was toward thoccident And the lengthe of the toun is bytwene both thyse yates· and that is named the porte of seynt george / On the syde toward byse ben thre yates whiche alle yssue toward the Ryuer / that yate aboue is named the porte of the hound. ther is a yate to fore this yate / by whiche men passe the mareys which is vnder the walles of the cy­te / The seconde is named the porte of the duc· the ryuer is ther wel a myle long fro thyse two yates· The thirde is named the yate of the brygge by cause the brygge is there / by whiche men passe the Ryuer / ffor bytwene the port of the duc· whiche is in the myddle of thyse thre / and this that is the laste on that syde. approuche so the flood of the toun that fro thens it renneth costeyeng the toun alle ioynyng to the walles· wherfor it was that this yate ne the yate of seynt george our men myght not assiege. ffor noman myght come theder but yf he wente ouer the Ryuer / Buymont assieged this yate aforsayd with them that were comen in his companye· beside hym in aualyng doun were lodged Robert the duc of Normandye Robert therle of fflaundres / Steuen therle of bloys. And huon le mayne / Thyse had pourprised fro the lodgys [Page] of buymont vnto the yate of thounde / ffor the frensshemen / the nor mans and the bretons were with them to fore this gate / thenne were lodged therle Remont of tholouse and the bisshop of Puy with them that were come in theyr companye. that were the pro­uynceaulx· the gascoyns. and the burgoynons / ther was moche grete peple / They toke alle the place vnto the gate next after / At this gate were lodged the duc Godeffroy / Eustace his brother / Bawdwyn therle of henawd / Reynold therle of Toul / Guemes de montagu / And other barons many whiche alwey helde them with thyse prynces. ther were the loraynes: the henewers they of sessougne / they of bauyere and they of francoine / They toke vp alle the place almoost to the yate of the brygge / And helde the Ryuer that ranne there. In this partye toward the toun was grete plente of apple trees / of fygtrees. and of other trees beryng fruyt / whiche our peple cut & hewe of alle for to lodge them· they of the toun byhelde by the hourdeys and batyllemens of the walles the manere and contenaunce of thooste / And meruaylled moche of the Armes / of the tentes / and of the facion and manere that they had for to lodge them / They were in grete doubte / ffor they were wel adcerteyned / that so moche and grete peple wold not lightly departe fro this siege without doyng them grete dam­mage and harme / Ther were many that were so gretely effrayed for theyr wyues. theyr childeren & theyr other frendes. that they wold that they had ben deed and buryed long to fore / to thende that they shold not see the destruction which they doubted for to see

How our peple assembled in counseyl for to fynde the moyen for to sende for vytaylle / & of a brydge that they made· ca^o. / lxxxx

oWr peple that were thus lodged founde not about them pas­tures for theyr horses ne for theyr other beestes / Therfore them behoeued ofte to passe the ryuer / and to renne thurgh the contrey / thus dyde they many tymes / by cause they of the toun meuyd not yet / And it was a noyous and greuous thynge to passe the Ryuer / ffor ther was no brygge / but feried ouer in botes bothe horse and man. whan the turkes of the Cyte apperceyned this. they sente secretely ouer theyr brygge theyr peple which toke and slewe our men that they fonde so sprad in the contre· And this dyde they surely ynowgth / by cause they myght not retourne but by [Page] the ryu / & they of thoost myght not socoure them. wherfor our barons cōseylled them to gydre & concluded that they wold make a brygge in somme maner by whiche they myght passe without daū ger of them of the toun / they fonde shippes in the laye and aboue in the ryuer they toke and ioyned them to gydre and sette plan­kes on them and nayled them in suche wyse that thre or four men myght passe on a front / this brygge dyde moche ease to alle thoost This brygge was nygh the lodgys of duc god [...]ffroy right ayenst the yate that he kepte / And therfor the yate was named the yate of the duc / ffro this brygge of tree vnto the brygge of stone was a grete myle as I sayd to you to fore / by this yate & by this bryge was moche harme don to our peple / And by the yate named the porte of the hounde they greued moche our peple· ffor they had a brydge of stone by the toun of dyuerse waters gadred to gydre that ran there / by that brygge they made theyr assaylles day and nyght vpon· the peple of ther [...]es of tholouse which kepte the gate Oftymes they opened the yates / and yssued out vpon theyr lodgyes and dyuerse they hurted and slewe many· And whan they had don they retorned in to the toun / ffor our [...] men myght not pour [...]iewe them but by the brygge· therfore hit happed that the bisshoppe of puy therle of tholouse and the other barous that were there / were more hurte in theyr mounture than alle the other of thoost

How our peple stopped a yate of the toun without forth / And of a castel of tree that they made· cap^o. lxxxx [...] ^o.

tHis peple had grete despyte & grete shame of the domages and harmes that were thus don to them / And toke coun­seyl that they wold bete doun the brygge· And theder they cam alle Armed vnder theyr targes and sheldes of yron and grete plente of pyquoys / And began to smyte for to breke the brydg [...]· but the walles were so strong and harde that they myght not hurte it. And on that other syde they of the toun were on the walles and tourettes whiche threwe grete stones and thy [...]ke on them that so pecked to breke the brygge· that they were fayn to leue their enterprise and retorne fro thens / After this they thought of another thynge and made a newe castel of tree / And sette it ayenst the brygge for to kepe it that they shold not passe ouer it / on them / it was moche werke and payne to make it / whan it was [Page] sette and dressyd / Therle garnysshed it with his men / they of the toun adressyd theyr gonnes and engyns at this castel and smote it with grete stones / And they in the toures shotte ther at grete plente of Arowes so many in such wyse that none durst abyde in this castel ne about it / On a day it happed that our men withdre­we them fro the brydge and fro ther about / And they within ope­ned the yate and yssued out by the rowtes / They that were in the castel of tree fledde / And the other sette fyer on it / And brent it to asshes / Our men sawe wel thenne that they warred not wel thus And ordeyned thre gounes for to shote stones at the brygge. whyles they shotte none of the turkes yssued oute there / But as sone as they cessed. they cam oute & made theyr assaylles as they dyde to fore· It displesyd moche to oure barons that they myght not sette no remedye ayenst the comynge oute of thyse turkes / Atte laste they acorded that they wold take grete stones of the Roche such as were conuenyent for a gate and stoppe the passage They toke an honderd men and more and stopped the gate oue [...] the brydge· ther were so many that it was doon in suche wyse that it coude not be lightly broken agayne / They had grete trauaylle and payne to make it / But they that were lodged there kepte alle armed them that brought the stones· Thus was the gate stopped in suche wyse that thoost abode alle in peas there / ffor the Turkes myght nomore make theyr assaylles there

How our peple were in grete meschyef for as moche as they of the toune yssued and entred in and oute with grete rowtes Capitulo lxxxxij^o.

oNn a day it happed that ther wente out of thoost as wel on foote as on horsbak a thre honderd men / and passed ouer the brydge of tree. And sprad the contreye as men that wente on foragyng / It is the custome of an hooste for to goo out so oftymes & retorne without dammage or hurte / Therfor they had supposed to haue ben sure / They of the toun apprceyued it and yssued out with grete plente of peple / And wente ouer the brydge of stone and ranne on them that they sawe goo so folyly / And somme they slewe / And other fledde to the b [...]dyge of shippis where they supposed to haue passed / But thenemyes were there to fore. And deffended thein the waye / in suche wyse that many of [Page] them were drowned in the water that supposed to haue passed o­uer / other of oure men recoūtred the turkes that had slayn & discō fyted our men & bare away with them their proyes & despoylles And ran on them / The Turkes fledde / and our men p [...]urfiewed them sleyng and betyng them vnto within the brydge of stone / They of the toun that sawe theyr men so pourfiewe [...] [...]prang out with grete prees and passed the brydge. & ran on our men / whiche wold haue deffended them / but they myght not suffre so grete nō ­bre of peple and fledde. they folowed them doyng to them grete dommage til they cam to the brydge of shippis / there they assayl­led them so harde / that many men armed fyll in the water whiche were there drowned and loste· Oure m [...]n lost there many men on foote and on horsbak / In this manere were they of thooste in grete mesease / ffor they were better besieged than they of the toun / There were many of theyr enemyes in the woodes and montayg­nes whiche ofte ranne vpon our peple whan they sawe them goo without ordenaunce· and they of the toun yssued out whan it ple­sed them / in suche wyse that our men durst not goo fer fro thooste for to fourage ne for none other thyng / And also in theyr lodgys were they not assured. ffor the tydynge was· that the turkes as­sembled moche grete plente of peple for to smyte in thooste on that one syde / & they of the toun on that other side shold yssue on them /

Of the famyne and mortalyte of thoost after that they had be at the sayd siege the space of two monethes· cap^o. lxxxxiij^o.

fOr to recounte alle thauentures that were in so grete a siege shold be ouer greuous and a moche long thyng / Therfor I shal saye to you this that longeth to the comyn / thooste had holden siege vnto the thyrde moneth· vytayll began to faylle / And [...] grete suffrete and scarsenes in thoost / they had in the begynnyng largely and grete habundaunce both for men and horses. but they made grete waast & more than neded. & so by their oult [...]age & folye they lacked in short tyme / which myght haue long susteyned them yf they had kepte it wel & gouerned by mesure· they suffred gre­te penurye in thoost of vitayl for mē & beestes in such wise that the pour peple were in grete peryl / euery day assebled / ij / or iij / C mē of armes to gydre for to serche the contrey and fetc [...]e vytaylles / they swore to gydre that alle the gayne that they myght fynde & con­quere / they shold departe egally emonge them. They wente forth [Page] fer fro thoost / and fonde the townes moche wel garnysshed by cause they were fer fro thoost / they thought that noman shold robbe ne take nothyng fro them / And thus brought vytayll to thoste But whan the Turkes of the toun. and also other in the coun­trey had apperceyued this / they made embusshementes and ranne vpon our men whan they retorned· or other whyle whan they wēt forth· & slewe them somme tyme alle that none retorned for to brynge tydynges to thoost / And therfor durst they goo nomore afouragyng / The derthe was moche grete in thoost / & euery day grewe the famyine in suche wyse that a mā ete wel at a mebe in brede four / d / a cowe was worth four marc weyght of syluer. which a man myght haue at begynnyng for echt or ten shyllyngis / A lambe or a kyd was at sex shyllyngis whiche to fore was worth but thre or four pens / the mete for an horse for a nyght cost· xvj / pens / ther deyde many for honger in suche wyse that at the begyn­uynge of the siege the horses were nombred at .lxx / M / And at that tyme were scarse / ij·M· And they were so poure feble and lene that vnneth they myght helpe ony man / the tentes and pa­uyllons roted / ffor it rayned continuelly a rayne so thycke and grete that no cloth myght susteyne it· wherfore moche peple in the hooste deyde for colde and mesease· Theyr clothes roted on theyr backes by cause they myght fynde no place to drye them· ther was one so grete mortalite in thoost / that vnnethe myght be fonden men for to burye them that deyde / Many that sawe this grete daun­ger and peryll in thooste wente and departed pryuely to Ra­ges where bawdwyn was / & in to Scilice where other cytees were also / Thus were many slayn. And grete plente deed of famyne and of other maladyes / And the hoost was so mynuysshid that ther were not half so moche peple as they were at begynnyng

How our peple ordeyned grete rowtes for to goo for vytayll. & to reteyne the peple which fled for hungre / ca^o. lxxxxiiij^o.

oFtymes assembled the barons for to fynde coūseyl how they myght reteyne the peple that thus departed / & also in what maner· & how they myght aduyse & ordeyne for vytayll for thoost & they cōcluded that one partye of the barōs shold haue grete plē te of men with them. & goo right depe in to the londe of the paynēs for to brynge vytaylles and alle that they myght fynde and gete on theyr enemyes / to this were chosen buymont & the erle of fflaū [...]res Thoost was delyuerd to therle of tholouse and to Huon [...]e [Page] mayne to gouerne· ffor the duc of normandye was not th [...] And duc godeffroy laye seke moche greuously / They departed for to goo on fourage many folowed for the gete sōme gayne / whan the turkes of the toun sawe thooste thus wyde and waxe lasse· And knewe for certayn that therle of fflaundres / Buymont / and the duc of Normandye went not there / And that the duc godeffroy laye in his bedde seke / They preysed and doubted moch the lasse the remenaunt· And toke counseyl that they wold make an assayllyng by the brydge / but they that kept thoost had knowleche herof / And were aduertysed / And were al armed on horsbak and cam ayenst them and slewe many of the turkes that were co­me to fore and were many grete men of the toun / whan the other barons sawe this what for sorow and for fere were discomfyted and fled agayn in to the toun / But a grete mesaueuture happed to oure peple / ffor as the turkes fledde dyscomfyted one of them was beten doun of his hors / And his hors fledd toward the lod­gys / And many of our men ran after to wynne hym / The mene peple and other that sawe the horse supposed that our men had ben disconfyted and that they had fled to fore theyr enemyes / And they began to flee / And other that sawe them flee / fledde also in suche wyse that alle torned to discomfyture ouer fowle / whan the turkes behelde this and sawe that our men disconfyted them self anon they retorned and passed the brygge / And began to chace them that so fledde and bete and slewe them fro the brydge of sto­ne vnto the brydge of the shippis / there were slayn of our men on horsbak a / xx / And a foot yet moo. the turkes retorned in to theyr cyte demenyng grete Ioye and feste for this iourneye

How buymont and therle of fflaundres mayntened hem be­yng in fourage / Of theyr recountrees and of the gayne that they made. Capitulo lxxxxv^o.

bVymont And therle of fflaundres that were sente by comyn counseyl in fouragyng entred fer in to the lan­de of theyr enemyes. And founde a moche Ryche toun good and ful of thyng that they had [...] of in thoost they toke all / ffor they fonde neyther man ne woman that emp [...]sshed ne [...]et­ted them / Thyse two barons had sente theyr espyes in dyuers partyes of the londe for tenquyre & serche where they myght gete more vytayl for to lede the hooste / Now it happed that one of the­spyes cam to buymōt & sayde that a grete cōpany of turkes were embusshed in a place nyghe by them for to renne on them whan [Page] they wente on fouragyng. Thenne they ordeyned that the [...] of fflaūdres shold goo forth with his men. & buy [...]out shold come fer after. And so was doon▪ Therle of fflaundres fonde thyse men And assembled to gydre fiersly the batayll was long & cruel [...] ffor the turkes had mo men than therle of fflaundres· At the laste our men were discomfyted for the flemynges myght not endure but fledde er buymont cam / And so were lefte of our m [...] there wel an hunderd or more in the place / And thenne out men retor­ned in to thoost with grete good and gayn that they had gad [...]ed to gydre / whyles they were there cam to them other espyes of an other contre / that aduertysed them of other turkes that wayted to hurte them whan they sawe theyr aduantage / they were thenne moo men and better armed than they had ben to fore / they were in coūseyl / & therle of fflaūdres wold that noman shold ent [...]rprise the batayl but he. But he toke mo men with hym than he dyde to fore / Buymont cam after with as many as he myght haue. Ther­le of fflaundres hasted hym and surprised the Turkes in a vale­ye strayt in suche wyse that they myght not renne hether ne the­der for to shote· But were constreyned to deffende them strong­ly with theyr swerdes and maces / whiche was not sure for them / By cause whan oure meyne discarged on them they myght not susteyne it. but fledde anon / Oure men folowed them in he wyng & sleyng them / and ouerthrewe many of them They wanne horses / mules / Armoures and robes grete plente & after retorned in to the hoost with grete victorye & grete gayne· Grete ioye was made thēne in thoost whan. they were comen / alle they were refresshyd & alleged of their meseases that they had longe suffred / They had vytaylles resonable a certeyn tyme· But it endured not longe that whiche they had brought with them /

How a grete rowte of Cristen men were in this tyme slayn by the turkes bytwene fynemyue and terme / cap^o. lxxxxvj^o.

iN this tyme cam tydynges fro Rome that doubled theyr sorow & angnysshis & theyr mesease doubled· it was sayd & trouth it was that an hye noble man & puyssaūt of dēmarke na­ [...]ed g [...]nes of moch fayr beaulte & of good maners herd say that the barons of ff [...]aūce & the valyaūt men of that lōde were goon in pylgremage ouer the see for to make warre to the sarasyns / this noble man to fore named whiche had a valyaunt herte and hye [Page] had grete wylle for to goo after them / he toke of his fader certeyn good / and ledde with hym wel / v / C / knyghtes and other men yong and wel armed / he hasted moche for to ouertake thoost of the fronsshemen· but he myght not ouertake them / ffor he cam ouer late / And had none in his companye sauf men of his countrey / he cam by constantinobll / where themperour dyde to hym honour / and after he wente to Nycene with alle his companye / And lodged hym bytwnee two cytees / that one was named fynemyne / And that other terme. there they dyde not as they ought to doo· by cau­se they were in the londe of theyr enemyes / but they assured them ouermoche / in suche wyse that on a nyght a grete partye of the turkes that had espyed them smote in sodanly on them and began to slee them in theyr beddes / Neuertheles somme ther were that apperceyued them and ran to theyr armes / & cam ayenst the tur­kes and sold theyr lyf dere / but in thende they were alle slayn and none escaped of alle thoost except a thre on foure atte moste

