of nauntes and Syr Ryol du 〈◊〉 whyche alle had courage lyke vnto lyons These foure barons wyth charles made the paynyms to remeue and to reentre ageyn by force in to the towne of man tryble And anone the turkes whyche were moo than x thousand cam to the yate for to shette it in makyng grete defence with bowes and other shotte besyde them that came after whyche kepte the passages which were wel as thystorye maketh mencyon fyue thousand but alle they coude not fynde the maner to lyfte vp the brydge For it was conserned and kept ayenst the sarasyns by the frenssh men There was grete bruyt in thys recountre And though Charles doubted it was noo meruaysse For he knewe wel that yf the sarasyns had lyfte vp the brydge to the yate of the towne It had not be possyble to hym to haue passed ouer And he seyng them reyse vp toward the yate grete barres of yron supposed not to haue passed And wyth a moche wooful herte began to wayle Roulland his neuewe and the other hys felowes as he shold neuer haue seen them ¶ Rychard of Normandye consyderyng thys escryed and sayd Syr Emperour in the honour of god of maye you not but thynke to destroye and smyte doun these Turkes and god shal ayde helpe vs ye knowe wel that there is none so franke ne valyaunte that wyl acoward hym self but that he ought to be despysed and wyth good ryght ¶ And I praye to god that he be confounded that suffreth hym self to be taken a lyue for to dye afterward and that had not leuer be hewen in pyeces than to retorne And wythoute more late vs auaunce vs For now it is nede that eche man proue hys strengthe and the valure of hys persone wyth these wordes of a grete courage entre in to the towne Charles Reyner Hoel Ryol and Rychard These fyue onelye eche wyth a swerde in hys honde And ye ought to wete that they entred not wythout grete slaughter of turkes and of Paynyms Charles seyng come grete multytude of sarasyns cryed a larme and socours moche hye and furyously Ganellon vnderstood hym and had of hym grete pyte Not wythstondyng at the laste he founde hym not good came to geffroy escryed haateuyle his fader the other hys kynnesmen whyche were armed moche rychely to the nombre of M vij and al they came a fote for to assayle the yate The turkes maad grete deffence wyth brondes and barres of yron and mortal shotte where as many were dede and hurte of the people of the sayd Ganelon Thenne alory the traytre sayd to ganellon in fayth we ben grete foles for to late vs thus deye suffre thys torment And after he sayd to ganellon yet late vs goo and departe Charles is wythin wel empesshed god forbede that he euer departe thou mayst wel see now that of hym and of Reyner we are wel auenged of the contradyctyons that they made to vs of theyr subgettes also And euyl deth mote he deye that foloweth them ony ferther for we may wynne Fraunce at our ease and wylle holde it wythout contradyctyon Seen that there is no baron that wyl be to vs contrarye Ganellon ansuerd God of glorye forbede that euer I shold do suche trayson to my ryÈtful lord we holde of hym al our londes seygnouryes I shold be holden for an ouer vntrewe man yf I consented to hys deth we haue none other cause but that we ought to do our deuoyr for hym whan Alory vnderstood hym he enraged almoost for angre and after sayd to ganellon ye be a veray fool that ye tarye whan ye now may wel aduenge you yf themperour Charles be slayn al the other barons shal haue theyr heedes smyton of And thus we shal be aduenged on al our enemyes Therfore loue of and come on Ganellon ansuerd god forbede that euer I shold be a traytre to my lord Ne that I leue hym vnholpen but doo my deuoyr to ayde hym I had louer to be dysmembred than to be shamed and blamed in this dede ¶ Of these wordes were euyl contente Alory and also geffroy daulteuyle in suche 〈◊〉 that there was grete debate emonge them Vpon this came Fyerabras in good araye and grete poynte and began to crye where is Charles ¶ The Traytre answerd Syr ye shal neuer see hym He is wythin enclosed and I 〈◊〉 he be dede now Fyerabras answerd And ye emonge you what doo you here what 〈◊〉 ye why socoure ye hym not in thys nede ye may be reproched of treson wyth good ryght And after bygan to crye socours and ayde moche lowde and by hys voys all the frenssâ— men came wythoute ony taryeng to the belfroye and fende Fyerabras and Ganellon that thenne had lefte the Traytres at the entre of the brydge ¶ And Fyerabras thene was wel Ioyous whan be sawe that the brydge was not drawen up And thenne he and Ganellon dyd gretely theyr deuoyr for to entre in to the cyte And whan they were wythin the traytres sawe the toun woÌ„ne by a manere to do gretely theyr deuoyr entred in a foot smote doun wyth the other comunelye And grete habundauÌ„ce of blode runne thurgh the towne oute of the dede bodyes that eche man meruaylled that sawe it The paynyms cryed and brayed as wulues enfamysshed whan they sawe that they coude not resyste them They sente to the admyral that he shold socoure them and cryed on mahon Termagaunt that they wold come to theyr ayde but for all that they were dyscomforted sorowfully put oute of theyr habytacyons robbed pylled of theyr rychesses and goodes and destroyed Thus doyng a messager departed secretely for to goo to Aygremore for tacompte and telle the tydynges of theyr destructyons ¶ How Amyotte a geantesse wyth a sythe greued gretely the crysten men and how hyr two sones were baptysed of the Emperour Charles capitulo ix WHan mantryble was taken many strokes were gyuen but whan Amyotte the geantesse knewe herd the crye of the cytezeyns whiche were troubled She was as blacke as pytche boylled hyr eyen were rede as brennyng fyre she had a grete vysage croked as hye of lengthe as a spere gretely affrayed of the deth of hyr husbond also aferde for hyr ij sones of whyche she was late delyuerd soo she in a rage lepte out of hyr hous and fonde a sythe trenchauÌ„t and meruayllously sharpe and cam vpon the frensshe men so Impetuously that she maad grete dyscomfyte in suche wyse that none durst wel approche hyr Kyng Charles sceyng thys was euyl contente of the deth of hys peple and demaunded a crosse bowe And whan it was lende he shotte so ryght that he atteyned hyr bytwene the browes so that she fyl doun deed to the erthe She began to cast oute of hyr throte a flamme of fyre moche hydous Neuertheles she was smyton so wyth stones and thynges that she neuer
kynge of the lordes of Fraunce of whome the â—â—gnage succeded from heyre to â—yres vnto the foure and twenty kyng whych was the kyng â—â—epyn of another lygnage And the kynge whyche was the xxiij after the kyng Cloys and of his â—gnage was named hildâ—â—us the which beyng deuoute contempletyf wythoute cure to excersyse thoffyce royal of a kynge put hym self in relygyon for to lede a solytarye lyf ¶ In that tyme was Pepyn moche valyaunt of hys persone and moche noble prynâ—e And by cause that alle the kynges of fraunce haue succeded of thys sayd Pepyn and in especial charlemayn his sone vpon whome this werke is comprysed I wyl here begynne to treate the mater the whyche I entende superfycially to speke of And lyke as the book whyche is called myrrour hystoryal compryseth That Pepyn the prynce on a tyâ—e sente hys messagers to Rome to the Pope zacharye for to haue answer vpon a demaunde That is to wete whether is he more worthy to be a kyng or to be said a kyng whihe foâ— peâ—s and parfyght vnyon taketh on hym grete payne trauaylle or ellys he that retcheth of noo thynge and is abandonned and gyuen to all slouth and is onely contente to haue the name onely of kyng whan the pope had herde thys demauÌ„de he remaunded to Pepyn that he by ryght reason and veray equyte ought to be called a kyng that gouerneth and ruleth hys fayt for the comyn wele contynueth it For whyche ansuer demaunde the Frensshe men by câ—unceyl approuued consydered theyr kyng hyldrycus professed in a monasterye in lyf solytarye and contemplatyf And that not wythstondyng ought not to be ony thyng ayenst them that lyuen solytaryly how wel a kyng ought not to be solytarye For suche as is the Kyng suche is the Royame ¶ For salamon sayth yf the kyng be neclygeÌ„t the peple wote not what to doo And blessyd is the londe that hath a prynce noble Alle the frensshe men beyng wel enformed of the condycions apperteynyng to a kynge after an auctour that sayth thus ¶ The Prynce whan he is ordeyned ought not to haue horses superfluous ne make his peple more subgette than they ought to be and ought not to take but seruauntes propyce and necessarye wythoute superfluyte and not to nourysshe ouer many houndes ne other beestes vnprouffytable but take them in mesure ¶ And he shold eschewe multyplycacyon of menysâ—rellys Tabouryns commyn wymmen lecherous men ¶ And he shold not corrupte hys subgettes by euyl exaumple He shold not breke hys espousaylles he shold gladly rede in bookes shold haue by hym peple wel letterd And shold Iuge wythoute fauour ¶ And tofore al thynges he shold adoure serue god he shold not gladly take yeftes ought not gladly to châ—uÌ„ge hys offycers Alle thys thynge wel seen emonge them for the conseruacion of the people emonge the myscreauÌ„tes which were at that tyme wente and chosen for to be kyng of Fraunce the noble Pepyn and fro that tyme forthon the lygnage of kyng cloys regned nomore vpon the frensshe men And he was consecrate by saynt Boneface And by thauctoryte apostolyque by Saynt Stephen Pope with his ij sones Charlemayn charles the grete was confermed and approuued and ordeyned all the kynges of fraunce in grete benâ—dyction to succede fro lygnage to lygnage moost nexte And the said pope gaf his maledyction to al them that were opposaunts and ayenst these thynges aforesayd ¶ Thenne after this noble kyng Pepyn made grete warre to the englysshe men And after the guyse Romayn he ordeyned the seruyce in the chyrches of frauÌ„ce and many other maters meruayllous wherof thonour is attrybuted by good ryght to hym by vyctorye obteyned and was buryed in the chyrche of Saynt Denys in Fraunce And lefte hys heyres hys two sones afore sayd whome he had goten on the noble quene berte doughter of the grete Herclyn Cezar of whome the lignage of romayns of germayns and of the grekes haue had concurrence wherfore by good ryght in tyme folowyng the kyng Charles was chosen and maad Emperour of Rome And the sayd Kynge Pepyn regned xviij yere in prosperyte dygne of saluacyon and after that the broder of the sayd Charles had regned in his partye of the royame ij yere he deyed And thenne after alle the gouernement hoolly of the royame of fraunce abode to the sayd charles as here after shalle be more playnly shewed ¶ Of kyng Charles after that he had maad many constytucyons wyth the Pope Adryan how he was emperour of Rome capitulo ij THys noble Charlemayn otherwyse called Charles the grete the whiche for the gretenes of hys body puyssaunce and opperacions virtuouses by merite is called grete as I haue sayd whyche after the deth of hys brother he was onely kyng of Fraunce A lytel whyle after that the Pope adryan regned dyd grete dyligence to strengthe corobere the crysten fayth in annullyng the heresyes and constytutyng ymages for representacyon of sayntes in chyrches And to many other labours