whan Guy charde Richard sawe this they began to make great sorowe For they scratched their visages and pulled their heares And whan Alarde was a litell assured he sayd Ha fayre bretherne Guycharde Richarde now is the day come that we shall die al throughe mortal treason for I know wel tha◠Reynawde hath betrayed vs and certes I wolde neuer haue thought that any treasō should haue entred within so noble a man as he is he made vs come here a yenst our willes and maugre vs bycause he knoweth well the treason Ha Reynawde the Sonne of Aimon of Ardeine and who shal euer truste anye man whan ye that are our brother and that we take for our lorde haue brought vs hither maugre vs to our death and haue betraied vs so falsly O Rychard said Alarde drawe oute youre swerde by god the traytoure shall die with vs. For wel ought the traytoure to die that hathe procured so mortall a treason whan Alarde had sayde this they all three dyd set hande to their swerdes and came to Reinawde for to slea him yrefullye sore an angred as lyons for they trowed for verye certaine that Reynawde had betrayed theim whan Reynawde sawe them come thus he made semblaunte to defend him self but lough at them by greate loue alas said richard what had I thought I woulde not slea my brother for all the good in the worlde and so sayde Alarde and Guychard for they were sore repented of this that they had enterprysed for to doo and they began all for to weep for pitie and cast their swerdes downe to the earthe and kissed Reynawd sore weeping And Alard sayd Ha good Reynawd why haue you betrayed vs so we be nother normanes nor Englishe nor almaines but we be brethren of one rather and of one mother we holde you for our lorde For god brother Reynawde tel vs of whence cometh this treason we ben com of so noble kinne of Gerarde of Roussyllon and of Dron of Nantuell and of the duke Benes of Aygremoūt neuer none of our lignage thought no treason how haue ye doon so that haue procured i◠now ayenst your naturall brethern certes it is a great fault to you BRother sayd Reinawd I haue more greate pitie of you than I haue of mine own selfe for I haue brought you heere ayenst your wyll and if I had beleued you this misehappe had not come to vs. I haue brought you heere I promise you I shal bringe you againe from hens with gods grace Recommende oure selfe to our lorde and thinke for to defende vs wel feare not the death for our worship For ones we muste die withoute fayle But it is good to get worship Brother said richard shall ye helpe vs yea said Reinawd doubt not therof And whan he had that sayd he turned toward the earles and sayde to them fayre lordes the kynge you hathe sente you with vs for to conduyte vs vnder the suertie of you we be com heere to lese our liues And therfore I pray you that ye will helpe vs. Reinawde sayde the earle of Ansom It is not for vs to bargaine heere long but let vs all flee for to saue ourselfe and we may than saide Reinawde by my head ye be all traytours and I shall smite of all your heades Brother said Alard what tary ye so longe for they bene well worthy for to die sith that they ben traitours And whā Rainawde vnderstood that word of his brother he sette hande to his swerde smote the earle of Ansom so great a stroke vpon the head that he cloued hym to the harde teeth and it was well reason for it was he that coūseyled this treason to the kinge you that was the rewarde that he had for the first whan the earle of Ansom was thus slaine the other seuen began to flee and Reinawd tan after but he could not renne fast for his mule was to sore lade of the weyghte of his body so that the beast fel doown vnder him For Reinawd to say the trouth was so bygge made and so greate that no horse might beare him but onely baiarde For as it is said Reinawd had xvi feete of length was wel shape of body after the greatnes THan whan Reynawde saw him self a grounde he stood vp lightlye with his mule and sayd ha Baiard my good horse that I am not on your backe armed of al peces for or euer that I shoulde be ouercome I should sell my death ful dere Alas none ought not to cōplaine my deth sith that I haue purchased it myself Brother said Guychard what shall we doo heere be our enemies euen by vs if ye thinke it good let vs aduenture to passe ouer this ryuer and goe vpon that highe roch and so we shal may saue our self Goe foole goe said Reinawde what saye ye ye wot wel that our mules myght not renne before the horses what shoulde auayle vs for to flee sith that we might not saue our selfe Certes I should not flee for all the worlde I haue leuer die with my worship than I should liue with great shame for he that dieth in fleeing hys soule shal neuer be saued Thus as Reynawde spake to his brother Richarde Alard saide to hym brother Reynawde lette vs lyghte from oure mules a foote and shryue our selfe the one to thother to th ende that we be not ouercome by the deuill Freend said Reynawd ye say well and wisely and they dyd as Alarde had deuised And whan they wer confessed th one to thother Reinawde said to his brethern Lordes let vs doo suche a thing wherof we shall get worshippe sith it is so that we may not scape lette vs kylle thē that come first vpon vs and we shal haue auauntage vpon thother goddes curse haue him that shall feyne himselfe THan whan Alard hearde Reinawde speake thus he colled him with his armes and kissed him al wepīg said to him Brother we bē two two I pray you that th one fail not to help the other as longe that life is in oure bodies Brother saide thother we shal help you with al our might than thei went kissed Reinawd by great loue after whā they had kissed eche other they tooke of their mantelles wrapped them aboute their left armes tooke theyr swerdes in theyr hādes begā to cry called theyr badges tokens Reynawde cried moūtawbā alard saynt nycolas guychard balācon thou gētil Rychard Ardeyn which was the badge or tokē of their father aymō whā Foulques of morillon saw the foure sonnes of Aymō cōming toward hī al vnarmed vpon mules so boldly he was all abasshed of it Than he began to cry sayd Reynawde Reynawd ye are come to your death and I promise you he that moste loueth you hath betrayed you that is the kynge you but haue pacyēce for I shall set to your necke an halter Now haue you not
