and after Guicharde and Escoufe the sonne of Oedon and than the lytle Rychard And whan they were all set at the table the meates of the first course were brought to the borde thā the other one after another by good ordenaūce and fayre And to say the trouthe they were well and honourablye serued and of many and dyuerse seruises of royall meates And after that they had well eaten at theyr ease the duke Naymes called Reynawd and sayd to him Good cosin I pray you that ye wyl delyber your selfe for to gyue vs a good answere of that ye haue heard of vs. Lordes sayd Reynawde I shall doo it in so muche that the kyng shall haue a cause to be contēte of me For I shall doo all that he wyll for to haue peace and hys loue withall and that for the loue of the other my lordes that be heere now And than Reynawde made to bryng the swerde of Charlemayne the swerdes of the twelue peeres and also the crowne and the Egle of golde And whan Ogyer sawe this he began to laughe and sayd By my soule Reynawde ye had heere a fayre gayne yf ye had kept it And whan Rycharde saw that his brother wolde delyuer the Egle of golde he began for to say By saynt poule my fayre brother ye shall not doo so Ye shall not delyuer agayne that I haue wonne wel and truly by force of armes brother Richarde sayde Reynawde let me doo I pray you I will not sayd Richard by my soule for Charlemayne hymselfe smote me whyle that I was prysoner within his pauilion full shāefully wyth a staffe Lordes said the duke Naymes let thys a lone And take we that Reynawde giueth to vs in thanke for he hath doone ynough By my fayth sayd the bysshop Turpyn he dooth so And than they tooke the crowne of Charlemayne all theyr swerdes And whan thei had them Ogyer sayd to Reynawde My cosyn I counsell you that ye come with vs and Alarde Guycharde shal abyde heere to keep your castell Syr sayd Reynawde I feare me to sore the kynge wolde make me for to be killed outrageously Come on hardely sayd the duke Naymes for we shall lede you wel surely For syth that ye shal be with vs ye ought not to fear nothyng Lordes sayde than Reynawde I shall doo your commaundemente vnder your assurynge WHan Reynawde was accorded for to go wyth the Duke Naimes and with the bisshop Turpyn wyth Ogyer the dane and Escoufe the sonne of Oedon they lyghted all vpon theyr horses and Reynawde mounted vpon bayarde and armed hym And in like wise dyd Alarde And whan the duchesse Clare saw that Reynawde her Lorde wolde go with the folke of the Emperour Charlemayne she came before them kneeled downe before them and sayd vnto them my lordes I thanke you muche of the fauour that ye did shew to my brother Richarde and to Mawgis now agayne I pray you that ye will haue Reynawde for recōmended mi lorde and my deere husbande the whiche ye lede with you Madame said Ogier haue no doubt that Reynawde shall haue anie harme For wee should not suffre it for nothing for to leese both life gooddes And than they put them to the way for to goe thens and Reinawd tooke ten knyghtes wyth him for to beare hym felawship whan they were come to the riuer of Balancō they sought after the passage and passed ouer And whan they were all ouer Ogier began for to sai Lordes ye wot well all is of euyll courage agaynst Reynawd wherfore I doubt me of him that we haue brought heere wyth vs. I counsell that we knowe fyrst the wyll of charlemayne or euer he see Reynawd Ogier sayd the duke Naymes ye speake well and wisely we shal go speake ye and I to Charlemaine and Reynawde shall abyde heere tyll we come agayne Lordes sayd than Reynawde I shal doo that ye counsel me but I pray you holde me that ye haue promised me that is that ye shall keep my bodye and my lymmes from harme Reynawde sayd the duke Naymes we shall rather dye than that ye should haue any harme And than he and Ogyer tooke the way towarde the hoste of Charlemayne and Reinawde abode with the bysshop Turpyn and wyth the sonne of Oedon Now herken of Pynabell a spye that longed vnto the kynge Charlemayne wyt it that the spye was at the riuer side of Balancon with this felawship whan the wordes afore sayde were spoken whan the spye had well vnderstand all the conclucion he stale hymselfe fro the companye and rode a good pace as he myght in the worlde and came to Charlemayne to whome he sayd in this maner syr I bryng you tidinges wherof ye shal be ryght glad my freende sayd Charlemayne thou art well come I praye you tell me what tidinges ye brynge wyt it syr that I haue left Reynawde and Alarde hys brother at the ryuer side of Balancon with the bisshop Turpyn and Escouf the Sonne of Oedon and the duke Naymes and Ogyer are coming towarde you for to aske leue yf they shall brynge them to you wyth sureti Is it trouth said Charlemaine yea without faut said Pinable By my soule sayd the king I shall rewarde thee for it ryght well but keep well that ye shew not this to no man vpon thy life for I shall put therto a good remedy And than he behelde aboute hym and saw Oliuer and sayde Olyuer incontynent and without any desaye take two hundred knyghtes with horses and wel armed and lede them at the ryuer syde of Balancon where yee shall fynde Reynawde and Alarde see that ye take them bring them hither and if ye doo this aske of me what ye wyll ye shall haue it And than sayd Oliuer syr I shal wel doo your commaundemente And than he tooke wyth him two hūdred knightes as the kinge Charlemayne had ordeyned hī tooke his way towarde the ryuer of Balancon Now god through his pitie saue the good knight Reynawde and Alarde his deere brother for they ben in great peril of theyr lyues This hangyng that Olyuer was gone towarde the ryuer of Balancon the duke Naymes and Ogyer came to the hoste and lighted a fore the pauilion of the kinge and went in And whan they sawe the kyng they made him the reuerence but he sayd no worde to them whā Ogier saw the countenaunce of the king he sayd to hym Syr what sēblaunt is this that ye shewe to vs I meruayle me greatli that ye make vs so euyll cheere seen that we come fro thens where ye haue sende vs that was to Moūtawbā where we haue spoken with Reynawde the sonne of Aymon the whiche is al togither redy for to doo al that your pleasur is and so he hath delyuered vs agayne your crowne and al our swerdes as for your egle ye shal haue it whā ye wyll Ogyer sayd than Charlemain what haue ye doone of Reynawde for I
