came face to face leaving a little space between a monstrous Pagan stepping forth demanded e're the Charge was sounded a man to fight him hand to hand and that the combate should be for no less than the City of Jerusalem or the departure of the Christians if King Arthur durst agree to it whereupon the King having sent to the Turk to know if he would stand to what his proud Champion propos'd and finding him inclinable thereto he thought no sword more fit than his own to chastise the daring when contrary to the mind of his Nobles disguising himself in the Armour of one of his Knights he stepped forth and without much ceremony charged him with such fury that at one full blow he broke his Helme and made him stagger six paces back yet recovering his station he the more inraged resolved to obliter the disgrace that he had sustained in the sight of his Prince and his whole Army came on with double fury foaming and storming for shame and anger to be so foiled he smote the King with such force that he loosed his Helme and made his eyes swim dazie but he nothing daunted thereat as the Gyant was about to redouble his stroke struck him so full on the right arm that his Battel-Axe fell to the Ground when pursuing his stroke he struck him as he bended to recover it on the neck so that the sword entering caused a deep wound out of which issued great quantity of blood so that the King finding that through loss thereof he must needs faint kept him off as not thinking it safe to hazard too eagerly his person when the Conquest was already made nor did his expectation fail for the Gyant finding his strength decay like a Lamp which at going out gives the greatest blaze taking his Axe in both hands smote upon the King with great fury and with a full stroke upon the shoulder crushed his Armour and much bruised him at what time the King with undaunted courage gave him another wound on the left arm between the joynts of his Harness and pursuing it with a thrust pierced his Coat of Mael and high-prooffed Cushies so that the sword entring a foot into his bowels he with a dismal groan fell to the Earth whereupon the Pagans contrary to the promise of their King sounded the Charge refusing to stand to what had been sworn the which so inraged the Christian Souldiers that re-doubling their fury upon the signal given the charged so furiously upon the Infidels that the Battel wherein Abumazer fought was by King Arthur and his Squadron overborn and pierced even to the middle where Sir Gawen a Knight of the Order having killed ehe Standard-bearer took the Standard even in the Infidel-King's sight which made him advance with all his strength to recover it but finding great resistance after he had fought and by words strove to animate his men labouring in vain to stay their flight he turned furiously upon his second Battel that was advancing being hotly pursued by the Christians and finding no place to retreat he put them into great disorder when as Sir Lancelot fetching a compass about charged them in the Flank on the right and so gauled them with shots of Arrows that after many were slain and wounded and nothing but the crys of the vanquished and the shouts of the vanquishers to be heard the rest of King Arthur's Battels advanting and charging them in the left they after making what resistance they were able and the loss of 40000 of their best Souldiers their King being sore wounded and carried out of the battel fell into disorder and in great confusion fled every one as he could shifting for himself so that the Execution following with great fury scarce 20000 escaped the sword The Uictory thus happily gained the Christians found such store of Treasure in the Camp that it was wonderfull the which the King sharing amongst his Souldiers according as every one had deserved and well refreshed his Army sending the wounded of his part to Joppa and buryed the slain he with Banners spread marched towards Jerusalem bringing a great fear on all the Citys in his way most of which surrendred upon the first Summons so that coming before the Holy City whither the greatest part of the scattered Army was retired he having summoned the Infidels to yield and save their lives but receiving no answer he battered it with his Rams War-Woolfes and other fearfull Engines till a great part of the wall on the South side fell upon which a furious assault was given insomuch that the Infidels having drawn their greatest strength to defend the breach a great slaughter was made yet the Christians resolving to carry the City which then was but small and very ravenous pressed on with such violence that the fearful Enemy being over-born were every where slain and the Christians entering placed King Arthur's Standard upon the Bulwarks which so dismayed the Infidels that such as could fled by the Posterns and over the Brook Cedron