helpe them by whiche the good men were discomfyted And they of the Cyte that were nygh to theyr retrayt began to chase them moche straytly and to slee them At last whan oure peple were withdrawen they retorned by the Caryage and harnoys And caryed alle and ledde it with them And toke wymmen and childeren that myght not flee and putte them in prison There were wel slayn and lost of the peple of the hoost x M and the bongres wan alle the harnoys of thoost There was a cart loste that longed to peter theremyte alle ful of Rychessâ— whiche had ben youen to hym in ffrauÌ„ce for to soconre and sustene the necessytees of the hoost they that myght escape fro this discomfiture drewe them in to the forestes hydde them in the depe valeyes in the nyght And on the morn they began to calle eche other and to whystle and sowne trumpes and busynes in the woodes And thus began to reassemble and gadred them to gydre on a territorie How Themperour of Constantynoble beyng aduertised of thise oultrages sente his messagers to peter theremyte cao. xxijo. aT the fourth daye were nyghe alle assembled aboute peter And they were about a four thousand they were in moche grete meschyef as they that had lost theyr frendes theyr peple almost alle theyr harnoys not withstondyng they lefte noâ— but wente forth on the waye that thâ—y had enâ—erprised with grete meâ—sease and payne for lak of vytaylle And as they were in this poynt They sawe come ayenst them the messagers of themperour of constantynoble whiche spak to peter And anon he dyde assemble the heye men and Capytayns of the hoost for to â—ere 〈◊〉 message that they brought· And aftir they sayd in this manere ffayr syrs· moche euyl tydynges and renomme is comen of you to our lord themperour ffor it is tolde to hym that ye goo by the couÌ„tree of his empyre with force and robbe the peple of suche as thâ—y haue breke his townes and slee his peple and doo alle the oultrages and wronges that ye may the good chere bounce alle tâ—e seruyse that is doon to you auaylleth nothyng ne may adoulâ—e ne aswage your hertes Therfore he commandeâ—h you that ye abyde in none of his cytees more than thre dayes But goo your waye strayt forth to constantynoble ffor he hath commanded vs to goo with you that we do brynge to you on the waye vytayll good cheep ynowe whan thise good men herd this that themperour haâ— don to them this bouÌ„te they had grete ioye excused them of thâ—se bataylles and fyghtyng and shewd openly what the bongres had doon withoute theyr offence or culpe by force and grete oultragâ— The messagers dyrected them on the way tyl they cam to constantynoble They fonde there gaultyer sans sauoyr his peple that taryed for them And theÌ„ne they wente alle to ggdre And lodged them in the place that was assygned to them And there eche tolde to other of theyr mysauentures Themperour sente for peter And he wente to hym He sawe in the towne many thynges palaysses many rychesses and marueylles But he was a man of grete herte and courage and abasshyd of nothyng Themperour demanded of hym of thestate of his peple and of other barons of thoâ—câ—yent that were thus meuyd to this pylgremage Peter answerd hym moche wel of alle thynges And said that they were pour peple were come to fore But the prynces and hye men cam aftir with moch grete peple which wold not long tarye themperour his barons of the palays sawe alle that peter was so lytil And so wel so wysely so fayr and so wel appoynt of alle thynges answerd that they merueylled ouer moche and alowed and preysed hym moche Themperour gaf to hym grete yeftes And receyued hym in his grace And syth he lete hym retorne to his peple There rested the oost of the pylgryms wel at ease in peas And a whyle aftir shippes were made redy by the commauÌ„dement of themperour And they passed the see named the braas of seynt george And cam in to the lond named bythyne This is the fyrst partye of Asye vpon the see And they lodged them in a place called Cinintot Of the mayntenyng of the hoost of peter theremyte And how thre thousand duchemen toke a castel by assault and slewe alle that were therin with the swerde capitulo xxiijo. tHis was in the marches of theyr enemyes there was the hoost about two monethes And euery day they fonde fresshe vytaylles to sell good cheep wherof they were wel at ease· so moch that it coude not wel be suffred longe They began to meue and made routes for to goo en fourage in the contrey Ther wente wel somtyme .x. M or more maulgre the barons that were capytayns in the hoost Neuetthelesse Peter commanded and sente lettres to them· that they shold abyde and not remeue fro the oost to pylle tyl the grete Prynces were comen· On a daye it happed that Pieter passed the braas And cam in to Constantynoble for to speke for vytaylles that began to wexe dere The mene peple sawe that Peter was not there And were the more hardy they assembled· and were of a companye wel eght thousand a fote and thre honderd a horsback they made theyr bataylles and wente alle in ordenauÌ„ce toward the cyte of nycene ayenst the wille and deffence of alle the grete men of thoost whan they cam nyghe to this grete cyte They smote in to the townes about it and toke merueylloê° many beestes grete and smale And brought moche grete gayne And retorned saufly withoute hurte home agayn in to the oost with grete ioye and feste The duchemen whiche ben a peple rude and hardy sawe this glorye this gayne that they had wonne and had grete enuye therat and were meuid with couetyse of good and to haue worâ—hip relyed them to gydre alle of that tongue vnto the nombre of thre thousand a foote and wente strayte toward Nycene There was a Castel at foote of an hylle nygh vnto Nycene at leste Foure myle of These Duchemen cam theder and began tassaylle the castel moche stroÌ„gly they within defended them to theyr power as long as they myght but it auaylled not ffor the castel was taken by force And the duchemen entred therin And alle them that they fonde within men wymmen and chylderen they slewe without mercy They foÌ„de ther in vytaylle ynowgh and other thynges and sawe that the â—lâ—ce was moche fayr and delectable and garnysshed it and sayde that they wolde it holde tyl the grete prynces whome they abode and taryed for were comen How Solyman lord of that contre reprysed and toke agayn the castel and slewe alle the duchemen that where therin cao. xxiiiâ—o. sOlyman whiche was lord of this contre and gouernoure had herd longe to fore that the cristen peple were meâ—yd of the Royamme of ffraunce
pryme vnto nygh none ofte our peple had the werse ffor as I haue said solyman had ij C M men alle on horsbak our peple were but l· M on horsbak whan they were alle assembled the one with the other whan our lord had thus gyuen this victorye to his peple they rested them in this fayr place where the tentes were thre dayes theyr· horses refresshed them right wel in this whyle of the armures other gayne that they had conquerd vpon theyr enemyes they arrayed apparaylled them right wel that to fore were euyl armed Moche wel dyde they in this bataylle grete honour had they and shal euer haue· in especial they that here be named Bawdwyn leborgh thomas de fedre regnault de beauuays Gale de ehamont gasâ—e de bedyers gâ—art de cherysy theÌ„ne was ordeyned acorded by the barons cryed in thoost that no man shold ryde fro thens forth by hym self without leue of the capytayns How the iiij day after this victorye our peple went forth on their waye of the grete mesease of thoost the same day capo. lxvijo. Fter this whan they had abyden there thre dayes the fourth daye folowyng by tymes to fore day they dyde doo sowâ—â—e theyr trompettes wente forth on theyr waye Syth they passed bythyne And entred in to the londe that was named pisideâ— They trauaylled so long that at the laste they fonde a contre moche drye infertile without waters The tyme was moche hoot and brennyng as it falleth ofte in Iuyll They had so grete thurst that they wyst not what to doo· the peple on fote specially faylled and faynted alle for the duste for the heete and for thurste ther deyed wel this same day of mysease fyue honderd men wymmen And knowe ye certaynly that ther happed a merueyllous thynge that day in the hoost· that we fynde nowher in none other historye ffor the wymmen with childe that yet were not come to theyr terme by thanguyssh of the heete of the mesâ—ase of thurst that they were delyuerd of theyr childeren childed not only the â—our wymmen but the ryche also this was a grete sorow pyte to see The men that ought to be more hard stronge ayenst trauaylle wente theyr mouthes open sought thayer and moysture therof whiche they myght not haue the heete also the swote destroyed them ye shold haue seen the horses and other beestes that myght not goo forth in suche wyse that they muste leue them whiche deyde in the waye houndes for the chace huntyng fowles for the flyght as ffawcons hawkes fperhawkes ye shold haue seen that day abyde deye· in lyke wyse the grete stedes cursours whiche were moost perylloê° becam alle araged wood for thurst with grete payne were ledde forth whan they had ben long in this mesease Our lord beheld them in pyte· made them to adresse in to a valeye where they fonde a rennyng water fayr grete theÌ„ne ranne oure peple to the brynke or ryuage with grete haste many ther were that draÌ„k so moch that they deyde vpon the place ffor som of them that had eschewed the deth fonde it there by cause they kepte no mesure· this fylle vnto knyghtes other men beestes whiche dranke as moche as they wolde whan they were escaped this euyl aduenture· they cam in to a londe moch fayr and fertile ful of woodes of ryuers of medowes and of good feldes labourable This was by anthyoche the lasse whiche is the chyef cyte of the londe of pisside and there lodged they with theyr hoost How somme of the grete Barons of thoost after to haue approuched Antyoche the lasse departed for to goo vytaylle them Capitulo lxviijo. fRo thens departed som of the barons of thoost â—elde their waye by cause it was a greuous thyng to fynde vytaylles to so moche peple to gydre The fyrst was Bawdwyn Brother to the duc· with hym was peter th erle of scaruay· Reynart th erle of â—oul Bawdwyn de borgh guyllebert de montcler ther wer wel v. C on horsbak ladde with them men a fote largely The second was tancre with hym Rychard du pryncipat· Robert danse other knyghtes grete nombre that they were v C on horsbak had also many men a foote as the other had theyr enteÌ„cion and purpose was to