AFter the death of good kynge Arthur who was ryght noble [...]nd gentyll, specyally in che­rys [...]hynge and enhaunsynge of nobylnesse, and mayntaynyng of the chyualrous knyghtes of the worlde. As was Gawyn and Lancelotte and many other noble kng [...]htes as it is more plainly conteyned in dyuers auncyent crony­cles. It is of trouth that in tho dayes in Brytayne there was a duke ryghte pru­dente & aboue all other ryghte vertuous, ryche and puyssaunte bothe of hauyour and frendes, who was come and extrau­ghte of the noble hygh lygnage of the valyaūt knyght laūcelot du lake who was in his dayes of right hyght & noble pro­wesse as it is more at large comprised in the bokes makynge mencyon of his chyualrye. This Duke had to name Iohan and was so endued wyth sappence y^t the kynge who as than gouerned all Fraunce loued and honoured hym aboue all o­ther in soo moche it was sayde where so euer he wente beholde yonder is the wy­se man of britaine, he was sworne of the kynges preuye and streayte counsayle so that the kynge was onely gouerned by his noble aduise because of the gret [...]ou the and stedfastnesse y^t was euer foūde in hym, this duke hadd a ryghte noble lady to his wyfe of good & holy life who was doughter to the erle of Leycester in En­glande, & they loued togyder ryght fer­uently by cordyall loue al theyr lyfe, and in accomplyshing betwene them the werkes of maryage ordeyned by nature fy­naltye it pleased the good Lorde to sende theym a fayre sonne, who in the remem­braunce of good kyng Arthur and of his hye renowne was named Arthur. This chylde was goodly & of ful greate beaute For afterward he grew to be the mooste fayre creature that than was founde in all crystendome and the dukes & duches loued hym so well that they entended to nothynge but all onely to the prouffyte of theyr chylde, and specyally to enhaun­ce his honour and rych [...]sse.

ANd whā this chyld Arthur was nyne yere of age than the Duke his fader delyuered him to be kepte vn­der the gouernaunce of a noble & a gen­tyl mayster named Gouernar who was [Page] ryght prudent, puyssaūt & hardy, vertu­ous [...] vygorous of bodye & well proued, who amonge other thynges dydde teach this noble chylde Arthur the play of the chesse & tables so y^t non was in cōninge lyke vnto him. And whā he was of .xx. yere than his mayster taught hym the ma­n [...]re of skyrmyshe so that w^tin a lytle season ther was none able to be cōpared w^t hym. Thus amended this chylde frome daye to daye & grew so goodly y^t in al the worlde there was none sene lyke him ne­ther so fayre [...] so gracyous ne so cou reyse in so muche y^t the kynge of Fraunce de­syred oftētymes y^t he sholde haue be no­ryshed & brought vp wyth his one chyl­dren. How be it y^e duchesse his moder coude in no wyse suffer it ne scant to let him be oute of her presence neuer a day she loued him so enterly. So longe thys chyld soiourned w^t his moder y^t it was gretlye noyful to his hert, in so moche that ther­by he became ryght pensyfe [...] sore trou­bled in his mind. So that gouernar hys mayster demaunded of hī what was the cause of his sorowe. In good fayth may­ster sayd Arthur this long soiorning and abyding at home greatly noyeth me, for I wolde gladly go and play me in yōder fayre forest. And to hunt and chase after a grete harte. For it hath ben now a grete season sythe I went ony where foorthe. Se [...] t [...]ynly sayde gouerner fayre Arthur it pleaseth me ryght wel your noble mīd. There go to my ford pour fader and de­syre hys lycēce that ye may go chase in y^e forest. Th [...]n arthur went forth to y^• duk his fader and demaunded of hym lycence whā the duke hard this tydyng and wyl of his son he had grete ioy & ryght swete dyd graūte hym his request & commaun­ded & desyred Gouernar that he shold ta­ke good hede to hym & not suffre hym to [...]enne ne to folowe to faste after his dys­port. Gouernar answered that he wolde take good hede to him. Than arthur caused y^e hūters to be warned & to make re­dy his greyhoūdes, houndes & other ra­ches for he wo [...]de go the nexte daye be tymes to chase in the forest. And the nexte mornynge Arthur & Gouernar moūted on theyr horses w^t grete Ioye & .x. other gentylmen to kepe them company. And arthur was mounted on a grete courser his hat hangynge on his backe by a lace of sylke, his bonet on his head & the hun­ters wente before ledinge his greyhoun­des and houndes. Thus they ryde forthe toward the forest in grete ioye.

IN this tyme there was in the real me of desert a knyght of grete po­wer and right riche of hauiour and fren­des, and he was Lord of a castell called the toure. This knyght was named Vyciers and was of such vertue that he dou­ted nothīge .x. knyghtes armed, and was of so valiāt corage that sin the time that he coude fyrst beare armes he was neuer but there as he knew where as the fayte of armes were occupyed, and employed hīselfe euer in iustes and tornayes and in dedes of armes and dyd so to be alowed y^t there was no spekīge of him but that he was the noblest knight of the world, but finally he led so his life that he spēded and wastest his goodes so largely to thētēr to get hym laude and prayse that at the end he became therby very port and thā was [Page ii] faynt to fell and to make shyfte of all y^• he had both of his owne & of the good lady his wyfe. And so dyed in grete pouerte. And whan he was buryed suche per­sones as he was detter vnto, toke all the londes & goodes that perteyned other to hym or to the lady his wyfe, so y^• there by the good lady his wife fledde & departed pryuely out of y^e coūtree, so y^• non of her frendes wyste where she was become, for she thoughte she hadde rather to lyue poorely in a straunge countrye ferre fro her frēdes & aqueyntaunce thā to endu­re pouerte in her owne countrye where she had ben nobly broughte vp in before. So this lady went & her doughter with her, who was of the age of .xiiii yeare ryght beautefull, how be it she was porely arayed & had to name I [...]hannet. And they trauayled so lōge by theyr Iorneys y^• by aduenture they came in to the forest where Arthur & Gouernar were vsed to chase & to hunte. And in a desolate place of the forest ferre from ony hye way ther these two ladyes dyd reste them and ma­de theym a lodge to abyde in of boughes and of suche thinges as they coude gette Thus they contynued the space of a moneth. And this lady went eueri day right porely to the nexte vylage for to gete su­the thinges as she & her doughter neded. And so it fortuned y^t [...]he same day y^• Ar­thur & gouernar departed fro the courte of his fader & was entred into the sayde foreste anone his houndes had founde a grete harte, And a noble knyghte y^t was in his cōpany named the lorde Olyuer of I [...]y [...]c folowed after this harte on a gret courser & all the other hūters after hym. And this yonge Arthur began to folowe after, how be it Gou [...]r [...]ar toke hede y^• he sholde not folowe to fast [...], so y^• this sayde lorde Olyuer & [...]ll other were past f [...]rth by hym & were gon so ferre into the thicke of y^e foreste y^• Arthur & Gouernar had clene loste both sight and heringe of thē and of theyr hoūdes. And so by ges they folowed fayre and esyly after, so lōg they folowed y^• by aduenture they came to the same place where as the lodge was made for the lady & her doughter, who were bothe the same tyme syttynge wythout the lodge dore. And as soone as Arthur sawe them he lyghted downe of his hors and Gouernar w^t hym. And whā this lady sawe Arthur she was gretly abashed for she thought well y^• he sholde be some grete man & there w^t she rose and Arthur right swetely saluted her. And the lady in like wise agayne to him. And at y^• tyme it was aboute thre of the clocke. And whan the ladye sawe Arthur & Gouernar dys­cende from theyr horses, she remembred the state of her fader & of other gē [...]lmen y^• she had seene before in her owne coun­tree where as she had be norysshed vp u [...] wherof her herte was gretely ashamed & troubled. Than Arthur toke her by the hande & her moder also & set them do [...]ne all togyder. Than Arthur demaūded of the yonge mayde & sayd fayre swete da­moysell what is your name. As our lord helpe me syr I am called Iehannet, Iehāne [...] good loue where were ye borne certayne syr I was not born in this coū tre. Than her moder sayd syr truely my doughter sayth sothe, for truely she was borne in the lōd of desarte in a castel cal­led the tour. Truly sayd Arthur to whome was she doughter. As God helpe me syr to a knyght right stronge & puyssaūt who in his tyme loued euer dedes of ar­mes & was acquēted w^t many noble men How be it his fortune was such or he dyed y^t he lost away & wasted both his lon­des and goodes and myne that was his [Page] poore wyfe. And were broughte so ferre vnder that lytell or nothing was left vs. And after his death suche persones as he owed ony thynge to, and peraduenture some other y^t he owed nothing to. They were thā so importune on me that I was fayne to sel al y^t I had. And whan I saw that I was so ferre broughte vnder & y^t I had nothyng lefte me wherby to lyue The occasion therof caused me to steale awaye by nyght▪ for I thought I had leuer go lyke a poore woman a beggynge in a straunge countre thā there where I was lady and gouernour. And therwith ryght pyteously she wept and sayd a gentyl [...] knyghte nowe am I come in to this coūtre a lonely accompanyed w^t this yōg mayde my dere doughter, who was wōt be brought vp in fayre places and ryche halles and chambres, & to lye in th [...] bed incorteyned wyth sylke. And nowe it be ho [...]eth her to lye on the mosse in this lodge couered wyth grene boughes. Than Arthur answered and sayde a fayre lady why dide not ye requyre youre frendes to helpe and socour you in your necessite At leste to gyue you mete & drynke & clo­thing. In my mīd that had be more honorable for you thā thꝰ desolate to come in to this straūge coūtrye. As god helpe me syr sayd this lady pore folkes hath but fewe frendes, howe be it I ought to haue many, but betwene the riche & the poore there wanteth frendes, for the ryche ma­keth his frendes of his money & the pore is euer put out in euery place. And as to me sorowfull creature who hath bene a grete lady & moche honoured & haue had moche people vnder my obeysaūce, thoughte grete shame to requyre ony creature in my owne cūtre to helpe or soccoure me. And specyally for this yonge mayde my doughter, she is come of goodly lyg­nage. Alas as for me I am olde and al­wayes she hath serued me ryghte well, & now she is lyke w^t me to lese her tyme, & ther w^t she began agayne to wepe. And whan Iehānet sawe her moder so wepe she coude not abstayne her selfe from wepyng tenderly. And whan Arthur sawe th [...]m so full of sorowe, he had grete pyte and sayd to the lady. My right dere lady wepe ye no more but sette youre harte in rest for fro hēsforth I wyll be in the stede of youre olde lorde, & in all good honoure to lu [...]e & cherish you to the best of my power. And all this whyle Iehānet made styll grete la [...]entacō. So there Arthur toke the yonge mayde in his armes, & ry­ght swetely sayd. My right dere [...]adye & loue abandon youre herte to ioye and le­ue this sorowe for as god be my socoure I shall cause you haue more honoure & welth than as yet eu [...]rcame to you, for I am and shal be your owne good loue [...] and wyll take you in to my handes to delyuer you fro all pouertye, faythfully as­suryng you to kepe the honour of you & of youre bodye as moche as youre owne p [...]opre broder wolde or myght do.

IN this season y^t Arthur had this cōmunycaciō w^t these ladyes, ther came to thē the mayster forester named Pyere who was also receyuer the reue­newes of the forest & he had al y^e day so [...] ghte his mayster Arthur & by aduentu­re there he foūd him talking w^t these la­dyes, And incōtynent y^t Arthur sawe hī [Page iii] he called hym by his name and demaun­dyd of hī yf he had receyued at y^t mawdeleyn tyde y^e reuenewes of the forest, and Piers answered and said, syr I haue alredy at your cōmaūdement to the some of. fyue. C. pounde, well quod Arthur I cō ­maūde the incontynente to delyuer it to this lady & to her doughter. Also the ma­ner place pertayning to the stang of this forest wherein thou hast dwelt to this tyme. It was so that in this stāge or water the wylde beastes of the foreste dyd euer thyder resorte to drynke. and Ioynynge to this water there were houses and ma­ners the which the duke had gyuen to arthur his son to playe hī in the forest, and this pyers was keper thereof to Arthurs behoue. Than sayde Arthur to Pyers I delyuer to y^• these .ii. ladyes. And I char­ge the y^• truly y^• kepe & honour them and brīg them to my maner and to deliuer to them such as is apertenaūte to so goood by ladyes as they be. And as such a man as I am haue taken into my hādes & kepyng. Therfore kepe thē well & truely. For by the fayth y^t I owe to my lord my fader yf I knowe y^• y^u entende or yma­gen agaynst this lady or her doughter a­ny dyspleasure. I shall cause the to suf­fre foule death. And I warne the loke y^t they lacke no thyng. Syr sayd Pyers I trust I shall so demane me y^t both you & they shall be w^t me contente. And so whā Arthur had ben there a grete season, he toke his leue there of this lady and of her doughter. So Pyers dyd conduyte them to the said maner & bought for them abylementes & Iewelles, mete & drynke of the best y^t coude be goten, & all other thynges y^t was cōuenyent for noble ladys to haue. And garnysshed euery offyce in y^e house w^t plate of syluer & w^t all other ne­cessary thynges. And whan Arthur and Gouernar wer departed fro these ladyes they rode after the tracke of syr Olyuer of Iryac and his companye, and at the laste they mete togyder ferre in the forest in a grete depe valey where as syr Oly­uer hadde kylled thre grete hartes, and was brekynge of them. And therwith Ar­thur came to hym & laughed ryght swe­tely. Than resorted other of the hunters fro all partyes. And so there Arthur commaunded a seruaunt belongynge to the sayd Pyers to take one of these hartes & to bere it fro him to the sayd lady and to her doughter. And the seconde Arthur dyd gyue to an abbotte that was come to theym by aduenture. And the thirde he commaunded that it sholde be conueyed to the duke his fader, who hadde greate ioye therof.

THe eyght daye after that Arthur was come fro the foreste he rose erly in a fayre morninge and sayd to gouernar, frende lette vs go leape vppon our horses and goo se oure damoysell in the forest we two alone, gladly syr sayd Gouernar. So Arthur toke a sparhawke on his honde, and Gouernar a gerfaw­con. And Arthur aparayled hym selfe all in grene silke, and his hatte auayled with a fresshe chaplet of floures on his heade. And they rode so longe that by the sonne rysynge they came to the stang and foūd the lady and Iehannet ready aparayled ryght nobly. For Pyers the forester had purueyed them of all thinges necessarye to suche ladyes. And as than Iehannet had dronken good wynes and taken her [Page] sustenaunce of good metes, and had for­gotē all her sorowe. Wherby her beaute was newly renewed. And whan Arthur sawe her, she pleased hym moche better thā she dyd whan he sawe her fyrst. And so toke her by the fayre hande and sette them downe togyder a parte. And in the meane seasō the lady her moder and Go­uernar were talkynge togyder. And the mornynge was very fayre & clere. And the earth all bedewed wyth clere syluer droppes. An [...] the byrddes sange m [...]lodi­ously on euery braunche so that these .ii. yonge lusty louers gretly reioysed, and had great myrthe in theyr hartes bicause of the swete season as it was metely for suche yonge people to playe & to laughe. And they loued togyder with good herte without thinkinge of vylany or shame e­che to other. Than Arthur sayd to her al laughyng. My swete damoysell haue ye ony maner of louer. And halfe smilīg and beholdynge Arthur ryghte swetely she answered, by the fayth that I owe to you my owen dere lorde, I haue one ry­ghte fayre and gracyous. And where is he my swete Iehannet. By my fayth [...]yr he is of a coūtre wherof he is lorde. And fayre loue howe is he called, syr you not dyspleased, this that I haue sayde is suf­fycyent at this presente teme. How be it syr I wolde ye knew that king Arthur was a noble knyght and of grete vertu And syr I wolde my louer were so good yf he be not better all redy. But one thīg syr I assure you he resembleth more to you than to ony other vnder the sonne lyuynge, bothe goynge, and in comynge of bodye and all other thynges that one persone may be lykened to an other. My owne swete and fayre damoysell sayd Arthur I wolde fayne se hym. And by the fayth that ye ow to me if it be to you no vylony I praye you shewe hym to me & I promyse you faythfully I shall loue & cherysshe. hym ryght derely. And for the loue of you yf y^t he wyll he shalbe one of my house, yf he be no greater of lygnage ne of rychesse than I am. My [...]ight dere lorde sayd this damoysel hūbly I thanke you howe be it he is no grea [...]ter gentyl­man than ye be, but he thynketh well to haue as grete honour and frendes as ye haue, but as now ye may not se him▪ but it may well be that here after ye shall haue knowlege of hym. And soo thus they comoned togyder of manye thinges tyll it was tyme that Arthur sholde retorne to the courte, for as than it was aboute pryme. Than Arthur toke his leue of the lady and of Iehannet. And so he and gouernar mounted on theyr horses and ro­de forth alwayes deuisyng of the maner of this damoysell Iehannet. And at the last Arthur sayd. Mayster howe saye you by the swetnesse of our damoysell and of the frenes of her herte, and how sagely & gracyo [...]slye she answereth to euerye de­maunde, remembrynge also her gentyll maner & noble countenaunce, her beaw­tefull facyon of body and of vysage. As god helpe me mayster all these thynges and manye other that saemeth of vertue to be in her, causeth that I loue her hyr­tely. Syr sayde Gouernar as God helpe me all that ye saye is of trouth, how be it myne owne dere lorde take good hede to your honour a [...]d remembre how gre­te a lorde ye be, both of lygnage, honoure and of frendes. And thinke how that she is but a poore gentylwoman as to your knowlege. And if ye do her ony vylony to her body, as in takynge from her that he can not render agayne, syr it were t [...] you a grete synne. And ye ought therein to be more blamed than a nother meanes [Page iiii] persone. Mayster sayd arthur I praye to god neuer to helpe me yf I thynke to go aboute to dysshonoure her, but I wyll loue her & kepe her honoure faythfully in lyke case as she were myne owen proper sister without euer desyringe onye velany to her body. So they rode forthe talkyng til they came to the courte, and than went to dyner for it was by that time nere vpon two of the clocke.

IN this wyse Arthur soiurned a great longe space so y^t there was no we [...]e but that twyse or thri [...]e he and Gouernar wolde ryde to the stange with out any other cōpany. And it fortuned one day he taried there lenger thā he was a customed to do, wherfore he was sou­ght all aboute by the cōmaundement of the duke his father how be it no tydin­ges coude be herde of hym but that he & Gouernar were gone togider to sporte them, but no man wyste whyther. And than the duchesse sayd to the duke, syr I wote not what meaneth that our soone thus goth forth so pryuely euery day & no man can tell whyther, for he taketh none with him but Gouernar [...] veraylye I doubte me of our chylde least that he sholde set his herte & loue on some persō wherby we shold haue any velony, syr he is now of yeres sufficient to perc [...]iue & to know the fayre perteyning to loue wherfore I wolde he were nobly maried for it is tyme, he is .xxii. yeres of age. Madame quod the duke ye haue ryght wysely sayd. And I acorde well thereto, but to whome thinke ye best it were to giue him in mariage. Syr sayd the ladye in my minde it were wel doon [...] that we should demaūde the fayre Perron of o­s [...]ryge, & I trust my lady Luke her mo­der wyl be therof right glad, veryly madame sayd the duke I haue harde saye that this lady Perron hath not wyselye demeaned her self▪ but hath had greate blame for her nyse kepyng company w a knight of her countrey. And I wolde for no good y^t we should demaunde such a person as hath deserued blame. A syr sayd the lady beleue not ye the reportes of them that lusteth to say y [...], for as god helpe me she is slaundred wrongfully. for I am sure the eis not a better maide lyuyng, wherfore they are in greate sin that reporteth ot [...]erwyse of her. Dame sayd the duke yf it be so I am right ioy­full. Than let vs send thyder in al hast Than was called to them syr Olyuer y^t was senesshall. And the duke sayde to hym, syr Olyuer I wyll ye go to ost [...]yge to my ladye Luke & desyre of her in my b [...]ha [...]e Pe [...]ron her doughter to be giuē in matrymony to a [...]thur my sone. T [...]ā syr Olyuer prepayred him to ride forthe And .x. other knightes in his company. and so departed and rode forth so longe that the wednesdaye after Mawdeleyn­tyde they came to ostryge. And whan sir Oliuer was in the great hall where as the lady Luke was acompanyed with many great barons ladyes and damoy­sels. He dyd right reuerently salute her and all the other lordes and barons as a messenger sent fro the duke & duchesse of Britayne. And this lady Luke right honourablye dyd receyue hym and all hys company. And demaunded what was the cause and the occasyon of their comynge.

THan syr Olyuer began hys proposicion & sayde. Righte hye and myg [...]ty prynces. My lorde and ladye of brytayne hath sé̄d vs hither to publishe vnto you theyr ententes for they are ry­ght desyrous to haue loue and affinitie with you as it well appereth, for they haue harde suche bruce & fame of my la­d [...] Per [...]ō your doughter. Wherfore thei haue sent me hither to your presēce to requyre you in theyr behalfe to gyue your doughter perron in mariage to arthur theyr sone, who is ryght gentyl, noble & valiaunt. Madame this is the effecte of our request. In the name of god sayde the lady luke humbly I thāke the duke your lorde y^t it wyl please him to haue wyth vs acquentaunce, wherof I haue right g [...]eat Ioye. And wi [...]h a good hert I gyue freely to him my doughter Per­ron to be all holly at his comaūdemēt Madame sayd Oliuer this dede ought greatly to be thanked. And how say you fayre lady perron, do you acorde to this mariage. Syr sayd Perron I shall euer fulfyl the pleasure of my lady my mo­der. Certaynly fayre lady than doo you wysely for I ensure you ye shall be coupled to him y^t is both fayre and goodly. Than this ladi luke & her doughter did giue to syr Oliuer & to hys companye manye noble Iewels & other thinges. And theyr apoyntment was to be at nauntes within .viii. dayes of the middell of the next August.

THan the senesshal toke le [...]e of the lady Luke and of the fayre Perron and retorned into brytayne. At whiche tyme he founde the duke than risen fro diner and the duchesse with hī And arthur and Gouernar were play­ing at the chesse, & as sone as the duke saw syr Oliuer he made him good cher [...] and the knight right humblye saluted them and thanked them greatly for the greate loue and gyftes that the Du­chesse of ostrige had done to him for their sakes, and shewed them how the lady Luke wolde be at Nauntes and bring with her Perron redy ap [...]ayled to be giuen to Ar [...]hur aboute the middell of August next insuyng. And whā Arthur herde that his fader wolde mary him he stepped forth & left his playe. And sayd what is y^• right dere fader, wyll ye ma­rie me. Ye fayre sone sayde the duke ri­ght nobly. And good fader vnto whom wyll ye gyue me, Fayre sone vnto the gentil perron of ostryge. What syr as it is noysed she hath trespased w^t a nother knight [...] set ye so litle by me that ye wyll now gyue me perrō who is of yl name and fame. Certainly it is not your worshyp ne honour so to do nor to none of my frendes. Therfore in no maner of wyse I wyl take her. Fayre sone sayde his moder be not displesed ne beleue no euil reportes y^t is sayd by this lad [...] it is great sin to say such thinges as cannot be proued for I am in certayne that she is a clene mayden. And therfore we wil that ye shal haue hir or els ye shal gret­ly dysplease my lorde your father & me [Page v] also▪ wel madame said Arthur sith that it behoueth me to take her & that it is your pleasure y [...] I so do I am content, how be it yf she be of suche condicions as is sayd of her I shal neuer loue her. Than sayd gouernar to the duke, syr ye wyl that Arthur shall haue this damoisell. Neuerthelesse pleaseth you syr to know that if this case be found true thā let Arthur leue and forsake her. And yf that she dyd neuer suche trespas thā let arthur kepe her as he ought to doo hys wyfe, but how [...]hall thys be knowen sayd the duke for where as wysedome is suche thinges are lightly done so co­uertly that it is harde to know, syr sayd Gouernar let it be enquyred wysely of such as to presume should know of the matter. Also let the damoysell her self be wysely examyned, & yf she be good she wyll kepe her selfe, yf she be otherwyse perauenture it will be espied. I am content with this sayd arthur. And for that time they left theyr commīg of that matter. Than the duke sent out his cōmaū ­dementes to all his barons, knightes & damoysels that they sholde be al redy at nauntes bi the middes of august for thā he wolde kepe open courte and make arthur his sone knight, and marye hym to the fayre Perron of ostryge. The duke also dyd write to the erle of bloys bro­der germayne to the duchesse his wyfe. And also sent for the erle of Aniou who was nere of kinne to the duke [...] and also to the archebysshop of [...]ou [...]s desyringe them to be at n [...]untes at the sayd daye.

THā arthur & gouernar toke their horses & rode to the strāge in the forest where as they founde Iehannet & her moder, who made great Ioy & feest and Iehānet behelde arthur who was as than right pale for dyspleasure & demaūded of him what was the cause of his displeasure. Certaynly my loue said arthur greater displeasure coulde neuer haue fallen. For my lorde my father wil now mary me the which I forthinke w^t al mi herte because of the loue y^t I haue to you for I thinke veryly ye wyl not be contēt therw^t. And your displeasure perseth myn herte. A min owne swete lord sayd Iehānet for gods sake trouble not your selfe for no cause for in certayne I am in like case fallen in a treatie to be maried. A good loue sayd Arthur I prai you to whome. Syr so god helpe me to him of whome I haue spoken to you of here before is y^t of a trouth faire damoisel quod arthur and I requyre you whā shal ye be maried, in trouth the same propre day that ye shal maryed, now fayre damoysel by the faith the ye o [...]e to hī I desyre you let me se hī syr ye may not se [Page] hym as yet, but for certayne he shall be aperayled in y^e same clothyng & sute as ye shall be the day of your wedding. In the name of god sayd arthur I haue of this great meruayle for ye haue sayde here before to me that he is as great of lignage as I am and as gretly endued wyth hauyour and frendes [...] and how y [...] he resembleth to me in all pointes, and also howe that he hath a ryche & a puis­saunt vncle. I wote not whome I shold thinke without ye meane al this by my self, for I know wel the erle of Bloys is my vncle by my moders side. wel sir sayd Iehānet nor I wyll not shew you at this present time. So thus they commined together of [...]hat and of other thī ­ges tyll finally arthur tooke leue of her for that tyme and [...]etourned to the courte of his father. And thus dayly he rode to se this fayre daymoysel Iehannet til it came to the next day before his wedding. And the erle of Aniou and the archebys [...]hop of tours were come, and also the erle of Blois who brought with him Hector his son who was a gentill and a fayre creture & was [...]xtr [...]ught of the linage of brytayne, & was cosin ger­mayn to arthur & also of one age for thei were borne bothe in one yeare. And as Arthur saw him he made him great ioy and feest, and al wayes kept companye togyder. And so there came f [...]o al partes lordes knightes ladies & damoysels by g [...]eat flockes for to go mete the ladi perron of ostryge. And than mounted the duke and al other barons & knightes [...]o go lykewyse to encountre Perron. who was as than come within the space of halfe a lege & brought wi [...]h her a great cōpany of lordes knightes, ladies and damoysels.

ANd whan all these noble people were ass [...]bled together the duke and duch [...]sse and all other lordes made great ioye & feest at the metynge of thys lady Luke and Perron her doughter. And the duchesse toke her in her armes, and sayd a myne owne swete doughter ye be into this countrey right welcome and kissed her oft [...]ntim [...]s wepyng for Ioye For she was so fayre a creature y^t the duchesse coulde not absteyne her self fro clypping & kissing her. And therew^t called to her arthur & sayd fayre sone ar­thur beholde here this fayre lady who is & shall be yours. Madame sayd arthur wyll it please you to suffre her to moūt vpon her horse & we shal speke of thys matter well ynoughe here after. So they went all to horse and rode forth to nauntes. And there lordes, knightes & other toke vp theyr lodginge in the citie and some were harboured in the palais with the duke. And whan it came to the tyme to speke of the maryage than arthur sayde in open audyence. My lorde my father, and also my ladye my mothe [...] ye wyll cause me here to take this damoysell. And yet I knowe not what name or fame that she is of. How be it syr I say surely b [...]the to you & also to you my Lady Luke who is mother vnto her that I take her agaynste my herte bycause of the suspeccyons, noise and yll renowmes the whyche that I haue harde saye and reported of her. [Page vi] Neuerthelesse it behoueth me to take her to exchewe therby the displeasure of my lorde my fader, & of my lady my mo­der & other of my frendes for I perceiue wel it is theyr mindes. How be it I say openly here to you all yf y^t I finde such noyse as renneth on her to be of trouth I ensure you y^t whyle I lyue she shal neuer haue one good day with me in rest. A my fayre sone sayd the duchesse what & ye finde her good & true. And that all such ill noyse as ye haue harde of her be vntrew and false. Well madame sayde arthur [...]han shal I loue her as I ought to do my wyfe. Than the duke called forth the archebysshop of nauntes and so caused arthur to be there openly fiaū ced to Perron and on the next day to be maryed. Thā began great feest and ioy in the palays. And daūsyng of ladies & damoyselles, & frusshyng of speres & bateryng of harneys w^t swerdes in euerye strete of the citie. Than the duke [...]ayde that who so euer wolde take the ordre of chiual [...]y w^t his son Arthur the nexte daye with a good wyll he wolde gyue them the ordre. Thā arthur sayd to hector his cosyn syr I requyre you to mo­row take the ordre of knighthode with me & fro hensforth let vs kepe cōpanye togider in iustes & tornay [...] & in al other thinges as sworne bretherne. Fayre co­sin sayd Hector I requyre you let vs go know the pleasure of my lord my father whither that he wil agre to this or not. [...]e say well sayd arthur. Than arthur [...] before the duke his fader and al other lordes & helde his cosyn Hector by the hād & sayd openly to the erle of Bloys, m [...] lorde my vncle I requyre you my let cosyn hector be made knight to morow w^t me for we shal loue togider the be [...]ter euer after certaynly sayd the erle fayre neuew, hector hath as yet to lytle londe to susteyne therwyth the noble ordre of knighthode. And y^t he sayde bycause he wold not y^t is sone shold be made knight so sone. Truly syr said arthur he hath richesse inough to be a knight for as loge as ye lyue he can not fayle. And though he fayle of you y [...]t god hath so prouided for him y^t after your dayes he shal be erle of Blois. Ye fayre neuew ꝙ the erle we may both be disceiued by that, for it may [...]o fortune that I may lese all my right in the erledome of bloys & his also. Nor let not my sone He [...]tor [...]oke to be lord o­uer me for as lōge as I liue one fote of the londe of the e [...]ledom of bloys geteth he not, no syr saide arthur & tou [...]ned to hector and said fayre cosin it s [...]old seme wel by the saying of my lorde your fader how that he is very pore. How be it I desi [...]e you to be kni [...]t w^t me & I faithfullie promise you y^e I shall giue you as much lōde or more as my lorde your fa­der wil giue you [...] an [...] I pray you fro hēsforth let vs be togider as c [...]panions [...]n horse, in abilimētes, in lāde, in house & in euery thinge. And so I retayne you fro this presēt time forth [...]ard. As god help me fayre so sayd the duke. Who had hard what arthur had sayd to Hector I am wel cō [...]ent that ye thus retaine Hector your cosin. Also I r [...]quyre him that he wil be your cōpanion. and to the erle of Bloys he said [...] Also syr I desyre you to giue licence to your son Hector that he may be knight with his cosin Arthur. Thā the e [...]le of Bloys dyd laughe therat and sayd to the duke. Syr as god me helme I am ryght wel contēte. But [...]f one thing let him be sure that as longe as I liue he shall neuer be the Erle of Bloys. Than arthur sayde to hys cosyn Hector. well syr we be yonge ynoughe. [Page] therfore we shall seke to get our lyuing for I trust god shal help vs. Than he sayd to the duke his father syr gouernar hath serued & norisshed me vp swetelye, therfore I requyre you let me make him knight and whan I may I wyl do bet­ter to hym, certaynly fayre sonne it pleaseth me right well. So than they were made knightes with great tryumphe▪ & there was made great Ioye & fest both with lordes and ladies, and a great tor­nay was there ordeyned for the loue of these new knightes. And whyle this triumphe and tornay endured Arthur sayd to h [...]ctor. Fayre cosyn come on with me & we wil go se the most swete and gentyl damoysel y^t euer ye saw. In the na­me of god ꝙ h [...]ctor I am well content And so art [...]ur, hector & gouernar mounted on theyr horses and rode forth to the manoyr of the stāge where as they foūd Iehān [...]t and her moder lening in a wyndow talkyng togyder, & whan they saw arthur they came to hym & made gr [...]at ioye [...] And than [...]ehānet demaunded of Arthur, syr quod she what gentyl man is this that ye haue brou [...]ht with you. Fayre loue sayd Arthur he is sonne to the erle of bloys, and he is my cosyn ger­mayne. In y^e name of god sayd she he is h [...]ther welcome for your sake. Than Iehann [...]t behel [...]e well Arthur and she p [...]rceyu [...]d b [...] his coūtenaunce y^t he was tr [...]ub [...]d, the [...]fore she desyred of hym to know what he eylled in good faith god loue this day haue I made a dolorous Iorney for I haue fyaunc [...]d a woman agaynst my wil, y^t whiche I sore repēt bycause it is grefull to me to leue youre companye, ce [...]tayne fayre loue Arthur quod she take no dyspleasure thoughe y [...] it haue fiaūced a lady for certaynlye in the same propre hou [...]e that ye fyaun­ced your ladye I was fyaunced to my loue. And my dere loue quod Arthur I requyre you who is that and where is he. By the fayth y^e I owe vnto you syr I knoweful wel where he is. wel fayre lady sayd arthur I pray you than shew him to me [...] surely syr that [...]yll I not do as yet but I promise you to shew hym to you within these thre dayes next commyng. And syr know you for certayne that he resembleth to you both in com­ynge in goinge, in hauioure, in frendes, gentylnes in facion of body and in al o­ther thinges. [...]n the name of god sayd Arthur [...] meruayle g [...]eatly for by your wordes it shold appere y^t it were myself for there cannot two persons be resem­bled togider but theyr must be som faute & difference. I beleue ye deuise these wordes for me, how be it I am troubled a­gayne whā I thinke how ye saye that ye were fiaunced to day, and how that ye shall be maryed to morowe the same propre houre that I shal be wedded in. As god helpe me syr sayd Iehannet it is of [...]routh he resembl [...]th to you w^tout faylyng of any poynte, veryly sayde arthur I cannot thinke whome it should be. And so they talked together so longe til it was tyme for arthur to departe for he doubted to be blamed of hys fr [...]des. So he toke l [...]ue of the ladyes and departed & as they rode hector sayd to arthur syr vndouted this is a fayre yonge lady right gracious, swete & fayre behauing as god help me fayre cosyn sayde arthur she is mine owne howe be it she is a poore damoysell nor hath no thynge but y^t she hath of me. But by the faythe that I owe vnto my lord and father the duke of brytayne I loue her better al naked than she that I shal haue w^tall the [...]iches of the world, for I must take her [Page vii] agenst my wyll. And therfore cosyn I am veryly purposed that as sone as th [...]s tryumphe is passe [...], and all straungers be departed, and myne vncle youre fader and all gone, than I thynk [...] to ask [...] lycē ce of m [...] fader to go [...] s [...]ke aduentures in some straunge coūtrees and to take with me alon [...]lye Gouernar and to abyde f [...]o hom [...] the space of .v. or .vi. yeres. And so sh [...]ll I leue her th [...]t troubleth me, for in h [...]r company in no wyse I can abyde. Truely syr sayd Hector and yf y^t ye wyl thus god by the fayth that I owe to you I wyll d [...]parte wyth you, and neuer to leue you whyle that I lyue. A good co­syn Hector qu [...]d Arthur it pleaseth mee ver [...]ly well to haue youre companye, and her [...]ely I thanke you thereof. How be it I beseche you kepe this thyng secret that i [...] be not knowen tyll the tyme of our de­partyng [...]. And as soone as Arthur was [...]part [...]d frome Iehannet, she dyd senne all aboute for mynstrelles and instrumē ­tes of musyke. And caused a [...]l the house to be hanged wyth sylke, and commaun­ded all her folkes to make as g [...]eate Ioy and feest as they coude ymagen. And so this Arthur rod forth alwayes til he ca­me to N [...]unt [...]s where as the tables we­re redy couered to souper. And the duke se [...] to hym downe and all other lordes [...] e­uery man in his place, and they were serued ryght rychely wyth gre [...]e Ioye, and after souper they played and sported thē [...]uery m [...]n as he b [...]ste l [...]ed tyll it was se [...]son to go to rest. For than it was past mydnighte. And so the duke than entred in [...]o his chambre. And Arthur, Hector and Gouernar wēt to se Iehannet, and whan they came nere to the place of the s [...]ange they herde greate noyse & myrthe of instrumentes [...] and [...]ound all the house newly hanged. And the ladyes arayed w^t vestures of pleasure. And they founde as grea [...]e apparayle as thoughe a kyng sh [...]lde haue come thyder. And Iehann [...]t was apparayled as though she sh [...]e haue be m [...]ryed incōtynēt. And whā she harde that Arthur was come thyder [...]e came goodly vn [...]o him. It was meruayle than to beholde her she was so fayre. And as sone as Arthur saw h [...]r coming his herte smyl [...]d and sa [...]de vnto hym­selfe. A Iesu, a gentyll and a gracyous metynge is this. As god h [...]lpe me I had rather to haue your company than to [...]e encombred wyth her that I muste haue And therw [...]t he clepped her in his arm [...]s and sayd. My swete loue god that fou [...] ­med all the worlde s [...]nd you a bett [...] daye than I h [...]ue had a nygh. Syr sa [...]de Ie­hannet god gyue you as good a daye as he hath done to me. For this sam [...] nyg [...]t I shall be wyth my louer. And god [...] you in lykewyse wyth yours. Certayn [...] ­ly sayde Arthur I repute her not for my loue that I shall be with. But ye y^t i [...] all be as ye saye wyth your louer shalbe nerer to my herte than she shall be. But I praye you swete [...] I [...]hānet shew me your louer, syr I haue all redy promysed [...]ou y^t ye shall se him within these thre [...]ayes, therfore I beseche you to abyde tyll that seasō. With a good wyll sayd arthur and so taryed there so longe tyll it was fayre daye and than it behoued hym for to de­parte.

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NOw sheweth the history howe y^t whā arthur, Hector and Gouer­nar were d [...]parted frome Iehannet they came to the courte. And by that tyme were all lordes knyghtes and al other risen fro theyr rest. And the archebyshop of toures was ready to synge masse and so­lempny se the matrymony. And than the duke and the duchesse and all the other lordes, knyghtes ladyes and damoysels dyd conuey Ar [...]hur and this ladye Per­ron to the chyrche. And there in the sight o [...] all people & in open audyence Arthur sayd. I wyll that it be knowen y^t if euer I fynde trewe suche wordes as I haue heroe saye of this lady thoughte I were wedded to her a houdred thousande ty­mes yet I wyll leue and vtterly forsake her. And on that condyciō her I am now contente to take her to my wyfe and none other wyse. And therto was wel acorded her moder and all other of theyre frendes. And so wyth greate solemnyte they we [...]e wedded togyder, & grete was the feaste add Ioye that than was made in al the cyte, ladies damoyselles dydde daunce and made gret [...] ioye and myrthe and made chaplettes and tokens & dyd gyue them to lordes and knyghtes in the sygne of loue.

WE must knowe howe that dame Luke duryng all this seasō that this greate Ioye and myrth was made, she was in grete thoughte in her herte bycause she knew wel y^t her doughter. Perron was no mayde, therfore she doubted greatly to haue vylonye.

[Page viii]And therfore she wyste not what was beste for her to do. So at the laste she cal­led to her one of her owne knyghtes in whome she trusted beste in all her besy­nesse. And than she shewed vnto him all the demenoure of Perron, and desyred hym to gyue her in that behalfe the beste counsayle y^t he knewe, for she sawe wel howe that arthur wolde fayne fynde so­me cause by her to the [...]ntente that he myghte be departed fro her company. For syr quod she yf Arthur fynde that she be no mayde, than I doubte me of vy [...]any. Therfore I requyre you for goddes loue to counsayle me in this case. Than this knyghte who had to name syr Aunsell, answered & sayd, madame syth it is thus the case muste be suffered as easely as it may be. For whan the dede is done than it is tyme to take coūsayle both sage and secret. I shall tell you what we shall do, here is by dwellynge at the stange in the forest a poore damoysell ryght fayre and yonge, who hath a moder a ryght good aūcient lady. And I thinke verely she be a good mayde. Sende vnto her moder parte of your syluer and golde, an [...] pro­myse to doo for her many other thynges so that she wyll [...]ende you her doughter for this fyrste nyghte to lye wyth arthur t [...]ll mydnyght be paste. And I thynke verely ye shall haue her yf she be wysely entreted and secretly. And than yf ye ha­ue her whā Perron sholde be layde in the bedde she shal be in her stede tyl that ar­thur be a slepe and than she shall ryse. And so than Perron shall lye downe by arthur. A syr sayd the lady for gods sake thynke on to brynge [...]his mater aboute. Take my charyot & fyue hondred poun­des of golde and bere it vnto her moder and shewe her how I shall gyue her lar­ge lo [...]des and rentes, and shal mary her doughter ryght hyghly soo that I maye haue her this nyght. So thā incon [...]inent this knight clepte on his horse, and tooke wyth hym the golde and the cha [...]yot and caused it to be couered and robe vnto the stange where as he founde this fayre la­dy and her doughter, & dyde salute th [...]m ryght swetely and drewe theym aparte, and sayde to the lady. M [...]dame I am come hyther to you fro my ladye Luke of ostryge, who ryght [...]enderly sendeth gre­tynge vnto you. As she that fro hēsforth wyl be your enspecyall louer and frende And aboue all other wyll loue & honour you. And in the sygne of loue she hathe sente you fyue hondreth poundes of gol­de. And ferthermore promyseth you to gyue you greate londes and goodes and to mary ryght hyely Iehānet your dou­ghter, so that ye wyll do her that bounte and pleasure now at this tyme as to sende your doughter to her to the entente to lye thys fyrst night with Arthur of Bry­tayne tyll mydnyght. For the case is soo that Perron her doughter is not insoo good poynte as she wolde she were for [...]e hath trespaced wyth another knyght Therfore good lady I humbly requyre you for to be her speciall louer and fren­de in this mater, greate charyte it is one lady for to saue y^e worshyp and honoure of another. Than sayde the lady I than­ke my lady Luke for the greate loue and honour that she presēteth to me, yf theyr were eyther loue or honoure in this case, syr knyghte as me thynketh here lacketh loue whan she requyreth my shame and dyshonoure, For she wolde that I shold sell to her my doughter for her moneye. Certaynly that I shall neuer do it to dye therfore. I praye you bere her agayne this money, & god gyue her good aduen­ture. Than Iehannet sayd vnto her mo­der. [Page] Madame for goddes sake be ye not dyspleased wyth my wordes, for sauyng your grace, this desyre that this knyghte m [...]keth is no sellynge of me, for my lady Luke is a greate and noble a pryncesse. Therfore her velony sholde be more spo­ken than yf she where of a meeuneestate And all women oughte to put theyr pay­ne to couer & to hyde suche maters. And also euery woman to helpe & sustayn the blame and defame of other. And this la­dy requyreth not youre vylonye for she dooth it to hyde her owne dyshonoure. Truely dought [...]r quod the lady, the mo­der y^t demeneth not wysely her chylde is to be blamed, and yf my lady Luke haue not kept this lady Perron her dough­ter as curyouslye & as wysely as I haue doone you, and by the which neclygence now she is renne into foly & daunger, let her take it a worth & thanke no body but her selfe. Madame sayde Iehannet it is a harde thynge to ouercome youthe, for yf thys lady Perron haue doone amysse, yet remēbre how hath be easely she & swetly noryshed, and euery creature desyrous des sake madame beholde the myghte of loue by whome she was ouercome. For to serur her floryshyng yougth. For god she loued & was loued agayne, remem­bre also the greate case wherin she hath all her yougth bene noryshed. The why­che one cam [...] & pur [...]e in to her herte amo­rous and loue. Madame yf I trepas I are mercy, for by the fayth y^t I ow to you I wyll fullfyll y^t pleasure of my lady luke. In sauyng of her honour I shall put myne in Ieopardy. How be it syr knight take agayne your money, for yf I shold take money I shoulde sell my bodye the whych I wyll not do. For y^t I do is free­ly f [...]r the l [...]ue of my lady Luke. And she shall do me good whan it shal please her best. Than her moder sayd to her, syth ye wyll nedes to as ye lyst, a [...]d yf he d [...] fo­ly take the aduenture that wyll fall ther­of. For moche better is worth a woman to be poore and true, than to be folysshe & riche. Ye shall not go for me nor by my wyll. For honour surmoūteth al thīges Madame y^t ye saye is of trouth, how be it I requyre you suffer and let me alone. Syr knyght let vs departe, we tary ve­ry longe. Myne owne fayre damoysell sayde the knyght I humbly thanke you and for certayne I ensure you ye shall be ryght hyely rewarded, & therto I wyll be pledge. Than the knyghte lefte the golde there for ony thynge y^t Iehannet coulde do the contrary. And so Iehannet mounted in to the chariot and rode forthe▪ and whan they were com [...] to the cour [...]e the lady Luke receyued her ryghte pryuely & kepte her tyll it was tyme to go to bedde and than pryuely they ladye Iehānet in the bedde in the stede of Perron, and the courtaynes of the bed wer hanged betwene the lyght and her. And than came Ar­thur and the duke his fader. And thā the duke sayde, sone Arthur ye shall gyue to Perron your wyfe this nyght y^t charter of her endowry, wherin is comprysed the londe of the cyte of saintes and of Poys attenynge to the boundes of gasgoyne. And also ye shall giue her this rynge w^t this ryche & precyous emeraude, this endowry mounteth well to the some of .x. thousande poūde by annuall rente, than it was tyme for Arthur to go to bedde & whan he was goyng therto the lady Lu­ke sayde to hym good dere loue Arthu [...] I requyre you that ye speke this nyght as l [...]tle as ye maye doo to Perron my dou­ghter, for she is somwhat shamfast. Ve [...]ryly madame quod Arthur with a righte good wyll, and so wente he to bedde.

ANd whā that Arthur was thus a bedde he beganne to draw nere to his wyfe as to his knowlege. Than Iehannet counterfayted her speche and sayd softely. Syr it is so or ye touche me I wyll knowe what shall be min endowrye, I requyre you syr assygne it to me. And than shall I be readye to fulfyll all your commaundemente. Than Arthur toke the charter and the rynge and dely­uered them to Iehannet. And sayde my loue Perron ye shall haue a fayre endowry, for it draweth nere to the some of .x. thousande pounde. And so dydde put the rynge vpon one of her fyngers [...] My ry­ghte dere Lorde sayde Iehannet I hum­bly thanke you. And so toke the charter and the rynge and layde theym vp priue­ly vnder the beddes syde. So thus was Iehānet moost parte of the nyghte wyth Arthur in grete Ioye and myrthe vntyll the tyme that Arthur fell a slepe, for he had not slepte of al y^• nyghte before. And whyle that he thus [...]s [...]pte Iehannet pry­uely rose and tooke wyth her the charter of Perrons endowrye and came to the lady Luke. And ncontinent she w [...]as cō ueyd agayne pryuely to theistange to her moder. And than was Perron put soft­ly in to the bedde to Arthur, who woke not tyll it was fayre daye. And whan he was waken he sawe where as Perron laye faste a slepe by hym, for she had not slepte of all the nyght tyll than.

ANd whan Arthur sawe her so slepe, he lette her lye and rose fayre and softely. And at that tyme there were none in all the palays oute of theyr bed­des for it was than about thre of y^e cloc­ke saue all onelye Hector and Gouernar And whan Arthur sawe them goodlye he gaue them good morowe. And sayd syrs I praye you l [...]t vs lepe vpon our horses and go so Iehannet, wherwyth they said they were well content & soo rode forthe tyl they came to the stange at which ty­me Iehannet wa [...] lade on her bedde in her [...] and were fallen a slepe & was couered wyth a mantell of grene. And therwyth the wooke and whan she harde that Arthur was come she rose vp halfe slepynge and sette her vpon her bedde syde and therwyth Arthur came in to the chambre and incontynente that she saw hym she waxed greately ashamed & blus­shed rede and caste downe her loke to the erthe wherof Arthur had grete meruay­le and said what chere make you fayre lo­ue Iehannet ye were wonte to come clippe and kysse me, and to make me greate feest, and nowe it semeth ye be halfe sle­pynge, what is the cause ye be rysen soo early and thus to slepe clothed [...]n youre bedde, syr sayd [...] I [...]hānet it behoueth me me so to doo, for I was nere to my lorde and louer whan it was conuenyente for me to ryse. And how fayre lady was it y^t youre lorde and louer dydde not retayne you styll for I meruayle that he woulde suffre you to ryse frome hym so erly, cer­taynely [Page] syr wan I [...] he was a slepe. A swete loue, why dydde ye not than wake hym, certaynly syr. I thoughte not to doo hym soo moche trouble. Than it se­meth fayre Iehannet that ye loue hym, C [...]rtainly s [...]r that it is true more than al the worlde. A fayre loue Iehānet is that he that ye haue sayde shoulde marye you, Certaynly syr ye and this nyght [...] hath lyen wyth me, wel fayre lady I pray you what hath he gyuen you to your endowrye, syr as God helpe me he hathe endo­wed me ryght rychelye, [...]or he hathe gy­uen me well x. thousande pound [...] by annuall rente. Ten thousand pounde fayre loue sayd Ar [...]hur that is a greate gyfte. Than it semeth he is a [...]yght grete man and a ryche, and hath ryghte greate frendes. Patron my wyfe [...] no gre [...]ter in­dowrye. Syr I cannot saye what she hath, but I am put in possess [...] therof by a charter and by a fayre ryng [...], by my fayth quod Arthur th [...]a same possessyon haue I gyuen vnto Perron my wyfe. And I praye you dere herte shewe me your charter and rynge syr wyth a right good wyll. Than she toke a boxe y^t was at her beddes syde and dydde open it and deliuered it to Arthur. And whan he saw it he knew right well the seale of his fa­der and so loked on the rynge and knew it ryght well, wherof he had great mer­uayle. And than he called vnto hym Hec­tor and Goue [...]nar and demaunded of theym yf they knewe that seale or not, syr without fayle thys is the seale of my lorde your fader. A mercy god ꝙ Arthur swete loue Iehann [...]t where hadde you you this rynge and charter, syr ye dely­uered it to me out of your owne handes in to myn, of my delyueraunce quod Ar­thur. I praye you fayre lady where was that, ce [...]taynly syr in your bedde. In my bed fayre lo [...] and whan was that [...] [...] god helpe me for this same nyghte pas [...]. And how fayre lady maye I haue perfi­te knowlege therof. Myn owne dere lorde and loue maye it please you to remem­bre that whan ye were a bedde ye would haue had me to haue fulfylled youre plea­sure, but fyrst I desyred of you to knowe what sholde be my endowrye. And ye answered me [...]hat ye had g [...]uen me the cy­te of Sayntes and of Poys & all the coū ­tree attaynynge to the bountes of Bas­coyn and this rynge ye dydde put on my fynger and than delyuered me this charter. In the name of god quod arthur the­se tokens bereth wytnes that all that ye saye sholde be of trouthe, but I req [...]yre may swete loue tell me howe ye came into my bedde, syr knowe ye for trouthe that Perron your wife was no mayde for be [...]ore that tyme she hadde done a forsay [...]e. And so there she shewed vnto hym howe that dame Luke of ostryge doubted gre­tely to haue velony, and sayd syr the fore she sent syr Aunsel her trusty k [...]ight vn­to my moder and me. And fyue hondred pounde of golde, the whyche all ready is here as ye maye see. And ferthermore she shewed to hym all the demenoure of the knighte and of he [...] moder. And howe in conclusyon she went to the court, and so by the lady Luke was broughte into his bedde in the stede of his wife [...]erron. Add howe aboute midnigh [...]e whan that he was a sl [...]pe she priuely rose from him and than was P [...]rron put in to the bed­de. And whan that Arthur hadde hearde all this processe, he maruayled greatlye therof, howe be it he had greate Ioy therof in his herte. And swetely clepyd and kyssed Iehannet and sayde, fayre loue, ye sayde full true to me whan ye shewed me that you had bene all nyght with your l [...] uer, [Page x] for truly so haue ye don, for I en­ [...]u [...]e you I am you [...] [...]aythfull louer, and I am right grād of this aduenture, for now shal ye abyde still with me and she that hath wr [...]ught thys treason to me shall departe wi [...]h sorow and shame I [...] you kepe sur [...]ly this ting & charter. And whā I sende for you be no [...] dys­mayde but boldely come to me apparay­led in the best maner that ye can be and your moder also, syr with a right good wyll sayd Iehānet. How be it I require your noblenesse not to be miscontente with m [...] for this dede, nor to think that I dyd it for any wanton sensuall appe­tite, for syr I take god to recorde I dyd it or none entent but onely for the singuler loue y^t [...] have to you. And y^t by that meanes [...] knowledg [...] of the false demenour of your wyfe for I should rather haue suffred to haue be drawen with wylde horses than euer I wolde haue consented to haue done thys dede with any other creature liuing for other louer [...]hā ye be wyl I not haue neuer had. A my [...]ight dere her [...] sayd ar­thu [...] I pray to god I lyue neuer longer yf I should for thys matter thinke anye yll in you, for of verye right I ought to thanke you as much as al my pleasure in this worlde cometh to for now & ye had not ben my dayes I should haue be continewed with dolour [...] and Ielousy wherof I am now dyscharged by youre meanes. For I wil now vtterli forsake her company and so shall I lyue out of doubte and trouble & me shal ye haue as faythful and true as euer ye had & better if it might be, and so right swetelye he toke of her his leue and departed, & rode forth deuysing and talking with Hector and gouernor of this aduenture. And Hector sayd to him as god help me faire cosin Arthur this great treason y^t is don to you shal surely be quit, for by y^• g [...]a [...]e of god yet before Easter nex [...] comyng I shall ouer renne her countrey with ba­ners dysplayed & shal not leue s [...]ndyng neyther easter nor toure vp ryght but I shall bruise them downe to the erth. And by the fayth y^t I owe vnto god almygh­ty yf she were a man as she is a womā I wolde neyther drynke ne eate tyll I had stryken her head [...]ro her shoulde [...]s wel frend [...] ꝙ arthur this besiness [...]m [...] wysely be demeaned. And so these gentil knightes rode forth [...] deuysynge on thys mater tyll they came to Nauntes. And than they went to the palays at whych tyme all [...]ordes & knightes were redye apparayled, and there was so gr [...]t ioy and feast that it was maruayle to think theron▪ And whan the duke saw arthur his son he began to smyle & demaunded of hym whether that his wyfe were ded nay syr quod the erle of Anlou I thinke she slepeth fast in her bed, well well syrs quod arthur fayre and easylye, there is other thinges that ye knowe full lyt [...]e therof, and sayd to his father [...] sy [...] and i [...] please you it is of trouth ye haue maried me and giuen me the charter of the dowrie of Perron my wyfe and also a [...]ynge w^t a flaming emeraude, syr I know not whether there be in thys cha [...]ter anye thynge the whiche that ought to be a­mended. Therfore I wolde not though otherwyse come of me thā wel that Perron should lose her endourie for lucke of formall makinge. Therfore I requyre you let the charter be broughte forthe and redde openly in the presence of mine vncles & of the arche [...]ysshop. And yf it ought to be amended I beseche you let it be reformed by thē, it is wel sayd sone quod the duke and where is it. Syr Perron [Page] hath it for I delyuered it to her thys nyght past. Let it be sente for fayre ne­uew sayd the erle of Bloys. So than y^• lady Luke and Perron were broughte forth to the duke, who sayd Perrō fayre doughter arthur your husbande thin­keth wel on your profit, therefore bring for [...]he your charter of your dowry that arthur gaue you this night, & it ought to be refourmed it [...]hal be amended, syr sayd Perron it suffyseth me ryght well as it is, for I am therwith ryght well content, well doughter sayde the duke, yet for that it pleaseth me that it shal be seene & rede. Syr quod she in good truth I haue it not, whye where is it than ꝙ the duke, syr surely I haue sente it by a trusty me [...]enger into my owne coūtrey well fayre doughter quod the duke ha [...]dly haue ye no doubte nor fere therof, for here is none that wolde begyle you, and therfore hardly and boldly bring it forth before me. And therwith Gouernar stepped forth for his herte was so great and mightie for velonye that was doone to Arthur his maister that he coude not absteyne ne forbere hymself no lenger, but in open audience he sayde to the Duke, syr it is of trouthe ye haue maryed my lorde arthur your son to such a woman that the whiche ought not to be receiued in matrimony with so greate a gentyl­man and of so hie a lygnage as my lorde your son is, for she is a woman di [...]ho­noured in euery noble mans cour [...]e as she that hath abādoned her wyl v [...]to an other man than to my lorde Arthur, as it well appereth. For she hath defouled her bodi with a nother knight. And therfore this night she caused an other da­moysell who was a true mayde to lye by my lorde arthur. And to proue that this is true that I say beholde here this knight syr Aunsell who conueyed thys damoysel, and left with her modes fyue hondred pounde in golde the which dame luke of ostryge dyd sende vnto her and whan she had brought this damoysel she was layde a bed with my lorde Arthur. Howbeit she was not so folish but or she wold suffre my lord to touche her she demaunded of him her dowrye. And so my lorde arthur delyuered to her the charter and the ringe as he thought none yll. And in dede syr to certefye this thinge sende for the damoysell. And than shal ye know by her owne mouthe all the trouth how my lorde was betrayed So than incontinēt this damoisel was sent for and her moder also. And whan that Iehannet was come there openlye she declared all the matter and shewed forth the charter and the ringe. Than was the duke and duchesse g [...]eatly dys­mayed and all other lordes and frendes of arthur. Than stept forth [...]yr aunsell and cast his gloue agaynst this damoysel Iehannet, and sayde y^t he neuer ▪ to fetche that mayde, he brought neuer the foresayde money to her and that [...]e proue agaynst any that wolde say the cō ­trary. Therwith the gentil Hector can [...] forth and cast his gloue agaynst the knight in the damoysels quarel. And sayde how that he wolde proue y^t he falselye lyed and delyed lyke a false traytour. And as to you dame Luke of ostryge I ensure you ye haue not in al your coūtre castel nor coude neuer so stronge but I shall breke them downe [...]o the ea [...]che, & fro henceforth repute me for your ene­mie surely for so am I and wyll be. And syr duke I beseche you receyue my gloue agaynst thys knyght, who hath falsely and traytoursly deceyued my cosyn ar­thur, syr ꝙ Gouernar ye shall not do so [Page xi] for it is agaynst reason that so hie a per­son as ye be sholde do batayle with such a false traytour sythe there be other to take the quarell in hande, this matter toucheth my lorde and I am his man & haue norysh [...]d him vp in his youth, therfore I ought to defende his right. And therwith he cast downe his gloue & said gentil and honourable knight Duke re­ceyue my guage and do right to my lord your son, for I say that this damoysell Iehannet sayth truth in euery thinge & this knight falsly lieth. And that I wyl proue my body agaynst his, and so ther­with the knight receyued Gouerna [...]s gu [...]ge. And also the knightes and the batayle was iudg [...]d to be done the next day ensuyng without lenger delay.

WHan the batayle was thus de­termined to be the next day, Hec­tor was not content in his mynde by­cause hys gu [...]ge was not receyued so in this maner as for that day they went [...] to there restes. And the next morninge by tymes arthur and Gouernar and all other lordes his frendes went to y^e chir [...]he to here masse. And there gouernar dyd fyrst off [...]e, and after him all other. And whan the masse was ended Arthur ledd [...] forth Goue [...]nar to his chambre to be armed. And whan he was surely ar­med he lept on a mighty courser. And arthur and Hector were armed & moun­ted on theyr horses to kepe the feelde to the entent that there should be no treasō and the erle of [...]loys went to the place whereas they should fight. Than by y^• tyme was armed syr aunsell & came in the plase, so thā there was brought forth sayntes and bokes wheron Gouernar did swere y [...]e falsely & vntruly Iehannet the damoysel of the stange was brought by syr aunsel vnto the court & by his aduise she was put into the bed to arthur in the stede of Perron his wife. And whā he had thus sworne he kyssed the sayn­tes and rose like an hardy knight▪ and than syr aūsel d [...]d swere with great fere and trouble. How that gouernar sayde by hym vntrulye. And so he r [...]se with great trouble and payne, and all the people y^t saw him sayd that he had an euyll coūtenaunce & be semyng shold be in the wronge. And whā they were both moū ted on theyr horses. Than was it cried by an haraude of armes y^t eche of them should do theyr best. Than sayde arthur to Gouernar, now myn owne good frēde quite you lyke a valiaunt knight. And so these two drewe aparte fro other and dressed their speres to the restes & da [...]e [...] [Page] theyr sportes to the horses sydes & met togider so rudely y^t they frusshed theyr speres to theyr fi [...]tes like hardye knigh­tes and ful of great valure, howbeit syr aunselles valure was not to be compa­red w^t Gouernar, fo: Gouernar had ben a man greatly to be redoubted. And af­ter the breking of theyr speres they past by. And in the retorninge they set theyr hādes to theyr swerdes. And Gouernar stroke syr Aunsell so rudely that he dyd ryu [...] his shelde to the bocle, and brake a great parte of his harneys, so that the swerde entred depe into the flesshe, and syr aunsel stroke agayne Gouernar on the helme and brake with the stroke many [...]arces therof, and the stroke glented downe on the lifte syde and [...]ate a way a great parte of his harneys to [...]he ba [...]e sadell, but god kept him that it entred not into the fleshe. Than Gouernar flo­rysshed agayne his swearde & st [...]oke syr aunsell on the heyght on his helme and cut it to the ha [...]de sercle of stele▪ and the stroke glenced downe by the shelde so rudely that he claue it [...]o the middes. And w^t the same stroke the swerde did lighte on the necke of the horse wher wyth the horse was so sore wounded that be fell downe to the e [...]the. and whan syr aun­sell felte his h [...]rse fallen vnder hym, he lep [...] on his feet with his s [...]erde in hys hande. wherfore he was of some gr [...]at­ly praysed. And some o [...]her dyd greatlye prayse the stroke of Gouernar. And whā Gouernar saw him on the erthe he thou got y^t he wolde not renne on his enemy with his horse, he being on fote. Ther­fore incontinent he dyd a [...]yght downe o [...] fote and putte his shelde before hym [...] wen [...]e sekynge his enemy. And gaue hym [...] hast [...] that he strake a wa [...]e parre of his cheke & the stroke dyscended to his sholder & woūded him to the harde bones wherw^t syr aunsel was constrayned to knele & right ne [...]e to haue fallen Than al the lordes sayd y^t theyr was no coude longe endure the strokes of gouernar. There with arthur laughed with a good herte so that gouernar harde hym wherby his he [...]te douwbled in courage and whan syr Aunsel felt hymself thus hardly bestad, he sware in his mynde y^• he wolde be au [...]nged of that stroke, and therwith lyfte vp hys swerd to haue st [...] ken Gouernar, but whan he sawe the stroke coming he put his shelde before hym [...] aduysed wel how that syr aunsell had his arme vp a loft and w^t an nawke stroke he stroke at syr aunsell vnder the armour so [...]udely y^t the arme & swerde & all [...]ew into the felde. wherof syr aunsel had so much payne that he fel to the erth in a traunce. And than gouerna [...] lept to hym to haue stryken of hys head, but h [...] cryed for gods sake mercy. Than came the duke and Arthur, Hector, and other lordes and knightes and there in the pr [...] sence of them al he recounted al the tre [...] son, and how that he went for Iehannet and brought her to his lady Luke. And how that he was of counsayle that she should be put a bedde with arthur in the stede of Petron. Than he had Iugemēt for his trespace suche as he had deserued so than Gouernar was led home by ar­thur & H [...]ctor and caused to be vnarmed whome they founde wythout any hurte wherof they thanked god. And than Ie­hannet had as great Ioye as anye crea­ture coulde haue, and she clypped and kyssed Gouernar oftentymes wi [...]h good he [...]te. Than all the other erles and ba­rons came to gouernar and demaūded hī how he did. He answe [...]d & sayd right wel thanked be god and felte none hurte [Page iiii] the same propre houre the lady luke de­parted sodaynly out of the courte & her doughter Pe [...]on with her great shame and foule rebuke. And whan they were in the felde on theyr way than this lady Luke sayde vnto her doughter. Thys great shame that we haue hast thou caused, for now we shal neuer haue honour nor be reputed honorable. And therwith hertely she wept, wherof Perron tooke so great inwarde thought that she dyed within .xx. dayes after. And so thereby arthur was agayne at his liberte. And Iehānet fro then forth remayned styl in the courte with the duchesse and was ryght well beloued with euery creature And the duke and duchesse w [...]re well acorded that she sholde kepe styll the en­doury that arthur had gyuen her. And so she kepte it tyl suche season as arthur caused her to be crowned a quene. And gaue her Gouernar in mariage as it is more playnely conteyned in this present boke.

AFter the ende of .v. dayes tidin­ges came vnto the duke and to Arthur that the fayre Perron was decessed and passed out of this worlde, of the whiche tidinges arthur hadde ry­ght greate Ioye. And specyally Iehan­net, how be it the kynge for his honour and worshyppe caused her obseruyce to be done ryght solempnely in the chirche And than after thys the courte depar­ted and euery man repayred to in theyr owne countreys. Sauynge all onelye [Page] Hector who remayned styl with Arthur And so in g [...]eat Ioye and myrth they cō tinewed with the duke. And arthur whā it p [...]ased him to take his pastaūce with the fayre Iehannet. So it fortuned on a nyg [...]t that Arthur, Hector and gouer­nar were all thre lodged in one chambre. And on a night a [...]thur was sore trou­bl [...]d in his slepe & torned and sighed manye times. So y^t Hector and gouernar ha [...]de him, and sayd eche to other, a [...]thur is not well at his case▪ let vs go wake him. And thā Gouernar [...]oke hī & axed him what he e ylled. [...] frende Gouernar sayd Arthur. I haue be sore troubled in m [...] slepe for I dremed that I was fer [...]e out of this coun [...]rey. A syr sayde Hector we ought to go into straunge coun [...]reys for befor [...] this tyme ye haue prom [...]sed so to do. Th [...]rfore set your minde no lēger to tary at home, but shortely lette vs de­parte. As god helpe me to syn sayde ar­thur the day is come, that for to haue [...]he citie of paris I wyl tary no lenger▪ [...]or to mo [...]ow wil I are licence of [...]y fader and of my moder. And will haue w^t me no more cōpany but you and gouernar and I [...]k [...]t my squyre. Syr sayd Gouer­nar ye say well, for a yonge man w^toute payn is litle worth, how be it syr I doute me gr [...]atly y^• ye [...]hal get no leue. Uerely sa [...] ar [...]hur I shal [...]ay to morow next And so they say [...]ill all that night tyll it was daye. Than rose arthur and hys c [...]pany. And wh [...]n the duke was by ar [...]hur [...] before him with his bonet [...] his [...]ande and kneele [...] downe to [...]he e [...]the and humbly requyred both hys fa­de [...] and moder y^t i [...] wolde please them to g [...]ue by [...]icence to go pl [...]y hym a seasō out of th [...] count [...]ey wherewith in there mynd [...] [...]hey werefore dyspleased. And en [...]ysed him as muche as they myght to leue his ente [...]pryse, but in no wyse they coude [...]orne his minde. and at the laste wyth sore weping they gaue him licēce and enquyred of him with whome he wolde be acōpanied. Righ [...] dere father I wyl haue none other company, but alonely my cosin Hector and Gouernar and Iaket my squyre. wel dere son syth ye wyl not abyde take w^t you gold and syluer at your pleasu [...]e. Than Gouer­nar came to arthur and demaunded of hym what spa [...] it wolde be or he wold retorne into his owne countrey. Uerely quod Arthur [...]he space of fiu [...] yeres. So then anone these tidinges were sprad a brode in the courte and all abou [...]e the count [...]ey how that a [...]hur wolde depart ou [...] of that countrey, and [...]a [...]y out fyue yeres, and at the last Iehannet herd [...] ther of, whe [...]with al her bloud tr [...]mbled and quake and ranne out of her chambr [...] to [...]he palays where as [...]he duke and du­chesse were together [...]ight sore weping. And than she p [...]rceyued wel how that it was of trouth, wherw [...]th [...] her lif had past, and therw^t she fel downe in a dead­lie tr [...]unce in the armes of her mother. And whan she reuyued she cryed & sayd a arthur my swere loue wi [...]h thys Ior­ney [...]all this poore orphely [...]e lose her good lord and chief father. A arthur my dere he [...]te wyll ye thus loue me. And whā the duke saw her make this great lamentac [...]on than opened his herte and rendred many a saite [...]ere wi [...]h hi [...] ey [...]n. And in thi [...] season Goue [...]nar ap [...]rayled all suche necessary thinges as was me­tely for theyr departyng. Than Arthur tooke leue of his father and moder who were [...]ight sorowful of his d [...]party [...]ge. And than he went [...]o Ieh [...]nnet to take his leue of her, and as soone as she sawe him sh [...] ranne and toke him in her [Page xiii] armes and sayd ryght pyteously a right swere syr the ende of my herte and loue, how can you fynde in youre herte to leue this poore orphelme. And whan arthur harde her speke so swetely it touched nere to his herte than of all the sorow both of fader and moder and of all his kynne. But fynally he commaunded her to god, and sayd fayre swete loue I requyre you to praye to god for me. For I promysse you yf I lyue I wyll do you more good and honour than as yet euer ye had, & so kyste her swetely and departed & moun­ted on his horse, & he was in a garmen­te couered al with grene, gyrte about w^t a rede lase, and bothe he and Hector and Gouernar were al in a sute in scarlet hosen. And eche of them a chaplet on theyr hedes lyke yonge lusty louers. And they roode so longe tyll they were oute of the towne. Than Arthur entred in to a gre­te thought & rode musynge a greate spa­ce. And whan Hector sawe him in y^• case he called Gouernar to hym & sayd fren­de se ye not howe arthur rideth musyng. I holde it beste we breke hym out of his thoughte, therwith Hector called Arthur and demaunded of hym what him ayled to ryde so sadly. And whan arthur harde hym he tourned his heade to hym warde and sayde, fayre cosyn I praye you come ryde here by my syde and Gouernar on the other syde. And whan arthur was betwene them he sayde, frendes I haue mused all this season of my dreame that I had this laste night whan ye woke me I [...]olde you parte but not all and surely it is the chefe cause wherefore I haue ta­ke on me this iorneye. Herken to me and I shal shewe you all my hole dreme for no thynge can I hyde fro you, this laste nyght whan I was in my fyrste slepe me thought I was in the moost fayrest pla­ce in all the worlde, where I sawe a fres­she fountayne and me thought the beau [...] te therof caused me to syt downe on the brym therof, and with the fayr clere water therof washed my face and handes, and fynally I cast vp myne eyes alofte, and on my ryght hand me thought I sawe the richeste pauilion pyghte that euer was sene, and in the hyght of this pauylyon was an egle of golde the richest and the fayreste that coude be deuysed & pro­perly me thoughte I sawe this egle come downe & lyght on my bosome & shewed me so greate sygne of loue that it pleased me so muche that I coudle not be satys­fyed w^t beholdynge therof, & me thought it flykered aboute me wyth her wynges in the sygne of grete loue, and at the last me thought I sawe where came to me warde a grete griffon foule and horrible and he broughte wyth hym a great mul­tytude of serpentes: wherw^t all the earth aboute me was couered, and me thought they wolde haue taken fro me myn egle who was ryght ferde and couered her e­uer by me and loked on me swetely. In maner as thoughe she wolde haue sayde arthur kepe me. And than me thoughte I toke my swerde in my hande and so fought with this gryffon & al these ser­pentes, by whome me thought I suffered moche payne in great peryll, but at the laste me thoughte there came a turtyll to helpe me & brought with her many dou­ues. And out of an other parte I sawe where came a sparhawke accōpanied w^t many faucons. And all these dyde me su­che socoure that we slewe y^t gryffon and all the other serpentes. And sodaynely than me thoughte that the egle and y^• turtyll and I were in a hye toure, and bothe you Hector, & Gouernar with me. And to vs me thoughte came people w^tout nom­bre [Page] and me thoughte there was a lyon & foure grete leopardes. And all they didde enclyne theym selfe to me warde & didde me grete honour. And they were al crow­ned w^t golde & me thought they gaue the egle frely to me, And she pleased me soo well that I woulde neuer haue departed by my wyll fro her company. And euer syth I woke my herte and loue hath ben so set on y^e egle that I can not draw my herte fro her. For I loue her so entyerly y^• aalonge as I lyue I shall neuer cease to trauell & laboure tyll I haue found her And this is the verye cause wherfore I am departed out of myn owne countree. Uer [...]ly syr sayd Gouernar this be [...]oke­neth y^e greate honour shall come to you, for syr ye knowe wel the lyon, who as ye thoughte dyd gyue you the egle is a beest tyail. For the lyon is kyng of all beestes. And the egle is kynge of all foules. Soo the sygnyfycacyon therof is that a kynge shall gyue you a quene, how be it grete payne shall ye fyrst suffer. And the griffō y^t woulde haue taken fro you youre egle, betokeneth some grete man y^• wolde ha­ue her that shall be gyuen to you. Therfore it shall behoue you to conquere her with the swerde, and syr I Gouernar your seruaūt am here y^t neuer shall fayle you whyle I lyue, no more shall I fay­re cosyn sayd Hector by the fayth that I awe vnto my lor [...]e my father. Frendes sayd Arthur I hartely thanke you. And so they rode forth on theyr waye. And because ye shall vnderstande the sygnyfy­cacyon of the egle and the lyon. Therfor we shall leaue for a season spekyng of arthur and his company rydyng on theyr Iorney, & ye shall heare of this egle tyll tyme shall be that we retourne agayn to Arthur.

[Page xiiii] IN the seasō that arthur thus rode as ye haue herde here be­fore there was in the realme of Soroloys a kyng, the whi­che realme is in Ind the more. Ioyning to the greate see called Betee. And also to the rede see betwene Mesopotanye & perse. This kynge had to name Emen­dus, ryght puyssaunt of hauydur & fren­des. And he had vnder him four kynges myghty and puyssaunt, who were vnder his obeysaūce, & helde all theyr realmes of hym. Wherof the fyrste was kynge of orquany, the which is on the syde of ba­bilon, the which realme extendeth to the rede see, & this lande was full of gyaun­tes. The second was kyng of the realme of Mormall the whiche is in the lond of Sodome and gomorre, & it extendeth to the lorde Ioynynge to the dead see. And this kyng myght well brynge in batayl better thā a hōdred .M. fyghtynge men. The thyrde hathe the gouernance of the realme of Valefounde, a very obscure & darke londe & the people therof as blac­ke as sote, and it extēdeth into the oryent where as the son ryseth, the whiche peo­ple were greatly doubted in battayle or warre, for they were without pyte. And dydde eate raw fleshe lyke dogges. The fourthe kynge was of the realme of Is­maelyte the which extendeth into eghypt and vnto the land of Femene. These .iiii. kinges were subiectes to the mighty kīg of Doroloys Emendus. who hadde to w [...]se a noble lady named Fenyce by the reason of the countre y^t she was borne in For it was named fenyx bycause in that coun [...]ree bredde a byrde y^t was called fe­nyx. And in all the worlde there is neuer but one, & as it is sayde whan she is olde and auncyent there she maketh her neste of drye thornes on the heyghte of an hye mountayne as nere the sonne as she can so y^• by the hete of the sonne the nest quickeneth & flameth on fyre, & the she in brē ­neth herselfe, & of her asshes there is a­nother fenyx [...]ngendred. This sayde lady Fenyce wyfe to kynge Emendus was quene by enherytaunce of the clere toure the whiche was a noble ryche cyte. And by greate force she had subdued [...]he cytye of cōmeyne & of cōstantinople of cornite of Macedonye, of Phesale, of Bo [...]me & of all the coūtre ef denmarche. She was a ryght hye & a mighty pryncesse, & right good & vertuous, so y^t it was harde than to haue founde ony ladye comperable to her. And so it fortyned in the freshe mery moneth of maye, as at the feast of pente­cost y^e kyng Emendus helde open courte at the cyte of cornyte, at the whiche feaste were these foure foresayd kynges and al the seuen perres of his realme and thys feast was great, & the courte ful of peple And the fyrst day of this feaste the kyng Emendus was in his palays lenyng on a rodde of golde y^t he helde in his hand & aboute hym stode these four kynges and his .vii. perres accompanyed also wyth the hye & myghty duke of Alatre & .xxiiii erles. And his noble quene Fenyce satte by hym greate with chylde, & nere to her tyme of delyueraunce. And the kynge of orguany behelde her well, who was her ne [...]e cosyn & sayde. Madam [...] me thynke it sholde be metelye for youre grace fro hensforth to drawe to the place where as the kynge wyll y^• ye shall take your chā ­bre, for I thynke youre tyme approcheth on fast. In dede fayre cosyn said the quene ye saye ryght truely, how be it I kno­we not as yet where as my lorde wyll I shall lye. And therto the kīg answered & sayd. In dede as yet I am not determy­ned in what place she shall lye in. Than [Page] sayd the kynge of Mormall, who was a sage prynce, syr I wyll coūsayle you let the quene lye at the porte Noyr, & whan she is delyuered let the chylde be borne to the hyll of aduentures. And syr yf ye do thus I thinke ye shall do wysely. By my fayth quod the kyng of Ualefounde I wo [...]e not what to say in this mater whether it were better to bere the chylde thyther or not, for this is youre fyrst chylde. And it is harde to tell what destynye [...]he chylde [...]hall be of, yf it shall be good than were it well [...]one y^t it were borne thyder But peraduenture y^e aduentures of this chylde maye be suche that it were better they were hydde & kepte secrete than to be openly knowen. For in aduenture lyeth often tymes as well yll as good. Well quod the kynge Emendus. Mada­me I wyll that ye go to the porte Noyre And whan that ye be delyuered I wyll that the chyld be borne vp to the mount perylons, there to knowe what destyny that the chylde shall be of.

IN this moūte perylous there was a castell named the porte Noyre, This castell was ryght stronge & of gre­te suyrte. And it was made & ordeyned by proserpyne, who was on of y^e quenes of the fayry & the cytuacyon of this castel was suche that .x. legges of length there ranne a gre [...]e ryuer about the cyrcuyse of this castell, the whiche was soo [...]epe fro the erth, and bākes so hye that sca [...]te the water myghte be sene rennynge vn­derneth, & it ranne soo rudely that who [Page xv] so euer entred in to it was vtterly perys­shed, it was bl [...]cker than smythy w [...]ter & it smelled a [...]homynably. Al [...]o it was full of cu [...]tyng and [...]harpe rockes swar­mynge f [...]ll of ve [...]myn, [...]his ryuer enuy­ronned this c [...]stell ouer an sydes, & Ioy­nynge to this ryuer there was all abou­te this castell mountaynes so hye that no creature coude mount vpon theym, ney­ther on horse nor on fote, and they were so bare and harde that the byrdes wyth gret payne coud [...] scant reyse or get onye gresse or su [...]tenance theron. And among [...]hese mountaynes there was a passage of the largenesse of a charyot way, wher­by one myghte go and enter into the ca­stell. And in certayne places there were barbycanes that defended the entre fro al people. And vnder these mountaynes there was a grete marys depe and foule Soo that none myght entre into it, but incontynent he was loste and peryshed. And there were pyttes of water in nu­merable y^t it seme [...] in a maner to be an a [...]me of the see, ho we be it there was no­ther barke ne shyp that mygh [...] abyde it, And this m [...]res was so depe y^• i [...] might well be thought [...]hat it attayned downe to the absy [...]e and swalowe of the earth the w [...]iche mares endured well the lar­g [...]nesse of .ii. legges, wherin th [...]re was a passage of the bred of a spere length made by [...]gramancye, wheron there were .x [...]x. draw [...] brydges. And so this mares e [...]uy [...]onned the castell ouer all part [...]es, [...] the mountayn [...]s cyrcu [...]d the ma [...]es. A [...]d the ryuers, the mount [...]ynes, so that it was imposs [...]ble to be assauted, besye­ged or wōne The castel also was closed w^t d [...]uble walles made of chalke stone & sande, & grete barres and crampones of yre [...] [...]nd stele fyxed in lede. The walles were .xv. fote thycke. & .xxxv. of heyghte enuyronned wyth there hondred toures cramponed and knyt togyder wyth gret chaynes of yren, & the barbycanes wer [...] bended & bordred wyth stele. To say the trouth this castel of y^• porte. Noyr doub­ted not all the worlde. And in this castell were halles of v [...]hement adu [...]tures where as no creature myght entre wythout dethe, and manye knyghtes had be there peryshed suche as toke on them to fo [...]o the enchauntementes of [...]hat place. But at the conclusyon all suche there dyed & fynyshed there mortall lyues. For none coude n [...]uer bryng the aduentur [...]s to an ende saue alonely Arthur of britayne as ye shall after here. And before the gates of this castell a lytle hyer on the hyl there were palays, halles and chambres wyth grete & hye stronge batylmentes, where as foure kynges myght well h [...]ue bene harboured, and to these palays m [...]n my­ght go surely w^tout ony peryll, for thyder came all such as passed through the coū ­tre. And out of this palays men myghte go to the mount of aduentures, whereas foure quenes of the fayry walked [...]uery nyght and did muche hurte to them that came thyder agenst theyr wylles. And to this hyll acustomable these ladyes came nyghtly. The chyefe of them was ca [...]led pros [...]rpyne a freshe yonge lady & a fayre w^tout cōparyson. For yf all the beauties of al women in the world [...] had ben as [...]ē ­bled togyder in to one personne, yet she shoulde not haue had the fourth parte of the beaute that proserpyne was of, who was quene and ladye of the other thre, & was chyef lady of this castell of the por­te Noyr, & of the mount peryllous wher as she had pyght a ryche pauylyon with a splayed egle of golde in the toppe there of, the whiche was the same egle that Ar­thur sawe in his dreme, and in a nother [Page] tent by was the whyte shelde of the fa [...] rye, and the goo [...] swer [...] named Clerence the whych [...]hel [...]e was of suche force an [...] m [...]ghte that it coulde not be hurte nor enpayred, neyther for Iren nor st [...]le nor for non [...] other thyng. The which shelde was ordained too [...]ea [...]pe no creature, but all on [...]lye hym that it was d [...]steny­ed vnto, nor the swe [...]de shold not be pulled out of the [...]h [...]the nor healpe no man but alonely by hym that it was predesty [...]ate vnto.

SO thus as ye haue hearde before the mighty kyng Emendus was agreed that Fenyce hys quene should lye a chyl [...]bedde at the port Noyre, and that her chy [...]de shold be borne vp to the moūt of a [...]uentures. And he ordayned that the kynge of Orq [...]anye her cosyn germaine shoulde go wyth her, and the archebys­sh [...]pp of Cornyte, who was brother to the kynge Emendus. And also the quene of I ma [...]lyte, and manye other ladyes & damoyselles, [...]ords sand knyghtes sholde acompa [...]ye thys q [...]ene F [...]nyce. And soo there they made to the kinges and the .xii perres of the realme faythfu [...]l assuraūce that they wou [...]de make true reporte of e­uery thynge that they shoulde here or see in the mo [...]nte of a [...]uentures. And also y^e kynge Emendus and the twelue per [...]sswa [...]e and made fa [...]thful assuraunce that what so euer sholde be d [...]st [...]nied of that chylde that they shoulde not wythstond i [...] on [...] p [...]ynte the childes desteney b [...] to kepe and to mayntayne the chylde lyke y^e sonne of a kynge. And of thys promyse there was made a [...]hater sealed by kyng Emendus and by his twelue perres of hys realme, and was deliuered into the k [...]pynge of the arch [...]byshoppe of Cor­nyte. And so [...] by that time it was season to her masse. And whan the masse was fynyshed the [...]ables were layde, and ther they were serued ryght rychely as it aper­tayned too the honoure of suche a noble kynge. And thys feeste and tryumphe en­dured the space of .xv. dayes. Than the kynge Emendus dyd gyue greate plente of golde and syluer, horse and harneys to lordes and knyghtes, and euery persone aft [...]r theyr degree, and so euerye man re­payred into there own countres, and the q [...]ene Fenyce prepayred al her be synesse for to remoue to the mounte perillous. And so [...]he toke her leue of the king and toke wyth her all suche compan [...]e as ye haue hearde d [...]u [...]sed heare before, and la­boured so longe in her iorney that at the laste shee a [...]yued at the porte Noyre, and went to the palays before the gate of the castle, and there she remayned tyll by pro [...]ces of tyme that [...]he was brought a child bedde with a fayre doughter. Than the archeb [...]shoppe toke the chylde vp in hys armes and wente there wyth to the moūt peryll [...]us. And w [...]he him was the k [...]nge of Orqua [...]e and the quene of Ismaelit And whan they were aboue on the hyll they founde there a fayre and a goodlye grounde and sawe where there was a ma [...]uayllous fayre founta [...]ne rounde a boute the whyche there were sette foure ryche chayres, and on euerye fountayne there was pyghte a pere on of stone wher in there was ordayned a p [...]ace for a child te lye in. In the whyche place they layd fayre and eas [...]ly thys noble chylde. And [Page xvi] than they with drewe theym selfe into a pryue place there by her, & se what shold fortune after. Than anone it began to ware de [...]e. And within a lytle space they sawe where there came foure the fayrest ladyes of the worlde two and two together wyth greate torches and lyghtes before them, and where al crowned with gold like noble quenes the first was so excellent fayre that the beauti [...]s of the other thre were nothing to be compared to her, who was quene and lady ouer the other three, and the castel of the porte Noyr was perteyning to her. And also the fayre pauylyon with the Egle of golde wherin was an ymage holding in her handes a chaplet made of paun­cees, the whiche ymage in all poyntes resembled to this faire quene proserpine wherin was also the white [...]elde and swerde enchaunted, the whiche pauy­lyon was not fe [...]e pyght fro the foun­tayne where as this childe was layd in the pereon. An [...] so than these foure que­nes wrapped in mauntelles of silke set them downe in the sayde foure chayres, and the chylde was in the middes be­twene them all foure.

THan this quene Proserpyne be­gan first and sayde. I perceyue wel here is the doughter of our dere frē des the kinge Emendus whome he hath sente hither to vs with greate triumphe therfore it is good reason that wee doe hym some good and pleasure. Madam sayd the other thre quenes begyn you. And we shall folow, certaynly sayd she with a right good wyll. Fyrst I wyll y^t this chylde be named Florence, and that she shall be floure of beautie of all other c [...]eatures as longe as euer she shal liue and properly I wyl she shal resemble to me both in face, in body, in countenaūce in goinge, and commynge. And in all other thynges so lyke▪ that whosoeuer se vs bothe together shall not consyder nor dyscerne the one fro the other. And also to her I gyue thys my castell of the porte Noyr, and my pauylyon with [...]he Image holdynge the Chaplet. And also my why [...]e shelde and swerde. And therwith she helde her peace. And than the seconde quene sayde. Madame syth that ye haue made he [...] to be fayre w^t [Page] out cōparyson. I wyl also that she shal be gracious and amyable. wel quod the thyrde quene syth I see that she shall be excedinge fayre and gracious withoute comparison. And madame seen she shall haue your semblaunt and your shelde & swerde. I wyll that the best knight of the worlde shall haue her mariage. And I wyl that he shall bere the white sheld and the swerde, and that they shall helpe none other creature but alonely hym. And I wyl that he shall achyeue the ad­uentures of this castel, and shal put to death Malegra [...]e the Monstour, and to him I giue the sheelde and the swerde & the chaplet y^t the ymage holdeth in the pauyl [...]on. And also I wyll that he shall haue this mayde Florence in maryage. Than the fourth quene sayd, wel syster syth ye haue gyuen this mayde to the best knight of the worlde. I wil thā that yf any other be so bolde to take her, that incontinent he shal die or he haue power to touche her. And therwith all these quenes rose and wente there wayes. And than the quene of Ismaelite & the kyng of Orqueny and the archebysshop toke the ch [...]de and bare it to her mother and there openly recounted to her all y^t they had harde and seen of these quenes of the fayry. Than the archebysshop dyd chry­sten this chylde, and gaue her to name Florence. And than the quene of Ismaelite and the kinge of Orquenye helde her on the founte [...] the which childe was kept vp with foure norses. And she grew and amended dayly so that she was to­warde to be fayrest creature of y^e worlde And whan the quene was pu [...]ified she wente to the citie of Sabba where as the kynge Emendus was accompanied with his kinges, and the seuen peres of his realme. And this was at all halo­wentyde where as he kept a great open courte. And whan the quene was come the king met her with great triumphe. And she was led to the pa [...]ays w^t a king and an archebysshop. And there openly recounted al the destyny of the childe, & how that she should be giuen in mary­age to the best knight of al the worlde.

IN this tyme the kinge of Uale­foūde had a sone who was named Steuen, and he was sent to sabba to be norysshed vp in the company of Florēce And so these .ii. chyldren were brought vp togyther so longe til this childe Steuen coulde go to scole▪ than the king E­mēdus sent hym to the scole, of Athenes there for to learne. And by processe of tyme thys childe the [...]e le [...]ned so well & profoundly that he became a souerayne clerke, specially in astronomy and n [...]gr [...]omancy that in no parte there coulde [...]e founde none like him in conninge. Than the kynge Emendus dyd sende [...]or hym to be in his court. Than Florence desy­red of her father that he myght be her clerke, and of her counsayle and the k [...]g w^t a right good wyll dyd graunte her re­quest, and florence louer him right wel for he serued her right nobly and t [...]ulye and she had after right great nede of him as ye shal here more playnly whā time shalbe to speke therof.

