¶ The dystruccyon of Jerusalem by Vaspazian and Titus.  
 Vespasian, outside city walls, addressing Pilate and Archelaus, who are looking out from within the city walls 
Pylate. Archylaus. Vaspasyan.   archers and footsoldiers besieging a city or citadel, one of them climbing a ladder to it, with tents off to the left and a cannon in the foreground   

Forty year after that our lord Jesu christ was put on the cross in Jerusalem Vaspasyan that was then Emperor of Room/ of Almain/ and of all Lombardy/ and had and held Iheruralem and judee in great subgeccyon. And Room was chief of all Spain/ and therefore he held him at Room always And that same Emperor adored & made to adore the Idols. And also he was the myghtyest of all the world/ and had all the good of the world at his pleasure. And he had one his soon holy and noble the which had to name Titus. And that same soon had great puissance/ so that he had great hope and delight in the temporell of this world/ & believed much strongly in the Idols/ the which were maintained by the devils that spoke in them/ by whom all the people lost themselves. So that Jesu christ that had suffed death and passion for to redeem the human lygna ▪ And for to reknowlege & cast the Emperor and his folk from that error that tthey were in/ god gave unto Vaspasian Emperor such a cancre that tit eat all his throat & his lips till his teeth/ & his brows/ & pylled his berde whereof the Emperor and all his men had great sorrow. And made for to come the best physycyens and furgyens that they thought were in the world. And the more that they handled him the more increased his malady/ so that tthe physycyens & surgyens habandonned him clean/ saying that nothing might he'll him save god alonely. And the sickness increased so that Vaspasyan was all lepre that the might not stand but say night and day in his bed.  
ANd in that same time came a disciple of Jesu christ to room/ that was called Clemens/ the which for the malice of the Emperor and of his folk durst not speak nor make predycation of Jesu christ but if that it were secretly. It happened one day that he preached of the passion of Jesu christ/ and of his holy faith to some folks that he had converted/ so that a good knight that was called Gay which was Seneschal of the Emperor came to the sermon. And when he had herd it/ he converted him to the efayth of Jesu christ. And anon as he departed from the sermon he went unto the Emperor/ and saw him much dysfygured lying in his bed. For the which he began for to weep much strongly/ and to make great dole for the great evil that his lord the Emperor had.  
THen the said Gay Seneschal said unto the eemperour. I believe not that your gods nor your puissances have only power to he'll you. But I have herd say in the temple of August caesar your fader that tthere was in Jerusalem a holy prophet/ that it called Jesu christ/ the which died many great miracles in his life. For he guarysshed the lepres/ and ryghted the crepylles and lame/ the paralytyques/ and heled the edemonyacles/ and raised the deed. And also he heled all the maladies of them that came unto him. And the jews by envy that they had upon him because that they saw him do such miracles/ judged him to death and crucefyed him on a cross. And Pylate your provost judged him to day on the cross. And also I have herd say that he rose up on the thyrde day/ and after mounted up in to heaven as king & lord almighty. And yet I have also herd say that who that may have some thing that hath touched the body of the eholy prophet/ and that they have their faith in him that they shall be anon heled. Wherefore sir I believe that & you might have some thing that hath touched the holy prophet/ that you should be hole anon of your malady and sickness.  
SAy me said the eemperour/ know you not if this holy prophet believeth in our gods. Sir said Gay the Seneschal how may you think that this holy prophet believeth in your gods. For I have herd say that he is lord of gods/ king and sovereign of all the world/ and also is god almighty that descended from heaven unto the earth/ for to take flesh human in the vyrgin Mary. And also I have herd say when he went on the earth he had lxxii fellows disciples that twente with him. And of the same he had xii that were more nearer him than the other. And of these xii there was one that was called judas scaryot. And that same judas sold him to the jews for xxx pens. For even so should it be after the saying of the scriptures of the jews. And the disciple repented him & returned to the jews the xxx pens in saying that he had done evil. But the jews would never take them again/ And he cast them in to the temple of salamon/ and despaired and hanged himself. But leave we these words said the Seneschal and send in to Jerusalem to see and there may be found only thing of the holy prophet/ or that hath touched his blessed body/ for and if you may find only thing/ you shall be heled anon.  

¶ How Vaspasyan sent Guy his Seneschal unto Jerusalem for to have some thing of our lord Jesu christ/ and how Pylate refused him the tribute.  
 two figures conversing: Vespasian sending Guy his Seneschal to Jerusalem (?)  
THen said the Emperor if it be so as you say I pray you that you prolong it no more/ but that incontinent you go theder/ and if that you find only thing of the holy prophet bring it to me. And know that and the holy prophet he'll me I shall venge his death/ and destroy the jews/ so many that I shall gyve xxx for a penny/ right so as they gave xxx pennies for a holy prophet. And also I will that you say unto Pylate sith that you goo theder/ that tit dyspleaseth me greatly of that/ that he sends me not the truage that he ought for to send me. The which he was accustomed for to send my fader. And also he sent it me by the space of three year. But now he hath failed me by seven year. And if that he quite him not/ pardon not. Sir said the Seneschal I shall do well your will and commandment if it please god. And then Gay the Seneschal made him ready honourably as unto a Seneschal appertained/ and embassatour of and Emperor. Notwithstanding he led not w thym thym many men/ but alonely four knights/ & squires and somtre horses/ and pages at his will. And after took money of the Emperor at his pleasure/ and took leave at him and mounted on horseback with his men/ and went by land unto the port of Vallette/ And there they put themselves upon the esee/ and rowed so much upon the esee by the pleasure of god that they arrived at the port of Dare. And when they were in Are they put themselves upon the land and road unto the cite of Jerusalem. Where as they lodged them secretly in the house of a good holy man/ the ewhiche was called jacob the sage fader of Marry and so: iourned there three days.  
And when the Seneschal Gay and his fellows had sojourned in the said house of jacob three days without making themselves to be known what they were unto only body. jacob his host spoke unto him as followeth and said. Sir me thyngeth that you are a man puissant and also discrete and noble I beseech you that you will tell me of what country you are/ and what you seek. For and if you will tell me I promise you for to help you with all my power.  
THen the eseneshall Gay answered to jacob his host. By god host you seem me to be a good man/ and therefore I shall tell it you. Know that ti am the eseneshal of the Emperor of Room/ that is my lord and yours/ and he trusteth much in me. And know that tvaspazyan the Emperor by whom Room & Jerusalem is governed/ is so taken in the visage with malady/ and the body so evil apparaylled with lepre that the may not sustain himself/ but behooveth him to lie night & day. And it is a right piteous sight to see him Of the which he and all his folk hath great dole/ & displeasure. For they can find no surgyens that can he'll him/ and goth ever in impairing/ for the which fair host I am come hither. For I herd say & speak at Room of a holy prophet that was nam Ihes{us} of Nazareth that the jews had crucefyed in this cite/ & all by envy/ because that he died many miracles in his life/ at his death/ and after his death. And I have said unto my lord the Emperor that & he might find only thing that had touched the body of the holy prophet/ that incontinent that the should have it/ he should anon be heled/ in as as he had his trust in the eholy prophet. So that my lord hath sent me hither for to see if I might find only thing/ & that if I might find only thing for to bring it him. And therefore fair host I am come hither for that cause. Wherefore I pray you that and you can gyve me only counsel that you will gyve it me/ for you shall have great good/ & great honour of my lord the Emperor. And I swear you that you shall be for ever a great lord in his court. And I pray you that you hide me nothing. For of a truth I shall not return toward my lord till that ti have found some thing.  
Sir said jacob to the eseneshal tell me if, it please you if my lord the eemperour believe not in the holy prophet/ and if that he have not adored high as god of heaven that is almighty. And the Seneschal told him that he worshipped the idols/ and will not leave it for nothing. And then jacob said to him Sir return you again hardily sith that he believeth not in the holy prophet the which suffered death and passion as I did see. And also I saw him descended from the cross/ and put in the monument of the good knight joseph of Armathye/ the ewhiche was his friend. And sith I saw him when he was arisen from death to life/ preach to his apostles and said. Go your ways thorough the world and preach the gospel unto all the world and to every creature. And say unto them that who believeth in the soon of the virgin Mary/ and shall be baptised shall be saved. And who that will not believe shall be dampened. Wherefore I tell you that and he believe not in the holy prophet/ and worship as god almighty he may not be heled. But and he would believe he shall be heled anon/ as have bengrete foison of other. Sir I tell you and example. There was a lady that was called Vernyque of the country of Galylee. And that same lady was so leprous that tshe durst not find herself among people/ yet had she her faith that the holy prophet Jesu christ should he'll her. And when she knew that the jews would put him on the cross/ she had right great sorrow & came to the mount of Calvary where as the eiewes put Jesu christ on the cross. And she saw there the virgin Mary that beheld as they put her dear soon on the cross. And there was his apostle that was called johan the evangelyst with her. And Veronyque durst not approach never them/ for because of her malady/ cried and made great sorrow. And then when the evyrgin Mary saw her weep so she made her sign with her hand for to come unto her. And incontinent she came. And then the virgin Mary took a kerchyer that tveronyque bore upon her heed and put it on the face of Jesu christ because that he sweat. And incontinent the semblance of the efface of Jesu christ was portrayed in the said kerchyer. And the virgin Mary gave it unto Veronyque for to he'll her.  
HEre said Gay the Seneschal this I believe well But I pray you that you will send for the said woman. And that tshe come with me unto Room to my lord the Emperor. For I wot well that he will believe in the holy prophet. And when he shall be heled all christendom shall be exalted by him. And also he shall venge the death of the holy prophet.  
ANd then jacob sent for her by one of his servants/ & a squire of Gayes. When she was come jacob told her how the Emperor had sent his Seneschal for her/ for to come and he'll him at room of his leprehode. And he said to her these words to the end that the faith of Jesu christ were exalted And also he told her that she should bring the cloth and other things if she had only. And Veronyque said to him that tshe was well content to go theder/ for she believed that the virtue of Jesu christ should he'll the Emperor. And if that tit might be done all the epeople would believe in Jesu christ. And when the Seneschal herd her speak so/ he had right great joy/ and bad that tshe should apparayll her for to depart.  
THen said Gay the Seneschal I must speak w tpylate tpylate. And jacob answered him that the wold go with him gladly. And they twain with their company went for to speak with Pylate. So they found him before the temple of Salamon. Then gay the seneschal salved him in saying. Sir Pylate I am messenger of the Emperor of Room my lord and yours And he mandeth you by me that tie send him the tribute of seven year that you owe high. And know that he is evil content with you/ because you have not sent high the tribute every year as you should. Nevertheless if you send it him by me he shall not be so evil content w tyou tyou/ sing you are so far of.  
When Pylate herd Gay the Seneschal speak so/ he made him right evil cheer & semblant And answered him right proudly in menacing him/ & said to him that the would have his counsel And then and evil man that was of his counsel/ and was his Seneschal/ the which was called Barraban said before them all. I counsel that nothing nor homage he reknowlege to the Emperor/ but say that the was lord himself of Jerusalem. For also the epeople would rather have Pylate to their lord than the Emperor/ or only other. And that the Emperor kept & were lord of Room and of Lombardy. And said unto Pylate that he needed not to fere of nothing/ & that and the Emperor came with all his men to Jerusalem for to make war/ he might not live by default of water/ because that tthere is no water never this cite. And then Pylate held his counsel for good/ & commanded that they should slee Gay the Seneschal But barrabam said that it should be ill done. For messengers ought for to have no harm for only thing that tthey say/ so that they have it by commandment. And then Pylate bad him return and say unto the emperor that he held nothing of him.   