the Erle of Rames and many other barons gate in by fyne force And whan the Sarasyns saw that the christens were within the citie they put themself so to flyght hyd them within the houses where as they might for to saue theyr lyues and alwayes Reynawde was at the gate for to keep the entre They that were vpon the greate towre of Dauid cryed fast to the other sarasyns that they should shet the gate saâ—â—g that yf the great lurden entred within they should be all lost And whaÌ„ Reinawde saw that a great parte of the christens were within Iherusalem he sayd to Mawgis Cosyn keep wel thys passage and I shall go at another gate for to make it open Cosyn sayd Mawgis goe your way hardelye and doubt nothyng I shall well keep this path Than departed Reinawde accompanyed with many valyaunt Christians and went vnto a nother gate whiche he founde well garnysshed with paynyms but Reynawde thoroughe his prowes put them anon to flyght and gat the gate open Thus as ye heare was doone for all the sarasyns lost theyr lyues and was recouered agayne the Citie of Iherusalem through the greate prowes of the noble Reynawde of Mountawban And whan the admyrall sawe this he wende to haue wexe mad all quicke and fared as he had be out of his witte and cursed his goddes mahowmet Appolyn pulled his heres of his berde and rent all hys raymentes and after he sayd By Apollo the souerayn God yf Thomas helpe me not to saue my lyfe I shall make hym to be slayne incontinent and than he sent for the kyng Thomas and sayd vnto hym Kynge Thomas yee muste chuse of two thinges th one that is that ye must saue my lyfe that I maye goo to percie agayne with two of my men in my felawship or els yee to be now cast out of these wyndowes downe Than sayde the kynge Thomas please you ye shal haue paciente that I may speake with my folke Go on said the admyral to theÌ„ at this wyndow For no ferther yee shal not go and delyuer you lyghtly Than went the kinge Thomas to the windowes saw Reynawde of Mountawban Mawgys come that cam al the formest for to sawte the towre of Dauyd where he was prysoner to the admirall And whaÌ„ he sawe Reynawde and Mawgys the formest of all he knewe them not looked ferther saw the erle of Rames behynde them whiche he knew not well and thaÌ„ he aspied Geffray of Nazareth wherof he was glad whan he saw him and than he begaÌ„ to crye Lorde of Nazareth looke vp to your king that is heere prysoner the admyrall Barbas sendeth you worde that if ye let him not goe sauf into his countrie and realme of pertie wyth two of his men with him he shall caste me nowe downe out of thys windowe Than answered to hym therle of Rames ha good kyng god saue you ye wot well that a good man ought not to make anye lye it is trouth that yesterdaye wee made our gouerner mayster of that lorde that ye see heere afore vs whiche is the best knyght of the worlde and to hym ye must shew your need for wtout hym we may doo nothyng And whan the kyng Thomas vnderstode this tidinge he wexed almoste oute of hys wit for sorow bycause he weÌ„d none other but he should die an euil death Than sayd he to the erle of Rames in great angre Ha erle of Rames haue ye betrayed me so that yee haue made a nother Lorde than me Syr sayde the Erle to hym agayne doubt nothyng for wee haue doone so your ryght and honour is alway saued in this behalfe nor ye shal not lese nothyng of your owne for the good knight hath ynough in frauÌ„ce and ye must know that he hath takeÌ„ this citie he and his felow and take no suspecciyon of hym nor of vs for I am sure he shall doo euyn as yee wil yourself for he is heere for none other cause but for to delyuer you for as soone as he shall haue vysit the holy sepulcre of our lorde he shal goe agayne to Fraunce Than sayd the kynge Thomas lordes how is the knyght named Syr sayd therle of Rames he is called Reynawde of Mountawban the sonne of the Duke Aymon and the best knyght of the worlde For he is suche a knyght that the great kyng Charlemayne might neuer greue hym and yet haue they mayntened the warre .xv. yeres and more the one against thother and so hath he doone so many noble great faytes of armes during the warre that the renoÌ„me therof is flowen ouer al the worlde Erle of Lames sayd the kynge I pray you that ye wyll tell hym in my behalfe this that I haue sayd to Geffray of nazareth syr said therle wyth a good wyll I shall doo so And than he went to Reynawde shewed to him al that the king had sayd Lordes sayd Reinawd we shal not doo so but let vs sawte the towre for at worst fall we shall alwayes wel haue that apoyntement that thadmyral asketh so I tell you yf we sawte wel the towre shal be lyghtly wonne by force of armes we shal deliuer the kinge Thomas at oure owne wyll so shal we slea barbas that thorough treason tooke the citie Syr sayd therle of Rames we shall doo your coÌ„maundement doubt not of it ThaÌ„ commauÌ„ded Reynawd that the towre should be sawted of al sidê made great pleÌ„tie of ladders to be ryghted agaynst it he hymselfe began fyrst to clime vp with his sheeld for to couer him with and after him went Mawgis than therle of Rames after them Geffray of Nazareth wel thyrty knightes mo and men with crosbowes other archers abode byneth for to shoot vpwarde where they saw sarasins looke oute whan thadmirall saw Reynawde that wolde haue come into the towre he was sore aferde so wyst he not what he should doo but ranne to the kinge Thomas caught hym by the necke sayd to hiÌ„ by apollo thou I shall lepe bothe at once out of this window Sir sayd the king kill not your self nor me also for I shall make the sawte to cesse I will wel that ye doo so sayd thadmiral but ye shal come with me So tooke hym by the neck had him to the wyndowe sayd al hye Reynawde of Mountawban I shall angre you for I shall caste the king Thomas downe if ye pardon me not I shall slea my self whim for I may wel die after such a king And whan the duke Riynawde saw that the kyng Thomas hynge thus the head downewarde all redy for to fall he had great pitie of hym said Ha good lorde what shal I doo for if I leue the sawte it shal be greate shame for the towre is almoste taken and of the other part it shal be great mysshape yf the good kinge Thomas take death for it Thê° as
so moche that he brake the great preses and came where Reynawde was And whan Reynawde saw the kynge Yon he sayd to hym Syr be sure and certayne that the Sarasins are discomfited than sayd the kyng Reynawde I am well assured that god shall do me grace through your high prowesse blessed be the houre that ye were borne came into these marches To speake shortly the batayles were assembled of one parte and of the other but whan Borgons sawe the great harme that Reynawde bare to hym of his folke he sayde to hys men we ben ouercomen by the prowesse of these fyue knyghtes Let vs go backe agayne for it is tyme. And whan he had sayde these wordes he and his folke begaÌ„ to flee And whaÌ„ Reynawde saw Borgons that fled he smote Bayarde with the spurres and ranne after him and said to him self that BorgoÌ„s should abide there or els it should coste hym his lyfe Wythin a shorte whyle Reynawde was ferre from hys brethern ferre from his felawship so that they wist not whiche way he drewe Whan that Alarde saw that he wyst not where Reynawde was drawen he sayd to hymselfe Ha god whiche way is my brother drawen to that I am not wyth hym than came there kyng Yon that sayd to them Lordes and knyghtes wel ye know gramercy God that it is not wysdome for to chase ouermoche his enemies for often tymes cometh there a great dommage let vs withdraw vs I pray you syr sayd Alarde what say ye we haue lost Reynawde our brother wot not where he is nor yf he is dead or taken whaÌ„ kyng Yon vnderstode this worde he was full sory and wrothe and they wente and sought amonge the dead men that lay vpon the feelde And whan Alarde sawe he coulde not be found he made great sorowe wyth Guycharde Richarde and Mawgis also And whan the folke of Reynawde