theyr inne they sayd to them Our honourable lady the quene of her grace and beâ—ygnyte hath accorded vnto your request not all of her owne voluntary wyll but at the instaunce oâ—hâ—r 〈◊〉 and Barons To whome it semeth good and vtyll for the prosperyâ—e of bothe partyes That ye 〈◊〉 whan it shall seme you good and 〈◊〉 your lorde that as 〈◊〉 as it shall please hym he may sende for her or come in his persone For they put 〈◊〉 to his noble 〈◊〉 Neuerthelesse seynge that bothâ— partyes were wydowes vnto theyr aduyse it were 〈…〉 that he came theâ—er for to wedde her And 〈◊〉 the spousâ—ylies sholde be doone without ony 〈◊〉 excesse of 〈◊〉 more than apperteyned to suche a feest And as for the surplus that he sholde do as it pleased hym ¶ How the Kynge of Castyll espeused the quene of Algarbe and ledde hâ—r in to Castyll with her yonge sone that resembled Olyuer Capitulo â—â—j _â—Raâ—yously the Embassadours thaÌ„ked yâ— queâ—e and her noble counsayll saynge that they wolde gladly tell theyr râ—sponce vnto theyr â—orde and kynge yâ— shall be well contente of this vnyte And then at theyr requcit they were ledde before the quene whome they thanked â—oke theyr 〈◊〉 â—ther full honourably and of all the other 〈◊〉 And after that they had taken theyr 〈◊〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 morowe they departed But ye may 〈…〉 departed the quene hâ—d sent them many 〈…〉 gyftes Of theyr waye and I â—urnâ—yes I can not 〈◊〉 you but they made suche dylâ—gence that they descended in the towne where as at that tyme the kynge remayned And as bryefly as they myght they wente towarde the kynge that allredy was aduertysed of theyr retornynge And after the reuerence done they recounted to hym how they had spedde and wroughte wherof the kynge was meruayllously Iocounde and at that tyme he was delyvered for to goo theder within a thre wekes or a moneth for to espouse the quene Aud in lykewyse as the kynge had deuysed so it was accomplysshed and departed from Castyll with a lytell coÌ„pany And then as he was vpon his waye he sente worde to the quene pronouncynge his comyÌ„ge The whiche receyued hym with grete melody And hastely the spousaylles were sumptuously made in suche a wyse as apperteyneth to a kyng and a quene The yonge Arthur with al his puyssaunce made good chere to the kynge his stepfader Also whan the kynge behelde hym hym thought that he sawe his sone Olyuer for to aege and bygnesse they resembled so moche that they coude not dyscusse the one from another wherof the barons that came with yâ— kynge was gretely abasshed Soo whan the weddynge was fynyshed and that the kynge had soiourned there a moneth or two he commysed in his stede a ryght noble knyght to be protectour of the realme of Algarbe And after those thynges done he departed ledde with hym his newe quene and Arthur her sone They rode so longe that they arryued in the cyte where as the kynge dyd moost remayne and were receyued with grete tryumphe and Ioye The kynge coÌ„maunded that Arthur sholde haue suche estate as his owne sone Olyuer had wherfore fro that daye forwarde they were nourysshed togyder and loued â—oo perfoundly togyder that it myght neâ—er be lost as ye shall here more euydently after ensuynge â—nd for a good cause why for they resembled so moche that oftentymes they toke one for another ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were commysed to a noble knyght for to practyse them in feates of armes And oâ— the Iustes made by them and who wanne yâ— pryce Capitulo v. IT was so that Olyuer and Arthur began for to waxe grete Wherfore they were taken from the kepynge of the ladyes And gaue to them a ryght prudent and valyaunt knyght for to demonstre enduce them in feates of armes as it apperteyneth to kyÌ„ges sones He receyued the two noble chyldren that were bothe of one aege and of one beaute and instructed them in all good mâ—â—ers Thâ—n whan they began for to haue knowlege they loued togyder with so perfyte loue that hey made aâ—yaâ—nce togyder of fraternall coÌ„pany in promysynge 〈◊〉 for to fayle vnto the dethe departed them for consyderynge yâ— wyll of theyr lorde that kepte them bothe so rychely put in theyr vnderstondyng that it sholde be impossyble that euer theyr grete loue sholde fayle The kynge and the quene and all the barons of the countree seynge the two chyldren so perfyte felowes togydeâ— and loue â—o inwardly were gretely reioysed and thanked oure lorde therof with mylde hertes yf I name them perfyte with out ony defaute blame me not nor meruayll you not of it for certaynly of beaute bounte prudence and humylyte that ought to be in ony noble herte was in tho two noble men They may dysportes amonge the knyghtes and squyres and amonge ladyes and damoyselles as in dauncynge and dyuers other games they founde none that myght passe them as for dysportes that be vsed by noble men in tyme of peas as at tâ—nnys lepe sprynge wrastle cast the stone cast the barâ—e or ony other games none wolde compare with them two And bryeâ—â—y all thynge that they applyed them to became them well As vnto the regarde of Iustes and tourneymentes it was defended them by the kynge theyr fader bycause yâ— they were to tendre of aege as at that tyme. Notwithstandynge whan the kynge sawe that they were puyssaunt ynoughe for to welde armour at theyr â—ase he gaue them lycence for to do crye a Iustynge and a turneyment The whiche Olyuer and Arthur made for to be cryed that thre auenturous knyghtes sholde Iuâ—e agaynst all comers the whiche sholde fynde theÌ„ there the fyrste daye of the lusâ—y moneth of maye in complete harneys for to Iust agaynst theyr aduersaryes with sharpe speres and the sayd thre champyons sholde Iust .iij. dayes in thre colours that is to wete