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
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
capitulo xiij How the peres of fraunce that were in the toure cam oute whan they sawe thoost of Charles how thadmyral was taken and holden prysoner ca xiiij How ballant thadmyral for all the admonycion that was made to hym he wold not be baptysed but was slayn Floripes hys doughter was baptysed after wedded to guy of burgoyne guy crowned kyng the quene of that contre capitulo xv How Florypes gaf the reliques to themperour how they were assayed proued by myracle of the retournyng of charles the ende of this book ca xvj ¶ Here begynneth the iij book whiche conteyneth ij partyes by the chapytres folowyng declared ¶ The first partye of the iij book conteyneth xiiij chapytres speketh of the warres in spayne of two grete geantes How saynt Iames appyered to Charles how by the moyen by the conduyte of the sterres he went in to Galice what citees he there subdued ca primo Of cytees goten in spayne by charles how somme of theym were by hym cursed capitulo ij Of a grete ydolle whyche was in a cyte that myght not be beten doun and of the sygnes condycyons thewf capitulo iij Of the chyrche of saynt Iames in Galyce of other chyrches that he dyd there do founde iiij How after that Aygolant the geaunt had taken spayne destroyed and put to deth the crysten men Charles recouerd it other maters capitulo v How aygoland sent to Charles that he shold feably come to hym with lytel peple to make Iuste warre how charles in habyte dissimyled spake to hym other maters capitulo vj How charles accompanyed with moche peple retorned to the place forsaid took the cite of agâ—ne other maters capitulo vij Of the vertuous operacions that charles dyd whan he was retorned in to fraunce what baroÌ„s he had in his companye and of theyr puyssaunce capitulo viij Of the tryewes of charles of aygolant of the deth of his peple wherfore aygoland was not baptysed ca ix ¶ Of the deth of aygolaÌ„t of his peple how moche people of the criâ—â—en men were dede by coÌ„cupysceâ—ce of money the crysten fouÌ„dâ—n dede by myracle ca x ¶ Of fâ—â—agê° the meruayllous geant hoâ— he 〈◊〉 aweye the barons of frâ—uÌ„ce without dauÌ„ger how afteâ—ward rolland fouÈt ayenst hym câ— xj How on the morne rolland and ferragus foughten to gâ—der and of their desputyng of their fayth and by what meane Ferragus was slayn by rolland ca xij How Charles went to cordube where as the kyng of that place the kyng of abyllâ— abode hym of their destructyoâ— ca xiij How the chirche of saint Iames was hallowed sacred by turpin tharchebisshop 〈◊〉 chirhes of spayne subgettes to the same of that pryncypal chyrches xiiij ¶ The second partye of the iij book conteyneth x chapytres speketh of the trayson doon and made by Ganellon of the deth of the peres of fraunce How the trayson was comprysed by Ganellon of the deth of the crysten men how ganellon is repreued by thauctour ca j Of the deth of kyng marfuryus and how Rolland was hurte wyth foure speres mortally after that al his peple were slayn and deed capitulo ij How Rolland deyed moche holyly after many maters orysons made and prayed to god moche deuoutely and of the complaynte made vpon hys swerde durandal capitulo iij Of the vysion of the deth of rolland shewed to tharchebysshop Turpyn of the sorowe of charles how he complayned hym pytâ—ously other maters iiij How olyuer was fouÌ„den slayn and of the deth of the sarasyns of the deth of ganellon whyche was hydous capitulo v How after the thynges aforesayd Charles gaf thankynges and preysynges to god and to Saynt Denys And of the constitucions that he made in frauÌ„ce capitulo vi How Charles wente in to Almayn where as he deyed holyly and of his deth shewed to tharchebysshop Turpyn and of his buryeng Imperyally ca vij Of the recapitulacion of al this werke and of hys deth at 〈◊〉 of his sepulture capitulo viij Thexcusacyon of thauctour ix Thenuoye of thauctor ca x ¶ Explicit AS it is redde in thystoryes of the troians After the dystructyon of the noble cyte of Troye there was a kyng moche noble named francus the whyche was felowe of Eneas which whan he departed fro Troye came in to the regyon of fraunce begaâ— to regne in grete prosperyte for the felycyte of his name he dyd coÌ„pose do edyfye a cyte