¶ Here beginneth the life of the most myschevoust Robert the devil which was afterward called the servant of god. IT befell in time passed there was a duke in nor mandye which was called ouberte the which duke was passing rich of goods & also virtuous of living and loved and dread god above all thing and deed great almose deeds and exceeded all other in rightwiseness and justice/ and most chevalrouse in deeds of arms and noble acts doing. this duke held open house upon a cristmasse day in a town which was called Naverne upon the sayen To the which court came all the lords and noble blood of Normandye. And because this noble duke was not married his lords and nobles with one assent besought him to mary and take a wife/ to th'intent that his lineage might be multiplied there by/ and that they might have a right heir to inherit his lands after his dyscese. To the which request this good duke answered and said. My lords what thing that ye think best for me to do shall be done/ upon a condition in that ye will that I be married that ye purvey me a wife according to mine estate for and if I should covet any heyer or noblier of blood than I am myself that might not stand with right. and if I take one that is not of so noble an house as I am that should be to me great shame & all my lineage wherefore me think it were better that I kept me as I am than to do that thing that should not be mine honest and afterward repent me. When these words were spoken & well considered by the lords that stood there present then there rose up a wise baron and said to the duke. My lord ye speak very wisely and like a noble prince/ but if it please your highness to give audience and here me speak I shall show you of a certain person/ of whom ye shall enjoy yourself to here of her. and the which ye shall obtain I know well. Than answered the duke and said. show me than who that person is/ gracious lord said the baron unto the duke. the duke of bourgone hath a daughter which exceedeth all other in beauty courtesy and debonair wisdom & good manners the which ye may have if ye will desire her. for I know well there will no man say nay thereto. To the which the good duke answered and said. that lady pleased him right well & that the baron had given him good and wise counsel. And in short time after that this lady was demanded of her father the duke of bourgone. Which gave him her willingly. And thenne their bridal was kept honourably which were to long to write. ¶ How the duke of Normandy with great royalty brought his wife the daughter of the duke of bourgon in to roan in Normandy after he had married her. woodcut scenes from the life of royal couple AFter that the foresaid Duke had married the said lady he brought her with a great company of barons knights & ladies with great triumph and glory in to the land of normandy and in to the city of Rouen/ in which city she was honourably received and with great melody & there was great amity between the bourgonyons & the normans which I let pass. for to come the sooner to my matter. the foresaid duke and duchess lived to guider the space of xviii year without any child whether it were gods will it should be so. or it were thorough their own default I can not judge it for it were better other while that some people had no children. and also it were better for the father & mother to get no children thenne for lack of chastising/ the children and father and mother should all go to the devil. yet were these duke and duchess devout people which loved and dread god and gave great alms & what time this Duke would meddle with his lady he ever prayed to god to send him a child to honour and serve god and to multiply and fortify his lineage/ but neither with prayer nor with alms deeds this good duke and duchess could get no children. ¶ How upon a time this Duke and duchess walked alone sore complaining the one to the other that they could have no child together Upon a time this duke & duchess walked and the duke began to show his mind to his lady saying thus madame we be not fortunate in so much that we can get no children and they that made the marriage between us both they died great sin for I believe & ye had been given to an other man ye should have had children and I also if I had an other lady/ this Lady understood hy● saying she answered softly/ saying thus good lord we must thank god of that which he sendeth us & take it patiently of what so ever it he. ¶ How roberte the devil was conceived and how his mother gave him to the devil in his conception woodcut couple in bed This duke upon a time road out on hounting in a great anger and pensiveness for ought that he could have no child sore complaynage saying thus to himself/ I see many women have many fair children in which they enjoy greatly them by which I see well that I am hated of god & marvel it is that I fall not in despair for it grieve the me so sore at my heart that I can get no children hen the devil which is alway ready to deceive man kind. tempted the good duke & troubled his mind so that he wist not what to do nor say. thus moved he left his hunting and went home to his palace were he found his lady also vexed & moved as he come home he took her in his arms & kissed her and died his will with her saying his prayers to our lord. in this wise O lord Jesus I beseech the that I may get a child at this hour by the which thou mayst be honoured & served. but the lady being sore moved spoke thus foolishly & said in the devils name be it in so much as god hath not the power that I conceive and if I be conceived with child in this hour I give it to the devil body and soul and this same hour that this duke & duchess were thus moved the said lady was conceived with a man child which in his life wrought moche mischief as ye shall here after here/ but afterward he was converted and died great penance and died a holy man as is showed here after. ¶ How robert the devil was borne and what great pain his mother suffered in his birth. THis duchess as ye have herd before was conceived with the foresaid child which she bore ix months as comunly women go with child/ and ye may well perceive that this lady could not be delivered without great pain for she traveled more than a month. & if good prayers had not been and alms deeds good works & great penance done for her/ she had died of child for all the ladies & gentylwomen that were with her weaned she would have perished & died in travailing. wherefore they were greatly abashed & afeard with the marvelous noise & tokens that they heard & see in the birth of the said Robert the devil in that this child was borne/ the sky waxed as dark as though it had been night as it is showed in old chronicles that it thondred and lightened so sore that men thought the firmament had been open & all the world should have perished. And there blewe so moche wind out of the four quarters of the world & was such storm and tempest that all the house trembled so sore that it shaken a great piece of it to the earth in so much that all they that were in the house weaned that the world had been at an end & that they with the house & all should have sonken but in short time it pleased god that all this trouble ceased & the weather cleared up & the child was brought to the church to be christened which was named Robert. This child was a large of stature at his birth & he had been a year old whereof the people had great wonder. and as this child was a bearing to the church to be christened & home again it never ceased crying and howling. and in short space he had long teeth wherewith he boat the norysshes paps in such wise that there was no woman durst give him suck for he boat of the heed of their breasts. Wherefore they were feign to give him suck and to bring him up with an horn and when he was twelve month old he could speak and go alone better than other children that were three year old. and the elder that this child roberte waxed the more curster and wickeder he waxed for as soon as he could go alone there was neither man nor woman that could rule him and when he found or could come by any children he smote and boat and cast stones at them and broke their arms and legs and necks and scratte out their eyen out of their heads and there in was all his pleasure and the lords and gentiles that saw this had great delight there in weening to them it had been but the youth and wantonness. ¶ How all the children with one assent named this child Roberte the devil. THis child with in few years grow marvelously and more and more increased of all and boldness and shrewdness/ & set by no correction but was ever smytinge & casting and cursed deeds doing to all them that he might meet in the streets in so much that there was neither man ne woman nor child that durst meet with him but fled a way for fere & dread as the devil fleeth from the holy water. & some time there gathered to guider all the boys of the street to fight with him/ but when they see him come they durst not abide him/ but cried one to an other here cometh the wode Robert an other many cried here cometh the cursed mad robert & some cried here cometh robert the devil & thus crying & howling they voided all the streets for they durst not abide & look him in the face/ and forth with the children that knew him with one assent called him robert the devil which name he kept