to his Steed he ran full drive at Brandmond that Brandmond thought sure he should have dyed at that hour and seeing Radison was slain his heart began to faint The Armies both did fight couragiously and many men were lost on both slides then Brandmond took two of Bevis's Knights Prisoners but Bevis met with them and felled Brandmond to the ground Horse and all and took him Prisoner O sir said Bevis I 'le have you to Josian save my Life cryed Brandmond and have me whither thou wilt so Bevis returned with great Victory and was Royally entertained of the King and then Josian broke her mind to Bevis quoth she by Mahound I do desire to be thy Love Not so Lady said Bevis I 'le wed no Heatheness Which words she took very scornfully Bevis perceiving her anger said Lady adieu for I shall never see you again and so he left her and went to his Chamber then Josians heart began to throb and what to do she knew not at last she sent two Knights unto him to desire him to come unto her but Bevis would not then she went her self and said My Lord I would entreat you not to leave me now but grant me that I shall be thy Wife and I 'le do whatsoever thou wilt have me to do I 'le forsake my Gods and turn a Christian for your sake Sir Knight or any thing else that will please you At these words Sir Bevis's heart began to melt and being overjoyed he took her in his Arms and kissed her The two Knights that Bevis redeemed from Brandmond hearing what words passed between Bevis and Josian told to the King which made him mad with Bevis so to bring Bevis to his end the King wrote Letters to Brandmond to put Bevis to death who was the bearer of the Letters Where I will leave him and speake a little of Bevis's Vncle Sir Sabere who was much grieved for Bevis and sent his Son Terry in search for him who travelled many Heathen Lands yet could not find out Bevis but he swore never to see England again if he sound him not CHAP. VI. How Bevis went on his Journey with Letters from King Ermine to King Brandmond which concerned his own life and how he fought with the Sarazens in Damas and how he pull'd down the Idols and how they put him in Prison and what after befell THen took Bevis his Letters and posted away towards the the Land of Pavy and has he rode he saw a Palmer to whom he said What Country-man are you good Palmer I am an English-man said the Palmer and I seek for one I cannot find what is his Name said Bevis His name is Bevis said the Palmer my Fathers Brothers Son I have heard of his Name qd he put I do not know him I would I could find him said the Palmer He is about these Countries said he So after some discourse they parted for Bevis would not make himself known but away rode he to Damas City where the King did live which was a most stately place entring into the streets the He thens were sacrificing to their Gods which was odious for him to behold What Devil do you serve here said Bevis and ran to the God Mahound and pulled him down from the Altar and threw him into the Channel Then all the Sarazens sought with Bevis but he plaid his part so valiantly that he made the streets to run down with blood for he laid about him so fast that there was full two hundred Sarazens killed that bout then some went to the King and told him all that was befell to the God Mahound and how many were killed the King all in a rage swore by Mahound Apoline and Terganant he should dye for his bold attempt and as the King was going to see what he should be that had done this Outrage Bevis met him at the Gate of his Pallace and seeing the King fell down on his knees and delivered his message The King took the Letters and did read them and they proved Treason against poor Bevis to this effect they were That King Bradmond should put Bevis to death Thus Ermine betrayed him that before had kept him from destruction Bevis seeing what he must trust to with manly courage began to make another great slaughter among them four or five at every blow he brought to the ground he struck such heavy strockes that his Sword broke and after with his Fists brought to the ground sixty Sarazens more at last the multitude overcome him bound his hands that he could not stir Alas said Bevis let me not dye a Dogs death but give me an horse and armour a good sword and I will fight against an hundred thousand of you so I dye fairly in the field I care not but all cryed out against him and said hang him others said burn him some said starve him to death then bespake the King he shall be devoured by the two Dragons in the Dungeon with that they were all contented So in the Dungeon was he cast but they untyed his hands by good fortune in the Dungeon he found the Truncheon of a Spear the Dragons seeing a Prey made at him very strongly but he dispatcht them both and then he was at rest a while CHAP. VII How Josian demanded of her Father what was become of Bevis FAther said Josian where is Sir Bevis he replyed he is gone to his Country At this time came King Jour intending for to wed Josian which he obtained And Ermine gave Jour Arundel and Morglay which belonged to Bevis This Josian no way could avoid Now all this time Bevis was in Prison and the Koepers would go down to see him being he had been there the term of seven years and fed with nothing but Bran and Water they thought he was wondrous féeble but he wos so strong that he kill'd them both being midnight and so get out clear and took a Steed and away he rode now when he was gone they quickly followed and Sir Grandere mounted on Trunchifise overtook him with that Bevis turned about and smote Grandere on the Head which blow clove him asounder down to the Girdle then Bevis leayt off his Steed and got upon Trunchifise then he rode forward again By this time many thousands of Sarazens were in pursuit after him followed him so close that he was forced on Trunchisise back to swim over the River and when he was come to Land with very hunger he was ready to faint and as he rid along he saw a Castle where a great ugly Gyant lived that was Sir Grandere's Brother thither he hyed and bounced at the Gate which rouzed the Gyant out of a Dream and coming out said How now Fellow what art thou weary of thy life How camest thou by Trunchifise my Brothers Steed Why said Bevis as I served thy Brother so sle serve thee presently I come for Food and that I le have before I go Wilt thou so