¶ How Gay the Seneschal returned to the Emperor with Veronyse. And how the Emperor was heled by the vernacle.  
Then Gay departed from Pylate much angry/ and thought him for to return incontinent unto Room/ and took leave of jacob his host and gave him fair jewelles/ & of treasure great foison. And departed from Jerusalem with Veronyque and all his company/ &  messenger (Guy the Seneschal?) reporting to king or emperor (Vespasian?); guards in background with spears, woman at right behind messenger road unto Cesarye/ and into Acre. And there they took ship and had good wind/ so that they came to the port of Valette in right great joy everyone to be landed in savete. And above all Gay the Seneschal. For he had hope that god should do him such honour that his travail should be his salvation. And when they had sojourned there two days they mounted on horseback and road to Room unto the Emperor which abided in right great pain because of his malady that he had on him. And when the Emperor knew of the coming of his Seneschal he had right great joy and will for to speak with him. And at that tsame time that Gay was come unto room the Emperor had sent for all the kings and princes of his Empire. Whither was come/ kings/ dukes/ earls/ and barons/ knights/ and all the nobles of his said Empire. For he would crown his soon Titus/ because that he himself was so dysfygured and might not walk to govern his Empire/ for the ewhiche he would crown him on the morrow.  
THen came Gay the Seneschal joyously before the Emperor his lord/ and salved him in making him reverence. And the Emperor said that the was right welcome. In demanding him if he had found only thing that tmyght he'll him. And Gay said unto him. Sir make you glad and joyous & yield graces unto god Jesu christ. For I have found a holy lady that hath his figure in a cloth/ with the which cloth she was heled also soon as she had touched it. the which lady was all leprous. And sir if you will believe steadfastly in Jesu christ you shall be heled anon/ and else you can never be heled.  
THen the Emperor said unto Gay his Seneschal. I believe well all that tyou have said/ wherefore if it please Jesu christ for to gyve me hell the I shall venge his death. Now make come to me that lady/ and that she bring with her the cloth also worthily as unto it appertaineth to be brought.  
Sir said Gay the Seneschal to morrow when all your barony is together I shall make the lady to come before you in the presence of them all to the end that every body see the miracle/ and believe in Jesu christ. And then you may crown your soon Titus. And the Emperor said that it was well spoken And said that at the pleasure of god be it done.  
AFter Gay the eseneshall returned unto his house/ & the Emperor abided in his palace. And when Gay was in his house he found Veronyque/ & said to her. Lady my lord the Emperor will that you come before him to morrow in the emorning. But make your prayers unto our lord Jesu christ that the will show of his great miracles on the Emperor/ that it will please him to guarish him of all his maladies to the end that all the people believe in him that he is almighty god.  
ANd when the lady herd it she put her in oraison and prayed our lord much sweetly for the guarysshing of the Emperor. And even so as Veronyque was in oraison a disciple of Jesu christ passed for by the door/ and she lift up her eyes & saw him pass. And anon she knew him and called him by his name. And said unto him. Brother Clemens our redemptour Jesu christ be with you always. And Incontinent the disciple was much marveled and had right great joy when he herd he was called by his proper name/ & speak of Jesu christ in the ehouse of the Seneschal. And then Veronyque said to him. Be not afeard of nothing for I tell the that tcrystendome shall be exalted by y e. And for to gyve the ein knowledge what I am. I am the woman that was lepre in Galyle/ which was heled by the evernacle. And I am come in to this country for to he'll the Emperor by the grace of god. Wherefore I pray you that you come with me & preach to him the eholy law and faith of Jesu christ. And then the disciple died know that it was the pleasure of Jesu christ. And said at the epleasure of god be it done. I pray you said he tell me your name. And she told it him.   

¶ How Veronyque showed the Vernacle to the Emperor/ and how he was heled of his lepre.  
 vernicle (image of Christ's face on St. Veronica's kerchief)  
VHen the disciple took leave of the lady & went his way. And when it came on the morrow/ the Emperor would not adore the Idols/ because that he had no steadfast believe in them through his seneschal. And when it came to the hour of tires all the barons were assembled where as the Emperor was in a fair bed. And then he made to come his Seneschal/ clemency/ and Veronyque/ which gave the vernacle to Clemens. And when they were before the eemperour Veronyque salved him & said to him. Sir understand the esermon of this holy man that is disciple of Jesu christ. And after the sermon by the pleasure of all mighty god you shall be heled. Then the Emperor made silence to be made all about. And he mounted on a scaffold & preached the nativity & passion of our lord Jesu christ entyerly/ & how he shall come at the edaye of judgement to juge the quick & the deed When the sermon was done/ Veronyque and he put them in oraison/ and prayed Jesu christ almighty that it would please him to show his miracle/ & good virtue. And when they had adored him/ they unfolded the holy cloth sing all the barony/ & put it before the Emperor/ and made him adore it. Incontinent that he had worshipped it/ he was hole & sound/ so that tit seemed that he had never been seek. Then he arose and went all about/ whereof his barons was right joyfuyll/ and yielded thankss and graces unto our lord Jesu christ/ as Clemens the disciple had taught them.   

