with the same no man was able to compare with him neither in happines nor valour one day perceiuing the King to be walking alone in a pleasant delightfull Garden adioyning to the Pallace came vnto him and falling into some conference with him at last intreated his Maiestie to grant him leaue to proclaime a Turny which hee and some certaine number of Knights of the Court would defend against all commers for the space of 3 daies And that after by the space of sixe dayes more hée himselfe would kéepe the field and defend against all commers his Mistresse the Princesse Emilia to excell all others in beautie whatsoeuer The King hearing his demaund and considering the great danger which thereby might happen to him disswaded him from it assuring him that it would be impossible to continue against so many as would hazard themselues in that enterprise and that although he by his valor might ouercome many hardie and gallant Knights yet at length béeing wearie tyred with ouermuch labour might peraduenture be vanquished by one inferior to those whom before he had subdued whereby hee should lose his former reputation gotten with no small perrill and danger This and many other matters did the King alleage vnto him to cause him to giue ouer that enterprise But hee béeing as is before said so puffed vp with a selfe conceit assurance of Fortunes fauour imagining that on whom Venus smiled Mars would not séeme to frowne continued still verie importiue till at length the King béeing ouercome by his earnestnesse granted to his sute Presently causing Heraults and messengers to be sent abroade into diuers places to giue notice thereof that euery one which desired to try his fortune in his Loues commendation might be there to make triall at the day appointed In the meane time the Duke ordained a place for the Tylt-yard which was hard adioyning to the Pallace which he caused to be inuironed in with railes of great height appoynting at each end a large gate or entrance that tenne Knights on horsebacke might enter in front The space within the rayles was of that bignes so that 5000 knights might well turny togethers round about were scaffolds erected for the beholders to sit on sauing that part next to the Pallace which was open for the King the Quéene and their Lord Ladies who standing in the windowes and battlements of the Pallace might with more safety behold the Turny Likewise he caused another place to be inclosed with onely one gate or entrance hard adioyning to the part of the Pallace where the King with the rest might more conuenietly stand to behold the single combats which by him should be foughten and at the other end he caused a rich Tent to be pight which was of Blew veluet sette thicke with starres of gold and Flowre-deluces shewing that he was descended from the blood royall Vpon the top thereof stoode Cupid all naked with his bow and arrowe in his hand ayming directly at a faire picture of Marble which stoode fast by the said Tent on the top wherof was placed the portrature of the beautifull Princesse Emilia which was so artificially made that it séemed to be the princesse herselfe vnder whose féete were diuers places made for placing of their pictures whose Knights should be ouer come by the Duke In this sort was all things ordained against the turnie when the Lord Menew Sir Henault and diuers other Knights came into the Cittie some two dayes before the Turny began where they tooke vp their lodging in an honest Burgesses house making preparation for such things as they should want against the day CHAP. XII How the Duke and the rest of the Lords and Knights bare themselues in the Turny and how Prince Edward the last day bare away the Prize THe day béeing come that the Turny should begin and many Knights and great Lords of diuers Countries come thether some only to sée others to prooue themselues therin The Duke of Orleance as chéefe Challenger accompanied with the Duke of Aniowe the Lorde Mompenscer the Duke Robert of Normandy the Marshall de Berone Francis the yong Prince of Condy together with two thousand other Knights entred the Lists at one end at the other entred Charles the young Prince of Spayne accompanied with Edward Prince of England the Duke of Yorke the Lord Mowbray the lord Dowglasse of Scotland the County of Zeland the lord Mongomery the young Henry of Burbon two French lords who because they were not intreated by the Duke and partly by reason they meant to prooue themselues against him in the behalfe and triall of their Mistrisse beauty entred the field against him with the number of two thousand taking their places as he before had done The King and Quéene béeing placed all the other princes Lords and Ladies tooke also their places where Emilia sitting amongst the rest séemed like Cinthia placed amongst the lesser Starres béeing in the fulnes of her power or like Diana following her chase thorow the woods and launes accōpanied with her traine of Nimphs whose paine in pursute had raised in her Alablaster chéeks a liuely vermilion die so séemed the beautifull Princesse hauing in her well proportioned face the louely rose and lilly striuing for maisterdome which caused the lustie young Duke to be of such a couragious mind that not beeing able longer to desist from the battaile desired the Duke of Brittaine and the County Palatine of Rene who were appointed Iudges of the field to cause the signall of battaile to begin which was presently done by the sound of a trumpet and the Heraults crying to the Knights euery man to doe his best Then ranne together the Duke of Orleance and Edward Prince of England and met so fiercely together that the Duke breaking his Launce on his enemies shield caused him to stagger and had hee not taken hold by his maine hee had gone to measure his length on the ground but the English Prince met him with no lesser might for piercing his shield his Launce lighted on his Gorget causing him to loose both his stirrups with his head almost to touch the pummel of his saddle which being séene by the King was greatly commended the Prince Charles of Spaine and Robert of Normandie met likewise and breaking their speares past on without once moouing on the other the Marshall of Berone was dismounted by the Lord Mowbray but rescued by the Duke of Aniow and others By this time were the greatest part of the Knights met together so that the cloudes séemed to be couered with the splinters of the Launces which were broken many on both sides were vnhorsed and againe remounted by their fellowes there might you haue séene some vsing swords other maces of Iron twise that day was the Prince Charles beaten from his horse and againe remounted by the Duke of Yorke and Henry of Burbon The Lord Douglas this day showed that the Scots were not much inferriour vnto any
did cause me in sort to imagine that you were somewhat intangled in those nets But now to the purpose as she is my daughter so doe I thinke shee will not make her choise without my consent neither I being her father will force her consent where she doth not loue but if by faire meanes shee may be wonne héereunto assure your selfe that the house of Fraunce is most willing to linke it selfe in loue and amitie with the Prince of England whose noble vallour deserues to bée highly had in estimation The Prince for this his kinde graunt would néedes haue kist his royall hands which the King would not suffer him to doe but imbracing him in his armes departed immediately into the Pallace and comming into the Queenes chamber of presence called for the Princesse Emilia and willing all saue the Quéene and her to a voyd the presence hee demaunded of her whether there were any loue betwéene her and the English Prince at which demaunde she dying her Princely chéekes with a maidenly blush and falling on her knées aunswered Most gracious father considering that in concealing the truth from you being therof demaunded I shall not only breake the bounds of duty by being disobedient but also offende God in making of a lie know therefore that since the day wherein he ouercame the Duke of Orleance I haue so intangled my selfe in his loue which before being by him sued vnto I made scorne of that I can finde no way to alter the same but by death only which rather then it should be to your dislike I would willingly indure were it neuere so cruell The King beeing ioyfull héereat yet séeming to be discontented said In faith and is it possible that thou most fond and foolish gearle shouldest so much forget the bounds of dutie and vertue as without my consent so to settle thy fancie on a stranger but I doubt not but thou wilt as soone repent thy choise as thou hast forgotten thy duty in choosing for who knowes whether he being a young amorous Prince hath not made some other choise already where then are thy hopes or what will become of thy loue The Princesse hearing her father in these tearmes knewe not well what aunswere to make but at length with teares in her eies and fetching a déepe sigh from her hart shée besought him to consider she force and power of loue which was of such might that who most sought to striue against it was the more cruelly therewith in the end wounded and that as yet her loue being knowne to none séeing it so greatly disliked his Maiestie she would for euer kéepe close although it did cost her her life which shée was sure it would doe séeing it had taken already such déepe rooting in her hart The King séeing her constancie loth to grieue her any farther tooke her by the arme raising her from the ground bid her to be of good comfort for séeing that her affection procéeded from vertue and not of any wanton or lustfull appetite hee did both alowe of it and yéeld consent vnto the choise which she had made willing her farther to estéeme of the Prince as one who not only déerely loued her but also was worthy to be beloued both for his vallor magnanimitie of mind of the greatest Lady in Christendome Thus leauing her not a little comforted he went to impart the same to the Prince vnto whom this newes was more welcome then to haue béene made Lord of the greated Kingdome of the world And taking order with the King for the day of their marriage against which time there should be prepared a great Turny hee also sent ouer into England the Duke of Yorke to certifie the King his father héereof which was to him most welcome newes béeing now greatly striken in yeares Also there were many Heraults sent foorth to proclaime this great Turny which should beheld in the Citty of Parris at the nuptials of the Prince of England and the beautifull Emelia against which time there came daily many braue and gallant Knights from diuers Kingdomes as well Christians as Sarasines for that the King had graunted by his proclamations a safe conduct for all commers Now in this meane time the Duke of Orleance being throughly recouered of his wounds which he had receaued against Don Edward and finding that with the losse of his honor he had likewise lost his loue grew therewith into so great rage that he would haue slaine himselfe had it not béene for some of his seruants who alwaies gaue dilligent attendance vnto him and deuising with himselfe on reuenge at last resolued by vnknowne trechery to bring it thus to passe There was in this his Dukedome a great Inchaunter who with his accursed spells was able in a manner to pull the starres out of their places to this man the Duke resorted and making him priuie to his intent desired him to deuise some meanes how vnknowne hée might be reuenged on the English Prince The Inchaunter willing to showe his loue vnto the Duke immediately deuised a meane how not only to be reuenged on the prince but also on as many as were welwillers vnto him which he did bring to passe in this sort There was in the Kingdom of Fraunce some tenne leagues from Parris a great Forrest in which this Inchaunter by his deuilish art erected a stately Castle inuironed about with high walls déepe ditches so as it séemed one of the strongest and fairest Castles of the Kingdome likewise he inchaunted it in such sort that though a thousand Knights had sought for it yet notwithstanding there should none haue found the same but such as they thought should not be of such force as to conquer the gardants who were two fierce mighty Gyants farre excéeding the common stature of others of that kind Also there was a Knight a kinsman of the Dukes who being accōpanied with 20 or 30 attendants alwaies remained héerein the Giants who kept the gard the one of them was called Brandofell with him first must those Knights haue to doe that came to make triall of this aduenture the other was named Furioll excelling in strength all the Giants of his time to him belonged the combat with those Kinghts to whom fortune was so fauorable as to ouercome Brandofell In this manner hauing prouided for the garde of this inchaunted Castle they deuised a meane by which to bring the Prince vnto the same which was in this manner The Inchaunter Ligustargo for so was he called had a daughter indifferent faire who in dissimulation was as skilfull as her father in the art of Magicke for she had her teares at commaund and could so well frame her countenance to sorrowe that there was none but would haue taken her to be very sorrowe it selfe to her was referred the meanes to seduce the Prince who comming vnto the Court with her haire disperssed about her shoulders her garments rent and torne and beeing conducted into the
