Destiny to espy three inhumane Beasts lying at the foot of a Hill tumbling themselves against the warm Sun and his three pretty Babes sucking from their Dugs their most unkind Milk which spectacle so encouraged the Champion that without farther advisement with his single Sword he assailed at one time the three Monsters but so furiously they pursued him that he little prevailed and being almost breathless was forced to get into an Orange-tree else he had been buried in their merciless Bowels but when the three wild Beasts perceived him above their reaches and that by no means they could come near him with their wrathful Iaws they so rent and tore the root of the tree that if by policy he had not prevented them the Tree had béen pulled in pieces for at that time it was so full of ripe Oranges and so overladen hat the branches seemed to bend and the bows to break of which fruit he cast such abundance down to the Beasts whereby they restrained their furies and fed so fast thereon that in short time they grew drunk and quite overcome with a dead and heavy sleep this good and happy fortune caused St. George nimbly to leap off the Tree and with his keen edged Sword cut off ther heads from ther bodies the which being done he went to his Children lying comfortless upon a Mossie bank who so pleasantly smiled in his face that they made him greatly to rejoyce and to receive as great pleasure in their sights as though he had been honoured with the Conquests of Caesar or the Royalty of Alexander therefore after he had given them his Blessing he took them up in his Arms and spake these words following Come come my pretty Babes your safe Deliveries from these inhumane Monsters will add long Life unto your Mother and hath preserved your Father from a desperate Death from henceforh let Heaven be your guide and send you as happy Fortunes as Remus and Romulus the first Founders of Imperious Rome which in their Infancies were Nursed with the Milk of a Ravenous Wolf and as Prosperous in your Adventures as was that Persian Potentate which fed on the Milk of a Bitch At the end of which speeches he approached the Cabine where he left his Lady mourning for the loss of her Children but at his return he found her without sense or moving being not able to give him a joyful welcome whereat he fell into this extream passion of Sorrow O Fortune Fortune quoth he how many Griefs heapest thou upon my head wilt thou needs enjoyn me to an endless Sorrow See Sabra see I have redeemed our Sons and freed them from the Tygers bloody Jaws whose wrathful Countenance did threaten Death Which comfortable Speeches caused her presently to revive and to take the silly Infants in her Arms laying them sweetly upon her Ivory Bosome at which they seemed to smile as pleasantly as Cupid in the Lap of Dido when Aeneas sported in the Court of Carthage The kind imbraces loving speeches and joyful conference that passed betwixt the Champion and his Lady were now too long to be discoursed but to be short they remained in the Wilderness without farther Disturbance either of wild Beasts or other Accident till Sabra had recovered her Child-bed sickness And then being conducted by happy Stars they returned back the ready way to Christendom where after some few days Travel they arrived in the Bohemian Court where the King of that Countrey with two other Bordering Princes most Royally Christened his Children The Eldest they named Guy the Second Alexander and the Third David the which being performed and the Triumphs ended which in most sumptuous manner continued for the space of one Month then the Bohemian King for the great Love he bare to St. George provided most honourably for his Childrens bringing up First He appointed thrée several Embassadors with all things necessary for so Princely a Charge to conduct the three Infants to three several Countries The first and eldest whose Fortune was to be a Soldier he sent to the Imperial City of Rome being then the Wonder of the World for Martial Discipline there by the Emperor to be Trained up The Second whose Fortune was to be a Courtly Prince he sent to the Rich and Plentiful Countrey of England being the Pride of Christendom for all delightful pleasures The Third and Last whose Fortune was to be prove a Scholar he sent into Germany unto the University of Wittenburg being thought at that time to be the excellentest place of Learning that remained throughout the whole World Thus were St. George's Children provided for by the Bohemian King for when the Embassadors were in Readiness the Ships for their Passage furnished and Attendance appointed St. George in Company of his Lady the King of Bohemia with his Quéen and a Train of Lords and Gentlemen and Ladies Conducted them to Ship-board where the Wind served them prosperously that in a short time they had bad adieu to the Shore and Sailed chearfully away But as St. George returned back to the Bohemian Court it was his chance to come by an old Ruinated Monastery under whose Walls in former time his Father was Buried the which he knew by certain Uerses carved in Stone over his Grave by the Commons of the Countrey as you may read before in the beginning of this History Over the same he requested of the King that he might Erect a Stately Monument that the remembrance of his Name might live for ever and not be Buried in the Grave of Obscurity To which reasonable Demand the King most willingly consented and presently gave special commandment that the cunningest Architectors that remained within his Dominion should forthwith be sent for and withal gave a Tun of Gold forth of his own Treasury towards the performance thereof The sudden report of this memorable Deed being bruited abroad caused Workmen to come from every place of their own accord with such willingness that they in short time finished it the Foundation of the Tomb was of purest Marble whereon was engraven the frame of Earth and how the watry Ocean was divided with Woods Groves Hills and Dales so lively pourtrayed that it was a wonder to behold The Props and Pinnacles of Alabaster beset with knobs of Iasper Stone the sides and Pillars of the clearest Iet upon the top stood four golden Lions holding up as it were an Element wherein was curiously contrived the Golden Sun and Moon and how the Heavens have their usual Courses with many other things wrought both in Gold and Silver which for this time I omit because I am forced at large to discourse of the Princely Proceedings of S. George who after the Monument was finished with his Lady most humbly took their Leave of the King thanked him for his Love Kindness and Courtesie and so departed towards Egypt and Persia of whose Adventures you shall hear more in the Chapter following CHAP. XVI How St. George with his Lady arrived in
