CHAP. I.
Of the Parentage of King Arthur; with a Desciption of his u­sual Accouterments; his Visio [...], and the Interpretation thereof; and how he constituted the Knights of the Round Table.

THe Saxons after the departure of the Romans, having (under the title of Friendship) seized upon many strong Pla­ces in this Kingdom, the native Britains, after having tryed their Fortunes in many dreadful Battles, were obliged to re­tire into Wales and Cornwal; yet retaining many Places of con­siderable strength: and from thence, by frequent Excursions, they greatly annoyed the Enemy: not forgetting their antient Valour, and the former Glory of this Isle, amongst which was King Vter Pendragon, lineally descended from the British Kings, who in the Year, Anno 500, began to Reign over the Britains that possessed the Mountainous Country with great success, giving the Saxons many Defeats, and gaining upon them; till at last, falling in love with a fair Lady named Igreyin, Wife to Alfridus Duke of Cornwal, he so doted on her Beauty, that not finding her to be won by perswasion to yield her Chastity to his Disposal, he plotted with Merlyn a famous Necromancer of that Age, to bring his De­signs about by Policy. This Necromancer undertaking the mat­ter, the better to ease his Prince's labouring Thoughts, with Spells, and by Magick Inchantment, so wrought, that either de­luding the Lady's sight, or transforming the King into the Shape of her Lord, she received him as such, and suffered him, in the ab­sence of Alfridus, to enjoy her a whole night, on whom he got our famous Arthur: For her Lord being in War against the West Sax­ons, was slain e're his return; of which the King hearing, though greatly grieved at the loss of so renowned a Subject, yet as much rejoyced that Fate gave him opportunity to procure the love of the fair Dutchess in an honourable way, which he prosecuting after the Days of Mourning were over, he so dealt with her by fair Words and rich Presents, that being now at liberty, she was contented to be his Wife, and was married to him by the Bishop of Carlile, with great Pomp and Splendour; all the Lords and Nobles sub­ject [Page]to his Scepter together with their Ladies adorning their Nup­tials. and assisting at the Ceremony: And so great was the Ioy, that Feasting, Turnaments and all manner of Desports to recreate the Senses were held for twenty Days. Yet the Queen was trou­bled to find the Fruits of her Womb increase so fast, as fearing to be suspected of Adultry, for well she knew she had been deceived, when she computed the time of Alfrydus's Death with the same she supposed him in her Embraces: but the King, to put her out of doubt, and to prevent melancholy thoughts, in loving wise revea­led the whole Mistery; yet it was agreed between them, that it should be kept secret, and that the Child should as soon as born, be conveyed to a trusty Guardian to prevent Coloquie. The Queen about six Months after the Ceremony of the Wedding was over, being brought to bed of a Son, the Child named Arthur, as it was resolved, was conveyed by trusty Hands to a Lady of good Repute, named Mari [...]da, Wife to Sir Ector, one of the King's Knights; who brought him up in such Learning as was meet for his Pears: When as his Father, worn out with the continual Folies of War, and much distempered through many wounds he had received, died, leaving him sole Heir of his Dominions; who thereupon was pro­claimed by most of the Nobility, and crowned King; tho' some taking the advantage of his green Years, rebelled, and raised di­vers Commotions; but he growing up, and getting the Reins of Government into his Hands, did many great Exploits, as will in the Series of this History appear.

King Arthur by this time being grown up, became exceeding tall and strong, insomuch that he seemed more than Man, and in many Iusts and Turnaments so well behaved himself, that none could stand before him: A Horse he had which he called Beaucephalus, after the name of the Great Alexander's Horse; and he in all Ex­ploits proved the best in the World: His Sword was of a large size, viz. five foot in length, and in breadth eight inches; cutting with two fearful edges, on which hung death and destruction: His Lance was eight Cubits, and the head thereof formed of massy Steel, weighing six Pound: His Armour was of the highest Prooff, shin­ing with Gems and burnished Gold: And the better to inure him to War and great Exploits, he frequently rode thus accutered; and often in places of greatest danger, glorying in nothing more than his Strength and manly Prowess, delighting in, nor fancying none but such as were truly Valiant, and feared not Death in any of his dreadful Shapes; but to such he was lavish to Exccess. Re­taining [Page]no other for his Counsellor, but Merlyn the famous Necro­mancer, from whom, as from an Oracle, he received the certain­ty of future Events; and at his request recreated him with strange and wonderful Sights, the Representation of Magick; and a­mongst the rest, upon a great Plain before the King's Palace, at Cardigan, he raised a stately Tower, and round it a pleasant Gar­den adorned with Fruits and fragrant Flowers, Fish ponds. Foun­tains, Bowers, and Vmbrages, into which he led the King and all his Nobility, feasting them after a sumptuous manner, as they imagined; but he had no sooner reconveyed them thence, but look­ing back, they saw all vanish in Thunder, Lightning, and a pro­digious Earthquake, to their great amazement; yet knowing be­fore it was but Defusion, they rested somewhat more satisfied, yet could not but think of what had passed. The day being spent in viewing this Piece of Recreation, end the King ruminating ma­ny things in his mind, at last laying him down upon his Couch, he fell into a slumber, and then dreamed that he was carried into a spacious Hast, in which stood a Table of great circumference, out of the middle of which grew an Oak and Laurel, with Crowns, Scepters, Swords, and Ensigns hanging on them, and that they were guarded by many valiant Knights, high in Prowess, and terrible to the whole World, which made him desirous to become their Associate; nor did he sooner demand it, but they joyfully re­ceived him, and placing him in a Chair of Ivory and Gold, made him their Chief, and gave him a Banner with a Lyon rampant portrayed thereon; and this Motto written, viz. Ever Victorious; upon which, the sound of Trumpets, noise of Drums, clattering of Arms, shouts and cries saluted his Ears: And he supposed he beheld Armies in rout and slaughter, scattered through the whole World, and that the Couquerers laid the Trophies at his Feet, and with an Vniversal Shout saluted him, Great Monarch of the Western World. At what time awakning, he found it but a Dream, yet revolving in his Mind the strangeness of the Fancy, the next morning he related it to his Nobles, who assured him of hap­py Presages, and advised him to make inquiry into the Interprera­tion thereof; whereupon, sending for his Necromantick Counsel­lor, he related it to him, who promised within a day to give him the signification of his Dream, which he did as followeth: viz. That by the Table was signified his Kingdom; by the Knights the Pillars and Strength thereof; by Oak and Laurel, Strength Victory and Durance; the Crowns, Scepters, Swords and En­signs, [Page]the Spoiles of the Nations he should be possess's of; and the Schene of War, the Representations of the many dreadful Bat­tles he should fight, wherein he should ever remain victorious; and the making him Chief, giving him the Standard, and placing him in a Chair Ivory and Gold, denoted him deep in his Subjects Love, and that no Treason should prosper against him This Interpre­tation highly pleased the King, and raised his towring Imagi­nations to such a pitch, that he resolved to spread the terror of his Arms throughout the World: Wherefore he made great Prepara­tion of all manner of Warlike Provision, but above all of hardy and couragious Knights, inviting them from all parts to his Court; and for their better Incouragement, caused a spacious Hall three hundred Foot in length, and twenty in breadth, to be built, with Glass Turrets on the top, ceiled with Fret-work and Gold, wainscoted with Cedar, and paved with Marble; in the midst of which he placed a Round Table, at which four hundred Knights might sit, and caused it daily to be furnished with great store of choice Provision, for the entertainment of such Men of War as would resort thither; and shortly after constituted the Order of the Round Table, allowing a Yearly Pension of a hundred Mark to such as were truly valiant, and would intole themselves to at­tend his Service when Occasion required, making himself the Head Soveraign of the Order; so that by this means the valiant Men of the neighbouring Nations tendered their Service to him, and were admitted into the noble Order, but not before they had been proved in some Exploit.