others hid themselves in Caves till the fury of the Souldiers were over and such as could not do either fell for the most part by the Sword This famous City being the first time thus taken by the Christians a great number of miserable men and women were released out of Dungeons who had for a long time been fed with Bread of Affliction half starved and miserably used by the Infidels for publikely owning the Name of the Lord who not far from thence purchased them with his precious blood to their unspeakable joy CHAP. XIII How upon notice that the Saxons invaded his Country he returned and of his strange Adventures THe King having thus performed his vow repaired the Walls built a strong Castle and placed 7000 Souldiers therein besides the Christians of Syria and Iudea that daily flocked thither in great number he received notice That the Saxon petty Kings in his absence had cast off their Allegiance and being vnited invaded his Country insomuch that his Queen Son and those that he had left in charge with the Kingdom being overthrown in a pitched battel were fled to the fastnesses of Snow down Mountains Which News greatly perplexed the King so that having made his Offering at the Holy Sepulchre and constituted Religious Men to keep it he with three parts of the Army he brought returned to his ships the other part being either slain in the battel perished by sickness or left in the Garrison yet e're he could imbarque 27000 Turks Sarazens and Aegyptians lying in ambush in a Wood for that purpose fell upon the Rear of his Army and cut off three or four hundred Brittains and Danes e're the King with the Gross of his battel could draw up to their relief yet fatal was it to the Infidels for being unexpectedly Inclosed by the Christians who fetch'd a compass behind divers little Hills they were almost all of them cut off This second overthrow given the King quietly imbarqued
not be long said the King and thereupon charged on the Monster so furiously with his Sword that e're he could wield his Battel-Axe with a full stroke on his Helme which made the fire spring from thence he made him stagger three huge Paces and bend with his knee to the ground then the Gyant inraged made at him and struck the King so that the blow dazled him and made his eyes swim but soon recovering he that had never been so used before resolved revenge and thereupon after a full stroke wheeling his dreadful Sword about he struck the Monster on the Helme with such force that cutting it through the Sword entered six inches whereupon with a terrible groan he fell to the Earth at what time the King stood on him and divided his Head from his Trunk the which he delivered to his Esq that bore his bow and quiver Nor were the Knights of the Order idle for Sir Lancelot had by this time grievously wounded the Mercian King and taken him Prisoner and Sir Tristriam slain 7 Captains besides 36 common Souldiers so that the King of the East Angles seeing all go to wrack and his men were disordered caused the Retreat to be sounded whereupon his Captains endeavoured to bring off their men but they being in great consternation and the Brittains pressing on them fearful of death fled in all parts and left all the booty they had gotten to the Conquerors who fiercely pursuing the flying Foe made terrible slaughter insomuch 〈◊〉 such as could not fly into Castles and places of strength fell by the Sword to the number of 20000. This overthrow being noised abroad brought a great fear upon all the Saxon Princes so that the Mercians wholly submitted and sent a great ransome for their King who upon his swearing to become Tributary and Uassal to King Arthur was set at liberty Nor were there any of their petty Kings that then possessed this Island which they had divided into a Heptiarthey but sent their Ambassadors with great Presents to intreat a Peace the which upon their acknowledging him their supream Prince and paying each 200 Mark a brace of Geldings a Faulcon and a Grey-hound yearly was accorded to And thus flourished this Renowned King in the beginning of his Reign but more dreadful and re-doubted were his future deeds as by the sequel will appear CHAP. IV. How King Arthur passed into Danemark conquored the Kingdom of Norway overthrew Burnamissa the Danish King THe King having in a manner brought England to his subjection resolved not to suffer the current of his Victory to be damed up with ease took counsel with Merlyn and the most valiant of his Knights what Enterprize was next to be undertaken who advised him That it was most for his Honour to revenge the injuries he had received by the Danes who roaming about those Seas had not only taken divers of his Ships but landing had surprized some small Towns upon the Sea-Coast and burnt them carrying the Inhabitants into miserable Captivity and by cruel tortures obliged