freendes Now be the king blamed but yf he maketh you to be hewen al to peeces for they should haue ben take yf ye had not be THan whan Ogyer sawe hym selfe so repreued he wexed al mad of the great iniury that RowlaÌ„d hadde saide to him so and answered boldlye and saide Damp Rowlande ye lye falsly of that ye say For I am not suche as ye tell And heere is my pledge for to defende me this quarell ayenst body to bodye for I nor none of my kinne dyd neuer amys ayenst Charlemaine but of all Fraunce I am one of the best and truest knyghtes that be in it and of a better kinne I am come than ye be Rowlande Gerarde of roussyllon was mine vncle he kept me of a litell childe Dron of Nantuell and the duke Benes of Aygremont these three were brethern the whiche were all myne vncles And Myneus of aygremount was my father and also the bishop Turpyn and Richarde of normandye ben my kinsmen and thus are they foure soÌ„nes of Aimon of my lignage now good syr Rowland tell me your lygnage for I knowe youre hyghnes For by sainte Denis of Fraunce I shall defende me ayenst you with my swerde and so shall I shewe to you yf I be true or no. Rowlande was than wonderful wroth whaÌ„ he heard Ogier speake so and vaunced him selfe ayenst him and wold haue smitten him And whan Ogier sawe him come he set hande to his swerde cortyne and said to Rowland Beware ye be not so hardy for to set hande vpon me for by the faythe that I ow to hym that begate me I shall make thy heade to flee fro thy bodye yf ye come anye nerer Whan Charlemayne saw these two barons moue themselfe so sore the one ayenst the other he was ryght sory for it And than rose the duke Naymes of bauiere the earle Aymerye and sayde Syr Rowland what wyll ye doo by my heade the thynge shal not goe as ye trowe for Ogyer is not suche as ye make him and yf the kynge were not the thyng shoulde goe otherwise than ye ween Ogyer is suche a knight as al the world knoweth nor in his lignage was neuer no man borne that made treason but he is the best knighte in all Fraunce of all sydes But we merueile howe Charlemayne suffreth you to take so greate a pryde vpon you and if he suffereth it we will not doo so for no thynge that can come of it Whan Charlemaine sawe this great noyse betwen hys barons he was righte wrothe sayde to Rowland Faire neuewe let this alone for it longeth not to you to saye so and betwene thys and to morowe I shal enquere of thys matere And yf Ogyer hath doo amys in any thing ayenst me I shal make hym abyde it full deare for all they in the worlde shall not keep him but shall make him be headed for it Sir said Ogyer I wyll well but there is in FrauÌ„ce no man so prue ne so hardy that shall say that I haue doone treason ayenst you nor ayenste anye other but that I shall fyghte ayenste hym in the quarell and shall shewe to him that he lieth falsly but and it please you to heare me I shal tell you the trouthe of the matter wyt it syr that whan I came to the roche MouÌ„t bron where the foure sonnes of Aymon were and saw that we were so great numbre of folke ayenst foure knightes all vnarmed I promyse you that I holp them not nor I was not ayenst theym but wythdrewe me a syde and lette the other shyfte with them and I stoode styll and behelde vpon the greate sorowe For I sawe dye my fleshe and my bloud and I myghte not helpe them of no thyng nowe haue I tolde you all the truthe and all that I dyd And yf ye fynde otherwyse than that I tell you afore all this noble barons I wyll be sore punyshed But by the fayth â—hat I owe to god yf euer I finde me in any place where I maye help them I shall helpe them with al my power yf I should lose my heade for it For all the world ought to hate me bycause I fayled theym at their need for they ben my cosyns and ye syr haue doone so muche to them that it shoulde suffise you for they be not so muche gyltye of that they be charged of as men make semblaunt but by the virgin Marye as longe as I shall lyue I shall not fayle theym of that I may doo ouer hasti was Rowland for to haue smitten me wrongfullâ— and without anye cause but I will well that he knowe that yf he sawe Reynawde mounted vpon his horse bayard he should not take him for a rybawd nor he should not dare abyde him bodye to bodye for all the golde of spayne Whan Rowlande hearde Ogier speake thus he sayd to him by god Ogier ye haue praysed him muche and ye make hym wunderfull hardye but I praye god that I maye once fynde him vpon bayard hâ—s good horse all armed fro heade to toe for to knowe yf he be so valiaunt as ye make him Wit that god hearde the prayer of Rowlande for Rowland not long after that found Reynawde vpon bayarde and I tell you that Rowlande helde hym not sith for no rybawd nor for knaue but tooke him for the best knyght of the worlde ⧠But the history leueth nowe to tell of the kynge Charlemayne af Fraunce of Rowland and of Ogyer the dane and of the .xii. peres of Fraunce that been at the siege afore Mountawban and returneth to speake of Reinawde that was yll at ease forthe loue of Richarde hys brother that was wounded to death in the roche MouÌ„tbron NOw sheweth the history that after Reinawde had discomfyted the frenshemen he returned again toward roche Montbron where he had left his brother Richard thus wouÌ„ded as ye haue heard And whaÌ„ he was come there and sawe hys brother so horrible wounded he could not keep hym from weping and said Alas what shall I doo whan I haue lost my deare brother the best freend that I haue in the worlde And after he had sayde that worde he fel to the grounde from Bayarde in a swoun And whan Alarde and Guicharde sawe theyr brother that was falle they beganne to make theyr mone of Richarde pitteously And whan Reinawde was come agayne to himself he made great sorowe with hys two brethren Alarde and Guichard vpon Richarde their brother that laye vpon the earthe with his bowelles betwene his handes And this hangyng came Mawgis vpon broykarre his good horse the best that menne wyste after bayarde and held a peece of a spere in his hande And whan he sawe Reinawde make suche a sorowe he was right sorye for it And whan he sawe Richarde thus sore wounded he was wrothe and hadde great pytie for to see the wound that was so greate for men saw the liuer within his body Thenne sayd he to Reynawde
and knew him ryght well by a wounde that he had in his face whiche was doone to hym of a fall whan he was in his tender age ThaÌ„ she said to hiÌ„ as glad as ani mother may be Reynnawde my sonne whose peere is not among al the knightes of the worlde Howe see I you so sore appayred and chaunged Where is gon your great beaultie why my sonne doo ye hide you towarde me that loued you more than my selfe And while that she said these wordes she looked aboute her and knew her children anon she went towarde them wyth her armes spred abrode for to coile and kisse theym sore weepynge for great pitie that they were so sore apayred of theyr beaultie and so long she kissed one and than another that at last she fell downe in a swoune And Reynawde tooke her vp in his armes wher she abode a good while and Reynawde his brethern ceassed not from weeping for great pitie that they had of theyr mother ANd whan the duchesse was come agayne to herselfe she tooke her children made them sitte downe by her and sayd to them how is it that I see you thus poore dysfygured why is it that ye haue with you no knightes nor none other coÌ„pany where haue ye ben that haue endured so great pouertie and so great disease whan the duchesse spake thus to her chyldren she dyd weepe styll sore tenderly and foundred all in teres holdynge her sonne Reynawd betwene her armes and kissed hym sweetly Lady sayd Reynawde we haue with vs but three knightes that keep our horses yoÌ„der without For our father hath slayne all our knightes all our folke And also he should haue slayne vs yf it had not be our lorde that kept vs therfro through his pitie mercy Sore hard parentage dyd he shewe to vs our naturall father Whan the Duchesse vnderstoode these wordes she was ryght sory for it And called to her one of her seruauntes and saide to hym Goe and make my sonnes horses to be had into a good stable and that they ben well tended And brynge hither that three knightes that keep the horses without for I wyl see them Madame sayde her squyer it shal be doone incontinent And then he went to the three knyghtes and sayd to them that the duchesse wolde see them Whyche incontinent dyd as the ladye had commaunded and came to the Palays where as Reynawde taryed for them Lordes said the duchesse to them ye be right welcome Madame sayd the knightes God gyue you good life longe and Ioye of your children For they ben the best and the moste worthye knyghtes of all the worlde Thys hangyng came there a yeman that sayd to the duchesse Madame yf it please you to sit at the table the meat is redy ThaÌ„ the lady tooke Reynawde and the other with her lede them to dinner and made them syt downe all afore her and theyr three knyghtes at the left side of her There made good chere the foure sonnes of Aimon and ete at theyr case at theyr owne wyll For it was longe syth that they had ony good mele where they myghte take theyr naturall food at theyr ease And as they were at the table Thenne came theyr father Aimon from hawkynge and huntynge whiche had taken foure hartes and two wylde bores and dyuerse pertryches and Fesauntes Whan Aymon sawe them he knewe them not and he sayd vnto the duchesse Lady what are these folke that ben thus couÌ„trefer whan the duchesse vnderstode her husbande she was sore a gaste and began for to weepe and sayde Syr these ben your chyldren and myne that ye haue trauaylled so moche and sore hunted as wylde beastes The which haue dwelled loÌ„ge tyme in the foreste of Ardeyne where as they haue ben sore tourned as ye now maye see Now are they come vnto me by cause I am ryghte glad whan I see theym For to you they ben not come For they knowe well that ye loue them not But I praye you for god that for the loue of me ye wyll lodge them this night For they shall departe to morow erlye I wot not yf euere I shall see them Wherefore of this I beseeche you right humbly Than whan Aymon vnderstode these wordes he shooke al for anger and tourned hym selfe toward his sonnes and made to them euill there and said to them GlotoÌ„s goddes curse haue you For ye ben not worthe a strawe For ye haue nother folke nor money nor no prisoner that might pay to you a great hauoyre Father sayd Reynawde by the fayth that I owe to you if your lande is in peace the other ben not so For ye might goe sixe score miles that ye should not finde nother riche man nor poore but that they keepe them selues within fortresses and in Castelles But ye doo great wronge for to doo vs the worst that ye can ye tooke fyrst from vs our good Castell of Mountaynforde And after that ye had assayled vs in the wood of ardeyne and slew all our folke so that of fyue huÌ„dred knyghtes that I had ye left a lyue with me but enleuyn whereof .viii. ben dead and these .iii. that ye see heere ar abyde a liue now beholde well father and thynke how ye bare your selfe towarde vs. But syth it is thus that ye ought to vs no good wyll and that ye may not see vs Make vs the heades to be smyten of and so shall you be beloued of Charlemayne and hated of god and of all men ANd whan the olde Aymon vnderstode Reynawde thê° speke he knewe well he sayde trouth and began to fyght sore at his herte and then he sayd to hys chyldren Myschaunt your lidernes slouth hath ouercome you Ye were neuer my childerne For yf ye were such as meÌ„ wene ye should not haue suffred the great pouertie that ye haue endured so longe But ye should haue gone win vpoÌ„ your enemies for to maintein your self honestly make good warre to Charlemayne through all hys lande But ye are become myschaunt therfore I tell you that ye get nothyng of me Now theÌ„ voyde out soone of my Palayce and goe begge where ye wil at a nother place Syr sayd Reynawde ye say that an euyll and an vnkynde father ought to saye For I tell you for very certayne that we haue slayne so manye theues and brygauntes that I can not numbre them wherof I fele my selfe in great synne But for god we requyre you that ye wyll helpe vs to recouer our laÌ„des of Charlemayn and yf ye wyll not doo so gyue to vs of your godes and we shall goe ferre from you I wyll not sayd Aymon Father sayd Reynawde here I se well your euyll wyll I and my brethern haue doone so muche that we ben comen into your place that we should fare the better for it but I see wel ye wyll cast vs therfro with great afraye And I swere to you by the
