Fraunce He was praysed so of euery body y t by the consente of the people he was sacred by the pope Empeorure crowned Moche well he gouerned augmented the chyrche in his tyme. He dyde egall Justyce vnto euery body soo that all folkes sayd good of hym ¶ In this tyme was pope Clement the fourth of that name that consacred kynge Pepyn Emperoure ¶ How Haufray and Henry had enuye at Ualentyne bycause that the kynge loued hym so well Ca. xii AFter that the kynge Pepyn by the grace of god and by the strengthe of armes had chaced the infideles and enemyes of our fayth out of the partyes Romayns he came vnto Orleaunce and there he founde the quene Berthe hys wyfe that receyued hym wich all the Joye and tryumphe that myght be made with her lytell sone Charlemayne and her excellent doughter Eglantyne The whiche was ryght gladde and Joyous bicause that Ualentyne was comen agayne safe and sounde So she sotourned not longe but that shee sente for hym and he came with a good wyll Than whan the lady sa we hym she salued hym amyably saynge Ualentyne my loue ye be hertely welcome well ought you to be de rely kepte and honoured for it is sayd that aboue all other ye haue wonne vyctorye and triumphe vpon the paynyms that helde Rome in theyr subiectyon A madame sayd Ualentyne to god be the laudes and praiâ—â—â—ges euery body sayeth what they lyste And as for me I haue done nothynge that is worthy praise And more ouer the kynge your fader hathe done me soo moche good and honoure that in my lyfe I can not deserue to what seruyce someuer I do hym And in sayenge these wordes Haufray and henry esprysed with enuye dyde entre in to the chambre of Eglantyne And whan Haufray and Henry were entred they sayd vnto hym UaleÌ„tyne what come you here to do in the chambre of our syster that apperteyneth not to you to moche ye shewe yourselfe folysshe and hardy for to entre in to her chambre ryall for you are but a begyler and none can know what you are nor from whens ye becomen Wherfore beware that ye be not founden no more with her leste that euyll come to you Ualentyne sayd vnto Haufray of your syster haue no doubte for syth that I was borne I neuer thought towarde her thynge saue all good and honoure Yf that I be poore and that they knowe not what I am yet wolde I not do nor thynke thynge that sholde be agaynst the maiestery all And to the ende that you haue no doubte that your syster EglaÌ„tyne shall haue by me ony blame at this same houre I promyse you that I shall neuer enter in to her chambre agayne At these wordes departed Ualentine out of the chambre and Eglantyne abode wepyng al alone moche tenderly Ualentyne mouÌ„ted into the palays for to serue the kinge which was set al redy Ther was haufray and Henry and the duke Millon dangler that serued the kyng at table wyth Ualentyne And whan he was rysen he called Ualentyne and sayd heryng them all Lordes here is Ualentyne that hathe well and truely serued me and socoured in my necessitees to the ende that eche of you may knowe it and for the good seruices that he hathe done me in abydynge tyl better come I gyue hym the Erldom of Clermont in â—uâ—rgne Syr sayd UaleÌ„tine god yelde it you for ye do me more honoure and goodnes than I haue deserued To heare suche wordes were Haufraye and Henrye to sorowfull wherefore eche sayde to other Thys same foundelynge which god course is in the grace of the kyng so that yf we fynde not remedy he shall be unes cause of our gret dommage For the kynge hath no chyldren but vs and the lytell Charlemayne of whome we may do our wil after the death of our father but it is of certayntye that Ualentyne wyll supporte him and holde hym agaynste vs. Wherfore we must fynde the manner to put hym in the indignacion of the king and to purchase his deathe for otherwyse we can not auenge vs. And than maye we at oure owne pleasure gouernethe realme wythout contradyecyon Than spake Haufray and said Broder Henry I haue found the maner whereby the false boye shall be deceyued and betrayed I shall tel you howe we shall make the kyng oure fader to vnderstande that he hathe vyoled our syster and that we haue founde hym in naked bedde with her And whan y e kynge shall knowe this I am certayne that he wyl make hym dye shamefully It is wel sayd answered Henry let it be done as you haue sayd and so shall we be auâ—uged In this wyse abode they thynkynge and ymagynynge alway treason agaynst Ualentine for they coueyted his deth ryght sore And valentin serueth the kyng so debonayrly that the kynge aboue all other desyred him in his coÌ„pany For euery daye he maynteyâ—ed him from well to better in prayenge god that he wolde gyue hym know ledge of the place that he was extraught of And Orson his broder is in the forest whiche is so moche fered and redoubted that none durst approche nere the wodde for hym The complayntes came vnto y e kyng euery day from one all partes So it happened daye that a poore man came vnto the kynge all wounded and blody and sayd to hym Syr I complayne me to you of the wylde man For euen so as I and my wyfe passed throughe y e forest berynge breed wyne and other vytaylles y e wilde man came and toke al frome vs and ete it and more oner he toke my wyfe and dyde twyes his wyl with her Now tell me sayd the kynge whether arte thou soryer for thy vytaylles or for thy wyfe By my fayth syr sayd the good man of my wyfe I am moche more dyspleasaunt Thou hast ryght sayd the kyng Now go to my treasourer and sette prise on thy losse for it shal be reâ—ored thâ— After the kynge called his barons to take aduyse on Orson So they aduysed amonge them that the kynge sholde make erye al aboute that who myght take y e wylde man quycke or deed he sholde haue a. M. marke of fyne golde So the counsayl was holden and the crye publysshed And theder came many knyghtes of all estates for to take Orson and the pryse conquere Than the kynge Pepyn beynge in his palays wyth diuers great lordes and noble barons that of thys mater spake and made great admeracions among them selfe Amonge the whych lordes and barons Haufraye that was mortall enemye of Ualentine began for to saye thus Syrhere is Ualetyne that you haue nourysshed and put in great honoure whiche hathe required oure syster Eglantine of loue dysordinate and of great dishonoure And because that I am well informed of this case for to se what he can do and for to she we his valyauntnes let him go seke the wild man that is so dread and you shall gyue hym Eglantyne so
