Saint Paul doctor of verity saith to us that all things that been reduced by writing/ been written to our doctrine/ And Boece maketh mention that the health of every person proceedeth dyvercely/ Thenne such it is so that the christian f●yth is ●ffermed and corrobered by the doctors of holy church/ Nevertheless the things passed diversly reduced to remembrance/ engender in us correction of unlawful life For the works of the ancient and old people been for to give to us ensaū●le to live in good & virtuous operations dign & worthy of health ● following the good/ and eschewing the evil And also in recounting of hy● histories/ the common understanding is better content to the imagination local than to simple authority/ to which it is submised/ I say this gladly/ For oft-times I have been excited of the venerable man messire henry bolomyer chanonne of lausamne for to reduce for his pleasure some histories as well in latin & in romaunce as in other fashion written/ that is to say of the right puissant/ virtuous/ and noble charles the great/ king of france and emperor of Rome/ son of the great pepin/ And of his princes & barons/ As Rolland Oliver/ and other/ touching some works haultay● done & commised by their great strength & right ardent courage/ to the exaltation of the christian faith and to the confusion of the hethen saracens and myscreaunts which is a work well contemplative for to live we●/ And by cause the said henry Bolomyer hath seen of this matter/ and the histories dysi●yned without order/ therefore at his request after the capacity of my little intendment/ And after th'histories and matter that I have founden I have ordained this book following/ And it might so have been that if I had been more largely informed and all plain I had letter made it/ For I have not said any mater●/ but I have thereof been informed/ first by an authentic book named mirror hystoryal/ as by the anonnes and some other ●●okes which make mention of the work following/ And b● caus● I may have a little part● of honourable fundament I sha● touch of the first christian king 〈◊〉 france For the most part of th●s book is made to th'honour of th● French men/ and for profit of ●uery man/ and after the desire of the red●r and hearer/ there shall be founden in the table all plain the matter of which the person shall have desire to here or read/ without great a●●dyacyon/ by the pleasure of god to whom I submit all mine intent to wri●e no thing that ought to be blamed/ ne but that it be to the health & salvation of every person/  
then for as moc●e I late had finished in enprynte the book of the noble & victorious king Arthur first of the three most noble & worthy of christian kings/ and also tofore had reduced in to english the noble history & life of Godesroy of boloyn king of Iherusalem/ last of the said iij worthy Some persons of noble estate and degree have desired me to reduce th'history and life of the noble and christian prince Charles the great king of frawce & emperor of Rome/ the second of the three worthy/ to th'end that th'histories/ acts/ & lives may be had in our maternal tongue like as they be in latin or in french/ For the most quantity of the people understand not latin ne french here in this noble royalme of england/ And for to satisfy the desire & request of my good singular lords & special masters and friends I have enprysed and concluded in myself to reduce this said book in to our english/ as all along and plainly ye may read/ here/ and see in this book here following/ beseeching all them that shall find fault in the same to correct and amend it/ And also to pardon me of the rude & simple reducing/ and though so be there be no gay terms/ n● subtle ne new eloquence/ yet I hope that it shall be understonden & to that intent I have specially reduced it/ after the simple cunning that god hath lent to me/ whereof I humbly & with all my heart thank him/ & also am bounden to pray for my father and moders souls/ that in my youth set me to school/ by which by the sufferance of god I get my living I hope truly And that I may so do & continue I beseech him to grant me of his grace/ and so to labour and occupy myself virtuously that I may come out of debt & deadly sin/ that after this life I may come to his bliss in heaven AMEN/   

¶ Here begin the chapters & titles of this book following numbered for to find the more lightly the matter therein comprised  


¶ Here beginneth the first book which containeth three parties by the chapters following declared  
¶ The first party of the first book containeth v chapters/ & speaketh of the beginning of france/ and of king Cloys/ Of the kings of france paynims unto king cloys the first christian king capitulo primo  
How king cloys being a paynim had to wife clotildis daughter of the king of bourgoyne/ & marvelously capitulo ij  
How the king was admonested of the queen clotildiss affectuously that he should believe in the custen faith & other matters ca iij  
How king Clois was victorious on his enemies by cause he believed in Ihesu christ ca iiij  
How the king was baptized by saint remyge/ & in his baptism was brought by miracle the holy ampulle by an angel fro heaven with which all kings of france been anointed at Raynes capitulo v   

¶ The second party of the book containeth v chapters & speaketh first of king pepyn & of charlemain his sone  
How pepin by his prudence was chosen king of france when the line of Cloys failed in succession capitulo primo  
Of king Charles which made many constytutions with the pope Adryan/ and how he was made emperor of Rome ca ij  
Of the corpulence of king charles and of the manner of his living capitulo iij  
To whom the king Charles & his children sons & daughters were dedyed capitulo iiij  
Of the study of king Charles & his living and chartable works and other matters ca v   

¶ The third party of the first book containeth iij chapters/ & telleth how by divine revelation Charles delivered the holy land from the hands of the heathen and miscreants/ and containeth three chapters  
How the patriarch of Iherusalem sent to charles that he should give to him succour/ after that he was cast out by the turks capitulo primo  
How Charles with a great company went for to conguere the holy land & other matters ca ij  
Of the relics which th'emperor Charles brought fro Constantinople & fro the holy land & of miracles there done iij    

¶ Here beginneth the ij book which containeth three parties by chapters Esyewing declared  

¶ The first party of the second book containeth xuj chapters/ and speaketh of the battle between Oliver and Fyerabras a marvelous giant  
¶ How in a place named Mormyonde/ Charles ensyewed his war against the paynims after a little of the prologue ca primo  
Of fyerabras how he come to excercyte charles capitulo ij  
How Richard of Normondye said to th'emperor/ what manner man was Fyerabras capitulo iij  
The answer of Rolland to th'emperor over suddenly ca iiij  
How king charles & Rolland been reprysed by th'author & excused somewhat upon the debate aforesaid capitulo v  
How Oliver was disposed to fight against fyerabras/ not with standing that he was hurt uj  
How Oliver was required by his father that he should not fight with the giant/ but for all that he went forth capitulo seven  
How Oliver spoke first to fyerabras/ which set no thing by him with other desputations viii  
How after many dysputations oliver aided fyerabras to arm him and of the ix meruayllus swords & how Oliver named himself by his proper name ix  
How Oliver & fyerabras begun to fight/ and of the prayer of Charles for Oliver/ and other matters capitulo x  
How Oliver made his prayer to god when he felt him hurt Capitulo xj  
How after a great battle Oliver gate the ●ame/ & drank at his ease/ & how he did when his horse was slain capitulo xii  
How fyerabras & oliver fought together on foot marvelously/ & the prayer that charles ●aad for Oliver capitulo xiii  
How at this battle fyerabras was vanquished by Oliver after that he had recovered one of the swords of Fyerabras xiv  
How Fyerabras being vanquished believed in god/ and how he was borne by Oliver/ & how oliver was assailed of the saracens & tormented ca xv  
How Oliver was taken/ & his eyen blynfeld pyetously/ which could not be succoured by the french men capitulo xuj   

¶ The second party of the ij book containeth xvij chapters/ & speaketh of the torment of the barons of france/ & how they that were not taken went for to speak to ballant th'admiral/  
¶ How fyerabras was found by Charles and after baptized & heeled of his wounds ca j  
How Oliver and his f●lowes were presented to ballant th'admiral and cruelly passyoned by prison capitulo ij  
Of the prison where the french men were lodged/ and how they were visited by fair Florypes daughter of th'admiral/ & of the beaulte of her ●apitulo iij  
How the french men were had out of prison/ and visited by the fair floripes & of the beauty of her chamber capitulo iiij  
How king charles sent to ballant th'admiral seven peers of france which would not gladly have gone thither capitulo v  
How th'admiral sent xv kings saracens to charles to have again Fyerabras/ the which were recountered by the peers of france & put to death ca uj  
Of the marvelous bridge of mantryble/ of the tribute that must be there paid for the passage/ & how with fair words the french men passed over seven  
How the barons came & spoke to th'admiral/ and what message they made to him capitulo viii  
How by the moyen of Floripes all the frenchmen were saved & lodged to guider/ & known by her & resonned/ & of the relics showed to them & other matters capitulo ix  
How lucafer nephew of th'admiral violently ●tred in to the chamber & after was slain by duke names in blowing of the coal capitulo x  
How by the council of floripes the french men dislodged th'admiral fro his palace strongly by great battle/ & how by enchantment a girdle was taken fro his daughter cayitulo xj  
How the barons were assieged in that tour with floripes/ and her maidens which suffered great hungres/ & how the gods were by them confounded ca xii  
How the peers of france came out of the tour/ & what great battle they made/ in which they met & recountered xx sommyers with victual capitulo xiii  
How guy of burgoyne was taken with the sarazens/ beaten villainously & examined of ballant th'admiral/ & the complaints that floripes made for him ● other matters capitulo xiv  
How the paynims had purposed to have hanged guy of burgoyn seeing the christian men/ which succoured him puyssantl● xv  
How the peers of france tofore said were purveyed 〈◊〉 uptayl & after restored & after ●ssyeged & fought with the p●yny●●s xuj  
How the tour was fr●nce/ & a quarter fell down 〈◊〉 enchantment & how the fre●sshe men were in great peril of death/ & restored by assault th●● they made upon the paynims capitulo xvi●j  
Here beginneth the third part of the second book the which containeth xuj chapters/ & speaketh how the barons of france made to them succour/ and the paynims confused & ●●stroyed  
Of the motion of the peers of france for to sen●● and show their affairs unto king Charles/ & how richard of Normondye was ordained for to go to him capitulo primo  
How after that Richard was departed/ the king clarion the right puissant king road after him/ the which was slain by the said richard valiantly & other matters capitulo ij  
How the horse of richard came & returned through thexercite of th'admiral & was seen & known of the peers france/ in so much that they supposed he had been deed/ & how the bridge of mantryble was kept ca iij  
How richard of normandy passed the river of flagot by miracle by the mean of a white heart capitulo iiij  
How Charles was in purposes for to have returned without going o●y ferther by the council of the traitor ganellon/ & other his fellows ca v  
How after the complaint of Charles richard of normandy came to him/ which recounted the great necessities of the peers of france & in what fere they were in capitulo uj  
How by the moyen & counsel of richard of Normandye/ with iij other barons the strong bridge of mantryble was won/ not without pain/ & what manner man was galafre ca seven  
How by force of mortality & of battle charles entered into mantryble after that Galafre was deed not withstanding that alory the traitor was contrary to him & many other matters viii  
How amyot the giantess with an huge great sith did greatly her devoir against the christian men & how her in sons were baptized/ & of ●allant th'admiral when he knew the tidings ca ix  
How the peers of france were assailed more strongly than ever they were and how the tour was qu●si smitten down to the earth/ & after recomforted by the holy relics by them adored and other matters capitulo x  
How the french men in the tour had tidings of the host of Charles & th'admiral also/ and how Ganellon bore him marvelously when he was sent forth alone & what he did xj  
How charles th'emperor ordained x battles/ & how they recountered the battles of puissance of Ballant th'admiral/ where as th'emperor did marvels/ & other matters ca xii  
How in this battle following Sortybrant the king was slain by Reyner father of Oliver/ and how afterward th'admiral did marvels and great annoy to the french men capitulo xiii  
How the peers of france that were in the tour came out when they saw th'host of Charles/ & how th'admiral was taken/ and holden prisoner ca xiv  
How ballant th'admiral for all the admonition that was made to him he would not be baptized but was slain/ & Floripes his daughter was baptized/ & after wedded to guy of burgoyne/ & guy crowned king & the queen of that country capitulo xv  
How Florypes gaf the relics to th'emperor/ & how they were assayed & proved by miracle/ & of the returning of charles & the end of this book ca xuj    

¶ Here beginneth the iij book which containeth ij parties by the chapters following declared  

¶ The first party of the iij book containeth xiv chapters/ & speaketh of the wars in spain/ & of two great giants/  
How saint james appeared to Charles/ & how by the moyen & by the conduit of the stars he went in to Galice/ & what cities he there subdued ca primo  
Of cities gotten in spain by charles/ & how some of them were by him cursed capitulo ij  
Of a great idol which was in a city/ that might not be beaten down/ and of the signs & conditions thewf capitulo iij  
Of the church of saint james in Galyce/ & of other churches that he did there do found iiij  
How after that Aygolant the giant had taken spain/ & destroyed and put to death the christian men/ Charles recovered it & other matters capitulo v  
How aygoland sent to Charles that he should feably come to him with little people to make just war/ & how charles in habit dissimyled spoke to him/ & other matters capitulo uj  
How charles accompanied with moche people returned to the place foresaid/ & took the cite of ag●ne & other matters capitulo seven  
Of the virtuous operations that charles did/ when he was returned in to france/ & what barons he had in his company/ and of their puissance capitulo viii  
Of the tryewes of charles & of aygolant/ & of the death of his people/ & wherefore aygoland was not baptized ca ix  
¶ Of the death of ysabeau & of his people/ & how moche people of the cri●●en men were deed by cōcupysce●ce of money/ & the christian foūd●n deed by miracle ca x  
¶ Of f●●agus the marvelous giant/ ho● he 〈◊〉 away the barons of fr●unce without danger/ & how afterwards rolland fought against him c● xj  
How on the morn rolland and ferragus fought to gader/ and of their desputing of their faith and by what mean Ferragus was slain by rolland ca xii  
How Charles went to cordube where as the king of that place & the king of abyll● abode him & of their destructyo● ca xiii  
How the church of saint james was hallowed & sacred by turpin th'archbishop/ & 〈◊〉 chirhes of spain subgettes to the same/ & of that pryncypal churches xiv   

¶ The second party of the iij book containeth x chapters & speaketh of the treason done and made by Ganellon/ & of the death of the peers of france  
How the treason was comprised by Ganellon/ of the death of the christian men/ & how ganellon is reproved by th'author ca j  
Of the death of king marfuryus and how Rolland was hurt with four spears mortally after that all his people were slain and deed capitulo ij  
How Rolland died much holily after many matters & orisons made and prayed to god much devoutly/ and of the complaint made upon his sword durandal capitulo iij  
Of the vision of the death of rolland showed to th'archbishop Turpyn & of the sorrow of charles/ & how he complained him piteously & other matters iiij  
How oliver was founden slain and of the death of the saracens & of the death of ganellon which was hideous capitulo v  
How after the things aforesaid Charles gave thankings and preysynges to god and to Saint Denys/ And of the constitutions that he made in france capitulo vi  
How Charles went in to almain/ where as he died holily and of his death showed to th'archbishop Turpyn/ and of his burying Imperyally ca seven  
Of the recapitulation of all this work/ and of his death at 〈◊〉 & of his sepulture capitulo viii  
Thexcusation of th'author ix  
Thenuoye of th'author ca x    
¶ Explicit   



AS it is red in th'histories of the trojans/ After the destruction of the noble city of Troy/ there was a king much noble named francus the which was fellow of Aeneas/ which when he departed fro Troy came in to the region of france/ & bega● to regne in great prosperity/ & for the felicity of his name he did compose & do edify a city which he named france/ & so following all the region was called france/ & after when france was enhanced & reduced to majesty ryal Priamus was the first that reigned upon the french men v year/ The second was marcurius xxxiij year/ The iij phara●●ūdus reigned xj year/ The iiij clodyus xiv year The v Meroneus x year/ The uj hildericus xxvij year/ & the seven was Clodoneus the first christian king which reigned upon the french men after th'incarnation of our lord CCCC lxxxiiij year of whom I intend to make a little mention upon his ●●●ueyllous conversation/   

¶ How the king clodoneus paynim had to wife the noble clotildis daughter of the king of burgoyne capitulo ij  
IN that time was king of the burgoynons guydengus the which had iiij sons all of good age/ that is to weet/ Agabondus/ the ij godogesylus/ the iij Hyspericus & the fourth Godamarus/ The first agabondus repleynsshed of all iniquity put to death by sword his brother hispericus/ and after hinge his wife & put a stone about her neck & drowned her This hyspericus had two fair daughters/ theldest was named throne/ whom agabondus her uncle bannysshed fro his country & sent her forth in habit dy●●ymyled/ The younger of these ij dou●ters was named clotildis whom he retained for her beauty with him in his house/ during thy● the king clodoneus or Cloys iij french being a paynim which believed with his subgett●● but upon yd●lles/ oft-times f●r his affairs sent his messengers' 〈◊〉 to burgoyne/ clotyldys' th●● fair maid was oft seen of ●he messengers of the king 〈…〉 by holden affectuously/ and for her great beauty & discretion the said messengers ●●tyfyed it to the king 〈◊〉 ● and when this king Cloy● 〈◊〉 enough informed of the great beaute●● wisdom of this maid which was christian/ he was much curious to send his herawdes unto agabondus ●ncle of this daughter for to ha●e her to marriage/ During those days the king Cloys had a subtle man with him named aurelyanus which by commandment of his lord went to the place where as was thy● maid/ & put himself in habit moche pour and dissimuled/ & le●t his good habits with his fellows in a wood/ & went much holily tofore the mother church of that place the day of a great feast/ & set himself in the mids of the pour people for to receive alms like as other dieden/ when th'office was accomplished this maid Clotildis like as the was accustomed act departing fro the church began to give alms to the pour people/ & when she came to Aurelianus she gave to him in his hand a piece of gold/ & anon he as glad & well content kissed her h●nde● when this lady was in hy● chamber she began to think on that power man that had kissed her hand/ & sent for to seche him by her servant/ when he wist it/ he came to her moche joyously/ and bare in his hand the ring of king cloys/ & humbly behaved him tofore her/ ¶ The maid began to say to him/ say to me wherefore dyssymylest thou thyself like to the pour people Aurelyanus answered Madam know ye for truth that I am a messenger of the noble King cloys king of France which hath sent me to you/ & being informed of your beauty & wisdom desireth you to be his wife & for to be queen/ & forthwith he presented to her the ring of king cloys/ the which she took & put it in to the treasure of agabondus her uncle/ & said to the messenger that he should recomaunde her to the king/ in telling to him that it was not leeful to a paynim to have to his wife a christian woman/ Nevertheless she prayed him that of all this he should say no word/ & that she would not do but as the king would/ & upon this point averlianus came and showed all to the king/ whereupon the king cloys the year following sent again his messenger anrelianus to agabondus uncle of Clotildis for to have her to his wife/ when Agabondus knew then●necyon of king cloys/ he answered to the messenger Say hardyly to the king thy lord that he hath little to do in desiring to have my niece to wife but the bourgoynons wise counselors redoubting the puissance of king Cloys/ by good council when they had well searched the treasure of Agabondus their king/ & found the ring of king cloys which clotyldis had laid therein/ wherein was graven & portrayed his image went & concluded to perform the will of king garlois/ & upon this agabondus full of ire delivered Clotildis to aurelianus/ he brought her with his people with great joy to king cloys which had great pleasure to see this fair maid And forthwith with all solemnity after the manner royal he espoused her after the custom of his law/   

¶ How king Cloys was admonested by the queen clotildiss affectuously that he should believe in the christian faith/ and other matters capitulo iij  
THe first night after the espousals at hour that the king and the queen should sleep to guider/ Clotyldis embraced with the love of god by great knowledge of Jesus' our lord went and said to the king/ My right dear lord I require thee/ that it please the to grant to me a little demand before or I enter in to thy bed with thee/ The king said demaunde● what thou wilt/ For I am well content/ Clotyldys' thenne said to him/ first I demand/ require/ and admonest thee/ that thou wilt believe in god of heaven father almighty which made heaven and earth/ & that hath created thee/ And in Ihesu Cryst his glorious son king of all kings/ which by his passion hath redeemed thee/ And in the holy ghost confirmatour and Illumynatour of all good works proceeding fro the father & fro the son the foresaid trinity in one only essen/ to whom ought to be given all honour and all laud & believe/ believe ye in this holy believe and majesty/ and leave the idols made with man's hand a foolish thing and vain and think for to restore the holy churches which thou hast brent/ Secondly I require the that thou wilt demand my part and portion of the goods of my father and of my mother/ of agabondus mine uncle/ whom he did put to death falsely and without occasion/ but the vengeance I leave to god/ when she had said this/ the king answered ¶ Thou hast demanded me a point & passage which is to me over straight & hard to grant/ that is that I should forsake my god's/ by whom I govern me for to adore one only god of whom thou hast spoken to me demand of me some other thing & with good heart I shall do it/ Clotildis ansuerd as much as is possible to me to require I supply & beseech the that thou wilt adore the god of heaven maker of all/ to whom only is due all honour/ the king made none other answer/ but sent anon Aurelyen his fa●tour to agabondus for to have the goods longing to the queen Clotildis/ & when Aurelyen had done his message/ Agabondus replenished with great Ire ansuerd to the messenger/ that he should as soon have all his royalme as any thing of him/ For which cause Aurelyen said to him/ the king cloys my master commanteth the by me that thou make an answer upon my demand/ or else he shall be evil content then the bourgoynons helden a council/ and said to agabondus their king/ Sir king give to your niece of your goods as reason will/ for it is right/ And we know well that so ought ye to do/ and to take pleasure to have good a●yaunces with clois the king/ and with all the french people/ to th'end that they ●●nne not on us/ For the people is boisterous & furious/ and that work is/ without mind of god And upon this point Agabondus constrained to the council of the bourgoynons his people sent a great party of his treasure to Aurelyen the messenger of king Cloys/ In a little time after the king cloys in visiting his royalme/ The queen clotyldis was anon great with child and soon after was delivered of a son/ whom she did do baptize And continually required the king that he would believe as tofore is said/ but he in no wise would hear her ne do thereafter/ And when the child was baptized/ anon it exspyred & died/ whereof the king was evil content and said to the queen if thou hadst given him and dedyed him to my god's/ he were now olive/ The queen an sword for this thing I am no thing perturbled in my courage but I render & give thankings to god my creator by cause he hath me so dign and worthy/ that it ha●h pleased him to take in to his royalme of heaven the first fruit of my womb/ After the year following she had again another son named lodomyrus the which when he was baptized became anon so seek/ that it was supposed he should die/ And when the king saw it languysshe/ he being evil content said to the queen/ and how said he/ it shall none otherwise be of this child/ but as it was of that other his brother by cause against mine intent thou dost thy will in baptizing them/ then the queen for the fere of the ●yng prayed to god devoutly for the health of her child And anon he was guarished and hool/   

¶ How the king Cloys was victorious of his enemies by cause he believed in Ihesu christ Capitulo iiij  
King Cloys after certain time begun to make war mortal against the almains/ And so persevering the all mains had victory on the french men in such wise that they were overthrown & slain Thenne when aurelyen saw the destruction of the kings people he began to behold the king his lord & said to him/ Sir king ye see tofore your eyen the mortal destruction of your people/ I require you that ye believe in god almighty/ which hath made heaven & earth/ I mean him whom my lady the queen adoreth/ preacheth and believeth on/ when the king had herd aurelyen thus speaken in great affection/ he began to lift his eyen unto heaven and wept much largely/ and with great pity thus said/ O Ihesu cryst son of the ve●y god almighty on whom my wife by leaveth/ and with all her heart preacheth/ & notyfyeth him to give remedy to them that been in tribulations/ I beseech the of aid and succour/ that I may be victorious of mine enemies by experience/ presently I byleveue on thee/ and in thy name I shall baptize me/ I have demanded my gods for to help me/ but they have done no thing for me And I say they be of no value ne of no comfort when they may not help them that require them/ wherefore to the as very god and lord I require the that I may be delivered by thy high puissance fro mine adversaries/ he thus saying with an high voice/ The allemayns his enemies vanquished & murdered began to flee in such wise that their king was deed/ wherefore/ they that abode yielded them to king cloys/ and by●men his subgettes/ and set all that country under his obayssaunce & puissance paseng yearly tribute/ then after this victory by the puissance of god obtained/ he came in to france/ And recounted all to the queen his wife how by Invocation divine and by thaid of god almighty he had obtained victory/   

¶ How the king was baptized by saint Remyge/ & in his baptism by miracle was brough the holy ampulle by an angel fro heaven/ whereof ever after all the kings of France ●●●●●noynted in their consecration at city of Raynes cap●●ulo v  
AFter that the 〈…〉 heard the king which was converted unto the christian faith for the victory which he had obtained she had great joy/ And Incontynet sent after saint Remyge bishop of raynes a moche holy man/ which came to her for to preach to the king his salvation & he maner● of the christian faith/ & when he was comen/ after that he had well informed the king began strongly to excite the people of france to believe in Ihesu Cryst/ And the people gaynsayed it not/ For in knowing the error of th'idols they began all to believe in god & say/ Sir king glorious it is best that ye forsake th'idols/ and adoure the god immortal/ whom the queen adoreth and praiseth/ & so for to do/ all we be content/ incontinent all this was showed to saint Remyge/ whereof he was much joyous/ and came to them diligently/ as a good herdman that taketh great pain to keep the sheep fro his adversary/ and great pleasure ought he to have to come thither/ For his coming and his preaching did so great profit that it made the people to be regenerate after th'ordinance of holy baptism/ without which no man may enter in to heaven/ wherefore the necessity of the salvation of this king enlumyned of grace disposed to believe conjoined to good intention made affectuously saint ●emyge to come/ for he thought well when the king was baptized and believed in Ihesu christ and his commandments/ that all the people subject to him should do the same wise And when saint remyge was comen/ and had commoned with the king/ touching his salvation/ began to ordain the place for to baptize him honourably and did to tynte the histories after some points of our christian faith much richly and repaired the places right deliciously/ ¶ And on that other he did do ordain & found churches aute●tykly & compose baptyzatoryes & fun●es co●uenably when all this was done the king was all ready to receive the holy sacrament of baptism/ to whom the friend of god saint remyge began to say by fecund manner ¶ Sir king it is time that ye ought with pure intention to forsake the false gods to whom tofore this time ye have given faith/ And thenne the king was all ready to receive the holy sacrament of taptesme/ To whom Saint Remyge began by fair manner/ Sir king it is time that ye ought of pure Intention to forsake the gods/ to whom here afore time ye have believed on/ which been full of all vanity and do no thing but exercise of damnation/ And ye ought to believe with right humble heart in one only god almighty/ the father the son & the holy ghost one only & pure essence which hath created heaven and earth/ to whom one only ought to give faith and creance/ and in Ihesu cryst his son which for the salvation of human creature would take humanity covenable for to repair thinobedience of our first father Adam/ And that was conceived in the belly of the virgin marry by the work of the holy ghost/ which after was set on the cross/ and took death dolorously for to redeem us was buried and rose fro death to life/ and after ascended in to heaven and sitteth upon the right hand of the father/ and fro thence shall come and judge the living and deed/  
¶ Also ye shall believe in holy church our catholic mother & her ordonnayre/ and when saint Remyge had enough informed the king and the people of our faith and believe/ he baptized them in the name of the father & of the son & of the holy ghost And when he came to anointing after the custom of the holy chrism/ which no man brought incontinent/ by the plesyr of god and demonstrance miraculous they all stondy●g suddenly came down descending fro heaven a dou●e shining which bore in her beck an holy ampull/ and left it in the same place where the holy chrism was wherewith the king cloys was first anointed in great devotion by Saint Remyge/ which Ampull is presently at Raynes/ of which holy chrism that is therein/ the kings of france only been anointed once in their consecration/ ¶ In that time were baptized the sisters of the said king and thee thousand men of his excersyte/ and so after all the people of france in great joy and exaltation of glory/    

¶ The second party of the first book containeth five chapters/ and speaketh of the beginning of king Pepyn/ And charlemain his sone  

¶ How pepin by his 〈◊〉 was chosen king of F●aunce when the lineage of king cloys failed in successy●●● j  
THe book ●●●●dent maketh mention of king Cloys/ the first christian king of the lords of France of whom the signage succeeded from heir to ●yres unto the four and twenty king which was the king ●●epyn of another lineage/ And the king which was the twenty-three after the king Cloys and of his ●gnage was named hild●●us/ the which being devout & contempletyf without cure to exercise th'office royal of a king/ put himself in religion for to lead a solitary life/ ¶ In that time was Pepyn much valiant of his person and moche noble prince/ And by cause that all the kings of france have succeeded of this said Pepyn/ and in especial charlemain his son upon whom this work is comprised/ I will here begin to treat the matter/ the which I intend superfycially to speak of And like as the book which is called mirror hystoryal compriseth/ That Pepyn the prince on a ty●e sent his messengers to Rome to the Pope zachary for to have answer upon a demand/ That is to weet whether is he more worthy to be a king or to be said a king whihe fo● pe●s and parfyght unyon taketh on him great pain & travail/ or else he that retcheth of no thing and is abandonned and given to all sloth and is only content to have the name only of king/ when the pope had herd this demand he remaunded to Pepyn/ that he by right reason and very equity aught to be called a king that governeth and ruleth his faith for the common weal & continueth it/ For which answer & demand the french men by c●unceyl approved/ considered their king hyldrycus professed in a monastery in life solitary and contemplative/ And that not withstanding ought not to be any thing against them that lyven solitarily/ how well a king ought not to be solitary/ For such as is the King such is the Royame's/ ¶ For solomon saith if the king be negligent/ the people wot not what to do/ And blessed is the land that hath a prince noble/ Alle the french men being well informed of the conditions appertaining to a king/ after an author that saith thus/ ¶ The Prince when he is ordained ought not to have horses superfluous ne make his people more subject than they ought to be/ and ought not to take but servants propyce and necessary without superfluity/ and not to nourish over many hounds ne other beasts unprofitable/ but take them in measure/ ¶ And he should eschew multiplication of menys●rellys/ Tabouryns/ common women lecherous men/ ¶ And he should not corrupt his subgettes by evil example/ He should not break his espousals/ he should gladly read in books/ & should have by him people well letterd/ And should judge without favour/ ¶ And tofore all things he should adore & serve god/ he should not gladly take yefts & ought not gladly to change his officers/ Alle this thing well seen among them for the conservation of the people among the miscreants which were at that time went and chosen for to be king of France the noble pepin/ and fro that time forthon the lineage of king cloys reigned no more upon the french men/ And he was consecrate by saint Boneface/ And by th'authority apostolic/ & by Saint Stephen Pope with his ij sons charlemain/ & charles the great was confirmed and approved and ordained all the kings of france in great ben●dyction to succeed fro lineage to lineage most next/ And the said pope gave his maledyction to all them that were opposaunts and against these things aforesaid/  
¶ then after this noble king Pepyn made great war to the english men/ And after the guise roman he ordained the service in the churches of france and many other matters marvelous/ whereof th'honour is attributed by good right to him by victory obtained/ and was buried in the church of Saint Denys in France/ And left his heirs his two sons afore said whom he had gotten on the noble queen berte daughter of the great Herclyn Cezar of whom the lineage of romans of germans/ and of the greeks have had concurrence/ wherefore by good right in time following the king Charles was chosen and maked Emperor of Rome/ And the said King Pepyn reigned xviij year in prosperity dign of salvation/ and after that the brother of the said Charles had reigned in his party of the royalme ij year he died And then after all the government wholly of the royalme of france abode to the said charles/ as here after/ shall be more plainly showed/   

¶ Of king Charles after that he had maked many constytutions with the Pope Adryan/ & how he was emperor of Rome capitulo ij  
This noble charlemain otherwise called Charles the great/ the which for the greatness of his body/ puissance and operations virtuouses by merit is called great as I have said/ which after the death of his brother he was only king of France/ A little while after that the Pope adrian reigned & did great diligence to strength & corobere the christian faith/ in annulling the heresies and constytuting images for representation of saints in churches/ And to many other labours merytoryes adjoined in the service of god & of holy church/ The king charles against the mysereauntes tarried not to confound them/ but had victory of them in dinners manners/ & the pope adrian which was well informed that this Charles was a strong pillar of the church and protector of the faith sent for him that he should come to Rome/ And when he came to pauye there he tarried & set his siege and sojourned a little time/ And after with a few of his people departed & came to rome/ And there he was received affectuously/ and visited many places devoutly/ And after when he returned he took pauye/ And when he had all done his pleasure he returned to Rome/ And with the Pope adrian he assembled many bishops and abbots the number of an hundred & liij/ where they ordained many constytutions upon the faith of the universal church/ And in that synod for the great holiness of charles/ The pope and all thassistants gaf him power for to ordain bishops & archbishops in all his contrees and provinces/ And all them that so shall be ordained he shall confirm/ and the rebels that shall gainsay them/ he shall curse/ and their goods be confysked/ This noble charles with his two sons that one named Pepyn/ & that other ●●wys/ And the xii pyeres of france which all had promised fidelity one to that other for to jeopardy their life for the christian faith/ In that time many mortal wars during the life of king Pepyn & of charles/ and after that the royalme of lombardy was destroyed and delivered of the miscreants And maked peace not without great travail for to come from france in to lombardy by cause of the dangerous country/ when all this was termined to his pleasure/ he reduced all italy under the tribute of the royalme of France/ In such wise that when italy was thus destroyed he went to Rome for to give thankings and laud to god much devoutly for victory that he had and for execution done upon the enemies of the faith/ And there with the pope Adryan he made many constytutions/ which by right equity aught well to be observed/ And after he being thus in Rome victorious/ his son Pepyn was ordained & consecrate king of the ytalyens/ And his son Louis was ordained and consecrate king upon guyan/ this done the romans which of great ancyaunte were of great app●ete/ after that the emperor was by them put to death Constantyn his son would have reigned for emperor/ which was not well in the favour of the senators and other romans/ the which being in this point after that they had taken delyberation of great council seeing the great valour and noblesse of king Charles/ which was so parfyght in all noblesse/ hardiness/ prudence/ & other virtues as I shall touch hereafter all plain/ that by consent of eve rich he was chosen emperor of Rome with great loange & exaltation of joy Innumerable/ And by the hand of Pope Leo he was crowned emperor with all honours that might be comprised/ And all with one voice gave to him laud and honour/ And called him Cezar & August by a similitude of valour in contemplation of great pleasure that they had maked him king of italians/   

¶ Of the corpulence of King Charles and of the manner of his living capitulo iij  
charlemain King of France after that he was Emperor ●e did many marvelous works/ and reigned emperor thirteen year/ And had then reigned upon the french man xxxiij year And in the contye of Rome he edified many cities and restored good towns & many other things which may not well be recounted by cause of his marvelous works/ Nevertheless for to know what man he was his works witnessen as much as toucheth thexercite of his person/ Turpyn the holy man archbishop of reins/ which lived that time/ and was oft times in the company of king Charles saith that he was a man well faring of his body & great of person/ and had his ●yght and regard fierce & malicious// ¶ The length of his person contained eight feet after the measure of his feet which were marvelously long fat and massyf was ●e of his shoulders and reins without having the belly otherwise than well a point/ The arms and thighs he had ample and la●ge/ he was a subtle knight & rightwise active and much fierce/ and of all his members he was of right great strength/ he had the face deduyte in length/ and his ●●●de was a foot long/ he had his nose raised upon a roundness/ A fair regard and countenance had this man/ he had the face of a large foot broad he had the eyen like a lion sparkling like a coal by furious regards/ his wynbrowes great/ Assoon as he beheld a man in anger/ each man had of him fere and dread in opening his eyen The girdle of which he was gird was viii foot long with out that/ that hinge down fro the 〈◊〉 to the pendaunt/ when he took his ●●paast he was content with little breed/ but as touching the pittance/ he eat at his REpaast a quarter of mutton/ or ij ●●nnes/ or a great ghosts/ or a great pestle of pork/ or a peacock/ or a crane/ or an hare all hool/ he drank win soberly with a little water therein/ Of his strength is not a little thing to speak of/ For he would smite a knight armed with one stroke of a sword and cleave him from the cop of the heed down to the saddle/ And if he had between his hands iiij horse shoen with out overmuch proving his might/ he would right them out and break them in pieces/ And more over with one hand he would take a knight all armed and lift him up to the height of his breast lightly/ And he had in him three things much honourable/ first in yefts giving he was right large like unto Titus th'emperor son of vaspasyanus/ which was so prodigal/ that it was not possible to him to give that/ which he promised/ And when it was demanded why he promised thing/ that he might not give forthwith/ he answered that a person ought not depart fro a prince desolate ne heavy/ nor with out to obtain some thing/ Secondly Charles was so sure in judgement that no man could reprehend him/ and also he was pietous & merciful unto christian men after the quality of the person/ & the occasion of the trespaas/ And thirdly in his words he was moche well advised when he spoke/ he thought strongly on that he said/ & when one spoke to him/ he remembered the manner for to comprise then tencyon of the spekar   

¶ To what thing king Charles his son and his daughters were Instruct and taught to do capitulo iiij  
DAme bertrode mother of Charles full of great science in great prosperity of life and in honour waxed old and finished her days/ and ordained books for to exercise the arts liberal/ ¶ Of whom first charles took gladly pain for to estudye/ And in the time of Infancy he made science to be taught to his sons and daughters/ and after when they knew their believe he made them to study in the seven arts liberal/ And when the sons were of age for to ride on horseback after the guise of France he made them to fere arms and to just for texcersyle the war when it should be need/ & when they did not that/ he made them to hunt of manner wild beasts and did them to do other of batements longing to chivalry continually/ After this he made his daughters to spin & sow and to occupy them in other honourable works 〈◊〉 th'end that by idleness and sloth & fault of occupation they should not have occasion to fall in thought disordinate for to have inclination to sin and vice/ and when he was not occupied in matters of charge and weighty he would employ his time in writing some new thing to th'end that he would not be idle acoording to the pistle of saint paul which admonesteth us to do alway some good/ by cause that out enemy the fond hold us not in idleness for to follow his intention damnable/ And he did do make in his polays in Acon in almain a church of our lady comprised of marvelous beauty/ & much richly ordained and wrought and in great honour enhanced in sign of a parfyght christian man/ For after that one loveth the lord/ and that is given to him the works desirous to move other to do to the bard like as himself/ and in like wise should persevere in the amplification of his country/ that sith the death of his father pepin be doubled by puissance in the royalme of france/   

¶ Of the study of king charles/ of his living/ of his chartable works and other matters capitulo v  
AFter that Charles was Instruct in gram ire other sciences ●●●pased & speculatyf alway be continued in them/ And by ardour desire frequented the books 〈◊〉 upon the christian faith/ for to be protector and defer 〈◊〉 of the church/ the which is visited on mornings and on evens & in the night oftimes and of good feasts be failed not to do greatly his devoir in sacrifices & oblations/ And also gave largely alms for the leave of god and was always ready to succour the power people in t●e largest wise/ Fo● he succoured not only the power folk of his own● country with his havoyr & goods but in many other places beyond the see he sent gold and silver and victual after the necessity of the place as in surrye in egypt in afrique in Iherusalem & other countries as he that said/ gold and silver is not mine/ To every man he desired amity and peace/ Of body he was much ample & boisterous/ of stature well apparysaunt/ the coppe of his heed round/ the hairs in great reverence & the visage joyous/ he had the boys clear & of great force/ & at his souper he eat not for the most part safe roasted venison which above all other flesh he loved and used at his souper/ Alway he loved redars for to read chronicles or other things contemplatyves/ as he that would as well feed the soul which is perpetuel/ of spiritual food for to maintain it in unyon of grace toward god his maker/ as of refection of the body for to conserve the life/ And among all other books he delighted strongly in the books of saint austin especially in that which is named de civitate dei/ & he drank not over oft/ For at souper he drank not but three times/ In summer time gladly after midday he would eat a little faiyt & drink one's/ & would go rest him all naked in his bed two or three hours/ In the night he broke his sleep four or v times and walked in his chamber/ Thus Charles preseverd in felicyte ryal and emperyal/ & sent overall thorough his empire his messengers and great counceylllours for to visit his provinces and good towns for to be informed of the governor of them for to do to every justice and reason/ and made many constytutions & laws according to the places/ and commanded them to be observed and kept upon great pain/ Semblably the said Charles sent thorough all the world for to know over all the government/ That is to weet for do know the marvelous faytes that were done in the world/ And also for to learn the life of saints/ of whom the feasts were hallowed/ and made of them books for tabyde in eternal memory/ & every day he did do put in writing that which he did/ In such manner that after the writing that he thenne fond/ were found more than three hundred feasts of saints one time of the year/ wherefore he excersycing his spiritual works/ he was beloved & dear reputed of every body/ In that time Aaron the king of pierce for the magnificence of charles sent to him an elephant marvelously great for a singular yefte and many other things precyouses/ ¶ This Charles for his great holiness and no bliss was in such renommce of honour and of vertures/ On a time aaron the king of pierce sent to him among other yefts the bodies of saint Cyrpian and of saint speratus/ and the heed of saint Panthaleon martyrs/ in to France/    

¶ The third part of the first book containeth three chapters/ and speaketh how by revelation divine Charles defyverd the holy land fro the hand of the paynims/  

¶ How the patryorke of Iherusalem sent to Charles for socours/ after that he was deject and cast out of the Turks capitulo primo  
IT is red/ that in the time that charles was emperor of rome/ the patriarch of Iherusalem was so oppressed of the paynims by mortal war that uneath he might save himself/ And thus when he knew no more what to do/ He had in remembrance the noble charles/ and he being informed of his holiness/ for succour he sent to him the keys of the holy sepulchre of our lord Ihesu Cryst of Caluarye and of the city/ And with that he sent to him the standard of the faith as to the pillar of crystente and deffendour of holy church/ After this the patriarch came to constantinopl unto th'emperor constantyn and to his son Leo/ & brought with him johan of naples pressed and another which named himself david are●●pr●est/ whom th'emperor Constantyn sent incontinent to charles/ And with them twain ●e ordained for to go with them two other which were named isaac and Samuel/ & delivered to them a letter written with his own hand for to bear to char●les/ And the said Constantyn had written in one part of the letter thus/ On a night me s●●med that I saw tofore my bed a young woman much fair stending right up which touched me softly and said to me 〈◊〉 sweet words/ Constantyn when thou knewest thaffayre & 〈◊〉 of the paynims which ho●de● the holy land/ by gret● af●ectyon thou hast prayed ●od for to have help/ ●o what thou shalhe do/ purchase that thou mayst have with the charles the great king of the gallyens which is protector of holy crystente and defender of holy chyr●●●/ And after the same lady showed me a knight armed in all his body and spurs on his bele●/ & had his shield read/ gird with his sword/ & had his sleeve of purple & held a spear much great/ And the heed of iron which was on high/ caste in to the air great flames of fire/ & he held in his hand a bacynet all of gold shining/ and he was ancient with a long heard right fair of visage and long of body/ he had eyen shining as ij stars/ and his hairs began to wax white/ and after was written O thou August that never refusest the commandments of god enjoy the in Ihesu Cryst/ & in thy mind alway yield to him thankings be enclosed in justice/ like as thou hast be reclaimed in honour/ Ihesu christ give the grace to presevere and keep alway the commandments of god as thou oughtest to do feemely/ And as it is written th'emperor Constantyn in his time had dejected the paynims out of Iherusalem seven times wherefore when he might no more he sent his messengers to king Charles/ which at that time was at paris/ And when the messengers had presented the letters and he had seen them/ he began to weep much grievously in contemplation of pity of the holy sepulchre of our lord so holden of the paynims/ After this he sent for th'archbishop Turpyn/ and made him to preach openly the piteous tidings which were then presently comen the which well heard and understood/ the people all generally were inclined to go thither/   

