the date that euer I had knowledge of the fyrste And then he smote her agayne so mightely that the good lady lost her speche and all the ladies and damoyselles wende that she hadde bene dead wherfore they made a crye so high that the barons and knightes of the courâ— harde it and ranne quickely in to the chambre Some toke vp the Empresse Bellysant and the other spake vnto the Emperoure after this maner of fourme Alas syr howe haue you your courage so cruell for to destroy and vndo so noble a lady as she is â–ª that is so wel beloued of euery body â–ª in whome was neuer sene vyllanye nor dishonoure For God syr be a lytel more moderate For with wrong without cause you vndertake this quarell against the good lady Speake no more said y e Emperoure I knowe I se and wote howâ— the thyng goeth And y t more is by god almyghty I am deliueâ—ed totally to put her vnto death And if ther be any of you that will saye the contrary I shall make you dye an euill death At those wordes spake a wyse baron â— said Redoubted syr auise you consider well what ye will do you know wel that the lady that you haue spoused is syster vnto the king of Fraunce named Pepyn the whiche is puyssaunt fyerse and of greate courage And you ought to beliue stedfastly that and ye doo outrage vnto his syster Bellyssant he is a man for to auenge hym by suche a facion that he may do great dammage in this countrey also well vpon men chyldren as on townes cyties And put your selfe in exile the which should be great dammage and pitie And on the other syde you se wel that y e lady is great with childe wherfore it is perill vnto you for to smyâ—e her or touche so rudely After these wordes y c lady kneled vpoÌ„ her knees before the Emperour and spake thus vnto him ryght piteously weping ¶ Alas my lorde haue pytt on me for I neuer thought vyllany against your persone if that ye will not haue pyte on me at the least haue coÌ„passion on the chylde that I bere in my wombe for I am great with chylde of your dede of y e which god gyue me grace to be deliuered Ioyously Alas syr I supplye you and requyre you that ye make me be put in to a toure there to be kept streightly vnto my childing And after that I am deliuered do with my body what soeuer you will Thus and in semblable maner the good lady complayned her wepyng and syghyng full profoundly with a sorowfull harte and they had theyr hartes ryght harde that could abstaine them from wepyng But the Emperoure that was deceiued by the false Archebysshop would haue no compassion on his wyfe but cruelly and fyersly answere vnto her False strompet dishordynate of as muche as thou art wyth chylde I ought lytle to reioyce me for I am so muche enformed of thy gouernemeÌ„t that I haue nothing and that dysloyally thou hast habandoned thy selfe vnto oâ— ther than me WhaÌ„ they sawe that the Emperour wolde not refrayne him nor appese his Iâ—e for nothinge by acomyn accorde they toke her and ledde her into a chambre And the most amyably that they might helde her with wordes in shewing vnto her her great faute and the sorowful lady was dysorned in her chambre that hadde her face disteyned wyth bloude The ladyes that were next her persone brought her fayre water to Wasâ—he her with all And at that houre entred into her chambre her squyer named Blandymayn And whan he sawe her in suche estate he wepte for pyte and sayde vnto her Ha madame I se wel that you are falsly betrayed I beseche god that cursed be the person that hathe purchased you thys euil For god my righâ— dere lady take a â—ytle comforte vnto you And yf you wyll byleue me I shall lede you into Fraunce agayne toward the king Pepyn your brother the whyche gaue me vn to you for to serue you in your necessities the whyche thynge I wold do after my puyssauÌ„ce Beleue my consayll and we shal retourne into Fraunce agayne For you may be sure that the Emperour shal make you dye shortly wyth great shame and dyshonoure Then answered the dolourous lady Ha Blandymayn my frende it shoulde be to me to shameful and dyshonest for to go in suche manet without other deliberacyon And it myght be beleued lightly that the Emperour had good cause and that I were culpable of the dede Wherfore I had â—euer die an euil death than for to recouer blame for a thynge that I am innocent of and accused with out cause After these thinges thus said the Emperour that was with the barons a lytell moderate and satisfied of his Ire he sente for his wyfe Bellyssant the whiche was brought before him quickely Whan he sawe her his harte trembled for sorowe for this that he dutst not put her to death because of her brother kiÌ„g Pepyn and his puissaunce With rude wordes he said to her False cursed woman by the is myne honoure vyturped Wherfore I sweare God that and it were not for thy brothers sake the valeaunt kyng Pepyn I should make the to be brent in a fyre but for his sake thy lyfe shall be prolonged at this present time Now I â—o the to wyt that from this houre I banisshe the expulse the from my countrey and Empire in coÌ„maunding the expresly that to morowe thou departe out of this cytie for if I se the any more thou shalt neuer haue respite till thou haue suffred death And yet I commaunde all them of my countrey that there be none so hardy of them to accoÌ„pany you or coÌ„uey saue allonely yoursquyer Blandymayne that you brought out of Fraunce with you Go where as you wil go at your aduenture for thou shalt neuer slepeby my side nor in my bedde Sone after that commaundement of the Emperour that was shorte and sâ—daine without soiourney or delacion the Empresse Bellyssant and her Squyer Blandymayn mounted on horsebacke and came in to the Lyâ—ie where as was shedde full many a tere bothe of lordes and ladies knightes and squyers with al y e commune people the which â—â—ted sorowed out of mesure for they made suche lamentacions that there was neuer sene nor hearde so piteous a thinge Euery body ran vnto the gate for to coÌ„maunde the good lady vnto God that by the false Archebisshop was so pyteously banyshed And at the yssue of the gate they made the pitefullest etie that euer was hearde Nowe goeth Blandymain that conduyeth the sorowefull lady Bellissant and hath taken the waye to go towarde the realme of Fraunce When the lady was out of the walles of the citie and that she sawe her selfe in the fieldes pyteously aâ—ourned like a woman shamed and dishonoured she wayled bitterly For she considered the lyguage the bloud ryall that she was yssued out of the right hygh
you vndertake a great foly for you shal neuer haue victory on him Mounte vpon this litle hyland be hold where as hangeth vpon a tree moo then forty that he hath put to death There is no more then fiftene dayes of respyte that the duke of Acquitayne shalbe constrained for to geue vnto him his doughter the fayrest of the worlde the whiche shall be great dommage Frend sayd Ualentine God shal helpe her Thus as valeÌ„tine spake vnto this man an auncient man came to warde him in the habyte of a pylgrym euill clothed the which had a great whyte bearde and was of the aege of four score yeare This man was Blandymayn the squyer of Bellyssant that ledde herinto the castell where as the gyaunt Ferragus was as it is made mencion of before Ualentine salued the pylgrym and demaunded hym from whence he came And he aunswered hym Syr I come from Constantinoble but I myght not entre in to the cytie for a paynim Soudan that hathe assyeged it I might not do there my message wherefore I retourne me Pylgrym sayd Ualentyne telme yf the grene knyght haue none ende No sayde the pilgrym I waâ—raunt you and I counsayl you that ye coueyte not to fyght with hym For and you were a hondred he would make you all dye To God I commaunde you for I muste departe Thâ— sayd Ualentyne tel vs whether you go Syr sayde Blandimayn I goo streyght to Parys for I muste doo a message to kynge Pepyn of Fraunce from a sister of his named Bellyssant that of long time was banyshed out of Constantynoble with wronge and without hauyng deserued it Nowe is the good lady in the house of a gyaunt that kept her ful swetely the whiche wyll go into Fraunce for to wyte if kyng Pepyn be consentyng For so well he knoweth the lady of good maners and condicions that he wyll fyght in a fyelde of batayle against the Emperoure of Grece that he hath falsly euilly expulsed her Frendâ— sayde Ualentyne to him I praye the in the name of God almyghty that thou retourne againe with vs into Acquytayne And when I shall haue foughten with the grene knyght if God my creature geue me victory against hym I shall retourne in to Fraunce with you And for the loue of kyng Pepyn I vndertake this battayle for I am more beholden vnto hym then vnto any man liuing It is he that hath bene my father and hath nourysshed me so well that I ought well to haue the courage and will for to doo his commaundement and pleasure Syr sayde Blandimain I will neuer consent vnto this For I will goo and do my message for the noble lady Bellyssant for she hath geueÌ„ me the charge and I will serue her truely God be with you both the whiche kepe you from all euill So Blandymayne departed and toke his waye towarde Parys And Ualentyne behelde him right strongly Alas it was not with out a cause He had good right if his harte drew to him for it was he that of longe time had saued and kept his mother but he knewe it not They tooke their waye And went so longe that they aryued besyde the cytie of Acquitayne Ualentyne behelde the cytie sore that was ryght pleasaunt to se. After valentyne espyed a fountayne and went theâ—her and alyght of his horse after he layde hym downe vnder a tre that was besyde it for to refreshe hym for he had greate heate he reposed hym a lytell and slepte and Orson kept him And whan he had reposed hym and was awakened he rose vp vpon his fete for to mount on horsback but there came and arryued ther a knight that was fyerse and proud and that for his grete pryde was called the proud knyght For he was so fyerse that neuer the dayes of his lyfe he had salued no man And yet he was of such a condicion that he that salued hym not shuld haue bataill against hym wher throughe he had made dyuers dye He came toward the fountayne and set fote on ground and Ualentyne behelde hym and sayd neuer a worde and than he aduysed Orson that beheld hym fiersly The proud knight had dyspyte in his hearte and approched neare Orson and gaue hym suche a stroke that he made the bloode yssue out of his mouth And whan Orson felt hym self smiten he toke the knight betwene his armes so rudely that he thre we hym downe vnder him sith he toke a knife that hanged at the knightes gyrdle and smote hym in to the body so that the bloode yssued oute by grete habundaunce And the knyghte that felde hym selfe wounded cryed right hye Than Valentyne approched and toke the knight out of Orsons handes said to him Fayre syr you haue wroÌ„g for to smite this pore man that can not speke a word Than sayd the proud knyghts vnto Valentyne Proude ryvaude wherefore dost thou not salue me The he drewe out a glaiue for to haue smiten hym and Valentyne drewe his swerde and gaue hym so grete a stroke that he smot him doun deed to the erthe And syth sayd to hym I shall â—â—arâ—e you to salue the folkes Whan the proude knyght was â—eed his men began for to flee to warde the eyte of Acquytayn and entred in ryghte sorowfull and tolde the tydynges that theyr maister was deede Of the which tydynges was moche angrye and dyspleasaunt the duke Sauary for he was his cosin Ualentyne herde the sorowe that the proude knightes men made that had ben put to de the besyde the fountayne So he mounted on horsbacke entred into the cyte And whan he was within he lodged him in the house of a much ryche burgeys but whan they wer lodged it was not long after but that the tidinges came vnto 〈◊〉 duke Sauari that they that had slayne hys cosyn were lodged in the cyte He commaunded that they shuld be brought vnto him whan he had commaunded it the messengers departed incontynent for to go fetche Valentyne and Orson the whiche came toward hym anone Than spake y e duke Sauary in this manner Frendes tell me what ye beâ— and yf you be knyghtes or no of what countre you be â— what prynce you serue Syr sayd ValeÌ„tine a knight I am â–ª and am seruaunte vnto the good kynge Pepyn that holdeth Fraunce Knyght sayd the duke you haue slayne my cosyn and put hym vnto death It is trewe sayde the noble knyghte Valentyne I saye not the contrary and yf that he hadde bene of my propre lignage I woulde haue done as muche for he was proude and fyerse of courage he dayned not speke to grete nor litel by his pryde he hathe smyten my felowe soo that he felled hym and whan I sawe that I drewe my swearde and slewe hym I am a straunger that are comen in to this cyte for to fyght with the grene knyght for tose the pleasant Lady Fezonne that is so muche renowne you haue made the waies that euery