The Famous HISTORY OF THE Seven Champions OF Christendom St. George of England St. Denis of France St. James of Spain St. Anthony of Italy St. Andrew of Scotland St. Patrick of Ireland and St. David of Wales SHEWING Their Honourable Battels by Sea and Land Their Tilts Justs Turnaments for Ladies Their Combats with Gyants Monsters and Dragons Their Adventures in Foreign Nations Their Enchantments in the Holy Land Their Knighthoods Prowess and Chivalry in Europe Africa and Asia with their Victories against the Enemies of Christ. Also the true manner and places of their Deaths being Seven Tragedies and how they came to be called The Seven Saints of CHRISTENDOM The First Part. LONDON Printed for Ric. Chiswell M. Wotton G. Conyers and B. Walford 1696. To all Courteous Readers RICHARD JOHNSON wisheth increase of Vertuous Knowledge GEntle Readers in Kindness accept of my Labours and be not like the chattering Cranes nor Momus's Mates that Carp at every thing VVhat the simple say I care not what the Spiteful speak I pass not only the Censure of the Conceited I stand unto that is the Mark I aim at whose good likings if I obtain I have won my Race if not I faint in the first Attempt and so lose the quiet of my happy Goal Yours in Kindness to Command R. J. The Author's MUSE upon the HISTORY THE Famous Facts O Mars deriv'd from thee By weary Pen and painful Authors toyl Enroll'd we find such Feats of Chivalry As hath been seldom seen in any Soil Thy Ensigns here we find in Field Display'd The Trophies of thy Victories erected Such Deeds of Arms as none could have essay'd But Knights whose Courage Fear hath ne'er dejected Such Ladies saved such Monsters made to fall Such Gyants slain such Hellish Furies quell'd That Humane Forces few or none at all In such Exploits their Lives could safely shield But Virtue stirring up their Noble Minds By Valiant Conquest to enlarge their Fames Hath caus'd 'em seek Adventures forth to find Which Registreth their never-dying Names Then Fortune Time and Fame agree in this That Honour's Gain the greatest Glory is THE Honourable HISTORY OF THE Seven Champions OF CHRISTENDOM CHAP. I. Of the Wonderful and strange Birth of St. George of England How he was cut out of his Mothers Womb and after stoln from his Nurse by Kalyb the Lady of the Woods Her Love to him and her Gifts And how he enclosed her in a Rock of Stone and Redeemed Six Christian Knights out of Prison AFter the angry Greeks had Ruined the Chief City in Phrygia and turned King Priam's Glorious Buildings to a Waste and Desolate Wilderness Duke Aeneas exempted from his Native Habitation with many of his Distressed Countrymen like Pilgrims wandred the World to find some happy Region where they might erect the Image of their subverted Troy but before that labour could be accomplished Aeneas ended his dayes in the confines of Italy and left his Son Ascanius to Govern in his stead Ascanius dying left Silvius to Rule Silvius Deceasing left the Noble and Adventurous Brutus which Brute being the fourth Descent from Aeneas first made Conquest of this Land of Britain then inhabited with Monsters Gyants and a kind of Wild People without Government but by Policy he overcame them and established good Laws where he found the first Foundation of New Troy and named it Troynovant but since in process of time called London Thus began the Isse of Britain to flourish not only with Sumptuous Buildings but also with Couragious and Ualiant Knights whose Adventureus and Bold Attempts in Chivalry Fame shall describe what Oblivion buried in Obscurity After this the Land was Replenished with Cities and divided into Shires and Countries Dukedome Earâ—doms and Lordships were the Patrimony of high and Noble Minds wherein they lived not then like Cowards in their Mothers Bosoms but merited Renown by Martial Discipline For the Famous City of Coventry was the place wherein the first Christian of England was born and the first that ever sought for Foreign Adventures whose name to this day all Europe highly hath in regard and for his Bold and Magnanimous Deeds at Arms gave him this Title The Valiant Knight St George of England whose Golden Garter is not only worn by Nobles but by Kings and in Memory of his Uictories the Kings of England Fight under his Banner Therefore Calâ—ope thou Sacred Sister of the Muses guide so my Pen that it may write the true Discourse of this worthy Champion When Nature by true Consanguinity had recreated him in his Mothers Womb she dreamed to be conceived of a Dragon which should be the cause of her Death Which Dream she long concealed and kept secret untill her painful Burthen grew so heavy that her Womb was scarce able to endure it so finding opportunity to reveal it unto her Lord and Husband being then Lord High-Steward of England she revealed her Dream after this manner My Honourable Lord you know I am by Birth the King of England's Daughter and for these one and twenty years have I been your True and Lawful Wife Yet never was in hope of Child till now or that by me your Name should survive Therefore I conjure you by the pleasure of your Youth and the dear and natural Love you â—ear to the Infant conceived in my Womb that either by Art Wisdom or some other Inspiration you Calculate upon my troublesome Dreams and tell me what they signifie For these thirty Nighâ—s past my â—ilent slumbers have been greatly hindred by grievous Dreams for night by night no sooner could sweet sleep take possession of my Senses but methought I was conceived with a Dreadful Dragon which would be the cause of his Parents Death Even as Hecuba the Beauteous Queen of Troy when Paris was in her Womb Dreamed to be Conceived of a Firebrand which indeed was truly verified For Paris having Ravished the Paragon of Greece and brought Helena into Troy in Revenge thereof the Grecians turned the Towers of Ilium into Blazes of Fire Therefore most dear and well beloved Lord prevent the like danger that I be not the Mother of a Viperous Son These words struck such terrour to his heart that for a time he stood speechless but having recovered his lost Senses he answered her in this manner My most dear and beloved Lady what Art or Learning can perâ—orm with all convenient speed shall be accomplished for never shall Rest take possession of my Heart nor Sleep close the Closets of mine Eyes till I understand the signification of these thy troublesome Dreams So leaving her in her Chamber in company of other Ladies that came to comfort her in her Melancholy Sadness he took his Iourney to the Solitary Walks of Kalyb the Wise Lady of the Woods without any Company except another Knight that bore under his Arm a white Lamb which they intended to Offer unto the Enchantress So travelling for the space of two days they came to a Thicket beset
forsake their proper Nature At which words the Champion gave her the Courtesies of his Country and sealed her Promises with a loving Kiss After which Beautiful Eâ—lantine being ashamed of her Nakedness Weaved her self a Garment of green Rushes intermixed with such variety of sundry Flowers that it surpassed for workmanship the Indian Maidens curious Webs her crisped Locks of Hair continued still of the colour of the Mulberry-tree whereby she seemed like Flora in her greatest Royalty when the Fields were decked with Natures Tapestry After which she washed her Lilly-hands and Rose-coloured Face in the dew of Heaven which she gathered from a Bed of Uiolets-Thus in green Uestments she intends in company of her true Love the Ualiant Knight of France to take her Iourney to her Father's Court being as then the King of that Countrey where after some few days Travel they arrived safe in the Court of Thessaly whose Welcomes were according to their wishes and their Entertainments most Honourable for no sooner did the King behold his Daughters safe approach of whose strange Transformation he was ever ignorant but he fell in such a deadly swoon through the exceeding joy of her presence that for a time his Senses were without vital moving and his heart imbraced so kindly her dainty body and proffered such Courtesie to the strange Knight that St. Denis accounted him the mirror of all Courtesie and the pattern of true Nobility After the Champion was unarmed his stiff and wearied Limbs were bathed in new Milk and White-wine he was conveyed to sweet smelling Fire made of Iuniper and the fair Eglantine conducted by the Maidens of Honour to a private Chamber where she was Disrobed of her Silvan Attire and apparelled in a pall of purple Silk in which Court of Thessaly we will leave this our Champion of France with