¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn wedded Berthe a lady of great renowne. Capitulo Primo.

UErytably we fynde in the aun­cient cronicles, that the noble and valiaunt kyng pepyn wed­ded and toke vnto wyfe Berthe of great renowne, dyscrete and prudent, whiche had and suf­fred in her tyme greate trybula­tions and aduersities by enuy. [Page] For she was chaced and expulsed from the company and habytacion of the foresayde kynge her husbande by a false and a coursed olde woman replete with maly­ce. The whiche old woman for the fyrst nyght founde maner and facion to put a doughter others in the place of the good Quene Berthe. And she ledde and conduy­ted this treason for to vpholde her doughter with the kynge, in the place of Berthe his spouse, for they resen [...] ­bled muche. The whiche kynge hadde twoo children by that mayden, that is to wi [...]te Haufray, and Henry, the whiche in the tyme of their reigne greeued and wasted muche the countrey of Fraunce, and were of fyerse cou­rage and full of maltalent. These twayne were cause to put the Quene Berthe in exile, where as she suffred innumerable paynes and dolours. And the foresayd la­dy, was full long in exyle, leading her lyfe in teares and lamentacions. But afterwarde. God of his inestima­ble grace, deliuered the good lady from aduersitie, for at the requeste and instaunce of dyuerse great lordes the lady was accorded vnto her husbande king Pepyn, the whiche in great pyte and honour receyued her. And with in a lyttell whyle after she was conceyued with a sone, whiche was the ryght puyssaunt Charlemayne, and af­terwarde he was chased out of the realme by the for said Haufray and Henry, as [...]o is shewed more playnely in this present booke, but nowe I will specifie vnto you y^e playne matter of this present booke, and specially of the dedes and gouernyng of the valeaunt Ualentine, and of his brother Orson.

It is true that the noble kynge Pepyn had a syster named Bellyssant fayre plesaunte and [...]ight gracious. And in euery thyng well thought and endoctryned. And [Page] the kynge Pepyn her brother loued her wyth perfyte lo­ue. And in so muche that it happened for the reowne that she had, and bycause that bothe great and small lo­ued her for her beaute and humylitie, the kynge Alexan­der Emperour of Constantynoble was enbraced wyth her loue right ardantly. So it was not longe after that he came into Fraunce for the same cause in right great estate, accompanyed wyth diuers erles and barons the whyche were all in greate pompes and rychesses. So shortly after his arryuayle he assēbled all hys great lordes, and cōmaunded them to aray them in theyr best a­raye, and that they should go vnto the kynge Pepyn, for to knowe yf he wolde gyue him his excellent sister Bel­lyssane in maryage. And so they wente forthe and spake vnto kyng Pepyn. Also sone as king Pepin vnderstode theyr message, he graunted them theyr request ryght Joyously. whā this was knowen euidently, they made Joy on euery syde for the good alyaunce of the Emper­oure Alexander and of kynge Pepyn, and was receyued wyth all the tryumphe that might be. The spousaylles was made in greate bobaunce and honoure. It is not to be asked yf there was largesse on euerye syde of all maner of thynges. The feest endured longe, and than the Emperoure and hys men toke leue of kynge Pepyn hys brother in lawe for to goe vnto Constantynoble wyth hys Empresse Bellyssant. The kynge made for to araye his men for to accompanye the Emperoure and hys noble syster Bellyssant. And so they mounted all on horsebacke wyth a great sorte of Ladyes for to con­uaye Bellyssant. They the whyche abode behynde, wepte tenderly for the departynge of the gracyous la­dy Bellyssant. The kynge conuayed them diuers Jor­neys [Page] tyll that they arryued at a porte of the sea where as the Emperour would mounte vpō the sea. And ther he toke leue of kyng Pepyn in rendryng hym mo than­kes that I can recounte for the noble there that he had made hym. But amonge all other thynges he thanked hym for his syster. Bellassant the whiche he had gyuen hym to wyfe with so fre a wyll. At these wordes kyng Pepyn embraced hym saying thus. Fayre syr and ryght cordiall lorde and brother to the regarde of my puyssaū ­ce I haue not receyued you in triumphe & magnificence as I ought to haue done. But so muche I knowe the graciousnes of you, that of my lytle power ye holde yo [...] contente. And to me appertayneth not the thankes and praysynges, but to you when that you haue wylled for to decore me so muche, and with your persone honoure that ye haue taken my syster to wyfe. And knowe that from hence for warde I haue stedfast purpose that we shall be good frendes together. And as for me I am he that with my puysaunce would put both body & goodes in auenture for to serue you and socoure you in all pla­ces after my power. And after kyng Pepyn wente to­warde his syster Bellyssant, and sayde vnto her. Fayre syster thynke vpon the place that ye be extraught of and guyde you in suche maner that I and your frendes, and all the bloude ryall may haue Ioye profyte and honoure of you. You go into a straunge countrey fro your naciō, wherfore gouerne you by wyse Ladies, and kepe you from beleuyng of euyll counsayll, you are the creature in the worlde that I haue moost loued. Wherfore if I hearde any tydynges fro you but good, it woulde be the cause to abredge my lyfe. The kynge gaue his syster Bellyssant full many notable ensygnementes. And af­ter [Page] he embraced her and kyssed her full swetely with we­pynge eyen, because of her departyng. And the gracious lady whiche had a pyteous harte aunswered hym lite [...] or nought, for with her plesaunt eyen she wepte, and with her swete harte syghed so sore, that it was vnpossible for her for to speake. Then toke leue ladyes and da [...] moselles, knyghtes and sqyers, as well of Fraunce as of Constantynoble. There was wept full many a tere, and full many profounde syghes was casten out for the Lady Bellyssant▪ The kyng Pepyn retourned in to Frauncae. And the Emperoure mounted on the sea, and had wynde at wyll. And had the tyme so muche at his pleasure, that within shorte tyme he and his men arry­ued at Constantynoble, where as they were receyued with great tryumphe and honoure, the whiche shoulde he to longe to recounte. But it befell not longe after that the greate Ioye and tryumphe that was made to Bellyssant was chaunged in to teeres and lamenta­cions for the gracious [...]oy Bellyssant, that by treason and false accusacion was casten in exyle, as ye shall heare more playnly.

¶ Howe the Emperoure was betrayed by the Arche­bysshop of Constantynoble, wherfore euyll came to hym as you shall heare. Cap. ii.

IN the cytie of Con [...]antinoble was an Ar­chebysshop, the which the Emperour loued aboue all other. And gaue him mo gyftes & rychesses than any other, and moost trusted him. The Emperour made the said archebisshop gouernour of his house & his principall cōfessour [Page] and aboue all other the moost secrete, wherefore he had a sorowfull heart afterwarde. For the false byshop not thynking vpon the great honoure and worshyp that the Emperoure hadde done to hym, was inbraced wyth lo­ve dysordynate, for the cle [...]e beaute of the excellent lady Bellyssant the whyche was so amyable and vertuous He was so [...]eruently taken in her loue that it happened one daye that he spyed her all alone in her chambre pre­payred, and so he wente to her and sat downe by her, and began for to beholde her all smylynge, wherof the Lady toke no kepe, for the disloyall Archebysshop was so pre­uy & famylier in the house that none in the world wolde haue thought that euer he had [...]en so full of trechery and namely towarde the Emperour that loued hym so dere­lye. Now there is not a worse enemy than he the which is famylyer in a house whan he caste [...] hym for to doo euyl, as well shewed this false and cursed Archebysshop, the whyche beyng [...]y [...]ynge besyde the vertuous Lady, opened his venymous mouthe so foule and abhomynable, and spake vnto her in thys maner. My ryght dere and souerayne lady I am your lytle seruaunt and chape­layne, wherfore I beseche you that it wyll please you for to gyue audience vnto my wordes of a thynge the whyche I shall tell you, for the whyche thynge I haue suffered great aduersyties and doloures by longe conty nuaunce. Knowe my redoubted Lady that the beaute of your persone, and the pleasaunt fygure formed and composed aboute natures operacyon, hathe rauysshed my spi [...]es and enbraced me heart in suche wyse that nyghte and daye I thynke on none other thynge but on your highnes. And that worse is leseth reste, meate, and brynke, maners, and countenaunce whan that I thyn­ke [Page] vpon your fayre eyen and replendysshynge vysage so I requyre of God that be wyll geue you volente and courage for to receyue me for your symple louer. And that I myght serue you and fulfill your delites and pleasures. For if it be so that you refuse me for your louer. there is nothynge more nerer me, then to [...]uo the dethe. Alas lady you the whiche is renowmed in euery thyng swete and amyable, curtaysy [...]enynge and debonayre, be not cause to dyminyshe my lyfe, but gyue me holly your loue, by suche a couenaunt that I shall be loyall in loue yea more than euer was any man. And that more is, be not afrayde nor haue no drede of God for to com­mitte this synne and offence. For I am the vycayre of God in earth, wherfore I maye gyue you absoluciō and penaunce fa [...]e and light. At these deceiuable woordes diabolique, full of treason and de [...]epcions, the lady pru­dent wyse and eloquent, aunswered de [...]rely and softe­ly. Ha false and disloyall irreguler Archebysshop, temp­ted & ful of diabolique volente howe darest thou pro [...]fe [...] with thy mouth that ought to be sacred such vylainous wordes, dishonest and abhominable, against the maiestie imperiall of hym that hath enourysshed the so tenderly, and eleuate in honoure more then to the appertayneth fro whence maye come to the and moue this maladie­cion, to be cause of my dampnacion, the whiche shoulde instruct me in the faith in māners and condicions, euen so as the Emperoure thinketh and affieth hym in all. Neuer please it God that the bloud of Fraunce frō the whiche I am extraught, nor the maiestie of the puissaūt Emperoure, be shamed nor dishonaured by me in any [...]ane. O falfe & cursed man, beholde what thou woulde do, that will dispoyle and vnclothe me of myne honour [Page] and put my body in vytupetable shame for euer, & my soule in the waye of dampnacion eternall. Leue thy fo­lyshe opinion, for to suche an ende as to haue my loue, thou mayest not a [...]tayne nor come to. And if that thou speake any more come therof, knowe for a certaynt [...] that I shall shewe the Emperoure thereof. And then maiest thou saye that of thy lyfe is nothyng, go thy way hence and speake no more. Of this aunswere was the Archebysshop to angry, but he dutst not procede no fur­ther forth on that matter, sythe that he myght not haue the loue of the lady. And so all confused he retourned, for he could not spye nor se by no maner that the Lady shewed to him any maner of sygne of loue that he might comfort him in. He repented him greatly of his foolye, when that he sawe that he was refused of the lady, but he founde no remedy for to saue his honour saue by trea son▪ for he thought well within himselfe that the Em­perour knewe not by the Empresse the euyll will of his courage. To sone began the foly, and late he repented, It happeneth oftentymes that the thinge the whiche a foole thynketh remayneth vndone.

¶ Howe the Archebysshop gaynsayed of Bellyssant, for to saue his honoure ymagined great treason. Cap. iii.

IN mynde and thought to profounde and enu [...]ous was the Archebisu [...]oppe doub [...]yng that the Em­peroure would not make hym dye for the false treason that he had committed agaynst the maiestie of his soue▪ raigne. Wherfore he thought for to saue his honoure in the best wyse that he myght. And he dyd so muche that for to couer his ma [...]adiction, and for to shew apparence [Page] of loyaltie and prudence, in dissimulyng that with all his power he desired [...]he we [...]th and honour of the Emperour, the daye of the Ascenciō of our Lorde, he came towarde the Emperoure▪ and drewe him apatte, and sayde vnto him in this maner of wyse. Right hie Emperoure, it is true that I knowe the greate graces and benefites that ye haue done and geuen vnto me. And knowe well that by you I am mounted and eleuate in honoure morethen vnto me apper [...]ayneth. And yet of your grace ye haue made me (indigne) mayster and gouernour of all your house, in puttynge youre truste and confidence more [...] me, then in any other of your courte, wherfore I ought not to be in no place there as I shoulde heare your maiestie vsurped and dyffa­med, and your renowne adnychylled for euen soo god helpe me, if that I hadde not rather submitte my selfe vnto death than for to see or heare before my presence, languages or wordes that were not lycyte vnto your magnificence. Wherfore geuen intelligence vnto my woordes and I shall declare vnto you a thynge the whiche toucheth greately your persone profyte, and honoure. Syrit is true and certayne, that Bellyssant your wyfe, syster vnto the kyng of Fraūce, the which ye haue willed to prayse so muche and honoure, that you haue taken her to spouse (kepeth you not loyalte as she ought to do) for [...] lou [...]th another than p [...] for very certaynte, & y^t she is dissoyall vnto you. But it is soo that I will not declare the name nor the persone of hym that doeth his vol [...]ute with your wyfe, for you knowe well that I am a priest sacred, and may not de­syre the death of nobody. But neuer the lesse knewe for a certaynte that the truthe of this matter came to me [Page] in confession, wherfore I ought not nor will recyte in no maner the name of hym that doeth you suche disho­noure purchase. But and you wyll beleue me, there is not a more vyler, nor dishonester woman in all your courte then is your wyfe that you holde soo dere. Wher by your body is in daunger and peryll▪ for she purcha­seth nyght and daye the maner to put you to death, to the ende that she myght doohet wyll the better. And therfore I am bounde to wyll your profite and keepe your honoure. I adue [...]t se you and let you knowe that you take he [...]e, and correcte her also well as you maye. And the moste secretly y^t you may with your honoure. Orelles I holde your honoure loste and your persone dishonoured. For it is to great shame among the prin­ces, that you thinke that you haue taken to wife the si­ster of the kynge of Fraunce for the floure of beaute, of prudence, and noblenesse, and you haue an harlot, the whiche is enuenymed with your lyfe, & desyreth youre death, in procutynge it from daye to daye, whereof I am ryght displeasaunt. The whiche thynge loke that you remedy also well as you may for to saue your ho­noure. When the Emperour vnderstode the wordes of the false traytour Archebisshoppe, aske not if he were ryght sorowfull in his harte, and angrye, for he hadde loued her as his lyfe. The Emperoure beliued lightly y^e wordes of a false Archebysshop, for he had his truste in hym more then in any man of the worlde. The sone geuen credence made a greate inconuentence to sour­be. There is no daunger so great to a prince as to geue credence lyghtly. The Emperour aunswered nothing for he was so espyred with angre, and wounded at the harte so profoundly, that he lost maner and contenaun [Page] ce. And went thorough the palais imperiall, castynge out angul [...]yous syghes. Then he houed styll a while, but he myght not refrayne his Ire, wherfore he entred in to the chambre of Bellyssant without speakyng any worde, or makyng any semblaunt (the whiche toke no kepe.) And without speaking any worde to lady or [...] mosell, cruelly, and with a fyerse courage, came and toke the fayre lady by the head & pulled her by the heer so rudely, that he threwe her against the earth, and ma­de her excellent face runne [...]l on bloude. Then beganne the lady to wepe and [...]tye right pyteously, and sayde. Alas my ryght dere lorde, what thing moueth you for to smyte me so outragiously▪ For I dydde neuer thynge the dayes of my lyfe to you but all honoure, & loyal set­ [...]y [...]e with my body. Ha hore sayd the Emperour I am to wel enfourmed of thy life, that cursed be the houre & the date that euer I had knowledge of the fyrste. And then he smote her agayne so mightely that the good la­dy lost her speche, and all the ladies and damoyselles wende that she hadde bene dead, wherfore they made a crye so high that the barons and knightes of the cour [...] harde it, and ranne quickely in to the chambre. Some toke vp the Empresse Bellysant, and the other spake vnto the Emperoure after this maner of fourme. Alas syr howe haue you your courage so cruell for to destroy and vndo so noble a lady as she is▪ & that is so wel beloued of euery body▪ in whome was neuer sene vyllanye nor dishonoure. For God syr be a lytel more moderate. For with wrong & without cause, you vndertake this quarell against the good lady. Speake no more said y^e Emperoure, I knowe, I se, and wote how [...] the thyng goeth. And y^t more is by god almyghty I am deliue [...]ed [Page] totally to put her vnto death. And if ther be any of you that will saye the contrary, I shall make you dye an e­uill death. At those wordes spake a wyse baron [...] said: Redoubted syr auise you & consider well what ye will do, you know wel that the lady that you haue spoused is syster vnto the king of Fraunce named Pepyn, the whiche is puyssaunt fyerse and of greate courage. And you ought to beliue stedfastly that and ye doo outrage vnto his syster Bellyssant, he is a man for to auenge hym by suche a facion that he may do great dammage in this countrey also well vpon men & chyldren, as on townes & cyties. And put your selfe in exile, the which should be great dammage and pitie. And on the other syde you se wel that y^e lady is great with childe, wher­fore it is perill vnto you for to smy [...]e her or touche so rudely. After these wordes y^c lady kneled vpō her knees before the Emperour and spake thus vnto him ryght piteously weping. ¶ Alas my lorde haue pytt on me, for I neuer thought vyllany against your persone, & if that ye will not haue pyte on me, at the least haue cō ­passion on the chylde that I bere in my wombe, for I am great with chylde of your dede, of y^e which god gy­ue me grace to be deliuered Ioyously. Alas syr I sup­plye you and requyre you that ye make me be put in to a toure, & there to be kept streightly vnto my childing. And after that I am deliuered, do with my body what soeuer you will. Thus and in semblable maner the good lady complayned her wepyng and syghyng full profoundly with a sorowfull harte, and they had theyr hartes ryght harde that could abstaine them from we­pyng. But the Emperoure that was deceiued by the false Archebysshop, would haue no compassion on his [Page] wyfe, but cruelly and fyersly answere vnto her. False strompet dishordynate of as muche as thou art wyth chylde I ought lytle to reioyce me, for I am so muche enformed of thy gouernemēt that I haue nothing, and that dysloyally thou hast habandoned thy selfe vnto o [...] ther than me. Whā they sawe that the Emperour wol­de not refrayne him nor appese his I [...]e for nothinge, by acomyn accorde they toke her and ledde her into a chambre. And the most amyably that they might helde her with wordes in shewing vnto her her great fau­te, and the sorowful lady was dysorned in her chambre that hadde her face disteyned wyth bloude. The ladyes that were next her persone brought her fayre water to Was [...]he her with all. And at that houre entred into her chambre her squyer named Blandymayn. And whan he sawe her in suche estate, he wepte for pyte, and sayde vnto her. Ha madame I se wel that you are falsly be­trayed. I beseche god that cursed be the person that ha­the purchased you thys euil. For god my righ [...] dere la­dy take a [...]ytle comforte vnto you. And yf you wyll by­leue me I shall lede you into Fraunce agayne toward the king Pepyn your brother, the whyche gaue me vn to you for to serue you in your necessities, the whyche thynge I wold do after my puyssaūce. Beleue my con­sayll and we shal retourne into Fraunce agayne. For you may be sure that the Emperour shal make you dye shortly wyth great shame and dyshonoure. Then an­swered the dolourous lady. Ha Blandymayn my fren­de it shoulde be to me to shameful and dyshonest for to go in suche manet without other deliberacyon. And it myght be beleued lightly that the Emperour had good cause, and that I were culpable of the dede. Wherfore [Page] I had [...]euer die an euil death, than for to recouer blame for a thynge that I am innocent of, and accused with out cause. After these thinges thus said, the Emperour that was with the barons a lytell moderate and satis­fied of his Ire, he sente for his wyfe Bellyssant, the whiche was brought before him quickely. Whan he sawe her his harte trembled for sorowe for this that he dutst not put her to death, because of her brother kīg Pepyn, and his puissaunce. With rude wordes he said to her. False & cursed woman by the is myne honoure vyturped. Wherfore I sweare God that and it were not for thy brothers sake, the valeaunt kyng Pepyn, I should make the to be brent in a fyre, but for his sake thy lyfe shall be prolonged at this present time. Now I [...]o the to wyt, that from this houre I banisshe the, & ex­pulse the from my countrey and Empire, in cōmaun­ding the expresly, that to morowe thou departe out of this cytie, for if I se the any more, thou shalt neuer ha­ue respite till thou haue suffred death. And yet I com­maunde all them of my countrey that there be none so hardy of them to accōpany you, or cōuey, saue allone­ly yoursquyer Blandymayne that you brought out of Fraunce with you. Go where as you wil go at your ad­uenture, for thou shalt neuer slepeby my side, nor in my bedde. Sone after that commaundement of the Empe­rour that was shorte and s [...]daine, without soiourney or delacion, the Empresse Bellyssant, and her Squyer Blandymayn, mounted on horsebacke and came in to the Ly [...]ie, where as was shedde full many a tere, bothe of lordes and ladies knightes, and squyers, with al y^e commune people, the which [...]ted & sorowed out of me­sure, for they made suche lamentacions that there was [Page] neuer sene nor hearde so piteous a thinge. Euery body ran vnto the gate, for to cōmaunde the good lady vnto God, that by the false Archebisshop was so pyteously banyshed. And at the yssue of the gate they made the pi­tefullest etie that euer was hearde. Nowe goeth Blan­dymain that conduyeth the sorowefull lady Bellissant, and hath taken the waye to go towarde the realme of Fraunce. When the lady was out of the walles of the citie, and that she sawe her selfe in the fieldes pyteously a [...]ourned, like a woman shamed and dishonoured, she wayled bitterly. For she considered the lyguage, & the bloud ryall that she was yssued out of, the right hygh magnificence imperiall that she had bene put in. And after thought on the miserable and dolorous fortune y^t was tourned vpon her so sodainly, she said. Alas alas wherfore ta [...]ieth death, that he wil not come & abred­ge my life, and finishe my dolours and anguysshes, Alas I was borne in an vnhappy houre for to suffer suche payne, and for to fall from so hyghe estate vnto such pouerte, for of al the vnhappines I am the moste vnhappiest. Nowe is al my ioyes transmued in to di­stres, my laughinges chaunged in to wepynges, my songes conuerted into syghes. In the stede of the cloth of golde that I was wonte for to weare, I am as a womam publike full of iniuries and vitupere comit­ted & aiourned. And of precious stones of inestimable valour, on all sydes I must the remnaunt of my myse­rable lyfe arouse my vesture with bitter teares, y^t shal make my lyfe & my daies to fynyshe. O you pastorellis of y^c sieldes cōsider my great dolours, and wepe myne exite. Nowe pleased it God and the vyrgin Mary that I were descended of as poore estate as the poorest of y^e [Page] worlde, at the least I should haue doloure to se [...] me in suche pouerte. Alas wherfore [...]yghteth me the sonne, and wherfore doth the earth sustaine m [...] ▪ for I [...]aue no [...]ede that the daungerous fountayne of distresse op­presse me so sore. For it is not in mine humayne puys­saunce, to bewayle the profoūde sorowe that my poore harte endureth. O false enuye & treason, I ought well for to curse the with my harte, for by the to day I am the moste sorowfullest creature liuing vpon the earth A my brother the kyng Pepyn, what shall ye doo with this poore discomforted. It were better for you that I had neuer bene borne of my mother, or that from the wombe of my mother I had bene put vnder the earth. In makyng this aspre complainte, the lady abode in a swowne vpon the horsebacke, and she was almoste fallen downe or that Blandymain might come vnto her, then he dressed her vp and sayde vnto her. Alas mada­me take vnto you some comforte, and enter not so in dispayre, haue stedfast truste in God, for euen so as you are innocent he shal kepe you and defende you alwaies Then he espied a right fayre fountayne, towarde the whiche he ledde the lady. And also nete it as he might he set her downe for to repose her & refreshe her. Here I wyll leaue to speake of them, and will speake of the Archebisshop that perseuered in his malice dampnable and dyabolyque.

¶ Howe the Archebysshop put hym in the habyte of a knyght, and mounted on horsebacke for to folowe the Empresse Bellyssant that was banisshed. ¶ Capit. iiii.

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WHen the Archebisshop sawe that the lady was departed, he thought in himselfe that he wold go after her, and that with her he woulde do his plea­sure. He lefte rochet and other vesture, and as irregu­ler and appostate, gyrde his swerde about hym, and mounted vpon a swifte courser and folowed fost after for he had one of the beste coursers of all Constanty­noble. He tode so faste that within short tyme he had tyden a great waye. And of all them that he mette▪ he asked tydynges of the noble lady Bellyssant. And they shewed vnto him the waye that she helde. So longe ro­de the false traytour Archebysshoppe that he entred in [Page] to a myghty great forest and a longe, he toke the hyghe waye and enforced hym to tyde apace. He had not ry­den longe whan he apperceiued the lady with Blandi­mayn the whiche were beside the fountaine whereas the lady was descended for to refresshe her, and rest her for she was wery and heuy ful of sorowe and doloure, so that she myght not susteyne her. Whiles that Blan­dymayn cōforted the sorowfull lady, the Archebisshop drewe nere them and knowe the fayre Bellyssant, but she knewe him not a ferre bycause that he was dysgy­sed, but whan he approched she knewe him well ynou­ghe. Alas sayd she Blandymayne, Is [...] now come to­warde vs the false Archebysshop that is cause of mine exyle. Alas I am to sore aferde that he do me not some vyllany. Lady sayd Blandymayn, haue of hym ney­ther fere nor doubte. For yf he come for to do you euyl or displeasure I shal put my body for to defende yours vnto the death. At these wordes was arriued the archebisshop that light of his hors, and salued the lady in the best maner that he might and sayd. Ryght dere and honoured lady, it so be that the Emperour hath dechared you, yf you wyll accepte me for to be your loue, and ac­complysshe my desyre, I shal do so muche towarde the Emperour that he shal put you in your fyrst estate, and be exalted more hygher then euer you were, wherfore auyse you, for I do it for your great honour and prouf­fyte. Ha sayd the lady, dysloyall and cruel aduersary of all honoure imperiall, I ought well to haue cause to loue the, and holde the dere, whā that by thy false ma­lyce thou haste made the Emperour vnderstande that I haue myserably borne me towarde hys maiesty and made me be detect from all honoure and prosperyte. [Page] Thou hast put mein the way of extremite and misery, and is the causer that I shall finishe my dates in dolorous distresse, for there is not a more discomforted la­dy in the worlde then I am. Lady leue suche woordes, for by me ther cā nothing cō to you but good. For I am puissaunt ynough for to chaunge your doloure and discomforte in to Joye & solace, more then euer you had. In saying these wordes he enclyned hym towarde the lady, and wende to haue kyssedher. But Blandimayn sterte betwene them, and gaue the Archebysshoppe so great a stroke that he folled hym vnto the earthe, and braket wayne of his teeth. The Archebysshoppe gate him vp & drew his sworde quicklye. And Blandimain toke a glayue that he had brought with him, and assay­led hym ryght asprely and the Archebysshoppe hym. They fought so long that they were booth sore woun­ded, and as they were thus fyghtyng, there arryued on them a notable marchaunt, that ascryed vnto them also ferre as he myghth se them saying. Lordes lordes leue your debate, and tell me from whence it procedeth, and I shall tell you who hath ryght or wronge. Syr sayd Blandimain, let vs fynyshe our enterpryse. Alas sayd the lady sucoure vs, for here is the false priest that will take mine honoure from me by forte▪ whiche is y^e cursed Archebisshop that hathe separed me by creason from my lorde and husband the Emperour. when the marchaunt vnderstode her, he had great pity on her, & sayde to the Archebisshop. Syr leue your enterpryse, & touche not the lady, for and the Emperoure knowe of this dede he would make you dye an euill death before all the worlde. Also soone as the Archebysshop vnder­stode the marchaunt speake, he left the batrayl quickly [Page] and began for to [...]e through the wodde. He was ryght sorowfull that he was knowen for he thought wel to haue had his pleasure of the lady. But he enterprysed suche a thyng, wherby his treason was knowen after­warde and disclosed as it shalbe recounted to you af­terwarde. After the depatrynge of the Archebyshop the lady abode in the wodde beside the fountayne tryst and sorowful, with Blandimayn that was woūded. The marchaunt that was abiden said. Alas lady I se that by the Archebysshop ye are falslybetrayed, and haue b [...] expulsed frō the Emperoure. Now god giue me grate to liue so longe that I may accuse him of this misoe [...]e, and to purchase hys death. L [...]ly to god I commaund [...] you the whyche giue you patience and comforte Soo the marchaunte toke hys leue, and Blandymayne thā ­ked hym many times. Than Blandimayne mounted the Lady vpon her horse, and after mounted vpon hys owne, and wente vnto a lodginge that was there be­side, where as thei abode by the space of eight daies for to hele Blandimayn. Wha [...] he had rested him, and that he might ride they put them vpon the waye towards Fraunce, And the sorowfull ladye complayned her by the way and sayd. Alas Blandimayn my frende, what may my brother and all the lordes saye of my pyteous case, whan they shal knowe that for a vylaynous dede I am so shamefully deie [...]e from the Emperoure, and as a romen woman banisshed the Empyre of Constan tynoble. Alas I am right certaine that my brother wyl beleue lightly that I am culpable of the dede, and make me die shamefully for he is right fyerse of courage, la­dy said Blandimayn be of good chere, & put your trust in god. In spekyng thus Blandymayde that the ladye [Page] conduyted rode so muche that after that they had pas­sed diuers countreis & regions, they ariued in Fraun­ce, & passed by Orleaunce for to go vnto Paris▪ where as the kyng was accustomed to soiourney moste. So they▪ entred in to a great forest that is syxe myle from Orleaunce in the whiche happened pyteous thynges, vnto the Empresse Bellyssant, as I shall make men­tion hereafter.

¶ How Bellyssant was deliuered of two fayre sones whiche were named Ualentyne, and Orson and howe she loste them. Capit. v.

[Page] BEllyssant was ryding within the forest, the which was with chylde as you haue heard re [...]ed before. It happened that her bodye had determined and fulfilled her time, that constrayned her for to des [...]ende of her horse and com­playne her tenderly. Blaudimain demaūded her what she a [...]led that she complayned her soo. Alas Blandy­mayn sayde the lady, lyght downe of thy horse & helpe that I were layde vnder yonder great tree and thynke [...] for to [...]ke me some wife. For the tyme is [...]om [...] that I must n [...]des be deliuered without any len­ger delaye. Blandymayne descended quickely and laid her vpon a fayre grene place vnder a tree, the which he did chose and marke for to knowe it the better. And then he le [...]t on horsebacke, & rode also fast as he might for to seke some wyfe to helpe and sucoute the lady.

The noble lady Bellyssant abode there all alone with out any company, saue God and the blessed v [...]gyn ma­ry, that did helpe her, and succoured her in such maner that she was deliuered of twoo fayre sonnes in the fo­rest. But they were not so sone come vpon the carthe, but that the good lady suffred muche payne and an­gu [...]she as you shall heare. So as the lady was deliue­red of the fruyte of her wombe, and that she laye vnder the tree, ther came vnto her a beer, the which was ma [...] [...]e [...]lously great and horrible, & toke one of her children in his mouthe, and wente his way [...] into the thycke of the forest also faste as he myght. Then was the graci­ous lady sorowfull & not without a cause, for the per­diction of her chylde, and began for to crye with a fea­ble v [...]yce muche pyteously. And vpon bothe her fere & handes she wente after the beer in the forest, that was [Page] anone out of her syght. Alas to lytle auayled her the pursuyte. For she shal neuer se her chyld vnto the tyme that by myracle he be yelded vnto her agayne. So lōge went the lady through the forest wepyng for her child, and trauaylled her so fore to goo after, that a stronge sicknes toke her, in suche wise that she fel in a swoun [...] vpon the colde earth as it had bene a dead woman, I wyll leue here to speake of her, and wyll tell you of the other childe that was left all alone. ¶ It happen [...]d the same daye that the kynge Pepyn was departed out of Parys, accōpanyed wys diuers great lordes and ba­rons, for to go vnto Constantinoble to se his sister bel­lyssant. And toke his way towarde Orleaunce▪ and he rode so faste that he entred into the forest where as his syster▪ Bellyssant was deliuered, but he knew nothyng therof at that tyme. Now it is true as it was the plea­sure of god that as the kynge Pepyn passed throughe the forest, he espyed vnder the hye tree the other sonne of Bellyssant all alone that lay vpon the earth, soo he rode that waye and sayd vnto hys barons. Lordes by the god that created all thynges I haue founde here a muche fayre encountre, se what a fayre chylde I haue founde here. By Ihesus sayd the lordes syr kynge you say true. Nowe sayd the kynge Pepyn I wyll that it be nourysshed at myne expenses also longe as god shall giue it lyfe. And wil that to be kept ryght tenderly, and nobly as if it were myne owne propre chylde. For y [...] y^t god sende hym lyfe untyll the tyme that he be a man I shal gyue hym great landes and tenementes for to liue vpon. Then the kynge Pepyn called vnto hym one of hys squyers, and gaue hym the charge of the child, sa­inge to him. Bere this child to Orleance, & make it [Page] baptyzed, and seke him a good nouryce, and make that he be nourysshed also well as is possible Good ryght had kyng Pepyn to loue the chylte, for he was hys ne­new [...], but he knowe it not. The souyer toke the childe as kyng Pepyn hadde hym and bare it into Orleaūce. And after made it to be baptised and gaue it his name For he made it to be named Ualentine, for suche was the name of the s [...]er. After he sought a nouryce and made the chylde to be well kept as he was commaun­ded. The kynge [...]oode in the forest, alwaye holdynge his Iournaye▪ for he had great desyre to be in the Cytie of constantinoble to se his syster Bellyssant that he lo­ued so muche. And euen so as he passed through the fo­rest, he recountred Blandymayn that led a wife with hym. Blandymain knewe the kyng, and anone lyghte of his horse and salwed him. After the salute done the kyng sayde vnto him. Blandymayn fayre syr, tell vs tidinges of Constantinoble. And amōg other thinges tell vs howe oure syster Bellyssant doth. Dere syr said Blandymayn as to the regarde of tidinges, with pay­ne can I tel you any that is good. For your syster Bellyssant hath to muche euil by the treason and false lan­guage of the cursed Acchebisshop, for she is vanisshed from the Emperoure, and chased out of the countrey. And the Archebysshop made him beleue so many false wordes, that if the lordes of his court had not bene, the whiche fered your futoure, he wold haue made her he btence in a fyre afore all the worlde. Blandymayn said the kynge Pepyn the whiche was tryst and sorowfull, Of as muche holde I the Emperoure more folysher, because he made not my syster dye, for by the God al­mighty, if I had her hate at this present time, I should [Page] neuer reste [...]il that I hadde made her dye an euil death. Nowe forwarde lordes saide kynge Pepyn for oure vyage is done. Retorne we vnto Paris for I will go [...]ote [...]der. I knowe to muche tydinges of my sister, w^t out demaundinge, or enquiryng any more. At these wordes he torned the bridle of his horse for to retorne, making great sorowe in his courage, and beganne to saye vnto himselfe. Ha veray God almighty (sayd he) howe often is man deceiued by woman. Nowe am I come to the clene contrary of mine entencion, for I purpensed to haue had once of my syster Bellyssant in my lyfe Ioye and pleasure. And to haue had the Em­peroure Alexander for my frende, to succoure me in all my necessities. And by her I am greatly diffamed, and put vnto a great dishonour. In that distresse and me­lancoly rode the king Pepyna great whyle, so longe he [...]ode so that he ariued at Orleaūce. Then Blandimain that sawe wel, and knewe well the courage of the king Pepyn durste declare no more vnto him of the lady B [...]llyssant. So he [...]iourned towarde the tre where as he had left her but he founde her not, wherfore he was angry and [...]yght sorowefull. He discended, & fast [...]ned his horse, and began to serche her thorough the wodde, And he didde so muche that he founde her lyeng vpon the earth, the whiche had wepte so muche for her chylde that she might not speake but with great payne. Blan­dimayn embraced her and set her on her fete, and then [...]de vnto her. Alas who may haue brought you hether H [...] Blandymayn said she euer encrea [...]h my doloure, and dystresse. Ie is true that whan you were departed there came a beer to me a bare awaye one of my chyl­dren: And I put myselfe on y^e waye after thinkyng to [Page] haue taken it from hym▪ but I coude not retorne vnto the tree whereas I left mine other childe. Lady sayd he I come from the fote of the tree, but I haue founde no chyld, yet haue I well loked on euery syde. Whan the lady hearde Blandymayne, she was more sorowfull, than before, and yet agayne she tell in a swone, blan­dymayn toke her vp and wepte full hercely for the la­dies sake. He ledde her towarde the tree where as she had left the chylde; but whan she founde it not, she dis­charged so greate sighes, and so pyteous, that it seme [...] that the hert in her [...]ely wolde depart in sunder. Alas said she, thereis not in the world a more discomforted lady cha [...] I am, for from syde to side I am deuoyde of Ioye, of pleasure of myrche, and am replete wyth do­loure and misery▪ and of intollerable dystresse greued wyth all trybulacyons, and amonge all desolates, the moost [...]esolate. Alas Emperour you are the cause toa­uauncemy death wrongfully, and without cause, & by [...]uyl coūsell haue depryued me from your company for on my soule neuer the dayes of my life dydde I faute wyth my body. I haue nowe loste by you▪ your▪ propre chyldren legityme yssued out of bloud ryall, by wh [...]n [...] I trusted ones to be venged. Come death vnto me for to finisshe my dolour for the death shall be more agrea­ble vnto me, than to liue in this martyre. Whan Blan­dymaine sawe the lady so inwardly discomforted, the best wyse that he might he comforted her, wyth the wo­man and lead her into a litle village where as she was bayned, kepte, and cherisshed, [...]yll that she was well healed, and in good poynt, and that of her greate soro­wes she was a litle appeased for there is no [...]ole but that it is forgotten by processe. Thā blandimain beg ā [Page] for to tell and recyte vnto the lady howe he had encoun­tred the kyng Pepyn her brother, the whiche had de­maunded him tidinges, and how he was angry against her. And sayde, by God madame I haue greate feare that ye shall not be welcome to the kynge your brother For also soone as he knewe that the Emperoure had expulsed you from him, he shewed the semblaunt that he was muche angry against you, as he the whiche wil beleue lightly that the faute is in you. Ha God sayde the lady. Now is come vnto me the thing that I moste doubted, at this houre maye I well saye that I from al sydes haue aduersities. For I am expulsed frō my lord and husbande the Emperoure, without ryght or rea­son. Neuer shall I retourne vnto Paris, but will go into a straunge countrey, so farre that neuer man nor woman shall haue knowledge of my faute, nor know where I am. If my brother the king Pepyn helde me, he would make me dye. Now it is better for to sechewe his ire and [...]uroure, then for to abyde the death. And Blandymayne sayde vnto her. Lady wepe no more, for ye be sure that I shall neuer leue you vnto the deathe, & am delivered to liue and dye with you, and to kepe you company whether soeuer you will, go, Blandymayn sayd the lady let vs go at our aduenture and I thanke you hartely for your good wil, for my truste is hole on you. Thus is the lady Bellyssant & Blandymayn on their waye muche pensyfe and sorowfull, all charged with anguysshes. Here will I leue for to seakpe of them [...] will tell you of the Beer that bare awaye the chylde through the Wodde.

¶ Of the bee [...] that bare awaye one of the children [...] the [...]mpresse Bellyssa [...]t. Cap. vi.

THe Beet that had taken one of the chyldren of Bellyssant, de [...]oured it no [...] but bare it in to his caue [...]ne that was profounde and obscure. In the whiche was foure younge Beets stronge and [...]u [...]ssaunt. The Beer caste the chylde amonge hys w [...]l [...]es to be eaten, but God that neuer forgeteth his [...]rend [...]s shewed an euydent myracle. For the younge Beeres dy [...]d [...] it no ha [...]me, but with theyr roughe [...]a­wes strooked it so [...]tel [...]e. When the Bee [...] sawe that her ly [...]le whel [...]es would not deuoure it, she was right [Page] amerous of the chylde (so muche) that she kepte [...]t [...]nd gaue it [...]ou [...]e a hole yea [...]. The chylde was [...]l [...] tough [...] because of the neue [...]taction of the bee [...] ▪ as a [...]de be [...]st. So he began to go in the [...]odde, a [...] [...]ame great [...] in a wh [...]e a [...]d b [...]gan for to smyte the [...] castes of the forest in suche wyse that they all douted hym, and [...]ledde before him. For he fereo nothyng in the worlde. In suche esta [...]e was the chylde ledyng a [...]stes lyfe y^e space of xv. yea [...]e. He became [...] great and st [...]g▪ that none durste passe through the forest [...]or hym▪ for bothe men and beast [...]s he put vnto d [...]ath, and [...]a [...]e their [...] alr [...]w as the oth [...] beastes did, [...]d [...]ed [...] [...]ea [...] [...] li [...] and not humay [...]e. He was called Orson [...]au [...] of the beere that had nouryshed hym, and h [...] [...] al [...] coug [...] as [...] bee [...]e. He dyd so mu [...]he harm [...] [...]n [...]h [...] [...]or [...], a [...]d was so [...]ore redoubte [...], that there was [...] ▪ we [...]e he neuer so [...]aliaūt a [...]d hardy, but that he had g [...]eat fere to encountre the wylde ma [...]. The [...]enowne [...]prange so of hym, that all they of the countrey▪ [...]bout [...] [...]ha [...] and hunted him with force and strength▪ but nothynge auaylled all their deade, for he fered neyther [...]y [...]e [...] nor weapons, but brake al [...] peces. No w [...] is in the forest [...]dang the life of a wilde beast, without we [...]in [...] of any cloth, or any worde speaking. And the mothe [...] Bellyssa [...]t that thought that she has lost him▪ goeth as a woman discomforted through the countrey at a­ [...]ture, and Blandymayne conduyted he [...] ▪ & comfor­teth her also well as he ma [...]e. The lady be [...]ayled euer her two chyldren, for she hath loste them, and prayeth oftentymes vnto god with good harte and to the vi [...] ­gyn Mary, y^t they woulde saue her two children. Blan­dymayn a [...]d the lady Bellyssant passed by [...]y [...]ers pla­ces, [Page] and so muche [...] [...]e [...] by s [...] and b [...] la [...]de, that they [...]d at a [...]o [...] o [...] [...]o [...]yngale, vpon the whiche was [...] [...]st [...]l. And in that same castell did remyyne [...] [...]n [...]t that was so great and so puyssaunt that there was no horse that myght susteyne him, and he was called Ferragus.

IT happened that this Ferragus yssued out of the castell, and came vnto the porte for to de­maunde trybut [...] of the [...]asse [...]s, as he was ac­customed to take of euery shyppe. He entred into the shyppe whereas Bellyssant was, that was [...]e [...]l [...]sshed with dyuers marchaundises. And also soone as he [...]spi [...]d Bellyssant he [...]o [...] her [...]y the hande [...]nd l [...]dde [...] into [...] castel [...] to w [...]e his wy [...], for he was maried vnto a lady ryght pleasau [...]t and fayre. And B [...]n [...]m [...]n went after the lady that the gyaunt ledd [...] i [...] great honoure, without doyng he [...] vylla [...]y [...] in any facion, eyther in thought or dede, and presented her vnto his wyfe▪ the whiche receiued her gladly, and had great ioye of her comming for the gracious maynteine that she sawe in her. The gyaunt commaunded his wyfe that Bellyssant should be sumptuously kept as her persone, and Blandymayn he [...] squier in like wise. She was receyued with great ioye in the castell, [...]or she was well endoctrined both in [...]dicio [...] a [...]d in scyence, and coulde speake amiable, and gouerne [...] ho [...]e [...]ly amonge lytell and great. A [...]d when she had re membraunce of her children she weptetenderly bothe with [...]e and mynde, [...]ut the wyfe of the [...]yaunt re­comforced her euer. A [...]d of all that was in the castell, she was euer nexte her persone. For she [...]oued her with [Page] [...]o [...]te loue, that without her she might neither [...] nor drinke, she was longe tyme in the castell of Ferra­gus. Here I will l [...]ue you to speake of her, and [...] [...]e [...] you of the Emperoure, and of the false Archebysshop▪

¶ Howe by the coūsail of the Archebysshop there was newe customes raysed in the cytie of Constantinoble, and howe the occason was knowen. Cap. vii.

Alexander the Emperoure after that he [...] ▪ [...]xp [...]sed sham [...]fully his wyfe [...] ­kyng P [...]y [...]s s [...]ster of Frau [...], and [...] ­ [...]ed her from his company he made diuers complayntes, & repented hym in his harte [Page] [...] th [...] [...]t [...] [...] [...]d of [...] e [...]te hym euer in [...] [...]olysshe oppinion, and the Emperour beleued him And gaue hym so muche puyssaunce and aucthoritie a­boue the other, that that whych [...] commaunded was done. He gouerned so muche [...] had so muche domynac [...] [...] that [...] als [...]d vp [...]mes aud vsages in the [...] of [...]onstantyno [...]i [...], agaynst ryght and reason. It happe [...]ed that there was a fayer in [...]he [...]it [...] the which was kepy the. xv. day of Septembre. And from diuers counet [...]es came the marchauntes to that faye [...]. Whan the day was comen that it should be kept, the to wne was ful [...] marchauntes of euery countree. The Em­perour made the fayer to be kept as it was accustomed [...]the [...]yng therof vnto the Archebysshoppe, [...]he whych made [...]e two hundred men for to accom­pany him and they departed from the cyte to kepe the faye [...] [...] the same fayer was present y^e marchaunt that I haue made me [...]cy on of to fore, that is to w [...]t he the whyche founde Blandy mayn and the Archebi [...]hoppe [...]ynge the Archebysshoppe knewe hym well [...]ought, but he made no semblaunt. For he doubted to [...]y [...]h [...] that his fall [...]od were not knowē. He wold haue [...]t hym to death gladly, but he had not the puyssaūce without to grete [...]c [...]aūder. This day [...]he sai [...] matchaūt that was wel garnisshed with clothes of golde & [...]ke [...]o [...]e more thē any other wherfore whā the fayer was [...]y [...]h [...]d the Archebysshop sent [...] sargeaunt to hym for to demaunde him the trybute than was accustomed▪ for the [...]ynge o [...] hys marchaundyse. The sergeaunt [...] [...] him and sayd. Syr marchaūt [...]ou must pay x. pence for euery pounde that you haue solde, for soo [...] ordeyned. [...]o sayd the matchaunt that [...]u [...]l may [Page] happen to hym that hathe reysed vp suche a custome, that is the [...] and dissoyall Archebisshoppe (whome God curse) for it is lon [...] [...] [...] sythe he oughte to haue dyed a shamefull death. Then [...] the marchaunt had so reuyled the Archebysshop, the sargeaunt [...] his staffe and smote the marchaunt vpon the head that the bloud ranne downe. When the marchaunt felt hym selfe smyten he drew his sworde and smote him so hard that he vette him do wne dead. then arose a gre [...]t noyse thorough the fayer and meuyng of people in suche ma­ner that the other sergeauntes toke the marchaunt and ledde hym towarde the Archebysshop. The Archebys­shop would haue made him dye without delay but the marchaunt that was wise and well a [...]uised demaun­ded the lawe that is to saye, that he would [...]e heard in his reasons and defences, and the iustice was fauoura­ble, and vttred it to hym. Then the Archebysshop made him [...]e ledde before the Emperoure, for he had greate [...]olente to make hym be sudged to death. but in desiring the death of other, he purchaseth his owne as ye shall heare, The Archebisshop made to present the marchaūt in the palays▪ where as was the Emperour that com maunded the Iudge to put him in chayre. And the Ar­chebisshop made an aduocate rigorously prepose agaist the marchaunt, in accusing him of the murdre that he had done, and of the great [...]u [...]ur [...]es that he had sayde a­gainst the reuerence of the Archebysshop. Whan the purpose was made against the marchaunt, he kneled downe before the Emperour and said vnto him. [...]ight hyghe and excellent Pri [...]e if it please you of your be­nyg [...]e grace to geue me audience before al your barōs I shall tell you a thyng of great importaunce, whiche [Page] toucheth your persone. Marchaūt sayd the Emperour speke on hardely, for I giue the l [...]en [...]e. Syr said the marchaūt make that the gates of your palays be shy [...] to the ende that none departe from this place. Them▪ peroure beleued the marchaunte, and sayd before them all on hye, Lordes barons and knightes that desyreth and ought to loue the honoure and the prouffyte of the tryumphant empyre, e [...]tende to my wordes. The ty­me is comē that the treasō of the cursed Archebysshop that you se here, muste be knowen and declared open­ly before your reuerences. ¶ Alas syr Emperour it is the cursed man by whom your wyfe hath ben chased from you wyth wronge and sham [...] ▪ And you haue euyl spended the good noutysshynge of hym, for he oughte to kepe your honoure moost and he is the worste, for it happeued one day that he requyred the fayre lady Bel­lyssant of loue, the whych is wyse and prudent refused him. And wh [...]n this pe [...]uers traytre preest vnderstode and apperceyued that of the lady he should neuer haue hys pleasure, for fere that his sinne should not be kno­wen, he made you beleue fals wordes howe that she was not loyal to you, but habādoned her to other. The which thinge saw your excellent reuerence, and of the lordes here presente, he lyeth as a fals infidele to you, and if that for the more gretter approbaciō [...]e demaūd me how I knowe it and that declared me the trouthe I tell you that I passed one daye on my waye sone af­ter that your wyfe was benysshed out of thys countree and in ridinge throughe a wodde I sound thes preest irreguler and apostate in armes, and in habyte dyssy­mulate, agaynste god and the ordenaunce of his voc [...] ­ [...]yon. And in that same wodde he had assaylled ryghte [Page] fyersly Blandymayn that kepte and conduyted in her dolefull fortune, the ryght noble, and fra [...]ke lady Bel­lyssant your wyfe. And right so as I sawe their deba­te I began for to c [...]ye. My lordes leue your debate, and then the lady whiche wepte full piteously began for to saye vnto me. Marchaunt my frende come and sucour me against this traitoure and false Archebisshop that with force and against my courage. Will be [...]yue me o [...] myne honoure. Alas saide the lady it is he by whom I am put in exyle, and chased from the Emperoure and his countrey. So I smote my horse for to seperate thē, but this same Archebysshop toke ryght sodaynlye the flyght through the wodde, for he was to displeasaunt when he sawe that he was knowen. Alas noble & puis saunt Emperoure, I haue thought many tymes in my courage to declare this matter vnto you. But I du [...]st not speake to you, nor informe you of the case, & if you finde the cōtrary make me die, ¶ when the Emperour harde the marchaunt say so, he began for to syghe and wepe full tenderly, and after sayde vnto the Archebys­shop. Ha false seruaunt, I ought to praise and honour the litle. I haue enforced me all my lyfe to doo the good and exalte the in honoure, and thou yeldest me dysho­noure and treason for my loyaltie and good will. Now euen so [...]d helpe me, my harte tolde me euer that I should be deceyued and becra [...]ed by the. Alas the thyng that I moste doubted is happened me. Thou hast made me of all Princes the mo [...]ste [...]famed and vnhappy. And of all the greatest the mooste lytle and wretched. Alas sayde [...]he Emperoure [...] [...]ander I ought wel for to hate and disprayse my wretched lyfe, whan that by treason I haue lost the thynge whiche I moste loued, [Page] in an euill houre haue I beleued thy counsaill so light­ly. Ha sayd the Archebisshoppe be not angrye with me for nothyng that the marchaunt telleth you, for neuer of this deade I knewe nothyng, nor am not culpable, but am innocent, and so I will holde me. Thou lyest fasly saide the marchaunt, for of thy treason thou canst not excuse the. And if thou wilt saye the contrary I wil fyght with the in a fielde to susteyne my quarell. And I offre here my body to suffre death, if that I rēdre the not before the darkenyght false traytour, either dead or vanquysshed, or thou shalt confesse thy case. And to the eude that none thinke but that my courage accor­deth with my harte and sayinges. I deliuer the me gage, and thynke to defende the well. Whan the Empe­rour Alexander sawe that the wager was casten down he said to the Archebisshop. Nowe is it tyme after iu­stice and ryght that you thynke for to right with the marchaunt, or els to knowledge the trouthe, Hay syre sayde the Archebisshop, you ought to wyte that to fight or doo dedes of armes I ought to be excused, for Iama prelate and a priest sacred, wherefore it apperteyneth not in no wyse that I should fight, for in that doyng I should false and repreue the dignite of holy churche. By my fayht sayde the Emperoure, in this quarell is none excutacion, but behoueth you to fyght with the marchaunt that accuse you of treason, & it that ye wil not do it. I holde you for culpable of y^e dede. Of these wordes was the Archebysshop muche affrayde, for he s [...] we well that he must nedes fight, and said to the Em perour. Redoubted syr whan you will that I proue with my body that I am innocent of this cause, I shal be ready, howe well that it is agaynst myne estate, in [Page] excusing him, but litle auayled his speche and his excu sacions, for the Emperoure commaunded that the Ar chebysshop should be kept in suche wyse, that he might haue him at his pleasure euery tyme that he shold aske for hym. And commaunded also that the marchaunt should be taken and honestly treated. Then the Empe roure assembled his counsayll, and the daye was deter­mined, the fielde taken, & the tyltes made, for the mar­chaunt and the Archebisshop to fyght in. In the which battayll God that is ryghtfull Judge, shewed before euery body that treason and falshode retourned euer to their maisters, as you shall here.

¶ Howe the Emperoure Alexander by the counsayll of the moste wisest, sent for the king Pepyn to be at the daye of batayll, for to here the truthe. Cap. viii.

[Page] AFter that the daye was determined, & the fielde cōmaunded to be prepared, the lystes made, there came tidinges to the Empe­roure that kynge Pepyn was come to Ro­me to ayde and comforte the pope agaynst the false infideles, enemies of our holy fayth. And tho it was aduised by the counsaill of the moste discrete of his palais, that they should go fetche kyng Pepyn, to the ende that he myght be present at the forsaid day of batayll, for the more honester excusation of the Empe­roure. And that he might se and knowe clerely that by euill treason he had separed his wife out of his compa­ny, or that by good ryght and good quarell he had ex­pulsed her. To this counsayll he accorded, and sent w^t all diligence diuers messengers to Rome, to whome he gaue letters to bere to kynge Pepyn, that was at y^t tyme in Rome, defendyng our holy faith againste the infideles, as I haue tolde you before. The messengers b [...]ne departed from Constantinoble, and haue done so muche by water and by lande that they are come to Ro­me to warde the kyng Pepyn, whome they salued as it apperteyneth vnto suche a kyng, and after sayde vnto hym. Ryght redoubted lorde and excellent kyng, we presente you these letters from the puyssaunt Emperoure of Constantinoble our lorde wherfore beholde the con­tinue of the same, and the [...]upon please it your maiestie ryall to geue vs an aunswere. The kyng Pepyntoke the letters anone, and opened thē, & beheld theim. And after that he had redde them, he spake on hyghe before al his barons and said. Lordes by god almighty here is tydynges of great admiracion. Themperoure Alex­ander sendeth me worde that my syster Bellyssant that [Page] I had geuen him to wife, hath bene put by him in exi se wrongfully, through a false Archebisshop that hath geuen him to vnderstande a lye, the whiche of his de­de muche detestable, is accused by a marchaunt that in this quarell will lyue and dye, in fighting with the Ar chebysshop in a fielde before all the worlde. And that this maye be the more certayne the forsaid marchaunt as a hardy man, and well assured of this deede, for to pu [...]sue it with the ayde of God, with good and loyal quite in hauing sted fast confidence in god, hath casten and deliuered his wager against the false traytour y^e Archebisshop. Nowe it is so that the daye that they shall fyght together is determined, where as I may know for a certaynte whether my syster Bellyssant is culpa ble of the cryme that is put vpon her or not. And if it be so that the Emperoure hath vniustly done het this dy­shonour. I sweare you by myne othe ryall that I shal take vengeaunce on him. For the great offence that he hathe committed, can neuer be recompensed. Then cōmaunded the king Pepyn that all they of his courte were ready for to accompany him vnto Constanty no­ble, for he wold be there at y^e day of the enterprise made betwene the marchaunt and the Archebysshop, so they made all thinges ready as the kyng had cōmaunded. Pepin departed from Rome with a muche fayre com­pany, & so long hath he ryden y^t he is come to the sea, & mounted into the galees, and haue done so muche that they are aryued at Constantinoble. And when the Em perour knew the coming of kyng Pepyn, he commaū ded to tynge al the belles of the cytie, & that they shuld make Joye through the cytie. Euery body was glad of the commyng of kyng Pepyn. Themperoure lyght on [Page] horsbacke right sumptuously [...] accompanyed, & yssued out of the cyte to mere with hym. But also soone as he sawe the kinge Pepyn he remembred Bellyssant and began to wepe and to syghe so pyteously, that he coud speke neuer a word but wepe, and make great lamen­tacions wyth heart & mouthe to anguysshously. The kynge Pepyn that had the courage fyerse and proude, cared not for his wepinge. He made semblaunt that he had no pyte nor compassion on him for al his weping, but said vnto him in this maner. Emperour leue your wepynge, and discomforce you not soo muche yf that you haue lost my syster Bellyssāt. For who that leseth a harlot ought not to be dismayed. And syth that my syster is suche one, haue no fere of her, thought nor dis­pleasaunce, H [...] sayde the Emperoure for god say not suche wordes of your sister, for I beleue stedfastly that there is al honeste in her, & loyalte. And y^t with wronge and agaynst right I haue expulsed her frome me. By my fayth sayde the kynge Pepyn, of as muche more ought you to be blamed and euery body may know the greate sapience that remayneth in you. Whan that by one euyl exhortacyon you haue so diligently banisshed my syster from you as a comyn harlot, with so greate shame. And knowe that I am lytle beholden vnto him that hath done suche shame & dishonoure vnto my per­sone, and to all the bloud ryall of Fraunce. Whan the Emperour Alexander heard & vnderstode the wordes, and courage of kynge Pepyn, he was much sorowful in his herte and answered symply vnto the kyng Pe­pyn agayne, and sayd. Alas syr kinge Pepyn doo not moue your selfe in Ire, but molify a lytle youre cou­rage, for by the pleasure of god almighty y^e trouth shal [Page] be knowen Emperour said the kyng Pepyn to longe haue you caryed. For it is a compu sayeng, that to late it is for to shyt the stable doore, whan the horse is loste. Nowe is my sister Bellyssant gone in exyle poorely a­rayed I wote not whether, wherfore my heart ought well to be sory, whā y^t for you I must lese her, for I am right certaine that I shal neuer se her. Alas one should be wel ware co giue so hastely Iugement, for one may do an euil thinge, wherby he may repent him all at ley­ser, and you know wel that renowne is dere, For whā it is lost be it by right or by wronge, it is late recoue­ringe of it. Lyttel haue you preysed the honoure of my persone, whan that without ony deliberacion, or con­sideracion that dyuers suche thinges haue be fallen, and dothe by enuy (that ye haue exyled my syster) In sa­ynge these wordes, the Emperour and kinge Pepyn entred into Constantinoble with muche great honour. And whan they were within the cytie the Emperoure wold haue made kinge Pepyn and his mē lodge with­in his palays muche honourably. But kinge Pepyn wolde not entre, but made lodge his men rounde about him in the cyte. And wolde not receiue of them pe [...] our neither giftes nor presentes at all, how well that he presented him diuers thinges, as well vytayle as riche tapissery and iewelles. Moche was the kinge▪ Pepyn in great thought for his sister Bellissant for all they of the cyte affermed him that she was the beste ladye that euer was founde▪ and that by treason and vniuste quarell she was accused and banisshed.

¶ Howe the Marchaunt & the Archebysshop fought together for to clere the lady Bellyssant, and howe the Marchaunt ouercame hym. Cap. ix.

ALso soone as the daye was comen that the marchaunt and the Archebysshop shoulde fyght together in the fielde, the Emperour commaunded that they should be brought afore him, & when they were before him he [...]ad them make them redy to the fielde, and fynisshe their enterpryse. The knyghtes of the Archebysshops countrey, went and armed him sumptuously. And the [Page] Emperour commaunded that the marchaunt should be armed in his presence, euen as his propre persone▪ And before that he was armed Themperour made him knight & promised him cyties to w [...]es & castelles and great possessions if he might vanquishe the Archebys­shop. [...]nd when the two champions were armed, and their blasons hanged at their neckes, their horses wer brought to them, and they mounted on thē to go to the field. Then the Emperour commaunded the knyghtes and sargeauntes that they should conuey the Archebisshop of the place, and that they should take good kep [...] vnto him and this he charged them on their lyues, to the ende that he might not flee for he was subtill and caucelous. The marchaunt▪ was mounted upon his horse wel armed in all places; & a strong sword [...]rde [...] about him, so he [...]od [...] towarde the fielde and entred the firste therin. After him came so greate a multitude of folke out of Constantinoble, that they could not be nō ­bred. And it was not long after but that the Archebys­shop entred into the fielde strongly accompanied▪ For he was muche ryche & of a noble nacion. There was y^e kinge Pepin that behelde the marchaunt gladly, and with good harte, saying. My frende God geue the gra­ce to haue victory against the false man. For by y^e faith of my body, if that the Archebisshop be vanquished to daye by the, and that I maye knowe the cr [...]uthe of my syster, Bellyssant, I shall rewarde the so highly that in all my courte thou shalt be the greatest. Syr sayde the marchaunt I than [...]e you. And knowe you for certain­te that or it be nyght I shal make hym confesse the trea son by the leaue of God, so he geue the grace, to whom I commaunde the▪ and [...] [...]e [...] form the kynge [Page] there [...] a heraute and m [...]de theim sweare both as it is the custome▪ and after they made to auoyde y^• field cle [...]e of all the people that stoode within, and lefte the two champions therin. Nowe be they vpon the renges, and they that had the charge of the fielde brought them their speres the whiche they tooke and smote their hor­ses with y^e spores, and came together also faste as they myght rynne, hyttyng eche other so merueylously, that they broke their speres to their hādes, and passed forth to [...]etche their course. And when they were at the ende of the fielde, they retourned the one vpon the other in contynent with their swordes in their handes, & ioy­ned them together fyersly, in geuyng eche other so pey­saunt strokes that they smote into y^e fielde greate quar­ters of their sheldes. When the Archebisshop sawe that the marchaunt assailed him so asprely, he thought that he would beate of vnto night. For suche was the law [...] in those dayes, that if one man app [...]led another and defied hym in battayll, it was behouefull to hym for to vaynquysshe him before the sone settyng, or he should be hanged. wherfore the Archebysshop thought to kepe himselfe stedfast. And the marchaunt that knewe well the custome, did enforce hym the more to doo feates of armes againste the Archebysshop, that folowed hym nere. And so muche the marchaunt appressed him with strokes, that with one stroke that he gaue him he smote of one of his eares: and a great pece of the haubergon that was of fine stele. And y^e stroke was so impetious that the marchauntes sworde fell from him. when the false Archebysshop sawe that the marchaūt was with out weapon: he smote his horse with a foyne in suche wise, that he smote out one of his eyen. And the horse [Page] that felte himself hurte, ranne and lepte so in the ū [...]lde that he cast the marchaunt downe and fortune was so peruers to him that his fote stacke faste in the styrope. And the horse that would not reste trayled him so im­pecuously [...] that all they of the congregation were heuy and sorowfull, and said to themselfe that they had no more trust in the marchaunt. And when the king saw him in suche distresse, and perill, he began for to wepe muche piteously in saying to hymselfe. Alas alas marchaunt now se I wel euidently that thy dayes bene finyshed for this worlde. Alas nowe maye I know ma­nifestly and for certaine that my sister is culpable of y^e deade that she had bene charged with. And that God will shewe euydently to all that with good ryght the Emperoure hath expulsed her from hym. If she hadde bene buried also soone as she had bene christened, I had bene well happy, and borne in a good houre, for by her is the noble bloude of Fraunce put to a greate shame, And euen so God helpe me if that I helde her nowe I shoulde make her die a villainous death. Many pro­founde syghes made the good king Pepin. And the Archebisshop with all his puissaūce might not make his horse approche the marchaunt, the whiche semed wel to be a thing miraculous. Now the marchaūt was so trailed through the fielde that his horse foundred and fell down. And when ye [...] horse was down y^e marchaunt rose vp that was valiaunt and hardy. And when the Ar­chebisshop perceiued the marchaunt that was rysen, he came renning to him and gaue him two or thre strokes that the marchaunt was all astonyed therwith. So he withdrewe him backe a li [...]ie for to take his brethe and after he auaunced him subtylly, and with a fyerse cou­rage [Page] he smote the Archebysshop in suche maner that his swerde fell out of his hand. And wounded him soo throughe his harneis that the bloode ran vnto the erth The Archebysshop put his hert and his force for to be auenged, & broched his horse to renne on the marchaūt But he was subtill and drewe a great poynted knyfe, and cast it agaynst the Archebysshoppes hors, & smote him in the body so rudely that the horse begā for to lepe and flynge, wherfore the Archebisshop was in to great daunger to fall down. And with the leping of the hors he loste his shelde. And the marchaunte caste it out of the felde, to the ende that he should not helpe him selfe no more wythall. And whan he had done so, he wente and smote his hors in the bely wyth his swerde, so that the Archebysshop and the hors fell vnto the earth, the whiche rose vp in contynent, but the marchaūt was diligente and gaue him so great a stroke that he smote him downe platte to the erath, and than he lepte vpon him, & pulled of his helme to haue smytten of his head. Whan the Archebysshop sawe hym in this daunger, he was full of treason, and sayd to the marchaunt A­las frende I beseche the that thou wylte haue pyte on me, and gyue me tyme and space for to confesse me, to the ende that my soule be not in daunger, for to the I plde me as vanquysshed and culpable. Whan the mar­chaūt herd the Archebysshop speke so, he was curteys and debonayre, and trusted the fayre wordes of the Ar­chebysshop and let hym ryse. Whā the fals preest was vpon hys fete, he hadde neyther wyl nor desyre to con­fesse hym, but toke the marchaunt anone in his armes and threw hym downe, and lepte vpon hym suyenge by great Ire. Marchaunt thou shalte neuer escape my [Page] handes wythout vylaynous death, yf that thou accord not vnto a thyng that I shall cōmaunde the. Ha sayde the marchaūt that sawe himselfe betrayed. Archebys­shop I se and knowe well I am in your mercy & that with me ye may do your pleasure. Wherfore I pray you that ye wyl tell me what thyng it is that ye wyl I doo And I shall accomplysshe it, so that it please you for to [...]aue my lyfe. Marchaunt sayd the archebysshop thys shalte thou do. ¶ I wyl that before the Emperour, and the kinge Pepyn thou testify openly, that wyth wrōg and agaynst ryght thou haste accused me falslye, and by enuy. And of this dede discharge me, and shalt take the charge by suche a couenaunt that yf thou wylte do it, I swere and promise the to saue the fro deathe, and make thy peas towarde the Emperoure, and the kynge Pepyn. And more ouer I swere vnto the by the faythe of gentylnesse and by the ordre of preesthode, to giue the a nece of myne in maryage, the whiche is ryche fayre & pleasaūt. Than mayst thou say that there was neuer none in thy lignage so happy, nor so riche. And therfore auyse the yf thou wyl do it after this maner, and ches [...] whether thou wylte lyue or dye, for thou mayst no [...] es­cape by none other way with thy lyfe. Incontynent as the marchaūt herde the Archebysshop speke so, he was much sorowful, & not wythout a cause, he reclaymed bothe god and our lady mekely to kepe him from death and saue his right. And than he answered in thys ma­uer Syr Archebysshop your reason is good & I am re­dy to accoplysshe it, and obey you, in aff [...]enge me that you wyl kepe your promyse. In me sayd the Archebys­shop ye shal finde no faute. Now in goddes name said the marchaunte go doe to to the Emperour, and I shal [Page] dysaccuse you of the great iniury▪ that I haue preposed agaynst you, it is well sayd now ryse vp and you shall come with me. At these wordes the marchaūt rose vp▪ and whan he was vp he recorden the treason that the Archebysshop had done him, fayninge that he wolde haue confessed him, as I haue made mencion here be­fore, wherefore he toke courage to him, and thought to serue him with the same mese, for it is said comnenly the treason wil euer returne to his maister againe. Thā he toke the Archebysshop in his armes with soo greate courage that anone he had throwen him vnder him, & than sayd to him. Archebysshop you haue taught me to play this pagent, wherfore thinke now to confesse you to me, for ye shall haue none other confessour but me. Yet thought the fals Archebysshop on diuers ca­uillacions, & wyth swete wordes wolde haue deceiued the marchaunt agayne. But the marchaūt neuer trus­ted him more, nor gaue him noo more tyme nor space to rise vp, but anone with great diligence put out bothe his eyen and gaue him so many strokes that he had no strengthe to defende hym. And whan the marchaunte saw that he was domynatour, and had the ouer hāde he rose vp and let hym lye. And called the kepers of the felde, and sayd to them. Lordes here may you se yf that I haue done my deuoyre against the Archebisshop, and yf he be vaynquysshed. you se that I put hym in suche estate that whan it semeth me good I maye slee hym or kyll hym. Wherfore I praye you that it wyll please you to make the Emperour, and the kynge Pe­pyn to come hether with their lordes, for to here the cō ­fession of the Archebysshop, & to here that with vniust quarrell he hath takē batayle agaynst me. Than went [Page] they to fetche to the fielde the Emperoure Alexander, & the kyng Pepyn, the whiche came accompanied with many notable barons to the place where as the Archebysshop was sorowful and confounded. And the Emperour demaundeth him the truthe of the matter. And the false Archebisshop knowledged before them al the dede, and tolde them all the maner, & howe that with wronge he had spokē against the lady Bellyssant, and without any cause had made her be put in exile by tre [...] son and falshode. Alas chynke how many pyteous tee­ [...]es there was shedde on all sydes, and specially of the Emperoure, for his cries and lamentacions were soo pyteous, that all they that were about hym wepte byt­terly, and made great sorowe. And if the Emperour de­meaned great dole, demaunde not if that the kyng Pe­pyn at that tyme was tryste and sorowful. Alas it was not without a cause that they demeaned suche sorowe, when they sawe and knewe that by to light beleuing, and false treason they had lost the excelle [...] lady Bellys­sant kyng Pepyns syster and wife vnto the Emperour And there was betwene the Emperoure Alexander and the kyng Pepyn Joye in dystresse by two parties con­ [...]oyned. Joye to the kyng Pepyn that of his sister knew the loyalte. Doloure and displeasaunce to the Empe­roure that of the deade founde hymselfe culpable. Be­cause that then he knew that with wronge he had cha­ced her from hym. And after all the lamentacions, and the confession and treason of the Archebysshop harde. The Emper [...]pre assembled his counsayll for to Judge what death the Archebysshop should die of and it was established that he should be boyled in [...]yle all quicke, & so it was done. After the which iudgement euery body [Page] withdrewe them vnto their demayne and dwellynge place. And when the kyng Pepyn hadde withdrawen him into his lodgyng, the Emperour dolēt and sorowfull, syghyng profoundly came towarde hym, and kne­led downe before hym and sayde all wepyng. Alas syr I haue cōmitted against you a cryme to detestable, & di­shonest. Nowe se I clearely my miserable fau [...]te, and knoweth that by my folyshnes and light creaunce I am and haue ben cause to put your syster in exyle, and to perdiccion, of the whiche thynge I requyre you of pardon, and before you I presente me as culpable aby­dyng your grace. And in knowledgyng of my false vil­lanye, and for satisfaction and a mendes I yelde and put into your handes the Empyre of Grece, that iustly and of good ryght appertayneth to me. For I requyre [...]o haue no more the name of an Emperoure, nor of a kyng as longe as I shall lyue vpon the earth, but wyl as a seruaunt in all thinges obeye you for I haue wel deserued it. ¶ When the kyng Pepyn vnderstoode the good will, and the great humilite of the Emperoure, he toke him vp and pardoned him before at his lordes. And after that their peace was made by a common ac­corde they delybe [...]ed betwene them for to sende messen­gers into euery countrey to serche the noble lady Bel­lyssant. After the which thinges, the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure for to retourne into Fraunce.

¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure, and departed from Cōstantinoble for to go into Fraū ­ce. And howe he went afterwarde to Rome agaynste the Sarasyns that had taken the cytie. ¶ Capitulo. x.

[Page]

HOwe kyng Pepyn departed from Constan­tynoble after the thinges aforesayd. And so muche he wen [...] by water and lande that he arryued in Fraunce, and went vnto Orleaū ­ce for to refreshe hym. For gladly he was there becau­se of the great fore [...]es that were about it, wherfore he commaunded that for his welcome home▪ they should holde table rounde, and so it was done. And when it came to the houre of the full dyner, the squyer that had nourysshed Ualentyne tooke hym by the hande and presented hym before the kynge, in saying to hym. Syr [...]o here the poore orphelyn that your maiestie founde [Page] in the forest of Orleaunce, the whiche you gaue me for to nouryshe and kepe nowe haue [...] nouryshed him vn­to this present tyme, notat mine expēces but at yours. Wherfore I beseche your excellent maieste that ye will haue remembraunce of him, for he wyll become greate within a while, and therfore it is time to thinke theton And when he had hearde the squiec speake he called the chylde Ualentyne and tooke him by the hande and he sawe him so wyse and well thought in maners and cō dicions, that at the same houre he gaue hym all the cuppes, pottes, and goblettes, and the other vessels y^t at that time was made ready for to serue y^e court. And then the kyng sayd before them all in the court, I wyll that Ualentyne be derely kept. And for the great beau tie and honoure of his persone, the kyng would that y^e yong chylde Ualentine, whiche was at that tyme but twelue yeare olde, should be nourished with his dough ter Eglantine, whiche was so fayre, so wyse, & so well endoctrined, that all the worlde spake good & honoure of her. The two children were nourished together, and loued wel eche other with loue iust and loyal, in suche wise that the one could not be mery without the other. And principally Eglantyne y^e kinges doughter, seing and consydering the prudence of Ualentyne, she was so esprysed with his loue in all honoure, that without hym she might neyther haue solace nor recreacion. Ua­lentyne became great and of faire stature, in althinges well endoctrined. He loued muche horse & harne [...]s, and founde hymselfe gladly at Justyng. And there as he wente he bare awaye the pryte and the honour. Than the kyng seyng his valyauntnesse and good wyll, he gaue him horses and hatneis landes, tentes, a great [Page] possessyons. And it was not longe after but that there was greate brute of hym in the courte, whera [...] many had great enuy diuers tymes and oftentymes sayd to hym in reproche that he was but a fundelynge, and a poorechyld, without knowyng any of his frendes that might ayde hym. For the whyche wordes Ualentyne wepte full of [...]e. And whan the fayre Eglantyne sawe hym angred the wolde wepe full tenderly, and with all her might comfort hym. Ualentyne bate hym so meke and so gentyll in kinge Pepyns coutte, that he was beloued of lordes, ladyes, knyghtes, and squyers, and euery body sayd good & honour by hym. And hys bro­ther Orson is within the forest, toughe & couered with heer as a bere, ledynge a wylde bestes life as it is ma­dt mencion of before and as in this chapytre it shalbe declated vnto you. For know that soone after that the kinge was at Orleaunce there came a messenger vnto him that was sent frō the pope. The whyche demaun­ded helpe and socoure agaynst the paynyms enemyes of our holy fayth that had takē the cyte of Rome. Whā kinge Pepyn vnderstode that the Satas [...]s was with in Rome, he made all diligence to prepayre hys hoost, Of the whych the chylde Ualentyne was made chefe and pryncypall gouernour. Whan Eglantyne knewe that Ualentyne dyd goo, she was muche sorowful, as she that loued him best of any creature. The fayre E­glantyne sent for him secretly to come and speke with her. And whā he was comē she sayd vnto him sighing full tenderly. Alas Ualentyne my loue, now se I wel that I shal haue no more ioye and consolacion, whan that ye wyll depart for to go vnto batayle. Alas ye are wyne onely loue, my comforte, & the refuge of my plea­saunce. [Page] Now wold to God that I had neyther kynne nor frende in the worlde, that wold lette me to do my [...] wyll. For ryght so God help me I wolde neuer haue other in maryage but you▪ and than shulde ye be kynge of Fraunce, and I Quene. A madame sayd valentyne Leue your imaginacion, and haue not your herte soo ardaunt on me. You knowe that I am a poore found­lyng that your rather hath nouryshed for goddes sake and am in no manner a man for to haue you, nor the poorest damoysell that is with you, thynke els where and do so that ye maye shew of what bloude ye beco­men of. And to god I commaund you the which haue you alwayes in his kepyng▪ At these wordes departed Ualentyne and lefte the fayre Eglantyne dolence and sorowful for his departynge. The king and his hooste were redy for to mount on horsback, & departed from Orleaunce to go to Rome. Than the kyng Pepyn cal led his lordes and barons of his court, & said to them Lordes you knowe that al the worlde maketh mency­ou of a wilde man the which is in this forest, wherfo­re I haue great will and affec [...]ion to see him taken or I go any farther. To these wordes consented the lords and barons of his courte. The chace was ordeyned & they entred in to the wodde. They toke dyuers wylde [...]eestes, but for to finde Orson euery body was a fer [...] saue Ualentine that was his brother but he wiste no­thinge, the which desired to fight with him. So long they wente throughe the wodde, that the Kinge Pe­pin arriued before the pitte obscure & tenebrous, wher as Orson healde him. And whan he sawe the Kynge he issued out sodaynly and ranne agaynste hym, so he toke him in his nayles the whyche were right greate [Page] and cast him to the erth ryght boystously. And the kin­ge that wende to haue dyed cryed tight high for socour, so there came to him a valyaunt knight, whan he saw the wylde man that woulde haue straungled the kyng he drewe his swer [...]e for to haue ronue vpon hym. But whan Orson sawe the naked swerd finmbing, he left the kynge and ranne to the knyghte and tooke hym in hys armes and held hym so hard that he threw doune both hors and man. Than the hors gate vp that was sore afrayde and ranne thorow the forest. And Orson held the knight the which with his [...]arp nailes stran gled hym, and pyteouslye pulled him in pyeces. whan the kynge came to his men that wet therby, he recoun ced to them the greate daunger that he had ben in▪ and the piteous deth of the knighte, of the whych tidinges they wet much a [...]alhed. Than they put them togide [...] and went towarde the caue of Orson for to take hym and s [...]e him. They found the knyght, but they saw not Orson, for it pleased not god that he shulde be conque red, saue of his broder Ualentiue. the which conquered him as you shal here afterward. And whan the king sawe that he myght not haue the wylde man, he lefte him and wence on his vyage to Rome. The bataylles were renged, and the Oryflambe of Fraunce war gy­uen to bere a valiaunt prynce that was named Myl­lon Dangler, wyse and of right good conduyte. There was Getuays and Sampsō his brother that were va lyaunt knighres, and diuers other dukes erles and ba rons. Nowe they haue ryden so muche that they are co men vnto Rome and haue demaunded batayll, and the maner of the sarasins & it was tolde them how an ad myrall had taken Rome, & put many men to death, and [Page] destroyed. And hadde vndone the churches and made temples for ydolles. And there constrayned the Pope, cardynalles, archebisshoppes, and bisshoppes to serue them after the guyse of their lawe cursed and dampna ble and when kyng Pepyn vnderstode these tydynges, he was muche sorowfull for the distresse that the chri­sten men werein. He approched nere the citie of Rome and made to assemble his hoste, and put his men of ar­mes in arraye, and ordeyned his battayles. For his harte was entyerly set for to maynteyne the christen fayth▪ the whiche I shall recyte vnto you here after fo­lowyng.