CHAP. II.
How King Arthur warred with the Kings of Mercia, and the East Angles, who invaded his Dominions, slew a Monstrous Gyant, and put their Armies to the Rout, &c.

THe King being established in his Throne, and having thus far proceeded, caused a place to be made for Iusting, where [...] every Week his Knights exercised in Martial Order, and Iust­ed with each other; and to him that did hest the King would fre­quently send one rich Present or other, himself being still a Specta­tor of those Exercises, and at all great Feasts present amongst them at Dinner, having a Chair like a Throne placed on that part of the Table that was towards the upper-end of the Hall; but no Musick suffer'd, except the Martial Sounds of Drums, Trumphers [Page]and Clarions, in which most of all our Heroick Prince delighted. And now being furnished with mighty Men, that might compate to David's Worthies (if not exceed them) in dreadful Foots of Arms, he passionately desired to have an honourable Occasion to try his and their Valours, which was not long wanting; For the Mercian King of the Saxons, and the King of the East Angles, presuming upon their Strength, broke into Cornwal, part of King Arthur's Dominions, and committed divers Outrages, burning, plundring, ravishing and slaughtering in suth a dreadful manner, that the People (with such substance as they could con­vey) fled every-where before them: The News of which rouzed our Lyon-like Prince, who taking with him his Guard of Knights, and eight hundred common Soldiers, the Flower of his Dominions, by swift Marches passed on give War the meeting; whose approach to the Enemy (being treble the Number) little regarded, not doubt­ing to give him the Overthrow, trusting greatly to the force of one Cingeterox, a monstrous Gyant, nine Cubits high six in circumference, and armed with a huge Battle are and Coat of Mael; but the undaunted Prince, whom Fear could not dismay ha­ving animated his Soldiers, and set them in Battle-array attended by his Knights, broke through the Ramparts, killing such as guard­ed the Camp, and setting upon the Infidels, for so at that time they were, cutting through the thickest of them, made such a slaughter that all the way he passed was strewed with dead Bodies; yet on he pressed through lanes of Death, his Heroick Champions following, as animated by the Martial Deeds of their Renown­ed Leader. Nor did they less annoy the Enemy, who by this time taking the Alarum in all parts, come running to oppose them, and began to make some slaughter of his Men, especially where the Gy­ant fought; which the King perceiving, by the Cry that arose, cau­sed his Standard, with the great Lion to advance that way, bearing down all before him till he came to the place where he found Cinge­terox and Ethwaldus, the King, bathing their Ares in the Blood of his Men, of which they had slain three hundred, when as King Ar­thur with a loud voice cried, Turn this way, Infidels; spare the Weak, and bend your force again the Stronger. Vpon which, the Gyant stairing on him, with a dreadful voice replied, Who art thou that comes to seek thy Death? I am a Slodier, said the King, and one that am come to fetch thy Head by way of Reprizal for the Mischiefs thou hast done in my Country. But you must get it first, said the Gyant. That shall not be long, said the King; and thereup­on [Page]charged on the Monster so furiously with his Sword, that e're he could welld his Battle; oxe with a full stroke on his Helme, which made the sire spring from thence, he made him staggar three huge Paces, and bend with his Knee to the Ground; then the Gyant (inraged) made at him, and struck at the King, so that the blow dazled him, and made his Eyes swim; but spon recovering, he that had never been so used before, resolved revenge thereupon (af­ter a fust stroke) wheeling his dreadful Sword about, he struck the Monster en the Helmet with such force, that cutting it through, the Sword entred fix inches, whereupon, with a terrible groan, he fell to the Earth, and at what time the King stood on him and devided his Head from his Trunk, the which he delivered to his Esquire that bore his Bow and Quiver. Nor were the Knights of the Order idle, for Sir Lancelot had by this time grievously wounded the Mercian King, and taken him Prisoner; and Sir Tristrian slain thirty six Captains besides thirty six common Soldiers; so that the King of the East Angles seeing all go to wrack, and his Men were disordered, caused the Retreat to be sounded; whereupon his Cap­tains endeavoured to bring off their Men, but they being in great Consternation, and the Britains pressing on them, (fearful of death) fled in all parts, and left all the Booty they had gotten to the Conquerors, who fiercely pursuing the flying Foe, made ter­rible flaugheer, insomuch that such as could not fly into Castles and Strongholds fell by the Sword, to the number of twenty thou­sand. This Over [...]how being noised abroad, brought a great Fear upon all the Saxon Princes, so that the Mertians wholly submit­ted, and sent a great Ransom for their King; who upon his swear­ing to become Tributary and Vassal to King Arthur, was set at liberty. Nor were there any of their petty Kings that then posses­sed this Island which they had devided into Heptiarchey, but sent their Ambassadors with great Presents to intreat a Peace; the which upon their acknowledging him their Supream Prince, and paying eath two hundred Geldings, a Faulcon, and a Grey-hound year­ly was accorded to. And thus flourished this Renowned King in the beginning of his Reign, but more dreadful and redoubted were his future Deeds, as by the Sequel will appear.