Verses and Sonnets féeding his humors with such vaine toies to the great griefe of all his subiects and how in all that time he neuer had sufferd any one to come into his presence or to speake with him sauing a smale company of his attendants which remained there with him When Martinus had heard all this he determined the next day to goe thether and to make knowne vnto him those things which should soone put him out of his melancholy dumpes The next morning very early he was rissen vp and comming to the King told him how that hee had some occasion of busines in the Country which would cause him to be away a day or two wherefore hee was determined in the meane time leauing him behind him to cause him once more to sweare vnto him to remaine vntill his returne which if hee refused that then he would commit him vnto some prison within the Cittie whereas hee should bee alwaies foorth comming at his pleasure The King listning attentiuely vnto his speech was driuen into a thousand imaginations not knowing what was best for him to doe at length considering his former oath which rather then he would violate he would chuse to indure any death whatsoeuer so much did he estéeme of his Kingly oath hee answered him thus I knowe not what your meaning may bee in this sort to doubt my former promise and to goe about by a new oath to assure your selfe of me if to set me to ransome I heere fréely proffer my selfe to goe a long with you into any place out of this accursed region and there to remaine vntill such time that the same bee payed vnto you although it should amounte vnto an hundred thousand pounds rather then that you should deliuer me into the hands of the Gouernor of this accursed Country who is my mortall enemie Nay nay replied Martinus being blinded with couetousnes and hoping for a greater summe of monie there is no such matter ment but I haue not farre off a friend whose councell I minde to followe heerein in the meane time chuse whether you will remaine in prison or vppon your oath The King séeing no remedie sware vnto him againe to continue his true prisoner although it cost him his life Then departed Martinus towards the Dukes lodge where béeing arriued and desiring conference with his grace touching such matters as néerely concerned him he was at length brought into a garden in forme much like vnto an endlesse laborinth so many were the diuers and sundry walkes and allies couered with many kinds of trees which yeilded such a close shadow that the Sunne with his splendant beames could scarse shinne through and passing thus from one walke into another he came at length where the Duke sate in an Arbor of Baies beeing clothed all in blacke signifying his great sorrowe which he sustained and hauing a Lute in his hand was playing a mornefull dittie which he euen then had framed to which Martinus and his guide a while listned vnséene by reason of the thicknes of the Arbor At length comming néerer and with reuerence saluting his excellencie Martinus spake as followeth Most mightie and puissant Prince I cannot but wounder that you who heeretofore were wont to spend your time in most honorable exercises as Tilt and Turnie and following hautie déedes of Chiualrie should so giue your selfe ouer vnto this solitarie kind of life neither regarding your owne estate nor the estate of your louing subiects and Country which would spend their very liues to worke your content But if I bee not deceaued this strange humor wherewith you are possest procéedeth from contrarie occasions the one is the extreame hate you beare vnto the King of Denmarke the other ouer much loue towards the beautifull Quéene his wife not knowing with your selfe what way to be reuenged of him nor how to regaine her loue But suppose most mighty Prince I should worke the meanes of your reuenge by deliuering him into your hands would not it content you yea would you not more reioyce thereof then to haue gained the greatest Cittie in Christendome and likewise reward him that should effect the same to his content speake O worthy Duke were not these the occasions of thy griefe and would not this likewise be the chiefest medicine to sease thy sorrowe Scarce were these last words vttered when the Duke starting vp and staring him in the face as one wakned out of sound sléepe thus replied Friend whatsoeuer thou art that séekest by a fayned and filed tale to driue me out of my sad passions knowe that to iest with Princes is not tollerable But if thou canst performe that whereof thou hast made showe of I will not be slacke in rewarding thée for thy paines though thou shouldest demaunde halfe my Dukedome Therefore tell me by what meanes this may be accomplished then effect and bring it to passe and I will reward thée to thy owne content Worthy Duke replied Martinus if I performe it not then let my head bee striken from my shoulders conditionally that if I doe deliuer into thy hands that vnhappie King I may haue for my reward the Citty of Hanstance during my life with the profits thereof and this confirme vnto mee before your Nobilitie and then I will deliuer him into your hands within this eight daies next comming The Duke being filled with ioy with this his so comfortable newes consented vnto whatsoeuer he demanded and calling for a Knight which was néerest vnto him willed him to sommon his Counsell the next day to bee attendant to heare a matter of importance which he would show vnto them which was foorthwith accomplished euery one the next day at their houre appointed beeing ready in the Counsell chamber to heare what should be their Princes will euery one greatly meruailing what soden motion was entred in his head considering that by the space of a yéere before he had neuer conferred with them of any matter no nor once suffered them to come into his presence They being as I haue sayd gathered together in the Counsell chamber the Duke leading Martinus by the hand came vnto them where he declared his intent with the promise of Martinus all which was consented vnto by them hoping thereby to haue their Prince in his former estate of content Assuring vnto Martinus vnder their hands and seales that whatsoeuer the Duke had made promise of they would see it performed so soone as hée should deliuer the King of Denmarke into their hands Héere will I leaue them to tell of the great griefe made through all Denmarke for the losse of their King and Quéene CHAP. III. How the King and Queene beeing found missing were sought for and how the Lords and Ladies that were with them were found THe same morning that the King and Quéene went to recreate themselues in the forrest as is before declared they were not foūd missing till such time as the tables being spred for diner and many Lords and Ladies
Nation for feats of Chiualrie for beeing acompanied with the Lord Montgomerie the Lord of Menew Sir Henault the Countie of Zeland and some tenne or twelfe other Knights beate downe all those which put themselues against them which being séene to the Duke of Orleance was worse thē death who being held very short by Prince Edward the Lord Mowbray and others so that he could hardly helpe any others yet séeing the hauocke which was made by the Scot and his companie fearing least they were preuented he should loose the day set spurres to his horse and with his sword in his hand made such way that at last he came where they were and lifting vp his sword gaue the Scottish Earle such a blow that brusing his Helme caused him to fall besides his saddle which blow beeing séene by Sir Henault was likewise partly reuenged for with one blow which he strake hee cleft the Dukes shield and sliding downewards wounded his horse in the shoulder In the meane time the Spanish and English Princes with their companie were like to haue wonne the day for that the French no longer able to indure their extreame blowes began for to turne their backes which being perceaued by the Iudges they foorthwith caused the retreate to be sounded thereby to saue the Challengers from shame Then departed euery man the Lists for that night returning to their lodgings to refresh themselues against the next day the King to showe the more honor vnto the strange Princes sent for them desiring them for that night to sup and rest themselues in his Pallace vnto which many of them cōsented where at supper they were roially feasted and welcomed by the King and Quéene And after the Tables being with-drawne they fell to dauncing masking and courting of the Ladies and damsels where the young Prince Edward dallying with the fire was scorched by the flame for taking the Princes Emilia by the hand to daunce after they had ended their measure fell to court her with pleasant spéeches which shee still most wittily answered which Cupid beholding wounded his hart with a poisoned shaft of loue turning his iest into earnest thus past they away most part of the night in dauncing and reuelling vntill such time that Ioue his eternall lampes wherewith hee lights the nether world were halfe spent and Atlas moist daughters stroue into the Ocean déep to driue their weary droue then departed these to their beds where euery one quietly tooke their rest except the English Prince who of all the night could not inioy any sléepe so sorely did the remembrance of his new loue torment him sometimes determining to aske her of her Father then thinking the Duke to haue a former promise of her séeing hee vndertooke the defence of her beauty was minded to fight with him for her hoping either to kill him and so to get her or else by vanquishing him to winne away her loue With these and many such like imaginations past he away the wearisome night vntill about the breake of the day Somnus seased on his ouer-watched eies so that he slept vntill the sunne was two degrées from the earth ascended then rising vp hee apparrelled himselfe and went downe into the great Hall where he found the King withall the other Princes and great estates ready to goe to the Chappell to heare diuine seruice whether likewise hee accompaned them afterwards returning to the Pallace they found the Tables couered for dinner where they were all serued according to their estates with most costly and daintie cates Dinner being ended euery one went to arme themselues for the Turnie where the strangers bare themselues so valiently that they wonne the honor from the Courtiers which was such an extreame griefe vnto the Duke of Orleance that for that night hee would not come to the Pallace