¶ Howe kyng Pepyn beseged Rome. And howe Ua­lentyne Justed with the Admyrall and slewe hym, by whose prudence the cytie was gotten agayne. ¶ Capitulo. xi.

[Page] AFter that the kynge Pepyn had assyeged y^e cytee of Rome / he called his ba [...]ans & kny­ghtes & sayd to them in this wyse. Lordes you knowe euydently that this mastyf Ad­myrall / and enemye of our holy fayth hath put many valyaunt crysten men vnto dethe / and vyllauyed the chyrche Romayne / where as our lorde Jesu chryste was serued so deuoutly and honoured / the whiche ought for to styre vs vnto compassyon and moderly pyte. And therfore I am purposed by the helpe of Jhesu chryste my creatour / in whom is my truste / for to fyghte and expell the paynyms and sarazyns oute of the cyte of Rome / and of all the countree aboute it / wherfore aduise you whiche of you wyll bere a letter / of dyffyenge vnto the for sayd Admyrall in my name. For I wyll delyuer and gyue vnto hym a Journeye of batayll. And wyll fyght with hym in exaltinge and susteynyng our fayth vnto the dethe. Whan kynge Pepyn had spoken thus / there was none that wolde presente them for to answer / saue Ualentyne that stepte forth before the kynge and spake afore them all sayenge. Syr yf it please you to gyue me lycence I shyl vndertake the message / and shal speke afore all the panyms / and theyr fyerse Admyrall / in suche maner that with the helpe of god / and of hys swete moder / ye shall knowe that I haue done your message to your profyte & myne honoure. Of the good wyll / and valyaunt courage of Ualentyne the kynge was ryght Joyous / and all they of the courte meruayl­led therat. Than the kynge made a secretary to come / whiche he made to wryte a letter of dyffyaunce, and af­ter gaue it to Ualentyne for to bere vnto the Admyrall panym. ¶ And Ualentyne mounted on horsbacke and [Page] toke leue of the kynge and of them of the courte. And than he put hym selfe on the waye, in puttynge hym in the garde and kepinge of our lorde Jesu christe and came vnto Rome. And it is not to be demaunded yf y^t he was well loked on, for he behaued hym so wel on hors­backe & in armes, that there was none that sawe hym but that they toke grete pleasure. He wente towarde the palays where as y^e Admyrall was in his halles try­umphauntly in grete pompes. Ualentyne ent [...]ed in, & came before the Admyrall and salued hym in this ma­ner Jhesus that was borne of the vyrgyn Mary, and that for vs all suffered dethe and passyō saue from euyl encombraūce the noble and puyssaunte kyng Pepyn, And mahommet saue y^e and socoure, the redoubted Ad­myrall euen as I wolde. whan Ualentyne had spoken thus the Admyral rose vp, and as fyerse & proude sayd vnto hym. Messenger Ualentyne retorne the, to the en­de that I se thee no more. And tell vnto kynge Pepyn that of Jesus holdeth the lawe, that he byleue on ma­hommet, and that he renounce his byleue for euermore or knowe for a certaynte that Iam purposed for to put hym vnto dethe, and to dystroye all his londes. Nowe go thy waye messenger, and make before me no more abydynge. For to here thy worde my herte can not suf­fre. Grete foly hast thou enterprysed, whā that so fyers­ly thou arte entred in to my palays for to declare suche a thynge before my hyghe maieste. Now know for a certayne that yf I knewe that thou dyde it by pryde or presumpcyon, and that thou haste enterprysed this thynge by mockery, y^u sholde neuer retourne vnto kyn­ge Pepyn. whan Ualentyne herde the fyerse wordes of the Admyrall, he was moche ferefull, and not with [Page] out a cause. For he was full nere the death / if that oure Lord had not preserued him he was so inspyred of god that he gaue hym an answere solytarye / as well for the lyfe of the body / as for▪ the lyfe of the soule. And as wy­se and wel endoctrined to giue an answer spake in this maner wyse. Alas ryght myghtye and hyt Emperoure do not thyncke in your ymaginacyon that by pryde / or presumpcyon I am comen before your magnyfycence. For syr whan you shall knowe the maner, and the dede how I am comen / you wyl be a meruaylled. ¶ Tel vs howe thou art comen and all the dede, for euen so ma­hommet helpe me but I shall take pleasure and conso lacyon to here the recite thine enterprise, and multeply thy courage in all goodnes. Than spake Ualentine & sayd. Syr Admyrall it is true and certayne that by fals and dysloyall enuye I haue bene accused to the kynge Pepyn and they haue told him that for the great fere and dred [...] that I had to go to warre I would haue re­torned into Fraūce. For the which cause the kyng Pepyn hath me in greate indignacion. And one morowe he made me to be taken for to smyte of my heed. whan I sawe my selfe in thys daunger, for to length my lyfe I dyd auaunt me before them all of a great folye. For I swore before them of the court that I shoulde come towarde you, for to defye you and all your ba [...]ons on kynge Pepyns behalfe. And more ouer I dyd vaunte me that at my departyng I shuld demaunde you three strokes with a spere vpon your bodi that is so valiaūt and so well renowmed, for to wyn pryse and honoure wherfore I requyre you that ye accorde me this thyn­ge, for otherwyse I dare not retourne before the kynge Pepyn, lest he make me dye. Sone sayde the Admyral [Page] by mahommet the ryght puyssaunt, you shall not be re­fused, but at this same houre I vttre to you y^e Justes. And to the ende that y^e frensshmen that hathe assyeged this cyte may se your hardynes, I shall make the Jus­tynge place to be made▪ redy and ordeyned without the cyte. Gramercy than sayd Ualentyne, that fell downe for to kysse the fete of the Admyrall, in token of humy­lyte and obeysaunce. But it is sayd in a comyn prouer­be, that they do the shoo often of, whom of they wolde cut of the foote. Ualentyne was renowmed in the cour­te of the Admyrall, & euer he requyred god that he wol­de do hym soo moche that he myght knowe and wytte from when she was comen, and who was his fader & his moder. And as he was in that grete thought, y^e ad­myrall sayd vnto hym. Fayre sone me thynke you are ryght heuy and thoughfull. It is true syr sayd Ualen­tyne, and not without a cause. For I haue to grete fe­re that I shall be slayne by you in the Justes. Wherfo­re I praye you humbly that it wyll please you to make me haue a preest that maye gyue me absolucyon of my synnes. Than the Admyrall cōmaunded that they shol de fetche hym a preest. ¶ And whan he was comen, he gaue hym vnto Ualentyne in sayenge to him. Now ha­ue & confesse you of all your confessyons, I wolde not gyue you a button. Ualentyne toke y^e preest and drewe hym asyde. And whan they were togyder Ualentyne sayd vnto hym. Alas syr you are a crysten preest, and ought amongest all other to haue wyll and courage to kepe and defende our holy fayth, wherfore herken and vnderstande that I shall tell you I praye you with all my herte, for it is a thynge the whiche is ryght chargea ble. It is true that I muste fyght todaye with the false [Page] Admyrall that is so grete an enmye to our fayth. Now knowe I well that sarasyns and paynyms wyll yssue out of the cyte for to se y^e Justynge that is determyned without the walles of the cyte. Wherfore I shall tell you what in shall do, you shall aduertyse the crysten men that is in the cyte that none of them yssue out: but kepe them in harneys without ony noyse. And whan y^t paynyms shall be without the cyte they shal take y^e gardes of the gates, in suche maner that whan y^e sarazins wolde entre in to the cyte, that you shytte the gates a­gaynste them. And bydde the crysten men sende kynge Pepyn worde of this fayte, and that he kepe his men in armes, to the ende that whan it shall be tyme that he come rennynge vpon the sarazyns, and they of the cyte shall assayll them on the other syde. And by this mea­ne they shall be slayne and vaynquysshed to daye. And whan Ualentyne had tolde this to the preest he confes­sed hym, and after his confessyon the preest departed, and wente his waye, and cōmaunded him to god. Than the Admyral made Ualentyne to be ledde in to his chā ­bre for to dyne and take his refeccyon. And cōmaunded that he shold be also honourably se [...]yd as his persone Ualentyne was set at the table with dyuers other ba­rons. Moche coude he behaue him honestly before them all. whan the dyuer was done the Admyrall called to hym a neuewe of his, that was called Salatas. And cō maunded hym for to arme Ualentyne also well as his propre persone. And dyd charge his sayd neue we that he sholde delyuer vnto Ualentyne y^e best hors y^t myght befounde in all his courte. And whan y^e Admyrall had spoken so to his newe, he entred in to the halle prepa­red, and there he was armed by paynyms experte in ar­mes. [Page] And Salatas toke valentyne and ledde hym in to afayre halle, and than he made to be brought before him muche harneis, and with the beste that hee coulde fynde he made valentyne bee armed as the Admyrall his vncle had commaunded him. And whan he was ar­med he lepte vpon a myghtye steade, and the Admyrall yssued out of his place mounted, and in armes ryghte triumphantly. Than they rode bothe two toward the chefe gate of Rome. For on that side Kinge Pepyn had layde the siege. And whan they were in the fielde valen tine toke his shielde and hanged it about his necke, in the whiche was a harte ongled and dented wyth sable, in a felde of s [...]luer, and beside that harte was a tree, the whiche armes did signifye that he was founde in the forest. And Kinge Pepim hadde geuen him those same armes. Then came the Frenshmenne vpon the renges, wherof valentine was right Joyous. The cry was so greate through the cite of Rome that al the Pa [...]nes issued out for to se the Justes. And the christenmen that were within the city armed them also secretly as they might, and toke al the gardes of the gates▪ in such wyse that none might entre in. And Kyng Pepyn aduer­tised of this case▪ kept all hys menn [...] in armes for to so­coure the noble valentyne at his neade. Soo the houre was comen that the Justes should begynne, and than they fetched theyr co [...]rs and couched theyr speres / and ranne the one agaynst the other so impetuously y^t their speres all to sheuered. Than they retorned for the secō ­de spere. And Ualentyne fierle and hardy ran agaynste the Admyrall, and smote him by such a maner that the spere perced hys body throughout / and than the admy­rall fel downe deed in the felde / makyng a greate crye [Page] whan the paynyms sawe theyr Admyrall deed, and dys­comfyte, they ranne vpon Ualentyne for to haue put hym to dethe. But valentyne with a hardy courage, smote his hors with the sporres, and with his swerde of armes he dyd so grete dedys of armes that he passed the paynyms, and slewe and wounded manye. Than came kynge Pepyn and his hoost and entred in to the batayll, the whiche was so asprely assayled of the sara­syns, that he was smyten downe to the grounde. But valentyne came theder the whiche socoured him so that he horsed hym agayne. And whan he was mounted he sayd vnto valentyne. Chylde you haue saued my lyfe, but and it please god it shall be rewarded the. At that tyme rose a grete crye on bothe partyes, and y^e batayll was so fyerse and stronge that the paynyms were con­strayned to recule abacke. The crysten men that were in the cyte yssued out vpon them the whiche had plan­ted the standardes and baners of kynge Pepyn vpon the walles, wherof the paynyms were sore abasshed, & meruaylled. They were assayled also well of y^e kynges hoost, as of them of y^t cyte, so that shamefully and my­serably they fynysshed theyr dayes. In that batayll re­mayned deed vpon the felde ten thousande paynyms, and all throughe y^e enterpryse and valyauntnes of va­lentyn, the whiche bare hym so rygorously that day the he slewe foure horses vnder hym. And thus throughe his prowesse y^e cyte was wonne agayn. For the whiche there was made grete Joye & myrth throughe all crys­tendom & pryncypally in y^e cyte of rome, & in those par­tyes nere it, euery body cryed mountioye to the kyng Pepyn of Fraunce. He was praysed so of euery body, y^t by the consente of the people he was sacred by the pope [Page] Empeorure crowned. Moche well he gouerned & aug­mented the chyrche in his tyme. He dyde egall Justyce vnto euery body, soo that all folkes sayd good of hym. ¶ In this tyme was pope Clement the fourth of that name, that consacred kynge Pepyn Emperoure.

¶ How Haufray and Henry had enuye at Ualentyne bycause that the kynge loued hym so well. Ca. xii.

AFter that the kynge Pepyn by the grace of god, and by the strengthe of armes had cha­ced the infideles and enemyes of our fayth out of the partyes Romayns, he came vnto Orleaunce, and there he founde the quene Berthe hys wyfe that receyued hym wich all the Joye and tryum­phe that myght be made, with her lytell sone Charle­mayne, and her excellent doughter Eglantyne. The [Page] whiche was ryght gladde and Joyous / bicause that Ualentyne was comen agayne safe and sounde, So she sotourned not longe but that shee sente for hym and he came with a good wyll. Than whan the lady sa we hym, she salued hym amyably saynge. Ualentyne my loue ye be hertely welcome well ought you to be de rely kepte and honoured, for it is sayd that aboue all o­ther ye haue wonne vyctorye and triumphe vpon the paynyms that helde Rome in theyr subiectyon. A ma­dame sayd Ualentyne to god be the laudes and prai [...] ­ges, euery body sayeth what they lyste. And as for me I haue done nothynge that is worthy praise. And mo­re ouer the kynge your fader hathe done me soo moche good and honoure, that in my lyfe I can not deserue to what seruyce someuer I do hym. And in sayenge these wordes Haufray and henry esprysed with enuye dyde entre in to the chambre of Eglantyne. And whan Hau­fray and Henry were entred they sayd vnto hym. Ua­lētyne what come you here to do in the chambre of our syster that apperteyneth not to you, to moche ye shewe yourselfe folysshe and hardy for to entre in to her cham­bre ryall, for you are but a begyler, and none can know what you are, nor from whens ye becomen. Wherfore beware that ye be not founden no more with her, leste that euyll come to you. Ualentyne sayd vnto Haufray, of your syster haue no doubte, for syth that I was bor­ne I neuer thought towarde her thynge, saue all good and honoure. Yf that I be poore, and that they knowe not what I am, yet wolde I not do nor thynke thynge that sholde be agaynst the maiestery all. And to the en­de that you haue no doubte that your syster Eglātyne shall haue by me ony blame, at this same houre I pro­myse [Page] you that I shall neuer enter in to her chambre a­gayne. At these wordes departed Ualentine out of the chambre, and Eglantyne abode wepyng al alone mo­che tenderly. Ualentyne moūted into the palays for to serue the kinge which was set al redy. Ther was hau­fray and Henry, and the duke Millon dangler that serued the kyng at table wyth Ualentyne. And whan he was rysen he called Ualentyne, and sayd heryng them all. Lordes here is Ualentyne that hathe well and truely serued me, and socoured in my necessitees, to the en­de that eche of you may knowe it and for the good ser­uices that he hathe done me, in abydynge tyl better co­me I gyue hym the Erldom of Clermont in [...]u [...]rgne Syr sayd Ualētine god yelde it you, for ye do me more honoure and goodnes than I haue deserued. To heare suche wordes were Haufraye and Henrye to sorowfull wherefore eche sayde to other. Thys same foundelynge which god course is in the grace of the kyng, so that yf we fynde not remedy / he shall be unes cause of our gret dommage. For the kynge hath no chyldren but vs, and the lytell Charlemayne, of whome we may do our wil after the death of our father, but it is of certayntye that Ualentyne wyll supporte him and holde hym agaynste vs. Wherfore we must fynde the manner to put hym in the indignacion of the king, and to purchase his deathe for otherwyse we can not auenge vs. And than maye we at oure owne pleasure gouernethe realme wythout contradyecyon. Than spake Haufray and said, Broder Henry I haue found the maner whereby the false boye shall be deceyued and betrayed. I shall tel you howe, we shall make the kyng oure fader to vnderstande that he hathe vyoled our syster, and that we haue founde hym [Page] in naked bedde with her. And whan y^e kynge shall kno­we this I am certayne that he wyl make hym dye sha­mefully It is wel sayd answered Henry, let it be done as you haue sayd, and so shall we be au [...]uged. In this wyse abode they thynkynge and ymagynynge alway treason agaynst Ualentine for they coueyted his deth ryght sore. And valentin serueth the kyng so debonayrly, that the kynge aboue all other desyred him in his cō ­pany. For euery daye he mayntey [...]ed him from well to better, in prayenge god that he wolde gyue hym know ledge of the place that he was extraught of, And Orson his broder is in the forest whiche is so moche fered and redoubted that none durst approche nere the wodde for hym. The complayntes came vnto y^e kyng euery day from one all partes. So it, happened daye that a poore man came vnto the kynge all wounded and blody, and sayd to hym. Syr I complayne me to you of the wylde man. For euen so as I and my wyfe passed throughe y^e forest berynge breed, wyne, and other vytaylles, y^e wil­de man came and toke al frome vs and ete it, and mo­re oner he toke my wyfe and dyde twyes his wyl with her. Now tell me sayd the kynge, whether arte thou so­ryer for thy vytaylles, or for thy wyfe. By my fayth syr sayd the good man, of my wyfe I am moche more dys­pleasaunt. Thou hast ryght sayd the kyng. Now go to my treasourer and sette prise on thy losse, for it shal be re [...]ored th [...]. After the kynge called his barons to take aduyse on Orson. So they aduysed amonge them that the kynge sholde make erye al aboute, that who myght take y^e wylde man quycke or deed, he sholde haue a. M. marke of fyne golde. So the counsayl was holden and the crye publysshed. And theder came many knyghtes [Page] of all estates for to take Orson and the pryse conquere Than the kynge Pepyn beynge in his palays wyth di­uers great lordes and noble barons that of thys mater spake and made great admeracions among them selfe. Amonge the whych lordes and barons Haufraye that was mortall enemye of Ualentine began for to saye thus. Syrhere is Ualetyne that you haue nourysshed and put in great honoure, whiche hathe required oure syster Eglantine of loue dysordinate, and of great dis­honoure. And because that I am well informed of this case, for to se what he can do, and for to she we his valy­auntnes, let him go seke the wild man that is so dread and you shall gyue hym Eglantyne, so shal hys wyl be accomplysshed on all sydes. Haufray sayd the kynge thy speche is not gracyous, but is ful of enuy. For yf so be that Ualentine be poore / and of lowe bitthe, and that I haue founde him in the foreste, I finde him so good / humble and debonaire, that he seameth more gen­tiller, and of nobler courage than thou arte. Leaue thy spekynge of him / for the good matters and condicions that is in him / proueth and sheweth that he is extracte out of a good place, and of a noble lignage. And for the goodnes that I haue founde in him / I will and it plea­seth me that he goo whan it pleaseth him to my dough­ter / for from a noble hert can not procede but honoure And so much I a [...]ye me in him that he will not think agaynste my worshippe nothinge but that is honeste and l [...]te. And whan Haufray hard the kynge, that so stronglye repreued him in supportinge Ualentyne, hee was displeasaunt in his hert / but he made no semblaūt. Than spake Ualentyne that had well vnderstode the wordes of Haufray and sayd. Haufray with wronge & [Page] without a cause ye haue spoken of me, and yet I neuer dydde you amysse. You wyll that I go for to fyght with the wylde man, to y^e ende that I dye, and that ye maye be venged on me▪ but I make auowe to god that I shall neuer reste in no place tyll that I haue founde the wyl­de man. And whan y^t I shall haue founde him I shall fyght with him in suche maner that quicke or deed I shall bringe him hither before you all, or I shall finis­she my dates. And yf it happen that god gyue me the strengthe for to conquere him, there shall ueuer none se me in this countre till that I haue founde the fader that engendred me, to the ende that I maye knowe yf I am bastarde or legitime, and wherfore I was lefte in the wodde. Whan the kynge vnderstode the enter­pryse of Ualentine he was moche displeasaunt, for he fered more to lese him than ony of the other of his cour­te. And curseth Haufray and Henry that made him en­terpry so that thinge. And after called Ualentine and said. My childe auise you what you wyll do, for to fi­ghte with the wildeman, it semeth me a thinge vnpos­syble to you. You knowe well ynoughe that by hym is deed many valyaunt men, and that some noble cham­pyons hathe lefte this enterpryse. And therfore be not so dysmaybe that for the speche of them twayne you le­se your lyfe, for it is to cruell a thinge to abyde suche a beest that is without naturall vnderstandyng. For god my childe suffre and endure the wordes of y^e enuyous for it is a fayre vertue to them that can endure false tō ­gues to speke. A syr sayd valentyne for god pardone me for I shall neuer chaunge my purpose. They call me in reproche foundelynge, for y^e whiche I am ryght sorow full whan y^t I can not knowe what I am, nor of what [Page] place. I take leue of you and commaunde you to good, For to morowe in the mornynge I thynke to take my waye for to acheue myn enterpryse. At these wordes de parted the valyaunt knyght Ualentyne, and toke his leue of kynge Pepyn. Upon the morowe he herde masse and after mounted on horsbacke for to go seke the wyl­de man. ¶ Now it is not to be demaunded yf the fayre Eglantyne made grete sorowe and lainentacons all y^t nyght. And whan that it was daye she called to her a damoy sell that was secrete & sayd vnto her. My fren­de goo towarde valentyne and tell hym that I sende hym worde that he come & speke with me or he depar­te, and that he haue no boubte of non lyuynge to entre in to my chambre. For aboue all thynges I desyre to se hym, and it is my synguler wyll that he take leue of me or he departe. Than wente the damoysell towarde Ua­lentyne that was on horsbacke, and dyde vnto him her message as Eglantyne had charged her. Whan Ualen­tyne vnderstode the message he sayd vnto her. My da­moy sell I knowe that the loue that is bitwene my la­dy Eglantyne and me, is lay al and of good equyte, and yet I knowe so moche by her that she wolde not thynke the thyng that myght torne her to dyshonoure. And so god helpe me as for me I wolde her no harme, but all honoure & worshyp. But enuye is of suche nature y^t it hathe neuer reste. And sooner ben the enuyous of theyr nature enclyneo to saye euyl of good folkes than good, And euer ymagyneth false invencyons agaynst them that wolde wynne honoure. Now it happeneth me in this maner, for I knowe for certaynte that Haufray, and Henry [...] brederne of my lady Eglantyne haue gre­te wyll to purchase my dethe, wherfore damoy sell you [Page] shal go towarde her yf it please you, and bydde her that she take no dyspleasure yf I haue taken no leue of her, and than he badde her farewell & rode his waye.

¶ How Ualentyne conquered his broder Orson in the forest of Orleaunce. Ca. xiii.

NOW rydeth valentyn vpon his Journey all alone saue a squyer that he hadde with hym. And so longe he rode that he came to [...]he wodde where as the wylde man was And than he put on his helme and tokele ue of his squyer. So he entred & sought the wylde man all y^t daye, but he founde him not, & whan it was nyght [Page] he dylcended of his hors and tyed hym vnto a tree, and than he toke brede and wyne that he had brought with hym, and a lytell refresshed hym. ¶ And whan that he had eten and that the night was comen, and the daye all faylled, than Ualentine for fere of the nyght moun­ted vpon a tree, and there abode. And whan it was da­ye he loked aboute hym, and sawe his broder Or sō that ranne throughe the forest as a wylde beest, the whiche auysed the hors of Ualentine, and drewe towarde hym And whan he sawe hym so fayre and so pleasaunt, he combed hym a paas we [...]h his roughe handes, in ma­kynge him chere. For he had neuer sene so fayre a beest whan Ualentines hors felte and apperceyued the wyl­de man that scratched hym on all sydes, he began for to stryke and flynge incontinent myghtely. And Ualen­tyne that was vpon the tree behelde the maners of the wyldeman, that was ryght horryble for to beholde, & moche to doubte. Than he reclaymed our lorde and the gloryous vrgin Mary ryght deuoutly, in praienge and requiringe him with herte and minde that he wolde preserue him from the wylde man, and gyue him vic­torie agaynst him. Orson torned so moche aboute the hors of Ualentine, that the hors that was fyerge began for to smyte and byte him. And whan Orson appercei­ued that he enbraced the hors for to caste him downe, and fyght with him. Whan the noble Ualentyne sawe that the wylde man woldesse his hors, he cryed on hye and sayd. Wylde man leue my hors and a byde, for with me thou shalte haue batayll. Than Orson the wylde man lefte the hors of Ualentine, and lifte vp his eyen and loked vp in to the tree. And whan he sawe Ualen­tine he made hym sygnes with his handes and heed the [Page] he would pull him in peces. And then valentine made the sygne of the crosse in recōmaunding him vnto god and after drewe out his sworde and lepte downe besy­de Orson. When Orson sawe the sworde that valentyn woulde haue smyt [...]e [...] hym with, he drewe hym backe and kept him from the stroke. And then he came to va­lentyne and with cleane strengthe threwe hym to the earthe vnder hym, wherof valentyne was sore abashed and discomforced for he wende well to haue dyed and fynyshed his dayes in that place. For he felte Orson the sauage so strōg that he had neuer hope for to escape fro hym. Ha very God sayde he haue pytie on me, and suffre not that I fynyshe here my dayes thus pyteou­sly by this wylde man. Diuers times valētyne wende for to haue turned Orson vnder hym, but he ne might. When valentyne sa we that by strengthe of bodye he myght not wynne hym, he drewe out a sharpe poynted knyfe and smote Orson in to the ryght syde, in suche wyse that the bloude yssued out by great haboundaūce. Then Orson [...]er [...] vp when heselte himselfe wounded And for the dolour that he felte, as all in a [...]age he ga­ue suche a crye that all the wodde so w [...]ed therof. After he came againe vnto the noble valentine, and so fiersly he assayled hym with his sharpe nayles that he caste hym yet downe agayne. And there they fought so longe together that it were to muche for to recount al the maner. As they fought thus without cesyng. Orson tooke his shelde fro about his necke. And when that he had taken it from hym, he behelde it tyght strongly, becau­se of the beautie of the colours that he was not accu­stomed for to se, and then he cast it strongly against the earth, and incontinent retourned vnto valentyne, and [Page] with his nayles and his teeth pressed hym so harde y^t he broke both harneys and haubergon. And smote him so tudely with his nailes that he made the bloud sprōg out on all sydes. And when Ualentyne felte hymselfe so sore wounded, he was tyght sorowfull and pensife & began for to reclayme our sord with both his harte and courage. Alas said he veray god almighty in y^e is mine only hope and truste, mine onely refuge and comforte, wherfore I praye the humbly that thou wilt haue py­tte on me. And euen so as by thy worthy grace thou kepte and saued Bany [...]lamong the lyons, so kepe me from this wylde man. And when Ualentine had made his prayer vnto god, he went towarde Orson with his sworde for to haue smyten him, but Orson lepte a back and went to alyttell tree, the whiche tree he bowed and bracke it, and made therof an horryble staffe, and after came vnto Ualentyne and gaue hym suche a strooke y^t he made hym for to fall vpon one knee. Ualentyne as hardy rose vp quickely, and so began betwene them a ryght fyerse batayll. And the two brethren had ardaūe desyres for to destroye eche other, but they knewe not y^t they were brethren, nor the cause of their fortune. Or­son was so cruel & so strong y^t he would haue staine Ua­lentyne dyuers tymes if it had not bene for his sworde that he doubted aboue all thinges, because of y^e knyfe that he had smyten him with. So muche and so longe they fought together by dyuers maners that they were both wery and strongly trauayled. Then Ualentyne behelde Orson and began for to saye vnto hym. Alas wylde man, wherfore doest thou not yelde the vnto me thou lyuest here in this woddelyke a beaste, and hathe no knowledge of God, nor of his blyssed mother saynt [Page] Mary, nor of his holy fayth, for the whiche thy soule is in great daunger. Come on thy way with me & then shalt thou do wysely. I shall make the be baptized, and shall teache the, the holy fayth. And shall geue the flesh and fylthe, bread and wyne ynough for to eate, and clothes and all maner of thinges that appertayneth vnto a mannes body, and shalt vse thy lyfe honestly as eue­ry naturall body should doo. When Orson vnderstode Ualentyne speke, he apperceyued well by his sygnes y^t he would him good. And Ualentyne spake vnto hym of God and of ourlady, and then after the course of nature that can not lye, Orson fell downe vpon both his knees, & stretcheth forth his handes towarde his bro­ther Ualentyne, in makyng hym signe that he woulde forgeue hym, and that he woulde obeye vnto hym in al maner of thynges for the tyme to come. And he shewed vnto him by sygnes that neuer the dayes of his life he should fayle him, neyther with body nor goodes. It is not for to be demaunded if that Ualentyne was glad when he sawe that the wilde man was conquered by hym and put in subiection, and made greate ioye and not without a cause. For he had cōquered more honour by his prowisse then any knight that was in his time, for there was none that durste vndertake it were he neuer so bolde nor hardy. He toke Orson by the hande, & shewed him by sygnes that he should go afore hym tyll they were out of the wodde, and so he dyd, and anone they were out of the wodde. Then Ualentyne toke one of his gyrthes, and for doubte that he shoulde doo hym no harme nor none other, he bounde his handes taste vnto his body. And when that he had bounde hym fast he mounted on horsebacke and ledde him with hym as [Page] a beast tyed, without that euer this same Orson didde hym any harme, or made hym an euyl semblaunt, that was a thyng myraculous.

¶ Howe Ualentyne after that he had conquered Or­son departed from the forest for to returne to Orleaūce, towarde the kyng Pepyn that was there. Cap. xiiii.

UAlentine hath done so muche with goddes helpe, that he hath ouercome and conque­red the wylde Orson. He mounted on hors­backe for to go to Orleaunce and he did so muche that he entred into a great vyllage, but also sone as the men of the vyllage sawe the wyl­de man, they ranne into their houses, and for great fe­re shytte their dores so that none myght entre. Ualen­tyne [Page] cryed vnto them, byddyng them haue no dreade, and that they shoulde open their gates, for he woulde haue lodging, but for any thyng that he could say, they woulde not open their doores. Then he es [...]ryed them sayng, by god almighty if you geue me no lodgyng for to paise the night and take my rest, knowe that I shal vnbynde the wylde man and let him goo, and than I am certaine he will fynde me lodging to my pleasure Often required Ualentyne that he myght haue some lodgyng, but euery body had so great feare of the wilde man that they durst not open their doores. And when Ualentyne sawe that none wold lodge him, he vnbo [...]d Orson, and after made him sygne that he should smyte against the gate of a great place in the which was holden hostry, and Orson toke a great pece of wodde, and smote at the gate with so greate strengthe, that at the thyrde stroke [...]smore it to the earth, and then they e [...] ­ [...]red, and shytte the gate after theim. When they that were within sawe that the w [...]ide mā was entred they ran all out at the backe dore. Ualentine went towarde the stable, and dressed his horse. After that Orson and he went to the kechyn where as they founde capo [...]s & diuers other meate vpon a great spytte before the fire. Then Ualentine made signe vnto Orson that he shold torne the spytte, for the meate was not ynough, but also soone as Orson spied the meate, he set handes on a great parte of it, and pulled it of. He asked not if it was [...]oste ynough, but eate as a wolfe doth his praye, and after he espyed a caudron ful of water, in the which he put in his head and dronke as a horse doth at the ryuer Ualentyne made hym sygne that he should leue dryn­kyng, at that he would geue hym wyne. And than he [Page] toke a pot & ledde Orson into the seller that was open. And when he had drawen the pot ful of wyne, he gaue it him, and Orson lyft vp the pot and tasted it & found it good. And he dronke so myghtely that he dronke all oute, and after he cast the pot vnto the earth: and made sygne vnto Ualentine that he shold drawe more wyne. And valentyne toke vp the pot & filled it w^t good wyne Orson toke it and espied a great bolle & put the wyne therin, and then he bare it vnto Ualentynes horse for to drynke. And when Ualentyne sawe that, he made hym sygne that he dronke but water, and Orson she­wed hym by sygnes that the wyne was better then the water. Dyuers other thynges dyd Orson in the house the whiche shoulde be longe to recounte. The nyght was come, and it was tyme to go to bedde. So Ualentyne souped and made Orson soupe with hym the whiche spared not the wyne, for he toke so muche y^t he was dronke. Than he layde hym do w [...]e by the fyre and began for to snore & slepe marueylously. And va­lentyne behelde him saying. Ueray God what is a ly­tell thynge of a man on slepe, and of the man that by to muche drinkyng leseth his memory. Nowe se I this wylde man, in whome nowe neither force nor strēgth, and myght be slayne or euer he awaked. And when he had sayde this, for to proue more the hardines of Or­son▪ he put hym so harde with his fote that he awaked hym, and then he made hym sygne that there was fol­kes about the house. Then Orson arose as all afrayde and toke a great logge that stoode in the chymney, and ranne agaynst the gate so myghtely that he made al to shake. And valentyne began for to laugh ryght strong­ly, wherby Orson knewe that he did it for to assaye him [Page] So he made hym sygne that he shuld take his reste, & that he shoulde haue noo feare of nothing, for he wold kepe him well. Than Orson layd hym downe by the fyre and his logge in his armes. And Ualentine was all the nyghte besyde him, the whiche dyd watche hym with out slepynge for fere that he shuld be assailled, for the noyse was so great that euery body left his house, and withdrew them into the chyrch. And al the nyght without any reast ronge the belles for to assemble the people, that in a great nombre alarmed made the watche for fere of the wyld mā. And thus passed the night tyll that it was lyghte daye. And whan it was daye lyght Valentyne mounted on horsbacke, and bounde Orson, and put him on the way towarde Orlyaunce And he dyd so muche that vpon a thursday he aryued within the towne. And whan he was apperceyued ledynge Orson the sauage they made so great a cry tha [...] within the town of Orleaunce was neuer none such herd, euery body ranne into theyr houses and shyt the gates, and than mounted into the wyndowes for to se hym. The tidinges came vnto kyng Pepyn that Va­lentyne was arryued and that he had conquered orson the sauage, and broughte him with him, of the whiche tydynges kynge Pepyn was greatly abasshed. And in makynge the sygne of the crosse sayd in thys manere.:▪ Alas Valentyne my childe in a good houre was thou borne, blessed be the father that engendred the, and the moder that deliuered the in the wodde, for I se & know that thou art byloued of god and that by the he shew­eth vs an euydent myracle. And the people that were in the wyndowes cryed. Lyue amongest the other the hardy Ualentine, for he is wel worthy great honoure [Page] whan that by hys pro wesse he hath cōquered this mā that neuer none durste assayle euery body is bound to do him honoure and reuerence for by him we are deli­uered and assured of the thynge that we moost dredde Ualentyne rode thorowe the towne of Orleaunce tyl y^t he came before the palays ga [...]e. And whā the porters sawe hym, they shyt the gates for fere of Orson. Than Valentyne sayd vnto them, be nothynge afrayed, but go vnto kynge Pepyn and tel hym that vpon my lyfe I Wa [...]rant hym from the wylde man, and all them of his courte. For I know him so well that he wyl do no [...]e erthly creature harme in no maner. The porter dyd go vp into the palays and tolde the kyng the tidinges how Valentyne toke the wylde man vpon his charge. Than the kynge commaunded that they should lette him in. So Valentine entred in and toke Orson by the hande. Whan the quene Berthe and the fayre Eglan­tyne knew that they were in the palays they went in to theyr chambres for great fere. Valentyne mounted vp and entred into the halle where as kynge Pepyn was wyth all the barons and knightes of his court, & Haufray & Henry that wyth semblaunt shewed great sygnes of loue to Valentyne. And him semed that they were ryght Ioyous of his vyctory and prowesse. But they were neuer so syrowfull in theyr hertes, for they wende neuer that he should haue retorned on liue and cursed Orson because he had not slayne hi. The kinge Pepyn and all they of hys court behelde Orson glad­ly. And the kyng sayd. Lordes by god almighty it is a metuayllous thinge to se this wylde man, he is tight well made and of a fayre stature. And how wel that he is roughe, yf he were clothed as we be, he wolde seme [Page] a right fayre knyght. Than spake Ualentyne vnto kynge Pepyn and sayd. Syr I requyre you that he may be baptyzed, and than he shall be taught the lawe of Ihesu cryste, for that is my desyre, and soo I haue promysed him. It pleaseth me wel sayd the kynge, and I wyll that it it be done so. Than he cōmaunded a prest that he sholde baptyzed hym. And these were his god [...]a ders, the nable kynge Pepyn, y^e duke Myllon dangler and the puyssaunt knyght Ualentyne, and vpon the o­ther syde was y^e duchesse of Burbon, and dyuers other ladyes of grere renowne. And other name they gaue hi not saue that whiche he had taken in the forest. Whan Orson was baptyzed kynge Pepyn sat hym downe to dyner, and Ualentyne serued him of the cuppe, for that was his offyce. And whan euery man was set, he com­ma [...]ded for to let Orson in to the halle, for to se his maners and countenaunce. Orson entred in to the halle & came before kynge Pepin that behelde him ryght vo­luntaryly. Orson aduysed y^e meet that was in the plat­ter and toke as moche as he myght catche and bare it awaye, and ete it quickely. And whan he hadde eten it he loked on the other syde and espyed a seruaūt that ba­re a pecocke in a platter for to serue the kynge. Than Orson ranne towarde him a grete pace and toke it fro hym, and than he satte hym downe vpon the erthe in y^e myddes of the halle, and began for to ete it as a famis­shed wolfe. Ualentin apperceyued it and shewed him bysygnes that he gouerned hym not wyll, wherof Or­son was ashamed, for aboue all thynges he fered and redoudted naturally Ualentyn, & kynge Pepin badde that they sholde lette him alone, for he toke pleasure at hym. Whan he had eten well he toke a pot of wyne & of [Page] he dronkeit, & after kest the potte agaynste the erthe and began for to shake his heed, wherat the kynge and all the barons that were there laughed moche strongly And whan the nyght was comen, there was gyuen a ryght fayre chambre vnto Ualentin, in y^e whiche was ordeyned a bedde for Orson, but for nothynge was the bedde apparaylled, for also sonne as he entred in to the chambre he layde hym downe vpon the erthe, and ano­ne he felle a slepe for he was not accustomed for to slepe otherwyse.

¶ Howe Haufray and Henry toke counsayll for to [...]lee Ualentyne in the chambre of Eglantyne. Ca. xv.

[Page] RYght gladde and Ioyous was the excellente lady Eglantyne that Ualentyne had conque­red the wylde man. So she sente hym worde that he sholde brynge the wylde man vnto her. Than Ualentyne called Orson & toke hym by the hande and ledde hym in to the chambre of Eglanty­ne, in the whiche was dyuers ladyes that gladly be­helde Orson. And Orson in laughynge lepte vpon the bedde, & sate there makynge dyuers sygnes that was ryghe pleasaunt vnto y^e ladyes. But that the whiche he dyd they vnderstode not, of the whiche they were much displeasaunt. So they called Ualentyn and demaūded hym what it was that the wylde man shewed them by sygnes. And Ualentyne sayd to them. My ladyes know­we for a trouthe that y^e wylde man sheweth you by his sygnes that he wolde gladly kysse and colle the damoy selles that be here, wherat they began for to laughe & to beholde eche other. And thus as they deuysed togy­der, and that they played in the chambre of Eglantyne for the comynge of the wylde man, Haufray came to­warde Henry and sayd to him. Fayre broder to euyl go the our feate, for you se that this wretched foūdelynge Ualentyne mounteth and encreaseth euery daye more and more in honoure amonge the prynces and ladyes, and among the other thynges the kynge is more louin­ge vnto hi than vnto eyther of vs two, y^e whiche maye adnychyl gretely our honoure. Haufray sayd, Henry ye saye trouthe and speketh wysely. And as for me I fe re not but that we shal haue ones and euil reproche by hym yf he endure longe. Broder sayd Haufray herken What I shall tell you. Ualentyne is now in y^e chambre of our syster Eglantyne, the whiche thinge we haue de [Page] fended hym so longe ago, wherfore we haue good occa­syon for to take hym and moue stryfe & debate agaynst hym. And therfore yf you wyll byleue me we shal go in to the chambre, & by vs shall be put to dethe. And than we shal make the kynge byleue that we dyd fynde him with our syster doynge his wyll with her. Thus spake the two traytours false and dysloy all. And euen so as y^e Iewes by theyr enuye crucyfyed & ymagyned y^t dethe of our lorde with wronge and without cause. Euen so dyde Haufray & Henry to Ualentyne that was so swe­te and so amyable, obeyenge vnto euery body, and out of his mouthe neuer yssued a vylaynous worde. And af­ter that they had accorded theyr vnhappye enterpryse, they wente in to the chambre of the fayre and pleasaūt Eglantyne, And also soone as Haufray was entred, he said vnto Ualentin. Euyll and dysloyall man nowe knowe we that yf thy folye and outragyous volente y^u wylte not cefrayne nor absteine the, but in perseueryn­ge in thy malyce and folysshe oppynyon, purcha synge from daye to daye the dyshonoure of our fader y^t kynge Pepyn, by the meane and accorde of our fals and dyslo­yall syster Eglantyne, of y^e whiche you do your pleasu­re and wyll, euen so as of a woman vnhappy and ha­bandoned, wherfore it is well ryght and reason that e­uyll come to you. And syth y^t the kynge setteth nought therby, it is force that we take vengeaunce on you▪ and in saynge these wordes the traytour. Haufray lyfte vp his hande and smote Ualentyne vpon the vy sage in su­che maner, that he made the clere bloode yssue oute of his mouthe haboundauntlye. And than Henry the o­ther traytour approched nere hym, and with a glayue that was bothe sharpe & longe he wende to haue smite [Page] Ualentyne much outragyously. And whan Orson sa­we that they wolde outrage valentyne / he lepte forthe & gaue Haufray so grete a stroke with his rough han­de that he felled hym vnto the earthe. And after he ran towarde Henrye, and streyned hym so bytwene his ar­mes that yf the ladyes had not ben that appeased hym he had dystroyed hym at that tyme. Than arose the cry in the chambre so great / that the moost parte of the ba­rons came into the chambre. And whan they apperceyned that Orson dealt so euyl with the kings sons / they wolde haue smyten hym with glayues and swerdes, & put them all in defence agaynste hym, for to haue put hym to death. ¶ Than Ualentine for to socour Orsō drewe his swerd. And swore by god almyghty, if ony of them touched Orson with swerd or knyfe, he should be his preest what someuer myght happen therfore. And than he made sygne vnto Orson that he shulde be styll without doynge any outrage. And Haufray & henry went towarde theyr father kinge Pepin sorowfull and heuy, and haufray said vnto him. Ha syr in an euil houre was euer Ualentin borne the which you hold so dere. For he hath broughte the wylde man hether, that hathe almooste dystroyed vs. Syr you shal do tyght e­uyll yf you let hym lyue any lenger, for dōmage & dis­honour he wyl bere you shortly. For god make that he be drowned or hanged, for the garde of him is nought nor his company. Whan the kynge Pepyn vnderstode this tidinges, he was much sorowful. And sayd that he wolde make Orson the sauage to be put in a toure where as he shoulde neuer come out but by licence. So kinge Pepyn sente for Ualentine for to demaūde hym the case. And Ualentine recounted vnto him the enter [Page] pryse as it had ben done by Haufray & Henrye sayinge Syr I was in the chambre of my ladye your doughter Eglantyne, in the company of dyuers ladyes and gen­tyll women, that desyred strongly, for to se Orson, and pryncypally I had brought hym vnto my lady Eglā ­tyne. So I can not tel you wherfore nor by what title my lordes your two sones Haufray and Henry dyd entre into the chambre / in sayinge vnto me that I dydde my pleasure with your doughter, and that they knewe it longe agone. And in spekyng vnto me fyerse & proude wordes, Haufraye by an outragious volente smote me vpon my vysage with his hande, and Henrye with his sweard wend for to haue slayne me Orson beynge that my body was in daunger, wente towarde theym and smote them bothe down, so that the bruyte and the noyse arose therfore as you may here. ¶ And is it true sayd the kynge Pepyn so as you tell me. If syr sayd va lentyne vpon the payne of my lyfe, other thynge nor o­ther cause knowe I not. Nowe by god sayd the kynge Pepyn Orson hathe done his deuoyr and that whyche he ought to do. And you Haufray & Henry ful of enuye and cursed malyce / ye be to blame. I se and know clere­lye that wythall your puyssaunce ye seke from daye to daye to noye Ualentyne. ye be wel of an euill nature to purchase his euyl whan you se that I loue hym and that he serueth me truelye. I defende you to wyll hym ony hurt, wherefore let hym alone. For I wyll not for goo hym for none other. And I am wel certayne that he wolde neuer thynke nor serch my dyshonoure. Euen so departed Haufray and Henry that were much sorowe­ful and displeasaunt. And Ualentine abode at that hou­re in the hal with all the other lordes and barons of the [Page] court. And Orson wente thorowe the palays here and there. At the laste he entred in to the kechyn, and sawe the meet that the coke made redy for souper, soo he ap­proched nere hym and toke two capons all rawe and e­te them as a dogge. Whan the coke sawe that, he toke a pestel and gaue Orson soo grete a stroke that he ma­de hym for to bowe. Than Orson stouped downe and toke the coke and threwe hym downe in the place, and gaue hym so many strokes that he had almoost slayne hym. The tydynges came vnto kynge Pepyn that or­son doewe the coke, and that none durste approche▪ nere hym. Wherat the kynge was angry, and made Orson to be brought before hym, and made hym sygnes that he wolde make hym be hanged. But Orson wente ano­ne and fetched the pestell, and shewed the kynge howe the coke had smyten hym. And whan the kynge vnder stode the case, he pardoned orson entyerly, & cōmaun­ded that none s [...], olde touche hym ony more. And valen­tyne shewed hym the guyse and manere how he sholde behaue hym in the palays for the tyme to come, and to­ke totally y^e charge of hym. And he taught hym so well that he dyde neuer after euyll nor dyspleasure, but yf y^t they began fyrste. And in this maner they abode longe with the noble kynge Pepin that was bothe theyr vn­ [...]es. But they knewe it not.

¶ How the duke Sauary sente towarde the kynge Pe­pyn for to haue socoure agaynst the grene knyght, that by force wolde haue hadde his doughter Fezonne vnto wyfe and spouse. Capitulo. xvi.

[Page]

VAlentyne and Orson were at that same ty­me in the kynges courte whan that from the duke Sauary there came aknyght vnto the kynge Pepyn, the whiche after all due reue­rence spake vnto hym in this maner. Free kynge, and of almoost redoubted, the good duke Sauary to whom I am seruaunt hathe sente me hether to you, requiringe you for to socoure hym agaynst a fals and a cursed pai­nym that hathe assyeged hym, and he nameth hym self the grene knyght, the whiche wyll haue his doughter by force of armes agaynst his wyll, the whiche is as fayre as can be founde, and she hath thre hardy breder­ne, that is to wyte. Garin. Anselme. And Garyn the yongest. Mylordes sayd the kynge, we wyll socoure the good duke Sauary with a good wyll at his nede with all your puyssaūce. Syr sayd the messenger god yelde it you, for ye shall do a grete almesse, and I thanke you [Page] thanke you a hondred tymes on my maysters behalfe In saynge these wordes there entred another messen­ger in to the palays, y^e whiche after that he had salued the kynge as he ought for to do, he sayd vnto him thus Ryght excellent kynge, and aboue al other redoubted▪ assemble your hoost & men of warre in all the haste y^t you maye, and sende them vnto the cyte of Lyon. For there is comen and yssued out of Almayne moo than a hondreth thousande fyghtyngemen, that wyll dystroy your realme and put it in subgeceyon whan kynge Pe­pyn had vnderstonden these tydynges he was much a basshed, & made to come before hym the Archebysshop of Reyns, and the duke Myllon dangler▪ Geruais and Sampson. And after he tolde them the wordes of the messenger, and demaunded them counsayll yf that he sholde go towarde Acquytaine for to socoure the good duke Sauary▪ or towarde Lyon to defende his coūtre To y^e whiche thynge answered Myllon dangler. Syr vpō this mater you must be counsaylled, for your shyr­te is more nerer your body than your gowne, yo [...] oughte not for to defende the countree of another, and lette your owne be dystroyed. Wherfore without takynge o­ny [...]ore counsayl you shal go towarde Lyon for to ke­pe and defende your countree. And whan you haue cha­ced your enemyes, and casten them out of your countree than maye ye go sureli and socoure the good duke Sa­uary that demaūdeth helpe of you. He byleueth his coū ­sayll and accepted it▪ and after sayd vnto y^e messenger of the good duke Sauary, that at that tyme he myght not socoure his mayster, for it behoued hym to lede his hoost toward Lyon. But tell your lorde that he kepe hym wel tyll that I haue done here, & that than I shal [Page] so coure hym w^t so grete a nombre of folke that he shal be contente. Syr sayd the messenger to euyll it happe­neth hym that you maye not come nowe, for he hathe gretenede. But syth that it can not be none otherwyse I thanke you for your god wyll. And with the leue of your hyghe maieste I wyll departe from you. At these wordes the messenger of the duke Sauary retorned in to Acquytayne and tolde the tydynges and the lettyng of the kynge Pepyn. And whan the duke Sauary vn­derstode that he might haue no socoure of y^e kynge Pe­pyn, he was moche sorowful. For y^e grene knyght ma­de hym grete warre, & had assyeged hym to nere. And you ought for to knowe that this same grene knyghte was broder vnto Ferragus the gyaunt, that kepte the lady Bellyssant in his castell, the whiche was Ualen­tines moder, and the wylde Orsons, as you haue herde declared before. ¶ Now is y^e duke Sauary within Ac­quitayne right pensyf and sorowfull for y^e grene kny­ghte that made hym suche warre for his doughter. He made to be cryed and commaunded that all they of his hoost sholde be in harneys as vnto suche a case apper­teyned. And that on the morowe in mornynge he wol­de yssue out vpō y^e grene knyght for to fyght with him Euery body put himselfe in poynt and dyde theyr dylygence for to arme them. And whan the daye was clere the trompettes and clarons dyde so wne, and than the men of armes on euery syde as well on horsbacke as on fote put hem vpon the waye to yssue oute of the cy­te Grete haste had the duke Sauary to assayll the gre­ne knyght. But suche weneth to auaunce hymself that oftentymes do the his owne dōmage. And so it happe­ned vnto the duke as you shal here. The duke Sauary [Page] yssued out of Acquytaine with a great company. And whan he was vpon the feld he made to sown his trompettes and clarons as a valyaunt champyon for to as­sayll his enemyes, and smote in amongest theym. The sarazyns and painims that were in grete nombre, did rynne vnto armes, and than began a meruayllous and a fyerse batayll. And the grene knyght sinote wyth his axe of armes myghtye strokes, for at his fyrste entre he slewe two knyghtes. Than the Duke Sauary drewe to ward hym / and they assaylled ech other ryght fierse­ly, for the good duke was much valyaunt. But not for that▪ he did to grete a foly when he enterprised to fight with the grene knyght / for the predestynacyon of hym was suche that he shuld neuer be conquered, nor vam­quysshed but of a man that shoulde be a kynges sonne and that had neuer bene nourysshed of womanne, nor souked theyr brestes. So he thought that suche a man myght neuer be founden. But such a child is vpon the earth that shal fyght wyth hym and vaynquyssh hym that is Orson the sauage as you shal here afterwarde The duke Sauary and the grene knight fought longe togyder. But the good duke Sauary entred to ferre in for whan he wend to haue withdrawn him to his hoste he was enclosed wyth painyms and sarazyns, that to­ke hym prysoner and led hym vnto the grene knighte, the whiche was so ryght gladde of hym, that he wolde not haue let him go for no treasure. And the good duke Sauery reclaymed God and the virgin Marye in hys herte. Whan the chrystan men knew that the duke was taken, they retorned into Acquitayne heuy and sorowfull. Than began the people for to make greate dole & sorowe in the cytie of Acquytayne / wepynge bytterlye [Page] for theyr good Duke that they loued so muche. There was his thre sones. Garyn▪ Anseline▪ and Garyn the yō ­gest, that made grete dole for theyr fader. But aboue al other the sorowe and lamentacions of Fezonne passed the which teared her here that was shining as the gol­de, and wepte full bytterly with her pleasaunt eyen and sayd. Alas in an euyl houre was I borne, whan that so many noble knyghtes and vassalles must suffre so hy­deous deathes, and pyteous lamentacyons for me. And yet there is a thyng in my hert that greueth m [...] muche more, that is for the good Duke my father, that is in the handes of hys mortal ennemyes for my sake, where as it behoueth hym for to fynyshe his dayes in sorowe and dystresse. Alas my ryght dere fader to muche haue you loued me, whan that my loue is sold you so derely that you must suffre death therfore. Thus complained Fezonne full soore wepyng, the which had the wil and courage to haue slayne her self, but the ladies letted her And the grene knyght in hys pauyllyon that made the good duke to be brought before him, & sayde vnto hym ryght fyersly. Now seest thou that thou art in my sub­geccyon at this tyme and that I haue puysaunce for to saue the or spyll the. I shall tell the what thou shalte do gyue me thy doughter Fezonne vnto wife, and in thys doynge thy lyfe shal be saued, and I shal leade her into thy greane mountayne where as I shal make her to be rychely crowned. Sarazin said the Duke I shal tel the my wyl. Know that thou shalt neuer haue my Dough­ter if that thou make the not be Baptyzed, and byleue in Jhesu Christ. Sauary sayd the greane knighte neuer speke vnto me of suche a thynge / for neuer the dayes of my life wyl I byleue in thy god. And yet I tel the more [Page] that and thou wil not beleue my counsall I shal make the dye and fynysshe thy dayes vyllaynouslye. And yet I tel the that I shal make Acquitaine to be brente / and to be putte to execucyon. And all menne and womenne and chyldren lytle and great I shall make suffer deathe Paynym sayde the Duke Sauary god of his inestima­ble grace kepe me from thy furour and great cruelnesse for in hym is all my trust, and in hym is onely my con­forte. For longe were they speakyng of this mater, bo­the the grene knyght and the Duke Sauary, that in reclaymynge god syghed full tenderlye. And the greane knyght beheld hym. And whan he saw the great lamentacyons that hee made▪ and the pyteous teares that hee wept he sayd vnto him, Free duke, leue thy wepyng, for I am so esprysed with the loue of thy doughter. and so ardauntly enbraced, that for the loue of her I haue no talent nor courage for to put the vnto deth, but am to tally delibered for to let the go vnder this condiciō that thou shalt finde me a knight wythin thys syxe mone­thes that by strength of armes maye wyn thy dough­ter agaynst me, and thou do I shall retorne home into my countre agayne wythal myne host, wythout was tynge or destroyinge of the lande. And yf it happen so that I be not conquered & ouer comen within y^e sayd terame I shal haue thy Doughter vnto wyfe, and leade her into my countre without makyng ony other warre And the Duke accorded thereto. And than the trewes was cryed for the space of syxe monethes. ¶ After that the crye was made, the grene knyght gaue the duke sa­uary lycence for to go, and made hym for to swere that he shuld hold the sayde couenaunt truely. Thus the ap­poyntment was made bytwene theim twayne for euer. [Page] And after came in to Acquytayne & made it to be kno­wen and publysshed al aboute the forme of the appointemen. And whan he had made y^e trewes for syxe mo­nethes to be cryed. He sente for his counsayll & decla­red vnto them the maner how he had done with y^e gre­ne knyght. So they aduysed and concluded amongest them y^e the duke sholde sende messengers in euery coun­tree there aboute, for to serche and enquyre yf there we­re ony knyght that wold fyght with the grene knyght for the fayre lady Fezonne. ¶ And after they sente out messengers vnto all the crysten realmes, and gaue vn­to them letters, wherin was contayned the beaute of his doughter, and the enterpryse of the grene knyghte. ¶ And the duke sayd in his letters that he the whiche myght conquere the grene knyght, sholde haue his dou­ghter in maryage. The letters were gyuen vnto twelue messengers that had the charge for to bere them vnto twelue crysten realmes, and there to publysshe and ma­nyfeste the forsayd tydynges.

¶ How dyuers knyghtes came in to Acquytayne, for to wynne the fayre lady Fezonne. Capitulo. xvii.

IN that same tyme durynge the trewes kyng Pepin was gone against his enemies towarde Lion, acompanyed with thre score thousā ­de men. He dyde so moche that he chaced and put to flyght a kynge named Lampatris the whiche kynge had a grete hoost. This Lampatris was kynge of the S [...]ynes, of Hollande, and Fryse. And with this he helde the coūtree of Monemarche, in the whiche was a stronge cyte, where as they with drowe them for fere [Page]

of the kynge Pepyn. And whan they were all entred in to the sayd cyre, kynge Pepyn assyeged theym in suche maner that he famysshed them. And he oppressed them so that they yelded them vnto his grace whan he had taken the cyte, he made the paynyms to be crystened, & byleue in Jhesu cryste. And gaue the cyte vnto the Marshal of Fraunce that was called Guy. ¶ After all these thinges kynge Pepyn retorned in to Fraunce with all his hoost, and a yued at Parys, and hadde tydynges anone of the duke Sauary howe he had taken trewes with the grene knyght. And whan he knewe y^e maner how they were appoynted. He said before al his barons laughynge. who that wolde haue a fa [...]l [...]ue, it is ty­me that he shewe hymselfe valyaunt, for he that maye­conquere [Page] the grene knyght by dedes of armes, he shall haue in maryage the fayre Fezoune, doughter vnto the duke Sauary. And yet he shall haue with her halfe his londes and possessyon, and that it is true lo here y^e let­tres, holde and rede y^e contenue of the same. Euery bo­dy behelde these letters gladly, but there was none so hardy nor so valyaunt that durste vndertake the enter pryse saue Ualentine that sayd before them all vnto the kynge Pepyn▪ Ryght dere syr yf it please your maieste for to gyue me leue, and lycence for to preue my streng­the in Acquytayne against the grene knight. I shal go gladly. Syr gyue me leue to go oute of Fraunce, for I haue grete desyre for to leue the countree. And I shall ryde so moche that I shal neuer reste vnto the tyme that I haue founde my moder that bare me. For it greueth me full sore that I haue ben so longe without knowyn­ge what I am▪ Ualentyne sayd the kynge care you not what you be. For I am puyssaunte ynoughe for to gy­ue the goodes largely, and mounte the in honoure, and all them of my courte. And I shall holde you also dere as yf you were of min owne bloode. Syr sayd Ualentine for god pardon me, for it hathe ben my wyll longe. Whan kynge Pepyn sawe that Ualentyne was total­ly delybered for to go in to Acquitaine he gaue hym le­ue by this couenaunt that he sholde retorne vnto hym agayne also soone as he hadde foughten with y^e grene knyght, yf god gaue him lyfe and hele. And valentyne promysed hym. In departynge he toke leue for to go in to Acquitayne. Than Eglantyne was more sorowful­ler than euer she was before, & more replete with byt­ter teres. She sente for valentyne that came vnto her anone. And than she sayd vnto hym wepynge full ten­derely. [Page] I se well that of you I shall neuer haue loye nor consolacion and that you haue entencion for to leue the countrey of Fraunce. Alas nowe pleased it God that it were myne honoure for to goo with you, for euen soo God helpe me if euer I would haue other husbande but you. But sythe that it is so that I cannot be maistet af­ter my will, and that my lyberall arbytre is kepte by o­ther puyssaunce and that it is force that the body aby­de behynde, my harte and my wil shal be with you for euer without any other intencion saue of true loue and iust without villanye I shall loue you. And to the ende that at your necessities ye maye sucoute your indigēce when tyme is, lo here the keye of my treasure that I presente vnto you, take golde and siluer at your owne pleasure, for there is ynough. My lady sayde valenty­ne, of gold and syluer I haue no kept, but it greueth me full sore that I can not wyte what I am. And knowe that of one thynge I am muche abasshed, that is that I bere a crosse vpon my shoulde [...], the whiche is also ye­lowe as the fyne golde. I can not tell from whence co­meth to me suche a sygne, wherfore I am purposed ne­uer for to reste vnto the time that I haue knowledge of my natiuitie. I bydde you fare well my lady and we­pe n [...] more for me. For by the fayth of my body if God will that I be of a place come that is any thyng worth or of valoure of ex [...]action for to haue you. I shall ne­uer haue to spouse nor wyfe other than you. And also my tyght deare Lady if I fynde that I am not worthy for to haue you vnto wyfe by lacke of hyghnes of lyn­nage, I would not be your husbande in no maner of wyse for in the time to come the cursed and malicious men woulde saye, where is all the brethren and sistren, [Page] and cosynes of this vnhappye renegate, that hathe a­bused the kyng Pepyn so much that he hath geuen him his doughter vnto wyfe and spouse. And therfore I de syre [...]aboue all chinges to witte of what estate I am of. And at these wordes departed Ualentyne, and left Eg­lantyne in her chambre wepyng full tenderly, and then he began to consider that the loue of a womā is a great thyng and marueylous. For he sawe well that, and if it pleased him Egiantine king Pepins doughter wold go with hym whether someuer he woulde, but the witte and the reason that was in him, domined so at euery reason that he would doo no vyllaynous thynge that myght tourne him to reproche and dyshonoure after­warde. And so he left Eglantyne and put hym on the waye. And when it came to the departyng he was cō ­uayed of diuers great lordes of the courte. Whe [...]fore Haufray and Henty were right gladde and ioyous of their departynge, because of their great enuyes that of long tyme had remayned in them, yet they ymagyned and aduised that they should make Ualentyne to be taken by the waye and orson that he ledde with him and make them dye and fynysshe their dayes shamefully to the ende that he myght be auenged of the thing that they desyred most [...] in the worlde.

Howe Hawftay and Henry made to watche Ualen­tyne and Orson vpon the waye, for to make them dye. ¶ Cap. xviii.

[Page]

AS Ualētyne & Orson were departed from the courte of kyng Pepyn for too go in to Acquytayne, enuy deceiuable, and cursed treason entred more then before in to y^e har­tes and courages of the two false and cursed traytouts the kynges sonnes Haufray & Henry, in suche wise that for to come vnto their false enterpryse they spake vnto a cosyn germayn of theirs, & so muche abused him that it was aduised amongest them th [...] xxx. men puyssaunt and strong shoulde watche theym, and take good kepe vnto the chylde Ualentine and also Orson, so that where someuer they founde them▪ that they should be destroyed and put vnto death. After this counsaill he made to assemble thirty men of the moste redoubted that he might finde. And after he sent them armed and made them go in to a forest that was both great and large, by the whiche Ualentyne and Orson [Page] shoulde passe. God it was not longe after that valen­tyne and Orson that ranne on foote before hym more faster then a horse entred into the forest. Thā they were apperceyued of Grygar and his [...]elowes that were in an enbulshement, when Grygar sawe valentyne he yssued out against him with his or [...]wen sworde in his hande for to haue slayne valentyn, and suche a strooke he gaue vnto the noble knyght valentyne, that he cut his fleshe through his harneis and made the bloud to yssue out, and after said vnto him. Ualentine here must you dye, for to longe haue you lyued. When valentyne saw: that he was wounded and assayled on euery syde with enemies, he recommaunded him vnto God and vnto the glorious vyrgyn Mary, and after saide vntoo them. My lordes you haue s [...]oren my death, and I see well nowe that with wronge and withoute cause here must I fynishe my dayes, but and it please god to dai [...] I shall sell you my death so dere that you shall not re­tourne all together in hele agayne. And then he drewe out his sworde and gaue the first so great a stroke vpō the head that he cloue him to the teeth, and so he dyed. After he went towarde the other by so great fiersnes y^t or euer he stynte he slewe foure or fiue. And Orson sterte forche as halfe aftayde with his rough handes, and [...]ore and rent all them that he founde in his waye, soo that with his sharpe nayles he pullee them in peces, & bote and strang [...]ed them with his teeth. He threw them to the ground one vpon another, and after passed ouer them in smiting them with his fete muche vylay [...]osly. Ualentyne was on the other syde that helde his bloudy sworde in his hand [...], defendyng hym so valiaūtly that none durst approche nere the two noble brethren. And [Page] when Grygar sawe that none durste approche nere them he was muche sorowfull and cryed vnto valen­tyne saying. Ualentine yelde you to me for here it behoueth you to dye. Then the chylde valentyne recommen­ded hym vnto God, besechyng him that he would kepe him from euill and sucoure him at his nede. And after he went to warde Grygar and began batayll with him againe muche fyerlly. Of Grygar and his men it is a pyteous thing to recounte, for they had longe speeres wherwith, they kepte Orson of: and anone they had enclosed valentyne rounde aboute, the whiche defended hym so valiauntly that the hardyest of them all durste not come within his rea [...]he, for them that he hitte the throue neuer after. But for all that in valentyne and Orson were great prowesses and valiaūtnes corporal not for that by the great nombre of the other the which were thyrey strong and puyssaunt, valentyne myght not [...]esiste, for they preased vpon hym soo sore that he myght not welde his sworde, and then they toke hym and bounde hym strayghtly and rode away with hym also fast as they might. when Orson sawe y^t the which had newely slayne one of them, he ranne after thē hou­lyng right hydeosly, but nothyng auailed his pursuite for they rode awaye so faste that Orson hadde loste the syght of them anone, and wyste not whether to goo. Then Grygar commaunded them for to pursue Orson and that they should take hym quycke or dead, but for nothyng go they after, for he ranne so impe [...]ueusly tho­rowe the forest that the moste hardiest of theim durste not come in his syght, & so Orson escaped fro the tray­tours. And they led valentyne to a castell that was in the forest, whiche a these kept y^t was cosyn to Grygar. [Page] And the false tray tours bare al their buty [...]s together. But y^e king Pepin knew nothing therof, for he wende verely that there had bene no better men in al Fraunce when Ualentyne was entred into the castell they toke him rudely, & led him into a tower obscure and darke, and after put hym in a profunde dongeon. When Ua­lentyne was closed in the sayd dongeon, he began for to wepe right pyteously, in praying and reclaymynge god and the virgyn Mary that they woulde geue hym grace for to escape from that place. Alas sayd Ualen­tyne nowe am I come to the thynge that I moste doubted. That is for to were into the handes of mine ene­mies and of them that desired my death from daye to daye longe agone. Wherfore I beseche God deuoutly y^t he will sucoure me in this great daunger. Alas good king Pepyn neuer y^e daies of my lyfe shal I se you, nor of my death you shall knowe nothyng. For in this pyt obscure and foule behoueth me to fynisshe my dayes. Farewel Orson, for thou hast suffreth death for my lo­ue. And if thou loued me with perfit [...] loue, so did I the as muche, and more than if thou had bene my propre brother. Alas my swete mother that I haue so muche desyred for to se, I shall neuer haue knowledge of you wherfore my poore hart sygheth, & myne eyen melteth in teeres, aboue all the moste sorowfulness, when it be­houeth me to dye without knowing what I am, but sith that it pleaseth God that I muste dye thus I thanke hym, and committe my soule in his garde. In this ma­ner complayneth Ualentyne in the obscure pyt, and his enemies is in the castell that amongest them hol­deth ple [...]e what they shoulde do with him. Than some of them sayde. Lordes the moste expedient that is, is to [Page] make Valentyne dye without ony other deliberacion Lordes sayd Grygar to that thyng I am not consen­ting but am of the oppynyon that we shal kepe Valentine in prison, the whiche can not escape vs, and that we go toward Haufray and Henry, for [...]o tell and re­count vnto them this dede, and they shal geue vs coū sayl vpon this mater. To this counsail the [...] accorded al, & were delybered for to goo vnto Parys, where as king Pepin soiurned at that present time. Grigar after thys counsayl toke his way towarde Parys. And Orson was within the wode pyteously ve wept, that al that nyght had rested him at y^e fote of a tre. And as the day was light he put him on the waye, & thoughte within him selfe that he wold neuer reast tyll that he had done the kynge to wyte of that treason, and how Valentine was taken and led awaye. He toke the hys waye and ranne faster to Parys than a hors, but gri­gar the traytour was soner there. And as he was entred into the palays he went toward haufray & hen­ry, & recounted vnto hym how Ualentyne was taken and enprysoned, wherof he was ryghte glad, but it dys­pleased hym much whan it was told hym that Orsō was escaped. Not withstondyng he recomforted hym in that, that Orson coud not retorn vnto Paris again and more ouer of this that he coud not speke and y^t he coude not reco [...]t the maner of the enterprise, but their entencion was wel torned backward for Orson abod not longe whan he arryued at paris. And at the same daye that he arryued the two traytours hadde taken counsayl betwene them that Grygar sholde retorne vp­pon the morowe vnto the castell for to put Valentyne to death without ony remyssyon. In a good hour ary­ned [Page] Orson at that time, the which also sone as he was in the palays he entred into the great hall wheras the good kynge Pepyn was, the which at that same ty­me was set at the table for to dyue, accompanied with dyuers noble knyghtes and barons. whan kyng Pe­pyn saw Orson he wende verely that Valentyne had ben recorned. Orson went thorow the haile pyteously trying and beting his breast, for the whiche thinge the kynge and al the other beheld him sore. And whan Or son sawe the knightes set at table hee behelde thei [...] muche horriblye in makyng hydeous signes. Than he aduised and knew Grigar amongst the other that he [...] his heed inclyned downe to warde the tabell, for feare that he shuld be espyed. ❧ whan Orson sawe him he ran thederwarde and gaue him soo greate a stroke that he smote one of his [...]res away. And after he smote him agayne vpon the vysage so mightely that he broke his teth and put out one of his eyen, wherfore Grygar began for to crye so hye that all they in the hal ap [...]cey­ueo the noyse and debate. And Orson retorned againe and gaue hym so sore a strooke that he felled hym, and caste downe the table and al that was vpon [...], wherat all the company me [...]ualled, and were much stronglye troubled. And Grigar had ben slayne therby orson the sauage yf▪ a valyaunt prince had not taken him from hym, and sayde al on hye. Alas syr kynge se and consy­der the pyteous case in which orson the sauage hathe put this good knight, for god syr make that his life be taken from him, for it is to peryllous a thing to kepe such a man, Lordes sayd the king we must taste auisemente on this mater. Make him come heather and we shal know what is his entencyon & wherfor he did it [Page] and y^e cause of his debate. Orson was brought before the kynge. Than the kinge demaunded him wherfore he had done so great outrage before his maiestie. And Orson made him signe that he had slayne & murdred Valentyne in the forest. And after he went shewyng meruaylous sygnes that he wolde fyght wyth Grigar for that thynge by the lawe of champion, & make hym confesse his cursed enterpryse and dampnable treason After he toke his hode and kest it by great fyernes vn­to Grigar in maner of wage & dyffyaunce▪ And whan kinge Pepyn sawe that he called his lordes and the other barons of the courte and sayd to them al on hie, Lordes nowe haue you sene how this wilde man hath casten his gage of batayle before vs al vnto Grigar, & how he wyl fight with him. Wherfore tell me all your oppinions vpō this mater, and what is for to be done in this case, for muche I meruayle me in my hearte of this that Orson the sauage amongest al the knightes elles of my courte hathe▪ smyten Grygar so furiouslye Lordes saye on your oppynyons, for I doubte me to muche of some fal shede, what part someuer it cometh on. And as for my part wythout your counsayl or de­lyberacyon I shall be of the oppynyon that the bataile were iudged betwene them both. Whan the kynge had spoken in thys maner the barons were of one accord and oppynyon that Grygar and Orson should fyghte for thys quarel. Than the batayle was ordeyned. And kynge Pepyn made Grygar to be brought before hym and sayd to him that behoueth him to fight with Or­son. Whan Grygar knew and vnderstode that it behoned him to fight with Orson, he was ryght sorowfull and not wythout a cause, for the time is come that the [Page] treason that hathe ben hydde so longe, shalbe knowne manifestly before eueri body. Grigar beheld Haufray withan vnstedfast semblaunce & a frayde hearte▪ than Henry called him and sayd▪ Grygar haue no fere of nothynge, for I promyse you and let you wytte that wee shall make your peas toward the king oure father, in such wyse that your persone shal haue no domage nor vyllany in no maner of the worlde, by this condycyon that you shal sweare neuer to confesse this dede what someuer come vnto you. Alas sayde Grygar to euyll goth my cause, for I se wel that I must suffre dethe for your sakes. And whā he had sayd this he wēt toward the king saying. Syr I requyre you of a gift that is y^t of your grace I fyght not with the wilde man. For syr you know wel ynough that it is not man against mā that a knyght may wynne honoure of, and also he is no natural man, but is vnreasonable and without on [...] spyce of mercye. Grygar sayd the kynge there is none excusacyon, for the battayl is iudged by the counsail of all the court, treason condampneth you, and right wil that it be so. Of this answer was Grigar right pensi [...] & dysconforted. Than Haufray sayd vnto hym▪ haue no doubte, for yf you haue good ryght god shal healpe you and be your shelde and defence in this quarel. And as for my part I shal make you to be armed wel and sufficiently as it apperteyneth vnto such a case. And whan Orson vnderstode that he shuld fyght he made grete Joye. Many grete signes made Orson vnto the kyng that Ualentine was deed and destroyed. Of the whiche signes king Pepin meruayled sore. Euer was Orson redy for to smyte Grygar the fals traytour, but the king Pepin made him to be taken, and to bee kepte [Page] in his presence, in making him signes that he shoulde smyte hym no more vntyl the time that he wer in the felde. After he sayd vnto Grigar, go and arm you, and thynke for to defend your quarel wel. Ha syr sayd Grigar I haue serued you longe time, & withall my puis­saunce haue enforced me for to obey you in al thinges as wel in batayl as wythoute, but euyll rewarde you yelde me, whan that you wyll make me fyght agaynst this wylde man that hathe neyther wytte nor reason. Grygar sayd kyng Pepyn if you haue good right you ought not to be dysmayed of nothynge, for I promyse you that you shal be wel armed, and Orson shalbe put into the felde al naked and without armour. You shall be on horsback, and he shal be on fote without bering ony wepen, wherby you shal haue no cause for recule a backe from defendyng of your ryghte. I can not tell how it shal befal you, but you shewe wel the sēblaunt that there is somwhat to say in you, do your deuoyre and defend your ryght, for you shall haue none other thynge of me, the cause is consumed, and the conclusy on made and taken of my counsayll.

¶ How Orson and Grigar fought togyder before kinge Pepyn and how Orson vaynquyshed him, & made him confesse the treason openly and after was hanged And how Valentine was delyuered. Ca. xix.

