garnysshed it with his men they of the toun adressyd theyr gonnes and engyns at this castel and smote it with grete stones And they in the toures shotte ther at grete plente of Arowes so many in such wyse that none durst abyde in this castel ne about it On a day it happed that our men withdrewe them fro the brydge and fro ther about And they within opened the yate and yssued out by the rowtes They that were in the castel of tree fledde And the other sette fyer on it And brent it to asshes Our men sawe wel thenne that they warred not wel thus And ordeyned thre gounes for to shote stones at the brygge whyles they shotte none of the turkes yssued oute there But as sone as they cessed they cam oute made theyr assaylles as they dyde to fore· It displesyd moche to oure barons that they myght not sette no remedye ayenst the comynge oute of thyse turkes Atte laste they acorded that they wold take grete stones of the Roche such as were conuenyent for a gate and stoppe the passage They toke an honderd men and more and stopped the gate oueâ— the brydge· ther were so many that it was doon in suche wyse that it coude not be lightly broken agayne They had grete trauaylle and payne to make it But they that were lodged there kepte alle armed them that brought the stones· Thus was the gate stopped in suche wyse that thoost abode alle in peas there ffor the Turkes myght nomore make theyr assaylles there How our peple were in grete meschyef for as moche as they of the toune yssued and entred in and oute with grete rowtes Capitulo lxxxxijo. oNn a day it happed that ther wente out of thoost as wel on foote as on horsbak a thre honderd men and passed ouer the brydge of tree And sprad the contreye as men that wente on foragyng It is the custome of an hooste for to goo out so oftymes retorne without dammage or hurte Therfor they had supposed to haue ben sure They of the toun apprceyued it and yssued out with grete plente of peple And wente ouer the brydge of stone and ranne on them that they sawe goo so folyly And somme they slewe And other fledde to the bâ—dyge of shippis where they supposed to haue passed But thenemyes were there to fore And deffended thein the waye in suche wyse that many of them were drowned in the water that supposed to haue passed ouer other of oure men recouÌ„tred the turkes that had slayn discoÌ„fyted our men bare away with them their proyes despoylles And ran on them The Turkes fledde and our men pâ—urfiewed them sleyng and betyng them vnto within the brydge of stone They of the toun that sawe theyr men so pourfieweâ— â—prang out with grete prees and passed the brydge ran on our men whiche wold haue deffended them but they myght not suffre so grete noÌ„bre of peple and fledde they folowed them doyng to them grete dommage til they cam to the brydge of shippis there they assaylled them so harde that many men armed fyll in the water whiche were there drowned and loste· Oure mâ—n lost there many men on foote and on horsbak In this manere were they of thooste in grete mesease ffor they were better besieged than they of the toun There were many of theyr enemyes in the woodes and montaygnes whiche ofte ranne vpon our peple whan they sawe them goo without ordenaunce· and they of the toun yssued out whan it plesed them in suche wyse that our men durst not goo fer fro thooste for to fourage ne for none other thyng And also in theyr lodgys were they not assured ffor the tydynge was· that the turkes assembled moche grete plente of peple for to smyte in thooste on that one syde they of the toun on that other side shold yssue on them Of the famyne and mortalyte of thoost after that they had be at the sayd siege the space of two monethes· capo. lxxxxiijo. fOr to recounte alle thauentures that were in so grete a siege shold be ouer greuous and a moche long thyng Therfor I shal saye to you this that longeth to the comyn thooste had holden siege vnto the thyrde moneth· vytayll began to faylle And 〈◊〉 grete suffrete and scarsenes in thoost they had in the begynnyng largely and grete habundaunce both for men and horses but they made grete waast more than neded so by their oultâ—age folye they lacked in short tyme which myght haue long susteyned them yf they had kepte it wel gouerned by mesure· they suffred grete penurye in thoost of vitayl for meÌ„ beestes in such wise that the pour peple were in grete peryl euery day assebled ij or iij C meÌ„ of armes to gydre for to serche the contrey and fetcâ—e vytaylles they swore to gydre that alle the gayne that they myght fynde conquere they shold departe egally emonge them They wente forth fer fro thoost and fonde the townes moche wel garnysshed by cause they were fer fro thoost they thought that noman shold robbe ne take nothyng fro them And thus brought vytayll to thoste But whan the Turkes of the toun and also other in the countrey had apperceyued this they made embusshementes and ranne vpon our men whan they retorned· or other whyle whan they weÌ„t forth· slewe them somme tyme alle that none retorned for to brynge tydynges to thoost And therfor durst they goo nomore afouragyng The derthe was moche grete in thoost euery day grewe the famyine in suche wyse that a maÌ„ ete wel at a mebe in brede four d a cowe was worth four marc weyght of syluer which a man myght haue at begynnyng for echt or ten shyllyngis A lambe or a kyd was at sex shyllyngis whiche to fore was worth but thre or four pens the mete for an horse for a nyght cost· xvj pens ther deyde many for honger in suche wyse that at the begynuynge of the siege the horses were nombred at .lxx M And at that tyme were scarse ij·M· And they were so poure feble and lene that vnneth they myght helpe ony man the tentes and pauyllons roted ffor it rayned continuelly a rayne so thycke and grete that no cloth myght susteyne it· wherfore moche peple in the hooste deyde for colde and mesease· Theyr clothes roted on theyr backes by cause they myght fynde no place to drye them· ther was one so grete mortalite in thoost that vnnethe myght be fonden men for to burye them that deyde Many that sawe this grete daunger and peryll in thooste wente and departed pryuely to Rages where bawdwyn was in to Scilice where other cytees were also Thus were many slayn And grete plente deed of famyne and of other maladyes And the hoost was so mynuysshid that ther were not half so moche peple as they were at begynnyng How our peple ordeyned grete rowtes for to goo for vytayll
wrought with fyn gold moche rychely The couerture aboue was of leed alle round right wel made eche of thyse places aboue and bynethe is paued with moche fayre whyte stone in suche wyse whan it rayneth· alle the waters of the temple· of whiche ther falleth grete plente falleth doun cleene and cleer in the cysternes whiche ben within the cloystre· There bytwene the temple and the place which is emonge the pylers There stondeth an hye Roche and lowe bynethe a dyche or a fosse· It is sayd that the Angele stondeth there on whan he slewe the people for the synne that dauyd had nombred his peple vnto the tyme that oure lord commaunded that he shold put the swerde in to the shethe· there made Dauyd after an Aulter To fore that oure men entred in to the toun· it had ben a certayn tyme alle discoueryd But after they that holde it· they couerid it with a fayr whyte marble made an aulter aboue where the clerkes dyde the seruyse of oure lord How the turkes of Ihelm whan they knewe the comyng of our hooste stopped the pyttes and fontaynes of the toun cao. Clxxjo. tHe londe in whiche Iherusalem stondeth is named Iurye· by cause that whan the ·x lygnages or trybus departed fro the heyer of Salamon And helde them to Ieroboam The tweyne abode in Iherusalem with Roboam that were the trybe of Inda And the trybe of beniamyn And of the name of Iuda it is named â—urye It is named also palestyne for the phylystees· This Cytâ—â—â—â—andeth as it were in the nauyll of the londe of Byheste or of promyssion after the termes that were named by Iosue whiche endure fro deserte of the mount of Lybane and fro the grete flood of Eufrates vnto the see The place in whiche the cyte standeth in is moche ayerye deye Ther be no waters in the toun but only of the rayn ffor in wynter tyme whan it is acustommed to rayne mocâ—e in the londe it is receyuyd in to the Cisternes of whom be many in the toun and they occupye this water in all thynges that then haue nede of Neuertheles somme scriptures saye that they were woonte to haue fontaynes whiche were without the toun· and ran in to hit But they were stopped by the warre The leste of allâ— the fontaynes was gyon· whiche Ezechyas the kyng stopped lâ—ke as the scripture sayth Gyon is now a place in the toun towaâ—d the south within the valeye that is named Ermon There is a chirche founded in the worshyp of seynt pretopt marter There in that same place was Salamon enoynted as is red in the thirde beok of kynges· without the toun a two myle or thre ben founden somme fontaynes but they be but fewe and they rendre but lytil water· In the partye toward the south where as the two valeyes assemble is a fontayne moch renommed whiche is named Sylâ—e our lord commaundes to the blynde maÌ„ that neuer had seen that he shold goo wasshe hym in the water there of this fontayne he sawe clerely incontinent was made hool this foÌ„tayne is but a lytil myle fro the toun It semeth that it boylleth a lytil som tyme it spryngeth not· somme saye that alwaye the ·iij daye the waâ—er cometh agayn atte ferthest· whan the turkes of the toun knewe that oure men cam they stopped the mowthes of thyse fontaynes of the Cysternes a fyue or ·vj myle aboute ffor they thought that the pylgryms for lacke of watres sholde not mayntene theyr syege to fore the toun And without fawte that they had grete lack and mesease therby as yâ— shal here folowyng· they that were within the cyte had grete plente of water in Cisternes and fro the fontaynes without cam grete haboundaunce by conduytes whiche descended in to .ij pyscynes right grete by the temple that one endureth yet in to this day and is named probatica piscina where as they were wonte to wassâ—e the flesshe of the sacrefyses of whiche the gospel speketh and sayth that it had v porches where the angele descended and meuid the water And he that fyrst entred after the meuynge of the water was made hool· of what dysease that euer he had In that place oure sauyour Ihesu Crist heeled a lame man that had beyn there many yeres Of the nombre of them of thoost of them of Iherusalem and how oure men lodged them in the siege to fore Iherusalem Capitulo Clxxijo. iN the yere of thyncarnasion of our sauyour Ihesu Criste M lxxxxix in the moneth of Iuyn the vij daye of the sayd moneth was lodged the hoost of cristiente to fore the holy Cyte of Iherusalem The nombre of them that were there as wel men and wymmen were xl M. There were not men defensable of the foote men aboue xx M· On horsback were not passyng a xv C· Alle the other were feble men as seke men and wymmen and also old peple· within the toun were men able to bere Armes .xl. thousand whiche were comen in fro cytees and castellys ther aboute· And they were the best men of Armes and chosen for the valyauntest that they coude fynde After that oure men were arryued to fore the toun They hadde a grete counseyl emonge them· And called the Cristen men of the Couâ—â—re for to demaunde of them in what syde they myght beste assiege the Toun They sawe wel that toward thoryent· Ne toward the Southe they myght nought doo for the deepe valeys that ben there Therfore they acorded to sette the siege to fore the northeste Wherfore it was so that fro the yate named the yate of Seynt Steuen whiche stondeth in the Northeste vnto the other yate that standeth toward the weste And is named the yate of Dauyd were lodged alle the Barons and the other pylgryms· The valyaunt Duc of loreyne had the fyrst place In the second was th erle of fflaundres In the thyrde was the duc of Normandye The fourth place helde Tancre besyde a tour of a Corner whiche yet is named the tour of Tancre And other grete men were lodged there with hym· ffro this toure vnto the yate of Occident comprysed th erle of tholouse the place and the people that were with hym But after Tancre sawe that by cause the tour defended the yate so wel and also for the valeye that was so nygh he myght but lytil prouffyte there therfore by the counseyl of the wyse men that knewe wel the beyng of the toun he remeuyd fro thens and wente on the tertre on whiche the cyte is sette on bytwene the toun the chirche of seynt Symeon whiche is withoute the Cyte as fâ—r as an Archer maye shote at ones There he lodged hym to th ende that he myght beste greue the toun there· And for to deffende the turkes this sayd chirche· whiche is holy· ffor there sowped our lord with his discyples and weeshe humbly theyr feet· There descended the holy ghoost in fyry
â—He hye couragyous faytee And valyaunt actes of noble Illustrous and vertuous personnes ben digne to be recounted put in memorye and wreton to th ende that ther may be gyuen to them name Inmortal by souerayn laude and preysyng And also for to moeue and tenflawme the hertes of the Redars and hierers for â—â—â—che we and flee werkes vycious dishonnest and vytuperable And for tempryse and accomplysshe enterpryses honnestes and werkes of gloryous meryte to lyue in remembraunce perpetuel ffor as it is so that thystoryagraphes haue wreton many a noble hystorye as wel in metre as in prose By whiche thactes and noble fayttes of thauncyent conquerours ben had in remembraunce· and remayne in grete large and aourned volumes and so shal abyde in perpetuel memorye to thentente that gloryous Prynces and hye men of noble and vertuouse courage shold take ensample tempryse werkys leful and honneste Fyrst for goddes quarell in mayntenyng oure fayth and the libertees of holy chirche· For the recuperacion of the holy land whiche our blessyd lord Ihesu Criste hath halowed by his blessyd presence humayne and by shedyng therin for oure redempcion his precious blood ffor the releef of suche cristen men as there dwelle in grete myserye and thraldomÌ„ And also for the defence of theyr Royammes Londes Enherytages and subgâ—â—tes And for thyse causes tendeuoyre theym in theyr noble persones with alle theyr puyssauÌ„ces and power tadresse and remyse theym in theyr auncyent Fraunchyses and lyberte Acordyng to that we fynde wreton in holy scripture of many noble historyes· which were here ouer long to reherce· But in especial of thre noble and mooste worthy of alle other that is to wytte fyrst of duc Iosue that noble prynce whiche ladde and conduyted the Childeren of Israhel the chosen people of God oute of deserte in to the londe of promyssyon the Londe flowynge Mylke and hony· Socondly of Dauyd the Kynge and holy Prophete Whome God chaas after his herte And achyeuyd many grete Bataylles gouernyng the sayd chosen people of God by the space of fourty yeris And the thyrde of the Noble Iudas Machabeus· how he deffended the sayd people in fyghtyng many and merueyllous bataylles· for veray zeele and loue of his lawe and mayntenyng of the same· vnto the deth ffor which causes a forsayd the names of thyes thre abyde perpetuel for thre of the moste beste and Nobleste of the Iewys And in the nombre of the moost digne and moost worthy aNd by cause valyaunce and prowesse is remembryd emong the gentyles paynmes· as emong the brewes I fynde wreton of the incredible cheualrous prowesse of the noble and valyaunt Hector of troye whos excellent actes wryten Ouyde Homer Virgyle Dares Dyctes and other dyuerse· and eche better than other reherchyng his noble vertues strengthe and humanyte Secondly of Alysaundre the grete kynge of Macedone· which domyned and had to hym obeyssaunt the vnyuersal world And the thyrde the noble Iulyus Cezar Emperour of Rome· whos noble actes ben wreton by poetes as lucan stace and other And dayly remembryd as newe and ffresshe as he yet lyuyd whiche thre ben sette as for the moost worthy emong the gentyles and paynems nOw lete vs thenne remembre· what hystoryes ben wreton of Cristen men of whom ther be many wreton· But in especial as for the best and worthyest I fynde fyrst the gloryous most excellent in his tyme and fyrst founder of the round table Kyng Arthur kyng of the brytons that tyme regnyng in this Royamme of whos retenue were many noble Kynges Prynces lordes and knyghtes· of which the noblest were knyghtes of the round table· of whos actes and historyes there be large volumes and bookes grete plente and many O blessyd lord whan I remembre the grete and many volumes of seynt graal ghalehot and launce lotte de lake Gawayn perceual Lyonel and tristram and many other· of whom were ouer longe to reherce and also to me vnknowen But thystorye of the sayd Arthur is so gloryous and shynyng that he is stalled in the fyrst place of the mooste noble beste and worthyest of the cristen men Secondly of Charlemayn the grete Epemrour of Allemayne and kyng of ffraunce whos noble actes and conquestes ben wreton in large volumes with the noble faytes and actes of his douze pieres· that is to saye Rowlond and olyuer with the other whos name and renommee abydeth also perpetuel and is stalled in the second place emonge the most worthy of Cristen men Of alle thyse historyes a for reherced the bookes and volumes ben had in latyn ffrenssh and Englysshe and other langage tHenne as for the thyrd of the Cristen prynces taken reputed and renommed for to be egal emong thyse worthy best that euer were· I mene the noble Godefroy of Boloyne whiche now but late not yet four C. yere syth he flowred· and was stalled in the thyrde stalle of the moost worthy of Cristen men whos hystorye is made and wreton in Latyn and ffrensshe in large and grete volumes And as not knowen emonge vs here whiche ben adiacent and neyghbours to the place of his natyuyte whos noble hystorye I late fonde in a booke of ffrenssh al a longe of his noble actes valyaunces prowesses and accomplysshement of his hye empryses In whiche I fynde very causes as me semeth moche semblable and lyke· vnto suche as we haue nowe dayly to fore vs· By the mescreauntes and turkes emprysed ayenst Cristendom And yet moche more nowe than were in his dayes ffor in his dayes the turkes had conquerd vpon Cristendom but vnto the braas of seynt George by Constantynople· And had no foote on this syde the sayd Braas· But at this daye it is so that they haue comen ouer and goten that Imperial Cyte Constantynople a forsayd and many Royamâ—â— and countre to the grete dommage and hurte of alle Cristendom To the resistence of whom as yet fewe Cristen prynces haue put theym in deuoyr· Thenne I returne agayn vnto the conqueste at suche tyme as they were come to the sayd Braas that by the dylygent solicitude of a 〈◊〉 heremyte the sayd Godeffroy of Boloyne· and other dyuerse prynces lordes and comyn peple auowed the croysyng and empryse to warre agayn the mescreauntes And to recouere the holy Cyte of Iherusalem whiche afterward they achyeuyd and conquerd fro the sayd braas vnto the holy lande and recouerd the holy cyte of Iherusalem as in this sayd boook al a longe and playnly shal appere· In whiche cyte the sayd Godeffroy was elect and chosen for his vertue prowesse and blessyd diâ—posicion to be kyng of the sayd Iherusalem· and the londe therabout tHenne I thus vysytyng this noble hystorye whiche is no fable ne fayned thynge· But alle that is therin trewe Considerynge also the grete puyssaunce of the Turke grete enemye of oure Cristen fayth destroyar of Cristen blood and vsurpar of certayn Empyres and many Cristen Royammes and countrees And now late this sayd yere
dishonour to departe and retorne in to his coÌ„tre than â—ffre his peple to be destroyed myght not amende it Thus theÌ„ne he departed out of Surye by cause the kynge of Arabe his peple were of so grete power so proude as they that fonde all the contre habandonÌ„ned to them ffor in a short tyme they had conquered alle the contre of Surye vnto Egypte One thyng that was tâ— fore happenned in this contree whiche heelp moche them of Araâ—â— tenaâ—ce their power ffor cosdroe the puissanÌ„t kynge of perse of whom I haue spoken to fore had ben with grete puissaunce in Surye and had destroyed the Cytees and castels brent townes chirches and slayn grete partye of the peple and the remeunÌ„t had brought in to Captyuyte And toke the cyte of Iherusalem with force and slewe within the tounÌ„ xxxvj M. men And bare away with hym the veâ—ay crosse that our lord Ihesu Cryste suffred deth on for vs And ladde with hym the patriarke of Iherusalem named Acharye and brought hym with hym with the other Caytyfs Here recounteth thistorye how that the puissaunt kynge Cosdroe wastyd the Empyre of Rome for tauenge the deth of themperour Maurice fader of his wyf capitulo ijo. nOw I shal telle yow why he had so doon lyke as I sayde he was a ryght myghty kynge now had ther be an emperour at Rome named Mauryce whiche as we fynde was moche acqueynted with seint gregorâ—e And was his gossiâ— ffor the sayd seynt Gregorye had cristenyd to hym a doughter named Marie This Maurice gaf her in Maryage to this Cosdroe And ther by was a grete frenship bytwene them grete alyauÌ„ce bytwene them of perse and the Romayns as longe as themperour lyued in suche wise that for the loue of his wyf the Romayns whiche were Cristen This Emperour made Cosdroe to be baptised But after it befylle that foca slewe in treson this Emperour Maurice And was Emperour in his place and was called ffoâ—â— cezar whan cosdroe herd herof he had merveyllous grete sorow greâ—â— deâ—dayne grete orguyel grete hate ayenst the peple of the Romaâ—ns by cause that he whiche had slayn theyr lorde vntrewly and was yet blody of the blood of the emperour they had chosen to â—e their lord and had gyuen to hym thempire ffor this cause â—e enteâ—â—ded to his power to hurte and destroye al thempire of Româ—â— And for this cause for tauenge the deth of the fader of his 〈◊〉 whiche ofte enticed hym therto he entred in to the londe of 〈◊〉 whiche thenne was subget to th empyre of Rome and 〈…〉 destroyed it lyke as I haue said to fore and voyded almost 〈◊〉 the peple that was therin ffor whiche cause This kynge 〈◊〉 aforsaid his peple of Arabe that fonde this londe so voyde 〈◊〉 the better doo theyr wylles with alle How this puissaunt kynge entred in to Iherusalem and demauÌ„â—ded dylygently of the Temple and reedyfied it and assigned grâ—â—e reuenues therto for tentretene it capitulo iiio. wHan they cam in the holy cyte of Iherusalem they fonde it destroyed and deserte sauf a fewe cristen men whiche dwellyd there and were suffred that they shold lyue as Cristen men and make agayn their chirches and that they shold haue a patriarke In the while that this myghty prynce duellid in Iherusalem he began tenquyre moche euâ—entifly of the peple of the tounÌ„ pryncipally of the patriarke whiche was named Sophonye had ben chosen after modeste whiche was deed of whom I haue spoken to fore In what place the temple of our lord had be whan Titus the prynce deffeted and destroyed al the cyte he shewid to hym the very certayn place the fondamentes a parte of the muraylles whiche were thenÌ„e yet apperyng he made anon to be sought to be brouht to hym without longe taryeng grete nombre of masons of carpenters dide do be fette stones of marble of other manere alle thynges necessarye therto he dide do assemble as moche as shold nede And deuised the maner and ordynance of the mesure and of the dyspences for to make the temple And as he was a noble prynce of hyâ— affaire noble he brought anon to ende this that he had emprised in suche wise that the temple was reedefyed in suche forme and estate as it yet apeereth this saide prynce hym self assygned grete rentes reuenues ffor euer more for to sustene and repayre alle that shold be nedeful to thedyfiâ—es and other necessites of the temple and for the seruyng of the lyght day and nyght by the handes of them that he commysed to kepe the temple Ther is in the same temple within and without letters of golde in the langage of Arabe whiche deuyse as we suppose who was he that reedefyed the temple and what tyme And how moche it costeto rebylde it How Charlemayne by his lyberalite gate for the prouffyt of cristen peple in hethenes thamytye of hethen prynces capitulo iiij tHus it happed that this holy cyte of Iherusalem for the synnes of the peple was in seruage and in daunger of hethen peple longe tyme That is to wete cccc xxx iiij yere contynuelly but not all way in one manere They were one tyme better another tyme werse lyke as the lordes chaunged whiche were of dyuerse maners condicions but neuertheles thise peple were alway in subiection It happed that one grete lorde of this saide lawe had nyghe in his seignorye all the londe of thoryent sauf only ynde This prynce was named Aaron his surname ressit This man was of so grete cortosye of so grete largesse of so hye vygour and of so grete affaires in alle good maners that yet the paynems speke of hym lyke as they doo in ffrauÌ„ce of Charlemayn they were bothe in one tyme this aaron this charlemain And therfore in their tyme the cristen peple in Iherusalem were in better poynt than thei had euer be to fore vnder ony of the hethen peple ffor Charlemayn the good Emperour whiche so moche trauailled and suffryd for our lorde and so moche enhaunced the fayth of Ihesu Criste to th ende that the Cristiente in Surye myght be the better and more debonairly cherysshed and entreated Pourchassed so longe that he had the loue and acqueyntauÌ„ce of the said Aaron by messages that wente and cam Wherof this Aaron had moche grete Ioye And aboue alle the prynces of the world he louid and honoured themperour CharlemaynÌ„ and the Cristen peple that were vnder hym And alle the holy places that were vnder his power he wolde that they shold be entretiened mayntened and wel aourned lyke as Charlemayne had desyred and sente to hym worde Wherof it semed that our peple beynge there Were more vnder the power of Charlemayne than vnder the power of the hethen men Whan he myght fynde the messagers of Charlemayn he charged and laded them alle with richesses of thoryent