chaptre sheweth how after that Reynawde and hys brethern with their cosyn mawgys were departed from theyr mother for to seeke their aduenture they went so longe tyll they came to the realme of Gascoygne And how goynge thither warde they made manye euylles in Fraunce And howe the kynge of Gascoign whaÌ„ they were come there â–ª dyd receiue them in his seruise ryghte sweetly in bourdeux vpon Gyrond by cause that than this king of Gascoigne that was called Yon had warre ayenst a kyng sarasin that was entred in to Gascoygne that had to name Porrus that helde Tholouse and all the londe aboute fol. xxxvi THe .vi. chapter speaketh how Reinawde and his bretherne dystressed bourgons a sarasyn that had distroyed the realme of Gascoign and had chased the kinge yon to bourdeux vpon Gyronde that durste not depart from thence for feare of the sarasyns And howe kyng you gaue his sister Clare vnto Reinawde to be hys wyfe for the greate seruyse that he hadde doon to hym And dyd doo make for hym the castell of Mountawban fol. xxxviii THe seuenth chapitre speaketh how Charlemayne for a voyage that he made to saint Iames in Galyce he knewe in his comynge agayne howe Reynawde and his bretherne that were his mortalle enmies were in Gascoygne with in a stronge castel called Mountawban And how he sente worde to kinge yon that he shoulde delyuer to him Reynawd and hys bretherne And yf he refused to doo thys he sholude come and besyege hym in hys loude afore .x. or xii moneths were passed wherof kiÌ„g yon answered that he shoulde not doo it And howe after that kynge Charlemayne was retourned to Parys Rowlande his neuewes arryued at Parys which the kyng made knyght And after sent him for to reyse a siege afore Coloyne that a sarasyn had besyeged that was called Estorfawde the which was ouercome by RowlaÌ„d And howe Reynawde wan the crowne of Charlemayne for his well renuynge vpon hys baye horse at Parys fol. xliii THe .viii. chapitre speaketh how Charlemayne went into Gascoygne with his host besieged Reynawd and his bretherne within Mountawhan and howe Reynawde wan the fyrst batail of the king which Rowlande conduyted with Olyuer and the bishop Turpin wherof Charlemayne was so sore wrothe that he wende to haue wexed mad for it of the great shame that he had of it fol. li. THe .ix. chapitre sheweth howe Reynawde and his bretherne were betrayed and solde to king Charlemayne by kynge you that sent theym in to the playne of Valcoloures all vnarmed but onelye of theyr swerdes rydinge vpon mulectes clothed with mantelles of scarlace furred with ermynes From the whyche walle they escaped worthylye by the wyll of oure lorde But they were sore wounded Of Charlemaines parrye abode there deade Foulques of Morillon and many other barons for whome the kynge was ryghte sorye folio lvi THe .x. chapitre speaketh howe after that Goodard the secretarye of kynge you had be wrayed all the treason to Mawgys that the kynge yon had doone to hys cosyns whiche he knewe well For he had seene kynge Charlemaynes lettres And had wrytten answere therupon from kinge yon Mawgis brought to reynawde and hys suche a succoures that by his wyt they were kepte from death fol lxxii THe .xi. chapitre speaketh howe by the succours that Mawgis brought to reynawd and to his bretherne into the playne of Valcoloures they discomfited kyng charlemaynes folke wherof Ogier had manye reproches of rowlande for some goodnes and fauoure that he had shewed to reynawde and his bretherne at roche mountbron and was therfore called traitoure wherof a great inconuenience came therof afterwarde a fore king Charlemayne foli lxxxi THe .xii. chapitre sheweth howe that after reynawde and hys brethern were whole of their wouÌ„des that they had had in the playnes of Valcoloures they retourned to Mountawban But whan kyng yon knewe of theyr commynge agayn he fledde awaye and made hym selfe to be shorne a monke in a monastery that was within the woode of the serpente where rowlande and Ogyer the Dane founde him and wold haue made him be hanged for the treason that he had doone to reynawde and to his bretheren yf Reynawde had not succoured him fol. lxxviii THe xiii chapiter sheweth how â—hâ—â— after Reynawd had succouâ—eâ—â—yng yon was the same houre a mâ—rueylâ—ouâ—e battaylle betweene Reynawde and the frenshe men For Rowlande was there sore beten and many other wherof Ogyer was glad by cause that Rowland had called him traytoure And also he knewe that the foure sonnes of Aymon were not for to be so lyghtelye ouercomen as men had sayde afore And for this cause there had been a sore medle betweene Rowland and Ogyer yf it had not be the other barons that departed them and in this recountre Rycharde the brother of Reynawde abode for prisoner of Rowlande fol. lxxxviii THe xiiii chapitre sheweth how after that Reynawde Alarde and Guycharde were gone towarde Mountawban after the battayle and that