The prologue vpon the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle BYcause that the memorye is the reteynynge nature humayne for his fragylyte is strongely mouable goodly hathe ben introducte that the reasons concludynge intendybly yâ— saynges and also auctorytes of sayntes and dyscrete men semblably hystoryes and examples worthy of commemoracyon ben reduced by wrytynge for to shewe to them that ben to come that whiche hathe be sayd and done before to the instruccyon and saluacyon of the soule of euery good crysteÌ„ man ¶ Now it is thus that is this present tyme the scryptures by the arte and ingenyous practyke of Pryntynge be multeplyed in suche a wyle that dyuers fayre and coÌ„modyous ensygnynges and ensamples ben had of whiche fewe folkes had the bokes and congnyssaunce nowe they ben put forth and vttred for so lytell a pryse that it can not be lyghtely lesse neuerthelesse bycause of the vnderstaÌ„dynge comune that is better contente for to reteyne the hystoryes and examples than other thynge dyuers hystoryes ben put in wrytynge And amonge the other hystoryes is one founde of longe tyme wryten the whiche is named the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and Arthur of Algarbe his loiall felowe the whiche for theyr vertues and to loue better honoure than to consente to euyll had grete aduersytees and meruaylous fortunes and aduentures the whiche by grete loyalte and ardaunt charyte and also fydelyte and promesse toke an ende solytarye ¶ Here begynneth the table of this present boke ¶ Tabula ¶ The fyrste chapytre speketh of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castylle and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo j. ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and the body of his mod borne to be buryed And how Embassodours were coÌ„mysed for to mary the kynge agayne Ca. ii ¶ How the maryage was treated betwene the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder and the kynge of Castylle Olyuers fader Capitulo iij. ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle wedded the quene of Algarbe and ledde her in to Castylle with her sone Arthur that resembled Olyuer Capitulo iiij ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were put to lernynge and of the Iustes that were made by them Capitulo v. ¶ How the quene of Castylle began for to loue Olyuer dyshonestlye Capitulo vi ¶ How the quene gaue Olyuer for to vnderstande that she loued hym carnally and of the couerte answers of Olyuer to honoure Capitulo vij ¶ How Olyuer departed all trouble of the requestes of his stepmoder and how he prayed god for to reuoke her from her carnall desyre Capitulo viij ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer desyrynge hym to fulfyll her carnall desyre of Olyuers fayre denyenge Capitulo ix ¶ How Olyuer refused vtterly the quene his stepmoder of all her dyshonest loue And how she menaced hym to the dethe Capitulo x. ¶ How Olyuer abode all alone in his chambre where as he made dyuers complayntes and of the lettre that he wrote to his felowe and wherat he sholde knowe yf that he had ony thynge but good Capitulo xi ¶ How Olyuer departed all alone withont ouy company and came to a hauen of the see where as he founde a shyp in the whiche he entred with a knyght that he founde there of Englande Capitulo xij ¶ How Arthur of Algarbe came in to the chambre of his broder Olyuer that made grete dole for his departyng Capitulo xiij ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle came in to Oliuers chambre and of the grete dole that he demeaned whaÌ„ he fouÌ„de hym not Capitulo xiiij ¶ How the kynge sente after his sone and of his lamentacyous and of them yâ— the quene made whan she sawe that all doloure was comen by her cause Ca. xv ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer vpon the see and how he and the Englysshe knyght were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi ¶ How the knyght Olyuers felowe deyed xvij ¶ How Olyuer dyde burye the knyght and of the Iustes that were publysshed in Englande and he that sholde do best sholde haue the kyÌ„ges doughter to wyfe xviij ¶ How Olyuer was assayled of theues the whiche he slewe and of the whiche happened to hym vpon the waye towarde London Capitulo xix ¶ How a knyghte came and recomforted Olyuer and of the promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the hermytage Capitulo xxi ¶ How Olyuer sawe dyuers knyghtes and other folke in grete estate and dyuersly clothed Capitulo xxij ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche clothynges that his knyghte had brought hym and how he armed hym and of the ryche pauylyon and beaute of the fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande Capitulo xxiij ¶ Of the grete meruaylles â—hat Olyuer dyde at the â—orneyment and how he dyde better thaÌ„ ony other xxiiij ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to