wer in the felde After he sayd vnto Grigar go and arm you and thynke for to defend your quarel wel Ha syr sayd Grigar I haue serued you longe time withall my puissaunce haue enforced me for to obey you in al thinges as wel in batayl as wythoute but euyll rewarde you yelde me whan that you wyll make me fyght agaynst this wylde man that hathe neyther wytte nor reason Grygar sayd kyng Pepyn if you haue good right you ought not to be dysmayed of nothynge for I promyse you that you shal be wel armed and Orson shalbe put into the felde al naked and without armour You shall be on horsback and he shal be on fote without bering ony wepen wherby you shal haue no cause for recule a backe from defendyng of your ryghte I can not tell how it shal befal you but you shewe wel the seÌ„blaunt that there is somwhat to say in you do your deuoyre and defend your ryght for you shall haue none other thynge of me the cause is consumed and the conclusy on made and taken of my counsayll ¶ How Orson and Grigar fought togyder before kinge Pepyn and how Orson vaynquyshed him made him confesse the treason openly and after was hanged And how Valentine was delyuered Ca. xix AFter that Grygar had made dyuers excuss cyons and apposycyons that he sholde not fyght wyth Orson and that it was delybered by the counsail to fight â–ª the kinge commauÌ„â—ed to make the feld afore his palais And when he was ready Orson that was abidyng eâ—â—ered in for to abyde Grygar y t was armed by Haufray Henry the which armed him also well as they could And when he was armed he tooke his leue of them in saying Lordes I go dye for you Euill was the daye for me when I enterprysed suche a thyug Holde your peace sayd Henry and take no thought for I haue promysed you to make your peace to wathe my father the whiche I will holde so that and you be vanquished by Orson your body shall haue no harme And if that he would domage you in any maner there should rather dye an hundred thousande men then we should faile on out syde be euer secrete and knowledge neuer nothyng of the deede that is done nor of the enterpryse Grygar was armed and mounted on horsebacke and so he rode towarde the fielde that was ordeined before the palais And when the houre was come that they should fight the kyng came to the wyndowes for to beholde the batayle When al the court was assembled and the iudges ordayned for to iudge the bataill it was commaunded to both the parties that they shoulde do their deuoyre Than Grygar entred into the fielde with muche pryde mounted at auauntage wherfore it befell hym euill at the ende He sporred his horse and drewe towarde Orson saying Rybaude thou hast done me to great outrage whaÌ„ thou put out one of min eien through thy cruel nes but I shall shewe the that with wronge and without cause thou haste assayled me ¶ And when Orson sawe him come he vnderstode hym well and stratched forth his armes and she wed his nayles and his teeth grennyng full hugely Then Grygar couched his spere and ranne towarde Orson When Orson sawe the spere come he gaue a lepe backward And Grygar that had fayled of his stroke fixed his speere in the fielde Whan Orson sawe that he retourned to him and tooke the spere and when that Orson hadde the spere in his hande he gaue hym so great a stroke that he loste witte and vnderstaÌ„ding in such wyse that he wist not where he was When Grygar was smyten he sporred horse and fledde about the fielde and Orson ranne after makyng a grymly countenaunce and shewyng the kyng that he woulde yelde hym matte anone And when Grygar apperceyued the great daunger that he was in he sayde within himselfe A Haufray I muste dye for you I had well sayde it euyll is the thing begon and euill shal it finishe In this maner Grygar could not wouÌ„de Orson in no wyse And when Orson sawe this he â—ast the spere downe and after came against Grygar and so stâ—aitâ—he kept him that he caught his horse by the necke and he made him turne so ofteÌ„ about that he made him fall but when he felte his horse fal he would haue lept out of his sadle and at the lepe he lost his shelde for it fell down and Orson ranne to it and anone put it vpoÌ„ hym and went towarde the horse and mounted vpon hym and in makyng marueylous sygnes he roode after Grygar that fled about in the fielde To se the countenaunce of Orson euery body was abasshed And the kyng Pepyn amongest the other was muche pensyfe for this case and sayde before them all By God almiâ—hey lordes I marueyle me muche of this feate and I can tell what to thynke nor to what ende it wil come but whatsoeuer it be or what may happen it is myne opinion that there is treason ryght greate somwhere The kyng was pensyfe vpon this enterpryse And Orson that was mounted on horsebacke for to pursue Grygar descended of the horse and wente vnto him on fote and he gaue suche a stroke that he smote him down to the grounde and after he lepte vpon him and tooke his sworde and his dagger from him after he gaue