THE GALLANT HISTORY OF THE Life and Death Of that most Noble Knight SIR BEVIS OF Southampton Wherein is contained much Variety of pleasant and delightful Reading Printed by A. M. for J. Deacon at the Angel in Guilt-spur-street without Newgate The Gallant HISTORY OF Bevis of Southampton CHAP. I. Of the Birth of Bevis and of the Death of his Father IN the Reign of Edgar King of England there was a most Renowned Knight whose Name was Sir Guy the Earl of Southampton whose Deeds did exeed all the Valiant Knights in this Kingdom who thirsting after Fame betook himself to Travel And first he sailed into France Flanders Almain Brabant Sicily Denmark Calice Gascoine Hungaria Spain Estland Norway Picardy Scotland Lumbardy Wales All these Parts he travelled in his Youth and Conquered all his Opposers with his unmaster'd strength and Victorious hand fighting under the Banner of Christ agaist all Withstanders whatsoever they were Thus spending the best part of his strength for the Glory of Christ and the honour of his Country he then returned into England again King Edgar hearing that Sir Guy was returned sent a Messeger for him presently to do him honour for the valiant Deeds that he had done Sir Guy with all speed rode to the King by whom he was Royally entertained and all his Nobles and after great Feasting the King according to Sir Guy's desert made him High Steward of England then Sir Guy would betake him to a Wife and the King of Scotland having a fair Daughter Sir Guy made suit unto her but the Emperors brother of Almain was a Suitor unto her likewise and she loved Sir Murdure better then she loved Sir Guy but the King her Father knowing Sir Guy to be a most Noble Peer of England he gave his Daughter to him in Marriage yet still she affected Murdure best but Guy not knowing her hatred to him retured with great Pomp into England with his deceitful Lady Not long after this he had a Son by her and they name him Bevis At the Birth of his Child was exceeding Ioy and Triumph with many Sanquectings Then Sir Guy was confident his Ladies Heart was firmly link'd to his with the never-breaking Bands of Love but he good Knight was much deceived for she like Janus bore a double face one for Sir Guy which frowned but the other which was for Sir Murdure smiled for his Wife perceiving he was old betook her self to love Sir Murdure and called a Servant to her whom she might well trust and said Thou must sail into Almain with speed and keep my secrets and say unto Sir Murdure the Emperors Brother that I greet him kindly and that I do desire him to provide a great company of Knights and Gentlemen to come along with dim into England with all speed and meet my Husband which is hateful to me to look on and tell him that I will send Sir Guy into my Forrest purposely to be slain by Sir Murdure and then tell him I am his Bid him perform this and live with me the time he shall meet Sir Guy shall be on the first of May. The Message being delivered Sir Murdure was resolved to perform what she commanded so on the first of May she feigned her self very sick and weak and called for her Husband and said unto him That she would desire him to go into the Forrest and slay a wild Beast for her to eat This worthy Knight not thinking of her Treachery took a Steed girt a Sword about him and with a Spear in his hand rode to the Forrest with speed By this time Sir Murdure and his Company was entred the Forrest who meeting Sir Guy said Traytor for the love I bear to thy Lady thou shalt quickly lose thy life and after this I 'le slay thy Son for why thy Wife belongs to me With that Sir Guy set Spurs to his Horse and rode with such violence against this Murdure that he threw him out of his Saddle Then Sir Murdure thinking he should have been slain cryed out to his followers who came presently and set upon Sir Guy and swore he should lose his Life Then Sir Guy desired but to fight with Sir Murdure hand so hand and then if he lost his Life he would forgive them all but they would not grant his request but slew him presently and cut off his head and sent it to his Lady who received it joyfully and gave the Messenger a great Reward this Treachery being accomplished Sir Murdure made hast unto the Castle of Sir Guy and there was Royally received of Sir Guy's Wife where for a while I leave them to their pleasures and now come to speak of young Bevis CHAP. II. How Bevis kept Sheep and how he went to his Fathers house and slew the Porter of the Gate and many other things that happened BEvis hearing how basely his Father was killed ran to his Mother and vowed if ever he came to Age that he would be revenged on her and on that base Traytor Sir Murdure With that his Mother gave her Son a box on the ear which fell'd poor Bevis to the ground