the same AmeÌ„ ¶ Of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castyll and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo i. BYcause that I desyre the hye and notable faytes of ryght noble and ryght valyaunt men of honour and prowesse for to brynge them in to memorye and recommendacyon and also to the ende that all noble and vertuous hertes may be moued and styred for to do well in lykewyse as our predecessours hath done afore vs and in especyall they of the whiche this present hystorye treateth of ¶ I fynde wryten that after the dethe of the ryghte noble and valyaunt lorde and prynce Carlemayne the grete Emperour and Kynge of Fraunce after that he hadde subduâ—d brought vnder his obeyssaunce in to our holy crysteÌ„ fayth the Spanyerdes ¶ There was a kynge in Castyll yâ— whiche was a ryght puyssaunt prynce that was moche beloued of all his subgectes that at that tyme was depryued of the ryght heurous felycyte that is in maryage whiche is to haue lygnage and generacyon for the whiche cause all his subgectes were gretely at my sease for they desyred no thynge soo moche as to se an heyre of his body that myght be successour of the realme after yâ— decease of this good kynge His wyfe the whiche was the doughter of the kynge of Galyce that was a fayre lady and a vertuous amonge her prayers and orysons that she maâ—e so our lorde forgate not to requyre hym by his debonaâ—e clemense that he wolde sende her a chylde to the ende that the countree abode not with out an heryâ—ouâ— Our lorde Ihesu cryst herynge the request that this good quene made to hym forgaâ—e her no◠〈◊〉 in shâ—â—te tyme after she conceyued and whan terme was come she was delyuered of a fayre sone of the whiche the kynge and all his subgectes were gretely reioysce but theyr Ioye was soone turned to sorow for the quenchad trauaylled so sore yâ— she lyued not two houres after the byrth of her sone the whiche was grete dyspleasure to the kynge that loued her so moche And certaynly he had good cause neuerthelesse he was not lefte alone makynge that sorowe for all his subgectes bare hym company ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and how his moder was borne to be buryed And how the Embassadours were transmysed in to Alâ—arbe for to mary the kynge agayne Capitulo ii AFter the coÌ„playntes innumerable of the kynge and of his subgectes yâ— quene was layd on bere and for to gyue comforte they ordeyned that the chylde sholde be borne to be baptysed with the corps of the quene And soo it was done in grete lamentacyons and the chylde was named Olyuer and after that yâ— seruyce was fynysshed the kynge retorned in to his palays in the which palays he demeaned his sorowe by longe space of tyme and he toke no comforte but in his ryght amyable sone Olyuer And in kyssynge hym oftentymes he sayd vnto hym Alas my dere sone thy natyuyte hathe torned me to grete Ioye and also vnto grete trystesse and dolour but in all humylyte I beseche our lorde that he haue mercy on thy moders soulâ— And that he gyue the grace that thou mayst be suche one as my herte doth requyre In suche wordes and semblables he complayned hym often vpoÌ„ his felowe and spouse that he hadde soo feruently loued The noble men of his courte and also other of the realme were ryght dolaunt bycause that as them semed the kynge was becomen all desolate and not soo famylyer with them as he had ben accustomed afore the dethe of the quene wherfore they sayd that the kynges lamentynge endured ouer longe wherfore it is expedyent to vs for to take aduyse in what maner we may cause hym for to cesse it for he must put it out of his memorye for he is yet yonge lusty ynough for to haue ê“geny chyldren there is nothynge yâ— may cause hym so sone for to â—esse his sorowe and make hym Iocounde as to mary hym vnto some yonge lady â—where as he maye take his pleasure and delyte in al gladnesse These wordes were not sayd alonly in this absence but also in his presence for they that were moost couersaunt with his persone declared it often vnto hym and exhorted hym for to be maryed yf that they myght fynde one that were acceptable for the dygnyte At that tyme the kyng of Algarbe was deed and his wyfe was abyden wydowe the whiche was one of the moost excellentest ladyes at that tyme of the worlde the whiche had a sone by her ryghtfull lorde and husbande that was named Arthur the which was a meruaylous fayre chylde and Olyuer he were bothe of one aege The kynge of Castyll had ben aduertysed of the beaute of the quene of Algarbe wherfore he sente his Ambassatours for to haue her to his quene yâ— whiche Embassatours whan they were comen theder were receyued with grete tryumphe and honoure in so moche that shortly after she was accorded to them by the lordes of the realme as ye shall here Whan they were brought in the presence of the quene and her counsayll they declared the cause of theyr comynge yâ— whiche was gladly herde bothe of her kynnesmen and the other barons and after that the Embassatours hadde rehersed that the whiche they had in commaundement by theyr lorde and kynge they with drewe them in to theyr lodges with whome wente many knyghtes and squyres for to conueye them ¶ How the maryage was treated bytwene the kyng of Castyll Olyuers fader and the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder Capitulo iii. AS the quene sawe her accompanyed 〈◊〉 moost parte of her frendes And them that she moost trusted in sayd Lordes ye knowe the cause wherfore the kynge of Caâ—â—yll hathe seÌ„te his Embassadours hether wherfore I prarye you for 〈…〉 in this mater for I am she that by our good counsayll wyll be agreable to do that the whiche ye shall determyne These worâ—s fynysshed she toke 〈◊〉 and wente in to her chambre