the same AmeÌ Â¶ 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 subduâd 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 maâe so our lorde forgate not to requyre hym by his debonaâe clemense that he wolde sende her a chylde to the ende that the countree abode not with out an heryâouâ Our lorde Ihesu cryst herynge the request that this good quene made to hym forgaâe her noâ ãâã in shââte 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 Alâarbe for to mary the kynge agayne Capitulo ii AFter the coÌplayntes 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 êgeny chyldren there is nothynge yâ may cause hym so sone for to âesse his sorowe and make hym Iocounde as to mary hym vnto some yonge lady âwhere 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 ãâã moost parte of her frendes And them that she moost trusted in sayd Lordes ye knowe the cause wherfore the kynge of Caââyll hathe seÌte his Embassadours hether wherfore I prarye you for ãâ¦ã in this mater for I am she that by our good counsayll wyll be agreable to do that the whiche ye shall determyne These worâs fynysshed she toke ãâã and wente in to her chambre and leue them alone with that mater And fyâââly they were all of ouâ accorde that the maryage sholde be made And retorned towarde the ãâã sâynge that as them thought there was but ãâã prynces of more auctoryte than the kynge of Castyâl 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 ãâã âs well my wyll And therfore make the responce and answere to the Embassadours on ãâã suche as âe shall thynke moost expedyent ãâã I shall ãâ¦ã And then they thanked her and ãâ¦ã fyue or syxe of the moost notablest ãâã whiche were chosen for to gyue the answere ãâ¦ã of yâ kynge of Castyll And whaâ that they were comân to
was force to the knyghtes and squyres for to withdrawe them aparte for to make place to the ladâes and gentylwomen to the ende that they myght se hym the better at theyr cases And there was but fewe of them that were for to marye but that they thoughte within theymselfe and wolde that Olyuer had conquered them by force of armes as well as he hadde done yâ fayre Helayne ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commysed and the counsayll of the kyÌge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capi. xxxii ALytell whyle after these thynges dâuyseâ the tables were spredde and incontynente as all thynge was redy yâ trompettes blewe for water to wasshe theyr handes And then the kyÌge and his doughter wasshed and all the other lordes in generall And the Kynge made to enquere of Olyuer of his kyÌne and what he was and of what marches to the ende that yâ honour were done to hym after his estate He answered to them that demaunded hym that he was a poore knyght of Spayne not of a hye place There was not one neyther the kyng nor the other but that men semed well by his physâamye that he was of a good house and that also without grete puyssaunce he coude not haue furnysshed the habyllementes that they had sene hym haue durynge the fââst Whan tyme was the kynge satte hym downe at the table and with hym all the grete lordes and ladyes reserued Helayne that was sette vp on hye in the myddes of a table that was eleuate to the ende that she myght be sene of all theym in the halle At the ryght syde were the prynces Iuges set at the same table and on the other syde were the .x. pryncesses at the same table Olyuer wolde not sytten downe at the kynges stable Notwithstandynge he was prayed so moche and commaunded that it was force for hym to obeye There was other tables without nombre where as the other knyghtes and ladyes were sette Who that wolde deuyse to you the seruyce and the mysteryes that was there it sholde be to longe to recouÌte it There was no mete that replenysshed theÌ so sone as to beholde the excellent Helayne she was the repose of the wery and the couragynge of the valyaunt And there was not one but that they thought that god hadde made her for to shewe his hyghe puyssauÌce This feest dured so longe tyll that it was tyme to vnserue there was none of them all that thought other thynge saue to make good chere and also they were not requyred otherwyse The tables taken awaye graces gyueÌ to our lorde of his goodnes the daunces began and incontynent the .x. prynces and the .x. pryncesses withdrewe them a parte in to a lytel chambre for to knowe who had done best and they were in grete plete The one helde with the kynges sone of Scotlande and the other ãâã the erle of Flaundres the other with the good duke of Somerset But the moost parte helde with Olyuer In suche wyse that there was none of theym but that they gaue theyr voyce to Olyuer whan the kynge