CHAP. III.
How King Arthur passed into Denmark, conquered the King­dom of Norway; overthrew Burnamissa the Danish King; be­sieged Copen-Hagen; and how, at the Intreaty of Geneura, the Sister of the Danish King, he hearkered to an Accord, and had an Interview with Burnamissa, and how a Peace was con­cluded between them, upon the whole matter being left to the Princes's Award: and how King Arthur falling in Love with the fair Princess, married her.

THe King having in a manner brought England to his subject­ion, resolved not to suffer the current of his Victory to be damed up with Ease, took counsel with Merlyn and the most valiant of his Knights, what Enterprize was next to be undertaken, who advised him, That it was most for his Honour to revenge the Injuries he had received by the Danes, who roaming about those Seas, had not only taken divers of his Ships, but (landing) had surprized some smast Towns upon the Sea coast, and burnt them, corrying the Inhabitants into miserable Captivity, and by ctuel Tortures obliged them to offer Sacrafice to their Idols, that King­dom being then unconverted. This motion pleased the King, whose restless spirit and desire of Glory made him impatient of ease; whereupon he caused a great Navy of Ships to be rigg'd in Milford Haven, and in all other Ports, and gave Order for the building Men of War and Gallies, so that in six Months space he had a Fleet of small and great Vessels that consisted of three hundred Sail, on which early in the Spring he imbarqued with twenty eight thousand choice Soldiers, and all manner of Warlike Provision; having by this time inroled twenty new Knights, to supply the places of such as fell by the Sword or dyed of divers Diseases; and so with a fresh gale weighing Anthor, and with a fair Wind arriving in the Baltick Ocean, entered the Straits, now guarded by the two famous Castles of Coronsburg and Elzeburg, the latter standing on the Coast of Norway, and, there brought such a fear on either Shore, that the Inhabitans in all parts fled with what they could most conveniantly carry, leaving the rest for a prey to the Britains, who under the Conduct of their victorious King, intiched themselves with a great booty; when incamping before Nidrosia in Norway, summoned the City to yield, but there being a strong Garison therein they returned Answer, That they kept the City for Bur­namissa, [Page] King of Denmark, and would in no wise yi ld it with­out his Order: whereupon the King commanded the Assault to be made by twelve thousand Men, under the leading of forty faut Knights of the order of the Round Table, who heving their Scaling Engines in a readiness, on Easter-eve marched to the Wall, and with a showre of Arrows and Wild-fire drdve the de­fendants thence; when as Sir Ector, bearing the Royal Seand­ard, mounted, and making great slaughter of suek as opposed, cutting of Arms, Legs, and Helmed Heads, placed it on the chief Bulwark, which the rest seeing, on all sides sfreve to imitate him, so within less than six hours the City was won, which the Con­quered perceiving, retired to the Marker-place, and throwing down their Arms begged Mercy; which the King generously granted; yet gave the Spoil of the City to the Soldiers, not reserving any part to himself, which so heightned them, that (leaving a Garison there) passed on to Bergen, which upon the first Summons sur­rendred; and by its Example all the remaining Cities and walled Towns did the like, so that the Kingdom of Norway was entirely at King Arthur's Devotion: whereupon finding no more to con­quer, he having received a supply of five thousand Men to make up the number he brought, by reason he was forced to leave the like Number in Garison, imbarqued, and passed the Straits, landed upon the Dainish Shore, filling all with Terror and Amazement; when as that King having gathered a huge Army, advanced to give him Battle, which did not a little rejoyce King Arthur, who greatly desired to try his strength in Mar: when jayning, on the great Plain before Copen-Hagen, a dreadful Fight began; but Victory (who never declined our Heroick Prince) soon declared for the Britains, so that the Danish King Anding the Battle swerve, and that he could not stay his Men longer from open flight, to co­ver their Shame, sounded the Retreat; whereupon they retiring in great Confusion, King Arthur and his Knights following so furiously, that all the Plain was strewed with the bodies of the slain, and so hotly they pressed on, that e're three parts of the Army en­tered the City, the Gates were shut up, and a third pars shut out, for fear the Britains should enter pell-most with them, who were by the furious Soldiers slain in the fight of their Friends, though the compassionate King bid spare the Sword.

