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
for hym durynge his maladye wherof Olyuer had his heed dyuers tymes sore troubled ¶ It happened vpon a whytsontyde on the whiche daye he helde open courte And there was the moost parte of the lordes of Englande assembled euen so as he was at dyner and his doughter sette besyde hym came a messanger afore the table the whiche began for to saye That same god all puyssaunt that gouerneth all thynges gyue honoure and glorye good aduenture to the hyghe and puyssaunt prynces my souerayne lordes the seuen kynges of Irlande by whome I am sente hether and that he confounde the crowne of Englande the whiche is not worthy to be named Kynge Now herken tyraunt what I haue in charge for to saye to the by the kynges of Irlande They sende the worde by me and defyeth the of fyre and bloode and that they wyll depose the of thy realme as he that is not worthy for to holde it Some of them hathe ben comen to thy courte for to knowe more playnly thy gouernynge wheras they haue apperceyued thy grete crude lyte and tyrannye and howe that by thy synguler and dampnable wyll hathe accomplysshed thy tyrannye on colde bloode withouten ony cause reasonable wherfore thou arte cause of the effusyon of blode humayne and of the semblable crysten And therfore take heede to that whiche thou hast to do For I tell the that they ben alredy descended on thy grounde and shall do suche Iustyce on the as apperteyneth ¶ How Olyuer after that the messanger hadde fynysshed his wordes requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men of armes and that he wolde goo agaynst them the whiche was vttred vpoÌ„ hym with a good wyll Capitulo xl FYnysshed the wordes of the messanger the kynge enclyned his heed and sone after lyft it vp agayne and began to rolle his eyen to bende his browes in suche wyse that here sembled a man extracte oute of his mynde Whan the messenger sawe the kynge make suche chere he wolde with a good wyll haue ben in his moders bely There was none that answered for the courte at that tyme was to troubled that it was grete meruayll to beholde it for all they in the halle kepte scylence and sayd neuer a worde Whan the valyaunt Olyuer sawe all the companye so sore abasshed for so lytel a thynge as hym semed he sette hymselfe on his knees before the kynges persone and all ashamed beganne for to speke and sayd Ryght myghtye Emperour redouâ—ted syr I beseche you that your ryall mayeste be not dysmayed agaynste me yf that I auaunce me to speke soner than I oughte to do Syr ye haue herde the iniuryes that these caytyfs kynges of Irlande hathe unposed on you by the saynge of the herauldes And for bycause that I knowe you soo valyaunt and so puyssauÌ„t and with that that ye hadde leuer deye than it sholde abyde thus without vengynge you on your enemyes that alredy ben entred in to your realme wherfore I supplye me in all humylyte that vnto me yonge man notwithstandynge that I am not dygne and that I haue lytell sene vnto this present tyme that ye wyll do me that honoure for to gyue me a certayne nombre of men of armes suche as your good pleasure shal be and that ye shall fynde by the delyberacyon of your good counsayll for to go agaynste these vnhappy folke that withoute cause wyl vsurpe youe lordshyppe ¶ The kynge answered vnto Olyuer and sayd Olyuer I shall counsayll me on the request that ye make to me after dyner and after I shall make you to knowe my wyll And then he commaunded that the messaunger of the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette to dyner And soo it was done WhaÌ„ the kynge was rysen from the table he assembled his counsayll And then was gyuen an answere to the messanger that he sholde saye to his maysters that they myght be well sure that the Kynge doubted theym but lytell and that he hadde good wyll for to kepe his herytage that yf they myghte wynneâ—â— that it sholde be theyres but by the pleasure of god it sholde not happen so and then they gaue some gyfte vnto the messanger And then the sayd messanger departed and retorned towarde the kynges of IrlaÌ„de that alredy were entred into the realme of Englande to whome he tolde the answere that he had receyued And then yâ— kynge of Englande accorded to Olyuer his request for the grete valyauntnesse yâ— he had sene hym do afore tymes And gaue to hym .x. thousande men of armes the whiche comen he toke leue of the kynge and the kynge gaue hym foure thousande nobles at his departynge the whiche Olyuer toke in good thanke But afore that he departed from the cyte he dystrybued it vnto the poore men of armes that had nede therof and more to and he dyde soo moche that they spake of nothynge but of his grete largesse wherfore he gate the loue of euery body And in yâ— maner departed after that he had taken leue of his may stresse the whiche commaunded hym vnto god And he spedde hym so well on his Iourneye that he came with in thre myle of his enemyes And whan it came to theyr knowlege they reysed vp theyr syege that they had layde aboute a stronge place and putte theym all vpon a playne in fayre ordenaunce redy to abyde bataylle Olyuer in lyke wyse prayed and requyred all his men for to do well in shewynge theym that they sholde haue more honoure without comparyson yf ony good aduenture happened them than yf the kynge were there in his persone and eche of them promysed to do his deuoyre And in that good wyll they approched so nere theyr enemyes that they myght se them clerely the whiche were foure agaynst one man But they were not men of suche chap for the moost parte were comune men and euyll armed at all poyntes ¶ How Olyuer after that he was departed from London in armes came afore a towne that was besyeged of the IrysshemeÌ„ and how he fought with them and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xlj RYght so as these two hoostes approched to gyder ye myght haue herde suche a noyse that it was hydeous to here and whan it came to the strokes gyuynge ye sholde haue sene sheldes câ—ouen and helmes hauberkes brokeÌ„ stedes and knyghtes smyten downe hedes and armes cut of and many one pulled downe that neuer rose after Olyuer wente thrughe the batayll maulgre all his enemyes and dyde suche dedes of armes that he made hym to be knowen within a lytell stounde of euery body wherfore they fledde afore hym and made hym waye For all that he hytte he smote downe none can not reherse vnto you the meruaylous strokes that he gaue for bothe his frendes and his enemyes were all abasshed to beholde them He escryed as hye as he myght yf the kynges of Irlande be here I shall make them crownes One of the kynges of Irlande
prysoners of longe tyme the whiche were abyden in a stronge for tresse not ferre from theÌ„ sholde be brought to hym and made to saye to his cooke that he sholde make redy the souper in yâ— best maner that he coude for he wolde feest the seuen kynges in his pauylyon And whaÌ„ the houre of souper approched he made them to sytte downe at a table and souped rychely After souper Olyuer made auoydaunce and sayd vnto the seuen kynges howe that they were prysoners not to come of them but at the plesure and wyll of the kynge of EnglaÌ„de that they hadde so vylaynously offended and made grete doubte that he wolde punysshed them greuously as it apperteyned tolde them that they sholde be ledde to hym on the next morowe and that they sholde thynke on that that they wolde doo for to amende the offence that hadde ben done by them ¶ How Olyuer after dyuers thynges sente for to denounce his comyng to the kynge of Englande and of the honour that was done to hym Capitulo xlv SOne after dyuers wordes came the spyces the wyne after they wente vnto bedde vnto the morowe that euery body by the coÌ„mauÌ„dement of the capytayns made theÌ„ redy to departe and soo euery thynge packed trussed they retorned towarde London And than Olyuer called vnto hym a ryght valyaunt knyght and one of the capytaynes Englysshe to whome he prayed moche curtaysly that he wolde goo towarde the kynge denounce to hym theyr comynge and that he coude tell hym the thynges better than ony coude wryte theym The knyght in accomplysshynge the wyll of Olyuer put hyÌ„ selfe on the waye he dyde so moche that within a lytell space he arryued at London and salued the kynge and made the recoÌ„maundacyons ryght humbly frome Olyuer and all his felowes and than he began to tell hym how they were on the waye to retorne and that the seuen kyngedomes of Irlande were conquered and put in the obeyssaunce of his septre And that Olyuer brought hym the seuen kynges prysoners for to doo with them his good pleasure And began to deuyse hym of the valyaunce that he had sene Olyuer do and that with payne it was credyble that the whiche he hadde sene Olyuer accomplysshe And sayd syre after god and his holy moder gyue thankynges vnto the ryght valyaunt knyght Olyuer for by his ryght arme ye haue obtayned vyctory of all your enemyes And certaynly I thynke that neuer god gaue to no man so moche goodnesse as he hath gyueÌ„ to this same The kynge herynge those Ioyous tydynges was so replenysshed with Ioye that he was a longe space or that he myght speke Neuerthelesse sone after he enbraced the knyght and sayd My frende ye be ryght welcome I thanke god the armes and the swerde of the ryghte gentyll knyght of the Ioyous tydynges that ye brynge me And after commaunded hym for to tell it on hyghe So he began for to recounte it more lenger than he hadde done to the kynges persone And alwaye pray synge and louynge Olyuer saynge that it was a thynge of the other worlde and not for to byleue to theym that had not sene it These tydynges were sone spredde aboute in the ladyes chambres and came to the ceres of the fayre Helayne that was moche Ioyous of that whiche she herde and her thought that and he hadde ben kynge and she quene that all the worlde sholde haue beÌ„ the better Wherfore her courage blamed stroÌ„gly her fader bycause that he kepte from so gentyll a knyght that yâ— whiche was due to hym The kynge enquyred and demaunded the daye of his comynge and made to ordeyne a ryghte grete feest at theyr comynge He commaunded all the grete lordes and prynces of his realme for to be there And whan it came that Olyuer approched nere the Cyte all the prynces weÌ„te agaynst hym and there was none of them but that they dyde hym honoure and reuerence The kynge hadde ordeyned that he sholde be ledde in grete tryumphe thorughe the cyte And therfore the streteâ— were hanged and the fyres alyghted and the belles rougen on all sydes ¶ Also the processyons on all sydes wente agaynste hym to the gate of the cyte And whan 〈◊〉 apperceyued the processyons he alyghted of his 〈◊〉 and consequently all the grete lordes that dydde hym that honoure And in that estate they came vnto the cathedrall chyrche of Poules where as they gaue thanâ— kynges and louynges to almyghty god and to our lady And then they mounted on horsbacke and then Olyuer sente the seuen kynges prysoners in to the places that we reordeyned for them And he all armed wènte towarde the kynge the whiche he salued ryght humbly WhaÌ„ the kynge apperceyued hym he wente agaynst hym and began for to kysse hym colle hym saynge my ryght swete frende blessyd be the fader that engendred the and the moder that bare the. And thanked be my blessyd lorde that euer gaue the wyll for to come in to this countre the whiche at this presente tyme is so gretely honoured and redoubted by thy swerde I praye to god that he gyue me space for to deserue it to you warde Olyuer answered to hym Syr thanke our lorde and after the valyaunt men that ye gaue to me and not me for take that I haue done the best that I can yet I haue not deserued the honoure that ye do to me The kynge answered that he was aduertysed of euery thynge and commaunded hym to go and dysarme hym And whan the houre of souper sholde approche that he sholde retorne that he sholde brynge with hym the seuen kynges for he wolde soupe with them in his palays Olyuer wente towarde his maystres to whome the kynge hadde commaunded that all the honoure that she coude make hym that she sholde do it And therfore whan she sawe Olyuer come to warde her she wente agaynste hym and toke hym by the hande and kyssed hym in saynge that he was ryght welcome and that she was glad of his welfare but bycause that the souper tyme approched that he sholde â—etche the kynges prysoners he abode not longe there but toke leue and wente in to his lodgynge ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte accompanyed of the seuen kynges prysonets of whiche he made a present to the kynge of Englande Capitulo xlvj WHan yâ— Olyuer was dysarmed and habylled of newe clothes he came ryght well accoÌ„panyed of noble meÌ„ oâ— the kynges courte that had grete desyre for to please hym in to the lodgys of the seueÌ„ kynges the whiche he salued and sayd to them that the Kynge his lorde wolde speke with them and soupe with them they sayd that they wolde go gladlye and mounted on horsbacke and Olyuer also with them that conduyted them And whaÌ„ they entred in to the courte dyuers lordes and prynces of Englande came agaynst them that dyde lede them to warde the kynge the whiche whan he lawe them in
his chambre he remeuyd not from his place yâ— other bowyÌ„ge theyr knees lowe ynoughe And whan they approched nere the kynge the kynge toke of his hatte and in marchynge thre or foure paas agaynst them sayd that they were ryght welcome And whan he had salued theÌ„ all he began for to deuyse with them of dyuers thyngâ—s pleasaunt withoute makynge ony mencyon of warre And so longe they were in these deuyses that the houre of souper was comen and the water blowen The Kynge of Englande had ordeyned that thre tables sholde be sette in the halle One more eleuate and hygher thaÌ„ the other And at that table the kynge satte hym downe and commaunded Olyuer for to sytte with hym the whiche durst not dysobeye the kynges commaundement And therfore all ashamed he satte hyÌ„ downe and there was no moo After he commaunded that the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette The mayster coÌ„troller that knewe well ynoughe what he sholde do made them for to sytte at the seconde table and all the other prynces the which were without nombre satte at the thyrde table and were ryght sumptuously seruyd ¶ How the kynge of Englande gaue his fayre doughter vnto Olyuer in guerdon and rewarde of the hye seruyces that he had done to hym Capitulo xlvij RYght as they hadde souped and that the tables were taken vp graces rendred vnto god the kynge coÌ„maunded for to go fetche his fayre dougter Helayne to the ende that the dauÌ„ces were begonneÌ„ And the noble valyaunt knyght Olyuer wente for to fetche his goodly and excelleut maystres And whan that she was comen and that she had salued her fader she salued after the seuen kynges euen so as she coude full well do it and the other lordes ensewynge Then were the daunces begon the whiche the kynge behelde gladly And in beholdyÌ„ge Olyuer dauÌ„ce he thought in hym selfe how it sholde be possyble for to rendre to hym the guerdon of his seruyce And thoughte soo moche that a more gretter thynge he myghte not gyue hym than his doughter that afore he had woÌ„ne by force of armes but bycause that he hadde taken her from hym paraueÌ„ture he wolde haue dysdayne for to take her agayne wherfore he concluded for to speke to hym after the dauÌ„ces in the presence of all them that were there or that wolde be there And euen soo as he had thought it he dyde it And whan all was faylled and that his doughter was comen for to gyue hym good nyghte He made to be sayd to her that whan she sholde be in her chaÌ„bre that she sholde not hye her vnto bedde The whiche dyde euen so After he called Olyuer in the presence of the kynges of Irlande and of the other prynces and lordes that were there Olyuer my frende I begyn for to haue knowlege of my caas and how that of longe tyme I haue with holdeÌ„ that whiche ought to be yours that is my doughter That the whiche dyde moue me therto was bycause that I knewe not so playnly your estate as I do nowe But truely and Helayne were quene of all the worlde I wolde thynke her wel bestowed onyou as to the moost valyauntest knyght of the worlde Thus I then knowynge all these thynges shall gyue to you the moost derest thynge that I haue yâ— is my doughter yf it please you for to take her to your wyfe Wherby after my deth ye may be kynge of Englande the whiche wolde be ryght happy to haue suche a lorde TheÌ„ fynysshed the kyng his wordes Whan Olyuer sawe that the kynge had fynysshed his wordes