alonge that whiche was his duete Olyuer seyng that there wolde be none other thynge enquyred what the some of the deth dyd drawe to And founde that it drewe to a .lx. pounde not withstandynge that durynge his vyage he had spente a good parte of his M. nobles that he had but lefte alytell more than halfe yet he was delybered for to content the burgeysland payed hym And also he made the seruyce of the knyght ryght honourably for whiche cause he was moche praysed of euery body and to the contrary the frendes of the deed bodye was moche blamed as it was ryght Olyuer the whiche had but a lytell money lefte soiourned a lytell space of tyme in Caunterburye where as he herde tytynges that the kynge of Englande at the instaunce of his subgectes had made a crye of a torneyment that sholde laste thre dayes And theder myght come all noble men And he that sholde doo best by the saynge of the prynces and pryncesses the whiche was commysed therto sholde haue his onely doughter in maryage yf that she had wyll vnto hym The whiche doughter at that present tyme was holden for the moost fayrest lady that was in all the monarchye of the worlde And the Kynge her fader wolde not mary her to noo grete prynce bycause he wolde not haue her lenthed fro hym For he loued her so feruently that he coude make no good chere yâ— daye that he sawe her not Also he dyd thynke that for the welfare of the countree it was more necessarye for to gyue her to a hardy and a valyaunt man thought that he were poore than to a grete lorde that had not those vertues And also as touchynge noblesse and râ—â—chesse she had ynoughe for theÌ„ bothe and for that cause he had made crye the torâ—eymeÌ„t that the moost valyauntest of the feest sholde haue his ryght beauteuous and fayre doughter in maryage And that after his decesse his kyngdome myght falle in to the handes of the valyaunt knyght and lorde for to kepe and defende it from all them that wolde greue it There were foure hoÌ„dred knyghtes commysed of within for to resyste agaynst all comers And it was .xi. monethes syth that the feest had beÌ„ publysshed thrughe all the realmes crysten This not withstandynge vntyll that tyme Olyuer had herde no tydynges therof and there was no more but .xv. dayes to the corneyment wherfore Olyuer had grete dyspleasure bycause that hym thoughte that he myght not come theder sone ynoughe also bycause that he had but lytell moneye for to go theder withall Neuerthelesse he made hymredy for to be there in the best wyse that he myght yf that our lorde sente hym not some empesshement that he coude not go And fro that houre he beganne for to fele the sparcles of loue sayd to hymselfe that he sholde be well eurous yf that after his grete aduersyte and euylles he myght attayne vnto so hye a thyÌ„ge as for to haue her in maryage of whome he herde speke soo moche good thrughe the vnyuersall worlde ¶ How Olyuer was assaylled by theues and slewe theym and of that whiche happened hym vpon his waye towarde London Capitulo xix OLyuer hauynge ryght grete desyre wyll for to be with the other at the tornaymente aforesayd consyderynge that the terme was shorte payed and contended his hoost and after departed frome the cyte of Caunterbury all alone withouten ony company towarde the cyte of London Where as the grete and solempne feest sholde be holden And therfore dyuers grete lordes were comen theder all redy And there came so many that all the lodgynges and ynnes were full Soo as Olyuer exployted hym so on his Iourneye that he was a good dele auaunged as he the whiche thought that he sholde neuer come theder tyme ynoughe for to se her for whose loue he toke that Iourneye and so he passed on his way in suche thoughtes and in those thoughtes he came into a lytell busshy wodde somwhat out of his hye waye he had not longe gone therin whan he mette .xv. theues the whiche were armed in complete harnays and cryed to hym saynge that he was but deed and he was enuyronned with them or euer he loked vp and lefte his pen sees of loue And whan he sawe that he coude not escape without medlynge he sette his hande to his swerde and smote one of them vpoÌ„ the heed so asprely that he claue hym to the tethe and soo fell downe deed And than he smote on the ryght hande and on the lefte hande so impyteously that he cutte armes and hedes in a suche wyse that the hardyest of them durst not abyde hym a buffet for he had sette his backe agaynst a thycke hedge so that his enemyes myght not endommage hym behynde And for to make it shorte he dyde so moche by the helpe of god that he slewe .xi. of them and the remenauÌ„t fledsoâ—e wounded Whan Olyuer sawe that he was delyuered of them he thanked god of that vyctorye and alyghted of his hors and tayde hym to a tree and then he began for to bynde some of his woundes in the beste wyse that he myght but they were not mortall wherof he gaue thankyÌ„ges to god And so as he toke kepe to his wouÌ„des his hors brake loose for he had not tayed hym fast And so wente awaye with his casket of moneye the whiche was at the arson of the sadell and was gone all redy a good waye or euer Olyuer apperceyued hym Neuerthelesse whan that the apperceyued hym he begaÌ„ne for to renne after hym as well as he myghte and Olyuer ranne so longe and so fast that he was alâ—moost bretheles And in that estate the hors came rennynge bofore the place where one of the theues was hydde that had escaped from Olyuer And whan the sayd thefe saw the horse he knewe hym well ynoughe and ranne after hym toke hym and incontynente mounted vpon his backe and rode his waye with casket and all Whan Olyuer apperceyued hym he knewe well ynoughe yâ— he had lost his horse and his casket with moneye wherfore ye may well thynke that he was ryght dysplesaunt for he founde hymselfe without moneye and also in a straunge couÌ„tree where as he hadde no knowledge and whan he saw that all was lost he sayd to hymselfe O good swete lorde Ihesu cryst I requyre yâ— comforte this poore vnhappy catyf for all myn esperaunce and hope is onely in the for I se well that fortune is contrary to me and that yf it procede not of thyn infynyte grace myne enterpryse can neuer be encheued wherfore good lorde I put me totally in to thy grace and mercy In praynge the good lorde Ihesu cryst that thou dystinge it after thyn owne wyll for lyghtly I can not haue worse than I haue had hetherto wherof I thanke the. ¶ How a knyght came for to comforte Olyuer and of yâ— promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx RYght
in the duke oâ— Gâ—â—cecetre the duke of Lancaâ—â—e the duke of Bedforde the duke of Northfâ—lke and the duke of Somerset And so came in the erle of Northumberlande the Erle of Leâ—â—etre and yâ— erle of Salysburye and so many otherlordes that was it meruayll Whan all these prynces and lordes were assembled that they sawe there came no moo it was cryed by the Kynge that euery man sholde do his deuoyâ—â— Then the two sygnes that is to knowe that of within and in lyke wyse that of withoute began for to approche There ye myghte haue sene cleue many basynettes and many a knyght beten downe to yâ— erthe Olyuer that was mounted vpon his courser helde his swerde in his hande wherwith he dyde meruaylles of armes he wente sekynge them that hym thought were the moost valâ—auntest and with them he had add gladly and whan he hadde remembraunce or leyser to loke on hye and that he myghte beholde the fayre Helayne his force hardynesse doubled Wherfore none may recounte the valyauntnes feates of armes that he dydde Now it was ordeyned that the sygne of them of within myght by force of armes be broughte to a place that was there by theyr aduersary party that the torneyng sholde be accomplysshed Therfore they of without put themselfe in payn for to wynne it And Olyuer the whiche rested neuer in one place and to whome euery body made waye encountred hym that bare the sygne of theÌ„ of within â—aue hym suche a stroke that he made hym bowe his heed vpoÌ„ the hors necke and was so astonyed that he hadde almoost fallen to the erthe and Olyuer retorned his stroke thynkynge for to haue cutte the shafte of the sygne but he sounde it so stronge and so well banded with â—ron that he coude not empayre it but it was force to the knyght that helde it for to lette it go fro hym and so it sell to the erthe then ye myght haue herde gretesâ— outes on bothe partyes they of within put themselâ—e in â—â—â—yre for to reyse vp theyr sygne agayne But that was unpossyble for them bycause of the valyaunte Olyuer that defended it with yâ— good helpe that he had of his partye ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to his hermytage after yâ— he had woâ—â—â— the vyctorye of the torneyenge and of the dyspleasure that the kynge and his doughter had bycause of the deed knyghtes Capitulo xxvii AT the reâ—cowes of that sygne was many a knyght sâ—ayne on bothe partyes but moore of them of within than of without wherof the kynge was not well content for to se his men dye so And then he coÌ„maunded to two or thre knyghtes the whiche were ordeyned whan there moued ony debâ—tes that they sholde put them in payne for to repease them to go hastely and departe them the whiche without pyâ—â— slewe eche other They dyd the kynges commauÌ„dement but or they myght come to the place where the debate was there was dyuers mâ—ruaylous strokes gyuen And the hystorye sayth that a vâ—â—yaunt knyght of