his Lady and go forward in the Discourse of the other Champions discovering what Adventures hapned to them during the seven years But first how St. James the Champion of Spain fell in Love with a fair Jew and how for her sake he continued seven years dumb and after if Apollo grant my Muse the gift of Scholarism and dip my Pen in the Ink of Art I will not rest my weary hand till I have explained the honourable Proceedings of the Knights of England France Spain Italy Scotland Wales and Ireland to the honour of Christendom and the dishonour of all the professed Enemies of Christ. CHAP. V. How St. Iames the Champion of Spain continued seven years dumb for the love of a fair Jew and how he should have been shot to death by the Maidens of Ierusalem with other things which chanced in his Travels NOw must my Muse speak of the strange Adventures of St. James of Spain the Third Champion and Renowned Knight of Christendom and what hapned unto him in his seven years Trauels through many a strange Country by Sea and Land where his Honourable Acts were so Dangerous and full of Wonder that I want skill to express and art to describe also I am forced for brevities sake to pass over his dangerous Battel with the burning Drake upon the flaming Mount in Sicily which terrible Combat continued for the space of seven days and seven nights Likewise I omit his Travel in Capâ—aâ—ocia through a Wilderness of Monsters with his passage over the Red Seaâ—â— where his Ship was devoured with Worms his Mariners drowned and Himself his Horse and Furniture safely brought to Land by the Sea-Nymphs and Mairmaids where after his long Travels passed Perils and dangerous Tempests amongst the boisterâ—us Billows of the raging Seas he arrived in the unhappy Dominions of Judah unhappy by reason of the long and troublesome misery he endured for the Love of a fair Jew For coming to the beautiful City Jerusalem being in that Age the Wonder of the World for brave Buildings Princely Palaces Gorgeous Mountains and time-wondring Temples he so admired the glorious situation thereof being the richest place that ever his eyes 〈◊〉 that he stood before the Walls of Jerusalem one while gazing upon her Golden Gates glistering against the Sun's bright countâ—nance another while beholding her stately Pinacles whose lofty peeping tops seemed to touch the Clouds another while wondring at her Towers of Iasper Iet and Ebony her strong and fortified Walls three times double about the City the glistering Spires of the Temple of Sion built in the fashion and similitude of the Pyramids the ancient Monument of Greece whose Battlements were covered with steel the Walls burnished with Silver the Ground paved with Tin Thus as this ennobled and famous â—ntat Arms stood beholding the situation of Jerusalem there suddenly thundred such a peal of Ordnance within the City that it seemed in his Ravished Conceit to shake the Uail of Heaven and to move the deep Foundations of the fastned Earth whereat his Horse gave such a sudden start that he leaped ten foot from the place whereon he stood After this he heard the sound of Drums and the chearful Ecchoes of brazen Trumpets by which the Ualiant Champion expected some honourable Pastime or some great Tournament to be at hand which indeed so fell out for no sooner did he cast his vigilant Eyes toward the East-side of the City but he beheld a Troop of well appointed Horse come marching through the Gates after them twelve Armed Knights mounted on twelve Warlike Coursers bearing in their hands twelve blood-red Streamers whereon was wrought in Silk the Picture of Adonis wounded with a Boar after them the King drawn in a Chariot by Spanish Iennets which being a certain kind of Steeds ingendred by the Wind The King's Guard were a 100 naked Moors with Turkish Bows and Darts feathered with Ravens wings after them marched Celestine the King of Jerusalem's fair Daughter mounted on a tame Unicorn In her hand a Iavelin of Silver and Armed with a Breast-plate of Gold artificially wrought like the Scales of a Porcupine her Guard were an hundred Amazonian Dames clad in green Silk after them followed a number of Esquires and Gentlemen some upon Barbarian Steeds some upon Arabian Palfries and some on foot in pace more nimble than the tripping Deer and more swift than the tamest Hart upon the Mountains of Thessaly Thus Nebuzaradan great King of Jerusalem for so was he called solemnly hunted in the Wilderness of Judah being a Country very much annoyed with Wild Beasts as the Lyon the Leopard the Boar and such like in which exercise the King appointed as it was Proclaimed by his chief Herauld at Arms the which he heard repeated by the Shepherd in the Fields that whosoever slew the first Wild-beast in the Forrest should have in reward a Corsset of Steel so richly engraven that it should be worth a thousand sheckles of Silver Of which honourable enterprize when the Champion had understanding and with what liberal bounty the adventurous Knight would be rewarded his heart was fraught with invincible courage thirsting after
vanish in a moment that the hour of her Benevolence might approach other times comforting his sad cogitations with the remembrance of her true Chastity and long continued Constancy for his sake comparing her Love unto Thisbe's her Chastity to Diana's and her Constancy to Penelope's Thus spent he the time away till the glorious Sun began to decline the Western parts of the Earth when the Palmers should receive her wonted benevolence against which time the English Champion placed himself in the midst of them that expected the wished hour of her coming who at the time appointed came to the Palace Gate attired in Mourning Uesture like Polixena King Priam's Daughter when she went to Sacrifice her hair after a careless manner hung wavering in the wind almost changed from yellow burnisht brightness to the colour of Silver through her long continued Sorrows and Grief of Heart her eyes seemed to have wept Seas of Tears and her wonted Beauty to whose Fairness all the Ladies in the World did sometimes yield obeysance was now stained with the pearled dew that trickled down her Cheeks Where after the sorrowful Queen had justly numbred the Palmers and with vigilant eyes beheld the Princely Countenance of Saint George her Colour began to change from Red to White and from White to Red as though the Lilly and the Rose had strove for superiority but yet colouring her Cogitations under a smooth Brow first delivered her Alms to the Palmers then taking St. George aside with him she thus kindly began to confer Palmer said she thou resemblest both in Princely Countenance and Courteous Behaviour that thrice honoured Champion of England for whose sake I have daily bestowed my◠benevolence for this seven years his Name is St. George his Fame I know thou hast heard Reported in many a Country to be the bravest Knight that ever buckled on Steel Helm Therefore for his sake will I grace thee with the chiefest Honour in this Court instead of thy Russet Gaberdine I will Cloath thee in Purple Silk and instead of thy Ebon Staff thy hand shall wield the richest Sword that ever Princely eye beheld To whom the Noble Champion St. George replyed in this Courteous manner I have heard quoth he the Princely Atchievements and Magnanimous Adventures of that Honoured English Knight which you so dearly Affected bruited through many Princes Court and how for the Love of a Lady he hath endured a long Imprisonment from whence he never looked to return but to spend the remnant of his days in lasting misery At which the Queen let fall from her eyes such a shower of Pearled Tears and sent such number of strained Sighs from her grieved heart