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
considering her rare beutie which though it were not set foorth by any Art or abiliments yet in that carelesse and couert sort did it appeare to be most singuler demaunded of her many questions which she answered in such good and modest sort that shée grew thereby in great liking and good opinion of her entertaining her amongst the rest of her Sisters where shee behaued herselfe in such good sort that in short time she gained to herselfe not onely the loue of all the house but also the fame of her godly liuing was spredde abroade through all the country adioyning to the great commendation and famousing of the Monestry Where wee will leaue her in her godly meditations and returne a little to declare what hapned to the Lord Gwaltero and Sir Henault with the rest of their company that tooke on them the search of their King CHAP. VIII How the Lord Gwaltero the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault with diuers others were deuided by a strange aduenture and what hapned vnto the Lord Gwaltero thereby IT is to be remembred before how the Lord Gwaltero the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault with diuers others taking on them the search of their King began their iourney from Maiance resoluing not to returne with out some certaine newes of him whō they sought for thus trauailing on together through most part of Denmark they hapned at length cōming into a Forrest to méet a Squire on horsback making all the spéede that possibly he might euer looking backwards as if some body had pursued him At length méeting with the Lord Gwaltero and the rest of the company who were in all to the number of twelue Knights besides their Squires and thinking by the costly Armor which he ware him to be the chiefest in the companie alighted from his horse and falling on his knées with the teares standing in his eyes spake as followeth Most curteous Knight for so much my minde assureth you to be I humbly beséech you and the rest of your company heere present for the honour of knight-hood and the loue that you ought to beare to all distressed Ladies and Damsels that you wil doe so much as succour and reuenge a most beautifull Lady who euen now in this Forrest béeing trauailing to a brothers house of hers some 3. leagues distance from her owne béeing accompanied with her husband my Lord and Maister and some foure or fiue attendants more whom I feare mee by this time are all neere-hand slaine or grieuously wounded by a ranck Traytor who hauing long time sued vnto my Lady for lasciuious loue and not béeing able to maintaine the same by reason of her chast and honest denials this morning knowing that she was to passe this way accompanied himselfe with some tenne or twelue as wickedly disposed as himselfe whom hee had made acquainted with his villainous pretence vnawares set vppon vs at the first incounter grieuously wounded my Lord by reason he was vnarmed hauing nothing but his sword to defend himselfe as not douting any such euill Thus concluding his tale with whole floods of teares which issued from his sorrowfull eyes which mooued pitty in all the beholders especially in the Lord Gwaltero who not long before had tasted the like mishap willing the squire to stand vp and comfort himselfe assuring him that he had met with those who would reuenge the wrong which hee had declared vnto them Wherefore willing him to shewe which way he should take he set spurres to his horse and galloped as fast as hee could hoping to come soone enough to their succour which when the rest of his companie beheld they followed after as fast as they could but had not rodden long before they had lost sight of him by reason of the thicknesse of the wood and the swiftnes of his horse which was accounted to be the best in all the Kingdome Thus galloping onwards at length he came where the way deuided it selfe into thrée seuerall paths and taking that on the right hand as thinking it to be the right way hee rode on still neuer looking backe for his cōpany so earnest was his mind set on the rescue of the Lady and her husband The rest comming after when they came vnto the place where the way deuided it selfe knew not well what to doe nor which way to take yet at length béeing directed by the Squire the most of them as Sir Henault and the Lord of Menew tooke that way which ledde directly foorth betwéen the other two appointing some to take the other wayes to follow the Lord Gwaltero if peraduenture he had missed in his way Amongst which his Squire two other Knights the one named Sir Brewes the other Sir Cadrus tooke the way which he before had roden The Lorde Gwaltero as wee haue said before beeing pricked on with a desire to rescue those which were distressed made such hast that after he had passed the place where the wayes deuided it selfe and hauing rodden about two miles from the place met with a peasant driuing of cattell before him of whom he inquired whether he had séene any company thereabouts fighting or any Knights or gentlemen slaine The peasant made aunswere he saw no such but some halfe a mile before he met foure Knights crossing the way towards a little Castle some two leagues of leading a very faire Lady pittifully wéeping whō he thought they constrained to goe onwards against her will When Gwaltero had heard this he assured himselfe that this was the same Lady whom he went to rescue wherefore demanding which way they went the peasant shewed him where they were riding vp a little hill almost a mile before him which when he beheld he spurred on faster then before hée had doone so that before they were attained vnto the sight of theyr Castle he had ouertaken them in a fayre meddow betwéene two small hills And calling to them sayd Traytors turne and deliuer me that Lady whom so villainously you haue carried away or your liues shall pay my sworde her raunsome They hearing him call and looking backe séeing but one Knight alone persuing them stayed and he who ledde the Ladies horse by the raines being a very bigge and comly Knight answered foolish and most simple Knight thinkest thou me so fond or faint harted that only at thy threats who art able to performe nothing but in words I will deliuer this my prize whom I haue gotten so hardly and with the price of much bloud or that my loue towards her is so small so lightly to part from her No no I counsell thée rather for thy owne safegard to depart away or else this my Launce shall make your passe-port to old Caron Gwaltero hearing this and being no longer able to indure those braues placed his Launce in his rest and setting spurres to his horse they ranne together like lightning and at the encounter their speares slew into the aire Gwaltero passing on without any hurt at