the hermytage the seconde tyme without makynge hym for to be knoweÌ„ xxv ¶ How Olyuer came the seconde tyme to the torneyment and how he wanne the sygne of the defendauntes of the Iustes Capitulo xxvi ¶ How Olyuer dyde withdrawe hym in to the hermytage after that he had vaynquysshed the torneyment and of the dyspleasure of the kynge and his doughter by cause of the deed men Capitulo xxvij ¶ How Olyuer came in to yâ— torneymeÌ„t the thyrde daye and bare awaye the honoure aboue all by his grete prowesse and how the kyÌ„ge commysed .xx. knyghtes for to take hym to the ende yâ— he knewe what he was xxviij ¶ How Olyuer was taken by the knyghtes that the kynge had commysed and how his seruauntes vanysshed a waye how he founde clothes fynaunces Ca. xxix ¶ How Olyuer founde grete fynaunces seruantes and clothes and how he was ledde to the banquet and in to the courte with grete honoure of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the kynge of Englandes courte where as he was receyued with grete reuerence of the kynge and of all the other lordes and ladyes Ca. xxxi ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commyssed and the counsayll of the kynge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capitulo xxxij ¶ How the kynge of EnglaÌ„de came towarde his doughter and demauÌ„ded her to whome her semed that yâ— pryce sholde be gyuen to and of her answers Ca. xxxiij ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what was the pryce Capitulo xxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kyng of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte and that he myghte be keruer afore his doughter Helayne the whiche was accorded to hym Capitulo xxxv ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter made the othe accustomed Capitulo xxxvi ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne cut his fynger in seruynge her
derest holden of all the other For he was one of the best and valyauntest knyghtes that euer was Neuerthelesse he was not kynge of Englande for he deyed yonge wherof it was grete dommage ¶ A lōge tyme dyde passe and so moche that the fayre Helayne was with chylde agayne the whiche was delyuered of a fayre doughter y◠whiche was ryght solempnelye baptysed and she was named Clarysse The fayre Helayne and Olyuer were so assotted and doted on theyr chyldrē that it was a grete meruayll and I am not abasshed For they ought well to be so The moder hadde them alwaye bytwene her armes and myght not forgo the syght of them It was the passe tyme of Olyuer for the realme of Englande was in peas and wyst not wherin to occupye hym saue to goo on huntynge and haukynge and for to make good chere ¶ How Olyuer wente on huntynge of the vysyon of his wyfe the whiche she tolde vnto hȳ Capi. lj OLyuer passed his tyme Ioyously soo as ye haue herde ¶ It happened that the hunters made hym to knowe that the grettest wylde bore that euer was sene was in the forest fyue myle thens Olyuer that loued well hūtynge was ryght Ioyous and sayd that he wolde go ryght gladly wherfore on an after none he departed from the cyte lodged hym in a vyllage by y◠forest where the wylde bore was in That nyght his wyfe dremed a meruaylous dreme for her thought that she was on huntynge with her lorde and that she sawe a Tygre meruaylously grete that with his teeth and his nayles deuoured Olyuer and bare hym awaye she wyste not where Of his vysyon all trymblynge the fayre Helayne awaked and coude not slepe after that And on the morowe she sente worde to her lorde requyred hym that he wolde not hunte as for that daye for and he dyde her herte Iuged her that he sholde haue some hurte Olyuer herynge the message of his wyfe dyde no thynge but laughe for hym semed y◠dremes were but fantasyes wherfore he sente worde to his wyfe that she sholde make gode chere that he wolde brynge her some venyson then he mounted on horsbacke and wente to y◠forest and vncoupled the houndes and began for to hunte Thē Olyuer put hym in to the forest and folowed the houndes wherfore he dyde folye For yf he had byleued the counsayll of his wyfe it had not happened to hym as it dyde For so as he folowed the houndes as nere as he myghte the wylde bore came that was on fote and trauersed afore hym Olyuer that was welhorsed smote hym with the sporres and ranne after And he dyde so moche that he had lost all his men within a lytell whyle Alas yf he had knowen of the euyll aduenture he wolde not haue putte hym so soone in the forest but as he that toke no hede rode on alwaye without kepynge ony waye so as his euyll aduenture ledde hym O kynge of Englande truely of a longe tyme thou shalte not se thy fayre sone Olyuer nor thou ryght fayre Helayne of a longe tyme thou shalt not se thy lorde and husbande ¶ How the Kynges sone of Irlande of whiche Olyuer had slayne his fader at the torneyment founde Olyuer all alone frō his mē