during his life & shall do as long as the world standeth/ when this child was. seven. year old or there about the duke his father/ saying and considering his wicked conditions called him and said unto him thus my son me think it necessary and time/ for me to get you a wise school master and put you to school/ to learn virtues and doctrine for ye be of age enough and when the duke had thus said/ he betook his son to a good discreet and wise school master to rule and teach him all good conditions & manners ¶ How robert killed his school master. IT fell upon a day that his school master should chastise robert & would have made him to have left his cursed conditions & mischievous deeds but robert gate a murderer or bodkin & thrust his master in the belly that his guts fell at his feet and so fell down deed to the earth. and robert threw his book against the walls in despite of his master saying thus now have I taught the that never pressed nor clerk shall correct me nor be my master and from thence forth there could no school master be found that was so bold to take in hand to teach and correct this Robert but were glad to let him alone and have his own ways/ and he put himself to vice & mischief and curssidnes & to no manner of virtue nor grace nor none would ne learn for no man living/ but mocked with god & holy church and when he came in to the church & found the priests & clerks singing gods service/ he came privily behind them & cast ashes or dust in to their mouths in despite of god/ And when he saw any body in the church busy in their prayers he would to me behind them & give them a sowse in the neck that their heads kissed the ground in so much that every creature banned and cursed him for his wicked deeds doing/ And the noble Duke his father saying this mischievous disposition & cursed life of his son he was so angry & sore vexed with himself that he wished himself many times deed & out of the world. And the duchess in like wise was greatly moved & much sorrowful/ by cause of the mischievous life of her son. saying to her lord in this wise my lord our son is now of sufficient age/ and able to bear arms wherefore me think it were best that ye made him knight if than he would remember th'order of knighthood whereby he might change his conditions and leave his wickedness. The Duke was here with all content. And Roberte had at that time but eighteen year of age. ¶ How robert the devil was made knight by the Duke his father. THis duke assembled upon a high feast of Whitsuntide all his barons & nobles of his land & the next of his kin & friends in the presence of whom he called his son to him saying thus. hark my son robert and take heed what I shall tell you. It is so that by th'advise of my counsel and good friends I am now advised to make you a knight to th'intent that ye with other knights should be conversant occupy & haunt chivalry and knights condition to th'intent that ye shall leave and forget your vices & villainous works & most hartful life Robert hearing this answered his father the duke. I shall do your commandment but as for the order of knighthood I set no thing thereby. for there is no degree shall cause me leave my conditions nor make me to change my life nor to break my will For I am not in that mind to do any better than I have done hitherto/ nor alter mine old custom nor to amend for no man living it was the custom of that land that on whitsonyght the church should be watched and tended with moche people. And thither ran this robert like a mad man beating and bonching and overthrowing all them that came in his way/ fearing neither god nor the devil. and he was never still of all that night and in the morning when it was day Roberte was made knight. then this duke commanded a tournayment or jousting to be made in which tornayment the said robert wrought masteries & deed marvelous deeds of arms in killing and bearing down horse & man no man refusing nor fearing/ but bare all to the ground that came in his way. of some he broke arms and some legs some their necks or bore them thorough and killed them out of the hand. from him went none unmarked in which jousting the said robert killed x. horses/ the duke hearing how his son myscheved and murdered all that came in to his hands he went himself in to the tournayment & commanded upon a great pain/ that every mansholde seize & run no more. then Robert roared for anger as he had been wood & would not obey his father commandment but abode still in the field smiting & no thing sparing moche worse than he died before. and had no pite neither of horse nor man so that he killed of the moste valiauntes knights that thither were comen to tournaye. than every man cried upon Robert to sese but it availed not for he would not sese for no man nor there was no man so bold to encounter him. for because that he was so strong this robert died so moche mischief that all the people were in a roar & assembled all with one assent in a great anger and ran to the duke complaining saying thus lord ye be greatly to blame that ye suffer your son to do as he doth we beseech you for god's sake to find some remedy for him to cause him to seize or leave his misrule. ¶ How Robert the devil road about the country of normandy robbing stelinge mordering & brenning churches abbeys & other holy places of religion & forcing of women & ravishing of maidens. Than when Robert see there was no man more left in the field & that he could do no more mischief there. than he took his horse with the sporre to the country to seek adventures & began to do every day more harm than other. for he forssed & ravished maidens & wives without number he killed murdered so moche people that it was pity/ also he rob churches abbeys hermitages & fermes. there was not an abbey in all the country but he rob churches abbeys hermitages & fermes. there was not an abbey in all the country but he rob & pilled them. these wicked deeds of Robert came to the ears of the good duke. & all they that were thus rob & rebuked/ came to complain of the great woodcut monk and two gentlemen outrage and suppression done by Robert and still was doing thorough out all the country. One said my lord your son hath forssed my wife. an other said he hath ravished my daughter. the other said he hath stolen my goods & rob my house. & the other said he hath wounded me to death with many semblable offences. Thus lay they grievously complaining before the good Duke that great pity it was there for to see the good duke hearing the grievous and lamentable complaints of the great murder done. by roberte his son thorough out all the land of Normandye. Than his heart was subpressed with so great sorrow and thought that the salt t●res breast out of his eyen. & wept tenderly & said. O right wise god creature of heaven & earth. I have so many times prayed the to send me a child & all my delight was to have a son. to th'intent that I might of him have great joy and solace And now I have one. the which doth my heart so moche pain sorrow and thought that I wot in no wise what to begin nor to do nor say thereto. but good lord only I cry upon the for help and remedy to be a little released of my pain and sorrow. ¶ How the Duke sent out men of arms for to take roberte his son the which robert took them all and put out their eyen in despite of his father and scent them so home again. woodcut battle scene THere was a knight of the duke's house which perceived that this good Duke was very sorrowful & pensive & knew no remedy thenc this knight spoke & said to him. My lord I would advise you to send for your son robert & let him be brought to your presence/ and there before your nobles and next friends to rebuke him. and than command him to leave his cursed life. & if he will not/ ye to do justice upon him as on a strange man/ here to the Duke consented and thought the knight gave him good counsel. and incontinent he sent out men to seek robert. and in any wise they to bring him to his presence this robert hearing of the complaints made of all the people upon him unto his father and that his father had sent out men to take him wherefore all them that he could get he put out their cyen/ and so he took the men that his father send for him and put out their eyen in despite of his father and when he had thus blinded his faders servants he said to them in mocking sirs now shall ye sleep the better go now home to my father and tell him that I set little by him & because he sendeth you to bring me to him therefore to his despite I have put out your eyen. & therefore was robert hated both of god & of the world & his viceous and most cursed works were openly known thorough out all christendom. These poor servants which the Duke had sent for robert his son/ came home with great pain and in great heaviness saying thus o good lord see how your son robert that ye deed send us fore hath arrayed us: & blinded us. the good Duke saying his men in this case/ he waxed very angry and full of ire and begun to compass in his mind how and by what means he might come by to take the said robert his sone ¶ How the duke of normandy made a proclamation thorough out his land. how men should take robert his son with all his company and bring him everichone to prison. THan spoke a wise lord of the dukes counsel saying thus my lord take no more thought nor be no more