that her Sorrow séemed to exceed the Queen's of Carthage when she had for ever lost the sight of her beloved Lord. But the brave-minded Champion purposed no longer to continue secret but with his Discovery to convert her sorrowful moans to smiling joy And so casting off his Palmers Weed acknowledged himself to the Queen and therewithal shewed the half Ring whereon was engraven this Poesie Ardeo Affectione which Ring in former time as you may read before they had very equally divided betwixt them to be kept in remembrance of their plighted Faith Which unexpected sight highly pleased the Beauteous Sabra and her Ioy so exceeded the bounds of Reason that she could not speak one word but was constrained through her new conceited pleasure to breath a sad sigh or two into the Champion's Bosom who like a true ennobled Knight entertained her with a loving Kiss where after these two Lovers had fully Discoursed each to other the secrets of their Souls Sabra how she continued for his Love a pure Uirgin through the secret vertue of a Golden Chain steept in Tyger's Blood the which she wore seven times double about her Ivory Neck took him by the gentle hand and led him into her Husband's Stables where stood his approved Palfrey which she for seven years had fed with her own hands who no sooner espied the return of his Master but he was more proud of his Presence than Bucephalus of the Macedonian Monarch when he most joyfully returned in Triumph from any Uictorious Conquest Now is the time said the excellent Princess Sabra that thou mayest seal up the quittance of our former Loves therefore with all convenient spéed take thy approved Palfrey and thy trusty Sword Askalon which I will presently deliver into thy hands and with all celerity convey me from this unhappy Countrey for the King my Husband with all his adventurous Knights are now rode forth on Hunting whose absence will further our flight but if you stay till his return it is not a hundred of the hardiest Knights in the World can bear me from this accursed Palace At which words St. George having a mind graced with all excellent Uertues replyed in this manner Thou knowest my Divine Mistress that for thy Love I would endure as many Dangers as Iason suffered in the Isle Calcos so I might at last enjoy the pleasure of true Virginity For how is it possible thou canst remain a pure Maid when thou hast been a Crowned Queen these seven years and every night hast entertained a King into thy Bed If thou findest me not a true Maid quoth she in all that thou canst say or do send me back hither again unto my Foe whose Bed I count more loathsome than a Den of Snakes and his sight more Ominous than the Crocodiles As for the Morocco Crown which by force of Friends was set upon my head I wish that it might be turned into a blaze of quenchless Fire so it might not endanger my Body and for the Name of Queen I account it a vain Title for I had rather to be the English Lady than the greatest Empress in the World At which speeches St. George willingly condescended and with all speed purposed to go into England And therewithal sealed an assurance with as sweet a kiss as Paris gave to lovely Hellena when she consented to forsake her Native Countrey and to Travel from her Husband Menelaus into Troy So losing no time lest delay might breed danger Sabra furnished her self with sufficient Treasure and speedily delivered to St. George his trusty Sword which she had kept seven years for his sake with all the Furniture belonging to his approved Steed who no sooner received her proffered gifts which he accounted dearer than the Asian Monarchy but presently he Sadled his Horse and beautified his strong Limbs with rich Caparisons In the mean time Sabra through fair Speeches and Promises obtained the good will of an Eunuch that was appointed for her Guard in the King's absence to accompany them in their Travel and to serve as a trusty Guide if occasion required which with the Lady stood ready at the Champion's commandment who no sooner had furnished himself with Habiliments of War belonging to so dangerous a Iourney but he set his beloved Mistriss upon a gentle Palfrey
to provide for the Pagans Entertainment So after due considerations the Champions departed in company of their betrothed Ladies who chose rather to live in their Husbands Bosoms than with their misbeliving Parents Where after some few days they arrived in the spacious Bay of Portugal in which Haven they Uowed by the honour of true Knighthood to meet again within six Months ensuing there to conjovn all their Christian Armies into one Legion Upon which plighted Resolution the worthy Champions departed one from another St. George into England St. Denis into France St. James into Spain St. Anthony into Italy St. Andrew into Scotland St. Patrick into Ireland St. David into Wales Whose pleasant Banks they had not beheld in many years before Where their Entertainments were as honourable as their hearts desired But to speak of the Mustring up of Soldiers in every Christian Kingdom and what strength arrived at the appointed time in the Bay of Portugal shall be discoursed in the sequel of this History and how troublesome Wars overspread the whole Earth where the Heroical Deeds of these Noble Champions shall at large be described Also the Overthrow of many Kings and Kingdoms Ruines of Towns and Cities and the decay of many flourishing Common-weals Likewise of the bloody Tragedies of many Unchristian Princes Whereat the Heavens will mourn to see the effusion of Blood trickle from the breasts of murthered Infants the heaps of slaughtered Damsels trampled to pieces by Souldiers Horses and the streets of many a City sprinkled with the blood of Reverend Age Therefore gentle Reader accept of this my Labour with a smooth Brow and kind Countenance and my weary Muse shall never rest till I have finished the pleasant History of these Heroical Champions CHAP. XIII How the Seven Champions of Christendom arrived with all their Troops in the Bay of Portugal the number of the Christian Armies and how St. George made an Oration to the Soldiers AFter the Seven Champions of Christendom arrived in their Native Countries and by true Reports had blazed abroad to every Princes ear the bloody Resolution of the Pagans and slow the Provinces of Africa and Asia had Mustred up their Forces to the Invasion of Europe All Christian Kings then at the entreaty of the Champions appointed Mighty Armies of well approved Soldiers both by Sea and Land to intercept the Infidels wicked intention Likewise by the whole consent of Christendom the Noble and Fortunate Champion of England St. George was appointed chief General and principal Leader of the Armies and the other six Champions were Elected for his Council and chief Assistants in all Attempts that appertained either to the benefit of Christendom or the furtherance of their Fortunate Proceedings This Honourable War so fired the hearts of many youthful Gentlemen and so encouraged the minds of every common Soldier that some Mortgaged their Lands and at their own proper Charges furnished themselves some sold their Patrimonies to serve in these Honourable Wars and other some forsook Parents Kindred Wife Children Friends and Acquaintance and without constraint of Pressing offered themselves to follow so Noble a General as the Renowned Champion of England and to spend their Blood in the just Quarrel of their Native Country To be brief one might behold the Stréets of every Town and City throughout all the Dominions of Europe beautified with Troops of Soldiers which thirsted after nothing but Fame and Honour Then the joyful sound of thundring Drums and the Ecchees of silver Trumpets