¶ How charles with a great company went for to conquer the holy land and many other matters capitulo ij  
AFter that this which I have tofore said was published/ The king did do make an edyct/ and did do cry it thorough out all the country that every man that might ●ere arms should be ready for to go with him against the paynims/ and he that would not come should be bound for a good sum of money for to hire soldiers that should go/ This done was never seen tofore in so little time so moche people assembled as then were founden/ And when they were all departed in the name of god full of one great faith/ in great hope to obtain victory under the conduit of charlemain captain of the faith/ And when they had riden a great long way/ they came in to a great wood of buscage/ in which they might not pass uneath in two days and yet with great pain/ and Charles thought to pass it in one day/ wherefore he & his host entered within the said wood which was full of divers wild beasts/ as griffons/ bears/ lions/ Tiger's/ and other beasts when they were thus in that great wood/ and the night came on/ they were all abashed & troubled without knowing which way they should hold/ And Charles commanded that they should look if they might see or know any habitation/ but they were far fro any and out of their right way/ and by force were driven to dispose them to sleep in that estate/ And when they were all in rest the king charles being in his dormytorye trusting of the aid of our lord in great devotion began to say the psalter/ And when he came to the point that he should say the verse following/ Deduc me domine in semita mandatorum tuore quiaipām bolui/ he saying this there came a bird to his ere in the presence of every that were about him which said with an high voice/ king thine orison is herd Thenne all they that were present were much troubled/ and not withstanding all this/ the king continued to say the psalter unto Educ me do custodia animam meam/ & all thus while he said the bird began more strongly to cry and say/ ¶ O french man what sayest thou/ O french man what sayest thou And after that the king and his company went and followed the bird which conduited them unto the right wayr which they had lost the day to fore/ & some of the pylgryms said that after in the same country were such birds so doing But when charles & his great puissance were nigh their enemies they were much troubled of their coming/ & the christian lords were greatly rejoiced of their coming/ For without cessing he rested not till that he had trcoverd the country of christian men/ and expelled all the paynims which moche redounded to him great honour & victory/ And in returning he demanded of th'emperor of Constantinople licence to depart: of the other patriarchs & archeperestes/ And thempe●●ur held him an hole day/ And for remuneration the said emperor for th'honour of king ●●arles on the morn tofore th● yates of the city did do ordey●● many beasts of divers manesses & divers colours/ & great quantity of gold and silver and of precious stones/ to th'end that he should take it for some reward for the great good that he had done in their country. But assoon as charles knew thereof/ he took council of his people what 〈◊〉 ought to do in taking of the precious & rich yefts/ or to return in to france without taking of any thing/ And there upon his barons counciled him that he should take no thing for his labour For he had done no thing but for the love of god only/ And he being well content of this answer/ commanded that no person upon great pain should take no thing of the jewels aforesaid/   

¶ Of the relics that th'emperor charles brought fro Constantinople and fro the holy land and of the miracles that were do in capitulo iij  
When th'emperor of constantinople and the patriarch of Iherusalem knew that charles would take no thing of the good aforesaid he was admonested that he should take somewhat of them/ & when he was thus constrained/ he by sought them that for the love of god/ might be given unto him somewhat of the relics of our lord and of his holy passion/ when this was demanded/ It was commanded to fast every man three days for to be the more inclined to devotion/ and for to visit the holy relics/ and in especial were ordained xii persons by grace/ which should treat & see the relics/ when it come to the third day the noble Charles by great conteytion confessed him to th'archbishop Turpyn/ After that moche rwe rently they began to sing the tyranny with some psalms of the psalter/ And there was the pr●late of naples named danyel/ which in great reverence opened the coffer wherein was the precious crown of Ihesu Cryst and there sprang out of the same so great an odour/ that all they that were present thought to be in paradise/ Thenne charles full of hool and very creance of faith parfyght by contemplation kneeled down to the ground and strat●hed him on th'earth & moche strongly prayed our lord that for the glory of his name persently would renew the miracles of his holy passion and glorious rosurrexyon/ & assoon as he had prayed/ in a moment the crown began to flourish/ & a marvelous sweet odour issued out of the flowers so right delicious that each man supposed that his vestments & clothing had comen out of heaven ¶ Thenne after this daniel took a sharp knife kutting well purified to cut the said crown and in cutting alway more & more the said crown flourished and the odour smelled the more abundantly/ And of the flowers charles put a part in a reposytorye/ and in a little coffer he put the thorns of the crown and wept so habundantlye that when he wend to have given to th'archbishop Ebroin the flowers he withdrew his hand & supposed that the said Ebroin had holden them in his hand/ & they were in the air hoving by miracle/ & abode there by themself the space of a great hour/ And after when he had given in keeping the said thorns to the said Ebroin/ he saw the ooffret in thayer which was full of floure●/ which abode there by themself/ which soon after were converted in to manna/ and in that manner they berpat Saint Denys in france/ And it hath be the opinion of many/ that this was of the manna that god sent in to desert to his people/ then were there showed miracles/ For all seek people that were there present were heeled of all their maladies by the odour of the flowers aforesaid/ and the people that entered in to the church by great violence of press of people cried/ veritably that day was a day of health & resurrection/ for by the savour of the mellyfluous flowers all the city was purified and replenished of grace/ for three hundred & one seek man by count were healed & guarished of their maladies among all other there was one seek of xxiv year & three months/ which was blind/ deef/ & dumb/ but at moving when the thorn was drawn fro the crown/ he took his sight/ and when it was laid in again he recowered his hearing/ And in flourishing of it/ he was restored to his speech/ ¶ After this the said danyel took a nayll/ of which the percyous body of our lord in his passion had be pierced/ and in great reverence was put for a relque in alabast●e/ & in taking out of it/ a child was heeled/ which of his left side was dry and Impotent fro his birth/ & he ran hastily to the church/ and cried at the hour of none/ and said that he being in an extasye was he led and guarished/ and told the manner/ ¶ Also there was given to the king Charles a piece of the holy cross and the holy sudarye/ and therewith the smock of our lady/ & the cloth wherein our lord was wrapped and also the arm of saint simeon/ and all reverently in precious pyxes & ●●asses he h●nge them about his neck/ and in passing by a castle/ there was a child new deed/ whom king charles touched with the relics that he bore/ & anon the child was raised to life/ And when he come to Acon in Almaigne which is a moche fair city/ where as king charles had made his palace much fair & rich and a right devout chapel in th'honour of our lady/ wherein/ himself is buried/ There at last were guarished & healed blind men/ and seek men of the fevers without number/ & xii demonyaks/ viii lazars/ of the palescy xv/ of mysharen xv/ ●roke backed lij/ of the falling sickness lxv/ of the gout many of them of the same place/ & many of other maladies/ And it was ordained that in the month of evil at Acon in the city that all people might come & see the foresaid relics which king charles had brought fro Iherusalem and Constantinople/ And more over was established that one day of the week of the fasting of ymbre days and in the month of evil should be made this demostraunce and notification And in this constitution was Pope Leo/ Tharchbishop Turpyn/ Achylleus bishop of alex andrye/ And Theophyle of antioch & many other bishops & abbots/ which work was much virtuous & full of health/     

¶ Here beginneth the ij book of this present work/ which containeth three parties by chapters following declared  

¶ The first party of the second book containeth xuj chapters and speaketh of the bitayll done by Oliver/ & Fyerabras a marvelous giant/  
¶ How in a place which was called mormyonde charles abode following the war against the paynims/ after a little prologue  

¶ The first chapter  
I Have spoken tofore in the first book superfycyally of the first king of france baptized/ in descending after my purposes unto King charles/ of whom may not well be recounted the valiance of him and of his barons/ which were named & called pyeres of france Of whom & of their behaving I shall make mention after that I shall mow conceive by truth but this that I have tofore written/ I have taken it out of an authentic book named mirror hystoryal/ and in ancient chronicles/ And have only translated them out of latin in to french/ And the matter following which shall be the second book is of a romance made of th'ancient fashion without great ordinance in french/ whereof I have been encyted for to reduce in proof by chapters ordained/ which book after some and most commonly is called Fyerabras/ by cause that this Fyerabras was so marvelous a giant as I shall make mention/ which was vanquished by Oliver/ And at the last baptized/ & was after a Saint in heaven/ And in effect it speaketh of that battle/ and of the relics conquered which had been taken at rome/ and were in the puissance of the admiral which was father of fyerabras wherefore in this book following I ne intend but only to reduce th'ancient rhyme in to proof/ & to divide the matter by chapters in the best ordinance that I shall con/ without to adiouste any thing that I have not found in the book competent/ & in like wise as I shall find/ I shall reduce/ And this book is applied to th'honour of Oliver one party/ Not withstanding that there been many other matters/ For I suppose that of every of the barons pryncypal of th'emperor Charles/ which been said commonly in number xjj or xiii/ and pyeres of France which were capitains of thexercite and much strong and valiant of their persons/ & were great lords and noble/ But of the lords valyaunte capitains were more than xiii after that I find/ first there was rolland earl of Cenonia son of myllon earl/ and of dame berthe proper sister of king Charles/ After him was Oliver earl/ son of Reyner of gennes/ which Reyner was also at thexercite of king charles/ After him Richard of Normandye/ Garyn duck of Lorayn/ Geffroy lord of bourdeloys/ Hoel Earl of Nauntes/ Ogyer the danois king of denmark/ Lamberd prince of bruxellies/ names Duke of bavyer/ Thiery duke of ardanne Basyn of benevoys/ guy of bourgoyne/ Caudeboy king of Fryse/ Ganellon which did the treason at the end of the iij book at rouncyvale/ Samson duke of bourgoyne/ Also there was Ryol du mauns Alory & guyllermet the soot/ and many other that were subgettes to Charles/ And not withstanding that they were not alway w●●h him They that I have tofore ●amed were alway ready for to ●o his commandment/ And the most part of them that I have tofore named were with him ●●●ynuelly/   

¶ Of Fyerabras how 〈◊〉 to excite thexercite of C●●rles capitulo  
THe admiral of spain named ballan a p●●nym moche great & pu●ssaūt of body and of people had a son named Fyerabras/ the most marvelous giant that ever was seen borne of mother/ for of the greatness & hugeness of his body/ and also of his strength to him was none like/ the which was king of alexandria & held under him the country of babylon unto the red see/ and he was lord of roussye & of coulleygne/ & more over under him was Iherusalem/ & retained the holy sepulchre of our lord Ihesu Cryst a by his great puissance entered on a time in to Rome/ where he did much evil/ & bore away the holy crown of our lord/ & the holy nails & other relics enough/ Of whom this book shall in th'end recount how they were recovered/ And he was called Fyerabras of alexandria/ which after that many wars & battles were maked in Mormyonde between the paynims and thexercite of Charles/ This fyerabras moche dissolute came riding by great furor for to find some christian man for to fight against him/ & came unto the lyces of King Charles moche furious and eschauffed/ as he should fight all armed and well furnished of weepen/ & was right evil content/ that he fond no person to whom he might fight/ & nigh unto the lyces he went to behold the arms of th'emperor charles which were of the aygle shining/ And he swore by Mahommet his god & by his might that he would never depart/ till he had fought & made battle to some christian man/ And he seeing that no man came to him began to crpe with an high voice O king of Paris coward with out hardiness send to just against me some of thy barons of france/ the most strong & the most hardy/ as Rolland oliver Thyer●y or ogyer the danoys/ & I swear to the by my god Mahon that I shall not refuse unto the number of uj or seven/ that they shall be received of me/ and if thou make to me refuse of this that I of the demand/ I promise thee/ that tofore or it be night thou shalt of me be assailed & discomfited/ & I shall smite of thy heed as meschant without any failing/ and after I shall lead with me Rolland & Oliver unhappy meschaunt & caitiffs/ For oultragyously & foolily as evil and old/ hast enprysed to come iij to this country/ wherfro thou shalt have cause hastily to depart/ These words or semblable spoken Fyerabras went him unto the shadow of a tree and lay there & disarmed him of the arms of which he was clad/ and bond his horse unto a tree/ and when he was thus at his ease/ he began to cry with an high voice/ o charlemain king of Paris where art thou now/ whom I have this day so oft called/ without more longer delay/ send to just against me rolland or Oliver/ of whom thou makest so great count and been so valiant/ or ogyer the danoys whom I have heard praised/ And if peradventure one of them dare not come alone/ hardyly late come the two or three or four of the most valiantest and that they be courageous hardy and well armed/ And if the four dare not come late come five/ For unto the number of vi of the most valiantest of thine excersyte I shall not refuse And I think not to return till they be confused and destroyed by me/ for be ye sure that it shall never be to me reproach that I be fugytyf for any french man living I have here tofore put to death by the valiance of my person ten kings of great puissance/ and that they could not resist against my strength in no wise/   

¶ How Richard if Normandye said to Charles what manner man Fyerabras was ca iij  
Assoon as fyerabras had finished his words the Emperor Charles/ which well had herd him/ marveled moche of his language/ And demanded Richard of Normandye what was that Turk that so had cried with so high a voice upon the valiance of his person/ For king Charles said I have well hearkened what he hath said that he shall not fail to fight against uj of the most valiantest of mine excersyte/ To whom Richard Duke of normandy answered/ Sir king this is a man marvelous/ rich/ and one of the strongest borne of mother/ And he is a saracen of so great fierté/ that he ne praiseth king ne earl ne none other person of the worl●/  
¶ When Charles understood him he began to claw his ●eed And swore by Saint Denies of france that he should not eat ne never drink till one of the pyeres of france should go just against him/ And demanded of Richard of Normandye how this Popnyt/ was named/  
¶ Richard answered sir Emperor his paynim nameth himself Fyerabras/ Which is moche to redoubt/ and hath done moche harm or christian men/ He hath slain the Pope/ hanged abbots monks and nuns/ and hath deffuled churches/  
¶ And he hath rob & taken away the holy crown of but lord and many other rely●ues for whom ye take great pain And he holdeth Iherusalem in great subgectyon/ And the holy sepulchre wherein god was buried/ whereupon Charles answered of this that thou hast said to me I am more angry than I was but know thou for certain I shall never have joy till that my desire be accomplished and that he be vanquished/ And of that faith all the french men were commoeved and troubled And there was not one that presented him for to go to him/ And when charles saw that no person was of courage for to go and fight against this giant Fyerabras/ He said to Rolland/ My dear nephew I pray the that thou dispose the for tassel this turk/ & that thou do there thy devoir/   

¶ Of the answer of Roulland to the Emperor suddenly/ and what it was capitulo iiij  
When th'emperor Charles had spoken thus courteously unto his nephew Rolland/ foolily & without reason Rolland answered him thus/ Faith uncle speak never to me thereof/ For I had liefer that ye were confused and dismembered/ than I should take arms or horse for to just like as ye say/ For on the last day that we were so nigh taken of the paynims/ that is to say of more than thirty thousand/ we young knights bore the burden/ and suffered many mortal strokes/ of which oliver my fellow is quasi hurt unto the death/ For if ye had not be succoured of us the hole destruction had been of us and th'end/ & when we repaired and were in our lodges for to take rest at even/ when ye were well drunken ye made avaunt openly/ that the old and ancient knygytes which ye had brought with you for to aid us had moche better borne them in the faith of arms/ and had more strong battle than the young knights/ ¶ And every man knoweth well/ how I was that evening affebled and weary of travail that I took in that day/ And by my faders soul that was evil said of you/ ¶ And now it shall be known how the old & ancient knights shall bear them/ for by god which ought to have all in his subgectyon there is no young man in my company that ever shall be in my favour and love if he take upon him to just against the paynim/ Also soon as Roulland had spoken that word/ Themperor his uncle having moche judignation thereat smote him thwart the visage with his right gannteto● that his nose breast a blood abundantly of the stroke/ then Roulland in a great fury set hand on his sword when he saw his blood/ and had smeton his uncle if he had not be let by them that were present And when Charles saw then tencyon of Roullaud he was marvelously abashed & said O god of heaven who would have thought that I should have had villainy of Rolland my nephew which been knit to guider in one faith against our adversaries/ And he cometh running against me with affection mortal/ He that is most next of my blood and lineage that here is present/ And that more sooner should succour me than any other/ ¶ Now I beseech God that on the cross suffered passion/ that this day he be punished as he is worthy/ And this said in a great furor he commanded the french men & said to them anon take ye him/ for I shall never eat till he be delivered to death/ when the french men understood the commaundemnt of Charles for to have accomplished it/ that one looked upon that other for to see who would set first hand upon him/ And when Roulland saw the faith he withdrew him a little a part with his sword in his hand crying with an high voice and saying to them/ if ye be wise/ hold you still/ For I make a vow to god/ that if any of you move to come to me I shall make of his heed two parts/ wherefore there was not one that durst ne that was so hardy to move against him in malice/ but were right sorry & evil content of their debate/ and there upon the noble Ogier came sweetly to Roulland and said to him/ Sir Roulland me seemeth ye do not well for to anger thus your uncle the emperor/ who●● by reason ye ought above all other to love and defend/ & also support/ Roulland answered which then was refrained of his Ire/ Sir Ogyer I promise you for a little faith I was determined to a great outrage without advice and inclined whereof now I am sorry and me repenteth/   

¶ How the king charles and Roulland been reproved by the anctour and somewhat excused upon the debate aforesaid ca v  
Upon the debate of themperor and Rolland his neuewe I will a little tarry and tell first to the king Charles/ which hast be justuicte sith thine Infancy in all seyences full of manners dign of commemoration/ which knewest the constance of the ancients and the mutability of the young people/ why/ saidest thou on the even/ that the ancient and old knights in the war of that day had borne them better than the young knights/ And thou knewest well that Oliver was greatly hurt by his valiance in such wise that he keepeth his bed/ And also Rolland thy nephew had borne the great burden of the battle/ And if he had spoken foolily/ thou oughtest to have supported his first moving/ which is not in the puissance of a man/ if thou hadst taken advice at the word that saith/ Vindictam differ donec pertranscat furor/ That is to say thou oughtest to dilate thy vengeance/ till the furor be passed Thou shouldest not have smyton Rolland/ Sith when he said evil it was without advice of great discretion/ thou smotest him/ semblably without advice he drew his sword against the And though thou hadst not smeton him thou mightest well have reprehended him of his offence Thou oughtest to remember ecclesyastes which saith/ Richilagas in operibus injury/ when a man receiveth wrong & Injury/ it is not good that he do that which he may do/ And also it is when a person hath well done his devoir/ And of him of whom he ought to have his thank and praising/ is blamed/ of so much the more is he evil content and wroth For his faith is reputed for nought/ In like wise was it of Rolland which thought more to have be allowed & praised for the great devoir that he did/ than to here that the Emperor said/ that th'old knights had done better than the young/ but now I will return to thee/ O Rolland which hast been so noble/ from whence cometh in the such audacity to speak against thine uncle which hath allway done so well to thee/ that his works been worthy to be remembered/ To him which is emperor/ King of France and lord of so great cremeur/ and to thine uncle as taken debate/ and answered outrageously/ was it not reason that thou oughtest to suffer him/ and he not thee/ if he smote the with his gauntelet by manner of correction/ oughtest thou to draw thy sword to him/ Thou hast not in remembrance the obeisance of isaac which he had to his father/ thou were not advised of this that th'apostle saith/ ye young men keep your courage/ And put not the furor thereof in exersi●e if the Emperor for his disport praised th'ancient knights/ yet said he not/ that thou hadst not done well/ ¶ And Saint Poule saith in his epistle/ that a man should not reprove him that is more ancient than himself/ but a man ought to entretene and support him as his father/ but the deed is such that a person reputeth not an Injury to him said to be little/ ne if he be hurt that he be patient/ wherefore it is good to think to for or he speak it/ And gladly to do ne say thing but if it be good/   

¶ How Oliver was disposed to fight against Fyerabras not withstanding that he was hurt after many woedes capitulo uj  
MOche wroth was Charles with Rolland his nephew/ And said to his Peres of France/ lords O how I am in divers thoughts of my nephew Rolland/ which would have injuried my person/ To whom I had more affiance than to any man living/ I wot never whom I ought to love/ Ne whom I ought to hate/ And yet furthermore I have no man now present for to just against this paynim/ that hath challenged me/ ¶ then aroos up tofore him names the Duc of bavyers which said to the king Sir Emperor I pray you & require that ye leave these words noyouses/ Alle shall be well And another shall go just against the saracen/ But nevertheless the king was in great thought/ For there was none that would go ne take it on him/ ¶ incontinent the tidings of the debate of charles and Rolland were brought to Oliver/ which was in another place seek in his bed/ And also how Fyerabras was comen And that there was no person present with the king for to just against him/ And hereupon the noble earl Oliver replenished with a noble courage and with an ardent desire for to please the king when he had heard these tidings aroos out of his bed/ and began for to stretch and strain his arms and to feel if it were possible to him to bear arms/  
And he thus doing his wounds began newly to open/ that the blood sprang out of the distress/ ¶ And not withstanding all that as he that set not much thereby/  
For the great love and desire that he had to the king did do bind his wounds the best wise he might/ and after said to garin his squire that he should bring him his arms/ For he would arm him for to go Just against the saresyn/ To whom Garyn said sir Oliver in th'honour of god take pity of your own person/ For me thinketh ye will willingly slay yourself Oliver said to him to my commandment/ no man ought to tarry to seche his honour and advancement and renomee/ And with good right I may employ myself for to serve my prince and singular lord/ and sith that I see that no french man advanceth him/ I shall not fail at the point for the common proverb saith/ At need a man knoweth his friend/ Now anon bring to me mine arms without more tarrying And so Oliver did do arm him by the said Garyn his squire/ which set on his leg harnays/ his hawberke/ his helm and harnays necessary And when he was all furnished he took his sword named hautrelere/ the which sword he much loved  
After brought he him his horse the most special that he loved which was named Ferraunt despaygne/ And when he was brought tofore him all saddled and bridled/ The jolly and gentle Oliver sprang in to the saddle/ without setting foot in the styrop/ and set his shield at his ease/ and in his hand a mighty spear & sharp/ which garyn took to him/ And after smote the horse with the spurs so hard that in the leeping he made his horse to bow under him/ It was a good sight to see Oliver on horseback with a moche fierce countenance/ And they that were present bysought Ihesu Cryst our redeemer that he should take him in his keeping For in that day he should fight against the most strong and most fierce paynim that ever was born of mother/ or ever was in this world/ That is Fyerabras of alexandria son of the admiral Ballant of spain/ of whom we shall see by the pleasure of god the termination after/ ¶ He being thus on horseback in great point upon his visage and upon his body he made the sign of the cross in the name of Jesus'/ and commanded himself to the will of god/ which that day should be to him in comfort and aid after his good intention/ And of every man he was byseen and known that he had first hole in his body for to do great feat of arms/ & so road forth unto the lyces of th'emperor Charles with whom was the Duc names/ guyllam de scot/ Gerard de mondydyer and Ogyer the danoys with other barons of freunce/ & among all other there was Rolland much sorrowful of the words that he had against his uncle the king/ for gladly he would have do the battle/ if he had not wythsayed if tofore the king when he was required/ Thus Oliver being seen tofore Charles was much allowed & praised of one and other/ & much affectuously byholden/ And the said oliver put down his helm and beheld the lodgyce of the king/ And reverently came & salued him/ and after said to him/ Noble emperor puissant redoubted and my singular lord I beseech you to hear me/ ye know Well that there been iij years past that I have been in your service and have had of you no reward ne wages/ I you supply with all mine heart/ that now ye will reward me with a yefte that I shall desire/ To whom the king answered/ Oliver noble earl I assure to you by my faith that I shall do it with a good will And assoon as we shall be in france/ there is neither city to nigh ne castle that ye will have ne none other thing that to me is possible & faysyble that shall be denied to you/ Sir king said Oliver I am not comen to you for to demand such thing/ But I demand and require of you the battle against the paynim so out of measure/ And at this houce I grant to you all my goods and services/ & for this yeft to be quite of them when the french men had herd Oliver/ they were all abashed of his prowess/ & each of them looked on other and said among them/ A saint marry what hath Oliver founden wyyche is hurt quasi to death/ & will now go to fight and battle/ O Oliver answered charles thou hast lost thy wit/ For thou knowest well that with a spear heed square and sharp thou hast be hurt and wounded mortally and now thou wilt abandon●● thyself to a greater danger mortal/ beware/ Return and take thy rest/ For 〈◊〉 well that for no thing I shall suffer the to do that fayte/ sithen that thou art not presently in health of the body/ Upon this point aroos ganellon and Andrew the traytres that did the 〈◊〉 as the last look shall make mention/ ¶ And Oanellon said/ Sir King ye have ordained in France/ that it which by ij of us is Iug●d aught to be holden/ and so is it that we ij judge & ordain that Oliver shall go and do the battle/ wherefore the king full of maltalente with colour changed answered/ Ganellon thou art of evil disposition without speaking that which is honourable/ Sith it so is/ he shall do the battle/ & it may none otherwise be/ but that he be deed/ But I swear to the my troth that if he be taken or put to death/ all gold of the world shall not save thee/ but that thou shalt die a villainous death/ & I shall destroy thy lineage/ Sir Emperor said Ganellon god and our lady keep me/ & after the traitor said to himself secretly/ God forbid that ever Oliver return/ but that he have his heed smyton of/ and when th'emperor saw that he might not gainsay but that oliver should go and the battle against Fyerabras/ he said I pray god of the firmament give the grace to do well/ & that thou mayst return with joy/ And took his right glove and threw it to Oliver/ the which he received with great desire & will in thanking him right humbly/ and taking leave of all moche sweetly/   

¶ Hoth Oliver was required by his father reyner that he should not fight with the giant/ but for all that he went forth ca seven  
When that Oliver was licensed for to go do his battle and was ready to depart Reyner of genes his father came to the king and by great compassion kneeled down at his feet and said/ Sir king I cry you mercy have pity of my sot and me/ I say as for me/ ye will all discomfort me when I see that my son gooth to perdition seeing the danger that his person is in/ I say also that ye take pity of his presumptuous youth/ of his desire over covetous/ and of his body wounded dangerously/ ye know well that a man that is hurt so sore and that hath lost of his blood may not well endure battle/ But Reyner lost his pain/ For the king had given to him his glove in sign of licence/ And not withstanding these words doubted no thing but that he should well do his devoir and valiantly/ And yet again reyner required the king and said/ Sir king in th'honour of him that for us died on the cross/ suffer not my son to Just Alas when I shall have lost my son/ where shall I become/ and ye may well find other for to take this battle in hand/ Thempero ur Charles answered Reyner ye know well that I may not gainsay that I have to him granted/ For in sign of licence I have given him my glove whereof Oliver was content/ & then Oliver said with an high voice tofore all the people/ Sir king/ and all ye barons I beseech you all of a yeft/ that is that I require you if I have mesprysed or mysdoon in deed or in word any against you/ that in the name of god ye pardon me when the french men heard him so speak/ there was none but that he wept tenderly/ and so taking his leave with his standard raised/ The king blessed him in making the sign of the cross/ And weeping commanded him in the keeping of the father of the son & of the holy ghost/   

¶ How Oliver spoke to Fyerabras/ Which set no thing by him with other disputations capitulo viii  
Oliver departed & road forth on his way & tarried not till that he came where as fyerabras was/ which was all unarmed and lay in the shadow/ and when Oliver had aresonned him/ The paynim turned his heed against him and dayned uneath to look on him/ For he setted nought by him/ by cause he was so little of stature to the regard of Fyerabras/ And then Oliver said to the saracen/ Awake thou/ thou hast this day so oft called us that I am come hither/ And I pray the that thou tell to me thy name/ Fyerabras answered to him/ by Mahoun my god to whom I own honour/ I am the most rich man that is in the world borne/ Fyerabras of alexandria am I named/ I am be that thou know that did do destroy rome your city/ & show the Pope and many other/ and bare away the relics that I there found/ For which ye take great pain and labour to recever them/ And furthermore & hold Iherusalem that fair 〈◊〉 and the sepulere in which your god rested/ Oliver answered by my faith I have gladl● heard the say that which thou hast said/ And if it be troth that thou hast said/ for certain now thou mayst repute thyself well unhappy and myschaunt/ Now without more ●●●kyng make the ready and 〈◊〉 the/ seest thou yonder the french men that do no thing but behold us/ wherefore depess●e thee/ For by the god on whom I believe/ I shall smite the 〈◊〉 as thou lye●●/ when Fyerabras heard that he spoke so hardyly he began to lawhe/ and said I am well amarveled fro whence that cometh to the such presum●on to speak so hastily/ but for touch I shall not remove fro hens till I know who thou art and of what lineage/ And when thou hast told to me thy name/ thou shalt see me armed/ Oliver an suerd to him/ O paynim know thou for truth/ that or it be night thou shalt know what I am/ by me sendeth to the charles the Emperor my redoubted lord that for the consecration of thy body and the salvation of thy soul/ thou leave the creance of thy god Mahoun & of other idols which been but abusion and decreption/ which have neither wyt●● ne reason/ ne feeling ne good understanding/ wherefore that thou incline the to consent and think fro hens forth to believe in god almighty the holy trinity the father the son and the holy ghost iij persons in one essence/ & of one will which hath made heaven & earth and all that there in dwelleth/ which for our salvation would be borne of the virgin marry/ & when thou shalt have this believe/ with the holy sacrament of baptism/ which is upon this established thou mayst come to the glory eternal/ and if thou do not like as I have taught the I am here ready to do battle against thee/ and of two things thou must do that one/ first that thou depart out of this country as overcomen & to here no thing with thee/ or thou must come and fight against me/ For tenhance thy body & to sustain thy falls la●de/ Fyerabras answered/ what somever thou art●thon art over presumptuous to have intention for to fight against me/ For surely if thou see me on foot without arms thou shalt be well hardy if thou tremble not for dread to approach me/ But by the god in whom thou believest/ Say to me what man is charlemain/ For it is long sith I heard him first praised and redoubted in many contrees/ and also that I may have tidings of rolland & Oliver of Ogyer the danoys/ and of gerard de mondydyer/ For by my truth I would fain be acquainted with them/ Oliver answered paynim upon that thou me demandest/ A tell to the that Charles th'emperor is so great a master that there is no man in the world may compare to him/ as well for the baluer of his person/ of his council/ & of his manners/ as of his puissance and richesses Innumerable of regard/ Of his nephew Rolland he is without vinager/ Oliver little lass than he/ and as for the other french men/ among all people human/ they be balyaunte men/ but these words have no place here/ depesshe the and arm thee/ For by the god on whom I believe/ if thou advance the not I shall smite the with this sword of steel/ Fyerabras began too lift up his heed and said/ By my god mahommet/ if I thought not that it should be my dishonour I should now smite of thy heed Oliver answered I pray the leave this pletyng/ For or it be even thou shalt know what I am/ For certain I have intention to plunge my sword in thy belly/ where upon Fyerabras was not wroth/ so much noble was he/ and rested his heed upon his shield/ and said to Oliver I se●●te not thereby/ but I pray the bell to me thy name & thy lineage/ Oliver said to him my name is garyn and can borne in perrogort son of a man called Aosue/ which came that other day in to france/ where I was adouted knight by the noble king Charles/ and am ordryned for to defend his right/ & also to fight against thee/ wherefore conclude without more tarrying & arm the & take thy horse/ for I am ready to do the battle/ if thou be so hardy to abide me/ Fyerabras would not consent to the battle/ For him thought that oliver was to little to just against him/ and said to him/ Garyn I demand of the wherefore is not comen hither rolland ne Oliver/ or Gerard or Ogyer which been of so greed renomee as I have herd say/ Oliver answered/ The cause wherefore they be not comen to thee/ is for they set nought by thee/ & they have desdayn to come/ but I am comen to the as he that taketh no regard to their intention/ and shall do the battle against the if thou wilt abide it/ But I swear to the by saint Petre the apostle of Ihesu Cryst/ that if thou arm the not I shall smite the to the death with this dart that A hold in my hand/ Garyn answered Fyerabras I shall say to the that sith I was adoubed knight A jousted never but against a king an earl on a baron of great valour/ and thou art departed of a bow house/ for to say that I should have added with thee/ it should be to me over great dishonour if thou were put to death by me/ but for the good will that I know in the which is much noble/ I am content that thou smite me and I shall fall down to th'earth/ and take thou my horse & my shield and go thou to king Charles and say to him that thou hast vanquished me/ And if I do this for the I do to the great amity/ And thou oughtese for thy time to be content/ ¶ On which woods Oliver could not have patience but that he said to him/ Thy say't lieth in nothing but in words full of foolish presumpsyon/ I am of this intention/ that before evensong time I shall make thy heed free from thy shoulders/ I am none hare ne wild be'st for to be afeard/ And thou knowest the common▪ proverb that saith/ that there is time of speaking/ and time of being still/ And of one and that other/ one may be reputed a fool/ now come of & depesshe thee/ of that I have said to thee/ or else I shall slay thee/ Frrwbras answered I desire ne pray the of no thing but that thou send to me Rolland or oliver/ or one of tother knights of the round table/ And if one of them be not hardy for to come late come ij or iij or iiij atones For by me they shall not be refused/ In making these desputacyons/ Oliver which sore was hurt the day to fore/ his wounds opened by force of riding and of chafing & bled sore so that fyerabras saw the blood run down by is knee/ And demanded of him fro whence came that blood that so runneth down to th'earth/ I trow thou be hurt Oliver said I am not hurt/ but my horse is hard at spore whereof he is bloody/ Fyerabras beheld & saw it was not of the horse and answered/ Certes garyn thou sayest not soothe/ for thou art hurt in thy body & I know it well by the blood that cometh down by thy knee/ but see what I shall do for thee/ there been two flagons hanging on the saddle of my horse/ which been full of the balm that I conquered iij Iherusalem/ & it is the same of which your god was embalmed with when he was taken down fro the cross and laid in his grave/ high the and go drink thereof/ & I promise to the that incontinent thou shalt be hole/ and thene thou shalt mow defend the well without danger/ ¶ Oliver answered that he would not/ & that he said was folly/ then fyerabras answered that he was a fool without reason/ And that it might hap to repent him!   

¶ How after many disputations Oliver aided to arm Fyerabras/ and of the ix marvelous swords/ And how oliver named his name ca ix  
When fyerabras had long abiden lying without arising for Olyer/ he salt up and after said/ Garyn A demand the without hiding of what strength is Rolland & Oliver that been so moche redoubted of paynims/ & of what greatness been they of/ Oliver answered as touching to rolland he is a little lass of body than I am/ but of courage he is right hardy to fight/ and so chivalrous/ that there is no man living in the world like to him For he never fought yet against any man in the world but he vanquished him/ and as for Oliver thou mayst well apperceive that he is a man much semblable and like to me/ and of the same greatness that I am then said Fyerabras/ by the faith that I own to my god appollyn & to Termagant thou tellest to me a thing whereof I am much abashed/ For if they were such four as thou tellest to me/ I would not refuse them ne leave them till I had put them to death with my sword/ Oliver could no longer forbear ne have patience unto the delays of fyerabras/ but made ready to smite him/ wherefore Fyerabras said to him/ thou will have no pycyon thine own person/ By mahoun my god if I arise & take my horse/ Charles thy king ne all thy goods shall not redeem thee/ but that thou shalt incontinent be slain/ For only if thou see me tofore the on my feet thou shalt be much courageous if thou tremble not for fere/  
¶ Oliver answered thou hast haunted the over long to do thing/ which thou never sawest in thy live/ For better it were to speak by measure/ for by over/ moche speaking otherwise than truth/ may bring the soon to mischief/ Hereof was fyerabras strongly despyteous/ And rose on his feet in a great fierceness/ which was by common estimation xv foot long/ And if he would have be bartysed and believe in Ihesu Cryst/ theridamas had never be seen a man of his valour/ And when he was a foot he had great displeasure by cause he had not a valiant man to just against him and said to Oliver/ In truth I have great pity of thine affair for the noblesse of the courage that I see in thee/ I am yet content for this present time/ that thou return And send to me Rolland or Oliver or Ogyer or Gerard demondydyer/ and expressly say to Oliver that I shall not pass this avauntagarde/ till I have conquered him/ Oliver might no longer abide the paynim/ for if it had not be for his honour he had symte him divers times unarmed/ And when he must needs fight/ Fyerabras called Oliver and prayed him that he would help to arm him/ Oliver demanded if he might trust him/ Fyerabras answered help me hardyly/ For I ●●ere and assure the that never while I live shall I be traitor to no man living/ And upon that promise oliver did his diligence to arm him/ and he took first leather of araby and clad him therewith & after his cote & his habergeon of steel/ well boucled & polished/ & after set on his heed an helm garnished with precious stones richly/ But well considered the fashion of this payny●n and of this christian man/ there was great toyalte & courtesy between them/ which were assembled for to make mortal war and each to flee other and yet they did each to other singular service/ first the pay paynym had great pity for to destroy Oliver/ For he was not his peer ne equal to the regard of his person/ And on that other part when he saw him hurt and the blood descend to th'earth he would have given to him of the precious balm/ Semblably Oliver when he fond him disarmed he had slain him without great pain if he had would/ and after he was so courteous that he aided to arm him that should fight against him ¶ O what great loyalty of noblesse was between them which were of faith and creance contrary/ I suppose that god should be well pleased/ if there were such confyaunce among christian men and so full of natural noblesse/ But I return again to my matter when Fyerabras was well armed/ he thanked moche Oliver/ And after gird his sword named plouraunce/ and in the arson of his saddle he had twain other/ of whom that one was named baptism/ and that other graba●n the which swords were maked in such wise that there was none harnoys/ but they would break and cut a sondre/ And who that will demand the manyer how they were made/ & by whom after that which I have founden by writing/ ¶ On a time there were three brethren of one father engendered/ of whom that one was named Galaus/ that other munyfyeans/ & the third was called Agnisiax/ These iij brethren made ix swords/ each of them three/ Agnisiax the third brother made the sword named baptism which had the pommel of gold and well enameled/ & also plourance/ and after Graham/ which three swords fyerabras had as I have said/ Munyficans that other brother made another sword which was named durandal which Rolland had/ that other was called sawagnye/ and that other Cortan which Og●er the danoys had/ ¶ And galaus that other brother made the sword that was named Floberge/ another called halt clear/ and that other joyous which charlemain had for a great specyalte/ and these iij brethren aforesaid were smiths & wrought the said swords/ And in this point Fyerabras mounted on horse back and took his two barylles by him full of balm/ And hinge about his neck his shield which was heavy and bent with iron and steel by marvelous strength/ And in the middle of the same shield was painted his god Appollyn/ and after that he had commanded him to his god/ he took his spear in his hand which was sharp & mortally heeded with steel/ It was marvel to see the corpulence of the said paynim which sat on his horse named feraunt of spain great thick & pommellyd/ which had a special condition/ For when his master in fighting put to the ground his adversary/ this horse made greater war without comparison than his master/ and thus they being on horseback/ Fyerabras said to Oliver/ O garyn gracious and courteous/ yet I admonest the for the gentleness that thou hast done to me/ that thou will return without fighting/ For I have pity of thy valiant courage/ Oliver answered alway thou speakest of great folly/ for I shall not depart for to be in danger to be dismembered/ For I am not he that thou weenest to make afeard/ for by the help of the blessed Jesus' this day shalt thou be yelden or deed or living unto charles the emperor/ when Oliver had so spoken Fyerabras was marvelously abashed of this man that would not let for menace that he made to him but would have the battle against him/ & said to him/ Thou art a christian man and hast great faith at the mysteries by you ordained/ but I conjure the that by the font iij which thou were baptized/ and by the faith that thou hast given to the cross whereon thy god hinge and was naylled/ And by the loyalty that thou owest to charles th'emperor/ to rolland and to the other pyeres of france thou say and tell to me the verity of thy right name and of thy lineage/ Oliver answered Certes paynim he that induced the to speak to me in such wise hath well taught thee/ For greater ne more highly mightest thou not adjure me/ wherefore know thou that I am Oliver the son of Reyner the Earl of Genes the moose especial fellow of rolland/ and am one of the twelve peers/ In faith said Fyerabras I alway thought well/ that thou were another than thou saidest to me/ seen thine ardent courage/ and that I could not make the afeard upon the faith of battle/ And how sir Oliver   

was all bloody/ of which struck oliver was moved & troubled that he had fallen he had his saddle have been/ For he was bowed afterward that he was all to broken/ And his horse began to halt of the stroke/ & when he was comen to himself with an high boys began to 〈◊〉/ ¶ O lord god my creator o what an evil stroke have I received/ O virgin mary mother of Jesus' have pity of me/ For over fiercely cutteth the sword of this paynim/ yevo me grace that I may once have him// and made upon himself the sign of the cross/ & after fyerabras said to him/ Oliver by Mahoun my god with this stroke I made the afeard/ now mayst thou well feel how I can play/ & I have no marvel though thou command the to thy god/ but I am evil content that I have hurt the over sore with the stroke ¶ Nevertheless be sure that thou shalt not see the son go to rest for thou beginnest now to change colour and thy fierce manner nevertheless I am content that thou return/ and that shall be for the the best tofore thou know more fully my strength/ for I warn the of one thing that when I see my blood issue out of my body/ then doubleth my might and my strength/ And I wot well that charles loveth the not much when he sendeth the to me/ if he had lodged the in a fair bed & white sheets thou hadst been moche better/ when Oliver heard him so says he was replenished with a fervent courage & began to lift up his heed and said/ O paynim dysmesured/ all day thou vanntest the for to bring me to th'end of my days/ I pray to god almighty that he will reioye my courage/ keep the well/ I defy thee/ we have over long pleaded/ upon these words they ran to gydre smiting marvelously each other upon their helms in such wise that boucles/ naylles and crochettes/ precious stone's/ orfaveryes and flowers been he wen broken and flown to the ground/ the fire issued out largely making great bruit with the swords upon their harnoys/ In this while Charles was in great meditation/ and thought that the quarrel of Oliver was true and just/ and that god ought to preserve him and when he thought that Oliver might die/ As Inpacyent of a perfect faith he said/  
¶ O glorious god for whom we take pain I pray the to conserve Oliver that he be not slain ne taken/ For I swear by the soul of my father/ that if he be now slain of this paynim/ that never in france in any church shall clerk ne priest be revested ne inhabited/ but I shall do burn monasteries churches/ oulters' & crucyfyxes/ Alas said Duc names/ Sir king leave these words vain and idle/ & pray god for Oliver/ that he be in his aid for his holy mercy/ All this while persevered the ij champions fighting and smiting each on other in such manner/ that Fyerabras With his sword broke the circle of oliver helm/ and made him fall on his visage/ and his horse had be slain if he had not leapt a side/ and Oliver was hurt in his body/ and specially in the breast/ and had then lost so moche of his blood that he was much feeble/ which was no marvel seen that he had resisted against the most terrible man that ever was borne of mother   