pensive. for ye shall never see the day that robert your son will come in your presence in so much as he hath done so great and grievous offences to your commons and your own messengers that ye send for him but it were of necessity for you to correct and punish him for his great offences that he daily doth & hath done for we find it written that the law bindeth you there to. The duke willing to accomplish the council of his lords send out messengers in all the haste/ unto all ports good towns and barons/ thorough out all his dukedom commanding on his behalf all shrives bayllives or other officers to do their uttermost diligence to take robert his son prisoner & to hold and keep him surely in prison with all his company and affinity. when robert heard of this proclamation he with all his company were sore afeard of the Duke's malice. and when roberte see this was almost out of his wit for wood anger and whetted his teeth like a boar and swore a great oath saying thus that he would have open war against his father and subdue and spill all his lordship ¶ How robert made him a strong house in a dark thick wilderness where he wrought mischief without comparison & above all measure or natural reason woodcut of home construction THen when robert had herd & known of the foresaid things he let make in a thick wild forest a strong house where in he made his dwelling place and in this place it was wild and strong & more meeter for wild beasts than for any people to abide in/ & there robert assembled and gathered for his company all the most mischevoste & falsest thieves that he could find or here of in his faders land to wete morderes thieves street robbers rebels brenners of churches and houses forsers of women robbers of churches & the most wyckedeste & cursedeste thieves that were under the son robert had gathered to do him service whereof he was capteyn & in the foresaid wilderness Robert with his company did so moche mischief that no tongue can tell he murdered merchants & all that came by the way no man durst look out nor come a broad for fere of robert & his company of whom every man was a feared. for they rob all the country in so moche that no man durst look out/ but that they were killed of robert or his men also poor pylgremes that went on pilgrimage were murdered by robert & his company in so much that every man fled from them like as the sheep fled from the wolf for they were as wode as wolves warring slaying all that they could come by. & thus robert & his company led an ungracious life. also he was a great glotten of eating & drinking & never fasting though it were never so great a fasting day. In lente or on ymberdayes heat flesh as well on fridays as on sundays. but after he had done all this mischief he suffered great pain as here after ye shall here ¶ How robert the devil killed vii hermits. IT befell upon a time that robert which ever imagined & studied in his mind how & by what mean he might do most mischief & murder as he had been ever acustomed before he road out of his house or thievish nest to seek his prey. & in the middle of the wooed he saw vii holy hermits to whom he road as fast as he could with his sword redydrawen like a man out of his mind & there he slew this vii hermits the which were bold & good men but they were so virtuous & holy that they suffered the martyrdom for the love of god & when he had thus slain these vii devout men he spoke in mockage & said I have found here a nest of a many pope holy horsons whom I have shaven them crowns I trow they be drunk they were wont to kneel upon their knees and now they lie upon their backs there died robert a cursed deed & blood shedding in despite of god and holy church. & after that he had done this mischievous deed he road out of the wood like a devil out of hell seeming worse than wood & his clothes were all died red with the blood of the people that he had murdered & slain. & thus arrayed he road over the fields. & clothes hands face all were red of the blood of the holy hermits. Which he had so piteously murdered in the wilderness ¶ How robert the devil road to his mother the Duchess of normandy being in the castle of darques where she was come to a feast ROberte road so far & so long that he came to the castle of darques/ but he met before with a shypherde which had told him that his mother the duchess should come to the said castle to dinner. & so he road thither but when robert came there & the people see him come they ran away from him like the hare from the hounds one ran & shut him in his house/ a other ran in to the church for fere. Robert saying this that all the people fled from him for fere/ he began to sigh in his heart and said to himself. O almighty god how may this be the every man thus fleeth from me Now I perceive that I am the most myschevouste and curssedeste wretch of this world/ for I sent better to be a jew or a saracene/ than a christian man and I see well that I am worst of all ill. Alas said robert the devil I may well hate and curse mine ungracious & cursed life. wherefore I am worthy to be hated of god and the world in this mind heaviness came Robert to the castle gates & alight down from his horse/ But there was no man that durst abide about him nor come nigh him to hold his horse and he had no servant to serve him but let his horse stand there at the gate/ and drew out his sword which was all bloody. and incontinent took the way unto the hall where the duchess his mother was when the duchess saw Roberte her son come in this wise with a blodysworde in his hand. she was sore a feared & would have fled away from him for she knew well his conditions. Robert saying that every body died flee from him & that his own mother would have fled in like wise. he called unto her piteously a far and said. sweet lady mother be not afeard of me/ but stand still till I have spoken with you & flee not from me in the worship of Christ's passion. than roberts heart being full of thought and repentance went nigher her. saying thus: d●re lady mother I pray and require you tell me how and by what manner or by whereby cometh it that I am so vicious and cursed for I know well I have it other of you or of my father/ wherefore incontinent I heartily desire and pray you that ye show me the troth here of. ¶ How the Duchess desyrede/ Robert her son/ to smite of her heed. and than she told him how she had given him to the devil in his conception THe Duchess had greatly marveling when she heard her son speak these words & pytevously weeping. With a sorrowful heart saying thus to him. My deer son I require you heartily that ye will smite of my heed. this said the lady for very great pity that she had upon him for because she had given him to the devil in his conception robert answered his mother with an heavy and a piteous there saying thus. O dear mother why should I do so that so much mischief have done and this should be the worst deed that ever I died. But I pray you to show me that I desire to wete of you/ then the Duchess hearing his heartily desire told unto him the cause why he was so vicious and full of mischief and how she gave him to the devil in his conception. herself myspraysing/ said thus unto robert. O son I am the most unfortunate woman living and I knowledge that it is all my fault that ye be so cursed and wicked a liver. ¶ How robert the devil took leave of his mother. ROberte hearing his moders saying he fell down to the earth in a swoon for very great sorrow and lay still a long while. than he removed again and came to himself and began bitterly to weep and complain saying thus. The fiends of hell be with great diligence to apply them to get and have me body and soul. but now from this time forth I forsake them & all their works and will never do more harm but good. & amend my life & leave my sins and do penance therefore than after this Roberte spoke to his mother/ the which was in great sorrow & heaviness saying thus. O most reverent lady mother. I heartily beseech & require you that it will please you to have me recommended unto my father for I will take the way to Rome to be assoiled of my sins/ which be innumerable & to abominable to recount. Therefore I will never sleep one night there I sleep an other till I come at Rome and god will. ¶ How robert departed from his mother & road in to the wilderness where he found his company. RObert in great haste light upon his horse & road to the wood where he had left his company the which he found. The Duchess made great lamentation for her son robert which had taken his leave of her. And said many times to herself. Alas what shall I do for it is all my fault that robert my son hath done so moche mischief & in the mean while that the Duchess made this sorrow & bewaylling for her son roberte in came the duke in to the chamber & as soon as she saw him she began to tell him of his son robert pitevously weeping/ showing him what he had said & done. than the good Duke axed her/ whether robert were disposed to leave his vicious life. & if he were sorry for his great offences/ ye my lord said she he is sore repentant. then began the duke sore to sigh & said Alas it is all in vain that roberte thinketh to do for I fear he shall never have power to make restitution/ of the hurts & harms the which he hath done in his life. but I beseech almighty god to prolong his life and send