within whan Olyuer dyde so many feates of armâ—â— approched to hym and toke his swerde in bothe his handes for to gyue the gretter stroke and eueÌ„ so as he hadde bothe his armes eleuate for to smyte Olyuer Olyuer appercâ—yued it and hasted hym for to smyte fyrstâ— and gaue hym so grete a stroke that he made to fle in to yâ—â—elde yâ— swerde with bothe his armes wherfore all they yâ— sawe it meruaylled And in lyke wyse the kyÌ„ge began for to blysse hym sayng yf this rede knyght that was yesterdaye clothed in blacke lyue loÌ„ge or yf yâ— fyghtynge be not departed he wyll make dye the moost parte of my men he is a lyuynge deuyll se how his swerde dothe cutte he hathe done soo moche that it is of the same colour that his armour is of The knyght that he hathe smyten downe shal neuer cut no purse In that estate deuysed the kynge and on the other parte the ladyes hadde alwaye theyr eyeÌ„ on hym but the fayre â—â—elayne had not the courage for to beholde hym bycause of the effusyon of blode of her gentyl knyghtes but it was not longe after but they were departed and was cryed by the kynge that none so herdy vpon payne of dethe sor to torneye ony more for that daye And therfore euery body dyde withdrawe hyÌ„ and it was tyme for Olyuer to retorne into his hermytage whether as his knyght dyd brynge hym and thenne toke leue of hym and tolde hyÌ„ that he wolde not forgete hym the nexte morowe The kynge and his excellent doughter retorned in to the nâ—ble cyte And souped that nyght in the fayre He ayns chambre the whiche was not welâ— at case bycause she hadde sytten soo longe and also for the slaughter that she had sene wherfore she sayd to her fader My lorde my fader be ye not dyspleasaunt for the pyteous syghte that was to daye ye make your men to deye without cause I byleue not that it is for me for and I knewe it I sholde rather make an othe neuer to be maryed wher ore I beseche you that ye wyll accoâ—de me yâ— they Iust or torneye no more in the facyon that they haue done to daye The kynge answered her My doughter thynke for to make good chere and take no thought of nothynge for of this that is happened I am more dyspleasaunt than ye be Therfore I shall put so good remedye that it shall not happeÌ„ as it hathe done to daye And thenne he gaue her good nyght in saynge that he sawe well that she had no talent for to daunce that nyght and she answered naye And for the causes aforesayd there was 〈◊〉 dauÌ„ces that nyght ¶ How Olyuer came to the torneymeÌ„t the thyrde tyme and hadde the honoure aboue them all by his grete prowesse and how the Kynge coÌ„mysed .xx. knyghttes for to brynge hym afore hym to knowe what he was Capitulo xxviii WHan the kyÌ„ge was in his chaÌ„bre he enquyred how many knyghtes there had beslayn founde deed of theÌ„ of with in to the noÌ„bre of xivi of theÌ„ of without .xv. wherfore the kynge was moche angrye commaunded that .xlvi. other knyghtes sholde be put in the places of the deed knyghtes and yf there were ony hurte that myght not helpe themself on the morowe that they sholde put in other The thynge was done so and vpon the morowe the Kynge wente in to his scaffolde where as he dyned and the fayre Helayne also durynge the â—yner tyme they spake of nothynge but of the torneyenge of the daye past And the kynge sayd that he was ryght dyspleasauÌ„t bycause that he myght not se hym that dyd so grete dedes of armes wherfore he commaunded .xx. knyghtes that they sholde haue alwaye regarde to hym and that they sholde not fayle to brynge hym to the banket for he wolde se hym He commaunded also that the nombre of two thousande fyghtynge men were armed
guerdon of all these thynges I broke one of his legges Now it is happened after all these thynges that he hath had a meruaylous sykenes not foure houres ago And so as I desyred some thynge yâ— myght hele hym It happened me to haue a vysyon and was tolde to me that who that wolde gyue hym a drynke of the blode of two Innocentes sone and doughter medled togyder that he sholde haue helthe So it is happened for to gete hyÌ„ helth that with this swerde I haue slayne my propre chyldreÌ„ and byheded them for to rendre to hym his helthe the whiche he hathe wherfore I gyue thankynges vnto our sauyour And after that I sawe hym heled I thought for to haue departed from this realme But yet I came in to her chambre for to se my chyldren that I had slayne the whiche by the wyll of our lorde that hathe extended his grace and pyteous mercy on me poore synner hath founde them alyue and playnge the one with the other Wherfore faders and moders that hathe chyldren thynke in what doloure I was in whaÌ„ I put them to dethe And what Ioye that I haue herde whan I se theÌ„ reuyued Then he toke his two chyldreÌ„ and afore all the people shewed them alyue lapped in the clothe that was all bebledde of theyr blode Wherfore all they that were the represent were mouyd with inwardly pyte that with wepynges and lameÌ„tacyons they made a grete bruyte The kynge wepte for grete Ioye and pyte The poore Helayne that sawe her chyldreÌ„ so myghte not supporte herselfe but fell in a swowne And whan she was comente herselfe she came to her chyldren in shewynge to theÌ„ moderly loue she coude not be fulfylled with kyssynge and pyteous remuneracyon Bryefely it was a pyteous thynge for to be in that chyrche for some wepte for Ioye and the other for pyte And whan the sorowe was a lytell aswaged the kynge al wepynge came and enbraced Olyuer saynge ¶ Noble kynge blessyd be our lorde whan he hathe gyuen me the puyssauÌ„ce for to mary my doughter so nobly as to a kynge that is extracte of so noble a lygnage Ye recouÌ„te vnto vs yâ— moost meruaylous tale that euer was herde in ony countree And ye maye well ymagyne that they that shall here it after vs shall saye thus for for euermore the compaynye of you and of your broder as loÌ„ge as the worlde shall endure ought to be recounted for the not semblable that euer was herde or that shall be ¶ How Olyuer sente Arthur in to Castyll for to notyfye his comynge And how the kynge of Englande accompanyed Olyuer in to Castylle Capitulo lxxi THe myracle was publysshed thrughe the real me of Englande And after all these thynges they beganne for to make Ioyous feestes in welcomynge the kyÌ„ge of Castylle that was than knowen And euery body sayd that the kynge was happy for to haue maryed his doughter soo And sayd that it was meruayll that he had kepte hym 〈◊〉 longe close The kynge of Englande sente for the lordes and ladyes of his countree And helde one of the gretest feestes that euer he had made Olyuer prayed theym all that they wolde accompanye hym in to Castylle to be at his coronacyon And they accorded hym all and the kynge hymselfe sayd that he wolde go with hym and Olyuer thanked hym And after prayed the kynge of Algarbe his felowe that he wolde do soo moche as to goo in to Castylle for to denounce his comynge Arthur sayd that he wolde do it gladly He departed from Englande well accompanyed and dyde soo moche that they arryued in Castylle where as he tolde the comynge of the kynge of his wyfe the kynge of Englandes doughter Whan yâ— tydynges were denounced that he was comeÌ„ and that Olyuer came after euery body thanked god and apparaylled them for to receyue hym in the moost honourablest wyse that they myghte They of the realme assembled them and by counsayll ordeyned for to make feest â–ª from the fyrste towne of the realme where as he sholde entre vnto the laste that he sholde passe by And all at yâ— expence of the realme Whan Olyuer thought that his felowe myght be well in Castyll he made that the kyÌ„ge was contente to departe And departed from London the fayrest and the moost noble companye and the best in poynt that euer was sene vpon a daye Helayne was accompanyed of ladyes and damoyselles in suche wyse that it was grete pleasure for to beholde theym of theyr Iourneys I can not deuyse to you but they dydde soo moche that they arryued in Spayne where as they were feested of all the grete lordes that they passed by And whan they approched nere Castylle Arthur and all the grete lordes came agaynst them And welcomed theym ryght gracyouslye and Ioyously in thankynge god of theyr comynge Then they made reuerence to theyr lorde to theyr newe quene also The whiche semed them the fayrest lady that euer they had sene Also they salued the kynge of Englande in offrynge them to his seruyce And whan they were entred in to the fyrst towne of the realme the stretes were hanged pagentes vpon scaffoldes and there was soo many other playes that they wyst not yâ— whiche they myght beholde The ladyes were in the wyndowes soo rychely clothed that it was meruayll And whan it came that they entred in to the prynces place all that they had sene afore was nothynge to that yâ— whiche they sawe there They were so wel seruyd at souper that it was mâ—ruayle And fynablye in all the townes that they passed by they founde newe thynges and alwaye better and better From the begynnynge of the realme all the companye were at the good Olyuers expences In that estate they came vnto the cyte of Vaudolytys where as they founde the olde quene of Castyll Olyuers stepmoder Arthurs owne moder the whiche at the request of her sone Arthur was comeÌ„ oute of the realme and countree of Algarbe for to saye vnto the fayre Helayne that was newe quene that she was welcome and to Olyuer semblably Also in that same Cyte was the moost ryalte as in the pryncypall cyte ¶ And whan it came that they were descended at the palays yâ— quene Arthurs moder came agaynst them strongely accompanyed with â—adyes and damoyselles welcomed the newe quene also yâ— kynge of Englande her fader And on yâ— morowe Olyuer was crowned he layne also And at the dyner the kynge of Englande the kynge of Castyâ—â—â— the kynge of Algarbe the two other quenes were set at one table all .v. were crowned ¶ Here it deuyseth how the kynge and yâ— other lordes and ladyes dyde departe And how yâ— whyte knyght appered to Olyuer and oppressed hyÌ„ for to holde his promesse whiche was for to gyue hym yâ— halfe of his wynnynge bycause of the torneyment Ca. lxxij AFter these thynges and that the kynge of Englande hadde ben there by the space of two
