with clothes of sylke with spyces Ieweles of golde of dyuerse facions And with ryche precious stones whiche he sente to his frende Charlemayn And largely he gaf and rewarded the messagers And emonge al other thinges He sente into ffraunce an Olyphant This debonayrte pourchased the good Charlemayn for the Crysten men that were in captiuyte vnder the said Aaron And in lyke wyse the said Aaron for the loue that he bare to Carlemayn pourchassed for other Cristen men that were in al hethenes vnder dyuerse lordes as in egypte And in Aufrigue That is to seye in Allexandrye And in Cartage ffor â—e sente grete yeftes and moche good to sustene the power of Cristen men sente grete presentes vnto theyr lordes maistres myscreauntes amyable letters In suche wise that he pourchassed their loue acqueyntaunce by whiche they conteyned them more debonairly vn to cristiens that were in theyr subiection thus dyde the hye prynce charlemayn vnto the hethen lordes that were fer fro hym ffor it is to be bileuid that yf he had ben nyghe to them that he wold haue essayed for to haue delyuerd in another maner the peple of our lord lyke as he dyde ryght gloriously in many places Of the noyse that sourded emonge the hethen men discordyng in theyr lawe and how they of egypte yssued out of theyr londe and of the euyllis that they dyde capitulo vo. iN this season it happed that a grete debate sourded bytwene the mescreaunts of Egypte and the mescreaunts of Perse ffor eueryche partye of this peple wold haue the seignourye vpon the other The Rote of this grete hate and enuye sourded ande aroos of that whyche discorded and yet dyscorde of certayn poyntes of theyr lawe in suche wise that they haue dyuerse names ffor they that holde the lawe of perse haue the name in theyr langage soun And they of the lawe of Egypte be named siha And they be not so ferre fro the very crysten lawe as ben the other It happed that they of Egypte yssued out of theyr londe and conquered alle the londes vnto Antyoche And emonge the other cytees that were taken The holy cyte of Iherusalem cam vnder theyr power and seignourye The peple that were there in captinyte were resonably wel entreated tyl it happed by the suffrauÌ„ce of god that his peple shold be chastised and that was by a desloyal and cruel lord and calyphe of Egypte whiche was named hecam he passed in malyce and cruelte alle his predecessours in suche wyse that the peple of his lawe helde them as wode men of pryde of rage and of falsched Emonge the other tyrannyes he commanded to caste doun to the ground the chyrche of the sepulcre of our lorde Ihesu Cryste whiche had ben made first of Constantyne themperour by a noble Patryarke of Iherusalem named Maxyme and after râ—edefyed by modest that other patriarke In the tyme of heracles of whom we haue spoken to fore he sente to them a fals caliphe one his bayly whiche was lord of Rames and named hyart This dyde the commandement of his lord and caste it doun to grounde In this tyme was patriarke of this chyrche a right valyaunt man named Oreste and was vncle vnto this vntrew kynge of Egypte broder of his moder And this was the reson why he was so cruel ayenste Crystiente ffor the heethen men sayde that he shold neuer be ferme in theyr lawe by cause he had a crysten moder And for to take away this suspecion he destroyed this holy chirche of the holy sepulcre whiche was the fontayne and begynnyng of our very creaunce How thaffliccyon iniuries and tormentes of crysten men grewe in the tyme of Calyphe hetam capitulo vjo. fRo thenne forthon began thestate of our peple at Iherusalem to be more greuous and more sorowful than it was wonte to be ffor they toke grete displaysir at theyr berâ—e for the chirche of the resurrexion of our lorde whiche they sawe so destroyed emonge them And on that other syde they were charged ouer sorowfully wyth tributes taskes and tayllages aâ—enâ—t the custome and preuyleges graunted to them of hethen prynces â–ª And also they were deffended to make ony festes on the daâ—es of theyr hye festes but thenne they were compellyd to trauaâ—lle by force and angre or they were commanded not to yssue out of 〈◊〉 howses ne dores but holde them cloos wythin to th ende that tâ—ey shold make no semblaunce of feste wythin them And â—et alâ—o they myght not be therin in pees ne assured but they caste at 〈◊〉 by the wyndows grete stones donge dyrâ—e and foul orâ—â—reâ— And yf it happed somtyme a Crysten man to saye a light worâ—e that dyspleased ony of the hethen men Anon he shold be taken like a murderer and brought to pryson and shold lose therfore his fyste or fote or he was brought to the gybet And alle the good that he had was brought in to the handes of the Calyâ—â—e â— Somtyme they wold take the chyldren of the crysten peple boâ—â—e soâ—es and doughtres in to theyr owne howses and made them mescreaunts ayenst theyr wylle And somtyme by betynge and another wyth lyes and flaterye made many yonge folke to renye our fayth And thus they dyde to our peple moche 〈◊〉 and grief But notwythstondyng good crysten men leâ—te not but admonested and conforted the peple to suffre al this with a good herte and veri penitence for the faith of Ihesu Criste and promysed them for thise shames the Ioye thonour and the glorye of heuen whiche euer shal endure The good Cristen peple spack so to gydre that they enforced them to holde And kepe their cristen fayth the more surely By cause they dyde them so moche harm And repreef It sholde be ouer longe a thinge to recâ—unte to you Alle the meseases the myschiefs that the peple of our lord endured that tyme. But I shal shew yow one exampel to th ende that by the same ye vnderstonde the more of other One of the hethen men ouermoche malicious and vntrewe whiche hated of ouermoche cruel hate the cristen men he aduised and thoughte an a day how he myght brynge them to deth He sawe wel that alle the cyte helde the temple in moche grete honour reuerence whiche was reedefyed the laye peple named it the temple dominus that they whiche had the charge to kepe it dide al their peyne to kepe it cleen nette now ther was a place to fore the temple whiche was named thaitre of the temple Whiche they wolde kepe as clene as cristen men kepe their chirches and aultres And this vntreu man that I haue said yow of to fore Toke by nyght in suche wise that no man sawe it a dede hounde al roten and stynkyng and brought it in to the same aitre to fore the temple On the morn whan they of the toun cam to the temple they fonde this dogge Thenne sourded
of puy and other good men for to helpe to restore the dommages of the horses that the poure men had taken in the bataylle· there were many after that were the more hardy for to goo ayenst theyr enemyes for hope to haue and recouere theyr horses ffor thyse thynges was th erle of tholouse moche louyd and preysed in so moche that they callyd hym fader and wardeyn of thoost Of a fortresse that Tancre made ouer the Ryuer and deâ—ended it valyauntly· capitulo Cvij o iN this newe fortresse of the brydge th erle of tholouse sette thyrin v· C. men of Armes hardy and valyaunt knyghtes and other And by cause of this fortresse the yssuyng and goyng out of them of the toun was deffended Oure men thenne wente surely in the countre the turkes myght not yssue but by the west yate whiche is bytwene the foot of the hylle· And the ryuer of helle And this yssue myght not moche greue ne hurte oure men ffor alle the lodgys were ouer the ryuer but alway by that wayâ— cam vytaylles and fresshe metes to them of the toun And thus they were not ynowgh constreyned by so moche as they had this yssue The barons assembled and connseylled how they myght toke this waye fro them they acorded wel that this myght not be But yf ther were a fortresse made ouer the Ryuer whiche muste be delyuerd to one of the Barons for to kepe· They acorded well alle that the fortressâ— shold be made But none profered ne sayde that he wold kepe it Many of them sayde that Tancre was ryght propyce to this thynge· But he excused hym· And sayd that he waâ— ouer poure for tendure and bere so grete dispence Th erle of Tholouse sterte forth to fore and gaf to hym an C marck of syluer for to make it with And It was ordeyned that he shold haue euery moneth· xl marke of the comune Tancre whiche was moche valyaunt and wyse dyde do make this tour in a lytil tertre nygh ynowgh to the gate And after receyued it in to his warde and kepyng· And god gaf to hym so moche worship that he loste nothynge But kepte it al hool vnto the ende of the siege In the syde bynethe by the Ryuer was a moche fayr playne in whiche habouÌ„ded many fayr pastutures And grete plente of trees a iij or four myle fro the Cyte They of the toun by cause they had not pastures ynowgh they had sente grete plente of theyr horses and mounture in to that place whan they of thoost apperceyued it They assembled knyghtes ynowe and other valyaunt men of Armes And wente theder but not by the right waye but by pathes and hyd wayes so longe that they assaylled them that kept them and slewe them· They brought in to the hoost ij M· horses for men of Armes grete gente and fayr besyde the mules and other beestes· wherof they had largely Of this gayne had they grete ioye ffor they had of nothyng so grete nede in thoost as of horses ffor they had ben my nuysshed moche and lassed in the bataylle And many deyed that tyme for hungre and mesease How thenne the turkes of the toun began to haue mesease and sorowe And our peple ease Capitulo Cviijo. Han the Cyte was thus an alle sydes assyeged that the Turkes myght not yssue oute they began within to haue mesease ffor the Turkes had not vytayll ynowgh wherof it happed that they myght not helpe them in theyr nede ffresshe mete faylled them· whiche greuyd them moche Oure men had bandon to goo vnto the Porte of the See By whiche they had so moche to suffre as they had endured alle the wynter ffor the pryme temps and swete tyme was come in suche wyse that shippes myght goo and come by the See whiche brought vytaylles ynowgh There were many of oure people that had soiourned alle the wynter in the Townes whiche thenne cam agayne in to thooste alle fressh wel armed· bawdwyn the brother of duc Godeffroy of whom ye haue wel hâ—rd speke to fore whiche had so moche rychesse â— had herd tydynges that the barons had suffred many meseases in thoost And sente to them alle grete yeftes and presentes not only to the grete prynces But also to the moyen peple And to the leste gaf he also ynowgh of his o wen wherfor he had the loue grace of alle this companye he gaf to his brother the Duc alle thyssues of his londe that he had on this side the Ryuer of Eufrates with which he gaf to hym the Cyte of tor besel the contre ther about wherin was moche whete wyne oyle And yet aboue al this he gaf to hym L M. besauntes And there was a noble man of hermonye whiche was named Nycose whiche was wel acqueynted with bawdwyn· And for his loue sente vnto duc Godeffroy a pauyllon the moost fayr· and moost ryche that myght o wher be seen It was of ouer straunge facion and merueyllously grete But whan his messagers bare it in to the haoste One pancrace a moche ryche man of Hermonye Of whom I haue spoken to fore dyde do espye them by the waye And dyd to take it from them And after sente the pauyllon to Buymont· And was presented to hym in his name whan the seruauntes of Nycose cam to Duc Godeffroy And had told hym alle this that pancrace had don to hym he had therof moche grete desdayne Syth he toke with hym the Erle of fflaundres· to whom he had more loue and acqueyntaunce than to ony other of the barons And wente to buymont and demaunded his pauyllon that was gyuen to hym Buymont answerd that therof he knewe not that it was longyng to hym ffor a noble man of the couÌ„tre had gyuen it to hym But whan he knewe that the duc wold not suffre it By hys curtosye and atte prayer and requeste of the other barons he rendred and delyuerd to hym his sayd pauyllon to th ende that no noyse shold sourde ne arryse bytwene them and myght lette the werke of oure lord Thus were they good frendes Many men merueylled them how that so valyaunt a man as the Duc Godeffroy was In whom was no thynge founden to be reprehended was so meuyd ayenst so hye and noble a man for so lytil a thyng as was a pauyllon Ne I can see none other reason But that a noble herte maye not suffre shame And it was late hym vnderstande that it shold be to hym a grete shame And also it shold be ayenst his honour yf he suffred it to be taken away from hym ffor couetyse he dyde it not How the Erle Estyeuen of Chartres and of Bloys fledde fro the hooste shamefully Capitulo Cixo. tHe renommee soâ—rded moche grete grewe euery day how the Soudan of Perse whiche was so ryche and puyssaunt by the request of them of Anthyoche had doo somone his peple of alle his power fâ—r to come socoure