vpon the othe that ye haue made to me that ye will counseyll me truelye howe I shall be ruled in thys matter and howe I myghte haue thys Castell of Mountawban whan the kinge had thus spoken there was none so hardye that euer durste saye one worde but onely the Duke Naymes of Bauier the prâ—e and wyse knyght Syr said the Duke Naymes ye aske counsell for to besyege Mountawban but no manne that hathe any reason in his heade oughte not to counseyll you the same for whye the daunger is there greate because that Guynard the lorde of Berne knoweth of it and so dooth Godfray the Lorde of Poycy that are good knightes and sore dread for theyr worthynes and also the kinge yon that is at tholouse the whiche shall come all to helpe and succour Reinawd by cause they be of his aliauÌ„ce and also they know that he is one of the best knyghtes of the worlde And they knowe well also that Reynawd gyueth to vs muche to doone and so I tell you if they see themselfe togyther they shal giue you ynoughe to doo and shall maye beare to you a great dommage But and ye wil haue good counseyll and beleue me I shal gyue it to you truelye Syr sende worde to kynge yon that he withdraw not nor keep your enmyes within hys londe but that he yeeld them in to youre handes for to doo with them youre pleasure and your commaundemente And yf he wyll not doo so ye shall destroye all his londe and no mercy ye shall haue vpon him Naymes saide the kynge nowe gyue you me good counseyll and I wyll that ye haue saide be doone incontynente Than the kyng made come an Heraude of hys and sayde to hym Nowe goe lyghtlye to Tholouse and tell kynge yon on my behaulfe that I am entred in to Gascoyne accompanyed of the twelue peeres of Fraunce with an hundred thousand fyghting menne and with Rowlande and Olyuer and telle hym that by saynt Denys of fraunce yf he yeelde me not my enmyes that been the foure sonnes of Aymon that I shall waste and destroye all hys londe nor to hym shall abyde nother cytie nor Castell but it shal be ouer throwen to the earth And yf I canne take hym I shall take from him hys crowne so shall he be called kynge ouerthrowen Syr sayde the Heraude your commaundement I shall doo without varying of one word euen as your good grace pleaseth to commaunde me and thus departed the Heraude from the hoste of Charlemayne and tooke hys way towarde Tholouse there he founde the king yon of Gascoyn in his pallays with a right fayre company assone that he saw the king he knew hym well so made he than to hym the reuerence and said to him in the Emperours behalfe the thing worde by worde wherof he was sent there ANd whan the kyng yon vnderstoode the Heraude that spake so he bowed hys head towarde the earthe and began to thinke a longe while and said not a word And whaÌ„ he had thus longe mused ynoughe he said to the messaÌ„ger Good freend ye muste cary heere a seuen nyght I praye you and than I shall tell you my wyl and what I purpose to doo Syr saide the Heraude I shall abyde with a good will sith that it please you Than wente the king yon in to hys chambre and eyght earles with him and coÌ„maunded that the doores should be well sheete and than they set theim all vpon a benche And whan they were al set the kyng yon tooke the worde and said in this maner Lordes I beseche and require vpon the faith that ye owe to me that ye geue me good counseyll to the honoure of me not at my will but by reason Nowe wit it that the kynge Charlemain is entred within my loÌ„d with the tuelue peeres of Fraunce and Rowlande and Oliuer with an hundred thousande men And he sendeth to me word but if I deliuer vnto him the four sonnes of Aimon he shall not leaue me nother citie nor towne but he shal cast all to chearth and shal take the crown fro my head and so shal I becalled a kinge ouerthrowen My father helde neuer nothing of him and no more shal I it is better to die with great worship than to liue in great shame THan whan the king you had thus spoken there rose vp a knight named Godfraye that was neuew to king yon and sayd to him sir I merueyll me that ye aske counseyll for to betray suche knightes as ben the foure sonnes of Aimon Reinawde is your man and your carnall freend ye know what good he hathâ— doone to you and to your londe It is not longe a goe that he dyscomfited Marcyl the puysaunt Sarasin and chased him well foure mile and smot of his heade and presented it to you and ye haue promysed and sworne to him that ye shal defend and keep him him ayenst all menne Mine vncle if ye thynke to faylle him and wil not holde that ye haue promised to him let him and his bretherne goe out of your londe in to some other countrie to seeke theyr aduenture And hapely they shall serue some lorde that shal doo to them more good then ye wyll doo and also I praye you my deare lord and vncle as much as I caÌ„ that ye wil doo nothing that turneth you to blame nor to dyshonour nor that can be caste by maner of reproche toward your freendes Than spake the olde earle of Ansom and said Sir ye wil that we giue you counseill yf ye wil doo that we shal counseil you ye shal doo wel for your selfe Now say on hardely said the king that semeth you best to be doo for I wyll doo as ye shall counseyll me Syr sayde the earle ye haue wel heard saye and so it was trouth that Benes slew the earle Lohier wherfore Charlemaine sente for him and made hys head to be smyten of at Parys and at that time Reinawd and his brethern were verye yonge and of them was none mencyon made And afterwarde whan they were great the kyng wold amende it to them For the thynge toucheth them but they had the hert so fell that they wolde take none amendes and lasted theyr hate longe wherof euer syth hathe come greate harmes and euylles For Reynawde slewe Berthelot the neuewe of the king with a chesse borde sir I know not why I shoulde hyde anye thynge fro your knowledge ye knowe well that Charlemaine is so myghtye a kyng that he neuer vndertooke wanâ— but he came to his aboue of it Wherfore I doo geue you counseyll that ye yeelde Reinawde and hys brethern and Mawgis to the kynge Charlemayne and thus shall ye be delyuered of a greate thoughte and of a greate daunger And after thys spake the erle of Mobandes and sayde syr yf ye wil doo this that the erle of Ansom counseilleth you yee and we shall be traytours For Reynawd is your man and so muche ye haue
ye will goe hang that whoreson Richard sir sayd Escoufe ye wot well that more Oedon holdeth all the londe that ye speake of and I had neuer nothynge therof but I am felaw with Rowlande in armes And whan I shal be lorde of that lond that my father holdeth in his hand I shal fulfyll youre commaundement by saint Denis of Fraunce ye must goe see that he be hāged said Charlemain and I shal make you lorde of mo londes Syr sayd Estorfawd is it earnest that ye speake yea saide Charlemayne By my head sir saide Estorfawde ye wolde not be with me for to see Richard hāge for halfe of your realm Whan the kinge heard that he was thus repreued he tooke a staffe and cast it after Estorfawd but Estorfawd stert from his place and the staffe brake in peeces ayenst a post And whan the .xii. peeres saw that they went all oute of the pauyllyon of Charlemayne and whā that Charlemain returned him and saw that none of all the .xii. peeres wolde abyde there with him Than he saide to the duke Naymes where be my .xii. peeres gone sir said duke Naymes they ben all gone out of your pauillion and not without a cause for it becometh not to suche a noble kinge as ye be to smyte his barons for ye should be sore blamed THan whan Charlemayn saw this he called to him Richard of montrolonde saide to hym come foorthe Rycharde of montrolonde heare what I shal tell you ye knowe well that ye be one of theym that I loue best in this worlde but ye must doo one thinge at my request It is that ye wyll goe hange Richarde the sonne of Aimon at the gybet of moūtfawcon Than Richarde of montrolonde answered Syr I shall doo so with a good wyl for I am your man and so I ought not to refuse your cōmaundemente but by my soule syr Emperour yf ye will that I goe hange Richarde ye shall come with me with a thousand knightes well armed and I shall hange hym where soeuer to please you And if Reinawd and hys bretherne come there for to rescue I shall ieoparde mine owne body for to saue youres Nowe see to yf ye will doo this or no for none othewise wil I not goe there one foote Goe from me glotton saide Charlemain gods curse haue thou THe kinge than called to hym the duke Naymes and sayde to him What counseill gyue you syr syr sayd the duke Naimes good if ye wyll beleue me sir ye wot that Reynawde his bretherne and Mawgis are the best knightes of Fraunce as euery man knoweth well this warre hath lasted ryght longe For it is wel xvi yeres that it began fyrst and many a noble knight hathe be slayne for the same if it please you ye shall send worde to Reinawde Alarde Guychard and Mawgys that they wyl become your men and ye shall delyuer agayne vnto them theyr brother Rycharde alyue and that ye wyl doo make Reinawde and Alarde of the xii peeres of Fraunce And whan Reinawd his brethern shal se that ye haue doone to theym so great worshyp they shall serue you with good herte and so that ye shall con them greate thanke for it and I ensure you ye shal be the more dredde and more redoubted for cause of theym and yf ye haue once the foure bretherne and Mawgis theyr cosyn to youre freendes there shall be no prynce in all christendom so hardy that dare moue watre ayenst you and I promise you syr that the more that ye keepe thys warre ayenst them the more shall ye lose therby and moreouer they be all of our house by theyr father Aymon this know ye wel and thefore I can not hate them by no wyse Naymes sayd Charlemaine I will not doo so for they all haue doone amys ayenst me and so shall I doo hange Richard by the faithe of my bodye syr sayde the duke Naymes ye shall not doo so and god wyll for he is of greate lygnage of our lignage for we shoulde neuer maye suffre it nor endure and ye also shoulde be blamed ful sore for it But and ye wyl make hym dye I shall gyue you better counseyll Tell me howe sayd Charlemayn I shall doo it yf it semeth me good Syr sayde the duke Naymes syth it please you that Richarde shall dye let him be cast into a deep prison vnder the earthe and make him to be kepte surely therin that he scape not awaye and commaund that no meat at all be broughte vnto him and so shall he dye for hungre And ye shall not be blamed if ye doo so Naymes sayde the Emperour Charlemayne ye doo Iape with me I knowe it wel whan ye doo tell me this ye knowe well that Mawgis is to great a nigromancer For I should neuer may keepe Richarde in pryson but that Mawgis wolde haue hym out thorough his craft and therfore I wyll not doo as ye say Than came Ogier the dane and said to the duke Naymes ye make to longe a sermon let the kinge doo with it as it pleaseth him For the more that ye praye him the worse shall he doo but he shall make peace whan he see that he can none otherwise doo But this daye shal be seen who loueth richard And whā Ogier had said this he went oute of the pauillion and Escoufe with him and Richarde of Normandy the byshop Turpin and Guidellon of Bauyere and made theyr folke to be armed whan they were armed they were well .xii. thousande men And than Ogier began to crie with a hie voice Now shal it be seen who shal be so hardy for to leade Richarde the sonne of Aimon to hāgyng For such shall bring him that neuer shal come againe but he be headles and Ogier went in to the pauyllyon where richarde was that was bound both handes and feet and was blindfeld And whan Ogyer sawe rycharde that was thus arayed he had of hym greate pytie so went he to him to haue deliuered him but he aduysed himselfe and sayd that he should not doo it but he wolde tary for to see an ende of it what the kynge should doo therof And whan rycharde hearde Ogier speake he called to hym and said in the presēce of the duke Naimes and of rycharde of Normandye of Guydellon of Bauyere and of the byshoppe Turpyn and of rowlande that than happed to com thete Faire lordes I knowe well that yf it were at youre pleasure ye wolde let me goe quyce and all ynoughe ye haue trauaylled youre selfe for me wherof I thanke you right much but syth that I must needes be brought vnto the galous it is better that I poore vnhappy die alone than that ye should haue anie harme for my sake wherfore looke that ye lose not the good grace of Charlemayne and I praye you that ye will goe vnto hym and telle him that he doo his wyll vpon me for I haue leuer die shortly than to liue longe in
his swerde and girded about him and then after he weÌ„t to Rowland and tooke from him durandal his good swerde and after he tooke Hauteclere from Oliuer and Cortyn from Ogier And after thys he went to the coffres and tooke there out all the treasour of Charlemayne and went with all this streyght to Mountawban And whan Mawgis had taken all this he tooke an herbe and rubbed Charlemaynes nose and his lippes with it and vnhosed hym and after he shoued him wyth the fynger and sayde to hym awake sir emperoure I promysed you yester night that I should not goe wythout I should take my leue of you farewell I goe now And whan he had sayde this he went out of the pauilion and set him to the way towarde Mountawban And whan Charlemayne vnderstoode that Mawgys had said to him he rose vpon hys feete so wrothe that menne could be no more and called vpon hys twelue peeres that he coulde not awake And whan he sawe that he bethought hymselfe an herbe that he had broughte wyth hym from beyonde the greate sea and tooke it and rubbed withall the nose the mouth and the eien of Rowlande and in like wise to all the other .xii. peeres of FrauÌ„ce and incoÌ„tinent they were awaked and rose vpon their feete sore abashed whaÌ„ they were all awaked they beganne to looke the one vpon the other And the first that began to speke was the duke Naymes that sayde to the king where is mawgies By my soule sayd Charlemayne ye shall delyuer him me agayne for ye haue let hym goe wilfully For yf ye wolde haue suffred me to haue hanged him yesterday I had be otherwyse ryd of hym Rowlande said Olyuer sawe ye him goe hens Naye by saynt Denys said Rowland I saw him wel goe saide Charlemaine Syr said Rowland ye ought thenne to haue tolde vs of it for he shoulde not haue escaped so And in saying this Rowland loketh at his side and he sawe not durandal his swerde wherof he did cast a great sighe And than Charlemayne sayde to him Neuew where is your swerd by my head I know well that the theef Mawgis hath be wytched vs. For none of vs hath his swerde and also he hath my hosen with him Nowe hath he well mocked vs. ANd whan the .xii. peeres of fraunce saw that thei had lost al their good swerds they were right sory for it more than any man canne saye And after Rowland sayde by my faythe Mawgis hath wonne a great gayne whan he bereth away thus our swerdes for they ben more worthe thaÌ„ is all Paris And whan Charlemayne perceyued that his cofers were open he went anon looked in he was sore an angred whaÌ„ he founde not his Crowne nor the best parte of hys treasoure wherof he made great sorow and after sayd Ha false theefe Mawgis full litle I haue goten of thee of thy takynge And who than had seen the sorowe that the .xii. peeres of Fraunce made wolde haue had no luste to lawghe ⧠Nowe shall we tell you a lytell of Mawgys that wente as fast as euer he coulde towarde Mountawban and he came to passe ouer the water of BalaÌ„con at that place where Reinawde was full heauy and full of sorowe by cause he knew no tydinges of Mawgys but whan Mawgys had passed ouer the water bayarde smelled hym and begane to crye and came toward Mawgys wolde Reinawde or no. And whan Mawgys sawe Reinawde he knewe hym well and saide to him lawghinge Knighte what be ye that rideth at this time of night and Reinawd said to him ye know wel I am your cosin Reinawd the sonne of Aimon thâ—n he lighted from bayard and came to Mawgis