toke hym prysoner and of the grete sorowe that was made for hym Capitulo lij AFore that Olyuer apperceyued that no body dyde folowe hym he was ferre from his folke And whan he founde hymselfe alone he blewe his horne but none answered hym Wherfore he put hym on the waye in an vnhappy houre For the more that he wente forwarde the ferder he was from them Thus as he wente so the wylde bore that was ferre from hym came amōgest a company of men that passed thorughe the forest the whiche wente to London And the chyef was one of the kynges of Irlande that same that Olyuer had slayne the fader of at the torneymente As he sawe the wylde bore with suche houndes as he had he folowed and ranne soo moche in the forest that they recoūtred Olyuer whiche was all alone Then Olyuer auaunced hym and salued the kynge but the kynge dysdayned to speke to hym And he escryed to his men saynge here is the murderer that hathe slayne my fader Wherfore I do pray you that ye wyll take hȳ alyue for I can not auenge me better than at this tyme. And whan Olyuer herde these wordes he sethande to his swerde and defended hym ryght valyauntly But in the ende whether he wolde or not he was taken And the kynge made a hode all close to be put on his heed to the ende that he sholde not be knowen and in that estate he made hym to be ledde to a porte of y◠see where as he was put in a shyp and ledde in to a fortresse of Irlande that was that same kynges In the whiche Olyuer was put in pryson full of vermyne and had brede and water ones a daye Abydynge the retornynge of the kynge that sholde do Iustyce on hym at his pleasure And to the ende that his treason were not knowen he retorned not but wente to London towarde the kynge his souerayne lorde y◠whiche he founde gretely dyscomforted for he had herde no tydynges of Olyuer the whiche was soughte on all sydes O what pyteous and innumerable lamentacyons was made whan y◠trouthe was knowen that he coude not be founden Certaynlye neuer so grete dolours was not demeaned in no coūtre The good kynge sayd Ha ryght noble realme thou hast wel lost the floure of thy crowne and the moost parte of thyn armoure Alas my ryght swete sone thou was he y◠trauaylled whan I reposed me he by whome I was redoubted and he by whome I was obeyed and he by whome I lyued in rest and in surete ¶ These regrettes were nothynge in comparyson to the pyteous lamentacyons that his doughter made She myght neyther ete nor drynke but had layde her on a bedde as she had bendeed in suche wyse that all they that sawe her had grete pyte on her And whan she myght speke she escryed saynge My blessyd creat our wherfore dydde thou euer gyue me hym that in his departynge dothe eue me in so grete doloure and dystresse vpon the erthe certes yf it were thy blessyd pleasure I wolde be in his company then she complanyed her vnto the blessyd vyrgyn Marye in saynge Ryght swete vyrgyn mary moder of god what may I haue done to the that thou hast separed me fro the syght of my ryght amyable lorde and husbande that so derely loued me With suche or semblable wordes the ryght fayre Helayne meuyd all theym aboute her that they coude not comforte her ¶ I shall leue her to speke of the kynge ef Englande and his doughter all theym of his realme demeanynge theyr sorowe And shal speke of them of the realme of Castylle and of Arthu◠Kynge of Algarbe and Regente of Castylle ¶ How Arthur Kynge
thynke that I am comen for your aledgemente Then he alyghted of his hors and fatte hym downe on the erthe besyde hym drewe out of his purse a boxe of golde full of precyous oyntementes with the whiche oyntement he anoynted and touched all his wouÌ„des and gaue hym a rote for to ete And incontyneute as he hadde tasted of it he was as hole and safe as euer he hadde ben Wherfore his medecyne clothed in whyte dyde bydde hym that he sholde thanke god by whome he was sente theder Arthur dyde so as he had coÌ„maunded hym and gaue louynges to god Thenne the whyte man made hym for to mouÌ„te vpon his hors behynde hyÌ„ and sayd to hym that he sholde put hym out of the forest And then in goynge he sayd to hym Kynge of Algarbe I knowe well wherfore that thou arte departed out of thy countree It is for to leke Olyuer of Castylle thy felowe wherfore I shall tell you tydynges Knowe that after his departynge he arryâ—ed in the realme of EnglaÌ„de whereas he hathe gouerned hym so well that by his prowesse he hathe wonne the onely doughter of the kynge the whiche is one of the fayrest ladyes of the worlde but 〈…〉 fortuned to hym for a kynge of Irlande the whiche loued hym not bycause he had slayne his fader hathe taken hym prosoner and hathe put hym in a dongeon where as he suffreth as moche mysery as ony man is possyble for to suffre But haue no doubte of his lyfe For he shall neuer deye vnto the tyme that thou hast casten hym out and yf that I had to counsayll the and yâ— thou wolde byleue me I