Anno mūdi .i. Et ante xpī natiuitatē .v^M.C.lxxxxix.

In the fyrst yere of the world the sext day god maad Adam. ī the feld of Damascen. &̄ Eua of his rybbes putiyng them ī ꝑadyse. and bad them to kepe heys cōmandment that they shuld not ete off the frute of lyffe: vndyr the payn of dethe. and the same day when they had synnyt a noon he kest them owte of paradyse in to the lond of cursitnes that the shuld lyff ther wyth swetyng &̄ sorow tyll thei dyed. vide plura gen. primo. ¶This Adam wos an holy man: all the dayes of his lyfe. gret penance and deyly he dide. and he commandyt his chyldyr to lyff ryghtwysly. and naamly that they shuld auoyd in all wyse from the cumpany off Cayn: and his chyldyrn. ner that they shuld not mary wyth non̄ of them. This man Adam wos owr fyrst fadyr. and for co syn he put vs from paradyse. bot throw his holy conuersacion: and pe­nance: he gaff vs an exampull to cum to the kyngdom of heuyn And he that wyll nott folow hys holy conuersacion &̄ exampull. for co syn ryghtwysly he can not complayn on hym in so mych as we doo many. [...]eth son to Adam wos borne aftyr the begyn­nyng of the world .C. and xxx. yere and leuyd .ix^C xij. bot moyses ower skeppis a .C. yere of thos in the wich Abell weppit ī the vaale of plorocion: ny ebron▪ this Seth for the oyle of mercy to be gettyn went to paradise. [...]elbora wos syster to abell

[Page]Abell wos slayn of Cayn his brother. this Abell the fyrst marter be gan the chyrche of god. This man aftyr: austyn mad the cite of god. &̄ he wos the fyrst citysyn of that cite. & be cause that hee wos ryghtwis owr lord resauyt his offyring [...]alma­na wos systir and wiffe to Cayn. this cayn wos a cursat mane and he mad the fyrst erthli cite that eu (er) wos in this world: in thee wich: he put his pepull for drede in so mych os he vsit rauyn and violens for he trustit sych thingꝭ to be doon to him os dyd to odir ther for he put hym and his in to sekir place. this man slew hys brother abell for enuy. and he wos punyschyt of god: and wan­dyrt a bowte ī a dispare. &̄ efter wos slayn of Lameth ablynd mā

Anno mūdi iiij^C.xxxv. Et an̄ xpī natī iiij^M.ix^C.lxxiiij.

ENos of the lyne of crist: leuyd .ix^C. yere and v. this E­nos be gan to call the name of owr lord. hit myght hape he fond sum wordis of prayer. or mad sum ymages for god to bee worschippit as is now in the chyrche. Chaynā leuyd aftir ix^C yere and .x

Anno mūdi vij^C.lxxxxv. Et an̄ xpī natī .iiij^M.iiii^C. &̄ iiii

MAlaleel of the lyne of crist leuid .viii^C.lxxxxv Iareth of the same lyne leuid .ix^C lxii. Enoch of the saame lyne. leuid ccc. yere and lxv. This Enoch wos a rightwis mā and pleeset god. and for his grett holines our lord translait hym in to paradise. wher he leuis with Heli. in gret rest of bodi and saule. tyll the cummyng off Ante crist. Then they shall go for­th for the comfortacion off good men. And they shall be crow­nyt with the crowin off Martirdoome.

[Page]Matusele of cristis lyne leuyd ix^C: lxix. This Matusale wos the olddyst man that euer ony scriptur has mynd of. for when hee had leuyd neer v^C. yere. owr lord said to him: byld the an howse now and thu will. for yet thu shall lyffe v^C. yere. And he ons­ward & sayd for so lytill a tyme as v^C. yere. I will byld no howse bott rest vndyr trees and heggis &̄ ther slepit os he wos wontt to doo a for tyme.

Anno mūdi .M.iiij^C.liiii. Et an̄ xp̄i natī .iij^M.vij^C·xlv▪

LAmeth wos of age vij^C.lxxvij. This lameth the fyrst agaynes natur and good maners ordant that a mane myght haue .ij. wyffes in doyng of his a woytery. and he wos so or punyshit of them. for they gaff hym mony a strype. for it his so. that by what thing a man synnys: by the same he is punyshit ¶This lameth slow Cayn not wyllīgli. bot when he wos old and blynd. he wos lad of an child. the wich trouyt that he had se­en a wyld best. &̄ sayd to his master that he shuld schote. and so he slew Cayn. wher for he beete his chyld so soorthat the chyld also wos deed ¶And it is to be knaw that all craftys orscyens liberall. or hond craftis or of physike: seruyng to the curiosite off man: ar red that they wor foundyn of the chyldor of lameth. and for they dred the ꝑell to cum of the flood and the fyer. ther for Tuball grauyt the same craftys in .ij· pelours. the theon woos of marbull and tho odyr of tyell or breke. Tuball fond fyrste the craft to wyrke gold and siluer: and yrne. and wos the fyrste grauer that euer wos. Iabe fond fyrst tentoria for scheper dys and pauylyons for odyr men. Iuball fond fyrst the crafte to play a pon an harpe and organs. & odyr musik instremētis he vsyt. Noema fond the craft fyrst to weue lyne and wollyne clothe and to draw thredys of wooll &̄ flax. and a for that tyme the pepull vsytt the skynnys of bestys for ther clothys

Anno mūdi ·M.vi^C.xlii. Et an̄ xpī natī .iii^M.v^C.lvn.

The shype of Noe had ī lenght iii^C. cubettis. ī bred .l. in alty­tude xxx. vide plura Gen. 6 knaw ye after doctoris that a conueniēt payn this tyme wos ordant to the world. For thē lechory habundyt the wych defollyt māys body. And ther by water the erth wos wasshyt and clēsud

In the signe of the promys that god mad to man that ther shuld neu (er) be sych a flod agayn. And the rayn bow has ii. principall colurs. the wich represēt the ii. Iugemē tis: The watyr colur repre­sentis the flode that is passit the fyeer colur be tokyns the Iugement to cū: &̄ fy [...]re the wych we certanli abyde

In the end of the world be cause couetues shall habunde: by fyer it shall be brenet: gold and syluer by the fier is wonte to be clens yt.

This Noe wos a ryghtwys man and fond grace a nēdys god. When Noe wos v^C. yere of age he had gettyn Chaam Sem and Iaphet that tyme by the cumandment off god he be gone to make a schyp. and he made it parfite in a hundyrth yere. And the .C. yer completyt our lord god apperyt agayn to hym. and commā ­dyt hym. that he wyth his wyffe &̄ his chyldyrn and the wyfes of them shuld entyr the schyp wyth all maner of bestys. and all maner of folis all so. etc.

And a noon the flod cam. and stode a bown all hillis xv. cubit­tis. vide plura gen .7. Aftyr the flode. a gret drunkīnes betyd [Page] vn to Noe. and thurgh the occasion of that drunkynnes he ble­ssit his ij sōis. Sem and Iaphet. for the fadyrs honor that thei haad to hym. &̄ for the honest shame that they couyrt meekly ther fadyr membyrs whan that he wos droyng. and his son Cham for his skornnyng and his vnreuerens he cursed. And heer aft [...]r sent Austyn: is mad the fyrst mencion of bondage. And of no­bulnes contrary to hit. for Noe sayd that Cham shuld be (ser)uand in bondage to Sem &̄ Iaphet. for his vnreu (er)ens. Nerye shall not trow that all that descēdit of Cham war vnnobull men. and of no power. for they be gan fyrst to be myghty men oon the erthe as it is opyn of Nemroth &̄ the kyngꝭ of Chanaon and asco (rum). Nerall of Sem and Iaphet war vertuꝰ and nobull and mygh­ty men when almost euerych oon fel in to the crime of ydolatry. and war oft tymes oppressit of odyr men. Bot this blessing and this cursyng has a respec to vertu and vyce. for the whe [...]cch a mā is cald truli a nobull man or a vnnobull man. for he that is vertuus is a nobull man. and he that is vnu (er)tuus is not nobull. The same maner of wyese. tho that foloyt the fayth of Abrahe rather war cald his chyldyr then the Iues the wich carnally descendit from hym. Neuer the leesse they had a spirituall preualeg of god for the fadyrs m̄yttis and his blissyng And of the [...] iij. sonnys of Noe: he beyng alyue. aftyr the hystory of Philoīs war borne .xxiiij.M. &̄ C· men with owte wemen and chyldyr. and the had oon them iij. Princes Nenroth. Iectan and Suphen.

Anno mūdi .ij^M.ii^C.xlii. Et an̄ xp̄i natī .ii^M.vi^C.lvii.

SEm son to Noe the secund yere aftyr the flode gat ar­phaxat. &̄ odyr whyle he is cald Melchesedech. the wych fyrst after the flod mad the cite of Salē. &̄ now is cald Ierusalē Cham his brother obtenyt affr [...]can▪ &̄ gat sonnys ij Chus & Mescaym. and thes ij gat sonnys & dowttrys. and many a region [Page] wos of them and mony of them to vs be wnknaw. for the enhabytte in the occidētall ynd. Iaphz wos brother vn to cham and wos blessit of his fadyr. and he had vij sonnys. s. Gomer Magog Maday Ianā Tuball Mosog and Iras. And thes gat sonnys and doghtrys. and of them cam mony a region. vide plura gen. ih. Arphaxat son to sem leuyde iii^C xxx yere. &̄ gat Elam Assur Lud &̄ Arā. &̄ they gat mony a sone & doghter vt (patꝪ)patet gen. This assur be cause he wold not rebell agaynes god in the bylding of the towor of babulon as nemroth dide. Ther for he wos dreuyn vn to the lond of Sennaar a lond that wos st­rawnge to hym &̄ wos not afor enhabit. the wich wos callid af­tyr his name Assuria. &̄ ther he bildit a cite aftyrward namitt Niniue. the wich wos the met^opolō of al the kyngdom of assuri (rum) [...]hus son to cham wos fadir to nemroth. this nēroth woe agyāt of .x. cubettis long &̄ he be gon to be myghty ī the world and he is callid a bus [...]wys hunter afoor god. this man be gon that wri­chyt vyce of couetues by hys tyrānyde. wyth the wych euer moor aftir this world is fulfyllyd. and the principall kyngdom that he had wos babulon. and he had archad. edissa. selencia. &̄ the lond of sennaar. Sale sone to arphaxat leuyd iiij^C xxxiij yere and of hym in scriptur is no thyng wrettyn bot that Moyses nōburs hym in the lyne that cumys of cryst. ¶This Sale gat a son that wos namyt Heber the wych aftyr the hebreus had the sprete off ꝓphecy. And of thys heber the hebreus be namyt For the hebreus tong boode allon ī hys hows ī the ꝯfusion of the langage. And that langage was callid manys langage. the wyche eu (er)y man vsyett a for the toure of Babulon was bildyt ¶This Heberhade .ij. sonnys &̄ oon wos callyd Iectan a nother Phaleg this Iectan thurgh ensaumple of Nemroth descending froom Cam toke the pryncehood a pon the chyldrin of Sem. &̄ he had .xiij. sonnys. bot this pepul aftyr Iherom ar not knaw of vs for farnes of the cuntre or mutacion of the pepull or of sum other cause

Anno mūdi .ij^M.vi^C.xliij. Et an̄ xp̄i natit .ij^M.v^C.lvi

Phaleg leuyd .ij^C.xxxix. yeer this

Phaleg wos the yōger sone of hebar. &̄ ī his dayes wos made the ꝯfusion of langage. For in his howse a bood the olde tong allon: &̄ that wos ebreu wherfor aftyr Sant Austyn in hym appe­rith a greett stedfastnes of rygthtuys­nes. for this house wos free of that pa­yen. as not consentyng to the byldyng of the tour. Et (ser)m Augus. ther weer lxxij. generacions &̄ so ther war. lxxij langage. Iectan brother to phaleg of Sem Nemrothe Prince of Cam Suphen of Iaphet. Thes in Pryncis wyth thaer pepull gedyrid them to gedyr ī the felyde of Sennaar dreding the flood to cum a gayen. and sayde: let vs bylde a Touer. of the wych the altytude shal̄ extend to heuyn &c Gene. .ii. our lord saw the fulysh̄nes of the Towr of Babulō pepull: meruelusly for the payne of theer syn: he confundyt the tong of theym. so that no man vnderstood watt an other sayd. &̄ so they waer disparpuld by all the world. Of the malis of this Nemroth bookys be wrytyn full. &̄ after the ꝯfusion of the lang­age· he went to the lond of ꝑsis. and thor he toght them to worsh­yp the fyer as god. And he laft his sone belus ī babulon. the wych succedyt hym. and so fro thens his ꝓgeny obtenyt that kyndō. vn to the tyme of mony ayere aftyr: ¶This tyme be gan mōy kyngdōys. &̄ the most of them all wos the kyngdom of Scitarū bot ther war so rued pepull in it: that hit was neu (er) had in worship. [Page] And it wos amyghtty region of distās ¶A bowte this tyme be gan the kyngdom of Egypt. the wich wyth dyu (er)se alteraciōs māy tymes wos chongit. And it is spokyn of ofttymes ī scriptur Nobulnes or Gentilmen abowte this time be gan. And this nobulnes wos ordant for mony causis ¶The fyrst c [...]use wos necessite. for when mankynd grouyd soor. & men war redy to do il it wos necessari to wythstond the malys of cursit pepull. agōys good men. therof a man is callid a gentylman or a nobull man as be foor odyr in vertuys notabull. wher of Gerom sayth. I se nothyng ellis ī nobulnes or in gētilmen. bot that thay er bonden in a certan necessite: that thay shall not recede fro the vertu and the gentylnes of theer nobull awnssetory ¶The secuede wos the dyuse worsh̄yppyng of the pepull. For no man worshyppyt then. bot as his naturall reson gaff. &̄ they knew not rightwysly what they shuld worshyp. all though they leuyd pessabuly e­mong them self▪ for they war so dull of wytte that they culd ponder no gre [...]t thyng. bot that wos pubplychit be the commyn pepull. wherfor it wos expedient for ther peesse to be kepit. that they shuld haue pryncis of nobull byrthe ¶The thyrd cause ꝓcedit off sum senguler strength· Mony tymes the comyntees war greuyde thurgh ēnys comyng apon them And then they sayd. that who sū eu (er) wold defend them fro thes pellys. he shuld haue the ryght of nobulnes for hym &̄ his ayres for eu (er) more: And in this man (er) of wyse mony ar red to be nobull men ¶The fourth cause off nobulnes wos grett habūdans of good. sū tyme the pepull wos holdyn wyth grett penury of meete &̄ drinke. &̄ then they toke thē and thayres to sum rich man. that thurgh that conant they shuld tēꝑ the grete stratnes of ther hongyr. &̄ aftir that they shuld knaw hym as ther lord &̄ a nobull man ¶Also. ther be fond certayn nobull men be the ꝓuision of god. tho thay war bot fewe of the wych some a bood ī vertu as Dauit &̄ sū faylit a non as Saul &̄ Ieroboan. Also it is red that mōy war nobull men by [Page] tyrannyde &̄ violens of the wich sum war distryet a non. and sū a bood in stabulnes as Paynyms myght

A^o mūdi ij^M.ix^C v. Et an̄ xp̄i natī .ij^M.ij^C.lxxxxiiij.

SAruch lyneally descendyt from Adam to Abraham. and Nachor wos hys sone &̄ lyuid an hundyrth &̄ xlviij yere. And a bowte this tyme Ydolatri be gan myghttely. And yf ye reuolue &̄ loke the hystoryes ye shall fynd that iij. thyngꝭ principall broght men to ydolatri. that is to wete the affeccion that they had to deed men. Dreed &̄ flatyring a nendys thaer prīces &̄ the dyligens of craftimen a boute sculptures or grauyngis. dulys then entyrt the ydolis. and gaf ownswars to the pepull. and thes spretis cōformyt the errur of the pepull myghtily. In so mych that who sū eu (er) wold note cōforme hym to ther reson he shuld suf­fir the payn of deth. also wos addit to thes thyngꝭ: the dissauyng laud of poettys. the wych wrecchys and dampnyt men in to heuyn wyth ther gay writyngis exaltit. And that same tyme when du­lys be gan to speke so farly and so mekely to man. the good lorde of his grett marcy send his angils: that thay sh̄uld speke to hys eleckyt men in visibely. lest that all man kyne shuld ꝑych wyth that muscheuus errower. Belus sonne to Nemroth this tyme wos Kyng of Babulon. &̄ he was the fyrst kyng of this world. and this man wos he whom the errur of pepull fyrst trawit shuld be a god. wher for diuse pepull namyt hym diuersly. &̄ sū cald hym Bell. sum Baall. sū Baalim. sum Beelphagor. &̄ sum Beelsabub. and this vnhapy errur stood in man kynd moor thē ij^M. yere. Ninus son to belus the secund kyng of Babulon or of assurio (rum) regnyt liiij. yere. and this Ninus desyryt to haue lordshyp &̄ worshyp. &̄ to that entent that he myght be lord of all the cūtre a boute hym: and he gaaffe batell̄ to all̄ that dwellit ne a bowte hym. And be cause that tyme the pepull wos rude: &̄ had [Page] not the connyng of feghtyng: nor armur. a noon he subduyt vn to hym all Asiam. &̄ ther wos maad the fyrst monarch ī the est ꝑti. &̄ when his hart wos sory for the deth of his father Belꝰ: hee maad to be maad to hym for his comforth an ymage of his fadyr to whom he gaafe so myghti reuerens: that what sum euer gylty man had fleed to that ymage ther shuld no man do vn to hym no hurte. And he pardonythim of all his trespase. And thurgh his ensampull: mōy a mā be gan to worshype the deed ymag of ther deer frendys. Then thees malicius spretis seyng the curiosite off the pepull: hyde them with in them: and gaafe onswars to the pe­pull. and said they war goddys: and commandit them to do reu (er)ēs vn to them: as god. thus that vnhappy syn of ydolatri wos broght in. the wich repugnyt myghteli to goddis magesty. &̄ ī so myche this madnes grew: that he shuld suffir the payne of deth: thatt sayd they warmen: bot goddys:

Anno mūdi iij^M.C.xiiij Et an̄ xp̄i natī ij^M lxxxv.

THare son to Nachor leuyd ij^C &̄ v yere. this Thare aft (er) the deth of Aram went from vr of calde and passit in too Charram with his childyrn &̄ his neuens. and it is sayd be cause he woldnot worshipe the fier as Nemreth had taght he wos flemyt the cuntre. And the comyn oppynion of the Hebreus is that Nē roth regnyt ther the wich wos cald. a nodir name. Amraphel the kyng of Sennaar: wom long tyme after this Abraham awrcā vt dicitur. (Genes )Genesis.xiiij.

Anno mūdi iij^M.C.lxxxiiii. Et an̄ xpī natiuitatē ij^M xv:

Heer begynnith the deuoit &̄ holy story of owr Patriarkis the wich worshippit the u (er)ay god. &̄ ī ther worshipping thai taght it vide plura gen 12. vs (que) ad finē. this Abrahā a faithfull louer of god: wos born the xliij yere of Ninus kyng of babulō. & knaw [Page] ye that the lxxv yere of Abrahā thurght the myghty glori of the hee god:

the word of merci decēdit apon mankynd for then be gane to appeer the oraculꝰ of the ꝓmisse of god. vide aug. 16 de ci. de Itm gen ih. for this tyme holy ā gels apperit to vs ī form of mankynd ¶This abrahā had .ij. brether. Arā &̄ Nachor. &̄ aram gatt Loth a rightwes mā &̄ an holi. &̄ he de (ser)uyt to be visit with angels as his hunkil abrahā wos. &̄ for this loth abrahā smoot iiii. kyngꝭ for they toke loth vt gen 14. of whom on was said to be Nemroth bot he is cald heer amraphell ¶And abrahā had mony wiffes as Sarar &̄ agar. &̄ his childer &̄ his brether had mōy childer. bot for vs that writte cronyclis: it is not necessary to speke of all mē: bot of the noble faders. (sed) vide plrāfīe gen. Mel­chysedech this tym wos kyng of Salē. this mā wos cald a right wis kyng. for hys excedyng holines. &̄ he offirt bred &̄ wyne to abrahā ī signe of a gret mysteri. he wos also the prest of the he god Semyramis the thrid king of Babulō this ordāt an army &̄ went ī to ynde: &̄ obtenet that cūtre. &̄ so by all Asiam the kīg­dom of Assurio (rum) wos dilatit. &̄ he multiplied the cite of Babulō myghteli. &̄ maad wallis a bowt it. this Semyramis had a wyff &̄ he for soke hiir. &̄ it is wreten that sche wos slain of hiir sone Ninus. be cause sche ꝓuokit him to the vnleful cōcupicēs. sic dicit aug. 18 de ci dei. &̄ y^e maister ī his storys sayes that sche weddit hiir awn son. &̄ he gat a child on hiir. the wich ordant bobu­lon to be the heed of his reme. Ninus the iiij. kyng of babulō wos son to gret Ninus. of this man litill is wreten bot that he slow his own modir as it is sayed a foor. Arrius wos the. v kyng of babulon. and vnd (er) hym wos borne ysaac.

[Page]Ysaac sone to Abraham of the lyne of crist leued .C.lxxx. yere. This Ysaac had a wife cald Rebecca. &̄ on hir hee gat ij: sonnys. Esau &̄ Iacob. this esau sould his enheritons to his brother Iacob. &̄ he wos the fadyr of Ydumeo (rum). &̄ he had in possession the hille of Seir. &̄ put fyrst maris to assys. wher of wos gēdyrte mulis ¶A bowte this tyme: xxx: lordschippis &̄ Gomorra forther horrobli syn war owerthrow. the wife of Loth lokyng bacward: turnet ī to a salt stone. shewis that no mā ī the way of deliberacion shuld desyre thyngꝭ past. hee augꝰ. de ci. dei▪

Anno mūdi iij^M.iij^C.xliij. Et an̄ xp̄i natī .M.viij^C lvi

Iacob leued .C.xlvij yere this Iacob had iiij wyfes or sū ꝯcubynes that is to wete. Lyā. Balā. Zelphā &̄ Rachell lyam wos the fyrst wiff. &̄ she wos blereit. and she baar hym sex sonnys. s. Iudas. Rubē. Symeō. Leny. Ysachar. Zabulon &̄ a doghttyr that heyt Dina. Bala (ser)uand to lya and ꝯcubyne to Iacob baar him .ij· sōnys. s. Dan and Neptalim. Rachel the secūd wieff to Iacob wos barran long tyme. and at the last she bare hym .ij. sōnys. Ioseph and Beniamyn Zolpha (ser)uand to Rachel baar Iacob ij sōnys. Gad and Aser. and eu (er)ychoon of thes maad a trybe: of whom ī this place it is not necessary too speke. vide plura gen. Ioseph son to Iacob wos borne lxxxx yere of his fadre age & he leued .C. yere & on Xerses this tyme wos kyng of babulō vnd (er) whom wos born Iacob & he wos the: vij kīg of babulō. Armauictre wos kyng aft (er) him & aft (er) sent aug. in that mānys dayes our lord apperit to Ysaac: ꝓmysing him tho thyngꝭ the wich h [...] ꝓmysed to his fadre. Belocꝰ the ix. kyng of babulō wos aft (er) this mā & vnd (er) this belocꝰ or ī his tyme our lord speke with iacob promising hym that he had ꝓmysit to his fad (er) the wich war ij.s. the possessiō of the lond of ꝓmission & chanaan &̄ the bn̄diccion of al pepull ī his seed the wich is our lord thū crist [Page] Abraham a boute this tyme decessit &̄ wos bereed ī hebrō. Inachꝰ the frist kyng that eu (er) was ī Grees wos this tyme. foor then the kyngdō be gone. Phoronius wos kyng after hym and he ordant lawis to the grekys. etc.

Anno mūdi iij^M.iij^C.iiij. Et an̄ xpī natī .M.vn^C.lxxxxix.

Ivdas sō of Iacob descēdit of hym: &̄ of this tribe of Iudas cā the kīgꝭ ꝓgeni &̄ at the last crist our lord ¶Iudas gat Phares &̄ phares Esrō. &̄ of thes mē litil his had īscript bott Math rehersis them. Beleus ī this phares days wos kyng of Assurio (rum) or of babulō &̄ he wos the .x. kyng. vnd (er) wh [...]m ysaac decessid Athlas the gret Astronomyer wos also the wich is said to beer vp heuyn on his shuldre: for the veray knaulech of y^e sterris: Sarapis wos the thy [...]d kyng of arguio (rum) or of Greco (rum). [...] this sarapis wos called other wisse apis. and he cā ī to Egyppit with a myghty nauy. &̄ ther decessit: &̄ wos made of y^e blind gētyles the egipcions: the grettest god emongꝭ them. &̄ that tyme be­gan ameruelꝰ suꝑsticion ī ydolatri of a calfe of .ij. colours. the wich they called Apem. & that calf deyd: the dulis ꝓcurrit a lyke calf to that· for to be maid. that they myght dessoue the rude pepul &̄ aft (er) that it come that the chyld of israel did on the same wise. vt patet. &̄ what thīg cold be more wrechit or folisshir ī mā hauīg resō Argus wos the .iiij. kyng of grekis aft (er) whō the nobul cite of argꝰ toke his nāme Cicropis edefied Athenas ī grecia &̄ this cite wos y^e noricher of liberal sciens. &̄ of mōy phelosoforꝰ. yet they wordes saiued by dulys. &̄ gret suꝑsticiosite ī the cite wos maid: vide augꝰ. et mirabilē fabulā reꝑies Omogires the fyrst mā put ox sin to the plough. Beleꝰ this tyme wos kīg of babulō. &̄ he wos the .x. kīg of that region. &̄ vnd (er) hym died ysaac Pharao wos kyng of Egipt the wich resayuyt Ioseph &̄ exaltet hym: for the īterpretaciō of his dremes. vide scīsiāz pulcherimā (que) historiā gen 41. etc. Amythus wos the xij. kyng of babulō. vnd (er) whome [Page] dyed Ioseph a blessit mā ī chastite Pharao emonophis aboute Esrom dayes wos kyng of Egypt. & this pharao knew not Io­seph ner nōe of his linage. & he cōmandet the child of israel to be drenchynt. as it is had exodi p^o. & ye that be clerkes loke that boke for we that be none: pas to the Croniclys. bot a boute this tym the hystory of exodi be gone.

Anno mūdi iij^M v^C xliiij. Et an̄ xp̄i natī .M.v^C lx.

Aram son to Esrom of the lyne of crist wos aboute this tim & he got Aminadab. Naason: of thes mē litill is wrete ī scriptur & therfor: I ꝓcede to other maters Iob that holi man & of al paciens the ensampyll. a boute this tyme wos born: of y^e lyne of nachor the brother of habrahā. & he leued mōy yeres. &̄ aft (er) that god had visit hym. &̄ had assayed hys paciēs. he leued .C.xl. yere ꝑ augꝰ greg & lir. Moyses abowt this tyme wos born. & the child of israel war ī gret tribulacion & bondage. &̄ Moyses wos put ī the wat (er) to be drounet Aron a boute this tyme wos borne Dafrus wos king of babulō. & he wos the xiiij. kyng &̄ Moyses ws borne vnd (er) hym ī egipt Cicrops wos the fyrst kīg of Athenas. & aft (er) Sent austī that tyme mōy lesyng war wre­tyn ī the histories of the grekys. the wich cōmīli war lesse then the cōmyn faame sayes. of a litell thyng they wret a grett mater be cause to shew tther connyng. for ther wos the vniu (er)site of grekys

An^o mūdi iij^M vi^C lxxxviij. Et an̄ xpī natī .M.v^C xi.

AMynadab son to Arā of crist lyne wos this tyme. thys amynadab fyrst aft (er) moyses with a fool fayth entyrd ī to the reede see. &̄ dred not whē mōy a hūdrith war ferd lest they shuld be drenchit. &̄ therfor he de (ser)uyt to bring forth the kyngꝭ linage of whom decēdit our lord Ihū crist. Moyses wos the fyrste iuge of israel that eu (er) wos. &̄ he wos iuge xl. yere. this moyses was the most excelent ꝓphit that eu (er) god made &̄ the most notabil [Page] writer of stories. &̄ of his louyng heuyn &̄ erth speeke. for he saw almyghty god clerli fais to fays. the wich in this freel lyef wos neu (er) fondē īscriptur bot of hym &̄ paule the apostell. Aron thee fyrst bisshope leued a .C.xxiij yere. this Arō wos called of god ī to the dignyte of the hee prest or of a bisshope. &̄ wos ordāt the eternall testamēt to hym self & to al that come aft (er) hym for y^e gret pouer of presthod. when he wos an .C.xxiij yere of age. he decessit &̄ wos bereid ī the hill of hor. &̄ his son Heleazarꝰ succedit hym ī the bisshoprike· Pharao boccharis this tyme wos kyng ī egipt & this Pharao wold not her the cōmādment of god. ner delyu (er) the child of israel. wherfor he wos ponichit with x. plagis vt (pꝪ)patet exo. And afterward he with all his hoost: wos drounet ī the reid see Naason son to Aminadab wos prince of the tribe of Iudas ī the dissert ¶And a bowt this tyme y^e law of god wos geuē ī the hill of sinay. &̄ the boke of leueticū wos wretyn: and a nod (er) boke wos called nume (rum). &̄ the tabernacul wos ordand. The boke of deuteronamiū wos made: Balaam wos ꝓphet &̄ wos slayn.

Anno mūdi .iij^M vij^C xxv. Et an̄ xpī natī .M.iiij^C lxxiiii

SAlmen of the line of crist wos abowte this tyme &̄ he had a wife that heyt reab. Moyses abowt this tyme decesset. the wat (er) of fleme iordane wos dry. Iericho wos take: the son stoid ī the firmamēt īmeuabull. historia libri iosue īcipit & iudicum. Iosue the secūd iuge ī israel wos a myghty mā ī batell &̄ the fryst ī desert he awer com amelech. &̄ aft (er) Moyses of god he wos ordant iuge of israel of whom the batels: the werkes: &̄ the religius lyfe ye may se ī the boke of Iosue wretē. Eleazar wos the se­cund bysshop: &̄ he &̄ iosue deuyded the lond of ꝓmision to the child of israell. &̄ of hym decēdit the bysshoppis vn to crist a few exceppyt Othonyell of the tribe of Iuda wos the thryd iuge. and this man delyuered the children of israel fro the oppression of thee Reame off Mesopotomie. the wich he ower come in batell. thys [Page] man toke axam to his wyefe. the wiche asked the vale londis a bown &̄ be nethe of hir fad (er) caleph. vt (pꝪ)patet iudic pri^o. Aoth wos the iiij iuge ī israel. this mā subduid eglō the kyng of moab: and deliu (er)it the child of israel. this wos a myghty man in batell and he vsyd the ton hond as well as the tother for his right hond ¶A bowte this tyme the kīgꝭ of Italy be gone. and mony tymes ther names be changet. of the wich the ꝓgenite of the romans mo [...] clerly is shewed Ianas wos the fyrst kyng of ytaly. and aft (er) ­ward of the rude gentilys he wos worshyppit as a god. and they fenyd hym to haue ij faces. for they worshippit his fest in the be­gynnyng of the yere as he war the ende of the last yere. and the begynnyng of the fyrst yere. and of hym the mone of Ianuary has his name. Amictus wos the viij kyng of babulon vndyr whom Iosue decessit.

Anno mūdi iij^M vij^C lxxv. Et an̄ xpī natī .M: iiij^C xxiiij

Boos son to salmon of the lyne of crist wos this tyme. bott of hym is lytill wretten bot that Math nombres hym iij the genology and as docturs sayth ther wos made skyppīg of namys be twyx Boos &̄ Obeth for at the leste be twyx them war CClxxij yere the wich tyme to on man may not be referred. &̄ ther for heyr mony thynges is spoken or I cum to the lyne of crist a yane. Nicholaꝰ de lyra d^t ꝙ sūt tres boos vnus post alium Sangar wos the v iuge of israel bothe leued no yeres. Delbora wos the vi. iuge this Delbora wos a womā. and for thee grace of hir ꝓphecy wos gyffen to hir honour that she iuget israel she by the cōmādment of god called Baruch that he shold go fe­ght with the enmys of israel and the child of israel gat the victory a yans Iabin the kyng of Chanaan and Cizaram the prīce of his cheualry and he destrued hem vt (pꝪ)patet iudicū 4^o. Phenies wos bisshop. and this Phenies yet a yong man for goddis sake [Page] slew mony lecherus men And therfor our lord wos plesit wit him Saturnus this tyme wos kyng in Italy. and he wos the secū de kyng ther. this Saturmis is sayed to cum from the lond of cretens in to Ytaly. whom by ydolatri thurght a meruelꝰ blendnes they sayed wos no man bot a god. And yet they sayed that hee regnet vpon them as ther kyng and he taught mē fyrst to donge ther feeldys and of Saturnus the romās war cal̄led saturniam. P [...]icus wos son to Saturnus and or he wos kyng in Italy he wos kyng in Laurentyn: and after his decesse of the gētilis wos worsshippit for a god.

Anno mūdi iij^M viij^C lxxv. Et an̄ xp̄i natī .M.iij^C xliiij

GEdeon the vij Iuge off israel wos this tyme. this Ge­deon subduyt iiij. kynges. s. Oreb: Zebee. Zeb: and Salmana. And hee subduyt Madean to israel. vide plura iudi cū .6.7. et .8.

Bocci wos Bisshope in isthel: then: Abymelech the: viij iuge in israel wos naturall sone to Gedyan and he wos not called of god bot malyciosly toke on hym the Prinshod of israel and he slew lxx of his brether wherfor he endit his lyfe myscheuusly vt patet iudicum. 9 Tola wos the ix Iuge in israel and this man gydit hym after the olde gouernans of iuges by thee maner of dyreccion and counsell. moor then by domynacion. Bocci wos bisshop a bowte this tyme: bot of hym lytell is wre­tyn Iayr the x iuge of israel had xxx sonnys: whom he made princes of xxx citees. And be cause thes war good men and rulit to the plesour off god. Therfor in the dayes of thees .ij. men isreel drew to our lord And therfor all thyng come and wos in prosperite and welche.

Fannus wos the iiij kynge of Italy and he wos kyng of Laurentyn [Page] b [...]the Latinus wos kyng in Italy after Fānus and of thys Latinus wos called the kyngdō of latinorum ¶And Carmentis doughter to Euandri foond fyrst latyn lettyrs. Thauranus a bowt this tyme wos kyng of babulon or of asseriorum and vnder thys man Troy wos destruyed fyrst. The oc­casion off the batell off Troy be gone for a lytell thyng. in so myche as Lamydon kyng of Troy: reseyued not Hercules and Iason wyth dew honour as they shold haue be resaiued. and off so lytell a trespasse how mony harmys and hurtys grew. Sibil­la delphica a for the batell of Troy proficyed how a chyld shuld be borne of a virgin wyth owt mannys seed. Laamydon kyng of Troy wos slayn: And hys doughtyr xiona wos taken in to grees lond. for the wych foulyth myghty batell and most ferfull myscheuys vide historiam troianam. Hercules wyth Iason destruyd Ilyum or Troy. the wych a none after wos bylded of Pryamus son to Laamydon This hercules did mony meruelus thynges. and mony myghty batelles. and infenyte lesinges be fennyt on hym· at the laste when he had ower come mych pepull hee wos soor hurt in werre. And when he myght not suffyr the payn of his soor with the wych he wos greued. hym selfe he ron in to the fyer and when he wos deyd he wos worshyppyt emonges the goddis of the gentyles myghttely.

Circa annū mūdi iij^M ix^C lxxv Et an̄ xpī natī .M.ij^C xxiiij

After the deth of Iayr iuge of israel: the pepull of israell addyt new synnys to ther olde: And our lord toke them ī to the pouer of the Phyl̄ystiens: and to y^e chylder of amon xviij yere and they war grettly oppressit. and then they cryed to owr lord Then iepte wos enspyred wyth all myghtty god: And faught a ganes. Amon and. Sedicios pepull off the hyll off Effraym: And for an vnprudent voy hee slew hys owne [Page] doughter fullishly & did sacrifice to god with hir. iudicū. 11: & 12 Ozy this tyme wos bysshop in israel and he wos of the seed of Aron by the line of Eleazari the wiche deed through the ꝓuisiō of god the bysshoprike turned to the lyne of Ythamaran. C xx yere in the wich line Hely wos the first hee bisshope. & Abiather wos the last Ebessam wos iuge in israel vn. yere: and he wos the xij. iuge. and he wos named other wise Boos the wych wed ruth Abialon the xiij iuge of israel wos iuge x yere. and vndyr thes tymes the chyldir of israel warqwiet. and therfor no notabull thynges was done in theys dayes Abdon the xiiij iuge gouerned in israel viij yere. and a bowte this tyme the histori of Ruth wos wreten Authāis this time wos kyng of asseri (rum): & Priamus kyng of Troy son to Laomidō byldet his cite a yane meruelusly strong and be gone batell with the grekys in to hys owne hurt. and he had a son wos called Hector a lefull gettyn son bi his wyf Eccuba. this man wos faythfull and wysse: and in cōꝑabull of strengh & nobulnes: this Priamis had a nother son wos called Paris the wich toke a way fro the lond of grekis Helena wyfe to Menelayus the kyng Agamenon the kyng brother to menelay the leder of all the grekis oost faught a yans Troy and at the last he won the cite falsly & to the grekys the most shame &̄ sklandir that myght be. for certanly that myght be cald a vnhappy batell wher no man gewes louyng to the grekys. bott eu (er)y man reportis sham. Eneas wos kyng in Itali iij yere. &̄ this Eneas after troy wos destuyt of the grekys come in to Ytaly wyth xx schyppys. and did myghty batelles ther: and this mā had wedit Priamus doughter Elinsuram. and he wos made A god thrugh the errour of the cōmyn pepull and of this man come Iulius cesar & Octauianus augustus. Vlixes an eloquent man emong all the grekys after mony parrellys on the see. wēt home to hys Penolopem the most faythfull: And the most chas­tyt woman that is red off: and the grekys parychit wrecchytly [Page] aftir they had destruyd Troy bothe on the wat (er) & on the land os they went homward a yane ¶And that wos thee principall date of ther writyng aft (er) that victori. for the wrot ther histores &̄ o­dyr writyngꝭ sic. Anno primo uel secūdo &c. post troiam captam And that wos the .iij. yere of Abdon iuge of israel.

Circa annū mūdi iiij^M.xxv. Et an̄ xpī natī .M.C.lxxiiij.

OBeth of cristis lyne son to Boos is rehersset in Math. Samson the xv. iuge regnet xx yere. this Samson wos the most strong man that euer wos. And he delyuered israel from the Phylistians and for hys meruelus strength mē trowed he had beyn hercules Eteiꝰ mirabilia oꝑa vide iudicū .13.

Anno mūdi iiij^M lxxv. Et an̄ xpī natiuitatē .M.C xiiij

IEsse son to Obeth of the lyne of crist: odyrwyse called Ysay fadre to Dauid thys tyme leued a noaull man in honesty no kyng ne gret gouerner bot of hym mony tymes is made mencion in holy scriptur: for of hym descendit crist our saueour. Thys tyme Hely wos iuge and bisshop in israel: the wich had ij. sonnys Ophni and Phinees. and for he coreket them not suf­ficiently He and they were ponysshit bothe of our lord. for they were slayn of the Philistions: and Hely feell of his seit and brake his nec. This hely wos iuge next after Samson: and not of the linage of Aron that wos fyrst Bisshop of god electe bot off Ythamar the linage duryt .C.xx yere. in the wych lynage Hely wos fyrst bisshope and Abyathar the last. vide plara primo regum.

This tyme Saull wos kīg in israel̄ aft (er) the master in hys histories &̄ Iosephus ī his viij. boke this Saule wos first kyng ī israel̄ and regnet xx yere. the wich or he wos kyng wos a good man and electe off god bot afterward wrecchytly he fayled. And he wos slayn and his iij. sonnys in the hyllys [Page] of gylboy. In the tyme of saul. Samuell wos Iuge: & prophet in israel an holi man &̄ borne of a baran moder mony a day. &̄ he mynystred a foor our lord from a child to his age. &̄ wos not hee Bisshope. bot he iuget israel all the dayes of his liffe. &̄ wos the veray prophet of god .ij. kynges he anoyntet. Saul fyrst &̄ after Dauid. this Samuell alone and Moyses ar red that thei prayed for ther enmys in all the old testament. Of thys Samu­ell. and Saull be dyuerse opynions Isodyr sayth that Samuell and Saul ruled israel xl yere and Iosephus in his viij boke and the master ī his hystories sayn Samuel to be Iuge xij yere aloon. & aft (er) hym: saul to regne xx yere. plura vide pri^o regum Ascanius the vij. kyng of ytaly wos son to Eneas & beldit the cite of Albion &̄ he wos cald the kyng of Albano (rum). ¶Thys asconyus got Siluiꝰ the viij. kyng of Italy. the wycch siluius was fadir vn to Brute kyng of bretan now called Englond. And I leef of the kyngꝭ of Italy for they did bot litill nobull thynges tyll it be cōmen to Romulꝰ &̄ remꝰ that rome wos bilded. And then shall thos kyngꝭ cū a yane & we ꝓcede to the cronicls

of englōd for the wich this boke namly is maade. And ve­nis and Padua wor bylded a bowte this tyme of the resudw of the troyans Homere the gret poete a bowte this tyme wos: the wyche wrotte and fened glori­usli mony a lesyng.

¶Here be geneth now how Brut was goten: and how he slewe fyrst his moder. and after his fader: and how he conquered Albi­on that after he named Bretan after his owne name that now is called Englond: after the name of Engist of saxonie. Thys Brute cam in to Bretan a bowte the .xviij. yeer of Hely

BE it knaw that in the nobull cite of greet Troy: theer wos a nobull Knyght and a man of grete pouer: that wos called Eneas and when the cite of Troy was lost and destroed thurgh them of Grece: this Eneas with al his meyne fled thens: and comeī to Lumbardy: that tho wos lord and gou (er)nour [Page] of that lond a kyng that wos called Latyne. and a nother kyng ther wos that wos called Turocelyne that strongli wered vpō th­is kyng latyne that often tymes did hym moche harme And whē this kyng latyne herd that Eneas was comen he vnd (er)feng hym wyth mochel honour & hym with helde for as moche as he had herd of hym & wist well that he wos a nobull knyght and a worthy of hys body &̄ of hiy dedes: this Eneas helpet kyng Latyne ī his were &̄ shortly for to tell so well & so worthely he did: that he slew Turocelyne &̄ discomfited hym &̄ all his pepull. And when al this wos done: kyng latyne yaf all that lond that wos turocelinis to thys noble man Eneas in mariage with Lauyne his doughter the most faire creature that any man wist: and so they lyued to geder in ioye and myrthe all the dayes of theyr lyfes tyme. and after Asconyus son to Eneas wedded a wyfe and vpō hyr he begat a son that wos called Silueyn &̄ this silueyn whan he colde sum resun of man vn wittyng his fadre and a yenst his wyll acquentyd hym with a damysell that wos cosyn to Lauyne that wos kyng latynes dougter the quene that wos eneas wyfe and brought the damysell wyth chylde. and whon Ascanius his fad (er) it wist anone let enquere of the wisest masters and of the gret­test klerkes what chyld the damisey shold bring forth and they ansuered &̄ sayed that she shold bring ofrth a son that shold kyll bothe his fadre and also his modre: and so he did: For his moder dyed in beryng of hym. And whan this chyld wos borne: his fad (er) let calle hym Brute: and the masters siyd that he shold doo moche harme &̄ sorow in mony dyuerse places: and after he shold come to gret honour and worshyp: This kyng ascanius dyed when god wold and Silueyn his son resaued the lond and made hym wonderly well beloued amonges his pepull. and whan Brute thatt wos Siluenus son wos xv. yere olde he went vpon a day wythe his fadre for to play &̄ solace &̄ as Brute shold a shote vn to an hert hys harew myshapped & glaced & so ther Brutkel led his fad (er).

¶How Brute wos dreuen out of the lond and how he helde hym in Grece.

And when this myschance befell: all the pepull of the lond made sorow ynowgh and war sore an angreyd and for encheson therof they driuen Brute oute of the lond & wold not suf­fer hym amonges them: and he saugh that he myght not ther a bide & he went from thens in to grece: &̄ ther he fond vij.M. men that were of the lynage &̄ kynred of Troy that wor comē of gret blode as the stori telleth as of men & womē &̄ child the wich wer all holden in thraldom &̄ bondage of the kyng Pandras of grece for the deth of Achilles that wos bitrayed &̄ slayn at troy. thys Brute wos a wonder fayr man & a strong and huge of his age and of glad cheyr and sembland &̄ also worthy of body and wos wellbeloued emonges his pepule. This kyng Pandras herde speke of his goodnes and his condicions and anone made hym du­ell with hym so that Brute bicome wond (er) priue &̄ moch beloued with the kyng: so that long tyme brute duelled with the kyng: so at the last they of troy and brute spakyn to gedre of kynred and of lynage &̄ of acquantance and ther plened them vn to brute of ther sorow and of ther bondage and of mony other sh [...]mes that y^e kyng Pandros had them done: &̄ to brute they sayn vpon a tyme ye ben a lord of our linage &̄ a strong man & a myghty be ye ou [...] captayn & lord &̄ gou (er)nour &̄ we wyll be cume your mē and your commandmentes done in all maner of thinges and bryng ye vs oute of this wrecchitnes and bandage &̄ we wil fyght wyth the kyng for trouth w^t y^e grace of the gret god we shall hym ouercome and we shall make you kyng of the lond and to you done homage &̄ of you we shall holde euermore. Brute had tho gret pite of ther bondage that they were brought yn: and preuely went hem from the kynges court: and tho that were of Troy wē &̄ put them in to wodis and in to montaygens and them the helde and sent vn to kyng Pandros that he shuld yeue them leu [Page] sauely for to wend out of the lond for they wold no longer duelle in his bondage: The kyng Pandras wax tho sore annoyd and tho swore that he wold slae them eu (er)ychone and ordeneyd a grett pouer and went towardes them all for to feght but Brute and his men manli them defended and fersly foughten and kylled al the kynges men that none of them ascaped and token the kyng &̄ hym helde in prison and ordeyned counsell bi tweyn them what they mygth done: &̄ sū said that he shuld be put to deth and sū said that he shuld be exiled out of the lond and sū said that he shuld be brent ¶And tho spake a wyse knyght that was called Mempris and said to Brute and to all tho of Troy yf kyng Pādras wold yelde hym and haue his lyfe I councell that he yeue vn to brute that is our duke and our soferayne his doughter Gennogen to a wyfe and in mariage with hyr an hondreth shippes wel araied and all hys tresour of gold and siluer of corne and of wyne and as moch as os nedeth to haue of o thyng and other and than go we oute of his lond &̄ ordayn we vs a land elles where for we ne none of our kynred that comen after vs shall neuer haue pees in this lond amonges them of grece: for we haue slayn so mony of ther kynghtes and of other frendes that euermore were and contake shold be amonges vs: brut tho and all his folke consented well to that counsell and this thyngꝭ they tolden to kyng Pādras and hee for to haue his lyfe graunted as moch as they axid: and a none yaf vn to brute gennogen his douter to wyfe & an hūdreth shippes with os myche os them neded of all vitalles os befor wos ordenyd: brute tho toke his wife and all is men that for soke the lond of grece and went them vn to the see. and had wynd and wedre at ther wyll: and com the thrid day in to an Ile that wos called Lorgres: this brute anone sent of his mē a lond for to aspye the man (er) of the contre & they found a nold Cite al wasted &̄ forlet that nas therynne nether mā ne woman ne no thyng duelling & ī the mydell of this cite they founden an [Page] old tempull of an feier lady y^t wos called Diane the goddesse &̄ they comē ayene vn to Brut & told hym what they had seyn and found & they cōselled hym gone & doo sacrifice vn to dame Dian for she was woned to yef ansuer of what thyng y^t eu (er) men prayed hir &̄ namli vn to them y^t hir honoured w^t sacrifice Brut wēt to y^t ymage &̄ sayd Diane noble goddest lady y^t all thyng hast in myght &̄ ī thy pouer wyndes waters wodes feldes &̄ al thyng of the world &̄ all man (er) of bestes y^t ther ī ben to you I make my prayer y^t ye me cōcell &̄ tell wher & ī what place I shall haue a counabull duellyng for me &̄ for my pepull & ther I shall make ī honor of you a welfaier tempyll & a nobull wher ī ye shall eu (er)more be ho­noured. when he had done his praer Diane ansuerd ī this man (er): Brute ꝙ she go euē forth thy wey ou (er) the see ī to fraunce toward the west &̄ ther ye shall find an Ile y^t is called Albion & y^t Ile is bicompassed all with y^e see & no mā may cū therī: bot it bene by shippes: & ī y^t lond wer wōed to be geantes bot now it is not so bot all wyldernes and that lond is destenyed &̄ ordant for yow and for your pepull.

¶How Coryn becōe brutes mā &̄ how kīg goffar wos discōfid

WHen Brute hade this ansuere of diane the goddesse anōe he let the ancres wynd vp & sayled ī to the high see &̄ whē he &̄ his men had sailed xx. dayes and mo they fond fast beside a cost of the see a thousand mē of the lynage and kynred of Troy and ther souerayne &̄ ther mast (er) of all was called Corin. and whan Brute wist whennes they weer he tho toke them with moch Ioye ī to his shippis &̄ led them forth with hym. this Corin ther becōe brutes mā & to hym dyd homage &̄ so long they sailled forth ī y^t se till they comē ī to Gascoyne and anōe they arriued ī the hauen of liegers and ther they duellid viij. dayes them for to rest &̄ ther sayles to amende ther that it wos nede: tydyngꝭ sone come to kīg Goffar that was lord of the lond how y^t moch pepill of strange [Page] lond were arreuid in to his lond in the hauen of liegers wher­for hee was sore angreyd and anoyde that they come and arriued in his lond with out his lysens and his leue. And anone he ordeyned hym a gret pouer for to dryue out Brute and to shend him and all his pepull: bout it was so that kyng Goffar wos discomfited and all his pepull: and hym self flede in to Fraunce: ther to seke helpe and socour. ¶And in that tyme regned in fraunce xij. kynges: and a xi. of them assemaled a gret pouer for to help Goffar and for to fight ayenes Brute: this Goffar duelle with them of fraunce halfe a yere and more. And in the mene tyme when goffar was in fraunce. Brute and hys companye destruyed all the lond of Gascoyne and let take all tresour that kyng goffar had and ther let bryng it all in to his shippes And th­is Brute founden in that lond a fair place and couenabull & theyr brute made a faire Castell and a strong. ¶When that this wos done kyng Goffar come fro fraunce and xi. kynges with hym and brought with them .xx: M. men for to fyght w^t Brute & his compani and brute had but vij^M. and iij^C. men: & neuerthelees when the ij. hostes mett to gedre: brutes folke thorgh help of hym selfe and of Turyn his cosyn &̄ of Corin that well and manly hym defended and fought so tell that lytell tym they had kylled of the fraunshemen ij^M. and mo. anon all tho that were alyue fled a way ¶And in this batell Turin brutes cosyn was slayn and brute let enteer hym worthely whan he had space &̄ leyser in the Castell that he had made: and tho let call that same castell Tours for be cause of the name of Turin that ther wos entyred and yet in to this day ther is a nobull Cite that is c [...]lled Tours. And when kyng goffar wist that Turin wos deyd he cō ayene with his men and after yaf a strong batell vn to brute. bot brute and hys men were so wery for fighttyng that they my­ght no longer endure bot to meegre hym and all his. and than [Page] Brute went ī to his castell with all his men &̄ made the yates fast for to saue them and for to take consell amonges them what were for to do Brute and Corin yaf counsell and ordeyned that corin priualy shold goo oute and bussh hym in a wod til the morne So that in the mornyng whan brute shold fight with his eny­mys Corin shold cum with his folke in one side and sla and do all the harme that he myght And in amornyng in the dauyng of the day Brute went out of the castell &̄ faught with his enmys and they fersly defendid bot with ī a litell tyme brute and his folke slew viij^C. of gofears men. and then come Corin with the busshement and smot to ground he & his compani all that wold stond or a byed so that that kyng goffar and his comp [...]nye war descomfited and fast they gun to fle. And Brute and Corin with ther companye fersly them persoed and kylled moo of them in the fleyng than they did in batell ¶And in this maner Brut had the victorie and nertheles brute made moch sorow for his co­syn Turin that ther wos slayn and other also that he had lost of his men that is to say vij^C. and xv. the wich nobulli he let entier in the some castell of Tours ther wher that he had entyred Turin his cosyn.

¶How Brute arriued at Totnesse in the Ile of Albion. and of the batell that wos by tuix Corin and Gogmagog.

WHen all this wos done Brute wold no longer ther duell for to fight nor for to lese no mo of his pepull For kyng Goffarus pepull mygth euery day encresse mo and mo And bruttes lassenned and therfor he toke all his men and went vn to the see & had wynd and weder at ther will. And the fyfte day afterwaard they arriued in an hauen at Totnesse and comen in to the Ile of Albion and ther nether man nor woman as the stori tels [Page] the fond: but Geautes and thei woned in hillis & in caues. &̄ Brut saw the lond wos fayr and at his likyng and wos good also for him and for all his pepull as Diane the goddesse had hym behight. And ther wos brute wonder glad and late assemble vpon a day all his folke to make a solempnie sacrifice and a gret fest in honour & reuerens of Diane the goddesse of the wich he had counsell first for to cū in to this lond And whan that they had thar solempnite done: as they vpon a day sat at ther mete ther come in vppon them sodanly xxx. geantes and kylled of brutes men xxx. Brute and his men anone sturten vp and fought w^t the geantes and kylled them euerychone: bot one that was called Gogmagog: and he was master of all the geantes and he wos stronger and heyr than ony of the other. And brute keped hym for encheson that he shold wrestyll with Corin that was brutes mā: for he wos gretter and hyer than ony of Brutes men from thee gredyl sted vpward ¶Gogmagog and Corin vndir toke ther for to wrestyll: and so to gedre they went and wrestilled a long tyme but at the last gogmagog held Corin so fast that he brake ij. ribbbes of his side wherfor Corin wos sore angri and ther he toke gogmagog betwix his armes and kest hym doune vpon a ro­che so that gogmagog brak all to peces &̄ so he died an euell deth and therfor the place is called yit vn to this day the faut of gog­magog And then after brute yaf all that cuntre vn to Corin & ther corin called it after his name Cornwalle: and his men be called Cornwailles and so shuld men of that contre be called for eu (er) ­more And in that contre duelled corin and his mē and thee made tounes &̄ houses &̄ inhabited the lond by ther own wyll.

¶How Brute made London & called this lond britane and scotland Albyne and Walis Cambir.

[Page]BRute and

his mē wēt forth &̄ saw aboute in dyuerse places wher y^t they myght fynd a good place and couenabull y^t they myght make a Cite for hym & for his folke Soo at the last they come by a fayr Riuer that is called temys & ther Brute biganne a fair Cite and let calle it new Trey in mynd and remembrance of the gret Troy from the wich place all theer linage was comin ¶And this brute let fell doune wodes and let erye and sawe landes and let maw doune medoys for sustenā ­ce of him and also of his pepull: and he departed the lond to them so that euerychon haad a parte and a certayn place for to duell in And then Brute let call all this lond Bretene after his owne name and his folke he let call bretons And this Brut had gotē on his wife Gennogen iij. sonnys that war worthy of dedes the fyrst wos called Lotrin y^e secund Albanac and the thred kambar And brute bore croune in the cite of new Troy .xx. yere aft (er) y^e tyme that the cite was made: and ther he made the lawes that y^e bretons holden And this brut wos wonderly well belouyd emōg all men: And brute sonnys also loued wonderly well to gedeer ¶And whan brute had sought all the lond in length &̄ also ī breyd he found a land that Iuned to bretane y^t wos in the north and that land brute yaf to albanac his son and let call it Albanie aft (er) his name y^t now is called Scotland ¶And brute fond an other contre toward the west and yaf y^t to Cambar his other son and let call it Camber after his name and now it is cald walys. and whan brute had regned .xx. yere as be for is sayd [Page] then he died in the cite of new Troy.

¶How Lotrin that wos brute son entroed wyth moch honour and gouerned the lond well and worthely

AFter Brute regned Lotrin his son that wos the secund kyng in bretane the wich be gane to regne the secund yere of Samuell. and this lotrin wos croned kyng with moch solemnite of all the land of bretane and after whan he wos croned kīg Albanac and Cambar his .ij. brether went a gayn ī to ther own contre and ther they liued with mekyll honour and worshyp. and Lotrin ther brother regned and was kyng and gouerned it well and wyseli: for he wos a good man and wonderly well beloued of all his land And it be fell so that Albanac duelled in his owne lond with mekell hoonour and worshipe: and then come kynge Humbar of Hunlond with a grett pouer and ariued in albine and wold haue conquered the land and by gone to were vpon kīg Albanac & hym kylled in batell. ¶when albanac wos slayne the pepull of y^t land fled vn to Lotrin and tould hym for he wos kyng of bretan how that his brother wos slayn and prayed hym of his help and of his socour for to a venge hys brother deth.

¶Lotrin ther anone let assemble all the bretans of kent of do­uer in to derewent of Norfolk and Southfolke of keftefen and lyndessey and when they war all ensembled they sped them fast to ward ther enmys for to yef them batell. and lotrin had sent to Camber his brother that he shuld come vn to hym with all thee pouer that he myght make hym for to help. and so he did with a good wyll and so they come to gedres and toke ther way preualy for to go and seche Humbar wher they myght hym fynde.

¶And so it befell y^t this Humbar wos by side a wat (er) y^t wos a gret reuer with his folke hym for to disport & ther come Lotrin [Page] and Cambir his brother with all ther folke sodanly or that ony of that other wist ¶And whan Humber saw them cū he wos sore adrad For as moch as his men wist it not afore: and also they were vn arayed And anone Humber for drede he lepyd ī to the wat (er) and drenched hym self and so he died and his men wer all slayn that none of them ascaped: And thefor is that water called Humbar and euermore shall be for be cause that this kyng Humbar ther in was drenched.

And after that Lotrin went to his shippis and toke ther gold & siluer and os moch as he fand vn to hym self and all that other pylfre he gaf vn to other folke of the host and they fond in one of the shippis a fair damysell that wos kyng humbars dought (er) and she wos called Estrild ¶And whan Lotrin saw hir he toke hir with hym for hir fayrnes▪ and for hir wos ouer taken with loue &̄ wold haue wedded hir. This tidīges come to Corin and anone he thought to aueuge hym vpon lotrin Far os mych as Lotrin had made counand for to spouse Corins douhhter that was called Guentolen And corin in hast went to hym vn to new Troy & thꝰ he sayed to Lotrin. now certes quod he ye reward me full euell for all the paynes that I haue suffred and had mony tymes for Brute your fadre: and therfor sen that it is so I wyll a uenge me now vpon you and he drew his fauchon an hight and wold haue slayn thys Lotrin the kyng but the damisell went by tweyn them and made them acorded ī this man (er): that Lotrin shold spouse guendolen that wos Corins doughter And so Lotryn did And nertheles whan that he had spoused Guentolen Corins doughter preualy he come to Estrilde and brought hir wich chyld &̄ gate vpon hir a doughter the wych was called Abren ¶And hit befell so that anone after that Corin dyed: and after when he was deid Lotrine for soke Guendolen that wos his wyfe. and made Estrilde quene. And ther guentolen that was his wyffe [Page] went from thens all in gret ire and wroth vn to Cornwaill and ther seised all the lond in to hir owne hond: for as moche as she was hir fadres eyr: she vnder toke feautes and homages of al the men of the lond and afterward assembled a gret host and a gret pouer of men for to be a venged vpon Lotrin that was hir lord: and to hym come and yaf hym a strong batell: and ther wos Lotrin hir hosband slayn and his men discomfited in the v. yere of his regne. Guentolen let take Estrile and Abram hir doughter and bynd them b [...]the h [...]nd &̄ fete &̄ kest them bothe in to a water and so they drenched wherfor that water was euer more called after Abram after thee name of the damysell that was Estrildis doughter: and englyssh men calleth that water seuern and walsh men callis it Abram vn to this day ¶And when this was done Guentolen let croune hir quene of all the lond: &̄ gou (er)ned the lond full well and wysely vn to the tyme that Ma­dan hir son that Lotrin had goten vpon hir were of xx. yere of age that he myght be kyng: and so the quene regned xv. yere: and tho lett she croune hir son kyng & hee regned & gouerned the lond well and worthely And she went in to Cornwall and ther she duelled all hir lifes tyme.

¶How Madan regned in pees all his life.

THys Madan son to Lotrin regned on the bretans xl. yere The wich be gone regne the xv. yere of Saull. And th­is Madan liffed in pees all his dayes. & got ij. sonnys Mēpris &̄ Maulyn. Then he dyed and lyeth at new Troy.

Anno mūdi iiij^M.C.xxij. Et an̄ xpī natītatē: M.lxxiiij.

Dauid the secund kyng in is­reell regned thys tyme a man

chosyn after the desyre of god. And he wos a noynted in hys yong age by Samuell. and aft (er) the deth of Saull he regned ·xl. yere. this Dauid wos as a meruell in all man kynd: In whome euer was y found so moche power and so mochel humylyte So mochel nobulnes an so mo­che mekenes: So gret a charge of seculari thynges. And so pure and dewoute a contemplaciō of spyrituall thynges So mony men to kyll. And so mony teres to wepe for his trespas. plura vide primo regum.

Abiathar this tyme wos bysshope: and he fled fro Saull vn to Dauid and he wos glorius wyth hym all his dayes. Gad Nathan and Asaph: war prophettes than: and Nathan wos brother son to Dauid.

¶How Mempris slew his brother Maulyn.

THis Mempris and his brod (er) maulyn str [...]ue fast for thee lond &̄ mēpris begone to regne the xxxv. yere of Dauid and for enchesō y^t he wos the eldest son he wold haue had all the lōd and Maulyn woldnat suffre hym so y^t they toke a day of loue &̄ acorde ¶And at this day Mēpris let kyll his brother thurgh treson and hym self afterward held the lond and anōe let croune [Page] hym kyng and regned. and aft (er) became so lither a mā that he destroid ī a while all y^e mē of his lond: and at the last he bicame soo wikked and so lecherous that he for soke his owne wyfe and v­sed the synne of sodomye wherfo: almyghti god wos gretly dis­plesyd and wrothe with hym and vpan hym toke vengeance for be cause of his wikkednes. For on a day as he went forth on hu­ntyng in a forest ther he lost all his men that wos with hym and wist not what he shold done: and so he went vp and doune hym self alone and cried after his men bot they war gone and ther come wolfes anone and all to dreu hym in peces when he had rened xxiiij. yere. and when his pepull herid that he wos so deyd they made Ioy and myrth y nowgh and anone mada Ebrac his son kyng and he regned with moch honour.

Anno mūdi iiij^M.C.lxv. Et an̄ xp̄i natītotē. M xxxiiij.

SAlamon the kyng of Pees of the gyft of our lord had a synguler excedyng a bown all men that euer wos in thys world bot alonly god in wisdom &̄ in riches. indayntethis &̄ in glory. and famyliarite with god. And all thogh Moyses and Dauid Peter & Paule Ierom and Austyn and othee moo ex­cedit hym in holines. bot yet they excedit hym not in Glori and reches. And this mā so excedīg all mē wrechitly fell. Of thys Salamon is red in a pystill of sent Ierom that he got a chyld on the doughter of Pharao at xi. yere of his age. vide plrā regū Sadoch this tyme wos bisshop And for he declynet not to thee he part of Adonie Dauid son: bot wos with Nathan for Salo­mon. &̄ Abiather on the other parte wos deposit.

Anno mūdi iiij^M.ij^C v. Et an̄ xpī natītatē ix^C.lxxxxiiij.

ROboas succedit Salamon his feder in his kyngdome. bott not in wysdome: he wos dessaued thurgh thee counsell [Page] of yong mē. & lost x. tribꝰ ī so mych y^t he awnsuaid not y^e pepul wisly as it is opyn t (er)cio regū. A chymyas wos bysshope: and wos the son of Sadoch. vt (pꝪ)patet primo paroliopo.

Reges israel incipiunt. Iherobaas regned kīg ī israel xxij: yere. And he wos fyrst of y^e housold of Salamō &̄ a good man. bot whē he wos made kyng he wos a myscheuꝰ mā ī ydolatri. &̄ made israel to syn ī ydolatri: &̄ mōy gret vncōuemētis war done al­most to the destrucnon of all israell. for he wos the fugour of ma­chomyte. plrā vide 3^o regū. Abdias y^e son of Roboas regned ī y^e Iuri iij. yere &̄ other whil a good mā: and holpen by god and oethr whyle wrechedli disposed ī ydolatri: &̄ therfor our lord suffred him to regne lityll tyme. vt (pꝪ)patet 3^o regū et 2^o paralipo.

Anno mūdi iiij^M ij^C xxv. Et an̄ xp̄i natītatē ix^C lxxiiij.