The prologue vpon the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle BYcause that the memorye is the reteynynge nature humayne for his fragylyte is strongely mouable goodly hathe ben introducte that the reasons concludynge intendybly yâ— saynges and also auctorytes of sayntes and dyscrete men semblably hystoryes and examples worthy of commemoracyon ben reduced by wrytynge for to shewe to them that ben to come that whiche hathe be sayd and done before to the instruccyon and saluacyon of the soule of euery good crysteÌ„ man ¶ Now it is thus that is this present tyme the scryptures by the arte and ingenyous practyke of Pryntynge be multeplyed in suche a wyle that dyuers fayre and coÌ„modyous ensygnynges and ensamples ben had of whiche fewe folkes had the bokes and congnyssaunce nowe they ben put forth and vttred for so lytell a pryse that it can not be lyghtely lesse neuerthelesse bycause of the vnderstaÌ„dynge comune that is better contente for to reteyne the hystoryes and examples than other thynge dyuers hystoryes ben put in wrytynge And amonge the other hystoryes is one founde of longe tyme wryten the whiche is named the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and Arthur of Algarbe his loiall felowe the whiche for theyr vertues and to loue better honoure than to consente to euyll had grete aduersytees and meruaylous fortunes and aduentures the whiche by grete loyalte and ardaunt charyte and also fydelyte and promesse toke an ende solytarye ¶ Here begynneth the table of this present boke ¶ Tabula ¶ The fyrste chapytre speketh of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castylle and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo j. ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and the body of his mod borne to be buryed And how Embassodours were coÌ„mysed for to mary the kynge agayne Ca. ii ¶ How the maryage was treated betwene the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder and the kynge of Castylle Olyuers fader Capitulo iij. ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle wedded the quene of Algarbe and ledde her in to Castylle with her sone Arthur that resembled Olyuer Capitulo iiij ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were put to lernynge and of the Iustes that were made by them Capitulo v. ¶ How the quene of Castylle began for to loue Olyuer dyshonestlye Capitulo vi ¶ How the quene gaue Olyuer for to vnderstande that she loued hym carnally and of the couerte answers of Olyuer to honoure Capitulo vij ¶ How Olyuer departed all trouble of the requestes of his stepmoder and how he prayed god for to reuoke her from her carnall desyre Capitulo viij ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer desyrynge hym to fulfyll her carnall desyre of Olyuers fayre denyenge Capitulo ix ¶ How Olyuer refused vtterly the quene his stepmoder of all her dyshonest loue And how she menaced hym to the dethe Capitulo x. ¶ How Olyuer abode all alone in his chambre where as he made dyuers complayntes and of the lettre that he wrote to his felowe and wherat he sholde knowe yf that he had ony thynge but good Capitulo xi ¶ How Olyuer departed all alone withont ouy company and came to a hauen of the see where as he founde a shyp in the whiche he entred with a knyght that he founde there of Englande Capitulo xij ¶ How Arthur of Algarbe came in to the chambre of his broder Olyuer that made grete dole for his departyng Capitulo xiij ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle came in to Oliuers chambre and of the grete dole that he demeaned whaÌ„ he fouÌ„de hym not Capitulo xiiij ¶ How the kynge sente after his sone and of his lamentacyous and of them yâ— the quene made whan she sawe that all doloure was comen by her cause Ca. xv ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer vpon the see and how he and the Englysshe knyght were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi ¶ How the knyght Olyuers felowe deyed xvij ¶ How Olyuer dyde burye the knyght and of the Iustes that were publysshed in Englande and he that sholde do best sholde haue the kyÌ„ges doughter to wyfe xviij ¶ How Olyuer was assayled of theues the whiche he slewe and of the whiche happened to hym vpon the waye towarde London Capitulo xix ¶ How a knyghte came and recomforted Olyuer and of the promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the hermytage Capitulo xxi ¶ How Olyuer sawe dyuers knyghtes and other folke in grete estate and dyuersly clothed Capitulo xxij ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche clothynges that his knyghte had brought hym and how he armed hym and of the ryche pauylyon and beaute of the fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande Capitulo xxiij ¶ Of the grete meruaylles â—hat Olyuer dyde at the â—orneyment and how he dyde better thaÌ„ ony other xxiiij ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to the hermytage the seconde tyme without makynge hym for to be knoweÌ„ xxv ¶ How Olyuer came the seconde tyme to the torneyment and how he wanne the sygne of the defendauntes of the Iustes Capitulo xxvi ¶ How Olyuer dyde withdrawe hym in to the hermytage after that he had vaynquysshed the torneyment and of the dyspleasure of the kynge and his doughter by cause of the deed men Capitulo xxvij ¶ How Olyuer came in to yâ— torneymeÌ„t the thyrde daye and bare awaye the honoure aboue all by his grete prowesse and how the kyÌ„ge commysed .xx. knyghtes for to take hym to the ende yâ— he knewe what he was xxviij ¶ How Olyuer was taken by the knyghtes that the kynge had commysed and how his seruauntes vanysshed a waye how he founde clothes fynaunces Ca. xxix ¶ How Olyuer founde grete fynaunces seruantes and clothes and how he was ledde to the banquet and in to the courte with grete honoure of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the kynge of Englandes courte where as he was receyued with grete reuerence of the kynge and of all the other lordes and ladyes Ca. xxxi ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commyssed and the counsayll of the kynge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capitulo xxxij ¶ How the kynge of EnglaÌ„de came towarde his doughter and demauÌ„ded her to whome her semed that yâ— pryce sholde be gyuen to and of her answers Ca. xxxiij ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what was the pryce Capitulo xxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kyng of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte and that he myghte be keruer afore his doughter Helayne the whiche was accorded to hym Capitulo xxxv ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter made the othe accustomed Capitulo xxxvi ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne cut his fynger in seruynge her
the same AmeÌ„ ¶ Of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castyll and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo i. BYcause that I desyre the hye and notable faytes of ryght noble and ryght valyaunt men of honour and prowesse for to brynge them in to memorye and recommendacyon and also to the ende that all noble and vertuous hertes may be moued and styred for to do well in lykewyse as our predecessours hath done afore vs and in especyall they of the whiche this present hystorye treateth of ¶ I fynde wryten that after the dethe of the ryghte noble and valyaunt lorde and prynce Carlemayne the grete Emperour and Kynge of Fraunce after that he hadde subduâ—d brought vnder his obeyssaunce in to our holy crysteÌ„ fayth the Spanyerdes ¶ There was a kynge in Castyll yâ— whiche was a ryght puyssaunt prynce that was moche beloued of all his subgectes that at that tyme was depryued of the ryght heurous felycyte that is in maryage whiche is to haue lygnage and generacyon for the whiche cause all his subgectes were gretely at my sease for they desyred no thynge soo moche as to se an heyre of his body that myght be successour of the realme after yâ— decease of this good kynge His wyfe the whiche was the doughter of the kynge of Galyce that was a fayre lady and a vertuous amonge her prayers and orysons that she maâ—e so our lorde forgate not to requyre hym by his debonaâ—e clemense that he wolde sende her a chylde to the ende that the countree abode not with out an heryâ—ouâ— Our lorde Ihesu cryst herynge the request that this good quene made to hym forgaâ—e her no◠〈◊〉 in shâ—â—te tyme after she conceyued and whan terme was come she was delyuered of a fayre sone of the whiche the kynge and all his subgectes were gretely reioysce but theyr Ioye was soone turned to sorow for