all but the other Knight whose name was Brandoll being wounded a little in the left side was so sore astonied with the stroke that he could hardly containe himselfe from falling from his horse which Gwaltero perceauing his carreare ended returned againe with his sword in his hand then méeting the one the other there beganne a fierce and doubtfull combat which had foorthwith ended by a stroke that the Lord Gwaltero gaue him on the right shoulder which was so mighty that breaking his pouldron wounded him shrewdly in the shoulder and sliding downe farther cut him into the thigh with paine whereof hée fell from his horse which when the rest of his companie beheld all at once they assailed him charging him so roughly that hée was likely to haue gone besides his Saddle had he not taken hold on the horse maine with his hands but they had no great cause long to boast thereof for gathering all his forces together and raysing himselfe in his stirrup hée tooke one of them so sound a blow on the Helme that the stéele not able to kéepe out the stroke claue his head to the téeth to the great discomfort of the rest Who séeing one of their companie slaine and their Captaine lying on the ground in little better sort determined either to bée reuenged or else to followe them in the like misfortune raging chafing the one only Knight should be able to make resistāce against them assaulted him more fiercely then they had done before One of them whose Launce remained whole determined to charge him on the backe and comming behind him with his full carreare at such a time as he was raising himselfe in his stirrups to haue striken one that was before him gaue him such a cruell stroke that caused him tumble headlong ouer his horse necke and had not his Armor beene excéeding good that blowe had made an end of the combat but hee who was reserued for other purposes féeling himselfe so cowardly striken quickly recouered his féete and defended himselfe valiently though with more disaduantage then before whereby he receaued many wounds and was likely to haue béene ouercome for by this time Brandoll had againe recouered his scences and séeing the Knight who had brought him into that case to continue still fighting against his Knights and had already slaine one of them being vrged forwards both with shame and griefe taking his sword in his hand hée ranne vpon him like a fierce vnskilfull mastiue who being once tossed by the sturdie bull commeth on more hastily then before but Gwaltero perceauing him comming séeming to méete him lightly made a thrust at one of the Knights horses which charged him on horse-backe which thrust lighted so luckily that so piercing his belly hee caused him with his Maister to tumble to the ground where by reason of one of his féete being in the stirrup he could not so suddenly rise againe by which meanes Gwaltero the more nasier delt with Brandoll and the other Knight who séeing his fellowes mischance dismounted himselfe for feare of the like mishap now grew the foote combat more hote and fierce then that on horse-backe by reason that Gwaltero perceauing himselfe almost wearied and fearing the comming of the other Knight whose foote was in the stirrup vnder his horse layd on with al his might but Brandoll being a strong Knight as most in that Country séemed to set light by his furie and charged him againe with so many mighty blowes as well hee gaue him to vnderstand that he knew better how to fight on foote then on horse-backe The good Lady in the meane time sate wéeping on her palfrie being held by two of Brandolls Squiers euer praying and beseeching God to preserue and defend the strange Knight whose vertue and prowesse she much admired and whom she feared was not long able to indure the brunt of the battaile for that the other Knight hauing recouered himselfe from vnder his horse came likewise to to the combat to her great griefe and sorrowe But casting away her head from the sight of the battaile as loth to sée the death of him who had so valiantly fought in her defence she espied two Knights with a Squire come galloping as fast as their horses could runne whom shee likewise feared to be some of Brandolls companie but therein she was deceaued as you shall heare in the next Chapter CHAP. IX How Sir Brewes and Sir Cadrus with the Lord Gwalteros Squire came to his rescue and how they conducted the Lady to her Castle SIR Brewes and Sir Cadrus the two Knights which tooke the way after the Lord Gwaltero accompanied with his Squire thinking because he had taken the wrong way that hee should haue had no occasion of fighting made the lesser spéede after him vntil such time that comming vnto the top of the hill which he had passed where the peasant showed him the foure Knights that ledde away the Lady from which place they beheld them fighting and thinking that it might be Gwaltero they set spurres to their horses and galloped so fast that they were come within the calling euen as the Knight who was hanging by the stirrupe had recouered himselfe Then Sir Cadrus cryed to the sayd villaines giue ouer fighting with that alone Knight and defend your