the tydinges They enâ—red into the â—yce and wente vnâ—o kinge Lucat muche discomforted and sayd vnto him Redoubted sâ—â— right euill gothe oure feâ—te for our good mayster the Marshall that you haue loued so muche hath ben presently slayne in a wodde by theues The kyng was ryght sorowfull therfore and wyth a great quantyâ—e of men yssued out of the cyte And whan they were wythout they sawe valentyne comynge and sayd to the kynge Syr se hym here that hath slayne and murdred your Marshall Than vâ—lentyne was taken and all they of hys company by the sarazyns and were straytely bounden in betynge and strykynge them by the comaundement of the kynge Nowe Roâ—emonde was in the same castel the whâ—ch knewe valentyne incontinent for the which thyng she was ryght sore taken at the heart and for the great loue that we loued hym she wente anone towarde the kynge and sayd to hym Alas syr kepe you well from makynge this valyaunt knyght dye that for your prysoner hath bene brought heâ—her for I swere promise you that of all the valiaunt courages he is the moost hardy he is the souerayne ought to bere away the excellence Syr it is the same knyght Ualentyne of the countrey of Fraunce that by his valyauÌ„tnes before the cytie of Antyoche slewe the horryble dragon keepe hym derely and retayne hym in your wages for in the worlde there is not so vyctorious a man yf you keepe hym and haue some great batall against your enemyes by hym you may haue vyctory Lady sayde the kynge dyuers tymes I haue heard speake of his great prowesse â–ª and I haue desyred muche to se him in my court Syth he called Ualentyne and sayd to him Knyght haue no feare for to dye for knowe that aboue all other I wyll loue you and holde you dere and all your men receyue vnto my wages but there is so muche that you muste do a message for me that is that you shall goo in to Yndy the great and saye vnto the kyng that I defye him that I am redy and apparayled with my puyssaunce for to go and auenge the death of my father the kyng Trompart the whiche he hath made to dye cruelly And tell hym that I somone hym to come towarde me within my palays before all the baronnye with y e corde about his necke redy and apparayled for to receiue suche death as by the assystentes of my courte ryall shall be Judged and condampned And if he wyll not come you shall tell hym that within short tyme I shall go and se hym and vysyte with so great a companye y t there shall not be left hym castell to wne nor cytie but y t I shall destroye theym And I shall neyther leue man woman nor chylde on lyue ¶ Syr sayd Ualentyne I shall do the message well and sufficiently soo that you shall be contente I knowe well sayde Valentyne that you wyll sende me in a daungerous place but I haue â—â—â—â—te in Jhesu chryste and in the blessed vyrgynmary the whyche haue kepte me from dyuers greate perylles to spede ryght well ¶ How the noble knyght Ualentyne departed from Esclardye for to go in to the myghty and puyssaunte cytie of Ynde the great for to bere the defyaunce of the kyng Lucar Ca. lxviii AS the quene Rozemónde sawe that Ualentyne was redy for to go in to ynde the more for to defye the kynge she entred into her chambre and by adamoysell she sente for Ualentyne secretly the whyche came gladly towarde her and salued her in great reuerence Knyght sayd the lady you are welcome for aboue all other I had great dâ—syre vnto you â–ª Lady sayd Ualentyne yf you had greate acyffecon for to se me so hadde I to se you Sith that I sawe you the thynge is well chaunged for I haue vnderstaÌ„den that your husband the kyng of Antyoche is dead syth my departynge and of late you are maryed vnto another Nowe ye myght well knowe that for the loue of you wythin Antyoche I was charged wyth dyshonoure in peryll and daunger to lose my lyfe It is true sayd the lady of that I knowledge my selfe gyltye for the great loue that I hadde vnto you made me to do that thynge but knowe that to day I shall recompâ—nce you of the faute that I dyd to you than For howe well that my father and my mother haue gyuen me vnto the kynge Lucar the whyche is pleasaunte and ryche aboue all other yet shal my heart neuer loue hym and not with out a cause for not wythstandynge hys rychesse great parentage knowe that of all the other he is the moost false traytoure And yet I tell you that sythe you haue ben in thys palays he is entred into so greate a I 〈…〉 usy that he may not endure it nor wyth good heart beholde you And to the ende that he maye be the more honestlye rydded of you he sendeth you into ynde trustynge that you shall neuer retorne for he hadde neuer tydynges of none yet that he hath sent thether for the kynge of ynâ—â— hath put them all to death But of hys entâ—ncyon by me he shall be deceyued and begyled for from that same daunger and great peryll I shall kepe you and saue you and I shall tell you by what manerof wyse Free knyghte knowe that it is not longe ago sythe that thys same kynge of ynde made me to be demaunded for wyfe â–ª And that it is true I loued hym muche more dereâ— then the kyng Lucar that is a traytour and of vgly facyon and dyspleasaunt for to beholde and in speking vngra cious lytell curtesy But with the will of my father that was vnto myne contrary I was refused vnto the kyng ynde and gyuen vnto the kyng Lucar Nowe it is true that the same kyng of ynde for acquayntaunce of loue sende me a ringe ryght ryche that which I haue derely kept with all my harte for the loue of hym and knowe that I neuer tolde it to no man lyuyng saue too you But for as muche as I haue sene the falsnes ma ladiccion of Lucar the whiche sendeth you in to ynde for to be delyuered of you I shall geue you comforte w t all my puyssaunce that shall kepe you from perill and shall acheue your message and retourne hether agayne as a hardy and a valyaunt knyght And howe wel that I wote and knowe for certayn that of my loue you haue no nede and that you are promised vnto another la dy more hyghe more fayrer and more excellenter then I am yet wyll I not forget the loue that my harte was taken with for you when I sawe you within the cytie of Antyoche as you conquered and vanquished the hor ryble dragon And for the thynges aboue sayd for to encrease your honoure I shall tell you what you shall do when you shall be afore the kyng of ynde arryued after the reuerence made and the salute geuen
the cytie of Jherusalem cap. lxxxviii ¶ Howe the kinge of Surie sent a messenger vnto the Patriarke of Jherusalem byddynge him brynge him king Pepin and the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce the whiche he dyd cap. lxxxix ⧠How the kyng of ynde the great ledde kynge Pepyn away for the parte of his prysoners but he knewe not that he was kyng of Fraunce ca. lxxxx ¶ How kynge Pepyn beynge wyth the kynge of Ynde had knowledge of the fayre Clerymonde ca. lxxxxi ¶ How Brandyffer brought vnto the stronge castell the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce put them in prisoÌ„ ca. lxxxxii ☞ Howe Brandiffer after that he hadde assembled hys hoost mounted on the see and wente and beseged the cite of Angory ca. lxxxxiii ⧠How Brandiffer knew that Lucar Was in Angorye And sente vnto Valentyne for to make the appoyntement to bye hym agayne ca. lxxxxiiii ⧠Howe Valentyne demaunded the kynge of Fraunce for chaunge of kynge Lucar by the consente of the lordes and barons ca. lxxxxv ¶ How Myllondangler that was named the kynge of Fraunce for to saue kyng Pepyn was delyuered out of the prisoÌ„ of brandiffer in chauÌ„ge of kyngelucar lxxxxvi ☞ How valentyne and the duke Myllon yssued oute of Angory vpon the sarazyns and howe the sarazyns loste the batayll and were dyscomfyted ca. lxxxxvii ⧠How kyng Pepyn was delyuered in chaunge of the kyng of Yndes Marshall lxxxviii ⧠How kynge Pepyn toke his leue of the fayre Clerymonde and howe he tolde Valentyne tydynges where she was ca. lxxxxix ⧠How kynge Pepyn departed from Angorye and retorned into Fraunce for to so coure hys wyfe ca. C. ⧠How Valentyne wente into Ynde the great counterfet the physycyon for to sethe fayre Clerymonde and how he spake wyth her ca. Ci. ¶ Howe Ualentyne rode away with Clerymonde and how the kynge of Brytayne was yelded vnto kyng Pepyn by treason ca. Cii ⧠How Valentyne toke the stronge castell and deliuered his father the Emperoure of Grece and all the prysoners that were wyth hym â–ª ca. Ciii ¶ How the Seneshal went vnto Ualentynes shyppes how he was put vnto death with al his men ca. Ciiii ⧠How the emperour Orson and the Grene knyght â— abode in garnyson in the stronge castell And how Haufray and Henry made theyr fader to dye ca. Cv. ¶ How after the deathe of kynge Pepyn the duke Myllon Dangler woulde haue made the lytle Charles to be crowned kynge of Fraunce ca. Cvi ✚ Howe the emperoure of Grece Orson and the grene knyght departed from the strong castel for to go socour Valentyne in Angorye ca. Cvii ⧠How the crysten men yssued out of the cyte of Angorye and of the ordenaunce and of theyr meruaylous batayles ca. Cviii ⧠How Ualentyne slewe his fader pyteosly in the battayle wythout knowing hym ca. Cix ☞ How millon dangler retorned into FrauÌ„ce And how Valentyne and Orson retorned in to grece ca. Cx. ☞ How Valentyne toke leue of the fayr clerymond for to go vnto Rome for to be shryuen of his synne ca. Cxi ¶ How Valentine in great dolour of his body perfourmed his penaunce for the sleyng of his fader ca. Lxii ⧠Howe the kynge Hugon made Clerymonde to be demaunded for wyfe and how he betrayed Orson and the grene knyght ca. Cxiii ✚ How Galeran dyd his message vnto Bellyssant and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— of the meruayllous compâ—ayâ—â—tes that Clerymonde made Ca. Cxiiii ⧠How Bellyssant and Clerymonde knew the treason and false enterpryse of kynge Hugon and how the prouoste smote of the head of Galeran Ca. Cxv. ⧠How Orson and the Grene knyght were delyuered out of the pryson of the kynge of Surye by the appoyn tement of the warre that they made after to kynge Hugon of Hongrye Ca. Cxvi ⧠How at the ende of seuen yere Ualentynge dyed with in his palays of Constaniynoble and howe he wrote a lettre that he was knowen by Ca. Cxvii ¶ Of the meruayllous by syon of Orson and how he be came an hermyte in a great wodde Ca. Cxviii ⧠Here endeth the table newly correcte truely set in order so that ye may fynde euery chapyter lyghtly as the nombre sheweth ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn wedded Berthe a lady of great renowne Capitulo Primo UErytably we fynde in the auncient cronicles that the noble and valiaunt kyng pepyn wedded and toke vnto wyfe Berthe of great renowne dyscrete and prudent whiche had and suffred in her tyme greate trybulations and aduersities by enuy For she was chaced and expulsed from the company and habytacion of the foresayde kynge her husbande by a false and a coursed olde woman replete with malyce The whiche old woman for the fyrst nyght founde maner and facion to put a doughter others in the place of the good Quene Berthe And she ledde and conduyted this treason for to vpholde her doughter with the kynge in the place of Berthe his spouse for they resenâ—bled muche The whiche kynge hadde twoo children by that mayden that is to wiâ—te Haufray and Henry the whiche in the tyme of their reigne greeued and wasted muche the countrey of Fraunce and were of fyerse courage and full of maltalent These twayne were cause to put the Quene Berthe in exile where as she suffred innumerable paynes and dolours And the foresayd lady was full long in exyle leading her lyfe in teares and lamentacions But afterwarde God of his inestimable grace deliuered the good lady from aduersitie for at the requeste and instaunce of dyuerse great lordes the lady was accorded vnto her husbande king Pepyn the whiche in great pyte and honour receyued her And with in a lyttell whyle after she was conceyued with a sone whiche was the ryght puyssaunt Charlemayne and afterwarde he was chased out of the realme by the for said Haufray and Henry as â—o is shewed more playnely in this present booke but nowe I will specifie vnto you y e playne matter of this present booke and specially of the dedes and gouernyng of the valeaunt Ualentine and of his brother Orson It is true that the noble kynge Pepyn had a syster named Bellyssant fayre plesaunte and â—ight gracious And in euery thyng well thought and endoctryned And the kynge Pepyn her brother loued her wyth perfyte loue And in so muche that it happened for the reowne that she had and bycause that bothe great and small loued her for her beaute and humylitie the kynge Alexander Emperour of Constantynoble was enbraced wyth her loue right ardantly So it was not longe after that he came into Fraunce for the same cause in right great estate accompanyed wyth diuers erles and barons the whyche were all in greate pompes and rychesses So shortly after his arryuayle he asseÌ„bled all hys great lordes and coÌ„maunded them to aray them in theyr best araye and that they should go vnto the kynge Pepyn for to knowe yf he wolde gyue him his excellent sister Bellyssane in maryage And so they wente