he sette hym on bothe his knees and began to saye these wordes Ryght honourable lorde truely there is no seruyce but of a kynge for I may wel auaunte me that with lytell deseruynge I haue the gretest guerdon that euer hadde man wherof I gyue louynges to god and to you graces and thankes nor neuer poore man as I am hadde the hondrethe parte of the honour that ye do to me I praye to god that he gyue me grace to deserue it vnto your hyghnesse For by you my name shall be chaunged and they that shall here speke of this mater shall name me the seruaunte hyghly guerdonned ¶ How the kynge made Olyuer for to aryse that was on his knees and of the gracyous wordes that he sayd to his daughter and how Olyuer handfest her Capitulo xlviij THen the kynge commaunded Olyuer for to aryse and sente for his doughter And whan she was comen he toke her by the hande and leddeher to hym and sayd My frende se here my doughter that I gyue you to your wyfe in acquytynge my promesse Olyuer thanked hym ryghte humblye The poore Helayne that of al this knewe nothynge was more abasshed than euer she had ben afore and began for to chaunge coloure wherby her beaute was nor mynysshed Whan the kyng sawe her in that estate he sayd to her My ryght dere doughter I haue all troubled you as semeth me whaÌ„ I haue gyueÌ„ you to a man without knowynge your wyll But by the helpe of god he shall do nothynge to you but that ye may well suffre and endure as I deme Then Olyuer began for to laughe at the wordes that the kynge had sayd Wherfore Helayne was more ashamed than she had ben afore The archebysshop that was in the halle dyde handfeste them Then began for to speke by the kynges commaundement an auâ—cyent knyght the whiche adressyd his wordes vnto the kynges of Irlande and sayd to them that the kynge his souerayne lorde for the loue of the solemp nyte that sholde be on the morowe and also for the loue of Olyuer he was contente to rendre to them theyr realmes quyte theyr raunsons and sende them agayne in to theyr countrees without ony dommage by suche moyen that eche of them sholde do hym homage and holde of hym theyr landes With this that as often as yâ— kynges good pleasure sholde be for to sende for theÌ„ in warre or in peas that they sholde come and serue hyÌ„ And fro thens forth to holde hym for theyr souerayne lorde They knowynge that of two euylles it is the beste to eschewe the worste accorded to the kynges request dyd homage vnto the kynge of Englande ¶ And after these thynges and that they had daunced ones aboute for the espousayles euery body wente to bedde but Olyuer slepte not that nyght but watched al that nyght as he yâ— wolde with a good wyll haue ben a daye elder thanked god of his goodnes For hym semyd that he was lyfte out of his euyll adueÌ„ture and so passed the nyght And whan the daye was comen and that it was tyme for hym to aryse the kynge that knewe well ynoughe that Olyuer coude not haue his gownes made so soone sente hym thre or foure gownes of clothe of golde beten And whaÌ„ Olyuer was apparaylled all the prynces and lordes came and fetched hym and fyue kynges of
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
many folke yâ— paraueÌ„ture wolde sooner haue thoughte euyll than good wherfore he deported hym ¶ After the kynges commauÌ„dement all thynges were ordeyned as he had deuysed And dyuers knyghtes and squyres were reteyneÌ„d of Arthurs housholde the whiche began for to gete vp and the kynge vysyted hym ryght often Also dyde the fayre Helayne that made no semblaunte of nothynge And soo moche passed on these thynges that Arthur was heled And whan it came yâ— he myghte walke aboute in the courte and haue acquayntaunce with the noble men that remayned therin euery body began for to loue hym bycause of the humblenes that he was replete with And the kynge hymself loued hym almoost as mochâ— as Olyuer his sone in lawe And whaÌ„ he sawe that he was in the grace of euery body he forgate not yâ— wronge that the kynge of Irlande hadde done to his felowe wherfore he demaunded hym on a daye yf that he hadde ony wyll for to auenge hym And Olyuer sayd naye and sayd that he had perdoÌ„ned hym And how quod Arthur haue ye so feble a courage that ye dare not auenge you on your enemye by the fayth that I owe to god it shall not abyde soo And then all euyll contente he came towarde the kynge tolde hym all alonge in what pryson Olyuer hadde ben in and prayed hym yâ— he wolde gyue hym men for to auenge Olyuer for he knewe well that Olyuer hadde no talente for to doo it Whan yâ— the kyng herde Arthur speke so he toke it more greuously at his herte than Arthur dydde wherfore he sayd to hym My fayre frende lette my sone haue his wyll for it may be that he hathe made some promesses afore that he yssued oute of pryson Ye be well the man for to auenge hym without ony more that he medle hym therof And then the kynge reysed vp a grete armye of yâ— whiche Arthur was the chyef Capytayne the whiche were not soo sone arryued in Irlande but that the Kynge theyr enemye the whiche had knowlege of theyr comynge gaue them batayll where as was slayne dyuers men vpon bothe sydes but fynally the Irysshmen were dyscomfyted and the kynge fledde was assyeged in one of his places that was not well garnysshed with vytaylles wherfore it myght not holde longe So whan he sawe yâ— he had noo more mete and that it was force for to yelde hym as a valyaunt man he sayd that he had leuer deye in the felde in auengynge his dethe with the cuttynge of his swerde on his enemyes than for to yelde 〈◊〉 theyr volente and prayed the lytell folke that he had for to do well and then armed them and made to open the gates of th fortresse in smytynge on theyr enemyes and slew many at the fyrste bronte but there was soo many men agaynst them that they coude not escape And fynably the kynge and all his men were slayne After his dethe all his realme yelded them and were contente for to haue suche a lorde as the kyng of Englande wolde assygne them ¶ How Arthur fell in a grete maladye and of the dyspleasure that Olyuer had Capitulo lxv THese thyÌ„ges done Arthur and his company retorned in to Englande where as they were fested of the kynge of Olyuer and of all yâ— other lordes And the kynge gaue Arthur the realme of Irlande that he had â—onquered of newe And the Irysshemen were sent for the whiche came and dyde hym homage feate wherby Arthur was more puyssaunt thaÌ„ afore but this was not but that he demaunded often of Olyuer what thynge dydde meue hym yâ— he made hyÌ„ not to be knowen for then euery maÌ„ wolde haue made hym better chere and the kynge wolde haue ben ryght Ioyous for to haue maryed his doughter so hyghlye Notwithstandynge that it suffysed hyÌ„ Also he tolde hym how that after his departynge his fader had neuer Ioye and thought that angre hadde put hym to dethe wherfore Olyuer wepte ryght strongely for the dethe of his fader for hym semed yf that he were deed that it was for his sake prayed hym that he wolde not as ye tell what he was for it was yet tyme ynougâ—â— for to make them to be knowen and that whan that it sholde please them they myght do it Arthur that wolde all that his felowe wolde dydde not dysobeye hym in nothynge Also Olyuer made to bere more honour vnto hym than to hymselfe and pleased hym the moost that he myght Truely the two loyall felowes made so many nowe thynges that all they of the realme reioysed them Al theyr thoughtes was but for to make good chere and Ioyous that the whiche the one wolde the other wolde also and theyr two hertes were more agreynge thaÌ„ theyr semblaunce that was all one thynge Thus as ye here they passed the tyme in Ioy but forture that is moder of all â—rybnlacyon had enuye of the goodnes of these two loyall brederen and perfyte felowes for in a shorte tyme all theyr laughynges and Ioyes were chauÌ„ged in to wepynges and lamentacyons for Arthur was soo greuously syke that the physycyens iuged hym but deed but he was not so happy for to deye at euery tyme that he wysshed it His sekenes was without comparyson of all them that euer hadde ben sene for in a maner of wormes descended from his braynes the whiche ete all his face wherby he was so strongely dysfygured that there was neuer man more Out of his body yssued so grete a stynke that none myght approche hym saue Olyuer yâ— at euery thynge was aboute hym and wolde not departe fro hym He sente for all yâ— maystres surgyens on euery syde and prayed theym yf that they coude fynde ony remedy for his fayre broder that they sholde spare for nothynge And fynably none coude put no remedye to it And this sykenes heâ—de Arthur so longe that he was blyÌ„de Whan Olyuer sawe hym so blynde that he semed better deed than alyue he mayde ryght grete sorowe so moche that euery body hadde pyte on hym Often Olyuer sayd vnto Arthur my broder yf there be ony thyng that ye knowe that I may do for to helpe you spare it not for vpon my fayth I wolde be the poorest man in the worlde so that ye had your helthe ¶ Of the dreme and vysyon that Olyuer had by four 〈◊〉 in lykewyse it semed to Arthur that his helthe was in the power of Olyuer his felowe and yâ— he must do it for to hele hym Capitulo lxvj MY broder and faythfull felowe sayd Arthur ye doo me more good than I haue deserued wherfore I thanke you and pray you that ye wyll pray to god for to sende dethe to me for and it were his wyll I wolde fayne be out of this myserye ¶ It happened that Olyuer slepte vpon a nyghte and dremed that it was well possyble to fynde helthe for his felowe And Arthur dremed in lyke wyse that it was in Olyuers power
guerdon of all these thynges I broke one of his legges Now it is happened after all these thynges that he hath had a meruaylous sykenes not foure houres ago And so as I desyred some thynge yâ— myght hele hym It happened me to haue a vysyon and was tolde to me that who that wolde gyue hym a drynke of the blode of two Innocentes sone and doughter medled togyder that he sholde haue helthe So it is happened for to gete hyÌ„ helth that with this swerde I haue slayne my propre chyldreÌ„ and byheded them for to rendre to hym his helthe the whiche he hathe wherfore I gyue thankynges vnto our sauyour And after that I sawe hym heled I thought for to haue departed from this realme But yet I came in to her chambre for to se my chyldren that I had slayne the whiche by the wyll of our lorde that hathe extended his grace and pyteous mercy on me poore synner hath founde them alyue and playnge the one with the other Wherfore faders and moders that hathe chyldren thynke in what doloure I was in whaÌ„ I put them to dethe And what Ioye that I haue herde whan I se theÌ„ reuyued Then he toke his two chyldreÌ„ and afore all the people shewed them alyue lapped in the clothe that was all bebledde of theyr blode Wherfore all they that were the represent were mouyd with inwardly pyte that with wepynges and lameÌ„tacyons they made a grete bruyte The kynge wepte for grete Ioye and pyte The poore Helayne that sawe her chyldreÌ„ so myghte not supporte herselfe but fell in a swowne And whan she was comente herselfe she came to her chyldren in shewynge to theÌ„ moderly loue she coude not be fulfylled with kyssynge and pyteous remuneracyon Bryefely it was a pyteous thynge for to be in that chyrche for some wepte for Ioye and the other for pyte And whan the sorowe was a lytell aswaged the kynge al wepynge came and enbraced Olyuer saynge ¶ Noble kynge blessyd be our lorde whan he hathe gyuen me the puyssauÌ„ce for to mary my doughter so nobly as to a kynge that is extracte of so noble a lygnage Ye recouÌ„te vnto vs yâ— moost meruaylous tale that euer was herde in ony countree And ye maye well ymagyne that they that shall here it after vs shall saye thus for for euermore the compaynye of you and of your broder as loÌ„ge as the worlde shall endure ought to be recounted for the not semblable that euer was herde or that shall be ¶ How Olyuer sente Arthur in to Castyll for to notyfye his comynge And how the kynge of Englande accompanyed Olyuer in to Castylle Capitulo lxxi THe myracle was publysshed thrughe the real me of Englande And after all these thynges they beganne for to make Ioyous feestes in welcomynge the kyÌ„ge of Castylle that was than knowen And euery body sayd that the kynge was happy for to haue maryed his doughter soo And sayd that it was meruayll that he had kepte hym 〈◊〉 longe close The kynge of Englande sente for the lordes and ladyes of his countree And helde one of the gretest feestes that euer he had made Olyuer prayed theym all that they wolde accompanye hym in to Castylle to be at his coronacyon And they accorded hym all and the kynge hymselfe sayd that he wolde go with hym and Olyuer thanked hym And after prayed the kynge of Algarbe his felowe that he wolde do soo moche as to goo in to Castylle for to denounce his comynge Arthur sayd that he wolde do it gladly He departed from Englande well accompanyed and dyde soo moche that they arryued in Castylle where as he tolde the comynge of the kynge of his wyfe the kynge of Englandes doughter Whan yâ— tydynges were denounced that he was comeÌ„ and that Olyuer came after euery body thanked god and apparaylled them for to receyue hym in the moost honourablest wyse that they myghte They of the realme assembled them and by counsayll ordeyned for to make feest â–ª from the fyrste towne of the realme where as he sholde entre vnto the laste that he sholde passe by And all at yâ— expence of the realme Whan Olyuer thought that his felowe myght be well in Castyll he made that the kyÌ„ge was contente to departe And departed from London the fayrest and the moost noble companye and the best in poynt that euer was sene vpon a daye Helayne was accompanyed of ladyes and damoyselles in suche wyse that it was grete pleasure for to beholde theym of theyr Iourneys I can not deuyse to you but they dydde soo moche that they arryued in Spayne where as they were feested of all the grete lordes that they passed by And whan they approched nere Castylle Arthur and all the grete lordes came agaynst them And welcomed theym ryght gracyouslye and Ioyously in thankynge god of theyr comynge Then they made reuerence to theyr lorde to theyr newe quene also The whiche semed them the fayrest lady that euer they had sene Also they salued the kynge of Englande in offrynge them to his seruyce And whan they were entred in to the fyrst towne of the realme the stretes were hanged pagentes vpon scaffoldes and there was soo many other playes that they wyst not yâ— whiche they myght beholde The ladyes were in the wyndowes soo rychely clothed that it was meruayll And whan it came that they entred in to the prynces place all that they had sene afore was nothynge to that yâ— whiche they sawe there They were so wel seruyd at souper that it was mâ—ruayle And fynablye in all the townes that they passed by they founde newe thynges and alwaye better and better From the begynnynge of the realme all the companye were at the good Olyuers expences In that estate they came vnto the cyte of Vaudolytys where as they founde the olde quene of Castyll Olyuers stepmoder Arthurs owne moder the whiche at the request of her sone Arthur was comeÌ„ oute of the realme and countree of Algarbe for to saye vnto the fayre Helayne that was newe quene that she was welcome and to Olyuer semblably Also in that same Cyte was the moost ryalte as in the pryncypall cyte ¶ And whan it came that they were descended at the palays yâ— quene Arthurs moder came agaynst them strongely accompanyed with â—adyes and damoyselles welcomed the newe quene also yâ— kynge of Englande her fader And on yâ— morowe Olyuer was crowned he layne also And at the dyner the kynge of Englande the kynge of Castyâ—â—â— the kynge of Algarbe the two other quenes were set at one table all .v. were crowned ¶ Here it deuyseth how the kynge and yâ— other lordes and ladyes dyde departe And how yâ— whyte knyght appered to Olyuer and oppressed hyÌ„ for to holde his promesse whiche was for to gyue hym yâ— halfe of his wynnynge bycause of the torneyment Ca. lxxij AFter these thynges and that the kynge of Englande hadde ben there by the space of two
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
