deef dombe but at meuyng whan the thorne was drawen fro the crowne he took hys syght and whan it was layed in ageyn he recouuered his heeryng And in florysshyng of it he was restored to his speche ¶ After thys the sayd danyel took a nayll of which the percyous body of our lord in his passyon had be perced and in grete reuerence was put for a relque in alabastâ—e in takyng oute of it a chylde was heled whiche of hys lefte syde was drye and Impotent fro his byrthe he ranne hastelye to the chyrche and cryed at the houre of none and said that he beyng in an extasye was he led and guarysshed and tolde the manere ¶ Also there was gyuen to the kyng Charles a pyece of the holy crosse and the holy sudarye and therwith the smocke of our lady the clothe wherin our lord was wrapped and also the arme of saynt Symeon and al reuerently in precyous pyxes â—â—asses he hâ—nge them aboute hys necke and in passyng by a castel there was a chylde newe dede whom kyng charles touched with the reliques that he bare anone the chylde was reysed to lyf And whan he come to Acon in Almayne whyche is a moche fayr cytee where as kyng charles had made his paleys moche fayr ryche and a ryght deuoute chapel in thonour of our lady wherin hym self is buryed There atte laste were guarysshed heled blynde men and seek men of the feures wythoute nombre xij demonyaks viij lazars of the palescy xv of mysharen xv â—roke backed lij of the fallyng sekenes lxv of the gowte many of them of the same place many of other maladâ—es And it was ordeyned that in the moneth of Iuyl at Acon in the cyte that al peple myght come see the forsayd relyques which kyng charles had brought fro Iherusalem and constantynoble And more ouer was establysshed that one day of the weke of the fastyng of ymbre dayes and in the moneth of Iuyl shold be made this demostraunce and notyfycacyon And in thys constytucion was Pope Leo Tharchebysshop Turpyn Achylleus bysshop of alex andrye And Theophyle of anthyoche many other bisshoppes abbottes whyche werk was moche vertuous ful of helthe ¶ Here begynneth the ij book of thys present werke whyche conteyneth thre partyes by chapytres folowyng declared ¶ The fyrst partye of the second book conteyneth xvj chapytres and speketh of the bitayll doon by Olyuer Fyerabras a meruayllous geaunte ¶ How in a place which was called mormyonde charles abode folowyng the warre ayenst the paynems after a lytel prologue ¶ The fyrst chapytre I Haue spoken tofore in the fyrst book superfycyally of the first kyng of fraunce baptysed in descendyng after my purpoos vnto Kynge charles of whome may not wel be recouÌ„ted the valyauÌ„ce of hym and of hys barons whych were named called pyeres of frauÌ„ce Of whome of their behauyng I shal make mencion after that I shal mowe coÌ„ceyue by trouthe but thys that I haue tofore wryton I haue taken it oute of an autentyke book named myrrour hystoryal and in auncyent cronycles And haue onelye translated them oute of latyn in to frensshe And the mater folowyng whyche shal be the second book is of a Romaunce maad of thauncyent facyon wythoute grete ordynaunce in frensshe wherof I haue been encyted for to reduce in profe by chapytres ordeyned which book after soÌ„me and moost comunely is called Fyerabras by cause that thys Fyerabras was so meruayllous a geaunte as I shal make mencyon whyche was vaynquysshed by Olyuer And at the laste baptysed was after a Saynt in heuen And in effect it speketh of that bataylle and of the relyques conquered whiche had ben taken at rome and were in the puyssaunce of the admyrall whyche was fader of fyerabras wherfore in thys book folowyng I ne entende but onely to reduce thauncyent ryme in to profe to deuyde the mater by chapytres in the best ordynauÌ„ce that I shal conne wythoute to adiouste ony thynge that I haue not founde in the book competent in lyke wyse as I shal fynde I shal reduce And thys book is applyed to thonour of Olyuer one partye Not wythstondyng that there been many other maters For I suppose that of eueriche of the barons pryncypal of themperour Charles whyche been sayd comynly in nombre xjj or xiij and pyeres of Fraunce whyche were capytaynes of thexcercyte and moche stronge and valyaunte of theyr persones were grete lordes and noble But of the lordes valyaunte capytaynes were more than xiii after that I fynde Fyrst there was rolland Erle of Cenonia sone of myllon erle and of dame berthe proper syster of kyng Charles After hym was Olyuer Erle sone of Reyner of gennes which Reyner was also at thexcersyte of kyng charles After hym Rychard of Normandye Garyn duck of Lorayn Geffroy lord of bourdeloys Hoel Erle of NauÌ„tes Ogyer the danois kyng of denmarke Lamberd prynce of bruxellys Naymes Duke of bauyer Thiery duc of ardanne Basyn of beneuoys Guye of bourgoyne Caudeboy kyng of Fryse Ganellon whych dyd the treson at the ende of the iij book at rouncyuale Sampson duk of bourgoyne Also there was Ryol du mauns Alory guyllermet the soot and many other that were subgettes to Charles And not wythstondyng that they were not alwaye wâ—â—h hym They that I haue tofore â—amed were alwaye redy for to â—o his commaundement And the moost parte of them that I haue tofore named were wyth hym â—â—â—ynuelly ¶ Of Fyerabras how 〈◊〉 to excyte thexcersyte of Câ—â—rles capitulo THe admyral of spayne named ballan a pâ—â—nym moche grete puâ—ssauÌ„t of body and of peple had a sone named Fyerabras the moost meruayllous geaunt that euer was seen borne of moder for of the gretenes hugenes of hys body and also of his strengthe to hym was none like the whyche was kyng of Alexandrye helde vnder hym the contree of babylone vnto the rede see and he was lord of roussye of coulleygne more ouer vnder hym was Iherusalem reteyned the holy sepulcre of our lord Ihesu Cryst a by hys grete puyssauÌ„ce entred on a tyme in to Rome where he dyd moche euyl bare awaye the holy crowne of our lord the holy naylles other relyques ynoughe Of whome thys book shal in th ende recouÌ„te how they were recouerd And he was called Fyerabras of alexandrye whyche after that many warres bataylles were maad in Mormyonde bytwene the paynyms and thexcersyte of Charles Thys fyerabras moche dyssolute came rydyng by grete furour for to fynde soÌ„me cristen man for to fyght ayenst hym came vnto the lyces of Kynge Charles moche furyous and eschauffed as he shold fyght al armed and wel fournysshed of wepen was ryght euyl contente that he fonde no persone to whome he myght fyght nygh vnto the lyces he went to beholde the armes af themperour charles whyche were of
deth whan the frensshe men vnderstood the commaundemnt of Charles for to haue accomplysshed it that one loked vpon that other for to see who wold sette fyrst honde vpon hym And whan Roulland sawe the fayt he withdrewe hym a litel a parte wyth hys swerde in hys honde cryeng with an hyghe voys and sayenge to theym yf ye be wyse holde you stylle For I make a vowe to god that yf ony of you moeue to come to me I shal make of hys heed two partes wherfore there was not one that durst ne that was soo hardy to meue ageynst hym in malyce but were ryght sory euyll contente of theyr debate and there vpon the noble Ogier came swetelye to Roulland and sayd to hym Syr Roulland me semeth ye doo not wel for to angre thus your vncle the emperour whoâ—â— by reason ye ought aboue alle other to loue and defende also supporte Roulland answerd whyche thenne was refrayned of hys Ire Syr Ogyer I promyse you for a lytel fayt I was determyned to a grete oultrage wythoute aduys and enclyned wherof now I am sory and me repenteth ¶ How the kyng charles and Roulland been repreued by the anctour and somwhat excused vpon the debate aforesayd ca v VPon the debate of them perour and Rolland hys â—euewe I wyll a lytyl tarye and spelle fyrst to the kyng Charles whyche haste be Iustuicte syth thyn Infancye in alle seyences ful of maners digne of commemoracyon whiche knewest the constaunce of the auncyents and the mutabylyte of the yonge peple why saydest thou on the euene that the auncyent and olde knyghtes in the warre of that day had borne them better thaÌ„ the yonge knyÈtes And thou knewest well that Olyuer was gretely hurte by hys valyaunce in suche wyse that he kepeth hys bedde And also Rolland thy neuewe had borne the grete burthen of the bataylle And yf he had spoken folily thou oughtest to haue supported hys fyrst moeuyng whiche is not in the puyssaunce of a man yf thou haddest taken aduys at the word that sayth Vindictam differ donec pertranscat furor That is to say thou oughtest to dylate thy vengeaunce tyll the furour be passed Thou sholdest not haue smyton Rolland Sythe whan he sayd euyl it was wythout aduys of grete dyscrescyon thou smotest hym semblably wythout aduys he drewe hys swerde ayenst the And though thou haddest not smeton hym thou myghtest well haue repreheÌ„ded hym of his offeÌ„ce Thou oughtest to remembre ecclesyastes whyche sayth Richilagas in operibus iniurie whan a man receyueth wronge Iniurye it is not good that he doo that whyche he may doo And also it is whan a persone hath wel doon hys deuoyr And of hym of whome he ought to haue hys thanke and preysyng is blamed of soo moche the more is he euyll contente and wrothe For hys fayt is reputed for nought In lyke wyse was it of Rolland whyche thought more to haue be alowed preysed for the grete deuoyr that he dyd than to here that the Emperour sayd that tholde knyghtes had doon better than the yonge but now I wyl retorne to the O Rolland whiche hast been so noble Fro whens cometh in the suche audacyte to speke ageynst thyn vncle whyche hath allwaye doon so wel to the that hys werkes been worthy to be remembred To hym which is emperour Kynge of Fraunce and lord of so grete cremeur and to thyn vncle as taken debate and ansuerd outrageously was it not reason that thou oughtest to suffer hym and he not the yf he smote the wyth hys gauntelet by maner of correctyon oughtest thou to drawe thy swerde to hym Thou hast not in rememberaunce the obeyssaunce of ysaac whyche he had to hys fader thou were not aduysed of thys that thappostle saith ye yoÌ„ge men kepe your courage And put not the furour therof in exersiâ—e yf the Emperour for hys dysporte preysed thauncyent knyghtes yet sayd he not that thou haddest not doon wel ¶ And Saynt Poule sayth in hys epystle that a man shold not repreue hym that is more auÌ„cyent than hym self but a man ought to entretene and supporte hym as his fader but the dede is suche that a persone reputeth not an Iniurye to hym sayd to be lytel ne yf he be hurte that he be pacyent wherfore it is good to thynke to for or he speke it And gladly to doo ne say thynge but yf it be good ¶ How Olyuer was dysposed to fyght ageynst Fyerabras not wythstondyng that he was hurt after many woedes capitulo vj MOche wroth was Charles wyth Rolland hys neuewe And sayd to hys Peres of Fraunce Lordes O how I am in dyuers thoughtes of my neuewe Rolland whyche wold haue Iniuryed my persone To whome I had