The Danes thus overthrown, the King intamped before the City, resolving to carry it by force, and the next Day prepared for the Assault, resolving to march in the head of his Knights to win [Page]immortal Fame by his planting his Srandard upon the Wall with his own Hands, or to lose his Life; nor could the Peeswasion of his Nobles make him decline it: but as he approached the Wall, the Gates opened, whereupon he supposed the Foe intended to sally, but inflead of armed Men, there issued out a Troop of beautiful Ladies, and in the front of them the beaureous Genura, Sister to Barnamissa the Manish King, whereat King Arthur muth wonder­ed, and commanding his Men to stand in Battalia with twelve Knights went to meet them, when as the Ladies approaching him, the fair and beauteous Princess fell at his Feet, and bedewing the Ground with Gears, besought him to have Compassion on her distressed Country; the King being moved at this unusual sight, in loding wise raised her in his Arms, and bad her be of good Com­fort; bur the sorrowful Lady, whom Tears made more lovely, re­fused all Comfort unless he would grant het Request, to which the King (overcome by Tompassion) consenced, after a short Pause, if what the demanded might consist with his Honour: whereupon opening a Casker that one of her Ladies held, the first presented him with Iewels of great value set in Gold, and then intreated that an Interview might be had between him and her Brother; to which the King readily consented, as already faeling Love's pointed Shafts pierce his high prooffed Armour, and presenting the fair Princess with a Crown of Gold set with Pearls and Dia­mons, which he had taken in the Mercian War; as likewise her Ladie with Iewels of great price; he dismissed them, and caused a royal Tent to be pitehed about a Furlong fram the Vaunt guard of his Army.

Hostilities ceasing, the Danish King with twenty of his chief Nobility came to King Arthur's Tent, and there in humble wise would have proserated themselves, but the King would not permit it; but making them sit down actorsing to their Degree, entered into a Discourse with them, relating at large the justness of his taking up Arms and demanding Restitution for the Wrongs his Subjects hed received, and for the Mischiefs his Country had su­stained; to which Burnawissa replyed, That whatever had hapned in that Nature, had been without his Knowledge; but however knowing him to be a Prince of great Clemency, he would be well contont to submit to whatever he should think fit: The King overcome by the meekness of the Dane, finding a relenting in his Breast, as generously offered to refer the whole marter to the beau­teous Princess, and bound himself to stand [...] what Award He should [Page]make; which was joyfully accepted by Burnamissa, who expected be­fore, that no less than his Kingdom of Norway would make Satis­faction to the offended British Monarch: whereupon the Princess was sent for, who came, attended by divers Ladies of Honour, in most sumptuous Attire, glittering in Gold and Fems, which were out-vied by her imcomparable Beauty; when making her Approach, King Arthur arose from his Chair of State and saluted her; as likewise his Knights did her Ladies: Then Burnamissa made her acquainted with the Pleasure of King Arthur; but she in Modesty refused to be Arbitress in so weighty a matter, till the King pressed it, and desired her to do him so great an Honour; whereupon after some Consideration she awarded, That her Brother should defray the whole Charge of the War, and restore all such Ships as were found to appertain to any of King Arthur's Subjects, and that the Offenders being taken should be delivered to the King to dispose of as he thought fit, and then the King to depart the Land, and with­draw his Garrisons. These Articles were highly approved on either part, and the Princess her Wisdom admired: whereupon Commandment was given to proclaim them with beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet, and that from thenceforth all Hostility should cease.

Peace being thus happily accorded, the Danes rung their Bells and made Bon-fires in every City, all the Nobility feasting their poor Neighbours and Tenants throughout the Kingdom; when as the Danish King causing a royal Pavillion to be reared with­out the City, prepared a sumptuous Feast, to which he in humble wise invited the King and his Nobles, and so great was the En­tertainment, that the like had not been known before in that Kingdom.

But what pleased King Arthur more than all, was the sight of the fair Princess, with whom by this time he was most passionately in Love: Nor did the Feaver of his Desire less afflict her, though she durst not raise her Hopes so high; till at last the King (not longer able to resist the Magick of heri Eyes) took the opportunity of breaking his Mind to her, who humbly told him with a demure Countenance, That she could not conceive herself worthy the Thoughts of so great a Monarch; but if it pleased him to conde­scend so low, as to raise her to such Dignity, she had no Argu­ment against his Pleasure, if her Brother would consent. This pleasing Answer overjoyed the King, insomuch that sending for the Danish King, he desired to beg one Favour of him; Nay, re­plied [Page] Burnamissa, your Majesty may command even what you please, since to your Clemency I owe so much. Then said King Arthur, 'Tis this fair Pledge of lasting Peace that I with low Sub­mission do request. If my Sister be contented, said the King, I am overjoyed at what I hear, and have long desired to be allyed unto so great a Prince, yet must not compel a free Mind. You need not, (said the Princess, blushing like a Rosey Bloom that opens in June or July to the Morning-Sun) for I have already parted with that Heart that needs would go, upon Condition you consented. I do consent most willingly, replyed the King; and thereupon taking King Arthur in his right Hand, and the Princess in his left, he joyned their Hands, and at the Request of the former, Segbert the British Arch-Bishop Married them, according to the Cannons of the British Church, pronouncing many dreadful Cur­ses on whoever should attempt to untye the sacred Band. This known in the Camp and City, redoubled the Ioy, so that all Night long whole Loads of Pines blazed, insomuch the Fires created a new Day as soon as Sol was set; and so sumptnous was the Feast, which lasted many Days, that Rome in all her Glory could not ex­ceed it; the Martial Feats (to win Glory, and the Love of the Ladies) were so many that I have not place here to relate them.