and kyssed him by greate loue many times and than sayde to hym Fayre cosin thanked be our lord that I see you delyuered from the haÌ„des of Charlemaine By my faythe saide Mawgis ye forgate me well behinde Cosyn saide Reynawd by my soule I coulde not doe therto For I haue be heere syth yester day euyn And I promyse you that I was delibered for to haue succoured you or elles to haue dyed with you My cosin sayde Mawgys I thanke you ligâ—t vpon your horse and lette vs goe to Mountawban Whan Reynawde was vpon his horse againe he sayd to Mawgis My cosâ—n what is that ye haue laden Cosyn sayd Mawis it is the crowne of Charlemayne his swerde Ioyous durandall the swerde of Rowlande and the swerdes of al the .xii. peeres of FrauÌ„ce Cosyn said Reinawde ye haue wroughte well god gramercye but of the swerde of Ogyer me displeaseth Cosyn sayde Mawgis I haue doon it all wilfully to the end that the king should marke therby none euil and that he were not a peched of treason And than he shewed him al the cause and the maner that Charlemayn had holde him Cosin saide Reynawde ye did ryghte well And whan he had sayde thys they went on their waye towarde Mountawban and they mette in their waye Alarde Guicharde and the lytil Richarde that came ridinge makinge greate mone for doubte of Reinawde And whan Reinawde sawe theim come he saide to them whether goe you my fayre brethern Sir saide they we went seekinge after you ye haue founde me said Reinawde and I haue founde our cosin Mawgis And whaÌ„ they vnderstood this tydinges they were righte gladde and thanked oure lorde of it And after Alarde saide to Mawgis Faire cosin where became ye that ye came not with vs again Alard said Mawgys whan Richarde was entred within the pauillion of Charlemain and had take the egle of golde I taried in the pauillion for to slea Charlemaine and it lacked but litill that I slewe him and whan I trowed to haue comen after you I founde a greate rowte of knightes that arested me and so I defended me of all my power And than came Oliuer of Vyenne that ouerthrewe me downe and I yeelded me to him for his prisoner the whiche deliuered me to Charlemayne that wolde haue made me to be hanged shamefullye but lorde I thanke you I haue doon so muche that I am escaped Cosin said Alarde it is well happed to you whan thei had deuised longe ynough they went to Mountawban where they made greate feast whan they were come there it is not to be asked if the good lady clare was wel glad For incootinente she did to be made ready diuerse meates for the diner whan they hadde eaten they went to rest for they were wery and specially Reynawde and Mawgis wold faine haue slept And the nexte daie they went to heare their Masse at the chirche of Mountawban and whan the masse was doone Reinawde called Mawgis his cosin and his bretherne and saide to them Lordes shewe me the bothie that ye gate yesterdaie Sir saide Richarde gladlie sith that it please you And than he tooke the egle that was of golde massi and of precious stones and gaue it to Reinawde And whan Reinawde saw
you that the poore folke died for hungre by the streetes and with this was so great stenche in Mountawban of the dead that were there that no man coulde endure it And whan Reynawd saw this he was sorye for it and than he dyd doo make greate charnell wher in he made all the deade bodyes to be buryed And whan Richarde sawe so greate mortalitie within the castel of Mountawban throughe cause of the great dearth that was there and saw his brother Reinawd in so great distresse he could not forbeare but he saied to him by god my brother nowe goeth it worse then euer it dyd it had be muche better if ye hadde beleued me for yf ye wolde haue suffred me to slea the kynge Charlemayne we shoulde nowe not haue be in thys myscheef and great pouertie that we haue nowe nor your folke hadde not dyed for hungre as they doo and thaÌ„ he began to weep tenderly and sayde Alas why doo I complayne other I myght well complayne my selfe sithe that I must dye and be put in to the charnell as the poorest of vs all Ha Mawgis my fayre cosyn where be ye now ye faile vs at oure need for and ye were here within with vs we shoulde not be famyshed for hungre and also we should not doubte muche the kinge Charlemaine for I wot well that ye should get vs vitaylles ynough to lyue vpon for vs and our men and now we muste dye for hungre as the wulf should vpon a sea for Charlemaine hateth vs more than he dooth the sarasyns And therfore it is not for vs to wayte after pitie of him for he is ouer cruell a king vpon vs. CHarlemayne by the reporte of some folke knew the great det the scarslie of vitailles that was within MouÌ„tawbaÌ„ wherof he was right glad called to him his folke and said to them Lordes now can not Reinawd escape but he shal soon be taken hanged the false Richard drawen at an horse tayle Alarde Guichard also and theyr worthines shall be litill worthe to them And whan the kinge Charlemaine had sayde these wordes he sent for all his peeres barons and whan they were al come within his pauillion he was glad of it and sayd to them Lordes thanked be god that I haue brought mountawban so low that Reinawde and hys knyghtes haue no more vitailles in it and now they shal yeeld them selfe at my wyll mawgre their teeth for the moste parte of their folkes ben deade for hungre and yet dien dayly and ye must wyt I wyl that Reynawde be hanged his brethern also but first I wil that Rychard be drawen at an horse tayl And so I charg you that none of you be so hardye to moue my wyll to the contrary for I will that it be doone as I saye whan the duke Naimes Rowland Oliuer Ogier the bishop Turpin escouf the sonne of Oedon that were there heard the king speke thus they were righte sorye for the loue of Reinawd of his brethern looked down said no word at all for feare that they should be shent of the king Ogier with great payne kept his eyen fro weepinge lest Charlemaine should not perceiue his sorowful hert HEere ye ought to wit that duringe the time that Charlemain laye at the siege afore Mountawban persecuting the four sonnes of AimoÌ„ Reinawd Alard Guychard and Richarde Aymon their father helde the party of the king ayenst his children for he had promised him to doo so as ye haue heard about but wit it that whan he heard howe the emperoure thretened his children how be it that he had forsaken them he was wrothe for it for he knew we if his children died so he should neuer haue ioy after that for whatsoeuer warre he made ayenst them he loued them kindli as the father ought loue his childe for nature may not lie therfore he took so great sorow whaÌ„ he heard of hys sonnes that they were thretned to be hanged that he almost fel down dead to the ground of the great sorow that he had could not keep himselfe but he said Sir emperour I besech you that it wil please you to bryng my childreÌ„ to right for though I haue forsaken them yet are they my sonnes of my body begotten Hold your peace Aymon said Charlemain for I wil that it be so doone of theÌ„ for Reinawd did slea my neuew barthelor that I loued so much And after he turned him self saw the barons that spake th one to thother said to them Lordes loue your musing for I tel you for a trouthe that I shal not leaue to doo herin my wil for no maÌ„ that speaketh ye wot wel it is iii. yere gon sith we besieged this castel first and euer sith haue leien here where we haue lost many of oure foâ—ke wherfore I coÌ„maund you that either of you doo make engynes for to brynge downe this great towre all the remnaunt also for with such maner we shal abash them greatlye and ye my neuew Rowland ye shall doo make of the engines .vii. and Oliuer shal doo make vi the duke Naimes iiii the bishop Turpin and Ogier the dane other .iiii. and ye duke Aimon said the king Charlemain ye shal make three HOwe shoulde I nowe doo this good lord said thaÌ„ Aimon for sir Emperour ye know wel that they be my children nother truantes nor knaues but be the best knyghtes of the world so I tel you sir that if I saw theim die I shoulde for goe my wittes for angre And whan Charlemaine heard Aimon speake thus he was wroth and began to gnaw on a stafe that he held in his hand and after said By that god that made me if there be ani of you that gainsaith my wil I shall strike of his heade with my swerde Sir saide the duâ—e Naymes angre not your selfe For that that ye haue coÌ„maunded shal be doone incontinent whan the barons vnderstood the coÌ„maundemente of Charlemain they went their way for to make the engines that the king had commauÌ„ded the whiche were anon made ready these engines were for to cast greate multitude of stones And as soon that they were made they were set for to cast ayen mouÌ„tawbaÌ„ in short time they doÌ„maged it ful sore so I promise you that within the castel were made greate crying of women and of children for feare of the stones they went and hid them vnder the ground and so thei of Mountawban endured this mischef as longe as they had any morsell of meat And I ensure you that there was so great derth and so great mortalitie the men wist nomore where to laye the deade For the charnell was al full Alas who had seen so yong bachelers that for feintnes went leninge vpon their staues thorough MouÌ„tawbaÌ„ for lacke of meat he wolde haue had great pitie For afore that the castel was besieged they were so stronge and
him to mouÌ„tawban wherof kyng Charlemayne was greatly wrothe And also sheweth how mawgis brought king Charlemayne in to the castel of Mountawban vpon bayarde all a slepe And after tooke him to Reinawd within his bed And after went and arrayed hym selfe in maner of an Hermyte poorely clothed And lefte all his kinnesmen and freendes bycause that he wolde not let the peace of Reynawde toward the kynge Charlemayne For the war had lasted to longe fol. cxiii THe .xviii. chapytre sheweth how after that Mawgys had taken Charlemaine in to the handes of Reinawde his good cosin he went with out leaue in to a woode nyghe the ryuer of Dordon in to a hermitage where he dyd dwelle as an Hermyte lyuinge poorely for to saue his soule fol. cxvi THe .xix. chapitre sheweth howe the barons of Fraunce that were at Mountawban made great sorowe by cause that they myghte not awake the kynge Charlemayne that Mawgys by his crafte had made to slepe and broughte vnto Mountawban But whan the houre of the enchauntmente of Mawgys was passed kyng Charlemayn awaked And whan he saw himselfe in Mountawban he sware that he shoulde neuer make peace wyth Reynawde as longe as that he were prysoner And so Reynawde dyd sende him againe vpon his horse bayard free and quite wherof he repented him sore afterwarde For soone after this kyng Charlemayn made Mountawban to be besyeged of so nyghe that he famyshed Reynawd and his bretherne his wife and his children and all the people so that they dyed for hungre and thirst the most parte fol. cxvii THe .xx. chapitre speaketh how after that Charlemaine had besyeged Mountawban of so nyghe that he dyd famysh all them that were wythin knewe howe Reynawd was gone and had habandonned Mountawban and was gone his waye he and his bretherne hys wyfe and hys chylderne by vnder the erthe and were gone to Ardeyne where kynge Charlemayne went and besyeged theÌ„ agayne But afore that he dyd set hys syege Reynawde and hys bretherne yssued oute ayenst hym whereby manye one loste their lyfe of the one partie and of the other And the duke Richarde of Normandye was taken there which was one of the Douse peres of Fraunce and a ryghte noble and a worthy knyght preu and hardy wherfore kynge Charlemaine was righte sorye fol. cxxix THe .xxi. chapitre sheweth how Mawgys beynge in his hermytage came in his mynde a vysyon that he hadde by nyghte in his slepe for to goe see Reynawde and his bretherne Than in the mornynge he tooke hys waye and founde two marchauntes the whiche had be robbed by seuen theeues in a wood Of the whiche seuen theues Mawgys slewe fiue of theym with his palster and tooke again to the marchauntes theyr marchaundyses and all theyr hauoyre And than he went forth his waye toward Mountawban for to see his cosyns and his brethern fol. cxxxiiii THe .xxii. Chapiter sheweth how Reynawde wolde haue doon hange Richard the duke of Normandye by cause he myghte not haue peace with the kinge Charlemayne And howe whan the Douse peeres of Fraunce knewe this they came to kyng Charlemayne and prayed him to make peace with Reynawde for to haue againe theyr felawe the duke Rycharde of Normandye to the whiche thynge kynge Charlemayne answered that he would not doo it wherof they were so sore an angred that they left him but kynge Charlemain dyd sende after theym and sent theym worde that they shoulde returne agayne to hym and that he shoulde make peace with Reynawde vnder this condicyon that Reinawd should goe beyonde the sea beggynge his breade fol. cxxxvii THe .xxiii. Chapytre sheweth howe after that Reynawde was departed from Ardeyne for to make his vyage beyonde the sea poorely clothed as a pylgrym seekynge hys breade for goddes sake Rycharde of Normandye tooke Bayarde and brought with him Alard Guychard and Rycharde bretherne to Reynawd and presented them to Charlemayneâ— the whiche he receyued ryghte honourablye by good loue and after brake his syege and departed for to goe to Parys But whan he was in the citye of Lyege vpon the brydge ouer the ryuer of Mewse he made Bayard to be cast into the water with a mille stone at the necke of hym but bayarde the horse escaped and is yet a lyue in the forest of Ardeyne as men sayen Fol. Cxiiiii THe .xxiiii. Chapytre sheweth howe that after Reynawde was departed from Ardeyne from hys bretherne from his wise and fro hys chyldrene for to goe beyonde the sea for to accomplyshe hys voyage 〈◊〉 to the holy graue he found in ConstaÌ„tynople his cosyn Mawgis and went both togither vnto afore Iherusalem that a kynge sarasyn whiche was admyral of percie had taken by treason but Reynawde and Mawgis dyd so much wyth the folke of the lond that the cyrye was take agayne of the christen fol. cxivi THe .xxv. Chapytre sheweth how that after Reynawde was come agayne from the holy londe where he had doone merueyles he sent Aimonet and Yoâ—net hys two sonnes to kynge Charlemaine muche honourably for to be made knightes of hys hande For he taughte theym well in armes in all good maners and tooke to them fyue hundred good men well horsed for to conduyte them towardâ— the kyng at Parys fol. Civii THe .xxvi. Chhapytre sheweth how after that kyng Charlemayne had muche swetely receyued the chylden of Reynawde and made them knightes they fought wyth the sonnes of Foulques of Moryllon and discomfited them in the feeld at Parys whyche is called the ysle of our ladi Bicause that they had charged theyr father of treason bycause he had slaine theyr father Foulques of moryllon in the playnes of Valcolours Fol. Clviii THe .xxvii. chapitre conteineth how that after Reynawde was gone fro Mountawban in maner of a pilgrime neuer to haue returned agayne after that he had dealed his goodes to his children his brethern and his sonne Aymoner made great sorow whan they wyst that he was gone wythout theyr knowledge all barefote with a palster in his hande Folio Clxviii THe .xxviii. chapitre sheweth how after that Reynawde was departed fro MountawbaÌ„ for to saue his soule he went to Colcinâ— vpon the Rine and founde that men builded the churche of saynt Peter And there came to hym a wyll and a deuocyon for to serue the masons that wrought there for the loue that he had to our lorde But at the laste the other labourers had so great enuy at hym of that he was more loued than they were of all the maysters for the good seruice that he dyd that they slew hym and after they put hym in a sacke caste hym into the water of the Ryue but by the wil of our lord his corps appered aboue the water makyng so many fayre myracles healyng of all sykenesses so that he was named a saynte the day of hys buryenge Fol. Clxix ¶ Here finyssheth the table and consequentely foloweth the booke heere after Howe duke Aimon of Ardein brought to
