he drewe his swerd and smote the camel on the neck where it was grettest· And smote it of as lyghtly as it had ben a sheep· whan the turke sawe this he merueylled ouer moche In such wyse that he was all abasshed whan he had a litil he thought hym he sayd in his langage I see wel sayd he that the duc hath a good swerd wel trenchant cuttyng But I wote neuer yf he coude smyte so grete a strook with another swerde· The valyaunt duc demaunded what he sayde And whan he knewe· he began to smyle a lytil And after sayd that he shold delyuer to hym his owen swerde The turke dyde so· the duc thenne smote therwith an other Camel· In suche wyse that he made the hede to flee of moche lyghtlyer than of the other thenne merueylled ouer moche the turk And sayde that it was more by the strengthe of the Arme· than by the bounte of the swerd he had wel preuyd that it was trewe that was sayd of the Duc in his Countreye· Thenne he gaf to the duc many fayr Iewellys of gold and of ryche stones and moche acqueynted with hym· And after retorned home in to his countre· The valyaunt duc cam vnto Iherusalem with alle his proye the trusses fardellys of his gayn which wer so grete that all the men of his companye were ryche In that moneth of Iuyll· the velyaunt duc godefroy whiche was gouernour of the Royamme of Iherusalem had a maladye and sekenes moch grete Alle the phisiciens of the contre were sente for· They dyde alle that in them was possible But alle auaylled not· ffor the payne encresyd alway more· After this he sente for men of relygyon as prelates curates other good deuoute men for to haue coūseyll of them for the helthe of his sowle he was moche wel confessyd and veray repentaunt with grete wepynges And in his right mynde with grete deuocion departed out of this world Certaynly we ought to thynke that the sowle was brought vp with angelis to fore the face of Ihesu crist he deyde the .xiij day of Iuyll the yere of thyncaruacion of oure lord· M j C he was entiered and buryed in the chirche of the holy sepulcre vnder the place of the mount of Caluarye where our lord was put on the crosse That place is kept moche honestly for to entere and burye the kynges vnto this day Thus endeth this book Intitled the laste siege and conquest of Iherusalem with many other historyes therin comprysed Fyrst of Eracles and of the meseases of the cristen men in the holy londe And of their releef conquest of Iherusalem and how Godeffroy of boloyne was first kyng of the latyns in that royamme of his deth translated reduced out of ffreusshe in to englysshe by me symple persone Wylliam Caxton to th ende that euery cristen man may be the better encoraged tenterprise warre for the defense of Cristendom and to recouer the sayd Cyte of Iherusalem in whiche oure blessyd sauyour Ihesu Criste suffred deth for al mankynde and roose fro deth to lyf And fro the same holy londe ascended in to heuen· And also that Cristen peple one vnyed in a veray peas myght empryse to goo theder in pylgremage with strong honde for to expelle the sarasyns and turkes out of the same that our lord myght be ther seruyd worshipped of his chosen cristen peple in that holy blessyd londe in which he was Incarnate and blissyd it with the presence of his blessyd body whyles he was here in erthe emonge vs by whiche conquest we myght deserue after this present short and transitorye lyf· the celestial lyf to dwelle in heuen eternally in ioye without ende Amen Which book I presente vnto the mooste Cristen kynge· kynge Edward the fourth humbly besechyng his hyenes to take no displesyr at me so presumyng whiche boook I began in marche the xij daye and fynysshyd the vij day of Iuyn the yere of our lord M. CCCC·lxxxj the xxj yere of the regne of our sayd sauerayn lord kyng Edward the fourth in this maner sette in forme enprynted the xx day of nouembre the yere a forsayd in thabbay of westmester by the sayd wylliam Caxton
and aroos a crye a noyse and a clamour so grete thurgh alle the toun That ther was nothinge spoken of but of this hounde· They assembled and put out of doubte that this was not doon ne caste there but by the Cristyens Alle the hethen men Accorded to this poynt that alle the cristen peple shold be put to deth with the swerd And there were theyr swerdes drawen redy out And they also that sholde smyte of their heedes· Emonge the crysten men was a yonge man of a moche grete herte and of grete pyte And spak to the peple and said to them ffair lordes trouthe it is That I am not culpable in this thinge ne none of yow as I byleue certaynly But it shold be ouermoche grete doÌ„mage yf we alle shold deye thus ffor by this shold alle the CristendoÌ„me be quenchid in this londe Wherfore I haue thought in my self How I shal delyuer yow alle by thayde of our lord Two thynges I desyre of you for the loue of god That one is that ye praye for my sowle in your orisons That other is that ye deporte and honoure my poure lygnage ffor I will take this thinge on me and saye that I all one haue doon this fayt whiche they put on vs alle they that doubted the deth had grete Ioye whan they herd this and promysed to hym their orisons and thonoure of his lygnage In this maner that they of his lygnage eueâ—more on palmsonday shal bere tholyue whiche signyfyeth Ihu Criste whan he cam in to Iherusalem Thus this man cam to fore the Justice And said to them that the other Cristen men were nothyng culpable in this fayt and sayde that he hym self had doon the dede whan they hâ—rde this they delyuerd alle the other And he only had his heed smeten of How at the requeste of Themperour of Constantynoble the cristâ—n men obteyned lycence to bylde agayn the chirche of the holy seâ—ulcre capitulo .vijo. sVche diseases suffred the peple of our lord in this tyme but Ihu cryste that wel can sette remedyes in thinges mâ—ruâ—illous out of ordre recomforte them after ffor tâ—is vntrâ—we prynce of egipte hetam deyde and his sone named dâ—â—â—r regned aâ—ter hym This daher renewed the alyauÌ„ces with themperour of constantynoble whiche was a Romayn and named Elioâ—â—litans he prayde the said daher whom he moche louâ—d that he wold suffre that the Cristen men myght reedefye the chirche of the holy 〈◊〉 whiche his fader had do beten dounÌ„ he graunted it for the loue of themperour It was not longe after that this emperour deyde and after hym regned Constantyn whiche had to surname Monomaâ—ques whiche is to saye in grece as a man fyghtyng allone Tâ—e poure cristen that were in Iherusalem had lycence for to make agayn their chirches but they had not the power for their pouerâ—â— And herupon they had a counseyl that they wold sende to themperour and requyre hym for goddes sake that he wold helpe and socour of his Almesse for the reedefyeng of this holy werke Ther was in the tounÌ„ of Iherusalem a good man named Iohan Cariaintes born in Constantynople had ben a grete gentilman of the contre as of his lignage But yet was he more gentil of herte good manere This man was comen on pylgremage to the holy sepulcre and had lefte alle the bobauÌ„ce and thonour of the world had taken thabyte of relygion ffor to folowe our lord Ihesu Criste in ponerte in the place where he suffred pouerte messease for vs This said Iohn was prayd of alle the cristen peple there that he wolde entrepryse this message for to go to themperour for the loue of god and of them he dyde it with a good wylle and departed and cam in to Constantynoble and spak to themperour and dide alle that he was requyred ffor themperour graunted that he wolde make alle the dispences that shold be nedeful to the byldyng of this holy chirche and wolde reedefye it at hiâ— owen coste This Iohn was moche Ioyous whan he had so wel accomplissyd his message and toke leue of themperour and cam agayn in to Iherusalem whan he had said to the peple the good tydinges that he brought they made grete Ioye And many weâ—te grete terees for pyte by cause they thoughte that our lord wolde not alway forgete them whan he had doo to them suche câ—mforte In this tyme was patriarke in Iherusalem an holy man named nycesores Themperour held ryght wel his promesse ffor he sente without taryeng grete partyr of his tresour and dide do make the chyrche of the holy sepulcre moche hye in thestate and manere that it is yet And was ful made the yere of thincarnacion of our lord a M xlviij And had ben xxxvij yere destroyed This was ryght the yere to fore that our peple recouerd the cyte Whan the Cristen men there had made agayn the chirche they were moche Ioyous and were also therin well comforted of all theyr mescases and repreues that they suffred wherof they had grete plente not only in Iherusalem But also in alle the cytâ—es aboute as in bethleem And in the cyte where Amos the prophete was born named Tecua As ofte as the Caliphe sente in to the lande a newe bayly so ofte were sette on them new tributes taillages whiche they myght not well paye yf they payed not anon they menaced them for to caste doun their chirches to the ground saide they had of their lord coÌ„mandement so to doo thus in this sorow were the cristen peple one while vnder them of egipte another tyme vnder them of Perse but this was not but yet a begynning to them as whan they cam vnder the power of the turques ffor the turques conquerd the Royame of perse and also of Egypte Thus the holy cyte fylle in to their demayne whiche demened it so cruelly tormented it so cruely that it semed to the peple of our lord that they had be in fraunchise and in grete reste vnder them of Egypte and of perse Thus helde the turkes them there viij yere Of the turkes fro wens they cam and how they grewe in to grete puisaunce and dide chese them a kynge for to mayntene their warres capitulo vijjo. for as moche as we haue spoken of the turkes shal ofer speke of them in this book me semeth good that I saye to yow fro whens this peple cam first wherby they had so grete power The turke turkemans cam out of a lynage Roce of a contre toward the Eest whiche is in surye And were a peple moche rude without ordynauÌ„ce ne had no contreye ne no certayn dwellyng place But went all aboute fro londe to londe sought pastures for their beestis ne neuer duellid in castel ne tounÌ„ And whan they wolde meue from one place to another tâ—enne wente euery lynage by hym self And they made in euery kynred or lygnage a
alle theyr thynges were taken awey fro them namely by them that helde of themperour In this debate was done alle the shames and repreues to the pope Thenne the holy fader sawe that he was not obeyed as he shold be and that he was in paryl of his lyf And he went in to puylle by the helpe and counseyl of Robert guichart whiche theÌ„ne was lord of the contre This Robert dyde vnto our holy fader and to his peple as moche of honour of servyse and bounce as they wold take and yet more at laste on holy fader wente hym in to salerne becam seke and laye doun there deyde was there buryed The Cardynals that were there Chose another whiche was named viator whiche endured but one moneth or there aboutes After hym they choos this vrban that I spack of to fore This vrban sawe that themperour was yet in his maâ—â—ce his angre durst not abandone to hym ne put hym in his power but helde hym in the forteresses of some barons that for goddes sake retryned hym in grete doubte whiles he was in this poynt peter theremyte cam to hym and brought to hym the message fro the Crysten men in the holy londe our holy fader the pope knewe moche wel the bounte the wytte and the religion that was in this peter And ansuerd to hym moche swetly and sayde that he shold goo hastyly speke to the princes and barons of the royame of ffrannce of this werke for yf he myght escape sauely fro the handes of themperour he hym self had Intencion to passe the montaygnes and drawe hym toward tho parties for to helpe the better to this wherke yf it were possible Thenne peter was right glad of this good answere of our holy fader and passed lombardye and the montaygnes and cam in to ffrance And began diligently to gete the barons like as he was sent expresly to them and tolde to eche of them the shames and disconvenyences that the hethen peple dyde to the Crysten folke in the holy londe And the same he said to the mene peple for he assembled them oftymes and tolde to them the sorouful state of the londe Cyte of Irlm in suche wyse that he made them to wepe many a tâ—ere And at euery tyme he made some fruyt by his sayeng and exhortyng the peple to gyue socours to the holy lande And like wise as saynt Iohn baptyste preched to fore to make the way to fore IhuÌ„ cryste so in the same wyse this Peter brought tydynges to fore the comyng of our holy fader wherfore he hym self whan â—he cam was the lecter heâ—d and byleuid and the more dyde in this werke Of a general counseyl that the pope vrban ordeyned for the reformacion of holy chirche thamendement of the peple capo. xvo. iN the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord M. lxxxxv regned the fourth harry kynge of almayn and emperour of Rome the xviij yere of his regne and the xij of his Empire and In frannce regned thenne philipe the sone of harry ThenÌ„e sawe our holy fader the pope vrban that the world was moche empeyred and torned to evyl and helde a counseyl ther vpon of the prelates of ytalye at playsance where he made establysshemens by theyr counseyl for tamende the maners of the Clergye and of the laye peple After he knewe wel that he was not sure in the power of themperour and passed the montaygnes and cam in to the royame of frannce he fonde the peple euyl endoctryned and ouermoche enclyned to synne-Charite faylled and warres and discordes were emonge the riche men And thought that it was nede to doo his power myght for tamende Cristiente he ordeyned a generall counseyl of alle the prelates that were bytwene the montaynes and the see of Englonde this counseyl was sette fyrst at Clony Another tyme at puyâ—â—rÌ„e dame And the thirde tyme at Cleremont in anuergne This was in the moneth of Nouembre Ther were many Archebisshops bisshops abbotes and grete prelates and persones of holi chirche of thise parties Ther were by thâ— general counseyl many coumandements gyuen for â—â—mende clerkes layefee for teshewe synnes and recouâ—re good maners There was holy chirche al reformed of whiche it had grete nede Emonge alle other Peter theremyte was there whiche forgate not the werke that he was charged with but admonesced the prelates eche pryuatly by hym self prayde the comune peple openly moche wel and wysely TheÌ„ne toke our holy fader the wordes and shewed generally to alle the counseyl what grete shame it was to alle the cristen men of our faith that was so nyghe destroyed yâ—d faylled in the place where it began and it myght be grete fere and drede whan it faylled at the heed welle that the ryveâ—â— shold not endure that were rennyng thurgh the world And saide moche wel that alle the very Crystâ—n peple shold take herof grete despite of thus desheryted by their defaulte and his contre dâ—lâ—uerd to his enemyes And promysed that yf they wolâ—e toke vpon this pylgremage he wolde chauÌ„ge theyr penaunce in to this werke· And yf they deyde in this waye confessid and repentaunt· he wolde take it on his fayth that they incontinent shold goo in to the Ioye of heuen On that other syde as long as they were in the seruyse of our lord they were in the warde and kepyng of holy chirche bothe they and theyr thynges in suche wyse that they that dyde to them ony domage shold be acursed alle this commanded he to be kept of alle the prelates that were atte couÌ„seyl This doon he gaf euery man leue and commanded shold preche this pylgremage and pardon And tolde to them that alle men shold trauayll to gyue and make longe trewes and pees of the warres for taccoÌ„plysshe the better this pylgremage and to performe it How many noble hye men and other of the Royame of fraunse crossed them for to goo ouer see ca xvjo. oWr lord gaf his grace vnto our holy fader the pope in vtteryng of the word of god· which was said in suche wyse that it was fyxed roted in the hertes of them that herde hym and not only of them that were present but of alle other that it was recorded and told vnto ffor the bisshops wente in to theyr countrees preched to theyr peple like as it was to them commanded How be it that it was a strange thyng right greuoê° for a man to leue his contree his wyf his childeren and lygnage And leue them that he loueth by nature But whan one thynketh what reward he shal haue of our lord so to doo thenne he geteth a feruent loue in hym self for the charyte of our lord and leueth the naturel loue of his flessh for to saue his sowle and this myght wel be perceyued and sâ—en ffor the peple of the Royame of ffraunce and the grete barons and other lasse that were