selues from the force of my Launce and there with gaue one of them so sound a buffet that he had no néede at all to séeke for a Surgion for his Launce entring in at his brest passed through his hart almost a yeard Sir Brewes ranne at the other and missed course but turning againe with his sword in his hand gaue him such a blowe on the head that cleauing his Helme and wounding him somewhat déepe caused him halfe astonied to fall to the ground Gwaltero séeing this vnexpected ayde béeing almost before in vtter dispayre of victory gaue Brandoll a sore blow on the right legge and closing with him by cleane force ouerthrew him to the ground then setting his foote on his necke he rased of his Helme and with one blow parted his head from his shoulders And comming to the other whom Sir Brewes had wounded would haue doone as much for him but that hee immediatly fell on his knées crying for mercy protesting for euer after to be at his commaund in all places whatsoeuer Gwaltero vppon this his promise granted him pardon swearing him for euer after not to offer wrong nor violence to any Lady or Gentlewoman Then turning to Sir Brewes and Sir Cadrus hee gaue them hartie thanks for their succour without which he had béene doubtlesse slaine Demaunding of them likewise what was become of the Lord of Menew sir Henault and the rest And they told him how they parted at the 3. waies to goe succour the Lady whom hee had so well rescued telling him likewise that they did admire how or by what meanes the Lady was brought thether seeing it was in the other way that ledde directly forward that
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
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
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
of men readie to incounter theyr enemies so much had the lacke of vse of Armes since the losse of theyr King altered that florishing kingdom which in former time did greatly abound with many stout hardy Knights a great number whereof were either dead or lost in the search of their King The one halfe of which Armie béeing giuen in charge vnto the Lords of Opencade Londen marched towards the Archbishop and his confederates who with the number of 12 or 14. thousand souldiers being on the other side the riuer of Estate began to spoyle and sack the Country putting to sword all those that made any resistance against them and hauing taken Cargue and Londen two Townes of great strength placed therein garrisons then marching towards Opencade they heard of the comming of the Lords of Opencade Londen and fearing to be taken at aduantage they altered theyr course towards Rensborge where the Earle Dowglasse with his forces was landed hoping to ioyne with him which the Lords of Opencade Londen vnderstanding pursued him so eagerly that béeing come within sight almost of the Scots they set vpon their rereward putting a great number of them to the sword and euen at the same instant was the other Army which which was ledde by the Lord Itsenho and the County of Mildrop likewise come in sight which caused a great feare in the harts of the Traytors so that had it not béene for a company of two thousand Scots which came to their rescue vnder the conduct of Sir Iames Lewrence Cosin german vnto the Earle they had béen all eyther slaine or put to flight but the comming of this succor so animated theyr almost fainting courages that where before they were in a manner ready to turne theyr backes they now began to recouer theyr ground that they had lost the fight growing very hote and bloody on both sides there béeing slaine of the States aboue a thousand souldiers and of the Rebels 800. Longer had the fight continued but that the Lord Harding and the Count Hermes fearing the comming of the other power which was hard at hand caused the retraite to be sounded and so with an easie pace marched to the Scottish Campe not minding if they could chuse to fight in two or thrée daies because of the wearines of his souldiers who comming newly from Sea were many of them distempered The States likewise hauing ioynd both theyr Armies intrenched themselues thus lay they by the space of seauen dayes within view of each other daily skyrmishing together in which the States alwaies had the worst through theyr vnskilfulnesse in martiall discipline where we will for a while leaue them and returne to speake of other matters CHAP. XV. Howe the Prince Iago naming himselfe the Knight of Fortune departed out of England and arriuing in Fraunce trauailing through the Forrest of Towers hee deliuered a Lady from a mighty Giant PRince Iago hauing deliuered the Lady Beleriza naming himselfe the Knight of Fortune was greatly honoured in the English Court where at the intreatie of the King hee stayed by the space of a month where daily hee heard many strange reports of the Inchaunted Castle in the Kingdome of Fraunce and beeing desirous to try the aduenture thereof his Squire giuing him to vnderstand that there was a shippe ready bound for the Riuer of Nainse determined to passe ouer therein wherefore taking his leaue of the King and Quéene and others who had shewed him great honour during his abode in England the Lady Beleriza hauing made him many large proffers for the vnspeakeable kindnesse which shee had receiued at his hands all which hee refused but because hee would not shew himselfe altogether discurteous hee receiued a fayre Diamond which he promised alwaies for her sake to weare vpon his finger And now hauing prouided all such things as he had néed of and agréeing with the Maister of the ship for his passage he went aboord and hauing the wind fayre they set to Sea in so happy a time that within sixe dayes they arriued at a Port called Old-bay where going on shore they directed theyr course towards the Citty of Nanse where he staying awhile to rest himselfe he vnderstood that the Quéene with a great trayne of Lords Ladies were lately arriued at the Citty of Towels whether