vnto a thyng that I shall coÌ„maunde the. Ha sayde the marchauÌ„t that sawe himselfe betrayed Archebysshop I se and knowe well I am in your mercy that with me ye may do your pleasure Wherfore I pray you that ye wyl tell me what thyng it is that ye wyl I doo And I shall accomplysshe it so that it please you for to â—aue my lyfe Marchaunt sayd the archebysshop thys shalte thou do ¶ I wyl that before the Emperour and the kinge Pepyn thou testify openly that wyth wroÌ„g and agaynst ryght thou haste accused me falslye and by enuy And of this dede discharge me and shalt take the charge by suche a couenaunt that yf thou wylte do it I swere and promise the to saue the fro deathe and make thy peas towarde the Emperoure and the kynge Pepyn And more ouer I swere vnto the by the faythe of gentylnesse and by the ordre of preesthode to giue the a nece of myne in maryage the whiche is ryche fayre pleasauÌ„t Than mayst thou say that there was neuer none in thy lignage so happy nor so riche And therfore auyse the yf thou wyl do it after this maner and chesâ— whether thou wylte lyue or dye for thou mayst noâ— escape by none other way with thy lyfe Incontynent as the marchauÌ„t herde the Archebysshop speke so he was much sorowful not wythout a cause he reclaymed bothe god and our lady mekely to kepe him from death and saue his right And than he answered in thys mauer Syr Archebysshop your reason is good I am redy to accoplysshe it and obey you in affâ—enge me that you wyl kepe your promyse In me sayd the Archebysshop ye shal finde no faute Now in goddes name said the marchaunte go doe to to the Emperour and I shal dysaccuse you of the great iniury â–ª that I haue preposed agaynst you it is well sayd now ryse vp and you shall come with me At these wordes the marchauÌ„t rose vp â–ª and whan he was vp he recorden the treason that the Archebysshop had done him fayninge that he wolde haue confessed him as I haue made mencion here before wherefore he toke courage to him and thought to serue him with the same mese for it is said comnenly the treason wil euer returne to his maister againe ThaÌ„ he toke the Archebysshop in his armes with soo greate courage that anone he had throwen him vnder him than sayd to him Archebysshop you haue taught me to play this pagent wherfore thinke now to confesse you to me for ye shall haue none other confessour but me Yet thought the fals Archebysshop on diuers cauillacions wyth swete wordes wolde haue deceiued the marchaunt agayne But the marchauÌ„t neuer trusted him more nor gaue him noo more tyme nor space to rise vp but anone with great diligence put out bothe his eyen and gaue him so many strokes that he had no strengthe to defende hym And whan the marchaunte saw that he was domynatour and had the ouer haÌ„de he rose vp and let hym lye And called the kepers of the felde and sayd to them Lordes here may you se yf that I haue done my deuoyre against the Archebisshop and yf he be vaynquysshed you se that I put hym in suche estate that whan it semeth me good I maye slee hym or kyll hym Wherfore I praye you that it wyll please you to make the Emperour and the kynge Pepyn to come hether with their lordes for to here the coÌ„fession of the Archebysshop to here that with vniust quarrell he hath takeÌ„ batayle agaynst me Than went they to fetche to the fielde the Emperoure Alexander the kyng Pepyn the whiche came accompanied with many notable barons to the place where as the Archebysshop was sorowful and confounded And the Emperour demaundeth him the truthe of the matter And the false Archebisshop knowledged before them al the dede and tolde them all the maner howe that with wronge he had spokeÌ„ against the lady Bellyssant and without any cause had made her be put in exile by treâ—son and falshode Alas chynke how many pyteous teeâ—es there was shedde on all sydes and specially of the Emperoure for his cries and lamentacions were soo pyteous that all they that were about hym wepte bytterly and made great sorowe And if the Emperour demeaned great dole demaunde not if that the kyng Pepyn at that tyme was tryste and sorowful Alas it was not without a cause that they demeaned suche sorowe when they sawe and knewe that by to light beleuing and false treason they had lost the excelleâ— lady Bellyssant kyng Pepyns syster and wife vnto the Emperour And there was betwene the Emperoure Alexander and the kyng Pepyn Joye in dystresse by two parties conâ—oyned Joye to the kyng Pepyn that of his sister knew the loyalte Doloure and displeasaunce to the Emperoure that of the deade founde hymselfe culpable Because that then he knew that with wronge he had chaced her from hym And after all the lamentacions and the confession and treason of the Archebysshop harde The Emperâ—pre assembled his counsayll for to Judge what death the Archebysshop should die of and it was established that he should be boyled in â—yle all quicke so it was done After the which iudgement euery body withdrewe them vnto their demayne and dwellynge place And when the kyng Pepyn hadde withdrawen him into his lodgyng the Emperour doleÌ„t and sorowfull syghyng profoundly came towarde hym and kneled downe before hym and sayde all wepyng Alas syr I haue coÌ„mitted against you a cryme to detestable dishonest Nowe se I clearely my miserable fauâ—te and knoweth that by my folyshnes and light creaunce I am and haue ben cause to put your syster in exyle and to perdiccion of the whiche thynge I requyre you of pardon and before you I presente me as culpable abydyng your grace And in knowledgyng of my false villanye and for satisfaction and a mendes I yelde and put into your handes the Empyre of Grece that iustly and of good ryght appertayneth to me For I requyre â—o haue no more the name of an Emperoure nor of a kyng as longe as I shall lyue vpon the earth but wyl as a seruaunt in all thinges obeye you for I haue wel deserued it ¶ When the kyng Pepyn vnderstoode the good will and the great humilite of the Emperoure he toke him vp and pardoned him before at his lordes And after that their peace was made by a common accorde they delybeâ—ed betwene them for to sende messengers into euery countrey to serche the noble lady Bellyssant After the which thinges the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure for to retourne into Fraunce ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure and departed from CoÌ„stantinoble for to go into FrauÌ„ce And howe he went afterwarde to Rome agaynste the Sarasyns that had taken the cytie ¶ Capitulo x. HOwe kyng Pepyn departed from Constantynoble after the thinges aforesayd And so
let hym lyue any lenger for doÌ„mage dishonour he wyl bere you shortly For god make that he be drowned or hanged for the garde of him is nought nor his company Whan the kynge Pepyn vnderstode this tidinges he was much sorowful And sayd that he wolde make Orson the sauage to be put in a toure where as he shoulde neuer come out but by licence So kinge Pepyn sente for Ualentine for to demauÌ„de hym the case And Ualentine recounted vnto him the enter pryse as it had ben done by Haufray Henrye sayinge Syr I was in the chambre of my ladye your doughter Eglantyne in the company of dyuers ladyes and gentyll women that desyred strongly for to se Orson and pryncypally I had brought hym vnto my lady EglaÌ„tyne So I can not tel you wherfore nor by what title my lordes your two sones Haufray and Henry dyd entre into the chambre in sayinge vnto me that I dydde my pleasure with your doughter and that they knewe it longe agone And in spekyng vnto me fyerse proude wordes Haufraye by an outragious volente smote me vpon my vysage with his hande and Henrye with his sweard wend for to haue slayne me Orson beynge that my body was in daunger wente towarde theym and smote them bothe down so that the bruyte and the noyse arose therfore as you may here ¶ And is it true sayd the kynge Pepyn so as you tell me If syr sayd va lentyne vpon the payne of my lyfe other thynge nor other cause knowe I not Nowe by god sayd the kynge Pepyn Orson hathe done his deuoyr and that whyche he ought to do And you Haufray Henry ful of enuye and cursed malyce ye be to blame I se and know clerelye that wythall your puyssaunce ye seke from daye to daye to noye Ualentyne ye be wel of an euill nature to purchase his euyl whan you se that I loue hym and that he serueth me truelye I defende you to wyll hym ony hurt wherefore let hym alone For I wyll not for goo hym for none other And I am wel certayne that he wolde neuer thynke nor serch my dyshonoure Euen so departed Haufray and Henry that were much soroweful and displeasaunt And Ualentine abode at that houre in the hal with all the other lordes and barons of the court And Orson wente thorowe the palays here and there At the laste he entred in to the kechyn and sawe the meet that the coke made redy for souper soo he approched nere hym and toke two capons all rawe and ete them as a dogge Whan the coke sawe that he toke a pestel and gaue Orson soo grete a stroke that he made hym for to bowe Than Orson stouped downe and toke the coke and threwe hym downe in the place and gaue hym so many strokes that he had almoost slayne hym The tydynges came vnto kynge Pepyn that orson doewe the coke and that none durste approche â–ª nere hym Wherat the kynge was angry and made Orson to be brought before hym and made hym sygnes that he wolde make hym be hanged But Orson wente anone and fetched the pestell and shewed the kynge howe the coke had smyten hym And whan the kynge vnder stode the case he pardoned orson entyerly coÌ„maunded that none sâ— olde touche hym ony more And valentyne shewed hym the guyse and manere how he sholde behaue hym in the palays for the tyme to come and toke totally y e charge of hym And he taught hym so well that he dyde neuer after euyll nor dyspleasure but yf y t they began fyrste And in this maner they abode longe with the noble kynge Pepin that was bothe theyr vnâ—â—es But they knewe it not ¶ How the duke Sauary sente towarde the kynge Pepyn for to haue socoure agaynst the grene knyght that by force wolde haue hadde his doughter Fezonne vnto wyfe and spouse Capitulo xvi VAlentyne and Orson were at that same tyme in the kynges courte whan that from the duke Sauary there came aknyght vnto the kynge Pepyn the whiche after all due reuerence spake vnto hym in this maner Free kynge and of almoost redoubted the good duke Sauary to whom I am seruaunt hathe sente me hether to you requiringe you for to socoure hym agaynst a fals and a cursed painym that hathe assyeged hym and he nameth hym self the grene knyght the whiche wyll haue his doughter by force of armes agaynst his wyll the whiche is as fayre as can be founde and she hath thre hardy brederne that is to wyte Garin Anselme And Garyn the yongest Mylordes sayd the kynge we wyll socoure the good duke Sauary with a good wyll at his nede with all your puyssauÌ„ce Syr sayd the messenger god yelde it you for ye shall do a grete almesse and I thanke you thanke you a hondred tymes on my maysters behalfe In saynge these wordes there entred another messenger in to the palays y e whiche after that he had salued the kynge as he ought for to do he sayd vnto him thus Ryght excellent kynge and aboue al other redoubted â–ª assemble your hoost men of warre in all the haste y t you maye and sende them vnto the cyte of Lyon For there is comen and yssued out of Almayne moo than a hondreth thousande fyghtyngemen that wyll dystroy your realme and put it in subgeceyon whan kynge Pepyn had vnderstonden these tydynges he was much a basshed made to come before hym the Archebysshop of Reyns and the duke Myllon dangler â–ª Geruais and Sampson And after he tolde them the wordes of the messenger and demaunded them counsayll yf that he sholde go towarde Acquytaine for to socoure the good duke Sauary â–ª or towarde Lyon to defende his couÌ„tre To y e whiche thynge answered Myllon dangler Syr vpoÌ„ this mater you must be counsaylled for your shyrte is more nerer your body than your gowne yoâ— oughte not for to defende the countree of another and lette your owne be dystroyed Wherfore without takynge onyâ—ore counsayl you shal go towarde Lyon for to kepe and defende your countree And whan you haue chaced your enemyes and casten them out of your countree than maye ye go sureli and socoure the good duke Sauary that demauÌ„deth helpe of you He byleueth his couÌ„sayll and accepted it â–ª and after sayd vnto y e messenger of the good duke Sauary that at that tyme he myght not socoure his mayster for it behoued hym to lede his hoost toward Lyon But tell your lorde that he kepe hym wel tyll that I haue done here that than I shal so coure hym w t so grete a nombre of folke that he shal be contente Syr sayd the messenger to euyll it happeneth hym that you maye not come nowe for he hathe gretenede But syth that it can not be none otherwyse I thanke you for your god wyll And with the leue of your hyghe maieste I wyll departe from you At these wordes the messenger of the duke Sauary
