did cause me in sort to imagine that you were somewhat intangled in those nets But now to the purpose as she is my daughter so doe I thinke shee will not make her choise without my consent neither I being her father will force her consent where she doth not loue but if by faire meanes shee may be wonne héereunto assure your selfe that the house of Fraunce is most willing to linke it selfe in loue and amitie with the Prince of England whose noble vallour deserues to bée highly had in estimation The Prince for this his kinde graunt would néedes haue kist his royall hands which the King would not suffer him to doe but imbracing him in his armes departed immediately into the Pallace and comming into the Queenes chamber of presence called for the Princesse Emilia and willing all saue the Quéene and her to a voyd the presence hee demaunded of her whether there were any loue betwéene her and the English Prince at which demaunde she dying her Princely chéekes with a maidenly blush and falling on her knées aunswered Most gracious father considering that in concealing the truth from you being therof demaunded I shall not only breake the bounds of duty by being disobedient but also offende God in making of a lie know therefore that since the day wherein he ouercame the Duke of Orleance I haue so intangled my selfe in his loue which before being by him sued vnto I made scorne of that I can finde no way to alter the same but by death only which rather then it should be to your dislike I would willingly indure were it neuere so cruell The King beeing ioyfull héereat yet séeming to be discontented said In faith and is it possible that thou most fond and foolish gearle shouldest so much forget the bounds of dutie and vertue as without my consent so to settle thy fancie on a stranger but I doubt not but thou wilt as soone repent thy choise as thou hast forgotten thy duty in choosing for who knowes whether he being a young amorous Prince hath not made some other choise already where then are thy hopes or what will become of thy loue The Princesse hearing her father in these tearmes knewe not well what aunswere to make but at length with teares in her eies and fetching a déepe sigh from her hart shée besought him to consider she force and power of loue which was of such might that who most sought to striue against it was the more cruelly therewith in the end wounded and that as yet her loue being knowne to none séeing it so greatly disliked his Maiestie she would for euer kéepe close although it did cost her her life which shée was sure it would doe séeing it had taken already such déepe rooting in her hart The King séeing her constancie loth to grieue her any farther tooke her by the arme raising her from the ground bid her to be of good comfort for séeing that her affection procéeded from vertue and not of any wanton or lustfull appetite hee did both alowe of it and yéeld consent vnto the choise which she had made willing her farther to estéeme of the Prince as one who not only déerely loued her but also was worthy to be beloued both for his vallor magnanimitie of mind of the greatest Lady in Christendome Thus leauing her not a little comforted he went to impart the same to the Prince vnto whom this newes was more welcome then to haue béene made Lord of the greated Kingdome of the world And taking order with the King for the day of their marriage against which time there should be prepared a great Turny hee also sent ouer into England the Duke of Yorke to certifie the King his father héereof which was to him most welcome newes béeing now greatly striken in yeares Also there were many Heraults sent foorth to proclaime this great Turny which should beheld in the Citty of Parris at the nuptials of the Prince of England and the beautifull Emelia against which time there came daily many braue and gallant Knights from diuers Kingdomes as well Christians as Sarasines for that the King had graunted by his proclamations a safe conduct for all commers Now in this meane time the Duke of Orleance being throughly recouered of his wounds which he had receaued against Don Edward and finding that with the losse of his honor he had likewise lost his loue grew therewith into so great rage that he would haue slaine himselfe had it not béene for some of his seruants who alwaies gaue dilligent attendance vnto him and deuising with himselfe on reuenge at last resolued by vnknowne trechery to bring it thus to passe There was in this his Dukedome a great Inchaunter who with his accursed spells was able in a manner to pull the starres out of their places to this man the Duke resorted and making him priuie to his intent desired him to deuise some meanes how vnknowne hée might be reuenged on the English Prince The Inchaunter willing to showe his loue vnto the Duke immediately deuised a meane how not only to be reuenged on the prince but also on as many as were welwillers vnto him which he did bring to passe in this sort There was in the Kingdom of Fraunce some tenne leagues from Parris a great Forrest in which this Inchaunter by his deuilish art erected a stately Castle inuironed about with high walls déepe ditches so as it séemed one of the strongest and