them to offer Sacrifice to their Idols that Kingdom being then unconverted This motion pleased the King whose restless spirit and desire of Glory made him impatient of ease whereupon he caused a great Navy of Ships to be rigg'd in Milford Haven and in all other Ports and gave Order for the building Men of War and Gallys so that in six months space he had a fleet of small and great Uessels that consisted of 300 saile on which early in the Spring he imbarqued with 28000. choice Souldiers and all manner warlike of provision having by this time inroled twenty new Knights to supply the places of such as fell by the Sword or dyed of divers diseases and so with a fresh gale weigshing Anchor and with a fair wind arriving in the Baltique Ocean entered the Straits now guarded by the two famous Castles of Coronsburg and Elzeburg the later standing on the Coast of Norway and there brought such a fear on either shore that the Inhabitants in all parts fled with what they could most conveniently carry leaving the rest for a prey to the Brittains who under the conduct of their victorious King inriched themselves with a great booty when incamping before Nidrosia in Norway summoned the City to yield but there being a strong Garrison therein they returned answer That they kept the City for Burnamissa King of Danemark and would in no wise yield it without his Order whereupon the King commanded the assault to be made by 12000 men under the leading of 44 Knights of the Order of the Round Table who having their scaleing Engine in a readiness on Easter-Eve marched to the wall and with a showre of Arrows and Wild-fire drove the defendants thence when as Sir Ector bearing the Royal Standard mounted and making great slaughter of such as opposed cutting off Arms Legs and Helmed Heads placed it on the chief Bulwark which the rest seeing on all sides strove to imitate him so that within less than six houres the City was won which the conquered perceiving retired to the Market-place and throwing down their Arms begged mercy which the King generously granted yet gave the spoile of the City to his Souldiers not reserving any part to himself which so hightened them that leaving a Garrison there passed on to Bergen which upon the first simmons surrendred and by its Example all the remaining Cities and walled Towns did the like so that the Kingdom of Norway was entirely at King Arthur's devotion whereupon finding no more to conquer he having received a supply of 5000 men to make up the number he brought by reason he was forced to leave the like number in Garrison imbarqued and passing the Straits landed upon the Danish shore filling all with terror and amazement when as that King having gathered a huge Army advanced to give him Battel which did not a little rejoyce King Arthur who greatly desired to try his strength in War when joyning on the great Plain before Copen Hagen a dreadful Fight began but Uictory who never declined our Heroick Prince soon declared for the Brittains so that the Danish King finding the Battel swerve and that he could not stay his men longer from open flight to cover their shame sounded the Retreat whereupon they retiring in great confusion K. Arthur and his Knights followed so furiously that all the Plain was strewed with the bodies of the slain and so hotly they pressed on that e'r three parts of the Army entered the City the Gates were shut up and a third part shut out for fear the Brittains should enter pell-mell with them who were by the furious Souldier slain in the sight of their friends though the compassionate King bid spare the sword CHAP. V. How King Arthur besieged Copen-Hagen and how at the intreaty of Geneura the Sister of the Danish King he hearkened to an Accord THe Danes thus overthrown the King incamped before the City resolving to carry it by
forte and the next day prepared for the assault resolving to march in the head of his Knights to win immortal fame by his planting his Standard upon the Wall with his own hands or to lose his Life nor could the perswasion of his Nobles make him decline it but as he approached the Wall the Gates opened whereupon he supposed the foe intended to sally but instead of armed men there issued out a Troop of beautiful Ladies and in the front of them the beauteous Geneura Sister to Burnamissa the Danish King whereat King Arthur much wondered and commanding his men to stand in Battalia with twelve Knights went to meet them when as the Ladies approaching him the fair and beauteous Princess fell at his feet and bedewing the ground with tears besought him to have compassion on her distressed Country the King being moved at this unusual sight in loving wise raised her in his Arms and had her be of good comfort but the sorrowful Lady whom tears made more lovely refused all comfort unless he would grant her request to which the