Sir Sabere being Brother to Sir Guy was very sorrowful for the death of his Brother and seeing his Nephew so misused catch'd him up in his Arms and carried him away his Mother sent presently after Sir Sabere privately to murder her Son Bevis Sir Sabere said he would drest Bevis in old Cloaths and sent to keep his Sheep so Bevis went to the top of a Hill near his Fathers Castle where his Vncles Sheep were In the mean time Sir Sabere killed a Pig and dipt the Garments of the Child in the blood thereof poor Bevis all this while sot weeping upon the Hill but hearing Trumpets sounding at his Fathers Castle and much Melody for joy that his Mother had obtained her desire Bevis cast off care of keeping Sheep ran with his Shepherds Crook on his Shoulder to the Castel and knocking at the Gate the Porter denied him entrance With that young Bevis with his Crook gave him such a bang on the Crown which fell'd the Porter to the earth then into the Hall he went where Sir Murdure sat at Table with his Mother and many Knights and Ladies though all in Rags he shewed them of what house he came on and with a violent blow struck Sir Murdure under the Table and swore if it had not been against Nature he would send his Mother after his own Father With that all the Knights in the Hall sought to lay hands on him but Bevis forc'd his way through the midst of them and got clear away Sir Sabere méeting Bevis running from the Castle said Where hast thou been Bevis anwered at my Fathers Castle where I slew the Porter of the Gate and Knockt my Father under the Table and was about to kill my mother but that Nature taught me the contrary Alas said his Vncle thou hast betrayed us both yet once more
quoth the Gyant by Apoline I swear thou shalt win it before thou hast it I I said Sir Bevis I le Dine at thy Castle and thou shalt sup with the Devil shall I so quoth he and up with a mighty Bar of Iron and struck at him which blow he wonderfully mist but it beat out Trunchifise's brains Bevis seeing that nimbly leapt out of Saddle and laid upon the Gyant most stoutly the Gyant finding that he was very strong with a violent force he struck a Dart into his shoulder then in the heat of blood he made a full blow at the Gyant which parted his Head from his Body then into the Castel went Bevis and forced the Gyants Wife to taste both meat and drink and he fed after her then into the Stable he went and took a goodly Horse and rode away from thence to find out fair Josian whom he dearly loved and it happened that he met with a poor Palmer to whom he said Who liveth in yonder Castle Marry quoth the Palmer there dwelleth King John that married the fair Lady Josian and is the Queen living said he Yes sir Knight said the poor Palmer I will give thee my Steed for thy Weed said he With all my heart replyed the Palmer and thank you too then he leaped off his back and gave his Steed to the Palmer and so put on the Palmers Weed then he took his way to the Castle where he found abundance of joys more than he lookt for but at the first Josian did not know him yet still he and she talked that he got so far into Josians favour that she gave him leave to see Arundel and then she knew Sir Bevis for his Steed Arundel hearing him speak broke seven Chains asunder and Neighed then Josian took Bevis uside into her Garden and there they both concluded to be gone Boniface her Chamberlain was a trusty friend unto her and vowed to further their Iourney he would do his best then said Josian to Bevis My Lord you shall stay about my Castle a while and you shall say to the King that you came from Jury and that King Bradwin is besieg'd by the King of Syrack and how he is like to lose his Kingdom In the mean time King Jour came home and Bevis told him all that Josian bid him Why sent he not to me said the King he did send replyed he but his Messengers were taken by Syrack then Jour swore by Mahound he would revenge his Brothers wrong so with all speed he raised an Army and went to help his Brother and left Sir Grassy to rule in his stead till his return King Jour being gone they gave Sir Grassy a sleepy drink which made him lye like one that was dead for four and forty hours in the mean time Bevis Josian and Boniface got great store of Moneys and costly Iewels and then away they came for England and as these three travelled they were so hard pursued by Sir Grassy that they were forced to take for their succour a Cave for shelter so there they stayed all one night Next morning Sir Bevis went out to kill some beast or other to dress for Josian for she was hungry The while Bevis was abroad there came into the Cave two dreadful Lions which slew poor Boniface and eat him whilst Josian trembling with fear the Lions went to her and laid their heads in her Lap By this