the courte his foure sonnes that is to wit Reynawde Alarde Guichard and Richarde and howe kynge Charlemayne made theim knyghtes wyth his owne handes also howe the duke Benes of Aigremounte slewe Lohier the eldest sonne of kynge Charlemain the duke benes was vncle to the foure soÌ„nes of Aimon and after how the duke Benes of aygremount was slaine coming to Paris by the commaundemente of kinge Charlemayn after that he had appointed for the death of his sonne And also in this first chapitre men shal now see many other faire matters which were to longe for to be reherced in the preamble of this present booke TRuelye we finde in the gestes faites of the good kynge Charlemayne that vpoÌ„ a time at a feast of Penthecoste the sayde kyng Charlemayne kept a ryght great and solempne court at Parys after that he was come againe fro the partyes of Lombardy where he had had a ryght great and meruaylous batayle ayenst the Sarasyns and suche folke as were oute of the beleue wherof the cheef of the sayde Sarasins was named Guithelym the sesne The whiche the said kynge Charlemayne by hys prowesse and valyauntnes had dyscomfyted ouercomen At the which battaylle and dyscomfyture dyed greate noblenesses of kinges princes Dukes Erles barons knyghtes and squyers As Salamon of bretayne Huon erle of Mauns syr yues syr yuoyre berenger and Haton syr Arnaulde of Beaulande syr walleraunte of Bollon and many valyaunte knyghtes The House peres of Fraunce were come there and many Almaynes and Englyshemenne Normans Poeteuyns Lombardes and Barnyers And amonge other Dukes princes was come thyther The good and worthye duke Aymes of Ardeyne And in his felawshyp his foure fayre sonnes that is to wyt Reâ—nawde Alarde Guycharde and Rycharde that were wonderfull fayre wytty great mightye and valyaunte specyally Reynawde whiche was the greatest and the tallest manne that was founde at that tyme in al the worlde For he had xvi feete of length and more Than at this assemble and feast stood the sayd kynge Charlemayne on his feete amonge his prynces and barons sayinge in this wyse barons my bretheren and freendes ye knowe howe I haue conquested and gotten so manye greate londes by youre helpe and succours So many of the Sarasins and misbeleuers brought to death in my subieccion how but late agoe ye haue seene by the paynni Guerelym whiche I haue dyscomfyted ouercomen and reduced to the christen faith Notwithstandynge we haue loste there ryghte greate cheualry and noblenesse And for faute of many of oure vassaylles and subiectes that to vs dayneth not to come howe be it that we had sent for theym as the Duke Rycharde of Roussellon the duke Dron of Nantuell and the duke Benes of Aygremounte that been all three bretherne Germayne Wherof vnto you I complayne me and tell you that yf it were not syr Salamon that worthylye came to succoure vs with .xxx. thousande fygheynge menne and syr Lambreyght bernyer and syr Geffraye of Bourdelle with walleraunce of Bullon that bare our baner we were alle dyscomfyted and lost as ye all knowe wel and this by the defaut of the said three bretherene that dayned neuer to come to our sendynge nor obey and aboue all the duke Benes of Aygremounte All be it that they be all oure lyege menne that euer owen to me seruyce and fydelytie Now I shal sende hym worde that he come to serue me at this nexte somer with all his power And in case that he shall be refusynge to obeye oure commaundementes by saynt denys of fraunce I shall sende for al my freendes and subiectes and I shall goe besyege him at Aygremounte And yf we can haue him I shall make him to be shamefully hanged and his sonne Mawgis to be slaine all quycke and shall do brenne his vncourteous wyfe And I shall sert all his londes in fyre Than the good Duke Naymes of Bauyere rose vp dyligently and said to kynge Charlemayne in this wyse Syr me semeth that ye ought not to angre your selfe so sore And yf ye will beleue my counsell ye shal sende a messanger to the duke of Aygremount which messanger shal be wel and honourably accompanied And he muste be sage and prudent for to shewe wel to the Duke of Aygremounte all that ye shal charge hym And after whan ye shall know hys answere and his wyll ye shall than aduyse you what ye oughte for to doo In good fayth sayde the kyng ye counseylle me ryght well and wiselye Than thoughte Charlemayne what message he myght sende to him And than he sayde all hyghe afore them all complayninge himselfe who shall be he that shall doo thys message And for doubte of deathe shall not leue nothynge vnsayd of hys message to the duke benes but there was none of them all that oughte answered For manye of theim were of Sybbe to hym As the duke Aymon of Ardeyne that was his brother Germayne Thus were the foure brethern of one father and of one mother Than was kynge Charlemayne ryghte wrothe and angrye And sware by saynte denys that the Duke benes shoulde be wasted and destroyed And no manne shoulde be in the worlde that shoulde keep him therfro Than he called high his eldest sonne Lohier saying in this maner ye must doo this message my dere sonne and lede with you for your conduyt and suretye an hundred knightes armed and honourably arayed And ye shall saye to the Duke benes of Aygremounte that yf he come not for to serue vs thys somer aboute saynte Iohans daye nexte comynge as I haue saide afore that I shall besyege Aygremounte shall dystroye all his lande and he and his I shal doo hange or slea al quycke and his wyfe to be brente Syr sayd Lohier al at your pleasure I shal doo And wit that it shall not be taryed for feare of death but that I shal tell him al a longe all that ye haue charged me of And I shall depart to morow in the mornyng by the grace of God Than should you haue sene the king weepe of pitie for his sonne Lohier For he repented him that he had charged him for to doo this message but syn that he had so sayd he must doo it And the morne was come Lohier his noble company made them redy and after lept on horsbacke and came afore the kyng Than sayd Lohier to the king his father Syr here I am redye and all my folke for to fulfyll your wyll Fayre sonne sayd Charlemayne I recoÌ„mend thee vnto god that on the crosse suffred death and passion and hym I beseche to kepe and waraunt thee al thy felawshyp from euyl from any combraunce than departed Lohier and his company wherof after warde the kynge made great lamentacyon for his sonne Lohier and not wyth out a cause For he shal neuer see hiÌ„ quicke agayne as ye shal vnderstaÌ„d yf ye wyll kerken it Now go the geÌ„till messangers streyght to warde Aygremount sore
serued me therof Nowe haue we two good horses to whome we may trust well vpon now lyght at once vpon hym sayd Reynawde and whan Richarde vnderstode the commaundement of his brother he lighted lightly vpoÌ„ the horse tooke his owne for to kepe to a good knyght ANd whan Reynawde came agayne to the bataile he saw yet his father and whan he saw him he was right sori for it so that he lost almost his wit for the same and cam sayd to hiÌ„ by a maner of reproche by my fayth father ye are greatly to blame ye myght well kepe your selfe that ye come not so often to se vs for to doo vs harme We wyll shew to you that ye be our father Not good but euyll For ye shewe to vs harde freendshyp and a soure loue at chryst masse and at Easter men ought to go vysyte and se his good freend for to feast hym and to doo hym good eate wyth him whan the dyner was redi but this ye doo not For ye com to see vs in a hote warre with the poynt of the swerdeye there vs it is no loue of a natural father but it is rygour of a stepfather thaÌ„ answered the duke Aymon I wyl that ye kepe your selfe well For it Charlemayne can take you all the worlde shall not kepe you but that he wyll flea haÌ„g you or otherwise make you to dy a shamefull death father sayde Reynawde let the alone come helpe vs so shall the kyng be dyscomfyted go forth gloton gods curse haue that sayd Aymon to his sonne Reynawde for I am to olde for to doo treason Father sayd Reynawde litle ye loue vs I se it wel but kepe your self wel for I shall shewe you whether that I can doo any thyng wyth the spere of the swerde whan he had that sayd he spurred Bayarde went smote a squyer that was called Gniuer so that he ouerthrew him dead froÌ„ his horse to the ground Whan Charlemayne saw his squier dead he spurred hys courser wyth an angry there had in his hande a staffe of yron for he wolde parte the batayle a sonder by cause he saw well that hys folke had that worse that they myght resyste agaynst the great strokes of Reynawde in no wyse for it was meruaylous for to see the great faytes of armes that he made there for he ouerthrew downe dead both horses and men by great strength CHarlemayne is commen to the Frenche meÌ„ and commaunded them for to withdraw them self for it was tyme for to departe fro the batayle as they wolde haue gone a way came therethrough batayle Berarde the bourgoyner smote Symon of Bremoys so fyersly that he fell downe dead to the ground whaÌ„ the foure sonnes of Aymon saw Simon dead they were right sorye for hym and spurred theyr horses wyth the spurres came at that syde and brake the prese for to venge SimoÌ„s death wyt it whaÌ„ Reynawde was come there it was knoweÌ„ right wel for he with his swerd brought to death wel three hundred knightes of the best men that kynge Charlemayne had in his company Whereof the king was right sori sore an angred this hanging Alarde weÌ„t through the prese so came he Iousted agaynst the erle EstaÌ„pes his sheelde he letted not but he shoued his spere through the body of him and thus was by hym slayne the sayd erle whan that Reynawde saw that stroke he came to Alarde his brother kissed him vpon his helme bowed himselfe toward him and said faire brother blessed be the woÌ„be that bare thee for ye haue auenged vs of the greatest foe that we had And whan he had said this word he made his trompettes to be bloweÌ„ for to call his men together WHan the Emperour Charlemayne sawe this greate domage that the foure sonnes of Aymon dyd to hym he cryed wyth a hye voyce Lordes barons withdrawe our selfe a backe for our enemyes be to good knightê for vs nowe is this to vs great dyshonour great myshappe let vs returne agayne to our pauilions I pray you For I swere vpon all Sayntes that theyr castell shall neuer be taken but by famisshing for they ben ouer good knightes preu and wise well aduised of the warre Whan the barons of Charlemayne heard this commaundement they sayd syr we shall do your wyl as they wolde haue departed came Reynawde spurring hys horse and his brethern c weÌ„t and smote vpon the folke of the Emperour so sharply that he departed them so well that they muste needes flee take theyr pauylions and so bode wyth them prysoners Anthony Guyemaulte the erle of Neners Theirri of Normandi for no man myght endure agaynste Reynawde and his brethern And whan Reynawde sawe the dyscomfiture and the folke of the Emperour that fled he made his trompettes to be blowen for to wtdraw his folke And whan they were assembled Reynawde and his bretherne retourned gladly into theyr castel And was alwayes the hindermoste man for to kepe his folke the better that led prisoners afore Then came Aymon theyr father afresshe vpon them and began to make theÌ„ great comprauÌ„ce and whan Reynawde sawe his father he weÌ„d for to haue waxed mad for angre so retourned he bayarde smote the horse of his father so hard that he fell downe dead to the erth For as of his father he wolde not touche and whan Aymon saw him selfe a grounde he rose vp quickelye vpon his feete and tooke his swerde in his hande began ryght well to defende himselfe But his defence should haue ben full lytle worthe to him for his childreÌ„ should haue take him for theyr prisoner yf it had not ben Ogier the Dane that cam succoured hym And than sayde to hym the sayd Ogyer Syr what semeth you of your children they be ryght cheualrous and hardy as ye may see and knowe WHan Aymon was horsed agayne he pursued his children as a man wroth out of his wit and said to his folke Now goe we after the glotons for if they lyue longe they shall do vs harme and domage so great that wyth payne it shal be recouered WhaÌ„ Reynawde saw his father that folowed them so sharply he turned Bayarde and weÌ„t and smote amonge the thickest of his fathers folke and began to hurt them so sore with the help of his brethren that he put them to flight maugre their teeth For they might no longer endure the great maugre thou Reynawde bare to them for to saye the trouth no harneys was nought worthe agaynst the swerde of Reynawde For he cleued all that he rought ANd whan themperour Charlemayne sawe this hye prowesse that Reynawde made he blessed hymselfe of the great meruayle that he had therof and so stronge he spurred his horse that he weÌ„t against Reynawde and than he sayd to him Reynawde I forbyde you that ye go no ferther Whan Reynawde saw