they had made full greate sorowe for Rychard theyr brother which was in kynge Charlemaines handes The sayd Rychard was delyuered by mawgys greate wysedome fol. xc THe .xv. chapitre speaketh how after that Reynawde and hys brethern and Mawgys had discomfyted Charlemayn they came and ouerthrewe downe his pauilyon and bare awaye with theym the Egle of golde that was there vpon the pauilion wherof kynge Charlemayne was sore an angred in so muche that he wolde yeelde vp his crowne vnto his barons sayinge that he wolde be no more kynge for they had fayled hym and habandonned for the foure sonnes of Aymon and sayde to theÌ„ that they should crown Reinawd that he might be theyr king for they loued him much more than they dyd hym Than Olyuer sayde to kinge Charlemayne that he shoulde take againe the crown and that he shoulde brynge to him Mawgys that he had taken whan he was aboute to pylle the pauyllyon for he abode alone whan kynge Charlemaine hearde the same he tooke agayne his crowne and was ryghte glad of the prise of mawgys fol. cii THe .xvi. chapitre speaketh how the kynge Charlemayne wolde doo hange Mawgys Incontynente that Olyuer had take hym to him But by the meane of the Douseperes of Fraunce that at the requests of Mawgys pledgyd hym for one nyght onelye He made so muche that he escaped to the honoure and acquytaunce of hys sureties and of hym and bare awaye with hym to Mountawban the crowne and the sworde of kynge Charlemayne the same nyghte Wherof kynge Charlemayne was full sory And therfore he sende worde to Reynawde that he shoulde sende to hym agayne his crowne and his swerde and all that Mawgys had borne awaye with hym and he shoulde graunt hym his truce for two yeres To the which thing Reynawd accorded hym wherof happed to hym after that many great euylles fol. cv THe .xvii. Chapytre sheweth how Reynawde faught with Rowland Which he ouercame by the wyl of god And brought
serued me therof Nowe haue we two good horses to whome we may trust well vpon now lyght at once vpon hym sayd Reynawde and whan Richarde vnderstode the commaundement of his brother he lighted lightly vpoÌ„ the horse tooke his owne for to kepe to a good knyght ANd whan Reynawde came agayne to the bataile he saw yet his father and whan he saw him he was right sori for it so that he lost almost his wit for the same and cam sayd to hiÌ„ by a maner of reproche by my fayth father ye are greatly to blame ye myght well kepe your selfe that ye come not so often to se vs for to doo vs harme We wyll shew to you that ye be our father Not good but euyll For ye shewe to vs harde freendshyp and a soure loue at chryst masse and at Easter men ought to go vysyte and se his good freend for to feast hym and to doo hym good eate wyth him whan the dyner was redi but this ye doo not For ye com to see vs in a hote warre with the poynt of the swerdeye there vs it is no loue of a natural father but it is rygour of a stepfather thaÌ„ answered the duke Aymon I wyl that ye kepe your selfe well For it Charlemayne can take you all the worlde shall not kepe you but that he wyll flea haÌ„g you or otherwise make you to dy a shamefull death father sayde Reynawde let the alone come helpe vs so shall the kyng be dyscomfyted go forth gloton gods curse haue that sayd Aymon to his sonne Reynawde for I am to olde for to doo treason Father sayd Reynawde litle ye loue vs I se it wel but kepe your self wel for I shall shewe you whether that I can doo any thyng wyth the spere of the swerde whan he had that sayd he spurred Bayarde went smote a squyer that was called Gniuer so that he ouerthrew him dead froÌ„ his horse to the ground Whan Charlemayne saw his squier dead he spurred hys courser wyth an angry there had in his hande a staffe of yron for he wolde parte the batayle a sonder by cause he saw well that hys folke had that worse that they myght resyste agaynst the great strokes of Reynawde in no wyse for it was meruaylous for to see the great faytes of armes that he made there for he ouerthrew downe dead both horses and men by great strength CHarlemayne is commen to the Frenche meÌ„ and commaunded them for to withdraw them self for it was tyme for to departe fro the batayle as they wolde haue gone a way came therethrough batayle Berarde the bourgoyner smote Symon of Bremoys so fyersly that he fell downe dead to the ground whaÌ„ the foure sonnes of Aymon saw Simon dead they were right sorye for hym and spurred theyr horses wyth the spurres came at that syde and brake the prese for to venge SimoÌ„s death wyt it whaÌ„ Reynawde was come there it was knoweÌ„ right wel for he with his swerd brought to death wel three hundred knightes of the best men that kynge Charlemayne had in his company Whereof the king was right sori sore an angred this hanging Alarde weÌ„t through the prese so came he Iousted agaynst the erle EstaÌ„pes his sheelde he letted not but he shoued his spere through the body of him and thus was by hym slayne the sayd erle whan that Reynawde saw that stroke he came to Alarde his brother kissed him vpon his helme bowed himselfe toward him and said faire brother blessed be the woÌ„be that bare thee for ye haue auenged vs of the greatest foe that we had And whan he had said this word he made his trompettes to be bloweÌ„ for to call his men together WHan the Emperour Charlemayne sawe this greate domage that the foure sonnes of Aymon dyd to hym he cryed wyth a hye voyce Lordes barons withdrawe our selfe a backe for our enemyes be to good knightê for vs nowe is this to vs great dyshonour great myshappe let vs returne agayne to our pauilions I pray you For I swere vpon all