King overcome by compassion consented after a short pause if what she demanded might consist with his Honour whereupon opening a Casket that one of her Ladies held she first presented him with Iewels of great value set in Gold and then intreated that an interview might be had between him and her Brother to which the King readily consented as already feeling Loves pointed shafts pierce his high-prooffed Armour and presenting the fair Princess with a Crown of Gold set with Pearls and Diamons which he had taken in the Mercian War as likewise her Lady with Iewels of great price he dismissed them and caused a Royal Tent to be pitched about a Furlong from the Uaunt-guard of his Army CHAP. VI. How King Arthur had an Interview with Burnamissa the Danish King and how a Peace was concluded between them upon the whole matter being left to the Princes Award HOstilitys ceasing the Danish King with twenty of his chief Nobility came to King Arthur's Tent and there in humble wise would have prostrated themselves but the King would not permit it but making them sit down according to their degree entered into a discourse with them relating at large the justness of his taking up Arms and demanding Restitution for the wrongs his Subjects had received and for the mischiefs his Country had sustained to which Burnamissa replyed That whatever had hapned in that nature had been without his knowledge but however knowing him to be a Prince of great Clemency he would be well content to submit to what ever he should think fit The King overcome by meekness of the Dane finding a relenting in his breast as generously offered to refer the whole matter to the beauteous Princess and bound himself tostand to what Award she should make which was joyfully accepted by Burnamissa who expected before that no less than his Kingdom of Norway would make satisfaction to the offended Brittish Monarch whereupon the Princess was sent for who came attended by divers Ladies of Honour in most sumptuous attire glittering in Gold and Gems which were out-vied by her incomparable beauty when making her approach King Arthur arose from his Chair of State and saluted her as likewise his Knights did her Ladies Then Burnamissa made her acquainted with the pleasure of King Arthur but she in modesty refused to be Arbitress in so waighty a matter till the King pressed it and desired her to do him so great an Honour whereupon after some consideration she awarded That her Brother should defray the whole Charge of the War and restore all such ships as were found to appertain to any of King Arthur's Subjects and that the Offenders being taken should be delivered to the King to dispose of as he thought fit and then the King to depart the Land and withdraw his Garrisons These Articles were highly approved on either part and the Princess her wisdom admired whereupon Commandment was given to proclaim them with heat of Drum and sound of Trumpet and that from thenceforth all Hostility should cease CHAP. VII Of the great Joy conceived by the Danes and how King Arthur falling in love with Genura the fair Princess married her PEace being thus happily accorded the Danes rung their Bells and made Bon-fires in every City all the Nobility feasting their poor Neighbours and Tenants throughout the Kingdom when as the Danish King causing a Royal Pavillion to be reared without the City prepared a sumptuous Feast to which he in humble wise invited the King and his Nobles and so great was the entertainment that the like had not before been known in that Kingdom But what pleased King Arthur more than all was the sight of the fair Princess with whom by this time he was most passionately in love Nor did the Feaver of his desire less afflict her though she durst not raise her hopes so high till at last the King not long able to resist the Magick of her eyes took the opportunity of breaking his mind to her who humbly told him with a demure countenance That she could not conceive her self worthy the thoughts of so great a Monarch but if it pleased him to condescend so low as to raise her to such dignity she had no argument against his pleasure if her Brother would consent This pleasing answer overjoyed the King insomuch that sending for the Danish King he desired to beg one favour of him Nay replied Burnamissa your Majesty may command even what you please since to your clemency I owe so much Then said King Arthur 'T is this fair Pledge of lasting peace that I with low submission do request If my Sister be contented said the King I am overjoyed at what I hear and have long desired to be allyed unto so great a Prince yet must not compell a free mind You need not said the Princess blushing like a Rosey Bloom that opens in June or July to the Morning-Sun for I have already parted with that heart that needs would go upon condition you consented I do