in blacke gray vyolet and theyr sheldes of the same hewe and them to fynde on the thyrde daye at the lystes There Iusted dyuers yonge knyghtes of the kynges courte And the Iustynge was more asperer of those yonge knyghtes thaâ— euer they had sene ony in that countree and by the reporte of the ladyes they dyde so knyghtly euerychone yâ— it was not possyble for to do better as them thought by theyr strokes But aboue all other Olyuer and Arthur his loyal felowe had the bruyte and loos The Iustynge endured longe it was meruayll to se the hydeous strokes that they delte for the Iustynge had not fynysshed so sone but that the nyght separed theym neuerthelesse the aduersary party abode tyll the torches were lyghte But the ladyes and damoyselles that of all the Iustynge tyme had ben there were wery and wolde departe wherfore the Iusters departed in lyke wyse and wente and dysarmed theym for to come to the banket or feest and whan that the banquet was fynysshed and done the daunces beganne And there came the kynge and the
in the duke oâ— Gâ—â—cecetre the duke of Lancaâ—â—e the duke of Bedforde the duke of Northfâ—lke and the duke of Somerset And so came in the erle of Northumberlande the Erle of Leâ—â—etre and yâ— erle of Salysburye and so many otherlordes that was it meruayll Whan all these prynces and lordes were assembled that they sawe there came no moo it was cryed by the Kynge that euery man sholde do his deuoyâ—â— Then the two sygnes that is to knowe that of within and in lyke wyse that of withoute began for to approche There ye myghte haue sene cleue many basynettes and many a knyght beten downe to yâ— erthe Olyuer that was mounted vpon his courser helde his swerde in his hande wherwith he dyde meruaylles of armes he wente sekynge them that hym thought were the moost valâ—auntest and with them he had add gladly and whan he hadde remembraunce or leyser to loke on hye and that he myghte beholde the fayre Helayne his force hardynesse doubled Wherfore none may recounte the valyauntnes feates of armes that he dydde Now it was ordeyned that the sygne of them of within myght by force of armes be broughte to a place that was there by theyr aduersary party that the torneyng sholde be accomplysshed Therfore they of without put themselfe in payn for to wynne it And Olyuer the whiche rested neuer in one place and to whome euery body made waye encountred hym that bare the sygne of theÌ„ of within â—aue hym suche a stroke that he made hym bowe his heed vpoÌ„ the hors necke and was so astonyed that he hadde almoost fallen to the erthe and Olyuer retorned his stroke thynkynge for to haue cutte the shafte of the sygne but he sounde it so stronge and so well banded with â—ron that he coude not empayre it but it was force to the knyght that helde it for to lette it go fro hym and so it sell to the erthe then ye myght haue herde gretesâ— outes on bothe partyes they of within put themselâ—e in â—â—â—yre for to reyse vp theyr sygne agayne But that was unpossyble for them bycause of the valyaunte Olyuer that defended it with yâ— good helpe that he had of his partye ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to his hermytage after yâ— he had woâ—â—â— the vyctorye of the torneyenge and of the dyspleasure that the kynge and his doughter had bycause of the deed knyghtes Capitulo xxvii AT the reâ—cowes of that sygne was many a knyght sâ—ayne on bothe partyes but moore of them of within than of without wherof the kynge was not well content for to se his men dye so And then he coÌ„maunded to two or thre knyghtes the whiche were ordeyned whan there moued ony debâ—tes that they sholde put them in payne for to repease them to go hastely and departe them the whiche without pyâ—â— slewe eche other They dyd the kynges commauÌ„dement but or they myght come to the place where the debate was there was dyuers mâ—ruaylous strokes gyuen And the hystorye sayth that a vâ—â—yaunt knyght of within whan Olyuer dyde so many feates of armâ—â— approched to hym and toke his swerde in bothe his handes for to gyue the gretter stroke and eueÌ„ so as he hadde bothe his armes eleuate for to smyte Olyuer Olyuer appercâ—yued it and hasted hym for to smyte fyrstâ— and gaue hym so grete a stroke that he made to fle in to yâ—â—elde yâ— swerde with bothe his armes wherfore all they yâ— sawe it meruaylled And in lyke wyse the kyÌ„ge began for to blysse hym sayng yf this rede knyght that was yesterdaye clothed in blacke lyue loÌ„ge or yf yâ— fyghtynge be not departed he wyll make dye the moost parte of my men he is a lyuynge deuyll se how his swerde dothe cutte he hathe done soo moche that it is of the same colour that his armour is of The knyght that he hathe smyten downe shal neuer cut no purse In that estate deuysed the kynge and on the other parte the ladyes hadde alwaye theyr eyeÌ„ on hym but the fayre â—â—elayne had not the courage for to beholde hym bycause of the effusyon of blode of her gentyl knyghtes but it was not longe after but they were departed and was cryed by the kynge that none so herdy vpon payne of dethe sor to torneye ony more for that daye And therfore euery body dyde withdrawe hyÌ„ and it was tyme for Olyuer to retorne into his hermytage whether as his knyght dyd brynge hym and thenne toke leue of hym and tolde hyÌ„ that he wolde not forgete hym the nexte morowe The kynge and his excellent doughter retorned in to the nâ—ble cyte And souped that nyght in the fayre He ayns chambre the whiche was not welâ— at case bycause she hadde sytten soo longe and also for the slaughter that she had sene wherfore she sayd to her fader My lorde my fader be ye not dyspleasaunt for the pyteous syghte that was to daye ye make your men to deye without cause I byleue not