yssue but by certayne â—laces and strayt entrees that ben as yates of the londe· In hongerye was thenne a kynge a moche valyaunt man named Colemanâ— And was a very good cristen man He knewe that Gaultier cam by londe with grete peple and had therof moche grete Ioye and helde wel with the pylgremage that he had enâ—erprised be receyued them debonayrly in his londe and commanded thurgh his royame that they shold haue alle maner vytaylle good sheep â–ª and alle that they neded The pylgryms passed alle hongrye in good peas tyl they cam to the ende where they fouÌ„de a wace whiche was named Marce This was the bouÌ„de of hongerye toward thâ—â—yent· they passed this water in good peas and entred in to â—ongrye And witthoute knowyng of this Gaulteer some of his peple abode ouâ—â— the water And cam to a castel named Malleuylle for to by vitaylles of the whiche they had nede The hongres by cause that alle the hoost was passed sauf they which were but a fewe runne vpon them And bette them And dyde to them ouermoche shame· They passed the water and cam to gaultier and shewde to hym playnly how they had ben demened without forfaâ—â—ce They had moche grete despite and moche sorowe herof And had passed the water agayn· yf they had had not so grete peryl and so grete distourblyng And thought they wold goo theyr waye and leue for tauenge this thynge So long they wente tyl they cam to belle graue· whiche is the first Cyte of bongrye on this syde· Gaultier sente to the duc of the town and requyred hym that he wolde late them ther by vytaylles he wold not suffre ony to be sold to them Thoost had grete disease for lak of vytaylle and myght not lenger kepe them but that a grete parte of them wente a fowragyng for to gete vytaylles for them and for theyr beestys They founde grete plente of beestes in the contre whiche they toke and brougkt to theyr lodgyngee whan they of the contre herd this they armed them assembled grete peple of the couÌ„tree ran vpon them where they droef their proyes fought with them toke the beestes fro them many of them they slewe huÌ„ted the other away the noÌ„bre wel of Cxl of onre men shytte them in a monasterye for to kepe them there sauf but the boÌ„gres cam there aboute sette fyer on the chirche and brente alle Gaultier sawe that he ledde with hym many folyssh peple whiche he coude not rule ne sette alle in ordenauÌ„ce And withdrewe hym fro them toke them that wold be ruled and obeye hym and wente in to forestes of bongrye which ben large and long and began to passe the moost wysely and styll that he myght tyl he cam to a cyte named stralyce and is a contre named danemarche the moyen There fonde he a good man that was duke of the londe whan this duke knewe what they were whyther they wente he receyued them moche debonayrly and made them to haue vytaylles and other thynges good cheep And dyde to them bountes and seruyses ynowgh for the oultrage that was doon to them at belgraue And dyde redresse and yelde agayne to them as moche as he myght recouere and aboue alle this he delyuerd to them good conduyte and sewâ— tyl they cam to constantynoble whan they were come to constantinoble themperour sente for gaulteer he cam vnto hym sayde to hym thoccasion of his viage that he wolde abyde there peter theremyte by the commandemt of whom he had brought thyse pylgryms whan themperour herde this he receyued hym mochewel and swetly and assygned to hym a fayr place without the town where as he lodged hym with his felawship and commanded that they shold haue vytaylle and alle other necessaryes good chepe and ther soiourned they a whyle How Pieter the heremyte was chyef of a grete hoost in this viage toward the holy londe· capitulo xixo. it was not longe aftir that peter theremite cam fro his contre with grete plente of peple vnto the nombre of xl M he cam in to lorayne and passed francone bauyere· osterych and drewe hym toward hungrye Peter sente his messagers to the kyng of hongrye to th ende that he myght passe his Royamme he sente hym worde that he shold haue good leue yf they wold goo in peas without medlynges and oultrages They answerd that they were pylgryms of our lord had no talente for to trouble the pees Thus entred they the royamme of hongrye and passed by the lande without ony debate vytaylles and other thynges had they ynough good cheâ—pe At th ende they cam to the castel of whiche I spak to fore named maleuylle There herd they saye what was doon to them of the retenne of Gaultier and the grete oultrage doon to them without cause sawe yet the armes and despoyllis of theyr felaws that had be robbed there hange yet on the walles Oure pylgryms that sawe this were alle as they had ben out of theyr wytte ran to armes began euery man to do wel they toke the toun by force· smote of the heedes of alle them that were within sauf a fewe which ran in to the water were drowned· ther were fouÌ„de of them that were deed wel a four M of â—eters meyne were slayn an C whan this was don the hoost foÌ„de there grete plente of vytaylles abode wel v dayes in that place The duc of bongrie which was named Iucita vnderstode how thise pilgryms had venged their felaws ayenst them of maleuylle doubted for as moche as he had defended the vytaylles to our peple that he had slayn many of them And hym semed that bellegaâ—â—ne was not strong ynough therfor he lefte the town and wente in to a strenger castel Thus alle they of the cyte yssued with their goodes and drewe them to the depe forestes Peter whyles he laye yet at maleuylle herd saye that the kyng of hongrye had herd of the deth of his peple wherof he was moche angry and that he somoned and assembled alle his power for tauenge his men that had be slayn And doubted therof And was no merueylle wherfore he made tassemble alle the shippes that myght be founden atte ryue of the see to hym and made his peple to departe moche hastely his cartes and charyottes the beestes they had merueyllous grete praye lad awey grete rychesses fro the castel of maleyulle that they had there taken whan they were passed ouer in to hongrye· they cam to fore bellegraue and fonde the cyte alle voyde ffor they were alle fled Aftir they wente eght grete iourneyes by many grete forestes tyl they cam to fore a cyte named Nyze This town fonde they moche stronge and wel wallyd with grete towres and stronge And within was grete garnyson and the beste men of warre of alle the londe and grete plente of
for tappese yf ony noyse arroos Atte laste they cam to malleuylle wherof ye haue herd to fore whiche stondeth on the ryuer of the dunoc There they 〈◊〉 tyl alle the hoost were passed by shippes wherof were but fewe But to fore he had don sette ouer a thousand men wel armed for to kepe the arryuyng on that other syde whan the hoosâ— of the comyn peple were passed the kyng cam to the duc to the barons and brought the hostages that were delyuerd to hym he made to them moche ioye and honour at departyng· and gaf to euerych grete yiftes ryche Aftir he toke leue and retorned home ageyn The duc and the barons passed ouer with their peple and cam to bellegraue a cyte of hongrye of whiche we haue spoken to fore And there they lodged them After they passed thurgh the wodes til they cam to the cyte of nyz and after to stralyce How the duc godeffroye sente his messagers to themperour of constantinoble to th ende that he shold delyuer huon le mayne and other that he helde in prison cap o xxxiij o hEre may be knowen the euyl disposicion and deceyte of the grekes ffor syth themperours latyns faylled in constantynople and th empyre cam vnto the grekes of whom the fyrst was nycofores Anon the barbaryns that were aboute them· the blacz and the comans they of hongrye whiche ben toward the eest supprised and toke thyse londes that were so good plentyuous and delytable And conquerd alle fro the dunoe vnto constantinople· And on that other parte vnto the see Adryane There is a cyte in lombardye nygh to the londe of the marquys named Adre is right a litil cyte But by cause it is nygh the see of venyse and of Ancone hath this see the name of the see Adryane in wrytyng This see goth right nygh constantinoble vnto a xxx myle This euyl peple of th empyre of constantinoble had wel wonue vpon the grekes xxx iourneyes of lengthe· And x of brede ffor aboue this see that I haue spoken of is a countre named Epyre. The chyef cyte is named duras of whiche pycrus was somtyme kynge· Another is named Mayene that is in the myddle of the londe where ben also noble Cytees Nyz and stralyce In this londe was Archade Thessale and machedone Of thyse thre landes euerych was called Trace And alle thise were conquerd vpon the grekes But afterward ther was an Emperour named Basilie recouerd thise londes· And brought the blacz and the bongres longe afore this tyme in suche wyse that the two danemarches were comen agayn to his po wer but yet wold not the grekes suffre to repayre agayn the townes ne laboure the loÌ„des which shold be right good to th ende that none shold enhabyte there· By cause they holde it for a strengthe And that nothyng shold be fonde therin Also in espyre whiche extendeth fro duras· vnto a mount named bagulaâ—s And endureth foure iourneyes by that passed the other barons But the Duc and his companye passed by danemarche la Maâ—en whiche is named other wyse Mese They cam by a destrayte whiche is named the Cloysâ—â—e of seynt Basyle And syth they descended in to a playne Where they fonde grete plente of vytaylle and of pastures And cam vnto Aâ—ine poâ— whiche is a moche fayr cyte and good There herd they saye and trouthe it was that themperour of constantynoble had enprisonned huon le mayne broder of the kynge of ffraunce· and many other barons that cam with hym ffor thise noble men were hasty and cam by lombardye in to puylle ffro thens they passed to duras And soiourned for tabyde the other barons whiche ought to come in to tho partyes ne they supposed to haue doubted ony thyng in the londe of the grekes that were cristen as they were But the baylly of duras toke alle the moost grete barons and sente them in yrons to themperour of Constantynoble to doo his wylle with them he helde them in prison and abode the comyng of the other barons by cause yf they cam with grete power he wolde delyuer them for theyr loue and yf they cam not with grete myght he thought not lyghtly to lete them passe whan the duc godefroye and the other barons herd tydynges of this prisonment he toke good messagers and sente them with theyr lettres to themperour And they prayde and warned hym that he shold sende to them without delaye this hye and noble man huon le mayne and alle his companye ffor they helde hym for lordes bretheren and felaws of this pylgremage And herin he had don more his wylle and his force than right whan he had reteyned one so gentil and hye prynce· How the duc godefroye constreyned themperour by force to rendre and delyuere his prisonners capitulo xxxiiijo. iN this tyme was Emperour a greke moche fals and ful of tricherye and was named alexes and to his surname Conius he was moche acqueynted and pryue with that other Emperour Nychofores bothomat in suche wyse that he made hym his steward And was the grettest man of the londe sauf themperour He by his malyce purchaced euyl and harme ayenst his lorde by thassent of grete peple that he helde aboute hym and toke hym and helde hym in his prison vj yere tofore that our pilgryms cam theder The messagers of the Duc and the other barons demanded of this Emperoure Huon le Mayne lyke as they were commaunded and the other prysonners in lyke wyse Themperour answerde shortly that he wold not delyuere them They retourned in to the hoost and said to them thansuer of themperour whan the duc the other barons herd this they were moche wroth And concluded emong them by theyr counseyl that they wold playnly make warre ayenst hym that dyde so grete oultrage to holde so hye a prynce in prison ne wolde not answere by mesure ne reason They habandonned to the hooste to take in that contre where they were in Alle that they coude fynde· And brente alle the townes Thus abode they in thise partyes and destroyed alle the contre And dyde moche grete dommage and harme and· grete plente of proyes and other gaynes cam in to the hoost of the barons Themperour sence vnto the duc and vnto the other barons that they shold doo holde theyr peple in pees And that he wold delyuere huon te mayne and the other prisonners· They agreed and acordid gladly· And cam with alle theyr bataylles renged and in ordenaunce to fore constantynoble· as for tassiege the toun Anon yssued oute huon the mayne· doene dancelle Guylla ne charpentier Clarembault de venduel And entred in to the â—auyllon of the Duc And thanked hym moche and alle the other of theyr delyueraunce And the duc and the hooste receyued them with moche grete ioye ffor they had moche grete angâ—e and greâ—â— despite of that was don to them The grete despyte that themperour toke that duc
kepte alwey the riergarde with grete nombre of his peple wel armed aboute hym the ayer of the contre was so ful of mystes and so thycke that they byhynde myght vnneth folowe them to fore ffor this londe as I said to fore is ful of ryuers and rennyng waters of lakes and mareys that a grete nyle sourdeth euery day it semed that it shold neuer sesse On that other syde the sclauouns and the dalmaces that knowe the places and the countrees made on them many assaultes at certayn paaâ— and shewe many of them that were vnarmed The Erle and the good men of the hoost closed them in And slewe many of them And many moo shold haue slayn yf the wodes their râ—traytes had not be so nyghe Somtyme it happed that th erle toke of them a lyue And made to smyte of theyr feet and handes And lefte them lye in the waye for to fere with the other that cam after In this maner they were thre wekes in that londe in grete paryl And in grete mysease After they cam in to a castel named serdre there they founde the kyng of sklauonye The Erle that was wel bespoken spak moche fayr to hym and gaf to hym largely grete yeftes and Iewellys ffor he hoped ther by that he wold haue holden his peple in peas And haue don beâ— had couenable market of vytaylles But it auaylled not ffor neuer for prayer ne for no seruyse myght thâ—y aswage his courage ne mollyfye the peple of the countre But they founde them more cruel and more vyllanous than to fore Thus were they foure wekes after in this sorowe ffor they were fourty dayes in passyng this contre After cam they to duras Ambassadours of themperour to the sayd Erle and bisshop And of the contenue of his lettres And of the daunger wherin the said bisshop was thenne capitulo xlvâ—o. tHemperour had in suspection the comyng of th erle by cause that he knewe wel that he was a moche wyse man and of grete courage· And wel herd saye that he had with hym grete plente of good men Therfore he sente to them to duras noble men of his londe that delyuerd to hym lettres fro themperour which spak in this maner after the salewyng The good renomme that renneth of the thurgh the world hath made vs to haue certayn tydynges that thou art a man of grete wyteâ— of grete power and of grete prouessâ— Therfore we moche desyre to see the and honoure as hym that we loue of good herte and preyse And we praye the moche acertaynly and requyre for a grete yefte that thou doo thy peple passe our contrees without oultrages and doyng harme And haste the to come to vs alle sure to haue oure grace and oure bounte we haue coÌ„manded that vytaylles and other necessyâ—ees shal be sold to thy peple at prys resonable whan the Erle and alle the barons herde thise tydynges by thyse lettres they were glad and ioyous ffor they had longe suffred grete diseases They toke theyr waye by forestes and by montaynes· and passed the londe of Epyre. Aftir they cam in to pelagonne where they fonde moche grete plente of alle goodes The valyaunt bisshop of puy lodged hym on a day fer fro the hoost in a fayr place that he founde and in the nyght the bongres assaylled hym in his lodgys and toke hym But by cause he was necessarye to cristiente our lord sauyd hym that they slewe hym not ffor one of the barbaryns demaunded of hym gold therfore he defended hym fro the other that they slewe hym not In the mene whyle the noyse was herde in the hoost Thenne they ranne to armes and syth ran on them And recouured the bisshop with alle his thynges On the morn they toke theyr waye and passed saleuyke And alle macedome And after grete trauaylles and many iourneyes they cam to a cyte named Redost Thether cam the messagers of themperour agayne And spak to the erle prayeng hym in theyr lordes name that he wold come to fore his hooste with a fewe of his companye in to constantynoble Messagers ther were also fro the barons that had passed the braas And requyred the same by mouthe· And by lettres fro theyr lordes The erle hym self had sente messagers to fore to knowe the beyng of the countre and of the barons And they were retorned whiche acorded moche to the same and counseylled hym to doo that themperour requyred How the Erle of Tholouse beyng with themperour wold not do hoÌ„mage to hym of the despyte that themperour dyde ca xlvijo. bY the prayer of so moche peple th erle muste nedes doo soo at theyr instaunce And thus lefte his hooste And cam in to constantinoble with a fewe of his meyne many messagers encountred hym whiche alle cam for to fetche hym whan he cam to fore themperour he was well receyued with moche grete chere and ioye of hym and alle the barons of the palays· After themperour dyde to be sayd to hym and requyred hym right swetly that for to haue alwey alyaunce and amytre with hym And also for the grete prouffyt that he shold haue therof· he shold make hommage to themperour lyke as alle the other had don he answerd shortly that he wold none make ne doo to hym· Themperour had grete desdayne and was moche wroth he sente to fetche the conestables of his souldyours and for them that had the charge of his men of Armes And commaunded them secretely in counseyl· that they shold auyse theyr tyme and poynt and smyte in to the hooste of The Crle And doo to them alle the harme they myghte And slee grete plente of them This dyde Themperour comaunde them the more surely by cause that he wyste wel that they that were on that othersyde myght not helpe them And by cause they were his men they wold not sâ—ne greue them And had commaunded that alle the shippes to bere ouer vytaylle sholde come hastely ageyn in to the Cyte· So that they on that other syde shold not come ouer a gayn ffor euer he had suspection thassemble of oure peple And therfore he made them to passe ouer eche after other as they cam The grete chere that he made to them And the grete yeftes that he gaf cam more by barate and of drede than of loue or of largesse But oure peple and specially the ffrenssmen myght not byleue that this Ioye that he made to them Ne the Rychesse that he gaf myght come of ony trayson ne of euyl They knewe not by experyence so moche theÌ„ne as they dyde afterward How themperour for tauenge hym on th erle made his Conestables tenbusshe them assaylle the hoost of th erle ca xlviijo. tHe conestables whiche had commandement of Themperour spak to gydre to theyr men And made a bussâ—ement nyghe to the hooste of the Erle of Tholouse In the nyght whan they had supposed alle well to be assured themperours peple smote
thyse shippes Somme shippe had in an honderd and other l. or xxx or xx after theyr gretenes in suche wyse that the waye that they had in the lake Oure men hadde taken from them· whan they of the hooste sawe that this waye of the laken was take from them they had grete Ioye And hoped that the siege shold not endure The turkes of the toun whan they apperceyued that oure men had don so grete a werke and so stronge They fyll in despayre and were abasshed and merueylled of the vygour of our peple that had don this in so short tyme And thenne were they enclosed on alle sydes and had loste the waye for theyr shippes How after the Cyte was assyeged by water and by londe· oure men assaylled it And of a Shotte that Duc Godeffroye dyde Capitulo lxo. wHan the Barons sawe that theyr shippes were in the lake in suche wyse that no man myght greue them Anon they dyde do crye that alle men shold arme them and come to thassault And it was acorded that eche of the barons shold assaylle in that parte where he was lodged they admonested and enforced theyr peple to doo wel Thassault was more than euer it had be There somme threwe out of thengyns grete nombre of stones Euery man dyde his part· toward the south in the partye that was delyuerd to th erle of tholouse there was an hye toure more grete than ony of the other by that tour was the palays In whiche Solymans wyf was Th erle had sette alle his entente for to breke this tour longe tyme ffor he had doo throwen ther at grete stones And had not broken one stone of the tour And by cause he wold not for shame so leue it without takyng of it· And ordeyned gretter stones alle newe which began to breke the creuaches of the same tour with the strokes of the stones moche powdre cam out of the clyftes The peple of the hoost apperceyued it And sawe thatthe tour began to falle they passed the dyche and brought engyns vnto the walles· Ther began they with grete exploit to myne the walle and to perse it· they within caste grete stones vpon the engyns And with shotte of handbowes and arbalesters they hurted many of them that they sawe discouerd And by cause they sawe that the closyng of the toure began to faylle they walled it within forth with stones and chalk· and made a right stronge wall good and thycke Our men that were atte tour had made an hole in the walle that two men myght wel entre attones frely On the walle in the parte where Duc Godeffroye assaylled ther was a turke stronge grete hardy which dyde grete dommage to oure men And hurte many with a strong bowe turquoys that he had And with a lytil of oure langage that he coude cessed not to saye euyl and discourage them that assaylled and called them Cowardes· hit happed that duc godeffroye sawe it â–ª And auysed hym many tymes and was merueyllously displesyd with hym And thought how he myght chenysshe to be at his â—ase he toke in his hand a arbaleste good and myghty and helde it bent til the turk cam agayn and abandouned hym The duc toke his syghâ— and marke and shotte at hym smote hym right thurgh the bely that he fyl doun to the grouÌ„d fro the walle The crye and the showtyng began grete in the hooste and the ioye The duc had grete honour and many good prayers therfore· the other sarasyns that wâ—re on that other parte of this deffence were moche abasshed and ferd that they deffended them the more cowardly The other that were in the other partyes of the toun caste fro the tours stones vpon oure peple that were atte assault and hurte many with castyng shotyng and throwyng vpon oure engyns pytche Oyle and grece alle boyllyng And threwe also brondes and other thynges brennyng moche thycke in suche wyse· that somme they brente· They that assaylled on the partye of th erle of tholouse at the tour that I sayd to you to fore laboured sore for to myne the walle But one thyng destroubled them sore· what someuer they brak on the day they within made it agayn in the nyght in such wise that they were in wylle to leue it And wrought more slowilythan they dyde byforce· wherfor a moche valyaunt knyght of the hooste of the Normans cam right theder and admonested the assaylles for to goo forth he passed the dyche tofore with his helme laced the shelde vpon his heed and brake vygorously the walle where as the turkes had made agayn But ther was none that folowed hym And they of the wallys threwe so grete stones on hym and so thycke· that they slewe hym in the presence of the other that were by And after with hookes and crochettes they drewe the bodye vp to them on the walle And there disarmed hym and threwe the bodye to our peple· Thenne our men that were there toke the body· and buryed it worshipfully he was moche bewaylled in thoost of cristen men How after many assaultes oure men beyng in Counseyl Aâ—â—mbard cam to them whiche offred to make an engyne that shold destroye the toun capitulo lxj o tHenne sawe the Barons that they loste moche peple with thassault And dyde but litil harme with theyr engyns vnto the toun and theyr enemyes Assembled for to make counseyl how they myght doo There cam a man to them a lombard which had seen the grete hurte losse of our peple sayd to the barons that he was a good maister to make engyns yf he myght haue stuff maters therto propice necessary which with goddes helpe shold in short tyme ouerthrowe the tour where to they had don so moche payne and wold make large waye for to entre in to the toun who so wolde They that herde hym promysed hym that he shold haue alle that shold be nedeful And yet a good reward and ryche for his laboure This maister toke werkmen and made them to werke as he commaunded that in short tyme he had made his engyn whiche was merueillously strong and grete And ioyned it to the walle alle ful of men of armes footemen they that were on the walles vpon the tour threwe with grete myght grete stones and fyre brennyng moche thycke but thengyne was so stronge and rude that the strokes dyde it no harme ne the fyer myght not fastne on it whan they of the toun apperceyued that they coude not noye this engyn· they were sore a ferde and discouraged merueyllously and alle in despayre· Our men traueylled to theyr power to take oute the grete stones atte fote of the walle of the toure And vndersetted it with strong stanchons and grete whan they had so moche myned that them semed that it was ynowgh· They toke theyr habyllemens and sette them ferre fro the walle and thenne put fyer on alle sydes vnder the