consent most willingly replyed the King and thereupon taking King Arthur in his right hand and the Princess in his left he joyned their hands and at the request of the former Segbert the Brittish Arth-Bishop marryed them according to the Cannons of the Brittish Church pronouncing many dreadful curses on whoever should attempt to untye the sacred Band. This known in the Camp and City redoubled the joy so that all night long whole loads of pines blazed insomuch that the fires created a new day as soon as Sol was set and so sumptuous was the Feast which lasted many days that Rome in all her Glory could not exceed it the Martial feats to win glory and the love of the Ladies were so many that I have not place here to relate them CHAP. VIII How returning home King Arthur found his Country invaded by Magor King of Ireland and how he vanquished him with
slaughter THe King having been absent from his own Dominions for the space of six months began to cast his eye homeward when having remitted Burnamissa the charges he was at and only gave order his Subjects loss should be repaired he with his fair Queen whom the King loaded with rich presents took leave of the Danish Court and imbarquing with the whole Army and divers of the Danish Nobility who from their King had order to attend the Queen having a fair gale on the ninth of October landed where they first imbarqued and were received with vniversal joy whereupon the King coming to a Castle of his near Cardniff feasted the Danish Nobility in a most splendid manner But whilst he remained there he had notice That Magor King of Ireland who by his Ambassadors had courted the fair Genura and been refused was to revenge it on his arrival landed with a great Power in South-Wales whereupon the King comforting his Queen who was greatly grieved that through her cause such sudden troubles should arise passed on with his victorious Army and gave him Battel near Merionoth and utterly discomfited him so that flying with his broken Army and being every where assailed by the Country Pesants who had laid the way for him he scarcely escaped to his Ships with five Thousand out of thirty Thousand so that King Arthur speedy as Caesar in his victories returned to his fair Queen with the Trophies of his conquored Enemies long before he was expected to have fought the Battel when sending four Thousand men under the leading of Sir Lancelot and divers other good Knights they landed on the Isle of Angle-Sea and drove thence the French that had for some time past during the troubles of this Kingdom setled themselves there CHAP. IX How the King having recovered the Isle of Angle-Sea from the French sailed with a great Power into France to revenge the injury done to his Subjects and overthrowing their Army made them dearly purchase Peace THe Kings victories daily increasing the terrour of his name spread wide and made the most re-doubted Monarch tremble yet durst France then powerfull at Sea invade our Coast and with fire and sword spoiled many Sea-Towns carrying away great booty as also the people the men they made row in their Gally and the women to satiate their prodigious Lust When as the crys of his suffering subjects reaching his ear where he was delighting himself with his Queen he resolved once more to forsake the Camp of Venus and her soft delights to court Fame and Glory in the Camp of Mars whereupon having sent to Lotharius for Restitution and receiving rather scorns than a satisfactory answer from that imperious King he made great preparations for the War and had at that time twelve Saile of Ships sent to his aid by his Brother of Danemark when being in a readiness with an Army of 34000 he coasted the Country and putting into the Bay of Marselies with his shot of Arrows that flew like Haile drove the defendants from the shore on which himself with his own Standard first leaped and stood like an inraged Lyon though a thousand shafts flew round his Head and many rebounded from his glittering shield but long it was not e're the valiant Knights of the Order imitating their Soveraign thrust their ships on Land and putting their Souldiers in Battel-aray charged furiously upon the formost Battailian of the Enemy lead by the Duke De Vallois so that being over-set they retreated in great disorder and finding no place to be received broke the Ranks of their friends when as the Duke De Nevers advanced with the right wing of Horse to their succour but was so gauâ—ed with the shot of Arrows that the Horses mischiefed more the Riders than did the Brittains In this confusion the King drawing out 6000 of his choice men charged upon the disordered Enemy with such courage that he pierced their main Battel making lanes of death wherever he came cutting off Arms Heads and Legs insomuch that the Danish General Gironeus imitating him the French Souldiers routed