Sayntes that theyr castell shall neuer be taken but by famisshing for they ben ouer good knightes preu and wise well aduised of the warre Whan the barons of Charlemayne heard this commaundement they sayd syr we shall do your wyl as they wolde haue departed came Reynawde spurring hys horse and his brethern c weÌ„t and smote vpon the folke of the Emperour so sharply that he departed them so well that they muste needes flee take theyr pauylions and so bode wyth them prysoners Anthony Guyemaulte the erle of Neners Theirri of Normandi for no man myght endure agaynste Reynawde and his brethern And whan Reynawde sawe the dyscomfiture and the folke of the Emperour that fled he made his trompettes to be blowen for to wtdraw his folke And whan they were assembled Reynawde and his bretherne retourned gladly into theyr castel And was alwayes the hindermoste man for to kepe his folke the better that led prisoners afore Then came Aymon theyr father afresshe vpon them and began to make theÌ„ great comprauÌ„ce and whan Reynawde sawe his father he weÌ„d for to haue waxed mad for angre so retourned he bayarde smote the horse of his father so hard that he fell downe dead to the erth For as of his father he wolde not touche and whan Aymon saw him selfe a grounde he rose vp quickelye vpon his feete and tooke his swerde in his hande began ryght well to defende himselfe But his defence should haue ben full lytle worthe to him for his childreÌ„ should haue take him for theyr prisoner yf it had not ben Ogier the Dane that cam succoured hym And than sayde to hym the sayd Ogyer Syr what semeth you of your children they be ryght cheualrous and hardy as ye may see and knowe WHan Aymon was horsed agayne he pursued his children as a man wroth out of his wit and said to his folke Now goe we after the glotons for if they lyue longe they shall do vs harme and domage so great that wyth payne it shal be recouered WhaÌ„ Reynawde saw his father that folowed them so sharply he turned Bayarde and weÌ„t and smote amonge the thickest of his fathers folke and began to hurt them so sore with the help of his brethren that he put them to flight maugre their teeth For they might no longer endure the great maugre thou Reynawde bare to them for to saye the trouth no harneys was nought worthe agaynst the swerde of Reynawde For he cleued all that he rought ANd whan themperour Charlemayne sawe this hye prowesse that Reynawde made he blessed hymselfe of the great meruayle that he had therof and so stronge he spurred his horse that he weÌ„t against Reynawde and than he sayd to him Reynawde I forbyde you that ye go no ferther Whan Reynawde saw
sore angred and sayd to hys brethern what shall we doo here for yf we tary any lenger we shall all be brent or taken and yf it were not the fyre that thus warreth agaynst vs I make myne a uowe to god that we should yet caste this folke out of thys castell but syn that the fyre is in it we cannot kepe it no lenger And than he sayd to his bretherne come all after me they went to the fausebray that was all wayes open and yssued out he his brethern his folke with them and whan they were out than were they more abasshed than they were afore for they wyst not whether to goe Now heare how they dyd as worthy knightes For whā they saw the castell brenne they entred wythin a pyt that was there vnder the erthe for feare of the fyre set the dore vpon them there they began to defēd themselfe so strongly that none entred therein but he lost anon hys head And whan Hernyer the traytour was aware of the same he tooke his folke with him came to the pyt began to assayle Reynawde sharply and his brethern and al they that were therin with them wyt it that there at thentre of the sayd pyt were made great faytes of armes for they of within defended themself so wel that none myght come in but he were dead anon ¶ Whyle that the foure sonnes of Aymon were in that pyt vnder therthe they hearde the crye that his men made the whiche Hernyer made to be slayne Than began Reynawde to sai to his brethern Lordes let vs go succour our folke for and they should thus dye it were to vs a great blame Syr sayd hys bretherne goe in goddes name whan it please you and whan they were come out of the pitte the batayle began to be there ful terryble for ye should haue seen Reynawde his brethern gyue there great strokes and manye For Reynawde smote so merueyllouse strokes wyth hys swerd Flamberge the whyche did cut al that he rought For Reynawde was all wrothe and for great angre he habandoned and Ieoparded both lyfe and gooddes And therefore he bare greate hurte and harme to hys enemyes For he had cast hys Sheelde ouer hys backe and helde his swerde Flamberge wyth both his handes made so great destruccion of the folke of Charlemaine that the place was al full of bloud And whan Reynawde saw that theyr enemyes were sore abasshed and that they durste not abyde him he sayd to his brethern It was to vs great cowardnes to hyde vs so Syr sayd Alarde ye say trouthe Than sayd Reynawde My Lordes my brethern let vs to doo well For traitours ben good to ouercom they shall not now endure longe agaynst vs. And whan he had sayde these wordes he came to that gate of the castel and the fyre was a lytle quenched and maugre al his enemyes he shee the gate of that doungeon and had vp the draw bridge of the sayde castel And whā he had doone this he came agayne to the batayle found his brethern that slewe and beate downe so many knyghtes and bare themselfe so worthelye that it was maruayle for to see For they smote no stroke but they slew a man THan was Hernyer the traytour in the medle within the