AFter that Grygar had made dyuers excuss cyons and apposycyons that he sholde not fyght wyth Orson and that it was delybered by the counsail to fight▪ the kinge com­maū [...]ed to make the feld afore his palais. [Page]

And when he was ready Orson that was abidyng e [...] ­ered in for to abyde Grygar y^t was armed by Haufray & Henry, the which armed him also well as they could And when he was armed he tooke his leue of them, in saying. Lordes I go dye for you. Euill was the daye for me when I enterprysed suche a thyug. Holde your peace sayd Henry and take no thought, for I haue pro­mysed you to make your peace to wathe my father the whiche I will holde, so that and you be vanquished by Orson, your body shall haue no harme. And if that he would domage you in any maner, there should rather dye an hundred thousande men then we should faile on [Page] out syde, be euer secrete and knowledge neuer nothyng of the deede that is done, nor of the enterpryse. Grygar was armed and mounted on horsebacke, and so he rode towarde the fielde that was ordeined before the palais. And when the houre was come that they should fight, the kyng came to the wyndowes for to beholde the ba­tayle. When al the court was assembled and the iudges ordayned for to iudge the bataill, it was commaunded to both the parties that they shoulde do their deuoyre. Than Grygar entred into the fielde with muche pryde mounted at auauntage, wherfore it befell hym euill at the ende. He sporred his horse and drewe towarde Or­son saying. Rybaude thou hast done me to great outra­ge whā thou put out one of min eien through thy cruel nes, but I shall shewe the that with wronge and with­out cause thou haste assayled me. ¶ And when Orson sawe him come, he vnderstode hym well, and stratched forth his armes, and she wed his nayles and his teeth, grennyng full hugely. Then Grygar couched his spere and ranne towarde Orson. When Orson sawe the spere come he gaue a lepe backward. And Grygar that had fayled of his stroke fixed his speere in the fielde. Whan Orson sawe that he retourned to him and tooke the spere, and when that Orson hadde the spere in his hande, he gaue hym so great a stroke that he loste witte and vnderstāding in such wyse that he wist not where he was. When Grygar was smyten he sporred horse and fledde about the fielde, and Orson ranne after ma­kyng a grymly countenaunce, and shewyng the kyng that he woulde yelde hym matte anone. And when Grygar apperceyued the great daunger that he was in, he sayde within himselfe. A Haufray I muste dye for you. [Page] I had well sayde it euyll is the thing begon and euill shal it finishe. In this maner Grygar could not woūde Orson in no wyse. And when Orson sawe this he [...]ast the spere downe and after came against Grygar and so st [...]ait [...]he kept him that he caught his horse by the necke and he made him turne so oftē about that he made him fall, but when he felte his horse fal he would haue lept out of his sadle, and at the lepe he lost his shelde, for it fell down and Orson ranne to it and anone put it vpō hym, and went towarde the horse and mounted vpon hym, and in makyng marueylous sygnes he roode af­ter Grygar that fled about in the fielde. To se the countenaunce of Orson euery body was abasshed. And the kyng Pepyn amongest the other was muche pensyfe for this case, and sayde before them all. By God almi­ [...]hey lordes I marueyle me muche of this feate, and I can tell what to thynke, nor to what ende it wil come but whatsoeuer it be, or what may happen it is myne opinion that there is treason ryght greate somwhere: The kyng was pensyfe vpon this enterpryse. And Orson that was mounted on horsebacke for to pursue Grygar descended of the horse and wente vnto him on fote, and he gaue suche a stroke that he smote him down to the grounde, and after he lepte vpon him and tooke his sworde and his dagger from him, after he gaue him so mighty a stroke that he smote of his arme and hys shoulder. And then he gaue hym another marueylous stroke in the body so that he cut his reynes of his back in two. And Grygar escryed soo hye that euerye body herde it in demaundyng a priest for to be confessed of his synnes and to haue absolucion of them. And when the gardes of the fielde vndrstode hym a muche nota­ble [Page] knyght that had the charge went to ward him and demaunded hym what he woulde, and then Grygar sayd vnto hym. Syr make the kyng Pepyn descende, for I will before all the worlde tell and confesse the falsnes and treason of my case. ¶ Then this thyng was sygnifyed to the kyng Pepyn all clearely what he had sayde.

¶ How Grygar after that he was ouercome and van­quyshed by Orson confessed before the king▪ Pepyn the treason that Haufray and Henry had done against the noble Ualentyne. ¶ Cap. xx.

WHen Grygar sawe the kynge he cryed hym mercye. And recounted vnto him howe that by the commaundement of Haufray and Henry he had taken Ualentyne & put hym in pryson tyll lye be iudged [Page] to deathe, Whan kynge Pepyn knew the trouth of the mater, he commaunded to hang Grygar. Sith he moū ted on horsbacke for to go vnto the pryson that valen tyne was in. whan Orson vnberstode that the kinge wold go, he ranne before hym makyng grete chere to hym shewynge hym the waye. And the kynge sayd of­ten. Lordes it is a great thyng of thys wyld man that loueth Valentine thus, & know that his manners sty­reth me much for to do hym some good. The kynge lo­ued hym moche and wel he oughte to do so, for he was his propre neuew but he knew it not. Nor yet he shal not knowe it tyll that by Clerymonde syster vnto the gyaunre Ferragus it be shewed. For that same Cleri­monde had a castell wherin was a heed of brasse com­posed by Nygromancye that tolde her all the thynges that shuld happen her in the time to come, and also the whyche was passed. And yet this same heed was com­posed of suche arte that it shuld neuer finishe tyl that the moost hardyest knyght of the world entred into the castell, for than it shold lease the speche and all the ver­tue. Now there shal come one that shal make it finish. And that shall be Ualentyne, that the fayre ladye Cle­remonde that take, for the whiche he shal endure and suffre great peryls & daungers, as you shal here more playnly afterward. So I wyl leaue to speake of thys mater and wyll retorne vnto kynge Pepyn that goth toward the forest for to saue Ualentyne and preserue him from death. He hath done so muche that he is en­tred in to the forest and gothe folowynge Orson that ledde hym vnto the castell. But whan they wer comē vnto the castel the porters that knewe the kyng shytte the gates incontynent, for so they were cōmaunded of [Page] them within the castell vpon payne of their liue. The [...] when the kyng sawe that he might not enter in to the castell but by force. He commaunded his men that the place should be assayled. So it was not long after that the dytches were fylled with wodde. And after they ap proched nere the walles and entred in to the castell by force of armes. When they were within the castell they toke all the traytours and bounde them streighly. And after they went into the depe prysons where as Ualētyne was and toke him out and brought him vnto the kyng Pepyn. When Ualentyne sawe the kyng he [...]ett [...] him on his knees and thanked him for his payne that he had taken for to delyuer hym out of his aduersytie. Then the barons toke hym makyng hym great ioye & gladnes. And tolde him the case how it went, and how Orson hadde fought with Grygar for hym to the vt­ [...]taunce. And when Ualentyne herde these tidynges he embrared Orson muche swetely, & he hym. So ye nede not demaunde if the Joye was greate betwene them twayne. After that this was done the kyng commaū ­ded that the traytours should be lead into the wodde, and there to be hanged and strangled on one tree with out any remission. Then kyng Pepyn spake vnto va­lentyne and sayde. Ualentyne my frende sythe that god hath geuen you the grace to be thus Joyously escaped from the handes of your enemies. I counsayl you that you retourne agayne with me. Syr sayde valentyne, for goddes sake pardon me, for I shall neuer retourne vnto the tyme that I knowe what I am, and of what place extraught. Wherfore I take hehe leue of you as he that woulde serue you to my power. At these woor­des they departed. Here leue I to speake of the kynge [Page] and [...]ll speake of Ualentine and Orson that is going into Acquitaine for to fyght with the grene knyghte that feareth no man, for as I have tolde you before he shall neuer be vanquysshed but of a kynges sonne that neuer had souked womans breastes. Thus goeth Ua­lentine and Orson together toward the countrey of Ac­quitayne. All the worlde ran for to se Orson that was all naked and rough as a beer. Euery body did laughe at him but he set not therby. Then Ualētine made for to make him a [...]acerā of fyne stele, which was of such a fasion that it had a hode that was fastened to it. And when Orson had it on him he thought him much wilde and would haue put it of gladly, but he feared Ualen­tyne muche, for all that he cōmaunded him he did with­out contradiction. When Orson was clothed in the [...] ­ceran of stele he behelde himselfe strongly, and kepte a proude countenaunce. Now it happened that as they passed vpon their waye Ualentine espied a right faire squyer that passed therby, the whiche wepte full tender­ly. When Ualentyne sawe that he sayd vnto him frend what ayled you for to wepe, haue you founde any euil men, or haue you feare of the wylde beastes, tell me for I shall helpe you after my power. Alas sayd the squier of all this I haue no doubte, but knowe that the thyng that causeth me for to wepe is my maister that I haue lost, the whiche was the moste courteous the moste a­miable, and the moste valiaūt that was vpō the earth. Ualentyne sayde howe haue you lost him. ¶ Syr said the squyer he went into Acquitayne for to fyght with the grene knight, for to haue one of the fayrest ladyes in the worlde, that is the pleasaunt lady Fezonne that hath her harte so gracious and noble, but there shall [Page] neuer none haue her if the grene knyght be not ouerco­me in cleane batayle. Nowe there is dyuers valyaunte knyghtes dead. And when he hath conquered them he maketh them to be hanged on a tree that is in the place on the whiche tree is hanged dyuers knyghtes to the nombre of two & thyrty. He taketh no mercy of none he is so truell a [...]elon. Holy vyrgyn Mary sayd Ualen­tyne I thynke he is some deuell when he doeth suche thynges but and it please Ihesus I shall go in to Ac­quytayne, and shall proue my body against hym, for I haue hearde so muche speakyng of the fayre lady Fe­zoune that if I dye not shortly I shall know the truth. Ha syr sayde the squyer for God goo not thether, for yf you fyght with him you shall lese your payne, and you are so fayre a knyght that I neuer sawe none such. Lese not your lyfe for to fyght with that deuill, for I haue sene hym put so many noble men vnto death that I ha­ue great doubte of you if you fyght with hym. Squyer sayde Ualentyne in to Acquytayne will I goo, and of the grene knight I shall knowe the truthe, & if he haue euill cause agaynst hym wyll I fyght, but if I may I wyll speake fyrst with the fayre lady Fezonne, and doo after her counsayle. And when Orson vnderstode him he made sygnes vnto Ualentyne that he longed for to fyght with the grene knyght, and that he wold loue the fayre Fezonne. When valentyne vnderstoode hym for great ioye he laughed. Thus go the two brethren wal­kyng through the countrey for to go vnto Acquytayne So they haue ryden so muche that they are aryued be­syde the tyrie. Ualentine sawe it from farre for it stode onhye. Then he called an olde man that passed by and demaunded him what [...] it was that he sawe before [Page] hym. Syr sayde the goodman it is Acquitayne. Nowe tell me saybe valentyne where doth the grene knyght holde hym. Syr sayde he besyde the cytie, I thynke you go for to fyght with him. Yea truly saide Ualentine. A sir you vndertake a great foly, for you shal neuer haue victory on him. Mounte vpon this litle hyland be hold where as hangeth vpon a tree moo then forty that he hath put to death. There is no more then fiftene dayes of respyte that the duke of Acquitayne shalbe constrai­ned for to geue vnto him his doughter the fayrest of the worlde, the whiche shall be great dommage. Frend sayd Ualentine God shal helpe her. Thus as valētine spake vnto this man an auncient man came to warde him in the habyte of a pylgrym euill clothed the which had a great whyte bearde, and was of the aege of four score yeare. This man was Blandymayn the squyer of Bellyssant that ledde herinto the castell where as the gyaunt Ferragus was as it is made mencion of before. Ualentine salued the pylgrym and demaunded hym from whence he came. And he aunswered hym. Syr I come from Constantinoble, but I myght not entre in to the cytie for a paynim Soudan that hathe assyeged it. I might not do there my message, wherefore I retourne me. Pylgrym sayd Ualentyne telme yf the grene knyght haue none ende. No sayde the pilgrym I wa [...]raunt you and I counsayl you that ye coueyte not to fyght with hym. For and you were a hondred he would make you all dye. To God I commaunde you, for I muste departe. Th [...] sayd Ualentyne tel vs whe­ther you go. Syr sayde Blandimayn I goo streyght to Parys, for I muste doo a message to kynge Pepyn of Fraunce from a sister of his named Bellyssant that of [Page] long time was banyshed out of Constantynoble, with wronge, and without hauyng deserued it. Nowe is the good lady in the house of a gyaunt that kept her ful swetely, the whiche wyll go into Fraunce for to wyte if kyng Pepyn be consentyng, For so well he knoweth the lady of good maners and condicions that he wyll fyght in a fyelde of batayle against the Emperoure of Grece that he hath falsly & euilly expulsed her: Frend [...] sayde Ualentyne to him. I praye the in the name of God almyghty that thou retourne againe with vs into Acquytayne. And when I shall haue foughten with the grene knyght, if God my creature geue me victory against hym I shall retourne in to Fraunce with you. And for the loue of kyng Pepyn I vndertake this bat­tayle for I am more beholden vnto hym then vnto any man liuing. It is he that hath bene my father, and hath nourysshed me so well, that I ought well to haue the courage and will for to doo his commaundement and pleasure. Syr sayde Blandimain I will neuer consent vnto this. For I will goo and do my message for the noble lady Bellyssant, for she hath geuē me the charge and I will serue her truely. God be with you both the whiche kepe you from all euill. So Blandymayne de­parted and toke his waye towarde Parys. And Ualentyne behelde him right strongly. Alas it was not with out a cause. He had good right if his harte drew to him for it was he that of longe time had saued and kept his mother, but he knewe it not. They tooke their waye. And went so longe that they aryued besyde the cytie of Acquitayne. Ualentyne behelde the cytie sore that was ryght pleasaunt to se. After valentyne espyed a foun­tayne and went the [...]her and alyght of his horse, & after [Page] he layde hym downe vnder a tre that was besyde it for to refreshe hym for he had greate heate, he reposed hym a lytell and slepte and Orson kept him. And whan he had reposed hym and was awakened he rose vp vpon his fete for to mount on horsback, but there came and arryued ther a knight that was fyerse and proud, and that for his grete pryde was called the proud knyght, For he was so fyerse that neuer the dayes of his lyfe he had salued no man. And yet he was of such a condicion that he that salued hym not shuld haue bataill against hym, wher throughe he had made dyuers dye. He came toward the fountayne and set fote on ground, and Ualentyne behelde hym and sayd neuer a worde, and than he aduysed Orson that beheld hym fiersly. The proud knight had dyspyte in his hearte and approched neare Orson, and gaue hym suche a stroke that he made the bloode yssue out of his mouth. And whan Orson felt hym self smiten he toke the knight betwene his armes so rudely that he thre we hym downe vnder him, & sith he toke a knife that hanged at the knightes gyrdle and smote hym in to the body so that the bloode yssued oute by grete habundaunce. And the knyghte that felde hym selfe wounded cryed right hye. Than Valentyne approched and toke the knight out of Orsons handes, & said to him. Fayre syr you haue wrōg for to smite this pore man that can not speke a word. Than sayd the proud knyghts vnto Valentyne. Proude ryvaude wherefore dost thou not salue me. The he drewe out a glaiue for to haue smiten hym and Valentyne drewe his swerde and gaue hym so grete a stroke that he smot him doun deed to the erthe. And syth sayd to hym. I shall [...]ar [...]e you to salue the folkes. Whan the proude knyght was [Page] [...]eed his men began for to flee to warde the eyte of Ac­quytayn, and entred in ryghte sorowfull, and tolde the tydynges that theyr maister was deede. Of the which tydynges was moche angrye and dyspleasaunt the duke Sauary, for he was his cosin. Ualentyne herde the sorowe that the proude knightes men made, that had ben put to de the besyde the fountayne. So he mounted on horsbacke & entred into the cyte. And whan he was within he lodged him in the house of a much ryche bur­geys, but whan they wer lodged it was not long after but that the tidinges came vnto [...] duke Sauari that they that had slayne hys cosyn were lodged in the cyte He commaunded that they shuld be brought vnto him, whan he had commaunded it the messengers departed incontynent for to go fetche Valentyne and Orson the whiche came toward hym anone. Than spake y^e duke Sauary in this manner. Frendes tell me what ye be [...] and yf you be knyghtes or no, of what countre you be [...] what prynce you serue. Syr sayd Valētine a knight I am▪ and am seruaunte vnto the good kynge Pepyn that holdeth Fraunce. Knyght sayd the duke you haue slayne my cosyn and put hym vnto death. It is trewe sayde the noble knyghte Valentyne, I saye not the con­trary, and yf that he hadde bene of my propre lignage I woulde haue done as muche, for he was proude and fyerse of courage, he dayned not speke to grete nor litel by his pryde he hathe smyten my felowe soo that he fel­led hym, and whan I sawe that I drewe my swearde and slewe hym. I am a straunger that are comen in to this cyte for to fyght with the grene knyght, & for tose the pleasant Lady Fezonne that is so muche renowne you haue made the waies that euery knight shal come [Page] So it semeth me ryghte and iuste equitie that throughe at your lande one ought to go in surete in the hye way And whan the duke Sauary herd Ualentine speke so he sayd vnto him Knight wel haste thou answered, yf my cosin be deed, it is by his Pride and fyerse courage, of his death I am sorowfull, but there is no remedye, wherefore I pardone the that deede, and I wyll be par­doned. But for the surplus of your enterpryse of the grene knight, you shal come into my palays, and shall se the lady for whom you are comē into these quarters And with her you shal find. xiiii. knights of straunge countrees newlye comen, that for the loue of her will right againste the grene knight. Go theder & salue my doughter as the custom is. For so it is ordeined that al knightes that cometh hether for the loue of her, before that they do ony batayl with the grene knight, they pre­sent them to her. And in signe of loue they take a ringe of goulde of her. Sir saide Ualentine I am readye to do as the ordinaunce biddeth. And of the other syde I am your litle seruaunt, as he that wold obey vnto all your good commaundementes after my puyssaunce. Than the duke Sauarye mounted into the castell, and Ualentine and orson accompanyed him much honou­rably. They entred into the halle whereas the knights wer that accompanyed the fayre Fezonne. And whan valentine sawe her, he went toward her in grete reue­rence, and salued her sayinge before them al. Ladye of whome the bruyte and renowne of beaute corporell is spredde so ferre aboute God saue you and defende you from all Vyllanye and euyl reproche, and preserue you from the grene knight that is not worthi for to touch your excellent body. My right dere & honourable lady [Page] please it you for to wyte that Pepyn the ryght puissas [...]e kyng of Fraunce hath sent vs towarde you, and here I make you a present of the moste valyaunte and hardy man that is vpon the earthe. Lady beholde hym, for he doubteth no man, & yet he hath no feare of no glayue be it neuer so sharpe. If he coulde speake well in all the worlde might not be founde his make. Wherfore you may be sure and beleue stedfastly that the grene knyght may not resist against him for he shal yelde him matte and ouercome also soone as he shall fyght with hym. Syr sayde the pu [...]el, vnto the puyssaunt kyng of Fraū ce I yelde a hundred thousande thankes, and to you that hath taken so muche payne for me. But tell me I praye you wherfore you clothe not this valyaunt man no better that you haue brought to me. For he is mar­ueylusly well made of his membres, and well formed, streight and hardy of countenaunce, & I beleue that & he were bayned in a hoote house, his flesshe woulde be whyte and softe. Lady sayd Ualentyne, he neuer ware no gowne tyll the other daye that I made hym this [...]a­ceran that is vpon him, for to se his countenaunce for it is the first gowne that euer he ware. And knowe that also naked as he was borne he came vnto parys when he was borne, and his flesshe is so harde that he fea­reth nother wynde nor colde. Alwayes in speakynge these wordes the excellent Fezonne behelde stronly Or­son & so as it was goddes pleasure, she was eu [...]nou­red on Orson, and stryken at the harte more ardauntly then euer she was before of any other, howe well that he was not pycked nor gorgyously clothed as dyuers other were for all that it is sayde commonly that there is no foule loues whan the hartes geueth them therto [Page] Then when Ualentyne had spoken so to the mayden, he sayde yet agayne vnto her. Lady as touchyng me I shall tell you my case, knowe that for the loue of you I am come into this countrey for to conquere you valy­auntly by force of armes. And yet I haue made an othe that I shal neuer retourne into Fraunce vnto the time that I haue foughte and proued my body agaynst the grene knyght. ¶ For knowe that for the loue of you I wyll suffer death, or yelde you the grene knyghte ouer­come in to your handes. Alas syr sayde the fayre Fe­zonne for me haue not the courage to put your lyfe in suche au [...]ture. For who that loueth another better then hymselfe in a thynge that his lyfe hanged on, such loue is me thynke is not [...]is [...]e but by sordynate. Alas to ma­ny noble and valiaunt knyghtes haue bene stayne for me, wherfore it is a great dammage that I haue lyued thus longe. Lady sayd valentyne of this you shall par­don me, for thus I haue promysed it. Knyght said Fe­zonne well maye it take you. Than drewe she out two rynges of golde, and gaue valentyne one & Orson the other, after they sat them downe at the table with the other fortene knyghtes, where as ryght nobly the duke Sauary made them to be serued. But amongest al thē that were at the table, Fezonne had her regarde moste vpon Orson. And Orson beheld her by a desyre of loue embraced and inspyred with an ardaunt and gracious apppetyte. Nowe it happened that as y^e knightes were syttyng at the table, the grene knyght came smytyng at the gate for to se the fayre Fezonne that he loued soo muche. For the duke Sauaray and he had made suche a contracte together that he might come once a daye and se her at his pleasure. And then when he was entred he [Page] cryed all on hygh saying. Valyaunt duke of Acquitain haue you a champyon y^t wil fyghte wyth my body for the fayre lady Fezonne. Ye sayd the Duke, yet haue I syxtene within my halle, that for to she we theyr prow esse agaynst euery body and you bene comen from dy­uers realmes into this countre. Now said the grene knyght make that I maye se them, and that I entre in to the hal for to se the faire lady Fezōne. Enter in said the duke for you haue lycence. The greene knyghte en­tred into the halle and behealde all the knyghtes that were there. And whan he had beholden them he sayd to them thus, Lordes ete and drynke and make good the re, for to moro we shall be youre laste daye. And knowe that I shall make you all to bee hanged on the hygheste of all my tree. Than Valentyne that herd him was e­uyl contente and answered hym. Knyghte of that same vaunt you might haue hold your tongue. For to dayis comen a knyght that shal fyght with you more asprely than euer dyd onye heare before, you haue delyuered many vnto deathe, but he is commen that shall vayne­quisshe you in a felde by force of armes. ¶ Now Orsō vnderstode that they spake of him, and knewe that the grene knight was he by whom the Justes were begon nen, & that it was he by whome so mani noble knights had suffred dethe. So he beheld hym fyetsly, and after lept from the table, and in whettinge his tethe he toke the grene knight by the midle and charged him vpōhis necke, as a lytell chyld. And whan he hadde him vppon his necke he espyed a wall and caste the grene knyghte agaynst it so rudely, that all they that were in the pi [...]te wende that he hadde broken his necke. For he remeued not. And wan he had done so he sat him down againe [Page] amongest his felowes, and in laughyng made theim signes that he would bere vpon his necke such thre as the grene knight. Then began all the knightes of the halle for to laughe strongly, & said the one to the other. Nowe is he come that shall discomfite and ouercome the grene knyght. And Fezonne shall haue to greate a losse whan he can not speake. For he is well worthy to haue honour amongest the valiauntmen. When Fe­zonne had well beholden the maners and countenasi [...]e of Orson, she was smiten to the harte with the darte of loue by the pleasure of God & of the virgin Mary, that yllumyned both their two hartes in suche a facion that she gaue vnto him al her courage and wil, and she had euer her regarde fyxed vpon Orson, and began for to loue hym so ardauntly that she forgate al the other for to haue him to her louer. And it was not without a cause if she were so taken with his loue. For he had taken the grene knight vp so valiauntly that at y^t same houre he might haue slayne hym if he had woulde, but howe well that he had puyssaunce ouer hym yet he would do him no harme. For it is commonly sayde that a noble courage can not lye. Notwithstāding the grene knight reputed this dede for a great outrage. And sayd all on hyghe before al the cōpany. ¶Lordes this same wilde man hath deceyued and betrayed me, for he came to me without saying any worde. I promise and let you wyte that to morowe in the mornyng I shall be a man for hym. And to the ende that all other take ensample by hym, in dyspyte I shall make a gy [...]ette to be reysed vp aboue all the other that hath ben vanquyshed by me, & there shall I make hym to be henged and strangled.

¶ How Orson waged batas [...] against the grene knight and howe Ualentyne fought with hym and myght not ouercome hym. ¶ Cap. xxi.

ORson apperceyued well y^t the grene knight was not well content with hym, and that he menaced hym. So he began for to mom­ble a peace and makyng sygnes that vpon the morowe he woulde fyghte with hym, [Page] and in token of wage the cast the grene knight his hod Then spake Ualētyne vnto the grene knight and said. Syr beholde the gage that the wylde man casteth to you, if you haue any power against hym thynke for to take it vp. Than was the grene knyght so taken with pryde & dispyte that he aunswered neuer a worde. And the duke Sauary that was there present said vnto him Free knight there wyll be a strong batayll betwene the wylde man and you, and I feare me sore that you shal haue muche a do with hym. And if that you may do so much as to haue victory ouer him, you may wel vaunt you that of all knightes you are the moste doughty & valiaunt, and that of none you ought to haue feare nor dreade. And that it be true he hath shewed you before al that he is hardy of harte & of courage. By my god sayde the grene knyght to morowe shall you all se and know what his puissaunce is, for neuer in this lyfe shall he retourne from the fielde till I make hym to be hanged aboue al the other. At these wordes he yssued out of the castell and went vnto his rest in his pauilion. And the other lordes and knyghtes remayned with the fayre la dy Fezonne, the which made great ioye and solace, and sayd the one to the other that the daye was come that the grene knyght should fynde his maister. Great noy­se was thorough the cytie of Orson the sauage, euery body desyred for to se hym, ye in suche maner y^t so great nombre of folke came into the palais, that for the prese that was there the duke commaunded that the gates should be shytte. ¶whā Orson harde the noyse hel [...]pt vp vpon a baye wyndowe for to beholde the people that were without. Than the folkes apperceyued hym and shewed hym one to another in speakyng and de­uysyng [Page] of him in diuers maners & facions. The nyght was come so that it was time to go to souper, tho was euery body set and serued. So when the duke was ry­sen from the table anone after came in playes, and af­ter euery body went into their chambres. When Ualen tyne was in bedde he made sygnes to Orson that he should lye downe by hym, but Orson set not therby, for he layde hym downe platte to the earth as he was ac­customed to do in the forest, and so he passed the nyght, when the daye was come. Ualentyne and Orson went into the hall where as they founde the fayre lady Fe­zonne with the other knightes. There they helde counsayll together for to fyght with the grene knight. For y^t same daye the duke had promysed hym to delyuer hym a champion to fyght with him. So there spake among them a ryght noble knyght that was extraught out of a gētle bloud and said in this maner. Lordes if it plea­se you all I am purposed for to fyght first with the gre­ne knight. This requeste was a [...]oorded to him by the assistentes of all chyualty, and the knyght went for to arme hym, the whiche was called Galetam, and was come out of the realme of Fraunce. And when he was arm [...] he came before the pleasaunt lady Fezonne, and toke his leue of her ioyously with great reuerence, and she that was garnyshed with all honour and good cō ­dicions vttred hym leue in saiyng. Fre knyght I pray to god of paradyse, and to the blyssed and glorious vir­gyn Mary that they conduyte you, and kepe you and preserue you from damage, in suche maner and facion that with ioye and honoure ye may retourne vnto me agayne. And he thanked her with all his harte, and thē he toke leue of his felowes. When he hadde taken leue [Page] of the fayre Fezonne he mounted on horsbacke & went to warde the tente of the grene knighte. O [...] as ferro as he saw him he smote his hors with the sporres & with a fyerse courage rannt to the knyght Galeram, and so grete a stroke he gaue hym that he smote hym do wne to the grounde than he discended of his hors, and toke his helm of his hed. Wherfore Galeram that fered the death yelded him vnto the mercy of the grene knyghte, but it profyted hym lytel. For without ony pite he dis­poyled him of his harneis, & hanged him on the height of the tre so as he hadde done the other before. For the dethe of the same Galeram was greate bruyt throughe the cyte of Acquitaine, for he was a much fayre knight and gretely praised among his felowes. Now Orson knewe wel that the grene knight had put to deathe ga­leram. He made sygnes with his handes that he wold go fight with him at the same houre without ony more delay, but Valentine made hym syne that he shoulde withdrawe him, for he wold go fyrste. As than Orson helde hym styll, for he fered Valentyne alwayes.:,

Than the noble and hardy Ualētyne armed him and after went toward the fayre Fezonne for to take loue of her. Soo it is not to be demaunded yf she bewayled him muche and yf she caste mani couered sighes with in her ryght noble herte. Alas sayde the fayre and plea­saunt lady Fezonne. My god please▪ it the to defende & preserue this noble, fayre, and gracyous knighte, that for the loue of me wyl put hys lyfe in daunger. Much be waylled Fezonne the amyable knighte Valentyne, but aboue all other her mynde was vpon Orson, and she had a good cause, for god had put hym on the earth for to be her husband. After the leue taken of the Lady [Page] and of al the knyghts Ualentyne moūted on horsback for to go fyght with the grene knyght. But euen so as he put hym on the way came to him a knight that was enbraced with the loue of the fayre Lady Fezonne, and sayde to hym. Syr haue a lytel pacyence and let me go the fyrste. Frende sayd Ualentyne I gyue the leaue, goo in the name of Jesus why she gyue the puyssaunce and vyctorye for to conquere him. That same knight hadde to name Tyrys, and was borne in the countre of Sa­uoye, but so muche greate pyte was in his case, that for to put hym in that auenture he had spended all hys, so that he had no more lefte. He toke leaue of thee Lordes, and syth mounted on horsbacke, & wythout ony soiour nynge he rode to the pauilion of the grene knight. And whan he sawe Tyrys approche he lept'out of hys tente muche fyersly and proudlye. And Tyrys escryed hym, sayinge. Syr grene knyght nowe mount on horsbacke and thynke to defend you. For on goddes behalue I defy you that hathe made all the world, and for vs suffred deathe and passyon. The greene knyghte that Tyrys vnderstode called for to haue hys hors, & one of hys ser­uauntes brought hym anone, than he set his fote in the styroye and lept vpon his backe. He toke his grene sheld and his speare, and after they wythdrewe theym for to fetche theyr course, and they encountred so impetuously that the grene knyght smote hym throughe the bodye with his spere and so he fell downe deade. And inconti­nent the grene knyght dyscended and toke a corde and put it about his neck and hanged him vp with y^e other wherfore y^e Painims and Sarasins made grete Joye And whan Ualentyne saw that Tyrys was deed and hanged on the tre, he was sorye for his deathe and dys­pleasaunt. [Page] He made the sygne of the crosse before hym, and recommaunded hym vnto god, in desyrynge aboue all thynges that he wolde do so much that of his fader & moder he might haue perfyte knowledge. And whan he had made his prayer vnto god he smote his hors w^t the sporres and rode to the tente of the grene knyghte, that for the semblaunt of Orson knew hym well, and of hym he had more doubte than euer he had of ony be­fore. He called Ualentyne and sayd to him. Knyght vn­derstande that I shall tell the, feest thou [...]onder vpon that tree a grene shelde go and fetche it me and I shal deserue it. Syr sayd Ualentyne you haue seruauntes ynoughe mo than me, wherfore make that they serue you, for by me you shall not haue y^t shelde. By my lawe sayd the grene knyght you shall fetche me the shelde, or I let you knowe that neuer agaynst my body shall you haue batayll. Whan valentyn sawe that the grene knyghte wolde take excusacion for fetchynge of the shelde as a hardy and valyaunt knyght he rode towarde the tre where as the shelde hanged (but he loste his payne) for he myght not haue it wherfore he was ryght sorowful. Than he came vnto the grene knyght and sayd to him fyersly. To fetche thy shelde, for I can not haue it Cursed be he of god that fastened it so, and hāged may he be that sente me theder. Frende sayd the grene kny­ghte I shall tel the wherfore I sente the theder. Knowe for certaynte that this same shelde came whylom out of y^• faree, & by a fare it was gyuen me. Now it hathe su­che vertue that neuer none be he neuer so valyaunt nor stronge maye take it out of the place where as it is fas­tened, saue he alonely by whome I ought to be conque­red and vanquysshed. Therfore I haue sente the therder [Page] warde, for of the I hadde doubte, but nowe I am sure whan that the shelde thou mayst not brynge. Wherfore retorne the to the place that thou came fro, and so thou shalte saue thy lyfe. For I se the so fayre a knyght that I haue none enuye of thy dethe, from the whiche thou can not escape yf thou take batayll agaynst me. And to the ende that thou thynke not that I tell the these wor­des by fayntyse or folysshe abusyon, knowe that of no­ne I shall be vaynquysshed be he neuer soo vyctoryous saue but of a man that shal be a kynges sone and that shall haue be nourysshed [...]out womans mylke, wher­by thou mayst knowe yf thou be suche or not. Of these tydynges Ualentyne was sorowfull and dyspleasaūt at his herte and sayd. Alas good lorde god almyghty to euyll go the my feate yf that of youre benygne grace I haue no socoure and conforte. For I knowe well that I am not suche one as the paynym sayeth. But syth that I haue done soo moche that I am comen heder for to encheue this enterpryse, I shall neuer retorne vnto the tyme that I haue assayed my body agaynst hym that hathe done so many noble knyghtes vnto dethe. Than Ualentyne called the grene knyght and sayd to hym in this maner. Favregrene knyght I se and knowe that I am not he by whome you ought to be conquered, but not for that what someuer I am I shal neuer departe from hens tyll that I haue foughten agaynst you. By Mahoune sayd the paynyms grete folye ledeth the, and semeth that thou wylll conquere me by treason, but I shal shewe the a none that thyn ouerwenynge shal tor­ne the vnto grete dōmage and shame. Than he lepte on his hors & badde his seruaunt. Gobert bryng his boxe with baume of our lorde Ihesu cryst the whiche baume [Page] as we finde by wrytynge is of so grete vertue and me­ryte y^t there is no mortall wounde, nor so daungerous that whan it shall be enoynted with the same baume, but that it shall behole anone. This same oyntemente had the paynym with hym of longe tyme surely kepte, the whiche had saued him in diuers places. After that he had done this, he sporred his hors with the spere on his thye, and are comen the one agaynst the other, and so fyersly they recountred the one the other with theyr speres, that the peces flewe on euery syde, y^e horses passed forthe. And whan they had fetched theyr cours they drewe out theyr bryghte swerdes for to assayll the one the other. Ualentine was dylygente & hardy in armes so moche that with his sooerde he gaue the grene kny­ghte so grete a stroke that he cut his harneys and broke it so that he made the blodde renne oute of his body by grete haboundaunce. And whan the grene knyght felt hymselfe smyten and wounded, he lyfte vp his arme on heyght, and with the swerde that he bare he smote Ualentyne vpon y^e thyghe so grete a stroke, that of his flesshe he smote awaye a grete pece, syth he sayd to hym you may knowe yf that I can playe with the swerde, I haue tolde you ynoughe before that & you wolde vn­dertake the felde agaynst me that thrughe my handes it sholde behoue you to fynysshe your dayes. In to soo­ne a tyme came you towarde me▪ and to late you shall retorne, for I haue hope that anone I shall take you, and hange you on the hyghest braunche of my tree for to prepayre the place, & to kepe company with the other vnhappy that by theyr pryde & foly haue suffred dethe Paynym sayd Ualentyn of this thou mayst not a [...]a [...] ­te the to moche, for yet thou hast me not, thynke for to [Page] defēd the And valentyn smote so grete a stroke y^t of his shelde he smote downe a grete quarter. And the grene knyghte smote vpō Ualentyn with so gret strengthe y^t he broke his swerde vpon his helme, & of the grete stro­ke that he had gyuen hymhe was al astonyed, and felle downa of his hors to the grounde, but he was so valy­aunte of courage that he rose vp anone. And whan the paynym sawe that he rose vp he drewe out a grete poin­ted knyfe and keste [...]tagaynste hym. But Ualentyne sawe the knyfe comyng and sterte a syde. Than the grene knyght that founde hymselfe withoute wepen tor­ned his hors for to haue recouered a wepen, but Ualey­tyne was ne re him that with his swerde cut one of his hors fete of, so that paynym and hors fell vnto the erth And than whan he was downe he arose vp quyckely, & came vnto Ualentyn, and with strengthe of armes they helde the one the other. So it is not to be demaunded yf eyther of them enployed his strengthe and puyssaū ­ce. And to make shorte speche the wa [...]re bytwene the two knyghtes was so fyerse and so meruayllous that the one and the other were sore wounded. But for all y^t Ualentyne by his force of armes gaue the paynym dy­uers grete woundes it profyted hym nothynge. For w^t the balme that he bare he was heled also sounde as he was before. In this wyse they were fyghtynge so lōg that the daye faylled them and they felte them selfe ry­ght wery, and not without acause. Sorowfull & right dyspleasaunt was the grene knyght bycause he myght not ouercome valentyne. And for all that he was we­ry yet he shewed not the semblaunt, but sayd vnto va­lentyne. Knyght from hens forth it behoueth for to cea se the batayll, for I se that you are moche trauaylled & [Page] wery. And on the other side the sone declineth, & y^e night approcheth, so it shulde be lytell honoure to me yf thus I conquered the, wherefore retourne into Acquytayne and reste the this night. For thou mayste well auaunte the before euery body that there Iusted neuer agaynst me a more valyaunter knyght than thou arte. But too moro we in the mornynge retorne into this felde agayn and thou mayste well bydde al thy frendes fare wel, for thou shalte neuer escape wythouten deathe. Ualentyne was ryghte gladde for to leaue the greane knyghte, for he was wery and sore wounded. So he went toward his hors that was entred into a greane fielde, he tooke hym by the brydell and mounted vppon hym for too re­torne into Acquitaine. And whan they of the city sawe that he was retorned. They made grete Ioy. The duke sauary and the other barons yssued out of the gate and receiued Ualentine with grete honour, among the whiche was Orson that tooke him in his armes and made hym greate cheare. And whan he was in the palays the Duke Sauarye demaunded him tidmges of the Grene knyght. Syr sayd Ualentyne he is in his repayre with in his grene Pauilion where as he reasteth hym. He is so puyssaunt and so stronge that I thynke that there is none be he neuer so stronge that maye conqueare hym, but yf that God by his grace shew an euydent myracle Ualentyne sayd the Duke well haue you wroughte, for neuer none retourned but that they dyed shamfully by the handes of the grene knyghte, well haue you shewed that aboue al y^e other you are a knyght ful of prowesse & hardynes. Free duke sayd▪ Ualentyne of my prowesse agaynst hym I can not yet vaunt me. For to moro we in the mornynge muste be a newe batayll bytwene vs [Page] agayne. Now god be myn ayde and con [...]orde. For with out hym none maye haue agaynste the grene knyghte bodyly vyctorye. After that vyctorye Ualentyne was dysarmed, and than he wente in to the chambre of the fayre Fezonne, it nedeth not to aske yf she was gladde and Ioyous that Ualentyne was retorned safe & soun­de / euery body made moche of him for his grete prowes He was praysed of lytell and grete. And whan it came vnto souper the duke wolde do him so moche honoure that he made hym sytte besyde hym at his owne table, The souper passed in deuysynge of diuers thynges. Af­ter souper valentyne with drewe him after the leue ta­ken of the duke & of the other lordes, and entred into a secrete chambre for to dresse his wundes, for he was greuously woūded. And whan he was dressed he entred into his bedde for to reste hym. And the grene knyghte is in his pauylyon y^t with his baume maketh his woū ­ [...]es to be noynted. For he hadde not so grete a wounde but that it was heled anone, and clene as euer it was before. So I shall leue here to speke of hym & wyl spe­ke of Ualentyne that is in his chambre makynge pyte­ous complayntes and lamentacyons.

¶ How valentyne by the grace of god aduysed him for to sende Orson vpon morowe for to fyght with the grene knyghte, and how Orson ouercame him in cle­ue batayll. Capitulo. xxii.

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AL that same nyghte the chylde valentyne slepe not in his bedde, but wepte & syghed ful pyteously without ony restesaynge. A­las veray god almyghtye nowe se I well the I shall neuer come to the ende of myn enterpryse, but yf that of thyne inestymable grace and boūte thou haue pyte on me. In gyuyng me ayde and conforte a­gaynst this false paynym that hathe sworne my dethe Alas myn entencyon and purpose was stedfastlye con­cluded [Page] that my bodye should neuer haue reast vnto the tyme that I might haue acknowledge of y^e fader that engendred me, and of what moder I was borne, and de­lyuered on the earthe, but I knowe that the thinge the which a man purposeth cometh notal waies to effect but remayneth vndone. For me I may well saye it, for whan I enterprysed the batayll agaynste the Greane knyght, fortune was to peruers vnto me sythe that he is suche that he maye neuer bee vainequished saue of a knyght that is a kinges sonne and that in such maner he shuld haue bene nourished so in his youthe that ne­uer of woman he shuld fele the milke. Now am I not he that may be so worthy for to be a kings sone, & that in such maner I haue ben nouryshed in my youthe, so I se no confort in my feare that may preserue me from deathe, saue alonelye to inuoke and requyre the ayde of my creatoure Iesus and his swete mother Marye, so that they preserue me from his daunger, and suffre me not to fynysshe my dayes here thus pyteously, In thys contempla [...]ion abode Ualentine al the nyght wythout ony reast saue for to wepe his fortune and his ferefull aduenture. And whan he had euerye where thoughte by dyuyne operacyon he bethought hym on Orson the sauage that he had conquered in the wodde, and soo hee thought that by him he might be socoured, for he thou­ghte well that he had neuer souked no womans breste. And that by auenture it myghte haue fallen that some Quene had chylded hym in the forest. And these thyn­ges consyderynge the nyght toke an ende, and the day began to cleare. Than Ualentine arose charged wyth thought and melancoli and came toward Orson, and by euident signs shewed him that he shuld put on his [Page] harneys and take his hors for to go fyght with the grene knyghte. Of these tydynges was Orson ryght Jo­yous and lepte and daunced aboute the halle for glad­nes. Soo he made sygne that the grene knyght sholde neuer escape his handes. And in makynge these signes he aduysed a grete clubbe of wodde, the whiche he toke vpon his necke in shakynge his heed, and made sygnes with his heed and his armes that he wolde bere none other harneys against the false paynym, or hors nor spere at all for to fyght with the gyaunt. Frende sayd Ua­lentyn you shal not do so. But with myne armoure I wyll that you be armed, in berynge y^e blason that was gyuen me by the kynge Pepyn, and you shall ryde on the stede that I brought out of Fraunce with me. To the wyll of valentyne Orson agreed and accorded, for aboue all thynges he wolde obeye vnto valentyne and his commaundementes, as his subgecte and seruaunte, Than valentyne commaunded that they sholde brige hym his harneys, and that Orson sholde be armed in y^e same maner that he was whan he wente for to fyghte with the grene knyght. The thynge was done and ac­complysshed for the duke Sauary that was there pre­sent helped for to arme Orson with his propre handes with the armoure of valentyne, with dyuers barons that were there. And whan Orson was armed he was moche loked on of the lordes and barons that was the­re presente, for he semed ryght well to be a man of gre­te prowesse and hardynesse▪ replete with all beaute hye and well formed in all his membres by ryghte mesure compassed. He behelde the harneys that sh [...]one aboute hym, and syth he made synes with his handes that he wolde strangle the grene knyght or that myddaye we­re [Page] paste before all the courte, without hauyng ony mer­eye or pyte on hym. At the g [...]astes and maners that Or­son dydde make all they of the company beganne for to laughe muche heartelye. And whan Orson hadde taken leaue of the duke Sauarye he enbraced Ualentyne and toke leue of hym in makynge hym sygne that he shuld haue no doubte of nothynge. And that afore his retor­nynge he wolde brynge the grene knyght wyth hym either quycke or deede. And Ualentine in weapynge and lamentynge commaunded hym to God in prayinge de­uoutly that he myght haue victory against the painim And euen so departed Orson, but or he moūted on hors backe he aduysed hym on the fayre Fezonne of the whiche he had not taken leue, so he mounted into the palais and entred into the halle whereas was the fayre ladye Fezonne and dyuers other Ladyes well accompanyed, He ranne toward her and wolde haue kyssed her, where at the Lady and dyuers other began for to laugh ryghte strongly. For he made her sygne that for to haue her loue he wente for to fyght wyth the grene knyghte. And Fe­zonne that was replete wythal graciousnes in [...]ling made hym sygne that he sholde beare hym valyauntlye, and than whan he retorned from the batayll she woulde gyue hym her loue. Thus departed Orson and moun­ted on horsbacke the which was ryght nobly conuayed by the duke of Acquytayne, and dyuerse other barones and knyghtes vnto the gate. Whan he was oute of the cyte euerybody retorned in praying God that he wolde gyue hym vyctorye. The noyse was throughe the cytye that the wild man went to f [...]ght with the grene knight wherat they wondred muche. Nowe rydeth Orson in Ualentynes armour bycause he sholde not be knowne [Page] He taryed not longe tyl that he came vnto the pauilion of the grene knyght. And without saying onye wordde he touched it with the heade of his spere in signyfy [...]ige that he defyed him, of the which thing the grene knight had great dispyte in hys courage. And swore by hys greate God that he woulde abate hys pryde or it were nyght. He was armed anone and after moūted on hors [...] backe and toke his speare in his hande and entred into the felde for to renne agaynste Orson. And semblablye Orson withdrew hym from hym, and than they began to couche theyr speres and in suche wyse encountred to gyder that both men and horses fel vnto the earth. And whan they were both downe they arose vp agayne ly­ghtly and drew out theyr swerdes for to assayl the one the other right vigorously. The grene knight that was moche prydefull and full of Ire smote Orson fyrst with so great myght that he cut the cercle of golde vpon hys helme / and smote downe a greate quarter of his [...]ylde / and wounded Orson ryght sore▪ and with that strooke his swerd was heauy and fell oute of hys hande. Whan Orson sawe his bloode renne down alonge hys harme he was more fyerser than a Leoparde, and more cou­rageous than a lyon. He rolled his eyen and shaked his head, and with his bright swearde he gaue the Gyaunte so grete a stroke vpon his head that he touched his na­ked flesh / and bare away a grete quantyte of the flesh & heer withall, and the stroke slyded downe and hyt hym on the arme so that the bloud ranne down haboundaūt ly. But the grene knyght set lytell by that wounde, for he tooke of the baume that I haue made you mencyon of before, and also soone as he touched the wounde / it was also hole as it was before, of the which Orsō was [Page] moche abasssed, and he thought well within hymselfe that with wepen he myght not haue his body, whan y^t so soone he hadde heled the wounde that was so grete, and so profounde. Upon this mater was Orson subtyl and w [...]ll auysed, and caste bothe swerde and harneys frome hym, and then he ranne to the grene knyght and helde hym so strongly bytwene his armes, that he caste hym to the grounde vnderneth hym. And whan he had hym vnderneth hym, he toke his helme of his heed, for to haue smyten it of. There was the grene knight kep­te in suche subgeccon that by force he was constrayned for to yelde hym vnto Orson, and to crye hym mercye but Orson that vnderstode nothynge his crienge sette not therby in no maner. And so straytly he helde him y^t at that same houre he wolde haue taken his lyfe from hym yf that it had not ben valentyne that sawe & kne­we the gestes of Orson, that came rydynge towarde [...] also faste as he myght dryue. And whan he was comen theder he made sygne vnto Orson that he sholde not sle hym Then Orson reculed hym abake whan he herde valentyne, but alwayes he helde the grene knyght in subgeccyon, to whome valentyn spake & sayde Knyght at this houre you may knowe that you haue neyther force nor strēghte for to auenge you nor kepe you from dethe agaynst this man, wherfore it is for [...]e y^t you suf­fre be [...]e, and to fynysshe your dayes, shamefully. For euen soo as the other knyghtes haue ben dysconfyte by you, and hanged on yonder same hye tre, in lykewyse shall you be hanged vpon the mook hyghest braunche aboue them al. Alas sayd the grene knyght you re [...]ēble wel to be a man of grete curtesye▪ and garnysshed with noblenes, for the whiche thinge I praye you that you [Page] wyll haue pyte on me and saue my lyfe. Paynym sayd valentyne that shall I not do, saue that by suche a co­uenaunt, that you shall renounce the paynyms lawe & the false goddes that you worshyppe, in takynge y^e law and byleue of Jesu chryst the god almyghty, and in re­ceyuynge the holy baptym, withoute the whiche none can haue the glorye pardurable. And whan you shal haue done that, you shall goo in to Fraunce to the kynge Pepyn & shall tell hym that Ualentin and Orson sen­dethe you towarde him as knyght ouercomen by them and so haue aduyse and aspecte on this feate in gyuyn­ge me an answer vpō your entencion that is sure and certayn. Frende sayd the greue knyght I gyue you su­che an answer. From this houre I denye and renunce all the false goddes, and take for the remenaunt of my lyfe for mayster and lorde the true god in whiche you by leue, and in that same fayth wyll I lyue and dye. And also I promyse you that I shall go towarde the kyng Pepyn and yelde me also soone as I maye, as your po­re subgecte and prysoner. Whan the grene knyght had made the othe, and promyse to accomplysshe the thyn­ges aboue sayd. Ualentin made signe vnto Orson that he sholde let hym ryse. And Orson that was wyse and well auysed toke his armoure frome hym to the ende y^t he myght do hym no dommage. And whan the grene knyght was vpon his fete he spake to valentyne and sayd. Syr knyght me thynke that you are he that had batayll agaynst me yesterdaye, and that sholde haue re­torned agayne to day. And he that hathe conquered me is the same that in the palays of y^e duke Sauary keste me agaynste the erthe. It is true sayd valentyne, that is well knowen of you, the thynge is verytable I wyll [Page] not lye to you. Now I shall tel you one thinge sayd the grene knyght the whiche I praye you to accomplysshe Sende me this knyghte y^t hathe conquered me to yon­der grete tree, and yf he maye take awaye the shelde that hangeth there, I shall knowe well yf it be he that shall conquere me, for of none other I maye not be ouerco­men in no batayll. Than valentyne made sygne vnto Orson that he sholde go towarde the tree for to fetche the shelde that hanged there. Orson wente theder, and also soone as he came to the shelde he stratched for the his arme and the shelde lepte in to his hande, the whi­che he brought to the grene knyght. And whan he sawe that Orson had brought the shelde frome the tree with­out enforcynge of hym, he knewe that it was he y^t was predestyned for to conquere hym, he cast hym selfe to y^e erthe & wolde haue kyssed his fete, but Orson was wy­se and well taught by the sygnes of valentyn and wol­de not let hym, but toke him by y^e armes and lyfte hym vp. Alas sayd the grene knight Iought well to do you honoure and reuerence, more than to ony man on lyue for I knowe well that of all hardy and valyaunt kny­ghtes you ought to bere the name & fame. And amonge the other I afferine you and let you wyte that he that hathe conquered me is the moost hardyest and valyaū ­test that is in the worlde. And you ought to bileue sted­fastly that he is a kynges sone and a quenes, & is suche one that he was neuer nourysshed of woman. And that this is true I maye proue it you by my syster Clerimon­de. For she hathe a heed of brasse that telleth and decla­reth vnto her the aduentures and fortunes that to her and al them of her generacyon may happen and befall. And y^• same heed shal endure vnto the tyme y^t the moost [Page] worthy of the worlde entre in to the chambre where as it is in. And whan he shal be entred at that saine houre it shall lese his strengthe & vertue. And that saine kny­ght ought to haue my syster Clerymōde vnto wyfe the whiche is so pleasaunt and fayre. Wherfore noble kny­ghte go thederwarde, for I haue grete desyre that you haue her vnto wyfe as the moost hardyest knyght of y^e worlde, for so ye maye well be called and renowned.

¶ How after that Orson had conquered the grene kny­ghte valentyne made hym be crystened and sente hym vnto kynge Pepyn and how he had knowledge of his fader & moder throughe the grene knyght. Ca. xxiii.

[Page] As they had spoken thus, the grene knyght sayd vnto Ualentine. Syr I shal giue you a ryng to be the better acquainted with her the whiche she gaue me at my departynge and bere it her. And I shal go towarde the kynge Pepyn into Fraunce as I haue promysed you and yelde me prysoner in acquytynge my fayth, and at my retornynge I shall come vnto you to the castell of my syster. And from hensforth yf it please you we shall be perfyte frendes and fellowes. For I will neuer de­parte out of your company. And whan the knight [...] le [...]tine vnderstode that the greane knight had a sister that was so faire, by the will of God almighty, and by the inclinacion of naturall loue, he was smitten at the heart with her beaute right [...]roauntlie. So he madea vowe vnto God that he wold neuer rest til that he had sene the lady that was so gretely cōmended. And after these things the grene knight that was crowned king of the greene Mountaine, and that helde grete Lorde­shippes vnder him made to crie through his host that all Painims and Sarazins that were comen at his cō maundement for to serue him before Acquitaine sholde recorne againe into their Countrees without domma­gynge of the duke. Sauaries countre in ony manner. So departed Paynims and sarazins makyng grete sorowe for the takynge of the grene knyghte. And Ua lentyne and Orson tooke hym and ledde hym as pryso­ner towarde the cyty of Acquytayne. Ye nede not to de­maunde of the grete noyse and the grete solace and the grete Ioye that was made of lytell and greate in the cy­te of Acquytayne. And the duke Sauarye wyth all hys baronnage receyued them in grete tryumphe wythoute [Page] the cyte. And whan the grene knight was before the noble duke of Acquitaine and all his baronage he said to them in this maner. Lordes wel ought you to bere honoure and reuerence vnto this Knighte that hathe cōquered me by force of armes. And knowe certainly y^t this man is a kynges sonne and a Quenes, and he ne­uer souked no woman in his life for if it were not soo he shuld neuer haue had strength nor nuyssaunce for to haue vaynquysshed me, for so it was sayde by the head of brasse that my sister Clerymonde hathe in her cham bre. By my fayth sayd the duke of Acquitain wel may ye be byleued, for he hath wel shewed againste you the grete prowesse and hardynes that is in hym. And syth that it is so that I knowe the greate valyauntnes that is in hym, I wil bere him honour and reuerence with all my puyssaunce. In sayinge these worddes the duke of Acquitaine with all his court and the grene knighte that Orson ledde prysoner bene entred into the towne, and mounted vp into the palays. And whan they we­re within the duke maunded his doughter, & after said to her. My doughter se here the grene knight the whi­che for to conquere your body and haue your loue hath longe time kept the most part of my londe in his sub­geccyon. And how wel that he is not of our byleue. yet fortune was too me contrarye and aboue my wyll may­stresse in such manner that stronge and longe abyding too haue soucoure of some other badye, hadde constray­ned my hear [...]e to accorde vnto suche thynges / but god y^t is true Iudge hathe wylled remedye this dede, in suche a maner that of myne enemye I am auenged and comen to the aboue by this same knyght that Ualentyne hath brought vnto you by the lycence of kynge Pepyn for to [Page] socour your body. Now may you knowe that aboue all other he is hardy and valyaunt. And I byleue that god hathe transmysed hym for to conquere you. Wherfore my doughter & myn onely hope in whome remayneth all my Ioye and comforte of my lyfe, auyse and haue aspecte and consyderacyon vpon this case, for it is my wyl that you sholde haue hym vnto husbande, yf your consentynge and wyl were accordynge vnto myne, for none ought to constrayne a body to take one in maria­ge agaynst theyr wyll. ¶ My redoubted lorde sayd the noble mayden that was ryght wel endoctryned & pur­uayed of answer. You knowe that you are my fader, & I am your doughter, it is no reason and ryght that I that am after god & nature subgecte vnto you doo ony thynge after my wyll, but am redy and preste for to do all your pleasure and yf I wolde do other wyse I shol­de not shewe that I were your naturall doughter, for you knowe wel that you haue promysed for to gyue me in maryage vnto hym that by force of armes myghte conquere the grene knyght. Now is he comen by who­me the thynge is accomplysshed thorowe oute. And the whiche hathe accomplysshed & perfourmed the tenour of your crye, and denouncynge that you haue made and publysshed thorugh euery crysten reg [...]on, soo it is well reason that I take hym, and that vnto hym I be gyuen And yf in ony wyse I wolde not take hym, I wolde cause your entencyon to be aduychyled, whiche for euer sholde be reproche vnto me. Doughter sayd the duke of Acquytayne ye haue spoked [...] the hyghlye, and your answer pleaseth me ryght well, and all them that be he represente to my demynge. Now muste it be knowen of the knyght yf y^t he wyll take you vnto wyfe & spouse [Page] and yf he be contente. I shal gyue him with the maria ge of you half Acquytayne. There was presente valē ­tyne that by sygnes demaūded Orson his wyl and in­tente. And he made hym sygne that he wolde neuer ha­ue other than the Fayre Fezonne, thus were these two partyes of accorde, of the whiche thynge they that knewe it were ryght Ioyous. The duke Sauary made to come a bysshoppe for to handfeste Orson and the faire lady Fezonne, and to make them promesse that the one sholde take the other for loyal spouse the terme of theyr ly [...]es. At that presente tyme there was none other thi­ge made hytwene them vnto the daye of the spousayl­les. And it nedeth not to aske yf the Ioye and myrthe was grete thorughe the cyte of Acquytaine bothe of li­tell and grete, and the grete nombre of dysportes and playes that there was made, for the rehersynge wolde be to longe. But how well that Orson had sworne and made promyse to take the fayre Fezōne, yet shall he not wedde her, nor neuer lye by hersydes tyll y^e by the wyll of god he shall speke good language. And that Ualen­tyne had conquered the fayre Clerymonds, of the whi­che thynges I wyll make mencyon here after as well as I maye.

¶ How on the nyght that Orson was made sure to the fayre Fezonne, the aungell of god appered vnto valen­tyne. And of the commaundement that he gaue hym. Capitulo. xxiiii

[Page]

AFter that Orson hadde handfeste the fayre Fezonne, on that same daye was made gre­te solace thorughe all the countree aboute, for all the lordes of the longe were gladde of that assemble. In ioye and solace passed that daye tyll the nyght came that it was tyme to go to reste. The duke of Acquytayne dyde withdrawe hym in to his chambre for to rest hym. And euery body wente in to theyr chambres as they were ordeyned. Ualen­tyne and Orson wente in to a fayre chambre that was apparaylled of them, & wente to reste in o ryche bedde bothe Orson and he for that nyght. And whan it came towarde mydnyght by the wyll of god almyghty a aū ­gell appered vnto Ualentyne and sayd to hym. Ualen­tyne knowe that god sendeth the worde by me that to morowe in the mornynge thou departe out of this lōd [Page] and bede with the Orson by whome the grene knyghte hathe ben cōquered. And without soiournynge or dela­ye go vnto the castell of Ferragus, and there thou shalt fynde the fayre lady Clery [...]onde by whome thou shall knowe of what lynnage thou art extraught, & of what fader, thou was engendred, and of what moder thou was borne and chylded. And this I commaunde the in y^e name of god that or euer thy felowe wedde the fayre fe­zonne thou perfourme this vyage. Of this vysyon va­lentyne was in grete thought, and in grete melancoly, and so passed the nyght vnto the tyme that it was clere daye without takynge ony reste. And whan y^e day was comen he made Orson foryse, and wente into the pla­lays where as the grene knyght was with y^e other ba­rons and knyghtes abydynge the good duke Sauary, So it was not longe after that the duke entred in to y^e halle. And also soone as he was entred y^e grene knyght toke the wordes in saluynge hym with all due reueren­ce and sayd to hym. Free duke it is true and certayne y^t within the terme assygned bytwene vs two I haue ben vaynquysshed, for the whiche thynge I haue none oc­casyon nor ryghte to aske youre doughter ony thynge, but at this houre I quyte her, and wyll leue your lan­de in reste and peas as I haue promysed in acquytaine of myn othe. And I praye you that ye make me haue the sacrament of baptym, to the ende that I maye be to god more agreable. Knyght sayd the duke wel haue you spoken, and to your requeste wyl I obeye in euery thynge for at this presente houre you shal be baptized The noble duke cōmaūded y^t they sholde make a preest to come and baptyze the grene knyghte. Whan it came that he was at the fonte for to receyue baptim. Ualen­tyne [Page] that was there presente spake before them all and sayd in this maner. Lordes the whiche be here assem­bled yf it please the valyaunt duke for to gyue me a gifte, that is that I praye hym that this same knyght be named Pepyn, for it is the propre name of the noble & valyaunt kynge of Fraunce that hathe nourysshed me ryght swetely, and that aboue all prynces is the moost puyssaunt and hardy, for the whiche I desyre that this knyght maye bere the name. To the demaunde of Ua­lentyne dyde consente & accorde al they that were there presente. And at the requeste of Ualentyne he was cal­led Pepyn, the whiche name he bare frome that houre vnto the laste ende of his dayes. And after that he was baptyzed the duke of Acquytayne made Ualentyne and Orson come for to wedde his doughter the fayre Fezō ­ne. But valentyne sayd to hym in maner of excusacion that bothe he and Orson had vowed and promysed for to go vnto Iherusalem afore they dyde ony other thinge, after that they hadde conquered the grene knyght. And vnder the vmbre of this excusacyon the duke ga­ue them leue by this condycon that Orson sholde swe­re and promyse for to retorne in to Acquytayne after y^t he sholde haue accomplyshed and perfourmed his vya­ge, and that also soone as he sholde be retorned that he sholde take his doughter Fezonne vnto wyfe. And va­lentyne and Orson swore that they sholde do so, & thā he vttred it them Ioyously. And the grene knyght at y^• same houre toke leue of the duke of Acquytayne for to go in to Fraunce to the kynge Pepyn and yelde him in acquytayne of his promyse. And valentyne before his departynge asked him y^e rynge y^t he had promysed him & he gaue it hi saynge. Who y^t bereth it on hi maye not [Page] be drowned, nor by salse Iugement condampned. Ua­lentyn toke the rynge & put it on his fynger. And than Orson and he toke leue for to acheue theyr vyage. And the grene knyght toke leue for to go in to Fraunce. So departed the thre knyghtes out of Acquytayne and to­ke theyr wayes towarde theyr Iourneys. Ualentyne and Orson mounted vpō the see, and with strength of saylles anone they hadde gone a grete waye, for the see was peasyble and the wynde agreable. They demaū ­ded the maryners the waye for to drawe towarde the castell of Ferragus the gyaunt. And the maryuers she­wed them, for they knewe it well bycause y^t for to passe that passage it was of custome for to paye a trybute. Now is valentyne and Orson vpon the see that desy­reth strongly for to fynde the castell of Ferragus. And the grene knyght rydeth thorughte the countree towarde the realme of Fraunce for to yelde him vnto the kny­ge. But or y^t he arryued before the kynge Pepyn Blan­dymayn the squyer of the Empresse Bellyssant of who me I haue made mencyon before, that was mette by Ualentyne in the habyte of a pylgrym, salued the good kynge Pepyn in grete honoure & reuerence. And whan y^t kynge Pepyn sawe him in suche habyte, & with so story sshed a berde, hedemaunded hym yf he came from the holy sepulcre or of what vyage he was pylgrym. Free kynge sayd Blandymayn a pylgrym am I not, but for to encheue more surely myn enterpryse I haue put my selfe in the habyte of a pylgrym. And knowe that I am messenger of a hyghe and puyssaunt lady that by trea­son hathe bendeiecte from her countree, and put pyte­ously in exyle. Alas syr the lady that I speke to you of is your syster, that is to wyte Bellyssant the free lady, [Page] the whiche hath bene chaced shamefully awaye by the Emperoure Alexander, and lyueth in great pouerte & calamyte for defaulte of succoure. well haue you your harte harde when that for her deliueraunce ye will not employe you none other wyse.

¶ Howe kyng Pepyn hadde knowledge that valenti­ne and Orson were his neuewes by Blandimayn and the grene knight that came and yelded him to the king as he had promysed valentyne. Cap. xxv.

WHen kyng Pepyn hearde speake of his Syster, he began for to syghe hartely, and asked hym where she was. Syr sayde Blandymayn, I know the [Page] truthe but I haue promysed her that I shall no body ensygne to the place where she is. But and ye be in doubte of her loyalte. I shal bring you a man that wil fyght for her quarell. Alas sayd the kyng I haue seene probacion ynough of her loyalte by the false Archebys­shop that the marchaunce ouercame. I haue made her to be sought long tyme, but I can haue no tydynges of her in no maner. And that whiche greueth my harte moste, is that my syster Bellyssant was great with childe whē she was expulsed from the Emperour. And I wote not what chylde she hath borne, nor also howe she escaped that great daunger, for I knowe well that she hath not had suche helpe at her nede as vnto her apperteyned. Syr said Blandimayn for to speake of this matter. knowe that my lady Bellyssant your syster, felte the paynes of chylding in the forest of Orleaunce. And when the euyll had taken her, she sente me vnto a vyllage there besyde, for to fetche her a woman for to helpe and sucoure her. Then I made the moste dyligen­ce that was possible for me, but or euer I was retour­ned the noble lady had delyuered two fayre sonnes, of the whiche a wylde beere muche furiously bare away one of the children into the wodde, in suche maner that the Empresse Bellyssant after her power wende for to haue saued and sucouredit, but she wiste not where it became, she had folowed so long that I founde her ly­ing vpon the grasse in a swowne piteously aourned, the whiche semed better dead then on lyue. I tooke her vp betwene myne armes and comforted her as wel as I myght. And when she was come to herselfe and that she myght speake in syghyng muche pyteously she re­counted vnto me the maner howe she had lost her childe [Page] by the wylde beaste, and howe she had lefte the other vnder a tree. And when I vnderstode those wordes I ledde her vnto the tree whereas I had left her, and there doubled her sorowe, for she founde not the other chylde that she had lefte there. And thus were the two children of your syster loste in the foreste. And other tydynges knowe I not. And if you doubte you of this thynge for to haue the more greater knowledge knowe syr that I am Blandymayn that was geuen all alone for to con­duyte your syster Bellissant, when she was sent in exi­le by the Emperoure Alexander. Alas Blandymayn sayde the kinge youre woordes geueth me distresse and displeasaunce when that I maye not knowe the place where as my Syster is, nor of her twoo chyldren haue certayne knowledge, but sythe that I can knowe none other thynge tell me if that it be long ago sythe that she was delyuered within the forest of the twoo chyldren. Syr sayd Blandymayn it was vpon the propre daye that you mette me in the forest of Orleaunce, and that I tolde you the pyteous tydynges of the exyle and vy­tuperable blame of my lady Bellyssant your syster. As the kyng Pepyn vnderstode these wordes of Blandy­mayn, he was ryght pensyfe in his courage. And euen so as he was in that thought he be thought hym of Ualentyne that he founde in the forest that same daie, and on Orson that had bene conquered by him in that same wodde. For this thing he was in great melancoly. And when he had al considered he knew by the sayinges of Blandimain that they were sonnes of his syster Bel­lissant. He sent for the quene Berth his wife & dyuerse other lordes and ladyes of his courte for to tell and de­clare it theim. Alas lordes sayd he I haue holden and [Page] nouryshed longe tyme in my house as poore chyldren and vnpu [...]uayed, they that be sonnes to an Emperour and an Empresse, and my propre neuewes, that is vnlentine that I founde in the forest of Orleaunce, that was by my syster Bellyssant in the tyme of her misfor tune chylded within the wodde. And I let you to wyte that Orson the sauage that hath ben conquered by va­lentyne as I may vnderstand is his propre brother na­turall, and they both are sonnes vnto the Emperoure of Grece. ¶ Of these tidinges was the quene Berthe muche ioyous, and all the lordes barons and knightes of the court. There was present the two enemies mor tal of Ualentine, that is to wyte Haufray and Henty, that with semblaunt made tyght ioyous chere, but at their hartes and courages they were tryste and sorow­ful. For aboue al thi [...]ges they desyred the death of the noble Ualentyne, for and to the ende that with Char­lemayn their lytell brother they might do their wil dis­ordinate, to whome they were muche contrary as you shall heare afterwarde recounted. Now was Blandy main right sore abashed when he harde the kyng speke thus of the dedes of the twoo chyldren, and demaun­ded hym. Syr know you in what lande these two chil­dren may be founde that you make mencion of. Frende sayd the kyng I haue nouryshed one in my house right longe, in suche maner that he is become great haroye and stronge, and hath conquered the other that lyued in the forest of Orleaunce as a beaste, and dyd [...]e greate dammage in the countrey aboute. And after that he had conquered hym, and that they hadde bene longe in my courte, they departed from me, and toke leue of me for to go in to Acquytayne to fyght with a hardy and a [Page] valyaunt champyon that the grene knight maketh hī to be called. And syth theyr departynge I myght neuer haue tydynges of them. Syr sayd Blandymayn after that the whyche you tell me I let you wyte that I mette the two chyldren besyde the cyte of Acquytayne, wher­fore I am ryght dyspleasaunt that I myght not know them, for of all my dolours I sholde haue had than alegement. Of this mater they deuysed longe tyme. And after these thynges the king commaunded that Blandymayn shuld be fested and serued honourablye in all thyngs that was necessary for hym. Than was Blā dymayn taken by the officers of the palays and was ledde amonge the barons and knyghtes of hys courte, the whiche receiued him in grete honoure and reuerēce in festynge hym. Nowe it happened that on that same daye the grene knyghte that I haue made mencyon of before arryued at the courte of kinge Pepin that was at Parys. And soone as he was dyscended he went into the halle ryall, in the whyche kynge Pepyn was with his batous & knyghts muche notable. He salued the king right reuerentlye. And whan the kinge sawe hym armed wyth gre [...]e armour he meruaylled muche and demaunded hym before all his barons & knights. Tell vs whome you are and also what is the cause of your commynge hether and wherefore you [...]ere suche greue armoure. Noble and honourable kyng sayde the grene knyght knowe that I am extraught out of sarazyns londe, and borne, and of a fader sarazyn I am en­gendred, and of a moder painime I haue bene childed, So it is true that for to haue to wife the doughter of y^e duke of Acquitaine named Fezonne I haue by a whole yere holden the londe of the duke in my subgeccyon. [Page] And haue doone so muche that at the laste I dyd gyue hym syx monethes of trewes, by such a couenant that yt he gaue me not a knyght that by force of armes my­ghte conquere me duryng that same tyme that I shold haue his Doughter Fezonne vnto wyfe. And in case that I were conquered and vainquisshed I shold ma­ke myne host to departe out of his countree wythoute [...]armynge or hurtynge it. Now I haue ben ryght lon­ge before the cyte of Acquitaine in abidinge euery day batayll, so there came to me many valyaunt knightes of dyuers countrees and regeons, the whiche I haue put al to death and hanged on a trē ▪ saue alonely two worthy knyghtes wherof the one is named Ualentine and the other Orson, that same Ualentine fought wit me the space of a hole day, and we dyd so many feates of armes bytwene vs twayne that the nyght constray ned vs to leue and depart as wery and trauaylled.

And whan it came on thee moro we that thee battayle sholde haue begonne agayne bytwene vs twayne, his felowe Orson armed with his propreharneis, entred in to the felde for to fight with me, wening to me that it had ben Ualentine. And whan that same Orsō was entred into the fielde muche fierslye he made me sygne of dyffyaunce. Than I lepte out agaynst hym, but lit­tell auailed my strengthe, for I abode not longe or that I was vainquished by hym. And he woulde haue ta­ken my lyfe from me yf Ualentyne had not come ren­nynge vnto vs, whyche made meswere to receiue bap [...]ym and byleue in Ihesu Christ, and to submit my life entirely vnto your commaundement and ordenaunce. And therfore in acquitinge my faythe and promyse by the knyghte Ualentine I am comen to yealde me vnto [Page] you, as to hym that may do with me your plesure, and to whom after God apperteyneth to approch my dethe or to prolong my lyfe. Not for that my redoubted lord I yelde me before your maiestye ryal in demaundynge and trustynge to haue grace for the honoure of that sa­me god that I haue taken the byleue of, for know that I am crystened and byleue in Ihesu Christe, and frome hens forthe wyl obserue it wyth true mind. And whan I was baptysed at the holy font stoone, in the honoure of your hygh and puy ssaunte name I was called Pe­pyn, and Pepyn I am called▪ whan the kynge vnder­stode the wordes of the grene knyght he answered him swetely before all the barons and knyghtes sayenge. Welcome be you vnto vs. for of youre comynge we be tyghte Ioyous more than of onye other thynge. Make good chere for the loue of hym that sente you to vs, for I assure you of your lyfe. And yet I tell you before all that within short tyme I shal gyue you in my realme grete londes & possessyons if that it plese you to abyde in my seruice. But tell vs where the two knyghtes is that hathe conquered you. Syr said the grene knyghte I lefte them in the cyte of Acquytayne with the duke Sauary the whiche holdeth them more deater then all the other of hys court. By the tidinges of Blandima­yn and by the grene knighte kinge Pepin hadde tidin­ges of his sister and of his two neue wes▪ the which she chileded in the foreste of Orleaunce. Wherefore he promised God that he shuld go into grece for to tell them­peroure this tidinges, and for to make his sister to bee sought in such maner that she myght be found in some place, for aboue all creatures hee desyred ryghte ar­dantly to se his sister Bellissant that was sogracious▪ [Page] when he bethought hym on the great iniury that had bene doue vnto her, he wepte ful bitterly with both his [...]yen, and was ryght sorowfull at his harte.

¶ How the good kyng Pepyn departed out of Fraū ­ce for to go to wa [...]de the Emperoure of Grece to beare him tidinges of his sister Bell [...]ssāt. And how afore his retorning he made warre to the Soudan that had be­syeged Constantinoble. Cap. xxvi.

[Page] IN that same tyme that kyng Pepyn had ry­dynges of his syster Bellyssant, he made re­dy his hoost without delay and departed frō Parys for to go to Constantinoble towarde the Emperoure of Grece for to beare hym tydynges of his syster Bellyssant as you haue heard. The kynge made suche diligence that within short time he arriued at Rome. There he was receyued of the Pope with great honoure, for of the christē fayth he was the chief defendoure. He dyned that daye with the pope in his palays apostolyke the which tolde him tydinges of the Soudan that had besyeged the cytie of Constantyno­ble. And thus as they spake and deuysed of that matter there arryued a knyght of Grece the whiche after that he had salued the pope and the kynge and all the assi­sta [...]ntes in muche great reuerence he sayd to him. Ho­ly father that arte god in earth know that the sarazins with great puissaunce and strengthe of armes haue as­sieged and put in subiection the lande and countrey of Consta [...]tinoble. So the Emperoure of Grece sendeth you worde by me that for to kepe the christen fayth soo as you ought to do ye sende hym sucoure thether, or els you shalbe cause to let the countrey be lost, & the christē fayth to diminishe, for without your helpe and sucour at this nede there is no remedy. when the pope vnder­stoode these tydynges, he was muche displeasaunt but the kyng Pepyn that was there present, comforted him greately sayenge to hym. Holy father take in you cou­tage and comforte for if you wyl geue me your folkes Romayne [...]utyll a nombre sufficient I shal conduite them and leade them towarde Constantinoble wyth myne hoost, and I shall do so muche by the helpe of god [Page] for the susten [...]cyon of the Christen faythe, that the Soudane and hys armye I shall put too vytuperable confusyon for of none other thing I haue not so gret desyre as to sus [...]ein the christen faithe againste the pay­nims. whan the pope heard the kyng Pepyn speke so and knewe his courage he thanked him with all his hert, and sayd to him. Fre king right thristen of god be thou blyssed, for of al other kynges thou arte the most puyssaunt in wordde and dede, and syth that you wyll vndertake such a thinge, I shall make so greate nom­bre of Romayns come hether for to accompany you, y^t you maye surely arryue in grece against the infydeles and enemyes of the fayth. The pope in that same time of al the londe Romayne assembled so great a nombre of folke that it was meruayll, & made to ctye the croy­see, that is to knowe that all that wolde go in that ba­tayll in the honoure of the passyon of Jhesu christ, and were a crosse takynge of the pope his blessinge, shuld haue pardon of al their sinnes. In the cyte of Rome w^t in a lyttell tyme assembled greate multitude of people, for to go ouer the see with the king Pepin. And the po­pe at their departing gaue them his blessinge, and ab­solucion of al their sinnes. Thus the king Pepin toke leue of the pope and of the cardinalles in recommaundinge him vnto the Praiers of holy chyrche. And wyth thirty thousande Romaines beside his owne hooste he mounted vpon the sea. And so muche the time was a­greable vnto him that with in fewe daies he came and ariued at Constantinoble. And there he sawe that the soudan Moradyn hadde besyeged it on al sydes. And this soudan had brought with him. xx. knigs the whi­the for to distroy christen dome with two hundred thou [Page] sande paynyms had passed the sea. And so muche was this soudan fered and redoubted for his puyssaune, y^t the Emperoure of Grece with dyuers other christians accompanied hadde withdrawen hym into Constanti­noble, and so well he kepte the cytie that it myghte not be taken of the paynym. Alwayes in his courage he be­waylled his wyfe Bellyssant, and he bethought of the shame that he hadde delyuered her to without cause, & thought well within his sorowful harte that she was decessed out of this worlde for it was twenty yere past syth he harde any tydinges of her, but anone he shall heresome by kyng Pepyn that toweth so much vpon y^e sea that within two myle of Constantynoble he is arriued and descended. And made his tentes and pauilions to be pyght vp in the fielde, and made his foolke to be put in right faire ordinaunce. Then was the cutrouts and tyders of the soudan. Moradyn muche agast, that in great diligence retourned towarde his pauilion and said to hym as men afrayed and full of fere. Sir sou­dan be ryght certayne that to daye there is arriued vpō this grounde mo then two hundred thousand Romay­nes all armed for to put vs vnto confusion. wherfore auyse you vpon this matter, for the thyngis doubtfull and peryllous. Holde your peace sayd the Soudan & of them haue no drede, for it is not possyble that out of the Empyre of Rome there be descended so many folke we be puyssaunt ynough for to abyde then in batayll renged. For I haue hope that within short time I shall put in my subiection both Rome and Fraunce. ¶ He cōmaunded the capitaines to put his hoost in point for to receyue them. when the morowe was come, the king made ready his hoost for to assayle the paynims fiersly [Page] Than kinge Pepyn sent a lettre secretely into the cyty to the Emperoure whythe specified to him his com­ming for to socourhym. And that he shold make al his men be armed through the cite in al diligence, and that they sholde yssue out vpon the painims and sarazyns for at that day they shuld be socoured by the Romaines and Frenshmen. The Emperoure was much Joious of the comming of king Pepin, and after the tenour of the letter made his hooste too be assembled and armed and after yssued oute of the cyte of Constantynoble for to go agaynst the paynyms and sarazyns that aboode batayll. And also sone as they were in the felde they apperceyued the standardes and banners of the hooste of kynge Pepin that came thederwarde wyth so greate nombre of trumpettes and clarons making noisethat it was meruayll. Well sawe the Painimes that there came against thē gret puyssaūce of men. The Sowdan called two Sarasins of the most hardiest and commaū ded them that they shuld goo secretelye and nombre the host of the christiens that came against them. And that whan they shuld haue done so that they sholde retorne to hym again and tel him. The two sarasins that was named Claryan and Uaudu moūted on horsbacke and [...]ode towarde the hooste of the noble kyng Pepin. But they had not riden longe whan that the grene knighte espied them vpon a litell mountaine. And incontinente as he had apperceiued them hee knewe well that they were sarazins. Then he smote his hors with the sportes and al alone [...]ode towarde them with his spere on his thighe like a hardy knight. And whan the two sa­razins saw him approch to them bicause that he was all alone they had shame for to flefor him, and said by [Page] Mahoune it shalbe great shame to vs if this christian escape from vs twayne.