ride about· the thoost in the contre for so seche somme aduenture and vytaylle yf they had founde ony paryll grief pas or plente of theyr enemyes that they wold â—ete thoost haue knowleche therof they wente strayt theyr waye passed by syde ij cytees that one was named lychonie that other Eraclee· after thâ—y torned on the right honde and passed toward the see side The duc Godeffroy the other prynces abode in theyr lodgys for the plesaunt delytable places that they had fouÌ„den by cause they wolde playe refresshe them of the trauaylles aÌ„noyes that they had suffred thenne said they that they wold goo hunte in to the forestes which were nygh to them on alle sydes were ful of wilde beestes On the morn they entred in the woode eche helde his way at his will· the duc as he wente a path thurgh the foreste herde a man crye he drewe thederward he sawe a poure man that was goo for to fetche wode for to bere in to the hoost fledde strongly cryeng to fore a grete bere The duc ran vpon hym drewe his swerd for to delyuere the pour man fro the beeste thenne the bere adressyd hym vnto the duc and lefte the pour man that fledde fro hym he hurte the dukes hors so sore that he caste the duc to therthe The duc 〈◊〉 a foote drewe oute his swerde· the beeste was nothyng afâ—rd of hym but made a felonnoê° crye horryble hydous syth ran vpon the duc bote hym right cruelly in the thye after he adressyd hym right vp embraced hym with his poâ—es or feet to fore for to haue caste hym to grouÌ„de the duc thus hurt as he was was yet moch stroÌ„g fyl not to theerthe theÌ„ne but caught hym by the skyn about the reck with his lyfte hande for to put away his heed from hym with that other hand he put his swerd in to his body thurgh bothe the sydes vnto the crosse and so slewe hym After he wente and sette hym doun on therthe right by ffor he had so moche bledde of his wounde that he had in his thyâ— and was so merueyllously sore hurte that he myghte not stonde longe on his feet The poure man whiche he had delyuerd fro deth can hastely in to the hoost and tolde them this tydynge of the duc Alle they that herde it were so effrayed that they ranne with grete haste theder The barons and alle the other that myght goo they founde hym
deffended them also dere as they had the werk of oure lord that they wold not discouere this thyng to the foote men of thoost in no wyse but kepe it secrete fro them ffor it shold be grete peryll yf they knewe the trouth that they shold flee away by nyght And be alle in despayr Of the counseyl that our peple toke for to ordeyne theyr nedes whan they knewe the comyng of this right grete hooost cao. Cxvo. tHe barons toke counseyl on whom the faites and burthon of this werke laye· how they myght conteyne them in this greuoê° poynt in whiche they were som ther were that gaf counseyl that they shold departe fro the siege And that somme of them on horsbak and they on foote shold abyde for to kepe that they of the toun shold not mowe ioyne to the other· And somme other the best horsed shold lede of them a foote a grete partye ayenst Corbagat and fyght ayenst hym The thyng was in grete doubte And wyste not how to accorde Buymont whan he sawe them so surprised called the duc Godeffroy th erle of fflaundres Huon de mayne· the duc of normandye th erle of tholouse And syth sayd to them thise wordes Fayr lordes I see you in moche grete doubte and it is no merueyl ffor the comynge of this puyssaunt man that cometh on vs and bryngeth with hym so grete plente of our enemyes Ne ye be not yet acorded in what maner ye shal attende ne what shal be your countenaunce whan he shal come Ne I can not saye to you as me semeth tâ—â—ng that by this way may moche auaylle ffor yf we yssue alle ayenâ—â—â—he turkes lyke as somme men counseylle somme in one partye And that other to abyde as other counseyl we haue loste our payne and oure dispencis in the siege of this toun· ffor as sone as we shal departe fro hens or alle or half they that comen shal sende in to the toun grete plente of vytaylles and fresshe men put in to it· yf noman abyde at the siege this shal be good for them to doo· And yf ther abyde a parte they shal not leue for them ffor whan we be alle to gydre· vnnethe maye we constrayne them of the toun thenne the fewe that shal abyde how may they haue the force and myght ayenst them within Therfor me thyncketh that we muste seche other remedye and connseyl that we may fynde maner how this cyte maye be yolden to vs. And that we may be within to fore er thyse turkes come· this shal be a more sure thyng yf ye demaunde how this maye be I shal shewe you the way and manere how it shal wel be as me semeth I haue a frende in this Cyte a trewe man and wyse after that I can apperceyue we haue couenauuted he and I to gydre wherfor he ought to delyuer to me a tour moche strong and wel garnysshed of alle that nedeth whiche he holdeth whan I shal demaunde hym I muste gyue to hym thus doyng a grete partye of my good and hauoyr and franchyses and other alyaunces muste kepe to hym and hys· But this maye not be but that eche of you gyue ouer his part to me· And quyte hym of ony part of the cyte that it shal abyde to me to myn heyres for euermore· ffor other wyse he entendeth not that shall delyuer hit· yf it plese you in this maner ye may haue the toun· And yf ye wil graunte this I somone and warne you to fore in suche wyse that thyse couenauÌ„tes be wel accomplysshed by godes grace And yf it plese you not And ye maye fynde ony other maner· I am redy tacquyte alle my parte to one of you or to another of oure companye yf be wyl delyuer to vs the Cyte And god knoweth It shal plese me wel And I shal be right ioyous in good fayth How after that Buymont had declared his fayte to alle the hooste· they acorded that the toun shold be his sauf the Erle of Tholouse Capitulo Cxvjo. wHan the barons herd this they had grete ioye in theyr hertes and anon acorded to this that buymont requyred euery man graunted his part that he shold be quyte therof· except only th erle of tholouse· whiche in a reuerrye wheryn he was sayde that he wold not acquyte his part ne gyue it oner to noman lyuyng â–ª The other barons promysed certeynly to holde it And gaf to hym their fayth that they shold not discouere it to noman They prayd hym that he wold wysely brynge this mater aboute And dylygently laboure taccomplisshe it ffor grete peryll myght come in the taryeng of it The counseyl departed thus This Buymont which was wyse and trewe· spak to the messager that knewe theyr couyne And sente hym to his frende And bad hym saye that the barons had graunted to hym that the toun shold be hoolly his with moche glad chere Therfor he somoned hym by his fayth that he shold accomplysshe this next nyght hooly that he had promysed hym One thynge happed this same day that was moch helpyng to this werke to thaccomplisshyng therof ffor this frende of buymont named Emyrferyus entremedled moche of th affayres and thynges of ancean and of the toun This same day whan he was besy in this werke he sente his sone that was tho grete to his how 's for to fetche somwhat whan he cam to the tour hastely he founde that one· of the grete admyrals of the toun pleyed and deled with his moder· whan he sawe this he had so grete sorowe in his â—erte· that he ran agayn to his fader And told to hym lyke as â—e had founden it The fader was a moche wyseman· And was moche sore angry· And sayd thyse wordes to his sone Fayr sone it semeth not ynowgh to thyse fals houndes that they take fro vs alle that we haue and kepe vs fowle in their seruage· Bâ—t with this they doo vs alle the shame that they maye By the ayde of Ihesu cristâ— in whom I byleue I shal laboure and doo payne to fynde the maner by whiche theyr power and myght shal be lassed mynuysshed and shorted And they shal haue guerdon for the euyl that they haue don to vs· he made thenne no semblaunt of Angre that he had But sente his sone to buymont anon by the maner that he was acustomed to goo· And badde hym that he shold be redy· ffor as to hym he wold hold hym this nyght alle his couenauntes he badde hym also that alle the Barons of thooste shold yssue oute abeut none euery man armed in his bataylle· And make semblaunt for to goo ayenst Corbagat And after in the begynnyng of the nyght to retorne agayn pryuely withoute noyse And kepe them so armed and redy to doo that shal be sayd to them aboute mydnyght Buymont was moche ioyous whan he herd this message And aftir ledde hym to fore the barons to whom this thyng was discouerd
toun for honger and mesease in suche wyse that they abode not but the wylle of oure lord Ofte cam in theyr remembraunce what goodes Rychesses and grete eases they had lefte in theyr countrees for the loue of the seruyse of oure lord And now yelded he to them suche guerdon that they deyed euery day for honger And kept hem not fro thyse dogges cruel whichâ— byleuyd not in hym but they slewe and beheded them in despyte reprouche of the Cristen fayth· In this maner wold they chyde with our lord often as men that wyste not what to do ne saye How the spere was fonnden of whiche Ihesus was percyd on the crosse· And of the comfort that our pylgryms toke therby Capitulo Cxxxvo. wHyles as they were in this anguysshe th erle herman an hye man of duche land was in so grete pouerte that duc godeffroy dyde do delyuer to hym euery day one loof of breede for pyte whiche was not moche grete But the Duc myght nomore gyue hym ffor he had not wherof Harry dasque whiche was one of the beste knyghtes of thooste was brought in so grete pouerte that he deyde for hongre It were a long thyng for to recounte alltheir meseases· but our lord that in alle his werkes may not forgete mercy seÌ„te to them grete coÌ„fort· ffor a clerk born in prouynce named â—eter cam on a day to the bisshop of puy and to th erle of tholouse sayd to them in moche grete drede· that the holy apostel seynt an drew had appiered to hym thryes in the nyght slepyng· warned hym that he shold goo to the barons saye to them that the speer with which our lord was percid in the syde on the crosse was hyd in the chirch of seint peter in the cyte the place where it was he had certainly shewd to hym he said wel that he was not come for to saye ne signefye them but that seynt andreu had menaced hym at the last tyme yf he dide not his message he shold meshappeÌ„ in his body It was no merueylle yf the clerke doubted for to saye this ffor he was a poure man and of a lowe lygnage And but lytil lettred Thyse two hye men whan they herd