CHAP. IV.
How returning home, King Arthur sound his Country invaded by Magor King of Ireland, and how he vanquished him; and ha­ving recovered the Isle of Angle-Sea from the French, sailed into France, to revenge the Injury done to his Subjects, over­throwing their Army. Also how Queen Geneura was delivered of a Son; and of the Presents and Vows made by the Saxon Kings: With a full Description of the Knights of the Round Table.

THe King having been absent from his own Dominions for the space of six Months, began to cast his Eye homeward; when having remitted Burnamissa the Charges he was at, and only gave order his Subjects Loss should be repaired, he with his fair Queen, whom the King leaded with rich Presents, took leave of the Danish Court, and imbarquing with the whole Army, and divers of the Danish Nobility, who from chair King hed order to attend the Queen; having a fair gale, on the ninth of October [Page]landed where they first imbarqued, and were received with universal joy; whereupon the King coming to a Castle of his, near [...]. feasted the Dainish Nobility in a mast spianded manner. But whilst he remained there, he had notice, That Magor King of Ierland, who by his Amiassaders had courted the fair Gemna, and been refused, was (to revenge it on his Arrival) landed with great Power in South Wales; whereupan the King comforting his Queen, who was greatly grieved that through her cause such sud­denly Troubles should arise, passed on with his victorious Army, and gave him Battle near Merioneth, and utterly discomfited him, so that flying with his broken Army, and being every-where assaises by the Country Peasants, who had laid the way for him, he scarcely escaped to his Ships with five thousand out of his thirty thou­sand; so that King Arthur (speedy as Cesar in his victories) returned to his fair Queen with the Trophies of his conquered E­nemies long before he was expected to have fought the Battle; when sending four thousand Men under the leading of Sir Lancelot and divers of her good Knighes, they landed on the Isle of Angle- [...], and drove thence the French that had for some time past, during the troubles of this Kingdom, setled themselves there.

The King's Victories daily increasing, the Terror of his Name being spread wide, it made the most redoubted Monarch tremble; yet durst France (then powerful at Sea) invade our Coait, and with fire and sword spoiled many Sea-towns, carrying away great booty, as also the People, the Men they made cow in their Gallies. and the Women to satiate their prodigious Lust; when as the crys of his suffering sujects reaching his ear where he was delight­ing himself with his Queen, he resolved once more to forsake the Camp of Venus, and her soft Delighis, to court Fame and Glory in the Camp of Mars; whereupon having sent to Lothario [...] for Restitution, and receiving rather scorns than a satisfactory answer from that imperious King, he made great proparations for the War, and had at that time twelve Sale of Ships sent to his aid by his Brother of Denmark; when being in a readiness with an Ar­my of thirty four thousand, he coasted the Country, and puning into the bay of Marselies, with his shot of Arrows that flew like Haile, drove the defendants from the shore, on which himself with his own Standard first leaped, and stood like an inraged Lyon, though a thousand that is flew round his Head, and many [...] from his glittering shield; but long it was not e're the valiant Knights of the Order (imsrating their Soveraign) thrust their [Page]Ships to Land, and putting their Soldiers in Battle-aray, charged furiously upon the formost Battailian of the Enemy, lead by the Duke [...] Vallois, so that being overset, they retreated in great dis­order, and finding no place to be received, broke the Ranks of their Friends; when as the Duke De Nevers advanced with the right wing of Horse to their succour, but was so gauled with the shot of Ar­rows that the Horses mischiefet more the Riders than the Britains.

In this Confusion the King drawing out six thousand of his choice Men, charged upon the disordered Enemy with such courage that he pierced their main Battle, making lanes of death where-ever he came, cutting off Arms, Heads and Legs, insomuth that the Danish General Gironeus imitating him, the French Soldiers (routed in all parts) left their Commanders and fled, insomuch that the slaughter of the Nobility was great, a Fare even incident to that Kingdom; nor would they trust to the weak wall of Marse­lies, but flying to Lyons and Paris, left that part of the Country naked, to be possessed of the Britains.

The terror of this overthrow alarming the French Court, and finding that brought home to them which they had used to others a­broad, the People with Tears besought their King to appease the Conquerer in time, and thereby prevent worse desolation, who con­sidering his tottering Kingdom was at stake, sent four of his prime Lords to beg a Week's Cessation or Truce, to which King Arthur (whose [...] was more at Glory and Renown than Advan­vantage) accorded, during which time, the King having raised a Mistion of Crowns sent them in divers Waggons, with other rich Presents, to purchase his Peace, and the depatrure of his new come Guest, yet prevailed they not e're he had made his Acknowledg­ment for the indignity put upon the King's Ambassadors, and deli­ver the Town and [...] Marselies, to be possessed as a Pledge of future Peace by the Britains for the spare of twenty Years to come and upon pain of forfeiting it for ever, no Hostilities to be used by Lend, nor Depravations by Sea. These Articles accorded, the Kin [...] hastened to his own Country with the grearest part of his Ar­my, leaving only [...] Solders in Marselies; and having amply rewarded the [...] dismissed them.