fairest Castles of the Kingdome likewise he inchaunted it in such sort that though a thousand Knights had sought for it yet notwithstanding there should none haue found the same but such as they thought should not be of such force as to conquer the gardants who were two fierce mighty Gyants farre excéeding the common stature of others of that kind Also there was a Knight a kinsman of the Dukes who being accōpanied with 20 or 30 attendants alwaies remained héerein the Giants who kept the gard the one of them was called Brandofell with him first must those Knights haue to doe that came to make triall of this aduenture the other was named Furioll excelling in strength all the Giants of his time to him belonged the combat with those Kinghts to whom fortune was so fauorable as to ouercome Brandofell In this manner hauing prouided for the garde of this inchaunted Castle they deuised a meane by which to bring the Prince vnto the same which was in this manner The Inchaunter Ligustargo for so was he called had a daughter indifferent faire who in dissimulation was as skilfull as her father in the art of Magicke for she had her teares at commaund and could so well frame her countenance to sorrowe that there was none but would haue taken her to be very sorrowe it selfe to her was referred the meanes to seduce the Prince who comming vnto the Court with her haire disperssed about her shoulders her garments rent and torne and beeing conducted into the
Kingdome of Spaine a noble man called Segnior Adresto famous for his vertues and Chiualry and hauing passed ouer a great part of the world in séeking and following of strange aduentures alwaies hauing fortunate successe in all his enterprises especially in his loue which hee bare towards a noble Lady of his owne Country called Leonarda daughter and sole heyre vnto the Duke of Tolledo one who for beauty and comlinesse of body was the only paragon of all Spaine sought vnto by many but only inioyed by Adresto betwéene whom there grew so great loue that whosoeuer had séene or knowne the same would haue sworne that then loue there had béene no greater dietie Which when the Duke her father vnderstoode being loth to match her vnto one of so meane estate although for his vertues he might compare with any yet was his liuings very small therefore he often warned her to auoyd his company and at length grew in great displeasure with her threatning to disinherit her if she did not obey vnto his will héerein Which the young Lady doubting at their next méeting made him priuy withall assuring him that for his loue she could be contented to forsake all But yet séeing that in time her fathers good will might bee obtained she would intreate him for a while to absence himselfe assuring him that for her part she would alwaies continue faithfull and constant vnto him and neuer accept of any other husband though thereby she were disinherited Adresto hearing her kind and louing spéeches aunswered that séeing it was her pleasure he was contented although to be out of her presence would bee a hell vnto him and whereas shée had made him so frée a graunt of her loue he protested before the heauens likewise neuer to forsake her and that before he would consent to loue any other thē herselfe he would be torne to péeces with wilde horses then deliuering each other asigne of their passed faiths he departed And within short time after left the Kingdome trauelling many strange and vnknowne Regions till at last comming into the Kings of Ireland hee hapned to fall in likingly with a beautifull Damsell of that Country but of meane parentage her father being but a Marchant of that Country On whom he so doted that he had cleane forgotten and forsaken the chast and vertuous Lady Lenarda although the good Lady hauing intelligence héereof by a friend of hers a skilfull Magitian oft times sent vnto him to cause him to call to minde his former loue At length the Duke her father dying and leauing her sole Mistirs and Dutches of his Dukedome shee hauing with great pompe solemnitie celebrated his funerals one day sent for her friend the Magitian to come vnto hor of whom she demaunded if there were no meanes to recall her louer Adresto againe without whom she was like to spend her life time in care and heauinesse Adriano for so the Magitian was called made her aunswere that he could not directly aunswere her demaunde because that she whom he so loued wore alwaies on her finger a Ring which was the only stay of his loue which except they could get from her it was impossible euer to remooue his affection Also this Ring had one other vertue which was that whosoeuer did weare it should not loose so much as a drop of blood in any battaile whatsoeuer wherefore when he combatted with any one as oft times he did for her loue then had he the Ring And vnlesse there could be found a Knight that might by force conquer him in single battaile and take away the Ring from him it was impossible to get the same by any deceit whatsoeuer Lenarda hearing this was as one halfe besides herselfe but being comforted by Adriano who assured her he would trie the vttermost of his skill to find out the Knight as he had spoken of Then taking his leaue of