wolde counsayll the for to goo fyrste to London for to comforte the kynge and his doughter For thou knowest that thou resemblest Olyuer that it is all one thynge wherfore Helayne shall thynâ—â— that thou arte her lorde and shall guarysshe bycause of thy comynge and truely yf that thou haste the not thou shalte neuer se her for she is syke vnto the dethe go and lye with her to the ende that they byleue the better that thou arte Olyuer but beware the well thou thynke not on vylanye nor dysâ—â—onoure for thou sholde offende to gretely And after that thou seest her in yâ— waye of helthe departe the and come vnto this forest for thou shalte here tydynges of me here In these deuyses he ledde hym out of the woode and made hym descende then Arthur sette hym on his knees as afore a holy thynge and than kâ—d hym but incontynent he lost the syght of hym without knowynge where he became ¶ How Arthur by the counsayll of the whyte knyght wente towarde the kynge of Englande at London And of the Ioye that they made hym thykynge that it hadde ben Olyuer Capitulo lviij AS Arthur fouÌ„de hym alone in his waye he thanked god and dyde so moche that he came to the see where as he fouÌ„de a shyp that wente in to Englande and entred in to it whan he was in EnglaÌ„de the fyrst towne yâ— he entred in was Brystowe where as he was knowen for Olyuer And incontynent the tytynges were spred all aboute And some adressyd them vnto London and came and tolde the kynge The whiche whan he knewe it he was so replenysshed with Ioye and his herte soo close with Ioye that he hadde letten hymselfe fall to yâ— erthe yf some of his seruauntes had not susteyned hym but for all that they must bere hym to bedde where as he was a space of tyme without ony knowlege Neuerthelesse he felle a slepe and whan he was awaked he demaunded of them of his chambre yf it were true that Olyuer was alyue and yf he dyde come They answered hym ye wherof he was ryght gladde and thanked god but afore he knewe not whether that they had tolde it hyÌ„ or yf that he had dremed it Thus as they were in these deuyses came a squyre and knocked at the chambre dore that sayd that they sholde axe the kynge yf he wolde see Olyuer the whiche wolde come shortely for he was not more thaÌ„ a myle of The kynge sente sone for his horses and mounted vpon hym for to goo agaynst hym In lyke wyse euery body wente in to the feldes for to se hym that was so moche desyred And whan Arthur apperceyued the people that came agaynst hym the teres were in his eyen and began for to bewayle his feâ—owe And dyde so moche that he approched the kynge and whan yâ— kynge apperceyued hym that he had not sene of thre yere before hym semeth that it is none other but Olyuer and also to al the other of his companye wherfore with bothe his armes abrode he ranne to hym and beganne for to embrace hym so strongly that it was meruayl but he myght not speke one worde to hym And whan that he myght speke he sayd that he was ryght welcome that he had done grete almesse for to retorne and comforte this realmâ— that was so replenysshed with dolour bycause of his departynge Arthur answered to hym My lorde that the whiche hathe ben done was done agaynst my wyll nor other thynge I maye not saye but by the pleasure of god I shall â—yue more Ioye and lyesse vnto this realme bycause of my retornynge than euer there was sorowe for my departyng And am more redyer for to do you seruyce than euer I haue ben Wherof I doo thanke god ¶ How Arthur came and vysyted Helayne the whiche hadde wende that he had ben Olyuer her husbande and of the solempnyte that was made And howe that he laye with her withouten vylanye Capitulo lviij AFter these deuyses Arthur salued the noble men that werein the kyÌ„ges companye and generally al the other but there came so many that it was not possyble for them for to entre in to the cyte Wherfore it was force for them for to brynge a grete and a hye chayre of Cypres vpon the whiche Arthur mounted to the ende that he were sene on euery syde for to contente the people the better Then it was cryed that euery body sholde retorne after Arthur mounted vpon horsbacke And whan he entred in to London none can not deuyse to you the Ioye that was made on euery syde the stretes were hanged ladyes and damoyselles were at the wyÌ„dowes the noyse was so grete that it was meruayll for to here And in sygne of more gretter Ioye bothe more and lesse cryed Te deum laudamus And whan they approched the palays Helayne that was strongly syke herde that noyse where as she laye and demaunded what it was but none durst not tether for fere leest that the sodayne Ioye sholde haue ben to grete Wherfore they abode the maystres that dyde tell a ferre what it was Whan she knewe it wher handes Ioyned vp to heuen she beganne for to than ke god in saynge O redempt our of humayne lygnage I rendre to the graces and thankes whan that afore my dethe I