him time & respite that he may amend his life & do penance for his sins ¶ How robert told his company he would go to Rome for to be assoiled of his sins. NOw is robert come again to his company which he found sitting at dinner & when they saw him they rose up & died him reverence than roberte begins to rebuke them for their vicious living saying thus my well-beloved fellows. I require you in the reverence of god/ that ye will hearken and take heed to this that I shall show you/ ye know well how that we have led hitherto an ungracious and most vicious life. rob & pilled churches/ forced women/ ravished maidens/ rob and killed merchants. We have rob and killed nuns holy aunkers priests clerks/ and many other people without number have we murdered and rob. Wherefore we be in the way of endless damnation except that god have mercy upon us. Wherefore I require you everichone for god's sake that ye will change your opinion & leave your abominable sins & do penance therefore for I will go to rome to be shriven and to have penance for my sins. When Robert thus said one of the thieves rose and said to his company in mockage. now sirs take heed the fox will be an aunker for he beginneth to preach. Robert mocketh fast with us for he is our capiteyn & doth more harm alone than all we do how think ye will he be long thus holy. yet said Robert gentle fellows I pray you for god's sake leave your conditions & think on your soul & do penance for your most fellest stinking sins & cry upon our lord for mercy & forgiveness & he will forgive you when Robert had said thus than spoke to him one of the thieves & said I pray you master be in pease/ for it availeth not what ye say do but spend your time in waste/ for I nor my company will not amend our life for no man living/ And all his company commanded his saying and saiden all with one voice he saith true for and we should die/ we will not leave our old conditions and cursed life. but and if we have done much hurt hither to we will do moche more here after. ¶ How Robert the devil killed all his company. RObert hearing the fast & wicked opinion & mischievous purpose of his company waxed angry and thought if they remain and abide still here they will do great mischief and murder but he went privily unto the door and shut it fast and got a great staff and laid one on the thieves on the heed/ that he fell down deed to the earth. And so he served one after an other. till he had killed them everichone. then said he thus to them/ sirs I have rewarded you after your desert & by cause ye have done me good service I have given you good wages. for who so ever serveth a good master he is like to have good wages when Roberte had thus done he would have brent the house. but he considered the great good that was there in wherefore he let it stand and shut fast the doors about and locked them and brought a way the key with him to his father. ¶ How Robert the devil sent the key of his chief house or thievish lodging to his father the Duke. of normandy and how he went to Rome. then when Robert had done all that said is he took up his hand & blessed him & road thorough the forest the next way to Rome. Roberte road that day so long till that the night came on and was passing sore enhongred for he had eaten no meet of all that day/ and fortuned to come riding by an abbey which he had many times rob. and the abbot was his kynnessman & Roberte road in to this abbey and said never a word but when the monks see Robert come they were sore a feared and ran away. saying one the an other here cometh the ungracious Roberte. the devil hath brought him hither. when Robert heard this and see them all run away from him than his sorrow began to renew and said in himself in sore sighing & sorrowful heart. I may well hate my cursed life for every man fleeth from me & I have spent my time ungraciously & in evil and cursed works and there with all he road straight to the church door & alight down from his horse devoutly saying his prayers to god in this wise. O lord jesus christ I most sinful wretch and vessel of all stinking sins/ I pray the that thou wilt have mercy on me and preserve and keep me from all daungeres and peril/ And then he went & spoke to the abbot and monks so sweetly and so pytevously & amiably that they begun to come toward him to whom robert said piteously weeping kneeling on his knees. my lord I knowledge myself that I have grievously offended you. and have done great harm & injury unto your abbey. Wherefore I require & pray you all in the honour of Christ's passion of forgiveness. and than he spoke to the abbot in this wise my lord abbot I pray you heartily have me recommended to my lord my father the duke of Normandye/ & deliver him this key of the chief house where I have dwelled with my company the which I have all slain. to th'intent that they should do no more harm. & in that house lieth all the goods & treasure that I have stolen from you & other men wherefore I am right sorry. and beseech you of forgiveness/ and I pray you that this good may be rendered again unto such people as they have been longing to before. robert abode the night in the abbey but in the morning early he went thence. and left behind him his horse and his sword where with all he had done great mischief. and so he went alone toward Rome. And on the same day road the abbot to the duke of normandy & gave him the key that Robert had delivered him/ & told the duke how he was gone to Rome. than the duke gave all the poor people their goods again that they had lost before as far as it could be found in the chief house. we will seize of the duke & the abbot & speak of robert which gooth to rome ward alone with great devotion. ¶ How Roberte came to rome for remission of his sins RObert went so long over hills & dales alone till at last with great pain & poverty he came to rome in to the city upon a shear thursday at night & on the friday after the pope himself said the divine service as the custom was in saint Peter's church/ & Robert pressed fast to have comen to the pope/ but the pope's servants see that robert pressed so sore to come to the pope they smote him & had him go back but the more they smote him the more he pressed & throng to get nigh the pope & so at last he gate to him & fell down on his knees at the feet of the pope crying with a loud voice saying thus o holy father have mercy on me & thus lay robert crying long while the people that were by the pope were angry that Roberte made such a noise & would have driven him thence but the pope saying roberts great desire had pite upon him & said to his people late him alone for in all that I can see he hath great devotion wherefore the pope commanded them all to hold there peses that he might the betr here & understand robert than said Robert to the pope in this manner/ o holy father I am the moste and the greatest sinner of all this world/ the pope took Robert up by the hand and said to him good friend what is your desire & what eleth you to make all this noise than said Roberte o holy father I beseech you to here my confession/ for and I be not by you assoiled I am dampened world withouten end for it is marvel that the devil beareth me not away body & soul saying the foul innumerable & stinking sin that I am laden & bound withal more than any man living/ and in so much that ye are he that giveth remedy help & comfort to them that have need/ therefore I humbly beseech you for the passion of our lord Ihesu cryst to here & purge me of my most mortal & abominable sins whereby I am derevered & departed fro all the joys of heaven & am worse than a jew/ the pope hearing this deemed & thought in himself whether this were roberte the devil/ & axed him/ soon be ye roberte the which I have herd so moche speaking of/ the which is worst of all men/ than roberte answered & said ye/ than the pope said I will assoil you but I conjure you in the name of god that ye do no man harm. The pope & all that were about him were afeard to look upon roberte/ roberte fell on his knees with great devotion & repentance of his sins saying holy father nay as long as I live I promise god & his blessed mother/ will I never hurt christian creature/ than in continent the pope took roberte apart & heard his confession to whom roberte shrove him devoutly she wing how his mother had given him to the devil in his conception whereof the pope was sore afeard. ¶ How the Pope sent Roberte three mile without Rome to an holy hermit. woodcut hermit and man THe Pope this hearing was greatly abashed & blessed him & said to roberte/ my dear son ye. must go three mile without the town & there ye shall find an hermit which is my ghostly father & to him ye shall confess you & say that I send you to him & he shall asoyle you/ roberte answered the pope I will go with a good will/ & took his leave of the pope saying god give me grace to do that may be to the health of my soul/ so that night roberte abode in rome for it was late/ & in the morning early robert went out of rome toward the place where he should find the hermit & so he went so long over hills & dales with great desire to be shriven of his sins that at last he come where the hermit dwelled whereof he was glad/ & came to the hermit & told him how the pope had sent him thither to be confessed of him than the hermit said he was heartily welcome. & with