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
harnays hys hawberke hys helme and harnays necessarye And whan he was alle furnyshed he took hys swerde named hautrelere the whyche swerde he moche loued After brought he hym hys hors the moost specyall that he loved whyche was named Ferraunt despaygne And whan he was brought tofore hym alle sadled and brydled The Ioly and gentyl Olyuer sprange in to the sadle wythoute settyng foot in the styrop and sette hys shelde at hys ease and in hys honde a myghty spere sharpe whych garyn took to hym And after smote the hors wyth the spores so harde that in the leepyng he maad hys hors to bowe vnder hym It was a good syght to see Olyuer on horsback wyth a moche fyers countenaunce And they that were presente bysought Ihesu Cryst our redemar that he shold take hym in hys kepyng For in that day he shold fyght ageynst the moost strong and moost fyers paynym that euer was born of moder or euer was in thys world That is Fyerabras of Alexandrye sone of the admyral Ballant of spayne of whome we shalle see by the playsyr of god the termynacyon after ¶ He beyng thus on horsback in grete poynt vpon hys vysage and vpon his body he maad the sygne of the crosse in the name of Ihesus and commaunded hym self to the wylle of god whyche that day shold be to hym in comforte and ayde after hys good entencyon And of euery man he was byseen and knowen that he had first hole in hys body for to do grete feat of armes so rode forth vnto the lyces of themperour Charles with whom was the Duc naymes guyllam de scot Gerard de mondydyer and Ogyer the danoys wyth other barons of freunce emonge alle other there was Rolland moche sorouful of the wordes that he had ayenst his vncle the kyng for gladly he wolde haue doo the bataylle yf he had not wythsayed if tofore the kyng whan he was requyred Thus Olyuer beyng seen tofore Charles was moche alowed preysed of one and other moche affectuously byholden And the said olyuer put doun his helme and byhelde the lodgyce of the kyng And reuerently came salewed hym and after sayd to hym Noble emperour puyssauÌ„t redoubted and my synguler lord I beseche you to here me ye know Wel that there ben iij yeres past that I haue been in your seruyce and haue had of you no rewarde ne wages I you supplye with al myn herte that now ye wyll rewarde me wyth a yefte that I shal desyre To whom the kyng ansuerd Olyuer noble erle I assure to you by my fayth that I shal do it wyth a good wylle And assone as we shall be in fraunce there is neyther cyte to nigh ne castel that ye wyl haue ne none other thyng that to me is possyble faysyble that shal be denyed to you Syr kyng said Olyuer I am not comen to you for to demaunde suche thynge But I demaunde and requyre of you the bataylle ayenste the paynym so oute of mesure And at thys houce I graunte to you alle my goodes and seruyces for this yefte to be quyte of them whan the frensshe men had herde Olyuer they were all abasshed of hys prowesse eche of them loked on other and said emonge them A saynt marie what hath Olyuer founden wyyche is hurt quasi to deth wyl now goo to fyght and bataylle O Olyuer answerd charles thou hast loste thy wytte For thou know est wel that wyth a spere heed square and sharpe thou hast be hurte and wounded mortally and now thou wylt abandonâ—â— thy self to a gretter daunger mortall beware Retorne and take thy reste For 〈◊〉 well that for noo thynge I shall suffre the to do that fayte sythen that thou arte not presently in helthe of the body Vpon thys poynte aroos ganellon and Andrewe the traytres that dyd the 〈◊〉 as the laste look shall make mencyon ¶ And Oanellon sayd Syr Kyng ye haue ordeygned in Fraunce that it whyche by ij of vs is Iugâ—d ought to be holden and so is it that we ij Iuge ordeyne that Olyuer shalle goo and doo the bataylle wherfore the kyng ful of maltalente wyth coloure chaunged answerd Ganellon thou arte of euyl dysposycyon Wythoute spekyng that whyche is honourable Sythe it so is he shal doo the bataylle it may none otherwyse be but that he be dede But I swere to the my trouth that yf he be taken or put to deth al gold of the world shal not saue the but that thou shalt dye a vylaynous deth I shall destroye thy lygnage Syr Emperour