Capitulo xxxvij ¶ How Olyuer layde hym downe syke and how Helayne was syke for hym also and how by her faders leue she wente and vysyted hym Capitulo xxxviij ¶ How Olyuer after yâ— the fayre Helayne had vysyted hym came in to the courte and of the messenger of the kynge of Irlonde that came and desyed the kynge of fyre and blode Capitulo xxxix ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men to go agaynst them so he had Ca. xl ¶ How Olyuer after yâ— he was departed in armes from London came afore a towne that the Irysshmem had â—esyeged and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xli ¶ How Olyuer sente the kynge of Englande lettres yâ— his enemyes were dyscomfyted and torned in to flyghte and of his enterpryse â—aken Capitulo xlij ¶ How Olyuer entred into Irlonde and assyeged a kyÌ„ge the whiche was socoured of foure kyÌ„ges the whiche he dyscomfyted Capitulo xliij ¶ How the castell and towne where as was assyeged a kynge of Irlonde dyde yelde them Capitulo xliiij ¶ How Olyuer after dyders thynges sente to denounce his comynge to the kynge of Englande and of the honoure that was done to hym Capitulo xlv ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte accompanyed of seuen kyÌ„ges prysoners of the whiche he made a present to the kynge of Englande Capitulo xlvi ¶ How the kynge of Englande gaue his doughter Helayne to Olyuer in gueâ—don of the seruyces that he had done to hym Capitulo xlvij ¶ How the Kynge made Olyuer for to aryse that was on his knees and of theyr gracyous wordes and how Olyuer handfest the fayre Helayne Capitulo xlviij ¶ How Olyuer wedded the fayre Helayne and of the solempâ—yte that was made Capitulo xlix ¶ How Olyuer was vertuous in appesynge noyses debates and how his wyfe was with chylde of a sayre sone Capitulo L. ¶ How Olyuer wente on huntynge and of the vysyon of his wyfe yâ— whiche she tolde vnto her husbaÌ„de Ca. li. ¶ How the sone of the kynge of Irlonde of whome Olyuer had slayne his fader at the torneyment founde Olyuer all alone from his men and toke hym prysoner and of the grete dole that was made for hym Capitulo li◠¶ How Arthur of Algarbe was regent of Castylle and of the enterpryse that he made for to fynde his felowe olyuer Capitulo liij ¶ How Arthur departed and put hym on the waye for to fynde his felowe Olyuer of his aduentures liiij ¶ How Arthur slewe a meruaylous beest in the forest lv ¶ How Arthur beynge sore hurte lyenge in the wood â—ppered to hym an auncyent knyghte that heled hym tolde vnto hym the place where as his felowe was prysoner Capitulo lvi ¶ How Arthur by the coÌ„maundement of the knyghte wente to London to the kynge of Englande and of the Ioye that they made to hym thynkynge that it had ben Olyuer Capitulo lvij ¶ How Arthur came and vysyted Helayne that wende that he had ben Olyuer her husbande and of the solempnyte that was made Capitulo lviij ¶ How Arthur laye with Olyuers wyfe without vylaynous touchynge and how he departed for to fynde his felowe Olyuer Capitulo lix ¶ How Arthur toke the kynge that helde Olyuer in pryson and made hym delyuer hym clene Capitulo lx ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur departed from Irlonde how Olyuer by Ire kest hym of his hors by cause that he had layne with his wyfe Capitulo lxi ¶ How Olyuer demeaned grete dole for the dyspleasure that he had done to his felowe Arthur Capitulo lxij ¶ How Olyuer departed from London and came to the place where as he hadde lefte his felowe and how he cryed hym mercye Capitulo lxiij ¶ How Arthur after that he was heled by the lycence of the kynge of Englande passed in to Irlonde and had vengeaunce of the kynge that helde Olyuer his felowe in pryson Capitulo lxiiij ¶ How Arthur layde hym downe of a grete sykenesse of the grete dyspleasure that Olyuer hadde Ca. lxv ¶ Of the dreme vysyon that Olyuer had foure nyghtes togyder in lykewyse it semed to Arthur that his helthe was in the power of his felowe Olyuer and that whiche ought to be done for to he le hyÌ„ Capitulo lxvi ¶ How Olyuer for to reÌ„dre helthe to his felowe Arthur slewe his two chyldren for to haue theyr blode and gyue it hym to drynke Capitulo lxvij ¶ How Olyuer in a basyn of syluer brought the blode of his two chyldren to his felowe Arthur and made hym for to drynke it wherfore he was all heled Ca. lxviij ¶ Of the grete myracle the god shewed to Olyuer of Castyll for his loyalte in reuyuynge his two chyldren that he had slayne Capitulo lxix ¶ How Olyuer afore the kynge of Englande and the other barons of the realme and euen afore his wyfe tolde his aduentures and meruaylous fortunes Ca. lxx ¶ How Olyuer sente his felowe Arthur in to Castyl for to denounce his comynge and how the kynge of EnglaÌ„de accompanyed Olyuer and his fayre doughter Helayne in to Castylle Capitulo lxxi ¶ How the whyte knyght appered to Olyuer oppressed hym for to kepe his promesse that was to gyue hym the halfe of that the whiche he had wonne at the torneymente Capitulo lxxij ¶ How Olyuer and his wyfe demeaned grete dole bycause that the whyte knyght toke one of theyr chyldren for his halfe and the whiche it was and of other mysteryes Capitulo lxxiij ¶ How the knyght had pyte of Olyuer hauyÌ„ge knowlege of his loyalte and quyted hym all And how he made hym knowen to hym Capitulo lxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer gaue his doughter in maryage to Arthur kynge of Algarbe and of the dethe of Olyuer and Helayne his wyfe Capitulo ixxv. ¶ How Henry of Castylle Olyuers sone was prysoner and deyed in turkye The last chapytre And after is the epylogacyon of all the boke ¶ Finis tabule ¶ The presentacyon and introyte of this present booke TO the ryght holy and ryght well eâ—rous louynge and magnyfycence of oure saueoure Ihesu cryst and of his ryght doulce and gloryous modâ—r saynt Marye the whiche ben the mocyons of all good operacyons with out the whiche none can be begonne nor ended I Henry Watson apprentyse of London trustynge in the grace of god hathe enterprysed for to translate this present hystorye out of Frensshe in to Englysshe oure moders tonge at the coÌ„maundement of my worshypfull mayster Wynkyn de worde not hauynge regarde for to laye it in another or in more dyffused termes thaÌ„ the frensshe doth specyfye for in doynge so I myght lyghtly haue fayled Wherfore I requyre all them that shall rede it or that hereth it redde for to holde for excused my lytell and obscure vnderstandynge In praynge our lorde that he gyue me grace for to fynysshe it by suche maner that it may be pleasaunt and agreable and profytable vnto the reders and vnto the herers of
alonge that whiche was his duete Olyuer seyng that there wolde be none other thynge enquyred what the some of the deth dyd drawe to And founde that it drewe to a .lx. pounde not withstandynge that durynge his vyage he had spente a good parte of his M. nobles that he had but lefte alytell more than halfe yet he was delybered for to content the burgeysland payed hym And also he made the seruyce of the knyght ryght honourably for whiche cause he was moche praysed of euery body and to the contrary the frendes of the deed bodye was moche blamed as it was ryght Olyuer the whiche had but a lytell money lefte soiourned a lytell space of tyme in Caunterburye where as he herde tytynges that the kynge of Englande at the instaunce of his subgectes had made a crye of a torneyment that sholde laste thre dayes And theder myght come all noble men And he that sholde doo best by the saynge of the prynces and pryncesses the whiche was commysed therto sholde haue his onely doughter in maryage yf that she had wyll vnto hym The whiche doughter at that present tyme was holden for the moost fayrest lady that was in all the monarchye of the worlde And the Kynge her fader wolde not mary her to noo grete prynce bycause he wolde not haue her lenthed fro hym For he loued her so feruently that he coude make no good chere yâ— daye that he sawe her not Also he dyd thynke that for the welfare of the countree it was more necessarye for to gyue her to a hardy and a valyaunt man thought that he were poore than to a grete lorde that had not those vertues And also as touchynge noblesse and râ—â—chesse she had ynoughe for theÌ„ bothe and for that cause he had made crye the torâ—eymeÌ„t that the moost valyauntest of the feest sholde haue his ryght beauteuous and fayre doughter in maryage And that after his decesse his kyngdome myght falle in to the handes of the valyaunt knyght and lorde for to kepe and defende it from all them that wolde greue it There were foure hoÌ„dred knyghtes commysed of within for to resyste agaynst all comers And it was .xi. monethes syth that the feest had beÌ„ publysshed thrughe all the realmes crysten This not withstandynge vntyll that tyme Olyuer had herde no tydynges therof and there was no more but .xv. dayes to the corneyment wherfore Olyuer had grete dyspleasure bycause that hym thoughte that he myght not come theder sone ynoughe also bycause that he had but lytell moneye for to go theder withall Neuerthelesse he made hymredy for to be there in the best wyse that he myght yf that our lorde sente hym not some empesshement that he coude not go And fro that houre he beganne for to fele the sparcles of loue sayd to hymselfe that he sholde be well eurous yf that after his grete aduersyte and euylles he myght attayne vnto so hye a thyÌ„ge as for to haue her in maryage of whome he herde speke soo moche good thrughe the vnyuersall worlde ¶ How Olyuer was assaylled by theues and slewe theym and of that whiche happened hym vpon his waye towarde London Capitulo xix OLyuer hauynge ryght grete desyre wyll for to be with the other at the tornaymente aforesayd consyderynge that the terme was shorte payed and contended his hoost and after departed frome the cyte of Caunterbury all alone withouten ony company towarde the cyte of London Where as the grete and solempne feest sholde be holden And therfore dyuers grete lordes were comen theder all redy And there came so many that all the lodgynges and ynnes were full Soo as Olyuer exployted hym so on his Iourneye that he was a good dele auaunged as he the whiche thought that he sholde neuer come theder tyme ynoughe for to se her for whose loue he toke that Iourneye and so he passed on his way in suche thoughtes and in those thoughtes he came into a lytell busshy wodde somwhat out of his hye waye he had not longe gone therin whan he mette .xv. theues the whiche were armed in complete harnays and cryed to hym saynge that he was but deed and he was enuyronned with them or euer he loked vp and lefte his pen sees of loue And whan he sawe that he coude not escape without medlynge he sette his hande to his swerde and smote one of them vpoÌ„ the heed so asprely that he claue hym to the tethe and soo fell downe deed And than he smote on the ryght hande and on the lefte hande so impyteously that he cutte armes and hedes in a suche wyse that the hardyest of them durst not abyde hym a buffet for he had sette his backe agaynst a thycke hedge so that his enemyes myght not endommage hym behynde And for to make it shorte he dyde so moche by the helpe of god that he slewe .xi. of them and the remenauÌ„t fledsoâ—e wounded Whan Olyuer sawe that he was delyuered of them he thanked god of that vyctorye and alyghted of his hors and tayde hym to a tree and then he began for to bynde some of his woundes in the beste wyse that he myght but they were not mortall wherof he gaue thankyÌ„ges to god And so as he toke kepe to his wouÌ„des his hors brake loose for he had not tayed hym fast And so wente awaye with his casket of moneye the whiche was at the arson of the sadell and was gone all redy a good waye or euer Olyuer apperceyued hym Neuerthelesse whan that the apperceyued hym he begaÌ„ne for to renne after hym as well as he myghte and Olyuer ranne so longe and so fast that he was alâ—moost bretheles And in that estate the hors came rennynge bofore the place where one of the theues was hydde that had escaped from Olyuer And whan the sayd thefe saw the horse he knewe hym well ynoughe and ranne after hym toke hym and incontynente mounted vpon his backe and rode his waye with casket and all Whan Olyuer apperceyued hym he knewe well ynoughe yâ— he had lost his horse and his casket with moneye wherfore ye may well thynke that he was ryght dysplesaunt for he founde hymselfe without moneye and also in a straunge couÌ„tree where as he hadde no knowledge and whan he saw that all was lost he sayd to hymselfe O good swete lorde Ihesu cryst I requyre yâ— comforte this poore vnhappy catyf for all myn esperaunce and hope is onely in the for I se well that fortune is contrary to me and that yf it procede not of thyn infynyte grace myne enterpryse can neuer be encheued wherfore good lorde I put me totally in to thy grace and mercy In praynge the good lorde Ihesu cryst that thou dystinge it after thyn owne wyll for lyghtly I can not haue worse than I haue had hetherto wherof I thanke the. ¶ How a knyght came for to comforte Olyuer and of yâ— promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx RYght
not fynde hym in defaute saynge that he was not there as he hadde appoynted hym to abyde And in that estate he passed the two dayes And whan it came vnto yâ— daye that euery gentylman and lorde oughte for to be fynde hymself vpon the lystes and ye may ymagyne in what dolour was the poore Olyuer And yf that his herte was sory and dyspleasaunte no body ought to meruayll them for he stode afore the dore of the hermytage alwaye herkeâ—â—nge yf that his knyght came for there fell not a lefe but that he wende that he had comen he abode so longe that he was out of all esperaunce and hope And he stode in that estate sore musynge he herde grete noyse of ryders amonge the leues And then Olyuer thought that it was some grete gentylman that rode to the torneyment as the other lordes dyde And theÌ„ he kest his regarde that waye where he herde the noyse And aspyed to the nombre of fyftene gentylmen clothed in blacke saâ—seneâ— And the surplus of theyr habyllementes was of the same colour and they were mounted on blacke coursers and theyr coursers were trapped all in blacke veluet and eche of them hadde a spere in his hande that was couered with blacke veluet And then he sawe come after therin ten knyghtes â—abylyed in longe gownes of blacke veluet and furred with martres and â—edde after them a courser morell the whiche hadde â—uskynges of clothe of golde vp to the bely and he was enâ—yronneâ— with xv pages mounted vpon coursers of yâ— same colour and buskynges of the same colour And after them was 〈◊〉 score pages of the same lyueâ—ay reserued that it was clothe ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche parementes that his knyght had brought to hym and how he armed hyÌ„ of the ryche paâ—ciyon of the fayre Helayne the kynges doughter of EnglaÌ„de of her beaute Ca. xxiij HIs folke clothed and habylyed as ye haue herde afore rode vnto the hermytage and then euery body â—oued and abode there all â—oye and salued Olyuer that was afore yâ— bare and he full gentylly rendred to them theyr salute And as he behelde that fayre company hyÌ„ thought that the knyght with the longest gowne was yâ— same knyght that spake vnto hym in the wood wherof he was ryght gladde and weÌ„te for to salue hym but as soone as the knyght apperceyued hym comynge he aâ—yghted of his horse and came agaynst hym and after he sayd to hym Olyuer good frende these meÌ„ that ye se here I haue brought them vnto you And bycause that we ben comen from ferre for to do you seruyce and honour I praye you that ye do so moche at his â—â—â—neyment that ye haue honour and that we lese not our payne Olyuer answered hym ryght curteysly My lorde and my frende ye do so moche for me that I can neuer rendre you the guerdon wherfore suche as I am ye may coÌ„maunde me for thâ—â—â—dy is yours and at this tyme I can not gyue you no better thynge I praye to god that he gyue me grace for to deserue it agaynst you and that he gyue me strengthe for to doo as well as I haue the volente These wordes fynysshed yâ— knyght sayd to hym that it was hye houre for to arme hym And therfore in a fayre grene place yâ— was afore yâ— hermytage there was a chayre brought wherin Olyuer set hym for to take his refeccyon and then after they armed hym dylygently In yâ— meane whyle that he armed hym the ladyes came in to the felde and brought with them yâ— fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande and ledde her in to the pauelyon that for her was ordeyned and it was hanged with tapysserye of clothe of golde ryght ryche and there was a chayre reysed vp on hye in the whiche chayre was .x. steppes or that they myght come to the syege aboue ouer the whiche was a canape of purple veluet charged full of grete perles oryentales and had in the myddes therof a Carbuncle that rendred so grete lumere yâ— it was meruayll for to beholde it In the syege aboue as I haue receyted to you was sette the excellent