merytoryes adioyned in the seruyce of god of holy chyrche The kyng charles ayenst the mysereauntes taryed not to confounde them but had vyctorye of them in dyners maners the pope adryan whyche was wel enformed that thys Charles was a stronge pyler of the chyrche and protectour of the fayth sente for hym that he shold come to Rome And whan he came to pauye there he taryed sette hys syege and soiourned a lytel tyme And after wyth a fewe of hys people departed came to rome And there he was receyued affectuously and vysyted many places deuoutelye And after whan he retorned he took pauye And whan he had all doon his playsyr he retorned to Rome And wyth the Pope adryan he assembled many bysshoppes and abbottes the nombre of an hondred liij where they ordeyned many constytucyons vpon the fayt of the vnyuersal chyrche And in that synode for the grete holynes of charles The pope and al thassystentes gaf hym power for to ordeyne bisshoppes archbisshops in al his contrees and prouynces And al them that so shal be ordeyned he shal conferme and the rebellys that shall gaynsaye them he shal curse and theyr goodes be confysked This noble charles wyth hys two sones that one named Pepyn that other â—â—wys And the xij pyeres of fraunce whyche al had promysed fydelyte one to that other for to Ieoparde theyr lyf for the crysten fayth In that tyme many mortal warres duryng the lyf of kyng Pepyn of charles and after that the royame of lombardye was destroyed and delyuerd of the myscreauntes And maad pees not wythoute grete trauayll for to come from fraunce in to lombardye by cause of the dauÌ„gerous countre whan alle thys was termyned to hys playsyr he reduced alle ytalye vnder the trybute of the royame of Fraunce In suche wyse that whan ytalye was thus destroyed he went to Rome for to gyue thankynges and
the captayne of the crysten fayth as moche as toucheth the excersyte of bataylle to destroye the myscreauntes and paynyms ben founded alle togyder in surete whyche fyrst were comen in to the hondes of theyr enemyes mortall ¶ But it is grete scyence for to eschewe the wylle of a woman whan by effecte she putteth hyr entente to a thynge that her hert dyrectly draweth and taketh no regarde to the ende of her entente but onely that she may achyeue hyr enterpryse and determynacyon Florypes retched of noo thynge but that she myÈt haue tydynges certeyn of guy of bour goyne to whome she had gyuen hyr hert and was contente to be crystened for the loue of hym Thys fayr Florypes whan she sawe these barons to gydre she sayd to them lordes I wyl that ye alle of one â—coorde promyse to me the fayth of loyalte that ye shal ayde and helpe me of that I shal demaunde you toward me ye shal truly bere and endeuoyre you Ryght gladly ansuerd due Naymes and also ye shal assure vs that we shal be here in surete withoute ony doubte of ony man lyuyng she was contente they were contente and promysed fydelyte that our to the other whan this was doon the doughter came to duc naymes for to knowe what he was and demaunded of hym hys name the duc sayd to hyr Madame I am called Naymes of bauyere Man and counceyllour to Charles the Emperour redoubted Alas sayd the douÈter your kyng is sory for you After she came to Rychard and demaunded of hym how he was named he ansuerd to hyr dame I am Rychard of Normandye the doughter sayd to hym Mahomet curse the thou puttest to deth on a tyme corsuble myn vncle But for the loue of these other thou shalt be in no daunger Florypes came after to rolland and prayed that he wold telle hys name I am named rolland sayd he sone to duc Myllon am neuewe to charles sone of hys syster Anone the doughter cryed hym mercy kneled doun to hys feet and Rolland toke hyr swetely vp ¶ After the doughter sayd ye knowe what ye haue promysed to me I shal say to you myn entencyon It is trouthe that I loue a knyght of fraunce â—boue al them of the world whyche is named guye of bourgoyne of whom I wold gladly haue tydynges rolland sayd I swere to you by my hede that he is here in your syght that there is not bytwene you tweyne the space of foure foot of mesure Seynours sayd she I praye you that I may knowe hym and that he be gyuen to me for of hym is alle my playsyr Rolland ansuerd and sayd syr guy of bourgoyne come ye hyther to thys mayde and receyue hyr Ioyously Guy of bourgoyn ansuerd god forbede that euer I shold take wyf But yf she were gyuen to me by Charles themperour ¶ whan Florypes vnderstode hym anone she chauÌ„ged colour and sware mahoÌ„met hyr god that yf he gaynsayed it she shold make them alle to be hanged by the necke on a gybette Rolland enhorted Guye that he shold do hyr wylle and vpon that he aduaunced hym hath graunted Thenne florypes sayd the sone of god of crystyante be preysed and honoured For I haue tofore myn eyen the moost grettest playsyr that euer myn hert desyred For his loue I shal byleue in Ihesu Cryst shal do me be baptysed after she approched to hym for to treate a lytel the desyre of hir hert and she durst not kysse hym on the mouthe but on hys chekes chynne by cause she was a paynym Thenne florypes Ioyously and by grete loue came vnto a cheste and opened it tofore the barons and spredde a fayr cloth of sylke And after she dysclosed and she wed the relyques of whyche I haue spoken tofore emonge whome was the gloryous crowne wyth which Ihesu cryste was crowned with in the tyme of hys passyon and the holy naylles whyche perced hys holy handes and feet and after sayd to Rolland Loo here is the tresour that ye haue so moche desyred whan the frensshe men sawe thus tofore them the relyques For Ioye they alle wepte moche tenderly and one after the other wente kyssed them knelyng moche humbly after they were layed in to the cheste where as they had ben tofore ¶ How Lucafer neuewe of the admyral vyolently entred in to the chambre after was slayn of duc Naymes in blowyng of the cool capitulo x BAllaÌ„t thadmyral beyng moche wroth syttynge at the table A paynym fyers proude a specyal frende of thadmyral named lucafer of bandas sayd to thadmyral affectuously ¶ Syr admyral is it trouthe that I haue herde say that Fyerabras your sone and my ryght dere brother is taken and vaynquysshed whiche was the beste knyght that euer was a lyue Thadmyral said to hym by my fayth I shal not hyde it fro you A frensshe man hath conquerd hym whome maboun confounde Brullant of Mommyere made grete deffence and the kyng of Sulye They â—are them soo wel that they brought to vs fyue of the gloutons of fraunce knyghtes of Charles whyche ben in pryson and sythe ryght now we haue other seuen whiche ben comen as messagers fro the sayd charles which haue vytupered and blamed vs gretelye in reprochyng out lawe despysyng my goddes Florypes my doughter hath conduyted them in to pryson syr sayd lucafer ye do grete folye wymmen al day for lytel thynge ben chaunged and torned fro theyr thouÈt neuertheles for the more surete yf it playse you and by your comaundement I shal goo to them and shal knowe what they be and of what condycion Goo forth said thadmyral ye say ryght wel and make my doughter to retorne wyth you herupon lucafer moche proude and replenysshed with grete fyersnes cam in to the chambre where the douÈter was and the frensshe men wythoute demaundyng to opene the dore but lyfte vp his ryght fote and smote it so strongely wyth hys foot that the barres lockes flewe vnto the grounde whan Florypes sawe that she was al abasshed And anone sayd to Rolland Syr noble knyght I am ryght euyl contente of the vyoleÌ„ce that is thus done to me this is he that shold be my husband ageyn my wylle I requyre you in as moche as ye wyl do me playsyr that ye wyl auenge thys dyshonour For I complayne me wythoute makyng ouermoche cuyl semblaunte to whome Rolland answerd doubte ye no thyng madame For or he departe hens he shal knowe that he hath euyll doon And I promyse you that he bought neuer locke so dere ne of the prys as he shal for the brekyng herof Hereupon Lucafer entred in to the chambre and be helde the frensshe men al armed wythout ony doubte that he had to them And came fyrst to duc Naymes whych was dyscouerd and bare hede wythoute other delyberacyon took hym by the berde and drewe hym to hym so boystously that almoost
sygne yâ— the kyng of frauÌ„ce shold conquere them So theÌ„â—â— in the tyme that the noble kyng chacles regned in spayne for to brynge it to the cristen fayth the ydolle lete the â—ere falle doun to the grounde And whan the sarasyns sawe that They 〈◊〉 theyr tresours as golde 〈◊〉 and precyous stoones in 〈◊〉 by cause the crysten men 〈◊〉 no thynge fynde therof 〈…〉 al wente in to another 〈◊〉 and durst not abyde the comyng of the kyng ¶ Of the chyrche of saynt Iames in galyce and of dyuers other whyche Kyng Charles founded capitulo iiij CHarles beyng in galyce had Innumerable auantyte of gold of syluer and of precyous stones of many kynges prynces and other lordes and of trybutes of cytees that was gyuen to hym as lord ¶ Also he had moche of the tresour that he conquerd of the townes and contreyes of Spayne aforesayd Thenne he seyng the grete habundaunce of good dyd do compose and make a chirche of Saynt Iames in the place where as he had founde the body of hym and he abode there the space of thre yere wythout departyng and in that same place he ordeyned a bysshop and founded there chanonnes reguler vnder the rule of saynt Ysodore the confessour bought ordeyned for them rentes trybutes suffycyent and gaf to them synguler seygnourye The furnysshed the chyrche wyth velles bessellys of golde and syluer adournemeÌ„ts of precyous clothes al thynges necessarye apperteynyng in a chyrche pontyfycal also of bokes vestymentes chalyces other holy escryptures And of the resydue of gold and syluer that he brought oute of spayne he dyd doo edefye these chyrches folowyng ¶ Fyrst at Aoon in almayne where as he is buryed he dyd do make a chirche of our lady and though it be lytel yet is it moche rychely made The chyrche of Saynt Iames in the toun of vyterbe also the chyrche of saynt Iames in the cytre of Tholouse The chyrche of Saynt Iames in gascoyne also the chirche of saynt Iames in parys bytwene the sayne the mouÌ„te of martres aboue the chyrches aforesayd he fonnded rented releued many dyuers chyrches monasteryes other abbeyes in the world in many and dyuers places ¶ How after that Aygolant the geaunt had taken spayne put to deth the crysten people Charles recouerd it aud other maters capitulo v AFter that charles was retorned in to Fraunce a kyng sarasyn of affryque named aygolant wyth grete puyssaunce came in to spayne and remysed it in hys subgectyon And the crysten which charles had left there as many as he myght gete he put to deth and the other fledde And in shorte tyme the tydynges came vnto kyng Charles wherof he was moche abasshed angry bycause it was shewed to hym so pyetously wherfore Incontynent he assembled a grete hoost wyth a grete multytude of fyghtyng men he went thyder wythout taryeng And he made the conduytour of them al Myllon of angleres the fader of Rolland they cessed not tyl that they had iydynges where Aygolant the geaunt was whyche had doon thys feat whan charles knewe where Aygolant was lodged and semblably aygolaÌ„t knewe where Charles was Anone the geaunt