more affyauÌ„ce than to ony man lyuyng I wote neuer whome I ought to loue Ne whome I ought to hate And yet furthermore I haue noo man now present for to Iuste ageynst thys Paynym that hath chalenged me ¶ Thenne aroos vp tofore hym Naymes the Duc of bauyers whych sayd to the kyng Syr Emperour I praye you requyre that ye leue these wordes noyouses Alle shal be wel And another shal goo Iuste ageynst the sarasyn But neuertheles the kyng was in grete thought For there was none that wold goo ne take it on hym ¶ Incontynente the tydynges of the debate of charles and Rolland were brought to Olyuer whyche was in another place seek in hys bedde And also how Fyerabras was comen And that there was no persone present wyth the kynge for to Iuste ayenst hym And hereupon the noble erle Olyuer replenysshed wyth a noble courage and wyth an ardaunt desyre for to playse the kynge whan he had herde these tydynges aroos oute of hys bedde and began for to stratche and strayne hys armes and to fele yf it were possyble to hym to bere armes And he thus dooyng his wouÌ„des began newely to opene that the blood sprange oute of the dystresse ¶ And not wythstondyng alle that as he that sette not moche therby For the grete loue and desyre that he had to the kyng dyd do bynde hys woundes the beste wyse he myght and after sayd to garin his squyer that he shold brynge hym hys armes For he wold arme hym for to goo Iust ayenst the saresyn To whome Garyn sayd syr Olyuer in thonour of god take pyte of your owne persone For me thynketh ye wil willyngly slee your self Olyuer sayd to hym to my commaundement no man ought to tarye to seche hys honour and auauncement and renommee And wyth good ryght I may employe my self for to serue my prynce and synguler lord and sythe that I see that noo frensshe man auaunceth hym I shall not faylle at the poynte for the comyn prouerbe sayth At nede a man knoweth hys frende Now anone brynge to me myn armes wythoute more taryeng And so Olyuer dyd doo arme hym by the sayd Garyn hys squyer whiche sette on his legge
of the poure peple for to receyue almesse lyke as other dyden whan thoffyce was accomplysshed this mayde Clotildis like as the was accustomed acte departyng fro the chyrche began to gyue almesse to the poure peple whan she came to Aurelianus she gaf to hym in his honde a pyece of golde anone he as glad wel contente kyssed hyr hâ—ndeâ— whan this lady was in hyâ— chambre she began to thynke on that poure man that had kyssed hyr honde sent for to seche hym by hyr seruaunt whan he wyst it he cam to hir moche Ioyously and bare in his honde the rynge of kyng cloys humbly behaued hym tofore hyr ¶ The mayde began to say to hym saye to me wherfore dyssymylest thou thy self lyke to the poure people Aurelyanus answerd Madame knowe ye for trouthe that I am a messager of the noble Kyng cloys kyng of Fraunce whiche hath sente me to you beyng enformed of your beaute wysdom desyreth you to be hys wyf for to be quene forthwith he preseÌ„ted to hir the rynge of kyng cloys the whyche she took put it in to the tresour of agabondus hir vncle sayd to the messager that he shold recomaunde hyr to the kyng in tellyng to hym that it was not leeful to a paynym to haue to his wyf a crysten womaÌ„ Neuertheles she prayed hym that of al this he shold say noo worde that she wold not doe but as the kyng wold vpon this poynt auerlianus came and shewed al to the kyng wherevpon the kyng cloys the yere folowyng sent ageyn his messager anrelianê° to agaboÌ„dus vncle of Clotildis for to haue hyr to his wyf whan Agabondus knewe thenâ—necyon of kyng cloys he ansuerd to the messager Say hardyly to the kyng thy lord that he hath lytel to do in desyryng to haue my nyece to wyf but the bourgoynons wyse couÌ„seyllours redoubtyng the puyssaunce of kyng Cloys by good counceyl whan they had wel serched the tresour of Agabondus their kyng fouÌ„de the rynge of kyng cloys which clotyldis had layed therin wherin was graueÌ„ portrayed his ymage wente concluded to performe the wylle of kyng clois vpon this agabondus ful of yre delyuerd Clotildis to aurelianus he brouÈt hir with his peple with grete Ioye to kyng cloys which had grete playsyr to see thys fayr mayde And forthwyth with al solemnyte after the maner royal he espoused hir after the custome of his lawe ¶ How kyng Cloys was admonested by the quene clotildis affectuously that he shold byleue in the crysten fayth and other maters capitulo iij THe fyrst nyght after the espousaylles atte houre that the kyng and the quene shold slepe to gyder Clotyldis enbraced wyth the loue of god by grete knowlege of Ihesus our lord went and said to the kyng My right dere lord I requyre the that it please the to grauÌ„te to me a lytel demauÌ„de byfore or I entre in to thy bedde wyth the The kynge sayd demaundeâ— what thou wylt For I am wel contente Clotyldys thenne sayd to hym Fyrst I demaunde requyre and admoneste the that thou wylt byleue in god of heuen Fader almyghty whyche made heuen and erthe that hath created the And in Ihesu Cryst his gloryous sone kyng of alle kynges which by his passyon hath redemed the And in the holy ghoost confirmatour and Illumynatour of al good werkes procedyng fro the fader fro the sone the foresayd Trynyte in one onely essen to whome ought to be gyuen al honour and all lawde byleue Byleue ye in this holy byleue and mageste and leue the ydolles made wyth mannes honde a folysshe thyng and vayn and thynke for to restore the holy chyrches whyche thou hast brente Secondly I requyre the that thou wylt demaunde my parte and porcyon of the goodes of my fader and of my moder of agabondê° myn vncle whom he dyd put to deth falsely and wythoute occasyon but the vengeaunce I leue to god whan she had said this the kyng answerd ¶ Thou hast demaunded me a poynte passage which is to me ouer strayt hard to graunte that is that I shold forsake my goddes by whome I gouern me for to adoure one onely god of whome thou hast spoken to me demauÌ„de of me som other thynge with good hert I shal doo it Clotildis aÌ„suerd as moche as is possyble to me to requyer I supplye byseche the that thou wilt adoure the god of heuen maker of al to whome onely is due al honour the kyng made none other ansuer but sente anone Aurelyen his faâ—tour to agabondus for to haue the goodes longyng to the quene Clotildis whan Aurelyen had doon his message Agabondus replenysshed with grete Ire aÌ„suerd to the messager that he shold as soone haue alle his royame as ony thyng of hym For which cause Aurelyen said to hym the kyng clâ—ys my maister comauÌ„deth the by me that thou make an answer vpon my demaunde or ellys he shalle be euyl contente Thenne the bourgoynons helden a counceyl and sayd to agabondus their kyng Sir kyng gyue to your nyece of your goodes as reason wyl for it is ryght And we kâ—owe wel that so ought ye to doe and to take playsyr to haue good aâ—yaunces with clois the kyng and wyth all the frensshe peple to th ende that they â—â—nne not on vs For the people is boystous furious and that werke is wythout mynde of god And vpon this poynte Agabondus constrayned to the counceyl of the bourgoynons hys people sente a grete partye of his tresour to Aurelyen the messager of kyng Cloys In a litel tyme after the kyng cloys in vysityng his royame The quene clotyldis was anon grete with chylde and sone after was delyuerd of a sone whome she dyd do baptyse And contynuelly requyred the kyng that he wold byleue as tofore is sayd but he in no wyse wold here her ne do therafter And whan the chylde was baptysed anone it exspyred deyed wherof the kyng was euyl contente and sayd to the quene yf thou haddest gyuen hym and dedyed hym to my goddes he were now olyue The quene an swerd for this thyng I am noo thyng perturbled in my courage but I rendre gyue thaÌ„kynges to god my creatour by cause he hath me so dygne and worthy that it haâ—h plesed hym to take in to his royalme of heuen the fyrst fruyt of my wombe After the yere folowyng she had ageyn another sone named lodomyrus the whyche whan he was baptysed bycame anone so seke that it was supposed he shold deye And whan the kyng sawe it languysshe he beyng euyl contente said to the quene and how sayd he it shal none otherwyse be of this chylde but as it was of that other his broder by cause ayenst myn entente thou doost thy wylle in baptysyng them Thenne the quene for the fere of the â—yng prayed to god deuoutely for the helthe
contreye that euery man that myÈt â—ere armes shold be redy for to goo wyth hym ayenst the paynyms and he that wold not come shold be bounde for a good soÌ„me of money for to hyre souldyours that shold goo Thys doon was neuer seen tofore in so lytel tyme so moche peple assembled as thenne were founden And whan they were al departed in the name of god full of one grete fayth in grete hope to obteyne vyctorye vnder the conduyte of Charlemayn capitayne of the fayth And whan they had ryden a grete longe waye they came in to a grete wode of buscage in whyche they myght not passe vnnethe in two dayes and yet wyth grete payne and Charles thought to passe it in one daye wherfore he his hoost entred wythin the sayd wood which was ful of dyuers wilde beestes as Gryffons beres lyons Tygres and other beestes whaÌ„ they were thus in that grete wode and the nyght came on they were al abasshed troubled wythout knowyng whych waye they shold holde And Charles commauÌ„ded that they shold loke yf they myght see or knowe ony habytacyon but they were ferre fro ony and oute of their ryght waye and by force were dryuen to dyspose them to slepe in that estate And whan they were al in reste the kyng charles beyng in his dormytorye trustyng of the ayde of our lord in grete deuocyon began to say the psaulter And whan he came to the poynte that he shold say the vers foloyng Deduc me domine in semita mandatorum tuore quiaipaÌ„m bolui he sayng thys there came a byrde to his ere in the presence of eueriche that were about hym whyche sayd wyth an hye voys kyng thyn oryson is herde Thenne alle they that were presente were moche troubled and not wythstondyng al thys the kyng contynued to say the psaulter vnto Educ me do custodia animam meam all thus whyle he sayd the byrd began more strongely to crye and say ¶ O frensshe man what sayest thou O frensshe man what sayst thou And after that the kyng and hys companye wente and folowed the byrde whyche conduyted them vnto the ryght wayr whyche they had lost the day to fore somme of the pylgryms sayd that after in the same contreye were suche byrdes so doyng But whan charles hys grete puyssaunce were nyghe theyr enemyes they were moche troubled of theyr comyng the crysten lordes were gretely reioysed of theyr comyng For wythoute cessyng he rested not tyl that he had trcouerd the contreye of crysten men and expelled alle the paynyms whyche moche redounded to hym grete honour vyctorye And in retournyng he demaunded of themperour of Constantynoble lycence to departe of the other patryarkes archeperestes And