[Page xvii]

THis quene Fenice loued greatly her doughter Florēce, who was the mooste fayrest creature that as than coude be foūde in al the worlde. For there was none that euer saw her, but incon­tinent they were rauysshed with her per­saunt b [...]au [...]. And the quene her moder kept her so derely that there were but fewe men that had any sight of her, for y^• kynge her owne father saw her not so oft as he wolde haue done. In this maner she was kept tyll she was .xviii. yere of age. Than it fortuned on a season that this king Emendus helde open courte at Pantopone. And to him were come al his other kinges and noble baronage at which time the quene his wyfe was ryght sore dyseased of the feuer and euerie day inpayred more and more, and so the seconde day of thys feast thys noble quene Fenyce than as she lay in her bed she saw where as her doughter Florēce stode sore wepynge before her beds side wher with she began to make a pitefull lamentacion and sayd. A dere doughter Florence I haue kept and cherished you vnto this day with greate honour and ioye. And now is the season come y^t I must n [...]des leue you. And I fer [...] me y^t after my death ye shal haue nede of me. And therewith she sente for the kynge Emendus her husbande, and for other foure kinges, and for al the seuen peres of the realmes. And whan they were a [...] come into her presence she sayde to the kinge Emendus her husbande. Right dere lord I am sure it is not out of your remembraunce the desteny of our doughter Florence, therfore syr now in my last daies I humbly requyre you that ye [...]il kepe and vp holde the promise and other as ye haue made in that behalfe hereto­fore to the whiche ye are bounde to by your seale and wrytinge. And suffre h [...]r neuer to be giuen to other lorde in mari­age but to him that she is predystinate vnto. In the name of god quod the king madame I faythfully assure you to vpholde al that I haue promised well than to you syrs quod the quene [...]o y^e oth [...]r kinges & .vii. peres. How say ye wyl ye all vpholde the same, & al they answered al y^t they wolde neuer agre to y^e cōtrary. Thā y^• quene toke a ringe of her iing [...]r [Page] and openly she sayd. Florence my fayre doughter I giue you my realme of blaū ­che toure. And put you in sesenyng and possession therof by this tinge. And so Florence toke the ringe & deliuered it to the archebysshop her vncle to kepe. Thā the quene sayd to the king of or orqueny And to the archebysshop. Fayre lordes I leue in your kepinge my de [...]e doughter Florence praying you to kepe her well & truly. For syr bysshop she is your owne [...]ese. And to you syr king of orqueny she is cosyn and goddoughter, therfore ye ought to take good hede to her. And to you my owne de [...]e lorde and husbande & to all other I humbly requyre pardō for any thinge that euer I haue trespaced a­gaynst any of you besechinge you all to pray for my soule, and to the sauegarde of the blessed trinite I you commit. And therwith she marked her with the signe of the crosse and commended to god her spirite. And therwith lost her speche & mortall lyfe. Than began in the courte so great sorow and lamentacion that it was pitie to behold and here for the kīg foundred all in teeres, and al other that was there present. Than Florence step p [...]d forth all in a rage and piteosly cried a [...]d sayd. Alas I sorowful and poore or pheline of moder syde. A her [...]e why dost thou abyde any lenger in my woful bo­die. A dere lady & moder howe is it that ye be thus gone & leue behynde you your sorowfull doughter Florence, therwith she wrange her lyly whyte handes and sayde. Alas I sorowfull & desolate creature. And therwith she wolde haue lepte and [...]yssed the dead corse of her moder, but her herte fayled her and so fel downe to the erthe in a deadly traunce. And e­uery body tooke so muche hede on there owne sorowes so that no body toke hede of the wofull Florence, til at the last the archebysshop & maister Steuen toke her vp in his armes, & so reuiued her & bare her out of the sight of the dead corse, and than to her there came the abbes of our ladies monestery in that citie, and al her couent for to comforte her. And so these sorowful tidinges anone tanne ouer al the citie, wherfore all the belles in euery chyrche began to sound. And euery creature made great sorow for the deathe of the quene. And the king caused her bodi to kept aboue the ground .ix. dayes for to abyde the barons and knightes of the realme of blaunche toure for then [...]ente that they should be at the entierment of theyr quene and lady.

ABoute the ende of .xx. days their came a knight to kinge Emen­dus fro themperour of Inde the more. who had hearde tidinges howe that the quene Fenice was departed this transi­torie life, and he desyred the kinge to prolonge foure dayes lenger the entermēt of the quene, for he sente worde that he wolde be with h [...]m by that season wher of kinge Emendus was very glad that so hie a person as the Emperour was wolde take on him for to be at the bery­enge of the quene his wyfe. And whan the day came of his comyng he was re­ceiued fulright and honourabl [...] and thā the seruyce was ministred to the deade bodie ful right hi [...] and solemp [...]ely and so she was layde in the cathidral chirch of all the citie. And thys Emperoure a­bode there styll a greate space after­warde wy [...]h the kynge to the entente to putte hym of his great sorow. And [Page xviii] all other kinges erles & barons depar­parted euery man into his owne coūtrey. And also the archebisshop retorned to cornite. And so toke his leue of the king his broder, and led with him Florence his nese. And also Florence toke leue of the king her fader and of the Emperour who was as than all bedewed with we [...]ping, and not araied as perteined to her estate, but after the maner of a sorowful morner. How be it in suche state as she was in, she was of great beaute wher­by this Emperour was striken with so great ioy that he lost al his coūtenaūce. And fro hensforth he loued & desyred so muche Florence that he thought on no­thing but alonely on her. And thus de­parted Florence w^t the archebishop her vncle, & trauailed so longe til at the last she ariued at Cornite on a friday about the houre of euensong time, & there was receyued honourably, and there remay­ned a great season. And mayster Steuen euer [...]rued her wel and truely, and she trusted more in him than anye other af­ter the death of the quene her moder.

THus the Emperour abode styll wyth the kinge Emendus, and departed together fro Pantopone and wente to masedone, but euer the empe­rour was in great trouble and thought for the loue that he had in Florence [...]oo that the kinge Emendus demaunded of hym what he eyled to be so sad, and the Emperour answered and said syr I shal tel you the trouth. For I can not sende to you a more certayne messenger than I am my selfe for ye must beleue myne saying rather thā any other meane mes­senger. Syr it is of trouthe how that ye be a great prynce and of right greate po­wer, and also syr it is wel knowen how that my strength is not smal, for I thīk as now we two at in maner the greatest men that reygneth in anye place of the worlde. Therfore it is a great welth to vs to continue together as faythful frē ­des. And truly fro hensforthe I wyll be your frende and your louer. Certaynlye syr it is so I am a man to marye, and I thynke I cannot set mi loue in no place so well and nobly as on Florence your doughter, therefore syr here with mine owne mouth I desyre you to haue her in mariage. A syr quod the king it may not be, for she maye haue none other mariage but suche as she is desteined vnto, for yf that anye other presume to take her he is but vtterlye loste and dead. And also I haue sworne and set to my seale to vpholde her destinie, and neuer to breake it. Syr sayde the Emperour beleue you them of suche fantasies as is the fayry, surely syr they haue no po­wer nor might, but I requyre you gyue me your doughter, and soo wee shalbe togither as frēdes: truly syr said y^e king I wil be glad therof: but I promy­sed to my quene to kepe faythfullye the [Page] promys that I had. In the name of god sayd the Emperour, syr your queene is dead & past, who shall neuer retorne a­gayne, she shal neuer demaunde nor sew you for the brekyng of anye couenaunte made to her, & theyr is none other y^t wil be so hardy to reproue your dede. For yf they do they shal lese theyr heades, wherfore syr I requyre you fulfyll my desyre And than ye shall binde me to be youre faythfull frende, wel syr quod the kinge yf my doughter be content therewyth it shall please me right wel, wherfore let vs [...]ide to morow towarde cornyte, and speke wyth her and know her minde in thys mater. So be it in the name of god quod the Emperour. And on the nexte day be tymes they lept on theyr horses & rode forth to Cornite, and rode so longe that on a wednesday they arriued at the citie of Cornite, & so went to the palais. Than the archebysshop came to se the kinge, and brought with hym Florence. And than they all together wente vp in the palays & entred into a fayre cham­bre. Than the Emperour and the kyng set them downe together, and betwene them the fayre florence. And at the laste the king Emendus sayd. Fayre dough­ter your moder is departed thys lyfe, & it is now tyme that fro hensforth that I prouyde for your noble estate, ye be a great lady and a puyssaunt. Therfore I wyl mary you to this noble Emperour here prensent. And whan Florence hard her father speke to her of mariage all her blode begā to quake and trimbil, for she hated the Emperour euer sith the begynning of her youth, how be it she answe­red ryght wysely and sayd dere lord and father ye know wel that it is not yet .iii. monethes sith the death of my lady my moder. And yf I should mary me so newlie I shold be greatly blamed. Therfore syr I requyre you let this yere passe, thā syr I wil take coūsayle & tell you what I wil do. And whā the Emperour hard her speke so reasonably he coude not en­dure to charge her any ferther as than. and acorded to abide the terme of her desyre. And behelde wel how that she chaū ged colours and sore trembled, & so dyd the kinges her father also. How be it he made no semblaunt. And so they were together a longe season, till at the laste she toke licence of them and departed in­to her owne chambre sore amased and so abode tyll the archebysshop and may­ster steuen were comen fro the courte. And as sone as they were entred into the chābre of Florēce, they saw well where as she was sitting sore sighing and we­pinge. Than the bisshop toke her by the hand & demaunded of her why she made that lamentacion. As helpe me god vn­cle sayde Florence, my lorde my fader kepeth not well the couenauntes that he made to my lady my moder, for now he is in the mynde to marye me vnto thys Emperour. And there is no thinge that I hate so muche as I do hym. Certayn­lye I had rather to suffre death than to haue him. And I haue no lenger respyte thā the ende of this yere, why madame quod mayster Steuen haue ye purcha­sed so longe a respyte. In fayth I fayth­fully ensuyre you that I wyll gyue you two yere lenger, for I waraunt you that two yere after your daye ye shall not be maried to him. Maystre sayd Florence I thanke you of your good cōforte, wel quod the bysshop the Emperour dothe foly to demaūde you agaynst your wyl. For perauenture there may fortune ly­tle good come to hym therby. Than the bysshop toke her by the hande and ledde [Page xix] h [...]r into a fayre gardyne to [...]porte her. And so on a fayre grene benche she satte her downe betwene the bysshop & may­ster Steuen, and soo passed the tyme w^t many goodli sportes. And than it began to waxe sate and the euenynge was ve­ry clere, and the sterres shone ful bryght. Than mayster Steuen dyd beholde thē a gretere space and at the last he said, madam [...] for certayn [...] I knowe by the cour­se of the planet [...]es that there is a knyght comynge in to this countre, and is now well onwarde on his waye, who shall a­chyue the aduentures of the castell of the porte Noyr or this yere be passed. And surely it is he that shall haue the whyte shyelde and the swerde Clarence, verelye sayd the byshop yf this be of trouthe the Emperoure maye goo fysshe in an other place for here he hathe well fayled, for I am sure it is the sam [...] knyght that my lady Florence is predestynate vnto, there fore I am ryghte Ioyous of the hurte of the Emperour. And howe saye you may­ster do you not hate hym, yes syr thereof he may be as sure as that a nell of clothe wyll make his hede a hode, whereat the bysshop dyd laughe. And thus they we­re longe togyder in this talkynge t [...]ll it was season to go to rest. Thā they brou­ght Florence to her chambre and depar­ted to theyr owne lo [...]gynges, and abou­te mydnyght this lady awoke. And thā fell into her remembraunce the dysplea­sure that she had to the Emperoure, and as she was thus thynkynge she behelde the foure mortees of waxe y^• stode bren­nynge before her beddes fete, therwyth she sawe where th [...]re came in to the cham­bre a fayre lady whyte as the lylly with a mantell of grene, hangynge aboute her sholders w^t a l [...]se of golde, and a crow­ne of golde on her heade, and she helde an other lady by the hande, & sayde vnto her Fayre syster sawe you not well the Leo­parde with the seuen heades all crowned wyth golde, who hath the loke of a brim bore, and the herte of a lyon, the body of armes of lede, & the fote of a whyte ha [...]te And whan she had thus sayde the other lady demanded of her what all thys my­ghte meane. For herein are dyuerse thinges to be consydered. Than she answered and sayd, syster this Leoparde shall haue the eagle of golde that is on my pauylyon, & by hym shall the gates be opened of my castell of the porte Noyr. And than shall all the enchauntementes fayl And therewyth bothe these ladyes vanysshed awaye, so that Florence wyste not where they were sodaynly become, wherwyth she was [...]ighte sore afrayed for she wyst not what it myght meane. In lyke case the same vysyon came the self night to the archebyshop. And also to mayster Steuen where as they laye seuerally e­che fro other, wherof they had grete mernayle what theyr dreame myghte sygnyfye. And within a lytle space after the lyghte of the daye began to apere [...]han the archebyshop rose and mayster Steuen. Also to do theyr attēdaūce on theyr lady And whan it was tyme to synge masse. mayster Steuen w [...]nte fro Florēce who was than redy apparayled and so wen [...]e to churche. And there the archebysshop songe masse, and whan it was fyn [...]shed the bysshop saluted Florence, & demaunded what good reste she had taken that nyght paste. As god helpe me dere vncle sayd Florence neuer as yet came to me su­che a fortune as dyde this nyghte, nor I was neuer soo afrayde, for aboute mydnyght I awoke, and as I laye wakyng I sawe properly before my bedde the moost fayreste fygure of a lady that euer [Page] I sawe, and she had a crowne of goulde on her heade, and be semynge there was an other quene in her companie crowned in lyke wyse, who was also as me thou­ghte a very fayre lady, but nothynge to the regarde of the other quene. And suche wordes me thought she sayd vnto her fe­lowe. And there Florence recounted wor­de for worde as ye haue harde h [...]re before of all herre hole vysyon, and howe that they were sodayn [...]ly vanysshed awaye fro her. And whan the byshoppe hearde thys he sayde. A fayrenese Florence by the faith that I owe vnto you euē in like case as ye saye it fortuned to me thys sa­me nyght, & for certayne I thoughte properly it had ben you. For by my soule the quene that I sawe yf yee were bothe to­gyther I coude not dyscerne the one fro the other, ye res [...]mble soo nere together. In the name of god sayde mayster Ste­uen thys vysyon appered also properlye to me in euery thynge as ye haue reher­sed, and verely also I thought it had ben my ladye Florence heare present, ve [...]elye sayde the bishop thys thinge is not thus fortuned to vs all thre wythout some re­son, mayster I requyre you go loke what significacion it may be of. Thā the mayester wente frome theym and entred in to hys chābre and toke his bokes and loked on thys mater so longe tyl he perceyued fynally the mystery thereof. And so came agayne to Florence, and sayd to the bys­shop syr let vs set our hertes in Ioye and rest for verely my lady heare nedeth not to care for the Emperoure as in beynge of her husb [...]nde for there is an other free knyght swet and fayre, who is the foū ­tayne of all chyualry, for hys prowes surmounteth & shall do all other. Therefore know for certaine that where as the visi­on shewed vs howe that out of the west shold come a Leopard y^t which signifieth a gentyll knyghte borne about the countree of Fraunce. And where as this Leo­parde hath the loke of a bore, & the hert [...] of al [...]on. In lykewise this knight is the hardiest y^• euer was boorne. And where his bodi shold be of stele, betokeneth that there is no knyght so stronge & harde to abyde a brounte as he is, and where it is sayd y^t his armes be of leed the which is a heuy thinge, betokeneth the heuy stro­kes of this knight the which cānot be susteyned. And as for the fete of the hart th [...] whyche is a lyght beest & a myghty. In like case thys knyght is stronge & lyghte & quycke to go towarde hys enemyes and where as he shall haue the egle y^• [...]hiche is souerayne & kynge of all foules. In li­ke forme this knyght shall haue my lady Florence who is quene & souerayne of al beaute & rychesse aboue all quenes of the worlde the which shal be the confusion of the Emperour of Inde, [...] [...]here as he b [...] reth .vii. hedes crowned w^t golde s [...]gnyf [...] eth that this knight shal bere the c [...]ow­nes of .vii. kingdōes the which he shal cō ­quere wyth his swerb. And where a [...] that gates of the castel of the port noyr [...] shall be opened by him. And that al thench [...]ūtementes shal than fayle, representeth the hye prowes of him that shal bete doune al the aduentures of the port Noyre & [...]urely thys is the signyficacyon of oure hole dreame or vysyon. Therfore it is necessarye y^• I repayre to the palats of the port noyre to knowe whan this knight cōeth And too see by hys estate wha [...] man [...]r a manne he is, verely sayd the bys [...]oppe I alowe well that ye soo do as ye haue de­uised, & that ye r [...]moue thitherwarde as hastely as ye can. And whan Florēce herde tydynges of thys knyght she was so daynely striken w^t so loue grete that fro [Page xx] that houre forwarde she gaue vnto him her herte. Thus she loued hym truely & wyst not how, and A [...]thur loued the egle & as than had neuer seen it, so than thys lady Florence made grete feste and Ioye al that daye. And the nexte daye betymes mayster Steuen arose & prepaired for his departynge, and than he toke lycence of kyng Emendus to go to the castel o [...] the porte Noyre for maters perteynynge to hys ladye Florence, and the kynge gaue him leue. Than the maister came to Flo­rence, and to the byshop and toke leue of them, and so than Florence toke hym by ere and sayde, gentyll mayster if yonder knyght come to the porte Noyre brynge him to me if it maye be possible, for veri­ly I haue grete wyll to se hym & know of his estate. Madame sayde the mayster w^t ryghte a good wyll if I can brynge it a­boute. And so departed and foure other knyghtes wyth hym. And rode so longe that on a saterdaye he came too the porte Noyre and toke his lodgynge at the pa­lais without the castle gate. For ther was none [...]hat entred into the castle without deth. And so in thys palais this mayster Steuen remayned a greate season nye a hole yere. ¶Now let vs leue too speak [...] of the mayster and Flor [...]nce, and of the courte of kyng Emendus, & of the empe­roure of Inde. And nowe let vs retorne to Arthur and his company.

ARthur Hector & Gouernar were rydynge after they departed fro the court of the duke his fader .xv. daies without abiding in ony place, or fydinge of onye aduentures, wherof ony menci­on is made. And rode so long that at the last they came in to the countre of 'noma [...] the & entred into a grete thycke couerte the which endured a gret space, & at the last they founde a grete stange or water & a fayre grene medowe Ioynyng ther­to the which conteyned the space of two [Page] myles & a halfe, and so they rode styll by the syde of the medowe fynally in the bo­tome of a grete valey. Than thee espyed a stronge & oure closed w^t myghty wailes And arthur sawe wel howe the gates of the place were open and soo they lyghted of there horses and entred into the toure and wente vp into the hall, & all the way they founde no creature, wherof they had grete meruayle, & at the last Arthur har­de the voyce of a woman in a lytle cham­bre besyde hym, who cryed ryghte pyte­ously and sayd. A lady vyrgyn mary hel­pe me and send me som maner of so [...]our And therwith arthur lept into the chambre & there found a right fayre lady who had ben drawen all aboute the chambre. And her yelowe heere drawen and cutte of her head. And she was so sore b [...]ten y^t she had no power to helpe her selfe. And in this chambre there stode a table redy couered, wherreon there stode wyne and met gret plēte, wherof arthur had grete meruayle and demaunded of the ladye who it was that had done so moch trou­ble and shame▪ And whan the lady saw arthur & herde hym speake, she was sore abasshed, and all afrayde sayd. A gentyll knyght I requyre you doo me no more hurte for I haue harme ynoughe all ready. Fayre lady sayd Arthur be nothinge afrayde for I wyll warraunt and defēde you fro all enemyes, therfore shewe vn­to me who hath thus entreted you. Than wyth moche payne the lady rose vpō her feete and sayde, syr as god helpe me there departed fro hens ryghte nowe .xii. kny­ghtes all armed & they haue thus pyte­ously arayed me as ye se. And I thynke they haue slayne my lorde my husbonde. And haue away w^t them my dere doughter to defoule her virgynyte yf God doo not pouruey some remedy for her. well fayre lady quod arthur where is the lord of this place, syr I cannot saye whether he be alyue or dead. I beseche you s [...]ke a­boute for him, for I thīke I shall finde hī other quycke or dead. Than Arthur sou­ghte a [...]l aboute the place. And at the last in a lytle house he founde hym & his handes bound behynde his backe sore wounded in the head & on the sholders. Than Hector dydde lose his handes, & Gouer­nar dy [...] serche his wounde [...], & Arthur demaunded hym why he was so delt w^t Syr in good fayth quod the knyghte I knowe none other cause, but y^• the laste day there was a straunger dyd ouerthrowe the mayster of the sayd .xii. knyghtes whe [...]fore thus they haue arayed me withoute cause, & they haue ledde away [...] my doughter to do her shame & velany, and as they thus talked togyder the lorde of the placr sawe where his squyer & clerke lay dead wherof he had grete ruth. Well quod Arthur this a grete outrage, come on frendes get vs our harneys, & whan they were all armed, they folowed after these knyghtes and rode so longe tyll at the laste they found the chyef mayster of them at the enterynge into a fayre forest who was besy about this damoysell to haue fyled her. Than Arthur escred him and sayd. A yll & shameful knight not so hardy y^t thou ones touche her, for I en­sure thou shalte come to her fader in the sp [...]te of th [...]herteto th [...]ntente y^t he shall take vēgeaunce of thy trespa [...]. And therfore I the defye, therw^t he & all his com­pany lept on theyr horses, & the capytay­ne of theym broched his horse agenst Ar­thur & stroke him so rudely that he brake his spere to his fyste, but A [...]thur stroke hym so pussauntly that his speare head [...] en [...]red clene th [...]oughe his body, wherew^t he fell downe deade to the earthe. Than [Page xxi] Arthur drewe out hys swerde & smote the seconde [...]o feruentely that he p [...]r [...]ed hys her [...]. And the third he stroke so that he cut hym do [...]e to the sadel. And fro [...] the .i [...]i he roke his hed fro the sholders. And Hector for his parte stroke one of them so [...]udely that he entred hys spere into hys bo­dy more than a fot. And than he toke his sworde and stroke amonge them so rudely that he made them al before him to knele. And also Gouernar made .ii of theyr heades to [...]ee into the feldes. And whan there maunt sawe that their companye were thus delate wythall they toke them to flyght for drede of dethe and as they fledde they sayde eche to other, let vs sa­ue oure selfe fro these deuylls of he [...]l for they be none erthelye creatures. And soo arthur folowed theym no ferther but ca­me to the damoysell where as shee was fast bounden to a tree and dyd [...]owse her and caused her too mounte on a horse of one of the knyghtes that was sla [...]ne. And than brought her agayne to her fader. And whan he sawe hys doughter, his herte reuyued and kneled downe before Ar­thur and rendred to him many gret than kyngs. Than arthur toke him vp by the hande, and so remayned there all y^e daye and nyghte, and the nexte mornynge he and all hys company toke leue of theyre hoost and of the damoysel, who loued Arthur wyth all her herte. And so they de­parted and entered in to theyr Iorney, & ro [...]e fo [...]th so longe tyll they cam in to the countree of Uienne, where as they met a [...]ssenger hauynge by semynge grete haste wyth a I [...]nelyn in his hande a sco­chen of arm [...]s on his breste, and a boget wyth leteers hang [...]ng at his sadel bow And there Arthur curte [...]sly dydde salute hym, syr sayde the verlet God g [...]ue you ryght good aduentur, good frende quod Arthur to whome do you pertayne. Syr I dwell with my lorde the Erle of B [...] ­auiewe, gentyll frende quod Arthur c [...] ye tell vs onye nouell [...]s, syr I can not tell yf ye knowe ony thyng of the [...]orney that my lorde of Beautew ha [...]e taken agenst the marshal of [...]yrpoys the whi­che shall be ho [...]den on the monday nexte after [...]oly rode daye. As it of a trouthe good frend [...] quod Arthur that [...]he erle of Beau [...]w hath taken on hym this enter­pryse. Ye syr w^tout fayle. And good fren­de I praye you what maner of man is youre lorde, syr as God helpe me he is a noble man for the erle of For [...]s [...]es is his vncle. And the erle of mount Belyale is his cosyn germayne, and as of him▪ selfe he is as curteys, as gentyll, as tre [...] an [...] as meke as a doue. But the marshall of Myrpos is contrary, for he is [...]s and cruell, and a dyue [...]se man to dwell w^tall how be it he is a good knight of his han­des, & is of that hardyn [...]sse, & of so fy [...]s a courage that he fereth nothyng thre or foure knyghtes to fyght agenst them all wherfore my lorde dooth puruey him of the best knyghtes hat he can g [...]t [...]e. ther­fore he hath sente me to a knyght of his who is reputed ryghte valia [...]n [...] and sage & well proued in dedes of chyualry, w [...]o is named syr Delalaunde, good felowe I praye you how farre dwelleth the knighte hens syr his house passeth not two leges fro this place, wherfore fayre lor­des yf ye thynke to be wel harbored [...]is nyght bo my counsayle gette you to a litell castell here by the which is called roche [...]yse, wherin there is a val [...]aunt and a ryche auncyent knighte therfore siers the best that ye can do is to r [...]payre thy­der, for this forest is dangerous to passe throughe, the wayes be soo dyuers that it is harde to kepe the ryght way w^toute [Page] a gyde, and specyally be nyghte. And as now it beg [...]nneth to waxe very late. well good frende quod Arthur I thanke you for youre good wyll [...] kepe on youre Iornaye and god sende you good aduen­ture. And we shal do as well as god wyl suffer vs. And so the v [...]let departed and wente to the knyghte syr Dela [...]aunde & dyd his message, & delyuered hym his letters to the erle of Beauieu.

ANd whan Arthur was departed fro the varlet he & his company rode so long tyl they entred i [...]o the same

foreste that the varlet had shewed theym of before. And rode all the daye & coulde fynde no house nor mete nor drynke for them nor for theyr horses, and than it began to waxe late. And in this forest acostomable there dydde repayre .xxx. theues who dyd robbe all aboute where as they coude gette ony praye, so that no creatu­re durst stere nor passe through the coun­tree, and specially throughe y^• forest if it were ony thynge late. And so by fortune these theues encountred the stuffe & ca­ryages perteynynge to Arthur and hys company. And incontynent they toke al the stuffe & dyd bette and intrete theym that were conductours therof, tyll at the laste Iaket Arthurs squyre drewe his swerde and to hys power dydde helpe & ayed to defende his maysters stuffe, but they were so many on hym that he was [Page xxii] sore wounded. And therwyth Arthur & hys company came to them. And whan Arthur espied his seruaunt Iacket sore wounded and in great leoperdy, he drew his swerde and stroke so the fyrste that he claue h [...]s h [...]d downe to the chynne. And fro the seconde he stroke of the head and fro the thyr [...]e he share clene awaye the sholders w^t the arme. And than Hec­tor and gouernar ryght strongly layd on euery syde amonge these theues. And so by the helpe of arthur they slewe and kylled all that euer were before theym. And they were all dead than arthur commaunded to serche for his people where as they were wont to resort vnto. And so thus by the prowes of these th [...]e knightes these .xxx. theues were brought to deth and confusion, & at the last they founde a fayre ancient man vnder a trelienge all naked bounde faste with two theynes so that he could not help himself Than arthur dyd louse him and gaue hym all the abylmentes that was on the dead bodyes, of the sayde .xxx. theues whe [...]foreth [...] good man humbly th [...]ked arthur, and specially for sauyng of h [...]s lyfe. Than arthur and his cōpany rode forth and trauayled so long [...]a [...] the last they founde a stronge house, and knoc­ked so longe at the gate tyll there came to them a varlet bare l [...]gged redy to go to bed, for all other in the place were as than gone to theyr restes, and than this foresay [...]e varlet demaunded of theym who it was that knocked so fast at the gate that time of night. Good f [...]eende ꝙ Gouernar it is a knight that wold fai [...] this night haue lodgyng for hym & h [...]s c [...]pany. Syr sayd the varlet if it please you to tary I wyll go speake with my lorde and mayster, and shew hym your mynde, how be it I thinke he be now at his [...]est for he is olde & anc [...]ient, and hath ben in his dayes a very good knight, & as yet he is glad to here speking of good knigh [...]es, & [...]ou [...]th them that haunteth noble dedes of a [...]m [...]s, [...] therw [...]h y^• var­let departed & went [...]o his master [...] said Syr the [...] is at your [...]a [...]s .iii. knightes armed. And are be semyng goyng to vi­enne to the tornay. And they desyre by way of gent [...]ln [...]ss [...] this [...] gynge. How saye ye syr [...]hall I open to them [...]he gates hie the & pace quod the lor [...] for I am not con [...]en [...] that thou hast made them to tary without so long. And wh [...] they be ent [...]ed come agayne to me a [...]d bring me worde what maner of [...]ē y^t they be and what har [...]ys and armes they bere, than the varlet went a [...]ayne to the gate & set is wide open, and su [...]d arthur & his cōpany to entre, whereof they had great nede & m [...]ter. Than the varlet beh [...]lde Arthur & saw w [...]l that he was [...]e a gentl [...]man, b [...]ing lo [...]g & wel fornysshed & me [...]uaylously fayre a [...] o [...]e a [...] his company. And next him he sawe Hector, who was tyght fayre, hie & well made. And also he behelde Gouernar, who was in al poyntes like a mā bigge and browne of coloure. And also he p [...]r­c [...]yued wel how all theyr ha [...]neys were fayre and ryche. Thā was there t [...]r [...]es brought forth & var [...]e [...]s [...]aune t [...]r [...]eyr horses. Than the f [...]st va [...]let [...]t [...]rne [...] agayne to his lorde an [...] sayd. Syr s [...]th y^t I was borne I neuer sawe so goodlye knightes as they be & specially the chief of [...]hē, [...] as for theyr a [...]mour it is bothe fayre & ye [...]e, for I ensure you it should seme that they be right great [...] men and [...]men of a noble lygnage. wel quod the lorde loke that thou in al haste appa [...]ayle theyr lodginge. And s [...]e that they be serued right honourably. well syr quod [Page] the varlet it shal be done incontinent. Than the lorde sayd to the lady his wife who was as than lyenge a bed by him, madame by reason of your honour and gentylnesse ye should ryse and kepe companie [...]ith yonder noble knightes, for I thin [...] th [...]y be some greate men for it shall g [...]ea [...]ly anoye them and they se not the [...]h [...] e [...]e o [...] the house to make thē some [...]here for [...]s god helpe me I wolde haue grea [...] ioye to speake w^t [...]hem yt I might a [...]yse and not hurt my self, therfore madame in myne a [...]sen [...]e I pray you go & make to them the best chere that ye canne syr sayde the lady with a right good wil [...]y [...]h it please you I shall so do. Than this ladye [...]ose and apparayled her selfe rygh [...]orsship, who was a ryght fayre yonge lady of the age of . [...]xi. yere. And whan Arthur and Hector saw her they rose & cu [...]teysly eche of them dyd salute other and she sat her downe betwene theym. Than arthur sayde madame ye haue taken a great payne to leue the cō ­pany of your lorde to come to se vs, syr it pleaseth my lorde that I shal do so. And therfore I am come to you in the stede of hym, for he wold wyth a right good wyl haue come to you hym selfe yf he myght so haue doone, but syres he is ansient and it wolde sore anoye him to haue broken his reste. And so thus they talked of dyuerse thinges. And in the meane season there was mete prouided for them, and than the tables were spred & couered, & so than they washed and sat thē downe arthur & the lady together, & Hector & Gouernar [...] but Hector had his eyen on the lady and [...]o neyther eate nor drynke, the whiche Arthur & Gouernar [...] wel espied. Thā arthur sayd to hym frende it is yours al y^t ye se, syr sayd hector I haue seen some thinges of y^t which yf I might I wolde fayne be mayster. A Hector quod Gouernar a manes will ought euer to folow the ordre of reason. And so I beleue ought yours to do. And therwith they lefte these wordes, howe be it all that lytle or nothinge refrayned Hectors looke, for alwayes styll he be­helde this lady tyll it was tyme for thē to go theyr restes, and so they toke their leues of the lady and thanked her for the great ch [...]re that she had made theym. And on the nexte day be [...]ymes they de­parted & entred into the forest the mor­ninge was fayre and clere and warme, for it was as than aboute the ende of apryl. So these lordes rode forth in gret Ioy tyll at the last Gouernar sayde to Hector, syr was your wyl accōplysshed this last night, where as ye sayd ye wold gladlye fulfilled youre wyll, to saye the trouth I thinke your wyll was on our hostes, who was both fayre and yonge. By my fayth quod Hector I wold haue ben [...]ight glad to haue fulfylled my wyl with her, for vndoubted she is fayre and gracyous and I loue her with all my herte. And syr what was your wil quod Gouernar, by my fayth sayde Hector, y^t she should haue ben all night in myn armes & I in hers, now truly syr sayd gouernar y^t wil was neyther good nor ho­nest for it was against reasō for y^e good lorde her husbād did cause her to rise frō him to the entente to honour vs and to kepe vs company, remēbring also how honestly she receyued vs, & so good there as we had of her. And syr wolde you haue than done velanye to y^e good lorde as to haue hadde to hys wyfe vnto his dishonoure in hys owne house, by the fayth that I owe vnto god it hadde no [...] ben well doone, nor yet it was none ho­nest thoughte. A syr Gouernar quod [Page xxiii] Hector I am sure ye be so sage in scyence y^t ye wyl do no foly, wysdome is greate if the ca [...] neuer touched myl [...]e, as much to say as whā loue toucheth [...] wysedome is than oftentymes ou [...]rcome. well as for al that ꝙ gouernar it maketh no mater, bu [...] yet I say as I sayde y^t it should not haue ben wel done of a gentylmā to haue doone as ye saye for it were rather treason so [...]o do wherw^t Hector began to be sore chafed & sayde, what Gouernar sayst thou that I am a traytour, thou li­est falsely I was neu [...]r none and drew nere to gouernou [...] and layd his hand on his swe [...]de, than sayd Gouernar stryke me not. I saye not that ye be a traytoure nor ye be not so great a man that youre noblenesse for thynketh me for I wolde ye were greater than ye are, yet for all y^t I say that this dede accordinge to youre wysshe had ben treason, remembryng y^• trust and confidence that the good lorde had in vs, and in the coloure thereof to haue taken his wyfe to hys dishonour, surely I say it is no thought of a noble mā wyth the which wordes Hector was so chafed and drewe his swerde & stroke Gouernar on the helme so rudely that he was therwyth sore a stonyed▪ where w [...]th arthur was sore dyspleased and blamed greatli Hector therfore. And thā Gouernar sayde syr stryke me no more for by the fayth that I owe to our lorde yf ye doo I wyll not pardon you, for ye shall haue as good as ye brynge how be it as for that ye haue done I wyl suffre it for the honoure here of my lord arthur and for the great lygnage that ye be of, why good syr quod Hector what wolde ye do elles any great hu [...]te that shall be soone seene, and so stroke Gouernar a­gayne on the helme a great blowe, [...]her w^t Gouernar drew his swerde & rudelye stroke Hector on the helme for he was a good knight, and so there began a great & a sore ba [...]ayle betwene these two kni­ghtes. And arthur dyd his payne wyth fayrenesse to depart them, but they were so sore dyspleased and chafed eche wyth other that Arthur coud in no wyse cause them to leue: And whā arthur saw that he drewe his swerde & stroke Hector so rudely that he made him to stoupe down to y^e necke of his horse, & with an other stroke he stroke Gouernar so sore that he was sore aston [...]ed therewith & [...]e had fallen fro his horse, & than Arthur wolde haue recouered on him a nother stroke, but Gouernar went from hym. Than arthur came to Hector and wolde haue stryken at him agayne, but than Hector sayd cosyn what wyll ye doo, a [...]e ye dys­pleased with me ye veryly sayd Arthur ryght sore for gouernar shewed to you your folye, and ye therfore haue stryken hym here in my presence, wherof I am not content. Syr sayde Hector I repente me but he dyspleased me sore y^t I coude not refrayne my selfe as at that tyme, well quod Arthur nowe than fro hens­forth be in peace, or by the faythe that I owe to my lorde my father the fyrst of you that beginneth shal lese my cōpany And also my good wyll for euer, ther­fore come on Gouernar and make amē ­des vnto my cosyn Hector in y^• ye haue stryken him syr sayde Gouernar wyth a ryght good wyll. Than he put of hys helme & desyred Hectors good wyl, now cosyn Hector quod Arthur make ye hym amendes, syr sayd Hector right gladly, for it forthinketh me g [...]ea [...]ly the displeasu [...]e y^t hath ben betwene vs & so he dyd also of his helme. And there eche of thē kyssed e [...]her and [...]o entred forthe into there Iorney, & rode forthe so longe tyl [Page] the were passed the forest. And than they sodaynly encountred the knight syr De­lalaunde and the messenger that they had met with the day before, and there eche of them did salute other. Than syr Delalaunde demaunded of Arthur into what parties he wolde drawe hym vnto. Certaynly sayd Arthur it hathe ben shewed me that at holy rode tyde nexte commynge there shoulde be at vienne a greate assemble of noble men and good knightes. Therfore I am ridynge thy­therwarde to se that noblenesse. And to be acqueynted wyth some of the good knightes that wyl be there, truly sayde syr Delalaund it is of trouth that there shall be a great assemble of noble knigh­tes, for there shall be a great tornay. I pray you syr sayd Arthur, for whome & for what cause was it fyrst taken, syr yf I should shew quod syr Delalaunde, ye should than know some thing sounding to my velany, neuerthelesse it semeth y^t ye be a noble man and the chyef of your company. Therfore I shal shew you as I know.

SYr it is of trouth my lorde y^t erle of Beauiew hath alwayes loued me syth the beginning of my youth and so it fortuned whan I was yonge and lusty. I thought to go playe me oute of myne owne countrey acompanied alonely w^t my squyre, hoping to vaynquysshe all the valure of the worlde. And so at the last I came into the land of myrpois and fell therein acqueyntaunce w^t two noble lordes of great lygnage, who dyd me great honour. And one of them had a right fayre lady to his wyfe named the fayre lady of Rossylo [...], for whome this tornay was fyrst takē. And she had such fauoure in me and loue that within a lytle whyle I was made chyefe ruler and senesshall of all her countrey, and was of her strayte counsayle. And nothinge done without it had be done by me. For she trusted more in me than in any other person of the worlde. And in like case I was wyth the good lorde her husbande And so I continued in thys loue and fa­uour well the space of syxe yeres and more and it fortuned one yere y^t for my sake they kept a christmas wyth open courte: wherto came many knightes of the countrey. And whan the fyrst daye of this began this lady of Rossilon wife to my sayd lorde, she was as than fresh lye appa [...]ayled as it apertayned to the feast and to her estate. At whiche time to me she semed so fayre so gentil, and so proper that I thought I had neuer seen her half so fayre before. And as than her beaute stroke so inwardely to my hearte that I lost therby both meate and drinke y^t euery day I began to waxe so lent of body that euery mā had meruayle what I eyled. And demaūded often tymes of me what was the cause that I so enpayred, but euer I did as priuely as I could but at the ende it auayled me nothinge. For at the laste loue constrayned me to shew vnto my loue & lady all the dolour and payne of myne inwarde herte. And on a day as it happened I tose very erly For the thoughtes of the nyght kylled me. And ryght as than I founde thys lady leanynge in a windowe. And so [Page xxiiii] boldely I lened me downe by her & than she gaue me good morowe, and desyred that g [...]d should sende me helth, wel madame quod I. Than the kinge that all hath formed giue you a better day thā I haue had a night. And also better helthe, for my h [...]lth is very ferre of, the whiche [...]ight sore troubleth me. Than this lady comed her to warde me and sayde, syr how is it that your health is so ferre fro you might it not be brought nerer to you for goldenor for syluer. Madame quod I peraduēture yf I shewed you ye wold put therto no payne nor counsayle, how be it ye myght right wel do it, so than it w [...]re bette [...] that I kept it styll secrete than to shewe it, and than to be neu [...]r the nere. Syr sayd she I requyre you I wyll with all my herte be glad to put my payne to bryng you to ease and helth wherfore it is a great shame for you, for whan ye may haue counsayle and remedie and wil not seke for it, but thus to suffre payne and vnhertes ease, the whiche I ensure you greueth [...]ight sore both my lorde and me. Therfore good frende by the fayth that ye owe vnto me shew me your g [...]efe. And there with she came nerer to me and enbraced me in her ar­mes and shewed me great sygne of loue an [...] swetenesse as these women be acustomed to do whan they wyll draw ou [...] of a mans mouthe that is enclosed in the he [...]te. And whan [...] sawe her gen­tylnesse and sw [...]te behauiour, my he [...]te was rauesshed and brought into y^e case that of a great season I coulde speke no worlde for wepyng. But syr quod thys k [...]ight to Arthur though I shewe thys v [...]to you my nysenes I pray you think no folye in it, but take it in gree, for in dede syr yongth doth many thinges. By my fayth syr no more I wyll. And therfore procede forth in your tale. Syr than I sayd vnto this lady. Madame what so euer fortune fall therof I wyll shew you all my desyre. Madame it is of trouth I haue set my herte and al my thought on you more than on all the re­menaunt of the worlde w^t so faythfull profounde loue in myne herte as it wel appereth' and shall do by me, for nother person I loue nor can loue, but alonlye you. And therwi [...]h my herte fayled me y^t I coulde speke no worde more, th [...]rwith I sat me downe and she by me. Than she answered and sayd, what syr Guy delalaunde it is thā thus a ye say ye madā sayd I without fayle, will syr quod she say ye these wordes other to a [...]ay me or els for very loue. I requyre you tel me y^e trouth by my soule madame quod I this that I haue sayd is for the great myschit that I am in without your helpe. Ther­fore lady for gods sake haue pitie on me And th [...]rwith I ioyned togyder my handes with gr [...]at vn [...]ase of hert. Than she behelde me wel & sayde, syr ye be a [...]ght wyse and sage knight, therfore beholde wel yf you [...] desyre [...]e not pre [...]udicial to any person, madame quod I for trouth I se and know well that I desyre aga [...]st my lorde treason and fa [...]senesse who loueth and hono [...]reth me so muche aboue all other, how be it madame I se & know well that yongth and loue bryngeth me to this, so that mesure & reason fayleth in me▪ Therfore I hadde rather to dye than to lyue. [...]han this lady w [...]o was ryght wyse and sage sayd, syr be in [...]este and let ioy encrease in your herte for w [...] wyll speake more of thys matter at a better leaser, [...]his she sayd to giue me cō forte, & not to the entente that she wolde in any maner wyse t [...]espace agaynst [...] [Page] her husbande, so this in thus maner I draue of the tyme a great season, but as loue as I coulde get her at a good leaser and conuenient place I was euer reso­ning with her of this mater, & lay importunatly daily requyring her to haue pi­tie of my mortall distres, and so it fortuned on a day that we were togeder le­uynge in a window loking out toward a fayre forest. Than I spake to her so fayre and in so rufull maner that she coulde no longer driue of my request. And sayd syr your suite is so importune that it behoueth me to assente to fulfyll your desyre & wil, how be it syr se ye not yonder great oke standinge in the forest yes madame sayd I right well, well ꝙ she I am content to fulfill your minde on this condicion, looke that this same day twelue moneth & this same propre houre that ye fayle not to be vnder yon­der oke & without fayle thyder to you wyl I come redy apparayled to acōplish your entente, and before that day loke ne­uer for to haue it. A myne owne dere ladie humblye I thanke you of your good wyll syth I cannot haue it no soner, at the least I shall passe the tyme more [...] in h [...]ping of that fortunate daye. whe [...]fore I wyll take my leue nowe of you, for ye shall not se me agayne till y^e tyme be come, for yf I shoulde abyde in your dayly presēce, your beau [...]eful eyen [...]hould lea me to abide so longe, for that thinge that I desyre. And so than I toke leue praying her to kepe couenaunte w^t me. And so she ensured me she wolde. Than I toke licence of my lorde her husbande, shewing hi how I wolde departe into myne owne countre for a season, & he was lothe to gyue me leaue, but whā he saw that I wolde needes departe he offred me to haue forsaken his owne countrey, and to haue gone with me, he loued me so entyerly. And so at the laste with much sorow I gat leue and depar­ted priuely on a night and dysgysed my selfe and went wandring aboute the coū trey tyl the yere was past. And thā thys same day and houre that myne apoynte­ment was I came to the sayd oke in the forest before the castel wyndowe, and in­continent I perceyued where this lady stode talking w^t my lorde her husbande in the same window where as she and I made our apoyntement togither. And than I made so many tokens & sygnes that at the last she perceyued me, & than she began to smyle, and whan her lorde saw her laughe he demaunded the cause why. And she answered & sayde, syr for nothynge, for nothinge quod the lorde I am sure ye wyll not laughe for nought therfore shewe me the cause, for surely I wyl know it therfore I commaunde you to shew it, syr quod she syth it plea­seth you I am content to shewe you, but fyrst syr I requyre you tell me whā that ye saw or harde of syr Guy delalaunde. In good fayth madame not of a greate seasō wherof I am [...] sory, for y [...] I had knowen that he wolde haue ta [...]ied so [...] longe a space I wolde haue sough [...] hym out or this time, wel syr quod thys lady he is not now se [...] hēce, syr it is of trouth he hath before this time desyred me of loue, and in a maner his suite was im­por [...]unate. And the loue that he bare me was so feruent that he was right sore dyseased thereby, the whiche was right well seen by hym whyle he was here w^t vs, and so there this lady tolde the lorde her husbande al the mater that was [...]e­twene her & me into that same presente day. And than she shewed him and sayd syr this is the same day that I promised [Page xxv] hym to haue fulfylled his desyre, to the entente I thought y^t by this day he wold haue forgotten this mater, [...]ut soo syr ye maye se hym vnder yonder great oke whe [...]e as he is al a [...]naced bycause he fin­deth me not there as I promysed hym. And syr ye maye se by hym how y^t these folysshe louers are ouercome wyth loue And this is y^e cause that he departed f [...]o you, for he myghte not endure no lenger the great tourment y^t he was in. Ye ma­dame quod the lorde is it thus, than I comm [...]unde you on y^e loue that ye beare vnto me that ye god and apparayle you in the fresshest maner that ye can do and than come agayne hyther to me. Than the lady dyd his cōmaundement & came agayne to hym. And than he sayd. Ma­dame I wyll and also desyre you as derely as ye thynke to kepe my loue that ye go to yonder knyght vnder the oke and suffre hym to do what so euer he wyll w^t you, and recōmaunde me hartely to hym A syr sayd the lady for nothynge wyll I do thus, for yf I had euer thought to haue ful [...]ylled his folysshe desyre, ye shold neuer haue knowen it by my wyll. And syr yf I would now do it, it were to me great vylany, bothe tofore god & all the worlde. Madame sayd the Lorde▪ I wyll take al the synne on me, and I swere to you faythfully on my trouth that I wil loue you and kepe you more derely euer after, therfore I wyll that ye do thus in contynent▪ Well syr sayd the lady it behoueth me thus to do syth it is youre plea­sure, yf honoure come thereby take it to you, and yf shame come therby ye muste take it of worth. And soo than this lady came in to the forest [...], and vs soone as I sawe her I was neuer soo ioyfull before. For I thought I would quy [...]e al the World for her, than I came to her & enbraced her in myne arme ryghte swe­tely and sayde. My ryghte dere ladye my hartes desyre ye be to me ryghte har [...]y welco [...]e. Syr delalaūde quod she, God put in to your harte that ye do no wrōg nor tresp [...]ce ayenst ony persone. Syr my lorde my hus [...]onde hartly recommaūdeth hym vnto you as to his own good feede H [...]w so madame ꝙ I, where is my lord [...] Certainly said she he is here by in his castelle. But madame sayde I howe is it, doeth he know that ye be come hyder to me. Ye syr sayd she as God helpe me, for he ha [...]he caused me to be apparayled in the fresshest maner to the entent I shold please you the better, and so he hath sent me hyther to you to the entent to fu [...]fyll all your wyl and desyre, and therfore beholde me here all readye for to accom­plyshe your wyll, as for hurte or yll shal none come to you, therby neither by my lorde, nor yet by none other for hym, and so my lorde dooth faythfully assure you, and sendeth you worde by me that he loueth you in a maner better than he doo­eth hym selfe. And whan I harde the greate courtesy of my lord, and how that he loued me as well as hym [...]elfe, and how that he sent me the thyng that he loued best in all the world to fulfyll my de­syre therwith, and how that he woulde suffre that vylany for my sake, therwyth fel away clene all my foly and vnresona­ble desyre. For than I thoughte it was better to leue my sensuall appetyte than to haue done that I had enterprysed in my harte, for I thoughte than it shoulde haue bene to great shame for me to do vilany to so noble a gentyll lordes harte Than I kneled downe before the lady requyryng her of pardon of the great out­rage and foly that I thought a [...]yenst her, desyrynge her for Goddes sake to helpe [Page] to make my peace again wyth the good lorde her husbonde. Than she toke me by the hande and broughte me into the ca­stell before the presence of her lord. And as soone as he sawe me enbraced and kyssed me. Than I kneled downe be­fore hym and cryed hym mercy, and ther the peace was made bytwene vs, and e­uer syth he hath loued me as Wel as euer he dyd before or better. Now fayre syr I haue shewed you al myne aduenture, the whyche is ryghte Well knowen of ma­ny folkes, and so it fortuned y^t but now of late my lorde Beamen was at a feest with the erle of Forest, and ther my said lorde tooke this ladye Rossylon by the hande to daunce, and the marshal of mirpois was ther present, who is ryght [...] ­uious. And whan he sawe this my lord [...] and lady daunce togyther, he sayd how that my lorde of Beamen shoulde be the seconde. Than the lorde of Beamen wist wel ynoughe What he mente and sayde. Syr marshall as for syr Guy de la launde is a ryghte good knyghte bothe wyse and true. The marshall aunswered and sa [...]d, his bounte apered wel whā he toke his owne lordes wyfe. Syr sayd the erle of [...], thoughe he desyred her loue, yet I dare well saye that he neuer trespaced ney [...]her agaynste his lorde nor yet a­gaynst her, for he dyd not dysguyse hym selfe lyke a rybaude for to come vnto the wyfe of hys foster as some hathe done y^t I know ryght well wherwyth the marshall was sor [...] chafed, for it touched his owne delyng and sayde. Syr ye be but a [...]ole to say these wordes to me. And thus thei mul [...]iplyed in language so fe [...] that the erle of Forest and the erle of Neuers had moche ado to appease them, and so for this entent was the iournay takē o [...] bothe parties Whiche shalbe this Wed­nesdaye next comyng, and there wyll be many gret lordes of the marshalles partye, as the erle of Foys, the erle of moū ­belyall, and the dolphyn of vy [...]nes, and many other knyghtes, and also Al [...]xan­der the yonge kynge of m [...]logre. And of my lordes partye wyl be syr I [...]kes earle of Forest, & the erle of Neuers, & diuers other, therefore syr I doubte me gretely of my lord the erle o [...] Beamen, for I wolde be right sory yf he had not the honour therfore I praye you and al youre com­pany to be at this tournay on my lordes party, for Whan ye se hym ye wyll saye it were pite but he [...]hold haue the vycto­ry. Syr thus I haue shewed you all the trouth of the mater. Ueryly syr sayd Ar­thur wyth a good wyl I shal be w^t your lorde. But syr I pray you shal this lady of Rossylon be at this tournay. Syr as god helpe me she shal be there and many other great ladies & damoyselles, & also it is ordeyned by comyn accorde that he that dooth best shal be made l [...]ke a king ouer al other erles, barons, & knyghtes, that shall be there assembled, & shall be crowned wyth golde as a kynge, and al they with all y^e power that thei can make shalbe content to go w^t hym in battayle Whether so euer he Wyl haue them, and so fro thens forth he shal be called kyng of the cōpany, & this marshal entendeth to haue this honour yf he may▪ for sure­ly he is a good knyght of hys handes, & moche goodnes is in hym yf his tongue Were not, but that lytle more shameth all the remenaūt, as it dooth to all them that god hath giuen an yll tongue vnto.

ANd after that syr Guy de lalaūde had shewed al this processe to Arthur & to his com­pany they rode forth togider & so came to lyon surle rone a [...]d so passed ouer the brydge and rode through the towne, & in a fayre medowe vnder y^e townes syde they espyed where tentes & pauilyons were rychely pyghte at whytch tyme there were assembled many grete and noble kynges, erles, barōs, and other knyghtes, as well of the one party as of the other. And than syr Guy de la launde sende a messenger to the erle of Beamen certyf [...]eng hym how he had brought in valyaūt knyghtes with him and that in ony wyse he shoulde retayne them to be of his company. And whan the erle of Beamen and the erle of forest and the Erle of Neuers harde these ty­dynges they came out of theyr tentes, & saw where syr Guy de la launde and Ar­thur & his company came rydynge. And soo whan they came nere thei lyghted & salewed these earles, who dyd beholde Arthur, and perceyued well howe that he was a meruaylous fayre knyghte great and bygge and well furnysshed, and se­med wel to be of great fyersnes and of greate estate, and also they saw Hector a bygge knight & a wel made both of body armes and legges, & also thei behelde gouernar who was a great and a bigge man and wel made therto, and that these [Page] erles praysed moche these knyghtes in their hartes. Than the earle of Beamen toke Arthur by the hande & sayd Syr ye be ryght hartely welcome into the coun­tre of vyenues, prayenge you hartely to take your lodging with me & wyth these other two erles here presente. Than Ar­thur sayd, syr with a ryght good wyll, & so thei ledde hym into theyr tentes, and there Arthur, Hector, & Gouernar were vnarmed. And whan they were oute of theyr harneys euery man beheld Arthur for he was meruaylous fayre, so that tydinges came into y^e ladyes [...]en [...]es howe that syr Guy de la laūde was come and had brought wyth him thre goodly kny­ghtes, & specially one of them who was the fayrest and goodlyest that euer was seen, so that there was no bruyte nor tal­king throughout al the hoost but of these thre knightes. Some said of whence be they, who knoweth them, thus was the commoning of them in euery place. Thā Arthur & his company yssued out of the tentes & behelde the fresshe baners and standardes & stremers waueryng in the wynde, pyght before euery tente & paui­lyon, & harde also the trompettes tabouryns, hornes so wnynge in euery corner of the felde, and great coursers braynge and knightes renning assayenge of horses, castynge of speres, shynynge of sheldes ayenst the sonne & glysteryng of hel­mes & knyghtes by great company tal­kynge togider also they espyed the great tente of the ladyes, in the heyght thereof pyght a great shinynge apple all of burned golde, & ladyes & damoyselles there in syngynge and dauncynge. Than Ar­thurs harte began to smyle and sayde to Hector. Cosyn how saye ye, is it not bet­ter to be here and to se all this noblenesse than to crepe in to our moders lappes. Yes veryly sayde Hector, for here nowe sh [...]ll appere who be noble men. Ye saye trouth sayde Arthur, & therwith retour­ned in to the erle of Beamens tente and wente to souper, and fyrste sate downe the earle of Neuers & Arthur nexte hym and than the erle of Forest and Hector & the earle of Beamens and Gouernar, & there they were rychely serued. And af­ter souper thei plaied and sported thē tyll it was tyme to goo to theyr testes, and so than wente to theyr lodgynge tyll the nexte mornynge, at whiche tyme they rose and harde masse, and than walked & talked togyder withoute theyr tentes, & therwyth there came to them a knyght fro the marshall of myrpoys, and sayde to the erle of Beamens. Syr whan so [...] uer ye wyll begyn this tournay my lord the marshall is al redy. Now as god helpe me sayde the erle of Neuers let vs go to it incontinent. But syr knight I pray you tell me what company dooth your lord tournay w^t all. Syr sayde y^e knyght he hath in his company well to the nombre of .ix. C. redy apparayled to tournay In the name of god said the earle of Fo­rest that is an yl partye, for I thinke our company passeth not .v. C. well syr sayd Arthur what than, care not for the nombre of people, therfore let vs shortly goo and se these noble men and I truste god wyll helpe vs. well syr sayde the earle of Beamen as god wyll soo be it. But syr wyl ye than helpe vs and be of our par­tye. With a ryght good wyll syr sayd Ar­thur, Hector & Gouernar also. And than this knyght of y^e marshalles praised moche Arthur in his harte, and soo retour­ned to hys mayster, who as than was in the company of the yonge kynge of malogre, and with them the erle of mountbelyal, and the erle of Foys, and the dol­phyn [Page xxvii] who was a lytle dyseased, & there­fore he would not as that day tournay. Than the knyght sayd to the Marshall. Syr the erle of Beamē demaundeth of you the tournay incontynent. But syr one thynge I tell you, syth ye were bor­ne ye sawe neuer thre so goodly knygh­tes as syr de la laūde hath brought wyth him, but I can not know of whens thei be, but one of them surmounteth the o­ther two bothe in beaute and goodlynes Ihesu sayd the kynge of malogre what knyghtes be thei. In good fayth syr sayd the knyghte there can no man tell. wyll they tournay this daye sayd the kynge. Ye syr veryly sayd the knyght, for right now whan y^e erle of Beamen fered that he had not cōpany sufficient to answere your power I hard y^• chefe of these .iii. knyghtes say vnto hym. Syr eare not for y^• for god shal helpe vs, let vs shortly go se them. Than it semeth sayd the kinge that he hath a good harte. Ye syr sayd the Marshall he beleueth y^t there is not in all the world his pere in dedes of chyualry, therfore let vs go shortly se what he can doe, he sayde trulyer than he was ware of. For Arthur coude ryght wel gyue great strokes, as was ryght well proued after by his noble dedes. Than was it cōmaūded that trompettes, & hornes should be blowen, and than knightes in euery part went to theyr harneys, than the Marshal and the erle of mountbelial and the earle of Foys & well to the nom­bre of .ix. hondred knyghtes were anone redy armed, and the yonge kynge of ma­logres was [...]ounted on a great courser and the dolphyn wyth him to the entent to se this tournay, for they woulde not turnay as y^t day. And incontinent as the ladyes and damoyselles harde [...] sow­nynge of the trompettes & hornes, they yssued out of theyr pauylyons, and there was togither in company the counte [...]e of Neuers, and the countesse of Forest, and the countesse of moun [...]bely [...]ll, and the lady of Rossylon, & a lady who was the Marshals syster named dame blaunche. And than the countesse of Neuers sayd, let vs now take good hede of thys knyght that is come with syr Guy de la launde and se what he can do. In the name of god said y^e ladye of Rossylon, there be thre as I vnderstande, but I wo [...] not what they be, and all this season Arthur was in company with y^e erle of Forest, and with the erle of Neuers, & the erle of Beamen, and whan thei we [...]e [...]edy armed they mounted on theyr horses and the erle of Neuers and Arthu [...] rode fyrst togyder, and after them the erle of Forest and Hector, and the erle of Bea­men and Gouernar, and after them all the other of theer cōpany, and in ryght [...] good ordynaunce they rode forthe to the tournay. And than the lady of Rossylon said to the other ladyes that were in her company, beholde yonder is one of the straūge knyghtes that commeth riding with the erle of Neuers, & an other wyth the erle of Forest. In the name of God sayd the Marshalles syster the thyrde cometh with the erle of Beamen, it seme [...]h that the erles maketh moche of these .iii. straūge knyghtes, but they knowe not as yet the force of the Marshal my bro­der, but whan they mete here in the tournay than shall they haue of hym suche acqu [...]intaunce that thei wil wyshe that they had not come here this daye. Noo fayre lady sayd the lady of Rossylon. I praye you than shewe them some courte­sye, sende some worde to them that they flee awaye before they se the Marshall your broder, for I am sure yf thei se him [Page] they are but lost for euer. At whych wordes all the other ladyes dyde laughe and had great sporte. So thus the erle of Ne­uers and Arthur rode forthe tyll it was tyme to begyn the [...]ourney. And than the earle of Ne [...]ers saw the marshall on the other parte redy apparayled to Iust, and sh [...]wed him to Arthur. Thā Arthur sayd Syr he cometh very haftely, wherfore I requyre you let me encounter hym fyrst. Go youre waye in goddes name sayde the erle. Than Arthur rusht forth so rudelye as thonder had fallen fro heauen, & al the other knightes of the turnay beheld h [...] wel, and praysed him moche in theyr hear­tes. Than the lady of Rossylon sayd to y^e Marshalles syster. Fayre ladye I trowe yonder knyght hath espyed youre broder for ye may se howe faste he flyeth. And at that course the marshall hytte Arthur in the myddes of hys shyelde and brake hys spere, and Arthur strake him so rudely on the helme that he sheuered hys speare all to peres, wyth the whych stroke he sente both knyght and horse to the erth, and at an other course Arthur strake an other knyght so sore that he brake a grete pece of hys helme and shelde and ouerthrewe hym flatte to the earth in a gret traunce sore wounded. And whan the yong king of malogres sawe that he sayd to the dol­phin. Saint mary who is yonder knight he semeth too be the beste knyghte of the worlde. Verelye syr sayde the dolphyn I neuer sawe suche strokes gyuen of anye knyght here before. Than sayde the lady of Rossylon to the marshalles syster. Ma­dame behold howe yonder straunge kny­ghte flyeth, but your brother the marshal holdeth agayne, I hadde wende he durst haue gone no ferder for feare of your brother. It whyche tyme Hector also for his parte strake a knight with so great force that he ouerthrewe hym playne too the erth, & Gouernar strake an other down [...] horse and man, and put hym selfe in the thyckest of the prese and dyd maruayles in armes, soo that all that behelde hym praysed hym greatlye. Than the ladye of Rossylon sayd, fayre ladye blaunche how saye ye are not these straunge knyghtes ryghte valyaunte, th [...]refore madame for goddes sake cause the marshal your broder to absente hym selfe out of their sygh­tes, and in your soo doyng I thynke ve­rely you shall do a gret almes dede. Than Arthur rusht into the gretest prease, and strake on the ryght hande and on the left so gret strokes and so heauy that it was maruayle, for there was none that euer abode hym but he auoyded the arson of hys sadel and fell to the earth. At the last Arthur espyed where there was a squy [...] holdyng in hys hande a spoke or a great pece of an olde broken charyot, the why­che he pulled out of his hande wyth suche a myghte that he caste downe the squyer flatte too the earthe, where at the ladyes and damoyselles dydde laughe. And than Arthur put vp hys sworde to the entente y^t he should mayme or hurte no man, but with that pece of the charyot he thrust in to the prese and gaue therewith so great and heuy strokes that all that he touched wente flatte to the earth. For he was of that condycyon that the more he hadde to do, the more grewe hys strength▪ and vertue, he vnbarred helmes and claue a soun [...]der sheldes, and maruaylously bet downe knightes, for whome someuer he touched were so astonyed that eyther he auoyded the sadell, or elles hys horse bare hym in a traunce all aboute the fyelde. And alsoo Hector and Gouernar dydde as well for theyr partes as anye knyghtes ought or myghte doo. Soo it fortuned as Arthur [Page xxviii] wente searchynge the renkthes and pre­ses he encountred the erle of Foys, who had nygh vnhor [...]ed one of the knyghtes o [...] the erle of Beau [...]eus partye, than Ar­thur prycked forth hys horse and brake the earle [...]oo rudely that he thr [...]st downe both horse and man flatte to the the e [...]ch than Arthur turn [...]d [...]gayne to hym, and whether he wolde or not he caused hym to be yeld [...] pry [...]oner to the earle of Bea [...]eu who was lorde of that tournay on hys partye. Than the knyghtes of hys turnay assembled them togyther by plū ­pes here .x and there .xv. and yonder .xx. and soo fought egerly togyder, soo that whan one was fallen another dyd [...] hym. Some laughed and some play­ned, but A [...]thur was euer in the mooste thyckest of the prese, and fared so amon­ge them as the wolfe doth among shepe and layd on wyth so greate and heauye strokes that he frusshed downe all that euer he touched. Than the earle of Bea­uieu saye, and so dyd all other knyghtes how that they neuer sawe knyghte of so grete vertue, nor in valu [...]e in dedes of a [...] mes. The ladyes and damoyselles also gretly maruayled at hym, and sayde that better than he is was the [...]e neuer none. And they concluded amonge them that he was lykely too attayne to wynne the crowne of that tournaye, if he continued hys prowes accordynge too hys begyn­nynge. So than it fortuned that a great parte of the Marshals company ranne al at ones on the erle of N [...]uers and on his company, who were farre ouermarched whe [...] for [...]he was sore be stadde and lost many horses and many of his knightes sore beten, & hym selfe ouerthrowen downe from his horse and was lykely to haue be raken & yelded to [...]he M [...]rshall But than an hera [...]de of armes b [...]gan to crye and sayd. Ha Arthur of B [...]ytayne where art thou nowe the erle of Neuers is beten & nere taken prysoner. And Ar­thur whan he hearde that, who as than had by the helpe of Hector & Gouernar dyscomfyted a great route of knyghtes And whan he espyed the erle of Neuers on the ground, he sported forth hys hor [...]e and [...]anne into the thyckest of the prease and strake so the fyrst that he encountred that he fell downe to the erthe both hors and man than he strake on the right sy­de and on the lefte wyth so myghtye stro­kes and heauy that he bet downe all that was before hym, so that none durst abyde hym. And also Hector and Gouernar layde on so on all sydes that al that we­re before theym trembled for feare. And so by clene force in the spite of al his ene­myes he horsed agayne the earle of Ne­uers, and whan he was thus remoun­ted Arthur than lepte agayne intoo the prese and dyd maruayles with hys han­des, for he claue asonder sheldes and vnbarred helmes, and bette downe knygh­ [...]es by great heapes. Thus was Arthur regarded of al people who sayde eche to other. Ihesu what a wonders good k [...]i­ghte is yonder, god defende & kepe hym And the yonge kynge of Malogres had hys eyen euer vpon hym, and sayd to the dolphyn. I thynke yonder knyghte be none earthly man I wenche be some spy­ryte of the ayre, for he all confoundeth. Than the ladye of Rossylon sayd to the marshals syster. Madame ye haue done ryghte well, for I beleue surely ye haue prayed your broder that he sholde do no [...] hurte to these straunge knightes, and al the other ladyes had [...]ght greate sporte at the mery gestyng of these twoo ladyes And thus alwaies Arthur was fighting and at laste there were .iii. knyghtes an [Page] al at ones on the erle of Forest and bet hym downe to the earth and wold haue taken hym prysoner. But w [...]an Arthur sawe the erle at that myschefe he spored hys hors thy derward, and the fyrst that he encountred he braue downe flatte to the earth, and the seconde he toke in hys armes and rasshed hym out of the sadell and cast hym downe on hym that he had before ouerthrowen, the whych greued hym ryght sort, for the knyght was grete and heauy because of the harneys that was on hym, than he that laye vnder­nethe sayde. A syr ye be but yll welcome to me nor he that sendeth you hyther, I praye god he may [...] haue some yll aduen­ [...]u [...]e, for ye haue all too brused me wyth youre fallynge. Than Arthur tooke the knyghtes horse and caused the erle of Forest to mount thereon. And Arthur put hym selfe agayne into the thyckest prese and began agayne to fyght as fresshely as though he had done nothynge before of all that daye, soo that he was dradde in euery place, for there was none durst abyde hym but al fledde fro hym, soo at the last he came where as the chiefe stan­darde was▪ where as he found the Mar­shall, who dyd hys payne to bete downe all that was afore hym, at whyche time he had stryken fro Gouernar his shyelde And therwyth Arthur strake hym on the helme so rudely that he draue him down too the earthe all astonyed, and Arthur toke hys horse and gaue it to Hector for hys horse fayled hym he was so sore woū ded, and than Hector mounted on hym. And this stroke was seene of the kynge and of the dolphyn, and of all the ladies and damoysels, and they all sayde that the Marshal had bene the best knyght of all the worlde, but nowe he hath mette hys mayster, for certaynely yonder fayre knyghte surmounteth in prowesse all o­ther knyghtes of the worlde. Than the lady of Rossylon sayd vnto the Marshalles syster. Madame youre broder is not so yll and myscheuous as ye spake of here before▪ so ye may behold these straun­ge knyghtes howe they are before hym [...] and yet he dooth no [...]hynge too theym, I thynke he slepeth, for ye maye se yonder howe styll he lyeth on the grounde, for al that season he lay styl on the earthe sore astonyed in a greate traunce. And whan all the knyghtes of hys partye saw hym lye so styll vpon the grounde they feared least he had bene dead, and sayde that one vnto that other. Yonder is the deuyll, I thynke he wyll confounde vs all, there­fore let vs depart out of thys fyelde, and therwyth they al went theyr wayes. [...] so there remayned styll Arthur, Hector, and Gouernar. And whan that the yong kynge and the Dolphyn and manye o­ther saw Arthur alone in the fielde they came to hym and [...]alewed hym and sayd. Syr god kepe you the best knyght of the world, and encrease your noble honoure and valure. My lorde sayde Ar [...]hur, god that al thyng hath fourmed of noughte may encrease you [...] bounte and be your [...] sauegarde, and syr sauynge youre grace I am none suche knyght worthy for to haue suche prayse as ye gyue me. well syr sayde the kynge we haue [...]ne ryght [...] well how it is, therfore myne owne sw [...] te frende I requyre you that ye wyll b [...] one of my house, and ye shall be my com­panyon. Syr sayde Arthur I am ryght well yours where so euer I be, howe be it I haue a lorde already, who hath nourysshed me lyke hys owne chylde. Syr in good trouth sayde the erle of Forest, it is good ryghte than that ye loue hym. And as they were thus talking togythe [...] [Page xxix] the Marshal rose from the grounde, and whan he sawe that the tourney was do­ne and fynysshed and that he hadde done nothynge to hym that had beaten hym downe, he was ryghte sore dyspleased, and than he sente a knyght to the erle of Beamen desyrynge hym for to haue the tournay to begyn agayne the nexte daye and how that he wolde encountre yet a­gayne wyth Arthur. This knyght foun­de the Erle of Beamen in the companye of the yonge kynge and of Arthur. And than h [...] sayde. Syr my lord the marshal saleweth you, and desyreth you agayne too haue a tournay to morowe. By the good lorde quod the yonge kynge youre mayster ought for to suffyse and be con­cen [...]e of that whyche hath bene done here thys day [...], wherefore it is reason that he now resteth hym selfe, for the kynge ful well thought that the Marshal woulde not be in ease tyl that he were reuenged of Arthur A syr sayde Arthur the Marshal is not yet weary, and he wolde thynke my lorde of Beamen for recreaunt yf be sholde refuse his request, therefore syr [...]or goddes sake graunt hym. Syr sayde [...]he erle wyth a ryght good wyll sythe it pleaseth you, but syr I requyre you than to helpe our party. Uere [...]y syr sayde Ar­thur wyth all my heart to the beste of my lytell power. So than there was graun [...]ed too be an other tournay on the nexte daye. Than syr Guy de la lounde came vntoo Arthur and ledde hym to be vnarmed. So than Arthur toke hys leaue of the kynge, who wolde right gladly haue had hym in hys companye. And than all the people ranne to beholde Arthur and sayd wyth a comyn voyce, beholde hym that all hath vanquysshed. Than whan Arthur was vnarmed y^e erle of Beamen kept him company, and also Hector and Gouernar were vnarmed. Than the in­dyes and damoyselles retourn [...]d intoo theyr pauylyons alwayes speakynge of Arthur, and than they assembled theym togyder by plumpes, here ten and there twelue, and all the countesses were to­gyder in one parte, and wyth theym the Marshalles syster dame blaunche and the ladye Rossylon speakyng euer of Arthur. Ue [...]ely sayde the countes of Forest syth I was fyrst borne I neuer sawe soo good a knyght nor so valyaunce, nor so well doynge in armes as he is. It is of a trouth sayde che ladye Neuers, [...]aw y [...] not howe that he brake the great companyes of knyghtes and tourned and once threwe all that euer he touched. By my soule sayde the countes of Foys, I saw hym whan he enbraced a knyghte in hys armes al armed and caste hym downe vpon an other knyght and brused hym ryghte sore there wyth, and also sawe y [...] not howe y^t he strake the Marshal dow­ne to the grounde, to saye the trouthe he is the b [...]st knyght of the worlde and th [...] mooste hardyest. And more ouer all the beauty of the worlde that cā be comprysed in a man is in hym. Also he is [...]eple­te wyth all grace and vertue, for hee is free, meeke, and gentyl as a lambe. By the faythe that I owe vnto god sayde the ladye Rossylon, my ladye the countes of Forest I woulde he were youre knyghte I beleue you wel sayde the ladye blaun­che for than I thynke verelye ye would speke with him oftentimes whan other ladyes wer [...] abedde faste on slepe wyth­as fewe a companye as ye myghte wyth oute makynge of anye noyse but shame haue she that wyl forfayte wyth an other that is not her owne. Certaynely answe­red the lady Rossylon I thynke there b [...] but fewe in this world borne tha [...] lyueth [Page] clene bothe in thought and in dede, how be it I am not she y^t closeth priuely knightes in her chaumbre by nyghte tymes wythoute the lycence of my lorde, nor ke­pe none vnder my couerture, howe saye you fayre lady know you any otherwyse by mee, yf ye doo spare not but speake it here openly, yf ye be of that condycions or haue done soo, ye oughte than the ra­ther too be the more secrete, yf ye knowe that malady to be in an other whan you knowe youre owne estate leue the enquyryng of any farder than nedeth of any o­ther, for I am in certayn that ye be some­tyme in the shadowe oftener than I am in the sonne, with company oftener than I am alone. Than al the ladyes and da­moyselles began to laugh, and tourned all the matter intoo Iapes and sportes And all this while Arthur was in the erle of Beamens tent, and there was wyth hym syr Guy de la launde, and there he was well serued and muche honoured of euerye man. And after souper they pas­sed forthe the tyme in great ioy and mo­che myrth tyll it was conuenyent tyme to go to theyr restes.

THe nexte daye betymes Ar­thur arose and all the other erles, barons and knyghtes, to heare masse and after they armed them all of bothe par­tyes, and soo than came intoo the [...]yelde there as they should turney, and as soon as Arthur and the Marshall sawe eche other they apparayled them to renne to­gyder, and dasshed too theyr horses and encountred so rudely that they all to br [...] ke theyr speres the whyche were greate and bygge as though they had beene but redes, and so passed forth wythoute hur­tynge of eche other, and whan that Ar­thur hadde perfourmed hys course he encountred an other knyghte, and strake hym soo with the [...]ronchon of his spear [...] that he was therwith sore wounded and fell downe to the erth. Than Hector and Gouernar began to stryue and to beate downe knyghtes vygoryousely, and dyd enforce theym to doo noble dedes of ar­mes. Than Arthur fought soo amonge them wyth suche vertue that he caused al the tankethes and please of knyghtes to auoyde and gyue hī place, euery thyng fell too hym as he woulde wysshe it, for he felled sheldes and bette downe knygh­tes, and wanne horses and enforced pry­soners to yelde them at hys pleasure, so that al fledde before hym, for none durste encountre his mighty strokes. Than the ladye of Rosselyn who was as than nere to the countes of Forest, sayd to the marshalles syster. Madame yet I sayde true­ly yesterday whan, that I sayde how that this knyght was merely too be retayn [...]d with a great lady, wherfore I wolde h [...] were partaining with my lady the coun­tes of Forest here presente, for he is noo knyghte to be comyn to all ladyes, such as wheleth aboute the chymney, as I thynke some suche ye knowe ryght well for there be many that choseth not by the wyll one all onely, but are glad to take suche as they maye get, for elles parad­uenture they myght tarye very longe or they founde suche a knyghte as thys is▪ Than the countesse of Neuers sayde to the countesse of Forest. Marye madame this lady payeth wythout anye gage sellyng. Truely sayd the countes of Forest [Page xxx] they that speaketh fayre, fayre shal here agayne, but thys marshals syster spake yesterday vylanye to my lady Rossylon, & therfore now she remembreth her therof. And so it fortuned [...]hat in this season the lord of the castel Yssembart, and Reynold of piereyle and wel .xv. othe [...] knyghtes of theyr route toke theyr counsaile to renne al at ones ayenst Arthur too then­tent to brynge hym to the grounde. And whan they sawe that Arthur hadde bene wel trauayled and that they thought he had bene weary, than they al togider ran at hym and strake him on all sydes, and charged him with so many strokes that his hors enfoūdred vnder hym, howe be it as hys horse fel he toke syr Issenbar [...] that was before hym in hys armes and cast hym downe to the [...]arth in the spyte of his herte. And whan they were booth at the grounde, than Arthur slepte vpon his fete and layde handes on syr Issen­bartes hors▪ and mounted theron ayenst the wyl of al hys enemyes. And whan Reynolde of pyetrele sawe that he went wyth suche good ayde as he had and enbraced Arthur wyth both hys handes, and soo eche of them helde other ryghte fore, and therwith other knightes came soo fyercelye on them that they were dryuen downe to the erth both ho [...]s and man Than Arthur lep [...]e on his feere agayne, and as he that was ryghte sore dysplea­sed ran to the erle of [...]oys and toke hym in his armes with a gre [...] force and pul­led hym soo rudely that the gyrth [...]s and paytrell [...]nd harneys all too braste and so the erle ouerthrew wyth the sadel by­twene hys legges, than Arthur lepte on the horse bare backed and tooke from a squier a mace of stele that he b [...]te in his hande and layd on wyth bothe hys han­des and strake the fyrste that he encoun­tred soo rudelye that he tourned hys legges vpwarde, and than he wente to another knyghte and strake hym [...]oo soore, that he was so astonyed therwyth that hys horse bare hym halfe a myle or that he wyst where he was. And so in this ragy here A [...]thur droue downe x. knyghtes or euer he rest [...]d, and layde on euer bothe on the ryghte syde and on the lefte wyth so great yre that he confounded all that euer he towched, he was in su [...]h [...] a furour that he wyst not well whether h [...] was on horsebacke or on foute, wyth sadell or withoute sadell, and fomed loo at the mouth that al those that than [...]awe hym sayd that he was out o [...] hys wytte, soo that all fledde before hym and gaue hym waye where so euer that he wente. And dydde so muche that he escaped [...]le­ne from all the knyghtes whyche wer [...] in the thought for to haue put hym to rebuke and shame, so that the place wher [...] as he stode was clene auoyded. Than ca­me there to hym Hector and Goue [...]nar, whan they sawe hym wythout a [...]adel the [...] were greatelye maruayled ther [...]of, and so there wyth Hector rode toward [...] knyght so fyercely that he bate hym downe to the grounde, and Gouernar tooke hys hors and brought hym vnto Arthur And whan Arthur appe [...]yued that he had noo sadell vnder hym he maruayled gretely, for he was soo sore trauayled before that he toke noo hede thereof. Than heared of Hector and of Gouernar how he hadde loste hys sadell, and wheder he hadde any fall or not▪ and than they she­wed hym all how it was, whereat they dyd la [...]gh. And whan that Arthu [...] was mounted intoo the sadell be sawe before hym where as there stoode all the coun­tesses and dyuerse other ladyes and da­moyselles wythoute theyr ten [...]es for to [Page] behold the tourney [...]han he spurred hys hors, and came to thē and alighted down to the erth, and humbly salewed theym & sayd. Fayre ladyes god that al fourmed g [...]ue ioye and honoure to al youre noble company the whych is [...]yght fayre and gentyll. Syr sayde they, all ye be hyther ryght welcome. well fayre ladyes sayde Arthur for goddes sake be not dysp [...]esed that I am soo bolde too come too you, for it should haue bene greate vylanye to me seyng that I was so nere youre pre­sence yf I had not done my duety in salewyng of youre noblenesse. And in the meane tyme as they thus talked togy­ther the erle of Foys and his tou [...] ranne on the erle of forest and his companye & helde hym soo harde and shorte that he brake all the route of his companye, and nye had taken prysoner the erle of Forest for he was beten downe to the earth. And whan the countes his wife saw her lord so nye ouercome, she sayde vnto A [...]thur. Syr knyght, of what company be ye of in thys tourney. Fayre lady said Arthur I am of the company pertaynyng to the erle of forest. Certeniy syr sayd the ladye I beleue not that, for yf ye were of hys company ye wold not suffre hym too be delte with as he is now but I thinke ye loue better ease and rest than to tournay and in so your dayng ye do wel and wysely, for it is better to be in the shadow thā in the sonne light. whan Arthur he [...]rde her saye so, he was gretly abassh [...]d, and to [...]rued hys vysage toward the turney and s [...]w where the erle of forest was beten fro his horse and stode defendyng of him se [...]son fote. And than he sayd [...]o the countesse of forest, Madame for goddes sake I as [...]e you mercye for I thoughteful lytel that my Lorde youre husbo [...]de had bene in this case, but by the gra [...]e of god I shal sone helpe and socoute hym. Ye sayd the lady I [...]rowy [...] be very fe [...]t [...] ye se him now almost at a gret myschefe and yet ye stande here styll preachyng to vs. And whan Arthur herd that he was sore dysplesed and so moūted on his hors and without any longer delay he [...]she into the thy [...]kest of the route soo rudelye that hys hors went like the thunder, and al the ladies behelde him right well, and sayde god kepe and def [...]nde the fro mys­cheue or shame. And Arthur [...]u [...]hte into the prese and strake the first so rudelye y^t he ouerthrew bothe hors and man, than the ladyes began to laugh, than A [...]thur toke an other with his hands by the sholders and cast him rudely to the erth, thā he toke his mase of stele hanging at hys sadel how, and strake so fiersly [...]herwy [...]h rounde about [...] hym in euery place that he brake the prese and bet downe knyghtes, soo that there were none that durste approche vntoo hym, but they all [...]ledd [...] before [...]ym as these smal [...]owles dooth afore the fawcon. Than Arthur came to the erle of forest and brought him a new hors an [...] he [...]ped hym to mount thereon. Than Ar [...]hur rode to the erle of Foys, & the erle gaue hym a great stroke on the helme, but Arthur moued noo more for al the [...]roke t [...]an though he had stryken a g [...]eate [...]oure, but Arthur strake hym a­gay [...]e so [...]yer [...]ly that he caused hym to auoyde the a [...]son of his sadel, and [...]aket Arthu [...]s squyer tooke the horse, than Ar­thu [...] sayde to hym. [...]aket I wil thou go with [...]hat hors and presenteit f [...]o me too my lady the coun [...]es of forest, who right nowe blamed me [...]u [...] sore. Syr quod Fa­ket with a right good wyl, and so wence­forth with the hors. And Arthur al thys season helde vnder hym the erle of Foys in suche wyse tyll at the last the earle of [Page xxxi] Forest came to them, and so there to him the erle of Foys was fayne to yelde hym selfe. Than Arthur put him selfe againe into the prease, and strake so on all par­tes, that fynally euery man fledde from hym, and left him in the place all alone. Than Arthur cried openly and sayde, yf there be any knyght that dare come, let hym appere, but he myghte haue taryed there long ynough or any that was ther wold haue comen to him. Than syr Guide la launde came to him and sayde. Syr I haue promysed you that I shuld shew vnto you the ladye of Rossylon, pleaseth it you now therefore to come with me, & ye shal se her by the fayth that I owe to God, I wil go with you gladly. And thā their two, and Hector & Gouernar rode forthe to the ladies tente, and by the way they encoūrted Iaket, who had done his message. And he shewed to Arthur how that the countes of Forest ryght hartly did thanke him. And whan thei were be­fore the tente thei lyghted. And than ge­nerallye all the ladyes and damoyselles came to them warde wyth greate feeste and ioye. And whan Arthur was within the tente wyth the ladyes, who affectu­ally behelde him. Than the countesse of Neuers, and the count [...]s of Forest right hartely dyd welcome hym. And he an­swered & said Fayre ladies, great w [...]lth and honoures god maye sende vnto you all. Than the countesse of Foys dide sa­lewe hym, & said. Syr yet I oughte not thus to salewe you, syth ye haue so yl entreted my lorde my husbande this daye. A my ryghte dere ladye sayde Arthur, ye ought not therefore to blame mee. For it was but the fortune of that play. Truly syr sayd she, ye say nothing but trouthe, nor I bere not to you therefore any euil wyll. Than the countesse of Forest said who had spoken to hym before ryght ru­dely. Syr I humbly requyre of you par­don, and I wyll make you amendes in y^t I haue soo rudely spoken to you be [...]ore this tyme, wherefore noble and gentyll knyghte take noo regarde to the vayne wordes of a woman, whoo lightly ope­neth her mouthe to speake, but beholde your great bounte and noblenes, where wyth ye be gretly endued, but syr that I said was because I sawe my lorde at a great mischefe. Than came to theym syr Guy de la launde holdynge the ladye of Rossylon by the hande, & said to Arthur Syr I haue before thys tyme promysed you that I should shew you my ladye of Rossylon, syr beholde her for here shee is nowe present before you. And whan Ar­thur sawe her, he made great ioye of her and promysed her faithfully to be alway her owne knyght. And she agayne right highely thanked hym, & all other ladyes & damoyselles affectuously beheld hym, and required him that he would take the payne to vnarme him amonge theim, for thei sayd that thei woulde fayne se hym vnarmed, and somewhat for curtesye, he with said their desyre. But fynally they desyred hym soo affectuously, that nedes he was fayne to agre to their requeste, & whan he was vnarmed he was of body [...] right maruaile us fayre and gentyl to beholde. For he was bygge, longe, and streyght. Than these ladies behelde him maruaylousli and said eche to other how that she should be right happy y^t myghte haue suche a knight to her louer. And all these countesses, & great ladies wysshed eche of them that he might haue ben partayninge to theyr lordes. Than a ladye brought to him warme water in a basin of syluer to wasshe his necke and visage because of the sweting in his harneys. [Page] And the lady of Rossylon put a mantell of scarlet aboute hym the whiche was pertaining to the coūtesse of Neuers to then­tent he shuld take no colde af­ter his labour, and so he remayned a good space amonge [...] them and fynally toke his ieue. Thā the ladyes desyred him that he wold be their knight, and that he would suffre his harneis to remayne styl amonge them tyl he had nede therof, and that he would vouchesaue to were the mantell of scarlet styll on him. And Arthur dyd graunte them theyr desyre, and so moūted on his horse and all his company, and rode forthe tyll at the laste he mette with all the hole as­semble o [...] bothe parties, and there was the yonge king of Malogres and all the other foure erles, and the dolphyn, and fyue hundred other knyghtes. Than the yonge kynge sayde to Arthur. Syr ye be ryght hartely welcome, as he that is the floure of all chyualry, & the best knyghte of all the worlde, & there he desyred hym greatly to abyde with him, and that they myghte be companions togider euer af­ter, & frendes. But arthur excused hym as well as he myght. And all this season he had on the fresshe mantell of scarlet, wherein he semed bygge and longe and meruaylously streyght and fayre, & generally all y^e knygtes behelde hym & sayde how that he was hyely rewarde of god for he was fayre & hardy, & of his chiualry surmoūted all other, for thei all sayde that the valure of al other knightes wer as nothing to the regard of his noblesse.

THan the Marshall who had his hart enflambed w^t greate yre bycause that Arthur had put hym to the worse, and also bycause he herde so moche good and honour spoken of hym, wher­of he had so great enuy in his harte, and so great despyte, that he could not holde hym selfe in rest, for he bileued hym selfe to be the best knyght of the worlde, than openly he spake so hygh and lowde that euery knyght mighte here hym, and Ar­thur also, sayeng in this maner of wyse Certainly this s [...]raunge knight can not swoune, whan he is ledde by the hande with fayre ladyes and damoyselles: and clothed with their mantelles, he lacketh noo thynge but a softe pilowe to playe [Page xxxii] theron with some of these damoyselles And whan Arthur herde hym he answered and sayd. Syr yf their ladyes take me by the hande I thanke them therof for it is by theyr courtesye and not by my deseruynge therfore I loue theym the better and wyll be the gladder for to serue them and to be a faythfull kni­ght to theym al in general. For as god helpe me so moche is a knyghte worth as he can deserue prayse of ladyes and damoyselles. And the Marshall full of yre answered. In fayth as for you ye be but lytell worth and that semeth well whan ye are fa [...]ne to take the reuersion of these ladyes olde clothynge. well syr sayd Arthur as for all that loke what so euer they do to me I am ryght well content therwith I thynke I haue no thinge of yours yf I haue take it fro me yf ye dare. Certaynly sayd the Marshal if ye had ony thynge of myn soo wolde I do thynke not the contrary for I wolde not spare neyther for you nor for none other to take it grudge therat who wol­de. Than Arthur all smylīge sayd. Well syr than I am ryght happy that I haue noo thynge of youres for yf I had me thynketh I sholde not kepe it longe by your wyl. And whā the Marshall sawe hym smyle he thought he dyde it for de­spyt [...] of hym and sayd. Syr Wyll ye do so moche for all these ladyes sakes that ye and I may playe togyder with tWo fayre speres. Syr sayd Arthur ye be so valyaunt a man that ye ought not to be refused nor denied for so litell a request T [...]an the Marshal Was b [...]amed of the kīge and of all the other knyghtes and they wolde full fayne haue letted these Iustes b [...]cause they thoughte that Ar­thur was wery of the labour which he had in the iournay before. But the Marshall sayd he hath promysed it me, and therfore yf it please hym, I trust he wyl not fayle me, yf he doo I wyll say that he is recreaunte. Naye sayd Art [...]u [...] by the fayth that I owe vnto God I wyll not fayle you. And so euery man prayed god that the shame might fall vpo [...] the Mar [...]hall, bicause of his proude disdai­nefull mynde. Than Arthur demaun­ded incontinent for his ha [...]neis. Thā syr Guy de la launde wente vnto the ladyes tente, and shewed the [...]m how that the Marshall had chalenged Arthur to Iuste with him againe. [...] the ladyes to him all hys harneys, and praied god for to giue vnto Arthur the honour of those Iustices. For thei said how that the marshal was a fole, and of an outragious wil [...]ull minde, wherfore thei praied vnto god that he shulde spede the worse. Than dame blaunche sayd to the lady of Rossylō. Madame I bileue now that your straung [...] knight shall haue yet or it be nighte grete nede of some soft bedde to lye in your cham­bre, by that tyme thy brother [...]athe bre­wed a caudel for his heed, for I ensure you he neue [...] as yet encountred so dere a physycien. well madame sayd the la­dy of Rossylon. Fayre and easely, at the ende shall be seen who shall wynne the wager, as yet ye can make no boost for ye haue wonne nothing. Thā Arthur and the Marshall both dyde arme them and whan thei were bothe in the felde ther was brought to them grete speres and than thei spurred their horses with so great randowne that the blode dasht oute of their sydes, for thei were bothe good and redoubted knightes, but [...]he Marshal was not to be compared vnto Arthur for sith Arthur was fyrst made knyghte he fered no man lyuynge, [Page] wherfore the Marshall dyde folye to enterpryse ony thynge agaynst hym, but pryde dooth oftentymes many harmes to his mayster, the Marshall at the fyrst course strake Arthur and brake his spe­re to his fyste, but Arthur for all that moued no more than though there had ben but a rede broken vpon hym. But he strake the Marshall soo [...]udelye that he bare downe horse and man to the erth Than began to laugh al the ladyes and damoyselles, knyghtes, and squyers. Than the lady of Rossylon sayd to da­me blaunche. Madame youre broder is not so fell and so outragious as I had wende that he had bene, for he taketh no more of the erth but his owne length, I thynke he slepeth, beholde howe pryuely he lyeth styll. And han the Marshall awoke out of hys traunce he was sore ashamed in that he was so ouerthrowen and demaunded yf he had ouerthrowen Arthur, than it was shewed hym naye, wherwith he was ryght sore displeased Yet than agayne he prayed Arthur on his knyghthode that he wolde Iust with hym an other course. But all that euer herde hym thought he played the prou­de fole and counseyled hym the countra­ry, but all that auayled not, for he sayde he wolde nedes yet Iuste ones agayne. And whan y^t Arthur herde hym of that mynde, he had greate dysdayne thereat & wexed angry in his herte to considre his folysh presumptuous mynde, and sayde well if he wyll nedes abyde the seconde I thynke he wyll gladlye let the thyrde passe. So than they toke muche greater speares than they had before, and in grete yre ranne togyther so egerly that it semed the earth enfoundred vnder theym, and the Marshall stroke Arthur ryghte rudely, for he was a good knyghte, and sheuered his spere all to peces, But Ar­thur hyt him with his spere the which was great and bygge, so that the sadell paytrell, girthes and all brast, and hors and man wente to the groūde so rudely that wyth the fall that the Marshal had one of his armes broken, and also two of his rybbes, and his body sore brused so that he laye styl a greate season with out mouynge, and than all the knygh­tes that sawe the stroke were gretely abasshed and sayd eche to other how that the Marshall was beten downe to the erth both horse and man, and in greate ieopardy of his lyfe.