Helayne And vpon eche of the forsayd steppes satte two Iuges That is for to knowe a prynce and a pryncesse echone after his degree The other ladyes and damoyselles the whiche was there without nombre put theym in theyr places and scaffoldes that were for theÌ„ ordeyned and ensygned And in lyke wyse on the other syde was a grete company of noble and valyaunt knyghtes and lordes of this realme of Englande Ye may well thynke that it was grete tryumphe and grete solace for the men of armes for to beholde so fayre a companye aboute the noble and excellent Helayne and euery thynge so well ordeyned as that thynge was there for her sake the whiche was so rychely apparaylled that nonâ— can not reherse the lyght that the precyous stones rendred that were aboutâ— her the whiche embelysshed her excellent vysage Who that hadde sene her in that estate he wolde haue thought that she hadde ben a thyng of the other worlde for I thynke that at her nayssauÌ„ce and byrthe nature had put all her excellence and grace Yf that she was semely of body and excellent of vysage it was nothynge in comparyson towarde the gyftes of grace where with she was endowed for all excellence and bounte honoure huÌ„blenesse doulsure and swetnesse and all other vertues and good condycyons that in ony womaÌ„ of noble lygnage apperteyned florysshed in her And therfore she sholde be ryght eurous in this wretched worlde that myght attayne vnto so hyghe a thynge as for to haue for his parte the floure and lyesse of this worlde And euen thus euery body put hymselfe in payne for to conquere her And there was not one but that hym semed that he wolde conquere her or elles deye in the payne ¶ Of the grete meruaylles that Olyuer dyde at the torneyment aboue them all Capitulo xxiii ANd then the ladyes were not soo sone in the scaffoldes but that the four hondred knyghtes were vpon the felde redy for to withstande all comers as ye haue herde before for the torneyment sholde last thre dayes The fyrst daye was ordeyned for to Iust. The seconde daye for to torneye not as they do nowe a dayes but with sharpe swerdes and not rebatred The thyrde day was for to fyght on fote and euery body myght haue an axe of armes and a swerde aboute hym And bycause that they were many knyghtes they had grete place they with out had knowlege that they of within were alredy at the lystes vpon the felde and all the ladyes redy for to beholde them whiche sholde do best euery knyght put hym in deuoyre for to Iuste the fyrste Neuerthelesse Olyuer was not the fyrste for there was many there afore hym As the kynges sone of Scotlande and dyuers
and how he was broughte in to the Kynges courte with grete reuerence of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx OLyuer that fouÌ„de hymselfe all alone in his chaÌ„bre sat hym downe for the .xx. knyghtes hadde taken leue of hym and were gone for to dysarme them to be at the feest seynge that he had tyme ynoughe begaÌ„ne for to tell his moneye and founde that there was .v. M. nobles wherfore he thanked god and the noble knyght that had had soo good remembraunce on hym Whyles that he put vp his golde in to his bougette entred in to the chambre fyue gentyll squyers clothed in whyte satyn .x. varlets clothed in whyte clothe whiche salued hym saynge My lorde your mayster stewarde hathe ben here this after none and hathe gyuen eche of vs a gowne and tolde vs that it was your lyueray and that ye shold reteyne vs in your seruyce and therfore we come towarde you to knowe and it be yâ—ur wyll for there is none of vs but that he hathe good mayster for some be the Erle of Flaundres men and the other the dukes of Somerset And thus eche of vs hath good maysters but they haue as many seruauntes as theym nede the. And for the valyauÌ„tnesse that we haue sene in you we become your seruauÌ„tes yf it be your pleasure Olyuer answered theÌ„ and sayd My frendes of your grace ye saye more good of me than I haue deserued Ans as I vnderstaÌ„de eche of you hathe a good mayster and better than I am but and it be your wyll I reteyne you all And to morowe syth that ye be men of knowlege I shall enquere of your estate and thenne to eche of you I shall gyue suche estate as to you apperteyneth One of yâ— seruauntes sayd to hym My lorde your mayster stewarde hathe ordeyned me your palfreynere therfore ye shall tell me yf it please you what I shall do with your horses For I haue fyue good coursers two lytell hobyes ryght fayre of whiche he badde me take good heede And bycause that it is ferre to the courte I thynke ye wyll not gâ— on fote therfore yf it please you ye shal tell me whiche of your horses ye wyll haue and what harneys I shall put vpon hym whether that of veluet crymosyn or that of beten golde yf that it please you that your four pages shall come towarde you Olyuer was moche abasshed and made the sygne of the crosse and sayd to hym My frende go in goddes name sadle one of the two lytell hobyes whiche thou louest best and put on hym the harnes of beten golde and make the pages come with two torches for to lyght me in to the courte And theÌ„ Olyuer commauÌ„ded for to vndo the fardell and so it was done And founde thre sortes of clotynge for hym of the same colours that he hadde worne durynge the torneyment that is to wyte blacke rede and whyte The hosen were of scarlet the gownes of veluet the doublettes of blacke damaske fygured and the hatte of blacke vpon the whiche was a ryght gentyll and ryche ouche of stones ryght curyously wrought there was in it an e an o togyder Wherfore he began for to kysse it and sayd alowe Fayre fader god yf that thou wylte extende soo moche thy grace on me that my fortune were suche that Olyuer Helayn myght come so nere togyder as these two lettres I sholde be moche beholden to thanke thy grete maieste In yâ— same wordes Olyuer clothed hym and founde that his clothynge were so well made for hym that there coude none amende them He was not so sone clothed but that his hors was redy abydynge hym at the dore and his foure pages And within shorte tyme after yâ— knyghtes that had brought hym theder came for to fetche hym and tolde hym that it was hyghe tyme to goo in to the courte They they mounted on horsbacke and the torches were lyghted that conduyted them in to yâ— courte ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte of the ryght noble kynge of Englande where as he was receyued of all yâ— lordes and lâ—dyes with grete Ioye Ca. xxxi WHaÌ„ Olyuer was afore the gate of yâ— palays he began for to smyte his hors with yâ— sporres yâ— whiche made lepes without noÌ„bre dyde all that his mayster wolde haue hyÌ„ do he made fyre to sprynge out of the payment in suche haboundaunce that euery body loked out at the wyndowes to beholde hym in suche estate he came to the place where it was tyme to alyght And bycause yâ— he was so semely a knyght there was grete prece to be holde hym There was so huge a nombre of folke that with grete payne he myghte descende and passe forthe The tydynges came to the kynge and to the other pryÌ„ces that theder were comen how yâ— whyte knyght was comen and mounted vp the steyres and sayd that and his beaute were lost that in all the worlde it myghte not be recouered and in lyke wyse these tydynges were pronounced to the ladyes the whiche demaunded what maner a man he was and it was tolde them that he was a heed of werke that there was neuer sene a more fayrer knyght And durynge these wordes he entred in to yâ— halle where as all the lordes were and salued the kyÌ„ge The whiche by semblaunt made hym ryght grete chere and honour and so dyde all the other lordes the whiche sholdred one another for to se hym for his excellente be aute There was many that at his comynge wolde that he hadde ben a thousande myle thens and in especyall they that hadde done beste nexte hym dyde curse hym in theyr courage but his physnamye and maneres were so swete that he sholde haue ben ryghte cursed yâ— wolde haue done hym ony harme So as he was fested on euery syde the ryght fayr and good Helayne accompanyed with dyuers grete lordes and ladyes came in to the hall apparaylled aourned so rychely that her habyllementes were worthe a realme for there was neuer sene the pareylles or lyke Her beaute enlumyned the palays the whiche exceded all natures werke And thynke not that that Helayne for whome Troye receyued soo many aduersytes passed this But bycause that comparysons be heynous and noysous I holde my peas in retornynge to my purpose The fayre Helayne of Englande seynge the thought of her lorde and fader set her vpon her knees and made to hym reuerence and honoure as it apperteyned The kynge her fader toke her by the hande and made her for to aryse in saynge that she was ryght well come And thenne she was salued of all the other kâ—yghtes lordes vnto whome she rendred echone theyr salute after theyr qualyte as she coude do full well Thenne was Olyuer brought afore her the whiche knewe hym as sone as she sawe hym For he was easy for to knowe amongest them all Wherfore she behelde hym voluntarylye and it
was force to the knyghtes and squyres for to withdrawe them aparte for to make place to the ladâ—es and gentylwomen to the ende that they myght se hym the better at theyr cases And there was but fewe of them that were for to marye but that they thoughte within theymselfe and wolde that Olyuer had conquered them by force of armes as well as he hadde done yâ— fayre Helayne ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commysed and the counsayll of the kyÌ„ge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capi. xxxii ALytell whyle after these thynges dâ—uyseâ— the tables were spredde and incontynente as all thynge was redy yâ— trompettes blewe for water to wasshe theyr handes And then the kyÌ„ge and his doughter wasshed and all the other lordes in generall And the Kynge made to enquere of Olyuer of his kyÌ„ne and what he was and of what marches to the ende that yâ— honour were done to hym after his estate He answered to them that demaunded hym that he was a poore knyght of Spayne not of a hye place There was not one neyther the kyng nor the other but that men semed well by his physâ—amye that he was of a good house and that also without grete puyssaunce he coude not haue furnysshed the habyllementes that they had sene hym haue durynge the fâ—â—st Whan tyme was the kynge satte hym downe at the table and with hym all the grete lordes and ladyes reserued Helayne that was sette vp on hye in the myddes of a table that was eleuate to the ende that she myght be sene of all theym in the halle At the ryght syde were the prynces Iuges set at the same table and on the other syde were the .x. pryncesses at the same table Olyuer wolde not sytten downe at the kynges stable Notwithstandynge he was prayed so moche and commaunded that it was force for hym to obeye There was other tables without nombre where as the other knyghtes and ladyes were sette Who that wolde deuyse to you the seruyce and the mysteryes that was there it sholde be to longe to recouÌ„te it There was no mete that replenysshed theÌ„ so sone as to beholde the excellent Helayne she was the repose of the wery and the couragynge of the valyaunt And there was not one but that they thought that god hadde made her for to shewe his hyghe puyssauÌ„ce This feest dured so longe tyll that it was tyme to vnserue there was none of them all that thought other thynge saue to make good chere and also they were not requyred otherwyse The tables taken awaye graces gyueÌ„ to our lorde of his goodnes the daunces began and incontynent the .x. prynces and the .x. pryncesses withdrewe them a parte in to a lytel chambre for to knowe who had done best and they were in grete plete The one helde with the kynges sone of Scotlande and the other 〈◊〉 the erle of Flaundres the other with the good duke of Somerset But the moost parte helde with Olyuer In suche wyse that there was none of theym but that they gaue theyr voyce to Olyuer whan the kynge thought that they myght well haue done he habandonned the daunces and came towarde them demaunded theym what thynge that they had done One of theym kneled downe sayd Our souerayne lorde ye haue of your gode grace commysed vs for to saye frâ—ly the trouthe Also we haue made our othe that we shall not take regarde to the magnyfycence of the lygnagâ— nor lordshyppe And vs semeth that the best doer of all this assemble hathe ben Olyuer not for one daye alonely but for all the the dayes we sawe neuer knyght do suche dedes of armes as he hathe done therfore we aduertyse you therof for to do therwith your good pleasure The kynge answered and sayd My fayre cosyns and my good frendes and you my fayre ladyes here presente I here well ynoughe what ye haue sayd and knoweth that it sholde be agaynst reason to take yâ— pryce from hym yâ— hathe deseruyd it And truely who had axed me myn aduyseâ— wolde haue sayd the same that ye haue tolde me but foâ— all that ye ought to knowe that this is not a lytell thynâ— For he that wynneth the pryce wynneth my doughter and coÌ„sequently all my realme for to be kynge ouer yoâ— al after my decease And bycause that ye gyue the pryâ—â— to a straunger vnknowen of vs all I wolde vnder corâ—reccyon soo it that seme you good that he were aduertyseâ— of this thynge by one of you and how the pryce shall bâ— gyuen to hym And he the whiche shall aduertyse hym maye saye also to hym that I am delybered for to make vnto hym a request that is for to knowe that he were coÌ„tente for to abyde a yere in my courte afore that my fayre doughter Helayne be gyuen vnto hym for to knowâ— his mures and condycyons And also I shall promysâ— hym by the fayth that I owe to knyghthode that durynge that tyme I shall not mary her yf that he be a man worthy her that I knowe none other thyng thaÌ„ I do tyll this present tyme that whiche he hathe wonne shall not be taken from hym And also I shall put in doubte ryght grete lordes that beÌ„ here and yf that I gaue her to hym in theyr presence they myght coÌ„spyre some euyl agaynst his persâ—ne wherby ryght grete inconuenyentes myght come to hym and there is myn aduyse WhaÌ„ the kynge hadde fynysshed his wordes they withdrewe themselâ—e a parte And founde in counsayll that the kynge had sayd ryght well and sayd it sholde be wel done to knowe Olyuers wyll afore that the request were made on hyghe Bycause that it sholde be shame to the Kynge yf it were not vnto hym accorded Thus there is no thyÌ„ge but good and the kynge hathe no wronge to knowe afore the loue ¶ How the kynge of Englande came towarde his fayre doughter for to demaunde her to whome her semed that the pryce ought to be gyuen and of her answers Capitulo xxxiii ONe of the prynces was ordeyned to speke to Olyuer wherfore he came in to the hall where as the ladyes were and â—oke Olyuer aparte and sayd to hyÌ„ all that ye haue her â—e afore Olyuer had alwaye doubte of yâ— thynge by cause of the grete multytude of lordes that were there to whome hyÌ„ thought they wolde soner applye than to hym thought as well that yf he were not contente that it sholde be force to hym wherfore he answered to the prynce My lorde ye mocke with me for I haue not deserued the honour that ye do to me but and ye speke in sadnesse and that it please the kynge to make to me a request as I here you saye I tell you that it is no prayer but his commaundement to the whiche I wyll not dysobeye and sayd no more nor the lorde also but retorned towarde the kyÌ„ge and aduertysed hym