sayd the duke Naimes leue this angre in peace ye know how Reynawde is your enmye prayseth you nothinge but ye wyll I shall gyue you suche couÌ„sell that Reynawde shal be brought to distruccion and his brethern and Mawgys also Syr doo that your barons be redy at candelmas nexte comyng and that euery one of them make good prouysyon of vitayle for vii yere than abide so longe afore mountawban tyll that ye take them and after ye shall auenge your selfe at your wyll vpon them THan whan the kyng Charlemayne vnderstode the good counsell that the duke Naymes had gyuen vnto hym he lyft vp his hed and sayd Naymes it is noâ— the fyrste good counsell that ye haue giuen to me and I wyll it bee doone as ye saye And than the kynge Charlemayne dyd doo make his letters and sente them through all his empyre In the whiche letters was conteyned that euery man that was accustomed to beare armes to go to warre should come to hym at the feast of Candelmasse nexte folowynge well garnisshed of vitayle for the space of .vii. yeres for to abyde at syege afore mountawban Whan the barons knewe the kinges wil eueri maÌ„ made him selfe redy as well as he coulde and came to Parys and presented them to kyng Charlemayne to hys neue with Rowlande and by cause of the great numbre of folke that were com there they myght not lodge al within Parys but they lodged wythout the towne vpon the riuer of Saine Whan the kinge saw that all his barons were come he made them al to come before hym sayd to them lordes ye all knowe right well at the lest the moste party of you howe I haue ouercome subdued .xl. kinges in my dayes the whyche are all to me obeyssaunt excepte the kynge Yon of Gascoyn that hath withdraweÌ„ in his lande my enemies mortall that ben the foure sonnes of Aymon ye know well the great dishonour thei haue doone to me wherof I me coÌ„playne vnto you praye you commaunde you that ye come wyth me into Gascoyn for to helpe me that I be auenged of the greate harme and shame that these foure sonnes of Aimon doo to me for by your othe ye ben all beholden thervnto THan sayd the erle of Nantuel Syr wee shall not goe there at this tyme. Ye know well that that wee ben come out of Spayne but late wherof we ben yet all werye And also in this felawshyp ben many princes and barons that haue not ben yet in theyr couÌ„trey nor seen theyr wiues and children and ye wil that that we go into Gascoyn vpon the kyng Yon vpon the foure sonnes of Aymon And I tell you that the two wouÌ„des that I receyued in Spaine be not yet whole and therfore we may not goe into Gascoyn at thys tyme. But yf it please you ye shall doo as a good kynge and a sage and shall shewe that ye loue your folke For ye ought to kepe them as youre selfe Wythdrawe your hoste vnto whytsonday next coming and gyue leaue to all your barons to goe to their places for to rest them a while And whan the tyme shall be come that your pleasure is to call theym they shall than be all fresshe and redye to fulfil your commaundement wyth all diligence Whan the kynge vnderstode these wordes he was wrothe and sware by saynte Denys of Fraunce saying in thys maner if I should be dyssheryted I shall goe now into Gascoyn and I shall take wyth me all the younge folke of my hoste the whiche I shall put in good straye honestly and I shall gyue theÌ„ all that they shall need thoughe ye should abyde behynde as weke men and feynte Syr sayd the duke Naymes ye say well for thys yonge men shal be ryght glad for to assaye them selfe Therfore wyll I doo it sayde kyng Charlemayne and so shall the kyng Yon be destroyed and whan I shall haue Reynawde and hys brethern and Mawgys the theete takeÌ„ I shall departe the lande of Gascoyne to these yonge knightes for theyr herytage This hangyng that the king Charlemayne sayd these wordes a spye that longed to Reynawde was in thys companye that vnderstode all that sayde is And whan the spye had hearde all together well he put hymself to the way and dyd so much by his Iourneys that he came to mouÌ„tawban where he founde Reynawde his brethern and Mawgys And in contynent that Reynawde saw him he demaunded of hys what tydynges bryng you fro Parys and from the courte of kynge Charlemayne My Lorde sayd the spye wyt it that kyng Charlemayne is greatly wrothe with kynge yon and agaynst you and against your brethern against Mawgys He hath sente for all his subiectes in his Empyre but none wolde haue comen with him into Gascoygne And then he sware Saynte Denys that he should come into thâ—se partyes and should brynge wyth hym none other but al yonge knightes To the which he shall gyue all Gascoygne And sayth that he shall besyege MouÌ„tawban and shall doo to be cast downe the great towre and shall set al Gascoygne in a tyre and flame Than sayd Reynawde to his folke be not discouraged of nothing For I shall see how Rowlande and Oliuer shall beare themself agaynst me and mi brethern And than went Reynawde into the halle And found his brethern and Mawgys with his knyghtes and sayd to them Lordes I brynge you tidynges Now wyt that the kyng Charlemayne cometh to besyge vs and bryngeth with him all the puyssaunce of Fraunce Nowe let vs thynke to receyue him well for he shall haue more to doo than he weneth brother sayd Alarde haue no doubte for they shal be well receyued for as longe that we shall lyue and shal see you ryde vpon bayarde we shall not fayle you nor wee shal not be a ferde to be taken nor ill handled For no man aliue is worth you nother of goodnes nor of prowes THys hangyng Charlemayn was aduysed and thoughte vpon the counsell that the Duke of Nantuel had gyuen to him And after he called his folke sayd to theÌ„ Lordes I gyue you leue and let you wyt that at Easter I shall holde my counsell generall and it please you Now keep that ye faile not to come than well apparelled and redy for I wolde not leaue for nothynge but that I should goe see the kyng Yon. And yf he yelde me not the foure sonnes of Aymon I shall doo to hym with out doubt so much shame that I shal make his berde to be cut of harde by the chynne And also I shal take the crowne of Gascoygne from his hed and I shall make hym come a foote after me begginge his bread And whan he had sayde these wordes The barons tooke leaue of Charlemayne and wente into theyr countryes but at theyr departing Charlemaine sayd to them Lordes remeÌ„bre well your selfe that ye come at the terme that I haue set For I swere vnto
Reynawd did vpoÌ„ the helmes of steele and vpon the sheeldes of the frensshemen And whan the frensshmen saw that the discomfiture tourned vpon them they began to call Rowlande and sayd to him Ha Rowland what doo ye Why come ye not and helpe youre folke For they beÌ„ dead but if ye succoure them Whan Rowland vnderstood that word wherof he was wrothe and right sory And whaÌ„ he saw his folke so sore handled He began to cry MouÌ„tioye saynt Denys And after spurred his horse and entred in to the medle And went heere there crying Reinawde where be you gonâ— see me heere I am all ready for to doo the battaile of my body ayenst yours that ye aske of me Whan Reynawd hearde Rowlande that called thus after him He put flamberge into his sheth And tooke a speare in his haÌ„d and came there as Rowland was said to him where are ye Rowlande be ye a fearde of me that ye haue taried so longe for beware youre selfe from me and you of me saide Rowlande And thenne they spurred their horses and dyd Iouste the one ayeull the other And whan the frensshmen and the Gascoignes sawe that they withdrewe themselfe fro eche other for to behold the Iousting of the two worthy knightes for to say the trouthe there were not two other such in all the world ANd whan Salamon of Bretayne and Hector the sonne of Oedon saw that the Iousting of Reinawd and of Rowlande was begon they set themself to weep ful tenderly came to the Duke Naimes to the bysshop Turpyn and to Olyuer and sayd to them Howe lordes may ye suffre that one of the best knightes of the worlde and him that we ought to loue best be slayne and dead before you Certes said the duke Naymes that shall be great sorowe to vs for to see And than he came to Oliuer saide to him I praye you that ye goe to Rowland and tel him from vs al that he ought not to fight with Reinawde with the swerde But let him take a speare and breake it vpon Reinawde for to acquite his faythe For yf he slea Reinawde We shal neuer loue him after Lordes sayd then Ogier let them alone ye knowe not Reynawde so well as I doo Reynawde is no childe to be made a ferd so lyghtlye as ye trowe Lette theim shyfte hardely they two togither For by the fayth that I owe to you Rowlande shall be all werye or euer he returne agayne And he shall be as fayne to leaue the batayle as shall Reynawd And ye shal see that Rowland wolde he had not gone there for the best citie that themperoure Charlemaine hath Ogier saide Ector ye speake of it as for enuye certes yf he should fight with Rowland ye should well saye otherwise And than he saide to Olyuer Good syr lette thys batayle be desterred yf ye may by anye wise Lordes saide Olyuer with a good wyll syth that ye will haue it so And than he went to Rowlande sayd to him al that the barons hadde sayde Felaw myn answered Rowland god confounde them for they take away this day the desyre of my vncle Charlemain And than he turned him toward Reynawd and sayd to hym Syr Reynawde ye haue assaied of my swerde and not of my spote Rowlande sayde Reynawde if ye haue youre swerde I shall conne you â—o thanke nor gramercye for it For I feare you not of nothyng but lâ—e vs make an ende of our bataylle And to whome god gyueth the victorye let him haue it Rowland wolde not doo 〈◊〉 but dyd lyke a curteous knighte and he dyd as the barons had sente him worde For he tooke a spere and ranne vpon Reinawde as much as he myght And whan Reinaude sawe he wold none otherwise doo he ranne also with a spere vpon Rowlande and rought eche other so wonderful hard that they made theyr speres to flee all in peeces and whan they had broken their speres they recountred eche other with theyr sheeldes so stronglye that both theyr horses that is to wit Bayard and Melantes stakered and were all astonied therwithal But with that stroke Rowland and Melantes were both felled to the grounde on a heape and Reinawd passed forth by theÌ„ cryinge with an high voyce Mountawban Wherby I tell you for certayne that Rowlande neuer felle downe for no stroke of spere but onely that tyme. but it was no meruaile For he could not holde hym selfe by the cloudes whan his horse had failled hym THan whan Rowlande sawe hymselfe thus ouerthrowen he was not wel contente and rose in continente and toke his swerd in hys hand and came to Melantes for to cutte of his head and began to say euyll courser who keepeth me that I kille the not not sith that thou hast let falle thy selfe throughe the stroke of a childe I shall neuer trust thee So helpe me god Rowlande sayde Reynawd ye doo to Melantes great wronge For it is longe sith that he eat any meat and therfore he can not trauayll lyke bayarde for he is more strong than is your horse and than Reynawde lyghted downe fro bayard by cause that Rowlande was a foote And whan bayarde sawe hys maister a foote he ran vpon Melantis the horse of Rowland smot him with his hinder feet so great strokes that he hadde almost broken his thy whan Rowlande sawe that he was wrothe for it and came towarde bayarde for to haue smyte of hys heade And whan Reinawde sawe that he sayd to Rowland What wyl ye doo it is no worshyppe to you to smyte a beast and yf ye wyl doo any fayte of armes come to me not to my horse for I shall gyue you strokes ynoughe so muche that ye shall be wery of it or we departe but keep wel that I slea not you leue Bayard in peace For there is not in all the worlde an other so good a beast For he did shew it well whan he â—oan the crowne of Charlemayne your vncle in youre presence and yf he doth helpe me he both but his deuoyre that a good horse ought to doo but turne your sheeld towarde me and ye shall see howe Flamberge cutteth Reynawde Reinawde sayd Rowlande threten not so much For before thys day be com at an ende ye shall see a thynge that shall not please you ouer much REynawde was not contente whan he vnderstoode the ylle wordes of Rowlande and shooke al for angre and incontinent ranne vp on Rowlande and gaue him suche a stroke vpon his helme that he all to brused it and the stroke slided vpon the sheelde so that he cut of it a great quarter and of the courset of steele also but he cut nothinge of the fleshe And whan Reynawde hadde gyuen Rowlande that stroke he sayde in maner of a mocke to Rowlande what saye ye by my swerde doo it cut well or no for I haue not missed at that stroke now keep you well fro me for I am not