How the vntrew greek latyus departed fraudelously fro the h [...] o [...]t· And other moo by thensample of hym / cap^o. lxxxxvij

lAtyus this disloyal greek of whom we haue spoken to fo­re whom themperour had delyuerd to oure peple for to lede and conduyte them had soynously taken heede of the gouernaunce of thoost vnto this day / and of the rewle of the barons. & alway peyned hym for to deceyue them in alle the maners that he myght Now apperceeued he wel. that thaffayres of thooste were not in good poynt / ne in good disposicion· and doubted moche for he was ful of cowardyse / and thought the pylgryms shold somme day be surprised of the turkes of the toun· and shold alle be slayn therfor he spak secretely to one and other and counseylled them to leue the siege· And that al thooste shold departe in to the cytees that our men helde vnto the newe tyme· ffor it was certayn he say­de that themperour had sente for the gret [...]est hooste that he myght assemble for to come and socoure them as sone as he myght fynde grasse on the erthe for the horses / And he hym self / By cause he loued the werke of oure lord with the noble men that he had wold ēterprise vpon hym for the comyn prouffyt a grete tr [...]uayll And he hym self wold goo dylygently to themperour for roba­ste hym with his hoost and alle the vytaylle that he myght fynde / And to make hym come / Many of the Barons knewe vpon [Page] this poynt his falsenes / And apperceyued that he sought manere by this waye for to flee. And byleuyd hym not / but acorded [...] that he shold goo his waye. he made semblaunt for to retourne and come sone ageyn and lefte his pauyllons and som of his men to whom pereaduenture he had sayd that they shold folowe and co­me after / or ellys y^t he neraught what myght come of them· Thus departed he whom the deuyl had brought· And lad hym away a­gayn. ffor by the wordes that he had sowen / and by thensample of his departyng· began many men to departe fro thoost / And toke no regarde to theyr auowe ne to the oth that they had promysed / but wente secretely one after another / The famyne was moche grete in thooste· The barons conde fynde no remedye ne counseyl therfore· Trouth it was they sente ofte two and two of the grettest lor­des with grete companye of men for to pourchasse vytaylles They wente moch surely in the landes of theyr enemyes right deep and ferre. And sleyng many of them that wold haue deffended theyr passage / but vytaylles brought they none. ffor the turkes of the contre that had apperceyued that oure peple wente for to secke vy­taylles had do ledde away alle theyr beestes and theyr vytaylles vnto the montaynes and deserte places where none myght come· & somme had they hydde in the wodes and caues vnder the erthe whiche our men coude not fynde

How the prelates of the hoost counseylled to doo penaunce for tappese god· And of thordenaunces that were made teschewe synne / Capitulo. lxxxxviij^o.

fAmyne / mortalyte / and many other peryllys cessed not to renne on the peple of oure lord / The noble and wysemen of thoost that were trewe good and relygyous as the bisshop of puy. that was legate for oure holy fader the pope and other spak to gydre thenne / And sayd it was moche to drede and· doubte that our lord were angry with his pylgryms for their synnes. therfor they aduysed that they wold speke with the barons for to make peas and acorde vnto our lord. And was ordeyned by the consentement of alle them of thoost· that they shold faste in prayers and in penaūce for to crye mercy vnto our lord by the space of iij dayes to thende that he wold pardone theyr trespaces & beholde them in pyte· this was don with grete wepyng & wayllynges of herte / after this they commanded that alle the comyn wymmen of euil lyf shold be voyded & cast out of thoost / & was cryed thurgh out al the hooste / that who that after that were taken in adulterye or in [Page] fornycacion shood haue his heed smeton of / Incontinent the droncardys of the tauernes the players of dyse and the gre­te othes were deffended vpon the same payne. fals mesures and thefte / alle suche thynges were commaunded to be lefte and esche­wed / there were choosen wise men and trewe that shold take heed for to punnysshe the malefactours / After thyse ordenaunces and statutes were somme founden culpable in the same / where were so punnysshed therfore / that the other were chastysed therby / whan the peple were amended vnto our lord· the mercy of our lord cam without taryeng on them / ffor the duc Godeffroy whiche was [...] the surete of thoost / And as theyr estandart / had ben longe seke. by thoccasion of his hurte that he had taken in the londe of pysside by a bere as it hath be sayd to fore. nygh by lytil Anthyoche· and was now sodenly come to good helthe / wherof alle they of thooste had moche grete ioye / and byleuyd fermely that theyr penaunce and prayers had lengthed his lyf and respyted it

How Buymont fonde a subtil remydye for to delyuer and purge the hooost of the espyes of the turkes / cap^o. lxxxxix^o.

gRete renommee was spradd thurgh out al thoryent / and toward the contrees of the south / that ouer grete nombre of peple of the contrees where the sonne goth doun were comen and had besieged the noble cyte of Anthyoche / hit was a grete thyng in trouth / But the tydynges were moche more gretter withoute comparyson / Eueryche of the puyssaunt lordes of that countrees and londes had sente theyr espyes in to the hoost / and ther were so many that they cessed not to come and goo and continuelly / & vn­nethe myght ony thyng be don or sayd in thooste ne in the lodgys but that it was auon knowen in the panemye / It was a [...] and easy thyng for them to be with our peple in those [...] Ther were of the turkes that coude speke greek / and the langage of Erme­nye / And toke thabyte of the surreyens▪ of grekes / and of them of hermeny / ther were many of suche maner of peple the barons toke coūseyl emōg them how they myght voyde & purge thoost of this pestelence of espyes. ffor they helde them in grete paryll & grete daūger / that theyr couyne & purpoos shold be knowen in the lō ­des of theyr enemyes. and it was no light thynge to knowe them that were suche espyes / Emonge alle other thynges they coude [Page] fynde none other remedye / but to holde theyr counseyl secrete / and fro them forthon saye lasse to the peple than they were woont to doo / Buymont whiche was of moche grete wytte and hye hert [...] spak to the barons and sayd in this manere / ffayr lordes I praye you that ye wil late me cheuysshe with this matere / ffor I haue remembryd how we shal be delyuerd of this peryl / wherfor I praye you gyue to me the charge therof / The barons helde Buymont for a moche wyseman and prudent / And gladly sette the charge therof on hym. and departed fro the counseyll / Buymont forgate not this that he had promysed / whan tyme of soupper cam / he dis­posed and ordeyned hym for to souppe / he made the knyghtes of his contre to take out somme turkes that he had in prison· And made theyr throtes to be cutte / And after smote them in pyeces and arrayed them for to be rosted· Thenne began they to demaunde what he wold doo / Thenne Buymont sayd to his men / And [...]ad his men also to saye to other / that alle the barons had thus ordey­ned and sworn that alle the espyes that myght be taken in thost shold be rosted and secuyd at the tables of the barons / And the barons shold ete them by their oth· thyse tidynges were anon spred thurgh out thoost / that suche Iustyce was don in the lod­gys of buymont· Alle men ran theder for to see this merueylle / The turkes them self that were comen in to thoost for to espye we­re moche affrayed· And euerych of them thought longe or he was departed fro the lodgys by cause they doubted that they shold be seruid in lyke wyse / Aftir whan they were retorned home to their lordes / that had sent them. they sayd to them. And tolde al aboute the countrey / that suche men as were come for tassiege Anthyo­che suffred moche mesease / And were harder ayenst trauayll and laboure than stone or yron / Of cruelte they passed alle beres and Lyons / ffor the wylde beestes [...]te men alle Rawe· But thyse men roste them afore & after deuoure them· This tydynge was in suche wyse knowen and publysshyd in alle paynemye / that after the Soudan and the grete admyrals myght neuer fynde man that wolde come and espye the hoost. They that were in the Cyte assyeged were so effrayed and had so grete hydour of this / that fro that tyme afterward the counseyl of the barons was better kept and more secretely than it was to fore

How the Caleph [...] of Egypte sente his messagers with grete y [...]ftes vnto our hoost / Capitulo C^o.

[Page]eMong other mescreauntes grete lordes and prynces· The ca­liphe of Egipte was the moost myghty of men and moost ryche of goodes. he sente his messagers vnto the barons that we­re in thoost· And I shal saye how and by what occasion / Grete hate and moche fiers hath hen bytwene the Turkes of thoryent and the Turkes of Egypte / And hath be of auncyent and long tyme By cause they discorde in theyr creaunce and mysbyleue / And eche sayd to other and yet doo that they be fals sarasyns / as I ha­ue sayd to fore in the begynnyng of this book· And therfore they ben ofte in warre / Somtyme one partye is aboue / And ano­ther tyme that other / In the tyme that our peple were to fore Anthyoche / this caliphe of whom I speke now. helde alle the londe of Egypte vnto the Cyte of Sureye / whiche conteyneth wel / xxx / Iourneyes longe / The Soudan of Perse a lytyl tofore that oure peple cam had conquerd the toun of Anthyoche wy [...]che is by the Royame of egypte / and alle the londe entierly vnto the the braas of seynt george as I haue sayd to fore / Now had the calyphe of egipte in moche suspection the Sowdan of Perse· and moche ple­syd hym his destruction and dommage / And had moche ioye that Solyman had lost Nycene whiche Solyman was neuew to the sayd Soudan / and was so enfebled of his men· And also [...]e was plesyd that our cristen peple had besieged the Cyte of Anthyoche / Therfor he sente good messagers to speke to them whiche brought right grete yeftes / And moche ryche presentes / yf they wold recey­ue them / And they sayde that the Caliphe was redy for to gyue to them socoure and ayde right largely of men / of good. and of vy­tayll· and prayd them moche derely that they wold mayntene and contenue theyr siege. The barons of our hoost receyued the noble men that were comen and sent from hym honorably and made them to soiourne with them / And they that were wyse knewe anon the wyt [...]e & vygour of our barons· & begonne to haue moche grete doubte & suspection that our peple were so valyaūt / & that yet they sholde do grete dommage in theyr londe / so that they deuysed in this thyng as ye shal mo we here in redyng hoolly this book

How Ancean the lord of anthyoche and his barons sente vnto the turkes theyr neyghbours for to demaunde socours / cap^o. Cj^o.

tHe lord of Anthyoche and the other grete and noble men of the toun seyng that our men suffred so moche famyne and [Page] mesease / as we haue sayd to fore / and for alle thyse thynges wol [...] in no wyse leue theyr siege but shewed by theyr countenaunces that this trauayl greued them not / wherfore they were moche abasshyd. And thenne Ancean by the counseyl of his men and them that were moost pryue with hym sente messagers and let­tres to his moost ryche neyghbours / And prayd hym right derely for the honour of theyr lawe· for the sauyng of them self / And for his loue that they wold come and socoure them without tary­eng. And he sente them word in what maner they shold appro­che secretely to Anthyoche. And after they shold couere them in a busshement nygh by / And there abyde the pylgryms like as they had ben acustomed and at suche tyme as they shold come to the brydge / ffor there shold they sprynge out of the toun / And shold assaylle them & whyle they were besy in fyghtyng they that were embusshed shold sodenly breke & come by hynde on them & fyght And so shold they be enclosed bytwene them within. And them withoute in suche wyse that none shold escape / They that herd thise lettres and thyse messagers doubted them moche of oure peple / wherfor they acorded gladly to this counseyl· they assembled them of hallape / them of cezayre. them of haman / and of other cytees about tyl they were a grete nombre of peple / And this dyde they the moost secretely they myght as was to them commaunded. and began to departe and approuche Anthyoche / And cam to a castel named harant whiche is fro thens a .xiiij / myle there they lodged and thought on the morn as sone as the scarmuche shold be bytwene the pylgryms and them of the toun / they shold smyte in with theyr spores vpon oure men. And oure cristen men were in grete peryl / But one thyng ther was thenne / that tho and other tymes dyde them grete good / ffor ther were cristen men hermyns and surryens in the cytee [...] of whiche the turkes were departed whiche anon lete the barons of thooste haue knowleche how it was concluded bytwene the turkes / They assembled anon for to take aduys herupon· And was acorded emonge them / that alle they that had ony horses to ride on shold be arayed / And on hors­bak as sone as it were nyght / And that euery man shold drawe in to his bataylle lyke as they were assygned / And after shold yssue out of thoost without makyng ony noyse· the peple on foote shold abyde styll alle and be redy to deffende the lodgys yf ony thyng sourded ayenst them

How oure peple knewe the couyne of the turkes / of thenbusshe [Page] that they made and of their victorye and gayne that they had Capitulo Cij^o.

aSsone as it was nyght they yssued out lyke as they were commanded / They passed the brydge of shippes. And they were not passyng / vij / C / men on horsbak / they that wēte cam to a laye whiche was bytwene the laye of whiche I haue spoken to fore / And the Ryuer named helle / whiche ben that one fro that other nyh a myle / there they rested them this nyght· theyr enemyes that knewe nothyng of theyr comyng / were this nyght passed the brydge whiche is vpon the Ryuer of helle. In the mornyng as sone as our men apperceyued the day they armed them and made vj bataylles ef them / The turkes had sente by fore their corrours / which cam & sayde that the grete peple cam ayenst them / they sente to fore ij of theyr bataylles. & aftir cam the grete peple / whan they approuched they were in grete desraye / the Archers approuched first whiche shotte thycke But oure men smote in with the speres moche asprely in suche wyse that they made them to flee and cha­ced them to theyr grete bataylles· There were they in suche a des­trayt bytwene the Ryuer and the laye that they myght not sho [...]ene flee after theyr customme. There was the medlyng grete and fiers / And the barons and men of armes dyde moche wel. But the turkes that had lost the maner of fyghtyng / myght not deffende them· ne endure the strok [...]s of oure peple but fled [...]e theyr way al that th [...]y myght. Thenne whan our barons sawe this / they be­gan to doo wel. And commaun [...]ed that noman shold faygne. but folowe the chaas asprely / The turkes fledde vnto bernant· Oure m [...]n folowed alwey sleyng and bewyng of heedes and armes that al the waye that they passed by was so wen with dede men / This chaas endured wel .x / myle / The turkes that were within the cas­tel of hernant sawe that theyr men cam alle discomfyted / They set­te fyere on the castel & they them self fledde / But the hermyns & the other cristen men of whom were many in the castel recouuerd the fortresse / and yelded it to oure men whan they cam. This daye were slayn of the turkes moo than / ij / thousand / They toke .v / C / heedes of them that were best arrayed. And brought with them in signe of vyctorye· They wan there wel a / M / horsed for Armes grete and myghty wherof they had grete nede. Thus retorned they to theyr lodgys charged ful of prayes of armures & of dispoylles makyng grete ioye and thankyng oure lord that had comforted [Page] them in theyr mesease [...]

How the turkesof Anthyoche sprange out and assaylled the lodgys of our peple. Capitulo Ciij^o.

tHe cytezeyns and habytantes of Anthyoche had herd ty­dynges / how the turkes that had ben so discomfyted were departed and meuyd fro theyr contrees for to come socoure them Therfor they had theyre eres opene to here tydynges of theyr co­myng / And were alle armed and redy for to make thassaylle by the brydge alle incontiyent whan they shold see them / but whan they sawe that the nyght passed and that the day cam without hauyng ony knowleche of theyr approuchement / Theyr espyes ma­de them certayn that our men were goon on horsbak ayenst them Therfore they toke herte / And yssued vnto the lodgys· ffor oure men were not yet comen agayn in to the thooste· They assaylled them moche asprely and harde / so longe that somme of them that were in the playns within the toun wente vpon the toures and vpon the walles by cause that oure men that fought shold be a­basshed by thoccasion of theyr peple that shold come / And as oure peple approuched the turkes / they apperceyued that the other that they abode / were discomfyted by cause oure men cam ioyously with alle theyr despoylles· Thenne aroos the sorow grete thurgh alle the toun. Our men approuched the toun / And dyde do throwe ij·C / hee [...]es of the turkes that they had brought with engyns in to the cyte for to make them certayn of theyr victorye· And yet to thēde that they shold not forgete theyr sorowe that was entred in to theyr hert [...]s. The other iij C / that were lefte they pyght them on stakes at the foote of the walle / And sette there men for to kepe them / By cause they shold be alwey in theyr syght· whan they cam to the deffence / the nombre of them that were disconfyted were / xxviij / M. Thus were somme grete turkes taken & brought prisonners / This was don in feuerer the / vj / day the yere of thyn­carnacion of our lord / M / lxxxxvij^o.