and leue them alone with that mater And fyâ—â—â—ly they were all of ouâ— accorde that the maryage sholde be made And retorned towarde the 〈◊〉 sâ—ynge that as them thought there was but 〈◊〉 prynces of more auctoryte than the kynge of Castyâ—l was wherfore she myght not be lyghtly better bestowed And in effecte they shewed her the yonge aege that she was yet in and also thâ— tendre aege of her sone Wherfore they counsaylled her that she sholde accepte the request of the Kynge of Castyll The quene answered my frendes I haue tolde you yet dothe that your good counsayll and 〈◊〉 â—s well my wyll And therfore make the responce and answere to the Embassadours on 〈◊〉 suche as â—e shall thynke moost expedyent 〈◊〉 I shall 〈…〉 And then they thanked her and 〈…〉 fyue or syxe of the moost notablest 〈◊〉 whiche were chosen for to gyue the answere 〈…〉 of yâ— kynge of Castyll And whaâ— that they were comâ—n to
Alas my broder I knowe you for suche one yâ— ye be not departed withoute grete occasyon and to my symple wytte I dyde you neuer tryspassâ—â—nâ—â— deserued agaynst you but yf that your pleasure hadde ben that I myght haue knowen somewhat of your dyspleasure yf that â—t be possyble to me for to knowe it sholde deye in the payne but that ye were reuenged at your owne wyll Ryght noble kynges sone the prouysyon sente froÌ„ heuen for the salute of this couÌ„tree what shall your fader and my moder saye And in sayng this he swowned And who that hadde sene hym wolde better haue Iuged hym deed than quycke ¶ How the kynge of Castyll Olyuers fader came in to the chambre and of the grete sorowe that he made whan he founde hym not Capitulo xiiii ALl the noble men of the courte that abode at Olyuers chambre dore seyng that they had no tydynges of Arthur that was entred in to the chambre made it for to be knowen to the kynge theyr fader and the fyrste chamberlaâ—â—â— of Olyuer sayd vnto hym My souerayne lorde your sone Olyuer was yesterdaye a lytell dyseased made to auoyde all the gromes of his chambre and abode all alone And yet at this houre all the grome of his chambre was without the dore the whiche be not as yet entred And as touchynge my parte I haue knocked at the chambre dore but there was no body that answered me Also my lorde Arthur his broder not longe ago is entred but we haue had noo more tydynges of hym than afore And therfore I put you in memorye of these thynges for to do therwith your good pleasure Then the kynge sayd yâ— he wolde go theder in his persone for to knowe what it myght sygnefye And came vnto the chambre dore yâ— whiche was locked but he made it to be opened and entred in to the chambre with lytell company And inconâ—ynent as he sawe not his sone Olyuer vpon his bedde he doubted well that there was some what yâ— wolde not please hym to moche And as he loked here there he 〈◊〉 Arthur that was â—yenge vpon y◠〈…〉 thaÌ„ alyue and as yet he was 〈…〉 And whan the kynge appercâ—â—◠〈◊〉 he sayd vnto hym My freÌ„de I trow that thou knowest somewhat that I knowe not and in saynge that he approched more nerer to hym and sawe that he 〈◊〉 not Then he layde hande on hym and felte that there was some lyfe in hym and therfore he made to put wyne brede in his nose and dyde so moche that he came to hymselfe And whan that he myghte speke he 〈◊〉 for thy parte take this dyssolute creature And 〈◊〉 those wordes the 〈◊〉 felâ—e oute of his 〈…〉 whiche was redde 〈◊〉 the kynge in grete 〈◊〉 and wepynge of the reder And whan the kynge knewe the departynge of his valyauÌ„t sone Olyuer yâ— he loued so derely It was not possyble to hym for to here all that the lettre conteyned for whan that he entred in to the mater where as it spake of the departyng of his sone as hye as he stode he lete hymself fall downe to the erthe It was grete pyte to haue ben in the chambre for they wyst not to whome they myght attende eyther to the fader or to the broder or to the seruauntes for all yâ— whan he myght speke he aâ—â—ryed and sayd O ryght myserable kynge wherfore dothe not god sende to the the dethe truely nothynge sholde be to me 〈…〉 the dethe nor nothynge so dyspleasaunt as to 〈…〉 my chylde thou made thy moder to dye and 〈…〉 of thy faders also that loueth the so tenderly 〈◊〉 whiche seynge thy ryghte fayre yong he 〈…〉 ¶ How the Kynge sente after his sone Olyuer of 〈…〉 and of them of the 〈◊〉 whan she 〈…〉 xv IN suche wordes so semblables ledde the ryght â—olent kynge and the quene the grettest sorow that myght be And there was nothyÌ„ge myght comforte them Neuertheles a lytell whyle after the kynge wente saynge Alas my frendes 〈…〉 this poore and desolute kynge and fader the whiche hathe lost all his Ioye that is his sone 〈…〉 I beseche you euerychoâ—e to put you on the waye for to here some tytynges of hym or yf that it be possyble for to fynde hym for whome I haue so moche dolour and anguysshe Then the moost parte of theym departed at the commaundement of the kynge and put them vpon the waye and for to make shorte processe they were in soo many places and countrees that it is meruayl to recounte it And neuerthelesse they herde no tydynges that were ony thynge pleasauÌ„t in that behalfe And therfore they retorned towarde the kynge vnto whome they tolde all that they had founde And whan he knewe that his losse was vncurable he layde hym downe in his bedde all melancolyous They that behelde hyÌ„ thought yâ— he wolde neuer haue rysen from theÌ„s the quene seynge the grete maladye of the kynge and al so knowynge that all these euylles proceded from her yâ— grete furour and angre of the nyght afore was chaunged in to pyte sorowe and dyspleasure saynge thus O vnhappy and cursed woman thou arte cause of the exyle and losse of the moost fayrest the moost gentyll the moost wyse and the moost