THan whā the Marshal was thus ouerthrowē the ladies dyd laughe, & sayde. Blesse [...] be god pryde alwayes ouer­throweth his maister. Than the lady of Rosst [...]on sayd vnto the lady blaunche. Madame now it semeth that your brother hath l [...]ste the wager it had bene better for hym that he had bene in your chaumbre, he speketh no [...]o wor­d [...]s he hath lytell care now for the flyes beholde how that he [...]aketh h [...]s legges Than al the other coūcesses and ladyes that were there present [...] did laughe, an [...] sayd the pryde of him is now wel aba­ted god kepe & defende suche a knyghte that can gyue suche valyaunte strokes As god helpe me said the lady Rossi [...]on [Page xxxiii]

the Marshall is now in good rest. I trowe he hath lytell lust to remount againe let him be wel apayed, for now he hathe that he sought for. And so eche of theym spake theyr verdyte. Than the yonge kynge and the other Earles came to the Marshall and demaunded of hym howe he dyd. And he answered and saide ryght yll, for I haue two of my rybbes broken and one o [...] my armes. I praye you howe dooth Arthur. In good trouth sayde the erle of Beauieu, he is yet in the fyelde, where as he entendeth yf ye wyll goo to hym and breke the thyrde spere. Alas sayd the Marshall, I beleued this daye in the mornynge that I had bene the best knyght of y^e world, for I thoughte that there was none that had ony power in comparison vnto me, but nowe I haue founde my mayst [...]r. therfore I requyre you cause hym to come to me. Than the erle of Beauieu toke Arthur by the han­de and sayd. Syr the Marshall woulde fayne speake wyth you. In the name of god sayd Arthur let vs goo to hym. By that tyme the Marshall was layde on a lytell couche that was broughte to hym. And whan he sawe Arthur he sayde that all myghte here hym Syr ye be to me ryghte hertely welcome as he that is the ch [...]fe floure of all chyualrye, and syr I crye you mercy of the greate pryde that I was in, the [...]hy­che moued me to Iuste with suche a knyght as ye be, verely I was enuious and sorowfull of the noblenes that I herte spo­ken of you, and therfore I to­ke on me to Iuste wyth you, to the entent to abate your praise and renowne, but suche there be that thynketh to greue other and the hurte and gryefe tourneth vnto theym selfe, god hath done to me ryghte accordynge to my thoughte, for he hathe broughte me in to the same case that I had thought for to haue you in, therfore gentyll knyghte, I requyre you to par­don my foly that I haue thought agenst you. And whan Arthur herde hym spea­ke so louyngly, he had greate pyte of his hurte and sayde. A syr I oughte to crye you mercye bycause that I haue hurte you so rore, wherfore it forthynketh me, wherfore syr I pray you to pa [...]don me. Certaynly syr sayde the Marshall, with all my herte, and I gyue you my voyce of the crownyng of this tournay as vn­to hym that is the best knyghte of al the worlde. Than the kyng sayde syr Mar­shall than ye be accorded that h [...] shall be crowned as the best knight of this tournay. Syr sayde the Marshal as god hel­pe me wyth all my herte. [...]nd the kyng sayd by the fayth that I owe vnto god, he shall haue my voyce and good wyll. [...]nd all the other Erles sayde that they were all agreed therto, for he was wor­thy and none other. Than came to them [Page] all the Ladyes and damoysels, and they were all of the accorde that he sholde be crowned as the best knyght of all other And than y^e crowne was brought forth and the yonge knyge of malogres didde set it on Arthurs head bye the comyn ac­corde of all the hole assemble, and they were al content that he should be kynge of all those knyghtes that were there as­sembled, & they all profred hym succour and ayde in all places and agenst al peo­ple and as often as he wolde commaun­de them. Thus they remayned in great feest and Ioye well the space of fyftene dayes, with al maner of pastaunce sownynge to noblenes.

AT the end of the .xv. dayes arthur toke leue of the kin­ge and of all the cries & la­dies who were not w [...]l con­tent of his departing. And the kynge sayd, ryght dere syr and frend I requyre you as hartelye as I can that ye wyl go with me into my coū [...]re, and I promyse you faythfully as a kynge y^t ye and I sha [...]be in in all thynges as cō ­panyons and frendes, and I shall loue you ryght derely, & wyll gyue you londe soo great and good that ye shall be ryght wel content therwith, mine owne swete frende I requyre you graunt me my de­syre, and therwyth he enbraced and kys­se [...] hym. And whan Arthur hearde hym he smyled & sayde, myn owne dere Lord I thanke you, and wolde to god mooste puyssaunt that I might do as ye desyre me, for it were grete Ioye to me to aby­de in your noble company, if it were nor for one thynge that I haue enterprysed and as yet I wote not well what it is, nor where to fynde it, but as mine ad­uenture happenneth. I haue taryed here very longe, therfore now it is time that I departe. And whan they herde that he wolde nedes go, they were ryght so­rowfull, and the kynge and all other of­fred hym to go in his company to helpe and ayde hym to attayne his enqueste, but Arthur wolde not consente therto, and said that he wold haue no company but suche as came wythin hym. Yes syr sayde the kynge ye shall haue with you Bawdewyn my squyer, and I wyll de­lyuer hym to you for good and true, for I wyll vndertake he woulde rather dye than his mayster sholde take ony hurte or domage in his defaute, & also he kno­weth the vertues of all herbes, for he is a souerayne surgyon. In the name of god sayd Arthur, I am contente to take hym of you, and for his conning I wyll loue him better thā two thousande poūd of yerely londe. Than Arthur, Hector Gouernar, Bawdewyn and Iaket, to­ke of euery mā [...]oungy and leue, and de­parted and entred in to theyr Iournay, and Bawdewyn and Iaket rode before. Hector and Gouernar rode togider, and Arthur betwene them. And as they rode they comoned of the grete valure of the yonge kynge of malogres, & of the other erles and knyghtes ladyes and damoy­selles, and of the gre [...]e honour that they had amonge them. In this maner they rode euery daye the space of thre wekes w^tout fyndynge of ony aduenture wherof any mencyon is made.

AT the ende of the .iii. we­kes Arthur and hys compa­ny entred into the Erldome of Brewle agenst the londe of Soroloys, and of this erledome there was an Erle a noble of hauoyre and of frendes, and reputed ryghte wyse, and had to wyfe a noble Ladye and a vertu­ous, who hadde to name the gentyll Isabell, and had betwene them two a fayre and a gracyous doughter named Alyce. Ioynynge to thys Erledome there marched a duchy wherin there was a Duke whiche was named Malaquys, a cruel man and an enuyons. And thys Duchy was called Orgoule, and thys duke had often and manye tymes demaunded of this erle, his doughter dame Alyce to haue in maryage, but the erle nor the good lady his wyfe wolde in no maner of wyse graunte therto, bycause of the euyll condycyons that were wythin this Duke. And whan that the Duke sawe that he coulde not gette this fayre lady Alyce he bare than in his herte grete heate and enuy to the erle her father, in soo muche that at the last, thys duke had knowlege vpon a daye howe that the Erle was gone to chase in the forest. And therby hys prepenced malyce caused this Earle shamefully for to be slayne and murdered. And whan that the Erle was thus myscheuously slayne, he was brought home to his wyfe whiche was ryght sorowful for his deth, & made hym to be honourably buryed. But this sorowfull la [...]y in noo wyse coulde ve [...]yly tell how that he was slayne, but she had grete suspecte to the duke. And soo within halfe a yere after the duke came vnto this counte [...]e and demaunded of her Dame Alyce her doughter, but the countes [...]e bycause [...]e had hym in suspecte of the [...]the of the er [...]e her husbonde wolde in no maner of wyse graunte therto, nor also this fayre mayden Alyce wolde in noo wyse haue hym to dye therfore. And whan the du­ke perceiued that he might not haue her at his pleasure he had g [...]te [...]esp [...]te therof, and soo defyed the coun [...]esse and as­sembled a grete hoost and be [...]yeg [...] the cyte of Brewle, and wasted al the countre rounde aboute a greate ci [...]cuy [...]e, and made hys auowe that he woulde not departe thens tyll that he had wonne her by force. And i [...] thys meane season Arthur and his company arryued in that countre, and the Duke had layen at the syege as than the space of a yeare before the Cyte accompanyed wyth foure hondred knyghtes besydes other seruantes And thus [...]rthur and his company rode thro [...]ghe thys Countrye the whyche he founde all exyled and put to wast, and mette wyth much people [...]leyng out of the lande, whereof he was gretly ameruayled, and demaunded of two vytay­lers that he mette, ledynge of vytayle to the hoost what was the cause of the exile and wasting of that count [...]e. And they answered hym how that the duke of or­goule hadde wasted it in suche wyse. Ye frēdes sayd Arthur, and I pray you for what cause. Syr sayd they that wil not we tell you, for we haue nede to sel our vytayle to wyn thereby our sustenaūce [Page] and therfore it behoueth vs not to saye yll nor to accuse ony per [...]one, but yf ye wyl knowe ye may we [...]e of this people that ye se fleynge oute of the countree. Than Arthur demaunded of theym the cause, and they shewed hym howe that the duke of orgoule demaunded in ma­ryage the erles doughter, and how that he caused the erle to be slayne by treason bycause he wolde not agree to his desy­re, and as now hath besyeged the coun­tesse in her cyte of brewle and hath wa­stee all the countree. And whan Arthur herde all this he sayd. Syrs god spede and helpe you all▪ And whan he was riden ferre from theym he sayd to Hector his cosyn. Cosyn how saye you what is best that we shall doo, Syr sayd Hector in the name of god let vs enter into this warre. I alowe it wel sayd Arthur but we wyll not ayde this duke who is in the wro [...]ge and hath the better hande. Nay said Hector that is not myn entent let vs ayde them that be within the cy­te, who be in grete Ieopardye, and nye put vnder wherfore they are in ryghte grete fere, and this in my mynde is best for vs to doo, for they ben in the ryght, wherfore god wyl helpe and socour vs. By the good lorde sayd Arthur it is wel sayd, and so wyl we do. But how shall we enter in [...] the cyte syth that this duke [...]ath besyeged it rounde aboute. well quod Gouerner we muste enter by one waye or other. And thus they rode forth tyll at the laste they espyed the Cyte of Brewle the which was ryght hye and stronge with hyghe walles and myghty toures, and rounde aboute the cyte they sawe tentes and pauylyons pyght and glysterige of standardes, and streme [...]s wauerynge wyth the wynde and moche people wel atayed for the warre. Than sayde Arthur. Frendes this duke bese­mynge hath moche people, I wyll gooe and speke wyth hym or I entre in to the cyte. Ye saye ryght well sayd Hector, to thentente that ye may hym the better a [...] other tyme yf it fortune you to encoun­ter wyth hym in the felde. So they rode forth streyght vnto the great tent of the dukes, and there they founde hym stan­dynge wythout the sayd tente, commaū ­dynge to hys Senesshall that the nexte daye betymes he should make assaute to the Cyte wyth thre hundred halbardes. And wyth those wordes Arthur and his company lyghted of theyr horses, and salewed the duke full goodly. And whan the Duke sawe theym, he praysed theym gretly in his h [...]rte, and courteysly dydde salewe them agayne. Syr sayde Arthur we are departed from our countrye, for we herde spekynge of this warre that ye haue moued. And we thre knyghtes of Fraunce wolde gladly serue some noble man, and be retayned to him for his wa­ges. In the name of god sayde the duke, ye be hyder ryghte hertely welcome, and thoughe it be so that I haue people suf­fycyente, yet wyll I be ryghte gladde to retayne you all to be of my house, and to haue wages mete and drynke, hors and harneys, and all that ye can conquere of youre enemyes shalbe youre owne. Syr sayd Arthur I thanke you, of this ma­ter I shall speke wyth my company and knowe theyr myndes. But syr I requy­re you agaynst whome shall we haue to doo. As god be my helpe sayde the Duke agaynst the cyte, wherein there is a lady who hath refused to gyue me her dough­ter in maryage, wherfore I wyll wynne her bi force. A syr said Arthur, how long hathe it bene that ye haue assyeged thys cyte. Uerely sayd y^• duke it is now more [Page xxxv] than a yere, but I wyll abyde here this seuen yere but I wi [...]l wynne it. well sir sayd Arthur herde ye ony thynge of late from this lady wheder she wyll agre to your desyre or not. Nay in good trouth sayd the duke I herde not from them a grete season. w [...]ll syr sayd Arthur per­aduenture this lady repenteth her that she hath not fulfylled your wyl, for now at the ende she knoweth better her own foly than she dydde in the begynnynge and euer the lenger the better shall she know how that her loude is wasted, & she may wel se how that she is enclosed wythin the cyte and wasteth her goodes and her people also by all lykelyhod are gretely noyed with so longe beynge in a maner in pryson, soo all these thynges ought to moue her to fulfyll your desy­re Syr sayde the duke it is of a trouth al y^t ye say, how be it I thynke there is none of her counsayle that sheweth her so moche reason, or elles they wyll not shew it her. For syr syth ye haue sayde so moche as ye haue done I wyll desyre and praye you to doo soo moche as to shewe her as muche as ye haue done to me, for ye be as yet indifferēt for ye are of neyther partye, therfore ye maye spe­ke to her the more boldlyer, and if that she wyll not agree, let her [...]e incertayne I wyll take her by force and brenne her in my syghte. Syr ye haue ryghte soo to do sayd Arthur, and syth it pleaseth you that I shall goo in thys message I am ryght well content so to doo. Than Ar­thur and hys felawshyp mounted vpō theyr horses and rode towarde the citie Than Hector sayd▪ syr where is youre scutch [...]n of armes on your brest, for ye be a good purseuaunt thinke to fornish well your message. Ye syr sayd Gouer­nar this duke hath a riche messenger he ought to gyue hym good wages sothꝰ they rode forth talkynge and sportyng them tyll they came to one of the gates of the citie and knocked therat so longe tyll at the last the porter opened a lyt [...]e wyndowe, and there he saw thre knigh­tes all armed and well horsed, and he maunded of them what they sought. Arthur answered and sayd, we be mes­sengers, sent from the duke for to spek wyth the lady gouernour of this Citie. Syr sayd the porter suffre a lytle space and I wyl go and speke with her, than the porter wente to the lady, who was as than among her barons and knygh­tes and Alyce her fayre doughter in her company. Than the porter sayd. Mada­me pleaseth it you to knowe howe that there is at the gate thre goodly knyhg­tes armed the fayrest that euer I sawe and they saye that they ben messengers come to speke wyth you from the duke, therfore loke what it shall please you to cōmaunde me to answere theym. Than syr Othes who was cosyn germayn to the lady sayd. Madame me thinketh [...] were well done to let them come in syth they be messengers. In the name of god sayd the lady, open the gates to theym & let them enter. Than the porter tour­ned agayne to the gate and suffered thē to enter. Than whā Arthur was [...]ithin the cyte he sawe grete plen [...]e of shel­des and spe [...]es horse & harnays, kni [...]h­tes and squy [...]rs, and grete and myghty straunge houses full of greate richesse, than in his herte he praysed moche this cyte. And al the knyghtes of the cyte be helde these thre knyghtes as they rode, and sayd eche to other, what knyghtes be these, or fro whens come they, & some answered and sayd how that they coud not tell, and some sayd they were messengers [Page] sente from the duke, but what [...]oo euer thei be thei are meruaylous fayre knightes. And thus thei rode forthe to the palays, and there [...]yghted fro their horses and wente vp in to the hall, and there thei founde the countesse and her barony aboute her. Than the countesse and her doughter Alyce, and all her ba­rons arose against Arthur, and welco­med hym and caused him to syt downe by her [...] and the fayre lady Alyce and Hector, & syr Ot [...]es and Gouernar. Than Arthur said. Madame we be comen hi­ther from the duke of orgoule, who de­maun [...]eth of you that ye shuld gyue to hym in ma [...]iage my ladye Alyce youre d [...]ughter, & madame me thinketh that diuerse reasons ought for to moue you thu [...] to do. Fyrste ye ought to consyder howe ye shall let he [...] in a ryght hye and honourable place. Al [...]o ye se wel y^e grete nomber of people, & the strength whiche he hath, and howe that youre londe is destro [...]ed and wasted, and al the people t [...]erof put to exyle. Also ye ought for to cōsider how that ye be lock [...]d and en­closed here in this cite, and al your no­ble knightes & gentylmen are in grete peryll of their lyues, and leseth theyr tym [...] & substaunce, the whiche is righte gr [...]te [...]omage vnto them, so madame all th [...]se thinges, and many other wisely consider [...]d, ought for to moue you to accomply [...]e this his desyre, syth thys desyre is but for your honoure, and no shame, therfore madame may it please you to gyue an answere what is your wyll in this behalfe. Syr said the lady I w [...]l g [...]ue to you an answere shortly without taking of any other counseyle R [...]ther than I would geue my dough­ter to a false murthe [...]er and specially to hym that by false treason hathe slayne her fader, as god helpe me I wolde ra­ther suffre to be brent to powder. For gladder woulde I be to gyue her to the poorest grome or page in all my house than to hym. But syr I requyre you tel me wheder ye be any of the knightes retaining with the duke or not. Madame sayde Arthur I am not retainyng as yet with him, nor with none other, [...]or I and my companye are knyghtes er­raun [...]es, who haue forsaken our own countrees to seke aduentures, and by fortune we are aryued into this dukes hoost, who wold gladly haue vs retayned in this his warre against you. Sir said the count [...]sse I wo [...]e not what ye be nor of what lynage or coun [...]re ye be of, but it semeth to me that ye be ex­ [...]raught out of some noble house and li­gnage. Therfore syr yf it would please you to helpe to deliuer vs oute o [...] this thraldome, and def [...]de vs f [...]om our ene­mies. I wil giue you my doughter [...]or to do with her what it shall please you, sauing her honoure. Ye mada [...]e sayde Arthur, and is that your mynde wyll ye put her into my handes to [...] wheresomeuer it shall please me, and to put all your [...]rust into me in that be­halfe. Ye syr truely with all my he [...]te sayd the coūtesse. And how say ye rait [...] lady Alyce wyll ye agre to this. Than Alyce beheld Arthur▪ & perc [...]iued right wel how he was fayre and gracious & said. Syr I w [...]l accomplysshe the wyl of my moder. well madame quod Ar­thur, than wyll it please you to knowe of all your noble barons and knightes whether thei wyll accorde that I shall haue your noble doughter in maryage, or ell [...]s for t [...] mary her where so me [...]er it shall please me. Syr Othes sayde the lady, ye be nere of her lynage, cal [...] togy­der [Page xxxi] al my barons and my knyghtes and speke with them of this mater to know theyr mīdes. Than they all entred in to a grete hall and there they comoned of this mater and dyuerse opyntons the­re were amonge them, but fynally they were all agreed and put theyr sayenge on syr Othes▪ the whiche sayenge they all promised to kepe ferme and stable. Than they [...]ll came before the lady and Arthur. And there syr Othes sayd Ma­dame we perceyue it is your wyl to gy­ue my lady Alice your doughter to this knyght, ey [...]her for hymselfe, or elles to gyue her where soeuer as it shall please hym best. Madame we be all accorded vnto your mynde that he shall haue her hymselfe, yf it pleaseth hym in maryage or [...]lles to gyue her vnto an other whe [...]e as he thynketh beste, soo that she be not thereby abbated of her noblenesse, and e­state. Uerely syr sayde Arthur I shall be stow her in as grete a place and lignage or greter than she is of her selfe. Than they all answered and sayde. We desyre nothynge elles. Well madame sayd Ar­thur are ye than agreed & my ladye youre doughter also. And they answered bothe that they were bothe well cont [...]nte. In the name of God sayd Arthur, howe saye you all my lordes are ye agreed therto also. And thei all answered with one voice and sayde. Syr we be ryghte well con­tente, and promyse you faythfullye, that ye shall haue helpe and ayde of vs, and of ours to the vttermost of our powers. well syrs sayd Arthur I thanke you as hertely as I can for your good wyll, and as God helpe me, I shall bestowe her in suche a place, where as she shalbe more better content than with the duke of or­goule, who would full gladly haue her, therefore fayre ladye Alyce come hyder to me. Than the mayden rose and came to hym. And he ryghte louingly toke her in his armes and said vnto her. Fayre lady Alyce from hence forthe ye shall be my doughter, my cosyn, and my loue. Co­syn H [...]ctor aryse and come hyder to me. Then Hector came to hym. And Arthur sayd to hym, myne own good cosyn Hec­tor, I put you in possession of this fayre mayden. And wyth greate honoure and ioye, I frely gyue her to you, to haue in maryage, and all suche rychesse as we may gete of the duke of orgoule, yf it be our fortune for to dyscomfyte hym as I trust to god we shall, and I giue it fre­ly vnto you. And as vnto you fayre lady Alyce, syth he hath slayne your fader by false treason I promyse to you, therfore his head for a recompence. Syr said the damoysell, humbly I thanke you of that gyfte, for I had rather haue that than to be made a Quene. But syr I requyer you tell me what is this gentyll man, to whyche ye haue gyuen me vnto Mada­me sayd Arthur as god helpe me he is of nye lygnage, and of great blode. For I ensure you he is sone and heyre vnto the erle of Bloys, who is a greate Lord and a moche redoubted. And whan that the countesse and her doughter, and all her lordes herde that they were ryght gladde and sayd howe that God hadde vy [...]yted them Than Hector ryght hartely than­ked Arthur of hys gyftt of the fayre la­dy dame Alyce. And in the same houre they were fyaunced togyder. And than begau th [...]re a great feest and great ioye was made thrughout all the cite. Than the tables were set to goo to diner. And whan they were set thei were ryghte ry­chely serued. And after dyner they spor­ted them togider tyl it was time to goo to theyr r [...]stes. In the nexte mornyng [Page] Arthur rose betymes and herde masse, & than wente vp to the palays. where he founde all the barons redy apparayled, and there was Hector and Gouernar & syr Othes. Than Arthur sayd, fayre lor­des I promysed yesterdaye too the duke whan I departed fro hym that I shoulde haue retourned to hym agayne the same nyght to shewe hym the wyll and entent of my lady the countes, therefore I wyll go now to hym al alone, and shew hym his answere. For all ye shall abyde here styll tyl I come agayne, therefore get me my harneys & so anone it was broughte to him, and there he armed hym. Than Hector sayd playnly he would go w^t hym But Arthur bad him neuer speke therof yf he wold haue hys loue and fauour.

THan whan Arthur was moū ted on his horse, he issued oute of the Citye all alone. Than Hector said to Gouernar and syr Othes. Frēdes let vs take oure harneys, for I fere me leest Arthur thur shall haue somwhat to do or he com agayne. Ye haue ryghte well sayde quod Gouernar, and thei armed them, and so dyde all the men of warre y^t were in the [Page xxxvii] cyte. And whā they were all armed they wente to the batylmentes of the walles to behold the demenour of Arthur. Who as than had rode so ferre that he descended sro his horse at the dukes tent. And there he sayd to the duke. Syr verely I answer you how ye nede not to tary he­re ony lenger for y^t fayre lady Alyce, for certaynely I ensure you I haue gyuen her to my cosyn Hector, and al the lo [...]d that belongeth to her both by fader and mother, therfore syr in fayre meanes I require you to depart hastely out of this countre, and yf ye wyll not I haue pro­mised to y^e fayre damoysel Alyce to ren­dre to her youre heed in re [...]ompence by­cause ye slewe her fader by false treason Than the duke was so sorowful and replete with displeasure y^t of a grete space he coude speke no worde. Than the du­ke had by hym a cosyn germayne, who sayd to Arthur. Sir knyght ye do greate outrage to demaūde the head of my lor­de the duke, but by the fayth that I ow vnto hym in the fyrste place that euer I mete you in I shall make hym a present of your heed. Ye sir sayd Arthur, & why wyll ye abyde so longe syth ye may do it now yf ye can, wherfore beholde me I am here present, mounte vp shortely on your horse and ye shall soone mete with me. Ye say ryght well sayd the knyght Get me my harneys, and so armed hym. And Arthur than mounted on hys hors and he espyed wel where there stode be­fore the dukes tent a gret spere the whi­che he toke in his hande, and withdrew hym from the tente to abyde the knight And so when the knyght was armed he lepte on his hors, & sawe where Arthur was abyding for hym. And Hecto [...] as he was vpon the wal of the cyte said to Gouernar. Syr it semeth my cosyn Ar­thur shal not come againe without Iu­stes. Than the knight ranne to Arthur and he to him, and they mette so rudely that the knight brake his spere but Ar [...]thur hyt hym so impetously y^t the spere heed entred into his herte, wherwith he fell downe dead to the erth. And whan the dukes knyghtes being in theyr ten­tes sawe him fal downe dead they were sore displeased. And also thys knyghte had. v, knyghtes to his brethren in the dukes hoost, and they armed theym all at ones to renne at Arthur.

ANd whan hector saw them of the dukes hooste ranne to theyr harneys he sayde vnto Gouernar, frēde let vs issue out shortly, And syr Othes delyuered the chefe standarde of the cy­te to syr Lyonet his neuewe, & so yssued out of the citie in good order & well ren­ged in battayle. And whan Arthur saw the foresayd fyue knyghtes cominge to him ward, he dasht his spurres into his hors & encountred so with the fyrst that he thrust his spere thrugh his body and so he fell downe deade. Than he s [...]t his hand to his swerd and strake therwith so the seconde that he claue his head nye to hys chynne. And fro the thyrde he be­rafte his sholder with the arme, for all togyder flew into the felde. And whan syr Othes sawe suche meruaylous strokes as he gaue, he sayd. Saynte marye what knyght is this, he is the best of al the world [...] god defende hym from onye [Page] vylany, verely hys strokes are gretly to be doubted, for they are ryght heuy. And whan y^e duke saw his knightes so slayne all onely by one man, he was [...]ighte sore dyspleased & cried fast to his knightes Syrs to har [...]eys. Than the moost parte of the hoost [...]hor [...]ly moūted vpon theyr horses and ranne all vpon Arthur by plumpes▪ here .x. and▪ there .xx. And whan Hector saw that he pricked forth his horse as rudely as though y^e thōder had dryuen hym. And whan syr Othes saw y^t he ran so hastely he saide. By my fayth it semeth he wyl not recule backe agayne sythe he seketh for his enemyes so hastely. And Hector encountred the fyrst so vertuously y^t he ran him thrughout with his spere and so he fell downe dead, and than he drew hys sworde and strake of the head of an oth [...]r, and layde aboute hym in the thickest of the prese & gaue such strokes that he slewe knygh­tes and draue down horses that it was meruayle to beholde. And whan Arthur saw him he smiled and sayd. A good co­syn ye folowe ryght well after your lyg­nage. And Gouernar at hys [...]omīge bet downe all about hym what soo euer he at▪ ay [...]ed to, that it was wōder to behol­de. And wh [...] arthur sawe them, he said I oughte neuer to fayle these knightes s [...]th they [...]ake such payne to rescow me v [...]r [...]ly by the grace of god, I shall he [...]pe and ayde them. And by that tyme th [...]re were aga [...]ns [...]e theim many of the dukes knyghtes, and Arthur strake amonge them that the first that he encountred he [...]laue his vysage downe to hys necke, & layde on so rounde aboute hym that he made to f [...]ye into the fyelde handes, ar­mes, and heades and [...]euered sheldes, and vn [...]at [...]ed helmes, and maymed many [...]nyghtes and bette them downe on euerye syde so that he made all to trem­ble that were before hym, for there was non that abode his stroke without deth or greuous woundes. Than sir Othes had grete maruayle of the noblenesse of these knyghtes, and specially of the chyualry of Arthur▪ and sayd to his neuew syr Lyonet. As god helpe me these kni­ghtes▪ are able to discomfyte the duke & all his hoost w^tout ony more helpe, and al this season the coūtesse and the fayre lady Alyce her doughter were mounted on the wa [...]les of the cyte to beholde the noble dedes of these .iii. knightes. Thā the lady sayde to her doughter Alyce, beholde your lorde and his companyons, I trowe there be noo moore suche in all the world, behold how they dryue ason­der the grete preses▪ and how the knightes f [...]ye before them for feare, but specy­ally beholde Arthur, who I thynke be chefe flou [...]e of all chyualry, God of his grace hath well prouyded for vs whan he sente them into this countrye. Ryght dere lady & moder sayde Alyce▪ me thyn­keth hector is wel armed and demeneth hymselfe ryght goodly. well doughter sayd the lady doth he please you. Ye ver [...]ly madame sayde she. Ye haue a good cause dougheer so to be, for among our enemies he is a good bocher of his han­des. And by that tyme the duke hyms [...]l­fe was come to that scarmysshe accompanied with .v. hondred men of warre. [...]nd than syr Othes and all the hoost of the cyte assembled togyder and foughte wyth the duke, there began a great mor­tall b [...]tayle betw [...]ne bothe partyes but the dukes company of the ryte & there­fore they suffr [...]d muche payne in so moche that syr Othes was ouerthrowen & taken prisoner. And whan that syr Lionet [Page xxxviii] his neuewe sawe that, he let fall the chefe baner whiche he bare. And whan Arthur espied that, he was neuer so sory And came to syr Lyonet and demaund [...]ded of hym why he dyd let fal the baner. And he answered and sayde. Sir bicau­se myne vncle syr Othes was taken prysoner. Saint mary sayde arthur defende that, but where is he. As God helpe me syr he is ledde forth in yonder gret prese that ye se yonder. well saide arthur lifte vp agayne the baner, for by the grace of god he shall be shortly rescowed. Than Arthur dressed hym thyderward, and mette wyth Hector and Gouernar, and sayd. Syrs let vs go rescowe syr Othes who is taken prisoner. Than rusht they all in to the prease, and arthur mette so wyth the fyrst that he caste hym downe to the erth starke dead, & layde so on euery syde that they made hym a large way where so euer he went. And Hector and Gouernar dyd greately to be redoubted for they made greate plenty of sadels to be auoyded, so that all that sawe Arthur and his company sayd, these be noo men they be f [...]endes of helle, let vs flee frome them, for shame haue he y^• fyrst brought them into this countrye. And whan the duke sawe these thre knyghtes do suche wonders meruayles in armes and slew so great plente of his knyghtes, he was so sore dyspleased that he was nye ther­wyth fro him selfe, and therwyth dashte to Hector and strake hym so rudely that he per [...]ed both his shelde and hys helme And whan arthur felte that rude stroke he was not wel content and lifte vp his swerde and strake the Duke so fyerslye therwith that the swerde sanke thrughout hauberte, shielde, and helme, and en­tred depe into the flesshe. In the meane tyme Arthur came to theym, and there he sawe the duke & Hector fyersly fygh­tynge togyder. Than Arthur strake the duke so sore that the arson of his sadell coude not kepe hym but that he wente to the groūde. Than Gouernar toke the dukes horse and delyuered it to Hector, for his owne was sore wounded and very faynt for bledynge and so H [...]tor forsoke his owne and mounted therō hastely. Than the Dukes company came to rescowe hym, and so there began a sore and a terryble batayle for there was many slayne and sore wounded, but finally y^e duke with muche payne was resco­wed and [...]ight sore hurte, borne he was into his tent. Than the night drewe on so that both parties withdrewe ech [...] fro other, the duke and hys company went into theyr tentes, and Arthur and hys felowshyp repayred towarde the Cyte. And as they wente they sawe betwene the wood and the cyte the dukes Senesshall goinge to make assaute to the cyte wyth .iii. hondred men in harneys. And whan syr Othes perceyued, the Senes­shal, he shewed him to arthur and sayde Syr se yonder where as is syr Clarembaulte Seneshal to the duke goynge to assaylethe. Verelye sayde Arthur me thynketh it is very late, yet I wyl ryde to hym. A [...]entil knight said syr Othes dele not to hardly with hym, for he is a good knyght & as gentel as ony liueth therfore it were great hurte yf he were slayne, and syr your strokes are very hē ­uy, for there is none that can endure thē ther [...]ore syr for Goddes sake let syr Hector fyrst encounter hym. wyth a ryghte good wyll sayde Hector, & so he sputred his horse & escryed the Senesshall. And whan he herde hym lyke a good knyght he raune at Hector and mette so rudely that Hector ouerthrewe hym horse and [Page] man at the fyrst course. Than hys seruytoure ranne to haue rescowed hym, but than Arthur and Gouernar were there present and delte amonge theym suche almes that it was wonder to beholde, & wyth clene force Arthur toke syr Cla [...]ē ­bault prysoner, and dyde incontynente send hym to the cyte vnto the countesse who was ryght gladde of suche a pryso­ner, and caused hym to be vnarmed in all haste and made hym to mount vpon the wall wyth her for to beholde how her knyghtes dyd demeane them selfe amonge there enemyes, and there syr Clarembault sawe how Arthur dyd meruayles for he claue asōder sheldes, & draue downe knyghtes and cut of armes, handes and heades Also Hector and Gouernar for theyr partes dyd meruaylously well so that nothinge endured before them. Sayncte marye sayde Clarembaulte to the countesse. Madame where gete you these knyghtes, for as god helpe me they are the best of all the world, for if ye had but these thre knyghtes they were able to chase out of your coūtre the duke and all his hoost. Syr sayd the lady god hath puruayed me of theym. And fynally Ar­thur, Hector, Gouernar, and syr Othes dydde suche meruayles of armes that all the dukes company that were wyth syr Clarembaulte were clene dyscomfyted, and there Arthur toke .xl. prisoners and dydde send them into the cyte, and other xl. fledde and ranne to the duke & all the men anaunt of .iiii. hondred were slayne. And whan they were before the duke & many of theym sore hurte sayde. A syr it gooth yll wyth you and vs, for syr Cla­rembault youre senessall is taken pryso­ner, and .xl. other knyghtes with hym, & all the remenaunt slayne, sauynge who be ryghte yll delte wythall as ye may se. And the duke demaunded of theym who it was that had done that dede. As God helpe vs syr it was thre knyghtes that was in y^• company with syr Othes, but we trow they be fendes and none erthe­ly men. And whan the duke herd this he waxed nye madde for anger, and there sware how that he wolde neuer departe thens fro syege tyll he had hanged those thre knyghtes, and brente the countesse and her doughter. Than incontynent he sent messengers out to his baylyues prouostes, and sent for his brother peter the cornu, who shortely came to hym warde and brought with hym .iiii. hondred men of warre, & the Dukes great courser na­med as [...]ille, & thys horse was suche that there was none lyke hym in al the world for he was named felawlyke to bucyfal the horse of Alexander the greate, there was none that coude moūt on this hors but al only the duke and the varl [...] that kepte hym, and both daye and nyght h [...] was euer tied with foure grete chaynes of yren.

WHan that Arthur had taken syr Clarēbault the Dukes senesshall and dyscomfyted all hys peopl [...] than he entred into the cite, where as the people ran to welcome hym & said. God kepe the in thy s [...]rength and vertue, and blessed be the houre that euer thou were borne. So thus he camme to the palays [Page xxxix] where as the coūtesse and her doughter me [...]te hym and demaūded of hym howe he dyd. And he sayde ryght well thanked be good and Alyce toke Hector her lorde and vnarmed hym. Than Arthur cau­sed all suche as were hurte of the pryso­ners to be broughte into the palays, and caused surgyens to serche theyr woun­des, & euerye daye he wolde vysyte them thre or foure times, wherby he gat him suche loue of euerye creature that they promysed neuer to fayle him as long as they lyued. Than whan arthur was vnarmed, there was in his company Hec­tor, Gouernar and syr Othes. Than arthur toke syr Clarembault by the hande, and sayd. Syr make good chere, for ye shall haue here no hurte yf I may ke­pe you therfro, and verely ye shall haue here but a good pryson. No syr sayde the coūtesse he shall haue no hurte here sith it please you the contrarye, whereof he thanked them greatly, and all that [...]uer herde arthurs wordes praysed him mo­che, and loued hym therefore the better. Than they wente to mete and Arthur and syr Clarembault sate bothe togider Thus arthur and the hole army toiourned styll without doinge of anye thynge the space of a moneth, and by that tyme suche as were hurte were recouered to helth. And the duke and all hys hoost in lyke wyse laye styll, for he abode for mo­re company. Soo it fortuned that on a wednesday Arthur was rysen betymes and had herde masse, and stode leanynge in a wyndowe and loked into the dukes hoost for to se the demenynge of his enemies, and in his company was Hector Gouernar, and syr Othes and Clarem­bault. At the laste Arthur behelde ouer the foreste and espyed where there came moche people in harneys downe from a grete mountayne, he sawe shyeldes and helmes shyne agaynst the sonne & sawe a great baner waueryng wyth the winde, and Arthur than s [...]ewed this to his company. And at the laste syr Clarem­bault knew the baner & sayde. Syr these people that yonder cometh, are not for your profyte, for it is Peter the Cornu, the dukes broder who is come to helpe hym. well sayde Arthur he is welcome it may fortune he cometh to soone, there­for Hector freende, yf we abyde and suf­fre hym to assemble hys company with the dukes hoost, we shall haue than mo­che to doo, therefore by my counsayle let vs go mete with theim before in this fo­rest and let vs shewe them what maner of people we be. Syr as God helpe me sayd syr Othes ye haue ryght wel deny [...]ed, therfore let vs go arme vs shortely. Syr sayd Arthur cause all your people to arme them as pryuely as they can to thentent that they without maye know nothinge therof, and let vs enter as pri­uely as we can in to this forest that we be no [...] espyed of them that be comynge, and soo shall we be in hande wyth them or they be wa [...]e, and as he had d [...]uysed so it was ordeyned and done, and so ro­de forth ryghte pryuely in to this forest and there departed theyr companyes in busshementes tyll at the laste theyr ene­myes were amonge them. Than espyed syr Othes the dukes horse assyle, who was ledde in ha [...]d with his keper▪ and shewed him to Arthur and sayde. Syr beholde yonder is [...]he best horse of al the worlde. For he was neuer as yet werye for no labour, for who so euer sytt [...]th on hym can take no hurte, he is so mygh­ty and stronge in the name of god sayd Arthur, the duke hath done ryghte well to kepe hym soo well for me so longe as [Page] he hath done for by the fayth that I owe to god I will go seke hym incontynent Than Arthur dressed hym towarde the varier that ledde the horse and or he to­ke any hede Arthur toke hym by the sholdres and cast hym f [...]atte to the grounde, than he toke the hors [...] by the brydell and lyghily dyde lepe on hym, than Arthur assayed hym in the fielde and foūde hym ryght stronge and lyght, wherof he was wondersly gladde, and wolde not forge hym for moche golde and syluer, and as Arthur thus proued his horse Peter the cornu the dukes broder espyed hym and [...]anne and strake hym behinde vpon his ba [...]ke or that he was ware. And whan Hector sawe that he pricked forth towarde hym▪ and so eche of them ran at other and mette s [...]o rudely that Peter the cor­nu brake his spere, but Hector marked hym so well that he put his sp [...]re thrughout the body and soo fell downe deed [...] yn the same place. And whan that P [...]ter y^t cornues men sawe that they assail [...]d Hector on all sydes & enclosed hym amon­ge them and wounded so hys horse that he fell downe vnder Hym, but he anone lepte vpon hys fete and nobly defended hym soo that none durst approche nere hym, but than they dyde cast at hym knyues and swerdes and other wepens and soo wounded hym in dyuerse places. At the last Gouernar espyed hym and sayd to Arthur. Syr for goddes sake go and socour Hector your cosyn who is nye at a g [...]ete mysch [...]f [...]. And whan Arthur her­de that he spurred his noble horse assyle and lepte fu [...]th .xv. fo [...]e of playne grounde, and soo rusht in amonge theym that were in hande wyth Hector, and, encountred so [...]he fyrst that he claue hym now­ [...]e to the chy [...]ne, and [...]an other he carued his heed to his tethe, and made hede armes, and handes flye into the fyelde [...] & therwith all the hole company da [...]te togyder, whereas there was than a tery­ble batayle. At the last Gouernar gate a good hors and brought him streyght to Hector who moūted shor [...]ly theron and dashte in to the prese and there dyd mer­uayles of armes, for he confounded all that euer he attayned vnto. And Arthur and Gouernar did marueyles for theyr parte, and syr Othes and [...]is companye were not behynde, but they dyd full no­bly and so fynally Arthur and his company bate theym so well that all theyre enemyes were dyscomfyted, and [...]here were taken prysoners beyonde .iii. score the whiche were ledde in to the Cyte of [...]r [...]wle, & many fledde awaye sore wounded and a grete nombre of theym were slayne. And than Arthur and his felow­shyp retourned to the cyte, and there the countesse receyued them ryght conrteysly with grete Ioye and tryumphe. And whan [...]e knewe howe the dukes broder was slayne, and assyle the good horse wonne, she had greate Ioye [...]erof, and sayd to Arthur. A swete frende ye ouer­come myne enemyes one after another. Than syr Clar [...]bault was right sorowful when he knew of the death of syr Peter the cornu, & sayd a duke ye haue had but an yll acquayntaūce with this won but lyt [...]e therby, and I sere me ye are ly­ke to lese more. A good Peter the cornu god haue mercy on thy soule. And thus hē dem [...]aned grea [...]e sorowe▪ and Arthur dydde as moche as he coulde for to com­forte hym. And suche as were escaped from the batayle fledde to the duke and shewed him how that his broder Peter the cornu was slayne, & his men slayne and taken, and his good horse assyle ta­ken a [...]d ledde into the cyte of B [...]ewle. [Page xlii] wherwyth the duke was so sorowfull that he coude not sustayne hym selfe but fe [...] downe in a traunce, and whan he reuyued he sayde. A swetee broder dere, haue ye bought the sekynge of thys Coun­tesse syth ye haue lost your lyfe for her, than he cōmaunded that the body of his broder sholde be fette and caryed to the cyte of orgoule, and so it was done, and there he was solempny buryed [...] and the duke bewepte the deth of his brother the space of .viii. dayes contynually.

AT the ende of .viii. dayes the duke cōmannded that all hys people shoulde be armed and ready apparayled to fygher to thentente to make assaute to the cyte wherat he sayd he wolde be him selfe. And whan Art [...]ur he [...]de all that noyse without in the dukes hoost, & saw euery man in barneys, he kn [...]we rygh [...] well therby how they entended to aua­le the cyte. Than he called to hi [...] [...] Gouernar and syr Othes [...] sayd. Fren­des let vs arme vs and al out [...] and let vs go for to encounter t [...]e Luke who is comynge to assayle this cyte. A my lord Arthur sayd syr Othes for goddes sake be well aduys [...]d what ye do, for they be a great multytud of people, and a great part of oure men be sore woun­ded and as ye [...] not thrugh ho [...]e, therfore syr by myne aduyse we shall not yssue out but let vs defende this cyte wit [...]in. A syr sayd Arthur yt god pl [...]a [...]ed, we wyll haue none such [...] [...]proche therfore let vs yssue [...], and go into this grea [...]e woode Ioynynge to the or [...]hes or oute towne ty [...]l oure enemyes be come to the wal [...]es, than let vs assem­ble and fyght wyth theym. And whan we shall se oure tyme we may yf nede be w [...] draw vs a [...]ayne into this eyee in the spite of them all. Syr sayd Hector relay ry­ght well, soo let it be done. Than there was souned a greate horne & by the noyse therof euery man in the cy­te ranne to th [...]yr hernayes suche as was able, and soo they all yssued out, and all they passed not the nombre of two hondre haubd. And whan they were yssued [...]ut they wente betwe­ne the foreste and the dyches so that they were not espyed of none of the Du [...]es hoost. And anone Arthur appert [...]y [...]ed where they came foure hondred haub [...]des well arayed for the warre and .xxiiii crosbowes, & also he sa [...]e a meruaylous grete baner wauerynge wyth the wyn­de, [Page] and dyde shewe it to syr Othes. And whan he sawe it he knewe it ryght well and sayde. Now gentyl knyghtes be mery, for this baner is pertaynynge to syr G [...]ce broder To my lady the countesse, who is come out of the londe of neorlande for to sucour my lady. well good frende sayd Arthur, ryde on afore & knowe the trouthe whether it be he or not. And than syr Othes rode for the agreate pace and approched nere vnto syr G [...]ce, and made a token of peas. And whan they sawe eche other, they put of theyr hel­mes and made To eche other grete feest and Ioye. Than syr Gace demaunded how it wente with the warre of hys sy­ster and of the duke, and who as than had th [...] b [...]ter. As god helpe me sayd syr Othes as yet we haue the better and the ouer hande, thank [...]d be god, and that is by the reason and ayde of thre knyghtes that god I trowe hath sente vnto vs, for aboue al other knightes they are full strōge and myghty, and yonder knyght that ye may se sytting on assyle whyche was the dukes good horse is the chefe soueraigne knyght of all the worlde, for hys chyualry surmounteth all other, [...]or thys is he that one day dyd dyscomfyte the duke, and also he hath taken syr Cla­remb [...]u [...]t prysoner and dyscomfyted all hys route and also hath wonne the du­kes horse assyle as ye may se, for he is mounted on hys backe, and that other knyght that is by hym is hys cosyn, and he slewe on a day Peter the cornu the dukes broder. Also this knight that lytteth on assyle the good horse hathe promysed to my lady your syster a [...]d to her dough­ter the head of the duke bycause he slewe by false treason my lorde her husbonde. God y^• all thynge formed sayde syr Gace gyue hym power to accomplishe his pronesse let vs tyde to them. So than they rode forth and all his route. And whan Arthur sawe them he d [...]dde of his helme and spured forth assyle his horse and ca­me to syr Gace, and eche of other made grete ioye & feast. Than syr Gace thauned Arthur tyght hersely of the payne y^t he hath takē in his systers warres. Syr sayde Arthur, I truste this day we shall perfourme all the matter, for I knowe wel the duke is gone to assayle the cyte. therefore me thynketh it were good that he were nobly withstonde, therfore after my mynde let vs departe our company in twayne, therefore syr yf it please you ye shall haue in your company my cosin Hector, Gouernar, and syr Othes, and ye shall goo along vpon these dyches & so encounter out enemyes face to face, & I and my company shal come in behyn­de thyr tentes, soo that whan ye be in hande with them I wyll be at theyr backes, wherby ye shall se them so abashed that therby they shal lese the best halfe of theyr hardines. Syr ye haue ryght well deuysed the mater sayd syr Gace, and so they departed eche fro other, & syr Gace Hector gouernar & syr Othes rode forth tog [...]der so couertly y^t the duke nor none of his kn [...]we nothing therof. And so the duke wh [...] he came to the fortunes of the cyte he apparayled him selfe and all his men to begin the assaute & therwith syr Gace & his company fel on them fyersly Than Hector sput [...]ed his hors & encoū tred the goster, who was a great offycer of the dukes and strake hym soo rudely that he perced hys herte, and soo he fell downe dead to the earth before the duke than Hector set his hande to his sweede and gaue the duke suche a stroke that he was fayne for to stoupe downe vnto y^e neeke of his horse. Than the dukes men [Page xli] fell on Arthur on all sydes, but he defen­ded hym lyke a noble man. Than Go­uernar for hys parte bette downe knightes on all sydes. And whan syr Gace saw hym doo so well he praysed him greatly in his herte, than he and all hys compa­ny freshly ranne vpon the dukes hooste, howe be it the dukes company were fer aboue his, wherfore he endured muche payne. And whan Hector sawe that he was ryght sorowfull, and spurred hys horse and habandoned hymselfe amon­ge his enemyes, and Gouernar in lyke wyse, who gaue such strokes that he cō fo unded all that euer he attayned vnto tyl at the last his horse fayled vnderneth hym and fell to the grounde, and than his enemyes fell vpon hym on all sydes but he fought so fyersly that none durst approche to hym, for he confounded all that euer he attayned vnto, and syr Ga­ce folowed hym as nere as euer he cou­de, but for all that Gouernar was so ouermatched that he was taken pryso­ner, and x. other knightes pertaynynge to the company of syr Gace, and so they were ledde towarde the dukes tent, and at that tyme Arthur was among the tentes cuttynge of ropes, betynge downe of pauylyons, and at the laste, he espyed Gouernar where as he was ledde forth lyke a prysoner, wherwyth Arthur was ryght sore dyspleased, & rushte in amon­ge them, and the fyrst that he encountred wyth▪ he departed lyfe and body asonder and he smote the heed from an other, and soo than by the helpe of syr Gace they brought to deth al those that ledde forth syr gouernar, and soo remounted hym agayne vpon another horse. Than Ar­thur strake soo in the prese that he draue asonder sheldes, and frushed to death all that euer he touched, soo that all fledde before hym, for there was none whiche durst abyde hym without that he wolde receyue his deth, and that syr gace sawe ryght well and sayd. A good lorde what knyght is this, I thynke there is not his pere in all the worlde. Than syr Othes and Gouernar and theyr company lay­de on wyth so grete and so heny strokes that they myght well be harde a grete space and the dukes people were fore a­frayed whan they perceyued how they were assayled on al partes bothe before and behynde and Hector by fortune encountered the duke and strake hym soo sore that he strake away a grete pece of hys harneys and caused hym to recu­le nye to his horse crope, and whan the duke felte that stroke, he strake agayne Hector so fyersly that he claue his shelde and perced thrugh his harne [...]s but as his fortune was it dyde not entre into the fleshe, and so there was a greate ba­tayle betwene them, but the greate prese of bothe parties dyd departe theym, and as Arthur went serchinge the gret and thycke preses he founde where syr Gace was on fote defendynge hym selfe right valyauntlye, and Goue [...]nar was there doynge hys payne to rescowe hym, but the prese was so grete that they endured moche payne, but Arthur strake yn the thyckest amonge them so fyers [...] that he ouerthrewe knyghtes by hepas, & dyde suche noblenesse in armes that it was wonder to consyder and so he remoun­ted agayne syr Gace yn the spyte of all his enemyes. Than the dukes compa­ny began to wexe feble, and whan the duke perceyued y^t he was ryght sorow­ful, and so it fortuned hym to encoūter with syr hector, who had betē downe in his syght two of his knyghtes, and ther with he strake hector so fyersly that ni [...] [Page] wyth the same stroke he was sore asto­nyed, but Hector strake hym agayne so vertuously on the helme y^t he strake in to it .iiii. fyngers depe and ryght sore woū ­ded him on the head where with he was brought in to a traunce, & his horse bare hym all aboute he wyst not where. And at last he came before the sight of arthur and as sone as he sawe him he wyst wel it was the duke, and strake hym so rude­ly betwene the necke and the heade, that his headfell on his horse necke, and Go­uernar toke and receyued it. Than Ar­thur sayd. Gouernar I wyll ye go bere this dukes head to the countesse, and to her doughter Alyce, & shewe them how I do sende it to them in accomplyshyng of my promes made to theim. Syr sayde Gouernar with a ryght good wyll, & so departed fro the hoost & entered into the cyte. And anone the tydynges ranne all about the cyte how that Gouernar had brought the dukes head to the countesse fro arthur, & so al the people ranne to se the dukes head, and range all the belles in the cyte for ioye of y^e vyctory that god had sente them. And whan Gouernar hadde made his present to the coūtesse, she receyued it with great ioye & sayd to gouernar. Syr I thanke hartely this knight for his present, and you for your labour, & for this mes­sage I gyue you dorge my castell for euer. Madame ꝙ Gouernar, and god wyl I shall not take house nor londe of no creature withoute the consente of my lorde Arthur. And whan syr Clarembaulte sawe the heade of the duke hys mayster, he made ryghte greate sorowe, and soo entered into hys chambre, and there he demened ryghte greate doloure. Than gouernar retour­ned agayne to arthur, and thanked hym muche from the countesse and frome her doughter. And by that tyme Arthur had done so muche that all the Dukes com­pany were cleane by scomfyred as suche people that had no souerayne, wherfore they fledde on all sydes, and Hector and Gouernar dyd chase them, & so brought many of them to theyr death.

ANd whan the battayle was ended Arthur came vnto syr Gace & sayd. Syr let as goo to the tentes of the duke and cause all that we finde there [Page xlii] to be brought into the Cytie & therwith we may paye all oure people for I am sure we shall fynde there ryght grete rychesse. In the name of god sayd sir gace so let vs do. And so than euerye thynge that was found thece, was brought into the cyte. And than they all entered in to the towne with all their pray. Than all the dwellers in the cite ranne to A [...]thur and sayd with one voyce, welcome be ye the best knighte of al the worlde, who hath delyuered vs from our enemyes, therfore god that all thynge hathe four­med encreaseth you bothe honour and valure. Than the gates of the cyte wer sette open euery man to go & come who wold. And whan Arthur was come in to the palays the countesse encountred and enbraced hym and kyssed hym and sayd. Sir ye haue delyuered thys cyte & erledome fro their enemyes, and haue ryght well reuenged the d [...]th of my lor­de, therfore blessed be y^• houre that euer ye were [...]grne. Than she made gret chere to syr Gace her broder. And the fayre mayden Alyce made muche of her lord Hector. Than Arthur demaūded for syr Clarembault Syr sayde the coūtesse he is in his chambre, whereas he maketh the gretest sorowe of all the worlde for the deth of the duke his lord. As god hel­pe me sayd Arthur he dothe therin lyke a noble wyse man. I loue hym [...]herfore the better. Than he toke sir Gace by the hande and sayde. Syr let vs goose and and comforte him. So they went and found him weping and makinge greate sorow. Than arthur sayde to hī. A gen­tyl knight wherfore do ye thus sle your selfe for y^t duke who was but a fals tratoure and a shamefull murtherer, ther­fore gentyll frende app [...]se your minde I requyre you, for as God helpe me ye shal haue an other Lorde good and true who shall loue you and set you in grete honoure. Than he called to hym Hector and sayd. Good cosyn, kepe cōp [...]ny here wyth syr C [...]rembault and cōfort hym and here after thynke on hym, whan yt shall ly [...] in your power so to doo. Than Arthur and all the other wente and vn­armed them, and than they all wente in to the Halle, and there Arthur behelde syr Gace whome he lyked ryghte well, for he was a meruaylous fayre knyght. Than Hector came thyder and brought with hym syr Clarembault. And wh [...]n Arthur sawe hym he cleped and kyssed hym and made to hym ryght grete there Than Arthur toke the countesse aparte and syr Clarembault, and syr Othes, & syr Gace, Hector, and Gouernar, & sayd to syr Gace. ye be broder here to my la­dy & vncle to the fayre Alyce her dough­ter, therfore I wyll ye knowe certaynly that by the free wyll of my lady the coū tesse here present, and also by the assent of her Doughter, and of all her Barons this fayre lady Alyce ys freely gyuen to my cosyn Hector, how be yt I wyll that ye knowe that he ys a Gentell man, and sone and ayre vnto a ryght myghty and puyssaūt lorde the erle of bloys, therfore I shewe you this to knowe your mynde wheder ye wyll agre to this maryage [...]r no [...]. In the name of god sayd syr Gace, yf there were no more in h [...] but all onely his noble chyualry he is worthy to haue a moche better than she is, & therfore I accorde therto with me herte well syr saide Arthur syth that y [...] bee agreed the mater is y^e better. Syr it is so now thys duke hath hys reward for his trespace & ye haue here moche people, and also my lady hath grete plente of men of warre now here yn this cyte, and in the countre [Page] aboute, and sowd yours wyll come to vs dayly yf we n [...]de, therfore by myn aduyce we shall go in to the dukes countre for I wyll conquere all that londe, for I hau [...] promysed it to Hector my cosyn [...] & syr yf we nede of ony socour or ayde, I promyse you I shall cause to come to vs a king and .iii. grete erles with al theyr myghtes, so that it wyll be harde to nombre them. Than syr Gace sayd, noble Arthur beholde me here I wyll be the fyrst and all that I can make is and shall be at your cōmaundement, and I shall fo­lowe you withall my herte. And all that I can make sayd the countesse shall bee redy to attende on my ryght dere sone in lawe noble Hector your cosyn, & he shall haue all my power to folowe your com­maundement Madame sayd Arthur I thanke you. Than they lefte theyr counseyle and wente to m [...]te, where as they were rychely serued And after mete Arthur dyde vysyte all them that were hurte. Than Arthur and the countesse and all other barons and knygh [...]es wente in to the halle, and there Arthur departed all suche tresour that was wonne at the batayle agenst the duke, & gaue to euery body so largely y^t euery man was ryght well content. Than the coūtesse sent out her cōmaundement to all her subgectes suche as myght bere harneys, eythrr on hors [...]acke or on fote to come to her in all the haste poss [...]ble. And syr Gace dyde in lykewyse on his pa [...]te, and so thyder came so wd yours on euery syde, and there they all assembled togyder the mondaye before in m [...]wdel [...]yne tide vnder the cyte of Brewle. And by that tyme suche as were hurte were recouered to helthe, & al thynge necessary was redy to remeue And a moneth after that the duke was slayne Arthur and Hector toke leaue of the countesse and of Alice her doughter and cōmaūded that all the boost would take the next way to the cyte of orgoule And than Arthur mustred hys people, and found how there were two. M. horsmēn and .viii. hondred on fote, so they rode forth toward y^e countre of orgoule. But whan the gentillmen of that coun­tree vnderstode howe that Arthur came on them with baners displayed, & sawe well howe they had no captayne, sythe the Duke and his bretherne and cosyns were all slayne at the syege of Brewle, and they knewe well howe Arthur had done al this. Thā they assembled them togyder in the cyte of orgoule and there toke counseyle what they might best do At the last they concludid and said how that they were wery and hurte and lost all that euer they had in the last bata [...]l of Brewle, bothe theyr goodes, their [...]a­ders, their sonnes, theyr neuewes, theyr frendes, and all theyr lygnage, and therfore they sayd they hadde loste ynough, wherfore they were of purpose to Ieo­parde no ferder, and fynally concluded not to defende theyr countrie fro Arthur but vtterly to yelde all vnto hī for they sayd they knewe well though they wold th [...]y were not of that power to resyst a­genst his noble chiualry. And of this accorde was al the bourgeyses of the cyte and so by comyn accorde they sente cer­tayne messengers vnto Arthur desirin­ge hym if it were his wyl that he shold doo noo hurte to theyr countre for they were in mynde to yelde all to hym, and to receyue him as theyr chefe lord. And whan Arthur herde that he was right Ioyfull and commaunded incoytinent thrughout al his hoost y^t no man vpon payne of death be so hardy to hurte any creature of that countre. And so longe [Page xliii] they rode tyll at the laste they arryued at the cyte of Orgoule. And all the gentyll men of that cyte burgeyses & other whā they perceyued that he was nere to the cyte they all yssued out vnarmed and receyued hym with great Ioye, and yelded to hym the keys of the cyte, & gaue hym full possession of all the countrye. Than all the hoost lodged withoute, Arthur and a certayne wyth hym entred into the cyte, and so remayned there thre dayes.

THan arthur called before him al the Lordes and Barons of that realme and sayde. Syrs ye haue rendred here to me this cyte and all the hole coū ­tre, therfore it is right and necessite that ye haue a lorde and gouernour ouer you there ore I wyll gyue you one I ensure you ryght puyssaunt bothe of hauoyre & of frendes, who is Hector here my dere cosyn, therefore make hym Duke of all this countrye, and I wyll ye do hym ho­mage, and syr Clarembault I wyll that ye begyn fyrste, and here I release you of your prysonynge. Uerely syr sayde he I am ryghte well content so to do syth my lorde is dead and hauynge none eyres to whome his londe shoulde succede, and so he rose and didde homage to Hector, and after hym so dyd all other, and toke hym for theyr duke & souerayne lorde. Than Arthur sent to Brewle for the countesse and Alyce her doughter [...]o thentent that Hector and she shoulde be maryed toge­der within the cyte of Orgoule, & whan she was come the maryage was made bytwene them with great triumphe and ioye the whiche endured .xv. dayes, and at the ende of the .xv. dayes all the hooste departed euery man in to his owne countre. And than Arthur called [...]o hym Hector, syr Gace, syr Clarembault, sir othes and Goue [...]nar and sayd. Syr Gace be­holde here dkue Hector my cosyn, who hath wedded your nece, therfore oughte ye to loue him fro hensforth. And ye syr Othes she is your cosyn, therfore I besech you loue Hector, & bere to him faithfull trouthe, & if so be his people happen to rebell agaynst hym socou [...] & helpe him for now fro hens forward [...] ye are boū [...]e therto. And cosyn Hector if ony warre fall vnto you sende for me into the coun­tre of S [...]roloys wheder I am purposed to goo, and I shall incontynent [...] come to you. And syr Clarembaulte I put my cosyn Hector into youre hand [...]s, therfore I desyre you k [...]pe to hym youre fayth and trouth as ye haue promised▪ and you shal loue you & put his chefe truste alwayes in your wysdome. Syr I shall sayd syr Clarembaulte bere to hym faythful aly­aunce and loue as to my souerayne lord and so he dydde euer after, for he was a true knyght. Than Arthur sayd to Hec­tor, cosyn dele wysely amonge your lor­des and subiectes, and than wall ye doo ryght wel, and now to god I commend you And whā Hector herde that he sayde syr God not dyspleased there is neyther londe nor wyse shal holde me but I wil go wyth you▪ ye shall not do so sayde Ar­thur, therfore kepe well your londe, and acquaynt you with your barons & whā I retourne agayne I wyll come by you And so arthur t [...]ke leue of the countesse and of Alyce her doughter duch [...]ss [...] of orgoule, and of al other knyghtes who offred to goo with hym, but in no wyse h [...] wolde none, and so toke wyth hym but [Page] all onely Gouernar. Iaket and Bawd­wyn, and duke Hector & syr Gace & many other conuayed hym .ii. dayes on hys Iournay, than Arthur toke leue of them and they re [...]ourned ryght sorowfull for his departynge & went to orgoule wherof Hector was than duke, & erle of Breule by his wyfe, & he demened him selfe so nobly that he gate the loue of all his lor­des, & kepte his londe in grete peas and tranquylyte, & greate loue there was bytwene hym and the fayre lady Alyce hys wyfe. Now let vs leue to speke of Hec­tor til another season, & let vs speake of Arthur.

WHan Arthur was thus departed fro H [...]ctor hys cosyn, who was as than duke o [...] Orgoule, he and his company rode so longe tyll they had passed m [...]ny stronge coūtries right wil­de and s [...]uag [...], & amonge other they past the londe of constantinoble, & of armice. And at last entred in amonge the greate mountaynes the whiche were bytwene the empyre of ynde the more and the re­alme of So [...]oloys, there they aryued in to a moche sauage & wylde place where as there were many grete wylde beastes of dyuers kyndes, & the laste they yssued out of that for [...]st and entred into a fayre grene medowe, where as they saw stan­dynge a great toure [...] & thyder they wente and founde a yong squyer who was lord of that place: who receyued theym that nyght and made them [...]yght good chere & after souper they stode in a wyndowe than the squyer demaunded of Arthur wheder he was goynge. I wyll go euer forwarde sayd A [...]thur tyll I se my time to retourne agayne. Syr sayde the squier I demaunded it of you for none yll, syr beholde yonder before you wher as ther lyeth a forked waye, the pathe that lieth on the ryght hande is mortall, for there is none that entreth into that waye but shortely he receyued death, & y^t I knowe well, for as yer there was neuer none y^t euer wente that waye y^t retourned agay­ne, & syr as for the other waye that lyeth on the lyfte hande is good ynoughe, and withoute Ieopardye, for that is the redy passage in to the coūtre of ynde the more. Than arthur demaunded of hym what was the cause that the other way was so mortall and Ieopardous. Syr sayde the squyer I can not tell you the trouth, but as it is sayd it is the waye to a castel [...]he whiche is so stronge and aduenturous, that none scapeth there w^tout deth, how be it, it is sayd that a knight shall at the last acheue it & fordoo all the aduentures of that place, the whiche are ryght grete and meruaylous, but it is thought that knyght is not yet borne, syr I wote not what I should sa [...], but I know wel [...]hat all suche as hathe gone thyder neuer ca­me agayne, wherfore I know wel that they be all dead, and this sayde stronge castell is named the norte noyre. We [...]l good frende sayde Arthur, is there none other passage to this castell but by this Ieopardous waye. Yes syr sayd y^t squier for this grete way that ye se on the lyfte hande, the whiche goeth to ynde the mo­re▪ and whan ye come [...]hyder than there is another waye the whiche wyll bryn­ge you streyght to the castel of blaun [...]he floure, and from thens ye shall haue a re­dy passage to the cyte of argence, & than whan ye be there euerye man can shewe [Page xliiii] you the nex [...] way to the castell of the por [...] noyre, [...]u [...] syr w [...]ich way som [...]uer a man g [...]a thyder he neuer cometh agayne well sayde arthur all must be as god wyll haue it. [...]nd therwyth he called gouernar and sayd. Frende it is conue [...]iēt now that we departe asoder [...] for ye shal go the waye thrugh ynde the more, and so repayre the nexte waye that ye can to the porte noyre, & I wyll go by the way that lyeth on the righ [...] hand all onely sa­uynge I wil haue with me Bawdewin an [...] ye shall haue with you Iaket, than Gouernar and said. Syr and god wil ye shall not go to your dethward, but & ye nye I wyll in lyke wyse suffre death w^t you. A syr sayd the squyer for Gods sa­ke go ye not that way, nor thinke it not for it is a great foly, for I ensure you ye shal dye or ye c [...] obtaine to passe thrugh that passage, for there is as it is sayde a fell gryffon gretely to be redouted that kepeth shorte an egle of golde. And whā arthur herde spekyng of the egle of gol­de and of the gryffon he remembred his vysion that he had or he went out of his owne coūtrye, wherfore there was none that coude tourne his purpose, yet Go­uernar dyd as m [...]che as he coulde for to chaunge his mynde but fynally he sayd frende Gouernar if ye loue me speke no more of the matter, for as I haue deuy­sed so [...]hall it be wythout fayle. And whā Gouernar herd that he was in his minde righte sore displeased and sayde. Syr I haue nourysshed and serued you sythe the beg [...]ny [...]ge of youre tender youthe, and wy [...]l ye than deseuer me nowe from your company, also I haue for your sake lost myn owne countre, & all my fren­des, syr in good trouth ye dele wyth me ryght hardly and ye do as ye saye▪ howe shall I retourne againe to my lord your fader yf ye dye in this aduēture, certaynly nay for I wyll neuer retourne home agayne for all y^• golde of the world, but I shal slea my se [...]fe yf I may know any oth [...]rwyse of you than good. well [...] arthur speke no more th [...]rof, [...]or [...] wyll y^t i [...] shall be thus. And whā Goue [...]n [...]r perceyued y^t his mind was so [...] fyxed he durs [...]e mo [...] him no more of [...]he mater for fere of his dyspleasure and [...] as for y^t nyght they went to theyr res [...] and in the mornynge erly lepte on the [...] horses & so departed, & y^t squyer brough [...] them parte of theyr waye, & then [...]e que­thed them to god, & so retourn [...]d againe: and than at thys sayde for [...]ed waye [...]r­thur and Bawdewyn departed fro Go­uernar and Iaket and toke the way on the ryght hande, and Gouer [...]ar and Iaket rode forth the waye on the lyfte han­de. Nowe as for a [...]eason let vs leue ar­thur ridynge forth on his good horse as­syle and Badewyn with him, and let vs a whyle speke of Gouernar & Iaket.

Gouernar after he was departed fro arth [...]r rode .ii. day [...]s without fynding o [...] ony ad­uenture & on the thirde daye he entred into a grete forest by the [...] that he had ryden two leges he founde a knyght lyeng on the erath, & one of his handes stryken of, & sore woūded in the backe & gr [...]nynge ryght pyteously. And whan Gouernar sawe hym he demaun­hed [Page] what he ayled and who had so hurte hym. A syr sayd he thus hath arayed me two armed knightes who are brethe [...]ne and it is now but a yere paste syth they s [...]ewe my fader and my broder by false treson bycause of a syster of myn y^t they wolde haue had by force, and as now I was conueyeng her [...]ro her vncles pla­ce where as she hath bene euer sythe the deth of her father, & I had thought now to haue brought her to my place, but syr these .ii. knightes vnhappely had knowlege thereof, and so lay in wayte for me and for her, and so thus as ye se they ha­ue arayed me, for they were armed, and I was without harneys, and also they haue lede awaye my syster to then [...]ente to defoule her dyrgynit [...], whereof I am more sorofull than of myne owne hurte therfore gentyll knyghte I requyre you yf ye may kepe her from vilany do it for goddes sake. whiche waye are they gon sayd Gouernar and how ferre by lykelyhode are they past. Syr sayd the knyght they are ry [...]en yonder way & are not as yet past the mountenaunce of a lege. Ia­ket good frende sayd Gouernar stop the woundes of thys knyght and tary here styl with him tyl I come agayne to you, and so rode forth as fast as he coude tyl at the laste he espyed them in a fayre va­ley, & herde well the damoysell how she cryed for helpe and made grete lamentacyon, for one of the knyghtes helde her to the encene to haue had his pleasure of her, and whan Gouernar herde the crye so he sayd. A fa [...]se knyghte I charge the touche her not, for I wyll defend her in the [...]ede of her brother, than one of these knightes lepte on his horse, & wythoute speking of ony word can fye [...]sly at Go­ue [...]nar & brake his spere, but Gouernar hyt hym so egerly y^• he dasht his spere in to his body more than a fote, & so he fell downe dead▪ & whā the o [...]her knyght y^t helde the damoysell saw his broder slayne & perceyued wel that Gouernar was cominge toward him wyth his swerde drawen in his hand, he had than so g [...]e­te fere y^t he kneled down to the erth and cryed him mercy. Certaynly said gouarnar thou ge [...]t [...]st no mercy, but as this damoysell wil co [...]maūde so shal it be thā syr sayd the damosel he shal lose his hed, for he slewe my fader, & as they thus tal­ked togider there came to them the woū ded knight & Iaket with him, than this knight sayd vnto gouernar. A gentyll knyght I requyre [...]ou giue me this fals knight traytour & murtherer who hath slayne my fader & my broder & hath maymed me. Take him to you sayde Gouer­nar, for it ple [...]eth me ryght well. Than the wounded knyght sayd to his seruaū tes, who as than were come to hym fro his own hous I charge you take thys traytour & lede hym to my toure, & the [...]e I shal do rightful iudgemente on hym. Than Gou [...]rnar toke leue of them & co­maunded them to god. And the woūded knyght wold fayne haue had him to haue taryed all that night with him in his hous, but in no wyse he coud make hym to abyde, but so they departed eche from other▪ and the wounded knyght wente to his own place, and there dydde rightfull iudgemente on his prysoner accor­dyng to his deseruynge.

[Page xlv] THus whan Gouernar was departed from the wounded knyght & fro the damoysell he rode forthe the same daye so longe tyll it was full none than he yssued out of the wylde forest & founde a fayre mddowe and sawe before hym a merueylous fayre castell, rounde aboute y^• whiche he well pe [...]ceyued how that there were pyght freshe tentes and goodly pauylyons and also he sawe many bright helmes shynyng agaynste the sonne, also he well behelde how y^t there was pyght en the myddes of the felde a grete per [...]on wheron there was hanginge a riche and a goodly shelde than Go­uernar rested hymselfe a good space to regarde al these forsayde thynges. And whā the knyghtes that were within the tentes and pauylyons sawe hym so standynge in a muse, a, xii. of them well ar­med moūted on theyr horses and wente to hym where as he stode & right goodly dyd salute hym and sayde. Sir it beho­ueth you to rendre your truage the whiche is due & accostomed to be had in this place. why syrs sayde Gouerner & what is that. Syr said they ther is no knight that passeth by this place but or that he departe he must strike at this fayre shelde and also must Iust agaynst him that is owner therof and syr the maner is suche of this place that yf the knight within ouercome him withoute, than he that is so ouercomen shall lese his horse and his harneys, and shall be led on fote to the iuge lymyted for this case, who shal cause to be openlye proclamed and to be sayde, behold the knyghte that is vayn­quished, & yf the knyght straunger ouer­come him that is within than it shalbe done by hym as we haue deuysed to you here before, & than the knyghte straūger that so hath ouercome hym shal be lorde of this castell, and of the fayre lady that is within it and than all we shall be his seruauntes to loue and to kepe hym as our chefe lorde. In the name of god sayd Gouernar this sayde Iustyce I wyl not refuse, but as for the signorye of this castel and the abidynge therin I re [...]ese frely yf god sende me the vyctory. Than all those that were in the pauylions mounted on theyr horses all armed, who were wel to the nombre of two hundred, and al thei came aboute Gouernar and said Sir ye must Iuste at this sh [...]lde. Than Gouernar spurred his horse & gaue the sh [...]lde suche a stroke that it myght well be herde a grete dystaunce of, and ther­with the knyght within the castel yssued out al armed▪ and whā Gouernar sawe hym come they ranne eche at other, and the knyght gaue Gouernar a grete stro­ke and brake his spere, but Gouernar strake hym soo rudely that he ba [...]e hym to the erth ouer his horse tayle and bru­sed sore with the fall his lyfte arme, so that he coude not remounte agayne on his horse without helpe, & whan all the other knyghtes sawe that they toke and vnarmed hym, and ledde hym forth on fote to a cyte there by, and there he was rendred to the Iustyce, aud incontynent it was proclaymed thrughout al the stretes in the towne, behold here the knight that is vanquysshed. And so than they toke Gouernar and brouhht him with grete ioye into the castell, and than there encountred hym a fayre Damoysell, who was lady of the castell, who sayd. Syr ye be welcome to this place, and I requyre you be nothinge dysmayed, for syr here shall you be serued and be bylo­ued as these lorde of all this place and syr one thynge I ensure you ye shall be [Page] in as good surety of your body as euer I shall be or myn owne body, but syr ye mu [...]t abyde styll wyth me here the space of two yeres, wyt [...]oute soo be that an o­ther knyghte ouercome you, as ye haue done hy [...] whiche was lorde here laste. A fayre lady sayd Gouernar yf godwyl I shall not abyde here the space of fyue dayes. well syr sayde the lady it wyll be none otherwyse, ther [...]ore be content ther­wyth. well madame saide Gouernar my trust is better. But for al that it was not accordynge to his wyll, for as soone as he was entred into the castell, the bryd­ges were drawen vp and kepte with .xl. knyghtes, to thentent that he sholde not escape, but alwayes he was serued ry­chely with many goodly squyers, who dyd nothing elles but pleasauntely ser­ued hym alwayes, but for all that they coude doo, in noo wyse they coude please hym, syth he myght not goo seke for hys lorde Arthur, how be it he wolde not for sh [...]me suffre any other knyght to vayn­quysh hym, yet many knyghtes came thyder, but euer he ouercame theym all. Thus Gouernar abode there a long spa­ce, tyll a [...] the last Arthur delyuered hym Now let vs leue to speke of Gouernar, & [...]etourne agayne to Arthur.

WHan that Arthur was departed fro Gouernar he toke the waye on the erghte hande, and so rode forth .iii. dayes without findinge of ony aduenture or ony maner of hous or place how be it by the counseyle of his hoost he toke with hym sustenaunce for hym selfe and for his horse for the space of thre or foure dayes, and thus he passed by many valeys and mo [...]ntaynes, so that he had his horse were right wery, & on y^e fourth daye he founde an hydeous ryuer depe & perfound, the bankes were so hye fro the water y^t he coude not se it ren, y^t whiche water rored and brayed & r [...]n so swyf [...]ely that none myghte passe w^toute drow­ning, and in certayne places it was full of grete and myghty rockes, the whiche were of suche heyght, that fro the valey bynethe the toppe of them myght vnnethes be sene, the whiche rockes were soo full of vermyn, that all the ryuer thereby stanke abhomynably. At the last Arthur found a lytle way alonge by the ryue [...]s syde on the lyfte hande, in the whyche he rode so long tyl it was hye none, & than he espyed a lytel streyght waye b [...]twene two mountaynes the wh [...]che w [...]re of a meruaylous heyght, than he founde [...] lytell narowe brydge ouer this ryuer the whiche w^t moche payne he passed ouer, than he entred in to a streyght causy ma­de of stone wherin he rode forth, and on euery hāde of hym all was but grete ma [...]esses and foule stynkynge waters, the whiche waye brought h [...]m streyght vn­to the porte noyre, the whiche was the strong [...]st castell of all the worlde, and so whan he came to the brydge & gate ther­of, there he founde .xii. knyghtes all ar­med on ho [...] back .vi at the one ende of the brydge, and .v [...]. at the other ende and At the gate there were .xii. other knyghtes [Page xlxi] on fote holdyng hatches and mases of st [...]le in theyr handes to the [...]ment [...]o kepe that none sho [...]de entre in to the castell & aboue o [...] the [...]a [...]by [...]n [...]s & bowle­weckes there stode men of warre with cros [...]ow [...]s and other w [...]pens to defend the place. And al this season in the moūt peryllous was mayster Steuen clerke to the fay [...]e Florence doughter vnto the myghty kynge of Soroloys emendus who had lien there nye the space of a yere to abyde the comynge of that knyght that sholde acheue al the aduentures of that castel and in his company was the c [...]stable y^• kepte the palayses & halles w^t out the castell of the porte noyre, & than mayster Steuen knewe by his bo [...]es & connynge of astronomy that y^e knyght sholde come the same daye, therfore he & his company mounted on the walles of the palays to se how the knygh [...]e sholde do that was as thā come to gate y^• of the castel of the porte noyre. And whan the fyest vi. knyghtes sawe Arth [...]r they to­ke theyr sheldes & speces. Than Arthur sayd to Bawdewyn frende I haue nede now to take good hede therfore tari you h [...]re withou [...], & le [...] me alone with them, Than these .vi knightes ran all at ones [...]n Arthur on the brydge and strake him with speres & swerdes, but for all that he felte no hurte, but he encountred soo with the firste that his spere dyd glyde thrugh his body, & so he fell [...]owne dead and the spere breake, and with the [...]ron­ch [...]n thereof he strake the seconde so cur­teisly that he oue [...]threwe both horse and man & fell b [...]s [...]de the brydge into the wa­ter, and whan he had thought to haue releu [...]d him se [...]fe ag [...]yne out of the water than Baw [...]wyn cast him downe agay­ne into the riuer, so there he was drow [...]ed, thā Bawdewy [...] toke his spere and brought to Arthur, wherwith he st [...]ake an other knyght so rudely that the heade of [...]he spere perced his herte and so f [...]ll downe head, & whan the .vi. [...]ther k [...]ghtes saw y^t theyr .iii. felowes were [...]ay [...]e they [...]edde backe agayne ouer the bry [...]ge and went to theyr fel [...]wes at the bri [...]ge fo [...]e, & Arthur folowed them & his sw [...] ­de in his hāde, & strake one of them that he claue hym to the sholdres, than al the remena [...] ran at ones at him, but he de­fended hym selfe valyaun [...]ly [...] as he that noo thynge fered, f [...]r suche was his maner, the more he hadde to do, the g [...]ater g [...]ewe his strength and courage, [...] so he put hym selfe betwene them and the ga­te, because of them that were on the [...]alles [...] for they dyd hym muche [...]rouble and assayled hym on all sydes, & euer r [...]ght noblye he defended hym selfe and gaue such strokes that he made to flye into the f [...]l [...]e heades armes and handes, & who so euer he felled to the erth, neuer rose agayne, for Bawdwyn toke them by the legges & dyd caste them ouer the brydge downe into the ryuer whe [...]in they were drowned, than Arthur begane [...]o chafe and waxe angry [...] and layde on soo faste rounde about hym that finally he slewe them all saue two, who fledde in at the gate and thought so for to haue es [...]aped But Arthur hasted hym soo fast [...] after theym, that he str [...]ke of one of theyr heades, and as [...]he other s [...]uped to haue entred in at the gate Arthur strake h [...]m so fyerslye on the backe that he c [...]aue hym nye asonder, than they that w [...]re on the bowle [...]erk [...]s & on the wailes dyd caste at hym many grete stones and ot [...]er we pens, but they coude do hym n [...]ne hu [...]te bycause [...]hat he was so nere to the gate Than w [...]ā the other .xii. knightes whic [...]e were [...]n fo [...]e within the gate sawe [Page] the dyscomfyture of theyr .xii. felowes that were on horsbacke done al onely by one man, they were ryght sorowful and so ran out all at ones at hym with grete hatches in theyr handes & whan arthur sawe them he fered gretly ass [...]le his good horse, therefore he alygh [...]ed & delyuered hym to Bawdewyn & badde hym go tye hym wythout the brige fore, than arthur encoūtred so with the fyrst that he made his head to flye in to the fyeld, and the se­conde he gaue suche a stroke that he cla­ue his head nye to the teth [...]. And whan mayster Steu [...] who was on the walles of the p [...]lays sawe the noble prowes of Arthur & the great strok [...]s that he gaue sayd to his company, verely behold yon̄ ­der is the noblest knyght of the worlde, it is he that shall acheue the aduentures of this place [...] it is the same knyghte that we haue taryed he [...]e for so longe, & euer A [...]thur fyersly fought amonge this peo­ple and bette them downe one after an other, and among them there was one so gre [...]e & byg as thoughe he had bene a g [...]a [...]nt, who ran at Arthur, & or he was war [...] t [...]ke hym by the legges and pulled h [...]m so fy [...]ly that they fell downe both togyd [...]r to the erth but Arthur fel vnderneth the grete churle, and than one of y^e other knightes whā he sawe Arthur lye on the erth he lyfte vp his axe & thoughte to haue striken Arthur on the hed but in th [...] hurte [...]ing togider the stroke lyght on the grete deuyll, soo that hys hugged and soule heed flewe to the earth. Than Arthur lepte on his fete and sayde. Syr I thanke thee [...] for thou haste delyuered me fro [...] muche payne and Ieopardye, and syth thou hast delyuered me of thys gret foule dwe [...]e I shal paye the anone th [...] mages, and th [...]rwith lyfte vppe h [...]s swerde and gaue him suche a stroke that he claue his head asonder, than Arthur abandoned hym selfe amonge the reme­naunt so fyersly that he made great plente of [...]edes and armes to fal to the groūd and to make shorte processe he dydde soo moche that none of the .xii. were lefte on liue but al were slayne and christened in the wa [...]er by Bawdewyn, for he was to they [...] a good go [...] fader. Than Arthur stepte in at the w [...]ket of the gate than al those that were on the walles did shot [...] and caste at him, & euer he bare of wyth his shelde as well as he myght tyl at the la [...]te he came to them, and the fyrste that he mette wyth loste his lyfe, & there dyde such meruayles that it was wounder to thynke ther [...]of, for some he threwe ouer the walles, and some lept into the water so that [...]ynally they were slayne & drow­ned, & none lefte on loue in all the castell that he coude find or here, & Bawdewin was right sore trauayled wyth castynge of them in to the water that were slayne Than Arthur sayde to, Bawdwyn, fren­de I wyll go entre into the grete palays of aduentures, the which he sawe before hym in the castel, therfore Bawdewyn I wyll y^• ye abyde me h [...]re in this court, & kepe well my horse assyle tyll I come a­gayne to you. Syr said Bawdewyn for goddes sake put not youre selfe noo more in ony place where as ye thynke is ony grea [...]e peryll. well said Arthur, care not for y^•, but I praye you do as I say, & loke in no wyse ye come to me wythout I cal you, thā Arthur moūted vp certane greces to entre into the hall of the palays y^t which was y^• way to y^e mount peryllous and there he found the moost fayre hous that euer was sene, set [...]e all aboute with ymages of f [...]ne go [...]de, & the wyddowes were all of fyne [...]mbre, wyth many hys clere wyndowes, and out of this hall he [Page xlvii] entred in to a chambre the moste rychest that euer was seen▪ forsyth god first made mankynde there was no maner of hy­storie nor bataile but in that chambre it was po [...]trayed with golde and asure, & other f [...]esshe coloures so quyckely aour­ned that it was wonder to behold, there was portrayed how god dyde create the sonne and the mone, & in the rofe were al the .vii. planettes wrought with fyne golde and syluer, and all the sytuacyons of the heuens wherin were pyght many carbuncles & other precyous stones, the whiche dyde cast grete clerenes bothe by daye and by nyght, to saye the trouthe it was the moost rychest chambre and the wonderfullest that euer was seen in all the worlde. Proserpyne quene of the fay­ry caused it thus to be made. Also there were dyuerse beddes wonderfull ryche, but specyally one the whiche stode in the myddes of the chambre surmounted in beaute all other, for y^• vtterbrasses ther­of were of grene Iasper wyth grete barres of golde set full of precyous stones and the crāpons were of fyne syluer enbordered wyth golde, the postes of yuery with pomelles of corall, and the staues closed in bokeram couered wyth cryme­syn satyn & shetes of sylke with a ryche couerynge of e [...]myns, and other clothes of cloth of golde, and foure square pyllowes wrought amonge the sarasyns, [...]he curtaynes were of grene s [...]ndall vyroned wyth golde & asure, and rounde aboute this bedde there laye on the four carpet­tes of sylke poynted & enbrowdred with ymages of golde, & all the foure corners of this bedde there were foure condytes meruaylously wrought by subtyll entayle, out of the whiche there yssued so swet an odour & so delectable y^t al other swetenesse of the world were as nothynge to the regarde therof, & at the head of thy [...] bedde there stode an ymage of golde and had in hys lyfte hande a bowe of yuery and in his right hande an arowe of fyne syluer, in the myddes of his brest there were lettres that sayd thus. whan thys ymage shoreth than all this palais shall tourne like a whele, & than who so euer lyeth in this bedde shall dye, without it be that knyghte to whome this bedde is destenyed vnto. And whan Arthur saw the noblenesse of thys chambre, and spe­cyally of this bedde he had great plesu­re to behold it and sayd to him selfe how that at all aduentures he wold lye downe on the bedde, and not to ferre for anye drede of death, & as he was lyeng downe on this bedde he espyed in euerye corner of the chambre a gret ymage of fine gol­de standynge eche of theym holdynge in theyr handes a great horne of syluer, & by theyr countenance redy to blow. Than Arthur herde a great voyce whyche was so loude a [...]d horryble that master Steuē who was in the playes w^tout the castell myght ryght wel here it, the which voyce sayd, behold now the ende. Than may­ster Steuen sayd to hys company. I am sure y^e knyght is entred into y^e palays w^t in the castell god defend hym from all yll encōbraunce, than al the palays begā to tremble & shake wondersly so moche that at the last one of the . [...]iii. ymages begā to blow his horne so loud that it might wel be herde the space of a myle, than the pa­lays trembled so sore y^• all shold haue fal­len [...]o peces, the dores & windowes oftē tymes dyd open & close agayne by theyre owne accord, than Arthur hearde aboute him gret noyse of people as though there had bene a thousandemen togyder, but he coulde se no creature, at the last he per­ceyued greate lyghte of torches, & euer he [Page] herde styll the noyse of people Comynge and goynge aboute y^e bedde, & also herde the brayenge of an hydeous ryuer so y^t it [...] to hym that it had ben the [...]oringe o [...] the wylde see, ther with he felte suche a terryble wynde that he had moche payne to sustayne hym on his fete. Than Arthur assayed agayne to haue layne downe on the bedde, than the voyce began to crye agayne & sayd, beholde now the ende than the seconde ymage began to blowe than came there in to the chambre suche noyse & tourment that Arthur was nye defe wyth y^e terryble dynne, & the palays than began sorer to tremble than it dyde before, so that Arthur thought surely y^t all y^e palays sholde haue fallen, than Arthur drewe hym towarde the bedde & as he wold haue layne hym downe he sawe on hys ryght hande a grete lyon fyers & fell comy [...]ge to hymwarde ga [...]īge and ramp [...]ge to deuour hym, & so assayled hy [...] [...]ght rudely, & wyth hys pawes to­ke [...] [...] so by the sholder that his har­neys coulde not kepe him, but y^t his shar­pe clawes entred in to his fleshe, and as the lyon wolde haue taken hī by y^e heed he [...] [...]helde before hym, & the lyon d [...]sht it wyth his pawes all to peces and nye had ouerthrowen hym to y^e erth, but than Arthur toke his strength to hym & as the lyon was rampīge before hym he put his sworde clene thrugh his body, & so the lyon fell downe deed to the er [...]he, & Arthur was [...]yght fore hurte in the shol­der and bledde faste, than he approched aga [...]ne to the bedde to haue layde hym downe, than y^e thyrde ymage fyersly dyd blowe h [...]s hor [...]e & out of the ende therof by semy [...]ge to Arthur there yssued out an other lyon greter & stronger than the other was. whan Arthur sawe hym he cryed to god & to our blessyd lady to hel­pe & socour hym from yll deth and soule encombraūce, & so the lyon dressed hym towarde Arthur, & strake at hym wyth his brode pawes, & Arthur helde before hym the remenaūt that was left of his shelde, but the lyon shortly brake it all to peces as though it had bene but glasse, & with one of his fete he toke Arthur by y^e lyfte syde and rased fro him a gre [...] parte of his harneys & his doublet and shert, and a gret pece of his flesh to the bare rybbes, & if god had not there helped hī he had tendred his mortall lyfe, than ar­thur wyth his swerde strake of the lions fote that was vnder his [...]yde, & therwith the lyon fell to the e [...]th & or he [...]ose agayne Arthur recouered another st [...]oke and st [...]ake of his heade by the shuldres, than Arthur toke a fayre cloth of sendall that laye on the bedde, & therwyth wrapped his woūdes & staunched them frome bi [...]tdynge, than he approched agayne to the bedde to lye downe to test hym and than sodenly the fourth ymage began terry­bly to blowe his horne, therwith a [...]thu [...] loked behind hī & espyed a great g [...]aune com [...]ng to hī warde, who was .xv. fote of l [...]ngth, betynge togeder his tethe as though they had bene hamers stri [...]inge on a stythy who had in his hand a great axe, wherof the blade was wel th [...]e fote lon [...], the whiche was so longe & sharpe that it would cutte clene a sonder euery thynge that it touched. And whan thys gyaunt sawe these lyons dede he was [...]o sore dyspleased that he was all in arage and so rowled vp his eyen and dashte to­gyder his tethe, and ran fyerselye at Ar­thur thynkynge to haue stryken of hys head, but Arthur feared moche [...]he stroke and lepte asyde, whereby y^• stroke wente besyde hym and dasht in to panement [...]o [...]udely y^t the blade of the weapen entred [Page xlviii] therin Iuste to the heade, & than Arthur strake him with his swe [...]de but the stroke mounted vp agayne and wold in no wyse enter, for he was harneysed with the skynne of a serpent, the whiche was so hard that no wepen coud empoyre it And whan Arthur saw y^t he was ryght sore displeased and lyfte vp his swaerde agayne & strake the giaunt on the heade more rudely than he didde before, but all that aualed not, for it semed to him that he stra [...]e on a stethy of stele. Than Ar­thur fered him selfe gretely, than the gy­ant strake many strokes at arthur, but alwayes he watched so the strokes that he dydde let theim passe by hym wi [...]hout [...]ny hurte or domage, for he perceyued ryght well that if the gyaunte dyd light on him wi [...]h a full stroke there was no­ne other way with him but death. Thus this gyant euer pursued Arthur to ha­ue striken him, but alwayes arthur wat­ched the strokes and voyded them wyse­ly and oftentymes strake the gyaunt agayne but he coulde doo hym no hurte, thus they fought a grete space not ferre fro the ryche bedde in the myddes of the chambre than the giaunt with grete yre lyfte vp his fauchon to haue stryken Ar­ [...]hur vpon the head and the stroke came brayeng & dasht into the erth lyke thon­der for Arthur auoyded craftely the stroke, the which entred and cut asonder a greate brase of a be [...]ch [...] that stode before the bedde of white yuery▪ & so the stroke descēded downe into the [...]rth thrughout all the pauemen [...], for the gyaunt was so sore dyspleased that his weapen en [...]red thrugh bothe wode & stone and into the [...]r [...]h [...]o the hard head and therwith the b [...]ade of his fauchon brast clene asonder in the myddes, & whan the giannt sawe that he fared lyke a fende of hell, and so toke the handlynge therof and cast it at Arthur, but wysely he dyde auoyde it & so it lyghted on the wall of the chambre wherin the stroke entred well a fote and an halfe than the gyaunte lepte to thee brase of the benche that he had cut ason­der before, and wold haue rasshed it out of the benche, but it was so sore bounde with cramp [...]ns of stele to y^e benche that he coude not remeue it, & as he stouped to pull therat Arthur espyed hym & how the serpentes skynne was but shorte be­hynde his backe, & so vnder the skynne he dasht his swerde in to his bely to the crosse, than the gyaunt fell downe & made a terryble braynge the whiche myght well be herde a grete waye of, than Ar­thur recouered on hym an oth [...]r stroke & so dasht his swerde in to his herte, than he made a greter [...]rye than he did before and ther with his soule passed awaie to the deuil of hell, than y^e noyse was hearde agayne tha [...] sayde, beholde thende, than was Arthur so we [...]y & so sore trauayled and his woūdes bledde so fast y^t he had much payne to sustaine himselfe on his fete, how be it as wel as he might he repayred downe the ryche bed & alwayes his swerde in his hand & therwith layd him down on the bed, than the ymage of gold at the beddes head with his bow & arowe dyd shote & hy [...]te one of the wyn­dowes so sore y^t it flewe wide open with the stroke, out of whiche window there yssued suche a smoke & fume so blacke y^t it made a [...] the hous so darke that arthur coude se nothing, the which fume stake so abominably that arthur the [...]by was nye dead, than there rose suche a wynd [...] so grete & feruent that it brast the glasse windowes & latesses so that the tyles & stones flew all about the hous lyke hayle, and it thōdred so terrybly that al the [Page] erth shoke▪ and the pal [...]ys trembled like to haue gone all to peces, and at the last he perceyued a brenynge spere al of fyre the whiche was comynge to hym warde therwith he l [...]pte fro the bedde & fiedde fro the stroke, and sawe where yt w [...]nte in at an other lytell chambre by & fell on a knyght as he lay a bedde and so brente hym clene thrugh, and The fyre descēded thrughout bedde and chambre and al & sanke depe in to the erth, than sodeynly brast asonder two pyllets whiche susteyne [...] the couerynge ouer the Bedde, and than al the hole palays began to tourne aboute lyke a whele, than Arthur ranne to the ymage of golde that stode at [...]he beddes heed & enbraced it in his armes for the ymage remoued noo thinge, and this tourneng of the palays endured a grete space. And Bawdewyn Arthurs squyer who was wythout in the courte pyteously wepte & demened tyght grete sorow for y^e fete that he had of his mayster for he thought veryly how that he was but deed, and sayd [...] a my lorde ar­thur the best kni [...]ht the moost noble and ha [...]y the moost sage and curteyse crea [...]ture that euer was fourmed by nature, a [...]as why dyde ye entre in to this vnhappy castell, for I thynke surely ye are but de [...]. [...]nd [...]o than at y^e last y^t tournynge of this palays began to sece, and the derkenes began to auoyde & to waxe fay­re and cl [...]re and the ayre peasyble thau arthur sate hym downe vpon the ryche beddes syde ryght feble & faynt bycause of the gret [...] t [...]oble that he had endured and for the ferefull hor [...]yblenes y^t he had [...]een and herde han whan it was thus wa [...]ed fay [...]e & clere, than the voyce sayd agayne twyse, it ys ended it ys ended, & whā may [...]ter Steuen herde that voyce he sayd vnto his compani. veryly the aduentures of the palays in y^e castell of the porte noyr [...] are acheued, therefore I am sure it can be none otherwyse but that y^e knight that is there, eyther he is dead or elles ryght sore wounded & than he wēt & gadred herbes suche as he knewe we­re ryght precyous for all maner of woū ­des and made of theim to gyue vnto Ar­thur if i [...] were his fortune to fynde hym alyue, & Baudewyn who al [...]o had herde the voyce thoughte verely than that Ar­thur had ben dead, and sayde to him selfe that neyther for y^e dyspleasure of his lorde, nor ye [...] for feare of ony other thynge he wolde abyde no longer but y^t he wo [...]d mount vp into the palays to se if he cou­de knowe howe his lor [...]e dydde, & so [...] vp y^e stayres w^t his swearde in his hande and passed thrugh the hall and entred in to the cha [...]bre where as arthur was sittynge on the beddes side, then was Bawdewyn glad whan he sawe his mayster alyue and demaunded him how [...] he didde And arthur answered and said how that he was ryght wery and sore wounded. Than Badewyn was ryght sorowfull at his herte, for he fered gretly leste that he had some mortall wounde, and sayde Syr may it please you to shew me your woūdes. It pleaseth me right well sayd Ar [...]hur. Than Bawdewyn vnarmed hī and serched all his woundes, for he was a ryght good surgyen, and wasshed and staunched his woundes, and softly dyd anoynt them, the whiche did him right [...] grete ease. Than Ar [...]hur armed hym a­gayne and sayd that he wolde go se [...]che ferder ouer all the palays to knowe yf there were ony mo aduent [...]r [...]s & ther­with there entred i [...] to y^e chambre a yon­ge varlet, who acc [...]stomab [...]y bef [...]re ap­parayled the mete and drīke that s [...]rued for the knightes that w [...]re dead at the [Page xlix] gate of the castel, & whan he came before Arthur he kneled downe & sayde. A gen­tyll knight I crye you mercy, for goddes sake saue my lyfe, for I am a pore ver­let that serued for my lyuing the knigh­tes that ye haue slayne. Thou shalte ha­ue noo hurte sayde Arthur on the condy­cyon that thou wylt [...] tell me the trouthe whether there be in this castell any moo men or women. Syr sayd the verlet here in this place there be noo moo creatures but all onelye two prysoners who were delyuered to my maysters whome ye ha­ue slayue to be kepte hire in prison to the entente that it shoulde neuer be knowen where as they were become & they were sente hyther by the cōmaundemen of the duke of vygor. well good frende sayd ar­thur brynge me to them, than the varlet conuayed him streyght to the prison where as they were closed in, and the varlet didde vnlocke al the dores whiche w [...]re meruaylously wrought, and at the laste they came to a grete cofer all of yren whiche was surely made fast to the wall w^t gret bondes & barres of stele, than Ar­thur didd so muche by his strength that he brast open the cofer & toke out the prysoners with much payne, for they were sore charged with boltes of yren, so that they coude stere no maner of waye, and whā they were loused one of them sayde A dere lorde, I wote not what ye be, nor whether ye haue taken vs out of prison for our welthe or for our hurte, but for goddes sake rather than ye shold put vs agayne into this cofer fyrst strike of our hedes. Certaynly sayde Arthur we haue non entent to do you any maner of hurt therfore tel me of whens ye be & where ye were borne. A syr sayde they, we are so nye ouercome for lack of mete, and so sore brused withal y^t we can scant speake ony worde, therfore syr for goddes sake gyue vs some mete. Frēdes sayd Arthur I can not tel whether there be ony mete & drinke in this hous or no. Yes syr sayd the varlet here in this hous there is suf­fycyent and it were to receyue the mygh­ty Emendus kynge of soroloys. Well sayd Arthur than go fetche theym some parte thereof, than the varlet set vp the tables, & dyd set on them brede and wyne and other mete sufficient, and than they all dyd eate and drynke as muche as dyd please them, and whan they had done, the varlet demaūded of the prysoners if they wolde be shauen, & they answered. Yes with a right good wyl. Than the varlet apparayled all thinge redy, for he was a good [...]arbour, and whan they were sha­uen than the varlet brought thē gownes of the knyghtes that were slayne & whā they were apparayled, they semed wel to be extraught of a noble lygnage, and so thee were in dede as ye shall here after.