in a while robert began to confess & show his sins & first he showed the hermit how his mother had given him to the devil in his conception & how he smote the children in his youth or he could go alone and how he killed his school master & how many knights he killed at the justing when his father made him knight & he road thorough his faders land robbing & stealing forcing of women ravishing of maidens & how he chraste out the eyen of his faders men in despite of him. & how he had killed vii hermits & shortly showed him all the offences that ever he died sethen the hour of his birth till that tyme. Whereof the hermit had marvel. but he was glad that Robert was repentant for his sins. when robert had thus confessed him the hermit said to him/ soon this night ye shall a bide here & to morrow I shall give you good council of that ye have to do robert that was so cursed & furious mischievous fearful cruel & proud as a lion. is now as gentle & courteous & sweet of words & wise in his deeds as ever was any duke or prince living them Robert was so weary & overcomen with going that he could neither eat nor drink. but went apart & said his prayers to almighty god praying him thorough his endless mercy/ that he would keep him from the fiends temptation & deceit. the hermit made roberte to lie that night in a little chapel that stood nigh his cell & the hermit prayed all that night to our lord for Robert which saw that he had great repentance for his sins and thus praying the hermit fell a sleep. ¶ How god sent an angel to the hermit to show him the penance that he should give to Roberte for his sins. THe hermit being thus a sleep there came to him an angel saying to him in this wise. holy father here & take heed of the message that god commandeth. if that Robert will be shriven of his sins/ he must keep and counterfeit the ways of a fool and be as he were dumb. & he may eat no manner of meet/ but that he can take it from the dogs & in this wise without speaking & counterfeiting the fool & no thing eating but what he can take from the dogs must he be till time that it shall please god to show him that his sin be foryeven & with this vision the hermit a work out of his sleep & began to remember himself of this that said is/ & thanked our lord of his gracious message done to him & when the day begun to apere that hermit called robert unto him. with fair & comfortable words saying to him my friend come hither to me. & incontinent robert came to him with great devotion him confessing. and when robert had shriven him the hermit said thus unto him soon I have thought & advised me of the penance that ye shall have to get remission of your sins/ In which ye have grievously offended against god that is to weet ye must counterfeit & play the fool/ & ye may eat no meet but that ye can take it from the dogs when men give them aught/ also ye must keep you as dumb without speech & lie among dogs for thus hath god this night commanded me by his angel to give you this for your penance and ye may offend no man the while your penance be a doing/ and this penance ye must do for your sins in manner and form as I have told you till such time as it shall please our lord to send you word that your sins be forgiven/ roberte being merry and glad thanking our lord Ihesu christ that he was assoiled of his sins & had therefore so light penance as him thought that it was. Now taketh Roberte leave of the hermit/ and gooth to do his great and sharp penance which he held but light remembering his great abominable stinking sins that he hath done all the days of his life this was a fair miracle/ for he that was so vicious and so furious a rebel & proud a sinner/ is now so full of virtues and fair conditions and as tame as a lamb. ¶ How Roberte the devil took his leave of the hermit & went again to Rome to do his penance that ●he hermit had given him. ROberte hath taken leave of the hermit & is gone toward Rome there for to do his penance. And when he came in to the city he began to leap & run about the streets making hynselfes as though he had been a fool/ & the children in the streets see Roberte run in this wise and they after him shouting and crying & casting with mire and derte and all such filth as they found in the streets and the burgesses of the city lay in their windows and laughed and mocked with roberte Than when roberte had thus played the fool in rome a certain season he came on a time to the emperors court & see that the gate died stand open & he ran straight in to the hall/ & there he jetted up and down from the one end to the other sometime he went fast and sometime softly and than he hopped and ran and other while he stood even still/ but he stood not long in one place. The Emperor saying Roberte thus playing the fool. He said to one of his servants/ se yonder is a fair and a well favoured young man/ me thinketh he is out of his mind the which is great damage/ for he is fair & a well made man/ go & give him mete. ¶ This emperors servant died as he was commanded & called roberte to him & would have given him some meet/ but roberte would neither eat nor drink/ & while roberte sit thus at the table th'emperor saw one of his hounds which was bitten with an other dog/ wherefore the Emperor cast him a bone and the dog caught the bone and began to gnaw there on & roberte saying that leapt from the table & took it from him/ but the dog fought with roberte for the bone & held fast the one end & roberte the other end/ but roberte se it would be no better/ but set him down on the ground & gnewe on the one end of the bone & the dog on the other th'emperor and they that looked here on/ laughed at robert and the dog. but Robert died so moche that he got the bone alone & lay and gnewe it for he was sore enhongred. th'emperor saying that Robert was so sore enhongred he cast to an other dog an hole loaf. but robert took it from him & broke it in two pieces & gave the dog half for by cause he got it for the dogs sake. th'emperor saying this lough there at & said to his servants. We have here now the most foolish fool and the verayst needy that ever I saw for he taketh the dogs meet from them & eateth it himself thereby a man may perfitly know that he is a natural fool all that were in the hall gave the dogs as much meet as they might eat to th'intent that robert might fill his belie with them & when he had filled his belly while he rose up and walked up and down in the hall with a staff in his hand/ smiting upon stoles and benches like as & if he had been a very innocent fool. And thus walking he looked on every side & saw adore where men went in to a fair garden in the which garden there stood a fair fountain or well and thither went Robert to drink for he was evil churste and when night came on/ robert followed the foresaid dog where so ever he went the which was accustomed to lie every night under a steyre & there he went and laid him down & robert followed him under the steyre and laid him down by the dog. th'emperor saying this had compassion on Robert and commanded that men should bear him a bed/ that he might lie there upon to sleep anon two servants brought robert a bed to sleep there on but he pointed to bear it away again for he had liefer to lie upon the hard and cold earth than upon a soft bed where of th'emperor had great marvel/ and commanded that men should bear him clean straw which they died than robert which was faint and weary of going laid him down to sleep on the straw. now have this in your minds ye proud hearts & sinners think on robertes great penance & wilful poverty and how he so great a gentleman borne forsook his father and his mother and all his friends and his country and land/ & all his dylycate meats & drinks & gay raiments & worldly pleasure with all that of such estate appertaineth how willingly he hath all forsaken for the salvation of his soul & is gone out of a duke's bed to dogs canell. and with dogs he eat & drunk & slept & rose when they rose. & in this penance lived roberte vii years or there about. & the dog that he commonly slept with all perceived that he four the better & had more meet for robertes sake than he was wont to have before & that no man died beat him for his sake wherefore he began to love robert passing well in so much men might as soon have killed him as driven him from robert ¶ How robert made a jew to kiss his dogs arse at the emperors table. IT befell upon a time that th'emperor held a great feast in his palace in the city of rome to which feast were assembled all the chief of the land among whom there was a jew which was receiver of the most part of all th'emperors lands. and when every man was set at the table robert walked up & down in the hall having his dog in his arms playing the fool as he was wont to do. & thus came to the table behind that foresaid jew which was set at th'emperors table and Robert come behind his back and knocked him on the shoulder the jew felt him and turned his face shortly behind him and robert had up his dogs arse ready and set it upon the jews face. Themperor & his lords this scynge/ laughed & had good game there at. but the jew was wroth & foul ashamed but he durst say no thing at that time. Than robert set down his dog & incontinent the dog leapt upon the table & died so moche with his mouth & feet that he cast down all the meet under the