thempeâ—â—ur helde hym an hole day And for remuneracyon the sayd emperour for thonour of kyng â—â—arles on the morne tofore thâ— yates of the cyte dyd do ordeyâ—â— many bestes of dyuers maneâ—s dyuers colours grete quantyte of gold and syluer and of precious stones to th ende that he shold take it for soÌ„me rewarde for the grete good that he had doon in theyr contreye But assone as charles knewe therof he took counceyll of hys people what 〈◊〉 ought to doo in takyng of the precyous ryche yeftes or to retourne in to fraunce wythout takyng of ony thyng And there vpon his barons couÌ„ceilled hym that he shold take no thynge for hys laboure For he had doon no thynge but for the loue of god onely And he beyng wel content of thys ansuer commaunded that noo persone vpon grete payne shold take noo thyng of the Iewellys aforesayd ¶ Of the relyques that themperour charles brought fro constantynoble and fro the holy londe and of the myracles that were doo in capitulo iij WHan themperour of constantynople and the patryarke of Iherusalem knewe that charles wold take no thynge of the good aforsayd he was admonested that he shold take somwhat of them whan he was thus constrayned he by sought them that for the loue of god myght be gyuen vnto hym somwhat of the relyques of our lord and of hys holy passyon whan thys was demaunded It was commaunded to fast euery man thre dayes for to be the more enclyned to deuocyon and for to vysyte the holy reliques and in especyall were ordeyned xij persones by grace whych shold treate see the relyques whan it come to the thyrd day the noble Charles by grete conteycyon confessyd hym to tharchebysshop Turpyn After that moche ruue rently they beganne to synge the letanye wyth somme psalmes of the psaulter And there was the prâ—late of naples named danyel whyche in grete reuerence opened the coffre wherin was the precyous crowne of Ihesu Cryst and there sprange oute of the same so grete an odour that all they that were presente thought to be in paradys TheÌ„ne charles ful of hool and very creaunce of fayth parfyght by contemplacyon kneled doun to the grounde and stratâ—hed hym on therthe moche strongely prayed our lord that for the glorye of hys name persently wold renewe the myracles of hys holy passyon and gloryous rosurrexyon assone as he had prayed in a moment the crowne began to florysshe a meruayllous swete odour yssued out of the floures soo ryÈt delycyous that eche man supposed that hys vestementes clothyng had comen oute of heuen ¶ TheÌ„ne after thys daniel took a sharpe knyf kuttyng wel puryfyed to cutte the said crowne and in cuttyng alwaye more more the sayd crowne flourysshed and the odour smellyd the more habundantly And of the floures charles put a parte in a reposytorye and in a lytel coffre he put the thornes of the crowne and wept so habundantlye that whan he wende to haue gyuen to tharchebysshop Ebroin the floures he wythdrewe hys honde supposed that the sayd Ebroin had holden them in hys honde they were in the ayer houyng by myracle abode there by them self the space of a grete houre And after whan he had gyuen in kepyng the sayd thornes to the sayd Ebroin he sawe the ooffret in thayer whyche was full of floureâ— whyche abode there by them self whiche sone after were conuerted in to manna and in that manere they berpat Saynt Denys in fraunce And it hath be the oppynyon of many that thys was of the maÌ„na that god sente in to deserte to hys people Thenne were there shewed myracles For al seek people that were there present were heled of al theyr maladyes by the odour of the floures aforesayd and the peple that entred in to the chirche by grete vyolence of presse of peple cryed verytably that day was a day of helthe resurrection for by the sauour of the mellyfluous floures alle the cytee was puryfyed and replenysshed of grace for thre hondred one seek man by compte were heled guarisshed of their maladyes Emonge al other ther was one seek of xxiiij yere thre monethes whyche was blynde
sygne yâ— the kyng of frauÌ„ce shold conquere them So theÌ„â—â— in the tyme that the noble kyng chacles regned in spayne for to brynge it to the cristen fayth the ydolle lete the â—ere falle doun to the grounde And whan the sarasyns sawe that They 〈◊〉 theyr tresours as golde 〈◊〉 and precyous stoones in 〈◊〉 by cause the crysten men 〈◊〉 no thynge fynde therof 〈…〉 al wente in to another 〈◊〉 and durst not abyde the comyng of the kyng ¶ Of the chyrche of saynt Iames in galyce and of dyuers other whyche Kyng Charles founded capitulo iiij CHarles beyng in galyce had Innumerable auantyte of gold of syluer and of precyous stones of many kynges prynces and other lordes and of trybutes of cytees that was gyuen to hym as lord ¶ Also he had moche of the tresour that he conquerd of the townes and contreyes of Spayne aforesayd Thenne he seyng the grete habundaunce of good dyd do compose and make a chirche of Saynt Iames in the place where as he had founde the body of hym and he abode there the space of thre yere wythout departyng and in that same place he ordeyned a bysshop and founded there chanonnes reguler vnder the rule of saynt Ysodore the confessour bought ordeyned for them rentes trybutes suffycyent and gaf to them synguler seygnourye The furnysshed the chyrche wyth velles bessellys of golde and syluer adournemeÌ„ts of precyous clothes al thynges necessarye apperteynyng in a chyrche pontyfycal also of bokes vestymentes chalyces other holy escryptures And of the resydue of gold and syluer that he brought oute of spayne he dyd doo edefye these chyrches folowyng ¶ Fyrst at Aoon in almayne where as he is buryed he dyd do make a chirche of our lady and though it be lytel yet is it moche rychely made The chyrche of Saynt Iames in the toun of vyterbe also the chyrche of saynt Iames in the cytre of Tholouse The chyrche of Saynt Iames in gascoyne also the chirche of saynt Iames in parys bytwene the sayne the mouÌ„te of martres aboue the chyrches aforesayd he fonnded rented releued many dyuers chyrches monasteryes other abbeyes in the world in many and dyuers places ¶ How after that Aygolant the geaunt had taken spayne put to deth the crysten people Charles recouerd it aud other maters capitulo v AFter that charles was retorned in to Fraunce a kyng sarasyn of affryque named aygolant wyth grete puyssaunce came in to spayne and remysed it in hys subgectyon And the crysten which charles had left there as many as he myght gete he put to deth and the other fledde And in shorte tyme the tydynges came vnto kyng Charles wherof he was moche abasshed angry bycause it was shewed to hym so pyetously wherfore Incontynent he assembled a grete hoost wyth a grete multytude of fyghtyng men he went thyder wythout taryeng And he made the conduytour of them al Myllon of angleres the fader of Rolland they cessed not tyl that they had iydynges where Aygolant the geaunt was whyche had doon thys feat whan charles knewe where Aygolant was lodged and semblably aygolaÌ„t knewe where Charles was Anone the geaunt sente to charles that he wold delyuer bataylle suche as he wold That is to wete that Charles shold sende to hym xx of hys men to fyght ageynst xx of hys sarasyns or xl ayenst xl or an C ayenst C or a thousand ayenst a thousand or two men ayenst two or one man ayenst one man onely kyng Charles seyng thentencyon of aygolant for thonour of noblesse he wold not refuse hys demaunde but sente to hym an C knyghtes in grete poynte and the geaunte sente another hondred ayenst the crysten men but anone the sarasyns were vaynquysshed put to deth and after were sente by aygolant two hondred sarasyns ayenst two hondred cyrsten men whyche Sarasyns were anone wythoute grete resystence put to deth and slayn Aygolant was not contente ne wold not leue herby but sente two thousand sarasyns ayenst ijM crysten men and whan they were in batayll many of yâ— sarasyns were slayn and the other put to flyght for to saue them self The thyrd day after Aygolant maad certeyn experyences and knewe that yf Charles made warre to hym he shold haue grete losse and sent to charles to were yf he wold make playne warre Charles was contente and there vpon they made redy theyr peple and specyally charles for hys subgettes had grete affectyon to goo to bataylle without ony 〈◊〉 of deth And also somme of the crysten men the day tofore the bataylle dyd do amende and 〈◊〉 theyr harnoys and sette theyr tentes nygh a ryuer named 〈◊〉 and pyght there theyr spâ—â—â—s euen in the place where as the bodyes of saynt faconde and saynt premyt yf rested where after was made a chyrche deuotely founded and also a stronge cyte by the moyen of the sayd Charles and in the place where the sâ—â—res were pyght our lord shewed grete myracle For of them thâ—â— shold deye there and be gloryfyed marters of god 〈◊〉 in heuen theyr speâ—rs on y◠〈◊〉 were fouÌ„den al grene fâ—â—resshed and leued whyche was a percedent sygne that they whyche shold deye shold haue the Ioye in heuen ¶ Eche man took his owne aud cutte of the bowes leues wyth whyche the leues were planted and vnder roâ—ed wherof in a lytel whyle after grewe a grete wode whyche stondeth there yet It was grete a meruayle of the Ioye that the horses made whyche dyd theyr deuoyrs as wel as the men after theyr qualyte whyche was a grete token Thenne valyaunt crysten men were slayne And emonge the other was slayne duc Myllon fader to Roulland Also that same day the hors of charles was slayn vnder hym whan he was a fote he maad grete murdre wyth hys swerde Ioyouse and dyd so moche that the sarasyns dredyng the euenyng fledde wythdrewe them in to place of surete And as it was the wylle of our lord the next day after came to Charles in to his helpe iiij marquyse of ytalye accompanyed wyth iiijM stronge fyghtyng men chosen wherfore Aygolant assone as he knewe of theyr comyng he fled and wythdrewe hym ouer the see toward hys contree but they myÈt not for hast here with them al theyr tresours wherfor frauÌ„ce was enryched meruayllously above alle other contrees ¶ And whan charles sawe his departyng he came wyth al hys rychesse in to fraunce and theÌ„ne duryng seuen yere he dyd do ordeyne the seruyce and offyce of the chyrche by preestes clerkes and the festes of sayntes of all the yere and grete vertu meruayllous effect was comprysed in thys man For whan it was not warre for to mynysshe thynfâ—dellys and encreace the crysten fayth For tenhaunce the name of god he made the offyces and legendes of holy sayntes dyd reduce in to mynde and remembraunce the passyons of holy marters in