because it lay not much out of his way he determined to trauell to sée the fashion of the French Court which then florished with noble Dames among whō was the Princesse Emilia and her fayre daughter Oliua whom as before wee haue saide was begotten by the famous Prince Edward her betrothed husband the night before he departed towards the inchanted Castle together with a goodly sonne called Hendritio both which Children were very carefully educated by the good King Carolus theyr grand-father And béeing nowe come vnto the age of sixtéene yéeres the young Hendritio was exercised in riding of horses running at tylt wherin he shewed himselfe not any way vnlike to the noble Prince his Father hauing a great desire to be knighted whcih by no meanes his Grand-father would permit fearing least he would hazard himselfe in that aduenture whereof there had so many failed The Princesse Oliua in like sort béeing of most singuler and rare beautie could scarce be suffered to be once out of the sight of her Grand mother who loued her more then any of her owne Children and being now as we haue said at the Citty of Towers the Quéene partly for her owne content but chiefely for to delight the Princesse Emilia her Daughter who continually since the losse of the English Prince had spent her time in great sorrow onely the comfort which shée had in her children did a little mittigate the same did daily vse to ride foorth on hunting into the forrest which was euen hard adioyning to the Citty in which forrest there was great store of all manner of wilde Beastes And béeing the same day that the Knight of Fortune was comming to the Court gone foorth very early the Huntsmen had roused a mighty Hart which making way before the hounds caused all the Lords and Ladies to follow after and gallopping very swiftly through the Forrest had quickly separated themselues into many companies so that with the Quéene there was left no more but the Princesse Oliua and two or thrée other Ladies and some three or foure Knights when suddenly a mighty great Giant all armed issued out from the thickest of the wood and with a meruailous fierce countenance came towards them to the great astonishment of the Quéene the other Ladies who began to flie as fast as their horses could carry them One of the Knights that was with the Quéene béeing more hardie then his fellowes stayd to make resistance whilst the others escaped but alas small was the defence which hee could make being vnarmed against so mighty a foe whose huge Armour he was not able to pierce although thereon he brake his Borespeare which
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
Knights Squiers and Gentlemen being assembled together to giue their attendance on his Maiestie maruailed that hee was so long before he came downe into the great Hall contrarie to his vse which was alwaies wont to be by tenne of the clocke where he remained vntill dinner time passing away the time with mirth and pleasant disports At length hauing expected his comming vntill twelue of the clocke and séeing that he came not the Lord Treasure whose name was Sir Henault musing what the cause might be and doubting that all was not well in regard hee neither came himselfe neither any of the Squiers which were attending néerest vnto him were séene to come downe to declare the cause at length went vp vnto the Kings bed-chamber where hee found the Chamberlin with diuers other Gentlemen which alwaies attended on the Kings owne person And demaunding of them where his Maiestie was that he came not downe in the Hall as he was accustomed they all gaue him answere that the King and Quéene accompanied with the Lord Gwaltero his Cosin the Lord Bewdall and the Lord of Menew with some Ladies and attendants in the morning very early went forth at the Posterne towards the Forrest to take the fresh aire and that since that time they were not returned neither did they know farther what was become of them but doubted least that they had strayed so farre within the wood that they had lost their way forth When Sir Henault had hard this he was much amased greatly troubled in mind fearing least there had béene some treason wrought against his Maiestie wherefore causing the reporters of these newes to be in sure kéeping he went downe and declared the same to the rest of the nobility and taking counsell together they determined forthwith to make ageneral search as well for the King and Quéene and nobles found wanting as also for all suspected persons which might bée thought any waies guilty towards their absence likewise they determined to make a generall search throughout all the Forrest least peraduenture they were hapned to goe astray and could not find the ready way backe againe or if that they were any way distressed either by théeues or wild beasts that then they might rescue them or find what was become of them Thus hauing determined they armed themselues to the number of thrée thousand Knights and Gentlemen and being mounted on their horses they tooke the way directly towards the Forrest where beeing ariued they seperated themselues into diuers companies séeking vp and downe and looking almost in euery bush but could not find them whom they sought for at length Sir Henault with his companie hapning to passe that way wherein the morning the fight had béene chaunced first to finde some of the dead bodies and looking farther sawe whereas the Lords and Ladies lay bound being almost dead with the paine and griefe which they sustained the Lords by reason of their wounds and Ladies by the feare wherein they were put then comming more néere vnto them they found the Lord Gwaltero and the Lord of Menew grieuously wounded the Lord Bewdall with some foure or fiue other Gentlemen slaine out right which sight strake such a griefe and sorrow into the harts of all the beholders especially of Sir Henault that he had much to doe to sit on his horse yet at length recouering his sences and