the same AmeÌ„ ¶ Of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castyll and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo i. BYcause that I desyre the hye and notable faytes of ryght noble and ryght valyaunt men of honour and prowesse for to brynge them in to memorye and recommendacyon and also to the ende that all noble and vertuous hertes may be moued and styred for to do well in lykewyse as our predecessours hath done afore vs and in especyall they of the whiche this present hystorye treateth of ¶ I fynde wryten that after the dethe of the ryghte noble and valyaunt lorde and prynce Carlemayne the grete Emperour and Kynge of Fraunce after that he hadde subduâ—d brought vnder his obeyssaunce in to our holy crysteÌ„ fayth the Spanyerdes ¶ There was a kynge in Castyll yâ— whiche was a ryght puyssaunt prynce that was moche beloued of all his subgectes that at that tyme was depryued of the ryght heurous felycyte that is in maryage whiche is to haue lygnage and generacyon for the whiche cause all his subgectes were gretely at my sease for they desyred no thynge soo moche as to se an heyre of his body that myght be successour of the realme after yâ— decease of this good kynge His wyfe the whiche was the doughter of the kynge of Galyce that was a fayre lady and a vertuous amonge her prayers and orysons that she maâ—e so our lorde forgate not to requyre hym by his debonaâ—e clemense that he wolde sende her a chylde to the ende that the countree abode not with out an heryâ—ouâ— Our lorde Ihesu cryst herynge the request that this good quene made to hym forgaâ—e her no◠〈◊〉 in shâ—â—te tyme after she conceyued and whan terme was come she was delyuered of a fayre sone of the whiche the kynge and all his subgectes were gretely reioysce but theyr Ioye was soone turned to sorow for the quenchad trauaylled so sore yâ— she lyued not two houres after the byrth of her sone the whiche was grete dyspleasure to the kynge that loued her so moche And certaynly he had good cause neuerthelesse he was not lefte alone makynge that sorowe for all his subgectes bare hym company ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and how his moder was borne to be buryed And how the Embassadours were transmysed in to Alâ—arbe for to mary the kynge agayne Capitulo ii AFter the coÌ„playntes innumerable of the kynge and of his subgectes yâ— quene was layd on bere and for to gyue comforte they ordeyned that the chylde sholde be borne to be baptysed with the corps of the quene And soo it was done in grete lamentacyons and the chylde was named Olyuer and after that yâ— seruyce was fynysshed the kynge retorned in to his palays in the which palays he demeaned his sorowe by longe space of tyme and he toke no comforte but in his ryght amyable sone Olyuer And in kyssynge hym oftentymes he sayd vnto hym Alas my dere sone thy natyuyte hathe torned me to grete Ioye and also vnto grete trystesse and dolour but in all humylyte I beseche our lorde that he haue mercy on thy moders soulâ— And that he gyue the grace that thou mayst be suche one as my herte doth requyre In suche wordes and semblables he complayned hym often vpoÌ„ his felowe and spouse that he hadde soo feruently loued The noble men of his courte and also other of the realme were ryght dolaunt bycause that as them semed the kynge was becomen all desolate and not soo famylyer with them as he had ben accustomed afore the dethe of the quene wherfore they sayd that the kynges lamentynge endured ouer longe wherfore it is expedyent to vs for to take aduyse in what maner we may cause hym for to cesse it for he must put it out of his memorye for he is yet yonge lusty ynough for to haue ê“geny chyldren there is nothynge yâ— may cause hym so sone for to â—esse his sorowe and make hym Iocounde as to mary hym vnto some yonge lady â—where as he maye take his pleasure and delyte in al gladnesse These wordes were not sayd alonly in this absence but also in his presence for they that were moost couersaunt with his persone declared it often vnto hym and exhorted hym for to be maryed yf that they myght fynde one that were acceptable for the dygnyte At that tyme the kyng of Algarbe was deed and his wyfe was abyden wydowe the whiche was one of the moost excellentest ladyes at that tyme of the worlde the whiche had a sone by her ryghtfull lorde and husbande that was named Arthur the which was a meruaylous fayre chylde and Olyuer he were bothe of one aege The kynge of Castyll had ben aduertysed of the beaute of the quene of Algarbe wherfore he sente his Ambassatours for to haue her to his quene yâ— whiche Embassatours whan they were comen theder were receyued with grete tryumphe and honoure in so moche that shortly after she was accorded to them by the lordes of the realme as ye shall here Whan they were brought in the presence of the quene and her counsayll they declared the cause of theyr comynge yâ— whiche was gladly herde bothe of her kynnesmen and the other barons and after that the Embassatours hadde rehersed that the whiche they had in commaundement by theyr lorde and kynge they with drewe them in to theyr lodges with whome wente many knyghtes and squyres for to conueye them ¶ How the maryage was treated bytwene the kyng of Castyll Olyuers fader and the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder Capitulo iii. AS the quene sawe her accompanyed 〈◊〉 moost parte of her frendes And them that she moost trusted in sayd Lordes ye knowe the cause wherfore the kynge of Caâ—â—yll hathe seÌ„te his Embassadours hether wherfore I prarye you for 〈…〉 in this mater for I am she that by our good counsayll wyll be agreable to do that the whiche ye shall determyne These worâ—s fynysshed she toke 〈◊〉 and wente in to her chambre and leue them alone with that mater And fyâ—â—â—ly they were all of ouâ— accorde that the maryage sholde be made And retorned towarde the 〈◊〉 sâ—ynge that as them thought there was but 〈◊〉 prynces of more auctoryte than the kynge of Castyâ—l was wherfore she myght not be lyghtly better bestowed And in effecte they shewed her the yonge aege that she was yet in and also thâ— tendre aege of her sone Wherfore they counsaylled her that she sholde accepte the request of the Kynge of Castyll The quene answered my frendes I haue tolde you yet dothe that your good counsayll and 〈◊〉 â—s well my wyll And therfore make the responce and answere to the Embassadours on 〈◊〉 suche as â—e shall thynke moost expedyent 〈◊〉 I shall 〈…〉 And then they thanked her and 〈…〉 fyue or syxe of the moost notablest 〈◊〉 whiche were chosen for to gyue the answere 〈…〉 of yâ— kynge of Castyll And whaâ— that they were comâ—n to
theyr inne they sayd to them Our honourable lady the quene of her grace and beâ—ygnyte hath accorded vnto your request not all of her owne voluntary wyll but at the instaunce oâ—hâ—r 〈◊〉 and Barons To whome it semeth good and vtyll for the prosperyâ—e of bothe partyes That ye 〈◊〉 whan it shall seme you good and 〈◊〉 your lorde that as 〈◊〉 as it shall please hym he may sende for her or come in his persone For they put 〈◊〉 to his noble 〈◊〉 Neuerthelesse seynge that bothâ— partyes were wydowes vnto theyr aduyse it were 〈…〉 that he came theâ—er for to wedde her And 〈◊〉 the spousâ—ylies sholde be doone without ony 〈◊〉 excesse of 〈◊〉 more than apperteyned to suche a feest And as for the surplus that he sholde do as it pleased hym ¶ How the Kynge of Castyll espeused the quene of Algarbe and ledde hâ—r in to Castyll with her yonge sone that resembled Olyuer Capitulo â—â—j _â—Raâ—yously the Embassadours thaÌ„ked yâ— queâ—e and her noble counsayll saynge that they wolde gladly tell theyr râ—sponce vnto theyr â—orde and kynge yâ— shall be well contente of this vnyte And then at theyr requcit they were ledde before the quene whome they thanked â—oke theyr 〈◊〉 â—ther full honourably and of all the other 〈◊〉 And after that they had taken theyr 〈◊〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 morowe they departed But ye may 〈…〉 departed the quene hâ—d sent them many 〈…〉 gyftes Of theyr waye and I â—urnâ—yes I can not 〈◊〉 you but they made suche dylâ—gence that they descended in the towne where as at that tyme the kynge remayned And as bryefly as they myght they wente towarde the kynge that allredy was aduertysed of theyr retornynge And after the reuerence done they recounted to hym how they had spedde and wroughte wherof the kynge was meruayllously Iocounde and at that tyme he was delyvered for to goo theder within a thre wekes or a moneth for to espouse the quene Aud in lykewyse as the kynge had deuysed so it was accomplysshed and departed from Castyll with a lytell coÌ„pany And then as he was vpon his waye he sente worde to the quene pronouncynge his comyÌ„ge The whiche receyued hym with grete melody And hastely the spousaylles were sumptuously made in suche a wyse as apperteyneth to a kyng and a quene The yonge Arthur with al his puyssaunce made good chere to the kynge his stepfader Also whan the kynge behelde hym hym thought that he sawe his sone Olyuer for to aege and bygnesse they resembled so moche that they coude not dyscusse the one from another wherof the barons that came with yâ— kynge was gretely abasshed Soo whan the weddynge was fynyshed and that the kynge had soiourned there a moneth or two he commysed in his stede a ryght noble knyght to be protectour of the realme of Algarbe And after those thynges done