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A51707 Brittains glory: or, The history of the life and death of K. Arthur, and the adventures of the knights of the Round Table : giving a relation of their heroick exploits and victories in many lands ... pleasant and delightful, altogether worthy the perusal of the ingenious reader. Malory, Thomas, Sir, 15th cent.; J. S. 1684 (1684) Wing M339; ESTC R43418 18,774 26

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not be long said the King and thereupon charged on the Monster so furiously with his Sword that e're he could wield his Battel-Axe with a full stroke on his Helme which made the fire spring from thence he made him stagger three huge Paces and bend with his knee to the ground then the Gyant inraged made at him and struck the King so that the blow dazled him and made his eyes swim but soon recovering he that had never been so used before resolved revenge and thereupon after a full stroke wheeling his dreadful Sword about he struck the Monster on the Helme with such force that cutting it through the Sword entered six inches whereupon with a terrible groan he fell to the Earth at what time the King stood on him and divided his Head from his Trunk the which he delivered to his Esq that bore his bow and quiver Nor were the Knights of the Order idle for Sir Lancelot had by this time grievously wounded the Mercian King and taken him Prisoner and Sir Tristriam slain 7 Captains besides 36 common Souldiers so that the King of the East Angles seeing all go to wrack and his men were disordered caused the Retreat to be sounded whereupon his Captains endeavoured to bring off their men but they being in great consternation and the Brittains pressing on them fearful of death fled in all parts and left all the booty they had gotten to the Conquerors who fiercely pursuing the flying Foe made terrible slaughter insomuch 〈◊〉 such as could not fly into Castles and places of strength fell by the Sword to the number of 20000. This overthrow being noised abroad brought a great fear upon all the Saxon Princes so that the Mercians wholly submitted and sent a great ransome for their King who upon his swearing to become Tributary and Uassal to King Arthur was set at liberty Nor were there any of their petty Kings that then possessed this Island which they had divided into a Heptiarthey but sent their Ambassadors with great Presents to intreat a Peace the which upon their acknowledging him their supream Prince and paying each 200 Mark a brace of Geldings a Faulcon and a Grey-hound yearly was accorded to And thus flourished this Renowned King in the beginning of his Reign but more dreadful and re-doubted were his future deeds as by the sequel will appear CHAP. IV. How King Arthur passed into Danemark conquored the Kingdom of Norway overthrew Burnamissa the Danish King THe King having in a manner brought England to his subjection resolved not to suffer the current of his Victory to be damed up with ease took counsel with Merlyn and the most valiant of his Knights what Enterprize was next to be undertaken who advised him That it was most for his Honour to revenge the injuries he had received by the Danes who roaming about those Seas had not only taken divers of his Ships but landing had surprized some small Towns upon the Sea-Coast and burnt them carrying the Inhabitants into miserable Captivity and by cruel tortures obliged them to offer Sacrifice to their Idols that Kingdom being then unconverted This motion pleased the King whose restless spirit and desire of Glory made him impatient of ease whereupon he caused a great Navy of Ships to be rigg'd in Milford Haven and in all other Ports and gave Order for the building Men of War and Gallys so that in six months space he had a fleet of small and great Uessels that consisted of 300 saile on which early in the Spring he imbarqued with 28000. choice Souldiers and all manner warlike of provision having by this time inroled twenty new Knights to supply the places of such as fell by the Sword or dyed of divers diseases and so with a fresh gale weigshing Anchor and with a fair wind arriving in the Baltique Ocean entered the Straits now guarded by the two famous Castles of Coronsburg and Elzeburg the later standing on the Coast of Norway and there brought such a fear on either shore that the Inhabitants in all parts fled with what they could most conveniently carry leaving the rest for a prey to the Brittains who under the conduct of their victorious King inriched themselves with a great booty when incamping before Nidrosia in Norway summoned the City to yield but there being a strong Garrison therein they returned answer That they kept the City for Burnamissa King of Danemark and would in no wise yield it without his Order whereupon the King commanded the assault to be made by 12000 men under the leading of 44 Knights of the Order of the Round Table who having their scaleing Engine in a readiness on Easter-Eve marched to the wall and with a showre of Arrows and Wild-fire drove the defendants thence when as Sir Ector bearing the Royal Standard mounted and making great slaughter of such as opposed cutting off Arms Legs