in all parts left their Commanders and fled insomuch that the slaughter of the Nobility was great a fate ever incident to that Kingdom nor would they trust to the weak wall of Marselies but flying to Lyons and Paris left that part of the Country naked to be possessed of the Brittains The terror of this overthrow alaruming the French Court and finding that brought home to 'em which they had used to others abroad the people with Tears besought their King to appease the Conquorer in time and thereby prevent worse desolation who considering his tottering Kingdom was at stake sent four of his prime Lords to beg a weeks Cessation or Truce to which King Arthur whose aim was more at Glory and Renown than Advantage accorded during which time the King having raised a Million of crowns sent them in divers Waggons with other rich Presents to purchase his Peace and the departure of his new-come Guest yet prevailed they not e're he had made his acknowledgment for the indignity put upon the Kings Ambassadors and deliver the Town and Port of Marselies to be possessed as a pledge of future Peace by the Brittains for the space of 20 years to come and upon pain of forfeiting it for ever no Hostilitys to be used by Land nor depradations by Sea These Articles accorded the King hastened to his own Country with the greatest part of his Army leaving only 2000 Souldiers in Marselies and having amply rewarded the Danes dismissed them CHAP. X. How Queen Geneura was delivered of a Son and of the Presents and Vows made by the Saxon Kings As also a full description of the Knights of the Round Table UPon King Arthur's return he found to his unspeakable joy his fair Queen delivered of a lovely boy who by the advice of Merlyn he named Constantius whose Uictories and great Exploits that Prophet fore-told which after his Fathers death he succeeding him in his Throne exactly came to pass And now the joy being great throughout the Brittish Dominions all the Saxon Kings came to King Arthur's Court then removed to the then flourishing City of Hereford and made their Homage complementing him highly on his Marriage and the birth of his Son presenting the Queen and Royal Infant with great Presents as Iewels Gold and fragrant Spice of Arabia promising for them and their Heirs to be obedient to the Brittish Scepter though before and after the Death of King Arthur they brake their vows though to their great disadvantage For the young Prince almost as successful in War as his Father grasped the Kingdomes of the Mercians and East-Angles with so hard a hand that during his Life they could not wrest them from him but to our purpose King Arthur being the chief Favourite of Fortune and the eldest Son of Fame began to inlarge the splendor of his Court and increase the number of the Knights of the Round Table
in whom consisted his chief strength for scarce was there any one of them but durst encounter ten ordinary men hand to hand and as he increased them so he inlarged their pensions which drew the most valiant of all Nations to serve him though none were admitted before they were tryed The habit the ordinary wore when without their Armour was a Uest lined with Sables and on the back of it a red Cross and on their Thighs Cushes of highest prooff their Stockings were in the manner of Buskins and their Shooes of Camels skin the Hair appearing outward on their Heads they wore Caps made of Seal-skins lined with Silk and Cotten and about their neck Silk of divers colours each of them in UUar carrying a double Faulchion a Battel-Axe a Bow and Quiver and a Launce being severally allowed a Esq or Armour-bearer who attended them in all Battels CHAP. XI How King Arthur upon the Relation of a Hermit what miseries the Christians suffered in the Holy Land sailed thither with a great Fleet and how at his first arrival he took Joppa ABout this time King Arthur finding nothing worthy of his Sword at home and altogether impatient of ease studyed how he might imploy it abroad and whilst he was musing thereon an Hermit in poor aray came to the Court and filled it at once with pitty and desire of revenge upon the dismal Relation he made which was That the Turks and Sarazens had fallen upon Iudea and Palastine with an Army of 100000 men and made such slaughter of the Christians in those parts that such as escaped were forced to fly into Rocks and Caves of the Earth and there were either starved to death or became a prey to wild Beasts And that they had taken the Holy City of Ierusalem after thirty days Siege and put almost all the Christians they found therein to the sword polluting the Temple and Holy Sepulchre with their Heathenish Worship As also that they impailed the Patriarch alive for refusing to worship Mahomet This story coming to the Kings ear he could not refrain from shedding tears when sending for the Hermit in the