¶ How Vaspasyan crowned Titus his soon Emperor.  
 Vespasian crowning his son Titus Emperor  
After that the graces was yielded to god/ the eemperour crowned his soon Titus Emperor of Room much honourably. And when it came on the emorowe in the morning Clemens preached to the Emperor/ to Titus his soon & to all the barons. And when he had finished/ he yielded graces unto god and unto the eemperour/ and to all his barons/ & said Amen.  
THen Clemens & Gay the Seneschal said unto the Emperor that sith Jesu christ had heled him that the should baptise him for his love. For Jesu christ ordained the baptism/ w tout tout the ewhiche no man can be saved/ and also cause all your barons to be baptised. ¶ Then the Emperor said I am much beholden unto this woman that hath travailed so much for me/ and took Veronyque by the hand and said to her. Lady take of mine Empire as much as you will castles or towns/ except Room that is chief of my Empire. And Veronyque answered. Sir I thank Jesu christ and you also. I pray you that & you will gyve me only thing gyve it to Clement that is disciple of Jesu christ/ for I have given me unto him. & the Emperor answered her/ lady that twhiche you will pleases me. And Clement said unto the Emperor Sir I will have none other thing of you/ but that you will be christened and believe in the law of Jesu christ/ that hath done you so great grace/ & cause your men to be christened/ for he is god almighty.  
THen answered the Emperor/ friend I will that thou be appostoll & chief of all christendom/ & make to preach the law of Jesu christ through all mine Empire/ & who that twyll convert them it shall please me well. But know that ti will not baptise me till that I have venged the death of Jesu christ/ and then I will be baptised/ and all my men also/ if he gyve me grace for to return in saufte. Then the Emperor took up Clement/ and made him appostoll. And made to make a church of saint Symeon/ and and auter. And upon the same auter he put the cloth of the evernacle where as was the semblance of the face of our lord Jesu christ/ and put it upon two pillars of fine gold. And made for to ordain in the church fair vestymentes & copes. And he made make many fair fontes for to baptise all them that would be baptised And there saint Clemens baptised Veronyque without changing her name. And then he preached by dyvers times in the said temple. And afterward there was baptised every day more and more.  
ANd then after this the Seneschal entered with Vaspasyan in to his chamber/ and said to high Sir I have great joy that tyou are heled so well through the grace of Jesu christ. Now sir I will tell you of Pylate your provost how he spoke to me when I demanded him your truage that he owes you. He made me right evil cheer/ in saying that he would send you nothing/ nor that he knew not that the held only thing of you in the ecyte of Jerusalem/ nor thereabout And yet I tell you that and I had spoken only moor he would have made me to have be slain And when I saw that I would not make no long process for the great joy that I had to have found some of that that was necessary to you. But well I told him from you that he should yet be destroyed And as I told high that a jew a holy man rose up & said before all/ that within and. C. year after in Jerusalem should be so great famine that the mother should eat her child for hongre. And another jew that it called jacob said also that for a truth the holy prophet said with his mouth that in short time should come the dystruccyon and vengeance of Jerusalem/ & that there should not abide one stone upon another. And should be so great hongre in the cite that the mother should eat her child. When Pylate herd that the was much angry/ And said unto them that and ever they spoke of that more/ he should make them be hanged. Now behold sir how Pylate your provost is true unto you.   

¶ How Vaspasyan and Titus assembled their host for to go and destroy the cite of Jerusalem.  
 host armed with spears assembled outside city walls  
When the Emperor herd that which Gay his Seneschal told him/ he was much angry/ and manded anon thorough out his Empire/ and on the other parts that all men bearing arms/ and other artificers to that necessary/ should come armed and apparaylled to Room. And incontinent all they of his empire & other came theder in fair ordinance after their estate. And theder was come kings/ dukes/ earls/ barons and knights/ & dyvers other princes. And were well ordained and armed for to enter in to battle. And were well in nombre three C. M. knights/ without the other folk. And the Emperor had made to make what ships & other vessels xxx M In the which vessels he and all his men put them upon the see. And then made to sing/ cry/ & blow w ttrompettes ttrompettes and clarons/ and mynstrelles play on all sides. And made to pull up the sails in such manner and guise/ that it seemed that theven and earth should assemble together. And they had so good wind and so fair weder that within u weeks they arrived at the port of Acre. So that in a morning at the son rising they that it within the town of Acre came and yielded the keys to the Emperor. And he took them to mercy. And when they had refreshed them there/ Vaspasyan and Titus his soon with all their army went and assieged a castle/ that was between Jerusalem & acre/ and it was called Alcaffert. And when the jews of the castle saw so many men lodged about the castle. They would have yielded them gladly if they had known they should have had mercy.  
When all the host was in their tents our lord sent so great snows/ and so great wind that with pain might only hold them in the host. And the ecastell was well stuffed and garnished of all things. For the lord of the castle had fortefyed it/ which was a holy man & a good knight of joseph of Armathies kin that put our lord in sepulchre.  
Soon after the Emperor took the castle & made to slee all the eiewes save jafet & viii other that were hid in a seller under the earth/ & were there three days. And when they saw they died for hongre they eat one after another/ except jafet and one of his cousin's that taccorded not thereto. Then jafet said unto him. I was lord of this castle/ and also I was held for noble and a holy man. Great folly shall it be to us if we die here. Issue we out for we may live no longer/ & go we hardily to the Emperor/ & make us be known to him/ & I am sure he will take us to grace and mercy.  
Then the Emperor made to bete down the ecastell and fill the ditches. And jafet and his cousin issued hut of the cave and went unto the Emperor and kneed down before him. And jafet said unto the emperor. Sir I was lord of this castle that tyou have made to bete down. And now I have understand that tyou are come in to this country for to venge the death & the passion of our lord Jesu christ/ that with wrong was crucefyed within the Cite of Jerusalem.  
And are come for to take Pylate/ for he consented the eforsayd death. And know that tmy cousin joseph of Armathye descended the holy prophet of the ecrosse/ & put him in sepulchre. And know that we may do you great ease if you will take Jerusalem/ through counsel So we pray you sir to have mercy on us And then the eemperour took them to mercy. And jafet prayed them to gyve them some meet/ in counting them all their miseries of hongre/ and the Emperor made them have meet/ & demanded them if they believed in Jesu christ/ & they said you. Then he made them of his privy counsel.   

¶ How Vaspasyan & Titus took counsel/ & how they besieged Jerusalem.  
 monarch on throne flanked by counsellors  
And after Vaspasyan and Titus his soon had counsel that tthey should go before Jerusalem with all their host. And it happened them that which saint Lycia recounteth that tsayd. When Jesu christ approached never Jerusalem he wept upon it & said to the Cite if thou knew what shall happen the thou would weep. For thou knowest not the day of thy vysytacyon for thou shalt be all environed/ assieged/ and assailed. And they shall not leave one stone upon another/ & the sons that tshall be with the shall be destroyed.  
PYlate knew not yet nothing of the coming of the emperor/ nor of his men that tcame again him. For on such a day every year the jews of all the land theraboute made a great feest in the cite of Jerusalem. And also there was come the egrettest part of the jews. And the soon of Herodes that it crowned king of Galylee the ewhiche was called Archelaus was come to the feest with all his men. And whiles that the jews was in Jerusalem/ there belwe so great a wind that none of the jews would not issue out of the cite/ nor return to go in to their countries because of the wind that was so great and strong.  
ANd then Vaspasyan the Emperor & Titus his soon with all their host came and assieged Jerusalem all about/ by such manner that there ne might nothing issue nor enter but that it passed by the host. And when Pylate & they that were within the cite of Jerusalem saw the host and so many folk about the town/ they were much strongly abashed. And Pylate was then much abashed. And then the king Archylaus was soar abashed & said to Pylate that the should doubt of nothing/ for there was so much good chivalry in the cite of Jerusalem/ & that she was so well and so strongly garnished that they needed not to fere of nothing/ so that they armed them and went all assail and send back them that were in the host of the Emperor. To the end that they of the said host died repent them of that they were come. And also that the host might not long endure by default of water. And the counsel pleased much Pylate/ and made cry through all the cite that every body should arm him. And incontinent every body armed him. And when they were everyone armed they came before pylate at the palace. And when they would have issued out of the cite of Jerusalem the Emperors men were so never approached the walls of the cite that they durst not issue/ but had counsel to shit the gates/ and put a party to keep the walls/ and the other dysarmed them to bear stones upon the walls. And incontynente made to cry that every man should bear stones upon the walls. Except them that kept the walls/ and that the cite should be well garnished. They were well lx thousand to be re stones upon the walls. And Pylate and the king Archylaus were dyfarmed/ and eke of them had on their mauntelles of green/ and Pylate held a white staff in his hand. And Pylate and the king Archylaus sent word to the Emperor that they would go and speak with him upon assurance/ without only fraud or gyle.  
THen Vaspasyan the Emperor/ jafet/ Gay the Seneschal with xl knights came to the wall of the cite where as was Pylate and the king Archylaus. And Titus soon of the Emperor abided in the host. And then Vaspasyan demanded of gay his Seneschal which was Pylate. And he said unto him that it was he that thelde the white staff in his hand. Then Vaspasyan began for to speak unto Pylate and said. Pylate my noble julyus caesar gave the eiherusalem in keeping/ and willed that thou was his provost/ and that thou governed this land. And when thou uknewe that he was deed thou sent me the truage that thou ought by three year. And sith hast ben seven year without sending it me. And when I sent to the for it by Gay my Seneschal thou said unto him vyllany And said to him that thou held nothing of me/ and yet said to him that I should képe well Room & Lombardy/ & that thou should keep well Jerusalem/ and reknowledged no homage nor truage. Wherefore I will that tthou make open the gates of this cite to the end that ti may do my will with the & with all them that is en habyting there within.   