her he returned home where by his art he framed a most rich and faire sword excellent curious to the eye and to cut the best that was then in the whole world this sword he inchaunted in such sort that no man but hée to whom the conquest of Adresto appertained might drawe the same then bringing it to Lenarda willed her to send one of her Squires therwith to séeke out the Knight who should by his vallor recouer her loue then deliuering it to one of her Squires whom she estéemed for his truth and secricie with this commaunde that whosoeuer should offer to draw foorth the sword should first make promise of a boone which was to goe ouer into Ireland and to combat with Adresto accusing him for falcifying of his faith to Lenarda Thus the Squire hauing the sword trauelled to all the Princes Courts in Spaine and Countries thereabouts then into Fraunce Italie and Germanie neuer finding any one that could once mooue it in the Scaberd although many stout hardy Knights made triall thereof to this great griefe fearing his trauell should neuer haue end nor his Lady ease of her sorrowe In this manner hauing trauelled through most part of Germanie he arriued at the Court of Saxonie desiring the Duke that his Knights might make triall if it were any their fortunes to accomplish that for which hee had trauailed she greatest part of Christendome Then shewing his sword hee declared that bearing the same a whole yeere he could neuer finde any one that might draw the same The Duke wondring héereat immediatly after Dinner caused all his Knights to make triall therof himselfe béeing the first but al to no end applyed they their forces Which when the young Prince Iago and the Gentleman of the Forrest beheld they presently fell on theyr knées before the Duke desiring his grace to grant them the order of knight-hood hoping that for one of them this Aduenture was reserued The Duke béeing vnwilling at the first by reason of their young age that béeing knighted they would hazard themselues in séeking after strange aduentures aduised them to stay a yéere or two more before they tooke so waitie a charge on them affirming that it was vnlawfull to dubbe any one before the age of twenty at which time they would be strong and able to indure the weight of their Armour and trauell and not before All which could not cause them to desist from theyr sute but still more earnestlie they craued the same alleaging many sundry examples of those who at younger yéeres had inured themselues to as great labours as Reynaldo at the age of fiftéene yéeres stealing from his fathers court went into Palestina to the Christian Armie where vnder great Godfry of Bullen he obtained to be the chiefe scourge to the Sarasins and without whom it had béene impossible to haue wonne the holy Citty of Ierusalem This and many other such like arguments they alleaged wherby at length they obtained the Duke to consent vnto them willing them for that night according to the auncient custome to watch in the Chappell Then
considering withall the goodnesse of his Armor vnwillingnesse of the defendants to come foorth determined to enter whilst the wicket was open wherefore stepping a little to the right hand he gaue one of them so sore a blow on the left shoulder that caused him to fall to the ground and héerewithall hee lept suddenly to the wicket and got in thereat which they of the Castle perceauing and with all fearing the sequell bee ganne to arme themselues and all at once to assault him some with swords other with Launces some others againe betooke them to throwing of stones diuers engines of iron at him where with he was greatly troubled But seeing no remedy but either to conquer or die he couered himselfe with his shield and with his trusty blade in his hand hee made such way amongst them that he thought himselfe surest that was farthest off from him so that within the space of two houres he had not left aboue sixe of them liuing all which were likewise very sore wounded beeing vtterly voyd of hope to escape his conquering arme determined to submit themselues to his mercy hoping thereby to saue their liues which otherwise they could not long preserue Wherefore falling on their knées with one voice they craued mercy which he soone graunted vnto them being as I haue many times before said naturally inclined to pitty And willing them to stand vp hee demaunded what prisoners there were in the Castle and for what occasion that custome was there erected all which one of them at large recounted declaring how that the King of Denmarke as yet remained there with diuers other noble and gallant Knights Which when the Knight of the Lions heard hée commaunded straight waies to be conducted vnto the prison and likewise that Adresto should be brought in and his wounds dressed by the Surgian of the Castle which was a man greatly experienced in that science all which was presently performed And one of the Knights running to one of them that was slaine tooke from him a bunch of keyes wherewith he opened a little iron doore and discending downe a narrow paire of staiers they came to a dungion vnderground at the entry whereof was another iron doore which they likewise opened then hauing a torch lighted