he departed ledde with hym his newe quene and Arthur her sone They rode so longe that they arryued in the cyte where as the kynge dyd moost remayne and were receyued with grete tryumphe and Ioye The kynge coÌ„maunded that Arthur sholde haue suche estate as his owne sone Olyuer had wherfore fro that daye forwarde they were nourysshed togyder and loued â—oo perfoundly togyder that it myght neâ—er be lost as ye shall here more euydently after ensuynge â—nd for a good cause why for they resembled so moche that oftentymes they toke one for another ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were commysed to a noble knyght for to practyse them in feates of armes And oâ— the Iustes made by them and who wanne yâ— pryce Capitulo v. IT was so that Olyuer and Arthur began for to waxe grete Wherfore they were taken from the kepynge of the ladyes And gaue to them a ryght prudent and valyaunt knyght for to demonstre enduce them in feates of armes as it apperteyneth to kyÌ„ges sones He receyued the two noble chyldren that were bothe of one aege and of one beaute and instructed them in all good mâ—â—ers Thâ—n whan they began for to haue knowlege they loued togyder with so perfyte loue that hey made aâ—yaâ—nce togyder of fraternall coÌ„pany in promysynge 〈◊〉 for to fayle vnto the dethe departed them for consyderynge yâ— wyll of theyr lorde that kepte them bothe so rychely put in theyr vnderstondyng that it sholde be impossyble that euer theyr grete loue sholde fayle The kynge and the quene and all the barons of the countree seynge the two chyldren so perfyte felowes togydeâ— and loue â—o inwardly were gretely reioysed and thanked oure lorde therof with mylde hertes yf I name them perfyte with out ony defaute blame me not nor meruayll you not of it for certaynly of beaute bounte prudence and humylyte that ought to be in ony noble herte was in tho two noble men They may dysportes amonge the knyghtes and squyres and amonge ladyes and damoyselles as in dauncynge and dyuers other games they founde none that myght passe them as for dysportes that be vsed by noble men in tyme of peas as at tâ—nnys lepe sprynge wrastle cast the stone cast the barâ—e or ony other games none wolde compare with them two And bryeâ—â—y all thynge that they applyed them to became them well As vnto the regarde of Iustes and tourneymentes it was defended them by the kynge theyr fader bycause yâ— they were to tendre of aege as at that tyme. Notwithstandynge whan the kynge sawe that they were puyssaunt ynoughe for to welde armour at theyr â—ase he gaue them lycence for to do crye a Iustynge and a turneyment The whiche Olyuer and Arthur made for to be cryed that thre auenturous knyghtes sholde Iuâ—e agaynst all comers the whiche sholde fynde theÌ„ there the fyrste daye of the lusâ—y moneth of maye in complete harneys for to Iust agaynst theyr aduersaryes with sharpe speres and the sayd thre champyons sholde Iust .iij. dayes in thre colours that is to wete in blacke gray vyolet and theyr sheldes of the same hewe and them to fynde on the thyrde daye at the lystes There Iusted dyuers yonge knyghtes of the kynges courte And the Iustynge was more asperer of those yonge knyghtes thaâ— euer they had sene ony in that countree and by the reporte of the ladyes they dyde so knyghtly euerychone yâ— it was not possyble for to do better as them thought by theyr strokes But aboue all other Olyuer and Arthur his loyal felowe had the bruyte and loos The Iustynge endured longe it was meruayll to se the hydeous strokes that they delte for the Iustynge had not fynysshed so sone but that the nyght separed theym neuerthelesse the aduersary party abode tyll the torches were lyghte But the ladyes and damoyselles that of all the Iustynge tyme had ben there were wery and wolde departe wherfore the Iusters departed in lyke wyse and wente and dysarmed theym for to come to the banket or feest and whan that the banquet was fynysshed and done the daunces beganne And there came the kynge and the
in the duke oâ— Gâ—â—cecetre the duke of Lancaâ—â—e the duke of Bedforde the duke of Northfâ—lke and the duke of Somerset And so came in the erle of Northumberlande the Erle of Leâ—â—etre and yâ— erle of Salysburye and so many otherlordes that was it meruayll Whan all these prynces and lordes were assembled that they sawe there came no moo it was cryed by the Kynge that euery man sholde do his deuoyâ—â— Then the two sygnes that is to knowe that of within and in lyke wyse that of withoute began for to approche There ye myghte haue sene cleue many basynettes and many a knyght beten downe to yâ— erthe Olyuer that was mounted vpon his courser helde his swerde in his hande wherwith he dyde meruaylles of armes he wente sekynge them that hym thought were the moost valâ—auntest and with them he had add gladly and whan he hadde remembraunce or leyser to loke on hye and that he myghte beholde the fayre Helayne his force hardynesse doubled Wherfore none may recounte the valyauntnes feates of armes that he dydde Now it was ordeyned that the sygne of them of within myght by force of armes be broughte to a place that was there by theyr aduersary party that the torneyng sholde be accomplysshed Therfore they of without put themselfe in payn for to wynne it And Olyuer the whiche rested neuer in one place and to whome euery body made waye encountred hym that bare the sygne of theÌ„ of within â—aue hym suche a stroke that he made hym bowe his heed vpoÌ„ the hors necke and was so astonyed that he hadde almoost fallen to the erthe and Olyuer retorned his stroke thynkynge for to haue cutte the shafte of the sygne but he sounde it so stronge and so well banded with â—ron that he coude not empayre it but it was force to the knyght that helde it for to lette it go fro hym and so it sell to the erthe then ye myght haue herde gretesâ— outes on bothe partyes they of within put themselâ—e in â—â—â—yre for to reyse vp theyr sygne agayne But that was unpossyble for them bycause of the valyaunte Olyuer that defended it with yâ— good helpe that he had of his partye ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to his hermytage after yâ— he had woâ—â—â— the vyctorye of the torneyenge and of the dyspleasure that the kynge and his doughter had bycause of the deed knyghtes Capitulo xxvii AT the reâ—cowes of that sygne was many a knyght sâ—ayne on bothe partyes but moore of them of within than of without wherof the kynge was not well content for to se his men dye so And then he coÌ„maunded to two or thre knyghtes the whiche were ordeyned whan there moued ony debâ—tes that they sholde put them in payne for to repease them to go hastely and departe them the whiche without pyâ—â— slewe eche other They dyd the kynges commauÌ„dement but or they myght come to the place where the debate was there was dyuers mâ—ruaylous strokes gyuen And the hystorye sayth that a vâ—â—yaunt knyght of within whan Olyuer dyde so many feates of armâ—â— approched to hym and toke his swerde in bothe his handes for to gyue the gretter stroke and eueÌ„ so as he hadde bothe his armes eleuate for to smyte Olyuer Olyuer appercâ—yued it and hasted hym for to smyte fyrstâ— and gaue hym so grete a stroke that he made to fle in to yâ—â—elde yâ— swerde with bothe his armes wherfore all they yâ— sawe it meruaylled And in lyke wyse the kyÌ„ge began for to blysse hym sayng yf this rede knyght that was yesterdaye clothed in blacke lyue loÌ„ge or yf yâ— fyghtynge be not departed he wyll make dye the moost parte of my men he is a lyuynge deuyll se how his swerde dothe cutte he hathe done soo moche that it is of the same colour that his armour is of The knyght that he hathe smyten downe shal neuer cut no purse In that estate deuysed the kynge and on the other parte the ladyes hadde alwaye theyr eyeÌ„ on hym but the fayre â—â—elayne had not the courage for to beholde hym bycause of the effusyon of blode of her gentyl knyghtes but it was not longe after but they were departed and was cryed by the kynge that none so herdy vpon payne of dethe sor to torneye ony more for that daye And therfore euery body dyde withdrawe hyÌ„ and it was tyme for Olyuer to retorne into his hermytage whether as his knyght dyd brynge hym and thenne toke leue of hym and tolde hyÌ„ that he wolde not forgete hym the nexte morowe The kynge and his excellent doughter retorned in to the nâ—ble cyte And souped that nyght in the fayre He ayns chambre the whiche was not welâ— at case bycause she hadde sytten soo longe and also for the slaughter that she had sene wherfore she sayd to her fader My lorde my fader be ye not dyspleasaunt for the pyteous syghte that was to daye ye make your men to deye without cause I byleue not that it is for me for and I knewe it I sholde rather make an othe neuer to be maryed wher ore I beseche you that ye wyll accoâ—de me yâ— they Iust or torneye no more in the facyon that they haue done to daye The kynge answered her My doughter thynke for to make good chere and take no thought of nothynge for of this that is happened I am more dyspleasaunt than ye be Therfore I shall put so good remedye that it shall not happeÌ„ as it hathe done to daye And thenne he gaue her good nyght in saynge that he sawe well that she had no talent for to daunce that nyght and she answered naye And for the causes aforesayd there was 〈◊〉 dauÌ„ces that nyght ¶ How Olyuer came to the torneymeÌ„t the thyrde tyme and hadde the honoure aboue them all by his grete prowesse and how the Kynge coÌ„mysed .xx. knyghttes for to brynge hym afore hym to knowe what he was Capitulo xxviii WHan the kyÌ„ge was in his chaÌ„bre he enquyred how many knyghtes there had beslayn founde deed of theÌ„ of with in to the noÌ„bre of xivi of theÌ„ of without .xv. wherfore the kynge was moche angrye commaunded that .xlvi. other knyghtes sholde be put in the places of the deed knyghtes and yf there were ony hurte that myght not helpe themself on the morowe that they sholde put in other The thynge was done so and vpon the morowe the Kynge wente in to his scaffolde where as he dyned and the fayre Helayne also durynge the â—yner tyme they spake of nothynge but of the torneyenge of the daye past And the kynge sayd that he was ryght dyspleasauÌ„t bycause that he myght not se hym that dyd so grete dedes of armes wherfore he commaunded .xx. knyghtes that they sholde haue alwaye regarde to hym and that they sholde not fayle to brynge hym to the banket for he wolde se hym He commaunded also that the nombre of two thousande fyghtynge men were armed