many annoyes and grete trauaylles· And they myght not slepe this nyght· suche brennyng desire had they forto see the cyte which shold be th ende of their trauaylle· and thaccomplysshement of theyr vowe Them thought longe er the daye cam and them semed that thys nyght was moche lenger than the other ffor to a corageous desire ther is not haste ynowgh Of thardaunt desire that the peple had for to see Iherusalem And how the hoost approched and were lodged by ordenaunce Capitulo· CLxvijo. sYth that it was knowen certaynly in the lodgys that the Duc hadde receyued this nyght the messagers of bethlehem And that he had sente his men in to the toun The peple afoote abode neuer for leue of the barons ne myght not suffre til the dayâ— was come· but began to calle alle the nyght for to goo vnto Iherusalem· whan they were goon a whyle forth One of the noble men of thooste named Gaste de bedyers had moche grete pyte of this peple that they shold be slayn in the waye· And therfore be toke his hors and toke .xxx men of Armes with hym wel hoâ—sed and ordeyned in arraye· And thought that he wolde goo nygh to Iherusalem for to see yf they myght fynde out of the toun beâ—â—tes and other gayne for to take and lede a way with hym Alle thus as he thoughte it fylle thus in partye ffor whan he cam nygh the toun he fonde Oxen kyen largely in the pastures and but fewe that kâ—pt them· they fledde away whan they sawe our men come Gaste and his men began to gadre the beestes to gydre and droof them hastely toward thoost but the hâ—rdmen and kepaâ—s of them made a grete crye In the toun were turkes hardy and desyryng to doo armes They armed them dilygently ronne hastely after for to rescowe the proye gaste his men sawe them come· knewe well that they were not strong ynough for the turkes therfor they left this that they brought mouÌ„ted vpon an hye montayne therby moche angry of this mesauenture whan they had abyden a whyle vpon this montayne· They behelde in to the valeye And sawe Tancre come fro bethlehem retornyng to thoost with an â— C. men on horsbak· whan Gaste sawe them he smote his hors with his spores cam to hym and told hym of his mesauentuâ—â— and moche auguysshous and sayd that the turkes were not ferâ—â—â— they ran alle to gydre after them and ouertoke them â—r they myght to me in to the cyte In theyr comyng they discomfyted the turkes that they that myght fledde in to the Cyte The remenaunt they slewâ— And oure men recoueryd theyr proyâ— And brought iâ— in to thoost with grete ioye Alle they that were in the lodgys assembled about them· And demaunded of them ententyfly fro whâ—nâ— this proye cam· They answerd that they had take it to fore the yaâ—rs of Iherusalem whan they herde named the holy Cyte of Iherusalem· and knewe certaynly that it was so nygh thenne began they tendrely to wepe And fylle doun on theyr knees and rendred thankynges to oure lord with moche grete syghes of this that he had so moche loued them and conduyted that they myght see shortly the ende of theyr pylgremage that is to wete the holy Cyte of Iherusalem· whiche our lord so moche louyd that he wold dye therin for to saue the world Grete pyte was it to see and here the teres the cryes of this good peple They departed in this same maner And wente so forth that they sawe the towres and the walles of the toun Thenne lyft they vp theyr handes toward hâ—uen· and dyd of theyr hosen and shoes men and wymmen and kyssed therthe who that had seen this thaugh he had had an hard herte he shold haue be meuyd to pyte ffro 〈…〉 the waye greued them nothynge· but they wente moch lyghtly til they cam to fore the toun There they lodged them all aftir thordenaunce and deuyse of the barons whiche delyuerd to them the places Thenne semed verytably that the worde of the holy prophete was entirely accomplysshyd whiche sayd longe to fore Leua Iherusalem â— Aryse vp Iherusalem and lyft vp thyn eyen· And beholde the puissaunce of the kyng thy sauiour which cometh to onthynde the and put the oute of the bonde wherin thou art· O lord god how the hye barons the knyghtes the gentylmen of our hoost and alle the other generally men and wymmen were recomforted and reconcyled of the grete trauaylles and meseasâ—â— that they had â—onge endured whan they founde them to fore the holy Cyte of Iherusalem And how eche of them had good wylle to conteyne hym self in this nede and werke Of the situacion of Iherusalem and descripcion and also of many other cytees townes countrees ther aboute cao. CLxviijo. tRouthe it is that the holy Cyte of Iherusalem stondeth bytwene two montayneâ—· wherof dauid sayth in the psaulter Fundamenta eius in montibus sanctis The fondementes oâ— it ben in the holy montaynes toward the wâ—st is the see and the londe of the philistees ·xxiiij myle vnto port Iaphe and that is the next part of the see Bytwene bothe is the castel of Emaus where as oure lord after his resurexion appered to two discyples There is modyn the cyte and the fortresse of the machaâ—ews There is the place temple where alymelech the holy preest gaf to dauid and to his squyers the loues of breed to ete that were offred vpon the table of our lord wherfor saul dyde do slee hym and the other admynystratours of the chirche and men of the toun There is lyde where seynt Peter heeled a lame man named Eneanx· and had leyen viij· yere paralityk There is also Iaphe as I haue sayd where seynt Peter reysed a dede woman named thabyte There was seint peter herberowed in a tanners how 's that tanned leder whan he receyued the message fro Cornelle whom he baptysed as is sayd in thactes of the apostles· toward the â—est is the flome Iordan And the deserte is by yonde where the holy prophetes were woont to repayre There is the vale sauage whiche is named the dede 〈◊〉 whiche was a moche fayr and delectable countre lyke a paradys to fore that oure lord made do synke .v. Cytees Sodome and the other as is sayd in Genesys On this syde Iordan is the cyte of Iherycho that Iosue wan more by prayer than by bataylle Theder wente oure lord Ihesu Caste â— and made a blynde man to see There is galgala where helyzeus the proophete dwellyd· Toward the south is the cyte of Bethlehem where our lord was born and lâ—yde in the crybbe emonge the beestes There by is tâ—cua the cyte where Amos and Abacuc the prephetes were born Toward northeest is Gabao where atte prayer of Iosue the sonne rested â–ª til he had vaynquysshed the batayll There is Sâ—eirs where as our lord spak to the woman of Samarye There is
lete make the fourth part of the wallys of this holy Cyte The messagers that had thus don theyr message Retorned vnto the Patriarke· and to them that had sente them And recounted to them truly how they had don and sped They answerd that it shold be hard to be had not withstondyng they muste essaye· ffor they myght passe in none other maner they sente good messagers and trewe to this grete lord the Calyphe of Egypte Our lord helpe hym in such wyse that thei foÌ„de in hym this that they sought shortly to say he delyuerd to them a good chartre sealid with his seal confermed with his propre haÌ„d that so closyng the iiij part he graunted to them the fourth part of Iherusalem· The messagers retorned· They that had sente them made to them grete ioye whan they knewe how they had achyeued their message The bailyes of Cypre passed in to Surye And they made the fourth part of the walles with the goodes of themperour lyke as he had commaunded· And this werke was made in the yere of thyncarcion of oure lord ·M·lxiij thenne was calyphe kynge of egypte bommensor And this was xxxvj· yere to fore the cyte was conquerd vnto this tyme the cristen men were lodged in the toun emonge the turkes comynly one by another· but fro thens forth that the Calyphe had commauÌ„ded the fourth part of the toun was delyuerd to them Thenne were the cristen men moche eased ffor whan they dwellyd emong the turkes· they that were theyr neyghbours dyde to them grete ennoyes and shames But whan they were by them self they dyde them not so moche yf they had ony debate emonge them self it was brought to fore the patriark ffor fro thenÌ„e forth was in that part of the toun none other iustice but he thus gouned he it as his oune his iiij part is bouÌ„ded as I shall saye to you· ffro the yate that the soÌ„ne goth doun which is named the yate dauid by the tour of the angle otherwyse named the tour tancre The walles that they made within is bounded fro the chyef way that goth fro that gate vnto the chaunge· And fro thens agayn vnto the west yate In this space stondeth the mount of Caluarye where our sauyour Ihesu Criste was crucified the holy sepulcre where he laye deed in· and out wherof he aroos fro deth to lyf The how 's of the hospytal· Two abbayes one of monkes another of nonnes The how 's of the patriarke And the Cloysture of the chanonnes of the sepulcre How the duc Godeffcoy for to augmente the Cristiente assieged one of the townes of the turkes ca o CCixo. iN this tyme after that alle the Barons that were come in pylgremage were departed fro the londe and retorned in to theyr countrees The valyaunt duc to whom the Royamme was delyud tancre whiche was abiden with hym· they were almost allone in tho partes· they were moche pour of good and of men vnnethe myght they make whan they dyde alle theyr power thre honderd men on horsbak· and two thousand a foote The Cyttes that the pylgryms had conquerd were ferre a sondre And none myght come to other without grete peryll of theyr enemyes The vyllages that were about the cytees whiche were called casians therin dwellyd the turkes that were theyr subgettis and obeyed to the lordes of the cytees but thise turkâ—s hated nomeÌ„ more â—han they dyde the cristen men and pourchaced incessantly alle the harme euyl that they myght whan they fonde ony of our men allone out of the way gladly they murdred them· And somtyme they ledde to the Cytees of the sarasyns for to selle them yet thought they of gretter meschyef and folye ffor they wold not ere ne laboure theyr londes to th eÌ„de that the lordes and men of the cytees shold not take theyr rentes and desired them self lyuer to suffre mesease rather than our peple shold haue ony good of auaylle The Cristen men were not well assured within the Cytees ffor they had but fewe people And there cam theuys by nyght that Robbed theyr houses and slewe them in theyr beddes And bare awaye alle theyr thynges· By this occasion many there were of the Cristen men that lefte theyr fayr tenementes and howses in the Cytees and retourned pryuely in to theyr countreyes ffor they hadde grete drede that the Turkes· whiche that dwellyd aboute them sholde assemble somme daye and take the townes by strengthe destresse and destroye them for euer in such wyse that neuer sholde be memorye of them· ffor hate of them 〈…〉 fyrst in that londe â—hat 〈…〉 â—â—nement and his londe â— he shold 〈…〉 onâ— other· by cause ther were many that for 〈…〉 alle theyr thynges and fled away 〈…〉 was better assured they cam agayn and 〈…〉 them but by this lawe that was thus 〈…〉 were neuer herd whyles that the Royamme was thus 〈…〉 poueâ—te the valyaunt duc godeffroy which had moche gret◠〈…〉 and good hope in our lord· enlarged hiâ— Royamme· he assembled as moche peple as he myght And wente for tassiege a Cyte nygh to Iaphâ— on the see Syde named Arsur But he fonde it wel garnysshed of vytaylles· of men of Armes and other engyns· And ther were therin turkes many hardy and defensable· The hoost of the Cristen men that were withoute were but fewe and suffretous by cause they had no shippes· by whiche they myght defende the waye of the see· where they myght entre yssue whan it plesyd them ffor thise thynges the duc was constrayned to leue the siege· and departed thynkyng to come agayn to the same place whan the tyme shold be more couenable And that he were better pourueyed of men wherof he had nede for to take the toun· And so had he don yf our lord had gyuen hym long lyf in this world How the turkes brought presentes to the duc godeffroy at the sayd siege and of theyr deuyses to gydre cao. CCxo. iT happed in this siege of whiche I haue spoken a thynge that ought not to be forgoten· ffro the montaynes of the londe of Samarye in whiche is the londe of Napples cam summe turkes whiche were lordes of Casians theraboute and brought vnto the valyaunt duc godeffroy· presentes of brede· of wyn of dates and of other fruyte· It myght wel be that they cam more for teâ—pye the beyng and contenaunce of our men than for other thynge· they prayde so moch the men of the duc that they were brought to fore hym Thenne they presented to hym suche as they had brought The noble duc as he that was humble and without hobauncâ— sat in his pauyllon on the 〈◊〉 lened vnto a sak full of stuff There abode he a part of 〈…〉 that he had sente in fourage whan they that had made 〈…〉 sawe the duc sytte so lowe· they merueylled thâ—m 〈…〉 of the peple that vnderstode theyr 〈…〉 that so hye a