that it is for me for and I knewe it I sholde rather make an othe neuer to be maryed wher ore I beseche you that ye wyll accoâ—de me yâ— they Iust or torneye no more in the facyon that they haue done to daye The kynge answered her My doughter thynke for to make good chere and take no thought of nothynge for of this that is happened I am more dyspleasaunt than ye be Therfore I shall put so good remedye that it shall not happeÌ„ as it hathe done to daye And thenne he gaue her good nyght in saynge that he sawe well that she had no talent for to daunce that nyght and she answered naye And for the causes aforesayd there was 〈◊〉 dauÌ„ces that nyght ¶ How Olyuer came to the torneymeÌ„t the thyrde tyme and hadde the honoure aboue them all by his grete prowesse and how the Kynge coÌ„mysed .xx. knyghttes for to brynge hym afore hym to knowe what he was Capitulo xxviii WHan the kyÌ„ge was in his chaÌ„bre he enquyred how many knyghtes there had beslayn founde deed of theÌ„ of with in to the noÌ„bre of xivi of theÌ„ of without .xv. wherfore the kynge was moche angrye commaunded that .xlvi. other knyghtes sholde be put in the places of the deed knyghtes and yf there were ony hurte that myght not helpe themself on the morowe that they sholde put in other The thynge was done so and vpon the morowe the Kynge wente in to his scaffolde where as he dyned and the fayre Helayne also durynge the â—yner tyme they spake of nothynge but of the torneyenge of the daye past And the kynge sayd that he was ryght dyspleasauÌ„t bycause that he myght not se hym that dyd so grete dedes of armes wherfore he commaunded .xx. knyghtes that they sholde haue alwaye regarde to hym and that they sholde not fayle to brynge hym to the banket for he wolde se hym He commaunded also that the nombre of two thousande fyghtynge men were armed
wepte and Helayne wepte haboundauntly saynge Chylde ryall wherfore haue I borne the whan that I must be consentyng of thy pâ—rdyccyon O ryght noble realmes of Englande and of Castylle to daye ye shall lese your kynge and lorde After this the knyght wolde haue halfe of the fayre Helayne the which thynge Olyuer coude not vnderstande how it myght be but yf that he sholde slee her wherfore he coÌ„mytted the dede to the knyght And then the knyght answered vnto hym that he was noo murderer of ladyes and alsoo yâ— it was no reason that he sholde paye hym with his hande for he knewe well that he must paye hym hymselâ—e yâ— the whiche he had promysed hym and then sayd yf that thou hye the not it shall mysthynke vs bothe Whan Olyuer sawe that he myght haue none other thynge he came towarde his wyfe set hym on his knees in praynge her that she wolde pardon hym her dethe The good helayne sayd that she wolde pardon hym with good herte and then she embrased hym in saynge Ryght noble kynge the dyfference is grete of the Ioyous acquayntaunce that we had fyrste togyder at the tyme that ye were called Olyuer Hathe ryghte dolourous departyÌ„ge that todaye shall be made of vs two After that she hadde sayd these wordes she made her orysons to god and to the virgyn Mary in cryenge mercy to god for all her synnes that he wolde put her soule in the glorye of paradyse that yf her lorde had done ony synne for to slee her that he wolde pardon hym And whan she had ended her prayers and sayd her orysons she came towarde her lorde and husbande and kyssed hym with the teres descendynge from her eyen and sayd that she was redy for to abyde the dethe Wherfore she toke leue of hym and of her two chyldren and sette her vpon her knees with her haÌ„des ioyned towarde heuen in recommaundynge her vnto god As she that abode but the stroke of dethe Whan the kynge sawe her in that estate as a man halfe oute of â—is wytte approched and in lyftynge vp his swerde wolde haue â—louen her in two pyâ—ces ¶ How the knyght had pyte on Olyuer hauynge knowlege of his loyalte and quyted hym all And then he made hym to be knowen hym and tolde hyÌ„ what he was Capitulo lxxiiij WHan yâ— knyght sawe this pyteous aduenture he lete not yâ— swerde auale a downe for he withelde his arme sayd abyde kynge that I maye speke to you to you quene here me speke Then the began for to say demaunde the kynge yf that he had no remembrâ—unce of a knyght that was named syr Iohan Talbot the whiche was deed in his company in the sentence of cursynge And yf that he remembred hym not how that he payed the dette to the purgeys and made hym to be buryed The kynge answered ye And I tell the sayd the knyghte that I am that same knyghte and that same that serued the at the torneyment of Englande and bycause that thou hast done me pleasure I rendre to the all thy moneye and all hooly thy fynaunce that thou haste gyuen me And in lykewyse I rendre to the thy sone and quyte the in lyke wyse the halfe of thy wyfe that whiche I haue done hathe ben for to assaye the and thy frauÌ„chyle To the surplus I shall tell the wherfore at the fyrste daye of the torneyment I clothed yâ— in blacke that was sygnefyaunce of yâ— obscurâ—te that I was in The secoÌ„de daye that was in rede sygnefyed my paynes in purgatorye The last daye in whyte sygnefyed my saluacyon for so as yâ— whyte is vyrgyn for it was neuer soylled by steynynge wherby it is pure and clene In lyke wyse I am so at this presente tyme for by the and by the cause I am aledged of all my doloure and now I go in to the holy glorye of paradyse to se yâ— presence of my creatoure that is the reioysynge of the saued wherfore I take leue of the for there as I go thou mayst not come yet but be thou sure that I shall praye for the. Then he vanysshed awaye and in theyr presence he mounted in to heuen gloryously in castynge the beames of his clerenes vpon the wyndowe that the kynge