capitulo xiij How the peres of fraunce that were in the toure cam oute whan they sawe thoost of Charles how thadmyral was taken and holden prysoner ca xiiij How ballant thadmyral for all the admonycion that was made to hym he wold not be baptysed but was slayn Floripes hys doughter was baptysed after wedded to guy of burgoyne guy crowned kyng the quene of that contre capitulo xv How Florypes gaf the reliques to themperour how they were assayed proued by myracle of the retournyng of charles the ende of this book ca xvj ¶ Here begynneth the iij book whiche conteyneth ij partyes by the chapytres folowyng declared ¶ The first partye of the iij book conteyneth xiiij chapytres speketh of the warres in spayne of two grete geantes How saynt Iames appyered to Charles how by the moyen by the conduyte of the sterres he went in to Galice what citees he there subdued ca primo Of cytees goten in spayne by charles how somme of theym were by hym cursed capitulo ij Of a grete ydolle whyche was in a cyte that myght not be beten doun and of the sygnes condycyons thewf capitulo iij Of the chyrche of saynt Iames in Galyce of other chyrches that he dyd there do founde iiij How after that Aygolant the geaunt had taken spayne destroyed and put to deth the crysten men Charles recouerd it other maters capitulo v How aygoland sent to Charles that he shold feably come to hym with lytel peple to make Iuste warre how charles in habyte dissimyled spake to hym other maters capitulo vj How charles accompanyed with moche peple retorned to the place forsaid took the cite of agâ—ne other maters capitulo vij Of the vertuous operacions that charles dyd whan he was retorned in to fraunce what baroÌ„s he had in his companye and of theyr puyssaunce capitulo viij Of the tryewes of charles of aygolant of the deth of his peple wherfore aygoland was not baptysed ca ix ¶ Of the deth of aygolaÌ„t of his peple how moche people of the criâ—â—en men were dede by coÌ„cupysceâ—ce of money the crysten fouÌ„dâ—n dede by myracle ca x ¶ Of fâ—â—agê° the meruayllous geant hoâ— he 〈◊〉 aweye the barons of frâ—uÌ„ce without dauÌ„ger how afteâ—ward rolland fouÈt ayenst hym câ— xj How on the morne rolland and ferragus foughten to gâ—der and of their desputyng of their fayth and by what meane Ferragus was slayn by rolland ca xij How Charles went to cordube where as the kyng of that place the kyng of abyllâ— abode hym of their destructyoâ— ca xiij How the chirche of saint Iames was hallowed sacred by turpin tharchebisshop 〈◊〉 chirhes of spayne subgettes to the same of that pryncypal chyrches xiiij ¶ The second partye of the iij book conteyneth x chapytres speketh of the trayson doon and made by Ganellon of the deth of the peres of fraunce How the trayson was comprysed by Ganellon of the deth of the crysten men how ganellon is repreued by thauctour ca j Of the deth of kyng marfuryus and how Rolland was hurte wyth foure speres mortally after that al his peple were slayn and deed capitulo ij How Rolland deyed moche holyly after many maters orysons made and prayed to god moche deuoutely and of the complaynte made vpon hys swerde durandal capitulo iij Of the vysion of the deth of rolland shewed to tharchebysshop Turpyn of the sorowe of charles how he complayned hym pytâ—ously other maters iiij How olyuer was fouÌ„den slayn and of the deth of the sarasyns of the deth of ganellon whyche was hydous capitulo v How after the thynges aforesayd Charles gaf thankynges and preysynges to god and to Saynt Denys And of the constitucions that he made in frauÌ„ce capitulo vi How Charles wente in to Almayn where as he deyed holyly and of his deth shewed to tharchebysshop Turpyn and of his buryeng Imperyally ca vij Of the recapitulacion of al this werke and of hys deth at 〈◊〉 of his sepulture capitulo viij Thexcusacyon of thauctour ix Thenuoye of thauctor ca x ¶ Explicit AS it is redde in thystoryes of the troians After the dystructyon of the noble cyte of Troye there was a kyng moche noble named francus the whyche was felowe of Eneas which whan he departed fro Troye came in to the regyon of fraunce begaâ— to regne in grete prosperyte for the felycyte of his name he dyd coÌ„pose do edyfye a cyte whiche he named fraunce so folowyng all the regyon was called frauÌ„ce after whaÌ„ frauÌ„ce was enhauÌ„ced reduced to mageste ryal Priamus was the fyrst that regned vpon the frensshe men v yere The second was marcurius xxxiij yere The iij pharaâ—â—uÌ„dus regned xj yere The iiij clodyus xiiij yere The v Meroneus x yere The vj hildericus xxvij yere the vij was Clodoneus the fyrst crysten kyng whyche regned vpon the frensshe men after thyncarnacion of our lord CCCC lxxxiiij yere of whome I entende to make a litel mencyon vpon hys â—â—â—ueyllous conuersacyon ¶ How the kyng clodoneus paynym had to wyf the noble clotildis doughter of the kynge of burgoyne capitulo ij IN that tyme was kyng of the burgoynons guydengus the whiche had iiij sones al of good aege that is to wete Agabondus the ij godogesylus the iij Hyspericus the fourth Godamarus The fyrst agabondus repleynsshed of al inyquyte put to deth by swerd his broder hispericus and after henge his wyf put a stone aboute hyr necke drowned hyr This hyspericus had two fayre doughters theldest was named throne whom agabondus her vncle bannysshed fro hys contrey sent hir forth in habyte dyâ—â—ymyled The yonger of these ij douâ—ters was named clotildis whom he reteyned for hir beaute wyth hym in his hous duryng thyâ— the kyng clodoneus or Cloys iij frensshe beyng a paynym whyche byleued with his subgettâ—â— but vpon ydâ—lles oftymes fâ—r hys affayres sent his messageâ—s 〈◊〉 to burgoyne clotyldys thâ—â— fayr mayde was ofte seen of â—he messagers of the kyng 〈…〉 by holden affectuously and for hir grete beaulte dyscrescyon the sayd messagers â—â—tyfyed it to the kyng 〈◊〉 â— and whan thys kyng Cloy◠〈◊〉 ynough informed of the grete beauteâ—â— wysdom of this mayde whyche was crysten he was moche curyous to sende his herawdes vnto agabondus â—ncle of thys doughter for to haâ—e hyr to maryage Duryng those dayes the kyng Cloys had a subtyl man wyth hym named aurelyanus which by comaundement of hys lord wente to the place where as was thyâ— mayde put hym self in habyte moche poure and dyssymyled leâ—t his good habytes with his felowes in a wode weÌ„t moche holyly tofore the moder chyrche of that place the day of a grete feste set hym self in the myddes
of hyr chylde And anone he was guarysshed and hool ¶ How the kyng Cloys was vyctoryous of hys enemyes by canse he byleued in Ihesu Cryste Capitulo iiij KYng Cloys after certeyn tyme begaÌ„ to make warre mortal ayenst the Almayns And so perseueryng the alle mayns had vyctorye on the frensshe men in suche wyse that they were ouerthrowen slayn TheÌ„ne whan aurelyen sawe the dystructyon of the kynges peple he began to beholde the kyng hys lord sayd to hym Syr kyng ye see tofore your eyen the mortal destructyon of your peple I requyre you that ye byleue in god almyghty whych hath made heuen erthe I mene hym whome my lady the quene adoureth precheth and byleueth on whan the kyng had herde aurelyen thus speken in grete affectyon he began to lyfte his eyen vnto heuen and wepte moche largely and wyth grete pyte thus sayd O Ihesu cryst sone of the veâ—y god almyghty on whom my wyf by leueth and wyth al hyr hert precheth notyfyeth hym to gyue remedye to them that ben in trybulacyons I byseche the of ayde and socour that I may be vyctoryous of myn enemyes by experyence presently I byleueue on the and in thy name I shalle baptyse me I haue demaunded my goddes for to helpe me but they haue doon no thyng for me And I say they be of noo value ne of noo comforte whan they may not helpe them that requyre them wherfore to the as veray god and lord I requyre the that I may be delyuerd by thy hye puyssaunce fro myn aduersâ—ryes he thus sayeng wyth an hyghe voys The allemayns his enemyes vaynquysshed murdred began to flee in suche wyse that theyr kyng was deed wherfore they that abode yelded them to kyng cloys and byâ—men his subgettes and sette al that contreye vnder hys obayssaunce puyssaunce paâ—eng yerely trybute Thenne after this vyctory by the puyssaunce of god obteyned he came in to fraunce And recounted alle to the quene hys wyf how by Inuocacion dyuyne and by thayde of god almyghty he had obteyned vyctorye ¶ How the kyng was baptysed by saynt Remyge in hys baptesme by myracle was brouÈ the holy ampulle by an aungel fro heuen wherof euer after all the kynges of Fraunce â—â—â—â—â—noynted in theyr consecrâ—cyon atte cyte of Raynes capâ—â—ulo v AFter that the 〈…〉 herde the kynge whyche was conuerted vnto the crysten fayth for the vyctorye whych he had obteyned she had grete Ioye And Incontynet sent after saynt Remyge bysshop of raynes a moche holy man whiche came to hyr for to prech to the kyng his saluacyon he manerâ— of the crysten fayth whan he was comen after that he had wel enformed the kyng began strongely to excyte the peple of fraunce to byleue in Ihesu Cryst And the peple gaynsayed it not For in knowyng the errour of thydolles they began al to byleue in god say Syr kyng gloryous it is best that ye forsake thydolles and adoure the god Inmortal whome the quene adoureth and preyseth so for to do all we be contente Incontynent al this was shewed to saynt Remyge wherof he was moche Ioyous and cam to them dylygently as a good herdman that taketh grete payne to kepe the sheep fro his aduersarye and grete playsyr ought he to haue to come thyder For his comyng and hys prechyng dyd soo grete prouffyte that it made the peple to be regenerate after thordynaunce of holy baptesme wythoute whych no man may entre in to heuen wherfore the necessyte of the saluacion of thys kyng enlumyned of grace dysposed to byleue conioyned to good entencyon maad affectuously saynt â—emyge to come for he thought wel whan the kyng was baptysed and byleued in Ihesu cryst and his commaundements that al the peple subgette to hym shold do the same wyse And whan saynt remyge was comen and had coÌ„myned with the kyng touchyng his saluacyon began to ordeyne the place for to baptyse hym honourably and dyd to â—ynte the hystoryes after somme poyntes of our crysten fayth moche rychely and repayred the places ryght delycyously ¶ And on that other he dyd do ordeyne founde chirches auteâ—tykly compose baptyzatoryes funâ—es coâ—uenably whan al this was done yâ— kyng was al redy to receyue the holy sacrameÌ„t of baptesme to whome the frende of god saynt remyge began to say by faconde manere ¶ Syr kyng it is tyme that ye ought wyth pure entencyon to forsake the false goddes to whome tofore this tyme ye haue gyuen fayth And theÌ„ne the kyng was al redy to receyue the holy sacrameÌ„t of taptesme To whom Saynt Remyge began by fayr manere Syr kyng it is tyme that ye ought of pure Intencion to forsake the goddes to whome here afore tyme ye haue byleued on whyche ben ful of al vanyte and do no thynge but excersiâ—e of dampnacyon And ye ought to byleue wyth ryÈt humble hert in one onely god almyghty the fader the sone the holy ghoost one onely pure essence whyche hath created heuen and erthe to whome one onely ouÈt to gyue fayth and creaunce and in Ihesu cryst his sone whyche for the sauacyon of humayn creature wold take humanyte couenable for to repayre thynobedyence of our fyrst fader Adam And that was conceyued in the bely of the virgyn marie by the werk of the holy ghoost whyche after was sette on the crosse and took deth dolorously for to redeme vs was buryed and roos fro deth to lyf and after ascended in to heuen and sytteth vpon the ryght honde of the fader and fro thens shal come and Iudge the lyuyng and deed ¶ Also ye shal byleue in holy chyrche our catholyque moder her ordonnayre and whan saynt Remyge had ynough enformed the kyng and the peple of our fayth and byleue he baptysed them in the name of the fader of the sone of the holy ghoost And whan he came to enoyntyng after the custome of the holy cresme whyche noo man brought Incontynent by the plesyr of god and demonstraunce myraculous they alle stondyâ—g sodeynlye came doun descendyng fro heuen a douâ—e shynyng whiche bare in hyr becke an holy ampull and lefte it in the same place where the holy cresme was wherwyth the kyng cloys was fyrst enoynted in grete deuocyon by Saynt Remyge whyche Ampull is presently at Raynes of whyche holy cresme that is therin the kynges of frauÌ„ce onelyâ— been enoynted ones in theyr consecracyon ¶ In that tyme were baptysed the systers of the sayd kyng and thee thousand men of hys excersyte and so after all the peple of fraunce in grete Ioye and exaltacion of glorye ¶ The second partye of the first book conteyneth fyue chapytres and speketh of the begynnyng of kyng Pepyn And Charlemayn hys sone ¶ How Pepyn by his 〈◊〉 was chosen kyng of Fâ—aunce whan the lygnage of kyâ—g cloys faylled in successyâ—â—â— j THe book â—â—â—â—dent maketh mâ—ncyon of kyng Cloys the fyrst crysten