suche a childe as ye take me for Whan Rowlande felte that great stroke that Reinawde had gyuen to hym he was all meruaylled of it and withdrewe hymselfe a backe for he wold not that Reynawd should haue recouered a nother stroke vpon hym sodenly and sette hande to Durandall his good swerde and ranne vpon Reinawde and Reynawd helde his sheelde ayenst it and Rowlande smot in to the sheelde so great a stroke that he cloue it by the middes through and through the stroke descended vpon the helme and dyd it no harme And whan Rowland had made that stroke he said to Reinawd Vassail ye be now quite for I haue yelded you againe that ye lended me ryghte nowe Nowe shall I see who shall begynne agayne By my soule sayd Reinawde fowle fall haue I now yf I feyne me nowe For I dyd but playe afore nor your fraunchyse shal neuer auaylle you ayenst me but that I shall brynge youre pryde all downe to the erthe Reynawde said Rowland yf ye doo this that ye say ye shall werke merueilles And all thus as they wold haue begon again the bataylle so came there Mawgis al his company said to Reinawd Cosyn mounte vpon bayarde for it were to great a losse yf you or Rowlande were deade there came Ogier Olyuer and made Rowland to light agayne vpon his horse But wit it well that Ogyer had not be so gladde yf one had giue to him a great cytie as he was be cause that Reynawde had cast downe Rowland his horse And whan they had recouÌ„tred Rowland they began a sore batayle and a cruell and so fell that it was pytie for to see for the one hewe the other without anye mercye And whan Rowland sawe that the batail was begon again his hert dyd swell for angre by cause that Reinawde bad ouerthrowen him to the ground so beganne he to cal as hyghe as he myght Where are ye gone Reynawde the sonne of Aymon goe a side and lette vs parfornyshe our batayl for men knowe not yet whiche is the best knyghte of vs two Syr sayde Reynawde ye haue the courage of a knyght that wyll conquere honour but and we fyght heere togyther our folke shall not suffre it But lette vs doo one thyng that I shall tell you ye be well horsed and I am also let vs bothe swyme ouer the ryuer and goe to the wood of serpente For ye canne not wyshe no better place for to fyght and we shal not be there departed th one fro the other of our folke but wâ— shall maye fyght there togyther tyll the one of vs two be discomfited ouercome Certes sayde Rowlande ye haue well spoken and I graunt it as ye haue said and thaÌ„ they spurrrd their horses for to goe to the wood of the serpent but Olyuer tooke heed to them tooke RowlaÌ„d by the brydell and withhelde hym wolde he or no and Reinawde went for to haue passed ouer the ryuer vpon bayarde that ran as the winde and walloped so harde that he made al the erthe where he passed to shake vnder him as he raÌ„ in this maner he looked afore him saw the king yon that was auyronned with well foure score knightes that keept hym for feare of Reinawd lest he and his bretherne shoulde haue rescued hym these knyghtes ledde him shamefullie as ye haue hearde afore And whaÌ„ Reynawde sawe the kyng he was gladde of it and sayd Ha good lorde blessed be thy name whan ye haue graunted me so fayre aduenture and with this he set hande to hys swerd and spuâ—red bayard with the spurres and cried as highe as he could lette goe the kyng yon euell folke that ye be For ye be not worthy to ley hande vpon him And than he entred wyth in them and smot a knight vpon his helme so rudely that he cloue his head to the harde teeth and ouerthrewe him dead to the earth And whan the other sawe Reynawd amonge them they put themselfe to flyght and said the one to the other The deuyll hath brought this cruell man heere nowe lette vs flee goddes curse haue he that shall abide him for the soule of hym that wilfully suffreth him selfe to be slaine shall neuer come to the mercye of god And than they put themselfe into the thyckest of the forest and lefte behynde theym the kynge yon that they lodged as a prysoner And Reynawd came streyght to hym and vnbounde hym and vnstopped hys eyen and after sayde to hym Ha euell kynge how haue ye the hert for to betray vs so falslye as ye haue doone me and my brethern dyd we euer any thing that was in your displeasure It is not longe on you but that we should haue been all hanged by this but I shal smite of your head euen anon and shall auenge me and my bretherne vpon your body WhaÌ„ the kynge yon sawe Reynawde that hadde delyuered hym he kneeled a downe before hym and sayde to him Certes noble knyghte it is well reason that men slea me Wherof I pray you for god that your selfe will take the lyfe fro me and cut of my heade and lette it be doone by none other and pulle out my tonge wherwyth I spake that treason For I haue well deserued greater martyrdom and all this made me doo the erle of Ansom and the erle Anthony Now slea me for god for such an euil man as I am oughte not to liue longe I haue much leuer that ye kill me with your swerde than that cruell kynge Charlemayne should make me to be hanged Now lyghte vp sayde Reynawde for ye shall be well payed as ye haue deserued ⧠But heere leaue I to speake of the kyng yon of Gascoyne and of Reinawde that been in the wood of the serpente where that he taryed after Rowland for to fight with him as he had promysed vnto hym and shal retourne for to speake of Rowland and of Oliuer that spake vnto their folke for to tell theym a parte of their besines howe they had be dyscomfyted IN this parte sheweth the history that after Reinawd was departed from the bataylle for to goe fight body to body ayenst Rowlande the neuewe of the king Charlematiâ— in the wood of the serpente Rowland Olyuer and Ogier the Dane fought ayenst Alarde Guycharde and the litell Rychard ayenst Mawgys and ayenst theyr folke and the batayle was there so sharpe and so fell of one parte and of the other so that greate hurte and scathe was there made of both partes but at the laste the dyscomfyture turned vpon Rowlande and vpon his folke In so muche that Rowlande and Olyuer were constrayned by force for to goe backe againe all dyscomfyted for the three bretherne and Mawgis made ayenst them so greate efforte of armes that they gate the pryce that daye And thus as Rowlande wente backe againe all dyscomfyted he bare his head low for he was a shamed that he had be so
a good wyll sayd Charlemayne but I wote not who ye be how be it that ye haue iusted with me I thanke you huÌ„bly sayd Reynawd of that it pleaseth you to saye so by me Syr wyt that I am Reynawde the sonne of Aymon and I crye you mercy And for that pytie that oure lorde had vpon the crosse of hys mother whan he recommended her to saynte Iohn his disciple I beseche you that ye wyll haue pitie vpon me and vpon my bretherne ye knowe that I am your man and ye haue disherited me of my landes and haue chased me out of Fraunce It is a goe .xvi. yeres and by cause of thys are dead so many noble knyghtes and valyaunt men and other in so great nuÌ„bre that it can not be sayd For God ye see well what losse that cometh of the warre for a lorde that hath no piti in hym hath a hert as hard as a stone And therfore syr I beseche you for god that ye haue merci on me and of my brethern that ben such knyghtes as ye know I speke not these wordes for feare of death ne for couetyse of richesse For god gramerri we haue goodes ynough but I speake it for to haue your loue onely Syr suffre that we haue peace with you and we shall become your men for euermore and we shall swere to you fayth and legeaunce and also I shal gyue you MouÌ„talban and my good horse bayarde which is the thing that I loue best in this worlde after my brethern and Mawgis For there is not in all the worlde suche another horse And yf thys caÌ„not satisfy your mind I shal doo yet more pleseth it to you for to pardon my bretherne and I shall for swere FrauÌ„ce for euermore that I shall neuer be seen there And I shal goe to the holy sepulcre in Ierusalem bare foote for the remembraunce of you and I nor Mawgys shal neuer come agayne into FrauÌ„ce but we shall warre styll on goddes enemyes as ben turckes and Sarasyns THan whaÌ„ Charlemayn hear de Reynawde speake thus he answered hym and sayde Reynawde ye speake for nought ye dyd an ouer great foly whan ye tooke that hardines vpon for to speake with me in my palays as ye dyd and yet yee dyd worse whan ye slew my nenew berthelot that I loued so muche now ye speake of peace ye crie me merci I promyse you for certayne that ye shall haue no peace with me but yf ye doo that I shal tell you Syr said Reinawde what shall that be tel me I pray you I shall shewe it to you wyth a good wil sayd Charlemayne and if ye doo it ye and your brethern shall accorde wyth me and I shall gyue you agayne your heritage and yet I shal gyue you ynough of myne owne It is that ye gyue me Mawgis in my handes for to doo my pleasure with hym For I hate him more than ony thyng in the worlde Syr sayd Reynawde yf I should deliuer hym to you what wolde ye doo to hiÌ„ Reynawde sayd Charlemayne I ê“myse you I should make hym to be drawen shamefully at foure horses tayles through Parys after that I should take from the body of hym the lymmes one after another and than I should make hym to be brent and his asshes to be cast at the winde And whan he shall be arayed as I tell you let hym than doo his incaÌ„tacions his magyke as he wyll I pardon hym all that he can doo to me after yâ— Than sayd Reynawde to the Kynge Syr wolde ye doo it in deed as ye say yea said Charlemayne in good fayth Emperour sayd Reinawde wolde you not take townes ne castelles golde nor syluer for the raunsom of Maugis certes nay sayd Charlemayne Syr sayd Reynawde than shall we neuer be accorded to gither For I tell you for certeyn that yf ye had all my bretherne in your pryson and that ye were delibered for to make them to be hanged yet should I not gyue you mawgys for to haue them delyuered oute of your handes Holde your peace than sayd Charlemayne and beware of me for otherwyse get ye no peace wyth mee Syr sayd Reynawde I am sory for it for we be no men that ought to be caste from your sexuyse and sith that ye defye me I shal defend me and our lorde shall me doo that grace yf it please hym that I shall not betake of you And whan Charlemaine heard this he was sore angry and ranne vpon Reynawde and whan Reynawde sawe hym come vpon hym he sayd to hiÌ„ Syr for god mercy suffre not that I sette hande vpon you For if I should let my selfe for to be slayne by you I wexe well a myschauÌ„t Vassayl sayd Charlemayne these wordes auaileth you not for ye muste needes defende yourself And thaÌ„ Charlemayne smote hym with Ioyuse his swerde vpoÌ„ his helme and the stroke slided downe vpon the sheelde of Reinawde so that he kytted quyte and clene a great parte therof WhaÌ„ Reinawde felt so greate a stroke that kynge Charlemayne had gyueÌ„ hym he was sore an angred for it He vaunced hym selfe foorth and caught the kyng with bothe his armes by the backe by the waste in maner of wrastelynge For he wolde not smyte hym with his swerde flaÌ„berge and tooke layd him vpon the necke of his horse baiard for to haue brought hym with hym to Mountawban without any other harme And whan Charlemayne sawe that he was haÌ„deled of this fation he began to crye as lowde as he myghte Mountioye saynt Denys and than he sayd ha fayre nenew Rowlande where be you Oliuer of vyenne and ye duke Naymes and bysshop Turpyn shall ye suffre that I be thus taken and brought as a prysoners and if ye doo so it shal be a great shame to you al Reynawde began thaÌ„ to crye Mountawban as hyghe as he coulde whan he heard Charlemayne speake so And after he sayd ha my brethern and ye cosyn Mawgis come hyther and let vs goe for I haue gyuen the kyng suche a checke that if we canne now brynge him with vs wee shall haue peace in FrauÌ„ce froÌ„ hens forth on Than the noble peres of FrauÌ„ce as Rowland Oliuer the other cam to the succours of Charlemayne and of that other parte came there for to helpe Reynawde his bretherne and Mawgis wel foure huÌ„dred knightes well armed And whan the valyaunt knightes were assembled together of bothe partyes ye should than haue seen a merueylous batayle For they slewe eche other as beastes and there were so many speres broken and so manye sheeldes clouen and hewed into peeces and so manâ— helmes vnbuckled and so manye a quiras broken and perced and so many horses that drewe after theyr guttes a longe in the feeldes and so manye a man slayne that it was pytie for to see And whan Rowland was come to the meddle he wente vpon Reynawde and gaue him so great a stroke vpon his helme
so mightye that none could haue ouercome them but they were than so feble that they fell where they went musselinge in the grounde as hogges ANd whaÌ„ Reinawd saw the great pitie that was among his folke he had of it great sorow because he mighte not put no remedye therto and than he began to saye in himself O good lorde what maye I now doo now I se wel my wyt â—uailleth me nothing for I wot not where to seeke vitailles Alas god where may Mawgis be now that he know not my great need and the outrage that Charlemaine dooth to vs. And whaÌ„ the good lady clare saw her lord Reinawd that complained him selfe so piteously she began to say vnto hym in this wise For soth my lord ye doo not wel for to discomfort your self so sore for ye discourage vs al within moreouer I promise you that heere been yet within mo than a C. horses I pray you let one of theim be killed and ye my selfe and our poore childreÌ„ shal eat of it for it is more than three daies agoe that they nor I eate anye thing that did vs good and whaÌ„ she had said this she fel down in a swoune at the feete of Reynawde her husband for greate feblenes for lacke of meate And whan Reinawde sawe her fall he tooke her vâ— anone in his armes and after that she was come againe to her selfe she saide all weeping Alas dere lady mary what shal I poore wrâ—tche doo for all my heart failleth me and almost wil my soule departe also sore is my bodye famished alas mi childreÌ„ who should euer haue wende that ye should haue died for hungre WHan Reynawd saw the greate distresse wherin his wyfe was he had greate pitie of heer and the teeres began to fall ouer the cheekes of hym and al weepyng he went to his stable and there he made a horse to be slayne the whiche he made to be dressed for meate to hys folke but I promyse you that horse flesh lasted not longe afore theym for they were menne ynowe to eate it vp lyghtly And heere ye must know that all the horses that were within Mountawban were in lykewise eaten one after a nother excepte foure that is to wyt Bayarde and the horses of the three bretherne of Reynawde the whiche foure horses they wolde not eat by cause they wolde not be a foot And whan Reinawd sawe that there was no more thyng that they might eate he called his bretherne and said to them Faire bretherne what shall we doo we haue no more foode to take vs but onely our foure horses that are left alyue Lette vs doo kille one of theym that oure folke may eat with vs. By my heade sayde Rychard that shal not be mine and yf ye hâ—ue iust to it let yours be slayne for ye shall not haue mâ—ne and yf ye haue great myscheeftye be wel worthy for throughe youre pryde we are brought in this plyght bycause that ye lette goe the king Charlemayn for and if ye had beleued me thys greate myshappe had not be fall vs. Thys hanging came the lityll Aimon the sonne of Reinawd that sayde to Richard in this maner