him so mighty a stroke that he smote of his arme and hys shoulder And then he gaue hym another marueylous stroke in the body so that he cut his reynes of his back in two And Grygar escryed soo hye that euerye body herde it in demaundyng a priest for to be confessed of his synnes and to haue absolucion of them And when the gardes of the fielde vndrstode hym a muche notable knyght that had the charge went to ward him and demaunded hym what he woulde and then Grygar sayd vnto hym Syr make the kyng Pepyn descende for I will before all the worlde tell and confesse the falsnes and treason of my case ¶ Then this thyng was sygnifyed to the kyng Pepyn all clearely what he had sayde ¶ How Grygar after that he was ouercome and vanquyshed by Orson confessed before the king â–ª Pepyn the treason that Haufray and Henry had done against the noble Ualentyne ¶ Cap. xx WHen Grygar sawe the kynge he cryed hym mercye And recounted vnto him howe that by the commaundement of Haufray and Henry he had taken Ualentyne put hym in pryson tyll lye be iudged to deathe Whan kynge Pepyn knew the trouth of the mater he commaunded to hang Grygar Sith he mouÌ„ ted on horsbacke for to go vnto the pryson that valen tyne was in whan Orson vnberstode that the kinge wold go he ranne before hym makyng grete chere to hym shewynge hym the waye And the kynge sayd often Lordes it is a great thyng of thys wyld man that loueth Valentine thus know that his manners styreth me much for to do hym some
his sone Ualentyne speke so for the greate â—ishonoure of his dolorous mother he began for to wepe right piteously said with piteous wordes vnto his sonne walentine Alas my deare sonne I knowe clerely that thou art my sonne legytime that with good right thou wilt fight for thy mother the whiche by a false an euill reporte and light beleue â–ª I haue put and sent thy mother in exile â–ª but as for to vndertake too fight for her deade in a field it is no nede For the false â— coursed Archebisshop that had accused her hath bene foughten with and shamefully vanquyshed and put vnto villaynous deathe by a valiaunt marchaunt the which in the presenâ—t oâ— the kyng Pepyn thyne vncle and of me and before all the congregacion of diuers princes barons knyghtes hath â—olde and confessed how with wrong euyll cause by enuye and dyabolyke temptacion he had accused the good lady towarde me When I vnderstode his confession I was wounded so bitterly at the hart that of my dolour it should be to great a thyng to recounte And syth that same tyme I haue sent diuers messengers into dyuers countreys and regyons in trustyng to haue had of my wyfe some cerâ—ayne â—ydynges but I myght not do so muche as to haue some knowledge of her And therfore my childe and myne only hope if thou knowe any thyng of thy mother hyde it not from me for aboue all my desyres I haue a syngulâ—â— desyre for to here some â—ydinges Syr sayd valentyne for to speke of my mother knowe for all certayne that yestemyght about mydnyght I sawe her and spake to her within acquytaine tolde him y t Pacoleâ— brought him so sone of the whiche thynge the Emperoure his father was muche ameruayled For the comyng of valentine was made great ioye through all the cytie of Constancynoble And soo muche was the emperoure Alexander reioysed that he coÌ„maunded to rynge all the bâ—lles of the cytye And when the paynyens and sarazyns heard the great ioye that they of the cytye made they ranue vnto armes and in great dylygence were armed ◠〈◊〉 poynt And when they were all ready armed the soudan â—oradyn accompanied with xxx kynges stronge puyssaunt made to assayle the cytie of Constantinoble the whiche was so full of people that manye horses were dead for hongre And also dyuers men and women and lytell chyloren from day to day by faute of natural substauÌ„ce fynâ—â—â—ed their daies piteously in the stretes And when the noble Dalentine aduised and knew the great multytude of paynims and sarazins and the necessite of the cytie of Constantynoble he spake before all the lordes and captaynes saying in this maner Lordâ—s knyghtes you knowe and se that within this cytie you are in great necessitie of vitayles and yet you maye recouer none but by your valiauntnes vpon your enemies Wherfore I am of the opinion that there should yssâ—e out a certayne nombre of men for too conquere some vitaylles And I al the first am ready and apparaylled to conduyâ—e with my litell power and as well as I maye all them of the cytie that wyll yssut out with me To that couÌ„sayll was consentyng all the capitaines of the armye So there issued out of the cytie with the valiaunt knyght Ualentyne xx thousande men of armes and there yssued out also a great multitude of small people that for the indygence and the greate necessite that they were in folowed hym gladly When they were out of the gates they ran vpon the sarazins so fiersly so valiauntly that within a short space they toke and wonne thre hondred charyottes with vytaylles but as they led them towarde the citie of Constantynoble the soudan that for this losse was sorowefull with a great company of sarazyns and painims put himselfe betwene them and the cytie of Constantinoble for to recouer the vytaylles agayne that they had lost And when the kyng Pepyn sawe that they had stopped the passage he smote his horse with the sporres and set his spete in the reste and dyd so valiaunt that he smote dead vnto the earthe the proude Maragon the whichâ— was kyng of LapharnaÌ„ Then he drew out his sworde and smote Arcillon that was tyght strong and paussaunt â–ª in suche wyse that he smote hym out of his sadle vnto the earth And when valentine the grene knight sawe the great deades of armes that kyng Pepyn dyd they