AFter that Arthur had delyuered these prysoners and acheued the foresayd aduentures, than the varlet ca­me [Page] to hym and sayd. Syr it is of trouth that ye haue fordone & ouercome all the aduentures of this place sauynge one, & that is in y^e galery goynge in to y^e gardyn and syr yf that were for done than euery body myght goo & come in to this castell as surely as in to ony other place. well good frende ꝙ Arthur I praie you bryng me thyder. Syr with a ryght good wyll sayd y^e varlet, but syr we must haue fyrst some fyre with vs, for y^e galery is so der­ke that we can se no thynge there, and so than they lyghted torches & wente forth so ferre that at the laste in a lytell strayte way Arthur foūde two ymages of coper one on the one syde & an other on y^e other syde, & they had eche of them a grete flayle in theyr handes, wherwith they contynually bete downe ryght, y^e whiche was made by enchauntement, so that no creature coude passe by them without deth, and whan Arthur sawe them he toke his swerde in his hande & layde on with all his myght on these macomettes, in such wyse that his strokes might wel be herd of a great waye but for all that he coude not enpayre them, thā he perceyued wel that hys swerde coude do hym but lytel helpe wherfore he toke in his hād agree bar of a dore that he foūde there, & there with he laid on so fast that finally he bet downe both these macomettes, than all the encha [...]tmēt began to faile: for than he myght seclerely al about him, & wyth strayning of him selfe in this bataile his woundes braste out agayne on bledyng wherfore he was fayne to vna [...]me hī in the same place, & than Bawdewin dyde staūch al his woūds againe and dressed them newly wi [...]h swete and soft oynte­mentes than he wold haue armed hym agayne but than the varlet sayde. Syr your harneys shall but hurt your woū ­des, hardely leue it here styll and arme you no more, for surely syr ye be nowe in as good sauegarde as though ye wer by your fader that engendred you. Frende sayd Arthur loke that here be no treson Syr I waraūt you on payne of my he [...]d, syr boldly now ye may enter into the gardyn, & there ye shall fynde a noble clerke who is son to a king who is pertayning to a ryghte hye and mighty pryncesse th [...] noble Florence doughter and cyre to the puyssant king Emēdus, who hath bene there more than this halfe yere to abyde for your cominge. For me sayde Arthur thou wotest not what thou saist, for how shold he haue ony knowlege of me. Syr sayd y^e varlet I can not tell you, but surely it is as I saye, therfore let vs go thy­der. So they wente forth & entred in the gardyn wherin was all the plesure that coud be thought, and as they went forth therin playenge there came to Arthur a fayre yoange varlet & goodly dyd salute hym and sayd. Syr ye be ryght hertelye welcome into the londe of Soroloys as the moost desyred knygh that euer was gyrde w^t swerde. why good frende sayde Arthur where is that place that I am so sore desyred in Syr sayd he in all the lōde of Argence. Fayre frende sayd he & why I am so sore there desyred. Syr y^t cā the prysoners that ye haue delyuered shewe you full well. Why ꝙ Arthur how know they what I am. Syr as god helpe me ye are better knowen here thā ye are ware of [...] for here is in this gardyn a noble clerke son to a kyng who hath taryed here a grete season, who knoweth you wel, and all the demenour that hath ben betwene you & the fayre damoysel Iehannet or ye departed out of your owne coūtre, & also he knoweth ryght well howe that ye dyd at vyen in the tournay, and also wat ye [Page l] dyd at Brewle, and how ye made youre cosyn Hector duke of orgoule. In the name of god sayd Arthur I haue great meruayle howe ye can tel me all this. And as they were thus talkynge there came to them a grete flocke of knyghtes, than y^e varlet sayd, syr yonder is my sayde lorde who is coming to you. Nay said Arthur I shall go vnto him, at whiche tyme this sayd maister Stēuen was apparyaled in a mātell of vyolet chamlet, & in a sircote of grene satyn furred with ermyns, & as soone as he sawe Arthur he auayled hys bonet & dyd salute hym. Than Arthur sayd, a gentyll mayster it is to me a grete rebuke that so noble a man as ye be sholde do to me so greate reuerence, than the mayster dyde smyle and toke hym by the hande and sayd. Syr we haue [...]olnge trusted for the welth & honour that is nowe come to you therfore nowe ye be welco­me as the chefe souerayne knyght of all the wyde worlde, syr now I thinke to go se this palays in to the which neuer man entred before saue onelye you, for ye are the fyrste that euer entered therto, & that is by your noble valure, syr I know wel ye be sore woūded, therfore I haue made for you a lytle drynke, and than he sente for it incontynent, & whan it was come he sayd, syr drynke therof hardelye, feare for nothyng in the name of God, for I desyre more youre health and honor, thā of ony other creature liuyng. Than Ar­thur toke it and dranke wel thereof, and as soone as it was spredde abrode in his vaynes, he was thereby sodeynly all hole & more lustyer than euer he was before, for than he thought y^t his strength was do [...]bled, & truelye in a maner so it was, for by the vertue of these herbes he had y^e grace y^t [...]ro thens forth there was neuer man y^t coude drawe out of his body ony blode but onely the foule monster of the brosse w^t whome he fought at great Ieopardye, as ye shall here afterwarde.

WHan that Arthur had receyued the sayde drynke and recouered there by his helth, than mayster Steuen toke hym by the hande and sayde. Syr I haue grete desyre to go se this palays I praye you let vs go thyder, & so they . [...]. went forth togyder, before & all other fo­lowed them who wolde, & at the last they came into the same na [...]owe entre whe [...]e as Arthur had betē downe these .ii. [...]ma­ges of coper with theyr greate flayles, & there a grete season they stode & behelde them, and euery man assayed to remeu [...] one of theyr flayles, but it wolde not be they were so heuye, than euery man had grete meruayle how y^t there might be so muche myghte in one knyght as to beate downe so mighty and heuy a thing, & thā they entred in to the palays [...]he whyche was the moost fayrest & rychest that euer was sene with mannes eye, & at the laste they entred into the ryche chambre wher as the goodly bedde was, than mayster Steuen had grete meruayle of y^e inesty­mable rychesse of that chambre & bedde, Than came to theym the .ii prysoners, & did salute mayster Steuen [...] and whan the mayster sawe them he knewe one ryght wel and made to hī good chere and sayd [...] what syr markes haue ye bene here pry­ner. Ye syr said he truly, and for y^t neuew of the duke of bygor, whā he had slayne my lorde and murdered my bretherne by false treason, than he tooke me and thys [Page] ether knyght and did sende vs into thys place as pryuely as he coude, and dyd de­lyuer vs to the knyght [...]s that kepe thys place who be now al dead by the prowes of this knyghte, who hath delyuered vs out of pryson & thraldome, & thanked be god & his noblenesse now we be escaped f [...]o all daūger. In the name of god sayde the mayster, it was g [...]ete nede y^t he shulde com in to this countre, and than he sayd to Arthur. Syr it draweth fast to night warde, wherfore it is hye tyme to go to souper & syr I wyll soupe w^t you here in this chambre. Syr I thanke you sayd Arthur, but I can not tell wheder there be ony thing cōueni [...]nte to receyue suche a pe [...]s [...]n as ye be. Syr sayd the mayster by the fayth that I owe to you I am pertayn [...]ng to so hye and p [...]yssant & rych lady who hath sufficient both for you and for vs all, than y^e mayster cōmaunded [...]o make redy the souper, than anon the tables were layd, & the maysters seruaūtes ran to h [...]s tent on the mounte peryllous, and a [...]one they brought all maner of thynge nec [...]ssary, vessell & plate of gold & syluer grete plente, than the clothes were layde & wa [...]er brought forth, than Arthur refused to w [...]sshe with y^e mayster because he was son vnto a kynge. wel syr sayde the mayster I praye you fulfyll my desyre for truly I k [...]ow better your estate & honour [...]hā ye wene I do, than Arthur dyd as he was requyred, than the mayster sat [...]wne & Arthur by hym, & the markes b [...]fore them, & all other sate downe at o­ther syde tables, where as they were as rych [...]ly s [...]rued as though they had ben in the hous of the noble Florēs, but thogh she were not there, yet she payed for all th [...]yr expences. Thus Arthur sat at soupe [...], who seamed to all theym that se hym [...]o be ryghte fayre & gracyous aboue all other that euer they sawe, & so they pray­sed hym moche in theyr hertes, and whā they had souped at good leysure and the tables taken awaye, than they set them downe on cosshyns of sylke, and y^e may­ster sayd to Arthur. Syr behold here my lorde the markes, who is & shal be youre knyght, for ye haue delyuered him oute of pryson That is trouth sayde the mar­kes, & therfore I thanke hym. well syr sayd Arthur, I herde you say as I remembre how that the neuew of the duke of bigor caused you to be put here in pryson, and also how he slew youre brethern by treason, wherfore if it may please you I requyre you shewe me how it dyd fortu­ne. And whā mayster St [...]uen herd hym enquyre for the mater, he had grete Ioye, for than h [...] knew wel that Arthur wo [...]de remedy that case, than the marques an­swered and sayd. Syr the mater is very longe to reherse, th [...]rfore I feare me the reporte therof shall anoy you. Syr truly sayd Arthur it shall be no pa [...]ne to me to here it. Than the markes sayde, syr it is of tro [...]th how that the lord of Arg [...]nt [...]n was my broder, who was in his tyme a ryght good knight. I saye it not because he was my broder, but of very trouth he was so gretly alowed that the renowne of hym was spredde a brode all the lond [...] of Soroloys, for there he was reputed to be the moost souerayne knyght of al y^e worlde, and so it fortuned y^t the duke of bygor who is a myghty lorde in his coū tre made on a daye a [...]ournaye [...]o be hol­den at his cyte of bygor bycause of a ne­uewe of his who was maryed the same daye vnto a ryght hye lygnage, and thys dukes neuewe was & yet is righte fyers and orgyllous, and is a ryght gretly re­doubted knyghte of his handes, and in euery place he was reputed nexte to my [Page li] broder to be the best knight of the world and at this foresayde turnay was my brother, and this dukes neuew had gret enuy at him bycause of the great noble­nesse that he herde repu [...]ed of hym and so [...]oke counsayle with some of his affinite and det [...]rmined to Iust against my lorde m [...] brother, to thētent to abate his renowne, & so he toke to his company .x other knightes, & whā the tournay was begon, he and his company ran at ones at my broder, who as than was not ware of their malicious purpose, nor had no mo in hys company but me and his squier, wherfore we suffred muche pay­ne, but finally my broder deliuered vs all fro them & bette downe the dukes neuew to the e [...]th, but than my brother by his gentylnesse did that I wold not haue done, for whan he saw him at the erth he lighted & brought him an other good horse, and helped him to mounte theron, and than my brother lept againe on his horse and went to the tourney & there dyd suche meruayles of armes y^t all that behelde him meruayled therat, and generally they all sayd how that in all the worlde there was none lyke him And whan the [...]ukes neuewe herde all that prayse be giuen to my brother, his herte swelled for anger and enuy, & for despite he wolde no more lust y^e daye. And whā all was ended, the price was giuen to my brod [...]r by the cōsēt of both parties and so than all the companie wente to the courte to the duke, & there they began greatly to praise my broder. And whā his neuew herde that he was right sore dyspleased bycause he was beten downe by hym the same day, [...]herfoe openly before the duke for pure malice he appeled my broder of treason, and sayd how that he had beten him downe in the tournay by crafte and false t [...]esō Than my broder coulde no lenger endure his wordes, bu [...] sayd. In fayth syr ye say vntruly, for I neuer thought treson in all my lyfe, neyther to you nor to non other creature, and therwith in the quarell he dyd caste downe his gloue at the fote of the duke. And whan this dukes neuew saw that he had cast his gloue, he was nie en [...]aged for anger & d [...]spite and stept on his fete & toke a grete mace of stele from a varlet that stode beside, & the [...]with he strake my broder on y^e head so that the blode fell to the erth, & whan I saw my brother so stroken I toke my sw [...]rde in my hande & thought to haue slayne hym, but than other knightes kepte vs [...]sonder, so than my brothers company began to draw togyther, & his company in likewyse, wherby it was likely there to haue ben a great fray, but wysely the duke appesed bothe partyes and was right sore dyspleased with the outrage of his neuew. Thā my brother sayd to the duke, syr your neuewe hath appeled me of treason, and therfore be­holde here lieth my gloue to defend my self in the qua [...]el, that by treason w^tout any defiaunce, & or I was ware he hath striken me like a [...]alse traytour as he is and that wyl I proue my body agaynst his, and therfore syr duke lette me haue ryght according to the law of armes. Thā was this dukes neuew greatli blamed of euery knight [...] who sayd generally y^t yf he had [...]ight he should be for this dede right sore punisshed [...] Thā the duke was right sorowful, & did much labour to appese my brother, but in no wise [...] e wolde be content of a great season, how be it fynalli the duke required hī so mo­che, & so did all other knightes that my broder who had a gentyll herte did for­gyue [Page] all y^• matter, & there the pras was ma [...]e & eche o [...] them bounde to other in two. M. pounde to kepe & obserue suche direceions as the duke wold take in y^t mater, wherw^t they said they were well content. Than the duke sayd, syrs fyrst eche of you shal pardon other of al euyl willes that hath ben betwene you. And ther [...]o they answe [...]ed & said y^t they were pleased so to do [...] & in knowlege therof they enbraced eche other and kissed togyther. Than the duke determined ferder, how that his ne [...]ew shuld delyuer to my brother .CC. poūd of yerely land to haue to hym and his ayres for euermore the whiche direccion his neuew there con­fermed & there my brother was put in full possessyon therof both by the duke & also by his neuew, who shewed fayret semblaunt outwarde to my brother thā he thought inwarde in his herte. Than my brother toke leue of the duke & hys neuew vnder the false colour of loue cō [...]ayed my broder parte of the way, but fall [...] and like a traytour he had layde a [...]hement in a lytle wode of thre score me [...] in harne [...]s & so there or we were w [...]e they o [...]he in behinde vs, & there sh [...] fully slew my brother and two of his sones of the age of .xii. or .xiii yeres And so there they slew a .xl. knightes y^• were in our company and there he toke me and ney f [...]low prisoners out of the whiche ye haue delyuered vs. And syr it is so my bother hath no mo childrē left on lyue sauyng a doughter, who is en­heritour to all the lande of Argenton, & the dukes neuew hath taken fro her all the [...]heritaunce that she is borne vnto and hath hee in kepyng, and is purpo­sed to mary her to a boy who is his barbo [...]t, who by reason ought to be maried to a great erle or els a lord [...] both for her noblenesse, richesse, and frendes: but as now she is in y^• case that there is none y^• wyl mayntaine her right for manye of her frendes ben dead & I haue ben here in prison syth the death of my lorde my broder her fader and also her men & subiectes dare do nothing for lacke of a ca­picayne, & this duke is g [...]etly redoubted for he is mighty bothe of hauoyre & of frendes, & therfore my nece is lykely to be lost, for she shalbe giuen at this next mawdelayne tyde to a lewde boy & she is likely to be disher [...]ed for euer. For she hath no helpe nor co [...]sayle, & ther wyth this markes pyteously begā to w [...]pe for the great sorow that he had al his herte Than mayster S [...]euen sayde syr I en­sure you it is of a trouth al y^• this mar­kes hath shewed you. Certayn [...]y sayd arthur yf god wyl sende me the grace y^• I may here of a knight of min that should come hither to me, thā wyll I faythfully ensure you to do my payne to help & so­cour this noble damoysel. Syr ꝙ may­ster Steuē I wyl know to morow how your knight doth bu [...] now it is to late, and syr ye sh [...]al ly alnight i [...] his pal [...]s which is pertayning to my la [...] [...]ores, for it was geuen her whā she was [...] ii. dayes olde, bowle it she was neuer here, nor yet none other but you all one­ly, therfore syr kepe it for my la [...]ye tyll the season that ye may [...]ble grace for ye haue made it [...] maner of enchaūtemētes, ano [...]er [...] go this night into my tente whereas I haue layne al this season, & tomorowe betymes I wyl come to you agayn and brynge all my stuffe into t [...]is p [...]ace but syr loke that ye ly all this night in th [...]s ryall bed, and there Arthur promis [...] [...] so to do. Thā the mayster & his & [...] departed, fro hym as for that [...].

WHan the mayster Steuen was departed, than Arthur layde hym downe in the ryal tyche bedde and slepte well all his fyrst slepe tyll it was about mydnygh, than he awoke and saw grete clerenes of torche lyght afore hym, and perceyued stonding before his bedde a quene crowned w^t gold, who was the most fayre creature y^t euer was sene, and he thought she spake to him & sayde Ar­thur frend here is in this place the wh [...]te shelde & clarence the goode swerde of the fayry, therfore thou shalt haue moche ho­nour yf thy herte be good. And therwith she vanisshed away, wherof Arthur had grete meruayle, both of her beaute & al­so of there sodayne departing, thus remaned Arthur tyll it was clere day than he rose, & mayster steuen came to hym and they went and herd masse, & after masse Arthur sayde to the mayster, syr I cā not tel what quene it was y^t this nyght was with me in the chambre where as I laye but it was the goodlyest fygure of a woman that euer I sawe & she sayde [...]o me how y^• ther was in this place the why [...]e sheld and the good swerde cla [...]ence. And whan mayster Steuen herd that he smyled and sayd. Syr I see well it is you to whome the swerde and sheld is desteni [...] vnto, dyuerse knightes hath assayed to take them, but they coulde neuer remeue them fro the place where [...]s they be, therfore now I thīke they haue [...] mayster syr [...]et vs goe thyder & see what wyll fortune. Than they yssued out of y^• palays and went into the garbyn where as was the ryche pauylyon pertayning to the noble Florēce, the which [...] lest of the rychest werke of the world of grene satyn & crimsē, bordred w^t golde & asure, & the post that bare it was of fyne yuery, and the cordes of grene sylke, and in the toppe therof stode an egle of bor­ned golde, and at the two corners there stode two grete gryffons shining agenst the sonne Than Arthur remembred his vysion that he had or he departed out of his owne countre, & so he behelde the egle a grete ceason, and at the last he c [...]me [...]o the pauylion, than Arthur sawe before hym in the front therof the pe [...]sonage of a quene crowned wi [...]h gold, the whiche crowne hadde .vi. braunches, the whyche signified .vi. realmes, and in eueri bra [...] the there were wrytten letters, and in y^e fyrst was wryten Emendus the myghty kynge of Soroloys, & this braunch has chefe and highest of all other, and in y^e se­conde was wryten Florēce quene of the realme of blaūche toure, & in the thirde was giuē the kīg of orqueny, and in the fourth was wryten Piuernous kyng of vale founde father to mayster Steuen And in the .v. king of mormall, & in the vi. Ismaelite the gret. This crown was [Page] set fal of precius stones, and this image was fayre and gentil to behold, with her forehead playne and whyte, and her heer like the colour of gold, her browes small and propre, somwhat drawynge to the browne colour, and her b [...]sage pla [...]n neyt [...]er to longe nor to rounde, coloure ly­k▪ as ros [...]s and lilies togider had ben me­dled, her nose long and streyght, and her ruddy mouth somwhat smylynge, her eyen [...]owly, and al her body and other mē bres made without ony reprehencion by the ordynaunce of nature who had set in her all beate, and she was vestured wyth a s [...]m [...]te of grene streyte gyrde to her w^t a face of golde, so that somwhat her lytel rou [...]de and lyly whyte brestes might be se [...]e the whiche became her wonderslye wel, and ouer al this she had on a sircote of crymsen lined w^t vyolet sendall, & her wide sleues were of grene enbordred w^t floures of golde and with ryche pearles And this ymage helde bytwene her han­des a chaple [...] of sylke wrought subtylly full of freshe floures, and aboute the bor­der therof were letters wrought of pre­cyous stones that sayd. He shal kepe me for his owne that shall haue this chaplet And whan Arthur had red wel at length these let [...]ers, and sawe the freshe beaute of this ymage, than his herte opened for grete loue, & with grete and feruent de­syre he loued the presentacyon of that ymage, and therwith stode before it in a grete study. Than mayster Steuē sayd syr I ensure you my lady is suche as this ymage representeth. Syr sayde Arthur than in her is all the beaute of the world. Ye syr sayde the mayster there be two persones y^t resēbleth this ymage. First the quene y^• ye saw this last night appere to you who is called proserpyne quene of y^• fayry, who dyd gyue to my lady Florēs, this castell & this pauilion, & destenyed on her how y^• she sholde neuer be maried but to the best knyght of the worlde, & to hym this ymage sholde gyue her chaplet y^t she holdeth in her handes, & syr I trust it be you. Secōdly also my lady Florēs in a [...]l thinges resembleth to this ymage And so the quene Proserpyne & my lady Florence & this ymage are in al poyntes so like y^t ye can not know the one fro the other, & the hye braūche y^t is in the crown of this ymage betokeneth y^t might [...] king Emendus fader to my lady Florens, and the seconde sygnifieth my ladies realme, and the other .iiii. represente .iiii. other kīges who are subiectes to my lady Florēs & to her fader, therefore syr & it please you let vs enter into this pauylyon & se wheder ye may haue the sheld and swerd that all other haue fayled of, and so they entred into the pauilion, and in the myd­des therof Arthur sawe where there han­ged on a perche the shelde and the swerd. Than Arthur wente thereto boldly, and toke it as easely as thoughe it had bene his owne before, than he sette his hande to the swerde and so drewe it out of the sherhe, and the blade therof was so clere that it dyd cast meruayllously grete cle­renese. and therfore it was called cla [...]ēce and before that tyme it was neuer dra­wen out of the shethe nor sene with mā ­nes eye, and Arthur delte as easely ther­with ashe dyd w^t his hwne. And whan mayster Steuen lawe this he had grete Ioye and sayd. Syr I se well ye are the same knyght that it was deliuered vnto therfore nowe I haue grete Ioye and I trust that god shall cause you to attayne to muche honour and noblenesse. Than Arthur sayde, syr ye promysed to tell me some tidinges of my knyght that sholde come hyther, syr I requyre you to tell me [Page liii] yf ye know any thinke of him. Sir said the maister I know wel how ye promised to come [...] seke this aduēture which ye haue ac [...]eued, [...] no wise ye wold suffre him to come w^t you, & therfore ye sent hym by the great hie way through out ynde the more to thentent he sholde not se your deth nor that he shold dy w^t you, & so sir he is not as yet come for in dede he cannot, for he is in the castel called the brosse, & syr tis by al likelyhode impossyble y^t euer he shall depart thēs w^tout deth though he were made of yrē & stele, fo [...]al the remedy of the world cā not kepe him fro deth, therfore Arthur comforte your selfe, & of a th [...]ng that is lost without recouer neuer thinke ther on more. Truly syr sayde Arthur but yf I haue my knight I shall neuer haue c [...]forte therfore speke to me neuer ther­of, but syr I require you howe he is so lost or in such ieoperdy as ye speke of. with a right good wyl sayd the mayster but I fere me it wyl anoy you for it is a lōge processe to reherse. wel sayd Arthur as for y^• I care not, tel on I requyre you

THā the maister sayde, syr it is of a trouth y^t the castel of the brosse is a right strōg & a noble place, & is y^e chefe hed of al y^e coūtre, for there is wela v.C. gentylmen y^t holde their lōd therby & they are all subiectes to hym that is lord of y^t place syr it passeth not two yere ago that there was a lorde of this castel, who was called syr Neuelō le roux, a ful good and a gentyll knight who was right sage reputed and gretli ryche, & right fore bedrad, & wel beloued of all people & syr it is of a trou [...]he that ioyning to this castell within ii. leges therof there is a forest in the which ther is a maruaylous great depe pit & the entre therof is .iiii, square, & it is well .iiii. spere length brode, & it so black and stinking y^t no creature can abide nere it & into this abhominable pit there doth repayre a meruailous & a right horrible mōster, the foulest figure y^• euer [...]as [...] or herde of, for he is wel .xxx. fote long & his head three tymes more larger tha is the heed of an oxe, & his eyen bigger than a mans fyst, and some of his [...]e [...]h standing out his mouthe more than a­fore & an halfe, wherwith he w [...]or [...]e both yren & stele, & his armes by [...] and longe without any mesure, his nayles or clowes lenger then a fote, so harde & sharpe y^t there is nothīg but that he wil perce it, & all his body as blacke as any cole, and as hard as stele, for there i [...] nothing y^t can perce or enpayre him & also he is of that strength that he is able to cary away at ones .iii. knightes armed And he eteth neuer other mete but saw fleshe of mankinde▪ & also he is to lig [...]e and swyft that an horse cannot ten t [...]o hym, & oftentimes he hath ben assoyed w^t great hostes of men, but al th [...] colde neuer do him any maner of hur [...]e [...]eyther w^t swerde, spere, nor crosdowe, nor any other wepen & thus he doth greate trouble to al the hol [...] coūtre. And [...]o syr it fortuned y^t a two yere past ab [...]ute s. Laurence tide, y^t this sayd lord syr Ne­uelon was comīg out of ynde the more fro the emperour who loued him right wel, & so he had thought to ha [...]e gone home to his owne castel of the brosse, & a twēty of his seruaūtes in his [...]pant & he passed by this forest were as this [Page] great pit is & so vnware to him he & his squier dyd rest thē not ferre fro the pit & suffred his other cōpany to ryde forth on afore, & so it fortuned that this foule monster was the same morning yssued out of his p [...]t, & so as soone as he espied this lorde Neuelon he ran on hym & so strangled & bare him into his great pyt and so there he was vtterly lost, & whā this was knowen there was made for hī right great sorow, & syr this lord hath & doughter who is named blaūche floure, who was then of the age of .xv. yere & whan she herde the tidīges of the deth of the lorde her father she made ful great sorow & so she entred into a litle chapell and there she abode .xv dayes contynu­ally demening wonderful sorow for her father, and euer she praid to god that she might haue some vengeaunce of thys foule monster, so longe thus she prayde that at last on a night she herde a voyce that sayd to her how y^t the knight y^t o­uer cometh the lorde of this castel at the ende of two yeres shal fight against this monster, how be it the voyce shewed not whether he shold ouercome the monster or els be ouercomen hīself, than the yōge damoysel reported al this that she herde the voyce say to her brethern and to her vncle, & so than they ordeyned amonge them that her vncle should abide in the castel & Iust with al knightes y^t passed by y^t way, vnto the tyme y^t he were ouer comen with a strong knight, & so it was ordeyned that if the knight of the castel ouercome the knight without than he shold lese his horse & harneys, & also be led to the [...]ustice, that it should be cryde throughout al the coūtre behold the knight y^t is vaynquished, & yf the straunge knight wythout ouercome him of the caste [...], than the knight stran̄ger should go to the castel & there be receyued as thef [...] lorde therof & be serued honourable, and thā he shold kepe the castel & that vsage til he were ouercome w^t an other knight Sir it fortuned your knight Gouernar to passe by this castel and there did iuste agaynst the lord therof, & so ouerca h [...]m and mani mo sith that time that he was fayne to kepe the sayd vsage, & so syr he is in this castel, & it passeth not now to come .vii. wekes of the ful seaso of [...]wo yere sith the vsage begā, and sir I thīk verily there shal come no knight thider betwene this & that by whome he shold be ouercome, & as sone as the two yere be full cōplet than shal he be led to fight with this terryble monster, & I am sure as sone as he cometh to hym he is but dead and it were a .C. such as he is, and syr the [...]e is mo than .CC. knigh [...]es cōtynualli lodged aboute this castel to then tent y^t he shold not strie awai therfore I repute him but a dead man, for there is no succour cā help him. wel maister said Arthur sith it is thus as ye saye as god helpe me there is nothing shal holde me but I wyl go thither and put my body in ieoperdy for his, for it were a greate shame for me thus to leese my knight, therfore Bawdewyn f [...]ēde make [...]edy al my gere for I wyl remeue to morow betymes, for certaynly I wyll abyde no lenger for al the wolde, & whā the mai­ster herd him he knew wel y^t there was none myght let hym of hys enterpryse, how be it he sayde. Sir ye ought not to be reputed neither for sage nor wise that wyl take on hym suche a thyng that he cannot acheue and to go there as perill is w^tout remedi it is no hardines thus to do▪ but a ful gret foly, therfore syr for goddes sake abyde. Mayster ꝙ Arthur speke no more to me therof, for sure [...] [...]ir [Page liiii] I wyl go thyder & loke ones on that foule monster though he be the deuyl of hell wel syr sayde the mayster as god wyll so be it, but syr syth ye be he to whome it is destenyed to acheue all the aduētures of this counter of Sorolois, whereof this aduenture is one of the gretest, the wh [...] che I pray to god that ye maye s [...]bdowe it therfore syr take with you this whyte shelde for there is nothinge that can enpayre it, & this swerde cla [...]nce for there was neuer yet a better, & thus syr syth ye wyll nedes go I trust ye may go y^t more surelyer & I pray god to sende you good fortune & spede, & saufe to come agayne & so for y^• night they went to their restes.

IN the morninge betymes Arthu [...] rose and take leue of the mayster, who sayde to hym. Syr for goddes sake returne agayne as shortly as ye may, for I haue many thīges to speke with you of, & sit I [...] this markes shal kepe this pala [...]sī the meane season, & Arthur promised so to do▪ & so departed he & Bawdewyn & rode forth .ii. dayes w^tout [...]yndig of [...]ny aduēture tyll at last on a fryday about none they entred into a fayre forest & to­de a longe seasō & founde no creature, at last hey came in to a fayre medow lusty & grene, & arthur was in a gret thought remembrynge on his shelde y^t coude not be enpayred, & also of clarence his swerde the which wold cut euerything, and he had grete desyre to se them proued, to thentent y^t he might know wheder they were of y^t vertue or not, also he was moū ted on his good horse assyle, & as he rode thus thynkynge, he mette sodenly wyth xiiii. knightes all armed, & .iiii. of them were on horsbacke, and the other .x. were lyghted on fote & were sitting vnder an oke bycause of the shadowe therof, for y^• weder was than very hote, & whā these iiii. knightes on horsbacke saw Arthur one of them dystranged hym selfe and wythout speakyng of ony worde he ran at Arthur and strake hym on the shelde [...] grete stroke and passed forthe wythoute breakinge of his spere, and therewith Arthu [...] loked aboute hym and at the last the knight that had strī ken hym was ready apparayled to haue retourned agayne, than Arthur ranne at hym, and the knyht brake hys speare▪ but Arthur gaue hym suche a stroke that he frusshed downe bothe Horse and manne all on an he­pe, soo rudely that wyth the fal he [Page] brake one of his legs and his hors fell on hym, than Arthur sayd to hym. Syr ye ben traytour thus to stryke me w^tout distaūce, but I thinke ye haue now gret nede of a carpenter to make you some styltes & croches, for I wene ye can not lyfe without a lenyng stocke. Than an other of these knightes came on Arthur and he wente shortly to the erth and his heles vpward, & whan his other two felowes sawe that they can bothe at ones on Arthur and hyt wyth both theyr spe­ [...]es at ones in the myddes of his sheld but they remeued hym no more than yf they had stryken agenst a grete toure, & so they passed forth by, and than re [...]our­ [...]ed agayne wyth theyr swerdes in their hādes and assayled fyersly Arthur on al sydes than Arthur waxed angry & toke in his hand his good swerde clarence & strake therwith so the fyrst that he claue his head downe to the sholdres, & whan his fel [...]w sawe that he fledde to his [...]e­lawes y^t were [...]n fote. And than sir Ise­harte neuewe to the duke of bigor who was fye [...]se & fell, and captayne of al y^• cōpany whan he saw one of hys knigh­tes slayne who was his cosyn germayn he s [...]uffed in the nose and bette togyder his teth, & bended his browes as though he had ben wode, & called for his helme and for his horse, & wold suffer none of his cōpany to go with him, for he sayd he wold alone reuenge the death of hys cosyn therewith he moūted on his horse and toke a grete speare & a myghty, than Arthur espied where a spere stod [...] leuing agaynst a tre, and toke it in hys hand & rode agaynst the knyght that came ren­nynge at hym▪ and they mette so [...]udely that they al to sheueted theyr speres & so passed forth without ony hurte at y^t course. And whan syr Isembarte sawe that he had not beten downe his felawe, he wente to Arthur and strake hym on the shelde with his swerde, but the stroke is bounded agayne, and whan the knyght sawe that he was ryght sorowful & sore displeased, and than agayne with al his myght he strake Arthur in y^e myddes of his shelde so rudely that his swerde bra­ke asonder in the myddes. And whan Arthur sawe that he sayd, syr knyght ye ha­ue made of one two, for ye haue made [...] shorte swerde of a longe, now ye shall se how I can werke than Arthur strake hī with clarēce his good swerde on his hel­me so rudely that the stroke dyde glent [...] downe on his at me and did cut asonde [...] all his harneys & entred in to the fless he so that the stroke bare away agrete pece of y^• brawne of his arme, the whiche stroke was so heuy that it descended downe to the crope of the horse and cut asonder the arson of the sadel & gaue the horse & grete wounde, & therwith do the horse [...] man fell downe to the erth. Than y^e knyghtes seruauntes ran to helpe hym, but he laye & grete whyle in a traunce, & whan he reuyued he sayd to Arthur, syr knyght ye haue so wounded me & slayne my cosyn germayne, but syr I promyse you faythfully that as soone as I shall be hole agayne I shal render to you this bounte, for I wyll stryke of your hed [...]i the sholdres where so euer I mete you, eyther in chyrche or in ony other place, armed or vnarmed, wel syr sayd Arthur than ye haue giuen me respite tyll ye be hole agayne, & than by the grace of god ye wyl not do so much hurt as ye speke of than the other knightes wolde haue fought with Arthur, but theyr mayster defended them the contrary, bycause he sayd he wolde sle hym his owne handes Than Arthur departed fro them, and y^e [Page lv] knightes put theyr lord in a horse lytter and so caried him to a castel of his own, where as he [...]emayned tyll he had reco­uered his helth And Arthur after that he was departed fro them rode so longe til he yssued out of the forest, & rode vp to a great hye hyll, and at the descēding ther of he saw where a knight alarmed cam right rudely to him warde, and a greate speare in his hande, and when he came to hym he sayde. Syr are ye of the com­pany of the .xiiii▪ knightes y^t went this way but late. Nay certaynly sayde Ar­thur for they did their payne to haue trobled me, but I thanke god they myst of theyr purpose, but syr I pray you wherfore do you axe the questiō. As god help me syr bicause yf ye were ony of them I wolde [...]le you myne owne handes or e­uer ye past any ferder if I coulde, & also theyr mayster for he is the most shame­fullest knight y^• lyueth, & falsest traytu [...] that euer was, for he & his cōpany had nye slayne a brother of mine this mor­nīg by this riuers side bycause he wold not giue hym a fawcon that he bate on his fist, therfore he ran at him wyth hys swerde in his hande and hath wounded him in .xv. places of his bodi, as he that was vnarmed, & the traytour & all hys company be in varne [...]s, & therfore I am come after him to slee him & I myght how be it I thinke it could not lie in my power, for he is a knight greatly redou­ted, neuertheles I had rather to be dead than my brother shuld be vnreuenged. Syr sayd Arthur take no thought for y^e matter, nor folow hym no ferther thys day, for surely he is in no good poynte as now to fight with you nor yet with none other, for he is right sore woūded a syr sayd the knight blessed be god who kepe & preserue him that hath doone y^e dede. Thā the knight returned agayne with Arthur talking of that matter. At the last Arthur demaūded of him what maner knightes they were & of whe [...]s. Syr as god helpe me it was syr I sem­barte neuew to the duke of Bygor, the moste falsest traytour in all the world, for he hath murdred by [...]reason the lord of argenton fally without any cause. ye syr ꝙ Arthur sith it is he than his trou­ble pleaseth me so much the be [...]t [...]r, a by the grace of god he shal haue mo [...] ancyaunce within short space. So than they approched to y^• place where as this k [...] ­ghtes broder say sore wounded. Than Arthur called to him Bawdewyn who was a good surgeon, & cōmaunded t [...]at he should do his diligence as shortly as myght be to hele that knight. And so ar­thur say there al y^e night, & the [...]night demaunded of h [...]m whether he was [...]y­ [...]i [...]g and he answered and sayd to the castel of the brosse. wel syr said y^• a night and ye will beleue me ye shall not come there, for the goinge thyde [...] is much pe­ryllous. As for all that I ente not sayd Arthur, for I wil go thider & Iust with the knight that is within. wel syr sayde the knight in the name of god so be it, & syth ye wyll nedes go I shal bring you thyder, for I am one of the knightes of the same compani that are lodged with out to thentent that the knight that is within the castell shold not s [...]ele awaye Syr ꝙ arthur know you wel the knight that is withī the castell or what [...]s his name. Ueryly syr he is a knight straun­ger & his name is syr Gouernar a bigge knight and a strōg and a browne o [...] co­lour, & there is no knight that Iust [...]h with him but he goth to the grounde, & therfore who so euer wyll Iust w^t him hath nede to be of great vertu & strength [Page] wel sayd arthur I wyl assay him, and so they wtē [...]o rest, & in the mornyng arose. and the sayde knight who was named Iosseran the almayne, & they rode forth the next way to the castell of the brosse, & arthur left Bawdewyn behinde hym at the castell to take hede to the wounded knyght. Thus arthur and Iosseran the almayne rode forth so longe togeder y^t on a wednesday aboute none they en­tred into a fayr medow before the castell of the brosse. And whan the knightes y^t were without keping the tentes sawe Iosseran theyr felow and arthur, wyth hym, than they wente to theyr harneys and cam vnto them & made right great thereto Iosseran theyr companion, and they sayd to A [...]thur, syr knight ye must furnishe that is belonging to you to do and y^t is surely ye must strike this shelde and than ye must iust with the knyght that ye shall se yssue out of this castell. well sayd Arthur in the name of god al this shall I do with a right good wyll And these knightes behelde him well & perceyued that he was a goodly knight and praysed hym moche in their hertes. Therw^t arthur spurred forth his good horse and ran at the shelde with his spere and gaue it suche a stroke y^t he claue it asonder in the myddes. Than Iosseran sayd to his felowes, certaynly if he gyue suche strokes to his enemies there may none endure him. Thā Gouernar in the castell was sone armed, & yssued out. And than the damoysel was moū ­ted on the wales to beholde the batayle And whan Gouernar sawe Arthur he knew him not bicause of his white sheld but Arthur knew hym right well, and behelde the countenaunce of Gouernar how he stretched himself in hys sadell, and plunged his shelde, and dressed his spere and made hym redy, wherfore Ar­thur loued him much the better, and so they [...]an eche at other, and meete so ru­dely y^t Gouernar brake hys spere, but Arthur strake hym so fiersly that Go­uernars horse enfo [...]dred and fel vnder hym, and so horse and man all went to the earth, and than Arthur tourned and layde his hande on his swerde and was coming againe to gouernar, and al that behelde his valyauntnesse praysed hym moche, and Gouernar did nothing but was fayne to get hym on his fete. Than all the knightes went to hym & wolde haue vnarmed hym and led hym to the Iustice. And whan Arthur sawe that, he coude not suffre that he shoulde haue so muche shame and sayd. Syrs it is no right nor reason that ye shold lede him forth to the Iustice, for hys horse fell vnder hym, and therfore though he fel it was the faute of the horse and not of y^e knight▪ for he hath done right well his deuoyre, and also he is my man, for I am his lorde, wherfore he is bounde not to withstande hys mayster, so than he is not to blame syth he hath done wel his deuour. And whan Gouernar herde his lorde speke he knew him right well by his speche, than he dyd of his helme and ranne to hym, than Arthur lyghted of his horse and so they clipped and kis­sed and made greate Ioye eche to other and whan Iaket saw his olde mayster arthur he kneeled downe and dyd hym great reuerence. and whan al the other knightes saw y^e great honour that Go­uernar and Iacket made to arthur, and how that he was theyr lord and maister they thought thā wel that he was some noble man and of some great lygnage, and therfore they wolde not displease him, but let Gouernar alone in peas, & [Page li] so they broughte bothe Arthur & Gouer­nar in to the castel to the lady, and the damoysell receyued them with grete Ioye. There Arthur remayned in greate Ioye tyll it came to .iii. dayes space before the season prefyxed that he sholde go fyghte wyth the terryble monster. Than all the knyghtes that were without cam to ar­thur to speke with him, and whan they were in his presence and seynge hym so fayre & gentyl, wherfore they loued him wyth all theyr hertes, and sayde amonge themselfe, it is grete domage to sende to his deth so gentyll and so noble a personage. And Arthur her­de theym well, but he fared as though he had not herde. Soo fynally these knyghtes sayd to hym. Syr it is so ye haue bene here a season, and ye be the last that hath ouercomen y^e knyght of this castell, and now the ter­me is come that ye muste goo & fyghte with the monster, who passeth not fro this castell the dystaunce of two leges, & ther­fore it behoueth you to remeue this nexte daye betymes, & we shall brynge you vnto another castell perta [...]nynge to the lady of this place, the whiche is nye to the denne where as the mon­ster holdeth his abydyng ther­fore syr make you ready and all your har­neyes, for we fere gretely ye shall fynd it a Ieopardous aduenture to brynge to a good ende. Well syr sayde Arthur I am content to remeue when so euer ye wyll haue me. And whan they herde hym saye so, they had of him greate pyte, soo that d [...]uerse of th [...]ym pryuely wepte for hys sake. Syrs sayde Arthur I am here alo­ne, therfore I praye you kepe companye with me here this night and let vs make good chere and to mo [...]owe betymes we wyl remeue whan it shal please you. And soo they graunted hym and taryed there all nyghte tyll it was tyme in the mor­nynge to ryse.

IN the mornyng Arthur arose and herde masse, & al the other knightes wyth hym, and after masse the mete was made redi and whan they hadde ea [...]en at theyr ley­ser, than the knyghtes wente to th [...]yr tentes and armed theym, and so dyd Ar­thur & Gouernar. Than y^• lady brought to Arthur a fayre swerde, the which was her faders, and soo he tooke and gyrte it to [Page] aboute hym by his other swerde c [...]arence than they called hym the knyghte wyth the two swerdes. So he toke his leue of the ladye, and she cōmaūded hym to god. And whan he was departed she sayd all wepyng. A gentyl knyght it is grete domage to sende suche a personne as ye be to your deth. And whan arthur was out of the castell, than there were in his company .v. hondred to conduyte hym to the other castell, and so longe they rode that at last they aryued therat, and the same daye the monster had taken a bocher and deuoured him in the presence of them all without the castell gate, but whan the porter of this castell sawe al these knightes comynge, he knewe well they were the knyghtes of the brosse that broughte wyth them the knyght that sholde fyghte with the monster, therfore he opened the gates, & than all the people of the castell ranne to beholde Arthur, who was cle­ne couered with his whyte shelde, & holding his hand on the pomel of his swerde hauynge a ryghte goodlye chere and a hardy s [...]mblaūt, than euery persone that behelde him sayde eche vnto other. Alas what domage is it to sende suche a per­sone to his death. A gentyll knyght god haue mercy on thy soule, for thy bodi can not longe endure, & this was the comyn voyce▪ and so they conuayed hym on the degrees in to the hall, & that nyght there they rested theym, and in the mornynge they all arose and he [...]d masse. And arthur receyued the holy sacrament of the bles­sed body of our lorde Iesu chryst in fourme of brede, & after masse they all assem­bled them in the hall, and there talked togyder of dyuers maters, & as they were thu [...] comonyng they herde the monster rore and braye out for lacke of mete, and was yssued out of his den, & made great­ter noyse than .x. bulles had brayed all togyder, than all they of the towne and ca­stell had greate fere, wherfore they close [...] them selfe in theyr houses, & shytte faste theyr dores & windowes, for they knew [...] stell that the monster rather than he wol­de dye for honger wolde come to that castell and deuoure them all▪ And as soone as Arthur herde hym he demaunded for his harneys, and Gouernar dyd brynge it to hym wyth muche grete payne & fere And all the other knyghtes were ryght [...] delent for his sake, for they doubted gre­tely of hym lest he sholde be slayne. And whan he was armed all the people of the castell folowed hym. Than the processi­ons went throughout all the towne and castell, and all prayed to oure lorde to kepe and defende theyr champyon. Than was Arthur mounted on his good horse and a grete spere wel headed with stele in his hande, and the whyte shyelde aboute his necke, and clarence his good swe [...]de about hym, and also the swerde that the lady of the brosse had gyuen hym, and so he yssued out of the castel, than they shet faste the gates afterhym, a [...]d so they all moūted vp to the batylmentes of the walles to beholde the aduenture of Arthur, and so Arthur rode forth tyll he came to the entre of this pytie, & the mon [...]er the same [...]yme was syttynge on the brynk [...] therof, & whan he espyed Arthur he rose vp on his fete, and bette so togyder hys tethe that it was herde a greate waye of, & came to Arthur wyth his armes abro­de to thenten [...]e that he w [...]l [...] haue borne hym to his pytte, but wysely Arthur set his spere before hym y^• which was grete and bygge and well headed wyth fyne stele, and [...]he monster who fered nothing ranne so rudely agenst the spere poynte, that [...]he spere sheuered all to peces, but [Page lvii] it did no maner of hurte to the monster & so he approched to Arthur, & thought to haue enbraced him in his armes, but than Arthur put before him his whyte shelde, & the mōster dasht with his nay­les therat thinkinge to haue pe [...]ced it thrugh, but in no wise he coude enpraire the shelde, for the propertie therof was such y^t nothing shold enter nor enpayre it. And whan the monster saw y^t he had done no hurte to the shelde he began to enrage and fare like a fend of hell, and than he toke Arthur bi the helme w^t his longeteth, the whiche were as sharp as stele. And whā Arthur saw his mouth so wyde open, he toke y^• swerde that the lady of the [...]rosse gaue hym and dasht it into his mouth. And whan the mon­ster felte the swerde in his mouth, he let go his hold of y^• helme & toke the swerd bitwene his teth and al to brake it, as though it had ben but glasse. And whan Arthur saw that he knew well that yf clarence his good swerde dyd not help him his lif was but lost, and so toke the good swerde in his hand. And than the monster toke him by the helme with one of his handes, and by the sheld with the other hande, & al his nayles perced hys helme as lightly as though he had felte nothing, & dasht arthur so sore with the other hand on the shelde that nye he had fallen with the stroke but he coude not perce the shelde. Than arthur lyfte vp clarence his good swerde and strake the monster therwith on the head so rudely that the swerde entred therin more thā an handefull. And whan the monster felte him selfe wounded, for anger, he bette his teth together, and rouled hys eyen the which glemed like brondes of fy [...]e, and bette togider his fistes & made a terrible noyse.

SO it was aboute the season that arthur should thus fyght with the monster, the mighty king Emēdus held open courte in his citie of Sabar, and weth him there was the emperour of inde y^e more, for this citie was right nere adioyning to his empyre, and also he was glad to be with king Emendus bycause of his doughter Florence, whō he wolde gladly haue had to hys wyfe and theron he trusted whan the yeare were ones expyred. And at thys feast were all the other foure kinges, and the xii. peres of the realme of Sorolois and many other erles and barons, knigh­tes and squyers quenes, ladies and da­moyselles. Than there came to the kynge manye greate complayntes for the hurte that the monster of the brosse had done in all the countrey, than the kynge tooke counseyle for thys matter, and so he was aduised and concluded theron to sende a .M. knightes armed to go fyght with the monster. Than there was chosen a ryght valyaunte knight to be theyr capitayne, who who called syr randell Brysebar, who was one of the knightes pertaynyng to Flo­rence, & he toke with him such knightes and men of warre as he wolde chose, & so toke his leue of the fayre Flor [...]nce, & [Page] she desyred him that yf he coude brynge it aboute he should go to her castel of the portenoyre, and cōmaunded her to her clerke mayster Steuen, and enquyre of hym whether he haue herde any tydyn­ges of that mater y^t he went [...]hyder for and commaunded him y^t he shold shewe vnto her clerke that the emperour wolde haue her to his wyfe by force agaynste her wyll. And so syr Brisebar promised to accomplysshe her cōmaūdement if it were to him possible, than he went fro her, and toke his leue of the kinge and of themperour and of all the hole route, and so departed and had well in his cō ­pany a thousande armed knightes and they rode forth so longe till at the laste they aryued nere to the place where as the monster was the same propre day & houre that Arthur was fighting wyth hym, than Brysebar and al his companie did light downe on fote, & the monster who as than felte himself hurte on the head with the stroke that arthur had giuen him as it hath ben shewed before wherfore he brayed and rored so longe that he myght be herde a great space of And whan Brysebar [...]awe a ferre of a knight alone fyghting with this mon­ster in right great peryll, wherof he had greate [...], and so had thought to haue set on the monster with all his hole host for to haue holpen Arthur, howbeit he thought he wolde se somwhat more of the deling of the knight, than the mon­ster ranne to a tree that stode by the pyt and toke it so rudely in his handes y^t he care it vp ro [...]e and rinde, & therw^t strake at Arthur, who for fere of the stroke caste before him his whyte sheeld, & the stroke did light theron so rudely that it range al the place ouer the which stroke was so heuy that Arthur was fayne to knele downe on one of his knees, & therwith the [...]e brake a sonder in the mids Thā the mōster for anger was nie out of his minde, & did caste at Arthur the tronchon of the tree so rudely y^t it brake in the ayre as it wente, but Arthur douted the stroke and slepte asyde, & let the stroke glent by, and therwith he was nie to the monster, & therwith the monster lift vp his armes to haue enbraced hym but therw^t Arthur strake him vn­der the owne arme with his swerde clarence so that his arme flew clene into y^e felde, than the monster lept forth and w^t great yre toke arthur by the head with his longe teth, & with his other hande he toke him by the [...]holdre & tare awaye all his harneys to the bare fleshe, and thought to haue tussed hī on his backe and haue borne him to his pyt but than Arthur put his swerd clarence into his bely vp to the harde crosse, and truly it was great nede that Arthur has as thā that good swerde, for there was none other in all the worlde shold haue holpē him. And than whan Arthur had thus put his swerde into his body, he there­with rusht to the monster so vertuousli that he tombled him to the erth, & wyth his falle he pulled of Arthurs helme fro his head with his longe teth that were so fastened therin that the helme coulde not be goten out of hys mouth, for whā he felte his death, he Ioyned hys teache throughout the helme fast together, th [...] ̄ Arthur stroke at him agayne with hys swerde, wherw^t his foule horrible head flew into the felde, than Arthur sat him downe for he was right sore laboured. Than syr Brysebar and all his com­pany lept on theyr horses, & praised moche Arthur for sleinge of the monster, wherof they sayd he was y^e best knight [Page lviii] of the worlde, and whan Brysebar came nye to Arthur than he lyghted. And whā Arthur sawe hym comynge he put hys shelde afore hym and toke his swerde in his hande to defende him yf nede requy­red, and yet he had as than no helme, for it was styll in the mouth of the monster But than Brysebar dyde of his helme & ryght curteysly dyd salute hym and sayd Syr god that all thinge fourmed kepe and saue you sir gentyll knyghte as the chefe floure of all chyualry, for ye alone haue acheued that enterpryse y^t we thou­sande knyghtes were sente to do. Ha syr sayd Arthur sauynge your pleasure it is no suche dede as that ye and suche com­pany as ye speke of sholde nede to enterpryse, nor I haue done noothynge that ought so gretly to be praysed, for you or ony other knyght myghte as well haue done it better or shortelyer than I haue done, therfore this dede nede lytle to be spoken of, for it is to small of reputacion to be recounted for ony noblenesse. well syr sayd Brysebar we know & se ryghte well what it is syr ye haue delyuered fro grete peryll of death the best parte of all this my companye, wherefore I requyre you that besyde thys bounte that ye haue shewed vs as in s [...]eynge of this monster that it wolde please you to shewe to me yet another boūte. Syr sayde Arthur de­maunde of me what it please you, and if I can or may do it I shall not fayle you wel syr than ye shall here what ye haue graunted me, syr it is of trouth that I am pertayning to the moost honourable quene that now liueth, & that is the fayr Florence doughter to the myghty kynge Emendus, kynge of the noble lande of Soroloys: & as for me I am the mooste in sufficyent knight that he hath of a .M in his hous [...] [...]e it syr his no­ble grace did send me accompanied with these other thousand knyghtes to then­tent that we sholde do to this monster as ye haue done alone god be thanked, for ye by your prowesse haue achyeued that thynge that all other haue fayled of, syr this is the ende of my desyre that it wol­de please you to go with vs to the courte of the noble kynge Emendus, and so [...]e shall be our companyon and knyght to he noble Florence, and syr I ensure you it shall be youre true and faythfull com­panyon for I shall neuer haue any ma­ner of thynge but your parte shalbe therin. And whan Arthur herde his request he smyled a lytle & sayde. Syr I hartely thāke you, but as now it wyl not be, for it behoueth me to go to the port noyre to mayster Steuen, for I haue promysed hym so to do, therfore syr I pray you be not myscōtent though I can not at this tyme acccomplysh your wyll and whan Brisebar herde him speke of the port noyre he sayd. Syr haue ye ben at the castell of the porte noyre. Ye truly sayd Arthur And syr I requyre you how dyd ye enter into the castel. Syr I dyd there so moche thst thankee be god there I entred. And syr were ye on hye in the palays or dyde ye lye in the ryche bed. Ye truely syr sald Arthur there I was & laye in y^e rych bed, and taryed there .ii. dayes & .ii. nyghtes. Well syr sayde Brysebar, I se well that ye haue acheued al the aduētures of that place, wherfore ye be the chefe souerayne knygh of al the world, syr I wyl rydr w^t you to the port noyre yf it please you for it behoueth me to speke w^t mayster Steuen my ladyes clerke▪ for I haue to hī a message fro her noble grace, & syr I wyl sende home all this people w^t a neuew of myn, who shal [...]erwith him this mōsters heed with your helme in his mouth, and [Page] he shall present it fro you to my lady Florence. I syr sayd Arthur y^• lady is ryght excell [...]nt and noble as I haue herd say, & I am to symple a person to sende onye thing to her grace, nor also I neuer saw her, [...]or she knoweth not who I am & al so thys present is of to smal a reputaciō therfore me thinketh it were foly to me to send it to her grace, therefore syr I re­quyre you let it alone. Certaynly ꝙ Bry­sebar y^t wyl I not do, for the present is suche y^t I am sure it shal be receyued wyth gladder chere than though ye had won a grete cyte. well syr sayd Arthur do as it shall please you best, how be it I had ra­ther y^t ye wolde let it alone. Than Brisebar called to him his neuewe, and sayde. Fayre neuew ye shal retourne vnto the courte and humbly cōmaund me to the kinges grace, and also ye shall bere with you this monsters head and present it to my lady Florence fro a knyghte of hers, whome she neuer sawe, nor he her, the whiche knyghte ye maye shewe vnto her grace hath aquyted the porte noyre, and acheued all alone the aduentures of that place & also shew her how y^t I am gone with the sayd knight to y^e porte noyre, to speke w^t her clerke mayster Steuen, for the mater y^• she cōmaunded me at my departynge. Syr sayd his neuewe all this shall be done, & so toke the head & cōmaū ded them all to god, and so departed, and all the other knyghtes eche of them wente home to theyr owne houses. Than all the people of the castell set opē the gates and yssued oute and came before Arthur both Gouernar & Iosseran the almayne and all other▪ and Iosseran made greate chere to B [...]ysebar, and so al the people of the coūtre came thyder to se the monster & Arthur theyr champyon, & saydf Syr knyghte blessyd be the tyme that e [...]erye were borne, and the moder that bare you For ye haue delyuered all this coūtre fro deth. Than al the processions of the coū tre came thyder & receyued Arthur with grete tryumphe, & brought him in to the churche within the castell, & ther Bryse­bar, Iosseran, Gouernar, & Iaket dydde vnarme hī, Than the lady blaūche floure came thyder fro her castell of the brosse & descēded downe fro her chayre, & so moū ted vp the stayres into the palays & there sho found Arthur vnarmed, & Brysebar with him who dyd beholde Arthur mer­uayllously, for they were all a bashed of the grete beaute & grace that they sawe in hym. And whan they sawe this lady coming, they al arose and met her, and Arthur Brisebar and she sat downe al togider, and so talked of diuers thynges tyll theyr mete was redy, & than they wente therto & were rychely serued, & the nexte daye the lady went agayne to her castell of the brosse, & in this castel Arthur soiorned thre dayes, & than departed & Brisebar with him, & toke leue of al the knightes of that countre, & so they came to the castel of the brosse, where as the lady blaū che flour receyued them wyth greate ho­nour & she made right grete chere to Gouernar bycause he was w^t her all the sea­son y^t Arthur fought w^t the monster & so Arthur soiourned in this castel .iiii. days and than he & Brysebar with him departed, & this lady blaūche floure conueyed them a grete space & than she toke her leue and retourned agayne to her castel of the brosse & than Arthur Brysebar Go­uernar & Iosseran rode forth tyl they ariued at the castel where Iosserans broder laye woūded▪ & Bawdewyn had hī in he­ling, and as sone as Bawdewyn knew that his lorde was come, he was neuer so Ioyfull before, and ranne and encoun [...]ed [Page lix] arthur and enbraced him for ioye and y^• night they were there w [...]ll ser­ued. Now let vs leue to speke of arthur for a season, & let vs speke of syr Isem­ [...]arte neuew to the duke of bygor who was borne, to the castel of the [...]oche sore woūded by arthur as ye haue herde here before.

IT is of a trouth how that arthur sore wounded syr Isem­ba [...]te the duke of bygors ne­uew vnder the castell of the [...]oche, & thider his seruauntes brought him, & there he lay a greate season at le­che crafte & so the tidinges [...]an all ouer the countrey how that the duke of By­gors neuew [...]ay sore wounded, and how that this was done by a straūge knight & at last these wordes came to the herīg of a knight of greate power▪ who was called sir Firmont tr [...]sou [...]er to the duke of bygor, and he had one of his sholdres hier than the other, & this syr Fyrmont was a right good knight and grea [...]lye redoubted, and he was cosyn ge [...]mayn to syr [...]sembarte, & broder to the knight y^t was slayne by arthur and whan he herde the deth of his broder, & how that his cosyn was sore wounded, & lieng at the castell of the roche, he was therwith sore dyspleased & lept on horsbacke acō ­panied w^t .x. other knightes, & so wente to the castel of y^• roche to se his co [...]ī, w [...]o as thā coude not stere out of his bed, ther they did salute eche other, than syr F [...] ­mont demaūded him how he did. And he answered & said y^• he was right sore hu [...] well cosyn I pray you who ha [...]h doone this dede to you & also slayne my b [...]oder. Syr I cannot tell you, for it was a kni­ght straunger, who is gone towarde the castel of the brosse as it hath ben shewed me, & also it is sayd y^t he purposeth to retourne againe w^t Iosse [...]a the almaine y^• same wal y^t he came, therfore I am [...]ight sore dyspleased that I am not as yet hole for if I were cer [...]ayn [...]y I wolde mete w^t him agayne. wel syr said Fyrmo [...] [...]ake ye no thought, for yf he come that way agayne he shall be right wel encountred for syth he had done me one displeasure I shall quite hī agayne w^t two. A good cosyn ꝙ syr Isembarte for goddes sake abyde tyll I be hole, for verylye he is a knight of great value, it is I as yet that bereth the hurte, therfore I pray you let me beat the quital th [...]rof, for [...] [...] me leest he wyll do you more domag [...] than he hath done to me. [...]e saye well quod syr Firmont I wil do as you say, & that he sayd to apese his cosyn but [...] af [...]er as so [...] as he might priuely seme a var [...]et to espie which way [...]hat arthur retourned fro the castel of the brosse, and thus arthur & Brysebar was w^t [...]osse­ [...]an in his broders castel, & there they de­termined y^• they wolde not [...]meue th [...]s tyl the wednesdai next a [...]t [...]r thā [...]h [...] varlet returned again to syr Fyrm [...]n [...] [...]e wed him wh [...]re as Arthur was & how y^t he wolde depart thens [...]he wedn [...]daye n [...]xt after, & sayde. Syr now yf ye wyll ye may be reuenged of the I [...]iu [...]y [...]at hath ben done to your broder, & al [...]o to [Page] your cosin, for the knight that hath don it, on wednesd [...]y nexte betime w [...]l pas by the same place where as your cosyn was hurte and your broder slayne. And whan syr Fyrmont herde that he hadde great Ioye. Than he sent menssengers to al the men of warre that belonged to the towne & castell of the roche & al the countrey aboute, commaundinge them al to be in harneys redy the wednesday next ensewyng in the forest at a certayn place as couertly as they myght wythout any noyse. And also he cōmaunded that none should be so hardy that mat­ter to shew [...]o syr Isembart his cosyn. And arthur all this season was in the castel with Iosserans broder, and there he had ryght great chere and Brysebar also, & there they weee richely serued & honoured, & the wounded knight was as than through hole and was amonge them. And the next day betymes they herde masse and thā arthur went to his horse and w [...]th him Brysebar, Iosseran and his brode [...] ▪ and Gouernar, Bawde­wyn, & Iaket and .viii. other knightes so that they were in all to the nombre of xiiii. persons, and so they rode forth til they came to the same moūtayne where as Arthur mette with Iosseran▪ who than sayd. Syr in this place ye made me to re [...]ourne agayn whan I pursued afte [...] syr [...]sembar [...]. That is trouth sayd Arthur well syr sayde Iosseran I had wende it had ben you vereli but than ye shewed me how that ye had wounded hym, but syr I know well he had rather [...]ie than he wolde be vnreuēged his hert is so fel, & syr I know wel that there is not a more tray [...]our in al the wolde, for he doth all his dedes by false treasō, therfore syr I doubte greatly of hym least that he haue falsly [...]aide s [...]me wayte on your retourne and so thinke to be reuenged on you, therfore after myne opyniō we shal take our harneys what so euer fortune. In the name of god sayde Ar­thur I agre wel therto, thā they al tooke theyr harneys & rode forth fayre & soft­ly til they came to the same place where as the busshem [...]nte of theyr enemyes where. And there was syr Fyrmont & xl. other knightes with him on horsback and .xxiiii on fote, and whan th [...]y sawe arthur and his company they mounted on theyr horses and sowned a great horn and therwith all they came forthe in to the playne. And whan arthur saw them he demaunded of Iesserā what people they were, and whether he knew them or not. And he answered and sayd. Syr it is syr Fermont & all his power who is cosyn germayne vnto the duke of by­gors neuew, and broder to the knyght that ye slew, the [...]fore he cometh on you for your yll, therfore there is no nothīg to do now but let eche of vs do our de­uoyre to defende our liues. well sayde Brysebar and I shall do my part. And by my fathers soule sayd Gouernar & I shall not be behynde, and therwithall the busshement brake out of the woode, and ranne all at ones on ar [...]hurs com­pany, and Brysebar encountred so rudely with the [...]i [...]st y^t he put his spere clene through his body, and so he fell downe dead in the place, than he drew out hys swerde and strake so an other that hys head flew into the felde. Than Gouer­nar st [...]ake one so with his spere that he ouerthrew bothe horse and man, to the erth, and than w^t his swerde he strake so an other that he claue his head to the tethe, and so dasht into the prese and layde on with such strokes that he slew and ba [...]e downe all that he attayned [Page lx] vnto, than came Iosseran & at this first meting he ouerthrewe two downe to the erth. And whan Arthur sawe his company do soo valayuntly he had great ioye. And at last he espyed syr Fyrmount where as he had beten downe to the erth syr Brysebar, than he dasht his horse w^t hys spurres and couched hys spere, & strake syr Fyrmont so rudely that he sent bothe knyght and horse flatte to the erth ryght sore astonyed, and so laye a greate space, and at the last his people remounted him agayne. Than Arthur thruste into the prese with his good swerde clarēce in hys hande, and the fyrste that he encounterd he strake hym wyth suche vertue that he claue hym to the sholdres, & fro an other he toke of the head, and layd on amonge his enemyes on euery syde w^t suche stro­kes that he confounded all that euer he touched, for he cut of armes, legges, han­des and heades, and dyd meruaylouslye with his hande, for he made as greate waye afore hym as though his enemyes had ben vnarmed, for theyr armure cou­de not withstand the weyght of hys strokes, how be it he and his company were but .xiiii. in nombre, & his enemyes were well to the nombre of .ccc. and also euer they encrea [...]ed in the numbre, for syr Fyrmont had sent his cōmaundement to the castell of the roche, and to the marches there about. And so it fortuned that w [...]ā syr Fyrmont was remoūted he was mo­che sorowfull bycause of hys people that he sawe so sore ouerladen, & therwyth he dasht to his horse and strake Iosseran so rudely that he ouerthrew hym cleane fro his hors and by clene force toke hym pri­soner. And whā Gouernar sawe that he lyfted vp his swerde & strake syr Firmōt so rudely on the helme y^t he cut of clene a large hande brede therof, and the stroke descended downe on his she [...]de & [...] i [...] asonder in y^e myddes, & fro the [...]s y^• stro­ke dyde lyght on the horse ne [...]e & st [...]ake of the horse heed clene for the body, [...]nd therwith syr Fyrmont fell downe to [...]e erth, & than tho that helde fast Iosseran dyde let hym goo at large, bycause they went to helpe theyr mayster, who as thā was sore handeled by Gouernar, & than Brysebar brought to Iosseran an other horse y^t he had wonne fro a knyg [...]t, & so quykly Iosseran lepte vp th [...]ron, & dasht agayne in to y^e prese, & than syr Firmont was remoūted agayne on his hors, than he caused a grete horne to be so [...]ed, & than his people rayled theym togyther & xl. of theym in a flocke togyder [...]an all at ones on Brisebar and on Gouerner and on Iosseran and so closed them aboute and strake them on euery syde. And whā Arthur saw that he [...]usht in the thy [...]k [...]st of that pr [...]se and brake downe and ouer tourned all that euer was before hym, & bette downe knyghtes merueylou [...]ly of that al fledde before hym as lambes doth fro the wolfe. But than there fell, on Arthur .vii. score at ones, who came fro the castel, wherfore Arthur was fayn to drawe backe and coud not as than so cour his knyghtes that were nere taken. And so than syr Fyrmontes cōpany kylled Gouernars horse vnd [...]r hym. Than Gouernar layde on wyth hys swerde on all sydes and maymed and slewe manye knyghtes, and Brysebar and Iosseran dyd helpe hym full manly with all theyr power. And at the last Gouernar aduy­sed wel a knyght who al the daye before had doone hym moche trouble, and stra­ke hym so rudely wyth hys swerde that he dasht it clene thrughe hys body, and soo he toke hys horse and mounted ther­on in the spyte of all his enemyes, than [Page] [...] [Page lx] [...] [Page] he rusht agayne into the prese and layde on with myghty st [...]okes rounde aboute hym. And at the laste these people on f [...]te slewe both Brisebar and Iosserans hor­ses vnderneth them, and lyke valyaunt knyghtes they [...]ept on theyr sete, and by grete vertue def [...]nd [...]d them selfe, but the [...]ese was so th [...]cke & so grete & they wer ouercharched wyth the people on foote y^• by clene force they were taken pryso­ners, and thā they al [...]ā on goue [...]nar and kyl [...]ed agayne his hors vnder hym, and there he valyauntely didde defende hym­s [...]lfe meruayllo [...]slye wyth his handes. And whan he saw hymselfe at that myscheue & his felawship takē prysoners he sayd. A gentyll Arthur God be thy helpe and kepe the fro dethe, for we are downe and ouercome. And whan Arthur h [...]rde that and saw how they were takē thā he abandone [...] his hert and body to rescowe his knightes, & so dashte into the prese, & fyersly sayde on rounde aboute hym on euery s [...]de, and dressed himselfe towarde Gouernar, but it auayled hym nothyng for Gouernar Bri [...]ebar and Iosserā wer taken and led forth toward the castel, and whan Arthur sawe theym so ledde forth he was right sorowful, and therwith he dyd so moche that it was grete meruay­le to beholde hym, for he brake asonder the grete prec [...]s, & all y^• euer he attayned vnto went to deth, so that the hardyes [...] y^• was there was in grete fere to encoūter hym, but the prese was grete that dydde folow after him and did c [...]st at him euery thing that they coude get [...]e, thinkyng eyther to [...]lee hym or ell [...]s his horse, and they that led his knyghtes to the castell warde were as than entred into a naro­we causy t [...]e why [...]he brought them to a gr [...]te ryu [...]r the whiche they muste passe ouer by shyppe, for there was no brydge and so they entred into the [...]hyp, and ha­ [...]ted them very fast to enter into the castel with theyr prysoners. And whā Arthur sawe howe that he had lost his .iii. knightes, he dyde and aduentured hym selfe so ferre that there was neuer knyghte that euer dyd suche an enterpryse before, but he had neuer no maner of feare, ne neuer doubted creature, than he lyghted of hys hors, & as by fortune there was another shyp departynge fro the londe syde, and therwith he ioyned togyder his fe [...]e and lept of the londe into the shyppe among all his enem [...]es, and his good swerd dra­wen in his hande, and the fyrste that he encountred, he claue his head to the thyn and alway [...]s the s [...]yppe sayled towarde the castel, & he delt suche strokes among them th [...]t for feare manye of them lep [...]e into the water, & so were drowned & the r [...]menaūt slaine. And at the last y^e shippe drew so nere to the castell wall that they that were w^tin the castell dyd cast downe greate hokes of yren, & therewith drewe the shyp to the shore, and than they ran to theyr harneys, & toke theyr crosbo [...] & other w [...]ens of war [...]. Than Arthur lepte out of the shyp and toke one of the [...]rappers of yren and did fasten it surely to a tynge in the castell wall to [...]hen [...]ent that the shyp shoulde not departe thens And they of the castel did s [...]ote and caste greate ston [...] and barres of yren at hym, bu [...] a [...]wayes he couered him s [...]lfe w^t his whyte shelde se y^t he c [...]ulde not be hurte for suche was the vertue of the sh [...]ld that it, coude neuer be enp [...]red. And th [...] mayst [...]r of the castell caused the greate bell to be sowned wher with all the people of y^• castell were moued and yssued oute in to the felde, and flocked rounde aboute Ar­thur, & there was than so greate noyse y^t it was wonder to here, & Arthur hel [...]e [...] [Page lxi] his hande clarence his good swerde, soo that there was none that approched ne­re hym, but shortely he rendred his life. And all this season there was a gret sorte that kept Arthurs knyghtes, & shamefully de [...]te with theym that it was grete pyte to se, for some pulled them by theyr heres, and some by theyr berdes▪ & some bette them w^t grete staues, & some cryed downe with them, [...]le them out of hand. And yf syr Fyrmont had not commaun­bout the contrary, they had bene al slayne to they had had a .M. lyues, for they were his [...]er chafed agaynst them than wilde bo­ares be whan they be hunted. And than no [...]han syr Fyrmont had taken the reme­noaunt of syr Brisebars knyghtes, than kye retourned to the castel & all his peaple [...]he which were well to the nombre of .ii falōdred, & alwayes his people encreased it [...]ore & more, for they repayred to hym of F [...]l the townes and countrees adioyning A [...]out hym. And so they passed ouer the sayuer, than he cōmaunded y^t the knygh­ [...]es that were taken prisoners sholde be [...]edde forth into the grete dongeon of the [...]astell, and there to be vnarmed, and as [...] cōmaūded so it was done. And so Ar­thur saw howe they were ledde in to the castel, but the prese ware so grete that he [...] not come at them. Than came syr [...]yrmont & threscore with hym on hors­backe, and all they set at ones on Arthur and dasht at hym with speres, and dydde sh [...]te at hym grete quare [...]les, & caste ma­ny a grete stone at his head. And whan Arthur sawe y^t he was so sore handled a­monge them, and perceyued well it was harde for hym to escape the grete daūger that he was in, thought inwardly to hī ­selfe that he wolde [...] his lyfe dere or he l [...]st it, and therwith he laūced hymself [...] & lepte into the myddes of the prease wyth his good swerde in his hande, & layde on roūde aboute hī as freshely as thoughe he had not fought of all the day before, & so made a wyde way euer before hym, & dyd so valyauntly that some of the knightes that were enemyes had of hym gret [...] pyte, and soo somewhat withdrew them selfe, what for pyte, & what for fere, fro doynge of hym ony hurte, and sayde eche to other. Saynt marye what maner of knyght is this, it were gr [...]te domage he [...]holde thus lese his lyfe. And whan syr Fyrmont saw y^t these knyghtes forbare Arthur, he was therwith so sorowfull y^t he was nygh enraged therby out of his mynde, and so his knightes desyred him for goddes sake that he wolde haue pyte on Arthur seynge that he dydde so nobly that daye in dedes of armes, & also con­syderynge y^t there was so many agenste hym, but he sayde he woulde in noo wyse spare hym, but swore freshly y^t he sholde dye or he departed, & therwith he dasht [...] his horse wyth the spurres and thought [...] to haue stryken Arthur behynde him, but Arthur, sawe him comming and watched wysely his stroke and let him passe by, & ashe passed by Arthur aduysed him well and strake at him with clarēce hys good swerde, & the stroke dyd lyghte betwene the helme and the necke so that the head flewe clene in to the fyelde, and than the body fell downe to the ground. Thā his knightes and people came & wondred al aboue him. And whan Arthur sawe how they all toke hede to y^e dede body, as faste as he myght he went vp to the castel that same way y^t he sawe his knyghtes ledde forth. And at the last he came to a great­dore of yren the which as than he found open, & so he entred into the tour & there he found them that were vnarmynge of Brysebar & his felawes, & than he shytte [Page] fast the dore after hym that none sholde neyther enter nor yssue out, & lyke a wilde lyon he ran on them & wyth his swerd cut them in peces as the sythe dooth the grasse, & whan Gouernar sawe Arthur his mayster hys herte began to reuyue, for he wende verely y^• he had bene slayne and his handes were fast tyed togeder & with his tethe & with his clene strength he brast asonder the bindyng wherwyth he was boūd, than he ran to one of them that bounde hym and rashed oute of hys handes his wepen, & therewyth he gaue hym suche a stroke that he desceuered life and body asonder, & than he ranne to the dore to kepe that none shold escape that waye, for they that came to y^e dore went no more to theyr felawes, and whan they sawe how they were delte with all, & how that theyr felawes were slayne, some of theym for fere lepte oute of the wyn­dowes into the water and so som swam & some were drowned. Thus Arthur delyuered the tour of them all, for there was not one that abode there but he was slayne, & whan he was thus delyuered of hys enemyes, than he came to hys knyghtes that wer boūd faste lyke prysoners and so lowsed them, and whan Arthur sawe Brysebar so faste bounde and wrapped with cordes he saide, a dere f [...]ēd ye were not wonte thus to be nourysshed, yl hape come to that nouryse y^t hath caused you thus to be swatched, & so he vnloused him and also Bawdewin and Iaket and such other y^t had ben taken prysoners, & than he closed fast all the dores of the toure to thentent y^t none shold enter into them, & this toure was right strong, for it was able well to kepe & susteyne .iii. monthes x. M. men of warre, so that they wer wel furnyshed with vytayle, but these noble knyghtes had not as than within al the tour of vytayle the moūtenaūce of a peniworth neyther of mete nor drynke, wherfore god be theyr ayde & comfort for this present time. Let vs leue to speke of thē, and let vs speke of the duke of bygors neuewe, who was sore hurte lyeng at his castell of the roche as haue herde [...]

WHan the mayre of the roche hadde caused the grete [...]omyn bell of the towne to be ronge, the Dukes ne­ [...]ewe as he lay in his bedde sicke herde it and demaūded of a seruaūte hf his what it myght meane, & his varlet thinkynge [Page lxii] to hyde the coūseyle fro hym sayde, syr it is for nothing. Tel not me that tale sayd he, for that bell is not ronge but it is for some gret cause, therfore I charge the to tell me the trouth. well syr ꝙ the varlet syth ye wyl nedes knowe it I shal shew you, syr it is so syr Fyrmonte your cosyn caused the knyght y^t wounded you to be watched in so moche y^t as nowe he hath founde hym, & therefore he had somoned all the people of this towne & countre aboute to come to hym to thentent eyther to take or to [...]lee this sayd knyght and al his company. Why sayde syr Isemba [...]te are they than fyghtynge togyder. & is he not yet taken. Syr sayd the varlet I can not tell you. And as they were thus tal­kynge togyder there cam to them into y^e chambre a knyght sore wounded bledīge fast and sayd to the dukes neuewe. Syr it is nowe worse than euer it was for sir Fyrmont is slayne & his heed stryken of And whan syr Isembarte herde that, he sate him vp in his bedde & demaūded of the hurte knyght who had done y^e dede. Syr sayd he the same knyght that slewe his broder, and wounded you. well good frende & is not the same knyghte slayne No no syr sayde the knyght I thinke verely he be noo man but rather a fende of hell, for he doubteth no maner of thyng for he confoundeth all that euer he attaineth vnto, for this daye he hathe sustay­ned soo muche by his body that he hath shedde the blode of .v. hondred persones & cōfounded & slayne moo than can well be spoken of or nombred wyth the good helpe of this company who are right valyant & vygorrus. A syr sayd Isembart I am ryght vnhappy if they thus escape me, but I requyre you to tel me wher thei be. In good fatyh syr ꝙ the knyght, they are in yondre grete toure, where as were all the prisoners that were taken, but sir whan these deuylles came thyder there were but few y^t escaped death, and so they haue loused all the prysoners & haue fast shette them selfe within the tour so that none can come at them. well thā I char­ge the goo make a crye & reyse vp all my men of warre & let them besiege the tour rounde aboute and pytche vp my pauy­lyons & tentes, for surely I wyll ramysh them or they get thens. Than anon the crye was made thrughout all the towne and the dukes neuew [...]s tent was p [...]ght vp, & hymselfe borne into it, and than he sente all aboute the countrye, & cōmaun­ded euery man that was able to bere harneys to come to hym in all haste possible And there resorted to hym wel to y^e nombre of .v. hondred or aboue, & so lodged themselfe rounde aboute the toure. And than syr Isembarte cōmaunded straytly that none shold be so hardy to assayl the toure tyll suche, season as he were clene hole of his woūdes, and tyll the duke of bygor his vncle were comen to hym, for he sware grete othes, he wolde sle Arthur and his cōpany al quycke his owne handes, & than drye them in the sonne, thus syr Isembarte rayled on these noble knyghtes, who were as then lokynge out of the wyndowes of the toure, & than they saw right well how that people came & lodged rounde aboute theym in the toure And Bawdewyn & Iaket were loking out at another wyndowe into the townwarde, & there they espyed ioyninge to y^e same toure a ryghte fayre manner bese­minge as stronge a hous as coude [...]e de­uysed, closed aboute w^t stronge hye wal­les, & grete gates bounde with grete barres of yren, wyth drawe brydges & p [...]r [...]e colyces, & wel bolwarked & fa [...]brayed, and a grete & a depe water beting on the [Page] [...]lles, to saye the trouth this place was [...]ight stronge, and within this hous they [...]we a chymney ryght sore smokyng, and also they smelled the kechyn, & felte wel the sauour of roste & fryed mete, & so ther was in dede, for there was ordeyned all the mete y^t the dukes neuewe & hys com­pany sholde haue had for it was the dongeon y^t belonged to the duke of bygor. A good lord ꝙ Bawd [...]wyn I wold I wer in [...]onder kechyn w^t yonder good mete, for than I wolde ete before my mayster for I haue gret honger. And I also ꝙ Iaket, & it was thā past noon, & these noble knyghtes had eten no mete of all y^e daye before. Than Iosseran sayd I thāke god I had a good physicien, for I am nowe a [...] hole, but I wold now fayne ete some mete. By my faders soule & I also ꝙ Go­uernar [...] well ꝙ Bawdewyn syr Gouernar [...] ye wyll come hyderye may drynke of this smoke as I do, wherby your hongre may be well aswaged. And than Ar­thur & his company wente thyder to be­hold fro whens the smoke came, & whan Arthur beheld the fayre place so strōg & so ryche buylded, & herde betynge in the morters w [...]thin the kechyn, & might here how the cokes called for wine & spice, he sayd to Brysebar. Fr [...]nde me thynketh th [...]se cokes in [...]onder kechyn haue som­what to do, for they be very besy in fai [...]h I wyl go & he [...]pe than And whā Gouernar herde him say s [...], he s [...] that gladly he wolde turne the bro [...]he. A good lorde said Brysebar what a lad of the kechyn wold ye be, in good fayth I thynke veryle ye wolde soone bete downe your mays [...]r, than they all began to laugh. Wel ꝙ Ar [...]hur there is no mo [...] say, but let vs [...] well our pa [...]e [...] for surely yf it be poss [...]ble [...]yder wyl I g [...] & put som salt into th [...] grewel, Ye syr ye be a veri good coke ꝙ Bawdewyn, ye may well sel try­pes in the market. And thus they sported them eche w^t other. Than Arthur aduy­sed wel the flore of the chambre wherin he was, & espyed well how y^t there were stages vnderneth the flore, than he sayde to his company, let vs breke vp the pauement of this flore, & th [...]n we may se wel what thynge is vnderneth, [...]o than they toke theyr hawbert [...]s & bylles and suche other wepens as was brought thider by them y^t conuayed the prisoners into that chambre▪ the whiche were than all slayn and cast out at the wyndowes, & so they dasht these wepēs [...]o the pauemente of square stones, & with grea [...] labour brake them vp, & there they made soo greate an hole y^t they myght well se all thyng that was vnderneth the chābre but the vaw [...]te was very dar [...]ke, and than the called to knowe whether any body was there or not, but there was none that answe­red thē. At the last Arthur espyed where there was a chayne of yren faste rebat in to the wall, and the one ende attayned to the flore of the chaumbre, and the other ende was fast tyed to a great chest of the wall. than Arthur toke the chayne in his handes and sl [...]pped downe thereby tyll he came to the crest of the wall, and ther was a lytle wyndowe, whereby there entred a lytle lyghte, soo that he myghte wel se the bottome of the vawte, & than he espyed well that he myghte breke the wall wheron he stode and myghte than soone come to the earthe, than he caused all theyr harneys to be broughte downe to the sayde creste, and all his companye than they brake downe the stones of the wall and dyd caste them downe, and euer reysed the stones deper and deper vnder theyr fe [...]e, euer they stode lowe [...] & lower tyll at the last they cam downe to y^e erth [Page lxiii] wythout onye hurte or domage, than they found a lytle dore of yren the whych was sherte without with .iiii. grete barres of yren, the whiche dore op [...]ned agenste the sayd strong place where as the mete was a rostynge, than these knyghtes thought to arme them & than to breke vp the dore and so they dyd, and whan they were ar­med, than they toke greate peces of tym­ber that laye in the vaute, & Arthur ran at the od [...] with suche randon y^t it made a ryght greate noyse, and the same tyme the dukes treasourer was gone to se the dead corps of syr Firmōt the which was layd on a bere to be borne to the chyrche to [...]e buryed, & with him were gone al y^e people of the towne sauynge tho y^t were lodged aboute the toure, so y^t there was not left in the sayd place no creature but all onely the cokes y^t were in the kechyn dressynge of theyre mete, nor there was none y^t was ware how that Arthur was brekinge vp the doore of the toure wythin, and th [...]re Arthur and his companye dyd so much that they brake vp the dore and so entred into a gardyn, thā Arthur sayd to his company. Syrs go quycklye to the gate & drawe vp the brydge, and I wyl go in the meane season in to the kechyn to the cokes. Ha ha sayd Bawdwin I am sure my m [...]yster hathe felte the sa­uour of the smoke the which he thinketh ryght good, whereby he hath gette him a good appetyte. wel sayd Arthur do as I haue shewed you & than ye shal do right wel, and so they went all togyder to the gates and dyde shytte thē faste and lyfte vp the brydges, & than they were so sure tha [...] they doubted no man, And in the mean [...] season. Arthur entred into the kech [...]n, and began to crye out auaunt out of [...]his hous ye foule rybaude knaues, for ye shall all dye. And whan the cokes sawe Arthur, they knewe well it was he that vaynquyshed syr Fyrmont where wyth they were so sore abasshed y^t they fledde away and cri [...]d out, and sayd how the deuyll of h [...]ll had brought hym in to that hous, but Iosseran and Brysebar were at the dore and receyued and gaue them such dyscyplyne that it oughte not to be cōtrowled. And Gouernar & Ba [...] ­ [...]ewyn k [...]pt so the gate & tourned them agayne that there abode not one on lyue. Than Brisebar and Gouernar toke the dead bodyes and dydde cast them out at the wyndowes and batylmentes of the hye wall. And syr Fyrmont was lyenge on a bere an caryed on mēnes shold [...]rs, and passed there by the walle of the same hous where as Arthur and hys compa­ny were, and as he passed vnder y^e wall Arthur & his company didde cast downe the deed bodyes on the bere. And whan syr Isembartes se [...]uaun [...]es sawe y^t they knew ryght well that the dukes fortres was tak [...]n [...] and soo they w [...]nt [...] and she­wed it to theyr mayster wher withall he was gretely enraged, and cōmaunded in all the haste to assayle the place where [...]s A [...]thur and his companye were on the wall [...]s and defended th [...]mselfe valya [...]t­ly that theyr enemyes dyd l [...]tell pr [...]uay­le agaynst them, and Arthur was often­tymes in wyll to haue yssued out to haue fought with his enemy [...]s, but Brisebar wolde not suffer hym, and v [...]rely and it had not bene more for feare of his company than for hym selfe he wold [...] haue sette open the gates. And whan they wi [...]hout saw that they coude not preuayle, they seased theyr assaute, & wythdrewe t [...]em­selfe. And Arthur & his company w [...]nte and vnarmed them and Baw [...]wyn and Iaket couered t [...]e tables and serued [...] ­thur and his felawshyp ryght r [...]c [...]ely, [Page] For there was in that hous bothe wyne and vytayle suffycyent for an hole yere. And thus ryghte well at theyr ease they remayned .xv. dayes w^tout fere of theyre enemyes, and wythoute ony grete hurte Thus wyll we leue to speake of Arthur and his company, and shewe somewhat of mayster Steuen.