wepte and Helayne wepte haboundauntly saynge Chylde ryall wherfore haue I borne the whan that I must be consentyng of thy pâ—rdyccyon O ryght noble realmes of Englande and of Castylle to daye ye shall lese your kynge and lorde After this the knyght wolde haue halfe of the fayre Helayne the which thynge Olyuer coude not vnderstande how it myght be but yf that he sholde slee her wherfore he coÌ„mytted the dede to the knyght And then the knyght answered vnto hym that he was noo murderer of ladyes and alsoo yâ— it was no reason that he sholde paye hym with his hande for he knewe well that he must paye hym hymselâ—e yâ— the whiche he had promysed hym and then sayd yf that thou hye the not it shall mysthynke vs bothe Whan Olyuer sawe that he myght haue none other thynge he came towarde his wyfe set hym on his knees in praynge her that she wolde pardon hym her dethe The good helayne sayd that she wolde pardon hym with good herte and then she embrased hym in saynge Ryght noble kynge the dyfference is grete of the Ioyous acquayntaunce that we had fyrste togyder at the tyme that ye were called Olyuer Hathe ryghte dolourous departyÌ„ge that todaye shall be made of vs two After that she hadde sayd these wordes she made her orysons to god and to the virgyn Mary in cryenge mercy to god for all her synnes that he wolde put her soule in the glorye of paradyse that yf her lorde had done ony synne for to slee her that he wolde pardon hym And whan she had ended her prayers and sayd her orysons she came towarde her lorde and husbande and kyssed hym with the teres descendynge from her eyen and sayd that she was redy for to abyde the dethe Wherfore she toke leue of hym and of her two chyldren and sette her vpon her knees with her haÌ„des ioyned towarde heuen in recommaundynge her vnto god As she that abode but the stroke of dethe Whan the kynge sawe her in that estate as a man halfe oute of â—is wytte approched and in lyftynge vp his swerde wolde haue â—louen her in two pyâ—ces ¶ How the knyght had pyte on Olyuer hauynge knowlege of his loyalte and quyted hym all And then he made hym to be knowen hym and tolde hyÌ„ what he was Capitulo lxxiiij WHan yâ— knyght sawe this pyteous aduenture he lete not yâ— swerde auale a downe for he withelde his arme sayd abyde kynge that I maye speke to you to you quene here me speke Then the began for to say demaunde the kynge yf that he had no remembrâ—unce of a knyght that was named syr Iohan Talbot the whiche was deed in his company in the sentence of cursynge And yf that he remembred hym not how that he payed the dette to the purgeys and made hym to be buryed The kynge answered ye And I tell the sayd the knyghte that I am that same knyghte and that same that serued the at the torneyment of Englande and bycause that thou hast done me pleasure I rendre to the all thy moneye and all hooly thy fynaunce that thou haste gyuen me And in lykewyse I rendre to the thy sone and quyte the in lyke wyse the halfe of thy wyfe that whiche I haue done hathe ben for to assaye the and thy frauÌ„chyle To the surplus I shall tell the wherfore at the fyrste daye of the torneyment I clothed yâ— in blacke that was sygnefyaunce of yâ— obscurâ—te that I was in The secoÌ„de daye that was in rede sygnefyed my paynes in purgatorye The last daye in whyte sygnefyed my saluacyon for so as yâ— whyte is vyrgyn for it was neuer soylled by steynynge wherby it is pure and clene In lyke wyse I am so at this presente tyme for by the and by the cause I am aledged of all my doloure and now I go in to the holy glorye of paradyse to se yâ— presence of my creatoure that is the reioysynge of the saued wherfore I take leue of the for there as I go thou mayst not come yet but be thou sure that I shall praye for the. Then he vanysshed awaye and in theyr presence he mounted in to heuen gloryously in castynge the beames of his clerenes vpon the wyndowe that the kynge and the quene lened vpon The whiche in a lytell whyle was oute of theyr syghte ¶ Then they fette them vpon theyr knees in rendrynge graces to theyr creatour and after that they had made theyâ—â—rysoâ—s in thaÌ„kynge god they began for to make the one to the other ryght pyteous acquayntaunce soo moche and by suche maner as yf the quene had ben arysen from dethe at that sâ—ame houre The kyng of Castyll that neuer had receyued one goodnes but that he hadde receyued ten euylles agaynst it lyued in Ioye with his ryght welbeloued wyfe and had neuer dyspleasure after that â—aue all Ioyes vnto the houre of his dethe Helayne was strongely seke for the fere that she had hadde dâ—rynge the whiche maladye Arthur came in to Castyll for to se Olyuer to whome Olyuer made ryghte grete chere and sone after that Helayne gate vp the whiche was cause of more gretter Ioye and all Ioye myrthe was in the realme of Castylle there was no spekynge of nothynge saue to make good chere The sone and yâ— doughter of the kynge were alredy grete in so moche that yâ— doughter was redy for to be maryed Wherfore the kynge sayd vpoÌ„ a daye to the kynge of Algarbe my broder I haue but one felowe in all the worlde and that is you For ye may wel auaunte you that ye be parsonere of the goodes that god hathe gyuen me And therfore as vnto my broder I wyll tell vnto you myn aduyse Fynably ye be to mary as yet hathe no wyfe wherfore I am gretely ameruaylled that ye haue abydeÌ„ soo longe I haue two chyldren a sone and a doughter and by my fayth yf that I thoughte that ye were contente for to mary you I wolde gyue you my doughter in maryage and therto reloke and my doughter dothe please you yf that ye thynke that she is for you I gyue her to you Or yf that it semeth you better elles where take it Ye maye saye he repryuely your wyll for yâ— loue that I haue to you maketh me for to saye thus to you ¶ How Olyuer of Castylle gaue his doughter in maryage to his felowe Arthur of Algarbe and of the dethe of Olyuer and of Helayne his wyfe Ca. lxxv ANd whan that Arthur Kynge of Algarbe herde the kynge of Castylle speke so humbly he thanked hym in saynge yâ— he dyde to hym more honoure than apperteyned to hyÌ„ and syth that it was his pleasure for to gyue hyÌ„ his doâ—ghter that he sholde be ryght vngracyous for to refuse her Whan the kynge of Castylle vnderstode that his felowe hadde grete wyll for to atteyne to this maryage he sente incontynent after all the noble meÌ„
The prologue vpon the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle BYcause that the memorye is the reteynynge nature humayne for his fragylyte is strongely mouable goodly hathe ben introducte that the reasons concludynge intendybly yâ— saynges and also auctorytes of sayntes and dyscrete men semblably hystoryes and examples worthy of commemoracyon ben reduced by wrytynge for to shewe to them that ben to come that whiche hathe be sayd and done before to the instruccyon and saluacyon of the soule of euery good crysteÌ„ man ¶ Now it is thus that is this present tyme the scryptures by the arte and ingenyous practyke of Pryntynge be multeplyed in suche a wyle that dyuers fayre and coÌ„modyous ensygnynges and ensamples ben had of whiche fewe folkes had the bokes and congnyssaunce nowe they ben put forth and vttred for so lytell a pryse that it can not be lyghtely lesse neuerthelesse bycause of the vnderstaÌ„dynge comune that is better contente for to reteyne the hystoryes and examples than other thynge dyuers hystoryes ben put in wrytynge And amonge the other hystoryes is one founde of longe tyme wryten the whiche is named the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and Arthur of Algarbe his loiall felowe the whiche for theyr vertues and to loue better honoure than to consente to euyll had grete aduersytees and meruaylous fortunes and aduentures the whiche by grete loyalte and ardaunt charyte and also fydelyte and promesse toke an ende solytarye ¶ Here begynneth the table of this present boke ¶ Tabula ¶ The fyrste chapytre speketh of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castylle and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo j. ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and the body of his mod borne to be buryed And how Embassodours were coÌ„mysed for to mary the kynge agayne Ca. ii ¶ How the maryage was treated betwene the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder and the kynge of Castylle Olyuers fader Capitulo iij. ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle wedded the quene of Algarbe and ledde her in to Castylle with her sone Arthur that resembled Olyuer Capitulo iiij ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were put to lernynge and of the Iustes that were made by them Capitulo v. ¶ How the quene of Castylle began for to loue Olyuer dyshonestlye Capitulo vi ¶ How the quene gaue Olyuer for to vnderstande that she loued hym carnally and of the couerte answers of Olyuer to honoure Capitulo vij ¶ How Olyuer departed all trouble of the requestes of his stepmoder and how he prayed god for to reuoke her from her carnall desyre Capitulo viij ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer desyrynge hym to fulfyll her carnall desyre of Olyuers fayre denyenge Capitulo ix ¶ How Olyuer refused vtterly the quene his stepmoder of all her dyshonest loue And how she menaced hym to the dethe Capitulo x. ¶ How Olyuer abode all alone in his chambre where as he made dyuers complayntes and of the lettre that he wrote to his felowe and wherat he sholde knowe yf that he had ony thynge but good Capitulo xi ¶ How Olyuer departed all alone withont ouy company and came to a hauen of the see where as he founde a shyp in the whiche he entred with a knyght that he founde there of Englande Capitulo xij ¶ How Arthur of Algarbe came in to the chambre of his broder Olyuer that made grete dole for his departyng Capitulo xiij ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle came in to Oliuers chambre and of the grete dole that he demeaned whaÌ„ he fouÌ„de hym not Capitulo xiiij ¶ How the kynge sente after his sone and of his lamentacyous and of them yâ— the quene made whan she sawe that all doloure was comen by her cause Ca. xv ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer vpon the see and how he and the Englysshe knyght were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi ¶ How the knyght Olyuers felowe deyed xvij ¶ How Olyuer dyde burye the knyght and of the Iustes that were publysshed in Englande and he that sholde do best sholde haue the kyÌ„ges doughter to wyfe xviij ¶ How Olyuer was assayled of theues the whiche he slewe and of the whiche happened to hym vpon the waye towarde London Capitulo xix ¶ How a knyghte came and recomforted Olyuer and of the promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the hermytage Capitulo xxi ¶ How Olyuer sawe dyuers knyghtes and other folke in grete estate and dyuersly clothed Capitulo xxij ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche clothynges that his knyghte had brought hym and how he armed hym and of the ryche pauylyon and beaute of the fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande Capitulo xxiij ¶ Of the grete meruaylles â—hat Olyuer dyde at the â—orneyment and how he dyde better thaÌ„ ony other xxiiij ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to the hermytage the seconde tyme without makynge hym for to be knoweÌ„ xxv ¶ How Olyuer came the seconde tyme to the torneyment and how he wanne the sygne of the defendauntes of the Iustes Capitulo xxvi ¶ How Olyuer dyde withdrawe hym in to the hermytage after that he had vaynquysshed the torneyment and of the dyspleasure of the kynge and his doughter by cause of the deed men Capitulo xxvij ¶ How Olyuer came in to yâ— torneymeÌ„t the thyrde daye and bare awaye the honoure aboue all by his grete prowesse and how the kyÌ„ge commysed .xx. knyghtes for to take hym to the ende yâ— he knewe what he was xxviij ¶ How Olyuer was taken by the knyghtes that the kynge had commysed and how his seruauntes vanysshed a waye how he founde clothes fynaunces Ca. xxix ¶ How Olyuer founde grete fynaunces seruantes and clothes and how he was ledde to the banquet and in to the courte with grete honoure of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the kynge of Englandes courte where as he was receyued with grete reuerence of the kynge and of all the other lordes and ladyes Ca. xxxi ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commyssed and the counsayll of the kynge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capitulo xxxij ¶ How the kynge of EnglaÌ„de came towarde his doughter and demauÌ„ded her to whome her semed that yâ— pryce sholde be gyuen to and of her answers Ca. xxxiij ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what was the pryce Capitulo xxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kyng of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte and that he myghte be keruer afore his doughter Helayne the whiche was accorded to hym Capitulo xxxv ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter made the othe accustomed Capitulo xxxvi ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne cut his fynger in seruynge her
alonge that whiche was his duete Olyuer seyng that there wolde be none other thynge enquyred what the some of the deth dyd drawe to And founde that it drewe to a .lx. pounde not withstandynge that durynge his vyage he had spente a good parte of his M. nobles that he had but lefte alytell more than halfe yet he was delybered for to content the burgeysland payed hym And also he made the seruyce of the knyght ryght honourably for whiche cause he was moche praysed of euery body and to the contrary the frendes of the deed bodye was moche blamed as it was ryght Olyuer the whiche had but a lytell money lefte soiourned a lytell space of tyme in Caunterburye where as he herde tytynges that the kynge of Englande at the instaunce of his subgectes had made a crye of a torneyment that sholde laste thre dayes And theder myght come all noble men And he that sholde doo best by the saynge of the prynces and pryncesses the whiche was commysed therto sholde haue his onely doughter in maryage yf that she had wyll vnto hym The whiche doughter at that present tyme was holden for the moost fayrest lady that was in all the monarchye of the worlde And the Kynge her fader wolde not mary her to noo grete prynce bycause he wolde not haue her lenthed fro hym For he loued her so feruently that he coude make no good chere yâ— daye that he sawe her not Also he dyd thynke that for the welfare of the countree it was more necessarye for to gyue her to a hardy and a valyaunt man thought that he were poore than to a grete lorde that had not those vertues And also as touchynge noblesse and râ—â—chesse she had ynoughe for theÌ„ bothe and for that cause he had made crye the torâ—eymeÌ„t that the moost valyauntest of the feest sholde haue his ryght beauteuous and fayre doughter in maryage And that after his decesse his kyngdome myght falle in to the handes of the valyaunt knyght and lorde for to kepe and defende it from all them that wolde greue it There were foure hoÌ„dred knyghtes commysed of within for to resyste agaynst all comers And it was .xi. monethes syth that the feest had beÌ„ publysshed thrughe all the realmes crysten This not withstandynge vntyll that tyme Olyuer had herde no tydynges therof and there was no more but .xv. dayes to the corneyment wherfore Olyuer had grete dyspleasure bycause that hym thoughte that he myght not come theder sone ynoughe also bycause that he had but lytell moneye for to go theder withall Neuerthelesse he made hymredy for to be there in the best wyse that he myght yf that our lorde sente hym not some empesshement that he coude not go And fro that houre he beganne for to fele the sparcles of loue sayd to hymselfe that he sholde be well eurous yf that after his grete aduersyte and euylles he myght attayne vnto so hye a thyÌ„ge as for to haue her in maryage of whome he herde speke soo moche good thrughe the vnyuersall worlde ¶ How Olyuer was assaylled by theues and slewe theym and of that whiche happened hym vpon his waye towarde London Capitulo xix OLyuer hauynge ryght grete desyre wyll for to be with the other at the tornaymente aforesayd consyderynge that the terme was shorte payed and contended his hoost and after departed frome the cyte of Caunterbury all alone withouten ony company towarde the cyte of London Where as the grete and solempne feest sholde be holden And therfore dyuers grete lordes were comen theder all redy And there came so many that all the lodgynges and ynnes were full Soo as Olyuer exployted hym so on his Iourneye that he was a good dele auaunged as he the whiche thought that he sholde neuer come theder tyme ynoughe for to se her for whose loue he toke that Iourneye and so he passed on his way in suche thoughtes and in those thoughtes he came into a lytell busshy wodde somwhat out of his hye waye he had not longe gone therin whan he mette .xv. theues the whiche were armed in complete harnays and cryed to hym saynge that he was but deed and he was enuyronned with them or euer he loked vp and lefte his pen sees of loue And whan he sawe that he coude not escape without medlynge he sette his hande to his swerde and smote one of them vpoÌ„ the heed so asprely that he claue hym to the tethe and soo fell downe deed And than he smote on the ryght hande and on the lefte hande so impyteously that he cutte armes and hedes in a suche wyse that the hardyest of them durst not abyde hym a buffet for he had sette his backe agaynst a thycke hedge so that his enemyes myght not endommage hym behynde And for to make it shorte he dyde so moche by the helpe of god