knyghtely that euer was in Castylle thy desteny ought well to be cursed and who that knewe thy case they ought to punysshe the ryght bitterly Alas my ryght fayre loue Olyuer and my ryght dere herte for to be drawen with horses and for to suffre martyrdome it is impossyble for me to amende the dyspleasure and iniurye that by me hathe ben spoken vnto you as she that was not maystresse of herfelfe but was subgecte by my fragylyte to wrathe not knowynge thy grete bounte and loyalte and bycause that thy losse is vncouerable and that it procedeth from me and of my cause neuer shall I haue Ioye And as infortuned I shall vse yâ— surplus of my lyfe in praynge our lorde that he wyll kepe thy ryght fayre yongth from all encomberaunce Who that wolde tell the complayntes of them of the countree it wolde be to longe to tell it and therfore I holde my peas and reforneth to Olyuer ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer on the see And how he and the Englysshe knyghte were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi WE haue suffycyently herde spokeÌ„ here afore of the departynge that Olyuer made that was sone and heyre of the kynge of Castyll And how be put hym vpoÌ„ the see where as he was two moÌ„thes or there aboute It be fell vpon a nyght that a tempest and meruaylous orage toke them wherfore it was force to the shypmen for to habandonne theyr shyppe at the pleasure of god vnto whome they recommaunded them full often as they that abode but his mercye In that estate they were the space thre dayes in ryght grete torment And the tempest was so hydeous and terryble that vpon the thyrde daye theyr
The prologue vpon the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle BYcause that the memorye is the reteynynge nature humayne for his fragylyte is strongely mouable goodly hathe ben introducte that the reasons concludynge intendybly yâ— saynges and also auctorytes of sayntes and dyscrete men semblably hystoryes and examples worthy of commemoracyon ben reduced by wrytynge for to shewe to them that ben to come that whiche hathe be sayd and done before to the instruccyon and saluacyon of the soule of euery good crysteÌ„ man ¶ Now it is thus that is this present tyme the scryptures by the arte and ingenyous practyke of Pryntynge be multeplyed in suche a wyle that dyuers fayre and coÌ„modyous ensygnynges and ensamples ben had of whiche fewe folkes had the bokes and congnyssaunce nowe they ben put forth and vttred for so lytell a pryse that it can not be lyghtely lesse neuerthelesse bycause of the vnderstaÌ„dynge comune that is better contente for to reteyne the hystoryes and examples than other thynge dyuers hystoryes ben put in wrytynge And amonge the other hystoryes is one founde of longe tyme wryten the whiche is named the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and Arthur of Algarbe his loiall felowe the whiche for theyr vertues and to loue better honoure than to consente to euyll had grete aduersytees and meruaylous fortunes and aduentures the whiche by grete loyalte and ardaunt charyte and also fydelyte and promesse toke an ende solytarye ¶ Here begynneth the table of this present boke ¶ Tabula ¶ The fyrste chapytre speketh of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castylle and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo j. ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and the body of his mod borne to be buryed And how Embassodours were coÌ„mysed for to mary the kynge agayne Ca. ii ¶ How the maryage was treated betwene the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder and the kynge of Castylle Olyuers fader Capitulo iij. ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle wedded the quene of Algarbe and ledde her in to Castylle with her sone Arthur that resembled Olyuer Capitulo iiij ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were put to lernynge and of the Iustes that were made by them Capitulo v. ¶ How the quene of Castylle began for to loue Olyuer dyshonestlye Capitulo vi ¶ How the quene gaue Olyuer for to vnderstande that she loued hym carnally and of the couerte answers of Olyuer to honoure Capitulo vij ¶ How Olyuer departed all trouble of the requestes of his stepmoder and how he prayed god for to reuoke her from her carnall desyre Capitulo viij ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer desyrynge hym to fulfyll her carnall desyre of Olyuers fayre denyenge Capitulo ix ¶ How Olyuer refused vtterly the quene his stepmoder of all her dyshonest loue And how she menaced hym to the dethe Capitulo x. ¶ How Olyuer abode all alone in his chambre where as he made dyuers complayntes and of the lettre that he wrote to his felowe and wherat he sholde knowe yf that he had ony thynge but good Capitulo xi ¶ How Olyuer departed all alone withont ouy company and came to a hauen of the see where as he founde a shyp in the whiche he entred with a knyght that he founde there of Englande Capitulo xij ¶ How Arthur of Algarbe came in to the chambre of his broder Olyuer that made grete dole for his departyng Capitulo xiij ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle came in to Oliuers chambre and of the grete dole that he demeaned whaÌ„ he fouÌ„de hym not Capitulo xiiij ¶ How the kynge sente after his sone and of his lamentacyous and of them yâ— the quene made whan she sawe that all doloure was comen by her cause Ca. xv ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer vpon the see and how he and the Englysshe knyght were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi ¶ How the knyght Olyuers felowe deyed xvij ¶ How Olyuer dyde burye the knyght and of the Iustes that were publysshed in Englande and he that sholde do best sholde haue the kyÌ„ges