Asa the son of Abdias regned xvi yere. ī the begīyng of his regne he wos a rightuis mā &̄ walked as Dauid did &̄ he ower com y^e Ethyopes: &̄ destruyd Ydoles Bot after that he wos suorne to y^e kyng of Syrie benedab. for Baasa kyng of israel: thē be gon feyght aganes hym. the wich displesed god. w­herfor he send to hī the ꝓphet Anani: whom he put in presō and therfor he had y^e goute strongli & died therof. vt (pꝪ)patet 3^o regū 2^o pa. Azarias son to Achonias wos bisshop. Nadab kyng of israell regnet ij. yere the wich begon to regne the secūd yer of Ase kīg of Iues &̄ did nought os his fad (er): and Basa ower thrugh hym & rened for hym. vt 3^o regū. Basa kyng of israel regnet xxiiij yer the wich begone to regne the iij. yere of Ase kyng of Iues & hee walked ī the synnes of Ieroboā &̄ kylled Iehen the ꝓphet. Hela the son of Basa rened ī israel ij. yere &̄ Zamri slew hym & regned vij. dayes Amri renet xij yer. &̄ did noght as his predicessores did Acha son to amri: regned on isral̄ xxij yere: &̄ aboon all that wos a foor hym he wos cursit for wickid Iesabell ruled moor then he: &̄ meued hym to folow hyr. vt (pꝪ)patet icio regū.

¶Off kyng Ebrac the wich be gone to regne the xv. yere of [...]ala [...] and how he conquered frrance.

This Ebrac regned lx. yere &̄ a strong man he wos and a myghty. and this Ebrac thurgh hys myght and helpe of hys bretons conquered all fraunce and wan ther so moche gold and siluer that whan he cō a yane in to this lond he made a cite after his own name let call it Ebrac that is called euerywyk & this kyng made the castell of maydenes that now is called Edenburgh This kyng had xx. sonnys &̄ xxiij. doughtres by diuerse wymen goten & thyes sonnys wer called as ye shall here Brute. Grenescheld. Margand: Seisell Morghwyth: Flēgham Bladud Iakyn Kynbar Rocelm Spadogh Godeher [...] Thorinnan Gldaugh Iorkanghut Haibor Ketin Rother Kaier and assaruth And the dougtres highten os ye shall heyr after Elegine Ymogen Oghdas Guenbran Gnardich Augarell Guenthold T­angustel Gorghon Michel Medhan Mailour Ondur Cambredan Ragan Renthely Neest Cheghan Skaldud Gladꝰ Heber hyn Abalaghe and Blandan &̄ thees were tho xxiij. doughtres &̄ the bretheren bicame good knyghttys &̄ worthy ī mōy contres.

¶Off kyng brute grenesheld the fyrst sone of Ebrac kyng

AFter the deth of kyng Ebrac: regned Brute grensheld his son xxx. yere that wos Ebrakes fyrst son that well & nobully regned and whan tyme come he died & lieth at yorke.

¶Off kyng Leyl that wos Brute grensheld son.

And whan Brute grensheld wos deyd rened his son Leyll. xxij. yere & he made a fayr towne &̄ let calle it Karlille aft (er) his name & he wos a worthy mā &̄ welbeloued of his pepul & whā he had regned xxij. yere he dyed &̄ lieth at Carlille. and ī his tym regned kyng Salomō ī Ierusalem &̄ made the nobull tempull &̄ to hym comi Sibelle quene of Saba for to here & see yf it wer so­th that men speken of the gret & nobull wit &̄ wisdum of kyng Salomon & she fond it soth that men had hir told:

Anno mūdi iii [...] ^M ij^C lxvi. Et an̄ xpī natī .ix^C.xlij

IOsaphat kyng of Iues wos a good man &̄ a rich & a de­voyt ī the way of our lord: &̄ regnet xxv yere & did no ill bot to the curset kyngꝭ of israel gaf helpe. And other litel thingꝭ &̄ therfor our lord was with hym. vt (pꝪ)patet 2^o para. Helyas thee gret prophet wos this tyme an holi man that wos lifted vp in to ꝑadise with gret solas in a chayr Macheas &̄ Abdias ꝓphesied with hym Ochosias son of Achab renet in israel .ij. yere &̄ send to Belsabub god of Acharan to be heeled for the wich he dyed after the sayeng of helie. vt (pꝪ)patet 4^o regū.

¶Off kyng lud ludibras that wos kyng leyles son.

And this kyng Lud ludibras made the cite of Cantorbery & Wynchestre &̄ he regned xxxix yere & then he dyed & lieth at wynchestre.

¶Off kyng Bladud that wos ludibras son how he regned and wos a good man and a nygromancer.

And after this lud ludibras regnet Bladud his son a gret nigromancer and thurgh his craft of nigromanci he made the meruellus hote bath as the gest telleth and he regned xxi. yere and lyeth at the new Troy.

Anno mūdi iiij^M ij^C lxxxxi. Et xpī natī. ix^C viij.

IOram kyng of Iues son to Iosophet regned viij yere this Ioram wos a cursed man &̄ had a good fad (er). he kylled is brether &̄ wrecchedli leuyd os did the kyngꝭ of israel. Therfor he wos sor corecked &̄ dyed vnhappeli. vt (pꝪ)patet 2^o paralo. This tym Helias wos rauichitī to paradise Ochosias or Asarias kyng of iues regnet .i. yere. &̄ leued noght as his fad (er) did & anōe wos slayn. with all the hows of Achab. Athalya moder to asarias toke the the kyngdom and kylled all the kynges blude: & rened x. yere. and the vij yere of Ioiada bysshope she wos slayn 4^o reg [Page] This asarias and his son Ioas & his neuu Amazia Matheꝰ the gospeller puttis not in the line of crist for ther giltis. Io­ram kyng of israel regnit xij. yere the wiche began to regne the xviij. yere of Iosaphat. for his brother Ochesie. and cursitli he leuyd &̄ was slayn of Ien w^t all his fad (er) is housold vt (pꝪ)patet Iehen anountit of the child of helise opon is il̄ kyllit Achariā the kīg of Iuys. and Ioram the kyng of israel. & Iesabell mod (er) to ioram and .lxx. child of Achab. and .xlij. bredir of Azari. &̄ all the prestis of baal. &̄ he regned xviij. yere. Athalia mod (er) to Azari kyng of iues: doght (er) to Achab regnit on the iuys .vi. yere. and killet the kyngis blud of Ioram. except Ioas the son of azari the wich was keppet emong shepꝑd. &̄ aft (er) she was slayn.

An^o mūdi iiij^M.iij^C.ix. Et an̄ xpī nat .viij^C.lxxxxiij·

IOam son to achazie regnit in the iury .xl. yere whom io­iada the Bish̄op crownit kyng at .vij. yere of aage. and he leued wele as long as he was rulet by ioiada bot aftir he forsooke god and marterit Azarias that tyme byshop son to ioiada for he blamit hym that he forsoke his god. plura vide 2^o paralo. Ioathas son of iehen regnit in israel .xvij. yere: in whos da­ys helise the ꝓphet d [...]d: and he began to regne the .xx. yere of io­as. vide plura 4^o regū. Ioam son of Ioathas regnit ī israel xvij. yere & he trobuld [...]zia plura vide 4. regū 13.

¶Off kyng Leir son to bladud &̄ of the ansuer of his yongest doughter that graciousli was maried to the Kyng of fraunce.

AFter Kyng Bladud regned Leir his soon and this Leir made the toune of leycestre: & let call the toune after his name. & he gou (er)nit the [...] wele &̄ nobulli This king Leir had iij. doughteris the first [...]d Gonorill. the secunde Rigan &̄ the therde C [...]d [...]ll. and [...] yongest doughter was fairest and best of ꝯdicions. The kyng hir fad (er) became an old man &̄ wold y^t [Page] his doughteres were maried er that he died. but first he thoght to assay wich of hem loued hym most &̄ best: for she that loued him best shold best be maried & he axed of the fyrst doughter how well she hym loued. and she aunsuerd &̄ saied better then hir own lyffe Now certes quod hir fadre that is a gret loue Then axed he of y^e secūd doughter how moch she hym loued and she saied more and passing all the creaturs in the world ꝑ ma foy quod hir fad (er) I ma no more axe: and tho axed he of the thrid doughter how mych she hym loued: certes fad (er) quod she my sustres haue told you glosyng wordes: but for so the I shall tell you trouth For I loue you os I aught to loue my fad (er) and for to bring you more in c (er)tayn how I loue you I shall you tell: as moche as ye bene worth so moch shall ye be loued ¶The kyng hir fader went that she had skorned hym and become wond (er) wroth and suore by heuen &̄ erth she shold neuer haue good of hym: bot his doughtres y^t loued hym so moch shold be well auaunced and maried And the fyrst dought (er) he maried to Maugles kyng of scotland: and the second he marid to hanemos Erle of Cornewaell: and so they ordined and spak bitwene them that they shold depart the Reame bitwene them two after the deth of kyng Leir ther fad (er) so that Cordeill his yongeste doughter shold nothyng haue of his lond: but this Cordeill wos wond (er) fair and of good condicions and maners y^t thee kyng off fraunce Agampe herd of hir speke and sent to the kyng Leir hir father for to haue hir vn to his wyfe. and prayed hym therof. and kyng Leir hir fader sent hym word that he had departed his la­nd and yeffen it all vn to his two doughtres be for saied. and he saied he had no more land wher wyth hir to mary ¶And whā Agampe the kyng of fraunce herd this aunsuar he sent anone a yene to Leir and sayed that he axed no thyng withhir bot only hir clothyng and hir body And anone kyng leir sent hir ou (er) the see to y^e kīg of fraūce And he ressaued hir with moche worship and with solempnite he hir spoused & made hir quene of fraunce.

¶How kyng Leir wos driuen out of his land thurgh his folke &̄ how Cordeill his yongest doughter helped him ī his nede.

THus it befell afterward that tho .ij. eldest daughtres wold not a bide tyll leir ther fad (er) wos deid but wered vpon hym whilles that he wos on liue and did hym moch sorow &̄ sham wherfor they benōme hym holi the ream and bi twene them had or deyned that one of them shold haue kyng Leir to seiourne al his liue tyme with xl. knyghtes and squyers that he myght wurship fulli go and ride whedd (er) that he wold & ī to what contre that hym liked to play and to solace. ¶So that Manacles kyng of scot­land had kyng Leir with hym in the maner os is a boune saied and or other half yere wer passed Corneil that wos his eldest doughter and quene of Scotland was so a noyed of hym and of his pepull that anone she and hir lord speke to gedre wherfor his knyghtis half and his squers from hym wer gone and nomo left w^t him bot only xxx. ¶And when this wos done Leir bi gon for to make moch sorow for encheson that his estate wos empeired. &̄ men had of hym more scorne and despiet then eu (er) they had before wherfor he not wist for to done. and at the last thoght that he wold weind in to Cornwaill to Rigan his other dought (er) And when he was come the Erle and his wife that wos Leirs dought (er) hym welcomed and with hym made moch Ioye and the er he dwelled w^t xxx. knyghtis & squyers And he had not duelled ther scarsly xij. month that his dought (er) of hym was weri and his companye and hir lord and she: of hym had gret scorne and despitte: so thatt from xxx. knyghtes they brought vn to .x. and afterward had he but .v. and so they left hym nomo ¶Than made he sorow ynouh: and saied sore wepyng Allas that euer he come in to y^t land and saied yit had me better to haue duelled with my fyrst doughter And anone he went thens to his fyrst dought (er) a g [...]ne: bot anōe as she saw him come she suore by god and bi his holi name and by as moch as she myght that he shold haue nomo with hym [Page] but one knyght yf he wold ther a bied Then begon Leir ayene to wepe and made moch sorow &̄ said tho alas now to long haue I leued that this sorow and myschefe is to me now fallen. for now am I pooer that sū tyme wos rich: bot now haue I no frend ne kyn that me wyll do ony good ¶But whē I was riche all mē me honoured and worshipped & now eu (er)y mā hath of me scorne &̄ d [...]spite. and now I wot well that Cordeill my yongest doughter saied me trought when she said as moch as i had so mych shuld i beloueid and all the while that i had good so long wos i loued and honoured for my riches: but my two doughtres glosed me tho. & now of me thei set litell pris and soth told me Cordeill bot i wold nat beleue it ne vndiyrstond and therfor i let hir go fro me as a thyng that i set litell pris of: and now wote i neuer what for to done sith my ij. doughtre haue me thus dissaiued that i so moch loued: and now most i nedes seche hir that is in an other land that lyghly i let hir gone fro me with out any reward or yeftes and she said that she loued me as mich os she aght to loue hir fad (er) by all maner of reson and tho i shold haue axed hir nomore: and tho that me other wise behightyn thurgh tber fals speche now haue me desauid: in this maner Leir long tyme began to make his mone and at the last he shop him to the see and passed ouer in to fraunce and asked and aspied wher the Quene myght be fonde and men told hym wher she was And whan he come to the Cite that she was in preualy he sent his squyer vn to the quene to tell hyr that hir fadre wos comen to hir for gret neides ¶And when the squyer come to the quene he told hir euery dele of hir sustres from the begynnyng vn to y^e end· Cordeill the quene anone toke gold and siluer plente and toke it to the squyer in counsell that he shold go and bere it vn to hir fadre and that he shold go in to a c (er)tan Cite and hym aray and wasshen and than cum ayene to hir &̄ bring with hym an honest companye of knyghtes xl. at the leyst with ther menye: and than he shold send to hir lord the kyng and [Page] sayne that he were comen for to speke with his dought (er) & hym for to seen: and so he did ¶And whan the kyng and the quene he [...]d that thei com. with mych honour they hym rossayued And y^e kīg of fraunce tho let send thurgh all his reame and cōmanded that all mē shold bene als entendent to kyng Leir the Quens fadre in all maner of thynges as it war vn to hym self when kīg leir had duelled ther a moneth and more he tolde to the kyng and to the quene his doughter how his two eldest doughtres had hym serued. Agampe anone let ordeyne a gret host of fraunce men and sent in to bretan with Leir the quenes fad (er) for to comquer his la­nd ayene and his kyngdom. And cordeill also come with hir fader in to bretane for to haue the reame after hir fadres deth And anone they went to ship and passed the see and come in to bretan and foughten with the felous and them scomfited and kylled. &̄ tho had he his lond ayene and aft (er) leued iij. yere and held his ream in pees and afterward died &̄ Cordeill his doughter hym let ētyr with mekell honour at Lecestre.

Anno mūdi iiij^M iij^C xlix. Et an̄ xpī natītatē viij^C liij.

AMasias son to Ioam regned on the Iues xxix. yere aft (er) the wich the kyngdō of Iues wos w^t out kyng xiij. yere This man worship the goddis of Seyr. vt (pꝪ)patet 2^o para. 2 [...].

Ieroboam son to Ioam rened on isreell xli. yere y^• with was manly and victorius for he ouer come the kyng sirie &̄ restorid israell & damaske aft (er) y^e word of Iono y^e ꝓphet: bot he wos not good ther foor sayeth Austyn yf good men regne thay ꝓphet mony mē &̄ yf ill men regne they hurt mony men.

Anno mūdi iiij^M iij^C lxxxviij. Et an̄ xpī natītatē viij^C xi

OZias or Azarias son to Amasie regned on the Iure lij yere. the wich leued well a for our lord. Off hym is no ill thyng wretyn. bot that he vsurpit the dyngnyte of prest hoid vnd (er) [Page] Azari. the wich he for bed hym. for the wich cause our lord strok hym with a leper. vt (pꝪ)patet. [...] ^o. para. Ozee bisshop and ꝓphet was this tyme the fyrst of the xij. is send a yanes the x. tribis. Io­hell the secund of the xij. ꝓphesied of iuda. Anias the iij. ꝓphised agās mani peple ¶Abdias the iiij. of the xij. ꝓphesied agayns edom Iacharias son to Ieroboā regned ī israell vi. monethis the wich be gan to regne the xxxviij. yere of Osias: and wos nought in his leuyng as his predicessurs war. And zelluz kylled hym. and regned a moneth. And Manahen kyllid hym & toke his kyngdom. vt (pꝪ)patet 4^o regū This manahen regned x. yere y^t wich be gon to regne the xxxix. yere of Osias. and he ruled him myscheuysly and our lord toke hym in the poer of the kyng of assurio (rum). &̄ he payed to hym .M. talentis of siluer. vt (pꝪ)patet 4 regū. Phaseia son to manahen regned in israell ij. yere And he bee gan to regne the .l. yere of Osias & he wos noght ī his leuyng. Phasee slew Phasaia & regned xx. yere. And he be gan to regne the lij. yer of Osias and did as other cursed men did. plura vide 4^o regū. And after this. israell wos with owttyn ony kyng viij. yere.

¶How Morgan and Conedag that wos nevus to Cordeil werred wpon hir and put hir hir in to preson.

WHen that kyng Leir wos deid Cordeill his yongest doughter regned: the x. yere of Osias kyng of Iuri And aft (er) hir ragned Conedage. the xv. yere of Osias. And Cordeill y^t wos Leir yongest doughter aft (er) the deth of hir fader had all y^e lōd v. yere and in the meyn tyme died hir lord Agampe that was kyng of fraunce and aft (er) his deth she left wedo. And ther come Morgan and Conedag that wer Cordeill sustre sonnys and to hir had enmite for as moch as ther aunt shold haue the land. So that bitweyn them they ordeyned a gret pouer and vpon hir wered gretly. and neuer they rest till they had hir taken &̄ put hir vn to deth: and tho Morgan & Conedag seysed ale the land &̄ deꝑtid it [Page] bitwene them. And they held it xij. yere▪ and when tho xij. yere were gone ther bi gane bitwene them a gret debate so y^t they we­red strongly to gedre yfere & eu (er)y of them did other moch disese. for Morgan wold haue all the land fro beyond humbet that Conedage held. but he come ayenst hym with a strong pouer so that Morgan durst not abide but fled awey in to wales and Cone­dage pursued hym &̄ toke hym and kylled hym. And tho come co­nedage ayen and seysed all the lond in to his hand and held it &̄ regned after xxxiij yere. & tho he died &̄ lieth at new Troy.

¶And be cause the mater contennys most comediusly to ged (er) of the kynges of bretan now called Enegland for the tyme of them is not certenly knawyn what tyme of the world thes kynges foloyng regned. Therfor they shall be to geder: tyll it be comen vn to Guentolen kyng of bretan now called Englond.

¶How Reignold y^t wos Cōadag son regned aft (er) his fad (er) &̄ ī his tyme it reyned blode iij. dayes ī tokennyng of gret deth.

ANd after this Conedage regned Reignold his son that was a wise knyght and an hardy and curtes that well &̄ nobully gouerned the lond and wonder well made hym beleued of all man (er) of folke and in his tyme it rayned blode that lested iij. days as god wold and sone after ther come gret deth of pepull for hostes with out nombre of pepull foughten tyll that all myghty god therof toke mercy and pytty and tho gan it cese and this Reignold regned xxij. yere &̄ died & lieth at Yorke.

¶How Gorbodian regned in pees that wos reignold son. & aft (er) he died and lieth at yoik.

ANd after this Reignold that wos Gonedag son rened Gorbodian that wos this Reignold son xv. yere &̄ then he died & lieth at yorke.

¶How gorbodian had ij. sonnys & how that one slew the other for to haue the heritage: And how ydoyne ther modre killed thatt other wherfor the land was destruied.

[Page]WHen this Gorbodian was deid his .ij. sōnys y^t he had be­come stout & proude & eu (er) wered to ged (er) for y^e land: &̄ the one was called Ferres &̄ other Porres. And this ferres wold haue all y^e land: but y^e other woldnat suffre him this ferres had a felons hert & thought thurgh tresō to slee his brother but preualy he wēt ī to fraunce & ther abode w^t the kīg Syward till vpō a tyme whan he come ayene &̄ fought w^t his brother ferres: but ful euell it happed tho for he was slayn fyrst. whē ydoyne ther mod (er) wist y^t Porres was deid she made gret sorow for enchesō y^t shee loued hym more thē that other &̄ thought him for to kyll preualy ¶And preuely she come to hir son vpō a nyght w^t ij. knyues & therwith cut his throt & y^e bodi also ī to small peces who herd eu (er) suche a cursed mod (er) y^t kyllid with hir owne handes hir own son and long tyme aft (er) last the reproue &̄ shame to the mod (er) y^t for en­chesun of that one son she murdred the other &̄ so lost them bothe.

¶How .iiij. kynges courtasly held all Breten and what be ther names ye shall heyr after

WHen the ij. brethern war deid they nad left behynd them nother son ne dought (er) ne nōe other of the kynred y^t myght haue y^e heritage &̄ for as moch as y^e strangest mē driuē & scomfited y^e feblest &̄ toke all ther londes so that in eu (er)y cōtre they had gret were &̄ strife vnd (er) them but emong all other thynges ther were amōges them ī y^e contre that ou (er) come all tho other &̄ thurgh ther myght &̄ strenght they tuke all y^e londes &̄ eu (er)y of them tok a c (er)tayn cōtre & ī his contre let call hī kyng &̄ con of thē was cald Scater &̄ he wos kīg of scotland & y^t other wos called Dawaliere &̄ he was kīg of loegers &̄ of all the land that wos Lotrins thatt wos Brutes son The thrid was called Rudac and he was kyng of walis And the iiij. was called Cloten &̄ was kīg of Corne­waill. but this Cloten shold haue had all the land by reson for be cause thar wos no mā that wist nōe so right heir os he was: butt they that were strongest set litell bi hem that wer of lesse estate [Page] and therfor this clotē had nomore lād amōg hem but cornwaill.

¶Of kyng Donebant that was Clotens son wone the lond

THis Cloten had a son y^t was called Doneband that after the deth of his fadre by come an hardy man and a fair and a curteys so that he passed all the other kingꝭ of fairnes &̄ of worthenesse. And a none as he was knyght he wist well th­at when his fader lyued he was most rightfull heir of all the lōd and shold haue had by reson but other kynges that were of moch more strength than he toke from hym his lond ¶And aft (er)ward this Doneband ordeyned him gret pouer and conquered fyrst all the land of Logeris a and aft (er) he wold haue conquered all the land of scotland and wailles: and Scat came with his mē and yaf him batell and Rudac come ayene with his walys men for to help hym. but so it be fell that Rudac wos kylled & also Scater ī playn bataill and so Doneband had the victorie and con­querid all the land and well maintined it in pees and in quiete that neuir befor it was so well mayntined.

¶How doneband was the frist kyng that euer bore croune of gold in bretan.

THys Doneband let make hym a croune of gold and wered the croune vpon his hede as neu (er) kīg did bifore and he ordyened a statut that and a man had done neu (er) so moch harme and myght comē in to the tempull ther shold no man hym mysdo but gone ther in safete and in pees and aft (er) goin to what lond or cūtre that hym plesed with owt ony harme▪ and if ony man sett any hond vpon hym he than shold lese his life. And this Doneband made the toun of Malmesberi and the toune also off the vise And when he had regned well & worthely xl. yere. then he died and lyeth at new Troy.

¶How Bronne and Belin deꝑted bitweyn them the lond after the deth of Doneband ther fadre and of the were be twix them.

[Page] ANd aft (er) y^t this Doneband wos deid: his sōnys y^t he had deꝑted the land bitweyn them as ther fad (er) had ordeyned so y^t belyn his eldest son had all y^e land of bretan: from humbar sou­thward. And his brotherbrenne had all the land from humber to Scotlād: but for as moch that Belī had the better part Brenne therfor waxed wroth & wold haue had more of the lond &̄ belyn his brother wold greunte hym nomore wherfor cōtake & were a roso betweyn them two. But brenne the yonger brother had no myght ne strenght a yens belyn: &̄ therfor brenne thurgh cōsell of hys folke wēt fro thens ī to norwey to the kyng Olsinges & prayd him of help & socour for to cōquer all y^e lond vpō belin his brother vpon that connaund that he wold haue his doughter to wise &̄ the kyng Olsinges him grāted. & belyn anōe as his brother wos a go to norway he seysed ī to his hond all the land of northhūberlōd &̄ toke all the castelles &̄ let them be arayed: and keped the costes of the see that brenne shold not arriue ī no sied but y^t he war take ¶The kyng ol singes let assemble a gret host and deliu (er)yd his doughter to brenne & all the pepull y^t he had ordeyned. &̄ this damisell Samye had long tyme loued a kyng that wos called Gutla­ghen and to hym she told all hir counsel̄ how y^t Brenne shold hir haue & hir lede with hym for eu (er) more & so he shold lese hir but that she myght for sake brenne. And whan gutlagh had herd this tydīg he lay for to aspy brenne with as mony shippis as he myght ha­ue so the two fletes metten to gedre and long tyme they faught so that Brenne turned ayene and wer discomfited And kyng gutlagh toke Samye and put hir in to his shyppe and brenne sham fulli fled thens as a man discomfitied ¶And this kyng gutlagh wold haue went in to his owne contre but ther come vpon hī sych a gret tempest that ·v. dayes lasted so that thurgh that tempast he wos driuen ī to breten with: iij. shippis and no mo. &̄ tho that keped the costes on the see toke Gutlagh and Samye & all his folke & them presented to belyn: &̄ belyn put them ī to preson.

¶How Belyn drofe out of this land kyng Gutlagh of Dē marke and Samye.

HIt was not long after that brenne come ayene with a gret nauye & sent to his brother belyn y^t he shold yeld ayene his land to his wife & his folke & his castels also: or els he wold destru his land. belyn drad no thyng h [...]s malas &̄ wold no thyng do aft (er) that he had said: wherfor brenne come with his folke & fou­ght w^t belyn & brenne was discōfited &̄ his folke slayn &̄ him selfe fled with xij. mē ī to fraunce And this belyn y^t wos brennes b­rother wēt then to yorke and toke counsell what he myght do with kynd gutlagh for kyng gutlagh profered to be come his man and to hold his land of hym yeldyng bi yere a .M. pound of silu (er) for eu (er) more &̄ for sikernesse of this cōuenyant to be holden Gutlagh shold bring hym good hostages &̄ to him shold do homage & all his folke And yit he shold swere vpon a boke that it shold neuer be broken ne saled. ¶Belyn tho bi counsell of his folke grāted hym his axyng And so gutlagh become his man and belyn vnder toke of him his homage by an oth &̄ bi writyng the same con­uenantes. and vpon thes couenants kyng Gutlagh toke samie and his folke &̄ went thens & turned ayene to Denmarke: eu (er)mor aft (er) were the couenants holden and the truage payed till the tyme that Honelus was kyng of Denmark and also of this land thurgh his wife Gildeburgh that he had spoused for sho wos y^e righ heir of this lond ¶This belin duelled tho in pees and worshipfully hym held among his barons and he made iiij· riall weyes one from the Est in to the west and that was called watling stret and an other from the northe vn to the south and that wos called Ikelme strete and ij. other weyes he made ī bossyng thurgh out the land that on is called fosse and that other fossedike and he maintened well the good lawes that Doneband his fadre had made and ordened in his tyme as befor is saied.

¶How a cordment wos made be twene Brenne and Belī thurgh Cornewen ther mod (er).

BRenne that was Belenꝰ brother: had long tyme duellid in fraunce and ther had conquered a gret lordshyp thurgh mariage For he wos duke of Burgoyne thurgh the dought (er) of the duke Fewyn that he had spoused that wos right heir of thee lond and this Brenne ordeyned a gret pouer of his folke and also of fraunce and come in to this land for to fight with Belī his brother and belin come ayens hym with a gret poer of bretōs &̄ wold tho haue yeuen hym batell but ther mother Cornewyn that tho liued had herd that: that on brother wold haue destruyed that othir and went bitwene hir sonnys and them made accorded w^t moch peyne ¶So that at the last tho .ij. bretheren with mych blis went to gedre in to new Troy that now is called London &̄ ther they duelled a yere and after they toke ther counsell for to go &̄ conquer all fraunce &̄ so they did: and brent tounes and destrued the land bothe in length & in breyd & the kyng of fraunce yaf them batell with his poer but he wos ouer comen & yaf truage vn to Belin and to his brother. ¶And after that they wēt forth vn to Rome and conquered rome and all Lumbardy & Germani and toke homage & feaute of Erles Barons & of al other: and after they come in to this land of bretan and duelled with ther b­retons in Ioye and rest and tho made Brenne the toune of bristowe and sith he went ouer to his own lordshipp and ther dueld he all his life and belin duelled atnew Troy &̄ ther he made a fair gate that is called belynges gate after his own name and whē this belyn had regned nobuly xi. yere he deid & lieth at new Troy

¶How kyng Cormbatrus kylled the kyng of denmarke for encheson that be wold not pay hym his truage.

ANd after this Belyn regned his son Cormbatrus a good mā & a worthy & the kyng of Danmark wold not pay [Page] vn to him his truage that is to saye a .M. pound as he had sworne bi oth for to pay it & also by writing recorde to Belin his fad (er) wherfor he wos euell a payed &̄ wroth &̄ assemled a gret host of bretons &̄ wēt in to denmarke & slew y^e kyng Gutlagh &̄ brought y^e land ī subiecciō all new & toke of folke feautes &̄ homage and aft (er) wēt ayene ī to his lond &̄ os he come forth bi Orkeney he fōd xxx. shippes full of mē &̄ womē be side the cost of y^e see &̄ y^e kyng axed what they war And an Erle that wos master of them all curtesly aunsuerd vn to the kyng & said y^t they war exiled out of spayne &̄ so y^t they had trauelled half a yere &̄ more ī the see to wit yf they myght fynd any kyng ī ony land y^t of them wold haue pite or merci to yeue them any land ī ony contre wher ī they might duell &̄ haue rest &̄ becum his liege mē & to hym wold do homage & feaute whilles y^t he leued &̄ to his heiers aft (er) hī. &̄ of him &̄ of his heirs holden y^t land And whē the kīg this hard he had pite off them &̄ yafe them an Ile all wildernes ther y^t no man was du­ellyng saue only wyld beestes and the Erle thanked moch thee kīg. &̄ becom his man & did hym homage &̄ feaute &̄ toke all his folke & went ī to the same yle. and the Erle wos called irlamall &̄ therfor he let call the land Irland aft (er) his owne name. This kīg Cormbatrus com ayene in to his land and regned xxv. yere and after he deid and lyeth at new Troye.

Anno mūdi iiij^M iiij^C xl. Et an̄ xp̄i natītatē vij^C lvi.

IOathan son to Osias regned in the iure xvi. yere. Off this ioathan nothyng is wreten of bot that he toke not a way excelsa os other did. vt (pꝪ)patet 2^o para. Amarias wos bysshoppe. And Ysoyas the nobull prophet wos in his dayes. Olympias with the grekes be gan the fyrst yere of ioathā aft (er) iosaph̄ꝰ. & aft (er) Beda Troy wos destrued .cccc.vi. yere afor the fyrst Olymphias be gan vnd (er) E [...]alo a iuge of Athens. in the wich Core (bus) gat the cheualri a monges all men. Olimpꝰ is [Page] the name of an hill in Grecia. the wich for his preciosnes is called the hyll of god. And after Ierom on Olimpias cōtenes fulli iiij yeres. in the wich iiij yeres iiij yerly pⁱnces ar made. & thes Olimpiades ar places ordant to the worship of Iupater vndyr the hyll of Olympo. And the law of them is this that who sū eu (er) is best in any cheualri· what gyfte som euer he desyeres hee shall haue.

Anno mūdi iiij^M iiij^C lvi. Et an̄ xpī natītatē vij^C xliij.

ACham the son of Ioathan regned on the Iues xvi yere of this Acham no thyng that is good is wretten. for he forsoke our lord. And our lord stroke hym with his own pepil strongly. and with the kynges of Syrri. vt (pꝪ)patet 2^o para. 28. Achitob this tyme was bysshope. Ozee kyng of israell regned ix. yere the wich be gone to regne the xij. yere of Acham kynge off Iues. This Ozee dred not god for he leued noght. And he wos the last kyng of isreell. and in the ix. yere of his regne he was takyn of Salmanasar. & israell was translait in to Assirias. vt habetur 4^o regū .17.

Anno mūdi iiij^M iiij^C lxiij. Et an̄ xpī natītatē vij^C xl.

AFt (er) Euseby Rome was made ī y^e hill of palatyn y^e iiij. yere of acham kīg of iues of ij brether Romolus & Remus xi.liln̄ Maij. the vij Olimpiades begynnyng. Iosopꝰ &̄ Beed saith the vi. Olympiades & so they dyffer a yere. Neu (er)thelesse it is red other mē to haue regned a bout y^e place myghtely ī Italy. y^t is to wite ianꝰ: picꝰ Famꝰ Latinꝰ y^e wich vn to Eneas regned about. CC. yere [Page] Then afterward from Enee to this Romolꝰ it wos regned vndir. xv gouernours iiij^C xxxij. After that fro the cite wos made vn to the last yere of Tarquyn y^e prode it wos regned vnd (er) vij kynges About ij^C. and xliii. yere. Then afterward vnd (er) Se­netours and counselers vn to Iulius Cesor Emprour by iiij^C: lxiiij. yere Romolus the fyrst of romans of whom the be called in latyn Romans made the Cite to be named Rome after his na­me: the wich gedyrd to gedir the pepull on eueri side an .C. off the saage men & wytte he choise. thrugh the counsell of whom all thyng he disposed the wich he named sennetours for the tyme off ther age. And he made ther names to be wreten in goldyn letters: wherfor we writte nobull faders and thynges so yet· Also he cald A.M. men of armys the wich he named milites a nuo millenario bot thes war no nobull blude. ¶Therfor as sent Austyn sayth de ciuitate dei And also ther wos long were be twix y^e Sabyns and them for Romolꝰ toke mony women of the nobyll blud of sabyns: and maried them to that vn noble blud of this romulus Orosius writtis mych ill. vt (pꝪ)patet ī libro suo ¶About this tyme Merodoch the kyng of babulon send grete geyftys to Ezechie the kyng of Iues. vt (pꝪ)patet 4 regū 2 [...]. And than the kyngdom of babulon begone.

Anno mūdi iiij^M lxxij. Et an̄ xp̄i natītatem vij^C.xxvii.

EZecheas xiiij. kyng of Iues a good child of a cursed fad (er) regned with a ꝑfite hart to our lord: And he restored thee hows of god and ther wos nonē lyke hym a for ner after emong the kynges of Iues. Therfor our lord god glorified hym for when Sennacherib the kyng of Assurio (rum) cam ayens Ezechye with a myghty host. our lord stroke his pepull &̄ slew. C: lxxxv of fightynh men. and Sennacherib fled shamfully. vt (pꝪ)patet 4^o re­gum 19. et 2 para. 33. Sadoch this tyme was hee bisshopp ther.

Anno mūdi iiij^M v^C.i. Et an̄ xp̄i natītatē vi^C lxxxxviij.

MAnasses kyng of Iues regned lv. yere and he wos an ill chyld of a good fad (er). for he did more cursitly thē any y^t wos a for hym. for be slew the ꝓphetes of god: that the stretys in Ierusalem war all bludy: And he made Ysae the ꝓphet to be sawyd in peeses with a saw of tre: wherfor the kyng of Assurio (rum) wastyd the Iuri & toke Manasses &̄ put hym ī preson &̄ after Ma­nasses repented his trespas: & cried for mercy to our lord. and wos herd. then he was restored to his kyngdō and he a mēdit his lyffe. vt (pꝪ)patet. 4. regū 21: et .2. para .33. Sel̄lum wos bisshop: &̄ Echias after hym This tyme the vij. wysemen had worschip in greke. s. Tales Solon Chylon Poriandꝰ Eldobolꝰ Bias Pitacꝰ This Talꝰ fond fyrst the defaute of the son & the mone vide plura augꝰ .8. de ciuitate dei. Numa the secūd kyng thys tyme regned in Rome xlij. yere the wich wos a gret worshypper of fals goddis he fillid Rome so full that he myght haue no place for hym self to duell in. ¶This man put Ianuary &̄ February to the begynnyng of the of the yere. vide plrā ī augꝰ de ci. Aboune all reson it is meruell that sich men so excedyng ī witte in all thynges that wos ill resedit fro the knaulegh of vera g [...]d Amon kyng of Iues regned .ij. yere the wich was nought in his leuyng: and he wos strekyn of his seruandis and he dyed with owte eny repentans.

Anno mūdi iiij^M v^C lviii: Et an̄ xpī natītatē vi^C xli.

IOsias the son to Amon at viij yer of age be gan to regne &̄ regned xxxi. yere a good child of a ꝑuerse fadir. ī his yong age he sought the grace of god. And in that grace lauda­bully a bood tyll his end: his relegius lyffe and his holy werkis ye may se. [...]. regū .22. et 2 para. 34 Azastas the son of El­chie wos bishope Tobias a bowt this tyme died &̄ he wos an verey holy man: and he proficied the destruccion of Ierusalem. Tulius hostilius wos the thred kyng in Rome. And Sent [Page] Astyn saeth ī his boke de ciuitate dei. that from Rome wos made vn to August the Emprour: ther was so cōtinuall batel y^t it wos taken for a meruell and they were on yere with out batell except xlij. yere in Nume dayes ī the wich wos cōtinuall pees &̄ this Tuliꝰ be cause he had rest he did cursedly to his nebrus. and then he wos slayn and all his houshold with a stroke of ligh [...]īyng Nabegodonosor this tyme wos kyng of babulon a manly mā and a victorius: for he was the scoourge of our lord to ponych the synnys of mōy pepull. This man wos king of babulō and afterward he conquered the kyndgom of assurio (rum). and made it one monarche. But mony way scriptur spekis of this man now good and now ill And for because scriptur cōcludis that he endyt his lyfe ī the louyng of god bi the prayer of Daniel &̄ ī the knaulege of one veray god sū docturs sayeth he is saued &̄ sū sayeth it is doute. Ancus Marciꝰ the iiij. kyng of rome regned xxiij yere. This man for grace and trist that he had to Tarquinus Priscus made hym the gou (er)nour of his chyld. & ayres & he ill rewardit hym Daniel yet a child deluyed Sent susan· and s [...]oed in the cōsait of the kyng with his felouys and aftirward he descussit the drenmys of the kyng: and wos made a mā of gret honesti vt (pꝪ)patet dan primo Ioathas the secund sone of Iosie regned on y^e Iues iij. monethes & wos made kyng bi the pepull: & he wos not good. And Pharao toke him & lede hym in to Egipt &̄ made hys heldir brother kyng· vt (pꝪ)patet 4^o regū 23.

Anno mūdi iiij^M v^C lxxxviij Et an̄ xpī natītatē vi^C xi.

IOachym or Ieconyas the son of Iosie wos made kynge of Iues by Pharao & regned xi yere. &̄ be cause he liued noght. ne herd not the ꝓphettis Nabegodono (ser) toke hī &̄ made hī his (ser)uand iij. yere And he rebellid a yens hym afterward and he toke hī and was aboute to haue led him vn to babulon bot his consell wos changed & so Nabegodonser kylled hym ī Ierusalem &̄ kest his bodi ower the walles after the prophesy of Ieromy. and [Page] toke with hym the vesell of our lord and put them ī his tempull. vt (pꝪ)patet 2^o para. vlt. Samias wos bisshop vrias ꝓphet was slain of Iecony the kyng &̄ ieromy wos p̄sēt Ioachim son to Ieconias regned ī the Iure iij. monethes and leued nought & ther­for a none he wos meuyt that he shuld regne no longer: And wos bonden and translat ī to Babulō & mōy w^t hym wer translayt. vt (pꝪ)patet 4 regū 24. Daniell Ananyas Azarias Misa­ell Ezechiell &̄ Mardochius. all thes with Ioachym y^e kīg wer led ī to babulō yong child for be cause they wer of the nobull blode

Anno mūdi iiij^M vi^C. Et ante yp̄i natītatē vi^C:

SEdechias the thrid son of Iosie regned on the iues xi. yere This sedechy wos a myscheuꝰ man ī his leuyng and he wold not here Ieromy the ꝓphet. Therfor he ꝑyschet wrecchidli And all the iury w^t hym. And his [...]en wer put out: and his chylder wer slayn. vt (pꝪ)patet 4^o regū Iosedech the son of Azarie wos bisshop. &̄ wos trāslayt fro ierusalē bi Nabogodonosor ī to babulō Abacuk ꝓphesyed ayenes Nabuch at babulon. &̄ ther be oppynyons what tyme this abacuk wos. This abacuk broght mete to Daniell whē he was put to the Lyons aft (er) ierom: & here endis y^e fourth age &̄ the history of regū This tyme the tempull of Salamon wos brent of y^e Caldees

&̄ ierusalem wos destruyed. this tempull stood iiij^C xlij. yere y^t is to wete fro the fyrst makyng the wich was made the fourth yere of Salamō. And fro that destruccion the wich wos made by Tytus that is to wete xlij. yere after the passion of Criste Priscus torquinꝰ the v. kynge of Rome regned &̄ he made Capit [...]lliū [Page] quasi caput solū For in the gronde werke wos found a hed with out ony body as for ꝓphesy of thynges to cū. For ther aft (er) ­ward the senatours sat as on heed of all the world ¶This tyme iij. chyldir wer kest in to a fornes brynnyng: &̄ with a myracull thei war deliu (er)ed as it it is schewed in dan pri^o Nabogodono (ser) the son of Nabogodonosor the myghty. regned ī babulō This mā made an hyngyng gardyn w^t myghty costys for hys wiffe. and mony meruelꝰ thinges he did: so that he wold be named to excede Hercules in his gretnes &̄ strength Enylmerod [...]ch brother to the later Nabagodono (ser) regned in babulō. This mā toke Ioachym out of preson & worshippit him. and his fad [...] deed body after the counsell of this man: he deuidet to an hūdyrth gripes lest that he shold rise from deth to lyue. Nota The play of the Ches wos found of Xerse a philosophur for the correccion of Enylmerodach this tyme the kyng of babulon a gret tyrant the wich was wont to kyll his own maisters and wyse men. And for he durst not rebuke him oppynly. with sych a witty game he procurt hym to be me [...]ke

Anno mūdi iiij^M vi^C xxxiiij. Et an̄ īxp̄i natītatē v^C lxv.

SAlathiell of the line of crist wos son to Ieco [...]y the king of Iues the wich he gat aft (er) the transmigracion of babulō as Marke the Euangelest saeth Seruius Tuliꝰ the sext kīg of Rome was of a bond codecion on the mother syed: for she was a captiue madyn: bot she was of the nobull blude. This mā had gret louyng: and nobully he bare hym in euery place iij. hellis to the cite he put & diked the walles round a bowt Regusa [...] Sab­usardach and Balthasar wer bretheren the wich regned on after a nother and wos kynges in Babuloo: and Balthasar wos the last kyng in babulō the wich wos slayn of Darius & Cyrus· Plura vide daniel̄ quinto.

[Page]DArius vnkyll to Cyro felo ī the kyngdō with Ciro. occupied the kyngdom of babulō Darius translatit the kyngdom of babulons Caldees in to the kyngdō of ꝑsa (rum) &̄ medo (rum). Cyrus was emprour xxx. yere This cyrus held the monarch hoill at perses: of this man ꝓphesied Ysaias. & he destruyed ba­bulon: and kylled Balthasar the kyng of babulon. and he wor­schipped gretly Daniell. the Iues he send home ayene that they shold bilde the tempull of god. vt (pꝪ)patet esdre primo.

Babulon that strong castell was destrued &̄ his pouer was taken fro him. as it wos ꝓphesied. This wos the fyrst cite and thee grettest of all the world. of the wich incredebyll thyngꝭ ar wretē and this that wos so strong ī on nyght wos destrued. that it myght be shewed to the power of god. to the wich power all other be bot a sparke &̄ dust. For it is saied for sothe that it wos incredabull to be made with mans handis or to be dethruyed with mans strenght. wherof all the world myght take an ensample. and it wold or myght be informyt. Tarquinus suꝑbus wos the vij. kyng of Rome & he regned xxxv. yere This man ꝯsaued fyrst all thes tormētis wich ar ordeyned for malefacturs. as exile: p̄sō weilis & galowis. fettres &̄ manyclys. chynes & colers. & sych other. Ther for his gret pride & cruelnes: god suffrid him to myschefe. and in what man (er) wyse it shall bi shewed ¶He had a son of the same name. the wich son dofouled a worthy manys wiffe: thei called hym Collatyn. & his wyffe wos called Lucres. This Tarquynꝰ y^t wos this seuynth kīg son a foor saied. come vn to this ladyes howse. absent hir howsbond to soꝑ. &̄ to logīg: and when all wer a slepe he rose with a suerde in his hond: &̄ w^t strengthe & feir he rauychid the womā. And whē he wos go y^e nexte day aft (er) she send vn to hir fadre & to hir housbond for she was off gret kynne. and thus she saied vn to them ¶This kyngꝭ son come heder. os a freynd of whom I had no mystrist. and thus he has defilyt my chastyte. and lost my name for eu (er)more. then hir [Page] frendys se hyr wepe and petuysly cōplayn. &̄ they cōforthid hir os the cold. And saied it wos no velany vn to hir for it wos ayenes hir will. she answered & sayd· yet shall ther neu (er) woman excuse hir bi Lucres for thou she cōsentyd not to thys deed: yet shall she not dye w^t out payn: for that deed. And w^t that word she had a knyffe redi vnd (er) hir mātill with wich she smote hir selff to the hert And for this cruelnes and this petuꝰ deth: the pepull of Rome a rose and exiled this kīg for eu (er)more: &̄ all his ꝓgeny and thꝰ sees sit thes kynges of rome &̄ neu (er) wos none after:

¶Of the gou (er)nans of Rome till the Emꝑours be gan.

AFtyr this tyrant wos deid. the romans ordeyned y^t ther shuld neu (er) be kyng more ī rome. Bot they wold bi gou (er)ned fro y^t forth bi consules. So whē thos kīges had regned CC. yere & xl. they made this statute y^t .ij. consules shuld be chosen. and they shuld goueren the cite & the peepull. and for this cause thes tow wor chosen: that yf on of them wold make any excesse: thee other shuld gou (er)ne him. For ther wos no thyng obeyed bot yf they cōsented both: also they shuld not stond ī ther dīgnite passyng on yere for this cause. that for dominacio [...] of long tyme they shuld not vsurpe vpō them more then wos righfull. In all this tyme the Empyre of rome was not dilatid passyng xij. myell: ne had no lordshipp passing xij. myell The fyrst consules y^t wer made the called Luciū & the other Brutū. and thes two mē did gret thīgꝭ in ther tyme: but yet the pepull bare heuy of ther dominacion. wher foor the chose an other man the wich shuld haue more auctorite then they. & thei clepeed hym dictator ¶In this same tym ther wos a gret discencion be twix the pepull and the senate. wherfoor they chosin Tribunas wich war Iuges ou (er) the pepull &̄ defendit hem from wrong as sayeth Ysid. For the dictator when he was chose. he lasted ·v. yere and the tribunas war remeued euery yere ¶Bot ye must vndir stond that ye shall not haue heir after [Page] all the consules namys y^t gou (er)ned Rome be twix the sesyng of y^e kynges and the beginyng of the Emꝑours: for it war to long to write specially whē they wer eu (er)y yere new: sen y^t oon man my­ght be chosen so oft tyme as we red. And also for the endurynge of ther gou (er)nance: for they wer gou (er)nours of Rome. v^C. yere &̄ lxvij. So the most famus men of thes shall be rehersed aft (er) the forme of cronyclis. & os they stond ī the boke wos ychon aft (er) other Incipit historia libri Esdre

Anno mūdi iiij^M vi^C lix. Et ante cristi natītatē v^C xl.

ZOrobobell after the cōmandment of god founded the tempil &̄ made it ꝑfite bot it wos long after. vt (pꝪ)patet esdre. 6^o. Aftir the pepull of Ierusalē come fro babulon thes ij. ruyled Ihesus the hee prest os gou (er)nour: & Zorobobell as duke. And thys maner of gydyng was kepid vn to Herodes tyme that the hee prestis shuld be principall: and the dukis vnd (er) them. bot the dukes wos eu (er) of the tribe of iuda: after the prophesi of Iacob. and vnd (er) that good gydyng of prestis it is not rede the pepull to haue rece­dit fro the varay truthe of faythe as they did afoor in the tyme off Iues and of kyngis. for then mony tymes they ran to ydolatry. Esdras the prest of the kynrad of Aron this tyme excedid mē ī holynes throgh whos gret wisdō all the Iues stait was holpin Cambises the son of Ciri regned on the kyngdom of Persa (rum) the wich commaunded myghtili the tempull of Ierusalem shold not be bildid ayene. his fadre cōmandid it shold be byldid: This Cambises made a cursed Iuge to be fleid or hilt: a lyue &̄ mad his son to sit on his fad (er) skyn: that thurgh that drede he shold drid falshed and iuge rightwisli ¶This Cambises had mony na­mys in holx scriptur. in the boke of Esdri Artharxerses or assuorus in historia Iudith: y^t wasdoon vnd (er) hī he is called Nabogodonosor for Olifernes the prince of his cheualry subdued mony landes to his lord. and at the last he come vn to Bethelem & ther wos slayn of Iudit a woman vt (pꝪ)patet iuddith 2 et 13.

[Page]Ereneides regned in Persis half a yere. Darius regned at the perses the wich bi the mocion of Zorobobell cōmaundid thee werke of y^e tēpull to be take ayene. &̄ ꝯmaunded his princes that on no wise they shuld let it. bot shuld help it in all y^t they could vide plrā ī esdre h^o: de h^o tēpore ābiguū pp̄ diu (er)sitatē docto (rum).

Circa annū mūdi iiij^M vij^C xxxiiij. Et an̄ xp̄i natī. iiij^C lxv

ABiuth son [...]o Zorobobell of y^e lyne of crist wos a bowt this tyme· for of him and of other foloyng vn to Ioseph nothyng is had inscriptur: but that Matheu the euangelest nombris them in the genologi: And therfor the certayn tyme of them dewly cannot bi knaw. Ioachī wos bisshop this tī aft (er) iosophꝰ wos called Iosedech vndir whom ierusalem wos belded ayene vt dicit et h^o idem (pꝪ)patet Neemie 12.

In the .CC.xliiij yere after that Rome wos made: Thee Romans ordyned .ij. Cōsules in the steid of ther kyng y^e wich shuld gouerne on yere aloin· lest that bi tariyng they shuld be proude. And y^t the on shuld corec the other yf he excedit or errit. Brutus wos the fyrst Consuler and Lucius the secund. &̄ then was ther a man that was called Dictator the nome of an office the wych shuld go with the pepull ayens ther enmys. Titus puphius Marcus consules. Then after the Romans complayned gretli on the condecions of the consules. and then the power was put to .x. men to an excedyng cost to the comyn pepull. for eu (er)ych on of them went like a kyng and need caused them to leue that dygnite. And they tristed neuer to rest. the were wos so strong ayens them Artharxerses wos kyng of Persa (rum) vnder whome Esdras come to Ierusalem. & Neemias wos butteler to the same kyng whom aft (er)ward he sent to bylde the walles of Ierusalem. Xerses rened aft (er) hī ij. monethes Segdianꝰ vij monethes after hī & lityll they did.

Circa annū mūdi iiij^M vij^C lix. Et an̄ xp̄i natītatē iiij^C xl

ELiac hym is rehersed in the lyne of crist ī Math. p^o. and more of him is not had in scriptur. Esdras an holy man and a conyug and worshipfully wos had emong the pepull. thys man come fro babulō with odyrr. And he meued with veray cherite went ayene to bobulon that he myght wyn mo of Israell and saaue the sawles and bring them home with hym. In this tyme he repared the law and the holy bokys. the wich the caldes had brent. And an happy wittynes to all the world he left in scriptur. He fond new litters and lighter in faccion. the wich thurgh the holy gost fulfilled he come ayene to ierusalē with a gret multitude. & with the kynges preualeges that he shuld teche the pepull y^t law that he had repayred. And ther he died in a good age. Neemias an hebru butler of kyng Artraxerses at his lord commandment went from babulon in to ierusalem. wher he yaf xij. yere the ledīg of pepull. And the v. yere he be gon to repare the yates and the wallis of Ierusalem: the wich werke he endit in .ij: yere and iiij monethes. and that with gret inpedimentes. for the halfe of the pepul stoed armeid with out the Cite to withstond the pepull of odyr naciōns intendyng to destruy them. And the other part labured in armes holdyng in the ton hond stonys for wallis. and ī the notobull odyr hond a swoord or ne by it. vide plrā lib^o suo Permenides phelosophurs and namly in morall thynges war a bowte this. Socrates a phelosophur the wich vndirstoed mych of the power of god. &̄ he wos Plato maister. Democritus Ipotras and odi [...] of whom the nobull werkis a boode.

Circa annū mūdi iiij^M viij^C ix. Et an̄ cristi natī. iij^C lxxxx

AZor is rehersed in the lyne of crist in mathe primo. Bot nothyng off his dedes is wreten in the scriptur. Elyasib or Elysaphat succedid Ioachym in the bysshoppryke. vt dicit Eusebius et magister histor [Page] Camillus wos Dictator at Rome in whoes days myscheuys playes wer ordand that the pestelans shuld sees at Rome. Off thes playes Sent austyn tretis delygently in repreuyng the falshed of the goddis. The wich desired to be plesed with sych writch it playes. So shamfully thes playes wer vsed with naked men &̄ womē: that honest mē ne womē wold not be at thos playes ne yet behold them. vide plura in Augꝰ de ciuitate dei.

Darius nothus regned at the perses .xix. yere. Plato thee diuyn phelosopher: And Aristotill his discipull wos this tyme nobull and famus clerkis.

Tytus quintius wos Dictator at rome: and he wos a couetus man whom Austyn de ciuitate dei bringes in a yens couetus and prewd cristen men. Gayus wos a sonetour vnder whome was a gret batell a yens the kyng of Tusco (rum). and viij^M. men of them wor taken. Marcus valerius was an other senetour thee wich with .lx^M. Romans fought with the fraunshmen and had the victorie and mony of them kyllid. Artharxerses kyng of ꝑses called a yene to his empyre Egipt. and he put Nactanabo y^e kyng in to Echeopiam &̄ mony Iues ī to transmigracion: also he send vagosū a prince ower flumiordan to aske a yene the tribute that was for yefen to Esdra that was the vij: yere rent pp̄ sabbā tre. Arsamꝰ succedit hym and regned an yere. Darius the son of arsamy regned with the ꝑses xxiiij. yere This darius wos a myghty man and a bold the wich asked of the Grekis a tribute. And that wos the cause of the descruccion of the Monarch of ꝑsa (rum) for it was translatit to the grekes after the prophesy off Daniell. for it is sayid that Darius brought xv^C.M. fightīg men. whom all alexand (er) slew. Iodas the son of Elyzaphat was he bisshop ī ierusalē in tyme of Mardachn: Iohēs his son succedid him Aristotiles the most sotell and famust Ppiloso­phur leuyd this tyme. Senocrate the most chast phelosophur was this tyme with dyuers other mo.

¶Bi cause the kīgꝭ of bretan next aft (er) leued ī peese most pte & lytyl of them is wretē. therfor they shall be set to ged (er) tyll it be cōmī to Cassibulon kīg of Breton the wich wos brother to Lud

ANd whan Crombatrus was deid regned Guentholen y^t wos his sō a man of good ꝯdicions &̄ welbeloued & he gouerned the lond well and wiseli and he regned xxvi. xere and after he died and lyeth at new Troy.

¶How kyng Seisell regned and well gouerned the land after guentholen.

ANd after this Guentholen regned his son Seissel well &̄ wortheli & well gou (er)ned y^e lōd as his fad (er) had done befor him & he regned xv. yere and died and lieth at new Troy.

¶How Kymor regned after Seissell his fader and he begat Howan that regned after his fader in peese.

ANd after Seissell regned his son Kymor well &̄ nobli xix. yere in peese and then afterhym regned howan hys son x. yere and then he died and lieth at Ikaldoune.

¶How kyng Morw^t died thurgh myschaunce thurgh a best.

AFter this howon regned Marwith &̄ become so weked &̄ so sterne tyll at the last gret vengeance come to him. for as he went vpon a tyme by the see side he mete a gret best y^t wos blake & horibull & hideus & he wened that it had bene a whale of the see & bent an arblast &̄ wold haue slayn that best with his quarell but he myght not smyte hym And when he had shot all his quarelles the best anone come to hym in a gret hast and hym deuored a lyfe and so he died for his wickednes thurgh vengeaunce of god after that he had regned ix. yere.

¶Of Grādobodiā y^t wos morwith son y^t made Cāmbregge.

AFter that this Morwith wos deid the Bretens crosned Grādobodian his sō: &̄ this grandobodian long tyme reg­ned ī goodnes & made tēpuls & tounys & this grādobodiā made the toune of Cambregge &̄ the toune of Grauntham &̄ wos wel [Page] beloued of rich & poer for he honourd the rich & helped the poer. this Grandobodian had iiij. sonnis Arthogaile Hesidur Higamꝰ & Petitur & when he had regned xi. yere he died & lieth at new troy

¶Of Artogaill that wos grādobodians son how he wos made kyng &̄ sieth put doune for his wikkednes.

AFter Grandobodian regned his son Artogaill v. yere & he become so wikked &̄ so sterne y^t the britons wold not suffre hym to be kyng but put him doun &̄ made Hesidur his b­rother kyng & he bi come so good &̄ merciabull that men hym called kyng of pytte ¶And whē he had regned v. yere he had so grete pitte of his brother Artogaill y^t wos kyng before. &̄ anōe he forsoke his dignite &̄ toke his brother the croune ayene: &̄ made hī kyng ayens all the britans will ¶And afterward Artogaill become so good of cōdicion y^t he was welbeloued of all y^e land for he become so bonair & fre and did right & reson to all man (er) of men and he regned vi. yere and died and lidth at grantham.

¶How Hesidur wos made kīg aft (er) y^e deth of his brether

AFter the deth of Artogaill the britons crouned an other tyme Hesidur but his ij. bred Higamꝰ & Petitur had of him gret spite & scorne and ordined them help for to were vpon the kyng ther brother and so they toke hym an put in to prison y^e secūd yere of his regne &̄ they deꝑted all the land be twix them both but higamus leued but vij. yere &̄ tho had petitur all the lond & he made the toune of Pickering.

How the Britons come and toke Hesidur out of prison & made hym kyng the thrid tyme.

ANd when this petitur was deid bretās toke hesidur anoon &̄ made hym kyng the thrid tyme and tho regned he īpees xiiij. yere and aft (er) he died and lieth at Karleill.

How xxxiij. kīgꝭ rened ī pees eche aft (er) od (er) raft y^e deth of hesidur

AFter the deth of hesidur regned xxxiij kīges ich aft (er) other ī pees &̄ w^t out ony long tariyng I shall tell thē all and [Page] how long eche of them regned as the stori telleth ¶The fyrst kyng of tho xxxiij. was called Gerbodia & he regned xii yere and aft (er) him regned Morgan ij. yere and aft (er) him rened Cighnus vi yere: &̄ aft (er) him regned Idwalan viij yere &̄ after hym regned Rohugo xi. yere &̄ after regned voghen xiij yere and after hym regned Catill xv yere and aft (er) hym regned Porex ij yere and aft (er) hym regned Cherin xvij yere: and after hym regned Coyll xij. yere and after hym regned Sulgenis xiiij yere and aft (er) hī regned Esdad xx: yere and after hym regned Andragie xvij: & after hym regned vrian v. And aftei hym regned Elind ij. yere And after hym regned Eldagan xv yere and after hym rened Claten xii yere and after hym regnid Ouirgunde viij yere and ofter hym regned Mortan vi yere and aftir hym regned Bledagh iij yere and after hym rened Caph i. yere And after hym regnee Gen ij yere and after hym regned Seysell &̄ kīg Bled xxii yere And kyng Tabreth xi yere and Archinall xiiij yere: and Croll xxx yere: and Rodingu xxxij yere and Hertir v yer & Hanipir vi. yere &̄ Carpour vij yere and Digneill iii. yere &̄ Samuell xxiiij yere &̄ Rede ij. yere & Ely vii. monethes thys Ely had iii. sonnys Lud Cassibalā & Enemyon.

¶How Lud wos made kyng aftir the doth of Ely his fader.

AFter the deth of Ely regned Lud his son & gouerned wel the lond and moch honoured gud folke & tēpred & amēded wikked folke This lud loued more to duell at Troy then ī any other place of the lond wherfor the name of new troy was left and tho wos the cite called Ludstone But the name is changed thurgh variance of letters and now is called London And this kīg made in the cite afayr gate &̄ called it lud gate aft (er) his name & the folke of the cite ar londeneres and when he had rened xi: yere he died and lieth at London &̄ he had .ij. yong sonnys that oon wos called Andraghen and the other Tormace. but they coude nether speke ne go for yongth and therfur the Bretans crouned [Page] a strong knyght thas was called Lud that was Cassibalamus brother &̄ made hym kyng of bretane now called Englond.

Circa annū mūdi iiij^M viij^C lxxxiiij Et an̄ xp̄i natī. ij^C xv.

SAdoch of y^e lyne of crist is nōbred ī math p^o. bot inscript ther is nomore mēcion of hī Iadꝰ y^e son of Iohn̄ was he bisshop ī ierusalē. This tyme kīg alexand (er) rened y^e wich wos wroth w^t y^e pepull of ierusalē: & come to y^e cite: Thē Iadꝰ arraed ī his pōtificall ornamēts ran to meyt hī: & he sodāly wos plesed & worshipped y^e bisshope. and w^t pees & Ioye entrid the cite: &̄ he made to be brought to him y^e boke of Daniell: &̄ the ꝓphesi to be exponyd to hym: y^e wich was spokē of hī &̄ y^t doon. he ioyed strōgly for all thyng y^e wich he had herd bi the drem ī dew ordir wos fulfilled. & it wos likly to hym: y^t he shold be y^e same ꝑsō. of whō da­niell ꝓphesied. &̄ of y^t he toke more hardynes to fight w^t Darius kyng of ꝑsa (rum). and he did the sacrafis. &̄ cōmanded the Iues to aske what they wold haue: & he granted that they shold kepe ther own lawis &̄ at the seuent yere shold be w^t out tribute. vide mrm̄ ī histo. The host of Alexand (er) as Orosius sayth wos xxxij^M of foote men. and iiij^M hors men. and schippes .C.lxxx. And it is vn c (er)tayn whedre it is more meruell that he shold conquer al y^e world w^t so lytell a pouer. or how y^t eu (er) he durst go vpō them w^t so lityll a pouer And ther wos of alexand (er) &̄ his host slayn thee kyng of ꝑsa (rum). Et vt orosiꝰ dicit quīquies decies cētena milia. Enias the son of Iadi wos bisshop aft (er) his fad (er) Manilius Papiriꝰ &̄ Fabiꝰ wer cōsules at Rome This papiriꝰ whhen he wos a chyld he wos veray wisse. &̄ he fenyd mony a fayr lesing that he myght keip his master cōsell & the senetours. & when he cā to a man. he wos so nobull a werur: that when the Romās dred Alexand (er) he was chosen to go a yenes hī. &̄ of the goddis he chargit not. bot he scorned &̄ rapreued the goddis: sayng a fore y^t vn happy thingꝭ shold fall: &̄ y^t to his gret louīg holy docturs saeth. [Page] Incipit Monarchia greco (rum) et cessat monarchia persarum. KYng Alixandre thys tyme be gone to be lord of all thee world: and he wos called gret alexander for his gret victory the wich he had in so litell tyme. it wos an euident iugemēt of the wroth of god: ayens synners of that tyme. certanly sum myraculs our lord did for hym in helpyng of his pouer: for the se of Pāphilicon wos deuided to hym: as in olde tyme the reid se to the iues when he pursecutit dariū. Also at is prayer the hilles of Caspij war schit: that certayn of the cursed iues myght neu (er) cum [...]wt. bot at the last in babulon with venum he was poysumt and dyed: the xxxiij. yere of his age. And the v. yere of his monar­ch. the xij. yere of the kyngdom of macidon. Nōnd that when Alexander was deid thos xij. to whom he deuydet his kyngdom myght not a corde. And then by gone infenite batellis. and at the last iiij· obtened all the kyngdō. vide plrā in orosio.

Anno mūdi iiij^M ix^C ix. Et ante xp̄i natītatē .CC.ix.

AChym of the lyne of crist son to Sadoch is nombreid in Mathe pri^o. &̄ of hym his nomore had inscripture Symon wos bisshop this tyme an holy man and also rightwys he wos named of the pepull. Eleazarus wos bisshop after symō This man send to Ptholameo kyng of Egipt lxxij. lerned men of euery tribe sex to interpret the law of the iues. the wich translatit from hebru in to greke thurgh a gret myracull that so moni men shold ī lxxij. dayes translate all holy scriptur with on acorde vide augꝰ de ciuitate dei. Dolobela Emilius Marcus Curius Genutius this txme wer counselers at Rome. This do­lobela conquered Sammtes and after mony batelles had. And Marcus subduit Epirotas and kylled xxiij^M. of his men and then fled kyng Pirro the wich kyng send vn to hym for pees & offyrryng vn to hym gret yeftes

And then thys Consull ansuered & saied ther shall no batell [Page] cause me to fle. nor no mōy corrupt me. for I had leu (er) cōmaund richmen to do this & this. then be rich my self ¶Tonutiꝰ sob­duit the cite of Argiuo (rum): and a legion of rome knyghtis he se­nd to rome: & caused them to be betyn oppynly ī y^e meddis of thee marketh for they had them not lefully to the court of rome. for thee law was then kepid so stratly at rome: that and they fayled to do ther dew ob (ser)uans ī u (er)tu: they shold be penychid. Thes romans & mōy a foor and aft (er) war the most nobull men aft (er) the worldis ho­nesty that myght be. and ī all maner of u (er)tu circūspectt as holy dacturs saieth. that they put thor sampuls to cristen men: bot not the intencion for they lacked the key of fayth: Incipiunt reges Egipti quia al̄ [...] nō pt fī cōtinuaciō: & ītexūtur reg sirie Ptholomꝰ Philodolphꝰ this tyme was kīg ī Egipt. This philodolphus wos the veray worshipper of on god. and full gracius to the Iues. of whom xx^M and C he delyu (er)ed out of captiuite and that he did that he myght pleese the god of israell. of whom he had herd the meruels. and his law he desiered to haue. ner it myght not be translayt in to no other langage: bot of deuote mē. and that with a dew reu (er)ens and a solempnite. certan men attempt to haue wreten it emonges the gentile stories: whom the plage off god stroke tyll they repented. This kyng send vn to Eleazer the bisshop send to hym lerned men the wich he did gladly. vide plura in magistro historio.