dishonour to departe and retorne in to his coÌ„tre than â—ffre his peple to be destroyed myght not amende it Thus theÌ„ne he departed out of Surye by cause the kynge of Arabe his peple were of so grete power so proude as they that fonde all the contre habandonÌ„ned to them ffor in a short tyme they had conquered alle the contre of Surye vnto Egypte One thyng that was tâ— fore happenned in this contree whiche heelp moche them of Araâ—â— tenaâ—ce their power ffor cosdroe the puissanÌ„t kynge of perse of whom I haue spoken to fore had ben with grete puissaunce in Surye and had destroyed the Cytees and castels brent townes chirches and slayn grete partye of the peple and the remeunÌ„t had brought in to Captyuyte And toke the cyte of Iherusalem with force and slewe within the tounÌ„ xxxvj M. men And bare away with hym the veâ—ay crosse that our lord Ihesu Cryste suffred deth on for vs And ladde with hym the patriarke of Iherusalem named Acharye and brought hym with hym with the other Caytyfs Here recounteth thistorye how that the puissaunt kynge Cosdroe wastyd the Empyre of Rome for tauenge the deth of themperour Maurice fader of his wyf capitulo ijo. nOw I shal telle yow why he had so doon lyke as I sayde he was a ryght myghty kynge now had ther be an emperour at Rome named Mauryce whiche as we fynde was moche acqueynted with seint gregorâ—e And was his gossiâ— ffor the sayd seynt Gregorye had cristenyd to hym a doughter named Marie This Maurice gaf her in Maryage to this Cosdroe And ther by was a grete frenship bytwene them grete alyauÌ„ce bytwene them of perse and the Romayns as longe as themperour lyued in suche wise that for the loue of his wyf the Romayns whiche were Cristen This Emperour made Cosdroe to be baptised But after it befylle that foca slewe in treson this Emperour Maurice And was Emperour in his place and was called ffoâ—â— cezar whan cosdroe herd herof he had merveyllous grete sorow greâ—â— deâ—dayne grete orguyel grete hate ayenst the peple of the Romaâ—ns by cause that he whiche had slayn theyr lorde vntrewly and was yet blody of the blood of the emperour they had chosen to â—e their lord and had gyuen to hym thempire ffor this cause â—e enteâ—â—ded to his power to hurte and destroye al thempire of Româ—â— And for this cause for tauenge the deth of the fader of his 〈◊〉 whiche ofte enticed hym therto he entred in to the londe of 〈◊〉 whiche thenne was subget to th empyre of Rome and 〈…〉 destroyed it lyke as I haue said to fore and voyded almost 〈◊〉 the peple that was therin ffor whiche cause This kynge 〈◊〉 aforsaid his peple of Arabe that fonde this londe so voyde 〈◊〉 the better doo theyr wylles with alle How this puissaunt kynge entred in to Iherusalem and demauÌ„â—ded dylygently of the Temple and reedyfied it and assigned grâ—â—e reuenues therto for tentretene it capitulo iiio. wHan they cam in the holy cyte of Iherusalem they fonde it destroyed and deserte sauf a fewe cristen men whiche dwellyd there and were suffred that they shold lyue as Cristen men and make agayn their chirches and that they shold haue a patriarke In the while that this myghty prynce duellid in Iherusalem he began tenquyre moche euâ—entifly of the peple of the tounÌ„ pryncipally of the patriarke whiche was named Sophonye had ben chosen after modeste whiche was deed of whom I haue spoken to fore In what place the temple of our lord had be whan Titus the prynce deffeted and destroyed al the cyte he shewid to hym the very certayn place the fondamentes a parte of the muraylles whiche were thenÌ„e yet apperyng he made anon to be sought to be brouht to hym without longe taryeng grete nombre of masons of carpenters dide do be fette stones of marble of other manere alle thynges necessarye therto he dide do assemble as moche as shold nede And deuised the maner and ordynance of the mesure and of the dyspences for to make the temple And as he was a noble prynce of hyâ— affaire noble he brought anon to ende this that he had emprised in suche wise that the temple was reedefyed in suche forme and estate as it yet apeereth this saide prynce hym self assygned grete rentes reuenues ffor euer more for to sustene and repayre alle that shold be nedeful to thedyfiâ—es and other necessites of the temple and for the seruyng of the lyght day and nyght by the handes of them that he commysed to kepe the temple Ther is in the same temple within and without letters of golde in the langage of Arabe whiche deuyse as we suppose who was he that reedefyed the temple and what tyme And how moche it costeto rebylde it How Charlemayne by his lyberalite gate for the prouffyt of cristen peple in hethenes thamytye of hethen prynces capitulo iiij tHus it happed that this holy cyte of Iherusalem for the synnes of the peple was in seruage and in daunger of hethen peple longe tyme That is to wete cccc xxx iiij yere contynuelly but not all way in one manere They were one tyme better another tyme werse lyke as the lordes chaunged whiche were of dyuerse maners condicions but neuertheles thise peple were alway in subiection It happed that one grete lorde of this saide lawe had nyghe in his seignorye all the londe of thoryent sauf only ynde This prynce was named Aaron his surname ressit This man was of so grete cortosye of so grete largesse of so hye vygour and of so grete affaires in alle good maners that yet the paynems speke of hym lyke as they doo in ffrauÌ„ce of Charlemayn they were bothe in one tyme this aaron this charlemain And therfore in their tyme the cristen peple in Iherusalem were in better poynt than thei had euer be to fore vnder ony of the hethen peple ffor Charlemayn the good Emperour whiche so moche trauailled and suffryd for our lorde and so moche enhaunced the fayth of Ihesu Criste to th ende that the Cristiente in Surye myght be the better and more debonairly cherysshed and entreated Pourchassed so longe that he had the loue and acqueyntauÌ„ce of the said Aaron by messages that wente and cam Wherof this Aaron had moche grete Ioye And aboue alle the prynces of the world he louid and honoured themperour CharlemaynÌ„ and the Cristen peple that were vnder hym And alle the holy places that were vnder his power he wolde that they shold be entretiened mayntened and wel aourned lyke as Charlemayne had desyred and sente to hym worde Wherof it semed that our peple beynge there Were more vnder the power of Charlemayne than vnder the power of the hethen men Whan he myght fynde the messagers of Charlemayn he charged and laded them alle with richesses of thoryent
it is that ye haue sayd ffor of that londe am I· And god be thanked the fayth of oure lord is moche better holden there and kepte than it is in ony other londes that I haue ben in syth that I departed on my Iourneye fro my contre And I byleue certaynly that of the mescase and seruage in whiche thise hethen mysbyleuyd peple holde you Inne that by the playsyre of almyghty god by theyr good wylles they shold fynde couÌ„seyl and ayde in this your grete nede werke wherfor I counseyl you one thyng yf it be aggreable to you seme good that is that ye sende your lettres vnto oure holy fader the pope and to the chirche of rome vnto the kynges prynces barons of the occident weste parte In which late them wete playnly how it is with you that ye crye to them for mercy that they wolde socoure you for the loue of god for his fayth in suche maner that they myght haue honoure in this world sauacoÌ„n of their soules in that other for that ye be pour peple ye haue no nede to make grete dispeÌ„cis yf ye thynke I be sufficiaunt for so grete a message ffor the loue of Ihu Criste remyssyon of my synnes I shal entreprise this vyage and offre my self to take so moche traueyl for you And I promyse truly to you that I shal late them haue knowleche how it is with you yf god sende me grace to come thydre whan the patriarke herd this he had moche grete ioye he sente anon for the moost saddest wysest men of the cristen pepl for the clerkes laye men sayde shewde to them the bounte and the seruyse that this good man offryd to them They were right glad And thanked hym moche Thenne anon withoute taryenge they made theyr wrytynges and sealed them with theyr seales and delyuerd them to peter theremyte How the said peter theremyte entreprised the more hardyly his vyage by thapparicoÌ„n or vision that he sawe in his sleep ca xiijo. tRuly our lord god is swete pyteous and mercyful ffor he wylle not suffre to perysshe ne to be loste them that haue in hym ferme and stedfast hope And whan the men lacke helpe god sendeth to them his ayde And this may clerely be seen in this werke for fro whens cometh that this pour man whiche was lytil despysed persone wery and brused of so grete Iourneye and waye that durste enterprise so grete a dede and werke how myght he wene that our lord wolde accomplysshe so grete a werke by hym as for to dylyure his peple fro the myserye and caytyfnes that they had ben in nygh fyue C yere But this hardynesse cam to hym of the grete charyte that he had in hym And the fayth wrought in hym for the loue that he had to his bretheren In thise dayes happed a thynge that moche lyft vp his herte to poursue his enterprise ffor this good man whan he had taken this message and charge therof he wente moche ofter than he was woonte to doo to the holy places in the cyte and cam on an euentide to the chirche of the holy sepulchre and made there his prayers deuoutly with grete plente of teeris Aftir this he sleepte vpon the pamente hym semed that our saueour Ihesu Criste cam to fore hym and charged hym self to doo this message And said to hym petre aryse vp hastely and goo surely thedyr as thou hast entreprysed ffor I shal be with the It is now tyme from hens forth that my holy Cyte be clensed and that my peple be socoured Petre awoke in this poynt And was fro than forthon more abandouned vnto the waye and also sure as his Iourneye and message had be doon he entermed and appoynted his departyng for to doo his erande And had leue and benediction of the patriarke he descended doun to the see and fonde there a shyp of marchauntes that wolde passe in to puylle he entred in to the ship the which had good wynde in shorte tyme arryued at bar peter yssued out wente by londe to rome he fonde in the contre the pope vrban and salewed hym in the name of the Patriarke and of the cristen peple of Surye and delyuerd to hym theyr lettres sayde to hym by mouthe moche truli wysely the grete sorowes the miseryes and vyletees that the cristen suffred thenne in the holy londe as he that was expert therof and coude wel saye to hym the trouthe Of the persecucions of the chirche in that tyme and how the pope Vrban was putte oute of the see of Rome by the bysshop of Rauenne cao. xiiij iN this tyme Harry themperour of Allemayne had a grete debate ayenst the pope Gregory the seuenth to fore this Vrban and the discorde aroos for the rynges and the croses of tâ—e bisshoppes that were dede in th empyre For suche a customme had ronne a grete whyle there that whan the prelates were deed tâ—e rynges and croses of them were brought to themperour And 〈◊〉 gaf them to his clerkes and his chapylayns or whom he wolde 〈◊〉 sente to the chyrches and bad them that they shoolde holde them for theyr bisshops and archebisshops without other election oâ—ther proef by whiche holy chirche was adommaged sore For he sente ofte persoÌ„nes that were not propice therto The pope gregoâ—â—â— sawe that this customme was ayenst the right and lawe 〈◊〉 and also ayenst reason and prayd hym amyably to leue this 〈◊〉 the loue of god of holy chirche and for sauacion of his sowle 〈◊〉 it apperteyned nothyng to hym Themperour wold not leu◠〈◊〉 for the pope wherfor the pope cursed hym herof themperour had so grete despite so gtete desdayne that moontineÌ„t he began to waâ—â—â— ayenst the chyrche of rome ayenst the pope he made to rise an adâ—uersarye Tharchiebisshop of rauenne whiche was named Gilbert was wel lettred moche riche This bisshop trusted ouermochâ— in thayde of themperour And in the plente of his rychesse â— And he cam to rome and deposed and put out the pope of his seâ— by fauour force And becam so fel and of so greâ—e pryde that he had that he forgate his wytte reson that he ought to haue by his clergye And sette hym self in the see And made hym to be holden for pope as he that wel wende to haue ben it â— I haue said you to fore â— that at that tyme Cristen peple were in gret paryll thurghout all the world that the comandemens of the gospel were moche forgoten and of holy chyrche And men ranne faste and habouÌ„dantly to the werkes of the deuyl to all synnes whan this discorde and Scysme was so grete Thenne alle trouthe was goon the fayth of our saueour was lyke as it had ben alle perysshed The bysshoppes the abbottes and the prouostes were beten sette in prison And