doughter to wyfe xviij ¶ How Olyuer was assayled of theues the whiche he slewe and of the whiche happened to hym vpon the waye towarde London Capitulo xix ¶ How a knyghte came and recomforted Olyuer and of the promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the hermytage Capitulo xxi ¶ How Olyuer sawe dyuers knyghtes and other folke in grete estate and dyuersly clothed Capitulo xxij ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche clothynges that his knyghte had brought hym and how he armed hym and of the ryche pauylyon and beaute of the fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande Capitulo xxiij ¶ Of the grete meruaylles â—hat Olyuer dyde at the â—orneyment and how he dyde better thaÌ„ ony other xxiiij ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to the hermytage the seconde tyme without makynge hym for to be knoweÌ„ xxv ¶ How Olyuer came the seconde tyme to the torneyment and how he wanne the sygne of the defendauntes of the Iustes Capitulo xxvi ¶ How Olyuer dyde withdrawe hym in to the hermytage after that he had vaynquysshed the torneyment and of the dyspleasure of the kynge and his doughter by cause of the deed men Capitulo xxvij ¶ How Olyuer came in to yâ— torneymeÌ„t the thyrde daye and bare awaye the honoure aboue all by his grete prowesse and how the kyÌ„ge commysed .xx. knyghtes for to take hym to the ende yâ— he knewe what he was xxviij ¶ How Olyuer was taken by the knyghtes that the kynge had commysed and how his seruauntes vanysshed a waye how he founde clothes fynaunces Ca. xxix ¶ How Olyuer founde grete fynaunces seruantes and clothes and how he was ledde to the banquet and in to the courte with grete honoure of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the kynge of Englandes courte where as he was receyued with grete reuerence of the kynge and of all the other lordes and ladyes Ca. xxxi ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commyssed and the counsayll of the kynge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capitulo xxxij ¶ How the kynge of EnglaÌ„de came towarde his doughter and demauÌ„ded her to whome her semed that yâ— pryce sholde be gyuen to and of her answers Ca. xxxiij ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what was the pryce Capitulo xxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kyng of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte and that he myghte be keruer afore his doughter Helayne the whiche was accorded to hym Capitulo xxxv ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter made the othe accustomed Capitulo xxxvi ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne cut his fynger in seruynge her
loue that proceded from his herte Then the fayre Helayne apperceyued that he thought strongely vpon her and she had no thyÌ„ge kerued afore her for to ete For Olyuer had gyueÌ„ her none wherfore she sayd by dyuers tymes Olyuer my frende I wolde ete gladly yf ye gaue me wherof Olyuer that thought on other thynges herde her not at yâ— fyrst tyme. And whan his vnderstandynge was comen agayn all ashamed he began for to serue and as he that had no thought on that whiche he dyde cut his fyngre â—ll moost of Wherfore he departed from thens incontynent and gaue another to serue Helayne apperceyuynge these thyÌ„ges knewe apperceyued clerely yâ— thought of Olyuer wherof she was nothynge gladde whan she sawe hym in suche poynt for her loue ¶ How Olyuer layde hym downe in his bedde soore syke and how that Helayne was syke also for hym of theyr complayntes and how Helayne gate leue of her fader go to vysyte Olyuer Capitulo xxxviii OLyuer comeÌ„ in to his lodgys entred all alone in to his chambre and layde hym downe vpon his bedde in complaynynge hym so pyteously that it was grete pyte for to here He cursed the god of loue that had wounded hym so profoundly with his hambynge darte and bounde hym in his bandes soo vyolently wherfore he sawe appertely that he must nedes deye for he abode none allegeaunce nor mercye of his anguysshous maladye Ha kynge of EnglaÌ„de sayd Olyuer yf thy worde had ben verytable as a kynges ought to be I had not fallen in this extremyte that I am nowe in Thus as ye haue herde demeaned Olyuer his sorowe by longe space of tyme and contynued so in that he was greuously sycke and layde hym downe in his naked bedde Wherof the Kynge and all they of the courte were ryghte dyspleasaunt And the kynge vysyted hym ryght famylyerly and made hym to be sumptuously kepte and taken heede to of his physycyons But aboue all them that were dolaunt the noble Helayne passed notwithstaÌ„dynge she made no semblaunt outwarde And on a tyme as yâ— physycyens came to her as it is theyr custome for to vysyte prynces and prencesses she demaunded them how Olyuer dyde and yf that he amended not They answered naye and sayd that they had grete doubte of his lyfe Whan Helayne herde these tydynges she was so dolent that she myght scarsely susteyne herselfe TheÌ„ she with drewe her in to her garderobe and gaue them to vnderstande that she was sycke therfore she layde her downe on her bedde made her to be couered for to couer the better her dole And whan the ladyes were voyded she began to saye with a softe voyce O god almyghtye creatour of heuen and erthe the whiche after thy pleasure dysposeth all erthely thynges And thou ryght doulce quene of heuen lady of the worlde and empresse of helle also truely as thou bare .ix. monthes in thy blessyd flankes the veray sone of god thyn espouse and that conceyued hym a vyrgyn and delyuered hym a vyrgyn and yâ— arte aduocate and refuge of all desolate creatures I beseche the that thou wylte counsayll me vnhappy and vnfortuned woman O gloryous vyrgyn Marye wherfore hathe thy blessyd sone gyuen me