causing them to be vnbound he demaunded what was become of the King and Quéene and by what misfortune they were brought into this pittifull case The Lord Gwaltero hauing his wounds bound vp and being somewhat refreshed and reuiued with such restoratiues as some of the companie had brought with them answered how that walking to take the aire and to view those pleasant shades they were sodenly and vnawares set on by forty théeues or Outlawes whom by their apparrell and spéech they iudged to be frenchmen where defending themselues as well as they might were in the end thus ouercome and wounded and as for the King after they had bound vs and were departing away hauing before stripped vs of the wealth we had about vs they returned and tooke him with them towards the sea-side But of the Quéene we knowe no certainty for whilst we were fighting she fled into the wood with the rest of the Ladies who were all brought back againe saue the Quéene only by some of the Outlawes who persued them more I knowe not but feare least they likewise hapned on her and haue carried her with them wherefore he thought it fit that pursute might be made after them to the seawards where if they were not already gone it might so fortune as they might recouer the King and Quéene againe otherwise there would be no hope left for séeing them in hast When Sir Henault had heard this discourse made by the Lord Gwaltero he was so grieued inwardly that with extreame sorrowe he fell from his horse in a trance and being brought againe to himselfe séeing all things were to be followed according to the occasion and time first he commaunded some part of his companie to conuaie the Lords and Ladies to the Court whereas they that were wounded might find helpe for to cure the same and they likewise that were slaine might euery one haue buriall according to their estates himselfe in the meane space being accompanied with a hundred Knights would followe after the théeues hoping that if they were not put to sea before their comming not only to rescue the King but also to giue them such a reward as for euer should bee an example to those who should goe about to attempt the like With this determination they rode on towards the sea side whereas they arriued about the time when Vesperus in the west had set the cunning watch and silent night richly attended by his twinckling traine sent sléepe and slumber to possesse the world and fantazie for to hazan idle heads whereas they found their labor fruitlesse by reason that they were departed long before and séeing the night beginne to wax darke they all together determined on the plaine hard by the sea side for that night to rest themselues making fiers and great lights to cause the rest of their companies to come vnto them who likewise had made a long and bootlesse search in the wood and at length being almost all come together where Sir Henault remained they determined the next day to make preperation to follow them by sea whom they could not recouer on shore CHAP. IIII. Of the generall lamentation that was made throughout all the Kingdome and how that after a councell held for the gouerning thereof the Knights and noble men tooke on them the search of the King THE next day no sooner had darke night taken his leaue and that the day began to appeare in the East but Sir Henault with the rest of his company were mounted on horsback taking their way towards the sorrowfull Cittie of Maiance where béeing arriued they found the
Citty all full of heauines by reason of the late newes which at their comming was so much the more augmented being returned without any certaine knowledge what was become of the King and Quéene There might you haue séene the true discription of sorrow not in one onelie creature but in generall through the whole Cittie some fell to shutting vp their doores and windowes as minding for very griefe to inclose themselues prisoners in their own houses shunning the day light which had giuen light to those Robbers who had dispoyled them of their ioy and comfort Others againe clad in blacke mournfull attire with their chéeks be spred with teares which like streames trickled downe from the fountaines of their eyes went vp and downe lamenting and bewailing the losse of theyr so louing and gracious Prince The late costly shewes and stately Pagants were turned into sadde obiects yea no noyse was heard through the whole Cittie but wéeping and lamentation so that the sorrow sustained by the Troians for the losse of their chiefe Champion Hector when by the Gréeks at the commaundement of cruell Achilles he was thrée times dragd about their Cittie walls béeing before hand cowardly slaine with his accursed Speare was not to bee compared with this of Maiance The graue and modest Matrons were séene with theyr garments rent and their haire dispersed about their shoulders in most dolefull manner to repayre to the Temples where before the most Highest they poured foorth theyr prayers for their Soueraigne bathing themselues with the teares which fell from their eyes The young damsels pleasant songs which with cléere and chéerfull brests they were wont to record were now turned into sad mournfull ditties bewailing the losse of their Countries protector Yea so generall was the gréefe vnto all manner of estates that for the space of fortie dayes together there was neither shops opened nor any wares or merchandise solde in their markets So that the towne which was wont to be so filled with all sorts of people now séemed in a manner to be voyde desolate none or very few séene at any time to walke in the stréets Neither was the griefe in the country any lesse yea throughout the whole kingdome so generally was he beloued of all his subiects that hee was counted not onely a iust Prince but also a louing Father to his Country alwaies defending the poore from the oppression of the rich and the desolate widdowes and Orphans from the violence of those who by any meanes