¶ How Oliver made his prayer to god when he felt him hurt capitulo xj  
Oliver the noble earl being in this malancolye of the great wounds that he had in his body took his recomfort saying in this manner/ O glorious god cause a beginning of all that is above & under the firmament/ which for your own playser formed our first father Adam/ and for his company gavest unto him Eve/ by whom all human generation is conceived giving to them licence to eat all manner fruits/ reserved only one/ of which Eve by the moving of the serpent caused Adam to eat wherefore they lost paradise/ & by the seduetyon of the fiends of hell many have been deceived & dampened/ whereof ye had pity of the perdition of the world and came for to take flesh human in the womb of the glorious virgin mary/ by thannunciation of the holy angel Gabryel/ and were borne as it pleased you/ And anon after the three kings camen to adore & make obeisance/ and with gold/ incense/ and myrrh made to you their presents/ After for you herod's made to be slain many children which now been in joy permanable/ And when ye were in age by you determined ye went in the world preaching to your friends/ then afterward by th'envious jews ye were hanged on the cross/ in which so hanging longyus the knight by the Induction of the jews pierced your side/ & when he hyleved in you & wash his eyen with your precious blood he recovered his sight fair & clear/ & cried you mercy whereby he was saved/ After by your friends ye were laid in the holy sepulture the third day after aroos and took again life/ and descended in to hell/ And took out Adam and Eve and all them that were worthy to have paradise/ And the day of your marvelous ascension ye ascended in to heaven in the pressence of all your apostles/ Thus my god my maker as this is truth/ and I believe it verily and firmly be ye in my comfort against this myscrraunte/ that I may vanquish him in such wise that he may be saved/ And this said he blessed him with his sword in making the sign of the cross in the name of god the holy trinity/ and smote his horse upon the hope of the help of god/ and Fyerabras said to him laughing/ Oliver fair friend I pray the that thou hide not from the oryson that thou hast said now/ for by my god termagant I would gladly here it/ Now would god of heaven said Oliver that thou were in such grace that thou shouldest believe it also firmly as I do/ For I assure the I should love the then as much as I do Roulland/  
¶ And Fyerabras answered to him/ by my god Mahoun and Termagant thou speakest now of a moche great folly/   

¶ How after a great battle Oliver conquered the balm & drank thereof at his ease/ and how he fell to th'earth when his horse was slain capitulo xii  
FYerabras being wroth of the words of Oliver in great Ire said to him keep the well fro me for I defy thee/ I am ready said Oliver for to god I command me/ & so thenne they recountered to guider so sharply and so hard strokes they gave/ that the fire might haboundantlye be seen spring out of their harnoys/ Their horses bowed under hem/ and the earth trembled of the uruyt in the meadow under mormyonde/ Fyerabras took his sword in his hand and smote Oliver there as he was evil hurt in the breast under the pap/ & of that stroke the eyen turned in his heed/ And had his face all changed/ And then again he cried on god and on the virgin marry that he would save his soul/ Fyerabras by great cartosye said to him/ Oliver under stand me/ descend down surely and go take of the balm and drink at thine ease/ and anon thou shalt be all guarished and hole/ and then mayst thou the better defend the against me/ and thou shalt recover new strength/ But oliver for nothing that he could do/ though he should die he would not/ For by true fighting he would have it/ And anon came that one against that other and smitten in such wise that Fyerabras was hurt dangerously/ For oliver sword entered in to his thy an half foot deep/ and of the blood that issued out all the grass was reed/ And when he saw him so hurt/ he drank of his balm/ and was anon all hool/ whereof oliver was much sorrowful by cause thereof he could make none end of this paynim/ And the french men that saw this/ made to god their prayers devoutly that he would conserve that day Oliver/ And in especial charlemain which among all other loved him moast entirely/ But when Oliver saw the paynim all hole/ & for the balm so comforted/ by the aid of god he came to him and smote him upon the helm so hard/ that the stroke descended upon the saddle & cut the cord by which the barylles were bound and fastened/ and the horse of fyerabras was afeard of the stroke/ and made a little course by the pleasure of god/ then Oliver or the paynim took any heed bowed to the ground and took up the barylles & drank at his ease and largely/ & anon he was all hole & reconfermed in new strength/ & thought that if by adventure fyerabras were more hurt by him/ and might again have his baryllies/ that in th'end it might evil hap and come to him/ wherefore he being nigh unto a great river took the barylles & threw then/ therein/ which were anon sonnen/ And as it is red at all the feasts of saint johan these ij barylles been showed above the water evidently/ when fyerabras saw that the battlles were lost/ all most for anger he was out of his mind/ & by great reproach said to Oliver/ O evil man that thou art/ thou hast lost my barylles which were more worth than all the gold in the world/ but I promise the that or it be even they shall to the been dear sold/ For I shall not cease till I have smyton of thy heed/ and this saying be came against him/ but Oliver as be that doubteth him not so much as he did tofore/ eschewed him not/ but put him at the defence with his shield to avoid the stroke/ Nevertheless Fyerabras smote him so hard that his helm was desmaylled & broken but he was not hurt/ & the stroke descended so inpytuously that he cut asunder the neck of olivers horse & fell to ground/ and thenne was Oliver on foot/ but a great miracle it was of the horse of fyerabras that made no semblaunte to run upon him/ as he had been taught like as I have said before but held him still/ above his proper custom/   

¶ How Fyerabras and Oliver fought to guider afo●e marvelously/ and of the prayer that Charles made for Oliver capitulo xiii  
MOche sorrowful were the french men when they saw Oliver on foot/ and would have armed 'em for to succour him/ But Charles would not consent for to maintain his honour & his truth ¶ And then king Charles kneeled down to th'earth & made his prayer to god that he would comfort Oliver which was thus dyspourueyed of his horse when Oliver saw himself on foot/ he was much sorrowful/ & came a four pace nigh unto Fyerabras and said to him/ o king of alexandria thou hast borne the foul this day against me/ In the morning thou hast so much praised thyself/ that thou hast said/ if v knights came against thee/ thou wouldest abide and conquer them/ and thou knowest that the king that sleeth an horse ought to have no part of theritage/ Fyerabras answered I know well that thou sayest truth/ but I did it not with my will/ Nevertheless to th'end that thou be not evil content with me/ I shall descend down of my horse/ & shall give to the my horse pomeld/ And I promise the thou shalt be well horsed/ And know thou that never in my life I was so abashed/ as when he saw the at earth/ that he strangled the not for I never put man to the earth and this horse present/ but that anon he was by him slain & deed/ Oliver answered I promise the that I shall never take thine horse but if he be first by me conquered and justly won/ whereupon fyerabras was so much noble/ that for the valiance of Oliver said/ certain for the noblesse that I know in thee/ I will do that I never did for man and sprang of his horse & stood a foot/ & was content to fight against him a foot/ by cause he had no horse of his own/ and the said fyerabras was much heyer than Oliver/ and by one accord they jousted afoot that one against that other so marvelously/ that it was wonder that both twain remained not in the field a swoon of the travail that they took/ Thus contynueng the battle which could take none end/ they spaken many reproaches and despytrous words that one of them unto other/ The king Charles seeing all this had great pity on Oliver/ then the Earl Reyner father of Oliver which was much sorrowful came & kneeled at the feet of Charles and said O noble emperor in th'honour of god take remorse of my son/ whom I see likely anon to die at lest make prayer to Jesus' our maker that he be in aid to him that I may see him nigh to me in health/ ¶ incontinent Charles seeing this said/ O lord god if ye suffer that Oliver be overcome/ and that my right at this time be lost and defiled/ I make avow that all crystyante shall be destroyed/ I shall not leave in Fraunte church ne monastery/ image ne altar & after kneeled down with both his knees to the ground & prayed in this manner/ My creator which for our salvation was borne of the glorious virgin marry in bethleem/ as I well believe that of your glorious birth all the world was enlumyned which abode in this world full xxxij year & more/ & made at beginning Adam and Eve/ of whom we been comen & that was in paradise terrestre a place much delectable/ And there by you were all f●●ytes abandoned to them/ except one only which was of knowing good & evil as it pleased you to ordain/ of which adam eat & was disobey saunt/ for whom to the reparation of his misdeed & for to redeem him fro eternal captivity & us also/ ye were content to take the death in the tree of the cross/ after that the traycour judas sold you for thirty pens/ & on a friday ye were pained/ & your hands & feet mortally nay●led/ & crowned with a moche sharp crown of thorns/ and after Longyus smote you in the right side to the heart/ which was blind/ & after that he had laid on his eyen of your precious blood/ he saw much clearly/ & after ye descended in to hell & took out your friends/ & sith arods fro doth to life/ & tofore all your apostles ye ascended in to heaven/ & left for your lieutenant saint Peter th'apostle in earth/ and ordeynest baptism for the regeneration of us and to make us christian for to have salvation/ O lord as all this is tr●●he/ and that I believe it stedfirstly so on this day be thou in aid and succour unto Oliver for to preserve him that he be not slain ne vaynavysshed/  
¶ He this saying & other devout words in his secret oratory/ Out lord sent to him an angel fro heaven which said to him/ ¶ O Charles Emperor of noblesse know thou for truth/ that I am sent from god for to say to thee/ that thou doubt no thing of Oliver/ for without fail he shall win the battle/ though it be late/ but he shall vanquish the paynim/ this said the angel departed/ end charles thanked god devoutly for his glorious me dytacyon/ Nevertheless after many battles between fyerabras and Oliver made/ and great menaces by great furor willing to have given to Oliver a great stroke out of measure/ But Oliver which saw the stroke coming devaunced him in such wise/ that he gave two evil strokes to Fyerabras/ whereof Fyerabras was passing angry upon Oliver and Oliver on him so that both were right active never to depart/ till that one of them were vanquished and destroyed/ & at that time Oliver was so covetous in smiting/ that his hand in which he held his sword was a sleep and swollen for the pain that he had of smiting/ and he desiring to smite his enemy at utterance/ his suerde flew a far fro him/ out of his hand whereof he was sore moved and abashed/ and it was no marvel/ and much courageously ran for to take up his sword And laid his shield on his heed for to preserve it/ But not wythstonding the paynim smote him twice so mightily/ that he broke his shield in divers places/ and his hauberke/ so that he was sore astonied for that time/ And doubted so much the paynim that he durst not take his sword/ and much suddenly the french men which saw so Oliver dysponrueyed of his sword armed them anon and were in purpose to run upon the saracen for to succour oliver but Charles would not consent that any man should go/ saying to them that god is almighty for to save and maintain him in his good right/ for if he had not gaynsayed it/ more than xiv thousand men were then ready for to have rescued him/ and not withstanding all this/ the paynim did but laugh & said to Oliver/ In truth Oliver I have obtained upon the a little of mine intent/ but wherefore darest not y● take thy sword I know now well that thou art enough vanquished/ sith that thou art so afeard that thou darest not stoop for all the treasure of the world/ and I am well content for to appoint with thee/ that is/ that thou renye the faith that thou holdest/ the baptism that thou hast received/ & the god in whom thou believest and for whom thou hast had all this pain/ & believe in Mahoun my god full of bounty/ & I shall suffer the to live/ & more over I shall be content to give to the my sister to wy●/ to whom thou shalt be richly married/ Her name is Florypes the fairest of mother borne/ & after we shall conquer France or this year be passed/ And of one of the royalmes I shall crown the king Oliver answered to him paynim thou speakest to me of great folly/ for god forbid that ever I should be of entencion to forsake my god which hath created & formed me/ and his holy sacrements/ which have been established for ●my salvation/ for to believe in mahoun and in thy gods full of abusion which have neither strength ne virtue/ but cause of damnation/ Fyerabras said to him/ by latimer my god thou art alway moche obstynat/ that ne for pain ne for torment thou wilt not deny thy faith/ & of one thing which is more great/ thou mayst well avaunt thee/ For never was I of person so traveled ne grieved as I am of thee/ ¶ Thou oughtest well to be praised/ I am content that thou take thy sword hardyly and surely/ for without competent weepen thou mayst not prevail ne more than a woman/ Oliver answered/ paynim I can not say the contrary but that thou offerest to me service and bounty/ but for the value of x thousand mark of gold I will not take it/ ne for to die therefore/ For if I had recovered my sword by thy courtesy/ And it happened that thou were under my puissance/ and thou then demandest of me amity & friendship/ & then put the to death/ it should to me be vylete and reproach/ And at this time my life and my death be in the will of god/ to whom I have given myself over/ But and if I may win my sword thou shalt, buy it dear/ & here die/ For other thing shall thou not have/ ¶ By my faith said Fyerabras thou art much surquydrous & glorious/ wherefore be thou sure/ that shortly thou shalt be confused descomfyte and mat/   

¶ How at this battle Fyerabras was vanquished by Oliver/ after that he had recovered one of the swords of fyerabras capitulo xiv  
When Fyerabras heard that oliver was so fierce of faith and of courage/ he had great marvel/ For he would not have his sword/ but if he might by just war conquer it/ wherefore the paynim dysmesurably came against him/ and held in his hand plorance his sword/ then it was no marvel though oliver was afeard to abide his enemy/ he being dyspourueyed of sword & of shield/ For that was broken in two parties/ but as it pleased to god/ he looked beside him & saw the horse of fyerabras/ and on the arson of the saddle were ij other swords of which I have spoken afore/ And anon Oliver ran right quickly and took one of the swords which was named baptism/ which had the blade much large and shone marvelously/ & after came against the paynim & put tofore/ part of his shield such as was left/ and when he was nigh him he began to say/ O king of alexandria now is time to count/ For I am purveyed of your sword of which I shall make you wroth/ & keep you well from me/ for I have deffyed you/ then when Fyerabras saw it/ and had heard him so speak/ anon began to change colour and said/ O baptism good sword I have kept the many a day for one of the best that ever hinge by my side or by any man's that is living And after beheld Oliver saying/ By my god Mahoun I know the a man of great fyerste I would that thou wouldest take thine own sword/ and let me have mine/ and then let us fight as we have begun/ by my heed said Oliver/ that shall never be by my will/ for tofore I make any pact with the I shall assay and approve this sword upon thy person/ keep the well fro me/ For over long have we sermoned/ This saying & other things/ Oliver came as a lion hungry against fyerabras & smote him first/ but he might not attain him on the heed/ but that he recountered first the shield of the paynim/ which he broke and all to frusshed evil that the half flew in the field/ then fyerabras was sore afeard of that stroke/ For above all this the sword with that stroke entered nigh half a foot within th'earth then oliver blessed him that had forged that sword and so well tempered/ and after many menaces rigorous they were in party descowerd of their helms/ And when Oliver saw the paynim Fyerabras in the visage fierce and courageous he said/ O lord god of heaven maker of heaven & of earth/ that this paynim is noble and full of cruelty/ Now would god that Charles had him in his power and if he would be baptized/ Rolland and I should be his prive fellows/ O glorious virgin marry mother of god pray our lord Ihesu christ thy son that he give grace to this saracen that he may believe in the christian faith/ for by him it may be much enhanced/ Fyerabras answered in this manner/ Oliver leave such words/ tell me if thou wilt fight like as thou hast enterprised/ ye said oliver keep the well fro me for ●●●ffye thee/ and ran upon him/ and Oliver was smyton first upon his shield by such fierceness that he smote his shield in pieces nigh to his fist/ and it was marvel that he cut it not of wherefore Fyerabras said that he had put him in such case that he should not long live in this world/ Oliver said no word but came with his sword against the paynim Fyerabras moche furiously/ ¶ Thenne the paynim that saw the stroke come threw his shield against oliver wherefore anon it was quartered/ and was so atoned that the eyen in his heed were all troubled of the pain/ and the fire was seen spring out of the swords and sheldes much habundantlye/ and thus in smyting fyerabras said in this manner/ now is the hour come that thou shalt never have aid of thy god Jesus' in whom thou believest/ that anon thou shalt be deed/ sith thou feelest thyself overcomen/ And Oliver anon answered Jesus' is well mighty for to show his puissance/ But anon thou shalt know that Mahoun ne Termagaunte shall not mow aid thee/ ne be so mighty but that thou shalt be deed/ I shall well give the knowledge/ And hereupon came that one upon that other/ And oliver was smyton on the helm all unto the flesh in such wise that all that the sword araught it share and passed thorough/ & then he said to oliver/ I sure to the by my god that I have well araught the and smyton/ Never shall charles ne Rolland see the be thou well sure/ Oliver answered/ O Fyerabras of aleyandrye be not thou so proud/ for or I depart fro thee/ I shall render the deed or vanquished/ & god grant to me that which I have alway desired/ And thereupon each smote other so marvelously that the bodies of them both sweat for anguish and pain/ Fyerabras smote oliver upon the helm so hard that the stoke came to the flesh and if god had not wrought he had be slain at that time/ wherefore Oliver as a man enraged came against the paynim/ & the saracen lift on high his shield so that he was all discovered under the arm/ and his flank was there unarmed/ Oliver was wise & took good heed/ and came lightly & smote fyerabras in his flank so mightily/ & continued in such wise that he thrested his sword in one of his flanks well deep/ & his sword/ himself/ & the place was all bybled of the blood/ Thus was Fyerabras hurt in such manner/ that almost his lowellies issued out of his belly/ For then at that stroke oliver employed all his strength for to make an end of the battle so long fought/   

¶ How fyerabras being vanquished believed in god/ and how he was borne by Oliver/ And how Oliver was assailed of the saracens and tormented capitulo xv  
AFter that the paynim was smyton and hurt mortally as I have said/ And he seeing that he might no more tesyste against Oliver/ by the virtue of god he was enlumyned in such wise that he had knowledge of the error of the paynims/ and lift up his eyen unto heaven/ and began to escry the holy trinity/ and the grace of the holy ghost/ And after looked on Oliver and said to him/ O noble Oliver & valiant knight in th'honour of god on whom thou believest/ and to whom I consent/ I cry the mercy/ and require the that I die not till I be baptized & yelden vanquished unto Charles the Emperor/ which so moche is redoubted/ For I shall believe in the christian faith/ & shall yield the relics for which ye be assembled and have taken so moche pain/ And I swear to the that if by thy default I die saracen/ I make the culpable of my damnation/ And if thou take not me in to thy guard I shall lose my blood/ Thou shalt see me die tofore thine eyen/ wherefore in the honour of god have pity on me/ Oliver had so moche compassion of him for his sore that he sore wept/ and after he laid him in the shadow under a tree/ and there bound his mortal wounds in such wise that he staunched his bleeding And after the paynim prayed him that it might please him to bear him away/ For himself might not go/ but when Oliver saw that he was so heavy/ he said that it was not to him possible to bear him/ Fyerabras enforced himself moche & came nigh to him/ O noble and redoubted Earl Oliver in the honour of god lead me to charles or I be deed/ for I am nigh at mine end/ for all my body bleedeth/ take that horse and mount shown and come as nigh to me as thou may/ and if I may lie thwart tofore the upon the saddle/ thou mayst lead me/ & take my sword by thy side/ ¶ Now hast thou four that been moche worth/ and high and depesshe the For this day in the morning I left in the wood that thou there seest here by thirty thousand men which been all my subgettes/ & commanded/ them that none should move/ till I were returned fro the battle/ when Oliver understood him he was all afraid and abashed for fere/ but not withstanding he said/ Sir king sith that it please you I am content/ & took him thwart the horse as it was said/ & went forth on the way in great sorrow/ And suddenly departed out of the wood/ where as were the subgettes of Fyerabras a moche fierce paynym named bruyllant of Mommere/ And after him Sortybrant of nonymbres and the king of Mantryble/ after him maradas/ Pynan/ & Tenebras/ & well thirty thousand saracens after/ when Oliver saw them come/ he smote the horse with the spurs/ but the charge was so heavy that he might not go so fast as his enemies came to him/ when the french men saw the paynims come in so great number/ anon lightly they armed them/ And among other rolland/ Gherard of mondydyer/ Guyllam the scot/ names of bauyere/ Ogier/ Richard of normandye/ Guy of bourgoyn Geffroy lantiguy/ Basyn the due/ Thyery of arden/ And Aubert/ And semblably Reyner of genes father of Oliver failed not/ Oliver saw along the meadow/ and saw come to fore tother brullant of mommyere which road on an horse as swift as a greyhound and made great bruit among the other/ For it seemed as it had be thunder and tempest/ and bare in his hand a faus' dart with a great lead of steel square and sharp/ which was all envenomed with the blood of a crapausd and was right dangerous/ when Oliver saw him he was all amo●ued and abashed/ and said to Fyerabras in this manner/ Sir king ye must needs descente/ I may no ferther conduit ●ou/ wherefore I am meruayll●usly sorry and dysplaysaunt/ For I know that I must needs be oppressed/ ye see it well/ And if they may attain I shall be ●ut to death/ And Charles shall never see me/ which shall be to him great discomfort/ then anon Fyerabras cried with an high veys/ O noble Oliver will ye now leave me/ ye have conquered me/ to you I am yeven and yelden/ it shall not be reputed noblesse determined when I am yours and ye forsake me Alas pour sorrowful and caitiff that I am/ if I die paynim what shall come of me/ virgin marry mother of god have pity on me Unworthy that I am to return me to you/ And after he said to Oliver I am conquered by thee/ and have promised to the that I shall be baptized/ If thou leave me/ thou oughtest little to be praised/ Oliver answered Fyerabras thou speakest as a knight/ But I avow to god and to the court of heaven that I shall not leave thee/ I shall take the battle in hand for the and shall defend the as long as I shall be on live/ thou mayst well trust thereto/ & there upon he took the hauberk of the saracen/ and with such as he might have/ he armed him/ & prestly he abylled him/ and put on his heed an hat of fyn steel/ and held his sword drawn named haultelere with which he could well help him/ & hereupon came anon brullant with his faus' dart & attained Oliver in the breast & gaf him an evil stroke so that the dart broke/ thenne said fyerabras/ Sir Oliver ye have done enough for me/ For ye be hurt let me descend down and lay me a part out of the way to th'end that I be not defoulled of these saracens ne taken and destroyed/ Thereof had Oliver great compassion & laid Fyerabras in the shadow of a pynapple tree forre out of the way and when he would have fled he saw about him well x thou sand saracens and said/ Alas god Jesus' my creator thou knowest mine intention/ I require the to give me grace that I die not at this time present unto the time that for thexaltation of thy faith I may be with Rolland my fellow/ & in the name of Jesus' drew out halt clear/ and came in to the way & the first that he recountered was the son of the greatest lord that was there/ and gave him such a stroke that he cleft him to the breast and fell down deed/ & Oliver was able & deliver and took fro him his shield which was all new/ for in the battle tofore made he had lost his/ & also he had his spear & let his horse run among the miscreants/ And attained at the first stroke Clorgys/ & smote him unto the heart/ And in returning he slew three saracens & they ran tofore him as sheep tofore the wolf which is hungry/ then came on him mara bas/ Turgys'/ Sortybrant of conymbres and the king Margaris'/ and they cried with an high voice to gydre/ by Mahoun our god/ thou French man thou shalt not escape us/ keep the well for by us thou shalt die/ And then came Oliver among his enemies and smote and slew on all sides/ And the saresyns smote on him in such wise that it was great marvel that he was not slain and overcomen but by force and shot and of strokes his horse was slain under him/ And he being on the earth as soon as he might he aroos/ and being afoot set his shield tofore him which he had gotten/ and held fast haultclore which was all his comfort for to succour him/ And alway whom he reached/ fell down and was slain/ It is not red in any book that ever any man so hurt as he was bare him so well and did so great portemente of arms/   

¶ How Oliver was taken & blynfeld piteously/ & might not be succoured by the french men capitulo xvij  
Oliver was a alone on foot among the saracens against whom he made great resistance & marvelous but it is not a thing possible that he might escape fro their hands/ for with glaives with swords and with faus darts of iron they pressed him so fore that his shield was pierced in more than thirty places/ & when his hawberk was broken & pierced with four sharp darts/ they pierced and wounded him in his body marvelously/ wherefore by very force & for feblesse he fell to the earth/ & there they took him much outerageously/ and after blynfelde his eyen & bond him straightly so that he might not see ne wist not where he was/ & they set him upon a good horse & bond him surely And when this valiant oliver was thus dyspourueyed fro all help/ fro all sight/ fro all hope and fro all comfort/ it is good to weet that he was in great desplaysaunce/ For he knew not what they would do with him/ then with an high voice by a compassion of heart he said/ O charlemain king of noblesse/ Emperor of valour where art thou now/ & knowest thou not where I am/ seest thou not what I do/ remember'st not me/ Noble fellow Rolland thou art all a sleep/ am I deef/ or how I may not here thee/ is there none of you christian that remembreth me/ These and such other complaints making/ the king Maradas said to him/ french man what somever thou be/ thou speakest of folly/ For I shall not eat till thou be hanged/ These saracens ran with oliver his eyes blynfelde and his hands straightly bounden in the guard of four false tyrants/ Thenne upon this in especial came Rolland Thyerry & all the peers & charles himself also/ but this was over late for to save Oliver/ with great cries they cried on god/ & on all the saints of heaven/ And with great Ire Rolland smote Corsuble in the breast Gherard of mondydyer came against Turgys'/ Ogyer smote athenas/ And Rychad Amancdys/ Guy of bourgoyne attained brullant/ There was none of the peers of france but that over three we his man/ and made so great discomfit of the sarazens/ that they were all impeached to hold them to guiders and to go their way/ but the other paynims that conduited Oliver went alway forth/ And in this battle was slain/ guyllam gualtier & other enough of valiant people/ & many other of the moyen people & lay on the ground/ And Gherard de mondydier the son of Duke Thyerey and geffroy langevyn they bond diligently to their horses/ & road away with them hastily/ but when charles saw them thus fadde/ for anger he lost almost his wit/ And with an high voice cried/ save keep and succour the barons/ O knights desloyal that ye be slow if they lead away the barons never shall ye far well/ when the french men herd Charles thus moved/ as enraged smote their horses with their sports and went down of a mountain And there was Rolland first that held his sword durandall drawn for t'avenge him fiercely and him that he attained was sure to pass by the death/ For he was all enraged by cause that they led away his fellow Oliver/ & smote a paynim that he cleft him to the middle of his body/ at that time rolland bore him mightily/ by cause of the multitude of the paynims he might not pass forth for to succour the barons prisoners/ and chased them more than v mile far/ & could not approach them/ & then were many good knights deed morfounded and weary/ And not withstanding Rolland swore that he would never return/ till the barons of france were taken fro the hands of their enemies/ But he might not do it/ For the night came on/ & Wist never whither to go/ The saracens that were tofore went fleeing alway at their pleasure/ ¶ This seeing Charles wist not what he should do ne say/ For he doubted that the paynims made a watch & a ryere guard for to close them/ ¶ And therefore by force they must leave the field in right great displeasure & anguish/ and so all they returned/    

¶ The second party of the second book containeth xvij chapters & speaketh of the torment of the barons of france/ & how they that were taken spaken to ballant th'admiral of spain/  

¶ How fyerabras was founden by Charles/ and after was baptized and heeled of his wound capitulo primo  
AFter that charles knew that he might not have again Oliver ne the other prisoners/ it was force to him to return with his people for the night was thenne to them grievous/ & also in returning they fond fyerabras under a tree languishing to whom the king said/ O unhappy paynim I ought well to hate thee/ for by the been my men prisoners and boast/ thou hast take fro me Oliver one of the best beloved that I had among all thumayn creatures/ him that hath be singular to maintain my good name/ & by the in the end in stead of joy thou yieldest me sorrow/ when fyerabras understood him he sore sighed & said/ O rich emperor & noble the most mighty of human lineage/ In th'honour of god I cry the mercy & pardon me/ It is truth that Oliver hath conquered me/ I shall not hide it/ and I have promised him that I shall be christened/ I have left & forsaken all my gods and yield me to Jesus' the creator of the world/ And I require the yet that I may be baptized/ and if I were heeled of my wounds I shall enhance to my power the christian faith/ & many saracens shall be made christian/ and by my moyan the holy sepulchre & the holy relics shall be delivered/ for whom ye take great pain and travail And also I make an oath to you by god in whom I now believe/ that I am more heavy & sorry for Oliver that noble knight which is taken prysonner/ than I am for my body which is morrally wounded/ & by the grace of god we shall have him once/ wherefore conclude we that I be crystened/ For if I die saracen/ it shall be to you reproach/ ¶ And upon this Charles which had great compassion on him/ made him to be borne in to his ledgyng by his barons/ and when they saw him so hugely membered they all were abashed of his greatness and largeness/ for when he was unarmed he was one of the semelyest men that ever was/ ¶ And all the french men gave great loss and honour to Oliver that had fought & overcomen such a man/ and as he was unclothed/ party of his wounds opened/ and began to bleed/ whereof his heart failed/ & fell down a swoon/ & rolland anon lift him up/ And in all haste they made ready a font/ & sent for tharchbishop Turpyn and names which were much joyous of this that the paynim should be crystend/ & after that the baptism was ready the godfaders gaf him another name/ & was named florin/ but as long as he lived he was called Fyerabras/ and then he was laid in a bed honourable/ And at the last end of his days he was a saint/ and god showed for him miracles/ and is now called Saint Floren of Roye/ And thenne anon charles made him to be visited by his medicines & surgyens well expert & searcheden all his wounds/ and as god would/ they fond none of his bowels entamed ne hurt wherefore the leches were sure for to deliver him all hole within ij months next after coming/ In making this visitation the Emperor charles was present & said to fyerabras/ if now oliver & the other barons were here present tofore thee/ we should well be content/ And charles was then all pencyf and heavy moche thinking upon his barons prisoners but he made no more semblant/   

¶ How Oliver & his fellows were presented to ballant th'admiral and cruelly passyoned in prison capitulo ij  
THe saracens after they had the barons of france tofore named for prisoners/ they tarried not but ran till they came in to a rich city named Agrymore/ and at the entry of the said city they swooned and blewe up trumps making great bruyt/ when ballant th'admiral/ father of Fyerabras saw them he came unto them/ & fond there brullant of mommyer to whom he said/ O brullant my friend ●●lle to us of your tidings/ how ye have borne you in my war and affairs/ have ye taken Charles the emperor/ which so moche is redoubted/ & his peers of france be they discomfited/ Brullant said to him/ O sir admiral the tidings that I bring you been all otherwise and of lass value than ye say/ by Charles the king we have been almost defeated and discomfited/ For of his puissance it is a marvelous thing/ Fyerabras your son is with him vanquished by one of his barons/ and is made christian/ & he was taken/ vanquished & discomfited in loyal battle without doing any treason when th'admiral understood this he fell to th'earth all in a trance And or he came again to his mind it was a great while for the sowwe that he had of his son/ and when he was relieved he cried with an high voice/ O dolaunt unhappy that I am/ ha pour caitiff what shall become of me/ O Fyerabras my right deer son and heyer whither art thou gone/ from whence cometh this trespaas/ wherefore were thou taken/ which never in battle were weary ne had reproach ¶ O what evil tidings been brought to me of thee/ if he be christian I am sorry that he liveth I had moche liefer that he were dismembered and put to death/ & then as a man feeble for sorrow fell down to the ground and cried/ O brullant of mommyere what is betid of the noble king of Cordube/ and of my nephew bruchart/ sith my son fyerabras the leader and captain of all/ if it be true that he be lost I shall smite out the brain of Mahommet the god which hath promised to me so much good to whom I have given myself and yoleden/ Thus saying all in a rage he tormented himself grievously upon the ground/ And when th'admiral was a little cooled of his great ire/ He demanded of Brullant which is the knight that hath vanquished fyerabras my son/ brullant answered/ Sir admiral your son hath be conquered by yond knight in showing Oliver/ which was so fair & well form & membered/ & had among all other his eyen bended/ Now anon said th'admiral of spain high you & bring him to me/ for I shall never eat till 〈…〉 membered/ when the french men understood/ that he would do put Oliver to death which was all their comfort/ begun to were grievously/ & oliver which understood it saw them wail/ be recomforted them saying in such manner/ that the saracens wist not what they said/ My lords & my brethren ye know our necessity if th'admiral might know that we be of the peers of france our lives shall be soon termined for for no thing shall he take rite of us/ but that we shall die shamefully/ wherefore I pray you that we all say as I shall begin to whom all the other french men prysonners did consent & would say & do like as he counseled them/ after that th'admiral had commanded them to come tofore him/ the paynims unarmed them/ & bond fast their hands/ & blynfelde their eyen/ whereof they were much grieved & dangerously hurt/ & anon th'admiral furiously demanded oliver/ the frenssh man beware that y● lie not but say to me the truth how thou art named & hide it not/ Oliver answered & said sir I am named engines son unto a yeoman of pour lineage/ and was borne in lorayne/ & came on a time to the court of Charles emperor which gaf to me arms/ & after adoubed me knight & also my fellows that ye see tofore you been pour knights adventurous/ & have enterprised pain to serve our king/ because that by our service we might be advanced & have some good guerdon & reward/ O Mahoun said th'admiral/ now I am well deceived/ I supposed by my god that I had had five of the valiantest earls of france & of the greatest/ & thought I had the keys of france by the moyen of these barons/ & anon called barba●as his chamberlain/ and said to him anon depesshe the take these french men and despoil them/ & bind them hard to that pillar/ & after bring me my darts well sharped with iron/ & I shall shoot at them/ and smite 'em at my pleasure/ thenne aroos brullant & said/ sir admiral I pray you that at this time/ that ye do not that enterprise/ for it shall not be well do ye see well that it is in the eventide/ & over late to do justice/ & so ye might be blamed/ seen that your signory ne your lords be not here now present/ wherefore I pray you that at this time ye do no thing to them till to morrow/ at hour that each man know it/ & your judgement shall the better be approved/ For I know well that they have deserved it well evidently/ And on that other side if charles the emperor would yield again to you Fyerabras your son with his good will/ ye might semblably remyse to him these French men that ye now have/ for your love said th'admiral I am content/ and sent for Brutamont which was kepar of the prison and gaf to him great charge to keep the french men/ and that he be well f●●re of them/ and that he set them in such place for to learn how they have wrought foolily for to come in to his keeping/   

¶ Of the prison wherein that the french men were lodged/ And how they were visited by the fair Florypes daughter of the admiral/ and of the beauty of her capitulo iij  
AFter that ballant th'admiral of Spain had commanded that the french men were set in grievous prison/ brutamont the geayler made Oliver & his fellows to avail down in to a prison much dangerous which was so deep and straight in the ground that no light might be seen/ in the which were put & nourished serpents/ crapauldes/ and other beasts venomous and detestable/ in which place all stench was comprised and there passed a stream of the salt see which had his entry without conduyt/ by which water might one pass when the tide was passed/ & or the kepar of the prison went he blynfeld them & shut the door above them & they being in this filth and stench/ anon the water came so abundantly that the pour French men were in the water unto their shoulders/ then the wounds of oliver began to smart by cause of the salt water that it pierced his heart/ ye may well think the pain was great/ But in especial of oliver which was hurt mortally in many places & had great necessity of remedy/ & he was in a place where all his pains were renewed & his wounds opened/ for anon as he felt him bayned in the salt water/ he fell down a swoon & had be deed that time ne had be gherard de mondydyer who sustained him/ & ye may demand me how they were not drowned seeing that the water grew alway/ ye shall understand that in that prison of adventure were two great pilers well xv foot high/ upon which by great force they gate up oliver which might not help him/ & when oliver was set thereupon/ in great anguish he wailed & said/ o pour man & unhappy/ put under by false fortune/ O Reyner my dear father/ for god's sake what do ye know ye where I am/ think ye what I make/ know ye my sorrow/ ye shall never see me/ this saying & other lamentable words of desolation/ the valiant man Gherard said to him/ Sir oliver waybe no more/ unto such a knight as ye be/ it e●pperteyneth not to make such complaint rejoice we ourself/ & trust we in god/ which I would it pleased that now we that be here were above at large all armed & each a good sword in his hand only/ for I make a vow to god/ that or we should be put in to this pit unynguysshed/ I should put to death in C saracens or more the french men being on these pilers of marble afore said in such wise saying & other words/ Florypes the sister of fyerabras & daughter of th'admiral herd them & had great compassion of that complaints that Oliver made/ this daughter was young & not married was well comprised of body/ reasonable of length whit & rody as rose in may/ her heir was shining as the fine gold/ & her visage termined in little of length/ and her cheer lawhing/ her eyen clear as falcon mewed/ & sparkling like ij stars/ the visage had she devised much equally/ her nose straight which was well seemly/ the ij brows which were above the eyen appyering made shadow/ her chekys round whit as the flower delys a little tyssued with reed/ & under the nose was her mouth roundette enhanced in competent space fro the chin all well proportioned to the remanant of the heed/ with little shoulders straight & egalle/ & tofore above the girdle her paps were raised after the fashion of ij apples round and even as the cop of a ltel mountain/ And she was clad with a rob of purple marvelously rich filled & powdered with stars of fyn gold/ which was made of one of the fairy/ & it was of great virtue/ for the person that had it/ might never be poisoned of herb ne of venom/ And florypes was so fair with her abyllements/ that if a person had fasted iij or iiij days with out eting/ & he might see her he should be replenished & filled & more over she bore a mantel which was made in the isle of colchos of a woman of the fairy/ there as jason gate the fleece of gold/ as it is red in the destruction of troy/ almost at the beginning/ which mantle had so sweet an odour that it was marvel/ wherefore of the beauty of this damoysel each man marveled/ & as I have said tofore she had well heard the complaint of the french men in prison/ & in especial of Oliver of whom she had great pity and departed fro her chamber with xii maidens her subgettes & entered first in to the hall/ where as the paynims were much desolate for fyerabras which was taken & many other great lords which were deed/ & when the daughter had demanded tidings/ they told her that her brother fyerabras was taken & vanquished/ wherefore anon she made a great cry/ and sighed for anguish/ thenne was all the sorrow renewed for her sake among them/ & when she had ceased a little of weeping she sent anon for brutamont & said to him/ what be they that I have herd speak in the prison that been so sorrowful ¶ Madam said the porter they be French men longing to Charles the King which never cease to destroy our law/ she our people/ reprove our creance/ and set at nought our gods/ & have been aydyng to slay Fyerabras your brother/ among whom there is one of great valour/ which is one of the best made men that ever was known/ and hath been so mighty that he conquered in loyal battle Fyerabras/ Anon floryres had envy to hear him speak/ & said to brutamont/ I will speak with 'em come and open the prison for I will know of their faith brutamont answered and said Madam ye shall pardon me/ ye may not see them by cause of the filth and dishonest of the place/ it appertaineth not to you and on that other side your father hath deffended me that no person shall approach the prison And I remember me now well that oft-times by a woman I have known some shamed & deceived/ when floripes understood she was for anger almost fro her self and said to him/ O evil glouton despitous oughtest thou to give me such language/ I promise the that I shall make the to be paid shortly/ & called her chamberlain which gaf to her a staff/ and she made semblant to open the prison and brutamont gaynsayed it/ & suddenly she seeing the porter withstand her gaf him such a stroke on the visage that she made his eyen flee out of his heed & after he fell down/ & there she show him/ & threw him without knowing of the saracens in to the prison where the french men were/ whereof they were sore afeard and abashed when they herd him/ weening to them that it had be the devil which would have tempted & deceived them then anon florypes did do light a torch & did do open the prison/ & put in the light tofore her for to see the prisoners & came nigh to the pillar & said to them/ ¶ O●ye lords tell to me what ye are/ & how ye be named hide ye no thing fro me/ Oliver answered & said/ My fair lady we been of france & men of churl mains/ & have been brought hither to th'admiral which hath commanded us to be here in this cruel prison/ & moche better were it for us that he did us to be dismembered & die/ than tabyde in this place/ the courteous florypes not withstanding that she was not crystened had so great noblesse & so great compassion and said to them/ I promise you that I shall put you out of this prison/ so that ye promette & swear/ that ye shall help me to that that I shall say to you/ Oliver answered/ thereof madame I you assure/ & that ye shall find us all such by effect as ye shall desire & faithful & true/ For never were we other ne never shall be & be ye sure that we shall never fail you as long as we shall have life in our bodies/ se that we be furnished of arms/ & been above for to meddle with the sarazens/ I shall make to them a great discomfit/ vassal said the daughter/ ye may avaunt you over moche/ yet ye be there and well far for to be out/ and yet menace ye them that been at their liberty/ It is better a man wisely to be still/ than folysshly to speak/ Gherard said to the lady/ Damoysel I shall say to you one word/ he that is detained and strongly impeached singeth gladly for to forget his pain and melancholy/ And Floripes beheld gherard the courteous which excused Oliver of that which he spoke over hardyly/ but this was not great marvel/ For of the joy that oliver had when the lady said to him that they should be put out of prison/ him thought then to be out & armed at his free will/ But the lady said to gherad/ ¶ In truth sir ye can well say and excuse your fellow readily/ And I believe verily that ye can well play with maidens of eage in some chamber under curtains & disport you in love/ I trow ye know how and what manner/ Guillam the scot answered and said/ by my soul madame ye say soothe/ & of him ye have well devyned/ for fro hens unto iijC mile ye shall not find his peer   