alle theyr thynges were taken awey fro them namely by them that helde of themperour In this debate was done alle the shames and repreues to the pope Thenne the holy fader sawe that he was not obeyed as he shold be and that he was in paryl of his lyf And he went in to puylle by the helpe and counseyl of Robert guichart whiche theÌ„ne was lord of the contre This Robert dyde vnto our holy fader and to his peple as moche of honour of servyse and bounce as they wold take and yet more at laste on holy fader wente hym in to salerne becam seke and laye doun there deyde was there buryed The Cardynals that were there Chose another whiche was named viator whiche endured but one moneth or there aboutes After hym they choos this vrban that I spack of to fore This vrban sawe that themperour was yet in his maâ—â—ce his angre durst not abandone to hym ne put hym in his power but helde hym in the forteresses of some barons that for goddes sake retryned hym in grete doubte whiles he was in this poynt peter theremyte cam to hym and brought to hym the message fro the Crysten men in the holy londe our holy fader the pope knewe moche wel the bounte the wytte and the religion that was in this peter And ansuerd to hym moche swetly and sayde that he shold goo hastyly speke to the princes and barons of the royame of ffrannce of this werke for yf he myght escape sauely fro the handes of themperour he hym self had Intencion to passe the montaygnes and drawe hym toward tho parties for to helpe the better to this wherke yf it were possible Thenne peter was right glad of this good answere of our holy fader and passed lombardye and the montaygnes and cam in to ffrance And began diligently to gete the barons like as he was sent expresly to them and tolde to eche of them the shames and disconvenyences that the hethen peple dyde to the Crysten folke in the holy londe And the same he said to the mene peple for he assembled them oftymes and tolde to them the sorouful state of the londe Cyte of Irlm in suche wyse that he made them to wepe many a tâ—ere And at euery tyme he made some fruyt by his sayeng and exhortyng the peple to gyue socours to the holy lande And like wise as saynt Iohn baptyste preched to fore to make the way to fore IhuÌ„ cryste so in the same wyse this Peter brought tydynges to fore the comyng of our holy fader wherfore he hym self whan â—he cam was the lecter heâ—d and byleuid and the more dyde in this werke Of a general counseyl that the pope vrban ordeyned for the reformacion of holy chirche thamendement of the peple capo. xvo. iN the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord M. lxxxxv regned the fourth harry kynge of almayn and emperour of Rome the xviij yere of his regne and the xij of his Empire and In frannce regned thenne philipe the sone of harry ThenÌ„e sawe our holy fader the pope vrban that the world was moche empeyred and torned to evyl and helde a counseyl ther vpon of the prelates of ytalye at playsance where he made establysshemens by theyr counseyl for tamende the maners of the Clergye and of the laye peple After he knewe wel that he was not sure in the power of themperour and passed the montaygnes and cam in to the royame of frannce he fonde the peple euyl endoctryned and ouermoche enclyned to synne-Charite faylled and warres and discordes were emonge the riche men And thought that it was nede to doo his power myght for tamende Cristiente he ordeyned a generall counseyl of alle the prelates that were bytwene the montaynes and the see of Englonde this counseyl was sette fyrst at Clony Another tyme at puyâ—â—rÌ„e dame And the thirde tyme at Cleremont in anuergne This was in the moneth of Nouembre Ther were many Archebisshops bisshops abbotes and grete prelates and persones of holi chirche of thise parties Ther were by thâ— general counseyl many coumandements gyuen for â—â—mende clerkes layefee for teshewe synnes and recouâ—re good maners There was holy chirche al reformed of whiche it had grete nede Emonge alle other Peter theremyte was there whiche forgate not the werke that he was charged with but admonesced the prelates eche pryuatly by hym self prayde the comune peple openly moche wel and wysely TheÌ„ne toke our holy fader the wordes and shewed generally to alle the counseyl what grete shame it was to alle the cristen men of our faith that was so nyghe destroyed yâ—d faylled in the place where it began and it myght be grete fere and drede whan it faylled at the heed welle that the ryveâ—â— shold not endure that were rennyng thurgh the world And saide moche wel that alle the very Crystâ—n peple shold take herof grete despite of thus desheryted by their defaulte and his contre dâ—lâ—uerd to his enemyes And promysed that yf they wolâ—e toke vpon this pylgremage he wolde chauÌ„ge theyr penaunce in to this werke· And yf they deyde in this waye confessid and repentaunt· he wolde take it on his fayth that they incontinent shold goo in to the Ioye of heuen On that other syde as long as they were in the seruyse of our lord they were in the warde and kepyng of holy chirche bothe they and theyr thynges in suche wyse that they that dyde to them ony domage shold be acursed alle this commanded he to be kept of alle the prelates that were atte couÌ„seyl This doon he gaf euery man leue and commanded shold preche this pylgremage and pardon And tolde to them that alle men shold trauayll to gyue and make longe trewes and pees of the warres for taccoÌ„plysshe the better this pylgremage and to performe it How many noble hye men and other of the Royame of fraunse crossed them for to goo ouer see ca xvjo. oWr lord gaf his grace vnto our holy fader the pope in vtteryng of the word of god· which was said in suche wyse that it was fyxed roted in the hertes of them that herde hym and not only of them that were present but of alle other that it was recorded and told vnto ffor the bisshops wente in to theyr countrees preched to theyr peple like as it was to them commanded How be it that it was a strange thyng right greuoê° for a man to leue his contree his wyf his childeren and lygnage And leue them that he loueth by nature But whan one thynketh what reward he shal haue of our lord so to doo thenne he geteth a feruent loue in hym self for the charyte of our lord and leueth the naturel loue of his flessh for to saue his sowle and this myght wel be perceyued and sâ—en ffor the peple of the Royame of ffraunce and the grete barons and other lasse that were
of hongrye for to requyre his grace that they myght passe in good â—â—as they wold lodge them ther whylest in tho places that were ful of pastures to fore the paas How this peple began to destroye the londe of the kyng by caâ—â—se he wold not graunte to them leue for to passe cao. xxâ—x o a Lytil whyl taryed they that wente to the kyng but retorned anon ffor they myght not spede of such thynges as they deâ—manded The kyng answerd that for â—efte ne for prayer shold they entre in to his londe whan they of the oost greâ—e and smaâ—e hâ—rd this they were moche angry ffor they had trauaylled and despâ—â—â—ded moche good to come thedyr And now they had loost theiâ— waâ—ye They concluded emong them that â—hey shold brenne and destroâ—ye the contreye of the kynge as moche as was on this syde the mareys They sette fyer on townes and toke the men deâ—troyed alle the contrey· whyles theâ— dyde thus the peple of the fortreâ—â—â— cam out and with other peple of the kynâ—gâ—s to â—he nombre of 〈…〉 what of knyghtes and other peple wel armed passed by shippes er euer the pligrims knewe of it ony wâ—â—d and they sette them fâ—r to deffende the pylgryms at a paas that they shold not entre· whan the pylgryms sawe this they ran vygorously vpon them in suche wyse that er they myght saue them self they were slayn alle sauf a fewe of them that withdrewe them in to the mareys â— and â—ydde them in the reâ—d whan thyse pâ—lgryms thus had the victâ—â—ye tâ—ey mounted in moche grete hardynes said that by force they wold take the fortresse of hongrye and withoute leue they wold passe thurgh the londe Thenne they began to somonne and recomforte euery man to doo wel They toke poles made scaffholdes moche grete plente whiche they sette to the walles And mounted vp couerd with theyr sheldes and targes and assaylled it moche hardely many pyked with pykoys and myned the walles with grete force that thentre semed al redy for to entree they that were within were nyghe deed for despayer ffor they defended slowly as men affrayed in their hertes ffor they supposed anon to be slayn sodenly cam a fere and a drede vpon the hertes of the pylgryms that wened anon to be slayn And neuer was knowen wherfore it was and anon fyl donn fro the scaffoldes taryed not but fledde sodeynly none wyste why they fledde The hongers whan they sawe this myght wyth grete peyne byleue it that this was trouthe ffor they sawe no rayson why Neuertheles whan they apperceyuyd they descended doun began to folowe the chaas in suche wyse that them next to fore them were almost alle taken and slayn In this auenture was fonden none other reson sauf that the peple was so ful of synne that they had not deseruyd the loue of our lord ne thonoure of the world And therfor they re synnes acowarded them in suche wyse that they myght not doo ne accomplysshe this grete werke whiche they had nyghe achyeued The erle Emycon cam agayn in to his contre with grete nombre of peple disconfyted The other barons of ffraunce that I fore haue named wente in to lombardye and so in to puylle There had they knowleche that soÌ„me of the grete barons were passed in to duras and fro thens in to grece They wente aftir and folowyd them In this manere were the peple of ffraunce disperpled and of the contrees ther by The waye of hongrye was moche more strayte and ner yf they myght haue goon it And had not be destrowbled by theyr folye But the other that cam aftir peyned them moche for to goo more wysely and more in peas How the duc godefroy of boloyne beyng with a grete hoost cam vnto hongrye sente his messagers to the kyng for to demande passage capitulo xxxo. cOmen was the moneth of anguste in the yere of thyncarnacion of our lord M lxxxxvj the xv day of the same moneth The valyauÌ„t godefroy of buyllon duc of loraygne assembled them that shold be his felawes in this iourneye And cam fro his contrey with so grete apparayllement as it apperteyned to his estate with hym Bawdwyn his brother Bawdwyn the Erle of henawde Huge the Erle of seynt pol Euerard his sone which was a moche valyaunt yonge man Garnyer the Erle surnamed of grees Bernard the Erle of Toul Pieter his brother Bauwdwyn de bors cosyn to the duc Henry dasque godefrâ—y his brother And many other good knyghtes with them Thise men were so good frendes emonge them and so wyse men that in no wyse they wold departe that one fro that other they cam alle hool with their thynges in to Osteryche the xx daye of septembre vnto a town which is named taylleÌ„borch there reÌ„neth a ryuer named â—yntans departed th empyre of allemaygne fro the royamme of hongrye â— whan they were comen theder· they had herd by the waye euyl tâ—dynges of the grete mesauentures· that Godechan and his peple had in hongrye They assembled and toke counseyl emonge them â— how they myght passe this contre in peas They alle acorded that they shold sende messagers lettres vnto the kyng of hoÌ„grye for to demande first by what reason theyr felaws the pylgryms whicâ—e were theyr bretheren were thus perysshed in his power and â—is londe Aftir this they encharged the messagers that they shold â—ntre with hym in to coiÌ„cacion that they mygâ—t passe his Roâ—amâ—â—me seurly and in peas And that herin they put them in deuâ—yâ—â— payne ffor this waye was for them moche shorte and more couenable yf they myght haue it than for to passâ— by sâ—â—â— In this message wente godefroy dasâ—ue brother of henry· by cause he had long to fore ben acqueynted with the kynge of hongrye â—ith 〈…〉 sente other wyse men They wente fo fâ—r that they fonde the kynâ—â— And salewed hym in the name of hem that senâ—e thâ—m And delyuerd their lettres of credence And aftir sayd to hym thyse wordes How the messagers of the duc godefroy declared their message vnto the kyng of hongrye And ther vpon his answere cao. xxxio. tHe wyse man noble Godefroy Duc of â—â—â—â—yne And the other prynces that with hym come in pylgremage â—aue sente vs now vnto you And by you wolde knowe· by what occasion the other pylgryms whom they helde for felawâ— and bretheren â— haue so cruelly be slayn and smeton in pieces in your â—â—wer Wel they knowe and sende you worde that they haue ben so slayn ffor they haue fonden many of them that ben escaped Moche they meruaylle how ye your peple which ben cristen as ye saye haue thus destroyed the good companye whiche for to enhauÌ„se the fayth of Ihesu Crist ben departed out of theyr contre in suche wyse that the most mortal enemyes that they haue had not don werse They desire moche to knowe yf it were by