vowing the next day to be reuenged especially on the English Prince and his companie who twise that day had beaten him from his horse Most part of the rest spent the time as they did the night before in dauncing and such like pastime where againe the English Prince found meanes to Court his Ladie declaring vnto her his loue affection but she who as yet was another waies minded made small account of his prattle scarce belieuing any thing that he sayd touching loue The next day the trumpets sounding warned the Knights to prepare for the Turnie euery one desirous to showe himselfe valiant and hardy when entring the Lists at the first encounter the English Prince séeing the cheefe Challenger comming against him and looking vp to the window where Emilia sate calling to minde his former determinations was resolued to doe him the greatest disgrace he might the Duke on the other side was of the same opinion for hee greatly feared least the Prince would prooue his coriuall in loue by the ofen casting vp of his head to the window where shée sate Thus being both resolued they met together so furiously that the Duke was forced to forgoe his saddle and measure his length on the grasse the Prince passing forwards sorely shaken hauing lost both his stirrups at length recouering himselfe entred the prease where on all sides he beate downe Knights and vnbarred Helmes making such way where he went that he might easily be followed of his companie especially the Prince Charles Henry of Burbon Sir Henault the Lord of Menew the Lord of Yorke the Lord Mowbray and others who following the young Prince ouerthrew all they met causing the French to giue backe and retire euery man thinking himselfe happiest when he was farthest of On the contrarie side Robert of Normandie the Prince of Condie the Duke of Aniow and the Marshall with the aide of their followers made that part where they were very hote and dangerous to the strangers vnhorssing and beating downe many The Duke of Aniow with his Launce before he brake strake downe thrée Knights to the earth at last being incountred by the Lord Douglasse was dismounted and taken prisoner in dispight of all his company The Duke of Orleance being againe remounted went raging vp and downe séeking for the English Prince and comming to the Lord of Menew gaue him such a blow that hee draue both horse and man to the ground which being séene by Sir Henault like a man inraged rod to him and gaue him such a blow that he caused him to bow his head to his brest But the Duke recouering himselfe returned him the like payment Thus continued they two laying the one on the other like two Smithes striking with their sleadges on an Anuill till such time as the English Prince with a mace of stéele in his hand returned gaue the Duke so puissant a blow therewith that breaking his shield in péeces so amased him that his horse carried him from place to place in a sound which being séene by the King and thinking the Duke to be sore hurt imagined likewise that it was impossible for any man to indure those mighty blowes
his Helme desired his Maiestie to grant him leaue to continue the Dukes challendge when the King beheld him and saw that it was the Prince who had subdued the Duke his griefe for his hurts and ouerthrow was somewhat eased Then speaking to the Prince hee sayd my Lord I did not thinke you would haue thus delt with vs as vnknowne thus to haue put vs into such griefe as you haue doone by the wounding and vanquishing of the Duke our Cosin yet seeing it was his owne folly in making the challendge it doth the lesse grieue vs. But for your request in continuance thereof I would wish you rather to giue it ouer then to indanger your selfe therein but if so be you are so minded we fréely grant you leaue praying to God send you better hap then the Duke hath had before you The Prince humbly thanked his Maiestie and then turning to the Princesse Emilia intreated her likewise to graunt him leaue as her father had doone to defend her beautie séeing that it was his hap to obtaine the same by his good Fortune The Princesse being before hand a little touched with his loue and now séeing the paines and danger which he vndertooke for her sake was altogether ouercome wherefore dying her chéekes with a maidenly blush she told him the paines which he already tooke and that he would againe indure for her sake was vnknowne vnto her yet because she would not prooue discurtious nor ingratefull séeing the King her father had thereto consented she was content to accept him for her Knight and to alow of that which he requested The Prince héerewith beeing meruailous contented returned her harty thankes and so departed againe to the Tent where hee was met by the Spanish Prince the Duke of Yorke and Sir Henault and many others and was by them disarmed and after dinner his wounds being bound vp hee armed himselfe againe in a most costly Armor set all with true loue knots wrought of pure gold and beeing attended by the foresayd Lords he entred the Lists where hee had not long remained before such time that there came a Knight of the Kingdome of Naples a man in those parts famoused for his valor and hardinesse and being inamored on a young Damsell of that Country promised her to come into France whereby his valor hee would cause her to bee for euer famoused but his hap was so hard that at the first encounter he was sent to measure his length in the ground not being able to combat After him that day and the next day he vnhorsed to the number of 40 Knights the last day there came very fewe to try themselues the most part hauing in the fiue former daies béene by the Duke foyled by meanes whereof he past away the time in companie of the Spanish Prince and other great Lords vntill it was almost Sun set at which time there entred an ill fauoured withered face fellow something heigher then thrée horse loaues by birth a pagan but brought vp by the Quéene of Portugall as her Dwarfe this proper aplosquire falling in loue with a Damsell almost as hansome as himselfe being likewise attending on the Queene and hauing obtained her good liking on that condition that he should in all places maintaine her beauty desired the Quéene that hee might be made Knight assuring her that he would so behaue himselfe that thee and all others should thinke the order well bestowed vpon him The Quéene séeing his earnestnesse yéelded vnto him and caused him to be Knighted who no sooner hauing receaued the order and hearing of the Duke of Orleance challendge but he determined to fight against him and cause him to confesse his peate to more beautifull then Emilia Continuing in this imagination he caused her Picture to be drawne and therewith came vnto Parris entring the Lists at such time as the Prince with the other Lords were ready to depart and comming vnto the Spanish Prince demaunded which was he that had ouercome the Duke The Prince meruailing to sée such a gallant in that equipage demaunded what he would with him marry quoth the Dwarfe fight with him and cause him to confesse that the Damsell which I loue doth excell in beauty all others the Prince smilling hauing much adoe to containe himselfe from laughter demaunded who was his Lady and where her Picture was Hee aunswered she was attending on the Quéene of Portugall and therewith drew foorth her Picture at sight whereof euery one burst foorth in a great laughter The Dwarfe being héerewith angry asked the Prince whether it were he or no that he had inquired for the Prince aunswered no but showed him the English Prince withall telling him that the time was past whereby hée had lost his labor vnlesse hée could intreate him to Iust willingly Then the Dwarfe comming vnto him intreated him if the time were past that yet in courtisie he would breake a Launce with him he smilling aunswered that betwéene that and Sunne set hee was bound to Iust with any that should come wherefore he was contented Then taking each of them a Launce they ranne together the Prince missing his course of purpose but the Dwarfe with much adoe brake his Launce almost dismounting himselfe with his owne stroke The King Quéene withall the Lords and Ladies laughed hartily héereat the Dutches of Burbone telling Emilia that now her Knight was like to loose all his former honor The Dwarfe had no sooner broken his Launce but presently he drew forth his swoord but the Prince intreated him to runne one course more which he easily yéelded vnto then taking a new speare they ranne againe the Prince taking him in the midst of his Shield bare him out of his saddle a whole speares length not béeing able to rise from the ground Then was sent vnto him by the King the young Prince Phillip his sonne to intreate him to come to the Pallace whether he went béeing accompanied with diuers great Lords and Knights and was very roially receiued by the King the Quéene and their fayre daughter and feasted with many sumptuous and rare sorts of viands after supper they fell againe to theyr wonted sports of dauncing and masking where the English Prince againe made his loue knowne vnto Emilia assuring her that vnlesse shée pittied his estate he was but dead for without her he was but as a shadow without substance or as a body without a soule The Princesse who by this time was as much scorched with the flame as hee and did féele as great force of loue knew not well what to aunswere but at last yéelding to loue she told him that if he loued her as hee made shew of shée had no reason but to requite him with the like but as yet shée was young and at her Parents disposition without whose consent she could not make her owne choyse but if he could obtaine her Fathers consent shee was likewise contented to accept of him as her Lord and husband Héere will we leaue
considering withall the goodnesse of his Armor vnwillingnesse of the defendants to come foorth determined to enter whilst the wicket was open wherefore stepping a little to the right hand he gaue one of them so sore a blow on the left shoulder that caused him to fall to the ground and héerewithall hee lept suddenly to the wicket and got in thereat which they of the Castle perceauing and with all fearing the sequell bee ganne to arme themselues and all at once to assault him some with swords other with Launces some others againe betooke them to throwing of stones diuers engines of iron at him where with he was greatly troubled But seeing no remedy but either to conquer or die he couered himselfe with his shield and with his trusty blade in his hand hee made such way amongst them that he thought himselfe surest that was farthest off from him so that within the space of two houres he had not left aboue sixe of them liuing all which were likewise very sore wounded beeing vtterly voyd of hope to escape his conquering arme determined to submit themselues to his mercy hoping thereby to saue their liues which otherwise they could not long preserue Wherefore falling on their knées with one voice they craued mercy which he soone graunted vnto them being as I haue many times before said naturally inclined to pitty And willing them to stand vp hee demaunded what prisoners there were in the Castle and for what occasion that custome was there erected all which one of them at large recounted declaring how that the King of Denmarke as yet remained there with diuers other noble and gallant Knights Which when the Knight of the Lions heard hée commaunded straight waies to be conducted vnto the prison and likewise that Adresto should be brought in and his wounds dressed by the Surgian of the Castle which was a man greatly experienced in that science all which was presently performed And one of the Knights running to one of them that was slaine tooke from him a bunch of keyes wherewith he opened a little iron doore and discending downe a narrow paire of staiers they came to a dungion vnderground at the entry whereof was another iron doore which they likewise opened then hauing a torch