sente to charles that he wold delyuer bataylle suche as he wold That is to wete that Charles shold sende to hym xx of hys men to fyght ageynst xx of hys sarasyns or xl ayenst xl or an C ayenst C or a thousand ayenst a thousand or two men ayenst two or one man ayenst one man onely kyng Charles seyng thentencyon of aygolant for thonour of noblesse he wold not refuse hys demaunde but sente to hym an C knyghtes in grete poynte and the geaunte sente another hondred ayenst the crysten men but anone the sarasyns were vaynquysshed put to deth and after were sente by aygolant two hondred sarasyns ayenst two hondred cyrsten men whyche Sarasyns were anone wythoute grete resystence put to deth and slayn Aygolant was not contente ne wold not leue herby but sente two thousand sarasyns ayenst ijM crysten men and whan they were in batayll many of yâ— sarasyns were slayn and the other put to flyght for to saue them self The thyrd day after Aygolant maad certeyn experyences and knewe that yf Charles made warre to hym he shold haue grete losse and sent to charles to were yf he wold make playne warre Charles was contente and there vpon they made redy theyr peple and specyally charles for hys subgettes had grete affectyon to goo to bataylle without ony 〈◊〉 of deth And also somme of the crysten men the day tofore the bataylle dyd do amende and 〈◊〉 theyr harnoys and sette theyr tentes nygh a ryuer named 〈◊〉 and pyght there theyr spâ—â—â—s euen in the place where as the bodyes of saynt faconde and saynt premyt yf rested where after was made a chyrche deuotely founded and also a stronge cyte by the moyen of the sayd Charles and in the place where the sâ—â—res were pyght our lord shewed grete myracle For of them thâ—â— shold deye there and be gloryfyed marters of god 〈◊〉 in heuen theyr speâ—rs on y◠〈◊〉 were fouÌ„den al grene fâ—â—resshed and leued whyche was a percedent sygne that they whyche shold deye shold haue the Ioye in heuen ¶ Eche man took his owne aud cutte of the bowes leues wyth whyche the leues were planted and vnder roâ—ed wherof in a lytel whyle after grewe a grete wode whyche stondeth there yet It was grete a meruayle of the Ioye that the horses made whyche dyd theyr deuoyrs as wel as the men after theyr qualyte whyche was a grete token Thenne valyaunt crysten men were slayne And emonge the other was slayne duc Myllon fader to Roulland Also that same day the hors of charles was slayn vnder hym whan he was a fote he maad grete murdre wyth hys swerde Ioyouse and dyd so moche that the sarasyns dredyng the euenyng fledde wythdrewe them in to place of surete And as it was the wylle of our lord the next day after came to Charles in to his helpe iiij marquyse of ytalye accompanyed wyth iiijM stronge fyghtyng men chosen wherfore Aygolant assone as he knewe of theyr comyng he fled and wythdrewe hym ouer the see toward hys contree but they myÈt not for hast here with them al theyr tresours wherfor frauÌ„ce was enryched meruayllously above alle other contrees ¶ And whan charles sawe his departyng he came wyth al hys rychesse in to fraunce and theÌ„ne duryng seuen yere he dyd do ordeyne the seruyce and offyce of the chyrche by preestes clerkes and the festes of sayntes of all the yere and grete vertu meruayllous effect was comprysed in thys man For whan it was not warre for to mynysshe thynfâ—dellys and encreace the crysten fayth For tenhaunce the name of god he made the offyces and legendes of holy sayntes dyd reduce in to mynde and remembraunce the passyons of holy marters in
capitulo xiij How the peres of fraunce that were in the toure cam oute whan they sawe thoost of Charles how thadmyral was taken and holden prysoner ca xiiij How ballant thadmyral for all the admonycion that was made to hym he wold not be baptysed but was slayn Floripes hys doughter was baptysed after wedded to guy of burgoyne guy crowned kyng the quene of that contre capitulo xv How Florypes gaf the reliques to themperour how they were assayed proued by myracle of the retournyng of charles the ende of this book ca xvj ¶ Here begynneth the iij book whiche conteyneth ij partyes by the chapytres folowyng declared ¶ The first partye of the iij book conteyneth xiiij chapytres speketh of the warres in spayne of two grete geantes How saynt Iames appyered to Charles how by the moyen by the conduyte of the sterres he went in to Galice what citees he there subdued ca primo Of cytees goten in spayne by charles how somme of theym were by hym cursed capitulo ij Of a grete ydolle whyche was in a cyte that myght not be beten doun and of the sygnes condycyons thewf capitulo iij Of the chyrche of saynt Iames in Galyce of other chyrches that he dyd there do founde iiij How after that Aygolant the geaunt had taken spayne destroyed and put to deth the crysten men Charles recouerd it other maters capitulo v How aygoland sent to Charles that he shold feably come to hym with lytel peple to make Iuste warre how charles in habyte dissimyled spake to hym other maters capitulo vj How charles accompanyed with moche peple retorned to the place forsaid took the cite of agâ—ne other maters capitulo vij Of the vertuous operacions that charles dyd whan he was retorned in to fraunce what baroÌ„s he had in his companye and of theyr puyssaunce capitulo viij Of the tryewes of charles of aygolant of the deth of his peple wherfore aygoland was not baptysed ca ix ¶ Of the deth of aygolaÌ„t of his peple how moche people of the criâ—â—en men were dede by coÌ„cupysceâ—ce of money the crysten fouÌ„dâ—n dede by myracle ca x ¶ Of fâ—â—agê° the meruayllous geant hoâ— he 〈◊〉 aweye the barons of frâ—uÌ„ce without dauÌ„ger how afteâ—ward rolland fouÈt ayenst hym câ— xj How on the morne rolland and ferragus foughten to gâ—der and of their desputyng of their fayth and by what meane Ferragus was slayn by rolland ca xij How Charles went to cordube where as the kyng of that place the kyng of abyllâ— abode hym of their destructyoâ— ca xiij How the chirche of saint Iames was hallowed sacred by turpin tharchebisshop 〈◊〉 chirhes of spayne subgettes to the same of that pryncypal chyrches xiiij ¶ The second partye of the iij book conteyneth x chapytres speketh of the trayson doon and made by Ganellon of the deth of the peres of fraunce How the trayson was comprysed by Ganellon of the deth of the crysten men how ganellon is repreued by thauctour ca j Of the deth of kyng marfuryus and how Rolland was hurte wyth foure speres mortally after that al his peple were slayn and deed capitulo ij How Rolland deyed moche holyly after many maters orysons made and prayed to god moche deuoutely and of the complaynte made vpon hys swerde durandal capitulo iij Of the vysion of the deth of rolland shewed to tharchebysshop Turpyn of the sorowe of charles how he complayned hym pytâ—ously other maters iiij How olyuer was fouÌ„den slayn and of the deth of the sarasyns of the deth of ganellon whyche was hydous capitulo v How after the thynges aforesayd Charles gaf thankynges and preysynges to god and to Saynt Denys And of the constitucions that he made in frauÌ„ce capitulo vi How Charles wente in to Almayn where as he deyed holyly and of his deth shewed to tharchebysshop Turpyn and of his buryeng Imperyally ca vij Of the recapitulacion of al this werke and of hys deth at 〈◊〉 of his sepulture capitulo viij Thexcusacyon of thauctour ix Thenuoye of thauctor ca x ¶ Explicit AS it is redde in thystoryes of the troians After the dystructyon of the noble cyte of Troye there was a kyng moche noble named francus the whyche was felowe of Eneas which whan he departed fro Troye came in to the regyon of fraunce begaâ— to regne in grete prosperyte for the felycyte of his name he dyd coÌ„pose do edyfye a cyte whiche he named fraunce so folowyng all the regyon was called frauÌ„ce after whaÌ„ frauÌ„ce was enhauÌ„ced reduced to mageste ryal Priamus was the fyrst that regned vpon the frensshe men v yere The second was marcurius xxxiij yere The iij pharaâ—â—uÌ„dus regned xj yere The iiij clodyus xiiij yere The v Meroneus x yere The vj hildericus xxvij yere the vij was Clodoneus the fyrst crysten kyng whyche regned vpon the frensshe men after thyncarnacion of our lord CCCC lxxxiiij yere of whome I entende to make a litel mencyon vpon hys â—â—â—ueyllous conuersacyon ¶ How the kyng clodoneus paynym had to wyf the noble clotildis doughter of the kynge of burgoyne capitulo ij IN that tyme was kyng of the burgoynons guydengus the whiche had iiij sones al of good aege that is to wete Agabondus the ij godogesylus the iij Hyspericus the fourth Godamarus The fyrst agabondus repleynsshed of al inyquyte put to deth by swerd his broder hispericus and after henge his wyf put a stone aboute hyr necke drowned hyr This hyspericus had two fayre doughters theldest was named throne whom agabondus her vncle bannysshed fro hys contrey sent hir forth in habyte dyâ—â—ymyled The yonger of these ij douâ—ters was named clotildis whom he reteyned for hir beaute wyth hym in his hous duryng thyâ— the kyng clodoneus or Cloys iij frensshe beyng a paynym whyche byleued with his subgettâ—â— but vpon ydâ—lles oftymes fâ—r hys affayres sent his messageâ—s 〈◊〉 to burgoyne clotyldys thâ—â— fayr mayde was ofte seen of â—he messagers of the kyng 〈…〉 by holden affectuously and for hir grete beaulte dyscrescyon the sayd messagers â—â—tyfyed it to the kyng 〈◊〉 â— and whan thys kyng Cloy◠〈◊〉 ynough informed of the grete beauteâ—â— wysdom of this mayde whyche was crysten he was moche curyous to sende his herawdes vnto agabondus â—ncle of thys doughter for to haâ—e hyr to maryage Duryng those dayes the kyng Cloys had a subtyl man wyth hym named aurelyanus which by comaundement of hys lord wente to the place where as was thyâ— mayde put hym self in habyte moche poure and dyssymyled leâ—t his good habytes with his felowes in a wode weÌ„t moche holyly tofore the moder chyrche of that place the day of a grete feste set hym self in the myddes