and the quene lened vpon The whiche in a lytell whyle was oute of theyr syghte ¶ Then they fette them vpon theyr knees in rendrynge graces to theyr creatour and after that they had made theyâ—â—rysoâ—s in thaÌ„kynge god they began for to make the one to the other ryght pyteous acquayntaunce soo moche and by suche maner as yf the quene had ben arysen from dethe at that sâ—ame houre The kyng of Castyll that neuer had receyued one goodnes but that he hadde receyued ten euylles agaynst it lyued in Ioye with his ryght welbeloued wyfe and had neuer dyspleasure after that â—aue all Ioyes vnto the houre of his dethe Helayne was strongely seke for the fere that she had hadde dâ—rynge the whiche maladye Arthur came in to Castyll for to se Olyuer to whome Olyuer made ryghte grete chere and sone after that Helayne gate vp the whiche was cause of more gretter Ioye and all Ioye myrthe was in the realme of Castylle there was no spekynge of nothynge saue to make good chere The sone and yâ— doughter of the kynge were alredy grete in so moche that yâ— doughter was redy for to be maryed Wherfore the kynge sayd vpoÌ„ a daye to the kynge of Algarbe my broder I haue but one felowe in all the worlde and that is you For ye may wel auaunte you that ye be parsonere of the goodes that god hathe gyuen me And therfore as vnto my broder I wyll tell vnto you myn aduyse Fynably ye be to mary as yet hathe no wyfe wherfore I am gretely ameruaylled that ye haue abydeÌ„ soo longe I haue two chyldren a sone and a doughter and by my fayth yf that I thoughte that ye were contente for to mary you I wolde gyue you my doughter in maryage and therto reloke and my doughter dothe please you yf that ye thynke that she is for you I gyue her to you Or yf that it semeth you better elles where take it Ye maye saye he repryuely your wyll for yâ— loue that I haue to you maketh me for to saye thus to you ¶ How Olyuer of Castylle gaue his doughter in maryage to his felowe Arthur of Algarbe and of the dethe of Olyuer and of Helayne his wyfe Ca. lxxv ANd whan that Arthur Kynge of Algarbe herde the kynge of Castylle speke so humbly he thanked hym in saynge yâ— he dyde to hym more honoure than apperteyned to hyÌ„ and syth that it was his pleasure for to gyue hyÌ„ his doâ—ghter that he sholde be ryght vngracyous for to refuse her Whan the kynge of Castylle vnderstode that his felowe hadde grete wyll for to atteyne to this maryage he sente incontynent after all the noble meÌ„
of Algarbe and Regent of Castyll made an enterpryse for to fynde his felowe Olyuer Capitulo liij WE haue herde here before how Olyuer was departed from Castylle and of the meruaylous dule that the good kȳge demeaned bycause of his departyng the whiche neuer lette hym vnto the dethe for within shorte space it made hym fynysshe his dayes and lyucd not longe after the departynge of his sone For the whiche cause Arthur kynge of Algarbe and felowe of Olyuer by the consente of dyuers lordes of the countree was chosen for to be Regente of Castylle vnto the retornynge of Olyuer And by cause that the affayres of the realme of castyll be gretter than they of Algarbe the whiche is but a lytell coūtree Arthur helde hym moost in Algarbe And forgate neuer to vysyte the glasse of his felowe And soo moche that he apperceyued that the sayd glasse was suche as the lettre specyfyed That is for to knowe that the water was troubled and gretely obscure In suche wyse that it was almoost lyke ynke And whan Arthur apper ceyued it suche with grete haboundaunce of teres he began for to saye in this maner O ryght noble ryght valyaunt loyall felowe I se well that ye haue some grete empesshynge or some euyll aduenture or in fermyte of body wherfore I am ryght dyspleasaunt And bycause that at a nede one knoweth his frende I make auowe to god and promyseth hym by the fayth that I owe vnto hym and to the crowne that I bere that euen as secretely as ye departed from this realme shall I departe also Nor neuer as longe as I lyue shall I not reste tyll that I knowe whether that ye be a lyue or deed Thē in wypȳge his eyen he departed out of the chambre and came in to a halle And commaūded to make lettres for to assemble all the thre estates and all the prynces of the countree And whan they were all assembled he began for to shewe them and sayd that it was not possyble for hym to gouerne bothe the realmes well that he had in his charge And therfore his wyll was for to commyse some dyscrete prynce in his stede to be Regent of Castyll For he wolde retorne in to that of Algarbe bycause that he loued it more for bycause that it was his propre herytage and that it was the place of his byrthe Therfore he wolde knowe of them yf it were theyr good pleasure y◠he resygned his estate at his dyscrecyon to the moost wysest as hȳ semed Or yf they wolde chese one after theyr dyscrecyon and counsayll They answered Ryght puyssaunt kynge of Algarbe we haue not holden you for Regente but for kynge vnto the comynge of Olyuer as ye do knowe for we neuer founde you dysobeyssaunt And also there is none of vs but that we wolde do you as sone pleasure as to our souerayne lorde Your wyll and departynge is full greuous vnto vs. But syth it is so that we can not kepe you chese whiche of vs it shall please you and gyue hym your stede For we shall holde youre eleccyon For all that we shall neuer haue man soo dcre as you Arthur thanked them dyde chese a good prynce that was ryght vertuous for to be regente And then he toke leue of them in grete wepynges And then he toke a certayne nombre of men with hym and he dyde somoche that within a shorte space he came in to his realme and whan he was there he recommaunded to his conestable all the gouernaunce of his countree And after