wepte and Helayne wepte haboundauntly saynge Chylde ryall wherfore haue I borne the whan that I must be consentyng of thy pâ—rdyccyon O ryght noble realmes of Englande and of Castylle to daye ye shall lese your kynge and lorde After this the knyght wolde haue halfe of the fayre Helayne the which thynge Olyuer coude not vnderstande how it myght be but yf that he sholde slee her wherfore he coÌ„mytted the dede to the knyght And then the knyght answered vnto hym that he was noo murderer of ladyes and alsoo yâ— it was no reason that he sholde paye hym with his hande for he knewe well that he must paye hym hymselâ—e yâ— the whiche he had promysed hym and then sayd yf that thou hye the not it shall mysthynke vs bothe Whan Olyuer sawe that he myght haue none other thynge he came towarde his wyfe set hym on his knees in praynge her that she wolde pardon hym her dethe The good helayne sayd that she wolde pardon hym with good herte and then she embrased hym in saynge Ryght noble kynge the dyfference is grete of the Ioyous acquayntaunce that we had fyrste togyder at the tyme that ye were called Olyuer Hathe ryghte dolourous departyÌ„ge that todaye shall be made of vs two After that she hadde sayd these wordes she made her orysons to god and to the virgyn Mary in cryenge mercy to god for all her synnes that he wolde put her soule in the glorye of paradyse that yf her lorde had done ony synne for to slee her that he wolde pardon hym And whan she had ended her prayers and sayd her orysons she came towarde her lorde and husbande and kyssed hym with the teres descendynge from her eyen and sayd that she was redy for to abyde the dethe Wherfore she toke leue of hym and of her two chyldren and sette her vpon her knees with her haÌ„des ioyned towarde heuen in recommaundynge her vnto god As she that abode but the stroke of dethe Whan the kynge sawe her in that estate as a man halfe oute of â—is wytte approched and in lyftynge vp his swerde wolde haue â—louen her in two pyâ—ces ¶ How the knyght had pyte on Olyuer hauynge knowlege of his loyalte and quyted hym all And then he made hym to be knowen hym and tolde hyÌ„ what he was Capitulo lxxiiij WHan yâ— knyght sawe this pyteous aduenture he lete not yâ— swerde auale a downe for he withelde his arme sayd abyde kynge that I maye speke to you to you quene here me speke Then the began for to say demaunde the kynge yf that he had no remembrâ—unce of a knyght that was named syr Iohan Talbot the whiche was deed in his company in the sentence of cursynge And yf that he remembred hym not how that he payed the dette to the purgeys and made hym to be buryed The kynge answered ye And I tell the sayd the knyghte that I am that same knyghte and that same that serued the at the torneyment of Englande and bycause that thou hast done me pleasure I rendre to the all thy moneye and all hooly thy fynaunce that thou haste gyuen me And in lykewyse I rendre to the thy sone and quyte the in lyke wyse the halfe of thy wyfe that whiche I haue done hathe ben for to assaye the and thy frauÌ„chyle To the surplus I shall tell the wherfore at the fyrste daye of the torneyment I clothed yâ— in blacke that was sygnefyaunce of yâ— obscurâ—te that I was in The secoÌ„de daye that was in rede sygnefyed my paynes in purgatorye The last daye in whyte sygnefyed my saluacyon for so as yâ— whyte is vyrgyn for it was neuer soylled by steynynge wherby it is pure and clene In lyke wyse I am so at this presente tyme for by the and by the cause I am aledged of all my doloure and now I go in to the holy glorye of paradyse to se yâ— presence of my creatoure that is the reioysynge of the saued wherfore I take leue of the for there as I go thou mayst not come yet but be thou sure that I shall praye for the. Then he vanysshed awaye and in theyr presence he mounted in to heuen gloryously in castynge the beames of his clerenes vpon the wyndowe that the kynge and the quene lened vpon The whiche in a lytell whyle was oute of theyr syghte ¶ Then they fette them vpon theyr knees in rendrynge graces to theyr creatour and after that they had made theyâ—â—rysoâ—s in thaÌ„kynge god they began for to make the one to the other ryght pyteous acquayntaunce soo moche and by suche maner as yf the quene had ben arysen from dethe at that sâ—ame houre The kyng of Castyll that neuer had receyued one goodnes but that he hadde receyued ten euylles agaynst it lyued in Ioye with his ryght welbeloued wyfe and had neuer dyspleasure after that â—aue all Ioyes vnto the houre of his dethe Helayne was strongely seke for the fere that she had hadde dâ—rynge the whiche maladye Arthur came in to Castyll for to se Olyuer to whome Olyuer made ryghte grete chere and sone after that Helayne gate vp the whiche was cause of more gretter Ioye and all Ioye myrthe was in the realme of Castylle there was no spekynge of nothynge saue to make good chere The sone and