Of a castel that our men made of somme pylgryms that arry­ued at the porte and how they were discomfyted by a busshement of turkes / cap^o. Ciiij^o.

alle the barons of thoost toke coūseyl and acorded that vpon a territoire whiche was at the tentes of Buymont shold be [Page] made a f [...]trresse which shold be wel garnysshyd with good men of armes· to thende that yf the turkes made theyr assayllies. as they were acustomed / they of this fortresse shold renne on hem· And this towr was a barbycane of thooste / like as they had deuysed & ordeyned so was it made without taryeng. and valyaunt men and hardy were sette in this fortresse largely· thenne was alle thost assured as they had ben within the walles of a good Cyte / The siege had endured thenne ·v· monethes / A shippe of genewes cam theder whiche had brought pylgryms and vytaylles. they aryued at the porte & sette them in the Ryuer of helle as it falleth in to the see / they had sente ofte messagers in to the hoost / that they shold fetche them by som of the grete barōs with so good company that they myght be saufly conduyted in to thoost· they of the toun had thenne apperceyued that messagers wente and cam fro the shippe in to thoost / And sente out men that slewe somme of them And therfor durst none goo more without grete companye. Our barons had aduysed to make a grete fortresse at thende of the brydge in a mahommerye / that the turkes had and wold sette men of armes there for to kepe and deffende thyssue of the brydge yf the turkes wolde come / But by cause that there were peple yssued out of thoost for to goo to the ship· were chosen somme of the ba­rons whiche shold goo and fetche them. ffor they were peple that were goon for to here tydynges of theyr contrees / and wold haue comen agayn but they durst not· therto was chosen buymont / the Erle of tholouse. Euerard du puyssat· And therle garnye [...] of grece whiche also shold conduyte the messagers of the calyphe vnto the port of the see· and at retornyng shold brynge agayn and conduyte them of thooste / they of Anthyoche herd saye that the sayd Barons were departed fro thoost and descended toward the see / And sent out four / M / knyghtes of the moost noble that they had for to lye in a wayte at theyr retornyng. It happed that the fourth day that our men sette them on the way for to rotor­ne and brought Armures and many horses laden with vytaylles and other thynges / And toke none heede of them that laye in a wayte / The turkes brake sodenly on them / And surprised oure men at a paas· The erle of tholouse had the v [...]ward / And Buy­mont cam after. The crye began moche grete. whan the Turkes sa­we thyse noble men they held them al stylle / And began tenseigne the peple on foote that they shold holde them to gydre· They of the grete affraye that they herde· ffor drede that they had hydde them [Page] in the busshes and fledde in to the montaynes and woodes· and toke none heed to that they brought / whan our barons sawe this they knewe wel that theyr strengthe was not lyke theyres· And began to come to the lodgys dylygently with as many men as they myght conduyte. The other that wold not folowe ne myght not were alle there slayn / there were slayn wel of men and wymmen to the nōbre of iijC· / this duryng tydynges cam to the hoost. that alle they that were comyng were al slayn & put to deth by the turkes that had espyed them / Of the barons them self that conduyted them was not knowen whether they were a lyue or deed. the duc Godeffroy that was not ydle had grete anguyssh in his herte for the peple of our lord that was thus lost· And lete do crye that alle men shold arme them in thoost on peyne of deth / and that none shold abyde behynde in so grete a werke / alle assembled & passed the brygge of the shippis / & they made ·v / bataylles / robert duc of Normādye lad that one. The ·ij / lad therle of Flaūdres / the thyrd huon le mayne / The forth Eustace / brother to the duc Go­deffroy / And the duc hym self had the fyfthe. whan they were all ordeyned the duc called them· And alle they heryng sayde in this manere / Fayr lordes yf it be trouthe thus as the tydynges renne that for oure synnes thise cruel houndes and fals / haue slayn so valyaunt men and of so grete counseyl· whom ye sente to the see f [...] de / And with them be perysshed also our felaws whom they shold haue conduyted / I see not but of two wayes that one / or that we deye with them as good criscen men in this world and certeyn to receyue the reward of Ihesu Criste whom we shal serue vnto the deth / Or yf oure lord wyll that oure seruyce be to hym acceptable / that we take vengeaunce on thyse mastyfs that haue thus enpayred cristiente and endommaged and destroyed thyse valyaunt men· As for my self I saye to you certaynly / I had leuer to deye pre­sently· than to lyue without to be aduenged on them / Now vn­derstande ye what I shal saye to you. me semeth that thyse turkes yf they haue the victorye vpon oure men as it is sayd / they shal be now mounted in grete pride / And by grete bobance for to angre vs wyl come to the cyte / And brynge theyr proyes and fardellys to fore vs / And ye shal wel see that they shal not kepe them wel in ordenaunce. but shal goo folyly. And this shal be grete auantage to vs / Therfore by my counseyll yf it be so / that we hold vs alredy for to doo the seruyse of oure lord. ffor whiche we departed oute of oure countrees / late vs haue in hym stedfast hope· ffor he [Page] guerdonneth right wel his souldyours / whan our enemyes shal come to vs. late vs receyue them vygorously with / glayues / spe­res and swerdes / late eueryche of you remembre wel in his herte of the wronge and shame that they haue don to / oure lord and to oure self· This worde that the duc sayde was wel vnderstande of alle / And plesyd them merueyllously well· They began to warne eche other and somone to doo well / As there they knewe to gydre And there helde them al redy / And thenne buymont aryued & cam emong them / And a lytil whyle after cam therle of tholou­se· And they tolde to them of theyr mesauenture. They had moche grete ioye of their comyng and that they were escaped / They moche comforted eche other / And after sayd to them the counseyl of duc godeffroy / They acorded therto / and sayd that it ought so to be doo· And so abode there alle they to gydre / Ancean Capytayn of the Cyte by thyse semblaunces that he sawe· knewe that his peple had discomfyted the oures· Moche doubted he of theyr comyng agayn by cause that our men were yssued ayenst them / therfor [...]e dyde do crye in the toun / that alle men shold arme them and come to the yate of the brydge for to be redy in araye for to socoure their peple yf nede were / Our men had sente their espyes and theyr courreurs in dyuerse partyes for tenquyre and knowe whan the turkes shold come and fro what parte

Of a batayll where our men auenged them of the turkes / and of a stroke that duc godeffroy gaf in this bataylle· cap^o. Cv^o.

iT was not longe after. but whyles as they taryed there▪ and had theyr hertes desyryng to doo prowesse yf they had tyme and place· that theyr messagers arryued alle rennynge whiche told to them that the turkes were nygh / They began to re­comande them self to oure lord and wente forward in theyr ba­taylles like as they were ordeyned / whan they sawe tyme and place they smote theyr hors with theyr spores / And cam to so fi­ersly that the turkes were al abasshed / thenne they began to smy­te asprely on the right syde and lyft. And flewe in to the presse in suche wyse that euery man wold be the best and moost valyaunt / in so moche that they gaf to theyr enemyes no leyser to aduyse them what they shold doo / They myght not endure the grete strengthe of oure men / but wold haue drawen toward the brydge / [Page] But the duc godeffroy / that moche kn [...]we of suche thynges was pouru [...]yed therof to fore / And had taken a lytil [...]ritoire whiche was ayenst the brydge / And there he helde hym in his bataylle / Alle the turkes that they chaced to ward hym / he slewe them or he made retorne ayenst them fro whens they cam· where they slewe them alle and he we them / the erle of fflaundres dyde right wel this day as a good valyaunt & hardy man in armes / the Duc of Normandye brak the presse that no turke durst approche hym / the Erle of tholouse hym self wold auenge this / that they had made hym to spore his hors the daye to fore / huon le mayne forgate not to shewe of what lygnage he was and of what contre / buf semed that he dyde to his enemyes / that alle the werke and charge had ben his / thenne eustace brother of duc godeffroy· Bawdwyn erle of benawd / hughe therle of seynt poul. And alle the other barons knyghtes and noble men in theyr countrees dyde meruaylles of armes· ther was neuer man lyuyng that sawe ony werk better enterprised and m [...]e valyauntly achyeuyd and that communely of alle / Ancean sawe this bataylle so grete / And sawe his peple yssue out for t [...] gyue them herte and courage / And to put awaye thesperaunce of theyr flyght· commaunded to shette the yates af­ter them· they cam pryckyng ayenst oure men / & wold haue made theyres to retorne whiche were discomfyted. but the affraye and the drede was so grete in them that they neuer made semblaunt therto / they them self that frely cam on whan they sawe the pro­wesse of our men and the grete strokes that they gaf torned theyr backes with the other / ne neuer made grete resistence / there was the fyghtyng grete and merueyllous betyng doun of the turkes that men myght not but with grete payne passe / ther was so grete noyse. so grete crye· & so terryble neyhyng of horses oueral. that a mā shold not haue herd thondre. they that had made the yates to be slette after them were ofte this day in peryl to lese theyr lyues· the wyues of the turkes the maydens and feble peple of the toun were vpon the walles and tourettes where they sawe theyr peple torne to meschyef and to destruction / ye may wel thynke that they had grete sorowe / wepynge and moche grete crye and noyse wel cursed they that tyme that they so longe had lyued that they shold see suche meschyef happen to them / Ancean sawe that he loste alle his men and had none hope for to recoure them / commaunded that that yate shold be opened for to receyue in to the toun them that were lefte / whan the turkes sawe the yate opene / they had so [Page] grete wylle to entre in to the toun / that vpon the brydge they pressyd so euyl for haste that they fylle in to the water of them gret [...] plente· The Duc Godeffroye that al that day had so wel don. And whan it cam for to departe to fore the brrdge / he gaf a strook moche valyaunt / and suche one / that it shal perpetuelly and euer­more be spoken of in wele and in honour / ffor I trowe ther hap­ped neuer none suche to fore / ne neuer shal happen here after. There were this daye many heedes smeton of / Armes and sholders at one stroke / he wel apperceyued one of his enemyes whiche helde hym nygh to Godeffroy· And auaunced hym ofte and peyned to greue hym / The valyaunt Duc smote hym with his swerde by suche myght and vertue that he smote hym in two pyeces in the myddle / in suche wyse that the ouerste part of hym fyl to the ground / And that other parte abode styll syttyng on the hors / whiche entred in to the Cyte with the other / And knowe ye certaynly that this sayd Turke was armed with a good hauberk and moche stronge / Alle they that sawe this merueylle / were gre­tely abasshed. And the Turkes them self had grete fere and deed [...] O mercyful God what myght and strengthe gyuest thou to thy seruauntes that haue their fayth and truste in the / Suche a stroke hath not be herd of to fore this tyme / That same daye they of An­thyoche loste moo than two thousand men· And yf the nyght had not comen so sone on· they shold haue ben so enfebled of men / that with payne shold they haue conne holden and kept the toun ayenst oure men· It semed wel that at the brydge were many Turkes slayn. ffor it was thycke there of deede bodyes· The ryuer that descended to the see / was alle blody vnto the See / Somme Cristen men of the londe yssued oute of the toun· And cam to our peple / that told them that· xij / grete admyrals had the Turkes loste in the bataylle / For whom they were ouermoche sorouful For they were so endommaged / that neuer in theyr lyf shold they be therof restored

How the Cristen men thanked oure lord of this vyctorye / And made a Castel in theyr mahommerye. where there they fon­de grete gayne· Capitulo Cvj^o.

[Page]tHe next day whan the daye was wel cleer· the barons as­sembled alle for humbly to thancke our lord of the victorye that he had gyuen to them· And after spak of the comyn besynes· Comynly was deuysed and acorded of alle / that there shold be made a tour as they had entreprysed at thende of the brydge. for to take away the yssue fro them of the toun / And for to ke­pe and warante oure peple whan they ranne to fore it / There had the Turkes buryed by nyghte the dede men that had ben slayn in the bataylle to fore / whan the peple afoote knewe this they ranne. And there vnburyed them / And toke them out of theyr sepultures and graues / And toke and bare away Gold / Syluer / And theyr robes the whiche they had buryed with them in their sepultures after theyr customme / They of the toun had moche so­rowe by cause they sawe to fore theyr eyen the corses taken vp of theyr frendes whiche they had buryed with grete costes and dispenses· And it displesyd them moche that the nombre of theyr deed men shold be knowen / whom they had supposed to haue kepte secrete / ffor without them that fylle in the flood or Ryuer And withoute them that were buryed in the toune / And them that were hurt vnto the deth and buryed in the toun. were taken vp oute of theyr graues in the mahomerye a thousand and fyue honderd· They smote of thre honderd heedes and sente them to Themperour. for to late hym haue certayn tydynges of the bataylle that they had ayenst the turkes / The messagers of the Calyphe of Egypte were not yet departed fro thens. And whan they sawe this· they were ioyous of the deth of theyr ene­myes / But they were alway after a feerd and dred oure peple / There were many of oure owne men that had fledde in to the woodes and montaygnes whiche after retourned in to thooste / There cam many in to thooste / that men supposed had ben deed / the barons commanded that the fortresse shold be made & adressyd moch hye & strōge hastely. It was made of such stones as they drewe out of the tōbes & sepultures of the turkes / & after the barons began to aduyse to whom the kepyng of this tour shold be delyud which was fayr & strong. & to fore was made a dyche moche depe· ther were Barons ynowe whiche excused them by many reasons why they myght not kepe it / But the valyant Erle of Tholouse prouffred hym self / And prayde that it myght be delyuerd to hym ffor to gouerne / ffor by the grace of God he shold kepe it wel / Alle the Barons coude hym moche good thancke / And [Page] by this recouerd he the grace and loue of the comyn peple / whiche he had alle loste / ffor fro the somer to fore by thoccasion of a seke­nes and maladye that he had / he had don none auauncement of ony werkes and nedes of the hoost· Eueryche of the other barons had don his power / But he dyde right nought / therfore thempyre coude hym thank / ffor it was supposed that he was the rychest· but for tentreprise of this thyng· they sayd wel alle that he was not a ferd ne euyll. And on that othersyde yet he dyde more· ffor he leyd out· v / C / marck weyght of syluer in the hand of the Bisshop of puy and other good men for to helpe to restore the dommages of the horses that the poure men had taken in the bataylle· there were many after that were the more hardy for to goo ayenst theyr e­nemyes for hope to haue and recouere theyr horses / ffor thyse thynges was therle of tholouse moche louyd and preysed in so moche that they callyd hym fader and wardeyn of thoost

Of a fortresse that Tancre made ouer the Ryuer and de [...]ended it valyauntly· capitulo Cvij^o

iN this newe fortresse of the brydge therle of tholouse sette thyrin / v· C. men of Armes hardy and valyaunt knyghtes and other / And by cause of this fortresse the yssuyng and goyng out of them of the toun was deffended / Oure men thenne wente surely in the countre / the turkes myght not yssue but by the west yate / whiche is bytwene the foot of the hylle· And the ryuer of helle. And this yssue myght not moche greue ne hurte oure men / ffor alle the lodgys were ouer the ryuer / but alway by that way [...] cam vytaylles and fresshe metes to them of the toun / And thus they were not ynowgh constreyned / by so moche as they had this yssue / The barons assembled and connseylled how they myght toke this waye fro them / they acorded wel that this myght not be But yf ther were a fortresse made ouer the Ryuer whiche muste be delyuerd to one of the Barons for to kepe· They acorded well alle that the fortress [...] shold be made / But none profe­red ne sayde that he wold kepe it / Many of them sayde that Tancre was ryght propyce to this thynge· But he ex­cused hym· And sayd that he wa [...] ouer poure for tendure and bere so grete dispence. Therle of Tholouse sterte forth to [Page] fore / and gaf to hym an / C / marck of syluer for to make it with And It was ordeyned that he shold haue euery moneth· xl mar­ke of the comune. Tancre whiche was moche valyaunt and wyse dyde do make this tour. in a lytil tertre nygh ynowgh to the gate And after receyued it in to his warde and kepyng· And god gaf to hym so moche worship / that he loste nothynge / But kepte it al hool vnto the ende of the siege. In the syde bynethe by the Ryuer was a moche fayr playne in whiche haboūded many fayr pastu­tures / And grete plente of trees a / iij / or four myle fro the Cyte They of the toun by cause they had not pastures ynowgh / they had sente grete plente of theyr horses and mounture in to that place / whan they of thoost apperceyued it / They assembled knyghtes ynowe and other valyaunt men of Armes / And wente the­der / but not by the right waye / but by pathes and hyd wayes so longe that they assaylled them that kept them and slewe them· They brought in to the hoost / ij / M· horses for men of Armes grete gente. and fayr / besyde the mules and other beestes· wherof they had largely. Of this gayne had they grete ioye / ffor they had of nothyng so grete nede in thoost as of horses / ffor they had ben my / nuysshed moche and lassed in the bataylle / And many deyed that tyme for hungre and mesease

How thenne the turkes of the toun began to haue mesease and sorowe / And our peple ease / Capitulo Cviij^o.