pryme vnto nygh none ofte our peple had the werse ffor as I haue said solyman had ij C M men alle on horsbak our peple were but l· M on horsbak whan they were alle assembled the one with the other whan our lord had thus gyuen this victorye to his peple they rested them in this fayr place where the tentes were thre dayes theyr· horses refresshed them right wel in this whyle of the armures other gayne that they had conquerd vpon theyr enemyes they arrayed apparaylled them right wel that to fore were euyl armed Moche wel dyde they in this bataylle grete honour had they and shal euer haue· in especial they that here be named Bawdwyn leborgh thomas de fedre regnault de beauuays Gale de ehamont gasâ—e de bedyers gâ—art de cherysy theÌ„ne was ordeyned acorded by the barons cryed in thoost that no man shold ryde fro thens forth by hym self without leue of the capytayns How the iiij day after this victorye our peple went forth on their waye of the grete mesease of thoost the same day capo. lxvijo. Fter this whan they had abyden there thre dayes the fourth daye folowyng by tymes to fore day they dyde doo sowâ—â—e theyr trompettes wente forth on theyr waye Syth they passed bythyne And entred in to the londe that was named pisideâ— They trauaylled so long that at the laste they fonde a contre moche drye infertile without waters The tyme was moche hoot and brennyng as it falleth ofte in Iuyll They had so grete thurst that they wyst not what to doo· the peple on fote specially faylled and faynted alle for the duste for the heete and for thurste ther deyed wel this same day of mysease fyue honderd men wymmen And knowe ye certaynly that ther happed a merueyllous thynge that day in the hoost· that we fynde nowher in none other historye ffor the wymmen with childe that yet were not come to theyr terme by thanguyssh of the heete of the mesâ—ase of thurst that they were delyuerd of theyr childeren childed not only the â—our wymmen but the ryche also this was a grete sorow pyte to see The men that ought to be more hard stronge ayenst trauaylle wente theyr mouthes open sought thayer and moysture therof whiche they myght not haue the heete also the swote destroyed them ye shold haue seen the horses and other beestes that myght not goo forth in suche wyse that they muste leue them whiche deyde in the waye houndes for the chace huntyng fowles for the flyght as ffawcons hawkes fperhawkes ye shold haue seen that day abyde deye· in lyke wyse the grete stedes cursours whiche were moost perylloê° becam alle araged wood for thurst with grete payne were ledde forth whan they had ben long in this mesease Our lord beheld them in pyte· made them to adresse in to a valeye where they fonde a rennyng water fayr grete theÌ„ne ranne oure peple to the brynke or ryuage with grete haste many ther were that draÌ„k so moch that they deyde vpon the place ffor som of them that had eschewed the deth fonde it there by cause they kepte no mesure· this fylle vnto knyghtes other men beestes whiche dranke as moche as they wolde whan they were escaped this euyl aduenture· they cam in to a londe moch fayr and fertile ful of woodes of ryuers of medowes and of good feldes labourable This was by anthyoche the lasse whiche is the chyef cyte of the londe of pisside and there lodged they with theyr hoost How somme of the grete Barons of thoost after to haue approuched Antyoche the lasse departed for to goo vytaylle them Capitulo lxviijo. fRo thens departed som of the barons of thoost â—elde their waye by cause it was a greuous thyng to fynde vytaylles to so moche peple to gydre The fyrst was Bawdwyn Brother to the duc· with hym was peter th erle of scaruay· Reynart th erle of â—oul Bawdwyn de borgh guyllebert de montcler ther wer wel v. C on horsbak ladde with them men a fote largely The second was tancre with hym Rychard du pryncipat· Robert danse other knyghtes grete nombre that they were v C on horsbak had also many men a foote as the other had theyr enteÌ„cion and purpose was to ride about· the thoost in the contre for so seche somme aduenture and vytaylle yf they had founde ony paryll grief pas or plente of theyr enemyes that they wold â—ete thoost haue knowleche therof they wente strayt theyr waye passed by syde ij cytees that one was named lychonie that other Eraclee· after thâ—y torned on the right honde and passed toward the see side The duc Godeffroy the other prynces abode in theyr lodgys for the plesaunt delytable places that they had fouÌ„den by cause they wolde playe refresshe them of the trauaylles aÌ„noyes that they had suffred thenne said they that they wold goo hunte in to the forestes which were nygh to them on alle sydes were ful of wilde beestes On the morn they entred in the woode eche helde his way at his will· the duc as he wente a path thurgh the foreste herde a man crye he drewe thederward he sawe a poure man that was goo for to fetche wode for to bere in to the hoost fledde strongly cryeng to fore a grete bere The duc ran vpon hym drewe his swerd for to delyuere the pour man fro the beeste thenne the bere adressyd hym vnto the duc and lefte the pour man that fledde fro hym he hurte the dukes hors so sore that he caste the duc to therthe The duc 〈◊〉 a foote drewe oute his swerde· the beeste was nothyng afâ—rd of hym but made a felonnoê° crye horryble hydous syth ran vpon the duc bote hym right cruelly in the thye after he adressyd hym right vp embraced hym with his poâ—es or feet to fore for to haue caste hym to grouÌ„de the duc thus hurt as he was was yet moch stroÌ„g fyl not to theerthe theÌ„ne but caught hym by the skyn about the reck with his lyfte hande for to put away his heed from hym with that other hand he put his swerd in to his body thurgh bothe the sydes vnto the crosse and so slewe hym After he wente and sette hym doun on therthe right by ffor he had so moche bledde of his wounde that he had in his thyâ— and was so merueyllously sore hurte that he myghte not stonde longe on his feet The poure man whiche he had delyuerd fro deth can hastely in to the hoost and tolde them this tydynge of the duc Alle they that herde it were so effrayed that they ranne with grete haste theder The barons and alle the other that myght goo they founde hym
they fonde this grete occisâ—on and slaughter at the gate Thenne began a sorow and a moche grete crye in the toun Alle men put the blame and culpe on Bawdwyn and hys knygtes ffor they wold auenge the deth of theyr bretheren whom the sarasyns had so shamely and vylaynously slayn By cause that the knyghtes of bawdwyn and also he hym self wold not suffre them to come in to the toun· And in dede the men of foote sayd this was don by grete oultrage grete falshede· And yf they had not lyghtly withdrawen them in to the toures they had smyten them alle to deth The knyghtes helde them alle stylle tyl that the footemen were cooled and after sente messagers whiche spak to them and requyre them to forbere so long tyl that Bawdwyn had spoken to them they were content to here Bawdwyn speke Bawdwyn excused hym to fore aâ—e and swar and affermed that for none other thynge thentre was deffended them but for that he had sworn to them of the toun that by hym shold none entre tyl the grete hooste cam By thyse wordes and by cause other entermeted to make the peas and spoken debonayrly to the mene peple was bawdwyn acorded to the foote man and his knyghtes also In this toun they soiourned and abode a certayn whyle vntyl a mornyng they sawe in the see nygh them a shippe aboute in myle fro them They yssued oute of the toun and descended to the see they that were in the ship approched to them in such wyse that they spak to gydre they of the ship sayde that they were cristen men they demaunded of what contre and they answerd of fflaundres of holande and of ffryselande And trouth it was they had be escumours of the see and robbers the space of viij yere· Now they repented them And by penaunce cam in pylgremage to Iherusalem they desyred them to come a londe And they cam and made to gydre grete ioye they had a maister ouer them named guynemer And was born of boloyne vpon the see in the londe of Erle Eustace fader of the said duc Godeffroy whan â—e herde that Bawdwyn the sone of his lord was there· â—e lefte his ship And said he wold goo with hym to Iherusalem be was moche ryche of this euyl gayne And had many men with hym that be ladde in his ship thenne Bawdwyn lefte v· C men of armes for to kepe the toun wel in poynt And after he toke his waye for to seke somme auentures as he dyde to fore â—e helde the right way al he cam to the cyte of anamyster· whiche tancre had goten by force of armes vpon the turkes as I haue sayd you to fore Bawdwyn thought wel that he wold not lete hym entre in to the cyte â–ª And therfor he lodged hym in thâ— gardyns about Tancre knowe that bawdwyn whiche loued hym not was so nygh hym And â—e had not forgoten the wronge and the oultrage that bawdwyn had don to hym Thenne he dyde do arme his men· and sayde that thenne was tyme for to venge hym ffor he was nygh â—is retrayt· bawdwyn was for fro his They sente Archiers to fore in grete nombre for to hurte and slee theyr horses whiche they had sente in to the pastures Tancre had with hym fyue honderd men of armes in good poynt and wel horsed And smote in sodanly in to the peple of bawdwyn whiche were not aduysed of them they slewe many and moo they hurted the men of bawdwyn ran hastely to arme them cam fought with them that ran by the tentes therâ— began a bataylle bytwene them moche grete and fiers but it â—ndured not â—â—nge ffor tancre had not so grete plente of peple that myght endure ayenst the mâ—n of bawdwyn· therfor they wold withdrawe them in to theyr toun but theyr enemyes enchassed them strongly so moche that they muste flee there was a brygge ouer a water bytwene the hooste and the cyte the peple of tancre entred so thyck that many were lost and slayn vpon the brygge and drowned in the water whan they were put in to the toune agayn they were moche angry in theyr herte and wold take more peple and returne agayn but the nyght cam that destroubbed it In this scarmuche was taken Rychard le pryncipat cosyn germayn of tancre and robert danse both two were noble men· by their counseyl and atysement tancre had ronne vpon Bawdwyn· Of that other syde was taken a moche noble man named Gylbert de Mountcler· they were moche angry on that one syde and on that other for them that they had loste ffor they doubted that they had ben slayn or drowned whan it cam on the morn and theyr hertes a lytil aswaged they sente messagers eche to other And knewe certaynly that thyse men that were taken lyued of whom they dredde that had ben deed· and good men wente byt wene And medled for to speke of pees in suche wyse that they cam agayn to entier concordaunce and parfyght loue by the grace of the holy ghoost that adressyd theyr hertes They amended theyr trespaas eche to other And kyssed to gydre as frendes in good fayth How the sayd Bawdwyn retorned to the grete hooste And how Tancre mayntenyd hym moche wel in conqueryng contrees Capitulo lxxvjo. bAwdwyn had counseyl whan he was come to Maraze as I haue recompted that he shold goo no ferther forth But retorned in to thoosâ— of the barons By cause he herd saye how the duc his brother had be hurte peryllously And wold see and knowe of his estate and how he ferde theyr counseyl was that tancre shold goo forth Bawdwyn lefte with hym guy neuers And them that were in his companye comen fro the shippe They passed alle sylyâ—e and bete doun alle the forestes of the hethen men that they myght fynde they brente the townes and slewe theyr enemyes· And after cam vnto a Cyte called Alexandrye the lasse that they toke by force and conquerd al the câ—ntre about· The hermyns and turkes that dwellyd in the montaynes of this contre herde tydynges that Tancre and his men were so valyaunt and so myghty that nothyng myght holde ayensâ— them And sore dredde that lyke as he conquerd the playne· he wold come vpon them in the montaynes And destroye the londe entierly and the peple· ffor tappease his courage they sente ta hym good and certeyn messagers· whiche brought to hym grete yeftes as gold syluer precious stones clothes of sylk horses and mubettâ—s they sente hym moche largely ffor whiche cause Tancre lefte them in peas· Thus dyde he wel his honoure and his pronffyt in alle places that he went by in suche wyse that it semed wel to euery man that oure lord god adressyd his way and mayntened his wâ—rkes vertuosly How bawdwyn conquerd a grete contre vpon the turkes by the counseyl of a knyght bermyn named pancâ—ace cao. lxxvij o nOw ye haue herd how Tancre nayntened hym
for tassaylle the cyte capitulo Cxxix How corbagat seÌ„te his meÌ„ of armes for to slee the maroÌ„ners that were at the parte wherof our meÌ„ had a grete losse· capitulo Cxxx How guyllem de grateuylle and his felaws fugytyfs cam in to Allexandryee the lasse Capitulo Cxxxj How th erle of chartres discouraged theÌ„perour of constantynople that he shold not goo socoure our peple in anthioche cao. Cxxxij How by the warnynges of the sayd Erle themperour whiche wold haue goon socoured our men retorned shortly ca o Cxxxiij How our peple in Anthyoche beyng aduertysed herof were aâ—le discouraged And Corbagat enhaunced in pryde cao. Cxxxiiij How the spere was fouÌ„den that Ihus was prechyd on the crosse with of the coÌ„fort that our pilgrims toke therby cao. Cxxxv How peter theremyte was sent by our men vnto Corbagat the wordes that he sayde answere of the sayd corbagat cao. Cxxxvj How the sayd Peter retorned in to the toun and wold openly haue sayd his message and of the subtyl counseyl of the duc whiche wold not suffre it capitulo Cxxxvij How tofore· er our men departed they made redy theyr bataylles right wel in poynt And of the nombre of them cao. Cxxxviij How Corbagat was aduertysed of thyssuyng of our peple and sente archers for to deffende the brydge And how they were disconfyted capitulo Cxxxix How oure men reioysed them of a dewe descendyng fro heuâ—n of theyr mayntene in approuchyng the turkes capitulo Cxâ— How Corbagat ordeyned his batayles and how the two hoostes marched to gydre in bataylle capitulo Cxlâ— Of the fleyng of corbagat· and of somme turkes gadred to gyder and agayn discomfyted by our men capitulo Cxlij How our peple retorned fro the chaas and wente to the pyllage And of the grete rychesses that they fonde capitulo Cxliij Of the fayr ordenaunces that oure people made in the chirches of anthyoche in other townes by after this victorye cao. Cxliiij How our peple seÌ„te ambassadours to theÌ„perour of constantinople for to somone hym for to come socoure them as he had promised capitulo Cxlv How the pylgryms of thoost desired to goo vnto Iherusalem for teschewe the mortalyte and taccomplysshe theyr â—owe cao. Cxlvj The dylygence that duc Godeffroye made for to socâ—urâ— a turke to whom he had promised to helpe hym And how he reysed the siege beyng to fore his castel· capitulo C·xlvij Of somme pylgryms goyng fro Anthyoche· toward the duc godeffroye that were distressyd by the turkes And rescowed by the duc Capitulo Cxlviij How the duc alway enforced hym to augmente â—risciente 〈◊〉 of somme fortresses by hym beten and destroyed cao. Cxlix How the knyghtes of Rages wold haue bytrayed Bawdwyn theyr lord· And how he was therof aduertysed cao. Câ— How th erle bawdwyn was in daunger of deth by the treson of a turk named balac· cao. CLj How th erle of thohouse toke the cyte of albane and therin constituted a bisshop cao. CLij How oure peple retorned in to Anthyoche and toke counseyl for to goo to Iherusalem and of this that foloweth ca o CLiij How the duc godeffroy wold goo to Rages to vysyte his brother â—r he began his way to Iherusalem· And of somme of his aduenres capitulo CLiiij How after the cyte of albare was conquerd· a grete debate aroos bytwene th erle of tholouse and buymont cao. CLv How at the request of the comyn peple th erle of tholouse ordeyned day for to conduyte them ca o CLvj How th erle of tholouse auengyd hym of soÌ„me turkes Robbours which robbed his hoost capitulo CLvij How th erle of tholouse approchyd with his hoost vnto Archys And of the situacion of the same· cao. CLviij Of a toun named tortuose whiche Raymont toke with a Rowte of pylgryms And of the departyng of the other Barons Capitulo CLix How the duc assieged Gibelet and of a trayson· by whiche be left his siege· capitulo CLx How thoost murmured of the spere founden in Anthyoche· And of the grete myracle that happed in the presence of alle thooste Capitulo CLxj Of thambassade of Egypte comen with oure men in to thooste of pylgryms and of the reuerence that was don to them· cao. CLxij Of an embassade fro theÌ„perour of coÌ„staÌ„tynople comen to our pylgryms· of thanswer to the sayd Ambassiate capitulo· CLxiij How the comyn peple complayned them of this that they wente not hastely to Iherusalem capitulo CLxiiij Of the grete dylygence that our men made for tapproche to Iherusalem And of thalyannces of somme Turkes made vnto them Capitulo CLxv How the Cristen men of Bethlehem receyued moche wel Tancre his rowte sette hit baner in the chirche of our lady ca Clxvj Of thardauÌ„t desire that the peple had to see Iherusalem and how thoost approched and was lodged by ordenaunce· capitulo Clxvij Of the situacion of Iherusalem and of the descripcion and also of many other cytees townes and countrees theraboute· Capitulo CLxviij How Iherusalem hath had many names after dyuerse lordes therin regnyng And yet of the situacion wel at longe Capitulo CLxix Here thystorye deuyseth of many merueyllous edefyces conteyned in the same cyte of Iherusalem who made them· capitulo Clxx How the turkes of Iherusalem whan they knewe the comyng of oure hooste stopped the pyttes and fontaynes of the toun Capitulo CLxxj Of the nombre of them of thoost of them of Iherusalem and how our men lodged them in the siege to fore Ihrlm â–ª capitulo CLxxij How our men began tassaylle Iherusalem· And of the grete dyligeÌ„ce that they dyde to make engyns for to take it cao. CLxxiâ—â— How our peple were in grete meschyef atâ—e sayd fiege And how the turkes deserted them by cause they myght yssue and enter in and out of the toun capitulo CLxxiiâ—â— How the turkes enforced them to make merueyllous engyns ayenst oures and of the meschyef don to the cristen men dwellyng in the toun capitulo CLxxv In this tyme aâ—â—yned a ship of genewys atte porte of halaâ—â—e â–ª And how thâ—yr messagers cam in to thoost and of theyr request Capitulo CLxxvj How alle the pylgryms eueâ—ich after his estate payned them to make thengyns for thassault· capitulo CLxxvij Of the fayr processions that oure pylgryms made to th ende â—hat god shold gyue to theym vyctorye And how they pardonned 〈◊〉 other theyr male talentes and euyll wylles capitulo CLxxviij How oure men sodenly transported in the nyght theyr engyns vnto that other parte of the toun for tassaylle on that syde Capitulo CLxxix How the daye folowyng our peple made a merueyllous assault how the turkes defended them subtylly wel capitulo CLxxx The nyght departed the sayd assault· our peple withdrewe them And how they watched theyr engyns and the turkes the toun Capitulo Clxxxj How oure peple retâ—rned agayn on the morn to thassaultâ— And of the sorceryes that they wold haue charmed one
and aroos a crye a noyse and a clamour so grete thurgh alle the toun That ther was nothinge spoken of but of this hounde· They assembled and put out of doubte that this was not doon ne caste there but by the Cristyens Alle the hethen men Accorded to this poynt that alle the cristen peple shold be put to deth with the swerd And there were theyr swerdes drawen redy out And they also that sholde smyte of their heedes· Emonge the crysten men was a yonge man of a moche grete herte and of grete pyte And spak to the peple and said to them ffair lordes trouthe it is That I am not culpable in this thinge ne none of yow as I byleue certaynly But it shold be ouermoche grete doÌ„mage yf we alle shold deye thus ffor by this shold alle the CristendoÌ„me be quenchid in this londe Wherfore I haue thought in my self How I shal delyuer yow alle by thayde of our lord Two thynges I desyre of you for the loue of god That one is that ye praye for my sowle in your orisons That other is that ye deporte and honoure my poure lygnage ffor I will take this thinge on me and saye that I all one haue doon this fayt whiche they put on vs alle they that doubted the deth had grete Ioye whan they herd this and promysed to hym their orisons and thonoure of his lygnage In this maner that they of his lygnage eueâ—more on palmsonday shal bere tholyue whiche signyfyeth Ihu Criste whan he cam in to Iherusalem Thus this man cam to fore the Justice And said to them that the other Cristen men were nothyng culpable in this fayt and sayde that he hym self had doon the dede whan they hâ—rde this they delyuerd alle the other And he only had his heed smeten of How at the requeste of Themperour of Constantynoble the cristâ—n men obteyned lycence to bylde agayn the chirche of the holy seâ—ulcre capitulo .vijo. sVche diseases suffred the peple of our lord in this tyme but Ihu cryste that wel can sette remedyes in thinges mâ—ruâ—illous out of ordre recomforte them after ffor tâ—is vntrâ—we prynce of egipte hetam deyde and his sone named dâ—â—â—r regned aâ—ter hym This daher renewed the alyauÌ„ces with themperour of constantynoble whiche was a Romayn and named Elioâ—â—litans he prayde the said daher whom he moche louâ—d that he wold suffre that the Cristen men myght reedefye the chirche of the holy 〈◊〉 whiche his fader had do beten dounÌ„ he graunted it for the loue of themperour It was not longe after that this emperour deyde and after hym regned Constantyn whiche had to surname Monomaâ—ques whiche is to saye in grece as a man fyghtyng allone Tâ—e poure cristen that were in Iherusalem had lycence for to make agayn their chirches but they had not the power for their pouerâ—â— And herupon they had a counseyl that they wold sende to themperour and requyre hym for goddes sake that he wold helpe and socour of his Almesse for the reedefyeng of this holy werke Ther was in the tounÌ„ of Iherusalem a good man named Iohan Cariaintes born in Constantynople had ben a grete gentilman of the contre as of his lignage But yet was he more gentil of herte good manere This man was comen on pylgremage to the holy sepulcre and had lefte alle the bobauÌ„ce and thonour of the world had taken thabyte of relygion ffor to folowe our lord Ihesu Criste in ponerte in the place where he suffred pouerte messease for vs This said Iohn was prayd of alle the cristen peple there that he wolde entrepryse this message for to go to themperour for the loue of god and of them he dyde it with a good wylle and departed and cam in to Constantynoble and spak to themperour and dide alle that he was requyred ffor themperour graunted that he wolde make alle the dispences that shold be nedeful to the byldyng of this holy chirche and wolde reedefye it at hiâ— owen coste This Iohn was moche Ioyous whan he had so wel accomplissyd his message and toke leue of themperour and cam agayn in to Iherusalem whan he had said to the peple the good tydinges that he brought they made grete Ioye And many weâ—te grete terees for pyte by cause they thoughte that our lord wolde not alway forgete them whan he had doo to them suche câ—mforte In this tyme was patriarke in Iherusalem an holy man named nycesores Themperour held ryght wel his promesse ffor he sente without taryeng grete partyr of his tresour and dide do make the chyrche of the holy sepulcre moche hye in thestate and manere that it is yet And was ful made the yere of thincarnacion of our lord a M xlviij And had ben xxxvij yere destroyed This was ryght the yere to fore that our peple recouerd the cyte Whan the Cristen men there had made agayn the chirche they were moche Ioyous and were also therin well comforted of all theyr mescases and repreues that they suffred wherof they had grete plente not only in Iherusalem But also in alle the cytâ—es aboute as in bethleem And in the cyte where Amos the prophete was born named Tecua As ofte as the Caliphe sente in to the lande a newe bayly so ofte were sette on them new tributes taillages whiche they myght not well paye yf they payed not anon they menaced them for to caste doun their chirches to the ground saide they had of their lord coÌ„mandement so to doo thus in this sorow were the cristen peple one while vnder them of egipte another tyme vnder them of Perse but this was not but yet a begynning to them as whan they cam vnder the power of the turques ffor the turques conquerd the Royame of perse and also of Egypte Thus the holy cyte fylle in to their demayne whiche demened it so cruelly tormented it so cruely that it semed to the peple of our lord that they had be in fraunchise and in grete reste vnder them of Egypte and of perse Thus helde the turkes them there viij yere Of the turkes fro wens they cam and how they grewe in to grete puisaunce and dide chese them a kynge for to mayntene their warres capitulo vijjo. for as moche as we haue spoken of the turkes shal ofer speke of them in this book me semeth good that I saye to yow fro whens this peple cam first wherby they had so grete power The turke turkemans cam out of a lynage Roce of a contre toward the Eest whiche is in surye And were a peple moche rude without ordynauÌ„ce ne had no contreye ne no certayn dwellyng place But went all aboute fro londe to londe sought pastures for their beestis ne neuer duellid in castel ne tounÌ„ And whan they wolde meue from one place to another tâ—enne wente euery lynage by hym self And they made in euery kynred or lygnage a