the quenchad trauaylled so sore yâ— she lyued not two houres after the byrth of her sone the whiche was grete dyspleasure to the kynge that loued her so moche And certaynly he had good cause neuerthelesse he was not lefte alone makynge that sorowe for all his subgectes bare hym company ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and how his moder was borne to be buryed And how the Embassadours were transmysed in to Alâ—arbe for to mary the kynge agayne Capitulo ii AFter the coÌ„playntes innumerable of the kynge and of his subgectes yâ— quene was layd on bere and for to gyue comforte they ordeyned that the chylde sholde be borne to be baptysed with the corps of the quene And soo it was done in grete lamentacyons and the chylde was named Olyuer and after that yâ— seruyce was fynysshed the kynge retorned in to his palays in the which palays he demeaned his sorowe by longe space of tyme and he toke no comforte but in his ryght amyable sone Olyuer And in kyssynge hym oftentymes he sayd vnto hym Alas my dere sone thy natyuyte hathe torned me to grete Ioye and also vnto grete trystesse and dolour but in all humylyte I beseche our lorde that he haue mercy on thy moders soulâ— And that he gyue the grace that thou mayst be suche one as my herte doth requyre In suche wordes and semblables he complayned hym often vpoÌ„ his felowe and spouse that he hadde soo feruently loued The noble men of his courte and also other of the realme were ryght dolaunt bycause that as them semed the kynge was becomen all desolate and not soo famylyer with them as he had ben accustomed afore the dethe of the quene wherfore they sayd that the kynges lamentynge endured ouer longe wherfore it is expedyent to vs for to take aduyse in what maner we may cause hym for to cesse it for he must put it out of his memorye for he is yet yonge lusty ynough for to haue ê“geny chyldren there is nothynge yâ— may cause hym so sone for to â—esse his sorowe and make hym Iocounde as to mary hym vnto some yonge lady â—where as he maye take his pleasure and delyte in al gladnesse These wordes were not sayd alonly in this absence but also in his presence for they that were moost couersaunt with his persone declared it often vnto hym and exhorted hym for to be maryed yf that they myght fynde one that were acceptable for the dygnyte At that tyme the kyng of Algarbe was deed and his wyfe was abyden wydowe the whiche was one of the moost excellentest ladyes at that tyme of the worlde the whiche had a sone by her ryghtfull lorde and husbande that was named Arthur the which was a meruaylous fayre chylde and Olyuer he were bothe of one aege The kynge of Castyll had ben aduertysed of the beaute of the quene of Algarbe wherfore he sente his Ambassatours for to haue her to his quene yâ— whiche Embassatours whan they were comen theder were receyued with grete tryumphe and honoure in so moche that shortly after she was accorded to them by the lordes of the realme as ye shall here Whan they were brought in the presence of the quene and her counsayll they declared the cause of theyr comynge yâ— whiche was gladly herde bothe of her kynnesmen and the other barons and after that the Embassatours hadde rehersed that the whiche they had in commaundement by theyr lorde and kynge they with drewe them in to theyr lodges with whome wente many knyghtes and squyres for to conueye them ¶ How the maryage was treated bytwene the kyng of Castyll Olyuers fader and the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder Capitulo iii. AS the quene sawe her accompanyed 〈◊〉 moost parte of her frendes And them that she moost trusted in sayd Lordes ye knowe the cause wherfore the kynge of Caâ—â—yll hathe seÌ„te his Embassadours hether wherfore I prarye you for 〈…〉 in this mater for I am she that by our good counsayll wyll be agreable to do that the whiche ye shall determyne These worâ—s fynysshed she toke 〈◊〉 and wente in to her chambre and leue them alone with that mater And fyâ—â—â—ly they were all of ouâ— accorde that the maryage sholde be made And retorned towarde the 〈◊〉 sâ—ynge that as them thought there was but 〈◊〉 prynces of more auctoryte than the kynge of Castyâ—l was wherfore she myght not be lyghtly better bestowed And in effecte they shewed her the yonge aege that she was yet in and also thâ— tendre aege of her sone Wherfore they counsaylled her that she sholde accepte the request of the Kynge of Castyll The quene answered my frendes I haue tolde you yet dothe that your good counsayll and 〈◊〉 â—s well my wyll And therfore make the responce and answere to the Embassadours on 〈◊〉 suche as â—e shall thynke moost expedyent 〈◊〉 I shall 〈…〉 And then they thanked her and 〈…〉 fyue or syxe of the moost notablest 〈◊〉 whiche were chosen for to gyue the answere 〈…〉 of yâ— kynge of Castyll And whaâ— that they were comâ—n to
was force to the knyghtes and squyres for to withdrawe them aparte for to make place to the ladâ—es and gentylwomen to the ende that they myght se hym the better at theyr cases And there was but fewe of them that were for to marye but that they thoughte within theymselfe and wolde that Olyuer had conquered them by force of armes as well as he hadde done yâ— fayre Helayne ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commysed and the counsayll of the kyÌ„ge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capi. xxxii ALytell whyle after these thynges dâ—uyseâ— the tables were spredde and incontynente as all thynge was redy yâ— trompettes blewe for water to wasshe theyr handes And then the kyÌ„ge and his doughter wasshed and all the other lordes in generall And the Kynge made to enquere of Olyuer of his kyÌ„ne and what he was and of what marches to the ende that yâ— honour were done to hym after his estate He answered to them that demaunded hym that he was a poore knyght of Spayne not of a hye place There was not one neyther the kyng nor the other but that men semed well by his physâ—amye that he was of a good house and that also without grete puyssaunce he coude not haue furnysshed the habyllementes that they had sene hym haue durynge the fâ—â—st Whan tyme was the kynge satte hym downe at the table and with hym all the grete lordes and ladyes reserued Helayne that was sette vp on hye in the myddes of a table that was eleuate to the ende that she myght be sene of all theym in the halle At the ryght syde were the prynces Iuges set at the same table and on the other syde were the .x. pryncesses at the same table Olyuer wolde not sytten downe at the kynges stable Notwithstandynge he was prayed so moche and commaunded that it was force for hym to obeye There was other tables without nombre where as the other knyghtes and ladyes were sette Who that wolde deuyse to you the seruyce and the mysteryes that was there it sholde be to longe to recouÌ„te it There was no mete that replenysshed theÌ„ so sone as to beholde the excellent Helayne she was the repose of the wery and the couragynge of the valyaunt And there was not one but that they thought that god hadde made her for to shewe his hyghe puyssauÌ„ce This feest dured so longe tyll that it was tyme to vnserue there was none of them all that thought other thynge saue to make good chere and also they were not requyred otherwyse The tables taken awaye graces gyueÌ„ to our lorde of his goodnes the daunces began and incontynent the .x. prynces and the .x. pryncesses withdrewe them a parte in to a lytel chambre for to knowe who had done best and they were in grete plete The one helde with the kynges sone of Scotlande and the other 〈◊〉 the erle of Flaundres the other with the good duke of Somerset But the moost parte helde with Olyuer In suche wyse that there was none of theym but that they gaue theyr voyce to Olyuer whan the kynge thought that they myght well haue done he habandonned the daunces and came towarde them demaunded theym what thynge that they had done One of theym kneled downe sayd Our souerayne lorde ye haue of your gode grace commysed vs for to saye frâ—ly the trouthe Also we haue made our othe that we shall not take regarde to the magnyfycence of the lygnagâ— nor lordshyppe And vs semeth that the best doer of all this assemble hathe ben Olyuer not for one daye alonely but for all the the dayes we sawe neuer knyght do suche dedes of armes as he hathe done therfore we aduertyse you therof for to do therwith your good pleasure The kynge answered and sayd My fayre cosyns and my good frendes and you my fayre ladyes here presente I here well ynoughe what ye haue sayd and knoweth that it sholde be agaynst reason to take yâ— pryce from hym yâ— hathe deseruyd it And truely who had axed me myn aduyseâ— wolde haue sayd the same that ye haue tolde me but foâ— all that ye ought to knowe that this is not a lytell thynâ— For he that wynneth the pryce wynneth my doughter and coÌ„sequently all my realme for to be kynge ouer yoâ— al after my decease And bycause that ye gyue the pryâ—â— to a straunger vnknowen of vs all I wolde vnder corâ—reccyon soo it that seme you good that he were aduertyseâ— of this thynge by one of you and how the pryce shall bâ— gyuen to hym And he the whiche shall aduertyse hym maye saye also to hym that I am delybered for to make vnto hym a request that is for to knowe that he were coÌ„tente for to abyde a yere in my courte afore that my fayre doughter Helayne be gyuen vnto hym for to knowâ— his mures and condycyons