table. And in this manner Robert spent his time ever without speaking. like as the eremite had commanded him. & ever he died some mad or merry conceit to cause the Emperor to laugh or to be merry. ¶ How Roberte threw down a bride on a foul dung hill and how he put a living cat in to an hot seething pot with podred bese. IT befell on a time that there was a bride should go to church to be wedded. Which was gaily appareled as to a bride appertained Roberte saying this bride thus gaily arrayed. took her by the hand & led her through a passing foul dung hill and there made her fall & fouled her gay array & than he ran lightly a way shouting & laughing and ran unto the bride's kitchen where her dinner was apareyled and caught a living cat and cast her in to the pot of powdered beef/ The which incontinent was told to th'emperor where at he and all his lords laughed and had great game there at. & they loved Roberte passing well for he made moche mirth without harm. ¶ How the senesshal had gathered a great army of men of war of Saracens & laid siege to Rome be cause the Emperor would not give him his daughter in marriage. woodcut battle IN the mean season while Roberte was thus in Rome doing his penance as is foresaid which dured seven years or there about in the emperors court. the which emperor had a fair daughter. but she was borne dumb & never spoke/ & themperors seneschal diverse times had desired this daughter in marriage of the Emperor but he would never grant him her/ wherefore the seneschal was greatly moved and angry therewith th'emperor. for he thought he might have won of him his empire by force and might in so much the seneschal came upon a time with a great host of sarasyns & laid siege to the city of Rome where of th'emperor had great marvel. & wondered than th'emperor gathered & assembled all the lords barons asking of them counsel saying thus my lords give me good counsel that we may withstand this heathen dogs which have laid siege here to our city wherefore I take great thought for they keep all my land under their subjection & they will bring us to confusion if that god not of his endless mercy help us not. wherefore I pray you eurychone to go fight with them with all our power & might & drive them away than answered the lords & knights all with one assent saying sovereign lord your council is good & wise. Wherefore we be all ready to go with you. & give them battle & defend our right both land & city th'emperor thanked them of this answer & was glad thereof & made proclamation thorough out all his lands & cities that every man old & young that were able to bear arms should make them ready to go fight against their most cruel enemies the sarasyns which were comen in to the land. & incontinent when this proclamation was done among the commons every man was willing & ready to go with th'emperor to fight & defend their right and so they went forth in a fair ordinance with th'emperor to fight upon their mortal enemies the heathen dogs/ And for all the th'emperor had much more people than the senshal yet the seneshal had won the field/ had not god of his great mercy sent thither Robert to resist and help the romans in their extreme necessity. ¶ How our saviour Jesus having compassion on the christian blood sent Robert by his angel a white horse & harness commanding him to go resewe and help the romans against the heathen dogs the sarasyns. THe Emperor & the romans went to the battle as said is against the sarasyns. & roberte was at home. Where he was accustomed to walk in the garden to a fountain or well to drink. & this was on the same day that the emperor with his host should give battle against the sarasyns. than there came a voice out of heaven sent from our lord above saying in this manner. Roberte god commandeth you by me that ye incontinent arm you with this harness and light upon this horse that god hath sent you. & ride in all haste possible and rescue the emperor & his people. Robert hearing the commandment of god was abashed in his mind. and durst not do against gods command but in continent he armed him & leapt on that horse without any tarrying and road his way/ the emperors daughter which I told you of before stood at a window & saw Roberte thus armed on horse back than if she could have spoken she would have told it but she could not speak for she was dumb but she remembered and bore it surely in her mind roberte thus horsed & harnayst road in to th'emperors host which he saw was sore overpressed with their enemies the Turks in so moche that had not god & roberte rescued them the christian men had been all slain/ but when roberte was come in to th'host he put him in the most press of the turks & fought & laid on each side on these cursed hounds/ there a man might have seen/ arms/ legs/ heeds tumble on the ground/ he smote to the ground both horse & man that never rose after/ it was a world to see the murder that roberte died among the dampened dogs the sarazens/ so to make short tale roberte died so moche that the sarasyns were cunstrayned to fly away & th'emperor held the field & had the victory of them. ¶ How Roberte turned again to the foresaid fountain & there unarmed him/ when he had thus subdued & vanquished the sarasyns & put them to flight. NOw hath the Empererour gotten the field & the honour thanked be god & roberte is turned again to the said fountain & there unarmed him & laid the harness on the horse which incontinent was vanished away that no man could know nor perceive where he become and Roberte bode still standing by the fountain/ th'emperors daughter saying this had great marvel of this & would have told it forth but she was dumb & could not speak/ roberte had a race in his face which he got in the battle/ but he was none otherwise hurt/ the Emperor was glad & thanked god of his victory against the false dogs the sarasyns & thus being merry he came home to his palace & when they were all set to dinner roberte presented himself before th'emperor as he was wont to do playing the fool & making him dumb as afore rehearsed is th'emperor rejoiced in himself when he see roberte for he loved him passing well & than he perceived roberts hurt in his face & thought that some of his servants had hurt him while he was out/ wherefore he was angry & said/ here in this court be some envious men/ for while we have been out at battle they have beaten & hurt this poor Innocent creature in his face which is great sin for though he be a fool he doth no man harm so th'emperor commanded them all upon a great pain that no man should do him harm/ if they died they should be punished that all other should beware by them/ than th'emperor began to axe his knights if there were any of them that could tell of the knight with the white horse that came privily in to the field & so valiantly rescued them th'emperors daughter this hearing pointed th'emperor her father that it was roberte/ but th'emperor understood not what his daughter meant what she pointed/ for she could not speak/ wherefore he called her master to him & axed her what his daughter meant by her pointing/ & her mistress answered and said your daughter means by her pointing that this day ye have gotten the battle and victory thorough the help of your fool robert & the race that is in his face he hath gotten it in the battle. the Emperor understanding the mind and intent of his daughter he was angry and said to her masters. ye should teach & learn my daughter wisdom & no folly ne pevyshnesse where with all I am miscontent the daughter saying that her father was angry pointed no more not withstanding she wist well that it was true that she pointed and mente/ for in as much as she had seen the angel bring him the horse & harness This remained in this wise a certain season and after that the sarasyns were put to flight by the romans as said is yet came the senesshal again with moche more company & laid siege to Rome & the Romans should have lost the field again had not the knight on the white horse been to whom god sent horse and harness as he had done before to make short tale this knight died so moche that the sarasyns were put to flight & the romans won the field & victory as they died before. there were some of the emperors meinie laid wait where this knight became. But as soon as the battle was done he was gone no man could tell were he was become save only the emperors daughter which see him at the fountain again unarming him ¶ How Robert got the third battle as he died before which she kept secret. IN a short time after this the senesshal turned again with a moche greater power than he had before & laid siege to rome and yet that th'emperor road to the battle he commanded his knights & barons to take good heed fro whence that knight came with the white horse and what he was and where he became for he had great desire to know what he was/ The knights answered it should be done the day came that they must ride forth to the battle and serteyne of that best knights road privily into a wood that stood a little there beside & there they waited which way the knight on the white horse should come to the battle but they lost their labour for they could not tell whence he come/ But when they saw him in the battle they road toward him to help him and receive him this same battle was sore fought on both parties/ but the sarasyns lost