saw that he was not found they began to make so great sorowe that it was pitie for to see ALas sayd Alarde what shal I doo I departed fro my lande poore exyled but I dyd not care for it for I wente with the best knyght of the worlde and trowed by the prowesse of hym to haue recouered honour and hauoyre my selfe my bretherne now I haue lost him thorough my defaute Alas my chauÌ„ce what shal we doo fro hens forthou for the erth shal not mow susteyne vs no more But that it shal fouÌ„dre vnder our fete whan the kynge Yon saw the great sorow that the poore knightes made for theyr brother he sayde to them Lordes and knightes what is this that ye doo sith that he is not dead it ought to suffyse you for yf he be take ye shal haue him agayne it should cost me al that I haue in the worlde And also we haue so mani of them prysoners that Borgons shal not doo to hym no harme for nothiÌ„g Syr sayd Alarde let vs go after for goddes sake let vs wyt where he is become Freende sayde the kyng I wil doo so gladly And thaÌ„ they spurred theyr horses and went as fast as theyr horses might renne wit that Alarde Guycharde Richarde Mawgys rode a good pase so moche that it semed that the erthe should haue clouen a sondre vnder them ¶ No â—owill I tel you of Reynawde that went after Borgons so fast as yf the tempest had chased hym and he was gone so ferre in a short while that it is woÌ„der for to hear tel for there was no beast that went afore Bayarde his horse And whan Reynawde had ouertaken Bargons he cryed vpon him as hye as he myght doo Certes Borgons thy horse may no more I see it well and therfore flee no ferther but turne thy self towarde me for yf thou dyed flyeng thou shouldest be shamed whaÌ„ Borgons heard Reynawde speake thus to hym he returned incontinente and whan he saw Reynawde he knew well that it was the good knyght that had dyscomfyted al his folke and sayd to hym Syr knyght go backe agayne and marre not your horse aboute nought for it ye lese him ye shal neuer recouer suche a nother and this he said for to abasshe the good knight Reynawde for he durste not Ioust with him bicause of the great prowes that he had seen in him but Reinawde was not the man that should be made aferde wyth wordes and than Reynawd sayde agayne to him Borgons this worde nedeth not to you for to say for ye must nedes defende your selfe And than he spurred incontynent bayarde and whan Borgons saw that he myght not be delyuered of Reynawde but by Iustyng he spurred his horse and ranne vpon Reynawde as harde as he might smote Reynawde so sharply that the spere wente in peces Reynawde fell not but smote Borgons suche a stroke that he ouerthrew both horse and man to the grounde and wounded borgons in his brest full sore And whan Borgon saw hymselfe at the grounde he rose vp lyghtlye and tooke hys swerde in hys hande and caste his sheelde vpon his head And whan Reynawde perceiued the stroke that he had giuen hym in hys breast he cryed to hym and sayd Certes it shal not be reproched to me that ye fyght wyth me a fote and I on horse backe and with this he lighted down fro bayarde drew out his swerde went against Borgons BorgoÌ„s agaynst hym there began a sharpe batayle and whan the horse of the payneÌ„ felt him selfe fro his mayster he begaÌ„ to reÌ„ne away ouer the feeldes and whan Bayard sawe him renne away he went after and ouertooke hym soone ynough and thaÌ„ he tooke hym by the mane with his teeth and drew hym with so great myght that he brought him agayne to hys mayster in the same place where the two worthy knyghtes fought to gether and Reynawde gaue a stroke to borgons with his swerde vpoÌ„ his shelde and all that the sworde roughte he cut through to the fleshe and well an hundred mayles of his flancardes and made hym a great wounde into the haunce THan whaÌ„ borgons the sarasyn saw that wonderful streÌ„gthe of Reynawde the great strokes that he gaue to him he was sore afrayed and fered least he should die and so he withdrew himselfe a backe and sayd to Reynawde Ha gentyll knyght I pray thee for the loue that thou hast to thy God that thou giue me truce and I shall make the lorde syre of all the I haue in this worlde Certes sayd Reynawde I wyll not doo so for I haue promysed to kyng Yon that I shall helpe hym agaynst all men and he in lykewyse hath promysed me but and yf ye wyll make your selfe christen I shal doo it gladly Syr sayd Borgons I wyll yelde me to you for to no better knyght than ye be I cannot yelde my selfe if ye wyll saue my lyfe and my membres Borgons said Reynawde yf ye wyll yelde you to me ye shall haue no more
couÌ„trey was no towne so wel peopled for there dwelled .v. hundred burgeys al riche men there were wel L. tauerners and xv.c. men of crafte besyde all other folke shortly to speake Mountawban was so well garnysshed and so riche wtin a litle while that it was great meruayle for to see and wyt it that the kyng Yon loued Reynawde with so good a loue for bycause of the greate worthynes of hym that he gaue to hym valerey and all the Lordeshyp that was worthe a thousande marke of good rente moche well set and whan the barons saw them that the kynge loued Reynawde so wel they were wroth for it and had enuye vpon hym and they came to the kynge and sayd to hym syr take wel good heed what ye doo for mouÌ„tawban is ryght stronge so is Reynawde suche a knight that none better is not in all the remenauÌ„t of the worlde and yf it happe by any wise that he be an angred vpon you he shall mow lyghtly beare to you and to all your folke ouer greate dommage Lordes sayd the kyng ye saye trouth but Reynawde is so gentyl so curtoys of himselfe that he shall neuer thynke vpon no trayson nor to no shame in no maner of wyse Syr sayd than an olde knyght that stode before the kyng yf ye wyll beleue me I shall tell you how ye shall alwayes be lorde and mayster aboue Reynawde al the tyme of your life Freend sayd the kyng tell me thys I pray you Syr sayd the knyght gyue him your syster to his wyfe so shall she be well maryed for Reynawde is well a noble gentylmaÌ„ of al foure sydes and therby ye shall be assured that he shal neuer be angry ne wroth with you Freend sayd kynge you ye gyue me good counsell and I shall doo it as ye haue counselled me but I pray you that ye purchase this mater Syr sayd the olde knyght syth that I know your wyll in thys behalfe I shall doo my best for to brynge the matter to a conclusyon effectuel After these wordes thus sayd the king returned agayne to Bordews with ioye deuysyng with the olde knyght of the matter wherof they had spoken togither THe first dai of the moneth of May Reynawde went from his castel of Mountawban to Bordews for to see kyng yon tooke Alarde his bother with hym And whaÌ„ the kyng yon wyste of it he came to hym agaynst receyued Reynawde with great ioye and kyssed hym full sweecely And after the kynge tooke hym by the hand and went vp together to the hall of the palays and so forth to the chambre of parements whyche was hanged right rychelye And than the kyng called for the cheffe for to playe at it with Reynawde And as they were playing together there came in the olde knyght