And also I shall promysâ— hym by the fayth that I owe to knyghthode that durynge that tyme I shall not mary her yf that he be a man worthy her that I knowe none other thyng thaÌ„ I do tyll this present tyme that whiche he hathe wonne shall not be taken from hym And also I shall put in doubte ryght grete lordes that beÌ„ here and yf that I gaue her to hym in theyr presence they myght coÌ„spyre some euyl agaynst his persâ—ne wherby ryght grete inconuenyentes myght come to hym and there is myn aduyse WhaÌ„ the kynge hadde fynysshed his wordes they withdrewe themselâ—e a parte And founde in counsayll that the kynge had sayd ryght well and sayd it sholde be wel done to knowe Olyuers wyll afore that the request were made on hyghe Bycause that it sholde be shame to the Kynge yf it were not vnto hym accorded Thus there is no thyÌ„ge but good and the kynge hathe no wronge to knowe afore the loue ¶ How the kynge of Englande came towarde his fayre doughter for to demaunde her to whome her semed that the pryce ought to be gyuen and of her answers Capitulo xxxiii ONe of the prynces was ordeyned to speke to Olyuer wherfore he came in to the hall where as the ladyes were and â—oke Olyuer aparte and sayd to hyÌ„ all that ye haue her â—e afore Olyuer had alwaye doubte of yâ— thynge by cause of the grete multytude of lordes that were there to whome hyÌ„ thought they wolde soner applye than to hym thought as well that yf he were not contente that it sholde be force to hym wherfore he answered to the prynce My lorde ye mocke with me for I haue not deserued the honour that ye do to me but and ye speke in sadnesse and that it please the kynge to make to me a request as I here you saye I tell you that it is no prayer but his commaundement to the whiche I wyll not dysobeye and sayd no more nor the lorde also but retorned towarde the kyÌ„ge and aduertysed hym
of that whiche he hadde founden in Olyuer and sayd that he founde neuer a more dyscreter maÌ„ nor more worthy and that he was dygne of moche good And the Kynge was ryght Ioyous of that reporte and began for to tell in what maner he wolde that the pryce were gyuen and who sholde bere it and tolde them that he wolde make them haue knowlege the houre that the pryce sholde he gyuen And then he departed and came to the daunces where as he founde his doughter yâ— whiche he toke by the haÌ„de and sayd to her My fayre doughter ye muste tell me to whiche of these lordes that ye haue sâ—ue here ye haue best wyll to whiche hathe done beste by your aduyse My lorde my fader I haue no more wyll to one thaÌ„ to an other Ye be my fader reason it is that I obey to you for your pleasure is myne and also me thyÌ„keth that they haue all done so well that none can amende it Then the kynge demaunded her yf that she wolde be as well coÌ„tente yf Olyuer hadde the pryce as yf a gretter lorde had it She answered it is a fayre thyÌ„ge to do ryghte to euery body Ye be wyse and knoweth what ye haue to do The kyÌ„ge whiche was dyscrete sente for yâ— pryce yâ— whiche was brought in the maner that foloweth ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what it was Capitulo xxxiiii THere came fyrste many torches and offycers for to make place After came a Kynge of armes rychely clothed holdyÌ„gâ— on hyghe with bothe his haÌ„des a grete and massysse cheyne of golde charged enryched with precyous stones After hym came two fayre ladyes clothed in lyke habyllementes the whiche became them so well that it was a pleasauÌ„t syght to beholde them These ladyes were accompanyed with four knyghtes clothed in lyke wyse and eche of the ladyes were on the ryght hande of two knyghtes And in suche estate they came afore yâ— kyÌ„ges persone to whome they dyde the reuerence as it apperteyned And theÌ„ they demaunded hym yf it were his good pleasure that the pryce were gyuen And he answered ye Then they began to walke aboute the halle and came to the place where as Olyuer was hydde amonge the prece To whome the Kynge of armes sayd that he sholde come forth and that it was to hym that they wolde speke and after that he was comen forth the kynge of armes sayd to hym in this wyse CarbuÌ„cle and gemme of all prowesse and hardynesse the kyÌ„ge our souerayne lorde and the ladyes of this company by the grete and hyghe faytes of armes that in you hath beÌ„ shewed and comen to theyr knowlege dothe presente to you this noble cheyne in gyuynge you the pryce of the thre dayes with tryumphe and glorye aboue al them that theder hathe ben comen or founde them there I make you no meÌ„syon of my ryght redoubted maystresse and lady Helayne bycause that the Kynge my souerayne lorde make yâ— to you a request that is that the ryght that ye can demauÌ„de of her by the crye that was publysshed by his coÌ„maundement that it wyll please you for to be coÌ„tente 〈…〉 dyfferre and abyde vntyl a yere be passed And he dothe promyse you that enduryng that whyle my lady Helayne his doughtâ—â— shall not be maryed and then he shall do so moche towarde you that ye shall be well contente For she shall be appareylled for you euen as she sholde be at this presente tyme for he wolde not take fro you for no thynge that the whiche ye haue deserued Oliuer with a symple voyce all rubycuÌ„de answered that he had not deserued the honour that they presented hym but syth that it was the kynges good pleasure and the lordes and ladyes he sholde be a grete fole and mysproude to refuse it As for the surplus touchynge the kynges requestes he answered that his requestes were coÌ„mauÌ„dementes in praynge yf that he had wonne ony thynge that it sholde not be taken from hym For he was well in wyll for to take it yf it fell to hym This notwithstandynge he was well contente that the kynges wyll were accomplysshed and to abyde a yere And thanked the kynge and the ladyes that had made hym that present And toke the chayne of golde and put it aboute his neck And then they demauÌ„ded hym his name and surname he made hymself Olyuer but he sayd that his surname myght not be knowen at that present tyme. And bycause that the heraude coude not tell how to gyue his name in knowlege that the pryce was gyuen to he beganne for to crye in this maner wyse To this blacke rede and whyte knyght the floure of chyualrye that by force of armes hathe obteyned the laste tryumphe of the torneyment hathe ben delyuered the pryce ¶ How Olyuer requyred yâ— kynge of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte that he myght kâ—â—ue afore his doughter the whiche he vttred hym afore all his barons Capitulo xxxv THen was Olyuer ledde afore the kyÌ„ge yâ— whiche he thanked huÌ„bly of the grete honour that he had done to hym without deseruynge and besought hym for to haue alwaye memorye of hym and of his promyse that he hâ—o made hym and to reteyne hym of his courte The kyÌ„ge answered in saynge that he wolde do it with ryghtâ— good wyll that suche estate as he wolde demaunde sholde be delyuered hym and with that that he sholde not fere hym but that he wolde haue me morye of hym that bycause of the pryce that was his he sholde lese nothynge Syr sayd Olyuer I can not tel you how ye vnderstande it truely I can nothynge lese of what wherof I had neuer nothynge but I holde you for so valyaunt that ye wyll not go agaynst your worde ye gyue me for to chese and take suche estate as shal please me wherfore I thanke you ¶ And therfore I praye you that ye wyll be coÌ„tente that I be squyre keruer afore my lady your doughter And the Kynge answered in refusynge hym and sayd that his doughter was not accustomed for to be serued of a knyght Notwithstandynge he requyred and prayed so moche that the kynge was coÌ„tente that his wyll were fulfylled Neuerthelesse that he was worthy to haue had a gretter estate than that Then he made hym to ryse and toke hym by the haÌ„de ledde hym towarde his doughter and then commaunded her that she sholde kysse hym bycause that hym semed that Olyuer had well deserued it and at the leest yf that he had no more honour but that for to content hyÌ„ the better The fayre Helayne in accomplysshynge the wyll of the Kynge her fader toke Olyuer by yâ— hande yâ— was alredy on his knee and kyssed hym in touchyÌ„ge her mouthe agaynst his This kysse thrugh perced yâ— herte of Olyuer and his entraylles and entred and lodged in the moost secretest place