whiche he named fraunce so folowyng all the regyon was called frauÌ„ce after whaÌ„ frauÌ„ce was enhauÌ„ced reduced to mageste ryal Priamus was the fyrst that regned vpon the frensshe men v yere The second was marcurius xxxiij yere The iij pharaâ—â—uÌ„dus regned xj yere The iiij clodyus xiiij yere The v Meroneus x yere The vj hildericus xxvij yere the vij was Clodoneus the fyrst crysten kyng whyche regned vpon the frensshe men after thyncarnacion of our lord CCCC lxxxiiij yere of whome I entende to make a litel mencyon vpon hys â—â—â—ueyllous conuersacyon ¶ How the kyng clodoneus paynym had to wyf the noble clotildis doughter of the kynge of burgoyne capitulo ij IN that tyme was kyng of the burgoynons guydengus the whiche had iiij sones al of good aege that is to wete Agabondus the ij godogesylus the iij Hyspericus the fourth Godamarus The fyrst agabondus repleynsshed of al inyquyte put to deth by swerd his broder hispericus and after henge his wyf put a stone aboute hyr necke drowned hyr This hyspericus had two fayre doughters theldest was named throne whom agabondus her vncle bannysshed fro hys contrey sent hir forth in habyte dyâ—â—ymyled The yonger of these ij douâ—ters was named clotildis whom he reteyned for hir beaute wyth hym in his hous duryng thyâ— the kyng clodoneus or Cloys iij frensshe beyng a paynym whyche byleued with his subgettâ—â— but vpon ydâ—lles oftymes fâ—r hys affayres sent his messageâ—s 〈◊〉 to burgoyne clotyldys thâ—â— fayr mayde was ofte seen of â—he messagers of the kyng 〈…〉 by holden affectuously and for hir grete beaulte dyscrescyon the sayd messagers â—â—tyfyed it to the kyng 〈◊〉 â— and whan thys kyng Cloy◠〈◊〉 ynough informed of the grete beauteâ—â— wysdom of this mayde whyche was crysten he was moche curyous to sende his herawdes vnto agabondus â—ncle of thys doughter for to haâ—e hyr to maryage Duryng those dayes the kyng Cloys had a subtyl man wyth hym named aurelyanus which by comaundement of hys lord wente to the place where as was thyâ— mayde put hym self in habyte moche poure and dyssymyled leâ—t his good habytes with his felowes in a wode weÌ„t moche holyly tofore the moder chyrche of that place the day of a grete feste set hym self in the myddes
the take these frensshe men and despoyle them bynde them harde to that pyler after brynge me my dartes wel sharped wyth yron I shal shote at them and smyte hem at my playsyr theÌ„ne aroos brullant sayd syr admyral I praye you that at thys tyme that ye do not that enterpryse for it shal not be wel doo ye see wel that it is in the euentyde ouer late to do Iustyce so ye myght be blamed seen that your seygnorye ne your lordes be not here now present wherfore I praye you that at thys tyme ye do no thyng to them tyl to morowe atte houre that eche man knowe it your IugemeÌ„t shal the better be approued For I knowe wel that they haue deserued it wel euydently And on that other syde yf charles the emperour wold yelde ageyn to you Fyerabras your sone wyth his good wylle ye myght semblably remyse to hym these freÌ„ssh men that ye now haue for your loue sayd thadmyral I am contente and sente for Brutamont whych was kepar of the pryson and gaf to hym grete charge to kepe the frensshe men and that he be wel fâ—â—re of them and that he sette them in suche place for to lerne how they haue wrought folyly for to come in to hys kepyng ¶ Of the pryson wherein that the Frensshe men were lodged And how they were vysyted by the fayre Florypes doughter of the admyral and of the beaulte of hyr capitulo iij AFter that ballant thadmyral of Spayne had commaunded that the Frensshe men were sette in greuous pryson brutamont the geayler made Olyuer his felawes to auale doun in to a pryson moche daungerous whyche was so depe and strayt in the grouÌ„de that no lyÈt myght be seen in the which were put nourysshed serpentes crapauldes and other beestes venemous and detestable in whyche place al stenche was comprysed and there passed a streme of the salte see whiche had hys entree wythout conduyt by whiche water myght one passe whan the tyde was passed or the kepar of the pryson went he blynfeld them shet the dore aboue them they beyng in this fylthe and stenche anon the water came so habuÌ„dantly that the poure freÌ„ssh men were in the water vnto their sholdres Thenne the