Anno mūdi iiij^M ix^C lix. Et ante criste nātiuitatē ij^C xl.

ELiud of the line of crist gat Eleasar as it is opyn ī math primo. And more in scripturis not had of hym. Onias bisshop was son to Simon Symon was bisshop after hym the wich was a veray relegius man. he reformed the tempull of god in to better: and encressid the cite of ierusalem with mony other good thīges Sēꝓmus Appyus Claudius Gueus Gaiꝰ Artiliꝰ regulꝰ Eīliꝰ Fabiꝰ this tyme war ceneturs at rome [Page] This Semꝓmus fought ayens y^e cūtre of Picc̄tes: &̄ almost the cheualry on bothe y^e ꝑtes war slayn except a few Romās that left a liue & subdued the cūtre Appius Claudiꝰ subdued Syr­acusanas &̄ the cūtre of Penos &̄ put gret tributis to them Artiliꝰ Regulꝰ a nobull cenytour ower come iij. kyngꝭ. & lxxiij. ci­teys subduit And a dragon of a .C.xv. fote he kyllyd. aft (er)ward whan he wos ou (er) cruell ayenes his emnys &̄ denyeng to yef them pese. bot if they wold pay a myghty tribute. they almost beyng ī a dispare fought ayenest him: and ou (er) come hym &̄ his host & toke hym. and neu (er)theles yet they wold fayn haue had pees bot this most fayethful mā had leu (er) dye ī paynes gret thē to yef rest &̄ pees to curset pepull. his louyng sent Augꝰ hogely exaltis Emulius fabiꝰ &̄ gaius wold haue deliu (er)ed Regulꝰ bot the obtened not. Ptholomeas eugites this time wos kīg of Egipt a victoriꝰ prince & a myghty: this man subdued Syriam &̄ Ciciliam &̄ the most ꝑte of Asie and toke ther goddis & brought them in to hys cuntre. Ptholomeus Philopat (er) son to Eugetes regned ī Egippt xvij. yere. This man fought ayenes ij. brether. s. Seleneū & gret Anthiocū & he ꝓstatit mōy a M. bot neu (er)theles he p̄ualit not. vide plrā in iohē suꝑ daniel̄

Haniball the most cursed kyng of Peno (rum) or of Affricano (rum) myghtely hated the Romās: for he destrued them almost to the vtt (er)mast end & neer the cite of rome he destruyed. and so mony noble men of Romans he kylled at on tyme: that iij. busshell of goldī ringes he drow of ther fyngeres. Also ī acertayn water of the slayn bodies of thes romans: he made as it wer a brige that his host myght pas: and at the last Cipio the noble senytour direckid his host to hym: and scumfited him and almost Cipio host off Romans war slayn. Lucatiꝰ consul Symꝓnyꝰ valeriꝰ Fulniꝰ lutinꝰ gaius & Scipio reuled at Rome. this tyme the romans had pees on yere alon and it wos taken for a myracul that they had so long rest. for afoor this tyme ī iiij^C &̄ xl. yere the [Page] Romans had neu (er) rest. Thes consules when the yere wos done congregatit all the strenght of Ytaly and they had in ther host viij^M. armed men. for dreed of the frenchmen whom they dred st­rongly: and aft (er)ward the romans subdued them. Epiphanes the son to Philopator regned in egipt xxiiij. yere Cleopatra do­ughter to gret Anthiocus wos his wife Antiochus magnus this tyme rened at Syrry the wich did moch myschefe to the Iues. vt (pꝪ)patet math. Onias this tyme wos bisshop in Ierusalem this Onias for the tyrannyde of Antiochus fled with mony Iues in to Egipt fenyng hym to fulfyll the prophesi of Ysaie 19. that is to wete to bild the tempull. Bot in that he synned for he sayed other wysse then he thought. The kyng of Egipt graciosly resaued him and gaff hym the lond of Helipolees and ther he bild his tempull Symon his son was bisshop at Ierusalem aft (er) that his fader was flede.

Circa annū mūdi v·M.xxxiiij. Et an̄ xp̄i ntītem .C.lx.v

ELeasar of the lyne of crist was a bowt this tyme of hī no thyng is wreten in scriptur bot that math. nombres hym. vt (pꝪ)patet primo. Onias Pius wos to the Iues bisshop this tyme an holy man. & welbeloued with god and man. and not alonli with good men: bot ill mē also. at the last vn righwisli wos slayn of Andronito· vt (pꝪ)patet 2^o Machabeo (rum). 4^o Paulus Therencius: Scipio Affricanus: this wer senetous at Rome. thes ij. ereckyt an host a yenest Haniball & ther almost the romans hoope died for ther wos slayn xliiij.M. romans. And this no­bull man Cipio offricanus brought a yene the state of the Romans pepull the wich stoode in a desspare eu (er) to haue rekou (er)ed. for he fought with Haniball manleli and scumfited him. all Spayn he ouer come. all Affricam he subduet. gret Antiochus he brought to be his (ser)uand. al Asiam he made tributary to the remans This man so nobull & so victorius bi his own vn kynd cūtre [Page] was owtlayed &̄ ther he died Philometor the son of Epiphanes of Cleopatra regned ī egipt xxxv. yere. this kyng yet a child nobull Antiochꝰ hogely oppressit w^t mōy dissaytes. bot y^e romans sent legats the wich cōmāded antiaco y^t he shold sese of his tyrannyde a yenst hym. And Marcꝰ publiꝰ made a cerkill a boute Antiochi thꝰ sayng The senetours of Rome & y^e pepul cōmā dith the that thow go not out of this cerkell till thow haue anwsar to this mat (er) This antiochꝰ seyng y^t he myght not cōtinu his tyranyde sayed yf it be thꝰ cōmādid me of y^e senetour & romans pepull. I must nedis turne ayene. & so woed angre he wos y^t he lost the seege of Alexand (er) &̄ turned to the poer releuys of y^e Iues vengyng hym vpō them: be cause he myght not vēge hym an no myghtier pepull. vtꝪ ī li^o machabeo (rum) primo et 2^o.

MAthathias an holy mā & of all louīg most worthy hated ī his hert & ꝯu (er)saciō al synners: alonly tristyng ī our lord god of israel. vtꝪ pri^o macha. 2^o And this man had v. sōnes of the same loue vn to god. This mā wos not bishop ī israel. bot his iij. sōnes wer. Iudas machabeꝰ wos bishop iij. yere and he wos son to Mathathias. This macabeꝰ was the most named mā y^t eu (er) wos ī israell. the wich had neu (er) none like hym a foor ne aft (er). he wos ī batell a myghty man. and offred hī to dye a mart (er) for the lawys of god: Ionathas his brother succedit hym xix. yere the wich grew ī u (er)tu & gou (er)ned & stedfast stode ī the lawis of god: and aft (er) falsly was slayn of Criphone & ij. of his sōnys. plrā vide iuda et frē eiꝰ libro macha. Antiochꝰ Epiphanes son to Antiochꝰ the myghty this tyme was kyng of Syrry. this mā from the heed vn to the fort w^t ī &̄ with out all was cursed. And therfor he was figured to antecrist. mōy mart (er)s cruelly he made. and falsly he disposid hym to entyr ī to Egipt as his fad (er) did bot he obtened not. For the romans lettyd hym. his most vnhapy werkes. &̄ how he wos ī hostage at Rome: & how y^e ꝓphesi of daniell is completed in hym ye may se in the boke of machabeo (rum).

[Page]Qvintus Flaminius. Marchus Catho. Thiberiꝰ Gra­ccꝰ weer senetours of Rome. this tyme was so contiunall and so mych batell. that lerned men of Gentyles and off the trew fayth bothe wer wery to writte the actys or haue them in mynde ī the wich batellis men merueled gretly on the stedfastnes of the Romās. that no tribulacion no drede no herdnes myght feere them bot euer contynuid in batell. And certanly thes Romans aft (er) the worldis honesty they wer the most wise men that wer. And therfore the Machobees desired ther companye.

Circa annū mūdi v^M lix. Et ante xp̄i natītatē .C·xl.

MAthan son to Sadoch of the lyne of crist gat Iacob. vt (pꝪ)patet Math .1^o. Symon son to Mathathias wos bisshope viij. yere This symon was a veray wise man: and from hys youth vn tyll his age wos eu (er) of good conuersacion euer more u (er) ­tuus. &̄ at the last he was slayn of his brother Elay. vt (pꝪ)patet pri^o machabeo. Iohannes Hyrcanus son to Symon wos aft (er) his fadir xxix yere. a nobull man as all the kynred wos be fore hym This man aftir his decesse left his wife a veray wysse woman And his .v. sonnys to gouerne the Iuri. of whom the holdest wos called Aristobolꝰ an vnpacient man and an vnhappy. His own mother with .iij. of his yonger brether he presenit. and slew them thurgh honger: and so a loyn he leued kyng and bisshop on yere. vide plura libro machabeo (rum): Publius Lucinius Luciꝰ Emilius▪ Lucius Lucinius Lucius Censorinus. wer cōsu­les at Rome: in whos tyme the Cartagines and the Romans wered strongly: bot the romans sabduit them intendyng to haue destrued the Cartagines vtterly. Bot emong the Romans ther wos a notabull wisse man calldd Cipio nauta. and emong mony notabull consellys .ij. he gaffe specealli to be had ī mīde: The fyrst that Cartago shuld not be destrued. that thurght the occasion of forand batellis. a inward concord shuld a bide emong the Romans. and a ꝑpetuall strength for continuall exorcise of batell [Page] The secund that in no wise the teathur shuld be belde in Rome for he sayed that was the most enmy that myght be to the pepull y^t vsid were. for that place nuryched slouthe. and prouoked lechory And how wisely this notabull man yaf counsell. the tymes foloyng declare. vide plura ī augꝰ de ciuitete dei et oro. libro quarto Yet for all this counsell that nobull cite of Cartagie wos des­truyed of Cipio and the senetours: and it brent xvij. dayes continually. mony men ther wer sold: and mony men ran in to the fyer willely ¶Corinthus this same yere wos destruyed of thee romans: the wich wos the richest cuntre of the world. Ptholomeus this tyme regned in Egipt. and wos famulier with thee romans. And so long he and his predicessurs regned as they kepyd fidelite to the romans. and knaw euery man that ther was no other cause that the pouer of the romans encresed so strongly a bown odir pepull. bot vertu the wich abundantly regned in them and nomli rightwisnes: the wich a bown all thyng they vsed. And as long as they keped mesurnes and loued rightwisnes. so long they wer neuer ouer comen. And os soon as they wer corrupped. it is red thei wer eu (er) ower comen: Hit is had ī a certayn reuelacion of god shewed to Sent Briget that our lord god beris witnes to thes oold Romans: that noon in this world of puer naturall reson leued more rightwisly. And what lyghttis of faythe they shewed in the tyme of cristyn relegion shall by shewed afterwerd. Regnū iudeo (rum) restituitur.

ARistobolꝰ wos the fyrst kyng and prest ī the Iuri: This man regned on yere a loyn. and toke to hym the dyame of the kyngdom: And he held hym not content with that that his fadre yaf hym ī hys testament. bot he put his modir ī preson: and his bred: & therfor he periched wrechidli with his brother antigonꝰ the wich wos of his counsell and helpet hym. vide mrm̄ ī historiis ¶Antigonꝰ brother to the kyng wos slayn thurgh the enuy of the quene Alexander wos bisshop after aristobolus and he [Page] stood xxvij. yere And he wos all a tyrend. all though he appe­red sobur ī the begīyng. bot he made it knawyn what he wos ī his stomoke· for he slew his own bred: and ī xij. yere he slew .l.M of the old saage fadres of gret u (er)tu. be cause they told hī his mysgydyng: Then whē he shuldie hed left ij. sonys bi hynd hī Hircanū & Aristobolū: bot c (er)tanly he saied his wyfe shuld regne for she stood ī the grace of the pepull. Seruiꝰ Flaocꝰ Lucius Ce­lius Fabius Publiꝰ. this tyme wer senetours at rome this tyme batels emong them self be gan. of the wich the fyrst cause &̄ the begīyng wos Graccꝰ a myghty mā well knawyn w^t nobull romans: bi gan to seke a cause a yenes them. And be cause that he myght do nothīg a loyn to them. he meued the comyn pepull to thē sayng: that all y^e lōdes & possessions shuld be deuyded equaly: &̄ also the money etcc. And for that cause ther wos an īsurreccion ī the wich Graccꝰ wos slayn. & mony myscheuys fell aft (er) vide orosiū ¶In the tyme of thes mē ther wos a child born at Rome hauyng iiij. feete iiij armes ij facesse & iiij een. The hill of Ethna spytted out flamyng fyer horobli. & destrued the places ne abowt it. ¶&̄ thes mē bering ruel Cartago was cōmādid to be restored: &̄ it wos fulfilled of the romans pepull &̄ ther wos myhhty batell ī the cite of rome ¶Fabiꝰ w^t a lytell host ower come the kyng of Armenie. & ther wer drynched a C lxxx^M. in the wat (er) of reme. Ptholomeꝰ Alexand (er) wos kyng ī Egipt In his tyme wos borne Lureciꝰ a poeyd the wich aft (er)ward wos mad for luffe of women & slew hym self Ptholomeꝰ son to Cleopatre regned aft (er) hym vnd (er) whom Salustiꝰ the nobull writer of histories wos borne Ptholomeꝰ dionisiꝰ wos aft (er) this man And ī his tyme virgyll and Oracius wer borne.

Anno mūdi v^M C xxx iiij. Et an̄ xp̄i natītatē ^Cv.

IAcob natural fad (er) to Ioseph of the lyne of crist is rehersit in Luke and Mathe: And litell of hym is had īscriptur Alexandra wyfe to Alexand (er) wos bisshop ī the Iuri ix yer [Page] And she did mych tyrannyde. all yef she wos made bisshop bi hir senyt holy relegiō. & Hircanū hir son she ꝓmotit to the bisshoprik & she ordant y^t he shuld regne aft (er) hir ¶This womā ī y^e line of the bysshoppis is put for the cowntyng of the yeres. not at she vsed the office of a bisshop: for it wos not lefull to hir. Hircanꝰ son to Alexandra regned xxxiij yere. This Hircanꝰ aft (er) ther decesse of his mod (er) succedit ī the kyngdom. In the wich he had ly­till ꝓsperite for ꝑcialite of the pepull. for anōe he wos owercumē and aft (er)ward he wos restored thurgh the help of the Arabees. & then he was made trubutari to the romans. &̄ so he was ī perse a lityll tyme. bot not ī the name of kyng. at the last he died wricchydly for he wos begyled thurgh the fraude of Partho (rum). the wich antigonus hyered ayenes hym. vide plene mrm̄ histori ¶The hereci of the Pharaseys a bowt this tyme began: And emong them war iij. sektis in the Iuri Pharasey Saducey &̄ Essey all thes wer deuided fro the cōmyn vse of the Iues. &̄ wer īseckt w^t mōy errours. for they sayed that they wer holier thē other men for they leued stratlyer thē other men did. vide plus alias.

Virgill the most excelēt of poetis wos magnified thys tyme &̄ meruelus thinges he did And emong other when that Neopol̄ wos vexit with dethly payn of myghty wormys. virgill kest an worme made of gold in to a ponde or a water and it lay a c (er)tayn seson ther. And when it was take vp ī to the toun all the cite was full of wormys. & till the worme of gold was put ī to the water ayene. they had īfinite wormys: and whē it was ī the wat (er) all the wormys went ther way ¶Also it is wreten ī the croniclis of Rome that virgill by conyng cōdēsit or thicked the ayre so that he walled his gardyn with the ayr. &̄ he made a brige of the ayr bi the wich he mygh pase eu (er) tyme y^t he lyst: also he askyd marcel­lū Neopolicanū neueu vn to the Emꝑour yf he wold haue a bride taght to kill all birdes: or a fle taght to driue all fleys out of the [Page] cite And this Marcell shewed this to the Emprour. and he desyrid to teche a fle to kyll all fleys. for the comyn pepull wer soor auexed with fleys. and mony other meruellis he did. vide mrm̄ radulfū cestern. Oracius Flaccꝰ & Salustius Crispꝰ historicꝰ wer this tyme Quītus Cipio Gaius Luciꝰ this tyme war cōsules at rome Pompeꝰ Marcꝰ Crassus and Iuliꝰ Ce­sar this tī wor dictats at rome. for os it is sayd afor ther wos mōi dygnites ī rome of the wych sū dureth on yere. sū ij. yere And emong all the dignites the Dictators excedit. for itduret vyer Bot whē the comyn pepull & y^e lordshipis of rome encresing wer made iij. dictators And this tyme wos Pompeꝰ Iuliꝰ & Mar­cus Crassꝰ dictators And because Pompeꝰ wos of gret honour and aged he boed at rome to kepe the comyn pepull of Rome. Marcꝰ crassꝰ wos send to subdu &̄ fight w^t the regiō of Perthꝰ & thurgh tresō he wos taken & slayn Iuliꝰ cesar wos send to y^e west part of the world to subdu them. and he had w^t hym vij. le­gions of pepull and whē that he had subduit Lūberdi & Fraunce his v. yere wer spendid the wich wer assyngned te him &̄ no lōger. Ther bi his own autorite he toke other v. yere on hym: ī the wych he subduid Cassibolon the kyng of Bretan and the fraunche men that rebeled ayenes hym This same Iulius aft (er) he had cōquered thes cūtreys. vn to rome he roed ayene for to be ressa­ued with certayn worship as cōquerours wor be foor hym. bot it wos denied hym: and also the entre of the cite. by īstigacion of a lord called Pompay. Wherfor this Iulius cesar wos a noyed and with fors of myght entyred the cite. &̄ robbed the comyn tresour. And led it with hym. and deꝑted it emong the v. legiones that wer his (ser)uandes. Then went he in to Spayn to fight ayen this Pompoy: for pompay had the gou (er)nans of cartago. bot aftar that iornay ī Itali pompay & he counterd to ged (er) in the wich batell pompay fled vn to the kyng of Egipt: and that same kīg for speciall luffe that he had vn to this Iuliꝰ cesar. smot of pompays hed [Page] and send it vn to Iulius cesar. yet for all the enmyte that was be twix thes two. Iulius weppid when that he saw this pōpayes heed. This Iulius was excedyng in witte a foor other men and he fought in batell lij. tymes. this man aloyn excedit Marcus crassus the wich is sayed to haue foughten xxxix. tymes Thys man toke fyrst the empire of Rome a pon him when Pompay & other nobull men of the romans wor slayn. And at the last the v. yere of his Empire this iuliꝰ cesar the ruler of all this world was slayn in the counsell house thurgh treson of his lordis.

Cathon the most named Phelosopher seyng Iulis cesar haue the victori whom he fauort not. at a toune called vticam slew hī selfe. iuxta illud ¶Mauult cato mari: quam deroget vrbis honori. Bot for that after augustyn he wos not excused of syn ¶This time the Iuri wos trebutori to the romās for ꝑcialyte of ij. bretheren. s. Aristobolus and Ercanus bothe of them for enuy of odirkest them to the Romans that they myght regne. ¶This tyme iij sonnes appered in heuyn toward the est parte of the world the wich be lytill and lytyll wer brought in to on bo­dy A gret signe it wos. that Affrica. Asia &̄ Europa shuld be brought in to on Monarch. and that the lordship of Anthom the senetour and Lucus Antonij shuld turne in to on lordship Marcus Cicerio Tulyus the most excelent retricion wos con­sull of Rome this tyme.

¶How that the Bretons graunted vn to Cassibolan that wos Ludd brother the land. In whos tyme iulyus cesar come twyes for to conquere the lond of bretan:

AFter the deth of kyng Lud regned his brother Cassibolon and become a good man and mych belowed of his bretōs so that for his goodnes and curtesie they graunted hym the reame for euermore to hym and to his ayres. And the kyng of his goodnes let norisch worthely bothe the sonnys that wos Ludis his brother: and after made the eldest son erle of Cornwaill &̄ [Page] the yongest son he made erle of London And while this kyng cassibulon regned come Iulius cesar that wos Emprour of Rome ī to this land w^t a pouer of romans and wold haue had thys land thurgh strength: but Cassibalon ouer come hym ī batell thurgh helpe of the bretons and drofe hym out of this land and he went ayen to rome and assemled a gret pouer an other tyme and come ayene in to this land for to gif batell to Cassibalan bot he wos discomfitied thurgh strenght of the britons and thurgh helpe of the erle of cornwaill and the erle of London his brother and thurgh help of Gudian kyng of scotland and corbond kyng the kyng of north walles and of Bretaill kyng of southwales: &̄ in thys batell wos slayn Nennon that wos cassibolams brother wherfor he made moch sorow And so went Iulius cesar out of this land with a few of Romans that were left on lyue And tho Cassibalan went ayene to Londō & made a fest vn to all his folke that tho hym had holpen and when that this fest was done. ther euery man went in to his own cuntre.

¶Of the debate that wos bitwix cassibolom an the Erle of Londō & of the truage that was paied to Rome.

ANd after it befell thus vpon a day y^t the gentilmen of y^e kynges houshold and gentilmē of y^e Erles houshold of l̄ondon after mete went in fere for to play and thurgh debate that arose emong them: Enelyn that wos the erles cosen of London kyiled Irenglas that wos y^e kynges cosin wherfor the kyng swore that Enelyn shold be honged bot the Erle of London y^t was Enelyns lord wold not suffre hym wherfor the kyng was gretly vexid and wroth towarde the Erle and thought him to destru & preualy the Erle sēt lettres to Iulius cesar y^t he shold cum ī to this land for to helpe hī & hī a venge vpon the kīg &̄ he wold help hym with all his myght And when that the Emprour herd this tidyngꝭ: he was full glad &̄ ordeyned a strōg pouer and come a yene the thrid tyme in to this land: and the Erle of London helpe [Page] hym with vij^M. men and at the thrid tyme was Cassibalon ouer comen and discomfited and made pees to the Emprour for iij^M. ponde of syluer yeldyng by yere for truage for this land for euer more. And then half a yere after passed the Emprour weent vn to rome and the erle of London with hym for he durst not abid in this land. and after Cassibolan regned xvij. yere in pees & tho he died the xvij. yere of his regne and lieth at yorke.

¶How that the lordis off the land after the deth of Cassibolan and for encheson that he had no heir made Andragen kyng

AFter the deth of Cassibolon for as myche as he had none heir of his lefull body begottyn: the lordes of the lond bi y^e comyns asent crouned Andragen Erle of Cornwaill and made hym kyng and he regned well and worthely and he wos a good man and well gouerned the lond and when he had regned viij. yere then he died and lieth at London.

Circa annū mūdi v^M.C.lix. Et xp̄i natiuitatē xl.

IOseph of the lyne of crist abowt this tyme wos borne and after wos husband vn to our lady Antigo­nus was Bysshope this tyme in the Iuri. This Antigonus was son vn to Aristoboly. and on euery side he was fals. for he obeyed not to the Romans and a gret plage he brouaht vn to the land for to destruy Hircanus his vnkyll that he mygh regne kyng And so Hircanuu was expulsed. and Falelus wos kylled· and Herod wos flemyd. bot whē Herod come vn te Rome and told to the Senetours all thes thynges. The Emprour creatit hī kyng sēdīg with hī an host the wich toke ierusalem. And Antigonum the Bysshope taken led to Anthony the senetour the wich made hym sekyr. And so wos Herod confirmed in to his kīgdō. &̄ he a strang regned on the iues. And so the kīgdō of the iues seesyd as Iacob had said. Titꝰ liuiꝰ historicꝰ and [Page] Ouidius wer this tyme. Incipiūt imꝑatores augusti [...]et dictus est Augustus quia augebat populū.

OCtauian wos Emꝑour of rome lvij. yere vi. monethes and x. dayes. This Octauian Neuew to Iuly wen he wos a yonge man toke the Empire vpon hym. His florichyng youth he spend in were .v^M. batels he did. And chortly aft (er) mony batels he brought all the world in to on monarche: This mā had no felow: And in his dayes pees was ī all the world thurgh the prouision of the veray god: that the temporall pees myght glorify the Natiuite of our sauyour crist ihesu. This Octauian wos the fayrest man that myght be. and hegh in witt: the most fortunate in all thynges: and he lakked not the vice of his fleshly lust This man made all the world to be mesured. and the .lij. yere of his regne wos our lord Ihesu crist borne the sauer of this world: the wich granteth eternall pees to his louery ¶Hic nota secund ieroīmū. that Anna and Emeria wer sistirs. and of Emeria wos borne Elezabeth mother to Iohn̄ baptiste: & she wos fy [...]st wedded to Iochym of whom she toke Mari mother of crist ¶The secūd housbond wos Cleaphe: & he gat on hir Maria Cleaphe the wich wos wedded to Alphe. of whom procedid Iamys the lesse Symon Cananeus. Iudas Taddeus &̄ ioseph the wich is called Barsabas ¶The thrid tyme anna wos wedded to Salome. of whom she toke Mari salome. the wich was weddid to Zebedi. &̄ of them cō iamis the more and iohn̄ the Euāgelist. the first mari wedded ioseph brod (er) to Cleaphe a fore sayd. ¶Thys tyme Sibilla tiburtina ꝓphesied of crist And sayed to the Emꝑour august that he shold not trow that he was god aft (er) the fulychnes of the panyms. And ther she shewed hym a fayr virgyn in heuyn holdyng a chyld in hir armys & sayed to hī: This chyld is gret thē tho. & therfor do hī worshipe: ¶The [Page] Monch of Rome a bowt this time mightili encresed And whē it wos so that bi all the world in diuerse ꝓuynsis batiles wer rased sodanli all men meruellyng. they wersesid: & put them holly to the prince of rome. that opynly it myght be shewed: that sych a vniuersall peese come neuer by labur of batell. bot of the power of the veray god. That in his Natiuite peese shuld regne in all the world Herod Ascolonita wos kyng ī the Iuri xxxvij yere This Herod ydumeus wos the fyrst strang kyng that regned on the Iues: The maister ī historiis sayes he wos a nobull mā and faythfull in the begynnyng. and in all thyng he had hym nobully. He wos veray gentyll vn to the romans and to the pepil that louyd peese. And in his old age: when he wold awr mekyll pleese the Romans. And herd of the byrth of crist. dredyng to be expulsit of his kyndoom as a stranger wrycchitly he fell and kylled the Innosentis and diuerse of his own chylder. And at the last wos hatfull to all pepull. and fell seeke and died wret­chydly ¶Mari the mother of crist was borne a foor ethe Natiuite of crist. xvi yere. or ther a bowte.

¶Of Kymbalyn that wos Androgeus son a good man and well gouerned the lond of Bretan.

AFter the deth of Androgen regned Kymbalin his son y^t wos a good man and well gou (er)ned the lond in moch ꝓsperite and pees all his lyfes tyme and in his tyme wos borne Ihesu crist our sauyour of that swete virgin Marie This kyng Kymbalin had ij. sonnys Guidar & Armoger good kynghtes and worthy and when this kyng Kymbalyn had rogned xxij. yere then he died and lieth at London.

Xp̄s natꝰ ē ex virgine maria. an^o mūdi v^M C lxxx xviij.

IN the begynnyng of the xlij. yere of Octauian the Emperour the wich be gan to regne in marrhe. And the xxxi. yere of Herod. vij^C li yere after that rome was belded The sext moneth from the consauyng of Iohn̄ Baptist the viij. kalend of Aprill. The sext fery. at Nazareth of galalee of the virgin Mari wos ꝯsaued crist our saueour. & the same yere was borne.

And heir begyneth at Cristes natiuite the sext age duryng vn to the finall iugement of our lord god. hauyng yeres as mony as our lord knaweth ¶When y^t our lord Ihesu crist wos borne a well of oylle sprang be yonde Tybur by Rome: and ran all the day ¶The goldyn ymage fell the wich Romalus had made: and put it in his palas: sayng this y­mage shall not fall vntil a mayd beyr a chyld: ¶When Herod dissposed hym to kyll the chylder of israell. He was commanded by the letter of the Emperour to cum vn to rome. to onswer to the accusasion of his childir Alexiū and Aristoboli ¶And ther wer iij. herodes gretli spaken of: for ther yll dedis. The fyrst wos callid ascolonita. And vnd (er) this man was borne crist: and the chylder of israell wer slayn. The secund wos called Antipas. son to the fyrst Herod. vnder whom Iohn̄ baptyst wos hedit. and Crist suffyrd deth.

And thee thred wos called Agrippa: sone to aristoboly sone [Page] to the fyrst Herod: the wich kylled Iamys and presenyd Peter ¶The fyrst Herod when he saw his sonnys Alexium: and aristobolem thurgh the pretens of his letter by the Emperour send. striue for the succession off his kyngdom. He disposed and made Antipatron that wos hys fyrst be goten sō to be bi for them. and when they wer talkīg of the deth of ther fadir. he kest thē away. & they went to the Emprour to complayn of the wrong of ther fadre ¶And in thee meyn tyme the iij. kynges of Colan come by Herod vn to Ierusalem. And when that they come not a yene by hym. he thought that they war asshamed for to cum ayene by hym for be cause that they wer dessaued and that they fond not the chyld as he trowed. Therfor in the meynseson he sessed to kyll the chyldyr off israell. And than he went vn to Rome for thee citacion of the Emperour: and he toke his way by the cite of Tarsum. wher he brent the shyppes in the wich the iij. kynges of Colan shuld haue sailed in to ther own cuntre. ¶Then aft (er) a yere and certayn dayes: this Herod come fro rome a yen [...]e. acorded with his sonnis. and for the confirmacion of his kindō he wos made much boldyr. And then he kylled all the chyldir of Bethelem that wer of ij. yere of age and vndir· y^t had space of on nyght of aage. and emong thes was ther oon of his own chylder. And Aristobolus and Alexiū wer had suspeckyt. In so mych as they promysed a barbour a gret reward that he shuld take an [...] [...]ut ther faders throte when that he did hym shaue. And when this Herod herd this he was greued: & ther he kylled bothee his sonnys. and herod agrippa his son. he ordand to be kīg. wher foor Antipat (er) his holdest son wos a bout for to pusyn hys fadre the wich Herod agrippa vndyr stoed: and presenit ther hys brother the wich the Emprour herd and sayed that he had leueyr be an hog off Herodes then for tyll be on of his sonnys. For hys hoggys he sporeth. and his sonnys he kyllis. And when thatt [Page] Herod wos lxx. yere off age He wos strikyn with a gret sekenes in his hondes and in his feit and ī his mēbres that no leche myght cū to hym for stynke and so died So Antipater his sune in prison herd tell this: and ioyed gretly. And therfor that cause he wos slayn ¶Then stroffe Archelaꝰ an Herodes for the succescion of the fyrst Herod: a fore the Emꝑour The Emperour ther thurgh consell of the senetours: the half of the iuri & idumya gaffe to Archelaꝰ. vndir name of a tetrarche. The other partte he deuided ī to too: Galali he yaf to herod antippe. And Ituriā and Traconitidē he yaf to Philippe herods brether ¶And that same yere crist come frō Egippt: &̄ Archelaꝰ was accused mony tymes of the iues: and was exiled ī to viēnam ī to fraunce. & in that place wer set iiij: tetrarches to the repreuyng of the īstabulnes of the Iues ¶And y^t same yer Octouiā the emꝑour died

Anno Cristy xij.

IHesus crist at xij. yere of age herd the doctors ī the tēpull Our lord ihū crist at xxx yere of age was baptised. Ihesu crist the lord of all thynges

at xxxiij yere of age: and iij. monethes dyed for his seruandes: Anninus Rufus wos Bysshop ī y^e Iury a bowt this tyme Valerius graccꝰ wos after hym .xi: yere: this man opynly sold the bisshopryke: and he that most yaf had it: And so ther wos mony ī a litell while. Poncius Pilatus wos Iuge &̄ proctur ī the iuri vnder the Emꝑour &̄ vndyr this man: Iohn̄ thee baptist be gan for to preche ¶And our lord suffered deth: the wich he dampned to deth vn rightwisly for dreed of the Emꝑour [Page] Tyrus a certayn kyng gat a child on Pila a poer mās doughter the wich mā heght Atus & this child of his mod (er) name & his belser put to gedir wos called Pilatus This pilatꝰ y^e iiij. yere of his age wos send to his fad (er) the wich kyng of his lefull wyffe had gotten a child euyn of age with pilate. And because this lefull goten child as they ꝓceded in age excedit this basterd pilatꝰ [...]he was full of enuy & kyllid his brother: the lefull getyn child Wherfor his fad (er) send hym to Rome for plege for his tribute y^t he payed vn to rome. intendyng he wold neu (er) redeme hym ¶In the wich tyme the kynges son of fraunce wos pleage for his tri­bute. the wich excedid hym in strengthe & cheualri also he kylled hym. Therfor the romans send Pilate as a ꝓphetabull man for the commyn well. to the Ile of ponto. to taam the curssed pepull the wich kylled eu (er)y Iuge that come to them. And he that cursed man gou (er)ned that vnhappy pepull. what with thretyng and with ꝓmys and w^t law. and with yeftes that none of them durst contrary to his plesour wherfor he was called pilat of ponto ¶He­rod antipa yong in his conu (er)sacions. with yeftes and messīgers drew hym to hym: And made hym prince of the Iure vndir hym And this tyme pilat gedered mych money: And Herod not knawyng he went to rome. that he mygit res [...]ue of the Emꝑour y^t herod had yefen hym. Wherfor Herod and Pilat wer enmys to gedre. vn to the passion of our lord. when that pilat send Ihesus crist vn to herod clothed in a white cloth then they wer made frendys. Ouidius Naso in ponto a bout this tyme died the .iiij. yere of his exile. Tibirius this tyme wos emꝑour at rome &̄ he regned xxiij yere. And he leued ī the yere that our lord ihesu crist died and sūwhat after. This man was in all his werkes gret­ly a vised. that ther shuld be no thyng sodenli done. wysse in wer studious in bokis. fayr of spech. frech in witt Saue he wold oft tyme feyn hym selfe to do thyngis that he wold not wer done of od (er) ¶This emꝑour vndir stode and trasted in crist &̄ worshio [...]d [Page] hym for god. Sum men saieth at the last he wos cruell a yenes pepull. bot it wos a gret reson of pety that he was eu (er) gracius to his subiectis & poer men. And he had pees all his dayes. &̄ all pe­pull that saied ayenest cristyn folke with out ony mercy he destrued And he exiled Pilat for euer. then he decessed and a wors succedid hym. After Eusibe it is wretin our lord at xxx. yere of his age chose his xij. apostilis. the wich made our cred y^t is our beleue. And they made hit aft (er) the resureccion of crist: and aft (er) the holy gost was send vn to them. when thei had chosin Mathia the a postill and ich on of them made aꝑte as it is shewed heir aft (er). ¶And this mathia wos chosyn be twix y^e day of the ascension and witsonday in the place of Iudas scarioch y^e tratur of the wich iudes ī an histori is thꝰ red ¶Ther was a certayn man ī ierusalem y^t heyght Rubē and after sent Ierom he was of the tribe of Ysachar. and his wyfe het Ciborea: the wich on a c (er)tā night whē he wold lustili knaw his wife. she dremed y^t she shuld bere a child of myschef & y^t child shuld be a t̄t (ur) to his kīg & to all the peple of y^t regiō. &̄ when y^e chyld wos borne & called iudas. his fad (er) & his mod (er) abhorrit as well to kill ther child as to nurysh a trator to the kyng and all his pepull. Therfor they put hym in to a panyer or a leep in to the see. And he floyd to the ile of Scaryoth wher the lady of that place had no child by hir housband. & she fened hir to be with child bot she faled. And aft (er) in a lityll se­son the same lady & quene cōsaued a child of hir husbond. &̄ when that he wos of age. iudas mony tymes angred him &̄ caused hī to wepe y^e wich y^e quene sawe. And bet iudas mōy tymes. & after she knawlech that iudas wos not the kynges son ne hers. wherfor iudas kyllid the kyngꝭ son. & he dred the payn of the law. &̄ fled w^t c (er)tan exiles to Ierusalem. &̄ when he come ther he gat hym in to Pilates couurt that wos iuge. And because that oo cursed mā drew to an other therfor he drew to pilate. &̄ stoid gretly in hys fauoure. And vpon a certan day when pilat lokyt owt of hys [Page] pales ī to an orcherd of a mans that wos called Rubē the wych wos verey fad (er) to Iudas Pilat desired to haue appuls: & iudas went to gedre apuls & ruben ran to iudas for to lette hym because he toke his appuls w^t out ony leefe: and aft (er) y^t they had chyed. this iudas smot his fad (er) on the heed w^t a ston &̄ kylled him. and iudas fled a way secretly aft (er) y^t deed. bot is wos saied y^t ruben died sodenly: Then Pilat yaf to Iudas all y^e goodis y^t Rubē had & Ciboria Rubēs wife y^t was mod (er) to Iudas. And he delt not curtasly with hyr as a man shuld do w^t his wiffe: and for y^t she wepid & weiled for she had put hir son to the see: & y^t she was maried a yenest hir will. it was ꝑsaued that iudas had kylled his own fad (er) & weddie his own moder: Then Ciboria his mod (er) &̄ wife meuyd hī to leef his syn. And then he fol [...]ed crist. & he for gafe him his sinnys. &̄ made him his proctor &̄ a postel. and how fals he wos to crist it nedith not to rehersse. And that same yere Mathew wos chosin &̄ the holy gost wos send ī to them as is said afor The apostils or they wer sparpild ī to all the world they gedyrd them to ged (er) ī to Ierusalem. &̄ made the credo heir foloyng that is our belefe.

Petrꝰ

Credo ī deū patrē omnipotētē creatorem celi et terre

Andreas

Et in ihesum xp̄m filium eius vnicū dominū nrm̄

Iohānes

Qui cōceptus est de spiritu sc̄o natꝰ ex maria virgine

Iacobus

Passus sub pōcio pilato crufixꝰ mortuus et sepultus

Thōas

Descendit ad īfer­na tercia die resu­rexit a mortuis

Iacobꝰ

Ascendit ad celos sedet ad dexterā dei ptīs omnipotentis

Philippꝰ

Inde vēturus est. iudicare viuos et motuos

Bartholoꝰ

Credo in spiritum sanctum.

Matheꝰ

Sanctam ecclesiam catholicam.

Symon

Sanctorum commumonem remissio­nem peccatorum.

Iudas

Carnis resurec­cionem

Mathias

Et vitam eteernam

Amen.

[Page]IHesu crist our saiueour roos from deth to lyue and saied to his discipules all the power in heuen and erth is geuyn vn to me. And go ye thus ī to al the world and preche and teche wn to eueri creatur. And I shall be with yow to the end of thee world ¶Her he chose him lxxij discipules. And he had xij apostolis the wich he send ī to al the world to p̄che. ne it is not red that ther war mo ord (er)is emong the discipuls of crist. Of whom thee prestys and bysshoppis in the chirche of god yit kepe the forme. for to the appostill: the bisshoppis succede. and to the discipuls prestis. to the wich ij. ordirs all the chyrche is geuen as a godly gerarche. vt patet in decreto Damasie pape.

• Iohēs wrot in Asia ī greke lāgage In princi­pio erat verbum etcc.
• Lucas wrot ī grecia in greke lāgage Fuit in diebus herodis regis iude sac (er)dos etc
• Marcus wrot ī ytalia bot ī greke langage. Initiū euāgelii ihū cristi etcc
• Matheꝰ wrot in the Iuri ī hebru langage. Liber gen (er)acōis ihesu cristi &c

¶Her begyneth the ordir of popys of Rome: and continuys as the lyne of crist did afoor. for ī th [...] god l [...]st hi [...] [...]. Anno domini xxxiiij.

PEtur a Iue the fyrst pope wos a blissed man and a glo­rius postyll of crist: he wos heed of the chyrche after Ierom xxxvij yere. And he held his bisshoprik in the est v. yere and said masse he made our lord and alone said the pater noster ¶Thē after he come to Anthiociam. and ther he a boed vij yere techyng the way of trowth. and Symon magus he flemed a way. that seson he prechid to the pepull that wer circumsisit the wych wer in pōto of galati. Capadecia. Asia Bithinia ¶Thē he herd y^t Symon magus deludit the romans. thurgh the lufe of the faith he come to Rome in the iiij yere. of Claudius the emprour. and ther he preched the word of god. and shewd the falsed of Symon magus. and turned mony aman to the fayth. Then he send his prechours bi diuerse prouynse: by whom cristyn relegion was myghtyly encresed ¶He ordand the fest of lentyn a fore estyr. and the aduent. and the emyring dayes to be fastid of all cristē pepull in to the merour of the frist and the secund comynge of our lord. Then when he had be pope at Rome xxv yere & vij moneths & viij dayds: he was slayn of Nero. eiꝰ plurima oꝑa vide actibꝰ apostolo (rum). Gayus this tyme wos Emprour at rome and regned iij. yere and x monethes This Gayus wos full vicius in leuyng for ij of his own systres he mysused and on of them hee gat a doughter. wich child he set be twix the keis of Iupit (er) in the tempull. and fened afterward that iupat (er) had be gettyn hyr wher­foor he did cry thurgh the cuntre that all men shuld worshyp hyr as a goddesse ¶This mon also made an ymage like hym self and send it to oon Patronie presedent at ierusalem vndir the romans cōmaundyng hym that he shuld compell the Iues to doo worship therto. And for thes enormytes and mony other owr lord suffyrd hym to be slayn at Rome in his own pales.

¶Of kyng Gynder that was kymbalin son that wold nott pay the treuage to Rome for the land that Cassibalon had granted and how he wos slayn of a romayn

ANd after the deth of this Kymbalin regned Gynder hys sun a good man and a worthe and wos of so hygh hert y^t he wold not pay to Rome that tribute that kyng Cassibalon had graunted vn to Iulius Cesar: wherfor the Emprour that wos tho that wos called Claudius cesar: wos sore annoyed and ordāt a gret power of remans and com in to this land for to conquere the tribute thurgh strength and for to haue it on the kyng: but this kyng Gynder and Armager his brether assembled and gedired a gret host yfere of Britons and yaf bataell to the Emprour Claudius and kylled of the romans gret plente: The emprour had afterward one that wos called Hamon that saw ther pepull theer whaerfast slayn and preuali kest a way his own armes and toke the armes of a d [...]ed breton and armed him with his armuro and come in to the batell to the kyng: and sayed in this maner Syr be ye good of hert for goddis loue for the romans that be your enmys anone shall be slayn and discumfited euerychon: &̄ the kyng yaf no kepe vn to his wordes ne his speche for because of the armes y^t he had vpon hym and wened it had be a Briton but the tratour eu (er) held hym next the kyng: and preualy vnder the shulders of his armes he smot the kyng wherfor he was deid and fell doune to the erthe: Whan Armag (er) saw his brother deid he caste away his armes and toke to hym his brothers armes and come in to the botaill among the Britons & bad them hertely for to fight and fast lay a doune the Romans: and for the armes they wened it had be kyng Gynd that afore wos slayn that they wyst not: then begone the Britans fersly for to fight and kyld the romans so at the last the Emprour for soke the felde &̄ flede as fast os he myght with his folke in to wynchestre and the fals traitour Hamon that had slayn the kyng fast anone gan for to [Page] fle with all the hast that he myght and Armager the kynges bro­ther pursued him full fersly with a fers hert and drofe hym vn to a water and ther he toke hym: and anone smot of bothe hand &̄ hede and feet and hewed the body all to peces and tho let cast him in to the water wherfor that water was called Hamanus hauen and afterward ther was made a fayr toune that yet standeth y^t is called southamton And afterward Armager went to Wynchestre for to seke Claudius cesar the Emprour of Rome and ther Armager hym toke: and Claudius the emprour thurgh concel of his romans that with him left a lyue made pees with armager in this maner as ye shall here that is to say how that Claudius the Emprour shuld yeue vn to armager Gennen his fair doughter for to haue to wife so that this land fro that tyme forward shuld be in the empreurs poer of rome uppon suche conueant that neuer afterward no Emprour of Rome shuld take none other tribute of this land bot only feaulte and they wer acorded And vpon this conand Claudius cesar sent to reme for his doughter Gennen and when she wos comen claudiꝰ cesar yaf hir to Armager to wife and armag (er) spoused hir at london with mych solempnite &̄ myrth & tho was Armager crouned & made kīg of Britan

¶Of kyng Armager in whose tyme sent Petre preched in Antiochie with other apostoles in diu (er)se cuntreis.

THis Armager regned well and worthely and the lond gou (er)ned: and Claudius cesar in remembrans of this acord and for reu (er)ence and honour of his dought (er) made in this lond a fair toune and a castell and let call the toune after his name Claucestren that now is called Gloucestre and when this wos all done the Emprour toke his leue and tho went to Rome and Armager tho was kyng and gou (er)ned the lond well and nobely all his lifes tyme and this Armag (er) gat a son of his wife thatt wos called Westmer &̄ whiles that this Armager regned sent Petre preched in Antioche and ther he made a nobull chyrche in [Page] the wich he sat fyrst in his chair and ther he dwelled vij. yere &̄ aft (er) he went to Rome and was made pope till that Nero the Emprour let martir him: and tho preched opanly all the apposteles in diu (er)se landes the right fayeth And when Armager had regned xxiiij. yere he died and lieth at london.

¶How kyng westmer yaf to Berynger an yland forlet and ther this berynger made the toun of Berewike.

ANd after this Armager regned his son Westmer that wos a good man &̄ a worthy of body & well gou (er)ned the land. Hit befell so that tydyng come to him on a day that the king Rodrik of Gascoine was come in to this land with a houge host of pepull and wos duellyng in staynsmore And when kyng westmer herd tho tydynges he let assemble an houge host of britans and come to the kyng Rodrik & yaf hym batall &̄ kyng westmer kylled rodrik with his own hondes in playn batall And whē kyng rodrikes men saw that ther lord wos deid they yolden them all to the kyng westmer &̄ bicome his men for eu (er) more &̄ he yaf them a cōtre that wos forleten wher ī they myght duell &̄ thed (er) they wēt &̄ duelled ther all ther lifes tyme &̄ ix^C men ther were of them &̄ no mo left at that batell. Ther gou (er)ner and prince wos called beringer and a nō he began a toun y^t they myght ther ī duell & haue resoorte and let call the toune Birewyke vpō twede and ther they duelled & become riche but they had no women amonges them &̄ the bretons wold not yef ther doughtres to thestrangers wherfor they went ower see in to Irland and brought with them women and ther they them spoused but the men koud nat vnd (er) stond ther langage ne the speche of thes women &̄ therfor they spoken to geder as scottes and aft (er)ward thurgh changyng tber lanhages. in all fraunce they war called tho scottet and so shulde that folke of that cuntre be called for euer more

¶How kyng Westmer let arere a stone in the entring of westmerland ther that he slew rodrik and ther he begon fyrst housing

[Page] ANd aft (er) this bataill that is aboue saied whē Rodrik wos deid kyng westmer in remēbrance of his victorie let arere ther be sydes the way a gret stone on hygh and yet hit standeth &̄ eu (er)more shall stand & he let graue ī the stone lettres y^t thꝰ saied The kyng westmer of britonne killed in this place Rodrik hys emmny ¶And this westmer was the fyrst that bylded house & toune ī westmerland & at y^t stone begīeth westmerlond y^t westmer let call aft (er) his own name ¶And whē westmer had so done he duelled all his lyfes tyme ī that contre of westmerlōd for he loued that cūtre more then ony other cōtre And when he had regned xxv. yere he died and lieth at Carleill.

¶Of kyng Coill that wos westmer son that held his lond in pees all his lifes tyme.

AFter this kyng westmer regned his son Coill a good mā. &̄ a worthi &̄ of good cōdiciōs & well gou (er)ned his lōd & off all me he had loue &̄ pees & ī his tyme wos neu (er) cōtake debate nor were ī Britan & he regned and wos kīg in pees all his lifes tym & whē he had bene kyng xi. & ere he died an lieth at yorke.

CLaudiꝰ wos emꝑour at rome next aft (er) Gayꝰ: &̄ he reg­ned xiiij. yere &̄ viij. dayes This mā come ī to gret bre­tan now called englōd for to chalāge the tribut wich thei did deni vn to the romans &̄ aft (er) gret batels ther wos be twix y^e emꝑour Claudiꝰ: and Armag (er) kīg of britan. and aft (er) a cordmēt made y^t this Armag (er) shuld wed Claudiꝰ doughter &̄ after thes ij. shuld eu (er) life ī pees. ī tokē wher of this claudiꝰ named the cite wer they wer weddid after hī & called it Claudicestre: we call it Gloucestre ¶This Claudiꝰ had iij. wifes: & on Petiua the fyrst wyf he gat a doughter y^t heyght Antōia The first wife decessed &̄ he weddit messalinā and gat a son y^t height britanicꝰ &̄ octauia a dought The thrid he wedit agrippma: hauīg a son y^t height nero Claudiꝰ wedit his doughter octauia to nero his wifes son: this [Page] claudiꝰ for luf y^t he had to agrippma his last wife he killed messalina his fyrst wife. lest she shuld haue holp britanicꝰ hir son & his to the empyre. yet agrippma the last wife of Claudius dred lest hir housband wold haue proferred Britanicus and haue deposed Nero his son. Therfor she poysunied hir housband Claudius and Nero was ꝓmotit to the Empire and this s [...]me Nero yaf his mother sich a reward a yene. for he poysunied britanicū and kyld his own motber and his wife octauia. Iamys the more the apostil this time was slaī of Herod agrippa & Petre wos presīd. vt (pꝪ)patet actuū 12. ¶The body of sent Iamys by myracull wos brought in to Galeciam of spayn. Nero after claudiꝰ wos emꝑour & he regned xiij. yere & vij monethis This nero wos a cursid mā &̄ made gret wast ī the empire: he wold not fish bot with nettis of gold and ropis of sylke. a gret part of the lordis off Rome he kylled. he wos enmy to no men bot to good men. he kylled his brod (er) &̄ his wife. his mother and his master. he killed also Petre and Paule. he wold neu (er) wer on cloth ij. timys. all his horsse and his mulis wer shod w^t sylu (er). And at the last he did set an gret ꝑte of Rome on fyere. sū says to se how Troy brened. and sum sayeth the romans cōplayned the stretes wer to narow. and whē he had brent a gret part of rome. Nero sayd ther wos space to bild ther stretis wyd (er). then the Senatours w^t the cōmyn pepull com vpō him to kyll hym. and he fled by nyght ī to subbarbis of the Cite and hid him a mong the vines. And he hered karlys and begers cū bi hym &̄ sayed & they wist wher the Emꝑour war he shuld neu (er) skape them. Nero thought it shuld be gret derogacion to his name & he wer slayn of chorlys. And on a gret stake he ran hī self to the hert and died &̄ ther wos bereid. & dules keped his body mōy a day after. &̄ did gret hurt to the pepull. tyll by a myracull of our lord y^e bodi wos fond &̄ take a way: &̄ then the dules voydet Seneca wos this tyme mast (er) to Nero. Iuuenalis peeta. Lucanus poeta.

[Page]Iacobꝰ y^e las y^e apostil bisshop of ierlm̄ wos slaī of y^e iues y^e sext yere of nero. y^e euāgelist marcꝰ wos mart (er)ed first yer of hī

Circa annū cristti lxxiiij.

LInus Ytalicus wos pope of Rome x. yere and iij mone­this and xiij. dayes This Linus & his successari Cletꝰ thurgh ther holy cōu (er)saciō war made to mynist (er) the tresur of y^e cherche to the pepull. Petre beyng a liue: and pet (er) attendit to pray and prechyng It is red of this Cletus that he wrot fyrst in hys lettris Salutē et apostolicā bn̄diccōem ¶Afoor this tyme wer mōy a discipul of petre slayn vnd (er) Nero Galba this tyme wos emꝑour & he regned vij. monethis. This mā wos made emꝑour bi the pouer of spayn ī the same land. Nero leuyng. and aft (er) y^e deth of Nero brought to Rome. &̄ ther wos slaī of amā y^t come w^t whete to rome. he smot of his heed & bore it to him y^t wos emꝑour next. seyng all his mē &̄ nōe of them helpyng him ¶In this mānys days com the gret retriciō to rome fro spayn & wos fyrst that eu (er) taught y^e science opynli. his name wos Quītilian Otho regned aft (er) hym. &̄ he regned bot iij. monethes. for on vitellus y^t wos presedent of fraunce chalanged the empyre· and in Itali be tuyx thes tow wer iij: gret batels and ī y^e fourth batel Otho saw he shuld be ower cūmyn. and ī gret dispare he kiled him self. Vitellus regned aft (er) this Otho and he regned viij. moneth for he was a foloer of Nero most speciall ī glotony. &̄ ī synging of fowll songes. and at festis ettyng out of mesur that he myght not kepe it. Vaspasianus regned nex aft (er) him ix. yere &̄ x monethis & xij. dayes The wele gou (er)ned men of rome seīg the cursit successiō of nero: send aft (er) this vaspasian vn to Palystī. for ther he wos & his son Titꝰ wich had beseged ierusalē. &̄ whē he herd y^t Nero was deid by whom he wos send vn to Ierusalem and herd of thes cursed men regnyng at the instance of the wise men of rome not wyllely toke vpon hym the Empire. and a none as he was commyn to Rome he ower come this tyrand Otho and let [Page] hym be draw thurgh rome. and aft (er) in tybyr tyll he wos deid. and then let hym saile with owt sepulture. for this the pepull desiered ¶This man was curit of waspes in his nose a none as he be­leued in our lord ihū. and that wos thecause why he went to Ierusalem to venge cristes deth. xxxij tymes he fought with his enmis and died the yere of grace lxxix.

Anno domini lxxxiiij.

CLetus amertyr wos pope xi yere. This Cletus wos a ro­man and gretly he loued pylgramage to senctis. sayng it wos more prophet to the helth of mannys sowle. to visit the place that sent Petre wos in: then to fast ij yere. He cursed all tho men lettyng sych pylgramech or concellers contrari therto. at the last he wos martired vnd (er) Damician the emprour. Titus son to vaspasianus wos emꝑour this tyme. and regned iij. yere and he a bode styll at ierusalem aft (er) the aleccion of his fadre. and dist­rued the cite and killed ther as the stori saieth with batall & hungyr xiC.M. Iues and an C.M. he toke. and sould xxx for a peny. be cause they sold crist for xxx penys: and brought thens althing that wos precious. and put them in his house at Rome wich wos called Templum pacis. bot now is that place fall down for the most ꝑty: and all thes gret Iuels be distributit to certā cherchis in Rome. ¶This Titus w [...]s so full of u (er)tu that al men louyd hym. so ferforth that they clepit hym the most delecta­bull of men. he wosfull liberall to all men in so mych that he said oftī tymes: that ther shuld no man go fro an emꝑour with a he­uy hert. bot he shuld sumwhat haue of his peticion. he wold be sori that day in the wich he had granted no man ne no benefite. when that he wos deid eueri man that wos in Rome weppyd for hym as that they had lost ther fadre.

Domycian brother to Titꝰ regned aft (er) hī xiiij yere & v. monethes. fyrst he wos esy. and aft (er)ward full vnresonabull: for mich of the senate wos distruid bi his malis. & also mich of his kynrad [Page] he began the secund persecucion after Nero ayenst cristyn men: In the wich persecucion Iohn̄ the Euangeliste was exiled in to Pathius after the Emprour had put him in to an tun of oyle brinnyng and hurt hym not. So thys man was not the folower of his fadir vaspasian ne his brother Titus. bot rather like Nero and his kynred. And for thes wicked condicions he wos slayn in his own palace at Rome in xxvij. yere of his age Clemens a martir wos pope ix. yere and he succedid Cletus This Clemens fyrst of sent Petre as it is saied wos ordand to be successari to hym· And for ꝑell he wold Lynū and Cletum shuld be popis a for him. lest that thurgh that ensampull prelatis shuld ordane vndir them who sum euer they wold. ¶This man made the lyfe of Martirs to be wreten be regions. and he made mony bokys: he ordant that a child sh̄uld be confirmed as soon os it myght manerly after it was cristyned. and at thee last he was martired vndir Traian.

Nerua wos Emprour after Domician on yere and ij. mone­thes. and when he was chosen he meuyd the senat to make a law that all thyng wich Domician commandit to be keped. shuld be brokyn. by wich meane sent Iohn̄ Euangelist wos lowsit out of his exile and suffred to cum ayen to Ephase This man did a nother thyng right commendabull. that he assined so wise a man as Traian wos to gou (er)ne the pepull after hym Nota Traianus hyspanicus was Emprour xix. xere This Traiā mony men sayed he wos the best emong all the emprours bot ī on thyng alon he was vicius. in so mych as he for the luff of the fals goddis wos a bout to distruy the cristyn fayth: iugyng in hī self so: most to plese god. Sum men sayth not by hym self bot by other he ꝑsued cristē fayth. &̄ ī y^e end of his lyfe he did bot few to deth. ¶And al his lauuīg I set at noght. bot at Sent Grego­ri meuyd with pytte wepyng and prayed vn to owr lord god for hym y^t he wold haue marci vpō hī &̄ bi his prayer haue hī out [Page] of hell: in to wich place he was damned. And now if he be saued or not. agret alteracion is emong docturs. And to vs that writes croneclis is no part of our charge to determyn. Bot all the est part of the world babulon. Selencia. Te vtter partes of thee ynde. Germayne the secund after Alexander he held vndyr ¶In all thes thinges so peteus and so mekly he gydid hym: to euery man as a kyng. he wos gentyll. &̄ to no man vngētill y^e wich is red of few. All his dayes he leued that he wos the most worthe man in all his empyre. And he thought and saied eu (er) more that no man wos more vn worthy to be emprour then he.

Anno domini .C.iiij.

ANacletus a martir wos pope ix yere and he was a greke he monyschyd all cristen men. that prestes shuld be wors­shipped a bown all other men. sayng that prestys doyng sacrifice to god shuld be borne out. and not vexid bot be worshipp [...]d. and prestys when they sayed masse they shuld haue witnes with them an namly bisshoppis ¶Also he decreid that clerkys shuld wer no berdys ne long haer. also that a Bisshop shuld be consecrityt of iij. and diuerse other thynges at the last the xij yere of Traiā he wos martyred and beried by the body of sent Petre ¶Ple­uius the secund oratory: &̄ phelosophur wrot mych thynges This man meuyd Traian that he shuld with draw the sentens yeffen a yene cristen folke. writtī to hym that they shuld do no ill bot take heed to the vertu. bot that they shuld rise a foor day and wors­hip ther: secretly in the nyght.

Evaristus a greke and a Martir wos x. yere vij. monethes pope after Anacletus. This man ordand that man and womā shuld be weddit opynly. and at the shuld be blyssed opynly off thee prest and fadre and mother And he was martired thee .iij. yere off Adrian and beried by sent Petre Alexander a Ro­man was Pope viij. yere and v monethes This Alexandre the most parte off thee Senetours he conuerted vn to our lord [Page] And he ordant that holy water shold be kest in cristyn menys howses. and that bred to syng with shuld be made of clere bred. & y^t ī a litill quantite. At the last he was martird vnd (er) Adrian that wos the Emprour and mony of them he conuerted to the faythe. Sixtus a Roman wos pope x. yere and iij. monethes. This man ordant sanctus sanctus sanctus etc. shuld be sayed in the masse: and at the holy thynges of the chirche shuld not be towched bot of mynisteris of the cherche. Also that the corpraxe shuld not be made of sylke. bot of puere lyn cloth wouen and not died. and that a woman shuld not toche the holy vessell off the awter ne the pall. ¶Also he ordand that if any bisshoprik wer vacant. that no byshope shuld be resaued in to his benefice bot w^t y^e popis lett (er)is. also y^t no masse shuld be sayed bot on an awter. &̄ at y^e last he wos martred. Adrianus wos Emprour xxi: yere This adrian in mony thynges is commendit: to cristē mē other while he was graciꝰ. &̄ certayn of them that wold not do sacrifice to the fals godes he kylled. he was a vniusall mā almost in all sciens: pees he had all his dayes bot with the Iues: &̄ mōy a law he made ¶And than he commandet that cristyn mē shold not be dampned to deth bot with dew processe. Ierusalem he sub­duid a yene: &̄ prohibyt that no Iue shuld dwell ther in. bi no wisse: Cristyn men he suffred ther to dwell. ayenes his will hee come to the empire. bot he gou (er)ned him veray well. When the senetours prayed hym to call his son Emprour after hym. he sayed it is enough to me that ayenest my will I haue regned. whē I haue not de (ser)ued. for the empire of rome shuld not go bi successiō of blod bot to sich men as deserues it. thurgh ther merittis. mōy tymes he regnes vn vertuisly that is a kyng borne· and vertu shuld cū be foor his kyngdom Eustachius otherwyes called Placidus. and therospita hys wiffe and ij. of ther sonnys▪ [Page] of whom meruelus thynges be red wer martird bi y^e cōmādment of Adriā. This placidꝰ wos master of the emꝑours knyghtes ¶Ierusalem wos restorid be Adrian and made largyr: so y^t the place wher crist died wos with in the wallis. the wich wos with owt befoor. And this is the thrid beldyng a yene of that ci­te. for it wos thries destrued .s. of Caldeis in the tyme of Ze­dechie. of Anthiacus in the tyme of Machabeorum. and of Titus in the tyme of vaspasian.

Anno domini .C.xliiij.

TElesphorus a roman wos pope xi. yere This man ordand this Angels ymne to be song in the masse .s. Gloria in excelsis deo etc. and the gospell to be red a fore the sakring: and on cristynmes day iij. masses to be songne. And he ordand ther shuld no masse be sayed a foor iij: of the cloke. and at the last he wos martird: and beried at Sent Petrus Ignius a greke was pope iiij: yere This man ordand that a chyld shuld haue a godfather and a godmother at baptim and confirmacion ¶Also that no Archebysshop exceppit the pope shuld condem­ne his suffrigan bot yf that the cause wor shewed in the prouynciall cōcell of bisshoppis. thē he wos martird & beried at petrus. Anthonius Pius wos Emprour xxij. yere with hys sonnys Aurolio and Lucio. This man was myghtyly wysse: a naturalli fair of speche. the wich lyghtly ī on mā is not found. nota. Excedyng men in wysdome commynly ar not fayre speched ner peesfull namely off nature. nor contrariwyes. Excedynge men in fayer spechee commynly ar les then wyse. This man was meued with bothe thes properteys. Therfor mony kyngdomys the wych recedid from other Emprours wyllely to thys man turned a yene: And to cristī mē wos nō so gentyll. He sayed thurgh the ensampull of Cipio: I had leuer kepe on heyre of a man then kyll an hundreth of my enmys. And sū mart (er)s wer made [Page] vnder hym. bot it wos made thurgh the commandement of thee Emprours a for. ¶And the cristyn pepull wor so hayetfull vn to the Bisshopis and to the prestes of the tempull of the fals goddys: that the prouoked the Princes all way a yenes them. For they supposid that the cristen fayth shuld destruy them. ¶Therfor it wos no meruell all though y^e prīce wos ilplesed for they saied all ther goddis wor dules: yf lawyr Iugis pursuit cristen folke. and martired them. ¶This tyme x^M: martres wor crucified in Armenia in a hegh hill called arath Pompeꝰ trogꝰ. isto tempore historias tocius orbis a nino vsque ad octaui a [...]um deduxit.

Anno domini .C.liiij.

PIus italicꝰ wos Pope xi. yere & iiij. monethes and xij. dayes This man ordend the fest of ester euer more shuld be halued on the sonday. And also an heritike commyng fro the selite of the iues shuld be res [...]ued. &̄ be baptisit Then he wos mar­tired and beried in Sent po [...]s Auicetꝰ wos pope after Pi [...]s almost x. yere This man made mony decrees of the canon and for bisshopis vt ī ca· violatores etc. Galienꝰ a lech getyn ī [...]gamo wos in gret fame at rome the wich not allonli exponed the bokes of ypocras bot he put mony of them to his bokes. And of this man is saied for his discrete abstynens the wich he hused he leued an .C.xl yere. he neu (er) ete ne dranke his fyll. n [...] abs [...]inē ci [...] he neu (er) toke raw frutis: alwa [...] he had a sweit brethe. he died a lonli thurgh age and no seknes Marcus Antoniꝰ the trew. &̄ Lucius Comodꝰ wer Emprours xix. yere Thes ij toke the em­pire after Antoni the meke. And then began ij. ēprours to regne: bot Luciꝰ comedꝰ decessed. and Antoni wos empror ther a lone the wich wos a victorius man and a nobyll Bot that hee made the iiij ꝑsecucion to kyll cristyn men. This marcus wos of so gret sadnes and stedfastnes that for no chawnce he loogh neu (er): ne changed no cheir: nother for gladnes ne for sorow. [Page] ¶And when he wos a childe he wos of sich manhoed that on a certayn tyme whē he loked his tresor &̄ had not the wich he myght giffe his knyghtes &̄ his men: when he went to fight ayenes the Germans: the Sclauos &̄ Sarmatas. he wold hurt ne greue no body: bot had leu (er) to sell his wifes goldyn vessell. & hir araymēt. hir beddyng all hir riall stufe: thē take tax of the senetours or of his ꝓuynce vnd (er) hym. bot he gat the victori of his enmys: and recou (er)ed all ayene: and relesed the ꝓuyncis of ther tributis. And thos that wold sell hym his wefes tresor ayene· he restored them ther monay. and thos that wold not he neu (er) greued them. bot the tabuls of ther dettys be twix hym and them. he briynt opynli in the marketh place and changed them at they helped hī ī his necessite

¶How kyng Lucie regned aft (er) his fadre that was a good mā and after he become cristen.