for hym durynge his maladye wherof Olyuer had his heed dyuers tymes sore troubled ¶ It happened vpon a whytsontyde on the whiche daye he helde open courte And there was the moost parte of the lordes of Englande assembled euen so as he was at dyner and his doughter sette besyde hym came a messanger afore the table the whiche began for to saye That same god all puyssaunt that gouerneth all thynges gyue honoure and glorye good aduenture to the hyghe and puyssaunt prynces my souerayne lordes the seuen kynges of Irlande by whome I am sente hether and that he confounde the crowne of Englande the whiche is not worthy to be named Kynge Now herken tyraunt what I haue in charge for to saye to the by the kynges of Irlande They sende the worde by me and defyeth the of fyre and bloode and that they wyll depose the of thy realme as he that is not worthy for to holde it Some of them hathe ben comen to thy courte for to knowe more playnly thy gouernynge wheras they haue apperceyued thy grete crude lyte and tyrannye and howe that by thy synguler and dampnable wyll hathe accomplysshed thy tyrannye on colde bloode withouten ony cause reasonable wherfore thou arte cause of the effusyon of blode humayne and of the semblable crysten And therfore take heede to that whiche thou hast to do For I tell the that they ben alredy descended on thy grounde and shall do suche Iustyce on the as apperteyneth ¶ How Olyuer after that the messanger hadde fynysshed his wordes requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men of armes and that he wolde goo agaynst them the whiche was vttred vpoÌ„ hym with a good wyll Capitulo xl FYnysshed the wordes of the messanger the kynge enclyned his heed and sone after lyft it vp agayne and began to rolle his eyen to bende his browes in suche wyse that here sembled a man extracte oute of his mynde Whan the messenger sawe the kynge make suche chere he wolde with a good wyll haue ben in his moders bely There was none that answered for the courte at that tyme was to troubled that it was grete meruayll to beholde it for all they in the halle kepte scylence and sayd neuer a worde Whan the valyaunt Olyuer sawe all the companye so sore abasshed for so lytel a thynge as hym semed he sette hymselfe on his knees before the kynges persone and all ashamed beganne for to speke and sayd Ryght myghtye Emperour redouâ—ted syr I beseche you that your ryall mayeste be not dysmayed agaynste me yf that I auaunce me to speke soner than I oughte to do Syr ye haue herde the iniuryes that these caytyfs kynges of Irlande hathe unposed on you by the saynge of the herauldes And for bycause that I knowe you soo valyaunt and so puyssauÌ„t and with that that ye hadde leuer deye than it sholde abyde thus without vengynge you on your enemyes that alredy ben entred in to your realme wherfore I supplye me in all humylyte that vnto me yonge man notwithstandynge that I am not dygne and that I haue lytell sene vnto this present tyme that ye wyll do me that honoure for to gyue me a certayne nombre of men of armes suche as your good pleasure shal be and that ye shall fynde by the delyberacyon of your good counsayll for to go agaynste these vnhappy folke that withoute cause wyl vsurpe youe lordshyppe ¶ The kynge answered vnto Olyuer and sayd Olyuer I shall counsayll me on the request that ye make to me after dyner and after I shall make you to knowe my wyll And then he commaunded that the messaunger of the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette to dyner And soo it was done WhaÌ„ the kynge was rysen from the table he assembled his counsayll And then was gyuen an answere to the messanger that he sholde saye to his maysters that they myght be well sure that the Kynge doubted theym but lytell and that he hadde good wyll for to kepe his herytage that yf they myghte wynneâ—â— that it sholde be theyres but by the pleasure of god it sholde not happen so and then they gaue some gyfte vnto the messanger And then the sayd messanger departed and retorned towarde the kynges of IrlaÌ„de that alredy were entred into the realme of Englande to whome he tolde the answere that he had receyued And then yâ— kynge of Englande accorded to Olyuer his request for the grete valyauntnesse yâ— he had sene hym do afore tymes And gaue to hym .x. thousande men of armes the whiche comen he toke leue of the kynge and the kynge gaue hym foure thousande nobles at his departynge the whiche Olyuer toke in good thanke But afore that he departed from the cyte he dystrybued it vnto the poore men of armes that had nede therof and more to and he dyde soo moche that they spake of nothynge but of his grete largesse wherfore he gate the loue of euery body And in yâ— maner departed after that he had taken leue of his may stresse the whiche commaunded hym vnto god And he spedde hym so well on his Iourneye that he came with in thre myle of his enemyes And whan it came to theyr knowlege they reysed vp theyr syege that they had layde aboute a stronge place and putte theym all vpon a playne in fayre ordenaunce redy to abyde bataylle Olyuer in lyke wyse prayed and requyred all his men for to do well in shewynge theym that they sholde haue more honoure without comparyson yf ony good aduenture happened them than yf the kynge were there in his persone and eche of them promysed to do his deuoyre And in that good wyll they approched so nere theyr enemyes that they myght se them clerely the whiche were foure agaynst one man But they were not men of suche chap for the moost parte were comune men and euyll armed at all poyntes ¶ How Olyuer after that he was departed from London in armes came afore a towne that was besyeged of the IrysshemeÌ„ and how he fought with them and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xlj RYght so as these two hoostes approched to gyder ye myght haue herde suche a noyse that it was hydeous to here and whan it came to the strokes gyuynge ye sholde haue sene sheldes câ—ouen and helmes hauberkes brokeÌ„ stedes and knyghtes smyten downe hedes and armes cut of and many one pulled downe that neuer rose after Olyuer wente thrughe the batayll maulgre all his enemyes and dyde suche dedes of armes that he made hym to be knowen within a lytell stounde of euery body wherfore they fledde afore hym and made hym waye For all that he hytte he smote downe none can not reherse vnto you the meruaylous strokes that he gaue for bothe his frendes and his enemyes were all abasshed to beholde them He escryed as hye as he myght yf the kynges of Irlande be here I shall make them crownes One of the kynges of Irlande
his chambre he remeuyd not from his place yâ— other bowyÌ„ge theyr knees lowe ynoughe And whan they approched nere the kynge the kynge toke of his hatte and in marchynge thre or foure paas agaynst them sayd that they were ryght welcome And whan he had salued theÌ„ all he began for to deuyse with them of dyuers thyngâ—s pleasaunt withoute makynge ony mencyon of warre And so longe they were in these deuyses that the houre of souper was comen and the water blowen The Kynge of Englande had ordeyned that thre tables sholde be sette in the halle One more eleuate and hygher thaÌ„ the other And at that table the kynge satte hym downe and commaunded Olyuer for to sytte with hym the whiche durst not dysobeye the kynges commaundement And therfore all ashamed he satte hyÌ„ downe and there was no moo After he commaunded that the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette The mayster coÌ„troller that knewe well ynoughe what he sholde do made them for to sytte at the seconde table and all the other prynces the which were without nombre satte at the thyrde table and were ryght sumptuously seruyd ¶ How the kynge of Englande gaue his fayre doughter vnto Olyuer in guerdon and rewarde of the hye seruyces that he had done to hym Capitulo xlvij RYght as they hadde souped and that the tables were taken vp graces rendred vnto god the kynge coÌ„maunded for to go fetche his fayre dougter Helayne to the ende that the dauÌ„ces were begonneÌ„ And the noble valyaunt knyght Olyuer wente for to fetche his goodly and excelleut maystres And whan that she was comen and that she had salued her fader she salued after the seuen kynges euen so as she coude full well do it and the other lordes ensewynge Then were the daunces begon the whiche the kynge behelde gladly And in beholdyÌ„ge Olyuer dauÌ„ce he thought in hym selfe how it sholde be possyble for to rendre to hym the guerdon of his seruyce And thoughte soo moche that a more gretter thynge he myghte not gyue hym than his doughter that afore he had woÌ„ne by force of armes but bycause that he hadde taken her from hym paraueÌ„ture he wolde haue dysdayne for to take her agayne wherfore he concluded for to speke to hym after the dauÌ„ces in the presence of all them that were there or that wolde be there And euen soo as he had thought it he dyde it And whan all was faylled and that his doughter was comen for to gyue hym good nyghte He made to be sayd to her that whan she sholde be in her chaÌ„bre that she sholde not hye her vnto bedde The whiche dyde euen so After he called Olyuer in the presence of the kynges of Irlande and of the other prynces and lordes that were there Olyuer my frende I begyn for to haue knowlege of my caas and how that of longe tyme I haue with holdeÌ„ that whiche ought to be yours that is my doughter That the whiche dyde moue me therto was bycause that I knewe not so playnly your estate as I do nowe But truely and Helayne were quene of all the worlde I wolde thynke her wel bestowed onyou as to the moost valyauntest knyght of the worlde Thus I then knowynge all these thynges shall gyue to you the moost derest thynge that I haue yâ— is my doughter yf it please you for to take her to your wyfe Wherby after my deth ye may be kynge of Englande the whiche wolde be ryght happy to haue suche a lorde TheÌ„ fynysshed the kyng his wordes Whan Olyuer sawe that the kynge had fynysshed his wordes he sette hym on bothe his knees and began to saye these wordes Ryght honourable lorde truely there is no seruyce but of a kynge for I may wel auaunte me that with lytell deseruynge I haue the gretest guerdon that euer hadde man wherof I gyue louynges to god and to you graces and thankes nor neuer poore man as I am hadde the hondrethe parte of the honour that ye do to me I praye to god that he gyue me grace to deserue it vnto your hyghnesse For by you my name shall be chaunged and they that shall here speke of this