hym they brought hym to fore the other barons· They assembled them and they wolde that he shold saye to them the same wordes as he had sayd to them whan the other Prynces herd this they mysbyleuyd not the clerke They cam in to the Chirche of seynt Peter And sayd theyr confessions And cryed our lord mercy in teres wepynges and wayllynges And repentaunces of theyr synnes Thenne began to delue and dygg depe in the place that the clerke had shewed to them They fonde the spere lyke as he had sayd to them· Thenne had they a Ioye emonge them so grete lyke as euery man had had as moche as he myght They ronge the belles And thâ—s thynge was anon spred al about the toun They ran aâ—le to the chirche hastely And sawe this noble relyquye whiche was doluen out of therthe ThenÌ„e were they recomforted alle both men and wymmen poure and ryche as they had our lord emong them and seen hym· there were thus many other good men that sayde certaynly that certeyn vysyons of Angeles and apostles were appered to them By thyse thynges the peple forgate moche of theyr meseases· The bisshop of puy and other holy men that wâ—re in the companye sayd to the pylgryms that oure lord shewde to them tokene and signe that shortly he wold sende to them his ayde and his couÌ„seyl They concluded alle noble and vnnoble men and wymmen greâ—e and lytil And sware vpon the holy relyques that yf oure lord wold delyuer them oute of the peryll· in whiche they were And gyue them vyctorye of theyr enemyes that they shold neuer departe fro this holy companye vnto the tyme that they had conquerd Iherusalem that noble Cyte where oure lord suffred deth for to saue his peple· And shold delyuer the holy sepulcre oute of the handes of the fals mysbyleuyng houÌ„des turkes and saresyns that kepte it in theyr power How Peter theremyte was sente by our men vnto Corbagat the wordes what he sayde· And the answer of the sayd Corbagat Capitulo Cxxxvjo. tHey had suffred this famyne xxvâ— dayes in the Cyte In so moche that the people to whome our lord god had sente good hope in theyr hertes began moch to be comforted fylle alle to one wyll in such wise that they sayd emong them that it were good to brynge theyr mesease to an ende Therfore was theyr comyn acorde that they shold fyght with the turkes that had assieged them· ffor them thought a fayrer thyng that yf our lord wold that they deyde in bataylle that they shold doo it in deffendyng theyr cyte that they had conquerd to the Cristiente than to languysshe and to faylle within without essayeng yf our lord wold ayde them herof sourded a comyn word emonge them that alle cryed bataylle· bataylle the bataylle· whan they myght see ony of the Barons· Alle they sayde that they taryed alle to longe This word was thus meuyd of the mene peple The barons thought that this enterprise myght well come of our lord· And so by comyn acord they assembled in couÌ„seyl they alowed muche this that the peple made this request· and acorded that they wold sende to this proude prynce Corbagat Peter theremyte whiche was an holy man moche wyse and wel bespokin And delyuerd to hym for felaw a valyaunt man named hellom trewe and of grete wytte that coude wel speke the langage of the sarasyns And specially the langage of perse They charged them with the message like as ye shal here what they sayde to Corbagat· Thise two sad men to fore sayd dyde do demaunde trews for to goo to the sayd Corbagat ffor they wold speke with hym in the name of the pylgryms hit was graunted with good wyll They wente out of the Cyte and toke with hym good companye whiche were assygned to them they wente so ferre that they arryued at the pauyllon of this noble prynce Corbagat· They sawe hym sytte in moche grete bobaunce emonge his ryche men Peter salewed hym nothyng ne made to hym honour ne reuerence· But spak heeryng alle in this maner This holy companye of hye noble men barons noble knyghtes and other peple of our lord god that ben yonder within the cyte sende to the comaunde that thou departe fro this siege that thou nomore assaylle them but late them haue and kepe the toun in pees whiche our lord Ihesu crist hath delyuerd to them for to holde his fayth for to doo hym seruyse· ffor seynt peter the prynce of thappostles vpon the creaunce of whom our fayth is founded hath conuerted it fyrst by his precâ—yng And by the merueyllous myracles that he dyde our peple hath conquerd it not long syth by the wyll and ayde of
the· barbyâ—ans taken and in suche wyse they cam playn to the walles ffor they within entremeted not moche but laâ—nched and shotte vpon the walles The duc commaunded to his peple that were vpon the castel that they sette fire in the pokes of coton in the sackes of beye that benge on the walles They dyde his commaundement thenne aroos a smoke so blacke and so thycke that they myght nothynge see The wynde was northeeste and blewe vpon the Turkes that were at defence vpon the walles· in suche wyse that they myght not opene theyr eyen ne theyr mowthes· But by force they muste avoyde the place that was delyuerd to them to deffende The valyaunt Duc Godeffroye whiche soynously entended to the werke apperceyued first that they were departed theÌ„ne be commaunded that they shold drawe diligently the· ii pâ—eces of tymbre that were falleÌ„ fro the wall as ye haue herd to fore this was don anon in suche wyse that the two endes of the two trees were leyd vâ—on the castel And the two other endes vpon the walle Thenne commaunded that the syde of the castel that myght be late doun shold be late doun vpon the two pyâ—ces of tymbre And thus was the brydge made good and strong vpon the tymbre of theyr enemyes The fyrst that entred and passed by the brydge vpon the walles was the Duc Godeffroy of boloyne and Eustace his brother with hym After thyse tweyne cam two other knyghtes that were also bretheren whiche also were fyers noble hardy That one was named lutol and that other gâ—lbert· They were borne in tornay Anon ther siewed them grete nombre of knyghtes· and of peple a foote whiche ranne moche thycke· as moche as they myght susteyne Anon the turkes apperceyued that our men were entred in to the toun and sawe the baner of the duc vpon the wallys And were disconfyted and gaf ouer the toures and descended in to the toun· and put them in to the strayt and narowe stretes for to defende them Oure peple sawe that the duc and grete partye of the knyghtes were now entred and that they had taken I wote not how many towres they abode no commaundement but adressyd laddres to the walles and wente vp· It was commaunded a good whyle to fore that euery ij knyghtes shold haue a laddre Therfor ther were grete nombre in thoost whiche anon were adressyd vp· The duc ranne moche dylygently vpon the walles and sette the peple as they cam in the towres he moche hasted for to take the fortresse Anon after that the duc was entred· entred in the duc of Normandye· Th erle of fflaundres Tancre the valyaunt Th erle of seynt poul Bawdyn deltors Gace de barce Gaste de bedyers· Thomas de fere Gyralt de Roussylon Lowys de Monco Conam lybres Th erle Remboult of Orenge Conain de Montagu· Lambert his sone and many other knyghtes· whiche I can not name whan the valyaunt Duc knewe certaynly that they were in the toun he called them· and commaunded that they shold goo hastely to the yate named the yate of seynt Stephen And that they shold opene it whan it was open Alle the people cam in with mâ—â—he grete prees· In suche wyse that there abode but fewe withâ—â—â— But alle were comen within the toun This was vpon a fâ—ydaye aboute None It is a thynge for to be byleuyd that oure lord dyde this by grete sygnefyaunce ffor on this daye and about that hour suffred he deth on the crosse right cruel in the same place for the Redempcion of man Therfore wold the sweâ—e lord that the peple of his trewe pylgryms shold gete this tonâ— and delyuer it oute of the seruage and thraldom of the hethen men and make it free vnto Cristen men that his seruyse myght be had therin and encreâ—ed Of the mayntenyng of our peple entred in to the toun toward the northeest And th erle of tholouse herof alle ygnorant assaylled alle way ca o Clxxxvjo. He valyaunt duc godeffroy of buyllon the knyghtes â–ª and the other men· of armes that were with hym desceÌ„ded fro the walles all armed in to the toun They wente to gydre thurgh the stretes with their swerdes in their haÌ„des glayues alle them that they mette they slewe smote right doun men wymmen and childeren sparyng none· There myght no prayers ne cryeng of mercy auaylle They slewe so many in the stretes that there were heeps of dede bodyes and myght not goo ne passe but vpon them that so laye deed The foote men wente in the other partyes of the toun by grete rowtes holdyng in theyr handes grete polaxes· swerdes malles and other wepens sleyng alle the turkes that they coude fynde ffor thei were the men of the world whom our men had grettest hate vnto and gladlyest wold put to deth They were thenne comen vnto the mydle of the Cyte Th erle of tholouse ne his men knewe nothyng yet that the toun was taken but assaylled moche fyersly the toun ayenst syon The turkes that defended them ayenst hym apperceyued not that our peple were in the toun But whan the crye and the noyse of them that men slowe began to growe The turkes behelde and sawe fro the walles And knewe wel the baners and Armes of the cristen men And were moche abassâ—â—d They lefte alle theyr deffences fledde there where they supposed best to be saued· And by cause that the dongeon of the toun whiche was by and was the grettest strengthe of the cyte Alle they that myght entre entred therin And shetâ—e faste the doores on them The erle of tholouse made the brydge of his castel auale vpon the walles and entred there in the toun he hym self and the Erle of â—ye ysoar· remon pelet guyllem de sabram the bisshop of albareâ— the other barons moche hastely wende that they on that part of the toun had be the first that had entred thenne they wente doun of the walles And alle the Turkes that they founde in the stretes and in the howses they brought to deth and shewe doun right ffro than forthâ—n myght none escape ffor whan they that fledde to fore Duc Godeffroye and his rowte mette with other rowtes of oure peple whiche smote them doun and slewe them without mercy I may not reherce ne can not to you the faites of euery man by hym self But there was so moche blood shedde that the canellys and rumyssheauls ronne alle of blood and alle the stretes of the toun were couerd with dede men In suche wyse that it was grete pyte for to see· yf it had not be of thenemyes of our lord Ihesu Criste How .x M. turkes were slayn in the temple And of the grete tresour that Tancre founde in the sayd temple cao. Clxxxvijo. iN to thynner part of the temple were fledde moche grete peple of the toun by cause it was the moost seynorously and rial place of the toun And