time Bevis returned to the Cave seeing the blood and bones of Boniface wondred at it and entring the Cave Josian said good Bevis be careful for here is two Lions in the Cave with me and they have slain Boniface and eaten him Bevis answered art thou alive by this I know thou art a pure Maid Josian replyed I will hold the one whilst thou kill the other Nay said he let them both come together then Josian set them at liberty and they came full drive at him but he with his good Morglay flew them both presently and so the quarrel was ended Then Bevis Josian refresht themselves and rode onward on their Iourney and as they went there met them Ascapart an ugly Gyant who was thirty foot in length and a foot between his Eye-brows he was bristled like a Swine and his blobber lips hung a one side and meeting Ascapart said stand thee and thy Lady must along with me Not so said Bevis thou shalt have but one of us for I will try my Manhood with thee first and if you get the day take it and welcome Then Josian held Arundel whilst he fought with Ascapart the fight continued a long time yet Bevis avoiding his heavy blows gave Ascapart many a wound made him roar extreamly and being mad he laid at him with his cruel Bat thinking for to beat out his Brains but with that stroke his foot slipt and down he fell Bevis would have smote off his Head but Josian being pittiful said Do not so let him go with us Lady said Bevis he may betray us By all my Gods said Ascapart I swear if thou wilt save my life I will be true to thee and thy Lady and do you what service I can Then rise and live said Bevis So Bevis and Josian mounted Arundel and away they rode with Ascapart by their side till they came to the Sea where they found many Sarazens and a Ship bound for Christendom but the Sarazens would not ferry them to the Ship then Bevis and Ascapart made great slaughter among them and killed a bundance of them then said Ascapart let me alone I will carry you to the Ship Horse and all so he took the Horse under his Arm with Bevis and Josian and waded to the Ship where they had welcome and so sailed into the Land of Colen where dwelt a Bishop that was Bevis's Kinsman who bad them very Welcome and after much discourse the Bishop said What Country Lady is this Bevis answered the King of Almonies Daughter and she would become a Christian for my sake And what ill-favoured Lubber is this said the Bishop He is my Page said he and Josian and he would fain be christened this Lubber is too big to be carried by a Midwife to the Font said the Bishop that is true quoth Sir Bevis But in the end Josian was christened by the Bishop and Ascapart had a Font made on purpose to be christened in that was very large but when he came to be christened Out Devil quoth Ascapart thou wilt drench me I am too big to be christened by thee and leapt over the Font and away he went CHAP. VIII How Bevis slew a dreadful Dragon and what after chanced BEvis being in bed heard a Knight cry I Rot I Rot at which sad noise Bevis wondred and the next morning he asked what was the cause of that noise He was a Knight said they that coming through the street the Dragon met with and cast her Venome upon him whereof he rotted and dyed Where is that
Dragon said Bevis Not far from this place said they Then Bevis called Ascapart to go with him and Ascapart was very willing So together they went and when they came near the place where the Dragan was they heard the dreadfullest Yell that ever was What Devil is that quoth Ascapart It is the Dragon said Bevis we shall see him anon I 'le go no further said Ascapart if she roars so loud before we come to her what will she do when we fight with her Fear not said Bevis we will teach her how to hold her Tongue Marry teach her thy self said Ascapart for I will go back again then farewel said Bevis I will go my self so forward went Bevis backward went Ascapart Bevis coming near her Den she made forth but never was such a Dragon seen in the world as this was from her Head to Tail was full forty foot her Scales glistered as bright as Silver and hard as Fliut have-at thy Devils face said Bevis and out he drew his good Morglay on the Dragon laid but her Scales was so hard his Sword cry'd twang never entred then the Dragon struck Bevis to the ground up he got again but she came on so fiercely that Bevis went back by chance fell into a Well else the Dragon dad destroy'd him it seems the Well was holy water no venome might come within seven foot of it there Bevis refreshed himself drank of the Water and recovering his strength to the Dragon he went again to have the other hour but the Dragon assailed him so sore that Bevis was afraid he should have lost his life yet with a valiant heart he stood to her stoutly the Dragon finding him