AFter kyng Coill regned Lucie his son that was a good man to god &̄ to all the pepull. he sent to Rome to the appostell Eulēthre that tho was pope and saied that he wold become a cristen man and resaue baptym in the name of god. and turne to the right faieth and beleue ¶Eulenthre sent .ij. legats that wer called Pagan an other Elibayn in to this lond and bapti­sed the kyng &̄ all his mayne and after went from toune to toun and baptised the pepull tyll al the land was baptised and this wos in the yere: C.lvi. after the incarnacion of our lord Ihū crist. And this kyng Lucie made tho in this land ij. arche bisshoppes on at Canterberi an other at Yorke and other many bysshoppis that yet be in this lond ¶And when thes ij. legates had bap­tised all this land they ordeyned prestys fer to baptise chyldren &̄ for to make the sacrament and after they went ayene to rome &̄ the kyng dulled in his land and regned with mekyll honour xij. yere and after died and lieth at Glocestre.

¶How this lād wos lōg w^t out a kīg & how britōs chose a kīg

[Page]THis kyng Lucie had none heire of his body begoten thatt was after ward gret harme and sorow to the land. For aft (er) this kīg Lucis deth none of y^e gret of y^e lond wold suffre an other to be kyng but leuyd in were and debate emonges them selfe .l. yere with out kyng But it befell afterward y^t a gret prīce come fro rome in to this land that was called Seuerie. nought for to were: bot for to saue the right of rome. But nerthe les he had not duelled half a yere ī this land bot that the bretons hym kylled: and when tho of rome wist that Seuerie wos so slaī they sent an other gret lord in to this lond that wos called Allec y^t was a strong man and a myghty of body &̄ duelled ī this land long tyme & did moch sorow to the bretons. so that aft (er) for pure malece they chosen them akyng emenges them that wos cald astlepades & assemled a gret host of bretons and went to London to seche Allec and ther they fond him and killed hym and all hys felows & one y^t wos called walon defendid hym fersely & fought long w^t the bretons but at the last he was discōfited &̄ the bretōs toke him and bond hym handes & feet and cast hym in to awater wherfor that wat (er) afterward was called eu (er)more walbroke. ¶Tho regned Astlepades in pees till on of his Erles y^t wos called Coill made afair toune ayenes the kynges wyll and let call the toune Colchestre aft (er) his own name wherfor the kīg wos full wroth & thought to destruy him and begon to were vpō hym &̄ brought gret pouer of mē & yaf the erle batell & the Erle defendid hym fersly with his power: &̄ slew the kyng him self ī that bataill &̄ tho wos Coill crowned and made kyng of this land. ¶This Coill regned and gou (er)ned the reame well and nobilli for he wos a nobull man and welbeloued among the bretons When tho of rome herd that Astlepades was slayn they wer wō der glad and sent an other gret prince of Romans that wos cal­led Constance and he come to the kyng Coill for to chalengf the tribute y^t wos wōt to be payed to rome. And y^e kīg answerd wel [Page] and wisely and sayed that he wold pay to rome all that right and reson wold with full good wyll And so they acorded tho with good will and with out any contake and so bothe they dueled to ged (er) in loue ¶The kyng Coill yaf to hym his doughter Elene vn to haue hir to his spouso that wos bothe fair and wise and good &̄ weli lettred. And this Constance spoused hir ther with moch ho­nour. and it befell sune afterward that this kyng Coill dyed in the xiij. yere of his regne and lieth at colchestre entired.

¶Of kyng Constance that wos a Roman that was chosen kyng aft (er) the deth of coyll for as mych that hed spoused Elene y^t wos kyng Coill doughter

AFter this kyng coill Constance was made kyng &̄ crouned for as mych that he had spoused kyng coilles doughter that wos heir of the land the wich constance regned well &̄ wortheli gou (er)ned the land and he begat of his wife Elene a son that wos called constantine & this kīg bore trew faieth and trewly did vn to them of Rome all his life: and when he had regned xv: yer then he died and lieth at yorke

¶How constantine y^t wos kīg constancis son &̄ y^e son of seynt Elin gou (er)ned and ruled the land and was Emprour of rome

AFter kyng constance deth regned constantine his son and the son of sent Eline that fond the holy crose in the holy land and how constantine become Emprour of Rome. Hit befell so in that tyme ther was an emprour at rome that wos a Sarzyn &̄ a tyrant thas wos called Maxence that put to deth all that beleued in god &̄ destruyed holy chrche by all his pouer and slew all cristen men that he myght fynd. And emong all other he let marter sent Katrin & mony other cristī pepull that had drede of deth y^t fled &̄ come in to this lond to kyng constantine and told hym of the sorow that Maxence did to cristīte wherfor Constātine had pitte and gret sorew made & assemled a gret host and agret pouer and went ouer vn to Rome and ther toke the cite and kylled all [Page] that ther wos in. that wer of mysbeleue that he myght ther fynde And tho wos he made Emprour and was a good man and gou (er) ned hym so well that all londes to hym wer attendaunt for to be vnd (er) his gouernance ¶And this duell &̄ tyrant Maxence y^t tyme wos in the land of Grece and herd this tydynge hee become wode and sodanly he died and so he endid his lyfe when Constā tine went from this land vn to rome he toke with hym his mod (er) Elyne for the moch wisdom that she coude and iij. other gret lordes that he most loued that on was called Hoell and an other was called Taberne and the thrid Morhin and toke all his lōd to kepe vn to the Erle of Cornwaill that was called Octauian ¶And anone as this Octauian wist that his lord was duellyng at Rome he seised all the land in to his hand and ther w^t did all his will among hygh and law and they held hym for kīg whan this tydynges come to Constantine the Emprour he was wonder wroth toward the erle octauian and sent Taberne wyth xij^M. men for to destruye the Erle for his falsenes and they ariued at portesmouth ¶And when octauian wist that: he assē ­led agret pouer of bretons and discōfited Taberne: and taberne fled thens in to Scotland and ordened ther a gret pouer and com ayene in to this land an other tyme for to yef batell to Octauiā ¶When octauian herd tell that: he assemled a gret power and com ayen towardes Taberne as moch as he myght so that thos ij. hostys metten to gedre vpō stanysmore and strongly smot to gedre. and tho wos octauian discomfited and fled thens vn to Norway and Taberne seysed all the land ī to his hand tounes &̄ castelles & as moch as they ther had. And sith octauian come a yen fro norway w^t a gret pouer &̄ seised all the land ī his hand & drofe out all the romans and wos tho made kyng and regned.

¶How Maximian that was the Emprours cosyn of Rome spoused Octauians doughter and wos made kyng of this land

[Page]THis Octauian gouerned the land well and nobully but he had none heir saufe a doughter that was a yong chyld that he loued as moch as his lyfe: and for as mych thatt he waxed seke and wos ī poynt of deth & myght no longer regne he wold haue made one of his nepheus to haue ben kyng the wich was a nobull knyght and a strong man y^t wos called Conan meriedoke &̄ he shuld haue keped the kynges doghter &̄ haue maried hir whē tyme had bene but the lordes of the land wold not suf­fer it but yaf hir councell to be maried to sum hygh mā of gret ho­nour and than might she haue all hir lust And the cōsell of thee Emprour Constantyne hir lord. and at this counsell they ac­corded and chose tho Cador of cornwaill for to wende to y^e emꝑ­our for to do this message &̄ he toke the way &̄ went to rome & tolde the emprour this tydyng well &̄ wysely &̄ the emꝑour sent in to this land w^t him his own cosyn y^t wos his vnkyll son a nobull knyght and a strong that wos called Maximian and he spoused Octauians doughter and wos crouned kyng of this land.

¶How Maximian that wos the emprours cosyn conquered the land of Amorican and yaf it to Conan meriedok.

THis kyng Maxmian becom so riall that he thoght to conquere the land of Amarican for the gret riches that he herd tell that wos in that land so that he ne left man that wos of worthines knyght squyer ne none othir man that he ne toke with him to gret damage to all the lond for he left at home behynde him no man to kepe the land bot toke them with hym fro this land xxx^M knyghtes that wer doughty menys bodies and went ouer ī to the land of Amorican & thor slew the kyng y^t was called Imball & cōquered all the lond ¶And whē he had so done he cald Conan &̄ said for as mich os kīg Octauian haue made yow kīg of bretō & thurgh me ye werlett and distrobled y^t ye wer not kīg I yeue yow this land of amorican and yow ther of maketh the kynge [Page] ¶And for as moch as ye ben a Breton I wyll that thys land haue the same name and no more be called Amorican but bi called litell bretan. and the land fro whens we ben comen shall be called moch bretan ¶And so shall men knaw that on bre­tan fro that other. Conan meridok thanked him hendely and so wos he made kyng of lytell bretan. ¶And when all this was done Maximian went fro thens vn to Rome and was tho made Emprour after constantine and Conan meriedok duelled in ly­tell bretan with mych honour and ther let ordand ij.M. plough men of the land for to erie the land to harow it and for to sowe it and [...]effed hem richely after that they wer. ¶And for as miche os kyng Conan and none of his knyghtes ne none of his other pepull wold not take wyfes of the nacion of fraunce hee tho sent in to gret breten to the Erle of cornwaill that men cald Dionothe y^t he shuld che [...]e thurgh out all this land xi^M. of madens that is to say viij^M. for the mene pepull and iij^M. for thee grettest lordes that shuld them spouse. ¶And whē Dionoth vnd (er) stode this he made acōmandement thurgh out all the land of bretan and as mony os the nōbro come to he assemled to ged (er) of maydens: for ther wos no man that durst withstonde his com­mandmētes for as mich that all the land was take hym to warde and to kepe to done all thinge that him good liked ¶And when thes maydens wer assemled he let them cum be fore iym att London and let ordan for them shippes hasteli &̄ os mich as thē neded to that vyage and toke his own doughter that wos called vrsula: that wos the fayrest creature thot any man wyft and he wold haue sent hir to kyng Conan that shuld haue spoused hir &̄ made hir quene of the land. but she had made preuali to god a vowe of chastyte that hir fadre not wyst ne no other man els that wos leuyng vpon ethr.

¶How vrsula and xi.M. maydens that wer in hir company went toward litell bretan and all they wer martired at Coloyn

THis vrsula chose vn to hir company xi.M. maydens that of all other she wos ladie and mastresse and all they wēt in to shipp at on tyme in the water that is called thamse and cō manded hir kyn and all hir frendis to almyghty god. and sailed toward litele breton. bot whē they wer comen in to the hygh see a strange tempaste arose as it wos goddis will. ¶and vrsula w^t hir shippes and hir company wer driuen to Hundland thurgh tempast and ariued in the hauen of the cite of Colonie. & the kyng of the land that wos called Gowan was tho in the cite: & when he wist the tyding that so mony faier maydens wer ther arriued. he toke Elga his brother and other of his houshold w^t hī & wēt to the shippis to se that faire company and whan he saw thē so faire he and his companie wold haue ou (er)layne them &̄ a take fro them ther maydenhod but vrsula that good mayd concelled prayed warned and taught them that wer hir felowes that the shuld defend them with all ther myght and rather suffre deth than suffren ther bodi to be diffoylled So that all tho maydens become so stedfast in god that they defended them thurgh his grace so that nōe of them had pouer to do them shame ¶Wherfer the kīg Gawan wax sore anoyed y^t he for wroth slew them eu (er)ichō anōe right &̄ sower all tho maydens martred for the loue of god & lieth at coloyn

¶How kyng Gowan come for to destruy this land & how a man of gret power thot wos called Gracian defended the land.

WHen all this wos done kyng Gowan that wos a Sara­zen called his brother Elga and said to hym that he shuld go to conquere the land that all tho fair maydens wer in borne. ¶And he ordened tho a gret pouer of Pehites of denmarke of orkenay and of norway and they come in to this land and brenttounes &̄ slew folke &̄ cast a doune chirches and houses &̄ relegiō [Page] and robed the land in length &̄ breed &̄ put to deth all tho that wold not forsake the right beleue and cristyndom ¶For as mich os ther wos no souerayn that moght them helpe. For the kyng Maximian had taken with hym all the worthi men whē he wēt to conquere litell kretan And in the same tyme that ye here now tell was sent Albone martired thurgh the woed tyrant Dioclician in the same place wher is now an abbaye made of sent Albone whiles y^t he wos apaynem ¶But he conu (er)ted hī to god thurgh the predicaciō of a clarke & a wise mā y^t was called ancibell that wos herbored a nyght in his house And this was after the Incarnacion of Ihū crist. ij^C.xxvi. yere: and mē shuld vnd (er)stand that sent albone suffred his martirdō be fore that sent Edmūde wos martired. and therfor is sent albone called the fyrst marter of Englond. ¶This Gowans brother &̄ his folk y^t wer sarazenes wēt thurgh out the land &̄ destrued all thīg y^t they found &̄ no thīg they spayred. whē this tydyng come to rome how that kyng Gowan had begon for to stroye this land the Emꝑour and tho of rome sent a strong mā &̄ of gret pouer y^t wos called graciā with xxiiij^M. men well fightīg for to cast out thos sarezenes of this lande. and all they ariued at portes mothe. ¶Maximian myght not cū hym self for as moch os he wos chosen Emꝑour aft (er) the deth of Constantine that wos sent Elene son ¶Whē this gracian wos ariued w^t his host he let a spi preueli wher the kyng gowan myght befounde and he vpō hym sodanli as they lain ther beddes & descomfited hī &̄ slew them ī ther beddis eu (er)ichone that none of them ascaped safe gowan that fled with moch sorow in to his cōtre ¶Sone aft (er) it befell y^t Maximian wos slayn at Rome thurgh treson And when Gracian wyst that tydyng he let croune hym kyng of this land.

¶How gracian made hym kyng whan Maximian was slaī and afterward the bretons kylled hym for his wikkednesse.

[Page]THis Gracian when he begone to regne he become so wik­ked and so sterne and so moch sorow did to the bretons y^t they slew hī emong them ¶Tho kyng gowan had vnd (er)stond that gracian was slayn and done to deth he assembled a gret pouer &̄ come ayene ī to this land. & if he had first done harme tho did he moch more: for tho destrued he all this land & y^e cristē pepull y^t wos ī moch bretan so y^t no mā wos so hardi for to nempne god &̄ he y^t so did anōe he was put to strange deth ¶But the bisshop of lōdon that wos tho y^t was called gosselin scaped & wēt thens to them of Rome to sech socour to help to destru the sarazenis y^t had destruyed this lond ¶And y^e romās saied y^t they had be so oft annoyed for ther sendyng aft (er) folke ī to bretan all for to help the bretens & they wold no more so do ¶And so the bisshop gos­seline wēt thēs w^t out ony socour or helpe And tho went he to the kīg of litell bretan y^t was called Aldroie &̄ this was the thrid kyng aft (er) gowan meriedok as be for is sayed ¶The bisshop prayed this kyng Aldroie of helpe and socour And the kyng had pitte in his hert when he herd how the bisshop fled &̄ how that the cristyn men wer so slayn in gret Bretan thurgh the paynems and sarazenes he graunted hym Constantine his brother hym for to helpe with pouer of folke and them did araye hors armur and sh­yppes & all thīg that them neded to that viage ¶And when all thyng was redy he called the bisshope &̄ to hym sayed I take you heir to helpe &̄ socour Cōstantine my brother vpō this couenaut that if god yef hī grace y^e paynems &̄ y^e sarazenes to shend & discomfited that than ye make hym kyng: And the bisshop it grauntid with good will ¶Constantine &̄ the bisshop toke lefe of the kīg Aldroye &̄ betoke him to god and toke ther men xij^M. and went to ther shippes and sailed toward gret bretan and ariued at totnesse ¶When the Bretans herd the tidynges y^t to them come socour they wer strongly holpen &̄ ordeyned them a huge nombre of pepull and come to them and vnd (er)fenge hem with [Page] mekyll honour. Gowan anone as he wyst of this thynges he asemled all the sarezenes and come ayenest them & yaf them batal and Constantine slew hym with his own hondes and all tho other sarazenes wer discomfited and slayn that nōe of them asscaped but tho that were conu (er)ted vn to god.

¶How Constantine that was the kynges brother of litell briton wos crouned kīg of myche breton for his worthenes.

ANone after the bataill they went to london and crouned ther constantine and made hym kyng of this land and the bysshoppe Goselin sette the croune on his heed and annoyntid hym os it befalleth for a kyng to bene and tho bigan cristyndom ayene ī this land and anōe this kyng constantine when he wos creuned anone after he spoused his wife thurgh counsell off the bretons and he begat iij. sonnys on hir ¶The frist wos cald Constance and that other Aurilambros and the thrid vter: this Constance the Eld (er) brother when he come to age he made hym a monke at wynchestre. This Constantin ther fadre thurgh tre­sone wos slayn For it befell on a tyme that a Pehite come to hym vpon a day in message as it were. and sayed that he wold speke with the kyng preuali in councill The kyng let voied his chambre of the men that ther wer withyn and ther a bode no mo bot the kyng and the Pehite &̄ he made a countinance as tho hee wold haue spoken with y^e kīg ī his ere and ther he kylled hym w^t a long knyfe & after that he went quaīteli owt of the chambre in to an od (er) chābre so at the last no man wyst wher he wos bicomen ¶When the kynges men wyst that ther lord wos so deid they made so moch sorow they not wist what to done ¶For as my­che as his .ij. sonnes Aurilombros and vter wer so yonge that nōe of them myght be kyng & the thrid brother wos mōke at wenchestre as is saied befoor But vortiger that wos Erle of westsexe thought priuyly in his hert thurgh quētance to be kyng and went to wynchestre ther that Constance was monke &̄ to hym [Page] sayed Constans quod he your fadre is deid and your ij. bretheren that ben with Gosseline the bisshope of london to norissh: ben so yong that none of them may be kyng ¶Wherfor I councell yow that ye forsake your habit and come with me &̄ I shall make sych a meyn vn to the bretons that ye shall be made kyng.

¶Of Constans y^t wos kīg Cōstantine son that was mōke at wynchestre and how he wos made kyng after his fadres deth thurgh consell of vortiger that wos Erle of westsexe for as mich as Aurilambros and vter his ij. brether wer but yong of age: And vortiger let sle hym to be kyng hym self.

THis vortig [...]r consceled this Constance so mych tyll he forsoke his Abbot and went with hym: and anone after he wos crouned kyng by assent of the Bretons.

¶This kyng Constance whan he wos crouned and made kyng he wist ne knew bot litell of the world na coude no thing wat knyghthod axed. and he made vortiger his chief mastir and conceller and yaf hym all hys pouer for to ordeyne and to do as mych as to the reame apertened So that hym self no thyng entermelled but onli bare the name of kyng ¶When vortiger saw that he had all the land in his warde and gouernall at his own wyll he thought a preuy treson and to sle Constance the kyng that he myght hym self be crouned and made kyng and regne and let send after a hundreth knyghtes of Pehetes the worthiest of al the land and them heeld wyth hym for to duell as to be kepers of is body as he wold wende thurgh the land to ordeyne thynges that apperteyned to a kyng ¶And this vortiger honoured so mo­ch the hondred knyghtes and so moch yafe them of gold and silu (er) and so riche iuelles robes hors and other thynges plente wherfor they held hym more lord than they did the kyng ¶And vortiger told them yf he might be kīg. ye as it wer thurgh treson: he [Page] wold make hem richest of the land So at the last thurgh gret yeftes that he had yefuen largeli: they cried thurgh the court thatt vortiger wer better worthy to be kyng than Constance. wherfor vortiger made semland as he had bene wroth and he departed thens from the court and saied he most gon elles where for thinges that he had to done. and so the tratour saied for encheson that they shuld hym slee. that is to say constance. ¶When this vortiger wos gone it befell sone after that tho hundreth knyghtes of Pehites broken the dores ef the kynges chamber and ther they hym slew &̄ smote of his heed and bore it to vortiger ther that he duelled and when vortiger saw that heed: he wepped full tenderly with his eye and nerthelees he wos somedell glad of his deth. ¶And anōe let take the houndreth knyghtes of Pehites and bynd ther handes be hynd them an led them to London & ther they wer dampned to deth as fals tratours. And anone after all the bretans of the land bi the commune assent crouned vortyger and made hym kyng of the land.

Anno domini .C.lxxiiij

SOther a martir wos pope after Auicetū ix. yere the wich decreit that a Nūne shuld not towch the pall of the awt (er) ner pit in sence ther to. And that she shuld were a wompull about hir heed. and mony ꝑellis he saw a bout matⁱmony. ther for he ordand that no woman shuld be called a lefull wyfe bot if she wer blessed of the prest. Elentherꝰ a martir wos pope aft (er) So­ther xv yere the wich ordand that cristyn men shuld furese no mete resonabull that wos mannys mete. Nota. Also that no man vn acused in acrime shuld be put from his dignite or his degre til he was conuyckyt. thurgh ensampull of criyst. the wich keppid styll Iudas scaryoth not a cused. And crist knaw hym gylty And what sum euer he did among the apostils for the dyngnite of his seruis a boode firme and stabull. And he send also Legatis vn to Lucie the kyng of Bretan the wich baptised hym [Page] and his pepull. And Fagus and Domianus legates the wich the pope sent fyrst preched in englond. and this cristyndom durit in Bretan .CC. yere vn to the tyme of Dioclision the em­prour. when sent Albone wos martired Marchus Antonius and Lucius Comodus wer emprours. bot marcus dyed anone and Lucius comodus regned: Comodus wos called profitabull of scorne. for he wos to eu (er)y man vnprofitabull. he wos yeffen vtterly to lechori. mony senetours and cristyn men he made for to be kylled. he dampned his own wife to deth for age. he died a sodā deth with stranggilling among maydens. Helius ꝑtenax after this man wos emprour sex monethes and wos a man of gret discrecion. whom Iulian the gret lawyer killed. And he entrid the empire and was slayn the vij. moneth of Seuerꝰ. Victor a martir was pope after Elentheriū x. yere and for the discorde of the pascall tyme he called a counsele in alexander wher be was pre­sent that tyme. & mony other. wher he decreit that Estyr day shuld be keped on the sonday bot he most kepe the change of the mone of aprill. And that wos to differ fro Iues. for mony bisshopis of the est a boid. that tyme the same day the Iues did haloe y^t fest ¶Also he ordand that in tyme of neede child might be cristyned ī eu (er)y place &̄ ī eu (er)y wat (er) Zepherinꝰ a marter &̄ a Roman wos pope aft (er) victor ix yere This man ordaud that cristen pepull of xij yere age & a bown shuld resaue his god on estyr day ons [...] yere. Also he ordant that all y^e vessell of the awter shuld be glas or tyn and not tre os ī old tyme the cōsecracion of the glorius blode wos made ī tre vessell And this tyme passit and the worship of the chirche grew & glasin vessill wer ꝓhibit▪ vt (pꝪ)patet de conse. di pri ca. Origines the nobull clarke wos this tyme & he wrot so mych that sent Ierome saied hym self to haue red of Origen warke iiij^M. volumys w^t out pystils. he translatit the bybyll from hebru in to greke. and did mōy other gret thīgꝭ And of this Origene Samson Salamon & Traian is a gret [Page] questiō amonges docturs if that they be dampned or saued. Ther forre thos thynges that with out perrill we be not bondyn to kn­aw. ner the chirche is not certified of them. and therfor let them be aloynly commytted vn to god. Calistus a marter and a roman was pope after Zepherinus v. yere and he ordand the cimi­tori. in via apia. wher moni a .M. martires is beried. Also hee ordand the fast of the emering dayes: to be keped Antonius Aurelius wos Empeour iij. yere And this man lacked no kīd of lechory: and at the last he wos martired emong a gret multitude of pepull for his myssecheuus leuyng. Antonius macus re­ned after hym vij yere This man leued obstinatl [...] and therfor he wos kylled as wos his predicessur Alexander wos Emprour after Antonius and regned xiij. yere This man bi instance of his mother a cristin woman & the techyng of Origen the wiche come to Rome to conuert hir· wos made so good vn to cristyn mē that he soffrid them to haue ther counsels and ther prayers by them selfe. bot neu (er) the lase in his tyme the cursed officers of hym made mony martirs.

Anno domini .CC.xliiij.

VRbanus wos pope after Calisto viij. yere and old &̄ yong wos veriy vertuus. And all the halouyd vessell to the chirche he made of gold or syluer. This man laft his pope heod &̄ went to Agrippam &̄ xi.M. virgins with hym &̄ the clargy said he laft not his dignite for holines. bot for appetite of thos virgins &̄ wrote hym not in the boke of popis. And ther he a virgin wos martired with thos virgins Poncianus a marter succedid vrbanus &̄ he ordant that psalmys shuld be saied day & nyght in thee chirche of god. And that a prest shuld say confiteor a fore thee masse. Anteros a martir wos pope aft (er) this man This man ordand that a bisshop myght be remeued from on vn to an other And he made the lyfe of martirs to be writtyn and he wos slayn and beried in the cimitory of seut calixt.

[Page]Maximiaꝰ wos chosin emprour̄ at Maguncia of the host and not bi the senetours &̄ regned iij. yere and destruyed the chyrche myghtely and was slayn for Origen Gordian regned after hī sex yere and of hym is lityll writtyn. bot he wos slayn. Hijs diebus Celus dux colchestrie in asclepio rignat in britannia ann­is quasi triginta vsque ad aduentum constancij. lati^M vacat Philip wos emꝑour after hym: and this Philip choesse to hī Philip his son and they regned vij. yere And they wer the fyrst Empr [...]urys that euer wer cristyned &̄ after slayn of the host. They bequethe all hyr tresour in ther deth that hit shuld be disposid to poer men. And sent Laurens at the assynacion of his master the pope deꝑtid this tresour a bowt rome. the wich was gret cause of his martirdome. vt quid dicunt.

Decius wos emprour iij. yere and in all thinges a tyrant. for he entyrid the empire when he & the host had slayn y^e ij Philippis his lordis. And after that he was slayn wyth hys son. Fa­bianus a marter and a roman wos pope after Anteras xij. yere This wos a veray holy man. for when cristyn men stood to a bide the eleccion of the pope. sodenli a white dowe or a culuur decendid on his heed sayng vn to hym thow shall be pope of rome. this man ordend that creme eu (er)y yere shuld be haloid vpō sher thursday also he deuided regions to dekyns the wich shuld writte the lyffe of martirs. and at the last Decius kylled hym Cornelius a martir and a roman wos pope aft (er) Fabius iij. yere th­is man toke vp the bodyes of Petre and Paule. and with gret honour put them in worschipfull places with beata lucina Lucius wos pope aft (er) Cornelius iij. yere and of hym lityll is writtyn Gallus with his son volucianus wer Emprours ij. yere. and they fought with Emilianus. and wer slayn. and Emilianꝰ the thrid moneth wos slayn. Valerian wos Emprour with his son Galiene xv. yere. This man wos vertuus and manly in the begīnyng bot aft (er) he wos geuyn to vice. & moch wricchidnes [Page] and so was his son Galiene. This valerian went vn to y^e lōd of Perse. and ther: for the gret blod of martirs wich he had spied wos takyn of the kyng of Perci. And whē he had take hym he put out bothe his euyn and kepid hym in gret bondage. and to thys intent he kepyd him. that when so eu (er) he shuld ryde this valerian shuld ly doune. And he shuld set his feet vpon his bake when he wold take his horse. This herd Galiene his son that wos left at rome. and y^t caused him that he wos not so cruell ayenes cristyn men ¶And here wos the viij ꝑsecucion of the chirche made by thi Emprour. and made the romans to lees ther kyngdoms thee wich wer neuer recouered ayene to the emprour. and a gen (er)all pestelans wos thurgh out all the world for ther trespas Stephanꝰ a merter after Lucius wos pope iij. yere This man ordaned y^t no man shuld vse no haloed clothis bot to the worship of god. Sextus a marter and a roman wos pope after Sstephanus ij. yere This man ordant that the masse shuld be sayed vpon an autor. the wich a fore wos not. and then he died. Dyonisius a roman was pope aft (er) hym ij. yere This man deuided perichys & chyrche yerdes and assigned to chirchis certayn prestis. Felix a martir wos pope aft (er) Dyonisius ij. yere He ordaned that for the memori of martirs masses shold be sayed. Also he ordant thee Dedicacion of the chirche eu (er)y yere shold be sayed

Claudius was Emprour after valerianus: he subduid Goth as nobully and then he desseset.

Anno cristi .CC.lxxiiij.

Euticianus a mertir wos pope after Felex viij yere This man ordand that corne and benys shuld be blissed on thee auter And he bereid iij^C &̄ xl iiij. martirs with his own hondes Aurelius wos Emprour after Claudius v. yere This Au­relius fyrst to cristī men wos gentyll. wherfor he had the victori in eu (er)y place gloriusly. And when he wos dessaued by cursit mē and pursued cristīmen myghttely and namly in fraunce for ther [Page] he a bood and aft (er) that he had neu (er) good fortune bot was slayn. And this wos the ix. persecuciō of y^e cherche and cristin fayeth. Tacitus wos Emꝓur after this man and he wos. bot he regned bot iij. monethes and then slayn in Ponto. Probus wos Emprour after hym .v. yere and iiij. monethes This man recou (er)ed fraunce a yene the wych was occupyed with barbory men. &̄ he yaf them and pānonias licens to haue vynyerdes. And whē he had made almost all thynges well in pees he sayed knyghttes wyth in a litell tyme shall not be necessari. And anone after hee wos slayn at Syrmiū. Carus and hys ij. sonnys Carmus and Numerianus wer Emprours after Probus. bot soyn war they deid &̄ ther fadre wos dronchid and the .ij. sonnys wer slayn all thes .iij. regned bot ij: yere Dyaclician and Maximian cō after thes iij. Emprours tho on regned in the Est and the other in the west. the fyrst thing that Dioclecian did he brent all the cristyn menys bokys that myght be fonden. Thes .ij. tyrantes did more harme to cristyn men then euer did ony other. for .x. yer lasted ther persecucion. and os we red with in .xxx: dayes xx^M. men wer slayn for cristis cause. And ī Englond all faith wos almost destruyed in that tyme of Maximian. Gaius wos po­pe after Enticianꝰ This man ordant that no man shuld accuse a bisshope or an other clarke to an seculari iuge. and that a pagon or an herityke shuld not accuse a cristyn man. also he or­dant that he that wos worthe shuld ascēde gre by gre to his ord (er)s fyrst benet then collet subdekī dekī &̄ then prest. And at the last he wos martired vndyr Dioclicion. ¶arcellinus amartir wos pope after Gayus xi. yere and .iiij. monethes This man wos persecutit soor. and for dreid of deth he offrid iij. cornys of encense to the sacrifice of the ydols. And afterward he opynly repentid. and suffyrd the payn of deth for the fayth of the chyrche of god. His bodi lay vn beried iij. dayes for dreid of the curse of god. and aft (er) thurgh a uision of sent Petre &̄ Marcell he was beried [Page] at Peturs foote. Marcellꝰ was pope aft (er) Marcellinus v. yere This man ordand that a gouernall consell myght not be ordant with out the awtorite of the pope. vt (pꝪ)patet. i7.di.c. sinodū. Also he chose xv. cardinals in the cite to berie men and cristyn. at the last whē he had keped bestys longe tyme in a house closid in with them bi the commandment of Maximian he died for fawt Eusibius a marter wos after this man ij. monethes and certayn dayes. This man of a layman was made pope and he or­dand that no lay man shuld accuse his bisshop bot if he went fro his fayth. vt (pꝪ)patet 2.9.7.c. lairos. Nota This tyme sent Albō wos martired in Bretan this albon when he was a pagon. he loged a certayn man: the wich conuerted hym to the fayth. and after wos iuget vn to deth: and mych pepull he turned vn to our lord that wer negh the water the wich he made dri thurgh his prayer and he suffred deth negh the cite of verelom. vide plura ī vita sancti albani. Melchiades a merter succedid Eusibius iiij. yere This man ꝓhibit that men shuld fast on sonday or on thursday in so mych as pagons fast thos dayes. at the last he was martired as all his predicessors wos ¶And knawe ye that ther weer .xxxiij. popes of roome martired yche on after other Petre wos the fyrst and this Melchiades wos the last. And thē it wos laudabull for a man after Gregori to desire a bisshoprik Galerius wos Emprour after Dioclicion ij. yere. and ano­ther with hym called Constancius. so wos the Empyre in tho dayes deuidee. This Constance aft (er) he had conquered all Spaȳ he come in to gret breton and ther he wedded a kynges dought (er) of whom he gat gret Constantine. and this same constacius died in Breton and lyeth at Yorke os martin says in his crounycls And left on lyue Constantine that wos getyn of Elyn. And wos kyng of Bretayn and of fraunce

Circa annū domini .iij^C.viij.

SIluester wos pope aftet Melchiades This was a glorius confessor and mony ways he worsshipped the chirche of god what in writyng what in myraclis. he resauyt the patri­mony of sent Petre that is to say the kyngdom of Ytali wyth y^e cite of Rome of Constantine the emprour. and to the worsship of the chirche of god he turned it. he baptized Helyn &̄ the Iues and then decessed a confessur Constantine the myghtty was Emprour this tyme. This wos a glorius man and a victorius in bataill. in gouernyng of the commyn pepull wos veray wisse. And in the necessite of the beleue he was with out compayr dewout His pytty and his holines be so writtyn in the bokys of holi doc­turs: that with out dowt he his to be nowmbred emong sentis. & the grekys sayn that in the end of his lyfe he wos made a monke and more ye may heir of hī in the crounyclis of englond for hee wos kyng ī englond. Helena the quene moder to Constantine repayred a yene the holy crosse this tyme and she made lxx. colleg and she glorified the state of all holi chirche. Nycholas the bys­shop of mirree cete an hole man wos this tyme. Athanasius wos this tyme bisshop in Alexandrin a glorius doctor made the cymbalum Quicumque vult saluꝰ esse etcc: Marcus was pope aftar Siluester ij. yere and viij. monethes This man ordaned the cred shuld be opynly song in the chirch. And at the bishop of hostiense shuld consecrate the pope. and that he shuld werre a pall Iulius wos pope after Marcus xi. yere This man wos exiled x. yere and after suffred deth vnder Constātyne the secūd Eonstantinus with his ij. bretheren regned xxiiij. yere And in his last end he wos ꝑu (er)tit bi the heryse of the aryanes. by a bisshope called Eusebi and he pursued the chirche of god strongly the end of this man wos this. As he shuld go to constantinople to a gret counsell ī the wich he thought to haue condempned the bishop and the clerkys of trew beleue. he went be fore vn to a chambyr [Page] to a voyed sich thynges as natur requireth. and anone sodenly his bowels fell from him. and ther he wos deid os ye now here. Liberius was pope after Iulius xix. yere &̄ vij monethes thē wos the secūd discorde of the chirch be tuix Liberyn and Felix for the heerysi of the arrians the wich fauyrred Leberius. Then Constancius the Emprour called ayene liberyn from his exile be cause he fauered thees herise. and the chirch deiecit Liberyn. and toke Felix in to pope and the odir wos expulsit os an harityke of the chirch. bot felix obtenet not. for the emprour put ī Liberiꝰ and expulsit felix: Felix wos pope after the deth of this liberin and he declared Constantin the emprour an heritike and a none after he wos martyred ¶And here wos the fyrst that euer thee chirche of Rome had an infamet pope. for all the predicessurs of all this liberin wer sentis. and yaf holy sampuls Iulianus apastota wos aft (er) constantyn emprour ij. yere and viij monethes he was cleped apostata for hee fled this Constantyne wiche killep his brether and for fere of deth wos made a cristyn man and a monke. bot afterward by the counsell of a negromē (ser). he asked the duell whether he shuld be emprour or not The duell said that he shuld be emꝑour vpō a condiciō y^t he shuld for sake his cristin faith. and be vttyr emny to cristī men. and so he did for he yaf le­ue to the Iues that they shuld byld ayene the tempull in spite of the cristyn mē. and he toke all the goodis y^t cristī mē had & dis­truied mōy of them. Ioninianꝰ wos emꝑour aft (er) hym viij monethes: for when Iulian wos deid the host chose hym emꝑour. & he was a cristī man &̄ he said it wos not lefull to a cristī mā to be a lord ou (er) so mōy hethī pepull. Thei ansuerd and saied rather thē he shuld forsake the empire they wold be cristined. And thꝰ toke he the dyngnite. bot sone he wos deid &̄ ī meruelꝰ maner. for hee wos laid ī a close house aft (er) his iornay made all of stone newly whited w^t lyme. in the wich they made to his comforth as they thought a fyer of charcoill. and of the ayre of thes ij. in the mor [...] [Page] he was fond deid. Valentinian with his brother Balent was Emprour after Ioninianus xi. yere for he departed the empire &̄ yaf his brother the est and keped hym self the west part. This ba­lentinianus wos a lord with Iulian apostata: & it happid him on a tyme for to go in to a tempull of fals goddis for to doo sacrifice and mynisteris stood therwith water haloid after ther gise with the wich they strenkilled the lordis This valentenianus smot the minister that kest the wet (er) vpon hym. and sayed he wos rether defouled ther bi then clensed. be cause of this Iulian did exile hī. Bot our lord god for his opyn confession of his name rewarded hym with the empire. His brother valent fell in to the opinyō of the arrianes and died in that herici This same valent leuid iiij yere aft (er) valentinianus with Gracian the emprour ¶This tyme leuyd sent Ambros.

Anno domini .iij^C.lxiiij.

DAmasꝰ wos pope aft (er) Felix xviij. yere and ij. monethes This wos an eloquent man in metyr and he wrot mony stories of pepis and martirs. He ordand that gloria potri shuld be sayed in the end of the psalmes &̄ that wos at the prayer of sent Ierom And thurgh the mocion of this pope ierom translait thee bibill from hebreu in to latyn and then he dicessed a confessur. Valens with Gracian and valentinianū wer emprour iiij: yere in this tyme wer chirchis opynd ayene &̄ cristyn men had leue to renew the seruys of god that wos defended a fore with Emprours infecked with harecy. as wos valens and other werfor the chirche had no liberte when valens wos on liue ¶A Sy­nodus of an. hundreth and .l. bisshoppis was gedred vnd (er) Da­mase pope at Constantinople ayenes Macedomū an heritike the wich deuyed the holy gost to be veray god. And then wos the credo made that is song on holydayes in the chirche. Augustinus a Cartaginēs of affrica wos this time. He wos as nobull a retricion as myght be· and in all phelosophy and poetre īcōporabull. & [Page] all thyng that any phelosophur fond ī his youth he vnd (er) stood w^t litill labour & a bowt this tyē he wos send to mediolanū wher hee was turned anone of sent Ambrose and baptised. This man grew vn to a nobull doctor of the chirche. And not long after that he wos bisshop of Yponens. and ther he leuyd liij. yere and mykyll diuinite he wrote. vt (pꝪ)patet in libris suis. Siritius wos pope aft (er) Damasus xv. yere. he dampned haritikis and litell els is writtyn of him. Theodosius son to Gracian with valantyne his vnkell wos Emprour xxvij. yere This man wos a cristyn man and gracius and in gou (er)nance like to Traian. soon wroth and a none reconsiled. This man on a day when he wold haue gone to haue herd masse sent Ambros ꝓhibit him the entre of the chirch till he had penance and made satisfaccion for the slayng of the xxx. knyghtes the wich he slew in anger at Constantinople. wherfor they made a law that the sentence of a prince shuld be deferit xxx: days of thos that shuld do exicucion if they myght fall in the grace of the prince with in xxx. dayes. ¶A bout thys tyme wos a child borne in the castell of Emons from the nauyll &̄ a bown deuyded ī to ij. bodies hauīg .ij. hedis & ij. wittis. so y^t the on slepīg or etīg the oder slepid not ne ete not. And whē they war ij. yere of age the on decessid &̄ the other leued iij. dayes after. Claudianus poeta wos this tyme Arcadius &̄ Honorius regned xiij. yere &̄ in ther tyme rome wes ne distruyed bi an kyng called Alaticus of the wich destruccion rose a gret blasphemy of the romans for they sayed they fared neu (er) well sethyn crist come to rome &̄ be rafeed them ther goddis by y^e preching of Pet &̄ Paule. And yit this Archadius subduit all his emnys by the pouer of god: &̄ shed no blud. A yene this blasfemy sent Austyn made that solemp werke the wich they call. de ciuitate dei. Honorius wos emprour with Theodosius his brother son xv yere and he wos a man of holy lyfe. for ij. wifes he had. and w^t bothe yit he died mayden. he louyd specialy y^e chirch & hated hari­tykys [Page] Ierom died this tyme at Bedlem the yere of his aage lxxxxi. Sanctus Herachydes the wich wrote vitas patrū to Lansum episcopū wos this tyme Iohannes Crisostamus wos exiled of Endochia the wiffe of Archadij and thurgh heyt of the sone he wos deid Anastasius wos pope aft (er) Siritius iij. yere. This man ordand that eu (er)y man shuld stond at the redyng of the holy gospell: and that he that wos a manyd man shuld not be prest Innocencius wos pope aft (er) Anastasiꝰ. This man ordant that seke men shuld be anoynted with holy hoyl. and at masse the kys of pees to be yeffen: he dampned Pelagin an haritike &̄ mony other thinges did: vt (pꝪ)patet 26. q. i.

Anno domini iiij^C.xiiij:

ZOzimꝰ was pope aft (er) Innocent ij. yere &̄ viii. monethes This man ordant that clerkys shuld be no tau (er)ners. ne sel no wyne and that a bond man shuld not be made prest with out the licens of his lord Bonifacius a roman wos pope aft (er) Zoziuū iiij. yere This man ordand that a woman shuld not toch y^e pall of the awter. ne shuld not wasshe the awter Celestinus a roman wos pope aft (er) Boniface viij. yere &̄ ix. dayes the wich ordand the psalme a fore masse. s. Iudica me deus etcc. and at the begīnyng of the masse shold be saied with a verse of a psalme and at the graell and at the offertory shuld be saied a fore the sa­kirryng. this same man send sent Patryke to Ireland to cōu (er)te that land. and Palladiū a dekyn of Rome to the scottys to be cōu (er)tid. &̄ ī the iiij. yere of this mā ther wos a genn (er)all Synody at Ephisina of .CCC. bisshoppis a yenes Nestoriū an heritike Theodosius the yonger with valentinan his neue regned xxvij yere In his tyme wos the fest ordined wich is called Aduīcula. scī Petri ¶And in his tyme died sent Austyn in the yere of his age lxxvi. ¶And this tyme wos rased the vij. slepers the wich sleped ·CC. yere This man died at Constantinople and [Page] ther wos beried ¶This tyme the Soxons entrid Englond &̄ anone be litell and litell they grew vp myghtely. And at the last they obtened all the land. Sextus a Roman was pope after Celestinꝰ viij. yere This was an holy man and a meeke and litill of hī is writtyn bot that he byld scā maria maior. Leo Tuscus a confessur was pope aft (er) Sixtū xxi. yere This man was as holy as ony man .v. tymes or more in a day he wold say masse. and on a tyme aft (er) it be fell when a certayn woman kys­sid his hand he wos temped with hir. and for the trespas that he had done. vn to his pennance he made his hand to be strekyn of And when the noese rose vpon hym that he myght not say masse os he wos wont to done. he wos right sory: and allonly betoke hī to our lady in prayer to help hym. ¶And our lady restored hym his hand a yene. & than he sayed masse os he was wont to do­ne & so that myracull wos opynly shued to all pepull ¶And in the tyme of this pope Marcian the Emprour beyng ther. wos congregate at calcedeny the iiij. vniusall Sinody of vi^C. & xxx bisshoppis a yens Eusticem the Abbot of constantinopolitō: &̄ Alexandrinū epm̄ qui negauerūt in xp̄o veram carnem fuisse & eciam negabant carnis nrē resurreccionem. And after he had made mony notabull sarmons and epistils he decessid. Marcianꝰ and valentinianus wer emprours this tyme vij. yere. in whoys tyme wos the gret Sinody a foro rehersed when Eusticem and Dioscurus wer condempned.

¶In the tyme that Marcianus wos emprour in rome vorti­ger wos kyng in Bretan now called Englond. in whoys tyme the Saxons come in to bretan and made mony kynges. that is to wit as is playn by the crouniclys vij. And be cause it is tediꝰ to mannys reson to reherse mony diu (er)se namys to gedre os vij. kynges of englond & in on tyme the emprours and popys. Ther for the cronyelis of englond shall be set to geder tyll it becūmyn [Page] vn to Alured in whoys tyme the Danys com ī to Englond and the popys and the emprours and other thynges in thee same tyme shall be set to gedre.

Circa annū domini .iiij^C.xl ix.
¶How the wardeyns that had tho childrin to kepe that were Constantine sonnys lad them to lytell Bretan for the treson &̄ the falsenese of vortiger.

Thys tyme come the Sax­ons that wer pagons fyrst in to bretōnow called englond. vnder vortiger the wich wos crouned kyng of this lond. This time tho that had thies. ij chylder in kepyng the wich was Constantine sonnys that is to say Aurilambros and vter thurgh ordinance of Goslī that was bisshop of london. after ther faderes deth that is to say Constan­tine durst not duell ī thys land with thos chyld but conueyd th­em vn to the kyng of lityll Breton: for as moch as he tho wyse the treson of vortiger that tho wos made kynd thurgh whom constance ther eldyr brother wos slayn. wherfor the hundreth kny­ghtes of Pehites wer put to deth and beren all the blame. as that vortiger had not wist ther of nether to consented ¶And so the kepers of thos tow childer dred lest vortiger wold put them to deth thurgh his treson and falsnes as he had done ther brother be forne. And therfore they wer lad ouer in to litell bretan &̄ the kyng them resaued with moch honowr and let them to norissh. &̄ ther they duelled till they become fair knyghtes and strong and [Page] fers and thought to be auenged vpon the deth of Constantine ther brother when they saw ther tyme and so they did as ye shall here tell afterward. ¶Hit wos not long aft (er) y^t the tidīges come ouer see to the kynred of tho hundreth knyghttes of Pehites that wer dampned & put to deth thu [...]gh vortig (er) ī this land therfor they wer wōdirly wroth & suore y^t they wold be auenged of ther kīnes deth: and come ī to this lond w^t a gret pouer &̄ robbed ī mōy pla­ces &̄ killed &̄ did all the sorow y^t they myght. Whan vortig (er) it wist: he made moch sorow & was sore anoyd. And ī an other place also tydynges come to hī that Aurilambros & vter his brother ordined & assembled a gret host for to cum in to mekell bretan y^t is to say in to this land to be auenged vpō Constance ther brothers deth So that ī on half & in that other he was brought in to so moch sorow that he ne wist whider to wende.

¶How Engist and .xi. thousand men come in to this land to the whom vortiger yafe a place that is called Thongcastell

ANd sone after this sorow tydyng come to vortig (er) y^t a grete nauye of strangers wer ariued ī the cūtre of kent he wylt not whens they wer ne wherfor they wer come in to this land ¶The kyng sent anone a messenger thider that sum of them shold cum & speke with hym for to wit what folk they wer & what they axed & ī to what cūtre they wold goo ¶Ther wer ij. bre­ther masters &̄ princes of y^t strong cōpany y^t on wos cald Engist and y^t other Horsse Engist went to the kyng and told him the encheson wherfor they wer comen ī to his land ¶And sayed syr we be of a cuntre that is called Saxonie that is the land of Eermayne wher in is so moch sorow that of the pepull be so mony that the lond may not them susteyne ¶And the masters and princes that haue the lond to gouerne and to rule. they make to cum before them men and women that boldest ben amonges them for to fight and that best may trauaill ī to diuerse landes [Page] ¶And so they shul them yef hors and hernes armuri &̄ all thing that them nedeth and aft (er) they shall say to them that they gone in to an other contre wher that they mowe lyuen as ther auncestres did them be fore. ¶And therfor sir kyng yf ye haue ought to do with our company we be come in to your land &̄ wyth good wil you will serue and your land kepe help & defend from your enmys yf that ye nedeth. ¶When vortiger herd this ty­dyng he sayed he wold gladly them withold vpon sich couenant if they myght dalyu (er) his land of his emnys he wold yef them rese­nable londes wher they shuld duell for eu (er) more Engist thonked goodly &̄ in this man (er) he and his companye xi^M. shold duell with the kyng vortiger and moch they did thurgh ther boldnes they deliu (er)ed the land clene of his emnys Tho prayed Engist the kyng of so mo [...]h land that he myght make to hym a cite &̄ for hys meny ¶The kyng ansuerd. it wos not to done with out conceill of his bretons. ¶Engist prayed hym eftsones of as moche place os he myght compas so with a thonge of a skyn wher vpon he myhht maake a maner for hym to duell on. ¶And the kyng hym granted frely ¶Tho toke engist a bull skyn and cut it as smale as he myght all in to on thuong all a round and ther with compassed he os mych land as he had vpon a faire cas­tell and when this castell was made he let call it Thwong castell For as mych as the place wos marked w^t a thwong.

¶Of Ronewen that was Engistes doughter and how the kyng vortiger spoused hir for hir bowte.

WHen this castell was made and full well arayed Engist preualy did send by letter in to the cuntre wher he come fro after an hondreth shippes fyllid with men that wos strong & bold and also well fightyng in all batellis. and that they shuld also bryng with them Ronewen his doughter that wos the fairest creature that a man myght se ¶And when thos pepull wos comē [Page] that he had sent aft (er) he toke them in to the castell with moch Ioy And hym self vpon a dey went vn to the kyng and prayed hym ther worthely that he wold cum and see his new maner that he had made in the place that he had compassed with a thuong of the skyn ¶The kyng anone graunted hym frely and with hym went thid (er) &̄ wos well a payed with the castell &̄ with the fair werke. & to ged (er)s ther they eten and dronk w^t moch ioy ¶And whan nyght come that the kyng vortiger shuld go ī to his chamare for to take ther his nyghtes rest: Ronewen that wos Engist doughter come with a cup of gold ī hir hand and kneled be fore the kyng and saied to hym wassaill. and the kyng wystnot what it wos to mene ne what he shuld ansuer for as moch as hym self ne none of his bretons coud no english speke ne vnd (er) stond it: but spekyn in the same longage that bretons done yit. ¶Neutheles a latimer told the kyng the full vnd (er)stondyng therof wassale: and that other shold ansuer drynk haill. ¶And that wos the fyrst tyme that wassaill and drink haill come vp in this land. and from that tym vn to this tyme it is well vsed in this land.

¶The kyng vortiger saw the fairnes of Ronewen and his armes laid a bowt hir nec and iij. swetly kytsed hir. and anone right he wos a namered vpan hir: that he desired to haue hir to wif and asked of Engist hir fadre ¶And Engist granted hym vpon this couenant that the kyng shold yef hym all the cūtre of kent that thhe er myght duele in & his pepull ¶The kyng him graunted preuely with a good wyll and anone after he spoused y^e damysell. and y^t wos moch ꝯfusion to him self. ¶And ther­fore all the bretons become so wroth for be cause he spoused a womā of mysbeleue. wherfor they went all from hī &̄ nothyng to him toke kepe ne help hym in thing that he had to done.

¶How vortimer that wos vortigers son was made kyng &̄ Engist wos driuen out. and how vortimer wos slayn.

[Page]THis Engist went in to kent and seised all the land in to his hond for hym and for hys men and by come in a lityl whyle of so gret pouer and so moch pepull had that men wyst not in lytell tyme wich wer the kynges men and wych were Engist men wherfor all Bretons had of hym dred and sayed amongꝭ them bot yf that they ne toke other counsel be twen hē all y^e land shuld be betrayed thurgh Engist and his pepull vortig (er) y^e king had be goten on his fyrst wife iij. sonnys the fyrst wos called vortimer y^t secūd Catagren & the thrid Passent. ¶The britons eu (er)ychon by on assēt chose vortimer to be ther lord & souerayne & counceller ī eu (er)y bataill & crouned hī &̄ made hī kīg &̄ wold suffre vortig (er) no longer to regne for enchesō of the aliance bituix engist &̄ hī. The britōs ordined a gret host to driue out engist & his cō panie of the land &̄ yaf hī iij. batallis y^t fyrst wos ī Kent ther he wos lord The secūd wos at Tetford. &̄ the thrid ī a shire athis half Cooll ī a more. ¶And ī this botell them met Catagren &̄ horne Engistes brother so that ych of them slew other. Bott for as moch os the cūtre wos yef lōg by for to horne thurgh vortiger. tho he spoused his cosin ther he made a fair castell that is called horncastel after his own name ¶And vortimer wos so annoyed for his bred deth catagrē y^t he wos deid ī sich a man (er). Wherfor anōe he let fell y^e castell to gronde ¶And aft (er) y^t he ne left night ne day till he had driuē out engist & all his pepull of y^e lād &̄ whē Engist wos driuē a way Ronewen his dought (er) made sorow y nowe & quentely spek to them y^t wer next y^e kīg vortimer & priueyst w^t hī. & so moch she yaf hī of yeftes y^t he wos enpoisened &̄ died at london the iiij. yere of his regne and ther he lieth.

¶How the bretōs chose an other tyme vortig (er) to be ther kīg &̄ Engist come in to this land and they fouhten to gedre.

AFter vortimers deth the. Britons by hir commune assēt eft sones made vortiger hir kyng vpon this conuenient [Page] that he shold neu (er) after suffre Engist ne none of his. eftsones to come ī to this land ¶And whē all this wos done Ronewen the quene preuely sent by letter to Enegist that she had enpoisend vortimer &̄ that vortiger hir lord ayene bare the croune &̄ rened and that he shuld come in to this land well arraied with moche pepull for to a venge hī vpon the britons and to wynne this land ayein: ¶And whan Engist herd this tydynges he made gret Ioye and apparelled him hastely with xv. thousand men y^t wer doughty in euery bataill and come in to this land ¶And whan vortiger herd tell that engist was come ayene with a grett pouer in to this lond· he assemled his bretons and tho went ayens engist for to haue yef hym bataill and his folke. ¶Butt Engist drad him sore of the Bretons For thei had driuen him beforne and discomfited hym with strength wherfor this engist prayd hym a loue day. &̄ sayed he wos not cūyn in to this lād for to fight. but for to haue his land ayen if he might accord w^t the bretons and of them to haue luffe and grace ¶The kīg vor­tiger thurgh counsell of his bretons graunted a loue day & thus it wos ordeyned thurgh the bretons. that the saame day shuld be holdin fast be side Salisberi vpon an hyll. ¶And engitt shuld come thidre with iiij. hundreth knyghtys with out mo: And the kyng with as mony of the wisest men of his land ¶And at y^t day the kyng come with his counsell as it wos ordined but Engist had warned his knyghtys preualy and them commanded that euery of them shuld put a long knyfe in his hosyn. & whan he saied fair sers now is tyme to speke of loue and pees euery mā a none shuld draw out his knyfe and sle a breton and so they killed a thousand lxi. of knyghtes and with moch sorow mony of them ascaped ¶And the kyng vortiger ther hym self tho wos taken and lad to Thongcastell and put in to prison: and summe of Engistes men wold that the kyng had bene brent all quyke. [Page] ¶And vortiger tho for to haue his lyfe granted them as moche as the wold axe and yaf vp all the land tounes Castelles cites and brughes to Engist and to his folke ¶And all the bretons fled thens in to wales &̄ ther they held them styll. And Engist went thurgh the land and seysed all the lond w^t fraun­chisos and ī eu (er)y place let cast a doune chirches &̄ houses of religione &̄ destruid cristīdom thurgh out all this land &̄ let change the name of the land: that no man of his wer so hardy aft (er) y^t tym to call this lond britan but call it Engist land &̄ he deꝑted all the land to his men & ther made vij. kīges for to strenght the lād that the bretons shuld neu (er) cū aft (er) ther ī ¶The fyrst kyngdom wos kent ther that Engist him self regned and wos lord &̄ mast (er) ouer all the other ¶The other kyng had southsexe that now is chichestre. The thrid kyng had westsexe. ¶The iiij. king had Estsexe ¶The v. kyng Estangill that now is called Northfolk Southfolk Merchemerich that is to say the Erldom of Nicholl ¶The vi. had Lecestre shiere Northhamtō shiere. Hertford and Huntyngdon ¶The vij. had Oxunford Gloucestre Wynchestre Warwik and Derbyshire.

¶How vortiger went in to wales and bigan ther a castell that wold not stond with out morter tempred with blod.

WHen Engist had deꝑted all the land in this maner betwen his men and deliu (er)ed vortiger out of prison and suffred him frely to gone whidre that he wold and he toke his way and went in to wales ther that is bretons dulled for as moch as that land was strong an wekked to wyn And Engist neu (er) come ther ne neu (er) know it befor y^t land. vortiger held him ther w^t his bretās & axed concell what hī wos best to doo ¶And they yaf hī con­cell to make a strōg castel y^t he might hī self ther ī kepe &̄ defend if nede wer ¶Masōs ī hast tho wer fet &̄ bigan the werk vpō y^e hill of Breigh. but c (er)tes thꝰ it be fel all the werk y^t y^e masōs made a day doun it fel the nyght &̄ thei wist not what it might be [Page] ther of the kyng wos soro anoyed of that chance and wist not w­hat to doen ¶Wherfor he let send after the wisest clerkis and also lerned mē y^t wer thurgh out wales that myght be found. for they shuld hym tell what wos best to done. ¶For they shuld tell wharfor the foundment so failed vnder the werke and that they shuld hym tell what wos best for to done ¶And the wisest men long tyme had studied they sayed to the kyng that he shuld done seke a chylde borne of a woman that neu (er) had with man to done and that chyld he shuld sle and temꝑ with his blod the mort of the werk & so shuld the werke eu (er) endure with out ende.

¶How the kyng let sech Merlin thurgh out all wales for to speke with hym.

WHen the kyng herd this he commanded his mesangeres anone to wend thurgh out all wales to seke that chyld yf he myght hym fynd. and that they shuld hym bring forth with thē vn to hym and in recorde and in witnes of this thyng he had tak them his lettres that they ne wer destrobled of no man ne lette. ¶And tho the messangeres went thens and sped so fast thatt they come in to a toune that was called Karmardine and os they passed forth ther way they funden ij. child of xxiiij. yere age chydīg yf [...]re with hasty wordes. and on of them sayed to that other Donebat quod he ye do all wrong to chide or strife wyth me. ¶For ye haue no wit ne no resō as I haue. Certes Merlī ꝙ he of your wit ne your reson I make no force for mē tell ꝯminly that ye haue no thyng of god almygfty sith ye had neuer fadre but eu (er)y mau knaweth well who was your mother ¶The messingers of the kynges vortiger when they herd this strife be tuix the tow gromes they axed of them that stood besides them whens that Marlyn wos borne and also who hym norisshed and the folke hem told that a gret gentyll woman hym bare in Karmardīe that wos called Adhan. but neuer myght man wit who was his fadre ¶When the kynges messangeris herd this tydyng they [Page] went anone to hym that wos wardayne of the toune and toold hym the kynges will and his letter shewed hym wherfor they wer comen theder. ¶Merlyn and his moder anone wer sent be fore the wardayne of the toune & he cōmanded them that they shuld gone to the kīg as it wos ordand by his massengers ¶Mer­lyn and his moder went thens &̄ come vn to the kyng &̄ ther they wer vnderfonge with moch honour and the kyng axed of that la­dy yf that child wer hir son and who hī begate ¶The lady ansuered full tendirly wepyng and sayed she had neuer company of man worldly ¶But sir quod she os I wos a yong mayden ī my faders chambre and other of gret linage wer in my cōpany: y^t often tymes wont to play & solace. I beleft allone in my chambre & wold not gone forth for byrnyng of the sone ¶And on a ty­me ther come a fair bachelar &̄ entrid in my chambre ther that I was allone. but how he come in to me: & wher I wist it neu (er) ne yit wot it not For the dores wer fast barred & with me he did game of loue For I ne had myght ne pauer him to defend fro me. &̄ oft he come vn to me in the fore sayed man (er) so that he begot this child: but neu (er) myght I wit what he was

¶Of the ansuere of merlin wherfor the kyng axed whi his castille myght not stond that he had be gonne ner proue.

WHen Merlin had herd all that his mother had said he spake to the kyng in this man (er). ¶Sir how I wos begoten ax ye no more. for it falleth not to yow ne to nōe other to wit but telleth me the encheson wherfor I am to you brought and wherfore ye haue sent aft (er) me. Certis quod the kyng my wise cown­celers haue done me to vnd (er)stond that the mort of a werke that i haue be gone behoueth to be tempred w^t your blod or the foundamēt shall faill for eu (er) more· ¶Sir quod Merlin will ye sle me for my blod to temꝑ w^t your mort. ye quod the kyng or els shall neu (er) my castell stand as my councelars done me to vnd (er)stand [Page] ¶Tho ansuerd merlyn to the kyng Sir he sayed let them cum by fore me tho wise concelers and I wyll preue that they say not well ne trewly. ¶And when the wise mē wer com Marlī axed if his blod wer the encheson to make the werke stand and endure All thos wise wer abashed and coud not ansuer ¶Merlyn tho sayed to the kyng Sir I shall you tell the enchesō wherfor your werke thꝰ faleth &̄ may not thand. ¶Ther is vnd (er) the montayn ther that ye haue belden your tour a gret pond of wat (er) & in y^e botom of y^e pond vnd (er) the wat (er) ther is .ij. dragōs y^t on is white that other reed y^t fighten to gods ayens your werke ¶Doo ye myne depe till your men come to the pond and doth your men take a way the wat (er) all out & then ye shall se the dragons as I haue you told that to ged (er) fightē ayens your werke ¶And this is the encheson wher fore the fundament faleth ¶The kyng anone let digge vnd (er) til y^t mē come to y^t pond &̄ let done a way all y^t wat (er) & ther they fond ij: dragons as Marlyn had them told that egorly foughten to ged (er)s. ¶The white dragon egrely assayled the reed &̄ laid on hī so strongly y^t he myght not endure bot with drew him & rested ī y^e same caue. ¶And when he had a while restyd hym he went before &̄ assayled y^e reed dragon angrely & held hī so sore y^t he myght not ayens hī endure but with drew hī & restid And aft (er) come ayen y^e white dragon & strongly fought w^t the reed dragon & bote hym euell and hym ou (er)come that he fled from thens and no more come ayen.

¶Off the syngnificacion of thas .ij. dragons thot wer in thee bottom of the ponde that foughten to gedre.

THis kyng vortig (er) and his men that saugh this batayll had gret meruell and prayd Merlyn to telle hym what it myght betoken ¶Sir quod Merlin I shall yow tell. ¶The reed dragon betokeneth yourself and the white betokeneth the folk of Saxonie that fyrst ye toke and held in your land thatt fightten ayens yow and yow haue driuen and enchaced. [Page] ¶But bretons of your linage ouer comen them and driuen them a way and sithen at the commyng ayene of the saxons they recouered this land and held it for eu (er) more and driuen out the britons and did with this lond all ther will and destruyed cristīdō thurght out this land. ¶Ye had first ioy with ther cūmynge but now it is turned to you gret damage & sorow ¶For tho. ij brethern of Constance that wos kyng the wich ye let sla. Shall cum bi for a quinzeme passed with a gret pouer from litell bretō and shul a venge the deth of ther brother &̄ they shall brin yow fyrst with sarow And afterward they shall sle a gret part of Saxons &̄ shall driue out all the remenant of the land &̄ therfor abyed ye here no longer to make castell ne none other werke bot anone go els wher your life all for to saue. to god I you by take treuth I haue sayed to you of thinges that shall be fall. ¶And vnderstond ye well that Aurilanbros shall be kyng bot he shall be enpoysened and litell tyme shale he regne.

¶Of kyng Aurilambros how that he pursued vortiger and Engist and how they diden.

MErlen and his modre deꝑted from the kyng and turned ayen to Karmardine. ¶And sone aft (er) tydyngꝭ come to the bretons that Aurilambros &̄ vter his brother wer ariued at Tottenesse wyth a gret host. ¶And anone thee Bretons assemled them and went to vnderfonge Aurilambros &̄ vter w^t gret nobulnes and had them vn to london & croned aurilambros & made him kyng and did vn to hym humage And anon he ax­ed wher vortiger that was kyng myght be founden for he wold be avenged of his brother deth and aft (er) he wold were vpō paynems ¶And they told hym that vortig (er) was in wales & so they lade hym thid (er)ward. ¶vortiger wist well that tho brether come hī to conquere and fled thens ī to a castell that wos cald Gerneth that stood vpon an hygh mantayn and ther hym held [...]. ¶Au­rilambros and vter his brother & ther folke had beseged thē castell [Page] full long tyme for the castell was strong & well arayed ¶Soo at the last they kest wildfyre and brent houses and men and all ther aray and os mych os was with in the castell. So that vortiger was brent among all other and so he died with moch sorow. ¶Tho was Engist in Kent and regned ther and hard this tydyng and anone fled &̄ wold haue gone in to Scotland for to haue had socour. But aurilambros and his men met with him ī the northcuntre and yaf hym bataill and Engist and his men defended whiles that they myght. but he &̄ his folke wer discomfited &̄ slayn. and O [...]ta his son fled vn to yorke. and Aurilambros hym foloed egrely & Otta a litell while ayens him stod. but aft (er) ward he put hym to his merci. ¶And arilambros vnd (er)feng hī &̄ to him & to his men yaf the cuntre of galeway ī Scotlond and ther they duelled ¶The kyng arilambros wēt thurgh out y^e lond & put away the name of Engistland that engist aft (er) his name had called it before Tho let he it call ayen gret bretan and let make ayen chirches houses of relegion Castelis cites & burghes &̄ tounes that the Saxons had destruyed and come to londō & let make the walles of the cite wich Engist and his folke had casten doune. ¶The bretons lad hym to the mount of Anbrian som tyme was an house of religion that tho wos destruyed thurgh paynyms. ¶Wher of a knyght that was called Anbry that some tyme wos found of the house and therfor the hyll wos called the mount of brian and after it wos called Ambresbury and shall so be for euermore.