ioye that was made· that they remembred not the grete trauaylle that they had suffred by alle theyr waye Thenne was accomplysshed alle euydently this that the prophete sayd Enioye ye with Iherusalem and make ye ioye within them that ye loue How the Cristen men that had charged their message for their delyueraunce to peter theremyte knewe hym cao. Clxxxixo. aS many pour cristen men as had dwellid in the toun which had seen Peter theremyte four or fyue yere to fore whan they delyuerd to hym lettres for to bere to our holy fader the pope and to the barons of ffraunce to th ende that they myght setâ—te remedye for theyr affayres they knewe hym emonge the other theÌ„ne they cam to hym and fyl donn to his feet and wepte for ioye And moche gretely thanked hym of this that he had so wel performed his message ne they cessed not to yeue preysyng and lawde to our lord that had gyuen suche counseyl to the barons and to the peple by which they had performed such an hye werke which was aboue the hope of alle men· sauf by thayde of oure lord Alle the gree and thanke they gaf to Peter theremyte whiche so vygorously had enterprysed for to delyuere them by thelpe of our lord fro the caytyfnes and seruage dolorous in whiche they had ben so long holden by the cruelte of the sarasyns lyke as ye haue herd to fore The Patriarke of Iherusalem was goon in to Cypres for to demaunde Almesse and ayde of the cristen men there for to helpe and socoure the cristen men of Iherusalem to paye the cruel taillages that the turkes had sette vpon them ffor he doubted yf they faylled of their payment that they wold bete and throwe doun theyr chirches or put to deth the beste men of theyr peple lyke as they had don many tymes to fore· This good man the Patriarke knewe nothyng of this good auenture that oure lord had don of the delyueraunce of the toun But supposed to haue come and to haue founden it in suche seruage as it was whan he departed How they clensed the toun of the dede bodyes Of many other ordenaunces And how the turkes rendred the dongeon vnto the erle of tholouse· Capitulo Clxxxxo. wHan the barons and the other pylgryms had made theyr prayers and vysyted the holy chirches thurgh the Cyte of Iherusalem The hye men of the hoost assembled and sayd that it was a peryllous thynge yf the toun were not voyded of the dede bodyes and purged of the blood and ordure· ffor in short tyme the ayer shold be corrupt by which sekenesse and Infyrmytees myght ensiewe and folowe There were somme turkrs yet that were not slayn but were kepte in yrons· to them was commaunded this werke for to bere the bodyes out of the toun but by cause they were but fewe of them and myght not suffyse to doo it shortly· they toke the poure men of thoost and gaf to them good hyre for to helpe taccomplysshe this werke whan the barons had this deuysed thyse thynges they wente in to theyr howses and made moche grete ioye they gaf largeli to ete drynke ffor the toun was repleneshed of alle goodes in suche wise that they that were to fore poure fonde in the howses alle thyng that was nedefuf to them· wherof they had endured to fore grete anguysshe â— and penurye· ffor they fonde the cysternes alle ful in alle the howses On the thyrd day was ordeyned that market shold be holden in the toun And that they shold bye and selle suche thynges as they had conquerd in the Cyte· They were moche refresshyd and rested ffor they abode now no trauayll· They forgate not our lord whiche had brought them in so grete honour· as for tacoomplysshe his werke by them And by comyn acord of the prelates· of the barons and of alle the people was ordeyned that this daye· in whiche Iherusalem was gotâ—n and conquerd shold euermore after be holden feste and holy day in remembraunce of the cristen men to thanke and preyse our lord and also praye to our lord for the sowles of them that thyse thynges had accomplysshed A grete partye of the turkes that were in the dongeon of the toun named the tour dauid sawe wel that alle the cyte was takeâ— And that they had none hope of rescows ne socour ayenst our men Therfor they requyred by messagers th erle of tholouse whiche was next to them And dyde do be sayd to hym· yf they myght departe with their wyues children and suche goodes as they had in the tour they wold go theyr waye and delyuere ouer the tour he agreed and acorded it to them And so they departed And he dyde them to be conduyted sauâ—ly vnto Escalonne Thus was the tour yolden They that had the charge for to purge and voyde the dede bodyes oute of the toun dyde it ententyfly and dylygently in suche wyse that in shorte tyme this thynge was alle don· ffor they beryed them in depe pyttes withoute the toun the moost parte The remenaunt they brente in to asshes that the cendres with the wynde was blowen away· Thenne were our men in good sewrte and ease within the toun to goo and walke thurgh the stretes and other places and dyde dayly goo in pylgremages· that vnnethe myght they departe thens· They abode so gladly there· In this manere as ye haue herd was taken the holy cyte of Iherusalem In the yere of thyncarnacion of oure sauyour Ihesu criste M. lxxxxix the ·xv daye of the moneth of Iuyll on a fryday at the hour of none The iiâ— yere after that the pylgryms had enterprysed this â–ª viage Tho was pope of Rome Vrban· And Henry Emperour of the Romayns· Alexis emperour of Constantynople· And phylyp kyng of ffraunce How the hye barons of thoost assembled for to chese a kynge of Iherusalem· And thoppynyon of the clergye vpon the same Capitulo· Clxxxxâ—o. lYke as ye haue herd the pylgryms whiche had grete nede of reste soiourned in the toun The barons deuysed the affaires of the cyte· In moche grete ioye were they there viâ— dayes On the viij daye assembled alle the barons for to chese one of them· to whome the garde· gouernaunce and kepyng of the toun shold be delyuerd and the seygnorye of the holy cyte· and the charge of the Royamme entierly as it was reason and right· They made theyr prayers and orysons And with alle theyr herte called the holy ghooste that he wold counseylle them that daye and to yeue to them grace to chese suche a man as were worthy and couenable to susteyne the faytes of the Royamme ·whyles as they were in this affayre and moche entended with good fayth ther about An hepe of clerkes assembled whiche had not good entencion· but thought on malyce by pryde and couetyse They cam where as the barons were assembled And senâ—e to them for to speke to them a short word or
two They suffred them to come in· whan they were comen in One of them spak in this manere Fayr lordes we haue vnderstanden that ye be assembled here for to chese a kyng that shal gouerne this â—onde whiche thyng pleâ—â—th vs moche And we holden it for right wel don yf ye doo it in the manere that ye ought to doo it ffor without doubte the spyrituel thynges be more digne and worthy than the temporall Therfore we saye to you that the moost hye thynges ought to goo to fore And thus wolde we that ye shold doo And thordenaunce shold not go forth other wyse than it ought to be Now theÌ„ne we praye you and requyre you in the name of oure lord that ye entremete not you to make a kynge til that we haue chosen a patriarke in this toun that can gouerne the cristiente· yf it plese you that this be don fyrst it shal be good and wee l for you And we shal thenne holde hym â—or kyng that ye shal gyue to vs· but if ye wylle do otherwyse we shal not holde it· for good ne wel don But we shal discorde And after that ye doo shal not be fâ—rme This wordâ— semed outward to haue somme apparence of wee l But it cam of euyl purpoos· Ther was therin but deceyt and trecherye Of this complot and barate was mayster capytayne a bisshop of Calabre horn of a cyte whiche was named lamane This bisshop acorded moche to one Arnold of whome I haue spoken to fore whiche was ful of desloyalte he was not yet subdeken· and was a preestes sone and of so euyl and fowl lyf that the boyes and garsons had made songes of hym thurgh thoost and yet not with stondynge alle this the bisshop of Calabre ayenst god and reson wolde haue made hym patriark ffor they knewe ouermoche euyl therfor were they both acorded to gydrâ— They had made a bargain bytwene them that as sone as this Arnold shold be patriarke the sayd bisshop shold haue tharchebissoprych of bethlehem But oure lord ordeyned this thynge in another maner as ye shal here Ther were in thoost many clerkes of euyll contenaunce· that lytle entended to the seruyse of our lord· they litil preysed relygyonand honneste ffor syth the tyme that the valyauÌ„t bysshop of puy was dede which was legat of 〈…〉 the bisshop william of Orenge was in his place whiche was a relygyous man· and moch doubted our lord but he abode not longe after but was deed in suche wyse lyke as ye haue· herd Thenne was the clergye without pastour and garde And lete them falle in euyl lyf The Bisshop of Albare conteyned hym holyly in this pylgremage· And somme other that were noble· But the comyn of the clerkes made it alle ylle How the duc Godeffroy was chosen kyng of Iherusalem and how he was presented to our lord in his chirche of the holy sepulcre capitulo Clxxxxijo. He wordes that the Clerkes had brought to the barons in theyr electyon was not moche preysed but â—â—etted it to grete folye ne therfore letted not to doo that they had bygonnen· To th ende thenne that they myght knowe the better the couynes of alle the barons· they ordeyned wyse men that shold enserche the lyf of eueryche of them and the maners They dyde do come to fore them suche men as were moost pryue of the barons and toke eche of them a parte by the leue of theyr lordes· And toke of them theyr othes to saye the trouthe of that they shold be examyned that was of the lyf and manere of theyr lordes withoute â—â—syuge and fayllynge of the trouthe· Thus it was acorded emonge them It was a grete thynge whan the lordes abandouned tâ—em self â—enserche theyr lyues â–ª But the wyse men that made this enquest were trewe men and helde alle thyng secrete that as ought not to be knowen Many thynges were sayd to them of whiche they toke but