yâ— doughter of the kynge were alredy grete in so moche that yâ— doughter was redy for to be maryed Wherfore the kynge sayd vpoÌ„ a daye to the kynge of Algarbe my broder I haue but one felowe in all the worlde and that is you For ye may wel auaunte you that ye be parsonere of the goodes that god hathe gyuen me And therfore as vnto my broder I wyll tell vnto you myn aduyse Fynably ye be to mary as yet hathe no wyfe wherfore I am gretely ameruaylled that ye haue abydeÌ„ soo longe I haue two chyldren a sone and a doughter and by my fayth yf that I thoughte that ye were contente for to mary you I wolde gyue you my doughter in maryage and therto reloke and my doughter dothe please you yf that ye thynke that she is for you I gyue her to you Or yf that it semeth you better elles where take it Ye maye saye he repryuely your wyll for yâ— loue that I haue to you maketh me for to saye thus to you ¶ How Olyuer of Castylle gaue his doughter in maryage to his felowe Arthur of Algarbe and of the dethe of Olyuer and of Helayne his wyfe Ca. lxxv ANd whan that Arthur Kynge of Algarbe herde the kynge of Castylle speke so humbly he thanked hym in saynge yâ— he dyde to hym more honoure than apperteyned to hyÌ„ and syth that it was his pleasure for to gyue hyÌ„ his doâ—ghter that he sholde be ryght vngracyous for to refuse her Whan the kynge of Castylle vnderstode that his felowe hadde grete wyll for to atteyne to this maryage he sente incontynent after all the noble meÌ„
of his countree And whan they were all assembled he made yâ— spousaylles of Arthur and his doughter so grete and so plenteous of all goodes that it coude be noo more And this feest endured a longe tyme. In the whiche whyle tydynges came in to Castylle that the kyng of Chyppres was assyeged of the infydeles and requyred the kynge of castylle of helpe and socoure and also all the other crysten prynces Whan this tydynges came to the knowlege of the yonge prynce the kynges sone he made a requeste to his fader that he wolde gyue hyÌ„ leue and ayde for to goo to the whiche he accorded and gaue hym a grete armye but he retorned neuer after agayne as treateth more at longe the cronycles of Castylle For after that he hadde delyuered the realme of Chyppres of theyr enemyes he wente in to Turky where as he conquered dyuers realmes that he made for to be Crystenned And yf that he had not deyed yonge he had ben a man for to haue conquered the moost parte of the worlde The kynge of Algarbe ledde his wyfe in to his countree And thre yere after his departynge a ryght greuous maladye toke yâ— Kynge of Castylle by the wyll of oure lorde that of these thynges dysposeth at his pleasure and was so syke that Helayne his wyfe as she that abode not but his dethe sente for the kynge of Algarbe the whiche was not so sone arryued but that the kynge of Castyll passed oute of this worlde in grete wepynges and lamentacyons of all his subgectes and frendes and generally of his meÌ„ and all them that knewe hym And whan the tydynges were pronouÌ„ced to Helayne maulgre all them that kâ—â—te her she came to se her lorde that was deed whan she was entred in to the chambre and that she approched the body she escryed on hye A ryght puyssaunt kynge how I se thy fayre face pale by the dethe anguysshous and thy furyous armes affebled and in saynge this she lete her selfe fall vpon the body and she arose neuer after for of doloure her herte dyde breke and deyed Wherby the doloure was redoubled ¶ The poore kynge of Algarbe demeaned so grete dole that it was pyte for to se. And made innumerable lamcÌ„tacyons so moche that it sholde be to longe to recounte it In lyke wyse the quene of Algar became for to see her fader her moder that were deed she made so grete dole that with grete payn she myght be comforted Bothe the deed bodyes were buryed in one tombe the whiche was ryght pyteous to beholde ¶ How Olyuers sone deyed in turky how Arthur was kynge of Englande and of Castylle Ca. lxxvii SOne after that the grete dole had beÌ„ in Castylle Olyuers sone that atte yâ— tyme was theyr kyÌ„ge was enprysonned by some â—â—rasyns in yâ— marches of Turky but that was not but that aâ—ore his prysonynge he had beÌ„ crowned of thre realmes that he had conquered and by cause that there was no moo apperteynynge heyres in castyll than yâ— quene of Algarbe Arthurs wyfe they made her quene and crowned her husbande kynge of the countree in doynge to hym fayth and homage ¶ Alytell whyle after came tydynges to the kynge of Castylle and of Algarbe that the Kynge of Englande grandfader of his wyfe was decessed And that the Duke of Glocestre that was cousyn germayne to the Kynge of Englande had made hym to be crowned kynge of the realme Wherfore he sente in to Englande for to knowe and it were by the consente of the noble men of the countree And for to knowe yf that he sholde not be receyued for kynge as reason wolde It was answered