began to ordeyne thurgh the town how they myght yssue oute with moche more affraye and strenger than they had But the nyght cam that destourned their counseyl This was an euident thynge that themperour had dâ—n the barons passe the brygge by tricherye and vntrouthe for to haue closed them as within barryers How after this our peple began to destroye the contre And ofa message of buymont vnto duc godefroye And the answer of the duc vpon the same· capitulo xxxviijo. aS sone as thoost apperceyued on the morn the day it was cryed that euery man on payne of deth shold arme hym on horsbak and on fote The Capytayns of som bataylle were ordeyned for to lede the peple in fourage The other sette them in ordynaunce for to kepe their lodgys ffor wel they apperceyued certaynly that themperour pourchassed for them alle the euyl that he myght They that wente for vytaylle withdrewe them wel lx myle They pylled al aboute them alle the townes that they fonde And brought Corn Wyn Beestys and other Rychesses Wherof the londe was full that vnnethe myght they conduyte alle And they were oute sex dayes And aftir retornned in to the hooste with alle this merueillous gayne whyles as they conteyned thus· Messagers cam fro Buymont to fore the Duc And salewed hym in theyr Lordes name And delyuerd to hym lettres whiche saide in this manere He salewed in his letrres the duc as he ought to salewe suche a man Aftir they sayde knowe ye sire that ye haue to doo with a moche vntrewe man whiche alwey sette his herte and purpoos to deceyue them that truste in hym Specially he hateth the Latyns to the deth And doth his power in alle maners that he can to doo euyl to our peple And yf ye haue not yet apperceyued it ye shal knowe al by tyme as I saye to you ffor I knowe wel the malyce of the grekes And also the trycherye of themperour Therfor I pray you that ye withdrawe you fro constantinoble And retorne to ward the playnes of andrenoble or of sympole and there ye may wyntre you where as is grete plente of alle goodes And I my self yf it please god assone as the sprynge of the yere cometh shal come and hast to meue And shal assemble with you And shal helpe you as my lord and frende ayenst the vntrew prynce that entendeth to doo euyll with alle his power vnto cristiente whan the duc had herd thyse lettres by the couÌ„seyl of his barons He sente to hym ageyn other lettres that after the salewyng spak thus we thanke you gretely And so doo the other prynces that ben with vs of the loue and trouthe that ye haue sente vs And knowe ye certaynly that we haue founden on the prynce and on the peple of grekes lyke as ye wene wel to knowe we knowe wel that ye saye it of wysedome and of trouthe But we doubâ—e moche the armes that we toke in our contrey for to warre on the hethen men shold retorne and conuerte ayenst them that bere the name of cristiante as we our self doo we attende and desyre moch your comyng Thenne yf god will whan ye shal be comen we shal doo take you to our counseyl How themperour appesed the duc godefroye and senâ—e for hym and of the honour that he dyde to hym capitulo xxxix tHemperour was moche anguyssous emong his pryue couÌ„seyl thought how he myght appese to hym the duc his peple by cause he destroyed his contre of which he herd the clamours right grete and ofte And by cause that he knewe that the messagers of buymoÌ„t were come had brought tidynges that he wold hastely come he sente ageyn his messagers to the duc prayd hym that he wold come speke to hym yf he doubted of ony thyng he wold sende Iohn his sone in hostage in to the hoost This message plesyd moche to the barons whan they herde it they sente canon de montagu bawdwyn de borgh for to receyue the hostage they receyued hym and delyuerd to Bawdwyn brother of the Duc whiche abode for to Reule and gouerne the hoost and to kepe the hostage The duc and other barons wente in to Constantynople to fore themperour which had moche desyred them The grekes made to them grete Ioye merueyllously what someuer they thoughte Themperour kyssed them alle And demanded of euerych his name for to honoure euerych by hym self as he that wel coude do it they were wel beholden of alle them of the palays At last themperour satte in his mageste and the barons aboute hym And sayde to the duc thyse wordes we haue herd saye many tymes in this londe that thou art of hyghe lygnage and of moche grete power in thy contre and a good knyght and trewe in suche wyse that for the fayth of Ihesu criste â—enhaunce hast enterprised to warre ayenst the mescreauntes and hethen peple whiche greue the cristen peple merueyllously ffor alle thyse thynges we prayse the and loue in our herte And wylle honoure the with grettest honour that we may doo ffor thou art worthy and dygne It playseth vs and therto acorden our barons that we cheese the auowe for our sone And we put our Empyre in to thyn hande that thou kepe it as our sone from henssforth in good estate and in termes of loue whan he had seyde this he dyde hym to be clad with the robe of an Emperour And to sytte by hym And thenne the barons made to hym right grete feste solempnyte aftir the custom of the londe in suche thynges And thus was the pees affermed bytwene the prynces and also bytwene the peple Of the yeftes that themperour made to duc godefroye to the barons and to the gentilmen of his hoost·capitulo xlo. aNone whan this was don the tresour of themperour was opened was presented to the duc and to his felawship so grete yeftes and so grete rychesses that it was merueylle to see Ther was grete plente of gold of syluer· and of precious stones many clothes of sylk ryght ryche vayssellys of dyuerse facions whiche were merueyllous of facions and of matere Oure peple meruellyd moche of this grete rychesse Thyse yeftes cessed not at the fyrst tyme but fro the day of the Epyphanye vnto thasâ—encion tyde themperour gaf to the Duc euery weke as moche as two myghty men myght susteyne of pierrye of pens of gold of copper and of tyn he gaf to hym ten muyes euery muye is four busshellys· But the duc departed alle thyse thynges vnto knyghtes and alle aboute where he sawe that it shold be wel employed Whan they had ben with themperour a lytil whyle they tâ—ke leue cam agayn in to the hoost They sente agayn Iohan his sone whom they had holden in hostage moche honourably Themperour dyde do crye vpon peyne of deth that noman shold doo harme to the pylgryms but shold do selle
they fonde this grete occisâ—on and slaughter at the gate Thenne began a sorow and a moche grete crye in the toun Alle men put the blame and culpe on Bawdwyn and hys knygtes ffor they wold auenge the deth of theyr bretheren whom the sarasyns had so shamely and vylaynously slayn By cause that the knyghtes of bawdwyn and also he hym self wold not suffre them to come in to the toun· And in dede the men of foote sayd this was don by grete oultrage grete falshede· And yf they had not lyghtly withdrawen them in to the toures they had smyten them alle to deth The knyghtes helde them alle stylle tyl that the footemen were cooled and after sente messagers whiche spak to them and requyre them to forbere so long tyl that Bawdwyn had spoken to them they were content to here Bawdwyn speke Bawdwyn excused hym to fore aâ—e and swar and affermed that for none other thynge thentre was deffended them but for that he had sworn to them of the toun that by hym shold none entre tyl the grete hooste cam By thyse wordes and by cause other entermeted to make the peas and spoken debonayrly to the mene peple was bawdwyn acorded to the foote man and his knyghtes also In this toun they soiourned and abode a certayn whyle vntyl a mornyng they sawe in the see nygh them a shippe aboute in myle fro them They yssued oute of the toun and descended to the see they that were in the ship approched to them in such wyse that they spak to gydre they of the ship sayde that they were cristen men they demaunded of what contre and they answerd of fflaundres of holande and of ffryselande And trouth it was they had be escumours of the see and robbers the space of viij yere· Now they repented them And by penaunce cam in pylgremage to Iherusalem they desyred them to come a londe And they cam and made to gydre grete ioye they had a maister ouer them named guynemer And was born of boloyne vpon the see in the londe of Erle Eustace fader of the said duc Godeffroy whan â—e herde that Bawdwyn the sone of his lord was there· â—e lefte his ship And said he wold goo with hym to Iherusalem be was moche ryche of this euyl gayne And had many men with hym that be ladde in his ship thenne Bawdwyn lefte v· C men of armes for to kepe the toun wel in poynt And after he toke his waye for to seke somme auentures as he dyde to fore â—e helde the right way al he cam to the cyte of anamyster· whiche tancre had goten by force of armes vpon the turkes as I haue sayd you to fore Bawdwyn thought wel that he wold not lete hym entre in to the cyte â–ª And therfor he lodged hym in thâ— gardyns about Tancre knowe that bawdwyn whiche loued hym not was so nygh hym And â—e had not forgoten the wronge and the oultrage that bawdwyn had don to hym Thenne he dyde do arme his men· and sayde that thenne was tyme for to venge hym ffor he was nygh â—is retrayt· bawdwyn was for fro his They sente Archiers to fore in grete nombre for to hurte and slee theyr horses whiche they had sente in to the pastures Tancre had with hym fyue honderd men of armes in good poynt and wel horsed And smote in sodanly in to the peple of bawdwyn whiche were not aduysed of them they slewe many and moo they hurted the men of bawdwyn ran hastely to arme them cam fought with them that ran by the tentes therâ— began a bataylle bytwene them moche grete and fiers but it â—ndured not â—â—nge ffor tancre had not so grete plente of peple that myght endure ayenst the mâ—n of bawdwyn· therfor they wold withdrawe them in to theyr toun but theyr enemyes enchassed them strongly so moche that they muste flee there was a brygge ouer a water bytwene the hooste and the cyte the peple of tancre entred so thyck that many were lost and slayn vpon the brygge and drowned in the water whan they were put in to the toune agayn they were moche angry in theyr herte and wold take more peple and returne agayn but the nyght cam that destroubbed it In this scarmuche was taken Rychard le pryncipat cosyn germayn of tancre and robert danse both two were noble men· by their counseyl and atysement tancre had ronne vpon Bawdwyn· Of that other syde was taken a moche noble man named Gylbert de Mountcler· they were moche angry on that one syde and on that other for them that they had loste ffor they doubted that they had ben slayn or drowned whan it cam on the morn and theyr hertes a lytil aswaged they sente messagers eche to other And knewe certaynly that thyse men that were taken lyued of whom they dredde that had ben deed· and good men wente byt wene And medled for to speke of pees in suche wyse that they cam agayn to entier concordaunce and parfyght loue by the grace of the holy ghoost that adressyd theyr hertes They amended theyr trespaas eche to other And kyssed to gydre as frendes in good fayth How the sayd Bawdwyn retorned to the grete hooste And how Tancre mayntenyd hym moche wel in conqueryng contrees Capitulo lxxvjo. bAwdwyn had counseyl whan he was come to Maraze as I haue recompted that he shold goo no ferther forth But retorned in to thoosâ— of the barons By cause he herd saye how the duc his brother had be hurte peryllously And wold see and knowe of his estate and how he ferde theyr counseyl was that tancre shold goo forth Bawdwyn lefte with hym guy neuers And them that were in his companye comen fro the shippe They passed alle sylyâ—e and bete doun alle the forestes of the hethen men that they myght fynde they brente the townes and slewe theyr enemyes· And after cam vnto a Cyte called Alexandrye the lasse that they toke by force and conquerd al the câ—ntre about· The hermyns and turkes that dwellyd in the montaynes of this contre herde tydynges that Tancre and his men were so valyaunt and so myghty that nothyng myght holde ayensâ— them And sore dredde that lyke as he conquerd the playne· he wold come vpon them in the montaynes And destroye the londe entierly and the peple· ffor tappease his courage they sente ta hym good and certeyn messagers· whiche brought to hym grete yeftes as gold syluer precious stones clothes of sylk horses and mubettâ—s they sente hym moche largely ffor whiche cause Tancre lefte them in peas· Thus dyde he wel his honoure and his pronffyt in alle places that he went by in suche wyse that it semed wel to euery man that oure lord god adressyd his way and mayntened his wâ—rkes vertuosly How bawdwyn conquerd a grete contre vpon the turkes by the counseyl of a knyght bermyn named pancâ—ace cao. lxxvij o nOw ye haue herd how Tancre nayntened hym