wouÌ„des of olyuer began to smerte by cause of the salte water that it perced hys hert ye may wel thynke the payne was grete But in especyal of olyuer which was hurt mortally in many places had grete necessyte of remedye he was in a place where al his paynes were renewed his woundes opened for anon as he felte hym bayned in the salte water he fyl doun a swoune had be dede that tyme ne had be gherard de mondydyer who susteyned hym ye may demauÌ„de me how they were not drowned seeyng that the water grewe alwaye ye shal vnderstonde that in that pryson of aduenture were two grete pylers wel xv fote hye vpon whiche by grete force they gate vp olyuer which myÈt not helpe hym whan olyuer was sette therupon in grete aÌ„guysshe he waylled sayd o poure man vnhappy put vnder by fals fortune O Reyner my dere fader for goddes sake what do ye knowe ye where I am thynke ye what I make knowe ye my sorowe ye shal neuer see me this sayeng other lamentable wordes of desolacyon the valyaunt man Gherard sayd to hym Syr oliuer waybe nomore vnto suche a knyght as ye be it eâ—pperteyneth not to make suche coÌ„plainte reioyce we our self truste we in god whych I wold it plesed that now we that be here were aboue at large al armed eche a good swerde in his hande onely for I make a vowe to god that or we shold be put in to this pytte vnynguysshed I shold put to deth in C sarasyns or moo the frensshe men beyng on these pylers of marble afore sayd in suche wyse sayeng other wordes Florypes the syster of fyerabras doughter of thadmyrall herd them had grete coÌ„passyon of that complayntes that Olyuer made this douÈter was yonge not maryed was wel comprysed of body resonable of lengthe whyt rody as rose in maye hyr heyre was shynyng as the fyne golde hir vysage termyned in lytel of lengthe and hyr chere lawhyng hyr eyen clere as fawcon mued sparklyng lyke ij sterres the vysage had she deuysed moche egally her nose strayt whiche was wel semely the ij browes whiche were aboue the eyen appyeryng made shadowe hyr chekys rounde whyt as the flour delys a lytel tyssued with reed vnder the nose was hyr mouth roundette enhaunced in competent space fro the chynne al wel proporcyoned to the remenaunte of the hede with litel sholdres strayte egalle tofore aboue the gyrdle hir pappes were reysed after the facyon of ij apples rounde and euen as the coppe of a ltel montayn And she was cladde wyth a robe of purple meruayllously ryche fylled pouldred with sterres of fyn golde whyche was made of one of the fayrye it was of grete vertu for the persone that had it myght neuer be poysonned of herbe ne of venym And florypes was so fayre wyth hyr abyllements that yf a persone had fasted iij or iiij dayes with oute etyng he myght see hyr he shold be replenysshed fylled more ouer she bare a mantell whiche was made in the yle of colchos of a woman of the fayrye there as Iason gate the fliese of golde as it is redde in the destructyon of troye almoost at the begynnyng whiche mantel had so swete an odour that it was meruaylle wherfor of the beaute of this damoysel eche maÌ„ meruaylled as I haue said tofore she had wel herde the complaynt of the frensshe men in pryson in especial of Olyuer of whome she had grete pyte and departed fro hyr chambre with xij maydens hir subgettes entred first in to the halle where as the paynyms were moche desolate for fyerabras whiche was taken many other grete lordes which were deed whan the doughter had demaunded tydynges they tolde hyr yâ— hir broder fyerabras was taken vaynquysshed wherfore anone she made a grete crye and syghed for anguysshe theÌ„ne was al the sorowe renewed for hyr sake emonge them whan she had cessyd a lytel of wepyng she sent anone for brutamont sayd to hym what be they that I haue herde speke in the pryson that ben so sorouful ¶ Madame said the porter they be freÌ„ssh men longyng to Charles the Kyng whiche neuer cesse to destroye our lawe she our peple repreue our creauÌ„ce and sette at nought our goddes haue ben aydyng to slee Fyerabras your broder emong whom ther is one of grete valure whyche is one of the best made men that euer was knowen and hath ben so myghty that he conquerd in loyal batayl Fyerabras Anone floryres had enuye to here hym speke sayd to brutamoÌ„t I
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