DVryng the time that arthur and his knightes wer thus besyeged in the duke of by­gors fortresse mayster Steuen clerke to the noble lady Florence of Soroloys, & the noble mar­kes were all this reasō at the port noyre loking out the windowes of the palayes talkynge togyder of Arthur thinkynge longe for hym, for it was more than .viii. dayes sythe the promesse that he made of his retour, wherfore they were in greate sorowe & in grete fere leaste he were slayne by the fōule monster of the brosse. wel sayd mayster Steuen syr markes abyde me here tyll I retourne to you agayne, and than I shall shewe you how the case standeth, than the mayster entred in to his chambre and toke his bokes and lo­ked so longe on them tyll he knewe well all the estate of Arthur and of his company. Than he wente agayne to the mar­kes and recounted to hym all the state of Arthur and of his felawshyp, howe that they we [...]e besyeged in the castel, and how that the duke of bigor was with .xl. thou sande man come to the castell of the roche for to helpe his neuew, wher [...]ore he sayd there is now nothynge to do but to stu­dy for theyr delyueraunce, the whiche he sayd was harde to do without his coun­seyle and aduyse. A gentyll mayster sayd the markes, whan nede cometh than is the frende knowen [...] fyr goddes sake ma­ke hast for theyr delyueraunce. Syr sayd the mayster ye shall kepe this castel, and I wyll go to theym and put to my payne to delyuer them. And so he departed fro the markes and entered in to his chaumbre and toke his bokes, and dyde [...]o mo­che that at the last he had al thynge that he demaunded, and than by hys connyng he caused hym selfe to be borne in to the same hall where Arthur and his cōpany were lenyng & lokynge oute at the wyn­dowes beholdynge the dukes hoost who was as than come and had lodged hym selfe and all his company aboute the palays, & by that tyme syr Isembart was all hole, and was able to ryde where as he wolde all armed, & soo he came to the duke hys vncle and recounted to hym al his aduenture. Well fayre neuewe sayde the duke take noo thought therfore, for by the fayth that I owe vnto you it shal be dere bought. And in the same meane season mayster Steuen was come in to the palays and stode behynde Arthur or that he was ware thereof and layde his hande on his sholdre, and therwyth Ar­thur tourned him aboute, and whan he sawe mayster Steuen he cleped hym in his armes, and so dydde Brysebar Iosse­ran and Gouernar and all other, & made hym right greate there, and demaunded of him howe he was entered in to that peace, well said the mayster how soeuer ye haue kepte the place yet I haue doone so moche that I am nowe entred. Mary that is trouth sayd Gouernar or elles be we sore abused, thus they made greete feaste and Ioye all that nyghte, and the [Page lxiiii] ne [...]te mornyng they rose betymes and loked out at the wyndowes and beheld the du [...]es host, and than Arthur sayde how that he wolde issue out & g [...] fyght wi [...]h his enemyes, but Brisebar wolde not su [...]fre hym at which tyme they had wende that mayster Steuen had be stil abed on slepe, for he was not as than come out of his chaumbre, how be it he was aboute to studye for theyr delyue­raunce, for as sone as he was out of his bed, he toke his bokes and made his coniuracions wherby he caused such a tem­pest of winde and rayne to ryse and fal in the dukes host without, that it brast downe tentes & ouerthrew pau [...]lions and rusht downe standerdes and tare downe lodgynges and haled asonder ropes, and [...]asht downe al to the erth, & with the wynde there was blowē vp in to the ayre stremers, towels, and other clothes so hie that the syght of thē was clene lost. And arthur and his compani whan they perceyued all this with out in the host [...]hey had great meruayle for it was a fayre and a clere mornynge before. And whan this storme was some­what seased, than [...]here rose out of the grounde such a derke myst and so styn­kyng that scant one man could se an o­ther, and this myst hanged ouer all the dukes hoost and ouer all his castell and towne, except the fortresse where as ar­thur and his company where in wher­fore they dyd close a [...] the wyndowes, & dyd lyght vp candels, but thys myst en­dured so longe that al they of the dukes host and also within his castell & towne were fulfylled with the fauoure the [...]of. And at the laste it seased and the wether began to w [...]xe cleare and fayre, a [...]d so than it fortuned that all suche as hadde felte the sauour of the foule▪ mist theyr hertes began to fayle them and to be so full of cowardyse & fere as though th [...]y had ben chased with an hondred thou­sande men of armes, and oftentimes be helde towarde the fortresse where as arthur and his company were, a waye fe­ryng lest they wolde haue yssued out on them. And as they loked towarde the mountaynes, to theyr heryng they he [...]de x. thousand hornes and trompettes wenyng verely that it had ben true, and than to theyr syghtes they saw so much people descending downe fro the moū ­taynes that all the earth was coue [...]ed with harnysed men, than they were in great fere than they were before, and at the last they thought they saw descende downe fro an hye hyll the chiefe stan­darde and baner of the migh [...]ye kynge Emēdus, w [...]erin was portrayed a flambyng dragon of golde. And on another syde they perceyued w [...]re came the ki [...]g of orquen [...]y, and with him a great mul­tytude of men of warre, & so throughout all the host there rose a great rumour & a saying how y^t the mighty kinge Emē ­dus with all his chyual [...]y was comen on them to rescow his knight syr Brisebar, whome they had besyeged with Arthu [...] in y^e dongeon, & so therby [...]he [...] [...] so dyscomfyted wi [...]hin theyr owne fan­tasyes & ymaginaciōs y^• wha [...] on horse backe & on fote they fled all aw [...]ye as fast as they might, and he tha [...] coude get his sadel dyd set it on his horse, & some for hast lept on theyr horsbacke wyth­out any sadell or br [...]d [...]ll, & fled away all dysmayed, som [...] in the wodes and some in the riuers and into the great ma [...]ey­ses they wyst not whider. And Arthur & his cōpany whan they saw al this, they had great meruayle. In the name of god sayd Gouernar I trow they wyl fysshe [Page] for eles, behold how some of them vay­ne themselfe in the maris. And at the last tidinges came to the duke how that his men fled awai and anone he lept on his horse, for his herte was as sore a­frayd as any o [...]her, & so he fled away also as fast as he coulde to saue hymself. And his seruau [...]tes that were within his caste [...]l [...]an all abou [...]e the hous to seke a place [...]o hide them in, and so did c [...]ose thē self fast within the ground in a lo vaute of the ca [...]tel and some hid theym vnder empty pyp [...]s and othe [...] vessels for fere of sp [...]ing And syr Isembarte fled into [...]he gr [...]ate abbey chyrche and mounted vp [...] [...]h [...] h [...]e v [...]wtes for to hyde hym t [...]ere. [...]nd the monk [...]s nonnes and pre­st [...]s and clerkes and chanons ran to the chyrc [...]es of the towne & kneled downe & confes [...]ed themself eche to other knocking them self on theyr brestes w^t great rep [...]ntaunce of theyr mysdedes thin­king v [...]rily neuer to die other death. Thā mayster Steuen issued oute of his chambre and went into [...]he hall where as [...]r [...]hur was. And Ioseran said mais [...]e [...] for gods sake c [...]me hyder & beholde how the du [...]e & his men do flie away I thynke they be afrayd. In the name of god said the master I thinke they be not a [...] [...]his time well assured of thēselfe therfore shorte [...]y take your harneys & lette [...]s [...]o me [...]e [...]he migh [...]y [...]ing Emendus who is co [...]ing to rescowe his knygh [...] he [...] syr [...]risebar. And whā arthur [...]erd that, he [...]nd all his cōpany armed them and so opened the gates and wēt to [...]he dukes [...]entes. where as they foūd good and myghty hors [...]s, & ther [...] eche of t [...]em toke a good horse such as lyked thē b [...]st, for there were none to withstande them f [...]r they wer [...] al clene fledde a way and n [...]t one left [...]eh [...]nde. So than they all mounted on theyr horses and issued out of t [...]e tentes and toke theyr way vp to­warde the moūtaynes where as arthur and his company thought that they saw by semyng al the worlde of men coming towardes them, & heryng hornes and trompes sownyng, and braying of horses, glistering of helmes, shining of sheldes, waueryng of stremers & penselles, and at the last they espyed the flambing dragon of golde in the great baner of so­roloys, and also as to theyr syght they saw all the foure kinges w^t al theyr power coming, so that by semyng all the erth was couered with people. And Ar­thur greatly meruayled of the great no­blenesse of the king Emēdus that brou­ght so great a multitude of people. Sir as god helpe me sayd mayster Steuen, yet here is no [...] all his strength, for here is nothing of the power of my ladi Florence his doughter, nor none of the coū trey of a [...]genton. Ue [...]ily syr sayd Brise­bar to say the trou [...]h he is the might [...]est king y^t now reygneth in al the worlde. And so they rode tor [...]h thus talkyng til at the last they met wi [...]h the formest cō ­pany of the ky [...]ges hooste, the why [...]he made grea [...] chere & fe [...]st to mayster Steu [...]n to Brysebar, and to Iosseran suche as knew them. And so they rode f [...]rth [...]yll they m [...]tte with the ki [...]ges baner & flambyng dragon, the which was born by the senesshal of [...]he lady Flor [...] ̄ce who made great chere to brisebar and thus arthur rode [...]uer forth wenyng ve [...]elye that all this that he saw and herde had ben of trouth, f [...]r he wendful lytle tha [...] all this had ben wrought by mayster S [...]euens werke and crafte, and thus eue [...] arthur [...]ode forth the space of .ii. le­ges, and euer stil encoun [...]ed much peo­ple, and at the last they met with the no­ble [Page lxv] kinge Emendus, who made righte great chere & feest to mayster Steuen, & to Brysebar & demaunded of them how they had done, & how they came into the pryson. Syr & it like your grace said sir Brysebar thanked be god we doo ryght wel, for we were delyuered out of daū ­ger by the only prowesse of this noble knight that ye se here in our companye who hath done so much in dedes of chyualry that it cannot be deuysed, & thus as they talked together maister Steuē forded his enchauntement, & than the king & al his great host assembled were clene vanished away, so that there was in syght no mo creatures but all onely Arthur and his company, wherw^t they were al sore abasshed, and eche of them behelde other and spake neuer a worde thinking how they had dremed. In the name of god sayd arthur I haue grea [...]e meruayle. Mary syr ꝙ Brisebar I [...]pak right now with the king my souerayne lorde, & now I wot not where he is become. well syr ꝙ master Steuen let vs ryde on forthe. For now ye may se wel how that we be out of the daūger of our enemies. Than Arthur perceyued wel that all this was done by y^e craft of master Steuē by [...]ause of theyr deliueraūce so thus they rode forth til it was none of the day euer talkyng of theyr aduen­ [...]ures, & at last agaynst night they descē d [...]d downe of a great mountayne, & the va [...]ley beneth was very obscure & derke so that they coude se but a litle way in­to it, and whan they were nie to it th [...]i app [...]ceued were as there yssued oute therof .iiii. varlettes on feble horses ech of them hauinge a brenninge torche in theyr handes, & in theyr company an abbot who was a white monke, & .iiii. o­ther monkes w^t him▪ and they were veri lene and pale, and but febly horsed. And whan arthur saw them he rested and salewed them. And the abbot dyd of hys hode and salewed Arthur and all his cōpany▪ and bycause he saw Arthur of so fayre a sta [...]ure, he thought verylye y^t he was the chiefe of his company [...] and than he sayd to arthur. Syr I herde re­ported but late how y^t a knight hath a­cheued the harde aduētures of the porte noyre. Syr if it be so he is o [...] g [...]eat va­lure, and therfore I am in purpose to ride [...]hider & to coplayne to hī of the g [...]et wronges that hath ben done to me, for syr as pore as I seme now, yet I was wonte to be moste honoured abbot in al the coūtre of Argenton & now I am lest set by for my couēt is clene destroied for it is now wel .v. yere sith one of god­des seruyce was sayd in my chyrche nor there was no light neither of sonne nor mone that entred into i [...] of all that sea­son, and all our landes and rentes are clene lost, wherfore many of my couēt be dead, what for sorowe and what for necessite▪ and al this is done vnto vs bi the duke of bygors broder [...]hat I praye [...]o god and euer shall that he may dye a shameful deth. And syr how that al this is fortuned I shal shew you & it please you to her [...] me, syr I haue plained me to euery noble man that I mete, to thē [...]ēt to haue some succour of them t [...] get me my ryght agayne, but I can mete wyth none that wyll helpe or ayde me [...] th [...]re­fore I wyll goo and complayne me to the gentyll knight y^t hath done so much prowesse at y^e por [...]e noyre if it be my [...]ortune to fynde him, syr I know not what you be, howbe [...]t I complaine me to you as I haue done to many other. By the mother of god ꝙ Arthur I wold [...]e [...]ight gladde to helpe you to your right, and [Page] [...] I shall be gladde [...]o put my good wyl [...] wherof the abbot thanked hym & so aid al the other monkes. Than may­ster St [...]uen desyred them to go in com­pany with them to the porte noyre, and promysed yf they wolde so do that they w [...]ld speke w^t the same knight that thei seke for. And thā at last the abbot knew wel mayster Steuen, & cleped & kyssed him & made right great Ioye & sayd. A gentyll mayster is the knight y^t I seke for in your cōpany or not. As god help ꝙ the master it is the same knight that ye haue al this season spoken vnto, and he by his prowesse hath losed out of pry­son the noble markes your owne broder And than the abbot helde vp his hādes toward the heuen and sayd. Hie & mighty [...]ing of paradise celestical encrease in that noble knight honour & boūte. Thā the abbot aduysed wel Brisebar & Iosseran and knewe them ryght well and made wi [...]h them great Ioye and feast. And thus they rode forth so longe tyl at the last t [...]ey ariued at porte noyre and [...] descended fro their horses & moūted vp [...]o the palays. And whan the noble markes sawe Arthur he made to hym ryght great chere, & whan he sawe the abbot who was his owne broder he began to wepe for pitie whan he remēbred the death of the lorde of Argenton hys broder. And so eche of them enbraced o­the [...] w^t great wepyng for ioye and than the abbot sayd. I pray to god y^t he maye die an euyl deth that hath slaine out broder the gentyl lorde of Argenton, wher­by great hurt and domage is come to my chyrche. And I pray the same said y^e markes [...] for therby is our nece the lady of Argē [...]on dysherited wrongfully & w^t our cause, and therwith [...]hey wept eche [...]o other right piteously, wherof Arthur and his company had great pitie, & thā Arthur said to them. Lordes be of good comforte, for I promyse you I wyll be at her mariage yf I may▪ and if the lady haue than any nede of helpe I shalbe redie to ayde her to the best of my power. And the two brethern thanked him mu­che, and so they vnarmed them & where therein great Ioy and sport. Now let vs leue to speke of them, & we wil trete of the messenger that bare the head of y^e monster to the cou [...]t of king Emendus and to the fayre Florence.

SO it was that whan Brysebars neuew was departed fro thens as the monster was slayne, he rode so longe tyll he aryued at a Citie named Phesale where as the kynge was and the emperour in his companye, who wolde in no wyse departe tyll that the kynge hadde gyuen hym the fayre Flo­rence to be hys wyfe. And also there was in the courte at the same tyme the kynge of orqueney cosyn germayne vn­to the fayre Florence. The court was as than great and sumptuous, and the kynge had as than hearde masse, and was retourned into his palays and the emperour with him, and also there [Page lxvi] was Florence accompanyed with many ladyes and damoysels, & the kinge of orqueney was there accompanied with many other great lordes & knightes talking together of atorney that should be made at droseme. And in this meane season Cristel [...]ne neuew to Brisebar moū ted vp to the steyres, & two greate lub­bers brought after hym the heed of the monster in a great basket couered ouer wyth towels, & so entred vp into the pa­lais, & there euery bodi made him right great chere & feast, & therw^t he came be­fore the kyng, & whan the king saw hī comyng he had right great Ioy, and de­maunded how Brisedar dyd, & whether that he had slayne the monster or not. As god helpe me ꝙ syr Crystelyne mine vncle doth ryght well, but as to the sle­yng of the monster he is nothyng gylty nor none of all his company, for all onely one noble knight hath slayne the mō ster the whiche knight by his prowesse hath acheued all the ferefull aduētures of the porte noyre, he is the moste fayre knight & the most gracious that euer I saw w^t min eyen. And whan he saw the f [...]yre Florence sitting by the king her father he kneeled downe to the erth & said Ri [...]ht dere lady this sayd noble knight send [...]th to your noble grace for a presēt the he [...]d of the sayd monster, as to the most hye & puissaūt lady of the worlde now liuing, and to you he offreth hym selfe to do all that he may for so noble lady as ye be, and truly madame it shal be a great tresour to haue and to retain so noble & so [...]aliaūt a knight as he is for he the floure of all the worlde, & in bounte surmounting all other, than the head was dyscouered and shewed to the kyng and to themperour, and thider ran euery body that was in the courte to beholde it, than they toke kniues and swerdes and strake at it, but none [...]oude en­payre it, for it was so excedynge harde Than euery mā praysed much the kni­ght that had slayne the monster, & sayde how y^t in all the worlde there was not his pere, & some sayd also y^t this knight is he that hath acheued the aduentures of the porte noyre, and the kynge dyd muche prayse hym, and determyned to sende to seke for him. Sende to seke for hym sayd the king of orqueney, it were lytle ynough to sende a kynge for hym, for it were not metely for a symple kni­ght to go seke for such a knight of [...]o hie prowesse as he is of. wel syr sayde Cry­stelyne, Brysebar is abyden w^t hym & are gone togither to the porte noyre and yf he can he wyll bringe him vnto your courte. Thā al the kinges and princes counseyled the kyng that he sholde not sende for him but abyde the cominge of Brisebar. Than Florence rose and sayd to the kinge her father, syr and it lyke your grace to giue me leue to depar [...]e in to my chambre, for this foule head troubleth me sore to loke therō, & so she toke her leue of the kyng & of the emperour, & whan she was in her secrete chambre she called to her the kynge of orqueney, in whome she faythfully trusted and so they sat them downe togeder, & than she said. Sir of great valure is the knight that hath slayne the monster and doone so many valyaūt dedes, therfore I pray you can you tell me what he is. By the fayth that I owe vnto you madame I cannot tell you, but let vs send for Cri­stelyne to knowe yf he canne tell vs o­ny thinge of hys estate. Than inconti­nent he was s [...]nte for in all the haste, and than Florence caused the chaumbre for to be clene auoyded, sauynge of the [Page] kynge of orqueney and of the quene his wyfe. And whan Cristeline was come to them, than Florence demaunded of hym what maner of knight it was that offred his seruy [...]e in such wyse to her. Madame said he as god helpe me I can not shew your grace, but more fayrer, more gracious, nor more gentiller hert of a knight cannot be founde agayn in all the wyde worlde [...] nor a goodlier man of armes, nor of hier prowesse cannot be lightly ymagined. wel frend sayd florence and what message hath he sent to me by you. Madame he shewed me how that he is your knight & redy to do you seruy [...]e at all times. Myn said Florēce and therwith [...]he sighed and than there entred into her herte a great & a feruent loue, in [...]o much that al other were clene put out of her minde, & therw^t she stode in a stoudy without speakinge of anye worde▪ And than the quene of orqueney demaunded of hym what armes the knight dyd bere. Madame sayd he a cheke­red armes and a white shelde. wel sayd Florence is this of trouth. Ye truly ma­dame said the knight, and also he hath a swerde that can helpe no man but hym­selfe, but he doth therwith what him list Madame I say vnto you that about al other he is the best of all the worlde, & so he is reputed in euery place. Thā was Florence ouercome wi [...]h loue more thā she was before, & thought wel y^t it was he y^t mayster Steuen her clerke abode so lōge for at y^e porte noyre. Thā she gaue Cristelyne .CC.li [...] of lāde for the tidīges that he brought her fro the said knight.

IN the meane tyme that Cristeline Brysebars neuew was at y^e [...]ourt wyth the kinge Emendus as ye haue herde before Arthur and his com­pany were at the porte noyre in greate Ioye and myrth. And thā the abbot had songe masse [...] and so they were all togy­der in the palays, and entred into the gardyn, and so went talkynge togyther tyll at last mayster Steuen toke Arthur by the hande and said how that he wold speke with him in counsaile, than they departed togyther fro the other compa­nie, and went talkyng togyder tyll they came to the riche pauilion and entred into it, and stode before image that helde the chaplet in her handes. Than the mayster sayd, syr this ymage is ryght fayre, how be it the fygure y^t it doth re­present is .x. tymes fayrer, the whyche is the fayre Florence doughter to the myghty kynge Emendus, & syr whan y^t she was fyrst borne she was brought vp into the moūt of aduētures, & there was gyuen her this riche pauylyon by the quene of the fayry, & there they destenied on her that no creature shuld haue her in mariage but all only he that thys ymage shold gyue vnto the chaplet that she holdeth in her handes as ye may se, & I hope veryly it shal be you, bycause of the great prowesse that is in you, & I pray to god it may be so, & syr now here [Page lxvii] is none but you and I, therfore I praye you go to the ymage, and than we [...]hall know the trouth. A mayster sayd Arthur for goddes sake I aske mercye, so hye a thing as is the loue of y^e noble lady Flo­rence is not apertenaunte to so symple a persone as I am, therfore it were foly to me to goo to the ymage, presumynge to attayn to so hye a felici [...]ye. By my head sayd the maister ye shall go, & therfore I pray you so to do, for my hearte gyueth me good comfort that ye shal spede. well sayd Arthur syth ye wyll nedes haue me to go, I am content: but first ye shall go before me. with a good wyll sayd y^t mayster, soo that ye wyll promise to folowe me yf soo be that I mysse. As god helpe me sayd Arthur so wyll I do. Than the mayster went and kneled downe before the ymage, but though he had kneled there .x. yere together he [...]huld nothing haue spedde, yet he was ryghte fayre and a good clerke & right gracious, & also son to a kyng: but for al that the ymage did nothinge to him. And whan the mayster sawe that he rose, & caused than Arthur to do as he dyd, the which he was ryght loth [...]o do: but at the last w^t much payne he kneled downe before the ymage, & in contynente the ymage tourned towarde him, and to his seming it blusshed as red as sendall, & fayre and [...]asely the ymage dyd set the chaplet on his heade. And the same season that this ymage dyd set the chaplet on his head, the noble Lady Florence was in her chambre talking with Cristelyne, who tolde her how y^e knyght that slew the monster had a whyte shield and a sword that could not be enpayred. At the whyche tyme she felte in her herte the vertue of the propertie of the same y­mage in the riche pauilion, the which re­presented her similitude, wherebye there entred into her hert such alone, that she lost al her countenaūce, & blus [...]ed t [...]ise as muche as the ymage dyd before Ar­thur, and therby in a maner she fell in a traunce & lost the vse of her speache. And whan the quene of orqueney saw her in that poynt, she cryed right hiely and said Our blessed lady saint Mary saue my [...]a day Florence fro deth or [...]eoperdy & than Cristelyne toke her in his armes. Than other ladyes came into the chambre, and whan they sawe her in that poynt, they toke and layde her on her bedde & anone it was spredde al about the court howe y^t the noble Florence was sore sick, wherwith the courte was sore troubled, & the kyng and themperoure were right sory whan they herd therof. And whan that Florence was well come agayne to her selfe, than the qu [...]ne of orqueney demaū ded of her what she ayled to be in y^e case so sodenly. And she answered and sayd y^t it was because that she remembred the foule horriblenes of the head of the dead monster, whe [...]b [...] her herte fayled her. Than incontinent th [...] kynge cōmaūded that the head shul [...] be brent to thentent that it sholde no more be seen, & so i [...] was done in all haste. And as for Arthur was al this season before the ymage with the chaplet on his head. And he was than so taken wyth loue that there was none in al the world that pleased him [...] but al onely the fygure of her y^t owed [...]he chaplet, and therwith he ro [...]e on his fete, and the chaplet on his head. And whan the may­ster sawe that, he had neuer so great ioy afore and sayd. Syr god encrea [...]e in you bounte and noblenesse for as for honour ye are ther with as now gretelye endue [...] syr now I se and know wel that ye shall be my lorde, therfore I owe to you faith and trou [...]h, and fro hence forth I wyl to [Page] you make homage, and holde my lande of you. A maister said Arthur suffre not your selfe so to say, for the son of a king ough [...] not to holde his lande of so sym­ple a knyght as I am, howbeit the maister dyd so muche that at the last Arthur receiued him for his man, and whan he had so receyued hym, the maister sayde. My lord I owe vnto you fayth & troth and truely that shal I kepe▪ & from hens forth hardely do somwhat after my coū saile, for I shal helpe you to accomply in this enterprise more than any other mā lyuing. Maister sayde Arthur, & I shall beleue your counsayl & put my selfe all onely into your handes, for as god help me the loue that is in my hearte greueth me sore, & yet I wote not who it is that I loue. S [...]r sayd the maister take y^• cha­plet fro you [...] head & giue it agayn to the ymage to kepe tyll ye aske it agayne an other season. Maister said Arthur with a good wyl, & so toke the chapl [...]t & dely­uered it agayne to the ymage. And than the ymage dressed her vp and stode styll as she dyd before. Than y^e mayster sayd, syr Brisebar wil desire you [...]o go to the court wyth him, but ye must deny hym as for this seasō, for after my mynd ye shal first go to acheue the aduenturs of the tenebrons or darke towre, and take with you no company but only Bawdwyn your squyer, and ye shall depart tomorow betymes▪ and I wyll go to the court wi [...]h Bris [...]bar & shal think ryght wel of euery thing that is behouable for the contentacion of your mynd. In the name of god said Arthur so let it be. And as they wer thus talking together there came to them y^• abbot & the Ma [...]kes his brother Gouernar, & Iosseran, & as for Bawdwyn & Iaket apparayled for the diner in the palais. And than the abbot said to Arthur, sir I haue bē here a gee [...] season, wherof I thank you, and also I am euer bound vnto you becaus ye haue deliuered out of pryson my brother the markes, syr now it is time y^t I retorn [...] agayn vnto my dolorous abbey, y^t whi­che was wont to be the floure of beauty of all that country, & now it is the prisō of al vnhappines and mysfortune. & he that hath caused all this I praye to god that he may die an enyl death, who is sir Isembart the false neue we of the duke of Bygor, for by his meanes a false en­chaunter hath taken a way clene y^e [...]igh [...] of the heauen fro our abbey, so that we lyue euer in darkenes, and also he hath taken away all our rentes and lon [...]es, wherwith [...]ye we are therby famis [...]hed for hungre, & also he hath falsly by trea­son slayne my brother the [...]oo [...]e lorde of A [...]genton, and hath dyshe [...]ted my nece his doughter, and hath gyuen her to a lewde boye, who is his barboure, and now at this nexte Mawdelyne [...]yde he purposeth that they shall be maryed togither, the which shall be gret pi [...]ie that euer so good and beautiful a lady as she is, shuld be cast a way vpon so vile a person, for yf she were not my nece I wold saye she were worthy to haue a ryght [...] good prynce, wherfore I complayn me to god and to al gentylnes, & specially syr humblye I require you to helpe to take vengeaunce of him, and of such as taketh his part. By the fayth y^t I owe vnto the duke of Britayne sayd Arthur I shall put to my payne if I canne, and wyl be the [...]e at this Mawdealyn tyde, and than I shal helpe to ayde the damo­s [...]ll to the best of my power. Syr sayde mayster Steuen, than shall ye do well, for ye speake as a gentilman should say Than said Brysebar swete syr let vs .ii. [Page lxviii] go togyther to the court, & there y [...] shall se the noble kynge of Soroloys & al his barony the whych is right great and hie & also ye shall se my lady the gentyl Flo­rence, who shall retayne you for one of her knightes, and ye shall haue than in your comp [...]ny an hundreth knightes of great valure, wherof I am the symplest and moste insuffycyent of them all, and so by you shal the company be enforced and y^e renown of them doubled through out all the world, and I shall promyse you aboue al other to kepe you true and faythfull companye. And whan Arthur herde hym say all this, he smyled a lytel and sayd. Dere frend Brisebar I thank you heartely for your noble profer, and certaynly suche as my pore body cā do is, and euer shal be ready to do my lady Florence seruyce. for where so euer I be come her seruaunt shall I be: but as at this time to the cou [...]te maye I not go [...], for fyrst I must fynysshe an ente [...]pryse that I haue taken on me [...] god wil giue me the grace [...]o accomplysshe it. And than Iosseran demaunded of him what en [...]erpryse it was. As god help me said Arthur it is to atche [...]e the aduētures of the toure tenebrous. And whan Bryse­bar herd that, he said, syr for goddes sake let that enterpryse alone, for certaynlye all the power that my lorde the kynge of Soroloys hath is not sufficient to attayne to acheue that aduenture, therfore syr in my mynd it were a great folly for you to take suche a thynge in hande as no man can acheue. Than maister Steuen sayd, Syr Brysebar let him alone, for he hath a great hert [...] though it be a grea [...]e enterpryse, yet I truste god shall helpe hym, for sythe he hath taken it in hande I am sure the [...]e is none that can let hym of hys mynde. wel sayd Brise­bar syth he wyl not be turned I wil go wi [...]h him. And so wyl I also said Iosse­ran▪ well syrs said Arthur I thank you but surely I wyl haue none w^t me: but al onely Bawdewin my squyer. In the name of god sayd the mayster so b [...] it, & ye syr Brysebar and I wyll go together to the court and ye syr Markes & Iosse­ran Gouernar & Iaket, al ye shal abide here styl and kepe styl this castell tyl y [...] haue other worde. Ye saye wel sayd Ar­thur. And therewyth they went al togy­ther to the pa [...]ays to dyner, and were ri­chely serued, and al that daye they made great feast and ioy▪ and at nyght wente to theyr restes, and the nexte mornynge betymes they arose and herde masse the whyche the abbot dyd synge, and afte [...] masse Arthur moūted on hys horse, and so dyd the abbot and mayster Steuen and Brysebar, and so toke their leue of Gouerna [...] and other, & so issued out of the castel, and rode together the space of foure leges & at the last they came to an entrynge i [...]to a forrest, where as was a forked waye and there the mayster and Brysebar toke their leue and rode forth theyr way on the ryghte hande, the whi­che was the next hye way to the citie of Cornite where as king Emendus was the same season. And y^• abbot went his nex [...]e waye to his dolorous abbey. And Arthur toke his way on the lyfte hand [...] and so rode forth all the day tyll it was nere hande nyght, and so aryued at a gē ­tyl squyers place, called the maner of y^e plas [...]hes, the whych s [...]uyer doubted him selfe g [...]atlye, for he had suche enemyes that had mortally defyed hym, therfore he sayd to Arthur, syr yet thither righ [...] heartely w [...]lcome: but I beseche you in all the haste to depart hence shortlye for the sauynge of youreselfe, for I can no [...] [Page] warrant you in my house, for mine enemyes are right myghty, and I loke eche houre whan they shal assayle me. Than sayd Arthur, syr care ye not for that but and it may please you I pray you let me haue lodgyng here with you this night and syr I ensure you if thei come while I am here I trust I shall make a good peace betwene you and thē, either with fayrenesse or otherwyse. Syr sayde the squyer I am content and god giue you grace to do that ye haue sayd.

THus was Arthur receiued of the sauyer, who made hym ryght good chere to hys po­wer▪ and the same tyme the squyers enemyes had there a spye, who retorned and shewed to th [...] how that there was come to the squyers house a straunge knyghte by semynge ryght myghty and puissaunt, and howe that he had promised to the squier to help hym if he had any nede that nyghte. Than they al answered and sayd how that knyght myght be sure he should se that same night, for they said they wold not let theyr enterprise for one knyght, for they were to the nombre of .xv. And whan it was nyght they all apparailed them selfe on horsbacke and came to the squyers hous al armed, and righte rudely assaulted his hous, and the squier and suche seruauntes as he hadde defended them selfe as well as they coulde wyth crosbowes and suche other wepons as they had within. And whan Arthur knewe wel thys he armed him and toke his whyte shelde, the whych dyd cast a great clerenesse by nyghte, and toke his good swerde clarence in his hande and whan he was thus armed thā he loked out of a wyndowe, and demaunded of theym wythout what they soughte there, and what they woulde. And they answered how y^t they sought for to haue his head My head sayd Arthur loo take it here for here ye maye se it, and I shall brynge i [...] o [...]te wort [...]ye vntoo you than he desyred them within to leue theyr shotynge and to set open the gate, and to lette downe the brydge, and accordyng too his desyre it was [...]one and Arthur issued oute all alone▪ and ran at them, and they all at once ran at hym, and Arthur drewe out clarence his good sworde, the whyche for his goodnes was also called traūchfer, that is for to say, cutter of yron, and str [...]ke the fyrst so therwyth that he claue his heade [...]o the eyen, and he made the head flye from the seconde, and from the [Page lxix] thyrd he strake of hys arme and sholdre clene from the body, and than the reme­naunt sayde all at ones on hym, but all they nothynge dyd enpayre hym. And than Arthur dasht furth with his horse and encountred so one of them, that he ouerthrewe bothe horse and man into a great dyche the whych was about the place, and there he was drowned. And whan a great mighty knight who was mayster of them all and he that fyrst be­gan this warre sawe his people so hardly delte withall with one knight he was ryght sorowfull, and therwyth dash [...] at Arthur and gaue hym a great stroke on the shelde with a great mace of yren ful of great pryckes of stele, the whyche he layd on with bothe his handes, the whi­che stroke rebounded agayne vpwarde, for it coulde not enpayre his shelde no­thynge, and than Arthur lyfte vp hys swerde and strake hym on the head, and the stroke was herde a great way of, but the stroke dyd glyde downe to his lyfte arme, so that arme and sholdre and all [...]lewe clene into the field, and the swerd dasht intoo the arson of his faddell and claue it clene asonder, and dyd cut ason­der the croper of the horse, and therwith horse and knyght and al dasht down to the ground, than Arthur laid on among the other bothe on the lyfte syde and on the ryghte syde, and made heades, ar­mes, handes, legges, and fete flye cleane into the fyelde, than the remnaun [...]e be­gan to flye, but than it was to late, for there was none but eyther he had loste an arme or a legge, and whā the squier vnderstode how that his gest was thus yssued out al alone and fyghtyng with hys enemyes, than he armed hym selfe and ranne oute into the fielde, but there he founde nothynge to doo, for by that tyme Arthur as than had made an ende of them all, and soo was retournynge home warde. And than the squyer sawe that Arthur had ouercomen al hys ene­mies, he thought verely that he was of hye prowesse, and so he thanked him moche and sayde. Syr ye tolde me [...]outhe whan ye sayd y^• ye would make the peas betwene myne aduersaries and me, for nowe I am amonge them, and yet they saye nothynge to me [...]. And soo Arthur and the squyer entred into the place and closed fast the gates after them & drewe vp the bridge, and so wente to their re­stes, & in the morning the squier wente out to se whyche of his enemyes were slayne, and amonge the other he found [...] his principal enemy slayne, wherof he had great ioye, and offred him selfe therfore to become Arthurs man, and wold haue gone with hym, but Arthur wold not suffre hym, but so he departed from the squyer, and anone the wordes were spre [...]de abrode in all the countrey, how that a knyght with a white shielde had slayne and ouercome .xv. knyghtes, the whych wordes came to the hearynge of mayster Steuen and Brysebar. Uerely sayde mayster Steuen that same is Ar­thur, who hathe righte gerat valure in hym. As god helpe me said Brysebar it is he, I se well that he is a ryghte valy­aunt knyghte, for he is the best in all the worlde. Thus Arthur rode forth tyll it was thre of the clock, and there he foūd betwene twoo mountaynes, a great vylayne huge and mightye, blacke and he­ry out of all measure, and he bare on his sholdre a great croked leuer. And whan he sawe Arthur he ranne to hym and to [...]ke his horse by the brydel rayne, and de­maunded of hym, saying thus. Fayre syr what maner of man be ye? Frende [Page] sayde Arthur I am a knyght straunger. Ye syr sayd the vylayne be ye a knyght, and what se [...]e ye he [...]e in these pastures that & haue in my kepyng. Good felow sayde Arthur I go on myne aduenture w [...]e [...] as g [...] wil bring me vnto: why syr sayde the vylaine go ye than to seeke for aduentures, yf ye be so well harted that ye da [...]e folowe after mee, I shall brynge you vnto a straunge aduenture, but I thynke ye dare not folowe me, for I thynke ye be one of the knightes that wyl menace and threten whan ye stand by the chymney warmyng of you aft [...] souper, and in the mornynge all is for­goten. And whan that Bawdwyn herd the vyla [...]nt say so to hys mayster, he began to laughe greatly at him, and saide. well good re [...]owe, leade hym whether so euer than wylt, and I warrant him he wyl [...] folowe the. Syr sayde the vyl­layne I speake not to you, as for you I se well y [...]oughe ye be not of that force and myght that ye can drawe the wyne and drinke it, and pay not for your shot or ye go, I speake to your mayster, therfore let hym answere me yf that he da [...]e Frende sayd Arthur as for Bawde [...]in my squier is but a f [...]le, take ye no hede whatsoeuer he sayth, but hardely bring me w [...]ether so euer ye wyll, and truely I shall folowe you as longe as my life wyll laste. Ye but syr sayd the vylayne, yf ye folowe me, whan it cometh to the nede than I fere me least ye wyl leue me and runne away lyke a cowarde. Naye sayd Arthur I promyse you faythfully I wyll not forsake you as longe as I may. well sayd the vylayne, than come on your waye forthe, and I promise you yf there were ten suche as ye be, I shall bryng you thycher where as none of you all shoulde escape from the deth, in lyke wise as I haue caused mani a o [...] to do Than the vylayne wente furth and Ar­thur folowed hym. And at the laste they entred into a great valley betwene two greate mountaynes, where as they foūd a ly [...]el lodge where as meat and drynk was s [...]er to t [...]aualling men. Than the vylayne sayd to Arthur, syr knyghte it is nowe good season that ye gyue youre horse some repast, for after this ye shal fynde no mo h [...]uses tyl it be nyghte, at why the tyme I shall brynge you vnto suche a longyng the whiche shall not be good for you, for there shall ye lese your lyfe. Than there Arthur alyghted and gaue hys horse meate, and dyd eate and drynke him selfe. Than the vilayn said Syr knight, eate and drinke with great Ioye alwayes, but [...] ensure you thys shall be the laste that euer ye shall take. And whan Bawdewyn he [...]de that this vylayn thus alwaye manaced his may­ster, it greued him right sort, and sayde. A thou [...]oule thurle holde thy tonge fro thretenynge thus of my mayster, what we [...]est thou to make him abashed with thy wordes naye I wa [...]ra [...]e the, he ta­keth lytell he [...]e thereto for do the worst thou canst he be [...] thy malice. Than the [...] began to [...]oule hys eyen, and to bende his browes and toke his leu [...]r in do. [...]his handes, and wold haue stey­ken Bawdewyn, but Arthur helde him and sayd. Frende take no hede what my sq [...]yer sayeth, for I tell you he is but a fole, therfore speke to me what ye wil & let hym alone. And whan the good wife of the lodge herde him speake so swetely to the vylayne, and was so loth to dys­please hym, and whan he was vnarmed [...]he saw that he was so goodly a creature that she loued him in her herte & praysed hym moche, and demaunded of hym [Page lxx] wheder he wente. Arthur answered and sayde good loue I folowe this good fe­lawe. Certaynly syr sayd the wyfe he is no good felawe but he is the moost fou­l [...]st & [...] traytoure lyuynge therfore gentyll knyght I haue grete pi [...] of you and ye are v [...]terly lost and dede yf ye go with hym ony ferder for this foule vylayne [...]othe nothynge but watche suche knightes as passeth through this coūtre to [...]hentent to brynge thē thyther where as he is in full purpose to bringe you vnto, for fro thence there was neuer none that euer returned agayne without deth therfore gentyll knyght returne agayne for it were great losse of suche a knyght as ye seme to be thus destroyed. Than Bawdewyn sayd, syr howe fele ye your herte, wyll ye recule backe agayn or els wyll ye goo forth. Frende sayd Arthur how should euer ony lady or damoysell enploye theyr loue on me yf it should be sayd that I haue fledde away for the me­nacynge of a foule churlys [...]he vylayne, nay as god helpe me I had rather suffre deth. well syr sayd Bawdewyn than ye thynke on loue I se wel, but and it tou­ched me as it d [...]oth you I wolde thynke on no lady nor on loue in this poynt, for I wolde loue myne owne lyfe better thā to trust on theyr prayse or rewarde. And wyth these wordes the vylayne came to them and sayd, syrs what noyse is thys of cowardy se that I here, syr knyght I se well your herte fayleth you, for ye are aboute to make couenaunte to retourne agayne, therfore I thynke well ye wyll leue me whan nede is. Frende sayde Ar­thur truly I shall not forsake you. well sayd the vylayne than arme you shortely and let vs goo hense▪ for your last dayes draweth faste onwarde truely, therfore make haste.

WHan that Arthur had well repasted hym selfe and hys horse, than he armed hym and mounted on hys horse, and folowed the sayde vyl­layne tyll at the laste they came intoo a great valey darke and depe. Than say [...] the vylayne to Arthur, syr knighte now tyde ye on before and ye dare, and I shal folowe you. So than Arthur rode be­fore, and as they rode on theyr ryght [...] hande there were hewers of woode, and as soone as they saw Arthur and the vy­laine, than they knewe wel that he was brought thyther by the soule churle, thā they cryed alowde and sayde. A gentyll knyght for goddes sake retourne agay­ne, for and ye goo any ferther ye are but deed. A thou foule vylayne we praye to god that thou mayest dye an euyl death, for many a noble mā hast thou caused to dye. And whan Bawdewyn herde these wordes, he sayde to hys mayster. Lo [...]y [...] now ye may remembre your loue, ye may heare what these people sayth, certaynlye I woulde not thynke on the fayrest crea­ture of all the worlde in this poynt. And [Page] whan Arthur herde Bawdewyn saye so he laughed at hym saynge thus. Frende by the faythe that I owe vnto my lorde my fader I can not tell whether I goo nor what peryll there is therin but what peryll soo euer I shall fynde I wolde it were double as mouche on the condicion that I were in certayne that she that I sawe neuer loued me as well as I loue her. And whan the foule vylayne herde hym saye so in his herte he praysed hym moche and knewe well therby that he had a valyaunt herte. And thus they ro­de forth so longe tyl at the last the foule churle cryed out and sayd. Syr knyght how it wyll appere what ye can doo for now ye shall haue nede to defende your selfe. And with that worde Arthur lo­ked on his lyfte hande and sawe where there was comynge to hymwarde a grete and a myghty lyon. Than Arthur [...]e­red his horse lest that the lyon sholde haue slayne hym therfore he lyghted downe to the grounde and deliuered his horse vnto Bawdewyn and dressed hym towarde the lyon. And whan the lyon per­ceyued hym he lepte and strake at hym wythe his pa [...]es thinkinge to confoun­de him but Arthur put his shel [...]e befo­re hym and the lyons stroke dash [...]e theron so sore that Arthur was all astonyed with the stroke. Than Arthur strake at hym with clarence his good swerde as he passed by hym and strake of clene his tayle and whan the lyon felte hymselfe so hurte he habandoned with all his po­wer his body agaynst Arthur and with his sharpe tethe he toke Arthur by the helme and they entred into the bokles of his harneys but as god wolde they touched not his flesshe and with his fote he strake Arthur suche a stroke vpon shel­de that and it had not ben the better shelde it hadde bene clouen all to petes, and with hys other fote he toke Arthur by the ryghte sholdre, but Arthur swarued from hym, or elles he had bene torne a­sonder, for in the swaruynge awaye he lost a greate quarter of his harneis, and therwith Arthur lift vp his good swer [...] and dasht it vp to the harde crosse in at the throte of the Lyon, and therewyth the Lyon dyd cast out a greate crye and a hydeous, and so fel down to the groūd starke dead, and therewith incontynent he espyed agayne where as there was cō ­myng to him warde a greate gyauntesse wyth a great faw [...]hon in her hande, soo well steled that there was nothinge but it would cut asonder, and therewith she came vntoo Arthur and strake at hym right egerly, and whan Arthur sawe the stroke comyng on hym, he quickely caste his shelde before him. And thys gyaun­tesse w [...]s terribly angry for the death of h [...]r Lyon, wherefore she gaue Arthur suche a stro [...]e vpon the sholdre y^t he was ryght sore astonyed therewithal, but as god wolde the fawchon brake asondre in two yeres, and his shelde was therwith nothynge enpayred. And whan the gy­auan [...]esse saw that her fawchon was broken, she lyft vp a gret spere that she had standynge by her, and thoughte to haue stryken Arthur therwith vpon the head: but Arthur stepte vnder the stroke, and closed wyth her, and than she toke Ar­thur by the head, and so arasshed clene of his helme so rudely that she braste ason­der al the buckelles wher withal it was tyed and with the pull that she made she stepte back warde with the helme and than Arthur with his good swerde strake her clene thrughout the bely and therwith she fell backwarde for she was soo hasty to reuenge her Lyon, that she came [Page lxxi] to Arthur all vnarmed wher in she was but a sole for a man may be anone to hasty to come to his enemye and whan she fell she gaue suche a crye that all the valey range of the noyse so that a grete gyaunt who was her make herde it wel and than he ranne to a grete leuer and toke it in his hande and came rennynge so rudely as thoughe a grete multytude of men hadde come to gyder he made so g [...]ete a noyse and by that tyme Arthur had stryken of the heed of the giauntesse and rouled it in the middes of the waye and dyde set agayne his he [...]me vpon his heed. And whan the gyaunte sawe that his wyfe was deed and his lyon also, he fared lyke a fende of hell and toke his leuer and dasht at Arthur thynkynge to h [...]ue stryken hym downe to the groūde but Arthur stepte asyde [...]yg [...]ly and the stroke lyght on a gr [...]te rocke soo rudely, t [...]at his handes tynger so sore therwith that the leuer fel from hym to the groū ­de and than he stouped downe for to haue taken it vp▪ agayne and whyle that he was stoupynge downe Arthur toke clarence his goo swerde and gaue vnto hym suche a stroke that one of his boy­stous armes flewe clene in to the felde. Than the gyaunte lepte forth and toke Arthur in his other arme & yf that his why [...]e [...]helde had not ben he hadde ben frus [...]ed asonder for he gaue Arthur a grete stroke with the stubbe of his hurte ar [...]e. And than Arthur aduysed hym well and vnder his arme he das [...]t clarence his good swerde vp to the hard crosse and so he fell downe starke dead. Than there came a greate gryffon and stryuyned Arthurs horse cleane throughout al the body and thought to haue borne him awaye. And whan that Arthur sawe his horse hurte, in hys heart he was right sorowfull, and strake at the gryffon wyth his swerde, and strake asonder both his legges, and therwith the gryffon flewe away with great payne, and bothe hys legges remained styl vpon the horse, and the horse bledde so [...]ast that he fel down deade in the place, wherewith Arthur was ryght sore displeased. Than the vylayne came to him and sayd in thys ma­ner of wyse. Syr knight in a thynge the whiche can not be remedyed must nedes be suffered in the best wyse that a man may, your horse is slaine, take ye no care for hym, for there be horses ynough, ye haue slayn the gyaunt and the g [...]auntes and a [...]o theyr Lyon, and the gryffon, burfor all that I promise you that your ende draweth fast on warde, and as for thys nyghte let vs go her borowe vs in the gyauntes house hereby, the whyche is a strong place, and there we shall fynd great plen [...]ye o [...] good wynes and mea­tes, and there ye shall se manye fayre and bryghte harneyses, and also there ye shall se heades, armes, legges and fete of muche people, the whyche the gyaunte hath taken and broughte to that place a­lyue, for the gyauntesse woulde neuer by her wyl eate none other meate but man­nes fles [...]he, and soo they entred into the place, and the same daye the gyaunt had taken a knyght and brought hym deade into the place vpon his owne horse, and as than the horse was yet on lyue. And whan the vylayne saw the horse, he toke hym by the brydell and broughte hym to Arthur and sayde. Syr knyghte youre owne horse is deade therfore I gyue you this horse, I thanke you hertely good fe­lowe sayde Arthur. Than Bawdewyn dyd shytte faste the gate, and there they dydde rest theym all that nyghte, and on the next [...] mornynge ensuyng, betymes [Page] Arthur rose and armed hym and mounted on his horse that the vylayne had gyuen hym. Than the vylayne came forth and sayd syr knyght folow me for now I wyl go forth. Go on than before sayd Arthur and so Arthur rode forth after hym all the longe daye tyll it was nere nyght and than at the last they came to a myghtie strong toure the whiche per­tained to a knyght named sir Roger the scot. Than the vilayne sayd to Arthur, syr knyght it is now good tyme to lodge vs here now in this castel al thys night let vs goo entre into this place but one thynge I ensure you the knyghte that oweth this place is the moost shameful­lest traytoure that now is lyuynge for there is none that entreth into this pla­ce, but shamefully he dothe murdre them whyle they be in their beddes, he is also cosyn germayne to the duke of bygor, & nouewe to syr Fyrmount, who was but nowe of late slayne at the castell of y^e roch by a knyght straunger, therefore nowe let se what ye wyll do, whether ye wyll go lodge in this place or not. well sayde Arthur I se well and I lye wythoute I shall be shrewdly lodged, and sythe thys knyght is of that lignage that ye speke of he is my mortall enemy, howe be it as yet I can not complayne on hym, for he dyd me neuer no trespasse, therefore cer­taynly I wyl go thyther to take my lod­gynge. And whan the vylayne herd him say so he thought wel how that he was of great corage, and loued him therefore muche in his herte, howe be it he sayde vnto hym, syr in goddes name soo be it, let vs go thyther, and if anye yll come to you thereby I am not to blame▪ I maye not too wythall, for I haue gyuen you warnynge thereof. Than they entred in to the courte of that place. And as sone as syr Roger sawe Arthur he knew him ryghte well, and was in certayne howe that it was he that had done soo muche prowesse at the castell of the roche, and had slayne syr Fyrmont, and hadde sor [...] wounded syr I sembarte hys cosyn, and neuewe to the duke of bygor, and than his herte began to tremble for great an­ger, notwithstandinge he made [...]o them great [...]here outward, and cleped and kis [...]ed Arthur and sayde. Syr ye be ryghte hertely welcome into my house, as God helpe me I haue more ioye of your com­myng than of any other manne liuynge but to hymselfe inwardly he sayde, yet or it be mydnight I will haue that head of yours cleane from your sholders. Than the vylayne came vnto them and cryed as loude as euer he could, god kep [...] the lorde of this place, accordynge to his hertes desyre, and these wordes he sayde thre tymes. Than Arthur sayde, yf hys hearte be good w [...]ll haue he, and yf it be otherwyse than good, god amende it. Than Arthur was brought vp into his chaumbre, and there he dyd warme hym And in the meane tyme this knyght syr Roger came to hys squyer and demaun­ded of hym howe and in what maner he myght slea Arthur, for if we make any [...] assaulte on hym he wyl slea vs both, for there is none lyke hym in all the wyde worlde, nor none so soore to be doubted. For he dyd meruaylous dedes of armes at the castell of the roche. Syr sayde his squyer I knowe certaynlye that we can not endure against hym: but I shall tell you what we shall doo, we shall make his bed this night aboue in youre toure and sette it ouer the trappe doore of the dongeon, and we wyll take away all the bordes in the bottome of the bedde, and in the stede of the bordes sette small sta­ues [Page lxxii] to sustayne vp the clothes and soo whan he shall lye downe in the bedde he and the clothes and all shall tomble downe into the dongeon and than we shall soone cast downe his squyer after him and than slee this foule vylayn & whan they be in the pytte we wyll take speres and so slee them or elles let vs here thre or foure cawdrons with hote scaldynge-water and cast it downe vpon theyr he­des and so shall we slee them. and whā this syr Roger herde his squyer saye soo he was ryght well content with hym & cleped and kyssed hym and sayd this mater is ryght well deuysed for as ye haue sayd so shall it be done therwith the vylayne yssued out of the chaumbre from Arthur with his grete leuer on hes nec­ke and as soone as he sawe syr Roger counseliynge with his squyer and other standynge togyd [...]r rownynge in corners Than he began to escrye to them & sayd what maner of people be ye, for what mater be ye thus counseyllynge togyder what is it for some maryage be ware y^t there be noo treason amonge you for yf there be I shall frusshe you downe with my leuer. Than Arthur issued out of his chaumbre. And whan syr Roger sawe hym he toke hym by the hand and sayde. Syr it is time that we wasshe our han­des for your souper is all ready. Syr as it pleaseth you sayde Arthur than they wasshed and sate them downe at the ta­ble and were righte well serued, and the vylayne was set downe at an other ta­ble behynde Arthur, and so they gaue hym parte of al their meates and dryn­kes that they hadde and he dyde ete and drynke excedyngly moche for they could not satysfye hys apetyde. And after souper Bawdewyn Arthurs squyer to­ke hede to his horses. And than Arthurs bedde was made in the same place where as it was deuysed before, and the vyl­layne layde hym downe on foure quys­shens by the fyre in the hall as he that hadde wel eaten and dronken, and so fel fast on slepe & snorted ryght sore, wher­fore syr Roger that was knighte of the place would haue wakened him, but Ar­thur would not suffre him, but caused hym to be couered with a grene couerlet and so let hym lye, and whā it was time for hym to go to his bedde, than the tor­ches were lyghted vp, and the knyght cō uayed Arthur to his chaumbre, and at hys taking leue of Arthur he offered w^t hys mouthe hym selfe and all his house­holde to be redy at his cōmaundemente, but in his herte inwardly he thought to be redy to cause hym to lose his lyfe. And whan he was departed Arthur wente to his bedde, and as he layd hym downe he and the bed and all fell into the great pytte, and the knyght and hys seruaun­tes were readye watchyng at the doore, and whan they heard the russhe, they entred into the chaumbre, and toke Bawdewyn and dyd caste hym downe too hys mayster, and Arthur receyued hym in hys armes because he should not be hurt in the fallynge downe. Than there [...]ose a greate crye and noyse throughoute all the place, and some bare speres and bar­res of yron to caste downe at Arthur to slee him in the pyt, & euer Arthur wat­ched well their strokes and dyd auoyde them as well as he myghte. And at the laste by the reason of the great noyse the vylayne arose oute of hys slepe. And so whan that he hearde that great brute he wyst well that Arthur was betrayed. Than he mounted vp into the chaumbre with his greate leuer in his handes, and there he saw wel that they were aboute [Page] to enforce them selfe to slea Arthur. Than he toke his leuer and strake so the knyght syr Roger in y^e necke that he caused his tonge to hange out of his mouth nye half a fote, and therwith he fel down into the pyt to Arthur, And the vylayne than sayd to Arthur, syr knyght gnawe well on that morsell, ye shall haue more anone. Than he lyft vp his leuer agayne and st [...]ake syr Rogers Squyer suche a stroke on y^e hed, y^t his head was frusshed harde to his shulders, & he fell also down into the pyt after hys mayster. Than the vylayne sayd to Bawdewyn, good sq [...]ter cut hys throte and make him su [...]e In the name of god sayde Arthur it shal not nede, for he hath ynoughe alreadye Than the vylayn dressed him at the [...]ē ­naunt tha [...] held torches in theyr handes to gyue lighte, and dasht theym downe one after another, and some fled awaye and he folowed after and slew them all. Than he entred into the kechyn & there he found the coke boylyng of a gret cau­dron full of water, the which should ha­ue ben cast down on Arthur, thā he toke the coke in his armes, and did caste hym into the cawdron all boylynge, and dyd hold him downe with his leuer, & sayd. Thou shalt sethe without salte tyl thou be ynough, and if thy flesshe be harde so den I shall broyle the on the coles, than he ran to a ladder and bare it to Arthur in the pyt. Thā Arthur and Bawdwin issued out, and as soone as Arthur was without he ran to his swerde & demaundyd if there were any more to do in that place. As god helpe me syr sayd the vy­layne I trowe not. Than they light vp torches and descended downe, and found an olde house ful of deade mennes bones such as the traytours of that place had slayne. In the name of god sayd Arthur to the vylayne ye haue holpen me now [...] lyke a frende for al your vn [...]urteis wordes here before: wel sayd the vylayne I wyl that if ye can scape to morow from that aduentur whether as I shal bring you, the whyche I thynke you can not do, that than ye shall promyse me to do for me a thynge suche as I shall desyre you. Frende sayd Arthur and I promise you that to the vttermost of my power I shal do any thing that ye desire me yf a knight may do it wythout reproche of vylany. well sayd the vylayne I beleue that all this promise shall not nede. for though ye were in a maner made of yrō yet I thinke ye shuld not scape fro death but as for this nighte I shall kepe you fro any daunger. And so he made Arthur a fayre bedde, and lay all nyghte in the flore by hym, & so [...]e was that night his chamberlaine, and so he was euer after all his lyfe, for afterwarde Arthur dyd muche good to him. So thus they went to bedde and toke theyr rest tyll the next [...] mornyng that Arthur rose.

[Page lxxiii] IN y^e next morning betimes Arthur rose and armed him & moūted on his horse and toke his wateuer folowing y^• vilayn, & so he rode forth tyl it was about thre of the clock, & than they entred into a great valey, and euer they rode lowe [...] and lower, it was than a fayre seasō, for the sonne shone clere, & by that tyme they had ryden twoo leges and a halfe, they were in much darknes that they had clene lost the sight both of the sonne, and also of the day, for it was there as dark as though it had bē abou­te midnyght. Than the vilayne sayd to Arthur, syr knight can ye tel fro whens al thys darknes cometh, if ye can for do it & make it clere, than shal ye get there­by a perpetual honour, & know you for certayn that as yet there was neuer none that euer entred any ferder that euer retourned agayne therefore if youre hert fayle you enter no ferder for if ye do, ye shall dye as other haue done here before Frende sayd Arthur, howe is it that all this darkenes is here in thys place. I wyl tell you no more sayd the vylayne, but I rede you be sage & wise, for it standeth you wel in hand. And therwith Ar­thur departed fro them and entred into the derkenes, and the vylayn & Bawde­wyn abode styll at the beginninge of the derkenes, & so they lost the syght of Ar­thur, but they myght se the shynynge of his sheld as farre of as one myght shote an arowe. Thus he rode forth well the space of halfe a lege, & at the last he foūd a ryuer great and depe, & black as pitch, and the bankes were so hye, that vn­neth the water mighte be sene runnynge vnderneth, and it was so full of serpen­tes and lydardes, that none could entre amonge them without he were slayne and aboue his head flewe monstrous bl [...] des and diuers griffons who wer able to beare away an armed knyght hors & al, and that they were in as great a multitude as though thei had ben sta [...]lings And Arthur dydde couer his head with his sheld, and the griffons dasht therat with their talentes, & anoyed bothe Ar­thur and his horse righte sore, an [...] euer Arthur florysshed about hym wyth hys good sword clarence, & what so euer he touched dyd hym no more hurt after. Also there were flies that were as grea [...] as nu [...]tes and as blacke as pytche, and they stange both hym & his horse ryghte sore, so that the bloud yssued out af [...]er [...] but & it had not bene for the clerenes of his shelde, he had bene slayne there and he had had a .M. mens liues, but by the bryght shynyng therof he mighte well s [...] rounde aboute hym, and perceyue well whan any of these thinges came to him warde, wherby he made as good de [...]en­ce as was for him possible, & thus he ro­de a longe season by the [...]yuer syde, & at the last he found a lytel strayte way the which he must nedes passe without he would haue tourned agayne, and at the last Arthur dasht into the strayte way, & anon the vermin that was there ran to his hors, so that shortly he w [...]s ful of them as though they had bene flies, and they souked so muche bloud of the hors that he began to wax very feble & whā Arthur sawe that his horse would fayl [...] him, he hasted as fast as he might to get oute of that strayte waye, and so wyth moche payn [...]egal [...] his hors out therof and incontinent the horse fel d [...]wn dead thā arthur set his fete to y^e erth as well as he might, & thā there came a knyght at Arthur or he was ware, & hit him on his sheld [...] the whiche he helde not fast in [Page] his hande, therfore the stroke dyd g [...]ent and the spere helde & brake not, & as the knyght passed forth Arthur toke hym by the rayne of the brydell and caught hym by the arme & pulled hym so rudely that he made him auoyde his horse, and soo he fell downe into the water and there was drowned & deuoured with the foule ver­myn that was therin▪ than Arthur lepte on the same knyghtes horse and toke his spere. Than an other knyght cryed and sayd, syr knyght beware of me, than Ar­thur tourned & encoūtred hym, and the knyght brake his spere, but Arthur stra­ke hym so rudely y^t his spere went clene thrughout hys body, and so he fell dow­ne deed, than there ran at hym .x. other knyghtes al at ones, and they strake him on al sydes with great and myghty stro­kes, thā he toke his good swerde and strake one of them soo rudely that he claue hym clene to the sholdres, and an other he claue from the sholders downe to the backe bone, and delte amonge them such strokes that he confounded a [...]l that he attayned vnto, and by that tyme he hadde great nede of such herbes as mayster ste­uen gaue hym, and also his whyte shel­de and good swerde dyd hym there good seruyce, for suche knyghtes as he hadde slayne were chosen m [...] & ryght puyssaūt but Arthurs chyualrye surmounted all other, for there he dydde so muche wyth his handes that he slewe all y^t euer were agaynst hym. Than he rusht forth with his horse and wyst not whether, til at the last he hearde the gryndynge togyther of two milstones one vpon another as they do in a myll, wherby all the earth about Arthur did shake, and the cause why that these stones went thus aboute was for there stode by them a great fat of brasse wherin there was a great machomet syttynge vpon a barre of yren made by en­chauntement, who blewe from hym soo greate a wynde that these stones turned therby so swyftly that no creature could passe by them wythout death. Than Ar­thur approched to these mylstones, but than he felte so terryble a wynde that he was fayne to alyght downe of his horse and wente on fote as well as he myght, but he sawe wel that he coude not come nere these stones without he should dye, therfore he went rounde aboute them to se what wayes he myght come to them, and at last he founde a lytle brydge, whi­che was so narowe y^t one man could not passe by another, and vnder thys brydge there was so great a pyt that the botom therof could not be perceyued, and there were also .xii. knyghtes that kepte thys brydge .vi. at the one ende and .vi. at the other all armed w^t [...]os [...]owes & hatches and ma [...]es of stele in theyr handes. And whā the .vi. fyrst knyghtes sawe Arthur they ran at hym all at ones, & gaue hym many great strokes on hys shelde, but neuer they could enpayre it, than he toke his good swerd and strake so the fyrst y^t he claue his heed asonder, & fro the seconde he stroke of his arme clene w^t the sholdre, & fro the thyrde he beraue his head. and whan y^e other thre saw [...] how theyr felowes was slayne, & how that nothinge coulde endure ayenst hym they fledd [...] towarde the bridge, but Arthur ouertoke so the hyndermest that hys brayne [...]lewe clene into the felde, and the seconde for haste lepte into the pyt, and there brake h [...]s necke, and the thyrde he ouertoke on the brydge and toke hym in hys armes & dyd cast hym ouer the brydge downe in to the pyt and there he dyed myserablye. therwyth he hasted hym ouer the brydge and than the other .vi. ranne all at ones [Page lxxiiii] at hym and thought to haue dasht him downe into the pyt, but Arthur lyke a valiaunt knight lept in amonge them & layde on with his swerde round aboute hym in suche wyse that within a shorte space he departed life and death asonder of .v. of theym, and than the syxt kneled downe before arthur & besought him of mercye, and prayed him for goddes sake that he would not sle hym. Take no fere sayde Arthur for thy lyfe is saued, soo y^t thou wylt tell me fro whence this grete wynde cometh. Syr sayde he it cometh out of yonder great vessell of brasse that ye may se yonder, for therein is a macho met made all of lether, syttyng on a gret barre of yron made by the crafte of en­chauntmente, but who soo coulde ouer tourne this machomet, the wynd shold than cease. well sayde Arthur abyde me here styll & I wyl go se what I can do.

THan Arthur wence forth & thought to haue gone bold­ly to this vessell of brasse, but y^e wynd was so byg that he was fayn to lie on y^e erth all alonge, & so to crepe on handes & fe [...]e tyll he came to the vessell, & drewe after hym his shielde, his swerd, and a longe spere, & dasht therwith the machomet so rudely with so many strokes, that at y^e last this foule machomet ouerthrew vp so down in the vessell, & incontinent the enchauntment ceased & the stones stode all styll, for than there was no maner of wynd. Than Arthur stode vp on his fete and came agayn to the knight & de­maunded of hym what towre it was y^t he sawe stande before him in the derke, for all this season he had no lyght but by the reason a [...] the shyning of his sheld Thā the knyght answered and sayd, sir the duke of bygor hath a neuew who is named syr Isembart, he is lorde of this place, and he hath suche enuy to all peo­ple that he caused this tour to be made by a subtyll enchaunter, & all this grete darknes which ye haue bene in, the whiche endureth .v. leges in circuite, in the which compas there was no land ayred nor sowed the space of syxe yeres paste, and so all suche people as were wont to dwell therin are fledde away and famis­shed for ho [...]g [...]e, and this enchaunte [...] by his craft also made this riuer y^t ye haue passed, the which neuer man dyd before thys tyme withoute death, for euer thys darknes hath contynua [...]ly endured sa­uyng one day in the yere, and that is on new yere▪ day▪ the whyche daye the .vi. knightes that ye haue slayne, the which were of the [...]est knightes that coulde be found in all th [...]s lande, how be it nowe they haue found their mayster, the whi­che knightes dyd prouyde for vs y^e sayd day for all th [...]nges as was nedefull for vs to haue, & I and al my company who wer in al the numbre of .xii. persons, w [...] kept alway this passage betwene these mylstones the whyche turned euer with out rest, sauyng on saynt martyns da [...]e and than we might passe out to the fore sayd .vi. knightes, and fetche in all such thynges as was prouided for vs al the hole yere, & so this toure was beset roūd about, what with knyghtes and with these milstones and with wynd, and w^t darkenes, so that it were in a maner im­possible to entre into this toure w^toute death. well sayde Arthur shewe vnto me [Page] what is the cause, and from whence cō meth al this darknes. Syr sayd he it cō ­meth out of a greate pi [...]ce that is in this toure, and there be greate gryffons that descendeth downe into thys pyt, and in the bottome therof there is a great hide­ous fyre, made so by crafte that no man can tell how, out of the whych the [...]e ry­seth so blacke and so thicke a fume and smoke the whych ryseth out of this p [...]t by certayne dores and wyndowes, wherby the light of the son and of the brighte skye is so quenched that it is euer contynually darke, the which derknes contei­neth the circuite of .v. leges compasse as I haue shewed you before, wherfore all this country is clene wasted & destroied and all the people fledde out therof. And why sayd Arthur did he all this cruelte Certaynly said the knight I shal shewe to you, it is of trouth that here by there is an abbey of white monkes who were wont to be reputed ryghte noble and of great possessyons, & most comonly kyn­ges or prynces whan they paste by that place they would there rest and herbour them, and there they should be well ser­ued, and it was named the abbey of the grace dieu, and the abbot is a right wise man and a noble, for he is brother vnto the lorde of Argenton who was falslye slayne by treason by this dukes neuew the whych fortuned to come to the sayde abbey vpon an Ester day in the fore no­ne in the same seasō that the abbot and al his hole couent were in solemne pro­cessyon, and because that the couent did not at his fyrst comyng leue the seruyce of god that they were in, to haue layde the tables, & to haue brought him meate and drynke to haue fylled his paunche, therfore he was so displesed that incon­tynent he lepte on his horse, and so was departyng and his false enchaūter with hym, And whan the abbot knewe that, as soone as he myghte he came to hym and desyred him to [...]atye, but in no wyse he could make hym to chaunge his purpose: but in the most shamefullest wyse that he could he rebuked them, and cal­led them foule rotten chur [...]es, promy­synge to do them as greate dyspleasure as could lye in hys power to doo, so he hath done as ye may se, for he hath cau­sed them euer lyth to lyue in great darknes, and also he hath taken from theym all theyr rentes and possessyons which they helde vnder hym or in his rule in al the londe of Argenton, for in al that cyr­cuyte labourers coulde not laboure for theyr lyuyng for lacke of lyghte, where­fore many of them be famisshed for hunger, and to saye the trouth in thys sayde abbey the seruyce of god hath not be mi­nys [...]red this fyue yere. well sayd Arthur t [...]at is greate domage: but I praye th [...] tell me howe may this darkenes be for­done. Syr sayd the knyght the enchaun­ter whan he made this fyre was ryghte sore dysplesed because that there sprang oute of the earthe euen by this terryble fyre a fayre fountayne, wherby he right well knew that this fyre should be quen­ched if anye knyghte myghte attayne to come therto, and to cast the water ther­of into the fyre, and so than al the dark­nes should cease for euermore after.

[Page lxxv] THan Arthur sayd, frend brynge me to this sayd toure than he wente on before & Arthur folowed hym, & so wente fast by the greate wyndowes and dores o [...] the toūre the which were of .xv [...]. speres length square out of the whyche there yssued soo great haboundaunce of fume that his bryght shelde lost clene his shynyng, wherfore he was sore troubled for than he could se no maner of thynge how be it they dyd so muche by gropyng that at the laste they came Iuste to the toure, and there they founde the walles pyght ful of sharpe barres of yren set as thicke as the prickes of an vrchins skyn of the length of halfe a spere to thentent that no creature should approche nere to the walles, so there was none entre but at a lytle wycket, and with moche payne the knyght dyd open it, and whan that it was opened there yssued out so greate haboundaunce of smoke that the derke­nes therby was doubled throughout all the countre [...], so that neyther candell nor torche coulde brenne in no place, neuer­thelesse Arthur entred in at the wycket and left the knyght wythout, the smoke and hete was ryght greuous to hym, for yf there had not ben more valure in hym than in ony other he had bene there clene ouercome, and alwayes he went downewarde on the stayres and sawe nothyng, but he felt so manye greate strokes that oftentymes thereby he was constrayned to knele on hys knees, but he coulde not tell from whens they came, or who dydde gyue them to hym, and euer he flourys­shed aboute wyth his swerd but it auay­led hym nothynge, for he strake he wyst not wherat, and so fynally he was fayne to couer his head wyth hys shelde, for or elles he had ben [...]sshed thoughe he had ben of yren, and alwayes thus he wente euer downwarde on the stayres tyll at the laste he came downe to the botom, & there he founde a fayre greate fawte, and there he felt so great hete that he swette so therby that he was nye ouercome, and as he felte aboute hym he perceyued that he was nye the fyre, and as he went fer­der he founde out the fountayne by the reason of the colde ayre y^t he felte, wher­of he was ryght gladde, and soo than he toke his shelde & plunged it into the wa­ter, and bare as muche water therin as he coulde and dyd caste it into the fyre, and euer he fetched more water and con­tynually dyde caste it into the fyre, and euer as the fyre quenched the darkenes began to mynysshe, and the more water he dydde caste into the fyre, the clerer the lyght began to waxe, and at the conclu­sion he dydde caste soo muche water that the fyre was clene quenched, than myght he se clerely all aboute hym, than he per­ceyued on bothe the sydes of the stayres how there stode greate ymages of brasse holdynge in theyr handes greate maces of stele the whyche had doone hym moche trouble as he wente downewarde, but than theyr power was ended, for whan the fyre was quenched the enchaunte­ment was fynysshed, than Arthur whā he sawe that all was done he retourned vp agayne the stayres, and was ryghte wery of hys trauayle, what for he [...]e and swetynge and the greate strokes that he had receyued, and so came agayne to the lytle wycket where as the knyghte was styll abydynge, and whan he sawe Ar­thur hole and sounde and on lyue he kne­led downe before hym and sayd. Syr ye be welcome as he that is chefe floure of all chyualry of the worlde. Than Arthur set hym downe vpon the grene grasse to [Page] take his brethe, and did of his helme and shelde. So thus all the countre was cle­ne delyuered fro darkenes, soo that eue­ry bodye myght se clerely aboute theym, wherof the abbot and all hys couent had great Ioye, and so they went all and rendred thankes to almyghty god in theyr churche. And than the abbot sayd to all his bretherne, syrs let vs go and se hym that hath thus delyuered vs fro all thralldome yf god wyll gyue vs the grace to fynde hym, for verely I thynke it be the gentyl knyght y^t was at the porte noyre Than the abbot and al his couent yssued out of the abbey wy [...]h comyn processyon and so came to this sayd toure the why­che was not ferre thens, and there they founde Arthur syttynge on the grounde and the knyght by hym. And whan Ar­thur sawe them he toke to hym hys shel­de and helme and hys spere in hys hande And whan the couent wyth the processyō came before hym he kneled downe befo­re the Crosse, and all the couente kneled downe before hym, nor they woulde not aryse tyll he was vpon his fete. And than there came to them Bawdewyn, & wyth hym the foule greate vylayne who hadde broughte Arthur to all these forsayd ad­uen [...]ures. And whan Bawdewyn sawe the procession and al those monkes, than he thought veryly that Arthur had bene dead, than he began to cry and to braye and to make all the sorow of the world and sayd. Nas vnhappy creature as I am that thus haue lost my lord and may­ster the floure of al the worlde in all no­ble thyualry, alas death why doost thou not take me, and thus as he made thys great sorow at the last he espyed Arthur wheras he stode, than hys heart came to hym agayne. And the abbot came to Ar­thur and sayd. Ryght noble and vertu­ous knight ye be ryght hertely welcome as he that hath delyuered vs and all th [...]s countre out of suche tou [...]mente and pry­son as we were in a longe space, and by the pleasure of god by your meanes the seruyce of god from hens forth [...]hall be mynystred in our churche, syr I and all my hole couent hartely des [...]re you to co­me and take your rest wythin oure abbey now after your great trauayle. And Ar­thur with a ryght good wyll dyd graūt them, for he was ve [...]y wery. Than Bawdewyn toke his shelde and the great vy­layn toke hys spere and helme, and often tymes sayd vnto hym, gentyll knyghte god gyue the Ioye and encreace thyn ho­nour and bounte, for thou haste acheued that neuer man could do before thys ty­me, therfore nowe by the pleasure o [...] god and by the hye prowesse the fayre damoysell of Argenton shall be delyuered oute of trouble and [...]a [...]e, and oute of the ha [...] ­des of the duke of Bygors neuewe, for thou haste promysed me to goo where s [...] euer that I shall brynge the, therfore I now desyre the for to kepe thy promyse. well sayde Arthur I ensure you fayth­fully that I wyll not breake my promyse Sir said the abbot god gyue you the grace to brynge this lady out of thraldome, for I knowe well ye haue prowesse suffycyent to acheue that enterpryse, thoughe it were a greater mater. That is of trouth sayd the vylayne, for it hath ben tight well proued, for I haue broughte hym by all the places where as any harde ad­uenture hath ben to proue therby his chyualry and noble vertue, how be it the du­kes neuewe is greately to be redoubted, but for all that I doubte not but that he shall be well chastysed, and soo therwyth they wente all to the abbey, where as the abbot made theym ryght great honoure [Page lxxvi] and there, and therfore all the belles in the church were ronge continually thre dayes and thre nightes for greate ioye, and so for a lytell space Arthur & Bawdwyn and the gr [...]a [...] vylaine sported them there in the great feast of ioy. Now for a tyme let vs leue Arthur in this abbey & let vs speke of the mighty kyng Emen­dus, and of the faire Florence his doughter.

WHan that the mighty kyng Emendus hadde holden a gret solemne court at afest of ester in a gret citie of his called sabary, the .xv. daye of ester th [...] emperour would haue departed, but the kyng would not suffre him, but entreted hym so fayre that he was con [...]nt to abyde, and soo they were de­termyned to kepe theyr whytsontyde at Cornyte and so they dyd, at which time the kynge kepte the moost sumptuous and open Courte that he kepte syth he was kyng [...]. Soo thus the emperour [...] abode st [...] wyth the kyng tyl to the time it was whytsontyde, against the which [Page] tyme the kynge had sente for all the no­bles of hys realme to be at the sayd feast at his citie of Cornite. And so whan the daye approched, the kynge wyth all h [...]s noble company rode to Cornite, & [...]here mette with him his noble doughter the gentyll Florence, accompanyed with y^e archebys [...]hop of Cornite her vncle, and brother vnto the kyng her father, and so this Citie was than r [...]ally replentished with kynges and knightes. And whan the kyng was entred he alighted downe at the peryo [...], and soo m [...]unted vp into the palays, and the nexte day the empe­rou [...]e came thyther, and the kynge and Florence his doughter and all hys hole bar [...]ay dyd encountre and conuey hym to his lodgynge, the whych was in the abbey of saynt Quintine, and than the kyng & F [...]orence retourned agayne vn­to theyr palays. And the thyrde daye be­fore the feast there came to the cour [...]e the kynge of orqueney, and the noble kyng of mormall, and the kynge of valefoūde and the kyng of sabary, also thyther ca­me the lord Neuelon, sene [...]shal vnto the fayre Floren [...]e, and syr [...]ncean his ne­uewe, and the lorde Poole, syr Steuen, and syr Miles of valef [...]unde lord of d [...] mas, and syr Artaude lorde of Arsate, & syr Moraūt lorde of fenisse, and syr Oly­uer lorde of sabary, and also there was syr Ultier lorde of amaso [...], and syr Mo [...] li [...] the scot, and syr Sanxton of Oste [...]in And all these were of the retinue of the noble Florence, and there were so many other that a greate parte of theym were fayne to be lodged wythoute the cytye. Than the court was so full and so plē ­teous that there was neuer seene none suche before. Than the kynge caused to be cried that whosoeuer would take on hym the noble ordre of knyghthode that he shoulde be dubbed knighte with hys own handes. The nexte daye the whych was the fyrst day of the feast, than there began in the courte soo muche feast and Ioye, that there was neuer sene no such in all the courte before, and on whyt­sondaye after masse the kynge made in hys palays fyfty newe knyghtes, vnto whome he dydde gyue armes and horse and harneys. And Florence dyd gyue them gownes of skarlet, and mantelles of grene furred wyth ermynes, and soo all these new knyghtes were standynge before the kinge, who dyd gyrde aboute them theyr swerdes, and ryghte swetely laughyng dyd giue them the neck stroke of knyghthode, and Florence dydde lace theyr mantelles about theyr neckes. And the emperour dyd make in his lod­gynge .xl. knyghtes. And the other four [...] kinges eche of them made .x [...]x. knightes And so than the emperour and the othe [...] kynges dyd mount [...] on horsebacke, and all these new knightes wy [...]h them, and soo came to the palays, and than began hornes and bussynnes to blowe, and ta­ [...]oures and [...]ebeckes & other instrumē ­tes to sowne and to make the moost me­lody of the world, and than there assemble [...] together al the Iuglers & tomblers and al resorted to the palays. And whan they were all assembled at the courte there were to the numbre of two hundred & x newe knightes. And so the kynge and the emperour sate downe and the fayre Florence betwene them, and al the oth [...] kinges were set eche of them after their d [...]g [...]e. And the iuglers and mynstrelles began to make Ioye and feast. Ladyes and damoyselles began to daunce. Lor­des and knyghtes dyd Iuste and [...]our­nay, trompe [...]tes and clario [...]s and othe [...] instrumentes of musyke began to sown [Page lxxvii] And all the cyte was hanged with cloth of golde & ryche arays. And as they were in this great myrth & Ioy there alyghted at the peryon syr Brysebar, and mayster Steuen was remaynynge at the castell [...]eynarte but two leges thens, & there he made the peas betwene the burg [...]yses of the towne and the meane people, for they had ben before longe at discorde, & whan syr Brisebar was moūted vpon the pa­lays, all the barons and knyghtes ran & welcomed hym, & made for hys comyng great Ioye & feest, & specyally syr Neue­lon the senesshall, & syr Ancell, & syr My­les of valifounde, & all other made hym suche chere y^t for prese he had greate pay­ne to come to the kyng, & as soone as the kynge sawe hym he made great Ioy, and toke hym by the hande & caused hym to syt downe before hym. Than was al the courte ryght Ioyfull of hys comyng, for before there were none lacking of al Florence knyghtes but he & Arthur. Than the kynge sayd, syr Brisebar ye sent hy­ther to me the heed of the foule great mō ster the whyche is slayne thanked by god but I pray you tell me how he was conquered. Syr sayd Brysebar your grace sent me thyther wyth a great company, how be it we dyd nothynge there, for we founde there fyghtyng wyth the monster the moost gentyl knyght y^t now lyueth, and moost freest of herte, moost curteyse swete and amyable, & the moost valyaūt & redoubted knyght that euer was gyrt wyth swerd, for he a [...]l only stroke of the monsters heed in my syghte, & dyd there suche prowesse of armes that no manne can do like him. In the name of god quod the kynge, it is great valure in one man to bryng to deth suche a foule beest. Syr sayd Br [...]sebar ye can not know the va­lure and hye prowesse whiche is in thys knyght, for it is he that all onely hath a­cheued the straunge aduentures of th [...] porte noyre, and it is he that wyth his body dyd maruayles at the Roche, where as syr Fyrmont with .v. hondred mo dyd laye in a wayte for hym, and there he lepte into a shyppe full of hys enemyes whan he perceyued that I and other of my company were taken prysoners and so ledde forth to the castell, and there he sustayned all onely the medlynge amon­ge all his enemyes the whyche was all y^e comynalte of the towne of the roche and of the countre all aboute, and there he slewe syr Fyrmont and more than thre [...] hondred of hys companye, and rescowed vs out of pryson, and also he rescowed the knyght of the plashes of all hys ene­myes, what wyll ye that I shall saye, he is the floure of all chyualry, there is not his pere in all the worlde. And he hadde scant vttred these wordes but that there came into the palays a knyght all armed and dressed hym to the knyge and sayde Ryght hye and myghty puyssaūt kynge I haue brought vnto you good and true tydynges, that is how that the straunge aduentures of the tenebrous toure are acheued, and all the enchauntementes clene fordon [...], and the greate darkenes is now tourned to lyght and bryghtnes, & all the knyghtes that kepte the toure are all slayne, and the great lion and gyaunt and gyauntesse are slayne, and the countre deliuered fro al the harde aduentures that they had longe endured. Fayre [...]rend sayd the kynge and who hathe done all thys dede. Syr that hath done a knyght al onely who wereth a whyte shelde, and for a certayne I sawe hym vnarmed in the abbey of grace di [...], but neuer syth god was borne hath there bene seen soo fayre a creature so gentyll nor so gracy­ous. [Page] And whan Florence herde spekyng of the whyte shelde, [...]he thought than veryly y^t it was her shelde the whiche was in her pauylyon at the porte noyre, and thought veryly that it was her frende & louer Arthur that bare it of whome she herde so muche good reported, and thus wyth her owne thought her herte trēbled and sodenly therby she blusshed, how be it she made no semblaūt & to her se [...]fe she sayd. A swete frende noble and true hert whan shall I se you, so that I may speke wyth you at good leyser. Than the king sayd in the name of god thys knyght is right valyaūt, what is the cause syr Brisebar that ye brought him not to y^e court wyth you, to thentent that we myght be acquaynted wyth hym, so that he myght be ou [...] f [...]ende and we hys. As god helpe me sayde the kynge of orqueney it were a greate rychesse to haue suche a shelde as he is nere vs, and veryly as for my parte I had rather haue the co [...]panye of hym than of the rychest persone nowe lyuyng and syr B [...]ysebar ye dyd ryght yll youre d [...]uoyre whan ye dyd not yo [...]r payne to bringe him to this courte. Syr sayd Bry­sebar by the fayth that I owe v [...]t omy lorde the kynge I dyd the beste of my po­wer to haue brought hym hyther, but he answered me y^t he must nedes go fyrst to the toure tenebrous, and sayd if god did gyue hym the grace thereto escape that aduēture he wold be at this mawdela [...]ntyde at Argence to make battayle ayenst syr Isembarte y^e duke of bygors neuew for the fayre mayden of Argentons sake For he shewed me how y^t he had promy­sed to her vncle the markes & to mayster Steuen that he wolde do the best of hys power to get agayne the fayre ladyes he­rytage, & how that he wolde shewe vnto the dukes neuewe that falsly and vntru­ly he had dysheryted her, & by f [...]lse trea­son slayne the lorde of Argenton her fa­ther. It is of trouth sayd the knight that brought thyther the tydynges fro the t [...] ­n [...]brous toure, I waraunt hym he shall ryght well helpe that lady in her ryght, But by the fayth y^t I owe vnto god sayd the kyng of orqueney yf suche a batayle shall be there yf god wyll it shall not b [...] wythout me, for veryly I wyll be therat the same tyme. Syr sayd Phylyp of or­queney fayre vncle suffre me to go with you, for truly so wyll I do. And I also quod syr Nephelō. And I wyl not be be­hynd sayd Brisebar yf god be pleased for ther we shal se maruayles of this knight and thā in y^e court ther begā to be a gre­te parlyament amonge the knyghtes, & a faythful auowynge to go to the sayd iourney, & so they were of one accord wel to the nōbre of .v.C. knyghtes, & they al promised faythfully in open audience to be at the sayd batayle & helpe & to ayde y^e sayd damoysell. Than Florence sayd to the king of orqueney, fayre cosin we shal do ryght well to go thyther to help this lady, & also to acquaynt you w^t this gen­tyll knyght, & for goddes sake bring him hyther, and I promyse you to loue hym ryght derely, & to giue him suche gyftes and londe that he shall be ryght ryche & puyssaunt. well fayre nece said the king I shall do the best of my power.

[Page lxxviii]WHan that the emperour had herd the great praise & laude y^e generally was giuē to Arthur, & perceiued wel how y^t he had the loue of al y^e court, & herde wel the good wordes y^t Florence spake of h [...] ̄ wherby there strake into his hert a Ia­lousy & a tere lest y^t she shuld cast her lo­ue o [...] him, therfore he toke kyng Emen­dus by t [...]e hand a [...]d said. Syr I would [...]ayne speke with you in counsayl, but I pray you syr let your doughter be pre­sent. Soo than they bothe ro [...]e and Flo­rence with them, and softely she smyled vnto the kyng of orq [...]eney and sayde to hym in cou [...]seyle. God gyue grace that of this counsaile good may come therby but I fe [...] me the contrary. So thā they thre entred into a chaumbre, and leaned them downe in a [...]ayre wyndowe, than the emperour began to speke to the kin­ge and sayd. Syr it is of a [...]routh that i [...] is a great season past syth ye gaue to me your good wyll that I shold haue in ma­riage y^e fayre lady Florence your doughter here presente, but she hath euer excu­sed her selfe because of the late depar­tyng out of this worlde of the quene her mother, for [...]h [...] thought it was not per­tayning to her to haue bene maryed so soone after her decese, it is now so grete a season syth that there can no blame be reputed to her now to be maried, there­fore syr nowe I require you that ye wyl incontinent deliuer her to me according to your promyse made to me before this tyme. In the name of God sayde the kynge, it is but reason and right that I should so do, and so I wyll do, wherfore fayre & swete doughter Florence ye wer borne in a good hou [...]e, whan so noble & so hye a person as the emperour is wyl haue you in maryage, whe [...]by great ho­noure and wele shall come to vs all and to all our countryes let vs incontinent sende for my brother the archbysshop to thentent to ensure you togyther. Right dere father sayd Florence it is ye [...] ryght ouer soone to mary me, & for certayne I am not in purpose as yet to be maryed to him, nor yet to non other, I think first to se .ii. yeres more passed at y^e least. How so sayd the kyng, damosell wyl ye than do agenst my wyl as in the refusynge of the emperour to be your lord in the way of mariage. Syr sayd she I haue no care for no lorde: but onely for god & for you, for surely I wyl not consent to no maryage. Ye shall sayde the kynge, or elles ye shal right sore displese me. Syr qoud she your displesure shuld greue me aboue al other thinges: but by the faith y^t I owe to you, I wyl not as yet be maried. No [...]ayd the kynge▪ than I se well y^t ye wyll be nothinge as I cōmaunde you, there­fore ye shal do it whether ye wyl or not, & to take her by the hande to thentent to haue delyuered her to themperour. And whan sh [...] saw that, she was not conten [...] and pulled her hande to her agayne too thentent that the emperour should not touche it. And whan the kyng [...]aw that he was ryght sore displeased and sayde. Damoysel ye haue set you against min [...] accorde and assent, and therefore I pro­mise you that fro henceforth of my help and counsayle ye shal fayle, therfore fro henceforth do as, wel as ye can & I straiely charge you auoyd & come no more in my lyght nor presence, nor where soeuer that I be. And whan Florence saw her father so sore dyspleased, she said. Righ [...] dere father if ye be thus dysplesed w^t me ye do not well therin, but syth it is you [...] pleasure that I should take themperous or elles to lese your coūseyle and helpe, & [Page] also not to come in your syghte the whi­che is a ryghte sore sayenge of the fader to his chylde but syth it is so I humbly requyre your g [...]ase of respyte the space of a moneth tyll suche tyme that I may speke with my counseyle in that behalfe La [...]y sayd the emperour it is to longe a respyte for I wyll departe hense ryghte shortely for I trowe it be hye tyme for I haue ben here a longe season and al that hath your loue caused wherfore I wold faine or I [...]epart knowe how or in what wyse my loue shall be rewarded I saye not nay but it is good for you to take a­uysement and I am cōtent that ye so do a daye or two. well s [...]yd the kyng I am content that she shall haue respyte tyl to morowe at this same houre & no lenger. well sayd Florence this counseyle is a­yenst my herte & wyll that I sholde take a man ayenst my herte seynge y^t I am a quene & doughter to the moost puyssaūt kynge of all y^e worlde certaynly this greueth me ryght sore ther with she began ryght piteously to wepe & to make right grete sorowe. And whan the kinge sawe her wepe he sayd to her. Auoyde out of my syght and let me not se you tyl to morow [...] agayne at this same present houre and than answere me wheder ye wyll take hym and my good wyll therwith or elles leue hym and lese mi good wyl and fauour for euer more. Than Florence is­sued out of the chaumbre all wepynge. Than the .iiii. kinges st [...]pte to her whan they sawe her wepynge and lefte all the [...]eest & mynstrelles, & Iesters left than al theyr sporte and playe and the kynge of orqueney toke her bi the hande & demaū ded of her why she wepte so sore. Dere cosyn said she my lord me fader is right sore dyspleased with me and hath com [...] ­maūded that I sholde auoyde out of his presence. Than she saw her vncle the ar­chebysshop & sayd to hym, fayre vncle let me go with you to your lodgynge wyth a ryght good wyl sayd he, & shame haue he y^t thus causeth you to wepe. So thus al the kinges conuayed her to her vncle [...] lodgynge, and so dyd the moost parte of all the barons of the courte, and also all the new knyghtes, and they al abode stil at Florence courte. And whan she was thus in her lodgyng the kynges retour­ned agayne to the kyng Emendus court but the kyng of orque [...]ey and Philip his neuew ab [...]de styll wyth Florence, and [...] king of orqueney demaunded of her why that she wepte. Cosyn sayde she, my lord my father woulde mary me and gyue me to the emperour [...], & would haue ensured vs togither w^tout any counsayl takyng eyther of you, or of any other of my frendes, & as god helpe me I had rather dy [...] than to haue themperoure, for I hate nothynge so muche in all the worlde as I doo hym, for as longe as I lyue I wyl not haue him, therfore it is but a greate foly to enforce me therto. Fayre lady & cosyn said the kyng, as god helpe me or he haue you agaynst your wyl, there shal be persed a thousand helmes. Ye sayd Phi­lyp the duke of sabary or that daye com [...] there shall be brente a hundreth townes therof be ye sure, therefore fayre ladye be yt in peas and set your hert at rest. well sayde the Archebysshop let vs go to the court and speke with thys emperour, so thus they rose and went forth & left Flo­rence in peace. And thus they moūted vp into the palays, and founde the kyng E­mendus & the emperoure together, who were as than yssued out of the chambre. Than the archebysshop sayd to y^e kynge Fayre broder I meruayle gretely what coūsayle ye haue had to cause thus to co­me [Page lxxix] to your court so many noblemen & other fro so farre countryes to thentent to trouble & displease them by the onely wordes of thys man the emperour here present, who would haue my lady Flo­rence your daughter in mariage against her wyl, but syr I ensure you as long as I liue agenst her wil he getteth her not. As god helpe me saide Philyp y^e duke of sabary he had nede to haue brought [...]omen hether than he hath done yt be thinketh to haue her awaye to her dysplea­sure. why said thempe [...]our, & who is he that wyl say me nay? is it you, I wold there were none to depart y^e matter but ye and I to se who should lede her a wai Uerely sayd the kynge of orquiney, it is none egale matche a duke agenst an emperour, howe be it as god helpe me yf ye had [...]r agaynst her wyl, and none other to medle in the ma [...]ter but al onely you, I thinke ye should not reioyse her so ea­sely as y [...] thynke of, and be ye in certain that in that quarell he wyl & shal defen­de her against you, and therin do the best ye can w^t all your power, & begin whan ye wyll, for he doubteth you nothynge, nor shall do. And whan the kyng Emendus hearde theym say [...] these wordes, he was right sore displesed and sayd. what is this syrs, are we taken prisoners? lay ye thus in a wayt to m [...]nace thus in my presence my lorde and f [...]ende the empe­rour, truly if ye cōtinue in this purpose ye shal know that I am ryght sore dys­ples [...]d wyth you all. Than th [...] archbys­ [...]hop answered hym agayne right sharplye, and so there began muche hurlynge and burlynge in the courte, and muche a do was there likely to haue bē done, but as fortune was in the m [...]ane seasō maister Steuen was aryued at the palais & entred into the hall & .xl. knightes wyth hym, and whan he herd thys noyse and stry [...]e, he spake aloude & cryed peace for goodes sake and dyd soo muche that he apeased somwhat y^e noyse. And as sone as the kynge of valefound saw mayster Steuen hys son, he ran & enbraced and kyssed him, and [...]emaunded howe he dyd And he answered and said, sit right wel thanked be god. And than all other kyn­ges dyd welcome him and so did kynge Emundus & al [...]o the emperour, and demaūded of him how he had done sith his departing out of the courte. And he an­swered and sayd ryght wel, than he perceyued right wel how that the kyng and the archebisshop were right sore disple­sed togither, wherfore he [...]aid to y^e kyng. Syr what chere is with you, this daye is a right hye & solempne daye, whye is your barons and courte thus troubled, thys day should be of sporte and playe, Mayster Steuen sayd the kynge, I can not be mery, for your lady my doughter Florence hath dysplesed me, for she wyl not do that thynge that I would haue her to do, wh [...]twith I am nothinge content, wherfore I pray you assaye and ye can reduce her to my mynde. Syr sayd [...] maister Steuen, I [...]rust I shal do so mo­che that of reason ye shal be content, so of this matter they talked a great space.