entred in to the batayll and without ceasyng they dyd so muche by force of armes that before the Soudan they heweâ— downe the chefe standarde of the false paynims and sarazyns And when the standarde was downe Ualentyne passed forth agaynst the false soudan and gaue hym so great a stroke with his speâ—e that he sâ—ote him of the Olyphaunt that he was mounted on muche rudely and valiauntly ¶ At that houre was done so many feates of armes by Ualentyne and the grene knyght that Moraldos was dead and the admyrall taken by the grene knight And valentine maugre all the painâ—â—â—s and sarazins did cast vnto the grounde foure kynges sarazyns â–ª smote of bothe the armes of the Admyrall of Ombrye But the two good knightes that same daye for to wynne honoure and fame were to ardaunt and entred to ferre wythin the hoste of the painims and sarasins for whan they thought to hau retorned they wer enclosed with Painims and taken and after bounde straytly as prysoners and led before the Soudan the whyche also soone as he sawe theym he swore his grete God mahoun that thei shuld neuer retorne vnto the christen men agayn but should make a gyâ—et to be reysed vp before the cyte of Constantynoble and make them be hanged so hye that al their frendes myght se them Thus was Ualentine and the greue knight in grece fere of their liues thynckynge neuer to escape from theyr cursed handes And the christeÌ„ meÌ„ did retorne maugre painims sarazins for ther was with theym vytaylles in grete haboundance so that al the people of the cyte weeâ— refreshed and comforted But or they arryued with in the cyte they had a pyteous recountre of paynyms and Sarazyns and ledde a pyteous recountre and strong batayl so that the christen men wend neuer to haue retorned into the cytie of Constantynoble Than they of the cyte that sawe wel the necessite of their men made to cry throughe the cyte that vpon payne of deathe all manner of men prestes clerkes Chanons monkes Freers and womeÌ„ shuld bere the crosse before them in the honour of the passion of our Lord Ihesu Christ and yssue oute againste the painims Than was the nombre so gret of the people that yssued out of the cytie of Constantynoble that the estimacâ—on was forty thousaÌ„d And whan the painims and sarazins saw the great noÌ„bre of people that came out against theÌ„ they reculed a backe in to their â—enâ—s â—et the christen men bere a way the vitailles But or
haue two nenewes that are the sonnes of our eldest syster that is for to wyte Florente and Garniere the whiche are muche hardye and fyerse And me thinketh that by them twayne a treason should be sone conspyred and made soner then by vs for they knewe well for a truthe that the kyng loued them not and that he would geue soner credeÌ„ce vnto other then them On the other part the one is botyller of the kyng and the other is vssher of the chambre that he slepeth in And by the meanes of theym twayne we may entre in to the chambre of king Pepyn oure father and slee hym in his bedde and euery body wyll saye that it hath bene Orson for aboue al the other he is the chiefe garde of his body and trusteth moost in hym And by this meane the sayd Orson shall be condampned to death and the realme shall be holly in our handes for our brother Charles is not yet puyssaunt ynough for to gouerne vs. Haufray sayd Henry you haue ryght well deuysed â–ª but for to accomplysshe this thyng it is expedient to make great dylygence in this wyse ymagyned the two false traytours the deth of the noble and puyssaunte kyng Pepyn the whyche was their naturall father And in soo euyl an hour he had engendred them that for the sauynge of theyr soules they cared ful lyttell They sente for ther two cursed traytours that is for to wyte Florent and Garnyere the whiche were right valyaunt hardy And whan they were comeÌ„ before them Haufray toke the wordes and sayd in this maner Lordes vnderstonde our enteÌ„â—yon for we are delivered my brother and I for to do a thynge that we may haue all prouffyte by shal reyse you and mouÌ„te you in honoure more than euer you were the whiche thinge I desyre because that you are my propre neuewes and of my propre bloode and owe more to desyre your good thaÌ„ any other daÌ„ for to come to an ende I wyl tel you myne enteÌ„cyoÌ„ You know that the kyng Pepyn how well that he is our father neuer loued vs in his life with good hert Euer with his puyssaunce he hath reysed vp the straungers and exalted them in honoure and in all offices and dignyties more than vs wherfore all these thynges consydered my brother Henry and I that are youres vncle legyty mes wyll and consent and are delybered for to make kyng Pepyn dye And after his death we fohâ—e shal gouerne holde his londe at our owne wyll But it be houed that the thinge be accomplysshed by one of you twayne And me thinketh that you Garnyete are the most proprest for to vndertake this thyng for you haue a couenable offyce for to do it more than ony other seynge that you are mayster vssher and pryncipall garde of the kyng is chambre And maye knowe bothe nyghte and daye who entreth in to the sayd chambre for the whiche thynge you maye hyde you in some secrete place and when the kyng shall be in his bedde on slepe you shall slee hym without makyng any noyse And on the moro we in the morning when the tidinges shal be that the kyng is dead the charge and the blame shall be gyuen vnto Orson because that euery nyght he slepeth and resteth moost nerest his body and so he shall be iudged and condempned vnto death And after these thynges we shall take the lyfe sone from the lytel Charles And by this meane the realme shall abyde vnto vs for to departe it after our pleasures Uncle sayde Garnyere of this feate