that had charge of the kinge for to make the mariage of Reynawde and of the kynges Syster whyche knyght was called Godefray of Molins whaÌ„ he was come afore the kyng he sayd Heare lordê what I wil tel you to nyght as I was in my bed a slepe me semed that I saw Reynawde the sonne of Aymon that was set hyghe in a chayre and all the people of thys Realme enclyned theymselfe before him And the king gaue to hym a sperhawke mewed full fayre and good and me semed also that than came a great bore out of the woodes that made an horryble noyse so that no bodye durste not aproche nyghe him three men assayled him but they coulde not hurte him and passed by theym And whan Reynawde sawe that he lighted vpon Bayarde and came agaynst him and faught with hym hurted him sore and than I woke out of my sleape and whan the olde knyghte hadde sayde so then rose a doctour that was called bernarde the whych was ryght wise a great clerke and sayd fayre Lordes yf ye lyst to herken I shall expowne declare vnto you the sygnyfycacion of this dreme Wyt it that the chayer where Reynawde sat betokeneth the castell that he hath buylded and the people that bowed hemself towarde hym signifyeth the folke that are come to dwell there And the gyft that the kyng gaue to hym betokeneth that thou king Yon shal gyue him his sister to wyfe the wilde bore sygnyfyeth som great prince christeÌ„ or Paynym that shall come to assayle kynge yon and Reynawde shal defeÌ„de hym by force of armes and the same is the sygnyfication of the dreame of Godfray I indygne for to speake should counsell that the mariage should be doon of Reynawde of the syster of kyng yon For they shal be thus both right well and richely wedded and than the kynge answered thou haste spoken well and wysely Whan the clerke had declared the betokenyng of the dreame of tholde knyght Godfray the kyng yon sayd that touchynge thys maryage the thinge was well agreable vnto hym And whan Reynawde vnderstode thys warde he sayd to the king Syr gramercy of the fayre gift that ye doo to me but and if it please you ye shal haue a lytle pacyence vnto the tyme that I haue counselled with my brethern my cosyn mawgys Brother sayde Alarde ye haue sayd yll What refuse you of the king so great a gift as he giueth you now yf ye wyll beleue me ye shall fulfyll the kynges wyll incontynent for to me and to my bretherne it shall please well And whan the king gaue you not his syster but a symple Damoysell yet ought you to beleue him and doo after his wyl Brother said Reynawde it is not the fyrste tyme that ye haue giuen to me good counsell and true and I promyse you I shall doo it syth that ye doo counsel me so And than Reynawde turned hymselfe to warde the king and said to hym Syr I am all together redye to doo all that ye wyl and than Reynawde rose vp and the kynge tooke hym by the hand and made his sister to be affyaunced vnto hym THan whaÌ„ the maryage was made accorded made sure of the one parte of thother the kinge yon came to the chaÌ„ber of his sister and found her besy aboute a penouncel of a spere that she made ful fayre for the knight Reynawde but she durst not tell it The kynge salued her as soone as he sawe her and the noble mayde rose vp anon against her brother and made hym due reuerence ryght manerly Fayre syster sayd the kynge I haue doo marye you well and hyghlye Whan the pucell vnderstode hym she began to chaunge her colour and bowed her body to hym and sayd no worde of a longe whyle And whan she had the power for to speake she sayd to the kyng her brother syr to whome haue you geuen me Fayre Syster sayd the kynge I haue gyuen you vnto the best knight of the worlde it is Reynawde the sonne of Aymon the noble knyght valyaunt Whan the noble Damoysell vnderstode that it was to Reynawde to
of good knightes but of wymen to make such sorow as ye doo Cosyn cosyn sayd Alard I shal tel you what causeth vs to doo so Wit that Rowland leadeth Rycharde for hys prysoner the best knight of the world afte Reinawd and Reinawde wyll goe to the Pauilyon of Charlemayne and also ye knowe well yf he goe there he is but lost for euermore Reynawd said theÌ„ Mawgis it were no wysdome to you yf ye went there for your going thyther should not proffyte you nothynge but goe youre wayes to Mountawban and I shall goe there as ye wold haue gon my selfe and yf Richard be not dead I shall brynge him again with me vnto you al were he shytte vp in .x. prysones mawgre Charlemayn Cosyn said Reynawd I shall become your manâ—e yf ye doo thys that ye saye Cosyn sayde Mawgis I shal doo it without faut but leue youre sorowe I shal delyuer him ayen to your haÌ„des whole souÌ„de yf it please god and whan he had sayde so the brethern sette themselfe to the waye for to returne to MountawbaÌ„ but so great sorow was there neuer made as the three bretherne made for their brother Richarde thus making their great mone thei dyd so muche that they came vnto Mountawban and lyghted fro their horses in the base courte after weÌ„t vp to the dungeon whan the noble lady Clare the wife of Reinawd wist that her husbande came she came agaynst hym right glad and Ioyfull and led at eche hande of her bothe her yonge chyldren Aimon and yon and eyther of theym bare a lytell staffe in theyr handes and began to crye vpon theyr vncle vassaile but that ye be now prysoner ye should haue died by our handes they came nyghe hym and saide cursed kinge and vntrue why haue you betrayed my lord our father and his bretherne our vncles that haue doone to you so good seruyse sertes ye be well worthye to dye a shamefull death Whan Alarde hearde his neuewes speake of thys maner he began to weep ful tenderly And thus as he wept he kissed Aimonet that bare the name of theyr father and said Ha god how ben we brought lowe and destroyed And whan that the lady heard Alard speak these wordes and saw that he wept she thoughte well that it was not without a cause and she sayde to Alarde Fayre brother for god tell me the occasion of youre sorowe Ladye sayd Alarde with a good wyl Now wyt that we haue loste oure brother Richarde Rowlande ledeth hym for hys prisoner to Charlemaine but yf our lord saue him We are not lyke neuer to see him Alas I vnhappy what shall we doo sayd the lady syth that Rychard is lost For we shall neuer haue honoure And sayinge these wordes she fell downe in a swoune to the erth And whan that she was come againe to herselfe she beganne for to make so great sorowe that all they that were there had greate pytie of her ⧠But heere leueth the hystorye to speake of Reynawde of Alarde and Guycharde and of the ladye Clare and of her yonge Chyldren And retourneth to shewe of Mawgys the good knighte that had put hymselfe in aduenture and in payne for to delyuer Rycharde oute of the handes of the kyng Charlemayne ⧠How afâ—er that Reinawd Alard Guychard were returned to MouÌ„tawban after the bataylle that they had by the woode of the serpente they made great sorow for the loue of Richarde their brother that was in the handes of the kinge Charlemaâ—nâ— And howe he was deliuered by tâ—e wytte of Mâ—wgys NOw telleth the historye that whan Mawgys was come