the defaulte of the pylgryms ffor yf ye haue doon it by Iustyce or in deffendyng you and youre londes or other wyse that they wold enforce and take ony thyng away yf it were so The duc and his felaws wold take it more lightly But yf it be doo without their trespaas or for hate that ye had to them thus murdred them they that sente vs hether lete you wete by vs. that they haue lefte theyr owne couÌ„treyes for tauenge the wronges the oultrages that haue ben don to the peple of oure lord And yf they finde that ye haue so doo they be not in wylle to passe ferther tyl they haue to theyr power auenged the deth of the pylgryms of our lord And herwith godefroy that acounted this to the kyng made an ende of his wordes The kyng was in his palays where he had grete plente of barons of his Royamme and of other peple thenne answerd and sayde Godefroy it plesyth me moche that ye be come in to this contrey for to speke to me It is a moche good thyng for me for two causes that one is that ye be of myn acqueyntauÌ„ce and my frende longe syth And we shal afferme and renewe our loues and our acqueyntaunces in this youre comyng That other cause is that I knowe you to be a man wyse· resonable of good wille and am moche ioyous of this that ye shal here my excusacion trouthe it is that we haue the name of the cristiente it were shold be moche fayr to vs· yf we had the werkes But they that ben passed tofore with peter theremyte and with godechan haue not the werkes of pylgryms ne of cristen men ffor we receyuyd peter theremyte his peple in oure londes and in our townes with grete debonayrte And departed with them oure vytaylles and other thynges we gaf to them But they lyke as the serpent that prycketh or styngeth hym that kepeth hym warme in his bosomme hath guerdonned rewarded vs for our good dedes for in th ende of the royamme of hongrye whan they ought to thanke vs and rendre graces to god to theyr frendes They toke by force one of oure best castellis And put to deth alle that were therin and caryed the beestys with them they toke alle the maydens of the town lyke rowters theues The company of godechan cam after them they abode not to forfaytte til the ende of our Royamme but assone as they were entred and passed the yates of hongrye they began to make alle thoultrages they myghte They brente the townes slewe the men enforced the wymmen and bare away alle thynges they dyde so moche that for theyr trespaces were wel worthy to haue hate of god of the world we that be here in the place in the dygnyte by whiche we ought to kepe the peple as long as it shal please god and our barons that haue sworn the feaulte of the Royalme myght not wel endure thus to destroye our peple and our contrey but haue put to the hand by force in vs defendyng The thyrde companye cam also with folke a foote we doubted the noyse and debate in suche wyse that we wold not suffre them entre in to our londe ne come emonge vs Our lord that Iugeth alle the wordes knoweth alle thyng wote wel that it is thus that I haue lyed to you no worde Now we praye you that ye excuse vs oueraal where ye shal here speke of it whan he had said this be sente the messagers in to theyr Innes where they had moche grete honour and grete feste The kyng toke counseyl of his barons and ordeyned his owne messagers whiche he sente to the duc godefroy and to the prynces that cam He had spoken ynowgh to godefroy dasque and made hym grete câ—ere and gaf to hym and his felawshippe yeftes And aftir toke leue of hym and retorned al to gydre â— with the messagers whan they were comen to fore the duc godefroy one of them sayd the message in this manere· The kyng of hongrye saleweth you my lordes And sendeth yow worde that he knoweth certaynly by renoÌ„me that ye be a man of moche hye lygnage puyssauÌ„t of peple wyse and trewe of herte prudent and valyaunt of body in suche wyse that your prouesse is born in to many londes ffor thyse thynges our lord the kynge whiche neuer sawe yow preyseth and loueth yow moche in his herte And hath moche grete desire to doo you honoure These pylgryme that ben with you And that haue enterprysed so hye a pylgremage be preyseth moche and desyreth moche to see them· and to worshippe and to haue theyr acqueyntaunce ffor he holdeth hym selfe wrous and gracious that our lord hath sette hym in such a poynt that he may doo seruyse and bounte to one so valyaunt a man· Therfore vnto you fayr lord and to the hye men of your companye be prayeth requyreth and demandeth for a synguler yefte that it wold plese you to come see hym at one his castel named Cipeâ—on ffor be desireth moche to speke to you at leyser doo that ye wille demauÌ„de How the said kynge sente for to fetche the duc godefroye And how he wente and of the deuyses that they had to gydrâ— cao. xxxij wHan the duc and his barons had herd the messager thus speke he drewe them a parte and toke counseyl They acorded wel that the duc shold goo he sente for suche companye as hâ— wold haue And wente forth with thre honderd horse withoute mâ—â— on his way hit was not long but he cam to aperon he passed the brygge and fonde the kynge whiche made to hym grete ioye and moche honour· And long they spak to gydre And the kynge excused hym of the deth of the pylgryms vnto the duc lyke as he had doon to the messagers At th ende the kyng cam so to poynt that they were appeased goodly The kyng acorded to hym the passage thurgh his royamme yf he wold sette hym suche hoostages as he shold chese for to kepe the pees Alle this was graunted And he demanded in hostage Bawdwyn brother of the sayd duc his wyf and her maygne they were delyuerd to hym gladly Thus entred they with alle theyr peple in to the lond of hongrye The kynge helde to them wel his couenauntes ffor he dyde doo crye in alle the townes as they shold passe and also thereby that they shold selle to them vytaylles good cheep and that noman shold meue to them no debate The duc commanded also and made to be cryed that none on payne of his lyf were so hardy to take ony thynge fro the lond ne fro no man ne for to doo no wronge but holde them for felawes and bretheren Thus it happed that they passed alle hongrye without ony maner stryf or noyse· The kynge rode alwey nyghe to thooste on the lyfte syde ledyng his hostages with hym redy
began to ordeyne thurgh the town how they myght yssue oute with moche more affraye and strenger than they had But the nyght cam that destourned their counseyl This was an euident thynge that themperour had dâ—n the barons passe the brygge by tricherye and vntrouthe for to haue closed them as within barryers How after this our peple began to destroye the contre And ofa message of buymont vnto duc godefroye And the answer of the duc vpon the same· capitulo xxxviijo. aS sone as thoost apperceyued on the morn the day it was cryed that euery man on payne of deth shold arme hym on horsbak and on fote The Capytayns of som bataylle were ordeyned for to lede the peple in fourage The other sette them in ordynaunce for to kepe their lodgys ffor wel they apperceyued certaynly that themperour pourchassed for them alle the euyl that he myght They that wente for vytaylle withdrewe them wel lx myle They pylled al aboute them alle the townes that they fonde And brought Corn Wyn Beestys and other Rychesses Wherof the londe was full that vnnethe myght they conduyte alle And they were oute sex dayes And aftir retornned in to the hooste with alle this merueillous gayne whyles as they conteyned thus· Messagers cam fro Buymont to fore the Duc And salewed hym in theyr Lordes name And delyuerd to hym lettres whiche saide in this manere He salewed in his letrres the duc as he ought to salewe suche a man Aftir they sayde knowe ye sire that ye haue to doo with a moche vntrewe man whiche alwey sette his herte and purpoos to deceyue them that truste in hym Specially he hateth the Latyns to the deth And doth his power in alle maners that he can to doo euyl to our peple And yf ye haue not yet apperceyued it ye shal knowe al by tyme as I saye to you ffor I knowe wel the malyce of the grekes And also the trycherye of themperour Therfor I pray you that ye withdrawe you fro constantinoble And retorne to ward the playnes of andrenoble or of sympole and there ye may wyntre you where as is grete plente of alle goodes And I my self yf it please god assone as the sprynge of the yere cometh shal come and hast to meue And shal assemble with you And shal helpe you as my lord and frende ayenst the vntrew prynce that entendeth to doo euyll with alle his power vnto cristiente whan the duc had herd thyse lettres by the couÌ„seyl of his barons He sente to hym ageyn other lettres that after the salewyng spak thus we thanke you gretely And so doo the other prynces that ben with vs of the loue and trouthe that ye haue sente vs And knowe ye certaynly that we haue founden on the prynce and on the peple of grekes lyke as ye wene wel to knowe we knowe wel that ye saye it of wysedome and of trouthe But we doubâ—e moche the armes that we toke in our contrey for to warre on the hethen men shold retorne and conuerte ayenst them that bere the name of cristiante as we our self doo we attende and desyre moch your comyng Thenne yf god will whan ye shal be comen we shal doo take you to our counseyl How themperour appesed the duc godefroye and senâ—e for hym and of the honour that he dyde to hym capitulo xxxix tHemperour was moche anguyssous emong his pryue couÌ„seyl thought how he myght appese to hym the duc his peple by cause he destroyed his contre of which he herd the clamours right grete and ofte And by cause that he knewe that the messagers of buymoÌ„t were come had brought tidynges that he wold hastely come he sente ageyn his messagers to the duc prayd hym that he wold come speke to hym yf he doubted of ony thyng he wold sende Iohn his sone in hostage in to the hoost This message plesyd moche to the barons whan they herde it they sente canon de montagu bawdwyn de borgh for to receyue the hostage they receyued hym and delyuerd to Bawdwyn brother of the Duc whiche abode for to Reule and gouerne the hoost and to kepe the hostage The duc and other barons wente in to Constantynople to fore themperour which had moche desyred them The grekes made to them grete Ioye merueyllously what someuer they thoughte Themperour kyssed them alle And demanded of euerych his name for to honoure euerych by hym self as he that wel coude do it they were wel beholden of alle them of the palays At last themperour satte in his mageste and the barons aboute hym And sayde to the duc thyse wordes we haue herd saye many tymes in this londe that thou art of hyghe lygnage and of moche grete power in thy contre and a good knyght and trewe in suche wyse that for the fayth of Ihesu criste â—enhaunce hast enterprised to warre ayenst the mescreauntes and hethen peple whiche greue the cristen peple merueyllously ffor alle thyse thynges we prayse the and loue in our herte And wylle honoure the with grettest honour that we may doo ffor thou art worthy and dygne It playseth vs and therto acorden our barons that we cheese the auowe for our sone And we put our Empyre in to thyn hande that thou kepe it as our sone from henssforth in good estate and in termes of loue whan he had seyde this he dyde hym to be clad with the robe of an Emperour And to sytte by hym And thenne the barons made to hym right grete feste solempnyte aftir the custom of the londe in suche thynges And thus was the pees affermed bytwene the prynces and also bytwene the peple Of the yeftes that themperour made to duc godefroye to the barons and to the gentilmen of his hoost·capitulo xlo. aNone whan this was don the tresour of themperour was opened was presented to the duc and to his felawship so grete yeftes and so grete rychesses that it was merueylle to see Ther was grete plente of gold of syluer· and of precious stones many clothes of sylk ryght ryche vayssellys of dyuerse facions whiche were merueyllous of facions and of matere Oure peple meruellyd moche of this grete rychesse Thyse yeftes cessed not at the fyrst tyme but fro the day of the Epyphanye vnto thasâ—encion tyde themperour gaf to the Duc euery weke as moche as two myghty men myght susteyne of pierrye of pens of gold of copper and of tyn he gaf to hym ten muyes euery muye is four busshellys· But the duc departed alle thyse thynges vnto knyghtes and alle aboute where he sawe that it shold be wel employed Whan they had ben with themperour a lytil whyle they tâ—ke leue cam agayn in to the hoost They sente agayn Iohan his sone whom they had holden in hostage moche honourably Themperour dyde do crye vpon peyne of deth that noman shold doo harme to the pylgryms but shold do selle
had Capitulo Cijo. aSsone as it was nyght they yssued out lyke as they were commanded They passed the brydge of shippes And they were not passyng vij C men on horsbak they that weÌ„te cam to a laye whiche was bytwene the laye of whiche I haue spoken to fore And the Ryuer named helle whiche ben that one fro that other nyh a myle there they rested them this nyght· theyr enemyes that knewe nothyng of theyr comyng were this nyght passed the brydge whiche is vpon the Ryuer of helle In the mornyng as sone as our men apperceyued the day they armed them and made vj bataylles ef them The turkes had sente by fore their corrours which cam sayde that the grete peple cam ayenst them they sente to fore ij of theyr bataylles aftir cam the grete peple whan they approuched they were in grete desraye the Archers approuched first whiche shotte thycke But oure men smote in with the speres moche asprely in suche wyse that they made them to flee and chaced them to theyr grete bataylles· There were they in suche a destrayt bytwene the Ryuer and the laye that they myght not shoâ—ene flee after theyr customme There was the medlyng grete and fiers And the barons and men of armes dyde moche wel But the turkes that had lost the maner of fyghtyng myght not deffende them· ne endure the strokâ—s of oure peple but fledâ—e theyr way al that thâ—y myght Thenne whan our barons sawe this they began to doo wel And commaunâ—ed that noman shold faygne but folowe the chaas asprely The turkes fledde vnto bernant· Oure mâ—n folowed alwey sleyng and bewyng of heedes and armes that al the waye that they passed by was so wen with dede men This chaas endured wel .x myle The turkes that were within the castel of hernant sawe that theyr men cam alle discomfyted They sette fyere on the castel they them self fledde But the hermyns the other cristen men of whom were many in the castel recouuerd the fortresse and yelded it to oure men whan they cam This daye were slayn of the turkes moo than ij thousand They toke .v C heedes of them that were best arrayed And brought with them in signe of vyctorye· They wan there wel a M horsed for Armes grete and myghty wherof they had grete nede Thus retorned they to theyr lodgys charged ful of prayes of armures of dispoylles makyng grete ioye and thankyng oure lord that had comforted them in theyr meseaseâ— How the turkesof Anthyoche sprange out and assaylled the lodgys of our peple Capitulo Ciijo. tHe cytezeyns and habytantes of Anthyoche had herd tydynges how the turkes that had ben so discomfyted were departed and meuyd fro theyr contrees for to come socoure them Therfor they had they re ere 's opene to here tydynges of theyr comyng And were alle armed and redy for to make thassaylle by the brydge alle incontiyent whan they shold see them but whan they sawe that the nyght passed and that the day cam without hauyng ony knowleche of theyr approuchement Theyr espyes made them certayn that our men were goon on horsbak ayenst them Therfore they toke herte And yssued vnto the lodgys· ffor oure men were not yet comen agayn in to the thooste· They assaylled them moche asprely and harde so longe that somme of them that were in the playns within the toun wente vpon the toures and vpon the walles by cause that oure men that fought shold be abasshed by thoccasion of theyr peple that shold come And as oure peple approuched the turkes they apperceyued that the other that they abode were discomfyted by cause oure men cam ioyously with alle theyr despoylles· Thenne aroos the sorow grete thurgh alle the toun Our men approuched the toun And dyde do throwe ij·C heeâ—es of the turkes that they had brought with engyns in to the cyte for to make them certayn of theyr victorye· And yet to th eÌ„de that they shold not forgete theyr sorowe that was entred in to theyr hertâ—s The other iij C that were lefte they pyght them on stakes at the foote of the walle And sette there men for to kepe them By cause they shold be alwey in theyr syght· whan they cam to the deffence the nombre of them that were disconfyted were xxviij M. Thus were somme grete turkes taken brought prisonners This was don in feuerer the vj day the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord M lxxxxvijo. Of a castel that our men made of somme pylgryms that arryued at the porte and how they were discomfyted by a busshement of turkes capo. Ciiijo. alle the barons of thoost toke couÌ„seyl and acorded that vpon a territoire whiche was at the tentes of Buymont shold be made a fâ—trresse which shold be wel garnysshyd with good men of armes· to th ende that yf the turkes made theyr assayllies as they were acustomed they of this fortresse shold renne on hem· And this towr was a barbycane of thooste like as they had deuysed ordeyned so was it made without taryeng and valyaunt men and hardy were sette in this fortresse largely· thenne was alle thost assured as they had ben within the walles of a good Cyte The siege had endured thenne ·v· monethes A shippe of genewes cam theder whiche had brought pylgryms and vytaylles they aryued at the porte sette them in the Ryuer of helle as it falleth in to the see they had sente ofte messagers in to the hoost that they shold fetche them by som of the grete baroÌ„s with so good company that they myght be saufly conduyted in to thoost· they of the toun had thenne apperceyued that messagers wente and cam fro the shippe in to thoost And sente out men that slewe somme of them And therfor durst none goo more without grete companye Our barons had aduysed to make a grete fortresse at th ende of the brydge in a mahommerye that the turkes had and wold sette men of armes there for to kepe and deffende thyssue of the brydge yf the turkes wolde come But by cause that there were peple yssued out of thoost for to goo to the ship· were chosen somme of the barons whiche shold goo and fetche them ffor they were peple that were goon for to here tydynges of theyr contrees and wold haue comen agayn but they durst not· therto was chosen buymont the Erle of tholouse Euerard du puyssat· And th erle garnyeâ— of grece whiche also shold conduyte the messagers of the calyphe vnto the port of the see· and at retornyng shold brynge agayn and conduyte them of thooste they of Anthyoche herd saye that the sayd Barons were departed fro thoost and descended toward the see And sent out four M knyghtes of the moost noble that they had for to lye in a wayte at theyr retornyng It happed that the fourth day that our men sette them on the way for to rotorne and brought Armures and many horses laden with vytaylles and other
put awaye thesperaunce of theyr flyght· commaunded to shette the yates after them· they cam pryckyng ayenst oure men wold haue made theyres to retorne whiche were discomfyted but the affraye and the drede was so grete in them that they neuer made semblaunt therto they them self that frely cam on whan they sawe the prowesse of our men and the grete strokes that they gaf torned theyr backes with the other ne neuer made grete resistence there was the fyghtyng grete and merueyllous betyng doun of the turkes that men myght not but with grete payne passe ther was so grete noyse so grete crye· so terryble neyhyng of horses oueral that a mā shold not haue herd thondre they that had made the yates to be slette after them were ofte this day in peryl to lese theyr lyues· the wyues of the turkes the maydens and feble peple of the toun were vpon the walles and tourettes where they sawe theyr peple torne to meschyef and to destruction ye may wel thynke that they had grete sorowe wepynge and moche grete crye and noyse wel cursed they that tyme that they so longe had lyued that they shold see suche meschyef happen to them Ancean sawe that he loste alle his men and had none hope for to recoure them commaunded that that yate shold be opened for to receyue in to the toun them that were lefte whan the turkes sawe the yate opene they had so grete wylle to entre in to the toun that vpon the brydge they pressyd so euyl for haste that they fylle in to the water of them gret◠plente· The Duc Godeffroye that al that day had so wel don And whan it cam for to departe to fore the brrdge he gaf a strook moche valyaunt and suche one that it shal perpetuelly and euermore be spoken of in wele and in honour ffor I trowe ther happed neuer none suche to fore ne neuer shal happen here after There were this daye many heedes smeton of Armes and sholders at one stroke he wel apperceyued one of his enemyes whiche helde hym nygh to Godeffroy· And auaunced hym ofte and peyned to greue hym The valyaunt Duc smote hym with his swerde by suche myght and vertue that he smote hym in two pyeces in the myddle in suche wyse that the ouerste part of hym fyl to the ground And that other parte abode styll syttyng on the hors whiche entred in to the Cyte with the other And knowe ye certaynly that this sayd Turke was armed with a good hauberk and moche stronge Alle they that sawe this merueylle were gretely abasshed And the Turkes them self had grete fere and deed◠O mercyful God what myght and strengthe gyuest thou to thy seruauntes that haue their fayth and truste in the Suche a stroke hath not be herd of to fore this tyme That same daye they of Anthyoche loste moo than two thousand men· And yf the nyght had not comen so sone on· they shold haue ben so enfebled of men that with payne shold they haue conne holden and kept the toun ayenst oure men· It semed wel that at the brydge were many Turkes slayn ffor it was thycke there of deede bodyes· The ryuer that descended to the see was alle blody vnto the See Somme Cristen men of the londe yssued oute of the toun· And cam to our peple that told them that· xij grete admyrals had the Turkes loste in the bataylle For whom they were ouermoche sorouful For they were so endommaged that neuer in theyr lyf shold they be therof restored How the Cristen men thanked oure lord of this vyctorye And made a Castel in theyr mahommerye where there they fonde grete gayne· Capitulo Cvjo. tHe next day whan the daye was wel cleer· the barons assembled alle for humbly to thancke our lord of the victorye that he had gyuen to them· And after spak of the comyn besynes· Comynly was deuysed and acorded of alle that there shold be made a tour as they had entreprysed at th ende of the brydge for to take away the yssue fro them of the toun And for to kepe and warante oure peple whan they ranne to fore it There had the Turkes buryed by nyghte the dede men that had ben slayn in the bataylle to fore whan the peple afoote knewe this they ranne And there vnburyed them And toke them out of theyr sepultures and graues And toke and bare away Gold Syluer And theyr robes the whiche they had buryed with them in their sepultures after theyr customme They of the toun had moche sorowe by cause they sawe to fore theyr eyen the corses taken vp of theyr frendes whiche they had buryed with grete costes and dispenses· And it displesyd them moche that the nombre of theyr deed men shold be knowen whom they had supposed to haue kepte secrete ffor without them that fylle in the flood or Ryuer And withoute them that were buryed in the toune And them that were hurt vnto the deth and buryed in the toun were taken vp oute of theyr graues in the mahomerye a thousand and fyue honderd They smote of thre honderd heedes and sente them to Themperour for to late hym haue certayn tydynges of the bataylle that they had ayenst the turkes The messagers of the Calyphe of Egypte were not yet departed fro thens And whan they sawe this· they were ioyous of the deth of theyr enemyes But they were alway after a feerd and dred oure peple There were many of oure owne men that had fledde in to the woodes and montaygnes whiche after retourned in to thooste There cam many in to thooste that men supposed had ben deed the barons commanded that the fortresse shold be made adressyd moch hye strōge hastely It was made of such stones as they drewe out of the tōbes sepultures of the turkes after the barons began to aduyse to whom the kepyng of this tour shold be delyud which was fayr strong to fore was made a dyche moche depe· ther were Barons ynowe whiche excused them by many reasons why they myght not kepe it But the valyant Erle of Tholouse prouffred hym self And prayde that it myght be delyuerd to hym ffor to gouerne ffor by the grace of God he shold kepe it wel Alle the Barons coude hym moche good thancke And by this recouerd he the grace and loue of the comyn peple whiche he had alle loste ffor fro the somer to fore by thoccasion of a sekenes and maladye that he had he had don none auauncement of ony werkes and nedes of the hoost· Eueryche of the other barons had don his power But he dyde right nought therfore th empyre coude hym thank ffor it was supposed that he was the rychest· but for tentreprise of this thyng· they sayd wel alle that he was not a ferd ne euyll And on that othersyde yet he dyde more· ffor he leyd out· v C marck weyght of syluer in the hand of the Bisshop