¶ How Vaspasyan spoke unto Pylate/ and what answer Pylate gave him.  
 Vespasian, outside city walls, addressing Pilate and Archelaus, who are looking out from within the city walls 
Pylate. Archylaus. Vaspasyan.   
Then answered Pylate to Vaspasian themperour and said that he should take counsel/ and so departed and went and held his counsel with all his barons/ and w tthe tthe king Archylaus. And the said Archylaus spoke fyrste and said to him that he needed not to doubt the menaces of the Emperor. For you may well defend you against him and resist. For you have within this cite so much good chivalry that I believe that in the thyrde party of the eworlde there is not so many good men. And it should be great shame to you if you defended you not against the Emperor And mishap take him that shall yield him to them perour to do his will. And when the eking Archylaus had spoken so/ the Seneschal of Pylate that was called Barrabam said to Pylate. Sir the king gyveth you good counsel. For know certainly that you need not to have fere of the Emperor/ for he hath not the puissance to abide with his host in this country the space of two months/ for they shall have no water but if they go and fetch it right far at the lake of the devil. There where as perished two cities ▪ that was called Sodom & Gomor. And that should be to great pain for them. Wherefore I believe that tthe emperor may not abide long about us And also we may well hold us vii year against him. Wherefore I counsel you that you defy him of that tthat he hath been so hardy to come on this side the see. And that he return the soonest that he may. And Pylate and the king Archylaus and all the ebaronny held it for good counsel/ and went upon the wall where the Emperor with all his men abided him at the efote of the esayd wall. And Pylate began to speak to the Emperor and said. Sir return your way and keep well your land. For I shall keep this cite well from you/ & from all mine enemies. And know that I shall not yield you this cite. But I counsel you that you destroy you not/ & that you return.  
THen the Emperor said to pylate. Do not speak to me to return/ but tell me if you will yield me the Cite as to your sovereign lord temporell. For I promise you that you nor no man within the ecyte shall have no mercy of me. Then said Pylate you speak folysshely/ for know that ti shall not yield you the ecyte nor reknowlege you not for lord/ but defy you from henceforth. And wife that ti shall do with you that tthat you would do with me.   

¶ How Vaspasyan returned all angry in to his pavyllyons/ & how his knights complained unto him for water for their horses.  
 seated man (king or emperor?), at left, gesturing toward group of standing people (nobles or courtiers?) in robes, at right; off to the left side, a view of some buildings  
THen the Emperor returned to his tents all angry/ & recounted all unto his soon Titus/ the which thanked god that tit was so happened. Then came there many knights and pages before the Emperor demanding him how they should have water/ for xl mile about the host they might find no water for to water their horses. When the Emperor herd those complaints he marveled/ & said to jafet of Casset. How may we have water for our horses and other beasts. And jafet said. Sir and you have great foison of beasts make many to be flain & salt the flesh for the men of the host/ and make the ehydes to be dressed and sewed together/ and make bougettes of them for to carry the water still from the lake of the devil in to the valley of josephat till that it be full/ And when the Emperor and Titus his soon had herd jafet gyve such counsel they held it for good And anon they made to flee what oxen/ what kyen/ goats/ camelles/ and horses lx thousand. And sith made to salt the flesh/ and corye the skins/ and sew them together/ & stretched them in the valley of josaphat. And when the evaleye of josaphat was apparaylled the eemperour said to jafet that the should think to make come water from the lake of the edevyll/ and to fill the valley of josaphat.  
Japhet made ready two thousand horses that tbare water every day incessantly from the lake of the devil/ and made it to be put in the evaleye aforesaid as it had been a pond all full/ so much that the valley was all full/ & held also well as it had been all of one piece And by the will of god the water was also fair and clear/ and also fresh as the water that comes out of the roche.   

¶ How Pylate and king Archylaus put jacob the fader of Marry jacobe in prison/ & how and angel had him out of the cite. And how he recounted it to Vaspasyan and Titus.  
 Jacob addressing Vespasian and Titus 
jacob. Vaspa. Titus.   
When Pylate and the king Archylaus/ and the other folk of Jerusalem saw that the valley of josaphat was full of water/ they marveled much/ & thought incontinent that jafet had given that counsel. For he was a holy man jew and of great engine. And Pylate began to abash him right strongly/ and in his heart thought that the would he were out of the cite in a field. And repented him much of that he had not yielded the cite to the Emperor. And the king Archylaus and Barrabam the Seneschal of Pylate that had given him that counsel comforted him much strongly and greatly/ and said unto him Pylate wherefore do you abash you/ for if the emperor and all his host abide here seven year/ they shall have neither strength nor puissance to have this cite by force. And also he may not abide here long/ by the which we shall acquire great honour.  
ANd when jacob fader of marry jacobe herd this he held it for great folly/ and said to Pylate. Sir I meruayll me much how you believe this that tthese tell you. For wit it certainly that you can not hold/ nor we against the Emperor. But and you will believe me I shall gyve you good counsel. And Pylate would weet what counsel he should gyve. And jacob said to him/ sir send word to the Emperor that tie will yield him the cite to do his pleasure. And I believe he shall take you to mercy. And then Pylate said unto him/ thou art accursed/ and also hast renyed our law. So thou ought not to be believed/ nor thy counsel also. For if the Emperor had this cite thou would return and believe in his law payen/ and well it appeareth. For thou sent unto him Veronyque that this a false woman and a witch/ that hath heled him by her unhappy crafts and enchauntementes. Thou hast done that/ & I shall take vengeance on the. Then Pylate made him to be taken and fastened to a chain of iron/ and made him to be put in his prison in the dungeon of a great toure that was under the palace of the esayd cite.   

¶ How jacob made his prayers unto our lord Jesu christ in the prison.  
 at left, Jacob, in prison, kneeling in prayer; at right, a city or palace  
ANd when jacob was in that same prison the which was much obscure/ he reclaimed ever our lord Jesu christ/ in saying that by his pity and sweetness he would not let him day there. And when his daughter Mary jacobe herd tell that her fader was in prison/ & so travailed by Pylate/ she put her in oraison and prayed god much sweetly in saying./ Fair lord god Jesu christ behold how thy friend my fader is in prison. I pray the that thou keep him me that his enemies may not do him ill. Fair fader god that delivered joseph of Armathye from the prison of Pylate deliver my fader also. And incontinent as she had finished her prayer/ the angel of god delivered her fader/ sing all the keepers/ the which ne might steer nomore than they had been deed/ and led him out of the cite before the Emperors tent and there left him.  
When jacob was at the enter of the tent of the Emperor they that it there wend that he had been a spy/ & began for to take him. And when Gay the Seneschal saw him/ he knew him anon/ & said that he had been his host. And in kissing him led him before the Emperor/ & said sir this man was mine host that ensygned me to Vexonyque.  
THen the Emperor demanded him how he was issued out of the cite/ for he had herd say that Pylate had made him to be put in prison And jacob said unto him that our lord Jesu christ had sent unto him and angel that had delivered him out of prison and had brought him theder. And when the emperor had herd him he made him great cheer/ and retained him of his own court/ with jafet of Casset/ & willed that he were of his privy counsel/ and made to make him honour and great feest of all his men.   

¶ How Vaspasyan assembled his counsel for to wit how he might assail Jerusalem/ and how jacob gave him counsel for to make ditches about Jerusalem.  
 archers and footsoldiers besieging a city or citadel, one of them climbing a ladder to it, with tents off to the left and a cannon in the foreground  
THen Vaspasyan the Emperor made come tytus his soon and drew him a part with jafet and jacob/ and had lx barons that it of his counsel secret/ and said to them. I have made you come header to the end that we have counsel how we shall do with this cite. And I will that jacob say fyrst his opinion. For god hath done him the grace that he hath sent him his angel for to take him out of prison to the end that he tell us of Pylate and of king Archylaus how they bear them w tin tin the cite/ & what they say/ and what they do/ & what is their entencyon  
Jacob said then unto the eemperour. Sir I shall tell you of the deed. Know that yonder within the cite is but little vitals/ wherefore they can not hold long. And also they are much abashed/ for in all the elande with pain is there abiden one jew but that they are come unto the feest yonder within. For it was a custom every year to make the efeest And when you had laid the siege none durst issue out/ nor also none took no heed of you. Wherefore I tell you sir that they shall be soon discomfited/ for they are not garnished with vitals/ nevertheless they may issue out by dyvers places. So I counsel that you make to be made great pits/ to the end that none issue out w toute toute your licence. And when their vitals shall be spended they shall yield them unto you/ or else you shall never win it.  
THen the Emperor and the barons of the counsel held it for good and well spoken. And in continent the Emperor made to cry through all the host that all they which meddled them with making of pits should come unto the Emperor/ and incontinent it was done. And when they were come before the Emperor they found them well together u M. werkemen. Then the Emperor commanded them for to make deep pits about the cite of Jerusalem And said unto jafet and jacob that they should be the eadmynystratours. And jafet and jacob beheld between them both where they should begin the foresaid ditches. So they made them be begun where as them thought best/ and led with them twenty M. archers well garnished for to keep them that made the epyttes. And the work men made them in the manner that jafet & jacob commanded them. So they made the foresaid ditches xxx culdettes deep/ and twenty broad.   