soo moche beaute for to be cause of the dethe of the moost fayrest and moost valyauntest knyght that euer was sene the whiche am in dygne of this grace Wherfore I beseche the that thou kepe this gentyll knyght the whiche hathe not my soone me in no maner of the worlde wherby I sholde put hym in this ryght daungerous peryll and that thou dysdeyne not for to tell me myn honour saued how that I myght gyue hym allegeaunce of his maladye Whyles that she complayned so to god and to our lady a lyghte sompne toke her wherthrughe she was constrayned to slepe In her slepe her semed that our lady spake to her and sayd Helayne my sone I haue herde thy request The knyght for whome thou hast prayed is sycke to the dethe And bycause that thou arte cause of his maladye thou must be cause also of his guarysshyÌ„ge and helthe go towarde thy fader and demaunde hym lycence for to â—o se hym whan thou shalte be there put hym in memorye that the yeres ende approcheth nere that thou shalte haue so good mynde on hym that it shall suffyse hym Helayne a waked ryght Ioyous of her vysyoÌ„ and in thankynge god and our lady arose and wente towarde her fader the whiche gaue her leue to go vysyte Olyuer and so she wente theder with a lytell company And whan she was entred in to the chambre she approched towarde the bedde where as Olyuer was that alredye had lost his knowlege and with the teres in her eyen named hym her frende in demaundynge hym how he dyde Olyuer knewe the voyce of his mayâ—â—â—esse and lyfte vp his eyen in makynge a lytell syghe anguysshous for other thynge coude he not answere Helayne apperceyued that he had but lytell knowlege wherfore she approched more nerer and sayd with a lowe voyce Alas my frende what lacke ye wyll ye leue me a wydowe do ye not knowe yâ— the ende of the twelue monthe approcheth By my trouth my frende your maladye doth greue me so sore that ye can not byleue it wherfore I pray you that ye wyll thynke for to guarysshe you and yf there be ony thynge that I can do for you tell it me And eueÌ„ so god helpe me myn honoure salued I knowe no maÌ„ for whome I wolde do more than for you ¶ How Olyuer after that the fayre Helayne had vysyted hym came to the courte and of the messenger of the Kynges of Irlande sente to the Kynge of Englande for to defye hym of fyre and blode Capitulo xxxix AS Olyuer herde yâ— swete voyce of his maystres that recomforted hym so swetely he forced hym for to speke and with grete payne thanked her and with payne myght he absteyne hym from saynge that she was cause of his dethe and as she that loued hym sayd to hym Fayre syr thynke for to waxe hole and come to the courte For vpon my fayth ye shall be ryght welcome Then she toke leue of hym and retorned and it was neuer a daye after but that she shente for to knowe how he dyde and with that she sente hym ryght largely of her wynes and dyde so moche that within shorte tyme he was strouÌ„ge ynoughe for to promayne hym aboute his chambre as he that had had a good physycyen in his maladye And it was not longe after that he wente in to the courte and whan he felte hymselfe that he was entyerly hole he serued his maystres as he had done before The whiche made hym greter chere than she was accustomed to do In suche wyse yâ— Olyuer was more beauteuous than euer he had beÌ„ afore Helayne that apperceyued that Olyuer was out of daunger put hym in remembraunce of the regrettes and complayntes that she had made
for hym durynge his maladye wherof Olyuer had his heed dyuers tymes sore troubled ¶ It happened vpon a whytsontyde on the whiche daye he helde open courte And there was the moost parte of the lordes of Englande assembled euen so as he was at dyner and his doughter sette besyde hym came a messanger afore the table the whiche began for to saye That same god all puyssaunt that gouerneth all thynges gyue honoure and glorye good aduenture to the hyghe and puyssaunt prynces my souerayne lordes the seuen kynges of Irlande by whome I am sente hether and that he confounde the crowne of Englande the whiche is not worthy to be named Kynge Now herken tyraunt what I haue in charge for to saye to the by the kynges of Irlande They sende the worde by me and defyeth the of fyre and bloode and that they wyll depose the of thy realme as he that is not worthy for to holde it Some of them hathe ben comen to thy courte for to knowe more playnly thy gouernynge wheras they haue apperceyued thy grete crude lyte and tyrannye and howe that by thy synguler and dampnable wyll hathe accomplysshed thy tyrannye on colde bloode withouten ony cause reasonable wherfore thou arte cause of the effusyon of blode humayne and of the semblable crysten And therfore take heede to that whiche thou hast to do For I tell the that they ben alredy descended on thy grounde and shall do suche Iustyce on the as apperteyneth ¶ How Olyuer after that the messanger hadde fynysshed his wordes requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men of armes and that he wolde goo agaynst them the whiche was vttred vpoÌ„ hym with a good wyll Capitulo xl FYnysshed the wordes of the messanger the kynge enclyned his heed and sone after lyft it vp agayne and began to rolle his eyen to bende his browes in suche wyse that here sembled a man extracte oute of his mynde Whan the messenger sawe the kynge make suche chere he wolde with a good wyll haue ben in his moders bely There was none that answered for the courte at that tyme was to troubled that it was grete meruayll to beholde it for all they in the halle kepte scylence and sayd neuer a worde Whan the valyaunt Olyuer sawe all the companye so sore abasshed for so lytel a thynge as hym semed he sette hymselfe on his knees before the kynges persone and all ashamed beganne for