commaunded al his men to obeye to hym and sayde that he wolde ge in to a place all alone the whiche was not ferre of And that with the grace of god he wolde not tarye longe This done he departed in a fayre mornyng and wente his waye withouten ony company saue of god alonely to whome I praye that he be in his garde for grete nede he hadde therof as ye shal here here after warde ¶ How Arthur departed and put hym on the waye for to fynde his felowe and of the aduentures that he had Capitulo liiii IN suche maner as ye haue herde departed the valyaunt and gentyll Arthur from his countree And began for to serche tydynges of his felowe as he that hadde wyll neuer for to reste tyll that he had herde tydynges of hym The fyrste countree that he arryued in was Portyngale in the whiche he founde nothynge that was pleasaunt vnto hym After he sought the remenaunt of Spayne and came in to that of Fraunce and wente so moche on one syde and other that he came to Calys where as he founde men that wente in to Englande and therfore he moūted on the see for to go theder Ye maye well thynke that he was longe in serchynge the coūtrees that ye haue herde aboue In this meane whyle Olyuer his felowe was alwaye in pryson with brede and water and oftē bette as he that had neuer hope to departe thens And desyred nothynge but the dethe ¶ As Arthur was on y◠see for to go in to Englande there happened a wynde contrary to aryse on the see and droue them in to the marches that the maryners knewe not atte that presente tyme. But whan that they had longe beholden sene it they apperceyued that it was one of the countrees and realmes of Irlande the ferdest from y◠of Englande Whan Arthur herde saye that it was one of the realme of Irlande he prayed them that they wolde set hym a lande for as hym semyd as sone myght he here tydynges of y◠whiche he soughte as in another countree so as he dyde by the wyll of god euen so as ye shall here Whā Arthur was on grounde he wente on fote in praynge our lorde for to adresse hym on his waye He was well the space of two monethes in that coūtree And whan he wolde haue ony thynge he muste make some sygne or elles they coude not vnderstande hym He hadde neyther hors nor mule for to ryde on wherfore he wente on fote and soo longe he wente that on a daye he founde hymselfe in a thycke forest in the whiche dyuers wylde beestes dydde remayne They had wel made hym sygne that he sholde not entre in to that forest but he had not vnderstonden them He wente all the daye alonge the forest withoute fyndynge of ony aduenture The nyght toke hym wherfore it was force to hym for to slepe And whan it came vpon the morowe he put hym on y◠waye ryght euylly broken his faste And he had not longe gone whan he apperceyued a grete and an horryble lyon strongly oppressyd with hongre For he had founde no praye of longe tyme Wherfore whan Arthur sawe and apperceyued that he came towarde hym he appareylled hym for to fyghte for he was armed at all poyntes and also he had a good swerde He toke of his mauntell and wounde it aboute his arme and then he drewe out his
The prologue vpon the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle BYcause that the memorye is the reteynynge nature humayne for his fragylyte is strongely mouable goodly hathe ben introducte that the reasons concludynge intendybly yâ— saynges and also auctorytes of sayntes and dyscrete men semblably hystoryes and examples worthy of commemoracyon ben reduced by wrytynge for to shewe to them that ben to come that whiche hathe be sayd and done before to the instruccyon and saluacyon of the soule of euery good crysteÌ„ man ¶ Now it is thus that is this present tyme the scryptures by the arte and ingenyous practyke of Pryntynge be multeplyed in suche a wyle that dyuers fayre and coÌ„modyous ensygnynges and ensamples ben had of whiche fewe folkes had the bokes and congnyssaunce nowe they ben put forth and vttred for so lytell a pryse that it can not be lyghtely lesse neuerthelesse bycause of the vnderstaÌ„dynge comune that is better contente for to reteyne the hystoryes and examples than other thynge dyuers hystoryes ben put in wrytynge And amonge the other hystoryes is one founde of longe tyme wryten the whiche is named the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and Arthur of Algarbe his loiall felowe the whiche for theyr vertues and to loue better honoure than to consente to euyll had grete aduersytees and meruaylous fortunes and aduentures the whiche by grete loyalte and ardaunt charyte and also fydelyte and promesse toke an ende solytarye ¶ Here begynneth the table of this present boke ¶ Tabula ¶ The fyrste chapytre speketh of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castylle and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo j. ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and the body of his mod borne to be buryed And how Embassodours were coÌ„mysed for to mary the kynge agayne Ca. ii ¶ How the maryage was treated betwene the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder and the kynge of Castylle Olyuers fader Capitulo iij. ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle wedded the quene of Algarbe and ledde her in to Castylle with her sone Arthur that resembled Olyuer Capitulo iiij ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were put to lernynge and of the Iustes that were made by them Capitulo v. ¶ How the quene of Castylle began for to loue Olyuer dyshonestlye Capitulo vi ¶ How the quene gaue Olyuer for to vnderstande that she loued hym carnally and of the couerte answers of Olyuer to honoure Capitulo vij ¶ How Olyuer departed all trouble of the requestes of his stepmoder and how he prayed god for to reuoke her from her carnall desyre Capitulo viij ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer desyrynge hym to fulfyll her carnall desyre of Olyuers fayre denyenge Capitulo ix ¶ How Olyuer refused vtterly the quene his stepmoder of all her dyshonest loue And how she menaced hym to the dethe Capitulo x. ¶ How Olyuer abode all alone in his chambre where as he made dyuers complayntes and of the lettre that he wrote to his felowe and wherat he sholde knowe yf that he had ony thynge but good Capitulo xi ¶ How Olyuer departed all alone withont ouy company and came to a hauen of the see where as he founde a shyp in the whiche he entred with a knyght that he founde there of Englande Capitulo xij ¶ How Arthur of Algarbe came in to the chambre of his broder Olyuer that made grete dole for his departyng Capitulo xiij ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle came in to Oliuers chambre and of the grete dole that he demeaned whaÌ„ he fouÌ„de hym not Capitulo xiiij ¶ How the kynge sente after his sone and of his lamentacyous and of them yâ— the quene made whan she sawe that all doloure was comen by her cause Ca. xv ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer vpon the see and how he and the Englysshe knyght were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi ¶ How the knyght Olyuers felowe deyed xvij ¶ How Olyuer dyde burye the knyght and of the Iustes that were publysshed in Englande and he that sholde do best sholde haue the kyÌ„ges doughter to wyfe xviij ¶ How Olyuer was assayled of theues the whiche he slewe and of the whiche happened to hym vpon the waye towarde London Capitulo xix ¶ How a knyghte came and recomforted Olyuer and of the promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the hermytage Capitulo xxi ¶ How Olyuer sawe dyuers knyghtes and other folke in grete estate and dyuersly clothed Capitulo xxij ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche clothynges that his knyghte had brought hym and how he armed hym and of the ryche pauylyon and beaute of the fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande Capitulo xxiij ¶ Of the grete meruaylles â—hat Olyuer dyde at the â—orneyment and how he dyde better thaÌ„ ony other xxiiij ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to the hermytage the seconde tyme without makynge hym for to be knoweÌ„ xxv ¶ How Olyuer came the seconde tyme to the torneyment and how he wanne the sygne of the defendauntes of the Iustes Capitulo xxvi ¶ How Olyuer dyde withdrawe hym in to the hermytage after that he had vaynquysshed the torneyment and of the dyspleasure of the kynge and his doughter by cause of the deed men Capitulo xxvij ¶ How Olyuer came in to yâ— torneymeÌ„t the thyrde daye and bare awaye the honoure aboue all by his grete prowesse and how the kyÌ„ge commysed .xx. knyghtes for to take hym to the ende yâ— he knewe what he was xxviij ¶ How Olyuer was taken by the knyghtes that the kynge had commysed and how his seruauntes vanysshed a waye how he founde clothes fynaunces Ca. xxix ¶ How Olyuer founde grete fynaunces seruantes and clothes and how he was ledde to the banquet and in to the courte with grete honoure of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the kynge of Englandes courte where as he was receyued with grete reuerence of the kynge and of all the other lordes and ladyes Ca. xxxi ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commyssed and the counsayll of the kynge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capitulo xxxij ¶ How the kynge of EnglaÌ„de came towarde his doughter and demauÌ„ded her to whome her semed that yâ— pryce sholde be gyuen to and of her answers Ca. xxxiij ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what was the pryce Capitulo xxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kyng of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte and that he myghte be keruer afore his doughter Helayne the whiche was accorded to hym Capitulo xxxv ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter made the othe accustomed Capitulo xxxvi ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne cut his fynger in seruynge her
Capitulo xxxvij ¶ How Olyuer layde hym downe syke and how Helayne was syke for hym also and how by her faders leue she wente and vysyted hym Capitulo xxxviij ¶ How Olyuer after yâ— the fayre Helayne had vysyted hym came in to the courte and of the messenger of the kynge of Irlonde that came and desyed the kynge of fyre and blode Capitulo xxxix ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men to go agaynst them so he had Ca. xl ¶ How Olyuer after yâ— he was departed in armes from London came afore a towne that the Irysshmem had â—esyeged and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xli ¶ How Olyuer sente the kynge of Englande lettres yâ— his enemyes were dyscomfyted and torned in to flyghte and of his enterpryse â—aken Capitulo xlij ¶ How Olyuer entred into Irlonde and assyeged a kyÌ„ge the whiche was socoured of foure kyÌ„ges the whiche he dyscomfyted Capitulo xliij ¶ How the castell and towne where as was assyeged a kynge of Irlonde dyde yelde them Capitulo xliiij ¶ How Olyuer after dyders thynges sente to denounce his comynge to the kynge of Englande and of the honoure that was done to hym Capitulo xlv ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte accompanyed of seuen kyÌ„ges prysoners of the whiche he made a present to the kynge of Englande Capitulo xlvi ¶ How the kynge of Englande gaue his doughter Helayne to Olyuer in gueâ—don of the seruyces that he had done to hym Capitulo xlvij ¶ How the Kynge made Olyuer for to aryse that was on his knees and of theyr gracyous wordes and how Olyuer handfest the fayre Helayne