Vpon King [...] he found, to his unspeakable joy, his fair Queen [...] a lovely Boy, who, by the Advice of Mer­lyn, he nam [...]d Constantius, those Victories and great Exploits that Prophet for [...], which after his Father's death, he succeeding him in his Throne, exactly came to pass: and now the joy bring [Page]great throughout the British Dominisns, all the Saxon Kings came to King Arthur's Court, then removed to the then floursih­ing City of Hereford, and made their Homage, complementing him highly on his Marriage, and the birth of his Son, presenting the Queen and Royal Infant with great Presents, as Iewels, Gold, and fragrant Spice of Arabia, promising for them and their Heirs to be obedient to the British Stepter though before and after the Death of King Arthur they brake their Vaws, though to their great disadvantage: For the young Prince (almost as successful in War as his Father) grasped the Kingdoms of the Mercians and East-angles with so hard a hand, that during his Life, they could not wrest them from him; but to our purpose. King Arthur being the chief Favourite of Fortune, and the eldest Son of Fame, began to enlarge the splendor of his Court, and increase the num­ber of the Knights of the Round Table, in whom consisted his chief Strength, for scarce was there any one of them, but durst en­counter ten ordinary Men hand to hand; and as he increased them, so he enlarged their Pensions, which drew the most Valiant of all Nations to serve him, though none were admitted before they were tryed: The habit they ordinarily wore, when without their Ar­mour, was a Vest lined with Sables, and on the back of it a red Cross, and on their Thighs Cushes of highest proof; their Stock­ings were in the manner of Bugkins, and their Shoes of Camels­skin, the Hair appearing outward: on their Heads they wore Caps made of Seal-skins lined with Silk and Cotted: and about their neck Silk of divers colours; each of them in War carrying a dou­ble Faulchion, a Battle-axe, a Bow and Quiver, a Launce, be­ing severally allowed a Esquire or Armour-bearer, who attended them in all Battles.

CHAP. V.
How King Arthur upon the Relation of a Hermit, sailed into the Holy Land, took Ioppa, overthrew Salmanezar, and took Ie­rusalem, with what else happened remarkable on that occasion.

ABout this time King Arthur finding nothing worthy of his Sword at home, and altogether impatient of ease, studyed how he might imploy it abroad, and whilst he was musing thereon, [...] Hermit in poor aray came to the Court, and filled it at once with pitty and desire of revenge upon the dismal Relation he made, which was, That the Turks and Sarazens had fallen upon Iudea and [Page]Palatine with an Army of one million of Men, and made such slaughter of the Christians in those parts, that such that escaped were forced to fly into Rocks and Caves of the Earth, and there were either starved to Death, or became a Prey to wild Beasts: And that they had taken the Holy City of Ierusalem, after thirty days Siege, and put almost all the Christians they found therein to the Sword, polluting the Temple and Holy Sepulchre with their Heathenish Worship: As also, that they impailed the Patriarch alive for refusing to worship Mahomer.

This Story coming to the King's ear, he could not refrain from shedding tears, when sending for the Hermit, in the presence of his Nobles, he most strictly examined him to all particulars, and finding he delivered nothing but what (as he said) himself had been an Eye witness too; the King turning to his Lords, said, Hear you this, my Lords, shall we suffer the Enemies of our Lord and Saviour thus to Triumph over the professors of his Name? To which they with one Voice reply'd, That it was intollerable, and they were ready to venture their Lives and Fortunes in that Holy War, and in his Service. Whereat the King highly com­mending their Resolutions, vowed by the Passion of his blessed Lord, whom those Infidels defied and blasphemed, he would not take pleasure in any thing till he had faced those barbarous Nati­ons, and tryed his Fortune to free the Holy City from its Pol­lution; and thereupon he sent to all the neighbouring Princess for Aid, resolving to set sail in the Spring, it being now the mid­dle of August: He likewise lay'd double Taxes upon his own Sub­jects, and demanded double Tribute of the Saxon Princes, who did not so willingly pay it at that time as was expected, by reason most of them were unconverted, and therefore secretly rejoyced at the Prosperity of their Brother Infidels: But however the King raised a great Mass of Money; and caused his Navy to be augmen­ted; so that from France, Denmark, and other parts of Spain, ha­ving received fifty Ships of War, most of them manned with Vo­luntiers of those Nations, he with two hundred Sail, on board of which he had five thousand Men, in the beginning of April weigh­ed Anchor, and having a fair wind, coasting France and Spain, he joyned likewise divers other Ships, who were ready to attend him, for the noise of this War had overspread all all Christendons; wher passing through the Straits into the Mediterenian Sea, he brought such a fear upon the Sea towns, that the [...] them fled with their substance to the Mountains, into which [Page]the Christians entering, found yet some booty; but (desirous to pass on to Jerusalem) the King sailed to the Isle of Cyprus, then governed by one Emanuel a Christian, where having refreshed his Arms, he again imbarqued, and sailing through that tract of Seas, arrived at Joppa. a famous Sea: port, and the In-let of Palastine, whiche he found strongly fortifled, as likewise Salmanezer King of the Turks incampes with a Host of one million of Turks, Jews, and Sarazens about six miles from thence; yet landing his Men, he resolved to besiege the City, and by taking it, secure the Port; whereupon causing his Enginers to make divers batterings after the Roman fashion, which under the favour of the night (notwith­standing the Besirged hurled down Wild: fire and stones in grear a­bundance) they ser to the Walls on the North side, and by force of Cords battered with such fury, that they rent the Vamures in di­vers places, making the City tremble, which so alarum'd the In­fidels, that they sallyed ten thousand strong upon the quarter, guarded by the Earl of Merioneth, but coming to handy strokes, were forced to retire five thousand lefs than they came; and the next morning, by King Arthur's express Command, a furious Assault was given on all parts, when as the Britains with their shot of Arrows bearing the Besieged from their defences, mounted and planted the King's Standard upon the wall, entering and kissing the Infidels in great number, so that all the streets ran Blood, till such time as the King (upon their throwing down their Arms, and on their knecs brgging Mercy) bid spare the Sword; when having expesled them the Town, he placed a Garison of di­vers Nations therein, and marched to joyn Battle with Salmane­zer.