thought that they myght well haue done he habandonned the daunces and came towarde them demaunded theym what thynge that they had done One of theym kneled downe sayd Our souerayne lorde ye haue of your gode grace commysed vs for to saye frâly the trouthe Also we haue made our othe that we shall not take regarde to the magnyfycence of the lygnagâ nor lordshyppe And vs semeth that the best doer of all this assemble hathe ben Olyuer not for one daye alonely but for all the the dayes we sawe neuer knyght do suche dedes of armes as he hathe done therfore we aduertyse you therof for to do therwith your good pleasure The kynge answered and sayd My fayre cosyns and my good frendes and you my fayre ladyes here presente I here well ynoughe what ye haue sayd and knoweth that it sholde be agaynst reason to take yâ pryce from hym yâ hathe deseruyd it And truely who had axed me myn aduyseâ wolde haue sayd the same that ye haue tolde me but foâ all that ye ought to knowe that this is not a lytell thynâ For he that wynneth the pryce wynneth my doughter and coÌsequently all my realme for to be kynge ouer yoâ al after my decease And bycause that ye gyue the pryââ to a straunger vnknowen of vs all I wolde vnder corâreccyon soo it that seme you good that he were aduertyseâ of this thynge by one of you and how the pryce shall bâ gyuen to hym And he the whiche shall aduertyse hym maye saye also to hym that I am delybered for to make vnto hym a request that is for to knowe that he were coÌtente for to abyde a yere in my courte afore that my fayre doughter Helayne be gyuen vnto hym for to knowâ his mures and condycyons And also I shall promysâ hym by the fayth that I owe to knyghthode that durynge that tyme I shall not mary her yf that he be a man worthy her that I knowe none other thyng thaÌ I do tyll this present tyme that whiche he hathe wonne shall not be taken from hym And also I shall put in doubte ryght grete lordes that beÌ here and yf that I gaue her to hym in theyr presence they myght coÌspyre some euyl agaynst his persâne wherby ryght grete inconuenyentes myght come to hym and there is myn aduyse WhaÌ the kynge hadde fynysshed his wordes they withdrewe themselâe a parte And founde in counsayll that the kynge had sayd ryght well and sayd it sholde be wel done to knowe Olyuers wyll afore that the request were made on hyghe Bycause that it sholde be shame to the Kynge yf it were not vnto hym accorded Thus there is no thyÌge but good and the kynge hathe no wronge to knowe afore the loue ¶ How the kynge of Englande came towarde his fayre doughter for to demaunde her to whome her semed that the pryce ought to be gyuen and of her answers Capitulo xxxiii ONe of the prynces was ordeyned to speke to Olyuer wherfore he came in to the hall where as the ladyes were and âoke Olyuer aparte and sayd to hyÌ all that ye haue her âe afore Olyuer had alwaye doubte of yâ thynge by cause of the grete multytude of lordes that were there to whome hyÌ thought they wolde soner applye than to hym thought as well that yf he were not contente that it sholde be force to hym wherfore he answered to the prynce My lorde ye mocke with me for I haue not deserued the honour that ye do to me but and ye speke in sadnesse and that it please the kynge to make to me a request as I here you saye I tell you that it is no prayer but his commaundement to the whiche I wyll not dysobeye and sayd no more nor the lorde also but retorned towarde the kyÌge and aduertysed hym
theyr inne they sayd to them Our honourable lady the quene of her grace and beâygnyte hath accorded vnto your request not all of her owne voluntary wyll but at the instaunce oâhâr ãâã and Barons To whome it semeth good and vtyll for the prosperyâe of bothe partyes That ye ãâã whan it shall seme you good and ãâã your lorde that as ãâã as it shall please hym he may sende for her or come in his persone For they put ãâã to his noble ãâã Neuerthelesse seynge that bothâ partyes were wydowes vnto theyr aduyse it were ãâ¦ã that he came theâer for to wedde her And ãâã the spousâylies sholde be doone without ony ãâã excesse of ãâã 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 hâr in to Castyll with her yonge sone that resembled Olyuer Capitulo ââj _âRaâyously the Embassadours thaÌked yâ queâe and her noble counsayll saynge that they wolde gladly tell theyr râsponce vnto theyr âorde and kynge yâ shall be well contente of this vnyte And then at theyr requcit they were ledde before the quene whome they thanked âoke theyr ãâã âther full honourably and of all the other ãâã And after that they had taken theyr ãâã vpon the ãâã morowe they departed But ye may ãâ¦ã departed the quene hâd sent