And this I shal doo for goddes loue and youres But yf they entende that euery man shal haue his part as of thyng goten by warre therupon wyl I not laboure ne doo payne ffor I wote neuer to what ende it shold come· therfor I pray you fayr swete syre trew frende that ye put you in deuoyr payne that this toun be youres not for couetyse but for the prouffyt of the cyte Cristen I promyse to you that the day that I shal knowe that it shal be thus graunted to you I shal delyuer to you the entree of the toun· Alway one thynge I saye to you for certayn· that yf it be not made within short tyme that ye shal neuer day of the world recouere it ffor euery day come to the lord of this toun lettres and messagers certefyeng that they that come to socoure the toun ben about the ryuer of eufrates whiche is not ferre And they ben wel a .ij C M men of Armes· yf they come an you on that one syde And they of the Cyte on that other ye may not suffre ne withstande them but ye shal be alle deed or taken And therfore take ye here vpon hasty counseyl How buymont discouerd this thynge to duc godeffroy to huâ—on the mayne to the duc of Normandye and to th erle of fflaundres Capitulo C xijo. fRo the day that buymont had herd this he began tenanyre moche subtylly and examyne the hertes of the barons And demaunded them otherwhyle what they wold doo with this Cyte yf it were taken Of the ansuer somme of them thought that it was fer of Therfore taryed buymont to discouere his herte and his thought til he sawe better his poynt and tyme neuertheles he drewe a part duc godefroy huon de mayne the duc of normandye and th erle of fflauÌ„dres· To them he sayde that he trusted so moche in oure lord that yf the cyte myght be graunted to hym it myght be wel in short tyme conquerd They acorded it and moche preysed in theyr courage the wytte of this man that had in wylle to accomplysshe so grete a thyng By thaccord of them this thyng was discouerd to th erle of tholouse he ansuerd that he wold neuer yf the Cyte were taken gyue his parte to another man The barons prayd hym moche· but he wold not consente therto for nothynge Therfor the thynge was in suche daunger that almost the thynge was alleloste ffor Buymont put not the payne ne his frende of the toun wold not but yf the toun shold be alle his Neuertheles for alle this Buymont sente to hym ofte grete yeftes for to kepe hym in acqueyntaunce and in the loue that was begonne bytwene them Of the grete socours that the Soudan of perse had sente to them of â—nthyoche and how Câ—â—hagat assyeged rages capitulo Cxiijo. iN the whyle that thyse thynges ran thus in Anthyoche the messagers that fro Ancean were goon to the soudan of perse for to demaunde ayde were retorned as they that had wel don theyr thynges· ffor that grete prynce atte requeste of them of Anthyoche And atte prayer of his men had enterprysed to efface and destroye alle our pylgryms that theder were comen And ther fore he sente theder grete plente of Turkes and of cordyns in to this countre And had delyuerd alle the seygnorye and gouernauÌ„ce of the hooste to one his acqueynted ffor he trusted moche in his wytte in his loyalte and in his prowesse This man was named Corbagat he commaunded alle men to obeye to hym· he sente lettres pendantes oueral his londes and commauÌ„ded that they shold be delyuerd ouer all that where he shold lede them that they shold goo And alle that he commaunded them they shold doo without contradiction he departed fro his countrey with alle his peple and his power he passed so ferre that he cam in to the countre of rages Ther was told to hym that one of the barons of ffraunce helde the Cyte of Rages which he had conquerd and alle the londe about it He had therof grete despyte and sayd to fore and er he passed the Ryuer of Eufrates he shold take the toun and destroye alle the fren Themen that he shold fynde within Bawdwyn was not of lityl courage And had wel herd tydynges of this peple he had wel garnysshed his Cyte with armes vytaylles and noble men And doubted but lytil his comynge ne the menaces ne the grete wordes of thyse peple that were reported to hym Corbagat commaunded that the cyte of rages shold be assieged And after dyde do crye to assault grete peyne dyde they wenyng to haue taken the cyte and alle them that were therin But they that kept the toun deffended them moche wel in suche wyse that they endommaged moche them that were without· And they within loste no thynge They helde them about the toun thre wekes he had no worship ne prouffyt there At laste the grete and noble men of thooste cam to hym And sayde and counseylled hym to departe fro the siege ffor he ought fyrst do that thyng for whiche he cam that is to saye for to take and slee alle them that were to fore Anthyoche And after in his retornyng in a morowtyde he shold haue the toun of Rages And Bawdwyn yf he were not deed· they shold take and bynde hym And presente hym to theyr lord as a sheep or a moton hâ— acorded to theyr counseyl and departed fro thens But allewaye the taryeng that the turkes had made sauyd oure prlgryms ffor the mater was not so acorded bytwene Buymont and his frende that yf they had comen strayt to Anthyoche oure men had ben in ouer grete meschyef bytwene them that he brought and the other turkes that were in the toun· How our men beyng aduertysed of the grete hoooste of corbagat sente somme of theyr knyghtes for to esteme them And what they reported of that they had seen cao. Cxiiij o tHe tydynges began strongly to growe of this people that cam And it was no merueyll yf they were effcayed in the hooste of the pylgryms The barons assembled in counseyl And ordeyned by comyn acord that somme of theyr wysemen that vnderstode them in· suche thynges as to esteme peple in the felde shold goo and knowe their couyne to this were chosen Dreues de Nelle Clarembault de venduel Euerard de cherysy Renard th erle of toul They ledde with them other knyghtes knowen and preuyd in Armes they departed fro thoost so ferre that they approuched the turkes whom they sawe and folowed them fro fer Neuertheles they wel apperceyued that lyke as water renneth in the see cam fro alle partes grete rowtes and merueyllous plente of peple in this hooste of Corbagat Thise noble men wente so ferr that they sawe and knewe alle theyr beyng and sâ—rengthe And syth drewe them to the barons and sayd to them the trouthe The barons prayde and
was thenne wythin the same fortresse Thassault beganne at sonne rysynge moche fiers and moche grete there were so many Archiers aboute it that none myghte shewe his 〈…〉 creueâ—lx but that and it was couerd with arowes they that were within deffended them moche well in suche wyse that they lost nothyng of the fortresse And thassault endured tyl the sonne went doun The turkes departed alle wery Th erle of fâ—lauÌ„dees doubted that they sleld come on the morn to thassault ffor they myght not longe suffre them there therfor as sone as it was nyght he put out alle his men preuyly and sette fyere therin and brent the fortresse without fayllyng· The turkes had deuysed â—hat in the mornynge erly they shold haue begonne agayn thassault that two M men more shold haue comen than had ben the nyght byfore It was not longe after that a Rowte of turkes departed fro thooste of Corbagat I wote not how many poure pylgryms that wente pourchasshyng yf they myght fynde ony vytaylles in the countre they toke them and brought them alle in the state that they were in to fore Corbagat whan he sawe them he moche despysed them· ffor they had no Armures And but feble bowes of tree Their swerdes rusty their gownes and habillemens were old and roten Thenne sayd Corbagat by desdayne Thyse peple seme well men that shold take away fro the soudan of Perse his Empyre And conquere the londe of thoryent Thyse shold be wel content and payd yf they had breed and a gobet of bacon their bowes ben not stronge ynowgh for to slee a sparowgh· Now I shal saye to you what ye shal doo ye shal lede them bounden in this poynt as they now be in vnto my lord the soudan that hath sent vs hether And telle hym that he dar not be sore aferd of thyse men· that be comen hether ffor we haue enterprysed and begonne warre ayenst suche men as he may see late me allone with this werke· ffor there shal not abyde many of them but I shal efface and destroye them alle in suche wyse as there shal nomore be spoken of them as they had neuer be born Thus ledde they thoo cristen men vnto the soudan he weÌ„de wel to haue don his honour in this that he sente them to the soudan but it torned hym afterward to his shame hym thought a light thynge to vaynquysshe the cristen men whiche had not yet wel assayed them Of the grete famyne and mesease that oure men suffred in the cyte of Anthyoche beyng assyeged on alle sydes by the sayd Corbagat Capitulo C.xxviijo. oN alle partyes was the cyte thus assieged They of the toun ne myght not yssue out for to pourchasse vytaylle for them They were euyl at ease of this meschyef A famyne aroos in the toun moche grete greuoê° for deffaulte of vytayll in suche wyse that they ete camels asses the horses· yet toke they werse thynges whan they myght gete it· ffor who that had founden a deed hound or Catte· They ete it delyciously in stede of grete delices ffor the hongry wombes made no dauÌ„ger to seche suche as they myght fylle them with· the grete hye and noble men· that were acustomed to be moche honoured had now no shame to come there wher they ete suche mete but wente oueral moche fowlly demauÌ„ded playnly such as they neded The ladyes gentil wymmen and maydens had alle langour of hongre They were alle pale and bene Many were compelled to begge and aske with moche grete shame There was none that myght haue so harde an herte but that he shold haue had grete pyte to haue seen it ther were many men wymmen that aduysed them of what lygnage they were of born that had suche courage ferme in theyr hertes that for none anguysshe that they suffred of hongre wold not goo axe their beed fro dore to dore Thyse peple hydde them in theyr howses· Somme that knewe it dyde to them yet somme socour But ther were many that deyed for hongre that had not for to ete There myght men see knyghtes and other valyaunt men that had be to fore stronge and noble in theyr werkes that now were so feble and poure that they wente by the stretes lenyng on their staues and theyr heedes enclynyng doun askynge breed for goodes loue There shold ye haue seen the lytil Childeren that soke theyr moders pappes And the moders had nothyng to ete But threwe them doun in the stretes to th ende that other shold norysshe them with grete payne shold ye haue fouÌ„de one onely man emong so moche peple that had sufficiently that hym neded ffor yf ony had be that had Gold or Syluer· It auaylled hym nothyng ffor he founde no mete for to bye with it the barons and the hye prynces that were acustomed to holde the fayr courtes and to gyue mete and drynke to many men they hydde them now by cause none shold fynde them etyng ne drynkyng they had gretter anguysshe in theyr hertes of this famyne than had the poure peple ffor they mette euery day theyr knyghtes and theyr men of theyr countrees that deyde for hungre· And they had no mete to gyue to them It were a long thyng to recounte alle the meseases and the meschyefs that were suffred within Anthyoche whyles the tempeste endured But so moche may wel be sayd that selde or neuer shal ye fynde in hystorye that so grete prynces and onâ— so grete an hooste suffred suche anguyssh of hungre How the turkes felyng that our men were in suche meschyef of hongre enforced them for tassaylle the cyte cao. Cxxix wHyles that the Cyte was thus on alle partes assieged with turkes And the famyne ran so anguysshous They that were without and knewe the euyl couyne of our peple lefte not to assaylle the walles alle the long daye They of the dongeon And the other that cam in by the yate cam and made grete assaylles in the toun they had made them so wery that oure men myght not wel deffende them and vnnethe kepe the toun· ffor whan they had defended them alle the longe day at euen they had nothynge to ete wherof it happed that a tour by that syde where our men entred was euyl kept· and on a nyght the turkes cam withoute forth And apperceyued wel that noman was within the tour thenne they toke laddres that they had made And mouÌ„ted vpon the walles ther were· xxx· that wente vnto this tour for to entre in And this was at the begynnyng of the nyght· The maister of the watche wente serchyng right there And sawe the turkes comen vp there And cryed treson treson And thenne awoke fyrst and ran theder harry dasque and two of his cosyns with hym that one named ffranke And that other Semer They were boâ—he of the toun called Mathale vpon the mase Thyse thre smote in emong the .xxx turkes at theyr fyrst comyng they