summoning them to Arms that followed with as much willingness as the Grecians followed Agamemn on to the woful overthrow of Troy For by that time the Christian Champions had sported themselves in the Bosome of their kind Mistresses the forward Captains taken their Courtly Pastimes and the willing Souldiers bad adieu to their Friends and Acquaintance the Spâ—ing had covered the Earth with a nâ—w Liveâ—y which was the appointed time the Christian Armies should meet in Portugal there to joyn their several Troops into one Legion which Promise caused the Champions to bid adieu to their Native Countrys and with all speed to â—uckle on their Furnitures to hoise up Sails where after a short time the wind with a calm and prosperous Gale cast them happily into the Bay of Portugal The first that arrived in that spacious Haven was the Noble Champion S. George with an hundred thousand Couragious English Soldiers whose forwardness betâ—kened a fortunate success and their willing minds a joyful Uictory His Army set in Battel-aray seemed to countervail the number of the Macedonian Soldiers wherewith worthy Alexander Conquered the Western World his Horsemen being in number twenty thousand were armed all in black Corssets Their Launces bound about with Plates of Steel their Steeds covered with Mail three times double Their Colours were the sanguine Cross supported by a Golden Lyon His sturdy Bow-men whose Conquering grey-Goose wing in former times hath terrified the circled Earth being in number likewise twenty thousand clad all in red Mandilians with Caps of the same colour bearing thereon likewise a sanguine Cross being the true Badge and Honour of England Their Bows of the strongest Yew and their Arrows of the soundest Ash with forked heads of Steel and their Feathers bound on with green War and twisted Silk His Musqueteers being in number ten thousand their Musquets of the widest bore with Firelocks wrought by curious workmanship yet of such wonderful lightness that they required no rest at all to ease their right aiming Arms. His Caliver shot likewise ten thousand of the smaller timbred Men but yet of as Couragious minds as the tallest Soldiers in his Army His Pikes and Bills to guard the waving Ensigns thirty thousand clad all with glistring bright Armour likewise followed ten thousand labouring Pioneers if occasion served to undermine any Town or Castle to intrench Forts or Sconces or to make a Passage through Hills and Mountains as worthy Hannibal did when as he made a way for his Souldiers through the lofty Alps that divide the Countreys of Italy and Spain The next that arrived within the Bay of Portugal was the Princely-minded Champion St. David of Wales with an Army of Fifty Thousand true born Britains furnished with all Habiliments of War for so Noble and Ualiant a Service to the high Reâ—own of his Countrey and true Honour of his Progeny Their Armour in richness nothing inferiour to the English mens Their Colours were a Golden Cross supported by a Silver Griffin which Escutcheon signified the ancient Arms of Wales for no sooner had St. George a sight of the Ualiant Britain but he caused his Musqueteers presently to entertain them with a Uolley of Shot to express their happy and joyful welcome to Shoar which speedily they performed so couragiously with such a ratling noise as though the Firmament had burst in â—under and the Earth made eccho to their thundring Melody But no sooner were the Skies cleared from the smoak of the reaking
be the vain imagination of men and believe in our True and Everliving God under whose Banner we Christians have taken in hand this long War Secondly Thou shalt give Commandment that all thy Barbarous Nations be Christened in the Faith of Christ. Thirdly and lastly That thy three Kingdoms of Barbary Morocco and India swear true Allegiance to all Christian Kings and never to bear Arms but in the true Quarrel of Christ and his anointed Nations These things duly observed the Life shall be preserved and thy Liberty obtained otherwise look for no mercy but a speedy and most terrible death These words more displeased the unchristian King of Morocco than the Sentence of his Condemnation whereupon in these brief Speeches he set down his Resolution Great Potentate of Europe reply'd Almidor by whose Mightiness Fortune sits fettered in the Chains of Power my Golden Diadem and Regal Scepter by constraint I must deliver up But before I will forsake my Country-gods I will endure a hundred Deaths and before my Conscience be reformed to a new Faith the Earth shall be no Earth the Sea no Sea the Heaven no Heaven Thinkest thou now proud Christian by thy threatned Torments to make me forget my Creator and believe in thy God the supposed King of the Jews and basely born under an Ox's Stall No no accursed Christians you Off-spring of Cain you Generation of Ismael you Seed of Vipers and accursed through the World look for a speedy shower of Vengeance to Rain from Heaven upon you wicked Nations Your bloody practices have pierced the Battlements of Iove and your Tyrannies beaten open the Gate of Mighty Mahomet who had provided Whips of burning wyre to scourge you for your Cruelties proffered to and against his blessed Worshippers Now with this deadly Curse I bid you all farewell The Plagues of Egypt â—ight upon your Kingdom The Curse of Cain upon your Children the Famine of Ierusalem upon your Friends and the misery of Dedipus upon your selves This wicked resolution and baleful Curse was no sooner ended by the desperate minded Almidor but the impatience of St. George was so highly moved that he gave present commandment to the appointed Executioners to cast him into the bolling Cauldron which incontinently they performed to the terror of all the Beholders To see this woful Spectacle the Battlements of the Temple were so thronged with People the Houses covered with Women and Children and the Streets filled with Armed Soldiers that it was a wonder to behold amongst which multitudes there were some particular Persons that at the sight of Almidor's death fell down and brake their Necks but the general number as well of Pagans as Christians cryed with chearful voices Honour and Victory follow St. George of England for he hath Redeemed Barbary from a miserble Servitude Which joyful hearing so delighted the Seven Champions of Christendom that they caused their Conduits to run with Wines the Streets to be beautified with Bonefires and a sumptuous Banquet to be proclaimed through the City which after continued for the space of seven days in more magnificent Royalty than the Banquet of Babylon when the Macedonian Monarch returned from the World's Conquest The Champions Liberty procured such faithful Love in the hearts of the Morocco Peers that with a general Consent they chose S. George for their Lawful King where after they had invested him in the Princely Seat of the Morocco Pottentate they set the Crown upon his Head and after presented him with an Imperial Pall which the Kings of Barbary usually wore upon their Coronation-day protesting to forsake their Profane Religion and be Christened in the Faith of Christ. This promised Conversion of the Infidels more highly delighted the English Champion than to have the whole World's Honour at Command for it was the chiefest point of his Knightly Oath to advance the Faith of Christ and to enlarge the Bounds of Christindom After his Coronation was so solemnly performed the other six Champions conducted him to a Princely Palace where he took true Allegiance of the Morocco Lords by â—â—ighted Oath to be true to his Crown After this he established the Christian Laws to the benefit of the whole Country then he commanded all the