The Infidels being greatly troubled at the loss of Joppa, desired their General to lead their to battle e're the Christians advanced any further; to which, after many delays he consented, and on the fifteenth of July early in the morning advanced, in hopes to suirprize the Christians, but finding them in battle-array, he began to repent his rashness; but sinding no means now to retire, unless with loss and disgrace, he divided his Army into three parts, the first (containing forty thousand Men.) he lead himself; the second (containing thirty six thousand,) he committed to his Brother Alba­mazer, a Gyant of great stature, fierce and cruel; and the third (con­taining twenty four thousand,) to Gouzeles, Governour of Jerusa­lem: Nor did King Arthur delay to Marshal his Batrle in the best manner, eading the first Batalian, consisting of two thousand choice [Page]Soldiers, and an hundred Knights of the Order for the guard of his person; the second battle (consisting of ten thousand,) he committed to Battanins Duke of Cornwal; the third battle (consisting of ten thousand,) he committed to Sir Laneelot do Lake; the fourth (consisting of the like number,) was lead by Frovonius a noble Dane: When as both Armies (marching in this posture,) came face to face, leaving a little space between, a monstrous Pagan stepping forth, demanded (e're the Charge was sounded, a Man to sight him hand to hand, and that the combate should ve for no less than the City of Jerusalem or the departure of the Christians, if King Arthur durst agree to it: where­upon the King having sent to the Turk to know if he would sland to what his proud Champion propos'd, and finding him inclinable thereto, he thoutht no Sword more sit than his own to chastise the Daring; when (contrary to the mind of his Nobles) disgui­sing himselfe in the Armaue of one of his Knights, he stepped forth, and without much ceremony, charged him with such fury, that at one full blow he broke his Helme, and made him staggar six paces back, yet recovering his starian, he the more inraged, resolved to obliter the disgrace that he had sustained, in the sight of his Prince

and his whole Arym, came on with double fury, foaming and storming for slame and anger to be so fulled, he smore the King [Page]with such force, that he loased his Helme [...] and made his eyes swim desye: but he nothing daunted thereat. as the Gyant was about to redouble his stroke, Struck him so full on the right [...] that his Sattle: are fell to the Ground, when pursuing his stroke. he struck him as he bended to recover it on the neck. so that the Sword en­tring caused a deep wound, out of which issued great quantity of Blood, so that the King finding through loss thereof he must naeds faint, kept him off, as not thinking it safe to hazard too eagerly his Person when the Conquest was already made: nor did his expectation fall; for the Gyant finding his strength decay, like a Lamp, which at going out gives the greatest blaze, taking his Are in both hands, smote upon the King in great fury, and with a full stroke upon his shoulder crushed his Armour, and much brui­sed him; at what time the King with undaunted courage gave him another wound on the left Arm between the joynts of his Harness and pursuing it with a thrust, pierced his Coat of Meal and high-proffed Tushes, so that the Sword entering a foot into his bowess, he with a dismal groan fell to the Earth: whereupon the Pagans, contrary to the promise of their King, sounded the Charge, refu­sing to stand to what had been sworn; the which so inraged the Christian Soldiers, that redoubling their fury upon the signal gi­ven, they charged so furiously upon the Infidels, that the Battle wherein Abumazar fought was by King Arthur and his Squadron over-born, and pierced even to the middle, when Sir Gawen, a Knight of the Order having killed the Standard-bearer, took the Standard even in the Infidel King's sight, whiche made him ad­vance with all his strength to recover it: but finding great restā ­ance, after he had fought, and by words strove to animate his Men, labouring in vain to stay their flight, he turned-furiously upon his second Battle that was advancing; being hotly persued by the Christians, and finding no place to retreat, he put them in great disorder; when as Sir Lancelot fetehing a compass about, charg­ed them in the Flank on the right, and so gauled them with shots of Arrows, that after many were slain and wounded, and nothing but the crys of the Vanquished, and the shouts of the Vanqvishers, to be heard, the rest of King Arthur's Battles advancing, and charging them in the left, they (after making what resistance they were able, and the loss of four thousand of their best Soldiers, their King being sore wounded and carried out of the Battle) fell into disorder, and in great confusion fled, every one as he could shifting for himself, so that the Execution following with great fury, scarce two thousad escaped the the Sword.

The Victory thus happily gained, the Christians found such store of Treasure in the Tams, that [...] was wounderful, the which the King sharing amongst his Sowiers, according as every and had deserved, and well refeeshed his Army, sending the Mound­ed of his pare to Ioppa, and bursed the Slain; he with Banners spread marched towards Iernsalem, bringing a great fear on all the Cities in his way, must of which surrendred upon the first Sum­mons; so that coming before the Holy City, whither the greatest part of the scatrered Army was retired, he having summoned the Infidels to yield and save their lives, but receiving no answer, he batrered it with his Rams, War wolfes, and other fearful En­gines, till a part of the wall on the South side fell, upon which a furious Assault was given, insomuch, that the Insidels having drawn their greatest strength to defend [...] breach, a great slaughter was made; yet the Thristians resolving to carry the City, which then was but small, and very ravenous, pressed on with suth vio­lence, that the fearful Enemy being over-born, were every-where slain; and the Christians enteing, plated King Arthur's Stand­ard upon the Bulwarks, which so dismayed the Infidels, that such as could, fled by the Posterns, and over the Brock Cedron, others hid themselves in Caves till the fury of the Soldiers were over, and such is could not do either, fell for the most part by the Sword.