oure lord vpon the turkes that haue holden it with wrong by force a certeyn tyme. Therfor thou oughtest to suffre vs to enioye oure herytage And retorne thou in to thy countrey and yf thou wilt not so doo knowe thou for certayn that within the thyrde day swerdes shal fynysshe and ende this debate And to th ende that thou complayne not that we desire and wille the deth pourchasse of so moch peple in comyn bataylle they shal offre to the this that is to wete yf thou wilt fyght in thyn owne persone they shal sende ayenst the· one al so hye a prynce as thou art· to whom thou shalt fyght And whiche of you maye vaynquysshe and ouercome that other· shal conquere the quarelle for euermore withoute other debate yf this thynge plese the not take certayn nombre of thy men vâ—·x or xij or as many as thou wylt our pilgryms shal sette as many ayenst them· withoute ony moo of that one syde and that other· And that they that shal wynne thâ— feelde shal allewaye haue the gayne of this debate Whan Corbagat herde this message he was moche wroth and angry and had grete desdayne and despyte Thenne he tourned hym toward Peter and sayd to hym Peter they that hath sente the hether· ben not in suche poynt as me semeth that they shold offâ—e to me for to chose of theyr deuyses But they be brought by my pussaunce and â—â—reng the that they maye doo nothynge of theyr wylle But I shaâ—l doo with them alle my playsyre But retourne thou and saye to thyse musardes and saye to them that haue made the to mene fro the Cyte and come hether· that they vnderstonde not yet· the maleurte that they be in And byleue certaynly that yf I had wold· I had or now broken and destroyed this toun and sette my men therin by force· in suche wyse that the cristen men had be alle slayn men and wymmen lytil and grete But I wyll that ye abyde in more caytyfnes and mesease· dyeng languysshyng for hongre lyke as other houndes· And whan it shal please me I shal entre in to the toun· alle them that I shal fynde men and wymmen of couenable eage I shal put them alle bouÌ„den handes feet in pyetoê° estate And shal lede them alle to my lorde for to serue hym And they shal be his esclaues Alle thâ— other I shall slee with the swerd lyke an euyl tree that wyll bere no fruyt How the sayd Peter retorned in to the toun and wold openly haue sayd his message of the subtyl counseyll of the duc whiche wold not suffre it cao. C·xxxvijo. pEter theremyte vnderstode his pryde whiche was grete and of the grete quantite of peple that he had And also of his Rychesses whiche were ouer moche Thenne he departed and cam agayn in to the toun he wold haue sayd the message of Corbagat openly in the presence of them that wold here hym ffor theder ran grete and smale But the duc Godeffroy that was moche wyse and knewe moche drewe hym a part and called only the barons and bad hym saye that he hath founden he recounted to them alle· as he that had wel reteyned in his mynde coude saye and vtter it in the beste manere The duc doubted that yf the peple had herd this grete pryde and the menaces that Corbagat had sayd that they shold be ouer moche abasshed and feced Therfor he commaunded to Peter that he shold saye none other thyng But that only Corbagat desyred and demaunded the bataylle ayenst them And that they shold make them redy Peter acorded wel therto· And sayd to them lyke as the duc had commaunded hym And vnnethe Peter had sayd the worde But that alle cryed with one voys And we wylle also the bataylle ayenst hym in godes name They shewde wel by theyr sight and semblaunce· that the desyre of the bataylle was grete in their hertes· Alle their meseases were forgoten for Ioye to haue the vyctorye· The Barons whan they sawe that theyr peple made suche ioye they were moche glad And moche the more trusted in them By comyn counseyl they ordeyned the day of the batayll on the morn And that thus wold Corbagat haue it· they byleuyd it wel· And hastely wente euery man to his lodgyng There ye shold haue seen Armourers put in poynt· hauberks and helmes fourbousshed swerdes and custrellis whette This nyght slepte they not in the toun noman Thâ—y that kept the hors toke good hede this nyght And made alle thynge redy As soone as it was nyght It was cryed vpon peyne of deth that alle man shold be in the mornyng to fore the sonne rysynge alle armed as he best myght And drawe hym in to the bataylle where as he was ordeyned And that euery man shold folowe the baner· of his Captayne whan the spryngyng of the day apperâ—d in the mornyng the men of the chirche were redy fâ—r to synge masse· And songe deuoutly They that shold goo to the batayll were confessyd and alle receyued the bodye of oure lord which gaf to them surete of body and of sowle· Alle rancour and wrath were entierly perdonned by cause they wold be in parfyght charyte· And therin doo the seruyse of our lord whiche sayth in the gospell In this shal alle men knowe that ye be my disciples yf ye haue loue and charyte emonge you whan they were thus redy oure lord sente to them his grace which gaf to them so grete hardâ—nes· that they that were the daye to fore so ferdful feble and bene that they myght not susteyne them self for feblenesse becam stronge and delyuer in suche wyse that the armes that they baâ—â— weyed nothyng as them semed· and were hardy and vygorous so that ther was none so litil but he had talente to doo grete thyng in the bataylle· The tyme cam that the bisshops and alle the other men of the chirche were reuested as for to synge masse· they helde the crosse and the sainctuaryes with whiche they blessyd the peple And recommaunded them to god· They graunted pardon and remyssyon to them of alle their synnes yf they deyde in the seruyse of our lord· To fere alle the other the bisshop of puy prechyd and spak to the barons And prayd them that they shold thyncke to auenge the shame of our lord Ihesu Criste· that thyse vntrewe sarasyns had don to hym so longe in withholdyng of his herytage Atte laste he blessyd them with his hand· and commaunded them to god deuoutly How to fore er our men departed they made redy theyr bataylles right wel in poynt of the nombre of them cao. ·C xxxviijo. oN the morn erly our pylgryms assembled as it was ordenyed deuysed the thyrde day to fore thentre of Iuyll to fore the yate of the brydge to fore thyssue oute of the yate They had theyr bataylles ordeyned and deuysed lyke as who shold
that were in the toun deyed by this pestylence sauf a fewe in such wyse that of this lytil peple deyde in a lytil whyle in this toun· L. M. men and wymmen The occasion of this mortalyte was many tymes demaunded of the fisiciens wyse clerkes The soÌ„me sayde that thayer was corromped The other sayde that the peple had had ouer longe moche anguyssh of hongre of thurst And whan they cam therto pleÌ„te of vytaylles they toke therof ouer oultrageously By whiche they ranne in a grete Infirmyte and sekenes This shewde they euydently by them that ete but lytil and by mesure ffor they that so dyde cam lyghtly to conualence and helthe How the pylgryms of thoost desired to goo vnto Iherusalem for to eschewe the mortalite· taccoÌ„plisshe their vowe cao. Cxlvjo. tHe pylgryms for teschewe the mortalyte of the toun also for taccomplysshe their pilgremage began to crye for to goo to Iherusalem· ffor therfor were they departed out of theyr countrees They moche prayd the barons that they wold make them redy and dylygently lede and conduyte them theder The barons that myght not be in reste for theyr requestes assembled and had counseyl on this mater Somme sayde· that it were good that they shold anon go forth toward the holy Cyte by cause the comyn peple desyred it And also that euery man was bounden by his vowe so to doo The other sayde that it was not tyme for to goo forth ffor the brennynge hete was ouer grete and the drought shold cause that they shold lacke water The peple shold not fynde whete the horses shold lacke pastures But counseylled to tarye and delaye this passage tyl mychelmasse thenne shold the tyme be more attempered and moderat· And duryng the mene whyle men myght do reste theyr horses· and gete newe for them that had none and had nede of somme and also men myght refresshe them self whiche were wery and seke· To this laste counseyll acorded they alle And therfor it was late or they departed ThenÌ„e deuysed the barons that they wold remeue for thynfyrmyte of the place to goo there as they myght haue vytailles better chepe Buymont descended in to the londe of Cylyce There toke he tarse Adane· Mamstre Aunaure Thyse four cytees a fore sayd he garnysshed well with his men· And helde entierly alle the countree aboute· The other wente ferther in the countre and ladde theder theyr horses for to soiourne there were many knyghtes and men a fote that passed the Ryuer of Eufrates for to goo forth at al auenture thurgh the countrees tyl they come to bawdwyn broder of duc Godeffroye to Rages whiche receyued them gladly And gaf them vytaylles and made them good chere as long as they were there And atte departyng he gaf to them fayre and good yeftes It was not longe after that it happed that one Rodahan the lord of halappe had debate and warre ayenst a baron of his whiche was Castelayn of a castel named Hasart· And ye shal vnderstande for certayn that there was founden first the playe of dyse and fro thens it cam· and it is named so· This grete man of halappe assembled his peple And assyeged this castel with alle his power The lord that was within sawe wel that he myght not holde it ayenst his lord And he had no turkes for to socoure hym· ne helpe hym Therfor he spak to one his frende a crysten man· which was pryue with hym· and sente to duc godefroy many grete yeftes And requyred and prayd hym moche affectuously that he wold socoure hym in his nede ffor he had desire to be his and wold be bounden to hym to doo hym grete playsyrs and seruyses· And sente to hym his sone in hostage for surete Thâ— valyaunt duc that had a softe herte and debonayr receyued the loue and thalyaunce of the lord of hasart· he thought wel that it was not ayenst the wylle of our lord for to afeblyssâ—e one of his 〈◊〉 for another Thenne sente he to his brother Bawdwyn to Râ—â—ges for to sende hym peple ynowâ— ffor his purpoos wylle was to reyse the siege to fore this castel for to socoure his frende Roâ—â—han had holden· vj dayes longe siege to fore this castel· The Duc godefroy cam by grete iourneyes the messagers of the lord of 〈◊〉 castel were with hym ffor they myght not goo in to the caâ—tel to their lord ffor it was besieged round about· therfor they tokâ— two douues or culuers which they had takeÌ„ brought with them for to doo this that is to saye they toke lettres and wrote theryn 〈◊〉 theyr entent And bonde thoo lettres to the tayles of the douues â–ª and lete them flee And the douues flewe and cam sâ—rayt to â—aâ—sart fro wheÌ„s they were had beÌ„ there nourisshed they that awayted on them toke them the lord toke the lettres â–ª and fonde therin how he had alyaunce of the duc his loue and grâ—ce And how he cam for to socoure hym with grete strengthe he had thenne grete Ioye and toke to hym grete hardynesse in suche wyse that be hym self yssued out of the yates with his men largely And assaylled them of the siege vygorously whom he had sore doubted not long byfore The dylygence that duc godeffroy made for to socoure a turke to whom he had promysed And how he reysed the siege beyng to fore his castell cao. Cxlvij o nOw was the duc Godeffroy approuched whan his brother cam with iij M horsmen noble valyaunt and hardy men â—ight wel armed They were but on iourneye fro the castel Th erle Bawdwyn acorded wel to thentâ—rprise of the duc his broder but he sayd wel that Rodohan the lord of halappe had moche grete peple· And that he knewe wel for certayn Therfore he counseylled hym that he shold sende for the other barons that were abyden in Anthyoche· and praye them as his frendes that they wold addresse them â—accomplisshe this that he had enterprysed Trouth it was that he had moche prayd buymont and th erle of tholouse to fore er he departed but they had a lytil enuye· by cause the turke had more requyred the duc than ony of them· but now whan he had sente for them· them thought that they myght not goodly abyde behynde And ordeyned moche dilygently theyr goyng forth And wente so ferre that they ouertoke hym whan they were alle to gydre they were wel .xxx M. men of armes Rodahan had his espyes by whome he knewe certaynly that thyse men cam vpon hym he doubted them moche· he had wel· xl M men· but yet he durst not abide them but departed fro the siege And retorned to halappe The duc knewe nothyng that the siege was departed but weÌ„te strayt toward hasart There were ynowe in Anthyoche of knyghtes gentilmen other which knewe that the valyaunt duc had to doo with men· and departed fro thens and wente toward hym for to