doubte you nothynge for kynge Pepyn your father shall lese his lyfe Now was the treason ordeyned agaynst kyng Pepyn that thought none yll by the two cursed children that had no pite to make their father dye In an euill houre is the chylde borne that would purchase suche a death agaynst his father And in an euill houre was euer engendred Haufray Henry when by them treason was done many countreys marred By theym was their neuewe Garnyete full of so euill will that sone after that the treason was made he espyed a nyght as the kyng souped and tooke a sharpe poynted knyfe subtylly entred in to the chambre tyall and behynde the hangyng he hydde hym soo secretely that he myght not be apperceyued of no body And when the houre was come that the kyng shoulde go vnto reste by the gardes and chaberlaynes he was brought vnto bedde as the custome was The king entred into the bedde the whiche recommaunded him vnto God muche deuoutly and all yssued out of the chambre saue Orson that deuysed with the kynge to slepyng time And when Orson sawe that the king would slepe without makyng any more noyse he left hym and the nerest hym that he myght he layde hym downe vpon a couche bedde ¶ Howe Garnyere entred in to kyng Pepyns chambre for to accomplysshe his cursed enterpryse and how he left the knyfe within the kynges bedstrawe ⧠Capitulo lvii WHen it came to watdemydnyght the traytoure Garniereyssued out of this place and in bering the knyfe in his hande he went vnto the bedde of king Pepyn for to acheue his enterpryse but when he was besyde hym and that helyfte by his arme for too haue put hym to death hym thoughte that the kyng woulde haue wakened wherfore so great feare toke hym that he let hymselfe slyde downe by the bedde syde where as he was a great whyle and durste not remeue hym After he woulde haue sinytten secondly but so great fere toke hym as he woulde haue smyten hym that all hys body fayled and began for too tremble in suche wyse that he myght not acheue his enterpryse and put the knyfe within the bedde After he tetourned in to hys place all tremblyng for to hyde hym in abydynge the day so strongly afrayd that he would haue bene a thou sand myle beyond the sea And Orson was in his bedde that of that dede doubted nothing and dreamed a mar ueilous dreame For it semeth him in sleping that they would haue taken awaye the honoure of his wyfe Feronue And that besyde her was two theues that conspyred treason agaynst him After hym thought that be syde a ponde he sawe two great herons that foughte with a hawke and with all their puyssaunce enforced them for to slee hym But the hawke defended hym so valiauntly that he trauayled the two herons in suche wyse that they had bene both dead if it hadde not bene a great multytude of lytell byrdes that descended vpon y e hawke and would haue slayne hym anone if there had not come an Egle that succoured hym In this dreame Orsou awakened that of this dreame was much amat ueyled and began for too saye Ha veray God kepe me from treason and comforce my brother Ualentyne in suche maner that of y e noble lady Clerymonde he may haue certayne tydinges At that houre the daye appeted and Orson yssued softly out of the chambre
whan he felt himself wouÌ„ded he descended to the earth habandoned his horse After he came agaynst Orson and smote his horse in suche maner that he cut of one of his legges and felled hym vnto the earthe But Orson was dyligent and strong for when he felt the horse fall he auoyded the styropes and lept vpon the earthe And syth came vnto Garnyere and toke hym betwene his armes so mightely that he toke his shelde from him and threwe him to the earth but as he would haue gyueÌ„ hym a â—oyne in the belly Florente sported his horse for to surour his brother and gaue Orson so great a stroke vpon the helme that he made hym for too rele Orson ran vnto hym that had dispyte and smote hym with so great a courage that he ouerthrewe the horse dead too the earth and toke of Florentes helme from his head of the whiche he was sore abasihed and founde none other remedy saue for to flee and renne about the fielde in coueryng his head with his shelde And Orson ran after hym with a fyerse courage that for to se hym flee had great pleasure Ha Florent sayd Garnyere wherfore flee you so much retourne you agayne and thinke for to defende you for if you haue good courage to day he shall be vanquyshed At these wordes the two traytours assayled the valiaunt Orson muche asperly and with their trenchyng swordes gaue hym so many strokes that through his harneys the strokes entred and made the bloud to yssue out by greate haboundaunce Then Orson that felte hymselfe wounded reclaymed God and the virgyn Mary muche deuoutely and gaue Florent so great a stroke that he smote of his arme w t the sword During this batail Fezone was in a church in prayinge god deuoutly that it wolde please hym for to kepe her good loue Orson defende hym in gyuyng him victorye agaynst hys enemyes The people was moche abasshed of y e great dedes of armes that Orson dyde Dolente and sorowful was Florent whaÌ„ he had loste his arme and not for that he left not for to assayl Orson wyth all his puyssaunce ¶ And whan Orson sawe him come he made semblaunte for to smyte Garnyere and after drewe his stroke agayne sodaynly and smote FloreÌ„t in suche maner that he smote him downe deed to the erthe after he sayd vnto Garnyere Traytoure thou muste go after or elles knowledge before euery body y e treasoÌ„ that you haue braced ¶ Orson said Garnyere it shal go other wyse for if you haue slayne my brother to day I shal take vengeauÌ„ce ¶ Haufray sayd Henry our feate goeth euyll for Orson hath alredy slayne and vndone our neuewe Florent you