lighted in their hands they vnchained all the prisoners amongst whom they found King Frederick the Lord Gwaltero his Cosin the Duke of Litsenburge the Lord of Menew Sir Henault and diuers others to the number of a hundred all or most part Knights of Denmarke Many of which were sore pined away and almost famished through their extreame griefe and course fare but the King the Lord Gwaltero Sir Henault were little or nothing altred for all their long imprisonment And now being all brought foorth into the great Hall of the Castle they with one accord gaue harty thankes vnto the Knight of the Lions and then falling on their knées with one consent they gaue praises to almighty God which being ended the King with the noble men came vnto the Knight of the Lions desiring him to declare who hee was that they were so much bound vnto for their deliuerance To which hee aunswered that hee was commonly called the Knight of the Lions But as touching his parents or Country he knew not only this he had heard that being a child he was taken vp in a Forrest in the Kingdome of Denmarke by the Duke of Saxonie who since that time had carefully brought him vp as his sonne Which when the King had heard hée imbrast him in his armes desiring him to accompany him into his Kingdome where hee would showe himselfe so thankfull vnto him as hee should not thinke his labour ill bestowed The Knight beeing by the instinct of nature greatly affected vnto the King soone consented héereto although it were farre out of his way towards Spaine whether he was trauelling For which the King gaue him harty thankes and withall beganne to haue an inward loue towards him héere continued they by the space of eight or tenne daies to refresh their weake bodies as also for the curing of the wounds of Adresto and making preparation for their Armors whereof they had great store in the Castle some horses others they got abroade in the Country néere adioyning for their monies And now hearing that Grifforie was gathering his forces to come against them they departed towards Flaunders where hearing of the warres and rebellion in Denmarke they determined vnknowne to hasten thether and naming themselues to be all Knights arrant met together by chance and hearing of these warres were minded to entertaine themselues in the armie of the States With this determination arriued they at the Citty of Gaunt which was still held by the Danes and héere they remained to prouide themselues of such things as they néeded CHAP. XX. How King Fredericke the Knight of the Lyons and the rest of theyr company arriued in the Army of the States and how the next day they gaue battell vnto the Scots where by the vallour of the King the Knight of the Lyons and theyr company the States got the victory and howe the King made himselfe knowne THe King and the rest of his company hauing prouided themselues of all things necessary for theyr iourney departed from Gaunt towards Denmarke béeing in all to the number of an hundred Knights wel furnished and prouided for the warre And marching thus together through Flaunders and other prouinces of Germany they arriued within thirtie dayes at Rensberge where the two Armies by the space of sixe daies had line incamped one against the other continually skirmishing but neither side daring the one to assault the other And now béeing héere arriued the King and the rest béeing disguised for feare of being knowne came vnto the States desiring entertainement and withall declared a long fained circumstance how they had met together and béeing all minded to ayde theyr right and iust cause against the Scots and traytors they were come together to proffer their seruices The States béeing glad of this succor and withall knowing diuers of them as the Duke of Litsenburge and others whom they receiued with great ioy and gaue entertainment to all the rest who by the meanes of the Duke were placed in commaund and entring into counsell they determined to send presently vnto the Scots to demaund battell which by the Earle Dowglasse was soone graunted and the next day it was appointed that it should be tryed by a pitched battell who should haue the victory The morning béeing come and both Armies ranged in the field the States had deuided their forces into thrée battalions the first whereof was ledde by the Lord Louden and the County of Mildrope containing eight thousand the second or maine battell was ledde by the Duke of Litsenburge and the Lord of Opencade containing twelue thousand the third last battalion contayning nine thousand was led by the Lord Itzenho and the Lord of Rensberge The King the
knowledge what was become of him thinking that if the Out-lawes had kept him aliue that then they had sold him to some Prince who would be content to put him to raunsome Others held that to send foorth spyes which by diligent inquirie might heare of him would be the best course Thus diuers men were of diuers minds sitting a long while in counsell to no end neither determining any order for the gouernment of the Common-wealth nor meanes to find out their King and Quéene But at length by the meanes of the Archbishop of Maiance who desired change and alteration they grew to determine of their gouernment which should be in this manner following First they should chuse of the most sufficienst of the Nobilitie and Laitie of the Realme the number of sixe-score out of which number by lot they should chuse tenne and of the Clergie thirtie out of which nūber likewise they should chuse two by lot so that of the Nobility there should be alwaies tenne and of the Clergie two which twelue so elected should haue the gouernment of the whole kingdom for a yéere and at the yéeres end to giue vp an account vnto the other sixe-score and eighteene of the imployment of the treasure belonging to the Crowne and then other twelue to be chosen in the same manner for the next yere And this order and manner of gouernment to be kept inuiolate vntill such time as they should heare some certaine newes either of the Kings death or returne To this they all consented setting thereto their hands seales presently making choyse of those whose happe should be first to gouerne this their new deuised state The Lots béeing cast the first twelue to whom the gouernment lighted was of the Clergie the Archbishop of Maiance and the Bishop of Odelstoe and of the Nobilitie the Duke of Louenborge the Duke of Newmister the Lord Harding the Count Hermes the Countie of Mildorpe the County of Opencade the Lord of Londen the Lord Itzenho the Lorde of Newstat and the Lord of Rensborge These twelue according to former agréement tooke on them the gouernment of the kingdome first setting all things in quiet within the kingdome and making diuers lawes and statutes for the preseruation thereof And then made preparation for the defending of the same if so be that any neighbor Prince should now in the alteration of their gouernment make any war or inuasion vppon them thereby not to be taken vnprouided They therefore fortified diuers Castles and strong Holds vppon the borders of the Kingdome repairing those that were weake and erecting new where they thought any néede to be placing garrisons in them all for the defence thereof Likewise they tooke order for the defence and sure kéeping of the Country of Flaunders in their subiection fearing least vppon the report of the losse of the King and Quéene there might be some alteration mooued either by some neighbour Potentate or the inhabitants themselues who at that time were giuen altogether to desire change and alteration Now amongst all these discourses wee must not forget the Lord Gwaltero the Lord Menew and Sir Henault whose heroicke mindes not being able to bee contained within the confines of Denmarke missing their onely comfort and solace their noble Prince whose presence was more déere to them then any thing in the world besides prouided according to their former determinations to trauell in his quest throughout the whole world but that they would either find him out or heare some certaine newes of him which being made knowne to diuers other Lords and Knights there were to the number of a hundred all of the minde bent either to find him out or neuer to returne Thus euery one in the best manner they could made preperation for their iourney fitting themselues both with armor and store of money for their néedefull expences in their trauell And being all in a readines to depart they deuided themselues some into one Country and some into another appointing where many times to méete being in strange Countries where wee will leaue them to declare what befell to the King and Martinus being in his enemies Country as is before mentioned CHAP. V. How King Fredericke was deliuered by Martinus into the the hands of Griffory by whom hee was imprisoned and how Martinus by the Duke was afterward put to death YOu haue heard before how Martinus had agréed with Griffory of Holland for the deliuery of the good King Fredericke in recompence whereof he should haue for tearme of his life the Cittie of Hanstance withall the customes and profits thereof The next day after this conclusion the Duke going along with him to Hanstance where being ariued was by Martinus brought into the Burgesses house where he left the King who according to his oath he found there still remaining little fearing that which suddenly hapned vnto him for Martinus comming vnto him and taking him by the hand as if hee would haue conferred with him about his raunsome brought him at length into a chamber whereas he had left the Duke accompanied with some few of his nobillitie vnto whom Martinus spake as followeth Most high and mighty Prince according vnto my faithfull promise made vnto your excellencie I héere before these your nobillity deliuer vp into your hands this vnfortunate and vnhappie King of Denmarke of whom you may now at any time be fully and sufficiently reuenged of any former wrong by him committed against you or of any displeasure which worthily you haue conceaued against him and likewise so clip his wings for euer héereafter being able to doe you the least offence whatsoeuer When the Duke had heard him speake this his pleasing and to him most delightfull speech scarce suffring him to make his conclusion hauing also in the meane time throughly viewed the King whom by diuers signes he verily knew to be the same he could scarce content himselfe but would immediatly haue slaine him with his owne hands so deadly was the hate he bare him and such the inciuillitie of his churlish and reuengfull nature yet being stopped by some of his nobilitie from killing him hee fell out into these or such like rayling speeches O thou most accursed and vild caitife whom were it not that I meane to put thée to more extreame paine torments I would with these my hands rent that detestable body of thine to peeces and with my téeth teare and gnaw the flesh from thy bones so endlesse is my malice against thée and so many thy wrongs and villanies committed which causeth me to muse and inuent what or how many kind of torments I might inflict vpon thée But would to God that disloyall strumpet that infernall Quéene the causer of all my miseries yea she whose bewitching beauty thou so much and with such a gréedinesse hast desired yea and by thy comurations and other thy detestable and execrable meanes thou hast hetherunto to thy content inioyed O that she were héere present to behold