¶ Howe the grene knyght Justed against two Sara­zins and howe he slewe the one and the other fledde, & howe kyng Pepyn with his hoost was enclosed with­in Constantinoble. Cap. xxvii.

WHen the two sarazing had said so their an against the grene knyght, and he hit one of them so that he neuer arose, & the other fled sore wounded. Well sawe kyng Pe­pyn that valiaunt dede. Then he made to assayll the Soudan Moradyns hoost. And there Myl­lon dangler slewe the kyng of Acquyle at one strooke, and thre more or euer he rested. And he dyd so great de­des [Page] of of armes that the soudan Moradin apperceiued him, so he cried [...] highe to his folke that they shoulde assaile Myllon Dangler that made so greate slaughter of sarazins. At the commaundement of the Soudan Millon dangler was assayled on all sydes by the pay­nyms & sarazyns. And he was put in suche subiection that they cut of one of his horses thyes, by the which he was constrayned to fall vnto the earth, & at that tyme had bene taken or slayne if the grene knight hadde not bene that maugte the sarazins put himselfe ī the prese and slewe & smote down so many that he approched vnto Myllon dangler and gaue him a horse and mounted him vpon him. At that houre did the grene knyght and Myllon dangler so great dedes of armes agaynste the paynyms that it should be to great a thyng to recounte it, for all that founde themselfe before them neuer went out of that place. Great was the battayll and endured long. Kyng Pepyn and his men that daye made great slaughter of the paynims. But not withstanding their hardynes they should haue lost the fyelde if the Empe­roure of grece had not bene, that with all his hoost valyauntly accompanied assayled the paynims on the o­ther syde ryght hardely, and put great nombre to death well knewe the kyng that the Emperoure didde greate deades of armes. Then he toke force and courage, & as­sembled his men agayne▪ and entred into the battayll more ardauntly then before, & thus the paynims were assayied on both sydes. And as soone as the kyng sawe the Emperoure he sayde vnto hym. ¶ Free prince now shewe your selfe valiaunt, for to daye by me you shall haue tydynges of youre wyfe Bellyssant. At these wordes the Emperoure was ioyous and double hys [Page] courage. And cryed Constantynoble to his men, in promysyng them great gyftes if they bate them valiaunt. At these wordes he entted into the batayl with so marueilous a courage that he was to hardy that abode him And kyng Pepyn and the grene knight entred in on the other syde in smytyng vpon the paynyms so impetu­ously, that wheresoeuer they passed they made a large waye thorough the prowesse of the grene knyght. Wel wende the Soudan Moradyn to haue knowen hym that behelde his armes, for he was of a hygh lynage because that he was brother vnto Ferragus. But be­cause that he knewe that the grene knyght was a paynim he would neuer haue thought that he had bene co­me on that syde. Nowe was the paynyms and Saraszyns at that houre put in such necessite that they wende neuer to haue escaped death, and toke the flyght. And then the kyng of S [...]auayne that had the soudans re­garde accompanied with fifty thousand fighting men yssued out on the christen men in makyng soo greate a shoute that it semed that all should founde. And when the Emperour and the kyng Pepyn knew o [...] their co­myng, they saweand considered that their men were trauayled, and the men of the kyng of Scl [...]uonye freshe, wherfore it was delivered amonges them not to aby­de them. And after the counsayll taken, they made too sowne trompettes and clarons for to withdrawe thē in to Constantinoble. When the Soudan sawe that the christen men were entred, he made too assyege the cytie ryght nece. And there was soo great nombre of paynyms about the cytie vpon euery syde that the em­peroure and the kyng▪ Pepyn myght not yssue out of it. ¶ Thus they abode long tyme in the subiection of [Page] their enemies that kepte them streyghte in desiring of their death▪ and purchasyng the dostruccion of the chri­sten faith So I shall leue you to speake of this matter and will tell you of valentine and Orson that for the loue of Cleremonde bene entred in to the sea, as ye ha­ue heard before.

¶ Howe Ualentyne and Orson arryued at the strong castell, where as the fayre Clerymonde was, and how by the head of brasse they had knowledge of their gene­racion, and howe Ualentyne iusted with the Seneshal of the castell for the entre and slewe hym. Cap. xxviii.

AFter that valentine and Orson hadde long tyme abyden vpon the hye Sea, they aduy­sed an yle in the whiche was a castell right stronge and puyssaunte, and full of greate beautie, that same Castell was all couered [Page] with laten right clere and shynynge, and for the greate beaute of it Ualentine thought wel within him selfe y^t it was that there as the greane knyghte had sente hym to for to fynde his syster Clerymonde. He wente anone thederwarde and dyscended at one of the portes of the Ile. And whan he was dyscended he enquyred and de­maunded who ought that castell that was so faire and so ryche. And it was answered hym that the castel was in the kepynge of tho fayre Clerymonde syster vnto the gyaunte Ferragus, and that by a ryche sarazyn it was ed [...]fyed, the which Sarazyn amonge all the other excel­lent thynges that are in that castell, made to make and compose a chambre ryghte fayre and ryche, of the why­che chambre the rychesses shall be declared to you after­warde. And more ouer it was sayde vnto Ualentyne that within that same chambre there was a moche rych Pyller and excellente, vppon the whiche was a heade of brasse that of olde antiquite had bene composed muche subtyllye by Nygromancye of a Face, the whyche head was of suche nature that it gaue answer of al thynges that was asked it. And whan Ualentine vnderstoode the declar [...]cyon of the Castell, he was ryghte Ioyous in his heart, for he thought wel that it was the place y^t the grene knyghte had tolde hym that he shoulde fynde hys syster in, that was so gretely commended aboue all other of lytel and grete for her great beaute. He demaū ­ded no ferder for the for that presente time, but put hym vppon the waye wyth Orson for to goo into that same castel and so muche they haue gone that they are comen before the gate for to entre in, but they did fynde. x. kny­ghtes stronge and hardye there that dyd keepe the gate nyght and daye. And whan they sawe Ualentyne and [Page] Orson that wolde haue entred in they sayd to theym. Lordes with drawe you abacke, for within this castell entreth no body be he neuer of so hyghe a lygnage without the leue and lycence of a mayden to whome y^• gar­de appertayneth, the whiche aboue all them of y^e world is garnysshed with beaute. Frende sayd Ualentyne go towarde the mayden and demaūde her yf it be her plea­sure to gyue me entre in to her castel. Than the porter mounted vpon hye, & entred in to the chambre where as the fayre Clerymonde was. After he set his knee on the grounde and sayd to her. Lady before the gate of your castell in two men that wolde entre, and they se­me men of ryght fyers courage and full of grete pryde and it semeth by theyr maners that they are men of e­uyll courare & dede, and contrary to oure lawe. Nowe tell your wyl and answere to the gardes of the gate y^t hathe sente me towarde you, yf it please you that they shall entre or not. Frende sayd the mayden dyscende a­downe, and I wyll goo vnto a wyndome for to wytte what men they be, and make the gates for to be kepte well, for I wyll speke to them▪ The porter wente dow­ne and sayd to his felowes that the gate sholde be well kepte, tyl that the lady were at the wyndowe so [...]o gy­ue them theyr answere. Than Clerymonde that was well taught lened vpō a quysshynge of golde a [...] wyn­dowe and sayd vnto Ualentyne. What are you that by so grete hardynes wyll entre in to my cas [...]ol withoute demaundynge lycence. Lady sayd Ualentyne that spa­ke hardyly. I am a knyght that passeth my waye, So I wolde gladly speke vnto the heed of brasse yf it plea­sed you▪ that gyueth answer vnto euery body. Knyght sayd the lady so maye ye not speke therto▪ but yf y^t you [Page] brynge mee certayne sygnes from one of my bretheren / that is from the kynge▪ Ferragus▪ or from the grene knight that of Tartarye hathe the lordshyp and [...]o [...]ynaci on. And yf that you brynge me from onye of them bothe tokenne or certificacion I shal lette you entre into the castel at your owne pleasure and wyll. And know that by none other manner ye maye entre into this castel sa­ue alonely by one point that I shal tel you, that is that you take leue of the Seneshall of thys place the which I shal gyue you by suche a condicion that before or you entre you shall Just with him fiue or syxe strokes wyth a spere. Wherefore auyse you whether you loue better to goo fetche me certayne sygnes of one of my brederen, or doo as I haue tolde you. Ladye sayde Ualentyne make doo come your Seneshal, for I haue leauer fyght aga­ynste hym and wynne and deserue to entre into your ca­stell, than I goo by prayers, requestes and flaterynges. Thus spake Ualentine vnto the fayre Clerimond that had hys courage so valyaunt and hardy / not withston­dyng that he brought from the Grene Knyght certain signes by the ring of golde, that he loued better for too Iuste for to proue his bodye than for to shewe the rynge the which he should present vnto the fayre Clerimonde. And whan the Lady sawe the wyll and hardye courage wherwith he was repleate, from that same houre shee was espyred and taken wyth hys loue ryght ardauntly at the hart. Thanne in contynente she mounted in too the chambre where as the head of brasse was and sayd vnto it, what is that knight that hath so gre [...]e coura­ge for to enter in to thys castell. Lady sayd the head / Of the knyght nor of hys estate shall you k [...]ow nothynge. vntyll the tyme that you haue brought hym before me [Page] for that answer was the fayre Clerymond for the loue of Ualentyne in grete thoughte.

¶ How as Ualentyne was before the castell speakynge to the gardes Clerymonde made her complaynte all a­lone of Ualentyne, and howe he Justed for the entre of the castell and wanne it. Ca. xxix.

WHen she had consydered by her self y^e mai­tene and the fayre speche and hardynes of Ualentyne she was enbraced with his loue more thā of ony other that euer she had sene and sayd Ueray God what maye be befor aboue al lyuynge he is worthy to be loued, for he [...]i pleasaunt & streyght▪ and of beaute corporall passing [Page] all other, and yf the heed of brasse do after my wyll. I shall neuer take other than hym. whan the fayre cle­rymonde had sayd al these thynges and thought in her courage, she sente for the Seneshall and tolde hym the tydynges of the knyght that wolde entre into y^e castel By my god sayd the Seneshall he dothe procurea gre­te folye, for he shall not entre without prouynge of his body agaynst myne. And yf he be soo hardy for to take batayll agaynst me I shall shewe him clerely before al y^t for to haue your loue he is comen to late. Seneshall sayd the lady, sythe that ye wyll not gyue him lycence for to entre in to the castell go and arme you anone for I let you wyte that you shal haue batayll of hym, and I am in grete doubte that you shall repente you to late wherfore I counsayll you that ye put not youre body in this daunger. Lady sayd the Seneshall that was tyghte proude leue in peas suche wordes, for or euer y^t he entre his body shall abye it. At these wordes the Sene­shall departed▪ and wente to arme hym, and after moū ­ted on horsbacke. And whan he was mounted be yssued out of the gate with a grete spere in his hande well he­ded. And the lady was at the wyudowe for to beholde the batayll of the two champyons. Whan Ualentyne sawe the Seneshall come towarde hym with afyer se courage, he couched his spere and smote his hors with the sporres. Than they encountred the one the other so euen that bothe theyr speres flewe in peces. After they toke newe speres incontynnente, and met sotyersly to­gyder that bothe champyons and horses fell vnto the erthe, but anone Ualentynes hors recouered that was fyetse and stronge without settynge his mayster on the grounde. And whan the noble knyght valentyne was [Page] rysen vp he sayd vnto the Seneshall moche swetely▪ Now ryse you vp and mounte vppon your hors all [...]a [...] your ease, sor it tholde be ly [...]ell honoure vnto me yf I [...]yde fyght with you thus. The Seneshall was moche Joyous and pray see gretely the curtey sye of Ualenty­ne, so he mounted on his hors and after toke a spere, and came agaynst Ualentyne ryght impetuously, But the noble valentine that at y^t tyme coude playe well with a spere gaue hym so grete a stroke that he smote of his helme from his heed, and made hors and man fall vn­to the erthe. And whan he sawe hym selfe smyten dow­ne and in so greate daunger he sayd vnto Ualentyne.

Knyght I can not tel of whēs you are nor of what coū ­tree, but neuer the dayes of my lyfe founde I a knyght that was so valyaūt as you. I wyll yelde me vnto you and shallet you entre in to the castel at your owne pleasure the whiche is soo fayre and sumptuous on suche a condycyon that without my leue you shal not speke vn­to the fayre Clerymonde by no manere. By my faythe sayd valentyne you are full of grete folye to saye suche wordes, for specyally for the loue of her haue I passed the see, and am comen this waye, and how well that I neuer sawe her, yet am I enamoured on her more than on ony other lady. And I let you wytte y^t I shall neuer departe from hens tyll that I haue spoken with her and with y^e heed of brasse at my pleasure. Thus as Ualentyne and the Seneshall spake togyder the fayre Clerymonde that was at y^e wyndowe meruaylled, mo­che of the graciousnes of valentyne. Alas sayd she vn­to her maydens that were with her se how this Sene­shall is folys she for to fyght with so valyaunt a knyght whiche myght haue slayne hym longe ago yf his gen­tylnes [Page] had not refrayned hym. Daughters by the god almyghty I meruayle me moche what he may be that hathe so greate desyre for to entre in to my stronge and puyssaunt castell. In ryght grete thought was the no­ble lady Clerymonde, and sayd that she wolde haue o­nes that knyghte for her loue. For euer the more that she sawe hym the more was her loue fured vpon hym▪ Whan valentyn sawe the grete pryde of the Seneshal and his grete ouerweninge he smote his hors with the sporres and gaue hym so grete a stroke in the myddes of his body that he smote hym through the lyuer & the longes and felled hym downe deed to the erthe, wher­of the gracious lady Clerymonde was ryght Joyous Than she cōmaunded the porters for to open the gates & that Ualentyne sholde be brought vnto her in to her halle prepayred. The porters dyde the commaundement of the lady Clerymonde, and ledde towarde her the no­ble valentyne and Orson his broder. And whan the ex­cellente lady Clerymonde sawe Ualentyne she wente agaynst hym & sayd to hym. Knyght well be ye comen for I sawe neuer so valyaunt nor so hardy a knyght en­tre in to my castell; well shewe you by your dedes that you are extraught oute of a gentyll bloode Lady sayde Ualentyne knowe that by my propre name I am cal­led Ualentyne and am a poore aduenturer that of my generacyon and lygnage had neuer knowlege and yet I sawe, neuer the fader by whome I was engendred nor the moder that bare me, nor also dyde my felowe y^t you se here, for he was nourysshed in a forest lyke a wilde beest, where as I conquered him with y^e swerde mo­che valyauntly. And knowe for a certaynte that he ne­uer spake noo more than you se him doo at this tyme, [Page] Now haue I gone so moche for to haue knowledge of my frendes that I haue passed y^e see for to come hether for the loue of your grete beaute.

¶ How valentyne shewed the rynge vnto Clerymon­de that her broder the grene knyght haddde gyuen him and how he spake vnto the head of brasse, whiche tolde hym all his generacyon. Capitulo. xxx

[Page] IN sayinge those wordes Ualentyne drew out the rynge that the grene knyghte hadde gyuen hym, and in smylynge gaue it vnto the fayre Clerymonde, the whiche incontynent knewe it well. And thanne she sayde vnto Ualentine. Knyghte fayre syr yf you hadde shewed me that rynge whan you arryued before my Gates, wythoute abydynge onye Iustes or putting your bodye in daunger, at that same houre you shoulde haue entred into my castell wythout contradiccion. But you haue shewed the greate noble­nes that is in you, whan that by your hardynes you haue loued better to enter in to mi castel and come toward me than to seke onye other meanes. Soone after that Ualentyne and the fayre Clerimonde had spoken thus togyder the tables were spredde and the Mayden sette. And Ualentine was set before her that toke none other solace nor plesure saue alonely to behold her that was set before him. Alas veray God sayd Ualentine in hys courage please it you to take my heart out of thys dolo­rous dystresse shortly, which and for the loue of thys la­dy so profoundlye wounded at the harte that neuer the daies of my life I was in such melancoly. Alas god she is so muche garnyshed wyth beaute, and so full of grete bounte, the eyen grene in laughynge stedfaste, the foreheade cleare and polyshed, and the face ruddye. And all the other membres of her body by ryght measure natu­rally composed. Now am I soo ardauntly taken wyth her loue that the death shuld be more agreable vnto me than for to fayll too perfourme and accomplysshe, this thinge. In thys manner complayned the noble knyght Ualentine for the loue of the excellent Clerymonde.

¶ And she vppon the other syde in beholdyng hym loste [Page] bothe maners and countenaunce. In this grete melan­coly the moost honestly that they might kepe their coun­tenaunces passed the knyght & the lady the dynner. And whan the tables were taken vp Clerymonde toke Ua­lentyne by the hande and sayde to hym. Frende so moche haue you doone that you haue deserued for to entre into my secrete chambre, where as you shall see the heade of brasse, the whyche of your lygnage shall tell you good and certayne tydynges. Nowe come your waye wyth me and brynge your felow with you, for I haue a grete desyre to heare the answere that shall be gyuen you by the heade of brasse. The noble knyght Ualentyne was muche Ioyous whan he hearde the amerous lady Clerimonde speke so. They yssued out of the halle and wende towarde the chambre where as the heade of brasse was rychlye aourned. And anone as they were at the doore for to haue entred in, they found on the one syde a mer­uayllous, ferefull and a stronge vyllayne ryghte greate and croked, that bare a clubbe of yron vpon his necke, the which was right heauye. The which villaine semed to be rebell and full of great outrage. And on the other syde of the dore was a lyon right great fierse & proud. These twayne were ordeyned at all ceasones for to defend and kepe that none should entre into the chambre wythoute the ladies leue, and without fightinge wyth the vyllayn and the lyon. And whan Ualentine apper­ceiued the villa [...] and the lion that dressed them against theym for to defende the dore. He demaunded the fayre Clerymonde what suche thinges signified and woulde say. Lordes sayd Clerymonde the set wayne that you se here are for to kepe the doore and there inaye none enter withoute fightynge wyth them▪ wherby dyuers beno [Page] deade without passynge ony fer [...]er. And to the regarde of the lyon he is of suche a nature that he wyl neuer doo a kings son harmnor dommage. Lady sayd Ualentine I canne not tell what shall happen, but at auenture I shal put me in the garde of God hauyng confydence to ouer come the lyon. Than he aproched him to the proud beaste and by strength of armes enbraced him about the bodye, but also soone as he smelled Ualentines cloothes and fleshe he let hym goo and was curteis and humble withoute doynge hym hurte or dommage. And Orson was on the other syde that assaylled the vyllayn and or euer he myght lyfte vp his clubbe of yron he tooke hym by the mydle so rudely that he threwe hym agaynst the walle, and than toke his clubbe from him and gaue him so great a stroke that he felled hym to the earth in suche facyon that yf it hadde not ben the fayre Clerymond he would haue slayne the villayne in the place. And thus was the vyllayne vaynquysshed & the Lyō by the two knyghtes. After the gate was opened and they entred in to the chambre that wyth all rychesse mondayn was dressed. For it was painted with fine golde and azure poudred with in with rubyes and saphyrs, and man [...] other stones, it was hanged wyth fyne clothe of golde, set with dyamondes and grete pearles. In the chambre was foure pyllers of Iasper meruaylous rich and w^t subtyll werke edefy [...] of whych the fyrst twain were yelower thanne fine goulde. The thirde more grean [...] than the grasse in May. The fourth more redder than a flam binge cole. Betwene these pillers was an amery more richer than I can deuise or say, in the whiche the head of brasse was that gaue answer to euery body set vpon a rich piller right sumptuously ao [...]r [...]ed & closed [Page] Ualentyne opened the amarye and behelde the heed in coniurynge it for to tell him the trouthe of his estate & natyuyte. Than spake the heed so hye and so clere that euery body herde it and sayd to hym. Knyght of grete renowne I tel the that thou arte named valentine the inoost hardy and valyaunt that euer syth the worlde began entred here in, & arte that same to whome the fayre Clerymonde hathe ben gyuen, and ought to be, nor ne­uer shall she haue other than you. Thou arte sone of the Emperoure of Grece and of the fayre Bellyssant syster vnto kynge Pepyn, the whiche with wronge hath ben chased out of his Em [...]yre thy moder is in Portyngale in the castell of Ferragus, y^e whiche hathe kepte her by the space of .xx. yere, the kynge Pepin is thin vncle, and this felowe that thou ledest shith the is thy propre bro­der naturall. You twayne was chylded of the gracyous Empresse Bellyssant in the forest of Orleaunce, in gre­te pyte and dolorous dystresse. And whan the empresse had put you vpon the erthe, thy felowe was borne awa­ye from her by a beer, and by her hathe ben nourysshed in the wodde without helpe or comforte of ony natural woman. And thou was founde that same daye in the forest by kynge Pepin and borne awaye, the whiche w^t out hauynge ony knowledge of the hathe swetely nou­rysshed and brought the vp, And also I the tell that thy broder that is hera presente shall neuer speke vnto the tyme that thou make a threde to be cut that he hath vn­der his tongue. And whan thou shalte haue made it to be cut he shal sp [...]ke also playnly as ony body. Now thike to do well as thou haste begonne and all good shall happen the, for syth that thou ar [...]e entred in to this chā bre my tyme is past & than it stouped downe sodaynly [Page] & neuer syth was there by it ony worde spoken. Than Ualentyne that was rauysshed for Ioye came to Or­son and in wepynge moche tenderly kyssed his mouthe And Orson on the other syde enbrased hym and called hym in castynge onte grete syghes anguysshous. Alas sayd Clerymonde to Ualentine Free curteyse knyght I oughte to be ryghte Ioyous of your comynge, for by you I am out of grete thought and melancolye, in the whiche by the space of ten yere I haue passed my tyme languysshynge in doloure, abydynge hym y^t I oughte to be gyuen to. Now you are he I se it clerely, for by no ne other the heede of brasse sholde lese the speche. And syth that it is thus that by your comynge it hathe loste the speche. I gyue me and habandone me vnto you as to my parfyte loue, and to hym that by ryghte and rea­son I ought to be vttred and gyuen. And from hensfor­the I promyse you and swere to you with herthe, body, and godes that I shal serue you loyally after my lytell puyssaunce & encheue your good pleasure. Lady sayd Ualentyne of your good wyll I thanke you hertely, it is well ryght and reason that I loue you aboue all the thynges of the worlde and holde dere, for frome before Acquytayne you were gyuen me by the grene knyght your broder, the whiche by the helpe of me & of my broder Orson was conquered and vaynquysshed, & whan it shall be your pleasure for to take the lawe and the bi­leue that the grene knyght hathe taken I am contente for to wedde you. That is for to wyte the lawe of Ihe­su chryste withoute the whiche none can haue the Ioye eternall. Syr sayd the mayden suche thynge wyll I do gladly. For with all my courage I am redy and appa­raylled to fulfyll your mynde & obeye to your commaū ­dementes [Page] more than to ony other lyuynge. On that sa­me daye was demeaned grete Ioye thorughe al the ca­stell, for they knewe well by the heede of brasse that it was he that sholde haue the fayre Clerymonde. Soo grete was the renowne of the knyght Ualentyn that al they of the countree aboute made grete Ioye, but the grete Ioye of Ualentine & the fayre Clerymonde was soone torned in to sorowe & dystresse by the false trea­son of her broder Ferragus▪ as it shal be declared vnto you here afterwarde.

¶ How by an enchauntour named Pacolet the giaunt Ferragus had tydynges of his syster and of Ualenty­ne. And of the answer that he gaue Pacolet. Ca. xxxi.

[Page] IN the castell of pleasaunce of the fayre lady Clerymonde was a dwerfe that she had nou­rysshed from his chyldhode & sette vnto the scole. That same dwerfe was called Pacolet He was full of grece wytte and vnderstondynge, the whiche at the scole of tollette had lerned so muche of the arte of Nygromancye that aboue all other he was perfyte, in suche manere that by enchauntemente he had made and composed a lytell hors of wodde, and in the heed there was artyfycyelly a pynne that was in suche wyse set, that euery tyme that he mounted vpon the horse for to goo somwhere, he torned the pynne to­warde the place that he wolde go to, and anone he foū ­de him in the place without harme or daunger, for the hors was of suche facyon that he wente thorughe the ayre more faster than ony byrde coude flee. That same Pacolet that had ben nourysshed in the castell of Clery­monde, all the daye he be helde and consydered the ma­ners and facyons of y^e noble Ualentyn. Than he thou­ghte that he wolde go in to Portyngale & recount vn­to hym the enterpryse of Ualentyne and the manere of his comynge. He wente vnto his hors of wodde & mo [...] ­ted vpon hym, after he torned the pynne towarde Por­tyngale, and incontynent the hors of wodde mounted in to the ayre & so moche he wente that that same nygh­te he arryued in Portyngale, and to the kynge Ferra­gus tolde the tydinges. whan Ferragus vnderstode the speche of Pacolet the enchauntoure he was moche an­grye and sorowfull at his herte agaynste Ualentyne y^e noble knyghte that sholde haue his syster Clerymonde and also agaynst her bicause she had gyuen her herte & her loue to a chrysten knyght for y^e whiche he was sory, [Page] And swore by his grete god that he wolde take venge­aunce on him, but before Pacolet he shewed not his fu­roure nor the wyll of his courage, for y^e man that thyn­keth treason holdeth alwayes his mouthe secrete for to come the better vnto his entencyon. Ryght so dyde Fer­ragus that sayd vnto Pacolet the enchauntour. Fren­de retourne vnto my syster Clerymonde and saye vnto y^e knyght that shall haue her in maryage y^t I am ryght gladde of his comynge, and that I shall se hym ryght shortely accompanyed with my baronage to be at his weddynge. Syr sayd Pacolet I shall do gladly youre message, and than he moūted on his hors & was there in an instaunt. And whan he was before Clerymonde he sayd vnto her. Madame I come from Portyngale, and haue sene your broder Ferragus, the whiche is ry­ghte Ioyous of the noble Ualentyne that shal be your husbande, and knowe that with in shorte tyme he wyll se you in greate tryumphe to make your maryage. Ha Pacolet sayd the lady I wo [...]e neuer what shall happen but I fere me gretely that my broder thynke not some treason, for I knowe well that he wyll neuer loue noo knyght of Fraunce, nor man that holdeth the lawe of Ihesu chryste. And on y^• other syde I am ryght dysple a­saunt that I knewe not of thy goynge, for thou sholde haue enquyred after a chysten woman that of longe ti­me hathe ben abydinge with my broder Ferragus wyfe in his castell.

¶ How Pocolet retorned in to Portyngale for to seke Bellyssant Ualentynes moder, and howe he sawe her in Ferragus castell. Capitulo. xxxii.

[Page]

LAdy sayd Pacolet I shal besone retorned a gayne, [...] to morowe before myddaye I shall brynge you tydynges. By god sayd Ualēty­ne that maye you not do without the arte of the enemye. Ualentyne sayd Clerymōdelet hym werke and do his crafte, for he is so well faughte that he wyll go more than a thousande myle on a daye whan Ualentyne knewe that Pacolet coude suche and arte he meruaylled moche. Than he called Orson and cut and toke awaye the threde that was vnder his ton­gue. And after y^e it was out he began for to speke veray ryght and pleasaūtly, and that same houre recounted vnto them all his lyfe that he haddeledde in the forest. So they were herkenynge hym the moost parte of the [Page] nyght. And on the moro we Pacolet found hym self in the halle before Ualentine and sayd to hym. Syr I co­me from Portyngale where as I haue seene your mo­der that is in good he [...]le. Frende sayd Ualentine thou arte welcome, for it is the thinge that I desyre mooste to here good tidinges of her and se her. Loue said Clerymonde take comforte to you, if my brother comme not hecher we shal go into Portyngale and se her there Ladye sayde Pacolet knowe for a certainte that your brother wyll be here shortiye, for so he dyd promyse me. Alas sayd the pleasaunce Ladye Clerymonde I am to sore a ferde in my hearte that my brother Ferragus do not some thinge whereby our ioyous enterpryse maye be tourned in to harde discomfort, for I haue drenied a dreme muche meruayilous which put [...]eth me in grete thought and fere. The night whan I shold haue taken my rest I dremed that I was in a great and a meruai­lous water profounde, in the which I should haue be drowned yf it had not bene a face that drew me out of the water. And than me thought I sawe a Gryffon ys­sue out of a cloude, the whiche with his nayles sharpe and longe tooke me and bare me soo farre that I wyste not where I was artyued. Ha my loue said Ualentine take no thoughte sor your dreame, for who that wolde byleue in dremes shoulde haue to much to suffre. It is true sayd the fayre lady Clerymonde but I can not ke­pe my selfe therfro. At these wordes the lady & Ualeu­tine entred into a fayre arbour that was garnyshed w^t al maner of floures, and therin they were a grete while talkinge of their secreate loue. Nowe it happened that the same day Ferragus the traytour arriued there and whan the lady knewe that he was comen she wente to [Page] warde hym for to welcom him. And he sayd to her mo­che swetely. My syster aboue all worldly creatures I hadde desyre for to se you. Nowe tell me I praye you whiche is the knyght that shal wedde you, fayre broder here may you sehy [...]n. Than valentyne approched and salue the one the other with grete reuerence. Knyghte sayd Ferragus ye be welcome in to these quarters for to wedde my syster Clerymonde. For ryght soo as my broder the grene knyght the whiche hathe sente you he­ther after that he hadde ben conquered by you dyde ta­ken the fayth of Ihesu christe, euen so haue I my wyll and synguler desyre to receyue baptim and take youre byleue. Syr sayd Ualentyne of your wyll be Iesus thā ked, for he for your redemptyon suffred dethe and pas­syon, without the whiche none can be saued. Alas Ua­lentyne thought well that the traytoure Ferragus had sayd those wordes by greate deuocyon, but vnder the shadowe of swete and fayre wordes he ymagyned mortall treason. And whan the gyaunt Feragus had sayd so Ualentyne sayd to hym. Syr it hathe ben tolde and recoūted vnto me that within your hous syth the spa­ce of twenty yere or there aboute you holde a christen­woman the whiche I desyre for to se with al my herte whiche is my moder, and is named Bellyssante syster vnto the kynge Pepyn, and wyfe vnto the Emperoure of Grece. By mahoune sayd Ferragus you say trouthe but to the ende that you be the better enfourmed of her you shall come in to Portyngale and se the lady. And whan you shall haue spoken to heryou maye knowe yf she be suche as you demaunde or not, grameryce sayd Ualentyne, than he lefte hym and sayd vnto his syster, the fayre Clerymonde in maner of good & perfyte loue. [Page] My syster and inyne onelye esperaunce, I desyre aboue all thynges your honoure, and auauncemente, and am ryght Ioyous that you haue founde so valyaunt a knyght to your husbande and spouse, and for his greate va­lyauntnesse I wyll that you and he come with me into portyngale, to the ende that with the greater tryumph you maye be maryed togyder.

¶ Howe Ualentyne and Orson were betrayed by Ferragus, and howe he put them in an obscure prisō, wher as they made pyteous complayntes. Ca. xxxiii.

[Page] WHan Ferragus had spoken so to his sister Clerimonde, he made his shippes and hys galees to be apparaylled, and his men for to mount vppon the sea. After he sent for Ualentine the which was ryght Ioyous for to goo into portyngale with his loue Clerymonde.

For he wend wel that the gyaunt Ferragus ledde them ouer for to do them honoure / for he had promysed them that he wold be christened and al thei of his court, wher by Ualentine was betrayed and his broder Orson. For also soone as the cursed sarazyne was mounted vppon the sea, and that he had Ualentine in his subgecciō with in his shippe, he thoughte that he shoulde neuer escape his handes wythout death, but at the entre of the sea he made him fayre semblaunte, and by false worddes and promyses he made them come with hym, but whanne it came towarde midnighte that the two knyghtes were gone to reast them, the traytour Ferragus made them to be taken secretely in theyr beddes and be boūden su­rely, and made theyr eyen to be bended as man that were opēly condempned to death by faute crymynell. And whan the fayre Clerymonde sa we her louer Ualentine taken and bounden, she made so greate sorowe that hee had a harde harte that wepte not. Alas said she knight Ualentyne our Ioye and solace is soone torued into dolour and dystresse, you haue boughte my loue to deare, whan that for my sake you muste suffre death, I wolde that I had neuer bene borne for your sake, for in payne and in trauayll you haue conquered me, and in doole and in sorowe I shall be taken from you, to sore is the loue bought whan one muste suffre deathe for louynge trewlye wythoute to haue deserued it. Alas alas nowe [Page] oughte I wel to syghe with my herte and tenderly we­pe with myn eyen, whan it behoueth that for my loue the moost valyaunt, the moost hardy, and the moost no­ble of the worlde be delyuered vnto shameful dethe, ha [...] Ferragus my fayre broder to euyll do you werke. For of all the worlde you haue betrayed and deceyued the moost valyaunt knyght, and yf it be soo that he muste suffre dethe for me I shall neuer the dayes of my lyfe haue Ioye at my herte, but y^e moost sonest that I may I shall procure my dethe by some waye. And I do you to wytte that yf you put the two knyghtes to dethe, ye shall haue ones a vyllaynous reproche, and therfore let them alone. For in purchasynge theyr dethe you can haue no prouffyte. And yf you wyll put them to dethe, ma­ke me be caste fyrste in to the see, for I wolde not lyue to se suche two valyaunt knyghtes dye before me with out hauynge deserued it. So moche was the lady Clerimonde smyten profoundly at herte with sorowe that at that same houre she wolde haue slayne herselfe, or lepte in to the see yf she had not ben letted. Than Ferragus her brober made her to be kepte by his barons, and cōmaunded the kepers that they sholde not let her spe­ke one worde to the prysoners, and so abode Clerymonde in teres and pyteous syghes, and Ualentyne & Or­son were bounde ryght faste by the sarazyns and pay­nyms. They reclaymed god moche deuoutely praynge hym that he wolde delyuer them out of that daunger.

Alas sayd Ualentine nowe is fortune moche contrary to me and at my dede peruerse and dysloyall. Now ha­ue I all my lyfe in payne and trauayll vsed my youthe for to seke and fynde the place that I was extraughte oute of, and the fader and moder that hathe broughte [Page] me into this worlde, and now whan I am almoost at the ende of my doloure, in conuertynge it into Joye, & that of my dere moder y^e I haue desyred so muche I ho­ped to haue had tydynges shortly, and certayne know­ledge, and in thynkynge to haue ben assured to perfour me myn enterpryse, but in y^e places dysloyall I am vn­happely comen and fallen into the handes of myn ene­myes that of my lyfe are enuyous and desyreth my de­the. Alas my fayre broder Orson well is our thoughte and our entencyon in a shorte time chaunged and reuer▪ sed for we shall neuer se frendes nor kynnesmen. In this wyse complayned Ualentine & Orson in lykewyse and the sarazyns demeaned grete Ioye, and so moche they rowed vpon the see that they arryued in Portyn­gale at the castell of Ferragus. And also soone as y^e em­presse Bellyssant herde saye that Ferragus had broughte with hym two christen men prisoners she lepte oute of her chambre for to go se them. Whan she sawe valen tyne and Orson the whiche she knewe not she demaunded them. Chyldren of what countree be you & in what londe were you borne. Lady sayd valentyne we be of y^e countre of Fraunce and borne besyde Parys. Also so­ne as Ferragus sawe the Empresse Bellyssāt that spa­ke vnto the chyldren, he sayd vnto her fyersly, lady leue me this language, for I shall make them dye in my pri­son with grete sorowe but yf they byleue in mahoune, He called the gayler and cōmaunded hym to put y^e two prysoners in the moost depest pryson and y^e moost der­keste, & that they sholde haue none other meet nor dryn­ke but brede and water. There was y^e cursed sarazins that with grete staues and with theyr [...]ystes smote vp­pon the two chyldren without hauynge ony pyte more [Page] than of dogges, and in a dongeon full of fylthe and [...]r­ [...]ure caste them and lete them downe. Whan they we­re in pryson they sette them on theyr knees cry [...]ge god mercy, and in praynge him that he wolde forgyue thē theyr synnes, for they neuer wende to haue comen oute of that place. And after that Ferragus hadde thus en­prysoned Uale [...]tyne and Orson, he mounted vp into his palais, and made to be brought before hym the fay­re Clerymonde that wepte so pyteously that with y^e te­res that yssued out of her eyen all her face was be wep­te. My syster said Ferragus leue your wepinge & chaū ­ge your courage, for by mahowne my god you haue to longe byleued y^e hed of brasse whan that you wyll wed and take in maryage a straunger and oute of our byle­ue. To whome haue you your herte varyable and wyll of a woman whan you wyll loue him y^t hathe shewed himselfe mortal enemye of your broder the grene kny­ghte, well appertayneth you to haue a man more wor­thy and of more hygher lygnage. And yf you wyl bile­ue me and do after my wyll, I shall gyue you to husbā ­de the puyssaunt kinge Tromparte▪ by the whiche you maye be at all seasons of hyghelyfe and rychely honoured. And therfore forgete the two chrysten Frēshmen, and haue no more truste on them, for I shal make them dye and be hanged by the necke. Broder said Clerymon­de it behoueth me to obeye vnto your commaundement for one muste for [...]ere and passe lyghtly of the thige that they maye not haue, the force constrayneth, ryght hath no vertue, for necessyte maketh oftentymes a man [...]ell good chene. After these wordes fynysshed Ferragus dyde departe, and the quene his wyfe entred into the hall the whiche in grete honoure and reuerence hath recey­ued [Page] the fayre Clerimonde in sayinge to her. My Syster you be ryght welcome hether, for I hadde ryght greate desyre for to se you. Lady sayd Clerimonde I thancke you a hondred tymes, but knowe that I am ryghte so­rowful and dyspleasaunt of two christen knights the whiche my broder Ferragus vnder the vmbre of sure­nes and loyalte hathe made to passe the sea, and after hathe put them into an obscare prysone vyle and abho­mynable, and in grete dispite hathe sworne their dethe yf they forsake not, theyr lawe and byleue. Alasse my dere syster it is true that I shoulde haue had one of the knightes in mariages, the which among al the liuing menne is the mooste fayrest, the mooste valyaunt, and the moost hardy, and that by force of armes hathe con­quered my loue, wherfore lady I beseche you counsayl me, for I haue grete nede, and also that you shewe me the christen woman the whych you haue kepte so longe in this castell Fayre syster said the quene here may you se her. Than spake Bellyssant and sayd. Ladye what is your wil speke on hardely, for I haue grete desire for to here you speke. Alas lady I bring you tidings that wyll make you gladde and after sorowful and dysple­saunt. Know for a certainte that of your estate and of your lyfe I knowe the veray treuth, for pebe sister vnto king Pepin, and wyfe vnto the Emperour of gre­ce, the which with wronge and againste righte hathe banysshed you out of his Empyre, and soone after you were deliuered of two fayre sonnes in a forest, wherof the one was taken away from you by a wild bere, and the other was lost you can not tell how. Now is your chyldren yet on lyue, and I knowe the place whereas you may fynde theym. At these wordes the quene Bellyssant [Page] fel vnto the earth in a swowne for ioye and pyte that she hadde, and Clerymonde toke her vp muche swetely betwene her armes. And when she was rysen vp, the demaunded the mayden howe she myght know suche thinges. Then Cleremonde recounted vnto her the [...]a [...]e and the maner how Ferragus her brother by false and cursed treason had put them in pryson. And when the Empresse Bellissant vnderstode that her two chyldren was in pryson demaūde not if she made great sorowe, for she began to wepe so pyteously that Ferra­gus wyfe entred into the hall and demaunded where­fore she made so great sorowe, and the fayre lady Cle­rymonde told [...] her from poynte to poynte the cause and [...]eason▪ n [...]we sayde the wyfe of Ferragus appease you and make not of this thynge no semblaunt, for if the kyng Ferragus knewe it pa [...]auenture the king should rather e [...]payre then amende.

❧ How Pacolet cōforted the two ladies. Cap. xxxiii [...]

[Page] Ryght so as the thre ladies spake of this ma ter Pacolet entred in to the chambre, that was come on his horse of wodde. And whē Clerymonde sawe hym she sayde vnto him pyteously wepyng. Alas Pacolet what haue I doone vnto the that thou seperate me from all my ioye, and betraye me for thou myght haue aduertised me of the euill wyll of my brother Ferragus, well tolde me my harte that I should haue sorow by the when thou went so soone into Portyngale without my lycence for to beare hym tydynges. Lady sayd Pacolet be not so an­gry againste me, for by the God of whome I beleue I knewe not the treason of your brother Ferragus. but sythe that he hath wylled for to worke treason, I pro­myse you by my lawe that I shall finde a remedy, and auenge you tyght shortly. And here I sweare vnto you that I shall serue Ualentyne and you truely also long as I lyue. Frende sayd Bellyssant if thou mayest do so muche as delyuer my two chyldren out of pryson. I shall neuer fayle the whyles that I lyue. Lady sayde Pacolet be ioyous and take comforte vnto you▪ for or that it be longe I shall worke soo craftely and soo sub­tylly with myne arte that of my persone you shall bee ryght well content and pleased.

¶ How Pacolet by his arte deliuered Ualentyne and Orson out of kynge Ferragus pryson, and conduyted them oute of his countrey with their mother and the fayre Clerymonde. Cap. xxxv.

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By the enchauntour Pacolet the fayre Clery monde and the Empresse Bellyssant were recomforted of their great sorow, and made great dyligence, whyles that the kyng Fer­ragus and his barons daunced and made great chere, and when they had trauayled sore they went to bedde and slepte. Pacolet slepte not, but was ryght dylygent [Page] about his gere for to playe his crafte with. And then he came to a great towre whereof the gates were of tyne stele great and thycke and surely locked. But also soone as he had casten his sorte the gates opened, and the lockes broke, then he entred vntyll he came to the doore of the pryson that the thyldren were in, and also soone as he touched the dore it opeded and brake as the other gate dydde. When the two chyldren that were in the darke pytharde the dore open, with ioyned handes deuoutly they kneled downe to the earth and cryed god mercye, for they wende well that the Gyaunt Ferra­gus hadde sent for them to make them dye. Ualentyne began for to wepe tenderly, and Orson sayde to hym. Take in you comforte and pacience for it behoueth vs to die and finishe our daies I se it clerely, but syth that it is soo that I se none other remedy, I thynke for too venge me or I dye on hym that setteth fyrst handes on me. Than Orson toke vp a great barre that laye beside hym. And when Pacolet aduysed theim he sayde vnto them thus. Lordes for me haue no doubte, for I am co­me hether for your delyueraunce. Come lyghtly after me for or the daye be cleare I shall shew you the mother that bare you. Ualentyne was muche ioyous when he harde Pacoler speake soo, but Orson that behelde hym fyersly▪ would not truste therein. ¶ And when Pacolet sawe Orson beholde hym so fyersly he withdrewe hym abacke for great feare that he had but Ualentyne recō ­for [...]e [...] him muche [...]wet [...]ly, and assured hym of his bro­ther Orson. Then Pacolet ledde theym and conduyted them vnto the chambre whereas the sorowfull ladyes were wepyng. The dores were locked but he could o­uen them well. After they entred in to the house where [Page] as Pacolet threwe so his charme that he made al them of the place to slepe so strongly that they knew: nothing of their comyng. And when they were entred in to the chambre where as the twoo sorowefull ladies was, they went to warde their mother that myght not speake one worde but fel vnto the earth in a swowne, and the fayre Clerymonde sayde vnto Ualentyne pyteouslye. Alas knyght it is your in other that for the loue of you is fallen in a swowne. Then valentyne embraced her and toke her vp, and Orson colled her betwene his ar­mes in saying to her. Swete mother alas speake vnto me, and then kissed her whiche myght speake neuer a worde, and they were all [...]hre so profoundly smyten to the [...]arce w^t pyte that they fel vnto y^e earth in a swowne and lay there a great whyle. For their pyte Clerymond wept full bytterly. And when the lady Bellyssant and the chyldren were rysen their mother sayd vnto them al weping. Alas my childrē for your sakes I haue suffred and enduted more greater payne & anguy she then euer poore woman suffred. And of all my lamentacions you were the cause, but sythe that God of his diuine grace and puyssaunre hath saued you in suche maner y^t once in my lyfe I may se you betwene myne armes, of all my colours I am recomforted. But tel me and declare me howe and by what manner sythe the tyme that I chylded you you haue bene noutysshed and gouerned, & in what countrey, and with what mē you haue ben re­tayned, for I haue ryght great desire to know y^e truthe. Then Ualentyne beholdyng his mother [...]ygh pyteou­sly tolde and recounted vnto her the truthe of their dea­des and gouernyng and howe they were founde in the [...]orest in declaryng her the fortunes and perpllous ad­uentures [Page] that they had ben in al the tyme of theyr ly­ues vnto that present houre. ¶ And whan Ualentine had finisshed his wordes the Empresse Bellissāt that knewe clerely that they were her propre children was with a naturall loue so asperly taken that with greter haboundaunce of teres than before [...]he wolde haue fal­len in swowne. Than Pacolet that was in the chābre sayd vnto her in this maner. Lady leue this wepynge and thynke for to departe from this place, for it is ty­me that we go out of Portyngale, yf you wyll be dely­uered out of the subgeccion of kinge Fetragus, Alasse sayd Clerymonde my loue Ualentyne wel ought you to remembre the othe and promise that you haue made me. Hold your couenāt and take me vnto wyfe as you haue promysed me. Lady sayd Valentyne of my loyal­te haue noo doubte, for that whiche I haue promysed you with good hart I wyl▪ truely kepe, but for this presente tyme the naturall loue of my moder toucheth me more at the hart that I haue soughte so longe than all the other pleasures of the world. Not for that my loue doubte you not, for I truste neuer nor haue un volente to haue other than you to wyfe and spouse. Upō these wordes came Orson & said vnto Pacolet that he shold go and open Ferragus chambre doore, and that wyth his handes he wolde [...]le hym. Orson sayd Pacolet com with me, for I shal open it at your own plesure, Lor­des sayd Clerymonde leue that enterpryse, for▪ I wyl [...] neuer consent vnto his death. And I let you wit if you s [...]e him you shal lese the loue of my broder the grene knight, the which may healpe you in diuers thinges. By my fayth sayde Ualentine you saye the [...]era [...]e trouthe and you haue spoken more wis [...]lyer than we haue don [Page] for of the dethe of your broder you ought not to be cul­pable. I [...] that houre they departed out of the cyte, and Pacolet wente before that opened them the gates. So they folowed hym tyll that they came too a porte of the see and there entred into a galee that Pacolecte hadde made redy for them. They had wynde at wyland saylled so longe that they arryued at Clerymondes castell whereas they toke lande for to refreshe them.

¶ How Valentine and Orson concluded for to depart out of the castel for fere of Ferragus, and how they and the Ladies sayled into Acquitaine. Ca. xxxvi.

[Page] ALso soone as they hadde taken londe, they wente vnto the strongè Castell, but Ualen­tyne that euer hadde feare of Ferragus so­iourned not longe there, but retourned vnto the port and badde the Maryners too stuffe theyr galee with vytaylles and artyllerye, and that they shold be redy to depart whan he called vpon them. And than he retorned vnto the castel without makyng onye semblaūt. After he sayd vnto hys moder Bellissant and to the lady Clerimonde that he woulde goo into Grece towarde Constantinoble, for to se his father Themper­oure Alexander that wyth wronge and agaynst ryghte had expulsed hys mother from him. To his wylobeyed the ladies & also Orson and Pacolet. Than they moun­ted on the sea for too perfourme their vyage. The daye was cleare, and the houre approched that the Gayler of kynge Ferragus was accustomed for to go se hys prysoners. He wente toward the greate toure and bare bread and water with him for to gyue them to eate. Whan he was at the gates of the prysone that were all open, he saw wel that the prysoners were gone. Than he retorned hastely toward kynge Ferragus and sayde to hym in great feare. Syr I aske you mercy, for thys nyght I haue lost the two christen knyghtes prisoners that you had gyuen me to kepe. In saying these wordes there a­ryued an other messenger that sayd all on hye before all the assistentes. Puyssaunt king Ferragus to greate a mischefe is hapned tonight in this place, for you haue lost the christen woman that you haue kepte so longe, and holden so dere. And that wors is she leadeth wyth her your fayre syster Clerymonde that you loued soo. Whan Ferragus vnderstode these tidynges as all en­raged [Page] he began for to crye and rente his cloothes fury­ously, and in great Ire made his men to arme them and yssue out of the gates. Than he toke a clubbe that was great and heauy, and before theym all yssued oute of the gates without a hors, for he was soo great and so heuy that with payne myght he fynde ony hors that woulde beare him. He had a great head and black hear, styffe as wylde hogges br [...]st [...]lles and hys armes greate and bo­ned, and the shoulders large, of legges and of bodye he bare the stature of thyrten fore of length. Whan he was oute of the towne he called hys men for to accompanye hym, and put hym on the waye for to fynde theym that ledde awaye his syster, and hee demaunded tydynges of all them that he mette by the waye / but none coude not tell hym nothynge, for Pacolet coude play so well wyth hys arte whan he wolde, that where someuer hee passed he made his folkes to slepe. And whan Ferra [...]us sawe that he might haue no tidinges, he swore mahoune that he would assiege Clerimond [...]s Castell for he wend wel to haue founde them there. Than he made suche dyly­gence that on the morowe he was at the stronge castel but there he founde them not for they were departed or he came. Whan he vnderstoode that they were departed fro that place, he swore by al hys goddes that he wolde [...]nde Clerymonde and al her company, or christendome should haue much to suffre.

¶ How the kyng Ferragus for to haue vengeaunce on Ualentyne and on hys s [...]ster Clerimonde made assem­ble hys hoost▪ and howe he dyscended in Acquytayne. Capitulo. xxxvii.

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WHan Ferragus the gyaunte sawe that he might not find Ualentine and Orson the whych had taken hys syster and their mo­der from him, and ledde out of hys londe, he swore and promysed hys gods that he wolde take vengeaunce on the christen men. ¶And for thys cause he sent throughe all hys realme that all they that were holden to do hym obe [...]saunce without soiour nynge or delaye should come vnto hym and appeare before hym for to mounte vpon the sea and goo agaynste the christen men for to take vengeaunce vpon Ualētine [Page] The crye was made a [...]e thrughe al the londe of Fer ragus, and by his heraudes & messengers were assem­bled grete multytude of men of armes, whiche made a huge hoost. They mounted vpon y^e see and set the fail­les in the wynde that was right good to them. And as they were mounted vpon the see, the kynge Ferragus cōmaunded the marryners y^t they sholde drawe towar­de the cyte of Acquytayne, for he thought wel to finde in that place them that he was departed for. And so the patrons dyde, and they exployted so moche that they a­ryued in the countre of Acquytayne. ¶ Ualentyne and Orson that were vpon the see as you haue herde entred in to the cyte of Acquytayne▪ and without makynge o [...] ny mencyon of they estate vnto ony persone as straun­ge men lodged them with a burgeys, and Ualentyne wolde haue gone gladly in to the duke Sauaryes pa­lays, but Orson that aduysed hym of a grete subtylyte sayd vnto his broder Ualentyne in this maner of wyse Broder I haue aduysed me in thynkynge by my selfe, that the nature and wyll of women is varyable and li­ghtely chaūged, and for this cause I am delibered that no mencyon shall be made of our comynge vnto the ty­me that I maye knowe by some euydente sygne of the fayre Fezonne that reclamed me soo muche her dere lo­uer yf she haue chaunged her courage. Broder sayd va­lentyne it shall be but well done, and yf you can do it, it shall be subtylly wrought. Than Orson clothed him in the habyte of a knyght that sought auentures, and to­ke the lytell Pacolet for his squyer. Than he wente to­warde the palays and entred in to the halle of the duke of Acquytayne by the lycence of the gardes. Whan he was before hym he salued hym and made hym reueren­ce [Page] suche as appertayned vnto hym, for to dó suche a thinge he was wyse and well lerned. And whan he had salued him the duke behelde hym moche, and well hym thought he was Orson, but bycause he spake he knewe him not, and studyed no more, but sayd to hym knyght tell me what bryngeth you hether. Free duke sayd Or­son I am a knyght aduenturous that gladly wolde fi­de maner to auenture me for to do good and loyall ser­uyce with my body, knyght sayd the duke you be grete and fayre, and me thynketh you sholde be valyaūte and hardy in armes. And therfore yf you wyll serue me. I shall gyue you suche wages that you shall be contente / and you may do so muche to my wyl and pleasure that or you departe from me I shal make you the rychest of your kynne. Gramercy sayd Orson I shall deserue it, an shall do so moche that you maye knowe the laya [...]te of me and my poore puyssaunce. Knyght sayd the duke I reteyne you of my courte, and for the grete trust that I haue in your seruyce a hondred pounde Parysii or ye serue me ony ferder I shall make to delyuer you. Soo moche was Orson wyse and well taught in maners & countenaunce, that for his prudence and mayntene he reteyned hym in his palays and made hym dyne with his knyghtes. And whan he was at y^e table his maners and countenaunce was soo pleasaunt and agreable to euery body, that of the barons and knyghtes he was moche beholden. And aboue all thynges of ladyes and damoy selles he was aduysed. There was the fayre Fe­zonne that was his sworne wyfe, y^e whiche was in gre­te melancolye for his grete beaute, but she wolde neuer haue wenue that it had ben Orson for his habyte & lan­guage. In this maner dyned Orson in y^e dukes courte [Page] And whan it came after dyner the duke called his tre­sorer & made to be delyuered vnto hym a hondred poun­de parisu as he hadde promysed hym. And Orson toke leue of him for that tyme in thankynge him for his no­ble largesse, in promy singe hym his faith that he wol­de serue hym truely in his necessyte. And than he retor­ned vnto the lodgynge where as the noble ladyes were that abode hym. And whan he was comen vnto them he tolde them and recountred vnto them how the duke in grete honoure hadde reteyned hym for a soudyoure, at his wages, wherat they laughed moche and made grete Ioye. Now it happened that same weke that the duke of Acquytayne had certaine fydinges of y^• kynge Ferragus that was dyscended for to make hym warre He sent for all his subgectes, barons and knyghtes byddynge they in come to socoure hym in redy harneys for to abyde batayll yf nede were. Syth he made the cyte to be vytaylled haboundauntly bothe with flesshe and whete for to defende his countree & kepe the cyte of Ac­quytayne againste the kynge Ferragus, the whiche in that same weke set his syege before Acquytayne, in the propre place where as his broder the grene knyght had pyght his pauylyon whā he was vaynquysshed by or­son. Orete and large meruaylously was the siege of the paynyms and sarazyas and they dyde ryght grete dom­mage in the countree of Acquytayne at theyr arryuay▪ And kepte the countre in greate subgec [...]yon where as they had domynacy on, and they thought wel for to ha ue conquered all the countree, and to haue dystroyed all the christen men. But y^e noble duke of Acquytayne that was moche hardy & valyaunt made anone to arme his men, and in grete and notable company of barons and [Page] knyghtes yssued out of the cyte of Acquytaine for to fy­ghte agaynste the paynyms and reyse vp theyr syege, & amongest y^e other Ualentyn and Orson and the lytel Pacolet without makynge grete noyse or knowledge to ony body put themselfe amongest the hoost of Acquitayne, Now there was that same daye of the cyte of ac­quytaine diuers noble knyghtes on the felde in armes for to fyght agaynst the kynge Ferragus.

¶ Haw the duke of Acquytayne was taken in the ba­tayll by Feragus, and How Orson delpuered hym by the ayde of Pacolet. Capitulo. xxxviii.

[Page] WHan the good duke of Acquitayne sawe y^e hoost of the sarazins that was moche gre­te & large he recōmaunded hym vnto god with all his herte, praynge hym to be his defender that day, After he made to ordey­ne his bataylles and blowe trompettes and Clarons, and ranne vpon the sarazyns couragyously, the whi­che stalked agaynste them in grete pryde. On that daye was before Acquytayne a moche pyteous batayll, and there dyed valyaunt knyghtes and men of eche estate, so many that the bloode ranne in the felde lyke a lytell ryuer. The gyaunt Ferragus entred in to y^e batayll al­so nere his neue we Dromadyan that bare his bancre as he myght, aboute hym was grete puyssaunce of sa­razyns for to defende him that smote vpon the christen men so impetuously that at that same houre they slewe syxe valyaunt knyghtes, that is to wyte. B [...]udumayn, Bondry. Wyllyam. Galeram. Anthony the good mar­shall, and the hardy Gloryam the whiche were all next the good duke of Acquytain. The christen men were so asprely assaylled of the cursed sarazyns that they were constrained to recole abacke. And the good duke of Ac­quytayne was enclosed with his enemyes that abode all alone without ony helpe or socoure, the whiche dide suche feates of armes that none durste abyde before hī he cryed Acquytayne agaynste the cursed and false sa­razyns, but nothynge auaylled his prowesse, for also so [...]e as kynge Ferragus aspyed hym and knewe hym he wente towarde him and toke him & ledde him awaye And whan he had bounde hym surely he made hym be ledde to his pauylyon, the whiche was moche ryche and pleasaunt. Than Ferragus retorned in to the batayll, [Page] vpon the christians, but the Iournay was so euyl for the christen men that for the losse of theyr good maister they wolde all haue taken the flight. Than Ualentine and Orson came before them in cryinge to them righte hyghe. Ualyaunte knyghtes of Acquytayne shewe your chyualry, for and you faylled at this nede it shuld be a greate reproche to you, haue a hardy courage and a good heart and God shal healpe you. Thus recomforted the two knightes the people of Acquitaine that for fete hadde almoost fledde, in such manner that they re­torned vpon the sarasins agayn, and began the batayl more stronger than befoore. The tidinges was befoore Acquytayne of the duke that was taken prysoner, and bothe litel and great wepte for his takynge, but aboue all other dolorus was incomparable and piteous the complaynt of the fayre Fezonne that in wryngyng her handes, and pullynge her heer more bryghter thā gol­de wyre saying in syghinge with hearte, and wepynge tenderly with her eyen. Alas poore sorowful what is happened the, now thou art the moste vnfortuned that is vpon the erth. Alasse my dere fader nowe muste you dye, for from the handes of the false sarazyns you can neuer departe nor escape. I bydde you fare wel my ry­ght swete fader, for I shal neuer se you. I shall abyde here vnpu [...]uayed as a poore Orphelin ferre from all plesaunce, nere dyscomfort bytter and dolorous. Alas Orson my good louer your longe abyding ought well to noye me at the herte, for yf you were here present, ye wold deliuer my father that is so sorowfull. ¶ And in this maner weapte and lamented the fayre and plea­saunt Fezonne. And the christen mē & sarazius fought vpon the feld much impetuously one against another [Page] The batayll endured so longe that wyth deed and wyth wounded al the earth was couered. There was the no­ble and valyaunte Knyghte Ualentyne that with his sharp swerd made so greate occysyon of sarazyns that ther was none so hardy that durst byde before him. And Orson was on the other side that swore by god and his Saintes that he should finish hys dayes in the batrayll or he wold go fetch the duke of Acquytayne wythin the tent of the gyaunt Ferragus. Pacolet was beside hym that gaue him good comfort and promysed hym socour in sweryng by hys God that he would not fayll hym at hys nede. Than Orson smote his hors with the sporres and entred in to the batayll soo fyersly that or euer here sted he brooke the batayll and passed for the. And whan Orson and pacolet were passed the batayll they hurled theyr shieldes dobone, and hanged at theyr neckes sara­zyns sheldes wherin the ymage of mahoune was payn­ted, and after they wente vnto the pauylyon of the Gy­aunt Ferragus without that ony said the contrari, for pacolet coude speke theyr language ryghte well. Than entred in to the tentes for to ha [...]e the good duke again But whanne Pacolet sawe that there was too manye sarazyns that kept hym, he wente and played wyth hys charmes so well and so subtyllye that he made them all lye dawne and slepe. And whan they were all on sleap [...] Orson came vnto the duke of Acquytayne and sayd vn to hym. Fre duke come with me and mount vppon thys hors wythout ony taryinge for from the handes of Ferragus I shall delyuer [...]ou. I am the knight that in your halle asked you wages the daye that you gaue me a. ¶▪ pounde hauen [...]ere of the painims for without dauger I shall leade you into your hoost. Knyghte sayd the [Page] duke you [...]e ryght welcome that casteth me oute of ser­uage, and delyuereth me from my mortall enemyes, & for the good seruyce y^t you haue done me to daye, for re­warde and guerdon I shal gyue you my doughter the fayre Fezonne in maryage. I hadde gyuen her not lou­ge a go vnto a knyght that was moche wylde and cou­de speke no language, but syth that he is not comen a­gayne towarde me, his longe abydynge shall bere hym dommage. I gyue you my doughter for you haue well wonne her, & you shall haue with her in maryage halfe the coūtre of Acquytayne. Gramercy sayd the knyght suche a gyfte is not to be refused, but thynke we for to make dylygence for to escape out of this place, and re­torne vnto your hoost. Than the thre champyons, both the duke of Acquytayne, Orson, and Pacolet toke the armes of sarazyns and passed on theyr waye without contradyccion of ony body, for to goo vnto the christen hoost. ¶ Durynge this same tyme that Orson wente towarde the duke of Acquitayne Ualentyne that was in the batayll demaunded dyuers where his broder Or­son was. But none coude tell tydynges nor knowledge of hym, wherfore Ualentyne was ryght sorowful and angrye at his herte, for he wende that he had ben slay­ne in the batayll, wherfore he made many pyteous cry­es saynge. Alas now am I vsurped by bytter fortune on all sydes, and all my Ioyes are well chaunged in to sorowe and dystresse whan I haue loste my pryncipall frende the floure of all my comforte, and the hope of all my lyfe. Alas my fayre broder Orson now haue I loste you by the false sarazyns, for I knowe well that youre valyauntes and hardynes is cause of your dethe shor­tynge. For I knowe so moche by you that you wyll ra [Page] ther dye valyauntly, than lyue in reproche and shame, Alas valyaunt broder Orson in payne and in trauayl I conquered you in the wodde and syth I haue kepte you in peryll and in daunger. And nowe whan I pur­posed and thought to haue solace and myrthe of you ye be separed and gone from me but syth that it is so that I can haue no tydynges of you in no maner of wyse. I swere and promyse to god that I shall knowe shortlye where you are, and fynde you quycke or deed, or youre loue shal because of my dethe anone. At these dolorous wordes entred the noble knyght valentyn in to the ba­tayll, and as a man dyscomforted and charged w^t me­lancoly, helde his swerde of fyne stele in his hande, and shewed suche knyght hode with his body that or euer he rested ony where slewe syxe or seuen paynyms deed to the erthe, and in doynge this prowesse the gyaunte Ferragus knewe him, and wente to warde Ualentyne and kepte hym so nere that he constrayned hym in su­che wyse that he bare hym away before euery body, for his hors was deed vnder him. Ferragus the gyaunte made to bynde Ualentyne straytly, & swore all his god­des that he wolde take vengeaunce, but he dyde not al his wyl, for ryght so as he bare hym thorughe the felde Orson Pacolet and the duke Sauary recountred hym Than sayd the valyaunte duke, for god se yonder false paynym that wolde put our lawe and our men to dys­tructyon he bereth with hi one of our knyghtes strayt­ly bounden. By god sayd Orson yf we be valyaunte he ought not to escape vs. Than he smote his hors with y^e sporres and ranne towarde the paynym, to whome he gaue so grete a stroke with his spere that he and valentyne fell to the erthe. The gyaunte arose vpon his fete [Page] and lefte valentyne that for grete fere began for to [...]e And Orson cryed vnto him broder retorne agayne and haue no doubte. Thanne Ualentine retorned towarde hym the whiche conquered hym ahors & mounted him vpon hym. And Pacolet that was amongest the hoost of the sarazyns cryed ryght hyghe, Portingale the mo­re. And in makynge that crye he passed the batayl and came vnto the hoost of the christen men. And so they were delyuered all out of the hādes of theyr enemyes. And whan the christen men sawe that the duke was delyue­red theyr courages grewe and theyr force doubled, and they were so Joyous that they cryed all with one voy­ce lyue Acquytayne. And in makynge that noyse they ranne vpon the sarazyns by suche a vygoure and force that they giaunt Ferragus after that he had loste many of his men by force of armes was constrayned for too flee and with drawe hym, and to reyse his syege & dra­we abacke. They made to sowne trompettes and Cla­rons and the men of armes retorned in to Acquytayne for to refresshed them and reste them. On that same da­ye that the crysten men and the sarazyns fought togy­der there was so grete slaughter that for to nombre the bodyes it sholde be a pyteous thinge. At the retornyng from the batayll Ualentyn and Pacolet retorned vnto theyr lodges, and Orson wente in to the palays with the duke Sauary and the other barons and knyghtes whan the duke of Acquytayne was retorned in to his palays, he sente for all the lordes and knyghtes of his con [...]te and his doughter y^e fayre Fezunne. Syth he cal­led Orson and asked him what was his name. And or­son was subtyll & sayd syr I am called Rycharde, than the duke of Acquytayne sayd before them all. Lordes [Page] knowe for a trouthe that aboue all thynges I am be­holden and wyll that honoure be done vnto this same knyght here in presence, for by hym I am retorned into Acquytayne, and haue ben delyuered from myn aduer­sary and mortall enemye. And you my doughter it is my wyll and desyre that you haue in maryage this sa­me valyaunte knyghte, for aboue all the other I holde hym and may holde hym the moost valaunt and excel­lente. And for the grete prowesse that he hathe shewed towerde me, I haue promysed him in guerdond and re­warde your gentyll body, and that by lawe of mariage you shall be wedded vnto him. Well oughte you for to ue hym whan he hathe loued your fader so moche that he hathe saued his lyfe. ¶ To the oppynyon of the duke was cōsentynge all the barons and noble knyghtes of the courte, and sayd by a comyn accorde that the knyghte was well worthy to haue the fayre lady in mariage that hadde done so grete prowesse for her fade [...]s sake, But Orsō that was in presence wolde not declare vp­pon that dead his oppynyon vntyll y^e tyme that he had assayed the courage and the wyll of the fayre Fezonne euen so as he had enterprysed before, and tolde his bro­der Ualentyne.

¶ How Orson wolde assaye the wyl and loyalte of the fayre Fezonne or that he wedded her. Capitulo. xxxix.

[Page]

ORson was wyse and subtyl or that he wed­ded the fayre Fezone: for he wolde knowe & assaye yf she were for to kepe her fayth sted faste and loyal for oftentymes he had herde saye that women were of suche a nature that for a lytell thynge they chaunged theyr thou­ghtes and promyses, and broke theym falsly, but how well that dyuers of them ben of suche nature, for all y^t the vyces of the shrewed ought not to be taken nor ale­ged for to corrumpe the loyalte of the good ones, for a­mongest abuswe of thornes is oftentymes founde a florysshed rose. And also amonge a grete sorte of euyl wo­men maye well be founden one good one, and happe be [Page] Euen so as Fezonne was the whiche Orson founde lo­yall, for he sayd vnto the duke in this maner for to assaye her. Syr for the honoure that you do me I am boun­den for to thāke you, but to the regarde of your dough­ter I wolde well knowe her wyll, for it apperteyneth her well to haue a man of more hygher estate than I. And therfore before that I take her I wyll speke to her for to knowe her wyll and courage. For maryage done agaynst the wyll cometh not lyghtly vnto perfeccyon, Knyghte sayd the duke of Acquytayne you haue good reason, and I accorde it you. Now go in to her chaum­bre and speke with her, to the ende that you be the bet­ter enfourmed of her case. At these wordes he entred in to the chambre of the fayre Fezonne and sat hym dow­ne besyde her. And syth he toke her by the hande & sayd vnto her muche swetely. Lady the grete beaute of you hathe taken me so sore in loue that withoute you I can haue none alegemente. Nowe thanked be god whan it hathe pleased hym to doo me suche grace that for wyfe you be gyuen me for I may well vaunte me that of al other I haue the fayrest loue. And syth that it pleaseth the good duke your fader that you haue me for husban­de, ye oughte well by reason to be contente, for I shall serue you and holde you parfyte loyalte durynge all the tyme of my lyfe. Wherfore I praye you ryghte dere la­dy y^e for to haue more remembraunce the one vpon the other ye wyll enbrace me and kysse me at this presente tyne, and refuse not my louynge requeste I praye you For syth that for the tyme to come we muste be assem­bled you ought not to refuse me to do my wyll▪ Knyght answered the lady that was wel taught for to demaū ­be suche thynges you ought to refrayne you, for you [Page] lese your payne. I loue all knyghtes and men of good dedes in all goodnes and honoure, but aboue al other I loue one and hym wil I loue and kepe faith and loyalte as I haue sworne vnto hym, nor neuer for other wil I chaūge him nor forget him. Lady said Orson it ought by reason to please you whan it pleaseth your father. Syr sayde the mayden. It is well reason that I obeye vnto my lorde my father, but if it happen that he con­strayne me vnto suche a thyng, and that he would gy­ue me vnto other then hym that conquered the grene knyght. I shall rather departe from hym without be­ryng any thyng with me saue my fayth. By God lady sayd Orson I ma [...]u [...]yll me muche how you be so sore [...]n amoured on that knyght, for you knowe that he is of a wylde nature, and that he cannot speake nor saye one worde wherby he myght reioyce you and tell you his wil. Syr said the lady true loue learneth me to lo­ue him naturally. For it is said comōly that the thing that pleased one is halfe solde. Wherfore fre knight in me haue no more trust, for neuer in my life wil I [...]ha [...] ­ge hym that I haue promysed my fayth to. Orson was muche ioyous of the wysdome of Fezonne that gaue him such an aunswere, not for that he made semblaune that he was ill contente, and departed out of the chambre without takyng leue of her, & wente towarde the duke and sayde to hym. Free duke knowe that I come from speakyng with your doughter, but she hath geuen me for a [...]ynall aunswere, that neuer in her lyfe for no man that speaketh she wyl haue other vnto her husbād than him that conquered the grene knight. Knyght said the duke of her aunswere care you not, for in her lyeth not to do her wyll, be a lytell pacient and ano [...]e you of [Page] nothynge, for to daye I shal speke with my Doughter more ferder on this mater. Gramercye sayd Orson I am beholden vnto you. Than Orson yssued out of the palays and went vnto the lodging of his brother Ua­lentyne, to whome he tolde and recounted the answere that had bene gyuen hym by the fayre Fezonne. Broder you haue wrought well, and thys ought to suffise you for you may wel know the great loyalte and loue that she loueth you with. But I wyl that you and I go toward the palays togider, for also sone as the duke shal se me I am certayne that we shall be ryght well recey­ued. Syr sayd Orson your wyl bee done. Than Ualen­tyne arayed hym in precyous clothes, and Orson toke the [...]ace [...]an that he had fyrst whan he came into Acquitaine, and so he went vnto the palais with the litel Pacolet that in al thynges folowed theim, They entred in to the hal in the which the duke of Acquitaine was spekinge to his doughter before diuers barons and noble knyghtes. ❧ Doughter saide the Duke of Acquitaine from whens cometh to you this courage that you wil not accomplysshe my wyll, and take my mariage this noble knyght that I woulde gyue you, in whome is so muche prowesse and renowne, for by the valyantnes of hym I haue bene delyuered and my lyfe saued. Alas father sayd the mayden wherfore speke you to me ther of, for you knowe well that I haue gyuen my faith vn to him that deliuered you from the grene knight. Now there is not a greter reproch to a liuinge creature than to fals his fayth and breke his oth. And if it hapen that I be constrayned to suche a thynge by you, you shall be the cause to put my soule in daunger, whych shall be a reproche to you before God and the world. And as the [Page] duke of Acquitaine spake so to his Doughter he sawe Ualentine and Orson comminge, whych he receyued in grete honour and enbraced them. And whan Orson had salued the duke he wend to ward the fayre Fezonne that for grete [...]oy began for to smyle. Alas sayde she you be hertely welcome, for your longe abydinge hathe greued me sore. And yf you had not commen my father wold haue maryed me vnto an other knight than you, that for to haue me hath taken much great payne, and much wel he resembleth you of nose and mouthe. My loue sith that I was here I haue learned to speke, and am the same y^t pra [...]ed you of loue to day in your cham­bre. Than was the lady so Joious that I canne not re­count it. and Orson entred into a chambre and cham­ged that habite, and put on right precious robes that he had made the litle Pacolet bringe with him, and af­ter entred into the hall. And whan the Duke aduysed him he went and enbraced him swetel [...] and said to him Faire sonne pardon me of that I wold haue geuen my doughter to another than you, for I wende well that you wolde neuer haue retorned. Sit saide Orson with good hert I pardon you. Than the Duke demaunded them how they had done sith theyr departinge. And or­son recounted before them all the fortune and auentu­re that they had ben in, and how thei wer sonnes to the Emperoure of Constantinoble named Alexander, and of kynge Pepins sister named Bellessant, the whyche they had founden in Portyngale. Whan the duke of Ac­quitaine vnderstode that the two valyaunte knightes were of so hye a bloude extraught he had so greate Joye at his heart y^t tel it I can not. Than he said knyghtes you be wo, thy for to haue grete honoure and reuerence [Page] whan of al the cristiens you are the noblest extraught and dyscended. But of one thing I am sorowfull and dyspleasaunte that is of your fader the Emperoure of Grece, and of your vncle the kynge Pepin that are as­syeged in Constatinoble by the painims and sarazyns and theyr warre hath endured so long that if god helpe them not shortly with socoure they muste yealde theim vnto theyr enmies, whiche is a thinge muche pyteous whan Ualentine hearde that his fader and hys vncle were in daunger he made such dole that none might ap­pease hym and complained more his vncle Kinge Pe­pin than his fader. Than Pacolet said vnto hym. Sir leaue this sorowe, for yf you wyll byleue me I shal set you or to morow at nyght with in Constanty noble, by God sayd Ualentine he is folyshe that byleueth the, or the deuyl must bere th [...] ▪ Syr sayd Pacolet yf you wyll mounte vpon my hors and do that whiche I shall tell you, we shall be in Grece or the day fayl. Pacolet sayde Ualentine I accord me vnto thy sayinges, for I desire nothynge soo muche as to see my father that I neuer sawe. At that houre the knyght Ualentine was delivered for to departe on the [...]noro we to go vnto Constan­tynoble, and for the loue of his departynge the duke of Acquytayne made fyrst Orson to be wedded vnto his doughter Fezonne. And made theyr weddynge so richely that there had ben neuer none such sene in that citye. They made so grete noyse with trompettes and clary­ons that the painims heard it in theyr pauilions. The duke of Acquitaine made Bellissant and Clarymono to be brought in his palais with grete honoure. Than was there a spye that sawe al this and went and tolde [...] to Ferragus, how he had sene them wich the traitour [Page] Pacolet. By mahoune sayd the gyaunt Ferragus I ought well to be d [...]lent of the traycour Pacolet that hath so falsly deceyued me, and led away my syster Clerymonde that I loued so muche, with the christians. But I swere my god Mahoune that within short spa­ce I shal take vengeaunce on him and on al his other complices and helpers, for I shall make them all dye an euill death.