my felawe in the name of Ihesus drewe out haulte clere and came in to the waye the first that he recouÌ„tred was the sone of the grettest lord that was there and gaf hym suche a stroke that he clefte hym to the breste and fyl doun dede Olyuer was abylle delyuer and took fro hym hys shelde whyche was al newe for in the bataylle tofore maad he had loste hys also he had his spere lete hys hors renne emonge the myscreauntes And atteyned at the fyrst stroke Clorgys smote hym vnto the hert And in retornyng he slewe thre sarasyns they raÌ„ne tofore hym as sheep tofore the wulf whiche is hongry Thenne came on hym mara bas Turgys Sortybrant of conymbres and the kyng Margaris and they cryed with an hye voys to gydre by Mahoun our god thou freÌ„sshe man thou shalt not escape vs kepe the wel for by vs thou shalt deye And thenne cam Olyuer emonge his enemyes and smote and slewe on al sydes And the saresyns smote on hym in suche wyse that it was grete meruaylle that he was not slayne and ouercomen but by force and shotte and of strokes hys hors was slayn vnder hym And he beyng on the erthe as sone as he myght he aroos and beyng afoot sette his shelde tofore hym whyche he had goten and helde fast haultclore whyche was alle hys comforte for to socoure hym And alwaye whome he raught fyl doun and was slayn It is not redde in ony book that euer ony man so hurt as he was bare hym so wel and dyd so grete portemente of armes ¶ How Olyuer was taken blynfeld pyteously myght not be socoured by the Frensshe men capitulo xvij OLyuer was a allone on fote emong the sarasyns ageynst whome he made grete resystence meruayllous but it is not a thynge possyble that he myght escape fro theyr handes for wyth glayues with swerdes and with faus dartes of yron they pressyd hym so fore that hys shelde was perced in moo than xxx places whan hys hawberk was broken perced wyth foure sharpe dartes they perced and wounded hym in his body meruaillously wherfore by veray force for feblesse he fyl to the erthe there they took hym moche outerageously and after blynfelde hys eyen bonde hym straytely soo that he myÈt not see ne wyst not where he was they sette hym vpon a good hors bonde hym surely And whan thys valyaunt olyuer was thus dyspourueyed fro al helpe fro al syÈt fro al hope and fro al comforte it is good to wete that he was in grete desplaysaunce For he knewe not what they wold doo wyth hym Thenne wyth an hye voys by a compassyon of hert he sayd O Charlemayn kyng of noblesse Emperour of valure where art thou now knowest thou not where I am seest thou not what I do remembrest not me Noble felawe Rolland thou art all a slepe am I deef or how I may not here the is there none of you crysten that remembreth me These and suche other complayntes makyng the kyng Maradas sayd to hym Frensshe man what someuer thou be thou spekest of folye For I shal not ete tyl thou be hanged These sarasyns ranne wyth olyuer his â—yen blynfelde and hys hondes straytly bounden in the garde of four fals tyrants TheÌ„ne vpon thys in especyal came Rolland Thyerry al the peres charles hym self also but thys was ouer late for to saue Olyuer wyth grete cryes they cryed on god on al the sayntes of heuen And wyth grete Ire Rolland smote Corsuble in the brest Gherard of mondydyer came ayenst Turgys Ogyer smote athenas And Rychad Amancdys Guy of bourgoyne atteyned brullant There was none of the peres of fraunce but that ouer thre we hys man and made so grete dyscomfyte of the sarasyns that they were al empesshed to holde them to gyders and to goo theyr waye but the other paynyms that conduyted Olyuer wente alwaye forth And in thys bataylle was slayn guyllam gaultier other ynow of valyaunte peple many other of the moyen people laye on the grounde And Gherard de mondydier the sone of Duke Thyerey and geffroy langeuyn they bonde dylygently to theyr horses rode aweye wyth them hastely but whan charles sawe theym thus fadde for angre he loste almoost hys wytte And wyth an hyghe voys cryed saue kepe and socoure the barons O knyÈtes desloyal that ye be slowe yf they lede awaye the barons neuer shal ye fare wel whan the Frensshe men herde Charles thus moeued as enraged smote theyr horses wyth theyr sports and wente doun of a mountayn And there was Rolland fyrst that helde hys swerde durandall drawen for tauenge hym fyersly and hym that he atteyned was sure to passe by the deth For he was al enraged by cause that they ledde aweye his felowe Olyuer smote a paynym that he clefte hym to the myddle of hys body at that tyme rolland bare hym myghtely by cause of the multytude of the paynyms he myght not passe forth for to socoure the barons prysonners and chaced them more than v myle ferre coude not approche them thenne were many good knyghtes deed morfounded and wery And not wythstondyng Rolland sware that he wold neuer retorne tyl the barons of fraunce were taken fro the handes of theyr enemyes But he myght not do it For the nyght came on Wyst neuer whyther to goo The sarasyns that were tofore went fleyng alwaye at theyr playsyr ¶ Thys seyng Charles wyst not what he shold doo ne say For he doubted that the paynyms made a watche a ryere garde for to close them ¶ And therfore by force they must leue the felde in ryÈt grete dysplaysyr anguysshe and so al they retorned ¶ The second partye of the second book conteyneth xvij chapytres speketh of the tormente of the barons of fraunce how they that were taken spaken to ballant thadmyral of spayne ¶ How fyerabras was fouÌ„den by Charles and after was baptysed and heled of his wounde capitulo primo AFter that charles knew that he myght not haue ageyn Olyuer ne the other prysoners it was force to hym to retorne wyth hys people for the nyght was theÌ„ne to them greuous also in retornyng they fonde fyerabras vnder a tre languysshyng to whom the kyng said O vnhappy paynym I ouÈt wel to hate the for by the been my men prysonners and boste thou hast take fro me oliuer one of the best byloued that I had emonge al thumayn creatures hym yâ— hath be synguler to mayntene my good name by the in the ende in stede of Ioye thou yeldest me sorowe whan fyerabras vnderstode hym he sore syghed sayd O ryche emperour noble the moost myghty of humayn lygnage In thonour of god I crye the mercy pardone me It is trouthe that Olyuer hath conquerd me I shal not hyde it and I haue
that allewaye they were lordes of the toure made the sarasyns theyr enemyes to goo abacke Florypes consyderyng theyr affayre was sorowful that no socours cam to them and also remembryng the menaces of hyr fader thadmyrall But Guye of bourgoyn recomforted hyr alwaye in suche wyse that of al she was contente ¶ How the peres of Fraunce had tydynges yf thoost of charles and the admyral also and how Ganellon bare hym merueyllously which allone was sente to the admyral and what he dyd capitulo x THe Frensshe men beyng in thys contynuel payn of bataylle for to defende yâ— toure Duc Naymes of bauyere went vp on hye and sawe oute of a wyndowe sawe bynethe in a valeye the sygne of saynt denys whyche was brought hastely after a grete companye of men of armes And thought in hym self that they came for to socour and ayde them and anone sent for hys felawes for to come see them Assone as Florypes vnderstood it she came to Guy of bourgoyn sayeng O gloryous vyrgyn marie moder of Ihesus worshypped mote ye be for these tydynges that I haue herde O noble knyght guye of bourgoyn my dere loue approche ye to me yf it playse you and kysse me Of the Ioye of Florypes were Ioyeful the erles and lordes ye may thynke that they were wel comforted whan they sawe the standard of fraunce wherin was the dragon wel fygured Grete Ioye and grete consolacion was emonge them they had cause seen the daunger wherein they were Anone a paynym cam to thadmyral sayd to hym that Charles wyth an hondred thousand men of armes came makyng grete bruyt The kynge Coldroe counceylled anone that euery man shold be armed and that they shold goo mete wyth hym at the fyrst poynte Hys counceyl was approued by thadmyral and by thother wherfore anone L thousand turkes were assembled in grete poynte for to kepe the grete vale of Iosue to th ende that he myght not come in to Aygremore Rolland sawe Rychard of Normandye wyth hys confanon reysed vp whyche came al afore and alle taryed in a medowe for to bayte and refresshe theyr horses and to tarye there al the nyght whyche was nyghe And wythoute makyng lodgyses or other thynge they there rested them al nyght For theyr tentes were lefte al mantryble On the morne erly the Emperour dyd to arme his peple sette them in good 〈◊〉 and in grete poynte And afâ—â—â— sente for Fyerabras and sayd to hym Ryght dere frende thou knowest that I haue doo the 〈◊〉 baptysed wherfore I loue 〈◊〉 the better yf thou myÈtest 〈◊〉 chace and make that thy 〈◊〉 baptysed and renye maâ—o◠〈◊〉 al hys dyabolike goddes I 〈◊〉 be wel glad and Ioyous And I promyse to the that of 〈…〉 goodes I shal not take 〈◊〉 And yf he wyl not so do I promyse that by force I shal 〈◊〉 ayenst hym yf he take 〈◊〉 wyte it not meâ—ne conne me 〈◊〉 maulgre for I may not 〈◊〉 Syr Emperour sayd Fyerabras take a messager and 〈…〉 demaunde hym yf he wyl soo 〈◊〉 as ye say and I shal be 〈◊〉 For yf he gaynsaye it I shal neuer praye for hym no haue pyte of hym though I see hym hewen and deye Hereupon charles demaunded Reyner and rycheâ—d of Normandye whyche were his nexte counceyllours and sayd to them Lordes whome seme you moost propyâ—â— for to sende on thys message to the Admyrall By myn aduys ganellon shold be good therfore yf he wold for to recounte speke hooly 〈◊〉 message I knowe hym for wel suffysaunt ye knowe wel that he dyd wel hys deuoyr at the entre of mantryble yf ye wyl consente he shal doo the message Rychard answerd and Reyner also that he shold doo wel the message The kyng sente for ganellon and sayd to hym My frende we haue chosen you for to goo say to thadmyral Ballant that he be baptysed renye mahon that he take Ihesu Cryste for hys god that he byleue in hym in hys passyon that he suffred for al humayn creatures after that he yelde to me my barons whyche he holdeth in hys pryson also the resyques that longe tyme I haue demaunded of hym yf he wyl do this we shal leue to hym hys contreye hys landes yf he wyl doo otherwyse we shal make to hym mortal warre and shal take of hym no mercy Ganellon was contente for to goo thyder allone And took sette on his helme mounted vpon his hors named gascon and henge on hys necke his shelde wherein was paynted the lyon after went in to the vale of Iosue hastely and anone he was taken of the turkes that kept the passage but whan they knewe that he was a messager for to speke to thadmyral they troubled hym not but lete hym goo he taryed not tyl that he came tofore thaby tacyon of thadmyral he lente vpon his spere with a knyghtly countenauÌ„ce moche resembled a baron of grete valure for to say wel hys message whan thadmyral knewe of his comyng he came to hym And thenue Ganellon spake hardyly to hym in this manere Sarasyn take hede vnderstonde me I am a messager of the noble charles kyng of fraunce ryght myghty Emperour he sendeth the worde by me that thou renye and forsake Mahon thyn other goddes dyabolyke byleue in Ihesu cryst the redemptour of al the worlde whyche took on hym humanyte and suffred deth cruel bytter in the tree ofithe crosse for to redeme al the world yf thou so do thou art assured not onely to deye also not to lese thy londe ne none of thy good but thou shalt alwaye be byloued of hym of Fyerabras thy sone and yf thou wylt not accorde herto withstande it knowe for certayn that of Charles thou art deffyed al thy people yf thou wylt saue thy self thynke to flee and wythdrawe the fro thys contreye For yf thou may be taken and holden thou shalt be delyuerd to daungerous deth and alle thy subgettes shal be dy smembred slayn after he shal gyue thy royame and thy rychesses to his scruauntes Therfore aduyse the wel whan thadmyral had herd hym he was almoost in a rage of hys wordes and by destresse of angre he took a staffe for to smyte the messager and sayd to hym Gloton payllard thou art dysmesured in thy langage by mahon to whome I am yeuen at thys tyme thou hast be ouer hardy lytel loued the Charles whan he sente the to me For thou shalt be wel sure that thou shalt neuer recounte to hym thy message Ganellon seyng that he was not wel sure wyth them he took hys swerde whyche was heuy sharpe and gaf wythal a stroke to buillant of moÌ„myere in the breste that he ouerthrewe fyl at the feet of the admyrall whyche seyng that escryed moche strongely tauenge hym Thenne wyth thys voys assembled moo