them many ãâ¦ã gyftes Of theyr waye and I âurnâyes I can not ãâã you but they made suche dylâgence 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 coÌpany And then as he was vpon his waye he sente worde to the quene pronouncynge his comyÌge 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 coÌmaunded that Arthur sholde haue suche estate as his owne sone Olyuer had wherfore fro that daye forwarde they were nourysshed togyder and loued âoo perfoundly togyder that it myght neâer be lost as ye shall here more euydently after ensuynge ând 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 kyÌges sones He receyued the two noble chyldren that were bothe of one aege and of one beaute and instructed them in all good mââers Thân whan they began for to haue knowlege they loued togyder with so perfyte loue that hey made aâyaânce togyder of fraternall coÌpany in promysynge ãâã 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 âo 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 tânnys lepe sprynge wrastle cast the stone cast the barâe or ony other games none wolde compare with them two And bryeâây 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 âase 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 Iuâe agaynst all comers the whiche sholde fynde theÌ there the fyrste daye of the lusây 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
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 rââchesse she had ynoughe for theÌ bothe and for that cause he had made crye the torâeymeÌt 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 hoÌdred 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 thyÌge 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 remenauÌt fledsoâe 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 thankyÌges to god And so as he toke kepe to his wouÌdes 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 begaÌne for to renne after hym as well as he myghte and Olyuer ranne so longe and so fast that he was alâmoost 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 couÌtree 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
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 kyÌge 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 couÌtree 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 TheÌ in wypyÌge his eyen he departed out of the chambre and came in to a halle And commauÌded 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 yâ he resygned his estate at his dyscrecyon to the moost wysest as hyÌ 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 mouÌted on the see for to go theder Ye maye well thynke that he was longe in serchynge the couÌtrees that ye haue herde aboue In this meane whyle Olyuer his felowe was alwaye in pryson with brede and water and ofteÌ bette as he that had neuer hope to departe thens And desyred nothynge but the dethe ¶ As Arthur was on yâ 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 yâ 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 yâ whiche he soughte as in another countree so as he dyde by the wyll of god euen so as ye shall here WhaÌ 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 couÌtree 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 yâ 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
wyll and desyre Wherfore he helde his peas and spake not so moche as he had done before And she seynge that she spake no more sayd vnto hym My frende yf ony grete maystresse requyred you of loue wolde ye refuse her certes madame sayd he I am not soo happy nor no woman so folysh for to requyre me of loue and therfore there is none answer ¶ How Olyuer departed sore troubled of the requestes that his stepmoder had made to hym And how the he prayed to our lorde for to reuoke her from her folysââ and corrupte volente Capitulo viij OLyuer that was not well pleased for to be in suche deuyses with his fayre moder made to his felowe a sygne that he sholde calle hym the whiche dyde so and sayd My broder the houre passeth that we sholde go there as ye wote of and therfore I put you in remembrauÌce Olyuer answered that it was true And then he toke his leue of the quene the whiche dydde strayne his fyngres togyder at the departynge Olyuer was thaÌ ryght dyspleasauÌt bycause that he knewe her in suche estate but he durst make âo semblauÌt vnto his felowe for drede and fere that he wolde haue ben to dysplesaunt So as they were out of the quenes chambre the quene drew herselfe aparte in to a lytell garderobe and lete herselfe fall vpoÌ a bedde and sayd vnto her selfe My loue ye be not soo folysshe but that ye knowe thaffayre in the whiche I am oppressyd and certaynly it shall not be lefte thus