Han the Cyte was thus an alle sydes assyeged that the Turkes myght not yssue oute / they began within to haue mesease. ffor the Turkes had not vytayll ynowgh. wherof it happed that they myght not helpe them in theyr nede / ffresshe me­te faylled them· whiche greuyd them moche / Oure men had bandon to goo vnto the Porte of the See / By whiche they had so moche to suffre as they had endured alle the wynter / ffor the pryme temps and swete tyme was come in suche wyse that shippes myght goo and come by the See / whiche brought vytaylles ynowgh. There were many of oure people that had soiourned alle the wynter in the Townes. whiche thenne cam agayne in to thooste alle fressh & wel armed· / bawdwyn the bro­ther of duc Godeffroy / of whom ye haue wel h [...]rd speke to fore / whiche had so moche rychesse [...] had herd tydynges that the barons [Page] had suffred many meseases in thoost / And sente to them alle grete yeftes and presentes / not only to the grete prynces / But also to the moyen peple / And to the leste gaf he also ynowgh of his o wen wherfor he had the loue & grace of alle this companye / he gaf to his brother the Duc alle thyssues of his londe that he had on this side the Ryuer of Eufrates / with which he gaf to hym the Cyte of tor besel & the contre ther about wherin was moche whete / wyne & oy­le. And yet aboue al this he gaf to hym / L / M. besauntes / And there was a noble man of hermonye whiche was named Nycose whiche was wel acqueynted with bawdwyn· And for his loue sente vnto duc Godeffroy a pauyllon the moost fayr· and moost ryche that myght o wher be seen / It was of ouer straunge facion and merueyllously grete / But whan his messagers bare it in to the haoste / One pancrace a moche ryche man of Hermonye / Of whom I haue spoken to fore dyde do espye them by the waye / And dyd to take it from them / And after sente the pauyllon to Buymont· And was presented to hym in his name. whan the seruauntes of Nycose cam to Duc Godeffroy / And had told hym alle this that pancrace had don to hym / he had therof moche grete desdayne / Syth he toke with hym the Erle of fflaundres· to whom he had more loue and acqueyntaunce than to ony other of the barons / And wente to buymont and demaunded his pauyl­lon that was gyuen to hym / Buymont answerd that therof he knewe not / that it was longyng to hym / ffor a noble man of the coūtre had gyuen it to hym. But whan he knewe that the duc wold not suffre it / By hys curtosye and atte prayer and requeste of the other barons he rendred and delyuerd to hym his sayd pa­uyllon to thende that no noyse shold sourde ne arryse bytwene them and myght lette the werke of oure lord / Thus were they good frendes / Many men merueylled them how that so valyaunt a man as the Duc Godeffroy was / In whom was no thynge founden to be reprehended was so meuyd / ayenst so hye and noble a man for so lytil a thyng as was a pauyllon. Ne I can see none other reason. But that a noble herte maye not suffre shame / And it was late hym vnderstande that it shold be to hym a grete sha­me / And also it shold be ayenst his honour yf he suffred it to be ta­ken away from hym. ffor couetyse he dyde it not /

How the Erle Estyeuen of Chartres and of Bloys fledde [Page] fro the hooste shamefully / Capitulo Cix^o.

tHe renommee so [...]rded moche grete / & grewe euery day how the Soudan of Perse whiche was so ryche and puyssaunt by the request of them of Anthyoche had doo somone his peple of alle his power f [...]r to come socoure this cyte / he had assembled merueyllous grete peple· ffor the tydynge cam not only to them of thooste / But it was sayd of many men that yssued out of the Cyte for to come in to thooste as hermyens and surryens whiche were cristen / wherof it happed that Steuen therle of chartres & of bloys whiche was so noble puyssaunt and wyse· that for his wysdom the other barons of thooste named hym the fader of coūseyl made hym self seke as was sayd / he toke leue of his frendes. Bycause he sayde he wold goo in to Allexandrye the lasse / whiche was nyghe to the porte / And wold abyde there til he were deed or ellys hool / Thus he departed and lad away with hym grete good / & with hym departed· iiij / M. men whiche were of his com­panye and of his countreye· he wente strayt in to Allexandrye the lasse / And there helde hym to thende / that yf oure peple had vyc­torye of the bataylle whiche they a wayted dayly. he wold retor­ne in to thoost as guarysshyd and hool of his maladye· and yf it had meshapped them anon he wold haue entred in to shippis whiche were alle redy for to retourne in to his countrey / Of this thynge alle the barons of thooste were so abasshed & angry that they wepte hoote teeris for pyte that they had of so hye and noble man that toke none hede to his gentilnesse· to his wytte / ne to the worshyppe that men dyde to hym / But departed so euyl in poynt / that many men had no shame to withdrawe them after hym / Thus departed many / The Barons had counseyl to gydre / And dyde do crye thurgh the hooste. that noman shold be so hardy to de­parte withoute leue / ffor yf ony wente· they shold be holden for murdyrere And Iustyce shold be doon to suche men / By this or­denaunce for teschewe the payne and for to kepe theyr honour they held them in peas in thoost / And obeyed alle in pees in the hooste And obeyed debonayrly to the barons of thooste· As Monkes or Cloystrers to theyr Abbot withoute departyng ony of theyr companye

How a Cristen man Emyrferins whiche was in Anthyoche [Page] acqueynted hym with Buymont / ca^o. Cx^o.

aNthyoche this holy cyte that I haue spoken of to fore was conuerted by the prechyng of seynt peter thappostle / alway it helde wel this fayth and yet holdeth certaynly god be thanked Whan the disloyalte and falsenes of mahomet [...]an thurgh thoryent this cyte wold neuer receyue his lawe. and whan the myghty men of the countre wold constrayne them by force to this euyl lawe. they deffended them well ayenst alle suche. wherof it hap­ped that whan the deuyl had sette this false byleue thurgh alle the londe of Perse vnto the braas of seynt George / and fro Inde vnto spayne / this cyte abode alway in the fayth of the trouthe of Ihesu Criste / Trouthe it is that fourten yere to fore that our peple cam theder / the grete Soudan of Perse had conquerd alle the lon­des vnto Anthyoche / And bycause they were not myghty to hold it ony lenger. they yelded it vnder the puyssaunce of this grete man. Thenne after cam oure men for tassiege it· Almost alle they of the toune helde the fayth of oure lord. But withoute faylle they had no power ne noo seygnorye in the cyte. ffor they medled of nothyng sauf theyr craftes & theyr marchaundyses to wyn­ne theyr breed / the turkes had the bataylles / and wente to armes whan it was nede· ther was none so hardy of the cristen men that durst arme hym / and specially syth our peple cam to fore the toun The cristen mē that were therin were holden suspect that they durst not yssue ne goo oute of theyr howses / there were many of suche cristen men that were of grete lygnage to whom was don moche shame· there was a lygnage of noble men that were beremyens· They were named in theyr langage Bam and Cyrra / that is to saye the sones of harbergyers / And for certeyn of the same langage were descended theyr lygnages. and yet ben ther somme that make hawberks / they had a toure whiche was named the tour of the two sustres· In this toure were / ii / bretheren that were lordes of this lygnage· The oldes [...] had to Name Emerferyus a moche sage and prudent man / Acqueynted he was and pryue with the lord of the toun. in suche wyse that he had made hym his notarye within the palays / This man herde men speke moche good of Buymont fro the begynnynge of the siege. And wel vnderstode by the comyn renommee that he was a wyse man. And trewe of grete herte and enterpryse / Therfore he sente to hym his Messager / And acqueynted with hym moche [Page] pryuely / and lete hym knowe alle the beyng & state of the Cyte / and the purpoos of the turkes / but they were bothe two wysemen ther for coude they wel couere theyr counntenaunces / There were but fewe peple about buymont that knewe hym.

Of somme deuyses that the sayd Emyrferius sente to buymont & in what maner he acorded to delyuer to hym the toun· ca^o Cxj^o.

sEuen monethes had tho endured the siege to fore the toun / Buymont the wyse & subtil / had many tymes essayed his frende of the toun / how the cyte myght be yolden to the cristen men So ofte he sente to hym by his sone that sayd thus to hym in this manere / fayre swete syre▪ I trowe certaynly that our lord Ihesus Criste wold that I had this acqueyntaunce with you and this loue. ffor euer syth I haue be acqueynted with you. myn herte ne­uer rested to drawe and acorde euery day more and more· in your bounte and your maner plesyd me moche / I haue veray ferme & fast hope that I and the myne shal be yet in tyme comynge moche holpen and honoured by you of this thynge that ye haue discoue­rid to me / of which I haue ben merueyllously pensyf / syth I ha­ue herd of it / I haue moch counterpeysed the wayes of that one side and of that other· ffor I thynke wel certeynly that yf I maye delyuer my countrey fro the peple that ben enemyes of oure lord· and rendre and delyuere it to the seygnorye of my fayth. I shal haue grete guerden of oure lord and grete honour in the world / But yf it so happed thus that this werke were discouerd that I haue enterprised to fore er it cam to an ende or conclusion / I shold be delyuerd to alle the tormentes of the world / & alle my lygnage effaced and destroyed that it neuer shold be spoken of after. And neuertheles many thynges be put in aduenture therfore I wylle discouere to you alle my herte. as to hym that I hold for a trewe frende / yf the barons that be in your companye wylle graunte as trewe men as they be. that this Cyte shal be youres for euermore and your heyres yf it may be conquerd / I shal put me in aduenture so that I shal delyuer to you this tour that I holde / whiche is moche strong and wel garnysshed / And this I shal doo for god­des loue and youres / But yf they entende that euery man shal haue his part / as of thyng goten by warre / therupon wyl I not laboure ne doo payne / ffor I wote neuer to what ende it shold [Page] come· therfor I pray you fayr swete syre & trew frende that ye put you in deuoyr & payne that this toun be youres / not for couetyse but for the prouffyt of the cyte Cristen / & I promyse to you that the day that I shal knowe that it shal be thus graunted to you. I shal delyuer to you the entree of the toun· Alway one thynge I saye to you for certayn· that yf it be not made within short tyme that ye shal neuer day of the world recouere it / ffor euery day come to the lord of this toun lettres and messagers certefyeng / that they that come to socoure the toun ben about the ryuer of eufrates whiche is not ferre / And they ben wel a .ij / C / M / men of Armes· yf they come an you on that one syde / And they of the Cyte on that other / ye may not suffre ne withstande them / but ye shal be alle deed or taken / And therfore take ye here vpon hasty counseyl

How buymont discouerd this thynge to duc godeffroy to hu [...]on the mayne to the duc of Normandye and to therle of fflaun­dres / Capitulo / C / xij^o.

fRo the day that buymont had herd this / he began tenanyre moche subtylly and examyne the hertes of the barons / And demaunded them otherwhyle what they wold doo with this Cyte yf it were taken / Of the ansuer somme of them thought that it was fer of / Therfore taryed buymont to discouere his herte and his thought til he sawe better his poynt and tyme / neuertheles he drewe a part duc godefroy. huon de mayne the duc of normandye and therle of fflaūdres· To them he sayde that he trusted so moche in oure lord that yf the cyte myght be graunted to hym it myght be wel in short tyme conquerd. They acorded it and moche preysed in theyr courage the wytte of this man that had in wylle to ac­complysshe so grete a thyng / By thaccord of them this thyng was discouerd to therle of tholouse / he ansuerd that he wold neuer yf the Cyte were taken / gyue his parte to another man / The barons prayd hym moche· but he wold not consente therto for nothynge / Therfor the thynge was in suche daunger / that almost the thynge was alleloste / ffor Buymont put not the payne / ne his frende of the toun wold not but yf the toun shold be alle his. Neuertheles for alle this Buymont sente to hym ofte grete yeftes for to kepe hym in acqueyntaunce and in the loue that was begonne bytwe­ne them

Of the grete socours that the Soudan of perse had sente to them [Page] of [...]nthyoche and how C [...]hagat assyeged rages / capitulo / Cxiij^o.

iN the whyle that thyse thynges ran thus in Anthyoche / the messagers that fro Ancean were goon to the soudan of per­se for to demaunde ayde / were retorned as they that had wel don theyr thynges· ffor that grete prynce atte requeste of them of Anthyoche. And atte prayer of his men had enterprysed to efface and destroye alle our pylgryms that theder were comen / And ther fore he sente theder grete plente of Turkes and of cordyns in to this countre / And had delyuerd alle the seygnorye and gouernaū ce of the hooste to one his acqueynted / ffor he trusted moche in his wytte / in his loyalte / and in his prowesse / This man was named Corbagat. he commaunded alle men to obeye to hym· he sente let­tres pendantes oueral his londes. and commaūded that they shold be delyuerd ouer all. that where he shold lede them / that they shold goo / And alle that he commaunded them they shold doo without contradiction / he departed fro his countrey with alle his peple and his power / he passed so ferre that he cam in to the countre of rages / Ther was told to hym that one of the barons of ffraunce helde the Cyte of Rages which he had conquerd and alle the londe about it He had therof grete despyte / and sayd to fore and er he passed the Ryuer of Eufrates / he shold take the toun and destroye alle the fren Themen that he shold fynde within / Bawdwyn was not of lityl courage. And had wel herd tydynges of this peple / he had wel garnysshed his Cyte with armes. vytaylles and noble men / And doubted but lytil his comynge / ne the menaces ne the grete wordes of thyse peple that were reported to hym / Corbagat com­maunded that the cyte of rages shold be assieged / And after dyde do crye to assault / grete peyne dyde they wenyng to haue taken the cyte and alle them that were therin / But they that kept the toun deffended them moche wel in suche wyse that they endommaged moche them that were without· And they within loste no thynge They helde them about the toun thre wekes he had no worship ne prouffyt there. At laste the grete and noble men of thooste cam to hym / And sayde and counseylled hym to departe fro the siege / ffor he ought fyrst do that thyng for whiche he cam / that is to saye for to take and slee alle them that were to fore Anthyoche. And after in his retornyng in a morowtyde he shold haue the toun of Rages And Bawdwyn yf he were not deed· they shold take and bynde [Page] hym. And presente hym to theyr lord as a sheep or a moton. h [...] acorded to theyr counseyl and departed fro thens. But allewaye the taryeng that the turkes had made sauyd oure prlgryms / ffor the mater was not so acorded bytwene Buymont and his frende that yf they had comen strayt to Anthyoche / oure men had ben in ouer grete meschyef bytwene them that he brought / and the other turkes that were in the toun·

How our men beyng aduertysed of the grete hoooste of cor­bagat sente somme of theyr knyghtes for to esteme them / And what they reported of that they had seen / ca^o. Cxiiij^o

tHe tydynges began strongly to growe of this people that cam / And it was no merueyll yf they were effcayed in the hooste of the pylgryms / The barons assembled in counseyl / And ordeyned by comyn acord / that somme of theyr wysemen that vn­derstode / them in· suche thynges as to esteme peple in the felde shold goo and knowe their couyne / to this were chosen Dreues de Nelle Clarembault de venduel / Euerard de cherysy / & Renard therle of toul / They ledde with them other knyghtes knowen and preuyd in Armes / they departed fro thoost so ferre that they ap­prouched the turkes whom they sawe and folowed them fro fer / Neuertheles they wel apperceyued that lyke as water renneth in the see cam fro alle partes grete rowtes and merueyllous plente of peple in this hooste of Corbagat. Thise noble men wente so ferr that they sawe and knewe alle theyr beyng and s [...]rengthe / And syth drewe them to the barons and sayd to them the trouthe / The barons prayde and deffended them also dere as they had the werk of oure lord / that they wold not discouere this thyng to the foote men of thoost in no wyse / but kepe it secrete fro them / ffor it shold be grete peryll yf they knewe the trouth that they shold flee away by nyght / And be alle in despayr /

Of the counseyl that our peple toke for to ordeyne theyr nedes whan they knewe the comyng of this right grete hooost / ca^o. Cxv^o.

tHe barons toke counseyl / on whom the faites and burthon of this werke laye· how they myght conteyne them in this greuoꝰ poynt in whiche they were / som ther were that gaf coun­seyl that they shold departe fro the siege / And that somme of them [Page] on horsbak / and they on foote shold abyde for to kepe that they of the toun shold not mowe ioyne to the other· And somme other the best horsed shold lede of them a foote a grete partye ayenst Corbagat and fyght ayenst hym / The thyng was in grete doubte And wyste not how to accorde. Buymont whan he sawe them so surprised called the duc Godeffroy therle of fflaundres / Huon de mayne· the duc of normandye & therle of tholouse / And syth sayd to them thise wordes / Fayr lordes I see you in moche grete doub­te. and it is no merueyl / ffor the comynge of this puyssaunt man that cometh on vs and bryngeth with hym so grete plente of our enemyes. Ne ye be not yet acorded in what maner ye shal attende ne what shal be your countenaunce whan he shal come / Ne I can not saye to you as me semeth t [...]ng that by this way may moche auaylle / ffor yf we yssue alle ayen [...] [...]he turkes / lyke as somme men counseylle somme in one partye / And that other to abyde / as other counseyl we haue loste our payne and oure dispencis in the siege of this toun· ffor as sone as we shal departe fro hens or alle or half / they that comen shal sende in to the toun grete plente of vytaylles and fresshe men put in to it· yf noman abyde at the siege this shal be good for them to doo· And yf ther abyde a parte they shal not leue for them. ffor whan we be alle to gydre· vnnethe maye we constrayne them of the toun. thenne the fewe that shal abyde / how may they haue the force and myght ayenst them with­in / Therfor me thyncketh that we muste seche other remedye and connseyl that we may fynde maner how this cyte maye be yolden to vs. And that we may be within to fore er thyse turkes come· this shal be a more sure thyng / yf ye demaunde how this maye be / I shal shewe you the way and manere how it shal wel be as me semeth / I haue a frende in this Cyte a trewe man and wyse after that I can apperceyue. we haue couenauuted he and I to gydre wherfor he ought to delyuer to me a tour moche strong and wel garnysshed of alle that nedeth whiche he holdeth / whan I shal de­maunde hym / I muste gyue to hym thus doyng a grete partye of my good and hauoyr and franchyses and other alyaunces muste kepe to hym and hys· But this maye not be / but that eche of you gyue ouer his part to me· And quyte hym of ony part of the cyte that it shal abyde to me & to myn heyres for euermore· ffor other wyse he entendeth not that shall delyuer hit· yf it plese you in this maner ye may haue the toun· And yf ye wil graunte this I so­mone and warne you to fore in suche wyse that thyse couenaūtes [Page] be wel accomplysshed by godes grace / And yf it plese you not / And ye maye fynde ony other maner· I am redy tacquyte alle my parte to one of you / or to another of oure companye / yf be wyl delyuer to vs the Cyte / And god knoweth It shal plese me wel And I shal be right ioyous in good fayth