¶How Aurilambros did redresse the lond of gret Bretan that was destrayed thurgh the Saxons.

HOw the kyng aurilambros let a mēd &̄ redresse the house of Amlesburi and ther in put monkes but now ther bennonnys a littell from the plaace that wos called Salisburi ther that the Saxons kylled the Bretans wher Engist and he shuld haue made a loue day ī wich tyme ther wer slayn a .M.lxi. [Page] knyghtes thurgh treson of engist. ¶The kyng therof had gret pitte. and th [...]ught to make ī mynd of them a monumēt of ston that myght endure to y^e wordes end. and of this thing they toke ther counsell what ther of wos best for to done. ¶Tho spake to the kyng the bysshop of london that wos called Ternekyn that he shuld enquere aft (er) Marlyn. for he coud best tell how this thīg myght best be made· and merlin aft (er) wos sought &̄ foūd &̄ come to y^e kyng ¶And the kyng toold hī his will of the monumēt y^t he wold haue made ¶Tho ansuerd Merlin to the kīg &̄ sayed ther bene gret stonys ī Irland &̄ long vpō y^e hill of kyan y^t mē called Geāts karoll &̄ if they wer ī this place as thei be ther. they wold endure for eu (er) more ī remēbrance of thoo knyghtes y^t heir be entered ¶Per ma [...]oy ꝙ the kīg as hard stones be ī my land as ī Irland ¶Soth qd merlin ¶But ī all your land ther be none soch For geantes set them for grete good of them self.

For at eu (er)y tyme that they wer woundet or ī ony man (er) hurt they wesshen the stones w^t hote wat (er) and than they wesshe them ther with and anoon they wer hole.

¶How the bretons wēt for to sech the gret stons ī Irland.

WHen thes bretons had herd of this thing they went & swore emong them that they wold gonne seche tho stonnes & toke with them vter the kynges brother to be ther cheftayn &. v^M men and Merlin counselled them for to go vn to Irland and. so they diden. ¶And when the kyng of Irland that wos cald Guillomer herd tell that strangers wer ariued ī his lond he assē bled a gret pouer &̄ fought ayens them. but he & his folke was discomfited ¶The bretans went be for till they come to the moūt of Kylian and climed vp vn to the moūt. ¶But when they saw the stones & the man (er) how they stood they had gret meruell and sayed bitwyn them self that no man shuld hem remeue for no strength ne engyne so huge they wer & so long But merlin thurgh his craft he remeued them &̄ brought them ī to ther shippes &̄ come [Page] ayene in to this land And merlin set the stones ther that the kīg wold haue them and set them in the same maner that they stoden in Irland ¶And when the kyng saugh that it was made he thanked Merlyn and richeli him rewarded at his own will and that place let call stonhenge for eu (er) more

¶How Passent that wos vortigers sone & the kyng Guillomer come in to this land and how a tratour that was called Cappa enpuysened the kyng Aurilambros.

ANd men shall vnd (er) stand stat Passent that was vortigers sone leued in the same tyme and come in to this land with a gret pouer and ariued in the north cuntre and wold ben a venged of his faders deth vortiger. ¶And strongly trusted vpon the componye that he had brought with hym out of the land of Germayne and had conquered all the north cuntre vn to yor­ke. ¶And when kyng Aurilambros herd this he assembled a gret pouer of Bretons and went for to fight with passent. and he wos discomfited and all his pepull. but passent ascapped thēs w^t sum of his men and fled thens in to Irland and come to kīg Guillomer and prayed hym of help and socour. The kyng gran­ted hym with good will. and sayed that he wold help hym vpō y^t couenant that I my self must gone with you with all my pouer in to breton. and I wold me a venge vpon the Bretons rath­er for they cum in to my land. and token the stones with strength that is called Geantes karoll. The kyng guillomer let ordē his shippes and went to the see with xv.M. men and ariued in wales and be gon to rob and moch sorow did. ¶Hit befell so that kyng arilombros lay seke at wynchster and myght not helpe him self So that he sent in his name vter his brother with a pouer to helpe wales and thed (er)ward he went as moch os he myght The kyng of Irland and Passent had herd tell that Aurilam­bros was seke and to hym ther come a Sarizen that was called Coppa and sayed Sir duell ye her all in pees with your host &̄ [Page] I be hyght you thurgh my quentize that I shall sle the kyng aurilambros that is seke. Then sayed Passent if ye doo so I shal yow richely auaunce This ttoraur Coppa put vpon him an abbyt of Relegion and let shaue hym a brod croune and come vn to the kynges court and sayed that he wold help the kyng of hys maladie· Tho sayed the tretour Coppa vn to the kyng Sir ben of good comforth for I shall yef you sich a medicin that ye shall swete anone right and lusten to slepe and haue good rest &̄ thee tratour yaf hym sich poysin to slep anone right and died in hys slepyng. & y^e trator sayed that he wold gone out in to the feld till he wer a waked. and so scapped he a way. for no man had to him suspeccion for be cause of his habbit that he wos in clothed and also for his brood shauynne croune. but when the kynges men it wist that he wos deid they become wondir sori and fast sought the tratour But they myght not fynd hym. for that Coppa tur­ned ayene to the host fro whens that he come.

¶When Aurilambros was deid a sterre in the morne wos seī with a clere light and at the bught of the beme wos seyne the hed of an horribull dragon.

WHen the kyng Aurilambros wos thus deid &̄ enpoysened at wynchester. on the morne aft (er) that he wos deid a bowt the tyme of prime ther was seyne a stere gret and clere and the beme of that sterne wos bright (er) then the son and at the bought of the beem a pered a dragōs heed &̄ out of his mouth come ij. huge lightes that wer as bright as ony fier brennyng ¶And that one beme toward france and stryght ou (er) the see thiderward. ¶And out of that beym rome vij. bemes full clere & long as it were the light fier ¶This sterne was seyn of mony a man but none of them wist wat it betokened ¶vter that wos the kynges brother y^t wos ī wales w^t his host of bretōs saw y^t sterre &̄ y^e gret light y^t it yaf. he wōdred ther of gretli what it myght betokē &̄ let call Merlī & prayed hī for to tell what it myght betoken.

¶Of the betokenyng of the stere.

MErlin saw that starre &̄ beheld him long tyme and sithen he quoke and weped tendirli And sayed alas alas that so nobull a kyng and worthy is deid. ¶And I doo you to vnd (er) stand that Aurilambros your brother is enpeysened and that I se well ī this sterre. &̄ yourself is betokēd bi the heed of the dragō that is seī at the bought of the beem. that is yourself that shal be kyng &̄ regne ¶And by the beem that standeth toward the est is vnd (er)stōd y^t ye shall get a son that shal conquere al fraunce & all the landes y^t belongeth to the croune of fraunce that shal be a worthier kyng &̄ of more honour than eu (er) wos ony of his auncetours ¶And bi the beem that strechys toward Irland is betokened that ye shall get a dought (er) that shall be quene of Irland. ¶And the vij. bemes betokene that ye shall haue vij: sonnis & eu (er)ichon of them shall be kyng & regne w^t moch honour & abyde ye no longer heir but goth & yef bataill to your enmys &̄ fight w^t them bodely for ye shall ou (er) cū them and haue the victori ¶vter thanked hertely Merlyn & toke his men and went toward his en­my &̄ they foughten to gedre mortali & so he discomfited his enmy & them distroyed. And him self kylled Passent that wos vortig (er) son ¶And his bretons killed Guillomer y^t wos kyng of Irland &̄ all his men. ¶And vter anone aft (er) that bataill toke his way toward winchester for to done entere Aurilambros kīg that wos his brother: ¶But tho was the body borne to stonhē ge with moch honour that he had done made in remembrance of the bretons that ther wer slaī thurgh treson of Engist. that sam day that they shuld haue bene accordid & in the same place they entered aurilambros the secūd yere of his regne with al the worshipe that myght belong to sich a kīg of whos soull god haue me [...]ci

¶Of vter pendragon and werfor he was called so ye shall here And how he was ouer take wyth the loue fe Igerne that was the [Page] Erle of Cornewaill wife

AFter y^e deth of aurilambros: vter his brod (er) wos crouned and regned well and worthely and in remembrance of the dragon that he wos likened to he let make ij. dragons thurgh councell of his bretons. &̄ made that one for to be borne before hī when he went in to bataill. and that other to abide at winchester in the bisshoppis chyrche: ¶And for y^t cause he wos called euer aft (er) vter pēdragō. ¶And Otta that was Engistes son com­mendid vter bot lytell. that wos made new kyng and ayens him begon to meue were. and ordined a gret company of his frendis & of his kin & of Ossa his brother & had takē all the land frō humber vn to yorke. but tho of yorke held strongly ayenes them and nold not suffer them to cū ī to y^e cite nother to yeld the cite to hē & he beseged the toune anōe right & yaf therto a strong assaut bot they of the cite hem keped well &̄ strōgly ¶And whē vter herd ther of he come thed (er) w^t a gret pouer for to help & rescu the toune &̄ put away the sege & yaf a strōg bataill & Otta &̄ his cōpany them defēdid as well as they myght but at the last they wer discōfitid & the most ꝑt of them slaī. &̄ Otta & Ossa wer takē & put ī prison at london ¶And vter hī self duelled a while at yorke &̄ aft (er) he went to london. &̄ at the estir aft (er) he wold bere croune & hold a so­lempne fest. and let somen all his Erles and Barons that thei shuld cum to that fest and all tho that had wyfes shuld bringe them also to that fest and all comē at the kynges cummandmēt as they wer cummaundid ¶The fest wos richely arrayed &̄ holdyn and all worthely set to mete after that they wer of astat so that the erle Gorloys of Cornwaill & Igern his wif set [...] ̄ al­ther next the kīg. &̄ the kīg saw the fairnes of that lady that she had. ¶And wos rauysshed for hir beaute &̄ oft he made to hir nyse sembland ī lokīg & laughyng. so at the last the erle ꝑceyued the preue lokīg &̄ laughyng & the loue bitwen them & ros vp frō y^e [...]a [...]ullull ī wroth & teke is wife. &̄ called to hī his knyghtes. [Page] &̄ went thens all in wroth with out takīg leue of the kīg The king anone sent aft (er) hym that he shuld cum ayen and goo not thens in despite of hym. ¶And the Erle wold not cum ayene ī no man (er) of wise ¶Wherfor the kyng wos full wroth and in wrath hym deffied as his deidly enmy. And the Erle went thens in to cornewaill with his wife in to the Castell of Tyntagell. ¶And the kyng let ordin a gret host & come in to Cornwaill for to distruy the Erle if that he myght. but he had put hym ī sich a castell that was strong and well arayed of Tyntagell & wold not yeld hym to the kyng. and the kyng anone beseged y^e castel & ther duelled xv. dayes y^t neu (er) myght sped & eu (er) thought vpō Igerne & vpō hir laid so moch loue y^t he not wist to done So at y^e last he called to hym a knyght that was callid vlfyn y^t wos preue with him & told hī all his councell and axed of him what wos best for to done ¶Sir qd he doth send aft (er) Merlyn anone for he can tell you the best counsell of ōny man leuyng. Merlin anone was sent aft (er) & come to the kyng and the kyng told him all his councell & his will ¶Sir qd Merlin I shall done so moche thurgh craft y^t I can y^t I shall make you cū this nyght ī to y^e castell of Tyntagell & shall haue all your will of that lady.

¶How vter bigat on Igerne that wos the Erlis wife of cornewaill Arthur kyng.

MErlyn thurgh craft that he coud changed the kynges fi­gure ī to the liknesse of the Erle &̄ vlfyn garlois his chā berlayn in to the figure of iordan that wos the Erles chambir­layn So that yche of them wos transfigured to od (er) lekenesse. ¶And when Merlyn had so done he sayed to the kyng Sir qd he now may ye go sodenly to the castell of Tyntagell & axen en­tre ther & haue your will: The kīg toke priueli all the host to gou (er)ne &̄ lede to a knyght that he mich loued & toke his way toward the castell & w^t hī toke vlfȳ his chābirlayn &̄ merlin ¶And when they come theder the porter went that it had bene hys owne [Page] lord &̄ when tyme come for to go to bede. ¶The kyng went to bede with Igerne the Erles wife & dyd with hir all his will and bigat vpon hir a son that wos called arthur. ¶And vpō the morow the kyng toke his leue of the lady and went ayen to hys host: ¶And the same nyght that the kyng lay by Igerne in bedde y^t wos the Erles wife. the kynges men yaf a gret assaut vn to the castell and the Erle and his men manli them defended But at the last it befell so that in the same assaut the Erle hym self wos slayn and the castell taken. ¶And the kyng a none turned ayen to Tyntagell and spoused Igerne with moch honor and made hir quene. and sone aft (er) tyme come that she shuld be deliu (er)ed and beyr a child a son that wos called Arthur. and aft (er) he gat a doughter that was called Amya: &̄ when she come of age a nobull Baron that was called Aloth that wos lord of leons wed hir ¶When vter long tyme had regned ther come vpon hī a gret sekenes as it wer a sorow ¶And ī the meyn tyme tho y^t had to kepe Otta that wos Engist son and Ossa his brother that tho wer in prison: they let them gone for gret yeftes y^t they hom yaf and went with them. ¶And when tho .ij. bretheren wer ascappid and come ayen in ther own cūtre They ordined an grert pouer and begon to were eftsones vpon the kyng

¶How kyng vter chese Aloth to kepe the land of breton whiles that he wos seke. for as moch as he myght not for his seknes

ANd for as moch as kyng vter wos seke and myght nott help hym self he ordined Aloth son of Eleyn that tho was chosen for to be wardeyn and cheftayn of all his folke and so he anone and his bretans assemled a gret host and yaf batell to Ot­ta & to his folke. but Otta at the last wos discomfitid ¶Hitt befell thus afterward that thes bretons had dedignacion of A­loth & wold not to hī be attendant: wherfor the king wos anoid wond (er) s [...]re & let put hym in a litter in the host emonges folke: [Page] ¶And they lad hī to veroloyn that tho was a fair cite. ther y^t sent Albon wos martired & aft (er) wos y^t cite destroied w^t paynīs & thurgh were. &̄ thed (er) thei had sēt Otta & Ossa & ther peple & entrid ī to the toune & let make fast the yates & ther thei held them. &̄ the kīg come &̄ them beseged & made a strōg assaute. but tho y^t wei w^t in māli them defended ¶The kīg let ordeyn his gōnes and his engynes for to brek the walles &̄ the walles wer so strōg y^t nothīg myght them mysdoo ¶Otta &̄ his pepull had gret despite y^t a kīg liggyng ī a lytter had them beseged: & they toke concell a monges them for to stand vp ī the morow &̄ cū out &̄ yef batall to the kīg & so they did &̄ ī y^t batall wer both Otta & Ossa slayn. & all tho other y^t ascapped a lyue fled ī to scotland & made Colegū ther chyftayn. &̄ the saxons that wer on lyue &̄ ascaped fro the ba­taill brought ayan a gret strength & emōges them they sayed. y^t if kīg vter wer deid they shuld well cōquere y^e land & amonges them they thought to enposin the kīg & ordeyned mē for to do this dede. and yaf them of yeftes gret plente this thyng to done and they ordined hem thid (er)ward ther y^t the kīg was duellīg & clothed hem ī pouer wede the bett (er) all for to sped therlyd purpose but neu (er) theles for all ther falsnes & quātize they might neu (er) cū to nyghthe kīg: ¶But so at the last they aspied y^t y^e kīg drāknōe oth erlycour but only wat (er) of a cler wel y^t was negh beside ¶And thes fals tratours vpō a day preuali wēt to y^e wel & put therī poyson so y^t all y^e wat (er) was enpoysened. and anōe aft (er) os the kīg had dronkyn of y^e wat (er) he begō to fuell &̄ sone aft (er) he died &̄ os mōy as dronk of that wat (er) died also ¶And anōe as this wos aspied folke of the toune let stop the well for eu (er) more ¶When the king wos dred his folk bere hī to Stonhenge with gret solempnite of bisshoppis & of barōs that werther hī to bery besides Aurilambros his brother & aft (er) turned ayen tho eu (er)ychone & send after Arthur his son &̄ they made him kīg of the land with moche reu (er)ence after his fadres deth xvij. yere of his regne.

¶How Arthur that wos the son of vter was crouned after his fadre deth and how he drofe Colegrin and the Saxons and Cheldrik of almayne out of this lond

WHen Arthur wos made kyng of y^e lond he wos bot yong of age of xv. yere. but he wos fair and bold and doughty of body and to meke folke he wos good and curtas and large off spendyng and made hym wonderly well beloued among all men ther that it wos need. ¶And when he begone to regne he swore that y^e saxons neu (er) shuld haue pees ne rest till that he had driuē them out of the lond. and assembled a gret host and faught w^t Colegrī the wich aft (er) the time that Otta wos deid the saxons mayntened. & this Colegrin wos discomfited & fled vn to yorke & toke the toune and ther hym held. ¶And the kyng beseged hī ther but he myght nothyng sped. for the cite wos so strong. and they with in the toune kepped the cite well and orpedly. ¶And in the meyn tyme Colegrin let the toune to Bladulf & fled hym self to Cheldrik that wos kyng of Almayne for to haue of him socour &̄ the kyng assemblid agret pouer &̄ come & ariued in scotlond with .v.C. shippis. and whē arthur wist of this tidīg that he had not pouer &̄ strength y nough to fight ayens Cheldk he let be the sege & went to london and sent anone his letters to the king of litill bretan that was called Hoel his nepheu his sustres son that he shuld cū to hī w^t all the pouer y^t he myght and he assemblid a gret host & ariued at southinton. ¶And when kīg arthur it wist he wos glad i nough &̄ went ayens them & them resaued with moch honour so that thos ij. hostes met & assembled them and toke ther way euen vn to Nichol that Cheldrik had beseged but it wos not taken ¶And they come vpō cheldrik & his pepull or they wist wer y^t they wer &̄ them egrely asseilled. ¶The kīg cheldrik &̄ his meny defēdid them māly bi ther pouer. but kīg arthur & his mē kylled so mōny saxōs that neu (er) wos seyne sich slaught (er). ¶And Cheldrik &̄ his men y^t wer left a [Page] lyue fled a way. ¶And arthur them pursued and droue oute them in to a wod that they myght no ferther passe Cheldrik & his men saw well that they wer brought in to moch disese &̄ them yold to arthur in this man (er) wyse that he shold take ther hors and ther armur & all that they had they must onli gone ō fote in to ther shippis. and so they wold gone home in to ther own land and neu (er) cū ayen in to this land. ¶And vpon assurance of this thyng they yeuen hym good hostag [...]s. ¶And arthur by coūcell of his men granted this thyng and resaued the hostages and ther vpō the other wēt to ther shippes: ¶And when they wer in the hy see the wynd changed as the deuell it wold and thei turnd ther nauy and come a yen to this land and ariued at Totnesse & wēt out of the shippes and toke the land & clen robbed it & moch pepull slew and taken all the armur that they myght find and so they wēt forth till thei come vn to Bathe. but the men of the toune shittē fast ther yates and nold not suffre them to cum with in the toun and they defendit them well and orpedly ayens them.

¶How Arthur yaf bataill vn to the Saxons when they com ayen ī to this land &̄ beseged the toune of bathe &̄ them ou (er) come.

WHen arthur herd this tydyng he let hong anone the hosta­ges and left Hoel of bretan his nepheu for to kepe the marche toward Scotlond with halfe his pepull. and hym self wēt to helpe and rescu the toune of Bathe and when he come thed (er) hee yaf a strong bataill to Childrik and kylled almost all the peple that he had· for no man myght hym withstond ne endure vnd (er) thee stroke of his swerd. ¶And ther bothe wer slayn Colegrin &̄ Bladud his brether ¶And Cheldrik fled thens and wold ha­ue gone to his shippis. But when arthur it wist he toke .x.M knyghtis to Cador that was Erle of Cornwaill for to let &̄ stop his cumming. ¶And arthur hym self went toward the marche of scotlād. for messing (er)s told hī y^t the scottys had beseged Hoil of bretan ther that he lay seke and therfor he hasted hym thed (er)ward [Page] ¶And Cador pursued aft (er) Cheldrik & toke him er he might come vn to his shyppis and kylled Cheldrik and his pepull. ¶And when Cador had done this viage: he hasted hī ayen as fast os he myhht towardes Arthur. and fond hym in Scotland ther that he had rescued Hoel of britan. But the scottys were fer w^t in Mounref. And ther they held them a while but arthur them pursued &̄ they fled thens in to Lymoigne that wer in thatt cūtre lx. iles and gret plente of briddis &̄ gret plente of Egels that wer woned to cry and fight to ged (er)s and make gret noyse whan folke come to rob that land and weren as moch os they my­ght & so they did for the Scottis wer so gret rauenours y^t they toke al y^t thei might fīd ī y^e lād of Lymoign w^t out ani sparīg & ther with charged ayen the folke in to Scotland for to wende.

¶How kīg arthur axed of merlin the auēturs of vi. of the last kīgꝭ y^t wer to regne ī englond & how the land shuld enden▪

SIr qd Merlin. in the yere of the incarnacion of ihū crist .M.CC.xv. shall come a Lamb out of Wynchestr y^t shall haue a white tong &̄ trew lippis: &̄ he shall haue writē in his hert holinesse. ¶This Lam shall make mony goddis houses. & he shall haue pees the most ꝑt of his lyfe And he shal make on of the fairest places of the world that in his tyme shall not fulli be made an end of. ¶And ī y^e end of his life a wolf of a strange land shall do hym moch harme &̄ sorow thurgh wer but at the end the lamb shall be master thurgh help of a red fox y^t shall cum out of the northwest & him shall ou (er) cum &̄ the wolf sh­all dy in wat (er). And after that tyme the Lamb shal lyue no while bot he shal die ¶His seede shall be in a strange land. &̄ thee land shall be with out a gou (er)nour a litel̄l̄ tyme.

ANd after this tyme shall come a dragon melled wyth mercy and eke wyth wodenesse and that shall̄ haue an berde as a goot that shall̄ yef ī englond shadow & shall̄ kepe the land [Page] from colde &̄ hete &̄ his on foot shall be set in wyke &̄ that other in london and he shall enbrace in habitacions and he shall opyn his mouth toward wales &̄ the trimbilyng of the hidour of his mou­th his eres shall strech toward mony habitacions and cūtres and his breth shall be full suete in strange land ¶And ī his tyme shall the reuers renne blod and with brayn. &̄ he shall make ī places of his land walles that shall do moch harme vn to his seed aft (er) his tyme ¶Then shall ther cum a pepull owt of the north west during his regne that shall be lad thurgh out a wikked hare that the dragon shall doo croune kyng that aft (er)ward shall fle ower the see with out cummyng ayene for dred of the dragon. ¶&̄ ī that tyme the son shall be as reed as blode as mē shall se thurgh out all the world y^t shall be tokyn gret pestylence and de­th of folke thurgh dynt of suerd and that pepull shall bene fader les tile the tyme that the dragon die thurgh an hair that shall me­ue ayens hym were vn to the end of his life that shall not fully be endit ī his tyē ¶This dragō shal be hold ī his tyī the best bodi of the world and he shall die by sides the marches of a strange land & the land shall duell fad (er)les w^t out a good gou (er)n and men shall wepe for his deth from the Ile of shepey vn to the hauen of mareil ¶Wharfor alas shall be ther song of fadroles folke that shall ouer lyuen in his land destruied.

ANd aft (er) this dragon shall cū a goot out of kar that shal haue hornes and a berd of siluer and ther shall cum out of his nosthrell a domp that shall be tokyn hunger &̄ sorow and gret deth of the pepull and moch of his land in the begynnyng of his regne shall be wasted ¶This goot shall go ou (er) to france and shall opene the flour of his lyfe and deth In his tyme ther shall a rise an Egle in Cornwaill that shal haue fetres of golde that of pride shal be with out pere of the land &̄ he shal despise lordes of blood and after he shal flee shamfully by a bere at Gauersech and aft (er) shal be made breggis of men vpon the cos­tes [Page] of the see and stonys shuld fall fro castels &̄ mony other tou­nes shall be made playn ¶In this tyme shall seme that y^e bere shall brenne &̄ a bataill shall be done vpō the armes of the see in a feld ordeyned as a sheld ¶And at that bataill shal die mōi whitte heedis wherfor his batal shall be called the white batiill. ¶And the forsayed bere shal̄ done this goot moch harme &̄ it shal̄ cū out of the southwest & of his blod: than shal̄ the goot lese moch. &̄ of his land. till at the time that shendship shal̄ hī ou (er) cū and than shal he clothe him in a lion skyn. and than shal̄ he wyn that he had before lost and more ther to ¶For a pepul̄ shal cū out of the northwest that shal̄ make the goot so soyr a drad & hee shal a venge him of his enmys thurgh cuncel of two owles that fyrst shal̄ be in perel for to be vn done. but the old owle shall wend away a certayn tyme. and aft (er) he shal cum ayen in to this land ¶Thes two owles shall do gret harme to mōy on & so thei shal̄ councel the goot to arere were ayens the forsayed bere. &̄ at the last the goot & the owles shal̄ cum at burton vpon trent and shal̄ wend ouer and for dred the bere shal fle. and a swan with him fro his company to burton toward the north & ther they shall be w^t an hard shoure and than the suan shal̄ be taken & slayn w^t sorow and the bere taken and heded alther next his nest that shall stand vpon a broken brige on whom the son shall cast his bemys. and mony shall hym seke for vertu that from hym shall cū ¶In the same shal̄ die for sorow and care: a pepul of his land so that mony landis shal be vpō him the more bolder afterward. and thos two owles shal do moch harme to the forsayd flour of lyfe &̄ hir sh̄al̄ lede in to distresse so that she shall passe ou (er) the see in to fraunce for to make pees betwen thee goot and the flourdelise and ther she shall duell til a tyme that hir seed shal cum & sech hir & they shall be styl till a tyme that they sh̄al hem clothe w^t grace and they shall sech. the owles &̄ shal put them to despitous deth ¶And after shall this goot be brought to disese and grett [Page] anguissh. and in sorew he shall leue all his life.

AFter this Goot shall cum out of wyndesore a bore that shall haue an hed of a white lions hert and pytuus lokīg ¶His visage shal̄ be reste to seke mē. his brest shal be stāch­īg of therst to them that be thersty. his worde shal be gospell his bering shal be meke as a Lamb. ¶In the fyrst yere of his regne he shal haue gret payne to iustifie them that be vn trew. And in his tyme shall his land be multiplied with aliandes. ¶And this bore thurgh fersenesse of hert that he shal̄ haue shall make wolfes to becum lambis: and he sh̄al̄ be called thurgh out the world bore of holines fersnes of nobulnes &̄ of mekenes and he shal done mesurably all that he shal do vn to the burgh of Ierusalem and he shal whette his teth vpon the yates of Pa­ris and vpō iiij landes. Spayn shal tremble for dred Gascoyne shall swet. in fraunce he shal put his winge. his gret tayll shall rest in Englond softely Almayn shall quake for dred of him. ¶This bore shal yef mantels to ij. tounes of Englond and shall make the Reu (er) rene with blod and brayn. & he shal make mony medous reed. and he shall get as moch as his auncestres did: and or that he be deid he shal beyr iij. crounes and he sh̄al put a land in to gret subieccion and aft (er) it sh̄al be releued but not in his tyme. ¶This bore aft (er) he is deid for his doughtynes shal be ētered at Coloyn & his land shall be than fulfilled of al good AFter this boor shall cum a lamb that sh̄al haue feet of leed and an heed of bras and hert of a loppe a swynes skī and an hard and ī his tyme his land shall be in pees the fyrst yer of his regne he shal do make a cite that all the world sh̄al speke ther of ¶This Lamb shall lese in his tyme a gret paart of his land thurgh an hidous wolfe but he shall recou (er) it & yeue an lordship to an Egle of his land and this egle shal well gouerne it till the tyme that prid shall him ou (er) cum Alas the sorow For he shal die of his brethers suerd and aft (er) shall the land fal to the [Page] forsayd lamb y^t shall gou (er)ne the land ī pees all his lifes tyme &̄ aft (er) he shall die and the land be fulfylled of all maner good.

AFter this lamb sh̄al̄ cum a moldwarp cursed of goddes mouthe a caytyfe a coward an hare. he sh̄al̄ haue an El­derly skyn as a goot and vengeaunse shal̄ fall vpō him for syn ¶In the fyrst yere of his regne he shal haue of all good grett plente in his land and toward him also. and in his land he shal̄ haue gret presyng til̄ the tyme that he shal̄ suffre his pepul̄ lyue in to mich pride with out chastisyng wherfor god wyl̄ be wroth. ¶Than shall arise vp a dragon of the north that shall be ful̄ fers and shal̄ meve were ayens the forsayd Moldwarp and shal̄ yef him bataell vpō a stone ¶This dragon sholl gadre ayen in to his company a wolf that shal̄ cum out of the west to meve were ayens tho forsayd moldwerp in his sied and so shall the dragō and he bynd ther tayles to ged (er) ¶Than shal̄ cum a Lion owt of Irland that shal fall in companie w^t hem. and than shall trembull the land that shal be called Englond as an aspyn leef. &̄ in that tyme shal castels be fellid doune vpō Thamyse and it shall seme that seuerne shall be dri for the bodies that shall fall deid therin. The iiij. cheif flodes in Englond shall ren in blod. &̄ gret dred shall be and anguissh y^t shull arisen: ¶After thee Moldwarp sh̄al fle and the dragon ¶The lion and the wolfe shal thē driue a way. & the land shall be with out them. And y^e moldwarp shall haue no man (er) pouer saf onli a ship wher to he mawend ¶And aft (er) that he shall gone to lond whan the see is w^t draw And aft (er) that he shall yef the thrid part of his lond for to haue the fourth part in pees and rest. and aft (er) he shal life in sorow all his lifes tyme ¶And ī his tyme the hote bathes shal̄ becō cold. and aft (er) that shall the molwarp die auentou [...]sli and sodanli A las for sorow. for he shall be drowned in a flod of the see: his seed shall become fadreles in strange lond for euermore. And [Page] than shall the land be deꝑted in to .iij. partes. that is to say to the wolfe to the dragon and to the lyon. ¶And so shal it be for euer more. and than shall this land be called the land of con­quest And so shall the rightfull heyris of englond ende.

¶How Arthur ouer come Guillomer that was kyng of Ir­land and how the scotes become his men.

WHen Guillomer that was kyng of Irland hard tidyngꝭ that kyng Arthur was entred at Glastenbury. he ordey­ned a gret pouer of Irissh men and come to the see with his Irissh pepull and so come in to Scotland ouer the see. and ariued fast by ther that kyng Arthur wos with his host and anone as he wyst ther of. he went towardes him. and yaf him bataill. and ou (er) come him anone right. and guyllomer fled with his men ayen in to irland. ¶And when this was done &̄ he discomfited Arth^• turned him ayen ther that he wos in to the place ther that he had left the Scotys and wold haue them all slayn. But the bisshoppes abbotes and other folke of the cuntre and ladies open heed cō befor kyng arthur and cried him mercy and sayed sir gentill kȳg and myghty haue mercy and pytte vpon us. And os your selfe be of the right law to hold and maynten cristindom. for full gret dishonour it shuld be to kyll them that beleueth in al̄ myghty god as ye done and for goddis loue haue mercy and pytte of vs: and suffre vs for we haue had moch sorow and pyne for the Saxones has mony tyme passed thurgh our lond. bot that is not ynough to you for often tymes they haue vs done serow and disese. ¶For our casteles they haue taken and our bestes slain and eten. and moch harme they haue vs done: and if ye wold vs now kyll hit wer no honour to a kyng to kill them that cries him mercy. ¶For ynough ye haue done to vs and has vs ou (er)cūmyn and for the loue of god that ye wyll suffre vs for to life &̄ haueth merci of cristē peple y^t beleuen ī crist os ye doo ¶whē kīg arthur [Page] herd this sorow he had pytte of them. and yaf them liyfe and lym with out any more harme. and they fell doune to his fete &̄ than kyd him and become his leige men and he toke of them homages. ¶And aft (er) that kyng arthur turned ayene with his host and come vn to yorke. and ther his bydyng made during that viage ¶And tho yaf he all loegers to Aloth that had spoused his sustre and other yeftes gret plente and tho was Gawen his co­sin bot of yong age and to all his other men that him had seruid in his were he yaf rich yeftes. and he thanked them moch all of ther good seruesse.

¶How kyng arthtr spoused Gūnore that wos gūnores cosī Erle of cornwaill and aft (er) he conqured of guillomer all Irland

WHen Arthur had brought his land in pees and rest and in good state and all wos well in eu (er)y cuntre. tho toke he &̄ wedded a wife that was called Gūnor &̄ made hirquene a fair lady and a gentill that Cador the erle of Cornwaill had norisshid in his chambre that wos his own cosin but neu (er) they had child to gedre and neu (er)theles kyng Arthur loued hir wond (er) well and derly ¶And anone os wynt (er) was passed he let assemble agret host and all his barons. and sayed that he wold wend in to Irland for to conqure the land: &̄ he taried not long that he ne passed ou (er) in to Irland ¶And Guillomer the kyng let assemble a gret host and yaf bataill to kyng arthur. But Guillom wos discomfited and yeld him to the kyng and become his man and to hī did feaulte and homage and of him held all that land fro y^t ty­me forward ¶And aft (er) passed kyng arth^• forthermore and cō quered Gutland & Island and toke homages of folke and of y^e land &̄ ther duelled xij: yere in pees and regned with ioy & myrthe and ther wered no man ne woman vpon hī. ¶And he become so curtas and large and honorabull that the Emprours court of Rome ne none od (er) thurgh out all the world wos not accompted to kyng Arth^• that ony man wist of: ne none so well pr [...]sed. [Page] ¶And therfor the best knyghtis of all man (er) landes come vn to him ther for to duel̄. and he them ressaued with good will and reuerence. ¶And all the knyghtys weren so good: that nomā knew the werst: And therfor kyng Arthur made a round table that when they shuld sit to ther mete: all shuld be elike hie and euenly serued at the tabull: y^t none of them shuld make a vaūce y^t on werhier than an other ¶And kyng arthur had at thatt table Britons &̄ Frenshmē Normans &̄ Flemynges Burgōs Mausers &̄ Loherms. & of all the landes a this half of monte go rye & of his lād of breton &̄ of y^e gret Cornwail̄ of wales & of Irland &̄ of scotland &̄ shortely to tell of all the lādes y^t wold worship cheualrie seche come to kyng Arthurs courte.

¶How kyng Arthur went in to Fraunce and conquered y^t land of Froll that was a Roman and how he him kylled.

SYth it befell that kyng Arthur thurgh conceill of his barons and lordis wold go to conquire all fraunce that tho was called Galle thurgh romans that tho held that land in ther pouer and in ther gou (er)nance. &̄ the romans had take y^t land to a nobul̄ knyght & a worthy of bodi y^t wos called Froll &̄ when he wist y^t arthur come: he ordend an host & a gret pouer &̄ fought w^t the kīg. and he &̄ his folke wer discōfyted & fled vn to Paris. &̄ entred the cite &̄ closed the yates & ther hem held. ¶Arthur wyst y^t frol̄ wos gone to paris he pursued aft (er) & come thed (er) &̄ hī bese­ged: but the Cite was so strong & wel̄ araied & tho y^t wer therin defēded them well & manli ¶Kȳg arth^r duelled thermore thē a moneth & ther wos so moch peple ī the cite &̄ dispēdid al̄ ther vitails y^t wer with ī. &̄ so gret hunger bicom amōges them y^t they died wond (er) thikke withī the cite for hunger and come [...]on to Frol and prayed him to be accorded with kyng arthur for to haue pees and they wold yelde them vn to him and the toune also. ¶Froll saw that no longer he myght hold the toune ayens ther wil̄ & trust gretli vpō his own strēgth &̄ sēt to kīg arthur that [Page] he sh̄uld cum fight with him body for body. and so shuld they deꝑte fraunce betwene them two. ¶Kyng arthur anone grāted it &̄ wold not that none of his peple vndertoke the bataill for hī ¶And vpon the morn bothe come well araied with out paris ther that they shuld fight and anone they smyten to ged (er)s so fers­ly & so well they foughten in both sidis that no man coud deme the better of them ¶And so it befell that Froll yaf Arthur such a stroke that he kneled to the ground wold he nold he. and os frol̄ withdrew his swerde he wounded kyng Arthur in the forhed that the blood fell doune by his eyn and his face: ¶Arthur anone stert vp hertely when he felt him hurt as a man that semed almost wo [...]d: and he toke Tabourne his good suerd &̄ drow it vp an high. &̄ yaf Froll such a stroke that ther with he clafe his hed doun to the sholdres so that his helme myght not be his warent. & so he fell doune deid in the place. ¶And thē tho of the cite made gret sorow for froll. and eu (er)ichon yeld them to kyng Arthur & the toune also. and become his men and did to him humage and feaulte. &̄ he vnd (er)fenge them and toke of them good hostages. &̄ kyng Arthur aft (er) that. went forth with his host and conquered Augien and Angiers Gascoyn Pehito Nauerne & Burgon Berri Lotherne Turyn and Peithers. and all the other land of fraunce he cōquered holli ¶And whē he had all cōquerd &̄ taken bi humages & feautes he turned ayen to Paris &̄ ther he duelled long tyme. & ordined pees long tyme ou (er) al̄ the cūtre & thur­gh out all fraunce. ¶And whē pees wos made ou (er) al̄ thurgh his noble kynghthod y^t he had. & also for his own worthines. ¶And no mā werhe neu (er) so gret a lord durst not meue were ayenst hī nod (er) to arise to make y^e lōd of france ī quiet. & ī pes he woned ther ix. yere & did mō [...] gret wond (er)s &̄ reproued mōy proud men & lither tirantis them chastised afterther deseruise.

¶How kīg arth^r auaūced al̄ his mē y^t had trauild ī his (ser)uis

[Page] ANd aft (er)ward it befell thus at Estren ther that he held a fest at Paris. & richly he gan auaunce his knyghtis for ther seruice that they had him holpen in his comquest ¶He yafe to his stoward that wos called Key Augien and Angiers. And to Bedeler his botler he yaf Normandie that tho wos called Neustrie. and to Holdyn his chamberlayn he yaf Flaund (er)s and Mance. and to Dorell his cosyn he yaf Boloyne. and to Richard his nephu he yaf Pountif. and to all other he yaf lar­ge landis and feys after they wer of estate. ¶And when arthur had thus his knyghtis feffed. at auerill next after sueyng he come ayene in to Bretan his own land and after at whitson­tied nex sewyng be councell of his barons he wold be cronned kīg of Glomergon and held a solempne fest and let sompne knyghtis Erles and Barons that they shuld come thedre eu (er)ychon. &̄ ther was Scaterkyng of scotland Cadwere kyng of southwales ¶Guillomer kyng of northwales. Maded kyng of Irland Malgamus kyng of gutlande Achilles kyng of Iseland Aloth kyng of denmarke Gonewas kyng of norway and Hell his cosin kyng of dorkeny Cador kyng of litell breton Morwith erle of cornwaill Mauran erle of gloucestre Guerdon erle of wynch es tre Boell erle of harford vrtegy erle of oxford Cursall erle of bath Ionas erle of chestre Eneral erle of dorsestre Kimare erle of salusberi Waloth erle of cante [...]beri Iugerne erle of chichestre Arall erle of leicestre and the erle of werwik and mony other mo riche lordis ¶Bretons also ther come mo that is to say Dip­pon Donaud Gennes and mony od (er) that be not named heir wer at that fest and mony afair fest kyng arth^r had holden be forne but neu (er) none such ne so solempne. and that lasted xx. daies w^t moch honour and myrth.

¶Of the lett (er) that wos sent from Rome for prid to kīg arth^r

THe thrid day as kyng Arthur sat at his mete amang his kynges and amonge them that sittyn at the fest byfo [...] [Page] them come in xij. eldren men of age richeli arayed. and courtesli they salued the kyng and sayed they come from Rome sent os be messangers fro the Emprour. and toke to him a letter that thus moch was to vnd (er)stōd: ¶Gretly vs meruyleth arthur thatt thow art ons so hardy with eien in thi heed to make open were & contake ayens vs of Rome that owne all the world to deme for thou hast neu (er) yit be forne this tyme proued ne assayed thy stren­gth of the romans. and therfor thou it shall in a litell tyme: ¶For Iulius sesar conquered all the land of Bretan & toke ther of truage and our folke haue it long y had. and now thurgh thi prid thou witholdes it: ¶Wherfor we of rome commaunde the that thou it yeld ayen. and yit hast you more foly done: that thou hast slayn Froll that wos our ba [...]on of fraunce all w^t wro­nge. ¶And therfor all the communs of Rome warneth the and commaundeth the vpon life and lymme: that thou in hast be at rome amendis for to make of thy mysdedis that thou hast done ¶And it be so that thow cum not. we shall passe the hill of Ioye with strength: and we shall the sech wher eu (er) thow may bee founde and thow shalt not haue a fote of land of thyn own that we ne shatt destruy it. & aft (er)ward with thi bode we shall doo all our wyll: ¶When this lett (er) was red: & al̄ men it herd: they wer annoied all at wer at that solempne fest. &̄ y^e bretōs wold haue slaī the messang (er)s: but the kīg wold not suffre them. &̄ said y^t thee messangers shuld haue no harme: & may bi resō nōe de (ser)ue: but cō māded them to be worshipfulli (ser)ued. &̄ aft (er) mete he toke cōcell of kyngꝭ erles & barons. what ansuer he myght yef ayen to the mes­sangers &̄ they cōcelled him at onys that he shuld assemble agret pouer of all the landis of wich he had lordship. and māly auēge him vpō the Emprour of the dispite that he had send him such an lett (er). &̄ thei swore by god &̄ by his namys that they shuld hī pursue & brenne as moch as they myght. and sayd that they [...]old neu (er) faill kȳg Arthur. & rather to be deid. And they let write a lett (er) [Page] to send to the Emprour by the same messangers in this maner.

¶Off the bold ansuere that kyng Arthur sent to the Em­prour of Rome and to the romans.

VNderstondeth amonges you of Rome y^t I am kyng arthur of Breton and frely it holdis & shall hold and att Rome hastile I will be. nat to yef you truage: but for to axen truage: For Constātine y^t was Eleyns son that was emporour of Rome and of all the honour that ther to belongeth. And Maximian king: cōquered all france & Almayn: & mount ioye passed. & cōquered all lumbardie. & thes ij. wer myne auncestres and that they held & had. I shal̄ haue thurgh goddis will.

¶Of y^e reu (er)ance y^t kīg Arth^r did to y^e Emꝓurs messang (er)s·

WHen this letter was made and enseled. kyng Arthur to thes messangers yaf gret yeftes: And after that the messangers toke ther leue and went thens and come to the court off Rome ayene & told the Emprour how wortheli they wer vnd (er)fong and also of sich a rial companie that he had him to serue. and how he wos more riale serued than the Emprour of Romo or ony ky­ng leuyng in the world. ¶And when the Emprour had ou (er) seyne the letter and herd what was ther in and saw that Arthur wold not be ruled aft (er) hym. He let assemble and ordeyne an huge host for to destruy kyng Arthur yf that he myght ¶And kyng arthur as touching his pouer and parti ordeyned his pouer and knyghtes of the round table.

¶Of y^e kīgis &̄ lordis y^t cō to helpe kīg arth^r ayēs y^e Emꝓ [...]

THe kyng of Scotland and of Irland and of Gutland of Denmarke and of Almayne eu (er)y of them had x.M. men The duke of Normandie Gascoyn flandres Pehito and of Boloyne had iiij^M. Gerin of Charthres had x^M. Hoell of bretā had xij.M. &̄ hī se [...]f of his own land xij^M. and of arbalastters and of archers and of other folke in foot that no man coud the [...] [Page] nombre And when all wer redi for to wend kīg Arthur his lād & Gūnore his wife toke to kepe to on of his nephus that was a wyse knyght and an hardi that wos called Mordred. but he was not all trew os ye shal̄ heir afterward. kyng Arthur toke all his reuame to this Mordred saf onli the croune▪ ¶And aft (er) that kyng Arthur toke his host and went to southamton ther y^t the shippis wer brought & the folke assembled and they did go vn to the see and had wynd &̄ wedre at will and os sone as they my­ght they ariued at Har [...]let. and os sone as they myght they went to lond out of ther shippis and spred all ou (er) the cuntre:

¶How kyng arthur fought with a Geant in spayn that the wos called Dinabus that kylled Eleyn that wos kyng Hoels cosyn of litell Breton:

KYng Arthur had not duelled in the cuntre but a lytell tyme that men him told that ther wos comen a gret Gegn [...] in to spayn and had rauisshed fair Eleyn that was cosyn vn to Hoel̄ of lytill bretan and had brought hir vpon an hill that is called the mount of sent Barnard and ther was no man ī that cuntre so bold ne so hardy that durst with him fight ne cum nye the place ther that the geant dulled that was called Dinabꝰ and moch sorow he did ī the cuntre ¶When kyng Arthur herd this tydyng he called Key and Bedewere and cūmanded them to gon preuely and espy wher the geant myght be [...]unden & they come to the Rinage ther that men shuld go to the mount that wos all enclosed about with wat (er) and yit is and eu (er) shal be. ¶And thei saw abrinnyng fire vpon the hyll. and ther was also an other hill nygh that. and ther wos vpon that an other fire brennyng ¶Key and Bedewere come to the next hill and [...]ōden a widew openhed sittīg besides a tombe sore wepyng &̄ gret sorow made. & oft she sayd eleyn elein: & Key and bedewere axed what she was and wherfor she made so moch sorow. and who say in that tombe [Page] O qd she what sorow and mysauentur fair lordes seke ye her: for if the geant may you heir fynd: he will you sle anone. ¶Be styll good wife qd they: ther of dismay ye not. but tell vs the soth whi that thow makest so moch sorow and wepyng ¶Sirs quod she: for a damysell that I norisshid with my brest y^t was called Ellin: that was nece to Hoell kyng of breton. And heir lieth the body in this tombe that to me wos takn to norisshe. ¶And so ther come a deuell a geant. and rauisshed hir and me also: and lad vs both with him away. ¶And he wold haue forlayn that mayd that wos so yong and tend (er) of age. But she myght it not suffer. so gret and so houge as the geant was ¶And for certis if he now cū os he is wont to do. he will yow both now kill: and therfor wend ye hens. Then bespake thes two messengers: and sayed vn to hir. wherfor go ye not from hens. ¶Certis syrs quod she when that Elin wos deid the geāt made me to abyde to done and haunte his will. and me must nedes it suffer: and god it wote I do it not with my will for me had leu (er) to be deid. than with him to deill. so moch payn & sorow I haue when he me forlieth. ¶When Key & Bedewer had herd all that this woman them told. They turned ayene and come to kyng arthur and told him all y^t they had seyne & he [...]d Arthur anōe toke them both w^t hī & wēt preueli by nyght y^t nōe of his host wist & come on morow erli to the geant & faught w^t hī str [...] ̄gli & at thee last hī slew ¶And arthur bad bedewer smyt of his heed: & bri­ng it to y^e host to shew them for a wond (er) for it wos so gret & huge ¶Whē thei come ayen to y^e host. they told wherfor they had be out &̄ shewed to hem the heed: &̄ eu (er)y mā was glad & Ioifull of y^e worthy dede y^t kīg Arthur had done y^t wos ther lord ¶And Hoell wos ful sorowful̄ for his nece y^t wos so lost: &̄ aft (er) whē he had space he let make a fair chapell of our ladi ou (er) Elins tombe,

¶How kynh Arthur yaf bataill to the Emhrour in the wich bataill the Emprour him self was slayn.

[Page]ARthur and his pepull had tydynges that the Emprour had assembled a gret pouer as well of sarasyns as of paynȳs & cristī men. wher of the nombre wos lxxx.M. hors men: w^t fo [...] men ¶Arthur and his pepull ordined fast forth in ther way toward the Emprour and passed Normandye and fraunce: vn to Burgoyne and wold haue gone to the host. for men told him y^t the Empronis host wold cum to Lucie. ¶The Emprour and his host in the begynnyng of August remeued from Rome and cam forth right the way toward the host. Tho come kīg Arthurs espies & sayed if that Arthur wold he shuld fynd the Em­prour ther fast by. ¶But they sayed that the Emprour had so gret pouer with hym of kynges of the land and of paynyms and also cristyn pepull: that it wer bot foly to kyng Arthur to metē with them: for the espies told that the emprour had .v. men or vi ayenest on of his. ¶Kyng arthur wos bold and hardy and for no thyng him dismade and saied. go we bodile in goddis name ayens the Romans that with them lede sarasens and paynyms that no man (er) trust they haue in god: but only vpon ther strength ¶Go we now and sech them sharpely in the name of almyghty god. and sle we the paynyms and cristyn men that be ayenes vs with them: for to distruy cristyn men. And god shall vs help them to ou (er)cum. For we haue the right oppynyon. and therfor haue we trust in god. and doo we so that the enmys that be to cristī dom and to god. may be destruyd and ou (er) cūmyn. and that men may recorde the worthines of knyghthod ¶When kyng Arthur had thus saied: they cried all with an high vois. ¶God that is fadre almyghty worsshipped be thy name with out end amen. And grante vs grece well for to do & to destru our en­mys y^t be ayens cristīdō. In y^e name of the fad (er) the son & y^e holi gost amē. & god yef him neu (er) grace ne worship ī the world ne m̄ci of hī to haue that this day shall feynt wel for to smyt &̄ egreli &̄ so they riden softeli & ordyned his wynges well and wysely. [Page] ¶The Emprour herd tell that kyng Arthur & his folke wer redy araied for to fight with him and thed (er) they come and he ordined his wynges ī y^e best man (er) that he myght and more trust vpō his strength than in god almyghty and that wos seyn aft (er)ward ¶For when tho ij. hostis meten the Emprour lost iiij. of his folke ayenst on of Arthur. and so mony wer slayn what in that on parti and in that other that it was gret pitte to wit & be hold. ¶In this bataill wer slayn thurgh kyng Arthur v. kynges of the paynyms and of other wond (er) moch pepull ¶And kȳg Arthurs men foughten so well that the romans & paynyms had no more strength to withstond them then xx. shepe ayens v. wolfes ¶And so it befell that in this bataill ī the showre that wos wonder hard &̄ long during in that on side and ī that other the Emprour amonges them ther wos slayn. but ther wos no man that wyst for veray sothe who hym slew.

¶How kyng Arthur let entere his knyghtes that he had lost ther in bataill and how he sent the Emprours body to Rome that ther wos slayn in bataill.

WHen the Romans wist that the Emprour wos deid they forsoke the feld and the paynems also. And kyng arth^r after them chased till it wos nyght: and so mony of them kylled that it wos wonder to tell ¶And tho turned kyng Arthur ayen wen it wos nyght. and thanked god of his victori. And in the morow he let loke and see al the feld for his knyghtys that he ther lost that is to say Borel erle of maunt Bedewer and Key and Ligiers erle of Boloyne vrgeti erle of baac Aloth erle of wīchestre Cursael erle of chestre and aft (er) holden erle of flaunders thes wer the gret lordes that kyng arthur lost in that batail w^t other worthy knyghtes them emong. ¶And sū he let entire in abbeis by the cuntre sū he let be borne ī to ther own cūtre ¶And the Emꝑours body he let take & put vpō a bere & sēt it to rom and sent to say the romās that for briton and france wich thatt [Page] he held: other truage wold he none pay And if they axed hī ony other truages. right soch truage he wold them pay ¶The kīg let ber Key to kenen his own castell &̄ ther him entired. &̄ Ligier wos borne to Boloyn ther he wos lord And Holden wos borne to flaundres and ther he was entered ¶And all the other he let entere with moch honour in abbais &̄ in houses of relegion in thee cuntre ther that they werdeid. ¶And arthur him self soiour­ned that same yere in Burgon with his host. &̄ thoght the same yere f [...]loyng to pas the mount of Ioye: &̄ haue gone to Rome al for to take the cite and haue put the romans in subiecciō but thee wykked tirand Mordred him let as after ye shall heir.

¶How the tratour Mordred to whome kȳg Arthur toke his land to kepe and his Castelles. and he held hem ayens hym

WHen kyng Arthur had taken to Mordred his Reame to kepe & was gone ayens the Emprour of Rome &̄ was passed the see. Mordred anone toke homages &̄ feautes of all them that wer ī this land. & wold haue had the land to his owne vse. &̄ toke castels about and let them be araied ¶And aft (er) this falsnesse he did an other gret wrong. for a yens the law of cristīte he toke his own emes wife os a tratour shuld & ordined hī a gret host ayens arthurs cōyng to hold the lond ayens hī w^t strongth for eu (er)more And to slee kyng arthur if he myght &̄ sent by y^e see & be land & let assemble panyms & cristī pepul. & he sent to saxons &̄ to Danys for to help him ¶And also Mordred sent to Childrik to done men to cū to him out of saxoyne: y^t was a worthy duke & hight hī if that he brought w^t hī mich pepull he wold grante hī in heritage for eu (er)more all the land frō beyond hūber to scotlād And all the land that Engist had of vortig (er)s yeft: when that he spoused his doughter ¶And Cheldrik come w^t a gret strength & pouer of pepull. &̄ Mordred had assembled also ī his halfe that they had xl^M. of strong knyghtes when that they had nede.

¶How Arthur enchased Mordred the tratour and how he wos slayn and also kyng Arthur wounded to deth

WHen this tydynges come to kyng Arthur ther that he w [...] as in Burgoyne he was full sore anoyed and toke all fraunce to hoel for to kepe with halfuendel of his men and prayed him that he wold it kepe till he come ayene: for him self wold wēd ī to Breton. and a venge hī vpon Mordred that was his tratour and forth went his way. and come to whitsand and made hys men to gone in to ship and wold haue ariued at sandwich. and brought with him a gret host of fraunch men also with his owne land men. But or that he myght cum to lond with his pepull y^t wer comen out of his shippes Mordred wos comen with all hys pouer. and yaf a strong bataill. so that kyng Arthur lost māy a man or that he myght cum to land ¶For ther was Gawen his nephu slayn and Augnissell that held Scotland and mony other. wherof kyng Arthur wos full sori: But aft (er) that they wer comen to lond Mordred myght not ayens them endure. but anone wos discomfited and fled thens the same nyght with his men and vpon the morne come to london bot tho of the cite wold not suffre him to cum in. and from thens he fled to winchestre &̄ ther he him held with his pepull that come with him ¶Kyng Arthur let take the body of Gawen his cosyn and the body of Augnis­sell and let them be borne in to Scotland in to ther own cuntre & ther they wer entired. ¶And aft (er) anone kyng Arthur toke his way to distruy Mordred. and he fled thens in to Cornewail ¶And the quene Gūnor that wos kyng arthurs wife thatt tho sogerned at yorke and herd that Mordred wos fled thens & that he might not endure ayens king Arthur. she wos soradrad and had gret dout and wist not what wos best all for to done. For she wyst well that hir lord kyng Arthur wold neu (er) of hir haue mercy For the gret shame that she had him done. and toke h [...] way preuali with iiij. men with out mo and come to Karlion & [Page] ther she duelled all hir lifes tyme & neu (er) was seyn amonge folke hir life during. ¶Arthur wist that Mordred wos fled in to Cornwaill and let send aft (er) his men in to scotland and northhū berland vn to humber and let assemble folke with out nomber & come fro thens in to Cornwaill to sech and pursue aft (er) Mordred ¶And mordred had assembled to him all the folke of cornwail and had pepull w^t out nombre and wist that Arthur was commyng and had leu (er) to die and take his chaunce th̄en longer fle. & aboid and yaf an hard bataill to kyng arthur and to his pepull so that so moch pepull was slayn what of that on side and of y^t other that no man wist who had the bettir parti. ¶But so it be fell at the last that Mordred wos slayn and all his folke and y^e good chiualri that kyng arthur had gadred and norishid of diu (er)s landis and also the nobull knyghtis of the round tabull that so moch was prased thurgh out all the world werther slayn. and arthur him self was wounded to the deth. but he let him be borne in a litter to a vyoun to be heled of his woundes & yet the bretons supposen that he liueth in an other lond. and that he shall cum yit and conquere all breton. ¶But certis this is the prophesi of Merlin he sayd that his deth shall be dowtous: and saied sothe for ther of yit mē haue dout & shul haue for eu (er) more as mē sayen ¶For men wot not whed (er) that he is on lyue or deid. ¶Arthur was borne to Auyon the xxij. yere of his regne aft (er) th̄e Incarnacion of our lord thū crist v^C. and xlvi. yere.

¶How kyng Arthur deliu (er)yd the reame vn to Costantine the son of Cador his Niphu:

WHen kīg Arthur wist that he myght regne no longer he let cum before him Costantine that wos Cadors son erle of Cornewaill his cosin & to him bitoke all his reame and to him sayed and bad him therof to be kyng till that he come ayen for as moch os he had none heire of his body begoten and harme wos [...]t that so nobull a kyng and so doughty os he wos had no child [Page] of his body begoten. But all thyng that god wyll haue done must be done. whos name be blissid with out end Amen.

¶How kyng Costantine was wered of Mordredes ij. sonnis

THys Costantine wos a nobull knyght and a worthy of bodi & tho ij: sonnys that Mordred had begoten had grete envy vn to Costantine that tho was crouned kyng. ¶And so it befell that they begon to meue were ayenes hī & assembled a gret host of them that wer be fore with mordred: and had bene driuen away: and that did moch sorow thurgh all that land. that [...]on brother ordeyned him to london for to take the cite· and that other to wynchistre: ¶But Costantine come to london and slew him that was ther. and aft (er) he wēt to wynchestre & slew him that ther was also So that bothe his enmys wer deid ¶And when Costantine had regned worthel [...] iiij. yere then he died and lyeth at london.

¶Of the kynges Adelbright and of Edell.

AFter kyng Costantines deth ther wer ij. kynges ī bretan that on was called Adelbright y^t wos a danoys & he held the cūtre of northfolke &̄ southfolke. y^t other hight Edell &̄ waas a bretō. &̄ he held Nichol̄ Līdesei &̄ al̄ the lād vn to hūber ¶Thes ij. kīges fast wered to ged (er)s: but aft (er) they wer accorded & lo­ued to ged (er) os thei had be bore of o bodi ¶The kīg Edell had a sustre that wos called Orewenne. &̄ he yaf hir thurgh gret frend­ship to kyng Adelbright to wife. And he begat vpon hir a doughter that was called Argentill. and in the thrid yere aft (er) come vpō hī a stronge sekenes y^t nedes he must die. ¶And he sente to kyng Edell his brother in law that he shuld cum &̄ speke w^t hī &̄ he come to him w^t good will ¶Tho prayed he the kyng & ꝯiured also ī the name of god. that aft (er) whē he wer deid. he shuld take Argentill his dought (er) & the land: & y^t he keped hir well &̄ norisshe hir in his chambre. ¶And when she wer of age she shuld be maried to the strongest and worthiest man that he myght find [Page] and than he shuld yeld vp hir land ayene. ¶Edell it granted and by oth cōfermed hys prayer. & whē a delbright was deid and entered: Edell toke y^e damisell argentill: & norisshed hir ī his chambre. &̄ she become y^e fairest creat^r y^t might lyue or ony mā find

¶How kīg Edell maried y^e damisell to a knaue of his kichē

THis king Edell that wos vncle to the damisell Argētil̄ bethought how that he myght falsli haue the land frō his nece for eu (er) more & falseli ayenest his oth thought to dissaue thee damisell and to marie hir to a knaue of his kichen that wat cald Curan &̄ he become the worthiest &̄ strongest man of body that ony man wist in ony land that tho leued. and to him he thought hir shendfulli haue maried: for to haue had hir land aft (er)ward. bot he wos clen dissaued. ¶For this Curan wos Hauelockes fō that wos kyng of Kyrkelane in denmarke. and this Curan cō quered his wifes lond aft (er)ward. &̄ slew kīg Edell that wos his wifes vncle: and had all hir land: os in an other place it telleth more openli & he ne regned bot iij. yere for saxons & danys hī killed: and that was gret harme to all breton. &̄ bretans bore him to Stonkenge & ther they him entered with moch honour.

¶Of kyng Conan that wos Curan cosin.

AFter this curan regned Conan y^t was his cosī that wos a wond (er) proud knyght and regned & coud haue no man (er) of loue but eu (er) he was medelyng with his pepull. and toke his vn kill with were & killed his ij. children. ¶The saxons wered ayens him often tymes but he them ou (er) come. And so he wos in pees all his lifes tyme: & he regned xiiij. yere and after he di­ed and lieth at London.

¶Of kynge Cortif and of Gurmond that come thurgh thee paynyms in to briton.

AFter this conan regned his cosin Cortif y^t was bihated of all his pepull and nothyng beloued. And this cortef lost all Britan thurgh were. and in his tyme fell that gret [Page] myschef in breton that cristyndom wos destroyed and all the britons wer driuen owt of the land. & the land lost w [...]th out ony recouer. but aft (er)ward left the lōd to saxons. as ye aft (er)ward shal heir ¶For in that time ther wos a paynyme y^t was called Gurmond that wos the kynges son Daufrikes of the paynymys folke that had the reame aft (er) his fadre: and wos kyng sauf he be­quaeth and yaf it to his brother. & saied that he nold neu (er) be kyng but yf he myght get and conquere a reame ī a strong cūtre. ¶For he wos bold & strong of bodi: &̄ of him ꝓphesied Merlȳ & sayed that he shuld be a wolfe of the see. and he let assemle pay­nyms with out nombre and let a ꝑell shippis &̄ wēt by mōy landdis & toke homages &̄ feautes of mony: &̄ so he went bi the see & conquered mony diu (er)se londis ¶So that he come to Irland and cōquered y^t land. that oft tymes wered vpon bretons: and bretons vpon them. &̄ oft wonen and oft losten: And yef hosta­ges to bretons. and so they sent to Gurmond ther that he was in Irlond that he shuld come in to Briton & help them ayens the britons. to help them to deliu (er) that land of them. &̄ thei wold him hold gladly for ther lord. for he wos a paynym and the wer paynims and the bretons wer cristin. well ought he them for to help so as they wer all of on lawe: ¶When Gurmond herd this prayer he hasted hī as moch as he myght & ariued ī scotland & come ī to Northhūberland ther y^t the saxons wer duellīg. & thei cōfirmed y^e cōnauntes bi twen them y^t wer made bi othes & be hostages for to beir him trew fay & hold him for lord &̄ pay to him truage by yere. ¶Tho began the saxons & the affricans to destruy rob &̄ brenne tounes & destru all thing ī as moch os they myght. and spared nether man ne woman ne chyld lered ne lewed. bot al̄ thei kylled & cast doune tounes castels & chirches. ¶And so put they all the land ī gret destruccion. &̄ as sone os thei might fleyn they fled thens as well poer as rich bisshoppis abbotes chanons· &̄ all other gret and small sū in to litell briton and sum in to Cornewaill. [Page] all tho that shippis myght haue.

¶How kyns Gurmond drofe the kyng Cortif to Chechestre and killed the bretons: and thurgh quentise get the toune

COrtif the kyng sled thens in to Chechestre that tho was a good cite and a strong: &̄ ther held him xx. dayes. And this Gurmond come and it beseged. but the cite was so strong y^t he might not get it by no maner of wise ne engyn that he myghte done. ¶Tho bythought thei vpon a gret quētise for to brenne the toune. they made engynes with glew of nettes and toke peces of tunder and of fier and bond it to the sparous fete and after­ward let them fle. And they anone right flow and logged them in the toune ther that ther nestis wer. and in stakkes & ī euys­singes of houses. & the fyer began to tende &̄ brend all y^e toune ¶And when the britans saw that. ī eu (er)y side they hied thē out & faught bot anone they wer slayn &̄ discomfited & whiles the bataill dured the kīg priueli hid hī &̄ stale a way ī to wales & mē wiste neu (er) wher he become. and so was the toune of chechistre taken and destruied: ¶And after Gurmond went and destruied cities and tounes that neu (er) wer afterward made a yene as it is seyn yit in this land in mony places

¶How this lond was called Englond for the name of En­gist: and how mony kenges wer made aft (er) in the land.

WHen Gurmond had destroied all the land thurgh out hee yaf the lond to the Saxons. and anone thei toke it with good will For the saxons long tyme had desiered it for as moche as they wer of Engistes kynred that fyrst had all the land of Breton: and lete them be called Englissh men for be cause of Engistes name And the lond they let call Englond in ther langage & the folke bene called englisshmen for os moch os ī his tyme it wos called Engist lond when he had conquered it of vortiger that spoused his dought (er). but from the tyme that Brut come first ī to Englōd this lōd was called Breton & the folk britons [Page] But sith the tyme that this Gurmond eftsons conquered it & yaf it vn to the saxons. and thei anone right changed the name os by fore is sayd. ¶And whē this wos done Gurmond passed ouer in to fraunce. & ther cōquered mony landis & destruyed all cristen pepull ther that he come. and the saxons duelled ī this land &̄ bigane fast it to inhabit at ther own will. and they wold haue made new kynges & lordis but they myght neu (er) assenten to haue only o kīg for to be to them entendāt. &̄ therfor thei made mony kxnges in diu (er)se shires as it was ī Engistis tyme ¶The fyrst kyng dō wos Kent &̄ that other southsex &̄ the thrid westsex and the fourth estsex and the v. Northūberland & the vi. Esta­ngle that is to say Northfolke and southfolke and the vij. Me [...] chenrich &̄ y^t is the erldom of Nicholl huntyngdō herford glousestre winchistre warwyke & derby. &̄ so deꝑted the englissh al̄ englond in vij. ꝑtes. ¶And aft (er) y^t it befell that tho kyngꝭ we­red oft tyme to ged (er) & eu (er) he y^t was strongest toke hym that was febelest &̄ so it wos long tyme y^t they had no kīg crouned emōg them ne no cristyn man wos tho amonges them ne cristyndom nother ¶But wer paynyms till that sent Gregori wos pape of Rome that had seyn child of the naciō of Englong ī the cite of Rome that wer wond (er) fair creaturs &̄ had gret will & desire them to behold. &̄ axed of the marchantis whens thei wer & of what nacion: & men told him y^t thei wer of Englond. & englissh they wer called: bot they and all y^e pepull of englond wer paynyms. &̄ beleued not vpon god ¶Alas qd sent gregori well mow they be called englyssh for thei haue the visages of Angels &̄ therfor well ought thei to be cristē ¶And for this cause sent gregori sent ther sent Austin ī to englond: &̄ xl. good men w^t hī y^t were of good lyfe &̄ holy mē to preche & teche & to cōuert the english pe­pull & them turne to god. & that was ī the vi. yere that sent gregori had bene pape of Rome: y^t is to say aft (er) the Incarnaciō of our lord ihū crist v.C.lxxxv. yere as the cronicles telleth.