in their hands they vnchained all the prisoners amongst whom they found King Frederick the Lord Gwaltero his Cosin the Duke of Litsenburge the Lord of Menew Sir Henault and diuers others to the number of a hundred all or most part Knights of Denmarke Many of which were sore pined away and almost famished through their extreame griefe and course fare but the King the Lord Gwaltero Sir Henault were little or nothing altred for all their long imprisonment And now being all brought foorth into the great Hall of the Castle they with one accord gaue harty thankes vnto the Knight of the Lions and then falling on their knées with one consent they gaue praises to almighty God which being ended the King with the noble men came vnto the Knight of the Lions desiring him to declare who hee was that they were so much bound vnto for their deliuerance To which hee aunswered that hee was commonly called the Knight of the Lions But as touching his parents or Country he knew not only this he had heard that being a child he was taken vp in a Forrest in the Kingdome of Denmarke by the Duke of Saxonie who since that time had carefully brought him vp as his sonne Which when the King had heard hée imbrast him in his armes desiring him to accompany him into his Kingdome where hee would showe himselfe so thankfull vnto him as hee should not thinke his labour ill bestowed The Knight beeing by the instinct of nature greatly affected vnto the King soone consented héereto although it were farre out of his way towards Spaine whether he was trauelling For which the King gaue him harty thankes and withall beganne to haue an inward loue towards him héere continued they by the space of eight or tenne daies to refresh their weake bodies as also for the curing of the wounds of Adresto and making preparation for their Armors whereof they had great store in the Castle some horses others they got abroade in the Country néere adioyning for their monies And now hearing that Grifforie was gathering his forces to come against them they departed towards Flaunders where hearing of the warres and rebellion in Denmarke they determined vnknowne to hasten thether and naming themselues to be all Knights arrant met together by chance and hearing of these warres were minded to entertaine themselues in the armie of the States With this determination arriued they at the Citty of Gaunt which was still held by the Danes and héere they remained to prouide themselues of such things as they néeded CHAP. XX. How King Fredericke the Knight of the Lyons and the rest of theyr company arriued in the Army of the States and how the next day they gaue battell vnto the Scots where by the vallour of the King the Knight of the Lyons and theyr company the States got the victory and howe the King made himselfe knowne THe King and the rest of his company hauing prouided themselues of all things necessary for theyr iourney departed from Gaunt towards Denmarke béeing in all to the number of an hundred Knights wel furnished and prouided for the warre And marching thus together through Flaunders and other prouinces of Germany they arriued within thirtie dayes at Rensberge where the two Armies by the space of sixe daies had line incamped one against the other continually skirmishing but neither side daring the one to assault the other And now béeing héere arriued the King and the rest béeing disguised for feare of being knowne came vnto the States desiring entertainement and withall declared a long fained circumstance how they had met together and béeing all minded to ayde theyr right and iust cause against the Scots and traytors they were come together to proffer their seruices The States béeing glad of this succor and withall knowing diuers of them as the Duke of Litsenburge and others whom they receiued with great ioy and gaue entertainment to all the rest who by the meanes of the Duke were placed in commaund and entring into counsell they determined to send presently vnto the Scots to demaund battell which by the Earle Dowglasse was soone graunted and the next day it was appointed that it should be tryed by a pitched battell who should haue the victory The morning béeing come and both Armies ranged in the field the States had deuided their forces into thrée battalions the first whereof was ledde by the Lord Louden and the County of Mildrope containing eight thousand the second or maine battell was ledde by the Duke of Litsenburge and the Lord of Opencade containing twelue thousand the third last battalion contayning nine thousand was led by the Lord Itzenho and the Lord of Rensberge The King the