to speke and sayd Ryght myghtye Emperour redouâ—ted syr I beseche you that your ryall mayeste be not dysmayed agaynste me yf that I auaunce me to speke soner than I oughte to do Syr ye haue herde the iniuryes that these caytyfs kynges of Irlande hathe unposed on you by the saynge of the herauldes And for bycause that I knowe you soo valyaunt and so puyssauÌ„t and with that that ye hadde leuer deye than it sholde abyde thus without vengynge you on your enemyes that alredy ben entred in to your realme wherfore I supplye me in all humylyte that vnto me yonge man notwithstandynge that I am not dygne and that I haue lytell sene vnto this present tyme that ye wyll do me that honoure for to gyue me a certayne nombre of men of armes suche as your good pleasure shal be and that ye shall fynde by the delyberacyon of your good counsayll for to go agaynste these vnhappy folke that withoute cause wyl vsurpe youe lordshyppe ¶ The kynge answered vnto Olyuer and sayd Olyuer I shall counsayll me on the request that ye make to me after dyner and after I shall make you to knowe my wyll And then he commaunded that the messaunger of the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette to dyner And soo it was done WhaÌ„ the kynge was rysen from the table he assembled his counsayll And then was gyuen an answere to the messanger that he sholde saye to his maysters that they myght be well sure that the Kynge doubted theym but lytell and that he hadde good wyll for to kepe his herytage that yf they myghte wynneâ—â— that it sholde be theyres but by the pleasure of god it sholde not happen so and then they gaue some gyfte vnto the messanger And then the sayd messanger departed and retorned towarde the kynges of IrlaÌ„de that alredy were entred into the realme of Englande to whome he tolde the answere that he had receyued And then yâ— kynge of Englande accorded to Olyuer his request for the grete valyauntnesse yâ— he had sene hym do afore tymes And gaue to hym .x. thousande men of armes the whiche comen he toke leue of the kynge and the kynge gaue hym foure thousande nobles at his departynge the whiche Olyuer toke in good thanke But afore that he departed from the cyte he dystrybued it vnto the poore men of armes that had nede therof and more to and he dyde soo moche that they spake of nothynge but of his grete largesse wherfore he gate the loue of euery body And in yâ— maner departed after that he had taken leue of his may stresse the whiche commaunded hym vnto god And he spedde hym so well on his Iourneye that he came with in thre myle of his enemyes And whan it came to theyr knowlege they reysed vp theyr syege that they had layde aboute a stronge place and putte theym all vpon a playne in fayre ordenaunce redy to abyde bataylle Olyuer in lyke wyse prayed and requyred all his men for to do well in shewynge theym that they sholde haue more honoure without comparyson yf ony good aduenture happened them than yf the kynge were there in his persone and eche of them promysed to do his deuoyre And in that good wyll they approched so nere theyr enemyes that they myght se them clerely the whiche were foure agaynst one man But they were not men of suche chap for the moost parte were comune men and euyll armed at all poyntes ¶ How Olyuer after that he was departed from London in armes came afore a towne that was besyeged of the IrysshemeÌ„ and how he fought with them and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xlj RYght so as these two hoostes approched to gyder ye myght haue herde suche a noyse that it was hydeous to here and whan it came to the strokes gyuynge ye sholde haue sene sheldes câ—ouen and helmes hauberkes brokeÌ„ stedes and knyghtes smyten downe hedes and armes cut of and many one pulled downe that neuer rose after Olyuer wente thrughe the batayll maulgre all his enemyes and dyde suche dedes of armes that he made hym to be knowen within a lytell stounde of euery body wherfore they fledde afore hym and made hym waye For all that he hytte he smote downe none can not reherse vnto you the meruaylous strokes that he gaue for bothe his frendes and his enemyes were all abasshed to beholde them He escryed as hye as he myght yf the kynges of Irlande be here I shall make them crownes One of the kynges of Irlande
swerde and kyssed the hyltes in recommaundynge hym to god and weÌ„te towarde the lyon that doubted hym but lytell For whaÌ„ it came to approche he gaue hyÌ„ suche a stroke with his paâ—â—es that he rente his cloke and mo than a hondâ—eth mayles of his haubergon And it was force to Arthur for to fall to the erthe but as a valyaunt knyght he gate hym on his fece And incontynent he began for to assayll the lyon ryght asprely And whan the lyon â—elte â—ymself hurte he began for to caste a crye so meruaylous that all the forest dyde rynge of it And Arthur recouered another stroke and sette it so well on that he smote of his hede and so the lyon deyed ¶ How Arthur beynge in the forest was assaylled of another meruaylous beest of the whiche he was vyetoryous lv AS Arthur sawe that he was delyuered of yâ— lyon he thaÌ„ked god with a meke herte and whan it came vnto yâ— nyght and that he founde hym not out of the forest noo more than yf he hadde not remeuyd out of one place he was moche dyspleasaunt as he that of all the daye had not eten but his comforte was whan he thoughte vpon saynt Iohan Baptyst that lyued by rotes and hym semyd that he sholde be ryght meschaunt yf he myght not lyue with suche vytaylles for a space of tyme. So he began for to serche aboute the forest and began for to cete herbes and rotes suche as he founde by so grete appetyte for hongre that he had neuer eten capon in his countree that had semed hym so good And whan the nyghte came