THE GALLANT HISTORY OF THE Life and Death Of that most Noble Knight SIR BEVIS OF Southampton Wherein is contained much Variety of pleasant and delightful Reading Printed by A. M. for J. Deacon at the Angel in Guilt-spur-street without Newgate The Gallant HISTORY OF Bevis of Southampton CHAP. I. Of the Birth of Bevis and of the Death of his Father IN the Reign of Edgar King of England there was a most Renowned Knight whose Name was Sir Guy the Earl of Southampton whose Deeds did exeed all the Valiant Knights in this Kingdom who thirsting after Fame betook himself to Travel And first he sailed into France Flanders Almain Brabant Sicily Denmark Calice Gascoine Hungaria Spain Estland Norway Picardy Scotland Lumbardy Wales All these Parts he travelled in his Youth and Conquered all his Opposers with his unmaster'd strength and Victorious hand fighting under the Banner of Christ agaist all Withstanders whatsoever they were Thus spending the best part of his strength for the Glory of Christ and the honour of his Country he then returned into England again King Edgar hearing that Sir Guy was returned sent a Messeger for him presently to do him honour for the valiant Deeds that he had done Sir Guy with all speed rode to the King by whom he was Royally entertained and all his Nobles and after great Feasting the King according to Sir Guy's desert made him High Steward of England then Sir Guy would betake him to a Wife and the King of Scotland having a fair Daughter Sir Guy made suit unto her but the Emperors brother of Almain was a Suitor unto her likewise and she loved Sir Murdure better then she loved Sir Guy but the King her Father knowing Sir Guy to be a most Noble Peer of England he gave his Daughter to him in Marriage yet still she affected Murdure best but Guy not knowing her hatred to him retured with great Pomp into England with his deceitful Lady Not long after this he had a Son by her and they name him Bevis At the Birth of his Child was exceeding Ioy and Triumph with many Sanquectings Then Sir Guy was confident his Ladies Heart was firmly link'd to his with the never-breaking Bands of Love but he good Knight was much deceived for she like Janus bore a double face one for Sir Guy which frowned but the other which was for Sir Murdure smiled for his Wife perceiving he was old betook her self to love Sir Murdure and called a Servant to her whom she might well trust and said Thou must sail into Almain with speed and keep my secrets and say unto Sir Murdure the Emperors Brother that I greet him kindly and that I do desire him to provide a great company of Knights and Gentlemen to come along with dim into England with all speed and meet my Husband which is hateful to me to look on and tell him that I will send Sir Guy into my Forrest purposely to be slain by Sir Murdure and then tell him I am his Bid him perform this and live with me the time he shall meet Sir Guy shall be on the first of May. The Message being delivered Sir Murdure was resolved to perform what she commanded so on the first of May she feigned her self very sick and weak and called for her Husband and said unto him That she would desire him to go into the Forrest and slay a wild Beast for her to eat This worthy Knight not thinking of her Treachery took a Steed girt a Sword about him and with a Spear in his hand rode to the Forrest with speed By this time Sir Murdure and his Company was entred the Forrest who meeting Sir Guy said Traytor for the love I bear to thy Lady thou shalt quickly lose thy life and after this I 'le slay thy Son for why thy Wife belongs to me With that Sir Guy set Spurs to his Horse and rode with such violence against this Murdure that he threw him out of his Saddle Then Sir Murdure thinking he should have been slain cryed out to his followers who came presently and set upon Sir Guy and swore he should lose his Life Then Sir Guy desired but to fight with Sir Murdure hand so hand and then if he lost his Life he would forgive them all but they would not grant his request but slew him presently and cut off his head and sent it to his Lady who received it joyfully and gave the Messenger a great Reward this Treachery being accomplished Sir Murdure made hast unto the Castle of Sir Guy and there was Royally received of Sir Guy's Wife where for a while I leave them to their pleasures and now come to speak of young Bevis CHAP. II. How Bevis kept Sheep and how he went to his Fathers house and slew the Porter of the Gate and many other things that happened BEvis hearing how basely his Father was killed ran to his Mother and vowed if ever he came to Age that he would be revenged on her and on that base Traytor Sir Murdure With that his Mother gave her Son a box on the ear which fell'd poor Bevis to the ground Sir Sabere being Brother to Sir Guy was very sorrowful for the death of his Brother and seeing his Nephew so misused catch'd him up in his Arms and carried him away his Mother sent presently after Sir Sabere privately to murder her Son Bevis Sir Sabere said he would drest Bevis in old Cloaths and sent to keep his Sheep so Bevis went to the top of a Hill near his Fathers Castle where his Vncles Sheep were In the mean time Sir Sabere killed a Pig and dipt the Garments of the Child in the blood thereof poor Bevis all this while sot weeping upon the Hill but hearing Trumpets sounding at his Fathers Castle and much Melody for joy that his Mother had obtained her desire Bevis cast off care of keeping Sheep ran with his Shepherds Crook on his Shoulder to the Castel and knocking at the Gate the Porter denied him entrance With that young Bevis with his Crook gave him such a bang on the Crown which fell'd the Porter to the earth then into the Hall he went where Sir Murdure sat at Table with his Mother and many Knights and Ladies though all in Rags he shewed them of what house he came on and with a violent blow struck Sir Murdure under the Table and swore if it had not been against Nature he would send his Mother after his own Father With that all the Knights in the Hall sought to lay hands on him but Bevis forc'd his way through the midst of them and got clear away Sir Sabere méeting Bevis running from the Castle said Where hast thou been Bevis anwered at my Fathers Castle where I slew the Porter of the Gate and Knockt my Father under the Table and was about to kill my mother but that Nature taught me the contrary Alas said his Vncle thou hast betrayed us both yet once more