sayd Ganellon god and our lady kepe me after the trayter sayd to hym self secretly God forbede that euer Olyuer retorne but that he haue hys heed smyton of and whan themperour sawe that he myght not gaynsaye but that olyuer shold goo and the bataylle ayenst Fyerabras he sayd I praye god of the fyrmamente gyue the grace to do wel that thou mayst retorne wyth Ioye And took hys ryght gloue and threwe it to Olyuer the which he receyued wyth grete desyre wylle in thankyng hym ryght humbly and takyng leue of al moche swetely ¶ Hoth Olyuer was requyred by his fader reyner that he shold not fyght wyth the geaunt but for al that he went forth ca vij WHan that Olyuer was lycenced for to goo doo hys bataylle and was redy to departe Reyner of genes hys fader came to the kyng and by grete compassyon kneled doun at hys feet and sayd Syr kyng I crye you mercy hane pyte of my sotte and me I say as for me ye wyl al dyscomforte me whan I see that my sone gooth to perdycyon seeyng the daunger that hys persone is in I say also that ye take pyte of his presumptuous yongthe of hys desyre ouer couetous and of his body wouÌ„ded dauÌ„gerously ye knowe wel that a man that is hurte so sore and that hath loste of hys blood may not wel endure bataylle But Reyner loste hys payne For the kyng had gyuen to hym hys gloue in sygne of lycence And not wythstondyng these wordes doubted no thyng but that he shold wel do hys deuoyr and valyauntly And yet ageyn reyner requyred the kyng and sayd Syr kyng in thonour of hym that for vs deyed on the crosse suffre not my sone to Iust Alas whan I shal haue lost my sone where shal I become and ye may wel fynde other for to take thys bataylle in honde Thempero ur Charles answerd Reyner ye knowe wel that I may not gaynsaye that I haue to hym graunted For in sygne of lyceÌ„ce I haue gyuen hym my gloue wherof Olyuer was contente thenne Olyuer sayd wyth an hye voys tofore alle the people Syr kyng and alle ye barons I beseche you alle of a yefte that is that I requyre you yf I haue mesprysed or mysdoon in dede or in worde ony ayenst you that in the name of god ye
men of kyng Charles al enraged and sayd that they came in hys name to do a message vnto you after they ranne vpon vs and haue doon theyr deuoyr so gretely ayenst vs that al be dede sauf I whyche am escaped wyth grete payne for to come and shewe to you whan thadmyral vnderstode thys he was almoost dede for sorowe of the deth of hys kynges aforesayd ¶ Of the meruayllous bridge of Mantryble of the trybute there payed for to passe ouer and how wyth fayr wordes â—e frenssh men passed ouer the said brydge capitulo vij WHan the frensshe men a foresayd had put to deth the sarasyns they were al trauaylled and wery and wente and rested them in a medowe al grene and ful of swete floures and after sayd the duc naymes my lordes I 〈◊〉 ylle you that we retorne to Charles and say to hym how we haue doon I wote wel that he shal be wel contente whan he shall knowe how we haue gouerned vs Thenne Rolland answerd and sayd How Syr naymes speke ye of retornyng Speke not therof For as longe as I may holde durandal in my hond by the playsyr of god I thynke not to retorne For we wyl doo our message to ballant thadmyral how someuer it be and late vs do one thynge wherof euery man shal speke late eche of vs take one of these hedes and we shal presente them to thadmyral Naymes sayd to hym syr rolland it semeth that ye he oute of your wytte For yf we do so we shal be anone slayn Thyery and the other were of thoppynynyon of Rolland and so eche of them took an hede and rode forth on theyr waye Duc naymes was the fyrst that wente behelde the brydge of mantryble whyche was meruayllous as ye shal here and sayd to hys felowes lordes ye shal vnderstonde that beyonde the brydge is Aygremore where we shal fynde thadmyral Ogyer thâ— danoys sayd be byhoueth fyrst to passe by thys brydge whych is moche daungerous There ben xxx arâ—â—s of marble wel spacyous brode whyche been soulded wyth had and cyment with grete barees of yron wpon whyche brydge been grete towres wyth fayr pylers rychely ordeyned the walles ben of grete strengthe For at the lowest may wel be mesured ten ellys a brede hyt is soo brode that xx knyghtes may goe arme in