shall se anone y t he wyll vaynquysshe Garnyere make him confesse the treason by the whiche we shall be for euer dyshonoured and in daunger of deathe yf we fynde not maner for to fle escape Brother sayd Haufray that was full of treason I shal tel you what we shal do Also so one as we shall se that Garnyere is ouercomen or that he confesse the treason we shall entre into the felde and in signe for to maynteine Orson we shal cut of our neuewes head And so the treason may neuer be knowen By God sayd Henry none can say nor deuyse better Thus thought the two cursed dysloyall traytours newe treasons for to hyde the olde And the two champions are within the felde y t assaylleth eche other moche asprely Garnyere sayd Orson you se wel that you maye not defende you agaynste me And therfore thynke for to yelde you confesse your cursed treason and I promyse you for to saue your lyfe and make your peas towarde kynge Pepyn and shall sende you vnto the Emperoure of Grece my father that for the loue of me shall reteyne you of hys courte and gyue you great wages Boye sayd Garnyere thy promyse serueth me of nothynge for syth that I haue lost one of myne eres I shall neuer be praysed nor honoured in no place So Had I rather dye valyauntly agaynste the or conquere thy body delyuered the vnto shamefull death than for to defylemyne honoure By my fayth sayd Orson right gladly I accordeth you And syth that you haue enuy for to dye you shall haue founde in me a good mayster Thynke for to defende you for here is your laste daye At these wordes he went towarde Garnyere and wyth strengthe of armes throwe hym vnder hym and pulled hys helme from hys head And Haufray whyche sawe that there was no more remedye cryed right hye Orson slee him not for we knowe right well y t wyth great wronge he hath accused you so we wyll do the Justyce as to the traytour apperteyneth we wyl neuer let hym lyue nor holde hym of our parentage He entred into the felde and sayd vnto Garnyere Fayre mayster confesse your dede and the maner of the treason and we shall do so muche to the kynge that of your fautes ye shal haue pardon Lordes sayde the traytour Garnyere I haue done the treason and put the knyfe in the kinges bed In sayenge these wordes Haufray that was subtyll and cautelous drewe hys swerde to the end that he shuld speke no ferther forthe of that thynge he slewe hym in the same place and after sayd ⧠Lordes nowe let thys traytour be taken and hanged on the galowes for he hath well deserued it Then he sayde vnto Orson Losyn I am tyght Joyous of the vyctory that you haue had for God hath wel shewed that you are true and loyal And for al that Garnyer was my neue we yet shal I neuer clayme hym for my bloud syth he hath wylled to medle with treason Anoue came thether the fayre lady Fezonne that colled and kyssed Orson ryght swetely And than kyng Pepyn demaunde hym Fayre neue we haue you any daungerous wound vpon your body Uncle sayd Orson no thanked be God I haue vanquyshed the two traytours Haufray as a good man hath made Garnyere confesse the treason and takeÌ„ his lyfe from him Ha fayre neuewe beleue it not to lightly for what semblauÌ„t that euer he make you he is partysypyng of the treason but for this present tyme I wyll holde my peace The king and the barons retourned in to the cytie of Parys and made great ioye for the victory that Orson had wonne and the honoure And Haufray and Henry that same day said muche good of him with their mouthes and with their hartes desyred his death But anone after came the tyme that their cursed treason was knowen and that they were punished for their euylles as they had wel deserued So I shal leue to speake of this mater and will tell you of the knyght Ualentyne that rode through the countrey right sorowful for his loue the fayre Llery monde the which was in Jnde the more where the kyng made her to be kept for to wedde her and toke her vnto wyfe by
the cytie of Jherusalem cap. lxxxviii ¶ Howe the kinge of Surie sent a messenger vnto the Patriarke of Jherusalem byddynge him brynge him king Pepin and the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce the whiche he dyd cap. lxxxix ⧠How the kyng of ynde the great ledde kynge Pepyn away for the parte of his prysoners but he knewe not that he was kyng of Fraunce ca. lxxxx ¶ How kynge Pepyn beynge wyth the kynge of Ynde had knowledge of the fayre Clerymonde ca. lxxxxi ¶ How Brandyffer brought vnto the stronge castell the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce put them in prisoÌ„ ca. lxxxxii ☞ Howe Brandiffer after that he hadde assembled hys hoost mounted on the see and wente and beseged the cite of Angory ca. lxxxxiii ⧠How Brandiffer knew that Lucar Was in Angorye And sente vnto Valentyne for to make the appoyntement to bye hym agayne ca. lxxxxiiii ⧠Howe Valentyne demaunded the kynge of Fraunce for chaunge of kynge Lucar by the consente of the lordes and barons ca. lxxxxv ¶ How Myllondangler that was named the kynge of Fraunce for to saue kyng Pepyn was delyuered out of the prisoÌ„ of brandiffer in chauÌ„ge of kyngelucar lxxxxvi ☞ How valentyne and the duke Myllon yssued oute of Angory vpon the sarazyns and howe the sarazyns loste the batayll and were dyscomfyted ca. lxxxxvii ⧠How kyng Pepyn was delyuered in chaunge of the kyng of Yndes Marshall lxxxviii ⧠How kynge Pepyn toke his leue of the fayre Clerymonde and howe he tolde Valentyne tydynges where she was ca. lxxxxix ⧠How kynge Pepyn departed from Angorye and retorned into Fraunce for to so coure hys wyfe ca. C. ⧠How Valentyne wente into Ynde the great counterfet the physycyon for to sethe fayre Clerymonde and how he spake wyth her ca. Ci. ¶ Howe Ualentyne rode away with Clerymonde and how