againe to Mountawban he was so much wrothe that he myght no more for the loue of Richard that was take And because that Reinawde and his bretherne made therfore so great sorowe Incontinente that he was lyghted from hys horse he went in to his chambre and made hym selfe to be disarmed and after he tooke of all his clothes and put him selfe all naked and this doone he tooke an herbe and eate it as soone that he had it he swelled like a padde and than he tooke an other herbe chaufed it and helde it betwene hys teeth and anon he became al blacke as a cole in his face os one that is beaten with staues his eyen reeled in hys head as he hadde be other dronke or mad and disguysed himselfe wonderfully that he that had well know him afore shoulde not than haue said that he hadde be Mawgys And whan he was thus turned and countrefayt he tooke a great mantell and a hoode clothed himselfe therwith and tooke on his feet a greate payre of bootes and the staffe of a pilgrime in his hande And thus arayed he issued out of Mountawban And whaÌ„ he was out he set himselfe for to goe the way so greate pase that no horse could not haue waloped so fast tyll that he came to mountbendel before the centes of the emperour Charlemayne or euer that Rowlande were come there againe and there he helde him stil and spake nothing at all but looked onely vpon the kyng and vpoÌ„ his pauyllion And whaÌ„ he went he halted with the one foote lened before the kinges tent vpon his staffe and kepte the one of his eyen close And whaÌ„ he saw the kyng come oute of his pauyllion he nighed him and said God of heauen that suffred deth and passion on the crosse keep you kyng Charlemain fro deth and from prison and from euil treason VAssail said the kinge Charlemayn god confounde you for I shall neuer truste vpon suche a begger as ye be bycause of the euyll theef Mawgis the whiche hath deceyued me many times for whan he wil he is a palmer a knight or a grifon or elles a heremyte by suche maner that I canne not beware of hym And if it please god his blessed mother I shal auenge me once vpon him howe that the game goeth And whaÌ„ Mawgys hearde the Emperoure speake of this maner he answered nothynge and kepte hym styl a great whyle and after he sayd to the king Syr yf Mawgys be a theefe all other poore folke be not so I haue more need of helthe than I haue to doo any treason and it is well seen on me that I am not the bodye that might doo any great harme Syr I come from IherusaleÌ„ where I haue worshypped the holy graue and haue doone my oblacions in the temple of Salomon and yet I must goe to rome and to saint Iames in galyce God will But I dyd passe yesterdaye ouer balancon and ouer Gironde with .x. men my seruauntes that I ledde alwaies by the waye with me for to keep defende my bodye And whan I had passed ouer Gyronde I came with my men throughe a wood nighe Mountawban where I met with many brygantes and theues the slewe all my men and all that I had they took fro me and let me goe and gladde I was
Salamon seassed him and kept him therfro and after they sayd to Charlemayne Syr ye haue doone ouermuche amys for to beate a prysoner Certes my lordes saide Richarde it is more dyshonoure to the kynge to smite me than it is to me for to defende my bodye but he is well wunt to doo suche outrages for it is not the fyrste that he hathe doone nor it shall not be the last And whan Mawgis sawe that Charlemayn had smytten Rychard he was sore an angred therfore that he had almost layed vpon him wyth his palmers staffe but he thought yf he had doo so bothe Richarde and he shoulde haue be dead And whan Charlemaine sawe that Richarde spake so boldly he sayde to hym Rycharde God confounde me yf ye scape me for all your wickednes for ye shall soone be haÌ„ged by the necke Syr sayd Richard speake more courteouslye yf it please you For I shal see you sooner be flein quicke than ye shall see me hange nor ye shall not be so hardye to doo so what someuer ye prate saye or crake Charlemayne sayd ye shall not scape me but ye shall be hanged or nyghte and wolde God I helde as fast youre bretherne and Mawgys that theef as I holde you nowe for they shoulde be hanged wyth you to beare you company because ye should not be afetde And thus as Rycharde stroue with Charlemayne he turned hymselfe and sawe Mawgys behinde hym that helde him selfe styll lenynge vpon hys staffe and he knew hym well wherof he was wel gladde for he wyst well he shoulde not dye syth Mawgys was there And whaÌ„ Richarde had seen Mawgis he was sure of his lyfe and sayde to Charlemayne Syr where shall I be hanged tell me certes sayd Charlemaine at the gybet of Mountfawcon there shall your brethern maye see you and Mawgys youre cosyn Syr it is no reason that such a maÌ„ as I am should be hanged but make peace with vs ye shal doo wysly and yf ye doo not so ye shall sore repente it as I trowe And whan Mawgis had hearâ—e all that he wolde heare he made no longer taryinge but he went outâ— of the pauyllion and sayde no worde and whan he was out of it he beganne to walke so greate a pase that no horse myghte not haue folowed hym and passed throughe the wood of the serpent and dyd so muche that he came to MountawbaÌ„ where he found Reinawde and his folke that wayted for him And whan Reinawd sawe him come without Richarde he was full sory so that he fell do â—ne in a swoune And Alard and Guycharde tooke hym vp and saide to him Fayre brother ye doo as a chylde ye oughte not to make suche a sorowe Holde your peace traytours sayd Reynawd for ye haue lost the best knyghte of the worlde for I see Mawgis come alone wherfore I beleue that Richarde is deade for yf he were a lyue Mawgys wolde haue broughte hym with him For he neuer myssed of no thing that he tooke in hand And whaÌ„ Alard Guychard vnderstood these wordes they tooke therof so greate a sorowe that they fell both downe in a swoune to the earthe and whan they were come againe to theim selfe they made so great sorow that it was pytie for to see And this haÌ„ging cam there Mawgis And whan he sawe the great sorow that his cosyns made he was wrothe for it and sayde to them What eyleth you faire cosyns that ye make so euill cheere Alas Mawgys said Reinawd what is doone of oure brother Richard Cosyn sayd Mawgis Richard is yet in prison but Charlemaine hath saide that he shall make him to be haÌ„ged at the gybet of mouÌ„tfawcon and hathe sayde that ye shall not keepe him longe a liue leste ye and I should rescue him and heere is .xx. li. of money that Charlemayne hathe gyue me in his pauillion and made me haue both meat and drynke at my pleasure Nowe shall it be seen yf ye loue Richard if ye be a good knight or not for ye must succour and deliuer him by force of armes or elles he shal die for all the world shal not keep him otherwise therfro REinawd was wel recomforted whan he heard Mawgis speake and after he sayd sith that it is so the Richarde is yet aliue if I had but my selfe my brethern and Mawgis yet should I keep Richard fro death mawgre the power of Charlemayne thaÌ„ Mawgis without any longe abiding tooke of his cope his hod and tooke an herbe eat it