presence of his Nobles he most strictly examined him to all particulars and finding he delivered nothing but what as he said himself had been an eye-witness to the King turning to his Lords said Hear you this my Lords shall we suffer the Enemies of our Lord and Saviour thus to triumph over the professors of his Name to which they with one voice reply'd That it was intollerable and that they were ready to venture their Lives and Fortunes in that Holy War and in his service whereat the King highly commending their resolutions vowed by the Passion of his blessed Lord whom those Infidels defied and blasphemed he would not take pleasure in any thing till he had faced those barbarous Nations and tryed his Fortune to free the Holy City from its pollution and thereupon he sent to all the neighbouring Princes for aid resolving to set saile early in the Spring it being now the middle of August He likewise layed double Taxes upon his own Subjects and demanded double Tribute of the Saxon Princes who did not so willingly pay it at that time as was expected by reason most of them were unconverted and therefore secretly rejoyced at the prosperity of their brother Infidels But however the King raised a great Mass of money and caused his Navy to be augmented so that from France Danemark and other Ports of Spain hauing received fifty ships of War most of them Manned with Voluntiers of those Nations he with 200 saile on board of which he had 50000 men in the beginning of April waighed Anchor and having a fair wind coasting France and Spain he joyned likewise divers other ships who were ready to attend him for the noise of this War had overspread all Christendome when passing through the Straits into the Mediteranian Sea he brought such a fear upon the Sea-towns that the Infidels inhabiting them fled with their substance to the Mountains into which the Christians entering found yet some booty but desirous to pass on to Jerusalem the King sayled to the Isle of Cyprus then governed by one Emanuel a Christian where having refreshed his Army he again imbarqued and sayling through that tract of Seas arrived at Joppa a famous Sea-Port and the in let of Palastine which he found strongly fortified as likewise Salmanezer King of the Turks incamped with a Host of 100000 Turks Jews and Sarazens about six miles from thence yet landing his men he resolved to besiege the City and by taking it secure the Port whereupon causing his Enginers to make divers batterings after the Roman fashion which under the favour of the night notwithstanding the besieged hurled down wild-fire and stones in great abundance they set to the Walls on the North side and by force of Cords battered with such fury that they rent the Uamures in divers places making the City tremble which so alarum'd the Infidels that they sallyed 10000 strong upon the quarter guarded by the Earl of Merionoth but coming to handy-strokes were forced to retire 5000 less than they came and the next morning by King Arthurs express command a furious assault was given on all parts when as the Brittains with their shot of Arrows beating the besieged from their defences mounted planted the Kings Standard upon the wall entering and killing the Infidels in great number so that all the streets ran blood till such time as the King upon their throwing down their Arms and on their knees begging mercy bid spare the sword when having expelled them the Town he placed a Garrison of divers Nations therein and so marched to joyn Battel with Salmanezer CHAP. XII The overthrow of Salmanezar and taking of Jerusalem with what else happened remarkable on that occasion THe Infidels being greatly troubled at the loss of Joppa desired their General to lead them to battel e're the Christians advanced any further to which after many delays he consented and on the fifteenth of July early in the morning advanced in hopes to surprize the Christians but finding them in battel-aray he began to repent his rashness but finding no means now to retire unless with loss and disgrace he divided his Army into three parts the first containing 40000 men he lead himself the second containing 36000 he committed to his Brother Albamazer a Gyant of great stature fierce and cruel and the third containing 24000 to Gouzeles Governour of Jerusalem Nor did King Arthur delay to Marshal his Battel in the best manner leading the first Battalian consisting of 20000 choice Souldiers and an hundred Knights of the Order for the guard of his person the second battle consisting of 10000 he committed to Battanius Duke of Cornwall the third battel consisting of 10000 he committed to Sir Lancelot du Lake the fourth consisting of the like number was lead by Frovonius a noble Dane When as both Armies marching in this posture