How after that Buymont had declared his fayte to alle the hooste· they acorded that the toun shold be his / sauf the Erle of Tholouse / Capitulo Cxvj^o.

wHan the barons herd this / they had grete ioye in theyr her­tes. and anon acorded to this that buymont requyred / euery man graunted his part that he shold be quyte therof· except only therle of tholouse· whiche in a reuerrye wheryn he was sayde / that he wold not acquyte his part ne gyue it oner to noman lyuyng ▪ The other barons promysed certeynly to holde it / And gaf to hym their fayth that they shold not discouere it to noman / They prayd hym that he wold wysely brynge this mater aboute. And dyly­gently laboure taccomplisshe it / ffor grete peryll myght come in the taryeng of it / The counseyl departed / thus This Buymont which was wyse and trewe· spak to the messager that knewe theyr co­uyne / And sente hym to his frende / And bad hym saye that the barons had graunted to hym that the toun shold be hoolly his with moche glad chere / Therfor he somoned hym by his fayth / that he shold accomplysshe this next nyght hooly that he had promysed hym / One thynge happed this same day that was moch helpyng to this werke / & to thaccomplisshyng therof / ffor this frende of buymont named Emyrferyus entremedled moche of thaffayres and thynges of ancean and of the toun. This same day whan he was besy in this werke / he sente his sone that was tho grete to his hows for to fetche somwhat / whan he cam to the tour hastely / he founde that one· of the grete admyrals of the toun pleyed and deled with his moder· whan he sawe this / he had so grete sorowe in his [...]erte· that he ran agayn to his fader / And told to hym lyke as [...]e had founden it. The fader was a moche wyseman· And was moche so­re angry· And sayd thyse wordes to his sone. Fayr sone it semeth not ynowgh to thyse fals houndes that they take fro vs alle that we haue. and kepe vs fowle in their seruage· B [...]t with this / they doo vs alle the shame that they maye / By the ayde of Ihesu crist [...] [Page] in whom I byleue / I shal laboure and doo payne to fynde the maner by whiche theyr power and myght shal be lassed mynuys­shed and shorted / And they shal haue guerdon for the euyl that they haue don to vs· he made thenne no semblaunt of Angre that he had / But sente his sone to buymont anon by the maner that he was acustomed to goo· And badde hym that he shold be redy· ffor as to hym he wold hold hym this nyght alle his couenauntes / he badde hym also that alle the Barons of thooste shold yssue oute abeut none euery man armed in his bataylle· And make sem­blaunt for to goo ayenst Corbagat. And after in the begynnyng of the nyght to retorne agayn pryuely withoute noyse / And kepe them so armed and redy to doo that shal be sayd to them aboute mydnyght. Buymont was moche ioyous / whan he herd this message / And aftir ledde hym to fore the barons to whom this thyng was discouerd / And made hym saye in theyr presence the wordes as he had brought / The barons whan they herd hym· were moche Ioyous / And sayd wel that this counseyl was good and fayth­ful and of grete courage acorded therto /

How they of Anthyoche had fere of treson / And how they assembled in counseyl / And of that whiche Emyrferius deposed there at / Capitulo .C / xvij^o.

oNe thyng happed in this toun / that is acustomed ofte to co­me in grete werkes / They that had the kepyng and charge of the toun / began to haue suspection within theyr hertes and de­uyned that the Cyte shold be by trayed / they knewe no reson ne how / ne they apperceyued no grete semblaunce / But alway that one spak to that other of the grete men / And them semed that it shold falle. So moche aroos this murmur and wordes that they assembled to fore Ancean lord of the toun / And told to hym. that his men had such fere. & it was not without reson· ffor the cristen men were in the toun. and were in doubte that by them dommage myght come to the Cyte / They ledde so Ancean with wordes that they made hym to be aferd also / Anon he sente for hym that was named Emyrferyus· And told to hym how this worde ranne about / And by cause he helde hym for a wyseman / he demaunded what counseyl he wold gyue here on / he that was sharp of enten­dement & apperceyuyng knewe anon / that his lord demaunded thyse wordes for to knowe· yf he shold answere ony thyng· By [Page] whiche he shold be suspecte. And knewe wel that this assemblee was there made by cause they had suspection / he thought wel to brynge them out of this wenyng by his answere / and sayd Fayr lordes ye be hye noble and wysemen. ye ought to conne them good thancke / And the lord specially of this that they ymagyne and doubte of trayson / ffor in so grete a thyng as ye haue to kepe / ought to be doubted alle that may be falle / ffor we be in peryll of our ly­ues of oure franchyses / of wyues· of Chylderen / and herytages / Thise ben thynges that ought to be well vnderstanden and kepte / But me semeth that by two wayes maye be gyuen counseyl in this thyng in suche wyse that yf ony were vntrew & suche a ttay­tre that wold destroye his countrey he shold haue no power / This thynge myght not be don ne spoken of but by them that haue the toures in kepyng / Therfor me thynketh yf ye haue suspection her of ye may wel remedye it. By ofte remeuyng them fro theyr pla­ces· ffor this thynge may not be deuysed but by moche grete leyser And whan ye chaūge them thus ofte / in suche wyse that they that be here this nyght / shal be sette the next nyght fer thens / where he shal haue no knowleche & her by ye shaltake fro them alle the ease for to commune or speke of ony trayson / whan they herd this coū seyl that this cristen man emyrferyꝰ gaf to them / they acorded alle well therto / & by this fylle from them alle the suspection fro theyr hertes that they had ayenst them / & thus as he had deuysed shold haue be don yf it had not ben so late for it was nyght and so grete remeuyng myght not be made but by space of tyme / The lord commaunded them to kepe alle the cyte hoolly / Thus departed they fro the counseyl / Emyrferyus that sawe wel that the thynge that he had enterprised / yf he and Buyuont hasted not / that it shold neuer take good ende / Therfor he thought moche to brynge his purpoos to effect without that ony man shold perceyue it /

Of the meschyef that the turkes made euery daye to the cristen men that were in Anthyoche enhabytyng with them· ca^o. Cxviij^o.

fRo the begynnyng that the Cyte was assyeged the turkes of the toun had in grete suspection the Grekes· Surryens and heremyns· and generally alle the other Cristen men that duellyd in Anthyoche. wherof it happed that the poure Cristen men that had not in theyr howses garnyson sufficiant for longe tyme / they made [Page] them to voyde the toun and alle theyr meyne. ffor they wold not that the Cyte were charged ne encombred with them / They ret [...]y­ned the ryche men within by cause they had vytayll ynowgh / they kepte them strayte and by fals occasions robbed them euery daye and toke fro them alle theyr thynges· They chaced them to the la­bours and werkes of the toun / yf. they had walles for to make or amende / They bare the stones the morter and sande. yf they wold [...] adresse engyns for to caste stones / or other Instrumentes of warr [...] they muste drawe the cordes· And neuer as longe as they fo [...]de cristen men. they fought none other for to doo suche werkes / And whan they had trauaylled longe / in stede of rewardes / they ledde them and bete them thurgh the stretes in suche wyse that they had leuer to haue ben caste out of the toun. atte begynnynge with the other than to be receyued with thyse fals hoūdes that thus greued them of the toun that were cristen / Thus were they acorded· viij / dayes to fore to speke to Emyrferyus frende of Buymont / that they wolde slee alle the cristen men and had don it yf one of the admyrals of the toun had not [...]etted / and empesshed it / which was alway pryue· and frende of the cristen men. he made to delaye it / vij dayes by this reason· ffor he sayd to them. Fayr sirs I hope that the cristen men that haue assieged vs shal departe fro the siege with in viij dayes for doubte of corbagat which cometh / & yf they departe why shal we slee the cristen men that ben in this toun / And yf they departe not· thenne maye ye doo· as ye haue deuysed. Thyse .viij. dayes were now passed. i [...] suche wyse that it was commaunded moche pryuely to them that had the charge· that they shold [...]lee them the same nyght. then̄e the samē day at none it was cryed thurgh the hooste of the pylgryms / that alle they that had horses were armed. and to drawe euery man to his bataylle. where he was constituted and ordeyned / for to doo that theyr Capytayns shold commaunde them. The men on foote knewe nothyng what they shold doo / ne the horsmen neyther / sauf they that buymont had aduertysed· thus departed they fro thoost alle in ordenaunce / It se­med wel that they wold goo ferre / They wente forth tyl it was nyght / whan it was derke it was commaunded that they shold re­torne agayn secretely without ony noyse / And that they shold holde them armed in theyr lodgys· This valyaunt man Emyrferius of whom I haue spoken to fore had a brother with hym· But he was not of suche courage as he was / the good man had sayd nothynge to hym of that he purposed to doo / ffor he doubted moche [Page] he wold not be agreable therto / They were to gydee in the tour at the hour of none whan th [...] bataylles yssued of thooste they behelde it by the batayllementes· Emyrferyus wold preue and knowe the courage of his broder whiche was yonger than he / And sayd to hym / Fayr swete broder I haue moche grete pyte of thyse hyemen that thou seest there· ffor they be of oure creaunce. moche faythful and good cristen men. Now ryde they also surely. As yf they ought nothyng to doubte. And their deth is ful nygh them. ffor it may not be that they may resiste ayenst them that come / and ayenst them of the toun / And yf they knewe it I trowe they wold take other coūseyl. his broder answerd / this is a moch folyssh pyte that thou hast / And I see the in a grete musardye. Certaynly it shold plese me wel / that the turkes had nowe smeton of alle their heedes and slayn them alle that thou seest there departe / And alle the other in lyke wyse. ffor neuer syth they entred in to this londe / we had neuer good day ne one good nyght. but haue made vs suffre many euilles by thoccasion of their comyng / & therfor I may not loue them· But I wold that they shold haue an euyl endyng and that right soone. whan emyrferyꝰ had herd thyse wordes he doub­ted to fore what to saye to his broder of his purpoos· but fro this forth he doubted nomore / and began to hate hym moche in his cou­rage / he thought wel that by hym myght be destroubled the grete auauncement of Cristendom Therfore he was in grete anguysshe how he myght delyuer hym /

Of the dilygence that buymont made in this werke / And how Emyrferyus slewe his brother and delyuerd the toun to the cristen men / Capitulo Cxix^o.

bVymont slepte not this nyght. ffor he shold haue ben moche displesyd / yf by his neclygence this werke shold be taryed He wente ofte to the Barons that knewe of this thynge for to be counseylled / He helde· in his honde a laddre of cordes moche subtylly made / Aboue it shold be fasted to the creucaux of the walle with good and stronge crochettes of yron· And for to fastne also in therthe. whan it cam aboute mydnyght / he toke his messager that knewe his secrete pryuely / And sente hym to his frende to knowe / yf if were yet tyme that he shold approuche to the wallys ffor hym thought that alle the Cyte was in moche peas and reste / whan this messager cam / he had hym abyde [Page] there stylle and saye no worde tyl that the mayster of the watc [...] were departed and passyd by· ffor the custome was suche in the cy­te. that aboue the watche that was ordeyned and aduysed / that a noble and wyseman shold serche and vysyte euery nyght the watche· And amende that as they founde amys. And he wente thus thre or four tymes in the nyght with a grete companye of peple that bare light· It was not longe aft [...]r that he cam & sawe in the tour where Emyrferyus was and sawe alle thynges wel ordey­ned and in good disposicion· And it plesyd hym wel and passed forth / This man sawe thenne that it was tyme to performe his werke· And sayd to the messager goo thy way dylygently and saye to thy lord· that now is tyme to doo well and that he come to fore this tour· and see that he haue good companye with hym and trewe / The messager departed forthwith / Emyrferyus entred in to the tour and founde his broder slepyng moche faste. he had fere that he shold awake er the werke were accomplysshyd and that he myght destrouble it. therfore he toke his swerd & roof hym thurgh bothe sydes and slewe hym· The messager cam to Buymont and told hym his erande. he cam incontinent to fore the tour. And the other barons with hym that knewe of the werke. Eche of them had but a fewe with them· but they were good & trew. emyrferiꝰ put out his heed & salewed them & they resalewed hym· and after aualed a corde doun by the wall they toke it & boūde it fast to thēd [...] of the laddre of cordes / whan it was bounden and drawen vp fas [...] ned & attached with the crochettes of yron aboue. there was none that was so hardy that wold fyrst goo vp. whan Buymont sa­we this / he toke thēne the laddre first as a valyaūt man & ardant t [...]ccomplysshe the werke· And wente vp til he cam to the batille­ment. Emyrferyus knewe anon that it was buymont· And to­ke hym by the arme and kyssed hys honde. Buymont wente vpon the walle· And kysshed hym swetly· He thanked hym of the seruyse that he had don / Emyrferyus ladde hym in to the towre. And sayde to hym. Beholde and see what I haue don for god and you· This man that ye see here deed is my brother Germayn / I haue slayn hym by cause he wolde not acorde to this werke that ye and I haue enterprysed. Buymont had moche grete Ioye. ffor fro thenne forthon knewe he well that his frende dyde alle in good fayth / Thenne cam to the cre­ueuls and put oute his heede and called his peple and sayd that they shold come vp dylygently by the laddre. They durst [...] [Page] not go vp / But alway supposed it had be deceyuaunce. Buy­mont that was moche valyaunt and Iust put doun his foote on the laddre / And descended doun to the erthe and sayd to them fayr lordes ye tarye ouer longe / there is no doubte / ffor knowe ye cer­taynly that this good man hath shewde to me his brother whom he hath slayn for loue of vs / whan they herd this they all toke the laddre he that myght best beste / And mounted vp so many that ther were men ynowgh on the walle / Therle of fflaundres went vp and Tancre for tenseyne the other how they shold doo / whan the fyrst towr was wel garnysshed with men· they ranne to the other by· And slewe the watche men and helde the toures

Of the mayntene of the cristen men in this pryse. And of the af­fraye of the turkes of the toun· ca^o. .C.xx^o

aT the foote of the laddre abode somme of the Barons for to conduyte thooste / whan they sawe that they had vpon the walles men ynowe that myght garnysshe dyuerse / towres / They ran hastely to the lodgys for to make the peple arme them / And to drawe nerer / to thende that they myght al be redy for to entre in whan our men were on the walles / they were not ydle / but were noble and hardy / in such wise that they had anon. x / towres taken alle in arenge / And had slayn alle them that they founde therin And the cyte was not yet meuyd ne a waked / ffor the grete men of the toun whan they herde the noyse. had supposed certaynly that they had slayn the Cristen men / lyke as they had commaūded And that this affraye had be for none other thynge And they meued not oute of theyr beddes. In this partye where oure me [...] were goon vp was a posterne. Our men that were on the walles descended and brake vp the lockes and opened the yate in suche wyse that many entred of oure peple· And after cam to the grete gate that was called the gate of the brydge / And alle the watche that kepte it they slewe. And after opened the gate / A squyer of Buymontys ran til he cam to an hye towre whiche was vpon the tertre by the dongeō of the toun / there be fyxed the Baner of Buymont his lord. Whan oure peple that were in the toun apperc [...]yued that the daye was nyghe· And the dawenyng appiered· thenne they made to sowne theyr trompettes and [...]usynes for to calle al the people of the hooste / The Barons [Page] vnderstode the signe. and smote the h [...]rs with the spor [...]s. And en­tred by the yates whiche they founde opene with alle theyr bataylles· The foote men of thooste a wooke that knewe nothyng of this counseyll. They sawe the tentes empty and voyde· and apperceyued that the toun was taken· thenne began they hastely to [...]enne to the gayne· in suche wyse that none abode other· The turkes of the toun a woke and herde the noyse and sawe the men of armes thurgh the stretes· Thenne apperceyued they in what poynt they were· They began to flee out of theyr howses and lede theyr wyues and chylderen with them· whan they fledde fro one rowte of our men. they [...]e­countred another gretter· whiche slewe them alle· The surryens. the hermyeus & the other cristen men of the toun apperceyued that the thyng wente so· they had moche grete ioye and toke the armes hastely· and wente forth with our men and tolde to them the pla­ces where mooste peple were. And where the tresours were· They them slewe the turkes moche gladly· They payned them moche to rendre to them the guerdon of betynges and tormentes that they had don to them. Thoost was thēne entred in to the toun The barons had sette their baners on the toures· grete occision and slaughter had be in the toun. they spared noman ne woman ne childe / they brak vp dores and chestes· ye shold haue seen gold and syluer departed in the stretes. It semeth well a thyng conquerd. and wonne by warre· what shal I make long deuyses· ther were slayn of them of the toun that day moo than ·x·M· of whom the bodyes laye alle bare in the wayes and stretes

How Ancean lord of authyoche fledde by a posterne out of the toun· And he was recountred and put to deth. ca^o. Cxxj^o.