the kynge of Brytayne was yelded vnto kyng Pepyn by treason ca. Cii ⧠How Valentyne toke the stronge castell and deliuered his father the Emperoure of Grece and all the prysoners that were wyth hym â–ª ca. Ciii ¶ How the Seneshal went vnto Ualentynes shyppes how he was put vnto death with al his men ca. Ciiii ⧠How the emperour Orson and the Grene knyght â— abode in garnyson in the stronge castell And how Haufray and Henry made theyr fader to dye ca. Cv. ¶ How after the deathe of kynge Pepyn the duke Myllon Dangler woulde haue made the lytle Charles to be crowned kynge of Fraunce ca. Cvi ✚ Howe the emperoure of Grece Orson and the grene knyght departed from the strong castel for to go socour Valentyne in Angorye ca. Cvii ⧠How the crysten men yssued out of the cyte of Angorye and of the ordenaunce and of theyr meruaylous batayles ca. Cviii ⧠How Ualentyne slewe his fader pyteosly in the battayle wythout knowing hym ca. Cix ☞ How millon dangler retorned into FrauÌ„ce And how Valentyne and Orson retorned in to grece ca. Cx. ☞ How Valentyne toke leue of the fayr clerymond for to go vnto Rome for to be shryuen of his synne ca. Cxi ¶ How Valentine in great dolour of his body perfourmed his penaunce for the sleyng of his fader ca. Lxii ⧠Howe the kynge Hugon made Clerymonde to be demaunded for wyfe and how he betrayed Orson and the grene knyght ca. Cxiii ✚ How Galeran dyd his message vnto Bellyssant and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— of the meruayllous compâ—ayâ—â—tes that Clerymonde made Ca. Cxiiii ⧠How Bellyssant and Clerymonde knew the treason and false enterpryse of kynge Hugon and how the prouoste smote of the head of Galeran Ca. Cxv. ⧠How Orson and the Grene knyght were delyuered out of the pryson of the kynge of Surye by the appoyn tement of the warre that they made after to kynge Hugon of Hongrye Ca. Cxvi ⧠How at the ende of seuen yere Ualentynge dyed with in his palays of Constaniynoble and howe he wrote a lettre that he was knowen by Ca. Cxvii ¶ Of the meruayllous by syon of Orson and how he be came an hermyte in a great wodde Ca. Cxviii ⧠Here endeth the table newly correcte truely set in order so that ye may fynde euery chapyter lyghtly as the nombre sheweth ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn wedded Berthe a lady of great renowne Capitulo Primo UErytably we fynde in the auncient cronicles that the noble and valiaunt kyng pepyn wedded and toke vnto wyfe Berthe of great renowne dyscrete and prudent whiche had and suffred in her tyme greate trybulations and aduersities by enuy For she was chaced and expulsed from the company and habytacion of the foresayde kynge her husbande by a false and a coursed olde woman replete with malyce The whiche old woman for the fyrst nyght founde maner and facion to put a doughter others in the place of the good Quene Berthe And she ledde and conduyted this treason for to vpholde her doughter with the kynge in the place of Berthe his spouse for they resenâ—bled muche The whiche kynge hadde twoo children by that mayden that is to wiâ—te Haufray and Henry the whiche in the tyme of their reigne greeued and wasted muche the countrey of Fraunce and were of fyerse courage and full of maltalent These twayne were cause to put the Quene Berthe in exile where as she suffred innumerable paynes and dolours And the foresayd lady was full long in exyle leading her lyfe in teares and lamentacions But afterwarde God of his inestimable grace deliuered the good lady from aduersitie for at the requeste and instaunce of dyuerse great lordes the lady was accorded vnto her husbande king Pepyn the whiche in great pyte and honour receyued her And with in a lyttell whyle after she was conceyued with a sone whiche was the ryght puyssaunt Charlemayne and afterwarde he was chased out of the realme by the for said Haufray and Henry as â—o is shewed more playnely in this present booke but nowe I will specifie vnto you y e playne matter of this present booke and specially of the dedes and gouernyng of the valeaunt Ualentine and of his brother Orson It is true that the noble kynge Pepyn had a syster named Bellyssant fayre plesaunte and â—ight gracious And in euery thyng well thought and endoctryned And the kynge Pepyn her brother loued her wyth perfyte loue And in so muche that it happened for the reowne that she had and bycause that bothe great and small loued her for her beaute and humylitie the kynge Alexander Emperour of Constantynoble was enbraced wyth her loue right ardantly So it was not longe after that he came into Fraunce for the same cause in right great estate accompanyed wyth diuers erles and barons the whyche were all in greate pompes and rychesses So shortly after his arryuayle he asseÌ„bled all hys great lordes and coÌ„maunded them to aray them in theyr best araye and that they should go vnto the kynge Pepyn for to knowe yf he wolde gyue him his excellent sister Bellyssane in maryage And so they wente