his Souldiers and sailing by divers Islands destroyed the Garrisons possessed by the Infidels When one day going on shore on the Promentory of Carthage with a few of his Knights he was set upon by four hundred Moors who sallyed out of Tunis but such was his and his Knights invincible Courage that they drawing their swords slaughtered the Barbarians in such a manner that they fled with great crys taking them to be more than mortal whereupon the King causing 8000 men instantly to come on shore besieged the City and with Wild-Fire burnt it about the Barbarians Ears putting many of them to the sword And then marching up farther into the Country there came against them sixteen huge Lyons bred in the Muritanian Forrest with whom the King and twenty of his Knights encountering killed twelve and put the other four to flight CHAP. XIV How upon King Arthur's return the Saxon Kings layed down their Arms and sent great Presents together with their Sons for Hostages KIng Arthur impatient of stay least whilst he conquered abroad his Country should suffer with great spoyl put again to Sea and sayling homeward met with a Fleet of Pyrates who taking his ships for Merchants set upon the formost Squadron with loud shouts casting great quantity of stones and wild-fire amongst them but coming to graple they soon found their mistake and then in vain endeavouring to fly were miserably slaughtered insomuch that out of thirty but five escaped In these ships many miserable Christian Captives both men and women were found of which the King taking compassion sent them into their respective Country allowing them all things necessary for their maintenance during the space of a year and so passed on towards his own Country The Kings approach being known to the Saxon Princes wâ—o not long before had news that he was dead in the Holy Land and thereby were animated to take up Arms so discouraged them that withdrawing their Forces every one retired into his own Province to study how to appease the victorious Monarch whom they had justly incensed by their perfideous treachery and as soon as they had notice the King was landed and preparing his Forces to War against them they sent their respective Deputies with rich Presents to excuse their rash and unadvised actions promising never for the future to transgress in the like nature yet the King being highly incensed would at no cheaper a rate pass over their perfideous dealings than at a personal acknowledgment and the sum of 2000 Marks each As also be the better assured of them for the future that each of them should send his son as an Hostage and that those that had no sons to send their nearest Kinsmen and over and above to make reparation for such damages as could be by any of the Kings Subjects proved to be sustained by their unlawfull Arms. This being performed a Peace ensued and the King dismissed his Auxiliarys with great Rewards CHAP. XV. How King Arthur built many Religious Houses and gave great Cargases to the Poor How he swore his Nobles and Knights to his son Constantius and then dyed KIng Arthur now having leisure to repose in Peace and think on his many wonderfull deliverances resolved to apply his mind to deeds of Piety and thereupon caused many Monastrys and Religious Houses to be built giving yearly maintenance to divers poor people but especially to such as had lived in splendour and were fallen to decay And daily he visited the sick giving them Christian comfort And using his utmost endeavour to cherish Learning and Arts to which end at his proper charge he built likewise many Schools and Colledges giving himself wholly up to the study of the seven Liberal Sciences and so well profited he therein that he became the greatest Master therein of his Age But most of all he fixed his thoughts upon his later end and with Solomon was frequently heard to say All Worldly things were but Vanity and Vexation of Spirit and that on Earth no reall nor substantial joys were to be found When in the 60 year of his Age and 49 year of his Reign falling sick and by the opinions of his Physicians not likely to recover he sent for all his Nobles and the Knights of the Order and he caused them to swear Fealty to his Son comforting them in the best wise and thereupon finding himself decay after divers pious Expressions Prayers exhorting his Nobles to be carefull of securing his son in his Throne and having great respect to his Queen he gave up the Ghost to the great grief of his Subjects but more of his fair Queen who took it so grievously that soon after falling into a Feaver she dyed and was buried with him in a Monastery built by him at Monmouth whose Tomb richly adorned continued visible till the Dissolution of the Fabrick in the time of Henry the Eight And thus kind Reader I 've reviv'd the fame Of Him who well deserves a glorious Name Hoping that time henceforth shall not destroy What here I build to Arthur's Memory FINIS