sought to wrong them Sir Henault as we haue before said béeing returned to Maiance caused foorthwith some small Barkes to be well manned and sent foorth after the Pyrats with commaund not onely to scoure their owne Coast but also to pursue thē vnto the borders of Fraunce where they tooke many but could not méet with any of thē which they sought for Then calling a generall Counsell of all the Nobility and Péeres of the Land where after a long learned Oration by him pronounced describing vnto them the fickle and dangerous estate wherein their Country now stoode by reason of this sudden and vnlooked for alteration of crooked Fortune with the mutabilitie of the minds of the common people whose natures are alwaies to listen after nouelties which things being considered it could not chuse but to appeare vnpossible to kéepe the Common-wealth in safetie without some certaine forme of gouernment to be established Desiring all of them to bend and ioyne theyr willing minds together to deuise some course or meanes for the same vntill the King might againe be heard of and recouered Which hee thought could by no meanes better be effected then by a generall search made by a chosen number of Knights who should trauell through all the Dominions and kingdoms of Christendome and else-where as by them it should be thought fit and conuenient of which number he himselfe God willing intended to be one who would either finde him out or end his dayes in the search This his spéech was listned vnto of all but especiallie applauded and commended by the Lord Gwaltero and the Lord Menew who as then were indifferently recouered of their wounds which they receiued at the losse of theyr King and béeing both young and valerous especiallie Gwaltero who was then the absolute best Knight in all the kingdome of Denmarke hoped by this meanes not onely to find out their King if so be he liued but also to winne to themselues eternall renowne by their haughtie déedes of Chiualrie which they hoped to obtaine in strange Countries where their fortunes should conduct them But as for the gouernment of the Common-wealth in theyr conceits they thought none more fit then Sir Henault himselfe who béeing both sage and discréete and also béeing as we haue said before Lorde Treasurer alwaies in great fauour with their late King had in a maner the whole managing of the affaires of the Kingdome in his owne hands by which meanes as they supposed he knew how better then any other to continue the same in the former estate which would be farre better then to alter the same by any other order of gouernment This their opinion was held for currant of many and consented vnto by most of those that were present who desired no alteration but thought their former manner of rule to be best and without fault But as there is no man so vertuous but shall haue some that will enuy at his goodnes especially great and mightie men who no sooner grow into the good liking and fauour of the people be it by neuer so iust or well deserued occasion yea though by him onely the Common-wealth hath béen in a manner preserued and defended from the inuasiue power of their enemies yet shall you haue some like dogges in a manger that will neither doo good themselues nor willingly heare of others well dooings beeing prickt forwards with enuy will not stick to turne any his good deseruings into euill and all their counsels be they neuer so profitable to the Common-wealth they will goe about to perswade that it is rather to benefit rayse themselues then to doe good to their Countries yea further let them accomplish any notable péece of seruice for their country they will not be afraide to whisper into mens eares that it was doone but for vaine glory Euen such there were in this Counsell who not onely for enuie disliked the choyse which the Lord Gwaltero and the rest had made but also disliked of the search which Sir Henault had motioned for the séeking of the King alleaging that by making such a quest they should not onely dispoyle themselues of theyr chiefe Captaines and leaders but also leaue theyr Country naked and ready for euery inuasion of the enemy when it would be too late to call home those for theyr defence whom they should not know where to find Some againe thought it better to send forth Embassadors into diuers Nations thereby hoping to gaine
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
of to speake of these Louers and returne a little to speake of the Gentleman of the Forrest and his education CHAP. XV. How the young Princes of Denmarke and Saxonie beeing brought vp together were so like that they could scarce be knowne one from the other of theyr mutuall loue YOV remember how the Duke of Saxony bringing with him the young Prince of Denmarke into his Dutchie caused him to be brought vp with his own sonne calling him by the name of the Gentleman of the Forrest because they knew no other name that he had The Dutches partly by the commandement of her husband partly for the beautie shee beheld in him made great account of him vsing to play and dandle with him as much as with her owne sonne by meanes whereof in short time he beganne to recouer a fresh and liuely colour and still the elder they grew the more like the children séemed the one to the other and as in likenes so also grew they in loue one to the other delighting alwaies to be together And béeing but children if any one had hapned to wrong either of them the other would alwaies helpe to be reuenged which bred in the Duke and Dutches so great content as might be But comming to the age of 7. yéeres they were instructed in the Latine and Gréeke tongues by a Tutor whō the Duke had appointed them for their bringing vp Hée béeing a very wife and discréet Knight who in former time had spent his youthfull dayes in traueling strange Countries and seeking after aduentures as was the vsage of Knights arrant hee hauing as before is said the charge of education of the