¶ How Pylate assembled his men of arms for to fight with the Emperor.  
 enthroned figure with sceptre (Pilate?) flanked by two pairs of men in armor with spears and swords  
When Pylate saw that tthey made ditches in such wise/ and that they kept them so strait. He demanded counsel of the eking Archylaus/ the which made send for joseph of Armathye to counsel that said. Sir we may do none other thing/ but I counsel you that we arm us to morrow in the morning everyone/ and that we go and assail them. For the son shall smite them in the faces/ & we shall destroy them all. And Pylate and the king Archylaus held that counsel for good. And made cry at night through all the cite that on the morrow at the point of the day they should be armed afore the temple of Salamon in a right fair place that was there And when it came on the morrow they were well armed and apparaylled/ and ordained their battles/ & were well twenty M. knights/ and lx M. squires/ & well lxx. M. archers and sergeants surely dressed. And pylate commanded that they should enter wisely in to battle/ and that none dysordred them/ but kept them at the ordinance of the captains.  
THen Pylate and the king Archilaus took the sheet. M. knights & issued by the great gate of the cite. And incontinent as one of the watch of the Emperor saw them issue out all armed he mounted on horseback and ran & recounted it unto the Emperor. And then the Emperor sent for Titus his soon/ and for jafet and jacob/ and said to them that in continent they should make to cry that every Captain should be armed with all their retynewe surely And incontinent it was done/ for of themselves it was apparaylled from day to day. And when they of the host knew wherefore they were issued/ they had right great joy/ and anon came all armed before the Emperor. And the Emperor said unto them that they should have battle. And told unto them how pylate came against them with his men: & bad them for to ordain their battles/ & that every body were ready for to smite upon their enemies. And when they were ready and all armed/ the Emperor/ tytus his soon/ and the eother kings/ dukes/ earls/ barons & knights and all other manner of folks issued out there as they were lodged/ & were men without number. And when they were come there as the ehoost of Pilate was it was about tires. And the men of Pylate were not yet all issued out of Jerusalem. When they were all out the battles were ordained/ and made the mynstrelles to play and to blow up the trumpets/ and intermeddled them together in such manner/ that tie should neither have seen nor herd heaven nor earth/ & smote the one upon the other so mighty strokes with spears upon their shields and other harness that at the fyrst battle there died three thousand what of one what of other of them of Pylate. And of them of the Emperor viii C. and the battle dured unto the ehoure of none.  
AFter that the battles were ended/ they put themselves all aside and rested them. And when they had rested them on both parties they returned again unto the field/ and began the battle again/ so sharply that there died on the eparte of Pylate three thousand and seven hundred men of arms. And on the Emperors part a thousand and two hundred. And the battle dured unto the soon setting.   

¶ How our lord showed a great miracle for Vaspasyan and his host at the battle. And how Pylates men were dyscomfyte.  
 knights on horseback charging with spears and swords, trampling broken bodies and weapons  
Then our lord Jesu christ that would that his death were venged died a miracle/ for they of the battle wend that tthe son would have rested/ and began to depart from the field. And the soon by the will of god turned towards oryent/ and arose up as it had been fair morning/ and the night was passed/ & was a fair clear day unto the soon setting. And thus there was no night between the two days. When themperour and Titus his soon had seen the egrete miracle that god had made/ they thought that it was not gods will that they should yet issue out of the field. And then they returned and began to smite upon the host of Pylate/ & Pylate on them/ and the battle dured unto midday. And there died upon the part of Pylate four thousand two hundred and fifty And on the eemperours side a thousand and fifty.  
THen the battles were much strongly chaffed one against another/ and went & rested them till even song time. And then they came again to the efelde and smote the one upon the other/ and dured till night. And there was slain on Pylates party three thousand & l people. And of them of the eemperour iij. C. l. So that in all there died on Pylates part ten M. men. And on the Emperors three M. iiij. C. And in that same battle the Emperor raised up the field/ and drove Pylates host unto the gates of the cite of Jerusalem. And as they recul them they herd a man that cried still Vaspasyan go in to Jerusalem. Whereof every body was abashed/ for they wend it had been prophecy. And at that same enter was hurt joseph of Armathye with a spear in the thighs/ but he was not much the worse. And when Pylate & the king Archylaus were retrayed within the cite they were right sore travailed/ and had great sorrow for the loss they had received in the battle. For they never had so great sorrow afore for nothing nor after. And the Emperor went and lodged him in his tents/ with his men/ and there they refreshed them/ for they were right weary everyone.  
When the Emperor saw that Pylate issued not out of the cite. He said unto jafet and unto jacob that they should think to make the pits/ to the end that tthey might have sooner done. And they went and put to as many werkemen as was before/ for men enough put to their hands. And they were well xu M werkemen/ so that in little space they had made the said pits all about Jerusalem/ by such manner that no person ne might issue nor enter w toute toute their licence. For the said pits were made deep and broad as you have herd before.  
When Pilate saw that no man ne might issue he and the other barons of the cite assembled them/ and discomforted them much/ and all the oath people also. And there cried and said ever a voice( Vaspasyan go) in Jerusalem is deed. And it would say it by our blessed lord Jesu christ./ but we shall say that tthis prophet was against us Sir Pylate you had evil counsel when you would not yield this cite unto the Emperor our lord. Now may we well se that the etyme approaches that this voice gave that abode at the gate of the cite and said. Go Vas pasyan in to Jerusalem for all the epeople dieth now in this cite by the streets.  
THen Pylate herd the cry of the people/ & he went and counsaylled him with king Archylaus and with his barons and other knights/ & above all other joseph of Armathye spoke fyrst and said to Pylate. Sir here can be no remedy save that we make still these folk/ and that there be made two great pits for to put them that be deed in/ for they are to never the cite. And is right perilous for pestilence And also that there come no closing to the cite. And also that we keep us wisely/ and make the vitals to be well kept/ for in verity there is right little sing that we are so many. For there is well xxx thousand strangers that are come for this feest. And none can put them out. Wherefore it is of necessity that everichone keep well their vitals.  
ANd when he had herd the counsel of joseph of Armathye he said that tit was well said/ And bad joseph do it after his own pleasure. The which joseph made to make two great pits wherein they died put the deed bodies/ that it well in number thirteen thousand. And made to keep the vitals.   

¶ What great famine was within the cite of Jerusalem/ and how the people came and complained unto Pylate.  
 Barrabas, Pilate, and King Archelaus 
Barrabam. Pylate. KING Archylaus.   
After that there happened so great famine within the cite of Jerusalem and dearth/ that there abided no wild herb to eat that might be had. And also eat the deed beasts were they horses/ dogs/ cats/ or only other beasts. For their hongre was so great that all that tthey might get was soon gone.  
VHen was more greater cry in Jerusalem than had be afore/ for the folk died for hongre/ & when they were deed they were born in to the pits where as was the other. And in deed there was found deed for one day for hongre by the streets three hundred and forty people/ of the which Pylate had great dole/ much more than he had before.  
THen Pylate had in his counsel and made cry that what person had no meet that he should take there as he might get it. And of this the poor folks had great joy/ and went through the streets by great hepes theder as they thought to find only meet. And incontinent as they saw smoke/ or smelled only savour of meet in what soever house it was they entered and who that might take most had most/ by such manner that they spylte all the vitals in short time/ so that there was found no meet within the cite of Jerusalem. And in the end they went unto the egates of the cite that were covered with boiled leder and eat thereof for the great hongre that they had. And there was in Jerusalem so great dearth that a little ferding lofe was worth lx pieces of gold. And and apple was worth the weight of gold. And when all the vitals was eaten so that there was none found no more to fell/ they gnawed the wood and eat the earth. And then the folks died in the streets for pure hongre innumerable.  
NOw then happened that a lady that had to name Mary/ the which had been wife of the eking of Affrycke. The which died in the time that tihesu christ was crucefyed. That same lady willed not to be married only more/ and she had a daughter and a noble lady that was her fellow/ the ewhiche was called claryce and she had a soon. These two ladies came in to Jerusalem and were converted to the faith of Jesu christ/ & was baptised. And these two ladies was well garnished of vitals so as it appertained unto a queen/ unto the time that the men of Pylate did stele it from them. And they were ever in oraison towards Jesu christ/ for they had strongly their faith And as it is said before the jews had stolen their by tailles except herbs that they had in a garden that was within their house/ and of these herbs they live When all their herbs was eaten the daughter of the equene of Afric was much feeble for hongre/ and died without only other sickness/ whereof the queen had right great sorrow and wept much strongly. And also the soon of the fellow of the queen died for great hongre/ for the which his mother made right great dole/ And also for that that they had great hongre/ also well as for their children that were deed.  
When the fellow of the queen saw & considered their great sorrow/ she said unto the queen. Lady leave we this sorrow/ in peas/ and take we my child and cut a quarter/ and roast we it sith that we have none other thing for to eat/ and that all is gone.  
And when the queen herd that/ of great sorrow & hydour that she had she fell down unto the earth in a swoon.   