than fyfty thousand turkes for to take Ganellon whyche ranne after hym thurgh the vale of Iosue but he escaped them al and was not taken Due Naymes was at a wyndowe and sawe hym chaced demaunded Rolland Olyuer what he was they knewe for certayn that he was crysten and by presumyng made emonge them they Iuged that it was Ganellon that had spoken to thadmyral ¶ Alas sayd Rolland I praye to Ihesus our redemour that he graunte hym grace to passe wel without daunger I shal be euyl content yf he come not to his good desyre ¶ The other barons sayden semblably prayed god to kepe hym fro peryl Ganellon ranne alwaye forth tyl he came to the toppe of a montayne and there he torned hym ayenst the Paynyms sawe comyng to hym a grete paynym of the cyte of Aygremore and anone he took hys swerde named murgall 〈◊〉 trenchaunte atteyned the mynem vpon the helme and 〈◊〉 hym to the breste And after he slewe Tenebre whyche was â—â—â—der of kyng Sortybrant â—â—â—uer sawe al hys feat and 〈◊〉 to Rolland Brother beholâ—◠〈◊〉 vnlyaunce that thys baron 〈◊〉 I praye god that he 〈◊〉 hym And wete ye wel that in my hert I love hym Saue you charles I loue none betâ—â—r Now wold god that I were in hys companye I shal make grete marterdom on these Paynyms Neuertheles he was â—â—â—â—gely chaced of the paynyms But whan they sawe the hoost of Charles they retorned aback and wente tolde the affayre to thadmyral how Charles had moo than an hondred thousand fyghtyng men wherfore they couÌ„ceylled that euery man shold arme hym that counceyl was approued but whan sortybuant knewe that hys broder was dede he made to come an Innumerable companye of sarusyns rauenge his deth in menacyng to do harm to Charles Of hys entencyon was moche glad thadmyral by cause he myght the better come to hys desyre ¶ How Charles emperour ordeyned ten bataylles and how they dyd were recountred of the puyssaunce of the admyral where as themperour dyd meruaylles and of other maters capitulo xij WHan Ganellon was comen to kyng Charles themperour ordeyned x bataylles after that Ganellon had tolde hys message whyche was suche Syr emperour I say to you that thadmyral ne fereth you ne your dedes neyther god ne hys sayntes I was wel happy that I escaped For I haue been chaced wyth xx thousand sarasyns after that thadmyral wold haue had me after these wordes I slewe one of theyr kynges wher fore he was praysed of the kyng other And anone they sowned hornes and trompettes was open warre on alle partes in thoost of Charles Rolland herde the sowne and the voys of the frensshe hoost wherof he and al the barons were al reioyced made good thyere whan the ij hoostes recountred al the coutrey shone of theyr armes ther were so many of them after as I haue sayd tofore kyng charles made ten bataylles In the fyrst he ordeyned Rychard of Normandye Due Reyner of genes had the second Ganellon the thyrd A lory the fourth Geffroy the fyfthe Machayre the vj Hardre the seuenth Amangius the viij Sampson the ix And of the tenthe was conduytour charles the kyng in eche bataylle were x thousand men of armes wel fyghtyng atte leste whan Ballant the admyral sawe the kyng comyng he sayd to vuillant who shal be the fyrst that shal entre in to bataylle with an hondred thousand paynyms sayd that yf he took Charles he shold not slee them ne fyerabras for he wold after smyte of theyr heedes vpon thys poynte the warre was open Baullant began to goo a grete boroedrauÈt tofore the other and began to crye haw haw where is charles themperour wyth his euyl chere too I come to the thou hast enterprysed a grete folye whan thou passest the see ouer late thou shalt repente the On thys day shal be the ende of thy lyf and of the subgettes lyf And wythoute faulte thou shalte be yolden to thadmyral alle thy centreye shal be destroyed Themperour herde wel these wordes wherfore alle in a furye he lete renne hys hors came ageynst the paynym attayned hym in suche a wyse that hys harnoys brake and after he drewe hys swerde and neuer lefte hym tyl he was dede fro thens with his spere he came to a turke kynge of pyetrelee and smote hym in the breste that he fyl deed to the erthe and whan his spere was broken he dyd grete deuoyr with Ioyouse his swerd for hym that he attayned dyd neuer hurt after At that tyme he bare hym meruayllously that one of the hoostes medled eche wyth other in suche wyse that there was neuer seen warre so mortal for they that were lyuyng were lette by them that were dede Thenne emonge the paynyms there was a turke named Tenebres which cain makyng grete buryt vpon the frensshe men and attayned fyrst the noble Iehan of pouÌ„tayse vpon his shelde and brake it in pyeâ—s smote hym thurgh the body that he fyl deed to the erthe and after drewe hys swerde put to deth huon and guernyer thauncyen and after sayd to the frensshe men that on that day Charles and hys subgettes had loste theyr myght Rychard of Normandye had despyte of hys wordes came ageynste hym attayned hym so daungerously that he brake his hawberke and brake his shelde in quarters â— so smote hym that he fyl doun deed wythout ony more reproâ—â—â—â—â— sayeng euyl wordes after by force of strengthe they passâ—â— the vale of Iosue came and fonde thadmyral wyth alle hys puyssaunce whyche was accompanyed wyth 〈◊〉 kynges crowned wyth an 〈…〉 men as wel a horsback as 〈◊〉 Anone a messager came 〈◊〉 admyral tolde hym 〈…〉 lant his brother was 〈…〉 many in hys companye 〈◊〉 he sente for tempest hys 〈◊〉 for Sortybrant of 〈◊〉 his moost specyal frendes said to them My barons and 〈◊〉 freÌ„des yf euer ye haue loued me haue entencion to do me play syr Doo so moche that ye 〈◊〉 charles the kyng For I wyl goo to hym haue concluded in my self to fyght in my persone ayenst hys persone sythe I 〈◊〉 deye ones it suffyseth me that I myght slee hym thenne shal I be contente to deye yf I dede after For I retehe not yf I aduenge me or I deye Sortybrant many other consyderyng thastate of thadmyral bygonnen to wepe for pyte in comfortyng hym ¶ How in thys bataylle folowyng Sortybrant was slayne by Reyner fader of Olyuer and after how thadmyral dyd meruaylles and grete ennoye to the frensshe men capitulo xiij BAllant thadmyral rode vpon an hors the beste rennyng of alle the contreye ryght wel armed and it was blacke as a more hym self was grete of body wel membred had his herde hangyng to the sadel whyche was whyte as snowe after dyd do sowne hys
trompettes hornes tassemble his hoost made the archers to goo byfore whyche coude wel shote wyth bowes turauoys al furyously that one ayenst the other goo shote make mortal warre so that the shotte flâ—we in thayer thycker than hayl So moche people was there slayn that the wayes were empesshed lette by dede bodyes The Duke Reyner passed thurgh forth the fyrst that he encountred was kyng Sortybrant gaf to hym a grete stroke without faynyng that hys shelde auaylled hym not hys hauberk al to brake so that he made his spere to plonge and bayne in hys body soo depe that he abode there deed lyke a beest after wyth hys swerde made so grete murdre slaughter of the fals turkes that it was meruaylle Anone the admyral knewe the deth of Sortybrant wherof he was almoost oute of hys wytte in a rage and sythe sayd O Sortybrant my special frende I see wel now that I shal be auenged yf I benge not thy deth with thyse wordes he maad his hors to renne vpon the frenssh men so despytously that whome he attayned he put to deth and came to huon of myllan slewe hym thenne he dyd grete dommage and fought that tyme so strongely that he put to deth wel seuen frensshe men xiiij Normans moche valyantly sayeng ¶ O ye vnhappy frensshe men I shal now make you knowe that thadmyral of spayne is comen in this day shal thoost of frauÌ„ce be destroyed shal neuer repayre home ageyn in to fraunce I shal lede awaye with me the kynge Charles with his florisshed berd I shal do hange or brenne hym also with hym Rolland Olyuer their felowes with these wordes the paynems enhardyed them in suche wyse that they dyd gretely theyr deuoyr ayenst the frensshe men At this medle the counte ganellon haldre alory geffroy daulteuyle that lygnage dyd gretely theyr deuoyr and bare them wel For in a shorte space by them were slayn moo than a M paynyms Thadmyral moost valyaunt of the sarasyns attayned the counte myllon by hys helme that almoost he had abyden in the place and with a stroke thadmyral smote of hys hors hede that he fyl to the erthe and after he took hym layed hym tofore hym for to haue born hym awaye but the lygnage of ganellon saued hym notwythstondyng that many of theym were slayn and dede Neuertheles the frensshe men surmounted the paynyms and that was by the ayde of fyerabras which for loue of Charles dyd fyght and made grete dyscomfyture of the sarasyns for there he put to deth Tempeste and the olde Rubyon and moo than fyfty other of these mastyns myscreaâ—ntes he there bare hym in suche wyse that there was not one persone that durst come tofore hym to resyste hym ¶ How the peres of Fraunce whyche were in the toure came oute whan they sawe the hoost how thadmyral was taken holden prysonner capitulo xiiij THe paynyms frensshe men alwaye perseueryng in mortal bataylle coude not make th ende eche one of other For the multytude of the paynyms was so grete that they myÈt not be dyscomfyted whan the barons that were in the tour sawe the fayt that they that kepte the toure were goon to the socours and crye of thadmyral they sprange out eche took an hors of them that were dede which ranne at al aduenture and 〈◊〉 also took his swerde in his hond sodeynly cam vpon the sarasyns for to passe thurgh them to the frensshe hoost made so grete bruyt that the moost hardyest of the paynyms gaf them waye lete them passe and in especyal rolland for where be smote with durandal cam neuer afteâ— tofore hym at this departyng was derly recomanded guy of bâ—urâ—â—goyn of florypes for she had fere of hym Neuertheles whan they were assembled wyth the other wythoute letyng them to be 〈◊〉 wen went vpon the sarasyns helde them soo short that anone they slewe them in suche royle â— the other put them to flyght for there was neuer larke fledde more ferfully tofore yâ— sperâ—awke than the sarasyns fledde tofore rollaÌ„d Thadmyral knewe wel hys destructyon by the comyng of the peres that were in that toure cryed wyth an hâ—e voys mahon my god to whome I haue gyuen my self and haue doon to so moche honour thou hast forygoten me Remembre me now ¶ For and euer I may gete the I shal bete the bothe flankes hede vysage and also put out thyn eyen fals recreaunt god that thou art he thus sayeng he was so pursyewed and smyton that he fyl doun vnder his hors and taken and not slayn at the request of hys sone fyerabras to th ende that he shold be aduysed to byleue in Ihesu cryst in the holy Trynyte bycome crysten al his contreye Thenne the bataylle took an ende and he that wold not be conuerted was in contynent put to deth Somme fledde and somme were taken Thenne after thys the Frensshe men wente vnarmed them Charles sawe there hys barons whom he desyred so moche to see in especial his neuew rolland Olyuer whom he loued so moche were so gretly valyaunt It can not be sayd ne expressed the Ioye that was emonge them the consolacyon reioycyng of kyng charles was Inestymable Thenne they recounted alle thynges what were happend to them of theyr daungers and Ieopardyes whiche they had escaped sorowes lamentacions that they had endured wherfore Charles and many other wept for pyte And thys endured many dayes there where as the hurt men seek were heeled they that were hole passed theyr tyme in deduyte tryumphe and Ioye ¶ How ballant thadmyrall for ony admonycyon that was shewed to hym wold not be baptysed and how after guy of bourgoyn espoused florypes was crowned kyng and she quene of that contreye capitulo xv WHan charles had al appeased he took ballaÌ„t the admyral tofore hys noblesse sayd to hym in this maner ballant al creatures resonable owen to gyue synguler honour pertyculer loue to hym that hath gyuen to them beyng knowleche lyf it is wel requesyte nedeful that he haue honour and penerence that hath made heuen and erthe al that therein enhabyteth wherfore by good ryght he is superyour and abouen al And a grete abusyon is comprysed in hym which gyueth fayth and hope in that whyche he hath made wyth hys hondes of mater dede Insensyble and that hath neyther reson ne soule as thy goddes dyabolyke whyche may not ne can gyue consolacyon to theyr subgettes wherfore I warne the for the helthe of thy soule and for the preseruyng of thy body of thy goodes that thou take a waye alle these Iniquytees and peruerse affectyons byleue in the holy Trynyte fader sone and holy ghoost one onely god almyghty and byleue that the sone of god for to