anon the swellinge went fro him whan he was armed he presented himself to Reinawd and incontinent all his brethern put them selfe in armes and anon they tooke their way toward mountfawcoÌ„ And whan they were come to a bowe shot nyghe fro it Reynawde sayde to hys folke Lordes if ye euer loued me thinke for to doo nowe so muche that my brother Richard may be rescued from this shamefull death For I promyse you that I shal brynge hym with me or els I and my bretherne and Mawgys shall die with him Syr sayde his men doubte not of vs for we shal doo oure deuoyre Brother sayde than Alard let vs lyghte heere down and let vs hyde oure selfe within that bushe that we see yonder for yf we were seen the frenshmen mighte kille oure brother Richarde or euer they wolde come Brother said Reynawd ye speake wisely and than they lyghted down a foote and put themselfe in a busshement within a wood that was nighe mountfawcon Reinawd at the ryght side of it Alard at the left side wyth him Guichard and Mawgis HOw they were sent to the plaine of Valcoloures ye haue well hearde and the paine that reynawd his bretherne suffred and than howe they wente and succoured kynge yon of Gascoyn that had betrayed theim And howe reynawde dyd fyght wyth Rowland wherof he was sore trauaylled and hadde been all ready three daies without slepe and therfore ye oughte not to be merueiled yf Reynawde his bretherne and mawgis fel a slepe and to say the trothe as soone as Reinawd his bretherne and maugys were enbushed vnder the sarpyn trees they fell into so harde a slepe that they forgate Richard Now god for his pytie haue pytie vpon him keep him For otherwise he must die NOw shal we tel you of Charlemaine that was in his pauyllio he called to him the duke Naimes and Richard of Normandy and saide to them Lordes what counseil gyue you me ye knowe that Richard the soone of Aymon is of great power I feare me that Reynawde shall come to succoure hym whan I shall sende him for to be hanged and therfore I must send company for to with stande Reynawde his bretherne and Mawgis And thus as the king and the duke Naymes spake togither he looked before him sawe Berenger of valoys and called him and said to him Berenger ye are of my men for ye holde of me scotlande Wales ye
to the ende that no medlyng falle not vpō vs let vs abide tyll tyme come y◠we may auenge vs therof THis hanging Aimonet saw that he had smiten Constās a dead woūde so was he ryght glad of it by god brother ye haue doone yll that ye haue slayne this false traytour for I wolde haue slayne hym wyth myne owne handes but syth ye haue brought it so ferre make an ende of hym at ones and I shall goe slea Rohars Brother sayde Aymonet ye speake wel now go slea the one and I the other for thus ought men to doo wyth traytours Thā ran the two brethern vpon theyr enemies that laye on the groūd that is to wyt vpon Constans to whom he sayd al on hye bycause all they that looked vpō should heare it Tell me Constans false traytoure why dyd ye call my father of treason Withstandynge that men know wel that he is one of the truest knightes of the worlde And that he slew your father in his bodye defendynge Where as your father had purchased for to haue slayne hym by treasō Now tell me your falshode and confesse your treason afore the kyng or els I shal now cut your throte Aymonet sayd Constans for god haue merci on me For I yeelde me to you and than he tooke him his swerde And whā Aymonet had the swerde of the said constās he tooke him vp brought him afore the kynge Charlemayne to whome he said Syr holde this traitour doo with him as reason requireth and whan Charlemayne sawe this he was glad of it and said to Aymonet freende ye haue doone well your deuoyr I can no more aske of you And wit it that whan the other is vaynquisshed I shall make theym bothe to be hanged Syr sayd Aymonet doo your wyl wyth them And whan he had sayde so he went agayn to his brother Yōnet for to helpe him holdynge his swearde in his hande all bloudy with the bloud of Constans and sayd to Rohars by God false traytour ye shal dye heere anon and wolde haue smyten hym but Yonnet that sawe that sayd to his brother Fayre brother slea him not nor touche hī but goe your way and test your self for I wyll conquere him by my selfe as ye haue doone yours brother sayde Aymonet ye say yll for it was ordeyned that we should eche helpe other and whan Yonnet saw that his brother wolde needes helpe agaynst his wyll he sayde to hym Fayre brother I make mine avowe to god if ye touche Rohars I shal neuer loue you brother sayde Aymonet ye saye not well but I shal forbere me sith it please you so but I promise you if I see you in daunger I shall help you if ye should slea me brother sayd yonnet I wyl wel than Aymonet wtdrew him a litle abacke and than ranne yonnet vpon Rohars that rose vp agayne for to defende hymselfe than gaue yonnet to hym so great a stroke vpon the shoulder that the arme with the shoulder bone fell clene of to the grounde and his swerde withal whan yonnet had giuen that stroke he put his swerde agayn into the sheeth sayd to Rohars the false traytour that must now confesse with thine owne mouth that Reynawde my father is no traytour but he is one of the truest knightes of the worlde and yf thou wylt not doo so thou shalt die incōtinent And whan he had sayd so he tooke Rohars by the helme and pulled him to hym warde so harde that he drew it fro his head and begā for to smite him with the pomell of hys swerde vpon the bare head And whā Rohars saw that he was so shrewdlye handled he began for to crye sayd good lorde haue mercy vpō mi soule for I know well that it is doone wyth my body And whā Constans heard his brother say so he began to weepe for he coulde none other doo And whā yonnet sawe that Rohars wolde not forsake that he had sayd nor wolde not cry him mercy he smote him with hys owne swerde so hard that he tooke awaye the one legge from the body of him And than he put his foote vpon him and said Now anon false traytour confesse your falshode or els ye ben now dead to the whiche thynge Rohars answered not And whan yonnet saw that he smote hym the head of Whan Aymonet sawe that hys brother yonnet had slayne Rohars he was ryght glad of it and went to hym and sayde Brother ye haue doone valiaūtly lorde gramercy that ye haue slayne so this traytour the two brethern tooke eche other by the hande and went to charlemayne to whome Aymonet sayd in thys wyse Syr like it you that wee haue doone for we be redi for to doo muche more for you yf ye cōmaūde vs. Fayre sonnes said Charlemayn ye need not for to doo more For ye haue doone ynoughe for Constans is ouercomen Rohars dead Now go rest your self and see that ye haue good leches for your woundes And I promyse you that I shal doo with the traytours as it aperteineth and than Charlemayne commaunded that Constans should be hanged and the body of his brother by him whan the king had giuen this commaundement Constans was anon taken and the body of his brother were drawen at horses tayles before all theyr lygnage and than were hanged as they had well deserued whā they were hāged Charlemayne