of puy and other good men for to helpe to restore the dommages of the horses that the poure men had taken in the bataylle· there were many after that were the more hardy for to goo ayenst theyr enemyes for hope to haue and recouere theyr horses ffor thyse thynges was th erle of tholouse moche louyd and preysed in so moche that they callyd hym fader and wardeyn of thoost Of a fortresse that Tancre made ouer the Ryuer and deâ—ended it valyauntly· capitulo Cvij o iN this newe fortresse of the brydge th erle of tholouse sette thyrin v· C. men of Armes hardy and valyaunt knyghtes and other And by cause of this fortresse the yssuyng and goyng out of them of the toun was deffended Oure men thenne wente surely in the countre the turkes myght not yssue but by the west yate whiche is bytwene the foot of the hylle· And the ryuer of helle And this yssue myght not moche greue ne hurte oure men ffor alle the lodgys were ouer the ryuer but alway by that wayâ— cam vytaylles and fresshe metes to them of the toun And thus they were not ynowgh constreyned by so moche as they had this yssue The barons assembled and connseylled how they myght toke this waye fro them they acorded wel that this myght not be But yf ther were a fortresse made ouer the Ryuer whiche muste be delyuerd to one of the Barons for to kepe· They acorded well alle that the fortressâ— shold be made But none profered ne sayde that he wold kepe it Many of them sayde that Tancre was ryght propyce to this thynge· But he excused hym· And sayd that he waâ— ouer poure for tendure and bere so grete dispence Th erle of Tholouse sterte forth to fore and gaf to hym an C marck of syluer for to make it with And It was ordeyned that he shold haue euery moneth· xl marke of the comune Tancre whiche was moche valyaunt and wyse dyde do make this tour in a lytil tertre nygh ynowgh to the gate And after receyued it in to his warde and kepyng· And god gaf to hym so moche worship that he loste nothynge But kepte it al hool vnto the ende of the siege In the syde bynethe by the Ryuer was a moche fayr playne in whiche habouÌ„ded many fayr pastutures And grete plente of trees a iij or four myle fro the Cyte They of the toun by cause they had not pastures ynowgh they had sente grete plente of theyr horses and mounture in to that place whan they of thoost apperceyued it They assembled knyghtes ynowe and other valyaunt men of Armes And wente theder but not by the right waye but by pathes and hyd wayes so longe that they assaylled them that kept them and slewe them· They brought in to the hoost ij M· horses for men of Armes grete gente and fayr besyde the mules and other beestes· wherof they had largely Of this gayne had they grete ioye ffor they had of nothyng so grete nede in thoost as of horses ffor they had ben my nuysshed moche and lassed in the bataylle And many deyed that tyme for hungre and mesease How thenne the turkes of the toun began to haue mesease and sorowe And our peple ease Capitulo Cviijo. Han the Cyte was thus an alle sydes assyeged that the Turkes myght not yssue oute they began within to haue mesease ffor the Turkes had not vytayll ynowgh wherof it happed that they myght not helpe them in theyr nede ffresshe mete faylled them· whiche greuyd them moche Oure men had bandon to goo vnto the Porte of the See By whiche they had so moche to suffre as they had endured alle the wynter ffor the pryme temps and swete tyme was come in suche wyse that shippes myght goo and come by the See whiche brought vytaylles ynowgh There were many of oure people that had soiourned alle the wynter in the Townes whiche thenne cam agayne in to thooste alle fressh wel armed· bawdwyn the brother of duc Godeffroy of whom ye haue wel hâ—rd speke to fore whiche had so moche rychesse â— had herd tydynges that the barons had suffred many meseases in thoost And sente to them alle grete yeftes and presentes not only to the grete prynces But also to the moyen peple And to the leste gaf he also ynowgh of his o wen wherfor he had the loue grace of alle this companye he gaf to his brother the Duc alle thyssues of his londe that he had on this side the Ryuer of Eufrates with which he gaf to hym the Cyte of tor besel the contre ther about wherin was moche whete wyne oyle And yet aboue al this he gaf to hym L M. besauntes And there was a noble man of hermonye whiche was named Nycose whiche was wel acqueynted with bawdwyn· And for his loue sente vnto duc Godeffroy a pauyllon the moost fayr· and moost ryche that myght o wher be seen It was of ouer straunge facion and merueyllously grete But whan his messagers bare it in to the haoste One pancrace a moche ryche man of Hermonye Of whom I haue spoken to fore dyde do espye them by the waye And dyd to take it from them And after sente the pauyllon to Buymont· And was presented to hym in his name whan the seruauntes of Nycose cam to Duc Godeffroy And had told hym alle this that pancrace had don to hym he had therof moche grete desdayne Syth he toke with hym the Erle of fflaundres· to whom he had more loue and acqueyntaunce than to ony other of the barons And wente to buymont and demaunded his pauyllon that was gyuen to hym Buymont answerd that therof he knewe not that it was longyng to hym ffor a noble man of the couÌ„tre had gyuen it to hym But whan he knewe that the duc wold not suffre it By hys curtosye and atte prayer and requeste of the other barons he rendred and delyuerd to hym his sayd pauyllon to th ende that no noyse shold sourde ne arryse bytwene them and myght lette the werke of oure lord Thus were they good frendes Many men merueylled them how that so valyaunt a man as the Duc Godeffroy was In whom was no thynge founden to be reprehended was so meuyd ayenst so hye and noble a man for so lytil a thyng as was a pauyllon Ne I can see none other reason But that a noble herte maye not suffre shame And it was late hym vnderstande that it shold be to hym a grete shame And also it shold be ayenst his honour yf he suffred it to be taken away from hym ffor couetyse he dyde it not How the Erle Estyeuen of Chartres and of Bloys fledde fro the hooste shamefully Capitulo Cixo. tHe renommee soâ—rded moche grete grewe euery day how the Soudan of Perse whiche was so ryche and puyssaunt by the request of them of Anthyoche had doo somone his peple of alle his power fâ—r to come socoure
slewe four They of the toures sawe them but not so sone the other· xxvj turkes deffended them· But this dured but a whyle ffor they of the toures threwe them doun to the ground where they brak their legges and neckes· Ther was none that fylle but he was deed or maymed Ther was slayn Semer. ffor he was hurt with a swerd thurgh the bely· ffrank was born away whiche was hurte peryllously How Corbagat sente his men of Armes for to slee the maronners that were at the porte wherof oure men had a grete losse Capitulo ·C xxxo. aHan the famyne grewe thus euery day in anthyoche many there were in the toun that had leuer be slayn· than to abyde thus the hongre They put them in aduenture by nyght yssued oute of the toun whan they myght escape After they wente to the porte of the see Somme shippis there were yet of grekes and of hermyens that brought vytaylle many thei were that bought it And cam and solde it in the toun by nyght in hydles whan thâ— turkes apperceyued this many tymes they awaytedthem slewe many of them Atte laste for to take away this lytil socour that they had the turkes sente two thousand horsmen to the see whiche slewe alle the maronners and marchauntes that they founde And brente their shippes Somme ther were that laye at an anâ—â—e in the see and they fledde Thenne had our men loste alle theyr hope for vytayll· ffor the yles of the see· as Cypres Rhodes And other lyenge on the see side· As Cylyce pamphyle and of other costes durste nomore sende theyr Shippes theder They of the toun of Anthyoche were nowe euyl demened ffor to fore to them cam somme comforte of the marchauns Now they had alle loste it whan the turkes retourned fro the see they recouÌ„tred our pour pilgryms which wente that way they slewe them alle· sauf somme whiche hydde them in the busshes whan they of the toun herde tydynges herof how they were slayn they were moche sorowful· ffor they had ouer grete anguysshe in theyr hertes as ofâ—â— as ony mesauenture fyl to their peple· In this poynt were they with in the Cyte and wold take none hede to theyr warde ne wold not obeye to the barons whiche myght thenne doo to them no good Thus were they in grete perylle How guyllem de grateuylle and his felaws fugytyfs ca m in to Allexandrye the lasse cao. Cxxxjo. gVyllem de Grateuylle the other that fledde with hym ca m in to Allexandrye the lytyl There they fouÌ„de steuen Therlâ— of Chartres· Of whom they of Anthyoche abode his comynge fro daye to daye ffor the barons and the mene peple supposed that he wold remembre how he departed and retorne agayn They told hym the grete sorowe of the famyne that waâ— in Anthyoche· and to th ende that they excused them of their departyng truly the trouthe of the mesease was grete But they told moche more than it was It was a light thyng to reteyne this erle· ffor he had no grete talente to for retorne· They toke counseyl bytwene them made theyr shippes to be in poynt and redy And after entred in to them and so wente to the see and whan they had ben I wote not how many dayes in the see· they arryued at a Cyte of themperours of Constantynoble whiche as was sayd to them cam with alle his hoost moch greet and merueyllous of grekes and of latyns and hasteâ— moche for to goo to Anthyoche he was thenne in a Cyte not ferre from thens named ffynemyne he wold well holde couenaunte that he had made to socoure our peple with the peple of his Empyre And ther cam in his companye wel xl M pylgryms that had abyden in his londe of the grete hooste by cause of sekenes or for other causes· And grete nombre were comen syth fro theyr coâ—â—trees for theyr pylgremages whiche durste not passe his londes vnto Anthyoche by them self And thenne fâ—ewed themperour whan the Erle stephen knewe that the Emperour was so nygh he wente strayt to hym And brought his felaws cowardes with hym· whan themperour sawe them he made grete ioye And reâ—â—yued th erle esteuen honorably· ffor he helde hym in passyng thurgh his londe for a moche wyseman and a valyaunt and was wel acqueynted with hym· he demauÌ„ded hym moche ententyfly of the râ—menaunt of the barons And sayde he had grete merueylle how hâ— was thus departed fro their companye How th erle of chartres discoraged themperour of Constantinople that he shold not goo and socoure our peple in Anthyoche Capitulo C â–ª xxxijo. tHe Erle answerd in this maner and sayde to themperour Sire the barons of ffrauÌ„ce whiche passed this yere by your empyre whom ye receyued so curtoysly with grete honour whan they had taken Nycene whiche they rendred to you They passed vnto Anthyoche· They assieged that cyte wel ix monethes They haue taken it entierly· Reserued a dongeon whiche stondeth vpon an hylle within the walles· whiche the turkes holde so strongly that it is inprenable They supposed to haue wel exployted whan they had goten this Cyte But thenne they sylle in gretter peryll than to fore ffor on the thirde day after that they entred Cam corbagat a puyssaunt prynce of perse whiche brought so moche peple that alle the countrey by· was couerd with them· Oure peple suâ—fred grete angyussh thenne· ffor this Corbagat with his peple enuyronned them on alle partes in suche wyse that oure men myght not yssue· and dyde to them moche payne in assayllyng them with out forth· And the dongeon made to them grete assaylles within forth by whiche our men suffred grete mesease And also thanguyssh of hongre was so grete that they had no power to defende them· On that other syde they had otherwhyle comfort of youre londe ffor the yles of the sec· And also fro other portes cam somtyme vytaylle that was brought in to Anthyoche But now late ben comen the turkes And haue slayn alle the maronners the marchauntes that they fonde atte porte in suche wyse that nowe ther dare nomoo arryue there wherfore they haue loste alle theyr socours of vytaylle And aboue alle this they of the toun be greuyd nyght and day by them of the dongeon ffor by the yate vnder it the turkes may entre and yssue whan it plesyth them we sawe that this werke myght come to no good ende in this maner wherfor we warned them bothe my self and thyse that be in my companye whiche be moche noble wysemen ofâ—ymes that ayenst the wylle of god they shold not enterprise to conquere this countrey But shold departe with the lest losse they myght And the peple that folowed them they shold coÌ„duyte in to such a place that they shold not be delyuerd to deth Many tymes we sayd to them in this manere And neuer wold they here vs ne byleue But mayntene theyr reuerye· ffor ther be
many emonge them in whom is lytil reson we our self had ben deed yf we had abyden there ne we myght doo none honour to our lord ne to our prouffyte Therfor we departed And commaunded them to god whiche saue them and kepe for they haue nede Ye syre to whome I am bounden in good fayth I aduyse you that ye take counseyl of your wyse men to fore ye goo ony ferther Trouth it is that ye be the moost hye man of the world But for al that ye haue not here now in your companye so moche peple as Corbagat hath aboute Anthyoche And ayenst one of you he hath seuen therfore myn oppynyon is yf the other so acorde that to fore your men be put in so grete aduenture· ye retorne home agayn For yf ye apâ—rouche them And that they haue achyeued theyr werke in the Cyte ye shal fynde them redy the more ner ye approuche them the more shame and vyle shal it be to retorne fro them whan ye be so nygâ—â— them· thise thynges that I haue acouÌ„ted to you knowe wel thise valyaunt men that be here with me also a grete parte maye ye knowe by this good man that ye delyuerd to vs that is wete taâ—tyn your seruaunt whiche is so wyse and trewe whiche departed fro vs for many defaultes· that he apperceyued with vs whan he had sayd all this themperour was moche ameâ—yd of thise wordes with hym was a brother of Buymont named guyon that whan he had herd th erle Stephen thus speke he was alle wroth and angry And as half araged for despyte sayde al on hye that he sayd not the trouthe But that they were departed as Cowardes He had moo grete wordes but guylleÌ„ de gratemeuyl which was a gentilman born of lygnage· And not of courage· And had to his wyf the suster of the same guyen made hym to holdâ— his peas And blamed hym by cause he spak ayenst th erle Steuen· And so this guyen forbare hym How by the warnynges of the sayd Erle themperour whiche wold haue goon socoured our men· retorned shortly cao. Cxxxiij vPon thyse wordes that themperour had herd he wold be couÌ„seylled and called his barons· And alle they acorded that themperour shold retorne fro thens wher he was withoute goyng ony ferther ffor they thought it were bettâ—r to remeue his peple withoute perylle and hurte than for to fyght in so grete meschyef ayenst Corbagat· And to meue ayenst hym in hate and in warre alle the londe of thoryent He byleuyd so fermely the wordes of th erle Stephen that he doubted that the turkes had slayn them of Anthyoche And wold thenne goo in to his londe for to receyue the Cyte of Nycene And alle the londe of Bythynie whiche oure men had delyuerd to hym he wold garnysshe it whan he departed fro thens he brente and destroyed alle the londe fro the cryne vnto Nycene on both sides· By cause the turkes shold not folowe hym vytaylle began to faylle hym· And so he muste retourne Thus it happed that by the wordes of this grete man that so fowly departed fro the other barons themperour retorned the Cristen peple beyng in Anthyoche lost so grete socours by whiche myght haue comen alle theyr delyueraunce in so grete necessyte as they were thenne· But consydered this that was gyue to be vnderstonde to Themperour· yet he dyde not But his deuoyre Certaynly it was the werke of our lord ffor yf this Emperour that cam with his peple and grete power of men al fresshe had reysed the siege discomfyted the turkes oure lord shold not haue ben so honoured ne thanked And yf of the trauayll that the barons and the other pylgryms had suffred· themperour that come laste shold haue had the vyctorye· theyr payne shold not haue ben so wel guerdonned Therfor our lord suffred that themperour departed And that the werke shold be accomplysshed as ye shal here to his gloryâ—· and honour of his peple How our peple of Anthyoche beyng aduertysed herof were all discouraged And Corbagat enhaunced in pryde cao. Cxxxiiijo. rEnoÌ„mee cam in to anthyoche that theÌ„perour that was approched by the wordes of th erle Stephen of Guyllem de gratemeuyll And of theyr felaws was torned back They had on alle sydes anguysshes But thyse tydynges empoysonned them alle And put them as in despayr thenne began they to curse the Erle Stephen and alle his companye that had taken fro them so grete ayde Crobagat that had knowleche that Themperour cam had moch doubte of his comyng ffor it was a grete thyng of the puyssaunce of themperour Now was he certayn that he was retorned Wherof he had moch grete ioye in his herte he was risen in a moch fiers pryde He ran the more asprely on them of the toun Oure men in the toun were so abasshed that them semed wel that ouer lord god had alle forgete them· They lete them falle in despayre· And wold not endure no trauaylle that apperteyned to the defence of the Cyte Alle hydde them in theyr howses On a day it happed that Buymont whiche had alle the power of thoost had to doo with men ffor th assaultes withoute forth and for thassaylles within forth He dyde do crye on peyn of deth that alle shold come· And there cam none· He sente his men for to feteâ—e them in theyr howses and somone them to come And none wold come oute· He was abasshed And thought what he shold doo· Atte laste be sette fyre in the toun in dyuerse places· And thenne yssued in to the stretes grete rowtes Buymont sawe them and sayd to hem his commaundement And bad what they shold doo they dyd it· A worde sourded in the toun that many knyghtes and Barons had had counseyl pâ—yuely emonge them that they wold yssue oute of the toun by nyght And leue the pepole within And wold doo the best they myght and drawe them to the porte· for to entre vpon the see· The duc Godeffrey knewe this word he sente hastely for the bisshop of puy And alle the barons and grete partye of the knyghtes and he fylle at theyr feetâ— requyred them for the loue of god that they wold neuer thynke suche a thynge· ffor yf they dyd so god shold hate them And they shold lefe theyr sowles· as men that were in despayre of the mercy of oure lord And on that other syde in the world they shold lefe their honour for euer and also theyr lygnage whiche had nothyng forfayted And shold be shamed euer and poynted with the fingre The londes out of whiche they yssued shold be the lasse renomed and lasse preysed as long as the world shold endure Of alle thise departynges myght they neuer receyue good worde ne honoure By thyse wordes and by the prechyng of the bisshop of puyâ—they loste this euyl talente alle that had be in this euyll purpops But they began to affeble in the
barons that were departed for the pestelence were alle retourned in to Anthyoche· lyke as they had promysed Theyr counseyl and delyberacion was that they shold goo and assiege the cyte of marran whiche was strong and wel garnysshyd ffro Albare that they had taken it was not but .viij. myle Noman myght holde lâ—nger theyr comyn peple all were desirous to goo to Iherusalem Atte daye named they were alle redy· Th erle of tholouse the duc godeffroye Eustace his broder Th erle of fflaundres· The Duc of Normandye And Tancre cam to the cyte of marâ—an and assieged it They of the toun were moch rych and ful of grete pryde And specially by cause that the same yere at assemblee of them was a scarmoche ayenst oure men of whome they toke somme and somme slewe in suche wyse that they had the better ffor that cause they preysed the lasse our pylgryms They blamed and Iniuryed our barons· And despyted them and alle thoost They beyng on the walles vpon the hye towres they sette vp crosses and spytte on them in despyt of our fayth· and made other shameful thynges for to angre with all oure peple The barons were moche wroth And dyde do crye do assault assailled the toun asprely in suche wyse that yf they had had laddres· thâ—y wolde haue entred in to the Cyte by force the ij· daye after that they cam theder· The thyrde day cam Buymont whiche brought men with hym largely And lodged where as the Cyte was not assieged· Thenne had our men grete despyte of this that they dyde nothyng And hastely dyde do make engyns and reysed them castellys belfroyes and slynges to caste stones· and fylled the dyches for to goo and vnder myne the walles they within deffended them moche wel And threwe vpon them grete stones Fyre· brent lyme Oyle boyllyng· and shotte at them with arbalasters and bowe turquoys arowes passyng thycke but god be thaÌ„ked they hurted but fewe of oure men they within began moche to be wery Oâ—râ— men apperceyued that And theyr volente and hardynesse grewe and encreaced anon they dressyd the laddres ayenst the walles wente vp dylygently Emong alle other ther was a noble valyauÌ„t man was of limosyn named geffrey de tours he mayntened the fyrst tyme merueyllously well Other folowed hym· thâ—r were ynowe that entred in to the toures they had taken the Cyte yf the nyght had not come on and destroubled them therfore tâ—ey left of til on the morn ffor that assault had eÌ„dured fro the soÌ„ne rysyng tyl that tyme they kept wel the gates that they of the toun shold not yssue and made good watche in thooste But the menâ— peple sawe that none shewde hym vpon thâ— walles And entred in to the toun And fonde that it was all voyde of peple they tâ—ke alle that they wolde· and had nede of· as they that longe had sâ—â—fred famyne and grete pouerte Alle they of the Cyte were entred in to longe caues and depe and supposed to haue saued and kâ—ptâ— them there· On the morn the barons sawe that the cyte was takâ—n And entred in but they founde but lytil gayne ffor the comyn â—eple had taken suche as they founde they knewe wel that the â—urâ—kes of the toun were hyd vnder the erthe they sette fyre in 〈◊〉 mowthes of alle the caues and sente in to it so moche smoke that by force they muste come out Oure men slewe ynowgh of them And the remenaunt they toke prysonners· there deyde of sekenesse the good man holy and relygyous whiche moche louyd and dredde oure lord god GuyllaÌ„me the bisshop of Orenge whan the duc had abyden there .xv dayes with the other he departed with theâ—le of fflaundres and cam in to Anthyoche where they had to do How the duc Godeffroy wold goo to rages to vysyte his brother er he began his way to Iherusalem And of somme of his aduentures cao. CLiiij gOdeffroy the valyaunt duc of Loreyne sawe how the men a fote made them redy for taccomplysshe theyr vowe and goo towarde Iherusalem and moche requyred and admonesâ—ed the grete lordes to the same But the valyaunt duc wold see and vysyte his brother to fore that he shold departe fro this countrâ— And toke his pryne companye and wente to Rages· whan be had seen his broder doo suche thynges as it plesyth hym he wold retorne to Anthyoche to the other barons and other pylgryms that abode there for hym whan he was approuched that he had but six or seuen myle to ryde they founde in theyr waye a moche fayre place for to dyne and ete in by a fayre welle moche delectable and ful of grete herbes and grasse Alle they acorded gladly for to dyne in this fayr place whyles they made redy theyr dyner be ye certayn that oute of moche reed whiche was nyghe a mareys by aroos certayn Turkes wel armed whan the noble Duc and the other barons sawe them come they toke theyr Armes hastely as they myght And toke theyr horses and ran vpon them vygorously And there was the skarmoche grete fiers· The duc dyde moche wel and valyauntly ther were many turkes slayn And the remenauÌ„t fledde Our men lost there nothyng But cam with moche grete ioye vnto Anthyoche How after that the cyte of Albare was conquerd a grete debate aroos btywene th erle of tholouse and buymont cao. CLv oF this noble Cyte of Albare which was taken as I haue sayd to fore aroos a grete debate bytwene buymont and the erle of tholouse· ffor th erle wold haue alle albare buymont sayde he wold not gyue away his part yf he yelded not· and gaf ouer certeyn towres that he held in Anthyoche And herupon buymont departed And made the towres to be assaylled that the men of the erles of tholouse helde and toke them by strength and made them to goo out that kept them in the name of therle· and fro than forthon he helde alle Anthyoche withoute felaw or partener· Th erle sawe that Buymont was departed fro the Cyte so conquerd And gaf the toun entierly to the bisshop of Albare· whyles they ordeyned and disposed bytwene hym and the bisshop· how the cyte myght he mayntened and kept in suche wyse that the turkes shold not recouer it The peple a foote began to murmure of this that the hye noble men taryed for to take this euyl Cytees and made debate and noyse emong them for theyr conquest· But the pryncipal cause wherfor they departed fro theyr couÌ„trees lefte they as forgetyng and settyng not therby And as it semed they sette nothynge by thaccomplysshyng of theyr vowe Therfor the mene peple acorded emonge them self that as sone as th erle of tholouse shold be departed fro the Cyte of marran they shold confounde and destroye it alle vnto the erthe in suche wyse that they wold not tarye for hym fro than forthon· It happed that the barons assembled at Rouge a