and Helmed Heads placed it on the chief Bulwark which the rest seeing on all sides strove to imitate him so that within less than six houres the City was won which the conquered perceiving retired to the Market-place and throwing down their Arms begged mercy which the King generously granted yet gave the spoile of the City to his Souldiers not reserving any part to himself which so hightened them that leaving a Garrison there passed on to Bergen which upon the first simmons surrendred and by its Example all the remaining Cities and walled Towns did the like so that the Kingdom of Norway was entirely at King Arthur's devotion whereupon finding no more to conquer he having received a supply of 5000 men to make up the number he brought by reason he was forced to leave the like number in Garrison imbarqued and passing the Straits landed upon the Danish shore filling all with terror and amazement when as that King having gathered a huge Army advanced to give him Battel which did not a little rejoyce King Arthur who greatly desired to try his strength in War when joyning on the great Plain before Copen Hagen a dreadful Fight began but Uictory who never declined our Heroick Prince soon declared for the Brittains so that the Danish King finding the Battel swerve and that he could not stay his men longer from open flight to cover their shame sounded the Retreat whereupon they retiring in great confusion K. Arthur and his Knights followed so furiously that all the Plain was strewed with the bodies of the slain and so hotly they pressed on that e'r three parts of the Army entered the City the Gates were shut up and a third part shut out for fear the Brittains should enter pell-mell with them who were by the furious Souldier slain in the sight of their friends though the compassionate King bid spare the sword CHAP. V. How King Arthur besieged Copen-Hagen and how at the intreaty of Geneura the Sister of the Danish King he hearkened to an Accord THe Danes thus overthrown the King incamped before the City resolving to carry it by
forte and the next day prepared for the assault resolving to march in the head of his Knights to win immortal fame by his planting his Standard upon the Wall with his own hands or to lose his Life nor could the perswasion of his Nobles make him decline it but as he approached the Wall the Gates opened whereupon he supposed the foe intended to sally but instead of armed men there issued out a Troop of beautiful Ladies and in the front of them the beauteous Geneura Sister to Burnamissa the Danish King whereat King Arthur much wondered and commanding his men to stand in Battalia with twelve Knights went to meet them when as the Ladies approaching him the fair and beauteous Princess fell at his feet and bedewing the ground with tears besought him to have compassion on her distressed Country the King being moved at this unusual sight in loving wise raised her in his Arms and had her be of good comfort but the sorrowful Lady whom tears made more lovely refused all comfort unless he would grant her request to which the King overcome by compassion consented after a short pause if what she demanded might consist with his Honour whereupon opening a Casket that one of her Ladies held she first presented him with Iewels of great value set in Gold and then intreated that an interview might be had between him and her Brother to which the King readily consented as already feeling Loves pointed shafts pierce his high-prooffed Armour and presenting the fair Princess with a Crown of Gold set with Pearls and Diamons which he had taken in the Mercian War as likewise her Lady with Iewels of great price he dismissed them and caused a Royal Tent to be pitched about a Furlong from the Uaunt-guard of his Army CHAP. VI. How King Arthur had an Interview with Burnamissa the Danish King and how a Peace was concluded between them upon the whole matter being left to the Princes Award HOstilitys ceasing the Danish King with twenty of his chief Nobility came to King Arthur's Tent and there in humble wise would have prostrated themselves but the King would not permit it but making them sit down according to their degree entered into a discourse with them relating at large the justness of his taking up Arms and demanding Restitution for the wrongs his Subjects had received and for the mischiefs his Country had sustained to which Burnamissa replyed That whatever had hapned in that nature had been without his knowledge but however knowing him to be a Prince of great Clemency he would be well content to submit to what ever he should think fit The King overcome by meekness of the Dane finding a relenting in his breast as generously offered to refer the whole matter to the beauteous Princess and bound himself tostand to what Award she should make which was joyfully accepted by Burnamissa who expected before that no less than his Kingdom of Norway would make satisfaction to the offended Brittish Monarch whereupon the Princess was sent for who came attended by divers Ladies of Honour in most sumptuous attire glittering in Gold and Gems which were out-vied by her incomparable beauty when making her approach King Arthur arose from