prepare for Battle So Murdure and his Host came to the Isle of Wight where Bevis met with him and betwten them was a bloody Battel Sir Sabere Bevis and Ascapart made such havock with them that they slew all that came near them and Ascapart took Sir Murdure and carried him to the Castle put him in a Cauldron of boyling Pitch and Brimstone the Almain Army fled and the King of England with his Forces run away Sir Murdure's Lady seeing this threw her self down from the Castle and broke her neck then Bevis gave rich Gifts to the soldiers and was placed in Southampton then he married Josian afterwards went to do homage to King Edgar who was exceeding joyful to see Bevis made him Lord Marshal of England the King's son would have bought Arundel but Bevis would not sell him for gold nor silver then the Prince would take him by force but coming into the Stable Arundel beat out his Brains The King hearing this was in wrath with Bevis and swore he should dye but at last it was concluded he should only be banished the Lynd so Bevis surrendred up all his whole Estate to Sir Sabere and took Josian Terry and Ascapart along with him And as they went Josian fell in labor then were they in a Forrest and Josian bid them walk away till she was delivered so Terry Bevis went together and Ascaprrt went another way and when she was delivered Ascapart came to Josian and carried her away Bevis and Terry came and found two Children but not the mother so Bevis took the Infants naming the eldest Guy and the younger Miles and went his way and in his journey met accidentally with a Forrester a Fisherman whom with good store of Gold he hired to take his Children to Nurse engaged them at seven years and to bring them to one Bevis of Hampton and they should be rewarded to their desires they took the Infants and the Gold promising to perform all things accordingly and so Bevis and his Sons parted but Sabere and twelve Knights with him followed Ascapart in Palmers Weeds and overtook him near the City of Mambrant fought with him and slew him on the place Thus he redeemed fair Josian to her great joy and carrying her to his Inn there he met with Sir Bevis and Terry at which time to compleat their happiness the Forrester and the Fisherman brought Bevis's two Sons who thanking them both for their care gave them great Riches and caused them for to be made Knights soon after this there began a fierce War between Jour King of Mambrant and Ermine King of Armony for Josians sake Whereupon Bevis went to the aid of Ermine and took King Jour Prisoner for whose Ransome he had Twenty Tun of Gold and three Hundred white Steeds King Ermine was so highly affected with this Favour that for Bevis his sake he turned Christian and a little before his decease Crowned Guy King of Armony and Miles he made a Knight where they lived a space in great happiness felicity but King Jour bearing an inward grudge or inveterate malice against Bevis he once more resolved to try the fortune of War with him so he raised a great Army of Heathenish Sarazens who with undaunted Courage assaulted Bevis in Armony being led on by King Jour himself in person these charged not so gallantly but they were repulsed as bravely in short time totally routed by the unconquerable power of our English Knights In this skirmish Sir Bevis meeting King Jour had a single combat with him in which fight after many bloody strokes on both sides King Jour was slain his Army was wholly vanquished Bevis then putting on the Armour of R. Jour rode to the City of Mambrant where he was received and welcomed home by the people instead of their King He no sooner got possession of the place but he made them all become his Servants and renounce their false Gods and turn Christians and by this means his fair Lady Josian was the second time at Mambrant CHAP. XII Containing the Conclusion of the History WHilst Sabere continued thus with Bevis tydings came unto him that his wife was disinherited by Edger King of England whereupon he with Bevis Josian and his two Sons Guy and Miles marcht to London with a great Army and fought gainst King Edgar slew two thousand of his Souldiers for the wrong he had done unto him and to Sabere and then he returned to Southampton where King Edgar sent unto him for a parly and in the conclusion made a peace with him and agreed to marry his eldest Daughter unto Miles Bevis his Son whom at that time also he made Earl of Cornwal the Wedding being solemnized with great joy and variety of Courtly Recreations Sir Bevis with Josian and Guy his eldest Son returned to their several homes After this Bevis lived in Mambrant and then Josian sell sick who was accompanied by her beloved Husband both in Sickness and in Death They dyed both in one day and were solemly Intered in one Grave by Guy their Son who raised a stately Tomb over them to the Everlasting Memory of so Galland a Knight and his most Royal Constant Lady So I conclude his Famous Acts here Pen'd For Time and Death brings all thins to an END BOOKS Printed for and Sold by J. 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