dede and they shal geue vs couÌ„sayl vpon this mater To this counsail theâ— accorded al were delybered for to goo vnto Parys where as king Pepin soiurned at that present time Grigar after thys counsayl toke his way towarde Parys And Orson was within the wode pyteously ve wept that al that nyght had rested him at y e fote of a tre And as the day was light he put him on the waye thoughte within him selfe that he wold neuer reast tyll that he had done the kynge to wyte of that treason and how Valentine was taken and led awaye He toke the hys waye and ranne faster to Parys than a hors but grigar the traytour was soner there And as he was entred into the palays he went toward haufray henry recounted vnto hym how Ualentyne was taken and enprysoned wherof he was ryghte glad but it dyspleased hym much whan it was told hym that OrsoÌ„ was escaped Not withstondyng he recomforted hym in that that Orson coud not retorn vnto Paris again and more ouer of this that he coud not speke and y t he coude not recoâ—t the maner of the enterprise but their entencion was wel torned backward for Orson abod not longe whan he arryued at paris And at the same daye that he arryued the two traytours hadde taken counsayl betwene them that Grygar sholde retorne vppon the morowe vnto the castell for to put Valentyne to death without ony remyssyon In a good hour aryned Orson at that time the which also sone as he was in the palays he entred into the great hall wheras the good kynge Pepyn was the which at that same tyme was set at the table for to dyue accompanied with dyuers noble knyghtes and barons whan kyng Pepyn saw Orson he wende verely that Valentyne had ben recorned Orson went thorow the haile pyteously trying and beting his breast for the whiche thinge the kynge and al the other beheld him sore And whan Or son sawe the knightes set at table hee behelde theiâ— muche horriblye in makyng hydeous signes Than he aduised and knew Grigar amongst the other that heâ—â— his heed inclyned downe to warde the tabell for feare that he shuld be espyed ⧠whan Orson sawe him he ran thederwarde and gaue him soo greate a stroke that he smote one of his â—res away And after he smote him agayne vpon the vysage so mightely that he broke his teth and put out one of his eyen wherfore Grygar began for to crye so hye that all they in the hal apâ—â—â—ceyueo the noyse and debate And Orson retorned againe and gaue hym so sore a strooke that he felled hym and caste downe the table and al that was vponâ—â— wherat all the company meâ—ualled and were much stronglye troubled And Grigar had ben slayne therby orson the sauage yf â–ª a valyaunt prince had not taken him from hym and sayde al on hye Alas syr kynge se and consyder the pyteous case in which orson the sauage hathe put this good knight for god syr make that his life be taken from him for it is to peryllous a thing to kepe such a man Lordes sayd the king we must taste auisemente on this mater Make him come heather and we shal know what is his entencyon wherfor he did it and y e cause of his debate Orson was brought before the kynge Than the kinge demaunded him wherfore he had done so great outrage before his maiestie And Orson made him signe that he had slayne murdred Valentyne in the forest And after he went shewyng meruaylous sygnes that he wolde fyght wyth Grigar for that thynge by the lawe of champion make hym confesse his cursed enterpryse and dampnable treason After he toke his hode and kest it by great fyernes vnto Grigar in maner of wage dyffyaunce â–ª And whan kinge Pepyn sawe that he called his lordes and the other barons of the courte and sayd to them al on hie Lordes nowe haue you sene how this wilde man hath casten his gage of batayle before vs al vnto Grigar how he wyl fight with him Wherfore tell me all your oppinions vpoÌ„ this mater and what is for to be done in this case for muche I meruayle me in my hearte of this that Orson the sauage amongest al the knightes elles of my courte hathe â–ª smyten Grygar so furiouslye Lordes saye on your oppynyons for I doubte me to muche of some fal shede what part someuer it cometh on And as for my part wythout your counsayl or delyberacyon I shall be of the oppynyon that the bataile were iudged betwene them both Whan the kynge had spoken in thys maner the barons were of one accord and oppynyon that Grygar and Orson should fyghte for thys quarel Than the batayle was ordeyned And kynge Pepyn made Grygar to be brought before hym and sayd to him that behoueth him to fight with Orson Whan Grygar knew and vnderstode that it behoned him to fight with Orson he was ryght sorowfull and not wythout a cause for the time is come that the treason that hathe ben hydde so longe shalbe knowne manifestly before eueri body Grigar beheld Haufray withan vnstedfast semblaunce a frayde hearte â–ª than Henry called him and sayd â–ª Grygar haue no fere of nothynge for I promyse you and let you wytte that wee shall make your peas toward the king oure father in such wyse that your persone shal haue no domage nor vyllany in no maner of the worlde by this condycyon that you shal sweare neuer to confesse this dede what someuer come vnto you Alas sayde Grygar to euyll goth my cause for I se wel that I must suffre dethe for your sakes And whaÌ„ he had sayd this he weÌ„t toward the king saying Syr I requyre you of a gift that is y t of your grace I fyght not with the wilde man For syr you know wel ynough that it is not man against maÌ„ that a knyght may wynne honoure of and also he is no natural man but is vnreasonable and without onâ— spyce of mercye Grygar sayd the kynge there is none excusacyon for the battayl is iudged by the counsail of all the court treason condampneth you and right wil that it be so Of this answer was Grigar right pensiâ— dysconforted Than Haufray sayd vnto hym â–ª haue no doubte for yf you haue good ryght god shal healpe you and be your shelde and defence in this quarel And as for my part I shal make you to be armed wel and sufficiently as it apperteyneth vnto such a case And whan Orson vnderstode that he shuld fyght he made grete Joye Many grete signes made Orson vnto the kyng that Ualentine was deed and destroyed Of the whiche signes king Pepin meruayled sore Euer was Orson redy for to smyte Grygar the fals traytour but the king Pepin made him to be taken and to bee kepte in his presence in making him signes that he shoulde smyte hym no more vntyl the time that he
wer in the felde After he sayd vnto Grigar go and arm you and thynke for to defend your quarel wel Ha syr sayd Grigar I haue serued you longe time withall my puissaunce haue enforced me for to obey you in al thinges as wel in batayl as wythoute but euyll rewarde you yelde me whan that you wyll make me fyght agaynst this wylde man that hathe neyther wytte nor reason Grygar sayd kyng Pepyn if you haue good right you ought not to be dysmayed of nothynge for I promyse you that you shal be wel armed and Orson shalbe put into the felde al naked and without armour You shall be on horsback and he shal be on fote without bering ony wepen wherby you shal haue no cause for recule a backe from defendyng of your ryghte I can not tell how it shal befal you but you shewe wel the seÌ„blaunt that there is somwhat to say in you do your deuoyre and defend your ryght for you shall haue none other thynge of me the cause is consumed and the conclusy on made and taken of my counsayll ¶ How Orson and Grigar fought togyder before kinge Pepyn and how Orson vaynquyshed him made him confesse the treason openly and after was hanged And how Valentine was delyuered Ca. xix AFter that Grygar had made dyuers excuss cyons and apposycyons that he sholde not fyght wyth Orson and that it was delybered by the counsail to fight â–ª the kinge commauÌ„â—ed to make the feld afore his palais And when he was ready Orson that was abidyng eâ—â—ered in for to abyde Grygar y t was armed by Haufray Henry the which armed him also well as they could And when he was armed he tooke his leue of them in saying Lordes I go dye for you Euill was the daye for me when I enterprysed suche a thyug Holde your peace sayd Henry and take no thought for I haue promysed you to make your peace to wathe my father the whiche I will holde so that and you be vanquished by Orson your body shall haue no harme And if that he would domage you in any maner there should rather dye an hundred thousande men then we should faile on out syde be euer secrete and knowledge neuer nothyng of the deede that is done nor of the enterpryse Grygar was armed and mounted on horsebacke and so he rode towarde the fielde that was ordeined before the palais And when the houre was come that they should fight the kyng came to the wyndowes for to beholde the batayle When al the court was assembled and the iudges ordayned for to iudge the bataill it was commaunded to both the parties that they shoulde do their deuoyre Than Grygar entred into the fielde with muche pryde mounted at auauntage wherfore it befell hym euill at the ende He sporred his horse and drewe towarde Orson saying Rybaude thou hast done me to great outrage whaÌ„ thou put out one of min eien through thy cruel nes but I shall shewe the that with wronge and without cause thou haste assayled me ¶ And when Orson sawe him come he vnderstode hym well and stratched forth his armes and she wed his nayles and his teeth grennyng full hugely Then Grygar couched his spere and ranne towarde Orson When Orson sawe the spere come he gaue a lepe backward And Grygar that had fayled of his stroke fixed his speere in the fielde Whan Orson sawe that he retourned to him and tooke the spere and when that Orson hadde the spere in his hande he gaue hym so great a stroke that he loste witte and vnderstaÌ„ding in such wyse that he wist not where he was When Grygar was smyten he sporred horse and fledde about the fielde and Orson ranne after makyng a grymly countenaunce and shewyng the kyng that he woulde yelde hym matte anone And when Grygar apperceyued the great daunger that he was in he sayde within himselfe A Haufray I muste dye for you I had well sayde it euyll is the thing begon and euill shal it finishe In this maner Grygar could not wouÌ„de Orson in no wyse And when Orson sawe this he â—ast the spere downe and after came against Grygar and so stâ—aitâ—he kept him that he caught his horse by the necke and he made him turne so ofteÌ„ about that he made him fall but when he felte his horse fal he would haue lept out of his sadle and at the lepe he lost his shelde for it fell down and Orson ranne to it and anone put it vpoÌ„ hym and went towarde the horse and mounted vpon hym and in makyng marueylous sygnes he roode after Grygar that fled about in the fielde To se the countenaunce of Orson euery body was abasshed And the kyng Pepyn amongest the other was muche pensyfe for this case and sayde before them all By God almiâ—hey lordes I marueyle me muche of this feate and I can tell what to thynke nor to what ende it wil come but whatsoeuer it be or what may happen it is myne opinion that there is treason ryght greate somwhere The kyng was pensyfe vpon this enterpryse And Orson that was mounted on horsebacke for to pursue Grygar descended of the horse and wente vnto him on fote and he gaue suche a stroke that he smote him down to the grounde and after he lepte vpon him and tooke his sworde and his dagger from him after he gaue him so mighty a stroke that he smote of his arme and hys shoulder And then he gaue hym another marueylous stroke in the body so that he cut his reynes of his back in two And Grygar escryed soo hye that euerye body herde it in demaundyng a priest for to be confessed of his synnes and to haue absolucion of them And when the gardes of the fielde vndrstode hym a muche notable knyght that had the charge went to ward him and demaunded hym what he woulde and then Grygar sayd vnto hym Syr make the kyng Pepyn descende for I will before all the worlde tell and confesse the falsnes and treason of my case ¶ Then this thyng was sygnifyed to the kyng Pepyn all clearely what he had sayde ¶ How Grygar after that he was ouercome and vanquyshed by Orson confessed before the king â–ª Pepyn the treason that Haufray and Henry had done against the noble Ualentyne ¶ Cap. xx WHen Grygar sawe the kynge he cryed hym mercye And recounted vnto him howe that by the commaundement of Haufray and Henry he had taken Ualentyne put hym in pryson tyll lye be iudged to deathe Whan kynge Pepyn knew the trouth of the mater he commaunded to hang Grygar Sith he mouÌ„ ted on horsbacke for to go vnto the pryson that valen tyne was in whan Orson vnberstode that the kinge wold go he ranne before hym makyng grete chere to hym shewynge hym the waye And the kynge sayd often Lordes it is a great thyng of thys wyld man that loueth Valentine thus know that his manners styreth me much for to do hym some