This famous City, being the first time thus taken by the Christ­ians, a great number of miserable Men and Women weré released out of Dungeons, who had for a long time been fed with Bread of Affliction, half starved, and miserably used by the Infidels, for publikly owning the Name of the Lord, who, not far from thence, purchased them with his precious Blood to their unspeak­able Ioy.

CHAP. V.
How, upon notice that the Saxons invaded his Country, he re­truned; and how upon his return, the Saxon Kings laied down their Arms: Also how King Arthur built many Religious Hou­ses, and gave great Largesses to the Poor; and how he swore his Nobles and Knights to his Son Constantius, and so died.

THe King having thus performed his vow, repaired the Walls; buit a strong Castle, and placed seven thousand Soldiers therein, besides the Christians of Syria and India, that daily flock­ed thither in great number; he received notice, that the Saxon [Page]petty Kings in his absence had cast off his Allegience, and being united, invaded his Country insomuch that his Queen, Son, and those that he has left in charge with the Kingdom, being o­verchrawn in a spirited Battle were fled to the softnesses of Snow­down Mounains. Which News greatly perplexed the King; so that having made his Offering at the Holy Sepuchre, and con­stituted Religious Men to keep it, he with three parts of his Ar­my he brought, returned to his Ships, the other part being either slain in the Battle, peti [...]ed by sickness, or left in the Garison; yet e're he could [...], twenty seven thousand, Turks, Sa­razens, and Aegiptians, lying in ambush in a Wood for that pur­pose, fell upon the Rear of his Army, and cut off three or four hundred Britans and Danes e're the King with the Gross of his Battle could draw up to [...]eir relief; yet fatal was it to the Infi­dels; for being unexpectedly inclosed by the Christians, who fetch'd a compass behind divers littly Hills, they were almost all of them cut off.

This second Overthrow given the King quictly imbarqued his Soldiers, and sailing by divers Islands, destroyed the Earisons possessed by the Infidels: When one day going on shore on the Pro­mentory of Carthage, with a few of his Knights, he was set up­on by four hundred Moors, who sallyed out of [...] is; but such was his and his Knights invincible Courage, that they drawing their Swords, slaughteren the Barbarians in such manner, that they fled with great crys, raking them to be more than mortal; where­upon the King causing eight thousand Men instantly to come on shore desieged the City, and with Wild sice burnt it about the Batha­rians Ears, putting many of them to the Sword: And then march­ing up farther into the Country, there come against them six huge Lyons, bred in the Muritatian Forrest, with whom the King and twenty of his Knights encountering, killed tweive, and put the other four to flight.

King Arthur, impatient of stay, least whilst he conquered a­broad his Country should suffer with great spoyl put again to Sea, and sayiing homeward, met with a Fleet of Dyrates. who taking his Ships for Merchams, set upon the foremost Souardran with loud Souts, casting great quantity of stones and Wild-fire a­mongst them, but coming to graple, they soon found their mistake, and then in vain endeavouring to fly, were miserable slaughte­red, insomuch, that out of thiety but five escaped: In these Ships many miserable Christian Captives, both Men and Women, were [Page]found, of which the King taking compassion, sent them into their respective Countries, allowing them all things necessary for their maintenance during the space of a year, and so passed on towards his own Country.

The King's approach being known to the Saxon Princes (who not long before had news that he was dead in the Holy Land, and thereby were animated to take up Arms) so discouraged them, that withdrawing their Forces, every one retired into his own Province, to sludy how to appease the Victorious Monarch, whom they had justly incensed by their persideons Treachery, and as soon as they had norice the King was landed and preparing his Forces to War against them, they sent their respective Deputies with rich Pre­sents, to excuse their rash and unadvised actions, promising never for the future to transgress in the like nature; yet the King being highly incensed, would at no cheaper a rate pass over their perslde­ous dealings, than a personal acknowledgment, and the sum of two thousand Marks each: As to be the better assured of them for the future, that each of them should send his Son Hostage, and that those that had no Sons, to send their nearest Kinsmen. and over and above, to make reparation for such damages as could be by any of the King's Subjects proved to be sustained by their unlawful Arms. This being performed, a Peace ensued, and the King dis­missed his Auxiliaries with great Rewards.

King Arthur now having [...] to repose in Peace, and think and think on his many wonderful Deliverances, resolved to apply his mind to deeds of Piety, and thereupon caused many Mona­stries and Religious houses be built giving yearly maintenance to divers poor People, but espersally to such as had lived in splen­dor, and were fallen to decay: And daily he visteed the Sick, gi­ving them Christian Comfort: and using his utmost endeavour to therish Learning and Arts, [...] which ended his proper charge he built likewise many Schools [...] Colledges giving himself wholly up to the study of the seven Liverall [...]; and so well pro­fited he therein, that he became the greatest [...] therein of his Age: But most of all, he fixed his [...] upon his latter end, and with Solomon was frequently heard to say, All World­ly things were but Vanity and Vexation of Spirst; and that on Earth no real nor substantial joys were to be found. When in the sixeth Year of his Age, and the forty ninth Year of his Reign, salling sick, and by the opinions of his Physicians not likely to re­cover, he sent for all his Nobles, and the Knights of the Order, [Page]and he caused them to [...] fealty to his Son [...] in the [...] wise and thereupon, finding [...] pious Expressions, and Prayers, [...] his Nobles to be careful of securing his Son in his Throne, and having great re­spect to his Queen. he gave up the Ghost, to the great grief of his Subjects, but more of his fair Queen, who took it so grievously, that soon after fading into a Feaver, she died, and was buried with him in a Monastery, built by him at Monmouth, whose tomb (richly adorned) continued visible till the Dissolution of the Fabrick in the time of Henry the Eight.