Knights Squiers and Gentlemen being assembled together to giue their attendance on his Maiestie maruailed that hee was so long before he came downe into the great Hall contrarie to his vse which was alwaies wont to be by tenne of the clocke where he remained vntill dinner time passing away the time with mirth and pleasant disports At length hauing expected his comming vntill twelue of the clocke and séeing that he came not the Lord Treasure whose name was Sir Henault musing what the cause might be and doubting that all was not well in regard hee neither came himselfe neither any of the Squiers which were attending néerest vnto him were séene to come downe to declare the cause at length went vp vnto the Kings bed-chamber where hee found the Chamberlin with diuers other Gentlemen which alwaies attended on the Kings owne person And demaunding of them where his Maiestie was that he came not downe in the Hall as he was accustomed they all gaue him answere that the King and Quéene accompanied with the Lord Gwaltero his Cosin the Lord Bewdall and the Lord of Menew with some Ladies and attendants in the morning very early went forth at the Posterne towards the Forrest to take the fresh aire and that since that time they were not returned neither did they know farther what was become of them but doubted least that they had strayed so farre within the wood that they had lost their way forth When Sir Henault had hard this he was much amased greatly troubled in mind fearing least there had béene some treason wrought against his Maiestie wherefore causing the reporters of these newes to be in sure kéeping he went downe and declared the same to the rest of the nobility and taking counsell together they determined forthwith to make ageneral search as well for the King and Quéene and nobles found wanting as also for all suspected persons which might bée thought any waies guilty towards their absence likewise they determined to make a generall search throughout all the Forrest least peraduenture they were hapned to goe astray and could not find the ready way backe againe or if that they were any way distressed either by théeues or wild beasts that then they might rescue them or find what was become of them Thus hauing determined they armed themselues to the number of thrée thousand Knights and Gentlemen and being mounted on their horses they tooke the way directly towards the Forrest where beeing ariued they seperated themselues into diuers companies séeking vp and downe and looking almost in euery bush but could not find them whom they sought for at length Sir Henault with his companie hapning to passe that way wherein the morning the fight had béene chaunced first to finde some of the dead bodies and looking farther sawe whereas the Lords and Ladies lay bound being almost dead with the paine and griefe which they sustained the Lords by reason of their wounds and Ladies by the feare wherein they were put then comming more néere vnto them they found the Lord Gwaltero and the Lord of Menew grieuously wounded the Lord Bewdall with some foure or fiue other Gentlemen slaine out right which sight strake such a griefe and sorrow into the harts of all the beholders especially of Sir Henault that he had much to doe to sit on his horse yet at length recouering his sences and causing them to be vnbound he demaunded what was become of the King and Quéene and by what misfortune they were brought into this pittifull case The Lord Gwaltero hauing his wounds bound vp and being somewhat refreshed and reuiued with such restoratiues as some of the companie had brought with them answered how that walking to take the aire and to view those pleasant shades they were sodenly and vnawares set on by forty théeues or Outlawes whom by their apparrell and spéech they iudged to be frenchmen where defending themselues as well as they might were in the end thus ouercome and wounded and as for the King after they had bound vs and were departing away hauing before stripped vs of the wealth we had about vs they returned and tooke him with them towards the sea-side But of the Quéene we knowe no certainty for whilst we were fighting she fled into the wood with the rest of the Ladies who were all brought back againe saue the Quéene only by some of the Outlawes who persued them more I knowe not but feare least they likewise hapned on her and haue carried her with them wherefore he thought it fit that pursute might be made after them to the seawards where if they were not already gone it might so fortune as they might recouer the King and Quéene againe otherwise there would be no hope left for séeing them in hast When Sir Henault had heard this discourse made by the Lord Gwaltero he was so grieued inwardly that with extreame sorrowe he fell from his horse in a trance and being brought againe to himselfe séeing all things were to be followed according to the occasion and time first he commaunded some part of his companie to conuaie the Lords and Ladies to the Court whereas they that were wounded might find helpe for to cure the same and they likewise that were slaine might euery one haue buriall according to their estates himselfe in the meane space being accompanied with a hundred Knights would followe after the théeues hoping that if they were not put to sea before their comming not only to rescue the King but also to giue them such a reward as for euer should bee an example to those who should goe about to attempt the like With this determination they rode on towards the sea side whereas they arriued about the time when Vesperus in the west had set the cunning watch and silent night richly attended by his twinckling traine sent sléepe and slumber to possesse the world and fantazie for to hazan idle heads whereas they found their labor fruitlesse by reason