mater shall name me the seruaunte hyghly guerdonned ¶ How the kynge made Olyuer for to aryse that was on his knees and of the gracyous wordes that he sayd to his daughter and how Olyuer handfest her Capitulo xlviij THen the kynge commaunded Olyuer for to aryse and sente for his doughter And whan she was comen he toke her by the hande and leddeher to hym and sayd My frende se here my doughter that I gyue you to your wyfe in acquytynge my promesse Olyuer thanked hym ryghte humblye The poore Helayne that of al this knewe nothynge was more abasshed than euer she had ben afore and began for to chaunge coloure wherby her beaute was nor mynysshed Whan the kyng sawe her in that estate he sayd to her My ryght dere doughter I haue all troubled you as semeth me whaÌ„ I haue gyueÌ„ you to a man without knowynge your wyll But by the helpe of god he shall do nothynge to you but that ye may well suffre and endure as I deme Then Olyuer began for to laughe at the wordes that the kynge had sayd Wherfore Helayne was more ashamed than she had ben afore The archebysshop that was in the halle dyde handfeste them Then began for to speke by the kynges commaundement an auâ—cyent knyght the whiche adressyd his wordes vnto the kynges of Irlande and sayd to them that the kynge his souerayne lorde for the loue of the solemp nyte that sholde be on the morowe and also for the loue of Olyuer he was contente to rendre to them theyr realmes quyte theyr raunsons and sende them agayne in to theyr countrees without ony dommage by suche moyen that eche of them sholde do hym homage and holde of hym theyr landes With this that as often as yâ— kynges good pleasure sholde be for to sende for theÌ„ in warre or in peas that they sholde come and serue hyÌ„ And fro thens forth to holde hym for theyr souerayne lorde They knowynge that of two euylles it is the beste to eschewe the worste accorded to the kynges request dyd homage vnto the kynge of Englande ¶ And after these thynges and that they had daunced ones aboute for the espousayles euery body wente to bedde but Olyuer slepte not that nyght but watched al that nyght as he yâ— wolde with a good wyll haue ben a daye elder thanked god of his goodnes For hym semyd that he was lyfte out of his euyll adueÌ„ture and so passed the nyght And whan the daye was comen and that it was tyme for hym to aryse the kynge that knewe well ynoughe that Olyuer coude not haue his gownes made so soone sente hym thre or foure gownes of clothe of golde beten And whaÌ„ Olyuer was apparaylled all the prynces and lordes came and fetched hym and fyue kynges of
Irlande came and the other twayne abode for to accompany the fayre Helayne ¶ How Olyuer wedded the fayre Helayne and of yâ— solempnyte of the espousaylles Capitulo xlix RYght sone after that all these thynges were redy Olyuer came in to the courte accoÌ„panyed as ye haue herde afore wente to the portall of the chapell where as he fouÌ„de the Arche bysshop redy They hadde not beÌ„ loÌ„ge there whan that they herde comynge to them grete foyson of trompettes and mynstrelles and began for to sowne and come to warde the chapell after them and there came dyuers kynges and herauldes of armes and after came the Usshers And after theym then came Helayne aourned as it apperteyneth to a bryde and to a lady of so ryall a lygnage She was accompanyed of dyuers ladyes and damoyselles that folowed her And with this she was on the ryght hande of two kynges And came a softe paas vnto the place where as Olyuer abode her And they hadde not ben longe there whan the kynge came at whose comynge they were wedded The seruyce was done The tables were layde then they set them to dyner after that the ladyes were retorned frome the chambres Who that wolde deuyse to you the scruyce of the sayd dyner the gyftes that were gyuen as well on the one sydâ— as on the other it sholde be to longe a thynge to recouÌ„te The yonge men of the kynges courte that neuer were dyfferent to no thynge that was for Iustes made crye a Iustynge for the after dyner where as the ladyes were Also a torneyment was cryed .xvj. agaynst xvi that was a ryght fayre syght to se. Olyuer Iusted not bycause he sholde not be defouled to the ende that he sholde be fresshe for to daunce at nyghte but he was mouÌ„ted on a grete courser and dyde meruaylles He serued one of the kynges of Irlande that for to do hym honoure Iusted and foure of the other also And dyde soo well that twayne of the fyue had the pryce one within and the other without And it was gyuen theym or that they departed from the tyltes as they that hadde done best And after that euery body was comeÌ„ to the courte the ladyes were clothed in newe gownes And then they wente to the banquet that was alredy apparaylled Yf they were well seruyd it is no nede to demaunde it For there was neuer a fayrer feest in England after that of the grete torneyment that had ben afore And whan it was after the banquet the daunces began and Olyuer ledde the fayre Helayne at the daunces that euery body sawe gladly For all the worlde sayd that they had neuer sene a more fayrer couple of folke togyder After that yâ— daunces had endured a longe space of tyme the farre noble Helayne was ledde vnto bedde And then wyne spyces were broughte The whiche Olyuer abode not For he was alredy in his chambre where as he dysabylled hym And whan he knewe that the bryde was a bed incontynâ—nt he put hym on the waye towarde the chambre And whan he was there he chased all the ladyes out excepte one And came towarde the table where as the banquet was on and kest it to the erthe to the ende that he shoâ—de not be awaked then he came to the dore and locked it and wente to bedde to her that of longe tyme he hadde loued she hated hym not wherfore they were the better contente togyder and of the surplus I holde my peas But the hystorye sayth that vpon that same nyght they engendred a chylde male the whiche dydde sythe moche good and exalted our crysteÌ„ fayth agaynst the sarasyns in vengynge the dethe of our lorde Ihesucryst ¶ How Olyuer was vertuous in appesynge stryfes and noyses and how his wyfe was greâ—e with a sone the whiche was named HeÌ„ry Capitulo L. WHan it came to the kynges knowlege that Olyuer had casten downe the table yâ— the baÌ„ker was on he began for to laughe And sayd yâ— he had ryght well wrought wherfore no body wolde not medle for to entre in yâ— chambre was not awaked of no body vnto the moro we at a .xi. of the clocke and yâ— the kynge had dyned the whiche came vnto the chambre dore and beganne for to call them and sayd that it was daye tyme for to ryse Olyuer the whiche slepte not came in his sherte and opened the dore to the kynge the whiche entred alone and came vnto his doughters bedde where as he coÌ„forted her as well as he myght In saynge yâ— he knewe it well of longe ago that she was to yonge for to slepe with the meÌ„ The whiche answered nothynge vnto hym for ony thyÌ„ge that he coude doo Wherfore he toke leue of her sayd to her that she was euyll contente with hym sythe that she wolde not speke to hyÌ„ After that he was departed the ladyes came and toke her vp Thenne whan she was redy she wente to masse but this was not without foyson of regardes of dyuers lordes and ladyes the whiche with one accorde Iuged yâ— she halted not The masse was sayd and the dyner passed the whiche was ryghte plenteuous of all goodes And the kynge helde open courte by the space of .xv. dayes after the whiche all the lordes toke leue of hym And the kyng abode in his symple estate reserued that Olyuer had his estate as a kynges sone and reteyned dyuers gentylmen of his courte The kynges of Irlande toke theyr leue for to retorne home In offrynge them alwaye at the kynges pleasure Olyuers for god had gyuen hym suche grace that euery body loued hym The debates and dyscordes amonge the gentylmen Olyuer appeased to his power The poore knyghtes by his largesse were made ryche He was the defendour of wydowes and Orphelyns and to his power to all dyscomforted and dyssolute he gaue comforte and couÌ„sayll Shortly all vertues that were possyble to be in a mannes mortall body florysshed in this ryght valyaunt and gentyll knyght in suche wyse that euery body louyd hym blessyd his comynge And helde the kynge for wyse and prudent that so sone coude knowe his coÌ„dycyons and that he had so kepte his doughter to mary her so vertuously without thyÌ„kynge on couetyse so the kynge lyued in grete ease within his courte in grete louyÌ„ge and glorye without And was so moche fered and redoubted that none durst do hym dyspleasure but was mayster and lorde of all his neyghbours The fayr good Helayne that was with chylde was not of lesse recommendacyon ayenst her for all vertues that a woman ought for to haue habounded in her It happened that after that she had borne her terme she was delyuered of a payre sone the whiche was named at the fonte stone Henry And this chylde gaue so moche Ioye to the kynge and to all them of the realme yâ— it was metuayll But that same chylde wyst and knewe that he ought yet to be the moost