dishonour to departe and retorne in to his coÌ„tre than â—ffre his peple to be destroyed myght not amende it Thus theÌ„ne he departed out of Surye by cause the kynge of Arabe his peple were of so grete power so proude as they that fonde all the contre habandonÌ„ned to them ffor in a short tyme they had conquered alle the contre of Surye vnto Egypte One thyng that was tâ— fore happenned in this contree whiche heelp moche them of Araâ—â— tenaâ—ce their power ffor cosdroe the puissanÌ„t kynge of perse of whom I haue spoken to fore had ben with grete puissaunce in Surye and had destroyed the Cytees and castels brent townes chirches and slayn grete partye of the peple and the remeunÌ„t had brought in to Captyuyte And toke the cyte of Iherusalem with force and slewe within the tounÌ„ xxxvj M. men And bare away with hym the veâ—ay crosse that our lord Ihesu Cryste suffred deth on for vs And ladde with hym the patriarke of Iherusalem named Acharye and brought hym with hym with the other Caytyfs Here recounteth thistorye how that the puissaunt kynge Cosdroe wastyd the Empyre of Rome for tauenge the deth of themperour Maurice fader of his wyf capitulo ijo. nOw I shal telle yow why he had so doon lyke as I sayde he was a ryght myghty kynge now had ther be an emperour at Rome named Mauryce whiche as we fynde was moche acqueynted with seint gregorâ—e And was his gossiâ— ffor the sayd seynt Gregorye had cristenyd to hym a doughter named Marie This Maurice gaf her in Maryage to this Cosdroe And ther by was a grete frenship bytwene them grete alyauÌ„ce bytwene them of perse and the Romayns as longe as themperour lyued in suche wise that for the loue of his wyf the Romayns whiche were Cristen This Emperour made Cosdroe to be baptised But after it befylle that foca slewe in treson this Emperour Maurice And was Emperour in his place and was called ffoâ—â— cezar whan cosdroe herd herof he had merveyllous grete sorow greâ—â— deâ—dayne grete orguyel grete hate ayenst the peple of the Romaâ—ns by cause that he whiche had slayn theyr lorde vntrewly and was yet blody of the blood of the emperour they had chosen to â—e their lord and had gyuen to hym thempire ffor this cause â—e enteâ—â—ded to his power to hurte and destroye al thempire of Româ—â— And for this cause for tauenge the deth of the fader of his 〈◊〉 whiche ofte enticed hym therto he entred in to the londe of 〈◊〉 whiche thenne was subget to th empyre of Rome and 〈…〉 destroyed it lyke as I haue said to fore and voyded almost 〈◊〉 the peple that was therin ffor whiche cause This kynge 〈◊〉 aforsaid his peple of Arabe that fonde this londe so voyde 〈◊〉 the better doo theyr wylles with alle How this puissaunt kynge entred in to Iherusalem and demauÌ„â—ded dylygently of the Temple and reedyfied it and assigned grâ—â—e reuenues therto for tentretene it capitulo iiio. wHan they cam in the holy cyte of Iherusalem they fonde it destroyed and deserte sauf a fewe cristen men whiche dwellyd there and were suffred that they shold lyue as Cristen men and make agayn their chirches and that they shold haue a patriarke In the while that this myghty prynce duellid in Iherusalem he began tenquyre moche euâ—entifly of the peple of the tounÌ„ pryncipally of the patriarke whiche was named Sophonye had ben chosen after modeste whiche was deed of whom I haue spoken to fore In what place the temple of our lord had be whan Titus the prynce deffeted and destroyed al the cyte he shewid to hym the very certayn place the fondamentes a parte of the muraylles whiche were thenÌ„e yet apperyng he made anon to be sought to be brouht to hym without longe taryeng grete nombre of masons of carpenters dide do be fette stones of marble of other manere alle thynges necessarye therto he dide do assemble as moche as shold nede And deuised the maner and ordynance of the mesure and of the dyspences for to make the temple And as he was a noble prynce of hyâ— affaire noble he brought anon to ende this that he had emprised in suche wise that the temple was reedefyed in suche forme and estate as it yet apeereth this saide prynce hym self assygned grete rentes reuenues ffor euer more for to sustene and repayre alle that shold be nedeful to thedyfiâ—es and other necessites of the temple and for the seruyng of the lyght day and nyght by the handes of them that he commysed to kepe the temple Ther is in the same temple within and without letters of golde in the langage of Arabe whiche deuyse as we suppose who was he that reedefyed the temple and what tyme And how moche it costeto rebylde it How Charlemayne by his lyberalite gate for the prouffyt of cristen peple in hethenes thamytye of hethen prynces capitulo iiij tHus it happed that this holy cyte of Iherusalem for the synnes of the peple was in seruage and in daunger of hethen peple longe tyme That is to wete cccc xxx iiij yere contynuelly but not all way in one manere They were one tyme better another tyme werse lyke as the lordes chaunged whiche were of dyuerse maners condicions but neuertheles thise peple were alway in subiection It happed that one grete lorde of this saide lawe had nyghe in his seignorye all the londe of thoryent sauf only ynde This prynce was named Aaron his surname ressit This man was of so grete cortosye of so grete largesse of so hye vygour and of so grete affaires in alle good maners that yet the paynems speke of hym lyke as they doo in ffrauÌ„ce of Charlemayn they were bothe in one tyme this aaron this charlemain And therfore in their tyme the cristen peple in Iherusalem were in better poynt than thei had euer be to fore vnder ony of the hethen peple ffor Charlemayn the good Emperour whiche so moche trauailled and suffryd for our lorde and so moche enhaunced the fayth of Ihesu Criste to th ende that the Cristiente in Surye myght be the better and more debonairly cherysshed and entreated Pourchassed so longe that he had the loue and acqueyntauÌ„ce of the said Aaron by messages that wente and cam Wherof this Aaron had moche grete Ioye And aboue alle the prynces of the world he louid and honoured themperour CharlemaynÌ„ and the Cristen peple that were vnder hym And alle the holy places that were vnder his power he wolde that they shold be entretiened mayntened and wel aourned lyke as Charlemayne had desyred and sente to hym worde Wherof it semed that our peple beynge there Were more vnder the power of Charlemayne than vnder the power of the hethen men Whan he myght fynde the messagers of Charlemayn he charged and laded them alle with richesses of thoryent
with clothes of sylke with spyces Ieweles of golde of dyuerse facions And with ryche precious stones whiche he sente to his frende Charlemayn And largely he gaf and rewarded the messagers And emonge al other thinges He sente into ffraunce an Olyphant This debonayrte pourchased the good Charlemayn for the Crysten men that were in captiuyte vnder the said Aaron And in lyke wyse the said Aaron for the loue that he bare to Carlemayn pourchassed for other Cristen men that were in al hethenes vnder dyuerse lordes as in egypte And in Aufrigue That is to seye in Allexandrye And in Cartage ffor â—e sente grete yeftes and moche good to sustene the power of Cristen men sente grete presentes vnto theyr lordes maistres myscreauntes amyable letters In suche wise that he pourchassed their loue acqueyntaunce by whiche they conteyned them more debonairly vn to cristiens that were in theyr subiection thus dyde the hye prynce charlemayn vnto the hethen lordes that were fer fro hym ffor it is to be bileuid that yf he had ben nyghe to them that he wold haue essayed for to haue delyuerd in another maner the peple of our lord lyke as he dyde ryght gloriously in many places Of the noyse that sourded emonge the hethen men discordyng in theyr lawe and how they of egypte yssued out of theyr londe and of the euyllis that they dyde capitulo vo. iN this season it happed that a grete debate sourded bytwene the mescreaunts of Egypte and the mescreaunts of Perse ffor eueryche partye of this peple wold haue the seignourye vpon the other The Rote of this grete hate and enuye sourded ande aroos of that whyche discorded and yet dyscorde of certayn poyntes of theyr lawe in suche wise that they haue dyuerse names ffor they that holde the lawe of perse haue the name in theyr langage soun And they of the lawe of Egypte be named siha And they be not so ferre fro the very crysten lawe as ben the other It happed that they of Egypte yssued out of theyr londe and conquered alle the londes vnto Antyoche And emonge the other cytees that were taken The holy cyte of Iherusalem cam vnder theyr power and seignourye The peple that were there in captinyte were resonably wel entreated tyl it happed by the suffrauÌ„ce of god that his peple shold be chastised and that was by a desloyal and cruel lord and calyphe of Egypte whiche was named hecam he passed in malyce and cruelte alle his predecessours in suche wyse that the peple of his lawe helde them as wode men of pryde of rage and of falsched Emonge the other tyrannyes he commanded to caste doun to the ground the chyrche of the sepulcre of our lorde Ihesu Cryste whiche had ben made first of Constantyne themperour by a noble Patryarke of Iherusalem named Maxyme and after râ—edefyed by modest that other patriarke In the tyme of heracles of whom we haue spoken to fore he sente to them a fals caliphe one his bayly whiche was lord of Rames and named hyart This dyde the commandement of his lord and caste it doun to grounde In this tyme was patriarke of this chyrche a right valyaunt man named Oreste and was vncle vnto this vntrew kynge of Egypte broder of his moder And this was the reson why he was so cruel ayenste Crystiente ffor the heethen men sayde that he shold neuer be ferme in theyr lawe by cause he had a crysten moder And for to take away this suspecion he destroyed this holy chirche of the holy sepulcre whiche was the fontayne and begynnyng of our very creaunce How thaffliccyon iniuries and tormentes of crysten men grewe in the tyme of Calyphe hetam capitulo vjo. fRo thenne forthon began thestate of our peple at Iherusalem to be more greuous and more sorowful than it was wonte to be ffor they toke grete displaysir at theyr berâ—e for the chirche of the resurrexion of our lorde whiche they sawe so destroyed emonge them And on that other syde they were charged ouer sorowfully wyth tributes taskes and tayllages aâ—enâ—t the custome and preuyleges graunted to them of hethen prynces â–ª And also they were deffended to make ony festes on the daâ—es of theyr hye festes but thenne they were compellyd to trauaâ—lle by force and angre or they were commanded not to yssue out of 〈◊〉 howses ne dores but holde them cloos wythin to th ende that tâ—ey shold make no semblaunce of feste wythin them And â—et alâ—o they myght not be therin in pees ne assured but they caste at 〈◊〉 by the wyndows grete stones donge dyrâ—e and foul orâ—â—reâ— And yf it happed somtyme a Crysten man to saye a light worâ—e that dyspleased ony of the hethen men Anon he shold be taken like a murderer and brought to pryson and shold lose therfore his fyste or fote or he was brought to the gybet And alle the good that he had was brought in to the handes of the Calyâ—â—e â— Somtyme they wold take the chyldren of the crysten peple boâ—â—e soâ—es and doughtres in to theyr owne howses and made them mescreaunts ayenst theyr wylle And somtyme by betynge and another wyth lyes and flaterye made many yonge folke to renye our fayth And thus they dyde to our peple moche 〈◊〉 and grief But notwythstondyng good crysten men leâ—te not but admonested and conforted the peple to suffre al this with a good herte and veri penitence for the faith of Ihesu Criste and promysed them for thise shames the Ioye thonour and the glorye of heuen whiche euer shal endure The good Cristen peple spack so to gydre that they enforced them to holde And kepe their cristen fayth the more surely By cause they dyde them so moche harm And repreef It sholde be ouer longe a thinge to recâ—unte to you Alle the meseases the myschiefs that the peple of our lord endured that tyme. But I shal shew yow one exampel to th ende that by the same ye vnderstonde the more of other One of the hethen men ouermoche malicious and vntrewe whiche hated of ouermoche cruel hate the cristen men he aduised and thoughte an a day how he myght brynge them to deth He sawe wel that alle the cyte helde the temple in moche grete honour reuerence whiche was reedefyed the laye peple named it the temple dominus that they whiche had the charge to kepe it dide al their peyne to kepe it cleen nette now ther was a place to fore the temple whiche was named thaitre of the temple Whiche they wolde kepe as clene as cristen men kepe their chirches and aultres And this vntreu man that I haue said yow of to fore Toke by nyght in suche wise that no man sawe it a dede hounde al roten and stynkyng and brought it in to the same aitre to fore the temple On the morn whan they of the toun cam to the temple they fonde this dogge Thenne sourded
grete comfort of ryche yeftes of large almesses cam· vnto the peple of surye and also fro the londe of antioche But thenne they had loste alle had none hope that euer ony ayde ne socours shold come to them wherfor they supposed euer to be in seruage captyuite without ony rauÌ„son Of many maners of tormens that the cristen peple suffred for theyr synnes in that tyme capitulo xjo. wHyles that this tyme was so peryllous for the seygnorye of thyse hethen men cam oftymes in pylgremages the grekes and the latyns in to Iherusalem ffor to praye oure lord and crye hym mercy that he wold not forgete thus his peple yet many cam theder in grete perylle ffor alle the countrees by whiche they shold passe were ful of theyr enemyes and ofte they were robbed and slayn And whan they myght escape and come to the holy cyte they myght not entre therin But eche persone muste paye a besaunt for trybute wherof happed ofte that they that were despoylled had not wherof they myght paye this trybute myght not entre in to the town And for this they suffred Colde hungre and grete mesease And many deyde And herof the Casten men of the town were moche greued For they susteyned them that lyued And muste burye them that were dede and secâ—e such thyng as was nedeful to them self other They that myght entre in the town were yet more greued ffor som were murdred in the holy places of the cyte secretely was doon to them moche 〈◊〉 repreef openly· Ther was fyl the caste in theyr visage other spytte in the myddes of theyr visage som men bette them wâ—erfore the cristen men of the town that had som acqueyntauÌ„ces with the hethen men conduyted and ladde thâ—m to thâ—yr pâ—lgremages for to kepe them to theyr power There were in the cyte of them of Malfe which is a cyte of puyeâ—l which had a chirche in 〈◊〉 nâ—med saynte marye de la latyne whereby was an hospital of â—ouâ—e peple where as was a chappel that was named saynt Iohn â—lâ—â—mont This saynt Iohan was a patriarkâ— of Allâ—â—andrâ—◠〈◊〉 of the chirche of our lady had in his cure in his 〈◊〉 this hospital pourchassed alle that was nedeâ—ul for them There were receyuyd alle the pour pylgryms whiche had not wâ—erof â—â—â—yue And this how 's was of moche greâ—e chaâ—yte Thus were â—f â—â—ccisten peple in grete disease in the toun But there was nothyng that displesyd them as whan they had made theyr deuocion◠〈◊〉 holy places in the toun with grete traueylles grete cosâ—â—e And whan they were in the seruyse of our lord the hethen 〈◊〉 cam in with grete noyse crye· and satte vpon the aulceâ—â— threwe doun the chalyces brake the lampes the tapres yet for more to angre the cristen peple they toke ofte the patriarke which was theÌ„â—ne by the herde and by the â—eer And threwe hym down to the grounde defowled hym vnder theyr feet of whiche alle 〈◊〉 had grete sorowe moche pyte In thyse soâ—owes meseases weâ—re the cristen men in the londe of Sâ—râ—e as I haue sayd you to fore CCCC four score ten yere and alwey cryed vnto our lord for mercy with syghes treres prayde hym deuoutly that he wold not alle forgete them But the good lord that aftir the tempeste derke weder can wel brynge clerenes and fayr season behelde this peple in pyte And sente to them comforte and delyuerance of the tormentes in whiche they had longe ben How aftir the had ben four CCCClxxxx yere in seruage of the hethen peple our lord pourueyed remedye for his cristen peple capitulo xij i Haue wel said to you byfore that out of many londes cam pilgryme in to Ihrlm emong all other ther was one which was of the royame of ffrance born in the bisshopprych of Amyens That is to were one named peter whiche had ben an heremyte in a wode And therfor he was called peter theremyte this was a litil man of body as a persone had in despite lytil preysed by semblaunt But he was of a merueyllous grete herte of moche clere engyne and good vnderstondyng and spak right wel whan he cam to the gate of Iherusalem he payd the trybute of a besauÌ„t entred in to the cyte and was lodged in a good cristen mans how 's This petre alwey enquyred demauÌ„ded moche of his hoost of the gouernaunce estate of the cyte And how the cristen men conteyned them vnder the hethen men And how theyr lord demened gouerned them his hoost whiche had longe ben in the towne tolde to hym alle the maner playnly of the tymes passyd And how the cristentâ— had be defowled And the holy places dishonoured whiche was sorouful to here And he hym self which a good while had be in the town for to doo his pylgremage sawe wel perceyued a grete partye of the caityfnes in which the cristen men were he herd saye that the patriarke was a good wyse man deuote religyoê° which was named symeon Peter thought that he wold goo speke with hym demande of hym the estate of the chirches of the clergye of the peple he cam to hym dyde so as he thoughâ— And asked of hym alle thise thynges The patriarke apperceyued wel by his wordes and his couÌ„tinaunce that he was a man that dredde god right wyse and vnderstondyng And began to telle to hym by layser alle the meseases of the cristen peple whan peter herde thise sorowes of the mouthe of this good man whom he byleuyd wel coude not absteyne hym fro grete syghes wepyng many teeres for pyte ofte dâ—maÌ„ded of the patriarke yf ther were ony coÌ„seil remedye for this werke the holy deuote patriarke answerd hym· we haue made many orysons prayers vnto oure lord god for to receyue vs in to his mercy and grace But we apperceyue wel that our synnes be not yet purged ffor we ben certaynly in the culpe and blame whan oure lord whiche is so rightwys holdeth vs yet in the payne But the renoÌ„me of the contrees by yonde the montaynes is moche grete here that the peple there and specially of them of ffraunce ben good cristen peple and moche stedfaste in the fayth And therfor oure lord holdeth them at this day in moche grete peas and in hye puissance yf they wold praye our lord that he wolde haue pyte on vs or that they toke counseyl for to socoure vs we haue certaynly hope that our lord shold helpe vs by them for taccomplysshe oure werke ffor ye see wel that the grekes and themperour of Constantinoble whiche ben our neyghbours and as kynnesmen maye not helpe ne counseyle vs ffor they them self ben as who sayth destroyed And haue no power to defende theyr owne lande Whan peter herd this he answerd in this maner fayr fader trouthe