arem at their ease there is a drawe brydge for to drawe vp whyche descendeth wyth ten grete chaynes of yron And aboue on hye is an egle of golde moche replendysshaunte and shynyng lyke the soÌ„ne that it semeth that it were a flame of fyre whyche is seen a large myle ferce and the ryuer that passeth vnder is named flagot whyche is byuethe the arche by mesure xv foot and renneth so Inpytuously as a quarel out of an arbalastre in suche wyse that neyther lote ne galeye may passe ouer for the grete cours of the water And more ouer this brydge is kepte wyth a geauÌ„te for thadmyral whyche geaunte is named Galafre one of the moost terryble of humayn people And he holdeth a grete axe of stele for to destroye them that wyl doo ageynst hys wylle And who that wyl speke wyth thadmyral must nedes passe by hym Seygnours sayd rolland doubte ye no thynge I praye you care not for passyng ouer the brydge For I swere to you that as longe as it shal please god to slepe my body that I may holde durandal in my honde I shal not doubte ony paynym the balewe of a peny what someuer he be And by god that henge on the crosse I shal smyte the porter yf he come tofore me what someuer shal happe Duc naymes of bauyere reprysed hym Rolland ye speke not wysely It is not good to gyue a stroke for to receyue therfore fyftene late me do For by the playsyr of god and of hys saynâ—es I shal say to hym suche lesynges and other thynges that we shal passe wythoute daunger whan the frensshe men came tofore the brydge the porter toke an hondred knyghtes came aualed the lytel brydge wyth as many guysarmes other glayues of defence The fyrst that went byfore was due naymes with hys whyte heere 's for he was older than ony of the other Anon the porter passed ouer toke Naymes by the honde drewe hym ouer after sayd to hym why ther wylt thou goo Naymes aÌ„suerd I shal say you the trouth we be men of charles the noble emperour goo to Aygremore to do a message to ballant thadmyral But certeynly he hath quytte his contreye of fals peple for it is not longe tyme passed that on the felde we fonde xv gloutons whyche wold haue taken fro vs our lyf our horses Neuertheles we haue gouerned them in suche manere that here ben the hedes beholde them wel whan they be yf ye byleue me not whan the porter herde hym he was almoost oute of hys wytte for angre sayd to Naymes vassal vnderstonde me ye must paye the passage of the brydge tofore al thyng Duc Naymes sayd porter demaunde what ye ought to haue we shal contente you by mahoun sayd the porter it is not a lytel For I aske of you xxx couple houndes after an C maydens chaste of good maners an C fawcons mewed an C palfroyes in good poynte rested and for euery foot of the horses a marke of fyn gold atte last I must haue ii sommyers charged with golde syluer thus ought ye paye or ellys come not here and he that may not paye the trybute tofore deuysed he must lese hys heed wythoute other excusacyon duc Naymes was not abasshed Not withstondyng that he knewe the occasyon that the porter sought that they shold deye by cause that it was not possyble to paye that he had deuysed ansuerd to the porter in this manerr and sayd Syr porter yf I owe noo more than ye haue sayd ye shal be contente or mydday be passed Our bagayge cometh after vs and harnoys more in nombre than an hondred thousand where there be maydens fayr gentyl fawcons dogges grete pleâ—te hawberks helmes and good sheldes wythoute nombre And many other Iewellys noble and ryche take of them as it shalle playse your wylle ¶ The portyer supposed that he had said trouthe and was wel contente and lete the brydge doun and after they passed ouer lyghtly Rolland which myght not forbere lawhyng sayd In trouthe syr Duc Naymes ye haue wel spoken for by lesynges we passe thys brydge and rolland came behynde alle the other whan they were a lytel forth vpon the brydge Roulland encountred a Turke and sythe sayd in his courage A lord god of paradys late me do a thynge wherof thow mayst he honoured and alle thynge happe wel and with oute sayeng of ony worde to his felowes he lyghted doun from hys hors and toke thylke turk by the myddel and threwe hym bastely in to the ryuer ¶ Duc