lytil hede· Emonge alle other thynges they that were moost pryuee of the duc Godeffroye whan thâ—y were demaunded of his maners and his tetches· they answerd that he had one manere right greuous and ennoyous ffor whan he herd masse and the seruyse of oure lorde he coude not departe out of the chirche but sente after payntours glasyers vnto the clerkes gouernours of the chirches he herd gladly the ryngyng of the belles and entendeth mocheyf they discorded so longe that it displesyd moche to his felawship and seruauntes· And oftymes his mete appayred by cause of his long taryeng in the monasteryes and holy places whan the wysemen herd this and that this was the grettest vyce that coude be founden in the duc they had moche grete ioye ffor they thought wel that he dyde this for the loue of oure fayth and for thonour of our sauyour whan they had herd alle that they wold enquyre of the Barons they spak to gydre And grete partye of them were acorded vpon th erle of tholouse if it had not be for one thynge ffor alle they of his countre· that were moost pryue with hym· thought that yf he were chosen kyng that he shold abyde there and reteyne the peple of his countrey· And yf he were not chosen he shold sone retorne in to his countrey fro whens he cam and that desyred they moche· Thefore mâ—n wâ—ne that they were forsworn wyllyngly And sayde vpon hym somme euyl 〈◊〉 of whiche he had no blame Neuertheles he had neuer Intencion to retourne to his londe as it appered after ffor euer after he abode in the seruyse of our lord whiche he had enterprysed whan the barons herde all the tetches after many wordes they acorded al â–ª vpon Godeffroy of boloyne And named hym to be kyng and was lad with alle the peple with grete ioye vnto the chirche of the holy sepulcre And presented to oure lorde Euery man was glad grete and smal ffor he was the man that had the hertes of alle the comyn peple How the duc godeffroy after his election requyred th erle of tholouse that he shold delyuer to hym the tour dauid cao. Clxxxxiij iN this maner was the duc godeffroy chosen to be kyng· and lord of the holy Cyte of Iherusalem Th erle of tholouse helde the gâ—ettest fortresse of the toun whiche was called the tour dauyd The turkes had delyuerd it to hym lyke as ye haue herd to fore It is sette in the hyest parte of the Cyte toward the weste strongly walled with square stones and ther on meÌ„ may see ouer al the Cyte entierly whan the Duc sawe that this tour was not in his power It semed to hym that he had not the seygnorye whan the grettest fortresse of alle the countre was not in his possession Therfor he demaunded th erle of tholouse in the presence of the barons· prayd hym debonayrly that he wold delyuer it to hym Th erle answerd that he had conquerd it· and thenemyes of
â—He hye couragyous faytee And valyaunt actes of noble Illustrous and vertuous personnes ben digne to be recounted put in memorye and wreton to th ende that ther may be gyuen to them name Inmortal by souerayn laude and preysyng And also for to moeue and tenflawme the hertes of the Redars and hierers for â—â—â—che we and flee werkes vycious dishonnest and vytuperable And for tempryse and accomplysshe enterpryses honnestes and werkes of gloryous meryte to lyue in remembraunce perpetuel ffor as it is so that thystoryagraphes haue wreton many a noble hystorye as wel in metre as in prose By whiche thactes and noble fayttes of thauncyent conquerours ben had in remembraunce· and remayne in grete large and aourned volumes and so shal abyde in perpetuel memorye to thentente that gloryous Prynces and hye men of noble and vertuouse courage shold take ensample tempryse werkys leful and honneste Fyrst for goddes quarell in mayntenyng oure fayth and the libertees of holy chirche· For the recuperacion of the holy land whiche our blessyd lord Ihesu Criste hath halowed by his blessyd presence humayne and by shedyng therin for oure redempcion his precious blood ffor the releef of suche cristen men as there dwelle in grete myserye and thraldomÌ„ And also for the defence of theyr Royammes Londes Enherytages and subgâ—â—tes And for thyse causes tendeuoyre theym in theyr noble persones with alle theyr puyssauÌ„ces and power tadresse and remyse theym in theyr auncyent Fraunchyses and lyberte Acordyng to that we fynde wreton in holy scripture of many noble historyes· which were here ouer long to reherce· But in especial of thre noble and mooste worthy of alle other that is to wytte fyrst of duc Iosue that noble prynce whiche ladde and conduyted the Childeren of Israhel the chosen people of God oute of deserte in to the londe of promyssyon the Londe flowynge Mylke and hony· Socondly of Dauyd the Kynge and holy Prophete Whome God chaas after his herte And achyeuyd many grete Bataylles gouernyng the sayd chosen people of God by the space of fourty yeris And the thyrde of the Noble Iudas Machabeus· how he deffended the sayd people in fyghtyng many and merueyllous bataylles· for veray zeele and loue of his lawe and mayntenyng of the same· vnto the deth ffor which causes a forsayd the names of thyes thre abyde perpetuel for thre of the moste beste and Nobleste of the Iewys And in the nombre of the moost digne and moost worthy aNd by cause valyaunce and prowesse is remembryd emong the gentyles paynmes· as emong the brewes I fynde wreton of the incredible cheualrous prowesse of the noble and valyaunt Hector of troye whos excellent actes wryten Ouyde Homer Virgyle Dares Dyctes and other dyuerse· and eche better than other reherchyng his noble vertues strengthe and humanyte Secondly of Alysaundre the grete kynge of Macedone· which domyned and had to hym obeyssaunt the vnyuersal world And the thyrde the noble Iulyus Cezar Emperour of Rome· whos noble actes ben wreton by poetes as lucan stace and other And dayly remembryd as newe and ffresshe as he yet lyuyd whiche thre ben sette as for the moost worthy emong the gentyles and paynems nOw lete vs thenne remembre· what hystoryes ben wreton of Cristen men of whom ther be many wreton· But in especial as for the best and worthyest I fynde fyrst the gloryous most excellent in his tyme and fyrst founder of the round table Kyng Arthur kyng of the brytons that tyme regnyng in this Royamme of whos retenue were many noble Kynges Prynces lordes and knyghtes· of which the noblest were knyghtes of the round table· of whos actes and historyes there be large volumes and bookes grete plente and many O blessyd lord whan I remembre the grete and many volumes of seynt graal ghalehot and launce lotte de lake Gawayn perceual Lyonel and tristram and many other· of whom were ouer longe to reherce and also to me vnknowen But thystorye of the sayd Arthur is so gloryous and shynyng that he is stalled in the fyrst place of the mooste noble beste and worthyest of the cristen men Secondly of Charlemayn the grete Epemrour of Allemayne and kyng of ffraunce whos noble actes and conquestes ben wreton in large volumes with the noble faytes and actes of his douze pieres· that is to saye Rowlond and olyuer with the other whos name and renommee abydeth also perpetuel and is stalled in the second place emonge the most worthy of Cristen men Of alle thyse historyes a for reherced the bookes and volumes ben had in latyn ffrenssh and Englysshe and other langage tHenne as for the thyrd of the Cristen prynces taken reputed and renommed for to be egal emong thyse worthy best that euer were· I mene the noble Godefroy of Boloyne whiche now but late not yet four C. yere syth he flowred· and was stalled in the thyrde stalle of the moost worthy of Cristen men whos hystorye is made and wreton in Latyn and ffrensshe in large and grete volumes And as not knowen emonge vs here whiche ben adiacent and neyghbours to the place of his natyuyte whos noble hystorye I late fonde in a booke of ffrenssh al a longe of his noble actes valyaunces prowesses and accomplysshement of his hye empryses In whiche I fynde very causes as me semeth moche semblable and lyke· vnto suche as we haue nowe dayly to fore vs· By the mescreauntes and turkes emprysed ayenst Cristendom And yet moche more nowe than were in his dayes ffor in his dayes the turkes had conquerd vpon Cristendom but vnto the braas of seynt George by Constantynople· And had no foote on this syde the sayd Braas· But at this daye it is so that they haue comen ouer and goten that Imperial Cyte Constantynople a forsayd and many Royamâ—â— and countre to the grete dommage and hurte of alle Cristendom To the resistence of whom as yet fewe Cristen prynces haue put theym in deuoyr· Thenne I returne agayn vnto the conqueste at suche tyme as they were come to the sayd Braas that by the dylygent solicitude of a 〈◊〉 heremyte the sayd Godeffroy of Boloyne· and other dyuerse prynces lordes and comyn peple auowed the croysyng and empryse to warre agayn the mescreauntes And to recouere the holy Cyte of Iherusalem whiche afterward they achyeuyd and conquerd fro the sayd braas vnto the holy lande and recouerd the holy cyte of Iherusalem as in this sayd boook al a longe and playnly shal appere· In whiche cyte the sayd Godeffroy was elect and chosen for his vertue prowesse and blessyd diâ—posicion to be kyng of the sayd Iherusalem· and the londe therabout tHenne I thus vysytyng this noble hystorye whiche is no fable ne fayned thynge· But alle that is therin trewe Considerynge also the grete puyssaunce of the Turke grete enemye of oure Cristen fayth destroyar of Cristen blood and vsurpar of certayn Empyres and many Cristen Royammes and countrees And now late this sayd yere