said Lordes wyt that I wolde not for a great thyng that it went otherwise wyt it that whan Guanellon sawe hange the sonnes of Foulques that were his neuewes he was sore an angred for it that he almost had lost hys witte Than called he Hardres Berenger Malger that wyll more falshode than Lucifer Henry of Lion Pygnabell Geffray men that neuer dyd good and sayde to theym Lordes ye see howe Charlemayne hath doone to vs great dyshonour for he hath doone hange our kinsmē shamefully but we shall see yet the day that this shame shal be auenged he sayd trouth the traytour For he be trayed afterwarde the .xii. Peeres of Fraunce and made them all die at the batayle of Rounceuales AFter these thīges aboue said Reinawde of Mountawbā saw that his childrē had vainequisshed the children of Foulques he was right glad of it thanked much our lorde god therof than he and his brethern went to them and asked howe they dyd father sayde the children we doo ryght well lorde gramercy Than Alarde Guicharde behelde theyr woundes wherof they were glad This hāging came there charlemayne and the children came hym agaynst kneeled afore hī thā charmayne asked them children how is it with you be ye sore wounded Syr sayd the children it is well with vs thanked be our lorde you we shal soone be whole Than the kyng sēt for al the leches sayd to them that they should looke the woundes of Aymonet of Yonnet the whyche thyng they did wtout any taryeng after they sayd to the
coÌ„fessed them to the Pope and whan they were confessed they returned agayne into the shyp and tooke theyr way towarde Fraunce Shortly to speake they dyd so muche by theyr iourneys that they came to Ardeyne about noone whan the pleople of Adeyne wist the Reynawde Mawgis were comyng they were neuer so glad went to alarde and sayd wit that your brother Reynawde our lorde is come and also Mawgis your cosin whole and souÌ„d thanked be god ANd than whan Alarde and hys brethern heard these tydynges of theyr brother Reynawde that was come they had almost swouned for great ioye that they had and anon went to the gate of the towne agaynst theyr brother but they fouÌ„d him that he was all redy in the towne whan they saw him they ran him agaynst and Alarde enbraced hym fyrst weepyng and after kyssed him by great loue in likewyse dyd Guicharde and Richarde and thaÌ„ kissed mawgis theyr good cosin And whaÌ„ they had thus welcomed hym they weÌ„t together in the palays whaÌ„ thei were therr Alarde said to Reynawd fayre brother tell vs howe ye haue founde out cosyn mawgis Brother sayd Reynawde I founde him in coÌ„stantinople bi fortune than he began to reherse vnto them all his aduentures that he had sith he became pilgrime And whan he had tolde al he looked on his brother Alarde in his face saw he was pale whiche gaue hym suspeccion sayde Fayre brother now is it with my wyfe and mi children I meruaile me moche that I see them not heere Brother sayd Alarde haue no doubt for theym for they ben whole and sound at Mountawban and wit it that sith your departing we haue doo repayre again the towne haue doone garnisshe the castell with vitayle ynoughe for feare of warre yf any thynge had happed vs amys And than whaÌ„ Reynawde hearde good tydynges of hys wyfe of his children he was right glad of it and so he kneeled downe and thanked God of it WHan Reynawde knew that hys wyfe his childreÌ„ were wel it recoÌ„forted him muche begaÌ„ to make good cheere but whaÌ„ he saw that his brethern made no great ioy he meruayled muche so turned hym selfe towarde Alarde the syghed sore and sayd to hym Brother I awayte for to heare some heuye tidinges I trowe that that ye haue tolde me is not trouth and if ye tel me not how is it of al I shall go fro my self and therfore I pray you tell it me for I wyll know it WhaÌ„ alarde saw that Reynawde helde him so short he began to weepe full tenderly and than said vnto him Sir sith that it please you that I tell you the trouth I shal doo so Wit it that my lady your wife is deceassed out of this worlde vnto god For euer sithe that ye departed she ceassed not her sorow for nothynge that we could doo or shew vnto her And than she cast all her clothynge into a fyre and wolde neuer were vpon her but a sory maÌ„tel a smocke so longe she wept and sorowed dai and night that she died at last wherof I am sory for it for she was the goodliest and the fayrest of all the worlde WhaÌ„ Reynawde vnderstode these wordes he swouned downe to the erth for great sorowe that he tooke at his herte of the death of the good duchesse Clare his wyfe whan he was come agayne to himself he began to weepe sayd Ha king Charlemayne how wel may I hate you by you haue I lost my wife for she is dead bycause she se that ye chased me out of Fraunce with so great shame to make me goe a foote begging my bread lyke a truaunt but I knewe well that my sinnes ben cause of al this And whaÌ„ Reynawde had made hys mone he sayd to Alarde his brother fayre brother I pray you come shew me the tombe where my wyfe is begrauen Brother sayde Alarde with a good wil I shal doo so and thaÌ„ he brought him to the chirche where his good wife the Duchesse was buryed And whaÌ„ Reynawde cam there he swouned three times vpon her tombe and whaÌ„ he was come again to himselfe began to make great sorow for he rented his clothes and pulled his heaâ—es And whan he had sorowed longe he said as a man replenysshed with sorow Ha god what a pylgrym I am I beleue that there is none in the worlde more vnhappi than I am Now see I wel that I haue lost all my ioye and my coÌ„forte syth that I haue lost the fayrest lady of the worlde and the goodliest And as he was speakyng these wordes came there his children Aymonet yonnet that kneeled before theyr father And whan Reynawde saw the kneelyng afore him he weÌ„d his hert should haue brest So tooke he them vp and kissed them by great loue all weepynge and after sayd to them Mi fayre children see rhat ye be good men for I fere me that ye shal misse me soone And whan Reynawde had sayd this to his children he began to make more sorow than he had doone afore so did Mawgis ThaÌ„ begaÌ„ the sorow through al the towne right great and lasted .x. dayes without cease and whan came to the .xiii. daye Reynawde tooke hys way towarde Mountawban that was almoste as well peopled as it was or the warre began And Mawgys habaÌ„donned neuer reynawde where someuer he went but went alwayes on foote in his hermites araye and as they went thus to MountawbaÌ„ the brethern of Reynawd his children went on foote for to bere company to Mawgys theyr cosin And whan they of Mountawban knewe the coming of theyr lorde they were ryght glad of it made al the streetes for to be hanged with fayre clothes they came agaynst him al together makyng great ioye and made hym great reuerence welcomed him honourably And Reynawde receyued them gladly made theÌ„ good cheere for at that tyme he dyssimuled hys sorowe that he had at his hert bycause he should not dyscomfort hys folke that so great ioy made for hys comyng And also they of MouÌ„tawban welcomed mawgis honourably bicause they loued him of olde very well theÌ„ they brought Reinawde making great ioye vnto the castell and whaÌ„ Reynawde founde himself wythin hys castell of Mountawban he was glad of it and came to a window looked downe into the towne saw that it was as well peopled as euer it was and had meruayle of whens so muche people was come there for to dwell he was ryght glad of it for he weÌ„de neuer to haue seen mouÌ„tawban in that plyght as it was before the warre began After that the feast was ended â—eynawde called his brethern sayd vnto them Lordes I holde me destroyed for loue of the good duchesse whiche I haue lost wherof I am ryght heuy for it for loue of the great goodnes that I haue knowen in her I make my vowe to god that