he put hym on a lytell tree for drede of dombe beestes Then within the nyght whan the mone was fayre and clere he herde a thynge come a ferre that made soo grete a noyse that it was a hydeous thynge to here for in his waye he smote downe all that he mette to the erth And whysteled soo hye that it thrughe perced Arthurs ere 's The whiche whaÌ„ he herde that meruayll he begaÌ„ for to blysse hym in recommaundynge hym vnto god praynge hym for to be his defendour agaynst that beest that he sawe comynge And euen so as he recommaunded hym to god this meruaylous beest came towarde yâ— tree that he was mounted on and smote the tree with his tayle so empyteously that he fell downe to the erthe whan the poore Arthur founde hymselfe on the grounde yf that he had fere and drede I am nothynge ameruaylled and I thynke well that he wolde haue beÌ„ in his countree agayne with a good wyll But as a valyaunte knyght he prayed god that he wolde haue mercy on his soule For he thought that his laste daye had ben comen and sette hande to his swerde for to defende hym yf the beest assaylled hym For he had no wyll for to delyuer yâ— fyrst assaulte the beest was passed wherof Arthur was ryght Ioyous but within a whyle the beest retorned to warde hym agayne in enuyronnynge hym Thâ—n he made hym to torne thre or foure tornes and made hym for to fall agayÌ„st a tree so harde that it lacked but lytell that the herte of the valyaunt Arthur dyde byrste ¶ Arthur was not so soone vp but that the beest was besyde hym and he as wyse lenyd agaynst a tree And whan yâ— beest thought for to haue smyten hym he smote the tree wherfore he endommaged hym but lytell or nought But her tethe was longe and cuttynge meruaylously wherwith she strayned hym in suche wyse that yf it hadde not ben the tree that he helde hym by he sholde nothynge haue resysted For alredy he was so sore wounded that he had nothynge on hym but that it was perced He reuenged hym valyauntly and gaue hym grete and sadde strokes but she hadde so harde a skynne that in no wyse he myght dommage it The synke of her alonely greued Arthur as moche as all the remenaunt The whiche whan he sawe the beest that for nothynge that he had done she was as fresshe as she was at the begynnyng of the med lynge he began for to reclayme our lorde in praynge hyÌ„ that he wolde haue pyte on his creature and sayd ¶ Ha my ryght swete lorde and felowe by the cause I shall fynysshe here my lyfe but and I hadde sene the afore my dethe I sholde ende the surplus of my lyfe with a better wyll ¶ How Arthur lyenge in the woode all hurte appered to hym an auncyent knyght the whiche helyd hyÌ„ and after told vnto hym the place where as Olyuer was prysoner in Capitulo lvj IN complaynynge hym the beest kepte hym soo straytlye that he smote hym downe to the erthe vnder hym and helde hym so fast with his nayles that all that he had holde of was in pyeces in suche wyse that Arthur myght not remeue hym For all that oure lorde the whiche neuer forgeteth his frendes at theyr nede forgate not this geÌ„tyll knyghte nor wolde not suffre the losse of hym For the beest that helde hym so straytlye lete goo her holde that she helde with her feete for to take hym with the â—ethe to deuoure hym but whan Arthur felte his armes delyuered he that had yet his swerde smote hym vnder the naâ—yll the whiche was not so harde as the backe and thrysted hym to the herte And whan the beest felte hym wounded in castynge a grete crye lete hym fall to the erthe And Arthur that felte hym delyuered gaue hym so many strokes that he slewe hym It was not longe after that the daye came but that recomforted hym nothynge for he myght not from one place as he that abode but he dethe bycause of the woundes that he had receyued And thus as he was in dauÌ„ger as ye haue herde yet agayne he herkened towarde the forest and apperceyued a thyÌ„ge comynge towarde hym wherfore he thoughte better to haue ben deed than afore Therfore he sayd Ryghte gloryous vyrgyn Mary be myn aduocate and that ye wyll to daye present my poore soule afore the face of thy blessyd sone For I se will that the houre is comen that I must departe out of this worlde That thynge approched more nerer and nerer And whan he was all moost at hym Arthur knewe yâ— it was a man clothed in whyte whiche began for to saye Kynge of Algarbe god salueth the. And whan Arthur herde hym named kynge he made the sygne of the crosse and sayd vnto hym arte thou a thynge of the other worlde I thynke yâ— thou arte transmysed from god syth that by hym thou hast salued me For other wyse thou coude not haue knowen my name And therfore I praye the that thou haue pyte on me that thou do so moche that I may be aledged of my hurtes and that I maye be put out of this forest wherin I haue had so moche to suffre This man answered to hyÌ„ Arthur thou hast not fayled for to say that I am of god For so it is And