doungeon whereof Reynawde had locked the gate and drawen the bridge and the good Reynawde saw that he was safe of the hoste of Charlemayne and began to put hymselfe in the medle so sharpely that he dyd so muche he and hys brethern that of the folke of Charlemayne that were wythin the doūgeon abode of thē aliue but Hernier and .xii. other and whan Reynawde saw that they were all dead he and hys bretherne and hys folke tooke Hernyer and the .xii other And than Reynawde did doo make agybet vpon one of the hyghest towres and there he made to be hanged the .xii. men And made Hernier to be bound his foure membres that is to wyt feete and handes to foure horse tayles And so he was drawen all quicke and quartered in foure peeces as a traytour ought to be doone vnto And whan Hernier was dead Reynawde dyd make a great fyre and made hym to be cast therein and as he was al together brent he made the asshes of hym to be cast in the ayre to the wynde ¶ And heere ye may see how the traytours that wolde betraye Reynawde were dead and slayne For they were punysshed as they had deserued THan whan king Charlemayne wyst that his folke were thus dead and that he should not haue Reynawde nor his brethern he was sore angry therfore and sayd to him selfe Ha good God lorde how am I euyll dealed wythall by this foure knyghtes bretherne I dyd my selfe great harme whan euer I made thē knyghtes And it is often sayd that men make often a rod for them self And that I may well nowe take to me For theyr vncle slewe my sonne Lohyer and Reynawde my neuewe Berthelot that I loued so deerelye and yet nowe he hath hanged my men and many of them slayne Well I myght call my selfe vnhappye whan I that am the moste puyssaūt of the worlde cannot auenge me of the foure symple knyghtes I shall neuer departe from hens till that I be auenged or els they shal ouercomme and all mine armye Syr sayde Folques of Morillō ye haue a good cause why and Reynawde is a foole that he fereth you not For if he had doubted you he should not haue hanged your men but he hath doone so in dispyte of you Thā sayd the Duke Naymes of banyer had ye beleued me ye should not haue lost your men ye wolde beleue Hernier it is happed of it as ye see Now beholde your folke the ben shaking with the winde ANd whan thēperour Charlemayne vnderstoode this that the duke Naymes sayde to hym He knew that he sayd trouth and wyste not what he should say to it but looked downe all ashamed This hanging Reynawde hys brethern are gone vpon the walles and looked aboute them and sawe that the base courte of the castell brenned there as their vitailes were Then began reynawde to say to his bretherne fayre lordes the thinge goeth well syth that we ben scape thanked be god from so perillous and harde auenture It lacked lytle but that we were al dead by false treason but the worste that I see is that we haue loste our store of vitayles so that we haue nothing to liue vpon and me semeth that yf we dwell anye lenger heere within we doone not wysely But yf it seme you good it is tyme that we departe hence Brother said Alarde ye speke well and wysely and we shall doo as ye haue sayde For as longe as the lyfe is in our bodyes wee shall not leue you Whan the foure brethern were together accorded for to depart thens they trussed al theyr harneys and taryed tyl that it was night and than they armed themself
theef by the necke THenne were the frenshemen sore abashed whan thei heard Reynawde repreue Ogier so wherof they were gladde and saide togither wel finde ye now the reward of your goodnes if ye wold haue doone your deuoure the foure sonnes of Aymon had be taken And whan Ogyer saw himself thus repreued of the one part and of the other he was ryghte sory for it And than they lefte him vpon the ryuer syde of Dordon and abode wyth hym but .x. menne And whan Ogier sawe that all his companye had lefte hym he knewe wel that they dyd so for dispite than sayde he all by hymselfe Fayre God of heaueÌ„ I am wel worthy to be serued thus And the prouerbe maye-well be rehersed for a trouthe that sayth Often happed euyl for a good turne Whan Ogier had sayd this he cryed saide to Reynawde O mad beste ye blame me wrongefully and without a cause for ye and your brethern should haue be hanged by this without any pardonne nor Mawgys hadde neuer come heere tyme ynoughe wherof ye haue called me traytoure but ye lye falslye For I neuer dyd treason nor neuer shall yf God wyll ye haue also called me fissher nowe oughte I well to wexe mad all quicke whan such a glutton dooth to me so great outerage but by the faythe that I owe to all my freendes but if I feared other than you I shoulde goe gyue you suche a stroke thoroughe the sheeld that ye shoulde saye it is a stroke of a mayster Than sayd Reynawde Ogier ye speake wel at your ease for ye shal doo nothynge at all of that ye saye least your lymmes should be hurt by my berde sayde Ogier I shall And than he broched brayforde wyth the spurres and put hymselfe to swyme ouer the ryuer And whan he was come to the playne grounde he made hym ready for to iouste as were as he was And whan Reynawd saw Ogier so yll arayed for to fyght he had pyte therof and sayde to hym Cosin I haue at this houre no wyll for to fyght and therfore goe your wayes againe for this daie ye shall not be defoyled by me nowe know I well that ye haue holpen me Reynawd sayde Ogier mocke not with me ye haue called me traitour before mani knightes if I went my way again menne might say to Charlemain that I had betraied him falslye My spere is yet al whole it were a great shame to me but I brake it vpon you or vpon one of your brethern