that they were departed long before and séeing the night beginne to wax darke they all together determined on the plaine hard by the sea side for that night to rest themselues making fiers and great lights to cause the rest of their companies to come vnto them who likewise had made a long and bootlesse search in the wood and at length being almost all come together where Sir Henault remained they determined the next day to make preperation to follow them by sea whom they could not recouer on shore CHAP. IIII. Of the generall lamentation that was made throughout all the Kingdome and how that after a councell held for the gouerning thereof the Knights and noble men tooke on them the search of the King THE next day no sooner had darke night taken his leaue and that the day began to appeare in the East but Sir Henault with the rest of his company were mounted on horsback taking their way towards the sorrowfull Cittie of Maiance where béeing arriued they found the
Citty all full of heauines by reason of the late newes which at their comming was so much the more augmented being returned without any certaine knowledge what was become of the King and Quéene There might you haue séene the true discription of sorrow not in one onelie creature but in generall through the whole Cittie some fell to shutting vp their doores and windowes as minding for very griefe to inclose themselues prisoners in their own houses shunning the day light which had giuen light to those Robbers who had dispoyled them of their ioy and comfort Others againe clad in blacke mournfull attire with their chéeks be spred with teares which like streames trickled downe from the fountaines of their eyes went vp and downe lamenting and bewailing the losse of theyr so louing and gracious Prince The late costly shewes and stately Pagants were turned into sadde obiects yea no noyse was heard through the whole Cittie but wéeping and lamentation so that the sorrow sustained by the Troians for the losse of their chiefe Champion Hector when by the Gréeks at the commaundement of cruell Achilles he was thrée times dragd about their Cittie walls béeing before hand cowardly slaine with his accursed Speare was not to bee compared with this of Maiance The graue and modest Matrons were séene with theyr garments rent and their haire dispersed about their shoulders in most dolefull manner to repayre to the Temples where before the most Highest they poured foorth theyr prayers for their Soueraigne bathing themselues with the teares which fell from their eyes The young damsels pleasant songs which with cléere and chéerfull brests they were wont to record were now turned into sad mournfull ditties bewailing the losse of their Countries protector Yea so generall was the gréefe vnto all manner of estates that for the space of fortie dayes together there was neither shops opened nor any wares or merchandise solde in their markets So that the towne which was wont to be so filled with all sorts of people now séemed in a manner to be voyde desolate none or very few séene at any time to walke in the stréets Neither was the griefe in the country any lesse yea throughout the whole kingdome so generally was he beloued of all his subiects that hee was counted not onely a iust Prince but also a louing Father to his Country alwaies defending the poore from the oppression of the rich and the desolate widdowes and Orphans from the violence of those who by any meanes sought to wrong them Sir Henault as we haue before said béeing returned to Maiance caused foorthwith some small Barkes to be well manned and sent foorth after the Pyrats with commaund not onely to scoure their owne Coast but also to pursue thē vnto the borders of Fraunce where they tooke many but could not méet with any of thē which they sought for Then calling a generall Counsell of all the Nobility and Péeres of the Land where after a long learned Oration by him pronounced describing vnto them the fickle and dangerous estate wherein their Country now stoode by reason of this sudden and vnlooked for alteration of crooked Fortune with the mutabilitie of the minds of the common people whose natures are alwaies to listen after nouelties which things being considered it could not chuse but to appeare vnpossible to kéepe the Common-wealth in safetie without some certaine forme of gouernment to be established Desiring all of them to bend and ioyne theyr willing minds together to deuise some course or meanes for the same vntill the King might againe be heard of and recouered Which hee thought could by no meanes better be effected then by a generall search made by a chosen number of Knights who should trauell through all the Dominions and kingdoms of Christendome and else-where as by them it should be thought fit and conuenient of which number he himselfe God willing intended to be one who would either finde him out or end his dayes in the search This his spéech was listned vnto of all but especiallie applauded and commended by the Lord Gwaltero and the Lord Menew who as then were indifferently recouered of their wounds which they receiued at the losse of theyr King and béeing both young and valerous especiallie Gwaltero who was then