repayre th offence of our formest fader adam descended in to thys world and took humanyte in the wombe of the blessyd vyrgyn marie whyche was al pure and wythoute spotte And byleue in the artycles of the fayth and obeye and kepe hys comandementes which he hath gyuen to vs for our helth and byleue how he was taken of the Iewes and by enuy hanged on the crosse for to redeme vs fro the paynes of helle Byleue hys resurrexyon and ascencyon in hys body gloryfyed and the other thynges as the holy baptesme whyche he hath establysshed wyth the other sacramentes yf thou wylt thus byleue thou shalt be saued thou shalt neyther lose body ne goodes Thadmyral answerd that he wold no thynge do so and sware that for deth ne for lyf he wold not leue Mahon Themperour holdyng a naked swerd sayd to hym that yf he forsoke not Mahon he shold do put hym to deth Fyerabras seyng thys kneled doun to therthe prayed hys fader to do as the emperour had sayd Thadmyral fered the deth sayd that he was contente that the fonte shold be blessed Charles was glad and dyd do make redy a fonte wyth fayr water in a fayr vessel and the bysshop wyth other mynystres of the chyrche dyd halowe the fonte and made alle redy after whan thadmyral was vncladde the bysshop demaunded hym sayeng Syr ballant forsake ye mahon and crye ye mercy to god of heuen for your trespaâ—â—s and byleue ye in Ihesu cryst the sone of the vyrgyn marye whan thadmyral vnderstode these wordes al hys body began to tremble than in despyte of Ihesuâ— he spytte in the fonte and caught the bysshoop wold haue drowned hym in the fonte and had plonged hym therin ne had not Ogyer haue been whyche letted hym yet notwythstondyng 〈◊〉 gaf a grete stroke to thadmyral that the blood came oute of hys mouthe habondantly Of 〈◊〉 were al abasshed that were present and thenne the kyng sayd to Fyerabras ye be my specyâ—â— frende Ye see that your fader wyl neuer be crystened And also the oultrage that he hath doon to the fonte it can not be excused but that be must be dede and dysmembred ¶ Fyerabras requyred hym yet of a lytel pacyence and yf he wold not amende hym that thenne he shold doo hys wylle ¶ Florypes the doughter of the Admyrall seeyng thys sayd ¶ O Syr Emperour wherfore delaye ye soo moche to put thys deuyl to deth I retche not though he be put to deth so that I onely may haue guye of bourgoyn to myn husbond whom I haue so moche desyred Fyerabras answerd fayr suster ye haue grete wronge For I ensure you and swere by god whiche hath made me that I wold that I had lost two of my membres on the condycyon that he were a good cristen man were baptysed and byleued in Ihesu cryst ye wote wel that he is our fader whiche hath engendred vs we ought to honour hym and to loue hys helth ye are wel obstynat whan ye haue of hym noo pyte And after in wepyng sayd to his fader O moost dyer fader I praye you to be better aduysed and by loue in hym that hath fourmed you to hys ymage whyche is Ihesus god souerayn lyke as themperour hath sayd and leue mahon which hath neither wytte ne reason ne noo thyng is but gold stones wherof he is composed yf ye thus do ye shal do to vs grete Ioye of your enemyes ye shal make frendes Ballant ansuerd fool glouton that thou art speke nomore to me therof thou art al oute of resoÌ„ I shal neuer byleue in hym that deyed v C yere a goon acursed be he that putteth in hys byleue that he is arysen fro deth to lyf by mahon my god yf I were on my hors back or I were taken I shold angre charles that fool whan fyerabras had al vnderstonden hym he said to charles that he shold do wyth hym hys playsyr For by good ryght he ought to deye Anon themperour demanded who wold slee ballaÌ„t the vnmesurable felon Thenne Ogier was present which hated hym in his hert forthwyth he smote of his heed Fyerabras pardoÌ„ned hym gladly Thenne after this florypes sayd to Rolland that he shold accomplysshe his promesses bytwene hyr and guy of bourgoyn rollaÌ„d ansuerd ye say trouth and after sayd to guye ¶ Syr ye remembre wel what wordes and loue hath ben bytwene you the curtoys Florypes kepe your trouth and promesse to hyr Guy ansuerd that he was redy to do al that themperour wold haue hym to doo Charles was contente Thenne anone afore theym alle she was despoyled and vnclad hyr for to be baptysed She beyng there al naked shewed hyr beaute whyche was ryght whyte and wel formed so playsaunt and amerouse for the formosyte of hyr persone that euery man merueylled ¶ For she had hyr eyen as clere as two sterres a fayre forhede and large hyr nose ryght wel stondyng in the myddes of the vysage hyr chekes were reed whyt medled hyr browes compaced as it had been a lytel shadowe to the colour of the vysage hyr heyr shynyng as golde that in soo good an ordre accumyled that it henge bynethe hyr knees hyr mouth was wel composed with an attemperat rouÌ„denes a smal longe necke and hyr sholdres fayr wel syttyng ij pappes tofore smale rounde somwhat enhaunced lyke ij rounde apples And so wel was she made and so amerouse that she smote the hertes of many and enflaÌ„med theyr entencyon wyth concupyscence and specyally of charles the Emperour how wel that he was auncyen olde and in the fonte whyche was ordeyned for the Admyral hyr fader she was baptysed And charles Duc thyery of ardayne were her godfaders wythout chaunchyng hyr name And anone after whan she was honourably cladde the bysshop wedded them after themperour comanded to bryngeforth the crowne of ballant and crowned wyth al guy of bourgoyn and Florypes And the bysshop sacred and blessed them And so tho said guy was kyng of that contreye gaf a partye to Fyerabras by condycion that yf Fyerabras wold haue it he shold holde it of guye and all that euer guye shold haue he shold holde it of charles After thys the feest of the weddyng and espousaylles endured viij dayes And charles abode there two monethes and two dayes tyl that the contreye was wel assured ¶ How Florypes delyuerd the reliques to themperour and how they were proued by myracle of the retournyng of Charles and of the ende of thys book CHarles dyd suche dylygence in aygremore and in the contreye adiacent that he that wold not be baptysed was put to deth and so serched oueral And on a sonday after masse he sente for florypes and sayd to hyr fayr doughtre ye knowe how I haue crowned you and maad you quene of thys contre I haue accomplys shed
theyr degree alle them that were at debate he peased them accorded Alle them yâ— were dysheryted put oute from theyr lyuelode he restored al to them Alle yâ— peple that myght bere armes he armed them The valyaunt squyers of theyr persones he made knyghtes al them that were in hys Indygnacyon pryued to hys loue bannysshed for the loue of god he was constraynede to pardonne them made pâ—â—s with euery man and thenne he was fournysshed of moo than an C thousand men wel fyghtynge wythoute them that were a fote whyche were Innumerable And for to gyue courage to the prynces of Charles Turpyn sayd in this maner I Turpyn archbysshop of Raynes by the 〈◊〉 of god shal gyue good courage to crysten people and shal 〈◊〉 the Iufydele sarasyns with myn owne handes ¶ wyth Charles was Roulland of Cenonye neuewe of Charles sone of hys syster dame Berthe of Duke Myllon wyth foure thousand fyghtyng men Olyuer duc of genes sone of duc Reyner with iij M fyghtyng men Aristagius kyng of brytayne wyth vij thousand fyghtyng men Not wythstondyng that in brytayne was another kyng Engelius whyche was duke of Guyan whome Augustus Cezar had ordeyned wyth the byturyciens the monyques pictauyns scauctonens and Elogysmes cytres with their prouynces vnder guyan he cam with iijM horsmen good fyghtars Garferus kyng of bordeloys wyth iiijM men Salamon felowe of estok bawde wyn brother of Rolland Naymes duc of bauyere wyth xM fyghtyng men Hoel of Nauntrs Lambert prynce of bourgoyn wyth ijM fyghtars San son duc of bourgoyn with xM Garyn duc of lorayne many other and Charles had of his owne contre moo than fyfty M men The excercyte of Charles the noble emperour and ryght puyssaunt Kyng of Fraunce was so grete and so ample that it helde two Iourneyes longe in brede half o Iourneye more In suche wyse that of the bruyt that was made for the grete multytude of the frensshemen it was herde two myle ferre and more ¶ Of the tryews of Charles of Aygolant and of the deth of hys peple wherfore aygolant was not baptysed capitulo ix THe whyle that charles was a yonge chylde he lerned at Toulete the langage of sarasyns and spake it whan he wold Aygolant thys geaunt and grete Lord coude not absteyne hym and camnygh vnto crystyente and sente to Charles to come to hym vnto Pampylone and tryews was maad bytwene them For Aygolant consyderyd the multytude of hys people and the puyssaunces of their persones For by cours of nature hym semed he shold surmounte the crysten peple but he thought that the god of crysten people was more certayn and trewe than the god of the paynyms but er he wold declyne fro the worshyppyng of hys goddes he had desyre to assaye yet ones the nombre of paynyms ayenst the nombre of crysten men And he was contente to make a pacte and couenaunt wyth charles that he that shold obteyne the vyctorye vpon others peple that his god were hâ—lden and worshypped And that the god of hym that shold lose the bataylle shold be of noo valure renyed and reputed for nought And vpon thys couenaunte were sente twenty crysten knyghtes ayenst xx knyghtes paynyms And anone as they were assembled and medled to gyder the twenty sarasyns were slayn And after were sente fourty ayenst fourty And anone the sarasyns were slayn and vaynaquysshed And after he sent an C ayenst an C but they were not slayne but fledde AygolaÌ„t