Holde your peace myn vncle for that thing that mai not be amended men oughte to let it passe in the best wise For it is to shamefully to reherse that that is passed but doo as my father commaundeth you ye shal doo wel For ye doo nor well to angre him so as ye doo and though he hath missed of his entent he hath boughte it deare ynoughe as wel as we if the king Charlemaine hath domaged you longe it may well hap that god shall helpe you or ought longe if it please him and I beleue certenlye that he shall doo so for the kyndnes that my lord my father did shew vnto charlemain whan he had him heere can neuer be lost as I weâ— GReat pytie had Richarde of his neuewe whan he hearde hym speake thus wysly tooke him betwen his armes and kissed him al weeping and than he said to Reinawde Brother commaund my horse to be slayne whan it please you and giue some comfort therwithall to thys folke and to my lady your wyfe and to my yong neuewes youre children For my litel neuew that is here hath wel deserued to eate of it for the good â—ounseyll that he hathe giuen to me now Brother said Alard let be slain whiche ye will of three for it were to great adommage if bayard should dye and also I tell you that I had leuer dye my selfe than that Bayarde shoulde be slayne Brother sayde Guychard ye say wel and anon the horse of Richard was killed and dresed to their meat and so in lyke wise was doon with the horses of the two other bretherne and full sauourly it was eaten And whan Reinawde sawe that there was no meat more he wist not what he should doo for he was more sory for his bretherne and for his wife and his childreÌ„ than he was for him selfe and began to saye in this wise Alas what shal I doo I am vanquished ouercome with out any stroke It had be better for me to haue beleued my brother Rycharde for I had not be nowe in the myserye and greate need where I am in at this houre Now I see wel that Charlemaine hath chased me so muche that he hath betrapped me within his gynnes wheroute I can not scape and I know wel that I ought not to be complayned for I haue made my selfe the rodde wherwith I am beaten and yf I shoulde repente me therof it shoulde profyte nothinge for I come to late for to doo so whan Richarde saw his brother Reinawd make suche sorowe he knewe well hys mynde and was ryghte sory for hym so that he shooke al for sorow and wyst not what he shoulde saye For yf Reynawd wolde haue hadde of his owne fleshe Rycharde wolde wel haue gyueÌ„ hym of it yf he might haue be comforted therwith Then spake Guychard that other brother and sayd My good brethern what shall we doo we shall yeelde our self or elles dye heere for rage of hungre and we may no more from heÌ„ce forth on but onelye wayte after deathe What say you brother Guichard said Reinawd wyll we yeeld our selfe â—o the moste cruel king of the world for he shoulde make vs all tâ—â—â—anged shamefully if any pitie 〈◊〉 fouÌ„de in him I wolde yeeld 〈◊〉 â—ladlye but ther is none in him 〈◊〉 â—herfore I am delybered that we shal not yeelde vs to him we shall rather eat my children and after our bodyes But alwayes if ye will eaâ—e bayarde I am therof contente for to passe the tyme for thou for I haue ofte hearde saye that a daye â—espite is worthe muche But neuerthelesse what so euer he sayde he had no courage to eat Bayard for it was al his succours Brother sayde Alarde I counseyll that we eate Bayarde rather then we shoulde yeelde vs in to the handes
had of his brethern of his wife and of his men wyt it that whan they saw him bring so much vitailes they swouned al for ioye to the earth and whan Reinawd saw this he wende they had ben dead for hungre So began he to make great sorow and not without a cause and while that Reinawde sorowed and made great mone his brethern began to come again to theymselfe his wife and also hys two children And whan Reinawd saw them al vpon their feet he was glad and presented to them meat for them and for hys folke and they thaÌ„ made great Ioy and eate their fill at theyr ease And whan they had eaten well they went to slepe excepte Reynawde that wolde keep watche hym self And on the morne whan the day was come they rose went to heare masse and after the masse was doon they fell to their meate againe and eat al that was left ouer euyn of that Reinawde had broughte and whan the next night was come Aimon that coulde not forget his children made his stuarde to come before him and sayde to him ye know how I haue forsworn my children wherof I am sori that euer I did so But it is said that ar the need the frend is knowen I let you wit that my children been yonder within in great pouertye and misease and howe be it that I haue forsworn theÌ„ I oughte nor maye not faile them we haue three engyines that Charlemain hath made me doo make for to hurt my children wherof we haue domaged them as muche as we might nowe must we helpe them after their domage And I shall tell you see that ye put within the engynes bread and flesh both salt freshe in great plenty in stead of stones and let this be cast in to the castell for yf I shoulde die my selfe for hungre I shall not fayle theym as longe as I haue wherof to helpe them and also I repent me full sore of the harm that I haue doon to them for al the world ought to blame me therof with good ryghte and we been in the wronge Syr saide the stuarde ye saye well For ye haue doone so muche ayenste them that al the worlde blameth you therof but incontinente I shall doo your commaundement And than the stuard went and made the three engins to be filled with vittailles and after he bad the gouerner to cast theÌ„ in to Mountawban And ye muste wyt that many of the hoste blamed Aymon sore that he made hys engynes to be caste ayenst hys chyldren for they wende it had be stones and whan the nighte was passed that Reinawd was vp he went heere and there within the castel found foison of vittailes that his father had cast wherof he was right glad and sayde Good lorde blessed be you now see I wel that they that haue their trust in you can not fare amis than he called his brethern his wife his childreÌ„ said My bretherne ye see howe our father hath pity of vs. And then he made the vittailles to be gathered vp and put in a sure place and so thei eate therof at their ease for they had well great need therof for they were so sore an hungred that it was greate pitie And wyt it that Aymon made easte so muche vytayll within MouÌ„tawban that they of within had ynoughe for thre monethes with good gouernaunce NOw must we vnderstond that Charlemain had some knowlege howe the olde duke Aimon had giuen vittailes to his childreÌ„ wherof he was sore an angred made Aimon to come incontinente afore him sayd to hym Aymon who maketh thee so bolde to giue any mâ—at to min enemies mortal I know wel al thy wyles thou mayst not excuse thiself but by the faythe that I owe to God I shall auenge me so well or nyght that if I may ye shal leese your heade for it Sir said the duke Aimon I wil not denie it for I tell you truely if ye should make me dye or be brente in a fyre I will not fayle my chyldren as longe as I maye helpe them For my children be no theues traytours nor no murderers but they been the most valiaunt knightes of the world the truest ween not you to slea my children in suche maner ye haue to longe wrought your foly yf it wolde suffise you whan Charlemayne heard Aymon speake thus he was angrye with it for great wrath he loked as fire Almost he smote Aimon whaÌ„ the duke Naimes saw this he auauÌ„ced him forth said Sir sende home Aimon for ye haue kepte hym heere to loÌ„g ye ought well to vnderstande that Aymon wil not see his children to be dystroyed and therfore ye ought not to blame him nor smite him after that Charlemayne hearde the duke Naimes speake he sayd to him Naimes syth that ye haue iudged it ye shall not be gaynsayd than he turned him towarde the duke Aymon sayde to hym Now goe forth out of myn hoste for ye haue doon me more domage than profyte sir said the duke Aimon I shal gladly doo your coÌ„maundemente And anon he went lighted on horsebacke and after said to the peeres of fraunce Lordes I pray you al that ye wil haue my children for recommeÌ„ded for they beÌ„ com of your bloude let the king see well to for yf he make my children to dye by such great vengeaunce as he hath sayd if I shoulde become a sarasyn dwel in Affryque al the dayes of my lyfe I shal stryke of his head for none other gage I wyll not take And whan Aimon had said thus he went out of thost into fraunce to his countrye wel heuy bicause that he left his children in so great pouerty Charlemayne that sawe Aymon goe thus quite and that he hadde garnyshed Mountawban of vitaylles he was full angrye for it So studyed he vpon this a longe whyle And whan he had studyed longe ynoughe he was so sory that none myght be more sorier and returned hym selfe towarde hys Barons and sayde Lordes I commaund you that ye breake al our engynes For by theym I haue myssed to haue the castell of Mountawban And incontinente the Barons made breake the engines as the king had commaunded And by all thus Reinawd abode a long while in good peace but their vittailles began sore to mynyshe And whan Reinawde sawe that he was sory and began to complayne in himselfe saide good lorde what shal I doo I knowe that at longe rennynge we shall not mow holde and so shall Charlemain haue no mercye of vs but he shall make vs die Alas Mawgis where be you For if ye were with vs we shoulde doubte nothinge nor I shoulde not suffre this great distres that I haue All thus as Reinawde complained hymselfe than came Alard that was so feble that with payne he mighte stande vpon his feete and sayde to Reynawd Reinawde for the loue of god
Reynawde did choose an hundred of the best knightes of his felawshyp and sayde to theym Syrs I praye you that ye wyll be wyth me in the fyrste batayle and ye shall doo me great honoure Syr sayde the knightes we shall gladlye doo your commaundement and we shall not leue you as longe as life is in vs and so we thanke you of the great worshyp that ye doo call vs in your company for ye knowe well that wee canne not fare amys as longe as wee be wyth you WHan Reynawde had ordeyned wel hys batayles he made none other taryenge but wente the formest of all the sheelde at the necke and the spere in the fyst was mounted vpon Bayarde that beheld proudly about him makynge greate noyse And then Reynawde gaue him the spurre and went fayre vpon the folke of the Kynge Charlemayne and whan Charlemaayne saw Bayarde remynge that made so great bruyte and Reynawde vpon his backe that cam in so fayre ordenaunce he was sore abasshed of it and sayd in him self O good Lorde and where the Deuyll haue all redy had the foure Sonnes of AymoÌ„ so many folke as I se here now come with them I beleue thaâ— it is some deuylles werke For I had not left many with them late a goe And now Reynawde is so puyssauÌ„t that he feareth me nothyng But I promise god all this shal not auayle hym nothynge but I shal doo iustice vpon him and his brethern or ought longe And than he made his bataile to set in ordenaunce in the best wyse that he coulde and lighted on horsebacke for to come fyght wyth Reynawde And whan the Duke Naymes saw that Charlemayn was so mad that he wolde goe fight with Reynawde he went to hym sayde syr what is that ye will doo I promyse you it were greate folye for to fight with these folke it were better that ye made peace with Reynawd For I am sure that Reynawde shal doo all that ye wil coÌ„maunde him and I tell you wel that if we fight with theÌ„ that ye shall see manye knyghtes to trayle theyr bowelles thorough the feelde wherof it shal be great harme to the one party and to the other And suche shall the losse be that it shal not be recouered agayne Naymes sayd the kinge Charlemayne let vs alone for I shal doo none other wise for no man that liueth I should rather let me to be dismembred And whan the duke Naymes had vnderstande his wordes he was ful sory of it and left his speaking therof from that houre Charlemayne delybered hymselfe for to fyght and alwayes he rode forth in great wrath ANd whan Reynawde sawe that the two hostes were approched sore nighe th one the other as to hande and haÌ„de he sayd to his brother Rychard that was next him I wil go speake with the king Charlemayne for to wyt of hym yf he wil pardon and take vs vnto hys grace For yf he wolde doo so I should doo entierly all his wil and pleasure as to our souerayne lorde By god brother sayd then Rycharde yee be not worthe a botell of hey for the herte is all redy fayled in your bely Goe forth mischauÌ„t sayd then Reynawde thou wot not what thou sayest For I wyll go there no man shall keep me therfro if he refuseth the peace whan I shall axe it of hym I shall make myne auowe to God that I shall neuermore require him therof Brother sayd Alarde ye say wel and wisely go there hardly and doo therin your wyll And than Reynawde made none other delayinge but he smote Bayarde with the spurres and went incontinent towarde the kynge Charlemayne sayd than to hym Syr for gods mercy suffre if it be your pleasure that we haue peace and accorded with you that this warre that hath lasted so longe maye finisshe and that your wrath be put awai from vs if it please you and I shall be redy to doo all that ye wyll and also I shall gyue you Bayarde my good horse Than sayd the kynge to hym goe fro me false gloton the deuyll speed thee for al the worlde shal not conne keep thee but I shall slea thee Syr sayd Reynawde ye shal not doo so and god wyll for I shall defend me well And wit it sith that it is com to this ye shal not be spared of vs but we shall doo the worste that we can Smite knightes sayde the kynge Charlemaine I shall neuer prayse you if this euil glotton scape me now And whaÌ„ that Reynawde sawe thys he sayde Syr kinge of Fraunce I defie you and forthwith he spurred Baiarde and ranne with his spere vpon a knight whyche he smote so harde in the brâ—st that he ouerthrew hym dead vnto the erthe And after that he went agayne vnto his folke And whan that the kinge Charlemayn saw this he cried wan hye voyce smite knightes now shall they ben discomfyted THan whan Rowland hearde the kynge Charlemayne crie thus he spurred his horse and went after Reynawde also many other knyghtes but they ouâ—r tooke hym not WhaÌ„ Rycharde saw his brother come he came hym agaynst sayde to him Brother what tidinges briÌ„g you shal wee haue peace or warre Bâ—other sayd Reynawde let vs doo the best that wee can doo for peace we shal not haue Brother sayd then Rychard god blesse you for the tidinges that ye brynge for I thynke to doo this day suche a thynge wherof king Charlemayne shal be angry Brother said Reynawde I pray you that ye shewe yourselfe vertuous stronge agaynst our enemyes Whan the king Charlemayne sawe that it was time to set vpon him he called hastely the duke Naymes and sayde to hym Naymes hold my Oriflam and thynke for to smite wel and valiauntly as a worthy knight ought for to doo at eyther hande in keeping my worship and herof I praye you hertely Syr sayd the duke Naymes ye need not for to pray me for I am bouÌ„de for to doo the same but it greueth me that ye haue not done other wise that is for to sai that ye should haue graunted to the peace for the warre hath lasted to longe Naimes I commaunde you that ye speake no more therof vnto me for while I liâ—â—â— they shall haue no peace with me Syr sayd the Duke Naymes I am sory for it Now let see what ye shall doo for I goe to batayle fyrst of all and looke that ye folow me yf ye will for I shall put me in suche a place wherof ye shal be sore meruayled not without a cause for there hys no man so colde but he should soone get here there within a litle whyle Frow folow that wyll ANd whan Reynawde saw the Oriflam of Fraunce come he broched Bayarde wyth the spurres and ranne amonge the thickest and smote a knight so harde that he cast hym downe vnto the erth And after he turned him toward his folk chered theÌ„ honestly than