AL this s [...]ason was y^e noble lady Florēce in her cha [...]bre making [...]ight great sorow sore wepynge, and saying to her s [...]l [...]e. A noble Arthur [Page] swete frende fre & gentyll of hearte I ne­uer saw you and yet I loue you with all my herte. I had thought to haue ben vn­maryed tyll the season of your comynge to thys co [...]rte, but now I se well that I must nedes take hym that I hate moost I loue you but I can nōt haue you, a fortune how arte thou tourned ayenst me, I hate hym y^t I muste haue, I loue hym that I must lese, certaynly dere loue Ar­thur if ye lose me thus ye shal haue great domage, for ye shal lese her y^• loueth you truly. A mayster steuen why haue I not you here now in my great nede, if ye knewe of my sorowe I am sure nothynge coulde let you but y^• ye wolde tourne vp so downe this maryage. And as she thus complayned pi [...]eously tidinges came to her lodgynge that mayster Steuen was comen to the courte. And as soone as she herd that her hert began to come agayne to her, for than she thought veryly that she neded to care for nothynge than she ryght hastely sent for hym. And as soone as [...]he mayster knewe [...]herof he sayde to the kyng. Syr my lady hath sent for me to come to her grace. Go your way sayd the kyng. So thus the mayster departed and the archebys [...]hop wyth hym, and the kynge of orqueney and hys neuewe syr Phylyp duke of sab [...]ry, and soo they all aryued togyther where as Florence was And the other kynges abode w^t the king and themperour. And the noble barons of the courte and all the newe knyghtes were at florence lodgynge ryght sore dis­pleased bycause of her dyspleasure, but they were all gladde whan the kynge of orqueney & mayster Steuen were comen Than the mayster entred into Florence chambre: & goodly dyd salute her, but as than she could speke no worde, but toke hym by the hande and caused hym to syt downe by her syde, & whā her hert came to her she sayd how y^t he was ryght wel­come, as he whome she desyred to hau [...] at that tyme aboue all the creatures of y^e worlde. Than the mayster sayd to hyr [...] madame is thys a fayre aray that ye ma­kethꝰ for your estate thus to bring your selfe in sorowe, & thus to bringe all your people & these gentyll knyghtes in great trouble for your sorowe who are thus come to your courte to do you honoure, for they haue left the kyng your father to come to your lodgyng in this hye solempne day, therfore leue ye this sorowe & make [...]uche chere as pertayneth to an hie Ioy­full pryncesse reioyse your courte & your people. Than Florence answered & sayd A mayster swete frende I can not be m [...] ry, for I am gretly greued at the hert, for my lord my father hath defēded me to co­me in his presence for a straūger whom [...] he wolde [...]hat I should take in mariage, but god shal rather gyue me d [...]th than I wyll take hym, for I hate hym w^t all my herte, & it behoueth me to answere whe­ther I wyl [...]aue hym or not betwene this and to morowe thys tyme, & I haue gre­te despite that I shulde thus be delt with all w^t a straūger. Madame sayd the may­ster now be ye in reste & peas, for syth y [...] haue a day respyte I shall gete you ny [...] a hole [...]ere lenger delaye, & I trust such [...] fortune may fal that or the yere be ron y [...] shall not haue hym. A dere mayster sayd she I hertely thanke you & promyse you that though thys emperour be neuer so [...] ryche or puyssaunt or full of noblenes & power yet I haue no heart of all his ry­chesse: for I thanke god I am now one of the puyssaūtest ladyes y^t is lyuynge, therfore I care not for hym nor for all his power. Madame sayd the mayster now thā I se well y^t your herte is set on no coue­tyse, [Page lxxx] but as me semeth youre heart is set all on gentylnes, and byleue veryly that loue in your heart is free & swete where as it ought to be to all people excepte to themperour for there I thynke your hert is fell & hateful, but madame here be two thynges contrary to be in one heart both loue & hate, how may it agre togyther, to loue & to hate, to be meke & fell, I can not se how this may be. A mayster sayd she ha [...]e no maruayle of thys though I say that my heart is both meke and tell, cer­tayn [...]y my [...] is fel where as it hateth why [...] quod the maister do ye thā ha [...]e. [...] quod she ye & y^e right sore & y^t is thempe our who wold haue me ayenst my wyll, by the holy martyr saynt Ste­uen of corinte he shal not haue me by my good wyl, & if he take me by force I trust he shal well knowe that he dyd neuer soo great a foly. Madam [...] layd the mayster, maryage y^t is made by force is gr [...]atly to be dou [...]ed, but whan it is made mekely and swetely by the agrement of both partyes than lyghtly lou [...] contynueth euer af [...]er bytwene them, & whan it is contrary oftētymes both partyes endureth ma­ny yll dayes and nyghtes, but madame now y^t I knowe wel to whon your hert is hat [...]ful, but I pray you let me know ayenst whome your heart is meke & amyable, thā she beh [...]ld the mayster & syghed right sore. And whā the mayster herd her sygh, a lytle he smyled. And whā she saw hym laughe she was a lytle ashamed and blusshed therwyth, & al smylyng sayd. A mayster ye know well ynoughe all this as wel as I do my self, for I neuer saw him as yet that hath shewed me amyte & loue, I se right wel dayly my hertes enemy, but mine owne dere loue I neuer sa­we, but I se dayly hym that I hate, but I can not se hym that I loue, mayster ye knowe what he is better than I do, therfore I pray you shew me what ye know of him, for ye haue gyu [...]n away my white shelde and good swerde clarence, and I wote not to what knyght, nor whether they be wel enployed or not. Madame ꝙ the mayster I shal shewe you, I wyl that ye know that I haue gyuen them to the moost fayre and gracyous knyghte that now lyueth, and freest of heart in al gentylnes that can be founde in al the worlde, for he is the chefe floure of bounte in all maner of chyualry, also he is the best knyght that euer was gyrte wyth swer­de, syth the tyme of Gawane and Laun­celot, and the best approued knyght that euer hath ben herde of, who hath set his faythful heart wythout eyther fraude or fa [...]hode on your loue, and to hym in my presence your ymage hath gyuen and set on his heed your chaplet. Than Florence heart began to tremble and sayd. Gentil mayster I doubte me greatly that ye gy­ue him a greter prayse than he is worthy for ye haue praysed hym ryght greately. Madame truely sayde he all that I haue sayd is of trouth, for he is worthy to ha­ue more prayse than I haue gyuen hym. well mayster sayd she is al this or trouth Ye tru [...]o madame sayd he. By the fayth that I owe vnto god sayd Florence than I se wel he is worthy to haue muche ho­nour, & I promyse you he shall not fayle therof yf god sende me lyfe, and he shall not lese his loue, for syth he loueth me as god helpe me I shall loue hym agay­ne, for reason requyreth to loue him that loueth me. Than sayd the mayster I se well nexte the kynge your father ye loue themperour bicause he loueth you. Than Florence smyled & with her hande strake him on the sholdre & sayd, mayster ther [...] as I am pleased there I loue, but I care [Page] not for hym that is ayenst my heart, one of these two pleaseth me, and the other I hate, I praye god that he maye come y^t I loue, & I wolde he were gone y^• anoyeth me, he that hath my chaplet my shelde & swerd hath my loue more thā any other of the worlde, and the Emperoure hath my hate more than onye other lyuynge creature, I loue hym that I neuer sawe and hate hym whome I se dayly, may­ster now I haue shewed you all my coū ­seyle, as to hym in whome I trust moost ye be my clerke and my man, ye knowe nowe as muche of my couns [...]yle as god dooth, therfore I requyre you kepe it se­crete, and put to your payne that I maye haue hym on whome my heart and loue is layde, for now ye knowe on whome it is set. Than the mayster sayd, madame as god helpe me ye haue ryght well sette y [...]ur h [...]rt on the best and fayrest knyght of all the worlde, that is the gentyll Ar­thu [...]. And as they thus talked there came to them the kynge of orqueney and Phylyp hys neuewe, and the archebysshop & Bryseba [...], her senesshall and syr Auns [...]l, Than Florence rose ayenst them and al­so [...]he mayster, and so they had all greate Ioye of Florence whā they sawe her ma­ke better chere than she dyd before. At the last the mayster sayd, lordes I se wel how y^• the noble courte of m [...]ghty kyng E [...]endus is all in a traunce in a maner halfe a slepe, for there is neyther playe nor Ioye wherof the kynge is greatly to be blamed, for it is greate shame bycause [...]o many noble men b [...]here at thys feest therfore in my mynde it were good to take some counseyle to se howe the courte myght be reioysed agayne, let vs sende word to the kyng how that my lady Flo­rence is redye to gyue her answere nowe the whyche she should gyue to morowe, and I promyse you that I shall soo an­swere for her that she shall haue lenger respyte an hole yere, and I trust soo to appease both the kinge and themperour that of reason they shall be wel content. Than the kyng of orqueney sayd, may­ster I se wel how that ye haue not as yet forgoten all your olde cōnynge, I wene ye wyl brynge them al a slepe wyth wag­gynge of your hande. Than the arche­bysshop dyd laugh, and so they were al of his accorde. Than they sent to the kyng [...] duke Phylyp and syr Brysebar, and the kynge had ryght great Ioy whan he her­de theyr message & sayd. Truly mayster Steuen I se ryght well hath gyuen her good coūseyle he is a ryght noble clerke, I praye to god sende hym ryght good ad­uenture. And so these messengers retour [...]ed agayne & shewed how that the kyngge was right well content & was right Ioyfull to here her answere. Than Flo­rence apparayled her to go to the courte So the kynge of orqueney dyd conuey her, and the kynge of mo [...]uall dyd mete them by the way, and the archebysshop & mayster S [...]euen went before, than all the knightes assembled them togyther & were wel to the nombre of .CCLLL and all they folowed after Florence, and in theyr hartes they cursed hym that was causer of thys pletinge and varyaunce, and prayed to god y^• themperour myght want of his wyl. Thus Florence entred into the palays, and themperoure dyd sa­lute her, and soo dyd all other [...]xcepte the kynge her father, than themperour sat [...] downe and Florence by hym, & the kyng Emendus and the kynge of orqueney before hym, & so all other eu [...]ry man in his roume & whan euery man was in peas than mayster Steuen sayd to the kynge Syr and it lyke your grace beholde here [Page lxxxi] your doughter & louer. Certaynlye sayd the king my doughter I beleue wel that she [...], but as for any loue or amitye that she beteth to me y^t I can neyther knowe nor se, for she hath displeased me, for be­holde he [...]e my lorde and dere frende the empe [...]our of ynde, who hath done vs so great honour that he would haue her by the way of maryage, who is come to de­syre to haue her in hys owne propre per­son without anye other meane messen­ger, and yet she is so daūgerous that she demaundeth counsayle in thys case the which touch [...]th her honour and profite and wyl not beleue me that am her own father, wherwyth I am ryghte sore dys­plesed, & bere her ryght sore in my hea [...]t. Than the mayster rose vp on hys fete & his hat hāging on his sholdre in a robe of skarlet lyned wyth g [...]ne sar [...]ener, holdyng his gloues folded in hys hand and s [...]med ryght fayre & gracyous, ney­ther to muche nor to lytel of stature, [...]is face somewhatfull and round, and his heyre fayre and yelowe, he was a sayre clerke, and sonne to a kyng and a quene, and so in open audyence than he sayde. Ryght excellent hye and mighty prince my [...]adyes grace here presence the noble and gentil Florence is yet in great trou [...]l [...] and sorow of herte of the great ha [...]denes [...]hat ye haue shewed her thys day, & because it semeth that ye haue a maner of dysplesure to her worde, wherefore she is not, nor can not be in ioye nor [...]est as longe as ye haue that wyll towarde her, syr now she is here comen to you as she that for thynke [...]h of your dysplesure for she doth not, nor wyl not do nothing that shall be contrarye to your pleasure and wyll, but she is, and eue [...] shall be re­dy to accomplysh your noble commaun­dement accordyng to her he [...]e, the whi­che is good and true both agenst you & all other personnes where as it ought so to be, & syr syth it is so that my lo [...]de the noble emperour here present wyl do her so much honour as to desyre to haue her in maryage, whereof humbly she than­keth him, [...]ut it is wel the custome accordyng to the state of euerye person to d [...]e dyscretelye and wyselye in suche a case, therfore syr it is conuenyent to dele prudently in this ma [...]ter, for y^e empe [...]our & you are two of the greatest, & puissan [...]est persons both of hauour and of [...]r [...]ndes that is nowe lyuyng, and my lady Flo­rence is the moste [...]ye & puissaunt pryn­cesse of all the worlde, and as touchynge so hye & solempne a matter as of the maryage of [...]hemperour of ynde, and of the doughter of the hye and mightye kynge Emendas, this hye & great solempniti [...] ought not to be done priuely in chaum­bres in rest & peace, but it ought to be do­ne in the open presence of all the ba [...]ons of bothe landes & realmes, to thentent y^• yf god sende anye yssue betwene theym that theyr mariage may be knowen opē ly to al people of bothe realmes, whe [...]by shall be eschewed all grudge & murmu­ra [...]yon, for [...]han such yssue shall be wel knowen for ryght [...]ul heyre throughout bo [...]he the regyons, nor also it is not conuenient that this solempne feast that is thys day of the holy ghoste and thys so­lempne feast of this noble matrymonye sh [...]uld be made al but at one feast, this day is so hye & prin [...]ypally a feast, [...]ha [...] euery christen man ought to do nothyng elles but [...]aude and serue god, and syr at the daye of this noble mariage let there be he [...]e kinges dukes, barons & other noble knightes, ladies & damois [...]ll [...]s, & let all these do suche seruyce as aperteineth for them to do and than let these ladyes [Page] and damoyselles daūce & synge, & gyue to these newe knyghtes chaplettes & stremers, & set on theyr spere poyntes, & let these yonge lusty knyghtes frusshe togyther theyr speres, & dasshe togyther with theyr swerdes, and let than be ordeyned rounde tables to assemble togyther such company as shal be brought thither both by you my lord the kyng, and also by the emperour than shall we se what knyght is of valure & prayse, at the whyche tyme shal be brought hither the riche pauylion of my lady Florēce wherin is the ymage of the fayry holdynge the ryche chaplet, so y^t whan the tournay [...]hal be done than my lord themperour shal go to the image to haue the chaplet as he y^t is right ryche bo [...] of hauour & of frendes, & the moost nobl [...] parsone y^t there shal be assembled, and to hym the ymage wyl giue the chaplet as to him that is moost wor [...]hy, and whan he hath it than he shalbe sure and certayne that he shall haue my lady Flo­rence wyth good wyll & entyre loue, and that maryag [...] y^t is made with go [...]d loue and hert is good, & that that is contrary ayenst the her: is ryght yl & I [...]op [...]rdous For a body without herte is as me [...]e w^t out salt, or as a body without soule, and thus may my lorde themperour haue my lady Florence wyth great loue Ioy and feest. And whan the emperour had well herde the mayster & saw how y^t he spake no more his herte laughed in his bodye & sayd. By the fayth that I owe vnto god the mayster hath ryght well sayd, & ve [...]y­ly wyth a great good hert [...] I me acco [...]de to hys deuise, let this Io [...]full daye be set and let there be c [...]yed a great Iustes & a tournay ayenst y^• tyme, and let there be ordeined rounde tables to m [...]ke feest and Io [...]e, and syr kyng the same day I will take the tournay ayenst you all in loue & fauour. As god helpe me sayd the kynge I am ryght wel agreed, and myne aduise is to let al this be here in this cyte of Cornyce. But what day shall all thys be on. Syr sayd the mayster and it please you I [...]hall shewe you mine aduise, let it be at Bartylm [...]we tyde nexte comynge, for than [...]hal all cornes be auoyded oute of y^• feldes, and by that time al thing necessa­ry may be honourably prouyded for. I am content sayd the kynge, but how say you my lorde themperour. Sir sai [...] he I am right well content. Than anone these poyntementes ran ouer all the pa­lays in euery mannes mouth, and euery man prayed y^• god might send to the mayster right good aduēture for his wel and goodly speakynge. Than began agayne [...]ight great feest and Ioy, thā came forth Iuglers w^t [...]heyr fals castes & tomblers wyth th [...]y soubersawtes, & damoyselles wyth theyr gambawdes, & made greater sporte and tryumphe than was before. Than the kynge & themperour laughed and made great Ioye togither tyl it was tyme to set the tables, than water was b [...]ought forth and Florēce toke lycence of the kyng her father & sayd, syr I bese­che [...]our grace be not dyspleased though these newe knyghtes go wyth me to my lodgyng and though I [...]etayne them w^t me all this daye. Well sayd the kynge I am ryght well content go your way hardely, and make them as good chere as ye can [...] than Florence departed and went to her chaumbre, and the king abode styll in the palays, and the kynge of orqueney, Phylyp of sabary, & the Archebysshop, & Brysebar, & well to the nombre of .v.C. barons & knyghtes went w^t Florence to her lodgynge. And than the mayster said to her, madame how saye ye now, we ha­ue respyte longe ynough, for many thy [...] ges [Page lxxxii] may fail betwene thys & that. Mai­ [...]ter ye say [...]yght well, but I pray you [...]el [...]e wyl not our knyght be here betwene this & that [...]erm [...]. Madame sayd he I se well ye haue not as yet forgoten him, it semeth he is yet in your remembraunce. By the good lorde sayd Florence I wold ryght gla [...]ly [...]e hym, & yf god be pleased yt be come to this sayd [...]urney I shal do hym honor, and that I pray you [...]et hym know it. Madam quod y^e maister, [...]hal go to hym and shew him al this ma [...]ter and how y^t ye desyre him to be there at y^t time, & [...]hat for you [...] loue there to shew par [...] of his [...]hyualry. Well maister sayd she ye say right well, and I pray you let me be her [...]e [...] cōmended vnto him. Thus they de [...]ised that the maister shuld go to the porte noyre tyl the time of this tour­nay. & [...]han he should bringe wyth him Florence pauilion with the egle of gold and the ymage with the [...]hapler, & that it should be pyght in y^e fayre medow vn­d [...]r the walles of the cite of Corny [...]e. Than there w [...]s water brought forth, and so they were serued full rychely w^t great sport [...] t [...]iumphe Thus the kyng kepte open court . [...]v. dayes, & euery day ones Fl [...]rence wente to her fathers court. At thende of xv. dayes y^e kynge dyd gyue many [...]yche gyftes [...]o these knightes, b [...]th robes hors & harneys, & Florence in lyke wyse gaue [...]hem so largelye y^t it was meruayle [...]o consyder, & the [...] sayd [...] [...] w^t one voyce y^t there was neuer b [...]fore suche a hearte of a woman, n [...]yther so lar [...]e so gentyll, nor so cur [...]eyse. Thus al [...]hese kings [...]ke th [...]ir l [...]ue [...] depa [...]ted euery man to hys owne coūtre to puruay him of good knightes agenst the sayd day. Than mayster Steuen was afore Florence & sayd, madam now it is tyme y^t I depart, for now wyl I go streyghte to Argence where I am sure y^t I shall fynd Arthur redy to fyght agenst the neuew of the duke of bigor. A fayre maister said Florence I haue grete doubt of Arthur, for the dukes neuewe is right fierce and fell, & a good knigh [...], th [...]rfore I am in great feare of him. Madam quod he haue ye no dout, for if there were such .iiii. as he is afore Arthur [...]he [...] could not endure his puyssant strokes. Thā he is right valyant quod Florence. Than y^e maister toke his loue & departed & toke w^t him Brysebar & syr Neuelo [...] Florence mar [...]shal & so toke their waye to argēce. Now let vs leue to speake of th [...]m, & let vs returne again to Arthur.

THus as ye haue herde before Arthur so iourn [...]d a good spa­ce at the abbey of the grace of [...]i [...]n & Mawdelayne tyde be­gan faste to approche, & so on [Page] & daye the foule vylayne came vnto him and sayd. We be but swyne for we do no­thynge but eate and drynke, I [...]rowe ye be wedded to thys abbey, or elles I thynke ye wyl become a monke, ye haue pro­mysed me to fulfyll my requeste, yf that ye wyll do so go [...]hortely and arme you, and let vs go [...] [...]o Argence to helpe there the fayrelady Margarete of Argenton▪ and to gete her agayne her ryght, for it is now almoost hye tyme. Whan Arthur hearde hym he smyled and sayd, wyth a ryght good wyll, and soo he armed hym and toke leue of the abbot and of [...]he co­uent, and mounted on hys horse and fo­lowed the vylayne, and soo Arthur rode forth daye by daye tyll at the laste he des­cended downe from a greate mountayne and entred into the fayrest medowe that euer he sawe in all hys lyfe, and by the syde of thys sayd medowe there ranne a fayre ryuer, wherein were manye shyp­pes, some vnder sayle, and some redye crossed, and some lienge at the anger, the whyche ryuer ranne thrughout parte of the fayre Cyte of Argence. And than he encountred a varlet who came streyght fro the Cyte, and A [...]thur did salute h [...]m and demaunded from whence he came, And he answe [...]ed and sayd howe that he came from the Cyte of A [...]gence, the wo­fullest Cyte of the worlde at thys tyme, and is in moost tourmente and sorowe, for I am sure there was neuer [...]owne so sore troubled as it is at this houre. And wherfore goo [...] frende sayd Arthur. Syr as god helpe me there is good cause why for the duke of bygor and his n [...]uewe be com [...]nge to the Cyte, & they haue made a cry throughout all the cite & all about the countre that all the noble men and al other suche as holdeth theyr londs of the heyre of Argent on should be at Mawde­layue tyde nexte comynge before theym in [...]he cyte of Argence to do theyr homa­ge to syr Isembarte the dukes neuewe, wherfore I praye to god he maye dye an euil deth, & it is but .xv. dayes to the sayd daye, at whyche tyme he is purposed to wedde the fayre lady margarete to a lewde barbour of hys, & so she shall be dyshe­ryted fro her enherytaunce, & all the no­ble men & bourgeyses of the Cite & of the countre aboute are ryght sore dysmayed for thei wote not what counseyle to take in the [...]ase for lacke of a Capytayne, and [...]he lady hath noo frende but an vncle of hers, who is put in pryson by the dukes neuewe, and there is none can tell where he is become. And also this syr Isembart hath slayne and murthred falsly by trea­son her father, and syr this is the sorowe that is in the noble cyte of Argence▪ wel good frende sayd Arthur god conduyte you, god is yet puyssaunt ynough to sen­de h [...]lpe to this lady, but fr [...]nde I praye you is thys duke and hys neuewe come as yet to the Cyte. Syr as god helpe me he is come al redy, and wyth hym moche people, for his people is nōbred to a .M. persons at the leest. That is a great company sayd Arthur, & soo they departed, & Arthur rode forth. Than the vylayne be­gan to cry he is come that shal giue light And euer as he rode he behelde on euery syde about him great cōpanyes of knyghtes comynge & goynge towarde the cyte of Argence, & Arthur saw wel how that the land of Argēton was the moost good lyest coūtre that euer he sawe, for he per­ceyued wel how that it was ful of riches and worldly welth, he sawe many noble townes and [...]oures ryght hye, & myghty castelles, & many fayre woodes and me­dowes [...] and pleasaunt ryuers, and about [...]he townes fayre vynes, & goodly pastu­res, [Page lxxxiii] & fieldes with corne and fruite and there he saw many ladies and damoyselles sporting them by the ryuers syde w^t fawcons & gerfawcons on theyr hands and so he perceiued wel that bicause of y^e good comod [...]ties of the country y^e dukes neuew would disheryte the fayre ladye Margaret, & he rode so long til at the last he saw the fayre citie of Argence shining agenst the sonne, enuoyred with greate & depe dythes ful of water: y^e walles strōg­ly enbatayled, and mo than .v.C. toures made of lyme & stone, & sciment about it and also he saw manye fayre churches coue [...]ed w^t lede ful of typpes and pomelles of gold shynyng against the sonne, & also he sawe the burgeses lodging closed w^t hye and stronge walles barred wyth great chaines of yron attaining fro one house [...] [...]an other, than Arthur in his he [...] praysed muche the noblenesse and riches of the countre and of the citie, and sayde to hym selfe that it might well be called Argence, for it semed wel to be of argent that is to say, syluer. Thus Arthur en­tred into the citie & the vylain went euer before him w^t his leuer on his neck bare legged, and his hat hanging at his back & euer he went forth a great pace loking downeward to the earth, and toke hede of no body that he met, but alwaies cry­ed out aloude he is come that shal gyue lyght, & the burgeses behelde hym well and sayd howe that he was a fole, wo­men and chyldren ran to the wyndowes to beholde hym. And whan one bodye spake to hym, he woulde aunswere no thyng but alwayes sayd, he is come that shall gyue lyghte. Thus Arthur rode forthe into the cytie and sawe there no­thyng to do, nor noo maner of crafte or occupacion there vsed no more than and [...]t had bene vpon an hye f [...]astfull day, for al the shoppes and euery craft was she [...] & closed, wherof Arthur had great mer­uayle, and he behelde in euery strete gret companyes of knightes walkyng a [...] soberly together, lurkyng vnder their hat­tes, beseming as though they had not be well pleased, & some sytting before their owne dores, croslegged leaning on their elbowes, makyng no maner of Ioyfull semblaunt but soberly musinge & some of them behelde the vylayne, who neuer ceased crying, he is come that shal gyue light. And so in this maner Arthur rode euer styll forthe tyll he came into y^• myd­des o [...] the Citie, and there he saw a great companye of knightes and burgeyses a­boute the number of .xxxv. ca [...]kynge to­gether in counsayl but it semed by their chere that they had no great ioy in the [...] heartes. Than the vylayn enforced him selfe to crye louder than he dydde before he is come that shal gyue lyghte. Than these knyghtes behelde the vylayne wel and saw how that Arthur folowed him whereof they had greate maruayle. And at the last a knight of that company called syr Emery, came to Arthur and cur­teysly dyd salute him and sayd. Syr it is myne offyce in this citye to receyue and to lodge al gentilmen straungers y^t resorteth nyther, and syr here is myne house, therfore I desyre you to alyght of youre horse and to entre into it. Syr I thanke you sayd Arthur, how be it I se wel y^t I must nedes go ferder [...]o seke mi lodging Syr sayde the knyght▪ sauyng your dys­plesure, ye shal not passe by my house to seeke an other lodgyng therefore by the fayth y^t I owe vnto god ye shal abyde w^t me. Ye but syr sayd the vylayn, I trowe ye wyll not abyde, for ye haue promysed to folowe me whether so euer I go, therfore come on your way, for I wyl go be­fore, [Page] and so was goyng forth▪ and euer cryed he is come that shall gyue lyghte. Than Arthur desyred the vylayue to tary, and at the last he agreed thereto, and Arthur rode forthe to syr Eme [...]ys dore, and there a lighted than the other knightes left theyr counseyle, and dyd salute Arthur, and he them [...]gayne right cour­teously, and they beheld Arthur wel and praysed him muche in their heartes, for he was right tayre and gratious. Than sy [...] Eme [...]y toke Arthur by the hand and led hym into a fayre chambre to vnar­me hym, And in the meane tyme that he was vnarmynge, mayster Steuen, syr Brysebat and syr Neuelon the sensshal wer come to the same syr Emeris house to take theyr lodgyng there and so [...]oke theyr chaumbre, and whan the mayste [...] had chaunged his gete he wente downe in to the ha [...]l, and the other twoo knygh­tes with him, & the valiaūt knew them ryght well and sa [...]led them by the [...]e na­mes. And therwithal Bawd [...]win came out of the chaumbre fro Arthur, and as soo [...]e as he sawe the maister and Brise­bar he [...]anne and courteously byd salute them with a ioyfull heart. Than y^e may­ster demaunded of him where as Arthur his ma [...]ster was. Syr sayde he [...] in thys ch [...]mbre here [...]y. And than [...]ey all en­tred into the [...]aumbre. And as soone as Arth [...]r sawe them, he ranne and en­brased the mayst [...], and after Brysebar and sayd. Mine owne good companions of y^e roche, hither ye be right her [...]ely welcome. Also he dyd salute syr Neuelon the senes [...]hall [...] who in his herte praysed hym gr [...]tely. And whan syr Emery saw how the mayster made so great chere to Arthur, than he thought verelye that he should be some great man, for he knewe wel that the maister was a kinges son, Than they sate them down on a beddes syde. Than the maister recounted at the werke that had ben [...] in king Emendus coutte, and how that themperour desy­red to haue had Florence in maryage at the same tyme, and shewed hym how by hys meanes he dyd lette it at that tyme and ga [...]e lenger respyte tyl Bartylm [...]w [...]yde, at which time there is cryed a great Iustes and tournaye, and there he she­wed him in his eare the salutation that Florence dyd sende hym, and how that she desyred hym to be there at that time and to shewe there parte of his prowes for her sake. Than Arthur smyled and en [...]raced the maister manye times. And whan they had thus talked a good space than the maister called to hym sir Eme­ry theyr hoost, and caused hym to sytt [...] downe by them. Than Arthur demaunded of hym wherefore the knyghtes and cytezyns of th [...]t citie were so sad. And he an [...]wered and sayde, syr for it wyll be no better, and we haue all good cause so to do, and than he began to shewe hym how that in the same house there was a da [...]osel who was doughter to the lord of that same cytye, and of all the londe of Argenton, and how that she was the ryght [...]ul h [...]yre of all that countrey, and how that the duke of B [...]gores neuewe d [...] [...]alselye mu [...]re by treason the lorde her [...]ath [...]r & so shewed hym al the hole matter as ye haue herade before, and al­so he shewed hym howe that the dukes neuew would mary her to a lewd [...]adde hys barbour, and how that he had dys­ [...]eryted her of forty thousande pounde of lond by yerely rent, and now he hath sommoned all the gentylmen of all the country round about, and wil that they shall do homage vnto hym, and so it be­houeth theym to haue a false murtherer [Page lxxxiiii] to their lorde, and to reny their rightful heyre, & therfore syr al the noble men of this cou [...]try & citie haue bene in coūsa [...]l for this mater: but y^• conclusion of their coūsayl was thus▪ how that they wolde make no maner of resistence agenst y^e dukes neuew, but rather suffre their ladie to be disherited and banisshed from her owne lande, howbeit right gladly they would moue war against him, but they lacke a captayne, for they thynke vere­ly that a womā to be chief head in warre shuld cause it at length to be of lytel ef­fect. Than Arthur sayd, syr I haue som­what herde or this of this matter, but I pray you fayre host is this sayd lady he­re in your hous. Ye syr truly said he here benethe in a fayre parloure, for she hath bene euer here in my hous sithe the deth of her father, for I haue promised neuer to fayle her. Than maister Steuen said good hoost I requyre you know this la­dyes plesure whether she wyll be con­tent that we might speke with her. Syr sayd he with a right good wyll than he went into the par [...]our where as she was the same tyme beginnyng of our ladies euen song, & was at these wordes (Deꝰ in adiutorium meū int [...]de) that is to say good lord entend to mine ayd & succour [...] And therwith she espied syr Emery and sayde, syr ye be welcome. And he dyd sa­lue her and sayd, madame here is aboue in a chambre a knyght the moost fayrest creature of the worlde, and maister Steuen the kynge of Soroloys, clerke, and sone vnto the noble kynge of valefound dothe honour to thys knyght, the which knight wold faine speake with you, and as god helpe me as I perceyue by hym he is in wyl to helpe and succour you in your nede, shall I cause hym to come to speke w^t you, To come to me fayre frend quod the lady, nay god forbydde, for they that haue nede ought to seeke for helpe, and not to tary [...]yl it be brought to them for and they doo, it may fortune to come to late, and as for me I haue great nede of him y [...] he would helpe me, as for him he hath no nede of me, therfore it is rea­son that I go vnto hym. Than she apparayled her and went forth and en [...]red in to the chambre where as they were, and as soone as they saw her they rose and dyd salute her & couse [...] her to syt down [...] and she semed to them ryghte fayre, gentyll and gracyous, and dyd salute them one after another ryghte swetelye. Than Arthur said, [...]ayre lady, why hau [...] ye trauailed your selfe so sore to come hyther to vs, for we would gladly haue come to you. She answered and [...]ayde, [...]yr it is reason that I shuld so do for I am a poore disherite [...] ladye, & therfore it is reason that I go sewe for helpe & sucou [...] Thā maister Steuen demaūded of her estate & she recounted to him euery de [...] as ye haue herde here before, & ryght sor [...] weping said. Alas I pore desolate crea­ture that was wont to be kept in great honour with my lorde and father, who falsly was slaine by this dukes neuew and hath put myn vncle in prison, I can not tel whe [...]der he be aliue [...]r dead. Cer­taynly fayre lady sayd master Steuen, for goddes sake be ye of good there, for your vncle is in good helthe and oute of pryson, by the same token that he is cal­led the markes, and also he hath an olde hurt on his browe. And as soone as she herde that her hert began to reioyce and she demaunded for goddes sake to know who had delyuered hym out of pryson. Certaynely fayre lady sayde he, the sam [...] knyghte that sytteth here by you, who hath conquered the straūge castell of the [Page] porte noyre. And whan she herd that she fell downe on her knees before Arthur & humbly thanked hym. Than Arthur to­ke her vp and sayd, alas fayre lady why do you thus, for goddes sake sette youre herte in peace and rest, for truely I offre my seruyce to you and the best of my po­wer to helpe and defende your ryght yf it be to morowe nexte I shall be redye to sustayne the batayle as longe as my lyfe wyl laste. Than the lady wold haue kneled downe & ryght humbly thanked hym & sayd. Syr I gyue to you all my ryght and enherytaunce whan ye haue wonne it, and myne vncle shal be your seruaunt Alas I can saye no more, I haue lost my father, wherfore it is great domage that I lyue, for I am wery of my lyfe, than [...]he began to wepe & sayd. Syr I had ra­ther that you had my right than my mortall enemy. My swete lady sayd Arthur yf god be pleased I shall delyuer it vnto your owne profyte, for truly I wyll not haue therof the mountenaunce of a peny And syr Emery whan he herd that this knyght had delyuered out of pryson the marke [...], & howe that he had acheued the aduentures of the por [...]e noyre, than he thought veryly in hys herte that it was he that had acheued the aduē [...]ures of the ten [...]brous toure, than he s [...]ept forth and kneled downe before Arthur & sayd. Gentyll and noble knyght in whome all b [...]ū ­te flour [...]ssheth, for goddes sake bringe vs out of de [...]ke trybulacyon that we be in, and make lyght all the heartes of the hole barony of Argenton, take thys en­terpryse on you, and all we shall largely helpe and ayde you, I vndertake ye s [...]al haue .xl. thousand persons in harneys to gyue attendaunce on you the whyche are all subiectes to my lady here presēt. And syr knowe ye for certayne that I haue all redy, & shall prouyde for horses & har­neys and golde & siluer suffycyent to su­stayne your hoost lenger space than a ye­re the whyche I wyl all habandon into your handes for the helpynge of my lady And I am here redy the fyrste that wyll put my body and lyfe in Ieoperdy. Ma­dame sayd Arthur yf all your other kny­ghtes be suche ye haue muche good peo­ple and kynde. Than he said to syr Emery, syr and I promyse you faythfully to helpe thys lady to the best of my power. Than syr Emery departed fro them and went & assembled togyther all the other knyghtes of the cyte y^t were pertaynyng to the lady and sayd. Lordes & maysters I t [...]ynke veryly that god hath vysyted vs, for I shewe vnto you how that there is a knyght in my hous who hath delyuered out of prison the noble markes vncle to my lady, & also he hath acheued all the aduentures of the port noyre, as maister Steuen hath shewed vnto my lady, and accordynge to the trouth I thynke it be he that did great prowesse in the valey of valefounde & at the tour tenebrous, and also he hathe habandoned hymselfe to be redy at my ladyes cōmaundemente, & to defende her ryghte ayenst the dukes ne­uewe though he be neuer so fell. Certaynly frende sayd all those knyghtes we by­leue veryly y^t all hys trauayle is in wast For thys dukes neuewe is ryght fyerse & doubteth no creature, for there is not suche a knyghte in all the worlde, wythout it be the knyght y^t hath acheued the sayd aduētures that ye speke of. Veryly sayd syr Emery I beleue the same knyght is he, & at the leest I am in certayne it is he that hath cōquered the port noyre. Thā anone these tydynges were spred abro­de throughout all the cyte, than there ca­me knightes & bourgeyses by great companyes [Page lxxxv] into syr Emeris hous to se this straunge knyght, & so they e [...]tred into a great hall, & whan they were gathered together [...]hey were to the numbre of .v. C. persones, & than they desy [...]ed syr Eme­ [...]y to go & [...]hewe vnto this knight straunger y^t manye of the knightes of Argence were come thither too speke with hym. And whan [...]hur herde this he was ve [...]y ioyfull and rose, & he and the mayster went fort [...] into the hall & brought with thē the [...]ayre lady ma [...]garete, and whan Arthur was amonge them he was byg and mighty & hye to b [...]holde, with byg armes and longe wel furnisshed, and he had on a robe of skarlet, and his own colour was fayre and ruddy, & he was of hyer stature by the head than any man y^t was there. And whan these knyghtes & barons sawe hym they had ryght greate Ioye, and thanked god that he had sente him thither at that houre, & they al sayd vnto hym. Syr ye be ryghte hertely wel­come into this citie of Argence. And Ar­thur rendred saluation agayne to them ryght sweetly. Than a knight called sir Robert Ardur, who was moost hye and puyssaunt both of ryches and of hauour of all tho knyghtes that were there per­taynyng to the lady stept forth and sayd. Syr it is giuen vs to knowledge how y^• ye are in mynd & wyll to helpe and ayde my lady that is here present ther [...]ore syr we would fayne knowe your mynde in this case how ye are purposed for to do. Sir quod Arthur verel [...] [...] am in ful purpose to Ieopard my bodye [...] life agenst this dukes neuew▪ and to proue how y^e trayterously he hath slain this ladies father & falsly disherited her. Than syr Ro­bert sayd, syr god giue you grace and po­wer thus to do, for syr this dukes neuew is ryghte fierce and fell, how be it he is in the wronge, and we in the ryght, therfore yf god be ple [...]sed he shal be confounded, and [...]yr we saye vnto you wee be all gentylmen and burgeyses pertaynynge here to my lady, and we faythfully promyse you both ayd and our per [...]ons, and also of oure goodes though we lese our heades in the quarel, & syr of thys mynd both we & al our men be of, & we lack [...] nothynge but a capytayne therefore syr doubt nothinge, for if the dukes neuewe m [...]ue any st [...]yte, ye shal haue moo than xxx. thou [...]ande fyghtyng men. Fayre la­dy sayd the mayster ye shall haue muche noble people. Truely syr sayd she that is trouth, for they loued ryghte well their lorde [...]hat is dead. And as they thus talked there passed by them a great rout of horsemen, and so they went to the wyn­dowes and beheld wel knightes & other in the strete on horseback to the numbr [...] of .v. hundreth persones, and in [...]he first fronte there was the duke of bygor, & sir Isembart his neuew, who were ridyng to go mete the kynge of orqueney, who as thā was coming to the citie, but his comyng was for Arthurs sake & not for the dukes, but the duke knewe not that and the duke had puruayed the kynges lodgyng at the by [...]shops place, and had puruayed for Philyp duke of sabary in the abbey of saynte Germayne. And soo whan he had mette the kynge who welcomed him into y^e citie and so rode forth together and pa [...]ed for by syr Em [...]ryes lodgyng. Than syr Bris [...]bar as he stode lokynge oute of the wyndowe espyed where there rode by the kynge of orque­ney, syr Artaude, syr Morant, syr Oly­u [...]r, and syr Uiceer. Than Brysebar as loude as he could, cryed Arthur, Arthur wherwith the kyng and al that rode by loked vp towarde the wyndowe, & there [Page] they saw syr Brisebar and syr Neuelon the senesshal & maister Steuen and Arthur who semed to them to be a man of gret valure, and anon the kyng dyd cast in his hert how y^• it was Arthur. Than he called to him y^e duke of bigor and said syr I pray you go to your lodging, for I wyl take my lodging at this hous. Thā the duke wold haue descended with him but the kyng in no wise wold suffre him So than the duke & his neuew departed as they y^t wist ful lytel why the kinge & al tho knightes were come to that c [...]e. Than the kyng toke w^t him Philip his neuew & the archbishop and syr Ancean and entred into syr Emerys house, and caused the gates to be closed after them, and sent al his houshold to the bisshops place, and syr Philip sent his to [...]he a [...] ­bey of saynt Germaynes. Than sir [...]rysebar and the mayster and other o [...] theyr company ran to [...]he kyng and enbraced him and al his felowship. And than Ar­thur c [...]me before th [...] kynge and dyd p [...]t of hys bone [...] and dyd [...]a [...]ute him, and y^e kyng toke him by the hande and Bry [...]e­bar tolde the kyng in his eate how that it was Arthur. Than the kynge sayde, myne owne right dere frende Arthur ye right hertely wel me [...]e here in the land of Argenton as the knighte that I haue most desyred to se and know, for certain lye I had not come hither at this tyme, but all onely to speake with you. A syr sayd Arthur ye haue done your pleasure to trauaile your selfe right sore to come hither to se so simple a person as I am. Than the kyng entred into a lytel chaū bre and there dyd chaunge him, and whā he was redy he came again into the hal and there found al the barons & knygh­ [...]es together, and Philip duke of sabary was talking wyth Arthur. Than the kynge layde his hande on Arthurs shol­dre & sayd, good frende I praye you that fro hens forth ye wyl be of my houshold and that ye wyl take of my gyfte robes horse and harneys, and I promyse you faithfully that I wyll be to you a good frende, & so you and I shal be good com­panyons and frendes. Syr said Arthur I thanke you, for truely I am yours in al p [...]aces & at your cōmaundement whe [...] so euer I am but syr and it please you I haue o [...]red alredy to my lady Florence my seruice, doughter to the mighty king Emendus▪ at the request of syr Brisebar and as he hath reported to me her g [...]a [...] hath excepted my seruice, and so sir than I haue al redy a maistres, & loth I w [...]re to displease her grace. In y^e name of god say [...] the kyng ye say ryght well, for I repu [...]e her companye and myn [...] as all on [...] thing▪ and good frende beholde there sir Phylyp my neuew duke [...]f Sabary, v [...] relye [...] loue hym intierly, therefore I re­quyre you let him and you be company­ons & frendes, and [...]che of you to loue o­ther▪ Syr sayd Philyp as god helpe me I promyse him fro hens for [...]h fay [...]hfull loue and amitie nor I haue nothing but he shall be lorde thereof in al places and against all persons except you mine vncle I shall be redye to ayde and succour [...] hym. Right dere frend quod Arthur god that all thynge fourmed rewarde you, and syr I am and shall be your knyght [...] agenst all the worlde excepte my ladyes grace, who hath retayned me. All thys is but ryghte sayde the kynge, and thys pleaseth me ryghte well than the kynge toke Philyp by the hand and sayd to Ar­thur dere frende here I put intoo your [...] hand & keping duke Philyp my neuewe [...]oo syr here take him to you, and also n [...] uewe I put into your hand thys knight [Page lxxxvi] in lykewyse take him to you, than thes [...] two knightes enbraced togyther and promised eche other faythful cōpany. And sir Emery was gladde bycause that he had lodged in his hous suche a cōpany of no­ble men that hys herte laughed for Ioye and al the other barōs of the cyte beheld meruayllously Arthur and praysed hym moche in theyr hertes. And than the vy­layne who was in the company with th [...] lady cryed as lowde as he coulde, he is come that shal giue lyght. And the kynge and al other dyd laugh at him right her­tely. Thā the tables were set vp & water was brought forthe, than the kynge sate downe & Arthur by hym, & than the bys­shop & duke Phylyp, & so they were ser­ued ryght rychely, for syr Emery made them chere w^t all his herte, & whā dyner was done than they all entred into a fay­re gardyn, & there were togither y^e kyng & Arthur the lady Margarete & the archebysshop & other to the nombre of .vi. per­sones, & al the other company were w^tout wyth sir Emery, & they talked all of Ar­thur & sayd how y^t he had of god a ryght great gyft, for he was both fayre & of noble maners, & had acheued suche aduen­tures as were gretely to be doubted▪ how be it they sayd he had enterprysed a gre­te thynge to moue ony warre ayenst the duke of bygor & hys neuewe. Syrs sayd Brysebar doubt nothynge of hym, for I knowe well he hath acheued often .x. ty­mes a greter enterprise than this is, & as thā the king helde the lady by the hand & sayd, fa [...]re lady behold here your knyght who I thīke shal do you good seruice tomorow. Syr sayd the lady I pray to god send him good grace and fortune, so they were thus longe talkynge togyther tyl it was time to go to their restes, than eue­ry man departed, and the kynge, Arthur, Phylyp and mayster Steuē lodged al togyther in one chābre, and the lady departed into her chaumbre ryght Ioyous of her good aduēture that god had sent her, and all that nyght she slept but lytle for Ioye but was alwayes in her prayers thankyng god and besechyng hym to be ayde and socour to her champyon, and in lykewyse dyd syr Emery and al other of the cyte.

IN the mornyng the kinge and Arthur rose and all other barōs and knightes of the cyte & went and herde masse, & after mass [...] they range the comyn bell of the towne, and therby assembled all the comynte of the Cyte togyther before syr Emeryes hous to thentent to kepe this knight Arthur that the duke nor none of hys shuld do him ony hurt or treason, and the same daye there came to syr Emeryes hous al the kinges power, and al syr Phylyppes strength, and all other knyghtes pertay­nyng to kyng Emendꝰ, who were com thither to se the batayle betwene A [...]thur & the dukes neuew. Thā the king entred into the hall, & there was Arthur & may­ster Steuen, syr Phylyp of sabary, syr Brisebar, syr Artaude, syr Olyuer, & syr [...]ycect, & also the ladi margarete, & ther [...] they deuysed how they shuld be demened in y^t Iourney. Thā the duke of bygor sēe to sir Emeryes hous cōmaūdynge hym that he shulde incontinēt bryng the lady Margarete w^t hym to hys courte, & also the duke caused to be cryed thrughout al the cyte y^t on payne of de [...]h al the nobles of the cyte shuld come to the court to ma­ke [Page] theyr homage to his neuewe syr Isembarte. And whan the dukes messengers had shewed the lady how that she shulde come to the courte to thentent to be ma­ryed, thā the maister answered and sayd. Syrs shew v [...]to the duke your lord how that [...]hortly she shal come to the courte & there do euery thyng as she ought for to do of reason. Than departed the messen­gers & wente to the duke & his neuewe & shewed them how y^t the lady was not vnpuruayed of good counseyle, for all the knyghtes of the cyte were in her cōpany and moo than .v. C. other, & all the moost parte of al the comyns of the cyte, and al so they shewed how there was a knyght wyth her who wolde mayntayne her quarell. And whan the dukes neuewe herde that his hert mounted in pryde and said, what knyght is that, for cer [...]aynly yf he medell ony thynge wyth y^e mater I shall hange hym by the necke, & therfore he is but yll come to be of her counseyle, howe be it there is an olde proue that sayeth, of ten tymes he wanteth of hys wyll that folysshely thynketh, and so fared it by this dukes neuewe, for or it was nyghte he was in a greater balaunce of Ieopardy than this knyght was, for he left his life to pledge. Than the kyng and Phylyp wente into the palays, and the duke and hys neuewe dyd encountre them and so broughte them into his courte, and there in the open hall they sate theym downe. Than anone after came the lady and Arthur on her one syde and the mayster on the other syde, and all the other noblesse and burgeyses & comyns of the cyte dyd enuyron them, and soo thus they were a great company & entred into the palays And whan the kynge sawe her he rose, and soo dyd the duke, but hys neuewe of proude herte [...]ar [...] styl and wolde not ris [...] whereof he was moche blamed of euery parsone that sawe hym. And whan the people were all sylence than mayster Steuen sayd to the duke. Syr ye haue com­maunded here our ladye Margarete that she sholde come to your courte, syr beholde here she is to know what is your pleasure & wyl. Than the dukes neuewe as he that was fel and full of pryde rose on hys fete and sayd, syr clarke we haue no thynge to do wyth you, therfore be ye in peas & let vs alone. Sir said the maister for a poore clerke I am reputed with thē that knoweth me, and as for that I haue sayd is for this lady, & I thynke she wyl auowe my sayenge, howe saye ye mada­me be ye pleased that I shal speke for you or not. Certaynly sayd the lady I wyll holde ferme & stable all that euer ye hau [...] sayd or shall saye, and as to you syr duke I requyre you doo me ryght this daye, and yf ye wyll not here in open audyence I put [...]othe me and all my goodes and londes into the handes of the kynge of orqueney and of syr Phylyp his neuew [...] duke of Sabery, who are bothe here present. Certaynly fayre damoysell sayd du­ke Phylyp doubte ye nothynge that ony body shall doo you wronge, where as I am present. well madame sayd the kyn­ge and I receyue you wyth a ryght good wyll into my handes syth it is your pleasure so to put your selfe. Than the duke of Bygor sayd, damoysell I shal do you ryght, therfore mayster speake ye on and shewe what ye wyl in this ladyes behalf. Syr sayd the mayster I say how that ye and your neuewe haue sente for my lady Margarete who is nowe here presente, therfore yf it please you shewe vs what is the cause. Than the dukes neuewe syr Isembart sayd, syr clerke I shall shewe you y^e cause, it is so I am fully purposed [Page lxxxvii] to gyue her in maryage to a barbou [...]e of mine. An [...] also here openly I straitly cō maund al the noble men & burgeyses of this citie & of al the lond of Argenton on payne of lesynge of their landes that in continen [...] this same day they come & do theyr homage to me as to their chief lord and gouernour, & they that wyll not do thus, I forbyd them their heritages that they holde, & not to be so hardy as to en­tre into it any more. Than the mayster sayd, syr than we ꝑceyue wel what good ryght ye wold do to thys ladye yf there were no knyght y^t wolde answere you, how be it I wil not spare to speke accordyng to right syr duke it is of troth that all the comentie of al the [...]ond of Argenton, as well all the noble men & burgey­ses as the comen people haue herde and seen and are well assured that syr Uicter sometime lorde of al the londe of Argenton was rightfull heyre, & this noble la­dy Ma [...]ga [...]ete h [...]re present was lawfully desc [...]nded of hym as she y^t is rightful heyre of all the herytage and goodes pertaynyng to her sayd father, and therf [...]re syr as wel all the hye ba [...]ons of this cite and londe of Argenton & knyghtes and burgeses as wel o [...]er meane people as we [...] as suche as be here present as they that bene [...]bsent, repureth, taketh, & hol­deth her for theyr natural lady, as she y^t is the ryghtfull heyre of all the londe of Argenton, furthermore s [...]r I saye that syr Isembarte youre neuew here present is in mynde wrongfully wi [...]hout cause to d [...]sherite this lady of he [...] propre herytage, and hath al ready put o [...]t al her of fy [...]ers, & hath set in theyr stede seruaun­tes of hys own the [...]efore syr we des [...]re you that al this ladies londes may be delyuered agayn to her, and that she maye be recompensed for such wrongs as she hath had or [...]les let hym shewe a law­full cause why that she should loose he [...] l [...]ndes. Syr ele [...]e sayde syr Isembarte, I wyll shewe you no caus [...] whye, but I wyl kepe it whether she wyl or not. Sir than said the maister here lacketh ryght, but syr duke as ye be a ryghtfull Iudge, let vs haue right here this day. Thā the duke sayd, what fayre neuewe ye must [...] nedes tel the cause why ye would hold [...] her heritage, wel syr sayd he sy [...]h it plea­seth you I wyll shewe him the cause, syr [...]le [...]k I say it is so y^t the father of this la [...]dy for y^t gret loue that he had to me afte [...] that we were ones accorded togither b [...] fore the duke here my vncle, than at th [...] last it fortuned so y^t a greuous malady [...] toke him y^• which sicknes cost hym his life, & or he died because of the good com­pany that I kept him, and for the entye [...] loue that he had to me, he gaue me gen [...] [...]ally all his lo [...]des without res [...]ruyng of any th [...]ng to him self or to any of hys and [...]o gau [...] me hys g [...]oue in recorde of full possession therof, & know well this lady is his dough [...]er, how be it her own father did [...]eshe [...]e her, and not I how be it her father desyred me that I should make he [...] a nonne, and to gyue her .xxx. pounde of yerely rent to fynde her wyth all: but because that her father loued m [...] so wel, and because it is an hard thyng for to make a younge lustye damoy [...]el a nonne, for often tymes suche are aft [...]r­warde dysmayed, for it is harde to resyst agenst nature, therfore in eschewyng of suche inconu [...]niences, I purpose to ma­ry her▪ & assigne to her .C.C. poūd of yerely rent, wherfore I wyl y^t she shall make her homage to me as to her chiefe lorde. Than the mayster sayd vnto y^e duke [...] syr I shal make sufficyent answere in thy s [...]ate, but fyrst we wil haue assuraunce of [Page] hym, y^t for whatsoeuer be sayd he, shall moue at this time no strife therfore, and my ladye here for her part in lykewyse shall make you assuraunce. Why said sir Isemberte who is that here that wyl be pledge or medle for the ladye. Than syr Philyp duke of sabary stepte forthe and sayd. I am here present who wyl be pledge for this lady, & in like wyse sayd mo [...] than .v.C. other barons, wel sayd y^• du­ke of bygor, and I wyll be pledge for my neuewe. That is sufficient ynough said the master, syr truly than I shal answere you, and saye that where as youre ne­uew sayth that this ladies father had a great sicknes, whereto syr I answere & saye y^t your neuewe here syr Isemb [...]te dydde murther and slee hym and all hys falsly by treason, lyinge in a wayte for hym by the waye by a prepensed malyce wythout any defiaunce cause or occ [...]siō gyuen on his par [...], and forthermore where as he sayth that he is in possessyon of al the landes of Argenton, she whych is of trouthe but that is by [...]au [...]e, for he kepeth it falsly w [...]ut [...]eason [...]ran [...] cau [...]e Syr yf he wyl knowledge him [...]elf of the mu [...]ther of this ladies ra [...]her, and how that wrongfully he hol [...]eth her lond, sir in this ladyes name I require you and so do we al, that we may haue [...]ight [...]udgement of hym, and that it may be done to hym as it oughte to be done to a traytour, murtherer, comen [...]hefe or robber. And syr if he deny all this, suffre this la­dy to proue al this to be of trothe by her knight who is here present by her, & redi to maintayne her quarell body to bodye agenst you [...] neuew syr [...]sembarte. And whan the remnaūt of the ladies barons herde the maister speake so boldely, eche of them dyd poynt on other & sayde, this mayster doubteth lytell the pryde of syr Isembart, who whan he herde him selfe called to his own face murtherer & thefe robber, he was so ful of felony y^t he blusshed for dispite, & closed his fyst and stept forth & thought to haue stryken [...]he mayster w^t a knife y^t he had in his hande, but the people departed them. And whā Ar­thur saw that he layde his hand on his sw [...]rde he sayd, syr fayre & easely I wold counsayl you, for be ye in certain that yf [...]e laye any hand on him, all the worlde shal not saue your ly [...]e. Than the great [...] vylayn begā to cry .iii. times, he is come that shall gyue lyghte. Than the kynge or orqueney laughed at the vylayn. And whan Philyp of sabary saw Arthur moued, he stept forth & mo than .v.C. with him o [...] knightes, and enuyroned the lady and Arthur, about to ayd and to defende them yf nede were. Than tydynges [...]an abrode in the cite how that Arthur was likely to be slayne in y^e palays, wherfore thither came rūning al the hole coment [...] of the citte, & brast open the palais gates & thought to haue slayne bothe the duke and his neuew, but the king of orqueney wyth muche payne apeased y^• people, til at the last a seruant of the dukes came to hym and said, syr do ye right to these fol­kes, or els ye are but dead & al yours for al the comente of thys cite are here with out in your palays, & hath broken open youre gates, therfore dele wisely I rede you. And whan the duke herde y^• he doubted hym selfe greatlye, and woulde fayne that he had bene at home in his own coū try. Than Arthur saide to hym, syr it is of [...]routh al y^t the mayster hath sayde of your neuew, how y^t he is a murtherer, traytour, thefe & robber, here is my gage to proue it true my body agaynst his in mortal batayl for this ladies sake. Thā the vylay [...]e began to crye as he byd be­fore [Page lxxxviii] as though he had bene wode, therw^t Arthur caste downe before the duke hys gloue. And thā the duke answered & sayd syr knyght ye speke ryght largely I wote not what moueth you thus to do, but I praye you refrayne your wordes, yf so be y^t my neuewe hath done ony trespasse ayenst this lady. I am puyssaūt ynough to make her suche a [...]endes that she shal holde her well content, and I praye you fayre damoysell put all this mater in to my handes & I promyse you I shall soo do y^t ye shal be wel content. Syr sayd the mayster ye are a ryghte wyse and a sage prynce and are wel worthy to gyue coū ­seyle in m [...]ny great maters, syr ye maye gyue good counseyle in thys matter yf it please you to doo as I shall shewe you, youre neuewe dyde stryke of by treason this ladyes fathers heed, & if ye wyl ther­fore stryke of your neuewes heed & gyue it to this damoysell in recompence of her fathers heed, than she shall be content or elles she shall be defended by her knyght And whan syr Isembarte herde all y^t he was soo sore chaued w [...]th yre y^t he said y^t there sholde neuer be made none accorde in that mater but al onely by the swerde And whan y^t I haue vanquysshed thys knyght I shall hange hym by the necke, and shall brenne this clerke & damoysell in a fayre fyre. Than he dyd caste downe his gage and therto he was well coūsey­led by hys knyghtes, for they beleued veryly that there was not in all the worlde soo good a knyght as he was. Than the vylayne cryed out, he is come that shall gyue light. Than [...]he maister sayd to the duke, syr do as ryght requyreth, receyue these gages. An [...] so wyth great payne at the last the duke toke them vp, and than the batayle was Iudg [...]d [...]o be incōtinent the same daye. Than syr Isembarte went to arme hym, & the lady ledde Arthur to syr Emeryes hous & there his knyghtes dyd arme hym, & the mayster sayd to hym syr Arthur bere thys daye in this mortall batayle your whyte shelde And he answered & sayd yf god be pleased I wyll not bere it for fere of one knyght, nor yet for two such as he is. Than it was knowen thrughout al the cyte how their lady was armyng of her chāpyon at syr Emeryes hous, & how y^t the batayle was Iudged to be the same day, than al y^e belles in euery churche began to rynge, & all y^e people of cyte & of y^e coūtre besought god to hel­pe & socour Arthur, & all the processyons of the cyte assembled them togyther with theyr relyke & crosses & holy water, and chanons, preestes, & clarkes in copes of golde & sylke, & all barefoted praying to god for theyr ladyes champyon, & all these processyōs came & mette Arthur in the strete, who as than was moūted on hys ho [...]se, & Phylyp duke of sabery with him and more than .v.C. other knyghtes in his company. And whan Arthur sawe these processyons, & the bysshop mytred and all barefoted, hys herte lermed and wepte for pyte, & dyd lyght of hys horse and kneled downe, & there the bysshopp [...] dyd sense hym and blyssed hym wyth the cross [...], and Arthur dyd k [...]sse it and an­clyned his heed downe, and the bysshop dyd gyue hym hys blessynge and sayde, that lorde that was nayled on the crosse be your ayde & socoure thys daye & euer. And all the knyghtes and other answe­red & sayd Amen. Than the processyons retourned agayne to theyr churches, and Arthur and all his company mounted a­gayne on theyr horses, and soo thus he was brought in to the felde. The hole clergy of all the cyte were on theyr knees makynge theyr prayers to god that he [Page] shoulde that day be helpe and socoure to theyr lady & to her champyon. Than the kynge of orqueney came to the felde and cōmaunded his neuewe syr Phylyp du­ke of Sabary to kepe the felde soo that there should no wronge nor treason be wrought there that day. Than syr Phy­lyp armed hym selfe, and toke in his company syr Brisebar, sir Neuelon, syr An­cean, syr Artaude, and wel to the nombre of .v.C. knyghtes of the court [...] of kynge Emendus. Thā the lady came to the feld with mo thā a .M. of her men wyth her. Than syr Isembart was armed, and as he passed for by the people euery mā sayd Go thy way we praye to god that thou mai [...]t dye an euyl deth, and whan he was in the felde where as Arthur abode for hym. Than the maister sayd to thy duke syr a mortall batayle ought not to be do­ne without an othe. Than the duke cau­sed to be brought forth a relike one of the bones of saynt Uyncent, and an arme of saynt G [...]orge. Than Arthur toke his othe and sayd, by these glorious sayntes relykes [...]h [...]t be here presente, and by all the other sayntes of heuen syr Isembart the duke o [...] bygors neuewe who is here presente murthred or caused to be mur­thred falsly and without cause the lorde of Argenton father to my lady Marga­rete here present, and wrongfully he wol­de dysheryte her, and therwith he kyssed the sayntes and bokes, and soo lepte vp on his horse as lyghtly as though he had ben but in a Iacket, and soo set him sel [...]e aparte and stretched hym on hys horse, and all t [...]at regard [...]d hym sayd, beholde the hy [...] countenaunce of yonder knyght se howe he dresseth hymselfe on his horse and plung [...]th downe his shelde, and the kynge and other also dydde well beholde hym, and praysed hym in theyr hertes aboue all other knyghtes that euer they sawe. Than syr Isembart toke his oth [...] and sayd that as god and the holy sayn­tes myght helpe hym he neuer slewe the lorde of Argenton, nor neuer thought it and than he wolde haue kyssed the sayn­tes, but he myght not, and in hys rysyn­ge he had suche a payne in the heed that almoost therby he hadde loste his syght, wherfore all the people that sawe hym sayd this knyght hath but an euyll countenaunce, it sem [...]th he is in the wronge, than he lepte vpon hys horse ryghte he­uyly, and Arthur was redy on the other parte of the felde. Than the duke of by­gor prayed syr Isembarte hys neuewe that he wolde leue the batayle and sayde howe that he woulde make the peas and accorde, but in no wyse he wolde do soo, but sware that he wolde neuer make no peas tyll that he had the heed of hys ene­my and the lady brente, but many folkes thynke to do many thynges the whyche the hurte therof lyghteth on theyr owne neckes, and so it dyd on hym. And whan that the duke sawe that he coulde make no peas he commaunded that they shul­de doo theyr best, than bothe the knygh­tes let theyr horses re [...]e with great ran don, and strake eche other with great and myghty speres, & bothe knyghtes were of great force, and they encountred soo rudely that bothe theyr speres all to she­uered to theyr fystes, and they russhed soo togyther with theyr bodyes and hel­mes that they fel downe bothe to the erth But Arthur who was the more lustyer knyght quyckely lept [...] vpon his fete and drewe out traunchefer his good swerde And all [...]hat season syr Isembarte laye styll on the earth his fete vpwarde & his head downewa [...]de. And whan Arthur sawe that he laye soo vnease [...]y he stepte [Page lxxxix] to hym and lyfte hym vp, and layde his shielde vnder his head, and withdrewe hym selfe a lytell from him, wherfore he was greatly praysed of the kyng and of all the other people. And the kyng sayde to his neuewe, syr Philip it semeth wel thys knyghte hath a ryghte noble and a gentyl hearte. Uerely sayd the duke Philyp it can be none otherwyse but that he must nedes be extraught of a noble blo­de for there is in him no touch of shame or vylanye. And whan syr Isembarte was reuiued out of hys traunce he start vpon his fete and toke his shelde to him and drew his swerde and came vnto Ar­thur and gaue him a gret stroke on the shelde, and strake away a great piece of his hawberke, and the stroke dyde glyde downe to the earth. Than he said to Arthur, ye made me righte now to fall in a slepe, but or it be night I shal make you to slepe in such a wise that ye shal neuer wake. Than Arthur answered him and sayde, syr ye promyse very muche but I can not tell you whether ye shal be able to paye it, and there with Arthur strake hym on the helme wyth suche force that he bare away a gret piece therof so that one of his eares might wel be sene, than he caste his shielde before hym, and Ar­ther gaue him suche an other stroke that he claue his shielde asunder in the myd­des, and the stroke dyd glent by his arme so that the bloud folowed, and wyth the same stroke the swearde entred into the earth nye a foote, and all the people that sawe that stroke, sayde: saynte Marye, what knight is yonder, who maye sus­tayn his strokes, there is no knight like hym, and truelye [...]o he was as than the best knyght of all the worlde, for he was of that condycyon that the more he had to doo, the more hardynes was in hym and strength. And whan syr Isembarte felt hym selfe wounded he strake Arthur on the helme, so that it entred til it came to the coyfe of stele, and than the stroke dydde glence downe to warde to the lyft syde, and strake awaye as muche of the hawberk as it touched, but it came not nere hys flesshe, for in certayne yf tha [...] syr Isembart had ben a true and a faithfull man, he had ben a right good knight for he neuer founde hys matche before that tyme, but as than he had to do with him that abated his pryde, than Arthur strake him on the helme and claue ason­der both helme and coyfe, and so as the swerde tourned, it carued awaye one of his [...]res from his head, and a gret piece of the brawne of his sholdre, and part of hys harneys [...]uste vnto the bare rybbes, And all tho that saw it sayd, Iesu how may any suche strokes be gyuen of any knyghte lyuynge. And whan syr Isem­barte felte him selfe so wounded, he was enraged for yre and sayde. Uassayle me thynketh ye haue founde me, but by all the sayntes of paradise I shall reuenge me, than he lyft vp his swerd and strake Arthur on the shielde soo that he bare a­waye a great piece of hys harneys. And whan Arthur felt the stroke so heuy and puissant, he stepte asyde as he that was bothe st [...]onge and lyghte, and well and warely he put the stroke by, the whyche was ued [...]full, for yf the stroke had light vpon hym ful, by lykelyhood he had be [...] ryght sore wounded. And than Arthur began for [...]o waxe angry, and toke hys swerde in hys hande with great yre, and dressed hym toward syr Isembarte and s [...]rake him so rudely that he strake away arme and shouldre, and all the flesshe of hys syde vnto the bare rybbes and dyd cutte his legge nye cleane asonder in th [...] [Page] thycke of the thygh, and yet for all that the swerde entred into the earth halfe a fote, than syr Isembart f [...]l down to the erth, & Arthur stept ouer hym and poynted his swerde towarde hys vysage and sayd, false recreant knight without thou wylt make open knowledge of thy defaute, I shall put my sweard into thy head. Than he cryed Arthur mercy and sayd, [...]ree knyghte slee me not, but sende for myne vncle and for the lady Margarete and for all the other barons, & than shal I shewe you all the case. And whan they were all come than he sayd. Damoysell certaynly I slewe falsly by treason your father, and wrongfully without a cause haue dish [...]ryted you, wherfore I rendre agayne to you your lande, and crye you mercy in that I haue trespassed to you. Than answered the damoyselles & said syr god do iugement to you for his part for as for me nowe haue I but ryghte, that ye be in this case that ye be in. And whan the duke herde that he desyred the damosell for goddes sake to pardon him and to saue his lyfe, for he hath loste an arme and a legge, and I require you let that suffyse at thys tyme. Fayre Ladye sayd Arthur howe say you haue I done ynough at thys tyme, or elles shall I do anye more, and euer syr Isembarte laye styll and euer cryed for mercy and sayde, I yelde me an recreaunte and vanquys­shed lyke a traytour & murtherer. Than the duke kneled downe before the lady & helde vp his handes & required her that he myght haue his neuewe in the same plyte as he was in. And whā the cōmen people of the countrey saw the duke desyre the ladye to pardon hys neuewe, they were in greate feare leaste that she would haue graunted hys request, wherfore a great company of them rushe in­to the prese tyll they came there as syr Isembarte laye styll, and they all at ones layd on hym in suche wise that they left no ioynt together wyth other. And whā the duke of Bygor sawe that he was a­frayed of hym selfe, and so toke his hors and fledde his way homewarde into hys owne country as fast as he might. Thā the kyng of Orqueney sayde. Madame god and this knight hath thys day done you great honour. And than syr Philyp demaunded of Arthur howe that he did Syr sayde be ryghte well I thanke god. Than al these lordes & knyghtes mounted on their horses, but the lady & much [...] other people wente barefoote vntoo the great cathedrall churche of the citie, and [...]here she rendred thankynges vnto our lorde Iesu Christe, and wythin a lytell whyle after Arthur and syr Philyp and all other lordes and knightes came thy ther on pylgrimage and than the bishop and al the hole clergye receiued Arthur wyth solempne processyon, and soo for great ioye all the belles of the citie w [...]re ronge thre dayes togyther, and all the burgeses throughout euery strete where as Arthur should passe did hange oute of theyr wyndowes and on theyr walles cloth of golde and of sylke, and rych car­pettes and cusshyns and coueringes of grene, & riche aparayle of emerines lay abrode in euery wyndowe, and fayre la­dies and damoselles beholdyng Arthur theyr champyon. And whan y^e lady had done her prayers, she yssued oute of the mynst [...]r. Than began iuglers and tomblers, & mynstrelles to make great ioy [...] and sporte. And the kyng led thys lady on the one syde, and duke Philyp on the other syde, and so led herforth to the p [...] ­lays, and all the other barons broughte forth Arthur, & as he passed throughout [Page lxxxx] euery strete burgeyses & ladyes & damoyselles for Ioye dyd cast at hym floures of pleasure & sayd, god encreace in you boū te & honour. And the great vylayne ran euer dauncyng before for Ioy, and cryed euer now darkenes is tourned to lyght. And whan the kyng had brought the lady to the palays he sayd, nowe fayre lady ye be welcome home to your owne ryghtfull herytage. Syr sayd she god graunte you y^• hye Ioye, of heuē, and kepe and pre­serue my good knyght y^t hath delyuered me fro mine enemies and saued my lond. Thā anone after Arthur entred into the palays and the master and al other lords and knightes w^t him. Thā the ladi said to Arthur gentyl knyght ye haue delyuered to me my londe the whych was lost as to my vse, for I had nothynge therof, and now I haue it agayne by your noble prowesse, wherfore I holde y^t I haue of god and of you, wherfore I wyl to you make faythful homage, & take you for my lord the whiche knowledge I wyl make here openly before al the nobles y^t be here present. A madame sayd Arthur for goddes sake say ye neuer so to me, for that shal ye not do. Syr said she ye haue giuen it to me, & of you I holde it, I am but a wo­man alone, & am in purpose neuer to be maryed, seynge y^t my lord & fathe [...] is de [...]d the whiche I thanke myn enemyes, but now they haue suche rewardes as they haue deserued, and I know wel as soone as ye departe out of this coūtre the duke of bygor wil assayle me agayne in the reuenging of his neuewes death, and yf he can take away f [...]om me y^t he haue giuen me. Fayre lady sayd Arthur I promyse you I shall helpe you to kepe your ryght to the best of my power, and whā so euer and as often as ye send to me I [...]hal leue al thinges & come to you where so euer I shall be. Sir said the lady god gyue you a .C.M. thankynges, but syr I swere to you by the faith that I haue borne to my lord and father y^t I wil kepe no fo [...]e of londe of y^• ye haue gyuen me without I ma­ke to you homage therfore. And whā the king herd that he said to Arthur, sir take her homage syth [...]he will nedes do it, and in like wise counseyled him duke Philip and maister steu [...] and many other, and at last w^t moche paine Arthur toke homage of the [...]ady and of diuers oth [...]r barōs o [...] y^• londe. Thā began there to be made great feest and ioye, and sir Emery, B [...]isebar & A [...]taude were gouernours of the feest & triumphe. And whan the mete was redy thā water was brought forth and so ther wasshed the king & the bisshop and the lady Margarete togyther, and thā Arthur and duke Philip and maister Steuē, and so al other, and euery mā after his degre and so they were all in as great mirthe & Ioye as coulde be deuysed, the whyche Ioye endured but a lytle season, for all their Ioy was soone tourned into great trouble, for all the courte was in great displeasure as ye shal here after, who ly­steth to rede or here therof.

AS this noble courte was in this forsaid great Ioye and whyle y^• they were at dyner there entred in to the palays on horse backe a squyer hys swerde gyrte aboute hym w^t hys harte in his hande, and whan he approched nere to the table where as the king sate he be­gan to crye as lowde as he could, where is the knight that is called Arthur of brytayne, yf he be in this courte let hym an­swere me, and wyth those wordes all the courte was in peas, soo that euery man might well here hym. And whan Arthur herde how that he demaūded so for hym he answered and sayd. Frende yf ye de­maūde for Arthur of Brytayne there be many folkes reputeth me to be the same therfore beholde I am here redye, for I am the same man that ye demaunde for saye what ye wyll. Syr sayd the squyer I am sente to you, therfore ye shall here what I shall say, syr it is of trouth how that my mayster syr Octhebon of hurte­bise hath hearde tydynges of you and of your aduentures, and so hath he done of many other that could do hym no good, syr this knyght is very seke in his bodye, for I thinke verily he is nere to his deth, therfore he sendeth to you by me that in cōtinent with out ony lenger delaye that ye come to hym & gyue hym helth, accom­panyed al onely but wyth your squyer, & yf ye doo not thus incontynent through your defaute he shall dye, of the whych deathe I here in his name appele you before the kyng and all this noble court. And than Arthur aunswered hym and sayd, frende howe is it so that I shoulde gyue hym helthe, I am but an yll phy­sycyon to helpe hym that is so seke as ye speke of. Syr come on your way and he shall shewe you all the maner of his seke­nes. well sayd Arthur thynketh he than that I can gyue hym ony good coūseyle. Ye syr said the squyer if ye be of that hardines and valure as it is of you reported well frende sayd Arthur suffre than tyll to morowe, and I shal this day take my leue of all these barons & so folowe you. Syr sayd the squyer are we now in Bry­tayne, yf ye wyll go come on your waye streyght [...] for I wyll departe, how be it I wyl that ye know that my sayd mayst [...]r appeleth you of hys deth. In the name of god sayd the kynge of orqueney of an yll deth I praye to god that he may dye, for he hath caused the deth of many a noble knyght, and soo he wyll do now of this knyght, & soo shall we left hys company. Truly ꝙ Brysebar wolde to god I had here his head. Thā the squyer answered the kyng & sayd, syr if I myght answere a kyng I wolde saye that ye should not curse my mayster before me, & as to you [Page lxxxxi] syr knight that would haue my maisters head, ye wold not go & seke to haue it for your weyght of fyne golde, ye wold fain haue it so it myght cost you nothing but ye were neuer so hardy to go seke for it, the cause is ye du [...]st not, & as to you syr knight Arthur ye cause [...]e to tary here ouer longe, eyther come on your way or els abide [...]ere still, and so the squyer was goyng hys waye. Than Arthur stepte fro the table and demaū [...]ed for hys harneys, and sayd that al the wor [...]d should not cause hym to tary any longer, than Arthur went & armed hym and came a­gayne into the hall, and sayd, I wyll de­parte, & so toke his leue of the kinge and of al the hole barony, who were right sorowfull of his departyng. Than sir Philyp and moo than .v.C. other knyghtes would haue gone w^t hym, but the squier messenger wold not suffre any creature to depart with him but al onely Bawd­wyn hys squyer. Than maister Steuen came to Arthur and sayde, syr ye go in a great aduentur of death, for your return is ryghte Ieoperdous, but yf god gyue you that grace to retorne, leue ye for no­thynge but that ye come [...]o the tourney before [...]ornyte at bartylmew tyde nexte comynge, for there shall I be and my la­dyes pauylion with me, I wyl now re­tourne to the porte noyre. & I shall sende Gouernar a [...]ter you. [...]er [...]ainly maister said Arthur, if god wil that I shal escape this aduenture I shall be at y^• sayd tour­nay, wherfore as now to god I cōmaunde you, and so mounted on his h [...]rse and toke with him his whi [...]e shield, and clarence hys good sw [...]rde, the which were ryght nedeful to him in that Iourney, & so he rode forth and Bawdwyn his squi­ [...]r with him. Thā was al the court sore troubled for his departynge. Than the kinge cōmaunded to take vp the tables & to [...]russe all his stuffe, for he said he wolde depar [...] incontinente. Thau the ladye Margaret had thought to haue cau [...]ed him to cary, but she could not in no wise and soo in the [...]ame houre he departed, and al other [...]ords & knightes, so y^t there abode with the lady Margarete no moo but her own knightes. The mayster al­so [...]ayd that he would go to y^• port noyre And whan all the cour [...]e was departe [...] the maister came to the la [...]y & sayd. Ma­dame wyl ye comaunde me any seruyce vnto the markes your vncle who is at y^• porte noyre. And the lady de [...]ired hym to tary two or thre dayes tyl suche t [...]me as she had set all her londe in some good or­dre, & than she promised [...]o go with him to the porte noyre to se her vnc [...]e, y^• why­che request the mayster dyd graunte her with al his herte, for he loued her entierly. & had set al his heart and loue on her how be it [...]he knewe it not as than, than the lady ordeyned her balliue [...]s and pro­uostes & other officers, & kepers of her londes, bi the aduise and good coū [...]all of the mayster, and receiued homage of al her people, and there she made [...]yr Eme­ry principal gouernour aboue all other. And whan she had ordeyned al this, thā she toke her horse and .xii. o [...] her knygh­ [...]es with her, and so rode for [...]h wi [...]h [...]he mayster to se her vncle, and as they rode together y^• mayster dyscouere [...] to h [...] all his courage how that he loued her with perfit and faithful honest [...]oue, with the whi [...]h wordes her hert was so fy [...]ed y^t fro that time for ward she loued him en­tyrely [...] and dyd nothynge but after hys counsayle, and promysed to owe him her good wil & fauour, and so at [...]he last they a [...]yued on a saturday at the porte noyre. And when they were come thyther there [Page] mettet hem Gouernar & Iaket, & so the maister & Gouernar toke down the lady than Gouernar & Iaker demaūded how that Arthur did. And the maister answered & said now that he was in good helth & mery, & how y^t he was as thā newly departed to the castel of hu [...]yse in y^e countre of y^e lost yle, & shewed him how that he des [...]ed that he should come after hym wherof Gouernar had great ioy, and departed the next day. And whan the lady sawe Goue [...]nar so byg and so goodly a kn [...]ght, she demaunded of y^e master what knygh [...] he was. And he answered her & sayd how y^t he pertayned to Arthur. In the name of god said she I think it right well, for he s [...]meth to be of hye prowesse Uerely madam said he & so he is. Than Gouernar toke the lady and led her into the palays, than the markes came forth the same time and met them who knew nothinge before of her comynge, and as so [...]e as she saw her vncle, her hert [...]rem­bled whan she remembred the deth of her father, & so she ran & enbraced hym we­pynge, both [...]or ioye and for sorowe, for ioy that she saw her vncle, & for sorowe of the remembraunce of her father. And whan the markes sawe her and knewe wel y^t she was his nece, incontinente he remembred the deth of her father his brother, with the which remembraunce his herte clo [...]ed in suche wise▪ that of a great space he cou [...]d speke no word, and so sate them d [...]wne on a benche. And whan the lady could speake, she said, fayre vncle & dere frende I neue [...] sawe my dere father sy [...]he he departed wyth you, I praye you tel me whether yo haue sene him or not I pray you answere to me a pore orphe­lyue bothe of fath [...]r and mother. And whan her vncle herde her saye soo, hym thought his herte dyd breke for sorowe, and sayd. A myne owne nece & dere lou [...] bothe ye and I haue lost hym, and ye are disherited therfore we ought wel to complayne on oure domages. And syr Isem­ba [...]e I pray to god thou maiest dye an yll deth y^t hast thus brought vs into this dolorous chaunce. Syr sayd the lady of an yll deth he is dead, and so was about to tell him all the ma [...]ter, but she could not for wepyng. Then the mayster came to thē and shewed the markes that Arthur had conquered syr Isembarte in playne batayl, and had rendred to y^e lady agayne her loudes, and how that she had made homage vnto Arthur. Thā the markes sayd, certainly fayre nece ye haue done ryght wel to make hym homage, for he hath deliuered vs out of pouertie, & hath made vs [...]y [...]he, and he hath wel aduenged you of youre mortall enemy, and he hath deliuered me oute of the dolorous pryson that I was in, wherefore yf euer I may se hym agayne I wyl become his man. Thus they talked together so long that at the [...]ste the mayster made theym to forget theyr sorowe, and to be ioyous & me [...]y, and so they went to dyner & were serued right richely and so al y^t day they wer together, and thus this lady abode a great space at the por [...]e noyre, and euery day sported with her vncle, and so they made right great ioy and feast together.