for to morowe ye shall haue knowlege of all my sorowe and dysease And also Olyuer vpon that other syde was in grete thought as well as yâ quene his stepmoder was for whan he was in his lodgys he wente in to his chambre all alone where as he dyde saye knelynge My blessyd creatour thou hast formed me vnto thy semblaunce and hast gyuen me indygne more beaute than I am worthy for to haue the whiche shall because of my destruccyon yf that thou by thy grace put not ãâã Wherfore I praye the that thou wouchesauf for to kepe the honour of my fader and me and that I be not occasyon of the euyll wyll wherin I se her at this present tyme for I wyll not accorde therto for to deye And therfore I requyre you with humble herte that it wyll please yâ for to take her out of that dampnable opynyon and that thou reduce an brynge her into suche estate and wyll that as a good and loyall spouse she may kepe her towarde her husbande ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer the whiche was that she wolde that he sholde do her dysordynate wyll and the fayre answers that Olyuer gaue her Capitulo ix ON the morowe after that Olyuer was comeÌ in to his faders courte aboute the houre of dyner he durste not leue his olde custome the whiche was for to go and vysyte the quene and also to the ende that none sholde apperceyue his affayre In contynent as he had salued her he withdrewe hym in to the thyckest prees of the ladyes bycause that he wolde not be alone with the quene his stepmoder but that auaylled hym but lytell For the quene without ony shame wente and fetched hyÌ agayne and toke hym by the hande saynge that she wolde speke with hyÌ And by forse whether he wolde or not she made hym for to sytte downe by her And satte thynkyÌge and musynge a grete whyle and sayd neuer a worde WhaÌ the quene sawe that he sayd neuer a worde she was halfe ashamed and chaunged coloure and sayd to hym My loue haue ye no remembraunce of the deuyses that we had togyder Truely madame sayd Olyuer My memorye is so small that I haue reteyned but lytell or nought Ha my swete herte sayd the quene I suppose yâ your vnderstondynge is not so dull to forgete in so shorte space that the whiche is sayd vnto you But I apperceyue by your langage that ye knowe my mynde better than I can recorde it to you Madame I wote not what ye wolde saye Certaynly sayd she my loue to yâ ende that ye knowe it I tell you that I wyl be yours And therfore I gyue me vnto you all holly It is not of newe that ye be lorde ouer me and of my wyll But fere shame hathe caused me to kepe it close by loÌge space of tyme. Neuerthelesse all doubtes put abacke I put you in memorye that I am not of your kyÌred so nere but hat ye may do all your pleasure with me as ye wolde do to your lady and loue and I also of you in lyke wyse wher thrugh we may haue incoÌpreable Ioy and solace togyder And yf that my fortune be so vnhappy that my request be not vttred I shall occyse myselfe And therfore my loue in you lyeth my lyfe and my deth whan Olyuer vnderstode this he was more abasshed than euer he was before and sayd vnto her in this wyse Madame where as ye say that ye loue me I thanke you hertly and as for that that ye name you my louer it can not be no gretter than it is as for my parte for as vnto my moder and maystresse there is no seruyce but that I wyll do it at your commaundemeÌt as I am bounde for to do I can not thynke that ye be so chyldysshe that ye wolde loue me otherwyse than a good moder sholde and ought to loue her chylde For I holde my selfe for suche one that I had leuer deye than for to do ony thynge that were contrary to the honour of the kynge my fader And yf that I dyde otherwyse the houre of my byrth ought well to be cursed ¶ How Olyuer refused all the requestes of his fayre stepmoder And how she menased hym vnto the dethe Capitulo x. THe quene ryght furyously and Irefully brake his wordes in sayng Olyuer cursed be thy beaute whan yâ thou arte so eleuate in pryde to refuse suche a quene as I am but fro hens forth the name of a frende yâ was gyuen to the by me and that hathe ben fyxed in the profouÌdenesse of my secrete thoughtes and also the reioycynge of my herte by thy grete outragyous cruelte shall be torned in to grete amerenes For I shall name the my mortall enemye as one that is a destroyer and sleer of ladyes For thou arte a murderer of me and shall be cause of my deth and that ryght shortly But it shall not be with out the. For in all the maners and facyons that can be vnto me possyble I shall abredge thy lyfe For me thynketh that it is reason syth that I must dye for the and the thou arte cause of my dethe that thou be parteyner of my dolour and anguysshe notwithstandynge I praye to our lorde that he pardoÌne the the innumerable euyll les that by the are lykly for to befall And then she sayd vnto hym Aryse of my quysshen and go