¶ How the french men were put outo of prison and were visited by the noble maid Floripes/ and of the beauty of her chamber capitulo iiij  
When the fair Florypes had spoken at her pleasure with the barons prisoners she called her chamberlain/ and made him to bring a cord & a staff bounden overthwart/ & after let it down/ And when the french men saw it/ they made first Oliver to go up/ & the lady and her chamberlain drew him up by great force/ & after that the other went up lightly enough/ and after she led them by an old gate and secret/ and without knowing of any paynim she made them to enter in to her chamber/ whereof th'entry was made marvelously after the sarazens work/ Above the chief gate was made by great science/ the heaven & the stars/ the son/ the moon/ the time of summer & of winter/ woods mountains birds beasts & fish were there painted of all figures and likeness by marvelous fashion/ & after some scriptures/ the son of mathussale did do make it/ And this chamber stood upon a black roche all environed with the see/ and in one of the quarters was a garden pretoyre marvelously fair/ wherein flowers ne fruits failed never/ & there of all maladies and sicknesses safe only of the malady ot death was founden comfort and good help/ There within grew mandegloyre/ And with the fair Floripes were in the gellerye these ladies Clarmondyne/ florette/ Florymonde & many other fair vyrgynes/ And her mistress named maragonde said to Florypes/ A madame I know well these french men/ yonder goodly man that ye there see is Oliver which is soon to Reyner of genes/ and brother to Audeyne one of the fairest that is borne of a woman/ And this is he that hath vanquished fyerabras thy brother/ & that other is gherard of Mondidier which oft-times hath be praised & honoured/ And there is willyam do scot/ & the camuse which is the hyndmest/ is geffroy langevyn/ but I pray to my god mahomet that he curse me if I ever eat or drink till I have told your father my lord th'admiral Floripes anon changed all her colour when she heard these words/ & much secretly she retained her Ire against her/ & called this woman to her by the window/ & gave her so great a stroke that she fell to the ground/ and called her varlet which came to her prestly/ and threw the woman in to the see/ For Florypes redoubted much her father & his malice/ & when this old woman tumbled in to the see/ Florypes said to her/ ¶ Now go thou old & despitous wretch/ thou hast thy guerdon/ I am now sure that the french men that been here ne shall never be incumbered ne in danger by thee/ and hereof the barons made great joy/ & then Floripes the noble lady came unto the french men/ and kissed them sweetly & when she saw Oliver which was all bloody and knew well that he was hurt she said to him/ Sir Oliver ne doubt ye not/ for I shall render you anon all hole and in good health/ & went to the mandegboyre and took a little/ & anon as Oliver had used it/ he was all hele & reduced in to good health/ The barons being in this noble chamber/ anon had good fire/ and after were set to the table and well purveyed of all good victual and delicious meats/ of which they had great need/ because of the great hungres that they then had endured/ and after meet they had the buynes chafed/ And then they bayned and refayted them at their ease/ and at the coming out of their baynes they were well adoubed with mantles rich of silk & gold broundred/ & thenne Floripes said/ lords burons ye know well how I have put myself in great danger/ to bring you out of prison mortal/ and ye be here in surety/ as far as no man hath heard us/ For if of adventure it were known/ it should torn us to evil/ I am not in doubt/ Oliver which is here present hath overcomen my brother to whom naturally I ought to do repre●f/ I know you well all/ be ye nothing abashed/ ye know well that ye have promised that my secret shall be hid among you/ and after the said Florypes said/ lords I shall say to you/ there is a knight in france whom I have long time loved/ he is named guy of bourgoyne/ which is the most godelyest man that I know & is of the parentage of charlemain & of the mighty Rolland/ ¶ On a time when I was at Rome I saw him/ & sith that time I have given to him mine heart/ when my father the admiral destroyed Rome lucafar of bandas which was moche redoubted among the paynims/ & the said guy of bourgoyne justeden to guider/ but the said guy valiantly smote him down to the earth from his horse which moche pleased me/ And took in gree the halyaunce of him in such wise/ that if I have him not to husband/ I shall never mary/ And for the love of him I will be baptized & believe in the god of christian men/ with these words the French men were much joyous/ and given great thankings to god for the good will of this fair maid/ and Gherard de mondydyer said to her/ Madame I swear to you/ that if we now were armed & were in the hall among the saracens we should make on them a great discomfiture/ But florypes was wise and said/ lords let us think wisely on our affairs/ And sith that ye be in surety/ take a little rest/ Loo here uj maidens of great no bliss/ Each of you take one for his own/ for the better to pass with the time & rest and take your pleasure/ And I shall warrant you/ For as for myself I shall never have to do with man but with Guy of bourgoyne to whom I have given my heart Nevertheless for to consider well this chapter/ there was a great work comprised/ when first florypes the courteous which was a paynim had desire to speak with the french men/ all this toucheth well the desire & will of women for to know new things and tidings/ but as much as touched the work that she did against the kepar of the prison/ & how they were taken out/ That was the work of a man well approved/ and it had been great damage if those barons had abiden in prison/ But the faith of persons doth great alegement of torment/ for the saints of heaven by their holy faith have obtained heaven/ and many other terryens men/ victory of their enemies/ and with good right he that fighteth for the faith/ and it hap that he be detained/ the mercy of god is nigh for to deliver him/ The cause wherefore they were delivered fro prison was come fro far/ that was of rome for guy of bourgoyne whom she had in love/ and was content for to be baptized and believe in god for to have the said guy in marriage to her husband/ wherefore it may not well be comprised how love in this damoysel was fixed and comprised of long affection/ the which was cause of saving of the prisoners/ which were as I have said in great danger/   

¶ How king charles sent to Ballant th'admiral seven peers of France which would not have gone capitulo v  
THe Duc of genes father of Oliver/ which might not sleep ne eat ne drink for the sorrow that he had for his son/ when he might no longer endure he came to king charles and said to him/ Sir Emperor for the love of god have pity on me/ ye know my sorrow ought I to lose oliver my son for whom I am in continual anguish/ if I have none other tidings I shall die or ij days of melancholy/ or of force I must put myself on the way to go thither/ when charles understood him/ he was moved and full of compassion for the melancholy of Reyner/ & sent for Rolland and said to him/ Fair nephew rolland understand me To morn in the morning thou must go to Aygremore & shalt say to ballant th'admiral without any hiding that he deliver to the the crown of Ihesu christ & the other relics/ for which I have taken great pain And after ask of him my barons whom he holdeth in prison And if he wythsaye thee/ say to him that I shall him do be druwen villainously/ & after hang him by the neck/ his eye bounden as a thief/ when he had said Rolland answered/ Sir king and fair uncle have mercy on me I am well sure that if I go verily I shall never see you/ ¶ The duke names was there which said sir emperor take heed what ye do/ Rolland is your nephew/ ye know of what value he is of/ if he go thither he shall never come again/ And I assure you said Charles that ye shall go with him and bear my letters that I send to th'admiral/ This said basin the genewey came forth and said to him/ & how sir will ye thus lose your knights/ I am certain that if they go as ye have said that there shall not one return/ ¶ Charles swore by his eyen in his heed that basin should go with the other twain/ and so there shall be three/ Thyerry duke of ardayne said like to tother therefore he was ordained to go also/ Ogyer the danoys semblably said they ought not go/ and therefore he was ordained to bear them felywshyp/ Richard of Normandye came to the emperor and said/ Sir king I am all abashed how ye have no pity of your knights/ which willingly ye will make them to die/ I wot well if they go thither ye have lost them/ by the god on whom I believe said charles/ ye shall go with the other/ and then shall ye be uj for to bear my letters to ballant th'admiral whom I so moche hate/ And after he beheld guy of bourgoyne and said to him come to me/ ye are my cousin and of my next parentage/ ye shall be the seventh for to do my message to th'admiral of spain/ And ye shall say to him that I purpose to baptize him/ & that he hold of me his Royame's/ his towns and his cities/ & that he deliver to me the relics for whom I take on me so great pain and travail/ And if he gainsay it/ say ye to him that I shall do hang him/ and make to die villainously/ alas said Guy of bourgoyne/ right dear sir and emperor I know now well that ye will lose me/ if I go I am sure I shall never return/ & then at even they went all to supper/ And on the morn assoon as the son aroos the seven barons aforesaid came tofore Charles/ And sir names said for them all/ Emperor of noblesse redoubted in all places/ we been here for t'obey thy commandment/ we pray the that thou give us licence and congee for to depart/ & if there be any person here present/ or in all thexercite that hath trespassed to us we pardon him/ & semblably if we have offended to any/ In th'honour of god that it be pardonned to us/ with these words all the french men that were present began to weep for pity/ And charles said to the barons/ Right dear and well by loved unto god of heaven I command you/ and the merit of his holy passion and of the holy cross be in your aid & comfort And so they departed on their way hastily/ transporting them unto the strange contraye/   

¶ How the admiral sent xv kings saracens to Charles for to have again fyerabras/ which were recountered by the pe●es of france and slain capitulo uj  
IN aygremore was thenne ballant th'admiral all sorrowful and angry/ & had sent for xv kings saracens for to have their council which at his commandment came/ & one maradas the most fierce of the xv spoke first to ballant and said/ Sir admiral wherefore hast thou sent for us/ ballant answered and said boards I shall say to you the troth charlemain of france requireth of me great folly/ For he will that I be subject to him/ & that I hold all my lands of him but this shall not be/ and he is a moche fool me thinketh to enterprise such follies/ It were better to him to take his pleasure to sleep/ & rest in his chambers his old body/ & pray god in his churches/ and eat such as he hath/ Nevertheless I council you that ye go to him to mormyonde where as he is lodged/ and say to him that I comaunde him old dotard that he believe in mahoun our god without delay/ & above that/ for to send and yield to me again my son Fyerabras for whom I am detryned in great anguish and sorrow/ And furthermore I will that he hold of me all France and his regions/ and if he do not as ye shall devise/ I shall go fetch him with an hundred thousand men armed/ And if by adventure ye find in your way any christian man/ smite of his heed without any mercy when th'admiral had said Maradas answered/ Sir admiral I know now well that ye will have us destroyed/ for the French men been moche felons/ And if we say that ye have purposed/ he shall soon make an end of us/ for we shall be dismembered/ but believe ye not that I say this for cowardice or for to eschew your commandment but that I will accomplish it/ F●● I have such courage that if by adventure I meddle with these christian men I shall put to death ten or I be weary/ And if I do not as I have said/ I will that ye do smite of my heed/ all his fellows fayden that each of them should do as well as Mamdas/ wherefore without more delyberation they went to horseback well armed & great spears in their hands/ with penouns raised puissantly/ and journeyed forth on their way/ and rested not till they passed the bridge of mantryble/ & assoon as they might they passed over And the french men afore named came and recountered those sarazens/ And first duke names espied them/ & said to his fellows/ O lord god of heaven what enterprise hath these saracens made/ See ye not them how they come against us with great puissance/ advise we us what is best to do/ Rolland said my lords ne doubt ye no thing/ Behold and see them/ they be not passing xx or thirty/ let us ride straight to them/ They all were of his opinion and ride forth fast against them/ ¶ Of the party of the saracens was Maradas puissant & well armed which went and said to the french men/ how be ye so infortunate and cursed to come and meet with us/ and ye be christian Duke names answered what somever thou be thou speakest by laynnously and over foolishly we be men longing to the redoubted emperor Charles/ and go in his name to do a message to Ballaut th'admiral/ Maradas said to him ye be in danger will ye defend you or do otherwise/ names answered we will defend us by the help of Ihesu our maker/ maradas said which of you dare just against me/ I am all ready said names/ Maradas said thou art much presumptuous/ For if I had such ten as thou art/ I would confound them all with my sword and bear their heads to th'admiral/ without greatly to weary me/ and after said to his fellows herkene hither sirs/ I will that no person of you move/ For I alone will conquer them all/ and after I shall present them to ballant th'admiral when rolland had herd he was almost araged for anger/ and after said to Maradas/ thou hast foolily spoken/ and thought thing/ which thou shalt never see/ or it be even thou shalt know what we can do/ keep the fro me for I defy thee/ And when he had thus said he broached his horse with his spurs sharply/ And they recountered so hard with their spears square & sharp that it was great marvel that both were not deed with the stroke their hawberks were all to broken/ And with their swords they smote the helms richly wrought/ Rolland was so furious that he he held durandal and araught maradas upon his helm that he descerkled and departed it/ & after by great force recovered his stroke upon his bare heed and cleft it unto under his brain/ and all deed maradas fell down to th'earth/ when the other saw king Maradas deed/ and that Rolland would have borne away his heed/ they looked each on other/ as all alasshed/ and concluded to take vengeance on the french men/ and runnen upon rolland for to have put him to death/ but he deffended him over marvelously/ And there upon that one party came upon that other/ & held them in battle so valiantly/ in especial the french men against the saracens that all the paynims were slain/ & none saved of the xv but one/ which fled when he saw his fellows deed/ and went for to show how they were destroyed by the French men/ & never cessed till he came to th'admiral/ To whom th'admiral said/ Sir king ye be well hasty to return/ tell me now how ye have done/ That other said to him sir admiral by mahoun it gooth right evil beyond the bridge of mantryble we recountered seven gluttons of france which were men of king Charles all enraged/ and said that they came in his name to do a message unto you/ & after they ran upon us/ and have done their devoir so greatly against us/ that all be deed save I/ which am escaped with great pain for to come and show to you/ when th'admiral understood this he was almost deed for sorrow of the death of his kings aforesaid/   

¶ Of the marvelous bridge of Mantryble/ of the tribute there paid for to pass over/ and how with fair words ●e french men passed over the said bridge capitulo seven  
When the french men a foresaid had put to death the saracens they were all travailed and weary/ and went and rested them in a meadow all green and full of sweet flowers/ and after said the duke names/ my lords I 〈◊〉 ill you that we return to Charles and say to him how we have done/ & I wot well that he shall be well content when he shall know how we have governed us/ then Rolland answered and said/ How Sir names speak ye of returning/ Speke not thereof/ For as long as I may hold durandal in my hand by the pleasure of god I think not to return/ For we will do our message to ballant th'admiral how somever it be/ and late us do one thing/ whereof every man shall speak/ late each of us take one of these heads/ and we shall present them to th'admiral/ names said to him/ sir rolland it seemeth that ye he out of your wit/ For if we do so we shall be anon slain/ Thyery and the other were of thopinion of Rolland/ and so each of them took an heed/ and road forth on their way/ Duc names was the first that went & beheld the bridge of mantryble which was marvelous as ye shall here/ and said to his fellows/ lords ye shall understand that beyond the bridge is Aygremore/ where we shall find th'admiral/ Ogyer th● danoys said be behooveth first to pass by this bridge which is much dangerous/ There been thirty ar●●s of marble well spacyous & broad which been soulded with had and cement/ & with great barees of iron/ wpon which bridge been great towers with fair pilers richly ordained/ & the walls been of great strength For at the lowest may well be measured ten else a breed/ it is so broad that xx knights may go arm in arem at their ease/ & there is a draw bridge for to draw up/ which descendeth with ten great chains of iron/ And above on high is an eagle of gold moche replendysshaunte and shining like the son/ that it seemeth that it were a flame of fire which is seen a large mile fierce/ and the river that passeth under is named flagot/ which is byvethe the arch by measure xv foot/ and runneth so Inpytuously as a quarrel out of an arbalastre/ in such wise that neither lote ne galley may pass over for the great course of the water/ And more over this bridge is kept with a geaunte for th'admiral/ which giant is named Galafre/ one of the most terrible of human people/ And he holdeth a great axe of steel for to destroy them that will do against his will/ And who that will speak with th'admiral must needs pass by him/ Seygnours' said rolland doubt ye no thing I pray you care not for passing over the bridge/ For I swear to you that as long as it shall please god to sleep my body & that I may hold durandal in my hand I shall not doubt any paynym the balewe of a penny what somever he be/ And by god that hinge on the cross I shall smite the porter if he come tofore me what somever shall hap/ Duc names of bauyere reprysed him/ Rolland ye speak not wisely It is not good to give a stroke for to receive therefore fifteen/ let me do/ For by the pleasure of god and of his saints I shall say to him such losings and other things that we shall pass without danger/ when the french men came tofore the bridge/ the porter took an hundred knights & came & availed the little bridge with as many guysarmes & other glaives of defence/ The first that went before was due names/ with his white hairs/ for he was older than any of the other/ Anon the porter passed over & took names by the hand & drew him over/ & after said to him/ why there wilt thou go/ names ansuerd I shall say you the troth we be men of charles the noble emperor/ & go to Aygremore to do a message to ballant th'admiral/ But certainly he hath quit his country of false people for it is not long time passed that on the field we fond xv gloutons/ which would have taken fro us our life & our horses Nevertheless we have governed them in such manner that here been the heads/ behold them well when they be if ye believe me not when the porter heard him he was almost out of his wit for anger/ & said to names/ vassal understand me/ ye must pay the passage of the bridge tofore all thing/ Duc names said/ porter/ demand what ye ought to have/ & we shall content you/ by mahoun said the porter it is not a little/ For I ask of you thirty couple hounds after an C maidens chaste & of good manners/ an C falcons mewed/ an C palfroyes in good point & rested/ and for every foot of the horses a mark of fyn gold/ & at last I must have two sommyers charged with gold & silver/ thus ought ye pay/ or else come not here/ and he that may not pay the tribute tofore devised/ he must lose his heed without other excusation/ duke names was not abashed/ Not withstanding that he knew the occasion that the porter sought that they should die/ by cause that it was not possible to pay that he had devised/ & answered to the porter in this manerr/ and said/ Sir porter if I own no more than ye have said ye shall be content or midday be passed Our bagayge cometh after us/ and harnoys more in number than an hundred thousand/ where there be maidens fair/ & gentle falcons/ & dogs great ple●te/ hawberks/ helms and good sheldes without number/ And many other jewels noble and rich/ take of them as it shall please your will/ ¶ The portyer supposed that he had said truth/ and was well content and let the bridge down/ and after they passed over lightly Rolland which might not forbear lawhing said/ In truth sir Duc names ye have well spoken/ for by losings we pass this bridge/ and rolland came behind all the other/ & when they were a little forth upon the bridge/ Roulland encountered a Turk/ and sith said in his courage/ A lord god of paradies/ let me do a thing whereof thou mayst he honoured and all thing hap well/ and with out saying of any word to his fellows/ he lighted down from his horse/ and took thilk turk by the middle/ and threw him bastely in to the river/ ¶ Duc names looked behind him/ and saw the●paynym fall/ and was much angry and said/ lord god of heaven I trow the devil is in the body of Roulland/ he can have no patience in him/ and if god help us not he shall cause us all to be slain and villainly die/ For Rolland was so fierce of courage that he took none heed of the time ne the place how to gruerne him/ but would alway avenge him on his enemy/ where he might find him   

¶ How the barons came and spoke to the admiral/ and how they did their message capitulo viii  
THe barons afore said when they had passed the bridge and were nigh unto aygremore where as ballant was they entered in to the town in good ordinance/ and with countenance of fierceness and of noblesse/ And they saw in the streets falcons and other birds of proye upon the perches/ great oxen and buefs slain & slain fair hanging and great swyn strangled/ and they recountered a saracen whom they demanded where th'admiral was And he showed him to them/ where he sat under a tree in the shadow/ and then they alighted and duke names said my fair lords I shall bear the letter and shall speak first/ and ye after/ Roulland was there and present him and would by force have spoken first/ & duke names said to him/ Say not one worrd for ye be all fro yourself without having attemperance but god do not to us great grace ye shall make us all to die or the day be passed/ And hereupon they entered and presented them all tofore the admiral without any reverence/ And duke names of bauyere spoke first in this manner/ The maker of all the world to whom only ought to be given creance entire and honour/ save and keep the noble king charlemain puissant strong & wise emperor rolland & oliver & all the other pyeres of france/ and confound fro the top of the heed unto the plants of the f●et the admiral here present as much as tofore yesterday his subgettes were evil purveyed beyond the bridge of mantryble/ we fond fifteen gluttons on the field which would have taken from us our horses/ and do to us villainy/ but god of heaven be thanked they bought it greatly and dear ¶ when the admiral understood this language/ uneath he might keep himself fro enraging/ And there tofore him came the king that escaped/ of whom I have spoken tofore and said to th'admiral in this manner/ Right dear sir think to avenge you/ These been the seven gluttons of which I told to you/ which have slain your kings/ and have done to you such villainy The admiral Ballant answered let them be for this time/ and sith after said to names the duke that he should finish his message/ And the duke answered that he so do would gladly/ and said in this manner/ The great noble king of France commandeth thee/ that thou render to him the crown with which the blessed Ihesu christ was crowned with/ and the other relics for whom he hath taken great travail and pain/ & also his knights whom thou holdest in prison foolishly/ and if thou do not as I have to the devised/ Charles shall make the to be hanged by the neck on a gibet and strangled villainously/ Thadmiral ballant replenished of an intention much oultrageous/ said to names the duke/ Thou hast greatly defouled me by outrage/ and I have willingly heard thee/ Go forth and sit down by yond pyler/ & these other shall speaken whom I have not yet heard/ Mahommet my god to whom I have given myself/ give me an evil death if ever I eat or drink till I see thy heed flee fro thy shoulders/ The duke names answered if it please god my maker & his blessed mother thou shalt have made a losing/ After him spoke Richard duke of Normandye & said understand me sir admiral Charles the king with his lerde flourished commandeth the by me that thou do the baptize for tamende thy right evil life/ & that thou send to him the relics that thou hast in thy puissance/ & also that thou render to him his knights which thou holdest without reason for prisoners/ & if thou do not as thou hast herd charles shall do hang the by the neck on a gibet & strangle y●/ & shall never have mercy on thee/ Thadmiral ballant supposed to have known him & said thus mahommet in whom I believe curse the thou resemblest well Richard of normandy/ which slew my uncle corsuble/ Now would Mahoun the god that he were here he should never eat meet till he were deed/ Go and sift down by thy fellow unto I have heard thy fellows/ After this then came basin the genewey & stood tofore ballant and said/ Ballant admiral the noble charles above all human creatures redoubted commandeth the to render to him the relics which have been required of thee/ or else he shall do hang and strangle the as a thief proved/ when he had said thus/ he went and sat with the other/ And after came thyerey duke of Ardayne & dissimuled his chyere & countenance of manner when th'admiral saw that he had the regard so hideous/ he was moche abashed/ and supposed that he had been a devil/ And after thyerry said/ herkene to me admiral & retain well my words/ Charles the noble emperor redoubted commandeth the that thou send to him the relics/ which thou barest away fro Rome/ & also send unto him his barons which thou hast in thy power/ or else be thou sure that he shall do dismember the & do hang the villainly by the neck/ Thadmiral answered/ vassal I pray the to tell to me and hide it not/ what man is charlemain and of what force & strength is he of/ the which I have herd much praised & haunted/ Thenne the duke Thyerry answered I tell to the admiral & let the were/ that Charles is noble & hardy courteous and of good life/ And be thou sure that if he were present here with his excersyte/ moche soon he should give the a buffet upon thy visage/ And on that other side he setteth no more by the than of an old hound deed/ or of a rotten apple/ incontinent though/ ballant the admiral began to lawhe for felony/ & after said to Thyerry/ ¶ My friend by thy faith that thou owest to the god/ say to me now the troth/ if I were now in thy will and subgectyon/ as thou art in mine/ by thy faith what wouldest thou do with me/ by my faith said Thyerry I shall not lie/ I should do hang the by the neck and strangle the villainly on a gibet or it were yet night/ ¶ Vassal said the admiral/ thou hast said great folly/ For by Mahommet my god/ in like wise shall I do of thee/ as thou hast said of thyself/ Go thou and sit by thy fellows/  
¶ then after him came the good Ogyer the danoys tofore him/ and said/ O admiral of spain understand what Charles the most noble of human creatures and most rich without comparison demandeth of thee/ render and yield to him the relics which thou hast borne away or else he shall do dismember the and do the die shamefully/ Thadmiral being all wrath made him to sit with the other/ After him rolland the courageous came tofore Ballant th'admiral without doing to him any reverence and said to him/ Thou saracen unhappy & cursed take heed to my words/ Charles the noble king and Emperor redoubted sendeth to the by me/ that thou believe in god Ihesu cryst the maker of all the world & in the glorious virgin marry his mother/ and do the to be baptized/ and think to render the relics which thou occupyest and atteynest against his will And also see that his barons be rendered and delivered hole and in good point/ For if thou do otherwise than I have said to thee/ Charles the valiant shall make the to be hanged as a thief/ Thadmiral said to him thou hast rebuked and blamed me proudly/ but I swear to the by Mahoun my god & by Termagaunte/ that I shall not eat till thou be hanged & strangled then Rolland answered/ for truth saracen if thou abide to that hour/ thou shouldest fast over long/ Thou shalt not do so For I doubt the not the valour of an old deed hound & drowned/ ¶ Guy of bourgoyn came after him tofore ballant th'admiral and said to him in this manner/ Charles commoundeth the that thou make to him ob●yssaunce/ and that thou restore the relics and his barons/ and then shalt thou do as a wise man/ and if thou wilt believe me/ I will well council thee/ believe in god Ihesu christ which is almighty who ●ute end and without beginning And if thou believest my council thou mayst be in his grace And to what thou shalt do/ take of thy rob/ thy hosen & thy shoes of thy body and go in thy 〈◊〉 and bear on thy body a saddle of an horse/ and rest not till thou come before the face of Charles and humbly present thyself to him/ & cry for mercy to god thy maker almighty for thine errors and outrages/  
And cry him mercy in the honour of god almighty/ and if thou do not thou as I have said/ he shall make the be hanged brent/ or drowned/ and shameflluy to die/  
¶ The admiral was more do termined and araged than he had been tofore/ and sent anon for Brullant de Mommyere/ Sortybrant do conymbres and for the other that were of his council/ and demanded their advice and council upon these things aforesaid/ Anon for tybrant said to him/ Sir admiral I council you/ that anon they be dismembered and slain and after ye may go and ride with your strength overall and come to mormyonde where charles is pensive/ if ye may take him/ ye shall put him to death/ ¶ After ye shall descend in to france/ & do you be crowned there as king/ by mahoun said ballant ye have well said/ Now be it done after your devise/ go in to the prison & bring with you the other their fellows/ for to do after the enterprise/ And thus as I have said/ Thadmiral was of intention to make of the french men aforesaid/ after that is tofore devised/   

¶ How by the moyen of florypes all the french men were saved and lodged to gydre and the relics showed and other things capitulo ix  
FLoripes the courteous/ after that she had well secretly heard all the debate to foresaid/ she came out of her chamber/ and salued her father/ & demanded of him what been these knights set there a part/ Thadmiral answered my daughter they be borne in france the which have said to me words of great Importance full of reproaches/ and have blamed me and offended greatly/ more than I can tell you or say/ what counsel give ye to me that I ought to do joyth them/ The daughter said I shall say to you my father that ye without long tarrying do smite of their heeds/ for they have well deserved it/ And do smite of their hands & burn them in a fire without your city/ my daughter said the admiral ye have right well said/ right so shall it be done/ Go ye in to the prison/ and bring to me the other/ good father answered the daughter it is time to dine/ and if ye will begin to do justice/ ye may not eat till midday be passed/ This daughter sought none other thing but occasion by fair words according to the will of her father th'admiral for to bring all the french men to guider with them that were prisoners/ ¶ And after said to her father give to me these french men/ I shall make them well to be kept/ and after your dinner ye shall do justice with lass tediation and then your people shall be assembled ¶ To the which the admiral consented/ And was content thyt his daughter should have them in keeping/ Alway sortybrant which knew the mutability of women & thinconstance said to Ballant Sir admiral it is no thing covenable that upon this fayte ye ought trust in a woman by cause of their mutability/ & ye have oft beard say ensamples and also ye know the truth how many have been deceived by women/ Moche angry & evil content was floripes of the words of Sortybrant/ And said whoreson Traitor desloyal perjured/ if I thought not it should torn me to overmuch blame/ I should give to the such a buffet on thy visage/ that the blood should avail down abundantly And after these words th'admiral was evil content of this debate/ And thereupon she took the french men & lad them 〈◊〉 to her chamber without any longer tarrying/ And going by the way/ Sir names the due said/ A god of heaven king of eternal glory/ who is he that ever saw a more fairer lady in his life/ Moche well should he he Inspired with the grace of god that shall have her in his courage in love/ Rolland was evil content and said to names/ what hundred thousand of devils hath maked you to speak now of love/ It is not now time to speak of such thing/ Due names said thus/ Sir Rolland displease you not/ For I was ones amorous/ the daughter said to them that they were not assembled to plead that one against that other/ and also soon as they were within the chamber/ the daughter made to shut fast the yatrs/ & anon rolland met with Oliver and enterbraced each other & kissed with frank and tender/ heart in weeping much tenderly/ and all the other semblably/ & Rolland said/ Alas Oliver my faithful fellow/ how is it with you sith I last saw you/ Right well answered Oliver/ and each demanded of other of their feats/ of the countries and of their lords & tidings/ Now ye may think that they were glad each of other/ that they were all together in good point by the moyen of Florypes the fair lady/ which did great socours to christendom/ when by her/ her wisdom and discretion the captain of the christian faith/ as moche as toucheth the excersyte of battle to destroy the miscreants and paynims been founded all together in surety/ which first were comen in to the hands of their enemies mortal/ ¶ But it is great science for to eschew the will of a woman/ when by effect she putteth her intent to a thing that her heart directly draweth/ and taketh no regard to the end of her intent/ but only that she may achieve her enterprise and determination/ Florypes wretched of no thing/ but that she might have tidings certain of guy of bourgoyne/ to whom she had given her heart/ and was content to be crystened for the love of him This fair Florypes when she saw these barons to gydre/ she said to them/ lords I will that ye all of one ●coorde promise to me the faith of loyalty/ that ye shall aid and help me of that I shall demand you/ & toward me ye shall truly bear and endeavour you/ Right gladly answered due names/ and also ye shall assure us/ that we shall be here in surety without any doubt of any man living/ she was content & they were content/ and promised fidelity that our to the other/ when this was done/ the daughter came to duke names for to know what he was/ and demanded of him his name/ the duke said to her Madam I am called names of bauyere/ Man and counsellor to Charles the Emperor redoubted/ Alas said the daughter your king is sorry for you/ After she came to Richard and demanded of him how he was named/ he answered to her/ dame I am Richard of Normandye the daughter said to him Mahomet curse thee/ thou puttest to death on a time corsuble mine uncle/ But for the love of these other thou shalt be in no danger Florypes came after to rolland and prayed that he would tell his name/ I am named rolland said he/ son to duke Myllon/ & am nephew to charles/ son of his sister/ Anon the daughter cried him mercy & kneeled down to his feet/ and Rolland took her sweetly up/ ¶ After the daughter said ye know what ye have promised to me/ I shall say to you mine intention/ It is truth that I love a knight of france ●boue all them of the world/ which is named guye of bourgoyne/ of whom I would gladly have tidings/ rolland said I swear to you by my heed that he is here in your sight/ & that there is not between you twain the space of four foot of measure/ Seynours' said she I pray you that I may know him/ and that he be given to me for of him is all my pleasure/ Rolland answered and said sir guy of bourgoyne/ come ye hither to this maid and receive her joyously/ Guy of bourgoyn answered/ god forbid that ever I should take wife/ But if she were given to me by Charles th'emperor/ ¶ when Florypes understood him/ anon she changed colour and swore mahommet her god that if he gaynsayed it she should make them all to be hanged by the neck on a gybette/ Rolland enhorted guy that he should do her will/ and upon that he advanced him & hath granted/ then florypes said/ the son of god of crystyante be praised and honoured/ For I have tofore mine eyen the most greatest pleasure that ever mine heart desired/ For his love I shall believe in Ihesu Cryst/ & shall do me be baptized/ & after she approached to him for to treat a little the desire of her heart and she durst not kiss him on the mouth but on his cheeks & chin by cause she was a paynim/ then florypes joyously and by great love came unto a chest and opened it tofore the barons/ and spread a fair cloth of silk/ And after she dysclosed and she wed the relics of which I have spoken tofore/ among whom was the glorious crown with which Ihesu christ was crowned with in the time of his passion/ and the holy nails which pierced his holy hands and feet/ and after said to Rolland/ Loo here is the treasure that ye have so much desired/ when the french men saw thus tofore them the relics/ For joy they all wept much tenderly/ and one after the other went & kissed them kneeling much humbly/ & after they were laid in to the chest where as they had been tofore/   

¶ How Lucafer nephew of the admiral violently entered in to the chamber/ & after was slain of duke names in blowing of the cool capitulo x  
Ballant th'admiral being moche wroth & sitting at the table A paynim fierce & proud/ a special friend of th'admiral named lucafer of bandas said to th'admiral affectuously/ ¶ Sir admiral is it truth that I have herd say/ that Fyerabras your son/ and my right dear brother is taken and vanquished/ which was the best knight that ever was a live/ Thadmiral said to him by my faith I shall not hide it fro you/ A french man hath conquered him/ whom maboun confound/ Brullant of Mommyere made great defence and the king of Sulye/ They ●are them so well that they brought to us five of the gloutons of france/ knights of Charles which been in prison/ and sith right now we have other seven which been comen as messengers fro the said charles/ which have vytupered and blamed us greatly in reproaching out law & despising my god's/ Florypes my daughter hath conduited them in to prison/ sir said lucafer ye do great folly/ women all day for little thing been changed and turned fro their thought/ nevertheless for the more surety if it please you/ and by your commandment I shall go to them/ and shall know what they be/ and of what condition Go forth said th'admiral ye say right well/ and make my daughter to return with you/ hereupon lucafer moche proud and replenished with great fierceness came in to the chamber where the daughter was and the french men/ without demanding to open the door/ but lift up his right foot/ and smote it so strongly with his foot/ that the bars & locks flew unto the ground/ when Florypes saw that/ she was all abashed/ And anon said to Rolland/ Sir noble knight/ I am right evil content of the violence that is thus done to me/ this is he that should be my husband again my will I require you in as much as ye will do me pleasure/ that ye will avenge this dishonour/ For I complain me without making overmuch cuyl semblant/ to whom Rolland answered/ doubt ye no thing madame/ For or he depart hens/ he shall know that he hath evil done/ And I promise you that he bought never lock so dear ne of the pries as he shall for the breaking hereof/ Hereupon Lucafer entered in to the chamber/ and be held the french men all armed without any doubt that he had to them/ And came first to duke names which was discovered and bare heed/ & without other delyberation took him by the beard and drew him to him so boistously/ that almost he had overthrown him/ & after said to him/ of whence art thou veil lard hide it not fro me/ The duke names answered paynim I am of bauyere and that is my country/ and am special counsellor of Charlemagne/ And all these barons that been here been all earls and great lords/ and been comen for to show to ballant the admiral a message fro the said charles redoubted Emperor/ & by cause that we have not spoken to his entencion/ he hath made us prisoners/ Nevertheless take your hand from my beard/ ye have hold me long enough/ And be ye sure that I say not all that I think/ ¶ The paynim answered I am content thy folly be pardonned thee/ but I demand of the by thy loyalty what manner folk been they of france/ and of what enterprise and what plays use they when they been in your royalme/ In truth said the duke/ when the king hath dined/ who that will may go play where him list Some ride out on horseback & some go in to the fields and sing/ other make good cheer at tables/ at the chess/ & other pleasant games/ and in the morn every man gooth gladly & heareth mass at the hour when it is said/ and been well chartable to give alms to the pour people largely/ and customably/ Also when they go to battle they been fierce and hardy and been not lightly vanquished Such been the people in the country of crystente/ lucafer began to lawhe and said/ by my god Mahoun vylayne & old dotard that thou art/ thou speakest foolishly/ It is no thing so of your feat/ ne french men be of no valour/ but if they can blow at the great coal/ In troth said the duke I herd never thereof/ the paynim answered I shall teach you the manner/ and he approached to the duke nigh by a great fire/ and in going Rolland made sign to the duke/ that he should bear him well/ Anon lucafer took the greatest bronde that was on the fire/ And blewe so sharply that the fire flew all about abundantly/ and after said to duke names/ that he must also blow/ The Duc took the bronde/ and knew well the manner that the paynim would hurt him and approached to him/ and blue the bronde so puissantly that it fell all on a flame and came to the visage of the paynim in such wise that it br●●te all his beard/ when the paynim saw that he was almost out of his wit for anger/ The Duc names with that smote him with the bronde in the neck that he broke the bone/ and so reached him with so great might that his eyen flew out of his ●●ed to the ground and said to him Falls creature that thou art/ whom I beseech god confound thou wendest to have made me to muse in thy follies/ Now 〈◊〉 there with sorrow/ Rolland said to him by my faith sir duke/ 〈◊〉 can well play and blow atre coal/ blessed be that arm that gave that stroke/ ¶ lords said duke names/ if I have maked him to understand his folly ye ought not to blame me/ ye have soon how he truffed with me Florypes the courteous came ner unto duke names/ And said Certes sir ye be worthy to be honoured/ I see well that Lucafer hath no more charge to play with you at the coal/ he is now at his ease/ I see well that he removeth not/ And I wot now that he never shall have great desire to espouse me/ For by force he would have had me/ and my father had given me to him/ but never would I have suffered it/ but father have mine heed smyton of/ or suffered villainous death   

¶ How by the council of floripes the french men dislodged th'admiral fro his palace with great battle/ and how by enchantment a girdle was taken away fro the daughter ca xi  
FLorypes was wise and had consideration that Lucafer which was deed was well beloved with th'admiral and said to the french men lords know ye for truth/ that my father loveth more this man than any man living/ he abideth for him to come to dyner/ & will not be at ease till he shall be returned/ and if by adventure he know what is done/ ye shall be here encumbered and assailed and all the gold of the world shall not redeem you but that ye shall be deed/ wherefore I counsel you that ye do arm you and put you in point/ take lightly your helms and your sheldes For people that been armed be much redoubted of other unarmed/ therefore I will not that ye be closed ne shut herein/ when ye come in the palace where th'admiral is/ See that ye bear you and behave you so/ that ye be masters and lords of the place and then shall ye be well lodged/ when the daughter had thus said they were right well content/ & prestly armed them and gird their swords about them/ And two & two issued out of the chamber/ and gone courageously as lions/ boistously as wolfs hungry/ in such wise as they that would abide them ought sore to doubt and have great fere/ And they went out at the time that the son went under/ & between night and day/ And the formest of them in the way was rolland and the other followed him right fiercely for to fight/ Roulland cried to his fellows that each man should do his part & slay all the paynims and saracens that they fond in the palace/ which failed not/ Roulland smote corsuble mortally/ Oliver put to death the king Coldroe/ Theridamas was not one but that they all bore them well/ The supper which was well appointed/ anon was turned up so down & cast to the ground/ cups of gold and of silver slew and swooned in the place/ sarazens gone to th'earth slain and dismembered/ Other leap out of the windows/ which after were founden deed/ Other were all to hewn/ shoulders & legs smyton of/ Thadmiral all araged put himself to flight out of a window/ and leap down in to the deep ditch/ Rolland went after which had him greatly at the heart/ & supposed to have smitten him/ And attained the marble stone of the window in such wise that his sword entered a foot deep/ Brother said Oliver the admiral is escaped fro you/ certain answered Rolland/ thereof am I evil content Nevertheless they did so great portement and bare them so well that they were lords & masters of the chief tour of the castle & palace/ And after shetted fast the yates/ and were all sure without danger/ save they might have no meet/ This passed a little while the admiral was in the dyches all afraid and if there had not be some for to have drawn him out/ he had never departed/ and began to cry to his men that they should come to him to draw him out Brullant of mommyere/ and for tybrant of conymbres drew him out/ And after that said Sortybrant/ Sir admiral believe me another time/ Alway attetayl of an old dog keep you Thadmiral answered I pray you scorn me no more/ I shall well avenge me or two months be passed/ Do sown to assault for tassel the tour Sortybrant said it is reason that your will be done/ but the night is over nigh/ by mine advice it is better to abide till to morrow And then your excersyte shall be assembled for to work more surely/ th'admiral was content and said by great dysplaysaunce Ha fair Lucafer/ never shall I see you more/ I have lost 〈◊〉 my joy/ O ye french men accursed be ye/ ye have taken him away fro me/ but by Mahoun my god to whom I have given my life/ to morn shall the siege be laid tofore the tour/ And I shall never depart for none evil wether that shall come/ He for thing that may be/ till the tour be taken/ and the walls laid on the earth/ And I shall make the french men to be drawn at the tails of my horses And after I shall make florypes the putayn to be brent in a fire openly/ and I am well sure that they shall yield them/ For they be not victualed scar● for four days/ And of that other part I know well they may have no socours of no man what somever he be/ For we hold the strong bridge of mantryble/ & they may have no socours but if it come over that bridge/ & of that other part charles shall have no tidings of his barons/ ne shall not know whether they be deed or a live/ or in liberty or in subjection/ & here upon they concluded and went to their lodges till on the morn And on the morn early th'admiral sen●e for all his subgettes/ & concluded to lay the siege and swore to hold it seven year long but if he had of them his will then came there so many paynims in the country about/ that their lodgyses held four mile of space/ ye may think in what danger the french men were/ which were but twelve persons only/ and had none other conduit ne comfort/ but to be within assieged in great peril of famine/ Nevertheless alway where as the saracens did greatly their devoir for to enter/ yet they could no thing grieve them Thadmiral called one marpyn a moche falls thief among all human creatures & said to him Marpyn by the beard that I bear on my chin/ if thou mayst do so much as for to steel away the girdle that Florypes beareth I shall reward and give to the largely of my gold & silver/ & thou shalt be my great friend/ For if I may have it I am sure that the frensshemen shall soon be deed for hunger/ and then may they no more grieve me/ ¶ That girdle was of such virtue/ that as long as it should have dured within the tour/ they within should ne●er have be famyned/ Sir said the thief abide till it be night/ & I swear to you that to morn or the son arise/ I shall show to you the girdle & shall deliver it to you/ & hereupon when it was night he entered secretly in to the dyches/ which were full of water/ and passed over/ and after when he was at the foot of the tour/ moche subtilely with his engines he mounted up in to the windows/ & entered in to the tour/ and took a candle & after came to the chamber of Florypes & fond it fast shut/ But with falls & dyabolyke wor●es he opened it/ and when he was within/ he saw that all the barons were fast a sleep and he made so enchauntements that for no thing they might awake/ and then he came to Florypes/ and searched so privily that he took the girdle & after gird himself with all/ and after this he beheld the daughter all naked which was much fair/ & was inclined anon to have defouled her/ & began to take her about the neck/ which suddenly awoke & began to cry much strongly and called her maidens & the barons/ wherefore the maidens came anon alabasshed & afeard/ & when they saw marpyn the thief as black as a more/ the most hardyest of them began to flee/ A non as guy of Bourgoyn heard the boys of florypes/ he came to her with his naked sword in his hand/ and escryed to her that she should not be afeard of any thing/ And he came so well to point/ that if he had not come the thief had defouled florypes but as soon as the thief heard him he sprang out of the bed with great haste/ and guy of bourgoyne recountered him and gaf him so great a stroke that he cleft him by the middle and cut a two the girdle and the candle quenched/ The other barons came after/ and when they saw the work & the thief deed/ they threw the body in to the see with the girdle/ And when it was known that he had stolen the girdle and was lost with him in the see/ there was moche sorrow for the loss of so noble a jewel/ And Florypes wept right sore saying/ that the loss of the girdle may never be reconuerd/ Nevertheless the barons with fair words comforted her in such manner that they all were content/   

¶ How the barons were assieged in the tour with Florypes and her maidens which suffered great hungres/ and how the gods by them were confounded capitulo xii  
When the day was comen and th'admiral saw not Marpyn thenchanter return he was much abashed and demanded brullant/ Sortybrant and his other lords council what he should do/ considered that Marpyn was not returned Sortybrant said/ Sir admiral know ye for certain that the thief is deed/ sith he is not returned and comen/ but I council you that ye do son your trumpets for tassemble your subgettes/ for tassel the tour and confound the christian men/ And with slings and other engines they do cast stones: darts enuenymed/ but blessed be god the french men doubted them no thing/ After they had continued the siege a while/ breed and win began to fail to the barons and maidens/ m such wise that they had no thing to eat/ then the sorrow of the maidens which were so fair & full of compassion was over great/ and were all desolate And among the other the noble florypes was moche display saunte for the necessity of the french men/ of her self/ and of her damosels/ often times she swooned & fell to ground as deed/ Guy of bourgoyne her spouse that should be/ took her up much sweetly/ and recomforted her to his power/ & said to his fellows/ My brethren & lords/ ye see the necessity that we suffer/ it is now three days passed sith we had any breed/ And yet it grieveth me more for these damoiselles than for myself/ And I say you for truth that I may no longer endure but if we do otherwise/ And be ye sure that I had liefer to put my body in adventure to be hurt and wounded mortally than I should abide here within enclosed with this melancholy/ wherefore I say let us go out for to get some victual/ for better is to us to die with honour than to live with shame/ All the french men were of thopinion of guy There upon Florypes said/ My lords I wot now well that your god is of little power/ when he giveth to you none aid ne comfort/ And I say you well that if ye had adored our god's/ they had purveyed for you meet and drink/ Tofore that she had finished her words Roulland answered and said/ Madame I pray you/ that ye show to us your gods that ye speak of/ And if they have the power that ye say/ that they may give to us meet and drink/ & that they do so much that the puissance of fraunco come hither for to succour us/ we shall all believe on them without varying/ The maid said anon ye shall see them/ & incontinent after that she had taken the keys/ she lad the barons under the earth and showed to them the gods of the sarazens/ which were in a place much noble precious and rich/ And there were in great majesty Appolyn Mahoun/ and Termagant/ the god Margot and jupyn/ and many other which were all massy of fyn gold of araby/ enorned with many jewels Odoraunt of bame and incense/ and many other treasures were there assembled/ Guy of bourgoyne said when he saw so great treasure/ A lord god who would have wend that in this place had be so great richesse assembled/ would god that Richard of normandy had now Aupyn in his city of Rouen/ For he should well accomplish with it/ the church of the holy trinity/ And that king charles had tother gods/ he should repair again the church of rome which is destroyed/ And with the remanant he should make men rich and to set them in good point/ Florypes answered and said/ Sir guy ye speak villainly/ against the gods/ cry them mercy & adore them/ to th'end that they incline them to you to do you comfort/ guy said unto her/ I can not pray to them Madame/ for I see their eyen all a sleep/ and ye shall see that they may not here ne see/ and therewith he smote jupyn And Ogyer danoys smote margot that they flew to the 〈◊〉/ and were anon all to broken/ wherefore Roulland said to the daughter/ In truth madame I see that ye have gods that be not worth/ of them that been fallen to th'earth I see not one of them remove ne make semblaunte to relieve him/ from thenne forthon Florypes had all their gods in despite and believed in Ihesu christ saying thus/ I see sir Roulland that ye say the very truth/ but if ever I believe on them I will that my body come to an evil end/ and with good heart I require that god that was borne of a virgin/ of whom ye have informed me/ that he send to you succour of france/ and that we find manner to get vytalle for to satisfy our hungres/   