good The kynge loued hym moche and wel he oughte to do so for he was his propre neuew but he knew it not Nor yet he shal not knowe it tyll that by Clerymonde syster vnto the gyaunre Ferragus it be shewed For that same Clerimonde had a castell wherin was a heed of brasse composed by Nygromancye that tolde her all the thynges that shuld happen her in the time to come and also the whyche was passed And yet this same heed was composed of suche arte that it shuld neuer finishe tyl that the moost hardyest knyght of the world entred into the castell for than it shold lease the speche and all the vertue Now there shal come one that shal make it finish And that shall be Ualentyne that the fayre ladye Cleremonde that take for the whiche he shal endure and suffre great peryls daungers as you shal here more playnly afterward So I wyl leaue to speake of thys mater and wyll retorne vnto kynge Pepyn that goth toward the forest for to saue Ualentyne and preserue him from death He hath done so muche that he is entred in to the forest and gothe folowynge Orson that ledde hym vnto the castell But whan they wer comeÌ„ vnto the castel the porters that knewe the kyng shytte the gates incontynent for so they were coÌ„maunded of them within the castell vpon payne of their liue Theâ—â— when the kyng sawe that he might not enter in to the castell but by force He commaunded his men that the place should be assayled So it was not long after that the dytches were fylled with wodde And after they ap proched nere the walles and entred in to the castell by force of armes When they were within the castell they toke all the traytours and bounde them streighly And after they went into the depe prysons where as UaleÌ„tyne was and toke him out and brought him vnto the kyng Pepyn When Ualentyne sawe the kyng he â—ettâ— him on his knees and thanked him for his payne that he had taken for to delyuer hym out of his aduersytie Then the barons toke hym makyng hym great ioye gladnes And tolde him the case how it went and how Orson hadde fought with Grygar for hym to the vtâ—taunce And when Ualentyne herde these tidynges he embrared Orson muche swetely he hym So ye nede not demaunde if the Joye was greate betwene them twayne After that this was done the kyng commauÌ„ded that the traytours should be lead into the wodde and there to be hanged and strangled on one tree with out any remission Then kyng Pepyn spake vnto valentyne and sayde Ualentyne my frende sythe that god hath geuen you the grace to be thus Joyously escaped from the handes of your enemies I counsayl you that you retourne agayne with me Syr sayde valentyne for goddes sake pardon me for I shall neuer retourne vnto the tyme that I knowe what I am and of what place extraught Wherfore I take hehe leue of you as he that woulde serue you to my power At these woordes they departed Here leue I to speake of the kynge and â—â—ll speake of Ualentine and Orson that is going into Acquitaine for to fyght with the grene knyghte that feareth no man for as I have tolde you before he shall neuer be vanquysshed but of a kynges sonne that neuer had souked womans breastes Thus goeth Ualentine and Orson together toward the countrey of Acquitayne All the worlde ran for to se Orson that was all naked and rough as a beer Euery body did laughe at him but he set not therby Then UaleÌ„tine made for to make him a â—aceraÌ„ of fyne stele which was of such a fasion that it had a hode that was fastened to it And when Orson had it on him he thought him much wilde and would haue put it of gladly but he feared Ualentyne muche for all that he coÌ„maunded him he did without contradiction When Orson was clothed in the â—â—ceran of stele he behelde himselfe strongly and kepte a proude countenaunce Now it happened that as they passed vpon their waye Ualentine espied a right faire squyer that passed therby the whiche wepte full tenderly When Ualentyne sawe that he sayd vnto him frend what ayled you for to wepe haue you founde any euil men or haue you feare of the wylde beastes tell me for I shall helpe you after my power Alas sayd the squier of all this I haue no doubte but knowe that the thyng that causeth me for to wepe is my maister that I haue lost the whiche was the moste courteous the moste amiable and the moste valiauÌ„t that was vpoÌ„ the earth Ualentyne sayde howe haue you lost him ¶ Syr said the squyer he went into Acquitayne for to fyght with the grene knight for to haue one of the fayrest ladyes in the worlde that is the pleasaunt lady Fezonne that hath her harte so gracious and noble but there shall neuer none haue her if the grene knyght be not ouercome in cleane batayle Nowe there is dyuers valyaunte knyghtes dead And when he hath conquered them he maketh them to be hanged on a tree that is in the place on the whiche tree is hanged dyuers knyghtes to the nombre of two thyrty He taketh no mercy of none he is so truell a â—elon Holy vyrgyn Mary sayd Ualentyne I thynke he is some deuell when he doeth suche thynges but and it please Ihesus I shall go in to Acquytayne and shall proue my body against hym for I haue hearde so muche speakyng of the fayre lady Fezoune that if I dye not shortly I shall know the truth Ha syr sayde the squyer for God goo not thether for yf you fyght with him you shall lese your payne and you are so fayre a knyght that I neuer sawe none such Lese not your lyfe for to fyght with that deuill for I haue sene hym put so many noble men vnto death that I haue great doubte of you if you fyght with hym Squyer sayde Ualentyne in to Acquytayne will I goo and of the grene knight I shall knowe the truthe if he haue euill cause agaynst hym wyll I fyght but if I may I wyll speake fyrst with the fayre lady Fezonne and doo after her counsayle And when Orson vnderstode him he made sygnes vnto Ualentyne that he longed for to fyght with the grene knyght and that he wold loue the fayre Fezonne When valentyne vnderstoode hym for great ioye he laughed Thus go the two brethren walkyng through the countrey for to go vnto Acquytayne So they haue ryden so muche that they are aryued besyde the tyrie Ualentine sawe it from farre for it stode onhye Then he called an olde man that passed by and demaunded him what 〈◊〉 it was that he sawe before hym Syr sayde the goodman it is Acquitayne Nowe tell me saybe valentyne where doth the grene knyght holde hym Syr sayde he besyde the cytie I thynke you go for to fyght with him Yea truly saide Ualentine A sir
syster felte the paynes of chylding in the forest of Orleaunce And when the euyll had taken her she sente me vnto a vyllage there besyde for to fetche her a woman for to helpe and sucoure her Then I made the moste dyligence that was possible for me but or euer I was retourned the noble lady had delyuered two fayre sonnes of the whiche a wylde beere muche furiously bare away one of the children into the wodde in suche maner that the Empresse Bellyssant after her power wende for to haue saued and sucouredit but she wiste not where it became she had folowed so long that I founde her lying vpon the grasse in a swowne piteously aourned the whiche semed better dead then on lyue I tooke her vp betwene myne armes and comforted her as wel as I myght And when she was come to herselfe and that she myght speake in syghyng muche pyteously she recounted vnto me the maner howe she had lost her childe by the wylde beaste and howe she had lefte the other vnder a tree And when I vnderstode those wordes I ledde her vnto the tree whereas I had left her and there doubled her sorowe for she founde not the other chylde that she had lefte there And thus were the two children of your syster loste in the foreste And other tydynges knowe I not And if you doubte you of this thynge for to haue the more greater knowledge knowe syr that I am Blandymayn that was geuen all alone for to conduyte your syster Bellissant when she was sent in exile by the Emperoure Alexander Alas Blandymayn sayde the kinge youre woordes geueth me distresse and displeasaunce when that I maye not knowe the place where as my Syster is nor of her twoo chyldren haue certayne knowledge but sythe that I can knowe none other thynge tell me if that it be long ago sythe that she was delyuered within the forest of the twoo chyldren Syr sayd Blandymayn it was vpon the propre daye that you mette me in the forest of Orleaunce and that I tolde you the pyteous tydynges of the exyle and vytuperable blame of my lady Bellyssant your syster As the kyng Pepyn vnderstode these wordes of Blandymayn he was ryght pensyfe in his courage And euen so as he was in that thought he be thought hym of Ualentyne that he founde in the forest that same daie and on Orson that had bene conquered by him in that same wodde For this thing he was in great melancoly And when he had al considered he knew by the sayinges of Blandimain that they were sonnes of his syster Bellissant He sent for the quene Berth his wife dyuerse other lordes and ladyes of his courte for to tell and declare it theim Alas lordes sayd he I haue holden and nouryshed longe tyme in my house as poore chyldren and vnpuâ—uayed they that be sonnes to an Emperour and an Empresse and my propre neuewes that is vnlentine that I founde in the forest of Orleaunce that was by my syster Bellyssant in the tyme of her misfor tune chylded within the wodde And I let you to wyte that Orson the sauage that hath ben conquered by valentyne as I may vnderstand is his propre brother naturall and they both are sonnes vnto the Emperoure of Grece ¶ Of these tidinges was the quene Berthe muche ioyous and all the lordes barons and knightes of the court There was present the two enemies mor tal of Ualentine that is to wyte Haufray and Henty that with semblaunt made tyght ioyous chere but at their hartes and courages they were tryste and sorowful For aboue al thiâ—ges they desyred the death of the noble Ualentyne for and to the ende that with Charlemayn their lytell brother they might do their wil disordinate to whome they were muche contrary as you shall heare afterwarde recounted Now was Blandy main right sore abashed when he harde the kyng speke thus of the dedes of the twoo chyldren and demaunded hym Syr know you in what lande these two children may be founde that you make mencion of Frende sayd the kyng I haue nouryshed one in my house right longe in suche maner that he is become great haroye and stronge and hath conquered the other that lyued in the forest of Orleaunce as a beaste and dydâ—e greate dammage in the countrey aboute And after that he had conquered hym and that they hadde bene longe in my courte they departed from me and toke leue of me for to go in to Acquytayne to fyght with a hardy and a valyaunt champyon that the grene knight maketh hiÌ„ to be called And syth theyr departynge I myght neuer haue tydynges of them Syr sayd Blandymayn after that the whyche you tell me I let you wyte that I mette the two chyldren besyde the cyte of Acquytayne wherfore I am ryght dyspleasaunt that I myght not know them for of all my dolours I sholde haue had than alegement Of this mater they deuysed longe tyme. And after these thynges the king commaunded that Blandymayn shuld be fested and serued honourablye in all thyngs that was necessary for hym Than was BlaÌ„dymayn taken by the officers of the palays and was ledde amonge the barons and knyghtes of hys courte the whiche receiued him in grete honoure and reuereÌ„ce in festynge hym Nowe it happened that on that same daye the grene knyghte that I haue made mencyon of before arryued at the courte of kinge Pepin that was at Parys And soone as he was dyscended he went into the halle ryall in the whyche kynge Pepyn was with his batous knyghts muche notable He salued the king right reuerentlye And whan the kinge sawe hym armed wyth greâ—e armour he meruaylled muche and demaunded hym before all his barons knights Tell vs whome you are and also what is the cause of your commynge hether and wherefore you â—ere suche greue armoure Noble and honourable kyng sayde the grene knyght knowe that I am extraught out of sarazyns londe and borne and of a fader sarazyn I am engendred and of a moder painime I haue bene childed So it is true that for to haue to wife the doughter of y e duke of Acquitaine named Fezonne I haue by a whole yere holden the londe of the duke in my subgeccyon And haue doone so muche that at the laste I dyd gyue hym syx monethes of trewes by such a couenant that yt he gaue me not a knyght that by force of armes myghte conquere me duryng that same tyme that I shold haue his Doughter Fezonne vnto wyfe And in case that I were conquered and vainquisshed I shold make myne host to departe out of his countree wythoute â—armynge or hurtynge it Now I haue ben ryght longe before the cyte of Acquitaine in abidinge euery day batayll so there came to me many valyaunt knightes of dyuers countrees and regeons the whiche I haue put al to death and hanged on a treÌ„ â–ª saue alonely two worthy knyghtes wherof the one is named Ualentine and the other