it is that ye haue sayd ffor of that londe am I· And god be thanked the fayth of oure lord is moche better holden there and kepte than it is in ony other londes that I haue ben in syth that I departed on my Iourneye fro my contre And I byleue certaynly that of the mescase and seruage in whiche thise hethen mysbyleuyd peple holde you Inne that by the playsyre of almyghty god by theyr good wylles they shold fynde couÌ„seyl and ayde in this your grete nede werke wherfor I counseyl you one thyng yf it be aggreable to you seme good that is that ye sende your lettres vnto oure holy fader the pope and to the chirche of rome vnto the kynges prynces barons of the occident weste parte In which late them wete playnly how it is with you that ye crye to them for mercy that they wolde socoure you for the loue of god for his fayth in suche maner that they myght haue honoure in this world sauacoÌ„n of their soules in that other for that ye be pour peple ye haue no nede to make grete dispeÌ„cis yf ye thynke I be sufficiaunt for so grete a message ffor the loue of Ihu Criste remyssyon of my synnes I shal entreprise this vyage and offre my self to take so moche traueyl for you And I promyse truly to you that I shal late them haue knowleche how it is with you yf god sende me grace to come thydre whan the patriarke herd this he had moche grete ioye he sente anon for the moost saddest wysest men of the cristen pepl for the clerkes laye men sayde shewde to them the bounte and the seruyse that this good man offryd to them They were right glad And thanked hym moche Thenne anon withoute taryenge they made theyr wrytynges and sealed them with theyr seales and delyuerd them to peter theremyte How the said peter theremyte entreprised the more hardyly his vyage by thapparicoÌ„n or vision that he sawe in his sleep ca xiijo. tRuly our lord god is swete pyteous and mercyful ffor he wylle not suffre to perysshe ne to be loste them that haue in hym ferme and stedfast hope And whan the men lacke helpe god sendeth to them his ayde And this may clerely be seen in this werke for fro whens cometh that this pour man whiche was lytil despysed persone wery and brused of so grete Iourneye and waye that durste enterprise so grete a dede and werke how myght he wene that our lord wolde accomplysshe so grete a werke by hym as for to dylyure his peple fro the myserye and caytyfnes that they had ben in nygh fyue C yere But this hardynesse cam to hym of the grete charyte that he had in hym And the fayth wrought in hym for the loue that he had to his bretheren In thise dayes happed a thynge that moche lyft vp his herte to poursue his enterprise ffor this good man whan he had taken this message and charge therof he wente moche ofter than he was woonte to doo to the holy places in the cyte and cam on an euentide to the chirche of the holy sepulchre and made there his prayers deuoutly with grete plente of teeris Aftir this he sleepte vpon the pamente hym semed that our saueour Ihesu Criste cam to fore hym and charged hym self to doo this message And said to hym petre aryse vp hastely and goo surely thedyr as thou hast entreprysed ffor I shal be with the It is now tyme from hens forth that my holy Cyte be clensed and that my peple be socoured Petre awoke in this poynt And was fro than forthon more abandouned vnto the waye and also sure as his Iourneye and message had be doon he entermed and appoynted his departyng for to doo his erande And had leue and benediction of the patriarke he descended doun to the see and fonde there a shyp of marchauntes that wolde passe in to puylle he entred in to the ship the which had good wynde in shorte tyme arryued at bar peter yssued out wente by londe to rome he fonde in the contre the pope vrban and salewed hym in the name of the Patriarke and of the cristen peple of Surye and delyuerd to hym theyr lettres sayde to hym by mouthe moche truli wysely the grete sorowes the miseryes and vyletees that the cristen suffred thenne in the holy londe as he that was expert therof and coude wel saye to hym the trouthe Of the persecucions of the chirche in that tyme and how the pope Vrban was putte oute of the see of Rome by the bysshop of Rauenne cao. xiiij iN this tyme Harry themperour of Allemayne had a grete debate ayenst the pope Gregory the seuenth to fore this Vrban and the discorde aroos for the rynges and the croses of tâ—e bisshoppes that were dede in th empyre For suche a customme had ronne a grete whyle there that whan the prelates were deed tâ—e rynges and croses of them were brought to themperour And 〈◊〉 gaf them to his clerkes and his chapylayns or whom he wolde 〈◊〉 sente to the chyrches and bad them that they shoolde holde them for theyr bisshops and archebisshops without other election oâ—ther proef by whiche holy chirche was adommaged sore For he sente ofte persoÌ„nes that were not propice therto The pope gregoâ—â—â— sawe that this customme was ayenst the right and lawe 〈◊〉 and also ayenst reason and prayd hym amyably to leue this 〈◊〉 the loue of god of holy chirche and for sauacion of his sowle 〈◊〉 it apperteyned nothyng to hym Themperour wold not leu◠〈◊〉 for the pope wherfor the pope cursed hym herof themperour had so grete despite so gtete desdayne that moontineÌ„t he began to waâ—â—â— ayenst the chyrche of rome ayenst the pope he made to rise an adâ—uersarye Tharchiebisshop of rauenne whiche was named Gilbert was wel lettred moche riche This bisshop trusted ouermochâ— in thayde of themperour And in the plente of his rychesse â— And he cam to rome and deposed and put out the pope of his seâ— by fauour force And becam so fel and of so greâ—e pryde that he had that he forgate his wytte reson that he ought to haue by his clergye And sette hym self in the see And made hym to be holden for pope as he that wel wende to haue ben it â— I haue said you to fore â— that at that tyme Cristen peple were in gret paryll thurghout all the world that the comandemens of the gospel were moche forgoten and of holy chyrche And men ranne faste and habouÌ„dantly to the werkes of the deuyl to all synnes whan this discorde and Scysme was so grete Thenne alle trouthe was goon the fayth of our saueour was lyke as it had ben alle perysshed The bysshoppes the abbottes and the prouostes were beten sette in prison And
of hongrye for to requyre his grace that they myght passe in good â—â—as they wold lodge them ther whylest in tho places that were ful of pastures to fore the paas How this peple began to destroye the londe of the kyng by caâ—â—se he wold not graunte to them leue for to passe cao. xxâ—x o a Lytil whyl taryed they that wente to the kyng but retorned anon ffor they myght not spede of such thynges as they deâ—manded The kyng answerd that for â—efte ne for prayer shold they entre in to his londe whan they of the oost greâ—e and smaâ—e hâ—rd this they were moche angry ffor they had trauaylled and despâ—â—â—ded moche good to come thedyr And now they had loost theiâ— waâ—ye They concluded emong them that â—hey shold brenne and destroâ—ye the contreye of the kynge as moche as was on this syde the mareys They sette fyer on townes and toke the men deâ—troyed alle the contrey· whyles theâ— dyde thus the peple of the fortreâ—â—â— cam out and with other peple of the kynâ—gâ—s to â—he nombre of 〈…〉 what of knyghtes and other peple wel armed passed by shippes er euer the pligrims knewe of it ony wâ—â—d and they sette them fâ—r to deffende the pylgryms at a paas that they shold not entre· whan the pylgryms sawe this they ran vygorously vpon them in suche wyse that er they myght saue them self they were slayn alle sauf a fewe of them that withdrewe them in to the mareys â— and â—ydde them in the reâ—d whan thyse pâ—lgryms thus had the victâ—â—ye tâ—ey mounted in moche grete hardynes said that by force they wold take the fortresse of hongrye and withoute leue they wold passe thurgh the londe Thenne they began to somonne and recomforte euery man to doo wel They toke poles made scaffholdes moche grete plente whiche they sette to the walles And mounted vp couerd with theyr sheldes and targes and assaylled it moche hardely many pyked with pykoys and myned the walles with grete force that thentre semed al redy for to entree they that were within were nyghe deed for despayer ffor they defended slowly as men affrayed in their hertes ffor they supposed anon to be slayn sodenly cam a fere and a drede vpon the hertes of the pylgryms that wened anon to be slayn And neuer was knowen wherfore it was and anon fyl donn fro the scaffoldes taryed not but fledde sodeynly none wyste why they fledde The hongers whan they sawe this myght wyth grete peyne byleue it that this was trouthe ffor they sawe no rayson why Neuertheles whan they apperceyuyd they descended doun began to folowe the chaas in suche wyse that them next to fore them were almost alle taken and slayn In this auenture was fonden none other reson sauf that the peple was so ful of synne that they had not deseruyd the loue of our lord ne thonoure of the world And therfor they re synnes acowarded them in suche wyse that they myght not doo ne accomplysshe this grete werke whiche they had nyghe achyeued The erle Emycon cam agayn in to his contre with grete nombre of peple disconfyted The other barons of ffraunce that I fore haue named wente in to lombardye and so in to puylle There had they knowleche that soÌ„me of the grete barons were passed in to duras and fro thens in to grece They wente aftir and folowyd them In this manere were the peple of ffraunce disperpled and of the contrees ther by The waye of hongrye was moche more strayte and ner yf they myght haue goon it And had not be destrowbled by theyr folye But the other that cam aftir peyned them moche for to goo more wysely and more in peas How the duc godefroy of boloyne beyng with a grete hoost cam vnto hongrye sente his messagers to the kyng for to demande passage capitulo xxxo. cOmen was the moneth of anguste in the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord M lxxxxvj the xv day of the same moneth The valyauÌ„t godefroy of buyllon duc of loraygne assembled them that shold be his felawes in this iourneye And cam fro his contrey with so grete apparayllement as it apperteyned to his estate with hym Bawdwyn his brother Bawdwyn the Erle of henawde Huge the Erle of seynt pol Euerard his sone which was a moche valyaunt yonge man Garnyer the Erle surnamed of grees Bernard the Erle of Toul Pieter his brother Bauwdwyn de bors cosyn to the duc Henry dasque godefrâ—y his brother And many other good knyghtes with them Thise men were so good frendes emonge them and so wyse men that in no wyse they wold departe that one fro that other they cam alle hool with their thynges in to Osteryche the xx daye of septembre vnto a town which is named taylleÌ„borch there reÌ„neth a ryuer named â—yntans departed th empyre of allemaygne fro the royamme of hongrye â— whan they were comen theder· they had herd by the waye euyl tâ—dynges of the grete mesauentures· that Godechan and his peple had in hongrye They assembled and toke counseyl emonge them â— how they myght passe this contre in peas They alle acorded that they shold sende messagers lettres vnto the kyng of hoÌ„grye for to demande first by what reason theyr felaws the pylgryms whicâ—e were theyr bretheren were thus perysshed in his power and â—is londe Aftir this they encharged the messagers that they shold â—ntre with hym in to coiÌ„cacion that they mygâ—t passe his Roâ—amâ—â—me seurly and in peas And that herin they put them in deuâ—yâ—â— payne ffor this waye was for them moche shorte and more couenable yf they myght haue it than for to passâ— by sâ—â—â— In this message wente godefroy dasâ—ue brother of henry· by cause he had long to fore ben acqueynted with the kynge of hongrye â—ith 〈…〉 sente other wyse men They wente fo fâ—r that they fonde the kynâ—â— And salewed hym in the name of hem that senâ—e thâ—m And delyuerd their lettres of credence And aftir sayd to hym thyse wordes How the messagers of the duc godefroy declared their message vnto the kyng of hongrye And ther vpon his answere cao. xxxio. tHe wyse man noble Godefroy Duc of â—â—â—â—yne And the other prynces that with hym come in pylgremage â—aue sente vs now vnto you And by you wolde knowe· by what occasion the other pylgryms whom they helde for felawâ— and bretheren â— haue so cruelly be slayn and smeton in pieces in your â—â—wer Wel they knowe and sende you worde that they haue ben so slayn ffor they haue fonden many of them that ben escaped Moche they meruaylle how ye your peple which ben cristen as ye saye haue thus destroyed the good companye whiche for to enhauÌ„se the fayth of Ihesu Crist ben departed out of theyr contre in suche wyse that the most mortal enemyes that they haue had not don werse They desire moche to knowe yf it were by