For Foulques and the earle Guimard should complain in helle vpoÌ„ me and of the other part I shoulde haue none excuse towarde the king Charlemain if I went thus awaye for ye haue well slaine foure hundred knightes of ours wherfore I say cor a conclusion that I shal not goe my waye but that I medle first with you for ye wot well that yf I went thus my way the king Charlemaine should beare me some dishonoure for it and he shoulde haue reasone also he shoulde make me to be headed and therfore I wil fyght with you for certes I haue leuer die than to returne thus to him and yf God hathe ordeined that ye shall smite of my heade I pardone you my death for if I canne ouercome you I shall bringe you to the king Charlemaine what someuer come of it ANd whan Reynawde hearde Ogyer speake so he wexed all mad for angre and saide by wrathe Ogier I defy you to the death keep you fro me you of me said Ogyer And whan they had defied eche other so Reynawde spurred Bayarde and Ogyer brayforde their good horses and ranne the one vpon the other so strongly that the earth trembled vnder their feet And whan came for to laie the speres alowe they hytte eche other so harde that they brake theyr speres and after their speres were broken they recouÌ„ted eche other with their sheeldes and gaue eche other so great strokes that they both fel down to the earth ouer their croper of theyr horses and were sore wounded And whan the two good knightes sawe theimselfe at the grounde they rose vp quickely and sette hande to theyr swerdes and began to make so harde medling that it was meruayle But herke of their horses Wit that whatâ— Bayarde and brayforde sawe theyr maisters at the ground incontynent they weÌ„t the one to the other and began to byte eche other and cast theyr feet the one vpon the other Whan Ogyer sawe that he was ful sory for it for he knewe wel that bayard was the stronger so ranne Ogyer thyther the sheelde at his necke and hys swerde in his hand for he wold help his good horse Braiford for he was afearde that bayarde shoulde haue kylled hym Whan Reynawde sawe thys he cryed and sayde what is it Ogyer that ye wyll doo it is not the werke of a knighte to smite a beaste and well me semeth that ye haue ynoughe to doo of me wythout ye bete not my hors Than Reinawde smot Ogyer so greate a stroke vpon his helme that he feld hym downe vnto the grounde but the stroke slyded a syde kut asunder all that it â—ought well an hundred maylles of hys flankarde and wounded hym sore vpon his hyppe and yf the swerde had not tourned within Reinawdes hande Ogier should neuer haue eaten breade and whan Reinawd had giuen to him that stroke he saide to him Ogier leâ— alone Bayarde for ye haue ynough a doo with me I beleue that I haue appaired youre helme for I se your visage that is sore pale And whan Ogier felte himself hurte he wexed almost wood for angre and retourned to Reinawd with his swerde Cortyne and sayde A cortine that so muche I haue loued thee and certes it is well reason for ye be a good swerde and in manye places ye haue well holpen me many a proude man ouerthrowen And whan I went with the king Charlemaine at Estbroughe in Almayne Rowlande and Oliuer dyd assaye theyr swerdes at PetroÌ„ and I smot after for to assaye you And ye kutted therof wel half a foote and there I brake you wherof I was ryghte sorye But for the goodnes that I know in you for to amende again therfore ye be caâ—â—â—d corten and but if ye auenge me now of this glutton I shall neuer haue no trust to you And thaÌ„ he smot Reynawd vpoÌ„ hys helme so hard that he made him reele And whan Ogier sawe Reinawd thus arayed he sayde to him by god Reinawde I haue yeeld you againe that ye had geuen me we be nowe quite wyll ye begyn a freshe by my faythe saide Reynawd yea for I desire more to fyght than I doo any other thyng And than they went and ranne the one vpon the other and began an nother medlynge but than came there Alarde Mawgys and Guycharde and all theyr folke And whan Ogier sawe theim come he was wrothe and sorye for it and so want he againe vnto braiforde hys
that gifte so riche he was gladde of it by cause of the great valure of it Reinawd called Mawgis saide to him Cosin what shall we doo with this egle My cosin saide Mawgis me semeth that ye ought to put hym aboue vpon the apple of the greate towre of this castell to the ende that Charlemayne and all his hoste maye see it By my soule said Reinawdeye saie wel And they tooke the egle and made it to be borne vpon the highe towre of Mountawban And whan the sonne dyd shyne vpon thys Egle it casted so greate a light that it might be seen .x. myles thence And whan Charlemaine and his folke apperceued it they were ryght sorye for it and an angred WHan Charlemayne the greate Emperoure saw that the foure sonnes of Aymon mocked him thus he called to him Rowland and Olyuer and all the other Peeres of Fraunce and sayde to them Lordes it is sore mishapped to vs sith we came in this londe of Gascoygn for I haue lost my crowne and Ioious my swerde myn egle of golde that was of so great value as ye all know and ye al haue loste youre good swerdes where of we beÌ„ wel shamed also we haue ben chased fro the feeld shamefully Now haue wel the four sonnes of Aimon shamed vs al through that falce theef Mawgis Wherfore my faite lordes I complain me vnto you prayinge that you wil helpe me to auenge me vpon theim for they haue doone you shame as wel as vnto me Than said the .xii. peeres of FrauÌ„ce syr we be ready for to doo all that ye wyll I wyll saide the kinge that ye Ogier also the duke Naymes and ye byshop Turpyn and ye Escoufe the sonne of Oedon