th erle of fflaundres prayed them moche affectuously that they wold enterpryse coÌ„duice them to Ihâ—lm for taccomplysshe their pilgremage the goyng forth of th erle of tholouse the duc of normandye Cancre caused them moche to haue the wyll forth ffor they· were goon to fore and ledde with them grete nombre of pylgryms And they happened wel in the waye and had therby grete prouffyte and grete honour· By thyse wordes were the barons gretely stered and meuyd They ordeyned theyr affayres dylygently and toke alle theyr peple as wel on horsbak as a foote and wente so fer fâ—rth that they cam to the lyche of surrye They were xxv M men all in poynt and armed eueryche after that he waâ— The good man and valyaunt knyght buymont conueyed them theder with his men But it was not theyr entente ne wyll that he shold goo ony ferther ffor the cyte of anthyoche was newly conquerd and theyr enemyes were fast by Therfor it behoued hym not to withdrawe hym ferre fro it but therfor he toke good hede continuelly daye and nyght But of his grete courage· he had conueyed them theder And there toke his leue and wepte moche at departyng· he recoÌ„auÌ„ded them to god retorned agayn to Anthyoche And the hoost abode there· The lyche is a moche auncyent cyte and noble· stondeth vpon the ryuage of the see That was the only cyte in surye· of which theÌ„perour of coÌ„nstantinoble was lord longe to fore er oure men cam theder· was comen guyneuyers of whom I spak long to fore that was born at boloyne vpon the see syde And arryued at tharse whyles that bawd wyn broder of the Duc helde it· he was comen to the lyche with his shippe and supposed to haue taken the toun by force and folysshly he conteyned hym and assaylled it· They of the toun yssued out lyghtly And toke hym· and yet helde hym in pryson whan onre barons cam theder· The Duc knewe that he was born in the londe of his fadre And that he had ben in the companye of th erle Bawdwyn his brother Therfor he demaunded hym of the grete men of the toun And prayde them entierly that they wold delyuere them to hym They durst not gayne saye hym but delyuerd hym and his felawship with his shippe the Duc commaunded hym that he shold goo to the see and alwaye coosteyeng by the hooste· he dyde it gladly And saylled forth How the duc assieged Gybelet and of a trayson by whiche he lefte the siege cao. CLx o tHe hoost departed fro the lyche whan oure Barons had receyued theyr prysonners· They that were late departed fâ—o Cylyce fro Anthyoche fro other cytres aboute were alle comen and arryued theder· in suche wyse that alle wente to gydre by the see syde vnto a Cyte named Gybelet· whiche was fro the lyche about a xij myle They abode there and assieged the Cyte A baylly of the Calyphe of Egypte helde this Cyte on the see side vnder the power of the Calyphe of Egypte This baylle yssued out by saufcoÌ„duyt· spak to duc godefroy to whom he offred vj·M· besauntes and many grete yeftes aboue that for to departe and reyse the siege fro thens The duc wold in no wyse here thyse wordes but sayde that it were treson and vntrouth· and god forbede that I shold take suche hyre he thenne departed whan he sawe he myght not make his bargayn with the noble duc· After he sente his messagers to th erle of tholouse· and offred to hym this grete somme of moneye yf he myght fynde the moyen to reyse the â—â—ege fro this toun It was sayd that he receyued the moneye and for to make the barons to departe he founde a lesynge ffor he dyde to be sayd to them that he was wel acerteyned by messagers and lettres that the Soudan of Perse had so moche angre and desdayne of this that Corbagat his conestable had be disconfyâ—ed and so moche peple of his slayn· that he assembled alle his â—ower And cam with grete peple for to fyght and to destroye them allâ— that he coude fynde of the cristen fayth Thise tydynges senâ—e th erle of tholouse by the bisshop of Albare to the duc a fo re sayd and to th erle of fflaundres and sente to them his lettres by whiche â—e prayd them moche swetly and expresly that they wold leue theyr siege and come dylygently to hym· in suche wyse that they myght be alle to gydre whan this peple cam· whan the Duc and otheâ— Barons herde this thynge· they were moche anguysshous and meuyd ffor they supposed certaynly that alle this had be trewe â–ª Anon they departed fro gybelet· by the cyte of valerne they wente whiche was aboue the castel of margat· syth they cam to marcheâ— whiche is the first cyte of the londe of fenyce· whan they wente toward the northeest fro thens they cam to the cyte of cortuose There is an Isle where somtyme was a Cyte there abode the Shippes theyr naure I wote not how many dayes after they hasted and cam to fore the Cyte of Archys Tancre yssued oute of thoost and cam aâ—enst them And tolde to them alle a longe the tromperye and the barat that th erle of tholouse had don â–ª They were moche angry therfore they lodged them a part fro them that had doo broken theyr syege· The Erle knewe that he had 〈◊〉 the loue of the barons that were newe comen therfor he sentâ— to them messagers that sayde to them in his name moche fayre wâ—rdes And brought to them grete yeftes wherfore in short tyme it happed that they were alle repeased and amyable and good frendes to gydre sauf only Tancre whiche acorded not with hym· but accused hym of many thynges· A fore the comynge of thise laste baroÌ„s the peple of therles of tholouse myght nothynge auaylle and prouffyte ayenst the Cyte whiche they had assieged But now they had grete hope that it shold now soon be brought to an ende and accomplysshyd by thayde of them that were newe come Neuertheles it fyll not so as they supposed ffor alle the tymes that they contryued by ony engyne for tassaylle the walles alway it fyll contrarye to that they purposed and they of the toun brake alle theyr ouurages in suche wyse that they loste their costes and payne· It appered wel that our lord had withdrawen fro them his ayde and his good wyll They within the toun slewe many of them without There deyde tweyne noble and valyaunt knyghtes That is to wete Ancean of Ribemont that alway dyde valyauntly where sommeuer he cam And potom de baladon an hye man and wel acqueynted with th erle of tholouse This siege displesyd ouer moche to alle them of thooste· And in especial to the footemen whiche had moche grete desyre taccomplysshe theyr vowe to Iherusalem· also whan the duc was comen they that had ben there to fore began to
two They suffred them to come in· whan they were comen in One of them spak in this manere Fayr lordes we haue vnderstanden that ye be assembled here for to chese a kyng that shal gouerne this â—onde whiche thyng pleâ—â—th vs moche And we holden it for right wel don yf ye doo it in the manere that ye ought to doo it ffor without doubte the spyrituel thynges be more digne and worthy than the temporall Therfore we saye to you that the moost hye thynges ought to goo to fore And thus wolde we that ye shold doo And thordenaunce shold not go forth other wyse than it ought to be Now theÌ„ne we praye you and requyre you in the name of oure lord that ye entremete not you to make a kynge til that we haue chosen a patriarke in this toun that can gouerne the cristiente· yf it plese you that this be don fyrst it shal be good and wee l for you And we shal thenne holde hym â—or kyng that ye shal gyue to vs· but if ye wylle do otherwyse we shal not holde it· for good ne wel don But we shal discorde And after that ye doo shal not be fâ—rme This wordâ— semed outward to haue somme apparence of wee l But it cam of euyl purpoos· Ther was therin but deceyt and trecherye Of this complot and barate was mayster capytayne a bisshop of Calabre horn of a cyte whiche was named lamane This bisshop acorded moche to one Arnold of whome I haue spoken to fore whiche was ful of desloyalte he was not yet subdeken· and was a preestes sone and of so euyl and fowl lyf that the boyes and garsons had made songes of hym thurgh thoost and yet not with stondynge alle this the bisshop of Calabre ayenst god and reson wolde haue made hym patriark ffor they knewe ouermoche euyl therfor were they both acorded to gydrâ— They had made a bargain bytwene them that as sone as this Arnold shold be patriarke the sayd bisshop shold haue tharchebissoprych of bethlehem But oure lord ordeyned this thynge in another maner as ye shal here Ther were in thoost many clerkes of euyll contenaunce· that lytle entended to the seruyse of our lord· they litil preysed relygyonand honneste ffor syth the tyme that the valyauÌ„t bysshop of puy was dede which was legat of 〈…〉 the bisshop william of Orenge was in his place whiche was a relygyous man· and moch doubted our lord but he abode not longe after but was deed in suche wyse lyke as ye haue· herd Thenne was the clergye without pastour and garde And lete them falle in euyl lyf The Bisshop of Albare conteyned hym holyly in this pylgremage· And somme other that were noble· But the comyn of the clerkes made it alle ylle How the duc Godeffroy was chosen kyng of Iherusalem and how he was presented to our lord in his chirche of the holy sepulcre capitulo Clxxxxijo. He wordes that the Clerkes had brought to the barons in theyr electyon was not moche preysed but â—â—etted it to grete folye ne therfore letted not to doo that they had bygonnen· To th ende thenne that they myght knowe the better the couynes of alle the barons· they ordeyned wyse men that shold enserche the lyf of eueryche of them and the maners They dyde do come to fore them suche men as were moost pryue of the barons and toke eche of them a parte by the leue of theyr lordes· And toke of them theyr othes to saye the trouthe of that they shold be examyned that was of the lyf and manere of theyr lordes withoute â—â—syuge and fayllynge of the trouthe· Thus it was acorded emonge them It was a grete thynge whan the lordes abandouned tâ—em self â—enserche theyr lyues â–ª But the wyse men that made this enquest were trewe men and helde alle thyng secrete that as ought not to be knowen Many thynges were sayd to them of whiche they toke but lytil hede· Emonge alle other thynges they that were moost pryuee of the duc Godeffroye whan thâ—y were demaunded of his maners and his tetches· they answerd that he had one manere right greuous and ennoyous ffor whan he herd masse and the seruyse of oure lorde he coude not departe out of the chirche but sente after payntours glasyers vnto the clerkes gouernours of the chirches he herd gladly the ryngyng of the belles and entendeth mocheyf they discorded so longe that it displesyd moche to his felawship and seruauntes· And oftymes his mete appayred by cause of his long taryeng in the monasteryes and holy places whan the wysemen herd this and that this was the grettest vyce that coude be founden in the duc they had moche grete ioye ffor they thought wel that he dyde this for the loue of oure fayth and for thonour of our sauyour whan they had herd alle that they wold enquyre of the Barons they spak to gydre And grete partye of them were acorded vpon th erle of tholouse if it had not be for one thynge ffor alle they of his countre· that were moost pryue with hym· thought that yf he were chosen kyng that he shold abyde there and reteyne the peple of his countrey· And yf he were not chosen he shold sone retorne in to his countrey fro whens he cam and that desyred they moche· Thefore mâ—n wâ—ne that they were forsworn wyllyngly And sayde vpon hym somme euyl 〈◊〉 of whiche he had no blame Neuertheles he had neuer Intencion to retourne to his londe as it appered after ffor euer after he abode in the seruyse of our lord whiche he had enterprysed whan the barons herde all the tetches after many wordes they acorded al â–ª vpon Godeffroy of boloyne And named hym to be kyng and was lad with alle the peple with grete ioye vnto the chirche of the holy sepulcre And presented to oure lorde Euery man was glad grete and smal ffor he was the man that had the hertes of alle the comyn peple How the duc godeffroy after his election requyred th erle of tholouse that he shold delyuer to hym the tour dauid cao. Clxxxxiij iN this maner was the duc godeffroy chosen to be kyng· and lord of the holy Cyte of Iherusalem Th erle of tholouse helde the gâ—ettest fortresse of the toun whiche was called the tour dauyd The turkes had delyuerd it to hym lyke as ye haue herd to fore It is sette in the hyest parte of the Cyte toward the weste strongly walled with square stones and ther on meÌ„ may see ouer al the Cyte entierly whan the Duc sawe that this tour was not in his power It semed to hym that he had not the seygnorye whan the grettest fortresse of alle the countre was not in his possession Therfor he demaunded th erle of tholouse in the presence of the barons· prayd hym debonayrly that he wold delyuer it to hym Th erle answerd that he had conquerd it· and thenemyes of