for tappese yf ony noyse arroos Atte laste they cam to malleuylle wherof ye haue herd to fore whiche stondeth on the ryuer of the dunoc There they 〈◊〉 tyl alle the hoost were passed by shippes wherof were but fewe But to fore he had don sette ouer a thousand men wel armed for to kepe the arryuyng on that other syde whan the hoosâ— of the comyn peple were passed the kyng cam to the duc to the barons and brought the hostages that were delyuerd to hym he made to them moche ioye and honour at departyng· and gaf to euerych grete yiftes ryche Aftir he toke leue and retorned home ageyn The duc and the barons passed ouer with their peple and cam to bellegraue a cyte of hongrye of whiche we haue spoken to fore And there they lodged them After they passed thurgh the wodes til they cam to the cyte of nyz and after to stralyce How the duc godeffroye sente his messagers to themperour of constantinoble to th ende that he shold delyuer huon le mayne and other that he helde in prison cap o xxxiij o hEre may be knowen the euyl disposicion and deceyte of the grekes ffor syth themperours latyns faylled in constantynople and th empyre cam vnto the grekes of whom the fyrst was nycofores Anon the barbaryns that were aboute them· the blacz and the comans they of hongrye whiche ben toward the eest supprised and toke thyse londes that were so good plentyuous and delytable And conquerd alle fro the dunoe vnto constantinople· And on that other parte vnto the see Adryane There is a cyte in lombardye nygh to the londe of the marquys named Adre is right a litil cyte But by cause it is nygh the see of venyse and of Ancone hath this see the name of the see Adryane in wrytyng This see goth right nygh constantinoble vnto a xxx myle This euyl peple of th empyre of constantinoble had wel wonue vpon the grekes xxx iourneyes of lengthe· And x of brede ffor aboue this see that I haue spoken of is a countre named Epyre. The chyef cyte is named duras of whiche pycrus was somtyme kynge· Another is named Mayene that is in the myddle of the londe where ben also noble Cytees Nyz and stralyce In this londe was Archade Thessale and machedone Of thyse thre landes euerych was called Trace And alle thise were conquerd vpon the grekes But afterward ther was an Emperour named Basilie recouerd thise londes· And brought the blacz and the bongres longe afore this tyme in suche wyse that the two danemarches were comen agayn to his po wer but yet wold not the grekes suffre to repayre agayn the townes ne laboure the loÌ„des which shold be right good to th ende that none shold enhabyte there· By cause they holde it for a strengthe And that nothyng shold be fonde therin Also in espyre whiche extendeth fro duras· vnto a mount named bagulaâ—s And endureth foure iourneyes by that passed the other barons But the Duc and his companye passed by danemarche la Maâ—en whiche is named other wyse Mese They cam by a destrayte whiche is named the Cloysâ—â—e of seynt Basyle And syth they descended in to a playne Where they fonde grete plente of vytaylle and of pastures And cam vnto Aâ—ine poâ— whiche is a moche fayr cyte and good There herd they saye and trouthe it was that themperour of constantynoble had enprisonned huon le mayne broder of the kynge of ffraunce· and many other barons that cam with hym ffor thise noble men were hasty and cam by lombardye in to puylle ffro thens they passed to duras And soiourned for tabyde the other barons whiche ought to come in to tho partyes ne they supposed to haue doubted ony thyng in the londe of the grekes that were cristen as they were But the baylly of duras toke alle the moost grete barons and sente them in yrons to themperour of Constantynoble to doo his wylle with them he helde them in prison and abode the comyng of the other barons by cause yf they cam with grete power he wolde delyuer them for theyr loue and yf they cam not with grete myght he thought not lyghtly to lete them passe whan the duc godefroye and the other barons herd tydynges of this prisonment he toke good messagers and sente them with theyr lettres to themperour And they prayde and warned hym that he shold sende to them without delaye this hye and noble man huon le mayne and alle his companye ffor they helde hym for lordes bretheren and felaws of this pylgremage And herin he had don more his wylle and his force than right whan he had reteyned one so gentil and hye prynce· How the duc godefroye constreyned themperour by force to rendre and delyuere his prisonners capitulo xxxiiijo. iN this tyme was Emperour a greke moche fals and ful of tricherye and was named alexes and to his surname Conius he was moche acqueynted and pryue with that other Emperour Nychofores bothomat in suche wyse that he made hym his steward And was the grettest man of the londe sauf themperour He by his malyce purchaced euyl and harme ayenst his lorde by thassent of grete peple that he helde aboute hym and toke hym and helde hym in his prison vj yere tofore that our pilgryms cam theder The messagers of the Duc and the other barons demanded of this Emperoure Huon le Mayne lyke as they were commaunded and the other prysonners in lyke wyse Themperour answerde shortly that he wold not delyuere them They retourned in to the hoost and said to them thansuer of themperour whan the duc the other barons herd this they were moche wroth And concluded emong them by theyr counseyl that they wold playnly make warre ayenst hym that dyde so grete oultrage to holde so hye a prynce in prison ne wolde not answere by mesure ne reason They habandonned to the hooste to take in that contre where they were in Alle that they coude fynde· And brente alle the townes Thus abode they in thise partyes and destroyed alle the contre And dyde moche grete dommage and harme and· grete plente of proyes and other gaynes cam in to the hoost of the barons Themperour sence vnto the duc and vnto the other barons that they shold doo holde theyr peple in pees And that he wold delyuere huon te mayne and the other prisonners· They agreed and acordid gladly· And cam with alle theyr bataylles renged and in ordenaunce to fore constantynoble· as for tassiege the toun Anon yssued oute huon the mayne· doene dancelle Guylla ne charpentier Clarembault de venduel And entred in to the â—auyllon of the Duc And thanked hym moche and alle the other of theyr delyueraunce And the duc and the hooste receyued them with moche grete ioye ffor they had moche grete angâ—e and greâ—â— despite of that was don to them The grete despyte that themperour toke that duc
souppe he made the knyghtes of his contre to take out somme turkes that he had in prison· And made theyr throtes to be cutte And after smote them in pyeces and arrayed them for to be rosted· Thenne began they to demaunde what he wold doo Thenne Buymont sayd to his men And â—ad his men also to saye to other that alle the barons had thus ordeyned and sworn that alle the espyes that myght be taken in thost shold be rosted and secuyd at the tables of the barons And the barons shold ete them by their oth· thyse tidynges were anon spred thurgh out thoost that suche Iustyce was don in the lodgys of buymont· Alle men ran theder for to see this merueylle The turkes them self that were comen in to thoost for to espye were moche affrayed· And euerych of them thought longe or he was departed fro the lodgys by cause they doubted that they shold be seruid in lyke wyse Aftir whan they were retorned home to their lordes that had sent them they sayd to them And tolde al aboute the countrey that suche men as were come for tassiege Anthyoche suffred moche mesease And were harder ayenst trauayll and laboure than stone or yron Of cruelte they passed alle beres and Lyons ffor the wylde beestes â—te men alle Rawe· But thyse men roste them afore after deuoure them· This tydynge was in suche wyse knowen and publysshyd in alle paynemye that after the Soudan and the grete admyrals myght neuer fynde man that wolde come and espye the hoost They that were in the Cyte assyeged were so effrayed and had so grete hydour of this that fro that tyme afterward the counseyl of the barons was better kept and more secretely than it was to fore How the Calephâ— of Egypte sente his messagers with grete yâ—ftes vnto our hoost Capitulo Co. eMong other mescreauntes grete lordes and prynces· The caliphe of Egipte was the moost myghty of men and moost ryche of goodes he sente his messagers vnto the barons that were in thoost· And I shal saye how and by what occasion Grete hate and moche fiers hath hen bytwene the Turkes of thoryent and the Turkes of Egypte And hath be of auncyent and long tyme By cause they discorde in theyr creaunce and mysbyleue And eche sayd to other and yet doo that they be fals sarasyns as I haue sayd to fore in the begynnyng of this book· And therfore they ben ofte in warre Somtyme one partye is aboue And another tyme that other In the tyme that our peple were to fore Anthyoche this caliphe of whom I speke now helde alle the londe of Egypte vnto the Cyte of Sureye whiche conteyneth wel xxx Iourneyes longe The Soudan of Perse a lytyl tofore that oure peple cam had conquerd the toun of Anthyoche wyâ—che is by the Royame of egypte and alle the londe entierly vnto the the braas of seynt george as I haue sayd to fore Now had the calyphe of egipte in moche suspection the Sowdan of Perse· and moche plesyd hym his destruction and dommage And had moche ioye that Solyman had lost Nycene whiche Solyman was neuew to the sayd Soudan and was so enfebled of his men· And also â—e was plesyd that our cristen peple had besieged the Cyte of Anthyoche Therfor he sente good messagers to speke to them whiche brought right grete yeftes And moche ryche presentes yf they wold receyue them And they sayde that the Caliphe was redy for to gyue to them socoure and ayde right largely of men of good and of vytayll· and prayd them moche derely that they wold mayntene and contenue theyr siege The barons of our hoost receyued the noble men that were comen and sent from hym honorably and made them to soiourne with them And they that were wyse knewe anon the wytâ—e vygour of our barons· begonne to haue moche grete doubte suspection that our peple were so valyauÌ„t that yet they sholde do grete dommage in theyr londe so that they deuysed in this thyng as ye shal mo we here in redyng hoolly this book How Ancean the lord of anthyoche and his barons sente vnto the turkes theyr neyghbours for to demaunde socours capo. Cjo. tHe lord of Anthyoche and the other grete and noble men of the toun seyng that our men suffred so moche famyne and mesease as we haue sayd to fore and for alle thyse thynges wolâ— in no wyse leue theyr siege but shewed by theyr countenaunces that this trauayl greued them not wherfore they were moche abasshyd And thenne Ancean by the counseyl of his men and them that were moost pryue with hym sente messagers and lettres to his moost ryche neyghbours And prayd hym right derely for the honour of theyr lawe· for the sauyng of them self And for his loue that they wold come and socoure them without taryeng And he sente them word in what maner they shold approche secretely to Anthyoche And after they shold couere them in a busshement nygh by And there abyde the pylgryms like as they had ben acustomed and at suche tyme as they shold come to the brydge ffor there shold they sprynge out of the toun And shold assaylle them whyle they were besy in fyghtyng they that were embusshed shold sodenly breke come by hynde on them fyght And so shold they be enclosed bytwene them within And them withoute in suche wyse that none shold escape They that herd thise lettres and thyse messagers doubted them moche of oure peple wherfor they acorded gladly to this counseyl· they assembled them of hallape them of cezayre them of haman and of other cytees about tyl they were a grete nombre of peple And this dyde they the moost secretely they myght as was to them commaunded and began to departe and approuche Anthyoche And cam to a castel named harant whiche is fro thens a .xiiij myle there they lodged and thought on the morn as sone as the scarmuche shold be bytwene the pylgryms and them of the toun they shold smyte in with theyr spores vpon oure men And oure cristen men were in grete peryl But one thyng ther was thenne that tho and other tymes dyde them grete good ffor ther were cristen men hermyns and surryens in the cyteeâ— of whiche the turkes were departed whiche anon lete the barons of thooste haue knowleche how it was concluded bytwene the turkes They assembled anon for to take aduys herupon· And was acorded emonge them that alle they that had ony horses to ride on shold be arayed And on horsbak as sone as it were nyght And that euery man shold drawe in to his bataylle lyke as they were assygned And after shold yssue out of thoost without makyng ony noyse· the peple on foote shold abyde styll alle and be redy to deffende the lodgys yf ony thyng sourded ayenst them How oure peple knewe the couyne of the turkes of thenbusshe that they made and of their victorye and gayne that they
thynges And toke none heede of them that laye in a wayte The turkes brake sodenly on them And surprised oure men at a paas· The erle of tholouse had the vâ—ward And Buymont cam after The crye began moche grete whan the Turkes sawe thyse noble men they held them al stylle And began tenseigne the peple on foote that they shold holde them to gydre· They of the grete affraye that they herde· ffor drede that they had hydde them in the busshes and fledde in to the montaynes and woodes· and toke none heed to that they brought whan our barons sawe this they knewe wel that theyr strengthe was not lyke theyres· And began to come to the lodgys dylygently with as many men as they myght conduyte The other that wold not folowe ne myght not were alle there slayn there were slayn wel of men and wymmen to the noÌ„bre of iijC· this duryng tydynges cam to the hoost that alle they that were comyng were al slayn put to deth by the turkes that had espyed them Of the barons them self that conduyted them was not knowen whether they were a lyue or deed the duc Godeffroy that was not ydle had grete anguyssh in his herte for the peple of our lord that was thus lost· And lete do crye that alle men shold arme them in thoost on peyne of deth and that none shold abyde behynde in so grete a werke alle assembled passed the brygge of the shippis they made ·v bataylles robert duc of NormaÌ„dye lad that one The ·ij lad th erle of FlauÌ„dres the thyrd huon le mayne The forth Eustace brother to the duc Godeffroy And the duc hym self had the fyfthe whan they were all ordeyned the duc called them· And alle they heryng sayde in this manere Fayr lordes yf it be trouthe thus as the tydynges renne that for oure synnes thise cruel houndes and fals haue slayn so valyaunt men and of so grete counseyl· whom ye sente to the see fâ—de And with them be perysshed also our felaws whom they shold haue conduyted I see not but of two wayes that one or that we deye with them as good criscen men in this world and certeyn to receyue the reward of Ihesu Criste whom we shal serue vnto the deth Or yf oure lord wyll that oure seruyce be to hym acceptable that we take vengeaunce on thyse mastyfs that haue thus enpayred cristiente and endommaged and destroyed thyse valyaunt men· As for my self I saye to you certaynly I had leuer to deye presently· than to lyue without to be aduenged on them Now vnderstande ye what I shal saye to you me semeth that thyse turkes yf they haue the victorye vpon oure men as it is sayd they shal be now mounted in grete pride And by grete bobance for to angre vs wyl come to the cyte And brynge theyr proyes and fardellys to fore vs And ye shal wel see that they shal not kepe them wel in ordenaunce but shal goo folyly And this shal be grete auantage to vs Therfore by my counseyll yf it be so that we hold vs alredy for to doo the seruyse of oure lord ffor whiche we departed oute of oure countrees late vs haue in hym stedfast hope· ffor he guerdonneth right wel his souldyours whan our enemyes shal come to vs. late vs receyue them vygorously with glayues speres and swerdes late eueryche of you remembre wel in his herte of the wronge and shame that they haue don to oure lord and to oure self This worde that the duc sayde was wel vnderstande of alle And plesyd them merueyllously well· They began to warne eche other and somone to doo well As there they knewe to gydre And there helde them al redy And thenne buymont aryued cam emong them And a lytil whyle after cam th erle of tholouse· And they tolde to them of theyr mesauenture They had moche grete ioye of their comyng and that they were escaped They moche comforted eche other And after sayd to them the counseyl of duc godeffroy They acorded therto and sayd that it ought so to be doo· And so abode there alle they to gydre Ancean Capytayn of the Cyte by thyse semblaunces that he sawe· knewe that his peple had discomfyted the oures· Moche doubted he of theyr comyng agayn by cause that our men were yssued ayenst them therfor â—e dyde do crye in the toun that alle men shold arme them and come to the yate of the brydge for to be redy in araye for to socoure their peple yf nede were Our men had sente their espyes and theyr courreurs in dyuerse partyes for tenquyre and knowe whan the turkes shold come and fro what parte Of a batayll where our men auenged them of the turkes and of a stroke that duc godeffroy gaf in this bataylle· capo. Cvo. iT was not longe after but whyles as they taryed there â–ª and had theyr hertes desyryng to doo prowesse yf they had tyme and place· that theyr messagers arryued alle rennynge whiche told to them that the turkes were nygh They began to recomande them self to oure lord and wente forward in theyr bataylles like as they were ordeyned whan they sawe tyme and place they smote theyr hors with theyr spores And cam to so fiersly that the turkes were al abasshed thenne they began to smyte asprely on the right syde and lyft And flewe in to the presse in suche wyse that euery man wold be the best and moost valyaunt in so moche that they gaf to theyr enemyes no leyser to aduyse them what they shold doo They myght not endure the grete strengthe of oure men but wold haue drawen toward the brydge But the duc godeffroy that moche knâ—we of suche thynges was pouruâ—yed therof to fore And had taken a lytil â—â—â—ritoire whiche was ayenst the brydge And there he helde hym in his bataylle Alle the turkes that they chaced to ward hym he slewe them or he made retorne ayenst them fro whens they cam· where they slewe them alle and he we them the erle of fflaundres dyde right wel this day as a good valyaunt hardy man in armes the Duc of Normandye brak the presse that no turke durst approche hym the Erle of tholouse hym self wold auenge this that they had made hym to spore his hors the daye to fore huon le mayne forgate not to shewe of what lygnage he was and of what contre buf semed that he dyde to his enemyes that alle the werke and charge had ben his thenne eustace brother of duc godeffroy· Bawdwyn erle of benawd hughe th erle of seynt poul And alle the other barons knyghtes and noble men in theyr countrees dyde meruaylles of armes· ther was neuer man lyuyng that sawe ony werk better enterprised and mâ—â—e valyauntly achyeuyd and that communely of alle Ancean sawe this bataylle so grete And sawe his peple yssue out for tâ— gyue them herte and courage And to