to hym nayâ— wherfore he assembled a grete coÌ„pany of folke and with grete puyssaunce came and descended in Englande and dyde so moche by force of armes after dyuers grete bataylles that he that sayd hym kynge was taken and put in pryson where as he neuer yssued oute after After he made hym to be crowned kynge as reason wolde and yâ— Englysshemen receyued hym for theyr lorde and soo he was kynge of Englande of Castylle and of Algarbe also he was kynge of one of the realmes of Irlande The surplus of his dayes he lyued in grete prosperyte and encreasynge of all goodes He had thre chyldreÌ„ of his wyfe two sones and one doughter that after his decesse they helde his lordshyppes The eldest was kynge of Englande and of Irlande and the other kynge of Castylle and his doughter was maryed to the kynge of Portyngale and he had with her the realme of Algarbe that yet apperteyneth to hym The two sones gouerned well wysely theyr realmes And were redoubted and full dere holden of theyr subgectes and neyghbours After the dethe of the Kynge theyr fader and of the quene theyr moder The surplus of theyr dayes they lyued holyly in seruynge god and the gloryous vyrgyn Marye Then they passed out of this worlde ryght gloryously god for his holy grace haue mercy on theyr soules And gyâ—e gode lyfe and longe and encreasynge of all goodnes vnto all them that this hystorye shall rede or here redde and that wryteth it or maketh it to be wryten and also to all them that shall se it AmeÌ„ ¶ The epylogacyon of the booke The last Ca. ARystotle the phylosophre sayth that the thyÌ„ges yâ— be separed be vnderstoâ—den knoweÌ„ more dystynctely for yâ— whiche cause the table hathe ben made and put in the begynnyÌ„ge of this presente boke for to vnderstaÌ„de it yâ— better And bycause that it sholde seme to dyuers yâ— some passyues of thystorye by symplytude of impossylyte ought not to be byleued for a trouthe for the meruayll yâ— is sayd To the declaracyon of the passages of thystorye by maner of epylogacyon this laste chapytre is câ—mprysed And to the regarde of Olyuer and Arthur that were so lyke the dyffyculte is not to grete for whan yâ— two chyldren be of one aege and of one felte complexcâ—on hauyng some symylytude of vysage corsage facylly one may be taken for another namely bycauâ—e they be nourysshed togyder spekynge all one langage clothed in seÌ„blable clothes instructe vnder one mayster holdynge and kepynge all one maner of doynge and countenaunce all this rogyder and dyuers other thynges make the them be sayd semblable ¶ To the regarde of the quene that was esprysed of the loue of Olyuer it was but fragylyte naturall of women that foloweth sensualyte agaynst honoure ¶ Touchynge yâ— water of the glasse that ought to â—roubâ—e at Olyuers daunger by this ye must not vnderstande that it was water elementall in his nature but bycause that Olyuer was all vertuous that his vnder standynge was all gyuen to good and to loue god perseuerynge in good and vertuous operacyoÌ„s and fleynge all vyces and synnes god permysed that Arthur had knowlege of yâ— aduersytees happened to Olyuer his felowe by the chaungynge of the water of the sayd glassâ— by the prayer
Olyuer dyscomfyted Capitulo xliij BY this maner was concluded the vyage in to Irlande and toke in the towne as many pauelyons and teÌ„tes as they myghte gete and all thynge that was necessarye for theyr vyage and departed from thens and toke with them a thousande men on horsbacke and as many on fote without theyr nombre And also they toke with them as moche artyllerye other habyllementes of warre as that they myght well haue without dysgarnysshynge of the towne and it was tolde them afore theyr departynge by them that had charge for to bury the deed folke yâ— they had founde deed of theyr enemyes .xxiiij. M. and of theyr meÌ„ .xij. C. wherfore theyr frendes were ryght dyspleasaunt And they assembled shyppes and entred into yâ— see and dyde so moche that in shorte tyme they were oute of the realme of Englande and entred in to Irlande where as they began for to do moche harme and fouÌ„de but fewe places that resysted agaynst them for they be not so stronge as these of this regyon They that were taken by force had no mercy but that they slewe them all They that dyde yelde them to theym afore that they besyeged them were taken to mercye And with this they fered so sore theyr enemyes that the moost parte of them yelded them or they came to them Then the kynges of yâ— countree that were escaped fro the batayll were soo sore abasshed that they coude not put no consayll to they re affayres for theyr folke were yet full of sorowe bycause of the dolorous fortune that hadde happened theym Wherfore they habandonned all in the wyll of god and alonely fortefyed the places where as they wolde retray them but this was not but that they gaue often assaultes and scarmoshes to the Englyshmen ryght subtyllye