Ceremonious Rites of Mahomet to be trodden under Foot and the true Gospel of Christ to be Preached likewise he caused all that did remain in Barbary to be Christened in the new Faith but these Observations continued but for a time as hereafter shall be discovered at large For Fame not intending to let the worthy Champion long to remain in the idle Bowers of Peace summoned them to pâ—rieveâ—e in the Noble Atchievements and to Muster up anew their Soldiers whose Armour Caukered Case had almost stained with Rust Therefore St. George committed the Government of the Country to four of the principal Peers of Morocco and Marched towards the Country of Egypt where lived Treacherous Ptolomy the Father of his beloved Lady Sabra whom he had left in the Kingdom of England In which Journey and happy arrival in Egypt we will leave the Seven Champions for a time and speak of the Faithless Infidels in Barbary after the departure of the Christians whose former Honours they slightly regarded For no sooner had St. George with his Martial Troops bidden their Country adieu but the Faithless Moors reconciled themselves to their formed Gods and purposed a speedy Revenge for the Death of Almidory against all Christians that remained within the Limits of that Hâ—aâ—hen Nation For there were many Soldiers wounded in the 〈…〉 likewise a number oppressed with sicknesâ— which the Christian Champions had left behind for their better recoveries upon whom the Barbarous Moors committed their first Tyranny for they caused the distressed Soldiers to be drawn upon Sleds to the uttermost parts of the City and there put them into a large and old Monastery which they presently set on fire and most inhumanely burned the Christian Soldiers and after converted the place into a filthy Lestall Many Women and succourless Children they dragged up and down the Streets till their Brains were dashed against the stones and the blood had covered the Earth with a purple hue Many other Cruelties were committed by the wicked Infidels against the distressed Christians which I purpose to pass over and wholly discourse of the woful and bloody murder of an English Merchant and his Wife in the same City of Tripoly The report whereof may force even merciless Tygers to relent and those eyes to shed springs of Tears that never wept before The bloody-minded Negro's violating both Oaths and Promises before plighted to St. George by violence set upon the Merchant's House where first they made a Massacre of his Servants and before his face cast their dead Bodies to hunger-starv'd Dogs Then coming to the Merchant they bound him fast with hempen Cords to the strongest post in his House and after took his Children being seven of the goodliest Boys that ever Nature framed
this Tragical Accident drowned their Friends in a Sea of Sorrow for the news of her untimely Death was no sooner bruited abroad but the same caused both Did and Young to lament the loss of so sweet a Lady The silver-headed Age that had wont in scarlet Gowns to meet in Counsel sat now in discontented Griefs the gallant Youth and comely Uirgins that had wont to beautifie the Streets with costly Garments went drooping up and down in mournful Uestures and those remorseless Hearts that seldom were oppressed with Sorrow now constrained their eyes like Fonutains to destil floods of brinish and pearly Tears This general Grief of the Citizens continued for the space of thirty Days at the end whereof St. George with his Sons and the other Champions interred her Body very honourably and erected over the same a rich and costly Monument in sumptuons State like the Tomb of Mausolus which was called one of the Wonders of the World or like to the Pyramids of Greece which was a stain to all Architects for thereon was portrayed the Queen of Chastity with her Maidens bathing themselves in a crystal Fountain as a witness of her wonderous Chastity against the lustful Assailments of all lastivious Attempts Thereon was also most lively pictured a Turtle dove sitting upon a Tree of Gold in sign of the true Love that she bore to her betrothed Husband Also a silver coloured Swan swimming upon a crystal River as a token of her Beauty for as the Swan excelleth all other Fowls in Whiteness so she excelled all the Ladies in the World for Beauty I leave to speak of the curious Workmanship of the Pinacles that were framed all of the purest Ieat enamelled with Silver and Iasper-stanes and I omit the Pendants of Gold the Escutcheous of Princes and the Arms of Countries that beautified her Tomb the Discourse whereof requires an Oratour's Gloquence or a Pen of Gold dipt in the Dew of Helicon flowing from Parnassus's Hill where all the Muses do inhabit Her Statue or Picture was carved cunningly in Alabaster and laid as it were upon a Pillow of green Silk like to Pigmalion's Iuory Image and directly over the same hung a silver Tablet whereon in Letters of Gold was this Epitalph written Here lies the Wonder of this Worldly Age For Beauty Wit and princely Majesty Whom spiteful Death in his imperious Rage Procur'd to Fall through ruthless Cruelty For as she sported in a fragrant Wood Upon a thorny Brake she spilt her Blood Let Ladies fair and Princes of great might With silver-pearled Tears bedew this Tomb Accuse the fatal Sisters of despight For blasting thus the Pride of Nature's Bloom For here she sleeps within this earthly Grave Whose Worth deserves a golden Tomb to have Seven Years she kept her pure Virginity In absence of her true betrothed Knight When many did pursue her Chastity Whilst he remained in Prison day and night But yet we see that things of purest Prize Forsake the Earth to dwell above the Skies Ladies come Mourn with doleful Melody And make this Monument your setled Bower Here shed your brackâ—â—h Tears eternally Lament both Year Month Week Day Hour For here she rests whose Like can ne'r be found Here Beauty's Pride lies buried in the Ground Her wounded Heart that yet doth freshly bleed Hath caus'd seven Knights a Journey for to take To fair Ierusalem in Pilgrims Weeds The fury of her angry Ghost to slake Because their Silvane Sport was chiefest guilt And only cause her Blood was timeless spilt Thus after the Tomb was erected and the Epitalph engraven on a silver Table and all things performed according to Saint George's direction he left â—is Sons in the City of London under the Government of the English King and in company of the other six Champions he took his Iourney towards Jerusalem They were attired after the manner of Pilgrims in russet Gaberdines down to their feet in their hands they bore Staves of Ebon wood tipt at the ends with silver the pikes whereof were of the strongest Lydian Steel of such a sharpness that they were able to pierce a Target of Tortoys-shell upon their Breasts hung Crosses of crimson Silk to signifie they were Christian Pilgrims travelling to the Sepulchre of Christ. In this manner set they forward from England in the spring-time of the year when Flora had beautified the Earth with Nature's Tapestry and made their Passages as pleasant as the Gardens of Hesperides adorned with all kind of odoriferous Flowers When as they crossed the Seas the silver Waves seemed to lie as smooth as crystal Ice and the Dolphins to dance above the Waters as a sign of a prosperous Iourney In travelling by Land the ways seemed so short and easie and the chirping melody of Birds made them such Musick as they passed that in a short season they arrived beyond the Borders of Christendom and had entered the Confines of Affrica There were they forced instead of Downy-beds nightly to rest their weary Limbs upon heaps of sun-burnt Moss and instead of silken Curtains and curious