haue don it And therfor they were not bounden to holde his couenauntes made by oure barons by cause he helde not that he had promysed ffor the lawe wyll not that a man shal holde couenauÌ„t to hym that holdeth not his Thus answerd the barons to them· And therfore sayde they that the yefte that they made to buymont of the Cyte of Anthyoche ou ght to be ferme and stable And so wold they mayntene it to hym and to his heyres for euer whan the messagers herd this· they moche prayd the barons that they wold tarye theyr goyng to Iherusalem til that themperour were comen ffor they sayde that withoute faulte â—e wolde come to fore thentree of Iuyll And brynge with hym moche grete plente of peple And yf they wold doo thus moche for hym· â—e shold conne them grete thanke And shal gyue to eche of the barons many grete ryche yeftes also shal departe largely to the gentil men to the footemen· whan ouâ— barons herd this they sayde that they wold counseylle them to gydre· and drewe them a part· Th erle of tholouse acorded wel to this that they shold abyde so grete an ayde as was the puyssaunce of themperour And sayd he supposed certaynly that he shold come as it was sayd but the other supposed that he sayd so for to kepe the barons and other men atte siege til the cyte were taken ffor it shold be moche dishonour· and fowl for hym to departe fâ—o thens without accomplysshyng that whiche he had enterprised The other barons acorded nothynge therto but wolde that they shold goo dylygently assiege the holy cyte of Iherusalem for to doo theyr pylgremage· accomplysshe theyr vowe For whiche they had suffred so many trauaylles and diseaseâ— For they knewe moche wel the delaye of themperour and 〈◊〉 â—ayr wordes full of tromperyes and deceytes· Therfor it was not theyr oppynyon for to truste ony more his couert dissimylacions Thus sourded a grete debate bytwene the barons And myght not acorde of whiche it happed that he that helde the cyte of trypple whiche had offred to them so moche good by couenaunt that they shold departe fro the siege and goo out of the londe whan he knewe that the barons were emonge them self in discorde· he wold no more offre to them ony thyng but enterprised so grete hardynes· that he wold fyghte ayenst them The barons acorded therto and lefte the Bisshop of Albare for to kepe the lodgys And whan they had so doo· they wente so alle in bataylles ordeyned toward trypple whan they cam there they fonde the lord of the toun and the Cytezeyns out with grete plente of men on horsbak and afoote where they had ordeyned theyr bataylles and abode our peple whiche they doubted not moche For they had seen that the Erle of tholouse had holde siege to fore this Cyte· And had no thynge preuayled· wherfor they preysed our men moche the lasse than they dyde byfore· But whan oure men approuched so nyghe that they sawe them anon they ranne on them moche firersly in suche wyse that they loste anon ·vij·C of theyr men whiche oure men slewe And of· oures were slayn but .xiiij. There helde they the feste of ester or of pasque the .x day of Apryll How the comyn peple complayned them of this that they wente not hastely to Iherusalem· cao. Clxiiijo. oWr barons that had disconfyted thise men Retourned in to theyr lodgys with alle theyr gayne Thenne recommenced and began agayn the playnte and the clamour moche grete that the peple made by cause they wente not hastely to Iherusalem all they cryed with hye wis that they shold departe fro the siege so long contynued theyr crye that the valyaunt Duc Godeffrey Th erle of Flaundres· The Duc of Normandye and Tancre sayde that they wold doo the requeste of the peple afoote And thenne recâ—ylled they theyr tentes and pauyllons brente theyr lodgys and departed It displesyd 〈◊〉 th erle of tholouse he prayde them moche affectuously to abyde â—ut it myght not be· ffor they them self that fyrst were comen with â—ym were wery and anguysshous of the siege And strayt helâ—â—hey the way toward trypple whan th erle of tholouse sawe that he myght none other wise cheuisshe ne accomplysshe his empryse he wold not abyde there allonâ— he had right But dislodged hym and folowed the other whan they were a ·v myle fro trypple they lodged them the baylly that helde the cyte and the countre about in the name of the Calyphe sente thâ—der to them his messagers he had moche leyd doun his pryde ffor as I sayd to you to fore he wende to haue foughten peer to peer his messagers knewe wel that he was to feble and that it was fâ—lâ—â— He thennâ— desyred and moche requyred that oure men wold takâ— of hym right largely and goo out of his power· The mater was so demened that he gaf xv M. besauntes and delyuerd to them alle the prysonners that he had of our pilgryms And abouâ— that he gaf to them grete yeftes and ryche presenâ—es as horses mulets Cloth of sylk and vessel of dyuerse facions And thâ—y promysed to hym that they wold doo none harme to the Cytees that he had and helde That is to wete· archys trypple and Ybelyn ne to tâ—eiâ— appertenauntes And he hym self sente to them oxâ—n â—â—yen sheâ—p and moche grete plente of other vytaylles· to th ende that they shold not destroye his londe Thenne cam in to thoost somme surryens whiche dwellyd vpon the mount of lybane whiche is nyghe vnto thyse Cytees toward the est moche hye They were of oure fayth wyse men and trewe And were come for to see our barons for to salewe and feste them· The good men of thoost called them and desyred of them affâ—ctuously that they wold teche them the moost strait way easiest for to goo to Iherusalem· They toke aduys and couÌ„seylled to gydre· and behelde alle thynges that in suche a caas behoued and cam to our barons and sayd to them that they counseylled to holde the waye by the see coste for many reasons Fyrst for the surete and comforte of theyr shippes ffor in the nauye were not only the shippes of guyneuyers that cam fro fflauÌ„dres· but ther were shippes of geâ—e of venyse of Cypres of Rhodes· and of other yles of grece charged with vytaylles and marchaundyses whiche dyde moche grete good in thoost The surryens wente to fore for to conduyte the hoost· the baylly of trypple delâ—â—d to them also men that knewe wel the countrees and the londe· They passed alle the see syde· and the cyte of ybelyn and lodged vpon a Ryuer that renneth there in a place whiche is named Mans And for tabyde the feble peple that were not comen ne arryued they soiourned there a day Of the grete dylygence that our men made for to approche to Iherusalem of thalyaunces of somme turkes made vnto them Capitulo
tonges on witsondaye In the same place passed oute of this world the gloryous vyrgyne Marye whiche bare in her precious body the saueour of the world ther is shewde the sepulture of seynt steuen How oure men began tassaylle Iherusalem And of the grete dilygeÌ„ce that they dyde to make engyns for to take it cao. Clxxiijo. wHan the barons were thus lodged fro the yate toward northeste as I haue sayd vnto the tour on the corner which is vpon the vale of Iosaphat And fro thens vnto that other corner of the cyte whiche is on the pendaunt of the same vale toward the south thenne was it thynge euydente that the one half of the toun was wyth payne or vnnethe assieged ffor fro thens that I haue sayd vnto the yate named mount Syon· the Cyte was no thynge assieged The fyft daye after that thoost was lodged to fore the Cyte it was acorded comynly and cryed thurgh alle the lodgys that alle men shold be armed the best wyse they myght and come to thassault They cam alle and began moche strongly thassaylle aboute the toun· They hadde the hertes moche hardy and brennyng desyres and wylle to doo the werke of oure lord In theyr comyng on they toke the barbycaÌ„nes that were right ayest them And the turkes embatilled them within the grete wallys They of the toun were so effrayed of the grete hardynesse and prowesse that they sawe with oure peple and had ouer grete fere in suche wyse that they loste alle theyr hope for to deffende thâ— toun And was wel knowen afterward that yf the talent of our men had endured and that they had had skalyng laddres castellys by whiche they myght haue approuched the walles of the toun· They had taken it certaynly but whan thassault had endured fro erly of the mornynge that same daye vnto one of the clok of the same daye at after none They apperceyued wel that with oute engynes they myght not doo grete hurte ne dommage to the touÌ„ therfor they withdrewe them abak· purppsed to come agayn to thassault whan theyr engyns shold be better ordeyned The barons toke counseyl emong them for taduyse how they myght fynde manere to make engyns for tassaylle the toun· ffor them semed that in alle the countree shold not be founde trees ne wode yno we for to make suche thynges as they sholde nede But a valyaunt man of the countre cam forth and told to them of a valeye· vj or vij· myle thens whiche was ful of trees and grete ynowghe for to make engyns They sente theder grete nombre of Carpenters And somme of the barons to conduyte them Eche of them hewe doun the tres and dyde do brynge them in charyottes Thenne made they come alle them of thoost that coude medle with suche thynge· and dyde do make engyns perierers Magonneauls castellys chattes and wayes couerd moche grete plente The pylgryms that coude werke toke none hyre ne wages yf they had as moch as they myght entretiene and kepe them self The other that were pour receyued theyr wages of the comyns ffor of all the barons of thoost ther was none that myght paye the costes of this werke sauf th erle of tholouse ffor he hym self allone susteined of his propre good all the werkemen without thaide of ony other also to many knyghtes that had despeÌ„ded theyr good dyde he gyue many grete yeftes· whyles that the barons were thus besy that euery che dyde do make his engyns for hym self The other knyghtes the mene peple ran vnto busshes and hedges ffor to fetche stockes and roddes with grete dilygence for to make pynnes None was ydle but alle men heelp to this werke· Ther was noman had shame ne despyte to doo thynge that myght auaylle· ffor they sayd well that alle theyr trauaylle and despences that they had don made in alle theyr waye were nothyng worth yf this enterpryse for to take this toun were not wel accomplysshed How our peple were in grete meschyef at the sayd siege how the turkes deserted them by cause they myght entre and yssue in and out of the toun· cao. Clxxiiij iN thoost had they grete mesease of thurst ffor as I haue sayd to you the place where the cite stondeth in· is moch ayerye drye withoute fontaynes withoute wellys pyttes of water spryngynge ffor they of the toun whan they herd saye that oure peple cam they fylled somme pyttes that were withoute the toun nygh to the Cysternes where as was rayn water and they had couerd and stopped them· to th ende that the pylgryms sholde haue none ease of water But the cytezeyns of bethlehem and they of a lytil cyte called tecua that knewe the countre al aboute told and ensseygned to them somme fontaynes brokes pyttes and Cisternes· ther was grete prees and grete mesease suche tyme there was that whan the pour peple myght brynge theyr barellis vessellys ful of troubled water and thycke· They sold it rychely in thooste The fontayne of syâ—â—e of whiche I haue spoken to fore myght not suffyse them· ffor it spryngeth not alway· and yet that was not right good· Thanguysshe of thurste grewe moche of the heete that was in Iuyn And of the trauaylle that they suffred and for the duste that entred in theyr mowthes whan two or thre had founden ony water rennyng or welle alle ran theder in suche wyse that it faylled anon The men a foote were not in so grete disease as they that had horses ffor they ledde them somtyme thre or foure myle ferre for to watre them· yet vnnethe found they ynowgh there were many that lefte theyr horses and habandouned to goo where they wold and other beestys for defaulte of water ye shold haue seen mules· Asses Oxen. Kyen and horses goon withoute garde or kepar in the feldes Atte laâ—te whan the beestys had long languysshed they deyde wherof cam grete sâ—enche in thoost· wherof the ayer was corrupte ouer peryllously The peple was not in lasse anguysshe there for thurste than they had ben to fore at Anthyoche for hongre Oure men were acustomed for to seche pasture for theyr horse moche ferre fro the toun in vyllages ther about The turkes of the toun marked it and yssued where as the siege lay not and cam ayenst them and slewe many· and toke away theyr horse And brought them in to the Cyte· Many escaped that fledde vnto thooste· Euery daye lassed the nombre of the pylgryms· by many suche aduentures and by grâ—â—â— Infyrmyte and sekenesses that were in thooste and by many other causes· wherof many deyed And in the place of them cam none other But they in the toun encreced and grewe euery day ffor to them cam newe ayde grete refresshementeâ— of men and vytaylle that myght entre and yssue by the yates beyng oute of the siege How the turkes enforced them to make merueylleous engyns ayenst the owres· And of the
Guylliam Ebryac â— he made them to hastâ— moche the werke and to amende it Thus was alle thoost occupyed in this werke four monethes aâ— hool They had so moche exployted that eueryche of the barons had doo made right that whiche he had begonne and entreprysed· Therfor they counseylled emonge them ordeyned at a day sett· to goo to thassault But for as moch as th erle of tholouse and tancre had be grete Rancour and wrath and somme of the other Barons and knyghtes that loued not wel to gydre for dyuerse reasons The barons by the admonestacion of the bisshops wolde that of alle debate shold be good peas and that eche shold pardone other all euyll wyll and talente by cause that our lord shold helpe them the better in doynge and accomplysshyng his werke· And yf it happed them to dye the surer myght they attende the deth Of the fayr processions that oure pylgryms made to th ende that god shold gyue them vyctorye and how they pardonned eche other theyr mal talentes and euyll wylles cao. ·Clxxviij tHe daye was ordeyned and taken by comyn acorde of alle that procession shold be made the relyâ—uyes shold be borne suche as were had in thoost· They shold alle goo vnto the mount of Olyuet· And they shold mayntene them this day in fastyâ—g In repentaunce of theyr synnes and in orysons and prayer vnto our lord to th ende that he wold haue pyte of his peple and receyue in greâ— theyr seruyse in suche wyse that by them his herytages myght be recouerd fro the haÌ„des of his enemyes which helde it in their possession Peter theremyte on that one part and arnold the chappellayn of the Duc of Normandye whiche was a grete clerk and wyse of that other parte made the sermon to the peple They exhorted them by swete wordes to enterpryse vygorously the werke of oure lord wherin it were better to deye than to lyue· The mount of Olyuete is ayenst Iherusalem in the eestâ— partye about a myle fer fro the toun ffor the vaal of Iosaphat is bytwene bothe thâ—re assembled our lord his discyples and sâ—yed and ascended vp to fore them alle in to heuen the day of thassension and wente vp in a clowde which toke hym whan alle the peple had ben there in grete wepynges and prayers and alle the debates â—â—peased that were emong them they descended fro the hylle in to the chirche of mount syon whiche is by the Cyte as I haue sayd in the side toward the southe on the toppe of a tertre The sarasyns of the toun that were in the toures and vpon the walles of the toun merueylled moche what this myght be that oure men made there and where they myght see the presse nygh to them within shotte· They cessed not to shote arowes and quarellys in suche wyse that they hurted somme· Thenne adressyd they crosses vpon the walles and in despyte of our sauyour and in reproche of oure fayth spytte on them· and made other shames and fowle thynges whiche be not for to be sayd The peole of our lord· which were in holy wylle for to serue hym sawe wel thise thynges that the turkes made theyr desyre grewe and encreaced moche in theyr â—ertes for tauenge the shame of our lord Ihesu Criste whan they had made theyr orysons and prayers in the chirche of mount Syon The daye was to them ordeyned and named for to make thassault by comyn acorde Thenne they retourned to theyr lodgys yf ther was ony thyng to be made on theyr engyns anon it was accomplysshyd ffor euery man toke good hede aboute hym that no thyng faylled that shold be necessarye to make thassault ayenst theyr enemyes How oure men sodenly transported in the nyght theyr engyns vnto that other part of the toun for tassaylle on that side Capitulo Clxxixo. wHan the day approched that they had named for tassaylle the Cyte the nyght to fore the valyaunt duc godeffroy theâ—erle of fflaundres and the duc of normandye sawe that this partye of the Cyte that they had assieged was moche wel garnysshed of alle maner of engyns and the moost defensable men of the Cyte they had sette there Therfore they doubted more this part· than ony other The noble men had herupon counseyll They knewe wel that they myght not endommage the toun there And enterprysed a thynge of a right grete affayre and of moche grete trauaylle ffro alle thengynes that they had by them And the castel to fore the sydes were Ioyned to gydre· they barâ— them alle· On that other syde whiche is bytwene the gate of seynâ— stephen the tour of thaÌ„glâ— that is toward the northeest ffor them sâ—med it was trouth that by cause that the cyte had not be asâ—ieged on that syde that ther shold be the lasse defence wherof it hâ—pped that they woke al the nyght as wel the barons as theyr pâ—plâ— in suche wysâ— that theyr engyns were alle ioyned and reysed vp by fore day or or the sonne aroos in the places where they ought to be The castel was so approuched the walle and was moche hyer in so moche that they that were therin were almoost as hye as one of the toures and knowe ye for certayn that this was noo lytil trauaylle ffor fro this place where they were fyrsâ— lodged vnto the place where they sette theyr engyns was nygh half a myle And the thynges were so wel and so hooly ordeyned that to fore the sonne rysyng all thyng was redy at them on the mornyng the turkes byhelde on the walles and towres And merueylled what this myght be that our men had so trauaylled all the nyght they sawe that the lodgys of the Duc and of the other barons aboute hym were remeuyd They sought them about that other side of the toun And founde them there· where as they had sette no garde· whan they sawe thengyns and the castel dressyd they merueylled ouer moche how they myght doo this werke in so lytil tyme. ffor this cause they doubted moche the more them that had thus enterprysed and accomplysshed so sodenly in the nyght about that syde of the toun the barons that were lodged as ye haue herd to foâ—e were not ydle· but reysed theyr engyns eueryche in his parte And th erle of tholouse had made tapproche the walles a castel that he had made with moche grete trauaylle bytwene the chirche of mount Syon and the Cyte the other that were nyghâ— the corner whiche is called the tour of tancre redressyd a castel of tree moche hye Thyse thre castellys that were about the toun were nyâ—e alle of one facion ffor they were alle square the sydes that were toward the toun were double in suche wyse that one of the panâ—s that was without myght be aualed vpon the walles and thenne it shold be lyke a brydge· But for alle that the side was not vnclosed ne discouerd But it was hool for to deffende
them that were in the castel How the day folowyng our peple made a merueyllous assault And how the turkes defended them subtylly and wel Capitulo Clxxxo. He daye begonne strongly to wexâ— clâ—re Thenne as it waâ— enterprysed and deuysed our men were alle· armed foâ—â—â—pproche the walles· They alle were and had one purpoos That iâ— to wâ—te or they wolde take the toun vpon thenemyâ—s of our lord And delyuer the ordures of the mescâ—â—auntes fro the holy places or ellys in the seruyse they wold rendre theyr sowles to hym that made them Ther were none that had wylle to drawe abacâ— fro this werke the old men forgate theyr age the seke men theyr maladyes the wyues and childeren enterprysed in theyr â—erteâ— to doo grete thynges· Alle generally payned them to drawe forth the castelles to ioyne them to the walles in suche wyse that they myght approche them that defended it they of the toun â—essyd not to drawe and shote Incessantly grete plente of arowes and quarellys And with theyr engyns caste grete stones the moyen peple with theyr handes threwe fro the walles and towres their entente was therwith to make oure men to withdrawen fro the walles The good cristen men that doubted nothyng to deye couerd them with targes sheldes thise other habyllemeÌ„s they sette to fore them for to kepe them fro the stones shotte they that were within the castellis of tree lefte not to shote caste stones vpoÌ„ the turkes Incessantly· And other had grete leuers and plente of ropes and Cordes with whiche they laboured and payned them to drawe forth the castellys they that were put for to throwe the stones and to occupye thengyns were not ydle· but had theyr thynges wel adressyd and threwe to them that defended the toun grete stones moche asprely and trauaylled moche for to do thynge that myght greue their enemyes But they that wold haue put forth the castellys myght not doo that they wold ffor ther was a dycâ— moche depe to fore the barbycane ffor whiche they myght not make theyr engyns ioyne to the walles the strokes of the stones of that were throwen on the walles dyde not moche harme to the walles of the cyte· ffor the turkes had sackes ful of heye· of coton· And grete peces of tymbre bounden with cables of shippes whiche henge a longe by the walles and towres in suche wyse that whan the stones of thengyns smote thyse softe thynges the strokes were lost and made no hurte to the walles On that other syde the turkes within the toun had moo engyns adressyd than we had without more quantite of other artyllerye of Arbalestres wtthoute comparyson that we hadde by whiche they slewe many of our pilgrims· it myght not be but that our peple were fore aferd· Thus was thassault moche grete peryllous fro the mornyng vnto euensong tyme and duryng thassault it cessed neuer of Arowes and stones fleynge more thycke than was in a M· yere to fore There were so many that ofte the stones mette hytte eche other in thayer in suche wyse that they brak and flewe in pyeces Thassault was in thre places· And the barons payned them sore to greue the turkes men myght not wel knowe whiche partye had the better Oure pylgryms were put to grete payne to bere erthe for to fyll the dyche· to th ende that the castellys myght ioyne to the walles They within threwe fyre moche thycke in to the castellys men myght see many arowes brennyng brondes wâ—tes ful of sulphre of oylle and other thynges nourysshyng to fyre The stones to brak that the pyeces flewe thurgh out the sydes And it myght not be but that many were hurte that were aboue for tassaylle hit semed many tymes that alle shold falle to the ground but our men quenchyd the fyre with water and vyneger and had redy pynnes for to stoppe the holes and also for to holde to gydre theyr castellys moche Iustely in suche wyse that theyr contenaunces were in alle thynges good and hardy The nyght departed the sayd assault Our peple withdrewe them and how they watched wel theyr engyns and the turkes the toun Capitulo Clxxxjo. tHis grete assault perylloê° that so long endured the derk nyght departed· Our men retorned to theyr lodgys for to ete and reste they lefte grete watche aboute theyr engyns by cause the turkes shold not brenne them and they of the toun made grete watche to kepe theyr walles· ffor they doubâ—ed moche that oure peple whom they had seen so vygorously assaylle and defende them myght by nyght come vp on the walles by laddâ—es and entre in to the toun· Therfor they peyned them to make good watche alle this nyght and to goo round about the walles and ferche the towres The stretes also made watche within the toun with grete nombre of people by cause of fere of trayson They sette beâ—oâ— grete entente ffor it was for the sauacion of theyr lyues theyr wyues theyr childeren alle theyr goodes hoolly Our peple that were in the tentes and in the lodgys had not theyr hertes in reste but they remembryd of thassault that had be Euery man remembryd hym what hâ— had doâ— And hym 〈…〉 â—eft many thynges vndon· that he ought to haue do â–ª And moâ—he desired they alle to come to the poynt for to doo prowesse· the dayâ— taryed longer it cam as they thought â—â—em semed that they had no greef ne ennoye of the trauaylle that they had suffred that day They had grete hope in theyr hertes that assone as they shold come agayn to gydre for tassaylle· that they by the helpe of our lord they shold haue the better And they were in grete anguyssâ—e by cause them semed to be in more mesease in theyr lodgys than in thassault How our peple retorned agayn on the morn to thassault And of the sorceryes that they wold haue charmed one of our engyâ—s Capitulo Clxxxij o He sprynge of the daye appiered· the peple Incontinent were awaked Eche wente to the place where he had ben the daye to fore Thenne shold ye haue seen somme renne to thengynes and other goo vpon the castellys for to shote with bowes and arabalestres· And many abode vnder for to drawe the sayd castellys forth Nowe were they of the toun anon redy for to defende vygorously ayenst the assayllers There deyed ynowgh on bothe sydes as wel of stones as of quarellys but not for that· the other lefte not but gretely they dyde theyr deuoyr ne neuer was fouÌ„den lasse cowardyse in so peryllous affayre werke One thynge happed that ought not to be forgoten that is that our men had an Instrument called Caable so strong and so wel made· that it threwe thre grete stones attones And dyde moche hurte in the toun where it atteyned the turkes sawe wel that they coude not breke it ffor it threwe fro so ferre that their engins myght not come ther to therfor