CLvo. He thyrde day they cam to fore the Cyte· of Baruth And lodged them vpon a Ryuer that ran to fore the toun The baylly of the toun gaf to them grete good And made do come plente of vitayll and good cheep for to spare the trees the fruytes of the contre· On the morn cam they to the Cyte of Sayette there they lodged them vpon a Ryuer therby· he that gouerned and kepte the Cyte wold not doo thynge ne bounte to them I wote not wherin he trusted but he sente out many of his men for to doo hurte to thoost and for to atteyne certayn knyghtes which were lodged by for tassaylle them but our men toke theyr horses and ran on them vygorously And slewe of them I wote not how many And the other fledde in to the cyte· And had nomore talente to atteyne our peple in suche wyse that our men rested them in pees that nyght On the morn for to reste and refresshe the mene peple they departed not thens But sente oute for fourage many men a foote and certayn men of Armes to kepe them in to the contre and vyllages about· They brought largely vytaylles and horses wyth grete quantite of beestes grete and smale· and cam agayn without lesyng of ony thyng· alle to gydre sauf only a knyght named Gaultier de ver he wente by his valyauÌ„ce ouer ferre ffor he retorned neuer agayn· ne neuer was knowen where he becam they were all moch sory for hym in thoost The day aftir passed they by a moche sharp aspre way· after descended by a destrayt in to a playne· and on the right syde they lefte this auÌ„cyent Cyte named Saâ—â—pte wherin helyas the prophete was in After they pessed a water whiche is bytwene Sur and Sayette They wente so fer that they cam to this noble cyte of Sur. There they lodged them by the noble fontayne and pytte of water lyâ—yng lyke as scripture sayth They lodged this nyght in gardyns moche delectable· whan it was daye they sette them forth on theyr Iourneye· And passed by a strayt moche peryllous· whiche is bytwene the montaines the see· They descended in to the playnes of the Cyte of Acres therevpon and by a water rennyng they sette vp theyr pauyllons he that had the charge of the toun made them to haue vytaylles at resonable prys· and made acqueyntauÌ„ces good and honorable in this maner that yf oure people myght take the Cyte of Iherusalem and dwelle there after xx· dayes in the Royamme in suche wyse that they were not put oute of it by force or yf they myght disconfyte in the felde the puyssaunce of egypte that fro thenne forth on they shold yelde and gyue ouer the Cyte of Acres without makyng of ony resistence The pylgryms wente fro thens on the lyft syde they leâ—te galylee bytwene the mount of Carmely and the see they cam in to Cezaire whiche is the second Archebisshoprych of the londe of palestyne they lodged them vpon a water that yssueth oute of thâ— palus or maryles· whiche ben by the toun there helde they theyr penthecost or wytson tyde thre dayes after thentre of Iuyn they abode there on 〈…〉 they toke their way On the right side they lefte Iaphe And by a grete playn and euen waye they cam in to the Cyte of Lâ—deâ— where the bodye of the glorious martir seynt gâ—orge lyeth In thoâ—noure of whom Iustynyen that was Emperour of Rome made there a moche fair chirche and ryche But whan the turkes herde tydynges that our men cam they bete it doun and brence tâ—e tymbre werke whiche was moche grete For they doubâ—ed that oure pilgrims shold take them for to make engyns to caste sâ—onâ—s and castellis to assaile with thenne herde our barons saye that ther fasâ— by was a moche noble Cyte named Rames they sente the erle of Flaundres with v·C horsmen to fore the toun for to knowe what semblaunt they wold make None yssued out whan they approuched it they cam ner and founde the yates open And entred in to the Cyte And founde neyther man ne woman For the nyght to fore they had herd tydynges how oure pilgrims cam ladde to the montaynes wyues and childeren and alle their howshold whan th erle knewe herof he sente to the barons how the mater was and counseylled them to come in to the toun they were moche glad of thyse tidynges they made deuoutly theyr prayers at the tombe of seynt George And after cam in to the Cyte whiche was al ful of wyne of whâ—te of oylle and of other vytaylles to them necessarye they abode there .iij. dayes they chose thâ—r a bisshop of the cyte and was a normant named Robert whiche was born in tharchebisshopryche of Roen They· gaf to hym entierly the two Cytres for euermore that is to wete Lyde and Rames and the countree and vyllages about them ffor they gaf it to honoure god and seynt George for the fyrst gayne of the same holy londe How the Cristen men of bethlehem receyued moche wel Tancre and his rowte And sette his baner on the chirche of our lady Capitulo CLxvjo. tHe turkes beyng in Iherusalem herde wel tydynges of the comyng of our pylgryms wel knewe they certaynly· that alle theyr entencion was to come to the holy cyte ffor whiche thynge they were pryncipally meuyd and departed fro the couÌ„trees· whan they herde this they were moche esmeuyd And sayd that it was reason to deffende it The Cristen men that were in bethlehem sente certayn messagers to the barons desyred of them that they wold delyuere the toun in to thâ—ir handes if they wold sende men to receyue and kepe it They sayd that it was reson to doo that they requyred They toke an honderd men of Armes wel horsed noble valyaunt and hardy And delyuerd to them Tancre for a Capytayn· They that cam to fetche them conduyted them in such wise that erly in the mornyng they entred in to the toun· Alle they of the Cyte clerkes and laye men receyued them honorably· and with moche grete ioye with procession brought them in to the chirche whiche standeth in the place· in whiche the gloryouse vyrgyne marye was desyud chylded oure lord Ihesu criste the saueour of the world they sawe the crybbe in which was leyde in to resteâ—che swete childe that made heuen erthe whan our peple sawe thyse holy places they were moche ioyous and had grete tendrenes in theyr hertes The Cytezeyns of the toun for signe of ioye And for demonstraunce that oure lord and his dere moder oure lady shold gyue to them vyctorye· toke the baner of Tancre and sette it on hye vpon the chirche of oure lady They that were lefte in thoost had moche grete desyre to see and vysyte the holy places that wâ—re nygh by as it was sayd· ffor for the loue of god for to honoure hym were they departed fro theyr countreee and had suffred
many annoyes and grete trauaylles· And they myght not slepe this nyght· suche brennyng desire had they forto see the cyte which shold be th ende of their trauaylle· and thaccomplysshement of theyr vowe Them thought longe er the daye cam and them semed that thys nyght was moche lenger than the other ffor to a corageous desire ther is not haste ynowgh Of thardaunt desire that the peple had for to see Iherusalem And how the hoost approched and were lodged by ordenaunce Capitulo· CLxvijo. sYth that it was knowen certaynly in the lodgys that the Duc hadde receyued this nyght the messagers of bethlehem And that he had sente his men in to the toun The peple afoote abode neuer for leue of the barons ne myght not suffre til the dayâ— was come· but began to calle alle the nyght for to goo vnto Iherusalem· whan they were goon a whyle forth One of the noble men of thooste named Gaste de bedyers had moche grete pyte of this peple that they shold be slayn in the waye· And therfore be toke his hors and toke .xxx men of Armes with hym wel hoâ—sed and ordeyned in arraye· And thought that he wolde goo nygh to Iherusalem for to see yf they myght fynde out of the toun beâ—â—tes and other gayne for to take and lede a way with hym Alle thus as he thoughte it fylle thus in partye ffor whan he cam nygh the toun he fonde Oxen kyen largely in the pastures and but fewe that kâ—pt them· they fledde away whan they sawe our men come Gaste and his men began to gadre the beestes to gydre and droof them hastely toward thoost but the hâ—rdmen and kepaâ—s of them made a grete crye In the toun were turkes hardy and desyryng to doo armes They armed them dilygently ronne hastely after for to rescowe the proye gaste his men sawe them come· knewe well that they were not strong ynough for the turkes therfor they left this that they brought mouÌ„ted vpon an hye montayne therby moche angry of this mesauenture whan they had abyden a whyle vpon this montayne· They behelde in to the valeye And sawe Tancre come fro bethlehem retornyng to thoost with an â— C. men on horsbak· whan Gaste sawe them he smote his hors with his spores cam to hym and told hym of his mesauentuâ—â— and moche auguysshous and sayd that the turkes were not ferâ—â—â— they ran alle to gydre after them and ouertoke them â—r they myght to me in to the cyte In theyr comyng they discomfyted the turkes that they that myght fledde in to the Cyte The remenaunt they slewâ— And oure men recoueryd theyr proyâ— And brought iâ— in to thoost with grete ioye Alle they that were in the lodgys assembled about them· And demaunded of them ententyfly fro whâ—nâ— this proye cam· They answerd that they had take it to fore the yaâ—rs of Iherusalem whan they herde named the holy Cyte of Iherusalem· and knewe certaynly that it was so nygh thenne began they tendrely to wepe And fylle doun on theyr knees and rendred thankynges to oure lord with moche grete syghes of this that he had so moche loued them and conduyted that they myght see shortly the ende of theyr pylgremage that is to wete the holy Cyte of Iherusalem· whiche our lord so moche louyd that he wold dye therin for to saue the world Grete pyte was it to see and here the teres the cryes of this good peple They departed in this same maner And wente so forth that they sawe the towres and the walles of the toun Thenne lyft they vp theyr handes toward hâ—uen· and dyd of theyr hosen and shoes men and wymmen and kyssed therthe who that had seen this thaugh he had had an hard herte he shold haue be meuyd to pyte ffro 〈…〉 the waye greued them nothynge· but they wente moch lyghtly til they cam to fore the toun There they lodged them all aftir thordenaunce and deuyse of the barons whiche delyuerd to them the places Thenne semed verytably that the worde of the holy prophete was entirely accomplysshyd whiche sayd longe to fore Leua Iherusalem â— Aryse vp Iherusalem and lyft vp thyn eyen· And beholde the puissaunce of the kyng thy sauiour which cometh to onthynde the and put the oute of the bonde wherin thou art· O lord god how the hye barons the knyghtes the gentylmen of our hoost and alle the other generally men and wymmen were recomforted and reconcyled of the grete trauaylles and meseasâ—â— that they had â—onge endured whan they founde them to fore the holy Cyte of Iherusalem And how eche of them had good wylle to conteyne hym self in this nede and werke Of the situacion of Iherusalem and descripcion and also of many other cytees townes countrees ther aboute cao. CLxviijo. tRouthe it is that the holy Cyte of Iherusalem stondeth bytwene two montayneâ—· wherof dauid sayth in the psaulter Fundamenta eius in montibus sanctis The fondementes oâ— it ben in the holy montaynes toward the wâ—st is the see and the londe of the philistees ·xxiiij myle vnto port Iaphe and that is the next part of the see Bytwene bothe is the castel of Emaus where as oure lord after his resurexion appered to two discyples There is modyn the cyte and the fortresse of the machaâ—ews There is the place temple where alymelech the holy preest gaf to dauid and to his squyers the loues of breed to ete that were offred vpon the table of our lord wherfor saul dyde do slee hym and the other admynystratours of the chirche and men of the toun There is lyde where seynt Peter heeled a lame man named Eneanx· and had leyen viij· yere paralityk There is also Iaphe as I haue sayd where seynt Peter reysed a dede woman named thabyte There was seint peter herberowed in a tanners how 's that tanned leder whan he receyued the message fro Cornelle whom he baptysed as is sayd in thactes of the apostles· toward the â—est is the flome Iordan And the deserte is by yonde where the holy prophetes were woont to repayre There is the vale sauage whiche is named the dede 〈◊〉 whiche was a moche fayr and delectable countre lyke a paradys to fore that oure lord made do synke .v. Cytees Sodome and the other as is sayd in Genesys On this syde Iordan is the cyte of Iherycho that Iosue wan more by prayer than by bataylle Theder wente oure lord Ihesu Caste â— and made a blynde man to see There is galgala where helyzeus the proophete dwellyd· Toward the south is the cyte of Bethlehem where our lord was born and lâ—yde in the crybbe emonge the beestes There by is tâ—cua the cyte where Amos and Abacuc the prephetes were born Toward northeest is Gabao where atte prayer of Iosue the sonne rested â–ª til he had vaynquysshed the batayll There is Sâ—eirs where as our lord spak to the woman of Samarye There is