¶ How the gyaunt Ferragus for to haue sucoure sent for the kyng Tromparte, and the enchauntour Adra­mayne. ¶ Cap. x [...].

[Page] FErragus the false Sarazyn was muche an­grye and ful of Ire whan he sa we that of his syster Clerymonde and the two knyghtes he myght not take vengeaunce. Then he called a heraude and toke hym a letter that he had made to be wrytten, by the whiche letter he sente worde to [...] kynge Tromparte that in continent and without delaye also soone as he hadde sene the letter that he would come to­warde hym well accompanied and with a greate puys­saunce of men of armes as well as he myght. And yf so were that he would geue hym sucoure he should geue hym to wyfe his syster clerymonde. And with this he [...]aunded hym that he shoulde bryng the enchauntour. Adramayne with hym that had learned so wel the [...]t [...] of tollecre, that for to playe with Nygromancy he [...] passed mayster, thus were the letters made and geue [...] to the messenger. the whiche put hym vpon the waye for to do his message. So will I leaue to speake of the gyaunt Ferragus and shal speake of valentyne that is within Acquitayne where as he taketh leue of lordes and of ladies and of the fayre Clerymonde, the whiche for his departyng was muche sorowfull, and demaunded hym. Loue when will you wedde me, holde me lo­yal couenaunt, for in you is al my truste. Lady said valentyne haue no doubte of me▪ for I shal be true to you and I swere to you and promyse you that also sone as it shall please God almighty that I returne from Con­stantinoble, without so [...]ou [...]nyng or delacion I shall wedde you. Then he sayd to the duke of Acquitayne [...] to his brother Orson. Lordes I shall leue you my loue Clerymonde to kepe as to my pryncypall frendes that I trust my moost in. In praying you that also soone [Page] as it ma [...]e possible to you that you make to be mini­st [...]ed vnto her the sacrament of baptisme, and chaunge not her name for none other, for it is my will that she [...]ere that name. Ualentyne sayde the duke of Acquy­tayne take no thought for her, for also derely shall the fayre Clerymonde be kept as my propre doughter Fe­ [...]onne. Then valentine toke leue of the duke of Acquy­tayne, that for his departing had his harte sorowfull, & syth he embraced the fayre Clerymonde and in takynge leue of her he kissed her swetely, but the noble lady was so sorowfull that she myght speke neuer a worde. Ua­lentine lefte her and began to wepe. And Orson tooke leue of hym the whiche sayde vnto him ryght swetely. Brother I praye to Iesu christ that he kepe you & saue you▪ and among all other thinges I beseche you hum­bly that you wil recommaunde me vnto my father the Emperoure of Grece and to myne vncle the kynge Pe­pyn, for an it pleased god I shall se them within shorte tyme. Brother sayde valentyne I shal doo the message for you as I would do for my selfe. At these wordes departed the two brethren from together that for to leue eche other had their hartes sorowfull. Orson abode in the palays, and valentyne retourned towarde his lod­gyng for to speke with his mother Bellissant that for his departyng was muche troubled at the harte. And when she sawe that he was redy to departe, she embra­ced him wening to haue take leue of hym, but the no­ble lady had her harte so full of distresse that she myght not speke one worde to her sone. Ualentine helde her betwene his armes in recomfortyng her swetely, for how wel that he was ryght sorowful and displeasaūt yet for all that he bare his doloure and great dystresse [Page] the best wyse that he myght for to recomforte his mo­ther and reioyce her.

¶ Of the pytcous complayntes that the Empresse Bellissant made vnto her sonne Valentyne or he went vnto constantynoble and howe he spake vnto the Emperoure his father before his vncle kyng Pepyn. ¶ Cap. xli.

[Page]WHen Valentyne sawe his mother make suche sorowe he sayde vnto her. My mother haue no feare of my doloure nor thought, for if it please god my creatur I shall retourne agayne shortly. Thynke and haue euer your harte in God, and praye for me, for in al my deedes and prayers I shall thynke on you. And a­boue all other thynges I recommaunde vnto you the fayre Clerymonde that putteth all her confydence in me, and wyll kepe my loyalte. Alas my sonne sayd the Empresse Bellyssant I ought well to syghe with my harte and bere dolorous anguysshe, but by the & by thy hardynes thou haste done so muche that the daye shall come by the pleasure of Jhesus that mine occasion and blame I shall be founde innocent and pure. And when thou shalt be within the cytie of Constantinoble, salue from me thy father the Emperoure Alexander, & thyne vncle the valyaunt kyng Pepyn my brother, and saye to hym on my behalue that I take vpon the dampna­cion of my soule that neuer the dayes of my lyfe of the great blame and vytupere that I haue bene accused w^t, I was neuer culpable. And if that there be any, be he neuer so hardy that wil take batayl for it, or say the contrary fyght you for me and take the quarell, for if you be ouercome I offre my body to be brente shamefully be­fore al the worlde. My mother sayde the noble Valen­tyne dyscomfort you not, for if it please God almighty and the virgyn mary, in whome I haue all my truste I shall do so muche for you that shortly you shal be yel­ded and accorded to the Emperoure Alexander my fa­ther, and that of the wronge that he hathe done you, he shall aske you mercy and pardon. At these wordes they departed in sonore makyng great sorow, and weping [Page] full sore. And at theyr departynge the Ladye enquyred her sonne Ualentine that also sone as he might he shol desende Pacolet agayne for to brynge her tydynges. And Ualentine promysed her that he wolde do so. Af­ter he entred in to the chambre where as he founde the lytell Pacolet, the whythe in abydynge hym had made tedy his hors of wodde. Nowe vp sayd Pacolet it is time to go mounte vp behynde me, and without hauyn­ge ony drede holde you fast by me. Frend sayde Ualen­tyne that shal I do well. Than he lept vpon the hors and Pacolet corned the pynne so well in deede that he hors rose vp in the ayre, and in that same nyghte they made so muche waye that they passed ouer these, and ouer dyuers wodes, roches, townes, castels and grete [...]y [...]ees. And they wente so faste that on the morow be­fore mydday they apperceyued Constantinoble. He demaunded Pacolet what place it was, and he answered hym that it was the cyte of Constancynoble in the whiche he had so grete desyre to be. Much Joious was the noble knyght Ualentyne whan he sawe hym self so nere, for Pacolet had conduyted him so wel that oreuen longtime he was within the cite. And at the houre that the Emperoure and the kynge Pepyn were in the hall imperyall sette for to soupe. Pacolet that ledde Valen­tyne entred in to the halle, wherof Valentine was mo­che abasshed whan he saw him self before such a com­pany. Than the grene knight that was in the hal knewe Ualentine and ranne anone vnto hym. And the h [...]n­ge Pepin that aduysed Ualentyne sayd vnto the Em­peroure. Syr yet is not your lygnage faylled, for you may se here a much valiaunt knight that is your own sonne. Whan the Emperoure heard those tydynges hee [Page] chaunged coloure and rose vp from the table for to go kisse his sonne, But the grene knight was the firste at him, whiche toke him in his armes and welcomed him. After came kyng Pepyn and Embraced him. And then the Emperour his father toke him betwene his armes and kissed him swetely, half ioyful and half sorow ul ioyfull for his comyng and sorowfull for the thought of his wyfe. The olde Blandymayn knewe Pacolet, for he had sene hym in portyngale so he came towarde him and asked him tydinges of the Lady Bellyssant, & he tolde him the maner howe all had bene done, & how valentine had bene in diuerse great perfiles for to haue knowledge of the Emperour and of his mother. Great ioye was made thorough all the cytie for the comynge of the Emperour Alexanders sonne valentyne. Knigh­tes and barons came from euery syde for to se Ualen­tyne and do hym reuerence. And so as there aryued dy­uers great lordes in the Emperours halle, valentyne that was full of great hardynes spake in this maner before all the company. Lordes, and knyghtes that are here presente of the honoure and reuerence that it plea­seth you to do me. I yelde you graces with my puissaū ­ce and thanke you, and aboue al the other I thāke myne vncle the kyng Pepyn, the whiche hath nouryshed me vnto this houre, for I am more beholden vnto hym then vnto any man on lyue. Notwithstandyng that it is sayde oftentymes that neuer one maye be soo sub­iecte as to father and mother, but I maye name myself poore orphelyn as for my father that is here present, for I had ben dead dolorously had not myne vncle bene that founde me when my mother was banyshed falsly frō the Emperour by the dede of the false Archebysshop [Page] wherfore to shewe that she is innocente and replete w^t truthe I as her naturall sonne legytyme off [...]eth my bo­dy for to fyght agaynst the false tray [...]our Archebysshop that hath accused her falsly▪ and also agaynst all them that wyll presente them for to accuse my mother in any maner of wyse.

¶ Howe Ualentyne and the grene knyght were taken prysoners in the battayll before Constantynoble by the Soudan Moradyn and his men. Cap. xlii.

[Page] WHen the Emperour vnderstode his sone Ualentyne speke so for the greate [...]isho­noure of his dolorous mother, he began for to wepe right piteously, & said with piteous wordes vnto his sonne walentine Alas my deare sonne I knowe clerely that thou art my sonne legytime, & that with good right thou wilt fight for thy mother, the whiche by a false & an euill reporte and light beleue▪ I haue put and sent thy mother in exi­le▪ but as for to vndertake too fight for her deade in a field it is no nede. For the false [...] coursed Archebisshop that had accused her hath bene foughten with, and sha­mefully vanquyshed and put vnto villaynous deathe by a valiaunt marchaunt, the which in the presen [...]t o [...] the kyng Pepyn thyne vncle, and of me, and before all the congregacion of diuers princes, barons & knygh­tes hath [...]olde and confessed how with wrong & euyll cause by enuye and dyabolyke temptacion he had accu­sed the good lady towarde me. When I vnderstode his confession I was wounded so bitterly at the hart that of my dolour it should be to great a thyng to recounte And syth that same tyme I haue sent diuers messen­gers into dyuers countreys and regyons, in trustyng to haue had of my wyfe some cer [...]ayne [...]ydynges, but I myght not do so muche as to haue some knowledge of her. And therfore my childe and myne only hope if thou knowe any thyng of thy mother hyde it not from me, for aboue all my desyres I haue a syngul [...] desyre for to here some [...]ydinges. Syr sayd valentyne for to speke of my mother knowe for all certayne that yestemyght about mydnyght I sawe her and spake to her within acquytaine, & tolde him y^t Pacole [...] brought him so sone [Page] of the whiche thynge the Emperoure his father was muche ameruayled. For the comyng of valentine was made great ioye through all the cytie of Constancyno­ble. And soo muche was the emperoure Alexander re­ioysed that he cōmaunded to rynge all the b [...]lles of the cytye. And when the paynyens and sarazyns heard the great ioye that they of the cytye made, they ranue vnto armes and in great dylygence were armed [...] [...] poynt. And when they were all ready & armed the soudan [...]o­radyn accompanied with. xxx. kynges stronge & puys­saunt made to assayle the cytie of Constantinoble, the whiche was so full of people that manye horses were dead for hongre. And also dyuers men and women and lytell chyloren from day to day by faute of natural sub­staūce fyn [...]ed their daies piteously in the stretes. And when the noble Dalentine aduised and knew the great multytude of paynims and sarazins, and the necessite of the cytie of Constantynoble, he spake before all the lordes and captaynes saying in this maner. Lord [...]s & knyghtes you knowe and se that within this cytie you are in great necessitie of vitayles, and yet you maye re­couer none but by your valiauntnes vpon your ene­mies. Wherfore I am of the opinion that there should yss [...]e out a certayne nombre of men for too conquere some vitaylles. And I al the first am ready and appa­raylled to conduy [...]e with my litell power and as well as I maye all them of the cytie that wyll yssut out with me. To that coūsayll was consentyng all the capitai­nes of the armye. So there issued out of the cytie with the valiaunt knyght Ualentyne. xx. thousande men of armes, and there yssued out also a great multitude of small people that for the indygence and the greate ne­cessite [Page] that they were in folowed hym gladly. When they were out of the gates they ran vpon the sarazins so fiersly & so valiauntly that within a short space they toke and wonne thre hondred charyottes with vytayl­les, but as they led them towarde the citie of Constan­tynoble the soudan that for this losse was sorowefull with a great company of sarazyns and painims put himselfe betwene them and the cytie of Constantinoble for to recouer the vytaylles agayne that they had lost. And when the kyng Pepyn sawe that they had stopped the passage he smote his horse with the sporres and set his spete in the reste and dyd so valiaunt that he smote dead vnto the earthe the proude Maragon, the which [...] was kyng of Lapharnā. Then he drew out his sworde and smote Arcillon that was tyght strong and paus­saunt▪ in suche wyse that he smote hym out of his sadle vnto the earth. And when valentine & the grene knight sawe the great deades of armes that kyng Pepyn dyd they entred in to the batayll. and without ceasyng they dyd so muche by force of armes that before the Sou­dan they hewe [...] downe the chefe standarde of the false paynims and sarazyns. And when the standarde was downe, Ualentyne passed forth agaynst the false sou­dan, and gaue hym so great a stroke with his spe [...]e that he s [...]ote him of the Olyphaunt that he was mounted on, muche rudely and valiauntly. ¶ At that houre was done so many feates of armes by Ualentyne and the grene knyght that Moraldos was dead and the admyrall taken by the grene knight, And valentine maugre all the pain [...]s and sarazins did cast vnto the grounde foure kynges sarazyns▪ & smote of bothe the armes of the Admyrall of Ombrye. But the two good knightes [Page] that same daye for to wynne honoure and fame were to ardaunt, and entred to ferre wythin the hoste of the painims and sarasins, for whan they thought to hau retorned they wer enclosed with Painims and taken and after bounde straytly as prysoners and led before the Soudan, the whyche also soone as he sawe theym he swore his grete God mahoun that thei shuld neuer retorne vnto the christen men agayn, but should make a gy [...]et to be reysed vp before the cyte of Constantyno­ble, and make them be hanged so hye that al their fren­des myght se them. Thus was Ualentine and the gre­ue knight in grece fere of their liues, thynckynge neuer to escape from theyr cursed handes. And the christē mē did retorne maugre painims & sarazins, for ther was with theym vytaylles in grete haboundance so that al the people of the cyte wee [...] refreshed and comforted.

But or they arryued with in the cyte they had a pyte­ous recountre of paynyms and Sarazyns, and ledde a pyteous recountre and strong batayl, so that the christen men wend neuer to haue retorned into the cytie of Constantynoble. Than they of the cyte that sawe wel the necessite of their men made to cry throughe the cyte that vpon payne of deathe all manner of men, prestes clerkes, Chanons, monkes, Freers, and womē, shuld bere the crosse before them in the honour of the passion of our Lord Ihesu Christ and yssue oute againste the painims. Than was the nombre so gret of the people that yssued out of the cytie of Constantynoble that the estimac [...]on was forty thousād. And whan the painims and sarazins saw the great nōbre of people that came out against thē, they reculed a backe in to their [...]en [...]s, & [...]et the christen men bere a way the vitailles. But or the [Page] paynims was in their tentes the batayll was to great that foure thousande christen men were slayne, whiche was a pyteous thyng to them of the cytie. Ryght so­rowful and displeasaunt was the Emperour of Grece for many noble barons and knyghtes that he had losse [...]n the batayll but aboue al the other he was sorowful in his harte, and bitterly displeasaunt for his valyaūt sonne valentine and the grene knight that had done so great dedes of armes, and in lyke wyse was the kyng Pepyn of Fraunce. Those twaine made great dole and lamentaciō casting out great cryes and syghes for the chylde Ualentyne that they had lost so soone. But the lytel Pacolet recomforted theim muche saying. Lordes leue your wepyng and discomforte, for of Ualentyne you shall be ioyous, and of hym haue good tydynges sooner then you wenefore. Frende sayde he God here the and geue the suche puyssaunce, for an thou maye do so muche as to bryng hym vnto me, and delyuer hym from the handes of th [...] souda [...] that hathe sworen his death, thou maist say surely that aboue the other [...] shal mounte the in honoure and rychesse. Syr said Pacolet put your trust in me, for shortly you shall knowe with what loue I loue you and your sonne valentine. Then Pacolet toke his horse of wodde, and without any mo wordes departed for to go in to the sondans hoost. And the soudan is in his pauyl [...]on that for to iudge Ualen­tyne and the grene knyght had assembled all the greate lordes of his hoost. But his enterpryse was all turned contrary as it shall be shewed you more playnly here afterwarde.

¶ Howe the enchauntoure Pacolet delyuered Valen­tyne and the grene knyght out of the pryson of the sou­dan Morady [...]. Ca. xliiii.

WHan the Soudan Moradin was wyth­drawn in to his pauilō, he made to be brought before him the child Valētine & the grene knight in the pres [...]ce of all the most greatest barons and knights of his court and sayd in thys maner. Lordes at this hour you may well se and knowe the twayne of the worlde that doth moost [...]spleasure and outrage vnto the kynge Ferra­gus. And amonge the other thynges this knyght hath lefte out law and made hym to be christened to here vs [Page] the more domage, wherfore me thyncketh it were well none to sende them vnto kynge Ferragus, for I wot [...]e wel that he wil take vengeaunce on them, and that he shal make them dye a shameful death as thei haue wel deserued. Syr sayd the sarazyns and paynims that of theyr deathes had great enuy. It is no nede to so [...]ouru so muche but make forkes to be reyse [...] [...] in the felde for to hange the two false caitifes on tomorow in the umornyug that hathe borne vs so great dommage, and harme. Lordes sayde the soudan [...]oradyn your coun­sayll is fayre and good, and soo wyll I vse it, for by the god mahowne I sweare you and promyse you that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall make theym to be hanged so hye that all they of the cyte of Constantinoble may se them, and take ensample at theyr death. Af­ter these wordes sayde as the Soudan entred into hys [...]ent for to go to souper the litel Pacolet found himself before hym the which salued him by mahoune highly Pacolet sayd the paynym thou arte welcom. Now tel me lyghtly howe doth the feate of the kynge Ferragus that aboue all the other is my parfyte frende. Sir said Pacolet he fareth right well, and aboue al recōmaun­deth him vnto you, and by me [...]e sendeth you tydynges good that are muche secrete the whiche I shal tel you yf it please you to here me. Fr [...]ede sayd the souden ry­ghte voluntaryly & with good herte I wyll here youre message. Than he drewe him apa [...]e for to tel hym his secrete. And Pacolet sayd to him all softly. Syr wy [...]e that I come from Portyngale and am sente hether by my redoubted lady the wyfe of Ferragus, the whiche wyth all her heart recōmaundeth her vnto you, moche more hardely than I can recounte, and that it be true [Page] I do you to wyte that aboue all the men of the worlde she loueth you best, for she is so esprised and takē with your loue that she maye neyther slepe nor reaste in noo place. Nowe it is true that she the which in all trusteth her in me hath sente me towarde you, and sendeth you worde by me expressely vpon the loue that maye be by­twene two true louers that without soiourning or de­ferrynge you come and se her. For the kyng Ferragus is at this presente tyme gone towarde Acquytayne, so maye you at your owne pleasure and wyll of the plea­saunt lady that aboue al the other shineth in beaute do your pleasure & wyl. And therfore syr come your waye with me, for vpon my hors I shal co [...]duy [...] you so well and in suche manner that tomorowe in the mornynge, I shall set you in Portyngale before the noble and fair lady by the pleasure of my God mahoun. Ha Pacolet sayd the soudan Moradyn thou gynest me at my heart more greater Ioye and comfort than ony other person dydde euer before this. For aboue all the wemen of the worlde I am and haue bene longe tyme of the wyfe of kynge ferragus enamoured but so much there is that neuer no day I myghte fynde my selfe before her in no maner that I myght accomplysshe my wyll, or cell my secrete, but at thys tyme I shall accomplysh the desire of my heart, that so muche and so louge I haue abyden For I promyse the that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall goo wyth the and accomply me my well and my desyre. It that houre that I recount vnto you the sou­dan Moradyn satte hym down at the table and made the enchauntoure Pacolet too bee serued also honestlye as he myght, for he was so ryght▪ Ioyous of the [...]oin­ges that the enchauntour Pacolet had broughte hym, [Page] that the heart lept in hys bely for Ioy, and made grete cheare. And Pacolet that sa we wel that the Sowdan was in greate ioy sayde all softelye to hym selfe. I am feasted and kept wel at ease, but or that it be to morow at nyght such gyueth me of hys bread to eate that shall curse the tyme that euer I was boorne. Now Ualen­tine and the grene knyght was in the tente and pauily­on of the soudan Moradin that were wel and straytly bounden, well knewe they Pacolet whereof they were ryghte Ioyous in their courages in sayinge and thyn­king in their hertes that for their deliueraunce he was comen theder, but they made no semblaunt. And Pacolet in she wynge grete chere and fayre semblaunt vnto the soudan Moradin in beholdynge the prisoners said all on heyght. Syr how be you so curteis for to kepe y^e grene knight in your prisons withoute makinge him dye, for aboue all liuinge men he hath borne dommage vnto his brother Ferragus. And for to greue him y^t mohe hathe renounced Mahounde, and founde the wayes and manere to take frome him his syster. Clerymonde for to geue her vnto a christen knyght. Wherfore me se­meth you are to symple whan him and all the other of his sorte and company you make not dye without ha­uinge on [...]hem ony mercy or pyte. Frende said the sou­dan Moradin it is well my wyll and intencyon, for I am entyerly delybered to make them be hanged by the neckes tomorowe in the morning. Pacolet was so wise and soo well taught that vntyl the hour to sl [...]p [...]he kept the soudan with sportes and playes. And whan the houre was comen that they shold go to reaste, the soudan commaunded that the prysoners shuld be kep [...] [...]o wel [...]nd so straytly that vpon the pain of their liues [Page] they myght yelde hym acountes. And so he wythdrew him into hys chambre, and left Ualentyne & the grene knight in keping of a great sorte of sarazyns and pay­nyms that aboue all thinges were couetous of theyr deathes.

¶ Howe pacolet deceyued the soudan Moradin, & ma­de hym mounte vpon his hors of wodde, and broughte hym in to the cyte of Constantynoble, wenynge to hym that he had brought hym into portyngale. Ca. xliiii.

NOwe the houre was comen that euery bo­dy was withdrawn saue pacolet that made all the watche sleape. Than he came vn­to valentyne and the grene knight and vn bound them, and led them out of the hooste [Page] so that none knew of it. Than whan it came towardes the dawnynge of the day he entred into the tente of the soudan and escryed vnto hym on hye sayinge. Ha sit to euyll gothe oure feate, and euyl shewe you that you loue the wyfe of Ferragus whan you make no more dyli­gence to accomplyshe hee wyll. Whan the soudan herde Pacolet crye so he wakened sodaynly and sayde vnto Pacolet. Frende by Mahoune almyghtye thou haste done well to haue wakened me, for thou hast taken me oute of a greate payne, for I dremed a meruaylous dre­me. And in dreminge me thoughte that a Crowe dydde beare me farre awaye in the ayre, and in flyenge in the ayre there came vnto me a greate byrd that with his bil stroke me so sore that the bloude ranne out in great haboundaunce so I wote neuer what thys wyll saye, and am in drede that the kynge Ferragus knoweth this de de. Syr sayde Pacolet you haue a slouthfull courage whan for a dreme you wyl leue the Ioyous enterprise of her that desyreth you so muche, by mahoune said he thou sayst trouthe. Than he called her chamberlain to make hym redy, and after sayd to him. Frende be secre­ [...]e, & if myne vncle Bruyant demaunde for me, tel hym that I am gone to sporte me a lytel with pacolet, Syr sayd he it shal be done. Than pacolet made the soudan to mounce vp behynde hym and torned the pynne and the horse rose vp in the ayre so impetuously that also sone they were in the cyte of Constantinoble in the Emperours palais. And whan the soudā moradin saw that pacolet was abiden, he saide vnto him, frende muste we lodge here. Ye said pacolet haue no fere nor doubt of nothinge, for we are wi [...]l, in portyngale in the ryche palays of the puyssaunt and myghty kynge Ferragus [Page] By mahoune in whome I beleue sayd the soudan Moradyn I am muche ameruayled howe the deuyll hathe borne the so soone. Now hye you sayd Pacolet and en­tre in to this halle, and I wyll go in to the chambre of the pleasaunt lady the wyfe of Ferragus, and as this same houre I shall make the chambre to be opened too you and to lye wyth her. Frende sayde the Soudan of great ioye thou makest me to laughe. No we go in the name of Mahoune the whiche conduyte the.

¶ Howe the soudan Moradyn was taken and bounde and after was hanged. Cap. xlv.

[Page] PAcolet the enchauntour lefte▪ the sou­dan Moradyn within the halle, the whiche was well loocked on euerye syde, so that he myght not yssue oute. Then he wente towarde the chambre of the Emperoure and gaue so great a stroke against the dore that the chamberlayne harde is and cryed on hyghe in demaunding what are you that at this houre in the chambre imperyal cometh smiting and makyng suche noyse. Frende sayd Pacolet doubte you not of nothing, for I am Pacolet that is come frō the hoost of the soudan Moradyn, where as I haue de­liuered Ualētyne & the grene knight frō the handes of the sarazins y^t had iuged & condā [...]ned thē to death. And more ouer say vnto the emperour y^e I haue brought w^t me in to this palays the soudan Moradyn, the whiche beleueth stedfastly to be in Portingale. Nowe he must be takē without any so iourning & flayne al quicke, for he hath well deserued it. when the chamberlayn vnder­stode the tidinges, he went toward the Emperoure & the kyng Pepyn, the which for to se the soudā with a great nombre of knyghtes armed them. And the Soudan was in the hal that cryed hydeously sayinge. Ha false traytoure Pacolet mahoune curse the. For I haue well hard the & vnderstand the speke, thou haste betrayed me by thy false deceit cursedly & shamefully, but by y^e fayth that I holde yet shall I make the repent it. Than he drewe oute hys swearde and as a madde than that were out of hys wytte began for to renne about the halle in smytynge the walles and the stoones soo rudely that he made the fyre to sprynge out of the marbyl stones▪ And so as he fought alone in the halle, the Emperoure and [Page] kyng Pepyn with torches and tresettes came toward hym well accompanyed. And when he apperceiued thē he pat hymselfe in defence muche outragyously, and slewe a squyer before kyng Pepyn that woulde haue taken hym, and the kyng that was right displeasaunt auaunced hym and gaue hym so great a stroke that he felled hym vnto the earth. Then he was taken a bound muche streyghtly by that it was daylight. Ualentyne and the greue knyght entred in to the palays whiche was come from the hoost of the soudan, and when thei founde hym thers they were muche ioyous. Then the Emperoure and kyng Pepyn made great ioye for the delyuecaunce of Ualētine, and also of the grene knight for he was muche praysed and loued. The Emperour thanked muche Pacolet for the delynetaunce of hys sonne valentyne, and the kyng Pepyn said vnto him. Pacolet fayre syr thou must shewe one gambaude with thy horse. Syr sayde Pacolet mounte vp be hynde [...], and I shall brynge you without testynge into helle, trende sayde the kyng Pepyn, God kepe me t [...]me it. Then sayd Pacolet▪ lordes make diligence to put this false Soudan to death for if euer he escape you, thinke that euyll shall happen therby. At that houre was as­sembled within the palays dyners great lordes for to se the soudan, by the counsaill & deliberacion of whome he was iudged & condempned to be hāged on the great [...]oure of the palays, to the ende that hemyght be seene of the paynims, and so it was don. And when the pay­nyms sawe the soudan hanged there they were fore a­marueiled how he was brought in to the citie. Bruyāt tolde them howe he had bene deceyned by Pacolet. Then was there great sorowe through al the hoost for [Page] the death of the [...], for he was a valiaunt man & a great persecutour of christen people. And after y^t they had made great cryes and grete lamentacious they assembled theyr counsayl and those for their soudā Bru yant that was the vucle of Moradyn. That daye was sorowful paiuims and sarasins, and the christen men within the cyte made great Joy and solace for the do­the of the soudan, and also for the vytaylles that they hadde recouered and wanne. And than after all these thyngs thus doue Pacolet coke leue of the Emperour and of al his court for to retourne in to Acquytain to­warde the fayre Clerimonde as he had promysed her. Than Ualentyne came to him and said. Frend Paco­let syth that you go in to Acquitaine salue me swetely my moder the Empresse Bellyssant, and my loue clerimonde, and my fayre brother Orson, and the good du­ke of Acquitaine with all the other harons and knyghtes, and geue this letter vnto my▪ Lady my moder, by the which she may know clerely the tidings from hēce Syr sayd pacolet I shal do your message gladlye, than he take his hors and bare him in to a greate windowe of marbill, and after lepte vpon his backe and tourned the p [...]ne and the horse rose vp in the aire as tempest The Emperoure and the kinge pepin were at the win­dowes that beheld him strongly. By god saide the kin­ge pepin for all the gold of the world I woulde not be there. Nowe goth parolet by soo greate diligence that vpon the moro we in the morninge he arriued in Ac­quitaine, and found there the good duke that kept the cite, and also the Empresse Bellissant, Orson, and the faire Clerimond, the which he salued on Ualentines behalue muche honourably as it appertayned to them [Page] Frende sayde Orson how fareth the feate of my father, Syr sayd pacolet he fareth ryght well, but for to know rydynges here is a letter that I brynge vnto my Ladye Bellyssant from your brother Ualentine. The Lady toke the letter with grete Joye, and called a secretarye for to rede it. Lady sayd the secretarye that behelde the let­tre. Knowe that the valyaunt knyght your sonne Ualē tine sendeth you worde by this letter that the myghtye Emperour the which woulde se you gladlye salueth you humbly wyth all his harte, the whiche from the tyme of your departynge in payne and in trauayll longe tyme hath made you to be sought. And sendeth you word that sone after that he had expulsed you he had cleare know­ledge of your loyalte, and of the false treason and enter pryse of the false Acchebysshyp, the whyche hathe bene foughten with by a marchaunt and put in such subgec­cyon that before hys death before all the worlde he con­fessed hys false treason. For the whyche thynge the Emperoure your husbande desyreth from daye too daye for to se you, and tyll he haue you agayne he wyll neuer [...]ee gladde at hys hearte. And knowe that also soone as hee shall be rydded of the false sarazyns he will come nether to you with the grene knyghte that your sonne Orson dyd conquere before this citie. Thus your noble sonne Ualentine sendeth you word by the tenour of this lettre whan the lady heard those tidinges for greate Joye she fell in a swowne. And Orson toke her vp betwene hys armes muche swetely. My childe saide the Empresse I ought well to thanke God, and to be Joious whan the Emperoure of Grece hathe certaine tidinges that I am innocente and cleane of the dissamynge and cryme abhomynable that by false treason had bene conspired [Page] agaynst me. Now God gyue me the grace for to fynde my selfe before the Emperoure shortly, for yf I myght se hym ones in my lyfe I wolde desyre no more of God nor for to lyue lenger in this worlde whan he hathe do­ne me suche grace that to myne honoure and to all the bloud of Fraunce he hath shewed the treason of the false irreguler Archebysshope the whiche hathe knowled­ged hys greate malyce and trecherye.

¶ How the kynge Trömpart came before Acquitaine for to socoure the gyaunt Ferragus, and brought with hym Adramayne the enchauntoure, by whome Paco­let was deceyued and betrayed falsly. Ca▪ xlvi.

[Page] ON that same daye that Pacolette arryued within Acquytayne the kynge Trompart came in to the hoost of Ferragus with grete puyssaunce of men of armes too socoure hym agaynst the christen men, and in gret honoure receyued hym the kynge Ferragus, whyche for hys comyng made great feast through al his hoste Free kynge sayd the giaunt Ferragus of your coming I oughte to be Joyous for I haue esperaunce that by you I shall be auenged on them that haue deceiued my syster the fayre Clerymonde. Now I know well that she is within Acquytaine for she hathe bensene, wher fore I prayse littell my puyssaunce if I maye not haue her agayne. And yf that it be so that by your puyssaun­ce and healpe she may be conquered from this hour I gyue you her to wyfe. Ferragus sayd the king Trom­parte of thys doubte you nothyng, for I haue brought with me Adramayne the enchauntour the which shal soone haue deceyued Pacolet, for he knoweth more of the arte of Nygromancye than all the liuynge creatu­res. By mahoune sayd Ferragus I am ryghte glad of his comynge, and yf he maye do so much as to yeld me Pacolet I shall make him of al the most ryche and puyssaunt. Syr sayd Adramayne haue trust in me, for I shall serue you so well that shortly you shal know it Than deparded Adramayne and made redy his chat me for to playe wyth his crafte, and syth went towarde Acquytayne. And to the ende that he myght enterin to it more surely he made hym to be laden with vytall so he dyd so muche by his engyn that he came befoore the gates, and asked entre for to selle his vytayls, He coude speke well to them of the cytye, wherefore they [Page] opened hym the gates and he entred in for to sel his bytaylles. Then after he had solde thē he wente vnto the palays where as he founde Pacolet that knewe hym well, for he had sene him other tymes. Adramayne sayd Pacolet you be welcome. Nowe tel me if it please you from what place you come, and what thynge dryueth you hether at this houre. Pacolet sayde Adrymayn you knowe well that I haue serued long tyme kyng Tromparte. So it happened the other daye that by one of his courte I was smyten & outraged muche vyllaynously because that I would not learne him & shewe hym the secretes of my craft and when I sawe my selfe smyten I had dyspyte in my harte, and with a knyfe I slewe hym. when I had done that dede, for feare of deathe I yssued out of the cource. And thus expulsed from the seruyce of kyng Trōpart I am come towarde you for the truste that I thynke to fynde in you. And from hence­forth I will abyde with you as loyall and true felowe if it please you that it be so. Adramayne sayde Pacolet I am contente, make good cheare and ca [...]e not for noo­thynge. Than Pacolet made hym to be serued and ho­nestly receyued as his felowe▪ that of his coming was ioyous. And in makynge chere together Adramayne sawe the fayre Clerymonde passe through the halle, so he demaunded Pacolet what lady that was that was so fayre and gracious. Frende sayde Pacolet it is the faire Clerymond sister vnto king Ferragus the which muste be ryght hyghly maryed vnto a much tyche and valyaunt knyght. At that houre arryued Orson before the two felowes and sayde vnto them. Lordes playe a lytell betwene you both of your craft, and scyence for to reioyce all the company.

¶ How Adramayne and Pacolet played before the barons, & how Adramayne stole a way Pacolettes horse of wodde and the fayre Clerymonde. Cap. xlvii.

THan Adramayne lift vp a cup a aboue a piller, in such wise y^t it semet vnto as them y^t were there present y^t thorowe y^t place ran a great ryuer & an horryble, & in that same ryuer them thoughte they sawe all maner of fysshes hothe lytell & great. And whē they of the palays sawe the wa [...]e [...] so great, they begā al for to lift vp their gownes & to crye strongly as they that had fere to be drowned. And Pa­colet that behelde the enchauntement began for to sing [Page] and made a charme so subtyl in his songe that it semed vnto all them of the place that throughe the ryuer ran a great herte, that caste and hurled to the earthe al that he founde before hym. Then them thought y^t they sawe hunters folowe hym wyth many greyhoundes and bra­chettes. Then there was dyuers of the company that lepte for the and wolde haue taken the harte, but Pako­let made the hart to lepe incontinent. By my fayth sayd Orson you haue played ryght well and you can vse ry­ghte well your arte. At these wordes rose vp the two enchauntours, and Pacolet that thought but all well led Adramayne into hys chambre for to slepe & repose hym that nyght, wherof he was ryght sorowfull and angry afterwarde, for whan it came towarde mydnyght A­dramayne kest a charme throughe all the palays, that bothe lytle and great slepte so strongly that for cryenge nor brayenge they myght not waken vnto the morowe that the sunne was vp, and made Pacolet to slepe also well as the other. After he went towarde the hors that he hadde sene in the chambre, but he had made no sem­blaunte. And whan he had the hors he wente in to the chambre of Clerymonde and by hys subtyll arte in sle­pynge he made her to ryse and clothe her, and sette her on the hors wyth hym, and came vnto a wyndowe and torned the pynne, for he knewe well the guyse, and dyd soo muche that wythout soiournynge he arryued in the pauylyon of kyng Trompart w^t the fayre Clerymonde. Then Adramayne cryed. Syr kynge Trompart slepe not, but ryse vp incontynent, for heare maye you see the pleasaunt lady Clerymonde, the whyche I haue stolen within acquytayne. And I haue done so muche & wrou­ghte so subtylly that I haue stolen Pacolettes hors. A­dramayne [Page] sayd kynge Trompart at this houre I know that thou arte a true frende, and that aboue all other I am be holden vnto the. Is it not the doughter of the great kynge Justamon that is syster vnto kynge Fer­ragus. Yes sayd Adramayne I haue ryght subtylly sto­len her awaye, and betrayed Pacolet the enchauntoure for of his hors he shall neuer haue the gouernynge. Adramayne sayd the kynge Trompate can thou playe also well as he yes sayd Adramayne I learned it longe ago. Then he shewed hym the maner and the facyon to for­ne the pynne and to gouerne the hors. And whan kyng Trompart had sene the subtylte, he thought within hym selfe that he wolde lede the fayre lady Clerymonde in to hys countre vpon the hors of wodde▪ and there take her vnto wyfe. Then he enbraced the fayre Clerymonde that slepte yet for the charme of Adramayne, and wyth hym sette her surely vpon the hors of wodde. And Adramayne behelde hym and sayd to hym. My lorde yf you fayle for to play with the hors you put your self in great daunger and peryll, and the lady also. No sayd Trom­part of that haue no doubte, and then he turned the pyn ryght in hys course and went through a cloude so ferre that he went more than two hundred myle before daye And at that houre awakened the fayre lady Clerimond that was so dolent & sorowfull for to se herselfe in that estate that she fell in swowne, wherof the kyng Trom­part was muche abasshed, and afrayd at his hert, for he wende that she hadde ben dead▪ He torned the pyn and stopped the hors in a fayre grene felde besyde a fountay­ne that was ryght fayre and clere. And whan he hadde discended the lady vpon the grasse, he toke of the water and cast it in her face to make her [...]yue agayne, and [Page] the lady for the coldnes of the water began for to remo­ue a lytell and open her eyen, and began for to make so pyteous cryes and lamentacious that the kyng Trompart wende verely that at that houre her hatte woulde haue brosten, wherfore great sorowe toke hym. And he founde no maner how he myght succoure her saue by a shepeharde that was there besyde them, of whiche he demaunded some bread. And the shepeherde gaue hym a quarter of a lofe which he brought vnto the fayre Clerymonde, and put of it in her mouthe. The mayden ete a lytell, and with the fountaine she wasshed her thro [...]e. And when her harte was a litell come agayne and her speche strengthed she began for to wepe in sayinge. A­las vnhappy & aboue all dolorous what is happened me, no we haue I loste all my solace & my Joye vy vn­happy fortune and cursed treason. Alas my loue Ualē tine nowe haue I lost you▪ of god be he cursed that hath departed vs. When the kynge Tromparte hearde the great lamentacions that the fayre Clerymonde made for her loue Ualentyne, he sayd vnto her muche rudely Lady leue suche wordes, and of the christen boye neuer speake more before me, or by my God mahoune I shall take thy lyfe from thy body. It is more ryght and rea­son that I wedde you, and that you be geuen me that haue my realme vnder my dominacion and lordshyp, than for to take that same vnhappy knaue that hathe neyther lande nor lordshyp. In saying these woordes he enclyned him towarde the lady and would haue kis­sed her, but the noble lady that of his loue was lytel curyous gaue him vpon the mouthe with her [...]iste so that the bloude came out for the whiche the kynge Trom­parte was muche angry & set her on the horse furiously [Page] But it is sayde cōmonly that it is euyll thinking to be mayster of the crafte that they can nothyng of. Euen so dyd it to kynge Cromparte that wende well too haue played with Pacolettes horse, but he torned the pynne so euill that he faylled of his waye more than two hon­dred myle. ¶ And as he thought to haue aryued in his lande he arryued in Ynde the great a great place wher as market was kept that daye. And seynge all the peo­ple he descended on the groūde with the fayre lady Cle­rymonde. Of the whiche thyng they were muche amer­uayled that sawe it. And at that houre the lady Clery­monde knewe the horse. For she myght not knowe him the nyght before for the great doloure that she was in. Alas Pacolet sayde the noble lady nowe am falsly be­trayed, and you the fyrst of all robbed. Alas now maye I well say fare well my loue Ualentyne, aboue al the other moost curteys and amiable. By my god mahoune sayd the kyng Crompart that wende well to haue ben in his countrey if euer you speke to me of that christen boye ryght shortly you shall se & knowe with what loue I loue hym, for with my cutting sworde I shall make your head to fle of your shoulders. Now is Crompart well deceyued that thinketh to be in his countrey, and that for the fayre Clerymonde hathe wylled too playe Nygromancy for he is arryued in the place where as it behoueth hym to fynyshe his dayes. For after that he had bene sene of dyuers in the place, some saide among them that it was the great god mahoune that in fleshe and bloude for to vysite his people was descended frō heauen. The tydynges of this vysion came vnto the kyng of Ynde, the whiche cōmaunded that they should be brought before hym. Nowe in an euill houre ariued [Page] the kyng Crompart, for also sone as the kyng of Ynde sawe hym he knewe hym.

❧ Howe the kyng of Ynde made kyng Crompartes head to be smytten of, because he had slayne his brother and howe he would haue hadde the fayre Clerymonde vnto his wyfe. Capit. xlviii.

[Page] I Rompart sayd the kynge of Ynde, ye be wel­come, for nowe is come the tyme that of the death of my brother I shal take vengeaunce to whiche by your fyerse courage you haue made warre by the space of seuen yeare, and after at the last in tormente and mar [...]it you haue made hym dye shamefully. So wyll I shewe vnto my bro­ther that in his lyfe I loued hym truely, and that after his death I haue auenged him on his enemies. Than the kyng of Ynde without any other delyberacion at that same houre made his head to be smyten of. And af­ter the Justice was done he made the fayre lady Clery­monde to be taken with the horse of wodde, and for the beaute of the lady he made her to beledde in to his pa­lays muche honourably, and well serued and kept. Af­ter he entred into his halle and made her to be brought before hym by them that were the moost nerest his per­sone. when she was come before hym he behelde her gladly for her maners and countenaunce, that of beau­te corporal passed all the other and sayd vnto her much swetely. Lady I can not tell what you are▪ nor from whence you become, but the prudence and beaute that is in you maketh me to be so taken with your loue that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I was so embraced with no womās loue. wherfore I am delivered for to take you vnto wyfe and spouse, and make you quene and may­stresse of all the lande of Ynde the greate. Syr sayde the fayre Clerimonde that could answer ful wel. You spe­ke graciouslye, and promyseth and presenteth me more goodes & ryche [...]s than I am worthy for to haue, but as to the regarde for to take you vnto husbande & spou­se for this presente houre yf it please you, you shall par­don [Page] me, for within this lytell whyle I haue made an othe and auowe before the ymage of God mah [...]une for certaine necessities that I haue founde my selfe in that from this daye come a tweluemoneth. I shall take noo man vnto husbande nor spouse. And therfore syr yf it please you let me holde and accomplysshe myne auowe vnto the yeare be fynyshed, and when the terme shal be passed and accomplisshed, that take me vnto wyfe and spouse, and do with me your pleasure. ¶ By mahoune sayd the kyng you says but well, and sythe that you ha­ue so a [...]cerprysed and vowed to oure God mahoune, I am of accorde and contente to abide vnto the time that the ende of your auowe become. So abode the noble lady in the palays of the kynge of Ynde the greate, the whiche thought well to haue had his desyre of her or y^e yer [...] had bene passed. And cōmasi [...]ed that the fare Cle­rymonde shoulde be well kept and serued aboue all the other. And make too delyner vnto her a fayre chambre that was muche richely aourned, in the whiche the pleasaunt lady made to bere the horse of wodde, and in the moost secretest place put hym vnder her warde [...]ope, & whan the noble lady Clerymonde sawe the horse in be­waylyng Pacolet with her eyen she wept tenderly, in praying God deuoutly that he would delyuer her out of that daunger. Alas sayd the noble lady, veray god al myghty in whome is myne onely beleue, resplendysshe your grace vpon this poore woman or elles I am and shall remayn [...]a poore strayed woman separed from all my frendes, and among the other the moost sorowful. And in the handes of mine enemies it behoueth me to vse the remenaunt of my lyfe. Alas true redemproure do by thy puissaūce so much afore y^e ende of my daies y^t [Page] I maye see with both myne eyen the pleasaunt Ua­lentyne to whome I am geuen. For I loue better to bee dead and suffer greuous tormentes than to habandone my body to other than hym. The lady is in Ynde the great the whiche is nyght and daye in syghes and in teares, praying God deuoutly that he wold put her out of the daunger and yelde her safe & sounde to the noble knyght Ualentyne, to whiche she had geuen her fayth, and her courage before any other man lyuyng. Nowe wyll I leue to speake of her & of the kyng of Ynde, & to folowe my mater I shall speke to you of Pacolet & of y^e sorowe y^t was made for Clerymonde within Acquitain.

❧ Howe Pacolet in a madens clothyng auenged him on the false Adramayne. Cap. xlix.

[Page] AFter that the nyght was passed in the why­che Adramayne had betrayed pacolet: and ledde away the fayre Clerymonde, through the cyte of Acquytayne was made great la­mentacyons for the losse of the lady, for the gardes of the palays that myssed her made so great la­mentacyons and soo great noyse in the mornynge that throughe out all the cyte was the tydynges. And whan Pacolet knewe that he was departed / he doubted hym of some treason. Then he loked aboute the chambre and sa we anone that his hors was loste, soo he wronge his handes and drewe his heere in cryenge hyghely. A fals Adramayne by the I am deceyued. For falsly thou hast stolen my hors and my lady Clerymonde hathe borne away vpon hym. Well ought I to hate my lyfe whan by the I am thus betrayed and vnpuruayed of the thin ge that I moost loued. Now death come vnto me for to take me out of thys worlde, for I haue no more hope to haue comforte nor consolacyon. So pensyfe and so­rowfull was Pacolet for the fayre Clerymonde that yf it had not ben Orson that came towarde hym he wolde haue slayne hymselfe wyth a knyfe. On euery syde of the palays was herde pyteous cryes, and wofull com­playntes. Bellyssaunt the Empresse wepte and cryed sore. And the fayre Fezonne made suche dole that she rent her ryche clothes for the loue of Clerymonde that was stolen awaye so falsly. And all they of the cyte made in­numerable complayntes & be waylynges. And amonge all the other it was a pyteous thynge to here the com­playnt and lamentacyon of the good Duke of Acquy­tayne. And whan pacolet sawe the great sorowe that e [...] ry body made he sayd vnto them. Lordes I swere vn­to [Page] god that hath fourme all the world that I shal neuer haue Ioye of my lyfe nor comforte vnto the tyme that I haue taken vengeaunce of the traytoure Adramayne by the whyche we are betrayed and deceyued. At these wordes he departed heuy and sorowfull and put of hys gowne, and toke the habyte of a woman, in clothynge him ryght gentylly as a younge mayden. And in that es­tate departed out of of the cyte of Acquytayne, and went in to the hoost of the kynge Ferragus. And also soone as he was in the hoost of the paynyms there came out towarde hym that prayed hym muche of loue, bycause hym thought he was soo fayre a mayden. For Pacolet had wasshed hys face wyth a water ryght subtyl made by hys charme in suche maner that all they that beheld hym sayd amongest theym that they had neuer sene a more fayrer woman nor a more gracyous. Of dyuers paynyms and sarazyns he was beholden and requyred but euer he excused hym and sayd. My lordes pardone me, for at thys tyme I am promysed and haue made co­uenaunt wyth the enchauntour Adramayne, the which hathe reteyned me. Mayden sayd the other go on your waye. And so Pacolet toke the way to go vnto the en­chauntour. Adramayne that was in the tente. And whan Adramayne sawe hym he was so enchaunted that Pa­colet semed hym the moost fayrest woman that euer god created. And he was so muche enamoured on hym that for to slepe wyth hym that nyght he reteyned hym, and Pacolet accorded therto ryght gladly and sayd to hym My lorde knowe that I haue bene requyred of manye, but aboue all the other me thynke you are worthyest to be seruyd. Doughter sayd Adramayne doubte you of nothynge, but make good chere, for I haue a good wyl [Page] for to serue you, and do you good tyght largely. Than Adramayn cōmaunded one of his seruauntes that he shoulde kepe the mayde, and that she shoulde be serued at souper with all maner of meates & wyne at her plea saunce. Nowe is the enchauntout Pacolet in the tente of Adramayn well and honestly serued. And Adramayn is in the hoost of kyng Ferragus seruyng. Frende said Pacolet to the varlet of Adramayne where is the kyng Trompart that is so puyssaunt and well renowmed. By mahoune sayd he my lady I thynke he is retourned in to his countrey, and leadeth with hym the fayre lady Clerymonde vpon a horse of wodde that my mayster hathe geuen him. When Pacolet harde those tidinges demaunde not if he was sorowful, but he made no sem­blaunt. Than entred Adramayne in to the tente, and presented wyne and spyces vnto Pacolet, & after sayde to hym. My doughter it is tyme to go to reste, se here y^e bedde that you and I shall slepe in and do our pleasu­res. Lorde sayde Pacolet your wyll be done. And then Adramayne the enchauntour vnclothed hym & entred in to the bedde, thynking that the mayden would come and lye with hym. But also soone as he was in the bedde Pacolet enchaunted him in suche wyse, and made hym slepe so strongly that for any thynge that myghte be done vnto the morowe in the mornynge he myghte not a wake. And when he hadde made hym slepe so, he made all there aboute to slepe. Than he put of his wo­mans clothyng, and put vpon hym the rychest clothes of Adramayne, after he toke a sworde that hanged in y^e [...]hambre and smote of Adramaynes head, and bare it with hym. When he had done so he wente vnto Ferta­gus p [...]u [...]ion the whiche was wel kept with sarazins. [Page] and so well he coulde playe with his arte that he made all fall vnto the earth & slepe. Then he entred into the tence whereas Ferragus slepte, the whiche he enchaū ▪ teth so muche that he made hym lepe out of his bedde, & clothe him. Then Pacolet toke his gyrdle and tied it aboute his necke in suche wyse that as a beaste he ledde hym and made renne after hym vnto the gates of the cytie of Acquytayne. when Pacolet was at the gares of Acquytayne he founde the duke Sauary accompa­nied with dyuers lordes and barons that hadde muche desyre to knowe of that enterpryse. And also soone as they sawe Pacolet they sayd vnto hym. Frende where is Clerymonde that you bryng not her agayne. Lordes sayd Pacolet haue a litel pacience for at the first stroke with an axe the tree is not smyten downe. Knowe that of Adramaine I am auenged, forse here his head, and yet I haue done soo muche by myne arte that I haue brought Ferragus with me, the whiche all in slepynge I haue made renne after me through the fyeldes. By my fayth sayd Orson well haue you wrought. Lordes sayd Pacolet yet haue I done more maystrye, for in al the hoost of kynge Ferragus there is neyther paynym nor sarazyn but that they slepe vnder the trees muche strongly. And therfore if you will haue victory vpon them at this houre you maye confounde theym euery­ [...]hon [...]. My lordes sayd Orson Pacolet telleth vs good tydynges, and me thinketh it were good to yssue out of the cytie and tenne vpon the paynyms that are on sle­pe. Thus was the counsayll ordeyned, and the thynge delybered. Then they made Ferragus to be put in a darke pryson vnto their retournyng.

¶ Howe kyng Ferragus hoost was all dyscomfited, & put all to death, and how Ferragus was slayne after­ward within Acquytayne. Capit. l.

THen fiftene or sixtene thousand men ys­sued out of the cytie of Acquitaine, and they entred so pryuely into the hoost of the sarazyns that or the sunne was vp they had vanquyshed them & put thē al to death. At that houre was so great slaughter of paynyms that all the earth was couered with their bodies. After the batayll they wente in to their tentes and toke all their rychesses and Iewelles. They retorned in to acquitayne with right great [...]oye. So when the duke was in his palays with all his ba­rons he made to be brought before hym the gyaunte [Page] Ferragus. Than the kyng Ferragus that was awa­kened was so sorowfull that with the cryes he semed madde. Tho sayde the duke of Acquytayne to him. Tho dyspayre auayleth you nothynge. But & you wyll be baptyzed, and take the lawe of Ihesu christe, I shall saue your lyfe, and make you be honoured in my pa­lays. By mahoune sayde Ferragus yet hadde I rather be dead, and then he was beheaded incontynent. ¶ Af­ter all these thynges, Orson woulde take leue of the duke of acquytayne for to go in to Constantynoble to succoure his father and the king Pepyn his vncle that were besyeged by the false sarazyns, and tolde the duke all his entencion.

¶ How Orson and the duke of Acquytayne went in to Constantynoble with a great hoost, for to succoure the Emperoure. And howe Orson ledde the Empresse Bellyssant with hym. Capit. li.

[Page] ORson sayd the duke you speake reasonably and syth that you are delybered for to do so [...] I wyll goo in your companye, and mounte vpon the see with force and strength of men of armes, for to go and socoure your father The Emperoure of Grece, and your [...]te the kyng Pepyn. Muche Ioyous was Orson and thanken▪ the duke a thousand tymes. Soo it was not longe after that the duke assembled hys men. And after that he had gyuen the cyte to kepe to a noble knyght they entred vpon the see for to accompany Orson▪ the whyche ledde wyth hem hys mother & hys wyfe Fezonne. They were much well garnysshed wyth men and vyttaylles, and rowed so muche vpon the Grekysshe se [...], that in shorte space they sawe the cyte of Constantynoble, wherof they we­re ryght Ioyous, and amonge the other the lady Bellis­sant began for to wepe muche pyteouslye, in makynge lamentacyons whan she thought on her husbande and on her fortune. Mother sayd Orson take comforte vnto you, for yf it please god you shal se him shortly that you desyre soo muche, and of the treason by the whyche you were accused you shall haue tydynges to your honoure but I am pensyshow we shall entre in to Constansty­noble. Syr sayd Pacolet of thys haue no doubte, for I shall shortely fynde the maner howe we shal entre into the cyte. For I wyll go in to the cyte and tell theym of your comynge. Frende sayd Orson of that I praye you And declare vnto Ualentine the pyteous fortune of Clerymonde. By my fayth sayd Pacolet of that you shall pardon me for to sone cometh he that bryngeth euil ty­dynges After these wordes pacolet went into the sara­zyns hoost for to delyuer Ualentine & the grene knight [Page] but of the prysons of the soudan that hadde bene taken that daye by the sarazyns afore Constantinoble as you shall here afterwarde.

¶ Howe the christen men for to haue vytayles yssued out of Constantynoble. And howe Ualentyne and the grene knyght were taken prysoners by the false sara­zyns and paynyms. Capit. xxxiii.

KYng Pepyn and the Emperoure of Grece that were besyeged within Constantinoble by the false enemyes of our fayth, and that knewe nothyng of the commyng of the du­ke of Acquytayne that came for to succour [Page] hym were in great indygence and necessyte. For them; peroure and the kyng Pepyn with dyuerse vallaunte and noble knyghtes were within the cytye of Constan­tinoble in ryght great scarcenes of vytaylles, and they might get none in no maner of waies but w^t the sworde vpon their enemies. Then Ualentyne knewe their great necessite, for the whiche thyng he that was full of hardynes accompanied with the grene knyght and twenty thousande fyghtyng men for to conquere some vytaylles yssued out of Constantinoble, and of the vytaylles of the sarazins and paynims thei charged two hondred charyottes, and slewe and put vnto death all them that kepte the vytaylles. But as they retourned to ward the cy [...]le thynking to lede away the vytaylles there came agaynst thē the soudan on one syde, and the kyng of Arabye, and the kyng Afficion on the other sy­de. There was ryght great destructiō of the paynims, and muche pyteous slaughter of the christen men. Of the prowesse and valiauntnes of the noble Valentyne it is not to be spoken of, for at that assau [...]e he slew the kyng Pramagan, with the knight Clarian, and diuers other of whome the names be vnknowen. And the grene knyght with one stroke smote of the arme of the kyng of Moryenne with the shelde, and before hym he slewe his brother Abyll [...]n with ten other knyghtes ryght stronge. But not with standyng their strenghte & hardynes they were euylly sucoured, and had euyll ad­uenture, wherof it was great pytie, for of their mortal enemies they were taken prisoners and sedde vnto the cursed soudan, the whiche for their takyng made ryght greatioye and feaste. And for to iudge them vnto death he made to assēble. xv. kinges paynims. And y^e christē [Page] men y^t retorned in to y^e cyte fleyng told euery body that they were deed in the batayl. How was Ualentine & the grene knyght in the pauilion of the soudan strayt­ly vounden and rygorously detayned, wherfore Ualentyne wepte sayenge. Alas fayre Clerymonde I shal neuer se you, wherof I haue my hert tryst and sorowful, By longe tyme you haue a hyden me, and in payne and trauayll of my body I haue sought you longe tyme as she that by the wyl of god was elect for to be my spou­se and wyfe. And whan the tyme was comen y^t of [...] euylles I sholde haue had alledgement, and of my do­lours recomforte and consolacyou. I am of all pleasu­re vn wrapped and separed from my friendes and am in the handes of myne enemies. Farewel my fader noble emperour of Grece, for in me you shal haue no more a chylde. Fare well the noble Bellyssant my mother, for you had neuer for me but a lytle pleasure nor com­forte, and you shal neuer haue more but sorow and dis­tresse. Fare well my valyaunt broder Orson that hath loued me with so good hert. For we hadde purposed to haue passed and fynysshed our dayes with our fader & moder, and no we by a case vnfortunate it is sodainly reuersed, whan the grene knyghte sawe that Ualenty­ne complayned him in be waylynge his frends, he said vnto hym. Syr for god forgete fader & moder frendes and kynnesmen, and make we prayes vnto God that he wyl haue mercy on vs, and receyue our soules into his paradise. Take we our leue of this life and in worthe the dethe for to susteyne the fayth, & haue we trust in God that for vs wold suffer death. How was y^• soudan set in a chayre prepayred in great pryde rythly clo­thed, the which sayd Lordes I haue made an othe vn­to [Page] god mahowne that these two crysten knyghtes the why che at this present tyme and other tymes haue en­forsed them for to bere vs domage shall dye vylanously wherfore aduyse you amonge you of what death they shall dye. In saynge these wordes Pacolet keste hym­selfe in the prece, the which threwe suche a charme that for all that they had sene hym befoore in the tyme that the Soudan Moradyn was taken, yet at that houre he was not known of no body. He entred into the pauiliō where as the iudgemente was gyuen on the two chry­sten knyghtes, and also soone as he apperceyued Ualentyne and the grene knight he set him on bothe his kne­es, and in sarasyns language by mahoune he salued the soudan / & syth sayd vnto hym thus. Ryght dere syr vn­derstonde my message. Knowe that I am messengere vnto your broder Groart the puyssaunt kynge of Argy ere, the whych for to soucour you and for to confounde the christen men cometh toward you accompanied with foure kynges stronge and puyssaunt and a grete nom­bre of capptaynes that haue valyaunte knyghtes for to helpe you. And by me he sendeth you wordde to wete on what syde you syl that he set hys syege. And yf you haue ony christen prisoners that you sende hym them and he wyll make them be led into his contrie for to drawe the ploughe as dombe beastes. So me thynketh that I see heare twayne that shoulde be muche propre for to do suche payne, of whome your father shall be Joyous. In sayinge these wordes Pacolet blewe agaynste the Son dan and made a charme so subtyll that of all that why the he sayd was byleued. The Soudan was moche io­yous of thoose tydynges, and made hym too be well ser­ued that nyghte, for he wende that he hadde sayd trouthe [Page] Great ioye demeaned Ualentyne & the grene knyght in their hartes when they sawe Pacolet, but they made no semblaunt. Nowe the nyght was come that euery body withdrawe them vnto reste saue two hundred sa­razyns that were in armes, the which were committed for to kepe the prysoners that nyght. But they made euyll watche for theim. For whem it came towarde mydnyght Pacolet wente vnto them, and in speaking vnto the sarazins by mahowne he kaste his charme by so subtyll a mater that they fell all vnto the earthe on slepe. Then he toke two good horses & came vnto the prysoners that were bounde against a pyller. And af­ter that he had vnbounde them, in continent & without any delay he made them for to mounte on horsbacke. And in this wyse he did deliuer them, and caste thē out of their enemies handes▪ when they were in the fielde out of the hoost Pacolet said vnto them. Lordes make good there and take comfort vnto you. For know that vpon this lande is descended the good duke of Acqui­tayne, and the knyght Orson for to sucour you, and di­uers capitaines with a great nonbre of fyghting men. And there is come also in their company, the noble Empresse Bellyssant, and the fayre Fezonne. Frende sayde Ualentyne, wherfore commeth not the fayre Clery­monde. By my faythe sayde Pacolet she woulde haue come ryght gladly, but also sone as she was mounted vpon the sea, for the odoure of the water she was so seke at her harte that it was force to leade her agayne in to Acquytayne. Ualentyne beleued hym and for that ty­me he questyoned him no forder, for Ualentyne wende verely that he had said truthe. Then sayd Pacolet lor­des goo in to Constantinoble and make to morowe in [Page] the mornyng in suche wyse that you yssue oute of the cytie with the greatest nōbre of men of armes that you can make for to go against your mortal enemies. And I shall do so muche on the other syde that all the h [...]est of the duke of Acquitayne that is come shall geue as­saulte. An [...]t that houre the soudan shal beleue that it is sucoure that cometh to hym. For I haue made hym to vnderstande that the kyng of Argy his brother is a tyued, accompanied with foure kynges, the whiche to morowe in the mornyng oughte to fynde them in his hoost, Pacolet sayde Valentine you speake wysely & so it shall be done. At these wordis they toke leue the one to the other. Pacolet retourned towarde the duke of Acquytayne that was vpon the sea syde with his hoost, & told [...] hym how he had bene within the soudans hoost, & how he had deliuered Ualētyne and the grene knight. And after he tolde hym how by his sorte he had made the soudan beleue y^t his brother the kyng Gro [...] would come and sucour on him the morowe, Parcolet said Orson you are much to be praysed when you can do such thynges. Syr sayd Pacolet there is an other thynge, y^t is that to morowe in the morning we go and assail the hoost of the sarazins. For they of Constantynoble with great puyssaunce of men of armes ought to assayll thē on their syde. And by this maner they shall be al discō ­fyted. For of all the armye on this syde the soudan shal thynke that we be paynyms by the subtyll language y^t I haue enchaunted him with. Of this enterprise was Ioyous and muche ameruayled the duke and they of his courte. He made his men to be armed and appoin­ted for to perfourme the dede and al the nyght he made to make good watche aboute hym. ¶ The tydynges [Page] were anone throughe the citie of Cónstantinoble of the deliueringe of Ualentine and the grene knight. The Emperour and kinge Pepin made great Joye for their deliueraunce. And Ualentine recouted to them all the maner of his takinge. And howe that he and the grene knight hadde ben deliuered bi Pacolet out of the han­des of the Soudan Bruiant. And tolde vnto them also the comminge of the duke of Acquitaine and of his bro­ther Orson, whiche for to come and succour them hadde passed the see with a great nauie of men of armes, and finablie he tolde them all the enterprise that was made for to assaill the painims and sarazins, euen so as it had ben delibered bi Pacolet.

❧ How die the succoure of the duke of Acquitaine all the painims and sarazins were slaine before the citie of Constantinoble. Ca. liii.

[Page] WHan the Emperour & king Pepyn heard those tydynges dylygently and wythoute ony soiournyng they made to arme theyr men all the nyght and put them in poynt. And of theyr hoost thei made to make fyue bataylles. The fyrst was gyuen vnto Ualentyne, the seconde to the grene knyghte. The thirde to the kynge Pepyn. The fourthe to Myllon dangler. The fift was gyuen vnto Sampson of Orleaūce that bare in his ba­ner a bere of syluer. Thus ordeyned the Emperour hys bataylles. And whan it came to the brekyng of thys day the yssued out of the cyte for to go assayll the sarazyns So whan they were vpon the felde they made to blowe vp trumpettes and clarons, wherof the nyse was soo great that the sarazyns at that houre cryed alarme and lepte out of theyr tentes. At that houre the paynyms & sarazins were sore assaylled by the chrysten men. The batayll was piteous for the christens that daye, and for the painims and sarazins cruell discomfiture, for at that assaute was slaine fifty thousande sarazins and paynims. There was the kinge Pepin that in giuinge courage vnto his men cried with a highe voyce monte toye saint De [...]is. Than there was a sarazin that with a highe voyce cried saienge vnto the Sowdan. Ha six re­cule abacke and thinke for to saue oure liues. For to ny­ghte we haue loste our two prisoners, and also we haue sene comminge against vs a great armye. My mahoune saide the Soudan I knowe well we are betraied, but for all that haue good truste in our goddes, and thinke we for to defende vs. A [...] that houre the sarazins toke soo greate courage for to fight, that bi force of annes thei constreined the cristen men for to go abacke againe [Page] but lytell auayled their pryde, for there came smytyng vpon them the duke of Acquitayne & Orson, the which assayled them so asperly that without any remission they fynysshed their dayes, soo that of all their hoost there escaped but. xxxiii. And soo by the wyll of Jhesu christ, and by the great prowesse of the valyaunt prynces the cursed sarazyns were dyscomfyted.

❧ Howe the Emperour receiued his sone Orson with great ioye, and his wyfe Bellyssant. Cap. liiii.

[Page] ANd when the bacayll had taken an ende & that the christen men were gathered toge­ther ogayne. Ualentyne & his brother Or­son that knewe eche other came before the Emperoure in muche great reuerence. Fa­ther sayd Ualētyne here may you se my brother. Orson the whiche you neuer sawe, by whome you haue bene sucoured in this iouruey. When the Emperour embra­ced his son Orson pyteouysly wepyng, and also did the kyng Pepyn. Fayre sonne said the Emperoure will be you come for by you my ioye is doubled and my hope fortefyed. Orson sayde the kyng Pepyn do you not re­membre howe ye smote me downe of my horse in the wodde whē I thased you. Fayre vncle or this I ought well to be remembred on and of diuers other thyng is done by me. But at this presed time we ought to thinke none other thynge but to thanke god of the victory that he hath geuen vs agaynst the enemies of the fayth, for with all our puyssaunce we ought to study in our hat­tes how we myght auenge Jesu Christe. For to heare those wordes all the company was greatly resoyled, and praysed muche the wysoome of Orson. Then assembled the Emperoure and kyng Pepyn Ualentyne and Orson and the grene knyght, Blandymayn and Guy­darde the marchaunte that had vanquysshed the false Archebysihop. And in greate honoure and tryumphe wence for to se the tentes of the noble Empresse Bel­lyssant and of the fayre Fezonne, the which in abiding the dyscomfyture of the sarazyns were in a fayre pauy­lion honestly accompanied, and there they prayed de­uoutly vnto God that it would please him to kepe the Emperoure and his men from the dannger of the pay­nyms, [Page] whan the Empresse Bellyssant knewe that the batayle was wonne she sayd duty Fezonne. My dough ter make good chere for you shal se the Emperour ano­ne the whiche is Orsons father that hath takē you vn­to wyfe. Mother sayd Fezonne god be thanked, for to se suche a thynge I haue great desyre. In sayenge these wordes the Emperour arryued before the pauylyon of the ladies and all hys companye. And whan the ladies apperceyued hym they went out agaynst hym. Than whan the Emperour apperceiued his Wyfe Bellyssant he lepte of his hors in wepynge and syghinge tenderly And wythout that he might speke ony worde he enbraced the lady the whyche set her vpon both her knees. In that place assembled the Emperoure and the good lady that by the space of twenty yere and more hadde ben se­parate in sondre. Now it is not to be demaunded yf for to fynd the one the other they were Ioyous, and if that by profounde pyte they had theyr heartes touched & op­pressed so that by naturall loue they fell vnto the earth in arme togyther in a swowne. And whan valentyne and Orson sawe the greate pyte of thir father and mo­ther moche tenderly and pyteyusly they beganne for to wepe and harde besyde them they fel bothe in a swowne. The kinge Pepyn and dyuers other barons & kny­ghtes that behelde that thynge beganne moche tenderly lor to wepe. And after that the Emperoure and hys wyfe Bellyssant had aswaged theyr dolours, and that they were awakened out of theyr swowne y^• emperour sayd vnto his wife. Alas my loue muche ought it to dis­please me at the heart the doloure and payne that your body hath suffred sith your exyle. But and yf it please you I praye you pardon me for my great faute, for with [Page] greate payne maye ony kepe them frome treason. My lorde sayd the good lady of the trybulacion that I haue bene in, haue you no thought. For syth the houre that I sawe you of all my dolours I haue had aledgemente & comforte. But of one thyng I praye you that is that it wil please you to shewe me the good marchaunt by the whyche the treason hath ben knowen, and the false ar­chebysshop ouercomen. My loue sayd the Emperoure here may you se hym for it is the good guydarde by the whiche the thynge hath ben knowen and your honoure saued. Frende sayde the lady vnto the marchaunte well are you worthy to be byloued and holden dere amonge all the other, for the great prouffyte that you haue done to the Emperoure of Grece and to the noble bloode of Fraunce. Wherfore frome hens forwarde I reteyne you for my chamber layne, & with that I wyl that you haue for your payne a thousande marke of fyne golde. Ladye sayd the marchaunt I thanke you and al my lyfe I shal serue you truely. Than spake Ualentyne vnto his mo­der and sayd. My lady mother please it you to speke to [...]nd tell me tydynges of my good loue Clerymonde▪ [...]yre sone sayd the lady take comforte vnto you For [...]ymond hathe ben falsly stolen awaye in the cyte of Acquytayne and deliuered vnto kyng Tromparte that was comen for to socoure the paynyms before the cyte. Whan Ualentine herde those wordes he beheld Pacolet thynkynge that by hym he had ben deceyued, and by a dyspytefull courage wolde haue smytten hym wyth a glayue. And than pacolet that knewe his furour keste hymselfe vpon his knees and sayd that for god he wold not be hangrye with hym. For I my selfe haue ben hetrayed by a false enchauntour, and me hors stolen, [Page] but that notwithstandyng I haue cut of his head. Whē Ual [...]tyne vnderstode y^t he had lost the faire Clerimond by treason. And that Pacolet and all the other were in­nocentes, he caste out a [...]rye so pyteous and soo greate that all they that behelde hym were constrayned for to w [...]pe. At that houre both prynces barons and knygh­tes toke their waye for to go in to Cōstantynoble. And the priestes and clerkes in greate deuocion wente in a generall procession, in the▪ whiche they made to goo wyues and children against the valiaunt princes that had destroyed the paynyms in syngyng hymnes and laudes, vnto God tyll that they came vnto the greate churche of saynt Sophye accompanyeng them, and for great ioye and pytie wept tenderly. And after that they had made their prayers in the saide churche, and geuen thankes vnto God, the Emperoure and kyng Pepyn en [...]r [...] into the Palays, the whiche demeaned so great Ioye the syxe dayes they kept table rou [...]de. Soo it ne­deth not to be demaunded of it there was great trium­phe and noble seruyce▪ for euery body was Ibcunde & made great there and feaste, for the gracious vy [...] [...] that God had geuen them agaynst their enemies. [...] After certayne dayes dyuers prynces and barons [...] leue of the Emperoure for to retourne into their coun­treys, of whome I thynke not to make you any more mencion, saue alonely of kyng Pepyn.

❧ Howe the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperour of Grece for to retourne in to Fraunce. Cap. lv.

[Page]

AFter the destruction of the enemyes of the christen fayth, the whiche for to demynyshe the faith & destroye the christen men had be­syeged Constantynoble, the kynge Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure for to retourne into Fraunce▪ When Orson sawe that the kyng dyd re­tourne he said vnto him. Syr I haue great desyre to go with you into Fraunce, and to passe and vse my dayes in your seruyce without euer for to chaunge you for to serue any other. ¶ Orson sayd kyng Pepyn of that I am contente. And sythe that you haue so good courage for to serue me loyally know that I shal leade you into Fraunce, and aboue al for to gouerne my realme I shal make you my conestable. And if it happened that by the wyll of God my litell sone Charles finished his dayes duryng my tyme I shall make you kyng of Fraunce [Page] Syr sayd Orson I thanke you a thousand tymes, for syth that it is your wyll for to receye mee into youre seruyce I wil lede wyth me my wyfe Fezoune, & vnto you be euer true and loyall, and with my sharpe swear [...]e defende your good ryght. So they departed fro Constantynoble with muche great chiualry. For the departynge of kynge Pepyn the Emperoure & the Empresse Bellyssant wept bytterly, and also dydde all the other as well lytell as grete, Orson kyssed his broder Valentine in recōmaundynge hym vnto God, and wepynge bytter teres. O this moder Bellissant he might not take leue for the great sorow that he hadde to leue her saue alonely that he enbraced her and kyssed her swetely After the leue taken of lytle and grete the kyng moun­ted vpon the see with his compani. And the Emperoure and them of his courte retorned in to the cyte of Constantynoble wepinge haboundauntly. But with y^e departinge of king Pepin more than [...]ny other the child Ualentine was displeasaunte. And for the loue of cle­rimonde the whiche he had loste he said vnto the Em­peroure of Grece wepinge piteously. Dere and redou­ted fader please it you pardon me yf I take leue of you for I shall neuer in my lyfe haue Ioye nor rest tyll that I knowe certaine tidinges where my loue is become. For in daunger of my body I haue conquered and won her, for the whiche I oughte well for too desyre her and bewayle her. Whan the Empresse his mother vndersto­de that her chylde wolde go her way, she fel in a swown Mother sayde Valentine leaue your wepinge, for vnto the deathe I wyll seeke her that I loue so muche. And if it happen that I cannot fynde her, neuer the dayes of my lyfe shall I haue Joye, but shall desire the death [Page] for to abredge my dayes, and my dolorous dyscomfor­tes. Than he called Pacolet and sayd to hym. Frend if it please the to serue me, in this necessytie, & come wyth me thou shall neuer haue worse than I. Sir saide Pa­colet as for that it shall not stycke, for I am ready and apparaylled for to go with you and folowe you▪ in eue­ry place, and do your good pleasure, thus was Pacolet delibered for to go with Valentine. ¶ And Ualentine was so taken with the loue of the fair lady Clerimond that he lefte father and Mother, and withoute soiour­ninge he made him ready and so departed out of Con­stantinoble with thre seruauntes alonelye, for to finde her that hys heart was so sor [...]wful fore. Of the sorow of the Emperoure and of the Empresse Bellissant it cā not be recounted. For they were in suche paine that w^t oute spekinge ony worde they entred in to theyr cham­bre piteously discomforted. And Ualentyne that hadde his courage constaūt for to acheue his enterprise moū ted on horsbacke for to go toward the hauen, and ther entred into a ship and his company. ❧ Nowe I shall leue to speke of him and wil speke of king Pepin, that whiche arriued in Paris and was receiued honoura­bly. For out of euery churche issued processyons, & prestes and clerkes and men of euerye estate wente a greate waye oute of the citye againste him. And amonge the o­ther ther was the quene Berthe the whiche kissed hym moche sweteli. Charles his litel sonne that was wise & wel taught salued his fader y^e which tooke him in his Armes and kissed him, and after entred in to the pa­lays with grete honoure muche richlye accompanyed. And for the loue of his cominge there was made a grete fe [...]st, and diuers grete offices was gyuen that daye [Page] but aboue all the other the valiaūt knyght Orson was mounted in honoure, so muche and in suche maner that all that the which he wolde saye and cōmaunde it was done and holden. He was so prudent and so wyse that by him was all the courte gouerned, the male factours punysshed, and the good eleuate in honoure.