so strong bulkt a Gallon of her Venome upon him which fell'd him dead to the ground his Armour burst all to pieces the Dragon seeing he lay so still she turned him with her tail that he tumbled into the Well and the water thereof expelled the Venome and made himself safe and sound again then he was a joyful man and set upon the Dragon again and when they had fought a long time the Dragon would have been gone and thinking to raise her self lifted up her wings Have-at thee now said Bevis and with one sound blow hitting her under the wing pierced her to the heart with that she gave such a cry which made the earth tremble she being dead Bevis be headed her and put it upon his spear and so rode home when the people saw him coming they gave a great shout as at a Kings Coronation all the bells in the Town did ring and all manner of Musick play'd before Bevis as he rode through the Town where with great Ioy his Vncle recieved him CHAP. IX How Bevis raised an Army against Sir Murdure NOw Bevis was willing to give over Travel and see to get his own Inheritance he therefore got an hundred Valiant Souldiers of his Vncle and sailed into England and landed near unto Southampton and sent a Knight unto Sir Murdure to tell him that a Knight of Almain hearing of his troubles was come to aid and assist him against Sir Sabere the Knight having told his Message Sir Murdure desired to see him Bevis knowing that went to the Castle Sir Murdure and his wife bid him very welcome and then desired to know his Name my Name is Gerrard said Bevis and I hearing of these Wars have brought over a hundred chosen men to help to maintain your right I give you thanks said Sir Murdure but you must furnish us with Horse and Arms quoth Bevis I and of the best I have too for every man shall chuse his own Steed and Arms said Sir Murdure Then have at Sir Sabere said Bevis so to Supper they went and after Supper Sir Murdure to make his matter good told Bevis that the Castle was once another Knights that was his Predecessor and said he by misfortune was slain Had he never a Child by his Lady Yes said Sir Murdure Is he dead or living said Bevis I know not quoth he when he was young he sold me his Castle and all his Inheritance and spent the Money and then went beyond Sea and what is become of him I cannot tell If he were such a one said Bevis it is no matter where he is So after many several Discourses of Foreign Countries to bed they went and then Bevis his men were furnished with all things fitting for service Ships being prepared for that purpose they took their leaves of Sir Murdure and his Lady for that time and sailed to the Isle of Wight where Sir Sabere dwelt CHAP. X. How a Knight Wedded fair Josian in Coler against her Will and what after befell Josian all this while was in Colen with Ascapart In that Country lived a Knight called the Earl of Milo who loved Josian but she would not yeild unto his will to take her by force he durst not for fear of Ascapart Therefore he wrote Letters in the Name of Sir Bevis that Ascapart should come to him when he had done he sent the Letters to Josian and she received them as from Sir Bevis and then reading them she was very glad to hear from her dearest Friend so she gave the Bearer a great reward sent Ascapart with him not thinking how she was betray'd when as they came to the Castle Ascapart was put in a Dungeon instead of seeing his Master then the lustful Earl went to Josian told her how he had served her Ascapart was fast in the Castle Hast thou served me so said she think not hereby ever to have thy will on me Then the villian would have ravished her but she rather than suffer Rape yielded to marry him Then he was very joyful sent for all the Kts. Gentlemen the next day was married to Josian after great feasting at night to bed she went all his valiant Kts. was in the Chamber with him then Josian to have opportunity pray'd him to send all the company away which was performed presently the Curtains being close about the Bed she made a Noose as he sat by the bed-side she slipping it over his head strangl'd him hung him over a beam In the morning his Friends came to give him joy Josian said look where he hangs then they were all amazed yet they took Josian carried her to the stake to be burned In the mean time Ascapart broke out of tha Castle got into a Fisher-boat then rowing himself to Land he met with Bevis told all that had happened so they both went found Josian at a stake to be burned there they fought couragiously released Josian then they went all three to Sir Sabere where they were Royally entertained CHAP. VI. How Bevis and Sir Sabere raised Arms against Murdure with other things that happen'd THen Bevis sent word to Sir Murdure That he thanked him for his Arms and bad him