¶ How the peers of France went out of the tour/ and did a great battle/ In which they recovered twenty sommyers charged of victual capitulo xiii  
When Florypes had said she fell down to the erch a swoon for sorrow & anguish/ wherefore guy of bourgoyn wept much sorrowfully for the love of her/ Hreupon Oliver the courageous came tofore them and said/ My lords I you assure by the god that suffered death for creatures human/ I had liefer that my body were quartered/ and smyton in pyece● than I should suffer this prison/ but that I should fight quickly with the paynims/ & semblably said rolland wherefore without other deliberation they set their sheldes in good point/ and mounted on horsluck and availed the bridge/ & with a steadfast courage made them ready/ & when they were all afore the tour of marble/ Rolland said to the other/ Sir names or ye sir Ogyer it by●houeth that one of yond abide for to keep the place/ that at the returning we may enter surely/ ¶ The Duke names could take no patience but that he an sword thus/ Sir Roulland think not that I be so unhappy of person ne of lineage/ that ever I should be reproached and that ever I should be your portyer/  
I will not do so in no wise though I be old yet can I torn mine horse/ For I am hard of sinews/ and have mine heart well assured/ and will be hardy enough for to smite upon mine enemies when time shall reqnyre ne doubt ye no thing thereof/ Rolland answered sir ye say well ye shall come with us/ Thyerry or geffroy/ that one of you two shall abide/ but it was not their pleasure to abide enclosed/ Nevertheless at the request of Rolland thyerry abode with geffroy which shetted the yates surely after that the other barons were without/ which each with his shield tofore him and sword in his hand went mustering them tofore the castle/ Thadmiral looking out at a window knew the french men/ wherefore hastily he sent for brullant and sortybrant to come to him with other/ to whom he said my barons and subgettes/ the french men been comen and me seemeth they will fight/ if they be not all slain I shall be evil content wherefore do sown your horns for tassemble your people/ ye ●ary over long/ And assoon as they had so done/ a great multitude of saracens were there assembled & came and assailed the french men/ But rolland that held durandal in his hand/ with his fellows came upon the mastyn saracens by such a furor/ that in a little while more than an hundred were slain/ For unhappy was he that came to succour the sarazens/ then came clarion which was nephew to the admiral with/ xv thousand fighting men/ And know ye for certain that in that time in spain was no saracen more doubted than he/ when the barons saw him come Rolland escryed gherard/ Ogyer/ & Guy O noble knights in th'honour of god each of you do so his devoir, that at this time with victory we may obtain victual for the maidens in the tour/ That said/ Rolland smote his horse with his spurs/ and with durandal smote a fierce paynim named Rampyn so mightily that he clarte heed and body at a stroke/ whereof they that were there present were abashed/ & thenne the saracens doubted so strongly rolland that there was not a man durst put himself tofore him/ but if he thought to die/ Gherard of mondydyer said/ my brethren & lords/ who will here after have pleasure & be honoured/ it is ty●e that he show him for often by one unhappy man a halyaunt man is in danger/ wherefore with that word all these barons were moche more fervent than they had be/ to th'end that every man showed himself such as he ought to be/ & after that the battle was finished for that day/ as god would the barons fond by the tower aforesaid a great adventure/ For they saw pass by the castle xx sommyers laden with victual/ that is to say breed/ win venison/ & other victuals enough and a paynim conduited them of margote unto the sarazens/ but incontinent the ledars of the saracens and of their victual were slain anon of the barons & the due names & wyllyam the scot conduited & led them forth/ And Rolland and the other came & avoided the place in such wise that they were driven in to the tower/ but this thing was not done without danger and great pain/   

¶ How guy of bourgoyn was taken of the sarazens/ beaten villainously and demanded of th'admiral/ and the complaints that Florypes made for him & other matters capitulo xiv  
AS I have said tofore the barons of france thus as they went in their repair/ and lad the sommyers afore said/ there came so great abundance of men of arms of the party of king clarion/ that it was marvel/ There was thenne an hard and strong recounter in so much that due basin was slain & Aulbery his son/ For when he saw his father die/ incontinent he fell upon him and there he was slain and abode/ and yet this was not the most harm/ For the noble guy of bourgoyn after that he was menaced of king clarion/ he advanced him for to smite him that came him so evil to pass that his horse was slain under him of the paynims/ & suddenly he was environed of more than an hundred knights saracens which took him & took of his helm fro his heed/ & after bound his eyen so that he saw nothing and led him forth his hands bound behind him o● his back and when guy saw him thus detained he began to cry with an high voice/ ¶ O jesus very god which hast made & form me/ whither go I now/ that am evil fortuned/ O Jesus' comfort me/ O noble charlemain right noble emperor and mine uncle thou shalt never see me/ The king clarion said to him Fair friend no thing shall avail thee/ thy crying ne thy brayeng/ I shall deliver the all living to the admiral of spain this day/ And to morn thou shalt be hanged/  
But now ye may well think how the other peers of France his fellows were evil content when they saw the Earl guy so prisoner/ ¶ Nevertheless they did great feats of arms or they were constrained to enter in to the tower/ & assoon as they were descended & the yates barred everich went to dyner/ and thenne floripes came anon to rolland & said to him/ sir rolland I require you that ye say to me where is sir guy of bourgoyne my husband become/ I wot well when ye departed hens that he went with you among tother ye aught to bring him to me again/ I shall never be joyous at the heart till I know where he is Rolland answered ha' Florypes courteous lady/ in him trust ye no more/ for certes ye have lost him ye shall never see him/ the paynims have led him maugre us/ & we know not what they will do with him/ florypes hearing these words for sorrow & anguish fell to the earth all a swoon more than iiij times as deed/ but rolland which wept for her/ oft relieved her/ & when she was risen/ she began to cry with an high voice/ O barons of france by that god that maked heaven & earth/ if I have not gny of bourgoyn to whom I ought to be married/ I shall yield this tour or the next day be passed O holy virgin mary I should be espoused to him and for love of him be baptized and be christian/ Alas our loves have soon failed/ This sorrow hath made me well to forget the hunger that I have had these iij days/ Alas I am unhappy/ Rolland might not see the melancholy of this Florypes/ but promised her to make her glad within ij days for thenne at ferthest she should see sir guy at her pleasure/ and that she should no thing doubt thereof/ for know ye surely said rolland/ I had liefer to be quartered than he should not come again/ & he shall be rendered to you or his death shall be sore avenged & madame ye know well that your sorrow & weeping may not bring him again/ & ye wot well that it is three days passed sith we eat/ we have purchased victual for us & these damoiselles of whom ye see the pity/ let us take patience of the little quantity/ & be we content to entertain the life/ for ye ought to know that they might not recouure the sommyers with victual by cause of the trouble of guy of bourgoyne which was detained prisoner/ After that Rolland had said this/ the barons and the daruoyselles thanked god of all and fed them suffysauntlye in praising and lauding god devoutly/  
Now let us speak a little of guy of bourgoyn which was led tofore the admiral/ moche troubled/ dyscolourd/ & changed of visage was the said guy by cause he had not eaten in three days tofore/ & for that danger that he felt him to be in the hands of his enemies/ & there tofore the admiral he was all despoiled of his arms/ & thenne appeared his body well membered/ & ballant demanded what was his name/ & who he was/ the baron answered admiral I fear not to say the truth/ I am called guy of bourgoyn subject to the crown of france/ & cousin german to rolland the valiant/ which is the man that ought well to be doubted/ ballant answered I know the well enough/ it is more than seven months gone that my daughter hath had the in great love/ which dyspleseth me greatly/ & I know well that she loveth the more than any man living/ & I for that love have lost many men of great fashion/ & am put out of my tower the chief strength of all my country/ but if all be yoleden to me again shortly/ y● shalt be quartered in short time & dysmembred & more over I demand that thou say to me the truth/ who been they that been enclosed in the tower of whom we have been assailed with so dangerously/ Guy answered gladly I shall say to thee/ Be thou well sure that rolland the valiant is there/ Oliver his fellow right courageous/ Thyerry duke of Ardayne/ Richard of Normandye/ Gherard of Mundydyer/ names dne of bauyere/ & basin the genewey whom ye have slain/ but by the grace of god & help of charles his death shall be to you dear sold Thadmiral was right evil content of the menaces of guy/ wherefore a moche fierce saracen took his fist/ and smote guy on the visage in such wise that the blood issued out of his nose & mouth abundantly with that stroke guy was set a fire for anger and furor and left not/ for to be forthwith quartered & he was not holden/ but that he took that same saracen by the heir with one of his hands/ and with that other hand ●e smote him upon the great bone of that neck behind that he struck it/ And without moving of hand or foot he fell down deed to the ground tofore the admiral/ ¶ Ballant was so evil content with that broke that he was all enraged for the death of the paynim as for the mysprysing that guy had done in his presence tofore his eyen and cried with a loud voice that he should be taken/ & assoon as he had said the word/ the saracens as wolves enraged/ which with their feet and hands all to beat him/ in such wise that he knew not where he was/ And had slain him if the admyral had not commanded them/ that he should not be put to death in such manner/   

●How the paynims had purposed to have hanged guy of bourgoyne/ seeing the christian men/ which succoured him mightily capitulo xv  
AFter that guye of bourgoyn was well bounden and straightly/ Thadmiral sent to come to him brullant of mommyere Sortybrant of conymbres and for many other of his counsel and said to them/ my friends/ I pray you that ye give to me council what I ought to do with this shaper/ which doth me so great reproach & despising as ye see and know/ Sir said Sortybrant I shall give to you good connceyl if ye will believe me/ ye shall do raise up a gallow tree nigh to the dyches of the tour in which been the prisoners of france/ & to morn ye shall do hang this prisoner/ & see that ye have in a secret place nigh unto that said gallows & thousand turks well armed & in good point/ and I am sure that the freysshe men be so hardy and out of measure/ that when they shall see their fellow for to be hanged they shall come out for to succour him/ & your people that shall be hid in the bushment shall come out on them & take them/ then shall ye have them all surely for to do with your pleasure/ this council was approved by th'admiral to be good/ & was therewith well content/ wherefore without taking of any other delyberacy on/ the gallows were made as afore is said/ & right nigh to the place/ was a little wood/ & let put therein secretly xx/ M/ fighting men/ & commanded them to be governed by the king clarion & other captains/ & after th'admiral made guy of bourgoyne to be led with thirty saracens unto the gallows/ which cess not to beat and smite on him with great staves which grieved him sore/ & they bond his hands behind his back much straightly/ & when he felt a great cord about hih neck/ and his eyen bounden & saw no thyuge whither he went/ This thinking with an high voice he began to cry/ O redemptor of the world/ my maker and my god for whose name I am in pain and go to die an evil death/ the merit of thy passion take my soul in to thy keeping/ for the body taketh his end/ And like as I have need of thy help/ So I beseech and require the to council and comfort me/ ¶ O noble barons of fraunco ye shall never see me/ if ye suffer me to be hanged it shall be to you great shame/ O Roulland fair cousin remember me/ or else shall ye never see me on live/ he thus saying and other pietous words Rolland was in a window and beheld over a little rock and saw the gallows raised/ wherefore he came to his fellows and said/ I marvel moche what this meaneth that I have seen the gallows set upon the dyches/ I wot never to what purpoos it is done when the other had seen it/ Duc names said to them/ that with out fault they were made for to hang on give of bourgoyne/ & forthwith they saw him coming all despoiled and was led toward the gallows/ & they knew well that if he were not succoured and rescued that he should be hanged & put to death/ ●whan the fair florypes heard them plead she came to them for to wete what it was/ and after when she saw the gallows raised/ and guy her love/ and to coming husband so shamefully led/ ye may think in what estate she was reduced/ and began to cry O noble knights shall ye suffer guy of bourgoyn your fellow to be hanged tofore your eyen/ Trust ye none other/ that if he die/ by the same god that formed me/ I shall leap out of the window/ & shall die in desperacyens/ and after she came to rolland & kneeled down on both her knees and kissed his feet humbly in saying/ Sir Rolland in th'honour of god I require thee/ that it may please the to take the pain/ for to rescue & succour my love guy and else I am a boast woman Think for to arm you/ and I shall go and make ready your horses/ for the time is over short so that by the pleasure of god ye shall be there in time/ then Rolland & his fellows armed them much hastily/ and gird their swords and sheldes and went out of the tour and on horse back sprang out/ And or they road any further rolland said lords at this hour lieth our death & our life/ in such wise that if we have not good conduit & loyal we shall never return/ we ne been but x/ & the paynims been Innumerable & of great force/ In th'honour of god I pray you that alway we hold us together/ & that each take heed of other as much as he may/ For if we be divided/ we shall soon be taken and hanged/ And on that other part if one of us fall to the ground/ that prestly he be raised/ And not to leave him for life ne death/ And that none fail other/ And I shall be he that shall bring you to guider by thaid of god/ for I swear to you by my life/ that as long as I may hold durandal and may keep the life in my body/ ye shall have of me a good deffendour and warrant/ and in likewise said all the other/ Florypes answered/ my lords ye may tarpe over long/ & she went in to her chamber/ and opened a coffer/ in which was the crown of Ihesu christ/ and much reverently they kissed it/ & set it on their heeds/ wherefore with a good courage they issued out no thing dreading the puissance of the paynims/ & after Florypes and her damoisels life up the bridge & shut fast the tour/ ¶ The noble peers of france fair and in good ordinance went toward the gallows along the meadows/ & the paynims were under the gallows/ and were busy to bring up guy of bourgoyn which had his eyen bounden & his hands also/ and a great cord about his neck/ and when Rolland saw that/ he hasted his horse & the other after/ & began to cry to the paynims saying/ ha traitors' mastyns/ It shall not be as ye think/ ye have begun such a thing werof ye shall repent/ Of this hu●●t which was made so Impetuously/ the most hardy of thirty that held guye began to flee/ and they were so hastily poursyewed that xx of them were slain/ here upon they that were in the wood camen out making a great bruyt/ and all afore came Cornyfer a marvelous paynim upon a morel of great fashion/ And began to cry hay french men dysmesured/ come ye for to succour him that is judged by th'admiral to be hanged ye have enterprised a great folly/ For all ye shall be hanged with him/ when rolland heard the paynim so say/ he was much angry/ & held durandal in his hand & came against him as a wolf enraged/ Nevertheless the paynim smote on his shield dangerously/ but after that he was recovered he attained and smote the paynim so puyssantly that he cleft his heed down to the body/ and after that he was deed rolland came running unto the gallows/ and unblynfelde & unbonde sir guy of bourgoyne and bad him hold him by him till he was armed/ & after that Roulland had slain another paynim/ guy being in th'assurance of tother peres of france he armed him incontinent with th'arms of that paynim by the help of his fellows/ & mounted upon the paynims horse/ but this was not done without great pain and marvelous defence that they made/ for anon all the saracens that were in the wood came upon the barons of france and did great Inconuenyents/ Nevertheless by thaid of god/ the barons were of so good government & of so entire courage/ of so marvelous defence and puissance/ that at that time they put so many saracens to death/ that the place was all encumbered and all were impeached to go further/ among whom guye of bourgoyne did marvels/ for after that he was armed/ by the conservation of his fellows he did greatly his devoir & said to the sarazens/ O ye traytres mastyns I shall show you in this journey/ that I am escaped fro your hands/ & by thus fighting they made the saracens to withdraw a great bow draft/ They thus fighting on that other side were more than ten thousand saracens ready to empesh them the passage/ that they might not withdraw them wherefore Rolland holding durandal in his hand seeing that called all his fellows and said to them/ lords it is no time now to withdraw us/ but of necessity we must advance us for our own conservation/ if we may get the bridge/ doubt we no thing/ & then may we well save us/ Roulland/ Said guy of bourgoyne ye know well that in the tour we have no thing to eat/ & if we were within how should we live/ yet had I liefer to have my body dangerously wounded in fighting upon the sarazens/ than to die for hunger here within and without danger/ and if it be the will of god that in this day we should die/ all be it at his pleasure/ and we shall take it a worth as good and true knights of god/ At the other barons were of his opinion & gone forth in great purposes for to bear them valiantly/ T●●y being in this purpoos to bear them valiantly as said is/ Florypes was in a window of the tour/ and saw guy of bourgoyne her love/ whereof she was much joyous/ and cried to him with an her voice/ that it would please him to come to her saying that if she syved for the prowess of the barons that her father th'admiral should once be in his danger/ wherefore Ogyer the danoys said/ Lords have ye not herd how nobly she speaketh/ She is well worthy that we do for her/ And know ye that I shall not be at ease if we thus return/ then without more language the french men runnen upon the saracens hastily/ of whom Roulland was alway formest/ and made so great bruit and descomfyture of paynims/ that they eschewed & made them to flee tofore uhem as the bird tofore the sperhawke/ guy of bourgoyn came with a great course against a paynim moche fierce named Rampyer/ and attained him so hard on the somette of the heed that he cleft him to the middle of his body/ wherefore when Roulland saw his great valyannce he said to him/ Guy fair cousin I have well seen how ye have menaced the paynim/ ye have so done that Florypes the fair lady ought to love you and hold you right dear/   

¶ How the peers of France aforesaid were purveyed of uptaylles and after assyeged and fought by the paynims capitulo xuj  
When Florypes the courteous being with her damoiselles in the tour saw the barons of France to be assured tofore the castle she cried to hem highly/ O ye lords I pray you to remember to get some victuals or ye come enter herein/ to th'end that we die not for famine/ Oliver understood well the damoysel and also roulland which said that she had well spoken and in time/ for if we enter in to the castle we may not depart with our case/ and thereupon all the barons with one courage gone against the saracens & smote on them/ & broke their array in such wise that they made them to void the place & to withdraw and go back a great deal/ and thus as they returned unto the tour/ a right good adventure came against them/ For xx sommyers passed forth by which certain paynims led/ which all were charged with win broad and flesh abundantly/ And anon they that led them were slain and put to death/ And then the barons enforced them for to lead them hastily and so conduited them till they brought them in to the tour/ & in the way as they returned they fond the body of basin which had be slain the day before/ which they took up and brought with them in to the tour/ and were there in surete/ For they lift up the bridge and entered/ and after availed the draw bridge and made fast the yates and surely And thus were they well victualed for ij months & more/ ye may well weet that th'admiral was not over joyous/ when he saw that guy of bourgoyn which had been in his subgectyon was with his fellows/ And also when he knew that they were furnished with victual so habundantlye/ wherefore right angry and evil content did do call his council/ and demanded brullant of mommyere and Scotybrant of C●nymbres and other of his counselors saying to them/ My barons ye know that these french men have right evil governed us/ They have garnished the tour with breed win and other victuals/ and if by adventure it come to the knowledge of king Charles/ we shall be enpesshed/ for he shall come & succour them and we shall come make to him continual resistance/ For his puissance is over great ye know it well/ wherefore I am in great thought and melancholy what we may best do/  
To this Sortybrant answered & said sir admiral I council that every man be armed and in great point for to set up the engines to assaylle the tour & break it/ & after to make sown and to trump up a thousand trumps and horns Impetuously/ And when the Frenssh men shall hear them/ they shall be so afeard/ that we at our pleasure shall mow enter in to the tour/ Brullant of mommyere answered to him & said/ Sortybrant friend ye speak of a great folly/ believe not that the french men that he within the tour/ been of so feeble condition/ that ye shall make them afeard with blowing & swooning of horns certain ye have nothing to fere them with/ And I shall say to you the reason/ The flower of the barons of france is there within the most puissant & the most noble/ Rolland is there which is so puissant and courageous/ that who somever joineth to him/ he putteth him to death/ And there is the count oliver know ye not of his great fierceness/ which conquered ●eynge Fyerabras the mightiest of all the paynims/ And I swear to you by mahoun that he is in their company/ For I have herd say also/ that there is the count of mondydyer Gherurd which hath done to us great damage/ Also there is thyerry the duke of ardayne/ and another falls old knight that named himself names du● of bruyere/ semblably guy of bourgoyne/ which was taken from us when he was led to be hanged/ And other there be which I have not named/ There been but xj/ for one of them was slain/ and ye know well they been all of great resistance/  
Roulland the nenewe of charles is of so great fierceness that he doubteth no man living/ no stroke ne shot that is given him/ and doubt ye not that if they were all such as be is that been in the castle/ they should chase us out of this royalme/ or they should slay us/ And I know well that their god waketh for them/ for he hath right well kept them/ Our gods been accursed and unhappy/ For it is long sith that they have any thing helped us/ ¶ Of these words that brullant thus said th'admiral was passing angry & said to him/ ye have right evil and foolishly spoken/ and so saying he would have smyton him with his staff/ but the king Sortybrant wythdrowe the stroke saying/ Sir admiral leave your anger/ and let us think for to assaylle this tour/ and let us so do that these falls french men be vanquished and smyton in pieces/ and thus as he had said th'admiral made to come horns trumpets and other Instruments for to sown & to make bruit and noise in such wise/ that all the saracens were there assembled that they held the space of a mile long about the tour After th'admiral made to come a man ingenious & enchanter/ which was named Mahon that made two marvelous engines & with covertures surely made kept them that were there under/ that they might not be hurt of the french men/ And by the moyen of these engines they conquered the first wards of the castle/ wherefore the french men furious and wode as lions came to the yates of the tour/ & the maidens also all armed/ which with the barons did so well their devoir that he that was reached and smyton by them was so terribly hurt that he overthrew and fell down deed/ For they were above on her and threw down great stones/ darts of iron & other mortal engines with which they made continual resistance/   

¶ How the tour was broken and brent by enchantment & the barons in great peril of death and restored by assoulte made on the paynims capitulo xvij  
THe paynims persevering in th'assault aforesaid/ Thenchauntourenchanter came tofore the admiral and said to him/ right dear sir I have made mine engines all ready/ by moyen of which I shall deliver to you the french men/ make your men of arms to god a part/ & that I may have some to await on me/ And when they were all ready as he had devised he set them round about the tower And by his craft and art he made a flame of fire so marvelous/ that the pylers' of marble & other stones begunnen to bren & make fire at utterance wherefore the french men were so perturbed that the one said to the other/ that by force they must yield the tour/ for they had no moyen to save their persons/ with this florypes said to them lords esmaye you nothing yet unto the time ye see more/ And anon she went & took some herbes● and other medicines & did temper them in win/ For she knew the manner how that fire artyfycyally brent the stones/ thus she made this beurage and when it was cast upon the fire/ it burned no more/ wherefore the admiral wend to have been out of his wit for anger/ But Sortybrant told him that all was quenched by the moyen of floripes his daughter/ wherefore th'admiral was of intention to make his daughter to die of an evil death/ The king Sortybrant said that he should do sown his horns and trumpets/ and recommence the assault all new/ and at that time by force the french men should be vanquished/ For I am sure said he/ that they have no more to cast out upon us/ For they have no more shot ne stones/ but all is failed to them And th'assault was made as it was ordained Impetuous that it seemed dark for the shot of arrows/ of darts stones & other engines/ in such wise that the great quarters of the murayl & walls fell and tumbled down to the earth/ the barons of france moche abashed said one to another/ that then they must needs be vanquished/ For they saw part of the walls & the principal of the castle fall down And they being in great thought Florypes said to them thus/ lords dysmaye ye no ●ynge this tour is strong enough for to keep us yet/ And of that other part/ the tretour of my father is herein/ which is in 〈◊〉 wedges and places of 〈…〉 buyllyon/ let us go 〈◊〉 it and as well may we 〈◊〉 the paynims therewith as with stones and better/ Thenne 〈◊〉 of bourgoyn her love came to 〈◊〉 with great joy & hissed 〈◊〉 moche amerously and sweetly And after she went & opened the tour and place where 〈◊〉 treasure was Innumerable/ and with great quantity thereof they went to the butysments of the tour/ and threw upon the ●aynyms/ in such wise that they made great discomfiture/ And more over the paynims seeing the gold fall on them in such abundance/ anon they ceased their fighting ayense the French men/ And for the concupisbence of that gold they f●ught and slew each other/ wherefore th'admiral was so dysplaysaunt & angry that he wend to have died and began to cry with an high voice/ O ye barons saracens leave ye thassault which turneth to me great damage Innumerable/ For I see that my treasure wasteth & is lost which I have with great payve & diligence assembled/ And had recomaunded it to my god mahon and had made him kepar of it/ which now hath failed me/ but by my soul if I may take him/ and that he come in to mine hold I shall make him weep/ The king Sortybrant answered Sir admiral be ye no thing marveled of your treasure/ ne wroth against Mahon/ for he may no more do/ they may well take it fro him/ for he is asleep/ I believe none other/ for in time passed he hath well watched & kept it/ but those french men been so wily thieves that they have stolen it fro him subtilely/ Thadmiral being all angry by cause the night came on/ And repaired with his people toward his souper/ After this when th'admiral was set at table Roulland which was in the high tour surely with his fellows lay in a window for to ease him/ and as he thought & was pensive/ he saw th'admiral sitting at the table thorough the window/ and after came to the other barons and said to them/ my lords and brethren I see that the admiral is with his pryncypal barons at souper/ and thinketh to hold 'em well at his ease/ and me seemeth it should be great honour and prowess to us to make him leanly his repast The other barons his fellows were of his accord/ & hastily they armed them and put them in point/ and fair issued out coming to the place where the admiral was/ but the admiral which was subtle apperceived their feat/ and sent hastily for a paynim which was moche fierce/ and was his nephew/ And said to him/ Espoulart cousin/ peradventure the french men purpose to dystrouble us at our supper/ Therefore depesshe the and be ready anon/ and do so that they be taken & destroyed/ and anon he was ready/ And forthwith Espoulart took his horse and came against the barons holding in his hand a dart of steel/ And first he encountered Rolland and hit him in his shield in such wise that of the stuck he was all astonied/ but it came so to pass that it touched not his flesh/ ne he was not hurt/ After this Rolland came upon the paynim and gaf him a good stroke that he made him overthrow fro his horse/ but the turk was so balyaunte and a man of so great might/ that moche lightly he remounted upon his horse/ And Roulland came to him & smote him with his sword in such wise that the paynim wist not where he was And as he was falling down of his horse/ Rolland much puissantly caught him & laid him thwart upon his horse and bore him away/ The admiral seeing this all in a rage escryed his people that they should succour his nephew/ but they wist not what to do/ For in defending them many of them were slain and hurt without number/ wherefore of very force the other paynims must return/ & rolland cess not to run till that he was at the tour/ And when all the barons of France were within/ they shut the yates well surely/ and had no fear of any empeshment/    

¶ Here beginneth the third party of the second book which containeth xuj chapters/ And speaketh how the barons of france were succoured & the paynims confused/  

¶ Of the moving of the peers of france for to go show their affairs unto king Charles/ And how Richard of Normandye was ordained for to go/ capitulo primo  
THe peers of france being thus assieged and detained as I have said afore/ had taken a turk moche fierce/ and great friend of the admiral whom they gaf to f●●rypes for to do with him as it pleased her/ & they demanded of her what man he was & of his estate/ Florypes answered he is son of mine aunt/ & nephew to th'admiral/ and he is rich & hath great puissance/ And if ye will do great displeasure to my father/ put him to death/ The duke names moche wise said to her/ Madame it is not behoeful to put him so to death but sith he is a man of authority and hath audience with your father/ we been the more joyous and I shall say to you wherefore if peradventure one of us were taken of our enemies/ by the moyen of this man he might he rendered and changed for him And of this conclusion were content all the peers of france then after this Richard of Normandye called the other his fellows/ and said to them/ ye know well how we been here enclosed in this tour/ And I am well sure/ that at the last we must needs fail and die by these sarazens/ we have no moyen by which we may save our life/ and me thinketh that it should be good/ that we should   

¶ How after that richard was departed/ king clarion a right mighty king ran after him the which was slain by the said Richard valiantly/ & of other things capitulo ij  
great grief and annoy came to the peers of france when Richard of Normandye should depart for to go to king charles/ On the morn when they came to the gates of the tour in which they were in they fond great multitude of people saracens which kept the passage that none of the french men should issue out/ wherefore by the space of ij months they could not find the moyen to issue out/ but on a day among all other when th'admiral was on hunting a little way of/ & that on a night the guard of the bridge was forgotten/ Thenne the barons armed them & mounted on horseback/ and went out running unto their lodgings/ but assoon as they were seen of the paynims they blewe up horns & trumpets/ & began to sown so terribly that anon people Innumerable were there assembled for to run upon the peers of France/ and thus when they were all enclosed with their enemies/ & that every man was busy for to fight/ The duke Richard all in weeping commanded to god his fellows/ And secretly departed and took his way at all adventure/ & tofore that his fellows were at their lodging many of the saracens were hurt & slain/ and in this manner they re-entered in to the tour surely/ and mounted in to the ba●aylement/ & saw a far duke richard which then had passed beyond all the host/ and in weeping they recommended him sweetly to god many times/ Richard of Normandye thus riding alone had fear alway that he should be assailed/ when he had far riden unto a top of a mountain/ his horse was sore chafed & bled abundantly/ Thenne he doubted entirely that he should be impeached and lift up his mind to heaven & said/ O lord god my creator to whom all my will is ordained/ this day preserve my body from mine enemies/ in such wise that I lose not my life & blessed himself with the sign of the cross many times/ he being in that place the day appeared well clearly/ & first brullant of mommyere apperceived him/ & after sortybrant of Conymbres rohyche were both to gydre/ the which went hastily to king clarion a moche mighty paynim nephew of th'admiral/ and brullant said first to him/ Sir clarion see ye yond messenger one of the prisoners of france which is departed fro his fellows & gooth toward Charles for socours/ And if ye see not for remedy/ there may come there by harm to us/ for if he recount their affairs to the king charles/ It may happen to return to us great damage/ Also soon as clarion heard these tidings anon he armed him/ & mounted upon his horse the most marvelous that ever was seen For for to run thirty leghes he would not be weary/ & took his shield & his sword of steel square & sharp/ & ran toward Duc Richard as he had be enraged & other saracens followed after him/ Richard mounted on his horse without knowing that he was poursyewed & said/ O my creator holy trinity give to me consolation & grace that I may see Charles the mighty Emperor/ to whom I am sent for the rescows & comfort of my fellows which been in the tour sorrowful and sore grieved/ and that I may make them joyful & thus as he was in this thought he looked behind him/ & saw the saracens come hastily after him which were by common estimation more than xiv M/ Of whom the king clarion nephew of the admiral upon the courser tofore said came tofore the other a great way/ Nevertheless Richard being on a little mountain/ & beheld the host of the paynims came against him with great courage/ ye may well imagine in what estate his heart was/ what thing might he think that they would do with him/ & what tidings his fellows should have of him/ when he was there alone for tabyde & sustain the furor & malyde of so much people/ Thus imagining that he might not flee/ Anon was clarion upon the said coursour which ran faster and more swyftlyer than a greyhound/ the which coursour was all whit on the one of his sides as a flower delys/ & on that other side as red as fire enflammed/ The tail after the fashion of a peacock the crou●e behind somewhat raised & dropped as small as of a partridge/ great thighs & shoot feet & plat/ & round/ with little ●eres/ the mane of the neck whit his nostrils large & ample he was tofore much broad & had eyen green & clear/ a little bead/ a broad front/ with a small moscls & he was saddled with a sad be of yvorye/ & the reins of the bridle entrelaced with gold/ styroppes of fyn gold/ the roytral well envyned & richly/ and was gird with iiij strong syngles/ & had on him more than an C of small bells of fyn gold swooning much melodiously/ & the paynim smote him with the spurs much sharply in such wise that the horse made a leep more than thirty foot long/ And after escryed duke Richard the noble knight sayyeng with an high boys/ by Mahoun my sovereign god thou messenger shalt never achieve thine enterprise/ For without going any ferther thou shalt here end thy life/ when rychard understood him all the blood in his body was moved & changed & answered/ saracen wherefore art thou of such entencion against me/ what have I trespassed to thee/ I never offended thee/ ne rob thy treasure/ I trquyre the by love/ that thou dystrouble me not/ and if thou suffer me to pass I shall take it for a great service/ & I promise to the that once it shall be rewarded to the by me/ The paynim answered certain french man thou speakest of great folly/ & of mahoun be I cursed if I do any thing for thee/ I shall not suffer the to pass for half the treasure of the world/ Also soon as Richard knew his intention he advanced against him/ & the paynim came to Richard & with his sword he smote him hard upon his shield/ but it was so hard that it went not through/ here upon richard which was full of great ire against the paynim by effectuel death came to him with his sword which was trenchaunte & as the horse leap forth/ the paynim lift up his heed/ & richard attained overthwart the neck so right in a joint that he smote of his heed in such wise that it flew far fro the body/ ye well a spear length/ & he put the trunk of the body to the earth all deed/ & forth with he descended fro his horse/ & mounted upon that/ the good courser of the paynim/ which was the best horse of the world/ then Richard might well say/ that he was never so well purveyed of an horse/ For he was so mighty that if he had born seven knights armed upon him he would not have sweat a drop of water/ & for to swim/ & pass a deep river there was no horse like him/ & after that he was thus horsed at his ease he said to his owen horse by moche good affection/ O gentle horse doulstyn for the I am sorrowful that I may not conduit the in to some place at my pleasure/ I pray to god of heaven that he draw the in to such a way that thou mayst come in to the hands of christian men & serve them/ in many great battles & evil passages/ thou hast well served me/ & of thy great seryce/ as moche as appeareth to me I thank the greatly/ & here upon he went and road forth his way/ And anon the saracens that followed after came & fond the king clarion deed their master/ of whose death they were so surprised of melancholy & of sorrow/ that they could do none other thing/ but first to run for to take Rychards' horse But there was none so hardy to approach him ne set hand on him/ but the horse made great defence/ & took his way running for to return to the place that he was departed fro/   

¶ How Rychards horse came & passed through thexercite of the admiral/ & was seen & known of the peers of France/ in so moche/ that they thought that duke Richard had been deed/ & how the bridge of Mantryble was kept capitulo iij  
richard of Normandye with his sword in his fist road hastily/ & the saracens which ran after him came and fond their king deed of whom the heed was on that one side of the way/ & the body on that other/ It behooveth not to recount the sorrow that they were in/ when the chief of all the saracens of might and parentage was descomfyted and slain/ and for thing that they could do/ they could not retain Rychards' horse/ & the first that saw the horse come running was th'admiral/ which called gorant son of king grehier/ & also sortybrant of conymbres/ & said to them/ by my god appolyn when I well advise and remember me I ought well to love my nephew clarion/ and hold him dear among all other/ I see well that he hath put to death the messenger of the french men/ that it is truth ye may see his horse that yonder cometh/ and th'admiral commanded that he should hastily be taken/ but when the horse saw that they would have taken hum he ran and smote out/ & cess not till he came to the gate of the castle in which the barons of France were enclosed/ & when the french men saw thus the horse come which was longing to richard they were all afraid and moved/ and came & opened the gate/ and anon he entered in/ and after that the gate was shut they arenged them aboude the said horse for compassion of sorrow weeping pyetously/ ¶ And Duc names spoke first and said/ Ha Richard of normandy/ I pray to god that he be in thy comfort and that he have pity of thy soul/ I know well that for thy death we shall never have succour/ Ne of thy party we shall never have none help/ Roulland and Oliver hearing these words/ & also the other wept bitterly/ hear upon came flo●ypes the courteous in great heaviness and said to them/ lords in the honour of god leave your lamenting and sorrow/ we know not yet the truth of the matter/ thus as they were in these great thoughts the saracens came which had left Richard ride forth/ And in great sorrow & torment brought the body of king clarion/ And when th'admiral saw them come he being in the ethroclytes in his intendment cried and said/ and how is it is mine nephew in good point/ The sarazens answered/ Sir admyral/ we may not lie to you/ clarion is deed/ it needeth no more to demand thereof Thadmiral hearing thoo words fell down to th'earth all in a trance and he swooned more than iiij times as he had been deed/ thus among all the saracens was a great weeping & made great sorrow/ The sarazens thus making this lamentation/ the barons of france herd and understood them/ & specially florypes which knew better the language/ & after that she knew the cause of their sorrow/ she came to the barons/ and said to them in speaking to rolland/ sir know ye wherefore the sarazens demene such sorrow/ it is troth that Richard your messenger hath slain the king clarion/ & won his horse/ to whom is none like ne pareylle of boun to in all the world/ & as well for that death of clarion/ as for the losing of the horse they demean & make all this sorrow/ & torment that ye see & here/ wherefore I pray you that every man do his devoir to lead a good life and to make good chyere/ Oliver said to rolland joyously/ O my fellow of arms ye know not how glad I am of these tidings that we here/ & I ensure you by my soul that I am as sure to pass this danger that we be in/ as though I were in the strongest castle of france/ blessed be richard of god for he hath borne him nobly/ and semblably said all the other his fellows/ After that richard road thus/ th'admiral made a man to come to him named Orages/ & made him to take a dromedary hastily/ & commanded him to bear his letters to galafre which kept the strong bridge of mantryble I charge the to run as fast as the dromydary may bear the tomantryble/ and say to Galafre wherefore he suffered the messengers of charles to come over the bridge/ the which have done to us so much grievance and ennoyaunce/ as thou can well tell to him/ & I swear by mahon my god that he did a great folly/ & sith on that other part/ the messenger of the french men goeth thither/ and if he recount his message to Charles/ it might happen he should put me in subgectyon/ Therefore say to galafre that he keep so well the bridge that no person pass/ and say to him more over/ that if he do otherwise I shall put out his eyen and make him die shamefully/ Sir admiral said Orages the messenger I shall do your commandment/ and I assure you I shall ride as much way in one day/ as that other shall do in four days/ for/ for to ride an hundred leghes continually I shall never be weary/  
And thus he departed from the admiral upon a dromydary/ & tarried not till he came to mantryble/ and spoke to Galafre saying Galafre I shall not hide fro thee/ that the admiral is not content with the by cause thou sufferedest the french men to pass over the bridge/ which have done to him great damage/ for they be lodged in the chief tour & holden in their subgectyon the gods with floripes his daughter and have slain many of the most valiant of the court of th'admiral/ & the cause wherefore I am thus hastily come is this After me cometh a messenger which is one of the barons of France/ which gooth for to fetch aid unto Charles their king/ the which hath slain king clarion/ wherefore keep well this passage that he pass not/ For if thou do otherwise thou shalt not con find the manner to save thy life/ but that thou shalt die villainly/ Of these words Galafre was ●●●turbled and replenished of ire & for his anger he made much foul chyere and began to sc●me at the mouth like a boar enchaffed/ and took a staff and had smyton the messenger if it had not be betted by them that were present/ ¶ Nevertheless be mounted upon a tou●rette/ and with the sown of a trumpet he assembled many men of arms which were in number xv/ in/ which were anon of horsbuck and passed the bridge/ And when they were over it was a● none lift up/ and they went and road here and there for to recounter that messenger of the french men if by adventure they might find him/   

¶ How richard of normand●r passed the river of flagot by miracle by the moyen of a whit heart which came tofore him iiij  
richard of Neomandye messenger of the french birons prisoners road in great doubt ye may well think and imagine/ how he only by himself might pass the strong and dangerous bridge/ And in riding he beheld behind him and saw all the country covered with men of arms/ thus beholding them/ he was sore troubled in his mind began to cry/ O Jesus' king of glory at this time be thou kepar of my body & conservator of my soul/ For I see well the decline of my life/ if I put myself to fight/ I shall have my heed smyton of/ and if I enter in to this hideous river/ I shall not con pass over/ Thus at this time I must needs die/ And if I by force returned to my fellows I should make a great default to th'earl Rolland/ to whom I have pormysed faithfully to do my deovoyr for to do my message/ wherefore my god my maker I wot not what to say but that thy will be fulfilled and done of me/ thou knowest mine entencion/ after the same govern me he being nigh the river the sarazens maden great bruit in coming to him/ among whom a nephew of the admiral advanced him to run against him & cried with an high boy's/ O messenger what somever thou be think for to die/ thou hast now riden over far/ now is that hour come that the death of king clarion shall be avenged/ These words so heard of richard were not to him over pleasant/ but he was evil content/ and suddenly he s●ored his horse against him holding a sword in his hand square & sharp which he had conquered of clarion/ and came to him/ and smote him so dangerously against the breast that it Pierced thorough the shield in to his body that he fell down to th'earth all deed/ & after took his horse by the bridle which was rich of gold and went to the rivage of the water/ and by held it that it ran like a quarrel out of a crossbow/ and roared like thunder in such wise that galeye ne other engine/ might not go surely upon it/  
¶ then by great contrition of heart he recommended himself to our lord that he should preserve him from death till that he had said his message to the Emperor Charles/ then god of heaven that never leaveth his servants at their need/ showed unto him a great token of love that he had to Charles/ for Richard of Normandye being in this meditation and thought for to pass over/ god sent a white heart which passed tofore richard/ & in coming ye ought to were that the rivage of the water was much high/ ye as high as a man from beneath might cast up a stone with his hand And the river began to arise so high that it flowed over the bank/ and the heart entered in to the water/ and Richard looked behind him & saw many saracens come in a great multitude for to put him to death/ and then he recommended him to god with good heart/ and made the sign of the cross upon his body/ having in his heart the holy name of Jesus' that he might persevere fro dread in such wise that he might pass over the river/ and so took the water & followed the heart/ The paynims seeing that were all abusshed and troubled/ and there was not one that durst follow him/ from incontinent the water availed and returned in to his former estate and being/ then the paynims made great duel and sorrow by cause they might not have the messenger/ ¶ Galafre which that was most wroth & wert content came to the bridge and availed the chains and commanded the paynims upon pain of death/ that they should not cease till that richard were taken/ or else they should be all in the indignation of thadmiral and in danger to be lost/ Richard of Normandye came over in good point/ and devoutly thanked god of the grace that he had sent to him/ and descended fro his horse for to ungyrde and lose his saddle/ And after resengled him/ and took his horse and road forth at his ease/ and lad that other horse on his right side/ & doubted then no more/ For in short time he supposed to find thexercite of king Charles/ The paynims seeing this returned sorrowfully/ & went to unarm them/ For other thing could they not do   