Canopies their had the Clouds of Heaven to cover them Now their naked legs and bare Féet that had wont to stride the stately Steeds and to trample in Fields of Pagans Blood were forced to climb the craggy Mountains and to endure the torments of pricking Bryers as they travelled through the desart Places and comfortless solitary Wildernesses Many were the Dangers that happened to them in their Iourny before they arrived in Judea Princely their Atchievements and most Honourable their Adventures which for this time I pass over leaving the Champions for a time in their travel towards the Sepulchre of Christ and speak what happened to St. George's three Sons in visiting their Mother's Tomb in tâ—â— City of London CHAP. II. Of the strange Gifts that St. George 's Sons offered at their Mother's Tomb and what happ'ned thereupon how her Ghost appeared to them and counselled them to the pursuit of their Father also how the King of England Installed them with the Honour of Knighthood and furnished them with Habiliments of War THe swift footed Steeds of Titan's fiery Car had almost finished a Year since Sabra's Funeral was solemnized in which time St. George's three Sons had visited their Mother's Tomb oftner than were Days in the Year and had shed more sorrowful Tears thereon in remembrance of her Love than are Stars in the glistering Horizon but at last these thrée young Princes fell at a civil Discord and mortal Strife which of them should bear the truest Love to their Mother's dead Body and which of them should be held in greatest Esteem for before many Days were expired they concluded to offer up their several Devotions at her Tomb and he that devised a Gift of the rarest Price and of the straugest Quality should be held worthy of the greatest Honour and accounted the Noblest of them all This Determination was spéedily performed and in so short a time accomplished
kind Friend hast graced my Name with many Titles of Honour and making me Famous in thy large circumference thou hast given me Uictories over all mine Enemies and weakned the boldness of all my withstanders that my Life and Name might be charactered amongst the rest of our Christian Champions for which I have thought my self predestinated to a lasting happiness in that the Title of my Fortunes challenge so long a Memory World I say fare thou well my life lingereth now to her last minute which as willingly I here deliver up as ever I brandisht Wrapon against powerful Pagan I need no Pompal Train of Princes to attend my Funeral nor solemn Chimes of Bells to Ring me to my Grave nor Troops of Mourners in Sable Garments to furnish out my Obsequy my self here buries up my self and all Offices of Lamentations belonging to so bad a business as my own hand Labour Earth I imbrace thee thou gentle Mould my Bodies covering with humility I kiss thee no difference is between thy cold Nature and my Life 's warm substance we are both one Emperours are but Earth so am I. Thou Earth gently do I yield my self into thy mouldy bosom I come I come sweet Comforter into thy hands I commend my Spirit These and such like were the last Words that ever this good Champion delivered so yielding to death the Earth of it self as it were buried up his Body in the Grave which his own hands had digged Thus being changed from a lively substance to a dead Picture his Attenders as their usual custom was came with Food to relieve him and calling at the hole where he had wont to receive it they heard nothing but empty ayre blowing in and out which made them conjecture presently that death had prevailed and the fatal Sisters finished up their labours so calling together more company they made an entrance thereinto and finding what had hapned how he had buried his own self they reported it for a wonder up and down the Country being an accident of much strangeness for before that time the like never chanced Whereupon by a common consent of the whole Kingdom they pulled down the aforesaid House or Tower and in the same place builded in process of time a most sumptuous Chappel casting it St. Patricks Chappel and in the place where this Holy Father had buried himself they likewise erected a Monument of much richness framed upon Pillars of pure Gold beautified with many artificial sights most pleasant to behold whereunto for many years after resorted distressed People such as were commonly molested with loathsom Diseases where making their Orisons at Saint Patricks Tomb they found help and were restored to their former Healths By which means the Name of Saint Patrick is grown so famous through the World that to this day he is intituled one of our Christian Champions and the Saint for Ireland where in remembrance of him and of his honourable atchievments done in his life time the Irish-men as well in England as in that Country do as yet in honour of his Name keep one day in the year Festival holding upon the same a great Solemnity wearing upon their Hats each of them a Cross of red silk in token of his many Adventures under the Christian Cross as you have heard in the former History at large discoursed Whose Noble Deeds both in life and Death we will leave sleeping with him in his Grave and speak of our next renowned Tragedy which Heaven and Fate had allotted to Saint David the Champion for Wales at that time entituled Cambro-Brittanus CHAP. XVIII Of the honourable Victory won by Saint David in Wales Of his Death and cause why Leeks are by custom of Welchmen worn on Saint Davids day with other things that hapned SOme certain Month after the departure of Saint Patrick from the City of Constantinople from the other Champions as you heard before in the last Chapter Saint David having a heart still sâ—r'd with Fame thirsted even to his dying day for honourable atchievements and although age and time had almost weared him away yet would he once more make his Adventure in the Field of Mars and seal up his honours in the records of Fame with a Noble farewell So upon a morning framing himself for a Knightly Enterprize he took his leave of the other Champions and all alone well mounted upon a lusty Courser furnished with sufficient Habiliments for so brave an enterprize he began a Iourney home towards his own Country accounting that his best joy and â—he soil of his most comfort But long had he not travelled ere he heard of the distresses thereof how Wales was beâ—eâ— with a people of a Savage nature christing for Blood and the ruine of that brave Kingdom and how that many Battels had been fought to the disparagement of Christian Knight-hood Whereupon arming himself with true resolution he went forward with a couragious mind either to redeem the same or to lose his best blood in the honour of the Adventure Whereupon all the way as he travelled he drew into his aid and assistance all the best Knights he could find of any Nation whatsoever giving them promises of Noble Rewards and entertainment as befitted so worthy a fellowship By this means before he came upon the Borders of Wales he had gathered together the number of five hundred Knights of such noble resolutions that all Christendom could not afford better the seven Champions excepted And these all well furnished for Battel entred the Country where they found many Towns unpeopled gallant Houses subverted Monasteries defaced Cities ruinated Fields of Corn consumed with Fire yea every thing so out of order as if the Country had never been inhabited Whereupon with a grieved mind he saw the Region of his Birth place so confounded and nothing but upâ—â—ars of murder and death sounded in his ears he summoned his Knights together placing them in Battel array to travel high up into the Country for the performance of his desired hopes But as they marched along with an easie pace to prevent dangers there resorted to them people of all Ages both young and old bitterly complaining of the Wrongs thus done unto their Country Where when they knew him to be the Champion of Wales whom so long they had desired to see their joys so exceeded that all former Woes were abolished and they emboldened to nothing but revenge The rest of the Knights that came with St. David perceiving their forces and numbers to increase purposed a present onset and to shew themselves before their Enemies which lay incamped amongst the Mountains with such strength and policy that hard it was to make an Assailment Whereupon the Noble Champion being then their General and Leader called his Captains together and with a bold courge said as followeth Now is the time brave Martialists to be canonized the Sons of Fâ—me this is the day of Dignity or Dishonour an Enterprize to make â—s ever live or to