that of my dere moder y e I haue desyred so muche I hoped to haue had tydynges shortly and certayne knowledge and in thynkynge to haue ben assured to perfour me myn enterpryse but in y e places dysloyall I am vnhappely comen and fallen into the handes of myn enemyes that of my lyfe are enuyous and desyreth my dethe Alas my fayre broder Orson well is our thoughte and our entencyon in a shorte time chaunged and reuer â–ª sed for we shall neuer se frendes nor kynnesmen In this wyse complayned Ualentine Orson in lykewyse and the sarazyns demeaned grete Ioye and so moche they rowed vpon the see that they arryued in Portyngale at the castell of Ferragus And also soone as y e empresse Bellyssant herde saye that Ferragus had broughte with hym two christen men prisoners she lepte oute of her chambre for to go se them Whan she sawe valen tyne and Orson the whiche she knewe not she demaunded them Chyldren of what countree be you in what londe were you borne Lady sayd valentyne we be of y e countre of Fraunce and borne besyde Parys Also sone as Ferragus sawe the Empresse BellyssaÌ„t that spake vnto the chyldren he sayd vnto her fyersly lady leue me this language for I shall make them dye in my prison with grete sorowe but yf they byleue in mahoune He called the gayler and coÌ„maunded hym to put y e two prysoners in the moost depest pryson and y e moost derkeste that they sholde haue none other meet nor drynke but brede and water There was y e cursed sarazins that with grete staues and with theyr â—ystes smote vppon the two chyldren without hauynge ony pyte more than of dogges and in a dongeon full of fylthe and â—râ—ure caste them and lete them downe Whan they were in pryson they sette them on theyr knees cryâ—ge god mercy and in praynge him that he wolde forgyue theÌ„ theyr synnes for they neuer wende to haue comen oute of that place And after that Ferragus hadde thus enprysoned Ualeâ—tyne and Orson he mounted vp into his palais and made to be brought before hym the fayre Clerymonde that wepte so pyteously that with y e teres that yssued out of her eyen all her face was be wepte My syster said Ferragus leue your wepinge chauÌ„ge your courage for by mahowne my god you haue to longe byleued y e hed of brasse whan that you wyll wed and take in maryage a straunger and oute of our byleue To whome haue you your herte varyable and wyll of a woman whan you wyll loue him y t hathe shewed himselfe mortal enemye of your broder the grene knyghte well appertayneth you to haue a man more worthy and of more hygher lygnage And yf you wyl bileue me and do after my wyll I shall gyue you to husbaÌ„de the puyssaunt kinge Tromparte â–ª by the whiche you maye be at all seasons of hyghelyfe and rychely honoured And therfore forgete the two chrysten FreÌ„shmen and haue no more truste on them for I shal make them dye and be hanged by the necke Broder said Clerymonde it behoueth me to obeye vnto your commaundement for one muste forâ—ere and passe lyghtly of the thige that they maye not haue the force constrayneth ryght hath no vertue for necessyte maketh oftentymes a man â—ell good chene After these wordes fynysshed Ferragus dyde departe and the quene his wyfe entred into the hall the whiche in grete honoure and reuerence hath receyued the fayre Clerimonde in sayinge to her My Syster you be ryght welcome hether for I hadde ryght greate desyre for to se you Lady sayd Clerimonde I thancke you a hondred tymes but knowe that I am ryghte sorowful and dyspleasaunt of two christen knights the whiche my broder Ferragus vnder the vmbre of surenes and loyalte hathe made to passe the sea and after hathe put them into an obscare prysone vyle and abhomynable and in grete dispite hathe sworne their dethe yf they forsake not theyr lawe and byleue Alasse my dere syster it is true that I shoulde haue had one of the knightes in mariages the which among al the liuing menne is the mooste fayrest the mooste valyaunt and the moost hardy and that by force of armes hathe conquered my loue wherfore lady I beseche you counsayl me for I haue grete nede and also that you shewe me the christen woman the whych you haue kepte so longe in this castell Fayre syster said the quene here may you se her Than spake Bellyssant and sayd Ladye what is your wil speke on hardely for I haue grete desire for to here you speke Alas lady I bring you tidings that wyll make you gladde and after sorowful and dysplesaunt Know for a certainte that of your estate and of your lyfe I knowe the veray treuth for pebe sister vnto king Pepin and wyfe vnto the Emperour of grece the which with wronge and againste righte hathe banysshed you out of his Empyre and soone after you were deliuered of two fayre sonnes in a forest wherof the one was taken away from you by a wild bere and the other was lost you can not tell how Now is your chyldren yet on lyue and I knowe the place whereas you may fynde theym At these wordes the quene Bellyssant fel vnto the earth in a swowne for ioye and pyte that she hadde and Clerymonde toke her vp muche swetely betwene her armes And when she was rysen vp the demaunded the mayden howe she myght know suche thinges Then Cleremonde recounted vnto her the â—â—aâ—e and the maner how Ferragus her brother by false and cursed treason had put them in pryson And when the Empresse Bellissant vnderstode that her two chyldren was in pryson demauÌ„de not if she made great sorowe for she began to wepe so pyteously that Ferragus wyfe entred into the hall and demaunded wherefore she made so great sorowe and the fayre lady Clerymonde toldâ— her from poynte to poynte the cause and â—eason â–ª nâ—we sayde the wyfe of Ferragus appease you and make not of this thynge no semblaunt for if the kyng Ferragus knewe it paâ—auenture the king should rather eâ—payre then amende ⧠How Pacolet coÌ„forted the two ladies Cap. xxxiiiâ— Ryght so as the thre ladies spake of this ma ter Pacolet entred in to the chambre that was come on his horse of wodde And wheÌ„ Clerymonde sawe hym she sayde vnto him pyteously wepyng Alas Pacolet what haue I doone vnto the that thou seperate me from all my ioye and betraye me for thou myght haue aduertised me of the euill wyll of my brother Ferragus well tolde me my harte that I should haue sorow by the when thou went so soone into Portyngale without my lycence for to beare hym tydynges Lady sayd Pacolet be not so angry againste me for by the God of whome I beleue I knewe not the treason of your brother Ferragus but sythe that he hath wylled for to worke treason I promyse you by my lawe that I
of Ferragus and how they and the Ladies sayled into Acquitaine Ca. xxxvi ALso soone as they hadde taken londe they wente vnto the strongè Castell but Ualentyne that euer hadde feare of Ferragus soiourned not longe there but retourned vnto the port and badde the Maryners too stuffe theyr galee with vytaylles and artyllerye and that they shold be redy to depart whan he called vpon them And than he retorned vnto the castel without makyng onye semblauÌ„t After he sayd vnto hys moder Bellissant and to the lady Clerimonde that he woulde goo into Grece towarde Constantinoble for to se his father Themperoure Alexander that wyth wronge and agaynst ryghte had expulsed hys mother from him To his wylobeyed the ladies also Orson and Pacolet Than they mounted on the sea for too perfourme their vyage The daye was cleare and the houre approched that the Gayler of kynge Ferragus was accustomed for to go se hys prysoners He wente toward the greate toure and bare bread and water with him for to gyue them to eate Whan he was at the gates of the prysone that were all open he saw wel that the prysoners were gone Than he retorned hastely toward kynge Ferragus and sayde to hym in great feare Syr I aske you mercy for thys nyght I haue lost the two christen knyghtes prisoners that you had gyuen me to kepe In saying these wordes there aryued an other messenger that sayd all on hye before all the assistentes Puyssaunt king Ferragus to greate a mischefe is hapned tonight in this place for you haue lost the christen woman that you haue kepte so longe and holden so dere And that wors is she leadeth wyth her your fayre syster Clerymonde that you loued soo Whan Ferragus vnderstode these tidynges as all enraged he began for to crye and rente his cloothes furyously and in great Ire made his men to arme them and yssue out of the gates Than he toke a clubbe that was great and heauy and before theym all yssued oute of the gates without a hors for he was soo great and so heuy that with payne myght he fynde ony hors that woulde beare him He had a great head and black hear styffe as wylde hogges brâ—stâ—lles and hys armes greate and boned and the shoulders large of legges and of bodye he bare the stature of thyrten fore of length Whan he was oute of the towne he called hys men for to accompanye hym and put hym on the waye for to fynde theym that ledde awaye his syster and hee demaunded tydynges of all them that he mette by the waye but none coude not tell hym nothynge for Pacolet coude play so well wyth hys arte whan he wolde that where someuer hee passed he made his folkes to slepe And whan Ferraâ—us sawe that he might haue no tidinges he swore mahoune that he would assiege Clerimondâ—s Castell for he wend wel to haue founde them there Than he made suche dylygence that on the morowe he was at the stronge castel but there he founde them not for they were departed or he came Whan he vnderstoode that they were departed fro that place he swore by al hys goddes that he wolde â—â—nde Clerymonde and al her company or christendome should haue much to suffre ¶ How the kyng Ferragus for to haue vengeaunce on Ualentyne and on hys sâ—ster Clerimonde made assemble hys hoost â–ª and howe he dyscended in Acquytayne Capitulo xxxvii WHan Ferragus the gyaunte sawe that he might not find Ualentine and Orson the whych had taken hys syster and their moder from him and ledde out of hys londe he swore and promysed hys gods that he wolde take vengeaunce on the christen men ¶ And for thys cause he sent throughe all hys realme that all they that were holden to do hym obeâ—saunce without soiour nynge or delaye should come vnto hym and appeare before hym for to mounte vpon the sea and goo agaynste the christen men for to take vengeaunce vpon UaleÌ„tine The crye was made aâ—â—â—e thrughe al the londe of Fer ragus and by his heraudes messengers were assembled grete multytude of men of armes whiche made a huge hoost They mounted vpon y e see and set the failles in the wynde that was right good to them And as they were mounted vpon the see the kynge Ferragus coÌ„maunded the marryners y t they sholde drawe towarde the cyte of Acquytayne for he thought wel to finde in that place them that he was departed for And so the patrons dyde and they exployted so moche that they aryued in the countre of Acquytayne ¶ Ualentyne and Orson that were vpon the see as you haue herde entred in to the cyte of Acquytayne â–ª and without makynge oâ— ny mencyon of they estate vnto ony persone as straunge men lodged them with a burgeys and Ualentyne wolde haue gone gladly in to the duke Sauaryes palays but Orson that aduysed hym of a grete subtylyte sayd vnto his broder Ualentyne in this maner of wyse Broder I haue aduysed me in thynkynge by my selfe that the nature and wyll of women is varyable and lightely chauÌ„ged and for this cause I am delibered that no mencyon shall be made of our comynge vnto the tyme that I maye knowe by some euydente sygne of the fayre Fezonne that reclamed me soo muche her dere louer yf she haue chaunged her courage Broder sayd valentyne it shall be but well done and yf you can do it it shall be subtylly wrought Than Orson clothed him in the habyte of a knyght that sought auentures and toke the lytell Pacolet for his squyer Than he wente towarde the palays and entred in to the halle of the duke of Acquytayne by the lycence of the gardes Whan he was before hym he salued hym and made hym reuerence suche as appertayned vnto hym for to dó suche a thinge he was wyse and well lerned And whan he had salued him the duke behelde hym moche and well hym thought he was Orson but bycause he spake he knewe him not and studyed no more but sayd to hym knyght tell me what bryngeth you hether Free duke sayd Orson I am a knyght aduenturous that gladly wolde fide maner to auenture me for to do good and loyall seruyce with my body knyght sayd the duke you be grete and fayre and me thynketh you sholde be valyauÌ„te and hardy in armes And therfore yf you wyll serue me I shall gyue you suche wages that you shall be contente and you may do so muche to my wyl and pleasure that or you departe from me I shal make you the rychest of your kynne Gramercy sayd Orson I shall deserue it an shall do so moche that you maye knowe the layaâ—te of me and my poore puyssaunce Knyght sayd the duke I reteyne you of my courte and for the grete trust that I haue in your seruyce a hondred pounde Parysii or ye serue me ony ferder I shall make to delyuer you Soo moche was Orson wyse and well taught in maners