monthes hand had also as then somewhat the better cullor being norished with more wholsomer diet After they had a while beheld and played with the children the Duke declared vnto the Dutches and rest of the Lords and Ladies there present the manner of his finding as before is recited and likewise willed to haue him brought vp as acompanion with his sonne desiring the Dutches to bee as carefull of him as of her owne assuring her that his minde gaue him how that the childe was issued of a Noble bloode because they knewe not by what name to call him the Duke willed him to bée called the Gentleman of the Forrest which name we must vse vntill such time as fortune shall make knowne from whence he is procéeded Héere againe will wee leaue him and returne to speake of the Quéene his mother whom we left in a traunce in the Caue where hauing line a long while and at length come vnto herselfe againe and remembring the losse of her childe fell to wéeping and renting and tearing her face with her nailes pulling her haire from her head and cursing herselfe which had taken no better care of him then comming foorth of the Caue she went crying vp and downe causing the woods to resound the eccho of her son séeking whether shee could in any place perceaue either by bloud or other signe if he were deuoured of the wild beasts and finding none she fell againe to séeke in euery bush if happily hee might be crept therein but all in vaine bestowed she her paines good Lady to séeke for him which in that place could not bee found for God had otherwise ordained for the bringing vp of the child as you haue already heard though vnknowne to the good Ladie his mother who was now in such extreame griefe not finding nor knowing what was become of her childe that she became as franticke wéeping crying vp and downe the Forrest all that day and most part of the night till being forced with wearinesse she sat downe and rested herselfe Where sitting a while and contemplating her sorrowes one whiles there would come into her minde the remembrance of her husband and her former estate being in ioy and prosperitie the calling to minde whereof did strike into her the greater sorrowe for being in miserie there is no greater griefe then to call to minde forepassed pleasures then againe would come into her minde her vision which she sawe in the Forrest and the hope of future ioyes which thereby was promised which did somewhat againe mittigate her sorrowe thus passed shee away all that night in weeping and lamentations neither caring nor thinking what might become of her so excessiue was her griefe CHAP. VII How the Queene the next day got out of the Forrest and how she placed herselfe in a Monestrie neere to the Citty of Maiance THE night béeing past and beautifull Aurora comming againe to the viewe of this hether worlde whose welcome the chéerefull Birds rang forth with many a pleasant tune to the comfort of all earthly creatures the wofull Lady who of all the night had not once suffred her eyelids to close nor giuen nature her due by fléepe rising vp from the place where she had remained all night began againe to renew her former sorrow sometimes cursing raging at her euill fortune then againe blaming herselfe for her impatience which was not able to indure those crosses which God for her tryall had layd vpon her Thus at length somewhat comforted with the hope shee had that the prouidence of the most Highest might turne all her afflictions and crosses into ioyes and blessings and likewise that in time she might recouer according to the Vision which she had séene at her first comming into the forrest both her husband and sonne shée determined to make triall if she might get forth of the Forrest which if she could she would vnknowne trauell vnto some Monestary or religious house where shée meant to spend the rest of her time to her soules comfort but first she determined to make triall if her husband were returned or not So hapning on a by path onwards she went so farre that by the time that Phoebus golden Chariot was ascended into the midle heauens shee found herselfe euen at the place where first in company of the King and theyr traine of Lords Ladies shée entred the wood at such time as they were set on by the Out-lawes Where beholding the place and calling to minde that there beganne the head and well-spring of all her troubles and miseries which shée had since that time indured brake foorth into these or such like spéeches O thou accursed place reserued onely of the diuine powers to be a plague and hell to those who willingly not so much as in thought offended against them I beséech the Almightie protector of heauen and earth that thou mayest for euer-more prooue barren and vnfruitfull and that these thy goodly trées and bushes which were a couert vnto those damned wretches which seperated me from that péerlesse Prince and my déere loue may héereafter neuer beare neither fruite nor leaues but may presently wither away and die as did that figge trée which thou O Sauiour Christ diddest curse for not yéelding of fruite in the time of thy hunger going frō Bethania to Ierusalem Thus accursing that place and the whole Forrest shee directed her course towards Maiance where by reason of her long absence and the altering of her apparrell through time her best skill shée entred vnknowne of any where shee found such an alteration that she could scarcely belieue that to be the Citty which in former time shée had séene so much to florish in costly and braue shewes and not knowing well what to imagin shée secretlie inquired as well the cause of this strange alteration as also whether there were any certain newes of the Kings being aliue or dead All which at large was declared vnto her as well the cause of sorrow which generally did appeare through all the Cittie for the losse of the King as also the new gouernment of the state which was disliked of many but whether the King were liuing or no that was not knowne so secretly did that Tyrant Griffory cause his imprisonment to be conceald But at length hauing made what inquirie she could not minding to make her selfe knowne she returned againe out of the Citty and went vnto a Monestary some three miles distant called the Monestry of our Lady where comming to the Gouernesse she intreated to be entertained amongst the Religious Votaries Affirming herselfe to be a poore desolate widdow who béeing by death dispoyled of all cōfort had determined to end the remnant of her life in prayer and thanksgiuing vnto her Creator trusting thereby to find comfort for her soule in the world to come The Abbesse béeing a very deuout and religious woman marking not onely her outward gesture which was a plaine demonstration of inward griefe but also
beautifull Lady thinke not that I goe about any way to dishonor you neither that those my former speeches to be fained but whatsoeuer I haue spoken to procéede from the sinceritie and bottome of my harf which is and for euer shall remaine yours whilst the fates shall permit me to inioy this breath which I wish no longer to continue then I remaine your faithfull and constant Knight protesting before the almighty God neuer to accept of any other wife so you thereto consent in witnesse whereof I héere deliuer you this ring then taking a faire Diamond from one of his fingers he would haue put it on hers but she withdrawing her hand made him answere that shee had made a solemne vowe to God which shée was minded to performe which was that for one whole yeare shee would neuer consent to marry with any one whatsoeuer but if it pleased his Lordship so to estéeme of her as to accept her for his wife at the end of that appointed time which she had set he should find her most ready willing to obey vnto his will in any that might not bée to her dishonor Gwaltero gladded to the hart with this heauenly conclusion and beeing as one newly reuiued out of some dead traunce tooke her in his armes and kissed her protesting that he would most willingly remaine so contented vntill the fixed time were expired and then God willing he would returne and espouse her in the meane time he intreated her to accept of that his small Ring which should be a cause for her to remember him by which she then most willingly accepted and in requitall thereof gaue vnto him a Iewell of hers which hee alwaies after either in Tilt or Turnie wore being fastned in the crest of his Helme and which at all times put him in minde of his Lady and Mistris Thus by the comming in of Sir Cadrus and Sir Brewes with diuers Gentlemen and Damsels which came to sée the Lord Gwaltero their loue talke gaue ouer for that time entertaining the others with diuers pleasant and merrie discourses wherewith they accustomed to passe away the time euer thinking it long till they might be in their former quest which was the sooner for that Gwaltero being comforted with the hope of future pleasure and content was healed much the sooner of his wounds so that within fiftéene daies hee was able to beare Armor and finding himselfe indifferent strong tooke order with the rest of his companie the next day to depart onwards on their way towards the confines of Denmarke where they hoped to haue some ioyfull tidings of him whom they sought or at least waies to méete againe with the Lord Menew Sir Henault whom the Lord Gwaltero déerely loued Thus hauing taken order for the preparing of their iourny the next day they all tooke their leaue of their kind hostis and Gwaltero taking her aside desired her with the teares standing in his eyes to be mindefull of her former promise assuring her if God did grant him life and liberty hee would returne against the fixed time by her appointed to solemnize their marriage in the meane time he would commend her into the protection of the almighty God But she good Lady not being able to speake for wéeping held him about the necke often kissing him as one loth so soone to forgoe his companie yet at the last séeing no remedie intreated him to remember her and his promise vntill which time of his returne she would spend her daies in prayer for his safe and prosperous successe Thus departed these two Louers whom we will leaue for a while to speake of other matters CHAP. XI How the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault hapned to arriue in the Cittie of Parris of the Turnie there proclaimed by the Duke of Orleance THe Lord of Menew and Sir Henault taking the direct way which they were informed to rescue the Lady and her husband rode on a great pace till such time that comming vnto the place where the battaile had béene fought but a little before found the dead bodies of the auncient Knight and diuers of his seruants but for the murtherers they could not knowe what was become of them because they had taken a bie and vnknowne way which ledde them as before is sayd vnto their destruction Wherefore taking their way towards the next Towne they rode on hastily minding to stay there vntill they might heare some newes of the Lord Gwaltero whom they imagined would likewise arriue there the next day at the farthest But héereof being deceaued by reason of the occasions before recited after they had remained there some thrée daies looking for him they departed towards the Sea-side and comming to a Towne called Forefront they found diuers Ships bound to seueral coasts wherfore deuiding their selues some to one Country some into another the Lord of Menew Sir Henault being loth to part companie shipped thēselues for Fraunce hoping there either to find him whom they sought for or else to purchase fame by their prowesse within that Kingdome and sooner then in any other might it be obtained if they showed themselues valerous by reason of the continual turnaments which were dayly vsed there by the Nobles and Knights of tha region And being shipped and hauing wind at will they set saile so prosperously that within eight daies after they landed at Calice where they a while stayed as well to refresh themselues after their comming from the Sea as also to view the Towne and Country thereabouts and to make inquirie if peraduenture they might heare of him in whose Quest they went Thus hauing stayd there twelue or fourtéene daies not learning any newes at all of their infortunate King they tooke their way towards the royall Cittie of Paris where the King then kept his Court with a great assemblie of Lords and Ladies which were then drawne together to behold a great Turny proclaimed by the Duke of Orleance by the Kings consent against all strangers the occasion of which Turny grew by this meanes The Duke béeing a lustie young Knight was inamoured on the Kings eldest daughter a most beautifull and goodly Lady who for her grace vertues and beautie had not her equall in all the kingdome of Fraunce beeing called Emilia whose perfections had so intangled his hart that hee could not by any meanes frée himselfe from béeing thrall to her beautie and thinking no meanes better to winne a fayre Lady then by shewing himselfe valiant hee continually frequented Tylts and Turnyes oftentimes carrying away the cheefest prizes of valour which was a meanes not onely to obtaine great loue and fauour of the King but also drew to him some liking of his Lady and Mistris the Princes Emilia which she sometimes would make shewe of by her kind countenaunce and pleasant spéeches to him which curtesies put him in such an excéeding hope and pride withall that thinking himselfe halfe sure of her loue and that béeing grast