oure lord had yolden it to hym And therfor he helde it But he had concluded to goo in to his countre at ester And thenne he wold delyuer it with a good wylle· But in the mene whyle he wold kepe it This requyred he for to be more honoured and in the gretter surete· The duc answerd playnly that yf he had not the toure he wold leue all· ffor how myght he be lord of the countre whan another had gretter power and gretter strengthe in his londe than heâ— Thus were they in debate· The Duc of Normandye and th erle of fflaundres helde with the duc godeffroy Of the other barons ther were that counseylled· that he shold doo his wil with th erle of tholouse They of therles countre attysed and counseylled hym that he shold not leue the tour by cause they wolde gyue hym occasion by this discorde to retorne in to his countre Atâ—e laste they acorded that the fortresse shold be put in the hande of the bisshop of Albare vnto the tyme that they were acorded what shold be doo therin whan he had it within a short tyme after he delyuerd it to the duc It was demaunded hym why he had so delyuerd it Thenne he answerd that it was taken from hym by force It was not knowen for trouthe whether it was taken from hym by constraynt or yf he delyuerd it with his grâ—e and wyll whan th erle of tholouse sawe this he was moche angry And hym semed that the barons were not wel content with hym lyke as they ought to be consyderyng that by the way he had don to them many grete bouÌ„tres and good seruyses whiche they remembryd not as it was sayd ffor desdayne herof· And by atysement that his knyghtes made to hym· he enterprysed to retourne in to his countre And descended vnto the fflome Iordan And there bayned hym After he ordeyned his affayre for to departe out of the londe Of a Patriark chosen and elect in Iherusalem And how ther was founden a part of the very crosse Capitulo Clxxxxiiij tHis euyl man of whom I haue spoken to fore the bisshop of maturane was ful of grete malyce and of desloyalte And payned hym moche in alle maners to sette discorde bytwene the Barons and the people ffor they sayde that the Barons wold not suffre that a patriark shold be chosen by cause they helde the rentes of the chirche And wold not delyuer them â—e fondâ— moche peple that byleuyd hym and acorded to hym in suche wyse that by thayde of them ayenst the wylle of other also by thayde of the duc of normandye to whom he was moche pryue had â—e at his table in all this werk he chose for patriark this arnold that was his felaw in alle euyl condicions by force they sette hym in the seete of the patriarke in the chirche of the sepulcre This was ayenst reason ayenst alle right Therfore it happed ne fyll not wel to hym ne to that other Thenne it happed that a parte of the very Crosse was founden in therthe by the Chirche of the sepulcre in a secrete place ffor the cristen men that were in the 〈◊〉 to fore it was taken in so grete meschyef as ye haue â—â—rd â–ª doubted that the turkes wold haue taken it fro them Therfore had they hyd it moche surely· and fewe knewe of it But a good man a suryen whiche that knewe it discouâ—â—d it to the bâ—rons And whan they had doluen and dygged a good whyle they fonde it in a châ—ste of syluer lyke as he had to them sayd and deuysed Thenne was the ioye moche grete and they bore it a â—â—â—cession in syngyng vnto the temple· all the peple weÌ„te after which 〈◊〉 for pyte As moch as if they had seen our sauyour 〈…〉 yet hangynge on the crosse They alle helde them for moche recomforted of this grete ttesour that our lord had thus discoueryd How the duc godeffroy payned hym to amende the Royamme of his good constitucions and estatutes cao. Clxxxxvo. gRete ioye was it thurgh the londe of this· that the valyaunt duc godefroy was chosen kyng· Alle they obeyed hym with good herte· he amended dylygently alle the discordes thurgh the londe And alle the other thynges that had nede of amendement in suche wyse that his power grewe fro day to day moche appertely Of hym shal I saye in shorte wordes the very trouthe he regned not but one yere and that was moche grete dommage ffor he had the wylle wytte and power to doo grete good in the Royamme for tenfeble thenemyes of oure lord Ihesu Crist· and for tenhaunce and exalte the Cristen fayth But our lord called hym fro this world to hym to th ende that the malyce of it shold not chaunge his herte in thonour wherin he was he was born in the Royamme of Fraunce at boloyne vpon the see whiche was somtyme a Cyte And nowe it is but lytil more than a castel· he cam of hye and noble folke and good crysten peple his fader was named eustace noble puyssauÌ„t erle in that couÌ„tre· whiche had doon many hye werkes bouÌ„tees vnto our lord noble werkes vnto the world his moder was a noble lady of gentilesse more noble of herte than of hyenes of lygnage She was named yde· was suster to the duc of Loreyne whiche was named godeffroy boâ—ce he deyde withoute heyer· Therfor he lofte alle the duchye and the Countreye to his neuewe whiche bare his name And adopted hym in to sone and heyr Therfore he was duc of Lorâ—yne whan his vncle was deed he had thre brethren whiche were moche wise men and good knyghtes and also moch fathful and trewe That one was Bawdwyn th erle of Rages whiche after hym was kyng of Iherusalem The second was named Eustace whiche bare the name of his fader· And was Erle of boloyne The kynge Stephen of Englond toke his doughter to wyf whiche was namde Maulde· The barons of Surye sente for this Eustace for to make hym kyng after the deth of his broder bawdwyn· whiche deyde withoute heyer But he wold not goo ffor he doubted the barats discordes of the londe whiche he knewe wel The fourth broder was william a good knyght and a trewe ne he discorded not in the bounte of his bretheren Bawdwyn and Eustace folowed theyr lord and broder in the pylgremage to Iherusalem· the fourth broder guylliam abode in his countre for to kepe the londe Alle the four bretheren were of moche grete valeur But the duc Godeffroye lyke he was the oldest· so bare he awaye the prys and auantage of the other as he that was ful of vertues· of bounâ—â—s and was moche noble and rightful withoute couetyse he dredde and louyd oure lord aboue alle thynge he honoured relygyous men and good he was moche ferme and constant of his worde he despysed merueyllously bobaunces pompes and dishonestâ—â—s and hated them
them alle In suche wyse that neuer worde be spoken of them This Elafdales was of Ermenye born And was called Cimireenx by another name Of the Cristen men he was comen But for the Rychesse that was gyuen hym and for the lecherye that he fonde emonge the mescreauntes he renyed our lord and Cristen fayth for to become sarasyn This same man had conquerd the Cyte of Iherusalem vpon the turkes· and sette it in the puyssaunce of his lord the same yere· that the cristen men had besieged it And had not yet holden it ·xj monethis· whan thoost of the pylgryms toke it vpon them and rendred it to Cristiente hit was a thynge that it moche displaysyd his conestable that his lord had hold it so short a whyle And enioyed nomore his conqueste· ffor this cause he enterprysed in hym this werke and for to rennâ— vpon oure peple· And hym thought it but a lytil thynge and a light for to doo· consyderyng the grete plente of peple that he had for to disconfyte them that had taken the Cyte He cam in to Surye· brought with hym alle the power of Egypte· he had grete pryde in his herte by cause of the grete people that he had And was moche angry toward our men But our lord that can fettâ— wel counseyl in alle the purpoos of men ordeyned this werke all in another maner than he deuysed he cam with alle his men to fore the Cyte of Escalone There they lodged them and pourprised grete space of ground with them were ioyned alle the dukes of damaske and they of arabe that were in thoo partyes moche grete pâ—ple Trouthe it is that to fore eâ— oure peple entred in to the londe They of Egypte and the turkes of arabe louyd not to gydre but doubted moch thencreacyng of the one and other But after they accompanyed them togydre to come vpon oure men· more for 〈◊〉 of oure peple than for loue that they had emonge them self They were alle to gydre to fore Escalone· And they there concluded to come after to fore Iherusalem for tassiege the toun ffor they supposed veryly that oure barons durst in no wyse yssue out ayenst them in bataylle How our Cristen men whan they knewe thyse tydynges cryed to god for mercy and for to haue the vyctorye· ca o CCjo. wHan thyse tydynges were spradd thurgh the cyte of Iherusalem Alle the peple were gretely affrayed grete and smale By comyn acord of the bisshoppes they cam wullâ—n and barfote in the chirche of our lord There were alle the peple and cryed mercy to oure lorde with syghes and treris And besought Ihesu Criste moche swetly that his peple whiche he had kept and deffended vnto that day he wold delyuer fro this peryll ne suffre that the cyte and holy places that they late had rendred and yeuen to his name and to his seruyse and that he wold not that they shold be remysed agayn and habandouned in ordure and fylthe and in the desloyalte of the hethen men ffro thens they weÌ„te a procession syngynge with moche grete pyte vnto the temple of oure lord There dyde the bisshops and the clerkes the seruyse And the laye peple prayde with moche good herte and pytous whan this was don the bisshops gaf to them the benediction And after they departed The duc ordeyned barons and knyghtes that shold kepe the cytâ— After this he yssued out and th erle of fflaundres And cam in to the playnes of Rames The other Barons abode in Iherusalem The cytezâ—yns of napples had sente to fetche eustace broder of the duc and Tancre for to come theder to them· they wold yelde to them the cyte· They were goon by the commaundement of the duc and garnysshed moche wel the toun with peple and vytaylle of which the countre was moche fertile therfor they abode there and knewe nothynge of thyse tydynges But the duc sente for them And they cam hastely and were with the other barons· whan the duc and the erle of fflaundres arryued atte Cyte of Rames they knewe wel the trouthe certaynly that this admiral was lodged to foreEscalone with so grete peple that the contre was couerd Thenne sente they hastely messagers in to Iherusalem vnto the other barons which abode and awayted the certaynte of this thynge And he bad them hastely to come alle· sauf suche as shold kepe the cyte And shold brynge alle the peple moche hastely as for to fyghte ayenst grete plente of theyr enemyes How our men assembled and ordeyned· theyr bataylles for to fyghte ayenst the turkes And how the turkes were disconâ—yted Capitulo CCijo. tH erle of tholouse the other barons that were with hym knewe the certaynte how theyr enemyes cam vpon them with so grete power therfor they gadred to gydre alle theyr men that were in Iherusalem and yssued out and come to them moch dilygently in to the playnes where the duc was atte a place named now yâ—elyn whan they were alle assembled they nombred theyr peple and fonde xijC horsmen and of footemen ix M. whan thoost of our men had ben there one day or therabout after euen songe whan it hegan to wexe derk they espyed a fer a greet prees that cam takyng vp the couÌ„trey and couerd grete partes of the playnes Oure men had supposed certaynly that it had be thoost of the sarasyns And merueylled moche how they cam ayenst them at that hour Thenne they sente oute ij·C horsmen armed lightly wel horsed for to see more nygh what peple they were that cam how many were of them they roode forth a good paas whan they approuched them they knewe that it were Oxen· Kyen and mares ther were so many of them· that them semed there were no moo in alle the world and that it myght suffyse for alle the peple ther about· with thyse beestes were comen men on horsbak whiche kepte them from theuys And commaunded to the herdmen what they shold doo They that were sente forth by the barons retorned and sayde that ther was none other but beestes Thenne alle oure men ran theder The kepars of them fledde that myght Somme ther were that were taken· whiche tolde the trouthe of the turkes In suche wyse that it was wel knowen· that this grete hooste of sarasyns were lodged but .vij myle from them· And that theyâ— purpoos was to come on them and to sâ—ee them alle· Our barons were thenne certayn of the bataylle And deuysed emonge them ix bataylles And commaunded that thre shold goo to fore on that one syde· For the playnes were greet· And thir shold goo in the mydle and thre shold come behynde Of the samsyns myght noman knowe the nombre ffor ther was so grete plenâ—e that euery daye they encreaced and grewe of the contre about whiche ranne to them in suche wyse that it was not for to be estemed whan our men had goten this grete gayne that I spak
tabarye whiche stondeth on the laye of Geme· And with that alle the pryncipalyte of Galylee with the Cyte· whiche was woned to be named porphire And nowe named Cayphas· and alle thappertenaunces of thyse thynges Tancre helde thyse londes so wel and so wysely that he was alowed of god honoured of the world he fouÌ„ded the chirches of this countrey moche rychely he gaf to them grete rentes and endowed them with Aournementes fayr and of grete valure· Specially the chirche of Nazareth of tabarye and that of mount Tabor· he lefte them in hye estate and in moche ryche poynt But the barons that after hym haue be lordes of the countrey haue taken from them ynowgh of their tenours This Tancre was wyse and trewe And delyted hym to doo wel to the chirches as it appereth after whan he was prynce of Anthyoche· ffor he enhaunced the chirche of seynt peter and the pryncipalyte and seygnorye of aÌ„thyoche made he moch teÌ„crece enlarged as ye shal here How buymont and bawdwyn beyng certayn of the pryse and conqueste of Iherusalem wolde accomplysshe theyr pylgremage Capitulo CC·iiijo. wHyles that the Royamme of Iherusalem was in such estate Buymont the prynce of Anthyoche And Bawdwyn Erle of Rages broder of the duc godeffroy had herd certayn tydynges that the other barons that helde them to gydre as bretheren for the accompanye of theyr pylgremage had by thayde and helpe of our lord Ihesu Criste conquerd vpon the turkes and recouerd to oure fayth the holy Cyte of Iherusalem by whiche they had accomplysshyd theyr vowes and theyr pylgremages Therfor they assembled on a day named for to goo to the holy sepulcâ—e to th ende that· they were assaylled of theyr vowes And desired moche for to see the Duc and the other Barons to whom they wold gyue ayde yf they had nede â–ª that is to wete of their bodyes of theyr goodes and of theyr men that were vnder them Thyse two hye men were not at the takynge of the holy Cyte of Iherusalem ffor by the wylle of the pylgryms that one of them abode in Anthyoche And that other at Rages for to kepe soygnously and defende the turkes fro thyse two Cytees whiche were fer fro Cristiente· Eche man had to doo ynowgh in his countrey· But they lefte alle for to come to the other Buymont cam fyrst fro his cyte with a moche fayr company grete nombre of men of Armes on horsbak and a foote· he cam vnto a Cyte vpon the sâ—e named valerne on the castel of margat there he lodged hym maulgre them of the cyte· Bawdwyn cam fro his countrey sone after and so moch iourneied after that he ouertoke the prynce buymont to fore this Cyte And there they assembled In that same tyme were arryued pylgryms of ytalye at the lyche in surye Emong them was a good man wyse and wel lettred Relygyous and of grete honneste named daybart Archebisshop of Pyse Another was in his company Archebysshop of puylle of a Cyte named Acianâ— Thyse men with theyr meyne cam in the companye of thyse two barons for to passe more surely vnto the Cyte of Iherusalem· Of them was moche encreced thoost of thyse two prynces in suche wyse that they were wel .xxv M· on horsbak and a foote· Thus thenne helde they theyr waye by suche manerâ— that they fonde no Cyte but of theyr enemyes wherfore they passed with moch grete payne They suffred moche in theyr way for lack of vytaylles ffor they fonde none for 〈◊〉 hyâ—· And suche as they brought fro theyr countrey was faylled They haâ—e grete cold and so grete rayne that nothyng myght endure it was so meâ—ueylous· It was in the moneth of Iuyll· whiche is moche rayny customably in that countrey ffor this cause many deyed of â—esease in that companye ffor in alle this longe waye they myght fynde none that wold selle to them ony vytaylle sauf they of Tryple â–ª and they of cesaire They had grete sarceâ—e of vytaylles for theyr horses Atte laste by the mercy of our lord they cam to Iherusalem There were they receyued with moche grete ioye· of god of the barons of the clergye and of alle the peple· They vysyted the holy places of the cyte in teâ—ris and grete sorowes of herte they fylle doun flat and stratched in the chirches they kyssed and ete therthe that our lord had bought After they cam in to theyr hostel lys where alle they of the toun made to them grete ioye whan the hye feste of the natyuyte of our lord Ihesu Criste approuched Alle the prelates and barons yssued out of Iherusalem· wente to Bethlehem There helde they theyr Cristemas There behelde they gladly and moche ententyfly the holy crybbe wherin the sauyour of the world laye bytwene the beestes deuoutly made they theyr prayers orysons in the place whiche is as a lytil dyche where the swete lady that was moder and vyrgyne after that she had chylded wrapped her sone with lytil and smale clothys gaf hym souke of the Mylke of her pappes How our Cristen men chosen a very Patriarke in Iherusalem and assigned to hym rentes cao. CCv o vN to this tyme had the See of Iherusalem ben without pastour and patriark that duely and truly had entred It was wel theÌ„ne v monethes that the cyte was conquerd Thenne assembled the Barons for to counseylle to haue suche a man that were worthy of honour myght to bere the faytes Ther were wordes ynowgh The somme wolde haue one and other wold haue another· Atte laste by the counseyl and good wyll of alle they chees this Daybart Archibisshop of pyse whiche was but newly come They constituted and sette hym in the siege of Patriark ffor he that had be made by this baratour arnold of whom I haue spoken to fore lyke as he was made ayenst right and reson In lyke wyse he retorned agayn to nought whan this good wyse man was sette in his dignyte The duc godeffroy and the prynce buymont cam to fore hym whiche had gyuen to hym this honour as for to be the vycayre of Ihesu Criste in that londe and thanked and preysed alle to gydre oure lord whan this was don they assygned rentes to the newe Patriark suche as his predecessour whiche was a greeke had holden· And other gretter aboue that in suche wyse that he myght honorably mayntene a good and honest company of peple Thenne bawdwyn and buymont toke leue of the duc and of the other barons and descended vnto flom Iordan and there bayned them ffro thens they wente by the Ryuer syde til they cam to tabarye Thenne passed by the londe named Fenyce And lefte cesayre on the right syde· After they cam to the Cyte named manbec After helde they the see syde and so moche exployted that they cam al hool and sound to Anchyâ—câ—e How by thatysement of somme men a grete debate sourâ—ed bytwene the duc and the patriarke of
prynce of the weâ—te 〈…〉 and had slayn so many 〈…〉 saunt a Royamme· contâ—yned 〈…〉 hym tappytys ne clothes of 〈…〉 hym ne had not aboute hym sergeanâ—â—◠〈…〉 naked swerdes or haches or axis 〈◊〉 by 〈…〉 that sawe hym shold doubte and fere hym but satt◠〈…〉 he were a maÌ„ of lytil affayre The valiauÌ„t duc demauÌ„ded 〈…〉 that knewe vnderstode theyr langage what they sayde It was told answerd of this which they merueylled Thenne he sayd that it was no shame to a man mortel to sytte vpon therthe ffor theder muste he retorne after his deth and lodge there in his body and become erthe· whan they herd this answere they that were comen for teâ—pye and essaye what he was began moche for to allowe and preyse his wytte and his humilyte· They departed fro thens sayeng that he was shapen and lyke for to be lord of alle that londe and to gouerne the peple that was so withoute pryde And knewe pouerte and the fragilyte of his nature so wel This word was sprâ—dd ouer al by the m that had herd hym he was so moche deadde and doubted of his enemyes that enquyred of his affayres whiche founde not in hym but vygour· Rayson and mesure without ony pryde or oultrage How buymont was taken in goyng to Meletene whiche cyte the lord of the same wold yelde to hym cao. CCxjo. iN the Royamme of Iherusalem they conteyned them thus as ye haue herd Thenne it happened that a ryche man of eâ—menye named Gabryel was lord of the cyte of meletene which stondeth by yonde the Ryuer of Eufrates in the londe of mesoâ—â—tayne· This gabriel doubted moche that the turkes of Perse shold â—ome on hym ffor the men that they helde ran ofte on hym in suche wyse that he myght not wel suffre it Therfore he toke counseyl And sente messagâ—â—â— to buymont prynce of Anthyoche that that shold saye to 〈…〉 name that he shold haste hym in to his londe ffor he 〈…〉 ouer to hym his Cyte by certayn couenauntes 〈…〉 whiche he sente to hym· he loâ—yd buymont And 〈◊〉 that he had leuer that buymont had his cyte by his 〈…〉 the turkes sholde take it from hym ayenst his wyll whan 〈…〉 herde thyse tydynges as he that was hardy hasted 〈◊〉 â—oche for to make hym redy· And toke with hym a good company and went forth on his way he passed the Ryuer of Eufâ—aâ—â—s and entred in to mesopotayne And was nyghe the Cyte of meletene ffor whiche he wente for to receyue whan a puyssaunt amyral of the turkes named domsmayn that had certaynly the â—â—ry knowleche of his comynge And laye in awayte for hym and ranne vpon hym sodenly· and his men beyng alle out of arraye and dispourueyed They that abode were alle slayn ffor ther were oâ—er grete plente of turkes The other fledde Buymont was taken and reteyned· and they ladde hym the handes bounden with cordes And his feet chayned wyth yron Of this auenture mounted the turke in grete pryde And â—rusted moche in his hoost that he ledde that he cam to fore the cyte of meletene and assieged it by cause he supposed that they wold haue delyuerd it without taryeng But somme of them that escaped fro thens where the prynce was taken cam fleyng in to the cyte of Rages They told to th erle Bawdwyn this grete mesauenture that was fallen to them whan the valyaunt Erle herd this he was moche angrye· And had grete pyte of the prynce whom he helde for broder for the companye of the pylgremage And by cause they had theyr countrees so nygh to gydre It shold haue displesyd hym yf the turkes shold conquere this cyte that buymont shold haue had Therfor he somoned hastely alle his men that he myght haue on horsbak and a fote· and toke with hym that was necessarye for suche a vyage and wente toward thoo partyes· wel a thre daye iourneye was Rages fro meletene· he had sone passed this waye in suchewyse that he was nyghe the cyte· But the sayd donysmayn knewe wel the comyng of th erle and durst not abyde ne fyght with hym But lefte the siege and departed and ledde forth with hym buymont faste bounden and straytly whan Bawdwyn herde that he durst not abyde hym but fledde to fore hym he ran after with his men and chaced hym thre dayes longe whan he sawe that he myght not ouertake hym he retourned in to the cyte of Meletene Gabryel the lord of the toun receyued hym with moche grete ioye with alle his men and made to them good chere· And after gaf ouer the cyte to hym by the same couenauntes that he had offred to buymont· whan he had don this he reborned home agayn to Rages How the duc godeffroy assembled alle his peple· And entred in to Arabye And of the gayn that he made· And of his deth Capitulo CCxijo. gOdeffroy the valyaunt Duc and his men that were lefte with hym for to kepe the Royamme began to haue moche grete mesease and suffre suche pouerte that vnnethe it may be deuysed Thenne it happed that good espyes and trewe brought to hym tidynges that in the partyes of arabye on that other syde of fâ—om Iordan were moche ryche peple whiche doubted nothynge And therfore they dwellyd out of fortresses· yf they were surprised there shold be moch grete gayne wonne The valyaunt Duc that so moche had suffred toke with hym peple a foote and on horsbak as many as he myght sauf the garde of the Cyte Thenne entred he sodeynly in to the londe of his enemyes There gadred be many grete proyes· that is to wete· horses beufes â—yen and sheep And ryche prysonners brought he grete plente Thenne retorned he toward Iherusalem Somme turkes ther were hye and purssaunt of them of Arabye whiche were moche hardy· and noble in Armes· And had grete prys· Emonge all other ther was one that had longe desired for to see the duc Godeffroye of boloyne wold fayn knowe yf it were trewe that was said of his force streÌ„gthe acqueynte hym with his peple of ffraunce of whom he had herd so moche that were come fro the occident vnto thâ—â—yent And had conquerd so many londes And sette them in theyr subiection Aboue alle other he desired to see duc godeffroy and knowe yf it were trouth that was sayd of his prowesse his strengthe he dide so moch to such meÌ„ as he spak· that he had good sureâ—â— trie ws to come vnto the duc· he salewed hym moche lowe enclynyng lyke as is theyr customme And after he prayd and desired of the duc moche humbly that it wold plese hym to smyte with his swerd a Camel that he had brought moche grete· ffor as he sayde it shold be grete honour to hym in his countre yf he myght recounte ony of his strokes that he had seen hym self The duc knewe wel that he was come fro for to see hym And dyde that he requyred hym