hors with the sporres and entred in to the batayll soo fyersly that or euer here sted he brooke the batayll and passed for the. And whan Orson and pacolet were passed the batayll they hurled theyr shieldes dobone and hanged at theyr neckes sarazyns sheldes wherin the ymage of mahoune was paynted and after they wente vnto the pauylyon of the Gyaunt Ferragus without that ony said the contrari for pacolet coude speke theyr language ryghte well Than entred in to the tentes for to haâ—e the good duke again But whanne Pacolet sawe that there was too manye sarazyns that kept hym he wente and played wyth hys charmes so well and so subtyllye that he made them all lye dawne and slepe And whan they were all on sleapâ— Orson came vnto the duke of Acquytayne and sayd vn to hym Fre duke come with me and mount vppon thys hors wythout ony taryinge for from the handes of Ferragus I shall delyuerâ—ou I am the knight that in your halle asked you wages the daye that you gaue me a. ¶ â–ª pounde hauen â—ere of the painims for without dauger I shall leade you into your hoost Knyghte sayd the duke you â—e ryght welcome that casteth me oute of seruage and delyuereth me from my mortall enemyes for the good seruyce y t you haue done me to daye for rewarde and guerdon I shal gyue you my doughter the fayre Fezonne in maryage I hadde gyuen her not louge a go vnto a knyght that was moche wylde and coude speke no language but syth that he is not comen agayne towarde me his longe abydynge shall bere hym dommage I gyue you my doughter for you haue well wonne her you shall haue with her in maryage halfe the couÌ„tre of Acquytayne Gramercy sayd the knyght suche a gyfte is not to be refused but thynke we for to make dylygence for to escape out of this place and retorne vnto your hoost Than the thre champyons both the duke of Acquytayne Orson and Pacolet toke the armes of sarazyns and passed on theyr waye without contradyccion of ony body for to goo vnto the christen hoost ¶ Durynge this same tyme that Orson wente towarde the duke of Acquitayne Ualentyne that was in the batayll demaunded dyuers where his broder Orson was But none coude tell tydynges nor knowledge of hym wherfore Ualentyne was ryght sorowful and angrye at his herte for he wende that he had ben slayne in the batayll wherfore he made many pyteous cryes saynge Alas now am I vsurped by bytter fortune on all sydes and all my Ioyes are well chaunged in to sorowe and dystresse whan I haue loste my pryncipall frende the floure of all my comforte and the hope of all my lyfe Alas my fayre broder Orson now haue I loste you by the false sarazyns for I knowe well that youre valyauntes and hardynes is cause of your dethe shortynge For I knowe so moche by you that you wyll ra ther dye valyauntly than lyue in reproche and shame Alas valyaunt broder Orson in payne and in trauayl I conquered you in the wodde and syth I haue kepte you in peryll and in daunger And nowe whan I purposed and thought to haue solace and myrthe of you ye be separed and gone from me but syth that it is so that I can haue no tydynges of you in no maner of wyse I swere and promyse to god that I shall knowe shortlye where you are and fynde you quycke or deed or youre loue shal because of my dethe anone At these dolorous wordes entred the noble knyght valentyn in to the batayll and as a man dyscomforted and charged w t melancoly helde his swerde of fyne stele in his hande and shewed suche knyght hode with his body that or euer he rested ony where slewe syxe or seuen paynyms deed to the erthe and in doynge this prowesse the gyaunte Ferragus knewe him and wente to warde Ualentyne and kepte hym so nere that he constrayned hym in suche wyse that he bare hym away before euery body for his hors was deed vnder him Ferragus the gyaunte made to bynde Ualentyne straytly swore all his goddes that he wolde take vengeaunce but he dyde not al his wyl for ryght so as he bare hym thorughe the felde Orson Pacolet and the duke Sauary recountred hym Than sayd the valyaunte duke for god se yonder false paynym that wolde put our lawe and our men to dystructyon he bereth with hi one of our knyghtes straytly bounden By god sayd Orson yf we be valyaunte he ought not to escape vs. Than he smote his hors with y e sporres and ranne towarde the paynym to whome he gaue so grete a stroke with his spere that he and valentyne fell to the erthe The gyaunte arose vpon his fete and lefte valentyne that for grete fere began for to â—â—e And Orson cryed vnto him broder retorne agayne and haue no doubte Thanne Ualentine retorned towarde hym the whiche conquered hym ahors mounted him vpon hym And Pacolet that was amongest the hoost of the sarazyns cryed ryght hyghe Portingale the more And in makynge that crye he passed the batayl and came vnto the hoost of the christen men And so they were delyuered all out of the haÌ„des of theyr enemyes And whan the christen men sawe that the duke was delyuered theyr courages grewe and theyr force doubled and they were so Joyous that they cryed all with one voyce lyue Acquytayne And in makynge that noyse they ranne vpon the sarazyns by suche a vygoure and force that they giaunt Ferragus after that he had loste many of his men by force of armes was constrayned for too flee and with drawe hym and to reyse his syege drawe abacke They made to sowne trompettes and Clarons and the men of armes retorned in to Acquytayne for to refresshed them and reste them On that same daye that the crysten men and the sarazyns fought togyder there was so grete slaughter that for to nombre the bodyes it sholde be a pyteous thinge At the retornyng from the batayll Ualentyn and Pacolet retorned vnto theyr lodges and Orson wente in to the palays with the duke Sauary and the other barons and knyghtes whan the duke of Acquytayne was retorned in to his palays he sente for all the lordes and knyghtes of his conâ—te and his doughter y e fayre Fezunne Syth he called Orson and asked him what was his name And orson was subtyll sayd syr I am called Rycharde than the duke of Acquytayne sayd before them all Lordes knowe for a trouthe that aboue all thynges I am beholden and wyll that honoure be done vnto this same knyght here in presence for by hym I am retorned into Acquytayne and haue ben delyuered from myn aduersary and mortall enemye And you my doughter it is my wyll and desyre that you haue in maryage this same valyaunte knyghte for aboue all the other I holde hym and may holde hym the moost valaunt and excellente And for
fro the kynge Lucar that sendeth you to warde hym without longe abydyng greate him from meas my loue and secrete frende and saye vnto him that how be it that my father gaue me vnto kyng Lucar yet haue I not put his loue out of mynde but haue stedfast purpose and good wyll that once in my lyfe I shall drawe me towarde hym and of me he may do his wyll and good pleasure And tell hym also that I shall fynde the meanes to go with the kyng Lucar when he ledeth his hoost into ynde and then maye he haue me yf he haue any prowesse in him and leade me a way And to the ende that the king of ynde thynke not that your woordes is fayned you shall bere him this rynge Lady sayd Ualentyne of the good wyll that you haue for to succoure me and giue aledgemente I thanke you humbly and haue you noo doubte of the remnaunte for I shall do youre message so well by the grace of God to the kyng of ynde that in shorte space you shall haue tydynges At these wordes Ualentyne toke leue of the lady Rozemonde and went towarde kyng Lucar that for too conduyte hym gaue him ten maryners the whiche passed him ouer a great arme of the sea that is betwene Esclardye and ynde also they mounted vpon the sea and had wynde agreable so good that they departed from Esclardye at none and vpon the moro we they arryued at a porte that is but two myle from the cytie of ynde the great In that same place descended Ualentyne drewe his horse out of the shyppe after he mounted vpon him and said vnto the maryners Lordes abyde me here til that I come agayne and my message be accomplysshed for if it please God I shal not make long soiournyng or I retourne agayne By mahoune sayde a maryner to the other all alowe you shall neuer retourne but if the deuyll bryng you for of fyfty messengers that the kyng of Esclardy hath sent thether there is not one retourned agayne Ualentyne harde him ryght well but he made no semblaunt but he sayd vnto himselfe suche speaketh of the affayres that can not tel howe they go So he toke his waye and it was not longe but that he arryued within ynde for he was nere the gate And when he was pas sed a brydge he wende for to haue bene within the cytie but or euer that he entred it behoued him for to passe fiue gates whereof he was muche amarueylled And by himselfe he began for to consyder the fortification of that same place iudgyng by estymacion in his vnderstandyng that the same cytie was the moost strongest place that euer he hadde sene And when he was in the market place he sawe a great toure muche hye and faire vpon the which stode a crosse so Valentyne marueyled muche what it myght sygnifie for he knewe well y t the paynims vsed not suche sygne nor suffred none In that place the noble Ualentyne founde a Sarazyn too whome he demaunded the cause and the reason wherfore that crosse stode vpon that hye toure Frende sayde the sarazyn knowe that the same toure that you se yonder is named the toure of saynt Thomas is the tour that he was stoned and put to death in Nowe it is true that the christen men in the honour of the same that thei name to be a saint in this same place did fouÌ„d a church by the licence of the king in the whiche churche is a patriarke and a hondred christen men that in the maner of their lawe synge their seruyce euery day and celebre masse And in this wyse they are suffred to doo suche thynges for they paye great trybute euery yeare vnto the kynge of ynde ¶ When Valentyne vnderstode that in that toure there was mynister and habytacion of christen men he descended of his horse for to go in to it and saye his prayers So Ualentyne demaunded after the Patryarke the whiche came too hym incontynente and demaunded hym of whence he was and on whom he beleue Syr sayd Ualentyne I beleue in Iesu christ Alas syr said the patriarke how haue you taken y â— hardynes for to come hether for and the kyng of ynde had knowledge of you he would make you dye shamefully Father sayde Ualentine of that haue you no doubt for I bryng him suche tydinges and sygnes that he wyll not doo nor thynke me no harme but of one thynge I praye you that is that you declare vnto me how and in what maner you abyde in this place and be founded Certes sayd the patriarke we are fouÌ„ded in the honour of god of the holy saint Thomas the martyr of whom the body is in this churche And there may no christen men come hether but if thei be pilgrims but such folke may come surely â–ª because that the offrynges and oblacions that they gyue are the kynges And more ouer it behoueth eche of vs to paye a great trybute And then Ualentyne demaunded and required to se the holy body glorious and it was shewed him in great reuerence and solempnite ¶ Ualentyne kneled downe vpon his knees and made his prayers muche deuoutly vnto god vnto the holy maâ—tir saint Thomas after y e whiche thyng done he mounted on horse backe and wente towarde the palays in the whiche the kyng of ynde kept resydence for to accomplyshe his message in takynge leue of the good patryarke and demaunded hym if he had heard any tydinges of a christen woman that was come thether of late By my fayth sayde the patriarke I haue hearde no tydinges of none Then Ualentyne departed and enquyred no more for without makynge any noyse he would fynde some maner to heare tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde Nowe it was not longe after that the noble Ualentyne descended and came before the gate of the Palays and dyd his message in the maner that you shall here recounâ—ed ¶ Howe Ualentyne dyd his message to the kynge of Ynde from the kyng Lucar and of the aunswere that was geuen hym Capit. lxix AFter that the noble Ualentyne was aryued before that palays of the kyng of Ynde and that he was descended of his horse with a hardy harte and without any fere he wentâ— towarde the kynge the whiche was in a hall muche ryche hanged and apparaylled â–ª accompanyed with thre kynges strong and â—uyssaunt and also of diuers knightes and barons And euen so as valentyne entred in to the hallâ— the king of Ynde behelde him muche fyersly he thought well that he was of kyng Lucars and sayde to hym all on hyghe By mahowne the deuyll hath well made you for to come hether so sone arte thou not seruaunt of the kynge of Ynde hyde it not from me ¶ Syr sayd Ualentyne the truthe shall not be hydde for me And wyte from hym I brynge you tydynges wherof you shall be ryght angry at the hart And on the other syde I brynge you certayne sygnes