wHan Ancean sawe that the cyte was thus bytrayed· And that his peple that myght escape fledde an hye in to the for­tresse of the dongeon. he doubted moch to goo theder ffor he thought wel that the cristen men wold enuyrōne incontinent this tour yf be entred. therfor he yssued out at a posterne out of the toun. and wente allone as he had be oute of his wytte / Ne he knewe not whether he myght goo· And flee for to kepe hym. whan he wen­te thus by the feeldes moche ferre fro the Cyte. Certeyne Hermyns mette hym and knewe hym. And moche merueylled what this myght be· And after thought that the Cyte was taken [Page] And they approched hym / lyke as they wold haue enclyned to hym as they were woonte / but thēne they toke hym & smote hym doun to therthe / and after with a swerde smote of his heed· and bare it in to the toun / And presented it vnto the barons to fore the peple / one maner peple was comen in to āthyoche which were not of the toun· that were come for to deffende theyr lawe / and other for to be souldyours / And other for prowesse of armes· & to gete honour and prys· thyse knewe not wel the leyng of the toun / and were moūted vpon their horses alle armed and begonne to renne ayenst the hylle toward the dongeon / and by aduenture they mette a route of our men thus as they wente sechyng in the toun. which ran on them moche hardyly· Thyse maner of peple wold haue e­schewed them and smote theyr hors toward the valeye / and fylle doun of a bancke in suche wyse· that they were alle to brused men hors harnoys and abyllementes / ther were deed wel a / iij / C. som ther were that in the toun were born / whan they apperceyued in the mornyng that our men were within· They toke their hors and rode out by the yates that our men had opened. ther were of oure men that wente aftir and sued them and brought many of them agayn whom they put in pryson / som other escaped & ran vnto the montaynes / about the hour of tierce whan the toun was serched Our peple assembled and anon apperceyued that in alle the toun was no vytayll· and it was not wondre / ffor the siege had thēne endured nygh .ix· monethes and moche peple had ben therin du­ryng the siege / but gold syluer preceoꝰ Iewellis and vessel of dyuerse facions / clothes of sylke. & ryche tappets· & of other thynges they foūde so moch that eche of our mē was alle charged as moch as they myght bere / It cam wel to poynt to oure poure pylgryms for to fynde suche rychesse / after the grete mesease that they had suffred / ther were foūden in the toun / v / C. good hors of armes / But they were riyht lene and wery· thus was the cyte of Anthyoche taken the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord a / M·lxxxxviij / the / iij day of the moneth of Iuyn

How aftir that our men had made grete slaughter of theyr enemyes our men helde counseyl for to take the dongeon / thēne beyng seased of the turkes / ca^o. ·C·xxij^o.

tHe pylgryms that were theder comen fro many coūtrees by grete labour were thēne ful of shedyng of the blood of their enemyes / The Barons assembled in counseyl and aduysed [Page] emonge them. that this werk was not yet parfyght. but that ther was yet trauayll and peryll tyl that the dongeon were taken and goten· whiche was right stronge / and wel garnysshed with wal­les of the toun / they sette good warde and kepers of alle the yates And dyde do crye thurgh alle the toun to assault. and commanded that all shold come to the tour / that was on the montayne / whan they cam theder· they knewe wel certaynly· that this was not a thynge lightly to be goten. ffor the fortresse myght not be goten but by famyne. therfor they trauaylled but lytil. but withdrewe them and made the peple to retorne. this montayne that is aboue the toun is deuyded in tweyne like as I sayd to fore by a depe valleye / whiche is as stepe as it were plom doun / The syde whiche is toward thoryent is moch fayrer vpon a playne wel brode ful of vygnes and londe erable· That other partye toward the west is moche hyer as a man shold goo vp right / And right vpon the sommet ot toppe of the tertre stondeth the dongeon ferme of o­uer stronge walles and thycke toures / they be hye and grete toward thoryent. and toward northeste about the valeye it is so deep that it semeth a right helle / And it is an hydous thynge to beholde It coude neuer be ymagyned how it myght be myned / and fro this dongeon vnto the toun is a way whiche is so strayt that with grete payne one man allone maye goo or come. The barons acorded that they wold close this litil terter and waye. to thende that they of the dongeon shold not mowe descende ne doo euyll ne harme to oure men in the cyte / They made a walle moche stronge of lyme and sonde In whiche they put men of Armes ynowe and wel in poynt. They sette on the walles stones and engyns redy for to caste stones yf the turkes descended & cam doun. the barons wente in to the toun for to take coūseyl of other werkes. It was ordeyned & deuysed that alle men shold retorne & abyde there about this newe walle tyl that the dongeon were taken. sauf the Duc Godeffroye whiche by comyn coūseyl of alle shold abyde for to kepe the gate of the est / & the fortresse that our men had made withoute the gate that was delyuerd to buymont. They herde tydynges that this grete prynce Corbagat of whom I haue spoken to fore shold arryue shortly / ffor he was thēne entred in to the londe of anthyoche / It was ac [...]rded that they sholde sende a wyse man vnto the see· and saye to them that were goon for to doo theyr thynges / that they shold retourne hastely and brynge in to the Cyte alle the vytayl­les that they myght fynde They them self that were in Anthyoche [Page] ran alle the countrey abeut for to seche vytaylles· but they founde but lytil. The laborers of the playne countrey were moche ioyous that the Cyte was in the handes of the pylgryms for they were of our fayth. all that they had hyd they brought· but it was not moch For the longe siege had destroyed the countre without and emptyd the toun within

How whyles thooste garnysshed the toun· Somme of thoost of Crobagat cam rennyng to fore it. cap^o. .C.xxiij^o.

tHe second day after the toun was taken· whyles oure peple entended to garnysshe the Cyte· cam thre honderd men of the hoost al in poynt of Corbagat wel armed and horsed vpon lyght horses for to see yf they myght fynde ony of oure men that rode fo­lyly by the countre· They embusshed them alle sauf ·xxx. the beste horsed whiche cam to fore the toun. They began to renne nycely for to drawe oure men out of arraye· whan oure men sawe them· [...]hey had grete desdayne / And wende that it had be a grete shame yf they founde not to whom to speke to / syth they were come so fer to fore / A noble man of whom I haue spoken to fore / by whom the hooste had had many prouffytes by his wytte & prowesse & was named Rogier de barneuylle. And was of the companye of the duc of normandye he toke with hym .xv· knyghtes that [...]e had of his meyne· And cam out of the toun ayenst the turkes as he that was noble valyaunt and hardy / And acustomed to doo fayr fay [...]tes· whan he sawe them he smote his hors with his spores to [...]ward them· And they by cautele torned and fledde· Our men fo [...]lowed hastely so ferre that they launced vpon theyr watc [...]e they sprange oute of the embusshement. And ran vpon oure men ffor they were many and wel proued in armes. Rogier relyed his ly [...]til felawship / And cam deffendyng hym toward the toun. whan they were nyghe· A turke garnysshed with a stronge bowe smote Rogier thurgh the body in suche wyse that he fyl doun deed to fore his hors. Anon his felaws withdrewe them in to the toun. The turkes descended vpon hym and smote of his heed· seeyng they that were on the walles / they bare a way the heed and thus departed / they of the toun yssued oute with grete crye and lamentacion as they that had a grete losse· They toke the body and buryed it ho [...]norably and with grete sorowe in the porche of the chirche of seynt peter / The barons compleyned moche aboue the other this noble man. as they that beste knewe hym /

How the thyrde day after the getynge and pryse of Anthyo­che Corbagat with his hoost arryued to fore it. ca^o. Cxxiiij^o.

aTte the thyrde day after that Anthyoche was taken / this grete prynce Corbagat cam to the cyte in the mornyng at the sonne rysyng with so grete plente of peple that alle the coūtre that myght be seen fro the hyest place of the toun was couerd with them / The barons sawe moche more peple / than they herd saye of. For theyr hoost encreced euery day / he passed the brydge / And lod­ged hym bytwene the laye / and the ryuer of helle whiche is wel a myle fro that one to that other / he had so grete plente of knygh­tes· and so grete nombre of tentes and pauyllons that the grete playne wherof I haue spoken to fore where Anthyoche stondeth ne yet it myght not alle receyue them / But many of them lodged them in the terrytoryes by / whan Corbagat had be thus thre da­yes lodged· hym thought that he was ouer fer fro the cyte / And by his counseyl wold be more ner the dongeon / whiche the turkes helde / for to ayde and comforte them / And thought for to put men in to the toun by the yate that was vnder the dongeon· whan he was lodged on that partye. he comprysed fro the yate of the eest to the west yate all the syde of the toun toward the south / by syde the parte of the eest was a fortresse whiche oure men had made / vpon a litil tertre as I haue sayd and was delyuerd to Buymont / But whan the toun was taken and the yate / he delyuerd this for tresse to other for to kepe / Therby lodged som turkes of thooste of Corbagat / They began tassaylle this tour / They that were within dyde grete payne to deffende them / But it was ouermoche char­ged with gre [...]e plente of peple that were there and also with Ar­chers of whom they had many. The duc whiche was bye at the yate sawe that his men had ouermoch to doo / & had good wyll for to helpe them / and wold haue dislodged them that were come ouer fer forth / he yssued out with al his bataylle / And smote his hors with his spores toward the f [...]rtresse / And sawe that there were ouer grete plente of turkes to fore hym / which smote in to his men and began to demene them euyll / ffor ayenst one of them ther we­re .x. turkes the duc knewe that his strēgthe was not like theyres and began to withdrawe hym toward the toun / But to fore that they myght reentre in to the gate / The turkes assaylled them so e­uyll that ther were / ij C / of the batayll of the duc taken & deed

How after that the duc was within the barres of the toun / and many of his men slayn. the turkes entred in to the toun / ca^o. C·xxv

tHe Duc cam in to the toun moche angry of this dommage. But whan the turkes knewe that this had be godeffroye of boloyne that they had thus put abak. They aroos in moche grete pryde / therfor they wente thens vnto the montayne / & entred [...] in to the toun by the yate of the dongeon / And surprysed somme of our men that toke none hede / wyth bowes & with swerdes they slewe them / but whan they were apperceyued our men chassed them But they put them in to the dongeon where they were sauf / thus dyde they oftymes harme / ffor they knewe another way to desc [...]n­de. than that whiche our men had garnysshed / The barons assem­bled for to take coūseyll what they shold do [...] of the peryll wherin they were. By comyn acorde it was ordeyned / that Buymont and The Erle of Thoolouse shold make there a dyche moche depe and brode ynowgh bytwene the toun· and the pendaunt of the montayne. they made it there as it was deuysed / And made there a fortresse whiche they garnysshed wel with men wel armed The turkes that were in the dongeon. And they also that were co­men in by this gate descended ofte / by a way couerte vnto this fortresse· And assaylled it moche fiersly· in suche wyse as they [...] them haue no reste. that it happed on a day / that so grete plen [...] of turkes descended that the crye aroos in to the toun / that and yf the other barons and knyghtes whiche were a brode in the toun had not come and ronne to them they had slayn or taken thyse noble men / that is to wete Buymont / Euerard du puyssat / Raoul de la fontayne / Rembault crecon / And somme other lordes that were in theyr companye / Alle they were grete men and good knygh [...]es that were put in this newe fortresse for to defende it / But therle of Flaundres· the duc of normandye / And [...]uon the mayne ranne moche hastely theder / And met [...] with the turkes er they myght entre in to the dongeon. They slewe many and many they re [...]eyned prysonners / The other turkes that escaped cam to fore Corbagat / And counted to hym that thyse men of the toun were ouer fiers & hardye· And it semeth whan they ben in werke. that they doubte nothyng the deth ne this ne that· Corbagat whiche was lodged in the montayne as I haue sayd dyde not theron moche his prouffyt ne his honoure. ne he founde not there pasture for his hors. as he [Page] dyde bynethe in the valeye / whan he sawe this he comm [...]und [...]d that he shold be dislodged & descended in to the valeye with his [...] he passed the riuer of helle· there deuised he the places to his barons about the toun· on the morn it happed that I can not say how many turkes approched the cyte / & descended fro theyr horses / for to shote at our peple that were on the walles for to come more ner· Tancre yssued by the gate toward the eest and stopped the way fro them in suche wyse that er they myght take theyr horses he sl [...]we ·vj· of them / And brought them in to the toun for to recomforte our pe­ple for the deth of Rogyer de barneuylle / .

How our cristen men that a lytil to fore assieged the toun / we­re now assieged in the same / Capitulo Cxxvj^o

iN this tyme durynge / the peple of the cristen men that had assieged Anthyoche but a litil to fore as ye haue herd / They were now them self assieged within· Thus goon the chaunges and mutacions of the world they had moche grete trauayll for to kepe and deffende the· Cyte. It was to them ouer peryllous that the dongeon was so strong & so wel garnysshed as it was· They made to them ofte grete assaylles by daye and by nyght· ffor they of the hooste cam in by the yate vnder the dongeon as ofte as it plesyd them· Our men began to be moche abasshed. Ther were ma­ny that toke no regarde to theyr oth that they had made to mayn­tene the companye ne to theyr honoure. But by nyght descended doun of the walles by ropes or cordes and fledde to the see. And many of them the turkes toke whom they slewe and brought in prison. They that myght escape. cam vnto the porte sayeng to the marchauns. and to other pylgryms that were there comen· that they shold disancre theyr shippes and flee anon / ffor this prynce Corbagat whom so moche peple folowed had taken Anthyoche by force and had slayn alle the barons and alle them that he founde within / And that they were escaped by ouer grete peryll and fiers aduenture / Therfore sayd they to the maronners· that they shold departe and flee withoute taryenge / ffor yf the turques cam ser­chynge the countre vnto the see and founde them there. they shold be alle delyuerd to deth / Thus they fledde alle for feere / And they them self that brought thise tydynges wente with them· And to thende that ye shold not suppose that thyse were but mene peple. [Page] for the trouthe of this hystorye spareth noman / I shall name somme that thus d [...]parted shamefully· that is to wete Guyllāme de Gratemeuyl a noble man born in Normandye / whiche held grete londe in puylle. And had to his wyf the suster of Buy­mont· Aubery charpenter· Guy croseanlx / Lambert be poure / And many other had they with them· Somme there were that wente for pyllage· And for the mesease of hungre and drede for to be slayn· yolde them to the turkes / And they tolde the certaynte of the meschief that oure men suffred alle a longe to the turkes· Many abode in the toun that gladly wold haue goon / But buy­mont by the counseyl of the bisshop of Puy dyde do make watche atte alle the gates and vpon the walles. And toke kepe bothe by daye and nyght that none shold goo vp ne doun / And they swore alle that they shold not departe fro the companye. ne breke the commaundementes of Buymont· He hym self wente euery nyght thurgh the toun wyth grete plente of men. and with gre [...] lyght to thende that no peryll shold happe ne trayson. Foure for­tresses had he whiche he muste nedes kepe and better than the other Than one was on the lasse tertre ayenst the dongeon / And that other was lower ayenst the assaylles that they made. The thyrde was withoute the eest gate the whiche was made to kepe thoosteer the toun was take / thhe fourthe was at thende of the brydge by whiche the port of the brydge was kept / And therle of tho­louse kept it fyrst· But whan the Cyte was taken he lefte it and entred in to the toun· Therle of fflaundres toke it and garnysshyd it wyth fyue honderd men of Armes of knyghtes and other wel in poynt. ffor he thought yf the turkes toke it. our men myght not after yssue by the brydge. by which their strengthe shold be moche empeyred /

How Corbagat dyde do assaylle a fortresse which therle of Flaū dres kepte without the gate and of that enslewed / ca^o. Cxxvij^o

oN a daye it happed that Corbagat thought that they of the toun had ouermoche lyberte to yssue onte & to entre agayn· Therfor he cōmaunded to a bataylle of his peple. in whiche were .ij. thousand turkes wel in poynt that they shold so longe assaylle the fortresse of the brydge tyl they were taken· & it happed so that therle of Flaundres was thenne wythin the same fortresse. Thas­sault beganne at sonne rysynge moche fiers and moche grete. there were so many Archiers aboute it that none myghte shewe his [Page] [...] creue [...]lx / but that and it was couerd with arowes / they that were within deffended them moche well in suche wyse that they lost nothyng of the fortresse / And thassault endured tyl the sonne went doun / The turkes departed alle wery. Therle of f [...]laū ­dees doubted that they sleld come on the morn to thassault / ffor they myght not longe suffre them there / therfor as sone as it was nyght. he put out alle his men preuyly / and sette fyere therin. and brent the fortresse without fayllyng· The turkes had deuysed [...]hat in the mornynge erly they shold haue begonne agayn thassault & that two / M / men more shold haue comen than had ben the nyght byfore. It was not longe after that a Rowte of turkes departed fro thooste of Corbagat / I wote not how many poure pylgryms that wente pourchasshyng yf they myght fynde ony vytaylles in the countre / they toke them and brought them alle in the state that they were in to fore Corbagat / whan he sawe them he / moche despysed them· ffor they had no Armures / And but feble bowes of tree Their swerdes rusty. their gownes and habillemens were old and roten / Thenne sayd Corbagat by desdayne. Thyse peple seme well men that shold take away fro the soudan of Perse his Empyre / And conquere the londe of thoryent / Thyse shold be wel content and payd yf they had breed and a gobet of bacon / their bowes ben not stronge ynowgh for to slee a sparowgh· Now I shal saye to you what ye shal doo / ye shal lede them bounden in this poynt as they now be in. vnto my lord the soudan that hath sent vs hether / And telle hym that he dar not be sore aferd of thyse men· that be co­men hether / ffor we haue enterprysed and begonne warre ayenst suche men as he may see / late me allone with this werke· ffor there shal not abyde many of them / but I shal efface and destroye them alle in suche wyse as there shal nomore be spoken of them. as they had neuer be born / Thus ledde they thoo cristen men vnto the sou­dan he wēde wel to haue don his honour / in this that he sente them to the soudan / but it torned hym afterward to his shame / hym thought a light thynge to vaynquysshe the cristen men whiche had not yet wel assayed them /