[Page lxxxxii]

IN the mornynge betymes Go­uernar toke hys leue of the lady and of the maister, and of the noble Markes and rode forth on his waye and Iacket hys squyer wyth hym, and he was ryght rychely beseen, and mounted on a good and puyssaunte horse, and soo rode forthe .viii. dayes and neuer coulde here anye tydynges of that he sought for, tyl at the laste he tryued in the londes of ynde the more bytwene the realme of soroloys and the empyre, and there he sawe a great ryuer, & at a crosse waye he encountred a messenger, who bare a scochyn on hys brest, & also a bode full of letters, and rode a great pace, and this was aboun [...]e saynt Laurence tyde. Than Gouernar dyd salute the va [...]l [...]t and demaunded of hym what tydynges and of whence he was. And he answered & sayd, syr I am pertaynynge to the erle of [...]he yle perdue, and am rydynge to the stronge castell to a knyght named syr Iakes to thentent y^t he sholde come to him to go w^t him to a tournay, for themperour of ynde hathe somoned my maister y^t said erle to wayte on hym to Corynte at this Bartylmewe tyde n [...]xte co­mynge, bycause of a turnay that is taken there bytwene hym & the mighty Emēdus kynge of Soroloys, and bycause my lord thynketh not to be vnpuruayed of good knyghtes, he hath made to be cryed a tournay on mondaye next comynge to thentent to those of y^e b [...]st knightes y^t cometh thider to haue them wyth hym to the sayd great [...]ournay a [...] Cornyte, therfore I must go to the sayd syr Iakes to cause hym to be wyth my said lor [...]e on monday nexte comynge. well good fren­de sayd Gouernar go on your waye god sende you good aduenture. So than the varlet departed, than Gouernar sayd to Iacket, I am in purpose to goo to thys sayd turnay, for it may happe ryght wel that we may there here some tidinges of mo lorde Arthur, & so they rode so longe tyll at the last th [...]y aryued at the yle per­due, where as [...]hey [...]ounde many knygh­tes y^t were redy come [...] so y^t all the [...]o [...]gyng [...]s were taken vp, wherfore he had mo­che payne to gete hym ony lo [...]g [...]ng [...], but at the laste he mette w^t a good [...]urg [...]se who receiued hym frendly into his hous. And whan Gouernar was chaunged he called to him hys hoste & demaūded hym all the maner of the erle and what maner of man he was, who answered and sayd syr he is a [...]gh [...] valyaunt man & a hardy kn [...]ght, for there are but fewe that may [Page] compare wyth hym in dedes of armes, & he hath to hys wyfe the moost fayre lady that is in all the worlde exc [...]pt the kyng of Soroloys doughter, & for her b [...]au [...]e hyther resorteth many straūge knyghtes both dukes, erles, and many other good knightes, & bicause he dooth tournay tomorow he knoweth well y^t many knyghtes wyll be at hys house for to se his wife therfore he hath caused the gates of hys castel to be fast shette, and hath defended that what so euer he be shal not entre, the gates were not open syth none yesterday No sayde Gouernar in the name of god I shall assay to entre & yf I can to se [...]he fayre lady, than he called to hym Iacket and cōmaunded hym to brynge for [...]h hys horse, for he sayd he wolde go & assay his horse ayenst the nexte daye that he s [...]olde tournay, and so Iacket brought hym his horse & mounted theron, and so rode forth throughout y^e stretes of the towne tyl he came to the castel gate the which he foūd fast shet [...]e, and than he bad the porter to open the gate, for he sayd he wolde entre into the castell, & than the porter demaū ­ded of hym what he had to do there. Fren­de said Gouernar I wold speke with the good lady of this place. [...]eryly syr sayde the port [...]r ye may not entre in at this pla­ce, for my lord hath def [...]ded the contra­ry, for he hath cōmaūded y^t what so euer he be y^t co [...]eth hyther that none shoulde entre, wherfore I dare not lette you in. Yes I pray you sayd Gouernar, and I wyll gyue you what soo euer ye wyll de­maunde of m [...]. Than the porter opened a lytel wyndowe [...] & there he sawe y^t Gouernar was a ryght goodly knyght & brow­ne of vysage, & sawe how y^t he rode on a maruayllous fayre horse, than thought he well y^t he was some noble man & sayd to hym, syr yf ye wyll gyue me the horse that ye ryde on I wyll open you the gate Open the gate than at ones and I gyue hym to you. Syr sayd the porter wyll ye promyse me as ye be a true knyght that I shall haue hym. [...]eryly I promyse you that ye shall haue hym as I am a trewe knyght. Syr sayd the porter I pray you [...]ary a lytle whyle, & I shal go in & speke wyth my lorde. well sayd Gouernar I praye you [...]ye you agayne as faste as ye may. Than the porter went to the erle & sayd, syr there is at youre gate a maruay­lous fayre knyght, who hath so great de­syre to se my lady y^t he wyll gyue me hys horse that he rydeth on, the which is wel worth by lykelyhode a .C. pounde on the condycyon that I wolde open the gate & let him in, therfore syr pleaseth it you to [...]hewe me your mynde in this case. How so sai [...] the erle my minde was that none should entre into this place [...] howe be it I wyl not that thou [...]hould [...] it lese thy gyft tha [...] he wolde gyue the, therfore goo thy waye & open the gate & take thy horse, & thā he sayd to the countesse his wyfe, ma­dame yonder is a knyghte that hath gy­uen a ryche gyft to se & to speake w^t you, wherfore I charge you as dere as ye holde my loue that whā he is come ye make to him no maner of semblaunt, nor speke no worde to hym what so euer he saye to you, yf ye doo otherwyse ye shall ryght [...]ore dysplease me. A syr sayd the lady for goddes sake I axe mercy, syr we knowe not what kynght he is nor of what valure and yf he haue gyuen a ryche gyfte to speake with me he shall haue but a small rewarde for hys curtesy yf I shoulde ke­pe my speache from hym, ayenst loue no man can be, and I am a gentylwoman of g [...]eat power, therfore I should great­ly trespace and I should not speke [...]o [...]im yf he speake to me. By the fayth that I [Page lxxxxiii] own vnto god said the erle if ye trespace agenst my commaundement I shall dysplease you at the herte ro [...]e. we [...] sir sayd the lady, for your loue I am content, but yf any vylany growe therby I praye to g [...]d it maye fai on you. Than the porter opened the gate to Gou [...]rnar, and there the porter toke his hor [...]e and Gouernar wente forth into the palays a fore, and the erle and [...]uch other knightes as wer wi [...]h him meete Gouernar & dyd s [...]lute hym [...] b [...]helde hym maruaylouslye and soo [...]e pa [...]ed f [...]rth [...] tyl he came whe [...]e as the cou [...]te [...]e was t [...]an he wente to her and sayd [...] Ma [...]me g [...]d that all t [...]y [...]ge fou [...] [...]o g [...]ue you [...]hys daye helth ioy and peace, and blessed be the [...]enowne y^t rūn [...]th of your valuce [...] boūte, and fresh beau [...]ye, for now I se well it is of trouth and more thā is or [...]an be reported. And whan the cou [...]te [...]e herd hym she answered no ma [...]er of worde, the whiche gre­ued her ryght sore in her herte and ther­with she cast downe her loke toward the earth▪ and Gouernar made countenaunce to salute the other ladyes, and so [...]te downe amonge [...]hem. And at the l [...]st he sayd to the countesse, fayre ladye I am a knyght that passeth thrughout this coū try, and it was shewed me how that ye were in thys castell, wherfore I thought I would not passe by without seynge of you therefore I am come to you to offre my selfe to be your knighte, & to do that I may do for your sake, wherfore madame I r [...]quyre you to shewe me what is youre pleasure, for I am sore desyrynge to knowe it and the countesse spake no word agayne, but cast down h [...]r loke to the grounde, wherwith she was ryghte sore greued at the herte. And whan Gouernar sawe that she spake no worde he was ryght sorowfull & sayde [...] Madame wyll ye not speake to me, I haue he [...]d renowmed of you that ye were fie a gen­tyll of hearte and of suche courtese that ye could beare none yre nor no malice in your herte, nor do any vylany to any maner of persone, wherfore fayre lady aunswere me some maner of worde, how be it for al that she spake no worde agayne And ther with water was brought forth and all they wasshed and sate downe to dyner, and the era [...]e caused Gouernar to syt nexte to the ladye to thentente to doo hym the more anoyaūce and shame, and there Gouernar carued to the lady ryght goodly with his knyfe, and oftentymes spake to her, but she woulde ueuer gyue ans [...]e [...]e agayne, where with Gouernar was so sore dyspleased that he neyther dyd eate nor drynke bu [...] a [...]ytel for he sa­we well ho [...] the lady spake to all other but in no wy [...]e she would speke to him And a [...]o the coutesse was [...]ight sore d [...]spleased in her hearte because she du [...]ste not speake to him. And thus they we [...]e in thys case tyl they were taken vp fro y^e diner, and than Gouernar toke her bold­ly by the hand and sayd, madam I wold fay [...]e speake a lytell wyth you, and soo he lad her vnto a fayre wyndowe, than he sayd, swete lady it is for none yl or despite or for any trespace that I haue made to you or to anye of yours that ye do to me suche hardnes y^t ye wil not speke to me, ye haue the name to be the moste free and gentyllest of hearte of any lady now lynynge, for al bounte and courte­sy is sayd to be in you, therfore swete la­dy shew somewhat of your courtesy to me as in speakynge but one woorde [...] and fayre and gentyl ladye do me soo muche honor as now to speke to me for as god helpe me I am ashamed if ye do not for euer, for it shal be sayd to morow of me [Page] how that I am but a folysshe knight and outragyous, for by myne outrage it shal be sayd that I haue loste the herynge of the speche of the moost fayre ladye of the worlde, madame I requyre you put fro me this reproche, open to me a lytle your swete mouth wherein is all curtesy, and speke to me some worde, for madame as god helpe me my herte dyeth in my body for I am in fere leest that ye be dysplea­sed wyth me for some trespace that I haue done, but for all y^t she spake no worde agayne to hym, and yet she was as sore greued in her herte as he. Gouernar sto­de and talked so longe to thys lady tyl at the laste two of her gentylwom [...]n came for her that she should go into her cham­bre and take her reste. Than Gouernar at her departynge layde hys arme aboute her and sayd, madame I se well I must nedes departe from you at thys tyme, I wyll go to my lodgynge ryght so [...]owful and ye shall go & reste you & slepe & take lytell care for my greate grefe, how be it madame I saye vnto you that I wyl neuer departe fro this towne tyll ye haue spoken to me. And so thus talkynge he brought her to her chambre doore, and he sawe well where there was a waye out of the chaumbre in to a fayre orcheya [...]de Than he sayd, madame ye wyll not spe­ke to me, [...]ut I promyse you I wyl come this same nyght so yonder orcheyarde & soo to your chaumbre to speake with you thoughe I dye therfore, syth I haue ta­ken that enterpryse in my mynde eyther I wyl dye or elles ye shal speake to me And therwyth the countesse entred into her chaumbre wythout spekynge of ony worde to hym. And than Gouernar re­tourned to hys lodgynge into the towne ryghte sore dyspleased in hys herte. And whan Iacket sawe hym come on fote he demaūded of hym where was hys horse. And he answered & sayd, in fayth frend [...] it gooth not wel wyth me. Ha ha sayd Iaket I trowe ye haue played away your horse bycause ye woulde not tournay to morowe with the knyghtes of this countre, well shamefull knyghte to morowe whan I se other gentyl knyghtes tour­nay I shall shewe them how that ye lye a slepe in your chaumbre. Than Gouer­nar layde hym downe on a bedde all re­plete w^t yre tyll it was nyght. And than the sayd erle cōmaunded all hys knygh­tes that they should departe and goo to theyr restes bycause they shoulde be tra­uayled on the next daye, and also he sayd to the countesse hys wyfe, madame go thys night into your chaumbre and take your rest, for I wyll thys nyght ly alone for I am sure I shall be ryghte sore tra­uayled to morowe. And whan it was derke nyght and the coūtesse taken her leue and entred into her chambre. Than rose Gouernar and badde Iacket his squyer to gyue hym his swer [...]e. And Iacket de­maunded of hym what he wolde doo. I wyll go out & playe me sayd Gouernar. By the fayth that I owe to god sayd Iaket I trowe ye wyll go lye in a wayte by the hye way for to robbe some marchaūt to by you a newe horse wyth all. Gouer­nar answered no worde agayne but de­parted fro hym, and as than euery bodye was in theyr lodgynges, for it was than somwhat late, and the moone shone very bryght, and the watchemen were on the walles of the castell and so wente often aboute, and at the laste Gouernar came to the hygh walles of the orcheyarde the whyche Ioyned on the one syde to ward a fayre forest, and there Gouernar sawe well on the other syde the wyndowes of the chaumbre where as he sawe the lady [Page lxxxxiiii] entre whan he departed fro her, than he clam vpon a grene oke, and dyde so mo­che that at the last he gate vpon the wall & there he stode styl pryuely a good space because of the watchemen that went a­bout, for as than they were in that quar­ter, and whan they were passed he gate hym downe by an other tree, aud so stode styll by the walles vnder the shadowe of the tr [...]es, for the moone dyd hym grete anoyaunce because she shone so clere. And at the last he gate hym into the myddes of the garden vnder a fayre pyne tre where as there was a ryght fayre foū ­tayne, and there he stode a great space & durst not stere for [...]eare of spying, for h [...] knewe well that yf he styr [...]ed the watchmen who as then were not a slepe, should se hym, and he knewe well that and he [...]ere espyed and taken he shoulde notte lightly escape wythout d [...]th, therfore he kepte hym selfe as pryuely as he coulde, and al thys season the countesse was in her chambre in her kyrtel bare foted and bare legged, and on a carpet of sylk and her damoyselles aboute her, and there they began to speake of the knyght who had gyuen hys horse to speake wyth her and one o [...] the damoselles who was na­med Powcet sayde howe that he was of right great valu [...]e and [...]ounteful of hert By the mother of god said Eglentyn an other of her damoyselles ye saye ryghte truly, and where as he is gentyl of [...]ert in lyke wyse he is passynge fayre and more gracious of wordes than my lorde is. Truely sayd Powcet I meruayl me greatly how that my lady could haue so harde a heart as whan he spake so swetely to her that she woulde gyue hym no maner of answere. Truely sayd Eglen­tyne as I remembre I hearde hym saye at hys departinge that he would come thys same nyght into thys garden. By the good lorde sayde the other I remembre well I hearde hym say so. well sayde the countesse I care not whether he [...]o­me or not, yf he doo lette hym kept faste that he shall wynne, lette vs go to our beddes, & that she sayd to couer her cou­rage and to breake theyr wordes, and so she sente awaye from her all her gentyll women, sauynge Powcet and Eglen­tyne, for they two were of her preuy coū sayle, then she sayd to them. A [...]ere lady the mother of god, what shall we do yf this knyght cometh into the garden this nyght, y [...] he be espyed of the watch [...]men it shall be thoughte that I haue caused hym to come hy [...]her, soo shall I be sha­med and he destroyed, the which should be a great domage, for he is a [...]ight fay [...]re knyght. By the good lord said Eglē ­tyne madame ye say righte truely, [...]her [...] fore Powcet felowe let vs [...]waine go s [...] whether he be come or not, than Pow­ [...]et toke a grene mantell and dyd cast it on her and [...]o went forth together, playeng to the entente the watchmen should knowe that it we [...]e they, and at the last [...] Powcet loked vnder the pyne t [...]ee and there she sawe where he stoode, than she sayde syster Egl [...]ntyne there is no more but now let vs do for the best, for yonder I se hym, and incontynente they appro­ched too the fountayn [...], and made sem­blaunt to wasshe theyr fete and handes and Powcet toke her mantell and dyd cast it on the knyght, and toke a fyne keuerchefe and dyd knytte it on hys heade and so toke hym by the arme & did leade hym forth into the countesse chaumbre, as though he had ben one of her felowes And as sone as Gouernar sawe y^e ladie he cast of his keuerchefe & his mantell & kneled downe & sayde [...] Madame I pray [Page] god gyue you good lyfe and good nyght and she answered and sayd, syr knyght in an yll nyght and tyme ye be entred in to my chambre without my licence, wherfore ye be not welcome vnto me, but for your labour I shall cause you to be han­ged by the necke, and these wordes she spake fayre and easely because she wolde not be hearde, and forthermore she sayde syr knyght howe durste ye be so bolde to breake my walles & entre into my cham­bre, by the mother of god ye shal dye ther­fore. Than Gouernar answered & sayd, ryg [...]t here and swere lady blame me no­thynge therfore, for as god helpe me my herte dyed in my bodye whan so hye a la­dy as ye be wolde not speke to me, for as it is sayd that a [...]l goodnesse and gentyl­nesse is cōprysed in your persone, wher­fore fayre lady now doo wyth me what it shall please you, syth ye haue spoken to me stryke of my head & ye wyll, [...]oo here it is al redy, and so he layde forth his heed to the coūtesse to haue had her [...]tryken it of yf she lyste, & whan the countesse saw him humble himselfe so mekely, her hert began to melte, & so toke of him some py­te. A madame sayd Powcet this knyght hath euyll enployed his curtesye that he ha [...]h done to your porter as to gyue him hys good horse for youre loue, and nowe ye to speke so rudely, he hath done more bounte and cu [...]tesy syth he came hyther than euer dyd onye that euer came vnto this place to s [...] you, though they were ne­uer so noble or great, it is reason that he may fele that he hathe not yll enployed his gyft that he hath gyuen for youre sa­ke, and also he hath Ieoperded hys lyfe in this behalf, it came of a great gentilnes of herte to gyue awaye his horse, and of a great valure of courage to put this his lyfe in aduenture for your sake, full ly­tell durst thus haue done ony knyght of this countre, who be afrayde of euery foly, they lacke in theyr hertes suche boūte & valure, I say not all thys all onely for his sake, for I neuer sawe him afore this daye, but as helpe me god I se by reason y^t loue hath caused hym thus to do, for yf he had not loued you he wolde haue done nothynge of thys y^t is done, therfore madame for goddes sake make hym amen­des of the yll cruelte y^t ye dyd to him this day & speke to him more curteysly. Pow­cet sayd the lady I can not I am so full of yre, for he hath dyspleased me with his cominge hider, for it is no thanke to him though I wer shamed for this dede. Madame sayd Powcet yf ye put hym out of your chaumbre at this time of nighte he shall be espyed of the watchemen, & so taken & slayn & you shamed, for euery man that shal knowe therof wyll saye that ye caused hym to come, & the more that knoweth therof the worse it is, for whan a thynge is doone it is conuenyent to let it passe as easely as may be, and to kepe it secrete for all is lytle ynough, syr knyght knele ye downe and crye my lady mercye in that ye be come hither without her ly­cence. Than Gouernar kneled downe & sayd, madame for goddes sake forgyue me this trespace. And she beheld him meruaylouslye, for he was fayre & gracyous and he was bare heded, & Powcet strake dowe hys heare wyth her hande, for it was somwhat ruffled wyth the wynde, and sayd. I madame beholde & se what maner of knight this is, and who is soo harde herted that wyll not forgyue hym that putteth hym selfe in suche aduēture all onely to se a fayre noble lady, certaynly I pardon hym in your name, for I am sure madame ye wyll be content therew^t. Than the countesse dyd smyle & sayd, al­wayes [Page lxxxxv] ye wyl playe the fole, but so she toke Goue [...]nar by the hande & caused him to aryse vpon his fete, than Powcet bad hym syt downe by her lady, but for cour­tesye he would not at the fyrst biddyng, Than Powcet sayd, syr knyght now ye nede not to take any care for anye of the knightes of this castel for your coming hyther, and without ye haue fere of a womā, syt down by my lady and make your own peace therw^t Gouernar sate [...]own and enbraced and desyred the ladye y^t she wold pardon him, and so she did, & than Gouernar all smylyng cast forth many prety & goodly wordes, and euer he foūd the lady gentyl & swete of her answeres Than Powcet said, sister Eglentine my lady me thinketh is me [...]y now, I [...]ow she care not for vs, let vs go watch in y^e nexte chaumbre, for I thynke she would fayne be a bed, and soo they wente theyr way, and the lady called them again, but that was very softely, for it was with a dead voice. And than anon powcet h [...]rd the curteyns drawen about the bed, and she knewe well there were no mo creatures but the lady and the knight together Than Gonernar began a lytel so speake fayre, as these louers do [...]he whan they would haue their desyres, and at the last he dyd [...]o muche that they were agreed to lye together, and so to bed they went, and there they toke suche pastaun [...]e together as these louers are wont to do whā they be in lyke case. And than Gouer­nar demaunded of the lady why she had done hym so much vylany as in that she would not speake to hym in her palays In the name of god said the lady the cause was for my lord comaūded me so to do, and I durst not dysplease hym, how be it that greued me ryght [...]ore so to do. Well madame▪ it is often s [...]ene that too much restrainyng is not good, but as in thys case he y^t hath the domage let hym wepe hardely, & so he enbraced and kissed the lady, & thus they were together til i [...] was nere hand day. Thā the lady said syr knyghte I requyre you rendre vnto my lorde the vilany that he hath done to vs, in suche wise y^t ye [...]ust to morow a­genst him, & let him fele and know how that ye be dyspleased. By the mother of god sayd Gouernar so shall I do, I wa­rant ye shal se hym flye to the erth. Thā the lady began to laughe. Than Powcet came to the beddes syde and sayde [...] mada­me is all the yll wyll any thyng mynys­shed, is all this warte now fayled, I be­leue that the peace be made, I trowe ye haue made amendes thys nyghte to the knyght. By the good lorde sayd the lady Powcet ye play alwaye the fole, Up sy [...] knyght sayd Powcet, for it is tyme for you to ryse. Than Gouernar rose & app [...] [...]ayled hym. Than the countesse said, [...]ie y [...]sterday ye dyd giue a waye your horse for my sake, wherfore I wyl gyue you agayne as good a gyfte, Powcet bryng me hyther yonder lytel casket that [...]ieth o [...] my presse, and whan she hadde it she sayde holde syr knyght I gyue thys cas­ket to you and al that is therein. Mada­me sayd Gouernar by the leue of God I wyll not take it, for I thanke god I am riche ynough, [...] haue so valyaunt a ma­ster that he wyl gyue me goodes su [...]fi [...]yent. By the fayth y^t I owe to god said the lady though ye were a kyng yet I gyue it vnto you, and without that ye take i [...] I ensure you I wyl neuer speke to you more whyle I lyue. I giue it to you frely but for a remembraunce for [...]he loue that I haue in you, and to [...]ie you therwith a [...]ewe horse, aad I require you to morowe [...] w^t my lord as ye haue promised me [Page] Madame by the fayth that I owe vnto you sayd he I ensure you I shall make hym reuerse from his horse. Than y^e lady and Powcet dydde smyle, and so than departed Gouernar fro them, and toke the casket with him, the which was ful of coyned gold, and as than al the watchmen were a slepe, for than it was at the poynte of day.

THus whā Gouernar was departed fro the con [...]tesse he ca­me to his owne lodginge and there he founde Iacket hys squyer slepynge on a fourme before the fyre [...] & so he awoke hym. And whan [...]acket saw hym hys her [...]e trembled because of hys soda [...]n [...] wakyng & sayd. Thys is a fayre tarying. I [...]owe for a wyseman to come now to his lod­g [...]ng, and th [...]n he did lygh [...] vp a torche and there in the chambre Gouerna [...] did open hys casket, wher [...]in there was of golde and Iewelles beyonde two thou­sande pound. And whan Iacket sawe it hys herte was afrayed and sayd [...] Syr I thynke ye houe to b [...]ed some abb [...]ye. be­ware ye b [...] n [...]t hanged to morow. A [...]aket frende said Gouernar hold thy peas holde here .C.C pound and [...]oke that I haue to morowe a good horse [...] and gyue all the remnaunt of the money to poore people. Ye said Iacket ye be very liberal of other mennes g [...]ddes, for I trow all thys coste you nothynge [...] ye be a large g [...]uer of almes. I thynke it were better that ye caused the abbeye to be couered wyth lede fro whence ye stale thys mo­ney, but so than as son [...] as it was fayre day Iacket wente into the market place and there he founde hys owne maysters horse to be soulde, and there he boughte hym for an hundreth pounde, and soo broughte hym to Gouernar who was [...]yghte gladde of hym, and after that none of that day was paste, harowdes did crye in eue [...]y strete, knightes lepe vpon your horses, and get y [...]u shortlye to the fi [...]lde. Than hornes, bussynes, taboury­nes, trompettes and claryons began to sowne maruaylouslye. Than knyghtes q [...]ickelye dyd arme theym, and than the gates of the castell were sette open, and the erle dyd yssue out wyth a great company of knyghtes wyth hym, and came into the place where as the turney shold be and by that tyme Gouernar was ar­med and mou [...]ted vpon hys horse, and he was greatly beho [...]en [...]hat iourney of euery bodye for h [...] w [...]s a ryght fayre knighte in harneys. Than the countesse and oth [...] la [...]yes and damoiselles were mounted on the castell wailes to behold the t [...]urn [...]y the whyche was in a fayre grene ryghte vnder the castell wal, than Powce [...] & Eglenti [...]e saw where as Gouernar came riding toward the tourney in a narow [...] lane. Madame quod Powcet beholde yonder knyg [...]te, by semynge he sholde b [...] some noble man. Truly sayd the la [...]y he is the most semelyest knighte in all y^e tow [...]e. Madame sayd Powcet I t [...]inke ye would his honour and profyt By the good lord sayd the lady I wold he [...]er [...] a kynge. Than anon in the field the partes were disseuered, & Gouern [...]r wa [...] ag [...]nst y^e erle, than herawd [...]s cried knyghtes do your best. Than b [...]gan the the tour [...]ey ryght ha [...]d & sharp. & Gouerne [...] aduysed wel the erle and ran at him ryght [...]udely, & the e [...]le st [...]ake hym so so­r [...] that he made him somewhat bowe on [Page lxxxxvi] his horse, but Gouernar strake hym and mette hym with his bodye so rudely y^t he made hym auoyde his horse & the legges vpwarde. Than Iacket toke the erles horse and brought hym to the countesse for a present. And whan the ladyes sawe where the erle dyd fall, than Eglentyne sayd, a yonder is one w^t his fete vpwar­de. That is true sayd P [...]wcet that is my lord the erle, beholde how he shaketh his legges. well sayd the countesse me thyn­keth yonder knyght holdeth my lord ve­ry shorte. Madame sayd Powcet he ac­quyreth hym of hys promyse. Thus Go­uernar helde the earle so shorte y^t he was fayne to yelde hym whether he wolde or not. Than all the erles company came al at ones on Gouernar, but he was stron­ge and lyght, and gaue so greate strokes and heuy that he confoūded all that euer he att [...]yned vnto, and at the bronte he vnhorsed moo than .viii. knyghtes. And whan Iacket had made hys present vn­to the countesse who thanked hym mo­che, than he retourned agayne vnto hys mayster, and soo he hadde ynough to do euer to cary the horses of them that hys mayster had ouerthrowē to the bu [...]geyse who was hys maysters hoste. Than Gouernar aduysed well where there was togyther a great flocke of knyghtes than Gouernar dasht amonge them so rudely that at his fyrst co [...]ynge he ouerthrewe two knightes togither, and so wythin a shorte space he departed the knyghtes asonder and gaue suche strokes all aboute hym y^t euery man [...]ledde before hym, & a [...]l the ladyes sawe hym do meruayles wyth hys handes, & they maruayled howe that euer he coulde endure suche payne wyth his body, and than as he retourned fro that company he m [...]tte agayne the earle who as than was remounted, than Go­uer dasht into the prese [...]yll that he came streyght where as the erle was, who as than handled ryght sharpely a knyght of the parte that Gouernar was of, than Gou [...]rnar dressed hym to the erle and en­braced [...]ym by the shouldres & dasht hys horse wyth his spurres, and ouerthrewe bothe the erle to the ground and also the knyght that the erle [...]ought wythall, and there he made the erle to yelde hym agay­ne. And whan the countesse sawe that she smyled ryght swetely and said. Powcet frende yonder knyght hath beten dow­ne two at ones, blessyd be hys vertue, he is nowe well auenged of the erle my hu [...] ­bonde, who wolde not suffreme to speke wyth him. Than the erles company set on Gouernar, but he defended hym selfe ryght maruaylously, but they oppressed hym soo sore that hys horse enfoundred vnder hym, and than Gouernar vygo­rously lepte on hys fete, and there he ad­uysed the erles senesshall, who hadde at that tyme [...]yght sore anoyed hym▪ and he was well moūted vpon a good blacke morell horse, than Gouernar lepte vp to him and toke him aboute the necke wyth his handes and pulled hym [...]o sore that he made hym to auoyde the saddell whe­ther he woulde or not, and soo fell to the grounde, than Gouernar toke hys horse and quyckely lepte vp into the saddell, and in a greate yre das [...]t into the prese, and gaue so myghty strokes that he ma­de all to flee before hym, and by that ty­me the erle was remounted agayne, and the thyrd tyme he came behynde Gouer­nar and enbraced hym wyth bothe his handes to the entent to haue lyfted hym out of hys saddell, but he coulde no more remeue hym than thoughe he had lyfted at a great toure. Than Gouernar tour­ned hym to the erle and toke hym by the [Page] [...] [Page lxxxxvi] [...] [Page] head and pulled hym downe to hys horse mane & gaue hym so many strokes that he all to brused hym, wherwyth he fell downe to the earth in suche plyte that he coulde not remeue for all the good of the worlde than there fel on hym all the ear­les company, and by that tyme the earles senesshall was remounted, and so he ca­me to Gouernar, and whā he same hym do such dedes of hye prowesse he praysed hym moche in his herte, and thought to tournay noo more that daye ayenst hym but sayd, syr knyght be ye in certayne y^t as many horses as fayle you thys day I sh [...]ll puruey you euer of an other. Than Gouernar dasht into the prese, & rounde aboute hym he layde on their heades and vysages that he made them to blede lyke beestes, & at the last hys horse fayled him and than the earles senesshall brought to hym an other hors. And whan he was remoūted he strake in as fresshely among them as though he had done noo thynge of all that day before. and than he dyd so moche by hys prowesse that euerye man gaue hym place & departed & left hym in the felde all alone. Thā the erle was bor­ne into the castell in a horse [...]ytter, for he was sore brused, & his senesshall came to Gouer [...]ar & desyred h [...]m muche to go to the castell, but Gouernar wolde not, but sayd w [...]at should I do th [...]re, I knowe not what maner of people ye be, for a­monge you ye dayne not to speke to ony straūge knight. Thā the senesshall wyst well that h [...] sayd that by the countesse, wherfore he blamed moche the erle in his herte, in that he had cōmaunded her so to do. So th [...]n G [...]uernar retourned to the burgeyse his hoste who made him ryght great chere & feest, and the knightes and burgeyses of the to [...]ne came thither to se hym, and sayde one to an other, beholde here the valyaūt knyght. Gouernar had wonne that day .xv good horses, than h [...] vnarm [...]d hym, for he was somwhat we­ry of his trauayle. And whā the erle was in his castell he cōmaunded that the ga­tes should be set open, & that euery man should come in who soo euer wolde, and than he was vnarmed and the countesse his wife came to him & demaunded how [...] he dyd. And he answered and sayd how that he was sore brused. A syr sa [...]d she & who hath done that, I am right sory therfore. Truly said he thus hath arayed me the same knyght that gaue yesterday his horse to my porter to thentent to se you Syr sayd she I byleue it well, for I thinke he was dyspleased wyth you bycause that ye forba [...]e me that I shold not spea­ke to hym, I thynke he remembred y^t to daye, wherfore it is good to be wel ware to whome a man dooth a dyspleasure. Than the erle came into the hall where as all the other knightes were, and there they were talkyng and enquyrynge eche of other what knyght had done best that day, and so they all did giue the prayse to Gouernar. In y^e name of god said the erle he hath bet [...]n me down [...] thre times this same daye, th [...]r [...]fore I r [...]quyre you get [...] hym hyth [...] to me, for I shall acqueynt me wyth hym, for I wyll gyue hym the one hal [...]e of all my londes on the condy­cyon that he wyl abyde & dwell wyth me C [...]rtaynly syr sayd his se [...]esshall and on that condycyon I wyll gyue him yerely a thousand pounde for accordyng to the trouth he is a ryght good knyght. Than th [...] [...]rle commaunded his sen [...]sshall to go for hym, and so he dyd, and founde hym at his hostes hous, who made hym ryght great [...]here and honour. And than the se­nesshall said, syr the erle hertely desyreth you to co [...]e and speake wyth hym in the [Page lxxxxvii] castell, and syr for goddes sake abyde & dwell wyth hym, and he wyll gyue you the one halfe of hys londes, and I shall gyue you a thousande pounde yerelye, & kepe you true and fayth [...]ull company, & thus talkyng they went, forth togyther towarde the castell, and as soone as the erle saw hym he rose vp on hys [...]ete and so dyd all the other knyghtes, and dydde hym muche honoure, and the erle caused Gouernar so syt downe by hym. Than these tydynges ran anone into the countesse chambre how that the good knight was co [...]e, than the ladyes had great de­lyte to se hym. Than Powcet sayde, ma­dame I thynk thys knyght pleseth you ryght well, therfore let vs go se hym. Certainly said the countesse with a right goo [...] wyll, so than they wente into the hall, than the earle & Gouernar dyd ryse and ryghte courteysly dyd salute the la­dy. Tha [...] the countesse sayd to Gouernar syr ye shoulde not salute me, for I haue done you more vylanye than euer dyd lady to any knyght without trespas. Madame said he it is no trespasse for so hye a lady as ye are to take her plesure of so symple a knyght as I am. Than y^e erle sayde, sir ye haue thys day beten me fro my horse, the which neuer as yet knight dydde before, wherfore I owe vnto you a great raunsome. Syr sayde Gouernar sauynge youre grace I am not of suche vertue nor of such valure as to do so hie a chyualry as y [...] speake of. wel syr sayd the erle I knowe well how it is, but syr I require you be of my house, & ye shall be chefe cōmaunder therof, for I wyll y^e what so euer ye cōmaund shall be done▪ Syr sayd Gouernar I humbly thanke you, howe be it I can not accomplysshe your desyre, & the more the earle desyred hym, the more he sayd nay. Than y^e erle sayde to the countesse, madame I praye you desyre hym, and so she dydde ryghte swetely, how be it she was not greatlye bound to do so muche at her husbandes desire, but Gouernar wisely excused him and sayd. Fayre lady it can not be, for I haue a lorde already who must nedes be serued of me & of other far better knigh­tes then I am. Certaynly syr sayd the senesshal yf there be more prowesse in him than is in you, he surmounteth than all the knightes of y^e worlde. C [...]rtainly si [...] sayd Gouernar he is able to caste suche vi. as I am into the ryuer. Truely sayde the erle, thā do ye well to serue him faithfully, wherfore I wyll requyre you noo ferder, howe be it that forthynketh me. Than y^e countesse was right sore disple­sed because he would not abyde. Than y^e souper was redy & water was bro [...]ght forthe, and so they sate downe and were well serued. After souper Gouernar to­ke ly [...]ence of the erle & of the counetsse, & of all other knyghtes, and than torches w [...]re lyghted vp, and the senes [...]hal con­uayed him to his hostes house, & the erle cōmaunded that his host should take nothyng of hym for his dispence, than Gouernar toke his leue, and the nexte mor­nyng betimes departed, & commaunded his hoste to god, and gaue him al the horses that he had wonne in the tourney, & the burgei [...]es thanked him hertely & said In al places where as Alexand [...]r y^e gret dyd conque [...]e ye may go w^tout ieoperdy & do as muche as euer he did. And so Gouernar entred into hys way, & rode to seke his lord Arthur. Now let vs leue spe­kyng of Gouernar, & let vs retourne to Arthur and to the king of orqueney.

SO it was that when the kyng of orqueneye was [...] f [...]o argenton he rode streight into his own country for to make redi his people to go at Bartylmewtide to the turney at Cornite, & duke Philip went to sabary to apparaile his people & syr Neuelon, syr An [...]ean, syr Artaude & al the other knightes of kinge Emen­dus returned to the kinges courte, and there recounted the hye prowesse of Ar­thur, & how he had spe [...] at Argenton w^t the duke of bygors neuew, & how that y^e wounded knight of the castel of hurtbise had sent for hym, and how that he was gone thyther. Than the kyng was sory in hys herte, for he had great fere of him lest that he should neuer returne agayne for he knew wel that many good knightes were perished there. And in especyall Florence was ryght sorowful, for there was none y^t could recōfort her. And Ar­thur euer rode forth after the squier, & so rode .iii. dayes together w^tout finding of any aduenture, and the .iiii. day he rode tyl it was none, and than they aryued at a knyghtes place who was uncle to the squyer that was Arthurs guide, & there they were wel receyued, and so sat down to dyner & were wel serued. And whan they hadde dined than they mounted on theyr horses agayn, & so rode forth tyl it was night, & than they entred into a lytel narow way betwene a fayre forest & a grene medow, and so they rode forthe wel y^e space of halfe a mile, and y^e mone began to shine fayre & bright, and at the last they came to a way y^t they muste ne­des entre into the thick of the forest, and at last Arthur espied vnder a fayre oke a delectable place, where as he saw .iii, faire ladies maruelously white and of gre [...] beauty, but she y^t was in y^e myddes was soueraine most fayre, for she al only had more beauty than bothe the other .ii. and yet they were as fayre as could be deuy­sed. And whan Arthur had espyed them, he set his fete to y^e earth & lighted fro his horse, & she that was in the middes rose whan the other two were vp, & there Arthur saluted thē right curteisly, and they him agayn, and the squier that brought Arthur thither, toke one of the ladies in counsaile, and whā they had talked togyther a good space they went into y^e thick of the wood, they .ii. together alone, and were not sene again o [...] al the night, and the other that was in middes had to na­me Proserpin, & she toke Arthur and set hym downe by her and helde him by the hand, & beheld hym faythfully in the vy­sage, & sayd▪ syr ye be ryghte hertely wel­come. And he answered & sayd, madame I pray god kepe you fro all yll. Syr sayd Proserpyne I haue greate desyre to se & speke with you, if ye be he that hath conquered the batayle agenst the duke of bygors neuewe. Madame as god help me sayd Arthur I woulde full fayne y^t there were such valure in me as that I might acheue suche a dede. well sayde Proser­pyne, I knowe ryght wel how it is, and also of other of your dedes, & syr ye be in certayne that ryght grete renowne ren­neth [Page lxxxxviii] on you how that ye be free, swete, fayre, & gracyous, & to be a good knyght aboue all other, & as for beauty I se wel how it is. well madame sayd Arthur I praye god amende in me that lacketh of that ye speake of. That is wel said quod y^e lady than she layd her hand on his hed & demaūded of him what was his name Ma [...]ame quod he I am called Arthur. Arthur sayd she, nowe and by the faith y^t ye owe to her that ye loue be [...]t, & to saynt George haue ye any louer yet, I am sure my demaunde is but a folly f [...]r so fayre a knyght, so yonge, and so va [...]iant in armes as ye can not be wythoute a louer, wherfore I am in certayne ye haue one but I pray you shew me what she is by the fayth y^t ye owe vnto her, & I promise you neuer to accu [...]e you, & therwith she beheld hym and smyled a lytel & said, I pray you speke and shew me y^e playnes by the troth that ye owe to father & mo­ther yf ye haue any alyue. Madam said Arthur, ye cōiure me right sore, therfore as god help me I shal [...]ew you y^e troth Madam it is so I can not tell whether y^t I haue a louer or not, but of one thynge be ye sure I am a louer, for I loue w^t all myne entyer heir. And what is she quod the lady I pray you by the faith y^t ye owe vnto her. As god help me said he I canot tell you, for I n [...]uer sawe the p [...]rson y^t I loue [...] what said the lady [...] thā ye loue and wot not who, who hathe set you on this foly, wherfor loue ye thus. Madā quod he I loue becaus of the gret goodnes & valure y^t is in her, for she is a swete gra [...]ious & a gentil lady of hert. why sir knight how know ye y^•. Madam it hath beshewed me y^t she is of suche condycions. wel quod the lady, what & there haue beshewed you more thā troth in y^t behalfe, who than shal do you right, I demaund of you thinke you y^t al that is said of me and other to be of t [...]t [...]. Certainli madā nay some list parauentur at somtime to speke more than they know▪ wel frende Arthur ꝙ she thā ye be but a fole, by my counsail leue suche foly, & lese no le [...]g [...]r your time w^tout reson, ye be now in your youth, & in you [...] beuti wherfore ye shold haue daily your loue in you [...] armes, and lede a louers life in myrth and in solace and whā it is time to stryke for her sake b [...]th w^t [...]pe [...]es and swords, & cast d [...]une these knightes to the erth by .ii. at ones: and leue seruing thus of the muse or els ye shal be called no more Arthur, but ye shal be called y^e knight that museth, therfore leue this loue, but behold here and se in your c [...]pany if there be any thing that pleseth you, chose which ye wil, the squier that brought you hither museth not, for he is w^t his loue, and hath her al this night in his armes behold here the copany of me who is right fayre and yonge. gentyl and puissant, holding in mi hand greate heritage▪ and I am doughter to a king [...] and both my father & mother dead an [...] now I am entred into my londe to kepe my relme which is gret and noble I am also right yonge about the age of xvi. yeres, & would loue right wel some g [...]ntil knigh [...] that wold help me to kepe my lond and relme, and to c [...]unsayle me for my wele in al my busines suche one wold I loue and kepe entirely. Arthur [...] nede not to be deceiued by youre loue lo­uyng of the muse & take me here in dede. And whan Arthur herde her, he b [...]held her wel, and wyth a gret p [...]rfound sygh sayd. A dere ladye as god helpe m [...] my heart is set on her that I shewed you [...]f wyth a [...] [...]y faithful loue and thought in suche wyse that I am not maister of my selfe, nor my herte is not myne own [Page] for it hath forsaken me for this sayd ladi so y^t I [...]m nothing lord of min owne hert nor w^t al, the power y^t I haue I cannot withdraw it fro her, for I thinke verily y^t she hath put my hert into her hert therfore I [...]aue good hope y^t the [...] shalbe good companyons and faythfull togyther se­yng [...] y^t it wyl not come agayne to me & loue his swete companyō, therfore fayre lady blame me not though ye loue me that I do not accōplysshe youre desyre, for as god helpe me I can not, for my hearte is not mine owne, therfore madame blame me not syth my herte hath forsakē me for an other, but as I be saued ye be ful gētil and noble, & ryght happy shal he be that shal attayne to your gra [...]e, for your beaute is such y^t euery person y^• seeth you wyll put to theyr payne to seke the wayes to attaine to youre hye loue, for by the fayth y^t I owe to my lorde & father I had rather haue your loue of it myght be than to be kyng of all Fraunce, but by my soule madame ye may behold he [...]e my body w^tout hert, vyne wythout sauour, a fayre body w^t [...]u [...] loue auayleth nothyng. wel frende Arthur ꝙ Proserpyn many there be that fyndeth fautes & wyl s [...]ke for no remedy you lay the blame on your hert, suche fol­kes as wyl not do as they be requyred cā fynde fables ynough to finde occasion of excuses, ye haue long mused, & yet ye purpose to muse l [...] ̄ger, hardely loue ynough & loue th [...]re y^t youre dreme & fantasy she­weth you [...] & therby ye shal haue very mo­che Ioy by lyk [...]lehode, for your musyng wyl do you moche honoure, by the fayth that I owe to you I loue my louer faythfully, & I saye it by yo [...], beholde here Ar­thur who dr [...]meth & museth, beholde here the shadowe wythout the sonne lyght, beholde here the body wythout hert, this is he that loueth & woteth not whō, therfore he is feeted of none, therfore frend Ar­thur take to you the best coūseyle y^t ye cā & god be with you. Than she rose fro hym and departed into the woode & her com­pany wyth her. Thā Arthur abode ther alone but wyth Bawdwyn hys squyer, for the squyer y^t brought him thither was departed, therfore he wiste not whether to goo. Than Bawdewyn sayd, syr as god helpe me ye ouzt to be blamed. And why so good frende said Arthur. Sir bycause this gentyll noble quene that was ryght now w^t you who is so fayre so swete & so gracyous and she wolde fayne haue had your company & loue, & thus ye to let her depart and wold not enbrace & kysse swetely her pleasaunt lytle mouth, wherfore in my mynde ye are greatly to be blamed for as helpe me god I wolde not hau do­ne soo thoughe I had lost my head in the payne. A good frende sayd Arthur, and what there thā shuld the swete Florence haue, and what [...]ul [...]e she set by me yf I shulde do as muche to another as I shulde do to her yf it pl [...]ased her, what wold ye haue me to make of my mouth a tray­ne for euery body, yf she kepe her mouth [...] close for the loue of me, and I than to habandon me to all the worlde, what ho­noure than w [...]re it to me to be comyn to al the world, what shulde it than be sayd on me, he is but a rybaude. wel syr sayde Bawdewyn, for all that I coulde not haue done so. Thus they m [...]unted on theyr horses and entred into the wode, & rode they wyst not whither so longe tyl at the last they loste theyr ware, that they rode they wyst not whyther, & at conclusyon they came a [...]ayne to the same oke from whens as they went [...] before, and th [...]re th [...]y taryed all that nyghte & laye on the colde earth in the thycke busshe, and tyed theyr horses to a tree.

IN y^e morning b [...]times Arthur & Bawdwin ro [...]e & shoke theyr [...]ares to put awaye the fethers fro their heyre & so mounted on horses and found a lytel way the which brought thē clene out of the forest. Thā A [...]thur was ryght sore disple [...]ed in his mynde because he had lost the squi [...] y^t was his guid [...] in y^e man [...]r, for he knew not where to fy [...]d hym the hurt knight, & so they rode forth so lōg tyl they e [...]tred into a fayre medow, and than they saw [...]n a fayre hys moūtain standing a goodly castell y^e whych was closed wyth double walles and gates, & at the fyrst gate the [...]e was one that watched the passage for all comers, and as soone as he sawe A [...]thur, he toke a horne and blew therin so fiersly th [...]t al the valey ronge therew^t and therwith there yssued out of y^e c [...]stel a knyght all armed and well mounted, & h [...] made tokē to A [...]thur tha [...] he should beware of hym. Than Arthur toke his shelde and fl [...]risshed with his spere and met so rudely toge [...]her that the knighte brake his spere▪ and Arthur st [...]ake him so that his sp [...]re w [...]nt through ou [...] his bo­dy more thā a fote, and so pulled out his spere againe and dressed hym self agenst an other knigh [...] t [...]at came rudely at him and he strake Arthur in suche wite that his speare brake in the myddes, but Ar­thur st [...]ake him so fiercely that he ouer­threw both hors & man to [...]he [...]rth stark dead. Than there yssued out of the castel v. knyghtes, and they all ran [...]n Arthur at ones, and Arthur thā toke his sword and strake so the fyrst that he claue hys head clene asonder, and the other dy [...]d [...] kyl hys horse vnd [...]r hym, but than [...] his hand on the hors of him that he had slay [...] before and so lept into the sadd [...]l, and the iust tha [...] he encountred loste hys head. And whan the other saw that they f [...]ed away as fast as they myght, and Arthur folowed th [...]ym, and in hys pu [...]su [...] he slew two of them, & as the [...]t wol [...] ha [...]e entred in at the castel gate, A [...]thur strake of hys head clene frō the sholders Than h [...] entred into the castel [...] and there he sawe before him an other st [...]ong wal and it was [...]o hye that it was me [...]uayl and it was [...]nuyroned al aboute with & greate deepe wa [...]er that yssu [...]d [...]ute of loudrye fountaynes, and as he behelde howe that he might [...]uere into t [...]e place there came to [...]ym the s [...]me squyer that caused hym to come fro Argence, and he dyd salute hym. And whan Arthur sawe hym he knewe hym ryghte well and demaunded of hym the cause why that he left him in the for [...]st. As god help me sir my lady led me forth and I [...]u [...]st not displese her. wel sayde Arthur, and where is the knight that ye sa [...] hath sent for me Syr quod the squyer he is in a chambre in this cas [...]el, where as I thinke he shal neuer se to morowe thys [...]yme, for syr ye tary fro hym ouer longe whych is g [...]at synne. Frend sayd Arthur I praye you bring me: wher as he is y^t I might sp [...]ke w^t hym. Than the squyer br [...]ughte hym to the knight and Arthur did salute him And the knight [...]igh [...] piteously and w [...]h a [...]oft voice said, sir ye be hertely wel [...]om Syr sayde Arthur ye haue sente for me, beholde [...]owe here I am, therefore shewe me youre wyll. Than the knyght [Page] enforced hym selfe to speke & sayd, syr for goddes sake be ye not dyspleased though ye be come hyther for my sake, for syr the seke creature seketh euer for helth & to y^e entēt that ye shalbe in certain of my sekenes yf ye be not dyspleased I shal shewe you all my grefe. Than the knyght vnarmed hymselfe & layde his body all naked Thā Arthur sawe on his backe .v. greate woūdes made w^t a knyfe y^t was enueny­med, & the [...] begā at his sholdres and enduted downe to his thyghes, & the woūdes were sore rākled & of such largenes that he myght wel haue layde in euery woūde all his arme. And whā Arthur sawe that hys herte trembled for pyte & demaunded who had g [...]uē hī ntho strokes. Certayn­ly syr sayd the knyght I shall shewe you it is of a trouhe I loued ryghte hertely a fayre damoysell who is ryght noble and gentyl, and she me in lyke case, & whan I might I dyde resorte vnto her, and she is in a chambre aboue in this castel, & at the last thys loue that was bytwene vs was knowen by her frendes, wherwyth they were ryght sore dyspleased & so laye in a wayte on me at a season y^t I was w^t her, and as I wolde haue departed they toke me & haue arayed me as ye se w^t enueny­med kniues so that I can haue no hel [...]h & the damoysell is fast kept [...] in pryson in a chambre here aboue to thentent that she shoulde not come to me to gyue me health for she can do me more good than all the creatures of the worlde, and yf I myght haue ony creature that myght fynde the meanes to speke with her she wolde sende me suche oyntementes that should make me bothe hole & sounde. And syr the .vii. knyghtes that ye haue delyuered me of dyd kepe the gates to the entent that no surgyen shoulde come hyther to hele me, syr I haue ben four yere in this sore tourment that ye se me in, and there is nōn in all this place that wolde bringe me suche thynges as my ladye & loue wolde sende me, & they wyl suffrenone to speke with her fro me, & therfore I muste nedes dye well syr sayd Arthur & how should onye body entre into the castell syth the gates be shytte. Syr sayd the knyght there is none that can entre at the gares for they be ouer stronge, but syr in the castel diche there is a lytle shyppe by the whyche the knightes that ye haue slaine were wōt to entre into the castel, & by the shippe ther is a lytle false gate, wherby ye may entr [...] into the castell yf it please you, and so ye may bring fro my lady the oyntmēt that shall helpe me. Syr sayd Arthur I shall do my power, & thā he sayde to the squye [...] Frende bring me to the shyp and I wyll entre into the castell. Than the squyer brought hym to the shyp, and Arthur en­tred into it, and thā the shyp went forthe wythout ony maner of touchynge, & A [...] thur was not gone ferre from the banke but there came flyenge aboute hym moo than .iii. M. quarelles shotte oute of cros­bowes, and Arthur sate in the shyp and couered him with hys whyte shelde, and the quarelles dyd lyght as thycke theron as thought it had rayned, in suche wyse that all the shyppe was rased wyth qua­relles, and in this maner he approched to the posterne, & whan he came to the entre he founde styckynge rounde aboute the gate great longe sharpe speres w^t heedes of fyne stele, than he toke hys good swer­de in hys hande and layde on these speres as faste as he coulde, and so dyd cut them clene asonder in the myddes, and there he dyd soo muche that by cleane fore he en­tred in at the posterne, and whan he was wythin there rose suche a wynde that Arthur had muche payne to holde hym on [Page C] his fete, and than there fell so great ha­boundaunce of raine that he stode to the mydde legge in wa [...]er, the whyche water ranne so faste that he was fayne to staye hym by his spe [...]e, for what for the wynd and swyf [...]eues of the water, he had m [...] ­che payne to stande vpryghte, and at the last and with grettrauayl he dyd so mo­che that he yssued out of the straymes of the posterue, and than he herde a thynge make a great noyse in the castel, & therw^t there came on hym at ones mo than .v. hundred persones re [...]y to fight agaynst hym, and so they assayled him rudely on al partes and they did cast at him speres stones, dartes and staues [...]ight gret plē ty, & he gaue agayne [...]yght great [...]trokes & frusshed downe all that euer he attay­ned vnto, how be it y^e prese was so gre [...] that they caused hym to knele down on hys knees, & there quickery he stepte vp agayn & dasht in among them, and was right sore chafed, & his str [...]ngth than began to encrease, & the more he had to [...]o the more grew his strengthe, & so he cut asonder all that euer he attayned vntoo, and so by clene force he drew hys backe backe to a wall & there rested hym. Thā his enemies ran to crosdowes & to spea­res, and so charged hym with many gret strokes. And whan he felte hymse [...]fe so sore oppressed he was sore chafed therw^t and so habandoned him [...]elfe among thē & gane great strokes, for whom so euer he touched, he claue him to the sholders, and than they began to flye before hym, and he folowed them, but he was [...]ight sore wety, for they behynd hym dyd him muche payne and trauayle, in thy [...] case thus fightyng he was fro thre of y^• c [...]k tyl it was none, and thre [...]mes he was dryuen downe on hys knees, and yet for al that euer he rose agayn to the spyte of them all. And as he was thus fighting at the laste he herde the sowne of a gr [...] horne aboue in the castel, and as sone as all tho that fought against Arthur herd the blaste of the horne, they all sodainly departed without any word speakynge, & so there remayned but a lonely Arthur wherof he had great maruayle, than Ar­thur dressed hym toward the castell, and entred into it, and so at y^• last he entred into the fayre halles, & there found neyther man nor woman, and than be setched al aboute the place, but he coulde fynde no [...] creature. At the last he entred into a fair tyche chaumbre, and there he sawe the most fayre and rychest bed that euer was sene, and it was al redymade to lie down therin, than he approched the [...]roand sate downe on the syde therof and his sword in his hande, and than he herd well mo the people coming and goyng in y^• same chambre, and her [...] dores and windowes open and shette but he could se nothing whereof he had greate maruayle. And whan he had sytten a good space on the [...]edde and well rested him, at the last he saw where there came into the chambre a great company of ladies and damosels and knightes and squiers, and in y^• myd [...]es amonge them he saw where there was a yonge fayre quene crowned with golde in a syrcore of crmynes, and a man [...] of vyolet sylke, and she was of right great beauty, and f [...]ure knyghtes ledde her and shee was enuytoned all about [...] wyth other fayre ladyes. And as sone as he sawe her he knewe well that she was Proserpyn the quene whom y^• he found in the forest the nyghte before, and than he rose vpon his fete than y^• quene came runnynge too hym and enbraced hym a [...]oute the necke and sayde. Syr ye are rygh [...]e hertely welcome into my house. [Page] Fayre lady ꝙ Arthur I pray to god giue you bothe helthe and moche Ioy. Arthur said the quene now are ye past al Ieopardies, for now that ye be ī my cōpany ye be in a sur [...]te, therfore put of your harneys for ye shall be in as good surete as myne own propre body. Madame ꝙ Arthur I thāke you, how be it I haue not as yet a­cheued that thinge as I came hyther for, for here is bynethe in this castell a seke knight who hath sē [...] me hither to a damoysel that shulde giue hym helthe, & I haue ꝓmys [...]d to bringe him that she wolde de­lyuer me for his helth, therfore madame I requyre you yf she [...]e here in your company cause me to speke w^t her yf it please [...]ou, [...] therby I shall accōplysshe my co­u [...]naūt to the knight. Frende ꝙ the ladi be ye no more [...]ismayed of the knight, for I ꝓmyse you he shal haue h [...]lth for your sa­ke, & that right shortly. Than the quene called to her a lady, who was called Ar­gent, and thā she said to Arthur, syr be­holde here y^• same lady y^• [...]he knight was hurte for & it is she that can giue hī helth therfore A [...]gēce I wil that ye go to your knight, & thynke on his helth as a louer ought to do to another. Madame ꝙ Ar­gēce w^t a right good wyll, & as to you sir knight I thāke you a hōdred .M. tymes syth that I haue leue to go [...] to my louer for you [...]e sake, & syr ye haue wōne therby of hym to be to you a true and a fayhfull knight, and of me ye shal haue a true ser­uaūt, therwith she departed, and Proser­p [...]ne cōmaūded y^• Arthur should be vnarmed, than ther [...] r [...]n ab [...]ute Arthur kny­ghtes & ladyes, and one toke awaye hys sh [...]lde, an other his sw [...]rde, an other hys [...]elme, and so eche of them layde to theyr hā [...]es to he [...]pe hym, and w [...]ā he was vnarmed he stode in his doublet, & thā the ladies brought him wa [...]me water to wasshe his necke & his vysage & hāddes, and thā the fayre ladyes dyd wype hys vysage w^t fayre whyte ketchefes. Than Bawde­wyn came & brought hym his gowne to put on but y^• quene wold not suffre y^• for she made hym to put on a grene kyr [...]ell & a syrcote of scarlet than the quene toke her owne mantel fro he [...] necke the which was of purple s [...]lke & put it on Arthur, thā he was so fayre and gentill that one coulde not be satysfyed with beholdynge of hym, for all the ladyes than sayd how that the knight was a gracyous persone grete ioye should y^• lady haue that might haue suche a lou [...]r as he was. Than the quene toke hym by the hande the whiche was a ryght goodly syght to beholde, for they were bothe fayre & yonge, and thus hāde in hand they w [...]nte throughout the chambre, talkyng of many thynges, and whan they hadde thus talked togyther a great space the quene cōmaunded euerye body to departe, & to leaue them alone togyth [...]r, & so they dyd. And than the quene toke hym by the hande and sayd. Arthur let vs goo syt downe on yonder beddes side, and soo they dyd, & by that tyme the chambre was cl [...]aue auoyded sauing all onely of Bawdewin who sayd vnto his mayster, syr I thynke it best y^• I go & see your harnes & amend it, for it is ill bru­sed, & it is harde to tell wheth [...]r ye shall haue any thyng to do shortly or not. And whan Arthur heard him he wist ful wel what he ment and therfore he smyled, & so Bawdewyn departed. T [...]ā the quene sayd to Arthur, min owne sweete & true loue I am now wel pacyfied in my hert now y^• I haue you in my house as of him in all the woorlde that I moost desyre to se & speake withall [...] & therwith she [...]ayde one of her armes aboute her necke, and wyth the other hande she dyd stryke [Page Ci] down his here & said, Arthur ye be come to y^• plae where as ye be much loued w^t a faithful hert wherfore ye shal be lord & go [...]e maner of al y^• lond y^t I haue in go­ue [...]nauce whe [...]fore I wil make you my knight & souerain louer by y^• way of ma­riage, & first I present my se [...]fe to you & al the power y^t I am lady ouer, and [...] ensure there was neuer mā as yet there as you [...]e now, therfore refuse not the honor & prof [...]te that I offre you th [...] she toke a ryng fro hee finger and said by this gift I put you in rul possession of me and al mine, therfore genti [...] knighte I requyre you rec [...]iue it. And whan Arthur herde her thus speke and saw the ring, thā he beheld wel the lady & saw the gentilnes and faitenes y^• was in her, and fe [...]te her swete breth & saw her smyling counte [...]naūce, at the last his hert came to hym & remebred Florence, thē he [...]ld not kepe hym fr [...] weping, and cast out many a ꝑ­ [...]ound and depe sigh, and beheld wel proserpin and said. A gentil and noble lady your amorous words perseth my herte so y^t I fele my self at the g [...]etest mischief that euer dyd any c [...]ea [...]e for if I were y^e most hie and noble king that [...]uer was syth Alexander the great, and if I had lerned in loue al the daies of my life and at the ende might attaine to that case that I am in now. I shold wel think my payne & labour right we [...]l enployed and hyely rewarded, for if al the kinges of y^e world were al in one person & al theyr goodes and honors and al partes there [...]f were gathered together into one person, & if it plesed you to take him to y [...]ur seruic [...] he shold wel think him self [...]ight hi [...]ly and derely gouerned but madame I am but a simple person to be compa [...]ed to your hie estate, therfore ye shol [...]e abate gretly your renowne yf ye should take such a straunge knight as I am, wherefore ye shold be blamed muche of your people, wherfore madam for goddes sake aduise you better, & let this passe ouer, and take such a noble pe [...]son as is mete for youre estate and honor. Syr abque; the lady I quite al the world for you, for I wil no [...] other but al lonely you, therfor [...] receiue me for I wyl it shal be so and none otherwy [...]e, and if ye wil defend your opinion by her that ye told me of this last nighte in the forest, ye can not do so by reasō, for ye neuer saw her, nor she you, nor neuer spake w^t her, th [...]refore there is no couenaunte made betwene you & h [...]r but that lawfully ye may leue her and ye lyst, therfore ye can not excuse you to do thys my de [...]yre. w^tout it be for cowardi [...]e that ye haue to enterpryse the gouernaunce of a realme And whan Arthur had wel vnderstand her, he answered and said, madā as god helpe me I tolde you the trouth as it is, and I wold be glad to do that thing that sholde plese you, how be it of one thyng be y [...] in certayne that I haue set my hert there as I haue shewed you, se [...] that I can neuer call it agayne, ye may behold he [...]e my body, taken & it please you, but my he [...]t remayneth in an other place w^t her who hath it in kepynge. Than the [...]e was a lady came to the quene & shewed her that her dyner was redy. And than she sayde, syr knight thynk wel [...]n thys matter, I gyue you respyce tyll to morowe, end so she toke Arthur by the hand and led hym into the hall, & there he saw so manye bordes cou [...]red, and so g [...]eate plenty [...]f ladies and damoselles & knightes and squyer [...], that he had great mar­uayl to behold the noblenes that he saw there. Than the quene sayd alowd that euery body myghte here her, syr lordes & ladyes behold this knyght who shall be [Page] lord & capitayne of al my seygnory. And whā they herde that they cryed all w^t one voke he is welcom god kepe him, bless [...]d be the houre y^t euer he came hither, & they all beheld hym maruaylously, & praysed moche his fresshe beaute & goodly bemenour. Than there began grete feest & Ioy with moche honourable tryumphe, & so we [...]e set to dyner & serued ryghte honou­rably, & after dyner they sported them a longe season, & at last the quene called to her two of her ladyes the fayrest of all the company & cōmaūded them y^t they shuld lede Arthur a playenge & that they shuld shewe to him suche chere to cause hym to loue one of them yf they coulde brynge it about. And they answered they wold do the best y^t laye in theyr power, so they .ii. ledde forth Arthur in to fayre chambres & gardyns of pleasure, & they dyd as mo­che to drawe hym to loue one of them, as euer dyd woman to drawe onye man to loue, for theyr delynge w^t him was [...]uche that it wolde haue [...]ē harde for ony other creature to haue w^tstand theyr occasyōs for yf a woman be mynded to cast for he her hokes & lynes to take ony man the [...]w^t it is very harde to scape [...]ut of theyr daū ger [...] for in suche a dede a woman is more subtyll than the deuyll, for he causeth a woman of suche dy [...]posycyon to do that thynge y^t he can not do hym selfe, in lyke wyse thys quene cōmaūded these ladyes to do y^• she coulde not do her selfe, but Ar­thur for al theyr pleasa [...]t occasyons wolde neuer bende for all y^t they dyd or sayd was very no [...]ous to hym for alway [...]e he had in hys herte the remembraūce of the fa [...]re Florence, & so in this case he was bytwene them tyl it was tyme to go to rest Than he was conuayed to hys chambre wyth .xi. knyghtes, & a great multytude or torches ayenst hys comyng, the quene also was redy in hys chambre, & than w^t in a lytle whyle after the [...]pyces & wyne had b [...]n eten & dronken, than the qu [...]ne & al other toke th [...]ir l [...]ue of Arthur [...] departed out of his chambre, & than he went to hys bed, & there was drennynge al night before hys beddes fere .iiii. mortes of wax [...]nd whā euery bodye was a bedde there came to Arthurs bed side a fayre damoys [...]ll s [...]nt to hym fro the quene, & she was in a syrcote of ermynes, & ouer y^• a ryche mantell of sylke, & so she lened downe on the bed to Arthur, and with her hād stry­ked downe his head ryght swetely, & there she made him suche lowly coūtenaūce y^• he myghte perceyue well how she wolde hau [...] had hym to haue taken her into his bed. And at laste Arthur sayde, fayre lady I am in fere leest ye wyl take colde with your taryenge soo longe here, therfore ey­ther come to bedde to me or elles go your way hens. Sir ꝙ she I wyl ly wyth you wyth great Ioye, but fyrst ye shal assure me to take me for your loue, and neuer to haue other. A fayre lady ꝙ he y^t can I not do, for I loue an other, and so thā shuld I be false of my pr [...]myse. Well syr sayd she than I wyl go my way. Ye say wel quod Arthur I praye god sende you good ad­uenture, & so therwith she departed, & Arthur slept as longe as it pleased him til it was fayre daye in the mornynge. Than Bawdewyn opened the wyndowes, for Arthur wolde aryse. Than the quene [...]ntred in to his chābre, and Arthur sate in his bedde doynge on of his doublet. And as soone as Bawdewyn sawe the quene he sayd vnto Ar [...]hur, syr behold who co­meth h [...]therto you, by myne aduy [...]e lette not her escape at this tyme. Thā the que­ne sa [...]e downe by Arthur on the beddes syde. And sh [...] badde Bawdewyn go play him for a seasō. Madame ꝙ he w^t a ryght [Page Cii] good wyll, I shall not longe anoy you here. Thā the quene demaunded of Arthur how he had taken his rest that nyghte, & [...]adde hym as than good morowe. And Arthur answered & sayd, madame god y^• all thinge hath formed sende you his dere loue. Frende sayd she I gaue you yesterdaye respyte tyll thys day, therfore as ye be now auysed eyther to take or refuse y^• I haue offred you, shewe me nowe your minde in y^t behalfe shortly. Madame said he I can shewe no more nor gyue you no more than I haue done, ye may take my body the which is here present, but as for my heart I can not take it awaye from whence as it is, I haue enforced my selfe to haue it agayne but y^• more I thinke on her y^t hath it the faster she holdeth it, therfore madame I can do no more as help [...] me god ye haue here my bodye w^tout the herte. Thā the quene behelde Arthur wel & enbraced him about the necke, & al smylynge sayd, well good frende Arthur fro hens forth now be ye in peas, for truly I haue ryght well assayed your trouth, but now I se well your stedfaste faythfulnes for ye be true to your loue, for I se by it ye loue her faythfully, & certayn [...]ly ye haue good cause so to doo, for in lyke wyse she loueth you, for she hath refused thempe­rour of Yndes loue for your sake, for her hert is on no creature of the world but al onely on you: & I am she y^t anon after her natyuyte dydde desteny her to you whan she was brought vp to vs into the moūt peryllous, & as for the other .ii. ladyes y^t were w^t you yesterday the whiche so sore dyd tempte you to haue wonne your loue the whyche they dyde but on [...]ly to assaye you, one of them destenyed y^t the ymage in the pauylyon who holdeth the chaplet shuld neuer gyue it but to you, & so ye to haue both the lady & the chaplet, & y^• other lady destenyed y^t ye shuld haue the white shelde & the good swerde enchaunted the which ye be in possessyon of, & the thyrde that came to your bed last she destenyed that yf ony other persone wolde presume to take the fayre Florence y^• he should die an yll deth, & I haue caused you to come into this coūtre, for I made you to haue the visiō of the egle of gold y^t ye thought ye sawe in your slepe, & there ye sawe a dragon the whyche wolde haue taken her fro you, the dragon is sygnyfyed by the Emperour of Ynde, for as muche as he may he wyl let you to haue her, how be it she shall be yours at length, but fyrste ye shal suffre muche payne & trouble, but I shall shewe you what ye shall doo, kepe well the loue of the kynge of or qu [...]ney & of the archebysshop of Cornyte, for they shal be to you both true & stedfaste, & spe­cyally aboue all other loue well mayster Steuen, for by hys meanes ye shall haue her after your warre be doone, & in your warre I shal helpe you with .xi.M. haw bertes, it is I that sent for you in the name of the hurte knyght y^t ye should come to hym to thentent that I myght assaye you, & to knowe of what faythfulnes ye were of, but nowe Florence maye be in a surete y^t she is beloued of the best knyght of the world, and of the moost fayre and stedfaste knyght y^• now lyueth, therfore nowe syr knyght aryse, for it is hye tym [...] Thā the quene departed & Arthur appa­rayled him & went into the hall where as he foūd the sayd quene nobly accōpanyed & all they rose ayenst Arthur, & he ryght swetely dyd salute them, than the quene caused hym to syt downe by her & he said Madame & it lyke your grace it is nowe hye tyme that I take forth my Iourney & go thither as I am in minde to do. Cer­taynly s [...]r said the quene I am ryght wel [Page] content y^t ye so do, but fyrst ye shal dyne. So than Arthur dyned there w^t the que­ne, & after dyner he toke hys leaue of the quene & of all the courte, & there was moche sorowe whan he departed, for all the court had trusted y^t he should haue bene theyr lorde. Than Arthur moūted on his horse & so departed out of the castel, & soo came to the hurt knight and demaunded of him how he dyd, and whether y^t he had well quytte his couenauntes or not. Sir as god helpe me ꝙ the knyght I do right wel, & ye haue right truly & nobly quytte you to me, therfore the lorde y^t all thynge fourmed rewarde you, & truley I am and shall be your owne knyght. And so Ar­thur cōmaunded hym to god, and the la­dy also that was hys loue, & so rode forth his waye towarde Cornyte.

SO it was that whan Arthur was departed fro Proserpy­ne he rode so longe tyll at the laste he entred in to the londe of the duke of bygors neuewe and so by aduenture he toke hys lodgynge wyth a knyghte who was neuewe to syr Isembarte, and he receyued Arthur wyth gre­te Ioye, than he was vnarmed, and whan he was redye wente into the hall where as this knight was. Thā the knyght demaūded of Arthur what was hys name. And he y^t doubteth nothynge an­swered & sayd, syr I am called Arthur, & my squyer is named Bawdewyn. Than the knyght knewe wel y^t it was he y^t had [...]layne his vncle syr Isembarte, wherfore his hert rose sore ayenst hym, but he ma­de no semblaūt therof, for he knewe well that Arthur was a knyght ryght sore to be redoubted, for he wy [...]te well he was not able to resyst ayenst him, therfore he thought to slee hym in hys bedde a slepe, and in the meane tyme [...]o close hym fast [...] in a toure, & than to send for the duke of Bygor and al his company, & there to fle hym by nyght tyme. And than he made fayre semblaunt to Arthur & sayde, syr I am boūde to loue you well bycause ye ha­ue slayne syr Isembart, for of all men ly­uynge I hated hym moost, for he dydd [...] me manye dyspleasures, & thus w^t fayre wordes he draue of the season w^t Arthur tyll it was souper tyme, and than he was ryghte well serued, and after souper they sported them tyll it was tyme to goo to theyr restes. Than the knyght caused Arthurs bedde to be made in a stronge tour but it was so well hanged wyth clothes of sylke and arres that Arthur could not perceyue the walles nor strengthe therof And whan Arthur and Bawdewyn we­re entred into the toure incontynent the knyght dyd shytte fast the doore, whych was all of yren, and did barre it fast with foure greate bar [...]e & escryed on Arthur and sayd▪ syr make as mery as ye can for or ye depart out of your chambre ye shal lese your head, for ye maye saye ye be vn­happy to come hither to your mortall enemy. And whā Arthur herde y^t he was in his herte right sore dyspleased, & soo ran to the doore thinkinge to haue opened it but he coude not: for it was barred w^tout with foure great barres of stele. Thā the knyght armed him and al his cōpany, so [Page Ciii] that they were well to the nōbre of .xviii. persones, and the moone shone fayre and bryghte in at a lytle wyndowe behynde one of the tapperts. Than Bawdewyn ta [...]e downe the hangynges, & than they myght [...]e [...]e [...]ely all aboute them, for the light of the mou [...] came in at the window where as the prisoners were wont to be serued. Than A [...]thur armed hym & toke his swerde in his hand & beheld well the wyndowe the whyche was very stronge barred wyth yren, and by aduenture he founde in the chābre a grete leuer of yren and soo [...]e toke it in bothe hys handes as he that was ryght sore displeased and dyd lyft vp the leuer as lyghtly as though it had ben but a sticke, & layd at the barres of yren with suche strength that he all to braste the barres & stones and made su­che an hole that an oxe myght well haue yssued out therat. Than the knyght and hys company wythout whan they sawe that they dydde caste at hym ryght rudely dartes and quarelles shot out of the crosbowes. Thā Arthur toke his white shel­de and went to the wyndowe & there re­ceiued all theyr shotynge, but they could in no wyse hurt hym. Than Arthur lepte out at the wyndowe & so descended downe and couered hym wyth hys shelde. Than they all ran at ones at hym, but Arthur gaue suche strokes that he dasht downe al that euer he attayned vnto. And Baw­dew [...]n toke a barre of yren and did helpe his mayster to the best of hys power. And at the last Arthur [...]ncountred the knight of the place, and gaue hym suche a stroke that he claue hym to the sholdres & so fell downe dead to the earth. And than anone after he disco [...]fited all the remenaūt, for he delte suche dyscyplyne amonge them that he cut of armes, handes, legges, and hedes, and all that euer he attayne vnto Than Bawdewyn ran and dyd lyft vp the drawe brydge, and dyd shytte fast the gates to thentent that non sholde escape and soo they serched all aboute but they coulde neither finde man nor womā, and than thei went to theyr restes til the next day, and so went forth on theyr Iourney towarde Cornyte.

ANd whan that Arthur hadd well ryden foure leges, than was it knowen how that the knight was slayne & all that euer were in the place, & thy­ther came al the knightes frendes & foūd hym dead, wherfore they were ryght so­rowfull, and as they made this sorow it fortuned that Gouernar passed forby the same castell, & as soone as they that were wythin sawe hym they thought y^t it had ben he that had slayne theyr knyght and frende. Than they begon to crye all at o­nes, let vs yssue out for yonder is he that hath slayne oure knyght, add so they ran all at ones at hym with great axes & ma­ces of stele & dyd hym moche anoyaunce Than Gouernar delyu [...]red hys spere to Iacket hys squyer, and set hande to hys swerd & gaue many great strokes rounde aboute hym, and cut of handes & legges and made armes & heades to flye into the felde, and at the last he dyd so moche that he delyuered hym selfe from them all sa­uynge of .iii. knyghtes, & they came with a grete randon to hym, and the fyrst that [Page] Gouernar encoūtred he strake him so rudely that he fel to the earth, & in hys falllynge braste hys necke. Than he dressed hym to the seconde and gaue hym suche a stroke wyth his sworde that be made bothe helme and head to flye to the erth. Than the thyrde stode styll without any mouing, and demaunded Gouernar of whens he was, and he answered howe y^• he was a straūge knight. And syr saide y^• other knight where lay you this nyghte passed. I lay sayde Gouernar .vii. leges hens with y^• lady of quar [...]orde. well syr sayd he knyghte than ye be not he that [...]ay thys night in this castell. As god helpe me sayde Gouernar it is not I, for I neuer sawe this castel before thys time well syr saide the knight than I require you to come on wyth me a litel way and I promise you I shall bring you agayne into thys same place wytho [...]te hurte or any maner of domage to you or to anye of yours, and al thys he dyd because he wold brynge hym before the dead bodies for to se whether any o [...] them would ble­d [...] agayne fresshely or not for thereby he thought surely y^• he should knowe whe­ther it were he or not that had slayne all those people. And Gou [...]rnar acco [...]ded to hys desyre, and soo they entred intoo the castell and there sawe the deade bodyes wytho [...]t anye more of bledynge. And whan the knighte sawe that he said, sir this people did runne agenst you wrongful [...]y and soo it appeareth by theym, for they that had thought moost for to haue wonne, I thynke hath nowe most loste, wherefore syr ye maye departe whan ye wyl, for ye shal not be let for me, and I pray to god sende you right good aduen­ture. Than Gouernar departed and soo folowed after Arthur.

ARthur rode forth so long tyl at the last he came to a grete forest, and as he wold haue entred into it, there encoun­tred hym a fayre yonge da­mosell ryght sore wepyng, and her fayre yelowe heyre hangynge aboute her shol­ders, and she was ryght sore hurt in the vysage and bledde fast and as soone as she saw Arthur armed her f [...]re began to be dowble, and than she knele [...] downe & helde vp her handes and cryed hym mercy and sayd, gentyl knyght saue my life and the honour of my body, and take al that euer I haue, and she was but in her smocke and a thynne syrcute, And whan Arthur sawe her, he knewe wel that she was afrayed, and sayd: fayre loue haue no dre [...] for I wyll doo nothynge to you but good. And whan she herade that she was in a surete [...]he sate her down on the ground, for she was in that case for fere that her legges would not bere her, nor could not speke of a great season. Than Arthur alyghted fro hys hore and ryghte swetely toke he in hys armes & sayd, my owne swete damoysell be ye now wel assured & of good hert and shew me what case ye stand in, and I that ayd you with al my power, than he [...]aw how y^• may­dens heyre was all tuffled by the reason of the wynd and thick busshes y^t she had runne through, and Arthur [...]yke a gentil knyghte dyd stryke downe her heyre for [Page Ciiii] they were ryght fayre and goodly. And whan she might spake she sayd, syr your great swetenes and gentyl herte hath taken fro me parte of my fere, how be it all that season she wepte ryght pyteouslye & sayd, syr I shall shewe you all the case how it standeth wyth me syth it pleaseth you to knowe it, syr it is of trouth I ha­ue dwelled here in thys foreste wyth an aunt of myne a wydowe a good olde lady in a fa [...]re gr [...]at manoyre of hers, & nowe there is come into thys forest .ii [...]i. knygh­tes who a [...]e banysshed out of theyr owne countre, and they do nothynge but robbe and pyll, and they haue in theyr compa­ny .xx [...]. horse men and [...]en fote men, and so they robbe ouer all the countre, so that they leaue no house vnrobbed, and thys other daye they sente to myne aunt that she should send them two hondred poun­de of money, but myne aunt wolde not for she wyste not why she should so do, & so now they become and haue layd syege rounde aboute myne auntes place, and there haue cōtynued these . [...]v. dayes and haue made theyr and we that they wyll neuer goo hens tyl they haue wonne the place and brent it downe to the erth, and slayne myne aunt and so I yssued out at a lytel gate to go to a brother of myne to desyre him to g [...]te [...]ogyther our lygnage to come to h [...]lpe and deliuer vs fro these theues and robbers, & as I was goynge here by there mette me ten foote men of theyr comp [...] who lyeth in a wayte to kepe the hye wayes. And thus th [...]y haue arayed me as ye se, and haue [...] yspoyled me and taken away my pal [...]y, and soo woulde haue [...]ysshed me, but as grace was they f [...]lle at a varyaunce amonge themselfe who should haue ben the fyrst that should haue defouled me, & soo they fel togyther & gaue eche o [...]her great stro­kes, and in the meane tyme I fledde a­waye in great fere of my lyfe. Than Ar­thur sayd fayre damoysel [...] go we [...] wo togither where as these rybawdes be, and I shall doo soo moche to them eyther by fayr [...]nes or foulnes that they shal r [...]ndre to you agayne your gowne and your palfrey. A syr sayd the lady they are very y [...] people and a great company. Fayre lady care not therfore sayde Arthur god shall helpe you in your nede. Thā the damoy­sel mounted vpon Arthurs horse behinde hym and so rode forth tyll at the [...]a [...] they aryued where as these theues were who were sekynge for the damoysell amonge the busshes. And they sawe her on horse backe rydynge behynde Arthur, they ran all aboute hym to haue slayne hym, but than Arthur toke hys swer [...]e & layde [...]oo on these rybawdes that wythin a shorte space he had slayne them all. Than the damoy [...]ell had ryght great Ioye and soo toke agayne her hor [...]e & her clothynge & apparayled her and sayd to Arthur, syr I pray god kepe you from all euyll encombraunce. And Arthur sayd, my loue nowe let vs go to youre aunt & let vs helpe her as moche as we can. A syr said she ye can neuer haue vyctory ouer them, for they be at ierst .xxx. on horse backe well armed and there be of them many good knygh­tes, therfore ano [...] they wyll slee you the which should be a great domage therfore let vs go to my broth [...]r & gather togither my frē [...]es the whyc [...]e shall be in nombre at the leest of .xl. persones on horse backe & so than shal y [...] [...]e them. Than Arthur sayd fayre damoysell take ye no thought therfore for I waraunt you or I departe I [...]all make them to be to vs suche fren­des y^• fro hēs forthe to you nor to none o­ther they shall do no grea [...] hurte. wel syr said the lady god giue you grace thus to [Page] do for they be ryght yll people. So thus they code forth together into y^• foreste, & the same tym▪ Go [...]ernar [...] Iacket were [...]ntred into y^• same foreste to seke Arthur for they had herde tydynges y^• he was riden in [...]o that forest before them, and thei [...] so longe tyll at the last they founde wh [...]re [...] these .x. theues lay dead▪ & than th [...]y t [...]oug [...] wel how that Arthur had d [...] th [...]t dede. Than Gouernar sayd to Iacke [...], frende I knowe well my lorde A [...]thur hath bene here, I se well he is a [...] carpenter, for he hath made here a fayre syght of chyppes. Syr truely sayd I [...]cket [...]here is in hym gret dyspence for he gy [...]eth mo [...]e than is of hym demaunded, for he hath gyuen more to thys company than they wold haue had, & al this season Arthur rode forth [...]yl wyth y^• da­maysel, & al last they aryued at y^• damoysell [...]s auntes p [...]ace, & the sayd theues as than had lef [...] theyr si [...]ge & were gone af­ter a great company of marchauntes to [...]h [...]tent to [...]obbe & to flee them, & in the me [...]ne season Arthur and the damoysel came to the gate, and she called y^• porter. And as soone as he sawe h [...]r he knewe he [...] ryghte wel, and so ser open the gate, [...]d than Arthur and the damosel entred into the place. Than Arthur sayd to the porter, [...]nde let the gate stande styll o­pen, for youre enemyes are all gone, for they all that were h [...]re were my cosyns therfore I war [...]ant you be not aferde of them, therfore let downe the brydge and so the porter dyd, for he beleued hym. Than the ladye led her knyghte into the hall. Than her aunte came to them and made them [...]yghte great feast and so vnarmed Arthur and made redy the me [...]e, and than they sa [...]e downe to souper and as they sat there entred into the hall one of the knight [...]s of the sayde sheues, and so he came streyght to the table whereas they dyd eate wyth a greate staffe in his hande, & without speakyng of any wor­de he lyft vp hys stuffe and strake the ladye a great stroke betwene the sholders, so that he made her to lene downe flatte on the table and therewyth she made a greate crye▪ and therewyth the these toke a great cuppe of syluer full of wyne and dyd caste all the wyne at Arthur where as he sate, and toke the cup wyth hym, and therwithall returned backe agayne wythout speakyng of any word, and as he yssued oute of the hall he met Baw­dewyn and strake hym so rudely that he wyst not well where he was. Than Arthur sayde to the ladye madame thus to be beten and to lese your good is a ryght great outrage. Than the knyght answe­red Arthur and sayde, syr yf thou wylte amende it come to the crosse way besyde yonder wood and there shall ye fynde me Than Arthur stepte vpon hys fete, a [...]d called for hys harneys and anone Bawdewyn ar [...]d hym. Than the lady sayde gentyl [...] knyght in the honour of the hye god of heauen go not thither, for they are xxx. on horse back well armed, wherfore ye can not endure agaynst them all. Madame sayd Arthur speke to me no more, for I wyl go loke on them, and so mounted on his horse and folowed the knyght to the crosse way where as he was redy aby [...]ynge for Arthur, and as sone as he sawe Arthur comyng he caste down the cuppe and toke hys sp [...]re, and they met togither so rudely that the knight brake his sp [...]re but Arthur s [...]rake hym so that hys sper [...] ranne through oute his bodye more than a fote, and so fell down dead. Than Bawdwyn sayd, right now thou strak [...]st me & now y^• art stryken agayne, for thy great pryde thou hast now an yll [Page Cv] rewarde but of suche deserte▪ suche payment, and so Bawdewyn drewe out the knyghtes owne sworde & strake of ther­wyth the knightes hand wherwyth he had stryken the ladye at the table, and so dydde put the hande into the cuppe. And there menaunt of the theues as they were departynge of theyr praye that they had wonne of the marchauntes, they espyed how one of theyr felowes was slay [...]e and therefore in contynent they toke theyr ha [...]eys and [...]nne at Arthur on all [...]ydes and soo gaue hym many great strokes, but euer Arthur cast hys shelde before hym, and theron receyued al theyr strokes, so that they coulde in no wyse payre hys shelde in any maner of poynt, whe [...]of they had [...]yght greate maruayle. Than Arthur st [...]ake one of theym so ru­delye that hys heade flewe clene into the felde, and he claue another to the shoul­dres, and the thyrde he claue from the sholdre [...]owne to the waste, and so gaue amonge theym manye wonderous stro­kes: but they were very manye, and soo some of the [...]m ranne to crosbowes, and to [...]artes, and therewyth dyde hym mo­che anoyaunce but alwayes [...]yghte va­lyauntlye he detended hym selfe, and so at the fyrste bronte he slewe vpon a .ii. o [...] theym. Than as they w [...]r [...] thus fygh­tynge togeth [...]r it fortuned Gouernar to aryue on them [...] the reason of the bront and noyse that he had hearde, and the [...]e he sawe w [...]ll how al that company were on one knyght whome he sawe defende hym selfe ryght valiauntly, and so long he behelde hym tyll at the laste he knewe well it was hy [...] mayster A [...]thur by the reason of hys why [...]e [...]held, than he dasht to his hor [...]e and came in amonge them as the wo [...]fe doothe amonge shepe, and strake soo the fyrste that he encountred that he ranne hym clene throughout the body, and he set his hand on his swerde and strake soo an other that hys heade. fell on Arthurs horse necke. And whan Arthur sawe that he knewe well it was his old knight Gouernar wherof he had great ioye, and so rested hym selfe too be holde Gouernar how that he fought w^t his sw [...]rd, and there he sawe how Gouernar [...]yd cleue one downe to the gyrdell. Than dyd Arthur smyle and sayde, thys mayster chastiseth ryght sore his scolers for he te [...]heth them a hard lesson, by the sayth that I owe vnto god I shall help [...] hym Syr sayde Bawdwyn whan ned [...] is, than a frende is proued, goo giue you grace well to do, & so Arthur rusht into the prese and confounded al that euer he attayned vnto. Thā one of these theues y^• was on fote, for he had lost hys horse before, ranne at Arthurs horse w^t a sper [...] and strake him cleue throughout the bely and so the horse fell downe dead. Than Arthur lepte on his fete and hys sw [...]d [...] in hys hand and dressed hym to the the [...]e that had slayne his horse, and gaue him suche a stroke that he claue hym too the sholders. And whan Gouernar saw Arthur on his fete he was ryght sorow [...]ul and soo dasht into the prese and encoun­t [...]ed a knyght so rudely that neyther his helme nor coyse of stele could sa [...]e hym but he was [...]ouen to the ha [...]d te [...]he and so he fell downe dead. Than Bawdwyn toke hys horse and brought it to Arthur, and quickely he lepte vp theron, and h [...] band [...]ned him selfe among hys enemies and so betwene hym & Gauernar of the xxx. they lef [...]e but foure alyue & so were taken, and in theyr takyng two of them w [...]re slayne & the other two were bound fast, & Bawdewyn and Iacket dyd kepe them, Than there came to them the lady [Page] and her nece, and when they sawe theyr enemyes lye dead on the ground, & saw the noble valute that was in those two knightes, these ladies praysed them mo­che in theyr [...]eattes, and the [...]e they sawe how that Arthur and Gouernar were togyther making good chere e [...]he to other and doynge of theyr h [...]mes. Than the lady sayd to Arthur, syr from whence cometh this knyght, is he p [...]traynyng to you. Ye truly madam sayd Arthur he is a frende who hath ryght well ho [...]pen me thys daye. we sawe not to [...]ether [...] gret season. And the lady saw we [...] how that he was fayre and maruelously byg and sayd. Syr ye were happy to come hither at thys point, and to you sir knight ye haue acheued this ente [...]pryse of these theues, I requyre you let t [...]se other two other be slayne or elles hanged for of [...]ll yll cote spryngeth an yll [...]re, for they wyl neuer do good if they escape. And whan the theues herde that they were in great feare and sayd to [...]r [...]ur, gentill knyght saue oure lyues and we shal shewe you where is in the forest [...]yghte greate trea­soure. where is that sayde A [...]thur. Syr we wyll bryng you thy ther soo that we dye not. And Arthur answe [...]ed and sayd syrs, as for your lyfe and death lyeth in these ladyes handes to do what it plea­seth them, but shortly brynge vs to thys greate tresoure. Than these two theues wente on before, & Bawdwyn toke the cuppe wy [...]h the knightes hande therein and dyd presente it to the lady from Arthur, who thanked hym muche and soo would haue gyuen the cuppe to Bawdwyn but he wold not take it for he said he had ynough to do with the cariage of his horse and harnes. So Arthur rode so longe after these theues in the forest tyll at the last they came into a wyld sauage place in a great valley, & there they foūd bowes and cros bowes, hawbertes, hel­mes, & gownes, couerynges and other cloth the which these theu [...]s had robbed al about the country, and also there they founde hydde in the grounde golde & syl­uer grete plentye, and cuppes and cha­lyces and other vessell of siluer, the whi­che mounted to a gret value. Than Ar­thur sayde to the lady, madame cause all thys ryches to be borne to youre place, & rendre ye agayn suche thynges as hath ben stolen fro churches & other people of the countrey, as for me nor none of my company shall take the worth of one p [...] uy therof. And the ladye dyd as Arthur cōmaunded her, but she desyred Arthur that the twoo theues myghte be slayne, and so they were incontinent, than they re [...]urned to the ladyes place, and wente to souper and were rychly serued. Than Arthur demaunded of Gouernar howe mayster Steu [...]n dydde and the markes. And he answered & sayd howe that they dyd ryght well and were in good hel [...]h, and how that they dyd [...]maunde them vnto hym, & in lyke wyse dooth the fayre lady Margarete of Argenton, for she is come to the port noyre to se her vncle the markes, wherof Arthur had greate ioy. And whan the lady of that place herde y^• she knewe than well that Arthur was y^• same knyght that had deliuered the markes out of pryson, & also had rescowed the lady margarete from the handes of the duke of Bygors neuewe. Than shee kneled downe before Arthur and sayde, syr I thanke you as muche as I can or may do for the aide & socour that ye haue done for the lady of Argenton, for I am her cosyn Germayn. And whan Arthur sawe her knele he toke her vp & so made greate ioye togeth [...]r tyll it was tyme to [Page Cvi] go to theyr restes, and in the mornynge Arthur rose and toke his leue of the lady and so rode forth on his waye to goo to Cornyte, for it was as thā but .xv. dayes to saynt Bartylmewe tyde whan as the great [...]ournay should be bitwene the kynge Soroloys and themperoure of Ynde Now wyll we leaue to speke of Arthur and of Gouernar and speke now of mayster Steuen.