that he slewe .xi. of them and the remenauÌ„t fledsoâ—e wounded Whan Olyuer sawe that he was delyuered of them he thanked god of that vyctorye and alyghted of his hors and tayde hym to a tree and then he began for to bynde some of his woundes in the beste wyse that he myght but they were not mortall wherof he gaue thankyÌ„ges to god And so as he toke kepe to his wouÌ„des his hors brake loose for he had not tayed hym fast And so wente awaye with his casket of moneye the whiche was at the arson of the sadell and was gone all redy a good waye or euer Olyuer apperceyued hym Neuerthelesse whan that the apperceyued hym he begaÌ„ne for to renne after hym as well as he myghte and Olyuer ranne so longe and so fast that he was alâ—moost bretheles And in that estate the hors came rennynge bofore the place where one of the theues was hydde that had escaped from Olyuer And whan the sayd thefe saw the horse he knewe hym well ynoughe and ranne after hym toke hym and incontynente mounted vpon his backe and rode his waye with casket and all Whan Olyuer apperceyued hym he knewe well ynoughe yâ— he had lost his horse and his casket with moneye wherfore ye may well thynke that he was ryght dysplesaunt for he founde hymselfe without moneye and also in a straunge couÌ„tree where as he hadde no knowledge and whan he saw that all was lost he sayd to hymselfe O good swete lorde Ihesu cryst I requyre yâ— comforte this poore vnhappy catyf for all myn esperaunce and hope is onely in the for I se well that fortune is contrary to me and that yf it procede not of thyn infynyte grace myne enterpryse can neuer be encheued wherfore good lorde I put me totally in to thy grace and mercy In praynge the good lorde Ihesu cryst that thou dystinge it after thyn owne wyll for lyghtly I can not haue worse than I haue had hetherto wherof I thanke the. ¶ How a knyght came for to comforte Olyuer and of yâ— promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx RYght
for hym durynge his maladye wherof Olyuer had his heed dyuers tymes sore troubled ¶ It happened vpon a whytsontyde on the whiche daye he helde open courte And there was the moost parte of the lordes of Englande assembled euen so as he was at dyner and his doughter sette besyde hym came a messanger afore the table the whiche began for to saye That same god all puyssaunt that gouerneth all thynges gyue honoure and glorye good aduenture to the hyghe and puyssaunt prynces my souerayne lordes the seuen kynges of Irlande by whome I am sente hether and that he confounde the crowne of Englande the whiche is not worthy to be named Kynge Now herken tyraunt what I haue in charge for to saye to the by the kynges of Irlande They sende the worde by me and defyeth the of fyre and bloode and that they wyll depose the of thy realme as he that is not worthy for to holde it Some of them hathe ben comen to thy courte for to knowe more playnly thy gouernynge wheras they haue apperceyued thy grete crude lyte and tyrannye and howe that by thy synguler and dampnable wyll hathe accomplysshed thy tyrannye on colde bloode withouten ony cause reasonable wherfore thou arte cause of the effusyon of blode humayne and of the semblable crysten And therfore take heede to that whiche thou hast to do For I tell the that they ben alredy descended on thy grounde and shall do suche Iustyce on the as apperteyneth ¶ How Olyuer after that the messanger hadde fynysshed his wordes requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men of armes and that he wolde goo agaynst them the whiche was vttred vpoÌ„ hym with a good wyll Capitulo xl FYnysshed the wordes of the messanger the kynge enclyned his heed and sone after lyft it vp agayne and began to rolle his eyen to bende his browes in suche wyse that here sembled a man extracte oute of his mynde Whan the messenger sawe the kynge make suche chere he wolde with a good wyll haue ben in his moders bely There was none that answered for the courte at that tyme was to troubled that it was grete meruayll to beholde it for all they in the halle kepte scylence and sayd neuer a worde Whan the valyaunt Olyuer sawe all the companye so sore abasshed for so lytel a thynge as hym semed he sette hymselfe on his knees before the kynges persone and all ashamed beganne for to speke and sayd Ryght myghtye Emperour redouâ—ted syr I beseche you that your ryall mayeste be not dysmayed agaynste me yf that I auaunce me to speke soner than I oughte to do Syr ye haue herde the iniuryes that these caytyfs kynges of Irlande hathe unposed on you by the saynge of the herauldes And for bycause that I knowe you soo valyaunt and so puyssauÌ„t and with that that ye hadde leuer deye than it sholde abyde thus without vengynge you on your enemyes that alredy ben entred in to your realme wherfore I supplye me in all humylyte that vnto me yonge man notwithstandynge that I am not dygne and that I haue lytell sene vnto this present tyme that ye wyll do me that honoure for to gyue me a certayne nombre of men of armes suche as your good pleasure shal be and that ye shall fynde by the delyberacyon of your good counsayll for to go agaynste these vnhappy folke that withoute cause wyl vsurpe youe lordshyppe ¶ The kynge answered vnto Olyuer and sayd Olyuer I shall counsayll me on the request that ye make to me after dyner and after I shall make you to knowe my wyll And then he commaunded that the messaunger of the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette to dyner And soo it was done WhaÌ„ the kynge was rysen from the table he assembled his counsayll And then was gyuen an answere to the messanger that he sholde saye to his maysters that they myght be well sure that the Kynge doubted theym but lytell and that he hadde good wyll for to kepe his herytage that yf they myghte wynneâ—â— that it sholde be theyres but by the pleasure of god it sholde not happen so and then they gaue some gyfte vnto the messanger And then the sayd messanger departed and retorned towarde the kynges of IrlaÌ„de that alredy were entred into the realme of Englande to whome he tolde the answere that he had receyued And then yâ— kynge of Englande accorded to Olyuer his request for the grete valyauntnesse yâ— he had sene hym do afore tymes And gaue to hym .x. thousande men of armes the whiche comen he toke leue of the kynge and the kynge gaue hym foure thousande nobles at his departynge the whiche Olyuer toke in good thanke But afore that he departed from the cyte he dystrybued it vnto the poore men of armes that had nede therof and more to and he dyde soo moche that they spake of nothynge but of his grete largesse wherfore he gate the loue of euery body And in yâ— maner departed after that he had taken leue of his may stresse the whiche commaunded hym vnto god And he spedde hym so well on his Iourneye that he came with in thre myle of his enemyes And whan it came to theyr knowlege they reysed vp theyr syege that they had layde aboute a stronge place and putte theym all vpon a playne in fayre ordenaunce redy to abyde bataylle Olyuer in lyke wyse prayed and requyred all his men for to do well in shewynge theym that they sholde haue more honoure without comparyson yf ony good aduenture happened them than yf the kynge were there in his persone and eche of them promysed to do his deuoyre And in that good wyll they approched so nere theyr enemyes that they myght se them clerely the whiche were foure agaynst one man But they were not men of suche chap for the moost parte were comune men and euyll armed at all poyntes ¶ How Olyuer after that he was departed from London in armes came afore a towne that was besyeged of the IrysshemeÌ„ and how he fought with them and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xlj RYght so as these two hoostes approched to gyder ye myght haue herde suche a noyse that it was hydeous to here and whan it came to the strokes gyuynge ye sholde haue sene sheldes câ—ouen and helmes hauberkes brokeÌ„ stedes and knyghtes smyten downe hedes and armes cut of and many one pulled downe that neuer rose after Olyuer wente thrughe the batayll maulgre all his enemyes and dyde suche dedes of armes that he made hym to be knowen within a lytell stounde of euery body wherfore they fledde afore hym and made hym waye For all that he hytte he smote downe none can not reherse vnto you the meruaylous strokes that he gaue for bothe his frendes and his enemyes were all abasshed to beholde them He escryed as hye as he myght yf the kynges of Irlande be here I shall make them crownes One of the kynges of Irlande