kynge of the lordes of Fraunce of whome the â—â—gnage succeded from heyre to â—yres vnto the foure and twenty kyng whych was the kyng â—â—epyn of another lygnage And the kynge whyche was the xxiij after the kyng Cloys and of his â—gnage was named hildâ—â—us the which beyng deuoute contempletyf wythoute cure to excersyse thoffyce royal of a kynge put hym self in relygyon for to lede a solytarye lyf ¶ In that tyme was Pepyn moche valyaunt of hys persone and moche noble prynâ—e And by cause that alle the kynges of fraunce haue succeded of thys sayd Pepyn and in especial charlemayn his sone vpon whome this werke is comprysed I wyl here begynne to treate the mater the whyche I entende superfycially to speke of And lyke as the book whyche is called myrrour hystoryal compryseth That Pepyn the prynce on a tyâ—e sente hys messagers to Rome to the Pope zacharye for to haue answer vpon a demaunde That is to wete whether is he more worthy to be a kyng or to be said a kyng whihe foâ— peâ—s and parfyght vnyon taketh on hym grete payne trauaylle or ellys he that retcheth of noo thynge and is abandonned and gyuen to all slouth and is onely contente to haue the name onely of kyng whan the pope had herde thys demauÌ„de he remaunded to Pepyn that he by ryght reason and veray equyte ought to be called a kyng that gouerneth and ruleth hys fayt for the comyn wele contynueth it For whyche ansuer demaunde the Frensshe men by câ—unceyl approuued consydered theyr kyng hyldrycus professed in a monasterye in lyf solytarye and contemplatyf And that not wythstondyng ought not to be ony thyng ayenst them that lyuen solytaryly how wel a kyng ought not to be solytarye For suche as is the Kyng suche is the Royame ¶ For salamon sayth yf the kyng be neclygeÌ„t the peple wote not what to doo And blessyd is the londe that hath a prynce noble Alle the frensshe men beyng wel enformed of the condycions apperteynyng to a kynge after an auctour that sayth thus ¶ The Prynce whan he is ordeyned ought not to haue horses superfluous ne make his peple more subgette than they ought to be and ought not to take but seruauntes propyce and necessarye wythoute superfluyte and not to nourysshe ouer many houndes ne other beestes vnprouffytable but take them in mesure ¶ And he shold eschewe multyplycacyon of menysâ—rellys Tabouryns commyn wymmen lecherous men ¶ And he shold not corrupte hys subgettes by euyl exaumple He shold not breke hys espousaylles he shold gladly rede in bookes shold haue by hym peple wel letterd And shold Iuge wythoute fauour ¶ And tofore al thynges he shold adoure serue god he shold not gladly take yeftes ought not gladly to châ—uÌ„ge hys offycers Alle thys thynge wel seen emonge them for the conseruacion of the people emonge the myscreauÌ„tes which were at that tyme wente and chosen for to be kyng of Fraunce the noble Pepyn and fro that tyme forthon the lygnage of kyng cloys regned nomore vpon the frensshe men And he was consecrate by saynt Boneface And by thauctoryte apostolyque by Saynt Stephen Pope with his ij sones Charlemayn charles the grete was confermed and approuued and ordeyned all the kynges of fraunce in grete benâ—dyction to succede fro lygnage to lygnage moost nexte And the said pope gaf his maledyction to al them that were opposaunts and ayenst these thynges aforesayd ¶ Thenne after this noble kyng Pepyn made grete warre to the englysshe men And after the guyse Romayn he ordeyned the seruyce in the chyrches of frauÌ„ce and many other maters meruayllous wherof thonour is attrybuted by good ryght to hym by vyctorye obteyned and was buryed in the chyrche of Saynt Denys in Fraunce And lefte hys heyres hys two sones afore sayd whome he had goten on the noble quene berte doughter of the grete Herclyn Cezar of whome the lignage of romayns of germayns and of the grekes haue had concurrence wherfore by good ryght in tyme folowyng the kyng Charles was chosen and maad Emperour of Rome And the sayd Kynge Pepyn regned xviij yere in prosperyte dygne of saluacyon and after that the broder of the sayd Charles had regned in his partye of the royame ij yere he deyed And thenne after alle the gouernement hoolly of the royame of fraunce abode to the sayd charles as here after shalle be more playnly shewed ¶ Of kyng Charles after that he had maad many constytucyons wyth the Pope Adryan how he was emperour of Rome capitulo ij THys noble Charlemayn otherwyse called Charles the grete the whiche for the gretenes of hys body puyssaunce and opperacions virtuouses by merite is called grete as I haue sayd whyche after the deth of hys brother he was onely kyng of Fraunce A lytel whyle after that the Pope adryan regned dyd grete dyligence to strengthe corobere the crysten fayth in annullyng the heresyes and constytutyng ymages for representacyon of sayntes in chyrches And to many other labours merytoryes adioyned in the seruyce of god of holy chyrche The kyng charles ayenst the mysereauntes taryed not to confounde them but had vyctorye of them in dyners maners the pope adryan whyche was wel enformed that thys Charles was a stronge pyler of the chyrche and protectour of the fayth sente for hym that he shold come to Rome And whan he came to pauye there he taryed sette hys syege and soiourned a lytel tyme And after wyth a fewe of hys people departed came to rome And there he was receyued affectuously and vysyted many places deuoutelye And after whan he retorned he took pauye And whan he had all doon his playsyr he retorned to Rome And wyth the Pope adryan he assembled many bysshoppes and abbottes the nombre of an hondred liij where they ordeyned many constytucyons vpon the fayt of the vnyuersal chyrche And in that synode for the grete holynes of charles The pope and al thassystentes gaf hym power for to ordeyne bisshoppes archbisshops in al his contrees and prouynces And al them that so shal be ordeyned he shal conferme and the rebellys that shall gaynsaye them he shal curse and theyr goodes be confysked This noble charles wyth hys two sones that one named Pepyn that other â—â—wys And the xij pyeres of fraunce whyche al had promysed fydelyte one to that other for to Ieoparde theyr lyf for the crysten fayth In that tyme many mortal warres duryng the lyf of kyng Pepyn of charles and after that the royame of lombardye was destroyed and delyuerd of the myscreauntes And maad pees not wythoute grete trauayll for to come from fraunce in to lombardye by cause of the dauÌ„gerous countre whan alle thys was termyned to hys playsyr he reduced alle ytalye vnder the trybute of the royame of Fraunce In suche wyse that whan ytalye was thus destroyed he went to Rome for to gyue thankynges and
desyre frequented the bookes 〈◊〉 vpon the crysten fayth for to be protectour and defer 〈◊〉 of the chyrche the whyche is vysyted on mornynges and on euenes in the nyght oftyâ—es and of good festes be faylled not to doo gretely hys deuoyr in sacrifyses oblacions And also gaf largely almesse for the leue of god and was alway redy to socour the poure people in tâ—e largest wyse Foâ— he socoured not onely the poure folke of his ownâ— contreye with his hauoyr goodes but in many other places beyoÌ„de the see he sente golde and syluer and vytayll after the necessyte of the place as in surrye in egypt in affrique in Iherusalem other contreyes as he that sayd gold and syluer is not myn To euery man he desyred amytye and pees Of body he was moche ample boystous of stature well apparysaunt the coppe of hys heed rounde the heere 's in grete reuerence the vysage Ioyous he had the boys clere of grete force at his souper he ete not for the moost parte sauf rosted veneson whyche aboue alle other flesshe he loued and vsed at his souper Alwaye he loued redars for to rede cronycles or other thynges contemplatyues as he that wold as wel fede the soule whiche is ê‘petuel of spyrituel fode for to mayntene it in vnyon of grace toward god his maker as of refeccyon of the body for to conserue the lyf And emonge al other bookes he delyted strongely in the bookes of saint austyn especyally in that whyche is named de ciuitate dei he draÌ„ke not ouer ofte For at souper he dranke not but thre tymes In somer tyme gladly after mydday he wold ete a lytel faiyt drynke ones wold goo reste hym al naked in his bedde two or three houres In the nyght he brake his slepe foure or v tymes and walked in hys chambre Thus Charles preseuerd in felicyte ryal and emperyal sente oueral thorugh hys empyre hys messagers and grete counceylllours for to vysyte hys prouynces and good townes for to be enformed of the gouernoure of them for to do to eueriche Iustyce and reson and made many constytucyons lawes accordyng to the places and commaunded them to be obserued and kepte vpon grete payne Semblably the sayd Charles sente thorugh al the world for to knowe ouer al the gouernement That is to wete for do knowe the meruayllous faytes that were doon in the world And also for to lerne the lyf of sayntes of whom the festes were halowed and made of them bookes for tabyde in eternal memorye euery day he dyd doo put in wrytyng that whyche he dyd In suche maner that after the wrytyng that he thenne fonde were founde more than thre hondred festes of sayntes one tyme of the yere wherfor he excersycyng his spyrituel werkes he was byloued dere reputed of euery body In that tyme Aaron the kyng of perce for the magnyfycence of charles sente to hym an Olyphaunt merueyllously grete