¶ How charles was in purpose to return without going any ferther by the council of ganellon traitor and his fellows & other matters capitulo v  
IN as much as richard road which was much weary/ and out of great thought Themperor Charles was passing moche pensive & sorrowful for his barons which were detained of th'admiral/ And he seeing that he had no tidings he sent for to come to him Ganellon/ Geffroy dantesuyle/ aubert machayre and many other and among the other came reyner father of Oliver/ to whom he said/ lords and friends I am in moche great tribulation/ the cause is enough apparent/ which is of my special burons/ which were sent as messengers to ballant th'admiral/ I see that no person reporteth ne bringeth any tidings from them/ wherefore know ye that of my deed that I did/ I despise myself/ then by more stronger reason the other aught more to despise me/ And I you ensure that I shall never regne more/ but shall leave all/ Take ye there loo the crown of majesty/ take it/ For I depose myself from hens forth Ganellon was there which was joyful/ what somever semblant he made/ and said sir emperor if ye believe me/ I shall give to you good council/ ¶ Anon command that our lodges and habitations here be take up/ & that every man truss his gheer upon the sommyers/ and think to return/ For if ye go any ferther ye shall never redorne/ The country of Aygremore is much strong/ And sith that ballant the admiral is of great fierceness and with that he hath all the paynims & sarasyus captains in to his aid/ And by cause that Fyerabras his son is detained by you & made christian so moche more is he affectyoned against you/ And on that other part your barons be not a live I ensure you/ Return we in to France/ we have left there many of our children and parents that shall wax great/ and or it be twenty year they shall bear arms/ And then they with us shall come in to spain for to conquest the lands and seygnouryes that we have enterprised/ And shall recouure the holy relics of whom I have great pity/ And more over ye shall revenge the death of Roulland the noble earl for whom ye have this melancholy/ For certain ye shall never see him/ when Charles heard these words of Ganellon he was smyton with so great sorrow that after he fell done in a swoon/ And spoke not the space of a great hour/ and in weeping bitterly he said to himself/ ¶ O pour caitiff and unhappy what shalt thou do/ if thou return/ thou shalt be dishonoured/ yet were it better to lose the life/ than to be thus shamed/ After that he was comen to himself he said to his barons that were there/ Loo ye see the council that ganellon giveth to me/ which in no wise may please me/ if I return without taking vengeance of my noble barons/ which been thus detained/ there shall never man set by me/ but I shall be shamed and with good right/  
Machayre/ aulbery and geffroy and other more than an hundred which all were parents & traytres with Ganellon the most part/ & also were moche mighty to gydre said all with one consent/ Sir emperor purpose ye not to do otherwise than ganellon hath said/ For he hath spoken wisely/ and therefore conclude ye to return in to france without going any ferther on we been xx thousand that have made oath to guider that for any thing that ye say or do we shall not go no ferther/ For sith that Roulland is deed they have lost their comfort/ & him that was chief of the conservation of their persons/ Charles all heavy answered/ O god of heaven how am I determined/ if I return without to avenge my barons/ I shall do pourely/ fythe they have sustained & borne up the crown imperial and my will/ and I now to return without to avenge them/ He that gaf me such council loveth me but little I see well/ Reyner of genes father of Oliver aroos up and said/ ¶ O Emperor if thou believe these words that have been said to the thy governance shall be so evil that by them all france shall be wasted/ & brought to nought/ And who somever have damage they retch not but pass over lightly/ Thenne they that were of the party of the traytres came forth and said/ Reyner of genes ye have lied of that which ye have said/ And if it were not because the king is present ye should lose your heed and it should be smyton of/ we know well what ye be/ your father garyn was never but a poor man and of low condition/ Alle your lineage ne been but people of nought/ ¶ The duke Reyner might not suffer this Injury but came to him and smote him with his fist in such wise that he overthrew to ground/ and there were made many reproaches and ill talon/ in so much that if the king had not be present and made the peace and tranquillity/ they had slain each other/ For anon there were more than a thousand of the lineage of ganellon/ But fyerabras which was present blamed them strongly/ And on that other side the king swore by his crown that if there were any person that began battle or fight/ that he should do him be hanged as a thief attaint/ of what somever estate that he were/ and by this they were afeard for to offend and was no more spoken Not withstanding that the council was taken among them that they should put Reyner to death as soon as they should be in France/ Charles sent for them to come to him/ and said to them ye have done to me a great shame but if it be not amended now to fore me I shall do open justice Alway needs must the king be obeyed in such wise that amory on his knees cried duke Reyner mercy/ but he would never have done it/ if it had not been for to appease the furor of king charles/ & thus they made the peace And after th'emperor said his opinion/ that if he turned back that it should be to him great dishonour/ Therefore came geffroy daultevylle father of Ganellon which said Sir Emperor I am old and have seen moche thing/ wherefore me seemeth that ye ought to believe me as well as any person of your company/ ye know well that I and Ganellon my son have alway loved you/ And how that it be he that counseleth you to return hath good right/ I have now my body all to bruised for bearing of arms/ and be ye sure that tofore that twenty year be passed/ the children that be now in france shall be great & mighty to bear arms/ and they shall be so great a company/ that light by ye shall mow conquer spain and avenge the death of rolland and of his other fellows/ When Charles understood these words he wept bitterly & saw that by force he must against his will return in to france/ and leave his enemies/ wherefore by the sown of trumpets was cried the retraytte/ And anon the artylleryes were assembled and the harnoys trussed/ whereof the company of traytres were joyous/ and many of the other were evil content/ & in especial Reyner which returned without his son Oliver/ whereof ye may well think in what estate was his heart/ by cause he hast lost all his comfort/   

¶ How after the complaint of Charles Richard came unto him/ which told to him th'affairs of the peers of France capitulo uj  
When charles was mounted on horseback and in way for to return/ he took remorse of Rolland/ Oliver/ and of other/ how he left them/ with out to do otherwise his devoir he tarried saying/ O unhappy that I am I may well sorrow/ when I now leave the men/ that I love best in the world/ and return fro them when I ought by good right to avenge them I shall be reputed for a fool & sore blamed/ O Rolland how I have loved you/ may ever your unclle so long live that he moy see your death avenged/ God defend that ever I bear crown on my heed seen the poverty of my fayte/ this saying almost he fell a swoon to the earth for the displeasance that he had/ moche heaviness had he that time Alas said Charles/ Rolland I was much evil advised when I/ consented that thou shouldest go to th'admiral/ well am I cause of all your perdition/ In making this heaviness the host made so great bruit to return that it was marvel/ & thus as they began to ride forth/ The emperor looked toward the east and from far he saw richard come riding upon an horse sore running/ and held in his hand a sword all naked/ wherefore the Emperor sent for to come to him the most greatest lords of his company/ and made th'host to tarry and go no ferther forth I see said he yonder ●myng a man on horseback which maketh great haste/ and leadeth on his right side a fair courser as me thinketh/ and he seemeth by his riding that he is Richard of normandy/ Now I pray to god almighty/ that this day he send me tidings of rolland and of the other barons/ that they be alive/ then the host tarried/ and anon came richard which made his horse to leap much gently tofore the king whom he salued much humbly/ And then charles said to richard of normandy/ son of noble baron how is it with you/ what is becomen of my nephew Rolland and of mine other barons/ be ye come alone/ be they alive or deed/ tell me I pray you/ Richard answered/ Sir Emperor/ Rolland & the other when I departed fro them were all hole and in good point/ and been in aygremore in a strong tour bysyeged/ by ballant the admiral of spain and father of Fyerabras/ & there been about them an hundred thousand sarazens/ And know ye for certain that th'admiral is a man moche fierce & terrible/ which hath sworn by his god mahoun and Termagant/ that he shall never depart fro thence/ but that they shall be hanged by the neck And on that other side your barons have with them floripes the courteous daughter of th'admiral the fairest that ever was seen/ the which hath in her keeping the relics that ye so moche desire to have/ and send you word by me that ye should come and aid them for to save their lives/ And if it please you to remember them ye shall mow conquer the country of spain & other goods enough great consolation had king Charles/ And thenne he conceived well that Ganellon was a traitor and full of wickedness And never after his council ne saying should be herd ne allowed in his court/ For he saw well that as for him it abode not but Rolland and his fellows should have died/ Now gentle Richard said the king/ is the tour in which they been bysyeged strong & well garnished of victual for to defend them any while/ if they may hold uj days I shall make th'admiral to die and all his complices/ Sir answered Richard I shall say to you the truth/ they have no victual but they great it with the sword/ th'admiral is marvelously fierce/ and full of cruelty and hath of people a multitude Innumerable/ the which hold the space of two mile/ the town is strong where he habyteth/ & also there is on this side of the town/ the bridge of mantryble where the passage is much dangerous/ and the walls of that city been made of marble cymented and fortified with towers and there runneth a river right hideous which is named flagot and is of depth of ij/ spears of length/ & runneth so fast and brayeth that there is no boat ne ship may pass thereon and the bridge is half a mile long/ And in the mids there is a tonre of marble so strong that it may not be beaten done/ & the gate is garnished & kept with barrier's of iron fast locked/ ¶ The portyer that keepeth this please is a paynim hideous and great/ massyf/ strong/ and felonnous/ which better resembleth the devil than any man or person/ he is as black as pitch boiled/ & hath x thousand knights in his company/ wher fore I wot well that by force we may not pass/ For by any assault that may be done to them they doubt it not/ And if we pass not by engine and subtlety/ we may not go over the bridge/ For by force we may no thng do/ but it behooveth us to pass in guise of merchants And some of us shall be well armed under our clothes/ and there above we shall were a man tell of cloth & their swords under/ And there shall come after us great ●ommyers charged with merchandises/ And ye with all the chivalry shall tarry in a little wood & that every man be in great point/ & after when we have gotten the first gate/ I shall son & blow mine horn/ And with motye ye shall come on/ And thus we shall have the passage by the pleasure of god and we shall come to our intention/ This council was well approved by the king Charles which oft blessed richard by cause he had so well said/ & then he resembled all his people The standards were raised/ and the loryflam dyscoverd/ Richard took his horse/ and gave it to duke Reyner/ And went & bond hay and grass to gydre and made trusses upon many sommyers in the guise of merchants/ every man well armed under his cloak/ & sword gird and so take their horses/ to th'end that they should not be espied/ and were in number v hundred knights all man of great fashion/ and drive tofore them/ the sommyers for a good enterprise/ Richard went tofore as chief enterprenour/ due howel of Nountes followed/ guy de hallee/ riol du mauns/ Duc Reyner father of Oliver/ & other which road forth without tarrying/ And Charles with all his baronnye abode in a wood/ as tofore I have maked mention/   

¶ How by the moyen & council of Richard of Normandye with iij other barons/ the strong bridge of mantryble was won not without great pain/ And what manner man galafre was capitulo seven  
Themperor charles with an hundred thousand men abode in the wood tofore said/ & Richard of normandy hoel of Nauntes/ riol/ and Reyner & other people which were valyaunte of their person were on the way to go toward mantryble/ and lad with them aquantyte of sommyers charged when the fellows of Richard saw the river flagot so roaring And thentry of the city of mantryble so strong/ the bridge so dangerous to pass/ & the yates barred and enchained so with iron/ they were much abashed For/ for to come thither by assault/ all the puissance of christendom might not enter by that place/ but they availed the bridge and chains of iron/ Ryol demanded of Richard what may there be of this place/ And he answered/ know ye that this is the strongest city that is between this and Acres/ And there been in the same city 〈◊〉 than a thousand men of arms Hoel of Nauntes was all afraid/ And commanded himself to god praying him to keep their persons/ Richard said/ lords I will go before & shall speak first/ and when we have passed the first gate/ see that ye take of your cloaks for to smite upon the paynims/ & for any thing that happeth/ see that the one of you fail not the other/ Ryol answered doubt ye not/ than when I am among the saracens but that I shall do my devoir that it shall appear/ and if I do not as I say I will that ye reclaim me recreaunte and repute me as rebouted/ After these words they hasted their sommyers toward the bridge/ & galafre saw them fro far/ and stood resting him nigh to the first gate/ & held in his hand a great axe of fyn steel bent and affyled that there was no side but it cutted/ This paynim was great and fonrmed so hideously and of such representation that he seemed better a devil than a reasonable person/ he had eyen all inflamed like fire/ & he was as black as boy led pitch/ his neck large & great/ his nose half a foot long his ears so great that they might contain well half a bushel of wheat/ his arms long & crooked & his feet stood overthwart & as of the remanant of his body was lothly enough/ Ballant th'admiral loved him moche & was his nephew/ and for the great confidence that he had in him/ he gave to him the keeping of the bridge of mantryble/ by cause that it was the most strongest passage that was in all the marches of that country/ And the said paynim was constable of all the lands of th'admiral/ wherefore it was necessary that none of the french men should have be known of him/ For if there had any be known there should never none have escaped but he should have been deed Thus then when they were at mantryble/ Richard passed afore/ and when he was at the entry of the gate/ Galafre came to him & said bassal what are ye/ wherefore come ye hither/  
¶ Richard which was wise changed his language & began aragon and said/ Sir I am a merchant which cometh fro Taraston with these other merchants & bring great quantity of drapery/ and will go to the fairs by the help of mahon/ to whom we go to present our merchandises/ and if we were at aygremore we should sojourn there/ and give to th'admiral some precious yefts that we here bring/ These other merchants that been here with me been all esclaves/ and know not the language/ wherefore fair sir we pray to advise us what we may best do/ & by what way we ought to go/ Galafre answered know ye that I am kepar of the bridge and of the passages that been thirty mile here about/ But not long sithen passed hereby xii gluttons of france/ which were messengers of the emperor Charles/ which yet own to me their tribute for their passage/ Nevertheless my lord thadmiral keepeth them in prison/ And one of them that other day escaped privily away as a thief/ which road upon an horse the best that ever I saw & passed over this running water/ which also slew my cousin the king clarion/ for whom I am in great melancholy/ now would god Mahon that he were now here upon this bridge/ I should cleave him unto the middle of his belly without to have any mercy or pity on him/  
Sith that time th'admiral doubteth of treason/ For his son fyerabras which hath renayed mahon and the paynim law for to become christian/ And he commanded me three times that I should not suffer any person/ lord/ knight/ ne servitor to pass/ And that I should search well all for to know the condition of them that come this way/ Therefore I will know what ye be/ Richard hearing this bowed his heed/ Ryol du mauns Hoel of Nauntes/ and Reyner of genes/ gone forth over the bridge/ when galafre saw them he began to doubt and said to them that there should nomoo enter/ and advanced him and drew up the bridge/ and there were nomoo within but four/ which he dread not/ and said to them in great fierté ye are over bold & hardy to enter herein without my commandment/ And therefore ye four shall be set in prison/ and the other that come after you also/ And to morn I shall send you prisoners to my lord th'admiral/ he for to do with you his pleasure/ Take of your mantellies or cloaks for A will see what ye have there under/ For ye seem people for to do evil/ Thus saying he took hoel by the cloak/ & drew him thereby four times about/ By god said Ryol I may no longer tarry to see him do this Injury to my cousin/ if I suffer longer/ be I confounded/ And therewith he threw of his cloak and smote upon the paynim/ but he was so strongly armed that he might do him no harm safe that he smote of a little of his ere/ Richard and Reyner semblably cast of their cloaks and each of them with a sword in their hands smote to gydre upon Galafre and gof him many stookes/ but the heed ne the body they might not hurt/ For he was armed with the hide of on old Serpent hard and maylled/ ¶ This paynim was angry and supposed for to have smyton Ryol/ and enhanced his axe that was great and heavy and also sharp/ but Ryol saw the stroke come/ and was habylle and leapt a side and the stroke smote upon the ground/ in such wise that it claffe a marble stone on which the stroke lighted/  
Ha god of heaven said Reyner how he smiteth oultrageously I am all abassed of the puissance of this devil whom we may not conquer ne grieve/ He thus saying he took a great branch of a tree which was long and strong and advised and marked the paynim well/ and he smote him therewith in such wise that he made him to overthrow to th'earth/ & when he was overthrown he made a cry so high and hideous that the river and the roches made great bruyt/ with this voice the paynims of mantryble were moved and assembled/ that with in a little while there were ready armed more than x thousand there was then a great commotion/ Richard of Normandye ran to the gate of the bridge & availed down the draw bridge And then entered in v hundred knights which the four barons had brought with them but at the entry of the gate the paynims encountered them/ there was a great meddle and recounter many mortal strokes were there given/ many were there slain and hurt/ Richard took his horn and swooned it highly three times/ Charles th'emperor understood it well which was in the wood aforesaid with all his puissance/ Every man was on horseback much readily/ and there was not one that cess to run till he came to the bridge/  
¶ Ganellon which after was traitor bore him valiantly/ For he was the first that came to the bridge with his confanon raised/ but the loyalty & truth of him ne of his kinsmen endured not long/ as the last book shall more plainly show by the pleasure of god/   

¶ Now by force and strength of battle Charles entered in to mantryble/ after that Galafre was slain/ not withstanding that alory the traitor was contrary to him and many other matters capitulo viii  
AT th'entry of mantryble were much hurt people & confounded as well of french men as of sarazens/ and at that time th'emperor bore him well/ For whom he attained with his sword named joyous/ he must needs die he smote so rudely/ and that day was always by him Ganellon which did well his devoir/ The dyches of the town were deep and full of water wherein many were drowned ¶ Thus as Charles passed tofore and his people after/ He saw galafre on the ground which was not deed/ and that seemed better a devil than a reasonable person/ And held alway his axe in his hand/ with which he had slain thirty french men And the Emperor seeing the harm that he had done to the french men/ anon commanded to slay him & so much they smote at him with axes and stones that they slew him/ The bruyt and noise was so great that five mile about was anon known that the bridge of mantryble was taken and conquered/ wherefore there came/ L/ thousand saracens for to give aid to the cytyzeyns of mantryble and to destroy the f●enssh men/ The walls of the town were of marble and so strong that it seemed a thing impossible to conquer or destroy/ ¶ To this meddle came a giant moche fierce named Ampheon/ And had a wife named Amyotte/ And she was departed fro her gesyne/ For she had borne two sons which were but iiij months old/ and were two foot broad in the breast and ten foot long as th'history saith/ This giant opened the gate & held in his hand a club of iron great and massyf/ And when he was passed that gate with his voice tenebrous and dyabolyke he cried where is charles the king of france/ will he now bear with him the relics to saint Denys/ by mahon/ by the which I comfort myself/ it were better for him old dotard that he were now at paris/ And let him know certainly that if th'admiral may have him he shall never have mercy on him/ but he shall do him be slain & hanged all quick or burn him in a fire/ after that he had thus spoken he smote down many f●●nsshe men with his club of 〈◊〉 ¶ In this recounter were 〈◊〉 and founded so great a multitude of deed men that they lefted men to pass/ Charles which saw the fashion descended and light of his horse all wrath in his courage/ & set his 〈◊〉 tofore him/ with his sword 〈◊〉 his hand and his barons came after him against the grant 〈◊〉 after that the king & he were assembled/ Charles with his sword joyous smote him see mightily that he cleft him in two pieces & mightily recovered his stroke that he made him fall to the earth/ And so he was deed/ wherefore the saracens were all moved and afraid/ And as people enraged smote upon the french men with darts plombetres and other engines mortal/  
¶ And then Charles cried socours for to assemble his people/ And with that cry came to him Richard of Normandye Reyner of genes/ hoel of nauntes/ and Sir Ryol du 〈◊〉 which all had courage like unto lions/ These four barons with charles made the paynims to remove/ and to re-enter again by force in to the town of mantryble/ And anon the turks which were more than x thousand came to the gate for to shut it in making great defence with bows and other shot beside them that came after/ which kept the passages/ which were well as th'history maketh mention five thousand/ but all they could not find the manner to lift up the bridge/ For it was conserned and kept against the saracens by the french men There was great bruit in this recounter/ And though Charles doubted it was no meruaysse/ For he knew well that if the saracens had lift up the bridge to the gate of the town It had not be possible to him to have passed over/ And he seeing them raise up toward the gate great bars of iron/ supposed not to have passed/ And with a moche woeful heart began to wail Roulland his nephew and the other his fellows as he should never have seen them ¶ Richard of Normandye considering this/ escryed and said Sir Emperor in the honour of god of may you not/ but think to destroy and smite down these Turks and god shall aid & help us/ ye know well that there is none so frank ne valyaunte/ that will acoward himself/ but that he ought to be despised/ and with good right/ ¶ And I pray to god that he be confounded that suffereth himself to be taken a live for to die afterward/ and that had not liefer be hewn in pieces than to return/ And without more let us advance us/ For now it is need that each man prove his strength and the valour of his person/ with these words of a great courage enter in to the town/ Charles/ Reyner/ Hoel/ Ryol/ and Richard/ These five only each with a sword in his hand/ And ye ought to weet that they entered not without great slaughter of turks and of paynims/  
Charles seeing come great multitude of saracens cried a alarm and socours much high and furiously/ Ganellon understood him and had of him great pity/ Not withstanding at the last/ he found him not good/ & came to geffroy & escryed haatevyle his father/ & the other his kinsmen/ which were armed much richly to the number of M/ seven &/ and all they came a foot for to assail the gate/  
The turks made great defence with brands and bars of iron/ and mortal shot where as many were deed and hurt of the people of the said Ganelon/  
then alory the traitor said to ganellon/ in faith we been great fools for to let us thus die & suffer this torment/ And after he said to ganellon yet/ let us go and depart/ Charles is within well impeached/ god forbid that he ever depart/ & thou mayst well see now/ that of him and of Reyner we are well avenged of the contradyctyons that they made to us & of their subgettes also/ And evil death moat he die that followeth them any further/ for we may win France at our ease and will & hold it without contradyctyon/ Seen that there is no baron that will be to us contrary/ Ganellon answered/ God of glory forbid that ever I should do such treason to my ryghtful lord we hold of him all our lands & seygnouryes/ I should be holden for an over untrue man if I consented to his death/ we have none other cause but that we ought to do our devoir for him when Alory understood him he enraged almost for anger and after said to ganellon/ ye be a very fool that ye tarry when ye now may well avenge you/ if th'emperor Charles be slain/ all the other barons shall have their heeds smyton of/ And thus we shall be avenged on all our enemies/ Therefore love of and come on/ Ganellon answered god forbid that ever I should be a traitor to my lord/ Ne that I leave him unholpen/ but do my devoir to aid him/ I had lover to be dismembered than to be shamed and blamed in this deed/ ¶ Of these words were evil content Alory and also geffroy daultevyle in such 〈◊〉 that there was great debate among them/ Upon this came Fyerabras in good array and great point/ and began to cry where is Charles/  
¶ The traitor answered/ Sir ye shall never see him/ He is within enclosed/ and I 〈◊〉 he be deed now/ Fyerabras answered/ And ye among you what do you here/ what 〈◊〉 ye/ why succour ye him not in this need/ ye may be reproached of treason with good right/ And after began to cry socours and aid much loud/ and by his voice all the frenss● men came without any tarrying to the belfroye/ and fiend Fyerabras and Ganellon that then had left the Traytres at the entry of the bridge/  
¶ And Fyerabras thene was well joyous when be saw that the bridge was not drawn up And then he and Ganellon did greatly their devoir for to enter in to the city/  
And when they were within & the traytres saw the town won by a manner to do greatly their devoir entered in a foot & smote down with the other commonly/ And great abundance of blood run through the town out of the deed bodies/ that each man marveled that saw it/ The paynims cried and brayed as wolves enfamysshed when they saw that they could not resist them/ They sent to the admiral that he should succour them/ and cried on mahon & Termagant that they would come to their aid/ but for all that they were discomforted sorrowfully/ put out of their habitations/ rob/ pilled of their richesses and goods/ and destroyed/ Thus doing a messenger departed secretly for to go to Aygremore for tacompte and tell the tidings of their destructyons   

¶ How Amyotte a geantesse with a sith grieved greatly the christian men and/ how her two sons were baptized of the Emperor Charles capitulo ix  
When mantryble was taken many strokes were given/ but when Amyotte the geantesse knew & herd the cry of the citizens which were troubled/ She was as black as pitch boiled/ her eyen were red as brenning fire she had a great visage & crooked as high of length as a spear/ & greatly afraid of the death of her husband/ & also afeard for her ij sons of which she was late delivered/ so she in a rage leapt out of her house/ and fond a sith trenchant and marvelously sharp/ and came upon the french men so Impetuously that she made great discomfit/ in such wise that none durst well approach her/ King Charles seeing this was evil content of the death of his people/ and demanded a cross bow/ And when it was lend/ he shot so right that he attained her between the brows so that she fell down deed to the earth/ She began to cast out of her throat a flame of fire much hideous/ Nevertheless she was smyton so with stones and things that she never moved after/ wherefore after that/ the yates of the town and other deffences were not kept ne defended/ but that Charles did his will of all/ ¶ great richesse was found in that fair town/ and the subgettes of the Emperor Charles were there well refreshed of gold and silver which there habounded/ For th'admiral Ballant/ by cause that place was so strong & sure had laid there great treasures/ The king ordained in such manner that both great and small were well content with him/ And there he abode three days in daparting & destrybuting the goods after the degrees & qualytrees of his subgettes/ And after as charles went sporting by the river flagot/ In a cave were founden the ij sons young children of the forenamed geauntesse Amyotte of whom he was well joyous and were baptized/ & one he named Roulland/ and that other Oliver/ and did do them well to be nourished/ But after within two months they were both founden deed in their heads/ wherefore th'emperor was evil content/ Nevertheless in that same time which was the month of may that the strong city of mantryble was taken & put in subgectyon/ charles made to come to him Richard of Normandye/ Reyner of genes/ hoel of nauntes/ Ryol of mauns/ & took council who should keep the bridge and passage of mantryble/ till they had destroyed ballant the admiral & delivered out of/ prison the other peers of fraunse/ Richard answered sir emperor me seemeth it should be good that hoel & sir Ryol should abide for to keep that bridge & town with five thousand men and like as Richard said so was it done/ and there they ij abode/ and the hurt men for to be heeled at their leisure/ and after with sown of trumpets the host of the emperor began to depart toward aygremore/ and there was so moche people and so great estate that it was marvel/ Thus as they were well on their way/ The Emperor went upon a little hill for to behold his people and subgettes And seeing the multitude be lift up his eyen to heaven and said/ O lord god my creator which by thy grace and 〈◊〉 sir hast made me lord and conductor of this people/ with right good heart I give to the thankings and land/ Thou hast given to me great puyssaū●● sith they be at my will and commandment/ After that he had said thus he blessed him/ And in the name of Jesus' he took forth his way/ And the said Emperor had in his company an hundred thousand men well fighting/ And the admiral had the fyghtars of thirteen countries/ the french men road forth/ Richard of normandy was in the avaunt guard/ And the Duke Reyver in that other/ Anon the tidings came to th'admiral that galafre was slain & that mantryble was taken & discomfited wherefore he swooned for sorrow and cried out haroo as a man fro himself saying/ ha/ ha/ god mahon thy power is nought/ O cursed god & recreaunte thou art nothing worth to me/ he is a moche fool that trusteth in the when thou sufferest my men to be slain/ and hast consented to my dishonour as I now well see/ which oughtest well to have done the contrary/ This saying the admiral took a club with his two hands & ran to mahon & to his other gods/ & smote Mahon so great a stroke upon the heed that he fell down & was all to broken/ if th'admiral and the other paynims were not well abused/ they might know clearly their infidelity and false creance for to Invoke the images that can not speak ne give comfort and have no consolation/ A little understanding and lack of wit & also contrary to nature/ for to give faith of help to a thing made with the hand of a man/ Nevertheless Sortybrant of Conymbres seeing the desolation of th'admiral/ counseled him that as much as he might to chastise himself of the Injury done to Mahon/ th'admiral said to him I may not incline to do to him obeisance/ Seeing that Charles hath won by his puissance my city and strong tower of mantryble/ where as I had my last comfort to keep me most sure/ Sortybrant answered Sir admiral send forth an espy for to wete if the host of charles cometh hither against you/ And if it be so/ let us ride against him in battle to guider/ And if ye may let him be taken/ and hang his people or burn them without any mercy or pity/ And then after ye may cast out of your tower these gluttons that keep it/ and smite of the heed of Fyerabras thy son that aideth them/ when the admiral ballant had herd Sortybrant/ considering his affection/ humbly he returned to mahon purposing to do as he had sad/   

¶ How the peers of France were assailed more strongly than ever they were/ And the tour quasi put to th'earth/ and recomforted by the holy relics by them adored and other matters capitulo x  
SOrtybrant prayed so much th'admiral/ & with him the old king Coldroe tempested him & brullant de mommyere that for thinjury that he had done to Mahon tofore them all he should make amends/ The admiral being content for their affection swore that he should increase Mahon and Augment of a thousand weight after their custom of fyn gold and other precyosytees/ And anon did do sown trumpets and other Instruments/ at the sown of whom were assembled saracens Inuumerable all armed/ And the admiral made to bring his engines for to/ throw great stones at the tower for to bring it down/ and also for to destroy the french men & his daughter/ And thus more fervent than ever he had been came for t'assail the tour and lay their engines thereto/ with which the paynims made five great hooles in the tour/ that through the lest might pass a cart at his case when this was done Oliver & Rolland with their sheldes to fore them and their swords in their hands stood in the windows/ and yet they were not so hardy among them but that they were abusshed/ not withstanding they had good will to defend them/ Always him that they might attain with stones or other things they so hurt him that he did them no more hurt ne damage/ This doing th'admiral cried/ O my friends and subgettes do your devoir to bring to the earth this tour For if ye so do ye shall have my love entirely/ And after I shall make Florypes the putayne to die shamefully in a brenning fire/ for she hath well deserved it/ doing to me the dishonour that every man knoweth/  
¶ After these words the paynims were more fervent than they had been tofore/ & surmounted by strength scaled the tour and mounted up and entered in at holes in such wise that the ● barons held not but that best siege that was/ Rolland seeing they said to them/ lords & brethren in th'honour of god our maker/ let us with one courage 〈◊〉 us valiantly/ else we shall not pass this day but that we shall be surprised taken and deffeated/ Brother & fellow said Oliver we seen here of us x as long as it shall please our creator/ & we been all good fyghtars/ In the name of God I council that we issue our for to assail our enemies/ I had liefer to die there without and suffer to be hewn/ than to die here within with dishonour/ Ogyer the danoys and the other said semblably/ Florypes seeing this was all abashed and demanded the barons if they would go out for to go assaylle the paynims/ & said to them/ ye noble knights of honour & of good party/ I pray to god that at this time give you grace to do well/ And I promise you if ye put them out from this assault I shall show to you a thing whereof ye shall be joyeful with the thordes the barons go smite and hew down the turks so vigorously that many of them were deed & hurt which were in the holes of the wall/ & smote them with stones in the tower in such wise that they were cast in to the dyches and drowned/ And anon as they had gotten thoo holes they stopped them & fast enclosed them/ and after florypes axed first of names duke of vauyere/ & of Thyerry duke of Ardayne and said/ lords on a time ye promised me and swore/ that ye should not do any thing against my will/ I will show to you the crown of Jesus' & two of the nails that he was nailed with to the cross/ which I have long kept The barons hearing this wept for joy/ & sworen to her/ that they should do no thing to her but all loyalty and truth/ Florypes went then and fet a little coffer much rich & fair and tofore them she opened it/ & assoon as the relics were taken & unwounden there was seen a great clearness and a marvelous resplendysshour/  
then the barons kneeled down to the earth devoutly smiting themself on their breasts by contrition of heart/ Duc names of bovyere was the first that kissed them with great reverence/ & the other after/ & after came to the windows/ For the paynims were mounted on high And assoon as they saw them they tumbled down to the ground deed & all to broken/ when names saw that/ he said/ O lord god of glory which master do all thing/ I thank the & give to the laud and praising/ For now I see well and know that these been the relics of whom we have oft spoken/ And incontinent he took hardiness and courage/ and after said to his fellows/ brethren now we be recomforted so that we shall never fear ye doubt paynims ne saracens/ And after Florypes remised the relics in the coffret honestly/ Thadmiral saw the princes at the windows & his daughter with them/ & he full of a falls intention escryed her with an high voice by cause he would be understonden/ O florypes fair daughter I see well where thou art/ A great fool was thy father when he trusted thee/ & full of foolish council was he/ that put in thine hand by the moyen of thy language the first prisoners/ I have herd say long sith/ that a man that trusteth in a woman of thing of Importance is a moche fool/ but nevertheless thy puterye shall not endure long/ as I trust/ For I swear to the that I shall depart the love that thou hast with the gluttons of France/ & without pity I shall do burn you all/ Florypes heard these words & took a baston in her hand & made a sign as though she had menaced her father/ wherefore th'admiral seeing that began to sown to godre his people/ and commanded to shoot & lose the Instruments against the tour in such wise that anon a great party of the wall was overthrown to th'earth/ then the barons doubted moche of them upon the wall/ And Rolland Oliver and Ogyer went in to a chamber where as were/ Mahon Appolyn Termagaunte & Margotte gods of the paynims which were much rich And Rolland took Appolyn which was heavy and threw it upon the paynims/ Oliver lift up termagaunte/ & Ogyer Margotte/ and smote with them the saracens in such wise that them that they attained did them never hurt after/  
when th'admiral saw thus his gods vytupered and thrown he took such anger and so great ire in his courage that for sorrow he tumbled down as a deed man to the earth/ Sortybrant with moche sorrow took him up and many wept & made great desolation for sorrow/ and after th'admiral said/ lords & friends he shall ever be my friend & special beloved that will avenge the shame that these gluttons have done to my god's/ Sortybrant did great pain to recomfort him saying that in short time he should be avenged on them all seen that the tour is broken in more than xv parties/ O Mahon/ said the admiral thou hast well forgotten me/ at the most need thou fayllest me/ thou art now so old that thou dotest/ I have seen the day that y● hadst great puissance/ ¶ Sortybrant answered/ Sir ye have an evil custom/ when ye speak so evil against Mahon/ Ye know well that there was never borne ne never shall be so good a god he giveth us pleute of where/ of win and of other goods also/ he shall do for us when he hath bethought him/ he is yer evil content for the stroke that ye smote him on the nose/ Abide a little till he be better advised/ And the french men shall resde them unto you so that ye shall hold you pleased/ Upon these words Mahon was brought tofore him/ And a devil entered in to him which said in this manner after that he had adored him/ admiral rich lord ne discomfort you not/ do sown your trumpets & horns and assemble your people & after assaylle the tour/ and at this time ye shall take the french men/ with these words th'admiral was all rejoiced/ and all thengines and Instruments he did do set against the tower and threw stones and made great shot against the tour which was then all to broken/ and almost all overthrown/ The peers of France seeing this had great doubt of danger/ and not without cause/ Nevertheless Ogyer the danoys said to his fellows/ O loyal companions replenished of fidelity/ For any pain or doubt of death among us late none be found with any treason/ ne suffer to enter in to him any evil thought of infidelity and cowardice/ ye see now that the tower goeth to ground And almost these saracens be medsed with us/ But as touching to me I swear by god my maker/ that tofore my soul shall depart fro my body/ if I have the puissance to hold in my hand Cortayn my sword/ I shall make so great a discomfiture of these paynims that every man shall marvel/ with these words Rolland beheld durandal/ and Oliver with everich of the other beheld their swords/ & were all renewed with strength and courage/ And all with one will gone upon the sarazens/ and there did such diligence/ that allway they were lords of the tour/ & made the saracens their enemies to go aback/ Florypes considering their affair was sorrowful that no socours came to them and also remembering the menaces of her father th'admiral/ But guy of bourgoyn recomforted her alway in such wise that of all she was content/   

¶ How the peers of France had tidings if th'host of charles/ and the admiral also/ and how Ganellon bore him marvelously/ which alone was sent to the admiral/ and what he did capitulo x  
THe french men being in this continual pain of battle for to defend the tour Duc names of bauyere went up on high and saw out of a window/ & saw beneath in a valley the sign of saint denys which was brought hastily/ & after a great company of men of arms/ And thought in himself that they came for to succour and aid them/ and anon sent for his fellows for to come & see them/ Assoon as Florypes understood it/ she came to Guy of bourgoyn saying/ O glorious virgin marry mother of Jesus' worshipped mote ye be for these tidings that I have heard/ O noble knight guy of bourgoyn my dear love approach ye to me if it please you and kiss me/ Of the joy of Florypes were joyful the earls and lords/ ye may think that they were well comforted when they saw the standard of france wherein was the dragon well figured/ great joy and great consolation was among them/ & they had cause seen the danger wherein they were/ Anon a paynim came to th'admiral & said to him that Charles with an hundred thousand men of arms came making great bruyt/ The king Coldroe counseled anon that every man should be armed/ and that they should go meet with him at the first point/ His council was approved by th'admiral and by tother/ wherefore anon/ L/ thousand turks were assembled in great point for to keep the great vale of joshua/ to th'end that he might not come in to Aygremore/ Rolland saw Richard of Normandye with his confanon raised up which came all afore/ and all tarried in a meadow for to bait and refresh their horses and to tarry there all the night which was nigh/ And without making lodgyses or other thing/ they there rested them all night/ For their tents were left all mantryble/ On the morn early the Emperor did to arm his people & set them in good 〈◊〉 and in great point/ And af●●● sent for Fyerabras and said to him/ Right dear friend thou knowest that I have do the 〈◊〉 baptized wherefore I love 〈◊〉 the better/ if thou mightest 〈◊〉 chase and make that thy 〈◊〉 baptized and renye ma●o● 〈◊〉 all his dyabolike gods I 〈◊〉 be well glad and joyous And I promise to the that of 〈…〉 goods I shall not take 〈◊〉 And if he will not so do I promise that by force I shall 〈◊〉 against him/ & if he take 〈◊〉 wite it not me●ne con me 〈◊〉/ maugre/ for I may not 〈◊〉 Sir Emperor said Fyerabras take a messenger/ and 〈…〉 demand him if he will so 〈◊〉 as ye say/ and I shall be 〈◊〉/ For if he gainsay it/ I shall never pray for him no have pity of him though I see him hewn and die/ Hereupon charles demanded Reyner and ryche●d of Normandye which were his next counselors and said to them/ lords whom seem you most propy●● for to send on this message to the admiral/ By mine advice ganellon should be good therefore if he would/ for to recount & speak holy 〈◊〉 message/ I know him for well suffisant/ & ye know well that he did well his devoir at the entry of mantryble/ if ye will consent he shall do the message Richard answered and Reyner also that he should do well the message/ The king sent for ganellon and said to him/ My friend we have chosen you for to go say to th'admiral Ballant that he be baptized & renye mahon/ & that he take Ihesu christ for his god/ & that he believe in him & in his passion that he suffered for all human creatures & after that he yield to me my barons which he holdeth in his prison/ & also the resyques that long time I have demanded of him/ & if he will do this/ we shall leave to him his country & his lands/ & if he will do otherwise/ we shall make to him mortal war/ and shall take of him no mercy/ Ganellon was content for to go thither alone And took & set on his helm & mounted upon his horse named gascon/ and hinge on his neck his shield/ wherein was painted the lion/ & after went in to the vale of joshua hastily/ and anon he was taken of the turks that kept the passage/ but when they knew that he was a messenger for to speak to th'admiral/ they troubled him not but let him go/ & he tarried not till that he came tofore thhabitationof th'admiral/ & he lent upon his spear with a knightly countenance/ & moche resembled a baron of great valour for to say well his message/ when th'admiral knew of his coming he came to him/ And then Ganellon spoke hardyly to him in this manner/ saracen take heed & understand me/ I am a messenger of the noble charles king of france & right mighty Emperor/ & he sendeth the word by me/ that thou renye and forsake Mahon & thine other gods dyabolyke/ & believe in Ihesu cryst the redemptor of all the world which took on him humanity and suffered death cruel & bitter in the tree ofithe cross for to redeem all the world/ & if thou so do/ thou art assured not only to die & also not to lose thy land ne none of thy good/ but thou shalt alway be beloved of him & of Fyerabras thy son/ and if thou wilt not accord hereto/ & withstand it/ know for certain that of Charles thou art deffyed & all thy people/ & if thou wilt save thyself think to flee and withdraw the fro this country For if thou may be taken and holden thou shalt be delivered to dangerous death/ and all thy subgettes shall be die smembred/ & slain/ & after he shall give thy royalme and thy richesses to his servants/ Therefore advise the well/ when th'admiral had herd him/ he was almost in a rage of his words/ and by distress of anger he took a staff for to smite the messenger and said to him/ glutton payllard thou art dysmesured in thy language by mahon to whom I am yeven at this time thou hast be over hardy/ & little loved the Charles when he sent the to me/ For thou shalt be well sure that thou shalt never recount to him thy message/ Ganellon seeing that he was not well sure with them he took his sword which was heavy & sharp/ and gave withal a stroke to buillant of mommyere in the breast that he overthrew & fell at the feet of the admiral which seeing that/ escryed much strongly t'avenge him/ then with this voice assembled more than thirty thousand turks for to take Ganellon which ran after him through the vale of joshua/ but he escaped them all and was not taken/ Due names was at a window/ and saw him chased/ & demanded Rolland & Oliver what he was/ & they knew for certain that he was christian/ and by presuming made among them they judged that it was Ganellon/ that had spoken to th'admiral/ ¶ Alas said Rolland I pray to Jesus' our redeemer that he grant him grace to pass well without danger/ I shall be evil content if he come not to his good desire/ ¶ The other barons saiden semblably/ & prayed god to keep him fro peril/ Ganellon ran alway forth till he came to the top of a mountain/ and there he turned him against the paynims/ & saw coming to him a great paynim of the city of Aygremore/ and anon he took his sword named murgall 〈◊〉 trenchaunte & attained the mynem upon the helm/ and 〈◊〉 him to the breast/ And after he slew Tenebre which was ●●●der of king Sortybrant/ ●●●uer saw all his feat and 〈◊〉 to Rolland/ Brother beholds 〈◊〉 unlyaunce that this baron 〈◊〉 I pray god that he 〈◊〉 him/ And weet ye well that in my heart I love him/ Save you & charles I love none bet●●r/ Now would god that I were in his company/ I shall make great martyrdom on these paynims/ Nevertheless he was ●●●●gely chased of the paynims/ But when they saw the host of Charles/ they returned aback and went & told the affair to th'admiral/ & how Charles had more than an hundred thousand fighting men/ wherefore they counciled that every man should arm him/ & that council was approved/ but when sortybuant knew that his brother was deed he made to come an Innumerable company of sarusyns' ravenge his death in menacing to do harm to Charles/ Of his intention was much glad th'admiral/ by cause he might the better come to his desire/   