of that whiche he hadde founden in Olyuer and sayd that he founde neuer a more dyscreter maÌ„ nor more worthy and that he was dygne of moche good And the Kynge was ryght Ioyous of that reporte and began for to tell in what maner he wolde that the pryce were gyuen and who sholde bere it and tolde them that he wolde make them haue knowlege the houre that the pryce sholde he gyuen And then he departed and came to the daunces where as he founde his doughter yâ— whiche he toke by the haÌ„de and sayd to her My fayre doughter ye muste tell me to whiche of these lordes that ye haue sâ—ue here ye haue best wyll to whiche hathe done beste by your aduyse My lorde my fader I haue no more wyll to one thaÌ„ to an other Ye be my fader reason it is that I obey to you for your pleasure is myne and also me thyÌ„keth that they haue all done so well that none can amende it Then the kynge demaunded her yf that she wolde be as well coÌ„tente yf Olyuer hadde the pryce as yf a gretter lorde had it She answered it is a fayre thyÌ„ge to do ryghte to euery body Ye be wyse and knoweth what ye haue to do The kyÌ„ge whiche was dyscrete sente for yâ— pryce yâ— whiche was brought in the maner that foloweth ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what it was Capitulo xxxiiii THere came fyrste many torches and offycers for to make place After came a Kynge of armes rychely clothed holdyÌ„gâ— on hyghe with bothe his haÌ„des a grete and massysse cheyne of golde charged enryched with precyous stones After hym came two fayre ladyes clothed in lyke habyllementes the whiche became them so well that it was a pleasauÌ„t syght to beholde them These ladyes were accompanyed with four knyghtes clothed in lyke wyse and eche of the ladyes were on the ryght hande of two knyghtes And in suche estate they came afore yâ— kyÌ„ges persone to whome they dyde the reuerence as it apperteyned And theÌ„ they demaunded hym yf it were his good pleasure that the pryce were gyuen And he answered ye Then they began to walke aboute the halle and came to the place where as Olyuer was hydde amonge the prece To whome the Kynge of armes sayd that he sholde come forth and that it was to hym that they wolde speke and after that he was comen forth the kynge of armes sayd to hym in this wyse CarbuÌ„cle and gemme of all prowesse and hardynesse the kyÌ„ge our souerayne lorde and the ladyes of this company by the grete and hyghe faytes of armes that in you hath beÌ„ shewed and comen to theyr knowlege dothe presente to you this noble cheyne in gyuynge you the pryce of the thre dayes with tryumphe and glorye aboue al them that theder hathe ben comen or founde them there I make you no meÌ„syon of my ryght redoubted maystresse and lady Helayne bycause that the Kynge my souerayne lorde make yâ— to you a request that is that the ryght that ye can demauÌ„de of her by the crye that was publysshed by his coÌ„maundement that it wyll please you for to be coÌ„tente 〈…〉 dyfferre and abyde vntyl a yere be passed And he dothe promyse you that enduryng that whyle my lady Helayne his doughtâ—â— shall not be maryed and then he shall do so moche towarde you that ye shall be well contente For she shall be appareylled for you euen as she sholde be at this presente tyme for he wolde not take fro you for no thynge that the whiche ye haue deserued Oliuer with a symple voyce all rubycuÌ„de answered that he had not deserued the honour that they presented hym but syth that it was the kynges good pleasure and the lordes and ladyes he sholde be a grete fole and mysproude to refuse it As for the surplus touchynge the kynges requestes he answered that his requestes were coÌ„mauÌ„dementes in praynge yf that he had wonne ony thynge that it sholde not be taken from hym For he was well in wyll for to take it yf it fell to hym This notwithstandynge he was well contente that the kynges wyll were accomplysshed and to abyde a yere And thanked the kynge and the ladyes that had made hym that present And toke the chayne of golde and put it aboute his neck And then they demauÌ„ded hym his name and surname he made hymself Olyuer but he sayd that his surname myght not be knowen at that present tyme. And bycause that the heraude coude not tell how to gyue his name in knowlege that the pryce was gyuen to he beganne for to crye in this maner wyse To this blacke rede and whyte knyght the floure of chyualrye that by force of armes hathe obteyned the laste tryumphe of the torneyment hathe ben delyuered the pryce ¶ How Olyuer requyred yâ— kynge of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte that he myght kâ—â—ue afore his doughter the whiche he vttred hym afore all his barons Capitulo xxxv THen was Olyuer ledde afore the kyÌ„ge yâ— whiche he thanked huÌ„bly of the grete honour that he had done to hym without deseruynge and besought hym for to haue alwaye memorye of hym and of his promyse that he hâ—o made hym and to reteyne hym of his courte The kyÌ„ge answered in saynge that he wolde do it with ryghtâ— good wyll that suche estate as he wolde demaunde sholde be delyuered hym and with that that he sholde not fere hym but that he wolde haue me morye of hym that bycause of the pryce that was his he sholde lese nothynge Syr sayd Olyuer I can not tel you how ye vnderstande it truely I can nothynge lese of what wherof I had neuer nothynge but I holde you for so valyaunt that ye wyll not go agaynst your worde ye gyue me for to chese and take suche estate as shal please me wherfore I thanke you ¶ And therfore I praye you that ye wyll be coÌ„tente that I be squyre keruer afore my lady your doughter And the Kynge answered in refusynge hym and sayd that his doughter was not accustomed for to be serued of a knyght Notwithstandynge he requyred and prayed so moche that the kynge was coÌ„tente that his wyll were fulfylled Neuerthelesse that he was worthy to haue had a gretter estate than that Then he made hym to ryse and toke hym by the haÌ„de ledde hym towarde his doughter and then commaunded her that she sholde kysse hym bycause that hym semed that Olyuer had well deserued it and at the leest yf that he had no more honour but that for to content hyÌ„ the better The fayre Helayne in accomplysshynge the wyll of the Kynge her fader toke Olyuer by yâ— hande yâ— was alredy on his knee and kyssed hym in touchyÌ„ge her mouthe agaynst his This kysse thrugh perced yâ— herte of Olyuer and his entraylles and entred and lodged in the moost secretest place
of his herte and neuer after departed that done she made Olyuer to aryse the whiche thanked her After the daunces were begonne agayne and endured a grete space of tyme and after came the wyne and spyces and whā euery body had dronke and that it was oure for to go to bedde the grete prynces lordes toke leue of the kynge and of the fayre Helayne for to retorne on the morowe in to theyr countrees and thanked the kynge of the grete chere and honour that he had done to them in his courte The kynge prayed hym that they wolde yet abyde a daye or twayne But they wolde not abyde but badde hym adew And whan it came that the kynges sone of Scotlande toke his leue of the fayre Helayne he sayd to her alowe as in reprochynge y◠he was ryght Ioyous that she was soo well assygned Helayne that was not folysshe vnderstode well that all that he hadde sayd proceded of enuye wherfore she helde her styll and sayd nothynge but toke leue of hym of all the other the whiche wente in to theyr lodgynges on the morowe departed The kynge Maquemor of Irlande and another that was his neyghbour for ony prayer that the kynge dyde make wolde not come to y◠feest but all euyll contente were departed without takynge leue for the dyspleasure that they had of the dethe of the kynge of Irlande theyr frende and that the kynge had made therof so lytell accounte And affermed promysed the one to the other that yf it were possyble for them whan they were comen in to theyr countree that the kynge of Englande sholde repente hym to late ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the Kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter and made his othe Capitulo xxxvi OLyuer badde good nyght to the kynge and to his fayre doughter Helayne and consequentlye to all the other And he was conueyed to his lodges by dyuers gentylmen of the kynges courte that all redy had grete volente for to be acquaynted with hȳ Olyuer comen in to his lodges made theym for to drynke and then he thanked them for y◠trauayll y◠they had taken for hym sayd to them My lordes I wyll be from hensforth your seruaunt broder and felowe And yf there be ony thynge that I may do for you there is none of you but that ye shall fynde me redy at nede Then they all departed saue one gentyll squyre the whiche Olyuer reteyned with hym for to lye with hym also to the ende that he sholde haue the more acquayntaunce with the lordes of the courte The nyght passed and the daye came And whā it was tyme. Olyuer arose and clothed hym in newe robes that he had made make all the nyght And was led to the courte by his squyre and foūde the kynge y◠was alredy at the masse the whiche fynysshed the kynge cōmaunded that Olyuer sholde be ledde towarde his fyrst knyght chamberlayne the whiche he had ordeyned for to speke to hym Whā Olyuer was comen y◠fyrst chamberlayne sayd to hym Olyuer my frende the kyng hath ordeyned me for to receyue your othe and that I gyue to you retynue of .xx. horses And yf it be your pleasure for to serue my lady his doughter as ye haue requyred as well ye may do it as yf ye were of lesse estate Olyuer thanked the kynge and made his othe And as he y◠whiche thoughte neuer tyme ynoughe for to se her that had gyuen hym that gracyous kysse requyred that for that daye he myght kerue afore her and so he was ledde into her chambre where as Helayns table was spredde the whiche made no longe taryenge but came Whan Olyuer sawe her he gaue her good morowe And she rendred hym his salute ryghte curteysly and behelde hym gladly And then she sat her downe at the table Where as Olyuer began for to kerue afore her And in castynge vp her eyen demaunded hym yf that it was his wyl for to kerue afore her Olyuer answered madame it is my pleasure for to do you all the seruyce that I can so that it torne you not to dyspleasure Olyuer my frende sayd she nay but I thanke you how well y◠I had wolde that ye had deported you of this offyce but syth that it is youre wyll it is well myne So Olyuer kerued afore his fayr maystres all alonge the dyner but it was not withoute foyson of regardes and lokes Whan the table was vp he was a lytell whyle with the ladyes and then he wente towarde the kynge to whome they had tolde that Olyuer dyde serue at his doughters dyner sayd that he was the gentyllest seruaunt that euer they had sene ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne and cutte his fyngre in seruynge her Ca. xxxvii THese thynges dyde passe and Olyuer was a grete whyle in the courte so well beloued that all that knewe hȳ sayd good of hym The kȳge hymselfe coude not prayse hym ynoughe sayd often that Olyuer was bothe fayre good saynge that he and his doughter were wel serued The fayre Helayne in lyke wyse seynge the graces and beautees that god and nature had endowed that yonge knyght with dyde prayse hym strongly in her herte but she made no semblaunt for doubte of some folke For ye knowe well ynoughe that they say oftener the euyll than the good for all that whā they demaunded her she sayd that she sawe nothynge in hȳ but all good and that he was a ryght gracyous knyght in suche estate he had put hym in the grace of all them that knewe hym And in lyke wyse at y◠begynnynge had ben cōspyred dyuers enuyes agaynst his persone but by the grete wysdome doulcenesse that remayned in hym he had subdued ouercome his euyl wyllers in suche wyse that euery body loued hym Also none can not recorde to you y◠newe thynges that were begonne enterprysed and acheued by hȳ as well Iustynge as other dyspertes and playes Ye haue well herde how Olyuer had receyued a kysse of his excellent maystresse and I haue also tolde you that he kepte it so well that he lost it not whan he wolde for loue in a shorte space had defaced his Ioye and lyesse with that helde hym so streyte in his bondes that he coude not ete nor drynke slepe nor rest in bedde and he was not at his ease nor peas the houre that he hadde lost the syght of his lady and maystresse And was not in no place but that hym thought that he sawe the representacyō of his excellente lady afore his eyen In suche estate he was a space of tyme and in suche wyse he aduychylled hym that he became in suche estate that he cared no more of noo good dede Thystorye sayth that on a tyme as he kerued afore his maystres at the table as he that was not mayster ouer hymselfe began to beholde her and in beholdynge her he made many syghes of
loue that proceded from his herte Then the fayre Helayne apperceyued that he thought strongely vpon her and she had no thyÌ„ge kerued afore her for to ete For Olyuer had gyueÌ„ her none wherfore she sayd by dyuers tymes Olyuer my frende I wolde ete gladly yf ye gaue me wherof Olyuer that thought on other thynges herde her not at yâ— fyrst tyme. And whan his vnderstandynge was comen agayn all ashamed he began for to serue and as he that had no thought on that whiche he dyde cut his fyngre â—ll moost of Wherfore he departed from thens incontynent and gaue another to serue Helayne apperceyuynge these thyÌ„ges knewe apperceyued clerely yâ— thought of Olyuer wherof she was nothynge gladde whan she sawe hym in suche poynt for her loue ¶ How Olyuer layde hym downe in his bedde soore syke and how that Helayne was syke also for hym of theyr complayntes and how Helayne gate leue of her fader go to vysyte Olyuer Capitulo xxxviii OLyuer comeÌ„ in to his lodgys entred all alone in to his chambre and layde hym downe vpon his bedde in complaynynge hym so pyteously that it was grete pyte for to here He cursed the god of loue that had wounded hym so profoundly with his hambynge darte and bounde hym in his bandes soo vyolently wherfore he sawe appertely that he must nedes deye for he abode none allegeaunce nor mercye of his anguysshous maladye Ha kynge of EnglaÌ„de sayd Olyuer yf thy worde had ben verytable as a kynges ought to be I had not fallen in this extremyte that I am nowe in Thus as ye haue herde demeaned Olyuer his sorowe by longe space of tyme and contynued so in that he was greuously sycke and layde hym downe in his naked bedde Wherof the Kynge and all they of the courte were ryghte dyspleasaunt And the kynge vysyted hym ryght famylyerly and made hym to be sumptuously kepte and taken heede to of his physycyons But aboue all them that were dolaunt the noble Helayne passed notwithstaÌ„dynge she made no semblaunt outwarde And on a tyme as yâ— physycyens came to her as it is theyr custome for to vysyte prynces and prencesses she demaunded them how Olyuer dyde and yf that he amended not They answered naye and sayd that they had grete doubte of his lyfe Whan Helayne herde these tydynges she was so dolent that she myght scarsely susteyne herselfe TheÌ„ she with drewe her in to her garderobe and gaue them to vnderstande that she was sycke therfore she layde her downe on her bedde made her to be couered for to couer the better her dole And whan the ladyes were voyded she began to saye with a softe voyce O god almyghtye creatour of heuen and erthe the whiche after thy pleasure dysposeth all erthely thynges And thou ryght doulce quene of heuen lady of the worlde and empresse of helle also truely as thou bare .ix. monthes in thy blessyd flankes the veray sone of god thyn espouse and that conceyued hym a vyrgyn and delyuered hym a vyrgyn and yâ— arte aduocate and refuge of all desolate creatures I beseche the that thou wylte counsayll me vnhappy and vnfortuned woman O gloryous vyrgyn Marye wherfore hathe thy blessyd sone gyuen me soo moche beaute for to be cause of the dethe of the moost fayrest and moost valyauntest knyght that euer was sene the whiche am in dygne of this grace Wherfore I beseche the that thou kepe this gentyll knyght the whiche hathe not my soone me in no maner of the worlde wherby I sholde put hym in this ryght daungerous peryll and that thou dysdeyne not for to tell me myn honour saued how that I myght gyue hym allegeaunce of his maladye Whyles that she complayned so to god and to our lady a lyghte sompne toke her wherthrughe she was constrayned to slepe In her slepe her semed that our lady spake to her and sayd Helayne my sone I haue herde thy request The knyght for whome thou hast prayed is sycke to the dethe And bycause that thou arte cause of his maladye thou must be cause also of his guarysshyÌ„ge and helthe go towarde thy fader and demaunde hym lycence for to â—o se hym whan thou shalte be there put hym in memorye that the yeres ende approcheth nere that thou shalte haue so good mynde on hym that it shall suffyse hym Helayne a waked ryght Ioyous of her vysyoÌ„ and in thankynge god and our lady arose and wente towarde her fader the whiche gaue her leue to go vysyte Olyuer and so she wente theder with a lytell company And whan she was entred in to the chambre she approched towarde the bedde where as Olyuer was that alredye had lost his knowlege and with the teres in her eyen named hym her frende in demaundynge hym how he dyde Olyuer knewe the voyce of his mayâ—â—â—esse and lyfte vp his eyen in makynge a lytell syghe anguysshous for other thynge coude he not answere Helayne apperceyued that he had but lytell knowlege wherfore she approched more nerer and sayd with a lowe voyce Alas my frende what lacke ye wyll ye leue me a wydowe do ye not knowe yâ— the ende of the twelue monthe approcheth By my trouth my frende your maladye doth greue me so sore that ye can not byleue it wherfore I pray you that ye wyll thynke for to guarysshe you and yf there be ony thynge that I can do for you tell it me And eueÌ„ so god helpe me myn honoure salued I knowe no maÌ„ for whome I wolde do more than for you ¶ How Olyuer after that the fayre Helayne had vysyted hym came to the courte and of the messenger of the Kynges of Irlande sente to the Kynge of Englande for to defye hym of fyre and blode Capitulo xxxix AS Olyuer herde yâ— swete voyce of his maystres that recomforted hym so swetely he forced hym for to speke and with grete payne thanked her and with payne myght he absteyne hym from saynge that she was cause of his dethe and as she that loued hym sayd to hym Fayre syr thynke for to waxe hole and come to the courte For vpon my fayth ye shall be ryght welcome Then she toke leue of hym and retorned and it was neuer a daye after but that she shente for to knowe how he dyde and with that she sente hym ryght largely of her wynes and dyde so moche that within shorte tyme he was strouÌ„ge ynoughe for to promayne hym aboute his chambre as he that had had a good physycyen in his maladye And it was not longe after that he wente in to the courte and whan he felte hymselfe that he was entyerly hole he serued his maystres as he had done before The whiche made hym greter chere than she was accustomed to do In suche wyse yâ— Olyuer was more beauteuous than euer he had beÌ„ afore Helayne that apperceyued that Olyuer was out of daunger put hym in remembraunce of the regrettes and complayntes that she had made