for a synguler yefte and many other thynges precyouses ¶ Thys Charles for hys grete holynesse and no blesse was in suche renommce of honour and of vertures On a tyme aaron the kyng of Perse sente to hym emonge other yeftes the bodyes of saynt Cypryan and of saynt speratus and the heed of saynt Panthaleon marters in to Fraunce ¶ The thyrd parte of the fyrst book conteyneth thre chapytres and speketh how by reuelacion deuyne Charles defyuerd the holy londe fro the honde of the paynyms ¶ How the patryorke of Iherusalem sente to Charles for socours after that he was deiecte and caste oute of the Turkes capitulo primo IT is redde that in the tyme that charles was emperour of rome the patryarke of Iherusalem was soo oppressyd of the paynyms by mortall warre that vnnethe he myght saue hym self And thus whan he knewe nomore what to do He had in remembrauÌ„ce the noble charles and he beyng en formed of hys holynes for socour he sente to hym the keyes of the holy sepulcre of our lord Ihesu Cryst of Caluarye and of the cyte And wyth that he sente to hym the standart of the fayth as to the pyler of crystente and deffendour of holy chyrche After thys the patryarke came to constantynoble vnto themperour constantyn and to hys sone Leo brought wyth hym Iohan of naples preste and another whyche named hym self Dauyd areâ—â—prâ—est whome themperour Constantyn sent incontynent to charles And wyth them tweyne â—e ordeyned for to goo wyth them two other whyche were named ysaac and Samuel delyuerd to them a lettre wryton with his owne hande for to bere to charâ—les And the sayd Constantyn had wryton in one parte of the lettre thus On a nyght me sâ—â—med that I sawe tofore my bedde a yonge womaÌ„ moche fayre stendyng ryght vp whyche touâ—â—ed me softly and sayd to me 〈◊〉 swete wordes CoÌ„stantyn whan thou knewest thaffayre 〈◊〉 of the paynyms whyche hoâ—deâ— the holy londe by gretâ— afâ—ectyon thou hast prayed â—od for to haue helpe â—o what â—â—ou shalhe doo Pourchace that â—â—ou mayst haue wyth the charles the grete kyng of the gallyens whych is protectour of holy crystente and defendour of holy chyrâ—â—â— And after the same lady shewed me a knyght armed in al his body and spores on hys beleâ— had hys shelde rede gyrde wyth hys swerde had his sleue of purple helde a spere moche grete And the heed of yron whyche was on hye caste in to the ayer grete flambes of fyre he helde in his hoÌ„de a bacynet al of golde shynyng and he was auncient wyth a longe herde ryght fayre of vysage and longe of body he had eyen shynyng as ij sterres and hys heerys began to wexe whyte and after was wryton O thou August that neuer refusest the comandements of god enioye the in Ihesu Cryst in thy mynde alwaye yelde to hym thankynges be enclosed in Iustyce lyke as thou hast be reclamed in honour Ihesu Cryste gyue the grace to preseuere and kepe alwaye the commandemeÌ„ts of god as thou oughtest to doo feemely And as it is wryton themperour Constantyn in hys tyme had deiected the paynyms oute of Iherusalem seuen tymes wherfore whan he myÈt nomore he sente his messagers to kyng Charles whyche at that tyme was at parys And whan the messagers had presented the letters and he had seen them he began to wepe moche greuously in contemplacyon of pyte of the holy sepulcre of our lord so holden of the paynyms After this he sente for tharchebysshop Turpyn and maad hym to preche openlye the pyteous tydynges whyche were thenne presentlye comen the whyche wel herde and vnderstood the peple alle generally were enclyned to goo thyder ¶ How charles with a grete companye wente for to conquere the holy lande and many other maters capitulo ij AFter that thys whyche I haue tofore sayd was publysshed The kynge dyd do make an edyct and dyd do crye it thorugh out al the
harnays hys hawberke hys helme and harnays necessarye And whan he was alle furnyshed he took hys swerde named hautrelere the whyche swerde he moche loued After brought he hym hys hors the moost specyall that he loved whyche was named Ferraunt despaygne And whan he was brought tofore hym alle sadled and brydled The Ioly and gentyl Olyuer sprange in to the sadle wythoute settyng foot in the styrop and sette hys shelde at hys ease and in hys honde a myghty spere sharpe whych garyn took to hym And after smote the hors wyth the spores so harde that in the leepyng he maad hys hors to bowe vnder hym It was a good syght to see Olyuer on horsback wyth a moche fyers countenaunce And they that were presente bysought Ihesu Cryst our redemar that he shold take hym in hys kepyng For in that day he shold fyght ageynst the moost strong and moost fyers paynym that euer was born of moder or euer was in thys world That is Fyerabras of Alexandrye sone of the admyral Ballant of spayne of whome we shalle see by the playsyr of god the termynacyon after ¶ He beyng thus on horsback in grete poynt vpon hys vysage and vpon his body he maad the sygne of the crosse in the name of Ihesus and commaunded hym self to the wylle of god whyche that day shold be to hym in comforte and ayde after hys good entencyon And of euery man he was byseen and knowen that he had first hole in hys body for to do grete feat of armes so rode forth vnto the lyces of themperour Charles with whom was the Duc naymes guyllam de scot Gerard de mondydyer and Ogyer the danoys wyth other barons of freunce emonge alle other there was Rolland moche sorouful of the wordes that he had ayenst his vncle the kyng for gladly he wolde haue doo the bataylle yf he had not wythsayed if tofore the kyng whan he was requyred Thus Olyuer beyng seen tofore Charles was moche alowed preysed of one and other moche affectuously byholden And the said olyuer put doun his helme and byhelde the lodgyce of the kyng And reuerently came salewed hym and after sayd to hym Noble emperour puyssauÌ„t redoubted and my synguler lord I beseche you to here me ye know Wel that there ben iij yeres past that I haue been in your seruyce and haue had of you no rewarde ne wages I you supplye with al myn herte that now ye wyll rewarde me wyth a yefte that I shal desyre To whom the kyng ansuerd Olyuer noble erle I assure to you by my fayth that I shal do it wyth a good wylle And assone as we shall be in fraunce there is neyther cyte to nigh ne castel that ye wyl haue ne none other thyng that to me is possyble faysyble that shal be denyed to you Syr kyng said Olyuer I am not comen to you for to demaunde suche thynge But I demaunde and requyre of you the bataylle ayenste the paynym so oute of mesure And at thys houce I graunte to you alle my goodes and seruyces for this yefte to be quyte of them whan the frensshe men had herde Olyuer they were all abasshed of hys prowesse eche of them loked on other and said emonge them A saynt marie what hath Olyuer founden wyyche is hurt quasi to deth wyl now goo to fyght and bataylle O Olyuer answerd charles thou hast loste thy wytte For thou know est wel that wyth a spere heed square and sharpe thou hast be hurte and wounded mortally and now thou wylt abandonâ—â— thy self to a gretter daunger mortall beware Retorne and take thy reste For 〈◊〉 well that for noo thynge I shall suffre the to do that fayte sythen that thou arte not presently in helthe of the body Vpon thys poynte aroos ganellon and Andrewe the traytres that dyd the 〈◊〉 as the laste look shall make mencyon ¶ And Oanellon sayd Syr Kyng ye haue ordeygned in Fraunce that it whyche by ij of vs is Iugâ—d ought to be holden and so is it that we ij Iuge ordeyne that Olyuer shalle goo and doo the bataylle wherfore the kyng ful of maltalente wyth coloure chaunged answerd Ganellon thou arte of euyl dysposycyon Wythoute spekyng that whyche is honourable Sythe it so is he shal doo the bataylle it may none otherwyse be but that he be dede But I swere to the my trouth that yf he be taken or put to deth al gold of the world shal not saue the but that thou shalt dye a vylaynous deth I shall destroye thy lygnage Syr Emperour sayd Ganellon god and our lady kepe me after the trayter sayd to hym self secretly God forbede that euer Olyuer retorne but that he haue hys heed smyton of and whan themperour sawe that he myght not gaynsaye but that olyuer shold goo and the bataylle ayenst Fyerabras he sayd I praye god of the fyrmamente gyue the grace to do wel that thou mayst retorne wyth Ioye And took hys ryght gloue and threwe it to Olyuer the which he receyued wyth grete desyre wylle in thankyng hym ryght humbly and takyng leue of al moche swetely ¶ Hoth Olyuer was requyred by his fader reyner that he shold not fyght wyth the geaunt but for al that he went forth ca vij WHan that Olyuer was lycenced for to goo doo hys bataylle and was redy to departe Reyner of genes hys fader came to the kyng and by grete compassyon kneled doun at hys feet and sayd Syr kyng I crye you mercy hane pyte of my sotte and me I say as for me ye wyl al dyscomforte me whan I see that my sone gooth to perdycyon seeyng the daunger that hys persone is in I say also that ye take pyte of his presumptuous yongthe of hys desyre ouer couetous and of his body wouÌ„ded dauÌ„gerously ye knowe wel that a man that is hurte so sore and that hath loste of hys blood may not wel endure bataylle But Reyner loste hys payne For the kyng had gyuen to hym hys gloue in sygne of lycence And not wythstondyng these wordes doubted no thyng but that he shold wel do hys deuoyr and valyauntly And yet ageyn reyner requyred the kyng and sayd Syr kyng in thonour of hym that for vs deyed on the crosse suffre not my sone to Iust Alas whan I shal haue lost my sone where shal I become and ye may wel fynde other for to take thys bataylle in honde Thempero ur Charles answerd Reyner ye knowe wel that I may not gaynsaye that I haue to hym graunted For in sygne of lyceÌ„ce I haue gyuen hym my gloue wherof Olyuer was contente thenne Olyuer sayd wyth an hye voys tofore alle the people Syr kyng and alle ye barons I beseche you alle of a yefte that is that I requyre you yf I haue mesprysed or mysdoon in dede or in worde ony ayenst you that in the name of god ye