two Princes committed vnto him instructed them so well that in short time they profited very much in those languages especially the Gentleman of the Forrest as béeing of a more quick and readie wit but otherwise theyr dispositions constitutions both of mind and body were so like that the Duke was forced to set marks whereby to know them and theyr loue in like manner was so great that had the one béene sicke or ill at ease the other séemed to be a partner in his griefe if the one laughed the other was ioyfull if the one wept the other must néedes mourne to bare him company such a simpathy of loue had Nature infused in them that it was almost impossible for the one to liue without the others company And comming to the age of twelue yéeres they were instructed by theyr Tutor to ride and manage horses wherin they so much profited that in short time they wexed very skilfull especially the Gentleman of the Forrest who both in aptnes of mind and agilitie of body passed the most exquisite of his time which caused the Duke so much the more to loue and estéeme of him hoping that in time God would manifest from whence and of what parentage he was discended imagining as well by his beauty as also by his rare forwardnes that he must néedes be issued of noble blood The Dutches likewise grew into so great a liking of him for his diuers rare and singuler vertues that she many times deuised with herselfe how and by what meanes she might cause him to loue her daughter whom hee estéemed as his Sister a Lady for beauty excellent and for the perfections of the mind able to compare with any then liuing Shée I say béeing of this mind oftentimes resolued to motion the matter vnto him and to discouer vnto him the manner of his finding which vnto him was vnknowne by reason he was alwaies held and accounted as their naturall Childe yet thinking that course might be a meanes whē he should come to age for to forsake their Court to séeke for his true Parents shee gaue ouer that determination minding to conferre with the Duke her husband thereof And finding him one night very merry and pleasantly discoursing and commending of both the young Princes vnto her shee declared vnto him her mind and affirmed that in her conscience there could be no better match for her daughter séeing his vertuous behauiour which was more to be estéemed then my riches whatsoeuer The Duke did not greatlie dislike héereof but yet thought it fitter to bee left alone vntill such time as both of them should attaine to a more riper yeares for as then he was but 12 yeares old and shée nine yeares old Héere againe will we leaue them to speake of the Lord Gwaltero and his companie who after they departed from the Ladies Castle tooke their waies towards the confines of Germanie CHAP. XVI How the Lord Gwaltero trauelling through Germanie arriued in the Citty of Viena in Austria where hee vndertooke the defence of a distressed Lady wrongfully accused THe Lord Gwaltero departing from the Ladies Castle whom he had rescued at time such as he parted from the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault being accompanied with Sir Cadrus Sir Brewes and his Squire rode on a long time without finding any aduenture worth the remembrance euer inquiring after Sir Henault and the Lord of Menew with the rest of their companie At length passing through many Townes of Germanie they arriued in a Citty of the Dukedome of Austria called Viena bordering almost on the confines of Hungaria being as then the chiefe Citty of that prouince and as then vnder the gouernance of a most stirne and rigorous Prince named Duke Otho Who for his tiranous cruelty was greatly feared of all his neighbour Potentates and scarcely beloued of his owne naturall Subiects hee was a man for vallor and hardinesse greatly estéemed and had not his outragious crueltie and beastly sensuallity stayned his Vertues hée might well haue béene compared with any Prince then liuing within the confines of Christendome but rage and sensuall appetites doth commonly so abound especially in the harts of great men whom God hath giuen ouer to themselues that vertue is altogether choked and swallowed vp in vice as might well appeare in this Duke Otho Who so he might haue cared not by what meanes he came by it as by the sequell of this Chapter you shall more plainly vnderstand This Duke had within his territories a most gracious and vertuous Ladie beeing sole heyre vnto her father who was a man of large possessions and greatly beloued in his Country for his vertuous and vpright dealings to euery man This noble Gentleman dying and leauing his daughter about the age of 15 or 16 yeares was sought vnto of many great and mighty Lords some for her lands and liuings others for her beauty and vertues and diuers for both But to make short this discourse shee was at last wooed and wonne by a Knight of that Country called Hostinius a man who for his vertues and vallor in Chiualry might be thought equal with any Knight in Austria and being married vnto the young Lady Vitella they so well loued and liked together that they scarce one euer gaue cause of dislike to the other which caused
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