that was a valyaunt man tooke a grete spere in his hande and came towarde Olyuer Olyuer that sawe hym come pulled a spere frome hym that was nexte hym and smote his hors with the sporres and mette togyder so strongly that it was not in the horses puyssaunce to susteyne them wherfore bothe fell to the erthe but the kynge neuer arose after for Olyuer had perced his hauberke and smyten hym to the herte wherof it was grete dommage for he was a valyaunte man Then ye sholde haue sene Englysshmen and Irysmen renne to the socoure of theyr lordes and there was slayne moche people on bothe sydes Olyuer was on sote amongest his enemyes where as he smote on the ryghte hande and of the lefte hande and dyde suche dedes of armes that it was grete meruayll His cuttyÌ„ge swerde made his enemyes to flee afore hyÌ„ For all that maulgre them all he mounted on his hors and then beganne the batayll more fyers and more aspre than it hadde ben of all the daye afore And in that same bataylle Olyuer with his propre handes toke two of the moost grettest Kynges of Irlande And then after that Olyuer with grete payne perced the hoost and dyde soo moche that in despyte of all his enemyes he came vnto the chyef standarde of the Irysshmen the whiche by force of armes he smote downe to the grounde and with one stroke he smote of his heed that bare the standarde so he deyed Thenne ye sholde haue sene Irysshemen gretely abasshed whaÌ„ they sawe theyr chyfe standarde fall to yâ— erthe they toke grete payne for to rere it vp agayne but they coude not And fynably by yâ— valyauntnesse of Olyuer and the courage that he gaue his men the Irysshemen were dyscomfyted and so they fled The chase endured more than two myle and there was soo many slayne yâ— it was a pyteous syght for to beholde it and euery body saued hym that myght And than they came by nyghte and by dare to theyr shyppes and in grete hast they entred in to theyr shyppes and sayled in to Irlande where as they tolde theyr pyteous dyscomfyture that gaue grete dyscomforte vnto all theym of that countree Olyuer made to sowne the retreyte to the ende that none wente ferder forthe wherfore euery body retorned And whan it came to repasse by the waye where as the batayll was done and sawe the grete effusyoÌ„ of blode there was none of them but that theyr hertes abhorred And Olyuer hymselfe had the teres in his eyen and sayd My blessyd creatour I praye the that by thy grete mercye thou wylte pardon me the effusyon of blode of these crysten men Neuerthelesse take that Olyuer sayd these wordes yet he was ryght Ioyous and gladde of the vyctorye and gaue louynges and thankynges to almyghty god with a good herte In that maner they came vnto the towne that hadde ben assyeged afore of the Irysshemen where as they were receyued with grete tryumphe and Ioy and with processyon of all the chyrches and all the belles were rongen at his entrynge And they gaue Olyuer grete gyftes the whiche he gaue vnto his men and in lykewyse of all the butyn that he had wonne he wolde haue nothynge After he sente for the capytaynes of his armye and whan they were comen he sayd to them fayre lordes ye knowe the vyctorye that god of his grace hathe gyuen to vs agaynst oure enemyes And therfore it sholde be good to sygnefye these tydynges to the Kynge our soueraylle lorde Wherfore I praye you that the dede bodyes maye be nombred to the ende that we maye wryte to hym the more certaynlye It was tolde hym yâ— the kynge sholde haue shortlye tydynges for it sholde be to longe to abyde the tellynge of them But as it semed them they myght not fayle to wryte .xx. M. of theyr enemyes deed without puttynge other nombre and fewe of theyr men ¶ How Olyuer sente worde to the Kynge of Englande of theyr vyctorye And of the enterpryse that Olyuer made to go into Irlande Capitulo xlii ANd whaÌ„ the lettres were made by Olyuer and by the lordes they were gyuen vnto a messaunger and badde hym make all dylygence that he coude the whiche he dyde and whan he was comen to London he presented them to the kynge and whan the kynge hadde redde them alowe ye may well thynke that he was ryght Ioyous and gladde And therfore he made theym for to be redde on hyghe and whan it came to the knowlege of them of the courte there was none but that he thanked god And the Kynge commaunded that these tydynges sholde be publysshed all aboute And after mounted on horsbacke and dyuers other lordes in his companye and so came to the cathedrall chyrche of Poules in the whiche he gaue louynges and praysynges to oure lorde and to the valyaunte Olyuer ¶ I retorne here to Olyuer the whiche assembled al the gretest of his armye demaunded them yf they had ony talent to doo a good thynge And they answered ye that it sholde not holde at them Then Olyuer sayd my lordes frendes and felowes god hathe gyuen vs so fayre aueÌ„ture that we can neuer thanbe hyÌ„ ynoughe Therfore me semeth seynge oure good begynnynge yf that it stycke not at you we maye do yet some good thynge For ye ought for to knowe that there was neuer men more abasshed than our enemyes were whan they knewe the veryte how it wente that one of theyr kynges was slayne and the other twayne taken and with this all theyr men of warre slayne in whome they affyed them And thus theÌ„ as me semeth seynge yâ— we be not ferre from theyr marches yf that we put vs in to theyr countree hastely afore that theyr grete anguysshe and sorowe were passed and without gyuynge them leyser to thynke on theyr affayres we sholde fynde them so vnpurueyde that in them sholde be lytell resystence and there is myne aduyce vndâ—r correccyoÌ„ for as me semeth yf that we myght conquere this countree ye sholde be worthy to haue grete louynge and recoÌ„mendacyon and shall be dynge neuer to be put out of memorye amonst the noble valyannt men Those capytaynes herynge the wordes of Olyuer preysed hym moche in theyr hertes and well semed theym that that whiche he had sayd proceded of a hyghe and noble courage therfore all of one accorde without loÌ„ge counsayl sayde vnto hym Olyuer we ben departed for to serue the Kynge agaynst his enemyes and the after and therfore we telle you that where someuer ye wyll go we shall folowe you as they that wyll lyue and deye with you and neuer too fayle you ¶ Olyuer seynge the affeccyon of those noble men towarde hym and the good wyll that they hadde to do the kynge seruyce thaÌ„ked them in offrynge vnto them bothe body and goodes How Olyuer entred in to Irlande and assyeged a kyÌ„ge the whiche was socoured of foure other kynges that the sayd
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„
of Algarbe and Regent of Castyll made an enterpryse for to fynde his felowe Olyuer Capitulo liij WE haue herde here before how Olyuer was departed from Castylle and of the meruaylous dule that the good kȳge demeaned bycause of his departyng the whiche neuer lette hym vnto the dethe for within shorte space it made hym fynysshe his dayes and lyucd not longe after the departynge of his sone For the whiche cause Arthur kynge of Algarbe and felowe of Olyuer by the consente of dyuers lordes of the countree was chosen for to be Regente of Castylle vnto the retornynge of Olyuer And by cause that the affayres of the realme of castyll be gretter than they of Algarbe the whiche is but a lytell coūtree Arthur helde hym moost in Algarbe And forgate neuer to vysyte the glasse of his felowe And soo moche that he apperceyued that the sayd glasse was suche as the lettre specyfyed That is for to knowe that the water was troubled and gretely obscure In suche wyse that it was almoost lyke ynke And whan Arthur apper ceyued it suche with grete haboundaunce of teres he began for to saye in this maner O ryght noble ryght valyaunt loyall felowe I se well that ye haue some grete empesshynge or some euyll aduenture or in fermyte of body wherfore I am ryght dyspleasaunt And bycause that at a nede one knoweth his frende I make auowe to god and promyseth hym by the fayth that I owe vnto hym and to the crowne that I bere that euen as secretely as ye departed from this realme shall I departe also Nor neuer as longe as I lyue shall I not reste tyll that I knowe whether that ye be a lyue or deed Thē in wypȳge his eyen he departed out of the chambre and came in to a halle And commaūded to make lettres for to assemble all the thre estates and all the prynces of the countree And whan they were all assembled he began for to shewe them and sayd that it was not possyble for hym to gouerne bothe the realmes well that he had in his charge And therfore his wyll was for to commyse some dyscrete prynce in his stede to be Regent of Castyll For he wolde retorne in to that of Algarbe bycause that he loued it more for bycause that it was his propre herytage and that it was the place of his byrthe Therfore he wolde knowe of them yf it were theyr good pleasure y◠he resygned his estate at his dyscrecyon to the moost wysest as hȳ semed Or yf they wolde chese one after theyr dyscrecyon and counsayll They answered Ryght puyssaunt kynge of Algarbe we haue not holden you for Regente but for kynge vnto the comynge of Olyuer as ye do knowe for we neuer founde you dysobeyssaunt And also there is none of vs but that we wolde do you as sone pleasure as to our souerayne lorde Your wyll and departynge is full greuous vnto vs. But syth it is so that we can not kepe you chese whiche of vs it shall please you and gyue hym your stede For we shall holde youre eleccyon For all that we shall neuer haue man soo dcre as you Arthur thanked them dyde chese a good prynce that was ryght vertuous for to be regente And then he toke leue of them in grete wepynges And then he toke a certayne nombre of men with hym and he dyde somoche that within a shorte space he came in to his realme and whan he was there he recommaunded to his conestable all the gouernaunce of his countree And after commaunded al his men to obeye to hym and sayde that he wolde ge in to a place all alone the whiche was not ferre of And that with the grace of god he wolde not tarye longe This done he departed in a fayre mornyng and wente his waye withouten ony company saue of god alonely to whome I praye that he be in his garde for grete nede he hadde therof as ye shal here here after warde ¶ How Arthur departed and put hym on the waye for to fynde his felowe and of the aduentures that he had Capitulo liiii IN suche maner as ye haue herde departed the valyaunt and gentyll Arthur from his countree And began for to serche tydynges of his felowe as he that hadde wyll neuer for to reste tyll that he had herde tydynges of hym The fyrste countree that he arryued in was Portyngale in the whiche he founde nothynge that was pleasaunt vnto hym After he sought the remenaunt of Spayne and came in to that of Fraunce and wente so moche on one syde and other that he came to Calys where as he founde men that wente in to Englande and therfore he moūted on the see for to go theder Ye maye well thynke that he was longe in serchynge the coūtrees that ye haue herde aboue In this meane whyle Olyuer his felowe was alwaye in pryson with brede and water and oftē bette as he that had neuer hope to departe thens And desyred nothynge but the dethe ¶ As Arthur was on y◠see for to go in to Englande there happened a wynde contrary to aryse on the see and droue them in to the marches that the maryners knewe not atte that presente tyme. But whan that they had longe beholden sene it they apperceyued that it was one of the countrees and realmes of Irlande the ferdest from y◠of Englande Whan Arthur herde saye that it was one of the realme of Irlande he prayed them that they wolde set hym a lande for as hym semyd as sone myght he here tydynges of y◠whiche he soughte as in another countree so as he dyde by the wyll of god euen so as ye shall here Whā Arthur was on grounde he wente on fote in praynge our lorde for to adresse hym on his waye He was well the space of two monethes in that coūtree And whan he wolde haue ony thynge he muste make some sygne or elles they coude not vnderstande hym He hadde neyther hors nor mule for to ryde on wherfore he wente on fote and soo longe he wente that on a daye he founde hymselfe in a thycke forest in the whiche dyuers wylde beestes dydde remayne They had wel made hym sygne that he sholde not entre in to that forest but he had not vnderstonden them He wente all the daye alonge the forest withoute fyndynge of ony aduenture The nyght toke hym wherfore it was force to hym for to slepe And whan it came vpon the morowe he put hym on y◠waye ryght euylly broken his faste And he had not longe gone whan he apperceyued a grete and an horryble lyon strongly oppressyd with hongre For he had founde no praye of longe tyme Wherfore whan Arthur sawe and apperceyued that he came towarde hym he appareylled hym for to fyghte for he was armed at all poyntes and also he had a good swerde He toke of his mauntell and wounde it aboute his arme and then he drewe out his
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