pardoÌ„ne me whan the frenssh men herde hym so speke there was none but that he wepte tenderly and soo takyng hys leue wyth his standard reysed The kyng blessyd hym in makyng the sygne of the crosse And wepyng comauÌ„ded hym in the kepyng of the fader of the sone of the holy ghost ¶ How Olyuer spake to Fyerabras Whyche sette noo thynge by hym with other disputacions capitulo viij OLyuer departed rode forth on hys waye taryed not tyl that he cam where as fyerabras was which was al vnarmed and laye in the shadowe and whan Olyuer had aresonned hym The paynym torned his heed ayenst hym and dayned vnnethe to loke on hym For he setted nought by hym by cause he was so lytel of stature to the regarde of Fyerabras And thenne Olyuer said to the sarasyn Awake thou thou hast thys day so ofte called vs that I am come hyther And I praye the that thou telle to me thy name Fyerabras ansuerd to hym by Mahoun my god to whome I owe honour I am the moost ryche man that is in the world borne Fyerabras of alexandrye am I named I am be that thou knowe that dyd doo destroye rome your cyte shewe the Pope and many other and bare awaye the relyques that I there founde For which ye take grete payne and laboure to receuer them And furthermore holde Iherusalem that fayre 〈◊〉 and the sepulere in whych your god rested Olyuer ansuerd by my fayth I haue gladlâ— herde the say that whyche thou hast sayd And yf it be trouth that thou hast sayd for certayn now thou mayst repute thy self well vnhappy and myschaunt Now wythout more â—â—â—kyng make the redy and 〈◊〉 the seest thou yonder the frensshe men that doo no thynge but byholde vs wherfore depessâ—e the For by the god on whome I byleue I shalle smyte the 〈◊〉 as thou lyeâ—â— whan Fyerabras herde that he spake soo hardyly he began to lawhe and sayd I am wel admeruaylled fro whens that cometh to the suche presumâ—on to speke so hasâ—yly but for touche I shal not remeue fro hens tyll I knowe who thou arte and of what lygnage And whan thou hast tolde to me thy name thou shalt see me armed Olyuer an suerd to hym O paynem know thou for trouthe that or it be nyght thou shalt knowe what I am by me sendeth to the charles the Emperour my redoubted lord that for the consecracion of thy body and the saluacyon of thy soule thou leue the creaunce of thy god Mahoun of other ydolles whyche ben but abusyon and decrepcyon whych haue neyther wytâ—â— ne reason ne feelyng ne good vnderstondyng wherfore that thou enclyne the to consente and thynke fro hens forth to byleue in god almyghty the holy Trynyte the fader the sone and the holy ghoost iij persones in one essence of one wylle whyche hath made heuen erthe and al that there in dwelleth whyche for our saluacion wold be borne of the vyrgyn marie whan thou shalt haue this byleue wyth the holy sacrament of baptesme which is vpon this establysshed thou mayst come to the glorye eternal and yf thou do not lyke as I haue taught the I am here redy to doo bataylle ayenst the and of two thynges thou must doo that one Fyrst that thou departe oute of thys contree as ouercomen to here no thyng with the or thou must come and fyght ayenst me For tenhaunce thy body to susteyne thy fals laâ—de Fyerabras answerd what someuer thou artâ—thon arte ouer presumptuous to haue intencyon for to fyght ageynst me For surely yf thou see me on fote wythoute armes thou shalt be wel hardy yf thou tremble not for drede to approche me But by the god in whome thou byleuest Say to me what man is Charlemayn For it is long sythe I herde hym fyrst preysed and redoubted in many contrees and also that I may haue tydynges of rolland Olyuer of Ogyer the danoys and of gerarde de mondydyer For by my trouthe I wold fayn be acqueynted with them Olyuer ansuerd Paynym vpon that thou me demaundest A telle to the that Charles themperour is so grete a maystre that there is no man in the world may compare to hym as wel for the baluer of hys persone of hys counceyl of hys maners as of hys puyssaunce and rychesses Innumerable of regarde Of hys neuewe Rolland he is wythoute pere Olyuer lytel lasse than he and as for the other frensshe men emonge al people humayn they be balyaunte men but thyse wordes haue noo place here depesshe the and arme the For by the god on whom I byleue yf thou auaunce the not I shalle smyte the wyth thys swerde of stele Fyerabras began too lyfte vp hys heed and sayd By my god mahoÌ„met yf I thought not that it shold be my dyshonour I shold now smyte of thy heed Olyuer ansuerd I praye the leue thys pletyng For or it be euen thou shalt knowe what I am For certeyn I haue entencyon to plunge my swerde in thy bely where vpon Fyerabras was not wroth so moche noble was he and rested hys heed vpon hys sheld and sayd to Olyuer I seâ—â—te not therby but I praye the bell to me thy name thy lygnage Olyuer sayd to hym my name is garyn and can borne in perrogort sone of a man called Aosue whyche came that other day in to fraunce where I was adouted knyght by the noble kyng Charles and am ordryned for to defende hys ryght also to fyght ayenst the wherfor conclude wythoute more taryeng arme the take thy hors for I am redy to doo the bataylle yf thou be soo hardy to abyde me Fyerabras wold not consente to the bataylle For hym thought that olyuer was to litel to Iuste ayenst hym and sayd to hym Garyn I demaunde of the wherfore is not comen hyther rolland ne Olyuer or Gerard or Ogyer whyche been of so grede renoÌ„mee as I haue herd say Olyuer ansuerd The cause wherfore they be not comen to the is for they sette nought by the they haue desdayn to come but I am comen to the as he that taketh noo regarde to theyr intencyon and shal do the bataylle ageynst the yf thou wylt abyde it But I swere to the by saynt Petre the appostle of Ihesu Cryst that yf thou arme the not I shal smyte the to the deth wyth thys darte that A holde in my honde Garyn answerd Fyerabras I shal say to the that sythe I was adoubed knyght A Iusted neuer but ayenst a kyng an erle on a baron of grete valure and thou art departed of a bow hous for to say that I shold haue aded wyth the it shold be to me ouer grete dyshonour yf thou were put to deth by me but for the good wylle that I knowe in the whych is moche noble I am contente that thou smyte me and I shal falle doun to therthe
and take thou my hors my shelde and goo thou to kyng Charles and say to hym that thou hast vaynquysshed me And yf I do thys for the I do to the grete amytye And thou oughtese for thye tyme to be contente ¶ On whiche woodes Olyuer coude not haue pacyence but that he sayd to hym Thy sa yt lyeth in noothynge but in wordes full of folysshe presumpsyon I am of thys intencion that byfore euensonge tyme I shal make thy hede free from thy sholdres I am none hare ne wylde beest for to be aferde And thou knowest the comyn â–ª prouerbe that sayth that there is tyme of spekyng and tyme of beyng stylle And of one and that other one may be reputed a fool now come of depesshe the of that I haue sayd to the or ellys I shal slee the Frrwbras answerd I desyre ne praye the of no thynge but that thou sende to me Rolland or olyuer or one of thother knyghtes of the rounde table And yf one of them be not hardy for to come late come ij or iij or iiij attones For by me they shal not be refused In makyng these desputacyoÌ„s Olyuer which sore was hurte the day to fore his woundes opened by force of rydyng and of chauffyng bledde sore so that fyerabras sawe the blood renne doun by is knee And demauÌ„ded of hym fro whens came that blood that soo renneth doun to therthe I trowe thou be hurte Olyuer sayd I am not hurte but my hors is harde atte spore wherof he is blody Fyerabras behelde sawe it was not of the hors and answerd Certes garyn thou sayst not sooth for thou art hurte in thy body I know it wel by the blood that cometh doun by thy knee but see what I shal do for the there been two flagons hangyng on the sadle of my hors whyche been full of the bawme that I conquered iij Iherusalem it is the same of whyche your god was enbawmed wyth whan he was taken doun fro the crosse and layed in hys graue hye the and goo drynke therof I promyse to the that Incontynent thou shalte be hole and thene thou shalt mowe defende the wel wythoute daunger ¶ Olyuer ansuerd that he wold not that he sayd was folye Thenne fyerabras ansuerd that he was a fool wythoute reason And that it myght happe to repente hym ¶ How after many dysputacyons Olyuer ayded to arme Fyerabras and of the ix meruayllous swerdes And how olyuer named his name ca ix WHan fyerabras had long abyden lyeng wythoute arysyng for Olyer he salte vp and after sayd Garyn A demaunde the wythoute hydyng of what strengthe is Rolland Olyuer that been soo moche redoubted of paynems of what gretenes ben they of Olyuer answerd as towchyng to rolland he is a lytel lasse of body than I am but of courage he is right hardy to fyght and so chyualrous that there is no man lyuyng in the world lyke to hym For he neuer faught yet ayenst ony man in the world but he vaynquysshed hym and as for Olyuer thou mayst wel apperceyue that he is a man moche semblable and lyke to me and of the same gretenes that I am Thenne sayd Fyerabras by the fayth that I owe to my god appollyn to Termagaunt thou tellest to me a thynge wherof I am moche abasshed For yf they were suche foure as thou tellest to me I wold not refuse them ne leue them tyl I had put them to deth with my swerde Olyuer coude no longer forbere ne haue pacyence vnto the delayes of fyerabras but made redy to smyte hym wherfore Fyerabras sayd to hym thou wyll haue no pycyon thyn owne persone By mahoun my god yf I aryse take my hors Charles thy kyng ne alle thy goodes shal not redeme the but that thou shalt Incontynente be slayn For onelye yf thou see me tofore the on my feet thou shalt be moche corageous yf thou tremble not for fere ¶ Olyuer answerd thou hast haunted the ouer longe to doo thyng whiche thou neuer sawest in thy lyue For better it were to speke by mesure for by ouer moche spekyng otherwyse than trouthe may brynge the soone to myschyef Herof was fyerabras strongely despyteous And roos on hys feet in a grete fyersnes whyche was by comyn estymacyon xv foot longe And yf he wold haue be bartysed and byleue in Ihesu Cryst ther had neuer be seen a man of his valure And whan he was a foot he had grete dysplaysyr by cause he had not a valyaunte man to Iuste ageynst hym and sayd to Olyuer In trouthe I haue grete pyte of thyn affaire for the noblesse of the courage that I see in the I am yet contente for this present tyme that thou retorne And sende to me Rolland or Olyuer or Ogyer or Gerard demondydyer and expressely say to Olyuer that I shall not passe thys auauntagarde tyl I haue conquerd hym Olyuer myght no lenger abyde the paynym for yf it had not be for hys honour he had symte hym dyuers tymes vnarmed And whan he must nedes fyght Fyerabras called Olyuer and prayed hym that he wold helpe to arme hym Olyuer demaunded yf he myght truste hym Fyerabras ansuerd helpe me hardyly For I â—â—ere and assure the that neuer whyle I lyue shal I be traytour to no man lyuyng And vpon that promyse olyuer dyd his dyligeÌ„ce to arme hym and he took fyrst lether of arabye and cladde hym therwyth after hys cote his habergeoÌ„ of stele wel boucled polysshed after sette on hys heed an helme garnysshed wyth precyous stones rychely But wel consydered the facyon of thys paynyâ—n and of this cristen man there was grete toyalte curtosye bytwene them whyche were assembled for to make mortal warre and eche to flee other and yet they dyd eche to other synguler seruyce Fyrst the pay â—ym had grete pyte for to destroye Olyuer For he was not hys pere ne egal to the regarde of hys persone And on that other parte whan he sawe hym hurte and the blood descende to therthe he wold haue gyuen to hym of the precyous bawme Semblably Olyuer whan he fonde hym dysarmed he had slayne hym wythoute grete payne yf he had wold and after he was soo curtoys that he ayded to arme hym that shold fyÈt ayenst hym ¶ O what grete loyalte of noblesse was bytwene them whyche were of fayth and creaunce contrarye I suppose that god shold be wel pleased yf there were suche confyaunce emonge crysten men and so ful of naturel noblesse But I retorne ageyn to my mater whan Fyerabras was wel armed he thanked moche Olyuer And after gyrde hys swerde named plouraunce and in the arson of his sadyl he had tweyne other of whom that one was named baptysme and that other grabaâ—n the whyche swerdes were maad in suche wyse that ther was none harnoys but they wold breke and cutte a sondre And who that