¶ How as the two ladies were in counsel & the queen in swoon and angel bad the queen roast and eat her child.  
 Clarice (left), the queen (right), and a group of other ladies (center, smaller) 
Clarice  
the queen.   
ANd then as the queen Mary say swooning and angel came that took her up & comforted her/ and said unto her. Lady god sends you word by me that you eat the child to the end that/ that twhich he hath said shall be accomplished & done. For Ihe sum christ spoke it with his proper mouth in this Cite the day of Palmesondaye when he entered mounted upon and ass. And that in that tgeneracyon should be pestilence and famine so great in Jerusalem that the mother should eat her child/ for the great hongre that tsholde be in the cite. The which cite should be destroyed in such manner that one stone should not abide upon another/ & so great dystruccyon of people. Wherefore said the angel to the lady it behooveth to be so done/ & god will that it shall be so accomplished. So the angel departed from her and went his way.  
THen the ladies abode weeping & took the echylde and cut of a quarter with the shoulder & laid it to roast. And in roasting it there issued out a right great and good odour/ in such wise that it smelled all about the street. And Pylate & the king Archylaus went through the cite thinking & advysing how they might do. And when they were before the house of the queen Pylate smelled the good odour of the erost/ and had great lust to have thereof. So he called a sergeant and said to him. Goo see where this roast is/ & say unto him that owes it that the send me some/ for I had never so great desire of nothing of the eworlde nor never shall.  
THen the sergeants that were ten or twelve went through the street searching where the roast might be. At the laste they came in to the house of the Vas. & Ty. good queen and called at the gate. And when they were within they salved the ladies and said. Ladies my lord Pylate prayeth you that you will send him some of your good roast/ for he sayeth that never the days of his life he had not so great desire of nothing.  
THen said the queens fellow/ By god friends gladly/ and she took the three quarters that were left of her child/ and took a knife & said to them/ Lords hold me there and I shall cut you some to bear to your master which shall make it be dressed after his appetite. And when the sergeants saw the child cut/ and that the lady would cut it yet again for to send to Pylate/ they were so aghast and had so great hydour that tthey were almost out of their wit And returned all confused before Pylate. When Pylate saw them come he said unto them/ from whence come you so abashed/ bring you me no roast that ti sent you before. And the sergeants said unto him. Sir a lady hath quartered her child/ and hath made to roast a quarter that she will eat. And when we had asked her/ she took the child & would have sent you a quarter/ and that you should make it to be roasted & dressed after your appetite. The which when we saw we had great horror and great sorrow/ so that we had almost run out of our wits/ and we died issue out of her house also soon as we might for the great horror that we had to see her cut her own child and roast it.  
When Pylate herd the answer that the sergeants brought him from the eladyes of the child He had right great hydour and doubted him For the which he yede in to his palace and laid him down in his bed of the great sorrow that he had/ & there he held him right dolent and dysconforted. And the ladies were in their house/ that wept and complained their children. Nevertheless they began for to eat for the great hongre that they had/ for god had commanded them. And ever in eating they wept right strongly. but it behooved that they eat thereof/ for god had spoken it with his own mouth. And when they had eaten the child of Claryce they began for to eat the daughter of the queen/ but there was the right great dolour when the queen began for to eat of her daughter/ for every body that saw her weep might not keep them from weeping of the pity and great sorrow that tshe had and demeaned.  
ANd when Pylate had been three days in his bed sorrowful and dysconforted/ he rose up and went unto king Archylaus afore the temple of Salamon where as he was. And thither he made to come all his barons and all his counsel/ and said unto them my lords I can not tell what counsel we may take against this Emperor/ for we are in great distress by this that we have no vitals/ and also I know certainly that there is happened in this cite a right great slander and a great mysaventure/ horrible and right hideous for to hear and to recount./ That is that the moders eat their children for hongre So that I counsel that we yield this cite unto the Emperor/ and if he will take me to mercy that he do it/ for I had lever day alone than all the people should day. For the Emperor knoweth well that none is to blame but I alonely.  
When Archylaus and all the other barons herd the counsel that Pylate gave/ they were right sorry and much dolant and said all weeping. Would god what shall we do with our lord Pilate And then the great complaints arose in the cite so that they herd them in the host of the Emperor/ & the cry was much great sing that it was no day but that there died in the cite four C. people of the great famine that there was.  
THen Pylate said that that twhiche he had said he would perform. And said unto the eking Archylaus that he should arm him with u M. knights. And when they were armed they went to the ditch there as the Emperor was. To the which they manded that they would speak with him in savete. And incontinent the Emperor/ tytus his soon jafet and jacob and twenty M. knights well armed came where Pylate & the king Archylaus abided them And when the Emperor was come Pylate began to speak to the Emperor and said. Sir Emperor have pity on me and on all this people if it please you and take the cite and the treasure and all that there is/ and let us goo in to strange lands exiled by the world.   

¶ How the Emperor spoke unto Pylate & the king Archylaus and what answer they had.  
 Vespasian, outside city walls, addressing Pilate and Archelaus, who are looking out from within the city walls 
Pylate. Archylaus. Vaspasyan.   
THen the Emperor answered to Pylate and said. If thou wilt yield me the cite/ thyself and all them that are within for to do my pleasure I shall do it gladly/ and otherwise not/ and I promise the that I shall have no mercy on none within the cite no more than thou had on Jesu christ.  
ANd then the king Archylaus said unto the Emperor. Sir I am soon of king Herode your great friend that was king of Galylee. And after his death I succeeded the realm/ Wherefore I beseech you that it will please you for to take me to mercy For my fader nor I died never nothing against you nor against your fader/ & also we died never consent to the death of Jesu christ. And right dear lord my fader was right privy of the court of your fader.  
THen said the Emperor to the king Archylaus/ art thou than the soon of Herode that tmade the persecution of the little children/ and would have slain Jesu christ in his enfance. The man that thath no pity nor mercy ought not to find no pity nor mercy. Thy fader would have slain Jesu christ the prophet when he was born/ and made to sle all the children that he might find under the aege of two year/ & had mercy on none And made sle in number. C. xliiij M. And for this cause I shall never have mercy on the eand thou shall repare the iniquytees of thy fader.  
ANd when the king Archylaus herd that the descended all in a rage/ & unarmed him. And after drew out his sword/ & said unto the Emperor Never please it the great god that tyou or man paynim vaunt him of my death. And then he put the point of his sword against his breast & thirst himself a foot thorough the body/ & so fell down deed in to the pit. When Pylate & his men saw the eking Archylaus so deed/ they were right sorrowful & returned in to the cite/ and recounted to the people all the deed of king Archylaus/ and the answer of the Emperor. Then the men of the said king & all the other people made great sorrow/ and rend their gowns/ & pulled their here/ and made so great sorrow that there was never none seen so great in the cite of Jerusalem nor in no ne other place.  
ON the morrow Pylate made to come joseph of Armathye before him & Barrabam his Seneschal & all the other people & demanded them counsel And also said to them. Lords you see well that we can hold no longer against this Emperor/ and that god hath forgoten them. For never not cite was in so great tribulation as this cite is/ for we have no vitals but shall day all for hongre/ counsel what we shall do now.  
THen joseph of Armathye said. Sir we cannot gyve you no good counsel sith that tthe Emperor will not take you to mercy. Evil were you counsaylled to be enemy with the Emperor/ for you may well weet that we may not resist against him nor hold against his pussaunce long.  
PYlate said I know well what we shall do. In this cite is much great richesses of gold and silver and of precious stones/ and the Emperor and his men weeneth well to have it/ I know well how they shall have nothing/ and it shall be our profit/ We shall make to grind the precious stones & the other treasure stamp in mortars of brass/ in such manner that tthey may be eaten/ & thus we shall pass our life. And when the Emperor and his men shall take the cite they shall not find the treasure. For also great thank shall we have without treasure as with the treasure.   

¶ How Pylate made his complaint to the barons of Jerusalem/ and how he yielded up the cite unto the Emperor/ which made Titus enter in with twenty M. knights.  
 men on horseback, one wearing a crown, approaching or entering a city (?)  
And when Pylate had given and said this good counsel/ they said all that tit was well spoken. And every body went unto their houses/ and they that had gold silver or precious stones they died so as he had said. And they that had to much they gave unto them the which had none And of that same treasure they live well xxi days.  
THen when the treasure was all eaten/ all the epeople came before Pylate & said unto him. Sir Pylate we have done that the which you have counsaylled us of the treasure/ but it is all spylte and consumed/ what shall we do from hens forth. And then Pylate was much pensive and sorrowful/ and began for to weep before them all and said. Lords you have made me your master/ lord/ and governor of you all in this cite/ but from hens forth I can not govern you. So I pray you & require for god pardon that and ever I died you only hurt that you will pardon it me.  
ANd when all the eiewes saw that Pylate discomforted him so/ they began for to weep/ for they thought well that they should be all destroyed/ & there was none but that they wept/ and had so great sorrow that they might not answer never a word unto him/ but lamented much strongly.  
ANd then Pilate said lords have we good hearts and put we us unto the will of the great god and go we yield us to the Emperor to do with us his good will. For it is better that we go unto him than we should let us day for hongre/ for there is not one day with another but that there dieth in this cite threhondred people. And paraventure it shall come in his mind to take us to mercy/ or the emoost greatest party.  
Soon after this Pylate issued out of the cite of Jerusalem with all the people/ and went unto the pits that the Emperor had made to make/ And Titus the soon of the Emperor went then on sporting with his knights along the pits side And Pylate knew him by his arms sygned with the eegle/ and made him sign with his glove. And when Titus saw him he came thederwarde with his said knights. And Pylate began for to speak unto Titus and said unto him. Sir Titus new Emperor we supply you all that it please you to pray your fader that he have mercy on us/ and also yourself to have pity/ and take these poor people unto mercy which require you all weeping. And take no regard unto our iniquytes/ but of your bounte & gentleness you take compassion on us  
When Titus the soon of the Emperor herd that the manded it unto the eemperour his fader by two of his knights. The which two knights that Titus had sent toward the Emperor recounted unto him all the case. And when Vaspasyan had herd that/ he sent word through all the ehoost that they should come all armed before him. And he high self went and armed him with his best harness/ & the most richest and went incontinent toward tytus with all his men of arms that he had about Jerusalem/ the which were without number.  
Incontinent as Titus saw his fader come he made him reverence and said unto him. Sir se here Pylate the which is accorded for to yield you the cite/ so that it please you for to take him to mercy and all the people that is with him/ the which doth pray you for to do it weeping. And Vaspasyan the eemperoure said that it was not time/ for it was by great force.  
THen said Vaspasyan unto Pylate. If thou uwylte yield me the cite & all them that tear within( w tthe tthe) to my mercy & will/ I am ready for to do it. But I tell you that ti shall have also little pity on you as you had on Jesu christ/ for I shall venge his death in you and upon you.  
ANd when Pylate herd that answer of themperour and all the other also that was there/ they were much sorrowful and angry & made a cry much great in weeping and lamenting/ & knew not what they should do more but said to vaspasyan. Sir take the cite and all that you shall find therein/ and us all in likewise and do your good pleasure there with as lord.  
THen Vaspasyan the emperor made incontyvent to fill the ditches that the had made to make. And anon after he sent Titus his soon jafet & jacob with xxx thousand knights in to the cite/ and said unto them that they should shit the gates to the end that none of the jews should issue nor escape from their hands.  
ANd Titus died anon that the which the eemperour his fader had commanded him/ and entered in to the cite with the xxx thousand knights/ and took Pylate and gave him to keep to ten of his knights/ and said unto them that they should keep him well. And after he made to take & bind all the other jews old and young of the cite. Of the which there was withouten them that were slain in the battle that was done before/ and without them that were deed for hongre through the cite. C. iij. M. And as he had done so he made to open the gates.  
THen the Emperor Vaspasyan & all his host sommyers/ charettes and all the other manner of men that watched about the walls of the cite of Jerusalem because that none of the jews should issue/ died enter in to the said cite and went all unto the temple of Salamon. And there the Emperor & all the other yielded graces to god Jesu christ of that he had given them so good victory. They made great feasts and rejoiced them and held them well at ease. And theder you should have seen come all manner of folks/ except of jews ▪ And there they had vitals enough/ for it was brought unto them from all parts.   