Of the grete famyne and mesease that oure men suffred in the cyte of Anthyoche beyng assyeged on alle sydes by the sayd Cor­bagat / Capitulo C.xxviij^o.

oN alle partyes was the cyte thus assieged / They of the toun ne myght not yssue out for to pourchasse vytaylle for them [Page] They were euyl at ease of this meschyef / A famyne aroos in the toun moche grete & greuoꝰ for deffaulte of vytayll / in suche wyse that they ete camels asses & the horses· & yet toke they werse thyn­ges / whan they myght gete it· ffor who that had founden a deed hound or Catte· They ete it delyciously in stede of grete delices. ffor the hongry wombes made no daūger to seche suche as they myght fylle them with· the grete hye and noble men· that were acustomed to be moche honoured / had now no shame to come there wher they ete suche mete / but wente oueral moche fowlly. & demaūded playnly such as they neded / The ladyes. gentil wymmen and maydens had alle langour of hongre. They were alle pale and bene / Many were compelled to begge and aske with moche grete shame / There was none that myght haue so harde an herte. but that he shold ha­ue had grete pyte to haue seen it / ther were many men & wymmen that aduysed them of what lygnage they were of born / that had suche courage ferme in theyr hertes / that for none anguysshe that they suffred of hongre wold not goo axe their beed fro dore to do­re / Thyse peple hydde them in theyr howses· Somme that knewe it / dyde to them yet somme socour / But ther were many that deyed for hongre that had not for to ete / There myght men see knyghtes and other valyaunt men that had be to fore stronge and noble in theyr werkes / that now were so feble and poure that they wente by the stretes lenyng on their staues / and theyr heedes enclynyng doun askynge breed for goodes loue / There shold ye haue seen the lytil Childeren that soke theyr moders pappes. And the moders had nothyng to ete / But threwe them doun in the stretes to thende that other shold norysshe them. with grete payne shold ye haue foū de one onely man emong so moche peple that had sufficiently that hym neded / ffor yf ony had be that had Gold or Syluer· It auaylled hym nothyng. ffor he founde no mete for to bye with it / the barons and the hye prynces that were acustomed to holde the fayr courtes / and to gyue mete and drynke to many men. they hydde them now / by cause none shold fynde them etyng ne drynkyng they had gretter anguysshe in theyr hertes of this famyne / than had the poure peple / ffor they mette euery day theyr knyghtes and theyr men of theyr countrees that deyde for hungre· And they had no mete to gyue to them / It were a long thyng to recounte alle the meseases and the meschyefs that were suffred within Anthyoche whyles the tempeste endured / But so moche may wel be sayd. that selde or neuer shal ye fynde in hystorye / that so grete prynces and [Page] on [...] so grete an hooste suffred suche anguyssh of hungre

How the turkes felyng that our men were in suche meschyef of hongre. enforced them for tassaylle the cyte / ca^o. Cxxix

wHyles that the Cyte was thus on alle partes assieged with turkes. And the famyne ran so anguysshous. They that were without / and knewe the euyl couyne of our peple lefte not to assaylle the walles alle the long daye. They of the dongeon. And the other that cam in by the yate / cam and made grete assaylles in the toun. they had made them so wery / that oure men myght not wel deffende them and vnnethe kepe the toun· ffor whan they had defended them alle the longe day / at euen they had nothynge to ete / wherof it happed that a tour by that syde where our men entred was euyl kept· and on a nyght the turkes cam withoute forth / And apperceyued wel that noman was within the tour. thenne they toke laddres that they had made. And moū ­ted vpon the walles / ther were· xxx· that wente vnto this tour for to entre in / And this was at the begynnyng of the nyght· The maister of the watche wente serchyng right there / And sawe the turkes comen vp there. And cryed treson. treson. And thenne awoke fyrst and ran theder harry dasque / and two of his cosyns with hym / that one named ffranke. And that other Semer They were bo [...]he of the toun called Mathale vpon the mase. Thyse thre smote in emong the .xxx turkes at theyr fyrst comyng they slewe four. They of the toures sawe them but not so sone. the other· xxvj turkes deffended them· But this dured but a whyle. ffor they of the toures threwe them doun to the ground / where they brak their legges and neckes· Ther was none that fylle but he was deed or maymed. Ther was slayn Semer. ffor he was hurt with a swerd thurgh the bely· ffrank was born away whiche was hurte peryl­lously

How Corbagat sente his men of Armes for to slee the maronners that were at the porte / wherof oure men had a grete losse Capitulo ·C.xxx^o.

aHan the famyne grewe thus euery day in anthyoche many there were in the toun that had leuer be slayn· than to abyde thus the hongre. They put them in aduenture / & by nyght yssued [Page] oute of the toun whan they myght escape After they wente to the porte of the see. Somme shippis there were yet of grekes and of hermyens that brought vytaylle / many thei were that bought it / And cam and solde it in the toun by nyght in hydles. whan th [...] turkes apperceyued this / many tymes they awaytedthem / & slewe many of them / Atte laste for to take away this lytil socour that they had· the turkes sente two thousand horsmen to the see / whiche slewe alle the maronners and marchauntes that they founde. And brente their shippes. Somme ther were that laye at an an [...]e in the see and they fledde / Thenne had our men loste alle theyr ho­pe for vytayll· ffor the yles of the see· as Cypres Rhodes / And other lyenge on the see side· As Cylyce. pamphyle and of other costes durste nomore sende theyr Shippes theder / They of the toun of Anthyoche were nowe euyl demened / ffor to fore to them cam somme comforte of the marchauns. Now they had alle loste it / whan the turkes retourned fro the see. they recoūtred our pour pilgryms which wente that way / they slewe them alle· sauf somme whiche hydde them in the busshes / whan they of the toun herde tydynges herof how they were slayn they were moche sorowful· ffor they had ouer grete anguysshe in theyr hertes as of [...] as ony mesauenture fyl to their peple· In this poynt were they with in the Cyte and wold take none hede to theyr warde. ne wold not obeye to the barons. whiche myght thenne doo to them no good· Thus were they in grete perylle /

How guyllem de grateuylle and his felaws fugytyfs ca m in to Allexandrye the lasse / ca^o. Cxxxj^o.

gVyllem de Grateuylle & the other that fledde with hym ca m in to Allexandrye the lytyl. There they foūde steuen Therl [...] of Chartres· Of whom they of Anthyoche abode his comynge fro daye to daye / ffor the barons and the mene peple supposed that he wold remembre how he departed / and retorne agayn / They told hym the grete sorowe of the famyne that wa [...] in Anthyoche· and to thende that they excused them of their departyng / truly the trouthe of the mesease was grete. But they told moche more than it was / It was a light thyng to reteyne this erle· ffor he had no grete talente to for retorne· They toke counseyl bytwene them / & made theyr shippes to be in poynt and redy / And after entred in to them / and so wente to the see / and whan they had ben. I wote not how many [Page] dayes in the see· they arryued at a Cyte of themperours of Con­stantynoble whiche as was sayd to them cam with alle his hoost moch greet and merueyllous of grekes and of latyns and haste [...] moche for to goo to Anthyoche. he was thenne in a Cyte not ferre from thens named ffynemyne. he wold well holde couenaunte / that he had made to socoure our peple with the peple of his Empy­re. And ther cam in his companye wel / xl. M pylgryms that had abyden in his londe of the grete hooste by cause of sekenes or for other causes· And grete nombre were comen syth fro theyr co [...]trees for theyr pylgremages. whiche durste not passe his londes vnto Anthyoche by them self / And thenne f [...]ewed themperour. whan the Erle stephen knewe that the Emperour was so nygh. he wente strayt to hym. And brought his felaws cowardes with hym· whan themperour sawe them / he made grete ioye / And re [...]yued therle esteuen honorably· ffor he helde hym in passyng thurgh his londe for a moche wyseman and a valyaunt and was wel ac­queynted with hym· he demaūded hym moche ententyfly of the r [...] menaunt of the barons / And sayde he had grete merueylle / how h [...] was thus departed fro their companye

How therle of chartres discoraged themperour of Constanti­nople that he shold not goo and socoure our peple in Anthyoche Capitulo C▪xxxij^o.

tHe Erle answerd in this maner and sayde to themperour / Sire the barons of ffraūce whiche passed this yere by your empyre. whom ye receyued so curtoysly & with grete honour. whan they had taken Nycene whiche they rendred to you. They passed vnto Anthyoche· They assieged that cyte wel ix monethes. They haue taken it entierly· Reserued a dongeon whiche stondeth vpon an hylle within the walles· whiche the turkes holde so strongly that it is inprenable / They supposed to haue wel exployted whan they had goten this Cyte / But thenne they sylle in gretter peryll than to fore. ffor on the thirde day after that they entred. Cam cor­bagat a puyssaunt prynce of perse whiche brought so moche peple that alle the countrey by· was couerd with them· Oure peple su [...] ­fred grete angyussh thenne· ffor this Corbagat with his peple en­uyronned them on alle partes in suche wyse that oure men myght not yssue· and dyde to them moche payne in assayllyng them with out forth· And the dongeon made to them grete assaylles within [Page] forth by whiche our men suffred grete mesease / And also than­guyssh of hongre was so grete. that they had no power to defende them· On that other syde / they had otherwhyle comfort of youre londe / ffor the yles of the sec· And also fro other portes cam som­tyme vytaylle / that was brought in to Anthyoche. But now late ben comen the turkes. And haue slayn alle the maronners & the marchauntes that they fonde atte porte in suche wyse. that nowe ther dare nomoo arryue there / wherfore they haue loste alle theyr socours of vytaylle / And aboue alle this they of the toun be greuyd nyght and day by them of the dongeon. ffor by the ya­te vnder it the turkes may entre and yssue whan it plesyth them / we sawe that this werke myght come to no good ende in this maner. wherfor we warned them. bothe my self and thyse that be in my companye whiche be moche noble & wysemen of [...]ymes. that ayenst the wylle of god they shold not enterprise to conquere this countrey / But shold departe with the lest losse they myght. And the peple that folowed them / they shold cōduyte in to such a place that they shold not be delyuerd to deth / Many tymes we sayd to them in this manere / And neuer wold they here vs ne byleue. But mayntene theyr reuerye· ffor ther be many emonge them in whom is lytil reson / we our self had ben deed yf we had abyden there / ne we myght doo none honour to our lord ne to our prouffyte. Therfor we departed. And commaunded them to god / whiche saue them and kepe for they haue nede / Ye syre to whome I am bounden in good fayth / I aduyse you that ye take counseyl of your wyse men to fore ye goo ony ferther / Trouth it is that ye be the moost hye man of the world / But for al that ye haue not here now in your companye so moche peple as Corbagat hath aboute Anthyoche. And ayenst one of you he hath seuen / therfore myn oppynyon is yf the other so acorde. that to fore your men be put in so grete aduenture· ye retorne home agayn. For yf ye ap [...]rouche them / And that they haue achyeued theyr werke in the Cyte. ye shal fynde them redy / & the more ner ye approuche them / the more shame and vyle shal it be to retorne fro them whan ye be so nyg [...] them· thise thynges that I haue acoūted to you. knowe wel thise valyaunt men that be here with me / & also a grete parte maye ye knowe by this good man that ye delyuerd to vs / that is wete ta [...] tyn your seruaunt whiche is so wyse and trewe whiche departed fro vs for many defaultes· that he apperceyued with vs whan he had sayd all this / themperour was moche ame [...]yd of thise wordes [Page] with hym was a brother of Buymont named guyon that whan he had herd therle Stephen thus speke / he was alle wroth and angry / And as half araged for despyte sayde al on hye / that he sayd not the trouthe / But that they were departed as Cowardes He had moo grete wordes / but guyllē de gratemeuyl which was a gentilman born of lygnage· And not of courage· And had to his wyf the suster of the same guyen made hym to hold [...] his peas And blamed hym by cause he spak ayenst therle Steuen· And so this guyen forbare hym

How by the warnynges of the sayd Erle / themperour. whiche wold haue goon & socoured our men· retorned shortly. ca^o. Cxxxiij

vPon thyse wordes that themperour had herd / he wold be coū seylled and called his barons· And alle they acorded that themperour shold retorne fro thens wher he was withoute goyng ony ferther / ffor they thought it were bett [...]r to remeue his peple withoute perylle and hurte. than for to fyght in so grete meschyef ayenst Corbagat· And to meue ayenst hym in hate and in warre alle the londe of thoryent / He byleuyd so fermely the wordes of therle Stephen / that he doubted that the turkes had slayn them of Anthyoche / And wold thenne goo in to his londe for to receyue the Cyte of Nycene / And alle the londe of Bythynie. whiche oure men had delyuerd to hym / he wold garnysshe it / whan he departed fro thens he brente and destroyed alle the londe fro the cryne vnto Nycene on both sides· By cause the turkes shold not folowe hym vytaylle began to faylle hym· And so he muste retourne / Thus it happed that by the wordes of this grete man / that so fowly departed fro the other barons / themperour retorned. & the Cristen peple beyng in Anthyoche lost so grete socours / by whiche myght haue comen alle theyr delyueraunce in so grete necessyte. as they were thenne· But consydered this that was gyue to be vnderstonde to Themperour· yet he dyde not / But his deuoyre. Certaynly it was the werke of our lord. ffor yf this Emperour that cam with his peple and grete power of men al fresshe had reysed the siege / & discomfyted the turkes / oure lord shold not haue ben so honoured ne thanked / And yf of the trauayll that the barons and the other pylgryms had suffred· themperour that come laste shold haue had the vyctorye· theyr payne shold not haue ben so wel guerdonned / Therfor our lord suffred that themperour departed / And that the [Page] werke shold be accomplysshed as ye shal here to his glory [...]· and honour of his peple /

How our peple of Anthyoche beyng aduertysed herof were all discouraged And Corbagat enhaunced in pryde / ca^o. Cxxxiiij^o.

rEnōmee cam in to anthyoche that thēperour that was approched by the wordes of therle Stephen of Guyllem de grate­meuyll / And of theyr felaws was torned back / They had on alle sydes anguysshes / But thyse tydynges empoysonned them alle. And put them as in despayr / thenne began they to curse the Erle Stephen and alle his companye that had taken fro them so grete ayde / Crobagat that had knowleche that Themperour cam. had moch doubte of his comyng / ffor it was a grete thyng of the puyssaunce of themperour. Now was he certayn that he was retorned Wherof he had moch grete ioye in his herte. he was risen in a moch fiers pryde. He ran the more asprely on them of the toun / Oure men in the toun were so abasshed. that them semed wel that ouer lord god had alle forgete them· They lete them falle in despayre· And wold not endure no trauaylle that apperteyned to the defence of the Cyte / Alle hydde them in theyr howses / On a day it hap­ped that Buymont whiche had alle the power of thoost had to doo with men / ffor thassaultes withoute forth and for thassaylles within forth / He dyde do crye on peyn of deth that alle shold come· And there cam none· He sente his men for to fete [...]e them in theyr howses and somone them to come. And none wold come oute· He was abasshed / And thought what he shold doo· Atte laste be sette fyre in the toun in dyuerse places· And thenne yssued in to the stretes grete rowtes / Buymont sawe them and sayd to hem his commaundement / And bad what they shold doo they dyd it· A worde sourded in the toun that many knyghtes and Barons had had counseyl p [...]yuely emonge them that they wold yssue oute of the toun by nyght. And leue the pepole within. And wold doo the best they myght and drawe them to the porte· for to entre vpon the see· The duc Godeffrey knewe this word· he sente hastely for the bisshop of puy. And alle the barons and grete partye of the knyghtes. and he fylle at theyr feet [...] & requyred them for the loue of god that they wold neuer thynke suche a thynge· ffor yf they dyd so. god shold hate them / And they shold lefe theyr sowles· as men that were in despayre of the mercy of oure lord [Page] And on that other syde in the world. they shold lefe their honour for euer and also theyr lygnage whiche had nothyng forfayted And shold be shamed euer and poynted with the fingre. The londes out of whiche they yssued shold be the lasse renomed and lasse preysed as long as the world shold endure. Of alle thise departynges myght they neuer receyue good worde ne honoure. By thyse wordes and by the prechyng of the bisshop of puy [...]they loste this euyl talente alle that had be in this euyll purpops. But they be­gan to affeble in the toun for honger and mesease. in suche wyse that they abode not but the wylle of oure lord / Ofte cam in theyr remembraunce what goodes / Rychesses and grete eases they had lefte in theyr countrees for the loue of the seruyse of oure lord. And now yelded he to them suche guerdon that they deyed euery day for honger / And kept hem not fro thyse dogges cruel. which [...] byleuyd not in hym but they slewe and beheded them in despyte & reprouche of the Cristen fayth· In this maner wold they chyde with our lord often as men that wyste not what to do ne saye