¶ How Charles emperor ordained ten battles/ and how they did & were recountered of the puissance of the admiral/ where as th'emperor did marvels and of other matters capitulo xii  
When Ganellon was comen to king Charles/ th'emperor ordained x battles after that Ganellon had told his message which was such Sir emperor I say to you that th'admiral ne feareth you ne your deeds/ neither god ne his saints/ I was well happy that I escaped/ For I have been chased with xx thousand saracens after that th'admiral would have had me/ & after these words I slew one of their kings/ wher fore he was praised of the king & other/ And anon they swooned horns and trumpets/ & was open war on all parts in th'host of Charles/ Rolland heard the sown and the voice of the french host/ whereof he and all the barons were all rejoiced & made good thyere/ when the ij hosts recountered all the country shone of their arms/ there were so many of them/ after as I have said tofore/ king charles made ten battles/ In the first he ordained Richard of Normandye/ Due Reyner of genes had the second/ Ganellon the third A lory the fourth/ Geffroy the fifth/ Machayre the uj/ Hardre the seventh/ Amangius the viii/ Samson the ix/ And of the tenth was conductor charles the king/ & in each battle were x thousand men of arms well fighting at lest/ when Ballant the admiral saw the king coming he said to vuillant/ who shall be the first that shall enter in to battle with an hundred thousand paynims/ & said that if he took Charles he should not slay them ne fyerabras for he would after smite of their heeds/ & upon this point the war was open/ & Baullant began to go a great boroedrauȝt tofore the other/ and began to cry/ haw/ haw/ where is charles th'emperor with his evil cheer too I come to thee/ thou hast enterprised a great folly when thou passest the see/ & over late thou shalt repent thee/ On this day shall be the end of thy life/ and of the subgettes life/ And without fault thou shalt be yoleden to th'admiral & all thy centreye shall be destroyed/ Themperor heard well these words/ wherefore all in a fury he let run his horse & came against the paynim & attained him in such a wise that his harnoys broke/ and after he drew his sword and never left him till he was deed/ fro thence with his spear he came to a turk king of pyetrelee/ and smote him in the breast that he fell deed to the earth/ and when his spear was broken/ he did great devoir with joyous his sword/ for him that he attained did never hurt after/ At that time he bore him marvelously/ that one of the hosts meddled each with other in such wise/ that there was never seen war so mortal for they that were living were let by them that were deed/ then among the paynims there was a turk named Tenebres which cain making great buryt upon the french men/ and attained first the noble jehan of pountayse upon his shield and broke it in pye●s & smote him through the body that he fell deed to the earth and after drew his sword & put to death huon and guernyer thancient/ and after said to the french men/ that on that day Charles and his subgettes had lost their might/ Richard of Normandye had despite of his words & came against him & attained him so dangerously that he broke his hawberke and broke his shield in quarters ● so smote him that he fell down deed without any more repro●●●●● & saying evil words/ & after by force of strength they pass●● the vale of joshua/ & came and fond th'admiral with all his puissance/ which was accompanied with 〈◊〉 kings crowned & with an 〈…〉 men/ as well a horseback as 〈◊〉 Anon a messenger came 〈◊〉 admiral/ & told him 〈…〉 lant his brother was 〈…〉 many in his company/ 〈◊〉 he sent for tempest his 〈◊〉 & for Sortybrant of 〈◊〉 his most special friends & said to them/ My barons and 〈◊〉 friends if ever ye have loved me & have entencion to do me play sir/ Do so moche that ye 〈◊〉 charles the king/ For I will go to him & have concluded in myself to fight in my person against his person/ & sith I 〈◊〉 die once it sufficeth me that I might slay him/ & then shall I be content to die if I deed after For I retehe not if I advenge me or I die/ Sortybrant & many other considering thastate of th'admiral begunnen to weep for pity in comforting him/   

¶ How in this battle following Sortybrant was slain by Reyner father of Oliver/ and after how th'admiral did marvels and great annoy to the french men capitulo xiii  
BAllant th'admiral road upon an horse/ the best running of all the country right well armed/ and it was black as a more/ & himself was great of body/ well membered & had his herd hanging to the saddle which was white as snow/ & after did do sown his trumpets & horns tassemble his host/ & made the archers to go before which could well shoot with bows turavoys/ & all furiously that one against the other go shoot & make mortal war/ so that the shot fl●we in thayer thicker than hail/ So moche people was there slain/ that the ways were impeached & let by deed bodies/ The Duke Reyner passed through forth/ & the first that he encountered was king Sortybrant/ & gave to him a great stroke without feigning that his shield availed him not/ his hauberk all to broke/ so that he made his spear to plunge and bain in his body so deep that he abode there deed like a be'st/ & after with his sword made so great murder & slaughter of the falls turks that it was marvel/ Anon the admiral knew the death of Sortybrant/ whereof he was almost out of his wit in a rage/ and sith said/ O Sortybrant my special friend/ I see well now that I shall be avenged if I benge not thy death/ with these words he made his horse to run upon the French men so despytously that whom he attained he put to death/ and came to huon of milan & slew him/ then he did great damage/ and fought that time so strongly that he put to death well seven french men & xiv Normans much valiantly saying/ ¶ O ye unhappy french men I shall now make you know that th'admiral of spain is comen/ in this day shall th'host of france be destroyed/ & shall never repair home again in to france/ I shall lead away with me the king Charles with his flourished beard & I shall do hang or bren him & also with him Rolland & Oliver & their fellows/ & with these words the paynims enhardyed them in such wise that they did greatly their devoir against the french men/ At this meddle the count ganellon/ haldre/ alory/ & geffroy daultevyle & that lineage did greatly their devoir and bore them well/ For in a short space by them were slain more than a M paynims/ Thadmiral most valiant of the sarazens attained the count myllon by his helm/ that almost he had abiden in the place/ and with a stroke th'admiral smote of his horse heed that he fell to the earth and after he took him & laid him tofore him for to have born him away/ but the lineage of ganellon saved him/ notwithstanding that many of them were slain and deed/ Nevertheless the french men surmounted the paynims/ and that was by the aid of fyerabras which for love of Charles did fight and made great discomfiture of the sarazens/ for there he put to death tempest/ and the old Rubyon and more than thirty other of these mastyns' myscrea●ntes/ & he there bore him in such wise/ that there was not one person that durst come tofore him to resist him/   

¶ How the peers of France which were in the tour came out when they saw the host/ & how th'admiral was taken & holden prisoner capitulo xiv  
THe paynims & french men alway persevering in mortal battle could not make th'end each one of other/ For the multitude of the paynims was so great that they might not be discomfited/ when the barons that were in the tower saw the faith/ & that they that kept the tour were gone to the socours and cry of th'admiral they sprang out & each took an horse of them that were deed which ran at all adventure/ and 〈◊〉 also took his sword in his hand & suddenly came upon the saracens for to pass through them to the french host/ & made so great bruit that the most hardyest of the paynims gaf them way & let them pass/ and in especial rolland/ for where be smote with durandal/ came never after tofore him/ & at this departing was dearly recomanded guy of b●ur●●goyn of florypes/ for she had fere of him/ Nevertheless when they were assembled with the other without letting them to be 〈◊〉 wen/ went upon the saracens & held them so short/ that anon they slew them in such roil ● the other put them to flight/ for there was never lark fled more fearfully tofore the sper●awke than the saracens fled tofore rolland/ Thadmiral knew well his destruction by the coming of the peers that were in that tour & cried with an h●e voice/ mahon my god to whom I have given myself and have done to so moche honour/ thou hast forygoten me/ Remember me now/ ¶ For and ever I may get the I shall beat the both flanks heed & visage/ and also put out thine eyes falls recreant god that thou art/ he thus saying he was so pursyewed and smyton that he fell down under his horse and taken and not slain at the request of his son fyerabras/ to th'end that he should be advised to believe in Ihesu christ & in the holy trinity/ & become christian & all his country/ then the battle took an end/ and he that would not be converted was in continent put to death/ Somme fled/ and some were taken/ then after this the french men went & unarmed them/ & Charles saw there his barons whom he desired so much to see/ & in especial his nephew rolland & Oliver whom he loved so moche & were so greatly valiant/ It can not be said ne expressed the joy that was among them & the consolation & rejoicing of king charles was inestimable/ then they recounted all things what were happened to them/ & of their dangers and jeopardyes which they had escaped & sorrows & lamentations that they had endured/ wherefore Charles and many other wept for pity/ And this endured many days/ there where as the hurt men & seek were heeled/ & they that were hold passed their time in deduyte triumph and joy/   

¶ How ballant th'admiral for any admonition that was showed to him/ would not be baptized/ and how after guy of bourgoyn espoused florypes/ & was crowned king and she queen of that country capitulo xv  
When charles had all appeased he took ballant the admiral tofore his noblesse/ & said to him in this manner/ ballant all creatures reasonable owen to give singular honour & particular love to him that hath given to them being/ knowledge/ & life/ & it is well requesyte & needful that he have honour and penerence that hath made heaven and earth & all that therein enhabyteth/ wherefore by good right he is superior and aboven all/ And a great abusion is comprised in him/ which giveth faith and hope in that which he hath made with his hands & of matter deed/ insensible and that hath neither reason ne soul/ as thy gods dyabolyke which may not ne can give consolation to their subgettes/ wherefore I warn the for the health of thy soul and for the preserving of thy body & of thy goods that thou take a way all these Iniquytees and/ perverse affectyons'/ & believe in the holy trinity/ father/ son/ and holy ghost/ one only god almighty/ and believe that the son of god for to repair th'offence of our formest father adam descended in to this world and took humanity in the womb of the blessed virgin marry which was all pure and without spot/ And believe in the articles of the faith/ and obey and keep his commandments which he hath given to us for our health and believe how he was taken of the jews and by envy hanged on the cross for to redeem us fro the pains of hell/ believe his resurrection and ascension in his body glorified/ and the other things as the holy baptism which he hath established with the other sacraments/ & if thou wilt thus believe thou shalt be saved/ & thou shalt neither lose body ne goods/ Thadmiral answered that he would no thing do so/ and swore that for death ne for life he would not leave Mahon/ Themperor holding a naked sword said to him that if he forsook not Mahon he should do put him to death/ Fyerabras seeing this kneeled down to th'earth & prayed his father to do as the emperor had said/ Thadmiral feared the death & said that he was content that the font should be blessed/ Charles was glad and did do make ready a font with fair water/ in a fair vessel/ and the bishop with other mynystres of the church did hallow the font and made all ready/ & after when th'admiral was uncladde/ the bishop demanded him saying/ Sir ballant forsake ye mahon/ and cry ye mercy to god of heaven for your trespa●●s and believe ye in Ihesu cryst the son of the virgin mary/ when th'admiral understood these words/ all his body began to tremble/ than in despite of Ihesu● he spit in the font/ and caught the bysshoop & would have drowned him in the font/ and had plunged him therein/ ne had not Ogyer have been which letted him/ & yet notwithstanding 〈◊〉 gaf a great stroke to th'admiral that the blood came out of his mouth habondantly/ Of 〈◊〉 were all abashed that were present/ and then the king said to Fyerabras/ ye be my specy●● friend/ Ye see that your father will never be crystened/ And also the outrage that he hath done to the font/ it can not be excused/ but that be must be deed and dysmembred/  
¶ Fyerabras required him yet of a little patience/ and if he would not amend him/ that then he should do his will/ ¶ Florypes the daughter of the admiral seeing this said/ ¶ O Sir Emperor wherefore delay ye so much to put this devil to death/ I retch not though he be put to death/ so that I only may have guye of bourgoyn to mine husband/ whom I have so much desired/ Fyerabras answered fair sister ye have great wrong/ For I ensure you and swear by god which hath made me/ that I would that I had lost two of my members on the condition that he were a good christian man & were baptized and believed in Ihesu cryst/ ye wot well that he is our father/ which hath engendered us/ we aught to honour him and to love his health/ ye are well obstinate when ye have of him no pity/ And after in weeping said to his father/ O most dyer father I pray you to be better advised and by love in him that hath formed you to his image/ which is Jesus' god sovereign/ like as th'emperor hath said/ and leave mahon which hath neither wit ne reason/ ne no thing is but gold & stones whereof he is composed/ if ye thus do/ ye shall do to us great joy/ & of your enemies ye shall make friends/  
Ballant answered/ fool & glouton that thou art speak no more to me thereof thou art all out of reason/ I shall never believe in him that died v C year a gone/ & accursed be he that putteth in his believe that he is arisen fro death to life/ by mahon my god if I were on my horse back/ or I were taken I should anger charles that fool/ when fyerabras had all understonden him he said to charles that he should do with him his pleasure/ For by good right he ought to die/ Anon th'emperor demanded who would slay ballant the unmeasurable fellow/ then Ogier was present which hated him in his heart/ & forthwith he smote of his heed/ & Fyerabras pardonned him gladly/ Thenne after this florypes said to Rolland that he should accomplish his promesses between her and guy of bourgoyn/ rolland answered ye say troth/ and after said to guy/ ¶ Sir ye remember well what words and love hath been between you & the courteous Florypes keep your troth and promise to her/ Guy answered that he was ready to do all that th'emperor would have him to do/ Charles was content/ then anon afore them all she was despoiled and unclad her for to be baptized/ She being there all naked showed her beauty which was right white and well form so pleasant and amorous for the formosyte of her person that every man marveled/ ¶ For she had her eyen as clear as two stars/ a fair forehead and large/ her nose right well standing in the mids of the visage/ her cheeks were reed & whit meddled/ her brows compaced as it had been a little shadow to the colour of the visage/ her heir shining as gold & that in so good an order accumyled/ that it hinge beneath her knees/ her mouth was well composed with an attemperat roundenes/ a small long neck/ and her shoulders fair & well sitting/ & ij paps tofore small round & somewhat enhanced like ij round apples And so well was she made and so amorous/ that she smote the hearts of many/ and enflammed their intention with concupisbence/ and specially of charles the Emperor/ how well that he was auncyen & old/ and in the font which was ordained for the admiral her father she was baptized/ And charles/ & Duc thyery of ardayne were her godfaders without chaunching her name/ And anon after when she was honourably clad/ the bishop wedded them/ & after th'emperor commanded to bryngeforth the crown of ballant/ and crowned with all guy of bourgoyn and Florypes/ And the bishop sacred and blessed them And so though said guy was king of that country/ & gave a party to Fyerabras by condition/ that if Fyerabras would have it/ he should hold it of guye/ and all that ever guye should have/ he should hold it of charles/ After this the feast of the wedding and espousals endured viii days/ And charles abode there two months and two days/ till that the country was well assured   

¶ How Florypes delivered the relics to th'emperor/ and how they were proved by miracle & of the returning of Charles and of the end of this book/  
CHarles did such diligence in aygremore and in the country adjacent that he that would not be baptized was put to death and so searched overall/ And on a sunday after mass he sent for florypes and said to her/ fair doughtre ye know how I have crowned you and made you queen of this country/ I have accomplys shed your desire as to guy of bourgoyn your husband/ And more over ye be baptized and in way of salvation/ and ye have one of the valiantest body that is from hens in to Affrranue/ ¶ And he and fyerabras your brother shall have this region/ And I shall leave with him xx M of my subgetes to the end that the paynims be alway in dread/ but ye have not yet showed to me nothing of the holy relics that ye keep/ Florypes answered/ Sir emperor they shall be ready when it pleaseth you/ and then she brought forth the chest in which they were honestly/ ¶ th'emperor kneeled down on both his knees/ and inclined both with heart & body/ and bad the bishop to open it & show them/ and so he did/ And first he showed the precious crown with which Ihesu Cryst was crowned with/ which was of pricking thorns & of jonqnes of the see/ and with great devotion it was showed & adored And many there wept & wailed the death of our lord Ihesu Cryst and were in great devocy on & contemplation/ The bishop which was devout & wise would prove it/ And lift it upon high in the air/ & withdrew his hand/ and the crown abode by itself in the air/ & thenne the bishop certified to the peyle that was present/ that it was the crown of Ihesu christ/ which he had on his heed in the time of his passion/ then every man honoured it devoutly/ & it had so great an odour that everich marveled/ and after the bishop took the nails by which god had his haudes & feet pierced and proved them as he had proved the crown tofore/ and semblably they abode in the air miraculously/ And Charles seeing all this thanked humbly god in saying/ ¶ O lord god eternal which hast given to me grace that I have surmounted mine enemies Infidels/ and hast put & set me in the way and given conduit to find your relics which I have so long desired/ I humbly render and give to you thanks and praisings/ For now my country may well say that it shall be perpetual honour to it to possode and have this precious treasure when it shall be contained therein/ The bishop blessed all the people there in making the sign of the cross with the said relics/ & after he set them devoutly again in their places And the emperor did do set them on a rich cloth of gold devoutly/ And when they were thereon/ the remnant that abode of them as small pieces he took them devoutly and put them in his glove/ and after he being in purposes to return in to his country/ he threw the glove to a knight/ but the knight took none heed & took it not/ & when charles was a little withdrawn he took heed of his glove/ & returned and saw his glove in which the said small pieces of the said relics were/ abode hanging in thayer without sustaining of any thing/ Thenne was this miracle seen evidently and all this was showed to the people/ For it abode in that manner whiles they might have gone half a leghe/ And by this they were all reconfermed to say that there was none abusion in believing & adoring the said relics/ And these things tofore written in this second book been understanden in the best party & signification that I can or would say/ And I have not said any thing but that I have been well informed by writing And as for the book ensuing/ it shall make mention of some battles/ and of the end of the barons of france of whom I have tofore spoken all along/     

¶ Here beginneth the iij book which containeth two parties by the chapters following declared/  

¶ The first party of the third book containeth xiv chapters and speaketh of the wars made in spain and of two marvelous giants/  

¶ How Saint james appeared to Charles/ and how by the moyen and the conduit of the stars he went in to galyce/ & what cytres he subdued ca j  
CHarles the noble Emperor after he had taken moche pain for to maintain the name of god/ for tenhance the christian faith/ and to bring all the world in one true faith and believe/ & that he had gotten many contrees/ he purposed never more to fight ne to make battle/ but to rest & lead forth a contemplative life in thanking his maker of the grace that he had given to him in surmounting his enemies/ Nevertheless on a night it bawed him/ that he beheld the heaven 〈◊〉 saw a quantity of stars in ●●dre tending all the night one way and one path/ And they began at the see of frysebond in passing between alemayn and italy/ between France and guyamne/ And passed right the said stars by gascoyne/ basle/ Navarre/ and espayne/ which contrees he had then by his puissance and continual pain conquered and made christian/ And after the end of the said stars thus going in order came unto galyce where as the body of the holy apostle was/ he not knowing the proper place/ Every night charles beheld the way of the said stars/ and thought much continually what this might be/ & that it was not without cause/ ¶ In one night among the other that charles thought on this way/ a man appeared to him in vyly on which was so fair so pleasant and so shining that it was marvel which said to him/ what dost thou my fair son/ Charles being all ravished answered/ who art thou fair sir/ That other answered I am james the apostle of Ihesu Cryst/ the son of Zebedee/ and proper brother of saint johan the evangelist/ & am he whom god chaas to preach the christian faith and his doctrine in the land of galyce and of galilee/ by his holy grace/ and he whom Herod did put to death by sword/ and my body abideth among the saracens which have entreated it villainly/ & lieth in a place which is not known/ But I marvel that thou hast not conquered my land/ Seen and considered that thou hast conquered so many regions towns & cities in the world/ wherefore I do the to weet/ that like as god hath chosen the and made the superior in worldly puissance above all other kings & worldly princes/ in like wise among all them that lyven thou art chosen of god after the conduit of the stars to deliver my land fro the hand of the mescreaunt saracens and enemies of christendom/ ¶ And to th'end that thou shouldest know in to what place thou shouldest go/ thou hast seen on the heaven the stars by divine magnificence/ And for to obtain the more joy & greater glory in heaven/ by haultayn and great puissance thou shalt surmount thine enemies/ & in that same place thou shalt make and do edify a church in my name/ to the which shall come the christian people of all regions for to get health & pardon of their sin/ After that thou shalt have visited my sepulture and have made the way sure/ and ordained christian men for to keep and conserve the place/ it shall be a memoyre perpetuell/ Thus in this manner appeared three times saint james to the emperor Charles/ After these visions and certifications of god/ he called and assembled his subgettes/ whom he did do put a great multitude in good point/ & after took his way/ & drew toward the country where the stars had showed the way aforesaid/ and came first in to spain/ and the first city that was rebel to him was panpy lonne which was right strong of murayl and towers/ & garnished with sarazens/ and he abode tofore it three months or he could find manner to confound it/ then Charles knew not what to do but to pray god and saint james for whom he went that in the virtue of his name he might take that city/ and said in this manner/ Fair lord god my maker help me that am comen in to this contre● for to enhance the christian faith/ for to establish and maytene thine holy name/ And also thou holy saint james by the revelation of whom I am in this journey/ I reqnyre the that I may subdue this city & enter therein/ for to show the mysbyleving people the cause of their error/ to th'end that this beginning may the better determine the end of mine intention/ Assoon as Charles had finished his orison/ the walls of the city which were of marble marvelously strong overthrew to the earth & fell all in pieces/ and after charles and his host entered in to the city/ & he that would be baptized & believe in god without fyctyon was saved and put a part/ and who said the contrary was forthwith put to death/ All the people of that country when they knew of these tidings & marvelous operations of this city turned in to Ruin at the simple postulation of charles without contradyctyon came and yielded them to the mercy of king charles/ And thus many were baptized/ and churches were ordained/ and all the country reduced to certain tribute under the fidelity of the emperor charles and brought their tributes fro the cities with out any other gainsaying in sign of signory/   

¶ Of the cities gotten in espayne by charles/ & how some were by him destroyed/  
AFter that charles had the domination/ avasi in all espayne/ he came to the scpulture of Saint james where he did his devotion and made devoutly his prayers/ & after came to a place in yt●ond which was so far that he might go no ferther/ and there fyyed & pight his spear/ and that place was called petronium/ & thanked god and saint james/ that by their sufferance he was comen so far/ without any contradye tyon surely unto such place that he might pass no ferther/ And in that land who that would by leave in god/ th'archbishop Turpyn baptized them/ & who that would not he was slain or put in prison/ And after Charles went from one see to that other and thenne he gate in galyee xiii cities/ among whom compestelle was then the les●e/ In espayne he had xuj great towns & strong/ among whom was onsea in which were wont to be x strong towers/ & a town named petrosse in which was made the finest silver that had then course/ Also another city named attentyva where as the body of sayut Torquete rested which was disciple of saint james/ and there upon the sepulture was an olive tree flourish & bear ripe fruit a certain day of may every year without failing/ Alle thee country of spain that time was subject to charles/ That is to weet the land of alandaluf/ the land of perdoures/ the land of castellans the land of maures/ The land of portyngale/ the land of sarrasyns/ the land of nauarre/ the land of Alemans'/ The land of byscoys/ the land of bascles/ the land of palargyens and some of their cities taken by war subtle and mortal/ And some without war/ he could not win the great town of Lucerne till at the last he laid siege tofore it by the space of four months/ and it stood in a green valley/ And after when he saw that they would not yield them/ & that he could not win them/ he made his prayer unto god and to saint james that he might be victorious seen that he had no more to termine in that country but that city only his orison was heard/ so that the walls fell down to the earth and was put to destruction in such wise that never man dwelled therein after/ and after it sank and therein was an abysm or swallow of water/ In which were founden after fishes all black/ among the other cities that he took there were iiij that did him much pain or he might get them/ & therefore he gaf them the maladyctyon of god/ and they were cursed in such wise that unto this day there is in them none habitation & the said cities been named lucerne/ ventose/ caperee/ & adam   

¶ Of the great idol that was in a city/ which could not be smyton down/ and of the conditions and signs thereof ca iij  
When charles had done in spain & other places with the Inhabytauntes of it at his will/ Alle th'idols and other symylacres that he fond he did do destroy and put to confusion/ But in the land of Alandaluf in a city called Salancadies in arabyque/ and was the place of a great god as the saracens said/ That ydolle was made of the hand of Machommete in the time that he lived/ & was named Mahommet/ in th'honour of him/ and by art magic and dyabolyke he closed therein a legion of devils for to keep it and make signs for to abuse the people/ and this idol was kept so by devils that no person living could by strength destroy it ne put it down/ In such wise that if any christian man came nigh for to see it or to conjure it/ or to destroy/ Assoon as he began to conjure and preach/ anon he was perished & destroyed/ And the saracens that came for to preach adore make sacrifice or do obeisance thereto were without peril/ and if by adventure a bird fleeing came & rested upon it/ incontinent it was deed/ The stone upon which thidol was set was marvelously made/ It was a stone of the see wrought of saracens/ and graven subtilely of great and rich fashion/ the which was enhanced upright/ not without great craft & cunning/ toward the earth it was marvelously great & always upward it was alas/ and that stone was so high as a crow might flee/ upon which stone was thidol set/ which was of fyn yvorye/ after thassemblance of a man standing upright on his feet/ & had his face turned to the south/ & held in his right hand a great hay/ & the srasyns were certified for truth/ that when a king of france should be borne & in strength to subdue the country of spain/ and bring it in to christian faith/ the image should let fall the key/ which should be a sign that the king of france should conquer them/ So thē●● in the time that the noble king chacles reigned in spain for to bring it to the christian faith/ the ydolle let the ●ere fall down to the ground/ And when the saracens saw that/ They 〈◊〉 their treasures/ as gold 〈◊〉 and precious stones in 〈◊〉 by cause the christian men 〈◊〉 no thing find thereof/ 〈…〉 all went in to another 〈◊〉 and durst not abide the coming of the king/   

¶ Of the church of saint james in galyce/ and of divers other which King Charles founded capitulo iiij  
CHarles being in galyce had Innumerable avantyte of gold of silver and of precious stones of many kings princes and other lords/ and of tributes of cities that was given to him as lord  
¶ Also he had moche of the treasure that he conquered of the towns and countries of Spain aforesaid/ then he seeing the great abundance of good/ did do compose and make a church of Saint james in the place where as he had found the body of him/ and he abode there the space of three year without departing/ and in that same place he ordained a bishop and founded there chanonnes regular under the rule of saint Ysodore the confessor/ & bought & ordained for them rents & tributes sufficient/ and gave to them singular signory/ The furnished the church with velles/ bessellies of gold and silver/ adournements of precious clothes & all things necessary & appertaining in a church Pontifical/ also of books vestiments chalices/ & other holy escryptures/ And of the residue of gold and silver that he brought out of spain he did do edify these churches following/ ¶ first at Aoon in almain where as he is buried he did do make a church of our lady/ and though it be little/ yet is it much richly made/ The church of Saint james in the town of vyterbe/ also the church of saint james in the cytre of Tholouse/ The church of Saint james in gascoyne/ also the church of saint james in paris between the sayne & the mount of martyrs/ & above the churches aforesaid he fonnded/ rented & relieved many & divers churches/ monasteries & other abbeys in the world in many and divers places/   

¶ How after that Aygolant the giant had taken spain/ & put to death the christian people/ Charles recovered it and other matters capitulo v  
AFter that charles was returned in to France a king saracen of affryque named aygolant with great puissance came in to spain and remised it in his subgectyon/ And the christian which charles had left there as many as he might get he put to death/ and the other fled/ And in short time the tidings came unto king Charles/ whereof he was much abashed & angry because it was showed to him so pyetously/ wherefore incontinent he assembled a great host/ & with a great multitude of fighting men he went thither without tarrying/ And he made the conductor of them all Myllon of angleres the father of Rolland/ & they cess not till that they had iydynges where Aygolant the giant was which had done this feat/ when charles knew where Aygolant was lodged and semblably aygolant knew where Charles was/ Anon the giant sent to charles/ that he would deliver battle such as he would/ That is to weet that Charles should send to him xx of his men to fight against xx of his saracens/ or xl against xl or an C against C/ or a thousand against a thousand/ or two men against two/ or one man against one man only/ king Charles seeing th'intention of aygolant for th'honour of noblesse he would not refuse his demand/ but sent to him an C knights in great point/ and the giant sent another hundred against the christian men/ but anon the saracens were vanquished & put to death/ and after were sent by aygolant two hundred saracens against two hundred cyrsten men which saracens were anon without great resistance put to death and slain/ Aygolant was not content ne would not leave hereby but sent two thousand saracens against ijM christian men and when they were in battle many of the sarazens were slain and the other put to flight for to save themself/ The third day after Aygolant made certain experyences and knew that if Charles made war to him he should have great loss/ and sent to charles to were if he would make plain war/ Charles was content/ and there upon they made ready their people/ and specially charles/ for his subgettes had great affection to go to battle without any 〈◊〉 of death/ And also some of the christian men the day tofore the battle did do amend and 〈◊〉 their harnoys/ and set their tents nigh a river named 〈◊〉 and pight there their sp●●●s/ even in the place where as the bodies of saint fecund and saint premyt if rested/ where after was made a church devotely founded/ and also a strong city by the moyen of the said Charles/ and in the place where the s●●res were pight our lord showed great miracle/ For of them th●● should die there and be glorified martyrs of god & 〈◊〉 in heaven/ their spe●rs on y● 〈◊〉 were founden all green f●●resshed and leaved/ which was a percedent sign that they which should die should have the joy in heaven/ ¶ Each man took his own and cut of the bows & leaves/ with which the leaves were planted and under ro●ed whereof in a little while after/ grew a great wooed which standeth there yet/ It was great a marvel of the joy that the horses made/ which did their devoyrs as well as the men after their quality/ which was a great token/ then & valiant christian men were slain/ And among the other was slain duke/ Myllon father to Roulland Also that same day the horse of charles was slain under him/ & when he was a foot he made great murder with his sword joyous/ and did so moche that the sarazens dreading the evening fled & withdrew them in to place of surety/ And as it was the will of our lord the next day after came to Charles in to his help iiij marquyse of italy accompanied with iiijM strong fighting men & chosen wherefore Aygolant assoon as he knew of their coming he fled and withdrew him over the see toward his country/ but they might not for hast here with them all their treasures/ wherefore france was enriched marvelously above all other contrees/  
¶ And when charles saw his departing/ he came with all his richesse in to france/ and thenne during seven year he did do ordain the service and office of the church by priests & clerks and the feasts of saints of all the year/ and great virtue & marvelous effect was comprised in this man/ For when it was not war for to minish thynf●dellys and increase the christian faith/ For tenhance the name of god he made the offices and legends of holy saints/ & did reduce in to mind and remembrance the passions of holy martyrs in establysshing their feestes to th'end that we should ensue them and to eschew all evil/ And the magnitude of this king was well proved by signs seen on the heaven/ For in the same year the moan derked three times/ and the son once and companies of people were seen marvelous which showed that this Charles was of great magnitude that is to weet between heaven and earth/   

¶ How Aygolant sent to charles that he should come to him trustily for to make Just war and how Charles in habit dissimuled spoke to him and of other matters capitulo uj  
AS I have said the kin Aygolant the giant fled in to his country/ when socours came to Charles of four marquis/ he slept not upon his purposes but made great diligence for to assemble his people which were saracens Innumerable/ for he assembled mores/ Moabytes/ Ethiopiens/ Affrycans/ and percyens/ he brought with him also the king of araby/ the king of barbary/ the king of malroste/ the king of maioryke/ the king of meques the king of cybylle/ & the king of Cordube/ the which came with people without number certain/ in to gascoyne in to a strong city named Agenne and took it/ And after sent to Charles that he should come to him peaceably & trustyly with a few people/ promising to him for to give to him ix horse laden with gold silver and precious stones if he would thus come at his desire/ this paynim showed to him this by cause he would know his person/ for his strength & puissance knew he well by experience/ and also to th'end when he knew him/ that he might in the war slay him/ when king charles knew this mandement he gathered not great people but he came only with ijM knights of honour & of great strength And when he was four mile nigh the city/ where Aygolant and all the kings tofore named were/ he left his people secretly/ & came unto a mountain nigh the city accompanied with xl knights only/ And fro this place they saw the city/ by cause to weet if the multitude of people were departed so that he should not be deceived/ Nevertheless upon this mountain he left his people secretly & took of his clothes/ and clad him in the guise of a messenger/ and took one knight only with him which bore his spear & sword and bocler under his mantle and so came in to the city/ and anon he was brought tofore aygolant the giant/ And when he was tofore him he said in this manner/ Charles the king hath sent us unto thee/ and letteth the wete by us/ that he is comen like as thou hast commanded/ accompanied with forty knights only for to do that he ought to do/ Now then come to him with xl knights without more if thou wilt accomplish and hold that thou 〈◊〉 promised/ Aygolant said to 'em that they should return to charles/ and that they should say to him that he depart not/ but abide him there/ and he would come and visit him/ After this that charles had known the giant/ and after visited the town for to know the feeblest part for to take & conquer it when he should come again/ & saw all the kings foresaid/ & their puissances/ ●e after reterned to his people which he had left upon the mountain/ & after came to his ijM knights/ & anon after aygolant accompanied with vijM knights came after them without tarrying/ But charles took heed when he came that there were many more paynims than christian men/ and without longer tarrying charles & his people departed and returned in to france without having other delyberation/   

¶ How Charles accompanied with moche people returned in to the place aforesaid & took the city of agenne & other matters seven  
AFter that charles was returned in to france he assembled moche people/ & after came to the city of agenne & assieged it there by great fashion the space of seven months/ Aygolant was therein & many sarazens/ & the christian men had made fortressis & castles of tree tofore this city for to grieve it/ when Aygolant & the great lords of his company saw that they might not endure/ they maked hooles & caves under th'earth for tescape out secretly/ in that manner they came out of the city & passed over a river which ran by the city named goronna and so they saved themself/ The next day after when there was no great resistance made to the christian men/ Charles with great triumph & puissance entered in to the city & put to death xM saracens that he there fond/ The other seeing that/ put them to flight by the river/ Aygolant was in another strong town/ & when charles knew it he came thither & assailed it/ & sent to him to deliver over the city/ reynert answered that he would not so do but by a moyen/ that was that they should make a battle/ & he that should win the battle should be lord of the town & so they assigned the day of the battle/ and nigh to that place between the castle thalabourt & a river called carantha some of the christian men planted their spears in the ground/ especially they that on the morn should d●ye & obtain the crown of glory as martyrs of god/ and on the morn they fond their spears all green & miraculously leaved & full of bows/ whereof the christian men were much joyous of this miracle/ and reached not for to die for the christian faith m main tening the name of god/ After that they cut of their spears and went to battle and put many saracens to death/ But in th'end were slain and martyred of christian men more than iiijM which were saurd in heaven/ & that time the horse that Charles road on was slain under him and at that battle were slain by the said Charles/ the king of Agabye/ the king of bugye marvelous mighty sarazens/   

¶ Of the virtuous operations that charles made when he was returned in to france/ & what barons he had in his company & of their puissance ca viii  
THe battle toforesaid made/ Aygolant fled and came in to panpylone/ and sent to king charles that he should abide him for to give him battle more ample & large/ when charles knew his desire he returned in to france for to have help of his people/ and made an open mandment thorough out all France that all manner people that were of evil condition and in bondage that they that were present and their sucessours should be free & there upon tabellyons should be delivered according to the law that would go with him against the miscreants/ Also all prysonners that were in france he delivered them all out of prison & to all them that should have been delivered to death for felony murder or treason/ he pardonned them & gave to them their life/ and to all pour people that had not whereby to live/ he gave to them good largely/ & them that were evil clad he clothed them after their degree/ all them that were at debate he peased them & accorded/ Alle them that were disherited & put out from their livelihood he restored all to them/ Alle the people that might bear arms he armed them/ The valiant squires of their persons/ he made knights/ & all them that were in his indignation & prived to his love & bannysshed/ for the love of god he was constraynede to pardon them & made p●●s with every man/ and then he was furnished of more than an C thousand men well fighting/ without them that were a foot which were Innumerable/ And for to give courage to the princes of Charles/ Turpyn said in this manner/ I Turpyn archbishop of reins by the 〈◊〉 of god shall give good courage to christian people/ and shall 〈◊〉 the jufydele saracens with mine own hands/ ¶ with Charles was Roulland of Cenonye nephew of Charles/ son of his sister dame Berthe & of Duke Myllon with four thousand fighting men/ Oliver duke of genes son of duke Reyner with iij M fighting men/ Aristagius king of britain with seven thousand fighting men/ Not withstanding that in britain was another king/ Engelius which was duke of Guyan whom Augustus Cezar had ordained with the byturyciens/ the monyques/ pictavyns/ scauctonens/ and Elogysmes/ cytres with their provinces under guian/ & he came with iijM horsemen good fyghtars/ Garferus king of bordeloys with iiijM men/ Solomon fellow of estok/ bawd win brother of Rolland/ names duke of bavyere with xM fighting men/ Hoel of Nauntrs/ & Lambert prince of bourgoyn with ijM fyghtars/ Sanson duke of bourgoyn with xM Garyn duke of lorayne/ & many other/ and Charles had of his own country moo than thirty M men/ The excercyte of Charles the noble emperor/ and right puissant King of France was so great and so ample that it held two journeys long/ & in breed half o journey & more In such wise that of the bruit that was made for the great multitude of the frenchmen it was herd two mile far and more/   

¶ Of the tryews of Charles & of Aygolant and of the death of his people/ & wherefore aygolant was not baptized capitulo ix  
THe while that charles was a young child he learned at Toulete the language of saracens and spoke it when he would/ Aygolant this giant and great Lord could not abstain him and camnygh unto crystyente/ and sent to Charles to come to him unto Pampylone/ and tryews was maked between them/ For Aygolant considered the multitude of his people/ and the puissances of their persons/ For by course of nature him seemed he should surmount the christian people/ but he thought that the god of christian people was more certain and true than the god of the paynims/ but ere he would decline fro the worshipping of his god's/ he had desire to assay yet once the number of paynims against the number of christian men/ And he was content to make a pact and covenant with charles that he that should obtain the victory upon others people/ that his god were h●lden and worshipped/ And that the god of him that should lose the battle should be of no valour/ renayed and reputed for nought/ And upon this covenant were sent twenty christian knights against xx knights paynims/ And anon as they were assembled and meddled to guider/ the twenty saracens were slain/ And after were sent forty against forty And anon the saracens were slain and vaynaquysshed/ And after he sent an C against an C but they were not slain but fled/ Aygolant thought he would do better and sent ij hundred against ij C/ and anon the saracens were overcomen & slain/ ¶ This giant was evil content of the destruction of his people/ and for to make a great descomfyte he sent a thousand saracens against a M christian men and without making great rebellion the saracens were anon slain and put to death/ then the king Aygolant by experience fore made afermed the faith & the law of christian people to be better/ more sure/ & more certain than the law of the paynims and saracens/ and thus he was inclined to the christian faith/ & disposed him to receive baptism on the moene without fain tyse/ and here upon he demanded tryews and surety for to go & come to Charles/ & he granted it to him with good heart/ and thus at hour of tierce when charles was at dyner/ Aygolant had intention to see charles and his manner at meet/ for to know his estate if it were vayllerous and so great as it was in arms and in battles And also he came principally for to be baptized/ and he saw Charles at his table with great magnificence/ and after beheld the order of his people/ and saw that some were in habit of knights and great princes/ Other in habit of cannons & monks & asked so that he was certified of every order and the cause of their estate/ and after that he saw in a part of the hall sitting on the ground xiii pour persons which dined & eat as other did/ for charles of custom would not take his repast till he had xiii pour men in the worship of our lord and of his xii apostles/ & he took heed how these pour men sat on the ground without to wayl in right power habit/ & dined all sorrowfully/ & he demanded what people they were/ Charles answered & said they be god's people and messengers of our lord Ihesu cryst/ whom I sustain in th'honour of him & his xii apostles that he had with him & give to them refectyon corporel/ Aygolant said certainly he serveth evil his lord that receiveth his messengers in this manner/ I see well that they that been about the been in good point & well arrayed & well served of meet & drink/ & the servants of thy god live rourely & evil clothed against the cold/ & been withrawen far fro thy/ he doth great shame to his lord that receiveth his messengers in this manner/ & more over I see now well that the law which thou hast said to me to be good & holy/ by thy works thou showest them to be falls & of no value/ & hereof aygolant was all moved & troubled in his intendment/ & he being put out all fro his purpose/ took leave of the king & returned to his people & renounced to be baptized/ and sent word to charles for to begin war again on the morn more strong than ever he had done tofore/   

¶ Of the death of aygolant and of his people/ & how much christian people were slain by concupisbence of silver/ & of christian men founden deed by miracle x  
When charles saw Aygolant come for to baptize him he was much joyous but when he returned & forsook it be was evil content & took advice upon the poor men which he said were messengers of god/ For after the poverty of them/ and after that they were named fore/ to hold them so was none honour to their master/ & the emperor remembered well that the people of god ought to be received honestly/ & honourably holden & screwed/ wherefore the pour men that he fond in thexercite he did them to be well clothed & honestly and gave to them meet largely/ And took such custom in himself that he failed not/ but the poor people were received with honour in his company/ upon this purpose on a day following the saracens put them to battle and to fight against the christian men by great fierté/ and there was so great destruction that day of the sarazens/ that the christian men were impeached and let by the blood that ran so abundantly as it had rained many days water and blood/ wherefore Aygolant seeing the destractyon of his people/ as he that doubted nothing to die/ and advanced so himself that he was slain and put to death/ and after the christian men entered in to the city of pampylone/ and put to death all the saracens that they fond therein/  
then the king of Cybylle & the king of cordube saved themself with some of their subgettes/ After this the christian men full of covetise for to have gold and silver of the saracens that were deed returned/ And when they were well charged & laden with gold/ silver/ and other havoyr/ the king of Cybylle and the king of Cordube took heed thereof/ And with all their main came cowertly upon the christian men and put to death more than a thousand/  
¶ Thus may be known that the ardeur of concupisbence was cause of the death of the soul/ without victory/ and to god dysplaysaunte/ ¶ On the morn tidings came how so many saracens were slain/ and specially of aygolant unto the prince of Navarre named Fur/ wherefore he sent to Charles to have battle ordynayre/ Charles was so noble so puissant & so trusting in god when he fought for the christian faith/ that he refused him not/ and after at the day of battle which was assigned on both parties/ Charles put himself to prayer and prayed god devoutly that it pleased him/ to show what christian men should die in that battle/ and on the day following when every man was armed for to fight/ by the will of our lord/ Charles saw that same day the sign of the cross all read upon the shoulders behind upon their harnoys/ when charles saw it he thanked our lord & had compassion of their death by cause of the valiance of their persons/ then he sent for all them that bare thensign/ & made them to go in to his oratory/ and after shut them fast therein to the end that they should not take death that day/ and then with all his other host he went against th'host of the prince fur but it was not long but fur and his people were destroyed and put to death/ and when that was done/ the emperor came in to his oratory victorious upon his enemies/ and fond all them that were shut within deed & expired/ & then knew he well that all they that were marked with the cross were assigned that day to be received in to heaven with glory & crown of martyrdom/ & that it appertained not to Charles to prolong their health/ wherefore he is well simple that will put him in pain to eschew the passage of which he is not master/   