muche by hym that yf he had you as he hath Rycharde He durst well hange yourself al vs. Syr Olyuer sayd the messanger I swere you on my fayth that Reynawd ceassed not all thys day to pray the duke Richard that he should forsake Charlemayn and he should saue his lyfe wherof Rycharde of Normandy wolde doo nothynge but spake great wordes to Reynawde And whan that the Messanger had sayd thus he sayd to the kyng Syr gyue me leue to goe if it please you and tel me what I shal say to Richarde of Normandye fro you Freende sayd Charlemayne ye shal tell him on my behalfe that he put no doubt in nothiÌ„g For Reynawde shall not be so hardy to doo him any harme WhaÌ„ the messager that was a wyse knight vnderstoode Charlemayne he coulde not absteyne hym selfe but he sayd to hym syr Emperour ye be ouer proude but I promyse you that Reynawde setteth lytle by your pryde and I make you sure that Alarde wayteth well for my comyng agayne For he wolde not take a hundred thousand pounde for to leue Rycharde but that he should hang him his owne handes And as soone as he had sayd so he went his wayes wythout any leue taking of the kyng streyght to Ardeyne ANd whan the .xii. peeres saw the messanger go with an yll answer they were full sory for it Ha god sayd Ogyer how the deuyll the kynge is felle and hard of hert that wil nother peace nor concorde I am well sure that his pride shal be cause of a shamefull death to Richarde Ogier sayd Rowlande ye saye trouth but I see him hang god neuer help me at my need if I abyde after it with Charlemayne whyles I liue whaÌ„ he had sayd so he went to the other peeres sayd to them Lordes what shall we doo shall we let thus Rycharde be hanged our felawe one of the best knightes of the worlde and moste hardy for thoroughe his prowes he is there as he is neuer no foule worde issued out of his mouth alas we shall now see hym hange with great shame certes yf wee suffre it we ben shamed for euer ROwland as a man disperate came than to the kyng al wroth and sayd to hym in this maner Syr by my soule I go now oute of your seruise without your leue after he sayd to Ogier Ogyer what wyl ye doo wil ye come with me leue this Deuyll heere for he is all beside him selfe By my head Rowland sayde Ogyer ye say trouth I shall neuer in my lyfe abyde with hym but I shall go gladlye wyth you where ye wyl And I shal not leue you for no man in the worlde syth that he suffreth that suche a valiaunt maÌ„ shall dye as the duke Rycharde of Normandy that he loued so muche He should soone doo so bi vs for he is a man that hath in hym nother loue nor pitie And whan Oliuer of vyen vnderstoode these wordes he stoode vp and sayd Lordes I will go with you I haue dwelled heere to longe and I also sayd the duke Naymes in likewise Escoufe the sonne of Oedon And whan the bisshop Turpin saw this he casted a great syghe and sayd By my fayth Charlemayne it is euill to serue you for of good seruyce ye doo yeelde an euill rewarde as it is well seen now by the Duke Rycharde of Normandye that hath serued you so well and so truly And if I dwel any loÌ„ger with you I pray god punisshe me for it THan whaÌ„ Charlemayn saw his peeres that were so sore moued with angre agaynst him he sayd to them Lordes haue no doubt of nothyng for the duke Rycharde shall haue no harme Syr sayde the Duke Naymes ye doo great wrong for to say so for a foole neuer beleueth till he feele sore weene you to make vs fooles with your wordes We se the galous made vp for to haÌ„g our felaw wherfore I tel you that a myschiefe take me if I dwel with you any lenger Whan the duke Naymes had sayd so he went out of the â—â—â—â—lion of Charlemayne and in likewise all the Peeres of Fraunce with hym and wente into hys tente the whiche he made to be pulled downe incontinent And whan they of the hoste of Charlemayne saw that they were sore afrayed And ye ought to wyt that they were so sore moued within a litle while that there abode in the hoste of Charlemayne not one baron nor knyght but onlye the poore symple gentilmen and comin people whan Rowlande saw thys he went on his wayes wyth the other peeres And wit it at that houre the hoste of Charlemayne was made lesse than it was afore by .xl. thousande men REynawde that was vpon the hyghe gate of Ardeyne saw so great numbre of folke cominge togither so called he to hym the messager that was but comen fro Charlemayne and sayd to hym in thys maner Come heere messanger tell me what Charlemayne hath sayd vnto you Syr sayd the messager wit it that ye haue missed of peace for charlemayne wil nothyng of it but he seÌ„deth you worde by me that ye be not so hardy vpon the eyen of your head to doo any harme to the Duke Rycharde of Normandy And whan he had said this he turned him toward the duke Rycharde and sayd to him Syr duke now may ye know howe muche Charlemayne loueth you Wit it for certaine that ye get nother helpe nor succours of him and for the loue of you Rowlande and all the other peeres of Fraunce ben ful sore an angred with him For ye may perceyue it well by theyr tentes that beÌ„ pulled downe And so I am sure that the moste parte of the hoste shall depart for the loue of you And so shal not abyde there but only the erle guanellon his lignage For theyr tentes ben righted all the other brought downe Whan Reynawde wyste that the frenchemen were angry with Charlemayne for the loue of the duke Rycharde of Normandy he chaunged his courage and could not keep him from weepynge And after he turned hym towarde Rycharde of Normandy and sayd to hym for god my cosyn I praye you for to pardon me the great shame that I haue doon to you Reynawde sayd Rycharde I blame you not for I wot wel that ye cannot doo therto For the greate pride and cruelnes of Charlemayne is causer of al this WhaÌ„ Reynawde had cried mercy to the duke Richard he vnbounde him and Alarde and Guycharde came to helpe hym for they were all glad that Rychard was deliuered Notwithstandynge afore that they were disposed for to make him dye shamefully And whan they had doone so Reynawde sayd cosin Rycharde lene vpon this walle and we shall looke what Charlemayne wyl doo Syr sayd the duke Rycharde ye say well let vs see it ANd whan Charlemayn saw that his barons went away as it is said he was sori for it that he wexed almoste madde all quicke for the
ye must wyt that the duke Rychard was styll with him to whome Reynawde commended his wyfe and his chyldren and all his brethern And that he wolde pray the kinge that he should haue theym for recommended And whan he had arrayed hymselfe so he came towarde the halle to the duchesse hys wyfe ANd whan the noble duchesse Clare saw her husband so arayed in his beggers clothynge she tooke suche sorowe for it that she fel downe in a swoune to the erth as she had be dead And whan Reynawde saw her fal he ran for to take her vp and after sayd to her Lady for God take it not so sore at your herte For I shall soone come agayne and god before And wyth you shall my bretherne abyde that shall serue you as theyr lady And so I tell you that I am so glad of the peace that me semeth that I am come agayne al redy Madame my deere wyfe I pray god keepe you from all euilles And with this he kissed her full sweetely And than he tooke on his way and whan the duchesse saw hym goe she tooke for it so great sorow that she swouned agayne and abode thus a longe while that all her gentil women went she had ben dead And after she was come againe to herself she maâ— great mone for her lorde Reynawde For she scratched her face pulled her heres from her head for great sorow whan she had made so muche sorow she said O good husbaÌ„d Reinawde whose like is not in all the worlde of goodnes god be with you For I wot well that I shal neuer see you And whan she had sayde these wordes she went into her chambre tooke all her noble raymentes â—ast them in a fyre and whaÌ„ they were al brent she tooke a poore smocke and cast it about her said she should neuer were none other clothes till she saw her lorde husbande agayne AFter that Reynawde had takeÌ„ leue of his wife he departed the duke Richarde his brethern and his folke conueyed hym a great waye alwayes speaking that it was pitie to heare And whan Reynawde thought that they had gone ferre ynoughe with him he turned him towarde them sayd Lordes I praye you huÌ„bly that ye returne home again for as long as ye be with me I am not at my ease go your way in the name of God and recomforte my wyfe the duchesse that weepeth so sore to you my brethern I coÌ„mende her my children also Wyt it whan Reynawde had sayd this there was none that coulde take leue of him so ful of sorowe they were except Alarde that sayd to him Mi deere brother I prai you hertely that ye come shortlye agayne for your departinge is so heuy to me that I trow I shall die for sorow And whan Alarde had sayd so he enbrased his brother tooke leue of him making great sorow so did Richarde of Normandye to whome Reynawde sayd my cosyn I coÌ„meÌ„de you ones my wife agayne and my children al my brethern for they be of your bloud well ye know it Reinawde sayd the duke Richarde I promyse swere as knight that I shal helpe defende them agaynst all meÌ„ except agaynst the king doubt not for them for they shal want nothiÌ„g ¶ Now leueth the hystory to speke of Reynawde that went to the holy lande araied as ye haue heard and retourneth to speake of his brethern howe they came to Charlemayne with the duke Richarde of Normandy ¶ How after that Reynawde was departed fro Ardeyn to make his viage beyonde the sea clothed poorely as a pilgrim askiÌ„g his meat for god sake the duke of Normandi tooke alarde Guycharde Richarde brought theÌ„ with him to Charlemayne whiche receiued them honourably tooke vp his siege went to paris But whan he cam to the citie of lege vpon the riuer of meuze he made bayarde to be cast in it with a milstone at the necke of him But meÌ„ sayen the bayarde scaped out and that he is a lyue yet in the forest of Ardeyne IN thys party sheweth the hystory that whaÌ„ Reynawde had put himselfe to the way as yee haue hearde Richarde of Normandy and his brethern came agayne to Ardein full sory for Reynawde where as they found the good duchesse Clare that made greate sorowe for her lordes departyng And whan they were come agayne there the duke Richarde tooke the duchesse by the hande and began to recomforte her so many fayre wordes he layde vnto her that she slaked a litle her sorow and after thys the duke Richarde sayde to the brethern of Reynawde in this maner Lordes goe make you redy and we shall go vnto Charlemayn Sir sayd the three brethern let vs whan it please you And then they went tooke on the best clothing that they had And I promise you they were three fayre knightes and after they were wel apparayled they mounted eche of them vpon a palfraye of hye pryce ryght fayre wythout anye armes And for to speake shortly they yssued out of Ardeyn and came to the pauilion of Charlemayne And whaÌ„ the king saw theÌ„ he was ryght glad So he commaunded al hys barons that they should go againe them Ha god sayd Rowland now comen the three bretherne well sorye certayne they haue a cause for they haue lost theyr helpe succoure and hope Now I see that the duke Richard cometh with them wherof he dooth well for he is their kynsman NOw ye ought to wit that the three brethern of Reynawde came to the pauilion of Charlemain well honestly arayed And whaÌ„ they were afore the kyng they kneeled huÌ„bly at his feete and Alarde spake fyrst sayd Sir Reynawde our brother recoÌ„mendeth him huÌ„bly to your good grace salueth you as his souerayne lorde he sendeth you Rycharde the duke of Normandy whiche ye se heere and so he praieth you that ye will haue vs for recommended for he hath taken his way towarde the holy lande for to accomplisshe your commauÌ„demeÌ„t Freende sayd Charlemayne ye be right welcome Syth that it please our lorde that we shal be freendes I shall doo for you and shal bring you al to honour as it apperteyneth to suche knightes as ye ben And yf god wyl bring Reynawd saufe agayne from his viage I shal holde him as deere as I doo mine owne neuew Rowland for he is replenysshed with great worthines Syr sayd Richard god bring him agayn whan the king had thus spoken with the brethern of Reynawde he came to the duke Rycharde of Normandy kissed him more than .x. times and whan he had feasted him ynough he said to him duke Richarde I praye you that ye wil tel me what prisoÌ„ gaue you Reynawde what meates for to eat Sir said the duke of NormaÌ„dy by the fayth that I owe to god and to you I had better prison and was more at mine ease than euer knyght was