without you had therein béene guiltfull you would not haue persisted in this your wicked persute after my honesty The Duke knowing himselfe guilty in that wherewith she had accused him also growing into chollor with her rude deniall briefly replied Lady I perceaue that that which cannot be obtained by faire meanes must now at length be wonne by foule and séeing that you wil not willingly consent vnto the thing which in kind and milde sort I haue intreated of you know for a certainty that I will winne it by force whereas you accuse me of murdering of thy vnfortunate husband assure thy selfe that the guilte thereof shall lighten on thy owne head which I my selfe will iustifie against thée And thus saying he departed her chamber changing all his former loue into cruell hate alwaies pondring in his minde reuenge till such time as his Nobles being come together for the solemnizing of the funerals at which time comming as if hee would haue viewed the dead corpes with some of his nobillity laying his hand on his head on a sudden he séemed to féele the nayle when fetching a déepe sigh hee cryed out that his déere friend Hostinius had béene slaine by treachery The nobles beholding this sudden accident came and beheld the same euery one imediatly iudging that by that wound he receaued his death The Duke aboue all others séemed most to wounder héereat and at length turning to the company sayd that he hoped to find out the murtherers séeing God so strangely had giuen knowledge of the déede which vntill now was not so much as once dreampt of Wherefore presently causing Vitella with all her Damsells and attendants to be atached he examined them euery one and comming to Estonio whom hee before had instructed examined him in such sort that he declared how that the Lady Vitilla had many times made proffer of her loue vnto him and that he as often had denied her because he would not wronge his Lord and Maister how that she had proffered him both to murder her husband and afterwards to marry with him if he thereunto would giue his consent still clearing himselfe as much as it was possible This confession being vttered shee poore distressed Lady was foorthwith condemned not being suffered so much as once to speake for her selfe Estonio was likewise committed to prison there for to remaine a while to bléere the peoples eyes who could hardly belieue that which hee had iustified The same day the Duke procéeded in iudgement against Vitella where he iudged her for her fault to loose all her lands which he imediatly seased on and that except within sixe months she could find a Knight that should maintaine her cause against the Duke in single combat for he as a déere friend vnto her deased husband would be the man that would prooue that she had comitted treason and murder against him with these conditions that if he were vanquished that then she should be deliuered frée and all her lands and goods restored vnto her but if it hapnēd that he remained Victor that both shee and the weake Knight which should put himselfe in her defence should be burned a liue at one stake which he caused for the same purpose to be set vp in the midst of the Market place This sentence pronounced she good Lady was committed vnder safe kéeping no body but such whom the Duke appointed being suffered to come vnto her Which caused many to iudge the Duke rather to be guilty then she especially such who had knowne the great loue betwéene her and her deceased husband considering also that onely by this meanes he had gotten her inhearitance into his hands which was the chiefest marke he aimed at Now to returne againe to our purpose the Lord Gwaltero and his company comming as before wee haue said into Viena hapned to take vp his lodging in a kinsmans house of the Lady Vitellas who by reason of her mishap was very sad pensiue and béeing sitting at supper was demaunded the cause of his sorrow by the Lord Gwaltero vnto whom hee declared the former discourse with the loue of the Duke vnto Vitella which he had likewise learned of her not forgetting in any one poynt to declare the cōmon wickednesse of the Duke therby the easier to perswade his crime likewise in this Gwaltero hauing attentiuely listned vnto this discourse meruailed greatly at the strange tyranny of the Duke and béeing halfe resolued of the Ladies innocencie determined with himselfe to put himselfe in her defence wherefore demaunding how hee might come to speake with the Ladie and also how néere the time appointed for her execution was expired for that he was loth to tarry ouer-long in any place because of his returne vnto his Lady Mistrisse his Host replied that the time of her death was now within sixe dayes and that as yet shee was not prouided of any Champion because the Duke was a strong puissant knight and the condition of the combat such that euery one feared to entermedle therein and as touching the meanes to speake with her if he would vouchsafe to take the paynes he would supper béeing ended conduct him to the place where hee should from her owne mouth heare what shee would say to cléere herselfe Gwaltero béeing by nature pittifull and also by oath of Knight-hood bound to helpe and succour those that were distressed consented to goe with him to the prison Where béeing come and brought into the presence of Vitella her Cosin declared the cause of their comming who after thanks to them giuen and lifting vp both her eyes and hands towards heauen protesting her innocencie she declared as much as she knew touching the same vtterly denying any loue towards Estinio or any other saue onely her Lord Hostinius Gwaltero being fully resolued of her innocencie demaunded if she would put her case into his hands who would for her deliuery aduenture his life and no doubt but her cause béeing iust God would prosper theyr quarrell Shée humbly thanking him answered that séeing he so curteously offered himselfe to him and God onely she committed her case desiring that according to her innocencie he might spéed therein and no otherwise Then taking theyr leaue till the day came he departed leauing her somewhat comforted with hope of her Knights good successe and equitie of her cause CHAP. XVII How Gwaltero combatted with the Duke and slew him of the kind proffers that were made him by Vitella the Nobility with his departure thence THE day béeing come wherin the Lady Vitella was either to bring foorth her Champion or else to commit her body to the fire the Duke béeing royallie accompaned entred the Lists causing her in continent to be sent for and béeing come demaunded for her Champion shée aunswered that God had prouided her one who at the sound of the trumpet would likewise appeare The Duke hearing that shée was prouided of a Knight wondred what he should be
turning to the Squire hee intreated him to tarry till the next day séeing the two young Gentlemen were so desirous The Squire to satis-fie the Duke willingly consented although he had no great hope of theyr successe The two Princes carefull of their charge hauing theyr Armor and other necessaries prouided kept theyr deuout watch all night sometimes accompanied by the young Princesse and diuers other Ladies they passed away the time till the morning at what time the Duke cōming vnto them accompanied with many Lords Knights with his owne hands buckled on theyr spurres and then drawing foorth their swords gaue them the gentle Accolado Then raysing them vp desired GOD to make them both good and valiant Knights Then hearing deuine seruice they returned into the great Hall to make triall of the inchaunted Sword where first the Prince Iago as the elder made tryall but by no meanes was able to draw it then taking it to the Gentleman of the Forrest he said Brother God giue you better luck then I or else this Squire is like to indure more labour True replied he I doubt it greatly séeing that you haue mist then putting his hands on the Hilts he drew it foorth as easily as if it had béene an ordinary sword to the great wonder of the Duke and all the beholders Then the Squire falling on his knees tolde him that the boone which he required was to goe into Ireland with him where he should combat with a Knight béeing the falsest Louer that might be and therewith declared the whole discourse of his Lady and Adresto as is before recited Héere wee will leaue the Gentleman of the Forrest preparing himselfe to goe with the Squire into Ireland to combat Adresto concluding the first part of our History FINIS The second part of the famous History of the two Princes Euordanus Prince of Denmarke and Iago Prince of Saxonie with their seuerall aduentures and fortunes in Loue. CHAP. I. How Euordanus called the Gentleman of the Forrest hauing receaued order of Knighthood departed towards Ireland with the Squire of Lenarda Dutches of Toledo YOu may remember how that in the former part of this historie the young Princes Euordanus and Iago hauing receaued the order of Knighthoode and the aduenture of the inchaunted sword being finished by Euordanus he was thereupon to trauell into Ireland to combat with Adresto and now hauing stayed by the Duke and Dutches intreaty some thrée or foure daies in which time there was a small Barke prepared for his better transporting himselfe and such necessaries as in his iourny should be néedefull vnto him and now the winde seruing fitly for their intended course he was hastned on by the Squire to depart who declared vnto him the great griefe and heauines which in this meane time his noble and excellent Lady the Dutches Lenarda indured then which hée was sure there could be no greater torment possible And now all things béeing fitted in readinesse for their departure hee came before the Duke to take his leaue where falling downe on his knées proffering to kisse his graces hands the Duke lift him vp from the ground imbracing him in his armes and with teares trickling downe his manly chéekes commended him to God desiring him that he would returne againe vnto his Court his aduenture being finished with as much spéede as might bee whereas he should be as hartily welcome as his owne natural son the prince Iago These many other such like spéeches the Duke then vsed vnto him which draue the Knight into a great admiration especially of the words that hée should be as welcome vnto him as the Prince Iago By which and the strange name he was called by it was to be doubted whether hee were the Dukes sonne or not which before this time he had neuer heard nor so much as once dreampt of so secret had his finding béene consealed from him And being about to demaunde the same of the Duke he was put from his purpose by a messenger which was sent vnto him by the Dutches to will him to come vnto her in her chamber where hearing of his taking leaue of the Duke she attended his comming being accompanied with her daughter the Princesse Egisena who was now attained to the age of 15 yeares and by continuall frequenting the company of