¶ Of feragus the marvelous giant how he bore away with him the barons of france without danger/ & how ●olland fought with him capitulo xj  
AFter that aygosant was slain/ & Fur & many kings saracens as tofore is written/ the tidings came to the admiral of babylonne/ the which had a giant moche terrible that was of the generacon of golias & he made him to be accompanied with xxM turks much strong and sent him for to fight against charles th'emperor/ For his puissance was redoubted through the world/ & the said feragus came unto the city of vagyere nigh to saint james between christendom & bethenes'/ & sent to Charles that he should come to fight against him/ This giant was much marvelous For he doubted neither spear ne sword/ ne arrow ne other shot And he had the strength of ●l mighty men and strong/ Anon as Charles knew the hidynges of his coming he ●●●nt to him and was upon his 〈◊〉 nigh by vagyere/ when th●s was known this giant issued out of the town/ and demanded singular person against a person/ Charles which never had refused that to person sent to him Ogyer the danoys/ but when the giant saw him alone on the field without ●●●yng of any semblant of war/ he came alone to him & took him with one hand & put him under his arm without doing to him any harm/ and bore him unto his lodges/ and did do put him in prison/ and made no more a do to bear him/ than doth a wolf to bear a little lamb/ The height of this giant was of twelve cubytes he had the face a cubit broad/ the nose a palm long/ the arms & they four cubytes long The back of his hand was three palms long/ After that ogyer was borne thus away/ charles sent raynold daultepyn/ when Feragus saw him he bore him away as lightly as the other/ Charles was abashed and sent twain other/ that is to wete constayn of Rome & th'earl hoel This giant took that one with the right hand and that other in the life hand/ and bore them both twain in to prison in to his lodging/ that every man might see/ yet after charles sent other twain/ and semblably they were both borne away without any withstanding or contradyctyon/ when Charles saw the feet of this man/ he was all abashed & durst no more send any person/ For no man might resist him/ Roulland which was prince of all thexercite of Charles was cuyl content of this that the giant was victorious/ and came to Charles and presented himself for to go fight with him/ but charles would not grant him/ At the last by force he was constrained to give to him licence/ & Roulland made him ready and came tofore Feragus/ but anon he was taken and retained with his right hand like the other and the giant laid him tofore him on his horse/ when Rolland saw that he was taken & borne away so villainly he took a great courage in himself/ and called the name of Jesus' to help & to be in his aid/ and turned him against Feragus and took him by the chin/ and made to overthrow fro his horse & fell to the ground and rolland also And after anon they arose and everich took his own horse/ Roulland which was much habyle and courageous drew his sword durandal and came against the giant and gaf so great a stuck on the paynims horse/ that he carf him a sondre in the mids/ and the paynim fell to the earth/ Feragus being evil content for his horse that was deed took his sword for to smite Rolland & had slain him with the stroke if he had attained him/ but assoon as he lift up his arm for to have smitten Rolland/ ●oulland advanced himself and smote the giant upon the arm with which he held his sword such a stroke/ that his sword fell to the ground/ whereof Feragus had great despite/ and supposed to hanc smitten him with his fist/ but he attained rollandes horse in such wise that he slew him/ Thus were they both two on foot which without sword begin to fight with their fists and with stones continually till the hour of none/ wherefore they both were weary and took tryews to guider by one accord unto the morn/ and that they should fight without spear and without horse/ and here upon each of them went unto his lodges/   

¶ How on the morn rolland and Feragus fought & dysputeden the faith/ and by what moyen Feragus was slain by Roulland capitulo xii  
¶ THe next day folo wing early Rolland and Feragus came to the field of the battle/ The giant brought his sword much great but it was no thing worth/ for rolland made provision of a great staff or club right long/ with which he smote the giant/ but he might nowher hurt him/ & also he smote him with great stones and round & could in no wise hurt ne enter in to his flesh/ And in this manner ●●●●cessyd not to fight till the hour of midday/ The giant was weary and demanded iryews of Rolland for to sleep and rest by a little/ Rolland was dentente/ and was so noble and so valiant/ that when the giant was laid/ he went and fet●● a great stone/ and laid it under his heed to the end that he might the better sleep and rest at his ease/ And after that he had a little slept & that he was awaked/ be sat up/ And the noble Rolland came and sat by him/ and said to him/ I marvel moche of thy feat/ How thou art so strong and so terrible/ that thou mayst not be hurt ne wounded in thy body by sword ne by staff ne by stones ne in no wise/ The giant which spoke spaynyssh said to him/ I may not be slain but by the navel/ when Rolland heard that he made semblant that he understood him not/ After Feragus demanded him what was his name/ and of what lineage he was/ Rolland said to him I am named Rolland and am nephew of charles the right mighty Emperor/ & Feragus asked of him what law he held Rolland answered I hold the christian faith by the grace of god Feragus said what faith is that and who hath given it/ to which Roulland answered/ It is truth that after god almighty had made heaven and earth/ and our first father adam which was dysobeyssaunt to his commandments/ the world was judged here in earth without having of beatitude/ ne of felicity/ and long time after the son of god the second person of the trinity remembered him of the valour of the soul/ the which is given to every person and descended fro heaven and took our humanity/ and suffered grievous passion of pains/ And he being in this world hath given enseygnements and stablished constry constructions for to save us/ & principally who believeth in him & in his works parfyghtly and that he be baptized/ After this mortel life he shall be saved in heaven/ and too this is the faith that I hold/ in the which I wyldeye/ And after that Feragus had made to him many questions in the faith/ and that Rolland had answered to him honourably in every point/ Feragus said in this manner/ thou art christian and wilt maintain the faith of which thou hast spoken/ and I am a paynim/ & hold for my god Mahoun/ who of us twain that shall be vain quysshed & overcome/ late his law be hold for nought and of no value/ and the faith of him that is victorious late it be holden for good & true/ and that it be entirely kept and observed/ The valiant Rolland was content right well & accepted his language/ then each of them was ready to fight/ Anon Rolland came to him/ and Feragus life up his arm for to smite Rolland much maliciously/ and Ronlland saw the stroke come upon him/ and for to void it he lann●●d his staff against the sword/ and with the stroke the staff was cut asunder/ and there withal the giant ran to Rolland and had him down under him/ Rolland considering that he might not flee ne escape/ he called in his heart devoutefy the name of Jesus'/ and yielded him to god & to the virgin mary/ & he anon reprysed such strength & might that he aroos a little/ & mightily repugned the giant in such manner/ that he brought the giant under him/ and then moche quickly and subtilely he set hand on his sword/ and pricked him in the navel therewith & anon after aroos/ and fled all that he might to th'host of charles/ Anon as feragus felt himself hurt in that place he cried so high & loud/ that all they that were in that place were afeard & abusshed of his cry/ & he said O Mahommet my god to whom I have given my faith come & succour me for thou seest well that I die/ & taryn no longer/ with that hideous voice the sarazens camen to him and bore him away in their arms the best wise they could unto his lodges/ and by that time rolland was comen all hool and safe unto Charles/ And forthwith the christian men went Impetuously upon the saracens that bare Feragus and entered in to the city and so moche did that the giant was deed/ and after came in to the prison valiantly and took out Ogyer/ Reguault/ Constantyn/ Hoel and the other prisoners/   

¶ How Charles went to Cordube where the king of the same place and the king of Cybylle abode for their destruction ca xiii  
AFter this aforesaid the king Corbude/ and the king of Cybylle sent to Charles that he should come to cordube for to fight/ Anon as charles knew it he came thither with all his puyssaunte/ And when they were nigh for tassemble in battle/ the saracens made a moche subtle and wild thyn●e For tofore the saracens that were on horseback they had ●●●●ned men on foot which had ●●sieres counterfeited all black & red/ horned and berded like devils/ for to deceive the christian men/ and everich of these 〈◊〉 men bare in his hand a little bell/ And at th'entry of the battle they began to sown and make such a bavyt that assoon as the horses of the christian men saw them so countrefayred and sown their bells so Impetuously/ they began to flee/ discenge & to be afeard in such manner that no man might hold their horses but by force they must flee and withdraw them/ Charles devised a remedy/ and on the morn he blynfelde the horses & covered their eyen with clothes And stopped their ears to the end that they should not see ne here the sarazens disguised & countrefayted/ And when they came to battle in this manner they spared not but slew down right & put the saracens to death till midday/ but yet they were not all vanquished/ For they had a cart mighty and great for to recite and make great empeshment to their enemies And this engine was drawn with viii oxen in the war/ & three upon stood an high the standard of their ensygne/ & their custom was that on pain of death no person should return ne go aback for no thing as long as the standard stood upright/ hereof Charles was informed wherefore moche puissantly he road through the saracens till he came to the standard/ and with joyous his sword he smote it a sondre/ and anon as the saracens saw that they fled & many of the paynims were slain and deed/ & on the morn after the town was delivered unto Charles by the lord of the tonn/ which could not resist him/ & charles was content to let him have his life/ if he would be baptized/ and also the town for to hold it of him and none otherwise/ And then charles ordained in spain certain of his barons to keep it in such wise/ that none durst assaylle it/ ne make to it war/ For he was alway victorious of his enemies/ by the puissance that he led/ and also by discretion of his person/ and principally by the grace of god which failed not in him and in his subgettes/   

¶ How the church of Saint james was hallowed by th'archbishop Turpyn/ & the churches of spain subgettes thereto and of other pryncypal churches capitulo xiv  
CHarles the noble emperor/ after that he had put and set good estate and good ward in spain/ he went to saint james with few people/ And when he was there/ such christian men as he there fond he rewarded them & did to them moche good/ and he punished such as were apostates & other manner of people/ such as he fond untryewe and dysobeysaunte to holy church he let slay and put to death/ or he sent them in to france to do penance/ and bannysshed them/ And then thorough all the cities of spain he ordained bishops religious/ and other people of the church/ & made many constytucyous synodals and other ordinances upon the church/ and upon other people/ And in th'honour of saint james he made constytutions and instituted that all the bishops/ princes/ and kings dwelling in spain/ should all be subject to the bishop of saint james and all they should owe to that church fidelity with all the people of the land of galyce/ And according to the same the archbishop Turpyn writeth in this manner/ And I Turpyn archbishop of reins was in the same place/ where the ordinances aforesaid were maked/ And I accompanied with ix honourable bishops & of good life/ at the request and postulation of Charles in the month of juyl have hallowed/ dedicated blessed and consecrated the church of saint james/ & the altar of the same/ And after then the king Charles gave all the land of spain & of galyce to that church/ And after ordained that every house of spain and galyce should give to the church of saint james iiij pens of the money corraunt for amuel tribute/ And by the moyen thereof they should be frank and free of servitude/ And for the honour of saint james he established that the church of the said place should be said apostolic for thexaltation of the place/ And more over that the bishoprics and special dignity of all spain & of galyce and semblably the coronations of kings of all the country should be crowned & sacred by the bishop of saint james/ all in like wise as it hath been tofore done in Asye in the place of ephesym for the honour of holy Saint johan thevangelist brother of saint james and son of Zebedee/ & thus Saint johan was lodged in the right side/ And Saint james his brother in the life side/ then was accomplished the petition of their mother and of her two sons glorious friends of our lord Ihesu Cryst/ when she desired that her two sons should sit/ one on the right side/ and that other on the lift/ which was then accomplished and termined/ & therefore in the world been three syeges and churches pryncypal which christian men by right owen tryable/ defend and maintain/ with all their might/ ¶ That is to were the church of Rome/ The church of Ephesym of saint johan the evangelist/ And the church of Saint james in galyce/ And if any demanded the cause of these three places and syeges principal of cristyente/ the cause is enough apparent/ These three places been honoured principally by cause the sinners may have their recourse to them for tamende their lives/ and put away their sins/ & obtain pardon and forgiveness/ first these iij apostles/ that is to say Saint Peter/ Saint johan/ & saint james have preceded all the other in the company of Ihesu christ/ when he was in this world/ & have been called to his secrets/ and that have most continued with him/ Thus by good right the places in which they have conversed and continued their lives/ and where their bodies resten/ oughten to be honoured and to be abundant in grace/ ¶ principally saint Peter was the first and most high & preached at Rome/ and there was martyred & buried/ therefore the church of Rome is enhanced & exalted above all other churches/ & after saint johan which saw the secrets of god in his souper/ & in ephesym he made the gospel In principio erat verbum & c●/ And by his holy preaching hath converted thinfidels to the holy christian faith/ And also saint james which had great pain in spain and in galyce for the honour of god/ as well for his holy life/ for his miracles/ as for his martyrdom and his sepulture/ by good right ought the memory of them to be thorough the universal world/    

¶ The second part of the third book/ containeth x chapters/ & speaketh of the treason made by ganellon and of the death of the pyeres of France/  

¶ How the treason was comprised by Ganellon/ and of the death of christian men/ & how ganellon is reproved by th'author capitulo primo  
IN this time were in Cezarye two kings saracens much mighty/ that one was named marfurrius/ and that other bellegandus his brother/ which were sent by th'admiral of babylonne in to spain the which were under King Charles & made to him sign of love and of subgectyon/ and went by his commandment holily and under the shadow of deception/ Themperor seeing that they were not christian/ and for to get signory over them he sent for ganellon/ in whom he had fiance/ that they should do baptize them/ or else that they should send to him tribute in sign of fidelity of their country/ Ganellon the traitor went thither and did to them the message/ and after that he had with them many deceivable words/ they sent him again to charles with thirty horse laden with gold & silver/ with clothes of silk and other richesses/ & iiij hundred horse laden with sweet win for to give to the men of war for to drink/ & also they sent above this to them a thousand fair women saracens in great point and young of age/ And all this in sign of love and of obeisance/ and after they gave to Ganellon xx horse charged with gold and silver/ sylkes' and other precyosytes/ that by his moyen he should bring in to their hands the company of charles if he might do it/  
then ganellon was surprised with this false avarice/ which consumeth all the sweetness of charity/ that is in persons for to have gold or silver & other richesses/ & made a pact and covenant with the saracens for to betray his lord/ his neighbours & christian brethren/ & swore that he would not fail them of th'enterprise/ but I marvel moche of ganellon which made this treason/ without to have cause/ coloured ne just/ ¶ O wicked Ganellon thou were comen of noblesse/ & thou hast done a work vylaynnous thou were rich & a great lord/ and for money thou hast betrayed thy master/ among all other thou were chosen for to go to the sarazens for great trust among all the other/ and for the fidelity that was thought in thee/ thou hast consented to treason/ and alone hast commised infidelity/ from whence cometh thine iniquity/ but of a falls will plunged in thabysm of avarice/ Thy natural sovereign lord/ Roulland/ Oliver/ & the other/ what have they done to thee/ if thou have a wicked hate against one person/ wherefore consentest thou to destroy thinnocents/ was there no person that thou love dost/ when to all christian men thou hast been traitor/ was there any reason in thee/ when thou hast been captain against the faith/ what availeth the prowess that thou hast made in time passed/ when thine end showeth that thou hast do wickedness/ O falls avarice and ardeur of concupiscence/ he is not the first that by the is come●● to mischief/ by the Adam was to god dysobeysaunt/ and the noble city of Troy the grand put to utter ruin and destruction/ Thus in this manner ganellon brought gold and silver/ win women/ and other richesses as tofore he had enterprised/ when charles saw all this he thought that all way done in good intent and equity/ and without barat/ The great lords & knights took the win for them/ and charles took only the gold and silver/ & the moyen people took the heathen women/ Themperor gave consent to the w●●des of ganellon/ For he spoke much wisely and wrought in such wise that charles and all his host passed the port of Cezarye/ for ganellon did him to understand that the kings aforesaid would become christian and be baptized and swear fidelity to the emperor/ And anon sent his people tofore/ and he came after in the ryere ward/ & had sent Roulland & Oliver & the most special of his subgettes with a thousand fighting men/ and were in Founcyvale/ then the kings Marfuryus & Bellegandus after the counsel of ganellon with thirty thousand saracens were hid in a wood abiding & awaiting the french men/ & there they abode ij days and two nights/ & divided their men in two parties/ In the first they put xx M sarasyn● and in that other they put thirty thousand saracens/ ¶ In the haunt guard of charles were xx thousand christian men/ which anon were assailed with xx thousand sarazens/ and maked war in sucher wise that they were constrained to withdraw them/ For fro the morning unto the hour of tierce they seaced not to fight and smite on them wherefore the christian men were much weary/ and had need to rest them/ Nevertheless they drunken well of the good sweet win of the sarazens moche largely/ And after many of them that were drunk/ went & lay by the ●oymem sarasynoys/ & also with other that they had brought out of france/ wherefore the will of god was/ that they should all be deed/ to th'end that their martyrdom & passion might be the cause of their salvation & purging of their sin For anon after the thirty thou sand saracens cant that were in the second battle upon the french men so Impetuously that they were all deed and slain/ Gxcept Roulland baulduyn & Thyerry The other were slain and deed with sp●●●s/ some slain/ some roasted and other quartered/ and submised to many torments/ And when this discomfiture was done/ Ganellon was with charles and also th'archbishop Turpyn/ which knew nothing of this work so sorrowful save only the traitor/ which supposed that they all had be destroyed and put to death/ ¶ Of the languysshe that was coming to Charles/ he wist not/ how soon it was coming/   

Of the death of king Marfurius and how Roulland was hurt with four spears mortally after that all his people were slain capitulo ij  
THe battle as I have said tofore was moche sharp/ when Rolland which was much weary returned he recountered in his way a saracen moche fierce & black as boiled pitch/ and anon he took him at th'entry of a wood & bond him to a tree straightly/ without doing to him any more harm/ and after took and road upon an hill for to see the host of the sarazens/ And the christian men that were fled/ & saw great quantity of paynims wherefore anon he swooned and blewe his horn of yvorye moche loud/ And with that noise came to him an hundred christian men well arrayed and babylled without more/ And when they were come to him he returned to the saracen that was bound to the tree/ And Roulland held his sword over him saying that he should die/ if he showed to him not clearly the king Marfuryus/ & if he so would do/ he should not die/ The saracen was content and swore/ that he should gladly do it for to save his life/ & so he brought him with him unto the place where they saw the paynims/ and showed to Rolland which was the king which road upon a reed horse/ & other certain tokens/ And in this point Roulland reconfermed in his strength/ trusting verily in the might of god and in the name of Jesus'/ as a lion entered in to the battle/ & among them he encountered a saracen which was greater than any of the other/ & gave to him so great a stroke with durandal upon the heed that he cleft him & his horse in two parts/ that the one part went on one side & that other on the other side/ wherefore the saracens were so troubled and abashed of the might and puissance of Rolland that they all fled tofore him/ & then abode the king Marfuryus with a few fo●ke then rolland saw this king And without fere came to him and put him to death incontinent And all the hundred christian men that were with Roulland in this recounter were d●●erous●ly slain & put to death/ 〈◊〉 only baulduyn and Thyerry/ which for fere fled in to the wood/ But after that Rolland had slain king Marfuryus/ he was sore oppressed/ & in such wise detained/ that with four great spe●es he was smyton and wounded mortally/ & beaten with stones and hurt with darts and other shot mortally/ And not withstanding these grievous hurt & wounds yet maulgre all the saracens/ he sp●●nge out of the battle/ and saved himself the best wise he might/  
Bellegandus brother of Marfuryus doubting that help & aid should come to the christian people returned in to another coutreye/ with his people much hastily/ And th'emperor Charles had then passed the mountain of Roncyvale and knew nothing of these things afore said ne what had be done   

¶ How Rolland died holily after many martyrs & orisons made to god full devoutly/ & of the complaint maked for his sword durandal capitulo iij  
ROlland the valiant/ & champion of the christian faith was much sorrowful of the christian men by cause they had no so●ours/ he was much weary/ greatly abashed/ & moche affebled in his person/ for he had lost moche of his blood by his four mortal wounds/ of which the lest of them was suffisant for him to have died and he had great pain to get him out fro the saracens for to have a little commemoration of god tofore or the soul should depart fro his body/ so moche he enforced him that he came to the foot of a mountain nigh to the port of Cezarye/ and brought himself nigh to a roche right by Roncyvale under a tree in a fair meadow/ when he sat down on the ground he beheld his sword/ the best that ever was named durandal which is as much to say as giving an hard stroke/ which was right fair & richly made/ the handle was of fyn beryle shining marvelously/ on high it had a fair cross of gold/ in the which was written the name of Jesus'/ It was so good & fyn that sooner should the arm fail than the sword/ he took it out of the shethe & saw it shine much bright/ and by cause it should change his master he had moche sorrow in his heart/ and weeping he said in this manner piteously/ ¶ O sword of valour the fairest that ever was/ thou were never but fair/ Ne never fond I the but good/ thou art long by measure Thou hast be so much honoured that alway thou barest with the the name of the blessed Jesus' saviour of the world/ which hath endowed the with the power of god/ who may comprehend thy valour/ Alas who shall have the after me/ who somever hath the shall never be vanquished/ alway he shall have good fortune/ Alas what shall I more over say for the good sword/ many saracens have been destroyed by the/ thinfidels and miscreants have been slain by the the name of god is exalted by thee/ by the is made the path of savement/ O how many times have I by the avenged thyni●rye made to god/ O how many inen have I smyton and cut a sondre by the middle/ O my sword which hast been my comfort and my joy which never hurtest person that might escape fro death/ O my sword if any person of no value should have thee/ & I knew it I should die for sorrow/ After that Rolland had wept enough/ he had fere that some paynim might find it after his death/ wherefore he cencluded in himself to break it/ and took it & smote it upon a roche with all his might iij times without hurting any thing the sword/ and clefte the rock to th'earth/ and could in no wise break the sword/ when he saw the fashion and could do no more thereto/ he took his horn which was of yvorye moche richly made/ and swooned & blewe it much strongly/ to the end that if there were any christian men hid in the woods or in the way of their returning/ that they should come to him tofore they went any further/ and to fore he rendered his soul/ Thenne seeing that none came he swooned it again by so great force and virtue and so Impetuonsly/ that the horn roof a sondre in the middle/ and the veins of his neck braken a sondre/ and the sinews of his body stratcheden And that noise or voice by the grace of god came to the eeres of Charles which was eight mile fro him/ The Emperor herring the horn/ he knew well that Rolland had blown it/ and would have returned again but Ganellon the traitor which knew well all the faith dystourned him in saying/ that Rolland had blown his hor●e for some wild be'st that he chased for his pleasure/ For oft times he would blow his horn for little thing/ and that he should not doubt of nothing ¶ And thus he did the king to understand/ that he believed him/ and made none other s●● blaunte/ Nevertheless Rolland being in this sorrow ●e peased his wounds also well as he might/ and stratched himself on the grass to the fresshenes for to forget his thirst which was over great/  
¶ Here upon Baulduyn his brother came unto him/ which was much heavy and sorrowful for his brother Roulland which was in that necessity/ And anon Roulland said to him my friend and my brother I have so great thirst that I must needs die if I have not drink to assuage my thirst/  
¶ Baulduyn had great pain in going here and there/ and could find no water/ and came to him again & said he could find none/ and in great anguish he left on Roullandes' horse/ and road for to fetch charles/ For he knew well that rolland was nigh his death/ Anon after came to him Thyerry du● of Ardayne which wept upon Rolland so continually/ that he might not speak but with great pain/ Rolland confessed him and disposed him of his con●eyence/ nevertheless that same day Rolland had received the body of our lord/ For the custom was that the subgettes of Charles that day which they should fight/ were confessed & communed without failing by men of the church which always were with them Rolland which knew his end by entire contemplation/ his eyen lift up to heaven & his hands joined all stratched in the meadow began to say thus/ Fair lord god my maker/ my redeemer son of the glorious mother of comfort thou kowest mine entencyn/ thou knowest what I have done for the bounty that is in thee/ by thy great mercy of which thou art environed by the grace which in the aboundeth/ by the merit of thy passion holy and bitter/ with a good and humble heart I require the y● tofore the this day/ my faults/ sins/ and ygnoraunces may be pardonned to me/ and take no regard to the trespasses that I have done to thee/ but behold that I die for thee/ and in the faith that thou hast ordained remember that thou hengest on the tree of the cross for the synnars/ and so as thou hast redeemed me I beseech the that I be not lost/ Alas my maker god omnipotent with good will I departed out of my country for to defend thy name/ and for to maintain christendom/ ¶ Thou knowest that I have suffered many anguishes/ of hungres/ of thirst/ of heat/ of cold/ & many mortal wounds/ And day and night to the my god I yield me culpable/ I mistrust not thy mercy/ thou art pietous/ thou art comen for the synnars/ thou pardonest mary magdelene and the good thief on the cross by cause they returned unto thee/ they were sinners as I am/ like as they did I cry the mercy/ & better if I could say it/ thou byheldest how Abraham was obeissant to the of his son isaac/ wherefore he feared much the better/ behold me how I am obedient to the commandments of the church I believe in thee/ I love the above all other/ I love my neighbour/ ¶ O good lord I beseech the to pardon & forgive all them that this day been deed in my company/ & that they may be saved/ Also my maker I require the to take heed of the patience of job for which he was much the better/ that I die here for thirst/ and am alone/ I am wounded mortally and may not help myself/ and take in patience all the sorrow that I suffer/ and am therewith content when it pleaseth thee/ as all this is true/ pardon me/ comfort/ my spirit/ receive my soul and bring me to rest perdurable/ when Rolland had prayed thus/ he set his hands on his body holding his flesh and after said three times/ ¶ Et in ●●rne mea videbo deum salvatorem meum/ and after laid his hands on his eyen and said/ Et oculi isti conspecturi sunt/ In this flesh that I hold I shall see my saviour/ and these eyen shall behold him/ and after he said that he saw things celestial/ which the eyen of man kind might not see/ ne the e●res here/ ne the heart think/ the glory which god hath made ready to them that love him/ and in saying/ In manus tuas domine commendo spiritum meum he said his arms upon his body in manner of a cross/ & gave and rendered his soul to god the xuj kalends of evil/   

¶ Of the vision of the death of Roulland/ and of the sorrow of Charles and how he complained him pyetously & other matters capitulo iiij  
THe day that Roulland the martyr rendered his soul unto god/ I T●●pyn archbishop of reins was in the valley of Rouncyvale/ tofore charles the Emperor/ and said mass for the souls which were passed out of this world/ And as I was in the secret of the mass●● I was ravished and heard the angels of heaven sing and make great melody/ And I wise not what it might be/ ne wherefore they so did/ And as I saw the angels mount in to heaven on high/ I saw coming a great legion of knights all black against me/ the which bear a pray whereof they made great noise and desraye/ when they were tofore me in passing I said to them and demanded who they were & what they bore One of the devils answered & said/ we bear the king Marfuryus in to hell/ for long a gone he hath well deserved it/ And Roulland your trumpet with Mychel th'angel & many other in his company is 〈◊〉 in to joy perdurable to heaven/ And as the mass was finished I recounted to charles the vision which I had seen/ how th'angels of heaven bore the soul of Ro●lland in to paradise/ & the devils bore the soul of a saracen in to hell/ Thus as I said these words baulduyn which road on Rollandes horse came hastily and said to charles how the christian men were deed & betrayed and how Rolland was hurt and in what estate he had left him/ Assoon as he had told this/ the cry was made through th'host that every man should return back/ & there was a great b●●yt/ But th'emperor Charles to whom this matter tonched at the ●ert more than to any other/ advanced him for to go thither and when he came he fond Rolland exspyred his hands in cross upon his visage all stratched/ And anon Charles fell down upon him/ and began to weep much tenderly smiting him on his visage/ rending his clothes & tormented his body/ & might not speak a great while/ when he was returned to himself by ardeur of dylectyon and excercyte of sorrow he said in this wise/ O comfort of my body/ honour of french men/ suerd of justice/ spear that might not bow/ hawberck that might not be broken/ helm of health/ resembling to I●das machabeus in prowess/ samblant to sampson in strength/ & to Absalon in beauty/ O right dear nephew fair & wise/ in battle ryal/ O destroyer of the sarazens/ defender of christian men/ wall of clergy/ staff to widows and of power orphelyns/ reliever of churches/ tongue of truth/ Mouth without losing/ true in all judgement/ prince of battle/ conductor of the friends of god/ Augmentour of the christian faith/ & beloved of every person/ Alas why have I brought the in to a strange country/ wherefore am I not deed with thee/ O Roulland wherefore leavest thou me heavy & so rouful/ alas caitiff that I am what shall I do/ Alas sorrowful whither shall I go/ I pray to almighty god that he conserve thee/ I require thangellis of heaven that they be in thy company I require the martyrs of whom thou art of the number/ that they will receive the in to the joy perdurable/ always I shall remember the weeping/ always I shall feel thy departing/ as druyd did of natan & of absalon/ Alas Rolland thou ghost in to life & joy perdurable/ & leavest me in this world sorrowful/ Thou art in heaven in consolation/ & I am in we pyn●●es & tribulations/ Alle the world is evil content of thy death & th'angels hath brought the in comfort/ In this manner and otherwise Charles bewept and sorrowed his nephew Roulland And he made his tents to be set up there for to lodge there all that night/ & did do make great fires and great lights for to watch the body of Roulland/ & after he did do anoint his body with myrrh & balm and other things aromatics for to conserve the body from evil savour/ and his obsequys were made/ & his entyerment with great prayers offerings & almesses in great contemplation   

¶ How Oliver was founden ●layn/ and of the death of the saracens & of the death of ganellon which was hideous capitulo v  
IN the morn e●ly charles came where the battle had been with his pep●e/ and there they fond the noble Oliver stretched out in manner of a cross which was fastened to four stakes with iiij cords & sharply bounden/ and fro the neck to the nails or ungles of his feet and hands he was slain/ he was all to hewn and shot & hurt/ with spears/ sharp darts/ quarrels & arrows/ and beaten with staves/ he was all to frusshed and broken/ wherefore the cry of many of the christian began to renew for the hideous death of Oliver and of many other/ wherefore Charles swore by god almighty that he would never cease till that he had founden the saracens/ & forthwith he went with his host & noblesse/ and by cause that the paynims were much far fro them/ god showed a fair miracle/ For that same day was prolonged three days long/ without that the son removed any thing/ and they fond the saracens by a river named Ebra in Cezarye/ which rested them and eat & drank at their ease without doubting of any thing and charles & his people came upon them so Impetuously that in a letel while there were slain iiij M saracens/ and the other fled & saved themself/ then th'emperor seeing that he mygth go no ferther/ returned to rou●cyuale/ And began tenqu●●● upon the faith of traysen/ and who had done it & what man/ then he was informed that Ganellon had made it/ and that was the common opinion of them all/ And among all other Thyerry accused and appled him of the treason/ and that he would fight in the quarrel/ ¶ For Thyerry had know 〈◊〉 lock by the saracen that rolland had bounden to a tree/ The king charles ordained a knight for ganellon named pynable to fight against thyerry/ And when these ij champions were in the lists anon pynalle was slain by Thyerry/ and as well by this moyen as by other it appeared clearly that ganellon had betrayed them/ wherefore the emperor Charles without going any ferther did to take iiij great horses/ & made to sit on them iiij strong men/ & bond ganellon to two horses by his ij hands/ and bond the two feet to the other ij horses/ & made him to be drawn with the one horse toward the east & that other toward the west/ that other against the south/ and that other toward the north/ In this manner each of the horse drew forth his quarter of the body of the part which he was bounden unto/   

¶ How after the things afore said charles gave thankings & p●eysynges to god & saint Denyz/ & of the constitutions that he made in france capitulo uj  
When therecucyon was done of Ganellon and executed/ charles & his people came in to the place where the french men had be slain/ & began to know their parents'/ friends/ & lords for to bear them in to hallowed place/ they carried some upon their horses/ Other salted them with salt for to maintain them to br●nge them in to their country/ Other buried them in the same place/ & some bare them on their shoulders/ Somme ennoynted them with oil and myrrh/ & some with balm the best wise they might/ Nevertheless there were two cymytoyres or chircheyerdes right devout & principally hallowed among the other/ which were sacred and blessed with seven bishops/ That one of the cymytoyres was in orles'/ and that oath in burdegale/ & Saint maxymyen of ayz/ Saint Trophyn of arles/ poule of nerbonne Saint Saturyn of Tholouse/ saint fontyn of poytyers/ saint Marcel of lymoges/ and saint Eutrope of xayntes had sacred and hallowed them/ In which places were buried the most party of the french men/ slain and destroyed in rouncyvale/ Themperor did do bear rolland the glorious martyr upon two mules covered with clothes of silk honourably unto bloye/ & in the church of saint roman the which he had edified and founded with chanonnes regular/ he did richly bury him/ and with great magnificence/ & on high over his sepulture he did do set his sword/ and at his feet he did do set his horn of ivory/ Not withstanding after the horn was taken away and borne to Saint Severyn at bourdeaws/ At bourdeanlx were buried oliver & gaudeboy king of Fryse/ Ogyer king of denmark and Crestayn king of bretayne/ Garyn duke of Lorraine and many other/ As for Eaferus king of bourdeaulx/ Euglerius king of guyan/ lambert king of bourges/ and galerus reygnaut with v M other charles gave xii C unces of silver of money that time courant/ & as much of talents of gold & many robes/ and meet to pour people for salvation of their souls/ and all the land seven mile about he gave to the church of saint roman/ and maked if subject to that religion/ And all bloye with thappertenauntes and the see against the said territory he gaf semblably to the said church for charity & love of Rolland/ and ordained it so for ever/ and on the day of their passion he ordained that in the same place should every year perpetuelly thirty pour men be fed and clothed competently/ and thirty messes sungen for them that there were buried and entyered/ and for all them that were deed in spain for the christian faith/ In Arles was buried the count of lengres/ samson duke of bourgoyne/ names duke of bauyere/ Arnold de bellandus/ and Allert bourgoynon/ and other five knights with ten thousand other moyen people/ Constantyn provoste of Rome was borne to Rome with many other romans/ and for the remedy of their soul's/ th'emperor gave in arles for alms xii C ounces of silver and xii talents of gold which was worth a great sum of gold & silver courant in that time/   

¶ How Charles went in to Almaigne where he died holily/ And of his death showed to Turpyn and of his burying Imperyally capitulo seven  
AFter the things aforesaid/ Themperor charles and Turpyn with the other came and passed by vienne 〈◊〉 there Turpyn th'archbishop a moche holy man abode for he was weary and much feebled of ●●r pain that he had had for the faith in spain/ and Charles went to paris/ & anon after he assemaled all the nobles and the most greatest lords of his country for to establyssh certain ordinances/ and for to give thankings to god & to saint Denys of the victory that he had obtained in his time upon the sarazens paynims & miscreants/ And after that he had thanked god and saint denys/ and to his church fast by paris like as saint Poule th'apostle and saint Clement the pope had done in time passed/ he maked constitution entyere/ that all the kings of France present & to come should obey to the pastor that should be for that time of that church/ and that never king should be crowned without the past●ur of that church/ ne the bishop of paris should not be received at Rome without his consent & commandment/ And he gaf many richesses to the church & in token that france was given to that church of saint de●y●/ he ordained that every possessor in all the nation of france should give & be bound to give to the church of saint denys for to edify & augment it iiij pens of money courant yearly & perpetuelly & all they that should give it with a good will/ if they were of bond & serve condition ●e would they should be frank & f●re of condition/ And after anon these things ordained/ he went & came tofore the body of saint denys much devousely/ & there he prayed the glorious saint that he would pray unto our lord Ihesu Cryst/ that all they that were deed of the christian faith in the time that he had reigned that they might be saved/ and that the pain that they had taken might be to them the crown of martyrdom in the glory perdurable/ & in semblable wise he prayed for all them that would pay gladly the pens aforesaid to his church/ As god would that night following saint denys appeared to him & said to him in this manner/ O king understand me/ know thou/ that I have made prayer to god my maker/ & he hath granted that all they that have been against the saracens with the have pardon of all their trespasses/ & that willingly shall pay the pennies for the edification of my church & augmenting the service of god/ they shall have amendment of life and pardon of their sins/ This vision on the morn th'emperor recounted to his people like as he had herd by cause they should with a good will pay●the pe●yes that he had ordained/ & he that gaf it was called the frank of saint denys by cause that he was free and quite of all servage by the commandment of the king/ After came the custom that/ that land which was called Gallia lost his name/ & was called france as it is named at this day/ & France is as much to say as free of all servage anent all people/ and therefore the lords of France for this cause among all christian men owen to be honoured & praised/   

The recapitulation of all this work/ & of his death at Acon/ & of his sepulture capitulo viii  
THe king Charles continued gloriously his life in virtuous operations And when he felt the decline of his life/ he went unto Acon where he had tofore done much good/ & ennobled a church of our lady the round/ the which he did do make/ and gave thereto great treasure of relics of bodies of saints/ of gold & silver/ of clothes of silk & other precyosytees marvelous/ and there he died in the year of his age lxxij/ & for the magnificence of his works/ he was called charles the great/ & he had iij sons thenne living/ of whom the first was named Charles/ the second Pepyn/ & the third ●owys/ & also he had iij daughters/ that one was named Rotrudys'/ that other berga/ & the third gylla/ & when he knew that he might no longer live/ his son Louis whom he had ordained for special love king of guyan/ he left to him the majesty imperial/ For to know the holiness & the glorious end of Charles/ & how he was saved in heaven and renomed an holyman/ The devout Turpyn archbishop of Raynes saith in this manner/ I Turpyn archbishop of reins was in vy●nne in the church tofore th'altar/ & was ravished in saying the psalm/ Deus in adintoryum meum intend/ I saw a company of black people like Ethyopyens which were in quantity Innumerable/ which went toward lorayne/ and I saw one tofore his fellows/ & I demanded him whither all they went the which being constrained to answer said/ we all go to Acon to the death of Charles which lieth a dying/ And we will see if we may have his soul for to bear in to 〈◊〉 to perpetual damnation/ then I said to him I adjure the by the virtue of the name of our Lord Ihesu cryst that without faintling after that ye have done/ that thou return by me/ Anon after or he could/ finish his psalm/ the devils came returning again in the same order that they went/ And then I said to him that I had spoken to before/ what have ye done there as ye have been/ that same devil answered/ that james of galyce friend to charles hath been much contrary to us/ for when we were ready for to receive his soul/ and had equally departed his good deeds and his evil/ he brought so many stones & timber of churches which he had do made in the name of him/ that his good deeds surmounted much his evil deeds/ wherefore we might have no thing ne part/ & this said/ the devil banished away/ & so he lost his vision/ Thus Charles in the month of February rendered his soul to god holily/ Fo● after that he returned fro spain he did But languysshe & appear in his body toward his death/ & in his end he ordained many almesses & to say many masses & psaulters/ And the vision that the glorious archbishop Turpyn saw/ is signification that he which maintaineth and edifieth churches in this present world/ that he maketh preparation of his siege in heaven/ His sepulture was much honourable among all the sepultures of the world/ noble and rich excellently and so fair that it might not be amended/ and over his tomb was maked an arch of gold & silver and of precious stones comprised by great science/ & thither came Leo the pope accompanied with princes romans/ archebysshops'/ bishops abbots/ Duke's/ earl's/ and many other lords/ and did do make a fair representation of the body of Charles clad richly and Imperyally with a fair crown of gold set on his heed & sat upon a chair of gold much fair and shining/ and resembled well a notable judge living/ and they set upon his knees notably the text of the four gospels in fair letters of gold/ & with the right hand he held the letter/ & in the lift hand he held the sceptre Imperial moche rich/ & by cause the heed should not incline to either side it was underset with a chain of gold & sustained/ And the crown that was on his heed reached to the arch which was all above well made/ & the conduits of the sepulture were replenished with all good odours aromatyques & precious/ and after closed & shut much subtilely & honourably kept/ as it was well worthy for to be done   

Thexcusation of th'author ix  
THis work accomplished to the pleasure of god tofore written containeth three books by the chapters divided as it appyereth openly to the readers/ and I have made them/ three/ after that I have comprised in the separation and devyding of the matter/ Of which the first book speaketh of the beginning of france/ and of the first christian king of france/ thhyche was named Cloys by the moyen of his wife clotildies in descending to king pepin father of th'emperor Charles/ In the honour of whom this book is composed for the most part/ to the which pepin the lineage of king Cloys took an end in succession of the Royalme of France/ And the said first book saith more over how Charles was nourished/ of his corpulence/ of his eting/ of his strength/ of his science/ & other works of magnificence/ The second book speaketh of the battle that Oliver did against Fyerabras the marvelous giant son of ballant admiral of spain/ a puissant king/ & all the first part of the second book is attribued to noble oliver and in the honour of him/ After ye shall find how the peers of france were detained in Aygremore and put in surety/ & after saved finably by florypes the courteous daughter of the said ballant/ And the holy relics recovered and other matters of great marvels/ The in book speaketh how by revelation of saint james charles went and conquered spain & galyce where as he did operations virtuous & made constytutions of salvation with many battles done by him and his subgettes/ and finably of the treason of Ganellon by the which the death of Rolland was pietous/ the death of Oliver dolorous/ and of the other peers of christian knights slain & deed/ And finably the death of Charles th'emperor as tofore is said and written/ and after that any person will here or read of this matter/ the table made at beginning shall show it to him lightly if it be his pleasure to here or read of that work in this book composed/   

Thenuoye of th'author ca x  
AS I have said at the beginning of this present work/ the escryptures and feats/ some have been reduced in writing for to be in memory/ to the end that they that have done well/ be to us ensample in ensyewing and following them/ & they that have done evil may be cause to rewse our life for to come to the port of health/ For the common understanding is more content to retain parables and examples for the imagination local/ than to simple authority/ the which is retained by understanding/ and also semblably thys●oryes speaking of our lord Ihesu christ of his miracles/ & of his virtuous subgettes/ every man ought gladly to here and retenne them & it is so that at the request of the said venerable man to fere named Master henry bolonnyer chanonne of lausanne I have been incited to translate & reduyse in prose in to french the ma●er tofore reduced as much as toucheth the first & the third book/ I have taken & drawn out of a book named mirror hystoryal for the most part/ & the second book I have only reduced it out of an old romaunce in french/ And without other information th●n of the same book I have reduced if in to prose substantially without failing/ by ordinance of chapters & parties of the said book after the matter in the same contained And if in all this book I have mesprysed or spoken otherwise than good language substantially full of good understanding to all makers and clerks I demand correxyon and amendment/ and of the defaults pardon/ For if the pen hath written evil/ the heart thought it never/ but intended to say well/ & also my wit & understanding which is right little can not utter ne write this matter without error/ Nevertheless who so understandeth well the letter/ shall well comprise mine intention/ by which he shall find nothing but moyen for to come to saluac●on/ To the which may finably come all they that willingly read/ or here/ or do this book to be red Amen  
¶ And by cause I William Caxton was desired & required by a good and singular friend of mine/ Master wylliam daubeney one of the tresorers of the jewels of the noble & most christian king/ our natural and sovereign lord late of noble memory king Edward the fo●rth on whose soul Ihesu have mercy To reduce all these said histories in to our english tongue I have put me in devoir to translate this said book as ye here tofore may see all a long and pl●yn/ praying all them that shall read/ see or here it/ to pardon me of this simple & rude translation and reducing/ byseching them that shall find fault to correct it/ & in so doing they shall deserve thankings/ & I shall pray god for them/ who bring them and me after this short and transitory life to everlasting bliss Amen/ the which work was finished in the reducing of it in to english the xvin day of juyn the second year of king Richard the third/ And the year of our lord MCCCClxxxv/ And imprinted the first day of december the same year of our lord & the first year of king Harry the seventh/  
¶ Explicit  ꝑ william Caxton