¶How sent Austyn baptised and conuerted kīg Adelbright and the bisshoppis that he made his felawes.

WHen sent Austyn come fyrst in to Englond. he ariued ī the Ile of Tenet. and so passed forthe and come vn to Cantorberi and ther soiourned and kyng Adelbright of kent y^e wos of the lynage of Engist. fair vndirfenged sent Austyn & his felaws with moch honour. and them fonden all that them neded And more ouer he yaf them a fair place that now is cadled the abbay of sent Austin. in wich place he lieth him self shiyned ¶This kyng Adelbright wos a good man. &̄ wyth good will herd sent austyn predicacions and yaf him leue to preche thurgh out all his land of kent to turne and conu (er)te to him all thee pepull that he might. ¶It befell so aft (er)ward thurgh goddis grace: that in litell tyme the kyng him self was conu (er)ted to god & all his pepull of his land was baptisid ¶And in the meyn w­hile the pepull turned them to god: sent Austyn come to Rochestre & ther he preched the word of god. And the paynyms therfor hī scorned. and cast vpō him reigh tailles: so that all. is mantell was honged full of thes reigh tayles ¶And for more dyspite they cast vpon him the guttys of reighes and of od (er) fische wher­for the good man sent austyn wos sore annoied and greued and prayed to god that all tho child of that cite that shuld be borne aft (er)ward that is to say ī the cite of Rochester. might haue tailles and so they had. ¶And whē the kīg herd of this vengeaunce y^t wos fallen thurgh sent austyns praier He let make an hous ī honour of almyghty god. wher in women shold be deliu (er)ed of ther child at the brigges end. ī the wich house yit womē of the Cite bene deliuered of chyld. ¶When sent Gregori had herd tell how the Englissh pepull wer turned to god & ꝯu (er)ted. he sēt vn to sent austyn. his pallione bi a bisshop y^t wos called Paulin and mad [...] hī premat & Erchebisshop of englond & sent worde that he shuld ordein and make bi shoppis ī the land ¶And anone as [Page] austyn had the palliō of the dignite of the Ersbishop he made: ij. bisshoppis of his felaws y^t come w^t him frō rome y^t on was cal­led Mellyt & he duelled at londō. and y^t other wos called Iustī y^t held the dignite of rochester & this bisshop Mellit tho wēt to p­reche ī to Essex & baptised the kīg of the cūtre y^t wos called Syc­with y^t wos kīg Adelbrightis cosin his sustres son ¶This Iustī wēt to preche ī southsex & turned moch of the peple to god And sent austin hī self preched thurgh out Englond.

¶How sent austyn wēt ī to wales ther y^t the bretons wer. & how they nold not be obedient to the Erchebisshop of cantorbury

WHen all Englond wos baptised &̄ turned to god sent austyn went in to that land ther that the bretons wer for to kepe them from englisshmen that is to say in to wales. and ther he founden monkes and abbeys and vij. bisshoppis ¶For y^e britons destroied all way the cristyn pepul y^t sent austī had ꝯu (er)ted & he saied to the bisshoppis y^t he wos a legat of rome & p̄ ­mat of all englōd & y^t thei shuld bi all resō to hī be obediēt. & they saied they nold not ¶But to the erchebisshop of Carliō the wold. they nold neu (er) for no man (er) thīg be obediēt to the englishmen ¶For the englishmen thei said bene our adu (er)saries &̄ our enmis &̄ haue driuē vs out of our cūtre & we be cristī men &̄ eu (er) has bene &̄ the englismen haue eu (er) bene paynyms bot now of late y^t they be cōu (er)ted ¶Sent austyn might of them none onsuer haue otherwise. but said pertely that they nold neuer them meke to him ne to the pope of rome. ¶And sent austyn turned ayene tho to kyng Adelbright that was kyng of Kent. and told him that his folke nold not be to no man obedient bot to the erchebisshop of karlion ¶And whē the kīg herd this he wos sore annoied & said y^t he wold them destruy and sent to Elfrid kyng of Northhūberlād that wos his frend that he shuld cum to him with all the pouer y^t he myght and that he shuld mete him at Leycestre and frō thens they wold gone in to wales and ther destruy the Erchebisshopp [Page] of Carleon and all tho that had refused sent austyn.

¶How king Adelbright and the kīg Elfrid kylled brecinal that wos a kyng of bretons that held the contre of Leicestre

IT befell so that ther wos a kyng of Breton that held the cuntre of Leicestre and all the cuntre about▪ his name was Brecinall ¶And this bretō herd tell y^t tho ij. engli [...]h kinges wold mete ther at leicestre for to wend ī to wales. he let ordī all the pouer y^t he had to fight with thes .ij. kīges but litell it availed hī for his folke that he had wer slain &̄ him self fled &̄ lost his landis for euer more. ¶And thes ij. kyngꝭ adelbright &̄ Elfrid duelled a while at Leicestre & deꝑtid y^e land amōges them & toke homages & feautis of folkè of the cūtre: &̄ aft (er) thei wēt toward wales & tho of wales herd tell of the scomfitur y^t Brecinal had at Leicestre and wer wonder sore a drad of tho ij. kynges. &̄ toke and chose amonges them good men and holy. of Hermytes monkis & prestis & of other pepull gret plenti that went barefote & wellewerd for to haue merci of thes ij· kynges ¶Bot tho kīgꝭ wer so sterne &̄ so wicked that they nold neu (er) speke with them. bot kylled them eu (er)ychon ¶Alas for sorew for they ne spared hem no more thā the wolfe doith the shep: but smyten of ther hedis eu (er) ychon & so thei wer all martired that to them come that is to vnderstand v.C. &̄ xl. & aft (er)ward they went from thens to Baugore for to kyll all thoos that they myght ther find of the bretons ¶And when y^e bretons herd that: they assemled &̄ ordeined all ther pouer for to fight with them. Tho wos ther abaroū ī wales y^t wos called Bledrik of cornewaill that sū tyme was lord of Denshyre but the kyng Adelbright had driuen him out īto wal̄es. & aft (er) ther he yef them bataill. & at that bataill wos kyng a­delbright slayn &̄ Elfrid woūded sore & for soke the feld &̄ y^e most ꝑte of his pepull slayn. and elfrid fled ī to northhumberland that wos his own land ¶And after the pepull of Leicestre­shire [Page] made with strength Cadewan y^t wos Brecynals son kīg of Leicestre and he aft (er) regned nobulli & with gret honour.

¶How Cadewan kyng of Leicestre and Elfride kyng of northhūberland wer frendis. and of the debait that after wos betwē Edwyn and Cadwalyn that wer both ther sonnys.

ANd after that this bataill wos done. the Bretons assē led them and went thens. and come to Leicestre and made ther Cadewan that wos Brecinales son kyng of Leicestre &̄ of all the cuntre. and he toke homages &̄ feautes of al̄ y^e folke of the cūtre. &̄ aft (er) y^t he assemled a gret host &̄ sayed he wold go in to Northhūberlond to destruy kig Elfrid & sle hī if he might &̄ whē he wos comē thid (er). frendes wēt so betwen them &̄ made them accorded ī this man (er) That Elfrid shuld hold all y^e land frō hūber vn to scotland. & Cadewan shuld haue al̄ y^e land athis side hūber to the south. and aft (er) y^t they become good frēdis all ther lifes tyme &̄ loued to ged (er) as they had be ij. brether ¶And this Elfrid had a son y^e wos called Edwyn y^t had &̄ held all the land of northhū berland aft (er) his fad (er)s deth as his fad (er) had holde all his lifes tyme ¶And Cadewan had an other son y^t wos caled Cadwalyn y^t held his fad (er)s lond as he it hel̄d whiles he wos a liue &̄ they loued to ged (er) as they had be brether. ¶And y^e loue lasted bitu­ix them bot only ij. yere: &̄ aft (er) began debate bitwen them thurgh a lither ēuyus cosin of cadwalyns y^t wos caled briens. so thatt they assemled a gret host ī both ꝑtes: & at the last it befell y^t cadwalyn wos discomfited & edwyn hī pursued &̄ droue hī from place to place: so at the last he fle ī to Irlond ¶And this od (er) destroyed his lōd: & cast doune casteles & brent his man (er)s &̄ deꝑted all cadwalyns lond among his frendis ¶And long tyme aft (er) come cadwalyn ayene frō Irlond w^t a strong pouer & in playn bataill kylled Edwyn & all his frendis &̄ namly tho that with held his londis thurgh Edwynes yift.

¶How kyng Oswold wos kylled thurgh kyng Cadwalyn & Peanda. and how Oswy that wos sent Oswaldes brother regned after him and kylled Peanda

WHen that Edwyn wos slayn Offris his son vndertoke the were ayens Cadwalyne his eme so that this Offris died during the were ¶And after the deth of Offris tho reg­ned a gentill cristyn man that moch loued god almyghty. that had all the land of Northhumberland by heritage that was cald Oswald. and he wos kyng of all that land. ¶But for as moch as he wos frend to Edwyne and held a gret part of the lād of Cadwalin. this same cadwalyn wered vpon him and drefe him toward scotland ¶And when Cadwalyn saw that he wold not abyde Cadwalyne nold no longer hym pursew but toke some of his folke to Peanda his brother in law and prayed Peanda to pursew after Oswald till that he wer taken and slayn And Cadwalyne turned home ayene ¶When Oswalde herd the tyding that Cadwalin turned home ayene: he wold no longer fle but aboid Peanda & yaf him bataill & Peanda wos discomfited and fled and come ayen to Cadwalyn and sayed that he wold neuer hold o fote of land of him but yf so were that he wold a venge him of Oswald. ¶Cadwalyn let assemble a gret host for to fight w^t Oswald. so that he & Peanda come to North­hūberland &̄ yaf bataill vn to Oswald & in the same bataill was oswald slayn and his heid smyten of. and after he wos entered at the abbay of Bardeney ī wich place god hath wrought for him mony a fair miracull both ther &̄ els where ¶And anone Os­wy his brother seysed all the land in to his hond that wos thys Oswaldis &̄ the folke of Northūberland loued hī wond (er) well & held him for ther lord· but he had men of his kyn worthy ynough that wold haue deꝑted the land. and they wered to gedre well and for as moch as they wer not strōg ynowgh they come to Pianda [Page] and prayed him of helpe and socour and biheght him of that land largely vpon this couenaunt that he wold them gou (er)ne and helpe &̄ counceill. ¶Peanda herd ther prayer: and so spake with the kyng Cadwalin that he shuld ordeyn a gret host and fast ordeyn him in to Northhumberland for to fight with Oswy ¶And Oswy was a meke man and mich loued pees and charite & prayed Peanda of loue and pees. and ꝓferrid him of gold and silu (er) gret plent [...] ¶And this Peanda was so proud that he nold graunte him pees for no maner thyng: but for all thing he wold w^t him sight. So at the last ther was set a day of batall ¶And Oswy eu (er) had trast vpon god. And Peanda trast to moch vpon his pride and vpō his host y^t he had. and to ged (er) they smyten egrely. but Peanda anone wos discomfited & slayn. and this was aft (er) the Incarneciō of our lord ihū crist vi^C. & lv. yere And this Oswy regned xxviij. yere. and a kyng y^t wos called Os­wyne that wos Peandais cosin wered vpō king Oswy &̄ to gedre foughten. but Oswy had the victori of Oswyne & oswyne was discomfited & slayn and lieth at Tynnemouth.

¶How kȳg Cadwaldre that wos Cadwaleynes son regned aft (er) his fadre and was the last kyng of Bretons.

AFt the deth of Cadwalyn regned his son Cadwaldre wel̄ and nobulli and his moder was the suster of kyng Pe­anda ¶And when he had regned xij: yere. he fell in to a gret sekenesse. and than wos ther a gret descorde by twen the lordis of the lond. that euery on of hem wered vpon other And yit in that tyme ther fell so gret derth and scarcite of corne & other vitailles ī this land y^t a man might go iij. days or iiij. fro toūe to toune y^t he shuld not fīd to bie for gold ne salu bred wyne ne none other vitaill: wherwith a man myght leue. but onli the pepull leued by rotes of herbis. for other lyuyng had thei nōe so mich wos it faillid all a bout. fisshis wildbestes & all other thing. so that yit to this missauēt (ur) ther fell so gret mortalyte &̄ pestilence emōg [Page] the pepull. by the corupcion of the eir: that the leuyng pepull ne sufficed not to beri the deid bodies: for they died so sodenli both gret and small. lord and sarnand: os thei [...]ten & goyng &̄ spekyng they fell doune &̄ died: so that neu (er) wos herd of more soden deth emonge the pepull. for he y^t went for to beri the deid bodi: w^t the same deid bodi wos beried ¶And so thei that might fle fled &̄ for soke ther landes &̄ houses as well for the gret hunger derth &̄ scarcite of corne &̄ other vitall: as for the horibull mortalite &̄ pestilence ī the land. & went ī to other landis for to saue ther lyues: & left the land all desert and wast so that ther wos not any man to trauell and till the land ne eir ne sow the land· so y^t the lond wos bareyne of cornes & al̄ other fruytes for defaute of tillers: And this mis­souētur dured .xi. yere &̄ more y^t no man myght e [...] ne sowe.

¶How Cadwaldre went out of this land ī to lytel̄ britan.

CAdwaldre saw gret hunger mortalite and pestilence and the land all poer. and failyng cornes and other vitales and his folke perysshid and saw also the most pert [...] of his land all wasted and voed of pepull He apparailled him and his folke that wer left on lyue. and passed ou (er) in to lytell Breton with a lytell nauye vn to kyng Aleyn that he moch loued that wos his cosin. and that his fadre had moch loued in his tyme ¶And as they saled in the see. he made gret lametacion. and so did all tho that wer with him. and sayed. ¶Dedisti nos domine tanquam oues esca (rum) et in gentibus dispersisti nos. ANd than began Cadwaldre to complayn hym to his folk pytuusly and said ¶Alas said he. to vs wrecches and Caytyfes is sorow: for owr grett synnys of the wych we wold not amende vs while we had space. & now repentaunce is comt vpon vs: thoro myssauentur wich chaceth vs out of our own reame and propre soyle fro. &̄ out of the wich some tyme Romans Scottis Saxōs ne Danys might not exile vs ¶Bot what a [Page] vailleth it now to vs that before tyme of tsythes haue gotē mony other landes sith it is not the will of god that we abide & duell in our own land. God that is veray Iuge that all thinges knaweth befor they be done or made. he seith that we wold not [...]esse of our synnys: and that our enmys myght not vs ne our linage exile fro: & out of y^e reame. he wold that we amēded vs of our folies and that we sene our proper defaultes: And ther for hath shewed to vs wrath and wyll chastise vs of our mysdedys Sith that he doth vs without batalll or strength of our enmys bi gret companyes wricchedly to leue our own reame and ꝓper land ¶Turne ayene ye Romans. turne ayene ye Scottis. turne ayene ye Saxons: turne ayene ye Fraunsois: now sh̄eweth to you Bretan all desert: the wich your pouer myght neu (er) make desert ne yet your pouer hath not put vs now in exile. but only the pouer of y^e kīg almyghty whom we haue oft offendid by our folies the wich we wold not leuen vn till he chastised vs by his diuine pouer Among the wordes &̄ lametacion that the kyng Cade­waldre made to his folke they ariued in litell Briton and come to kyng Alyne beforsayed ¶And the kȳg resaued him with Ioye. and made him to be serued wonder nobully. and ther he duelled long tyme after ¶The englissh pepull that wer lefte on lyue and wer ascaped the gret hunger and mortalite lyued in the best wise that they myght. and moch pepull sprong and come of them. ¶And they sent in to Saxonie wher they wer borne to therfrendes for men women and chyldren to restore the cites with pepull. and the townes that wer all voyed of pepull and for to labour trauell and tyll the erth ¶When the saxons had herd this tydyng they come in to this land wondirthykke in gret companyes. and he [...]berd them self in the cuntre all a boute wher that they wold: for they found no man them to lett ne wyth stond ¶And so they waxen & multiplied gretli and vsed the customes of the cuntre wher of they wer comen and the lawys [Page] and the langage of ther own land ¶And they changed the names of citeis tounes castelles and burghis and yaf them names and called them os they now be called. ¶And they held the Countees the Baronages lordshippis and trees in man (er) as thee Brotons be fore tyme had compassed them. And among other gret ꝯpanies y^t com from Germayn in to this land come the noble quene that was called Sexburga with men and women without nombre. and ariued in the cuntre of Northhumberlond and to­ke the lond from Albiō vn to Cornwaill: for hir and for hir folke For ther was none that myght them let· for all wos desilat & wid of pepull: but it wer a few pouer Bretonis that wer laft on mountans and wedes vn till that tyme ¶And fro that tyme forth lost the bretons this reame for all ther days. and the En­glissh pepull begone to regne and deꝑted the land bitwen them and they made mony kynges about bi diu (er)se partes of the land os heir bene deuised the first of westsex the secund Merchenrich: thee thrid Estangle the fourth kent: the fifth southsex ¶All thos regned in this land aft (er) Cadwaldre wos passed out of this land &̄ duellid in litell breton with kyng Aliyn his cosin and trewe frend ¶And when he had long dulled ther and had knawynge that the mortalite and pestilence wos ou (er) passed and that the lond wos replenysshed of alyen pepull he thought to turne ayen in to his lond. and prayed kyng Alyen his cosin of socour and helpee that he myght be rastored ayen to his own proper reame and fyrst dyngnyte and kyng Aleyne graunted him his askyng. ¶Then did he apparrell him to take his way and viage in to this land and prayed god almyghty deuoutly that he wold make to him demonstracion yef his prayer in to this land wer to hym plesaunt or none ¶For ayenes the will of god almyghti he wolde no thing done. Whan he had thus deuoutly made his prayer a wis fro heuen to him sayed: and bad him leue that Iornay a way in to Englond. and that he shuld go to the pope of Rome [Page] For it was not the will of almyghty god that bretons regne more in breton ne neuer recou (er) the land vn to the tyme that thee prophecie that Merlin saied before be fulfilled. and that shold neuer bene vn to the tyme wer cummyn that the reliques of his body shall be brought fro Rome and translait in to breton. And whan the reliques of other sentis that haue bene hid for the ꝑsecu­cion of the paynyme folke shall be funden and openli shewed than shall they recou (er) ther land ayene: the wich they haue so long tyme lost thurgh ther desertes. ¶When Cadwaldre had herd this ansuere he meruailled gretli and told it to kyng Aleyne ¶Than kyng Aleyne did send for the clarge of his lande and made thē to bringe the stories and prophecies that Merlyn and Sibill had sayed in ther prophecies. ¶And when he knew that the ꝓphesy that festome had ꝓphecied of the Egle and other ꝓphecies accor­ded to the dyuine ansuer that Cadwaldre had herd he councellid to leue his pepull and his naue. and submitte him to the disposicion of god. and done all that the angell had commanded him. ¶Than Cadwaladre called Ynor his son: and Yuory his cosin that was his sustres son: and saydd to them: Taketh saied he my folke and my naue that his heir all redy and passe ye in to wales: and be ye lordis of bretons that no dishonor come to them by interrupcion of the paynyms folke for defaute of lordis. ¶And then he him self left his reame of Bretan and his folke for eu (er) more. and toke his way vn to the pope of Rome Ser­gius the wich worsshipped him moch. and so he wos confessed and toke pennaunce for his synnes ¶And he had not longe duelld ther that he ne died the .xij. Kalend of May the yere of grace .v.C.lxxix.

¶How kyng Offa wos soueraxn a boue all the kynges of Englond ana how euery kyng wered vpon other.

IT befell so that all the kynges in that tyme that wer in y^e lond as thei of Westsex Merchenrich Estāgle of kēt [Page] and of southsex and of other costes eche wered vpon other and he that was most myghty toke the land of him that was most febel ¶But ther was a kyng amonges them that wos called Offa that wos sent Oswaldes brother. This offa conquered all the kynges of the land and regned a boue them all. ¶And so grete wos the were in eu (er)y cūtre bitwen kynges that no man might wit how the lond went ¶But abbotis Priours & men of relegion writen the lyues &̄ dedis of kynges and how long eu (er)y of them regned and in what cuntre. and in what man (er) eu (er)y kyng died. &̄ of bisshoppis also And ther of made gret bokes and let call them the cronicles. And the good kyng Alured had that boke in hys warde and let bring it vn to wynchester and let it be fast tached to an piler that men shuld it not remeue ne bere it thens. so that eu (er)i man myght it se and ther vpon loke. ¶For ther in be the liues of all the Kīges that euer wer in Englond

¶How the kyng of Northhumberland Osbright for lay the wyfe of Buerne bocard thurgh strength. and after this buerne conquered the kyng with pouer and strength.

ANd thus it befell in the same tyme that ther wos a king in Northhumberland that wos called Osbright and soiorned at Yorke. and this kyng went hī vpon a day in to a wod him for to disporte. and when he come ayene. he went priueli in to a good mans hous that was called Buerne. &̄ the good man of that place wos gone that tyme to the see. ¶For often tymes he wont ther to aspie theues and robers that oft tymes wer wōt to cum in to the land to rob brene and sle. ¶The lady y^t w­as buernes wife was a wonder fair woman. and the kyng com vn to hir when that hir housbond wos absent. And so she trastid none harme vn to the kyng: and welcomed him with moch honour. and worthely him serued in all thing. ¶When the kyng had eten. he toke the lady by the hand & leed hir ī to a chamber & sayd that he wold speke with hir a councell: &̄ all the folke frō the [Page] chamber he made void saf only the lady & he. but the lady wist not wherfor he it did till that he had done al his will. And whē he had done this dede he turned ayene to yorke. & the ladi he left ther wō der sore wepyng for the dede that the kyng to hir had done. ¶And whē hir lord was comē home & saw hir wepe & sich som & mornyng make he axed of hir what she had done & why she ma­de such sorow. ¶Sir qd she queinteli & falseli the kīg Osbri­ght me hath done shame & velonye ayens my will· & told hī the trewth how the kīg had hir forlayne w^t strength wher for she sayd she had leu (er) to be deid than lyue. ¶Fair leef be styll ꝙ he. for ayenes strength febelnesse is litell worth. & therfor of me shalt thou neu (er) the lasse be loued. and namly for thou hast told me y^e trewthe. ¶And if almyghty god grante me lyfe. I shall the well auenge. ¶This Buerne was a gret man & a myghty lord. & wos well beloued & gret frindis had. and let send for the grettest lordis of y^e land & to them made his ꝯplayn of thee dispite that the kyng to hī had done. & said y^t he wold be auengid how so eu (er) y^t it wer. & all his frendis concelled & grented to wend vn to yorke ther that the kyng wos: ¶And buerne toke hys meyne & come to the kyng. And whē y^e king hī saw he called hī courtasly Buerne by name. & buerne him ansuerd and to him saied. Sir I you defy and yelde vp feutes hoomages and londis and os moch as I haue holden of you. and so fro this tyme forward I wyll neu (er) of the nothing hold. & so he deꝑtid from the kyng with out more speche or ony a bydyng. & toke loue of his frēdis &̄ wēt in to Denmarke: & plened to the kyng Godryne & told hī of the dispite that kīg Osbright to hī had done of his wyf: & praid him of socour. and help him to auenge. ¶When kyng Godrine of denmarke and the danois had herd the complaynt of this Buerne and of the preier that he had. they wer right wond (er) glad ī hert. for as moch that they myght find a cause for to gone in to Englond for to were vpō the English men. & also for to auēge [Page] Buerne of the dispite that the kyng Osbright had done vn to his wife. ¶And for as moch os Buerne wos sibbe to the king of Denmarke Anone they let ordeyne a gret host of men & let ordeyne them shippes and as moch as them nede to haue to that viage. ¶And when all the host was redy. the kyng made his ij: bretheren cheftaynes that wer nobull knyghtes of body and also bold. that on was called Hunger & y^t other Hubba.

¶How the Danys toke yorke and kylled the kyng Osbright and afterwarde kyng Elle.

WHen all thyng wos redy tho ·ij. bred token leue of the kīge Godryn and went toward the see. for to wend ouer in to Englond as fast as they myght spede. Now is Buerne so well comforthed and fast hyed him with the Danois that they bene ariued in the north cuntre and comen thurgh out Holdernesse. and destruyed all the cuntre and brenned tounnes and robbyd fol̄ke: and kylled all that myght be taken till that they comen vn to yorke. ¶And whē kyng Osbright saw them cum. he toke his pepull that he had with him and come out of the cite. and fau­ght with them. but no foyson he nad ayens them and moch was the pepyll that ther wos slayn in bothe ꝑtes. and kīg Osbright him self ther wos slayn: and the cite anone wos take. and the danois went in. ¶And ther wos also an other kyng in northū berland that Buernes frēdes had chosen and held him for king a man that wos called Elle: for as moch as they wold not to king Osbright bene entendant. for the dispite that he had done vn to buerne ther cosin ¶Hit befell thus that the kyng Elle was gone to the wode him for disporte and of venison sum he had take and os he sat in the wode at mete to a knyght he sayed: we haue well sped and moch venisan taken. ¶And with that word come in a man. and to him sayed. yf ye so moch of venison had wonnen. an hondreth tymes so moch more ther ayens ye haue lost ¶For all this cuntre the Danois haue get. and take the cite [Page] of yorke. and ayens you sh̄uld it hold that neuer ye shall not cū therin. And for so moch they hauen slayn king Osbright. ¶When kyng Elle herd thes wordis. he let assemble all thee folke of the cuntre and ordeyned all the pouer that he myght haue and wold haue gete the toune of yorke with strength but the danois comen out anone & yaf hī a strong bataill and kylled the king Elle and the most parte of his pepull that he had brought with him: and the same place ther they wer slayn shall eu (er) more be called Ellecroft and that place is a litell from yorke. ¶And tho rested the danois neuer tyll they had conquered all northhumberland and in that cūtre they made wardeyns and went ferther in to the land and toke notyngham and ther they abyden all thee wynter and did the sorow that they might ¶And after whē somer tyme come they remeued from Notingham and come ī to Nycholl and to Lyndesey and to holand ¶For no man myght them withstond so moch pouer and strength they had

¶How sent Edmund the kyng was mertired.

ANd so fer had the danois passed from cuntre [...]on to cuntre and eu (er) more brennyng and robbyng and destruyed al̄ y^t they myght till they come vn to Thetford ¶And in that cuntre they founden a cristyn kyng that moch loued god and his werkis that wos called Edmund. And he wos a kyng of Northfol: ke anp southfolke. ¶This sent Edmund kyng ordined as moch folke as he myght and fought with the danois but he and his folke wer discomfited and the kynd him self driuen vn to thee castell of framelynham. ¶And the danois him pursued and comen vn to the same castell And when kyng Edmund saw y^t the castell myght nat them withstond. he come ayens them with whom the danois first speken· and anone they axed of him wher kyng Edmond was. now for sothe quod he when I was ī the catf tell ther was the kyng and when I went out of the castell he wē out also and whether he shall ascape or die att godis will myght [Page] it be. ¶When sent Edmunde had neuenid god by that they wisten well all that it was him self: and anone Hubba and Hū gar toke him and sayd that he shuld god for sake and all cristyn law as mony other had done him beforne. ¶And sent Edmond said that he nold neuer but rather he wold suffre deth for goddis loue and his lawis to kepe. Tho toke they king Edmund and bond him vn to a tre and made ther ardheres to him shote with arous till that his bodi stykked as full of arows as an vrchon is full of prickis but for all the payn that they him did. he nold neu (er) god forsake. and in the same payn and turment he died & betoke his sowle to all myghty god ¶And when they saw that he wos deid they smyten of his heed: and of this maner os ye haue hard was sent Edmond martired

¶How Hubba and Hungar toke the toune of Redyng.

WHen sent Edmond was martired hungar and hubba wēt thens with all ther danois vn to Redyng ¶And os they went thederward they brenned tounnes and cites and kylled all cristy [...] pepull that wold not god forsake and cast doune churches and come to Redyng and toke the toune and ther held them till that the kyng Edelf of westsex come theder with all his pou­er for to take the toune: Tho comen out the danois for to yef ba­taill to kyng Edelf and at that bataill wos kylled an erle of da­nys that was callee Cidrak. vpon the morow come the kyng Eldred & his brother Alured with a stronge pouer and a gret host. ¶And the kyng Edelf come ayen that had foughten the day before to that bataill ¶And the danois tho comme out for to fight with them: and the bataill wos wonder strong. for mony a man wos ther slayn. And the danois that day had the victorie and the kyng Eldred & his brother Alured that day wer discomfited ¶But the iiij. day aft (er)ward the danois and the englissh-foughten to gedre an other time vpon Ekeldene And ther wos slayn a kyng of denmarke that wos called Rafing & iiij. erles [Page] of gret pouer: And that day had the danois sh̄ame for thei wer driuen vn to engilfeld. ¶And the xv. day aft (er) the danois & the englisshmen foughten an other tyme at Rafyng. & ther wer the englisshmen discomfited & from thens a danois y^t wos cal­led Roynt went to redyng with his host and distroid all y^t he myght take. And kyng Eldred faught with hī. but he wos woūdit so wherfor he was deid. &̄ he regned but v. yere &̄ lieth at wōburn

Circa Annū dnī .iiij^C.xl.ix.

LEo the fyrst was emprour after Marcianus xvij. yere. In his tyme wer the rogacions days ordand a fore the assencion of sent Mamert bisshop of vyenne. the pope of rome att that tyme heit leo. a nobull clerke & with hym had mony clerkys. Hillarius wos pope after Leo vij: yere this man ordant thatt no bisshop shuld ordeyn his succersari. vt (pꝪ)patet. 8.9.1. Simplicius wos pope aft (er) hī. The wich ordand y^t no clarke shuld take no garment to be clothed in: after the seckit or man (er) of a lay man: thurgh the reson of his office or of his benefyce. Zeno wos emprour after Leo xv. yere and this man wos an heritike and cruel ayenes cristin men. and in this mans days the bodied of sent Mathew the Euangelist & sent Barnaby the apostell. wer fō den and with them the gospell that sent Mathew wrott. ¶About this tyme ther wos a certayn comyn woman that bare vij. chylderat o byrth. of the wich on wos made aft (er) the kyng of Lumbardy. Felix the thrid wos pope after Symplicius iij. yere & viij moneches This man ordand that respite shuld be gyuen to a man that wos accused. that he myght a vyse him how he shuld ownsuar. and that the Iuges & the accusers shuld besych. and that they shuld take all suspeccion and spot. Gelasius a romā wos pope after Felix v: yere This ordand the canō of the mase the preface. ymnes tractus orisons as sent Ambros made them & that ordirs shuld be yefen iiij tymes of the yere Anostasius [Page] wos emproure aft (er) Zeno xxvij. yere. & he wos a cursed man &̄ an heritike and hatfull to god and man. & he wos slayn w^t leght tinyng. and in his tyme dred sent Patrike the fyrst bisshopp of Irland in the .C: &̄ xxij: yere of his age. & his felow wos the abbot of columba & seynt Brigida. whom sent patrike mode a Nū and they wer beried in on tombe &̄ at diu (er)se times and this is ther Epitaphe. ¶Hij tres in gelido: tumulo tumulantur in vno Brigida patricius: atque columba pius.

Anastacius a roman wos pope aft (er) Gelasius ij. yere &̄ iij. monethes The wych ordād y^t no prest for wroth ne hato shuld leue of to say his dyuine (ser)uys in the chirche. excepped the masse. and he cursed the emprour Anastasy for he wos an heritike. and it is writtyn of hī: that aft (er)ward he turned for dred to the opinyon of the emprour. and he his called the secūd ill famed pope y^t is in ca­tholico pontificū: and a fore him wos Liberius-famed ī heresi

Anno domini iiij^C.lxxxxiiij:

SYmachus wos pope aft (er) him xv: yere. &̄ with him wos ordand an other pope that wos called Laurencius &̄ be tuix them was a gret discencion and they bothe put thē to the Iugemēt of Theodoria the kyng. &̄ he iuged that he that wos fyrst ordend and that most men of the chirche sayd with: shuld be pope. & Simachus preualid. the wich louyd the clergy and poer men: and foor Pascalius the Dekyn Cardinall held ayenes Symachum w^t the part of laurens to his deth. therfor he was put to the panys of purgatori to kepe the baththes aft (er) his deth. as Gregori sayth in his boke of diologys. This man ordand that gloria in excelsis shuld be sayd euery sonday and festys of martirs Nota y^t englond long tyme was cristyn a fore fraunce. Clodanius the fyrst cristyn kyng of fraunce was this tyme baptised of sent Remigio and he had a cristyn woman to his wif &̄ she meued him mony tymes to the faith. &̄ sayed he shuld be for tunabull &̄ victorius & he wold turne. & so he wos & neu (er) a fore. [Page] Hornusda wos pope aft (er) Simachū ix. yere this man wos of gret merci and gret almys to poer men. and ornamentis he yaf mony to chirchis: And he reconsiled the grekys the wich wer cursed for ther herisi. Iustinus was emprour aft (er) Anastacius &̄ he regned ix. yere and wos a veray cristyn man. And all y^t eu (er) the emprour Anastasius had done ayanest the chirche. he reuokit & obeied the pope Hornusda & called ayen the bisshoppis y^t wer exiled by his predicessurs. ¶Priscianꝰ grāmaticꝰ wos this tyme. And this yere the wich is lxxi. fro the cūyng of y^e saxons began the kīdom of west saxon & Cerdico wos king. Iohēs wos pope after Hornusda iij. yere &̄ ix: monethis. and Theodoricꝰ the kyng of Itali an heritike toke the pope w^t other senatours & send thē to the emprour Iustīyan det (er)mīyng y^t &̄ he wold not let the heritikes be ī pees [...]he shuld kyll all the cristī folke in Italy And aft (er) he tuke pope iohn̄ & Symachū patriciū and Boyciū the senatours &̄ killed them in prison. bot Bois defēdit him by the reson of the autorite of the senatours. & he send hī to the cite of Papy for ꝑpetuall exile. wher he made the [...]ae. de ꝯsulacōe phīe. And at the last at the cūtre of mediolanesis he cau­sed Bois throt to be cut & so he decessed Felix pope succedit iohn̄ iiij. yere This man cōmanded that seke men shuld be annelid afore ther deth. bot crist ordand it fyrst. Iustinianus wos em­prour xxxviij. yere This man drew the law of the romans or of Ciuyll out of almost ij.M. bokis &̄ ccc^M. versis ouer long & ill acording ī to on volym of xij. bokys. and called it Iustynyan. He made also the digestis and deuided theym in to iij. bokis Bonifacius the secūd wos pope aft (er) Felix ij· yere &̄ litell of hī is writtyn Iohannes the secūd wos pope after Boniface and this man had a gret strife with Iustynyan the emprour. whed (er) that Crist wos ij. naturs or on. The pope sayd he had ij. naturs on of god aij other of man. The emprour sayd other cōsent to vs or thou shall goo to ꝑpetuall exile. The pope ansuerd. I desyred [Page] to cū to Iustynyan the most cristyn emprour. bot os me semeth i haue found Dioclycion the ꝑsuer of custyn. bot c (er)tanly I dred not thy males ne I feir not thy thretynges. Then the emprour me­ked hī self & fell doune to y^e grond &̄ askid mersi &̄ absolucion.

Anno domini .v^C.xxxiiij.

AGapitus a confessor wos pope after Iohn̄ ij. yere This Agapitus turned Iustinian fulli fro the artur of the euticetis This man ordand that ꝓcessions shuld be done on sondayes and then he died at constantinopolī. Siluerius a martes wos pope after this man iij. yere he was exiled fro cristin faith & slayn by the proctour of Theodory. for he wold not restore the bisshop of Athyns an herityke to his benefice ayene. Virgilius wos pope after him .xvij. yere And he entrid ill in to his benefice. bothe gou (er)ned him well. And he suffred his ꝑsecuciō paciētly. & he wos exiled from rome: and at the last after gret passions of Theodora in constantinopolī died.

Synodus quarta constantinopolitana contra theodorum et omnes heriticos alios fuit isto tempore. Ista sinodus dampnauit heresim theodori. qui dixit alium esse deum verum. et alium cristum. Et quod beata virgo non sit dei genitrix. set hominis tātū Pelagius was pope after virgilius iiij: yere and x: monethis This man ordand that heritikes Sasmatykys and Renega­tis shold be ponysshed by the secular pouer. Iohēs the thrid wos pope after this man xiij. yere Of this man lytell is writtyn bot that he restored the chirche yerde of the apostils Philip & Iacob: Iustinus the secund after iustinian wos emprour xi yere This man dispised poer men. he robbid the seneturs he was yesen to all couetusnes. so that he made chystis of yrne for toke: pe his monay iij. then anone he fell in to hericy and waxed owt of his mynde and than wos chosen Tiberiū a good man for to gouerne the comyn pepull.

Tybirius the secund wos emprour after Iustinus vij. yere. [Page] This man was a vertuus man. He yaf innumerabull good to poer men: in so moch that his wife mony tymes chyden with hym And sayd that he kest a way the goodis of the empyre as stons. And he ansuerd ayen & sayed I trust in god y^t owr chystys shal neu (er) lake of monay. and we put tresour ī to heuen. and vpon a certayn day when he went by his palasse at Constantinopolī. he se in the marbyll pament a cros grauen and thought it shuld not be trodyn vpō. and cōmanded y^t stone to be lifted vp: for y^t cros shuld be put ī y^e hertis of foithfull men: &̄ ther he found īestimable tresur of gol̄d. this man subdued Harsas & died blissidly. Benedictus wos pope after Ion. iiij. yere This man suffred gret ꝑsecucion of hunger pestylence &̄ enmys. This man broght mony a thousand quartir of whete from Egipt whē Rome wos besegid by kyng Albanac: & almost lost for vetaill: wherfor they wrotte on his graue. this epitaphi. Magna tuis monimēta pater benedicte reliquis. virtutum titulus et decꝰ atque dolor. Pelagius wos emprour after benedictus v. yere. ī his tyme rome was beseged by the Lūbardies &̄ litell he did in his days. Mauriciꝰ wos emprour after Tiberiꝰ xxi. yere This was a veray cristī man &̄ subdued Parsas &̄ Armenias & ī the lat (er) end of his days he descordyd with sent gregorie & ītendid for to haueslayn him: And then appered aman ī rome clothed ī a relegiꝰ ha­bit holding a naked suord ī his hand: and cried about the citte· in this wise The emprour shall be destruyd: the wich the emprour herred & he corecked him self of his trespase & praid god to withdraw his sentens: to whom our lord apered ī his slepe & said: will thou that I spair the now or ī tyme to cum. And he wos a louer of wricchis & sayd. yef me heir my rewarde. Then he wos empror aft (er) mony day And when he shuld haue corecked his knyghtis: for ther extorcion that they did that asked him why that he wold not pay them ther wages. And so they fell at veryans and chose Foca for to be the Emprour. and kylled him and his iij. sonnis [Page] ¶This tyme sen Austyn come in to englond and ordeyned ij. archebisshoppis. Tat is to say of london and of yorke. by y^e cummandement of sent gregorie. ¶And remembre that mony tymes is made mencion of diuerse regions and cuntres that oft tyme they haue ben turned to the faith. for al way the faith a bood not ī them for diuerse causes. So it is of englong fraunce. persia. Iuri. And in this thyng rome wos preuelegit for ther thee faith of petre neu (er) failith.

¶Focas wos ēprour after Maurici his master whom he and other slew. and because he began yll he endid nought. for in his dais the Romans faught strongly ayenest the Perses. and the romans wer discomfited and lost mony a prouynce. and at thee last he was ower commen and slayn of Eraclyo. for os he did vn to other men so wos he done to.

Anno domini v^C.lxxxiiij.

GRegori the fyrst a roman and a monke was pope after Pelagius xiij. yere This man was called Gregorius magnus for mony thinges that the excedid in. he passed other mē in pouer in riches in uertu. in nobulnes in wisdom in holines in fame and in experiens. And vnder this man the ill thynges off cursednes passed: wer sesed. and mony a nobull boke he wrett to the in comporabull prophet of all holy chirche. he wos on of the prī cipall docturs of all the iiij. docturs of the chirche. This man for sothe allon with sent Fabian after sent Petre wos chosin of god in all the ordyrs of the popis of reme· Mony thynges he ordened in the chirche as is shewed in his register. Deꝰ ī adiutoriū for to be a fore the begynnyng of the howris he commanded to be sayed. he renuhed & made all the officis of the chirche in a fayrer and a more compendius maner the wich abideth yit vn to this day and it is called Gregorianum. And schortly for to cōclude on this holy man. mannys tong cannot expresse lyghtly the louynges of this man. what in writtyng and also in exampuls [Page] & vertuus dedis. Saninianus was pope after Gregorie on yere and v monethes. this man ordant the ryngyng of bellis at the houres of the day. bot this man bacbote sent Gregorie for his liberalite that he had to poer men. and thought he se sent grogorie rebuke him thris for it: and the fourth tyme he lie in his bed and thought sent gregorie smote him on the heed and he waked and died anone. This wos the thrid pope emong all the popis the wiche is notit to die a dredfull deth. Bonefacius the thrid wos pope after Saninianus viij. monethes: he ordend that none but white clothes shuld be put on the auter. Bonefacius the fourthe was pope iiij. yere and viij. monethes. This man purchesed of the emprour foca: the cherche of sent petre of Rome sh̄uld be the hede of all the chirches in the world. for a fore Constantinopol in wos the heeid cherche. Also he gat lysanse that the chirche called Panton the wich wos dedicatit to the honour of Neptimꝰ and other fals goddis: wher cristyn men mony tymes wer slayn of de­uel̄s: myght be dedicatit to the worship of all senttis in heuen. This man ordend that monkis myght vse the office of prechīg cristinyng and confession: Eraclius wos emprour aft (er) Foca xiij. yere. And in the thrid yere of his regne. Cosdras the kīg of Perses brent Ierusalem and other worshipfull places. Za­chary y^e patriarke w^t mich pepull he toke ī to captiuite. The part of the holy cros the wich elena left ther he toke w^t hī ī to his cuntre. bot the xij. yere of Heraclii Cosdras wos slayn of heraclij. & the cros wos brought ayen. the pepull wer deliu (er)id & whē heraclius wold haue entred y^e cite proudly. y^e yatis of y^e cite bi pouer of god schet ther self &̄ the emprour mekid hī to god a boue: &̄ thē y^e yat opyned & thē was the fest of the exultaciō of the cros made. Deꝰ dedit. wos pope aft (er) boniface iij. yere. this wos an holy mā for on a c (er)tayn day whē he kyssed a leꝑ anōe the leꝑ wos holl. This tyme: a Citisin of London thurgh the mocion of ethylbright byldid a chyrch of sent petre ī y^e west ꝑte of londō ī a place that [Page] wos called thornnye bot now it is called westmynster.

Circa annum domini .vi^C.xliiij.

BOnefacius the fifth wos pope after Deus dedit v. yere the wich ordand that no man shuld be take out of the chirche yerd. and litell els of him is writtyn. Nota machomitū Machomite the duke of Serasens and Turkes wos this tyme And he was the desauer of all the world: a fals prophet. the mes­sanger of the deuell. the fore goer of Antocrist. the fulfiller of heresy. and of all fals men the meruelest. of whom the dominacion thus begane: ¶Ther wos a certayn famus clarke at rome and could not sped in his maters that he desired to haue sped in then he resedit from Rome ouer the see and procured mony a man to go with him. Emong whom was this fals machemite a grete man of witt. And this clarke promysed him to make hī du­ke of his cuntre if he wold be gided after him ¶Ther he norisshed a dowfe and put all the corne that the dowfe eten in to ma­chomites eire. And so this dowfe had neuer no mete bot in his ere ¶The certain clarke on a day called the pepull and meuede them to chese sych a prince as the holy gost wold shew to them in forme of an dowfe. And anone this clarke secretly let fly this dowfe. the wich after his old custom that he wos wont to fell a none to the shulder of machomite. and put his byll in his eere And when the pepull see this. anone he wos chosen duke of that pepull. & whē he wos made duke of this pepull of corosame he said that he wos the weray prophet of god. Thē he made a boke of his law that wos called Alcharon. bot he did it by informacion of iij of his maisters to whom the deuell mynisterid the auctorite and the cunnyng. ¶The fyrst master wos a Iue: a gret astronomier and a negremē (ser). the secūd wos Iohn̄ de anthiochia. The thrid wos sergius an heritike. And thes iij. made an vngraciꝰ law. &̄ a vn happi. and what sum euer was harde of beleue. and [Page] tedyus to done: thei left that out of the law. & they put that thīg ī ther law. the wich the wordly men weir ꝓne & redy to do. that is to say Glotonye Lecchorye rapyn and such other. And also this machomyte ordend that a man shuld haue as mony wyfes as he myght ocupye and fynd and refuse them twys or thries or iiij. tymes and take them ayen. and mony meruelus and fals thynges he mode in his law. the wich wer to long to reherse heir bot they be playn ī his boke of Alchorō. And eu (er) he wrotte ī his boke that our lord spake to machomyte his prophet sayng on this wisse or on this. ¶Thus by his fals menys he dissaued the pepull. And when his maisters and he had made this that wos so delectabull. He wrotte it in a boke with letters of gold. and also he noresshed a myghty Camell secretly in a preuey place. and alonli with the hondis of machomyte wos alway fed. and ther priuely he tyed this boke of the law that he had made: about the camales neke. and put this camell forth on a tyme in to the feldes a fore day. And this camell ioyed in his liberte for he wos neuer lowse a fore: ¶And he wold suffre no man to cum and toche him. &̄ so ther wos a gret fame of such a camell: and all the pepull ran to se him. Emonge whome wos this machomyte. ¶But when the camell se him that had fed him all way. anone he ran vn to him: and he had taught this Camell a foro tyme to fall doun on his kneis and lykke his handis. and so he did a fore all tho pepull. ¶The pepull then cried and sayd that ther was a veray ensample that he wos the trew prophet of god. Then they y prayd machomyte to opyn that holy boke with his holy handis: the wich wos send from heuen. euer more to be kepid. in the wich boke is shewed how the peple shall woyrshyp god. And machomyte sayd this boke wos writtyn with angels hand. So by thes fals menis he turnd ther to his lawis all the land of Persi. and all the Est imperiall a yenes Heraclyum the Emprour. and he occupyed [Page] vn to the end of Alexandre. & Egipt. Libia. Arabia. & Sirea Then after he infecked all Affrican. and bot that the grace of god with stode him he had infeckid all Spayn & fraunce and mony other thynges he did: that wer to moch to writte in this boke Constantine the thrid the son of Heraclij was Emprour xxvij yere This Constantin wos a cursed man a gret tyrant & an heritike fals sotell &̄ odyus to cristī men. ne he yaf no place to pope Martin and he raised a gret host ayenest the Lumbardis &̄ ther he lost the feld and fled to rome. and honorabel̄y wos resaued of the pope vitilianus and othir of the cite. and he rewarded not them lyke after ther m̄etis as a prince shuld haue done. bot vsed forth tyrannydy and heresy wherfor at the last he was slayn in a bath of his own knyghtys the wich nold no lenger suffre his tyrannydy And so he wricchedly lyued. and died vnhappely Martinꝰ th [...] fyrst wos pope aft (er) Theodo (rum) vi. yere This Martin wos a veray holy man and strongly strofe for the faith of god. And when he sayng masse: on a certayn day at the autyr. ther pursued him to kyll hym. a man wos called Spatarius of Olymphe. &̄ whē hee wold haue smyte him he was blynd sodenly. This same man cald a sinody in the cite of rome. & dampned Syrū. Alexandrū ser­giū. Pyrum & Paulū heritykes. wherfor Constantin the em­preur exiled him & he died a seint. Eugenius a roman wos pope aft (er) Martyn almost iij. yere: &̄ was an holy man: bot of him litell actis is writtyn. Vitellianus wos pope after him xiiij: yere This man made the sōg that the Romans vses and accord [...]d it also with the organys. and he also had the grace of the Emprour the wich wos wroth with his predicessours. neuer the­lesse afterward he stode not in his concorde. ne hedir to I cold not find that euer the chyrche of Rome had fully after the deth of Constantyn the myghty. the lorsh̄yp of the cite and of other the wich he yaf to the chyrche.

Anno domini viC.xliiij.

ADeodatus a roman wos pepe aft (er) vitilian iiij. yere and ī his days was translat the bodi of sent benedicti with the body of his suster scolastice fro the hill of cassyn to the monast (er)y of floriecens nigh aurelian. Constantin the faurth wos Emprour aft (er) his fader Constantin the cursed man ¶This constā tine wos a good man. &̄ he hated heritikes ou (er) all thing· the chirche he repairid. &̄ grace he reconsiled ayene to the chyrch of rome. & he w^t y^e pope gedred to ged (er) the sext gen (er)all Sinody ī the wich wos graunted to prestes of greke to vse ther lefull wynys. And to the pristes of the est. for cause of gret heet: bot not to thos of thee west ꝑti by no menys. For they amytted chastite in the tyme of sent gregori ¶And eu (er)y mā mei adu (er)tise &̄ pond (er) how moch the goodnes of a prince is worth to the quyete state of the chyrche: & to the promocion of the fayth. And also the cōtrari. how moch the males of a prince hurtith. that thīg. thes ij. Constātines y^e fader and the son sh̄ewyed opēli. ¶For in the fadres days the chryche neu (er) had rest. and ī the sonnis time it wos quiet. Yi [...] neu (er) the [...]es our lord suffred the sarisens and the bulgars to entyr this Emprours land that he myght not them withstond. bot that he made his pees with them: and payed yerli to them a truage. so mighteli p̄uailid y^t cursed secte of machomyte. & aft (er) he died blissedli. Nota. That ther w [...]r sex gnal sinodys & most principal̄ of the wich y^e auctorite is equall to the gospell: for the truth of the gospell is declarid by thē: ayenes the sex principall heresys y^e wich strongly trobled the chyrche. for the sotilty of thos heritikes. to desaue sympyll men. ¶This tyme died sent Cede of lychfelde the thrid yere of his bisshopprik. Demus a roman wos pope aft (er) Adeodatus iij. yere. of this man litill is writtyn. Bonefacius wos pope aft (er) him and lytill of him is writtyn bot y^t he leued lyke a prest. Agatho wos pope after him: and he wos a veray holy man. for on a day when he kyssed a lepyr. the lepyr a none [Page] wos made holl. Iste &̄ de consensu principis iussit celebrari sextā synodum aput cōstāntinopolī .CC.lxxx. epō (rum) in qua asseret duas naturas et duas voluntates esse in cristo: Leo the secund wos pope after Agatho iij. yere This leo was an holy man. and sufficiently taught in latyn and greke. This man ordened that the pax shuld be yeuen aft (er) agnus dei. &̄ died a blissed man. Benedictus the secund was pope after Leo almost iij. yere: This man about al thing wos vertuꝰ: and his nam concordid with his dedis. & in his tyme was a gret pestelence. Iustinianus the secund wos emprour this tyme &̄ he wos a veray good man a prudent and a large. & he encresed the empire of rome myghttely. bot he charged the office of the chirche ou (er) moch. mony lawys he made and afterward he waxed not good. for he ītē did to haue let tid the decreis of the sext sinody. & to haue trubylled the chirche. wherfor the .x. yere of his empire he was taken of Leo the prince of Patricio &̄ Tybirio. & they cutten of his nose and his tong: &̄ exiled him to crisonā: Ther wos ther then a gret turbacion in the chirche for strife & heritikes. ¶And knaw al men when verians fal̄lith be twix gret lordis: then arruris be multiplied: for ther is no man that coreckith them therfor that is oft tyme preued in the chirche. Then aft (er) fell a verians be twix Leo and Tibere. & Tibere preualet. & he exiled Leonē &̄ cut of his nose the thrid yere of his empire &̄ regned for him. Iustiniā fled to the sarasens & the bulgars. the wich restored him ayen to his empire: & kylled Leo & Tibere the wich fauored heritikis: thē this same Iustynian reformid hī self to the chirche of god & haad gret repentans. bot he venged him to cruelly on his adu (er)saries so that he wold haue kylled ther innocent child: therfor he wos slayn with his son: of Philipe whom he exiled:

Anno domini vi^C.lxxxiiij.

IOhannes the fifthe was pope aft (er) Benedictus on yere he wos a good man bot he decessed anone. Zeno wos pope [Page] after him. and he wos a varay holi man for he wold not medill with seculer materis. and in bewte he was as an āgell: quiet in vertuus and meke in sawle: and verey demure in the langage of his religius liffe. This man wos chosin at the last with one accorde of the chirche and laymen. bot ther wos a gret distynccion. for the clargi intendid to haue chosen Perys the archbisshopp. &̄ the host of lay men wold haue had Theodo (rum) a prest. Bot at the last the holy gost turned the will of all this pepull in to this holy maij. Sergius wos pope ix. yere This man wos vertuus &̄ comendabull in his liffe and ī his eleccion a gret discorde was. for on parti of the clarge chose Theodo (rum). and an other ꝑti Pascalem. bot os our lord wold at the last they turned all to this man. This man translatyt the body of sent Leo. he also fond a grett ꝑte of the holy cros bi miracull and he cristyned Cadwalidus the last kyng of bretayn He commanded agnus dei to be said or sōg thris at masse. & decessed blissydly▪ Nota Sent Beda the worsshipfull prist wos this tyme aman of gret fame in englond the wich wos take the vij. yere of his age to Benedict the ab­bot of Gyrwyens monasteri to be taught. And then aft (er) to Colfrido the abbot aft (er) the deth of benedict. And at xix. yere of hys age he wos made dekyn of thebisshop of yorke: And at xxx ye­re he wos made prest in the wich yere he began to writtē So he cō tenuyd all the tyme of his lyffe in that monastari in geuyng his laburs to writyng and forscriptur to be exponed .lxxviij. bokis he made the wich he nombris in the end of his englissh boke ¶This man wos eu (er) in labour other ī prayer or ī syngyng daly in thee chirche or to lerne or to teche or to writ. for the wich thīg mē may Iuge bi reson he wos neu (er) at Rome. all yef sum men say that he went to rome. that he myght se that bokis accorded with the doc­trine of the chiyrche Bot it wos certain that he wos blynd &̄ wēt to preche & had a (ser)uand y^t was not good. and made hī to prech to a mighty multitude of stonnys and sayed that thei wer men: and [Page] when all his sermond wos done the stonnys ansuerd and saied amen. But that he went to rome thries. &̄ fond writtī iij. arris & iij. effis & exponyt them. hit wos neuer found ī no boke of autorite. Ther wos aft (er) the talkyng of the pepull such a writyng on the yates of Rome: R R R. F F F. and such an exposiciō Rigna Rome Ruent. Ferro Flama & Fame. But it is cer­tan that Bede wos desired to cum to rome by the writyng of sergij the pope: vn to Colfrid his abbot. And this bede translatid y^e gospell of sent Iohn̄ in to englesh tonge and decessid blyssedly: The fame sayeth that now he lieth at Deuelyn with sent Cuth­berto And ther is beried with him the knawlege of the dedis of englond almost to the conquest. Leo the secund was emprour and litell of him is writtyn Liberius was emprour after him vij. yere the wich rose ayenest Leo and entrid his kyngdom. and kepid him in prison as long os he regned: In his tyme Iustinian the secund the wich in old tyme was exiled to cresonam: opynly sayd he wold recou (er) his empire ayen. wherfor the pe­pull of that cuntre for the loue of Liberius wer about to kyll that Iustinian: wherfor he fled to the prince of Turco (rum) and weddid his sister. and thurgh the help of his brother and the Bulgares he recou (er)id his empire. and kylled Liberiū and Leonem the vsurꝑ of his reame: and as mony tymes almost as he wyped any drope from his nose the wich they cut of. So mony tymes ne: he made on of his enmys to be kylled Leo the thrid wos pope after Sergius ij: yere This man wos made pope by the pouer of the romās and was not put in the nombre of popis: for he yll entred. bot he did no yll. Iohēs the sex a greke wos pope after him: And he wos a martir bot of whom and wherfor the cause is not found in historiis. it is said that it wos of the dukys of Lumbardy for thei wer emnys vn to the chirche myghtely

Iohēs the vij. a ronan wos pope after him iij. yere bot nothing of him is writtyn. Iustinianꝰ the secūd wos emꝑour ayen [Page] with his sonne Tibiri vi. yere And this wos he the wich wos reued the empire a fore bi leo. And when this man wos restored ayen he toke him to the right faith. and worchipped the pope Constantin and certanly he destrued Creson the place wher he wos exiled to. and all that duelled in it except child he killed them. and he come ayene an other tyme to haue kylled the Innocentis. and the men of that cuntre made ther a captayn a certayn mā wos called Philip an owtlay the wich anone went to him in bataill and kyllid him for hys cruelnes ayenes thos children. Sysynnius was pope xx. dais and then was gret strife and he decessid bot lytill of him is writtyn. Constantin was pope aft (er) him .vij yere This man was a verey meke man & so blissid: that of all men he wos loued: he went ower the see to Iustimian the emprour. &̄ wos resaued with gret honour and died a blissed maij: Philippe the secund wos emꝑour on yere. the wich fled ī to Scisilya for the host of the romans. and he wos an heritike. and cōmanded all picturs of senctis to be distruid wherfor the Romans kest a way his coyn. ne wold not resaue no monay that had his ymage or his name writtyn vpon it. Anastasius the secund after he had kylled Philipp was emprour iij. yere. This man wos a cristin man: and he leued well bot be cause he put out philippis eyn &̄ kylled him aft (er)ward. Therfor Theodosius faught ayens hym & ower come hī. &̄ thē he wos made a prest & leued so quyetly.

Anno domini vij^C.xiiij.

GRegorius the secund wos pope aft (er) Constantyn xvij-yere This Gregorii wos a chaste man & an nobull man in scripture: And about this tyme the popis began to deell more tēꝑally with the emprours then they wer wont. for ther falsenesse &̄ therherici. and also for to remeue the empire fro oo pepull to an other. as the tyme requerid. This man cursed Leo the emprour: be cause he brent the ymages of sentys. This same Leo commandid Gregori the pope. that he shuld brine chirches and destruy them [Page] And he set nothing of his sayng. bot commanded the contrari manly. And so it is opynli shewed: that the destruccion of the empire of roome wos the cause of herise. For certanly faithfull peple with ther prelatis with on wyll: drew to the pope. and constranit the Emprours to leffe ther tyrannyde and therherise. ¶And this tyme in the est parte of the world strongly failed the veray faith. for that cursed law of fals machomyte.

Theodosius was Emprour and regned bot on yere. and he was a veray cristyn man: and euyn os he did. so was he done vn to. for Leo deposit him and made him a prest.

Leo the thrid with Constantin his son. wos emprour xxv yer This Leo when he wos myghty he deposit Theodosiū. and reg­ned for him. and wos desaued bi a certayn apostata. the wich bad him that he sh̄uld take and brene all the ymages of sentys. wher fore he wos ponysshed bothe in bataill and in pestylence. and with other infortunes. and because he wos a cursed of gregori and bode ther in the iij. days. therfore the pope with comyn pepull toke fro him all the west parte of his empire. commandyng that no man shuld obay him. ne socour him. be cause he leued like an aritike· ¶Holy men sayd ayenest him: and mony bi him wos martired and exiled: and at the last in his mysbeleue he died writchedly ¶And in this mans dais bot that Karolus marcellus holp the cristyn faith and faught manly ayen the saresens and drofe them bacward ī to spayn the wich they had subduid. Els they had entred ī to fraunce. ¶And Karolus slew .iij^C.M. sarasons and mo: & of his pepull wer slayn bot xv^M. Nō. This man for the continuall bataill toke to lay men: the tresour of the chirche. whe [...]for sent Euchery the bisihop of Aurilian as he wos in hys prayers saw that same Karolum in saule and bodi payned in hell. And the angell that shewed the bisshop this man. sayd that that wos the iugement of all thos that toke away the goodis of thee chirche. or of poer men: And to fortefi that at the bisshop sayed [Page] and to preue it. The abbot of sent Dionis went to the sepulc [...] ther that Karolus wos beried. and opyned the chist that he lay ī And ther they se a dragon go out bot he had no bodi. Gregory the thrid a Roman was pope after Gregori the secū de. The wich conformed the worshippyng of the ymages of sentis with the cunsell almost of .M. bisshoppis. and he cursed horibly all the dispysers of thes ymages: as the emprour and other that wer of that condicion. Constantinus the fifthe wos emprour after his fader Leo .xxxv. yere He was a cursed man and a pure heritike. so that he did sacrifice to deuels. he pursuid the chirche: & nothyng that is good of him is writen. and so by the sufferans of god the chirche wos trubelled long tyme. ¶About this tym wer mony merueles And ther wer meruelus erth quakis. and certaij cites that wer set on mountens: they wer remeued &̄ borne a way with the hilles in to the feldis sex myle thens as they stod and the cites wer not broken ne hurt. In the land of Mesopotanyan the erth wos brokyn bi the space of ij. myle. And also ther wos a Mule that spake ī a mannys voce. ash fell from heuyn. And in the see of Pontico ther wos ysse for gret frost. that was xxx. cubittis of thyknesse. And sters fell from heuyn so myghtely: that men trowed that the end of the world had bene comen. all thes betokened meruelus thingꝭ to cum:

Anno domini vij^C.xliiij.

ZAcharias wos pope after Gregori x. yere This Zachari wos a nobull man. and arayed with all u (er)tu. with all men he was loued. for his mekenes and he desposed the kyng of Fraunce Hydery and put ī his place: Pippinū: for he was more ꝓphetabull. here ye may se what pouer the chirche had that tyme the wich translatid that famus kyngdom from the verey heyres to the kyngdom of p [...]pyn: for a lefull cause. vt habetur. [...]h. q. h. alius. Stephanus the secund a roman wos pope after Zachari .v. yere This man in all thing wos prophetabull vn to the chirch [Page] as well in word os in doctrine. And he gouerned the spiritual­te and the temparalty nobully: he wos the louer and the defender of poer men. This man anoynted Pippinū the kyng of fraunce and send him ayenes the Lūbardis. that he shuld compell them to restore the chirche of such goodis as they had with holdin from them long tyme vnrightuysli the wich he did. He also translat the empire of the grekis to the frenshmen

Paulus a roman was pope after him x yere This was a ve­rey holy man. for he did gret almos to faderles childer & prison (er)s wedouys and other poer men that he myght be a folower of sent paule. Constantine a roman the secund wos pope aft (er) Paule ij yere This Constantine wos a lay man. and sodenli was made a prest os a tyrant. and toke on him the dignite of the pope. and with a gret sclander to the chirche he was pope a litell tyme. bot the faithfull men put him out. and put out his eeyn. And this wos the fyfth infamyd pope emong so mony hed (er) to: so the holy gost y^t holy apostyls seet kepid in all honour and holines. ¶Infenit martirs wer made this tyme by Constātin the emprour for he was such an heritike. and men trowe that ther wos neu (er) no emꝑour ne no pagon that kylled so mony marters And this tyme the chirche wos trubled sore. And verey preciusly bought the worshipyng of the ymages of sentys for the gret sheding of blod of martyrs And certanly that cursed emprour was not vn ponysshed for when that he died. he cried with an horabull voise. and said I am takyn to a fyer that is vnhabull to be distruid. and so he yelden vp the gost to eu (er) lastīg payn ¶The empire of rome was deuydid about this tyme. for Stephen the pope tranlatid Itili & other to Karolum yet a yong man: And Constantyne held the lond of Grece wyth other landis ower the se with a gret labur And mony rebellyng ¶This tyme Karolus magnus wos a nobull yong man and he began for to regne vpon fraunce [Page] And was the son of Pippini. and his mother wos called Berta Stephenus the thrid was pope iij: yere and he a mendid all the errurs of Constaotine. and degrated all thos y^e wich that Constantine ordand in a gouernall synody

Anno domini vij^C lxxxiiij:

ADrianus a roman wos pope after Stephyn xxiiij. yere. This man wos myghtely worsshippid of the pepull. no man grettyr a fore him. In honour riches and byldyng: This man set ij. solom synodis. The frist of iij^C: and .l. fadyrs The secund in rome with a .C.l. fadyrs. beyng present Charles the kyng of fraunce: to whom it was granted the leberte of eleccion of the pope. and to ordane the apostils seet

Leo the fourth regned emprour with the grekis v. yere This Leo was a cursed man. bot not so moch os his fader wos. and he was a couetus man. and he toke away a certan croune of a chirche and put it vpon his hede. and anone he was corruppid wyth an axis and so dicessid. & he had a cursed wiffe the wich regned after him with hir son

Constantine wos emprour after Leo and he wos a meke mā and put away his mother fro the kyngdom that she might take heed vn to hir womens warke. botshe with a fenyt rankyr put out his eeyn afterward: and hys childireyn also. and regned ayens iij: yere and at the last she wos about to haue be weddid: &̄ whē the grekis ꝑsauyd that she wold be weddid to gret Karolus. thei toke hir and shethir vp in a monastari and toke Nichofe (rum) to be ther emprour ¶The v. vniusall study the wich in old tyme was translait from Athyns vn to Rome a bout thys tyme was tranlatyd vn to Paris bi Karolus kyng of fraunce. Nichoferus wos emprour after Constantine. He wos a vere nygoij &̄ was exaltid to his empire by the grekis. bot he ꝓfettit not. for in his tyme all the est impariall wos brought to nought For the Romans put them vnder Karolus magnus. ¶Ierusalem [Page] a bout this tyme wos recouerid by Karolum with all the holy land And the seckit of sarisens wos distruied strongly for the destruccion of wricchis come then.