goo to fore And who shold come after The fyrst bataylle bad huon le mayne broder of the kynge of ffraunce· And with hym Ancean de Rybemont· And the other Barons and knyghtes of theyr countrey They thought wel that the men that they ledde shold not lyghtly be discomfyted therfore wenâ—â— they first for to perse in the better to fore· The second batayll ledde Robert th erle of fflauÌ„dres which was called the ffryson he had none other in his bataylle but peple of his owne countree The thyrde batayll ledde Robert the Duc of Normandye with his neueuw whiche was moche valyaunt th erle stâ—â—en of Aubuale And alle them of his owen couÌ„treye The fourth batayll was delyuerd to the bisshop of puy whiche had don of thabyt of the chyrche and rode vpon a good stede the helme laced· And be bare in his hond the holy spere of whiche oure saueour Ihesu Criste was perced in the side and conduyted vygorously the bataylle of th erle of tholouse whiche was not there· The Erle Reignald of toul had the v. bataylle with hym was peter de stadenous his broder Th erle Garnyer of grece· Henry dasque Reynart of Anmellac Gaultier of domedart In the .vj bataylle were Rembold the erle of Orenge Loys de moucous and Lambert sone of Euenam de Montagu The vij bataylle ledde the right valyaunt Godeffroy duc of Loreyne with hym was Eustace his brother And them that he brought out of his countrey The .viij bataylle conduyted the noble wyse and wel preuyd· Tancre with the men that were delyud to hym The .ix. bataylle ledde th erle huon of seynt poul· Aniaran his sone was with hym Thomas de boure bawdwyn de bourgh Robert futz gerard Regnauld de bauuaus And Gales de chamont The x· ladde th erle of Perse. And had with hym Euerard du puyssat Droon de moncy Raoul fytz godeffroy and Conayn the breton· Of the ·xj was Capytayn Ysachar th erle of dyo with hym were Remon pabes Gaste de bedyers Gyrard de Roussylon Guyllem de monpellyer And Guyllem ameneux The xij and the laste in whiche was moost peple was delyuerd to buymont And was ordeyned that he shold goo socoure suche bataylles as had moost nede Th erle of tholouse whiche was merueyllously seke lefte they in the toun for to kepe fro the turkes in the dongeon ffor yf ther had be no garde they myght haue sprongen and haue slayn alle the seke men wymmen and children and the feble men that abode byhynde in the toun of whom ther were grete mombre in theyr herberous They had made as I haue sayd to fore vpon a lytil tertre a stronge walle of chalke in whiche were ordeyned places for to dresse engyns· whiche were al redy for to caste They had left ij C. men of Armes noble and hardy for to deffende this paas fro the turkes whiche were on hye on the dongeon How Corbagat was aduertysed of thyssue of oure peple and sente his Archiers for to deffende the brydge And how they were disconfyted· Capitulo Cxxxixo. wHan they hâ—d thus deuysed theyr bataylles in euery batayll they had sette men on foote It vas acorded emonge them that they a foote shold goo to fore· And the knyghtes that cam after shold kepe them It was deffended and cryed on payne of deth that none shold be so hardy that shold entende to ony gayn As longe as ony turke deffended hym but whan oure lord had gyuen them the vyctorye Thenne shold they retorne and myght tarye to take gadre the despoylles Corbagat fro the begynnyng of the siege of the cyte had alwaye doubte grete suspection thaâ— our peple shold sodanly come vpon his hoost· And specially syth that peter theremyte had be with hym in message And therfor he had commaunded to them that were in the dongeon that yf oure men thought to yssue they shold sowne a busyne And sette oute a baner where they shold yssue wherof it happed that whan thyse bataylles were renged to fore the yate to fore they yssued aboute the houre of pryme They of the tour made the signe like as they were commaunded Corbagat vnderstode that our men cam· And anon he sente two thousend Archiers to the brydge to kepe it that they shold not passe· whan the turkes cam theder for to mayntene the passage they descended alle afoote· The yates were opened oure men yssued after thordenaunce that was deuysed Huon be mayne with alle his bataylle cam fyrst vn to this paas whiche was kept with his enemyes· his archiers and men a foote taryed a lytil and myght not passe in no wise whan huon the noble man apperceyued this he smoâ—e the hors with the spores and so smote in on bothe sydes that it was to late for the turkes a foote to take theyr horses Thenne torned they fleyng defendyng them shotyng with their bowes Ancean de Ribemont rode ayenst them and bete and helde the rowte so short allone that his men that cam after hym myght come and smyte in emong them and delyuerd many And oftymes he plunged so depe in the presse that certaynly our men had supposed he had ben lost but whan he cam agayn he discouerd hym wel and made large place about hym Alle men bebelde hym he gate there moche grete honour and prys Huon le mayne forgate not his swerd· And he dyde so mocâ—e that our pylgryms had by hym good luck and hope at this fyrst assemblee Th erle of fflaundres and the duc of Normandye with the valyaunt erle of henawd cam to this chaas The Archiers of the turkes that so fledde were so euyl mened that they were but a fewe whan they retorned in to thoost Our men folowed them tyl nygh theyr lodgys· many of them they bete doun that neuer releuyd· How oure men reioysed them of a dew or rousee descendyng thenne fro heuen And of theyr mayntyen in approchyng the turkes Capitulo C xl oNe thynge happed whan oure men yssued out of the toun that ought not to be forgoten ffor whan thyse Archiers were disconfyted the latynes cam after in theyr ordenaunce a softe paas Thenne began to falle a rayne or a dewe so swete a rousee was neuer seen It semed to euery man verytably that it was the benediction of our lord and the grace of heuen that descended vpon them Anon they were as fressh al so light as they neuer had suffred mesease This refresshement was not only in the men· but alle theyr horses were anon so stronge so fresshe and so reioyced As they had had alway al that whiche was nedeful for them This was moche apperceyued that daye certaynly· ffor the horses that many dayes had nothyng to ete sauf leeues of trees and skorches or Ryndes were in this bataylle more stronge and more penyble than were the horses of the turkes whiche had alwaye as moche as they myght The Capytayns acorded that they shold drawe them toward
barons that were departed for the pestelence were alle retourned in to Anthyoche· lyke as they had promysed Theyr counseyl and delyberacion was that they shold goo and assiege the cyte of marran whiche was strong and wel garnysshyd ffro Albare that they had taken it was not but .viij. myle Noman myght holde lâ—nger theyr comyn peple all were desirous to goo to Iherusalem Atte daye named they were alle redy· Th erle of tholouse the duc godeffroye Eustace his broder Th erle of fflaundres· The Duc of Normandye And Tancre cam to the cyte of marâ—an and assieged it They of the toun were moch rych and ful of grete pryde And specially by cause that the same yere at assemblee of them was a scarmoche ayenst oure men of whome they toke somme and somme slewe in suche wyse that they had the better ffor that cause they preysed the lasse our pylgryms They blamed and Iniuryed our barons· And despyted them and alle thoost They beyng on the walles vpon the hye towres they sette vp crosses and spytte on them in despyt of our fayth· and made other shameful thynges for to angre with all oure peple The barons were moche wroth And dyde do crye do assault assailled the toun asprely in suche wyse that yf they had had laddres· thâ—y wolde haue entred in to the Cyte by force the ij· daye after that they cam theder· The thyrde day cam Buymont whiche brought men with hym largely And lodged where as the Cyte was not assieged· Thenne had our men grete despyte of this that they dyde nothyng And hastely dyde do make engyns and reysed them castellys belfroyes and slynges to caste stones· and fylled the dyches for to goo and vnder myne the walles they within deffended them moche wel And threwe vpon them grete stones Fyre· brent lyme Oyle boyllyng· and shotte at them with arbalasters and bowe turquoys arowes passyng thycke but god be thaÌ„ked they hurted but fewe of oure men they within began moche to be wery Oâ—râ— men apperceyued that And theyr volente and hardynesse grewe and encreaced anon they dressyd the laddres ayenst the walles wente vp dylygently Emong alle other ther was a noble valyauÌ„t man was of limosyn named geffrey de tours he mayntened the fyrst tyme merueyllously well Other folowed hym· thâ—r were ynowe that entred in to the toures they had taken the Cyte yf the nyght had not come on and destroubled them therfore tâ—ey left of til on the morn ffor that assault had eÌ„dured fro the soÌ„ne rysyng tyl that tyme they kept wel the gates that they of the toun shold not yssue and made good watche in thooste But the menâ— peple sawe that none shewde hym vpon thâ— walles And entred in to the toun And fonde that it was all voyde of peple they tâ—ke alle that they wolde· and had nede of· as they that longe had sâ—â—fred famyne and grete pouerte Alle they of the Cyte were entred in to longe caues and depe and supposed to haue saued and kâ—ptâ— them there· On the morn the barons sawe that the cyte was takâ—n And entred in but they founde but lytil gayne ffor the comyn â—eple had taken suche as they founde they knewe wel that the â—urâ—kes of the toun were hyd vnder the erthe they sette fyre in 〈◊〉 mowthes of alle the caues and sente in to it so moche smoke that by force they muste come out Oure men slewe ynowgh of them And the remenaunt they toke prysonners· there deyde of sekenesse the good man holy and relygyous whiche moche louyd and dredde oure lord god GuyllaÌ„me the bisshop of Orenge whan the duc had abyden there .xv dayes with the other he departed with theâ—le of fflaundres and cam in to Anthyoche where they had to do How the duc Godeffroy wold goo to rages to vysyte his brother er he began his way to Iherusalem And of somme of his aduentures cao. CLiiij gOdeffroy the valyaunt duc of Loreyne sawe how the men a fote made them redy for taccomplysshe theyr vowe and goo towarde Iherusalem and moche requyred and admonesâ—ed the grete lordes to the same But the valyaunt duc wold see and vysyte his brother to fore that he shold departe fro this countrâ— And toke his pryne companye and wente to Rages· whan be had seen his broder doo suche thynges as it plesyth hym he wold retorne to Anthyoche to the other barons and other pylgryms that abode there for hym whan he was approuched that he had but six or seuen myle to ryde they founde in theyr waye a moche fayre place for to dyne and ete in by a fayre welle moche delectable and ful of grete herbes and grasse Alle they acorded gladly for to dyne in this fayr place whyles they made redy theyr dyner be ye certayn that oute of moche reed whiche was nyghe a mareys by aroos certayn Turkes wel armed whan the noble Duc and the other barons sawe them come they toke theyr Armes hastely as they myght And toke theyr horses and ran vpon them vygorously And there was the skarmoche grete fiers· The duc dyde moche wel and valyauntly ther were many turkes slayn And the remenauÌ„t fledde Our men lost there nothyng But cam with moche grete ioye vnto Anthyoche How after that the cyte of Albare was conquerd a grete debate aroos btywene th erle of tholouse and buymont cao. CLv oF this noble Cyte of Albare which was taken as I haue sayd to fore aroos a grete debate bytwene buymont and the erle of tholouse· ffor th erle wold haue alle albare buymont sayde he wold not gyue away his part yf he yelded not· and gaf ouer certeyn towres that he held in Anthyoche And herupon buymont departed And made the towres to be assaylled that the men of the erles of tholouse helde and toke them by strength and made them to goo out that kept them in the name of therle· and fro than forthon he helde alle Anthyoche withoute felaw or partener· Th erle sawe that Buymont was departed fro the Cyte so conquerd And gaf the toun entierly to the bisshop of Albare· whyles they ordeyned and disposed bytwene hym and the bisshop· how the cyte myght he mayntened and kept in suche wyse that the turkes shold not recouer it The peple a foote began to murmure of this that the hye noble men taryed for to take this euyl Cytees and made debate and noyse emong them for theyr conquest· But the pryncipal cause wherfor they departed fro theyr couÌ„trees lefte they as forgetyng and settyng not therby And as it semed they sette nothynge by thaccomplysshyng of theyr vowe Therfor the mene peple acorded emonge them self that as sone as th erle of tholouse shold be departed fro the Cyte of marran they shold confounde and destroye it alle vnto the erthe in suche wyse that they wold not tarye for hym fro than forthon· It happed that the barons assembled at Rouge a