vniting all his forces together and raising himselfe in his stirrups hee gaue his enemie such a recombendibus on the head that the stéele being of too weake a force to resist the weight thereof gaue frée passage to the sword which found a ready way to his braines causing him to fall as dead as a herring vnto the ground But before he could haue any space to rest himselfe or almost to breath came foorth other two charging him both at once and he as gallantly aunswered their charge receauing both their staues vppon his shield which caused his horse a little to stagger backwards but as they passed by their Launces being brokē he gaue one of them so sound a stroke on the side of the head before hée looked for any such matter that he left him but halfe a face to court his Mistris withall then prouiding to incounter the other betwixt whom there passed a fierce and bloody conflict but in the end the victory remained vnto the Lord of Menew who although hee were grieuously wounded yet his hart being not a whit feared or any way dismaied went forwards vnto the bridge whether Sir Henault likewise came perswading him to giue ouer the enterprise to him considering he was so sore hurt but he that neuer knew what feare was could not be so lightly perswaded wherefore desiring Sir Henault if he were ouercome to do his best he made choice of such parts of armes as he wanted and taking a stronge Launce he went forwards towards the end of the bridge where he was incountred by two of the fiue Knights that kept the same betwixt whom there was a long and dangerous conflict but in the end through faintnesse and great losse of blood the Lord of Menew striking a full blow at one of them sent himselfe after to the ground his legges being no longer able to sustaine the weight of his body yéelding thereby the victory to them who were not able long to inioy the same for the one of them euen as he fell being in as weake estate strooke likewise at him and missing his blow sent the whole burthen of his body to imbrace him in death whom in life he had persued so deadly The other likewise being in little better state seeing his cōpanion fall thought to helpe him and stooping downe to lift him vp fell himselfe likewise into a traunce Sir Henault fearing least his companion had béen slaine went presently to haue taken vp his body but was hindred by the other thrée Knights who all at once assaulted him and being afoote in like sort as he was there beganne a bloody though vnequall combat each party séeking to ouercome Thus fought they a long time giuing and receauing many wounds Sir Henault giuing such blowes as well made show he meant to sell his liberty or life at a déere rate so long they fought that at length two of them fell dead at his féete the other séeing his fellowes slaine thought it more for his liues safety to trust to his legges then his hands so that turning his backe he ranne towards the Castle from whence presently issued fiue other Knights armed putting themselues betwéene Sir Henault and the runne-away Héere againe beganne a more fierce conflict then the former by reason they were fiue hardy approoued Knights and his former battaile hauing serued but as whetting of his courage caused him to lay on such blowes that in short time he had sent two of their soules to séeke passage at Charons ferry himselfe and the other thrée being greatly wearied stoode still a while to rest themselues when Sir Henault considering with himselfe the cause of his fighting as to release his noble friend Gwaltero and also to be reuenged for the death of the Lord of Menew hee was so repleat with ire that running vpon them as a man inraged he strooke one of them such a blow as he seuered his head from his shoulders then laying on at the other two such mighty blowes that hee forced them in the end to yéeld vp their soules as a sacrifice to his sword which being ended hée himselfe being-ouer trauelled and hauing lost great aboundance of blood sate himselfe downe on a stone where hée had not long sitten before he fel into aswound which being séene by the Knights of the Castle they came foorth and tooke both him and the body of the Lord of Menew with the rest of whom there was any hope of recouery and carried them into the Castle where in respect of their vallor they caused to be carefully attended and their wounds to be cured perswading them in the meane time to bee partners with them in garding this their lewd custome Which when they beeing well refused were immediatly put downe into the prison where the King and Gwaltero remained CHAP. IIII. Howe the Hermite declared vnto the Knight the discourse of the Monster afterwards beeing cured of his wounds was brought vnto an old Chappell where hee gained an excellent Armour beeing sometimes the Armor of the famous Prince Lionell THE Gentleman of the Forrest beeing brought by the Hermit and his Squire vnto the Hermitage he was forthwith disarmed and layd on a silly coutch on which the olde Hermit vsed to lie and béeing carefully looked vnto and attended on by the Hermit within 3. dayes hée was indifferently well recouered and sitting vp in his bed he desired the old man to declare vnto him as hee before had promised the discourse of the Monster which hee had killed The old man glad to sée him so well recouered and also desirous to pleasure him in any thing he could began thus Most worthy Knight not long since there was remaining in this Country a most vile and wicked Gouernour named Querenus a man for the detestable wickednes which he liued in hated both of God and man for what virgin or beautifull wife was there in this Country which if hee liked but he would force to accomplish his lustfull appetite yea to such a height of euill was he growne that he neither feared God nor man knowing no heauen but his worldlie pleasures nor fearing no other hell but the misery of this life the which hee continued to the mortall griefe of all his subiects who in the end béeing wearied and ouerburthened in this intollerable miserie chose rather to end theyr liues spéedily then continually to be tormented by this blood-thirstie Tyrant Wherefore gathering themselues together they made head against the Tyrant and after a long warre they preuailed so against him that he was forced secretly to abandon his Country and béeing onely accompanied with two men taking a small boate which hée found ready prouided fled away to the Sea where hauing béen some fixe dayes at last was put a shore in an Iland not farre distant hence where in times past the excellent and famous Magitian Bardus sometimes dwelt where being landed and calling to minde the estate which hee now was brought into determined there to take vp