of Algarbe and Regent of Castyll made an enterpryse for to fynde his felowe Olyuer Capitulo liij WE haue herde here before how Olyuer was departed from Castylle and of the meruaylous dule that the good kȳge demeaned bycause of his departyng the whiche neuer lette hym vnto the dethe for within shorte space it made hym fynysshe his dayes and lyucd not longe after the departynge of his sone For the whiche cause Arthur kynge of Algarbe and felowe of Olyuer by the consente of dyuers lordes of the countree was chosen for to be Regente of Castylle vnto the retornynge of Olyuer And by cause that the affayres of the realme of castyll be gretter than they of Algarbe the whiche is but a lytell coūtree Arthur helde hym moost in Algarbe And forgate neuer to vysyte the glasse of his felowe And soo moche that he apperceyued that the sayd glasse was suche as the lettre specyfyed That is for to knowe that the water was troubled and gretely obscure In suche wyse that it was almoost lyke ynke And whan Arthur apper ceyued it suche with grete haboundaunce of teres he began for to saye in this maner O ryght noble ryght valyaunt loyall felowe I se well that ye haue some grete empesshynge or some euyll aduenture or in fermyte of body wherfore I am ryght dyspleasaunt And bycause that at a nede one knoweth his frende I make auowe to god and promyseth hym by the fayth that I owe vnto hym and to the crowne that I bere that euen as secretely as ye departed from this realme shall I departe also Nor neuer as longe as I lyue shall I not reste tyll that I knowe whether that ye be a lyue or deed Thē in wypȳge his eyen he departed out of the chambre and came in to a halle And commaūded to make lettres for to assemble all the thre estates and all the prynces of the countree And whan they were all assembled he began for to shewe them and sayd that it was not possyble for hym to gouerne bothe the realmes well that he had in his charge And therfore his wyll was for to commyse some dyscrete prynce in his stede to be Regent of Castyll For he wolde retorne in to that of Algarbe bycause that he loued it more for bycause that it was his propre herytage and that it was the place of his byrthe Therfore he wolde knowe of them yf it were theyr good pleasure y◠he resygned his estate at his dyscrecyon to the moost wysest as hȳ semed Or yf they wolde chese one after theyr dyscrecyon and counsayll They answered Ryght puyssaunt kynge of Algarbe we haue not holden you for Regente but for kynge vnto the comynge of Olyuer as ye do knowe for we neuer founde you dysobeyssaunt And also there is none of vs but that we wolde do you as sone pleasure as to our souerayne lorde Your wyll and departynge is full greuous vnto vs. But syth it is so that we can not kepe you chese whiche of vs it shall please you and gyue hym your stede For we shall holde youre eleccyon For all that we shall neuer haue man soo dcre as you Arthur thanked them dyde chese a good prynce that was ryght vertuous for to be regente And then he toke leue of them in grete wepynges And then he toke a certayne nombre of men with hym and he dyde somoche that within a shorte space he came in to his realme and whan he was there he recommaunded to his conestable all the gouernaunce of his countree And after commaunded al his men to obeye to hym and sayde that he wolde ge in to a place all alone the whiche was not ferre of And that with the grace of god he wolde not tarye longe This done he departed in a fayre mornyng and wente his waye withouten ony company saue of god alonely to whome I praye that he be in his garde for grete nede he hadde therof as ye shal here here after warde ¶ How Arthur departed and put hym on the waye for to fynde his felowe and of the aduentures that he had Capitulo liiii IN suche maner as ye haue herde departed the valyaunt and gentyll Arthur from his countree And began for to serche tydynges of his felowe as he that hadde wyll neuer for to reste tyll that he had herde tydynges of hym The fyrste countree that he arryued in was Portyngale in the whiche he founde nothynge that was pleasaunt vnto hym After he sought the remenaunt of Spayne and came in to that of Fraunce and wente so moche on one syde and other that he came to Calys where as he founde men that wente in to Englande and therfore he moūted on the see for to go theder Ye maye well thynke that he was longe in serchynge the coūtrees that ye haue herde aboue In this meane whyle Olyuer his felowe was alwaye in pryson with brede and water and oftē bette as he that had neuer hope to departe thens And desyred nothynge but the dethe ¶ As Arthur was on y◠see for to go in to Englande there happened a wynde contrary to aryse on the see and droue them in to the marches that the maryners knewe not atte that presente tyme. But whan that they had longe beholden sene it they apperceyued that it was one of the countrees and realmes of Irlande the ferdest from y◠of Englande Whan Arthur herde saye that it was one of the realme of Irlande he prayed them that they wolde set hym a lande for as hym semyd as sone myght he here tydynges of y◠whiche he soughte as in another countree so as he dyde by the wyll of god euen so as ye shall here Whā Arthur was on grounde he wente on fote in praynge our lorde for to adresse hym on his waye He was well the space of two monethes in that coūtree And whan he wolde haue ony thynge he muste make some sygne or elles they coude not vnderstande hym He hadde neyther hors nor mule for to ryde on wherfore he wente on fote and soo longe he wente that on a daye he founde hymselfe in a thycke forest in the whiche dyuers wylde beestes dydde remayne They had wel made hym sygne that he sholde not entre in to that forest but he had not vnderstonden them He wente all the daye alonge the forest withoute fyndynge of ony aduenture The nyght toke hym wherfore it was force to hym for to slepe And whan it came vpon the morowe he put hym on y◠waye ryght euylly broken his faste And he had not longe gone whan he apperceyued a grete and an horryble lyon strongly oppressyd with hongre For he had founde no praye of longe tyme Wherfore whan Arthur sawe and apperceyued that he came towarde hym he appareylled hym for to fyghte for he was armed at all poyntes and also he had a good swerde He toke of his mauntell and wounde it aboute his arme and then he drewe out his
Olyuer was afore hym he sayd Kynge I pray the that thou slee me afore that I entre in agayÌ„ in pryson The kynge sayd to hym that it wente not soo for a knyght hathe acquyted thy pryson and I promysed hym to sende the to hym TheÌ„ne he badde gyue hym newe clothes so as it was done and then he gaue hym leue but at the departynge he sayd Olyuer I se my dethe approche syth that I delyuer the and I haue well deserued it Neuertheles yf prayer maye haue place I beseche the for to pardoÌ„ me Olyuer that was more sympler than a mayden sayd to hym My frende that that ye haue done to me hathe ben withouten cause for all that I promyse you that as for me I shall neuer tell no body of the Iniurye that ye haue done to me but it be knowen by other that some make you warre I wyll not helpe you The kynge thaÌ„ked hym and sayd that he wolde abyde tyll than They mounted bothe on one hors all alone withouten other companye And wente so moche that they founde Arthur ¶ Olyuer knewe hym sooner than Arthur dyde hym Wherfore he set fote on grounde and ranne to hym with stratched armes and embraced hyÌ„ Who that hadde sene the knowlege of these two faythful felowes he sholde haue had a harde herte yf he hadde not wepte They helde eche other embraced with out ony speche Olyuer seynge his felowe that myghte not speke he had his herte sofull of Ioye and pyte that he myght to nothyÌ„ge but kysse hym and colle hym On the other syde Arthur that sawe the fayre face in whiche the ladyes toke theyr solace for to beholde it so pale with prysonynge where as he hadde ben in hadde not lesse sorowe than Olyuer For all that he was the fyrst that spake and sayd My ryght swete lorde felowe this Iourneye hathe ben fore desyred on my partye I gyue louynges to god that I haue founde you A whyte knyght hathe brought me hether the whiche salueth you charged me to tell it you Olyuer answered hym Arthur my broder by your bouÌ„te loyalte ye haue done so moche for me that I can neuer rendre you to guerdon I praye to god that he rendre you the rewarde for I am not suffycyent for to do it ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur departed frome 〈◊〉 realme of Irlande and toke theyr waye towarde London And how Olyuer by Ire kest Arthur downe of his hors bycause that he hadde layne with his wyfe Capitulo lxj THis notwithstandynge that they bothe shold haue done dyspleasure to the kynge of IrlaÌ„de that was there present for all that he sâ—ynge the knowlege and loue that they shewed demaunded theym yf that they wolde that he sholde gyue to eche of theym a good courser but thenne they sayd naye but and he wolde gyue to them the hors that he rode on he sholde do them a grete pleasure and that it sholde suffyse at that tyme for them bothe The kynge â—â—yd that he was contente and gaue hym theym These tweyne mounted vpon hym and Arthur rode afore for he was a lytell wounded And so they put them on the waye and dyde soo moche that they arryued in Englande But afore that they were there ye maye well thynke that they had dyuers wordes togyder and eche of them demaunded of others tydynges Whan they came in to Englande Olyuer shaued his berde to be the more gentyller But they wolde haue none other hors but that same that they were comen on and coÌ„cluded to tell the trouthe of theyr aduenture without declarynge the place of his prysonemeÌ„t and also without gyuyng ony knowlege of whens they were nor whome And they of Englande were all abasshed to se these two men vpon one horse semblable And sayd that Olyuer had broughte one of his brederne froÌ„ saynt Iames but they coude not knowe whiche was Olyuer Thus as â—e may here the two felowes approched within a myle of London And soo as they deuysed Olyuer demaunded Arthur yf euer he hadde ben at London And he sayd ye more than a monethe by the counsayll of the whyte knyght â–ª for to comforte the kynge and the lordes of the realme and also for to gyue helthe