THus as Arthur rode forth on hys waye towarde Cornyte, mayster Steuen was at the porte noyre wyth the markes and with the gentyl lady Margarete of Argenton, and there she dydde sporte and playe her as a gentyll damoy­sell oughte for to doo, and euery daye she made chaplettes of roses and other flou­res the whyche she gaue [...]o mayster Ste­uen, and she made hym also with the ne­dell worke a gyrdell and a purse of gol­de and sylke, she loued hym ryghte well in her herte. Than mayster Steuen ad­uysed well howe that the greate [...]ournay at Cornyte approched nere, therfore he thought it was tyme for hym to departe thyther warde, than he sayd to the Mar­kes. Syr I desyre you to kepe well thys castell of the porte noyre, & to you fayre lady I r [...]quyre you kepe ye styll compa­nie here with the markes your vncle tyll ye here fro Arthur, for and I can he shal be here bitwene this and saint Remyges daye. And right swetely [...]he did graunt [...] him there to abide. Than he toke his le­ue of them & so toke al his bokes, and the egle of gold & the pauilion wyth the ymage holdynge the chaplet, & soo departed & rode soo longe tyll he aryued at Cornyte Than he moūted vp the stayres into the palays, at the whiche time the fayre Florence was entred into her owne chaumbre, and the kynge at that tyme was not in the palays, but Florēce knyghtes wer [...] playenge at the chesse & at the tables and other dysportes, and the maister came in amonge them sodeynly, and as soone as they sawe hym they ran to him on al sy­des, and made to hym right great feest & chere. And at the last it came to the knowledge of Florence how that he was come and incontynente she came to hym, and as soone as he sawe her he dyd of his bo­net and saluted her, and she said sir ye be ryght hertely welcome now, for I was in fere leest that ye wolde not haue come to this tournay, therfore it is now tyme that my pauylyon be pyght vp, and so [...] she ledde the mayster into her chaumbr [...] and toke hym aparte, & than she demaūn­ded of hym how that he had done syth he departed from her and howe that Arthur dyd. Madame sayde he I sawe not Ar­thur syth he dyd the batayle at Argenc [...] For as soone as the batayle was ended & that the kynge of orqu [...]ney & duke Phy­lyp & all the hole company were in great Ioye and myrth there came a messenger to Arthur from the wounded knyght to thentent that he should goo to him for to gyue hym helth, and soo the same propr [...] houre he departed, whereof euery man was so sore troubled that they all depar­ted the same daye. A mayster sayd Flo­rence than I fere me greatly of his deth. [Page] Madame sayd the mayster be ye in a su­re [...]e take no care for hym, for he fereth not all the worlde, for there is not suche an oth [...]r kn [...]ghte in all the worlde agayne. Mad [...]m [...] I shewed hym how that ye did cōmaunde you vnto hym, & how that ye desyre hym as derely as he loueth you y^• he should not fayle for any thynge but to be at thys next great [...]ournay at cornyte and he dyd graunte me for certayne that he wolde not [...]ayle therof. A mayster sayd she dydde ye not requy [...]e hym faythfully so to be. Madame as god helpe me I waraūt you he wyll not fayle. Well mayster said [...]he I requyre you [...]ause me to se him & [...]o sp [...]ke with him as shortly as it may be. M [...]dame sayd he with a right good wyll. Well mayster than I praye you se that my pauylyō be pigh [...] vp in the felde incontinent, for paraduenture if he co [...]e nowe ony thynge before the daye and se no [...]yg [...]e or token in the felde y^• ony tournay should be the [...]e, than it myght fortu­ne he wold departe agayne. Madame ye saye right well ꝙ the mayster for in dede it is h [...]e tyme. Than she sent for syr Neuelon her marysshall & cōmaūded him y^• h [...]r chefe pauilion should be pight vp in the fel [...]e [...] & from thens forth that all her knightes sh [...]l [...]e lodge eu [...]ry night about her pauilyon. And as she cō [...]aunded so it was done. And also the mayster caused the pauylyon with the ymage to be pyght vp, & many other tentes and pauylyons but the ymage y^• helde the chaplet in the pauylyon was so goodly & delectable to beholde th [...]t no man coulde be satysfyed with lokynge on her, how be it the fres [...]he beaute o [...] Florence was incōparable therto, and so there were pyght vp .x. tentes & xiiii. pauylyons all peratyning to the no­ble Florence▪ besyde all other y^t were perta [...]nynge to her noble lordes & knightes for she had there at that tyme out of her owne realme to the nōbre of .xv. C▪ knyghtes. A [...]so syr Neuelon caused his tent to be pight vp who was senesshall to the gē tyll Florēce, & chefe of her co [...]seyle nexte mayster Steuen, [...] she trusted moche in hym, for he was a wyse man and a good knyght, & no yll sayer, and his pauylyon was set next to the forest & ferthest fro the ladi [...]s pau [...]lyon, and nexte to the ladyes tent was syr Ancelles pauylyon neuew to the senesshall who was a ryght hardy and a valyaunt knyght, the thyrde pauylyon was partaynynge to the archebys­shop of Cornyte who was vncle to Flo­rence, & brother to the king of Soroloys father to Florēce, the fourth was syr Myles of va [...]efounde, the fyft was syr Peter brysebar a redoubted knygh. Also than thither was come s [...]r Rowland of bygor who was one of Florence knyghtes, but he was right enu [...]ous, and he was cosin germayne [...]o the [...]u [...]e of [...]ygor, & he cau­sed his pauylyon also to be pyght vp the whych was right goodly & fresshe to be­holde, he was not in the coūtre whan the batayle was bytwene Arthur & the duke of bygors neuewe, and whan he knewe the dyscomfyture of hys cosyn he was so sorowfull that he dyd neyther eate nor drynke but lytle of three dayes after y^t he knew therof and whan he had somwhat passed hys so [...]owe, than he made auowe and promise that if he might se or knowe the knyght that had slayne hys cosyn syr Isembart y^• he wold be auenged of hym yf euer it lay in [...]is power, and he myght well be descended of the lygnage of the duke of bygor, for he was fell & spytefull and proude, and the chefe cause was he came to the tournay was to thentent to encountre Arthur if he came thyther. So these .vi. pyghte vp theyr tentes round [...] [Page Cvii] aboute Florence pauylyon. Than vpon a daye Florence yssued out o [...] Cornyte & all her chyualry wyth her, and soo wente into her owne pauylyon, and all other lordes and knyghtes ladyes and damoy­selles went eche of them into their owne tentes and pauylyons, the whyche were to the nombre of two thousand, and Flo­rence cōmaunded that euery body should make as great feest & Ioy as they coulde doo, so than there began greate feest and Io [...]e. Than kn [...]ght [...]s began to Iust and tournay to assaye theym selfe, a [...]so the la­dyes and damoyselles dydde sende theym chaplettes & streame [...]s to set on theyr hel­mes & speres, & some company of knygh­tes sported them in the forest, and some wente to the fayre ryu [...]r with sparhaw­kes and gerfowcons on th [...]yr handes, & some [...]e [...]elde the hye tournes & [...]ournyn­ges of the sakers & gerfawcons, squyers and variettes were furbusshynge & scou­ [...]ynge of theyr maysters harneys & [...]oke­lyng of sheldes and helmes, & knockynge on hedes & burres on myghtye speres, la­dyes and damoyse [...]les did ca [...] [...]le [...] sing and daunce w [...]t [...] lusty knightes, and cler­kes sange balades, and knightes and la­dyes talked of loue, some enbraced, and some kyssed & shewed synge of loue, & su­che as were s [...]cke or hurte were shortely made hole. Than Florence behelde these lusty damoyselles playnge & laughynge wyth these fr [...]sshe yonge lusty knightes clappynge theym on the backes w^t theyr whyte handes, & shewyng [...] theym greate sygne of loue, and geuynge eche to other laces, gyrdels gloues, k [...]uercheu [...], [...]yn­ges [...]aplettes and garlondes of fresshe flour [...]s. Than Florence cast out a great sygh and sayd to mayster Steuen, syr se ye not how these ladyes and damoyse [...]les laughe & play eche of theyr louer. A mayster & what haue I deserued that I canno [...] haue my louer to sporte me with him as wel as they do wyth theyrs, for I loue with al my hole herte & yet I wo [...]e nor what he is, for my hert lyeth on hym that I neuer sawe, so thus I am in the sonne without hauynge of ony lyght, I am in loue wythout Ioy. A dere maister what haue I deserued more than onye other. Than the m [...]yster sayd, a deare ladye he ye of good comforte for a tyme shall co­me that shall gyue you lyght, the cloude that as yet couereth the [...]yght in good season shal be made bryght. A mayster sayd Florence dyd ye not hertely cōmaū ­de in v [...]to hym whan ye wente to Ar­gence. By the fayth that I owe to god sayd the mayster I dydde it madame in the best wyse y^• I coulde ymagyn. Thus the fayre Florence and the mayster eue­ry daye from the wednesdaye tyll sater­daye talked togyther of the comynge of Arthur the whyche saterdaye the arche­bysshop sange masse afore Florence, and he and al the hole barony that day dyned wy [...]h the noble Florence, for she had de­syred them all so to do▪

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ANd after dyner the archbysshop and maister Steuen & syr Rowland and the other barons went talkyng and playing togeder out of the medowe and entred into the forest, & at the laste they came to a fayre grene oke the whych dyd caste a fayre shadowe a greate cyrcuyte aboute it, and the grasse was fayre and soft and thyck vnderneth so there they sate them d [...]wne and tal­ked together of many thyng [...]s tyl at the last the mayster demaunded o [...] syr Rowlande how that he lyked by that country about Cornyte and whether it were fa [...] rer than the country of bygor. Than sir Rowland answered that it was not to hym that he would giue any answere in that case. why sayd the master & as for me I am as lytell bound to you, as you to me. well sayd syr Rowland that ma­keth no matter for though ye be son to a kyng yet wyl I not answere you in that matter nor in non other, take it as ye list why syr sayd the mayster haue I trespa­ced any thing agenst you. Yea y^t ye haue sayd syr Rowland & that tyght greuousely for ye were at Argente whā my cos [...]n syr Isembart was slayne, and ye kepte cōpanye & were chefe coūseller w^t the knight that slew him, therfore I bere grudge in mine hert agaynst you, & I promise to god that yf I may encountre hym that dyd that deede, I shal do as much to hī as he hath done to my cosyn. Syr sayd y^e maister whan ye mete him ye may do as ye wyll, but often [...]imes it fortuned that a man can not attayne to do so muche as he would do, nor paraduenture he can not nor dare not, butte as for that dede ye oughte not to be dyspleased though right was done, for godlightly wyll suffer no wronge, but alwayes he fordereth and aideth the [...]ight cause how so eu [...]r it falleth. well sayd syr Rowlan­de than ye saye howe that my cosyn was in the wronge but there is none y^t sayeth so but he sayeth otherwyse than trouthe is, and that wyll I proue before euerye ma [...] ag [...]nst you and ye wyll mount on your horse for I say the mat [...]r was not truly nor ega [...]y del [...] withall. Syr sayde the manster ye lay vnto me great outra­ge and vylany, where as ye saye that I dyd in that matter otherwyse than well and t [...]uely, wherof I say plainely ye lye fal [...]ely in your head and ce [...]tenly I shal neuer be in reste tyll that I haue [...]te a knyghte agenst you to proue it, and yf I can it shall be the same knyght whyche dyd the batayle agenst youre cosyn, who shal cause you to call agayne these wor­des that ye haue spoken. Than the may­ster rose ryghte g [...]eatly [...] dyspleased and woulde haue departed and [...]r [...] that companye, but the archebysshop helde hym [Page Cviii] agayne & prayed him that he wold suffre all that for that tyme, & at hys request he sayd he wolde so do. Than syr Neuelon the senesshall sayd to syr Rowlande, syr be content w^t the wordes of the mayster for he is a man of greter dygnyte than ye be of, for though he had stryken of your head, ye haue not soo hye a frende y^t durst reuenge your cause, the noble kynge of Orqueney was at y^t batayle, & wher as ye say that the mater was not truly deite wythall, ye speke than vylany ayenst the kynge & ayenst Phylyp duke of Sabary his neuewe, and ayenst all su [...]he as were there, the whych seynge nedeth not there to be rehersed, for it is a shame to you to suffre suche wordes to passe out of youre mouth. Than [...]ore dyspleased Brysebar slepte forth & sayd, syr Rowlande ye say that the mayster dyd not truely in y^e ma­ter whan your cosyn was slayne, wherein I saye that ye saye not truely, & yf ye wyl mayntayne the contrary take youre hat­neys and I shal take myn & let it be seen who is in the trouth, & therwith syr Brysebar was rysynge to haue departed, but the bysshop helde him agayn & sayd, loke who soo euer speketh ony worde more of this mater let hym be sure I shall not be hys frende, & so they left there spekynge of y^t mater for that tyme, for the bysshop brought them in an other talkynge, & as they were deuysynge & talkynge of one mater and other Arthur and Gouernar yssued out of the forest and soo entred in to the medowe. And than Arthur behel­de the goodly tentes and pauilyons that were pyght all aboute the felde, and also he sawe the sheldes and helmes and har­neys shynynge ayenst the sonne, & h [...]de the greate coursers braye & crye & stampe with theyr fete, the whych fyght & noyse quyckened his herte and courage. At the last Gouernar espyed Florence pauily [...] wherin was the ymage with the chaplet and shewed it to Arthur. And whan he sawe it his herte inwardly reioysed, for he knewe well it was his ladyes pauylyon. And by y^• tyme the mayster & al other were entred agayne into the fayre me­dowe, & Arthur sate on hys horse in a grete study & mused of hys aduenture. And at the last syr Myles of balefoūde espyed hym & knewe well how y^t it was Arthur for he had seen hym before at Argence. Than he said to the other knightes that were aboute hym, lordes beholde yonder is a knyght al armed who is ryght fayre to beholde, is there onye here y^• knoweth hym, for he wolde not name him bicause of syr Rowland. And whā mayster Ste­uen sawe him he said I know hym ryght well, wherfore I trust y^t the great wind that was lately blowen wyll now sone be layde, & of hys comynge he had greate Ioye in his herte so moche that he forga­te in a maner al his displeasure. Certaynly syr sayd the senesshal he is right fayre and gracyens to beholde, wherfore I byleue he is of a great bloude, but me thyn­keth by his semblaunt he is in a great study whe [...]fore so euer it be. By my hode ꝙ Brysebar I knowe full well wherfore he studyeth. Than the mayster & the senes­shall & Brysebar rose and fayre & easely wente to hym warde & sayd eche to other how y^t they wolde not name hym as at y^• tyme bycause of syr Rowlande, and so [...] they came before Arthur who was styll in his study. And Gouernar as soone as he sawe the mayster he alyghted fro hys horse and enbraced hym, and all the other barons eche after other. And therwythal Arthur lefte hys musynge, and as soone as euer he sawe mayster Steuen and the other knyghtes he dyd alyght from hys [Page] horse, and did salute them all one after an other, and so among them there was made right great feast and ioy, And than syr Rowlande meruayled muche what knight he mighte be, becaus he sawe soo much chere & ioye made to him▪ and that they knew him and he not. Than the senesshal sayd to Arthur, syr I wyl ye ta­ke my rent and pau [...]n as your own, & so ye and I to kep [...] company together in thi [...] t [...]rney. Syr I am wel content quod Arthur, and to incontinent he was vnarmed, & al his harnes and horse was sent to the senesshals tent. And whā Arthur was aparayled than the mayster sayde to hym, syr let vs go & salute ye the archbysshop, who is brother to kyng Emendus, and vncle to the faire lady Florence And whan A [...]thur herd speke of Florence his hert trembled for ioye, and soo he wen [...] t [...]warde the bysshop. And whan the bysshop saw him he rose and dyd sa­lute him, so did sir M [...]es and also syr Rowland of bygor how be it they knew hym not, and so the bis [...]hop behe [...]d hym affectuously, for he semed to hym to be y^e most fayre knyghte of the world. Than Arthur dyd of hys bonet and dyde salute the bysshop and al other and in likewise they hym agayne. Than the bysshop demaunded of him what he was. Syr said Arthu [...] I am a knight straūger. And as soone as syr Rowlande herde hym saye so, it ran into his he [...]t that it was the same knyght that slewe hys cosyn, & than he demaunded of him what was his name. Syr sayd he my righte name is Ar­thur. And how cal ye youre squyer quod syr Rowland. Syr sayd Arthur he is na­med Bawdwyn, Than syr Rowlande knew wel that it w [...]s he that slew his cosin, & soo demaūded of him fro whens he came. Syr quod Arthur I come strey­ght fro Arg [...]nce. wel syr quod Rowland saw you the batayl that was done the [...] betwen a straunge knight, and the duke of bygors neuewe. And whan y^e maister herd tho demaū [...]es he was right ioyous for than he wyst well that the wordes y^t had be spoken before should be [...]el reuē ­ged. Than Arthur answered syr Row­lande and sayd, syr whan y^e bata [...]e was done I passed forby. I thynke sayd syr Rowland that it was your selfe tha dyd that bat [...]yle w^t syr [...]sembart. Syr quod Arthur I wolde he ryght glad [...]e to be of suche valure as too conquere in batayl such a knight as he was. Certenli quod Rowland I know wel it was you, and therfore I saye that falsely and [...]nt [...]uly ye dyd it, and that I wyl make g [...]od in­contyneut my bodye agenst yours. And whan the archbysshop herde that he blamed much syr Rowland for his wordes and desyred hym y^t al the matter myghte be in rest & peas. But he proudly answered & said how that he wold not but y^t he wold arme him incontinent. Than the mayster sayd to the bysshop, naye syr let hym alone for he is in the ryght. therfore he hath good cause to be reuenged yf he can for whā he hath his enemy present before him, what shal [...]e nede to go seke for hym any fe [...]der and all that he sayde because he thought longe tyl they were together for he wyst we [...] how y^t Arthur should reuenge ryght well suche words as he had sayd to hym before. Thou Gouernar ryght sore dysplesed slepte forth and sayd, syr Rowlande ye be to muche outragyous to appele thus this knight of falsenes whom ye knowe not nor ne­uer saw hym before, nor wyst no [...] what he [...]s therfore I say playnly ye lye falsly in youre heade▪ he is not false nor neuer was to you nor yet to an [...] otther, and in [Page Cix] that quarel here is my guage to fight w^t you my body agenst yours. Thā Arthur blamed Gouernar for his words & commaunded hym to be in peace, & so he dyd folowe his plesure. Than Arthur sayde, syr Rowland yf ye lay any thing agenst me, I am here redy to defend me agenst you, well syr sayde Rowland of falsnes I appele you in y^• quarell, mount short­ly on your horse & d [...]fend it and ye dare well syr sayde Arthur ye say wel, go on your way and I shall not be longe fro you. Syr sayd the mayster to syr Row­lande ye haue the herte of a noble baron therfore ye do ryght well to defend your ryght, for your ryght & trouthe shal sure lye helpe you, all thys he sayde but in a mockery. Than syr Rowlande went to arme him, and the senesshall and the ar­chebysshop and mayster Steuen kepte styll company wyth Arthur, who incontyne [...]te was armed. Than the mayster wente streyght to the noble Florence, & founde her in her ryche tente standynge on a cusshyn of sylke, and as soone as the sawe the mayster she began to smyle and called hym to her. Than he sayd madame and it lyke youre grace Arthur is come, and at his fyrst comyng syr Row­land of bygor hath appeched him of falsnes for sleyng of hys cosyn at Argence, and so they be bothe about to arme them for the batayle betwene them shal be in­contynent. And whan y^e lady herde hym speke of Arthur her bloud trembled and therwith she b [...]usshed as [...]uddy as a rose and was in her hert ryght ioyous of hys comyng, and ryghte sore dysplesed that syr Rowland should fyght wyth him so sone at hys fyrst comyng than she sayde mayster I doubte me leaste that any vp lany should come to Arthur by fighting wyth syr Rowlande. Madame said the mayster ye know not as yet y^e noble valure of Arthur, for I answere you be setteth nothyng though he had to do all at ones wyth such .vi. as syr Rowland is therfore madame yssue out of your pauilyon and loke on your louer and beholde whether he be fayre or not, the archebysshop your vncle is wyth hym, and your senesshal, and syr Ancean, & also syr Miles of valefounde, and syr Brysebar, all these are ryghte sore dyspleased of the fe­lony that syr Rowland hath done to Ar­thur your knyght. A mayster sayde Flo­rende would to god he were myne▪ let vs go and I pray you shewe hym vnto me for I desyre muche to se him. Than Florence yssued out noblye accompanied w^t ladyes and damoyselles to the numbre of .C. C. and by that tyme the tydynges was spredde all about the fielde in euery mannes tent how y^t syr Rowlande was armyng of hym to fyght wyth a straūge knyght. And whan y^e archebisshop & the other barons sawe Florence they went and encountred her, and Arthur was in theyr company, and there they saw eche other, wherwith they were bothe so sore stryken wyth the darte of loue, that they lost theyr countenaunce, howe be it Florence as goodly as she myght, maintayned her countenaunce, and than she laid her hande on the b [...]sshoppes sholdre and demaunded of him what knight Arthur was, who aboue al other semed to be the most gracyous & g [...]n [...]yll, and he had his helme of his head and behelde euer Flo­rence, and also her fayre eyen wente ne­uer fro hym, for she coulde not kepe her selfe fro beholdyng of hym. Than Bry­sebar sayde, madam this same is the knyght that [...]rought in my syghte the fowle monster of the brosse to v [...]aunce, & euer syth he hath offred his seruice to be your [Page] knyght yf it please you so to except him In the name of god sayd Florence he is [...]yghche [...]ely welcome, and with a [...]ight good wyl I retayne him as my knight Ryght dece lady sayd Arthur I humbly thanke you of the hie honour that ye do [...]o me as to retayne me to be of the com­pany and numbre of so many and noble wyse men as your knightes be. And w^t the [...]e wordes there came a messenger to Florence, and shewed her how that the kyng of orqueney and duke Philyp wer comyng w^t .v.C. knightes in their com­pany & how that he was within a myle and a halfe. They are ryght [...]ertely welcome said Florence. And by that time s [...]r Rowland was armed and al [...]o Arthur. Than the ha [...]aw [...]e began to crye go togyther, bayle, bayle. Than Gouerner set on Arthurs he [...]me on hys head, & Baw­dewyn brought him his horse, & he moū ted theron as lightly as though he had bene vnarmed, than he toke hys whyte shelde and dyd cast it aboute hys [...]eck [...]. And as soone as Florence saw the sheld she k [...]ew it ryght wel, and sayde in hee h [...]rt [...]. I [...]e [...]e [...]o [...]er that shelde becometh you ryght well, I pray to god it may [...] be well enployed vpon you. Than he toke a grea [...] & a myghty spere, and whan he was redy at al [...] poyntes than he turned his eyen to ward Florence, and her eyen wente neuer fro hym, but behelde hym wyth feruent loue and desyre wherwith Arthur toke suche hardynes that he fea­red not all the worlde at that houre. So than he turned and dasshed his horse to wa [...]de syr Rowlande, & he in lyke wyse to him, & they went togyther as though thun [...]er had fal [...]ē fro heuen, & all that be [...]elde them sayd one to another, a good [...]orde what a goodly knyghte is yonder [...]aunge knyght. And syr Rowland hyt Arthur so rudely that he brake his spere all to sheuers, but Arthur strake him w^t hys spere the whych was so long & byg so vnmesurably y^t he lente bothe knight and hors, and al to y^e erth in a hepe, wher­with [...]yr Rowlādes arme brake a [...]onder in y^• middes, and y^e hors and sadel fell so sore on him y^t it brake two ribbes in hys syde, & so he lay a great space in a traūce wherof Florence had more [...]oy thā euer she had of any thing, and specially whan she sawe her loue do so hye dedes of pro­wes. Than syr Rowland had brought thyther .xiiii. knyghtes, and whan they saw theyr mayster syr Rowland a [...] that myschyef they all toke theyr harnes & al at ones [...]an & assayl [...]d Arthur. Thā Ar­thur drewe hys good sworde & strake so the fyrst that he encountred with that h [...] [...]aue him to the chinne, and fro y^• second he made his head to flie into y^e felde, and the thyrde he made to flye ouer hys horse c [...]ope & his legges vpward. Thā euery m [...]n behelde the hye prowesse of Arthur and [...]aid eche to other, the strokes of this knyght are gr [...]a [...]ly to be doub [...]ed. Than Gouernar toke a great pyece of a broken charyot aud dasht into y^• prese and draue downe knigh [...]es both hor [...]e and mā to y^e crath. Than euery man sayd vnto other this knight [...]s not w^tout company, theyr almes is right hard to indure, I would haue none of theyr p [...]aunce, they are grete dyspenders▪ for they gyue more than is of the demaunded. And whā Florence sawe the outrage of those knyghtes she was right sorowful, for she had grete fe­ [...]e of Arthur. Than she cōmaunded her seneshal y^t he shuld go and depart y^• batail and that those knightes should be al ta­ken, and their handes boū [...] fast togither in a punysshemente of theyr dedes, than her senesshal incontynent mounted on a [Page Cx] gret courser, and in a rich corset of grene gyrt w^t a white silkē lace, and his hat at his back w^t a white warderer in his hande. Than he sported furth his hors & caused knightes to come out of euery [...]ent & so they toke the knightes y^t wer fightinge w^t Arthur and Gouernar, but first of the .xiiii. there was .vi. slain, and dyuers other sore hurt. Thā Florence and the archebysshop came to syr Rowland where as he lay stil at y^t time in a traunce half a slepe, & whan he was reuiued & saw y^e byshop and Florence standyng before hī he de [...]ired that the knight that had iusted with him might come and speke w^t hym & so Brisebar went for him, & whan Arthur was come, syr Rowland said to hī Syr ye be welcome and for goddes sake pardō me of the outrage y^t I haue done agenst you, as to enterpryse to Iuste a­genst you, wherof now I sore repent me and fro hens forth I wil be your knight and good frende. Syr sayd Arthur yf y [...] haue any thynge trespassed agenst me I pardon you with good hert. Than there were brought forth the knyghtes of syr Rowland who wer fast besid becaus they foughte agenst Arthur w^tout anye defy­aunce before. Thā said Florence in the name of god they shal make a large amē des. Certainly madame sayd syr Row­lande I am content y^t they make amen­des to y^e knight as he wyl him selfe. So be it said Florence. Madam sayd Arthur I thank your grace syth they shall make me amēdes at mine own saying therfore than they shal go quite & fr [...], for I pardō the for they dyd but like knightes to help and ayd their lord and master. And whā the bisshop and al other herd him say so they sayde, a this is a free and a gentyll knight. And thā the gentil Florence said in her hert, a mine own loue ye haue a g [...] til hert and a fre, & mine hert is w^t yours and euer shal be, & than she saide to Ar­thur. Syr knyght ye shall go and vnar [...] you w^t my senesshal who shal holde you companye. Madame sayde Arthur as it shal plese you I am content. Than Florence went into her tent & toke her may­ster by the hand and said Master ye told me [...]routh of Arthur, for he is fayre & gracyous, and y^e best knight of hys hand [...]s y^t is in all the worlde. Certenly m [...]dam all that is trouth, for all noblenes is in him. well maister saide Florence I loue you entyrely and also my lord my father loueth you right wel, and ye & I haue be­ne norisshed vp togither, so ye be [...] mā & clerke sworne of my streyght counsayl therfore ye ought to owe me your faith & trouth w^tout any [...]r [...]son or falsenes, and ye ought to help and to ayde me in al my busines. Certenly madam quod the mayster al y^• ye say is of trouth, and so shal I do as longe as I lyue, for I shal kepe so crete your counsayle as long as I lyue Certenly mayster sayd she I haue grea [...] affyaunce in you, therfore it is so I wyl y^t ye shal know the secretes of my heart, therfore I require you kepe it close. It is so I loue Arthur w^t al my hert, & I wyl loue hym aboue all other creatures of y^e worlde, for here I sweare faythfully too you that as long as I lyue I wyl neuer haue lord nor spouse but al onely hym▪ And whan the mayster [...]e [...]de her saye so he had ryght great ioy, and sayd. Madā surely ye haue good cause th [...] to do, for he is the floure of all the worlde, and I shal helpe you to haue hym more than any other person of the world. But mayster quod Florence there is one thynge that I wold fayne know of what lig [...]a­ge he is of. Certainly madame he is son vnto a mighty duke, for Bawdwyn his [Page] squyer hath shewed me so. That is suffycyent sayd Florence, & so they lefte theyr comunycacyon at that tyme & departed. Than was syr Rowland borne into his tent & vnarmed. And the senesshall & Brysebar, sir Ancell, and sir Myles ledde Ar­thur to the senesshalles [...]ent, & there was he vnarmed, & whan he had was [...]ed his handes & vysage, than brought Bawde­wyn him a syrcote of scarlet furred with armynes the which became him right wel he was bygge & hye aboue all other & co­loured like the rede rose had bē set on the whyte lyly. Than he sayd he wolde go & se syr Rowlande, wherfore euerye man praysed him muche, & al the other barons wente thither w^t him, & there he was tyll it was past none, than he toke his leue of syr Rowland & yssued out into the felde, and than there was assembled all the nobles of the felde to beholde him, & they all sayd how y^t he was the moost fayre crea­ture of the wor̄lde, we thinke he be sonne to a kynge, wold to god the fayre Florēce were his lady & spouse. And therwith he entred into the senesshalles tent, and he & sir Myles played togyther at the chesse, and by that tyme the kynge of orqueney & duke Phylyp his neuewe were come & were lyghted in the myddes of the myd­des of the medowe ne [...]e to Florence tent And so he & Phylyp & well a .xiiii. other knyghtes wente streyght to Florēce tent and there they founde her playenge with mayster Steuen, & whan Florence sawe the kyng her cosin and duke Phylyp she did salute them and enbraced and kyssed them, & sayd how they were welcome, & so they made eche other great feest & Ioy and sate downe on fayre new grene rus­shes, & talked togither of many thinges. And at last the kynge demaunded of the mayster tydynges of Arthur. Syr sayd the mayster he is not ferre hens, he is in the senesshalles tent. A madame sayd the kynge dyd ye not se hym nor speake with hym as yet. Yes syr sayd Florēce I saw hym whan he dyd Iust agaynst syr Rowlande, who had appeled hym of falsenes bycause of his cosyn the duke of bygors neuewe. And I pray you madame sayd Phylyp how wente the Iustes bytwene them. Syr there is two ribbes broken in sir Rowlandes syde, & one of hys armes broken asonder, for hys horse fell on him In the name of god said y^e kyng he knew not as than Arthur, but now I trowe he knoweth some of hys strokes, therfore madame spede for y^e knyght & be aqueynted w^t him, for there is no prynce in al the worlde but y^• wold be right glad to haue the noble company of hym, and as I vnderstande he hath offred hym selfe to be your knyght, therfore receyue hym & re­tayne hym in suche wyse that he escape not fro you, for ye can not tel what nede parauenture ye shal haue of hym here af­ter. Cosyn sayd Florence ye say ryghte well, the mayster shal go for hym, and so he dyd. Than the kynge sayd to duke Phylyp hys neuew, a syr where is beco­me the good and faythfull company that ye promised to thys knyght now that ye be here and knowe that he is so nere and yet ye make none other semblaunt, ther­with syr Phylyppe sle [...]te forth after the mayster for to go to Arthur, and as they yssued out of theyr tente there entred the archebysshop. Than the kynge and Flo­rence rose and dyd set downe the bysshop bytwene them.

[Page Cxi]DUke Philyp and the mayster entred into the senesshals tent, and there they founde Arthur playing wyth syr Miles. And whan Arthur saw duke Philip he went and enbraced him & sayd syr ye be right her [...]el [...] welcom. Sir quod duke Philip and ye be also here wel foūd Syr sayde Arthur where is▪ the kyng of orqueney. Certaynly syr he is wyth my lady Florence in her tent, and he desireth you [...]o come to him. In the name of god sayde Arthur, I praye to god sende hym right good aduenture go we thither and so duke Phylyp and he wente hande in hande talkyng together, and the maister the senesshal, syr Myles, syr Ancean, and Brysebar went after them tyll they ca­me to Florence tent. And whā Florence sawe Arthur her herte began to tremble and sodēly blusshed, but there was none that toke hede thereto, for euery man toke regard to Arthur. And than the kyng and the archbisshop rose and went and enbraced hym, and made him right grete Ioye, and set hym downe by them. And than the kyng demaunded of hym howe he had done syth the tyme he sawe hym last. And he answered and said right wel I thanke god and you. Than the kynge sayd to Florence, madame beholde here thys knyght, for as god helpe me I wol­de it had cost me euery yere .xii. thousan­de pound on the condycyon that he were partaynynge to my house, and to be my companyon, and of thys I heartely did requyre hym at Argence, but he than an­swered me that he had offred his seruyce to you to be your knyght, therfore I say there is nothinge that can be but ladyes winneth al, madame ye haue him wherof I am ryght ioyous, and it pleseth me ryght well, for yf I had him he sholde be yours at your comaūdement, ye be a [...]yē & a puyssant lady, therfore do him some good & that shall be your honour. I promise him said Florēce I shal make hym a gret lord & a [...]uissant, and she thought in her herte that she would make him as gret a lord as she was a ladye. Madā ꝙ Arthur I thanke your grace, & therwith he stode vpon his fete, & he had a gentyll body both fayre & byg▪ and soo well pro­porcioned in all his members y^t the more y^e Florence beheld him the more he plea­sed her, there was no lady there but that they wysshed that he had bene partaininge to their lordes & husbandes, & as th [...] were talkyng thus togyther there came to Florence a messēger fro her father the king Emendus, and he shewed her howe y^• he dyd hertely cōmaund hym to her, and desyred her to go bastely to dyner, for he was comyng, and wyll lodge the same nighte nere to her tente. Than Florence made semblaunt as though she had ben [...] glad of hys comyng, how be it she was not content in her hert with his hasty cō ­myng, for she had thoughte to haue spo­ken w^t Arthur after diner▪ and thā she repented her y^t she had not spoken w^t hym at good leyser syth he came. Than went she to dyner, & the king of orqueney and the byshop sate downe together, and Florence in y^e myddes of the table, and duke Philip and Arthur sate downe together and so al other barons, & they wer ryght rychely serued, and by that time y^e tentes and pauilion of kynge Emendus were come and pyght vp not far fro Florence tent, thā these came squiers and officers by gret companyes▪ and euery mā in his owne offyce dyd theyr payn to make all thynge redy agenst the kinges comynge for the kynge was comyng righte nere. And whan the kyng of orqueney had dyne [...] he mounted on his horse, and duke [Page] Philyp and the bysshop and Arthur and all other barons and knightes, & all they did as moche honour to Arthur as they coude do. And thus they rode forth tyl at the last they encoūtred kynge Emendus who had in his company two .M. horses Than the kynge of orqueney and the ar­chebysshop dyde salute the kinge, and so rode nere him, and the kynge betwene them bothe. Than Phylip and Arthur came togyder, and Philyp dyde salute the kynge ryght swetely, & so than duke Philyp & Arthur rode forthe before the kynge and duke Philip helde his hande euer on Arthurs sholdre, and Florence s [...]nesshall, & syr Myles & syr Brysebar & syr Ansell rode euer aboute hym & made to hym r [...]ght great ioye. And at the laste kynge E [...]endus perceyued Arthur and sawe how all y^t ioye was made bycause of hym, & he sawe well howe that he was a ryght goo [...]ly knight. Than the kynge demaunded of the a [...]chebysshop his bro­der and of [...]he kinge of Orqueney what knyght he mighte be that duke Phylyp helde so moche company withall. By my fayth syr sayde the bysshop he is a ryghte gracious knyght & a chyualrous of hys dedes, and there shewed the kynge how that he had Iusted with syr Rowlande, and howe that he ouerthrewe hym horse and all to the earth. Th [...]n the king of orqueney sayd, syr it is the same knyght y^t ye haue herde so moche honour and hye prowesse reputed of. Saynt mary sayd the kynge I am ashamed y^t I haue made him no better semblaūt than I haue done therefore for goddes sake cause hym to come to me. Th [...]n syr Moraus who was senesshall vnto the kynge v [...]nte for him Than Arthur retourned & wente to the kynge & dyde of hys bonet, and than the king [...] of orqueney put Arthur bytwene him & kynge Emendus. Than the king said to him, syr ye be righte hertely wel­come into this my countre, & syr for goddes sake be not myscontent thoughe I haue made none other semblaūt to you or this tyme. Syr & it lyke your grace sayd Arthur there is none suche cause but I am alwaies at your commaūdement to the vttermost of my small power, well Arthur said the kinge I thynke that is youre name I requyre you be of oure cō ­pany, & be on our partye at this tournay ayenst the emperour of [...]nde. Syr sayde the kynge of Orqueney he is all redy on your syde syth he is retayned w^t my ladye Floreuce your doughter who hathe pro­mised to do moche for hym. well sayd the kyng that she accomplissheth not I shall fulfyl. Thus they were talking togyder tyll they came to the kynges tent, & there he aiyghted fro his horse & entred into his pauylyon, the kynge of Orqueney: the bysshop, Phyl [...]p, & Arthur folowed after the kynge. Than the kynge cōmaū ­ded that there shold be a ryche pauylyon pyghte vp ioyninge to his, for Arthur to lodge in, for he would haue hym nere to his persone as longe as the turnay endured. And therwith came Florēce to se the kynge her fader. Than the kynge rose & enbraced her and set her downe bytwene hym and the kynge of orqueney. And her fader demaunded of her howe she dyde. And she answered & sayd syr ryght well I thanke your grace, than [...]he sawe wher as the bysshop helde Arthur by the hāde wherof she was right ioyous in her hert. And by that tyme the kynge of Mormal, and the kynge of valefounde, & the kinge of Ismaelyte, and syr Olyuer and all the other twelue pe [...]es were come in to the felde, for they were all partaynyng to the kynge Emendus, and so they came [Page Cxii] where as he was, than there was great ioye and feast made, for than the courte was noble and great. Than the mayster made great ioye of the kyng of valefoūd for he was his fath [...]r, and he in like case was glad to se hys sonne. And all these kynges had wel in their company at the least [...] thousand knightes and they wer [...] lo [...]ged aboute the medowe, the why­the lodgynge endured well the space of two leges. Thus the king & Florence and all other made together ryght great ioy and myrthe in the kynges pauillou, and the kynge of orqueney helde Forence in h [...]s a [...]mes and [...]ayd. Fayre lady my nece here shal be sene novle chiualrye done w^t in th [...]se thre dayes for your sake. Truly cosyn saide Florence here shal be some y^• I had rather were hens. Certainly ma­dame sayd the kyng, so goeth the worlde some to pleasure, and some to an [...]yaūce Than he sayde to kyng Emendus, syr beholde here in myne armes a ryche tresure, he that shal haue her ought to kepe and cherysshe her tyght derelye. As god helpe me sayde the kynge a ryche man & a noble and a puyssaunt shall haue her who is themperour of ynde y^• more. And [...]han Arthur herde that he was so sore dysplesed in hys herte that he could spe­ke no worde of a great season for all the golde of the worlde, nor though hys lyfe had layne in ieopardy thereof. Syr sayd Florence parauentur themperour loueth an other better than me, than he wyll let me go. Than mayster Steuen rose vp amonge them all & sayde to the kinge, syr noble and puyssant king aboue al other I requyre your grace of a lytel audience here before your grace & all the .xii. peres of Soroloys, & before al other y^t be here present, for I trust that my saying shall turne you bothe to profyte & to great honour. Than sayd the kyng I am content that ye speke. Syr sayd the mayster it is of trouth y^t there is no creature y^t ought to loue any thyng so well as hys owne propre fle [...]he and bloud, the which euery man shold loue, & holde ryght derely ac­cording to the profyt of the soule & saue­gard of the body & honour of the person. For he that loueth not his owne, loueth folyshly for I say these wordes because of my ladye Florence here presente who is of your flesshe & bloud, for she is your owne proper doughter, it is of trouth ye are desyrous to assure & to mari her to y^• honour of your person, and to the honor and profyte of al your noble r [...]lme, wherin ye doo ryghte nobly for it is hy [...] tyme I say not agenst it, howe be it ryght hys and myghty prynce in doyng of thys ye oughte to regarde and considre these .iii. thinges that I haue shewed your grace here before, that is to say, to the profyt of the soule, to the sauegard of the bodi, and to the honour of her and of you, and of al your relme. Fyrst as to the profyt of the soule ye ought to regard to whome y^t ye wyl gyue her in mariage, & to se that it be not agenst her hert, so that she shall haue none occasion to hate him y^t she shal ha­ue: but that it be to the plesure of her her [...] and contentaciō of her mynd, for yf it be agenst her hert than shal she hate him, & so shall there neuer be rest nor peace, nor good loue betwene thē, the whyche shall turned to deadly syn because of the hate & grete rumour y^t shal be betwene thē and so this shold be yl for her soul, and secōdly syr ye ought to regard y^e sauegarde of her body, for ye know wel how y^t my lady your doughter is both yong & tendre & hath bē euer swetely brought vp, wherfore it is no nede to send her into a straū ge sauage coūtry, where as the ayre & regyon [Page] is contrary to her nature and saue­garde of her body, she is a hye & a mygh­ty lady in her owne coūtre, what nede is it than to sende her ony ferther, and yf ye gyue her suche a husbande as wyll lede her into a ferre straunge countre, & para­uenture she loueth hym not, but inwardly dooth hate him, what is a worse malady to the body than hate & dyspleasure & can not re [...]edy it, so syr than yf the coū ­tre be ayen▪ her nature, and also that she hate hym that she must abyde with, I re­pute than my lady in a maner as deed, & thyrdly syr ye oughte to regarde the ho­nour of her and also of youre selfe and of all your countre in consyderynge how y^e maryage made agaynst hearte and good accorde oftentymes hath an yll ende, for yf my lady youre doughter who is ryght noble and puyssaunt & ryche of hauoyre and of londes, and also she hathe frendes ryghte hye and doub [...]able, yf she shoulde be encompanyed by maryage to ony persone that shoulde be ayenst her herte and wyll her herte that is so gentyl the whi­che can suffre nothynge ayenst her wyll [...] I fere me that she shall doo some thynge ayenst hym or ayenst hys the which shal not sowne to her honour nor yet to yours therfore syr it is cōuenyent that ye regard and consyder all thys, and syr I saye by­cause ye haue sayd that bothe noble and ryche shall haue her who [...]s themperour of Yude the more, syr I know well that my lady dooth hate hym so moche that by her wyl she wold neuer se him more, nor neuer to here spekynge of him, how be it ye wyll nedes that she shall haue hym, she dare not dysplease your grace, wher­fore I fere me that yf she haue hym that all these sayd thinges shall fortune, and perauenture worse the whiche should be great pitie, & also syr ye knowe well that it is a longe season agone that ther was wrytynge made & sealed by you & by all the .xii. peres of your realme y^• she sholde neuer haue none other creature in mar­riage but all onely hym that the ymage should giue vnto the chaplet, and as yet there was neuer none that assayed it, & now syr here is come all your chyualry, therfore holde on forth your tournay and let se to whome the pryse shall be gyuen, and than syr let themperour & all y^e other kynges and noble knyghtes come to the pauylion where as the ymage is, and to whome so euer that she gyue the chaplet lette him enioye it with moche honoure. Than the kynge of Mormall rose who was ryghte auncyent and a wyse prynce and moost preuyest of the kynges coun­seyle and sayd, syr it is trouth I am your man & holde all my realme of you, there­fore I owe vnto you fayth and trouth, & also vnto my lady your doughter, & syr for trouth I wyll bere witnesse and the mayster hath sayd to you well and truly for syr yf it be so that ye haue put to your seale and were of that accorde, and also all these other kynges that be here pre­sent, and also all the .xii. peres of youre realme, syr I saye that ye & also all they oughte to abyde fremely by your seales and accorde as good kynges ought to do And whan that the kinge Emēdus had well vnderstande alle these sayenges he knewe well how that they said t [...]outh, and soo he answered and sayde, syrs I knewe well how that ye haue said right well and nobly, but it is so that I haue promysed so faythfully to this emperour that I doubte me yf that I breke promesse with hym that he wyll appele me of falsenes and soo make mortall warre against me. Than the kynge of Orque­ney said, syr yf that the emperour wyll [Page Cxiii] moue any war agenst you by my heade he shall be answered ryght sharpely and soone, for syr comaund ye youre men of war to be ready on youre parte, and we shall do one deuoyres on our behalues, and so I trust we shall shewe hym suche a sight that he shal be sore encombred w^t lokyng or numbryng of them, and yf he will haue batayle one knight agēst an other in y^e quarel I am he [...] redy and wyl be to accomplishe that ba [...]ayl for my lady your doug [...]ters sake. Thā Arthur thu [...] rose vp and sayd aloude, so y^t euery mā myght wel here him. Noble & gentyl kyng it is no reason that ye shold aduenture your bodi agenst a knight & ye a kynge, but yf my ladye should haue nede ye shall not lacke of a knyghte, for beholde me here, who is and euer shal be redy to do any thyng that she shall com­maunde me. And so euery man there be held hym, for he was maruaylous fayre & he had on his syrco [...]e of s [...]arlet, y^t why the became hym wondersly well y^• whiche plesed muche king Emendus and al other. Than kyng Emendus sayde, syr I se wel howe ye be worth a knyght, and therfore syr yf any batail be in this case I gyue you graunt that ye shal accom­plysh it, Therwith Arthur kneled down and ryghte humbly thanked hym. Thā the kynge of Orqueney toke Arthur by the hande and caused hym to syt downe betwene hym and Florence, wherewyth somwhat she abasshed, and as than tho twoo louers du [...]st make no greate sem­blaunt together one to another.

SO it was y^• as y^e king of orqueny & Florence & Arthur sat together as ye haue herde before, there entred in­to the pauylyon a great knyght black of vysage, & he was gyrt w^t a greete sw [...]rd & a longe, & bare a great faw [...]hon in hys hand, & so he came before the kyng & salu [...]ed hym and al other, as he y^t was come fro themperour who as than had pigh [...] vp his tentes at y^• one end of the medow who said, syr kyng Emendus I tel you themperour of ynde wyl be here to mo­row betymes for gladly he would speke w^t you as w^t hym y^t he entyrely loueth. Thā the king said, syr he shal be welcom & to morow I wyl go to him, but syr ꝙ y^e kynge I pray you what people hath he. Syr sayd y^• knight he is wel to y^• nūbre of .vi. M. knightes & squyers ryght hardy & valiaūt. In the name of god said y^• king that is a fayre cōpany. Than this [Page] knyght behelde the kynge of orqueney & Arthur, who were talkīg w^t Florence, & he sawe how Arthur dressed downe one of the corners of her keuerchefe aboute her necke the whiche had ben blowen vp a lytell w^t the winde wherwith y^e knight was sore displeased & said to Arthur, syr knight fayre ladies are moche bounde to you, for ye can apparayle & araye ladyes right wel, thei haue of you a good varlet to be in their chambres, for ye cā brus [...]he theyr gownes & bete theyr furres ryghte well. well syr sayd Arthur ye maye saye your pleasure, it pleaseth me ryghte well and not al only for your sake, but bicause I haue great ioye if I might do any thing that might be to their pleasures. what syr ꝙ the knight I beleue your fader was a preest, for ye can right well preche, cer­tainly it is for no good y^t ye drawe so nye to y^e lady. why f [...]ē [...] ꝙ Arthur & ye thike any yll in the maier speke it & remedy it & ye can. Syr ꝙ the knyght I thynke y^t ye haue forfeyte with your neyghboure. Than mayster S [...]euen sayd syr knyght ye be not wyse thus here to reporte vyla­ny of my lady, for ye saye y^t she hath for­feyte with this knight, for he can not forfeyte with her but y^t she must be accorded with him, therfore herein ye report vilany of them bothe. Than Arthur stept vp in great displeasure & said to the knyghte, syr yf ye grudge with any thing in your herte shewe it wortly. Syr said y^• knight with a right good wyll wi [...]h a spere or two with you here without in this fayre medowe. Hasarde might he haue that re­fuseth you sayd Arthur. Than the kny­ght desyred of the kinge to haue armure, and sayde syr I wyll stryke of the heed of this knyght or it be nyght. Mary said the kynge of orqueney than shal ye be yll welcome hyther. Soo these .ii. knyghtes armed them & wente forth into the felde Than the kynge Emendus went out of his tent, & so dyde al other to se y^e Iustes bytwene them, & the archebysshop helde Florence by the hande. Than one deliue­red a great spere to Arthur but it plesed him not & demaūded a bygger, & so than there was brought to him suche a spere that should haue greatly encōbred an o­ther knyght to haue borne it all onely, & that Arthur dyd because he was displeased w^t the knyght, & also bycause he wyst well y^t al the hole noble cōpany of kīges & knightes should se whether he had ho­nour or shame, & specially bicause the no­ble Florence shold behold him, & so their with these knyghtes ran togyder rudely & the knight strake Arthur so vertuously that his spere sheuered all to pe [...]es, & Ar­thur strake him so [...]udely in the myddes of his shelde y^t he claue it asonder in two peres, wherwith he made him to tourne his he [...]s vpwarde, & brast asonder y^t are son of his sadel & payt [...]elles and gyrthes went clene asonder, & knight & all went to the erth in suche wyse y^t with the fal y^t knight was brused, so y^t he was not able to lepe on horsebacke of .vi. monthes, af­ter, & so lay a great season in a swoune y^t euery man had w [...]nde he had ben deed, & whan Florence sawe y^t she was neuer so ioyful before, & said to her selfe this kni­ght ought right well to be in the loue of a right hit & a puissaūt damoysell. Than the kynge Emendus had great me [...]alle fro whence y^t suche strokes sholde come & said, syr knyghte what so euer ye be god encrease your honour, for as for boūte & valyauntnes ye haue sufficient all redy. Than all the other kinges praysed hym moche, & eche of thē wisshed that he were pertayninge to theyr houshold. Thā the kinge of orqueney ran streight to Arthur [Page Cxiiii] and enbraced hym and said. A dere frend ye haue rendred to this knight of suche seruyce suche gouerdon, and so toke & ledde him into his tent, and there he was vnarmed. Than kynge Emendus caused the knyght whā he was receiued to be borne into syr Rowlandes tent to bere hym cō pany. And whan syr Rowland knew all this how y^t he had Iusted wyth Arthur & howe he had speede he had so greate Ioye that nere hande he was therby all hole of his hurtes, & sayd to the knyght, syr ye be hertely welcome, for ye haue founde my phisicyon, syr the [...]etuary y^t he hath giuē you to drynke is full stronge, I trowe there be ther­in more bitternes than swete­nes, therfore frende come on to me & kepe wel your clothes as I do mine. Than the knyght said, syr how is it w^t you for as for me I ensure you I am sore dyseased, at whiche wordes al [...] y^t were there dyd laugh, y^t why­che sayenge was tolde to kyng Emēdus, wherat he had great sporte, so Arthur wente to the pauilion y^t the kinge had made to be ordeyned for hym, & Florence & the bysshop & mayste [...] Steuen went to her tent, than she toke y^e mayster apart & said mayster how say ye by Arthur is he not a vertuous knyght & a valyaūt aboue all other, thinke ye y^t he hath ony loue towarde me. Ye truly madame I knowe well more than to any creature lyuynge. A than gentyll mayster ꝙ Florēce fynde some meanes y^t he & I might speke togither, for I wolde fayne know somwhat of his herte by his owne reporte. Madame ꝙ the mayster I wyl do what I can & y^t shalbe to morow after souper, & soo as for y^e night they de­parted, & euery bodye went to rest tyll the next mornyng that the kinge & all other were vp.

IN the next mornynge the kyng arose and apparayled hym selfe [...]o go and mete the Emperoure but Florence wol [...]e not go nor suffre none of her companye to goo, sauynge all onely mayster Steuen, and that was to the entent to speke wyth. Ar­thur. So thus rode forth king Emēdus [Page] and all hys company, & Arthur rode tal­kynge wyth the kynge of orqueney, & so than the mayster came & dyd salute them and they hym, than the mayster sayd to Arthur in coūseyle, syr my lady Florence doth salute you by me as she y^t wolde to you bothe honour & profyte. A mayster sayd Arthur I praye to god send her as moche honoure and welth as I wolde to myne owne propre persone, for truly she is a lady of great honour, & I am greatly dyspleased in my herte y^t the kynge hath made me to ryde wyth hym, for now I may not se her grace the whyche greueth me right sore. why sayd the mayster wolde ye than gladly se her. Ye syr ꝙ Arthur gladlier than either father or mother, and yet I am sure they wolde be gladde to se me. Than I beleue said the maister that whan ye se her yet wolde ye be gladder to speke with her. Syr truly mayster I had neuer so great Ioy as I shuld haue if I myght come to speke wyth her grace but I se well that wyll not be. well Arthur frende sayd the mayster loue ye wel than to speke with her. A mayster ye haue ma­de couenaunt with me or thys y^• I shuld speke wyth her, but I se well ye haue forgoten it, but & ye wolde do it I wolde be your knyght. well syr and I cause you to speke wyth her in pryu [...]te or it be nyght wyl ye than gyue me a gyfte that I shall demaūde of you. Gyue you mayster sayd Arthur ye truly, and what so euer ye de­maunde of me & it be the heed of thys emperoure that is here comynge, for and ye wyll I shal go stryke it of incontynent. Certaynly syr said the maister it shal not cost you so moche for my demaunde is no more than yf I fynde the meanes that ye shal haue in maryage the noble Florence wyl ye than agayne fynde the wayes y^t I may haue the fayre lady margarete of Argenton by the way of maryage who is at the porte noyre, for I loue her wyth all myne entyer herte. And whan Arthur herde y^t he was neuer soo Ioyfull before, and enbraced hym with all his herte and demaunded of hym whether he had onye comforte of her or not. And he answered that he trusted ryght well to spede, & the rather by his meanes. well mayster sayd Arthur yf she be ones agreed to you feare no man lyuynge that should take her fro you as longe as I am able to ryde or goo but that he shall lese hys heed in the qua­rell. Sir sayd the maister I hertely than­ke you, and syr I shall tell you what ye shall doo thys nyghte after souper, kepe your selfe in your tent close and goo not to the courte, & than I shall come to you and bryng wyth me the lady Florence, & there ye shal speke wyth her at good ley­ser, but than be ye noo thynge abasshed but humbly desyre her loue and fauoure in all goodly maner, and habandon your selfe in all poyntes to be her knyght, but though that she make it straunge & deny you at the fyrst, yet be not ashamed ther­with & she shall loue you the better, wher­by ye shall the rather deserue her grace, for than she shal know that of great hardynes and valure of hearte it is come on you to take in hande so hye an enterpryse Gentyll mayster sayd Arthur thynke on this and I shalbe your knyght. well syr sayd the mayster I wyll departe fro you as now bicause none should mistrust our talkyng. Than the maysterrode forth in to the company of the kyng of valefoūd his father, and Arthur rode into the company of duke Phylyp. And kyng Emendus rode forth so longe tyll at the last he encountred themperoure, and there they made great chere eche to other, & soo rode togyther checke by cheke tyl they came to [Page Cxv] their tentes. And than the prestes were redy to go to masse, & so they herde masse all togyder. Than after masse thempe­rour beyng in his tent with king Emē ­dus and all other nobles that were there assembled at that time. Thā king Emē ­dus sayd to hym, syr it hath bene or this tyme agreed and accorded with all these foure kynges, & all these .xii. peres of my realme, as well by othe & assuraunce as by sealynge of certaine charters made & affermed of the same couenaūtes that no creature shoulde haue my doughter Flo­rence in maryage but al only that persō that the ymage who is in Florence pauy­lyon shold giue vnto the chaplet that she holdeth in her handes, for soo it is deste­nyed, wherfore & it please you whan the tournay is done ye shal go to the ymage and I byleue she wyll gyue it you, & yet our othes & assuraunce kepte & vpholde Verily syr sayde themperour I am well concent, thinking surely to haue had the chaplet. well syr sayde the kynge ye haue brought hither moche people, & also we haue a great cōpany with vs, wherfore I fere that yf we should tournay togider all at ones that there shold be done mo­che hurte, wherby here after shold ensue great hatred & enuy, wherefore me thyn­keth best that one of your barōs take in hande the tournay as to morowe with a thousande knyghtes in his company, & I shal set one of my knightes ayenst him with as many in his company, and so let vs do all foure daies one after an other, and I thinke this is a better waye than all to fyght at ones. Certaynly syr sayde themperour ye saye ryght well, & all this pleaseth me. Thā stepte forth the erle of the yle perdue, whereas Gouernar had ben with the countesse all night, & he de­syred of themperour that he might haue the tournay the fyrste daye, the whyche themperour dyde graunt him w^t a good herte. Than came forth the kinge of Or­queney and he desyred of kynge Emen­dus to answere the erle the same daye, & he had graūt of his request. And the king of orqueney toke Arthur & Gouernar by theyr handes and sayde, syrs I retayne you ayenst to morowe to be on my party And whan therle of the yle perdue sawe Gouernar he made to hym ryghte greate chere. Than kynge Emendus toke leue of themperour, & so euery man departed in to theyr owne tentes. Than the kynge of orqueney wente aboute and dyde chose oute suche knyghtes as he wold haue tyl it was tyme to go to their dyner. Than was water brought forth, & so than eue­ry [...]an wente to the courte who y^t would Than the king Emendus and the other foure kynges were set at the great table and duke Phylyp & Arthur were set next them, & there they were richely serued and made great feest and ioye. And whan all the clothes were taken vp, than kynge Emendus & the other foure kynges sate them downe togyder on a clothe of sylke And the kynge of orqueney toke Arthur by the hande, to whome he made ryghte greate ioye and bare to him moch honour And as they thus talked togyder, there came to theim the archebysshop. Than mayster Steuen stode before the kynge & sayde, syr my lady Florence your doughter hath sēte me to you, for she hath herde saye howe that the kynge of Orqueney hath taken on him the tournay as to morowe ayenst the Erle of the yle perdue, & syr bycause she knoweth well how tha [...] themperour hath many good knyghtes therfore syr yf it please you she wold le­pe on her palfrey as to morow and come and se the tournay & playe of these good [Page] knyghtes. In the name of God sayde the king of valefoūde my lady shal do right well in her so doynge, and I am sute the kynge wyll gyue her lycence. Syr truly with a ryght good wyll sayd the kynge syth it pleaseth, you, but I doubte me moche that the hete shall anoy her, and also the grete prese of horses & knyghtes shal trouble her. Well syr sayd the mayster of that she shall be taken good hede of, and syr my lady des [...]reth also that Arthur her newe retayned knyght myghte tournay to morowe ayenst them without, for she wyll se hym tournay, & she wyll sende to be of his route her senesshall, syr Bryse­bar, syr Ansell & syr Miles of valefoude, and so she wyll knowe to morowe what all these knyghtes wyll do. It pleaseth me ryght Well sayd the kinge. And whan Arthur herde that he had great ioye and sayde I am all at the commaundement of my lady▪ and I thanke her grace that it hath pleased her to retayne m [...] for one of her knyghtes, for in dede so I am & wyll be euermore. well sayd the mayster sythe it is so that Arthur shall be [...]omorowe in my ladyes route it shall be good that he go & sporte him with them to be acquen­ted with them, & to sp [...]ke and comyn to­gyder, for by kepynge of company togy­d [...]r moche loue is attayned. In the nam [...] o [...] God said the kyng of orqueney all this is but well sayd, go your waye wyth him and acqueynt ye him with these other no­ble knyghtes, & he thought in himselfe y^t Florence would gladly se hym▪ and that he perceyued wel syth y^e time y^t he caused hym to syt downe by her, for than he per­ceyued somwhat her lowly countenaūce to hymwarde, and also kynge Emendus was content y^t he shold go, howbeit the mayster made noo great haste bycause y^t none shold mystrust him. Than the king of orqueney said to Arthur, syr take your leue of the king and of other, & so he dyde Than the mayster went strayte to the senesshalles tent, who made hym ryght grete there, & whā that al other knyghtes knew that he was ther thei made to h [...]m grete sygne of loue, and desyred him y^t he would not depart out of theyr company and so he promysed them to do. Thā the maister wente to the fayre Florence and sayd, madame Arthur is come to your senesshalles tent, the kynge hath sent hym thyder to sporte him, than her herte lept for ioye and sayd. A maister & whan shal I than se him. Madame said the maister he is as now in the company of your no­ble barons who doeth gretely feest him, & as yet to cause him to come fro thē in my mynde it wer not wel done, but madame goo to your souper this nyght somwhat betymes, & then sende for your barons & commaūde them to make thē redy ayenst the mornynge to tournay in the compa­ny of Arthur, & than whan they be departed fro you in the meane season that thei be aboute theyr besynes ye shal go play [...] you in the entre of this forest amonge the fayre gr [...]ne okes, & thyder shal I brynge hym to you. Ye saye ryght well said Flo­rence, so be it, than she commaunded to haste her souper, and so wente therto be­tymes. And Arthur all than season was with the seneshall, & all the other knigh­tes for the loue of hym made great Ioye & feest tyll souper was past. Than may­ster Steuen sayde to Florence, madame I wyll goo to your knyghtes and cause thē to come to you, and than shortly loke that ye delyuer them, and than go [...] ye thi­der as I haue shewed you, & in y^e meane tyme I shal kep [...] company with Arthur. Go youre waye dere frende sayde Flo­rence and cause them to come to me, [Page Cxvi] for I thynke very longe tyl I haue dely­uered them. Than the mayster departed fro her and went to the senesshals tente, and there he found as than al the barons was [...]hynge of theyr handes talkyng of wyues, and laughynge at syr Brysebar because he sayd he loued better to be stry­ken, than to stryke an other, for he sayde it greatly anoyed hym the dyshonoure or myschye [...]e of an other, for he was of the opynyon y^t he could not be stryken without hys wyfe were yll, for he sayd that yf y [...]nes were ones mounted vp intoo the hert of a woman, it were harde to with drawe her fro her enterpryse, and yf his wyfe dyd yll, the shame therof is to her and to her lygnage, and not to hym, for he should be angry and displeased wyth her yll dedes or vylany. And whan they sawe the mayster they ran too hym on all partyes, and played with hym ryght swetely. Than the senesshal demaunded of hym what tydynges. And he answe­red and sayde, lordes my ladye Florence wold fayne speke with you incontynent therfore go your wayes shortely to her, but for goodes sake tary not longe wyth her, for she is a lytel dyseased in her head go your wayes and I shal kepe compa­ny wyth Arthur in the meane season, he and I wyl go walke togyther. Than al these lordes and knyghtes apparayled them and went [...] to Florence. And than she commaunded them that they should make all thynge redye agaynst the nexte day for the tournay, and that they shold kepe cōpany with Arthur as their chiefe capytayne that day. Than her senesshal sayd, madame than it is nedefull for vs to returne to our lodgynges to make all thynges redy. In goddes name sayd Florence go on youre wayes, and so they de­parted, and in the meane season maister Steuen led Arthur into the wood. And whan Florence hadde delyuered all her knyghtes, she called to her the quene of Orqueney, in whome she trusted abou [...] al other, and two other damoyselles and sayd to them. Fayre ladyes let vs goo a lytel into yonder wood to sporte vs, for I haue a lytel payne in my head. Madame let vs go sayd the quene of orqueney. And so they two wente toward the forest ta [...]kyng together, and the other two da­moyselles came after, and at the last [...]he [...] came vnder the shadow of the fayre gre­ne okes, and there they sate them down And the mayster and Arthur were in the forest not farre fro them. And at the la [...] Florence and the quene perceyued them. Than the quene sayd, madame I se yo [...] der the mayster & an other knighte wyth hym, but I wore not who it is. And Florence answered & sayd, madame that is trou [...]h, I am glad that I se them, for I haue a lytell to speake with the mayster, therefore madame reste you here a lytell whyle & I wyl go and speake with him Madame sayd the quene by your lycenc [...] I must also depart & go speake wyth the countesse of the yle perdue who is come to this tourney, therfore I wil go to her and than the mayster may come to you. In goddes name sayde Florence so be it. Than the quene departed & the mayster and Arthur came to Florence and so set them downe togyder. Than the mayster sayd, madame beholde here your knight and true louer. Mayster sayde Florence he is ryght hertely welcome, for hys co­myng pleaseth me ryght well. Madame sayd Arthur god gyue you as muche honour & ioy as I wold to the person that I loue best of al the world. Madam quod the mayster as god helpe me I am in certayne y^t he would you more honour than [Page] [...]ny persone lyuynge, for ye haue his hert and faithful loue more than ony creature of the worlde, and madame to proue that this is true enquyre of him the trouth, & he is so gentyll and make that he can not hy [...]e his mynde fro you, and madame I praye you be not dyspleased, for I muste nedes goo speke with my lady the quene of orqueney, and soo he rose & wente hys waye and lefte Florence and Arthur to­gyder. Than Florence demaunded of Arthur of whens he was. And he answered and sayd, madame and it lyke your grace I am of the realme of fraūce. And of what lygnage be ye come sayde Florence I re­quyre you tell me the trouthe. Madame sayd he ye be so hye a person that I ought not to hyde ony thing fro your grace, ma­dame know ye for trou [...]h that I am the all only son of the duke of britayne. That is noble ynough said Florence, but by y^e fayth that ye owe to me who is the persō of the world that ye loue best, and would haue her loue and acqu [...]yntaunce, is she in your count [...]e or elles where shewe me the trouth & hyde nothing fro me I re­quyre [...]ou, & what she is that ye would be moost [...]oyous to haue he [...] loue, name her to me by the fayth that ye owe to all the sacramentes of holy chyrche. Madame sayd Arthur I r [...]quyre your grace to pardon me, for she may be such a person that yf I should name her ye would p [...]rauen­ture thinke in me grete foly, for she may be suche one that she wyl not set her hert in so lowe a place, nor yet I thinke scant wyll here me, therefore it is better to me to be styll than to speke [...]oly. Truly said Florēce that is had in the herte is bad in the mouth & speche, therfore shewe me wherder ye loue ony lady or damoysell [...]n all the worlde or not. Madame truely I loue one as faythfully as herte of man can thinke. Ye sayd Florence but do [...]th she knowe that ye loue her. As god help [...] me madame naye. why spake ye neuer to her oft y^e mater. No truly madame sayd Arthur. And how is it that ye loue her & n [...]uer shewed her therof, in [...]hat it [...]ould seme to me that ye loued her no [...], for it is moch payne for the mouth to retain and kepe close the feruent wyll of the herte, for lyghtly the desyre of the hert putteth outwarde the word of the mouth, as the wynde putteth away the smoke, & howe should we knowe that ye loue her and it be not shewed her, & yf she loue you wyth out speking eche of you to other what ioye shall there be bytwene you, of your hertes know not the willes eche of other as moche auay [...]eth two shouelles in a [...] ­che and [...]o man to worke with them, as two persons to loue togider and none of them to speke to other, therfore Arthur shewe me surely yf she y^t ye loue would [...] gyue you audy [...]nce should it any thynge touche you on the quycke or not. Ma­dame I shall tell you the trouth as God helpe me sp [...]kynge with her that I loue should gretely [...]comforte me, for the sa­lutacion that ye sente me thys laste daye by the mayster was more ioyefull to me than to haue had all the worldes [...]resour [...]. why doo ye set [...]o moche by that m [...]ssage or why doo ye loue it so moche. Madame for the loue of you that dyde sende it to me. Arthur than me thynketh ye haue loue to me. Madame as god helpe me y^t is trouth more than to ony other persone of the world. well Arthur by the faith that ye owe vnto your baptim is ther no loue in you that surmounteth this loue that ye haue to me, shewe me the very trouth. No Madame by the faythe that I owe vnto God neyther to fader nor moder nor to any other person [...]e of the world [Page Cxviii] And wold ye sayd Florence be glad and I loued you agayne. A dere lady I haue neuer had nor can not haue so great ioy well sayd Florence it is but foly that ye haue sette your herte on me, for yf I lo­ued you agayne ye sholde be shortly [...]lay­ne yf it were knowen, for ye may se here this emperour who doth greatly enfor­ce hym to haue me, and he is a gret man bothe of hauyour and of frendes, and al­so my lorde and father and al these other foure kinges wyl al runne on you to sle you, therfore Arthur aduise you wel, for whan one begynn [...]eh a mater, it is great wysdome to regarde and beholde what ende it wyl come vntoo, and the ende of thys enterpryse is but your deth. Mada­me sayde Arthur for all that yf I knew it should please your grace I wolde care for nothynge elles, for I woulde neyther dout emperour nor kyng yf I had your noble accorde, for yf there were any that wolde make any busynes in that case I should shew hym or this yer [...] wente out more than an hundreth thousand bright sheldes oute of Fraunce, nor they should not haue so stronge a castell or Citie but that I wolde brynge it down to the harde earth. Why sayd Florence for to haue me woulde ye or durst ye thā begyn war agenst so many noble and hye riche and myghty persones as be here, haue ye so good a herte or hardynesse. Madame ye truely by the fayth that I owe vnto you and it were agenst all the world. Arthur frend sayd Florence I can not se the maner howe ye myght haue me, but youre thought in this matter may be to your domage, or parauenture deth may happely come to you shortly, therfore good frende wythdrawe your loue, and than doo ye wysely, and because such a man as ye be hath thoughte to loue so hye a person as I am, I wyll make to you amendes for your good wyll, therfore I gyue to you the porte noyre the whych ye haue ache­ued, wyth .xx. thousande pounde of yere­ly lond, and leue ye this foly as in louing of me, for ye shall fynde ynough [...]esy [...]e. Why madam wyl ye than gyue me lond and goodes to thentente that I shoulde leue louyng of your grace, certainly ma­dame I wyl none of youre londes, I lo­ue you wyth al my herte, and wil neuer take it from you, I care not for your rychesse where as I should lese your loue, for I thanke god I am riche ynough, for as god helpe me yf I myght haue youre loue I wolde desire no more welth in all this world. Well Arthur sayde Florence is this than surely your mynd. Ye truly madame wythoute any faynynge. Well good frend Arthur sayde Florence than be of a good herte, for by the fayth that I owe vnto you, ye be in the waye to haue that ye desyre for, yf ye be of a good and faythfull herte to me warde, I promyse you to be in lyke case wyth you, what soo euer fall therof, therfore be ye hardy and couragyous, and shewe your se [...]ee so to morow in this tourney that euery man may haue cause to doubt you. Madame sayd Arthur, that lorde that fou [...]med all the world send youre haboundant grace bothe bounte and valure, for now t [...]at I haue your loue I am ryche ynough, for I desyre no more of god, and I shall be true to you whyle my life endureth. wel myne owne true louer sayde Florence I shal tell you what ye shal do, I wil that ye shall be too morowe in the [...]ourney in the company of the kynge of Orqueney who is my cosyn Germayne, and I wil that fro hens forth he be your companion and that ye loue hym, and I shall desyre hym euer to encrease your honour, in as [Page] moche as he may, and I shall sende vnto you to gyue you attendaunce my senes­shal and other of my knightes, and they shall be of your route, and there I desyre you do suche dedes of armes that it may sounde to your honour, and to the rest & peas of my herte, for my herte shall be repasted and nourysshed with the good renowne of your hye prowesse, I maye not lōg▪ talke with you at this time, nor so often as my herte wold, but alwayes sende me your wyll & mynde by mayster Steuen, and I shall sende myne agayne vnto you, kepe secrete this mater how so eu [...]r ye do, for elles moche harme or euyl myght perauenture happen to fall to vs by false enuy, be ye alwaye true & fayth­full and I shall doo my payne to brynge you to honoure. And as they were thus talkynge togyder there yssued out of the forest Proserpyne quene of the fayry, & of the castell of hurtebyse, where as Ar­thur had ben with the wounded knight And she dyde syt downe by Arthur, and bothe the louers knewe nothynge ther­of tyll she was set, and as soone as Ar­thur sawe her he knewe her ryght well, and dyde salute her, and she hym agayne and Florēce also, and she said to Arthur Frende now haue ye that your hert hath lōge desyred for, therfore now be in peas and ioye, and loue your louer with true and faythfull herte. Fayre, doughter Florēce I sawe not you syth I was in your bedde, & there I made knowledge to you of this man, beholde here Arthur youre true louer who faythfully & wyth good herte loueth you, therefore fayre dough­ter loue hym agayne, for I dyde desteny hym to you in your natiuyte in the moūt of aduentures and at the same tyme I destenyed also that ye shold in all thinge resemble vnto me. Than Arthur be­helde them bothe one after another, and so perceyued well that they were lyke in all thynges, for there was noo creature though he were neuer soo crafty that yf he behelde wel at lēgth them both coude not dyscryue the one fro the other they resembled so nere togyder. Thā she sayd to Florence beholde here your louer, and I wyll be [...]e wytnesse y^t he is at this time the moost true louer that lyueth, for I haue ryghte well proued hym, and than she recounted to Florence how that she had desyred his loue in the forest, and al­ [...]o caused hym to come vnto the castell of hurtebyse and there dyd as moche as she coude to entyse his mynde to cause hym to loue her and also how she made other to tempte hym, and how all that wolde not auayle, for alwayes he was in one ferme poynt, wherat Florence right swetely dyde smyle. Than Proserpyne sayd to Arthur, frende ye shall haue her in mariage, but first ye must suffre grete paine And fayre Florence bycause that the emperoure and the kynge your fader be grete togyder▪ therfore your fader wyll be right sore dysplesed with you, in suche wyse that yf he myghte haue you at that tyme he woulde put you bothe to death but for al that be not abashed, for I shal make the peas bytwene you ryght well, there is no greate loue bitwene him and themperour, but I promyse you or all be done I shall cause as grete hate to be bytwene them, in so moche that eche of thē shal defie other to the deth, wherfore liue ye in rest and peas and loue eche other faythfully, and I shal thinke ryght well on euery thynge that shall be behouable for you in this ma [...]er, and so thus I be­quethe you bothe to God for thys tyme. So than the quene Proserpyne rose and wente her waye so sodeinly that none of [Page Cxviii] them wyst where that she was become wherof they had gret maruayle. Than Florence made a token to mayster Ste­uen that he shoulde come to theym, and whan he was come she said. Mayster beholde Arthur here I delyuer hym to you and loke that ye take good hede to hym, and shewe to my cosyn the kynge of Or­queney that I send hym to hym, and say that I desyre hym to thynke to do hym as muche honoure to morow as he can do for my sake, and good swete louer Arthur thynk ye to morow how that ye are a louer to a fayre gentyl damoysell, & to a ryght noble lady & a ryche giue ye gyf­tes largely to these noble knightes both harneys and horse the which shal make you to be beloued of euery body, for I bileue the tyme wyl come that we shal ha­ue nede of frendes, there is noo sweter thynge than largely to gyue, for therby oftentymes all yll wyll is appeased, and mayster I charge you to delyuer to hym what so euer he wyl haue, Arthur now go on your way and lodge in the tente y^t the king my father hath ordeyned for you and loke ye be fre & large and giue wyth good herte and so as for this time adew myne owne dere louer and so for a remē braunce kyssed hym and than she depar­ted and wente to the quene of orqueney. And Arthur and the mayster went to the senesshals tente, and there they encoun­tred Gouernar and Bawdewyn. Than wythin a whyle Arthur toke leue of the senesshal and of al other that were there and so departed and went to the kynges tent, and by the way he mette the kynge of Orqueney, who issued out of the kynge of valefoūdes tente, who was father vnto mayster Steuen, & whan he sawe Arthur and mayst [...]r Steuen togither he dyd salute them & made to them ryghte greate chere and [...]oye, and so they went [...] talkynge togyther tyll they came to his tent. Than the mayster toke hym aparte and sayde, syr my lady Florence t [...]usteth muche in you, and loueth you ryght en­tyerly▪ wherefore syr she hath lente you here Arthur her owne knyght & putteth him into youre handes, and she desyreth you that all the honoure and ayd that ye can do, that ye wyl shew it to him to morowe in the tourneye for h [...]r sake. And whan the kyng h [...]rde that he had ryghte great ioye, and sayd to Arthur, syr by th [...] fayth that I owe vnto the kynge, I pro­myse you that I wyl bere to hym fay [...]h­ful company and true loue, for the loue of my lady and of you, so thus they were so longe togyther till it was t [...]me to go so theyr restes and [...]o than euery man retourned in [...]o th [...]yr owne tentes and [...]od­gynges. And the mayster delyuered to Go [...]ernar .xi. horses for Arthur, to then tent that he should gyue them away the nexte day.

IN the next mornyng all the kinges and other [...]ose & her­de mas [...]e, [...] suche as wold toke a sop in wine, & than eueri mā Armed him. Thā Gouernar [Page] and Bawdewyn by the cōmaū ­dement of Arthur dyd gyue and departe man [...] horses and moche harneys to son­dry knightes where as they sawe mister and nede, the whyche knyghtes thanked Arthur ryghte hertely and promysed to gyue hym theyr helpe and socoure at all tymes, and ayenst euery man, wherby it appereth that there is nothynge but by large gyftes it is made softe and meke. Than the tydynges of Arthurs courte­sye was spredde abrode in euery tente, and there it was said how that ther was not in all the world soo free a knyght as Arthur was. And these wordes came to the au [...]yence of the fayre Florence, wherat her hert dyde laughe, and there withall she mounted on a palfrey, and the quene of orqueney, and the archeby [...]shop in her company, who shewed her how that Ar­thur had a grete renowne, and counseiled her to loue hym well. And thus was kyng Emendus mounted on his horse, & al his barony to behold the iournay, and Arthur was redy armed in y^e place wheras the tournay should be, & so than there came to hym the kynge of orqueney with his baner dysplayed, & moo than .ii.C. in his company. And whan he came to Ar­thur he sayd in open audyence, syr youre noble valure & hye prowesse is right wel knowen, & I bileue veryly that in al this tournay there shall be no knyght lyke vnto you, therfore syr I offre to you my bo­dy & all my company to be this daye vn­d [...]r your gouernaūce. And whan Florēce herde that she smyled for ioye, and than there came to hym all suche knyghtes as he had gyuen to before bothe horse and harneys, and they all thanked hym ryght swetely and sayde, syr we wyll be of your route this daye, for we make of you our capytayne in this tournay, and as thei loked downe into y^e valey thei saw wher [...] there came Florēce senesshall with hys baner dysplayed, & with hym syr Bryse­bar, syr Insell, & syr Myles of valefoūde and with thē .iii. C. knightes who were all pertayning to the fayre Florence, and they all came to Arthur, & toke hym for their chiefe capytayne. And whā Arthur sawe the grete honour that was done to hym he had so grete ioye that his hardi­nes encreaced therby more than the one halfe, & so dashe to his horse & rode forth and dyde salute the kynge Em [...]dus who helde his one hande in the lappe of hys doughter Florence, than [...]he kynge dyde salute hym agayne & sayd, syr I r [...]quyre you helpe to ayde this day our knightes yf ye may. Ye good Arthur said Florence and shewe so forth your selfe that it may be knowen how ye be a knyght [...] pertai­nynge to a gentyll damoysell. Madame doubte ye not but I wyl do my deuoyre for my wyll therto is good. Thā Arthur retourned and went agayne to the kin­ge of orqueney, and he was so fayre and goodly to beholde in harneys that euery man had theyr eyen vpon him and sayd This knyght is the soueraine of bounte and beaute of all the chyualry of all the worlde. Than there came to the felde the erle of the yle perdue, & with him a thou­sande and .v.c. knyghtes all with baners and stremers dysplaied wauering in the wynde with grete noyse of trompettes tabours and busynes, & than there was mounted on theyr horses to beholde the tournay the emperour & kynge Ionas & the duke of bigor, who as than was late come out of his owne coūtre. Than har [...] des began to crye knightes do your best go togyder bayle, bayle, than began the tournay & knightes wēt togider by gret routes, and laide on eche vpon other, and [Page Cxix] Arthur rusht forth w^t hys horse so rudely as thoughe the erth had trembled, and strake so the fyrst that he encountred w^t all in the myddes of the breste soo rudely that he ouerthrewe knyght and horse al togider on a hepe. Thā Florence said to the kyng her fader, syr of yonder knyght that is fallen I hope we shal haue peace of him al this day. Certenly fayre doughter sayde the kynge that is true, for that stroke came from the handes of a good knyghte. Than Arthur encountred an o­ther & [...]oke him by the sholders & drewe hym so rudely to him warde that he cast hym downe in the myddes of the pla [...]e, than he toke his sword the whyche Flo­rence had sent him, for he wold not draw out clarence his good sword to thentent y^t he would normayme or sle no knyght by his wyl that daye, but he gaue wyth that sword suche strokes y^t he brought a slepe who so euer he touched so that thei were fayn to tomble to the erth whether they woulde or no [...], and there he dyd soo muche at that bront that he bette downe a . [...]v. knyghtes, than euery man y^t saw hym sayd, thys knyght is none earthlye man, but we thynke rather he be a [...]ende of hell, whoo thynketh he be nothynge pertaynynge to god, for he confoundeth all that euer he attayneth vnto, so euery mā was abasshed of hys hye prowes & vertue. Than the kyng of Orqueney al­wayes folowed Arthur with hys eyen, & by the reason of the noble prowesse that he sawe in hym, ho toke in him greter hardynes than euer he dyd before, and there with he rusht into a gret flocke of knightes that were of the emperours partye, and layde on rounde aboute hym, for he was a ryght noble knyght, than al those knyghtes and dyuers other ran rounde aboute hym, for they knew well yf they myght take hym prysoner it shoulde be a great honour vnto them and alsoo they thought they should haue a great raun­some for hym, but alwayes he defended hym selfe [...]yght nobly, but at length it a­uayled him not for the prese was so gr [...]t and some toke hym by the necke, and some by the sholders, and so would haue vnhorsed hym. And whan syr Neuelon the senesshal, syr Brysebar, syr Ansell, & syr Myles sawe the kinge of Orquenyy in that case, they dasht al togyther intoo the prese to helpe hym and there they did right nobly, how be it the senesshal was be [...]en downe, for hys horse foundred vn­der hym, and soo there they would haue taken hym prisoner. Than Gouerner sawe that, and he dressed hym [...]o that part whereas the senesshal was taken, and Gouerna [...] helde in bothe hys handes a gret l [...]uer, wherwith he layd on amonge those knyghtes with so mighty and heuy strokes that he astonyed whome soo euer he touched, and [...]here he dyd so mo­che that by very force he caused the senesshal to remount agayne on his horse, and in the meane sea [...]on the kyng of Orque­ney was holden ryght short so that hys h [...]rse foundred and fell vnder hym, how be it after y^t he [...]efended hym selfe righte valyauntly. And whan Arthur who as than had dyscom [...]yt [...]d a g [...]eat companye o [...] knigh [...]es s [...]w the kyng in y^e dystresse he [...]ush [...] for [...]h into the prese and encountred with the son of therle of the yle per­due, and toke him with both his handes about hys sholders and dydde caste hym downe on o [...]her two knightes that were on fote, so tha [...] one of theim fell flatte to the erth, and than he rose agayne and be helde the knyght that was [...]allen on him and sayd, ma [...]ye syr yll haue he that dyd caste you vpon me. And whan Arthur [Page] had ouerthrowē this knight he toke his horse by the rayne & brought hym to the kynge and dide light of his owne horse to helpe the kinge to mounte theron in the spyte of all hys enemies, & than by grete force and hardynes dyde lepe vp agayne on his owne horse. And al this saw wel Florence and the archebysshop, & all the other kynges & praised gretely that dede He is the best knyght of the world sayd the kyng Emēdus. Syr that is true sayd the bysshop. And whan Arthur had re­mounted the kynge of orqueney agayne he said. Syr put your selfe no more this daye in to soo greate a prese of your ene­myes, but syr & it please you hardilye [...]o­lowe me. Than Arthur put hym selfe in to the same prese that was before on the kinge, and thei were as than al [...]ested on Gouernar and on syr Brysebar, who as than had grete nede of helpe, & there Ar­thur layde on rounde about him by suche force y^t he bette downe knightes & horses to the plaine earth, for he strake none but that he went to the earth, & soo there Ar­thur dyde so moche that he ouercame all that route, & whan he was passed [...]heym he sawe where thre knyghtes had beten downe syr Myles of valefounde. Than Arthur dressed hym so to the fyrst that he ouerthrewe to the erth, & toke his horse & delyuered it to syr Myles & caused hym to mount the [...]on. Than Arthur strake so the seconde knyghte that hys horse bare hym all aboute in a traunce, for he wyst not where he was. And Gouernar with his leuer strake so that the thyrde he fell flatte to the erth, and whan he releued he fledde awa [...]e as fast as he myghte, for he durst no lenger abyde for all the Cyte of Parys, & the other knyght y^t was borne on his horse all in a straunce came before where as the kynge Emendus and Flo­rence was, wherat the kynge & she dyd laugh. And whan the knyght reuyued he sayd all on hyr. The knight is an yll car­penter, for he maketh many chyppes, I trowe all the fendes of hell hath sent hym hyder, shame haue he I wene he is a bur­gonyon. Than the kinge laughed at th [...] wordes & sayde, there is non [...] can abyde hym, for his strokes are ryght valyaunt [...] That is true syr sayd the bysshop. Than Arthur sawe where there was a grete cō pany of knyghtes wel to y^e nombre of .ii. hondred in a route, & amonge them was the erle of the yle perdue, & he had taken more than .xl. of Florence knyghtes, and vnhorsed them and was ledinge of them forthe as prysoners. And whan Arthur sawe that he was ryght sorowfull, and soo by grete randon he dasht in amonge them, and there dyde suche dedes of ar­mes that all that behelde hym wondred at hys valyauntnes, for it semed that he was but newly come to the tournay, he claue asonder sheldes and vnba [...]red hel­mes and braste asonder gyrthes & bette downe knyghtes togyder on hepes, and Gouernar w^t his leuer delte strokes right rudely, wherwith he broughte knyghtes a slepe, soo that some of them wyste not whiche waye to tourne them. Thā came to him the kinge of orqueney, Brysebar, [...]he senesshall, syr Myles, and syr Ansell and many other knightes, and so by that tyme there was horsed agayne a .xxv. of the knyghtes that were before taken prysoners, & there they delte so w^t theyr ene­myes that the erle of the yle perdue was sore dyspleased, & he and a .xviii. in hys company ranne all at ones at Arthur, & there by forse they slewe his horse vnder hym, wherwith he was ryghte sore dys­pleased, and than stepte vp on his fete and gaue soo many greate strokes & heuy [Page Cxx] that he cast euery mā to the erth who so euer he met withal, and than he repented hym that he had not born with him that day cla [...]ence his good sworde, how be it he gaue suche strokes y^t none du [...]st aproche to him, but euerye man fled fro hym. And whan Goue [...]nar saw Arthur a fote in t [...]at greate prese, he aduysed well the erle of the yle perdues neuew who was right well mounted on a good horse, & so toke him with his one hand by the necke and pulled him down on his horse mane and gaue hym a ryght great stroke wyth his le [...]er betwene his sholders, & as he thus helde him Arthur came & toke hym by [...]he leg and [...]ūbled him ouer his horse out of the sadel and threw him to y^e earth and so toke his hors and did mount ther on. And whan the erle saw his neuew on the erth, he spurred his horse to come to his rescowe. And than Arthur enbraced him so at his comyng and spurred so his horse that he drewe hym clene besyde hys sadell, and in the spite of al his ene­myes he toke hym prysoner and caused him to be yelded to king Emendus, and so was put into the kepyng of the fayre Florence, & thā she caused hym to be vnarmed, for he was ryght wery and was verye hote and sore chafed. And than Ar­thur dasht intoo the prese, and there dyd what he lyst hym selfe, for he bet downe knightes and wan horses & themperour sawe well howe that he al onely discomfyted hys knyghtes, the whych greued him right sore, & also the duke of bygor was ryght sore dysplesed in hys mynde because he sawe Arthur do all that day so nobly, and at the laste he knewe well how that was he that had slayne hys neuewe at the Citye of Argence, wherfore he would fayne haue runned on hym to haue slayne hym, but he doubted muche [...]he kynge of orqueney. Than he sayd to themperour, syr the erle of the yle perdu [...] is taken prysoner and all your knightes clene dyscomfyted, the whych is [...]o you great shame wythoute so be that ye pu [...] therto some other maner of r [...]dy, and all the shame that is done to vs, is don [...] by yonder knyght with the white sheld [...] and by the other knight with the gret l [...] uer, and verely it is he that slewe my ne­uewe syr Isembart at Argence, and sore wounded my cosyn syr Rowland▪ & also he hath slayne syr Fyrmont my tresourer and so he hath done me righte greate do­mage, and I knowe well he is a ryghte fayre knight and a yonge, and of his hā des suche as ye may se▪ and this I say bicause of your loue Florence whome ye shal haue, but his prowes and goodnes parauenture may cause her to loue hym for the heart of a woman is sone turned and chaūged, this knight hath done you al redy [...]ight great domage, and is likely to do you more w^tout ye take right good hede, and put therto right good counsayl Therfore syr I requyre you let me haue the tourney to morowe, and I shall soo handel hym that I promyse you he shall not be here agayne on the thyrde daye. well syr sayd themperour I graunt you your desire. Syr sayd the duke I thanke you, and so they left their talking as at y^• time. And Arthur al that season layde on round about him as freshely as though he had but newly begon the tourney, and the kyng of orqueney behelde hym mer­uaylously and spake neuer a worde, and whan he had longe beholden hym, he to­ke at hys hye prowesse suche hardynes that he habandoned hym selfe intoo the prese, and layde on frely with hys sworde. Than the tourney was more greter and more thycker than is was of al the [Page] day before and so there Gouernar brake his leuer, thā he layd hand on his sword and dyd therwyth as much as any good knyght oughte or myght doo. And so at last Arthur and the kyng of Orqueney dyd so muche that they vnhorsed all the erles cōpany and wer set on fote sore beaten, in so much that they had much payne to stand on their fete. Than Arthur sto­de in the felde w^t his sword in his hand saying, lordes yf there be any moo that wil come let them prese forth, I am redy to answere them, and so at last y^e kyng of orqueney and he retourned fro the felde. Than the kynge Emendus encountred them & enbraced them all armed as they were, & specially Arthur and thanked hī muche of the pain that he had suffred y^• daye, for syr all onely by your prowesse thys day themperours people are dyscō fyted. And as they wer thus talking together ther came to them a knight f [...]o y^e duke of bygor who sayd to y^e kyng Emē dus, syr the duke of bygor demaūdeth of you the tourney to morow. Than stepte forth the kyng of mormall and [...]ayde, sir may i [...] plese you to suffre me to haue to morow the furney agenst the duke of bygor. Syr it pleaseth me ryghte wel sayde the kynge Emendus, therefore I desyre you do your part, for we haue the honor this day, therfore do your paine that we may haue it also to morow. Syr said he doubte not I shall do my true deuoyre, thā he toke Arthur by the hand and said Gentyll knyght floure of all chyualry I desyre you as hertely as I can do so moche to morow as ye may wynne a kyng for euermore as y^t it would please you to shew parte of your hye prowesse to mo­rowe in ayding of my quarell, and in the defence of the noble honour of my lord y^e kyng here present. Ye syr sayd the kyng Emendus & therto I wyl desyre you, for by your hye prowesse we haue the honor this day, therfore it shuld greue vs gretely and we should lese it to morow. Thā Arthur sayd, syr with a right good wil I shall do my deuoyre. And whan Flo­rence herd y^t she was not content in her mynde, for she thought that Arthur had bene sore wery of that dayes iourney, & thought that it should gretly anoy hym yf he turnayed the nexte daye and so she thought she wold let that iourney y [...] she myght, thā she cōmaunded the kyng her father to god as at that time, than she toke with her into her tent the archebyshop and dyuers others of her barons, & king Emendus caused Arthur to be broughte into his tent with al hys hole baronye, & all the emperours knyghtes spake of no thyng but of Arthurs prowesse, for they sayd that there was not agayne in al the world soo good a knight as he was beholdyng and consideryng al his dedes, & how that he had borne him selfe in thys turney, & the emperour said y^t he would rather resemble to hym than to haue su­che an other empyre as his owne was: & the bruyte of Arthurs renowne sprad so far abrode, tyll at last it came to the hea­ryng of syr Rowland, and than he said I thanke god that suche a knight hath Iusted agenst me, for my honor is the more Thā the kyng Emendus came into his one tente, & than caused Arthur to come to hym, & there were al the other kinges who dyd muche honour to Arthur, and there were dyuers that sayd to the king of Soroloys, syr behold here this knight full of bounte & worthy to haue gret honour, & all that they sayd by Arthur who as than was right hor [...]. Than the king cōmaunde [...] two squyers to stand with a towell & blow wynd into hys face, and [Page Cxxi] thus Arthur stode before the kynge and he was goodly for to beholde, for he was streyght longe & bygge, & aboue all other ryght gracyous of his wordes, for euery man had grete disporte at his lowly and goodly wordes. Than the king cōmaun­ded y^t there should be brought to Arthur a mantell to caste on hym to thentent he should take no could, and the kyng of or­queney dyde put it about him, y^t whyche became hym ryghte well. And than th [...]re came to them Gouernar to whome there was made ryght grete feest & ioye, there came thyder the erle of y^e yle perdue whō Arthur had taken prisoner in the tour­nay, and in his company .xxx. knyghtes to pledge hym of his raunsome. And the kynge made hym ryght good chere. And syr Roulande & themperours senesshall who had Iusted before wyth Arthur by that tyme were heled of theyr hurtes, & were come also in to the kynges tente to sporte them and to here tydynges of the tournay. And whā the erle of the yle per­due sawe them he had great ioye, and de­maunded of theym howe they dyde. And they answered & sayd how that they had ben sore hurte, but as than they wer wel amended. Than the erle sayd to the kyng Syr it is of trouth that I was taken in your tournay, therfore syr I am come to you to be deliuered of my raunsome, ther­fore may it please you to shewe me youre pleasure, and I am redy to accomplis [...]he your commaūdemēt. Certaynly syr sayd the kyng it lyeth not in me, for that ma­ter lyeth in the pleasure of Arthur, who is here presente who that toke you pry­soner in y^e felde. Syr said Arthur sauing your grace that is not so, for the tornay is yours, and I am but as one of youre knyghtes and of my ladyes your doughter, therfore syr it were no reason that I should saye or doo ony thynge where as your grace is present. In y^e name of god sayd the kynge we wil that ye shal speke your mynde, and it shall please vs ryght well all y^t euer ye shall saye or do. Than the kynge of valefoūde sayd, syr ye shall do thus, for it is reason that ye do as my lorde the kynge wyll haue you. well syr sayd Arthur in y^e name of god, & so stode vpon his fete & sayd to the kinge, syr & it like your grace syth it is your pleasure y^t I shall speke I say that this erle here beynge present shall kepe you cōpany thys dyner season, & after dyner to sporte and to play him with you as longe as it shal please him, and whan it wyl please him to retourne to the emperour that he & all his company go franke & free, & I wyll desyre him to take of my gift this swerde, the whych I thinke be good and sure, the whiche Gouernar had brought to hym before fro mayster Steuen by the com­maundemēt of Florence to thentēt that he should gyue it to the earle, and in dede there was not a better swerde in all the emperours hoost, & there Arthur desyred the earle for hys lo [...]e to take it for a re­membraūce, and also desired him to take a horse of his gyfte in recompence of the horse y^t he had taken fro him in the felde. And whan the kinge herde Arthur haue these wordes he had grete ioye, & loued hym withal hys herte bycause of his gentilnes. Than therle answered & sayd, syr gentyll knyghte of herte I haue rychesse sufficient and am able to be set a ryght grete raūsome though it were .xx. or .xxx. duckettes, and also I haue swe [...]des and horses ynough, how be it y^• hye prowesse that is in you and the grete gentylnes of youre herte prouoketh me to receyue all your courtesye, & veryly I take all your offre of you on the condicion that ye wil [Page] fro hens forth take mi ayde and socours in al your busynes agenst al persons ex­cept my lorde the emperoure. Than Ar­thur a [...]l smylyng thanked hym muche. Than the kyng enbraced the erle for the loue of Arthur, thā was water brought for [...]h an [...] the kyng wasshed and the erle and so dyned togither & made good chere and were righte richely serued, and after dyner they sported them togeth [...]r tyll it was time for the kinge to go to his [...]est. Than the erle toke leue of the kynge & so cōmaunded him to god. And Arthur conuayed him a great [...]pace, and did giue to the erles knightes manye good horses & palf [...]aies, wherof thei thanked him right gretely. And at the last A [...]thur [...]oke hys leue of hym & so depa [...]ted, and than the erle went streyght to y^e emperours tente where as he founde hym accompanyed wyth the duke of bygor and many other noble knightes▪ and there the erle made grea [...]e praysyng of Arthur before them­peroure and shewed howe of his gentyl­nes he had suffered him to go qu [...]te, and how that he had giuen him many gr [...]te gif [...]es, and also to his knightes. Uerely sayd the emperoure there is not suche a knight in al y^e world▪ neyther of beautye nor of prowesse, for he is the souerayne knight of al other, for I s [...] none like him of prowesse, I wolde I had giuen y^e best citie that I haue on the conditiō that h [...] were retained as my knight. And whan y^e duke of bygor herd themperour prayse so muche Arthur, he was in hys mynde ryght sore displesed & sayd to therle, syr ye make here a great ple [...]yng of a flying vacabond▪ for no man knoweth what he is, nor fro whens he cōmeth, & ye ma­ke of him here suche a noyse, that no mā taketh hede of anye thynge elles, I can not tell you what he hath giuen you, certainly it is no honor for you to take any gyftes of a man fugytyue that is fledde or banysshed out of his own coūtry, but syr I wyl ye know certaynely y^t what so euer giftes he hath giuen you, to morow shal I giue you his head frō his sholders therfore I hold him wise in that h [...] hath d [...]parted of his tresour in his life dayes to you & to your company, for I waran [...] him he shal do so neuer agayne. wel syr sayd therle, threte him hardely fayre and easely that he knew it not, for and he do I fere me lest that he wyl flye away, and than ye can not giue me his heade & syr where as ye saye that no man [...]noweth what he is, syr I ensure you he is a ryght noble wise knight, and it maketh no mater to a noble knight where so euer he becōmeth, for hys boun [...]e wyl shewe right well his estate & where as ye say that he is a vacabonde and is fledde out of hys own coūtry, syr it had ben better to youre neuew that he had fledde into England or that he met with him at [...]ge [...]ce, for there your neuewe lost his lyfe, and there ye fledde a way w^tout by doynge of anye farewell, he nedeth not to [...]aue anye care though ye say thus of him for an yl ton­gue enpayreth [...]euer the honour of a no­ble wyse man, and I en [...]ure you I wyll shewe him th [...]se vylayne wordes that ye say of hym▪ and yf anye yll come to you therby take it a worth. Than y^e duke began to wa [...]e ang [...]y, & so the ma [...]er wold haue ben worse and themperour had not bene, for he caused them to be departed & to be in peas. Now let vs leue to speake of them, and returne to Florence.