the Gentleman of the Forrest somewhat touched with loue towards him and vnderstanding by her mother who desired nothing more then to sée them ioyned together in marriage that they were no kin had set downe her rest if he thereto consented to accept of no other husband Thus leauing the Duke not a little grieued for his departure he came vnto the Dutches her chamber where as he found both the mother and daughter so ouercharged with sorrow for his departure that of a long time they were not able to vtter a word But at length the Dutches recouering the former vse of her tongue with a déepe sigh procéeding from her hart which manifestly showed the inward griefe she sustained for his departure and with her eyes stedfastly fixed on him spake as followeth Gentleman of the Forrest for sonne I may no longer call you the great loue which I haue alwaies borne vnto you I am sure you know to be no lesse then that either to your supposed brother the Prince Iago or your sister Egisena although as by my former spéeches you may perceaue you were not my owne naturall childe but in your infancy found by my Lord the Duke in a Forrest in the Kingdome of Denmarke of which place you haue euer since béene called the Gentleman of the Forrest no man knowing of what parentage you are discended nor what other name then this which the Duke gaue you to call you by These things I haue now thought good to declare vnto you before your departure that béeing absent you may the better if occasion so happen to find out your true and naturall parents whom I doubt not but to be such as your selfe shall haue no cause to grieue at nor we cause to be sorrowfull for the education bestowed vpon you your vertues already manifesting the same Farther would she haue procéeded but the teares trickling downe her chéekes stopped the passage of her farther spéeches when the young Knight hauing attentiuely listned vnto her former words to the which those of the Duke séemed to concure Replied most worthy Princesse these your spéeches hath strooke such an amazednesse into my vnderstanding that I knowe not well what to speake or thinke but my vntowardlinesse did alwaies foreshowe that I was not discended of so royall an ofspring as my Lord the Duke yet notwithstanding my minde foretelleth me I am not so basely descended but that I may hope for to challendge my selfe to be a Gentleman and make knowne this high order which my Lord the Duke hath bestowed vpon mee of Knighthoode not to surpasse my estate wherefore I vow and protest before God héere in your Graces presence
time he would a little wash and annoint the same with such water and oyntment as hee had for the same purpose brought with him the Knight glad hereof gaue him harty thanks and hauing had his wounds drest departed with him towards his Cell where his wounds were cured as hereafter you shall heare with the occasion of the Monsters beeing in that place In the meane time wee will roturne to speake somewhat of the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault whom the former part of of this history left remaining in the Court of Fraunce in the company of the English Prince and diuers other Noblemen CHAP. III. How Sir Henault and the Lord of Menew departed from the Court of Fraunce and arriued in Holland where they heard of the aduenture of Coruew and how they were both taken prisoners AFter Prince Edward had ouercome the Duke of Orleance and continued the defence of the Princesse Emelias beauty to his great honor and renowne hee remained a while in the French Court greatly feasted where for a time he stayed with him the two noble Danes the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault intertaining them with great familiaritie and kindnesse But béeing at length weary of idlenesse and desirous to follow after their quest they departed towards Belgica being earnestly intreated by the English Prince to haue accompaned him into England Thus departed they onwards on their iourny still making diligent inquiry after their King of whom nor of Sir Gwaltero they could learne any certainty In this manner rode they together through most part of Fraunce leauing behind them in all places a famous memoriall of their vertuous acts which caused their names to bée spred farre and néere But at length passing the spacious Kingdome of Fraunce they arriued in the vnfortunate Dukedome of Holland infortunate in regard of the many vilde customes erected by the tirrany of their vngodly Duke as is in the first part of this History declared Scarce were they entred one whole daies iourny within this prouince before that Fame the Herault of reports had brought vnto their eares the custome of the Castle of Coruew with the many famous explots there exercised with the innumerable number of Knights which had there lost themselues among whom there was one Knight for his excéeding vallor farre famoused aboue the rest who by the description of body and Armes which he bare they presently imagined to be the Lord Gwaltero Wherefore determining either to recouer him or loose themselues they set on thetherwards where the next morning they arriued so me two houres before that Phoebus vntired stéedes with their neuer resting Chariot had attained the mid heauens and comming within the view of the Castle the strength thereof strake a sudden amazednesse in them but considering the cause of their comming was to deliuer him whom they intirely loued and also that to a valiant hart nothing should séeme difficult and withal the harder the enterprise the more is the honor obtained by the victor they determined rather to die then to returne not making triall of the aduenture being sonéere which would be for euer a great dishonor vnto thē The Lord of Menew desiring to make the first triall whereunto Sir Henault willingly consented hoping that if hee were ouercome his honor in obtaining the victory would be the greater Thus being agréed tthe Lord of Menew went presently vnto the shield giuing it such a blow that he cleft it in two in the midst which beeing séene by those that garded the bridge immediately one of them arming himselfe came foorth mounted on a mighty stéede of a browne bay cullour with a little white starre in the forehead and one white foote and comming with an easie trot vnto the Lord of Menew demaunded of him wherefore he sought and what was the occasion of his so outragious striking of the shield The Lord of Menew aunswered that his comming thether was to séeke for a Knight which bare in his shield two Lions rampant sable in a féeld argent who as he vnderstood had béene by treason subdued and imprisoned within that Castle and for the striking of the shield hée listed not to giue him any other reason then that he hoped with the fame Launce to pierce both his shield and his hart The other replied that such a Knight indéede was there imprisoned whose hauty hart caused him attempt that which he could not accomplish in pursuing whereof by force and not by treason he was vanquished and according to the custome of their Castle made forfeiture of his life but that for his vallor they were contented hee should a while liue to helpe to strengthen their gard if hee could thereto be wonne Then turning about his horse they both prepared to fetch their carrere and placing their staues in their rests they met together so rudely that the Knight of the bridge was sent to measure his length on the ground being mortally wounded with a splinter of the Launce in the visage the Lord of Menew likewise beeing so sore shaken with the incounter as he had much to doe to kéepe his Saddle then presently came foorth other two Knights well armed and mounted crying to him to prepare himselfe to incounter them which he presently did and méeting together strake one of them so stronge a blow that missing toward it with his shield his Launce passed cleane through his body but the other Knight breaking his Launce in the midst of his shield caused him to tumble ouer his horse taile but it was not long before such time as he had recouered his féete his Squire beeing ready with the horse of the first Knight on which he presently mounted and drawing foorth his sword was presently ready to assault the other who séeing him dismounted made no great hast but with vaine glorious brauery passed on his carrere when turning about and perceauing him to bee remounted drew foorth his sword saying Sir Knight well may you thanke your Squire for so quicke puruaying of a new horse for you but I feare me hee shall but little stéede you against the force of my arme which hath once already sent you to measure your loutish length vpon the ground The Lord of Menew being madded with rage stayed not to aunswere him with words but with his sword lent him so friendly a blow that caused him to bend his head euen to his brest but quickly recouering himselfe againe he strake the other such ablow that had hee not warded the same with his shield he had gone néere to haue cleft his head in two thus continued they a while sometimes the one sometimes the other séeming to haue the better Fortune so equally guiding the ballance that it was hard to iudge whether side should obtaine victory At last the Lord of Menew imagining with himselfe that to be long in conquering would be a cause that himselfe in the end should be ouercome determined either to obtaine a spéedy conquest or a spéedy death wherefore
Adresto to be sent for and his wounds to be dressed declaring vnto the Prince Iago that it was the same Knight for whom he left Saxonie to goe into Ireland to combat with all Héere after they had rested themselues by the space of fiue daies hauing sent word of this fortunate deliuerance to the Court of Fraunce they determined altogether to ride thether where in thrée daies they arriued with easie iournies by reason of the wounds of Adresto And at their comming foorth of the Castle with a mighty clap of thunder the Castle and dead bodies of the Gyants were vanisht cleane out of sight to the great astonishment of them all And now being as I haue sayd come to the Citty of Parris they were royally welcomed and intertained by the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia Oliua and all Nobles of the Court vnto whom the Prince of England declared the whole discourse of euery particuler accedent touching their imprisonment and deliuery Which when the King had heard he made a solemne vow to be reuenged on the Duke of Orleance and his whole family but at the intreaty of the Prince he pardoned Sir Pestrell who afterwards prooued a good and hardy Knight Thus passed they away the time in the French Court by the space of thrée wéekes each friend recounting to other their seuerall aduentures and making preparation for the solemnizing of the marriage betwéene Prince Edward the Princesse Emilia in which time Adresto was fully recouered of his wounds and being desirous to see his old loue the Dutches Lenarda hastned on the Knight of the Lions to depart whereunto he was very willing by reason of the desire he had to speake with Adriano CHAP. XIX How the Knight of the Lions departing from the French Court with Adresto landed in Holland where comming to the Castle of Coruew hee deliuered the King his Father ANd now beeing ready prouided to depart they came both into the great Hall where with many ceremonious courtisies they tooke their leaue of the King the Quéene the Princesse Emilia and Oliua with all the rest of the Nobles of the Court The two Princes Edward and Iago séeing they would néedes depart accompanied them two daies iourny onwards on their way during which time the Prince Iago desiring pardon of his brother for not bearing him company made knowne vnto him his loue to the Princesse Oliua which by his abode in Court he doubted not but to obtaine considering the great loue and amity which was betwéene him and her father The Knight of the Lions being well contented héerewith desired him at his returne or sending into Saxonie to remember