thouÈt he wold do better and sent ij hondred ayenst ij C and anone the sarasyns were ouercomen slayn ¶ Thys geaunt was euyl contente of the destructyon of hys peple and for to make a grete descomfyte he sente a thousand sarasyns ayenst a M cristen men and wythoute makyng grete rebellyon the sarasyns were anone slayn and put to deth Thenne the kyng Aygolant by experyence fore made afermed the fayth the lawe of crysten peple to be better more sure more certeyn than the lawe of the paynyms and sarasyns and thus he was enclyned to the crysten fayth dysposed hym to receyue baptym on the moene without fayn tyse and here vpon he demanded tryews and surete for to goo come to Charles he graunted it to hym wyth good hert and thus atte houre of tyerce whan charles was at dyner Aygolant had entencyon to see charles and hys maner at mete for to knowe hys astate yf it were vayllerous and soo grete as it was in armes and in bataylles And also he came pryncypally for to be baptysed and he sawe Charles at hys table with grete magnyfycence and after behelde the ordre of hys peple and sawe that somme were in habyte of knyghtes and grete prynces Other in habyte of channons monkes asked so that he was certefyed of euery ordre and the canse of theyr estate and after that he sawe in a parte of yâ— halle syttyng on the grouÌ„de xiij poure persones which dyned ete as other dyd for charles of custom wold not take his repaste tyl he had xiij poure men in the worshyp of our lord and of his xij appostles he toke hede how these poure men satte on the grounde without to wayl in ryght poure habyte dyned al soroufully he demaunded what people they were Charles ansuerd sayd they be goddes peple and messagers of our lord Ihesu cryst whome I susteyne in thonour of hym his xii appostles that he had with hym gyue to them refectyon corporel AygolaÌ„t said certeynlye he serueth euyl hys lord yâ— receyueth his messagers in thys manere I see wel that they that ben aboute the been in good poynt wel arayed wel serued of mete drynke the seruauÌ„tes of thy god lyue rourely euyl clothed ayenst yâ— colde ben withrawen ferre fro thy he dooth grete shame to his lord that receyueth his messagers in this manere more ouer I see now wel that the lawe whyche thou hast sayd to me to be good holy by thy werkes thou shewest them to be fals of no valewe herof aygolant was all moeued troubled in his entendement he beyng put out alle fro hys purpose toke leue of the kyng retourned to hys peple renounced to be baptysed and sente word to charles for to begynne warre ageyn on yâ— morne more stronge than euer he had doon tofore ¶ Of the deth of aygolant and of his peple how moche crysten peple were slayn by concupyscence of syluer of crysten men founden dede by myracle x WHan charles sawe Aygolant come for to baptyse hym he was moche Ioyous but whan he retorned forsoke it be was euyl contente took aduys vpon the pour men whyche he sayd were messagers of god For after the pouerte of them and after that they were named fore to holde them so was none honour to theyr mayster
clothes of sylke and other rychesses iiij hondred hors laden with swete wyn for to gyue to the men of warre for to drynke also they sente aboue thys to them a thousand fayr wymmen sarasyns in grete poynte and yonge of age And al thys in sygne of loue and of obeyssaunce and after they gaf to Ganellon xx hors charged wyth gold and syluer sylkes and other precyosytes that by hys moyen he shold brynge in to theyr hondes the companye of charles yf he myght doo it Thenne ganellon was surprysed wyth thys fals auaryce whych consumeth alle the swetenes of charyte that is in persones for to haue gold or syluer other rychesses made a pacte and couenaunte wyth the sarasyns for to bytraye hys lord hys neyghbours crysten brethern sware that he wold not faylle them of thenterpryse but I merueylle moche of ganellon which made thys treason wythoute to hane cause coloured ne Iuste ¶ O wycked Ganellon thou were comen of noblesse thou hast doon a werke vylaynnous thou were ryche a grete lord and for money thou hast betrayed thy mayster Emonge alle other thou were chosen for to goo to yâ— sarasyns for grete trust emonge al the other and for the fydelyte that was thought in the thou hast consented to trayson and allone hast commysed Infydelyte Fro whens cometh thyn Inyquyte but of a fals wylle plunged in thabysme of auaryce Thy naturel souerayn lord Roulland Olyuer the other what haue they doon to the yf thou haue a wycked hate ayenst one persone wherfore consentest thou to destroye thynnocentes was there noo persone that thou loue dest whan to al crysten men thou hast ben trayter was there ony reason in the whan thou hast ben capytayn ayenst the fayth what auayleth the prowesse that thou hast made in tyme passed whan thyn ende sheweth that thou hast doo wyckednes O fals auaryce and ardeur of concupiscence he is not the fyrst that by the is comeâ—â— to myschyef by the Adam was to god dysobeysaunt and the noble cyte of Troye the grauÌ„de put to vttre ruyne and destructyon Thus in thys manere ganellon brought gold and syluer wyn wymmen and other rychesses as tofore he had enterprysed whan charles sawe al this he thought that al way doon in good entent and equyte and wythout barat The grete lordes knyghtes toke the wyn for them and charles took onely the gold and syluer the moyen people took the hethen wymmen Themperour gaf consente to the wâ—â—des of ganellon For he spake moche wysely and wrought in suche wyse that charles and alle hys hoost passed the porte of Cezarye for ganellon dyd hym to vnderstoÌ„de that the kynges aforesayd wold become crysten and be baptysed and swere fydelyte to the emperour And anone sent his peple tofore and he came after in the ryere warde had sente Roulland Olyuer the moost specyal of hys subgettes wyth a thousand fyghtyng men and were in Founcyuale Thenne the kynges Marfuryus Bellegandus after the couÌ„ceyl of ganellon wyth fyfty thousand sarasyns were hydde in a wode abydyng awaytyng the frenssh men there they abode ij dayes and two nyghtys deuyded theyr men in two partyes In the first they put xx M sarasynâ— and in that other they put xxx thousand sarasyns ¶ In the haunte garde of charles were xx thousand crysten men whyche anone were assaylled wyth xx thousand sarasyns and maad warre in sucheâ— wyse that they were constreyned to withdrawe them For fro the mornyng vnto the houre of tyerce they seaced not to fyght and smyte on them wherfore the crysten men were moche wery and had nede to reste theym Neuertheles they dronken wel of the good swete wyn of the sarasyns moche largely And after many of them that were dronke went laye by the â—oymem sarasynoys also wyth other that they had brought oute of fraunce wherfore the wylle of god was that they shold al be dede to th ende that their martyrdom passyon myght be the cause of theyr sauacyon purgyng of their synne For anone after the thyrty thou sand sarasyns cant that were in the secoÌ„d batayl vpon the frenssh men soo Impetuovsly that they were al dede and slayn Gxcept Roulland baulduyn Thyerry The other were slayn and dede with spâ—â—â—s somme flayn soÌ„me rosted and other quartred and submysed to many tormentes And whan thys dyscomfyture was doon Ganellon was with charles and also tharchebysshop Turpyn whych knewe nothyng of this werke so sorouful sauf onely the traytre whyche supposed that they alle had be destroyed and put to deth ¶ Of the languysshe that was comyng to Charles he wyste not how sone it was comyng Of the deth of kyng Marfurius and how Roulland was hurt wyth foure speres mortally after that al his peple were slayn capitulo ij THe bataylle as I haue sayd tofore was moche sharpe whan Rolland whyche was moche wery retorned he recountred in hys waye a sarasyn moche fyers blacke as boylled pytche and anone he took hym at thentre of a wode bonde hym to a tree straytely wythoute doyng to hym ony more harme and after took and rode vpon an hylle for to see the hoost of the sarasyns And the crysten men that were fledde saw grete quantyte of paynyms wherfore anone he sowned and blewe his horne of yuorye moche lowde And wyth that noyse came to hym an hondred crysten men wel arayed and babylled wythoute moo And whan they were come to hym he retorned to the sarasyn that was bounde to the tree And Roulland helde hys swerd ouer hym sayeng that he shold deye yf he shewed to hym not clerely the kyng Marfuryus yf he so wold do he shold not deye The sarasyn was contente and sware that he shold gladly do it for to saue his lyf soo he brought hym wyth hym vnto the place where they sawe the paynyms and shewed to Rolland whyche was the kyng whyche rode vpon a rede hors other certeyn tokenes And in thys poynt Roulland reconfermed in hys strengthe trustyng veryly in the myght of god and in the name of Ihesus as a lyon entred in to the bataylle emonge them he encountred a sarasyn whyche was gretter than ony of the other gaf to hym so grete a stroke wyth durandal vpon the hede that he clefte hym hys hors in two partes that the one parte went on one syde that other on the other syde wherfore the sarasyns were soo troubled and abasshed of the myght and puyssaunce of Rolland that they alle fledde tofore hym thenne abode the kynge Marfuryus wyth a fewe foâ—ke Thenne rolland sawe thys kyng And wythoute fere came to hym and put hym to deth IncontyneÌ„t And alle the hondred crysten men that were wyth Roulland in thys recountre were dâ—â—erousâ—ly slayn put to deth 〈◊〉 onely baulduyn and Thyerry whyche for fere fledde in
Olyuer and of many other wherfore Charles sware by god almyghty that he wold neuer cesse tyl that he had founden the sarasyns forthwyth he went wyth his hoost noblesse and by cause that the paynyms were moche ferre fro them god shewed a fayr myracle For that same day was prolonged thre dayes longe wythout that the sonne remâ—ued ony thynge and they fonde the sarasyns by a ryuer named Ebra in Cezarye whyche rested them and ete dranke at theyr ease wythout doubtyng of ony thyng and charles hys people came vpon them so Impetuously that in a letel whyle there were slayn iiij M sarasyns and the other fledde saued them self Thenne themperour seyng that he mygâ—â— goo no ferther retorned to rouâ—cyuale And began tenquâ—â—â— vpon the fayt of traysen and who had doon it what man Thenne he was enformed that Ganellon had made it and that was the comune oppynyon of them alle And emonge alle other Thyerry accused and appled hym of the treason and that he wold fyght in the quarel ¶ For Thyerry had know 〈◊〉 locke by the sarasyn that rolland had bounden to a tree The kyng charles ordeyned a knyght for ganellon named pynable to fyÈt ayenst thyerry And whan these ij champyons were in the lystes anone pynalle was slayne by Thyerry and as wel by thys moyen as by other it appyered clerely that ganellon had bytrayed them wherfore the emperour Charles wythoute goyng ony ferther dyd to take iiij grete horses made to sytte on them iiij stronge men bonde ganellon to two horses by his ij handes and bonde the two feet to the other ij horses made hym to be drawen with the one hors toward yâ— eest that other toward the weste that other ayenst the southe and that other toward the north In this maner