Capitulo xlviij ¶ How Olyuer wedded the fayre Helayne and of the solempâ—yte that was made Capitulo xlix ¶ How Olyuer was vertuous in appesynge noyses debates and how his wyfe was with chylde of a sayre sone Capitulo L. ¶ How Olyuer wente on huntynge and of the vysyon of his wyfe yâ— whiche she tolde vnto her husbaÌ„de Ca. li. ¶ How the sone of the kynge of Irlonde of whome Olyuer had slayne his fader at the torneyment founde Olyuer all alone from his men and toke hym prysoner and of the grete dole that was made for hym Capitulo li◠¶ How Arthur of Algarbe was regent of Castylle and of the enterpryse that he made for to fynde his felowe olyuer Capitulo liij ¶ How Arthur departed and put hym on the waye for to fynde his felowe Olyuer of his aduentures liiij ¶ How Arthur slewe a meruaylous beest in the forest lv ¶ How Arthur beynge sore hurte lyenge in the wood â—ppered to hym an auncyent knyghte that heled hym tolde vnto hym the place where as his felowe was prysoner Capitulo lvi ¶ How Arthur by the coÌ„maundement of the knyghte wente to London to the kynge of Englande and of the Ioye that they made to hym thynkynge that it had ben Olyuer Capitulo lvij ¶ How Arthur came and vysyted Helayne that wende that he had ben Olyuer her husbande and of the solempnyte that was made Capitulo lviij ¶ How Arthur laye with Olyuers wyfe without vylaynous touchynge and how he departed for to fynde his felowe Olyuer Capitulo lix ¶ How Arthur toke the kynge that helde Olyuer in pryson and made hym delyuer hym clene Capitulo lx ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur departed from Irlonde how Olyuer by Ire kest hym of his hors by cause that he had layne with his wyfe Capitulo lxi ¶ How Olyuer demeaned grete dole for the dyspleasure that he had done to his felowe Arthur Capitulo lxij ¶ How Olyuer departed from London and came to the place where as he hadde lefte his felowe and how he cryed hym mercye Capitulo lxiij ¶ How Arthur after that he was heled by the lycence of the kynge of Englande passed in to Irlonde and had vengeaunce of the kynge that helde Olyuer his felowe in pryson Capitulo lxiiij ¶ How Arthur layde hym downe of a grete sykenesse of the grete dyspleasure that Olyuer hadde Ca. lxv ¶ Of the dreme vysyon that Olyuer had foure nyghtes togyder in lykewyse it semed to Arthur that his helthe was in the power of his felowe Olyuer and that whiche ought to be done for to he le hyÌ„ Capitulo lxvi ¶ How Olyuer for to reÌ„dre helthe to his felowe Arthur slewe his two chyldren for to haue theyr blode and gyue it hym to drynke Capitulo lxvij ¶ How Olyuer in a basyn of syluer brought the blode of his two chyldren to his felowe Arthur and made hym for to drynke it wherfore he was all heled Ca. lxviij ¶ Of the grete myracle the god shewed to Olyuer of Castyll for his loyalte in reuyuynge his two chyldren that he had slayne Capitulo lxix ¶ How Olyuer afore the kynge of Englande and the other barons of the realme and euen afore his wyfe tolde his aduentures and meruaylous fortunes Ca. lxx ¶ How Olyuer sente his felowe Arthur in to Castyl for to denounce his comynge and how the kynge of EnglaÌ„de accompanyed Olyuer and his fayre doughter Helayne in to Castylle Capitulo lxxi ¶ How the whyte knyght appered to Olyuer oppressed hym for to kepe his promesse that was to gyue hym the halfe of that the whiche he had wonne at the torneymente Capitulo lxxij ¶ How Olyuer and his wyfe demeaned grete dole bycause that the whyte knyght toke one of theyr chyldren for his halfe and the whiche it was and of other mysteryes Capitulo lxxiij ¶ How the knyght had pyte of Olyuer hauyÌ„ge knowlege of his loyalte and quyted hym all And how he made hym knowen to hym Capitulo lxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer gaue his doughter in maryage to Arthur kynge of Algarbe and of the dethe of Olyuer and Helayne his wyfe Capitulo ixxv. ¶ How Henry of Castylle Olyuers sone was prysoner and deyed in turkye The last chapytre And after is the epylogacyon of all the boke ¶ Finis tabule ¶ The presentacyon and introyte of this present booke TO the ryght holy and ryght well eâ—rous louynge and magnyfycence of oure saueoure Ihesu cryst and of his ryght doulce and gloryous modâ—r saynt Marye the whiche ben the mocyons of all good operacyons with out the whiche none can be begonne nor ended I Henry Watson apprentyse of London trustynge in the grace of god hathe enterprysed for to translate this present hystorye out of Frensshe in to Englysshe oure moders tonge at the coÌ„maundement of my worshypfull mayster Wynkyn de worde not hauynge regarde for to laye it in another or in more dyffused termes thaÌ„ the frensshe doth specyfye for in doynge so I myght lyghtly haue fayled Wherfore I requyre all them that shall rede it or that hereth it redde for to holde for excused my lytell and obscure vnderstandynge In praynge our lorde that he gyue me grace for to fynysshe it by suche maner that it may be pleasaunt and agreable and profytable vnto the reders and vnto the herers of