hath assaylled the Cyte and castel in the Isle of rhodes where valyantly he hath be resisted but yet not withstondyng he hath approched more nâ—r hath takeÌ„ the Cyte of Ydronte in puylle· By whiche he hath goten an entre to entre in to the Royamme of Naples· And fro thens withoute he be resisted vnto Rome ytalye to whos resistence I beseche almyghty God to prouyde yf it be his wylle ThenÌ„e me semeth it necessary and expedyent for alle cristen prynces to make peas amyte and allyaunce eche with other· and prouyde by theyr wysedoÌ„mes· the resistence agayn hym for the defense of our fayth and moder holy chirch also for the recuperacion of the holy londe holy Cyte of Iherusalem In whiche our blessyd sauyour Ihesu Crist redemed vs with his precious blood And to doo as this noble prynce Godeffroy of boloyne dyde with other noble and hye prynces in his companye· Thenne for thexhortacion of alle Cristen prynces Lordes Barons Knyghtes Gentilmen Marchanntes and all the comyn peple of this noble Royamme walys yrlond I haue emprysed to translate this book of the conquest of Iherusalem out of ffrenssh in to our maternal tongue to thenâ—enâ—e â—encourage them by the redyng and heeryng of the merueyllous historyes herin comprysed and of the holy myracles shewyd that euery man in his partye endeuoyre theym vnto the resistence a fore sayd And recuperacion of the sayd holy londe for as moche as I knowe no Cristen kynge better prouyd in Armes and for whom god hath shewed more grace And in alle his empryses gloryous vaynquysshour· happy and eurous than is our naturel lawful and souerayn lord and moost cristen kynge Edward by the grace of god kynge of englond and of ffraunce and lord of Yrlond vnder the shadowe of whos noble protection I haue achyeued this symple translacion that he of his moost noble grace wold adresse styre or commaunde somme noble Capytayn of his subgettes to empryse this warre agayn the sayd turke hethen peple· to whiche I can thynke that euery man wyll put hand to in theyr propre persones and in theyr meuable goodes Thenne to hym my moost drad naturel and souerayn lord I adresse this symple and rude booke besechyng his moost bounteuous and haboundaunt grace to receyue it of me his indigne and humble subgette William Caxton· And to pardonne me so presumynge· besechyng almyghty god that this sayd book may encourage moeue and enflamme the hertes of somme noble men· that by the same the mescreauntes maye be resisted and putte to rebuke Cristen fayth encreaced and enhaunced and the holy lande· with the blessyd cyte of Iherusalem· recouerd and may come agayn in to cristen mens hondes· Thenne I exhorte alle noble riten of hye courage to see this booke and here it redde by which ye shal see what wayes were taken what noble prowesses and valyaunces were achyeuyd by the noble companyes especial by the said noble prynce godeffroy of boloyne duc of Loreyne by whiche he deseruyd the name of one of the moost worthy that euer were and ys stalled in the thyrd stalle of the Cristen conquerours And in the nynthe of the mooste worthy where his name and renomme shal remayne and abyde perpetuel And for to deserue the tenthe place I beseche almyghty God to graunte and ottroye to our sayd souerayn lord· or to one of his noble progenye I meane my lord Prynce and my lord Rychard duc of yorke and norfolke to whom I humbly beseche at theyr leyzer and playsyr to see here redde this symple book â–ª by which they may be encoraged to deserue lawde and honour· and that theâ—r name and renomme may encreace and remayne perpetuel â— And after this lyf short and transytorye All we may atteyne to come to the euerlastyng lyf in heuen· where is ioye and reste withoutâ— ende Amen tHenne for to knowe the content of this book· ye shal â—layâ—ly see by the table folowynge wherof euery chapytre 〈◊〉 al a longe â–ª The fyrst chapytre treateth how Eracles conauâ—â—d Perse· And slewe Cosdroe and brought in to Iherusalem the veray Crossâ— Capitulo 〈◊〉 How the puyssaunt Cosdroe wasted th empyre of rome for 〈◊〉 the deth of themperour Mauryce fader to his wyf cao. 〈◊〉 How this puyssaunt kyng entred in to Iherusalem and demauâ—â—ded dylygently of the temple and reedefyed it· and assigned gâ—â—te reuenues· to entretiene it capitulo iijo. How Charlemayne by his lyberalyte gate for the prouffyt of cristen peple in hethenesse· thamyte of hethen prynces· capitulo iiij Of the noyse that sourded emonge the â—ethen peple discordynge in theyr lawe And how they of egypte yssued oute of theyr londe â–ª and of the euylles and harmes that they dyde· capitulo v How thafflyction Iniuryes and tormentes of cristen men grewe in the tyme of Calyphe hetham capitulo vj How at the requeste of themperour of constantynople the cristen men obteyned licence to bylde agayn the chirche of the holy sepulcre Capitulo vij Of the turkes fro whens they cam· And how they grewe in to grete puyssauÌ„ce· dyde chose theym a kyng for to· mayntene their warrys· Capitulo viij Of thorryble synnes regnyng theÌ„ne in Cristiente as wel in thyse partyes as in tho partyes capitulo· ix Of a bataylle that themperour Romayn of Constantynople had ayenst a prynce of thoryent named belphet capitulo x Of many maner tormentes that the Cristen peple suffred for their synnes in that tyme capitulo xj How after they had ben· iiij C lxxxx yere in the seruage of the hethen men our lord pourueyed remedye for his cristen peple ca xij How Peter theremyte enterprysed the more hardly his viage by the reuelacion or vysyon that he sawe in his sleep cao. xiij o Of the persecucions of the chirche in that tyme And how the pope Vrban was put out of the see of Rome by the Bysshop of Rauenne â— Capitulo xiiij Of a general counseyl that the pope Vrban ordeyned for the reformacion of holy chirche and thamendement of the people ca xv How many noble and hye men and other moyen peple of the royamme of ffraunce crossyd theym for to goo ouer see cao. xvj The names of noble men that enterprysed this pylgremage as wel on this syde the see as beyonde the montaxnes cao. xvij Of thauentures that a Rowte of Cristen men in this vyage of whom one gaultier without knowleche was capitayn cao. xviij How Peter theremyte was chyef and Capitayn of a grete hooste in this vyage toward the holy londe capitulo xix How somme of thoost of Peter theremyte vnwytyng hym sette fyre in the subarbys of Nyz at theyr departyng capitulo xx How Peter theremyte was aduertysed of al this· and of the harme that ensiewed Capitulo xxj How themperour of constantynople beyng aduertysed of thies oultrages sente his messagers to Peter theremyte capitulo xxij Of the mayntenyng of thoost of Peter theremyte· And how thre M
in emong them and slewe and wounded many or they were awaked and apperceyued it But whan the crye arroos â— And the noble men of thooste apperceyued the trayson they armed them and reteyned theyr peple that began to flee and after ran vpon them of themperour· And slewe many chassed the remenaunt On the morn they of the hooste began to be moche esmayed of the trauaylle that they had suffred in the nyght And of the trayson of the grekes and theyr hertes began to cole and to faylle of the purpoose of theyr waye and pylgremage And noâ— only the smal comune peple· but many of the grete noble men had forgoten theyr vowes theyr honours wold haue retorned home vnto theyr countrey But the noble bisshop of Puy and the Bissâ—op of Orenge were emonge them and many good wyse relygyous men and clerkys that prechyd to them the wordes of our lord and recomforted them moche wel And shewde them that yf they retourned they shold lese thonour of this world And also of that other· Thus with grete peyne they reteyned them whan the erle whiche was in Constantynople herde of the trayson that was don to hym in his hoost he was as a man out of his wytte anon sente his men to themperour And sente hym word that he had betrayde hym ffor whyles he reteyned hym and made hym good chere he had doo slee his peple by trayson And sente worde herof to the barons that were on that other syde prayeng them as his bretheren that they wold come to hym to aueÌ„ge it· wel may ye knowe that yf th erle had power sufficient he wold not haue departed tyl he had auengyd hym· And that it shold haue ben dere bought ffor he was a man of grete courage And forgate not lyghtly shame don to hym Themperour sawe that this thynge was goon ouer ferre in suche wyse that he repented hym that he had so commaunded in his angre and hastynes and hasted hym moche for to sette counseyl in this werke And sente for Buymont and th erle of fflaundres to come and speke with hym by cause he wold sende them for to appese th erle of Tholouse They cam whiche were moche angry of this that was don They wente to th erle in the name of themperour But they sayd to hym more on theyr owne behalue than of themperours They shewde hym wel that it was not tyme ne place for tauenge his shames that had ben don to hym in the seruyse of oure lord· ffor it shold be empesshement vnto the grete werke that they had enterprised for to saue theyr sowles And on that other syde yf they wolde so doo they had not the power ne puyssaunce therfor it were better to hyde their thoughtes than to discouere theyr hertes to theyr domage and shame the Erle thus angry was no fool but souffred that his wytte vaynquysshe his angre And said that he wold submette to thyse two noble men that spak to hym and byleue them They cam to themperour priuely and shewd to hym al the fowle dede and werke that was commysed Themperour vnderstode the grete yre that they had in their hertes sente for th erle to come to hym in to his palays excused hym to fore alle pryue apperte estrangers that he had not comanded this fayte to be doon but it displesyd hym moche And yet he beyng without culpe and blame therof he was redy to restore to the Duc alle the dammages that were don to his hooste after his power· Thus euery day by day and more and more myght wel be perceyued the grete hate that the grekes had to the latyns And of the desloyal felonnye that themperour had in his herte ayenst oure pephe but it must be suffred ffor it myght not thenne be amended How at thynstaunt prayer of the barons of the hooste The Erle made hommage to themperour whiche gaf grete yeftes to hym and his· Capitulo xlixo. aFter the counseyl of the other barons the erle was therto meuyd And by the grete prayers of themperour that he dyde hommage to hym and sware to hym feaulte· lyke as the other had doon And the pees was affermed emong them· Themperour gaf to them so grete yeftes that alle they were merueyllously â—â—mayed The other barons that were come ouer agayn on the â—â—ther syde receyued newe yeftes and presentes· After they passed the braas and retourned in to bethâ—e· And they prayd moche the erle that he shold not longe tarye and abyde there the Erles hoost cam in to Constantynoble And he made them passe ouer the braas· to lodge with the other he hym self abode in the toun for certeyn necessytees that he had do to doo and to ordeyne And â—e as a moche wyseman prayde and Inated ofte themperour that he shold enterpryse the seruyse of our lord· And that he wold be lord and capytayn of alle the hoost where as were so many noble men â— And he had hope that our lord shold sende to hym suche honnour that he shold delyuere his peple and londe by hym wel coude the Erle make to hym remonstrance acordyng to the barons whiche had spoken in this mater Themperour