eche of the hors drewe forth his quarter of the body of the parte whyche he was bounden vnto ¶ How after the thynges afore sayd charles gaf thankynges pâ—eysynges to god saynt Denyz of the constytucions that he made in fraunce capitulo vj WHan therecucyon was doon of Ganellon and executed charles hys people cam in to the place where the frensshe men had be slayn bygan to knowe theyr parents frendes lordes for to bere them in to halowed place they caryed somme vpon theyr horses Other salted them wyth salte for to mayntene them to brâ—nge them in to theyr contreye Other buryed them in the same place somme bare theym on their sholdres Somme ennoynted them wyth oylle and myrre somme wyth baulme the best wyse they myght Neuertheles there were two cymytoyres or chircheyerdes ryght deuoute pryncypally halowed emonge the other whych were sacred and blessyd wyth vij bysshops That one of the cymytoyres was in orles and that othe in burdegale Saynt maxymyen of ayz Saynt Trophyn of arles poule of nerboÌ„ne Saynt Saturyn of Tholouse saynt fontyn of poytyers saynt Marcel of lymoges and saynt Eutrope of xayntes had sacred and halowed them In whyche places were buryed the moost partye of the frensshe men slayn and destroyed in rouncyuale Themperour dyd do bere rolland the gloryous marter vpon two mules couerd wyth clothes of sylke honourably vnto bloye in the chyrche of saynt Romayn the whyche he had edefyed and founded wyth chanonnes reguler he dyd rychely burye hym and wyth grete magnyfycence on hye ouer his sepulture he dyd do sette hys swerde and at hys feet he dyd do sette his horne of yuorye Not wythstondyng after the horne was taken aweye and borne to Saynt Seueryn at bourdeaws At bourdeanlx were buryed olyuer gaudeboy kyng of Fryse Ogyer kynge of denmark and Crestayn kyng of bretayne Garyn duc of Lorayne and many other As for Eaferus kyng of bourdeaulx Euglerius kyng of guyan lambert kyng of bourges and galerus reygnaut with v M other charles gaf xij C vnces of siluer of money that tyme courant as moche of talents of gold many robes and mete to poure peple for sauacyon of their soules and al the londe seuen myle aboute he gaf to the chyrche of saynt Romayn and maad if subgette to that relygyon And al bloye wyth thappertenauntes and the see ayenst the sayd terrytorye he gaf semblably to the sayd chyrche for charyte loue of Rolland and ordeyned it so for euer and on the day of their passyon he ordeyned that in the same place shold euery yere perpetuelly xxx poure men be fedde and clothed competently and thyrty messys songen for them that there were buryed and entyered and for alle them that were dede in spayne for the crysten fayth In Arles was buryed the counte of lengres samson duc of bourgoyne Naymes duc of bauyere Arnold de bellandus and Allert bourgoynon and other fyue knyghtes wyth ten thousand other moyen peple Constantyn prouoste of Rome was borne to Rome wyth many other Romayns and for the remedye of theyr soules themperour gaf in arles for almesse xij C vnces of syluer and xij talentes of gold whyche was worth a grete somme of gold syluer courant in that tyme ¶ How Charles wente in to Almayne where he deyed holyly And of hys deth shewed to Turpyn and of hys buryeng Imperyally capitulo vij AFter the thynges aforesayd Themperour charles and Turpyn wyth the other came and passed by vyenne 〈◊〉 there Turpyn tharchebysshop a moche holy man abode for he was wery and moche febled of â—â—r payne that he had had for the fayth in spayne and Charles wente to parys anone after he assemaled al the nobles and the moost grettest lordes of hys contreye for to establyssh certayn ordynaunces and for to gyue thankynges to god to saynt Denys of the vyctorye that he had obteyned in his tyme vpon the sarasyns paynyms myscreauntes And after that he had thanked god and saynt denys and to his chyrche fast by parys lyke as saynt Poule thappostle and saynt Clement the pope had doon in tyme passed he maad constytucyon entyere that al the kynges of Fraunce present to come shold obeye to the pastour that shold be for that tyme of that chyrche and that neuer kyng shold be crowned wythoute the pastâ—ur of that chyrche ne the bysshop of parys shold not be receyued at Rome wythout hys consent comandement And he gaf many rychesses to yâ— chirche in token that fraunce was gyuen to that chyrche of saynt deâ—yâ— he ordeyned that euery possessour in al the nacyon of frauÌ„ce shold gyue be bouÌ„den to gyue to the chyrche of saynt denys for to edefye augmente it iiij pens of money courant yerely perpetuelly al they that shold gyue it wyth a good wylle yf they were of bonde serue condycion â—e wold they shold be franke fâ—re of condycyon And after anone these thynges ordeyned he went came tofore the body of saynt denys moche deuousely there he prayed the
glorious saynt that he wold praye vnto our lord Ihesu Cryst that alle they yâ— were dede of the crysten fayth in the tyme that he had regned that they myght be saued and that the payne that they had taken myÈt be to them the crowne of martyrdom in the glorye perdurable in semblable wyse he prayed for al them that wold paye gladly the pens aforesayd to his chyrche As god wold that nyght folowyng saynt denys appyered to hym sayd to hym in thys manere O kyng vnderstonde me knowe thou that I haue made prayer to god my maker he hath graunted that alle they that haue been ayenst the sarasyns with the haue pardon of al theyr trespaces that wyllyngly shal paye the penyes for the edefycacyon of my chyrche augmentyng the seruyce of god they shal haue amendement of lyf and pardon of theyr synnes This vysyon on the morne themperour recounted to hys peple lyke as he had herd by cause they shold wyth a good wylle payâ—the peâ—yes that he had ordeyned he that gaf it was called the franke of saynt denys by canse that he was free and quyte of al seruage by the commandement of the kyng After came the custome that that londe whyche was called Gallia loste hys name was called frauÌ„ce as it is named at thys day Fraunce is as moche to say as free of al seruage anenst al peple and therfore the lordes of Fraunce for this cause emonge al crysten men owen to be honoured praysed The recapitulacion of alle thys werke of his deth at Acon of hys sepulture capitulo viij THe kyng Charles contynued gloriously his lyf in vertuouse operacyons And whan he felte the declyne of hys lyf he went vnto Acon where he had tofore doon moche good enobled a chyrche of our lady the rounde the whyche he dyd do make and gaf therto grete tresour of relyques of bodyes of sayntes of gold syluer of clothes of sylke other precyosytees meruayllous and there he deyed in the yere of hys age lxxij for the magnyfycence of hys werkes he was called charles the grete he had iij sones theÌ„ne lyuyng of whom the fyrst was named Charles the second Pepyn the thyrd â—owys also he had iij doughters that one was named Rotrudys that other berga the thyrd gylla whan he knewe that he myght noo lenger lyue hys sone lowys whome he had ordeyned for specyal loue kyng of guyan he lefte to hym the mageste Imperyal For to knowe the holynes the gloryous ende of Charles how he was saued in heuen and renomed an holyman The deuoute Turpyn archebysshop of Raynes sayth in this manere I Turpyn archebysshop of Raynes was in vyâ—nne in the chyrche tofore th aulter was rauysshed in sayeng the psalm Deus in adintoryum meum intende I sawe a companye of blacke peple lyke Ethyopyens whych were in quantyte Innumerable whyche went toward lorayne and I sawe one tofore hys felowes I demaunded hym whyther al they wente the whyche beyng constrayned to ansuer sayd we alle goo to Acon to the dethe of Charles whyche lyeth a dyeng And we wyl see yf we may haue hys soule for to bere in to 〈◊〉 to perpetuel damynacyon Thenne I sayd to hym I adiure the by the vertue of the name of our Lord Ihesu cryst that wythoute faâ—â—â—lynge after that ye haue doon that thou retorne by me Anone after or he coude fynysshe hys psalme the deuylles cam retournyng ageyn in the same ordre that they wente And thenne I sayd to hym that I had spoken to byfore what haue ye doon there as ye haue been that same deuyl ansuerd that Iames of galyce frende to charles hath ben moche contrarye to vs for whan we were redy for to receyue hys soule and had egally departed his good dedes and his euyl he brought so many stones tymbre of chyrches whyche he had doo made in the name of hym that his good dedes surmounted moche his euyl dedes wherfore we myght haue noo thynge ne parte thys sayd the deuyll banysshed awaye soo he loste hys vysyon Thus Charles in the moneth of feueryere rendred his soule to god holyly Foâ— after that he retorned fro spayn he dyd But laÌ„guysshe appayre in hys body toward hys deth in hys ende he ordeyned many almesses to say many masses psaulters And the vysyon that the gloryous archebysshop Turpyn sawe is sygnyfycacion that he whyche maynteneth and edefyeth chyrches in thys present world that he maketh preparacyon of hys syege in heuen His sepulture was moche honourable emonge al the sepultures of the world noble and ryche excellently and so fayr that it myÈt not be amended and ouer hys tombe was maad an arche of gold syluer and of precyous stones comprysed by grete scyence thyder came Leo the pope accompanyed wyth prynces Romayns archebysshops bysshops Abbottes Dukes Erles and many other lordes and dyd do make a fayre representacyon of the body of Charles clad rychely and Imperyally with a fayre crowne of gold sette on his hede satte vpon a chayer of gold moche fayre and shynyng and resembled wel a notable Iuge lyuyng and they sette vpon his knees notably the texte of the four gospelles in fayre letters of gold wyth the ryÈt hande he helde the lettre in the lyfte hande he helde the ceptre Imperial moche ryche by cause the heed shold not enclyne to eyther syde hit was vnderset wyth a chayne of gold susteyned And the crowne that was on hys beed raught to the arche whiche was al aboue wel made the conduytes of the sepulture were replenysshed with al good odours aromatyques precyous and after closed shette moche subtylly honourably kepte as it was wel worthy for to be doon Thexcusacyon of thauctour ix THis werke accomplysshed to the playsyr of god tofore wryton conteyneth thre bookes by the chapytres deuyded as it appyereth openly to the reders and I haue made them thre after that I haue comprysed in the separacyon and deuydyng of the matyer Of whyche the fyrst book speketh of the begynnyng of fraunce and of the fyrst crysten kyng of fraunce thhyche was named Cloys by the moyen of his wyf clotildys in descendyng to kyng Pepyn fader of themperour Charles In the honour of whome thys book is composed for the moost parte to the whyche Pepyn the lygnage of kyng Cloys took an ende in successyon of the Royalme of Fraunce And the sayd fyrst book sayth more ouer how Charles was nourysshed of hys corpulence of hys etyng of hys strengthe of hys scyence other werkes of magnyfycence The second book speketh of the bataylle that Olyuer dyd ayenst Fyerabras the meruayllous geaunte sone of ballant Admyral of spayne a puyssaunt kynge al the fyrst parte of the second book is attrybued to noble olyuer and in the honour of hym After ye shal fynde how the