sene and if sarazyns come towarde you put them all vnto death and let none escape Whâ—n he had sayde this he put him on his waye and went to the gate of the castell the crowne vpon his head When the porter sawe him he sayde to him who bryngeth you hether Frende sayde Ualentyne I am a marchaunt that goeth in to spayne so I haue diuers ryche marchaundyses in my shyppe and I haue hearde says that no marchaunt maye passe here by withoute paying trybute vpon payne of their lyues so I wil not pas without paying it Syr sayd the porter abyâ—e me I go vnto my lady for to gyue you aunswere Soo he went towarde Galazye and tolde it vnto her ¶ How the Seneshall went vnto Ualentyne shyppes how he was put to death w t all his men Cap. C. iiii WHan she vnderstode that there was so many Jewelles she called the Seneshall and sayd vnto hym Go towarde the porte and receiue the trybute of the marchauÌ„tes that passe lede wyth you so many of my men so that they may take nothynge fro you ¶ The Seneshall thought well to haue wonne ledde them towarde the porte vnto theyr euyll aduenture for anone as they sawe the rychesse that was wythin the shyppes they were ardaunt to beholde them and Ualentyne sayd Lordes entre in and take of the Jewelles vnto the nombre of the trybute The paynyms entred in that wende to haue bâ—n ryche and the crysten men that were hydde yssued out and stewe them all anone Nowe vp sayd Ualentyne it behoueth vs to do more for to haue the castell Than he made hys men to put on fyfty gownes of the sarazyns vpon theyr harneâ—s and laded them wyth stones and ryche â—â—lkes so they wente towarde the castell And the porter y t wende that they had ben hys felowes bounde vp the lyons and auayled the brydge and thynkynge for to haue had some ryche Jewell yssued out of the barres and Ualentyne tooke hym and ledde hym towarde the shyppes Than he shewed hym the dead men and sayd to hym Fayre syr you shall be suche as these be but yf you swere me by your God to make me entre thys day into the stronge castell keâ—e me bodye Syr sayd the porter I shall do your wyll and here I swere vnto you by the great God that I shall delyuer vnto you the castell at your owne pleasure Porter sayd Ualentyne I shall rewarde the well but kepe the that thou betray me not No sayd the porter come wyth me make your men that are in habyte of sarazyns entre in one after a nother for the daunger of the brydge for they resemble them of the castell So it was done the fyfty christen men entred in and Ualentyne And whan they were in the porter shewed them a fals posterne Ualentyne made it to be opened anone than he blewe hys horne So they that were in the shyppes came thether quickly and Ualentyne wente into Galazyes chambre the whyche of hys comynge was â—ore abasshed Lady sayd Ualentyne of me haue no doubte for I haue passed the see for your gentyll body Than the lady behelde hys countenauÌ„ce of him was touched at the heart and made hym great chere Now are the crysten men within the castell the whyche made great noyse and crye soo that the lady went vnto the wyndowes and sawe well that she was betrayed And returned her towarde Ualentine and said vnto hym all wepynge Free curteyse knyght saue me my maydâ—nhedâ— for I se well that I am betrayed Lady sayd Ualentyne haue no fere for by me nor by other you shall haue no vyllanye but as for the surples of the castell it shall be myne All the paynyms were put vnto deathe Than Ualentyne went towarde the prysoners and brake the pryson dore sayenge on hye You that are wythin speke and you be on lyue Orson vnderstode wel his brother Ualentyne and cryed vnto hym My brother well be you comen what dryueth you hether in to thys place Lordes sayd Ualentyne make good chere and be Joyous and gladde for at thys presente tyme I shall delyuer you all out of the prysons of Brandyffer Whan the Emperoure of Grece hys father hearde that for pure Joye he sowned and Orson toke hym vp bytwene bothe hys armes Thanne came all oute of the pryson the whyche were porely clothed and ryght euylly coloured So it is not to be demaunded the ioye that they made They passed the nyght and dronke good wyne that recomforted them muche The christen men were seuen dayes within the strong castell leading a good lyfe and at that same time Orson acquainted him with the faire Galazye for he knewe not whether Fezon was dead or not not withstandyng it happened that he wedded her after the death of Fezonne and hadde a sonne of her that was called Orsayre that helde the Empyre of Constantynoble ¶ How the Emperoure Orson and the grene knight abode in garnyson in the strong castel And how Haufray and Henry made their father to dye Capitulo C. v. AFter that the strong castell was taken and that the prysoners were a lytell refresshed they toke counsayll together that it shoulde be good to leue soâ—â—e to kepe the castell for that place myght grene the paynims Soo there was some that sayde vnder coloure that it should be good that Haufray and Henry abode in that place Lordes sayde Haufray speke no more for we are delybered for to retorne in to Fraunce to serue our father By my faith said OrsoÌ„ we ought not to wepe for your departing for you were neuer yet good who that leseth euill company he ought to thanke god and I know by experience that you are men that by nature demauÌ„deth not but treason Haufray Henry had grea dispite of those wordes but force constrayned them to haue pacience for they were not men to saye the contrary ¶ It was apointed at the last that the Emperour that was alredy auncient and had nede of reste with his sone Orson and the grene knyght should abyde in garnyson in the strong castel Ualentine with all the other should retourne in to Angorye ¶ Here wyll I tell you of the two traitours Haufray and Henry that retourned into Fraunce the whiche haue conspired the death of their father with that of lytell Charles and the quene Berthes Now they haue ryden so muche that they are arryued at Parys mounted vp in to the palays where as they saluted the king al the baroÌ„s The king made them chere and after demaunded them tydinges of the Emperoure of Grece of Ualentyne and of Orson and of the twelue peres and the other lordes Syr sayde the traytours praye for them for they haue bene slayne in a great batayll before Angory whan the kynge vnderstode these tydinges he wepte tenderly in bewayling the lordes that he wende had bene dead But the traytours dyd it for to angre the kyng the whiche