withdrawe them fro the werke in suche wyse that euery man dyde nought· ffor it plesyd them wel that th erle were greued and ennoyed that he myght departe and lede them forth with the other barons How thoost murmured of the spere founden in Anthyoche of the grete myracle that happed in the presence of alle the hoste Capitulo CLxjo. tHere was renewed a word· by whiche the comyn people also soÌ„me of the barons whiche began to doubte of the spere that was founden in Anthyoche lyke as ye haue herde to fore· ffor somme sayde certaynly that it was the very spere that opened the Syde of oure Lord on the crosse And that was with his precious blood bydewed And by reuelacion of oure lord had be founden by an holy good man for to recomforte his people whiche had grete necessyte and nede Other sayde that it was not but fals 〈◊〉 tromperye and abuse ffor th erle of tholouse had fonden this contryued for to mene the peple to drawe and gete syluer of theyr offrynges And this altercacion was meuyd by a preest named Arnold chppellayn and moche acqueynted with the noble duc of normandye· he was wel lettred but he was not of good lyf· he was ouer malycious and pourchassoure of discordes As ye shal here afterward in this book· This rumour was grete in thoost as I haue sayd The man that had fonde the spere herde the doubte of the peple And cam to fore the barons moche hardily And sayd to them in this maner Fayr lordes doubte ye nothyng that this werke hath ben by barat nâ— by tromperye· For theryn hath be none But it is comen of god And certaynly for the comfort of the cristen peple sâ—ynte andrew appered to me by the wylle of our saueour Ihesu crist whiche deuysed to me alle the maner how I haue founden it And for to shewe to yow that this that I saye is trouth I praye you that ye make a grete fyre and merueyllous And I shal entre in to it And holde the spere in my hand and shal passe and goo thurgh hool and sauf whan they herd this they acorded alle therto· The fyre was made and brennyd lyght which was greete merueyllous And this was on the blessyd good fryday And it plesed them that this thynge shold be thus pâ—euyd the same day that our lord was smeton to the herte with the same spere he that thus of fred hym self thus and enterprysed for to preue it was named Peter bertilme we clerk and but litil lettred after that it coude be vnderstonde without forth· and was a moche symple man â— TheÌ„ne was alle thooste assembled aboute the fyre Peter cam forth kneled doun for to recommande hym vnto god whan he had made his prayer he toke the spere· And entred in to the fyre And passed thurgh it· and was nothynge on hym perysshed nâ— hurâ—e that ony man coude see or knowe whan the peple sawe this alle they ranne for to kysse hym And made to hym moche grete ioye Of this doubte thenne they wende veryly that it had be quenchid But yet sourded a gretter errour and murmur than to fore ffor it was not longe after but that this Clerke deyde thenne sayde somme that by thanguysshe of the fyre he toke his deth And that shold be thoccasion therof· The other sayde that he yssued oute al hool and sauf fro the fyre But it was the wylle of ours lord syth the trouthe was knowen that he shold deye thus· or peraduenture the prees that cam vpon hym was so grete whan he yssued ouâ— of the fyre that he was therby hurte that he 〈◊〉 In this maner murmured yet the peple emong them Of thamabassade of Egipte comâ—n with our men in to thooste of pylgryms of the reuerence that was don to them cao. C lxijo. sOmme messagiers that were sente in to Egypte by our barons atte requeste of them that cam vnto Anthyoche fro the Calyphe of Egypte had be reteyned and holden there by force and barat wel a yere But now they were retourned And with them were comen the messagers of the Calyphe which brought to our barons fro hym wordes moche dyuerse moch chauÌ„ged fro that· they had sente to them to fore Anthyoche· ffor thenne he sente to them that they shold conteyne them vygorously ayenst the Sowdan of Perse· And they shold haue of hym grete ayde of gold of syluer and of vytaylles Now had he chaunged moche his langage· ffor he sente them worde that he thought· that he dyde moch grete thyng for them yf he suffred that the pilgrims myght goo to Iherusalem .ij. C to gydre or iij· C alle vnarmed And whan they had made theyr prayers· and don theyr pylgremage to retorne saufly agayn· whan oure barons herd this· they had herof grete desdayne And sayde to the messagers that they shold retorne agayn to theyr lord and telle hym that by his licence ne leue wold they not goo to Iherusalem vnarmed one after another But they shold goo maulgre hym alle to gydre in bataylles renged and the baners reysed and desployed Now I shal say to you why the Calyphe of Egypte was reysen in so grete prydeâ— whan our men had discomfyted Corbagat to fore Anthyoche The power of the Soudan of Perse was moche affebled· in such wise that none of his neyghbours doubted hym ne fered to make warre agaynst hym ffor he had alwaye the werse· By whiche occasion it happed that a conestable of the Calyphes of Egypte named Emites had taken the Cyte of Iherusalem fro the men of the soudan of Perse whiche had holden it xxxviij yere Therfore sawe nowe the Calyphe that he was at his aboue by the disconfyture that our men had don to Corbagat And had wende that he shold not haue had nede of ony ayde Therfor he despysed now our peple Of an ambassade fro themperour of constantinoble comen to our pylgryms of thanswer to the sayd ambassade ca Clxiijo. oN that other syde were comen messagers fro themperour of Constantinoble· whiche complayned moche on buymont and also on the other barons ffor they sayde that all the barons were becomen his men· And had sworn vpon the holy ewangelyes that alle suche Cytees and Castellys by them conquerd whiche had be vnder the power of Constantynoble shold be rendred to hym as his owen thurgh out alle the londe to Iherusâ—lem Now buymont dyde contrarye this whiche helde Anthyoche and the other Barons that had gyuen it to hym· Thus spak they of the couenauntes But they spak not of alle ffor withoute faylle trouthe it was that they had couenaunted this but themperour had promysed to them that he shold folowe them with his grete hoost And shold furnysshe to them grete plente of vytaylles by seâ—· he was the fyrst that had broken the couenaunt and promesses· ffor he had not don that one ne that other And he myght wel
tonges on witsondaye In the same place passed oute of this world the gloryous vyrgyne Marye whiche bare in her precious body the saueour of the world ther is shewde the sepulture of seynt steuen How oure men began tassaylle Iherusalem And of the grete dilygeÌ„ce that they dyde to make engyns for to take it cao. Clxxiijo. wHan the barons were thus lodged fro the yate toward northeste as I haue sayd vnto the tour on the corner which is vpon the vale of Iosaphat And fro thens vnto that other corner of the cyte whiche is on the pendaunt of the same vale toward the south thenne was it thynge euydente that the one half of the toun was wyth payne or vnnethe assieged ffor fro thens that I haue sayd vnto the yate named mount Syon· the Cyte was no thynge assieged The fyft daye after that thoost was lodged to fore the Cyte it was acorded comynly and cryed thurgh alle the lodgys that alle men shold be armed the best wyse they myght and come to thassault They cam alle and began moche strongly thassaylle aboute the toun· They hadde the hertes moche hardy and brennyng desyres and wylle to doo the werke of oure lord In theyr comyng on they toke the barbycaÌ„nes that were right ayest them And the turkes embatilled them within the grete wallys They of the toun were so effrayed of the grete hardynesse and prowesse that they sawe with oure peple and had ouer grete fere in suche wyse that they loste alle theyr hope for to deffende thâ— toun And was wel knowen afterward that yf the talent of our men had endured and that they had had skalyng laddres castellys by whiche they myght haue approuched the walles of the toun· They had taken it certaynly but whan thassault had endured fro erly of the mornynge that same daye vnto one of the clok of the same daye at after none They apperceyued wel that with oute engynes they myght not doo grete hurte ne dommage to the touÌ„ therfor they withdrewe them abak· purppsed to come agayn to thassault whan theyr engyns shold be better ordeyned The barons toke counseyl emong them for taduyse how they myght fynde manere to make engyns for tassaylle the toun· ffor them semed that in alle the countree shold not be founde trees ne wode yno we for to make suche thynges as they sholde nede But a valyaunt man of the countre cam forth and told to them of a valeye· vj or vij· myle thens whiche was ful of trees and grete ynowghe for to make engyns They sente theder grete nombre of Carpenters And somme of the barons to conduyte them Eche of them hewe doun the tres and dyde do brynge them in charyottes Thenne made they come alle them of thoost that coude medle with suche thynge· and dyde do make engyns perierers Magonneauls castellys chattes and wayes couerd moche grete plente The pylgryms that coude werke toke none hyre ne wages yf they had as moch as they myght entretiene and kepe them self The other that were pour receyued theyr wages of the comyns ffor of all the barons of thoost ther was none that myght paye the costes of this werke sauf th erle of tholouse ffor he hym self allone susteined of his propre good all the werkemen without thaide of ony other also to many knyghtes that had despeÌ„ded theyr good dyde he gyue many grete yeftes· whyles that the barons were thus besy that euery che dyde do make his engyns for hym self The other knyghtes the mene peple ran vnto busshes and hedges ffor to fetche stockes and roddes with grete dilygence for to make pynnes None was ydle but alle men heelp to this werke· Ther was noman had shame ne despyte to doo thynge that myght auaylle· ffor they sayd well that alle theyr trauaylle and despences that they had don made in alle theyr waye were nothyng worth yf this enterpryse for to take this toun were not wel accomplysshed How our peple were in grete meschyef at the sayd siege how the turkes deserted them by cause they myght entre and yssue in and out of the toun· cao. Clxxiiij iN thoost had they grete mesease of thurst ffor as I haue sayd to you the place where the cite stondeth in· is moch ayerye drye withoute fontaynes withoute wellys pyttes of water spryngynge ffor they of the toun whan they herd saye that oure peple cam they fylled somme pyttes that were withoute the toun nygh to the Cysternes where as was rayn water and they had couerd and stopped them· to th ende that the pylgryms sholde haue none ease of water But the cytezeyns of bethlehem and they of a lytil cyte called tecua that knewe the countre al aboute told and ensseygned to them somme fontaynes brokes pyttes and Cisternes· ther was grete prees and grete mesease suche tyme there was that whan the pour peple myght brynge theyr barellis vessellys ful of troubled water and thycke· They sold it rychely in thooste The fontayne of syâ—â—e of whiche I haue spoken to fore myght not suffyse them· ffor it spryngeth not alway· and yet that was not right good· Thanguysshe of thurste grewe moche of the heete that was in Iuyn And of the trauaylle that they suffred and for the duste that entred in theyr mowthes whan two or thre had founden ony water rennyng or welle alle ran theder in suche wyse that it faylled anon The men a foote were not in so grete disease as they that had horses ffor they ledde them somtyme thre or foure myle ferre for to watre them· yet vnnethe found they ynowgh there were many that lefte theyr horses and habandouned to goo where they wold and other beestys for defaulte of water ye shold haue seen mules· Asses Oxen. Kyen and horses goon withoute garde or kepar in the feldes Atte laâ—te whan the beestys had long languysshed they deyde wherof cam grete sâ—enche in thoost· wherof the ayer was corrupte ouer peryllously The peple was not in lasse anguysshe there for thurste than they had ben to fore at Anthyoche for hongre Oure men were acustomed for to seche pasture for theyr horse moche ferre fro the toun in vyllages ther about The turkes of the toun marked it and yssued where as the siege lay not and cam ayenst them and slewe many· and toke away theyr horse And brought them in to the Cyte· Many escaped that fledde vnto thooste· Euery daye lassed the nombre of the pylgryms· by many suche aduentures and by grâ—â—â— Infyrmyte and sekenesses that were in thooste and by many other causes· wherof many deyed And in the place of them cam none other But they in the toun encreced and grewe euery day ffor to them cam newe ayde grete refresshementeâ— of men and vytaylle that myght entre and yssue by the yates beyng oute of the siege How the turkes enforced them to make merueylleous engyns ayenst the owres· And of the
them that were in the castel How the day folowyng our peple made a merueyllous assault And how the turkes defended them subtylly and wel Capitulo Clxxxo. He daye begonne strongly to wexâ— clâ—re Thenne as it waâ— enterprysed and deuysed our men were alle· armed foâ—â—â—pproche the walles· They alle were and had one purpoos That iâ— to wâ—te or they wolde take the toun vpon thenemyâ—s of our lord And delyuer the ordures of the mescâ—â—auntes fro the holy places or ellys in the seruyse they wold rendre theyr sowles to hym that made them Ther were none that had wylle to drawe abacâ— fro this werke the old men forgate theyr age the seke men theyr maladyes the wyues and childeren enterprysed in theyr â—erteâ— to doo grete thynges· Alle generally payned them to drawe forth the castelles to ioyne them to the walles in suche wyse that they myght approche them that defended it they of the toun â—essyd not to drawe and shote Incessantly grete plente of arowes and quarellys And with theyr engyns caste grete stones the moyen peple with theyr handes threwe fro the walles and towres their entente was therwith to make oure men to withdrawen fro the walles The good cristen men that doubted nothyng to deye couerd them with targes sheldes thise other habyllemeÌ„s they sette to fore them for to kepe them fro the stones shotte they that were within the castellis of tree lefte not to shote caste stones vpoÌ„ the turkes Incessantly· And other had grete leuers and plente of ropes and Cordes with whiche they laboured and payned them to drawe forth the castellys they that were put for to throwe the stones and to occupye thengyns were not ydle· but had theyr thynges wel adressyd and threwe to them that defended the toun grete stones moche asprely and trauaylled moche for to do thynge that myght greue their enemyes But they that wold haue put forth the castellys myght not doo that they wold ffor ther was a dycâ— moche depe to fore the barbycane ffor whiche they myght not make theyr engyns ioyne to the walles the strokes of the stones of that were throwen on the walles dyde not moche harme to the walles of the cyte· ffor the turkes had sackes ful of heye· of coton· And grete peces of tymbre bounden with cables of shippes whiche henge a longe by the walles and towres in suche wyse that whan the stones of thengyns smote thyse softe thynges the strokes were lost and made no hurte to the walles On that other syde the turkes within the toun had moo engyns adressyd than we had without more quantite of other artyllerye of Arbalestres wtthoute comparyson that we hadde by whiche they slewe many of our pilgrims· it myght not be but that our peple were fore aferd· Thus was thassault moche grete peryllous fro the mornyng vnto euensong tyme and duryng thassault it cessed neuer of Arowes and stones fleynge more thycke than was in a M· yere to fore There were so many that ofte the stones mette hytte eche other in thayer in suche wyse that they brak and flewe in pyeces Thassault was in thre places· And the barons payned them sore to greue the turkes men myght not wel knowe whiche partye had the better Oure pylgryms were put to grete payne to bere erthe for to fyll the dyche· to th ende that the castellys myght ioyne to the walles They within threwe fyre moche thycke in to the castellys men myght see many arowes brennyng brondes wâ—tes ful of sulphre of oylle and other thynges nourysshyng to fyre The stones to brak that the pyeces flewe thurgh out the sydes And it myght not be but that many were hurte that were aboue for tassaylle hit semed many tymes that alle shold falle to the ground but our men quenchyd the fyre with water and vyneger and had redy pynnes for to stoppe the holes and also for to holde to gydre theyr castellys moche Iustely in suche wyse