vnto Helayne his wyfe the whiche at that presente tyme was syke vnto the dethe and that he hadde made them for to byleue that he was Olyuer Olyuer demaunded hym howe that he hadde gouerned hym towarde his wyfe And Arthur sayd to hym that he hadde layne with her And whaÌ„ Olyuer these herde tydynges he put out of remembrauÌ„ce the seruyce that his felowe hadde done vnto hym and as hastye and full of furour he kest Arthur downe that was mounted afore hym so rudely without more enqueryÌ„ge that he brake one of his legges in fallynge Then he lepte in to the sadell and passed forthe on his waye withoutâ— retâ—â—â—nynge hym or makynge semblauÌ„t of ony thynge and whan he was passed he wyst not what he sholde do for to retorne and slee hym But he thought with in hymselfe that he sholde mysdo to gretely seynge the loue that hadde ben afore tyme bytwene them And also yâ— grete seruyce that he had done for hym as to haue taken hym oute of that place so full of myserye from whiche he sholde neuer haue departed yf he had not ben Wherfore he coÌ„cluded yâ— for all these seruyces he wolde leue hym his lyfe but this was not but that he thought that he hadde done his wyll with his wyfe and gaue hymselfe meruayle howe that in so noble a herte myght lodge so moche treason ¶ How Olyuer demâ—aned grete sorowe for the dyspleasure that he had doone vnto Arthur his felowe without en cause Capitulo lxij OLyuer rode longe in these thoughtes And whan he came to the courte and that the tydynges came to the kynge and to Helayne that Olyuer was comen agayne they were all abasshed for they knewe well that in so shorte a space as he hadde beÌ„ out that he coude not haue ben there Neuerthelesse they were ryght gladde Ioyous And the kynge made hym grete chere whaÌ„ he sawe hym But with payne he â—oude knowe hym bycause he was so lene and demaunded hym what sykenes he had syth his departynge and who had put hym in suche estate For as hym semyd he sawe neuer man so sore chaunged in so shorte space And Olyuer sayd to hym that neuer syth his departynge he had had helthe Fayre sone sayd the Kynge ye be comen in to this countree for to helpe you And then he demaunded hym why he hadde not ben at saynt Iames as he had tolde them at his departynge Olyuer sawe well that his felowe had made them to byleue at his departynge that he wente to saynt Iames wherfore he sayd My lorde my malydye hathe hathe letted me and yf it please god whan that I am hole I may do it better with myn ease and with gretter company whan
it came after souper he toke the sonest leue of the kynge that he myght as he that hadde grete wyll for to lye with his wyfe the whiche was so â—â—cellente and that of loÌ„ge tyme he had not sene her to whome he coude none euyll wyll of ony thyÌ„ge that was happened her nor that his felowe had done For he knowe wel that she coude not do withall and that ygnoraunce made her for to do it thynkynge that it had ben he whan he was a bedde with his wyfe he began for to colle her and kysse her wherof she was all abasshed sayd My lorde ye haue forgeten the promesse that ye made to Saynt Iames Olyuer demaunded her what it was and how quod she doo ye not thynke on that ye haue layne with me more than a monethe withouten touchynge of me and that of all that whyle I myght not haue of you one onely kysse and ye tolde me that it myght not be tel that your vyage were done I haue herde you saye that ye haue not ben there and therfore I praye you my dere lorde yf that ye haue promysed ony thynge to god that ye wyll holde it Olyuer demaunded her of euery thynge so ferforthe that he apperceyued the loyalte of his felowe wherefore tenderly wepynge he withdrewe hym abacke from his wyfe and of all that nyghte he slepte not but sayd to hymselfe that he was the moost vnhappye that euer was borne of moder And that the euelles and trybulacyons that he had endured had not doone hym the hondreth parte of dyspleasure that he had at that present tyme And sayd that and his felowe had ony hurte that he sholde neuer haue Ioye and that yf he were deed that he sholde â—lee hymselfe for had well deseruyd it ¶ How Olyuer departed from London and came to the place where as he had lefte his felowe and cryed hym mercy Capitulo lxiij REcydently he abode in that doloure and dystresse tyll it was daye and incoÌ„tynente as it was day â—he arose made to sadell his hors vpon yâ— whiche he mounted and dyde so moche that he arryued in yâ— place where as he had lefte Arthur and whan he founde hyÌ„ not he began for to serche hym on euery syde and as he wente heder and theder he herde towarde the wood a voyce that conplayned hym ryght bytterly wherfore he wente thederwarde And whan he approched nere there he knewe yâ— it was his felowe that with ryght grete payne had with drawen hym oute of the waye vnder a tree And whan Olyuer sawe hym he set fote on grounde And truely he had soo grete doloure that he myght not susteyne hyÌ„self And I thynke yf that god had not helped hym that he had fallen in dyspayre and smyten hymselfe thrughe yâ— body with his swerde that he hadde drawen oute And the fyrste worde that he sayd to his felowe was suche in castynge hymselfe on his knees afore hym with the naked swerde in his hande ¶ Alas my broder beholde this caytyfe in pyte the whiche hathe so greuously offended tâ—e wherfore take this swerde and slewe me with all my herte I pardon the for the surplus of my lyfe shall be in dystresse and sorowe Arthur seynge his felowe so meke hym towarde hym sayd My ryght dere broder loyall felowe I praye to god that the pardon you and I doo And thynke that it is a thynge more possyble for to deuyde all the thynges that god hathe made than to departe the loue of vs twayne tyll the dethe Whan Olyuer herde hym speke so huÌ„bly he wolde gladly haue ben deed And coude not tell what to do saue to wepe perfouÌ„dely besyde hym Wherfore Arthur prayed hym for to loke how that he myght be hadde thens for hâ— suâ—â—â—ed had suffred the nyghte afore so moche dolour bycause of his hurte that it was meruayll And then Olyuer axed hym yf that he myght abyde so longe tyll that he hadde ben at a lytell vyllage nere them for to fetche a charette Arthur sayd ye and prayed hyÌ„ for to hye hym Olyuer wente and made suche dylygence yâ— within a shorte space he brought one vpon the whiche he put hym and in this wyse he was brought to LoÌ„don sore syke and Olyuer was in it also for to bere hym companye And made for to be gyueÌ„ hym a house and seruauntes After that this was done Olyuer made all the kynges physycyens and surgyens for to come the whiche put Arthur in poynt And they dyde so moche that within shorte tyme he wente aboute the chambre Olyuer that vysyted hym of ten tolde to his wyfe how â—uery thynge wente and had ben and that by the space of a moneth another man had layne with her the whiche was all abasshed and swore to hym that in no maner of the worlde he had not touched her not asmoche as to kysse her The kynge in lyke wyse dyde demaunde of Olyuer what maner a man he was that he hadde brought in suche wyse theder And Olyuer sayd vnto hym that it was one of his good felowes the whiche hadde ben nourysshed with hym sythe his yoâ—ghthe And thenne Olyuer beganne for to recouÌ„te vnto the kynge of Englande the grete loyalte and also loue that he had to hym in lyke wyse how yâ— he had layne with his wyfe and the maner how that he had conduyted hym and after the payne trauayle that he had suffred for to put hym out of pryson where as he was in And of the grete valyauÌ„â—yses that he hade done for that cause tâ—en he recounted the pyteous guerdon rewarde that he had gyuen hym wherefore he prayed the kynge that he wolde honoure hym as moche or more than hym selfe For he was more worthy it than he ¶ How Arthur after that he was heled passed ouer yâ— sâ—e and had vengeaunce on the kynge that had kepte Olyuer prysoner Capitulo lxiiij THe kynge was gretely abasshed and sayd yâ— it was one of the meruaylous hystoryes that euer he hadde herde sayd to Olyuer that he coude neuer do hyÌ„ so moche honour but that he ought to doo hym more and also yf yâ— he loued hym wel he sholde do nothynge but that he oughte to do For neuer broder had done for another that yâ— he had done for hym wherfore he coude not to moche deserue it And that as touchynge his parte he wolde doo hym as moche honour as sholde be possyble to hym and sente for his chamberlayne and his mayster stewarde and other gouernours and commaunded them that suche and semblable estate as his sone Olyuer had sholde be gyuen to Arthur And began for to tell them all alonge that yâ— whiche Olyuer had rehersed to hym reserued that he made no mencyon how that Arthur hadde layne with his doughter yâ— whiche was not a thynge for to recounte for it was a desloyalte but the kynge kepte hym well from tellynge of it bycause that there was and is