his duty to the Duke and Ductches and his beautifull sister the Princesse Egisena whom hee intirely loued assuring him that as soone as he could learne any certainty of that which he now went to séeke for he would returne thether likewise which hee did not doubt but would hapen very shortly Then taking their leaue of each other with many kind imbracements the Prince Edward most earnestly intreated him to sée him at his returne out of Spaine at the English Court to which he easily consented Thus they departed the two Princes towards the Court the Knight of the Lions Adresto towards the Sea-side where their ship remained for them where béeing arriued and setting into Sea they sailed merrily by the space of two daies but on the third day the wind altring and the Seas growing very foule they were forced to put to hull and being thus tost to and fro by the wind and Seas by the space of fiue daies they were at last put on shore on the coast of the Dutchy of Holland where going on shore and taking their horses and Armor minding a little to take the aire after their storme at Sea they rode onwards in a narrow way fast by a pleasant groues side where they heard one very pittifully weeping and listning attentiuely they might heare these few words pronounced And is it possible that God will suffer such cruell and iniust customes to continue to the destruction of so many braue and hardie Knights as haue béene by this wicked custome of Coruew destroyed O false and disloyall Griffory that fearing to shew thy malice openly hast ordained so vild a custome The two Knights hearing this complaint and imagining thereby that there was some cause extraordinary which mooued the party so to complaine alighted and went into the Groue where they found a Squire lying on the earth his face all blubbred with teares and demaunding him the cause of his sorrow was giuen by him to vnderstand of the custome of Coruew where not long since the Duke of Litsenburge his Lord and Maister hauing bin by the space of 20. yéeres trauelling in search of his soueraigne the noble King Frederick of Denmark during which time he had accomplished many great and hardy déedes of Armes and now returning home into his owne Country with intent no longer to séeke after the which was impossible to be found trauailing along by a Castle not passing a daies iourney hence where the Duke of this Country hath erected a custome that no Knight shall passe that way but first he shall leaue his horse and Armor behind him vnlesse hee conquer the Gardants which is a thing impossible because of the number and then he declared the fame as it is more at large expressed in the first part of this history The Knight of the Lyons and Adresto hearing of this custome and greatly pittying the losse of so many hardie Knights as were there daily imprisoned beganne to grow into a great longing to make triall of the same wherefore sending backe Gillimo vnto the ship for such things as they wanted and to giue direction to the Marriners that if with in ten dayes they did not returne that then they should direct their course for Spayne whether they would peraduenture trauell by Land and willing Gillimo to follow them with as much spéede as hee could they departed towards Coruew that night lying at a Village not passing a league and a halfe from the Castle And the next day early in the morning hauing heard Diuine seruice and taking a small repast they rode directly towards the Castle Adresto hauing desired to make the first triall of his vallour and now beeing come vnto the place where the Shield hung at the bridge-foote Adresto strooke the same so hard and rudely with the blunt end of his Launce that he caused the whole Vally to resound with the noyse thereof Presently issued foorth one of the Knights gardants and mounting on his horse came vnto Adresto demaunding what hee sought Entrance aunswered Adresto which if it be denied I will purchase with my sword Then setting spurres to theyr horses they met together with such fury that the Knight of the bridge was sent headlong to the ground and after him came foorth another who was likewise sent to beare him company breaking his necke with the
Knight of the Lyons with their cōpany some others to the number of two hundred would not at all ioyne themselues with any of the troopes but in a loose manner would make a tryall to breake in on the backs of their enemies as soone as the battell should begin each one of thē for their better knowledge to theyr friends wearing on their Helmes a crosse of gréene and corronation coloured silke in this sort was ranged the whole battell of the States On the contrary side the Earle Dowglasse placed his Army in another maner making as it were but one maine battaile of his whole Armie in the midst whereof he placed for his owne gard fiue thousand Scots the rest he intermixed with the Danes the greatest part whereof hee placed in the forefront of the battaile his wings consisted most of a light kind of people which did vse to cast Darts beeing armed onely with a short sword and target with which when they came to ioyne blowes they did great spoyle to theyr enemies And now both Armies béeing thus ranged in battaile aray the Drummes Trumpets sounded making a most ioyfull sound to them whose harts not daunted with feare desired to incounter with their enemies euery Captaine incouraging his men to fight valiantly and to doe their best to winne the victory The chiefe of the states incouraging theyr souldiers with the iustice of theyr cause as beeing vrged to fight for their fréedome and liberty of their Country By this time were both Armies come together the Lord Louden giuing the first charge vpon his enemies brake his Launce valiantly and drawing out his sword beeing followed by his company made way through his enemies ranks but soone he was stopped from going farre and had it not béene that the Duke of Litsenbege and the Lord of Opencade came with fresh succours they had béene all put to the sword For the Scots séeing the violent rashnesse of the Lord Louden and the Count Mildrope opened theyr ranks of purpose and hauing suffered them to enter inclosed them round about but now at the cōming of the Duke the battell began to grow very hote insomuch that there were many slaine of both sides The Scots euer kéeping themselues close together made themselues the stronger whereas the States for want of skill and knowledge suffered theyr troopes to breake theyr ranks to theyr great dammage Which the Earle Dowglasse perceiuing with some twelue or fouretéene thousand entred in amongst thē making great slaughter where they went The Earle this day shewing that his yéeres had not any way taken away the vallor which in his former dayes he had showed for it was thought that this day hee slew with his owne hands aboue thréescore Knights Now beganne the Danes to fly trusting rather to their héeles then the defence of their swords which the Lord Itzenho and the Lord Rensberge perceauing came in with the rereward and againe renewed the fight which before was almost ended gathering together the disperced troops of the Duke But alas to small purpose had this their new onset béene had it not béene that the King with his company of Venturers hauing fetched about a great hill which lay on the side of the battaile came at the same instant on the backe of their enemies and withall their might charging them entred pell mell amongst them killing a great many before such time as they could turne their faces to knowe from whence this mischiefe came The King accompanied with the Knight of the Lions Adresto and the Lord Gwaltero made a plaine way for the rest to follow them especially the Knight of the Lions who neuer strake stroke but was either the death or dismembring of some Knight The Lord of Menew and Sir Henault did likewise the part of noble Knights so as in short space the odds beganne to appeare on the side of the States who before were euen vanquished Which when the Earle Dowglasse sawe and grieuing to behold he with his elected company came to make head where he sawe most danger and perceauing that the Knight of their Lions was in a manner the whole ouerthrow of his Armie hée set spurres to his horse and comming vnto him gaue him a great blowe on his Helme causing him to bend his head forwards But he soone requited the same for lifting vp his sword he gaue the Earle such a blowe that had he not warded the same with his shield hee had ended therewith his life for notwithstanding his defence it caused him to fall from his horse in a traunce and so was taken prisoner to the great discouragement of the whole Armie who presently put themselues to flight but were so hotly persued that they were but few that escaped but were either slaine or taken prisoners Of men of name there was slaine of the States the Duke of Litsenburge the Lord Londen and the Count of Mildrope And of the Scots traytors there was slaine Sir Iames Lewrence the Earles Cosin the Lord Crecon a Scot and the Count Hermes with some twenty thousand of the Commons There was taken prisoners the Earle Dowglasse the Vicount Barwicke the Archbishop of Maiance and the Lord Harding which two latter were the next day executed for their rebellion Thus the victory béeing obtained by the States they gaue thanks to GOD with publique solemne prayers then causing the wounded to be cured they called a counsell to determine on their affaires where all the chiefe of the Armie béeing assembled euery man commended the great vallour of the Venturers but especially that of the Knight of the Lyons the gréene Knight which was Adresto and the two tawny Knights whereof the one was the King the other the Lord Gwaltero The King now séeing it was not good longer to conceale himselfe stoode foorth in the midst of the Assembly and taking of his Helme discouering his face spake with a resonable loude voyce My friends welbeloued Countrimen I perceaue the long absence of your King hath worne out in many theyr naturall loue obedience which they ought to haue to theyr natiue Country and also in most of you the knowledge of me who by the prouidence of God and vallour of this noble Knight poynting to the Knight of the Lyons am deliuered from a long and grieuous imprisonment which my Cosin Gwaltero and many others héere present can well witnesse and now am come vnto the ayde of you my true and louing Subiects Wherefore it is my will that the chiefe of those conspirators who haue raised this rebellion be to morrow next to the example of all others hangd drawne and quartered The whole Assembly hearing séeing theyr King who for the space of twenty yéeres they all imagined to be dead with one voyce cryed aloude Long liue King Fredericke to raine and rule ouer vs and withall ranne each striuing to come first to kisse his hands and welcome him into his kingdome greatly desiring to heare the cause of his long absence which was deferred till some other more conuenient time This newes was presently spred through the whole Army to the great ioy of all men which they euidently shewed by their shoutes and bonfires which they made that night The next day the King hauing séene the execution of the chiefe Traytors and pardoning the rest dismissing all his Army sauing some few which he sent to the Townes that were in rebellion which presently yéelded vnto his mercie he departed towards Maiance hauing still in his company the Knight of the Lyons and Adresto whom he intirely loued and to whom he made many large proffers if they pleased to haue stayed in his kingdome And being come to Maiance he was receiued with the greatest ioy that might be by the Cittizens where he remained by the space of a month in the greatest ioy that hart could wish saue onely the remembrance of his Quéene did something hinder the fulnes thereof which was awhile swéetned with the delightfull company of his vnknowne sonne where I will leaue them and so conclude the second part of this history FINIS