that theyr contenaunces were in alle thynges good and hardy The nyght departed the sayd assault Our peple withdrewe them and how they watched wel theyr engyns and the turkes the toun Capitulo Clxxxjo. tHis grete assault perylloê° that so long endured the derk nyght departed· Our men retorned to theyr lodgys for to ete and reste they lefte grete watche aboute theyr engyns by cause the turkes shold not brenne them and they of the toun made grete watche to kepe theyr walles· ffor they doubâ—ed moche that oure peple whom they had seen so vygorously assaylle and defende them myght by nyght come vp on the walles by laddâ—es and entre in to the toun· Therfor they peyned them to make good watche alle this nyght and to goo round about the walles and ferche the towres The stretes also made watche within the toun with grete nombre of people by cause of fere of trayson They sette beâ—oâ— grete entente ffor it was for the sauacion of theyr lyues theyr wyues theyr childeren alle theyr goodes hoolly Our peple that were in the tentes and in the lodgys had not theyr hertes in reste but they remembryd of thassault that had be Euery man remembryd hym what hâ— had doâ— And hym 〈…〉 â—eft many thynges vndon· that he ought to haue do â–ª And moâ—he desired they alle to come to the poynt for to doo prowesse· the dayâ— taryed longer it cam as they thought â—â—em semed that they had no greef ne ennoye of the trauaylle that they had suffred that day They had grete hope in theyr hertes that assone as they shold come agayn to gydre for tassaylle· that they by the helpe of our lord they shold haue the better And they were in grete anguyssâ—e by cause them semed to be in more mesease in theyr lodgys than in thassault How our peple retorned agayn on the morn to thassault And of the sorceryes that they wold haue charmed one of our engyâ—s Capitulo Clxxxij o He sprynge of the daye appiered· the peple Incontinent were awaked Eche wente to the place where he had ben the daye to fore Thenne shold ye haue seen somme renne to thengynes and other goo vpon the castellys for to shote with bowes and arabalestres· And many abode vnder for to drawe the sayd castellys forth Nowe were they of the toun anon redy for to defende vygorously ayenst the assayllers There deyed ynowgh on bothe sydes as wel of stones as of quarellys but not for that· the other lefte not but gretely they dyde theyr deuoyr ne neuer was fouÌ„den lasse cowardyse in so peryllous affayre werke One thynge happed that ought not to be forgoten that is that our men had an Instrument called Caable so strong and so wel made· that it threwe thre grete stones attones And dyde moche hurte in the toun where it atteyned the turkes sawe wel that they coude not breke it ffor it threwe fro so ferre that their engins myght not come ther to therfor
desired moche to be auenged of so grete oultrage Therfor sente he for alle the barons of th empyre and assembled moche grete court and made to be sayd and shewde in the presence of them alle the pryde and rebellyon of them of Saxone· wherof he demaunded debonayrly counseyl and theyr helpe They acorded alle that this thynge was for to be auenged asprely They habandouned bodye and power to themperour for thamendynge of this trespaas They departed and eche wente in to his countre· Themperour somoned his hooste as strongly as he myght at a castel on the marche of Saxone· whan they were entred in to the londe theyr enemyes sayde that they wolde fyghte ayenst them ffor they were prowd and fiers in suche wyse that they sette but lytil by the power of themperour whan they knewe that they must fyght they ordeyned theyr bataylles ffor they had moche peple And had ynowe Thenne demaunded themperour of whom they were acorded that shold bere thaygle which is the fawcon of th empyre They choos to fore alle other for to doo that the valyaunt duc of Loreyne worthy and moost sufficiant to do it They reputed it for a moche grete worship that he was thus chosen by comyn acord of them alle Neuertheles he with sayde it and refused as moche as he myghte But he muste nedes take it on hym This daye cam and that one partye approuched that other in suche wyse that they assembled fiersly ther were many men put to deth ffor they were merueillously wroth eche ayenst other whyles thus as the bataylle was grete and fyers in many places· the duc Godeffroye that conduyted the bataylle of Themperour espyed a grete Rowte of men wherin was this Raoul whiche was lorde of saxone ayenst them in the duc dyde do assemble the peple of themperour The duc knewe this Raoul· and smote the hors with his spores ayenst hym· And with the gonfanon that he bare Iusted ayenst hym in suche wyse that he bare hym thurgh the bodye and slewe hym that he fylle doun deed in the place And Incontinent he redressyd and reysed on heygthe his baner alle blody his peple sawe that they had loste theyr lord and anon were disconfyted Somme fledde· somme fylle doun vnto the feet of themperour and put them in his mercy Alle the gentilmen and other gaf good hostages for tobeye euer after to hym and be at his commauÌ„ment Many other prowesses made the valyaunt duc godeffroye but it behoueth not to put them alle in this historye ffor my purpose now is for to recountre of the holy londe by yonde the see and not of them on this syde· but of them of whom ye may vnderstande that he was in his countre noble and a valyaunt knyght· Of his largesse ayenst oure lord I shal saye to you one thynge by whiche ye maye vnderstande the other In the duchye of Loreyne was a castel whiche was moost renommed and chyef of thonour of buyâ—lon And bare that name whan he shold meue to goo 〈◊〉 his pylgremage by yonde the see he gaf this castel as the mooste noble and hyest of his herytage vnto oure lord in Almesse in to the chirche of lyege for to abyde there for euermore How the valyaunt duc godeffroy augmented the holy chirche And how he wold neuer bere crowne· cao. Clxxxxâ—â— sYth that he had thus by election the RoyaÌ„mâ— like as a deuoute and a relygyous man as he was 〈◊〉 louid moch holy chirch the seruise of our lord by coÌ„seyl of the bisshops of other wise clerkes that were in thoost he ordeyned fyrst in the chirchâ— of the sepulcre of our lord and in the temple clerkes for to serue· establysshed chanonnes gaf to them grete rentes large herytages of which they shold take theyr preâ—endes· he wold that the chirches in thoo partyes there shold be ordeyned after the establementis vses and custommes of the greâ—e chirches of fraunce He began moche hyly wel had accomplysshed yf our lord had gyuen to hym lenger lyf He had brought with hym oute of his countre relygyous Monkes whiche sayde and songe theyr 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 al a longe the waye as he cam· he gaf to them 〈◊〉 Abbâ—ye in the vale of Iosaphat· and establysshed them therâ— And endowed them there moche Rychely with good rentâ—s and reuennes And gaf to them grete pryueleges he was a very relygyous and deuoute man· And had his herte moche large vnto holy chirche· And gaf therto many grete thynges whan he was chosen to be kynge alle the barons requyred hym that he wold do hym be crowned and receyue thonour of the Royamme aâ— hyly as the other kynges in Cristendom doo he answerde that in this holy cyte where our sauyour Ihesu Criste suffred deth and had born a crowne of thornes vpon his heed for hym and for the synners he wold neuer bere yf it playsyd god crowne of gold ne of precious stones but hym semed that it was ynowe of that coronacion that he had the daye of his passion for to honoure alle the kynges Cristen that shold be after hym in Iherusalem ffor this cause he refused the crowne Ther ben soÌ„me men that wyll not accompte hym emong the kynges of Iherusalem but me thynketh that therfore he ought not to be lassed ne dymynued of his honoure but the more and hyer exalted and enhaunced ffor he dyde not this for despysyng of the sacrament of holy chirche· but he dyde it for tesche we the bobaunce and pryde of the world and for the grete mekenes humylyte that he had in his herte wherfore thenne I saye not only that he was not kynge but he was gretter than ony kynge that holdeth ony Royamme syth that the holy londe of Iherusalem was conquerd How the turkes of Arabe and of Egypte made theyr somauÌ„ce for to come in to Surye tassaylle our cristen men cao. CCo. nEwly whan the cyte was taken yet er that the Barons were departed cam tydynges in to the toun of Iherusalem trew they were that the Calyphe of Egypte which was the mooste puyssaunt and myghtiesâ— of all the londe of thoryenâ— had somoned alle his power· knyghtes gentilmen and alle otheâ— that myght bere armes in suche wyse that he had assembled a grete hooste merueyllously· ffor he had grete desdayne and despyâ—e of this that so lytil peple whiche were of a straunge londe and ferre â—ountrâ—y were so hardy and durst come in to this londe and Royamme and had taken the cyâ—e whiche he had â—onquerd vpon his enemyes he made come to fore hym his conâ—stable whiche was prynce of his hoost· he was named Elafdales To this man he commaunded that he shold take all this peple with hym goo in to Surye And renne vygorously vpon this peple that were so folyssh and oultrageous that had torned his peas and made warre to his peple Therfor he commaunded hym that he shold efface and destroye
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
many emonge them in whom is lytil reson we our self had ben deed yf we had abyden there ne we myght doo none honour to our lord ne to our prouffyte Therfor we departed And commaunded them to god whiche saue them and kepe for they haue nede Ye syre to whome I am bounden in good fayth I aduyse you that ye take counseyl of your wyse men to fore ye goo ony ferther Trouth it is that ye be the moost hye man of the world But for al that ye haue not here now in your companye so moche peple as Corbagat hath aboute Anthyoche And ayenst one of you he hath seuen therfore myn oppynyon is yf the other so acorde that to fore your men be put in so grete aduenture· ye retorne home agayn For yf ye apâ—rouche them And that they haue achyeued theyr werke in the Cyte ye shal fynde them redy the more ner ye approuche them the more shame and vyle shal it be to retorne fro them whan ye be so nygâ—â— them· thise thynges that I haue acouÌ„ted to you knowe wel thise valyaunt men that be here with me also a grete parte maye ye knowe by this good man that ye delyuerd to vs that is wete taâ—tyn your seruaunt whiche is so wyse and trewe whiche departed fro vs for many defaultes· that he apperceyued with vs whan he had sayd all this themperour was moche ameâ—yd of thise wordes with hym was a brother of Buymont named guyon that whan he had herd th erle Stephen thus speke he was alle wroth and angry And as half araged for despyte sayde al on hye that he sayd not the trouthe But that they were departed as Cowardes He had moo grete wordes but guylleÌ„ de gratemeuyl which was a gentilman born of lygnage· And not of courage· And had to his wyf the suster of the same guyen made hym to holdâ— his peas And blamed hym by cause he spak ayenst th erle Steuen· And so this guyen forbare hym How by the warnynges of the sayd Erle themperour whiche wold haue goon socoured our men· retorned shortly cao. Cxxxiij vPon thyse wordes that themperour had herd he wold be couÌ„seylled and called his barons· And alle they acorded that themperour shold retorne fro thens wher he was withoute goyng ony ferther ffor they thought it were bettâ—r to remeue his peple withoute perylle and hurte than for to fyght in so grete meschyef ayenst Corbagat· And to meue ayenst hym in hate and in warre alle the londe of thoryent He byleuyd so fermely the wordes of th erle Stephen that he doubted that the turkes had slayn them of Anthyoche And wold thenne goo in to his londe for to receyue the Cyte of Nycene And alle the londe of Bythynie whiche oure men had delyuerd to hym he wold garnysshe it whan he departed fro thens he brente and destroyed alle the londe fro the cryne vnto Nycene on both sides· By cause the turkes shold not folowe hym vytaylle began to faylle hym· And so he muste retourne Thus it happed that by the wordes of this grete man that so fowly departed fro the other barons themperour retorned the Cristen peple beyng in Anthyoche lost so grete socours by whiche myght haue comen alle theyr delyueraunce in so grete necessyte as they were thenne· But consydered this that was gyue to be vnderstonde to Themperour· yet he dyde not But his deuoyre Certaynly it was the werke of our lord ffor yf this Emperour that cam with his peple and grete power of men al fresshe had reysed the siege discomfyted the turkes oure lord shold not haue ben so honoured ne thanked And yf of the trauayll that the barons and the other pylgryms had suffred· themperour that come laste shold haue had the vyctorye· theyr payne shold not haue ben so wel guerdonned Therfor our lord suffred that themperour departed And that the werke shold be accomplysshed as ye shal here to his gloryâ—· and honour of his peple How our peple of Anthyoche beyng aduertysed herof were all discouraged And Corbagat enhaunced in pryde cao. Cxxxiiijo. rEnoÌ„mee cam in to anthyoche that theÌ„perour that was approched by the wordes of th erle Stephen of Guyllem de gratemeuyll And of theyr felaws was torned back They had on alle sydes anguysshes But thyse tydynges empoysonned them alle And put them as in despayr thenne began they to curse the Erle Stephen and alle his companye that had taken fro them so grete ayde Crobagat that had knowleche that Themperour cam had moch doubte of his comyng ffor it was a grete thyng of the puyssaunce of themperour Now was he certayn that he was retorned Wherof he had moch grete ioye in his herte he was risen in a moch fiers pryde He ran the more asprely on them of the toun Oure men in the toun were so abasshed that them semed wel that ouer lord god had alle forgete them· They lete them falle in despayre· And wold not endure no trauaylle that apperteyned to the defence of the Cyte Alle hydde them in theyr howses On a day it happed that Buymont whiche had alle the power of thoost had to doo with men ffor th assaultes withoute forth and for thassaylles within forth He dyde do crye on peyn of deth that alle shold come· And there cam none· He sente his men for to feteâ—e them in theyr howses and somone them to come And none wold come oute· He was abasshed And thought what he shold doo· Atte laste be sette fyre in the toun in dyuerse places· And thenne yssued in to the stretes grete rowtes Buymont sawe them and sayd to hem his commaundement And bad what they shold doo they dyd it· A worde sourded in the toun that many knyghtes and Barons had had counseyl pâ—yuely emonge them that they wold yssue oute of the toun by nyght And leue the pepole within And wold doo the best they myght and drawe them to the porte· for to entre vpon the see· The duc Godeffrey knewe this word he sente hastely for the bisshop of puy And alle the barons and grete partye of the knyghtes and he fylle at theyr feetâ— requyred them for the loue of god that they wold neuer thynke suche a thynge· ffor yf they dyd so god shold hate them And they shold lefe theyr sowles· as men that were in despayre of the mercy of oure lord And on that other syde in the world they shold lefe their honour for euer and also theyr lygnage whiche had nothyng forfayted And shold be shamed euer and poynted with the fingre The londes out of whiche they yssued shold be the lasse renomed and lasse preysed as long as the world shold endure Of alle thise departynges myght they neuer receyue good worde ne honoure By thyse wordes and by the prechyng of the bisshop of puyâ—they loste this euyl talente alle that had be in this euyll purpops But they began to affeble in the
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