thynke that I am comen for your aledgemente Then he alyghted of his hors and fatte hym downe on the erthe besyde hym drewe out of his purse a boxe of golde full of precyous oyntementes with the whiche oyntement he anoynted and touched all his wouÌ„des and gaue hym a rote for to ete And incontyneute as he hadde tasted of it he was as hole and safe as euer he hadde ben Wherfore his medecyne clothed in whyte dyde bydde hym that he sholde thanke god by whome he was sente theder Arthur dyde so as he had coÌ„maunded hym and gaue louynges to god Thenne the whyte man made hym for to mouÌ„te vpon his hors behynde hyÌ„ and sayd to hym that he sholde put hym out of the forest And then in goynge he sayd to hym Kynge of Algarbe I knowe well wherfore that thou arte departed out of thy countree It is for to leke Olyuer of Castylle thy felowe wherfore I shall tell you tydynges Knowe that after his departynge he arryâ—ed in the realme of EnglaÌ„de whereas he hathe gouerned hym so well that by his prowesse he hathe wonne the onely doughter of the kynge the whiche is one of the fayrest ladyes of the worlde but 〈…〉 fortuned to hym for a kynge of Irlande the whiche loued hym not bycause he had slayne his fader hathe taken hym prosoner and hathe put hym in a dongeon where as he suffreth as moche mysery as ony man is possyble for to suffre But haue no doubte of his lyfe For he shall neuer deye vnto the tyme that thou hast casten hym out and yf that I had to counsayll the and yâ— thou wolde byleue me I wolde counsayll the for to goo fyrste to London for to comforte the kynge and his doughter For thou knowest that thou resemblest Olyuer that it is all one thynge wherfore Helayne shall thynâ—â— that thou arte her lorde and shall guarysshe bycause of thy comynge and truely yf that thou haste the not thou shalte neuer se her for she is syke vnto the dethe go and lye with her to the ende that they byleue the better that thou arte Olyuer but beware the well thou thynke not on vylanye nor dysâ—â—onoure for thou sholde offende to gretely And after that thou seest her in yâ— waye of helthe departe the and come vnto this forest for thou shalte here tydynges of me here In these deuyses he ledde hym out of the woode and made hym descende then Arthur sette hym on his knees as afore a holy thynge and than kâ—d hym but incontynent he lost the syght of hym without knowynge where he became ¶ How Arthur by the counsayll of the whyte knyght wente towarde the kynge of Englande at London And of the Ioye that they made hym thykynge that it hadde ben Olyuer Capitulo lviij AS Arthur fouÌ„de hym alone in his waye he thanked god and dyde so moche that he came to the see where as he fouÌ„de a shyp that wente in to Englande and entred in to it whan he was in EnglaÌ„de the fyrst towne yâ— he entred in was Brystowe where as he was knowen for Olyuer And incontynent the tytynges were spred all aboute And some adressyd them vnto London and came and tolde the kynge The whiche whan he knewe it he was so replenysshed with Ioye and his herte soo close with Ioye that he hadde letten hymselfe fall to yâ— erthe yf some of his seruauntes had not susteyned hym but for all that they must bere hym to bedde where as he was a space of tyme without ony knowlege Neuerthelesse he felle a slepe and whan he was awaked he demaunded of them of his chambre yf it were true that Olyuer was alyue and yf he dyde come They answered hym ye wherof he was ryght gladde and thanked god but afore he knewe not whether that they had tolde it hyÌ„ or yf that he had dremed it Thus as they were in these deuyses came a squyre and knocked at the chambre dore that sayd that they sholde axe the kynge yf he wolde see Olyuer the whiche wolde come shortely for he was not more thaÌ„ a myle of The kynge sente sone for his horses and mounted vpon hym for to goo agaynst hym In lyke wyse euery body wente in to the feldes for to se hym that was so moche desyred And whan Arthur apperceyued the people that came agaynst hym the teres were in his eyen and began for to bewayle his feâ—owe And dyde so moche that he approched the kynge and whan yâ— kynge apperceyued hym that he had not sene of thre yere before hym semeth that it is none other but Olyuer and also to al the other of his companye wherfore with bothe his armes abrode he ranne to hym and beganne for to embrace hym so strongly that it was meruayl but he myght not speke one worde to hym And whan that he myght speke he sayd that he was ryght welcome that he had done grete almesse for to retorne and comforte this realmâ— that was so replenysshed with dolour bycause of his departynge Arthur answered to hym My lorde that the whiche hathe ben done was done agaynst my wyll nor other thynge I maye not saye but by the pleasure of god I shall â—yue more Ioye and lyesse vnto this realme bycause of my retornynge than euer there was sorowe for my departyng And am more redyer for to do you seruyce than euer I haue ben Wherof I doo thanke god ¶ How Arthur came and vysyted Helayne the whiche hadde wende that he had ben Olyuer her husbande and of the solempnyte that was made And howe that he laye with her withouten vylanye Capitulo lviij AFter these deuyses Arthur salued the noble men that werein the kyÌ„ges companye and generally al the other but there came so many that it was not possyble for them for to entre in to the cyte Wherfore it was force for them for to brynge a grete and a hye chayre of Cypres vpon the whiche Arthur mounted to the ende that he were sene on euery syde for to contente the people the better Then it was cryed that euery body sholde retorne after Arthur mounted vpon horsbacke And whan he entred in to London none can not deuyse to you the Ioye that was made on euery syde the stretes were hanged ladyes and damoyselles were at the wyÌ„dowes the noyse was so grete that it was meruayll for to here And in sygne of more gretter Ioye bothe more and lesse cryed Te deum laudamus And whan they approched the palays Helayne that was strongly syke herde that noyse where as she laye and demaunded what it was but none durst not tether for fere leest that the sodayne Ioye sholde haue ben to grete Wherfore they abode the maystres that dyde tell a ferre what it was Whan she knewe it wher handes Ioyned vp to heuen she beganne for to than ke god in saynge O redempt our of humayne lygnage I rendre to the graces and thankes whan that afore my dethe I
of his felowe Olyuer made vnto god eueÌ„ so as he had wryten in the lettre and all this to the ende that of them were memorye afterwarde for to knowe the puyssaunce of god and the meruayles that on them he wolde shewe as on his frendes good crysten men and â—or to gyue example vnto the other ¶ Almoche as it toucheth of the fortunes happened vnto Olyuer and Arthur as well on the see as on the laÌ„de it is but a thynge naturall and of semblable happeneth often by the dysposycyon of the weder but that whan yâ— they were presetued from deth that was yâ— wyll of god and thynges myraculous that were shewed on them ¶ To the regarde of the whyte knyght that appered so to Olyuer and gaue hym comforte and ayde in his nedes god had sente hym in rewardyÌ„ge hym in this worlde of yâ— grete goodnesse and werkes of myserycorde that he hadde accomplysshed in procurynge the absolucyon of that same knyght that was holden for accursed ¶ Where as it toucheth that Olyuer was taken by one of the kynges of Irlande and retayned prysoner and after delyuered out of pryson by Arthur god caused all this to the ende that the kynge of Irlande that vniustely and without cause was enemye of his herâ—â— and traytour for alredy by iust warre he had made to hym homage and to the kynge of Englande the whiche put hyÌ„ in his realme agayne abode not vnpunysshed in this same worlde of his euyll and traytourous wyll to the ende that all traytours take ensample by hym and kepe them from falsynge of theyr othe ¶ To the regarde that Arthur coude not be heled but yf he dranke of the blode of two Innocentes sone doughter god had done it and gyueÌ„ it to vnderstande by reuelacyon for to preue yâ— loyalte and true loue of these two felowes as we rede of Abraham that was contente for to make sacrefyce of his soue Ysaac vnto god in lyke wyse Olyuer was soner coÌ„tente to hele his felowe by sleynge of his chyldren than for to se hym deye and it maye be that his chyldren were deed and after reuyued or elles that god couered the murdre and semed to Olyuer that they were deed soo as it semed to the Iewes that Moyses had hornes yet had he none ¶ And asmoche as it toucheth that Olyuer was conteÌ„te for to slee his wyfe the quene for to kepe his promesse vnto the whyte knyght Syr Iohan Talbot to whome he hadde promysed the halfe of his wynnynge at the torneyment he was so grounded and resolued in loyalte yâ— of his promyse he coude not nor durst not excuse hym As we haue of kynge Herode yâ— loued of saynt IohaÌ„ baptyst but yet he wolde kepe his promyse to his doughter and make hym to be byheded than to fayle and breke yâ— fayth of his othe ¶ And bycause that to god is nothynge impossyble he hathe done for oure doctryne dyuers myracles that ben worthy of memorye perpetuall as yâ— hystorye specyfyeth here afore made to the praysynge of god and of his gloryous moder and to the honour of the noble meÌ„ and to the felycyte of all loyall true louers to the example of pacyentes to the hope of the cheualrous and to the ferrylyte and occupacyon of the tyme salutarye Amen ¶ Here endeth the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and of the fayre Helayne doughter vnto the kynge of Englande Inprynted at London in Flete strete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde The yere of oure lorde M. CCCCC and .xviij. W C Wynkyn de Worde