that broke that he was al enraged for the deth of the paynym as for the mysprysyng that guy had doon in hys presence tofore his eyen and cryed with a loude voys that he shold be takeÌ„ assone as he had sayd the worde the sarasyns as wulues enraged whyche wyth theyr feet and handes al to bete hym in suche wyse that he knewe not where he was And had slayne hym yf the admyraâ— had not commaunded theym that he shold not be put to deth in suche manere â—How the paynyms had purposed to haue hanged Guye of bourgoyne seeyng the crysten men whyche socoured hym myÈtely capitulo xv AFter that guye of bourgoyn was wel bounden and straytly Thadmyral sente to come to hym brullant of mommyere Sortybrant of conymbres and for many other of his couÌ„ceyl and sayd to them my frendes I praye you that ye gyue to me counceyl what I ought to do wyth thys prysonner whyche dothe me so grete reproche despysyng as ye see and knowe Syr sayd Sortybrant I shal gyue to you good connceyl yf ye wyl byleue me ye shal doo reyse vp a galowe tree nyghe to the dyches of the toure in whych been the prysonners of fraunce to morne ye shal do hange this prysoner see that ye haue in a secrete place nyghe vnto that said galowes thousaÌ„d turkes wel armed in good poynte and I am sure that the freysshe men be so hardy and oute of mesure that whan they shal see their felowe for to be hanged they shal come oute for to socoure hym your peple that shal be hydde in the busshement shal come out on them take them Thenne shal ye haue them al surely for to do wyth your playsyr this counceyl was approued by thadmyral to be good was therwyth wel content wherfore wythoute takyng of ony other delyberacy on the galowes were made as afore is sayd ryght nyghe to the place was a lytel wode lete put therin secretly xx M fyghtyng men comanded them to be gouerned by the kyng claryon other capytayns after thadmyral made guy of bourgoyne to be ledde with xxx sarasyns vnto the galowes whyche cessed not to bete and smyte on hym with grete staues whyche greued hym sore they bonde his handes behynde hys backe moche straytly whan he felte a grete corde aboute hih necke and hys eyen bounden sawe no thyuge whyther he wente Thys thynkyng wyth an hye voys he began to crye O redemptour of the world my maker and my god for whos name I am in payne and goo to deye an euyl deth the meryte of thy passyon take my soule in to thy kepyng for the body taketh hys ende And lyke as I haue nede of thy helpe So I beseche and requyre the to counceyll and comforte me ¶ O noble barons of fraunco ye shal neuer see me yf ye suffre me to be hanged it shal be to you grete shame O Roulland fayr cosyn remembre me or ellys shal ye neuer see me on lyue he thus sayeng and other pyetous wordes Rolland was in a wyndowe and behelde ouer a lytel rocke and sawe the galowes reysed wherfore he came to hys felawes and sayd I meruaylle moche what thys meneth that I haue seen the galowes sette vpon the dyches I wote neuer to what purpoos it is doon whan the other had seen it Duc naymes sayd to them that with oute faute they were made for to hange on guye of bourgoyne forthwith they saw hym comyng al despoyled and was ledde toward the galowes they knewe wel that yf he were not socoured and rescued that he shold be hanged put to deth â—whan the fayr florypes herde theÌ„ plede she came to them for to wete what it was and after whan she sawe the galowes reysed and guy hir loue and to comyng husbond so shamefully ledde ye may thynke in what estate she was reduced and began to crye O noble knyghtes shal ye suffre guy of bourgoyn your felawe to be hanged tofore your eyen Truste ye none other that yf he deye by the same god that fourmed me I shal lepe out of the wyndowe shal deye in desperacyen and after she came to rolland kneled doun on both hyr knees and kyssed hys feet humbly in sayeng Syr Rolland in thonour of god I requyre the that it may playse the to take the payne for to rescowe socoure my loue guye and ellys I am a boste woman Thynke for to arme you and I shal goo and make redy your horses for the tyme is ouer short so that by the playsyr of god ye shal be there in tyme Thenne Rolland his felowes armed them moche hastely and gyrde theyr swerdes and sheldes and wente oute of the toure and on hors backe sprange oute