Michaell wos emprour ij. yere And he was a verey cristī mā and wos well beloued and also he wos cunnyng in all science. &̄ tho that Nichoferus had hurt and destressid of ther goodis bi his couetusnes. this Michaell restorid them and made them riche ayene. Nota. Karolus magnus the frist sant wos emprour aft (er) Michaell And he wos crouned emprour by Leo the pope. from the wich tyme the empire wos translatyt fro the grekis to fraūce and germane. And for the translacion of that empire. the gre­kys all way wer defectieu vn to the Romans. And the grekys strofe eu (er)more with them bot it wos more w^t venūys wordis thē with strength. and more with craft then with bataill. For thei had so gret enuy at the Romans that they nold not obey the chirche of Rome. For certanly when that the popis wold writt vn to th­em for to obey the chirche of rome. They wrot ayene and said. ye haue take from our kynrad the empire: and thorfor we will yow not obey: and we vs take from you. And for this nobull empro­ur Karolous. it is to be vnd (er)stond. this man when he wos a yong man he wos a noynted kyng in fraunce. by Stephyn the po: pe. In the yere of our lord ihū crist .vij^C.liiij. when his fader Pyppino leued. vnd (er) whom: and with whome he regned xv. yere to the deth of his fadre. ¶Then after his fader vnd (er) the yere of our lord god vij^C.lxviij. this Karolus with his brother Karolomanna regned ij. yere Then his brother decessid. in thee secund yere. And this Karolus ther held all the hoell kyngdō xiiij. yere. to the yere of our lord vij^C:lxxxiiij· in the wicch yere he went vn to Rome. that he might be crouned Emprour of pope Adrian. And ther he regned emprour xvi. yere. to the yere of our lord viij^C. when pope Leo confirmed him ayen the emprour And after that he was emprour xiiij: yere. And decessid in the [Page] yere of his aage lxxij the wich wos the yere of our lord viij^C & xiiij: if ye will se more of Karolus go to the boke of Turpinꝰ & Libraminus his master: for they wrot thes nobull actis Leo the fourth wos pope after Adrian xx yere This man when he went on a certan day with the letany to sent petre chirche. on sent markis day. he wos taken with cursid pepull and bothe his eeyn put out and his tong cut of. But our lord meruelusly restorid him ayen his sight & his speche so that he spake w^t owte tong and saw by myracull: Afterward he went to Karolum ī to fraunce. and he come with him vn to Rome and vengid the po­pe on his emnys. And then he crouned Karolum and he late a fore crouned confermyd him ayene

Lodowike the meke the frist gotyn son of Karolus wos emꝑor aft (er) his fadre xxvi yere ī whos tyme was put away that clarkis shuld vse no gyrdils with precious stonys ne strange arayment This Lodewik of his frist wife gat ij: child and both had an yll end In all thing that went ayenest him. He wos pacient and in the last end he eu (er) ou (er) come. for anendis god he a bo [...]d deuote. & his child foloid his condicions and he decessid a blissed man Stephanus the fourth wos pope aft (er) leo. iij yere This Stephanus redemid mony captiue men: and crouned Lodewik the emꝑor and then he decessid and was beried at Rome

Paschall wos pope aft (er) Stephyn This Paschall yaf a gret dylygens to relickis of sentis. and he toke vp innumerabull bodis of sentis and beried them worshipfully as in the vision of sent Cicill he wos commanded

Eugenius the fourth wos pope after Paschall And he was a verey holy man. and thos thinges that werfor crist he toke heid to: this man wos crounyd a marter and by the lay men of rome he wos beried in sent petre chirche yerde.

Circa annū domini viij^C.xliiij

VAlintinus wos pope after Eugeni xl: dais. and litel of him is writtyn: Gregori the fourth wos pope after him xij yere This Gregori saw mony heuy tymes for the plagis emonges the comyn pepull. And at this mannys petycion Lode­wyk the emprour and Marchio the prince of Lumbardy flemyd all saresons from Italy. and at the last he decessid after īnume­rabull good dedis and werkys that he had done at sent petreis. Lotherius the fyrst son of Lodewike wos emprour xv yere ī Italy & rome &̄ the ꝑtis of germane next to the hylles of alpy. This Lotherius rose ayens his brother Lodewike and Karolom for the kyngdom of dochelond. the wich sum tyme Pippinꝰ ther brother held. and they faught at a place called Fontanelū wher Lotheri wos discomfited. and ther was such slaughter made on both the sydis. that they had no men to resist ther adu (er)saries Th­is vndirstode a fals cristyn man. and sent vn to the sowden of the sariseus that he shuld cum anone. and he toke Rome: And sent petre chirche wos made a stabull for ther horses Bot lode­wik with the frennshemen and lumbardies all that infenite multitude distruyd. and that with greet sheddyng of cristyn blod Sergius the secund wos pope after Gregorius ij yere Thys man wos called fyrst os Porci in english hogysmothe: Wherfor that man &̄ after all the popis namys archanged when they bene chosyn. And that for iij causis. The frist for crist changed thee name of thos mē y^e wich he made popis: y^e secūd for os moch as thei archāged ī name so shuld thei be chāged īꝑfecciō of life y^e iij lest he y^e wich is chosī to a excedīg degre shuld be hurte in name Leo wos pope aft (er) Sergius viij yere This Leo wos an holy man And also he was in prudens as sharpe as a serpent And in his dedis as meke as a dowfe: And he wos broughte forth vertuusly in a monasteri: and when that he was made pope he labored to repayne his chirches agayn the wych the false [Page] sarasons on after an other had destruyed. This man wos a my­ghty writer and a gret precher. and myghtely labored in watche and prayer: and so died and wos beried & lies at sent petris. Benedictus a Roman wos pope after Leo .ij. yere This benedicte had the name of the thyng: for in all thyng he wos blissed. This mā ordand that clarkys shuld go ordynately & honestly. Lodowicus the son of Lotharij wos Emprour this tyme and a noynted of Sergio the pope: and a while regned with his fadre and after he regned xxi: yere allone This man had a son that heght Karolus. in to whom the deuell entred. and vexed him afore his fader. and then he conspirid his fadres deth. and in his tyme mony a meruell fell▪ Nota. Iohannes anglicus of the nacion of Magnutynne about this tyme wos pope. And she wos a woman arayed in mannys garmentys: Bot she profetid so ī holy scripture. that ther wos fonden none lyke hir. ¶Then she w­as chosen pope. Bot afterward she wos with child. and when she shuld haue gone opynly in procession: she traueled and decessid. ¶And this is the sext pope the which to this tyme had the nam of holynesse. and wer vecius: and this parson as other cursed popis wer. wos punysshed of god. ner she wos not nombred in thee boke of popis. Nicholaus a roman wos pope aft (er) this womā ix yere This Nicholas wos of gret holynes y^t ther wos no mā cōꝑabull to hī aft (er) gret Gregori the pope. And whē he wos made pope. Lodewik the emꝑour wos presēt: and after he decessid a verey good man and wos beried ī sent petyrchirche yerde. Adriā a roman wos pope aft (er) pope Nicholas. This Adrian cursed Lo­thariū brother to the emprour the kyng of Lotharyng for his ad­ultery· bot when he come to rome to excuse him for his adult (er)y. he sayd he was cursed wrongusly. and he brought w^t hī all y^e nobul mē of his regiō. & all wer deid w^t ī on yere. & the kīg died in the way when he come to the cite of Placenciam:

Anno domini .viij^C.lxxiij.
¶Of kyng Alured and how the Danois in his tyme prayd him of merci that they myght gone out of the land.

AFter the deth of this Eldred regned his brother Alured that Dolfynes was cald ¶Tho went the danois &̄ assē led them: and went forth to soche Alured that tho wos king new made of southsex. and ther they fonden him at wilton with a litel pepull: and neu (er) the lasse he faught w^t them. but at the last he fled thens from the feld. and went in to westsex and ordeyned so moch pepull of his own reame and also of other so tyll that he had a strong host so that the danois had no pouer ayens hī to withstōd And he come to london with his host. and ther wer the danois soiourned and ther wold he haue foughten with them. bot the danois durst not with him fight. but prayed hī of pees and that they myght go ayen in to ther own cuntre and neuermore to cū ī to englond ayen that is to say ony harme for to done. ¶And vpon this couenant they shuld yef him to plege good hostages & soch as the Englissh men wold axen.

¶How Hubba and Hunger wer kylled at Chippenham and how the Danois brought ther kyng vn to our kyng:

ANd the same day that the danois departed froo London so fast they riden bothe nyght and day and neu (er) toke rest [Page] of goyng till that thei come vn to Excestre and token tho the toune and ther held them. ¶When kyng Alured herd the tydyng anone he let take the hostages and went from thens vn to excestre with all the pouer that he had. ¶And when the danois herd tell of his cummyng they went from thens vn to wes [...]sex and come to Chippenham and ther they did moch harme in the cuntre they robbid folke and brought them in prison. ¶The king a­lured them pursued and come vpon. and fersly them assailed and ther wer slayn bothe Hubba and Hunger his brother and Buerne bocard & in this bataill wos moch folke slayn in that on ꝑte and ī that other but the gree of that feld left with the danois for as moch os the kyng come with litell companye: ¶The kynge hasted him as moch os he myght for to wend ayene &̄ when y^e danois fonden Hubbais body liyeng deid they entered it and made vpon hit a gret logge and let call it hubeslow and so it is cald vn to thiys day. and that place is in deuenshire. ¶The baroens of somerset wilteshire and dorset herd tell how that ther king wos descomfited & ordeined all the pouer that they myght haue & come to the kyng ther he wos and thanked god that they had hym found on liue for they had went that the danois had him slayn. ¶Tho toke they a councell the king & his barons that they wold gone and seche the danois with them all for to fight and so ther riden all y^t nyght them all for to seche &̄ come a morow about prime to Habyngdon ther that the danois weer. ¶The kyng Alured &̄ his barons tho assembled &̄ ther assayl [...]d the danois eg (er) ly and ther yaf them a strōg bataill & y^e danis nobulli put them of lōg tyme y^t no mā wist whed (er) ꝑte more pepull wes slaī ¶But thꝰ it befell as god wold y^t the king Alured had the victorie with moch honour for the danois wer so driuen y^t they ne wisten whid (er) for to turne: & xv. days the king them pursued at his wyll that glad and fayn they wer for to speke of pees and of acord &̄ toke him good hostage· & sayd that they nold neuer more vpon [Page] him were ne no debate arere ¶And more ouer they behighte to the kyng Aulured that they wold go and bring ther own kīg vn to him. and that ther kyng and they all shuld be baptised. ¶And vpon this condicion kyng Alured hem granted lyfe &̄ limme: &̄ said vn to them that thei shuld gone ther kīg for to seche and at a c (er)tayn day to cum ayene that to them wos set. &̄ so they wenten forth fast and come ayene at ther day that wos assined. and all the danoys brought ther kyng w^t them. ¶The kyng Alured anon let them be baptised and ther names changid so that the kyng of danmarke wos called Athelston. and xxx. of his felawes names wer changed also. and the other wer baptised to the right beleue. ¶And all this wos done at westmynster and after that kyng Alured held with him kyng athelston and all his danoys xij. days at soiourne with moch solempnite & yaf them gret yeftes. aft (er) y^t they wer baptised &̄ so they deꝑtid. Tho wos kyng Alured all at ese when he had his emnys ou (er) cummyn & that they wer turned to the right beleue of almyghty god:

¶How the danoys that come in to fraunce with Gurmond come ayen in to Engloyd and of the deth of kyng Alured.

ANd thus it befell aft (er)ward that the danois of Northhū ­berland that wer paynyms come with a gret strength & an huge host of fraunce that is to be vnderstonde with them y^t went in to fraunce: with Gurmond of Aufrike when he had cō quered englond and yaf it vn to the Saxons. and tho thatt come from fraunce ariued in kent. &̄ sent in to Northhumbirland that they shuld cum to them. And when thos ij. hostis wer comen and assembled. anone they went to distruy all y^e cristī pepull of englond from place to place & did moch sorow. ¶Hit befell thꝰ os almyghty god wold a hard chance ī englond For the good kīg Alured that wos wont to abate the danois died in the meyn tyme. ¶This kyng Alured regned xxx. yere and a good king had bene. & well could chastise his enmys. & also he wos a good [Page] clerke. & let make mony bokis. And a boke he made of english̄ of auentures of kynges and of batailles that had bene done in the lond. and mōy other bokes of gestes he let them writte that wer of gret wisdō &̄ of good lernyng· thurgh wich bokes mōy a man may hī a mēd y^t will them rede & vpō loke. vpō whos saule almyghty god haue merci. & this kīg Alured lieth at wynchester.

IOhannes the viij. was pope after Adrian viij. yere: This Iohn̄ a noynted Karolum the Emprour. and he sufferid gret wrong of the romans. for he fauuid not the sayd emꝑour And ther for he put the said pope in kepyng. also he degrated the bisshop of Portnense the wich wos the occasion of all his sorow. Karelus the secund wos emprour after Lodwike: This Karo­lus had a brother the wich was called Lodwyke & he wos the king of German. And he ordand bataill ayans his brother: but Ka­rolus or they faght wos poysened. & he made mony a monasteri: Martinus wos pope after Iohn̄ on yere: this Martin lytell ꝓphetted. for he leued but lytell tyme Adrianus the thrid was pope after him on yere. and of him is nothyng writtyn Stephanus the fifthe. wos pope after him vi. yere and nothyng of him is writtyn but that he translatit the body of sent Marty [...] Karolus the thrid was emprour after the secund xij. yere. This Karelus peesably had in possession all fraunce and germā [...] and was crouned Emprour of iohn̄ the pope. And after his glorius victori he turned all Normandi to the faith. And he myght no more resist the fraunshmen bot iiij: yere he regned on them and he wos vnprofitabull to them: and therfor they put him a way Arnulphus wos emprour aft (er) Karelus xij. yere This Arnulphus vtterly constrened the Normans the wich destruid the frenneshmen xl. yere Then he wos seke and had no comforth of no leche for he was in a meruelus sekenesse so that he wos comsumyt [Page] with lyse and was deid. Formosus wos pope after Stephin v yere This man first wos bisshop of Portuensis. & of pope Iohn̄ wos depriuyt for his inobediens and was degrated to the lay fe bot by Martyn the pope he wos restorid. and ayens his othe he come not allonly to Rome. bot to ofer him the dingnite of the pope. for the wich ther was gret alterecacion.

Bonefacius the sext wos pope xv. dais Stephanus the sext on yere and iij. monethes Iōa iij. monethes and xij dais. Theodorus the secund xx days. Iohannes the xi. wos ij yere & xv: dais Benedictus the iiij wos iij. yere and ij monethys Leo the iiij. wos xl dais Zpōforus the frist vij monethys Thes viij popis wer bot litell tyme. And ther for we cannot tell of them no notabull thinges bot yf we shuld writ sclander of thē that myght be found. for the vnherd strife and cōtencion. ī that holy apostyll seet: for on strofe ayens an other and repreued y^e dedis of an other. And for to tell how they strofe it wer no gret honour to shew: for that holy apostils seet.

Ludowicus the thrid was emprour after Arnulphus vi [...] This man had not the popis blissing: for the vnstabulnes of them the wich regned in Itali and he was constraned to expuls be­ryng And this man was the last emprour of all the kynrad of karolꝰ kīg of fraunce ¶This tyme the empire was remeued and translatyt and deuyded. For the frenshmen holp not the chirche: the wich ther faders had hedified and fortefied. bot distruyd them ne help not the Romans ayens Lombardis. the wich vexed the romans right sore Therfor by the comyns assent they wer excludid from the empire &̄ y^e Italians be gan to be emprours ī Itali. & the Almans in almany vn till Ottanem the wich reg­ned in both the places The frenshmen wer constrenyd to abide ī ther own cuntre and no more to be emprours for ther mischeuus leuyng Beryngarius the frist Conradus and Beringarius the secund and Hugo wer emprours aft (er) Lodewike bot they ar not [Page] nōburt emōg the emꝑours for sū war bot ī almain &̄ sū ī Itali.

¶Of kyng Edward that was kyng Alured son.

ANd after this Alured regned Edward his son and was a good man and a wyse that wos called Edward y^t was wonder curtasse. ¶The danois did moch sorow in the lande & ther pouer encresed & begō for to wax from day to day: for the danois comen oft with ther companyes in to this land ¶And when the kyng saw that he myght no better done. then he toke pees with them and granted them his trewis ¶And nothelesse thee trewis durid not long that the danois ne began strongly for to were vpon the englishmen and did them moch sorew. wherfor kyng Edward did assemble a gret host for to fight with them ¶And tho this kyng edward died when god wold This kīg edward regned xxiiij. yere &̄ lieth at wīchestre beside his fader.

Anno domini: ix^C.xiiij:

SErgius the thrid wos pope after Xpōfer vij. yere This man wos a cardinall of rome: and wos expulsid by Formose the pope. and then he went to the frenshmen. and thurgh the help of them he come ayen to rome and expulsid cristofer the pope, & was pope him self. And to a venge his exile he toke owt thee body of pope Formose wher as he wos beried. And arayed hym in the popis arayment and causid him to be hedid. and to be cast in to the water of tibyrby rome. ¶Then fysshers fond him &̄ brought him in to the chirche And the holy ymages of sentis boyed doune to him whē the bodi of him wos brought in to the chirche that all men might see. & honorabully him halfed. Yit Sergiꝰ distruyed all that thyng the wich the holiman had ordand Anastasius wos pope after him ij. yere. Laudo wos pope v monethee. & litell they did. Iohēs the x. wos pope then. this Iohn̄ wos the son of Sergij pope. bothe of natur & of maners [Page] and he by might was pope and he wos wricchedly slain of Guy­doys knyghtys for they put on his methe a pelow and stopped his brethe. And aft (er) hī wos on other put in. but anone he was out and therfor he is not named os a pope.

Henricus the duke of saxoni was emprour of almane xviij. yere This Herri wos a nobull man. bot he is not nombred emōg the emprours: for he regned bot allonly in almanye: And he had a veray holi woman vn to his wife and his name wos Matild [...] [...]n whom he gat ij: sonnys that is to say Ottonem and Harri & Otto succedid him in the empire. & Herri had moch land ī almāy And he gat an other son y^t heyght Brim [...]n &̄ wos a verey holi man &̄ wos bisshop of colan. &̄ he foūded y^e monast (er)y of pōthaleō

¶Of kyng Adelstone.

AFter this Edward regned Athelstone his son And when he hod regned iiij. yere he held bataill ayens the danois and drofe kyng Gaufrid y^t wos kīg of the danois and all hys host vn to the see & rested by scotland and toke strongly al the cū tre an hoill yere. ¶And aft (er) that tho of Cumberland & the scottes of westmerland be gone to were vpon kyng athelston &̄ he them yaf so strong bataill that he kylled so mony of them. that no man coud tell the nomber of them &̄ aft (er) y^t he regned bot iij. yere & he regned in all xxv. & lieth at Malmesburi.

¶Of kyng Edmond

ANd after this Adelstō regned edmōd his brod (er) for kīg adelstone had no sone. and this edmōd wos a worthy mā and a doughty knyght of bodi & as nobull al so: And the iij yer after that he wos kyng he went ouer humber in to that cūtre in the wich cuntre he fond ij. kynges of danois that on wos called Enelaf that other Renant This kyng edmond drofe them bothe frō the land & aft (er) wēt &̄ toke a gret prey in Cumberland This Edmond regned but vij. yere & lieth at Glastenburi.

¶Of kyng Eldred.

ANd after this Edmond regned Eldred his brother that avenged edward his fader of his emnys that did him kyll and afterward he seysed all Northhumberland in to his ha­nd and made the scottys for to a bowe and meke vn to his wyll ¶And in the secund yere of his regne come Arnalaf guyran that wos kyng of denmarke and seysed all Northhumberland & held that land ij. yeree and aft (er) that come kyng Eldred with an gret pouer & drofe him out of this land ¶And this kyng el­dree was a nobull man and a good of whos goodnesse sent Dū stane preched. & this kīg eldred regned xi. yere & lieth at wīchest

¶Of kyng Edwyne.

ANd after this eldred regnd Edwyne the son of edmond and he was a lither man toward god & the pepull. for he hated folke of his own land &̄ loued &̄ honored strange men and set litell by holy chirche and he toke of holy chirche all the tresour that he might haue that was gret shame &̄ vylanye to him self &̄ perrill to his saule. and therfor god wold not that he shuld regne no longer than iiij yere & died & lieth at winchester.

Leo the sext a roman wos pope sex monethes: Stephanus y^e vij. a roman wos aft (er) him ij. yer. Iohn̄ the xi. a roman wos pope iij. yere. Stephanus the viij a germane was after hī viij yere Martin y^e thrid wos after him iij. yere. and of thes sex popis is nothyng had in scriptur: for what cause I canot tell

Anno domini ix^C.liiij.

AGapitus a roman wos pope after Martin ij: yere & viij. monethes. and nothyng of him is writtyn Iohannes the xij: a roman wos pope after Agapite almost viii. yere & he had a fader that heght Alberyke & wos a worthi man in the cete of rome. He inducit the nobull men to swer that aft (er) the deth of agape they shuld chese Octouianū his sonne pope. & so it was [Page] done &̄ was named Iohn̄: and he was an hunter and a lecherus man. so that opynli he kepid women. wherfor certayn cardinals wrot to Otthoni the emprour of saxon that he shuld cum [...]on to rome for to help to distruy the sklandir of the cherche. this the pope persaued and the hand that wrot that pystyll he made to be cut of. And mony timis he was warned by the ēprour & the clarge. that he shuld correc him self. bot he nold not for nothing. then he was deposed and Leo wos put in. vn to his place. wherfor the emprour wos anoyed and come ayen and beseged Rome so long. tyll they toke Benedict to him & restorid Leo.

¶Of kyng Edgar that regned a bone the kynges of scotland and of wales and how that he was begyled thurgh the takyng of his wife.

ANd after this Edwyne regned Edgar his brother a mā that moch loued god and pees and holy cherche also And was a worthy man & a gret lord of blod & myghty &̄ mayntin­ed well this lond in pees ¶And this Edgar wos lord &̄ king aboue all the kynges of scotland and of wales. from the tyme y^t Arthur was a gone &̄ neu (er) wos sithen kyng of his pouer. And this edgare wos sent Edwardis fadre: & when edgares wif wos deid that wos sent edwardis mod (er) &̄ entered. he hard speke of the fairnes of Estrild that wos Orgarus doughter a baron of deuēshire that wos so farr a woman that all men did speke of hi [...]. he called on of his knyghtes that he moch loued &̄ trustyd vpon &̄ told him Go quod he to the nobull baron Orgar of deuēshire & se if that is dought (er) be so farr as men spekith of: & if it be soth I wyll haue hir vn to my wife ¶This knyght that was called Edel­wold went forth his way as the kyng him had sayd. and come ther that the lady wos. and when he saw hir so fair he thought to ha­ue hir hīself to wife. and therof spakē to Orgar hir fad (er) &̄ hir fadre wos an old man and had no mo childre but only hir and saw [Page] that Edel wold wos a fair yong knyght and worthi and riche and wos well beloued with the kyng. and thought his doughter shuld well be maried. & beset vpon him. and granted hī is doughter if the good lord the kyng wold consent ther to ¶Then thys Edelwold come ayene to the kyng and told him that she wos fair ynough vpon to see. but she wos wond (er) lothly. Tho ansuerd thee kīg & said that he toke bot litell charge. Sir qd edelwold tho she is hir fadres heir: and I am not riche of landis. and if ye wold cō sent and grant that I myght hir haue. than shuld I be rich ynowghe. In goodis name qd the kyng I consent ther to Edelwold thankid tho the kyng moch and went ayene in to Deuenshire and spoused the damisell & in that cuntre he duelled ¶And thꝰ it befell vpon a tyme that he told his counsell and all this thing vn to his wife howe and in what maner he had begiled his lord the kyng that wold haue had hir vn to wife. And anone as she it wist she loued him neu (er) more afterward os she did before. ¶This lady consaued bi him a son. and [...]hē tyme wos y^t y^e child shuld be borne Edelwold come to the kyng & prayed hī to heue a son of his at fontstone: the kyng him granted & let call hī Edgar of his own name ¶And when this wos done he thou­ght that all was syker ynowgh for the kyng y^t he wold not taken his wife for as moch as his lord wos a [...]oly mā & an amerous.

¶How that kīg edgar weddid estrild aft (er) the deth of edelwold

THus it befell that all men in kyng Edgarys court thospeken and sayed that edelwold was richely avaunced thur­gh the mariege of his wife and yit they sayd he was a vaunced▪ an hondreth fold more For he had spoused the fairast woman that euer was seyn And the kīg herd speke so moch of hir bewte he tho­ght that edelwold had him dessaued and begiled &̄ thought priuely in his hart that he wold gone in to deuēshire as it wer for till hūt for the hert &̄ for the hynde &̄ other wild bestis & than he shuld [Page] se ther the lady or he deꝑted thens And this lady wos duelling at a maner place beside the forest ther that the king wold hūt and at that man (er) he wos herburghed all nyght and when tyme come that the kyng shuld sope and the sone shone: the kyng asked after his gossip and aft (er) his godson. and edelwold made hir to cū before the kyng And neu (er)theles if it otherwise myght haue bene she sh̄uld not haue comen in his sight by his will. ¶The lady welcō ­ed the kyng and swetly him cussed and he toke hir by the hond &̄ tho next by him hir set & so soppid they to gedre: And ther was a custom &̄ an vsage in this land that tyme that when on dronke to an other the drinker shuld say wassayll. and that other shuld ansuer & say drinke haill. and thus did the kyng & the lady mony tymes &̄ also kyssed. And aft (er) sopper when tyme was to go to [...]ed the kyng went to bed thynkyng hertely on the fairnes of y^t lady & tho was ou (er) comen for hir loue. that him thought y^t he shuld die bot if he had his wyll on hir. vpon the morne the kyng aroos & in the forest went him for to disport with hertis & hyndes &̄ all other wild bestys & of the hertis gret plente he sent to that lady. & thris he went to solacen & speke with that lady whilles he duelled ther in y^t cūtre ¶And aft (er) that the kyng remeued thens &̄ thought hī how he might best deliu (er) edelwold from his wyfe as he had him fryst dissaued. ¶And the kyng anone aft (er) viij. days let ordeyn a parlament at Salesberi of all his baronage concell to haue. &̄ for to ordeyn how the cūtre of northhūbeland myght best be kepid that the danois come not ther the land to destruy ¶And this edelwold come vn to the kynges ꝑlament & the kyng sent him vn to yorke for to bi keꝑ of that cūtre ¶And thus it befell that men that knew him not slew him by the way. ¶And anone as the kyng herd tell that he wos deid he let send after the lady estrild that she shuld cum to the cite of london & ther ben wedded to the kyng with gret solempnite &̄ worship and held a solempne fe­ste & he wered a croune that wos of gold and the quene an other [Page] ¶And sent dunstan amorow come vn to the kyng in to the chamber & fond the kyng ī bed and the quene also yfeyr And sēt dunstone axed the kīg who she wos &̄ y^e kyng ansuerd & sayd th­is is the quend Estrild. & the erchebisshop sent dunstone sayd y^t he did gret wrong & a yens godis will. to take a woman to wif whos child ye had take at the fontstone & the quene for y^t worde neu (er) aft (er) loued sent dunstone & notheles y^e good mā warned of y^t foly to be left bot it availled litell for the loue betwyn them was so moch ¶The kīg begat vpon hir a son wos called Eldred &̄ whē this cheild was vi yere old the kyng his fader died. & about y^t tyme he had regned xvij. yere & lieth at Glastenburi.

BEringariꝰ the thrid wos emprour aft (er) Henri vij. yer. this Berīgari wos emꝑour in Italy. ī whos tyme wos grett diuision & Henri y^e emꝑour decessid &̄ Otto began to regne ī al many: Lotheriꝰ regned aft (er) hī ij. yere & decessid whē Otto regned ī almany. &̄ had a wyfe that heght Dalnydam the wich after weddid otto Berīgariꝰ the iiij. wos aft (er) him This man w^t gret tyrannyde subduit Itali. wherfor the pope &̄ od (er) romans cal­led Otto y^t he might deliu (er) them. the wich he did: &̄ he toke berīgar by strength. & twyes he owtlayd him &̄ he toke Lothoriꝰ wife the wich the tyrand had prisoned. Leo the viij. wos pape aft (er) Benedictus on yere: and iiij. monethis This man was chosin w^t the comyns voce: and Iohn̄ was deposit. This Leo ordant that no pope shuld be made with out the consent of the emꝑor. For y^e malas of the romans the wich oppressid them. This man granted all the yeftis to Otto & his successurs the wich war yef by Ius­tinian & Karolus to the chirche that he myght defend Itali from the rebilions. Iohēs the xij. wos pope after him almost wiij. yere This Iohn̄ suffrid gret wrong of the romans. for he wos take and exiled: bot Otto bare this heuely. for he kylled the nobull men of rome. and certan of them exiled for eu (er) more.

[Page]Benedictus the sext was pope after him vi. yere. This man was take & ī castill angill was strāgled. Nota. The empire th [...] is tyme wos translatid to the almayns & the same cause is her as was be fore for the vicious leuyng. ne thes vnhapi men culd not be informit: that they cold eschew that co vice thurgh the wich thei saw so mony nobull men ꝑisshed. Otto was emprour after Beringariꝰ xij. yere This Otto wot the frist emprour of alman. & he wos all vertuus as an other kyng Karolus. for he wos the defender of the chirche of god. & the senguler ꝓmoter. for the wich he was worthy to be emprour. mony mē of fals beleue he cōu (er)ted and he held w^t him pope Benedict the vsurper of the popehed in to saxony. and ther he decessid in his exile And this emprour decesid a riche man in vertu and goodis. Otto the secund was emꝑor after his fad (er): and he was a nobull man to the chirche as his fad (er) was & mony a bataill he had ayens fals men of beleue and at the last he almost lost all his host ī Kalabur. yit he for s [...]th w^t al his mynde be sought sent Peter to help. & meruelusly sent petre deliu (er) ed him. And his wife wos the doughter of the emprour of Con­stantynopolitan of the romans blod. and this man was crou­ned of Benedictus the pope.

¶Of sent Edward the marter how Estrild his stepm [...]ther let kyll him for to make Eldred hir own son kyng.

ANd after this Edgar regned Edward his son that hee begate vpon his frist wife. that well and nobully gouer­ned the land▪ for he was full of all maner of goodnesse and lad a full holy lyfe. and aboue all thyng he loued god and holy chirche. and the quene Estrild that wos his stepmother let him sle for encheson to make hir own son Eldred kyng and thus on aday wos he slayn as ye shall heir afterward ¶It befell thus on a day y^t the kyng Edward wēt in to a wode for to play ī the south cūtre beside a toune y^t is called warham ī wich forest wos grete [Page] plente of hertis & hyndes. &̄ when he had ben a while ther hī for to play he thought vpō his brother Eldred that wos with his mod (er) the quene for hir place wos nygh the forest. and thought for to go thider & viset &̄ se his brother. & toke with him bot a litell meny and went him tho toward his stepmoders house that ī that time soiourned in the castell of Corfe: &̄ as he rode in the thiknes of the wode to aspy his gam it befell that he went a mys & lost his mēy that with him come. & at the last he come out of the wode. & as he lokid him abowt he saw ther faste beside a man (er) that his stepmod duelled in. &̄ thid (er)ward he went allone & anone it wos told the quene how that the kyng wos commyn allon with out companye &̄ therfor sho made Ioye ynough & thought how y^t she myght don that he wer slayn as priueli as she myght &̄ called to hir on of hir knyghtys to whom sh̄e had told moch of hir consell betwen them & both they come to the kyng &̄ courtasly him resaued. &̄ the kyng told y^t he wos cumen hir to visit & also for to speke with Eldred his brother The quene mony times him thankid &̄ him prayed to alight & harburgh with hir all y^t nyght ¶The kyng said y^t he myght not. but ayen he wold wend vn to his folke if he myghtt them find: ¶And when the quene saw that he wold not abid she prayd him y^t he wold ons drink &̄ he granted hir & anone as the drinke wos comen the quene drank vn to the kyng &̄ the kyng toke the cup &̄ set it to his mouthe & in the meyn tyme whiles y^t he drank. the knyght y^t wos with y^e quene with a knyfe smot the kyng vn to the hert &̄ ther he felle doune deid of his palfra vn to the erth The quene for this dede yaf the knyght gold & silu (er) gret plenti. &̄ of other riches ynough And y^e knyght anone as this wos done went him ou (er) the se. &̄ so scappid he out of this land ¶When this kyng Edward thus wos martired. Hit was in thee yere of the Incarnacion after our lord ihū crist ix^C.lxxx· yere & he had regned xij. yere and an halfe &̄ lieth at glastenburi

¶Of kyng Eldred and how the kyng Swyne of denmarke held englond and how eldred that wos sent edwardis bred was not beloued ī his reame & therfor he fled in to Normandie.

AFter this kyng edward regned eldred his brother and sent Dunstan crouned him and this sent Dunstone died sone after that he had for yefen the quene hir trespasse estrild for encheson that she wos cause of kyng edwardis deth and sent dūstane had hir asoled and pennance hir enioyned and she lyued aft (er) chaste life and clene ¶This kyng Eldred weddid an englissh woman & on hir he begate edmond Irenside & an other son y^t wos called edwyne And aft (er) died the quene ther mother. And in that tyme come Swyne in to englond that was kyng of Denmarke for to chalange and conquere all that his auncestres had before that tyme and so he conquered and had it all at his axyng: ¶For the good erle Cut [...]ert of lyndesey &̄ all the pepull of northhumberland and almost all the gret of englond held with Swyne that was kyng of Denmarke for os moch as they loued not kyng eldred. for encheson that his good brother wos slaī edward falsely for encheson of him. and therfor no man set but litell by hī wherfor kyng swyne had all his will and toke all the land: and eldred the kyng flede tho in to Normandie & so spake to y^e duke Rechard that the duke yaf hym his sustre Emma to wife vpō the wich he gat ij. sonnys & y^t on was caled Alured & y^t other edward. & when Swyne had conquered all y^e land he regnet nobeli & leued xv: yere &̄ then died &̄ lieth at yorke.

¶How kīg eldred come ayen frō Normande & how knoght y^e danois regnet & of the were betwix him & edmond Irenside

AFter the deth of Swyne that wos a Danois: Knoght his son duelled in englond and wold haue be kyng and tho come ayene Eldred owt of Normandye with moch nomber of pepull & with a strong menye that Knoght durst not abide bot [Page] fley thens in to Denmarke The kyng eldred had ayen his reame and held so gret lordship that he by gan to distruy all tho that holpid Swyne that wos a Danois ayens him ¶And aft (er)ward come ayen this Knoght from denmarke with a gret pouer so that kyng Eldred durst not with him fight but fled fro thens vn to london and ther held hym ¶Tho come Knoght and him beseg­gid so long tyll that kyng Eldred died in the cite of london and lieth at sent paulus and he regned ix. yere.

BOnus was pope after Benedictus on yere This maij abode bot litell tyme. Bonefacius wos aft (er) him .v. monethes Benedictus wos after him x. yere This man crovned otto the secund and made mony romans to be take: & he gedrit a consell ayens the kyng of fraunce wher Gylberd the Negramensier wos deposit. Iohannes the xiiij was pope after him viij. monethis and he wos put in castell angill and wos famed to deth. Iohannes the .xv. wos after him iiij monethis. Iohannes the xvi. wos after him almost xi. yere This man was taught in Armys and made mony bokys and els litell of him is writtyn Gregorius the v. wos pope aft (er) this man almost iij: yere This Gregori was made pope at the instans of the emprour Otto the thrid. for he wos his cosin. And when he had be a litell while pope and the emprour recedid from the cite of rome. Placentinꝰ wos put in bi Crescencio a consull: for monay. and then was strife a few dais. bot the emprour come sone after ayen and toke Crescenciū the consull and stroke of his heed and put out the eyn of this man the wich put out his cosin of the dignite of the pope. And maymet him on odir menbyrs and his knyghtis ne his dukys holped him nothyng: For he did that thing that he sh̄uld not haue done. and he suffred that at he diserue [...]d. Nota ¶This Gregori wyth the emprour Otto ordand ther the [Page] chesers of the empire. the wich from thens forthe hath a bydyn vn to this day. For the frensshmen nor none oth [...]r myght not breke that ordinanse. & thos chesers of the empire by the pope and Otto wer not made for ony blame of the Saxons bot to eschew the ꝑels to cum. aned the namys be writyn for lerned men in latyn in thes versis. Maguntinensis Treuerensis Coloniensis Qui­li (bus) imꝑij fit cancellarius horum. Et palatinꝰ dapifer Dux portitorensis. Marchio prepositus camere. Pincerna bohemus Hij statuūt dn̄m cunctis ꝑ secula sūmū. Palatinꝰ est comes ren [...]. Marchio est Brandeburgensis. Dux saxonū et Rex bohemo (rum). verum vt quidam dicūt. thurgh this occasion the Egill has lost mony a fether &̄ in the end he shall be made nakid.

Otta the thrid wos emprour xviij: yere This man was a worthy man all the dais of his empire. & after the wisdom of his fader he wos a veray faithfull man to the chirche. and in mony batailles he ꝓsperit be cause he wos deuote to almyghty god & his sentis. and yaf mighty worsshippyng to the Relekes of sentis & oft tymes he vesid holy places: This man wos crouned bi gregori his cosin &̄ at the last he decessed at rome. No

Anno domini .M.iiij.

SIluester the secund wos pope after Gregori iiij yere And he wos made pope bi the help of the deuell. to whom he did homage· for he shuld yef him all thing that he desyrid: & he wos called Hylberd & his emny gat him the grace of the kyng of fraunce and he made him the bisshop of Remensis: bot anone he was deposit: and after he gat the grace of the emprour and wos made the bishop of Rauēnie and after pope. bot he had an end anone & so haue all that puttys ther hope in fals deuelis. Yit men tristin ī his saluacion for certayn demonstracion of his sepulcur. & for the gret pennance that he did in his last end: For he made his hād &̄ his leggis to be cut of: &̄ dismēbyrt ī al his body & to be cast out at y^e doore to foulys & thē his bodi to be drawi w^t wild bestis & ther [Page] to be beried wher sū euer they restit as an hound. and they stoed still at sent Iohn̄ latronys &̄ ther he wos beried and y^t wos sign of his sal̄uacion. Iohannes the xviij: wos pope .v. monethis Iohannes the xix wos pope after him v. yere and thes ij. did litell thynges Henricus the frist wos emprour in almane xx yer This henri was duke of Barri and all acording he was chosen for his blissed fame. the wich he had. & it is red y^t mony of thos dukis of barri were oly: not alōli ī abstenīg of fleshli desiris bot ī vertuus leuīg And he had a sustir that wos as holy as he whō he yaf to wife vn to the kyng of vngre. and she brought all vngre to the cristī faith. &̄ his wiuys name wos sc̄a Kōnogundis with whom he leued a virgin all his days. & he did mony a bataill als well ī Italy as ī Almane ayens rebelians. & prospert rightwysly at the last w^t a blissed end he decessid. And in the lyfe of sent Laurens he & his wife be put for sampuls

Benedictus wos pope after Ihon .xi: yere This man had gret strife in his days. for he was put out. and an other put in And this Benedict aft (er) that he wos deid. was seyn of an holy bisshope in a wricchid figure &̄ he had gret payn. And this figur said he tristed nothing in the merci of god And nothing profettit him that wos done for him. for it wos getyn with extorcion &̄ vniustly ¶Then this bisshop left his bisshopprik for dred of this sight: & wēt ī to a monestari & leued vertuusly all his dayes. Iohannes the xx was pope after him xi. yere & lityt profettit

¶Of kyng Knoght that wos a danois.

ANd after the deth of this Eldred Knoght that was a danois begā to regne. but Edmond Irenside that wos kīg Eldredis son by his fyrst wyfe ordyned a gret pouer of men and began for to were vpon kyng Knoght and so he did mony tymes and oft: and the were wos so strong & hard that wonder it was to wit & the quene Emme y^t duelled tho at westmynster had gret [Page] drede of hir ij. sonnys of the were Alured and Edward lest they shuld be diffoilled and misdone thurgh this were. wherfor she sēt them ouer see in to Normandie to the duke Richard hir vnkyll and ther they duelled in safete and pees long tyme ¶Thys Edmond Irenside and Knoght the danois wered strongly to geders but at the last they wer accordid in this maner. that thei shold depart the reame be twix them both: &̄ so they did. and aft (er) they become good frendis and so well loued to gedres as thei had bene brether gettyn of on bodi and of on mother borne.

¶How kyng Edmond Irenside tratoursly wos slayn thur­gh a tratour that wos called Edrith of stratton.

ANd after tho regned kyng Edmond Irenside & Knoght the danois. But thus it befell afterward that in the same yere that they were accordid and so moch loued to gedre wher for a fals thefe tratour had enuy vn to the loue that was betuix them and frendship. whos name wos Edrith of stratton that was a gret lord that wos Edmond Irensides man and of him held all the land that he had. and nothelas he thought his lord to bitray & make Knoght kyng of the land ī ītent richely to bene auanced and with him bene welbeloued. wherfor he praied his lord edmōd Irenside vpon a day with him for to eten and to duell &̄ the kīg courtasly hī grantid & to him come at his prayer. & at y^e mete the kyng riole wos serueid with diuerse metis & drinkes And whē nyght come that he shuld go to beede: the kyng toke his own me­ny &̄ went vn to chambre ther that he shuld take his nyghtys rest & as he loked him about he saw a fair ymage & well made & ī semblant as it wer an archer with a bow bent in his hand. & in the bow a fine arow ¶Kyng Edmond went tho nerre to be hold it better what it might be. &̄ anone the arow him smot thurgh y^e body &̄ ther slew the kyng. for that engyn wos made to kyll his owne lord tratoursly ¶And whē kīg edmond wos thus deid & slayn he had regned but x. yere and his pepull for hī made moch [Page] sorow & his body thei bere vn to glastīberi. and ther they hī en [...]ed And this fals tratour Edrith anone went to the quene thatt was kyng edmondis wyfe that wist of hir lordis dethē anone he toke from hir ij: sonnys that were fair and yong that hir lord had vpon hir goten. that one was called Edward and that other Edewyne and lad them with him to london and toke them vn to kyng Knought that he shuld do with them what his will were and told him how quently he had kylled king Edmond for enchesō and loue of him so that kyng knoght all englond in his pouer holly myght haue ¶O thow fals tratour hast thou my trew brother that wos so trew thus slayn for encheson of me a man y^t I most loued in the world. Now be my hed I shall for thi trauaill the well reward as thou hast deserueid. and anone let him be take & bonde hand and feet in maner of a tratour and let cast him ther in to Thamyse. and in this maner the fals tratour endid his life: ¶The kyng toke the ij. childer and put them vn to the ab­bot of west mynster to ward and to kepe till he wyst what that it was best with them for to done.

¶How kyng knoght sent kyng Edmondis sonnys bothe in to Denmarke for to sle and how they wer saued

AIt befell sone afterward that kyng knoght had all the land in his hand and spoused the quene Emma thurgh con­sent of his Baronage: for she was afarr woman the wich was Eldredis wife and the dukis sustre of Normandie and they le­ued to gedre with moch loue as reson wold ¶The kyng axid vpō a day consell of the quene what was best to done with y^e sonnys that wer Edmond Irensides ¶Sir qd she they be the right theires of the land. and if they lefen they will do you moch sorow with were. and therfor let send them in to a strange land afer to sum man that may them defoull and distroy. ¶The kīg anone let calle a danois that was called Walgar. and commanded him that he shuld lede thos ij. childer in to Denmarke and [Page] so to do & ordeyn for them y^t they sh̄uld neuer heir more of them. ¶Sir sayd this walgar gladly your cōmandment shall be done. and anone tho .ij. child he toke &̄ led them in to Denmarke and for as moch os he saw that the childer wer wōdir fair & also meke. He had of them gret pitte and rewth & wold not them slee but let them to the kyng of Hungri for to norrich: for this walgar wos welbeknowen with the kyng and welbeloued ¶Ano­ne the kyng axed whens the childer wer. and walgar told him & sayed that they wer the right heiris of englond and therfor men wold them destruye. and therfor sir to you they be comen merci & help for to sech. and for soth if they may lyuen your men they shall become. and of you they shall hold all ther land: ¶The kyng of hūgri them vnd (er)fōg w^t moch honor & let them wortheli be keped ¶And thꝰ it befell aft (er)ward y^t Edwyne y^e yōger brod (er) died. & edward the elder broder lyued a fair man &̄ a strong &̄ a la [...]ge of bodi and gentill & courtais of condicions So that all men him loued And this edward in the croniclis is called emonges engli­shmen Edward the outlay ¶And when he was made knight the kȳges douter of hungeri hī moch loued for his godnes &̄ hys fairnesse. that she him called hir derling The kyng that w [...]s hir fader ꝑceyued well the loue that wos betuyx them two &̄ had none heier bot that dought (er). &̄ the king wochedsafe his doughter to no mā so well os he did to him that she loued & he hir: And yaf hir vn to him with good will and edward hir spoused with moch honour. The kyng of hungeri sent aft (er) all his baronage and made a solempne fest and a riche wedding. &̄ made all men to vnderstond that this edward shuld be kīg of that lōd aft (er) the decesse of hī & therfor all they made gret ioye. &̄ of that tydinges thei wer full glad ¶This edward begate vpō this ladi a son y^t wos called edgar helyng and aft (er)ward a doghter that was called Margaret that afterward wos quene of scotland· and by the kīg of scotland that was callid Mancolin she had a dought (er) that was called maud [Page] that wos quene afterward of englond thurgh kyng Henry that wos the frist son of the cōquerour that hir weddid And he begate vpon hir a dought (er) that wos called Maude that aft (er) wos emꝑesse of almayn: And of this maude come the kyng of englond that vn to this day is called henri the emprise son ¶And yit had this Edward an other dought (er) by his wife that wos called Cristiā and she wos a Nonne.

¶How kyng knoght that wos a proud man conquered Nor­way &̄ how he become aft (er)ward meke and mylde.

NOw haue ye hard of Edmondis Irendeshed sonnis thatt kyng Knoght wend they had bene slayn as he had cōmandid walgar before. ¶And this Knaght had in his hand all y^e reame of englond and denmarke: & after that he went vn to Norway that land for to conquere. But the kyng of the land that was called Elaf come with his pepull &̄ wend his land well to haue kepid and defendid. & so ther he faught with him. till at the last he was slayn in that bataill. And tho thys knoght toke all y^t land in to his hond. ¶And when he had conquered Norway and taken feautes & homages ther. he come afterward ayen in to englond & held him self so gret a lord that him thought in all the world his pere no man wos. & become so proud & hauteyn that it was gret wond (er) ¶And so it befell vpon a day as he had herd masse at westmynster & wold haue gone in to hys palais. the wawis of the thamyse so swyftely ayens him come. that almost they tou­ched his fete ¶Tho sayd the kyng with a proud hert I cōmād the water to turne ayen or els I shall make the. ¶The wawes for his commandement wold not spare. bot fluwed ou (er) in hie more. and more ¶The kyng wos so proud of hert that he wold not fle the wat (er) but abode still in the wat (er). &̄ bet it with a yerde y^t he had in his hond and commandid the water that it sh̄uld wend no ferther but for all his ꝯmandemēt the water wold not cese bot [Page] euer waxed more and more an high. so that the kyng was all wete and stod depo in the wat (er). ¶And when he saw that he had abiden ther to long & the water wold nothing done his commandement· tho sone he with drew him and tho stod he vpon a stone and held his handis an high and sayed thes wordis hering all pepull. ¶This god that maketh the see thus arise an high he is liyng of all kynges and of all mightes most. And I am a caytif and a man dedeli. & he may neu (er) die and all thyng doth his cō mandement &̄ to him is obedient ¶To that god I pray thatt he be my werrand: For I knowlege me a caytif febull & of no pouer &̄ therfor I wyll go vn to rome with out ony lettyng my wikkidnes to ponysshe and me to a mend: for of god I clame my la­nd for to hold &̄ of none other ¶And anone made redy his h [...] yr &̄ him self to rome with out ony lettyng. and by the way did many almys dedis: and when he come to rome al̄so. ¶And when he had bene ther &̄ for his synnes done pennance. he come ayene in to englond & become a good man & an holy. And leued &̄ left all man (er) pride & stoutnesse &̄ leued an holy life aft (er) and made. ij abbeis of sent Benet on in englond and an other in norway for as moch os he loued sent benet more speciali then other santis. &̄ moch he loued also sent Edmōd the kyng & of the yaf gret yeftis to the house wherfor it wos made rich. &̄ when he had regned xx. yere he died & lieth at wynchestre.

Anno domini .M.xviij.

BEnedictus the ix. wos pope aft (er) iohn̄. &̄ he wos a gret li­ [...]hout &̄ therfor he was damned: &̄ he a perid to a certan mā vnd (er) a meruelus figour & an horibull. His heed & his taill was like an asse. the other parte of his body like a bere. And he said to this man to whom he apperid. be not a ferde for I wos a man os ye be now bot I appeir now for i leuyd vnhappeli in old tyme like a best when I wos pope. ¶In this mans tyme ther was [Page] gret diuision and scland (er) to the chirche. for he wos put out and in two tymes ¶And here Tholomeus notis that the pride of bisshoppis had eu (er) an euell end. and it wos eu (er) the occasion of moch vnrest &̄ bataill. Conradus the frist wos emprour aft (er) Henry xx. yere. This man made mony lawys and commanded pees to bekeped most stratly of any man: bot the erle of Ludolfe. was acused and he fled from his land. & desired more to liue like an karle then lyke a gentilman. & yit meruelusly his son wos mad emprour by the cōmandement of god. ayens the wyll of Conredy & at the last they wer accordid & he toke corodis dought (er) to his wif

¶Of kyng Harold that leu (er) had gone on fote thē ride an hors

THis Knoght of whom we haue spokin of before had ij: sons by his wife Emme &̄ that on wos called Hardyknoght &̄ that other Harold. & he wos solyght of fote that men called hym most comenly harold hare fote. ¶And this harold had nothyng the condicions & man (er) of kyng knoght that was his fadre. for he set bot litell price of cheualri ne no curtesi nother worship. but only bi his own wil ¶And he become so wykkid that he exiled his mod (er) emma. &̄ she went out of the land in to flandres & ther duelled w^t the erle: wherfor aft (er) ther was neu (er) good loue betwix hȳ & his brother. for his brother hated him dedly. &̄ whē he had regned .ij. yere & a litell more he died & lieth at westmynstre.

¶Of kyng Hardeknoght that wos haroldis brother.

AFter this harold harefote regned his brother hardeknoghtt ā nobull knyght and a worthy and moch loued cheualri and all maner of goodnese. ¶And when this hardiknoght had regned a litell while he let vncouer his brother harold &̄ smot of his hede that wos his brother at westmynster & let cast the hede in to a gonge &̄ the body in to thamys [...]. and aft (er) come fisshers &̄ toke the body with ther nettis be night &̄ bere him to sent clemētis [Page] chirche. and ther him beried: ¶And in this man (er) a venged hym hardiknoght: of his brother. for in none other man (er) he myght be a vengid ¶This kyng hardiknoght was so large a yeuer of mete and drinke that his tabullis wer set eu (er)y day iij. tymes full with riall metes & drinkis for his own meny & for all y^t com vn to his court to be richeli (ser)ueyd of riall metis. ¶And this king hardiknoght sent aft (er) Emme his mod (er) & made hir to cū ayē in to englond for she was driuen out of englond. whiles that harold harefote regned thurgh cunsell of the erle goodwyn that tho wos the grettest lord of englond next the kīg. & most might do what he wold thurgh out all englond thurgh his cōmandement for as moch as he had spoused the dought (er) of the good king knoght y^t wos a danois wich daught (er) he had by his frist wxfe ¶And when this quene was driuē out of englond &̄ come to the erle of flaunders that wos called Baldewyne his cosin he fond hir ther al thing that hir nedid vn to the tyme that she went ayen in to englō de. that the kyng hardiknoght had send for hir that wos hir sone. and made hir cum ayen with moch honour ¶This kīg hardyknogh when he had regned v. yere he died &̄ lieth at westmīster.

¶Of the velani that the danois did to the english men wherfor from y^t tyme aft (er) wos no danois made kyng of this land.

AFter the deth of this kyng hardiknoght for as moch as he nad no thyng of his body begoten. The erles and barons assembled and made a counsell that neu (er) more afrte no man y^t wos a danois though he he wer neu (er) so gret a man amonges them he shuld neu (er) be kyng of englond for the dispite that the danis had done to englismē. ¶For euer more be fore and if it wer so y^t the englishmen and the danois hapened for to mete vpō a [...] the englishmen sh̄old not be so hardi to meue ne styr a fote. [...]t and still till the danōis war appassid forth ¶And more ou (er) if y^e englishmen had not bowed doune ther hedis to done reu (er)ens vn to [Page] the danois they shuld haue bene bet and defouled. & soch man (er) despites & velanye diden the danois to our englishmen wherfor they wer driuen out of the land after tyme thet kyng hardiknoght was deid for they had no lord that them might maynten. ¶And in this maner avoided the danois englond that neu (er) they comen ayen. ¶The erles and barons bi ther comyn assent and consellees sent vn to normandye for to seche tho ij. brether Alured &̄ Edward that wer duelling with the duke Richard that was ther eme in intent for to croune Alured the eld (er) brother and him make kyng of englond. and of this thing to make an end The erles and barons made ther othe: But the erle Godwyn of westsex falsly and tratoursly thought for to sle thes two bretheren anone as they shuld cum in to englond ī intent to make his son harold kīg the wich son he had begoten vpon his wife the wich was kyng knoghtys dought (er) that wos a danois. ¶And so this godwyne priuely him went vn to south hamton. for to mete ther the ij. bretheren when that they shuld come vn to land. ¶And thus it befell that the messingers that went in to Normandie fond nott but only Alured that wos the elder brother. For Edward his brother wos gone to hungrie for to speke with his cosin Edward the owtlaw that was Edmondis son with the Irenside ¶The messingers told and said to Alured how that the erles & barons of englond sent aft (er) him and that he boldely shold cum ī to englōd and vnd (er)fonge the reame. for kyng hardiknoght was deid. and all the danois driuen out of the land.

¶How Godewyn the fals tratour toke Alured vpon Gildesdoune when that he come from Normandie to bene kyng of englond and how he did him be martired in the ile of Eli.

WHen Alured herd this tydyng he thankid god and in to shipe went with all the hast that he might and passed the see and ariued at southamton ther Godwyn the fals tratour was And tho this tratour saw that he was cumyn he welcumed him [Page] & vnder fonge him with moch ioye & sayd y^t he wold lede hī to lō don ther that all the barens of englong hī abode for to make hī kyng &̄ so they went on ther way toward london ¶And when they come vpon Gildesdone tho sayd the tratour Godwyne vn to Alured take kepe about you both on the left side &̄ on the right side. And of all ye shall be kyng: and of such an hūdreth more ¶Now for soth qd Alured I behight you &̄ if I be kīg I shall ordeyn &̄ make such lauys wherof god &̄ mā shall be well apayed ¶Now had the tratour cōmanded all his mē y^t werwith hī y^t when they wer comē vpō gildesdone y^t they shuld sle all y^t were ī Alured is cōpanye y^t com w^t hī frō Normandie &̄ aft (er) y^t take alured & led hī in to y^e Ile of Eli & aft (er) put out both his eyn of his hede & aft (er)ward bring hī vn to deth ¶And so they did for they kylled all the companye that ther wer. the nombre of xij gentillmen that wer comē with alured frō normandie. ¶And after toke they alured and in the Ile of Eli they put out his eyn &̄ rent his wombe &̄ toke the chefe of his bouels & put a stake in to the grond and an end of the bouels ther to fastined. & with nedil̄ les of Iren they prikked the good child & so made hī to go about the stake till that all his bouels werdrawen out of his body. &̄ so died Alured ther thurgh treson of the erle godwyn. ¶When tho lordis of englond had hard & wist how alured that shuld haue bene ther kyng was put to deth thurgh the fals tratour godwin they wer wōder wroth & suore bitwin them god &̄ bi his holy na­mes y^t he shuld die a more werse deth than did Edrith of strattō y^t had betraied his lord Edmōd Irenside. &̄ they wald haue put hī to deth. bot the thefe tratour fled thens in to denmarke and ther held him iiij· yere &̄ more & lost all his land in englond.

SIluester the thrid wos pope aft (er) Bn̄dic This Siluest (er) was chosī and Benedict was expulsid. And aft (er)ward was [Page] he expulsid and benedict was put vp ayene: And aft (er) he was put out and Gregori wos made pope: and he wos but a sympull let­terd man. and ther for he chose an other pope to be cōsecrate w^t hī and when mony men wer displesid w^t this gydyng of ij. popis: the thrid was brought in. the wich shuld ocupye the place of both the two. And so they strofe emonges them self. bot then Henri the emprour come to rome and deposit them all. ond made Clement the secumd pope. whom he made anone to croune him. and he sayd to the romans they shuld neu (er) chese pope with out his assent. & so v. beyng pope the sex wos put in. But mony men sayth this Gregori was an holy man. Damasus the secund wos aft (er) Clement xxiij. days: This man was an vsurper of the pope seet: & he died sodenly: And anone the Romans asked to haue a pope and y^t the almayns sh̄uld haue none: for they wer so herd hertid that they myght not incline to the ītent of y^e emprour. the wich said ther sh̄ uld be no pope chosin bot if he wold be of counsell of the eleccion. bot for all that they put in this holy man Leo. and aft (er) he had of that consciens. and refuseyd: and anone he was chosin bi the comyn assent This Leo put crist in the forme of a lasur in his own bede and in the morow he fond no thyng ther.

¶Of sent Edward the confessour that was Alured is brod (er) how he wos kyng of englond.

ANd when this was done all the barons of englond sensē an other tyme in to Normandie. for that Edward shuld cum in to englond with moch honour ¶And this edward in his childhode loued almyghty god and him drad and in [...]s­te and clennes lad his life and hatid sin os deth ¶And wh [...]n he wos crouned and annoynted with a riall pouer. he for yat not his good maners &̄ condiciōs that he frist vsed. And for yat not all good customs for no man (er) honour ne for no riches ne for no [...] ­ner highnesse. but euer more & more yaf him to goodnes [...] [Page] loued god & all mekenes: and loued god & holy chirch passing al maner thyng. And poer men also he loued and them held as th­ey had bene his own bretheren and to them oft yaf gret almys with full good wyll.

¶Of the frist speciall loue y^t god shewed to sent edward leuīg

IT befell on a day as he went from the chirche of westmynstre and had herd masse of sent Iohn̄ the Euangelist. for as moche as he loued sent iohn̄ euangelist more specially af­ter god and our lady than he did any other sent ¶And so ther come to him a pylgrame and prayed him for the loue of god & our lady and Iohn̄ euangelist some good him for to yefe ¶And the kyng priuely toke his ring of his fynger that no man ꝑsaued it. and yaf it to the pilgrame and he it vndirfenge and wēt thēs ¶This kyng Edward made all the good lawes of englond y^t yit bene most vsed and holden And was so merciabull. and so full of pitte that no man myght be more:

¶How the erle godwyn come ayene in to englond and had ayē all his land & aftward sent edward weddid his doughter.

WHen the erle godwyn that was duellyng in Denmarke had moch herd of the goodnesse of kyng Edwarde and y^t he wos so full of merci and of pitte. He thought that he wold gone ayene in to englond for to sech and to haue grace of the good king edward that [...] [...]cifull was that he myght haue his land ayen in pees. a [...] [...]ayed hī as moch as he myght and put him toward these & [...] in to englond to london ther that the kyng was that tyme & all the lordis of englond &̄ held a parlament ¶Godewyn sent to them that wer his frendis &̄ wer the most grettest lordis of y^e land &̄ prayed thē to besech the kynges grace for him &̄ that he wold his pees and his land grant him. This lordys ladd [...]n him before the kyng to see [...]e his grace ¶And anone os the kyng him saw he appeled hī of tresō and of the deth of alured his [...]ther and thes wordis vn to him seyed. Traytour Godewin [Page] quod the kyng I the appele that thow hast betrayed and slayn my brother Alured ¶Certis sir quod Godwyn saue your g­race and your pees and your lordship I him neu (er) betrayed ne yit him slew. And therfor I put me in reward of the court ¶N­ow fair lordis quod the kyng ye that bene my lieges erles & barens of the land that here bene assembled Full well ye hard myne appele and the ansuer also of godwyn And therfor I will that ye awarde and doth right ¶The Erlis and Barons tho gad (er)ed them all to geder for to done this award by them self &̄ so they spoken diu (er)sely emonges them For sum sayed ther wos neu (er) aliaunce by homage serment (ser)uice ne by lordship bitwen Godwyn and alured for wich thing they myght him draw ¶And at the last they deuised & demyd that he shold put him in the kynges marci al to gedres. ¶Tho spake the erle Leuerich of Couentre a good man to god & to all the world & told his reson in this man (er) and sayd The erle godwyne is the best frendid man of englond aft (er) the kyng. and well myght it not bene gayn sayd that with out consell of godwyn Alured was neu (er) put to deth. Wherfor i award as touchīg my parte that hīself and his son & eu (er)y of vs xij. erles that bene his frendis wend before the kyng chargid with as mich gold and silu (er) as we may bere be twix our handis &̄ prayng y^e kīg for yefe his euell will to the erle godwyn and resaue his homage &̄ his land yeld ayene. ¶And they accordid vn to that awarde &̄ come in this man (er) as is aboue sayed eu (er)y of them with gold & siluer as moch as they myght bere betwen ther handis before y^e kīg & thei said y^e forme & the man (er) of ther acord & of ther award ¶The kyng wold not them gayn say but as moche as they ordeyned he graunted and confermed. And so wos thee Erle Godwyne accorded with the kyng and so he had ayen all his land. And afterward he bere him so well and so wysely that thee kyng hym loued wonder moch and with him he was full priue And with in a litell tyme thei loued so mache that ther the kyng [Page] spoused Godwyns dought (er) &̄ made hir quene ¶And neu (er)theles for tho the kyng had a wife: he leued eu (er) more ī chastite & ī clēnes of body with out any fleshly dede doyng with his wife and the quene also in hir halfe lad an holy life ij. yere and died. ¶And afterward the kīg lyued all his lyfe with out any wife ¶The kīg yaf the erldon of Oxford to Harold that wos godwī sone & made hī herle. ¶And so well they wer beloued both the fadre & he & so priue with the king both the fadre & the son y^t they might done what thyng they wold by right ¶For ayens right wold he nothing done for no maner man: so good & trew he wos of cōscicience. & therfor our lord Ihū crist gret special loue to hī shewed

¶How kyng Edward saw Swyne kyng of denmarke dren­ched ī y^e se ī the tyme of the sacramēt as he stode &̄ herd masse.

IT befell vpon whitsonday as kyng Edward herd his masse in the gret chirche of westmynster right at the leuaciō of Ihesu cristis body &̄ as all men were gadred in to the chirche & come nere the auter for to se the sacring: the kyng his handis lyft vp on high. &̄ a gret laughter toke vp. wherfor all that abou [...]e him stod gretly gon wonder. And aft (er) masse the axed why the kynges laughter was ¶Fair lordis qd the kīg edward I saw Swyne y^e yōger y^t wos kīg of dēmarke cū ī to the see with all his pouer for to haue comē ī to englōd vpō vs to where & I saw hī & all his folke drenched ī the see ¶And all this I saw ī the eleuaciō of ihū cristis bodi bitwen the pristis: handis &̄ I had therof so gret ioye. y^t i might not my laught̄ withhold ¶And the erle Leuerich beside him stod at the leuaciō. &̄ opēly he saw thee forme of brede turne ī to the liknes of a chyld yōg. & toke vp his right hond &̄ blissed y^e kīg & aft (er)ward the erle. & y^e erle anone turned him toward the kyng to make hī se y^t holy sight: ¶And tho said the kyng Sir erle qd he ī se well y^t ye se thankid be god y^t i haue honourd my god my saueour visiblly ihū crist in forme of man whos name be blissed in [...] [...]orldes. AMEN.