of his countree And whan they were all assembled he made yâ— spousaylles of Arthur and his doughter so grete and so plenteous of all goodes that it coude be noo more And this feest endured a longe tyme. In the whiche whyle tydynges came in to Castylle that the kyng of Chyppres was assyeged of the infydeles and requyred the kynge of castylle of helpe and socoure and also all the other crysten prynces Whan this tydynges came to the knowlege of the yonge prynce the kynges sone he made a requeste to his fader that he wolde gyue hyÌ„ leue and ayde for to goo to the whiche he accorded and gaue hym a grete armye but he retorned neuer after agayne as treateth more at longe the cronycles of Castylle For after that he hadde delyuered the realme of Chyppres of theyr enemyes he wente in to Turky where as he conquered dyuers realmes that he made for to be Crystenned And yf that he had not deyed yonge he had ben a man for to haue conquered the moost parte of the worlde The kynge of Algarbe ledde his wyfe in to his countree And thre yere after his departynge a ryght greuous maladye toke yâ— Kynge of Castylle by the wyll of oure lorde that of these thynges dysposeth at his pleasure and was so syke that Helayne his wyfe as she that abode not but his dethe sente for the kynge of Algarbe the whiche was not so sone arryued but that the kynge of Castyll passed oute of this worlde in grete wepynges and lamentacyons of all his subgectes and frendes and generally of his meÌ„ and all them that knewe hym And whan the tydynges were pronouÌ„ced to Helayne maulgre all them that kâ—â—te her she came to se her lorde that was deed whan she was entred in to the chambre and that she approched the body she escryed on hye A ryght puyssaunt kynge how I se thy fayre face pale by the dethe anguysshous and thy furyous armes affebled and in saynge this she lete her selfe fall vpon the body and she arose neuer after for of doloure her herte dyde breke and deyed Wherby the doloure was redoubled ¶ The poore kynge of Algarbe demeaned so grete dole that it was pyte for to se. And made innumerable lamcÌ„tacyons so moche that it sholde be to longe to recounte it In lyke wyse the quene of Algar became for to see her fader her moder that were deed she made so grete dole that with grete payn she myght be comforted Bothe the deed bodyes were buryed in one tombe the whiche was ryght pyteous to beholde ¶ How Olyuers sone deyed in turky how Arthur was kynge of Englande and of Castylle Ca. lxxvii SOne after that the grete dole had beÌ„ in Castylle Olyuers sone that atte yâ— tyme was theyr kyÌ„ge was enprysonned by some â—â—rasyns in yâ— marches of Turky but that was not but that aâ—ore his prysonynge he had beÌ„ crowned of thre realmes that he had conquered and by cause that there was no moo apperteynynge heyres in castyll than yâ— quene of Algarbe Arthurs wyfe they made her quene and crowned her husbande kynge of the countree in doynge to hym fayth and homage ¶ Alytell whyle after came tydynges to the kynge of Castylle and of Algarbe that the Kynge of Englande grandfader of his wyfe was decessed And that the Duke of Glocestre that was cousyn germayne to the Kynge of Englande had made hym to be crowned kynge of the realme Wherfore he sente in to Englande for to knowe and it were by the consente of the noble men of the countree And for to knowe yf that he sholde not be receyued for kynge as reason wolde It was answered to hym nayâ— wherfore he assembled a grete coÌ„pany of folke and with grete puyssaunce came and descended in Englande and dyde so moche by force of armes after dyuers grete bataylles that he that sayd hym kynge was taken and put in pryson where as he neuer yssued oute after After he made hym to be crowned kynge as reason wolde and yâ— Englysshemen receyued hym for theyr lorde and soo he was kynge of Englande of Castylle and of Algarbe also he was kynge of one of the realmes of Irlande The surplus of his dayes he lyued in grete prosperyte and encreasynge of all goodes He had thre chyldreÌ„ of his wyfe two sones and one doughter that after his decesse they helde his lordshyppes The eldest was kynge of Englande and of Irlande and the other kynge of Castylle and his doughter was maryed to the kynge of Portyngale and he had with her the realme of Algarbe that yet apperteyneth to hym The two sones gouerned well wysely theyr realmes And were redoubted and full dere holden of theyr subgectes and neyghbours After the dethe of the Kynge theyr fader and of the quene theyr moder The surplus of theyr dayes they lyued holyly in seruynge god and the gloryous vyrgyn Marye Then they passed out of this worlde ryght gloryously god for his holy grace haue mercy on theyr soules And gyâ—e gode lyfe and longe and encreasynge of all goodnes vnto all them that this hystorye shall rede or here redde and that wryteth it or maketh it to be wryten and also to all them that shall se it AmeÌ„ ¶ The epylogacyon of the booke The last Ca. ARystotle the phylosophre sayth that the thyÌ„ges yâ— be separed be vnderstoâ—den knoweÌ„ more dystynctely for yâ— whiche cause the table hathe ben made and put in the begynnyÌ„ge of this presente boke for to vnderstaÌ„de it yâ— better And bycause that it sholde seme to dyuers yâ— some passyues of thystorye by symplytude of impossylyte ought not to be byleued for a trouthe for the meruayll yâ— is sayd To the declaracyon of the passages of thystorye by maner of epylogacyon this laste chapytre is câ—mprysed And to the regarde of Olyuer and Arthur that were so lyke the dyffyculte is not to grete for whan yâ— two chyldren be of one aege and of one felte complexcâ—on hauyng some symylytude of vysage corsage facylly one may be taken for another namely bycauâ—e they be nourysshed togyder spekynge all one langage clothed in seÌ„blable clothes instructe vnder one mayster holdynge and kepynge all one maner of doynge and countenaunce all this rogyder and dyuers other thynges make the them be sayd semblable ¶ To the regarde of the quene that was esprysed of the loue of Olyuer it was but fragylyte naturall of women that foloweth sensualyte agaynst honoure ¶ Touchynge yâ— water of the glasse that ought to â—roubâ—e at Olyuers daunger by this ye must not vnderstande that it was water elementall in his nature but bycause that Olyuer was all vertuous that his vnder standynge was all gyuen to good and to loue god perseuerynge in good and vertuous operacyoÌ„s and fleynge all vyces and synnes god permysed that Arthur had knowlege of yâ— aduersytees happened to Olyuer his felowe by the chaungynge of the water of the sayd glassâ— by the prayer
of his felowe Olyuer made vnto god eueÌ„ so as he had wryten in the lettre and all this to the ende that of them were memorye afterwarde for to knowe the puyssaunce of god and the meruayles that on them he wolde shewe as on his frendes good crysten men and â—or to gyue example vnto the other ¶ Almoche as it toucheth of the fortunes happened vnto Olyuer and Arthur as well on the see as on the laÌ„de it is but a thynge naturall and of semblable happeneth often by the dysposycyon of the weder but that whan yâ— they were presetued from deth that was yâ— wyll of god and thynges myraculous that were shewed on them ¶ To the regarde of the whyte knyght that appered so to Olyuer and gaue hym comforte and ayde in his nedes god had sente hym in rewardyÌ„ge hym in this worlde of yâ— grete goodnesse and werkes of myserycorde that he hadde accomplysshed in procurynge the absolucyon of that same knyght that was holden for accursed ¶ Where as it toucheth that Olyuer was taken by one of the kynges of Irlande and retayned prysoner and after delyuered out of pryson by Arthur god caused all this to the ende that the kynge of Irlande that vniustely and without cause was enemye of his herâ—â— and traytour for alredy by iust warre he had made to hym homage and to the kynge of Englande the whiche put hyÌ„ in his realme agayne abode not vnpunysshed in this same worlde of his euyll and traytourous wyll to the ende that all traytours take ensample by hym and kepe them from falsynge of theyr othe ¶ To the regarde that Arthur coude not be heled but yf he dranke of the blode of two Innocentes sone doughter god had done it and gyueÌ„ it to vnderstande by reuelacyon for to preue yâ— loyalte and true loue of these two felowes as we rede of Abraham that was contente for to make sacrefyce of his soue Ysaac vnto god in lyke wyse Olyuer was soner coÌ„tente to hele his felowe by sleynge of his chyldren than for to se hym deye and it maye be that his chyldren were deed and after reuyued or elles that god couered the murdre and semed to Olyuer that they were deed soo as it semed to the Iewes that Moyses had hornes yet had he none ¶ And asmoche as it toucheth that Olyuer was conteÌ„te for to slee his wyfe the quene for to kepe his promesse vnto the whyte knyght Syr Iohan Talbot to whome he hadde promysed the halfe of his wynnynge at the torneyment he was so grounded and resolued in loyalte yâ— of his promyse he coude not nor durst not excuse hym As we haue of kynge Herode yâ— loued of saynt IohaÌ„ baptyst but yet he wolde kepe his promyse to his doughter and make hym to be byheded than to fayle and breke yâ— fayth of his othe ¶ And bycause that to god is nothynge impossyble he hathe done for oure doctryne dyuers myracles that ben worthy of memorye perpetuall as yâ— hystorye specyfyeth here afore made to the praysynge of god and of his gloryous moder and to the honour of the noble meÌ„ and to the felycyte of all loyall true louers to the example of pacyentes to the hope of the cheualrous and to the ferrylyte and occupacyon of the tyme salutarye Amen ¶ Here endeth the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and of the fayre Helayne doughter vnto the kynge of Englande Inprynted at London in Flete strete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde The yere of oure lorde M. CCCCC and .xviij. W C Wynkyn de Worde