¶ How Vaspasyan the Emperor and Titus his soon made for to fell xxx jews for a penny.  
 seated figure (monarch?), at left, addressing a standing man armed with sword and long-handled hatchet, to whose right stands an unarmed figure  
ANd when the Emperor Vaspasyan saw that this men held so many jews bound and w tholden tholden/ he said unto them. Lords sith that our savour Jesu christ hath done unto us so great grace that the hath given us victory I will avenge his death as I have promised him. And will that these jews which we have taken be sold. And in like wise as they bought Jesu christ for xxx pens/ so will I that txxx. jews be sold for a penny. And incontynente he made to cry all about where his men of arms were lodged that who soever would by only jews that they should come unto them that it ordained for to sell them/ & that they should have thirty. jews for a penny as said is. And the Emperor ordained xv knights for to sell them unto all comers.  
THen when the cry was made there came a knight before the eforsaid Emperor which said unto him. Sir I would have a pennyworth of these jews. And incontinent the Emperor made to be delivered to high a pennyworth. When this said knight had his xxx jews he had his spear in his hand and came before the said jews that the had bought & smote one of them in to the body so that he fell down deed to the ground. Then as the knight drew out his spear there issued out of his body a great stream of gold & silver. Of the which the knight marveled much And took another jew and said to him. I will that thou tell me if thou know what this is for to say/ & in what wise this jew casts out blood in semblance of gold and silver. And then that same jew said Sir if you will assure me from death I shall tell you w toute toute only fault what it is for to say. And the knight swore and assured him of his life. And then the jew told him by ordre how Pylate had made them for to eat their vessel and money/ and precious stones/ & all the treasure of the cite/ to the end that the eemperour nor his men should not find it/ and that they should have no joy of nothing. And we have live long thereby/ for we had none other meet.  
FOrthwith that was known through the host wherefore every body bought of the foresaid jews. And the Emperor commanded that there should be delivered unto every body that would buy for a penny. And when jafet and jacob saw that all the jews were almost sold unto the knights. And that tthey slew them up for the treasure that tthey had eaten/ they said unto the Emperor. Sir one knight amongst the other that is for to weet among the jews/ ought for to be/ which was friend unto Jesu christ And the said knight is called joseph of Armathy/ that tayded for to dyscende Jesu christ of the cross/ & put him in to his sepulchre/ and Nychodemus that was w thim thim. Also there should be a lady queen and her fellow and their two children. The which queen was called Mary of Affrycke/ & believed much strongly in Jesu christ. Wherefore we pray you sir for to take them to mercy/ for they were never consenting to the death of Jesu christ.   

¶ How jafet & jacob found joseph of Armathye and brought him before Vaspasyan the Emperor and Titus his soon/ & how he took him to mercy.  
 depiction of Joseph of Arimathea, the emperor Vespasian, and his son Titus 
joseph. Vaspa. Titus.   
THen the emperor said unto them. Look and make to be looked if you can find them/ & make them come before me. And then jafet and jacob searched and made to search all about/ and they found none but joseph of Armathye. And after they went in to the house of the queen/ for they had had often in her house great consolations with her/ and they found her deed & her fellow also. Then they returned to the eemperour with joseph of Armathye. And when y e Emperor saw him he demanded him if it was he that descended Jesu christ of the cross/ & he said you/ wherefore the Emperor took him to mercy.  
SO when the eemperour saw that tthe jews was not all sold yet/ he demanded of the knights that tsolde them how many penyworthes they had yet for to sell/ and they said that they had well six penyworthes. And the eemperour bad them that tthey should fell no more/ for he would keep those six for to do his pleasure with.  
IN Jerusalem was made than so great slaughter of jews that tno man might go by the streets in Jerusalem but on deed bodies/ so great number there was. And it was by the counsel that Pylate gave unto the jews for to eat their treasure. And know that tyf they had not eaten it they that thad bought them would have taken many of them to mercy. But for the elove of the treasure there was slain lxxiij M. & three hundred and fifty.  
THen when the mortality of the jews was done the Emperor made the ebodyes to be born unto the ewalles of the cite/ and after he made to bete down the walls so that there abided not one stone upon another through all the cite/ except the etemple of Salamon/ and the toure of Zion/ that it David's. For god would not that the said temple nor the said toure were beten down. Then was accomplished the proper words that tour lord spoke on palmesondaye when he wept upon the cite of Jerusalem in entering in to it.  
Notwithstanding Titus the soon of the Emperor afore that the ecyte was beten downe● he went in to every place and made to take the harness wherewith the cite was well garnished. And also took all the clotheses of gold and other clotheses of silk/ that they might find. For as for the other treasure the jews had eaten it/ for the ewhiche they were all slain/ except the syxe penyworthes that the Emperor withelde/ and joseph of Armathy/ and the eiewe that had told how they had eaten their treasures.  
THen when the Emperor and Titus his soon had done that/ and had sojourned them there and their men/ they said unto jafet and jacob/ & joseph of Armathy that they should lede them there as Jesu christ was put upon the cross/ and to flome jordayne/ and to the sepulchre/ and there as he raised up Lazarus. And to all the places where Jesu christ had been and done miracles. And they answered that they would do it with a good will. And when the Emperor and Titus his soon and all their men were vysyting the eholy places/ all in weeping they yielded graces unto our lord Jesu christ.   

¶ How the Emperor took shypping with all his army for to return to Room.  
 ships sailing away from city  
After this the Emperor and Titus his soon with their army/ & with Pylate & with the syxe penyworthe of jews took their ships & arrived at acres/ where the eemperour put the ethres pennyworths in three ships without meet or drink to goo where as it should please our lord Jesu christ. And put in eke ship two pennyworths of jews/ for our lord Jesu christ would not that all the jews should be deed/ but that there abided on the earth for a perpetual remembrance and memory to all the crystyens. And it happened so as god would that one of the ships arrived at Narbonne/ the other at Bourdeaulx/ and the eother here in England. And the jews that were w tin tin went that it had been done by miracle/ and that had had pity on them. But god died it because that talwayes there should be remembrance of his death and passion.  
THen the Emperor and his soon Titus made to apparayll fair ships and great/ and made great provision of vitals/ as well of wheat/ wine/ water & other vitals great foison. And anon they put them within the ships that were fair and great and well adjourned with jafet/ jacob joseph of Armathye and all their men. And god gave them so good wind and so good fortune and so good porte that twithin ten days they arrived at valecte. And from valecte they went by land unto Room well and in good health. And when clement the appostolle knew that the Emperor and tytus his soon came/ he went against them with all his clergy well adjourned and in great procession.   