that are of the kinred of Reinawde that ye goe to Mountawban and so tel to Reinawde to his brethern and Mawgys that they deliuer me againe my crowne Ioyous my swerd and also myne Egle of gold and the swerdes of you al and I shall giue them truce for two yeres And I shall doo al mine hoste to returne againe in to fraunce syr answered Ogier I shal with a good wyll doo your commaundement but I feare me of Reinawde that he will keep vs prisoners Ha Ogier sayde Charlemayne ye feare him but litell whan the barons heard the coÌ„mauÌ„dement of the king they made no tarying but lighted on horsbacke and rode to Mountawban And whaÌ„ thei were come togither to the draw bridge the porter that keept warde vpon the gate said to them lordes what be ye my freend said Ogyer we are of the folke of Charlemaine goe youre waye to Reinawd and tell him that the Duke Naymes the byshop Turpin Escoufe the sonne of Oedon and Ogier the Dane wolde speake with him My lordes said that porter I shal goe to him incoÌ„tinent than he went to Reynawde and shewed him howe foure knightes were at the gate that wolde speake with him what be they said Reinawde My lorde said the porter they tolde me that the one is called the duke Naymes that other the bishop Turpin and a nother Escoufe the soÌ„ne of Oedon the fourth is named Ogyer the dane Whan Reynawd heard this he stood vp and said to his three brethern My lordes heere cometh foure valyaunt kâ—yghtes and wise I beseche you that we shew to them that we been no children for to be rocked in a slepe Cosin sayde Mawgis ye speake well and wisely Me semeth it were good that we should know wherfore they come or they entre to the ende that we may best answere to them Than they went vnto the gate and made the drawe brydge to be lette downe And whan it was doone Rycharde yssued out first vpon the brydge and went ayenst them and made to them greate honour and sayd to them My lordes ye be ryght welcome thys castel is â—t your commaundement For I holde me so sure of my brother Reinawd that I dare offre it to you cosyn said the messangers gramercye And than Reinawde auaunced him selfe and saluted them honourablye and after tooke Ogier by the hande he him thother three he brought to the Dungeon where they were receiued honestly by the lady Clare the wife of Reinawde And whan Reinawde had receyued them he made them to sit vpon a benche and than he saide to them fayre lordes I praye you that ye wyll tell vs wherfore ye become For ye come not without a greate cause ye knowe wel syr Reynawd said Ogier that all we that been heere haue euer loued you well And I promise you yf it had been our will ye should haue had good peace with the kinge Charlemayne but many tymes he hathe vnbrayed vs therof ye must knowe that your cosyn Mawgis hath shamed vs al for we were his suretie to Charlemayne vpon our othe to deliuer hym at hys will And the said Mawgis is come hyther without our leaue ayenst hys promyse and that worse is he hath robbed the crowne of the king Charlemayne and his swerde and all the swerdes of vs all .xii. peeres Wherefore Charlemain sendeth to you worde by vs that ye see heere that ye deliuer him again his crown the egle of golde and all oure swerdes And he shall gyue you truce for two yeres and he shall doo returne al his armie in to fraunce After that Ogyer had said this Mawgis stood vp and spake by the leaue of Reynawde said Lordes ye ben right welcome in this castell of Mountawban And yf it please you ye shall not speake no more of this matter now and ye shall abyde this night with vs and to morowe ye shal haue an answere of that ye haue sayde Reynawde saide than Ogier wyl ye keep that Mawgys hath said yea without fault said Reinawde sith that it pleaseth you we shall abyde for the loue of you And than Mawgys went to the stuarde of Mountawban and aduised him the meates Wherof the knightes of Charlemaine should be feasted with all and tolde that they should be wel serued what so euer it coste And see that the great cup be borne afore the duke Naymes the whiche I did conquere at reyns My lorde answered the stuarde doubte not ye shall well be serued at my power And theâ—â—â—e Mawgys came agayne And whan Reynawde sawe him come he calles hym and saide to him my cosyn I praye you see that we be well serued sir saide Mawgis I haue purueyed for it al ready WhaÌ„ Reinawd vnderstood him he was gladde of it and begaÌ„ to deuise with the folke of Charlemaine right honestly and of many thinges And whan he thought that the meate myght be well ready he his bretherne tooke the foure knightes and brought them to the halle to theyr meate whan they were there Mawgys made them washe than he tooke the duke Naimes and made hym syt downe and my lady Clare next hym And he made syt downe the bisshop Turpyn and Reynawde and than Ogyer and Alarde