glorious saynt that he wold praye vnto our lord Ihesu Cryst that alle they yâ— were dede of the crysten fayth in the tyme that he had regned that they myght be saued and that the payne that they had taken myÈt be to them the crowne of martyrdom in the glorye perdurable in semblable wyse he prayed for al them that wold paye gladly the pens aforesayd to his chyrche As god wold that nyght folowyng saynt denys appyered to hym sayd to hym in thys manere O kyng vnderstonde me knowe thou that I haue made prayer to god my maker he hath graunted that alle they that haue been ayenst the sarasyns with the haue pardon of al theyr trespaces that wyllyngly shal paye the penyes for the edefycacyon of my chyrche augmentyng the seruyce of god they shal haue amendement of lyf and pardon of theyr synnes This vysyon on the morne themperour recounted to hys peple lyke as he had herd by cause they shold wyth a good wylle payâ—the peâ—yes that he had ordeyned he that gaf it was called the franke of saynt denys by canse that he was free and quyte of al seruage by the commandement of the kyng After came the custome that that londe whyche was called Gallia loste hys name was called frauÌ„ce as it is named at thys day Fraunce is as moche to say as free of al seruage anenst al peple and therfore the lordes of Fraunce for this cause emonge al crysten men owen to be honoured praysed The recapitulacion of alle thys werke of his deth at Acon of hys sepulture capitulo viij THe kyng Charles contynued gloriously his lyf in vertuouse operacyons And whan he felte the declyne of hys lyf he went vnto Acon where he had tofore doon moche good enobled a chyrche of our lady the rounde the whyche he dyd do make and gaf therto grete tresour of relyques of bodyes of sayntes of gold syluer of clothes of sylke other precyosytees meruayllous and there he deyed in the yere of hys age lxxij for the magnyfycence of hys werkes he was called charles the grete he had iij sones theÌ„ne lyuyng of whom the fyrst was named Charles the second Pepyn the thyrd â—owys also he had iij doughters that one was named Rotrudys that other berga the thyrd gylla whan he knewe that he myght noo lenger lyue hys sone lowys whome he had ordeyned for specyal loue kyng of guyan he lefte to hym the mageste Imperyal For to knowe the holynes the gloryous ende of Charles how he was saued in heuen and renomed an holyman The deuoute Turpyn archebysshop of Raynes sayth in this manere I Turpyn archebysshop of Raynes was in vyâ—nne in the chyrche tofore th aulter was rauysshed in sayeng the psalm Deus in adintoryum meum intende I sawe a companye of blacke peple lyke Ethyopyens whych were in quantyte Innumerable whyche went toward lorayne and I sawe one tofore hys felowes I demaunded hym whyther al they wente the whyche beyng constrayned to ansuer sayd we alle goo to Acon to the dethe of Charles whyche lyeth a dyeng And we wyl see yf we may haue hys soule for to bere in to 〈◊〉 to perpetuel damynacyon Thenne I sayd to hym I adiure the by the vertue of the name of our Lord Ihesu cryst that wythoute faâ—â—â—lynge after that ye haue doon that thou retorne by me Anone after or he coude fynysshe hys psalme the deuylles cam retournyng ageyn in the same ordre that they wente And thenne I sayd to hym that I had spoken to byfore what haue ye doon there as ye haue been that same deuyl ansuerd that Iames of galyce frende to charles hath ben moche contrarye to vs for whan we were redy for to receyue hys soule and had egally departed his good dedes and his euyl he brought so many stones tymbre of chyrches whyche he had doo made in the name of hym that his good dedes surmounted moche his euyl dedes wherfore we myght haue noo thynge ne parte thys sayd the deuyll banysshed awaye soo he loste hys vysyon Thus Charles in the moneth of feueryere rendred his soule to god holyly Foâ— after that he retorned fro spayn he dyd But laÌ„guysshe appayre in hys body toward hys deth in hys ende he ordeyned many almesses to say many masses psaulters And the vysyon that the gloryous archebysshop Turpyn sawe is sygnyfycacion that he whyche maynteneth and edefyeth chyrches in thys present world that he maketh preparacyon of hys syege in heuen His sepulture was moche honourable emonge al the sepultures of the world noble and ryche excellently and so fayr that it myÈt not be amended and ouer hys tombe was maad an arche of gold syluer and of precyous stones comprysed by grete scyence thyder came Leo the pope accompanyed wyth prynces Romayns archebysshops bysshops Abbottes Dukes Erles and many other lordes and dyd do make a fayre representacyon of the body of Charles clad rychely and Imperyally with a fayre crowne of gold sette on his hede satte vpon a chayer of gold moche fayre and shynyng and resembled wel a notable Iuge lyuyng and they sette vpon his knees notably the texte of the four gospelles in fayre letters of gold wyth the ryÈt hande he helde the lettre in the lyfte hande he helde the ceptre Imperial moche ryche by cause the heed shold not enclyne to eyther syde hit was vnderset wyth a chayne of gold susteyned And the crowne that was on hys beed raught to the arche whiche was al aboue wel made the conduytes of the sepulture were replenysshed with al good odours aromatyques precyous and after closed shette moche subtylly honourably kepte as it was wel worthy for to be doon Thexcusacyon of thauctour ix THis werke accomplysshed to the playsyr of god tofore wryton conteyneth thre bookes by the chapytres deuyded as it appyereth openly to the reders and I haue made them thre after that I haue comprysed in the separacyon and deuydyng of the matyer Of whyche the fyrst book speketh of the begynnyng of fraunce and of the fyrst crysten kyng of fraunce thhyche was named Cloys by the moyen of his wyf clotildys in descendyng to kyng Pepyn fader of themperour Charles In the honour of whome thys book is composed for the moost parte to the whyche Pepyn the lygnage of kyng Cloys took an ende in successyon of the Royalme of Fraunce And the sayd fyrst book sayth more ouer how Charles was nourysshed of hys corpulence of hys etyng of hys strengthe of hys scyence other werkes of magnyfycence The second book speketh of the bataylle that Olyuer dyd ayenst Fyerabras the meruayllous geaunte sone of ballant Admyral of spayne a puyssaunt kynge al the fyrst parte of the second book is attrybued to noble olyuer and in the honour of hym After ye shal fynde how the
peres of fraunce were deteyned in Aygremore and put in surete after saued fynably by florypes the curtoys doughter of the sayd ballant And the holy relyques recouured and other maters of grete meruaylles The in book speketh how by reuelacyon of saynt Iames charles went and conquerd spayne galyce where as he dyd operacions vertuous made constytucyons of sauacyon wyth many bataylles doon by hym and hys subgettes and fynably of the trayson of Ganellon by the whyche the deth of Rolland was pyetous the deth of Olyuer dolorouse and of the other peres of crysten knyghtes slayn dede And fynably the deth of Charles themperour as tofore is sayd and wryton and after that ony persone wyl here or rede of thys matere the table made atte begynnyng shal shewe it to hym lyghtly yf it be hys playsyr to here or rede of that werk in thys book composed Thenuoye of thauctour ca x AS I haue sayd at the begynnyng of thys present werke the escryptures and feates somme haue ben reduced in wrytyng for to be in memorye to the ende that they that haue doon wel be to vs ensaumple in ensyewyng and folowyng them they that haue doon euyl may be cause to rewse our lyf for to come to the porte of helthe For the comune vnderstondyng is more contente to reteyne parables and examples for the ymagynacion locall than to symple auctoryte the whyche is reteyned by vnderstondyng and also semblably thysâ—oryes spekyng of our lord Ihesu cryst of hys myracles of his vertuous subgettes euery man ouÈt gladly to here and retenne them it is so that at the requeste of the sayd venerable man to fere named Maister henry bolonnyer chanonne of lausanne I haue been Incyted to translate reduyse in prose in to Frensshe the maâ—er tofore reduced as moche as toucheth the fyrst the thyrd book I haue taken drawen oute of a book named myrrour hystoryal for the moost parte the second book I haue onely reduced it out of an olde romauÌ„ce in frensshe And without other Informacyon thâ—n of the same book I haue reduced if in to prose substaÌ„cyally wythout fayllyng by ordynauÌ„ce of chapytres partyes of the sayd book after the mater in the same conteyned And yf in al thys book I haue mesprysed or spoken otherwyse than good langage substancyally ful of good vnderstondyng to al makers and clerkes I demaunde correxyon and amendemâ—nt and of the defaultes pardon For yf the penne hath wryton euyl the hert thought it neuer but entended to say wel also my wytte vnderstondyng whâ—che is ryght lytel can not vttre ne wryte thys matere withoute errour Neuertheles who so vnderstondeth wel the lettre shal wel compryse myn entencyon by which he shal fynde nothyng but moyen for to come to saluacâ—on To the whyche may fynably come alle they that wyllyngly rede or here or do thys book to be redde Amen ¶ And by cause I Wylliam Caxton was desyred requyred by a good and synguler frende of myn Maister wylliam daubeney one of the tresorers of the Iewellys of the noble moost crysten kyng our naturel and souerayn lord late of noble memorye kyng Edward the foâ—rth on whos soule Ihesu haue mercy To reduce al these sayd hystoryes in to our englysshe tongue I haue put me in deuoyr to translate thys sayd book as ye here tofore may see al a longe and plâ—yn prayeng alle them that shal rede see or here it to pardon me of thys symple rude translacyon and reducyng bysechyng theym that shal fynde faute to correcte it in so doyng they shal deserue thankynges I shal praye god for them who brynge them and me after this short and transytorye lyf to euerlastyng blysse Amen the whyche werke was fynysshed in the reducyng of hit in to englysshe the xvin day of Iuyn the second yere of kynge Rychard the thyrd And the yere of our lord MCCCClxxxv And enprynted the fyrst day of decembre the same yere of our lord the fyrst yere of kyng Harry the seuenth ¶ Explicit ê‘ william Caxton