his Chair of State and saluted her as likewise his Knights did her Ladies Then Burnamissa made her acquainted with the pleasure of King Arthur but she in modesty refused to be Arbitress in so waighty a matter till the King pressed it and desired her to do him so great an Honour whereupon after some consideration she awarded That her Brother should defray the whole Charge of the War and restore all such ships as were found to appertain to any of King Arthur's Subjects and that the Offenders being taken should be delivered to the King to dispose of as he thought fit and then the King to depart the Land and withdraw his Garrisons These Articles were highly approved on either part and the Princess her wisdom admired whereupon Commandment was given to proclaim them with heat of Drum and sound of Trumpet and that from thenceforth all Hostility should cease CHAP. VII Of the great Joy conceived by the Danes and how King Arthur falling in love with Genura the fair Princess married her PEace being thus happily accorded the Danes rung their Bells and made Bon-fires in every City all the Nobility feasting their poor Neighbours and Tenants throughout the Kingdom when as the Danish King causing a Royal Pavillion to be reared without the City prepared a sumptuous Feast to which he in humble wise invited the King and his Nobles and so great was the entertainment that the like had not before been known in that Kingdom But what pleased King Arthur more than all was the sight of the fair Princess with whom by this time he was most passionately in love Nor did the Feaver of his desire less afflict her though she durst not raise her hopes so high till at last the King not long able to resist the Magick of her eyes took the opportunity of breaking his mind to her who humbly told him with a demure countenance That she could not conceive her self worthy the thoughts of so great a Monarch but if it pleased him to condescend so low as to raise her to such dignity she had no argument against his pleasure if her Brother would consent This pleasing answer overjoyed the King insomuch that sending for the Danish King he desired to beg one favour of him Nay replied Burnamissa your Majesty may command even what you please since to your clemency I owe so much Then said King Arthur 'T is this fair Pledge of lasting peace that I with low submission do request If my Sister be contented said the King I am overjoyed at what I hear and have long desired to be allyed unto so great a Prince yet must not compell a free mind You need not said the Princess blushing like a Rosey Bloom that opens in June or July to the Morning-Sun for I have already parted with that heart that needs would go upon condition you consented I do consent most willingly replyed the King and thereupon taking King Arthur in his right hand and the Princess in his left he joyned their hands and at the request of the former Segbert the Brittish Arth-Bishop marryed them according to the Cannons of the Brittish Church pronouncing many dreadful curses on whoever should attempt to untye the sacred Band. This known in the Camp and City redoubled the joy so that all night long whole loads of pines blazed insomuch that the fires created a new day as soon as Sol was set and so sumptuous was the Feast which lasted many days that Rome in all her Glory could not exceed it the Martial feats to win glory and the love of the Ladies were so many that I have not place here to relate them CHAP. VIII How returning home King Arthur found his Country invaded by Magor King of Ireland and how he vanquished him with
slaughter THe King having been absent from his own Dominions for the space of six months began to cast his eye homeward when having remitted Burnamissa the charges he was at and only gave order his Subjects loss should be repaired he with his fair Queen whom the King loaded with rich presents took leave of the Danish Court and imbarquing with the whole Army and divers of the Danish Nobility who from their King had order to attend the Queen having a fair gale on the ninth of October landed where they first imbarqued and were received with vniversal joy whereupon the King coming to a Castle of his near Cardniff feasted the Danish Nobility in a most splendid manner But whilst he remained there he had notice That Magor King of Ireland who by his Ambassadors had courted the fair Genura and been refused was to revenge it on his arrival landed with a great Power in South-Wales whereupon the King comforting his Queen who was greatly grieved that through her cause such sudden troubles should arise passed on with his victorious Army and gave him Battel near Merionoth and utterly discomfited him so that flying with his broken Army and being every where assailed by the Country Pesants who had laid the way for him he scarcely escaped to his Ships with five Thousand out of thirty Thousand so that King Arthur speedy as Caesar in his victories returned to his fair Queen with the Trophies of his conquored Enemies long before he was expected to have fought the Battel when sending four Thousand men under the leading of Sir Lancelot and divers other good Knights they landed on the Isle of Angle-Sea