And or they rode ony ferther rolland sayd lordes at thys houre lyeth our deth our lyf in suche wyse that yf we haue not good conduyte loyal we shal neuer retorne we ne ben but x the payneÌ„s ben Innumerable of grete force In thonour of god I praye you that alwaye we holde vs togyder that eche take hede of other as moche as he may For yf we be deuyded we shal sone be taken and hanged And on that other parte yf one of vs falle to the grounde that prestly he be reysed And not to leue hym for lyf ne deth And that none faylle other And I shal be he that shal brynge you to gyder by thayde of god for I swere to you by my lyf that as long as I may holde durandal and may kepe the lyf in my body ye shal haue of me a good deffendour and waraunt and in lykewyse sayd al the other Florypes answerd my lordes ye may tarpe ouer longe she went in to hyr chambre and opened a coffre in whiche was the crowne of Ihesu Cryste and moche reuerently they kyssed it sette it on theyr heedes wherfor with a good courage they yssued out noo thynge dredyng the puyssaunce of the paynyms after Florypes and hyr damoysellys lyft vp the brydge shette fast the toure ¶ The noble peres of fraunce fayr and in good ordenaunce wente toward the galowes alonge the medowes the paynyms were vnder the galowes and were besy to brynge vp guy of bourgoyn which had hys eyen bounden hys handes also and a grete corde aboute hys necke and whan Rolland sawe that he hasted hys hors the other after began to crye to the paynyms sayeng ha trayters mastyns It shal not be as ye thynk ye haue begonne suche a thynge werof ye shal repente Of thys huâ—â—t which was made so Impetuously the moost hardy of xxx that helde guye began to flee and they were so hastely poursyewed that xx of them were slayn here vpon they that were in the wode camen out makyng a grete bruyt and al afore came Cornyfer a meruayllous paynym vpon a morel of grete facyon
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
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
to the wode But after that Rolland had slayn kyng Marfuryus he was sore oppressyd in suche wyse deteyned that wyth foure grete speâ—es he was smyton and wounded mortally beten with stâ—ones and hurte wyth dartes and other shotte mortally And not withstondyng these greuous hurte woundes yet maulgre al the sarasyns he spâ—â—nge out of the bataylle and saued hym self the best wyse he myght Bellegandus broder of Marfuryus doubtyng that helpe ayde shold come to the crysten people retorned in to another coutreye wyth hys peple moche hastely And themperour Charles had thenne passed the montayne of Roncyuale and knewe nothyng of these thynges afore sayd ne what had be doon ¶ How Rolland deyed holyly after many martyres orysons made to god ful deuoutely of the complaynte maad for hys swerde durandal capitulo iij ROlland the valyaunt champyon of the crysten fayth was moche sorouful of the crysten men by cause they had noo soâ—ours he was moche wery gretely abasshed moche affebled in hys persone for he had lost moche of his blode by his foure mortal woundes of whyche the leste of them was suffysaunt for hym to haue deyed and he had grete payne to gete hym oute fro the sarasyns for to haue a lytel commemoracion of god tofore or the soule shold departe fro his body so moche he enforced hym that he came to the fote of a montayne nygh to the porte of Cezarye and brought hym self nygh to a roche ryght by Roncyuale vnder a tree in a fayr medowe whan he sat doun on the grounde he byhelde hys swerde the best that euer was named durandal whyche is as moche to say as gyuyng an hard stroke whyche was ryght fayr rychely made the handle was of fyn beryle shynyng meruayllously on hye it had a fayre crosse of gold in the which was wryton the name of Ihesus It was so good fyn that sonner shold the arme faylle than the swerde he took it out of yâ— shethe sawe it shyne moche bryght and by cause it shold chaunge his maister he had moche sorowe in his hert and wepyng he sayd in thys maner pytously ¶ O swerd of valure the fayrest that euer was thou were neuer but fayr Ne neuer fonde I the but good thou art long by mesure Thou hast be so moche honoured that alwaye thou barest with the the name of the blessyd