was force to the knyghtes and squyres for to withdrawe them aparte for to make place to the ladâ—es and gentylwomen to the ende that they myght se hym the better at theyr cases And there was but fewe of them that were for to marye but that they thoughte within theymselfe and wolde that Olyuer had conquered them by force of armes as well as he hadde done yâ— fayre Helayne ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commysed and the counsayll of the kyÌ„ge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capi. xxxii ALytell whyle after these thynges dâ—uyseâ— the tables were spredde and incontynente as all thynge was redy yâ— trompettes blewe for water to wasshe theyr handes And then the kyÌ„ge and his doughter wasshed and all the other lordes in generall And the Kynge made to enquere of Olyuer of his kyÌ„ne and what he was and of what marches to the ende that yâ— honour were done to hym after his estate He answered to them that demaunded hym that he was a poore knyght of Spayne not of a hye place There was not one neyther the kyng nor the other but that men semed well by his physâ—amye that he was of a good house and that also without grete puyssaunce he coude not haue furnysshed the habyllementes that they had sene hym haue durynge the fâ—â—st Whan tyme was the kynge satte hym downe at the table and with hym all the grete lordes and ladyes reserued Helayne that was sette vp on hye in the myddes of a table that was eleuate to the ende that she myght be sene of all theym in the halle At the ryght syde were the prynces Iuges set at the same table and on the other syde were the .x. pryncesses at the same table Olyuer wolde not sytten downe at the kynges stable Notwithstandynge he was prayed so moche and commaunded that it was force for hym to obeye There was other tables without nombre where as the other knyghtes and ladyes were sette Who that wolde deuyse to you the seruyce and the mysteryes that was there it sholde be to longe to recouÌ„te it There was no mete that replenysshed theÌ„ so sone as to beholde the excellent Helayne she was the repose of the wery and the couragynge of the valyaunt And there was not one but that they thought that god hadde made her for to shewe his hyghe puyssauÌ„ce This feest dured so longe tyll that it was tyme to vnserue there was none of them all that thought other thynge saue to make good chere and also they were not requyred otherwyse The tables taken awaye graces gyueÌ„ to our lorde of his goodnes the daunces began and incontynent the .x. prynces and the .x. pryncesses withdrewe them a parte in to a lytel chambre for to knowe who had done best and they were in grete plete The one helde with the kynges sone of Scotlande and the other 〈◊〉 the erle of Flaundres the other with the good duke of Somerset But the moost parte helde with Olyuer In suche wyse that there was none of theym but that they gaue theyr voyce to Olyuer whan the kynge thought that they myght well haue done he habandonned the daunces and came towarde them demaunded theym what thynge that they had done One of theym kneled downe sayd Our souerayne lorde ye haue of your gode grace commysed vs for to saye frâ—ly the trouthe Also we haue made our othe that we shall not take regarde to the magnyfycence of the lygnagâ— nor lordshyppe And vs semeth that the best doer of all this assemble hathe ben Olyuer not for one daye alonely but for all the the dayes we sawe neuer knyght do suche dedes of armes as he hathe done therfore we aduertyse you therof for to do therwith your good pleasure The kynge answered and sayd My fayre cosyns and my good frendes and you my fayre ladyes here presente I here well ynoughe what ye haue sayd and knoweth that it sholde be agaynst reason to take yâ— pryce from hym yâ— hathe deseruyd it And truely who had axed me myn aduyseâ— wolde haue sayd the same that ye haue tolde me but foâ— all that ye ought to knowe that this is not a lytell thynâ— For he that wynneth the pryce wynneth my doughter and coÌ„sequently all my realme for to be kynge ouer yoâ— al after my decease And bycause that ye gyue the pryâ—â— to a straunger vnknowen of vs all I wolde vnder corâ—reccyon soo it that seme you good that he were aduertyseâ— of this thynge by one of you and how the pryce shall bâ— gyuen to hym And he the whiche shall aduertyse hym maye saye also to hym that I am delybered for to make vnto hym a request that is for to knowe that he were coÌ„tente for to abyde a yere in my courte afore that my fayre doughter Helayne be gyuen vnto hym for to knowâ— his mures and condycyons And also I shall promysâ— hym by the fayth that I owe to knyghthode that durynge that tyme I shall not mary her yf that he be a man worthy her that I knowe none other thyng thaÌ„ I do tyll this present tyme that whiche he hathe wonne shall not be taken from hym And also I shall put in doubte ryght grete lordes that beÌ„ here and yf that I gaue her to hym in theyr presence they myght coÌ„spyre some euyl agaynst his persâ—ne wherby ryght grete inconuenyentes myght come to hym and there is myn aduyse WhaÌ„ the kynge hadde fynysshed his wordes they withdrewe themselâ—e a parte And founde in counsayll that the kynge had sayd ryght well and sayd it sholde be wel done to knowe Olyuers wyll afore that the request were made on hyghe Bycause that it sholde be shame to the Kynge yf it were not vnto hym accorded Thus there is no thyÌ„ge but good and the kynge hathe no wronge to knowe afore the loue ¶ How the kynge of Englande came towarde his fayre doughter for to demaunde her to whome her semed that the pryce ought to be gyuen and of her answers Capitulo xxxiii ONe of the prynces was ordeyned to speke to Olyuer wherfore he came in to the hall where as the ladyes were and â—oke Olyuer aparte and sayd to hyÌ„ all that ye haue her â—e afore Olyuer had alwaye doubte of yâ— thynge by cause of the grete multytude of lordes that were there to whome hyÌ„ thought they wolde soner applye than to hym thought as well that yf he were not contente that it sholde be force to hym wherfore he answered to the prynce My lorde ye mocke with me for I haue not deserued the honour that ye do to me but and ye speke in sadnesse and that it please the kynge to make to me a request as I here you saye I tell you that it is no prayer but his commaundement to the whiche I wyll not dysobeye and sayd no more nor the lorde also but retorned towarde the kyÌ„ge and aduertysed hym