there courage for robert laid on so great and mighty strokes that no man might stand under his hand so that in conclusion Robert died so moche and so valiantly that the sarasyns were put to the discomfiture where of the Emperor was greatly enjoyed and the seneshal with the sarasyns were passing angry and sore moved therewith all. ¶ How one of the emperors knights hurt Robert in the thigh with a spear. THan when this battle was done every man road home and Roberte would have turned again to the fountain to unarm him as he was wont to do before/ but the foresaid knights were turned again in to the wood/ to a wait for the knight with the white horse and when they saw him come they road all at ones out of the wood & cried with a loud voice saying unto him. O noble knight tarry & speak with us/ and tell us who that ye be & whence & out of what land ye come/ to the intent that we may show it to the Emperor which specially he desireth for to know. Roberte this hearing was sore a shamed & smote his white horse with his spurs flinging over hills and over valleys for because he would not be known but there followed him a bold knight/ well horsed with a spear weening to have killed his white horse but be missed and smote roberte in the thigh with his spear/ and the spear heed broke of & stack still in his thigh but yet for all this he could get no knowledge of the knight with the white horse for he road from them all euerychonc/ whereof they were passing sorry. Roberte road so sore till at the last he came to the fountain & unarmed him & laid the harness on the horse as he had done before which in continent was vanished away & gone & he drew out the spear heed out of his thigh & hid it between two great stones by the fountain than he laid grease & moss upon his wound for he durst let no man look thereto/ for fere he should have been known. And all this saw & marked the emperors daughter/ for bycause she see that Roberte was a fair & well favoured young knight she began to cast her love unto him. And when Roberte had dressed his wound he came in to the hall/ to get him some meet & he halted as little as he could & kept it secretly that almost no man could perceive it & suffered more pain a thousand times than it seemed by him Shortly after this came home the knight that had hurt Roberte. And began to recount to th'emperor how the knight with the white horse had out riden him & how he had hurt him sore against his will. And said to the Emperor. I beseech you my lord Emperor here what I shall tell you how/ and in what manner ye shall know who he is that hath helped you it is best ye make a proclamation & publish through out your Empire/ & if there be any knight in white harness and a white horse that he be brought to your presence and that he bring with him the spear heed where with all he was hurt in his thigh showing the wound/ & that ye give him your daughter to wife and half your Empire with her/ th'emperor this hearing was of his counsel very glad and in continent in all haste proclaimed and puplyshed through out all his Empire and thought that the knight had given him good counsel. ¶ How the Seneschal thrust a spear heed in to his thigh weening to have beguiled th'emperor and to have won his daughter thereby. IT befell in short time after that the Seneshal had knowledge and understanding of the Emperors proclamation and how he might win th'emperors daughter which he had many times been about he died great diligence and caused to be sought & gotten a white horse and white harness & thirst a spear heed in his thigh weening thereby to deceive th'emperor and to get his daughter to wife/ and when this was done he commanded all his men to arm them and road with him to the Emperor and he road so sore till he came to Rome with great royalty and solace & without any tarrying he road straight to the Emperor saying to him in this wise/ my lord I am he that you so valiantly many times received three times I have caused you to have honour & victory against the cursed sarazens/ th'emperor thinking upon no treason nor dysseyte said ye be a valiant & a wise knight but I had went the contrary for we have taken you for a villain and a forsworn knight/ the Seneschal was very angry & sore moved here withal and answered th'emperor shortly and angrily/ my lord Emperor marvel you nothing here of for I am not such a coward as ye ween that I be & thus saying he took out the spear heed and showed it the Emperor and uncovered the wound the which he had made himself in his thigh the knight stood by which that hurt Roberte before and began to compass in his mind for he see well that it was not the heed of the spear but he durst say nothing for fere least the Seneschal would have killed him we will leave now of the Seneschal & speak of Roberte which is among doggers sore wounded as ye have herd. ¶ How god sent his angel to the hermit that he should go to rome and seek Roberte for he had full done his penance. THe hermit which ye have herd of before that shrove and set Roberte his penance lay on a night in his sell and slept and thus sleeping there came to him a voice/ and bad him lightly a rise and go to Rome to the place where Roberte was doing his penance/ and the angel told the hermit all the doings of Roberte showing how that his penance was fuldone and that god had forgiven him his sins whereof the hermit was very glad and in the morning eerly he rose and went to Romewarde/ and in like wise in the same morning the Seneshal rose be time and went to Rome to the Emperor to desire and have his daughter according to the publication and cry/ the which the Emperor consented her to him without any long advisement/ But when the daughter understood that she was given to the Seneschal she raylled and raged as though she had been wood and mad she tore her here from her heed and all to tore her clothes but it might nothing avail her for she was constrained and must be arrayed like a bride and an Emperors daughter which should be married and the Emperor lad her by the hand himself to the church royally accompanied with lords and ladies and gentlewomen but the daughter made the greatest sorrow of the world in so much that no man could content her mind. ¶ How the emperors daughter through the grace of god began for to speak the first that ever she spoke in her life. THan as the Emperor with all his estate was come in to the church the Emperures' daughter which was dumb should mary the Seneschal there died our lord a fair miracle for the love of the holy man Roberte to the intent he should be exalted/ whom every body held for a fool and with him mocked when the priest should begin the service & to mary the Seneschal and this young maid together/ the daughter thorough the grace of god began to speak to the Emperor her father in this wise/ father I hold you not wise but far over seen in that ye believe/ that this proud foolish traitor telleth you/ for all that he telleth you it lies/ but here in this town is a holy and devout person/ for whose sake god hath given me my speech wherefore I love him in my heart for I have all way seen and marked his valiance and holiness but no man would believe me what pointing or signs that I made/ than the Emperor this hearing was almost out of his mind for joy when he heard his daughter speak which never spoke before/ whereby he knew well enough the Seneshal this hearing was wood angry and foul ashamed and light upon his horse and road away and all his company the pope there being present axed the maid who the man was that she spoke of/ than the maid lad the pope and the Emperor her father to the fountain where Roberte was wont to arm and unarm him and there she took out the spear heed from between the two stones where Roberte had hid it/ and than she caused the spear to be brought forth where of this heed was broken/ which was lightly brought to her and that heed & the spear joined together in one as cloes as they had not be broken/ than said the maid to the pope we have had three times victory by his noble valiance against the miscreant sarazens/ for I have three times seen his horse and harness wherewith he hath three times armed and unarmed him/ but I can not tell who brought him that horse and harness nor unto whom he delivered it/ but I know well that whanke had done he laid himself down by the dogs/ and the maiden said unto the Emperor her father in this wise/ this is he that hath saved your lands and your honour and gate you victory of the heathen hounds the Sarasyns wherefore ye ought of duty to reward him/ and if it please you we will go all to him and speak with him/ than went they for the pope the Emperor and the daughter with all the Lords and Ladies unto Roberte whom they found dying among dogs they followed him and died him reverence but Roberte answered them not. ¶ How the hermit found Roberte and commanded him to speak saying to him that his penance was full done and his sins forgiven. woodcut hermit and man THe Emperor spoke to Roberte & said I pray you sweet friend come to me & show me your thigh for I will needs see/ when Roberte heard th'emperor say these words he wist well enough wherefore he was comen to him/ but he let him as though he had not understonden him & Roberte died many mad conceits to make the pope & th'emperor to laugh & forgot that they spoke of/ but the pope spoke to Roberte & conjured him in the name of god that on the cross died for our redemption that if it be gods will that thou hast spoken that thou speak now unto us/ and than Roberte rose up take a toy and gave the pope his blessing and here withal Roberte looked behind him & saw the hermit that set him his penance & as soon as the hermit se Roberte which he had long sought he cried to him with a loud voice that every man might here him that were there my friend hearken unto me I know well that ye be Roberte that men call the devil but now ye be in grace and conceit with almighty god and for that foul and hideous name ye shall have a fair name & be called the servant of god ye be he that hath saved this land from the sarazens/ wherefore I pray you that ye serve and worship god as ye have done hither to/ for our lord sendeth me now to you commanding you to speak and no more to conterfeyte the fool/ for it is god's will & commandment/ for he hath forgiven you all your sins for because ye have made satisfaction & full done your penance/ when Roberte heard this he fell lightly on his knees & lift up his hands toward heaven saying thus. I give land & thanks to god creature of heaven & earth that it hath pleased the to forgive me mine abominable & great sins through so little & light penance that I have done therefore/ when the pope the Emperor & the daughter & all that were there present herd Roberte speak thus sweetly they were all here of greatly enjoyed & had great marvel here of/ th'emperor saying his noble valiance virtue & courtesy that in him was & would have given him his daughter to wife/ but the hermit would not it should be so/ wherefore every man departed and went home. ¶ How Roberte turned again to Rome for to mary the emperors daughter by the commandment and will of god. NOw the story telleth as after that Roberte had remission of his sins & was gone toward his country/ than out of Rome god commanded him three times by an angel that he should turn again to Rome and to mary the emperors daughter which loved him passingly well and he should have by her a son whereby the christian believe should be increased and fortefyed and defended Roberte at the commandment of god turned again to Rome and married th'emperors daughter with great triumph & solace/ for th'emperor & all the romans were thereof very glad/ this bridal was royally kept and every man that see Roberte loved and liked him above all other/ and the people said one to an other that they were greatly beholding to Roberte that he had redeemed them from their mortal enemies the sarasyns this feast was great and notable and deured xiiii days and when the feast and bridal was done Roberte would depart with his lady in to Normandye to visit his father and mother/ and took his leave of th'emperor which gave him many royal and great gifts as gold & silver & precious stones of divers colours/ also th'emperor gave him knights and squires to ride & conduit him in to his country. ¶ How Roberte & his lady came to rowane in Normandye with great honour and worship. ROberte & his lady road so far till they came in to Normandye in to the noble city of rowane with great mirth & solace/ where they were received with great triumph for the comyntees of the country were sorry and in great heaviness that their duke. Robertes father was dyscesed for bycause that he was a wise and a renowned prince. A little beside Rowane dwelled a cursed knight which had done the duchess great wrong and suppressed many knights after her husbands disease. But when Roberte was comen every man dread him & died him great reverence and worship/ than some said we wend he had been deed and all the lords and burgess of Rowane gathered them together and with great honour and reverence they received Roberte and held him as their lord and sovereign. And when they had received him honourably they showed him of this before said knight/ he had many times suppress & done wrong to his mother sithen the death of his father/ than when roberte herd & understood this he sent lightly men of arms to take the said knight/ the which diden so moche that they took him/ and brought him to Roberte which made him to be hanged wherefore the duchess was right glad/ but she was moche more gladder that Roberte her son was come home for she wend he had been deed/ & when roberte and his mother were thus together/ he recounted unto her how the Emperor had given him his daughter in marriage/ and how he had done his penance/ the duchess hearing her sons words she began to weep very sore/ for because he had suffered so great poverty and penance/ thorough his default. ¶ How the Emperor sent a messenger unto the duke Roberte that he should come and rescue him against the Seneschal. IN the mean season whiles Robert was thus at Rowane with his mother and his lady in great joy and solace/ there came a messenger fro the Emperor unto Roberte/ which died him reverence and saying thus unto him/ my lord duke the Emperor hath sent me hither to you and he prayeth you for to come and rescue him against the false traitor the Seneschal with the sarasyns which have laid siege to Rome/ when Roberte heard these words he was sorry in his mind for th'emperor/ and shortly assembled as many men of arms as he could get in his land of Normandy/ & forth withal road with them toward Rome to help and succour the Emperor/ but before he could come thither the false traitor the Seneshal had slain the Emperor/ which was great pity/ but Roberte went straight in to Rome/ & lightly with all his power and might went against the Seneschal. And when Roberte espied the false traitor he descried him saying thus/ abide thou false traitor/ now thou shalt never escape my hands if thou abide me in the field/ for thou art now nigh thy lives end/ thou didst put once a spear heed in thy thigh for to have deceived the romans/ defend now thy life against me for thou shalt never escape mine hands/ and thou hast also slain my lord the Emperor/ wherefore thou shalt be well rewarded after that thou haste deserved. And with these words Roberte with a great desire/ and mighty courage road in continent unto the Seneschal and gave him such a stroke on the helmet that he clove helmet and heed unto the teeth/ and in continent the traitor fell down deed unto the earth/ and Roberte made him to be brought in to Rome to the intent that he should there be slain to revenge the romans/ the which was done in the presence of all the people that were in Rome/ and in this wise finished that traitor the Seneschal his life and had a shameful death/ whereby men may make and take heed that it is great folly to covet or desire things passing their degree/ for & the Seneschal had not desired the emperors daughter the which passed and exceeded far above his degree/ he had not died this shameful death/ but might have lived and the Emperor also/ & have died good friends. ¶ How that the duke Roberte turned again to Rowane after he had made the Seneshal to be slain. ROberte the duke defended the city of Rome from their enemies. And than he turned again with all his company unto Rowane to his wife which was passing sorrowful and pensive But when she heard that the traitor the Seneschal had slain her father/ she was almost out of her mind. But Robertes mother comforted her in the best manner that she could or might. And for to make shortly an end of our master & so to finish this book we will let pass to write of the great dole and sorrow of the young duchess/ and speak of the duke Roberte which in his youth was abte to all mischief and vice and all ungraciousness without any measure or reason for he was a more devourer and a more vengeable than any lion nothing sparing/ nor on no man having mercy nor pity. And after this he lived vii year in great penance like a wild man without any speech and like a dumb be'st eating and drinking with dogs and there after was he exalted and honoured of them which before died hold him for a fool or an innocent and mocked with him. This Roberte lived long in virtue and honour with that noble lady his wife/ and he was beloved and dread of high and low degree/ for he died right and justice/ as well over the rich as over the poor keeping his land in rest and in peace/ and he begot a child with her/ the which he called richard/ which died afterward many noble acts and deeds of arms with great Charlemagne king of france/ for he died help him for to get and fortify the christian faith and he made always great war upon the Sarasyns. And he lived in his land in rest & peace/ and was beloved of poor and rich/ and all his coment loved him/ in like wise as Roberte his father was beloved/ for they lived both devoutly and in virtue/ wherefore I pray god that we may so live in this life/ that after this life we may obtain and come to everlasting life. To the which bring us he/ that bought us and all mankind/ with his precious blood & bitter passion. Amen. Thus endeth the life of Robert the devil. That was the servant of our lord And of his conditions that was full evil. imprinted in London by Wynkyn the word. ¶ Here endeth the life of the most ferefullest/ and unmercyfullest/ and mischievous Roberte the devil which was afterward called the servant of our lord Ihesu christ. imprinted in fleetstreet in the sign of the son by Wynkyn de word. Wynkyn de Worde's device Wynkyn. de. word.