❧ How Haufray and Henry ymagined great treason against Orson by the ayde and consentynge of twayne of their neuewes. Ca. lvi.

THere was none that had to doo wyth the kinge that sought other meane thā Orson, for the whiche thinge Haufray and Henrye that I haue made mency­on of to fore hadde soo greate enuye a­gaynst the good Orson, soo greate that [Page] they ymagyned mortall treason against him with all their puyssaunce. And sayd the one to the other it was to great a reproche vnto them and to greaous whan y^t Orson was eleuate more in honoure then thei. By god sayd Haufray vnto his brother Henry, well ought we to praise our puyssaunce litell whan we can not take vengeaunce of Orson for if he reygne long we shall se the time that by him we shalbe casten out of the realme of Fraunce, brother sayd Henry you haue sayd truthe. Now we be but two brethren germaynes and now to comforte the one the other and helpe agaynst our ene­mies, but vpō this mater I can not tel what to thinke Henry sayd Haufray vnderstande my reason, we haue two nenewes that are the sonnes of our eldest syster, that is for to wyte Florente and Garniere, the whiche are muche hardye and fyerse. And me thinketh that by them twayne a treason should be sone conspyred and made soner then by vs, for they knewe well for a truthe that the kyng loued them not, and that he would geue soner credēce vnto other then them. On the other part the one is botyller of the kyng, and the other is vssher of the chambre that he slepeth in. And by the meanes of theym twayne we may entre in to the chambre of king Pepyn oure father and slee hym in his bedde, and eue­ry body wyll saye that it hath bene Orson, for aboue al the other he is the chiefe garde of his body, and trusteth moost in hym. And by this meane the sayd Orson shall be condampned to death, and the realme shall be holly in our handes, for our brother Charles is not yet puyssaunt ynough for to gouerne vs. Haufray sayd Henry you haue ryght well deuysed▪ but for to accomplysshe this thyng it is expedient to make great dylygence, in [Page] this wyse ymagyned the two false traytours the deth of the noble and puyssaunte kyng Pepyn, the whyche was their naturall father. And in soo euyl an hour he had engendred them that for the sauynge of theyr sou­les they cared ful lyttell. They sente for ther two cur­sed traytours, that is for to wyte Florent and Garnyere the whiche were right valyaunt & hardy. And whan they were comē before them Haufray toke the wordes and sayd in this maner. Lordes vnderstonde our entē ­ [...]yon for we are delivered my brother and I for to do a thynge that we may haue all prouffyte by, & shal reyse you and moūte you in honoure more than euer you we­re, the whiche thinge I desyre because that you are my propre neuewes and of my propre bloode, and owe mo­re to desyre your good thā any other, dā for to come to an ende I wyl tel you myne entēcyō. You know that the kyng Pepyn how well that he is our father neuer loued vs in his life with good hert. Euer with his puyssaunce he hath reysed vp the straungers and exal­ted them in honoure and in all offices and dignyties, more than vs, wherfore all these thynges consydered my brother Henry and I that are youres vncle legyty mes (wyll and consent) and are delybered for to make kyng Pepyn dye. And after his death we foh [...]e shal gouerne & holde his londe at our owne wyll. But it be houed that the thinge be accomplysshed by one of you twayne. And me thinketh that you Garnyete are the most proprest for to vndertake this thyng for you haue a couenable offyce for to do it more than ony other se­ynge that you are mayster vssher and pryncipall gar­de of the kyng is chambre. And maye knowe bothe ny­ghte and daye who entreth in to the sayd chambre, for [Page] the whiche thynge you maye hyde you in some secrete place, and when the kyng shall be in his bedde on slepe you shall slee hym without makyng any noyse. And on the moro we in the morning when the tidinges shal be that the kyng is dead, the charge and the blame shall be gyuen vnto Orson, because that euery nyght he sle­peth and resteth moost nerest his body, and so he shall be iudged and condempned vnto death. And after these thynges we shall take the lyfe sone from the lytel Charles. And by this meane the realme shall abyde vnto vs for to departe it after our pleasures. Uncle sayde Gar­nyere of this feate doubte you nothynge, for kynge Pe­pyn your father shall lese his lyfe. Now was the trea­son ordeyned agaynst kyng Pepyn that thought none yll, by the two cursed children that had no pite to make their father dye. In an euill houre is the chylde borne that would purchase suche a death agaynst his father. And in an euill houre was euer engendred Haufray & Henry when by them treason was done, & many coun­treys marred. By theym was their neuewe Garnyete full of so euill will that sone after that the treason was made he espyed a nyght as the kyng souped and tooke a sharpe poynted knyfe & subtylly entred in to the chambre tyall, and behynde the hangyng he hydde hym soo secretely that he myght not be apperceyued of no body. And when the houre was come that the kyng shoulde go vnto reste, by the gardes and chaberlaynes he was brought vnto bedde as the custome was. The king entred into the bedde, the whiche recommaunded him vn­to God muche deuoutly, and all yssued out of the chambre saue Orson that deuysed with the kynge to slepyng time. And when Orson sawe that the king would slepe [Page] without makyng any more noyse he left hym, and the nerest hym that he myght he layde hym downe vpon a couche bedde.

¶ Howe Garnyere entred in to kyng Pepyns cham­bre for to accomplysshe his cursed enterpryse, and how he left the knyfe within the kynges bedstrawe. ❧ Capitulo. lvii.

WHen it came to watdemydnyght the traytoure Garniereyssued out of this place, and in bering the knyfe in his hande he went vnto the bedde of king [Page] Pepyn for to acheue his enterpryse, but when he was besyde hym, and that helyfte by his arme for too haue put hym to death, hym thoughte that the kyng woulde haue wakened, wherfore so great feare toke hym that he let hymselfe slyde downe by the bedde syde, where as he was a great whyle and durste not remeue hym. Af­ter he woulde haue sinytten secondly, but so great fere toke hym as he woulde haue smyten hym, that all hys body fayled, and began for too tremble in suche wyse that he myght not acheue his enterpryse, and put the knyfe within the bedde. After he tetourned in to hys place all tremblyng for to hyde hym in abydynge the day, so strongly afrayd that he would haue bene a thou sand myle beyond the sea. And Orson was in his bedde that of that dede doubted nothing, and dreamed a mar ueilous dreame. For it semeth him in sleping that they would haue taken awaye the honoure of his wyfe Fe­ronue. And that besyde her was two theues that con­spyred treason agaynst him. After hym thought that be syde a ponde he sawe two great herons that foughte with a hawke, and with all their puyssaunce enforced them for to slee hym. But the hawke defended hym so valiauntly that he trauayled the two herons in suche wyse that they had bene both dead if it hadde not bene a great multytude of lytell byrdes that descended vpon y^e hawke, and would haue slayne hym anone if there had not come an. Egle that succoured hym. In this dreame Orsou awakened that of this dreame was much amat ueyled and began for too saye. Ha veray God kepe me from treason, and comforce my brother Ualentyne in suche maner that of y^e noble lady Clerymonde he may haue certayne tydinges. At that houre the daye appe­ted [Page] and Orson yssued softly out of the chambre for was kenynge of the kynge. Whan Garnyere sawe that Or­son was gone out of the chambre, also sone as he might he yssued out and wente vnto hys lodgynge rennynge ful taste. And there he founde the two brethren Haufray and Henry & wyth them Florent the whyche had great desyre and lust to knowe some tydynges of theyr cursed and dysloyall treason. Beware Garnyete that you tell vs the trouthe howe our enterpryse gothe. Lordes sayd Garnyere by the god almyghty that hath created al the worlde for all the rychesse of Fraunce I wolde not doo so muche agayne as I haue done. And as to the regarde of kynge Pepyn knowe that he is yet on lyue, for euen so as I thought for to haue slayne hym I was soo a­frayed that my hearte faylled me, and wolde not haue had the courage for to haue dommaged hys body for all the golde in the worlde. But of another treason I aduy sed me, for I haue left the knyfe y^t I bare in the kinges bedde. So I haue thought that we shall accuse Orson of treason and shall tell the kynge that they are. iiii. of one appoyntment that are delibered for to sle the king, of whome Orson is the pryncypall, and shall saye also that they wyl make the lytle Charles to dyefor to haue bytwene them foure the realme of Fraunce wyth the apperrenauntes. And for to preue oure feate the better and be byleued of thys thynge we shall tell how Orson hathe made redy hys geare, and lefte the knyfe wyth in the bedde. And yf ony body demaunde vs howe we doo knowe it, we shal say that they were in the chambre spe kynge of thys matter, & how one of vs was besyde the d [...]e and vnderstode there secrets. Garnyere sayd Hau­sray you are muche subtyll and speketh wysely. And yf [Page] it happened that Orson would saye the contrary, you & your brother shall take batayll agaynst hym, & I know well for a certainte that he hath not the power for too vanquyshed you. And if that it happened by a benture that the worst turned vpon you my brother Henry & I shall be wel garntshed of men for to succour you. Lor­des sayd Garnyere and Florent your delyberacion is right good, and we haue wel the courage for to acheue the enterprise. Thus was the treason the seconde time conspired against the noble knyght Orson, the whiche of all this dede was pure and innocent. The day was clere and the houre was come after that the kyng had herde masse that he entred in to the halle tyal and was sette at dyner. There was Haufray and Henry that ser ued at the cable, the whiche she wed good semblaunt vn to Orson, but with their hartes thei purchaced himmortall treason with all their puyssaunce. And whan Gar­niere sawe that it was tyme for to speake, he entred in to the halle and came before the kyng, the whiche he sa­lued with great reuerence & sayd to him. Redoubted sit it is true that of your benigne grace you haue made me knyght and geuen me office in your courte more hone­ster than vnto me appertayueth. And because that you haue done me so muche honour to vpholde me in your seruyce I ought not to be in place by treason where as your dammage is purchased or mortal treason conspi­red. Wherfore I am come to warde youre noble grace as a true setuaunt ought for to doo for to declare vnto you a treason that of late hath bene conspyred agaynst your ryall maieste. And to the ende that you maye kepe your persone out of the daunger Iaduertyse you, and that you may punyshe the male factours as reason is [Page] Garuyere sayde the kyng tel on your courage; for with a good wyll I shall here you.

¶ Howe Garnyere accused Orson fas [...]y of treason vn to kyng Pepyn, and how the knyfe was founde in the kynges bedde. Cap. [...]viii.

SYr sayd Garuyere make Orson to be holden least that he re [...]ne awaye, for vpon hym shal tourne the losse and dommage. He is the trai toure by whome the thynge is begonne and ought to be brought vnto an ende. And i [...] that you wyll [Page] knowe the maner, wyte that they are foure of the moost greatest of your courte▪ that are delyb [...]red for to make you dye, of the whiche Orson is the pryncypall that ought to make you dye in your bedde, and smyte you to the harte with a knyfe whan you shall be on slepe, and to the ende that you beleue me the better to daye as they made their accorde together I was in a certayne place where as they knewe me not, and haue vnderstanden how Orson sayd vnto the other that the knyfe that you shall be slayne withall is hydde within your bedde, and if it please you for to go [...], or for to sende any bodye you shall finde the thyng veritable. Syr sayde Florent that was on the other syde, my brother sayeth trouth wher­of I am ryght sorowfull that they to whome you haue done so muche good will purchase your death. ¶ The kyng was muche ama [...]ueyled of those wordes, and in dyuers maners and coūtenaunces he behelde Orson in [...]ayeng. False and dysloyall man haue you had suche a thoughte for to desyre my death▪ I that all the tyme of my lyue haue holden you more derer than the chyldren that I haue engendred. Ha syr sayde Orson beleue not so lyghtly againste me, for I thought neuer treason in my dayes, but am accused of this dede by their false en­uye. Nowe speake no more said the king, for & the knife be founde in the bedde I holde you culpable of the dede and demaunde none other profe. Then he called barōs and sayde to them. Lordes by Ihesus christe I was neuer soo muche amatue [...]led as I am of this treason. Syr sayd My [...]on dangler I can not tell howe it goeth but with payne may I beleue that Orson woulde en­terpryse suche a thynge agaynste your royall mayestie, seynge that he is your neuewe. Yea sayde the kynge [Page] but and we fynde a knyfe within the bedde it is an eui­dent sygne that the thyng ought to be beleued. Nowe for god sayd Mylion dang [...]er let vs go and se this experience▪ Then the kyng went in to the chambre with dy­uers of his barons and knightes. And as they were before the bedde they founde▪ the knyfe as the traytoure Garnyere had tolde th [...]. Alas sayd the kyng in whome may one haue truste, when my propre neuewe that I haue holdē so dere is couetous of my death, and of my lyfe enuyous. But syth that the dedes is suche I swere and promyse vnto God that there shall neuer be a daye of respyte tyll that he be hanged and strangled. Than a valyaunt knyght the whiche was called Symon, ran towarde Orson for he loued hym much & sayd to hym Alas fayre syr flye anone from hence and thynke for to escape, for the kyng hathe founde the knyfe within the [...]edde▪ as Garnyere had tolde hym, wherfore the kyng hath sworne that he shall make you be hanged & stran­gled also soone as he shall become. Care you not sayde Orson for I haue good truste, in God that he wil kep [...] my good ryght. Then the kynge entred in to the halle where as Orson was kepte strayghtly with fyftene strong knyghtes, syth he made to cal [...] lordes and aduo­cates for to iudge Orson. But God that forgetteth not his good frendes, saued him from the false traytours and gaue hym the victory agaynst them.

¶ Howe Orson when they would haue iudged hym, put opposycion and demaunded batayll agaynste his accusers, the whiche was vttred him by the twelue pe­res of Fraunces. Capit. lix.

[Page]

WHen Orson was before the kyng and before the Iudges of his palays▪ he sayde before theym al thus. Ryght redoubted syr, and you my lordes and ba­tons that be here assembled, you knowe that no man can kepe him from treason nor fliethe fortune whan i [...] cometh. And syth that it is so that I am accused of cry­me against the maiestieryall▪ y^t is of the kinges death, and that you be here assembled for to iudge me and my wordes may not be harde nor beleued agaynste myne [Page] enemyes I demaūde ryght before euery body, & the law of your londe that is suche that whan a knyght is accused of murdre and treason, & he wyll defende hym in ba­tayll he ought to be receiued. Now I am a knyght that holdeth my selfe without reproche and innocent of the dede, so I wyll by the ordenaunce aboue sayd be recey­ued in my defences, yf by the assystens of your courte it be ordeyned and iudged me. And for to make my selfe crele lo here my gloue that I present before you all to abyde batayll. And yf I he ouercomen in batayll do Justyce with my body euen as muche a case requyreth. Or­son sayd Garnyere of suche a thynge you may wel hol­de your peace, for neuer pleaseth it god that for a thing proued I take batayll agaynst you. Ha traytoure sayd Orson it is nothing proued, yf it [...]e not some man that doubteth not his dampnynge / and loueth his honoure that for suche a case maye not Judge to death whan I wyl haue the felde in deniyng the case wythout confes­singe it, he ought not to be condāpued. Upon these wor­des the twelue peres of Fraunce made to haue Orson out of the place wyth histwo aduersaryes for to dispu­te the reasons of bothe partyes. Soo it was Judged by them that the demaunded of Orson was reasonable, & that he ought to be herde and receyued in hys reasons, And than they made Garnyere and his brother to come before the kynges presence. And the duke Myllon dan­gler demaunded Garnyere whyche were the foure per­sones that were consentynge to the kinges death. Lordes sayd Garnyere of that enquyre no more, For I wyl not t [...]l it you for all the golde of Fraūce. Garnyere sayd the Judge that was ordeyned, therfore I condampne you and your brother to receyue Orsons gloue, & fyght [Page] agaynst hym, for sythe that you wyll not declare them that are culpable of the thyng, it is lightly to be beleued that in your feate is malyce. Joyous was Orson of that appoyntement, and keste his gloue vnto the twoo traytours saying. Lordes se here my gloue that I deli­uer vnto the two traytours Garnyere and Florente in suche a coucnaunt that i [...] I may not conquere them. I offre my body to be hanged shamefully. Now auaunte sayd the kyng the thyng is accorded and the Jugement is geuen. But for to bryng vnto an ende the enterpryse it behoueth you too geue hostage and surete, for to bee forth comyng at the daye assigned. Then Haufray and Henry abode and offred their bodyes for Florente and Garnyere. And the duke Myllon, and the duke Samp­son Galeram and Geruays offred their bodyes and a­bode for Orsō. And ꝓmised to yelde hym agayne at the monethes ende that was assygned. Soo when the ende of the monethe was come, and the day that they shold fyght, the duke Myllon dangler. Sampson Galeram, and Geruays brought forth Orson, for he was well beloued of them. And when he was armed and moun­ted on horsebacke, he rode thoroughe the cytie muche noblye accompanyed towarde the place ordeyned. So he hadde not longe bene there when Haufray and Hen­ry entred in to the fielde with their twoo neuewes ry­chely armed. Muche redoubted Garnyere and Florent theyr aduersarie Orson. But Haufray and Henry euer comforted them, and promised them succour. And euen so as they were entred into the fielde for to do their de­uoure, the bysshop of Parys went towarde theim and made them al thre for to swere vpon a boke as the cu­stome is. And after the bysshop wente out of the fielde [Page] After came the heraudes & the kepers of the fielde that made all to yssue out that were within saue the. iii. chā pions. Now Haufray had appointed thre hondred mē that he had put within a great place the nerest the field that he myght. and sayde and commaunded vnto them that also sone as they should here him blowe his horn that they should come to warde hym. wel thought the traytours to haue bene succoured and defēded in theyr necessitte, but lytell auayled all their enterpryse, for al­so sone as the gardes commaunded the champeons to do their deuoure, Orson couched his speare and smote his horse with the sporres & came against his enemies by muche great courage and he gaue garniere so great a stroke that he persed his shelde & his harneis through out. And Florent was on the other syde that gaue Or­son a muche matueylous stroke, but he set as muche by it as it he had smytten agaynst a toure. False cursed traytout and disloyal thou hast accused me with wrōg, but to daye I shall shewe the where loyalte doth reste. ¶ At these woordes with his bryght swoorde he gaue Garniere so great a stroke that he smote him out of his sadle vnto the earth, and subtylly there withall he pul­led his helme of his head, and after would haue cut of his head if it had not ben his brother Florent y^t smote Orson muche rudely. Then Orson retourned & smote Garnyere in suche wise that he cut of his lefte eare, and syth sayd vnto him, fayre maister that purchaceth trea son you ought not to lose by the bergayne. There began a strong batayll betwene the thre champions. Garny­ere conquered his helme agayne and put it on his head and came to warde Orson for to dammage him with al his might. But he had bene discomfited anone if it had [Page] not bene Florent that oftentymes socoured hym.

❧ How Orson slewe Florent in the fielde, & banquy­shed Gatnyere, and howe Haufray cut of his head as he would haue confessed the treason. Cap. lx.

ORson had muche payne and trauayll for to confounde the two traitours for they were strongly armed and also toke courage, for Haufray and Henry that hadde promysed them succoure and helpe, and Orson dydde [Page] so about Garniere that he wounded him right sore. So whan he felt himself woūded he descended to the earth & habandoned his horse. After he came agaynst Orson and smote his horse in suche maner that he cut of one of his legges and felled hym vnto the earthe. But Orson was dyligent and strong, for when he felt the horse fall he auoyded the styropes and lept vpon the earthe. And syth came vnto Garnyere and toke hym betwene his armes so mightely that he toke his shelde from him and threwe him to the earth, but as he would haue gyuē hym a [...]oyne in the belly. Florente sported his horse for to surour his brother, and gaue Orson so great a stroke vpon the helme that he made hym for too rele. Orson ran vnto hym that had dispyte and smote hym with so great a courage that he ouerthrewe the horse dead too the earth, and toke of Florentes helme from his head, of the whiche he was sore abasihed, and founde none other remedy saue for to flee and renne about the fielde in coueryng his head with his shelde. And Orson ran after hym with a fyerse courage that for to se hym flee had great pleasure. Ha Florent sayd Garnyere wher­fore flee you so much, retourne you agayne and thinke for to defende you, for if you haue good courage to day he shall be vanquyshed. At these wordes the two tray­tours assayled the valiaunt Orson muche asperly, and with their trenchyng swordes gaue hym so many stro­kes that through his harneys the strokes entred, and made the bloud to yssue out by greate haboundaunce. Then Orson that felte hymselfe wounded reclaymed God and the virgyn Mary muche deuoutely, and gaue Florent so great a stroke that he smote of his arme w^t the sword. During this batail Fezone was in a church [Page] in prayinge god deuoutly that it wolde please hym for to kepe her good loue Orson & defende hym in gyuyng him victorye agaynst hys enemyes. The people was moche abasshed of y^e great dedes of armes that Orson dyde. Dolente and sorowful was Florent whā he had loste his arme, and not for that he left not for to assayl Orson wyth all his puyssaunce. ¶ And whan Orson sawe him come he made semblaunte for to smyte Gar­nyere and after drewe his stroke agayne sodaynly and smote Florēt in suche maner that he smote him downe deed to the erthe, after he sayd vnto Garnyere. Tray­toure thou muste go after or elles knowledge before e­uery body y^e treasō that you haue braced. ¶ Orson said Garnyere it shal go other wyse, for if you haue slayne my brother, to day I shal take vengeaūce. ¶ Haufray sayd Henry our feate goeth euyll for Orson hath alre­dy slayne and vndone our neuewe Florent, & you shall se anone y^t he wyll vaynquysshe Garnyere & make him confesse the treason, by the whiche we shall be for euer dyshonoured and in daunger of deathe yf we fynde not maner for to fle & escape. Brother sayd Haufray that was full of treason. I shal tel you what we shal do Also so one as we shall se that Garnyere is ouercomen or that he confesse the treason we shall entre into the felde and in signe for to maynteine Orson we shal cut of our neuewes head. And so the treason may neuer be knowen. By God sayd Henry none can say nor deuyse better. Thus thought the two cursed & dysloyall tray­tours newe treasons for to hyde the olde. And the two champions are within the felde y^t assaylleth eche other moche asprely. Garnyere sayd Orson you se wel that you maye not defende you agaynste me. And therfore [Page] thynke for to yelde you & confesse your cursed treason, and I promyse you for to saue your lyfe and make your peas towarde kynge Pepyn, and shall sende you vnto the Emperoure of Grece my father that for the loue of me shall reteyne you of hys courte and gyue you great wages. Boye sayd Garnyere thy promyse serueth me of nothynge, for syth that I haue lost one of myne eres I shall neuer be praysed nor honoured in no place. So Had I rather dye valyauntly agaynste the, or conquere thy body & delyuered the vnto shamefull death than for to defylemyne honoure. By my fayth sayd Orson right gladly I accordeth you. And syth that you haue enuy for to dye, you shall haue founde in me a good mayster Thynke for to defende you, for here is your laste daye, At these wordes he went towarde Garnyere and wyth strengthe of armes throwe hym vnder hym, and pulled hys helme from hys head. And Haufray whyche sawe that there was no more remedye, cryed right hye Or­son slee him not for we knowe right well y^t wyth great wronge he hath accused you, so we wyll do the Justyce as to the traytour apperteyneth, we wyl neuer let hym lyue nor holde hym of our parentage. He entred into the felde and sayd vnto Garnyere. Fayre mayster confesse your dede and the maner of the treason, and we shall do so muche to the kynge that of your fautes ye shal haue pardon. Lordes sayde the traytour Garnyere I haue done the treason and put the knyfe in the kinges bed In sayenge these wordes Haufray that was subtyll and cautelous drewe hys swerde, & to the end that he shuld speke no ferther forthe of that thynge he slewe hym in the same place and after sayd. ❧ Lordes nowe let thys traytour be taken and hanged on the galowes, for he [Page] hath well deserued it. Then he sayde vnto Orson. Lo­syn I am tyght Joyous of the vyctory that you haue had, for God hath wel shewed that you are true and lo­yal. And for al that Garnyer was my neue we, yet shal I neuer clayme hym for my bloud syth he hath wylled to medle with treason. Anoue came thether the fayre la­dy Fezonne that colled and kyssed Orson ryght swe­tely. And than kyng Pepyn demaunde hym. Fayre ne­ue we haue you any daungerous wound vpon your bo­dy. Uncle sayd Orson no thanked be God. I haue van­quyshed the two traytours & Haufray as a good man hath made Garnyere confesse the treason and takē his lyfe from him. Ha fayre neuewe beleue it not to lightly for what semblaūt that euer he make you he is party­sypyng of the treason, but for this present tyme I wyll holde my peace. The king and the barons retourned in to the cytie of Parys and made great ioye for the victo­ry that Orson had wonne and the honoure. And Hau­fray and Henry that same day said muche good of him with their mouthes, and with their hartes desyred his death. But anone after came the tyme that their cursed treason was knowen, and that they were punished for their euylles as they had wel deserued. So I shal leue to speake of this mater and will tell you of the knyght Ualentyne that rode through the countrey right sorowful for his loue the fayre Llery monde, the which was in Jnde the more where the kyng made her to be kept for to wedde her and toke her vnto wyfe by the waye of mariage as I haue made mencion vnto you here before.

❧ How Ualentyne in sekyng the fayre Clerymonde a tyued in Antioche and how he fought with a maruey­lous dragon. ❧ Cap. lxi.

UAlentine that was mounted vpō the sea for to seke the fayre Clerymonde his loue dyd so much by the grace of god that he arriued in the cytie of Antioche. So when he was within Pacolet that spake their language [Page] toke lodges in a great and a riche house. But the hoost of the house was right ca [...]tellous, for when thei were in their chambre he went and herkened them, so he vn­derstode by their language that they were christen men wherfore he went to the kyng of Antyoche and sayde. Dere syr, know that there is in my house foute christen men that are entred into your londe without payinge any trybute, wherfore I am come to you for to aduer­tyse you therof. Frende sayde the kyng thou haste done well. Nowe goo sayde the kyng and fetche them vnto me. Then departed dyuers offycers with the hoost for to go and fetche Ualentine the whiche thei brought w^t his seruauntes before the kyng of Antioche. And when Ualentine sawe the king he salued him highly saying. ¶ Syr kynge mahoune in whome you beleue kepe you with suche power as he hath. And that same God that dyed for vs on the crosse succout and helpe me in mine aduersyte. Christian sayde the kyng thou shewest thy selfe well hardy, when before my presence thou makest memorye of thy Jhesus that I neuer loued nor neuer shall. So I let the Wy [...]e that of two thynges it beho­ueth the to chose one or els suffre death. Kyng sayd Ua­lentyne saye on your wyll, for I would do dyuers thin­ges or I suffre deathe, notwithstandyng that I haue heard say that the christen men should be safe in youre realme for paying of theyr trybute. By my fayth sayde the kyng the cōtrary is true. For you are entred with­out my lycence, wherfore yf you wyll escape death it be houeth you to renounce your God Jhesus, and yf that you wyll not do it you must fyght with an horryble ser­pente, that by the espace of seuen yeare hath bene before the cytie and deuouted so manye men that the nombre [Page] is in e [...]ymable and vnknowen, aduyse you of the two thynges whych you wyll do, for you can not saue your lyfe by none other waye, and valentyne sayd to hym. Whan I must do it by force the playe is euyll for me at departynge. Not for that tell me yf it please you yf you haue sene the beest, and of what fourme and stature she is of, and what is her maners and facyons. Chrystyen sayd the kyng of Antyoche I tell the that I haue sene the beest, and wyte that she is muche hedyous and more gretter of body than a horse, and she hathe also wynges ryght great, and fethered lyke a Gryffon, and hath the head of a serpent, wyth a maruaylous loke, the skyn co­uered wyth scales muche harde & thycke as fysshe that swymme in the see. And she hath also the fete of a lyon muche great and sharper than any kynfe of stele. ¶ By my god sayd valentyne by this that you tel me the best is muche ferefull and horryble, but not wythstandyng all her force and strengthe yf you wyll bylene in Jhesu chryst that for vs suffred death vpon the crosse, and promyse me for to receyue baptym in suche case that I con­quere the beest and put her vnto death I shall goo and assaye me agaynst her, & put my body in daunger wyth out ledynge any erthely creature wyth me by the grace of Jhesu christ, Chrysten sayd the kyng I swere the by my lawe that yf thou mayst dystroye her I and all my men shall renounce mahoune and doo all thy pleasure, but so muche dare I saye that thou shalt haue no puys­saunce therto, for there wente neuer none thether yet y^t escaped deuourynge. ¶ Syr sayd valentyne lette me dele wyth her. For I truste me so muche in the swete Je­sus that he shall be my swerde and defence agaynst the false beest, vpon suche a touenaunt that you shall holde [Page] me promesse. Yes sayde the kyng thynke for to worke well, for and thou mayste delyuer vs from the beast I swere to the by my God mahoune that we shall take thy lawe and lene our. Well sayd Ualentyne I shall do my besy payne. Then he demaunded the worke men of the cytie and made them make a shelde ryght subtylly composed. And in that same shelde he made to fasten a great sorte of longe pryckes of fyne stele more sharped then nedles, strong and surely put in, and they were of a fote length. And when the shelde was thus made valentyne put on his harneis and his helme also bokeled to his head, after he toke his sworde and in the honoure of Jhesu christe kyssed the hylces many tymes. And he toke his leue of his men and mounted on horsebacke, & for to go fyght with the beast yssued of the cytie. Lytell and great mounted vpon the walles toures & garettes for to beholde valentyne. And when he was out of the cytie, the portets shytte the gates after hym, for they wende well for a truthe that he shoulde neuer haue re­tourned. Nowe the beast is of suche a condycion that it behoueth them to deliuer to her euery daye for her pray a beast or a manne, and if they fayled for to geue it her, there dutst no body yssue out of the cytie. And also sone as they had delyuered hym his praye oute of the cytie she retourned into her place and there kept her without doyng any harme to any body. And therfore it was of custome through all the countrey there aboute that the­ues and murderers and all euyll folkes that by senten­ce and iudgemente were condempned to deth, they we­re yelded and brought into the cytie of Antyoche, for to be geu [...]h and delyuered vnto the cursed and vengeable beast to be deuoured as the custome of the said city was [Page] And with this there was certayne men that rode and wente vnto the portes and hauens of the sea for to gete and seke good christē men, and brought them vnto the forsayd rytie of Antyoche for to make them be deuouted of the serpente. And when the serpent apperceyued Ua­lentyne commyng towarde hym he closed his wynges muche fyerlly in castyng out of his mouth by great ha­boundaunce smoke and fyre. Ha God saide Valentyne helpe me and preserue me from entring in to that foule passage, and gyue me strengthe and puyssaunce for too exalte and encrease youre lawe. Then he descended of his hors and left his sharpe axe at his sadle bowe: and went towarde the serpent that was muche proude, & also soone as he approched nere hym for to smyte him the serpent lyfte vp his pawe that was great and large and marueylously sharpe for to smyte Ualentyne, but he cast his shelde before it, in suche maner that the beast smote vpon the broches that were sharpe, and dyd her selfe great hurte, in castyng out a hydeous crye and drawyng hymselfe abacke. And Ualentyne pursued her y^t had a hardy courage, but when the beast sawe hym ap­proche she rose streight vp vpon her hinder free, and w^t her fore fete wende for to haue beten downe Valentyne vnder her, the whiche was couered with the shelde, and for the doubte of the shelde she withdrewe her abacke. ¶ By mahowne and termagaut sayd the kyng of An [...]che that was within his palays vpon a greate and a hie toure, se yonder a knight that is muche valiaunt and hardy, the whiche ought wel to be praysed and honoured. And vpon the other syde was the quene that hadde to name Rozemonde that for the loue of Ualen­tyne and his hardynes was profoundly smyten to the [Page] harte with an ardaunt desyre of loue.

❧ Howe the serpente toke of Ualentynes helme, and howe Pacolet armed hym and brought hym another helme and of the complayntes that the Quene Roze­monde made for Ualentyne. Cap. lxii.

THe batayll was ryght tyers without the cytie betwene Ualentyne and the serpente, for if it had not ben y^• prycked sheld y^• the beast doubted he would haue casten Ualentyne vnto the earth muche quickely, but he helde his shelde with the which he could [Page] well helpe hym selfe. And in the other hande he helde his sworde wherewith he gaue the serpente a maruey­lous stroke vnder the eare, but the stroke was soo harde that he brake his sworde. Ueray God sayde Ualentine helpe me and succoure me agaynst this fende that is so hortyble and fyerse. Ualentyne was in great daunger when his sworde was broken, for the beast began for to chaufe her, and smote Ualētine in suche maner with one of her pawes that she all to rente his harneis with her nayles. Then Ualentyne drewe out a sharpe glay­ue and haste it soo euen at the beaste that it entted halfe a fote in to her throte but she set not therby. Ualentyne seyng that, ranne vnto his horse and tooke the axe that hanged at his sadle bowe, and retourned vnto the beast in makyng the sygne of the crosse before hym, and de­maundyng comforte of God, so he approched nere the beaste that watched hym strongly and with his cut­tyng axe smote her vpon the tayle so rudely that he cut the skynne vnto the bone, and made the bloude to yssue out by the great stremes. The sarazyns and paynims were muche abasshed that were vpon the walles of the great prowesse of Ualentyne. And the quene Roze­monde that behelde hym muche gladly sayde vnto her­selfe all alone. Ha knyght fayre syr mahoune helde the and bryng the agayne with Joye, for by mahoune in whome I beleue, of all the knyghtes that euer I sawe my harte is moost taken with thy loue. Thus sayd the quene Rozemonde that loued hym ardauntly. And Va­lentyne fyghteth with the dragon that caste her heuy tayle oftentymes at hym and trauayled hym so sore that she had all mo ost smyten him downe, but he helde his axe surely, with the whiche he coulde well playe, & [Page] he gaue the serpent suche a stroke that he cut of a quar­ter of her tayle, and then she made so great a crie that al the cytie sowned therof, after she flewe ouer Valentins head and pulled of his helme and smote hym too the groūde, but by his diligence he rose vp quickely sorow full and displeasaunt that his head was bare. He began for to reclayme God and the virgyn Marye in bewayl­lyng oftentymes the tayre Clerymonde. When they of the cytie sawe that he had lost his helme they thought well that he should neuer escape. By my God saide the Kyng nowe may we well say that the christen knyght shall neuer come hether agayne. Than was Pacolet muche sorowfull & pyteously began for to wepe for the loue of Valentyne. Halas said he make the gates to be opened to me, and delyuer me a harneys, for I wil this daye lyue and dye with my maister, and also make me to be deliuered a helme, for I will bere it hym for to couer his head, Pacolet was armed anone and a helme geuen him, and also the gates opened. He recōmaūded hym vnto God and went rennyng vnto the fielde. Ua­lentyne sawe hym come well but he knewe hym not, & Pacolet cryed vnto hym saying, syr. I am your seruaū [...] that by long tyme hath serued you, and that for to suc­coure your body agaynste the false enemy am come he­ther. Alas frende sayde valentyne, here it behaueth me for to dye, for of all my fortunes and aduentures I ha­ue to day the moost daungerous, for God salue my fa­ther and my mother, with my brother Orson that I ha­ue loued so derely, and the fayre Clerymonde also if euer thou mayst se her. And for Goddes sake my frende go thy waye hence & come no more agayne. For when you shold dye with me I should haue neuer more pfite [Page] Euen so as Pacolet approached to Ualētine for to giu [...] hym hys helme the serpente apperceyued well that he bare not the shelde as he other dyd / the came to Pacolet and toke hym by the lyfte legge and pulled hym vnder hym gyuynge hym so greate a stroke wyth hys sharpe pawe that he wounded him through hys harneys much rudely. And there wolde haue slayne hym yf it had not bene Ualentyne that wyth hys axe smote her so muche that he smote of her nose and putte out one of her eyen. The serpente cryed and brayed lyke a madde beest, he o­pened hys wynges and arose vp in the ayre and flewe vp vnto a highe roche. Than Ualentine came vnto his helme for to haue put it vpon hys head, but as he thou­ghte for to haue taken it he sawe the beest comynge, soo he toke hys shelde for to couer hys head, and the dragon returned agayne vnto the ro [...]he. Than Pacolet put the helme vpon Ualentynes head. ¶ Syr sayd Pacolet I am ryght sore wounded on my body, wherfore I must returne into the cyte for to hele my wounde, for I haue loste so muche bloode that my heart faylleth me. Thus they toke leue, but also soone as the serpente sawe hym a good way of she opened her greare wynges and flewe to warde hym. And Pacolet that apperceyued her com­mynge returned anone vnto hys ma [...]ster▪ & the dragon went and assaylled Ualentyne, and in fleyng ouer hym wende for to haue cat [...]hed hym by the head. But Ualen­tyne threwe hys axe so well in poynt that he cut of one of her Wynges, for the whyche the beest cast ou [...] so hor­ryble a cry that all they that herde [...]t were sore abasshed Sor [...]wful was the serpent whan [...]e had lost her wyn­ge for she myght not tha [...] flee Ualentyne smote of the other wynge also, [...] the batayl was so great be [...]enc [...]. [Page] that Ualentyne mygh not tourne hym about the beast nor lyft vp his axe he was so wery and soo trauaylled. He did so muche that he mounted vpon a tree for to rest hym. And the beast that myght not flee no more, behelde hym muche cruelly▪ in castynge out at his mouche the horrible stynkyng venym and great smoke.

❧ How Ualentine slew the dragon through the grace of God almyghty. And howe the kyng of Antioche re ceyued hym with great honoure. Cap. lxiii.

Syr sayd Pacolet lenne me your shelde and I shal go towarde the beast and auenture me. Frende said Ualentine recorne in to the citie & hele your woun­des. [Page] ¶ For if it please God the beast shall not be ouer­come by none other but by me so I requyre God by hys grace that he will geue me the puyssaunce shortlye for to conquere her. And that I may doo so muche that the kyng of Antioche and all the people incredule leue the lawe dampnable of mahowne, & take the lawe catho­lyke of Ihesu christe. After that he h [...]d sayd these wor­des he descended of the tree in makyng the sygne of the crosse, and went to warde the serpente that ran against hym in castyng fyre and flambe muche dyspy [...]eouslye. Ualentyne put the shelde before hym that the serp [...]nce doubted & with the axe of stele smote her in suche wyse that he cut of her lefte thygh and felled it to the earthe. The serpent cryed more hydeously than before and va­lentyne that was hardy to pursue his stroke came too her, and thryste his axe so farforth within her throte y^t at that houre he smote her downe dead, in castyng oute suche a smoke that all they that behelde it were muche ama [...]ueyled. And at the houre y^t the serpente was dead fell downe within Antioche a great squated toure, and the turret [...]es a bowe shot about it fell downe also. The paynyms were abasshed of that greate auenture and sayde the one to the other that it was the soule of the de uyl that was passed that waie. ¶ when the kyng was besyde hym he colled hym m [...]che swetely in saying vn­to hym. Free knyght of all the other moost valyaunt and hardy well hath your God shewed that he wyll loue you whan by your great prowesse you haue deliue red vs from the enemy that dommaged oure lande soo muche. At these wordes they entred in to the cytie, and mounted in to the palays ryall where as all the nyght and all the daye folowyng they made great feaste and [Page] there bothe paynyms and sarazyns for the victory of the serpente. The kynge made Ualentyne to bee kepte ryght derely and heale his woundes lytell and greate▪ and the quene Rozemonde bare hym greate honoure & reuerence, and had ryght great affection for to speake vnto hym, for she was so enamoured on hym from the fyrst houre that she sawe hym that he hadde her harte entyerly. And for the breunyng of her loue would pur­chace the death of the kyng of Antyoche her husbande, as you shall heare afterwarde.

¶ Howe Ualentyne after that he had dyscomfyted he dragon, made the kyng of Antyoche to be baptyzed, und all they of his lande, and of the quene Roezmonde that was enamoured on hym. ¶ Capitulo. lxiiii.

WHen y^• good knight Ualentine had rested him a litel within the cytie of Antioche, & healed his waundes, he went toward the kyng & said to hym. Sir you kn [...]we that you haue promysed me to beleue in Jesu christe and your people also if it happened soo that I myght deliuer you from the serpente. Nowe God hath geuen me the grace that I haue slayne hym, and there­fore syr kepe me your promyse, for the myracle is great and euydent that my God had shewed before euery bo­dy, for you knowe that by corporall strength I conque­red her not, but hath bene by the vertue of Jesu christe. [Page]

Free knyght sayd the kinge knowe that I wyll holde that whiche I haue promysed you, and my wyl is to re­nounce mahoune and to beleue in Jhesu Christ. Than he made to crie throughe all his [...]ond that lytle & great shoulde beleue in Jesu chryst, and leue the lawe of ma­hommet vpon paine of death. Than was paynyms & sarazyns baptised and cōuer [...]er through the noble Ual [...]ntyne. And also so one as the quene myghte she sente for Ualētyne into her secrete chambre, the whiche went towarde her in contynent. Lady sayd Ualentyne that was well taught you haue sente for me, and I am co­men towarde you as he that is redy and apparaylled for to accomplysshe your goodwyll. H [...] said the lady y^e honoure, the wysdome, the strengthe, the valyaūtnes [Page] [...]he beaute, & the hardines that is in you maketh your great noblenes to be praysed and honoured aboue al the lyuynge creatures, and for the vertues that are in you tho lady that sholde be byloued of you myght well saye that of all the knyghtes she had the moste valyaunte the moost noble, and [...]he moost fayrest. Now pleased it god that I myght do my wyll, and that I were not subi [...]ete to no bodye, for I take it vppon my soule that my hearte should neuer loue other than you, yf it pleased you to do me so muche g [...]ace as to accepte my loue. ¶ Lady sayd U [...]lentyne of as muche. I thanko you / for you haue wedded a kynge muche valyaunte and hardy, the whyche a­boue al other you ought to loue, and holde dere. Knyght sayd the lady I haue loued hym longe tyme, but sythe the daye that I sawe you my hea [...] departed not f [...]ome you▪ whan Ualentyne apperceyued that the lady had [...]e suche a courage, the moost swe [...]est that he myght he ex­cused hym towarde the [...]u [...]ne of hys loue. ¶ Ladye sayd Ualentyne yf the kynge knewe it he wolde neuer rest a daye tyll that he had put me vnto death, now he is olde and aun [...]yen [...] and you are a [...]ayre younge lady mo [...]he I [...]cun [...]e, soo you muste abyde a lytell vnto the [...]turne of my vyage that I haue enterprysed to go vnto the ho­ly cyte of Jherusalem for to vysyte the [...]pul [...] of our [...] lorde Jhesu christ that was put vpon the t [...]e of the t [...]f­se for vs. And at my retorny [...]ge yf it happen that the kyng [...] be deed than shall I accomplysshe all your wyll The Qu [...]ne Rozemonde ansewred neuer a worde, but was smytten a [...] the heart so proudely wyth the loue of valentyne that she was couetous of y^e dethe of the king▪ and of hys lyfe enemye, as it happeneth oftentymes tha [...] [...]y folysshe loue one man murdreth another, and [Page] dyuers wyues purchaseth the deth of theyr husbandes for to acheue theyr wyll. And therfore there is a greate daunger to loue a thynge so folysshly by the whyche so many euylles maye procede, as the Quene Rozemonde dyd whyche for to haue valentyne at her pleasure, the nyght whan the kynge should go to bedde and that the wyne was brought by a [...], the ladye toke the cuppe and put suche venym within it that who someuer dyd drin­ke of it shuld not escape death, after in signe of loue she presented it vnto the kynge that was muche [...]euoute▪ and in makyng a [...]xosse vpon the wyne he ap [...]erc [...]yued the poyson. By my fayth sayd the kynge lady you haue faylled but I promyse to god that hath fourmed all the worlde that suche drynke as you haue brewed I shall make you drynke at thys houre, or you shall tel me the reason wherfore you haue enterprysed suche a thynge. Alas syr sayd the lady that kneled downe vpon her kn [...] es. I requyre you of pardon, knowe that valentyne for to haue my loue hath made me to enterprise thys thing. By god lady sayd the kynge I byleue you well, but by my cepter ryall syth that you haue done thys thyng by euyll counsell I pardon you. That nyghte the kynge slepte wyth Rozemonde, the which in kyssyng and col­lynge hym all the nyght sayd vnto hym. Syr I requyre you that you wyl put valentyne vnto death that thus wolde haue betrayed me. Doubte you not sayd y^e kinge for I haue wel thought it. Whan the quene herde that she was muche sorowfull and dyd so muche that nyght that she spake to a secrete mayden, and sent her vnto va­lentyne for to tel hym her wyll, and the courage that y^e kynge had agaynst him for her dede. And whan valen­tine herde the tydynges that he was accused [...]f y^• thyng [Page] that he was innocent of, he blyssed hym dyuers tymes sayenge. Swete lady what is it of the courage of wo­men, nowe muste I for the loue of the Quene departe from hence lyke a traytour yf I wyll not dy sooner her honour before euery body, yet loue I better to departe out of this coūtre & leue all than her dy shonoure should be knowen by me. ¶ At that houre he made hys men to make them redy, and before the daye made to open the gates. So incōtynent he yssued out of the cyte and rode so muche that he arryued at a porte of the see, and foun­de there a marchauntes shyp that wolde passe ouer the see. He entred in to it and put hym amonge the other, in prayenge god deuoutly that he wolde sende hym so­me tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde eyther by water or by londe. ¶ vpon the morowe be tymes whan the kynge of Antyoche was rysen vp he entred into hys pa­lays and myde hys barons to be assembled and knygh­tes, and sayd vnto them in thys maner. Lordes I am muche dyspleasaunt in my heart whan by the man that I moost trusted in of al the world / and that I helde the derest I fynde me betrayed & deceyued, that is the fals Ualentyne the whych by hys molyce and dysordynate wyll hathe requyred the quene my wyfe of dyshonoure And hathe put her in courage for to poyson me vyllay­nously and make me dye. Wherfore I pray you to coun­sayll me in this matter, and what Justyce I shal do on hym, and also what death I shall make hym dye. Sy [...] sayd amuche wise baron y^t was there for to condempne hym in his absence it is noo reason nor true Justyce. Nor there is no maner of man be he neuer soo euyll nor [...]y [...]ydus but that he oughte to be herde in hys reasons, who that wolde do good & true Justyce to euery boby. [Page] Then the kyng of Antyoche commaunded that valen­tyne shold be brought before him. Then his hoost came in to the palays the whiche tolde hym that valentyne was departed before the breakyng of the daye from his house wherof the kyng was ryght sorowfull and made his men to be armed for too putsue hym, but of asmuche they lost their payne, for he was mounted vpō the sea as you haue hearde.

❧ Howe the kynge of Antyoche was put vnto death for the renouncynge of mahowne by Brandyffer his wyues father. And howe the Emperoure of Grece & the Grece knyght were taken prysoners by Brandyf­fer before the cycie of Cretophe. ❧ Capitulo. lxv.

[Page] SOne after that the kyng of Anticche was cō uerted too the holy faythe, the father of his wyfe Rozemonde a paynym that was cal­led Brandyffer, and amonge the other prin­ces of turkye the moost experte in watre, and was also tyght hardye. So he had great dispite of the kyng that had left their lawe. And sent him worde that he should sende hym his doughter Rozemonde. Ot the whiche thynge the kyng of Antioche gaynesayed hym vtterly. And for that same refuse Brandyster that was lorde of falyzee with a hondred thousande paynyms came and assyeged the kynge of Antioche within his cytie. And he dyd so muche by his armes that within foure monethes the cytie was delyuered vnto hym by a false traytout, and there was the king taken of his enemies the whiche made hym to be put vnto death in the myd­des of the cytie because that he would not renounce the faythe of Thesu christ after he sent his doughter Roze­monde into his countrey, and of the realme of Antyo­che made hymselfe too be crowned kynge. After these thynges done he put hymselfe vpon the sea for to retor­ne into his realme, but by orage and tempest he descen­ded in the lāde of Grece beside a tytie named Cretophe the which was a great & a large citie. Now it happened that for certayne thinges the Emperour of Grece was newely atryued there, and fortune was so peruers that he whiche knewe nothyng of the commyng of the pay­nyms yssued out of the cytie accompanied of the grene knyght and dyuers other lordes strong and valyaunt for to take their disporde, but in an cuill houre yssued they without garde and watche, for by the men of bran dyffer that no body knewe of the emperoure & the grene [Page] knyght were taken, and all they of their company were taken and discomfyted. And at that same houre the pay nyms ronne vnto the gates of Cretophe, where as they loste theyr payne, for the cytie was strong and gat­ny shed with suche men that it behoued them to retur­ne sodaynly agayne. Angrye and sorowfull were they of Cretophe for the losse of the Emperoure and the gre­ne knyght, for the whiche they made a letter and sente it by a heraude to the Empresse Bellyssant, in maun­dyng her tydynges of the taking of the Emperour and demaundyng succour agaynst their enemies, to the end that the paynyms should not lede the Emperoure in to their countrey. ¶ Sorowfull was the lady for the ta­kyng of her husbande and wept without ceasyng. She sent for her captaynes and made to assemble men of armes throughe all the Empyre of Grece in great dyly­gence. And on the other syde she sent heraudes to warde the realme of Fraunce, for to haue succoure of her bro­ther kyng Pepyn and of her sonne Orson, & comfort in her aduetsite. Within a shorte time yssued out of the cy­tie of Constantinoble a great hoost of them of the countrey of Grece for to go vnto Cretophe to succoure y^e em­peroure agaynst Brandiffer. But that same Brandif­fer that was subtyll and malicious, had put tyders in the countrey aboute, by the whiche he knewe the enter­pryse of the Grekes. And for seare of their puyssaunce & to lese his prysoners, with all his hoost entred in to y^e sea, and they rowed and sayled so muche that they arryued within a lytel whyle in Lize, and in that place they toke grounde and went vnto a strong castell that was called so, in the whiche he made to be kept prceyouslye his two doughters Rozemonde and Galyze, that pas­sed [Page] al other creatures in beaute. And for the great beau te of her she had ben demaunded of her father Brandie­fer that same yeare by fourtene kynges strong and puis­saunt. And because that Brandyffer woulde not mary her yet he made her to be kepte sumptuously in that ca­stell, because that it was the strongest of all his lande. That same castell was hyghe, and had manye greate thycke squate coutes, and wel fortefyed, in the middes of the castell was a dongeon of latyn which had a double gate of yron strong and thycke. The castell was en­uyroned with deye dytches full of rennyng water, and in the myddes of the castell and of the dyche there was a brydge composed so subtylly that there myght passe but one man at ones. For & it twayne would haue pas­sed they should fall bothe in to the rennyng water and there be drowned. And at the ende of that same brydge, there was two horryble lyons and strong that kept the entre of the castell. In the dongeon was the mayden ga lazye kepte. And vnder the sayde dongeon was a caue ryght profounde and depe, in the whiche the Emperour and the grene knyght was put with ten other christen men the whiche remayned there in captyuyte by the es­pace of many yeares in great anguyshe. So I shall le­ue you to speake of this matter and shall tel you hereaf­ter ensewyng of the fayre lady Clerymonde the which the kynge of ynde the great helde in his house as I ha­ue made you mencion of before.

¶ Howe the fayre Clerimonde after that the yere was complete did counterfet the seeke woman too the ende that the kyng of Ynde should not wedde her. And of the kyng Lucar that woulde auenge the death of Trom­parte his father agaynst the kyng of ynde ❧ Capitulo. lxvi▪

NOwe you haue well harde recyted [...] tolde howe the kyng of Inde after that he had put kyng Trompat [...]e vnto death that on the horse of Pacolet had ledde awaye the fayre Clerymonde. the same kyng of In­de would take vnto wyfe the forsayd Clerymonde the [Page] whiche [...]s subtyll and wise and wel [...]aught made him beleue that she had made an othe and auowe vnto the goddes that she should neuer haue habitacion with mā tyl a yere were [...]inished. And that same terme the king gaue her, duryng the whiche tyme the kynge made her to be sumptuously kepte in great honoure. Nowe the lady had purpensed this thyng by dyssymulacion for to prolonge the tyme, tau [...]tyng that she shoul [...]e haue suc­coure in that time of her dolorous fortune and my sauē ture. But of her hope she was ryght ferre and deceiued for duryng that tyme she had no comforte of no body. And so the terme was fayled and the yeare fynyshed. I shall tell you wheron she aduysed her for too kepe her fayth and her promyse vnto the noble knyght Ualen­tyne▪ ¶ When the fayre lady Clerymonde sawe and ap perceyued that the terme was passed, & that she coulde lynde no more excusacion to the kyng of Ynde, she was [...]yght sorowfull and displeasaunt in her [...]e. Euet [...]e de syred Ualentyne in bewaylyng hym with pyteous sy­ghes, and bytter teates. And when she had thought & consydered her pyteous fortune, for to maynteyne her honoure the more honestlyet, and flee and [...]lshe we sha­me and blame one morning she abode in her bedde and rose not, and sayde that she was syke in complaynyng her head muche pyteously. The tidinges came vnto the kyng of ynde anone that the fayre Clerymonde was syke, wherof he was ryght displeasaunt, and inc [...]nty­nent came in to the chambre for to vysyte her. But soo as he woulde haue set his hande vpon her head for to haue comforted her, she toke his arme and lifte vp her head a hie makyng sygnes that she woulde hyte him, of the whiche he was muche ameruayled, after the lady [Page] turned her eyen in her head, in frouncynge her face de­meanynge a foule lyfe in suche wyse that the kynge of ynde was to muche abas [...] for to beholde her, and ys­sued out of the chambre for great fere, and made the la­dyes to goo and vysyte the fayre lady Clerymonde say­enge vnto them. For god kepe wel my loue Clerymonde for by mahoune I doubte me sore that she wyll be mad and out of her wytte. In thys wyse dyd the lady abyde longe tyme, and she made it so well that wythin fyftene dayes she semed morel [...]kely a veest thā a resonable wo­man. She was of so cruell and folysshe maners that all the seruauntes lytie and greate, ladyes and damey­selles habandoned her, and abode wythout companye. Wyth her teth and nayles she bote and scratched all thē that wolde approche nere her. And by her greate crude­lyte she was locked all alone in her chambre, and by a wynd [...]we they gaue her meat and drynke as to a beest. On the daye the made the semblaunt that her maladye [...]ncreased, and al to rente her clothes, she put her smoch vpon her gowne somtyme and another tyme that aboue bynethe, [...]e rubbed her handes in a chymneye and af­ter stryked her face wythall in suche manere that her pleasaunt face well coloured was becomen blacke and smoked. In that estate the kynge came and sawe her / the whiche was right sorowful at hys heart for her demeanour. Halas lady sayd he it gothe to euyl wyth me whan I se you in thys case, for now was comen the ty­me that I should haue had all sola [...]e and al pleasure of you. Lady take vnto you some comforte and be not soo vnpacyent in your aduersyte. ¶ whan the fayre Clery monde vnderstode hys la [...]guage she made to semblaū ­te for to here hym, but, more than before counterfet the [Page] madde woman, in lepynge agaynst the chymney, and with her handes made her face blacke, one tyme she lau­ghed gracyously, & another tyme made pyteous syghes Thus wyth laughynge, wepynge, & syghynge her coū ­tenaunce was medled, for to kepe her en [...]e [...]pryse moost secretly and her honoure. By mahoune sayd the kynge of ynde of al the thynges that euer I sawe this passeth Now I shall tell you what you shal do. I wyl that the lady be [...]edde into the maho [...]merye before our goddes and that we make all prayers for her that they wyll helpe her and socoure her of her malady. Euen so as the kynge had sayd the thyng was done, and the lady ledde vnto the temple, but the more nerer that they set her to they [...]age of mahoune and of hys auter, soo muche the more she made semblaunt that her maladye encreased. And whan the kynge sawe that there was no remedye for to aswage her maladye, he made her to be ledde in to her chambre agayne as she was before, where as she contynued her enterpryse vpon a stedfast hope to fynde valentyne of the whyche I wyll speke to you. That sa­me knyght valentyne wyth an ardaunt desyre rode in the countre wyth Pacolet for to seke the fayre lady cle­rymonde, the whyche wolde not habandone hym no day nowe they rode soo muche that they arryued in Escla [...] ▪ dye, whyche was the londe of kynge Tromparte, y^t had caryed awaye the fayre Clerymonde vpon the hors of wodde that was Pacolettes as sayd is. They demaun­ded in that same cyte tydynges of kynge Trompart, & they recounted vnto them the maner how he was slayne before ynde the great. And how hys sone Lucar wol­d [...] aueuge hys death vpon the kynge of ynde the greter and howe that for to accomplysi [...]e it he had assembled [Page] fyftene kynges▪ wyth many knightes & soudy [...]urs that wolde serue hym for money and go in the warre. Than spake Pacolet that could well the language of the coū ­tree and demaunded hys hoost moore playnly tydynges of the estate of that same kynge Lucar. And hys hoost recounted vnto hym howe he had handfast and promy­sed and take vnto wyfe the doughter of Brādyffer that had bene wedded before to the kynge of Antyoche, the whych had ben dyscomfyted by the sayd Brādyffer be­cause that he dyd renounce the lawe of mahoune. For to here suche tydynges Ualentyne was muche abas [...]hed. And vpon the fortunes of the worlde he began strongly to thynke by hym selfe / consyderynge the great inconuenyentes and debates that had befallen, and contynual­ly do from day to daye. Whan he had studyed a lyttell vpon that thynge he sayd vnto his hoost. Hoost tell me what is becomen of a lady ryght fayre y^t kynge Trom­parde brought wyth hym. By mahoune sayd the hoost we haue hadde no tydynges therofhere. Nowe tell me sayd Ualentyne where is kynge Lucar at this present tyme, for I haue great courage for to go and take wa­ges vnder hym, bycause that my moneye is faylled, and on the other syde I haue greate desyre for to folowe the warre. Lorde sayd the hoost the kynge Lucar is in Es­clardye & there you shall fynde hym accompanyed wyth a hondred thousadd sarazyns. For he abydeth Brandif­fer that should brynge hys doughter into that same pla­ce for to wedde her to hym. Whan Ualentyne vndersto­de all these thynges that he tolde hym, he hadde ryghte great truste for to here some tydynges of the fayre Cle­rymonde. Than he departed from the cyte and roode to warde Esclardye faynynge for to haue great desyre [Page] to serue king Lucar, but more greatly touched him the maner at the harte howe he myght haue the fayre Cle­rymonde vnto wyfe.

❧ Howe the kyng Lucar in the fayre and great cytie of Esclardie wedded and toke vnto wife the fayre and gracious Rozemonde. Capit. lxvii.

[Page] RYght so as the king Lucar highly and puys­sauntly accompanied in great and sumptu­ous estate in the citie of Esclardy, Blandiffer arriued that brought his doughter with hym. And when kyng Lucar knewe the tydynges he yssued out of the cytie with a tryumphaunt companye agaynst hym. For to se Rozemonde kyng Lucar was muche ioyous, but of as muche as he▪ was ioyous the Ladye was dyspleasaunt, for of all the other she wolde his moost euyll, and loued hym not, but euer bewayled Ualentyne. The lady was ledde in to the halle ryall conueyed with dyuers greate kynges. And before the ymage of mahoune she was wedded vnto the kyng Lucar. Nowe it nedeth not to demaunde of the feaste nor of the estates that was there, nor of the riche giftes that was geuen. ¶ Ualentyne to [...]de in the fieldes ardaun [...] for to come vnto his entencion. It happened soo as he arryued at the entre of a wodde that was ryght grene and plesaunt, he harde and vnderstoode the voyce of a pleasaunt lady ryght fayre and gracious, the whiche [...] sarazyn helde by force vnder a tree▪ & would haue done his pleasure. And when Ualentyne vnderstoode it, he sayd vnto Pacolet. Frende ride we [...]aste and make di­lygence, for I haue hear a woman in this wodde that cryed ryght hyghe and demeaneth great sorowe▪ so we shall do great almesse for to succour her. Syr sayd Pa­colet leue the lady and medle not so muche of her feate▪ for you wo [...]e not what it is, parauen [...]ure she doth it for a gyle, and it may turne you soner vnto euil than good Pacolet sayde Ualeytyne▪ you speake folyshely, for the man is not noble that helpeth not the ladyes in their necessities, and putteth his body in auenture for to saue [Page] their honoure▪ Than he sporred his horse and entred in to the wodde, so he apperceyued the lady that the sara­zyn helde vnder him. Syr sayd Ualentyne leue your enterpryse, for if you wyll haue the lady at your wyll, it behoueth you to proue your body agaynst mine, you may wel knowe that she setteth not by your loue, so it beho­ueth you to leue her or els to haue warre agaynst me. By mahoune sayde the paynym I vtter you the warre at your own wil. But I tell y^e hyghly and let the wyt that in an euyll houre art thou arriued here for to come and let me of my pleasure without hauyng anye occa­syon. At these wordes he left the lady and mounted vpō his horse that was besyde hym tyed vnto a tree, & with his shelde couered hym, and tooke his spere, after they fetched their course, but the noble and valiaunt knight valentyne came with so great a courage agaynste the paynym and sarazyn that he passed hym clene throughout halue a yerde, so that he fel downe dead to the earth. And when he had done soo he wente vnto the mayden and sayde vnto her. Damoysell nowe are you auenged of your enemye at this presente houre, soo I praye you that you wyll tell me howe and in what maner this coursed man hath brought you into this wodde. Alas syr sayd she I shall tel you all the truthe. Knowe that yesternight late he came into my fathers house for to lodge him, and for to haue my body the better at his will and leade me at his pleasure, this nighte he went into the chambre of my father and there slewe him and murdred hym falsly. After he hath brought me hether by force for to deflore me of myne honoure vytuperablye from the whiche thyng by your valiauntnes & prowes I am deliuered & kept to daye, and saued mine honour. [Page] [...]o maye you at this time doo and accomplysshe youre good pleasure, for as a hardy champion in the daunger of your body you haue conquered me & wonne the Da­m [...]ysell sayd the valyaun [...]e knyght Valentyne by me your gentyl body shal haue no dommage nor vylany. Returne into your house and thinke to dwel and kepe well your honour. Than Ualentine lefte the mayden and toke his way towarde Esclardye, and the men of the sarazin came towerde their mayster, but also soone as they founde him deed vpon the grasse, without ony so [...]ouminge they smote theyr horses with the sportes for to go vnto Esclardye to tell the tydinges. They en­ [...]red into the [...]yce and wente vn [...]o kinge Lucat muche discomforted, and sayd vnto him. Redoubted s [...] right euill gothe oure fe [...]te, for our good mayster the Mar­shall that you haue loued so muche hath ben presently slayne in a wodde by theues. The kyng was ryght so­rowfull therfore and wyth a great quanty [...]e of men ys­sued out of the cyte. And whan they were wythout they sawe valentyne comynge and sayd to the kynge. Syr se hym here that hath slayne and murdred your Mar­shall. Than v [...]lentyne was taken and all they of hys company by the sarazyns, and were straytely bounden in betynge and strykynge them by the comaundement of the kynge. Nowe Ro [...]emonde was in the same castel the wh [...]ch knewe valentyne incontinent, for the which thyng she was ryght sore taken at the heart, and for the great loue that we loued hym she wente anone to­warde the kynge and sayd to hym. Alas syr kepe you well from makynge this valyaunt knyght dye that for your prysoner hath bene brought he [...]her for I swere & promise you that of all the valiaunt courages he is the [Page] moost hardy, he is the souerayne & ought to bere away the excellence. Syr it is the same knyght Ualentyne of the countrey of Fraunce that by his valyaūtnes before the cytie of Antyoche slewe the horryble dragon, keepe hym derely and retayne hym in your wages, for in the worlde there is not so vyctorious a man, yf you keepe hym and haue some great batall against your enemyes by hym you may haue vyctory. Lady sayde the kynge dyuers tymes I haue heard speake of his great pro­wesse▪ and I haue desyred muche to se him in my court. Syth he called Ualentyne and sayd to him. Knyght ha­ue no feare for to dye, for knowe that aboue all other I wyll loue you and holde you dere, and all your men re­ceyue vnto my wages, but there is so muche that you muste do a message for me that is that you shall goo in to Yndy the great and saye vnto the kyng that I defye him, & that I am redy and apparayled with my puys­saunce for to go and auenge the death of my father the kyng Trompart, the whiche he hath made to dye cruelly. And tell hym that I somone hym to come towarde me within my palays before all the baronnye with y^e corde about his necke, redy and apparayled for to recei­ue suche death as by the assystentes of my courte ryall shall be Judged and condampned. And if he wyll not come you shall tell hym that within short tyme I shall go and se hym and vysyte with so great a companye y^t there shall not be left hym castell to wne nor cytie but y^t I shall destroye theym. And I shall neyther leue man woman nor chylde on lyue. ¶ Syr sayd Ualentyne I shall do the message well and sufficiently soo that you shall be contente. I knowe well sayde Valentyne that you wyll sende me in a daungerous place, but I haue [Page] [...]te in Jhesu chryste and in the blessed vyrgynmary the whyche haue kepte me from dyuers greate perylles to spede ryght well.

¶ How the noble knyght Ualentyne departed from Esclardye for to go in to the myghty and puyssaunte cytie of Ynde the great for to bere the defyaunce of the kyng Lucar. Ca. lxviii.

AS the quene Rozemónde sawe that Ualen­tyne was redy for to go in to ynde the more for to defye the kynge / she entred into her chambre, and by adamoysell she sente for Ualentyne secretly, the whyche came gladly [Page] towarde her, and salued her in great reuerence. Knyght sayd the lady you are welcome, for aboue all other I had great d [...]syre vnto you▪ Lady sayd Ualentyne yf you had greate acyffecon for to se me, so hadde I to se you, Sith that I sawe you the thynge is well chaunged, for I haue vnderstāden that your husband the kyng of Anty­oche is dead syth my departynge, and of late you are ma­ryed vnto another. Nowe ye myght well knowe that for the loue of you wythin Antyoche I was charged wyth dyshonoure in peryll and daunger to lose my lyfe. It is true sayd the lady of that I knowledge my selfe gyltye for the great loue that I hadde vnto you made me to do that thynge, but knowe that to day I shall recomp [...]nce you of the faute that I dyd to you than. For howe well that my father and my mother haue gyuen me vnto the kynge Lucar the whyche is pleasaunte and ryche aboue all other yet shal my heart neuer loue hym (and not with out a cause) for not wythstandynge hys rychesse & great parentage, knowe that of all the other he is the moost false traytoure. And yet I tell you that sythe you haue ben in thys palays, he is entred into so greate a I [...]usy that he may not endure it, nor wyth good heart beholde you. And to the ende that he maye be the more honestlye rydded of you he sendeth you into ynde trustynge that you shall neuer retorne, for he hadde neuer tydynges of none yet that he hath sent thether, for the kynge of yn [...] hath put them all to death. But of hys ent [...]ncyon by me he shall be deceyued and begyled, for from that same daunger and great peryll I shall kepe you and saue you and I shall tell you by what manerof wyse. Free kny­ghte knowe that it is not longe ago sythe that thys sa­me kynge of ynde made me to be demaunded for wyfe▪ [Page] And that it is true I loued hym muche more dere [...] then the kyng Lucar that is a traytour, and of vgly facyon and dyspleasaunt for to beholde and in speking vngra cious & lytell curtesy. But with the will of my father that was vnto myne contrary I was refused vnto the kyng ynde, and gyuen vnto the kyng Lucar. Nowe it is true that the same kyng of ynde for acquayntaunce of loue sende me a ringe ryght ryche that which I haue derely kept with all my harte for the loue of hym, and knowe that I neuer tolde it to no man lyuyng saue too you. But for as muche as I haue sene the falsnes & ma ladiccion of Lucar the whiche sendeth you in to ynde for to be delyuered of you I shall geue you comforte w^t all my puyssaunce that shall kepe you from perill, and shall acheue your message and retourne hether agayne as a hardy and a valyaunt knyght. And howe wel that I wote and knowe for certayn that of my loue you ha­ue no nede, and that you are promised vnto another la dy more hyghe more fayrer, and more excellenter then I am, yet wyll I not forget the loue that my harte was taken with for you when I sawe you within the cytie of Antyoche as you conquered and vanquished the hor ryble dragon. And for the thynges aboue sayd for to en­crease your honoure I shall tell you what you shall do when you shall be afore the kyng of ynde arryued after the reuerence made and the salute geuen fro the kynge Lucar that sendeth you to warde hym, without longe abydyng greate him from meas my loue and secrete frende and saye vnto him that how be it that my father gaue me vnto kyng Lucar yet haue I not put his loue out of mynde, but haue stedfast purpose and good wyll that once in my lyfe I shall drawe me towarde hym, [Page] and of me he may do his wyll and good pleasure. And tell hym also that I shall fynde the meanes to go with the kyng Lucar when he ledeth his hoost into ynde, and then maye he haue me yf he haue any prowesse in him and leade me a way. And to the ende that the king of ynde thynke not that your woordes is fayned you shall bere him this rynge. Lady sayd Ualentyne of the good wyll that you haue for to succoure me and giue a­ledgemente I thanke you humbly, and haue you noo doubte of the remnaunte, for I shall do youre message so well by the grace of God to the kyng of ynde, that in shorte space you shall haue tydynges. At these wordes Ualentyne toke leue of the lady Rozemonde and went towarde kyng Lucar that for too conduyte hym, gaue him ten maryners, the whiche passed him ouer a great arme of the sea that is betwene Esclardye and ynde, & also they mounted vpon the sea and had wynde agrea­ble, so good that they departed from Esclardye at none and vpon the moro we they arryued at a porte that is but two myle from the cytie of ynde the great. In that same place descended Ualentyne & drewe his horse out of the shyppe, after he mounted vpon him and said vn­to the maryners. Lordes abyde me here til that I come agayne and my message be accomplysshed, for if it please God I shal not make long soiournyng or I retourne agayne. By mahoune sayde a maryner to the other all alowe, you shall neuer retourne but if the deuyll bryng you for of fyfty messengers that the kyng of Esclardy hath sent thether, there is not one retourned agayne. Ualentyne harde him ryght well but he made no sem­blaunt but he sayd vnto himselfe, suche speaketh of the affayres that can not tel howe they go. So he toke his [Page] waye and it was not longe but that he arryued within ynde, for he was nere the gate. And when he was pas sed a brydge he wende for to haue bene within the cytie, but or euer that he entred it behoued him for to passe fi­ue gates, whereof he was muche amarueylled. And by himselfe he began for to consyder the fortification of that same place, iudgyng by estymacion in his vnder­standyng that the same cytie was the moost strongest place that euer he hadde sene. And when he was in the market place he sawe a great toure muche hye and faire vpon the which stode a crosse, so Valentyne maruey­led muche what it myght sygnifie, for he knewe well y^t the paynims vsed not suche sygne nor suffred none. In that place the noble Ualentyne founde a Sarazyn too whome he demaunded the cause and the reason wher­fore that crosse stode vpon that hye toure. Frende sayde the sarazyn knowe that the same toure that you se yon­der is named the toure of saynt Thomas, & is the tour that he was stoned and put to death in. Nowe it is true that the christen men in the honour of the same that thei name to be a saint in this same place did foūd a church by the licence of the king, in the whiche churche is a pa­triarke and a hondred christen men, that in the maner of their lawe synge their seruyce euery day, and celebre masse. And in this wyse they are suffred to doo suche thynges; for they paye great trybute euery yeare vnto the kynge of ynde. ¶ When Valentyne vnderstode that in that toure there was mynister and habytacion of christen men, he descended of his horse for to go in to it and saye his prayers. So Ualentyne demaunded after the Patryarke the whiche came too hym incontynente and demaunded hym of whence he was, and on whom [Page] he beleue. Syr sayd Ualentyne I beleue in Iesu christ Alas syr said the patriarke how haue you taken y^• har­dynes for to come hether, for and the kyng of ynde had knowledge of you he would make you dye shamefully. Father sayde Ualentine of that haue you no doubt, for I bryng him suche tydinges and sygnes that he wyll not doo nor thynke me no harme, but of one thynge I praye you, that is that you declare vnto me how and in what maner you abyde in this place and be founded. Certes sayd the patriarke we are foūded in the honour of god & of the holy saint Thomas the martyr, of whom the body is in this churche. And there may no christen men come hether but if thei be pilgrims, but such folke may come surely▪ because that the offrynges and obla­cions that they gyue are the kynges. And more ouer it behoueth eche of vs to paye a great trybute. And then Ualentyne demaunded and required to se the holy bo­dy glorious, and it was shewed him in great reuerence and solempnite. ¶ Ualentyne kneled downe vpon his knees and made his prayers muche deuoutly vnto god & vnto the holy ma [...]tir saint Thomas after y^e whiche thyng done he mounted on horse backe and wente to­warde the palays, in the whiche the kyng of ynde kept resydence for to accomplyshe his message, in takynge leue of the good patryarke, and demaunded hym if he had heard any tydinges of a christen woman that was come thether of late. By my fayth sayde the patriarke I haue hearde no tydinges of none. Then Ualentyne departed and enquyred no more for without makynge any noyse he would fynde some maner to heare tydyn­ges of the fayre Clerymonde. Nowe it was not longe after that the noble Ualentyne descended, and came [Page] before the gate of the Palays and dyd his message in the maner that you shall here recoun [...]ed.

¶ Howe Ualentyne dyd his message to the kynge of Ynde from the kyng Lucar, and of the aunswere that was geuen hym. Capit. lxix.

AFter that the noble Ualentyne was aryued before that palays of the kyng of Ynde, and that he was descended of his horse, with a hardy harte and without any fere he went [...] towarde the kynge, the whiche was in a hall muche ryche hanged and apparaylled▪ accompa­nyed with thre kynges strong and [...]uyssaunt, and also [Page] of diuers knightes and barons. And euen so as valentyne entred in to the hall [...] the king of Ynde behelde him muche fyersly, & he thought well that he was of kyng Lucars, and sayde to hym all on hyghe. By mahowne the deuyll hath well made you for to come hether so so­ne, arte thou not seruaunt of the kynge of Ynde hyde it not from me. ¶ Syr sayd Ualentyne the truthe shall not be hydde for me. And wyte from hym I brynge you tydynges, wherof you shall be ryght angry at the hart. And on the other syde I brynge you certayne sygnes from the fayre Rozemonde wherof you shall be ryght Joyous and contente with me. ¶ Messenger sayde the kyng I lette the for to wyte that in despyte of kyng Lucar that is so fyerse and proude. I was delybered for to haue put you vnto deathe, but for the loue of the lady that you haue spoken to me of, you shall haue no hurte nor vyllanye no more then my propre bodye, if it be soo that you can shewe me some token or sygne from her. Syr sayde Valentyne that shall I do well and shall tel you my message in suche manere that I shall not lye one worde for to dye for it. It is true certayne that I belonge vnto kyng Lucar, the whiche hath sente me to warde you and by me sendeth you worde that for recribu [...]ion and vengeaunce of the death of his father king Tromparte you go and yelde you in his palays of Es­clardye all naked with a rope abou [...]e youre necke, as an vntrue these and traytour, and open murderer. And in this estate he wyll that you come before his tyal ma­ [...]estie and all baronage of his courte, and as a man cul pable yelde you to suffre suche deathe as shal be geuen and Judged by his counsaill. And if that you be not cō ­tente with suche thynge and wyll refuse me, as a mes­senger [Page] therto cominised and sent by him I defie you & let you were that within shorte tyme he will come and waste your lande. Suche is his e [...]ten [...]ion and hath vowed and sworne vnto god Jupin & [...]ahoune that in all your lande shall notabyde cytie, towne, nor castell boroughe nor vyllage, but that they shall be all set on fyre and destroyed men womē and children shall be put vnto death so that you shall knowe ryght well that in an euyll houre you put the kyng Tromparte to death, the whiche was his propre father naturall. Messenger saide the kyng of Ynde I haue ryght well vnderstande and herde you, and knowe that I set litell store by the menares of the king Lucar, nor by his proude diffiaū ­ce, for it is sayd comonly that suche menaceth that ha­ue great drede. And for to geue an aunswere vpon this mater I shall make a letter to bee made that you shall bere to hym, and in the le [...]ter shall be conteyned how I hauebene desyed by him. To the regard [...] of you messen­ger your message is accomplysshed. And also I shall maunde him what good wil I haue for to receiue him and al his puissaunce also often as he will destroye my lande. But as for the surplus of thyne enterprise that is of the fayre Rozemonde declare me all [...] whiche she maundeth me. For amonge the other thynges I haue an ardaunt desyre to here tydinges from her. Syr sayd the knyght Ualentyne vpon the feate of the lady I sa­lue you from her as her perfi [...]e and secrete loue. And she sendeth you worde that she is maried of late vnto the kyng Lucar, but knowe that it is agaynst her will and agaynst her courage. For she neuer loued the kyng Lu­car nor neuer wyll. And the free lady that hath so beau­teous a body is so smyten to the harte with your loue, [Page] that she wyl neuer haue other than you, yf it be so that you wyl receyue her for lady. For to come vnto the ende of thys enterpryse she hath tolde me that she wyl come hether in the company of Kynge Lucar her husbande whan he departeth from Esclardye for to come hether in armes agaynst you. And by thys meanes you maye soone fynde the maner for to haue the fayre lady Roze­monde and led her awaye at your owne wyll and plea­sure. By mahowue sayd the kynge of Ynde these ty­dynges pleaseth me ryght well and am muche Joyous yf the thyng be suche as you haue made relacyon of. Syr sayd Ualentine if the thynge be true or fals I cannot saye, but for [...]etayne sygnes and tokens verytable here is the rynge that was gyuen vnto her by you, the whyche she sendeth you. And not withstandyng that wo­men be of ryght light courage, and abyde lyttell in one purpose, yet me thynketh well that she aboue all other desyreth your loue & that her enterpryse is not fayned, Frende sayd the kynge of Ynde that knewe the rynge, of thy comynge I am ryght Joyous. Now go eat and drynke & take thy repaste, and the meane whyle I shall make a letter to be wryten that you shal bere vnto king Lucar for the answe [...] of your dyfyaunce. Ualentyne by the commaundemente of the kynge of Ynde was at that houre hyghly feested of diuers knyghtes that kept hym companye. He demaunded dyuers secretely for the fayre lady Clerymonde in [...]nquyrynge yf theyr we­re any tydynges of any christen woman that were in y^• countree. And it was answered hym naye soo he helde hym contente. Now the kyng of Ynde came anone and gaue hym the lettre. And Ualentyne receyued it in ta­kynge leue of hym. He knewe not y^t hys loue was there, [Page] the whiche lady lyued ryght poorely in the cytie for the loue of hym, in praying God deuoutly that it woulde please hym to delyuer her out of that place, and to send her tydinges shortly of her loue Ualentyne. Nowe ap­procheth the tyme that she shall fynde hym, but the no­ble knight Ualentyne shall fyrst suffre & endure much pyteous aduentures, the whiche shal be recounted vn­to you here afterwarde.