and drove thence the French that had for some time past during the troubles of this Kingdom setled themselves there CHAP. IX How the King having recovered the Isle of Angle-Sea from the French sailed with a great Power into France to revenge the injury done to his Subjects and overthrowing their Army made them dearly purchase Peace THe Kings victories daily increasing the terrour of his name spread wide and made the most re-doubted Monarch tremble yet durst France then powerfull at Sea invade our Coast and with fire and sword spoiled many Sea-Towns carrying away great booty as also the people the men they made row in their Gally and the women to satiate their prodigious Lust When as the crys of his suffering subjects reaching his ear where he was delighting himself with his Queen he resolved once more to forsake the Camp of Venus and her soft delights to court Fame and Glory in the Camp of Mars whereupon having sent to Lotharius for Restitution and receiving rather scorns than a satisfactory answer from that imperious King he made great preparations for the War and had at that time twelve Saile of Ships sent to his aid by his Brother of Danemark when being in a readiness with an Army of 34000 he coasted the Country and putting into the Bay of Marselies with his shot of Arrows that flew like Haile drove the defendants from the shore on which himself with his own Standard first leaped and stood like an inraged Lyon though a thousand shafts flew round his Head and many rebounded from his glittering shield but long it was not e're the valiant Knights of the Order imitating their Soveraign thrust their ships on Land and putting their Souldiers in Battel-aray charged furiously upon the formost Battailian of the Enemy lead by the Duke De Vallois so that being over-set they retreated in great disorder and finding no place to be received broke the Ranks of their friends when as the Duke De Nevers advanced with the right wing of Horse to their succour but was so gau●ed with the shot of Arrows that the Horses mischiefed more the Riders than did the Brittains In this confusion the King drawing out 6000 of his choice men charged upon the disordered Enemy with such courage that he pierced their main Battel making lanes of death wherever he came cutting off Arms Heads and Legs insomuch that the Danish General Gironeus imitating him the French Souldiers routed in all parts left their Commanders and fled insomuch that the slaughter of the Nobility was great a fate ever incident to that Kingdom nor would they trust to the weak wall of Marselies but flying to Lyons and Paris left that part of the Country naked to be possessed of the Brittains The terror of this overthrow alaruming the French Court and finding that brought home to 'em which they had used to others abroad the people with Tears besought their King to appease the Conquorer in time and thereby prevent worse desolation who considering his tottering Kingdom was at stake sent four of his prime Lords to beg a weeks Cessation or Truce to which King Arthur whose aim was more at Glory and Renown than Advantage accorded during which time the King having raised a Million of crowns sent them in divers Waggons with other rich Presents to purchase his Peace and the departure of his new-come Guest yet prevailed they not e're he had made his acknowledgment for the indignity put upon the Kings Ambassadors and deliver the Town and Port of Marselies to be possessed as a pledge of future Peace by the Brittains for the space of 20 years to come and upon pain of forfeiting it for ever no Hostilitys to be used by Land nor depradations by Sea These Articles accorded the King hastened to his own Country with the greatest part of his Army leaving only 2000 Souldiers in Marselies and having amply rewarded the Danes dismissed them CHAP. X. How Queen Geneura was delivered of a Son and of the Presents and Vows made by the Saxon Kings As also a full description of the Knights of the Round Table UPon King Arthur's return he found to his unspeakable joy his fair Queen delivered of a lovely boy who by the advice of Merlyn he named Constantius whose Uictories and great Exploits that Prophet fore-told which after his Fathers death he succeeding him in his Throne exactly came to pass And now the joy being great throughout the Brittish Dominions all the Saxon Kings came to King Arthur's Court then removed to the then flourishing City of Hereford and made their Homage complementing him highly on his Marriage and the birth of his Son presenting the Queen and Royal Infant with great Presents as Iewels Gold and fragrant Spice of Arabia promising for them and their Heirs to be obedient to the Brittish Scepter though before and after the Death of King Arthur they brake their vows though to their great disadvantage For the young Prince almost as successful in War as his Father grasped the Kingdomes of the Mercians and East-Angles with so hard a hand that during his Life they could not wrest them from him but to our purpose King Arthur being the chief Favourite of Fortune and the eldest Son of Fame began to inlarge the splendor of his Court and increase the number of the Knights of the Round Table