of his countree And whan they were all assembled he made yâ— spousaylles of Arthur and his doughter so grete and so plenteous of all goodes that it coude be noo more And this feest endured a longe tyme. In the whiche whyle tydynges came in to Castylle that the kyng of Chyppres was assyeged of the infydeles and requyred the kynge of castylle of helpe and socoure and also all the other crysten prynces Whan this tydynges came to the knowlege of the yonge prynce the kynges sone he made a requeste to his fader that he wolde gyue hyÌ„ leue and ayde for to goo to the whiche he accorded and gaue hym a grete armye but he retorned neuer after agayne as treateth more at longe the cronycles of Castylle For after that he hadde delyuered the realme of Chyppres of theyr enemyes he wente in to Turky where as he conquered dyuers realmes that he made for to be Crystenned And yf that he had not deyed yonge he had ben a man for to haue conquered the moost parte of the worlde The kynge of Algarbe ledde his wyfe in to his countree And thre yere after his departynge a ryght greuous maladye toke yâ— Kynge of Castylle by the wyll of oure lorde that of these thynges dysposeth at his pleasure and was so syke that Helayne his wyfe as she that abode not but his dethe sente for the kynge of Algarbe the whiche was not so sone arryued but that the kynge of Castyll passed oute of this worlde in grete wepynges and lamentacyons of all his subgectes and frendes and generally of his meÌ„ and all them that knewe hym And whan the tydynges were pronouÌ„ced to Helayne maulgre all them that kâ—â—te her she came to se her lorde that was deed whan she was entred in to the chambre and that she approched the body she escryed on hye A ryght puyssaunt kynge how I se thy fayre face pale by the dethe anguysshous and thy furyous armes affebled and in saynge this she lete her selfe fall vpon the body and she arose neuer after for of doloure her herte dyde breke and deyed Wherby the doloure was redoubled ¶ The poore kynge of Algarbe demeaned so grete dole that it was pyte for to se. And made innumerable lamcÌ„tacyons so moche that it sholde be to longe to recounte it In lyke wyse the quene of Algar became for to see her fader her moder that were deed she made so grete dole that with grete payn she myght be comforted Bothe the deed bodyes were buryed in one tombe the whiche was ryght pyteous to beholde ¶ How Olyuers sone deyed in turky how Arthur was kynge of Englande and of Castylle Ca. lxxvii SOne after that the grete dole had beÌ„ in Castylle Olyuers sone that atte yâ— tyme was theyr kyÌ„ge was enprysonned by some â—â—rasyns in yâ— marches of Turky but that was not but that aâ—ore his prysonynge he had beÌ„ crowned of thre realmes that he had conquered and by cause that there was no moo apperteynynge heyres in castyll than yâ— quene of Algarbe Arthurs wyfe they made her quene and crowned her husbande kynge of the countree in doynge to hym fayth and homage ¶ Alytell whyle after came tydynges to the kynge of Castylle and of Algarbe that the Kynge of Englande grandfader of his wyfe was decessed And that the Duke of Glocestre that was cousyn germayne to the Kynge of Englande had made hym to be crowned kynge of the realme Wherfore he sente in to Englande for to knowe and it were by the consente of the noble men of the countree And for to knowe yf that he sholde not be receyued for kynge as reason wolde It was answered to hym nayâ— wherfore he assembled a grete coÌ„pany of folke and with grete puyssaunce came and descended in Englande and dyde so moche by force of armes after dyuers grete bataylles that he that sayd hym kynge was taken and put in pryson where as he neuer yssued oute after After he made hym to be crowned kynge as reason wolde and yâ— Englysshemen receyued hym for theyr lorde and soo he was kynge of Englande of Castylle and of Algarbe also he was kynge of one of the realmes of Irlande The surplus of his dayes he lyued in grete prosperyte and encreasynge of all goodes He had thre chyldreÌ„ of his wyfe two sones and one doughter that after his decesse they helde his lordshyppes The eldest was kynge of Englande and of Irlande and the other kynge of Castylle and his doughter was maryed to the kynge of Portyngale and he had with her the realme of Algarbe that yet apperteyneth to hym The two sones gouerned well wysely theyr realmes And were redoubted and full dere holden of theyr subgectes and neyghbours After the dethe of the Kynge theyr fader and of the quene theyr moder The surplus of theyr dayes they lyued holyly in seruynge god and the gloryous vyrgyn Marye Then they passed out of this worlde ryght gloryously god for his holy grace haue mercy on theyr soules And gyâ—e gode lyfe and longe and encreasynge of all goodnes vnto all them that this hystorye shall rede or here redde and that wryteth it or maketh it to be wryten and also to all them that shall se it AmeÌ„ ¶ The epylogacyon of the booke The last Ca. ARystotle the phylosophre sayth that the thyÌ„ges yâ— be separed be vnderstoâ—den knoweÌ„ more dystynctely for yâ— whiche cause the table hathe ben made and put in the begynnyÌ„ge of this presente boke for to vnderstaÌ„de it yâ— better And bycause that it sholde seme to dyuers yâ— some passyues of thystorye by symplytude of impossylyte ought not to be byleued for a trouthe for the meruayll yâ— is sayd To the declaracyon of the passages of thystorye by maner of epylogacyon this laste chapytre is câ—mprysed And to the regarde of Olyuer and Arthur that were so lyke the dyffyculte is not to grete for whan yâ— two chyldren be of one aege and of one felte complexcâ—on hauyng some symylytude of vysage corsage facylly one may be taken for another namely bycauâ—e they be nourysshed togyder spekynge all one langage clothed in seÌ„blable clothes instructe vnder one mayster holdynge and kepynge all one maner of doynge and countenaunce all this rogyder and dyuers other thynges make the them be sayd semblable ¶ To the regarde of the quene that was esprysed of the loue of Olyuer it was but fragylyte naturall of women that foloweth sensualyte agaynst honoure ¶ Touchynge yâ— water of the glasse that ought to â—roubâ—e at Olyuers daunger by this ye must not vnderstande that it was water elementall in his nature but bycause that Olyuer was all vertuous that his vnder standynge was all gyuen to good and to loue god perseuerynge in good and vertuous operacyoÌ„s and fleynge all vyces and synnes god permysed that Arthur had knowlege of yâ— aduersytees happened to Olyuer his felowe by the chaungynge of the water of the sayd glassâ— by the prayer