maye se hym that hathe put me in soo grete doloure ¶ Come now dethe whan that thou wylte for I shall abyde the Ioyously syth that I knowe that my souerayne lorde is comen it can not greue me The fayre and good Helayne hadde grete talent for to see hym that she wende hadde ben her husbande but Arthur was in grete thought how he myght demeane hym towarde yâ— wyse of his felowe For all that whan his botes were of he wente towarde Helayne for to knowe how she dyde And whan she sawe hym she was a grete whyle or that she myght speke But whan that she myghte speke she sayd that she dydde well syth that she sawe hym in good helthe The oure of souper came and therfore Arthur toke leue of her and prayed her that she wolde make gode chere and that she wolde thynke for to make her hole The ladyes and damoyselles of the cyte of London were somoued to souper there was made a meruaylous Ioye but yet it sholde haue beÌ„ more gretter yf it hadde not ben for Helaynes maladye And it was defended by the kynge that none sholde werke of viij dayes but eche â—nenst hym made the feest as grete as they myght Arthur by the counsayll of the medecyns was excused for to lye with Helayne bycause of her maladye wherof he was Ioyous without makynge ony semblaunt but with in shorte space she gate vp and founde guaryson helth And so moche that within a lytell tyme the physycyens gaue hym leue for to lye with her soo as he dydde And whan he was in bedde with her he remeuyd not oute of his place but the fayre Helayne dyde not so for she that of longe tyme had not had the embrasynge of her lorde begaÌ„ for to approche but Arthur drewe backe and sayd to her my loue withdrawe you in to your place agayne for I haue made auowe that neuer by embracynge nor otherwyse I shall touche your body tyll that I haue payed a pylgrymage that I haue promysed vnto saynt Iames wherfore I praye you that ye be contente and after I shall come to you agayne for as sone as I may I wyll paye it and after by the grace of god we shal make good chere Helayne herynge Arthurs wordes dyde his coÌ„maundement In saynge to hym that it was well reason for to holde that whiche he haâ— promysed to god and to Saynt Iames. Then she began for to deuyse a ferre with hym in demaundynge hym where as he had ben Arthur badde her that she sholde not speke to hym for she myght not knowe it wherfore Helayne deported her at that tyme. ¶ How Arthur vnder the vmbre for to goo to Sayne Iames departed for to fynde his felowe Olyuer of the whyte knyght that ledde hym nere where as he was Capitulo lix IN suche estate was Arthur well the space of a mone he in the kynge of Englandes courte the whiche made hym as good chere and honoure as he wolde haue done to Olyuer thynkynge that it hadde ben he and also dyde Helayne all the other And whan he sawe that Helayne had ouercomen her maladye and that there was no more daunger he came towarde the kynge and sayd to hym that he dyde owe a vyage to Saynt Iames and that he muste nedes do it withouten ony companye wherfore he prayed hym that he wolde be contente that he myght go alone and that he wolde retorne agayne as shortely as he myghte The kynge asked hym yf that he was wery of his wyfe alredy and he answered nay After he toke his leue of the kynge for to departe and on the morowethe kynge prayed hym that he wolde not tary and also that he sholde take some company with hym but Arthur wolde not do nothynge and so departed all aloue after that he had taken his leue of the fayre Helayne and promysed heâ— that he sholde retorne ryght shortly He dyde soo moche that he arryued in the forest where as he had fouÌ„den the whyte knyght Neuertheles he durst not entre for fere of the wylde beestes and therfore he abode the trouthe of his knyght there And he was there soo longe that he apperceyued hyÌ„ comynge Then Arthur salued hym and he rendred to hym his salute TheÌ„ne he made hym to mounte vp behynde hym and sayd to hym My frende Arthur hast thou good wyll for to haue agayne thy felow darest thou put the in auenture for to recouer hym Truely layd Arthur there fs nothynge but that I wolde do it for to recouer hym Now I shall tell yâ— sayd yâ— knyght thou arte armed at all pyeces wherfore thou ought to be the more hardyer I aduertyse the that the kynge that holdeth Olyuer in pryson is a good myle froÌ„ his place with a lytell company There is from hens theder .xxxiij. myle and there is but thre knyghtes with hyÌ„ all a fote but and I thought that thou durst fyght with them all foure for to gete agayne thy frende I sholde lede the theder in a lytell space Arthur thanked hym and prayed hym that he wolde do so The knyghte smote yâ— hors with the sportes and he had not so sone done it but that in a moment he was there as the kynge was TheÌ„ he shewed hym to Arthur and sayd Arthur descende adowne for yonder is thyn enemye and yf that thou recouer Olyuer tell hym that the knyghte clothed in whyte dothe salue hym the whiche dyde brynge the heder ¶ How Arthur toke the kynge that helde his felowe in pryson and how that he delyuered hym Ca. lx INcontynent Arthur alyght and toke leue of yâ— knyght the whiche vanysshed sone awaye Arthur dyde so moche that he approched to the kynge And incontynent he escryed hym to the dethe and then he sette hande to his swerde gaue one of his knyghtes suche a stroke that he cloue hyÌ„ to the tethe The seconde he smote of his harme and his sholder The thyrde he kest downe deed The kynge had but a shorte dager wherwith he defended hym valyauÌ„tlye but in the ende he fledde and Arthur folowed hym gaue hyÌ„ so grete a stroke with the platte of his swerde that he smote hym downe astonyed then he sayd to hyÌ„ A fals traytour kynge thou canst not denye but that yâ— hast the kynge in thy pryson wherfore enforce the for to rendre hym to me or elles I make auowe to god I shal smyte of thy heed The kyÌ„ge cryed hym mercy and sayd O noble knyght saue my lyfe and I shall rendre hym to the agayne Arthur promysed hyÌ„ that he wolde saue his lyfe so that he wolde sende hym to hym incontynente that he wolde promyse hym to lette them go safe ¶ The kynge promysed hym that he wolde do so And then he departed all mate and dyscomfyted and he dyde so moche that he came in to his castell And incontynent as he was there he commaunded that Olyuer sholde be drawen out Whan
Olyuer was afore hym he sayd Kynge I pray the that thou slee me afore that I entre in agayÌ„ in pryson The kynge sayd to hym that it wente not soo for a knyght hathe acquyted thy pryson and I promysed hym to sende the to hym TheÌ„ne he badde gyue hym newe clothes so as it was done and then he gaue hym leue but at the departynge he sayd Olyuer I se my dethe approche syth that I delyuer the and I haue well deserued it Neuertheles yf prayer maye haue place I beseche the for to pardoÌ„ me Olyuer that was more sympler than a mayden sayd to hym My frende that that ye haue done to me hathe ben withouten cause for all that I promyse you that as for me I shall neuer tell no body of the Iniurye that ye haue done to me but it be knowen by other that some make you warre I wyll not helpe you The kynge thaÌ„ked hym and sayd that he wolde abyde tyll than They mounted bothe on one hors all alone withouten other companye And wente so moche that they founde Arthur ¶ Olyuer knewe hym sooner than Arthur dyde hym Wherfore he set fote on grounde and ranne to hym with stratched armes and embraced hyÌ„ Who that hadde sene the knowlege of these two faythful felowes he sholde haue had a harde herte yf he hadde not wepte They helde eche other embraced with out ony speche Olyuer seynge his felowe that myghte not speke he had his herte sofull of Ioye and pyte that he myght to nothyÌ„ge but kysse hym and colle hym On the other syde Arthur that sawe the fayre face in whiche the ladyes toke theyr solace for to beholde it so pale with prysonynge where as he hadde ben in hadde not lesse sorowe than Olyuer For all that he was the fyrst that spake and sayd My ryght swete lorde felowe this Iourneye hathe ben fore desyred on my partye I gyue louynges to god that I haue founde you A whyte knyght hathe brought me hether the whiche salueth you charged me to tell it you Olyuer answered hym Arthur my broder by your bouÌ„te loyalte ye haue done so moche for me that I can neuer rendre you to guerdon I praye to god that he rendre you the rewarde for I am not suffycyent for to do it ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur departed frome 〈◊〉 realme of Irlande and toke theyr waye towarde London And how Olyuer by Ire kest Arthur downe of his hors bycause that he hadde layne with his wyfe Capitulo lxj THis notwithstandynge that they bothe shold haue done dyspleasure to the kynge of IrlaÌ„de that was there present for all that he sâ—ynge the knowlege and loue that they shewed demaunded theym yf that they wolde that he sholde gyue to eche of theym a good courser but thenne they sayd naye but and he wolde gyue to them the hors that he rode on he sholde do them a grete pleasure and that it sholde suffyse at that tyme for them bothe The kynge â—â—yd that he was contente and gaue hym theym These tweyne mounted vpon hym and Arthur rode afore for he was a lytell wounded And so they put them on the waye and dyde soo moche that they arryued in Englande But afore that they were there ye maye well thynke that they had dyuers wordes togyder and eche of them demaunded of others tydynges Whan they came in to Englande Olyuer shaued his berde to be the more gentyller But they wolde haue none other hors but that same that they were comen on and coÌ„cluded to tell the trouthe of theyr aduenture without declarynge the place of his prysonemeÌ„t and also without gyuyng ony knowlege of whens they were nor whome And they of Englande were all abasshed to se these two men vpon one horse semblable And sayd that Olyuer had broughte one of his brederne froÌ„ saynt Iames but they coude not knowe whiche was Olyuer Thus as â—e may here the two felowes approched within a myle of London And soo as they deuysed Olyuer demaunded Arthur yf euer he hadde ben at London And he sayd ye more than a monethe by the counsayll of the whyte knyght â–ª for to comforte the kynge and the lordes of the realme and also for to gyue helthe vnto Helayne his wyfe the whiche at that presente tyme was syke vnto the dethe and that he hadde made them for to byleue that he was Olyuer Olyuer demaunded hym howe that he hadde gouerned hym towarde his wyfe And Arthur sayd to hym that he hadde layne with her And whaÌ„ Olyuer these herde tydynges he put out of remembrauÌ„ce the seruyce that his felowe hadde done vnto hym and as hastye and full of furour he kest Arthur downe that was mounted afore hym so rudely without more enqueryÌ„ge that he brake one of his legges in fallynge Then he lepte in to the sadell and passed forthe on his waye withoutâ— retâ—â—â—nynge hym or makynge semblauÌ„t of ony thynge and whan he was passed he wyst not what he sholde do for to retorne and slee hym But he thought with in hymselfe that he sholde mysdo to gretely seynge the loue that hadde ben afore tyme bytwene them And also yâ— grete seruyce that he had done for hym as to haue taken hym oute of that place so full of myserye from whiche he sholde neuer haue departed yf he had not ben Wherfore he coÌ„cluded yâ— for all these seruyces he wolde leue hym his lyfe but this was not but that he thought that he hadde done his wyll with his wyfe and gaue hymselfe meruayle howe that in so noble a herte myght lodge so moche treason ¶ How Olyuer demâ—aned grete sorowe for the dyspleasure that he had doone vnto Arthur his felowe without en cause Capitulo lxij OLyuer rode longe in these thoughtes And whan he came to the courte and that the tydynges came to the kynge and to Helayne that Olyuer was comen agayne they were all abasshed for they knewe well that in so shorte a space as he hadde beÌ„ out that he coude not haue ben there Neuerthelesse they were ryght gladde Ioyous And the kynge made hym grete chere whaÌ„ he sawe hym But with payne he â—oude knowe hym bycause he was so lene and demaunded hym what sykenes he had syth his departynge and who had put hym in suche estate For as hym semyd he sawe neuer man so sore chaunged in so shorte space And Olyuer sayd to hym that neuer syth his departynge he had had helthe Fayre sone sayd the Kynge ye be comen in to this countree for to helpe you And then he demaunded hym why he hadde not ben at saynt Iames as he had tolde them at his departynge Olyuer sawe well that his felowe had made them to byleue at his departynge that he wente to saynt Iames wherfore he sayd My lorde my malydye hathe hathe letted me and yf it please god whan that I am hole I may do it better with myn ease and with gretter company whan
it came after souper he toke the sonest leue of the kynge that he myght as he that hadde grete wyll for to lye with his wyfe the whiche was so â—â—cellente and that of loÌ„ge tyme he had not sene her to whome he coude none euyll wyll of ony thyÌ„ge that was happened her nor that his felowe had done For he knowe wel that she coude not do withall and that ygnoraunce made her for to do it thynkynge that it had ben he whan he was a bedde with his wyfe he began for to colle her and kysse her wherof she was all abasshed sayd My lorde ye haue forgeten the promesse that ye made to Saynt Iames Olyuer demaunded her what it was and how quod she doo ye not thynke on that ye haue layne with me more than a monethe withouten touchynge of me and that of all that whyle I myght not haue of you one onely kysse and ye tolde me that it myght not be tel that your vyage were done I haue herde you saye that ye haue not ben there and therfore I praye you my dere lorde yf that ye haue promysed ony thynge to god that ye wyll holde it Olyuer demaunded her of euery thynge so ferforthe that he apperceyued the loyalte of his felowe wherefore tenderly wepynge he withdrewe hym abacke from his wyfe and of all that nyghte he slepte not but sayd to hymselfe that he was the moost vnhappye that euer was borne of moder And that the euelles and trybulacyons that he had endured had not doone hym the hondreth parte of dyspleasure that he had at that present tyme And sayd that and his felowe had ony hurte that he sholde neuer haue Ioye and that yf he were deed that he sholde â—lee hymselfe for had well deseruyd it ¶ How Olyuer departed from London and came to the place where as he had lefte his felowe and cryed hym mercy Capitulo lxiij REcydently he abode in that doloure and dystresse tyll it was daye and incoÌ„tynente as it was day â—he arose made to sadell his hors vpon yâ— whiche he mounted and dyde so moche that he arryued in yâ— place where as he had lefte Arthur and whan he founde hyÌ„ not he began for to serche hym on euery syde and as he wente heder and theder he herde towarde the wood a voyce that conplayned hym ryght bytterly wherfore he wente thederwarde And whan he approched nere there he knewe yâ— it was his felowe that with ryght grete payne had with drawen hym oute of the waye vnder a tree And whan Olyuer sawe hym he set fote on grounde And truely he had soo grete doloure that he myght not susteyne hyÌ„self And I thynke yf that god had not helped hym that he had fallen in dyspayre and smyten hymselfe thrughe yâ— body with his swerde that he hadde drawen oute And the fyrste worde that he sayd to his felowe was suche in castynge hymselfe on his knees afore hym with the naked swerde in his hande ¶ Alas my broder beholde this caytyfe in pyte the whiche hathe so greuously offended tâ—e wherfore take this swerde and slewe me with all my herte I pardon the for the surplus of my lyfe shall be in dystresse and sorowe Arthur seynge his felowe so meke hym towarde hym sayd My ryght dere broder loyall felowe I praye to god that the pardon you and I doo And thynke that it is a thynge more possyble for to deuyde all the thynges that god hathe made than to departe the loue of vs twayne tyll the dethe Whan Olyuer herde hym speke so huÌ„bly he wolde gladly haue ben deed And coude not tell what to do saue to wepe perfouÌ„dely besyde hym Wherfore Arthur prayed hym for to loke how that he myght be hadde thens for hâ— suâ—â—â—ed had suffred the nyghte afore so moche dolour bycause of his hurte that it was meruayll And then Olyuer axed hym yf that he myght abyde so longe tyll that he hadde ben at a lytell vyllage nere them for to fetche a charette Arthur sayd ye and prayed hyÌ„ for to hye hym Olyuer wente and made suche dylygence yâ— within a shorte space he brought one vpon the whiche he put hym and in this wyse he was brought to LoÌ„don sore syke and Olyuer was in it also for to bere hym companye And made for to be gyueÌ„ hym a house and seruauntes After that this was done Olyuer made all the kynges physycyens and surgyens for to come the whiche put Arthur in poynt And they dyde so moche that within shorte tyme he wente aboute the chambre Olyuer that vysyted hym of ten tolde to his wyfe how â—uery thynge wente and had ben and that by the space of a moneth another man had layne with her the whiche was all abasshed and swore to hym that in no maner of the worlde he had not touched her not asmoche as to kysse her The kynge in lyke wyse dyde demaunde of Olyuer what maner a man he was that he hadde brought in suche wyse theder And Olyuer sayd vnto hym that it was one of his good felowes the whiche hadde ben nourysshed with hym sythe his yoâ—ghthe And thenne Olyuer beganne for to recouÌ„te vnto the kynge of Englande the grete loyalte and also loue that he had to hym in lyke wyse how yâ— he had layne with his wyfe and the maner how that he had conduyted hym and after the payne trauayle that he had suffred for to put hym out of pryson where as he was in And of the grete valyauÌ„â—yses that he hade done for that cause tâ—en he recounted the pyteous guerdon rewarde that he had gyuen hym wherefore he prayed the kynge that he wolde honoure hym as moche or more than hym selfe For he was more worthy it than he ¶ How Arthur after that he was heled passed ouer yâ— sâ—e and had vengeaunce on the kynge that had kepte Olyuer prysoner Capitulo lxiiij THe kynge was gretely abasshed and sayd yâ— it was one of the meruaylous hystoryes that euer he hadde herde sayd to Olyuer that he coude neuer do hyÌ„ so moche honour but that he ought to doo hym more and also yf yâ— he loued hym wel he sholde do nothynge but that he oughte to do For neuer broder had done for another that yâ— he had done for hym wherfore he coude not to moche deserue it And that as touchynge his parte he wolde doo hym as moche honour as sholde be possyble to hym and sente for his chamberlayne and his mayster stewarde and other gouernours and commaunded them that suche and semblable estate as his sone Olyuer had sholde be gyuen to Arthur And began for to tell them all alonge that yâ— whiche Olyuer had rehersed to hym reserued that he made no mencyon how that Arthur hadde layne with his doughter yâ— whiche was not a thynge for to recounte for it was a desloyalte but the kynge kepte hym well from tellynge of it bycause that there was and is