gouerned on theyr syde wherthrughe there was many men slayne on bothe partyes And in suche wyse by successyon of tyme that the moost parte yelded them to theÌ„ And the ryche themself helped for to warre agaynst theyr lordes In that estate they wente and assyeged a place where as one of the kynges of Irlande was that hadde ben newe crowned And was his sone that Olyuer dyd slee at the torneyment The whiche they assaylled ryght quyckely and boystously and there was done on the one syde and on the other grete dedes of armes For they that were within the castell defended them vygorously soo that they receyued that daye but lytell dommage The kyÌ„ge Maquemor was aduertysed of these thynges and how the fyege was afore the place of his cousyn Wherfore he was ryght dyspleasaunt And swore by his crowne that it sholde not abyde se. He assembled as moche folke as he myght And then he the thyrde kynge came for to aryse the syege Olyuer was aduertysed of all these thyÌ„ges wherfore he put hymselfe on the felde for to abyde them And lefte a partye of his folke for to kepe the syege He put his folke in ordynauÌ„ce and abode his enemees all redy for to fyght the whiche aâ—ode not longe or yâ— they came And whan they sawe that Olyuer was alredy on the felde they knewe well that they coude not escape without medlynge And then they put theyr folke in ryght fayre ordenaunce and began for to shote gonnes and Olyuer and his folke remeuyd not but abode theÌ„ with ferme fote and with one crye receyued them at the poyntes of theyr swerdes speres And there was slayn at the fyrst recountre dyuers meÌ„ on bothe partyes Full many ladyes lost theyr lordes and many chyldren were faderles and full many maydens lost theyr louers there Olyuer cutte of hedes and armes in suche maner that neuer maÌ„ dyde more dedes of armes than he dyde Not withstandynge the Irysshmen solde theyr lyues ryghte derely as men replenysshed with prowesse for as them semed and they lost that batayll that in lyke wyse they sholde lese theyr countree wherfore theyr courage doubled and dyde as well as they myght In that estate dured the batayll almoost vnto theyr nyght but in the ende the Irysshemen were dyscomfyted as they that myghte not endure the â—adde strokes of the Englysshemen ¶ The pursuyte dured not longe bycause of the nyghte The Kynge Maquemor and two other kynges were taken wherof Olyuer was ryght gladde for he had alredy fyue and so there was no moo lefte but two wherof there abode one enclosed in yâ— place where the syege was whan the nyght was comen Olyuer in his tente made the Kynges prysoners to be seruyd ryght honourably And on yâ— morowe he made to crye that euery body sholde put hym in payne for to do his deuoyre to take the place Then ye sholde haue sene many a valyaunt knyght and squyre and meÌ„ of armes go to the assaulte but they of within defended them soo valyauÌ„tly that it was grete meruayll And the kyÌ„ge sayd that he hadde leuer deye than for to yelde hym in to the handes of his enemyes and to hym that hadde slayne his fader ¶ How the castell and place where as one of the Kynges of Irlande was in was taken Capitulo xliiij EUen so as ye haue herde endured the syege by longe space of tyme afore yâ— castell Durynge the whiche tyme Olyuer made often the kynge of Englande to knowe of his demeanynge And sente hym often worde that he sholde haue noo doubte of them for they had nothynge but good The artellerye that was there endommaged strongely the castell and so moche that a grete parte of the walle was smyten downe and then it was assaylled at that syde Olyuer was in that assaulte and bare hym so valyauntly that he was the fyrste that entred in wherfore al his men folowed hym And at that tyme was the castell wonne and the kynge taken But afore that he was taken he dyde grete dedes of armes and all the other were slayne Olyuer departed from thens and lefte good garnyson there He put hym on the waye for to goo conquere the realme of the sone of hym that he hadde slayne in the fyrst batayll But that same kynge abode not his comyng but came agaynst Olyuer without ony armoure at all berynge in his hande a braunche of Olyue in yâ— sygne of peas And whan he sawe Olyuer he sayd to hyÌ„ O ryght valyaunt conquerour afore whome nothynge can endure by the furoure of thy swerde thou haste subdued seuen kyngdomes and hast the kynges prysoners wherfore I knowe that my persone alonely can not resyste agaynste thy persone and puyssaunce Therfore I come and yelde me at thy wyll and do offre me and my realme for to serue the. Olyuer thanked hym and tooke hym by the hande sayd that he sholde soupe with hym that nyght Then Olyuer commaunded that the teÌ„tes sholde be pyght in a fayre grene felde that was no ferre from theÌ„ by the whiche dyuers ryuers and fountaynes passed by wherfore the place was more delectable Olyuer coÌ„maunded that the kynges that had beÌ„