❧ How Ualentyne retourned into the cytie of Esclar dye. And of the aunswere that he hadde of the kynge of Ynde to bere to kyng Lutar. Cap. lxx.

[Page] GReate Joye and great solace made the free knyghte Ualentyne for too departe out of ynde, and to be out of the hādes of the fellō kyng of ynde that had slayne so many mes­sengers. He mounted on horsbacke & anon arryued at the hauen where as the mariners abode him, the whyche were muche abasshed of hys comynge and thought betwene them selfe that he had not done hys message. Lordes sayd Ualentyne returne we into Es­clardy for I haue accomplysshed myn enterpryse, wher­of I ought well to thanke god. By my f [...]th sayd one of the maryners we are muche ameruaylled, for neuer the dayes of our lyues we sawe none returne agayne. Frende sayde Ualentyne who that god wyl helpe none can hurte them. At these wordes Ualentyne mounted vpon the see and they rowed so muche that anone they aryued at Esclardye. Ualentyne made no soiournyng but also soone as he was dyscended of hys hors he moū ­ted vp into the palays and founde there the kynge Lu­car accompanyed of kyng Brandyffer and of fourtene stronge and puyssaunt kynges, that were all comen in to Esclardy for to so coure the kynge Lucar agaynst the kynge of ynde. Of the returnynge of Ualentyne they were muche al [...]hed, & amonge the other the traytour kynge Lucar, for wende that he should neuer haue re­turned agayne. He made Ualentyne to come before all the barons and sayd to hym. Frende tell me tydynges, and saye vnto me yf the kynge of ynde wyll come vnto me or not in the estate that I haue sente hym worde. Syr sayd valentyne in that haue you no truste, for he setteth not astrawe by you nor yours. He is fyers and proude, and knowe yf you haue wyl for to goo thether, [Page] yet hath he more gretter desyre for to receiue you and to the ende that you make no doubte that there is falsnes in my message I present vnto you thys letter, the whi­che he sendeth you, by the whyche you may know hys courage and hys wyll. The kyng Lucar rceyued it and made it to be redde before all the assystenctes on hyghe, And than they founde that the thyng was true as va­lentyne had sayd. And whan kyng Brandiffer vnder­stode the answere of the kyng of ynde, and that he kne­we and apperceyued hys fyers courage, he swore by ma hown and Appolyn that he would neuer returne in to hys countree tyll that quycke or dead he had conquered the kyng of ynde.

¶ How kyng Lucar wyth fyftene kynges went and assyeged the kynge of ynde. Ca. lxxi.

[Page] UPon the morowe he mōunted vpon the see wyth two hundred thousand sarazyns. As the quene Rozemonde vnderstode that they wente in to ynde she prayed her husbande so muche that she went wyth hym. So they had good wynde and arryued there anone. Than they dyscended and pyght theyr tentes in a pleasaunt felde afore ynde. They of the cyte shytte the gates faste, and the kyng mounted vpon a hyghe toure for to se hys en­myes. So he aduised vpon the ryuer syde thre riche pa­uylyons hanged aboute wyth stremes tryumphauntly and for to haue knowledge whan they were he called a heraute of armes to hym and asked hym whose tentes they were. Syr sayd he the fyrst is Brandyffers, the seconde is Lucar your enemyes, and the thyrde is Roze­mondes wyth her ladyes. Whan the kyng vnderstode that Rozemonde was there hys heart lepte in hys bely for Joye, and toke hardynes vnto hym sayenge to hym selfe. It is no tyme for to slepe who wyll haue a fayre lady must put hym in auenture body and goodes. And he is not worthy for to haue a fayre lady that wyll not take payne for to conquere her. For thys thynge he made to arme hys men and wyth a goeate puysaunce yssu­ed out of the cyte vpō his enemyes, y^e which wyth payne had space for to put them in ordynaūce and arme them. For they thought not that the kyng of ynde wold haue assaylled them so soone, but loue made hym to doo it the whych maketh many thynges to be enterprysed so daynly. Than was the assaute muche great and the batayll ryght aspro on bothe sydes. And whan the kyng of ynde sawe that Brandyffer was medled in the batayll for to set his men in ordenaunce and to conduyte them [Page] he left his company and in muche great diligence rode towarde the pauylion of the ladies. And Rozemonde sawe him well come and by his armoures knewe him so she yssued out of the tente all alone without any company, and went rennyng towarde hym.

❧ Howe the kyng of ynde caryed away the fayre Ro­zemonde behynde him, and how Ualentyne rescowed her and brought her agayne. ❧ Capitulo. lxxii.

SO as the kyng of ynde appecreyued her ardaūt desyre he smote his horse with the sporres & ro­de towarde the lady, and without any so [...]ournyng se [...] [Page] her on his horse as she that was lyght and hadde good will to accomplishe the thyng. And after that she was mounted she sayd vnto the kyng of Ynde. My perfyte and secrete loue you are ryght well founden, for you are he that I haue desyred so muche, and that I haue a­byden of long tyme. And howe well that syth the tyme that you demaunded me my father hathe maryed me, notwithstandyng it hath bene against my will and a­gainst my courage, for I neuer hated man so muche as I do the kyng Lucar that is my husbande, but nowe may he well saye that he hath had all the pleasure of me that euer he shall haue. And sythe that God hath geuen me the grace for to haue founde you I requyre to haue none other and nowe is myne amerous will accomplyshed entierly. Lady sayde the kyng of this doubte you not for I shall neuer fayle you, and here I swere to you that or it be thre dayes passed I shall make you quene of Ynde the grete, and maistresse of all my tenementes. In saying these wordes the kyng of Ynde rode for the leadyng awaye the pleasaunt lady Rozemonde. Then the gardes and maydens of the pauylion in great haste ranne vnto the kyng Lucar and sayde too hym. Syr there is euyll tydinges, for too daye you haue loste too great a losse, for the kyng of Ynde your enemy leadeth a waye the pleasaunt lady Rozemonde vpon his horse, and presently hath stolen and taken her awaye. Wher­fore make your men folowe hym for to saue the ladies honoure. Nowe holde your peace sayd the kyng Lucar and tell me no more therof, for who that hath an euyll wyfe & leseth her, he ought to be lytell sorowful. Thus aunswered the kyng Lucar that had a full sory harte, & not without a cause. And after wente towarde kynge [Page] Brandyffer and sayd to hym in this maner. Syr sayde he I ought to haue lytel Joye of your doughter whan she hath accorded her to folowe myne enemye for to le­ue me & geue me a reprochable blame. Fayre sone sayd Brandiffer be not euyll contente agaynst me, for to day I shall auenge you on the traytour that had lede away my doughter. Then the kyng Brandyffer smote hys horse with the sporres for too rydeafter hym with a great companye of men, and among the other Ualen­tyne was there that would shewe his great promisse at that nede, and sayde vnto Pacolet, it is time for to play with thyne arte and shewe thy scyence. Then Pacolet made such a charme that it was aduyse vnto the kyng of Ynde that there was before his horse a fyeld full of chycke wodde and busshes, & great ryuers. So he had so great feare for to be taken that he made the lady for to descende for to flee the lightlier. And when the quene was on the earth she wende for to haue found the mea­nes to haue saued her with the kynge, but Ualentyne was nere that escryed vnto her. Lady abyde for it beho­ueth you to come with me, for of longe tyme you haue promysed me for to g [...]ue me your loue. Ha Ualentyne I oughte lytell for to loue you & holde you dere whan I requyred you of loue you refused me. So it hath be wel­force to seke and purchase another then you, but syche that fortune hath bene so contrarious to me that I ha­ne fayled of mine enterprise I yelde me vnto your mercy as your poore subiecte and seruaunte for [...]uer if it be so that by your meanes I maye make my peace toward the kyng Lucar. Lady sayde Ualentyne I shall doo my besy payne so well that you shall knowe that I ha­ue serued you truely. Then he ledde her towarde kyng [Page] Lucar and sayd to hym. Syr see here the fayre lady Ro­zemonde your wyfe that the false traytoure kynge of Ynde led away agaynst her wyl, the whyche is ryghte dyspleasaunt at her heart therfore. Ha syr sayd the lady he telleth you trouthe, for euen so as the batayll was be­gon I sawe hym come to warde me, soo I wende that it had ben one of your barons that dad comen for to so­coure me. So I wente agaynst hym thyn kynge for to saue my selfe, and wythout enquyrynge of any thyng I moūted vpon hys hors, but alas, syr I knew anone his euyll wyll, and apperceyued well that I was vetrayed Than I pulled hym by the here and scratched hys face in suche wyse that the blode yssued out, and that it was force to hym to let me go downe, and so by the helpe of thys good knyght I haue saued me and escaped frome hym. Lady sayd kynge Lucar you haue wrought wel, and at this present tyme it behoueth to speake no more therof, for we haue the assaute by our enemyes that gi­ueth vs to muche to doo. So he left the lady wythoute any more arguynge and returned into the vatayll. And at that houre they of Ynde returned in to the cyte, the whiche had loste diuers valyaunt champions, but aboue all the losses the kynge of Ynde complayned the losse of the fayre Rozemonde. ¶ Alas lady sayd he I haue well fayled at mine enterpryse, but eu [...] so helpe me mahoune I knowe clerely that I was enchaunted, for me thou­ghte that I foūde ryuers and wodde before me, but al­so soone as I hadde sette you downe I founde but fayre and playne way. Ualentyne had great honoure of euery body bycause that he had delyuered the fayre Rozemōd, and recouered her of the kynge of Ynde. And she made hym fayre semblaunte bycause that he had socoured her [Page] but what so meuer sygne of loue that she shewed hym, aboue all other she hated hym and would him euill, for she had well would that the thing had bene otherwyse but not for all that she helde her not contente with the firste faute, but watched and laboured soo muche that she brought her entencion vnto an ende, and her wyll vnto execution.

¶ Howe Rozemonde founde the maner and the faciō to make her selfe be ledde vnto the kynge of Ynde the mor [...], the whiche she loued perfytely, and howe he ledde her in to his cytes of Ynde. Capit. lxxiii.

[Page] NOwe it is sayd comenly and it is true that yf a woman do not chastise her selfe of her owne propre wyll wyth payne may any other chastise her. For some wolde rather dye thā fayle of theyr enterpryse, as well shewed Rozemonde the wyfe of kyng Lucar, for it was not foure dayes after that she yssued out of her tente, & in the leest companye that she myght / mounted vpon a hakeney, and sayd that she wolde go sporte her a lytell in the feldes for to take the good ayre. In thys manere the quene Rozemonde wente towarde the cyte of Ynde Nowe she had done the kinge of Ynde to wyte secretly that he should be redy and apparaylled that same daye for to come and [...]ake her and lede her away (and he fayl­led not) for ryght soo as he sawe her and apperceyued her he yssued out at a posterne mounted at a vauntage and ran towarde the lady and tooke the hakeney by the reyne in sayenge vnto her. My lady nowe maye I at thys houre lede you surely at your owne wyll. In this maner he ledde her into the cyte of Ynde with great ioy Nowe was the crye amonge the hoost of kynge Lucar that the kynge of Ynde ledde away Rozemonde. Dy­uers mounted on horsbacke for to socoure the lady, but they were anone entred into the cyte of Ynde. By ma­howne sayd kynge Lucar who that may bryng me the lady agayne I shall make hym my greate Sene shall and aboue all them of my court mayster & gouernoure Syr sayd Pacolet vnto Ualentine yf it be your pleasu­re to haue the lady I shall fynde an enchaūtement ano­ne wherby you shall take the lady. Frende sayd Ualen­tyne let her go ones I rendred her vnto her husbande Lucar, trustynge that she wolde chastyse her selfe of her [Page] great faute, and syth that she wyll not it is but greate foly to go aboute it. On that same daye that the kynge of Ynde led away Rozemonde, he wedded her and laye wyth her, and engendren a sonne on her that was called Rabastre, the whyth posseded Jherusalem in his dayes To sorowfull was kynge Lucar whan he had lost his wyfe soo, And Brandyffer recomforted hym sayenge. Fayre sōne sayd he take courage vnto you, for I swere you mahowne and all my goddes that I shall auenge you or I departe hence. Soo swore Brandyffer but it wente otherwyse, for on that propre day there came a messenger vnto hym whyche sayd. Syre I brynge you tydynges whyche are ryght displeasaunt to you. Syr knowe that kyng Pepyn wyth the emperours sonne of grece is arryued in your lande and hath dystroyed cas­telles and townes, and hathe besyeged your fayre cyte of Angorye, in the whyche your wyfe is newly delyue­red of a fayre sonne. And I am comen hether for to de­maunde you socoure, or elles it behoueth to yelde youre fayre cyte of Angorye vnto the vnhappy chrysten men, whan brandyffer herde these tydynges he was muche sorowfull in hys heart. Than he wente towarde kyng Lucar and sayd vnto hym. Fayre sonne here is a messen­ger that hathe broughte me euyll tydynges out of my londe for the Frenchemen is entred in it wyth a greate puyssaunce and wasteth and dystroyeth my countree wherfore it is force vnto me that I goo and defende my countree, so I shall tell you what I shall doo. You shall sende some knyght vnto the kynge of Ynde and bydde hym that he sende you agayne my doughter Rozemonde youre wyfe vppon suche a condycyon that shall par­don hym the death of your father, and make your hoost [Page] to departe out of his countrey withoute doynge it any dammage or hurt. By mahowne sayde the kyng Lucar I had thought the same, and I can not se a better remedy nor a wyser counsaill. At these wordes he called Valentyne and sayde vnto him. Knyght it behoueth you to go towarde the kyng of Ynde on my behalfe and saye vnto hym in this maner, that he sende me agayne the fayre Rozemonde that he hathe taken frome me, vpon suche a couenaunt that I shall pardon him the death of my father without euer to haue any question therfore, and I shal make also my men & al mine hoost to auoide out of his lande without doyng him any dammage. Syr sayd Ualentyne for you I would auenture my bo­dy more then for any other, so I shall do your message the best wyse that I may, and within a shorte space you shall haue tydinges agayne. Than he mounted on horsbacke and went towarde Ynde, and entred into the cytie like a messenger, and went vnto the palais where as he found the kyng of Ynde & the quene Rozemonde syttyng besyde hym, the which knewe Ualentyne right well, so she sayde to the kyng. Syr se you hym yonder, it is the same that toke me from you the fyrste tyme that you would haue ledde me awaye. Lady sayde the king of Ynde at this houre I shall auenge me, for he shal ne­uer in his lyfe escape me. That shall he sayde the lady, for I knowe him of so muche that yet you maye haue good seruice of hym. Then Ualentyne approched with a hardy ha [...]te and salued the kyng and the quene right hyghely. Syr sayde Ualentyne, I am messenger vnto kynge Lucar that sendeth me too you. And maundeth you by me that you sende hym his Lady Rozemonde agayne shortely that you tooke from hym that is here [Page] And if thou wyll do it he will pardon you the death of his father, and shall make his armye to go out of your lande without any soiournyng, but notwithstandyng that I am charged for to do you this message, if you wil beleue me you shall neuer consent therto, but shall kepe the lady that is so fayre and that loueth you soo well. And knowe that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I shall bee in no place where as I shall suffer you to be blanted & dishonoured for the loue of the lady. And all the terme of my lyfe I shall serue you truely. Knyght sayde the kyng of Ynde you speake as valiaunt, & your wordes pleaseth me muche. But for a conclusion you shall saye vnto kyng Lucar that and he haue to do with wiues y^t he seke other then my loue Rozemande, for he shall ne­uer the dayes of his lyfe sleepe by her sydes, nor haue pleasure of her body. Knyght sayd the lady salue my fa­ther and tell hym that of this dede he is the cause, for I had tolde himself that I would not be geuen vnto Lu­car, now my father hath done agaynst my wyll, and I haue done agaynst his, so tell vnto Lucar that he haue no more trust in me. Lady sayd Valentyne I shall doo your message with good harte. Thus he toke leue right ioyous to be escaped from the kyng of Ynde and retor­ned vnto kyng Lucar and tolde him his aunswere say­ing. Syr purchace you another wyfe, for Rozemonde is wedded vnto the kyng of Ynde that slepeth with her euery nyght and doech his pleasure. When Lucar vu­d [...]tode those wordes, he wrong his handes and pulled his heere saying. Ha my loue for you it behoueth that Idye when I haue loste the moost fayrest, the moost noble, and the moost louing that is in the worlde. Alas what hadde I done to you that hath purchased me soo [Page] great displeasure. Fals kyng of Ynde I shal neuer lo­ue the, for thou hast slayne my father fasly, and taken my wyfe by treason from me. Then Brandiffer sayde vno him. My fayre sonne I am ryght sory for your dis­pleasure but at this tyme I can not amende it, for it [...]e houeth me to go in to my lande to chase away the Fren­chemen as you haue heard the messenger saye, or elles my lande shall be destroyed. Syr sayde Lucar let vs as­sayle the cytie or you departe. By mahoune sayd Brandyffer none ass [...]ure can take it, for it must be wonne by [...]amyne, wherfore abyde you here vnto my retourne.

❧ Howe kyng Lucar dyd so muche that kyng Bran­dyffer abode with hym, and seute Valentyne into Au­gorye agaynst kyng Pepyn. Cap. lxxiiii.

[Page]WHen kyng Lucar vnderstode that kyng Bran­dyffer would leue hym he was tyght sorowfull and sayde to hym. Syr it is true that you haue promy­sed me to auenge me on the kynge of Ynde that hathe done vs so great an iniurye. ¶ That is true sayd Brā dyffer, but I am sory that I may not accomplyshe my promyse for the goyng to kepe my lande. Nowe I shall tell you sayde kynge Lucar howe you maye do for to saue youre honour and mine. I haue here a knyght na­med Valentyne aboue all other the moost valyaunt so you may geue hym youre men, for I haue founde hym true in all thynges. ¶ And moreouer you haue in this hoost your vncle Murgalant that of long tyme hathe folowed the warre and knoweth muche. And me thinke that it sheld be good that these twayne made the [...]iage and you abyde here. To these wordes Brandiffer ac­corded, and sent for them both saying to them. Lordes you are chosen of vs twayne to goo into Angorye too reyse vp the syege that kyng Pepyn hath set. So I pray you that you do so that my londe maye be defended and kepte. And you fayre vncle thynke for to doo well and it shall be rendred you. Fayre neuewe take no more thought for sythe that I leade with me the noble Ua­lentyne I make no doubte but that all shall be wel. after these thynges deuysed and ordeyned, there was ge­uen vnto Ualentyne and Murgalant a hondred thou­sande paynyms▪ and also many abode in the hoost of kyng Lucar. Ualentyne and Murgalant mounted vpō the sea and rowed soo muche that they arryued at the hauen of Angory. But a lytell whyle afore they arryued Ualentyne aduysed a toure couered with fyne laten, so he damaunded the maryners what place it was. Sir [Page] sayd they it is the stronge castell, and wyte that it is a strong place and so subtylly composed at the entre that there can but one man passe at ones, for and if twaine would passe at ones they should fall in to the sea that beteth against the walles. And in that same castel king Brandiffer hath kept his doughter Galazye long time to the ende that she should not be stolen nor taken away of no body. For in the worlde is not memorye of a fay­rer than she, but there is so muche that he wyll not ge­ue her to no liuing creature. When Ualentyne harde those wordes, there toke hym a ryght great desyre for to go se the lady, and sayde to hymselfe that he shoulde ne­uer be Joyous tyll that he had sene her. Nowe are they aryued besyde Angorye and haue taken lande and sette forth their hoost in a short tyme. They sawe right well the tentes and pauilions of kynge Pepyn that were muche glystering and pleasaunt for to beholde. Great dyligence made the christen men for to assayl the cytie. But within was an admyrall named Bruhans the whiche yssued out euery day vpon king Pepin and did great prowesse with his men. When Murgalant adui­sed the hoost of the christē men that helde a great groūd he called Ualentyne and sayde to hym. Knyght coun­sayll vs vpō this feate, for I se & know that the christē men are strong and a great nombre. Murgalant sayde Ualentyne I shall tell you myne opynion. I counsayll that you sende a messenger a none in to the cytie of An­gorye to specyfye to our men that we are aryued, & that they fayle not to morowe in the mornyng to yssue oute vpon the christen men and assaile them fyersly. And we shall assayll them vpon this syde towarde the sea so me thinketh y^t they can not escape vs by no maner of wise [Page] By my god sayd Murgalante you haue well aduysed. Nowe we muste fynde a messunger for to accomplysshe thys thynge. Syr sayd Pacolet y^t was subtyl seke none other messanger than me for I can speke all languages frende sayd Murgalant thou spekest as valyant. Now go thy way mahowne conduyte the. Pacolet departed that was muche Ioyous for to do that message, a sayd to hym self. Murgalant you sende me to do your messa­ge, but by the god almyghty I shall doo it in suche ma­ner that or to morowe at nyghte you shal knowe wyth what charme Pacolet can playe. Thus he went wyth out any hors towarde the cy [...]e of Angory. whā the cris­ten men sawe hym come so they thought well that he was a spye, soo they came agaynst hym hastely and de­maunded hym sayenge. Galant whether go you thus, it semeth by your maners that you are a spye. Lordes sayd Pacrlet you say trouthe, but I am not a spye for to bere you dōmage. Now lede me anone in to the hoost of kynge Pepyn, and make me to speke wyth my lorde Orson and I shall tell hem a thynge wherof he shall be muche abasshed. Than the crysten mē toke thelytie Pa­colet and leddehy into warde Orson, the whyche was ryght Ioyous for to se hym and made hym great chere frende sayd Orson howe doth my brother Ualentyne. Than Pacolet tolde hym all the aduentures that was happened them syth they had sene the one the other, and tolde hym of the serpent y^t Ualentyne had slayne before Antyoche. And of the greate payne and trouayll that he had or euer he myght ouer come the serpente, and also how he might here no tydynge of the same Clerymon­de. And syth tolde hym and declared vnto hym howe that they were aryued there for to fyght agaynst them [Page] Syr sayd Pacolet it is true that we are aryued here be­syde a hondred thousande paynims, of whome Valen­tyne and Murgalant are conductours. And are come hetherfor to chace you out of this countrey by the commaundement of kyng Lucar & kyng Brandiffer, but and you will beleue me, there shall not one of them re­tourne agayne. Frende sayde Orson for God haue re­garde therto, for and you will do it neuer the dayes of your lyfe gate you so muche honoure, and shall acquy­re merite to warde God. Syr sayde Pacolet, here me speake a lytell if it please you.

❧ How Pacolet by his charme and crafte made al the sarazyns to be put vnto death. And howe kyng Mur­galant was slayne. Cap. lxxv.

[Page] SYr sayd Pacolet to Orson I am and shall be all my lyfe subtecte to your brother Ua­lentyne and you. But and euer I dyd you seruyce that pleased you I shall do one now Nowe herken how. It behoueth first that you kepe you vpon your garde, and that this nyght you make youre men to be armed and put in point. And to the ende that none thynke that Ualentyne hath wrought the creason I shall make hym to abyde in his tente, and shal make a great nombre of Satazyns to goo vnto the watche, and when this shal be thus done, I shall caste my char­me in suche maner that they shall all sleepe, soo hadde that you maye passe them and enter in to the hoost su­rely in puttyng theym vnto death without any mer­cye. By God sayde Orson you speake ryght well and subtylly, and shewe well that you haue a good wil and deuocion for to susteyne and defende oure lawe. At these wordes Orson ledde hym towarde kyng Pepyn for to recounte hym the enterpryse. Ioyous and well content was kyng Pepyn to heare suche a thynge, and made Pacolet to be ryght hyghly fested. Pacolet eate and dronke and after toke leue and wente in to the cytie of Angorye to acheue his message, too the ende that none toke hede of his dede, and tolde to kyng Murgalant cer­tayne sygnes. He entred in to the cytye and wente in to the palays where as he founde the admyrall bruhans and salued hym hyghly in great reuerence. After he did his message as he had in charge and commaundement by Murgalant. Syr sayd Pacolet know that of Bran­dyffers parte we are arryued a hondred thousand pay­nyms. So kynge Murgalant sendeth you worde that hath charge of all the paynyms, that to morowe be ty­mes [Page] you make your men for to be armed and that you assayle the christen men on the syde of the cytie of An­gorye, and Murgalant shall assayll theim on the other syde so that they shall not escape. Joyous was the ad­myrall Bruhans to here suche tydynges, but he knew not how it should happen him. Then Pacolet toke leue of hym in great reuerence and retourned vnto Murga­lant, the whiche he salued from the Admall Bruhans in the maner as appertained. Frende said Murgalant you are worthy for to be praised when you can do your message so well. After Pacolet went to warde Ualen­tyne and sayd to hym secretly. Your brother Orson and your vncle the kyng Pepyn salueth you, to whome I haue lette wyte the enterpryse of your comyng, to the ende that thei be not taken vnwate, for it shold be great pytie and dammage. Frende sayd Ualentyne thou hast wrought tyght well. Nowe Pacolet tolde hym not the dede of his enterpryse, for he knew well that neuer the dayes of his lyfe he would do nor consence to creason. The nyght approched and behoued the watche to be set and the gardes of the hoost to be chosen & establysshed, wel would Ualentyne haue had the charge of the wat­che but Pacolet that knew well how the thing would go founde the meanes for to let hym and made hym for to abyde in the ten [...]en. And when the nyght was come and the watche set Pacolet entred amōg the paynyms and caste his charme in such maner that he made them all fall vnto the earth on slepe, soo strongly that the ly­uynge creatures myghte not awake them. Nowe the good kyng Pepyn slepte not nor his army, for when it came toward midnight hee entred into the hoost with thre score thousand fighting men and the noble Orson [Page] and amonge the tentes and pauylions sette the fyre on euery syde, and all the paynyms put vnto death with­out sparyng lytle or great. They entted so ferre within the hoost or the paynyms a wakened that they came to the tente of Murgalant that slepte in his bedde and he was so surprysed that as he lepte out of his bedde he was smyten thorough the body with a darte and so fel downe dead to the earthe.

❧ Howe the Satazyns were discomfyted and howe kyng Pepyn toke the cytie of Angorye. ❧ Capitulo. lxxvi.

[Page] AT the houre of this assaute Pacolet came vnto Ualentyne and toke hym by the hand, saying. My lorde thinke for to saue you, for it goeth to euyll with vs, knowe that the christen men are passed the watche and are entred into our hoost, and haue also enuyroned out fol­kes on all sydes and putteth all vnto fyre and bloude, wherfore thynke we for to escape. ¶ Alas Pacolet said Ualentyne, I know wel that thou hast wrought here and hathe enchaunted the paynyms, soo I wote neuer what to do for to saue myne honour. For at my depar­tyng from Brandyffer I promysed him and swore vn­to hym that I shoule retourne to him againe if I might escape with my lyfe, nowe am I sure that he wyl make me dye if he haue tydinges of this thynge. Syr sayde Pacolet of that haue you no doubte, for you shall neuer haue euill nor displeasure in no place where as I shall be but shall delyuer you and if kyng Brandyffer hadde Judged you vnto death and had the corde aboute your necke standing vpon the [...]d [...]re ready for to be hanged, yet knowe I the maner for too delyuer you and saue your lyfe. ¶ By my sayth sayd Valentyne suche a var­let ought for to be derely loued. Thus were the pay­nyms by the arte of Pacolet dyscomfyted and put vn­to death. ¶ Upon the morowe the admyral Bruhans yssued out of Angorye with a great multytude of pay­nyms for to renne vpon king Pepyn and his hoost, the whiche kn [...]we nothyng of the mysauenture. Within a shorte space the two parties were assembled. Tho be gan the batayl ryght fyersly, muche great was the nby­se and pyteous for to beare. There was speres and dar­tes broken, & many champions smyten vnto the earth [Page] wyth swerdes and glayues of stele many hameys bro­ken, and bembres cut, horses renne thorowe the felde many maners and standardes dyscourted, and smytten to the grounde. And whan the Admyrall bruhans sawe that the chrysten men fared so wyth hys men as all out of hys wytte he put hymselfe in the prese. ¶ He couched his spere and ranne agaynst a knyght of Br [...]e in suche maner that he persed hym throughe out, and smote him downe dead to the earth. After he drewe out hys swerde and smote another knyght that was called Gyrarde of parys, soo myghrelye that he slewe hym in that place. Than he came to avalyaunt knyght named Roberte of Norinandye that greued hys men muche, soo he gaue hym so great a stroke wyth hys swerd that he cut of his lefte legge. The Admyrall fought so valyauntly that or euer he rested he made ten chrysten knyghtes to dye of his handes. Now the kynge Pepyn apperceyued hym well and sawe that he made great slaughter of the crys­ten men. Than the valyaunt kynge toke a great spere in his hande & smote the hors wyth hys sporres and ca­me aga [...]nst the Admyrall wyth so greate a myght that the spere went throughe hys lyuer and his longes, and he smote hym downe dead so softly that he spake neuer a worde, nor remeued neuer a membre. And whan the paynyms sawe that the Admyrall was dead it is not to be demaunded yf they were sorowfull, and had no har­dynes for to holde the felde / for they wythdrewe theym in to Angorye and mounted vpon the walles for to de­fende the cyte. Than the christen men were diligent and folowed them nere, but they of the cyte defended theym so valyauntly as wel wyth stones as wyth s [...]otte that they ledde the christen men to euyl. Than the captaines [Page] made the dytches to be filled w^t fagottes & logges & by that means wan the gates & the barres. And at y^• [...]oure the assaute was ryght great & [...]ied many men as well on the one syde as o [...] the other. But notwithstanding the defence of y^e painims it profyted them but litell, for at y^• same assaute the tytie was taken & al the sarazins put vnto death without any mercy. Then the christen men entred in y^• founde there much great richesse and it was on a fryday. Kyng Pepyn made his tentes for to be brought in to the cytie. Here will I leue to speake of kyng Pepyn and shall tell you of Ualentyne.

❧ How Ualentyne retourned in to ynde after y^• batail and bare whim the body of king Murgalāt. Ca. lxxvii

[Page] AFter that the cyte of Angory was taken by the chrysten men, & the paynyms dead as wel wythout as within. Ualentyne that founde the body of kinge Murgalant dead vpon the felde called Pacolet & sayd to him. Frende I wyl y^t we bere this body with vs, so may kyng Brandyffer sooner beleue that we were in batayll to­gyther. Syr sayd pacolet you saye well & it shall be ho­nour to you. Than Ualentyne made the body to be ta­ken and put in a cofre muche honourably, and couered it wyth blacke. After they went vnto the porte where as theyr shyppes lay and mounted vpon thesee. But of a hundred thousand paynyms that were comen out there returned not ten thousande, and all throughe the subtyle of Pacolet. Now they are vpon thesee spreding theyr saylles and rowynge so muche that they arryued streyght at the hauen where as Brandyffer and Lucar had set theyr hoost. They toke londe and dyscended the body and charged it vpon two horses, and in makynge pyteous chere bare it vnto the pauylyon of kyng Bran­dyffer, the whyche played at the chesse wyth kynge Lu­car accompanyed of fyftene kynges that behelde the play, and also soone as he sawe Ualentine he sayd vnto hym Knyght well be you comen now tel me of the ba­tayll how it gothe, & yf you haue slayne all the chrysten men and taken the kynge Pepyn and hys neuewe Or­son. Alas syr sayd Ualentyne it gothe well otherwyse, for we haue loste the felde, and all your men is slayne, for the kyng Faryn that had the charge of the watche lette hys men slepe, so the christen men passed forthe and put the fyre in the pauylyons in sleynge bothe lytle and great wythout any remyssyon. And whan I sawe that [Page] the thynge wente so euyll I wakened also many men as I myght for to saue thē. And in thys batayll is dead your vncle kynge Murgalant, of whome I haue made the body to be brought to the end that it may be buryed as it appertayneth. And yf you wyll not beleue me you maye demaunde the other that be here howe the thynge wente. ¶ Syr sayd the other he telleth you trouthe.

Than arose the kyng Brandyffer, and as all in a rage hurled the chesse vnto the erthe, and was so sorowful y^t wyth payne he myght speke a worde. Ha Ualentyne I knowe well that thou haste made my men to dye. By god sayd valentyne it is euyll spoken, for I was neuer in my lyfe suche as you saye. And yf ony wyll mayntey­ne it I wyl fyght wyth him for it in a felde. By mahoune sayd kynge Lucar of him it nedeth not to doubte, for and he hadde wylled for to haue done treason he wolde not haue returned to you agayne. Thā brandyffer was styll and made the body of hys vncle to be honourablye buryed. And anone they of the cyte knewe the tydynges wherof they were muche Joyous. Than the kynge of Ynde made hys men to be armed lyghtly and wyth for­ty thousande men yssued out of the cyte of Ynde. Whan Brandyffer knewe that they came agaynst hym he made his men to arme them. So it was not longe but that the bataylles assembled that was muche fyerse on eche sayde. Ualentine was amongest the prese that on euery sayd smote and caste downe folkes, so that none durste abyde afore hym. His hardynes was so redoubted that [...] knyght wolde approche nere hym, he entred into the batayll holdynge hys good swerde so ferre that he came to the king of Ynde and gaue him so great a stroke that he smote hym of hys hors downe to the earthe, so rudely [Page] that he had no streyngth nor force for to ryse vp. Whan Pacolet sawe that he was downe he went anone with dyuers other and toke the kynge of Ynde & yelded hym vnto Ualentyne the whyche ledde hym vnto the pauy­lyon of kynge Brandyffer. And whan he knew the ty­dynges that Ualentyne had taken the kynge of Ynde, he cryed vpon hys men sayenge. Now to it lordes there is but to do well, for to day we shall haue vyctorye vp­on our enemyes. Soo I swere my god mahowne that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I shal fayle the knyght Ua­lentyne neyther wyth body nor wyth goodes. For these tydinges kynge Lucar and all his men toke great cou­rage, and put them in the batayll more fyerslye that be­fore, in suche maner that there abode mo than thyrtye thousande vpon the felde. Whan the Marshall of Ynde knewe the losse that they had, he made anone to blowe the retrette to wythdrawe them and assemble hys men, whan Brandyffer and kyng Lucar sawe y^t they wyth drewe them they pursued them so nere that at the entre of the cyte there dyed ten thousande. Pacolet was mo­che Joyous for to se so many paynyms dye. For he ca­red not on what syde the losse turned, so that he & Ua­lentyne myght escape out of theyr handes. The batayll endured so longe that the nyght approched, and Bran­dyffer and kynge Lucar returned into theyr tentes and pauylyons and badde that they should bryng them the kynge of Ynde, the whyche was presented vnto theim anone. Whan kyng Lucar sawe hym he sayd vnto hym all on hye. Ha false toaytoure nowe is the tyme comen that thou shall rendre me acountes, thou mayst be well sure that thou shall neuer escape me, for I shall make the dye shamefully. The kynge of Ynde vnderstode him [Page] well but he aunswered him neuer a worde, but yet shal the tyme come that he shall be delyuered by Pacolet, & after his delyueraunce shall yelde vnto him the kynge Brandyffer to be in his subiection as you shall heare afterwarde.

❧ Howe Ualentyne harde tydinges of his father and howe Pacolet delyuered the kyng of Ynde by his char­me, and delyuered hym Brandyffer at his owne wyll. ❧ Capitulo. lxxviii.

[Page] RYght so as king Lucar spake vnto the king of Ynde there ariued a messenger the which after the saluce made, sayd vnto kyng Brandyffer. Ryght dere syr I bryng you heuy ty­dynges▪ knowe that kyng Pepyn hath taken your cy­tie of Angorye and hathe put all the men and women and chyldren vnto death that were in it, with out ha­uing any pytie. By mahoune sayde the kyng Brandif­fer here is euill tydinges, for it was the fayrest cytie of all my lande. But sythe that it is happened soo that I haue in my subiection the kyng of Ynde, I haue doope that I shall haue vengeaunce shortly on myne enemies after he sayde to kyng Lucar. Fayre sonne it behoueth s [...]th that we haue the kyng of Ynde in our handēs that hath done vs so muche dāmagē that to morow in the mornyng he be condampned vnto a vylla [...]us death. And after we shall go into Angorye against the Fren­chemen that wasteth my lande & shall take v [...]g [...]ūce. For knowe that within the strong castell I haue in my pryson the Emperoure of Grece and the grene knyght that hath lefte outlawe▪ the whiche shall neuer escape me but shall be hanged within fyftene dayes. Ualen­tyne that was there presence vnderstode well the ty­dynges and was ryght Joyous to heare speake of his father, so he made sygne vnto Pacolet y^t the time should be shortly that he must playe with his craf [...]e. After he sayd softely to himselfe I pray to God of paradise that he wyll kepe you from daunger for I shal neuer haue ioye tyll that I haue founde the meanes for to delyuer you out of pryson. The kyng of Ynde behelde Ualen­tyne and sayde to himselfe softly. Cursed be the houre that euer thou escaped fro my handes y^t I made the not [Page] dye, for than should I not haue bene in suche daunger as I am nowe in. After these thinges done king Lucar made to come a hundred sarazyus all armed and sayd to them. Felowes I geue you this false traytour king of Ynde, so thinke for to kepe him well vpon the paine to lese your lyues. And to moro we in the mornyng I shall make hym behanged and strangled when you ge­ue me him agayne. The paynyms toke anone the king of Ynde and put him in a pauylyon, & there they bound hym fast by the myddle vnto a poste, and after they bendeth his eyen. He myght well heare the playes, so­lace▪ and disportes, but he had but sorowe and discom­forte in his harte, as he that neuer thought to escape the death. ¶ Then Valentyne called Pacolet and sayd vn­to hym. Frende I thinke not that the kyng Brandyf­fer holdeth my father in his pryson, for if I had knowē it I would not haue put my body in so great aduentu­res for to serue hym as I haue done. I haue bene true to himim all his workes, but syth that it is so I will ne­uer serue him more but would fynde gladly the man [...]t how I might dammage him. For I am litell beholden for to do him pleasu [...]e that hath kepte my father in soo great distresse in his darke pryson so longe. Syr sayde Pacolet you haue good reason to bere him dammage & if you wil I shal fynde well the meanes to delyuer the kyng of Ynde▪ & yet he shal lede Brandyffer with him. And me thynketh that whan he shall haue him in Ynde he wil make him dye shamefully. And by this meanes you shall be auenged on him. So may your vncle king Pepyn holde Angorye surely. By my fayth sayde Ua­lentyne suche a thynge would I well. And I pray the hartely that thou do some thynge at this houre wher­by [Page] I may helpe kyng Pepyn, and delyuer my father the Emperoure of Grece. When it came after souper the hundred sarazing that had the king of Ynde in keping made a great fyre before the pauiliō. And Pacolet that slepte not at that houre entred into the pauilion as one that would watche with them. So it was not long af­ter that he caste a charme in suche maner by the arte of Nygromancye that he made them fall to the earth and slepe as dead men. After he wente to the kyng of Ynde and vnbounde his eyen, and sayd to hym. Noble kyng of Ynde take ioye and comforte in [...]e, for I am thy god mahowne that is descended from heuen for to su [...]cour the. And because that thou haste serued and honoured me longe I wyll delyuer the. Thou shalt go surely in to my palays and leade with the king Brandiffer that shall knowe nothyng therof. Alas my God sayde the kyng of Ynde I haue well serued the when thou hast [...] wylled to descende ou [...] of thy holy paradyse for to [...]epe me from my mortall enemy. Now I knowe well that thou art God almyghty. Kyng sayd Pacolet haue trust in me, and beleue the counsayll of thy wife. ¶ At these wordes Pacolet ledde hym towarde Brandiffer▪ and made all his watche to slepe and enchaunted Brandyf­fer in suche maner that he made him ryse & clothe him saying to the kyng, God is come, for I wyll goo with you in to your palays and accomplyshe all your wyll.

❧ Howe kyng Lucar made all the hundred sarazyns to be drawen at horses tayles. And howe Ualentyne and Pacolet departed out of his ho [...]st secretly for to go vnto Angorye. Capit. lxxix.

[Page]

THen the king of ynde kneled down say­ing. Souerayne God I thanke you for this great myracle. So pacolet brought him a fayre horse & made him to moūte vpon him with the kyng Brandiffer, & so they rode vnto Ynde, & Pacolet toke his leue. Mahoune said the king of ynde I thanke you with all my harte & recōmaūde my soule vnto you whā it shall departe frō the body. Kyng sayd Pacolet I shal not fayle you, for if it come in to my handes it shall not [...]ayle of a good maister. And so Pacolet departed, & the kyng of ynde called the porters that let him in w^t great ioye. When Rozemonde apperceyued hym she sayd vn­to hym. Ha ryght dere syr well be you come. Nowe tell me howe you haue brought my father hether, is the pea [...]e made betwene you and hym. No sayd the kyng it hath bene mine God mahoune that hath apper drome [Page] The whiche by his diuine puyssaunce hathe delyuered me from the handes of myne enemyes and hether hath brought me and geuen me your father. And there fay­led the charme, and kyng Brandyffer did awaken and begā to loke much ferefully, and after said to the king of Ynde. From whence maye come this thynge, and howe am I come hether. I thinke that the deuill hathe brought me in so this place. Nay sayd the king of Ynde but it hath bene the puyssaunt god mahoune that hath appeared this night, and brought you and me hether. So I beleue that it is his will that you & I make good peace and be frendes together. By my lawe said Brandiffer I had rather dye, for of your acquaintaunce I wil none, let me goo to warde myne hoost as I was before that you brought me hether. Brandyffer sayd the kyng of Ynde that shall I not doo for sythe that mahowne hath brought you hether, I trust me in his grace to perfourme the thyng. Thus is Brandiffer within the cy [...]te of Ynde in great sorowe because that he sawe hym selfe taken, and might not retourne at his will in to his hoost. And the hundred sarazyns that should haue kept him, be yet slepyng vpon the earth. Nowe when it was daye kyng Lucar came into the pauylion where as he hadde lefte the kynge of Ynde in kepyng. And when the paynyms sawe hym they cryed hym mercy sayinge that they had loste the kyng of Ynde that nyght by en­chauncement. ¶ Ha false harlottes sayde Lucar I knowe wel how it goeth, you were al dronke and layde you downe to slepe. But I swere by mahowne that the wyne that you haue dronken shall bee derely bought. Then he made them all to be drawen at horses rayles, & after hanged, for the whiche chynge Pacolet laughed [Page] And Valentine called Pacolet and saide to him. Ftende my harte will neuer haue ioye tyll that I haue founde my father the Emperoure of Grece that Brandyffer holdeth in his pryson, so I wyll not abyde here but am delyvered for too leue this cursed folke that I haue ser­ued so long in trusting to haue had tidinges of the faire Clerymonde, and I beleue that she is dead, wherefore I will go to warde kyng Papyn that is in Angorye for to tell hym howe kyng Brandyffer holdeth my father and the grene b [...]oght in pryson. It is well sayde quod Pacolet▪ for we shall goo vnto the strong castell after­warde and delyuer your father. Thus was the coun­sa [...]l taken and the thing done, for Ualentyne with his men mounted vpon the sea without takyng any leue.

❧ Of the vysion of kyng Pepyn. And howe he wente in to the holy lande with the twelue pere [...]. Cap. l [...]xx.

[Page] NOwe you haue heard say how kyng Pe­pyn toke Angorye, so I wyl tell you and declare vnto you the maner and the facyō wherfore the great treason was made by the two fals brethren Haufray and Hen­ry. It happened one nyght as the kynge was in Ango­ryelyenge in hys bedde, he dreamed a meruaylous drea­me. In this slepynge him thought that he sawe the thre nayles that our lorde was nayled on the crosse wyth, & the spere that he hadde hys syde per [...]ed wyth. And hym thoughte that he sawe a prees [...] that longe masse besyde the holy sepulcre afore hym. And thys aduysyon happe­ned to hym thryes, wherof he was muche ameruaylled whan it came toward the mornynge that kyng for that same dreame and for that a [...]ysion assembled his barōs and right so as he had dreamed declared it to them▪ and after sayd to them. Lordes I wo [...]e neuer what shall be fall / but syth that suche a vysyon is happened me three tymes I thynke not that it is a dreame of abusyon, and amdelybered afore that I returne in to Fraunce to go and vysyte the holy sepulcre of our sauyour and [...]edem­p [...]oure Iesu chryst wyth the other holy places as wel wythout the cyte of Jerusalem as wythin.

¶ How kynge Pepyn put hym vpon the way in the ha­byte of a pylgr [...]n wyththe twelue peres of Fraunce, & howe kynge the Pepyn spake vnto Haufray and Henry before all the lorddes of hys courte. Ca. lxxxi.

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[...]Eresyr sayd Orson I wil go with you yf it please you and also sayde Myllon dan­gler. Then in like wise the twelue peres of Fraunce promysed him to go with him, & the kyng thanked them hartely. And then he called Haufray & Henry and sayd to them. Haufray you know that you are my naturall sonne, but in such maner you were engendred that you and your brother haue not one fote of lande in Fraunce. So I will that you abyde here for to kepe this countrey and defende it and [...]hewe that you are valtaunt and true. For and you bere you well I am delybered for to geue you the real­me of Angorye that I haue wōne so truely. And I shal conquere you Brand [...]ffers doughter to be your wyfe, & I shall wynne Henry another. Syr sayd Haufray gra­mercy. Then he sayd alowe you will dishe [...]yte vs there [Page] But and I should renounce God and his holy mother I shall do in suche maner that the thyng shall happen contrary to your will.

❧ Howe Haufray and Henry betrayed the kyng Pe­pyn their father and the twelue peres of Fraunce.

THen he called Henry and sayde to hym: Fayre brother you haue well harde & vnderstande the wordes of kynge Pe­py [...]. He wyll geue vs and assygne vs ourlyues vpon straunge realmes after his appe [...]yte as they that are not wor­thy to be his chyldren. Nowe I knowe well that he hath [...] encyon that Charles shall bee onely kynge of Fraunce, and that we shall haue nothynge. And ther­fore [Page] yf you wyll beleue me Pepyn shall neuer returne in to Fraunce tyll that we haue made hym dye by the handes of the paynyms. Than shall we be kynge [...] of Fraunce and Emperoures of Rome wythout contra­dyccyon, for there is nothyng in thys worlde that I de­syre so muche. Brother sayd henry you speke wysely, but it must be well aduysed howe suche a thyng may be accomplysshed and perfourmed. Henry sayd Haufray I shall tell you how. I muste go towarde the kyng Bran­dyffer and accorde thys thyng wyth hym, by thus that he shall gyue me hys doughter Galazye, and I shall tell hym the tydynges how kyng Pepyn and the twelue pe­res of Fraunce go vnto the holy sepulcre, and how they maye be lyghtly taken for they go wythouten armoure and wyth a small company. And I am well certayne y^t the paynyms shall be ryght Joyous of these tydynges And yf that they be not thus taken they shall neuer be taken. By god Haufray sayd Henry you saye trouthe-Nowe you muste go to warde Ynde the may our & there you shal fynde kynge Lucar and the kynge Brandyffer the whyche holdeth the cyte assyeged, so you may saye & tell them your courage, and I shall go wyth the kyng on vyage, to the ende that our feate be the more secretely couered, and that they apperceyue nor deme no trea­son. It is well sayd quod Haufray, so let me accomplys­she it. For I shall neuer haue good rest tyll that I haue accomplysshed thys thynge. And thus was the trea­son made and conspyred by the two fals brethren Hau­fray and Henry agaynst theyr propre father kynge Pe­pyn. Alas they shewed well that they were euylly bego­ten and engendred, and comen of an vntrue generacy­on, whan they wolde make hym dye that was theyr fa­ther, [Page] and that withall his puyssaunce toke payne for to conquere them realmes. No we the kyng Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraūce are entred in to the sea that doubted of no treason for to accomplishe their pylgry­mage. Henry is entred in with theim for to hyde their treason the better. And his brother Haufray wente to­warde Ynde for to synde kyng Brandyffer that hadde set the syege afore the cytie of Ynde with kyng Lucat for his doughter Rozemonde.

❧ How the Calyphe of Bendas arryued in the hoost of kyng Brandyffer, and howe he gate trewes for a moneth duryng the whiche trewes he made the peace betwene the king of Ynde and kyng Lucar and Brandyffer. Cap. lxxxiii.

[Page] TRue it is that the Calyphe of Bendas ariued in y^e hoost of kyng Brandyffer & Lucar and made thē to make trewes for a moneth, and he that broke it shold lese the halfe of his landes. Durynge the which tyme the Calyphe assembled kyng Brandiffer Lucar and the kyng of Ynde. And when they were assembled the Calyphe spake in this maner and sayde. Lordes you knowe that the christen men haue wonne the realme of Angory▪ and that you can not go thether duryng this warre. wherfore if you wyll beleue my counsayll I shal tell you what you shal do. It is true that the kyng of Ynde slewe your father Tromparte for sleyng of his vncle nowe take it that it is death for death, and the kyng of Ynde shall dely­uer Brandyffer. And as to the regarde of your wyfe Rozemonde she shall beset betwene you and hym that she wyll go too shall haue her without contradyction. Unto this appoyntment accordeth bothe the kynges, and Rozemonde was brought before kyng Lucar, and before the kyng of Ynde, and the thynge was declared vnto her by the Calyphe of Bendas. Then without takynge any aduyse she wente vnto the kynge of Ynde, wherfore kynge Lucar was ryght sorowfull. So I wyll leue you to speake of this mater and shall tel you of Haufray that went to warde Ynde.

¶ How Haufray for to accomplysshe his treason ar­tyued before Lucar and Brandyffer, and howe he hym selfe was deceyued by treason. ❧ Capitulo. lxxxiiii.

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ON that same propre daye y^t the peace was made by the Calyphe of Bendas as you haue hearde before Haufray perseuerynge in his malice arryued in the hoost of kynge Lucar and of Brandiffer and came anone to warde their pauylyons and demaunded the gardes whiche was kyng Lucar and whiche was Brandyf­fer. And they [...]ewed them hym a none▪ and than he sa­lued them hyghly, and after Brandyffer spake saying [Page] what deniaunde you and what dryueth you hether. Syr sayde Haufray the thyng that bryngeth me hether is not to be sayde before so many men. Then they drew them a syde bothe Brandyffer, Lucar, and Hau [...]ray, & with them the Caliphe of Bendas than Hau [...]ray said vnto them. Lordes herken if it please you, for I am come for your great profyte and honoure. Wyte that I am sone vnto the myghty kyng Pepyn of Fraunce, soo I haue hearde saye that you haue a doughter that sur­mounteth all other in beaute corporall, wherfore I let you wyte that and you wyll geue me her vnto wyfe. I shall shewe you the maner howe that you may haue in your subieccion the kyng Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce that haue done you so much dammage. For knowe that they are departed in habyte of pylgryms, poorely arayed and accompanyed for to go into Jerusa­lem to vysyte the holy sepulcre, and there you shal finde them without great company. By mahoune sayd Brā differ you speake notably, and for your good enterprise I am contente for to gene you my doughter Galazie, the whiche I woulde neuer promyse vnto no body, but there is one thyng that I shall tell you that is that you renounce iesus. Yes sayd Haufray Jesus I renounce, for I neuer loued hym to muche. When the kyng knew the falsnes and the treason of Hauftay that would sell his father, and renounce his lawe, he wen [...]e a lytell a syde in counsayll and called Lucar and the Calyphe of Bendas and sayde to them. Lordes nowe maye you knowe clerely the greate treason of this dys [...]oyll man that demaundeth my doughter. Well ought I to truste me litel in him when he wil betraye his propre father that begate hym, with the twelue peres of Fraunce, so [Page] I loue better to make my doughter dye, than to geue her vnto suche a traytoure not for that we muste fynde the meanes to go in to Jerusalem and too maynteyne this man, so may we haue Iyghtly the kyng Pepyn & the twelue peres of Fraunce.

¶ Howe kynge Brandiffer wrote a letter vnto his doughter Galazye and gaue it haufray for to here vn­to the strong castell. Capit. lxxxv.

AT these wordes he called Haufray and said to hym. Fayre syr I am ryght glad of your comyng, nowe vnderstande what you shal do, you shall go towarde my doughter and here her this letter from me, and there you [Page] shall passe the tyme tyll that we haue more euydent ty­dynges of your dede. Syr sayd Haufray it is ryght well aduysed, soo he toke the lettre of the kynge and put hym on the way wyth a hundred sarazyns that Brandyffer had gyuen hym to conduyte him. And they mounted on the see and drewe vp the sayll and rowed soo well that wythin shorte tyme they sawe the stronge castel where as Galazye was in, that aboue all castelles was fayre stronge, and pleasaunt for to beholde, they aryued at the hauen and toke lande nere the castell. Whan they were dyscended they put them vpon the waye for to go vnto the castel. And also soone as they were before the gates▪ the porter cryed to them on hyghe sayenge. Lordes you shall not entre more ferther, for here [...]ay none entre w^t out certayne sygnes. Porter sayd Hau [...]tay say vnto the lady that we shall tell her so good sygnes that she shall knowe vs anone. The porter mounted vp in to the cas­tell and founde the lady at table, and the Seneshal that serued her. Lady sayd the porter yond [...]r wythout is I can not tell what men, and wyl entre here in, me thinke they be of your fathers. Seneshall sayd the lady goo anone, for I haue greate desyre to here tydynges of my father. The Senesh all dyscended and also soone as he knewe that they came from Brandyffer he bounde vp the lyons and opened the gate, and Haufray entred in that wende well that it had ben for hys honour and profyte, but it hadde ben better for hym that he hadde kept the land of Angory as kyng Pepyn bad hym. For with his treason he founde hym selfe betrayed as it was rea­son, for a thynge euyll begon can not haue a good ende.

❧ Howe the fayre Galazye after that she knewe the falsnes and treason of Haufray, she made hym to bee put in a darke pryson muche strayghtly. ❧ Capitulo. lxxxvi.

AS Haufray was entred into the castell, he wente and presented hym an one before the fayre Galyzie. But whan he sawe her great beaute and her ruddy chekes in fygures co­loured, her gentyll body streyght and com­passed, her eyen amyable and laughyng, the nose stre­yght, and the mouthe lytell, the brestes whi [...]e as snowe the armes small and the handes whyte & fyngers long his harte was so embraced with her loue that he loste [Page] the speche and all countenaunce. And anone after that he had taken hys refeccyon he salued the lady and sayd to her. My sayd souerayne aboue all the other mahoune the whyche made the fyrmamentegyue you grace and strengthe to perfourme al your noble desyres. Knowe ryght honoured lady that for the great renowne that I haue herde of your excellent beaute. I haue left the cou­tree that I am of, and for your loue haue passed the sea Nowe I haue spoken to the puyssaunt kynge Brandif­fer your father to whome I haue tolde suche tydynges that he and all payennye shall be the better. And for to haue the more certaynte therof loo here a lettre that he sendeth you by me. The lady toke the lettre that coude rede full well. And whan she had aduysed the lettre, she behelde Haufray muche hardely and after sayd to hym hyghly. Uassayll I haue sene your lettre the which say­eth that you that are chrysten men haue solde to them of our lawe the twelue peres of Fraunce, and that more is your father the kynge Pepyn soo my father sendeth me word that I do my wyll wyth you, and because that I knowe that aboue all other you are the moost tray­toure, and that there is in you neyther fayth nor trouth nor gentylnesse whanne you wyll betraye your father, well ought other to haue lytle truste in you. So I swe­re to you by the lawe that I holde that I shall haue no pyte nor mercy on you. For who that purchaseth trea­son and is comforted in hys treason they are wors than he. After these wordes for to saue her othe she made hym be put in a darke pryson. Alas lady sayd Haufray here is a pyteous maryage for me. Syr sayd Galazye for wy­fe you shall wedde my pryson, for you shall neuer haue me. ¶ Now it is true that in that same pryson wherin [Page] Haufray was put wyth the Emperour of Grece and the grene knyght, and hearde that they put a prysoner in to them. Thā the Emperour sayd what are you. Alas sayd Haufray care you not what I am. I am the vnhappy Haufray bastarde of kynge Pepyn of all dolorous the moost euyll fortuned. Ha sayd the Emperour and I am the Emperour of Grece. I pray you tell me how my sō ­nes do and kyng Pepyn wyth all the lordes of Fraunce Syr sayd Haufray they are dyscended in thys countree and haue wonne the realme of Angorye. Thus deuysed the prysoners. So I wyll leue you to speke of this ma­ter and wyl tell you of Galentyne and Pacolet.

¶ Howe Ualentyne and Pacolet arryued before the stronge castell, and howe Pacolet reysed vp the deuyll for to knowe yf he myght take it. Ca. lxxxvii.

[Page] UAlentyne and Pacolet rowed soo muche on the see that they ariued at the stronge castell Ueray god sayd Ualentyne how this place is stronge I beleue that it is vnpossyble for to wynne it by force. Syr sayde Pacolet I shall tel you anone. Than he wente a syde and began a charme of Nygromancye, and incontynent there came a deuyl vnto hym that sayd. Leue this enterpryse for y^u lesest thy payne this castell can neuer be taken wyth en­chauntement nor assaute, for it is made of suche mater that it can neuer be taken but by treason. At these wor­des the deuyl vanysshed awaye. And there rose vp soo great a smoke aboute the castell that Ualentyne sawe not Pacolet, of the whyche thinge he was muche abas­shed. After that the smoke was passed Pacolet came vn­to Ualentyne and sayd vnto hym. I praye you that we departe hens for we be here to longe, for this castel may not be taken but by treason. Than they mounted on the see and aryued at Angory anone. So Ualentyne moū ­ted vp into the palays, & demaunded tydynges of kinge Pepyn. And they tolde hym that he was gone vnto Je­rusalem on pylgrymage. Whan Ualentyne herde those tydynges, he sayd god be theyr spede. I wyl abyde hym vnto his returne for to lede hym vnto the stronge castel to helpe me to get my father out of pryson. Alas he a­bode hym for nought for he was solde and betrayed by the false Haufray.

❧ Howe kyng Brandiffer and king Lucar toke king Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce within the cytie of Jerusalem. Capit. lxxxviii.

NOwe is the kyng Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce came in to Jerusalem for to vysyte the holy sepulcre. And for to do the more deuoutly y^e holy vyages that are in y^e lande of promission, in the which our lorde Jhesus christe suffred death and passion, they are aryued at a good patriarkes the whiche hadde the kepyng of the holy sepulcre. And he gaue them guydes [Page] for to conduyte them vnto al the holy places, in whiche were the indulgences and pardons. They made a preest to synge masse afore them euery daye, and in great de­uocyon vysyted the holy places. Nowe happened pyte­ous thynges for to recoūte whyles that they were wyth in Jherusalem, for Brandyffer, the kynge af ynde and the kynge Lucar the whyche had ben aduertysed by the traytoure Haufray arryued in the cytie of Jherusalem puyssauntly accompanyed, and wente vnto the towre of Dauyd towarde the kynge of Surye that helde the countree and there presented them. And whan he sawe thē he was muche amer [...]yled of theyr commyng. And after the salutacyon made demaunded theym. Lordes what thynge dryueth you hether, for I thinke that you are not comen hether wythout a great cause Thā branyffer spake and sayd vnto hym. Syr knowe that by a christen man we are aduertysed and enformed that with in this cyte is arryued the twelue peres of Fraūce wyth the kynge pepyn. Now they are the pryncypall enmyes of our lawe / and they that of all the worlde maye greue vs moost. And haue alredy taken the cyte of Angory, and spylled a great quantyte of my lande, my men put vnto death and my countre dystroyed. And therfore we are comen hetherfor to take theym. For whan we shall haue them we may do our wyll wythall Fraunce. And of all chrystendome be lordes and maysters. By mahow­ne sayd the kynge of Surye that helde the temple of sa­lamon you speke ryght wysely, & of thys thynge I am muche contente. Nowe be it done after your appetyte, for we ought to be curyous for to take & dystroye suche menne, and for the loue of our goodes we ought to wa­ [...]e vpon that dede. Soo I shall tell you what we shall [Page] do for to accomplysshe this thinge. I shall sende worde vnto the patriarke that and he haue any Frenche pyl­gryms that be bryng theim too me anone, for I wyll sende some letters in to Fraunce.

¶ Howe the kyng of Surye sent a messenger vnto the Patryatke of Jerusalen byddyng hym brynge hym kyng Pepyn & the twelue peres of Fraunce the whiche he dydde. ¶ Capit. lxxxix.

SO the messenger of the kyng of Surye went towarde the patryarke and sayde vnto him The kyng of Sury sendeth you worde that and you haue any Frenche pyigr [...]ms that you brynge them vnto hym. Then he wente [Page] vnto theyr lodgynge where as he founde them redy to go vnto theyr souper, for they had accomplysshe theyr pylgrymage, and sayd vnto them. Frendes you muste come presently vnto the kyng of Sury. Alas sayd kyng Pepyn here is pyteous tydynges, for I am certayne that he wyll put me vnto death yf he knowe me. But I shall tell you what we shall doo. We wyll make Henry our mayster / & I shall bere hys hatte and hys staffe. By god syr sayd Henry that knewe well treason that shal I not do, for here is Orson & duke Myllon that are mo­re worthyer to be it than I. Syr sayd the duke Myllon I shall do all that it shal please you. Than they depar­ted from theyr lodges to go towarde the Paynym that had sente for them. The duke Myllon was honoured as kyng, and Pepyn bare hys staffe and hys hat poore­ly clothed. The good patriarke ledde them that thought none euyll, and also soone as he hadde delyuered them he departed thens. Come hether sayd the kynge of Su­rye I am well enfourmed of your case, you are Frenshe­men that come for to espye me, and in your company is the kyng of Fraunce. Syr sayd one of the twelue peres the kyng of Fraunce is not in this company▪ peas sayd the kyng of Sury for by mahoune yf the kyng of fraū ­ce shelve not hym selfe anone I shall make you all dye wythout remyssyon. ¶ Kynge sayd anone the traytour Henry of me haue no doubte for it is not I. Thā the du­ke Myllon apperceyued well that there was treason, So he sayd all on hye. Syr I am the kyng of Fraunce but there is one thynge that I wyll saye vnto you yf it please you to heare me. We are coman vnto the holy se­pulcre, & your lawe is suche that all chrysten men maye come and go surely vpon your londe wythout any hurte [Page] to the sayde pylgrymage in paying the trybute that is establysshed and dewe vnto you. Now we haue al paid and accompiysshed after the ordenaunce of his coun­trey. Whetfore me thynke you doo vs to great wronge if you disturbe vs for that cause. By mahowne you may say what you will, but there is neyther tyme nor season to you that maketh vs warre for to come hether to espye ourlande. Than he called Brandiffer & Lucar and said to them. Lordes take these false christiās spies and do with them your wyll, for I put theim entyerly in to your handes to make theym dye of what death it shall please you. At these wordes the pylgryms were taken and witholden by the painims. So it is not to be demaunded if they fared foule with them, for they had no more pytie of the noble lordes thā of dogges. They were streyghtly holdenand bound, and after Brandyf­fer spake and sayd. Lordes I will that these false men be ledde vnto the stronge castell, and there be put in my depest pryson. Syth we shall go in to Angorye and by force of armes wynne all the countrey. After we shall go in to Fraunce and take the countrey, & put it lyghtly in our obeysaunce, for there we shal neyther fynde king lorde nor baron, that will saye vs the centrary. And therfore you maye go eche of you in to your countrey til a certayne daye that we shal mete at Faleyze and there departe the prysoners after reason. Lordes sayde the kyng of Ynde as to the regarde of the prysoners I de­maunde none other thynge for my parte but that you wyll geue me the least, so I shall make hym my dwerf. And make hym ryde with me because that he is lytell, and me thynke he is a man sure ynough. And I shall doo hym good if he will renounce the lawe of Jhesus, [Page] To this demaunde accorded all the other & gaue kyng Pepyn to the kyng of Ynde that ledde hym in to Ynde with him and loued hym muche afterwarde notwith­standyng that he suffred many trybulacions.

¶ How the kyng of Ynde the great ledde kyng Pepyn awaye for the parte of his prysoners but he knewe not that he was kyng of Fraunce. Cap. lxxxx.

SO the kyng of Ynde ledde with him the good kyng Pepyn but he knewe it not. The vali­aūt. xii. beheld▪peres kyng Pepyn pyteously, but noue durste hyd hym farewel for doubte of knowyng. Thus goeth the kyng of Ynde and kyng [Page] Pepyn rydeth after hym that is not without sorowe. Alas sayde he all alowe veray God helpe me and suc­cour me, for if you helpe me not of youre grace of all poore I am the moost sorowfull and vnhappy. Alas Myllon dangler Iowe well to loue you whan for me you put your body in suche daunger. Henry henry thou hast well shewed that thou loued me not, whan at my nede thou failed me. Wel owe euel come vnto the childe that at greate nede leueth his propre father. My loue Berthe I shall neuer see you more, alas Charles my lytell sonne God helpe the, for I knowe for a truthe that the false traytours shall make the suffre payne ynough and thou arte yonge and lytell and maye not resyste agaynst them. Thus complayned kyng Pepyn and wepte pyteously. Nowe the kyng of Ynde hathe doone so muche that he is arryued within Ynde. And when the lady Rozemonde knewe it she ranne against hym and in makyng great Ioye kyssed hym, and after mounted vp in to the palays. The lady behelde kynge Pepyn the whiche notwithstandyng that he was lytell he was well fourmed and made of his membres and or regarde ryght plesaunt, so the lady demaūded the kyng of Ynde. My loue tell me who hath geuen you this litel man▪ for he semeth muche honest and gracious and it may be to se his semblaunce that he is extraught out of a hyghe place. Lady sayde the kyng, he hath bene ge­uen me, for he was come with the kyng of Fraunce & the twelue peres in to Jerusalem, wherfore he hathe bene taken, and if he wyll renounce his God Jhesus, I shall do hym muche good. Pepyn aunswered nothing whiche had wel another entencion. So the houre was come that the kyng shoulde goo to souper▪ Pepyn en­tred [Page] in to the kechyng, and the kynge demaunded hym if he coulde any thynge of [...]oke [...]ye, and that he shoulde make hym the sauce for a pecocke that rosted. And Pe­pyn dyd it so well that after warde the kynge woulde haue no meate nor sauce but of his dressing. Wherof al the other of the kechyn ryall hadde great dispyte at him and vpon Pepyn hadde suche enuye that it happened one tyme that the kyng commaunded him for to make ready a pecocke, so he went towarde the coke by the com maundement of the kynge. And as he entred in to the kechyn bothe litell and great began for to mock [...] hym, and some smote hym behynde, and he as vertuous toke all in pacience. After he wente towarde the fyre for to haue put the pecocke on the spytte. And y^e mayster coke that had great enuye on hym, aporoched uere hym and caste a great brennyng cole in his lappe and brent him shrewedly. And than Pepyn swore that he woulde a­uenge hym, and came vnto the sarazyn and gaue hym so great a stroke betwene the foreheade and the [...]re that be smote him downe, and after gaue him another stroke so great that he made his braynes to flee out. When the var [...]ettes and scolyons sawe their mayster so outraged they assayled all Pepyn with slaues and knyues. And he that was hardy and valyaunt reculed not abacke, but swore Jhesu christe that he loued better to dye then to suffer iniurye of suche [...]ascalles. Soo he wente to­warde a boye that woulde haue smyten hym with a pes­tel and gaue hym soo great a strooke that he felled hym downe dead to the earth. The noise and the crye was so great that the kyng harde it. Soo he badde anone that Pepyn should be taken and brought before hym. And whan he was before hym he sayd vnto hym euyll boye [Page] How haste thou bene so hardy to [...] my mayster coke within my palays. Nowe tell me anone how the thing goeth, or by my God mahoune thou shal dye. Syr said kyng Pepyn I shall tell you the truthe. It is true that I was in the kechin for to make redy a pecocke for your super as you commaunded me and than your coke cast a hote cole vpon me and brent me shrewedly withoute any cause. And therfore I slewe hym. When the kynge knewe the truthe by the other he pardoned hym.

¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn beyng with the kyng of Yn­de had knowledge of the fayre Clerymonde. Cap. xci.

[Page] HEre wyl I make you mencion of the fayre Clerimonde the whyche as you haue herde before was kept in the kyng of Yndes pa­lays. Now the kynge of Ynde had a cus­tome y^t he wolde sende her of the best meat that was on hys table. So it happened that at a souper he called Popyn and gaue hym the meat that was befo­re hym and sayd vnto hym. Go in to the chambre whe­re as is a wyndowne, & there you shall fynde a folysshe woman pyteously arayed, bere her thys from me. Pe­pyn toke the meat and bare it, vnto the lady. But whan he sawe her so poorely arayed he had great pyte & sayd vnto her. Loue Jhesus that suffered for vs death & pas­syon helpe you. Alas haue truste in hym and serue hym wyth good heart, and yf you do so knowe for a certayn­te that you, shall haue aledgement of your doloure / and therfore beleue stedfastly in hym & receyue the holye sa­crament of baptym. Whan the lady vnderstode that he spake of god she approched nere hym and sayd. Frende haue noo doubte of me. But tell me yf thou be a christen man or yf you saye these wordes by gyle Lady sayd pe­pyn for a trouthe I am a chrysten man, and am comen out of the realme of Fraunce. Thā the lady sayd al smy­lynge you ought well to knowe the good kyng Pepyn and his neuewe Ualentyne. It is true sayd Pepyn and I knowe well hys brother Orson & his father the Empe­roure of Grece also whan the lady herde that she began for to wepe and said vnto him. Alas frende may I haue truste in you. Ye sayd Pepyn as muche as in your pro­pre father of all that it shal please you for to say▪ for ne­uer shall you be accused by me. ¶ Frende sayd the lady knowe for a certaynte that I counterfee the foole, and [Page] the seke woman, but I am also wyse and hole as I was euer, for I am a chrysten woman and had the fayre Ua­lentyne vnto loue, and vnto hym I was gyuen for wy­fe, but by the false traytour kyng Trompart I was ta­ken from hym. Than the lady tolde hym all the maner of her estate, and how she had ben stolen, and wherfore she made her selfe syke. Whan kyng pypyn herd the py­teous aduenture of the lady he began for to wepe muche tenderly. After in consyderyng the fortunes and great aduentures that cometh vpon the creature in castynge out great teares he sayd softly to hymselfe. Ha veray god almyghty what is it of the tenebres of thys worlde nowse I thys poore sorowfull for to kepe her trouthe myserably aourned, and in greate pacyence vsynge her dayes. Alas Ualentyne my fayre neuewe at thys tyme it nedeth not to demaunde yf for this fayre lady you are and haue ben syth in languysshynge pacyence and in great thought. Now pleased it god that you knewe at this hour how I fynde her that for your heart languys­sheth. And after these wordes he behelde the lady say­enge. Lady I knowe certaynly what you are & you wote not what I am, but syth that you haue hadde soo muche truste in me that you haue tolde me your secrete I wyll tell you what I am. ¶ Knowe that suche as you se me I am Pepyn the kynge of Fraunce to whome fortune hathe ben so contraryous that she hath made me to fal into suche pouerte and seruitude as you see. Nowe I knowe well that my neuewe Ualentyne in greate tra­uayll of his body without reste sercheth you continual­ly. But and it please god he shal haue tydynges of you shortly, and in ioye and solace you shal assemble agayn togyther. At these wordes the lady [...]owned, and kyng [Page] Pepyn lefte her for too retourne to warde the kynge of Ynde the whiche was aesouper. Now will I leue this mater and shall tell you of kyng Brandyffer and Lu­car that ledde the twelue peres of Fraunce and Henry and Orson prysoners.

¶ Howe Brandyffer brought vnto the strong castell the twelue peres of Fraunce and put them in pryson. ¶ Capitulo. xcii.

VOu haue heard of kynge Brandyffer that had the twelue peres of Fraunce prysoners, and Haufray and Henry, so he dyd so much that he came vnto the stronge castell. Bran­dyffer founde there his doughter Galazye, that he loued so muche. And recounted vnto her the en­terpryse and maner, & after put them all in a depec [...]u [...]. [Page] where as the Emperour of Grece was and the Grene knyght, so the traytour Haufray had bene put in vnto them. Muche sorowful was Henry when hemight not tell his courage vnto Brandiffer, but he was the first that was letten downe in to the pryson, and after hym the duke Myllon that fel vpon Haufray, wherof Hau­fray complayned sore because that he was hurt. Holde your peace sayd the duke Myllon and drawe you more lower, for there is many moo to whome it behoueth to make place▪ Haufray vnderstode the duke Millon wel and demaūded him what brought him thether, but you sayd the duke Myllon, for I had lefte you within An­gorye. Ha sayd the traytour I was taken at a stoure y^e other daye and brought hether. So the lordes be in pry­son making much sorowe the whiche knew eche other when Haufray knew that king Pepyn was not there he made the semblaunt to be ryght Joyous, but he had well woulde that he had bene hanged by the necke. It is not to be demaunded of the tetes and lamentacions that they made, for there was none but that thei trusted better to dye then to lyue, saue Orson that comforted them & sayde. Lordes take weit in pacience for it pleaseth God that it shall be thus. And that in this maner we do our penaunce. But that notwithstanding discō ­forte you not al out, but haue trust in god & in our good frendes, that is my brother Ualentyne and the noble Pacolet that can play so wel with his art. Thus spake Orson, but he knew not that the castel was so strong that it myght not be taken by enchauntemente. After that Brandyffer had put the lordes in prison, he called his doughter Galazye and sayd vnto her. ¶ It is true that I wyll go in to Falezye for to assemble myne hoost [Page] And there I ought to fynde the kynge of Ynde and Lu­car, the whiche come with me in to Angorye, that the Frenchemen holde. wherfore gouerne you well, and a­boue all take kepe vnto the prysoners. Father sayd the mayden of me haue no doubte nor of the prysoners, for you shall here but good tydynges. So Brandyffer de­parted from the strong castell and went vnto Faleyze where as he assembled his hoost. Theder came kynge Lucar with a great puyssaunce but the kynge of Ynde sene his men alonely, for his wyfe Rozemonde was sycke and dyed within nyne dayes after, wherfore the kyng toke suche soro we that he laye twelue dayes in his bedde without speche, whereof kynge Lucar was ryght gladde.

¶ How Brandyffer after that he hadde assembled his hoost mounted on the sea and wente and besyeged the cytie of Angorye. Capit. xciii.