neuer whyle I lyue I shall neuer mary agayn Cosin sayd mawgys ye doo well but I praye you recomforte yourselfe for ye know wel that a thynge that may not be amended must be left alone Cosyn sayde Reynawde ye say well I shall doo so Whan Reynawde his brethern Mawgys had doone great cheere that day at Mountawban Mawgys on the morow next tooke leue of hys cosyns weÌ„t agayne to his hermytage whan he wolde departe he sayd to Reynawde Cosin remeÌ„bre you wel that for you are dead so many folke for whome ye beholden to pray god that he wyll haue mercy on their soules And whaÌ„ Mawgis had sayd so he tooke his way wolde not suffre no body to conuey him and he dyd so muche by his iourneys that he came to hys hermitage where he lyued a holy lyfe For after he was come agayne to his hermitage he ete neuer but herbes and rootes of the wood in this maner wise liued Mawgis the space of .vii. yeres that he sawe nother man nor woman And whan it came to the .viii. yere the good mawgys deceassed fro this worlde about Easter Iesu for his pitie pardoÌ„ hys soule ¶ Heere leueth the history to speke of mawgis whome god pardoÌ„ tourneth to speke agayne of Reynawde of his brethern of hys children how they were made knyghtes ¶ How Reynawde sent his two soÌ„nes to the kynge Charlemayne muche honourably for to be made knyghtes at Parys IN this party sheweth thistory that after that Mawgys was erturned agayne to his hermitage Reynawde was euer after sory for hym also for his wyfe But he recomforted hymself as wel as he might with his brethern A long while abode Reynawde with his brethern making as good cheere as he could and wit it that aboute that tyme died the olde duke Aymon which left greate goodes to his children but shortly to speket Reinawde departed gaue all his goodes as well that he had of his owne as that was fallen by the death of his father AymoÌ„ vnto hys brethern except onlye that he reteyned for himself the castell and town of Mountawban and found the wayes that they were al maryed noble rychely Who that should speke of the brethern of Reynawde and of theyr dedes it were to long to be recouÌ„ted Reynawde thaÌ„ dwelled loÌ„ge at Mountawban with his children which he endoctrined taught in al good and vertuous maners as wel as he could nouryshed them tyll that they were men and coulde beare bothe sheelde and spere And vpon a daye he had theym to the feelde on horsebacke and made to be brought there speres and sheeldes for to assay themselfe and tooke with hym tweÌ„ty knightes whome whan they were comen in the feeld he made his children to iuste with And ye ought to wit that the two sonnes of Reynawd Iusted as well as thoughe they had be hauntynge the warre ten yeares more And whan Reynawde saw that they did so wel he called theym afore hym afore the knyghtes and sayd to them My fayre children thaÌ„ked be our lorde ye be raile men and well made of body It is now tyme that ye were made knyghtes wherfore I wyl that ye go serue the king Charlemayne your souereyne lorde whyche shall make you knyghts for or more noble hande ye canne not be dowbed to the noble ordre of knight hode Syr sayd Aymonet we are redy to fulfyll your wyl in euery thing that ye commaunde vs. Father sayde Yonnet ye say well to vs for it is tyme that we folow the warres but sith it is your pleasure to sende vs to Charlemayne We must go there honourabli but it caÌ„not be wtout great cost My sonne sayd Reynawde care not for the cost for we haue good ynoughe gramercy our lorde for to brynge you there accordyng to your â—state I promise you I shall sende you there or I be .vii. night elder as honourably as any went thither sin my tyme. Father sayd the childreÌ„ we are redy to goe whan it please you WhaÌ„ Reynawde had sayd this to his children he wente home agayne to MountawbaÌ„ wel ioyful of his two sonnes that proued so well whan he was within his castell he called his stewarde and sayd to hym Stewarde I commaunde you that ye aâ—ay my childreÌ„ honorably richelye of diuerse maners of clothing and of thynges that longeth of them for I wil send them to the court of the king Charlemayne for to be made knightes of hym sâ—e that they goe as honestly as any went thyther this .xx. yeres My lorde sayd the stewarde I shall wel doo your coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t sith that it pleaseth you for ye haue inough clothes full ryche of your owne of dyuerse colours WHan the stewarde heard the coÌ„maundement of hys mayster wythout anye taryeng he dyd right well al that was commaunded him by Reynawde for he made to be redy many palfreis and coursers wel barbed and couered wyth ryche cloth of golde with belles of siluer gylte in great plentye and purueyed for two good harneyses al complete for speres swerdes and for al suche other thinges as a perteyneth for the two yonge bachelers Shortli to speake it was not possible to ataye better two yonge squiers than the two yong sonnes of Reynawde were by the purueyaunce of his stewarde and whaÌ„ all thinges were redy he brought theÌ„ before his maysters And whan Reinawde saw this he was glad said by god stewarde I conne you thanke that ye haue purueyed so wel for my childreÌ„ Reynawde made .v. C knightes wel redy to bere coÌ„pani to his sonnes And whan they were al redi Reynawde called to his sonnes and sayd to theÌ„ Mi fayre sones ye be wel apoynted thaÌ„ked be god heere is a fayre bende of noble meÌ„ to beare you felawship therfore ye shal now go to the court of Charlemayn our great kyng whiche shall make you great cheere and honour for my loue my chyldren ye be of hie lynage ryght noble therfore beware that ye doo nothynge ayenst your noblenes ne that myght returne to anye shame to me nor to your lygnage and I comaund you vpon the faith that ye owe to me that the money that I delyuer to you now ye dyspende it honestly spare not to doo good therwith to poore gentilmen and yonge bachelers that wold faine come to worship whan ye haue all spended it honestly sende to me for more and ye shall haue ynough and aboue this I charge you that ye serue god alwaies afore anye thyng that ye haue a doo and that ye speake no worde foule oute of youre mouth to no lady nor damsell worship your better and loue your neyghbour and so shal you be praysed of euery man Moreouer I charge you that ye liue freendly togither as two brethreÌ„ ought to boo to you yonnet my fayre sonne I commaunde you the ye bere honour and reuerence to your