¶ How the emperor Vaspasian was received at Room/ and how he was christened and tytus his soon/ w tall tall their men.  
 meeting of monarchs on horseback with their entourages  
When the Emperor and Titus his soon saw Clement the eappostolle they descended of their horses & kissed Clement with right great joy/ and made great feest in the cite of Room and through all the other countries for the love and honour of themperour/ and in especial for the vengeance of Jesu christ/ and of his death and passion that the said emperor and his soon Titus had made. And then the eappostolle put him for to preach every day the faith of Jesu christ. And the Emperor/ tytus his soon/ & all their men herd him gladly. And when the appostolle had preached eight days/ he went for to see the Emperor in his palace and said unto him. Sir our lord hath done you so great grace & so great honour that he hath made you to dyscomfite and have victory against your enemies/ wherefore I am come for to pray you that the promises that you have made to him that tyou will accomplish it w tgood tgood heart. And what promise is it said the Emperor. Sir said the Appostolle that tyou do make you to be baptised. Then the Emperor answered I uttre it/ and will that it be done to the pleasure of god Jesu christ w tgood tgood will So make to make and apparayll the fonte. And then the appostolle departed thanking god Jesu christ right joyously. And anon the said Clement made to apparayll the fonte/ and at the end of three days he baptised the Emperor and Titus his soon in the ename of the fader/ the soon/ and the eholy ghost and changed not their names. And after he baptised the Seneschal Gay/ jafet/ jacob/ joseph of Armathye/ and after the kings/ dukes/ earls/ barons/ princes/ and other folks of the Emperors and other.  
ANd then when all the men of the Emperor & all the other multitude of people that it there was baptised/ the other came unto the appostolle and made them be baptised with good will. And clement had right great joy/ & yielded graces unto our lord Jesu christ/ & unto them that were baptised. And when the people saw the emyracles that tgod showed in the baptysing of the seek and lame which were heled of all maladies in issuing out of the ewater/ all the people believed in god/ and in the holy law and faith of Jesu christ/ and bet down all the temples of the eydoles/ and made churches of them.   

¶ How the Emperor gave licence unto his men of arms for to return in to their countries.  
 emperor with men of arms and some courtiers  
THen when that was done the eemperoure gave licence unto all his barons for to return in to their countries. And every baron had of the eappostolle their believe in writing or they departed. Then after the Emperor and tytus his soon assembled their counsel and bad them juge Pylate & gave them the cause. So they held their counsel and after returned to the eemperour and said. Sir we know well that tpylate hath deserved to day/ but your fader the eemperour ordained that tall the strangers should die at Vyenne. And therefore we juge high to day thus there.   

¶ How Pilate was judged unto death and after was sent unto Vyenne for to have execusyon.  
 several richly dressed men (at right) addressing a king or emperor seated on a throne (at left); on the other side of the throne, a view of some buildings  
Fyrste we ordain that the justycer make to be made in the mids of the eplace a great pillar of four cubettes of height with out the ground. And upon the said pillar be put a poll of a fathom of height/ so made that it may sustain Pilate. And that he be put on the said pillar well bounden unto the pole upright and all naked/ and that he be oynted with honey & oil and written a high over his heed against the said pole This is Pylate that mysknewe Jesu christ/ and renyed his ryghfull lord the Emperor. And that he have the visage toward the son. And when he hath been there until night from tyers/ let him be descended/ and cut of one of his eres. And then after put him in prison/ and that there be given unto him meet and drink enough/ and that he have none ill prison/ to the end that the may live xxi days in torment As he made to live himself & the other with the treasure xxi days that were in the cite of Jerusalem: that the and the other jews eat when their vitals were failed. And the ere cut be put in such a place that Pylate may see it when he shall be on the esaid pillar ▪ After upon the morrow that he have well to dine/ and that he be led again upon the said pillar well oynted/ and that he be there until night/ and that he have the other ere cut of/ and that it be put with the eother And that there be given unto him always meet and drink enough. And the thyrde day that there be taken from him his privy member. The fourth day that tthey cut of one of his hands. The u day that the other hand be cut of. The six day that they cut out a thong from his neck unto his hand. The vii day that they take as much on the other side. The eight day that they make be taken from him one of the soles of his feet. The ix day that they make to be taken of the other sole of his foot. The ten day that they make to be raised up a thong from his members unto his foundement. The xi day that they make to raise up another thong in the same place of cross/ to the eende ▪ that he bear the cross as he made Jesu christ do The twelve day that tthey make to cut of one of his arms/ The xiij day the other arm. The xiiij day one of the shoulders. The xu day the other shoulder. The xuj day that they flee his berde. The xvii day that they cut of one of his feet. The eighteen day that they cut of the other foot. The xix day that they break one of his thighs as he did unto the thiefs that were hanged by Jesu christ. The twenty day the other thyghe. The xxi day all the body with all the members be drawn/ & that they cut of his tongue/ and after the heed. And that tthey make him be quartered/ and hanged on the pillar in the same place to the end that there be remembrance. And then ten days after that he be brent and put in ashes and cast in to the river of Rosne. And see here how we juge him to evil death and cruel/ because that he was traitor unto god Jesu christ/ and to your own self. And because that he hath made so much people to day/ and made destroy so many good places.  
When the Emperor herd that tthe senators of Room had judged him so for to day. He said unto the knights that kept him that they should lede him unto the provost of Vyenne from high And made to gyve them letters sealed for to bear unto the said provost/ with the hole sentence. Then they departed and brought Pylate unto the provost of Vyennne and delivered him to him with the sentence/ And when the bourgeyses of Vyenne knew that the knights were come from the Emperor their lord they made them great cheer and honour. when the eprovost of Vyenne had red the letters of the Emperor and the sentence of the esenatours of room/ incontinent he made to make a chair. And after made Pylate to be set in it. And therein he died fit at his ease/ but he might not remeve him. And sith the prouóst made the echayer and Pylate to be put in to a well. And the chair was tied with great chains of iron above/ so that tpylate touched not the water. And there he abided unto the time that the pillar was ready upon the which he should be put. And they gave him always meet & drink enough every day when that he demanded or called for it.  
THen after the provost made to plant in the eplace of Vyenne the pillar/ and held him well joyously with the knights that had brought Pylate. For the said Provost would not that they should return until the time that the justyce were done of Pylate. And the bourgeyses and the other men of estate of the cite of Vyenne made them always great cheer for the love and honour of the Emperor their sovereign lord.  
ANd when the pillar was planted & all ordained the night before that the justyce of Pylate sholdè be done. The provost made him to be drawn out of the ewelle. And when he was out he was so changed that he had no visage of a man( but of a devil) When the Provost saw that he made him to be put in to a toure that was by the bridge of Vyenne in the river of Rosne/ the which was much deep. In that same profound toure was three manner of stages or places. And the river of Rosne went round about it And in the fyrste stage he made to put keepers and sergeants. And in the seconde he made to put Pylate to the end that he were better at his ease. And in the thyrde he made to put men of arms.   

¶ How as the eprovost of Vyenne would have taken pylate out of the toure for to have made execusyon/ the toure and Pylate founded in abysm.  
 two men armed with swords, wearing caps with feathers (?), leaning on a bench; partly visible seated behind and to the right of them is the back of a similarly dressed man; floral borders to right and left of illustration  
When it came unto the morrow in the emorning/ the provost/ the knights/ and dyvers other went in to the toure for to have had Pylate to have set him on the pillar. And when they were in the tour they said unto the keepers that kept Pylate that they should bring him out. And then all the bridge and the river was charged with men that would see the eiustyce that they would do on Pylate. And at the hour that tthe keepers would have taken him for to have brought him in justyce/ all the toure was full of devils also well without as within that said all with one voice. Pylate is ours/ pylate is ours/ leave him us All the toure trembled/ whereof the Provost and all the other that were there with him/ and the keepers also had right great fere/ and right great horror/ and issued all out of the toure and mounted upon the ebrydge. And when they were upon it they beheld the toure/ and saw on the turrettes about the toure a great multitude of devils. And the toure entered with Pylate & all the devils into the river of Rosne in abysm.  
When the Provost/ the knights/ the ebourgeyses and all the other folk saw that they marveled much strongly/ & would weet and see if the toure were entered deep in. So they said unto a mariner of the river that he should take a boat and goo see if it were deep there as the toure entered with Pilate. And the mariner would not because of the peril. So they fastened a boat with cords unto the etoppe of the ebrydge and made it go unto the place where the toure was entered/ in the ewhiche place the ewater roared much strongly And after they had four C. fathoms of cord for to length the other cord that it to short. And when the boat was there it entered in with all the ecorde/ so that they put more thereto/ and tied the end of it unto a vessel of cork/ & lete it go softly/ but all entered in and never herd tidings of the toure/ nor of Pylate not of nothing else. And yet dare none approach never the esayd place. And the pillar is yet right up in Vyenne. The devils took Pylate in the etoure/ because he should not convert him through the cruel pain. Then when all that was done the knights took their leave and road unto the Emperor and recounted to him all the deed. When the Emperor herd that he made jafet jacob and joseph of Armathye to write the dystruccyon and vengeance of Jerusalem/ for they knew it well. And also the death & justyce of Pylate as you have herd word by word.  
¶ Thus endeth the dystruccyon and vengeance of Jerusalem by Vaspasyan Emperor of Room.    

Imprinted at London in Fleet street at the sign of the son by Wynkyn de Word.  
 armed men on horseback  
 printer's device of Wynkyn de Worde (McKerrow 23c): "Tripartite device with the mark and initials of William Caxton in the central part. The sun over a crescent moon with stars in the upper portion, and 'Wynkyn de worde,' etc., below." 
W C  
Wynkyn. de. Word.