How the spere was fonnden of whiche Ihesus was percyd on the crosse· And of the comfort that our pylgryms toke therby Capitulo Cxxxv^o.

wHyles as they were in this anguysshe therle herman an hye man of duche land was in so grete pouerte / that duc godef­froy dyde do delyuer to hym euery day one loof of breede for pyte whiche was not moche grete / But the Duc myght nomore gyue hym / ffor he had not wherof / Harry dasque whiche was one of the beste knyghtes of thooste was brought in so grete pouerte. that he deyde for hongre. It were a long thyng for to recounte alltheir meseases· but our lord that in alle his werkes may not forgete mer­cy / sēte to them grete cōfort· ffor a clerk born in prouynce named [...]eter cam on a day to the bisshop of puy and to therle / of tholouse & sayd to them in moche grete drede· that the holy apostel seynt an drew had appiered to hym thryes in the nyght slepyng· & warned hym that he shold goo to the barons & saye to them / that the speer with which our lord was percid in the syde on the crosse was hyd in the chirch of seint peter in the cyte the place where it was he had certainly shewd to hym / he said wel y^t he was not come for to saye ne signefye them / but that seynt andreu had menaced hym at the last tyme yf he dide not his message / he shold meshappē in his body [Page] It was no merueylle yf the clerke doubted for to saye this / ffor he was a poure man and of a lowe lygnage / And but lytil lettred Thyse two hye men whan they herd hym they brought hym to fore the other barons· They assembled them and they wolde that he shold saye to them the same wordes as he had sayd to them / whan the other Prynces herd this. they mysbyleuyd not the clerke / They cam in to the Chirche of seynt Peter. And sayd theyr con­fessions. And cryed our lord mercy in teres wepynges. and wayllynges / And repentaunces of theyr synnes. Thenne began to del­ue and dygg depe in the place that the clerke had shewed to them They fonde the spere lyke as he had sayd to them· Thenne had they a Ioye emonge them so grete. lyke as euery man had had as moche as he myght / They ronge the belles. And th [...]s thynge was anon spred al about the toun. They ran a [...]le to the chirche hastely. And sawe this noble relyquye whiche was doluen out of therthe. Then̄e were they recomforted alle both men and wymmen poure and ryche / as they had our lord emong them and seen hym· there were thus many other good men that sayde certaynly that certeyn vysyons of Angeles and apostles were appered to them / By thyse thynges the peple forgate moche of theyr meseases· The bisshop of puy and other holy men that w [...]re in the companye sayd to the pylgryms that oure lord shewde to them tokene and signe / that shortly he wold sende to them his ayde and his coūseyl They concluded alle noble and vnnoble. men and wymmen / gre [...]e and lytil / And sware vpon the holy relyques / that yf oure lord wold delyuer them oute of the peryll· in whiche they were. And gyue them vyctorye of theyr enemyes. that they shold neuer de­parte fro this holy companye vnto the tyme that they had con­querd Iherusalem that noble Cyte where oure lord suffred deth for to saue his peple· And shold delyuer the holy sepulcre oute of the handes of the fals mysbyleuyng hoūdes turkes and saresyns that kepte it in theyr power

How Peter theremyte was sente by our men vnto Corbagat / the wordes what he sayde· And the answer of the sayd Corbagat Capitulo Cxxxvj^o.

tHey had suffred this famyne. xxv [...] / dayes in the Cyte / In so moche that the people to whome our lord god had sente good hope in theyr hertes began moch to be comforted / & fylle alle to one wyll in such wise that they sayd emong them that it were good to brynge theyr mesease [Page] to an ende / Therfore was theyr comyn acorde that they shold fyght with the turkes that had assieged them· ffor them thought a fayrer thyng that yf our lord wold that they deyde in bataylle. that they shold doo it in deffendyng theyr cyte that they had con­querd to the Cristiente. than to languysshe and to faylle within without essayeng yf our lord wold ayde them / herof sourded a co­myn word emonge them that alle cryed bataylle· bataylle / the ba­taylle· whan they myght see ony of the Barons· Alle they sayde that they taryed alle to longe. This word was thus meuyd of the mene peple. The barons thought that this enterprise myght well come of our lord· And so by comyn acord they assembled in coū ­seyl. they alowed muche this that the peple made this request· and acorded that they wold sende to this proude prynce Corbagat Peter theremyte whiche was an holy man moche wyse and wel be­spokin. And delyuerd to hym for felaw a valyaunt man named hellom trewe and of grete wytte that coude wel speke the langa­ge of the sarasyns. And specially the langage of perse / They charged them with the message like as ye shal here what they sayde to Corbagat· Thise two sad men to fore sayd dyde do demaunde trews for to goo to the sayd Corbagat / ffor they wold speke with hym in the name of the pylgryms / hit was graunted with good wyll They wente out of the Cyte and toke with hym good companye whiche were assygned to them / they wente so ferre that they arry­ued at the pauyllon of this noble prynce Corbagat· They sawe hym sytte in moche grete bobaunce emonge his ryche men / Peter salewed hym nothyng ne made to hym honour ne reuerence· But spak heeryng alle in this maner / This holy companye of hye & noble men / barons noble knyghtes and other. peple of our lord god that ben yonder / within the cyte / sende to the & comaunde that thou departe fro this siege / & that thou nomore assaylle them / but late them haue and kepe the toun in pees whiche our lord Ihesu crist hath delyuerd to them for to holde his fayth & for to doo hym seruyse· ffor seynt peter the prynce of thappostles / vpon the creaunce of whom our fayth is founded. hath conuerted it fyrst by his pre­c [...]yng / And by the merueyllous myracles that he dyde / our peple hath conquerd it not long syth by the wyll and ayde of oure lord vpon the turkes that haue holden it with wrong & by force a cer­teyn tyme. Therfor thou oughtest to suffre vs to enioye oure hery­tage / And retorne thou in to thy countrey. and yf thou wilt not so doo knowe thou for certayn that within the thyrde day swerdes [Page] shal fynysshe and ende this debate. And to thende that thou com­playne not that we desire and wille the deth pourchasse of so moch peple in comyn bataylle. they shal offre to the this / that is to we­te / yf thou. wilt fyght in thyn owne persone. they shal sende ayenst the· one al so hye a prynce as thou art· to whom thou shalt fyght. And whiche of you maye vaynquysshe and ouercome that other· shal conquere the quarelle for euermore withoute other debate. yf this thynge plese the not / take certayn nombre of thy men. v [...]·x. or xij / or as many as thou wylt / & our pilgryms shal sette as many ayenst them· withoute ony moo of that one syde and that other· And that they that shal wynne th [...] feelde shal allewaye haue the gayne of this debate. Whan Corbagat herde this mes­sage he was moche wroth and angry and had grete desdayne and despyte / Thenne he tourned hym toward Peter and sayd to hym / Peter they that hath sente the hether· ben not in suche poynt as me semeth that they shold off [...]e to me for to chose of theyr deuyses. But they be brought by my pussaunce and [...]reng the that they maye doo nothynge of theyr wylle / But I sha [...]l doo with them alle my playsyre / But retourne thou and saye to thyse musardes and saye to them that haue made the to mene fro the Cyte and come hether· that they vnderstonde not yet· the maleurte that they be in / And byleue certaynly / that yf I had wold· I had or now broken and destroyed this toun and sette my men therin by force· in suche wyse that the cristen men had be alle slayn / men and wymmen / lytil and grete. But I wyll that ye abyde in more caytyfnes and mesease· dyeng & languysshyng for hongre / lyke as other houndes· And whan it shal please me I shal entre in to the toun· & alle them that I shal fynde men and wymmen of couenable eage. I shal put them alle boūden handes & feet in pyetoꝰ estate. And shal lede them alle to my lorde for to serue hym. And they shal be his esclaues / Alle th [...] other I shall slee with the swerd. lyke an euyl tree that wyll bere no fruyt /

How the sayd Peter retorned in to the toun. and wold openly haue sayd his message / & of the subtyl counseyll of the duc whiche wold not suffre it / ca^o. C·xxxvij^o.

pEter theremyte vnderstode his pryde whiche was grete and of the grete quantite of peple that he had / And also of [Page] his Rychesses whiche were ouer moche / Thenne he departed and cam agayn in to the toun. he wold haue sayd the message of Cor­bagat openly in the presence of them that wold here hym / ffor theder ran grete and smale. But the duc Godeffroy that was moche wyse and knewe moche. drewe hym a part and called only the barons and bad hym saye that he hath founden. he recounted to them alle· as he that had wel reteyned in his mynde / & coude saye and vtter it in the beste manere / The duc doubted that yf the peple had herd this grete pryde and the menaces that Corbagat had sayd / that they shold be ouer moche abasshed and feced. Therfor he com­maunded to Peter that he shold saye none other thyng / But that only Corbagat desyred and demaunded the bataylle ayenst them. And that they shold make them redy. Peter acorded wel therto· And sayd to them lyke as the duc had commaunded hym / And vnnethe Peter had sayd the worde / But that alle cryed with one voys / And we wylle also the bataylle ayenst hym in godes na­me. They shewde wel by theyr sight and semblaunce· that the desy­re of the bataylle was grete in their hertes· Alle their meseases were forgoten for Ioye to haue the vyctorye· The Barons whan they sawe that theyr peple made suche ioye they were moche glad And moche the more trusted in them. By comyn counseyl they or­deyned the day of the batayll on the morn / And that thus wold Corbagat haue it· they byleuyd it wel· And hastely wente eue­ry man to his lodgyng. There ye shold haue seen Armourers put in poynt· hauberks and helmes fourbousshed / swerdes and custrel­lis whette / This nyght slepte they not in the toun noman / Th [...]y that kept the hors toke good hede this nyght / And made alle thynge redy. As soone as it was nyght. It was cryed vpon peyne of deth that alle man shold be in the mornyng to fore the sonne ry­synge alle armed as he best myght / And drawe hym in to the ba­taylle where as he was ordeyned / And that euery man shold fo­lowe the baner· of his Captayne / whan the spryngyng of the day apper [...]d in the mornyng the men of the chirche were redy f [...]r to synge masse· And songe deuoutly / They that shold goo to the batayll were confessyd. and alle receyued the bodye of oure lord. which gaf to them surete of body and of sowle· Alle rancour and wrath were entierly perdonned / by cause they wold be in parfyght charyte· And therin doo the seruyse of our lord whiche sayth in the go­spell. In this shal alle men knowe that ye be my disciples. yf ye haue loue and charyte emonge you / whan they were thus redy / [Page] oure lord sente to them his grace / which gaf to them so grete hard [...] nes· that they that were the daye to fore so ferdful / feble and bene that they myght not susteyne them self for feblenesse. becam stronge and delyuer. in suche wyse / that the armes that they ba [...] weyed nothyng as them semed· and were hardy and vygorous. so that ther was none so litil but he had talente to doo grete thyng in the bataylle· The tyme cam that the bisshops and alle the other men of the chirche were reuested as for to synge masse· they helde the crosse / and the sainctuaryes with whiche they blessyd the peple And recommaunded them to god· They graunted pardon and re­myssyon to them of alle their synnes. yf they deyde in the seruyse of our lord· To fere alle the other the bisshop of puy prechyd and spak to the barons. And prayd them that they shold thyncke to auenge the shame of our lord Ihesu Criste· that thyse vntrewe sa­rasyns had don to hym so longe in withholdyng of his herytage. Atte laste he blessyd them with his hand· and commaunded them to god deuoutly

How to fore er our men departed / they made redy theyr bataylles right wel in poynt / & of the nombre of them / ca^o.·C.xxxviij^o.

oN the morn erly our pylgryms assembled / as it was or­denyed & deuysed the thyrde day to fore thentre of Iuyll. to fore the yate of the brydge / to fore thyssue oute of the yate / They had theyr bataylles ordeyned and deuysed lyke as who shold goo to fore / And who shold come after / The fyrst ba­taylle bad huon le mayne broder of the kynge of ffraunce· And with hym Ancean de Rybemont· And the other Barons and knyghtes of theyr countrey / They thought wel that the men that they ledde shold not lyghtly be discomfyted. therfore wen [...] they first / for to perse in the better to fore· The second batayll ledde Ro­bert therle of fflaūdres / which was called the ffryson / he had none other in his bataylle but peple of his owne countree. The thyrde batayll ledde Robert the Duc of Normandye with his neueuw whiche was moche valyaunt therle st [...]en of Aubuale / And alle them of his owen coūtreye / The fourth batayll was delyuerd to the bisshop of puy / whiche had don of thabyt of the chyrche and rode vpon a good stede / the helme laced· And be bare in his hond the holy spere of whiche oure saueour Ihesu Criste was perced in the [Page] side and conduyted vygorously the bataylle of therle of tholouse whiche was not there· The Erle Reignald of toul had the / v. ba­taylle. with hym was peter de stadenous his broder / Therle Gar­nyer of grece· Henry dasque / Reynart of Anmellac / Gaultier of domedart / In the .vj bataylle were Rembold the erle of Orenge. Loys de moucous and Lambert sone of Euenam de Montagu. The / vij / bataylle ledde the right valyaunt Godeffroy duc of Lo­reyne / with hym was Eustace his brother / And them that he brought out of his countrey. The .viij / bataylle conduyted the no­ble wyse and wel preuyd· Tancre with the men that were delyud to hym. The .ix. bataylle ledde therle huon of seynt poul· Aniaran his sone was with hym / Thomas de boure / bawdwyn de bourgh. Robert futz gerard / Regnauld de bauuaus / And Gales de cha­mont. The .x· ladde therle of Perse. And had with hym Euerard du puyssat Droon de moncy / Raoul fytz godeffroy and Conayn the breton· Of the ·xj. was Capytayn Ysachar therle of dyo with hym were Remon pabes / Gaste de bedyers / Gyrard de Roussylon Guyllem de monpellyer. And Guyllem ameneux / The / xij / and the laste in whiche was moost peple was delyuerd to buymont / And was ordeyned that he shold goo socoure suche bataylles / as had moost nede. Therle of tholouse whiche was merueyllously se­ke lefte they in the toun for to kepe fro the turkes in the dongeon / ffor yf ther had be no garde / they myght haue sprongen and haue slayn alle the seke men wymmen and children and the feble men that abode byhynde in the toun / of whom ther were grete mombre in theyr herberous / They had made as I haue sayd to fore vpon a lytil tertre a stronge walle of chalke / in whiche were ordeyned places for to dresse engyns· whiche were al redy for to caste / They had left / ij.C. men of Armes noble and hardy for to deffende this paas fro the turkes whiche were on hye on the dongeon

How Corbagat was aduertysed of thyssue of oure peple and sente his Archiers for to deffende the brydge. And how they were disconfyted· Capitulo / Cxxxix^o.

wHan they h [...]d thus deuysed theyr bataylles / in euery ba­tayll they had sette men on foote. It vas acorded emonge them that they a foote shold goo to fore· And the knyghtes that cam after shold kepe them. It was deffended and cryed on payne [Page] of deth that none shold be so hardy that shold entende to ony gayn As longe as ony turke deffended hym / but whan oure lord had gyuen them the vyctorye. Thenne shold they retorne and myght tarye to take & gadre the despoylles. Corbagat fro the begynnyng of the siege of the cyte had alwaye doubte & grete suspection tha [...] our peple shold sodanly come vpon his hoost· And specially syth that peter theremyte had be with hym in message. And therfor he had commaunded to them that were in the dongeon. that yf oure men thought to yssue they shold sowne a busyne / And sette oute a baner where they shold yssue / wherof it happed that whan thyse bataylles were renged to fore the yate to fore they yssued aboute the houre of pryme / They of the tour made the signe like as they were commaunded. Corbagat vnderstode that our men cam· And anon he sente two thousend Archiers to the brydge to kepe it that they shold not passe· whan the turkes cam theder for to mayntene the passage / they descended alle afoote· The yates were opened oure men yssued after thordenaunce that was deuysed. Huon be mayne with alle his bataylle cam fyrst vn to this paas. whiche was kept with his enemyes· his archiers and men a foote taryed a lytil and myght not passe in no wise / whan huon the noble man apperceyued this he smo [...]e the hors with the spores and so smote in on bothe sydes. that it was to late for the turkes a foote to ta­ke theyr horses / Thenne torned they fleyng defendyng them & shotyng with their bowes Ancean de Ribemont rode ayenst them and bete and helde the rowte so short allone that his men that cam after hym myght come and smyte in emong them and delyuerd many And oftymes he plunged so depe in the presse that certaynly our men had supposed he had ben lost. but whan he cam agayn he disco­uerd hym wel and made large place about hym. Alle men bebelde hym. he gate there moche grete honour and prys. Huon le mayne forgate not his swerd· And he dyde so moc [...]e that our pylgryms had by hym good luck and hope at this fyrst assemblee / Therle of fflaundres and the duc of Normandye with the valyaunt erle of henawd cam to this chaas / The Archiers of the turkes that so fledde were so euyl mened / that they were but a fewe whan they retorned in to thoost / Our men folowed them tyl nygh theyr lod­gys· many of them they bete doun that neuer releuyd·