Alas my broder I knowe you for suche one yâ ye be not departed withoute grete occasyon and to my symple wytte I dyde you neuer tryspassâânââ deserued agaynst you but yf that your pleasure hadde ben that I myght haue knowen somewhat of your dyspleasure yf that ât be possyble to me for to knowe it sholde deye in the payne but that ye were reuenged at your owne wyll Ryght noble kynges sone the prouysyon sente froÌ heuen for the salute of this couÌtree what shall your fader and my moder saye And in sayng this he swowned And who that hadde sene hym wolde better haue Iuged hym deed than quycke ¶ How the kynge of Castyll Olyuers fader came in to the chambre and of the grete sorowe that he made whan he founde hym not Capitulo xiiii ALl the noble men of the courte that abode at Olyuers chambre dore seyng that they had no tydynges of Arthur that was entred in to the chambre made it for to be knowen to the kynge theyr fader and the fyrste chamberlaâââ of Olyuer sayd vnto hym My souerayne lorde your sone Olyuer was yesterdaye a lytell dyseased made to auoyde all the gromes of his chambre and abode all alone And yet at this houre all the grome of his chambre was without the dore the whiche be not as yet entred And as touchynge my parte I haue knocked at the chambre dore but there was no body that answered me Also my lorde Arthur his broder not longe ago is entred but we haue had noo more tydynges of hym than afore And therfore I put you in memorye of these thynges for to do therwith your good pleasure Then the kynge sayd yâ he wolde go theder in his persone for to knowe what it myght sygnefye And came vnto the chambre dore yâ whiche was locked but he made it to be opened and entred in to the chambre with lytell company And inconâynent as he sawe not his sone Olyuer vpon his bedde he doubted well that there was some what yâ wolde not please hym to moche And as he loked here there he ãâã Arthur that was âyenge vpon yâ ãâ¦ã thaÌ alyue and as yet he was ãâ¦ã And whan the kynge appercâââ ãâã he sayd vnto hym My freÌde I trow that thou knowest somewhat that I knowe not and in saynge that he approched more nerer to hym and sawe that he ãâã not Then he layde hande on hym and felte that there was some lyfe in hym and therfore he made to put wyne brede in his nose and dyde so moche that he came to hymselfe And whan that he myghte speke he ãâã for thy parte take this dyssolute creature And ãâã those wordes the ãâã felâe oute of his ãâ¦ã whiche was redde ãâã the kynge in grete ãâã and wepynge of the reder And whan the kynge knewe the departynge of his valyauÌt sone Olyuer yâ he loued so derely It was not possyble to hym for to here all that the lettre conteyned for whan that he entred in to the mater where as it spake of the departyng of his sone as hye as he stode he lete hymself fall downe to the erthe It was grete pyte to haue ben in the chambre for they wyst not to whome they myght attende eyther to the fader or to the broder or to the seruauntes for all yâ whan he myght speke he aââryed and sayd O ryght myserable kynge wherfore dothe not god sende to the the dethe truely nothynge sholde be to me ãâ¦ã the dethe nor nothynge so dyspleasaunt as to ãâ¦ã my chylde thou made thy moder to dye and ãâ¦ã of thy faders also that loueth the so tenderly ãâã whiche seynge thy ryghte fayre yong he ãâ¦ã ¶ How the Kynge sente after his sone Olyuer of ãâ¦ã and of them of the ãâã whan she ãâ¦ã xv IN suche wordes so semblables ledde the ryght âolent kynge and the quene the grettest sorow that myght be And there was nothyÌge myght comforte them Neuertheles a lytell whyle after the kynge wente saynge Alas my frendes ãâ¦ã this poore and desolute kynge and fader the whiche hathe lost all his Ioye that is his sone ãâ¦ã I beseche you euerychoâe to put you on the waye for to here some tytynges of hym or yf that it be possyble for to fynde hym for whome I haue so moche dolour and anguysshe Then the moost parte of theym departed at the commaundement of the kynge and put them vpon the waye and for to make shorte processe they were in soo many places and countrees that it is meruayl to recounte it And neuerthelesse they herde no tydynges that were ony thynge pleasauÌt in that behalfe And therfore they retorned towarde the kynge vnto whome they tolde all that they had founde And whan he knewe that his losse was vncurable he layde hym downe in his bedde all melancolyous They that behelde hyÌ thought yâ he wolde neuer haue rysen from theÌs the quene seynge the grete