our coming Children saide the duke Naymes we ben all youre kinnesmen And than the duke Naimes tolde them all theyr names And whan the childrē knew what that they were they meeked themsele before theim honestlye and after yonnet sayde to theim Lordes our father greteth you wel and praieth you that ye wyll haue vs for recommended as youre kynsmen And than whan the barons heard the two children speake so wisely they were glad of it and also of their comming But the two sonnes of Foulques of Moryllon were full sory and wrothe for it by my soule sayde Constans to his brother Rahars the father of these two chyldrene slewe oure father wherof the hert in my body swelleth highe for angre that I see them heere nother min eyen can not looke vpon them brother said Rohars nor I nother by my trouthe but I counseyll not that we fight with them not heere for it were foly But let vs await a tyme and place couenable for syth that they shall dwell heere We shall auenge vs vpon them Brother said Constans lette vs doo one thynge that I shall tell you whiche is easye for to doo that ye shall calle the one of treason and I the other sayinge that theyr father slewe our father by treason And also we shall proue that their father wroughte treason ayenst the king Charlemayn brother sayde Rohars ye speake well but we must suffre a while till we see howe they shal bere themself in court for they doo any otherwyse than they oughte to doo We shal mowe kylle them and be not blamed for it After this doon ye oughte to knowe that the children of Reinawde of Mountawban bare themselfe full honestlye in courte for all the barons loued them dere saue only the two sonnes of Foulques of moryllon wherof Aimonet and yonnet perceyued it ryght well and spake not with them nor haunted theim not It was greate meruayll of the great giftes that the sōnes of Reynawd gaue to the Barons and gentilmen of the court of Charlemain as were fayre horses and harnays and many clothes of sylke of dyuers coloures and in lyke wise they gaue to the ladyes and gentil women fayre gounes of clothe of golde and of syluer And of the other parte they kepte a great estate and good house to al poore gentylmen and squiets and dyd so much good that they were greately praised of euerye manne What shoulde I telle you more the childrene of Reynawde dyd so muche in the courte of the king Charlemayne that of all the worlde they were loued and princypallye of the kinge Charlemayne whan the kinge sawe that they behaued theim so well and so wisely in his court he was ryght glad of it so loued he theym moste of anye yonge knyght of his courte and made them his keruers a fore hym And thenne whan the two sonnes of Foulques of Moryllon sawe that the kynge loued theim so muche they were full angrye in so muche that they wexed mad all quicke for angre of it and so swate by greate angre that they should slea thē or euer theishould goe to from the courte It happed so that vpon whyt sonday euyn as the kyng was at Parys and wolde keep opē courte and there was Aymonet and yonnet with the other barons in the halle This hanging aryued there a knyghte of Almayne that presented to the kynge a fayre knyfe after the facyon of the londe then called the king yonnet gaue it him by greate loue And whan yonner had receiued this gyft of the kyng as he shoulde haue gone to his place agayn he shoued Constans with his elbowe ayenst his wil. And whan Constans saw that yonnet had doon so he had greate dispite at it and saide What is this must there be so muche set by these two boies the sonnes of a traitour whiche been not worth a roten apple this one is all redye become so proude that he hathe nowe shoued me with his elbowe by great enuye and pride muche other langage constans saide by Yonnet Whiche he ought not for to saye and whan yonnet hearde that Constans had called him the sonne of traytour he was sore an angred So came he to him and saide Constans ye haue learned a foule craft that is that ye can speake shrewdely withoute a cause lawfull why for I haue hearde that ye haue called me and my brother the sonnes of a traitour that the kinge knoweth well that our father slewe yours by treason wherof I will ye wyt that ye lie falsely but your father did assail oures by treason as a traitour come of the lignage of traitoures But God wolde not that my father shoulde dye so nor myne vncles my father slew your father it is true but it was in his defendynge of hys body he did then as a noble knight as he is and if ye be so hardy that ye wil maintein that he did it by treasō heere I cast now my gage afore thys noble companye saying that ye haue lied falsely saue the reuerence of the kinge Charlemayne and of his felawshyp THan whan the kynge Charlemayne sawe that none of the barons said nothyng of the stryfe of yonnet and of Constans he was angry for it and sayde Constans ye doo greate wronge for to saye that I and the twelue peeres of fraunce know well that Reinawde of Mountawban slewe your father by treason holde your peace said Charlemayne for yf ye knew well how the matter is ye shaulde not speake of it wherfore I commaund you in as much as ye feare to angre me that ye make amēdes to yonnet of that ye haue said or elles voide incontinent my courte and my realme for ye haue troubled all my courte wherof I am not contente And whan Rohars hearde this that the kinge Charlemayne had sayde to Constans his brother he was angry and so rose on his feete and said Sir I am redy to proue vpon Aimonet that his father slew our father by treason and heere is my gage Rohars saide Charlemain heere ye take a wronge waie and it shall be to you ouer late whan ye shal repent it Whan Aymonet and yonnet vnderstoode these wordes thei kneeled afore the kynge Charlemayne and saide to him Syr for god we praye you ryght humblye that ye take the gages that Rohars hathe caste for with goddes grace we shal wel defend our father of the traison that they put vpon him Childrē saide the king sith it please you that I take them I shall doo so and than the king Charlemayn tooke the gages Constans auaunced himself saide Syr we vnderstonde that we shall fyghte two and two the one ayenst the other ¶ whan the kynge Charlemayne had take the gages of bataile of Constans and of Rohars he asked theym who shoulde be theyr suretes than lept forth the traytoure Guanellon betenger Escouf of moryllon Lyon of pygnabel Gryffon of hautbraunche the whiche said to king