Ihesus sauyour of the world whyche hath endowed the wyth the power of god who may comprehende thy valure Alas who shal haue the after me who someuer hath the shal neuer be vaynquysshed alwaye he shal haue good fortune Alas what shal I more ouer say for the good swerde many sarasyns haue ben destroyed by the thynfydels and myscreauntes haue ben slayn by the the name of god is exalted by the by the is made the path of sauement O how many tymes haue I by the auenged thyniâ—rye made to god O how many inen haue I smyton and cutte a sondre by the myddle O my swerde whyche hast ben my comfort and my Ioye whych neuer hurtest persone that myght escape fro deth O my swerde yf ony persone of noo value shold haue the I knewe it I shold deye for sorowe After that Rolland had wepte ynough he had fere that somme paynym myght fynde it after hys deth wherfore he cencluded in hym self to breke it and toke it smote it vpon a roche wyth alle hys myght iij tymes wythoute hurtyng ony thynge the swerde and clefte the rocke to therthe and coude in no wyse breke the swerde whan he sawe the facyon and coude do nomore therto he took his horne whyche was of yuorye moche rychely made and sowned blewe it moche strongely to the ende that yf there were ony crysten men hydde in the wodes or in the waye of theyr retournyng that they shold come to hym to fore they wente ony ferther and to fore he rendred hys soule TheÌ„ne seyng that none came he sowned it ageyn by soo grete force and vertu and so Impetuonsly that the horne roof a sondre in the myddle and the vaynes of hys necke braken a sondre and the synewes of his body stratcheden And that noyse or voys by the grace of god came to the eeres of Charles whyche was eyght myle fro hym The Emperour herryng the horne he knewe wel that Rolland had blowen it and wold haue retorned ageyn but Ganellon the traytre whyche knewe wel alle the fayt dystourned hym in sayeng that Rolland had blowen his horâ—e for somme wylde beest that he chaced for hys playsyr For ofte tymes he wold blowe hys horne for lytel thynge and that he shold not doubte of nothyng ¶ And thus he dyd the kynge to vnderstonde that he byleued hym and made none other sâ—â— blaunte Neuertheles Rolland beyng in thys sorowe â—e peased hys woundes also wel as he myght and stratched hym self on the grasse to the fresshenes for to forgete hys thurst whyche was ouer grete ¶ Here vpon Baulduyn hys brother came vnto hym whyche was moche heuy and sorouful for hys brother Roulland whyche was in that necessyte And anone Roulland sayd to hym my frende and my brother I haue so grete thurst that I must nedes deye yf I haue not drynke to aswage my thurst ¶ Baulduyn had grete payne in goyng here and there and coude fynde no water and came to hym ageyn sayd he coude fynde none and in grete anguysshe he lefte on Roullandes hors and rode for to fetche charles For he knewe wel that rolland was nyghe hys deth Anone after came to hym Thyerry duâ— of Ardayne whyche wepte vpon Rolland so contynuelly that he myÈt not speke but with grete payne Rolland confessyd hym and dysposed hym of hys conâ—eyence neuertheles that same day Rolland had receyued the body of our lord For the custome was that the subgettes of Charles that day whyche they shold fyght were confessyd comuned wythoute fayllyng by men of the chyrche which alway were wyth them Rolland whyche knewe hys ende by entyer contemplacyon hys eyen lyfte vp to heuen hys hondes Ioyned al stratched in the medowe began to say thus Fayre lord god my maker my redemour sone of the gloryous moder of comforte thou kowest myn entencyn thou knowest what I haue doon for the bounte that is in the by thy grete mercy of whyche thou art enuyronned by the grace whyche in the haboundeth by the meryte of thy passyon holy and bytter with a good and humble hert I requyre the yâ— tofore the thys day my faultes synnes and ygnoraunces may be pardonned to me and take noo regarde to the trespaces that I haue doon to the but beholde that I deye for the and in the fayth that thou hast ordeyned remembre that thou hengest on the tree of the crosse for the synnars and so as thou hast redemed me I beseche the that I be not loste Alas my maker god omnypotent wyth good wylle I departed