answerd to them alle in one maner that this pylgrenagr was a moche hye thynge â— and that he moche desyred the pardon And aboue alle other thynge the companye of so hye noble men plesyd hym moche And about hym and his empyre he sayd he had moch cruel peple and moch vntrew as the Bongres the comans and other that gladly wold doo harme to hym and to his londe and conquere his Empyre as moche as they myght gete And therfore it were grete parylle for me to withdrawe fro my Countreye well and fayre he excused hym withoute forth But that he sayd to oure fore Nycene whan they were alle assembled sixe C thousand men a fote And of knyghtes and men of armes on horsbak an hundred thousand or moo They alle had moche grete wylle for to employe them wel in this warre And desyred moche at this fyrst begynnyng of theyr warre to enterprise so hyely and doo so wel that alle other peple shold doubte them Of the situacion of Nycene And how our peple approched ther to Merueyllyng of the place and of the strengthe capo. lijo. oF the cyte of nycene knowe ye that it had be vnder tharchebysshop of nychomede But themperour constantyn made it to be taken away fro the power of this archebysshop and it was a place of honour by cause the fyrst of the iiij grete couÌ„seylles had be sette there ffor in the tyme of seynt syluestre the pope ther was a partriarke of coÌ„staÌ„tinoble named alexaÌ„dre emperour coÌ„staÌ„tin ther was a mescreauÌ„t named arrius which mesprised certeyn poyntes of the fayth many men folowed hym therfor assembled in the Cyte of Nycene .iij. C. xviij· prelates And there was disputed ayenst this popelican And by wytnes of
th erle of fflaundres prayed them moche affectuously that they wold enterpryse coÌ„duice them to Ihâ—lm for taccomplysshe their pilgremage the goyng forth of th erle of tholouse the duc of normandye Cancre caused them moche to haue the wyll forth ffor they· were goon to fore and ledde with them grete nombre of pylgryms And they happened wel in the waye and had therby grete prouffyte and grete honour· By thyse wordes were the barons gretely stered and meuyd They ordeyned theyr affayres dylygently and toke alle theyr peple as wel on horsbak as a foote and wente so fer fâ—rth that they cam to the lyche of surrye They were xxv M men all in poynt and armed eueryche after that he waâ— The good man and valyaunt knyght buymont conueyed them theder with his men But it was not theyr entente ne wyll that he shold goo ony ferther ffor the cyte of anthyoche was newly conquerd and theyr enemyes were fast by Therfor it behoued hym not to withdrawe hym ferre fro it but therfor he toke good hede continuelly daye and nyght But of his grete courage· he had conueyed them theder And there toke his leue and wepte moche at departyng· he recoÌ„auÌ„ded them to god retorned agayn to Anthyoche And the hoost abode there· The lyche is a moche auncyent cyte and noble· stondeth vpon the ryuage of the see That was the only cyte in surye· of which theÌ„perour of coÌ„nstantinoble was lord longe to fore er oure men cam theder· was comen guyneuyers of whom I spak long to fore that was born at boloyne vpon the see syde And arryued at tharse whyles that bawd wyn broder of the Duc helde it· he was comen to the lyche with his shippe and supposed to haue taken the toun by force and folysshly he conteyned hym and assaylled it· They of the toun yssued out lyghtly And toke hym· and yet helde hym in pryson whan onre barons cam theder· The Duc knewe that he was born in the londe of his fadre And that he had ben in the companye of th erle Bawdwyn his brother Therfor he demaunded hym of the grete men of the toun And prayde them entierly that they wold delyuere them to hym They durst not gayne saye hym but delyuerd hym and his felawship with his shippe the Duc commaunded hym that he shold goo to the see and alwaye coosteyeng by the hooste· he dyde it gladly And saylled forth How the duc assieged Gybelet and of a trayson by whiche he lefte the siege cao. CLx o tHe hoost departed fro the lyche whan oure Barons had receyued theyr prysonners· They that were late departed fâ—o Cylyce fro Anthyoche fro other cytres aboute were alle comen and arryued theder· in suche wyse that alle wente to gydre by the see syde vnto a Cyte named Gybelet· whiche was fro the lyche about a xij myle They abode there and assieged the Cyte A baylly of the Calyphe of Egypte helde this Cyte on the see side vnder the power of the Calyphe of Egypte This baylle yssued out by saufcoÌ„duyt· spak to duc godefroy to whom he offred vj·M· besauntes and many grete yeftes aboue that for to departe and reyse the siege fro thens The duc wold in no wyse here thyse wordes but sayde that it were treson and vntrouth· and god forbede that I shold take suche hyre he thenne departed whan he sawe he myght not make his bargayn with the noble duc· After he sente his messagers to th erle of tholouse· and offred to hym this grete somme of moneye yf he myght fynde the moyen to reyse the â—â—ege fro this toun It was sayd that he receyued the moneye and for to make the barons to departe he founde a lesynge ffor he dyde to be sayd to them that he was wel acerteyned by messagers and lettres that the Soudan of Perse had so moche angre and desdayne of this that Corbagat his conestable had be disconfyâ—ed and so moche peple of his slayn· that he assembled alle his â—ower And cam with grete peple for to fyght and to destroye them allâ— that he coude fynde of the cristen fayth Thise tydynges senâ—e th erle of tholouse by the bisshop of Albare to the duc a fo re sayd and to th erle of fflaundres and sente to them his lettres by whiche â—e prayd them moche swetly and expresly that they wold leue theyr siege and come dylygently to hym· in suche wyse that they myght be alle to gydre whan this peple cam· whan the Duc and otheâ— Barons herde this thynge· they were moche anguysshous and meuyd ffor they supposed certaynly that alle this had be trewe â–ª Anon they departed fro gybelet· by the cyte of valerne they wente whiche was aboue the castel of margat· syth they cam to marcheâ— whiche is the first cyte of the londe of fenyce· whan they wente toward the northeest fro thens they cam to the cyte of cortuose There is an Isle where somtyme was a Cyte there abode the Shippes theyr naure I wote not how many dayes after they hasted and cam to fore the Cyte of Archys Tancre yssued oute of thoost and cam aâ—enst them And tolde to them alle a longe the tromperye and the barat that th erle of tholouse had don â–ª They were moche angry therfore they lodged them a part fro them that had doo broken theyr syege· The Erle knewe that he had 〈◊〉 the loue of the barons that were newe comen therfor he sentâ— to them messagers that sayde to them in his name moche fayre wâ—rdes And brought to them grete yeftes wherfore in short tyme it happed that they were alle repeased and amyable and good frendes to gydre sauf only Tancre whiche acorded not with hym· but accused hym of many thynges· A fore the comynge of thise laste baroÌ„s the peple of therles of tholouse myght nothynge auaylle and prouffyte ayenst the Cyte whiche they had assieged But now they had grete hope that it shold now soon be brought to an ende and accomplysshyd by thayde of them that were newe come Neuertheles it fyll not so as they supposed ffor alle the tymes that they contryued by ony engyne for tassaylle the walles alway it fyll contrarye to that they purposed and they of the toun brake alle theyr ouurages in suche wyse that they loste their costes and payne· It appered wel that our lord had withdrawen fro them his ayde and his good wyll They within the toun slewe many of them without There deyde tweyne noble and valyaunt knyghtes That is to wete Ancean of Ribemont that alway dyde valyauntly where sommeuer he cam And potom de baladon an hye man and wel acqueynted with th erle of tholouse This siege displesyd ouer moche to alle them of thooste· And in especial to the footemen whiche had moche grete desyre taccomplysshe theyr vowe to Iherusalem· also whan the duc was comen they that had ben there to fore began to
Guylliam Ebryac â— he made them to hastâ— moche the werke and to amende it Thus was alle thoost occupyed in this werke four monethes aâ— hool They had so moche exployted that eueryche of the barons had doo made right that whiche he had begonne and entreprysed· Therfor they counseylled emonge them ordeyned at a day sett· to goo to thassault But for as moch as th erle of tholouse and tancre had be grete Rancour and wrath and somme of the other Barons and knyghtes that loued not wel to gydre for dyuerse reasons The barons by the admonestacion of the bisshops wolde that of alle debate shold be good peas and that eche shold pardone other all euyll wyll and talente by cause that our lord shold helpe them the better in doynge and accomplysshyng his werke· And yf it happed them to dye the surer myght they attende the deth Of the fayr processions that oure pylgryms made to th ende that god shold gyue them vyctorye and how they pardonned eche other theyr mal talentes and euyll wylles cao. ·Clxxviij tHe daye was ordeyned and taken by comyn acorde of alle that procession shold be made the relyâ—uyes shold be borne suche as were had in thoost· They shold alle goo vnto the mount of Olyuet· And they shold mayntene them this day in fastyâ—g In repentaunce of theyr synnes and in orysons and prayer vnto our lord to th ende that he wold haue pyte of his peple and receyue in greâ— theyr seruyse in suche wyse that by them his herytages myght be recouerd fro the haÌ„des of his enemyes which helde it in their possession Peter theremyte on that one part and arnold the chappellayn of the Duc of Normandye whiche was a grete clerk and wyse of that other parte made the sermon to the peple They exhorted them by swete wordes to enterpryse vygorously the werke of oure lord wherin it were better to deye than to lyue· The mount of Olyuete is ayenst Iherusalem in the eestâ— partye about a myle fer fro the toun ffor the vaal of Iosaphat is bytwene bothe thâ—re assembled our lord his discyples and sâ—yed and ascended vp to fore them alle in to heuen the day of thassension and wente vp in a clowde which toke hym whan alle the peple had ben there in grete wepynges and prayers and alle the debates â—â—peased that were emong them they descended fro the hylle in to the chirche of mount syon whiche is by the Cyte as I haue sayd in the side toward the southe on the toppe of a tertre The sarasyns of the toun that were in the