maladye of the kynge and al so knowynge that all these euylles proceded from her yâ grete furour and angre of the nyght afore was chaunged in to pyte sorowe and dyspleasure saynge thus O vnhappy and cursed woman thou arte cause of the exyle and losse of the moost fayrest the moost gentyll the moost wyse and the moost knyghtely that euer was in Castylle thy desteny ought well to be cursed and who that knewe thy case they ought to punysshe the ryght bitterly Alas my ryght fayre loue Olyuer and my ryght dere herte for to be drawen with horses and for to suffre martyrdome it is impossyble for me to amende the dyspleasure and iniurye that by me hathe ben spoken vnto you as she that was not maystresse of herfelfe but was subgecte by my fragylyte to wrathe not knowynge thy grete bounte and loyalte and bycause that thy losse is vncouerable and that it procedeth from me and of my cause neuer shall I haue Ioye And as infortuned I shall vse yâ surplus of my lyfe in praynge our lorde that he wyll kepe thy ryght fayre yongth from all encomberaunce Who that wolde tell the complayntes of them of the countree it wolde be to longe to tell it and therfore I holde my peas and reforneth to Olyuer ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer on the see And how he and the Englysshe knyghte were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi WE haue suffycyently herde spokeÌ here afore of the departynge that Olyuer made that was sone and heyre of the kynge of Castyll And how be put hym vpoÌ the see where as he was two moÌthes or there aboute It be fell vpon a nyght that a tempest and meruaylous orage toke them wherfore it was force to the shypmen for to habandonne theyr shyppe at the pleasure of god vnto whome they recommaunded them full often as they that abode but his mercye In that estate they were the space thre dayes in ryght grete torment And the tempest was so hydeous and terryble that vpon the thyrde daye theyr
in the duke oâ Gââcecetre the duke of Lancaââe the duke of Bedforde the duke of Northfâlke and the duke of Somerset And so came in the erle of Northumberlande the Erle of Leââetre 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 deuoyââ 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 valâauntest 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 âaue 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 âron 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 themselâe in âââyre 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 woâââ 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 reâcowes of that sygne was many a knyght sâayne 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 coÌmaunded to two or thre knyghtes the whiche were ordeyned whan there moued ony debâtes that they sholde put them in payne for to repease them to go hastely and departe them the whiche without pyââ slewe eche other They dyd the kynges commauÌdement but or they myght come to the place where the debate was there was dyuers mâruaylous strokes gyuen And the hystorye sayth that a vââyaunt knyght of within whan Olyuer dyde so many feates of armââ 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 appercâyued it and hasted hym for to smyte fyrstâ and gaue hym so grete a stroke that he made to fle in to yââelde yâ swerde with bothe his armes wherfore all they yâ sawe it meruaylled And in lyke wyse the kyÌge began for to blysse hym sayng yf this rede knyght that was yesterdaye clothed in blacke lyue loÌge 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 ââelayne 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 nâble 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 accoâde 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 ãâã dauÌces that nyght ¶ How Olyuer came to the torneymeÌt the thyrde tyme and hadde the honoure aboue them all by his grete prowesse and how the Kynge coÌmysed .xx. knyghttes for to brynge hym afore hym to knowe what he was Capitulo xxviii WHan the kyÌge was in his chaÌbre he enquyred how many knyghtes there had beslayn founde deed of theÌ of with in to the noÌbre 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 âyner tyme they spake of nothynge but of the torneyenge of the daye past And the kynge sayd that he was ryght dyspleasauÌt 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
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 redouâted 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 puyssauÌt 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 wynneââ 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 IrlaÌde 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 câouen 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