[Page] AFter that Brādiffer and Lucar hadde assembled their hoost ac Faleyze, without soiour­nyng they mounted vpon the sea, and had so good wynde that they arryued anone at the porte. And when they were arryued, they that sawe them take lande ranne towarde Ango­tye and tolde it to Ualentyne that kepte the cytye in a­bydyng the comyng of kyng Pepyn and of the twelue prres of Fraunce. Alas he knewe not howe the game went. when he sawe the tentes and pauylions reysed vp about Angorye, he bewaylled kyng Pepyn muche pyteously and called Pacolet saying to hym. Frende to euyll goeth our feate whan I can haue no tydynges of kyng Pepyn. Nowe let me alone sayde Pacolet for we shall haue tydynges anone. without saying any other thynge vpon the moro we in the mornyng he departed from Angorye and went thoroughe the hoost of the pay­nyms tyll that he came vnto the tente of kyng Lucar. And when kyng Lucar sawe hym he demaunded him. Frende where is your maister that serued me other ty­mes. Ha syr sayd Pacolet he is dead long a goo, and I am lefte alone. I would gladly fynde a maister. Uarlet sayde kynge Lucar I wyll well retayne you and guer­done you if you serue me well. Yes sayd Pacolet I de­maunde none other thyng. Pacolet abode in the seruy­ce of Lucar, but he serued hym euyll, and euyll was he rewarded. Anone after that it was nyghte he made an enchauntement that caused Lucar to sleepe, and moun­ted hym vpon a horse, and without wakening led him in to the cytie of Angorye in to the palayd. Ualentyne was muche ioyous when he sawe Lucar. ¶ Now he was brought in to the palays before a fayre fyre, and at [Page] that houre the charme fayled. So Lucar dyd awaken all afrayed for to finde him there, and Pacoiet that was euyll auy sed put him before hym and sayd. Fayre may­ster I am your seruaunt pleaseth it you to commaunde me any thynge. Than he knewe that he was betrayed and tooke a poynted knyfe and smote Pacolet in suche wyse that he fell downe dead. Soo it neth not [...]o aske the great sorowe that Ualentyne made than. And sayd srende nowe are you fynysshed. I may well say that I shal neuer haue suche a frende. Now am I at al poyntes sorowfull and left alone in dystresse, ferre from my frendes and nere myne enemyes. Alas fre kyng Pepyn wherfore come you not, your longe abydynge shall bere you great dommage. Ha false Lucar thou hast slayne hym that was my hope, by Jhesus thou shalt abyedere. By mahowne sayd Lucar I care not for noo more syth that I am auenged on hym that hath betray me falsly. Than Ualentyne wente towarde Pacolet and tooke hys tables that were in his bosome, in whych was wry­ten all the secretes of hys arte. And Pacolet had tolde hym longe before that he should take the tables whan that he was dead yf that he lyued after hym and that all hys scyence was wrytten therin that he played with and so dyd Ualentyne, and putte them vp, the whyche dyd him good seruyse afterwarde. At that hour wolde Ualentyne that Lucar hadde bene Judged vnto death. But it was auysed by the lordes that was wyth hym that he should be put in a toure and kepte surely to the ende that and any noble man of theyr party were taken prysoner by the paynyms, that he myght be yelded a­gayne for the chaunge of kynge Lucar. Thus counsayll pleased euery bodye and soo it was accorded entyerly. [Page] And when Lucar was in pryson Ualentyne made the body of Pacolet to be buried ryght honourably that of lytell and great was muche be wayled.

❧ Howe Brandiffer knewe that Lucar was in Ango­ry. And sent vnto Ualentyne for to make the appoyn­tement to bye hym agayne. Capit. xciiii.

ON the mornyng by tymes there was great noyse and crye in the hoost of the paynyms for the kyng Lucar that they had lost, and aboue al the other. Brandiffer made great sorowe, and euen soo as he asked for hym there aryued a spye that tolde hym how he was in An­gorye and that he had slayne Pacolet, Brandiffer was ioyous for the death of Pacolet, and sorowfull at his harte for the takyng of Lucar. So he called a messen­ger and badde hym go vnto Ualentyne and aske hym if he woulde geue him kyng Lucar for kyng Pepyn▪ or the Emperoure of Grece or his sone Orson▪ or some of the other twelue petes of Fraunce, whiche he loueth beste. Syr sayde the messenger I shall do your message well. So he went towarde Angorye and entred in say­ing that he would speake with Ualentine. And he was brought unto hym anone. When he was before hym he salued hym highly, and after tolde him his message as Brandiffer had bydden hym all alonge. When Ualen­tyne harde that he was muche amarueyled & sayd vn­to the messenger of Brandiffer. ¶ God almyghty how maye that be that kyng Brandiffer holdeth in pryson [Page] so many valyaunt men, and howe maye he haue taken them prysoners.

❧ Howe Ualentyne demaunded the kyng of Fraunce for chaunge of kynge Lucar by the consence of the lor­des and barous. Capit. xcv.

Syr sayde the messenger it is true that the kynge Pepyn not longe ago accompanied of the twel­ue peres of Fraunce, of Orson and of Henry wente vn­to [Page] Jerusalem, so the tydynges by a tràytour came vnto the kynge Brandyffer of whyche he was muche Ioy­ous. And he ledde suche a puyssaunce thether that they were taken wythin Iherusalem, and hathe sente them into the stronge castell that is the strongest place of all the worlde. Sy gyue me an answere shortly yf you wyl chaūge kyng Lucar for one of your good trendes. Mes­senger sayd Ualentine you shal haue an answere anon And than he entred into a halle and assembled all the lordes & sayd vnto them. Frendes it is true that for the rendrynge of Lucar I may delyuer of the prysoners of Brandiffer my father or my brother Orson, or myn vn­cle the kynge pepyn that are my thre pryncypall fren­des, so counsell me whyche I ought to demaunde. Syr answered the barons here auayleth nothynge the drea­mynge, frr you knowe that none maye be more beholden than vnto father and mother, and by ryght reason and naturall loue you ought to demannde pout father. Lordes sayd Ualentyne you speke wysely, but sauynge your reuerences I am delybered for to doo otherwyse. For to speake of this thynge Iustely and after the true equyte you knowe al that my mother Bellyssant by my father wyth great wronge was banysshed shamefully out of hys countree. And in suchenecessyte & peryl chil­ded me in the forest of Orleaunce, and there I should haue ben deuoured by wylde beastes yf myne vncle kynge pepyn hadde [...]t ben, by whome I was founden, and haue ben nourysshed and brought vp wythout knowyn ge me in suche maner that he hathe made me knyghte, And all the goodes that I haue are comen by hym, not neuer of my father I had one only comforte nor socoure in my trybulacyon. And therfore I wyl that mine vncle [Page] kyng Pepyn be delyuered for the chaunge of kyng Lu­car the whiche hath brought me vp as his own chylde without any knowlodge of any of my frondes, and my father abyde there. And ryght wortly by the grace of al­myghty God we shall do so muche that my father shall be delyuered and all the other. When the varons harde the wys [...]ome and the greate vnderstandyng of Ualen­tyne they marueyled muche all of his great proudence, and sayde with a comon accorde that he had spoken no­blye, so they consented to his wyll because that it was reasonable. Than Ualentyne sayd vnto the messenger Frende thou shalt retourne towarde the kyng Brandiffer thy mayster, and tell hym the aunswere that I shall geue the, that is that I shall yelde hym the kyng Lucar vpon suche a condicion that he shall delyuer me kynge Pepyn of Fraunce, for I wyll haue none other for the chaunge of kyng Lucar. Than departed the messenger and tolde his aunswere vnto kyng Brandiffer as Ualentyne hadde bydden hym. By mahoune sayde kynge Brandiffer euermore the moost puyssaunt is the fyrste honoured but sithe that he demaundeth that same that same shall he haue.

¶ Howe Myllon danglet that was named the kyng of Fraunce for to saue kyng Pepyn, was de­lyuered oute of the pryson of Bran­dyffer in chaunge of kyng Lucar. Cap. xcvi.

[Page]

Ryght so as the kyng Brandyffer knew that Ualentyne would haue the kyng of Fraūce for kyng Lucar, he sent messengers anone vnto the strong castell towarde his dough­ter Galazye, byddynge that she shoulde geue them the kynge of Fraunce all alone. The messengers mounted vpon the sea, and rowed so muche that within a short space they arryued at the strong castell, and recounted vnto the fayre Galyzye their message. When the may­den knewe it she was ready anone to fulfyll the wyll of her father. So she called the gayler and sent hym too the pryson to demaunde the kynge of Fraunce. And when he came to the dore of the pryson he cryed on hye [Page] Nowe come hether the kyng of Fraunce for [...] it beho­ueth me to delpuer hym. And whan the duke Myllon vnderstode the gayler, he answered swetely. Alas frend I am here, wherfore cal you me. If I must dye the first I praye to God that he wyll haue mercye on me, for I wyll offre my body vnto death with a good harte for to susteyne the holy fayth. Syr sayd the gayler haue no doubte, for you shall be delyuered in the chaunge of a paynem kyng that they of your lawe holdeth. Whan Henry vnderstode those wordes he repented hym that he had gainsayde the king his father, and that he made hym not the kyng of Fraunce when he was requyred. But the vntrue chylde that knewe the treason thought not that his father should haue escaped, but he knewe well his vnhappy wil when he sawe the duke Myllon deliuered by suche meanes, the whiche in wepyng toke leue of the other barons. Alas sayde the emperoure of Grece salue me aboue all my chylde Valentyne, and me also sayd Orson and recommaunde me vnto hym & tell hym howe we are here in mysetable dystresse, and in great pouerte, & if by hym we haue not succour short­ly, it behoueth vs to fynyshe our dayes. Lordes sayde Myllon take comfort vnto you, for if it please Jhesus I shall neuer retourne in to Fraunce til that you be de­lyuered. Than he departed from the pryson, and all the other abode wepyng full tenderly. when he was oute as wyse & well taught he went towarde the fayre Ga­lazye and toke leue of her in muche great reuerence, the lady was curteyse and amiable & recommaunded hym vnto her god mahoune. So departed the duke Myllon and the messengers that were come for hym ledde him to the hauen. After they mounted vpon the sea, and in [Page] shorte tyme arryued in the hoost of Brandyffer. Than when Brandiffer sawe him he sayd vnto him. Freking well may you be come you knowe well ynough wher­fore I haue sente for you. Go with my men that haue brought you hetherin to the cytie of Angory and saye vnto Ualentyne that in chaunge of you he geue me Lu­car as we haue appoynted. Syr sayd the ouke Millon so will I doo and holde you suche loyalte that & for me he wyll not geue you Lucar I shall come and yelde me vnto you to do with me as you dyd before. By mahou­ne said Brandyffer you speake rially, and I demaunde no more of you. Nowe go vnto mahoune the whiche conduyte you. Thus departed Myllon dangler & they that ledde hym. Soo they arryued at Angorye & entred in without any refuse and went in to the palays where as they founde Valentyne. Then he and the duke Myl­lon embraced swetely eche other. And the duke Myllon toke hym asyde and recounted to hym howe they were taken wichin Jerusalem, and howe the kynge of ynde had ledde kyng Pepyn away without knowyng hym, and also how he had chaunged his name at the request of kyng Pepyn, and tolde hym howe the other were in pryson in the strong castell. Whan Valentyne vnder­stoode hym he sayde vnto hym swetely. Will haue you wrought for I knowe that you did it for good, & good is happened you, for too daye you are delyuered from your enemyes by the true saruyce y^t you dyd vnto king Pepyn. You shewed you a good frende whan you dyd chaunge your name for to saue kyng Pepyn. And also so one myght you haue hadde dammage as proffyte for of nature the false paynims desired the death of kynge Pepyn, because that he susteyneth the faythe of Jhesu [Page] christe against them, and destroyeth that of maboune. when Ualentyne had spoken so he made to bryng forth the kyng Lucar and sayde to hym. Lucar for this tyme you are delyuered, but kepe you from me the tyme to come, and thynke vpon my frende Pacolet that you haue slayne. For by God if euer I recountre you in ba­tail or elles where we shal se whiche of vs twayne shall be the more valiaunter. At these wordes departed the kyng Lucar that was ryght ioyous for to escape. And whan he was without the gates sarazins came against hym with a great puyssaunce makyng great ioye for his delyueraunce. Thus was the kyng Lucar delyue­red, and the duke Myllon yelded vnto Ualentyne. A [...] none as the duke Myllon was within with Ualētyne, they made no great so iournyng, but ordeyned their ba­taylles, and with fyftye thousand men yssued oute in displaying their baners and standardes. And whan Brandiffer vnderstode those tidinges he made to blow his trompettes and clarons, and ordeyned his batailes too the nombre of foure and twenty. And when they were ordeyned he yede for the accompanied with foure and twenty kynges all holding of him, and the christen men approched nere for too smyte vpon them, but they were so thicke that they might not entre.

¶ Howe Ualentyne and the duke Myllon yssued oute of Angorye vpon the satazyns, and howe the sarazins loste the batayll and were dyscomfyted. ¶ Capitulo. xcvii.

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THan Ualentyne toke his spere in his hande and cryed hyghly christians take courage, & than began a harde batayll besyde the stan­darde of Brādiffer, that nere him had kyng Lucar puyssauntly accōpanyed. Christians assaylled and sarazyns defended them. About their standarde was fyfty thousande men that helde before them great targes, wherfore the christen men myght not gre­ue them. Than an admyrall lorde of cassydoyne sawe a Frencheman that put dyuers paynyms vnto death, he went thederwarde & with an axe he gaue him suche a stroke that he smote his head in two, but before hys retorne a squyer of Normandye aryued vpon the Ad­myrall & afore Myllon dangler smote him down dead And for that valiauntnes Myllon made him knyght [Page] And sayd now thynke for to do well, for there shall not be so poore a man yt he beare hym valyaunt but that he shall be made knyght to day. He made so many that day that euerybody toke payne for to be made one. And in thys maner the batayll endured so longe that the sunne began for to derken. But for asmuche as the christē men sawe that the paynyms wolde wythdrawe them. Ualentyne wolde not wythdrawe hym. Well wende the sara­zyns to haue returned in to theyr pauylyons, but y^e chri­sten men were before them, wherof Brandyffer & kynge Lucar were muche ameruayled. Al the nyght dured the batayll ryght mortall, there was greate fyres on euery syde. And the daye was cleare the stoure began more stronger than before. There was so many slayne that the bloodran lyke chanelles It nedeth not to demaunde of the prowesse that Ualentyne dyd, for in the thyckest of the prese he put hym maugre the sarazyns, and the duke Myllon after. ¶ Ualentyne on euery syde smote downe horses and men, so many that there was no pay­nym that durst abyde before hym. And he entred in soo ferr that he came nere the standarde of Brandyffer, and there he sawe the admyrall of Ynde the whyche came a­gaynst hym so rudely that he slewe his hors vnder hym. But Valentyne that was lyght rose vpon his feete a­none and toke hys swerde and slewe sarazyns on euery syde in cryenge hyghly saynt George, and reclaymynge God. But he had neuer escaped yf it hadde not ben the Duke Myllon that departed paynyms as the wo [...]ffe dothe the shepe, and smote all downe that he founde be­fore hym, and soo socoured hym and gaue hym a hors. Whan Valentyne was remounted he wythdrewe hym out of the battayll for to take ayre and dranke ones and [Page] after retourned into the stoure more strouger than be­fore. And whan the Marshall of Ynde sawe that they had the worse, the moost secretly that he might he made his men to withdrawe them into a lytell valeye for to stele awaye the better. Ualentyne sawe it well and she­wed it vnto duke Myllon. That it was appoynted that Ualentyne and his men should go vpon the sayde Marshall without makyng any noyse, and too it was done. Ualentyne and his man went thederwarde and smote vpon the Yndyans in suche maner that at their first entring they broke their batayll. Then Ualentyne espied the Marshall that thought for to haue saued himselfe; and gaue him so great a stroke with his spere that he smote both horse and man to the earth, and the chri­sten men smote vpon him, but he was soo well armed they slewe him not at the first brunte. And than Ualen­tyne toke him and gaue him to kepe to foute knightes, and the Yndians were discomfyted at that houre by Valentyne. And it waas the first batayll that was dis­comfyted that daye. There was many riche prisoners taken the whiche Valētine sent in to Angory commaū ­ding that they should be well kept. Now Brandiffer & Lucar knewe that they had the worse. By mahoune saide Brandiffer I can not auyse howe we may resiste so I fere me sore that we must all dye here, wherfore I am of the opinion that we holde vs content for this ti­me, and recourne in to our countreis, and we maye re­tourne an other time with greater strengthe. By ma­houne said Lucar you saye truthe, for we haue loste al­ready the moost part of our men retourne we without abiding any lenger here. For it is better to fle betymes than to abyde to longe and dye. Thus was the coūsail [Page] taken by them, and made the standarde and the baner to be wounde vp, and sayde vnto their men saue you & you maye. The paynims toke their flighte towarde the hauen of the sea. And the christen men went after sleing and kylling without any remission, for men that are in flyght are halfe discomfyted. And there abode so many paynims vpon the fielde, that there mounted with Brandiffer & Lucat but a hondred at their recourning And after the discomfiture of the paynims and sara­zyns the christen men entred in to their tentes where as they founde great rychesses, and after they wente into Angory for to reste them, for they were were and trauayled. Upon the morowe they made the dead bo­dyes to be buryed.

¶ Howe kyng Pepyn was deliuered in chaunge of the kyng of Yndies Marshall. Cap. xcviii.

[Page] AFter that the christen men that had wonne the batrayll before Angorye, had buried the dead bodyes. Ualentyne mounted vp in to the palays and commaunded that the prysoners should be brought before hym. Than was brought before hym the Marshall of the kyng of Ynde to whom he demaūded if he would beleue in Jhe­su. By mahoune sayde the Marshall I had leuer dye. Than Myllon dangler demaunded him of what coun­trey he was. Lordes sayde the paynim I am the Mar­shall of the kyng of Ynde that loueth me well. Whan the duke Myllon vnderstode hin he drewe the noble vs lentyne asyde & sayde vnto him. Well haue we wrought sythe that we haue taken this paynim, for by him we may haue the kyng Pepyn that the kyng of Ynde ledde awaye for ad werfe whan we were taken within Jerusalem. Myllon sayd Ualentyne you saye trouth. Then he demaunded the paynim if the kynge of Ynde helde not in his prysons a chrysten man of lytell stature. By mahowne said the Marshall in the pryson of the kynge of Ynde is no christen man, but in his courte there is a lytell one that rydeth with him and is not in pryson. And he brought hym from Jerusalem whan the twel­ue peres was taken. Marshall said Ualentine it is the same that we demaunde, and if you maie do so muche that he be brought vnto me, you shall be delyuered for him without raunsome, for he is my page, and hath serued me long tyme. Ha sayde the paynim I am agreed, and was ryght ioyous of those tydynges. So he wrote a lettre anone and sente it vnto the kynge of Ynde. Whan the kynge of Ynde hadde sene the lettre he was muche ioyous for to yelde king Pepin for his marshal [Page] For he knewe not what man was kynge Pepyn, he made hym be brought before hym and sayd vnto hym. Good frende it behoueth you too departe hence, for my marshall shall be delyuered for you the whiche I wold not leue for suche a hundreth as you. Syr sayde kynge Pepyn of this I am content, and if I haue serued you euyll please it you to pardone me. Frende said the kyng to mahoune I commaunde the.

¶ How kyng Pepyn toke his leue of the fayre Clery­monde, and howe he tolde Ualentyne tydynges where she was. Capit. xcix.

THen Pepyn ranne vnto Clerymonde and sayde vnto her. Lady take comforte vnto you for I am delyuered, and I shall shortly sende you your loue [Page] Valentyne, and I shall neuer cease tyll that you be de­lyuered. Thanne he departed from the lady that fell in swowne for Joye. Pepyn wente wyth the messenger & arryued in Angorye wythin a shorte space. Nowe it is not to be demaūded the great ioye that than was made Fren [...]shemen wente agaynst hym blowynge tro [...]pets and clarons and made greate Joye. Vncle sayd Valen­tyne in a good houre was he taken by whome you are delyuered for aboue all the gooddes of the worlde I de­syred your body. Neuewe sayd Pepyn take vnto you to [...] for I brynge you tydynges of the thynge in the worlde that you loue moost that is the fayre lady Clerymonde that you haue sought so longe, nowe I haue founde her and she recommaundeth her vnto you. Than he tolde hym howe she had ben taken, and how she had gouerned her subtylly. And whan Valentyne heard these tydyn­ges he had so greate Joye that w^t payne myght he speake Ha ladye sayde Ualentyne nowe oughte I to loue you wyth all my heart, whan you haue kept you so well for my loue soo I promyse god that I shal neuer fayle you, and I shall lese my lyfe but yf I delyuer you. Than Valentyne delyuered the marshall of Ynde. After he entred in to hys secrete chambre for to preue the tables of Pa­colet and founde that all was true. Whan Valentyne had sene all those thynges he toke paper and ynke and wrote them all in a byll for feare to lese the tables, and sewed it in his doblet, so it stode him in good stede after warde for to saue hys lyfe as you shall here.

¶ Howe kynge Pepyn departed from Angory and re­torned into Fraunce for to socoure hys wyfe. Ca. C.

[Page] NOwe at that saine tyme that I tell you of kynge Pepyn was in Angory for to fight with the paynims. So there came a mes­sage vnto hym from hys wyfe Berthe, the which after his salute said vnto him. Syr vnderstande the rydynges that I brynge vnto you fro my ryght dere lady Berthe quene of Fraunce. Knowe that all they of those quarters beleue stedfastly that you and al the twelue peres be dead, bycause that they had tydinges that you were taken wythin Jerasalem of the paynyms. So it is true that Arthur kynge of Brytayne trustyng in your death▪ and that the tydynges was true is entred into your lande wyth a greate puyssaunce of men of armes, and wyll be kynge of Fraunce by force, and wedde the quene Berthe agaynst her wyll. Nowe I am comen hether for to tell you the tydynges, wher­fore thynke vpon this feate for the case toucheth you to muche. And at thys houre the warre is so great in fraū ­ce that wallyam of Mountglyue hath made Geryn to be slayne. And also the kyng of Brytayne hathe vnder­taken to [...]ut my lorde Charles your sonne in exyle. So rowfull was kyng Pepyn to here suche wordes, & made to assemble hys barons for to holde counsayl. So they accorded that he should go and defende his propre coun­tree, the whyche he dyd and toke hys l [...]ue of Ualentyne that sayd vnto hym. Frayre vncle it behoueth me to aby­de here for to put all my strengthe to delyuer my father and my brother and the twelue peres of Fraūce. Ualen­tyne sayd Kyng Pepyn you speke wysely, and yf it plea­se God that I haue vyctorye of myne enemyes I shall sende you helpe and socoure agaynst the fals paynyms, in suche wyse that you may delyuer your father lyghtly [Page] The kynge Pepyn mounted vpon the Sea with syxe thousande fyghtyng men.

❧ Howe Ualentyne went in to Ynde the great, and counterfet the physycion for to se the fayre Clerymonde and howe he spake with her. Capit. C. i.

UAlentyne that by the king Pepyn had herde tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde put her not oute of mynde, but departed from An­gorye accompanied onely of a squyer, and dyd clothe hym in the habyte of a physicion. He mounted vpon the sea with marchaūtes that wente [Page] in to Ynde. And they rowed soo muche that they arty­ued in Ynde. But or Ualentine entred in to the cytie he made to make a physicians gowne▪ and after made a futred hoode, and as a great dortour entred in to the ci­tie, and lodged him in a ryche y [...]ne. Also soone as the hoost sawe hym he demaunded him of what crafte he was of. Hoost sayd Ualentyne I am a medecyn, & can hele all maner of sycknesses. The hoost beleued hym & his squyer serued well as the clerke of a doctour. ¶ In this wyse was Ualentyne thre daies, and then he said Myne hoost do me a pleasure if it please you, that is y^t you fynde me a man to go about the cytie and crye my [...]cyence, that and there bee any seke men that I vaunte me for to hele theim. For I haue nede to wynne for too paye you the expences that I haue made here in, but not for that & you haue doubte of me I shall geue you a gage. By mahoune sayd the hoost a gage will I take gladly, for it is euyll trusting in straungers. Than va­lentyne gaue hym a fyne mantell furted, and sayde too hym▪ Holde hoost and of me haue no doubte, and make the varlet come to me that I spabe to you fore. ¶ The hoost brought hym one that had neyther shone, gowne nor bonet, and was almoost naked. Ualentyne for the loue of God clothed him all newe and sayd to him. My frende go thorough the cytye and crye hyghly, there is come a mederyne that can hele all maladyes, and also they that haue loste their wytte be it man or woman I shall make thē haue their vnderstanding againe. Than departed the varlet that was right ioyous to be clothed and cryed all the daye thorough the cytie as Ualentyne had bydden hym. Now the tidinges came vnto y^e king of Ynde of that mayster. And because that he vaunted [Page] to hele mad foles, for the loue of Clerymonde the kynge of Ynde sent for hym, not wythstandyng that there was alredy, crepylles, blynde / lame, and croked before hys lodgynge, but he left them all for to go to the kynge of Ynde, for he knewe well the ende where as hys heart drewe to. He salued the kynge of Ynde by the great god Jupyter. And the kynge sayd to hym, mayster you be welcome into my courte, you shall dyne & than I shall tell you wherfore I sent for you. The kynge set hym at the and table made Ualentyne to be serued rychely, and than after dynner he sayd vnto hym. Mayster I haue a lady in thys palays that is garnysshed wyth beaute a­boue all other. So it is true that whan I had her fyrst & wolde haue taken her vnto wyfe, but she made me to vnderstande that she had made auowe vnto mahowne that she should take no man vnto husband tyl a yere be passed, nowe I haue her the terme that she asked but at the ende of the yeare there toke her a pyteous maladye, so that no body durst fynde them before her. She whiste leth and cryeth pyteously, one tyme she lagheth and an­other tyme she wepeth, so that in her dede there is none ordynaunce, for the whyche my heart is sorowfull for and she were whole I wolde take her vnto wyfe for my wyfe Rozemonde is dead. And therfore and you can helpe her I shall gyue you more than you wyll demaun­de. Ualentyne sayd I shall doo it well, but the malady is euyll for to heale syth that she hath had it so longe. I muste be in her chambre all nyght for to se her condycy­ons. Mayster sayd the kynge one shall brynge you the­ther, but kepe you from her that she byte you not. Than one that scrued her ledde valentyne to her, and whan he was at the wyndow he sayd vnto hym. Beholde there [Page] and playe with your crafte, the deuill shall make you well hele her. Go thy way saide Ualentyne and let me alone. Then the sarazyn wente his waye and Ualenti­ne behelde her piteously. Alas veray God sayd he how you haue bought me dere, and I you. By god my swete loue I shall neuer retourne in to Fraunce tyll I haue you with me, or I shall lese my lyfe. The lady behelde him muche ferefully, and didde caste at him all that she founde in the chambre, of the whiche Ualentyne was muche amarueyle [...]. Alas my God sayd he is it fayned or a thing true of the euyl that I se you suffre. Dere lo­ue alas withoute doynge any more be a lytell still and here my speche. ¶ I am your loue Ualētine for whom you haue suffred so muche payne. Do you not thynke no more of the head of brasse that gaue you to me, and of my brother Orson that had the stryng cut, and howe you were stolen from me by the enchaū [...]out Adramain in the cytie of Acquitaine. whan the lady hearde those wordes for pure loye she swowned. And when she was reuyued she sayde with & feble voyce muche pyteously. Alas my loue Ualentyne how you haue suffred for me many dolours and tribulacious, and I for you▪ beholde in what pouerte I haue byden without geuing my lo­ue vnto any man. Lady sayde Ualentyne one loueth gladly the thyng that is dere bought. At these wordes Ualētine vnderstode that the trompettes and clarons blewe for to set the kyng at souper. So he said vnto the faire lady Clerymonde, my loue I goo in to the palays but after souper I shall retourne vnto you agayne, for I haue made the kyng to vnderstande that I am a physician and a good surgian, so the kynge hath sente for me for to come and hele you of your greuous maladye [Page] The lady sayd my ryght dere loue go in goddes name the whiche geue you grace to perfourme your enterpry se. Thus departed Ualentyne and wente into the pa­lays. And also sone as the kyng sawe hym be demaun­deo hym. Mayster maye you hele the lady, yes said Ua­lentyne be ioyous for by the wyll of Mahoune you shal here her speake to morowe also wysely as euer she dyd. The kynge was so [...]oyous that he gaue hym a maun­tel of beten golde set with precious stones, & after made hym be serued at the table lyke his persoue. And after souper Ualentyne sayd vnto the kyng. Syr it behoueth me to haue a good fyre all the nyght in the chambre of the pacyente and also defende that none shewe them be fore her, for she was neuer soo seke as she shall be too nyght. Mayster sayde the kyng all shall be done▪ do but aske and you shall be serued. Nowe goeth Ualentyne to warde the fayre Clerymōde with a great serge in his hande, and put it in the chambre, and made to make a great fyre in commaundyng euery body to auoyde saue his squyer. Than Ualentyne shytte the doores and the wyndowes and sayde vnto Clerymonde. My swete la­dy nowe maye you embrace meat your owne pleasute, and than Ualentine espyed the horse of wodde, and as­ked her if it was Pacolettes horse, and she sayde yes. Then Ualentyne was ryght ioyous therof. Alas said she let vs go hence if it may be. By God sayde Dalen­tyne I had well thought it.

❧ How Ualentine rode a way with Clerymonde, and how the kyng of Brytayne was yeldd vnto kyng Pepyn by treason. L [...]pit. C. ii.

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UAlentyne open [...]e at midnyght and mounted [...] great wyndowe where as the mone shone. After he mounted vpon the horse and set the lady before him and his squier behynde hym, and tourned the pynne and the horse w [...]t ouer the sea roches, townes and ca­stelles, tyll that he was before Angory. And there was not one that ourste saye a worde and euen there fayled the charme. Ualentyne made the gates to be opened, for it was day. Great ioye was made through Angory for the comyng of Cicrymonde. Ualentyne made her to be rychely clothed and on, the moro we wet d [...]d her w^t great solemphite. whan the kyng of ynde knewe that he had loste the lady, he despy [...]d his goddes saying. Ha false enchauntour thou hast well deceyued me, but [Page] I shal make the be hanged by the necke. He ina [...]e Ualen­tyne to be pursued ynought, but none could tell hym ty­dynges. So wyll I tell you of kyng Pepyn that retur­ned into Fraunce for to socoure hys wyfe and his londe agaynst the kynge of Bryt [...]yne.

FOor bycause that the kyng of Brytayne herde saye that the kyngo Pepyn and the twelft pe­res had bene taken u [...] Iherualem he thought vetayly that they hadde ben all dead and sayde that he wolde be kynge of Fraunce and wedde Berthe. So he made alyannce wyth the erle of Mount fort with the duke of Berry Wyth the duke of Denemours, and wyth the erle of Armyngnae. So he made to cry throu­ghe all Brytayne that al that myght bere wepen should god wythhyln into Fraunce. Whan the quene Berthe knewe of that tydynges she was muche sorowfull, but she myght not remedy it, soo she tooke her sonne That les and fledde vnto Lyon▪ In that same tyme there was an Erle of Aniou true and of good fayth that for to so­coure the quene Berthe made hys [...]y [...]e and hys castel­les to be well garnysshed wythe men and vyttaylles as gaynst the Brytons. Whan the quene knewe hys good wyll she sent hym foure thousande horsmen to kepe the passage. The kyng of Brytaync had the erle gyue hym passage into Fraunce, and he answered that he wolde not. So it was not longe that seuen Erles and thre du­kes came before the cyte of Angyers and assyeged it And the Erle yssued not oute but kepte the c [...]ie myghtely. Now the kynge Pepyn made so greate dylygeuce that durynge that syege he arryued at Pa [...]s, and was re­ceyued worshypfully of all the burgey ses, and for his co­myng [Page] made ryght great Ioye. All the relyques were borne thorough the cytie in procession. Whan the quene knewe that he was at Parys she wente vnto hym, and sayde to hym all weyyng. My dere lorde I besethe you to auenge me on the kyng of Brytayne. Lady sayd the kyng take you no thoughte for by the plersute of God you shall be auenged. Than he made to assemble his men and his hoost in great haste, and sente for pyckar­des, henies, brabansons and normans. Great was the assemble of kyng Pepin against the king of Brytayne Nowe had the enemies tydinges of his cōmyng where of they were muche abasshed, and doubted hym muche and not without a cause. So all the alyes of kyng Ar­thur toke a counsaill together that they should take the for sayde Arthure and delyuer hym vnto kynge Pepyn for to make their peace the better, and couer the [...] de­fautes, and so they dyd. For vpon a nyght they tooke him in his hoost in bedde and ledde him vnto kyng Pepyn, the whiche made his head to be smyten of within Chatelet of Parys. Wel thought the alyes y^t the warre had bene ceased, but king Pepyn toke from th [...] [...]andes and possessions as it appeareth more plainly in the [...]o­ [...]ycles vpon those thynges composed.

❧ Now Ualentyne toke the strong castell, and deliue­red his father the Emperoure of trece, and all the pry­soners that were with hym. Cap. C. iii.

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MUche was Ualentyne in greate thought [...] nyghte and daye how he might deliuer his father. ¶ For he knew well that the castel myght not be taken by force of armes; nor by enchauntement, but it might wel be ta­ken by treason. So he aduysed a thyng that was much subtilly composed. He put in twelue shyppes two thou­sande men armed, and laded theim with all [...]yche mar­chaundyse as perles, precious stones and sylkes, and mounted vpon the sea, and as marchauntes ariued be fore the stronge castell, and take lande. Ualentyne clo­thed him in marchauntes wede and set a ryche crowne vpon his head, and sayde vnto his men arme you all [Page] and take your glayues and hyd [...] you pryuely within y^e shyppes so that you be not sene, and if sarazyns come towarde you put them all vnto death, and let none es­cape. Wh [...]n he had sayde this he put him on his waye and went to the gate of the castell the crowne vpon his head. When the porter sawe him he sayde to him, who bryngeth you hether. Frende sayde Ualentyne I am a marchaunt that goeth in to spayne, so I haue diuers ry­che marchaundyses in my shyppe, and I haue hearde says that no marchaunt maye passe here by withoute paying trybute vpon payne of their lyues, so I wil not pas without paying it. Syr sayd the porter aby [...]e me. I go vnto my lady for to gyue you aunswere. Soo he went towarde Galazye and tolde it vnto her.

¶ How the Seneshall went vnto Ualentyne shyppes & how he was put to death w^t all his men. Cap. C. iiii

[Page] WHan she vnderstode that there was so many Jewelles, she called the Seneshall and sayd vnto hym. Go towarde the porte and receiue the trybute of the marchaūtes that passe / & lede wyth you so many of my men so that they may take nothynge fro you. ¶ The Sene­shall thought well to haue wonne & ledde them towarde the porte vnto theyr euyll aduenture, for anone as they sawe the rychesse that was wythin the shyppes they we­re ardaunt to beholde them, and Ualentyne sayd. Lor­des entre in and take of the Jewelles vnto the nombre of the trybute. The paynyms entred in that wende to haue b [...]n ryche and the crysten men that were hydde ys­sued out and stewe them all anone. Nowe vp sayd Ua­lentyne it behoueth vs to do more for to haue the castell Than he made hys men to put on fyfty gownes of the sarazyns vpon theyr harne [...]s, and laded them wyth sto­nes and ryche [...]lkes, so they wente towarde the castell And the porter y^t wende that they had ben hys felowes, bounde vp the lyons and auayled the brydge and thyn­kynge for to haue had some ryche Jewell yssued out of the barres, and Ualentyne tooke hym and ledde hym to­warde the shyppes. Than he shewed hym the dead men and sayd to hym. Fayre syr you shall be suche as these be but yf you swere me by your God to make me entre thys day into the stronge castell & ke [...]e me bodye. Syr sayd the porter I shall do your wyll / and here I swere vnto you by the great God that I shall delyuer vnto you the castell at your owne pleasure. Porter sayd Ualentyne I shall rewarde the well, but kepe the that thou betray me not. No sayd the porter come wyth me, & make your men that are in habyte of sarazyns entre in one after a [Page] nother for the daunger of the brydge, for they resemble them of the castell. So it was done, & the fyfty christen men entred in and Ualentyne. And whan they were in the porter shewed them a fals posterne. Ualentyne ma­de it to be opened anone, & than he blewe hys horne. So they that were in the shyppes came thether quickly, and Ualentyne wente into Galazyes chambre the whyche of hys comynge was [...]ore abasshed. Lady sayd Ualen­tyne of me haue no doubte for I haue passed the see for your gentyll body. Than the lady behelde hys counte­naūce & of him was touched at the heart, and made hym great chere. Now are the crysten men within the castell the whyche made great noyse and crye soo that the lady went vnto the wyndowes and sawe well that she was betrayed. And returned her towarde Ualentine and said vnto hym all wepynge. Free curteyse knyght saue me my mayd [...]nhed [...], for I se well that I am betrayed. La­dy sayd Ualentyne haue no fere, for by me nor by other you shall haue no vyllanye, but as for the surples of the castell it shall be myne. All the paynyms were put vnto deathe. Than Ualentyne went towarde the prysoners and brake the pryson dore sayenge on hye. You that are wythin speke and you be on lyue. Orson vnderstode wel his brother Ualentyne and cryed vnto hym. My brother well be you comen / what dryueth you hether in to thys place. Lordes sayd Ualentyne make good chere and be Joyous and gladde, for at thys presente tyme I shall delyuer you all out of the prysons of Brandyffer. Whan the Emperoure of Grece hys father hearde that for pure Joye he sowned, and Orson toke hym vp bytwene bo­the hys armes. Thanne came all oute of the pryson the whyche were porely clothed and ryght euylly coloured. [Page] So it is not to be demaunded the ioye that they made. They passed the nyght and dronke good wyne that re­comforted them muche. The christen men were seuen dayes within the strong castell leading a good lyfe, and at that same time Orson acquainted him with the faire Galazye, for he knewe not whether Fezon was dead or not, not withstandyng it happened that he wedded her after the death of Fezonne, and hadde a sonne of her that was called Orsayre that helde the Empyre of Constantynoble.

¶ How the Emperoure Orson and the grene knight abode in garnyson in the strong castel. And how Hau­fray and Henry made their father to dye. Capitulo. C. v.

[Page] AFter that the strong castell was taken and that the prysoners were a lytell refresshed, they toke counsayll together that it shoulde be good to leue so [...]e to kepe the castell, for that place myght grene the paynims. Soo there was some that sayde vnder coloure that it should be good that Haufray and Henry abode in that place. Lordes sayde Haufray speke no more, for we are dely­bered for to retorne in to Fraunce to serue our father. By my faith said Orsō we ought not to wepe for your departing, for you were neuer yet good, who that leseth euill company he ought to thanke god, and I know by experience that you are men that by nature demaūdeth not but treason. Haufray & Henry had grea dispite of those wordes, but force constrayned them to haue pa­cience, for they were not men to saye the contrary. ¶ It was apointed at the last that the Emperour that was alredy auncient and had nede of reste with his sone Orson and the grene knyght should abyde in garnyson in the strong castel, & Ualentine with all the other should retourne in to Angorye. ¶ Here wyll I tell you of the two traitours Haufray and Henry that retourned into Fraunce, the whiche haue conspired the death of their father with that of lytell Charles and the quene Ber­thes. Now they haue ryden so muche that they are ar­ryued at Parys & mounted vp in to the palays where as they saluted the king & al the barōs. The king made them chere and after demaunded them tydinges of the Emperoure of Grece, of Ualentyne and of Orson, and of the twelue peres and the other lordes. Syr sayde the traytours praye for them, for they haue bene slayne in a great batayll before Angory. whan the kynge vn­derstode [Page] these tydinges he wepte tenderly in bewayling the lordes that he wende had bene dead. But the tray­tours dyd it for to angre the kyng, the whiche purcha­sed his death at the laste and that of the quene Berthes fyrst of all. And because that they myght not well poy­son her they acquainted them with a damosel that was nyght and day with the quene, and they gaue her such a gyfte that the false woman consented to the death of the quene that had done her so muche good, so that with in fyftene dayes she dyed, wherof the kyng Pepyn was so sorowefull that he abode in his bedde. And the tray­tours dyd soo muche by poysons that he dyed, for the whiche both lytell and great wepte and not withoute a cause. The traytours shewed semblaunt to be so­rowfull but they were ryght [...]oyus and sayde. Nowe maye we well do our pleasure with Fraunce, for there is neyther dukes e [...]les nor barons that maye resyste a­gaynst vs.

¶ Howe after the death of kyng Pepyn the duke Myllon Dangler would haue made the lytell Charles to be crowned kyng of Fraunce. ¶ Capitulo. C. vi.

AFter the death of the good kyng Pepyn the duke Mylion dangler that was valyaunt and wyse assembled the counsayll and wold haue made younge Charles to be crowned kyng. But Haufray and Henry by gyftes and [...]romesses corrumped the lordes, and it was sayd that Charles was to young. And because that the duke [Page] Myllon susteyned the cōtrary. Haufray & Henry made him to be taken & put in pryson in Chatelet at Parys, & sythe helde Charles as a boye of y^e kechyn. It happened one daye that Haufray cōmaunded him to tourne a spi [...] but Charles that was displesaunt lyft vp the spyt and felled hym to the earth. Henry stepte forthe for to haue smiten Charles, but Charles that espied him gaue him on the eare so that the bloud yssued out, wherfore Hau­fray [...]ad his men take him. Than came a knyghte na­med Dauyd of Elloys and toke Charles by the hande. for othertymes he had endoctryned hym, so he set hym on a horse and ledde him out of Parys. whan the traytours knewe that Charles went his waye they made hym to be pursued, but they that folowed woulde not fynde him, and so retorned. Than Myllō dangler sent the truth of it to his wyfe Charles syster. when she had sene the letter she wepte for the loue of Charles▪ so she swore Jhesus that they should abye it dere. Than she made a letter to be wryten and sente it vnto Ualentine and to the twelue peres of Fraunce that were in An­gorye. When Ualentyne hadde redde it he began for to wepe, and the lordes demaunded him wherfore he dyd wepe. Alas my frendes there is a good cause why, for kyng Pepyn is dead, and the good quene Berthe also. So Haufray and Henry haue chased the lytell Char­les out of the countrey, and put the duke Millon in pryson because that he susteyne him. So the lady sendeth vs worde that we succoute her and I wote neuer how for you know wel that we abyde from day to day our mortall enemy Brandiffer. By oure faithes sayde the barons we must fynde some maner for to succout hym well sayde the noble Ualentine or to morowe at night [Page] I shall yelde you the duke Myllon. ¶ Of these wordes they began for to laughe, & Ualentyne departed wyth out makynge any more delay [...] / & wyth hys hors play­ed so well that he was at Parys before mydnyght, and was in Chatelet, and by subtyll arte opened the gates, And gaue leue to all the prysoners, after he demaunded them where the dake Myllon was, & they shewed hym the chambre the whyche was opened anone. The good duke that slepte wakened and sayd what are you that entre so rudely. Nowe vp sayd Ualentyne and thynke for to take youre clothes for I am Ualentyne that am comen from Angory for to delyuer you. The good du­ke m [...]s muche Ioyous and made hym redy anone. So Ualentyne made hym mounte vpon the hors wyth hym and sayd to hym, kepe you frome spekynge for we shall flee in the ayre. Syth that we shal go so fast I pray you passe by the castell of Angler, and there we shall se and comforte my wyfe a lyttell, that for me and for her bro­ther Charles is muche sorowfull. They knocked at the gates and the watche answered that knewe theyr lord, and tolde it vnto the ladye that ranne vnto the gate in a syngle gowne and kyssed and colled hym, after she de­maunded hym tydynges. Ladye sayd he you knowe all but knowe that I go in to Angorye where as we abyde the batayll of the false paynyms▪ and at my retorne I shall brynge wyth me the twelue pe [...]es of Fraunce with a great puyssaunce for to confounde Haufray and Hen­ry and socoure Charles. Whan the lady vnderstode that they wolde make no leyger soiournynge▪ she made meat to be brought and there they toke theyr repaste, for they had greate luste to eate and drynke. After they toke leue of the lady and were in Angorye vpon the morowe be­fore [Page] all the barons, wherof the lordes were muche abas­shed, and prayed Ualentine muche to learne them that arte, but he refused theym. Nowe it happened in those dayes that Brandyffer that was vpon the see arryued a myle from Angory. And there he made his syege to be set accompanyed wyth fyftene kynges all hys subiectes They of the cyte that herde the tydinges went & shytte the gates and drewe vp the brydges, and after mounted vp on the walles for to beholde the paynyms that dres­sed vp great nombre of tentes and pauylyons. The sa­razyns were in theyr syege the space of a moneth wythout gyuynge assaute, and wythout that any crysten mē yssaed out on them.

¶ How the Emperoure of grece, Orson and the grene knyght departed from the stronge castell for to goo so­coure Ualentyne in Angorye. Ca. Cvii.

[Page] THe Emperoure of Gre [...]e that was in the stronge castel herd say that brandyffer with a great puyssaunce had besyeged Angory, so he was moued in deuocion for to go help the Aysten men. They toke counsayll togyther and accorded that a valyaunt knyght should kepe the stronge castell wyth two men. After they departed for to go into Angory. The Emperour of Grece, Orson, & the grene knyght accompanyed wyth a thousand figh­tynge men entred into the see, & pulled vp the saylles, but they had not gone but a lytle way whan they sawe a great flote of shyppes comynge towarde theym. It was an Admyrall paynym that went for to socour the kyng Brandyffer wyth ten thousand men. Well knew the chrysten men that they were of theyr enemyes, son they put them in armes, and renged them in ba [...]yl on theyr shyppes syde. The saraznus sawe well that they were crysten men, wherfore they approched and smote vpon them fyersly. And the cristen mē that reclaymed god and our lady defended them valyauntly. Thaune was there a cruell batayll, the Emperour of grece, Or son and the grene knyght shewed theyr prowesses, and cryed hyghly. Jhesus sucoure vs. At these wordes the crysten men toke suche courages that the le [...]st at that houre had the strengthe of ten, and for the loue of Jhe­su christ were content for to suffre death. And the sara­zins that were ten agaynst one enclosed the tristen mē [...] it nedeth not to demaunde the prowesse of Orson and of the grene knight, for they dyd suche ded [...]s of ar­mes that there was no paynym that abode on liue be­fore thē. Whan the Admitall paynym sawe theyr pro­wesses he approched n [...]re them and smote a valyaunte [Page] knyght in to the sea beside Orson of the whiche he was muche angrye for he loued hym, soo he toke an axe and gaue the Admyrall suche a stroke that he ouerthrewe hym dead in his shyppe. And whan the paynyms sawe that, they were all discomforted, and lost their strength, and wichdre we them in fleyng all that nyght. ¶ But they loste fyftene of their shyppes, and foure thousands of their men that was slayne. And after the Emperour of Grece spake vnto his men and sayd. Lordes I coun­sayll that we take the armes of these cursed paynims & armed vs with, & araye vs like sarazins, for I doubte me sore that we shall bee meete on the sea by the Pay­nyms. The counsaill pleased euery body because that they should not be knowen of the sarazins. The Gow­nes, the armes, and the harneys of the dead folke they toke and caste the bodyes in to the sea. In an euil houre dyd the Emperoure of grece aduyse hym therof, for by the armes that he beareth he shall be put vnto death by his sonne Ualētine as you shal here afterwarde. Now the christen men [...]te vpō the s [...]a that rowled [...]y al their baners, and set forth in the wynde thē of the sarazyns and to wed so wel that they aryued within a lytel whyle at the hauen of Angorye.

❧ Howe the christen men yssued out of the cytie of An­gorye, and of the ordenaunce, and of their marueylous batayles. Capit. C. viii.

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THe kynge Brandyffer and the kynge Lucar a moneth after had assyeged the cyte of An­gorye wyth all theyr puyssaunce. Valentyne and the other barons had taken counsayl for to yssue out vpon theyr enemyes, so they sen­te the defyaunce vnto Brādyffer agaynst the mornyng / and Brandyffer that was fyerse accorded it. Than the Chrysten men that were wythin the cyte of Angory or­deyned theyr bataylles in ten partyes, wherof the duke Myllon hadde the fyrste. The seconde Sampson of or­leaunce. The thyrde had his sōne Geruays erle of Van­dosme. The fourth the erle of champaygne. The. v. quin tyn of Normādye. The. vi. the duke of Burgoyne. The vii. the erle of Dampmartyn. The eyght the erle of As­serue. The. ix, the Marshall of Constantynoble. And Valentyne [Page] the tenthe, that gaue all the othes oftentymes courage to do well. Than the christen men yssued out of Angorye for to assayle Brandiffer that had made fif­tene strong batayles, and there was in the leest a king. Nowe it is not too be demaunded the great rychesses that shyned on the fyelde as well on one syde as other. One myght haue heard than trumpettes and clarons, and the great batayll begynne. About the standarde of the paynyms was Brandiffer, kyng Lucar, the kynge of Ynde the kyng of salute, the admyrall of cordes, the admyrall of Orbye, the kynge Damene, the kynge Du­byas, Josue of Pa [...]erne, the earle Draymant, the duke Cor [...]hyllant, and Croste of Or [...]nye. Whan it came to the approchynge of the bataylles, a paynym of Surye that had neuer bene in warre, the whiche for to assaye his body passeth forth & came to ward the christen men with his spere cou [...]d muche fyersly. Ualentyne sawe him wel the whiche smote his horse with the spores & ranne agaynst the paynim, and with one stroke smote him downe dead. At that same houre the batayle began muche fyersly. But the valyauntnes of the paynyms is not to be compared to that of the christen men, & spe­cially of Ualentyne, of the duke Myllon, and of the. xi [...] peres. The kyng of Ynde entred in to the barayl, & gre­ued the christen men sore. Whan Ualentyne sawe that he ro [...]e toward him & gaue him so great a stroke that he smote him downe. Than the christen men made the sarazyns to recule a backe a great waye, for they were dyscomfyte. But a sarazyn capitayne of the re [...]egard, came and succoured them with thyrty thousande pay­nyms. And there began the batayll more stronger than before. The kyng Lucat found the kyng of yn [...]e that [Page] fought muche strongly & gaue hym succour. The chri­sten men were so muche charged with the paynyms at that houre that it was force to thē to withdrawe theim towarde a poude that was nere a fielde, and they shold haue had to muche to do if it had not bene two valiaūt knyghtes that arriued that daye in Angorye accompa­nied with seuen hundred men of armes. The. ii. knygh­tes that I tell you of, came from the holy sepulcre the whiche had suffred great aduersyties, as well in pry­son as otherwise for to do their vyage. The one of thē brought in to Fraunce the daughter of a ryche admy­rall named Claradine, and made her to be baptyzed. The least of the two knyghtes was Reynarde of Prouaunce and the other Myllon of Dyion, and they were fayre and hardy knyghtes. So they hadde tydynges of the batayll that was there besyde, and made their men to be armed, and gaue them sygnes and standardes for to make the paynyms the more af [...]rde. And so they ca­me out of the cytie for to succoure the christen men, and smote in to the bataill muche fyersly. At the approchyng the paynims was muche abashed of this newe coming and not without a cause, for Myllon of Dyion at his entre smote downe dead the kyng Lucar, and the king Rubres, wherof Brandiffer was muche abashed. And after en [...]red Reynarde that slewe diuers of the moost valyauntest. Ualentyne was muche amarueiled whā he sawe those two knyghtes do suche dedes of armes, so he rode towarde them and sayde to them. Lordes wel be you come, tell me if it please you what you are. and What dryueth you hether. Frende sayde Reynarde we are lordes of Fraūce that come from the holy sepulcre, so we haue heard speke of this enterprise, and in the ho­noure [Page] son by the God in whome I beleue euer my harte tel­leth me that this poore man doth some penaunce that he hath promysed to god. In this wyse was Ualentyne a great whyle within his palays without beyng kno­wen of any body, so longe that euerye body sayde that he was dead, wherfore the kyng Hugon made the faire Clerymonde to be demaunded for wyfe. And after enter prysed and dyd a great treason.

¶ Howe the kyng Hugon made Clerymonde to be de­maunded for wyfe, and howe he betrayed Orson and the grene knyght. ¶ Capit. C. xiii.

[Page] IN that same time there was a king in Hō ­grye that was named Hugon. That same king herde speke of Ualentine that had left the Empire of grece, & the lāde of [...]uerpe So he went in to Constantinoble and was receiued of Orson muche honourably. On a mornynge Hugon called the fayre Clerymonde & sayde to her in fayre language. Lady knowe that I am kyng of Hon­grye, & holde vnder me diuers▪ greace lordes, but of one thyng I am euill that is that I haue no wyfe and an [...] to mary, for the whiche thyng I am come to ward you. For I haue vnderstande that the knyghte Ualentyne wil neuer retourne, wherfore I require you y^t you ha­ue me for your husbande, so shal you be crowned quene of Hongrye, and be greately honoured, for aboue all o­ther you are she that my harte desyreth so a [...]dauntlye. Syr sayn the lady of the good and the honour that you present me I thanke you humbly, but for to aunswere you well seke you another wyfe for my loue Ualentine lyueth yet soo I am delybreed for too abyde hym seuen yere. And whan that it should be so that I would take a husbande it behoued not to speke vnto me but to the Emperoure Orson and to my brother the grene knight for without their counsayll I will neuer con [...]ente ther­to for any thyng that maye be sayde vnto me. ¶ Lady sayd Hugon you speake right honestly, & your answere pleaseth me. Than he came towarde Orson & demaun­ded hym if he hadde any tydynges o [...] Ualentyne. Free kyng sayde the Emperoure Orson that of hym had no doubte▪ I knowe none other thyng saue that [...]y a [...]e­ter that he lefte me with his wyfe, the which telleth that he is gone in exyle for to wepe his synnes, [...] [...] vpō [Page] hym he bereth halfe of the ring that he wedded his wi­fe wyth, and the other he hathe lefte her▪ and charged her to beleue nothinge of hym but if she sawe the other halfe of the ryng. Syr sayd Hugon that noted well the sewordes▪ god be his spede, for he is a knight to be moche praysed. Nowe I wyll tell you one thynge that I haue in my courage. I am delyuered for to go vnto The rusalem sor to vysyte the holy sepulcre so I wold gladly that you wolde bere me company. Syr sayde Orson I am contente, and we wyll go into Angorye and take the grene knyght with vs that is kyng therof. It plea­seth me well sayd kyng Hugon lette vs go where you wyll. Than Orson toke leue of the fayre Galazye▪ and of his moder and mounted vpon thesee, and came into Angory where as they were receyued much honoura­bly▪ and in greate ioye. They made greate chere and after all thre wente into Jherusalem, and toke vp theyr lodging for to reste them. And vpon the morowe they wente toward the good patriarke that songe masse be fore them, and made them be guyded throughe the cyte for to vy [...]e the holy sepulcre and other holy places in grete deuocion. They gate the pardons and dyde theyr pylgrimage deuoutly, saue the kinge Hugon that bare the treason in hys hearte, by the whiche he made the noble prynces be taken and enprysoned that trusted in hym. For right so as they visited the holy places y^t traitour kyng Hugon stole oute of theyr company and yede vnto the kynge of Surye that was the kynge of J [...]d [...]s broder that was slayne before Angorye. Hugon salued hym by mahowne & sayd vnto him. Kynge vnderston­dome and I shall tell you a thynge for your prouffyte, Knowe syr that there is newly aryued here two knightes [Page] that you ought to hate aboue al other, for they haue slayne kynge Brandyffer, kynge Lucar, and the puys­saunt kynge of Ynde your brother. Whan Rabastre vn­derstode that hys brother was dead he wepte much and after sayd vnto Hugon. Syr can you yelde me the two knyghtes. Yes sayd the traytour Hugon so y^t you wyll giue me theyr seales af golde. Syr sayd the kyng of Surye I should be to ingrate yf I refused you soo lytell a thynge, you shall haue the seales and other thynges y­noughe yf you may delyuer me the two knyghtes. Yes sayd Hugon and herken now. Sende your messengers in to the house of the patryarke, for he can tel you where they are. Than the kynge of Sury dyd so and sent. viii. hundred men armed to the good patryarke, the whyche shewed them the lodgys at the kynges cōmaundement. The paynyms went thyther anone and founde Orson and the grene knyght at dynner▪ the whyche they tooke and bounde straytely, and in betynge theym ledde them towarde the kynge. Alas sayd Orson we are betrayed, for ryght so as kynge Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce were ones solde vnto the sarazyns in thys cyte so are we nowe. Whan the kynge of Sury sawe them he sayd vnto them. False enemyes of oure lawe I am ryght Joyous that I holde you, now tel me your names, for I wyll knowe theym / and for a cause. Syr sayde Orson I am called Orson, and thys is the Grene kny­ght. By mahowne sayd the kynge I haue hearde muche speke of you, and you haue a felowe named valentyne, the whiche if I helde he shoulde neuer escape my handes on lyue. Than he made them to be dyspoyled and tooke theyr Seales frome theym, the whyche he gaue after­warde to kynge Hugon. So Orson & the grene knyght [Page] were put in a depe dongeon with bread and water longe. They thought that the kyng Hugon had b [...] slayne of the sarazyns. Alas they knew nothing how the ma­ter did go, for the traytoure Hugon was in the cytye y^t called vnto him a disloyall traytoure named Galeran whiche had serued him longe, for suche mayster suche seruaunt▪ Galeran sayd Hugon I haue found y^e maner wherby I shall come vnto the ende of myn entencion, And because that you are my neuewe and haue serued me long [...], be secrete, and I shall rewarde you soo well that you shal be content. Vncle sayd Galeran haue no doubte of me, for I know where you pretende, that is to haue the fayre clerimonde vnto wyfe. ¶ It is true sayde kynge Hugon it nedeth not to hyde it frome you We must make a letter subtylly in the name of Orson for I haue his propre seale wyth the whiche it shall be s [...]ale [...]. And it behoueth that the letter be made thus. ¶ Orson by the grace of god Emperour of grece vnto you my ryght redoubted and souerayne ladye and Mo­der, vnto you my loue Galazye, and vnto my syster y^e fayr▪ Clerymonde all humble salutation & recommendacyon due. Know that there is happened vs piteous tydynges and displeasaunt in this cou [...]trye, the why­che I wryte vnto you in this present letter, so I require Jhesus that he gyue you pacyence▪ My ladyes knowe for certayne that I haue founde my brothe▪ Valentine in Jherusalem in his deathe bedde, so God gaue me su­che grace that I spake with hym or he dyed. And at his [...] he charged me to sende you tydynges, & to solue y^e fayre Clerymonde from hym. To whome he maundeth that for all the loue that euer she loued hym wyth that also soone as she may she take some prynce to husband [Page] And that for his death she take no discomfort but pray god for his soule. And wyte that he sendeth not the halfe rynge as he had promysed, for as he was in bedde it was stolen from hym. And whan thys lettre was made thus Hugon made another lettre for to couer hys treason from the grene knyghte and Orson togyther sayenge Ryght wel beloued syster we haue done you ynoughe to wyte of your true spouse and our good brother Salenty­ne, for the whyche thynge we twayne consyderyng the great beaute that is in you, and for to accomplys [...]e the desyre of the dead (on whome Jhesu haue mercye) and to encrease your honoure, we wyl that you take the pu­yssaunt kyng Hugon vnto husband as you wyl auoyde our dyspleasure. And for the more very [...]y cacyon we ha­ue s [...]aled these letters wyth our propre seales. Also wy­te that we can not come yet vnto you, for bytwene the chrysten men and the sarazyns is a daye of batayll sette the whiche we abyde for to sustey [...]e the [...]aythe of Jesu chryste, whyche haue you in his kepynge. Whan the let­ters of the treason were made by kynge Hugon, he clo­sed them well and sealed them with theyr propre seales and after gaue them vnto hys propre neuewe Galeran and sayd vnto hym that it behoued hym to go in to con­stantynoble for to presente those letters to Bellyssant, and to the fayre Clerymande. And whan you shall haue done so I shall come after as he that knoweth not there of for to requyre Clerymonde, and I [...]ou [...]te me not but that she shall be g [...]uen me. Uncle sayd Galeran I shall do the message well for I knowe well your case. Thau he toke the letters and put hym selfe vpon the waye to­warde Constantynoble.

¶ How Galeran dyd hys message vnto Bellyssant, and the fayre Clerymonde, & of the meruayllous complayn­tes that Clerymonde made. Ca. Cxiiii.

NOwe Galeran dyd so muche that he arry­ued in Constantynoble at the houre of dy­nor and salued the ladyes from the Empe­rour Orson and the grene knyght, and af­ter he gaue theym the letters. Messenger sayd Bellyssant what doth my sonne. Ladye sayd Gale­ran I lefte hym in Jherusalem safe and sounde, soo you may knowe by this letters more certayuly of hys dedes The ladyes commaunded that the messenger should be [Page] feested. Now it was of custome that whan they wolde dyne or soupe, they made Ualentyne to be brought into the Halle for to nourysshe hym the better, and because that he knew that he eate but leuinges, they gaue hym [...]o good that he wold vse no more thereof, but often to­ke that which they cast vnto the dogges, and than they cast the dogges largely. He herde well the ridinges of the messengers so he thought what he shold do. The la­dies rose vp from the tables, & whan graces was said Bellyssant made a secret aye to come that redde the let­ters and tolde them the tenoure of them both. And va­lentyne herde it well the which was in the halle but he made no semblaunt. So it is not to be demaunded the great sorowes and lamentacions of the ladies y^t was made for Ualentyne that they maunded was deed, for they knew the seales of the good knyghtes. The fayre Clerimonde rente her clothes a pulled her heere saying Poore woman aboue all other moost colorous wherfore cometh not the death and take the. Alas Ualentyne wherfore am I not gone with you for to ese your body Broder greue knight and you Emperour Orson you haue to harde courages that wyll marye me so soone. Alas how ought she euer to take a husband that of the valyauntes hathe loste his excellente of good the beste, of worthy the moste hardy, the rose of honour, the floure of chyualry of noble the myrroure, y^e example of cur­teyse, of trouth the patron, & of wyse the chosen. False dethe what hast thou thought whan by y^t I am oute of all humayne Joye▪ neuer in my lyfe I require to haue myrthe, but alwayes in languysshynge be wayle hym y^t of al y^e humaynes is worthy honour. I shal neuer in my life haue other husband, but in continuall sorowes [Page] shall vse my dayes. Well sawe Valentyne the great do­loure that Clerymonde bare for hym, wherof he hadde great p [...]te, but for doubte of knowyng he bare it in his heart. ¶ And whan Bellyssant sawe that Clerymonde dis [...]omforted her soo, she sayd vnto her. My doughter take to you pa [...]yen [...]e, you knowe that he was my sonne so I ought to be sorowfull at the heart, but whan I con­sider that there is no remedye, it is better praye for hys soule than wepe so muche, so thinke on that which your brother and the Emperour Orson maundeth you. Alas sayd Clerymonde wherof speke you to me, what mary­age maye they make of her that trusteth neuer to haue Joye. Lady for god speake no more therof for I wyl ne­uer haue no husbande. Doughter sayd Bellyssant you are euyll auysed, for syth that so hyghe a man as kynge Hugon wyll haue you, you shall be neuer the more pray­sed. And I tell you well that there maye suche one come ye that I shall mary me. At these wordes the fayre Cle­rimonde entred in to her chambre sore wepynge. And Valentyne is vnder the stayres that thinketh in hys heart from whens suche treason may come. So it happened at the ende of foure dayes that kynge Hugon arry­ued in Constantynoble, and was receyued in grett ho­noure, but the fayre clerymonde made hym no semblaūt of loue. My lady sayd he you haue wel heard how your sonne is dead wherof I am sory. So it is accorded that I shall haue Clerymonde vnto wyfe. Syr sayd Clery­monde I haue no wyl to wedde you nor none other. Ua­lentyne heard all this treason. So the thynge was soo moche pleded that we accorded at the laste to haue the kyng Hugon, wherof he was muche Joyous but it du­red not longe.

¶ How Bellyssant and Clerimonde knew the treason and false enterpryse of kyng Hugon, and how the prd­uost smote of the head of Galeran. Ca. Cxv.

UAlentyne had greate pite on his loue y^t they were about to betraye, so he entred into a chapel of our lady where as he was accus­tomed for to pray to God, and kneled dow­ne before the ymage of the vyrgyn Marye & sayd▪ Blessed vyrgyn Marye▪ I beseche the praye thy dere sonne to defend my loue clerymond from this trea­son that is made agaynst her. And or he had ended his prayer an asigell sayd vnto him. Ualentyne God hathe herde thy prayer, go out of the cyte and take the haby­tes [Page] of a pylgrym that thou shalt fynde there, and after retourne in to thy palais and recounte before all the cō pany y^e treason suche as thou knowest it, for thou shalt not be knowen. Uetay God sayde Valentyne I thanke you. Than he departed and founde the pylgrym and to­ke his habytes, after he retorned in to the palays where as the ladyes were and the traytout Hugon that spake dyuers fayned wordes vnto the fayre Clerymonde.

He salued all the company and after sayd all on hyghe to the Empresse Bellyssant. Lady I beseche you hum­bly that you wil shewe me the wyfe of Ualentine. Pil­grym sayd Hugon that chaunged coloure, go in to the kechyn and there thou shalt haue thyne almesse. Syr sayd Ualentyne I will do a message vnto her. Pylgrim sayd the lady I am she that you demaunde. My lady in a good houre said he. I haue sene your loue that salueth you by me, & letteth you wy [...]e that he wyll be here with in this thre daies. Pilgrim said the lady aduise the wel what thou sayest, for I haue had certayn tydinges that he is dead. Lady sayd Ualentyne you ought not to be­leue it, for I deliuer me vnto death if he bee not yet on lyue, and that thou shalt se him within thre dayes▪ Whā Hugon herde the wordes that Ualentyne tolde vnto y^e ladyes, he yssued secretly out of the palays and moun­ted vpō the horse without retourning. The ladies were to muche amarueiled and woulde haue feasted the pyl­grym. But he would do nothing and said to them. My ladyes pardon me, for I haue my felowes in the towne whiche I wil go se. Than Clerimonde gaue him much money the which he distrybuted afterwarde to the poore folkes. Than she was out they demaunded where the kyng Hugon was. By fayth sayd a damosell I sawe [Page] hym renne presently vnto his horse. And vpon these wordes Galeran entred that demaunded after his vn­cle. By God sayde Bellyssant in a good houre are you come, for you shall neuer escape till that you haue tolde the treason that your vncle hath made. And whan Ga­leran herde these wordes be began for to tremble. Was lady sayde he for God haue mercy on me and I shal tel you all, saye on I pardon the. It is true that mine vn­cle Kynge Hugon hath d [...]one this treason, and solde vnto the paynims within Jherusalem the Emperour Orson and the grene knight. After he recounted to her▪ all alonge as you haue herde before. There was made a meruaylous sorow, so whan Galeran had told all, he departed thinking to haue escaped, but the prouost ma­de him to be hāged and strangled. And Valentine lefte the pilgrimes gowne and toke his clothes agayne and into the palays. Poore man sayd Clerimonde where ha­ue you bene. I beleue that you are displeasaunt becau­se that I wyll mary me. Ualentine enclyned his heade and left her, and began for to pray god. Clerimond had made a quilte to be broughte vnto him, but he lay vpon the earth, & so he did his penaunce among the dogges.

¶ Howe Orson and the grene knighte were deliuered out of the pryson of the king of Surye, by the appoyn­tement of the warre that they made after to kynge Hugon of Hongry▪ Ca. Cxvi.

THe kynge of Surye that helde Orson and the grene knyght in pryson made them one day be brought before him and sayd to them. Lordes you see y^t I may hauge or drawe you, wherfore I sweare by my [Page] god mahowne that you shall neuer escape me, but y [...] that you tendre to me the Lyte of Angory, and the stronge castell, wyth thyrtye other stronge places that you holo. Syr sayd Orson we wyl not do it but yf you yelde vs the kynge Hugon that you holde, and the kynge of Surye sayd vnto them. Speke not to me of hym for he is gone and bereth wyth him your seales, & wyte that by hym you haue ben solde to me and betrayed. Whan the Emperour Orson vnderstode hym he was muche ameruaylled, and swore that he wolde neuer reste ty [...] that he had taken vengeaunce on the kynge Hugon, & the grene knyght sayd y^t he should not fayle him. Now Orson and▪ the grene knyght accorded the kynge of Su­ [...]e his demaunde for to saue theyr lyues, and retorned into Constantynoble where as they ceased great sorow After the fayre Clerymonde tolde him how she had her detydinges of Ualentyne, wherof Orson was Joyous for he desyred muche hys comynge. That night Orson laye with Galazye, and engendred a sōne that was called Morant the whiche helde the realme of Angorye. It was not longe after that Orson reised his hoost for to go into Angorye. And whan the kynge Hugon knewe it he sente a messenger vnto hym sayenge that and he wolde accorde, he wolde leue hym the Cyte of Angory▪ & gyue hym foure horses laden wyth golde. And yf that any accused him of treason▪ he wolde fyght wyth hym excepte Orson. Than after the message was done the grene knight waged a batayll against him. And the kin­ge Hugon came out of Angory armed for to fight wyth the grene knight as it was accorded, but the grene kni­ghte was there fyrst. Thā they smote theyr horses with the spores & recoū [...]ted eche other & broke theyr speres. [Page] After they set theyr handes vnto theyr swerdes, and god wote what strokes they gaue eche other, so muche that god helped the ryght, for the grene knyght gaue suche a stroke vnto the kyng Hugon vpon the helme, that he cut a part of his head to his sholdres, & so he fell in a sooo [...] ­ne. Than the grene knyght was honoured, after hugon spake and demaunded a confessoure, and tolde hym all the falsnes and treason, and dyed in that place▪ Orson made the body to be taken and notably buryed in an ab baye there besyde. And suche honoure was done to him bycause that he was kynge crowned. And in so muche Orson shewed the noblenes that was in hym. Euery bo­dy was enfourmed of the treason of kynge Hugon, and by the coūsayll of the wyse men they rendred the cyte of Angory to the Emperoure Orson, and all the countree the whyche toke possessyon and also the homages. Tho after he returned into Constantynoble and the Grene knyght. Ualentyne was muche Joyous of that he saw them in good prosperyte Clerymonde meruaylled much bycause that Ualentine came not, and sayd. Ha false pil grym thou haste betrayed me whan thou toldeme that my loue Ualentyne should come on the thyrde daye and yet I haue no tydynges of hym. Alas she thought not that he was so nere her, for he was vnder the stayres of hys palays, where as by the wyll of god he shall finisshe hys dayes shortly, and than they shall knowe hym.

¶ How at the ende of seuen yere Ualentyne dyed wyth in hys palays of Constantynoble, and howe he wrote a lettre that he was knowen by. Ca. Cxvii.

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AT the ende of seuen yeare a greuous maladye toke Ualentyne so that he felte hymselfe much feble, whereof he thanked god deuoutlye. Alas sayde the holye man my god my creatoure that hathe made me to thy semblaunce haue mercye on me that am a wretched synner, and please it the for to par­don me the deathe of my father, and all the sonnes that euer I dyd syth the tyme that I was borne. Ueray redē ­ptour of all the worlde consyder not my folyshe youthe the which I haue passed folyshly in pleasures monday­nes, and condampne me not but by thy holy mercy receyue my poore souls into thy blessed handes, and defende me from the deuyll. And in sayeng these wordes an aungell of heauen came and appeared vnto hym sayenge. ❧ Ualentyne know for a certaynte that thou shalte de­parte oute of this worlde within this foure dayes, for it is the wyll of our lorde Jesu chryst which sendeth me [Page] vnto the. Alas my lord god sayd Ualentyne▪ I owe well for to thanke the whan by thy holy aūgell thou doest me to wyte y^e last ende of my dayes. Than the holy man Ualentyne made signe that they should bryng him paper & ynke, and whan he had it Ualentyne wrote how he him selfe in the habyte of a pylgrym discouered the treasō, & all the estate of hys lyfe. After he putte in his name and folded the halfe of the rynge in it and helde it in hys han­de. And after these thinges Ualentyne made a pr [...]este to come, to whome he confessed his synnes deuoutelye and receyued the holye sacramentes, and at the houre he dyed. And forth wyth al the belles of the cyte beganne for to rynge for him, where of the people was much a­bashed and amerueyled. And the Emperour Orson and all the lordes and barons descended and dyd fynde the preest besyde the holy body. Frende sayd the Emperoure Orson wherfore is it that they rynge so fast in y^• Cyty Syr sayd▪ the preest I thynke that it is a myracle that God wyll shew for this holy man. For euen so as he yel­ded vp the ghoost the belles began for to rynge on euery syde. Whan Orson saw that the poore man was deade in that place▪ he was muche pensife and ameruayled. By my fayth sayd he I thinke that this same is a holy body, and that God dothe myracles for hym. Than he aduysed the letter that he held in hys hand, and thought for to haue taken it▪ but he myght not haue it in no ma­ner of wyse. So there came the fayre clerymonde and she assayed as the other dyd and hadde it. For also soone as she touched it the hand opened▪ and she toke the let­ter at her owne pleasure. Soo it was opened anone, and than Clerymonde saw and knew the halfe of the ryng, [Page] wherefore she sayde. Lordes we shall haue tydynges a none of my loue Ualentyne. So there was a secretary that redde all the dedes of the holy man. It is not to be demaunded the grete dolours and complayntes of Or­son of Bellyssante, and of Clerimonde, for he hadde his herte to harde that wepte not than. The fayre Clerimō ­de as halfe dead keste her selfe vpon the body in makyn­ge suche complayntes that they wende she wolde haue dyed. Alas sayde the ladye where maye I become whan I haue loste my lyfe and my comforte, and myne onely hope. Alas my loue Ualentyne what haue you thoughte whan you are come to dye so nere me in pouertye, and in so great myserye, wythout geuyng me ony knowledge of you. Alas I haue sene you often in pouertye▪ colde, and trauayle wythout geuyng you any comforte▪ Nowe am I aboue all the moost vnfortuned whan I might not know nor aduyse him that I ought to serue so longe in bytter trybulacyon▪ as true and loy­all spouse. After she kyssed hys face and his handes by a meruyllous dystresse. And after the great doole the holy body was borne to be buryed in the great church of Constantynoble▪ wyth so greate a company, that none myght passe through the stretes. And it was not longe after but that the body was canonysed, and put in shri­ne. Soo God shewed wel that he was wel worthy for to be called saynt, for the daye that he dyed all speke men were healed of theyr maladyes that vysyted his tombe, So it was not longe after the death of Ualentyne that Clerymonde dyd make her anonne, and syth the story sayth that she was abbesse of an abbaye that was foū ­ded in the worshyp and honour of say [...]te Ualentyne. Thus departed out of thys worlde the holy body glori­ous. [Page] And Orson abode Emperour seuen yere, the whych he gouerned well and wysely, and no more. And in that same tyme he had a chylde of Galazye named Morant, that same Morante in hys tyme posseded the realme of Angory.

¶ Of the merueylous vysion of Orson, & how hebe [...]a me an heremyte in a great wodde. ca. Cxv [...]i

MIthin seuen yere Galazyedyed, for whom the Emperour Orson made great sorow And after the deeth of her he ete but brede and rotes, and small froytes that he foun­de in the wodde where as he dyd remayne [Page] So it happened hym one nyght in vysyon that hym se­med that he sawe all the gates of heuen open, and sawe the Joyes of the saued, the syeges of the sayntes crow­ned in glorye, and the aungelles that songe melodyous­ly before the sauyour of the world. After he sawe betwe­ne two hyghe roches in the botom of an obscure valeye the gulfre of helle, where as was the dampned. Some in a brennynge fyre the other in boylynge caudrous, the other hanged by theyr tongues, the other assaylled and enuyronned wyth serpentes, and generally he sawe all the paynes of helle, whiche is horrible and ferefull for to recounte. After the whyche vysyon he wakened all a­frayed and ameruaylled of the thynges that he had sene. And in wepyng pyteously came vnto the grene knyght and sayd to hym. Frende I knowe that the worlde is of lytell valoure, and of shorte durynge, and that all is but vayne glorye of the pompes of this worlde, displea­saunt vnto god and to the salute of the soule lytle profy­table. For the whyche thynge I praye you that you wyll take kepe vpon my chyldren, and enfourme them so in dedes and condycyons that they maye gouerne the Empyre of grece to the pleasure of god and the worlde, for I leue you the charge, as vnto hym that aboue all the men of the world I trust mooste. And knowe that the remnaunte of my lyfe I wyll lede solytaryly, and habandone the worlde. And at this same houre I renoū ­ce all worldly honoure and take my leue yf you. Whan the grene knyght heard these wrodes, he beganne for to wepe tenderly, and Orson recomforted hym and sayd. Alas wepe no more for me, but praye vnto god that he giue me strengthe and puyssaunce for to accomplysshe my wyll. After Orson departed in defendynge the grene [Page] knyghte to tell it anye body. So he wente into a greate wodde where as he lyued holyly, & after his deathe god shewed for him many myracles and was a saynt cano­nyzed. And the grene knyght gouerned the chyldren so that they finisshed their dayes gloriouslye and wente vnto the blysse that neuer shall haue ende, to the which he bryng vs all that suffered deathe for vs on the crosse Amen.