¶How the ring y^t sent edward had yeuen to a poerpilgram for y^e loue of god &̄ sent iohn̄ euangelist come ayen to kyng edward

THis nobull man sent edward regned xiij. yere and thus it befell vpon a tyme before er he died that ij. men of englond were went in to the holy land and had done ther pylgra­mage and wer goyng ayene in to ther own cuntre wher they come fro. ¶And as they went in the way they met a pylgrame y^t courtasly them salued and axed of them in what land and in what cūtre they were borne. and they sayd in englond ¶Tho axid he who was kyng of englond. and they ansured and sayd the good kyng Edward. Fair frendis tho sayd the pilgram when that ye cum in to your cuntre ayene: I pray you that ye wold go vn to kyng Edward and oft tymes him grete in myne name And oft tymes him thanke of his gret curtasi that he come hath done & nā [...]y for the ring that he yaf me when he had herd masse at west­mynster for sent Iohn̄ loue Euangelest and toke tho the ring &̄ toke it to the pilgrames and sayd. I pray you nou gone and bere this ring and take it vn to kyng Edward and tell him that I send it him and a full riche yeft I wyll him yeue For vpon the xij day he shall cum to me & eu (er) more duell in blisse with owt any end ¶Sir sayd the pilgremes what man be ye and in what cuntre is your duellyng ¶Fair frendis quod he I am Iohn̄ thee Euangelest and I am duellyng with almyghty god. and your kyng Edward is my frende and I loue him in specialy for the encheson that he hath euer more leued in clennesse and is a clene maid And I pray you my message all for done as I haue you saied. ¶When that sent Iohn̄ the Euangelest had them th [...] charged. sodenly he voided out of ther sightes bothe· ¶The pilgrames tho thankid almyghti god and wente for­th in ther way. ¶And whē they had gone ij. or iij. myle they began to wax weri. & set them a doune them for to rest and so they fel on step ¶And wh [...] they had slepid well on of thē awoke &̄ [Page] lyft vp his hede and lokyd a bout & sayed vn to his felaw arise vp and wend we in our way ¶What sayd that on felow vn to that other wher be we now. Certes sayd that other it semeth me that this is not the same contre that we layd vs doune in for to rest and slepe For we wer from Ierusalem but iij. myles. ¶They toke vp ther handis and blissed them & went forth in ther way ¶And as they went in ther way they saw shepeherdes goyng with ther shepe y^t spekē none other lanage bot english. ¶Leue frendis qd on of the pylgryms what cuntre is this & who is lord therof ¶And on of the shepeherdes ansuerd &̄ said this is the cuntre of kent in englond: of the wich the good kīg edward wos lord of. ¶The pylgramys thankid tho almyghty god &̄ sent Iohn̄ euanglist &̄ wēt forth ī ther way & come to Cantorburi & frō thēs vn to london. &̄ ther they fond the kīg: & told him all frō the begynyng vn to the endyng as moch as sent iohn̄ had thē charged & of all thīges how thay had sped by the way. &̄ toke the ring to kīg edward. & [...] vnd (er)fenge it & thankid almyghti god &̄ sent iohn̄ euangelist. & tho made hī a redi eu (er)y day frō day to day for to wend out of this lyfe. when god wold for him send

¶How sent Edward died on the xij. day.

ANd aft (er) it befell thus in cristynmas eue as the holy mā Edward was at goddis seruis matines for to here of that high fest he become full sike. and in the morw endured with moch payn the masse for to here. and after masse he let him be lad in to his chambre ther for to reste him. but in his hall amonges his barons and his knyghtys might he not cum them for to comforth & solacen as he was woned for to done at that worthy fest ¶Wherfor all ther myrth and cōforth emōgꝭ all y^t wer ī y^e hall wer turned ī to eare & sorow for encheson y^t they dred for to lefe the gad lord the kyng ¶And vpō sent Iohanes day the euangelist tho y^t come next y^e kīg vnd (er)fēge his rightes of holy churche as it faleth to eu (er)y cristī man. and abode the merci & the will of god & [Page] tho ij. pylgrymes he let be fore him cum &̄ yaf them rich yeftes & betoke them to god ¶And also the abbot of westmīster he let before him cum & toke him that ring ī honor of god &̄ sent Marie & of sent iohn̄ the Euangelest. & the abbot toke and put it emōg other reliques: so that it is at westmynster & eu (er) shall be & so lay the kyng seke till the xij: euen & tho died the good king edward at westmīster & ther he lieth. for whos loue god hath shewid mōy a fair miracull ¶And this wos ī y^e yere of y^e īcarnaciō of our lord ihū crist .M.lxv. and after he wos translate & put ī to y^e shrine by [...] Th [...] of [...]to [...].

VIctor the secund was pope aft (er) Leo & lytell of him is writyn Henri the secund wos emprour aft (er) the frist henri xvij yere This man wos cosin to Conrady &̄ he wos borne in a wode and twyes takyn to be slayn when he was a child. bot god defendi him eu (er) more. When he wos made emprour he made a monasteri in the same place in the wode wer he vas borne. This man wos a victorius man. And he entyrd in to Italy and ther he toke P­andulphum the prince of campony.

Stephanus the ix. was pope aft (er) victor ix monethis Benedictus after him & he toke the dignite of the pope Stephyn by strength and keppid it ix monethis & then dicessed. Henricus the thyrd wos emprour after Henri the secund This Herri was an in quiet man. And mony tymes troblid that holy man gregori the vij. And frist he askyd foryefnes & was a soyled: bothe ꝑsauered not. bot brought in an other pope ayens him And sayd he was an heritike. and Gregori cursid him. And the chesars of the emprour. they chose the duke of Saxon for to be Emprour. whom this Henri in bataill ower come And then he come to rome· wyth his pope: and pursued pope Gregori and the Cardinales also. And then anone Robert the kyng of Napyls droffe him thens And delyuered the pope. and his Cardinales: neuer the lese yit [Page] he wos a man of gret almys. And xij. tymes he faught in batall and at the last he died wricchetly. for he wos put therby his owne son. for so os he did to other men. so wos he done to. Nicholas the secund wos pope after Benedict ij. yere. Thys Nicholas called a counsell ayens the archedekyn of Turonosēs the wich was an heritike. & he taught ayens the faith: for he arrit in the sacrament. & after wos he conu (er)tid. and wos an holy man. bot he coud neu (er) conu (er)te his decipuls. Nota. Alexander the secund was pope after him xij. yere This Alexander wos an holy man. And he ordend that vnder payn of cursing. that no man sh̄ uld heir a prestis masse whome men knew had a lemman. vt (pꝪ)patet 32 dist: preter hoc. He had strife with on Codulo. bot he expulsit him as an vsorpe [...]. &̄ put hym out as a symoyer.

¶How harold that wos goodewynes son wos made kyng and how he scappid fro the Duke of bretan.

WHen sent edward wos gone out of this world and was passid to god &̄ worthely entered as it apertenyt to such a gret lord for to be. The barons of the land wolde haue had edwarde Helingus son to edward the owtlaw that wos Edmond Irē sides son to be kyng. for as moch as he wos most kyndest kynges blode of the raame ¶But Haroldes son thurgh the erle goodwyne &̄ the strength of his fadre Godewyn & thurgh other gret lordes of the reame that wer of his kyn & vn to him sib: seised all englond in to his hand & anone let croune him kyng after y^e enterment of sent edward ¶This Harold that wos godewīs sone the secund yere after that sent Edward was deid wold haue gone in to Flaunders bot he wos dreuen thurgh tempast in to the cuntre of Pountife and ther he was takyn and brought vn to duke wyllyam And this Harold wened that tho this duke william wold haue bene a vēged vpon him for encheson that the erle Godewyn y^t wos haroldis fad (er) had let kyll Alured that was [Page] sent edwardis brother and principally for encheson that Alured was quene emma sone that wos Richardus mother duke of Normandie that wos aiell to the duke william: ¶And neu (er)the­les when the duke wyllm had harrold in prison and vnd (er) his pou­er for as moch as this harold wos a nobull wise knyght and a worthy of body & that his fadre and he wos a cordid with good kyng edward. &̄ therfor wold not misdone him but all man (er) thinges that be twix them wer spoken and ordeined harold by his good wil swore vpon a boke and vpon holy sentis that he shold spouse and wed duke wyllm dought (er) aft (er) the deth of sent edward & that he shuld besili done his deu for to kepe & saue the reame of englond vn to the profet and a vauntege of duke willm ¶And when harold had thus made his oth vn to duke willm. he let him go &̄ yaf him mony riche yeftis And he tho went thens &̄ com in to englōd & anone did in this man (er) when sent edward was deid & as a man falsly for sworen he let croune him kyng of englond & falsely brake the counant that he had made before with duke willm wherfor he wos wond (er) wroth with him and swore that he wold vpon hī ben a vengid what so eu (er) him befell ¶and anone duke willm lett assembull a gret host & come in to englond to a venge him vpō Harold & to conquere the land if that he myght ¶And in the same yere thot harold was crouned Harald harestrenge kyng of Denmarke ariued in scotland &̄ thought to haue be kyng of en­glond. &̄ he come in to englond & kylled &̄ robbid & destroyed all that he might till that he come to yorke &̄ ther he killed mony men of armys a thovsand. &̄ an hondreth prestys ¶When this tydyng come to the kyng he assembled a strong pouer & went for to fight with harold of denmarke & with his own hand hī killed &̄ the danois wer discomfited &̄ tho that left alyue with moch soreu fled to ther shippis. And thus kyng harold of englond kylled kyng harold of denmarke.

Anno domini .M.lxvi.
¶How wylliam basterd duke of Normandie come in to englond and kylled kyng Harold.

ANd when this batall was done harold bicome so proude and wold nothing ꝑt with his pepull of thyng that he had gotē bot helde it all to ward him self wherfor the most part of his peple weer wroth and frō hī deꝑted so that only w^t hī left no mo bot his soudiuors ¶And vpon a day as he sat at mete a messenger com to hym and sayed that wyllly­am basttard thee Duke of Normandie was ariued in englond with a gret host and had takē al the land about hastynge and also myned the castell ¶When the kyng had herd this tydynge he went thider with a litell pepull in all the hast that he might for ther wos but lytell pepull with hī left ¶And when he wos comen thider he ordryned for to yef bathill to the duke willm But the duke axed him of thes iij. thinges if that he wold haue his dought (er) to wyfe as he had made and suorne his hoth &̄ behight. or that he wold hold the lōd of hī ī truage. or that he wold determyn this thyng thurgh bataill ¶This harold was a proud man and a strong and tristed wond (er) moch vpon his strength and faught with the duke willm and w^t his pepull. bot harold and his men in this bataill wer discomfited and him self ther was slayn. and this bataill was endid at tōbrigge in the secund yere of his regne vpon sent Kalixtes day and so he wos beried at waltham.

¶Of kyng william bastard & how he gou (er)ned him well & wyseli and of the were betwen him &̄ the kyng of fraunce:

WHen willm bastard duke of normandie had conquered all the land. vpon cristynmasse day tho next sueng he let croune him kyng at westmynster and wos a worthy kyng and yaf vn to Englisshmen largeli landis and to his knyghttys: ¶And afterward he went him ouer the see and comen in to Normadie &̄ ther duelled a while and in the secund yere of his regne he come ayen in to englond and brought with him Maude his wyfe and let croune hir quene of englond on withsonday: ¶And tho anone aft (er) the kyng of scotland y^t wos called Mā colyn began to striue & were with the duke willm: ¶And he ordeyned him toward scotland with his men bothe by land and bi see for to distruy the kyng Mancolin. but they wer acordid & the kyng of scotland become his man and held all his land of him And kyng willm ressaued of him his homage and come ayene in to englond. ¶And when kyng willm had bene kyng xvij. yere Maude the quene died on whom kīg willm had begoten many fair child: that is for to say Robert curthose william rous Richa [...]d also y^t died Henri beauclerc. and Maude also that wos the erles wife of Bleynes & other iiij. fair doughters. ¶And after his wifes deth gret debate began betwix hīm &̄ the kyng of fraunce Philip but at the laast they weer accorded And tho duelled the kyng of englond in Normandie and no man him wered & he no man long tyme. ¶And the kyng of fraunce sayd vpō a day in scorne of kyng willm: that kyng willm had long tyme lyen in child bede and long tyme had restid him ther. ¶And this word come to the kīg of englond ther that he did lye in Nor­mandie at Roen: And for this word was tho ill apayed & eke wonder wroth toward the kyng of fraūce & suore by god that when he wer arise of his gisin he wold lyght a thousand candels to the kīg of france ¶And anone let assēble a gret host of Normā die [Page] and of englissmen: And in the begīyng of heruest he come ī to fraunce· & brened all the tounes tha the come by thurgh all thee cuntre and robbid & did all the sorow that he myght thurgh owt al fraunce &̄ at the last he brenid the cite of Mandos and com­mandid his pepull for to bere wod & as moch as he might bren & himself holpe ther to all that he might with a good will. ¶And ther was gret hete what of fiere that wos so gret & of the sone that it wos wonder hoot. that it stuffid him so that he become & fell in to a gret disese and sekenes. ¶And whan he saw that he wos so strong seke. he ordined and assigned all normandi to Robert curthos his sone. And all englond to willm the Rousse and bi quathe to Henri beauclerc all his tresur And tho he thus had done. he vnderfenge all the sacramētis of holy churche &̄ died the xxij yere of his regne & lieth at Caan in Normandie.

Anno domini .M.lxvi.

GRegorius the vij: wos pope aft (er) Alexand (er) xij. yere. This man ordend ī a generall sinodi that no prest shold haue a wife ne shuld duell with women. bot tho that the holy sinodi of Nicena or other decreis haue suffred. and then the prestis set noght or litel pondrid his ordinans. this pope commanded that no mā sh̄uld heir masse of a prest that had a cōcubine And he on a c (er)tan tyme whan he was cardinall and legate in to fraunce ꝓcedid sharply ayens prelatis and prestis that wersymonyes: And amōg other ther wos on bisshop that wos gretly famyd with symonye. and thos that accusid him. priueli he hired them to say the cōtrari The wich the legate consaued. and afore all the pepull. he sayd let this iugement of this man sese at this tyme. for it is dissauabull. And let god dispose for it: and sayd thus it is certan that y^e dingnite of a bisshop is the yefer of the holy gost. and who sū eu (er) byes a bishopprik: doys ayens the holi gost. Then if thow bisshop did not ayens the holy gst. Say opynli afore all pepull. gloria [Page] patri et filio et spiritui sancto: And mony tymes he began to say it bot he could neu (er) speke spiritur sancto. ¶Then he wos deposit of his bisshopprik: and after he could speke it well ynough. Victor the thrid: wos pope aft (er) him on yere: And this mā was poysenned with vennū in the chalas. Vrbanus was pope after him ij. yere This man cursed the kyng of fraunce for his avoutre. and he called a counsell at Cla (rum). in the wich he ordined that matyns of our ladi sh̄uld be said eu (er)y day &̄ on settyrday hir solempne mase. & it is sayed that this was sheued vn to the freris of Cartusis. Also he called an other counsell at Turam for the holi land to be won ayene &̄ ꝓuokid the pepull to that mat (er). & with ī a litell aft (er) that tyme. the most parti of the holy land wos recou (er)id & the glorius sepulcur of our lord ihū crist: and an thyochia w^t mony othyr nobull cites wer takyn from the handis of the sarisēs And it is sayed & men beleued that ij^CM. cristyn men went to that iornay. for ther went of statis old men and yonge. riche and poer. & no man compellid them. and this passage was made bi the vision of our ladi: and the princes of this pepull wer diu (er)se. On wos Godfray the bollion a nobull man of all the world &̄ a ver­tuus man. And an other was Beemūd the duke of Napuls The thrid wos Hugh the kynges brother of fraunce. and mony other the wich did full nobully for the faith of god: and it wer to long in this bake to reherse the glorius actis y^t they did.

¶Of kyng willm Roos that wos willm bastard son that destruyed tounes & houses of religion for to make the new forest.

ANd after this willm bastard regned his son william the Rous and this willm was a wonder contrarious man to god and holy chirche & let amende and make the toune off Cardeis that the paynyms had destroyed. ¶This kyng willm destruyed holy chirche and ther possessions in what ꝑte he myght them find▪ ¶And therfor ther was so moch debate bitwen him [Page] and the erchebisshop of cantorburi Ancelme for encheson that he vndernamme him of his wickidnesse that he destroied hol̄y chirch And for encheson therof the kyng bore to him gret wrath and for that cause he exiled him out of this land. and the erchebishop tho went to the court of Rome and ther duellid wyth the pope. ¶And this king made the new forest. & cast doune & distruid xxvi tounes. and lxxx. houses of religion. all for to make his forest lenger and brod (er). and bicome wonder glad and proud of his wod & of his forest. and C the wild bestys that werther within that it was meruell for to wit so that men called him keper of wodis and of pastors and the lenger that he leued the more wekked he become bothe to god and to all holy chirche and to all his men: ¶And this kyng let make the gret hall of westmynster. so vpon a day in the witsontyde he held ther in his frist fest and he lokid him a bout and said that the hall wos to litell bi the haluē dele. ¶And at the last he become so contrarius that all thing that plesed god displesid him and all thing that god loued he hatid deidly. ¶And so it befell that he dremyd vpon a nyght a litel or that he died that he wos let blod and bled a gret quātite of blode and a streme of blode lepit on eigh toward heuē more than an hundreth vethem and the clerenes of the day was turned vn to nyght and dirkenesse and the firmament also. ¶And when that he a woke he had gret drede so that he not wist what for to done &̄ told his dreme to men of his councell and said that he had gret dred and supposed that to hī was sum mischance to cum. ¶And the secund night before a mōke dremed of the housold that the kīg went in to an chirche with moch pepull &̄ he wos proud that he dispised all the pepull that wos with him and that he tok the yma­ge of the crucifix and shamfully bote it with hys tethe. ¶And the crucifix mekeli suffred all that he did but the kyng as a wode man rent of the armys of the crucifix and cast it vnd (er) his fete and defouled it and threw it all a brode &̄ a gret flame [Page] of fire come out of the crucifix mouth of wich dreme mony men had gret meruell and wonder: ¶The good man that had dremmed this straunge dreme told it to a knyght that wos most priuey with the kyng of all men: and the knyght wos called Hamū des: soon the monke and he told the dreme to the kyng and saied that it shuld betokyn other thing than good. and neu (er)thelas thee kyng laughed ther at twyes or thries and litell set ther by and thought that he wold go and hunte & play in y^e forest. And mē counsellid him that he shuld not that day for no man (er) thīg come in the wod. so y^t he a bood at home before mete But anone as he had heten no man might hī let bot he wold gon vn to y^e wod for to haue his disporte. ¶And so it befell that on of his knyghtis that heght walter Tirell wold haue shot to an hart. & his arew glensid vpon a branche and thurgh missauēt (ur) smote the kīg to y^e hert. & so he fell doune deid to the grund w^t out ony word spekyng and so endid his life days: ¶And it wos no ferli for the day that he died he had let to ferme the erchebisshopprich of Cantor­buri and xij: abbeis also. & eu (er) more did gret distruccion to holy chirche thurgh wrongfull takyng &̄ axinges. for no man durste withstond that he wold haue done. and of his lethernesse he wold neu (er) withdraw. nother to amend his life & therfor god wold suffre hī no lenger to regne ī his wikkidnes &̄ he had bene kīg xiij: yere &̄ vi. wekis &̄ lieth at westmynster

Anno domini: M.lxxxviij.

PAscal̄ was pope aft (er) vrbā xviij. yer v. monethis y^e wich y^e xiij. yere of his bisshopprich w^t his cardinales wos put ī prisō bi Henri the fourth y^e emꝑour. &̄ they might not be deliu (er)id till y^e pope had suorne y^t he shuld kepe pees w^t hī & y^t he shuld neuer curs hī. & on y^t ꝓmis y^e pope yaf the emꝑour a p̄uylege. &̄ on the yere aft (er) the pope dampned y^t p̄uelege. &̄ said on this wise. lett vs cōp̄hend all holy scriptur y^e old testamēt &̄ the new. the lawis &̄ the ꝓphettis the gospell &̄ the canons of apostils. &̄ all the decrees [Page] of the popis of rome. that at they held I hold. and that at thei dampnid I dampne. and most specialy that preuylege graūtid to Henri y^e emꝑour. the wich rether is grantid to venge his males: then to multiple the paciēs in vertu. for eu (er) more I dampne that same preuilege.

¶Of kyng Henri beauclerke y^t wos willm Rous brother &̄ of the debate betwen him & Robert Curthos his brother.

ANd when this willm Rous wos deid Henri beauclerke his brother wos made kyng for encheson that willm Rous had no child begoten of his bodi: and this henri beauclerke was crouned kyng at london the iiij. day aft (er) that his brother was decessid that is to say the v. day of august. ¶And anone as Ancel̄me that was Archebisshop of Cantorburi that was at y^e court of rome herd tell that willm Rous wos deid he come ayen in to englond. & the kyng beauclarke welcomed him with moch honour ¶And the frist yere that kyng henri regned &̄ wos crouned. he spoused Maude that wos Margaretis dought (er) the quene of Scotland and the erchebisshop Ancelme of cantorburi weddid them. ¶And this kyng begate vpon his wife ij. sonnys and a doughter. y^t is to say willm & Richard &̄ Maude. And this maude wos afterward the emprisse of Almayne: ¶And in the secund yere of his regne his brother Robert Curthose that was duke of Normandie come with an huge host in to englond for to chalenge the land but thurgh concell of the wise men of the land they wer accordid in this maner. That the kyng shold yeue the duke his brother a thousand pound eu (er)y yere and wich of them leued longest shuld be other heir and so bitwen them shuld be n [...] debate ne strife. ¶And when they wer thus accordid the Duke went home ayen in to Normandie ¶And when the kyng had regned iiij. yere ther aroos a gret debate bitwen him and the erchebisshop of canwrburi Ancelme For because that the Erchebishop [Page] wold not grant him for to take talagie of chirches at his will. &̄ therfor eftsone the Erchebisshop went ou (er) the see vn to the court of rome and ther duellid with the pope. ¶And in the same yere the Duke of Normandie come in to englond for to speke with his brother. ¶And among all other thinges the Duke of normandie for yaf vn to the kyng hys brother the forsayed thousand pound by yere that he shuld pay vn to the duke. and with good loue the kyng &̄ y^e duke ꝑted &̄ ther the duke went ayen ī to normādi ¶And when tho ij: yere wer a gone thurgh enticement of the deuell & of lithermen a gret debate arose bitwin the kyng and the duke so that the kyng thurgh consell went ou (er) the see in to normandi ¶And when the kyng of Englond was cumyn in to Normā die All the gret lordis of normandie turned vn to the kīg of englond and held ayens the Duke ther own lord &̄ him forsoke &̄ to the kyng them yelden and all the good castels and tounes of Normandie And sone aft (er) wos the duke taken & led with the kīg in to englond &̄ the kyng let put the duke ī to prison. ¶And this was the vengeance of god. ¶For when the Duke was ī the holy land. god yaf him such myght &̄ grace. that he was chosī for till a bene the kyng of Ierusalem. and he forsoke it & wold not take it vppon hym. And therfor god send him that shame & des­pite for to be put ī to his brothers p̄son. ¶Tho seysed kīg herri all Normandie in to his hand and held hit all his lifes tyme & ī the same yere come the bisshop Ancelme from the cour of Rome ī to englōd ayen and the kyng & he wos accordid.

¶And in the yere next commyng aft (er) ther began a gret debate betwen the kyng Phillip of Fraunce: &̄ kyng Henri of Englōd ¶Wherfor kyng Herri went in to Normandie & ther wos strong were betwen them two and tho died the kyng of france. and Lowys his son wos made kyng anone aft (er) his deth. ¶And tho went kyng Henri ayen ī to englond: &̄ maried Maude his dought (er) to Henri the emprour of almayne.

¶Of the debate y^t wos betwē kīg Lowis of france &̄ kīg Hēri of ēglōd &̄ how kīg henris ij. sonnys wer lost ī the high see.

WHen kyng henri had ben kyng xvij. yere a gret debate aroos betwyn kyng Lowys of fraunse and kyng Hnri of Englond: for encheson that the kyng had sent in to Normandye to his men that they shuld be helpyng vn to the Erle of Bloyes as moch as they might in were ayēs the kyng of fraunce. ¶And that thei shuld bene as redy to him as they wer vn to ther own lord. for encheson that the Erle had spoused his sustren dame Maude ¶And for this encheson the kyng of franse did moch sorow to Normandie ¶Wherfore the kȳg of englōd w­as wond (er) wroth and in hast wēt ou (er) the see with a gret pouer and come in to Normandie for to defend that land. And the were be­twyn them lastid ij. yere till at the last they two faughten to ged (er) &̄ the kyng of fraunse wos discomfited & vneth scappid a way w^t moch payn & the most parti of his men wer takē: & the kīg did w^t them what him best likid ¶And sum of them he let go frely & sum let he be put vn to the deth. But aft (er)ward tho ij. kīges wer accordid. ¶And whan king herri had holy all the land of Normadie & scomfited his emnys of franse: he turnid ayen in to englond with moch honour: ¶And his ij. sonis Wyllm & Richa­rd wold haue commen aft (er) ther fadre and wēt to the see with an gret componye of pepull: But or that they myght cum to land the ship come ayens a roch & brak all ī to peses & all wer drenchid that wer ther in sauf on man that wos in the same shipe y^t ascappid. ¶And this wos on sent Katrines day. & thes werthe names of them y^t wer drenchid. willm & Richard y^e kīgꝭ sonys y^e erle of chest (er) Ottonell his brod (er) Geffray ridell: walter emurci Godfray erchdekē: y^e kīgꝭ dought: y^e Cūtes of ꝑches. y^e kīgꝭ neci. y^e Coūtes of chestre. & mōy od (er). whē kīg henri &̄ od (er) lordis ariuid in englōd & herd thes tydyngꝭ: they made sorow ynowgh. & al ther myrth & Ioye wos turned ī to mornyng & sorow.

¶How Maude the Emprise come ayen ī to englond &̄ how she wos aft (er)ward weddid to Geffroi the erle of angoy

ANd when that ij. yere wer a gone that the Erle had duelled w^t the kīg· the Erle went from the kȳg and began to were vpon him and did moch harme in the land of Normandie & toke ther a strong castell and ther he duellid all that yere. & tho comme to him tydynges that Henri the Emꝑour of Almayn that had spoused Maude his doughter wos deid and that she duelled no longer in Almayn and that she wold cum ayen in to Normandie to hir fadre ¶And when that she wo [...]s comyn vn to him he toke hir tho to him and come ayen in to Englond and made the englishmen to done othe and feaute vn to the emprise and the frist man that made the otho wos willm the Erchebisshop of Cantorburi ¶And that other Dauid kyng of Scotlond and after him all the Erles and Barons of englond ¶Al­so after that the nobull man the erle of Angoy that was a worthy knyght sent vn to the kyng of englond that he wold graunte him for to haue his doughter to spouse that is to say Maude thee emprisse ¶And for encheson that hir fadre wist that he wos a nobull man. The kyng him grauntid and consentid ther to. ¶And tho toke he his doughter and lad hir in to Normandie and come to the nobull knyght Gaufrid and ther he spoused thee foresaid Maude with moch honour And the Erle begat vpon hir a son that was called Henri the Emprisse sone.

¶And after when all this wos done kyng Henri duelled al that yere in Normandi And after that long tyme a greuꝰ seke­nesse toke him wherthurgh he died ¶And this kyng henri regned xxxv. yere and iiij. monethis. and after he died as is before sayd in Normandie and his hert wos entered in the gret chirche of our lady in Rouen. and his body was brought with moch hoynour ī to englond and entered at Redyng ī the abbey of the wich abbey he wos begynner and founder.

[Page]HEnricus the fourth was emꝑour in Alman aft (er) Herri y^e thrid xv. yer. This mā put his own fad (er) ī p̄son &̄ ther held him till he died he toke pope pascall w^t his cardinales &̄ present thē as it is saied a foro. for the wich cause as it is supposid: he lac­kid ussu. for he weddid Maude the kyngꝭ dought (er) of englond: bot aft (er)ward he come to grace. & all the lawys of the chirche & the landis frely he refined to Calixto the pope. & besought him to yef hī in pennance that he shuld neu (er) cum ayen to his empire. that he might haue remission of his trespasse. and aft (er) the opinyon of mōy a man he was willely exiled. &̄ died and his wife bothe at chestre in englond: Gelasius was pope aft (er) Paschall ij: yere and fled frō Henri the emprour in to Burgon & ther decessid. This emꝑour chose Benedicte a spanyard to be pope the wich strofe wyth Calixto. Calixtus was pope after him ij. yere & v. monethes. This Calixt was the son of the duke of Burgon &̄ was chosen in the place of Gelasii &̄ whē he shuld cum to rome. he toke thee forsaid Benedict & made him to ride a fore him shamfully. for he on a Mule turned his face to the tayll of the mule. & held the taill in his hond as a bridyll. till he come thurgh the cite. & ther he was put in prison. and this pope made pees with the emprour. Honorius was pope after him ij. yere & litell of him is writtin Nota. Harri the fourth emprour of Alman decessed this tyme and wos beried with his progenytours after sum men with suche an Epithapei. Filiꝰ hic: pater hic Auꝰ hic: proauꝰ iacꝪ istis: bot it is likly to be truyr that at Gerald sais in Itinario wallie wher he says that after he had prisened his carnall fadre & his spirituall fadir the pope with his cardinales after he was recōsiled & willely he was made exile. And he left Maud his wyfe the kīgꝭ doghter of englond prēuely. & leued an harmytes life at Chestre x. yere wher he might liue as no man knew hī. & he called hī self Godiscal̄lus the wich godisson is cald. So the Emꝑour secretly y went away. And Maude his wife the Emprisse ther she [Page] went to hir fadre Herri in to Normandie. wher anone after she wos weddid to Gefferay Plantagines the duke of andegāme: vpon whome he begat Herri the secund aft (er) kyng of Englōd vnd (er) whom sent Thomas of Cantorburi regned and died. Lotharius wos emprour aft (er) henri the fourth xij yere. and litell of him is writtyn bot that he wos man (er)ly to the chirche· and that he subduid Roger the vsurper of the kyng of Cicely. Hugo de sancto victori was a nobull man this tyme at paris & a nobull doctor of the nacion of the saxons. The ordir of sent Iohn̄ baptist at Ierusalem began this time. be the worshipfull man Ray­mond mightely disposid to werkis of merci. all thys ordir make ther waye to (ser)ue poer men

Anno domini .M.C.xxxiiij.

INnocencius wos pope aft (er) Honorius xiiij. yere & vij. monethis This man was a veray deuote man. & with sich men he societ him: & he had striffe vij. yere ayens Pers of Lion the wich names him Anocletū. and by strength he toke the popehood. the wich Innocent saw. & w^t ij. galeys he fled in to fraūce. and wos worsshipfully resaued of sent Berenard. the wich y^t time had all the kynges &̄ the princes in his hand. & he ꝓuoked them for to bring this pope Innocent in to his dignite ayene: all the last althyng was cessid & his emnys wer distruyed thurghe the iugement of god: &̄ he wos pope ayene. and leued profetabuly and was beried at Lauronynce.

¶How Stephen that wos kyng Henri sustres son wos made kyng of englond.

AFter this kyng Henry that was the frist was made ky­ng his nepheu his sustres sonne Sstephen Erle of Bol­loyn For anone as he herd the tydyng of his vncles deth. than he passid the see and come in to englond thurgh consell & strēgth [Page] and helpe of mony gret lordis in englond ayens ther othe that they had made to Maude emprisse toke the reame and let croune stephen kyng of the land. ¶And the archebisshop wiliam of Cantorburi that frist made the oth of feaute to Maud y^e em­prissi set the croune vpon kyng stephens hede & him anoynted. &̄ bisshop Roger of Salisburi mayntened the kynges partie in as moch as he myght ¶The frist yere that kyng Stephen begā to regne he assembled a gret host and went towward Scotland for to haue wered vpon the kīg of scotland: but he come ayens hī in pees and in good man (er) and to him trustid. but he made to him none homage for as moche as he had made vn to the Emprise Maude. ¶And in the iiij. yere of his regne Maude the em­prise come in to englond. and tho began debate betwin kīg Stephē &̄ maude the Emprise: ¶This Maude went vn to the cite of Nicholl & the kīg hi [...] beseged long time &̄ myght not spede. so well the cite was keped and defendid. and tho that wer with in the cite quantely ascapped away with out any man (er) of harme. & tho toke the kyng the cite and duelled therin till candilmasse. And tho come the Barons that held with the emprice that is for to say thee erle Randulfe of Chestre. the erle Robert of Glocestre Hugh Bigot. Robert of morlay. And thes brought with them a strōg pouer &̄ faught wyth the kyng & yaf him a gret bataill: in y^e wich batall kīg stephen was takē & set ī prisō ī y^e castell of bristowe.

¶How maude the emprice wēt fro wīchest (er) to Oxford &̄ aft (er) she ascapped to walīgford & of the sorow & disese y^t she had.

WHen the kyng was taken and brought in to warde in the castell of Bristow: This Maude the Emprise anone wos made lady of all Englond and all men held hir for lady of the land. But tho of Kentheld with kyng Stephens wife. and also william of Pree and his reteune help them and held were ayens maude the Emprise and anōe aft (er) the kyng of scotland com to them with an huge nombre of pepull. & tho went they yfere to [Page] wynchester ther that the emprise wos. & wold haue takē hir. but the Erle of gloucestre come with his pouer &̄ faught with them &̄ the emprise in the meyn while that the bataill dured: scappid from thens and went vn to Oxford & ther hir held And ī that bataill was ther the duke of Gloucestre discomfited and takyn. and wyth him mony other lordis ¶And for his deleueranse wos kyng Stephen deliu (er)id out of prison ¶And when he wos delyuerid out of prison he went thens vn to Oxford & besegyd the emprise that was tho at Oxford. &̄ the sege endurid fro Michelmase vn till seynt Andrewes tide. ¶And the emprise let tho clo­the hir all in whit lynnen clothe. for encheson that she nat woldē be know. for in the same tyme ther wos moch snow. &̄ so she ascappid by the thamse from them away that wer hir emnys. And fro thens she went to walynford & ther hir held. ¶And the kyng wold haue besegid hir. but he had so moch to done with the erle Rā dulfe of chestre and with Hugh bygot that strongli wered vpō hī in eu (er)y place that he not wist whither for to turne And the Erle of gloucestre holp him with his pouer.

¶How Gaufrid the erle of Angeon yaf vp on till Herri y^e emprise son all Normādy.

ANd aft (er) this the kyng went vn to wilton. and wold haue made a Castell ther: but tho come to him the Erle of gloucestre with a strong pouer. & ther almost he had takyn the kyng. but yit the kyng ascapid with moch payn. and willm martell ther wos take: And for whos delyu (er)ās thei yaf vn to the erle of Gloucestre. the good castell of Shirborne. that he had taken. ¶And whan this wos done the Erle Robert & all the kingꝭ enmys went vn to Faringdone & begone ther for to make a strong Castell. But the kyng come thedre with a strong pouer and droue him thens. and in that same yere the Erle Randulfe of Chestre wos accordid w^t the kyng. and come to his court at his cōmandement. and the Erle wened saufely for to cum &̄ the kīg [Page] anone let take him and put him in to prisone and myght neu (er) for thyng cum out till that he had yeld vp vn to the kyng the Castel of Nicholl the wych he had take from the kyng with his strengthe in the xv. yere of his regne. ¶And Gaufryd the erle of angeon yaf vp vn to Henri his son all Normandie: And in the yere that next sued died the erle Gaufrid and Henri his son tho annō turned ayen to Angeon. &̄ ther was made erle w^t moch honor of his men of the land. and tho to him diden feaute and homage the most parte of his land ¶And tho was this Henri the emprice sone Erle of Angew and also the duke of Normandie. ¶In the same yere was made diuorce bitwen the kīg of fraū ­ce and the quene his wife that was right heir of Gascoyn for encheson that it was know and proued that they wer sibbe and nye of blod And tho spoused hir Henri the Emprise sone Erle of angon &̄ the Duke of Normandie and Duke of Gascoyne. ¶In the xviij. yere of this Stephen. This Henri come in to englond with a strong pouer and began for to were vpon thys kyng Stephen and toke the castell of Malmesburi and did moch harme &̄ the kyng Stephen had so moch were that he not wist for to wende but at the last they wer accordid thurgh the Erchebis­shopp Theobald. & thurgh other worthy lordis of Englond vpō this condicion that they shuld departe the reame of Englond bytwyn them so that Henri the emprise son sh̄uld holy haue the half of all the lond of englond ¶And thus they wer accordid & pees cried thurgh out all englond. ¶And when the accorde was made bitwen tho ij. lordis Kyng stephen become so sory for because that he had lost halfe englond. and fell in to such amaladie and died in the xix. yere & viij. wekes and v. days of his regne all ī were and ī contake and he lyeth in the abbay of feueresham the wich he let make ī the vi. yere of his regne.

[Page]CElestinus the secund wos pope aft (er) Innocent v. moneth is and litell he did. Lucius was after him and litell ꝓfettyd for they died both in a pestylens Eugenius the secund was pope after him v: yere and iiij. monethes This man frist wos the descipull of sent Barnard. and aft (er) the abbot of sente Anastasy by rome. and come to the chirche of sent Cesari & was chosin pope by the Cardinales he no thyng knawyng therof. and for dred of the senatours he was consecratid with out the cite· This man was an holy man and suffred trubilaciō &̄ at the last w^t moch holynes he decessid &̄ lieth at sent petres. and after anone decessid sent barnard. Petrus lambardus the bisshoꝑ of Paris brod (er) to Graciā cōpilet y^e iiij bokis of y^e sētēs this tym Petiꝰ ꝯmestor brod (er) to gracian & to Peris lūard made historiā scolasticam & od (er) bokis Fredericus primꝰ aft (er) Conrad wos emprour in almayn & ī rome xxxiij. yere This man after the deth of Adriā the pope the wich crouned him did cursedly with alexander to him gret preiudice. for he did help iiij that strofe ayens the apostill se­ [...]t. And he faught myghteli ayens the kyng of frrance thurgh pouer of the danois and other nacions. But Richard the kyng of englond holp for to expuls him. & he distroied Mediolanū to the gronde. of the wich cite the walles wer hyer then the wales of any other cite: This man at the last after he had done mōy vexacions to the pope he wos reconsiled. For he dred lest the Lūbardis wold haue rebelled ayence him: he asked foryefnes of the po­pe. & toke the cros vpon him and went vn to the loly land &̄ did mony meruelus thinges ther· almost as moch as eu (er) did Karolꝰ magnꝰ. And ther he com by a toune that men called Armenyā & ī a litell wat (er) he wos drenched. &̄ at Tirū he wos beried Anastasius wos pope aft (er) Eugeny iiij yer & more. This mā wos abbot of Rufy. & thē he wos chosin cardinale & aft (er) pope.

¶Of kyng Henri the secund that wos the emprise son in whos tyme sent Thomas of cantorburi wos Chaunceler.

ANd aft (er) this kyng Stephen regned Henri the emprise sō and was crouned of the Erchebisshop Theobald the xvij day before cristynmes And in the same yere Thomas Beket of London Erchebisshop of Cantorburi was made the kingꝭ chanceler of englond. ¶The secund yere that he was crouned he let castdoune all the new castelles that wer longyng to the croune y^e wiche king Sstephen had yef vn to diu (er)se men and them had made Erles and barouns for to hold with him & to help him ayens Hē ri the emprise son ¶And the iiij. yere of his regne he put vnd (er) his own lordship the kyng of wales And in y^e same yere the kīg of Scotland had in his own hand that is to say the cite of Karlill the castell of Bamburgh &̄ the new castell vpō Tyne and the erledom of lancastre. ¶The same yere the kyng with a gret pouer went in to wales and let cast doune wodes and make wayes and made strong the Castell of Rutland basingwarke. and emong the castels he made an house of the tempull. ¶And in the same yere was Richard his son borne that aft (er)ward wos erle of Oxforde and the iiij. yere of his regne he made Gaufrid erle of Bretā And in that yere he changed his monay. & y^e vi. yere of his regne he lad an huge host vn to Tolouse and conquered it. ¶And the vij. yere of his regne died Theabult the Erchebisshop of Cantorburi And tho all the cite of Cantorburi al̄most thurgh meschefe wos brenned. ¶The ix. yere of his regne Thomas Bekit that wos his chanceler wos chosen to bene Erchebisshop of caūtorburi. And vpon sent Barnardis day he wos sacred. and ī that yere wos borne Helienor the kynges doughter: ¶And in the x. yere of his regne sent Edward the kīg was translated with moch honour ¶And the xi. yere of his regne he held hys parlament at Northamtoon. And from thens fled sent Thomas erchebisshop of cantorburi. for the gret debate that wos betwix y^e [Page] kīg & hī. for if he had ben founde ī y^e morne he had ben slaī. & therfor he fled thens with iij. felowes on fote onli that no man wisten wher he wos: & went ouer the see to the pope of Rome. ¶And this was the principall encheson for as moch as the kyng wold haue put clarkes to deth that wer atteyntit of felonye with out ony preuylege of holy chirch: ¶And the xij. yere of his regne was Ion his son borne: And the xiij. yere off his regne died Maude the emprice that was his mother. ¶The :xiiij: yere of his regne the duke Henri of Saxon spoused Maude his dought (er). & he begat vpon hir iij: sonis that wor called Henri Othus & Willm ¶And in the xv yere of his regne died the good erle Robert of Glocestre that founded the abbey of Nonnes of Eton. ¶And in the same yere Marike kyng of Ierusalem cōquered Babilon ¶And the xvi yere of his regne he let croune his sone Henri kyng at westmynster. &̄ him crouned Rog (er) Erchebisshop of yorke. in harmyng of Thomas erchebisshop of Cantorberi wherfor this same Roger was acursed of the pope.

¶How kyng henri that was son of kyng henri the emprise son and of the debate that wos bytwen him and his fader while thatt he wos in Normandie.

AFter the coronacion of kyng henri the son of kyng henri the emprise son ¶That same henri the emprise son went ou (er) in to Normandie &̄ ther he let marie Elenour the doughter of y^e Dolfyn that was kyng of Almayn ¶And in the vij. yere y^t the erchebisshop [...] Thomas had bene outlawed the kyng of frunce made the kyng &̄ [...] Thomas accordid. & tho come thom̄s the erchebisshop to Cātorburi ayen to his own chirche ¶And this accord was made in the begynyng of aduent And aft (er)warde he wos kylled [...] the v. day of cristynmasse that tho next come ¶For kyng henri thought vpon [...] Thomas the erchebisshop vpon cristinmasse day os he sat at his mete &̄ thees wordis said That if he had any good knyghtys with him he had be [Page] mony a day passid avengid vpon the erchebisshop Thomas. ¶And anone sir willm Breton. sir hugh Moruyle. sir william Traci. &̄ sir Reignold fitz vrse beres son in Englissh preueli went vn to the see & comen in to englond vn to the chirche of cantorburi and ther they him [...] at sent Benettes auter ī the moder chirche. ¶And that was ī the yere of y^e Incarnacion of ihū crist .M.C:lxxij. yere. ¶And anone after Henri the new kyng began for to make were vpon Henri his fadre and vpon his brether. willm & O thus ¶And so vpon a day the kyng of fraunce and all the kynges sonnes and the kyng of scotland and the grettyst lordis of englong were arisen ayens thee kyng Henri the fadre and at the last as god wold he conquered all his emnys. ¶And the kyng of fraunce & he wer accordit & tho sent kyng henri the fadre speciali vn to the kyng of france &̄ prayed him herteli for his loue that he wold send to him the na­mes by letter of them that wer the begyners of the were ayens him ¶And the kyng of fraunce sent ayene to him bi letter the names of them that begon the were ayens him. ¶The frist was Iohn̄ his son &̄ Richard his brother. and henri the new kyng his son Tho was henri the kyng wond (er) wroth and cursid the tyme that eu (er) he him begat. ¶And while the were dured Henri his sone the new king died sore repentyng his misdedis & most sorow made of ony man for because of [...] thomas deth of cantorburi. ¶And prayed his fadre with moch sorow of hert merce for his trespasse. & his fader for yaf him. and had of him gret pitte and aft (er) he died the xxxvi. yere of his regne and lieth at redīg.

¶How the cristyn lost the holy land in the forsaid kynges ty­me thurgh a fals cristyn man that bicome a sarisen.

ANd while that kīg henri the emprise son leued and regned the gret bataill wos in the holy land bitwen the cristyn mē and the sarisens. but the cristyn men wer ther kylled thurgh grett [Page] treson of the erle Tirpe that wold haue had to wife the quene of Ierusalem that som tyme wos Baldewyns wife but she forsoke him and toke to hir lord a knyght a worthi man that wos called sir Gnyꝑches wherfor the erle Tirpe wos wroth and wēt anone right to Soladyne that was soudeyn of Babilon &̄ bicome his man. And forsoke his cristindom &̄ all cristyn law and the cristī men wist not of this dedis: but wened for to haue had gret help of him as they wer wont to haue before: ¶And when they comen to the bataill. This fals cristyn man turned vn to the sarisens & forsoke his own nacions &̄ so wer the cristyn men ther kylled w^t the sarisens ¶And thus wer the cristyn men slayn & put to horibull deth. &̄ the cite of Ierusalē destruied. and the holy cros bor­ne away ¶The kyng of fraunce and all the gret lordis of y^e land let them cros for to go vn to the loly land ¶And amōg them went Richard kyng Henri son frist aft (er) y^e kīg of fraūce y^t toke y^e cros of y^e erchebisshop of tours: but he toke not the viage at y^t tyme for encheson y^t he wos let bi other man (er) weys & nedis to be done. ¶And whā kīg henri his fad (er) had regned xxxvi. yere & v. monethis & iiij. dais he died & lieth at foundenerard.

Anno domini. M:C.lvi.

ADrianus the fourth wos pope aft (er) Anastasy v. yere This pope was an englisshman. & y^e voce of the comyn pe­pule saeth he wos a bondman to y^e abbot of sent albons ī englōd And whē he desired to be made a mōke ther. he wos expulsid & hee wēt ou (er) the see. & gaf hī to study &̄ to vertu. & aft (er) wos made bis­shop of Albanacens. then he wos made legate ī to the land of wormacian. & he cōu (er)tid it to the faith: thē he wos made pope: &̄ for the woundyng of a Cardinall he enterditit all the cite of rome: & hee cursid willm the kyng of Cecill. & causid him to submitt him: This man the frist of all popis with his cardinales dueld in the old cite. Alexandre the thrid wos pope after him xij. yere [Page] This Alexander had strife xvij. yere and the iiij. striuers that the Emprour set ayens him he ou (er) come them: and cursid them: &̄ they all dred an yll deth. ¶This man also accordid Frederic the emprour & Emanuell of Constātiōble· & the kyng of Sicu­lo (rum): And this man norisshed sent Thomas of cantorberi ī his exile. Nota. Sent Bernard wos canonisit bi this alexand (er) & his abbot forbad him he shuld do no mo myraclis. for ther wos so myghty cōcours of pepull. And he obeyed to hī when he wos deid & did no mo. Lucius the thrid was pope aft (er) Alexander iiij. yere & ij. monethes and of him litell is written ¶In this mans dais decessid Henri the frist son of henri the secund &̄ this his his epytasi. ¶Omīs honoris honos. decor et decus. vrbis et orbis Milicie splendor gloria lumen apex. Iulius ingenio. virtutibꝰ hector. Achilles viribꝰ. Augustus moribꝰ. Ore paris. Vrbanus the iij. wos pope aft (er) Lucius ij. yere This man decessid for sorow when he hard tell that Ierusalem was take with thee sarisens. Gregori the viij: wos pope after hī iiij mōthis & he practiset mighteli how Ierlm̄ might be won ayen. bot anone he decessid. Clemēs y^e iij. wos pope after hī iij. yere. &̄ litell did.

¶Of kyng Richard that conquered all the holy land that cristī men had lost.

ANd after this kīg henri regned Richard his son a stout mā &̄ a strong and a worthy and also bold and he was crouned at westmynster of the erchebisshop Baldewyn of Cantorburi the thrid day of septembre. and the secūd yere of his regne kyng Richard him self and Baldewyn the erchebisshop of cantorburi &̄ Hubert bisshop of Salisburi & Raudulfe Erle of Gloucestre. and other mony lordis of englond went in to the holy land and in that viage died the erchebisshop of cantorburi. ¶And kyng Richard went before in to the holy land &̄ restid not till that he come forth ī his way vn to Cipers & toke it with [Page] gret force: and sithen that kyng Richard went forth toward the holy land and gete ther as moch as the cristyn men had ther before losten. and conquered the land ayen thurgh gret myght saufe ōly the holy cros. ¶And when kyng Richard comen to the cite of Acres for to get the cite. ther aros a gret debate bitwen him and the kyng of fraunce so that the kyng of france went ayen in to fr­aunce &̄ wos wreth toward the kyng Richard but yit for al that or kyng richard went ayen he toke the cite of acres. ¶And when he had taken it he duelled in the cite a while. but to him come tydynges that the erle Iohn̄ of Oxford his brother wold haue sesed all englond in to his hand and Normandie also. and wold croūe him kyng of the land ¶And whan kyng richard hard tell off this tidyng he went ayen toward englond weth all the spede that he might. ¶But the duke of Ostriche met with him & toke hī & brought hī vn to the Emprour of Almayn. & the emprour hī brought in to his prison ¶And aft (er)ward he was deliu (er)id for an huge raunsum that is for to say an hondreth thousand pound. And for the wich ranson to be payed eche other [...]hales of Englo­nd wos molten and made in to monay and all the monkis of the order of cisteaux yefen all ther bokes thurgh out all englond for to done them to sell & the raunsom for to pay.

¶How kyng Richard come ayen from the holi land and avē ged him of his emnys.

WHyles this kyng richard wos in prison the kyng of fraunce wereed vpon him strongly in Normandie and Iohan his brother wered vpon him in Englond. ¶But the bisshoppes and barons of englond withstod him with all the pouer thatt they might get: and toke the castell of wyndosore and other castelles ¶And the forsaied Iohn̄ saw that he had no might ne pou­er ayenis the barons of englond for to fight but anone went him ouer see vn to the kyng of fraunce ¶And whē kyng richard [Page] come out of prison and wos deliu (er)ed and come in to englond. anone aft (er) candilmasse in gret hast he went vn to notyngham and the castell of Notyngham to him wos yolden And tho discōfitid he his brother Iohan and tho that with him held ¶And aft (er) hee went vn to the cite of wynchestre and ther he let him croun kyng of Englond. &̄ after he went vnto Normandie for to were vpon the kyng of fraunce. ¶And the kyng of fraunce come withe v.C. knyghtys toward Gisors and the kyng Richard met him and tho wold haue yefen him bataill but the kyng of fraūce fled tho and an hundreth knyghtys of his wer take and ij^C. stedis were ther trappid with yren. ¶And anone aft (er) went kyng richard for to besege the castell of Gaillard and as he rode vpon a day by the castell to take auisement of the castyli. an arbalastier smote him with a quarell that wos enuenyned. &̄ the kyng drofe out the shaft of the quarell but the quarell heed abood still in his heed. & it began for to rankill y^t he might not help him self ne me­ue his armes ¶And tho he wist that he had dethes woūde vpō him y^t he might not be hole for no man (er) thing. he commaūded an­none sharpili all his men for to assaill the castell. So y^t the cas­tell was take or that he died. & so manli his men did that all y^e pepull that wer ī y^e castill wer takē. & the kyng did with them wh­at he wold &̄ cōmandid his men that they shuld brīg before him y^e man that him so hurt & so woūdid ¶And wen he come before y^e kyng the kīg axed hī what was his name: &̄ he said mi name is bartram gurdon. wherfor said the kīg hast tow me slayn· sith that I did the neuer none harme ¶Sir said he though ye did me neu (er) none harme. ye yourself with your hond killed my fadre & my brother. & therfor I haue quyte now your trauell. ¶Tho said kīg Richard he that died vpon the cros to bring mans soule from py­ne of hell: for yef the my deth. & I also for yef it the. ¶Tho cōmandid he that no man shuld him misdo ¶But for all y^e kynges defēdīg som of his men him folowed &̄ p̄ueli him kylled &̄ [Page] the vi. day aft (er) the kīg did shriue hī & sore repētans hauīg of his mysdedis &̄ wos houseled & anoynted. & this kīg regned bot ix: yer & xxxix. wekis & died &̄ lieth beside his fadre at fountenerard.

HEnricus the v. wos emprour viij. yere This henri was son to Frederik. &̄ he weddid Constans the kynges doughter of Cecill: And thurgh the occasion of hir he subduid all the kyngdom of apulie. & he drofe all the pepull out that inhabit that land: Celestinꝰ the thrid wos pope aft (er) Clemēs almost iij. yere This man wos crouned vpon Estyr day. & the day foloīg he crouned Henri the emꝑour. & he made a palas at sent Petres & decesid Innocencius the thrid was pope after him viij: yere. &̄ v. monnethes. This man was well lettred and he made a boke of y^e wrecchidnes of mans condicion. And he made splm̄ misse. & he made mony cōstituciōs This man dampned the boke of Iohn̄ ioachim the wich he made ayens mastyr Pers Lumbard the maker of thee sentans. ¶This tyme decesid the emꝑour Henri. & the princes of Almayn discordid: for sum chose Otto & sū choso Philip bro­ther to henri. then philip wos falsly slayn. &̄ Otto was crouned of Innocens in fraūse. the wich anone faught w^t the Romans for they yaf him no dew honor. And for y^t cause ayens the popis will he toke the kyngdō of Apulie frō Frederik. wherfor the pope cursid him. then aft (er) the fourth yere of his regne the prince of almayn made Fredirik emꝑour &̄ victoriusly he subduid Otto. Wyllyam of Paris this tyme began the ordir of the freres austyn the wich be cal̄led freris mendicantes Franciscus an Ita­lian a man of gret ꝑfecciō &̄ a sampill to mony a man did mony a myracull this tyme: and he ordand the frere Minores. ¶And the vi: yere of pope Innocent the thrid. The ordir of y^e freris preche is began: vndir Dominik bot it myght not be cōfirmyd till the frist yere of honory:

¶Of kyng Iohn̄ that in the frist yere of his regne lost all Normandie.

WHen kyng Richard was deid for encheson that he had non heir nother son ne doughter his brother Iohan was made kyng an crouned at westmynster of Hubert that tho was Erchbisshop of Cantorburi ¶And whan he began to regne he become so meruelus a man and went ou (er) in to Normandie. & wered vpō the kyng of fraunce. &̄ so long they wered to gedre till at the last kyng Iohn̄ lost all Normandie & Angeon. wherfor he was sore anoyed & it was no meruell. ¶Tho let he assemble before hī at London erchebisshoppis bisshoppis abbots & priors erles &̄ barons & held ther a gret ꝑlamēt &̄ axed ther of y^e clerge the tenth of eu (er)y chirche of englond for to cōquere &̄ get ayen Normandie & Angeon that he had lost. They wold not graūt y^t thīg wherfore he was wonder wroth. ¶And in y^t same tyme died Hubert the prior & the couēt of Cantorburi chosen ayens the kīgꝭ will to be Erchebirspop mastyr Stephen of langton a good clerk y^t wo­ned at the court of rome & send to the pope ther eleccion &̄ the pope ꝯfirmid it & sacrid him at viterbi: ¶When the kīg wist this tyding he wos wond (er) wroth & drofe the prior & couēt fro cantorbury & exiled them out of englond & cōmandid y^t no man (er) letter y^t come frō rome ne no cōmandement shuld be vnd (er)fenge ne pleted in englond ¶When this tydīg come to the pope. he sent to kīg Iohan be his letter & prayed hī w^t good will & good hert y^t he wold vnd (er)fenhe Stephen erchebissh̄op of Cantorburi to his chirche & suf­fer the prior &̄ his monkis to cū ayen to ther own duellīg bot y^e kyng wold not graūte it for no thing.

¶How kyng Iohn̄ wold nothīg done for the popis cōmande­ment wherfor all englōd was enterdited and suspended.

ANd at the last the pope sent by his auctorite and enioyned to the bisshoppis of englomd that if the kyng wold not vndirfenge the prior of Cantorburi and his monkis that they [Page] shuld done generall interdityng thurgh out all englone and graunted full pouer to iiij. bisshoppis to pronounce the interditing if it werned. ¶The frist was bisshop willm of Lōdon and that other bisshop Eustace of Ely &̄ the iij: was bisshop walter of wī chestre & the iiij. was bisshop Giles of Herford ¶And thes iiij. bisshoppis praied the kyng kneling on ther kneys &̄ sore weppīg y^t he wold do the popis commandemēt & shewed him the popis bulles of the enterditīg. bot for no prayer that they myght pray he wold not consent ther to. ¶And whē the bisshoppis saw this they wēt from the kīg. And in y^e morne aft (er) the Anūciaon of our lady they pronouced the gen (er)all enterditīg thurgh out all englond so that the chirche doris wer shit with keis and with other fastynyng & with walles. ¶And when the enterditing was pronoūced than the kyng be gane for to wax all out of mesure &̄ anone in to his hand all the possessions of the iiij. bisshoppis & of all the clarge thurgh out all y^e land he toke. &̄ ordened men for to kepe it y^t the clarkis myght not haue ther leuīg. Wherfore the bisshoppis cursed all them that put or shuld medle with holy chirche goodis ayens the will of them that owed them. ¶And when the kīg wold not of his malace sees for no man (er) thing: Thes iiij. bisshoppis a fore said went ou (er) the see & come to the bisshop of Cātorburi &̄ told him all the thyng: ¶And the Erchebissh̄op to them said that they shuld gone ayen to Cā torburi & he shuld cum thider to them or els he wold send vn to them certan ꝑsons in his stede that shuld do as moch as him self wer ther ¶And whē the bisshoppis herd this. They turned ayen in to englōd &̄ come vn to Cātorburi ¶The tydīg comen to y^e kīg y^t the bisshoppis wer come ayen to cantorburi & him selfe might not cū theder that tyme. he send thider bissh̄oppis erles &̄ abbotis for to trete with them that the kyng sh̄uld vnd (er)fenge the erchebissh̄op stephen & y^e prior &̄ all y^e mōkis of cantorburi & that he shuld neu (er) after that tyme no thīg take of holi chirche ayens [Page] the will of them that awed the goodis & that the kyng shuld make full amendis to them of whom he had any goodis taken and that holy chirche shuld haue all fraunchis as ferforth as they had in sent Edwardis tyme the confessour.

¶How Stephen of langton com in to englond thurgh the po­pis cōmandemnt and how he went ayen:

When the forme of accordement thus wos ordened hit was in apayr of endenturs and thei put ther seales to that one part and they that comen in the kynges name put ther seales to that other parte of the Endentures and iiij. bisshoppis aboue said toke that on part of the endenturs to them and y^t other part of the endenturs they bore with them to shew to the kyng ¶When the kyng saw the forme &̄ vnder stode he held him full well apayed of all man (er) thyng as they had ordeyned sauyng as techīg restitucion of the goodis for to make ayen: to y^t thyng he wold not accorde & so he send word ayen to the iiij. bisshoppis that they shuld do out and put a way that on poynt of restitucion. ¶But they ansuerd that thei wold not done on word out: Tho sent the kyng to the erchebisshop by tho iiij. erchebisshoppis that he shuld cū to cātorburi for to speke with him ther & sent vn to him saufcondit vnd (er) plegges that is to say his Iustices Gilbert Peitevyn willm de la Brener and Iohn be fitz Hugh that in ther conduit saufely he shuld come &̄ go ayen att his own will & ī this man (er) the erche­bisshop Stephen come to cantorburi ¶And when the erchebisshop was comē the kīg come to Chilham for he wold no ney cantorburi at y^t time but he sent bi his tresorour bisshop of wynchestre y^t he shuld done out of the endenturs the clause of restitucion for to moke of the goodys: ¶And the Erchebisshop made his oth that he nold not neu (er) don out o word therof ne yit change of that the bisshoppis had spoken & ordeyned. And tho the erchebisshopp wēt ayen to rome w^t out any more doyng ¶Kīg iohn̄ was tho [Page] wrother then eu (er) he wos before. and let make a comyn cry thurgh out all englond that all tho that had holy chirche rentis and went ouer the see. that thei shuld cum ayen in to Englond at a certan day or els they shuld lese ther rentis for eu (er) more. &̄ that he cōmandid to euery shereue thurgh out all englond that they shuld enquere if any Bisshop Abbot Prior. or ony other prelat of holy chirche fro that day aft (er)ward resaued any cōmaundemēt that comen fro the pope: That thei shuld take the bodi & brīg it before hī. & y^t they shold take in to the kynges hondis all ther landis of holy chirche that wer yefen to ony man bi the erchebisshop Stephen or bi the prior of cantorbury from the tyme of eleccion of the erchebisshop. & commandid that all the woddes that wer the erchebisshoppis sh̄uld be castyn doune vn to the gronde &̄ all solde.

¶How kyng Iohn̄ destruyed the ordir of Cisteaux:

ANd ī the same tyme y^e Irishmē began to were vpon kīg Iohn̄. and kyng Iohn̄ ordeyned hym for to wend in to Irland and let arere an huge taxe thurgh out all Englond that is for to say xxxv.M: marke. And thus he sent thurgh out all englond vn to the monkis of the ordir of Cisteaux that they shuld help him of vi.M. marke of silu (er): ¶And they ansuerd and said y^t thei durst nothīg done w^t out ther chief abbot of cisteaux wherfor kyng Iohn̄ when he come ayen from Irland did them so moch sorow & care that they not wist werfor to abide for he toke so moch ransom of eu (er)y house of them that the somme ammounted to ix.M.ccc. marke So that they were clene lost &̄ destruid and voided ther houses & ther landis thurgh all ēglond. &̄ y^e abbot of wau (er)say dred so moch his manace that he for soke al y^e abbey & wēt thēs &̄ priuoly ordeyned hī ou (er) see to the hous of cisteaux when the tidīg come to the pope y^t the kīg had don: so moch malice tho was he toward the kīg full wroth. &̄ sent ij. Legates vn to the kyng that on wos called Pandolf &̄ y^t other Durāt that they shold warne y^e kīg ī the popis name y^t he shuld cese of his ꝑsecuciō y^t [Page] he did vn to holy chirche and amend the wrong and the trespase that he had done to the Erchebisshop of Cantorburi and to the priour and vn to the monk is of Cantorburi and to all the clarge of Englond and that he shuld restore all the goodis ayen that he had teken of them ayens ther will. And els they shuld curse him bi name and to do this thing and to conferme the pope toke them his letters in bullis patentz. ¶Thes ij. legatis come in to en­glond and come to the kyng to Northamton ther that he held his parlament and full courtasly they him salued and saied Sir we be comen fro the pope of Rome the pees of holy chirche and the land to a mend ¶And we amonest you frist in the popis halfe that ye make full restitucion of the goodis that ye haue raueshed and take of holy chirche and of the land. and that ye vndirfenge Stephen erchebisshop of Cantorburi in to his dignite and the Prior of Cantorburi and his monkis and that ye yeld ayen vn to the Erchebisshop all his landis and rentis w^t out any w^tholdyng. ¶And sir yit more ouer that ye shall make restitucion vn to all holy chirche wherof they shall hold them well apayed: ¶T­ho ansuerd the kyng as tochyng the priour & his monkis of Cantorburi all that ye haue said I will done gladly and all thyng y^t ye will ordeyn ¶But os tochyng the Erchebisshop I shull tell you in myn hert as it lieth. that the erchebisshop let his bis­shopprich. and that the pope than for him wold pray and than vpō a venture me shold like some other bisshopprich for to yef him in Englond &̄ vpon this condicion I wold him resaue and vnderfenge ¶And notheles in Englond as erchebisshop yef he abyde he shall neuer haue so good saufcondit but he shall be take. ¶Tho said Pandolfe vn to the kyng sir holy chirche wos woned neu (er) to discharge an Erchebisshop with out cause resonable but euer it hath be woned to chastyse princes that to god and holy chirche wer inobidient ¶What how now quod the kyng manace ye me ¶Nay said pandolf but ye now opēle haue told [Page] as it standeth in your hert: ¶And to yow we will telle what is the popis will. And thus it standith that he has you holy enter dited and a cursed: for the wronges that ye haue done to holy chyrche and to the clarge. ¶And for as moche as ye duell & beth in will to a bide in malace & wricchednes &̄ woll not cum out ther of ne to no amēdment. ye shall vnderstand that this tyme aft (er) ward the sentance is vpon you yeffen and holdeth stede and strength. & vpon all tho that with you haue communed before this tym whethir they be Erles Barons or Knyghtys or any other what so eu (er) that they be we them assoyle saufly vn to this day. & fro this tyme afterward of what condicion som eu (er) that they be we them a curse that with you comyn ony word. & do we sentanse vpon thē openly and specially. ¶And we assoill clene Erles Barons Knyghtes & all other men of ther homages seruis &̄ feautes that they shuld vn to you done. And this tydyng to confirme. we yef playn pouer to the bysshop of wynchestre &̄ to the bisthop of Norwiche. ¶And the same pouer we yif in to scotland to the bis­shoppis of Rochestre & of Salisburi. ¶And in wales we yeue the same pouer to the bisshoppis of sent Dauid &̄ of Landaf &̄ of sent Asse· ¶And more ou (er) we send thurgh out all cristī dom that all the bisshoppis be yond the see that they done a cursse all tho y^t helpeth you or ony cōcell yefeth you in ony man (er) nede y^t ye haue to do in any ꝑte of the world ¶And we assoyell them also all by the actorite of the pope: and cōmand them also w^t you for to feght as with hī that is emny to all holy chirche ¶Tho ansuerd the kyng what may ye do more to me. ¶Tho ansuerd Pandolf we sayn to you in the word of god: that ye ne none heir y^t ye haue neu (er) aft (er) this day may be crouned ¶Tho said y^e kīg bi him y^t is almighti god & I had wist this or y^t y^e come ī to my land y^t ye had me brought sich tyding I sh̄uld haue made you ride all on yere. ¶Tho ansuerd pādolf full well wēd we at oure frist cōmīg y^t ye wold haue be obedient to god &̄ to holi chirch. & [Page] haue fulfillid the popis commandemēt. & now we haue shewed vn to you &̄ ꝓnouncid the popis will as we wer charged ther with. & as now ye haue said that if ye had wist the cause of our comyng y^t ye wold haue made vs ride all an hole yere. & as well ye myght haue said that ye wold haue takin an hole yere of respit bi y^e popis leue. ¶But for to suffre what deth ye coude ordeyn. we shall not spare for to tell you holi all the popis message & his wyll y^t we wer charged with.