holdynge the basyn in his handes came in to yâ— chambre of his felowe and made to auoyde all them that were there and then after he toke a lytell pot â—ull of the blode that was yet all hote and gaue it to his felowe Arthur for to drynke that knewe nothynge what it was And the hystorye maketh mencyon that as sone as he had tasted of it all the vermyne of his heed fell of And with this he keste oute all the vapours of his body in suche wyse that he felte hymselfe of all poyntes heled saue the flesshe that was eten of his vysage was not so sone comen agayne But Olyuer by thre or foure tymes wasshed it and gaue hym the surplus for to dryÌ„ke so moche that he had agayne his syght and his helthe And whan Arthur felte hymselfe heled he kneled downe for the kysse the feete of his felowe And Olyuer that was gladde of the guaryson and helth of his felowe sayd to hym My frende gyue thankynges to god and after to my chyldren the whiche I haue slayne for thy helthe And to the ende that thou byleue it the better to there yâ— basyn that is yet all blody of theyr blode Arthur heryÌ„ge and seynge this meruayll hadde so grete abhomynacyon and was soo meuyd at his herte that with payne it can be specyfyed and sayd to hym ¶ Ha ha Olyuer how may there rest so grete cruelte and tyrannye in a maÌ„nes herte as in thyn that hathe slayne thy two chyldren for me that am a straunge man and nothyng of thy kynne Truely I wolde be deed so that it hadde not happened so to the. Olyuer sayd to hym my frende I was theyr fader and seynge that I haue put them to dethe thou arte nothyÌ„ge culpable for it was not at thy request wherfore holde the contente But my ryght loyall felowe there is another thynge for it is nedefull that the departyÌ„ge of vs twayne be made Wherfore I recommende my wyfe vnto the and praye the that thou wylte comforte helpe her For I knowe well that she shall haue grete nede of helpe whan she shall knowe that the whiche is happened All the golde of the worlde sholde not kepe me yf the kynge knewe it Wherfore it is force for me for to departe and go in to suche a place where neuer tydynges shall be herde of me and where as I maye serue god al yâ— remenaunt of my lyfe for to purge my vyces synnes whyles that Olyuer spake to his felowe the lady that had the kepynge of the two chyldren had beÌ„ at Helayne and complayned her strongely of that that she knewe not in what estate the chyldren were and excused her saynge that and there came ony euyll to them that it was by the sayd Olyuer ¶ Of the grete myracle that god dyde to Olyuer for his loyalte in reysyng his two chyldren to lyfe that he hadde slayne Capitulo lxix OLyuer thought that it sholde be a thyÌ„ge in humayne for to se his two chyldren by heded wherfore he wente in to the chambre where as they were for to haue put them in a place where neuer tydynges sholde haue ben herde of them And this wolde he do afore his departynge WhaÌ„ he had lyfte vp to the couerlet he opened the wyndowe that was shytte for to se them more playnly and then he came towarde his chyldren with yâ— teres in his eyen and in castynge his regarde on them he apperceyued that they hadde lyfe and played bothe togyder ¶ Whan Olyuer sawe this myracle for pure Ioye he fell in a swowne to the erthe And whaÌ„ he was arysen he enbraced and kyssed them a M. tymes and theÌ„ne he sayd ¶ O innumerable puyssaunce of god that no man can comprehende I rendre vnto the praysynges thankes of the goodnes that thou hast done to me poore synner in shewynge thy grete pyte and mercye He toke his two chyldren in his armes and lapped them in a clothe all blody And the fyrste that he encountred was his felowe Arthur to whome he sayd Broder reioyse the goo and se the kynge and do so moche that he folowe me to the chyrche that I go to In lyke wyse my wyfe and all them of the courte that ye may fynde Then Olyuer passed forthâ— all alone thrughe the stretes and he dydde soo moche that he came to the cathedrall chyrche of Poules where as he commaunded that all the belles sholde be rongen to the ende that all manere of folke sholde come theder He mounted on hye for to be herde of euery body And then he began for to saye whan he sawe that the kynge was comen and that the chyrche was full of folke Ryght puyssaunt kynge of Englande thou hast maryed thy doughter to a man vnknowen for ye knowe that I neuer reherced to you of my lygnage notwithstandyng thynke that my condycyons be not so hye and soo vertuous as they ought to be and that apperteynethe to my lygnage the whiche is ryall for I am sone of a kynge and of a quene and at this presente tyme kynge of Castyll But neuer syfh the decesse of my fader and that the realme is fallen to me I haue not beÌ„ there But my wyll is nowe for to getheder and make me to be crowned kyÌ„ge and my wyfe quene Wherfore I beseche you noble kynge that ye wyll accompany me and youre daughter theder for it is reason that I retorne better accoÌ„panyed than I came forthe Notwithstandynge that I had taken leue of the ryghte puyssaunce Kynge of Algarbe my faythfull felowe that is there I lefte hym a lettre by the whiche I prayed hym that yf he sawe the water of a glasse that I had lefte hym chaunge his coloure that he sholde put hym in quest after me for I sholde than haue nede of helpe He forgate it not for he loked so moche that he sawe it chaunge and it was at the houre that I was taken in Irlande Whan he apperceyued it he that is a kynge redoubted and regente of Castyll in abydynge of my retorne hathe habandonned landes and possessyons and all other thynges for my loue and all alone without ony company put hym on the waye and made auowe to god that he sholde neuer rest tyll that he hadde herde tydynges of me ¶ How Olyuer afore the kynge of Englande and the other barons of the realme tolde his adâ—entures and meruaylous fortunes Capitulo lxx AFter Olyuer began for to recouÌ„te all the aduentures of Arthur as well of them of the forest as of yâ— other and how that he hadde foughten with the kynge of Irlande four of his knyghtes that helde hym in pryson dyde so moche by force of armes that he dyde vaynquysshe hym and slewe his men And after sayd in this maner contyne wynge by conclusyon By the moyen of my broder loyall felowe Arthur I am delyuered from the place where as I sholde neuer haue yssued out And in
monethes he demaunded Olyuer yf that he wolde not retorne in to Englande and he answered hym naye And sayd that he was more at his ease in his realme that had beÌ„ so longe without a kynge than for to retorne in to Englande Then the kynge concluded to departe and Olyuer conueyed hym out of his realme And whan it came that they sholde take leue the kynge of Englande sayd to hym My sone and my frende Olyuer I recoÌ„maunde vnto you my doughter your wyfe and I pray you yf that I haue nede that ye wyll forgete not me And Olyuer sayd to hyÌ„naye and that as often and as many tymes as he sholde haue to do with hym that he sholde fynde hym redy And so they toke leue and the kynge of Englande wente towarde Englande the kynge of Castylle retorned in to his couÌ„tree where as he founde his broder Arthur kynge of Algarbe yâ— whiche wolde retorne in to his couÌ„tree and ledde agayne his moder that tooke leue of the kynge without makynge ony mencyon of ony thynge yâ— had happened afore And whan he founde hymselfe alone and was delyuered of all straunge men he vysyted his realme and made his ordynaunces soo fayre and so good that euery body was contente He with helde dyuers lordes of the realme of Castylle of his courte with some of Englande that were abyden with hym And as he had ben there a whyle he was knoweÌ„ of all the noble men that loued hym as theyr lyfe They were all reioysed of the two fayre chyldren that they had the whiche dyde encrâ—ase in aege in condycyons and in beaute that it was meruayll And whan it came to the knowlege of them of the countree of the fayre myracle that had happened all the worlde was abasshed how he had had the courage for to â—lee them for they knewe wel as to there garde of the myracle that the puyssauÌ„ce of god is so grete that none can comprehended it Thus as ye here the kynge of Castylle lyued in Ioye with his fayre and good spouâ—e resours of all his sykenesses and adueÌ„tures and aledgynge of all his dolours Euery body loued and dreded hym so moche that neuer kynge of Castylle was soo obeyed of his subgectes It happened on a somer daâ—e aboute foure a cloke that the daye was fayre and clere and as the kynge of Castylle slepte with his wyfe a thyÌ„ge came and knocked at the chambre dore soo meruayllous strokes that it hadde almoost broken the dore The kynge awaked and demauÌ„ded what it was That same thynge answered open the dore thou shalte se or elles I shall breke it Whan the kynge herde hym speke soo he put on his sherte and toke his naked swerde in his hande and came and opened the dore It was not soo soone open but that he knewe that it was his knyght that at his nede had alwaye socoured and seruyd hym And yet he was clothed in the whyte gowne that he hadde at the houre that he departed fro hym Whan the kynge sawe hym he toke hym in his armes and sayd My frende ye be welcome And he answered welcome or yll come yet am I comen and not for to tell you ony thynge that is pleasauÌ„t The kynge sayd that he coude saye nothynge that sholde dysplease hym for he had good remeÌ„braunce of the promesse that he had made to hym and was redy for to holde it ¶ Here it maketh mencyon of the sayd whyte knyght And of the grete dolour that Olyuer and his wyfe demeaned for theyr chyldren of whiche the whyte knyghte toke the sone for his parte and of other mysteryes of the quene Capitulo lxxiiij THey entred bothe in to yâ— chambre where as they founde Helayne a bedde that was all a basshed whaÌ„ she sawe the knyght clothed in whyte entre in to the chambre ¶ The kynge badde her aryse soo as she dydde and whan Oly. she was redy the knyght prayed the kynge that he wolde kepe his promesse and that he wolde kepe his fayth The kynge Olyuer hadde then all the thynges redy and apparaylled For it was of longe tyme purueyed in abydynge the whyte knyght and had departed all these thyÌ„ges 〈◊〉 wayne and began for to saye vnto the knyghte in this maner My frende I shall begynne at the Iewel les of my wyfe without the clothynge that hathe ben estymed a mylyon of golde lo there the keye take the whiche that ye wyll for all his departed in halfe my treasoure in lyke wyse ye shall chese the whiche halfe that ye wyll After the mouable goodes of my hous that I am serued with I thynke that ye haue but lytell to do with them saue the vessell And that vpon his fayth he hadde departed in two all that he hadde wonne and moore to for the moost parte of his treasour proceded of the realme of Castylle and that and he had euer ony thynge of that of Englande he sholde be lorde of the Iust halfe as he hadde promysed hym The knyght sayd that he was not contente and sayd to hym ¶ Kynge ye leye to me of that whiche ye saye for ye do not departe it so to me as ye haue promysed Haue ye not woÌ„ne wyfe and chyldren The kynge sayd ye Then sayd the knyghte I oughte to haue parte ¶ Whan the kynge vnderstode hym he set hym on his knees prayed hym with Ioyned handes that he wolde leue hym his chyldren and that he wolde gyue hym the halfe of his realme and with that yâ— resydue of his treasoure In lyke wyse the poore Helyayne in grete humylite with the teres in her eyen prayed hym yâ— he wolde haue pyte on her and on her burdeÌ„ and that he were contente for to take that the whiche her husbande dyde ossre hym by suche moyeÌ„ yâ— the chyldren sholde abyde to them The knyght sayd to hym Dame I wyll do nothynge for you nor for none other And yf that ye wyll not do it it is well in my power for to make you recompence it full derely Then the kynge commaunded the moder for to fetche her chyldreÌ„ the whiche she dyde and founde them a bedde and made them tâ—aryâ— and clothed them and then broughte them Whan the kynge sawe them he demaunded the knyght yf that he wolde be contente for his realme his treasoure for to rendre to hym his chyldren yf prayer myght haue ony place The knyght sayd naye Now sayd yâ— kynge syth that it gothe thus chese whiche that ye loue best The knyght layd that he wolde haue the sone bycause that he knewe that he loued hym best The kynge all wepyÌ„ge toke his sone by the handâ— and gaue hym to the knyght saynge My sone and my chylde I recommaunde the in to the garde of our lorde the pleasure of thy yongthe hathe lytell endured me Who that than had sene the poore Helayne take leue of her chylde he sholde haue had a harde herte yf that he had not
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 felowe Olyuer made vnto god eueÌ„ so as he had wryten in the lettre and all this to the ende that of them were memorye afterwarde for to knowe the puyssaunce of god and the meruayles that on them he wolde shewe as on his frendes good crysten men and â—or to gyue example vnto the other ¶ Almoche as it toucheth of the fortunes happened vnto Olyuer and Arthur as well on the see as on the laÌ„de it is but a thynge naturall and of semblable happeneth often by the dysposycyon of the weder but that whan yâ— they were presetued from deth that was yâ— wyll of god and thynges myraculous that were shewed on them ¶ To the regarde of the whyte knyght that appered so to Olyuer and gaue hym comforte and ayde in his nedes god had sente hym in rewardyÌ„ge hym in this worlde of yâ— grete goodnesse and werkes of myserycorde that he hadde accomplysshed in procurynge the absolucyon of that same knyght that was holden for accursed ¶ Where as it toucheth that Olyuer was taken by one of the kynges of Irlande and retayned prysoner and after delyuered out of pryson by Arthur god caused all this to the ende that the kynge of Irlande that vniustely and without cause was enemye of his herâ—â— and traytour for alredy by iust warre he had made to hym homage and to the kynge of Englande the whiche put hyÌ„ in his realme agayne abode not vnpunysshed in this same worlde of his euyll and traytourous wyll to the ende that all traytours take ensample by hym and kepe them from falsynge of theyr othe ¶ To the regarde that Arthur coude not be heled but yf he dranke of the blode of two Innocentes sone doughter god had done it and gyueÌ„ it to vnderstande by reuelacyon for to preue yâ— loyalte and true loue of these two felowes as we rede of Abraham that was contente for to make sacrefyce of his soue Ysaac vnto god in lyke wyse Olyuer was soner coÌ„tente to hele his felowe by sleynge of his chyldren than for to se hym deye and it maye be that his chyldren were deed and after reuyued or elles that god couered the murdre and semed to Olyuer that they were deed soo as it semed to the Iewes that Moyses had hornes yet had he none ¶ And asmoche as it toucheth that Olyuer was conteÌ„te for to slee his wyfe the quene for to kepe his promesse vnto the whyte knyght Syr Iohan Talbot to whome he hadde promysed the halfe of his wynnynge at the torneyment he was so grounded and resolued in loyalte yâ— of his promyse he coude not nor durst not excuse hym As we haue of kynge Herode yâ— loued of saynt IohaÌ„ baptyst but yet he wolde kepe his promyse to his doughter and make hym to be byheded than to fayle and breke yâ— fayth of his othe ¶ And bycause that to god is nothynge impossyble he hathe done for oure doctryne dyuers myracles that ben worthy of memorye perpetuall as yâ— hystorye specyfyeth here afore made to the praysynge of god and of his gloryous moder and to the honour of the noble meÌ„ and to the felycyte of all loyall true louers to the example of pacyentes to the hope of the cheualrous and to the ferrylyte and occupacyon of the tyme salutarye Amen ¶ Here endeth the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and of the fayre Helayne doughter vnto the kynge of Englande Inprynted at London in Flete strete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde The yere of oure lorde M. CCCCC and .xviij. W C Wynkyn de Worde