one thing sometimes another so molested him that he must needs make his Adventure to follow them Whereupon calling his three Sons together he went to the Grecian Emperour and requested that they might all four depart with his leave and likeing for Knightly Adventures had challenged them all to appear in some foreign Region where Noble Atchievements were to be performed but where and in what Countrey his Destiny had not yet revealed to him So furnishing them all four in Habiliments of shining steel they left Constantinople as it were guided by Fate until they came into England then called Brittain whose chalky Clifts S. George had not seen in twice twelve years and now coming with a sweet embracement of his Native Countrey he gave his three Sons thereinto a most joyful Welcome shewing them to their great comfort the brave Situation of the Towns Cities the pleasant prospects of the Fields as they passed until they came within the sight of the City Coventry where he was born and received his first being upon whose glistering Pinacles no sooner casting his eye-sight but the Inhabitants interrupted his pleasure delights with a doleful Report how upon Dunsmore-Heath as then remained an infectious Dragon that so annoyed the Countrey that the Inhabitants there abouts could not pass the Heath without great danger how that fifteen Knights of the Kingdom had already lost their lives in adventuring to suppress the same Also giving him to understand of a Prophecy That a Christian Knight never born of a Woman should be the Destroyer thereof and his Name in after Ages for Accomplishing the Adventure should be holden for an eternal Honour to the Kingdom Saint George no sooner hearing thereof and what Wrongs his native Country received by this infectious Dragon and knowing himself to be the Knight grew so encouraged that he purposed presently to put the Adventure in tryal either to free his Country from so great danger or to finish his days in the attempt so raking leave of his Sons the rest there present he rode forward with as noble a spirit as he did in Aegypt when he there combared with the burning Dragon So coming to the middle of the Plain where his infections Enemy lay couching the ground in a deep Cave who by a strange instinct of Nature knowing his death to draw near made such a yelling Noise as if the Element had burst with Thunder or the Earth had shook with a terrible Exhalation so coming from his Den and spying the Champion he ran with such fury against him as if he would have devoured both Man and Horse in a moment but the Champion being quick and nimble gave the Dragon such way that he mist him and with his sting ran full two foot into the Earth but covering he returned again with such rage upon Saint George that he had almost born his Horse over and over but that the Dragon having no stay of his strength fell with his back downward upon the ground and his feet upward whereat the Champion taking advantage kept him still down with his Horse standing upon him fighting as you see in the Picture of St. George with his lance goring him through in divers parts of the Body and withal contrariwise the Dragons sting annoyed the good Knight in such sort that the Dragon being no sooner stain and weltered in his venomous Gore but Saint George likewise took his Deaths Wound by the deep stroaks of the Dragons sting which he received in divers parts of his Body and bled in such abundance that his strength began to enfeeble and grow weak yet retaining the true Nobleness of Mind valiantly returned Uictor to the City of Coventry where his three Sons with the whole Inhabitants stood without the Gates in great Royalty to receive him and to give him the honour that belonged to so worthy a Conqueror who no sooner arrived before the City and presented them with the Dragons Head which so long had annoyed the Country but what with the abundance of Blood that issued from his deep Wounds and the long bleeding without stopping the same he was forced in his Sons Arms to yield up his breath for whom his three Princely Sons long lamented making the greatest mone that ever was made in any Kingdom and again they were so seconded with the grief of the whole Country that all the Land from the King to the Shepherd mourned for him for the space of a Month which heavy time being ended the King of this Country being a vertuous and Noble Prince advanced Saint George's three Sons to Noble â—ssices First the eldest of them named Guy to be Earl of Warwick and high Chamberlain of his Houshold The next named Alexander according to his Name to be Captain General of his Knights of Chivalry And the youngest named David to be his Cup-bearer and Controler of all his Revels and Delights And likewise in remembrance of their Noble Father the Christian Champion he ordained for ever after to be kept a solemn Procession about the Kings Court by all the Princes and chief Nobility of the Country upon the 23 day of April naming it St. George's Day upon which day he was most solemnly interred in the City where he was born and caused a stately Monument to be erected in Honour of him though now by the ruines of time defaced and abolished He likewise decreed by the consent of the whole Kingdom that the Patron of the Land should be named Saint George our Christian Champion in that he had fought so many Battles in the Honour of Christendom All which we see with many more Honours to this day here maintained in remembrance of this good Knight who no doubt resteth in eternal peace with the other renowned Champions of Christendom So God grant we may do all Amen FINIS Advertisement of Four Books THe History of the Seven Wise Masters The History of the Seven Wise Mistresses The History of Dorastus and Faunia The Garland of Good Will All Printed for George Conyers at 〈…〉 Ring in 〈…〉 Brittain over against Bartholomen-Close Gate The 〈◊〉 HISTORY OF THE Seven Champions OF Christendom The Third PART SHEWING The Valiant Acts and Renowned Atchievements of St. George's three Sons Sir Guy Sir Alexander and Sir David AS ALSO The Warlike Exploits and Martial performances of Sir Turpin Son to St. Denis of France Sir Pedro Son to St. James of Spain Sir Orlando Son to St. Anthony of Italy Sir Ewin Son to St. Andrew of Scotland Sir Phelim Son of St. Patrick of Ireland and Sir Owen Son to St. David of Wales Their strange Fights and Combats with Gyants Monsters and Dragons their Tilts and Turnaments in Honour of Ladies their Battles with Miscreants and Tyrants in defense of the Christian Religion and relief of distressed Knights and Ladies their punishing of Negromancers and puting to an end their Inchantments with other their Knightly Prowess and Chevalry AS ALSO How St. George's three Sons came all