toures and vpon the walles of the toun merueylled moche what this myght be that oure men made there and where they myght see the presse nygh to them within shotte· They cessed not to shote arowes and quarellys in suche wyse that they hurted somme· Thenne adressyd they crosses vpon the walles and in despyte of our sauyour and in reproche of oure fayth spytte on them· and made other shames and fowle thynges whiche be not for to be sayd The peole of our lord· which were in holy wylle for to serue hym sawe wel thise thynges that the turkes made theyr desyre grewe and encreaced moche in theyr â—ertes for tauenge the shame of our lord Ihesu Criste whan they had made theyr orysons and prayers in the chirche of mount Syon The daye was to them ordeyned and named for to make thassault by comyn acorde Thenne they retourned to theyr lodgys yf ther was ony thyng to be made on theyr engyns anon it was accomplysshyd ffor euery man toke good hede aboute hym that no thyng faylled that shold be necessarye to make thassault ayenst theyr enemyes How oure men sodenly transported in the nyght theyr engyns vnto that other part of the toun for tassaylle on that side Capitulo Clxxixo. wHan the day approched that they had named for tassaylle the Cyte the nyght to fore the valyaunt duc godeffroy theâ—erle of fflaundres and the duc of normandye sawe that this partye of the Cyte that they had assieged was moche wel garnysshed of alle maner of engyns and the moost defensable men of the Cyte they had sette there Therfore they doubted more this part· than ony other The noble men had herupon counseyll They knewe wel that they myght not endommage the toun there And enterprysed a thynge of a right grete affayre and of moche grete trauaylle ffro alle thengynes that they had by them And the castel to fore the sydes were Ioyned to gydre· they barâ— them alle· On that other syde whiche is bytwene the gate of seynâ— stephen the tour of thaÌ„glâ— that is toward the northeest ffor them sâ—med it was trouth that by cause that the cyte had not be asâ—ieged on that syde that ther shold be the lasse defence wherof it hâ—pped that they woke al the nyght as wel the barons as theyr pâ—plâ— in suche wysâ— that theyr engyns were alle ioyned and reysed vp by fore day or or the sonne aroos in the places where they ought to be The castel was so approuched the walle and was moche hyer in so moche that they that were therin were almoost as hye as one of the toures and knowe ye for certayn that this was noo lytil trauaylle ffor fro this place where they were fyrsâ— lodged vnto the place where they sette theyr engyns was nygh half a myle And the thynges were so wel and so hooly ordeyned that to fore the sonne rysyng all thyng was redy at them on the mornyng the turkes byhelde on the walles and towres And merueylled what this myght be that our men had so trauaylled all the nyght they sawe that the lodgys of the Duc and of the other barons aboute hym were remeuyd They sought them about that other side of the toun And founde them there· where as they had sette no garde· whan they sawe thengyns and the castel dressyd they merueylled ouer moche how they myght doo this werke in so lytil tyme. ffor this cause they doubted moche the more them that had thus enterprysed and accomplysshed so sodenly in the nyght about that syde of the toun the barons that were lodged as ye haue herd to foâ—e were not ydle· but reysed theyr engyns eueryche in his parte And th erle of tholouse had made tapproche the walles a castel that he had made with moche grete trauaylle bytwene the chirche of mount Syon and the Cyte the other that were nyghâ— the corner whiche is called the tour of tancre redressyd a castel of tree moche hye Thyse thre castellys that were about the toun were nyâ—e alle of one facion ffor they were alle square the sydes that were toward the toun were double in suche wyse that one of the panâ—s that was without myght be aualed vpon the walles and thenne it shold be lyke a brydge· But for alle that the side was not vnclosed ne discouerd But it was hool for to deffende
prynce of the weâ—te 〈…〉 and had slayn so many 〈…〉 saunt a Royamme· contâ—yned 〈…〉 hym tappytys ne clothes of 〈…〉 hym ne had not aboute hym sergeanâ—â—◠〈…〉 naked swerdes or haches or axis 〈◊〉 by 〈…〉 that sawe hym shold doubte and fere hym but satt◠〈…〉 he were a maÌ„ of lytil affayre The valiauÌ„t duc demauÌ„ded 〈…〉 that knewe vnderstode theyr langage what they sayde It was told answerd of this which they merueylled Thenne he sayd that it was no shame to a man mortel to sytte vpon therthe ffor theder muste he retorne after his deth and lodge there in his body and become erthe· whan they herd this answere they that were comen for teâ—pye and essaye what he was began moche for to allowe and preyse his wytte and his humilyte· They departed fro thens sayeng that he was shapen and lyke for to be lord of alle that londe and to gouerne the peple that was so withoute pryde And knewe pouerte and the fragilyte of his nature so wel This word was sprâ—dd ouer al by the m that had herd hym he was so moche deadde and doubted of his enemyes that enquyred of his affayres whiche founde not in hym but vygour· Rayson and mesure without ony pryde or oultrage How buymont was taken in goyng to Meletene whiche cyte the lord of the same wold yelde to hym cao. CCxjo. iN the Royamme of Iherusalem they conteyned them thus as ye haue herd Thenne it happened that a ryche man of eâ—menye named Gabryel was lord of the cyte of meletene which stondeth by yonde the Ryuer of Eufrates in the londe of mesoâ—â—tayne· This gabriel doubted moche that the turkes of Perse shold â—ome on hym ffor the men that they helde ran ofte on hym in suche wyse that he myght not wel suffre it Therfore he toke counseyl And sente messagâ—â—â— to buymont prynce of Anthyoche that that shold saye to 〈…〉 name that he shold haste hym in to his londe ffor he 〈…〉 ouer to hym his Cyte by certayn couenauntes 〈…〉 whiche he sente to hym· he loâ—yd buymont And 〈◊〉 that he had leuer that buymont had his cyte by his 〈…〉 the turkes sholde take it from hym ayenst his wyll whan 〈…〉 herde thyse tydynges as he that was hardy hasted 〈◊〉 â—oche for to make hym redy· And toke with hym a good company and went forth on his way he passed the Ryuer of Eufâ—aâ—â—s and entred in to mesopotayne And was nyghe the Cyte of meletene ffor whiche he wente for to receyue whan a puyssaunt amyral of the turkes named domsmayn that had certaynly the â—â—ry knowleche of his comynge And laye in awayte for hym and ranne vpon hym sodenly· and his men beyng alle out of arraye and dispourueyed They that abode were alle slayn ffor ther were oâ—er grete plente of turkes The other fledde Buymont was taken and reteyned· and they ladde hym the handes bounden with cordes And his feet chayned wyth yron Of this auenture mounted the turke in grete pryde And â—rusted moche in his hoost that he ledde that he cam to fore the cyte of meletene and assieged it by cause he supposed that they wold haue delyuerd it without taryeng But somme of them that escaped fro thens where the prynce was taken cam fleyng in to the cyte of Rages They told to th erle Bawdwyn this grete mesauenture that was fallen to them whan the valyaunt Erle herd this he was moche angrye· And had grete pyte of the prynce whom he helde for broder for the companye of the pylgremage And by cause they had theyr countrees so nygh to gydre It shold haue displesyd hym yf the turkes shold conquere this cyte that buymont shold haue had Therfor he somoned hastely alle his men that he myght haue on horsbak and a fote· and toke with hym that was necessarye for suche a vyage and wente toward thoo partyes· wel a thre daye iourneye was Rages fro meletene· he had sone passed this waye in suchewyse that he was nyghe the cyte· But the sayd donysmayn knewe wel the comyng of th erle and durst not abyde ne fyght with hym But lefte the siege and departed and ledde forth with hym buymont faste bounden and straytly whan Bawdwyn herde that he durst not abyde hym but fledde to fore hym he ran after with his men and chaced hym thre dayes longe whan he sawe that he myght not ouertake hym he retourned in to the cyte of Meletene Gabryel the lord of the toun receyued hym with moche grete ioye with alle his men and made to them good chere· And after gaf ouer the cyte to hym by the same couenauntes that he had offred to buymont· whan he had don this he reborned home agayn to Rages How the duc godeffroy assembled alle his peple· And entred in to Arabye And of the gayn that he made· And of his deth Capitulo CCxijo. gOdeffroy the valyaunt Duc and his men that were lefte with hym for to kepe the Royamme began to haue moche grete mesease and suffre suche pouerte that vnnethe it may be deuysed Thenne it happed that good espyes and trewe brought to hym tidynges that in the partyes of arabye on that other syde of fâ—om Iordan were moche ryche peple whiche doubted nothynge And therfore they dwellyd out of fortresses· yf they were surprised there shold be moch grete gayne wonne The valyaunt Duc that so moche had suffred toke with hym peple a foote and on horsbak as many as he myght sauf the garde of the Cyte Thenne entred he sodeynly in to the londe of his enemyes There gadred be many grete proyes· that is to wete· horses beufes â—yen and sheep And ryche prysonners brought he grete plente Thenne retorned he toward Iherusalem Somme turkes ther were hye and purssaunt of them of Arabye whiche were moche hardy· and noble in Armes· And had grete prys· Emonge all other ther was one that had longe desired for to see the duc Godeffroye of boloyne wold fayn knowe yf it were trewe that was said of his force streÌ„gthe acqueynte hym with his peple of ffraunce of whom he had herd so moche that were come fro the occident vnto thâ—â—yent And had conquerd so many londes And sette them in theyr subiection Aboue alle other he desired to see duc godeffroy and knowe yf it were trouth that was sayd of his prowesse his strengthe he dide so moch to such meÌ„ as he spak· that he had good sureâ—â— trie ws to come vnto the duc· he salewed hym moche lowe enclynyng lyke as is theyr customme And after he prayd and desired of the duc moche humbly that it wold plese hym to smyte with his swerd a Camel that he had brought moche grete· ffor as he sayde it shold be grete honour to hym in his countre yf he myght recounte ony of his strokes that he had seen hym self The duc knewe wel that he was come fro for to see hym And dyde that he requyred hym