for he was solde and betrayed by the false Haufray ⧠Howe kyng Brandiffer and king Lucar toke king Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce within the cytie of Jerusalem Capit. lxxxviii NOwe is the kyng Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce came in to Jerusalem for to vysyte the holy sepulcre And for to do the more deuoutly y e holy vyages that are in y e lande of promission in the which our lorde Jhesus christe suffred death and passion they are aryued at a good patriarkes the whiche hadde the kepyng of the holy sepulcre And he gaue them guydes for to conduyte them vnto al the holy places in whiche were the indulgences and pardons They made a preest to synge masse afore them euery daye and in great deuocyon vysyted the holy places Nowe happened pyteous thynges for to recouÌ„te whyles that they were wyth in Jherusalem for Brandyffer the kynge af ynde and the kynge Lucar the whyche had ben aduertysed by the traytoure Haufray arryued in the cytie of Jherusalem puyssauntly accompanyed and wente vnto the towre of Dauyd towarde the kynge of Surye that helde the countree and there presented them And whan he sawe theÌ„ he was muche amerâ—â—â—yled of theyr commyng And after the salutacyon made demaunded theym Lordes what thynge dryueth you hether for I thinke that you are not comen hether wythout a great cause ThaÌ„ branyffer spake and sayd vnto hym Syr knowe that by a christen man we are aduertysed and enformed that with in this cyte is arryued the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce wyth the kynge pepyn Now they are the pryncypall enmyes of our lawe and they that of all the worlde maye greue vs moost And haue alredy taken the cyte of Angory and spylled a great quantyte of my lande my men put vnto death and my countre dystroyed And therfore we are comen hetherfor to take theym For whan we shall haue them we may do our wyll wythall Fraunce And of all chrystendome be lordes and maysters By mahowne sayd the kynge of Surye that helde the temple of salamon you speke ryght wysely of thys thynge I am muche contente Nowe be it done after your appetyte for we ought to be curyous for to take dystroye suche menne and for the loue of our goodes we ought to waâ—e vpon that dede Soo I shall tell you what we shall do for to accomplysshe this thinge I shall sende worde vnto the patriarke that and he haue any Frenche pylgryms that be bryng theim too me anone for I wyll sende some letters in to Fraunce ¶ Howe the kyng of Surye sent a messenger vnto the Patryatke of Jerusalen byddyng hym brynge hym kyng Pepyn the twelue peres of Fraunce the whiche he dydde ¶ Capit. lxxxix SO the messenger of the kyng of Surye went towarde the patryarke and sayde vnto him The kyng of Sury sendeth you worde that and you haue any Frenche pyigrâ—ms that you brynge them vnto hym Then he wente vnto theyr lodgynge where as he founde them redy to go vnto theyr souper for they had accomplysshe theyr pylgrymage and sayd vnto them Frendes you muste come presently vnto the kyng of Sury Alas sayd kyng Pepyn here is pyteous tydynges for I am certayne that he wyll put me vnto death yf he knowe me But I shall tell you what we shall doo We wyll make Henry our mayster I shall bere hys hatte and hys staffe By god syr sayd Henry that knewe well treason that shal I not do for here is Orson duke Myllon that are more worthyer to be it than I. Syr sayd the duke Myllon I shall do all that it shal please you Than they departed from theyr lodges to go towarde the Paynym that had sente for them The duke Myllon was honoured as kyng and Pepyn bare hys staffe and hys hat poorely clothed The good patriarke ledde them that thought none euyll and also soone as he hadde delyuered them he departed thens Come hether sayd the kynge of Surye I am well enfourmed of your case you are Frenshemen that come for to espye me and in your company is the kyng of Fraunce Syr sayd one of the twelue peres the kyng of Fraunce is not in this company â–ª peas sayd the kyng of Sury for by mahoune yf the kyng of frauÌ„ce shelve not hym selfe anone I shall make you all dye wythout remyssyon ¶ Kynge sayd anone the traytour Henry of me haue no doubte for it is not I. ThaÌ„ the duke Myllon apperceyued well that there was treason So he sayd all on hye Syr I am the kyng of Fraunce but there is one thynge that I wyll saye vnto you yf it please you to heare me We are coman vnto the holy sepulcre your lawe is suche that all chrysten men maye come and go surely vpon your londe wythout any hurte to the sayde pylgrymage in paying the trybute that is establysshed and dewe vnto you Now we haue al paid and accompiysshed after the ordenaunce of his countrey Whetfore me thynke you doo vs to great wronge if you disturbe vs for that cause By mahowne you may say what you will but there is neyther tyme nor season to you that maketh vs warre for to come hether to espye ourlande Than he called Brandiffer Lucar and said to them Lordes take these false christiaÌ„s spies and do with them your wyll for I put theim entyerly in to your handes to make theym dye of what death it shall please you At these wordes the pylgryms were taken and witholden by the painims So it is not to be demaunded if they fared foule with them for they had no more pytie of the noble lordes thaÌ„ of dogges They were streyghtly holdenand bound and after Brandyffer spake and sayd Lordes I will that these false men be ledde vnto the stronge castell and there be put in my depest pryson Syth we shall go in to Angorye and by force of armes wynne all the countrey After we shall go in to Fraunce and take the countrey put it lyghtly in our obeysaunce for there we shal neyther fynde king lorde nor baron that will saye vs the centrary And therfore you maye go eche of you in to your countrey til a certayne daye that we shal mete at Faleyze and there departe the prysoners after reason Lordes sayde the kyng of Ynde as to the regarde of the prysoners I demaunde none other thynge for my parte but that you wyll geue me the least so I shall make hym my dwerf And make hym ryde with me because that he is lytell and me thynke he is a man sure ynough And I shall doo hym good if he will renounce the lawe of Jhesus To this demaunde accorded all the other gaue kyng Pepyn to the kyng of Ynde that ledde hym in to Ynde with him and loued hym muche afterwarde notwithstandyng that he suffred many trybulacions ¶ How the kyng of Ynde the great ledde kyng Pepyn awaye for the parte of his prysoners but he knewe not
that he was kyng of Fraunce Cap. lxxxx SO the kyng of Ynde ledde with him the good kyng Pepyn but he knewe it not The valiauÌ„t xii beheld â–ª peres kyng Pepyn pyteously but noue durste hyd hym farewel for doubte of knowyng Thus goeth the kyng of Ynde and kyng Pepyn rydeth after hym that is not without sorowe Alas sayde he all alowe veray God helpe me and succour me for if you helpe me not of youre grace of all poore I am the moost sorowfull and vnhappy Alas Myllon dangler Iowe well to loue you whan for me you put your body in suche daunger Henry henry thou hast well shewed that thou loued me not whan at my nede thou failed me Wel owe euel come vnto the childe that at greate nede leueth his propre father My loue Berthe I shall neuer see you more alas Charles my lytell sonne God helpe the for I knowe for a truthe that the false traytours shall make the suffre payne ynough and thou arte yonge and lytell and maye not resyste agaynst them Thus complayned kyng Pepyn and wepte pyteously Nowe the kyng of Ynde hathe doone so muche that he is arryued within Ynde And when the lady Rozemonde knewe it she ranne against hym and in makyng great Ioye kyssed hym and after mounted vp in to the palays The lady behelde kynge Pepyn the whiche notwithstandyng that he was lytell he was well fourmed and made of his membres and or regarde ryght plesaunt so the lady demauÌ„ded the kyng of Ynde My loue tell me who hath geuen you this litel man â–ª for he semeth muche honest and gracious and it may be to se his semblaunce that he is extraught out of a hyghe place Lady sayde the kyng he hath bene geuen me for he was come with the kyng of Fraunce the twelue peres in to Jerusalem wherfore he hathe bene taken and if he wyll renounce his God Jhesus I shall do hym muche good Pepyn aunswered nothing whiche had wel another entencion So the houre was come that the kyng shoulde goo to souper â–ª Pepyn entred in to the kechyng and the kynge demaunded hym if he coulde any thynge of â—okeâ—ye and that he shoulde make hym the sauce for a pecocke that rosted And Pepyn dyd it so well that after warde the kynge woulde haue no meate nor sauce but of his dressing Wherof al the other of the kechyn ryall hadde great dispyte at him and vpon Pepyn hadde suche enuye that it happened one tyme that the kyng commaunded him for to make ready a pecocke so he went towarde the coke by the com maundement of the kynge And as he entred in to the kechyn bothe litell and great began for to mockâ— hym and some smote hym behynde and he as vertuous toke all in pacience After he wente towarde the fyre for to haue put the pecocke on the spytte And y e mayster coke that had great enuye on hym aporoched uere hym and caste a great brennyng cole in his lappe and brent him shrewedly And than Pepyn swore that he woulde auenge hym and came vnto the sarazyn and gaue hym so great a stroke betwene the foreheade and theâ—re that be smote him downe and after gaue him another stroke so great that he made his braynes to flee out When the varâ—ettes and scolyons sawe their mayster so outraged they assayled all Pepyn with slaues and knyues And he that was hardy and valyaunt reculed not abacke but swore Jhesu christe that he loued better to dye then to suffer iniurye of suche â—ascalles Soo he wente towarde a boye that woulde haue smyten hym with a pestel and gaue hym soo great a strooke that he felled hym downe dead to the earth The noise and the crye was so great that the kyng harde it Soo he badde anone that Pepyn should be taken and brought before hym And whan he was before hym he sayd vnto hym euyll boye How haste thou bene so hardy to 〈◊〉 my mayster coke within my palays Nowe tell me anone how the thing goeth or by my God mahoune thou shal dye Syr said kyng Pepyn I shall tell you the truthe It is true that I was in the kechin for to make redy a pecocke for your super as you commaunded me and than your coke cast a hote cole vpon me and brent me shrewedly withoute any cause And therfore I slewe hym When the kynge knewe the truthe by the other he pardoned hym ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn beyng with the kyng of Ynde had knowledge of the fayre Clerymonde Cap. xci HEre wyl I make you mencion of the fayre Clerimonde the whyche as you haue herde before was kept in the kyng of Yndes palays Now the kynge of Ynde had a custome y t he wolde sende her of the best meat that was on hys table So it happened that at a souper he called Popyn and gaue hym the meat that was before hym and sayd vnto hym Go in to the chambre where as is a wyndowne there you shall fynde a folysshe woman pyteously arayed bere her thys from me Pepyn toke the meat and bare it vnto the lady But whan he sawe her so poorely arayed he had great pyte sayd vnto her Loue Jhesus that suffered for vs death passyon helpe you Alas haue truste in hym and serue hym wyth good heart and yf you do so knowe for a certaynte that you shall haue aledgement of your doloure and therfore beleue stedfastly in hym receyue the holye sacrament of baptym Whan the lady vnderstode that he spake of god she approched nere hym and sayd Frende haue noo doubte of me But tell me yf thou be a christen man or yf you saye these wordes by gyle Lady sayd pepyn for a trouthe I am a chrysten man and am comen out of the realme of Fraunce ThaÌ„ the lady sayd al smylynge you ought well to knowe the good kyng Pepyn and his neuewe Ualentyne It is true sayd Pepyn and I knowe well hys brother Orson his father the Emperoure of Grece also whan the lady herde that she began for to wepe and said vnto him Alas frende may I haue truste in you Ye sayd Pepyn as muche as in your propre father of all that it shal please you for to say â–ª for neuer shall you be accused by me ¶ Frende sayd the lady knowe for a certaynte that I counterfee the foole and the seke woman but I am also wyse and hole as I was euer for I am a chrysten woman and had the fayre Ualentyne vnto loue and vnto hym I was gyuen for wyfe but by the false traytour kyng Trompart I was taken from hym Than the lady tolde hym all the maner of her estate and how she had ben stolen and wherfore she made her selfe syke Whan kyng pypyn herd the pyteous aduenture of the lady he began for to wepe muche tenderly After in consyderyng the fortunes and great aduentures that cometh vpon the creature in castynge out great teares he sayd softly to hymselfe Ha