armours and vytaylle Peter the heremyte and his hoost fonde a brygge of stone by whiche they passed a water rennyng nyghe to the cyte they passed the brygge and lodged them bytwene the water and the towne And by cause they had not mete ynough Peter sente his messages vnto the lord of the toun and prayd hym fayr for hym and for his peple that were cristen and pylgryms that wente in the seruyse of our lord that they myght bye vytaylles of the toun at resonable prys ThenÌ„e the lord sende worde to peter that he wold not suffre that they shold entre in to the toun But yf he wold gyue hym good ostages that his peple shold doo no harme ne oultrage to the peple marcheaunces of the toun that shold come for to selle them vytaylle he shold sende to them ynough at resonable prys· whan Peter and his peple herd this they were glad ynough They delyuerd good ostages and anon they of the town cam out with grete plente of vytayl and other thynges necessarye in the hoost How some of the oost of peter theremyte vnwetyng hym sette fyre in the subarbes of Nyz at theyr departyng capo. xxo. moche was this nyght the hoost of the pylgryms refresshyd of alle thynges that they had nede ffor they had ben long fro ony good toun And they of the cyte were to them moche debonair and resonable On the morne they demanded theyr ostages And they were delyuerd gladly And forth they wente in peas But now ye shal here how the deuyl doth grete peyne for to empesshe lette good werkes In this companye had ben the euen a fore a stryâ— to one of the marcchauÌ„tes of the town and som of the oost whan the hoost was departed the duchemen assembled to the nombre of an hunderd and for vengeaunce of the stryf they sawe vij myllenes· whiche stode at brygge nyghe the town and sette them a fyre and brente them anone this was not ynowgh but there was a litil borough without the cyte and they sette that a fyre also and brende hit to asshes and syth wente theyr waye aftir theyr felawship whiche knewe nothyng herof Of this thynge the lord of the town whiche had the euen to fore shewde to them grete dâ—â—â—nayrte was gretely meuyd for he sawe that they rendrid euyl for god and was half out of his wytte for angre This felonnye that this fewe dyde was wyted alle the hoost whiche was euyl pyte· he made anon arme alle the town yssued on horsbak and on fote hym self cam to fore and prayde and moche desyred his peple for to venge vpon thyse false rowters and theuys the oultrage that they had don whan they approched the hoost they fonde fyrst thise thre malefactours whiche had not yet ouertaken theyr felaws And ronne on them and smote of their heedes it had theÌ„ ne be ynowgh but they were not content· but smote in the aftirst parte of thoost whiche doubted nothyng they fonde charyottes sommyers males· seruauntes· wymmen and childrren whiche myght not goo so faste as the other They slewe many and somme they ouerthrewe and ladde away the cariage And thus retorned in to theyr cyte without hurte and alle blody of the bloode of the pylgryms How Peter theremyte was aduertysed of alle this And of the harme that ensiewed capitulo xxio. pEter was goyng with the grete coÌ„panye whan a messager cam to hym rydyng told to hym of this aduenture that was fallen in the taylle of thoost· Peter sente anon to them that were to fore that they shold retourne agayn the way that they were comyn vnto the cyte of nyz In this retorne they fonde thynges ynowgh that displesyd them ffor they fonde their felawes byâ—eded lyeng by the waye they had grete sorowe herof Onâ— fonde his fader deed Another his brother or his sone and another his wyf or his doughter there were many disconuenyents Peter whiche had his entencion pure vnto oure lord entented not but caâ—â—ese the malyce and leye doun the discorde whiche was sourded emong the peple he sente som wyse and prudent men to the lord and to the moost hye men of the cyte· for to demaunde by what occasion they had don this euil crueltees ayenst the peple of our lord They answerd that this was by the defaulte of the pylgryme that they had fyrst doon grete oultrage to brenne theyr mylneâ— and burghe whan Peter and the wyse men that were with hym herd this They thought wel that it was no place ne tyme to venge theyr shames And therfor torned the mater vnto peas and acorde for to recounre the praye the prysonners and Caryage whiche they had ledde away fro thoost ffor there were of the mene peple whiche wold not be ruled and wold not suffre them of the towne to haue pees with vs but wolde aneuge by force the oultrage that they had doon Peter felte this thynge· And apperceyued anone the euylle that sourded And sente of the wysest and grettest of his companye to make the pees his peple wold not haue pees· He made a crye on payne of deth in his name and the name of the barons that noman be so hardy to breke the pees that was made And this he charged vpon their pylgremages theyr feaulte and on thobedyence that they had promysed hym And whan they of the hoost herd this they remeuyd not But folyssh peple wente forth and made grete noyse and wold not obeye The messagers that were in the town for taccorde this that was don sawe that the noyse grewe more and more and retourned to theyr felawshhip withoute ony conclusion or doyng that they had enterprised dyde theyr best to seece the debate but they had no power ffor there were moo than a thousend pylgryms whiche noman myght holde ne reteyne But that they wold goo armed to the toun Out of the toun yssued as many or moo ayenst them ther began the bataylle and the medle grete and thyk and began to slee eche other largely Peter ne his route meuyd not but byhelde the bataylle They of the town that were on the walles and at wyndowes sawe that theyr peple had the werse and apperceyued that the grete power of thoost entermeted not of this warre thought that they wold not helpe them And opened theyr yates and yssued oute by grete rowtes alle armed and smote in the bataylle And founde of our peple aboute a v C. vpon the brygge And addressyd to them and slewe them alle· sauf somme that were caste in the water And alle were perysshed whan the grete hoost apperceyued theyr peple thus euyl demened they myght suffre it no lenger but wente to Armes and smote in to the bataylle one aftir another lyke as they myght be armed· the peple that had bygonne this debate were discomfyted fyrst And began to flee so fast that nothyng myght tarye them They began to bete them an horsbak that cam for to
fulle also of sprynges and wellys of wodes and of pastures There were woÌ„te aunciently thermytes for to dwelle thurgh this valeye renneth the Ryuer that I spak of to fore And renneth to ward the see In the montayne toward the south begynneth the walles of Antyoche and come vnto the Ryner hit is a grete espace within the closure· ther ben enclosed within the walles two montaynes vpon the hyest stondeth a fortresse so stronge that it is not prenable but by famyne· Bytwene thyse two montaynes whiche ben moche hye is a valeye right depe· but it is strayt in that renneth a litil water right faste and swyfte and entred in to the toun and doth moche good to the toun In the Cyte ben many fontaynes but the beste is the fontayne whiche is named the fonteyn of seynt poul And is nyghe to the eest gate ther is another fontayne without the toun which by crafte and conduytes is brought in to the toun right subtylly Alle the walles of the toun that is to wete they that ben on the montaynes and they that ben hangyng And also they that ben in the playn ben merueyllous thycke· ffor they ben of ouer stronge werke Ther ben toures moche hye and wel defensable that is toward the sonne goyng doun The ryuer renneth so nygh the toun that the brygge on whiche men passe ioyneth to the walles and to the gate of the cyte The lengthe of the toun is wel two or thre myle hit is nyghe vnto the see xij myle of· Who that was thenne lord of antyoche And in what manere he was comen vnto this seygnorye capo. lxxxvijo. oF this cyte of Anthyoche was lord a turk named Ancean of the mesque ther had ben a puyssaunt so wdan of perse of whom we haue spoken to fore named belphet which had conquerd alle thyse londes· And after whan he wold retorne agayn in to his contrey he departed entierly his conquest to his neueus and to somme of his meyne by cause that he wold that they that were his trewe men and frendes shold holde peas eche in his partye and shold be as defendours and the closyng of the londe he gaf to his neuew solyman his neuew nycque or nycene with alle theyr appertenauntes as ye haue herd to fore to another neuew named duâ—ar he gaf the Cyte of damaske And alle the countre about and wold that eche of them shold bere the name of soudan and lyke dygnyte Solyman by cause be marched on the grekes had euery day debate ayenst themperour of Constantynoble Ducar was ayenst them of Egypte And ofte made warre eche to other ffor they loued not to gydre To th ende thenne that thyse two Solyman and ducar myght the better mayntene theyr warre· he wold that they were puyssaunt and hye men as soudans· To one his seruaunt named assougur which was fader of sangum· And grauÌ„t fader of Noradyn of whom ye shal here· here after he gaf the remoÌ„med cyte called halappe To this Ancean of whom I spak to fore he gaf this hye and noble cyte antyoche and lytil lond about ffor the Calyphe of Egypte helde alle the conntre vnto the boundes of Surye· this ancean whan he herd that the grete hoost of cristen men cam he sente messagers and lettreâ— to the barons of thoâ—yent and hym self spak to them by mouth expressedly and requyred the caliphe of bandras and the soudan of perse which was more myghty than ony other that they wolde socoure his londe and hym They beleuyd al this lyghtly ffor Solyman was comen to them that had wel assayed what oure men coude doo therfore he also requyred moche to greue oure cristen men And that they wold auenge hym Ancean requyred that they wold deffende hym The grete barons of thoryent and other hye and noble men promysed hym that they wold helpe hym certaynlye Ancean forgate not in the mene whyle but gadred as moche peple as they myght haue in the contreye aboute hym as they that fro day to day abode the siege he assembled vytaylles Armures engyns and alle other thynges necessarye to peple assyeged And prayd moche ententifly the cytezeyns of the toun that euery man shold make prouysyon and garnyson for hym self as moche as he myght· Thenne wente the cytezeyns of the toun to vyllages and other places ther aboute And brought alle in to the cyte whete wyn Oyle and alle maner of beestes so moche that the toun was merueyllously garnysshed· many hye puyssaunt and noble men were comen fro the contrees that oure peple had passed whiche were fledde in to this stronge toun for to kepe them self in so moche that it was sayde and was trouthe that ther were in the cyte vij M horsmen alle armed and wel in poynt And of footemen there were that bare harnoys moo than xx M Dyuerse oppynyon of our men to fore they assieged Anthyoche And how they acorded alle for tassiege it cap o lxxxviijo. oVre men were approched so nygh the cyte that they sawe it nygh to them· After they assembled for to take counseyl how they shold procede forth ffor there were somme of the barons that counseylled that they shold tarye the siege vnto the newe tyme of the yere ffor the wynter cam on whiche shold be moche greuous to lye out On that other parte ther were many of thooste that were sprad about in the cytees and castellys whiche myght not lyghtly be assembled tyl after the wynter And ferthermore they sayde that themperour of constantinople shold sende grete peple for to helpe them Therfor it were wel reason that they shold abyde them Also on the other syde of the montaynes they sayde they shold haue peple al fressh of whom they had grete nede for tassiege suche a toun And in the mene whyle myght the peple and theyr horses soiourne alle the wynter in the countre about And shold be the fressher and harder and strenger for tendure trauaylle and payne whan it shold nede The other barons acorded that they shold sette the siege forthwith withoute delaye ffor yf thenemyes that were in the Cyte had the respyte they shold garnysshe them better of men of Armures of Engyns and of other estorementes than they had theÌ„ne They also that were comyng shold haste them the more yf the cyte were beseged for to helpe them To this counseyl acorded fynably alle they ordeyned theyr bataylles cam to fore the toun there they lodged them the x day of octobre· In oure hooste were men wel armed to the nombre of C C. C M. without wymmen childeren and other men that bare no harnoys And yet myght not alle they besiege alle the cyte ffor without the montaynes where was thought to leye no siege was at the foot of the hylle vnto the ryuer a grete part of the walle in a fayr playn which myght not be leyed about with peple In the comyng of this grete hoost was a moche grete
bruyt and noyse of buysyns of horses of peple· of Cartes and charyottes But this daye ne on the morn folowynge was no noyse but semed that the toun had ben alle voyde and noman therin but this was don by cause they had moche grete garnyson of peple of other thynges How after the situacion of the toun eche of the hye barons of the hoost were lodged at the sayd siege· capo. lxxxixo. aNthyoche had conteynyng in the cyte v yates toward thoryent ther was one was named the porte seynt poul that was by cause it was vnder the monastery of seynt poul whiche is hangyng on the territoire the second was toward thoccident And the lengthe of the toun is bytwene both thyse yates· and that is named the porte of seynt george On the syde toward byse ben thre yates whiche alle yssue toward the Ryuer that yate aboue is named the porte of the hound ther is a yate to fore this yate by whiche men passe the mareys which is vnder the walles of the cyte The seconde is named the porte of the duc· the ryuer is ther wel a myle long fro thyse two yates· The thirde is named the yate of the brygge by cause the brygge is there by whiche men passe the Ryuer ffor bytwene the port of the duc· whiche is in the myddle of thyse thre and this that is the laste on that syde approuche so the flood of the toun that fro thens it renneth costeyeng the toun alle ioynyng to the walles· wherfor it was that this yate ne the yate of seynt george our men myght not assiege ffor noman myght come theder but yf he wente ouer the Ryuer Buymont assieged this yate aforsayd with them that were comen in his companye· beside hym in aualyng doun were lodged Robert the duc of Normandye Robert th erle of fflaundres Steuen th erle of bloys And huon le mayne Thyse had pourprised fro the lodgys of buymont vnto the yate of thounde ffor the frensshemen the nor mans and the bretons were with them to fore this gate thenne were lodged th erle Remont of tholouse and the bisshop of Puy with them that were come in theyr companye that were the prouynceaulx· the gascoyns and the burgoynons ther was moche grete peple They toke alle the place vnto the gate next after At this gate were lodged the duc Godeffroy Eustace his brother Bawdwyn th erle of henawd Reynold th erle of Toul Guemes de montagu And other barons many whiche alwey helde them with thyse prynces ther were the loraynes the henewers they of sessougne they of bauyere and they of francoine They toke vp alle the place almoost to the yate of the brygge And helde the Ryuer that ranne there In this partye toward the toun was grete plente of apple trees of fygtrees and of other trees beryng fruyt whiche our peple cut hewe of alle for to lodge them· they of the toun byhelde by the hourdeys and batyllemens of the walles the manere and contenaunce of thooste And meruaylled moche of the Armes of the tentes and of the facion and manere that they had for to lodge them They were in grete doubte ffor they were wel adcerteyned that so moche and grete peple wold not lightly departe fro this siege without doyng them grete dammage and harme Ther were many that were so gretely effrayed for theyr wyues theyr childeren theyr other frendes that they wold that they had ben deed and buryed long to fore to th ende that they shold not see the destruction which they doubted for to see How our peple assembled in counseyl for to fynde the moyen for to sende for vytaylle of a brydge that they made· cao. lxxxx oWr peple that were thus lodged founde not about them pastures for theyr horses ne for theyr other beestes Therfore them behoeued ofte to passe the ryuer and to renne thurgh the contrey thus dyde they many tymes by cause they of the toun meuyd not yet And it was a noyous and greuous thynge to passe the Ryuer ffor ther was no brygge but feried ouer in botes bothe horse and man whan the turkes of the Cyte apperceyned this they sente secretely ouer theyr brygge theyr peple which toke and slewe our men that they fonde so sprad in the contre· And this dyde they surely ynowgth by cause they myght not retourne but by the ryu they of thoost myght not socoure them wherfor our barons coÌ„seylled them to gydre concluded that they wold make a brygge in somme maner by whiche they myght passe without dauÌ„ger of them of the toun they fonde shippes in the laye and aboue in the ryuer they toke and ioyned them to gydre and sette plankes on them and nayled them in suche wyse that thre or four men myght passe on a front this brygge dyde moche ease to alle thoost This brygge was nygh the lodgys of duc godâ—ffroy right ayenst the yate that he kepte And therfor the yate was named the yate of the duc ffro this brygge of tree vnto the brygge of stone was a grete myle as I sayd to you to fore by this yate by this bryge was moche harme don to our peple And by the yate named the porte of the hounde they greued moche our peple· ffor they had a brydge of stone by the toun of dyuerse waters gadred to gydre that ran there by that brygge they made theyr assaylles day and nyght vpon· the peple of therâ—es of tholouse which kepte the gate Oftymes they opened the yates and yssued out vpon theyr lodgyes and dyuerse they hurted and slewe many· And whan they had don they retorned in to the toun ffor ourâ— men myght not pourâ—iewe them but by the brygge· therfore hit happed that the bisshoppe of puy th erle of tholouse and the other barous that were there were more hurte in theyr mounture than alle the other of thoost How our peple stopped a yate of the toun without forth And of a castel of tree that they made· capo. lxxxxâ—o. tHis peple had grete despyte grete shame of the domages and harmes that were thus don to them And toke counseyl that they wold bete doun the brygge· And theder they cam alle Armed vnder theyr targes and sheldes of yron and grete plente of pyquoys And began to smyte for to breke the brydgâ—· but the walles were so strong and harde that they myght not hurte it And on that other syde they of the toun were on the walles and tourettes whiche threwe grete stones and thyâ—ke on them that so pecked to breke the brygge· that they were fayn to leue their enterprise and retorne fro thens After this they thought of another thynge and made a newe castel of tree And sette it ayenst the brygge for to kepe it that they shold not passe ouer it on them it was moche werke and payne to make it whan it was sette and dressyd Th erle
withdrawe them fro the werke in suche wyse that euery man dyde nought· ffor it plesyd them wel that th erle were greued and ennoyed that he myght departe and lede them forth with the other barons How thoost murmured of the spere founden in Anthyoche of the grete myracle that happed in the presence of alle the hoste Capitulo CLxjo. tHere was renewed a word· by whiche the comyn people also soÌ„me of the barons whiche began to doubte of the spere that was founden in Anthyoche lyke as ye haue herde to fore· ffor somme sayde certaynly that it was the very spere that opened the Syde of oure Lord on the crosse And that was with his precious blood bydewed And by reuelacion of oure lord had be founden by an holy good man for to recomforte his people whiche had grete necessyte and nede Other sayde that it was not but fals 〈◊〉 tromperye and abuse ffor th erle of tholouse had fonden this contryued for to mene the peple to drawe and gete syluer of theyr offrynges And this altercacion was meuyd by a preest named Arnold chppellayn and moche acqueynted with the noble duc of normandye· he was wel lettred but he was not of good lyf· he was ouer malycious and pourchassoure of discordes As ye shal here afterward in this book· This rumour was grete in thoost as I haue sayd The man that had fonde the spere herde the doubte of the peple And cam to fore the barons moche hardily And sayd to them in this maner Fayr lordes doubte ye nothyng that this werke hath ben by barat nâ— by tromperye· For theryn hath be none But it is comen of god And certaynly for the comfort of the cristen peple sâ—ynte andrew appered to me by the wylle of our saueour Ihesu crist whiche deuysed to me alle the maner how I haue founden it And for to shewe to yow that this that I saye is trouth I praye you that ye make a grete fyre and merueyllous And I shal entre in to it And holde the spere in my hand and shal passe and goo thurgh hool and sauf whan they herd this they acorded alle therto· The fyre was made and brennyd lyght which was greete merueyllous And this was on the blessyd good fryday And it plesed them that this thynge shold be thus pâ—euyd the same day that our lord was smeton to the herte with the same spere he that thus of fred hym self thus and enterprysed for to preue it was named Peter bertilme we clerk and but litil lettred after that it coude be vnderstonde without forth· and was a moche symple man â— TheÌ„ne was alle thooste assembled aboute the fyre Peter cam forth kneled doun for to recommande hym vnto god whan he had made his prayer he toke the spere· And entred in to the fyre And passed thurgh it· and was nothynge on hym perysshed nâ— hurâ—e that ony man coude see or knowe whan the peple sawe this alle they ranne for to kysse hym And made to hym moche grete ioye Of this doubte thenne they wende veryly that it had be quenchid But yet sourded a gretter errour and murmur than to fore ffor it was not longe after but that this Clerke deyde thenne sayde somme that by thanguysshe of the fyre he toke his deth And that shold be thoccasion therof· The other sayde that he yssued oute al hool and sauf fro the fyre But it was the wylle of ours lord syth the trouthe was knowen that he shold deye thus· or peraduenture the prees that cam vpon hym was so grete whan he yssued ouâ— of the fyre that he was therby hurte that he 〈◊〉 In this maner murmured yet the peple emong them Of thamabassade of Egipte comâ—n with our men in to thooste of pylgryms of the reuerence that was don to them cao. C lxijo. sOmme messagiers that were sente in to Egypte by our barons atte requeste of them that cam vnto Anthyoche fro the Calyphe of Egypte had be reteyned and holden there by force and barat wel a yere But now they were retourned And with them were comen the messagers of the Calyphe which brought to our barons fro hym wordes moche dyuerse moch chauÌ„ged fro that· they had sente to them to fore Anthyoche· ffor thenne he sente to them that they shold conteyne them vygorously ayenst the Sowdan of Perse· And they shold haue of hym grete ayde of gold of syluer and of vytaylles Now had he chaunged moche his langage· ffor he sente them worde that he thought· that he dyde moch grete thyng for them yf he suffred that the pilgrims myght goo to Iherusalem .ij. C to gydre or iij· C alle vnarmed And whan they had made theyr prayers· and don theyr pylgremage to retorne saufly agayn· whan oure barons herd this· they had herof grete desdayne And sayde to the messagers that they shold retorne agayn to theyr lord and telle hym that by his licence ne leue wold they not goo to Iherusalem vnarmed one after another But they shold goo maulgre hym alle to gydre in bataylles renged and the baners reysed and desployed Now I shal say to you why the Calyphe of Egypte was reysen in so grete prydeâ— whan our men had discomfyted Corbagat to fore Anthyoche The power of the Soudan of Perse was moche affebled· in such wise that none of his neyghbours doubted hym ne fered to make warre agaynst hym ffor he had alwaye the werse· By whiche occasion it happed that a conestable of the Calyphes of Egypte named Emites had taken the Cyte of Iherusalem fro the men of the soudan of Perse whiche had holden it xxxviij yere Therfore sawe nowe the Calyphe that he was at his aboue by the disconfyture that our men had don to Corbagat And had wende that he shold not haue had nede of ony ayde Therfor he despysed now our peple Of an ambassade fro themperour of constantinoble comen to our pylgryms of thanswer to the sayd ambassade ca Clxiijo. oN that other syde were comen messagers fro themperour of Constantinoble· whiche complayned moche on buymont and also on the other barons ffor they sayde that all the barons were becomen his men· And had sworn vpon the holy ewangelyes that alle suche Cytees and Castellys by them conquerd whiche had be vnder the power of Constantynoble shold be rendred to hym as his owen thurgh out alle the londe to Iherusâ—lem Now buymont dyde contrarye this whiche helde Anthyoche and the other Barons that had gyuen it to hym· Thus spak they of the couenauntes But they spak not of alle ffor withoute faylle trouthe it was that they had couenaunted this but themperour had promysed to them that he shold folowe them with his grete hoost And shold furnysshe to them grete plente of vytaylles by seâ—· he was the fyrst that had broken the couenaunt and promesses· ffor he had not don that one ne that other And he myght wel