the absolute best Knight in all the kingdome of Denmarke hoped by this meanes not onely to find out their King if so be he liued but also to winne to themselues eternall renowne by their haughtie déedes of Chiualrie which they hoped to obtaine in strange Countries where their fortunes should conduct them But as for the gouernment of the Common-wealth in theyr conceits they thought none more fit then Sir Henault himselfe who béeing both sage and discréete and also béeing as we haue said before Lorde Treasurer alwaies in great fauour with their late King had in a maner the whole managing of the affaires of the Kingdome in his owne hands by which meanes as they supposed he knew how better then any other to continue the same in the former estate which would be farre better then to alter the same by any other order of gouernment This their opinion was held for currant of many and consented vnto by most of those that were present who desired no alteration but thought their former manner of rule to be best and without fault But as there is no man so vertuous but shall haue some that will enuy at his goodnes especially great and mightie men who no sooner grow into the good liking and fauour of the people be it by neuer so iust or well deserued occasion yea though by him onely the Common-wealth hath béen in a manner preserued and defended from the inuasiue power of their enemies yet shall you haue some like dogges in a manger that will neither doo good themselues nor willingly heare of others well dooings beeing prickt forwards with enuy will not stick to turne any his good deseruings into euill and all their counsels be they neuer so profitable to the Common-wealth they will goe about to perswade that it is rather to benefit rayse themselues then to doe good to their Countries yea further let them accomplish any notable péece of seruice for their country they will not be afraide to whisper into mens eares that it was doone but for vaine glory Euen such there were in this Counsell who not onely for enuie disliked the choyse which the Lord Gwaltero and the rest had made but also disliked of the search which Sir Henault had motioned for the séeking of the King alleaging that by making such a quest they should not onely dispoyle themselues of theyr chiefe Captaines and leaders but also leaue theyr Country naked and ready for euery inuasion of the enemy when it would be too late to call home those for theyr defence whom they should not know where to find Some againe thought it better to send forth Embassadors into diuers Nations thereby hoping to gaine
knowledge what was become of him thinking that if the Out-lawes had kept him aliue that then they had sold him to some Prince who would be content to put him to raunsome Others held that to send foorth spyes which by diligent inquirie might heare of him would be the best course Thus diuers men were of diuers minds sitting a long while in counsell to no end neither determining any order for the gouernment of the Common-wealth nor meanes to find out their King and Quéene But at length by the meanes of the Archbishop of Maiance who desired change and alteration they grew to determine of their gouernment which should be in this manner following First they should chuse of the most sufficienst of the Nobilitie and Laitie of the Realme the number of sixe-score out of which number by lot they should chuse tenne and of the Clergie thirtie out of which nūber likewise they should chuse two by lot so that of the Nobility there should be alwaies tenne and of the Clergie two which twelue so elected should haue the gouernment of the whole kingdom for a yéere and at the yéeres end to giue vp an account vnto the other sixe-score and eighteene of the imployment of the treasure belonging to the Crowne and then other twelue to be chosen in the same manner for the next yere And this order and manner of gouernment to be kept inuiolate vntill such time as they should heare some certaine newes either of the Kings death or returne To this they all consented setting thereto their hands seales presently making choyse of those whose happe should be first to gouerne this their new deuised state The Lots béeing cast the first twelue to whom the gouernment lighted was of the Clergie the Archbishop of Maiance and the Bishop of Odelstoe and of the Nobilitie the Duke of Louenborge the Duke of Newmister the Lord Harding the Count Hermes the Countie of Mildorpe the County of Opencade the Lord of Londen the Lord Itzenho the Lorde of Newstat and the Lord of Rensborge These twelue according to former agréement tooke on them the gouernment of the kingdome first setting all things in quiet within the kingdome and making diuers lawes and statutes for the preseruation thereof And then made preparation for the defending of the same if so be that any neighbor Prince should now in the alteration of their gouernment make any war or inuasion vppon them thereby not to be taken vnprouided They therefore fortified diuers Castles and strong Holds vppon the borders of the Kingdome repairing those that were weake and erecting new where they thought any néede to be placing garrisons in them all for the defence thereof Likewise they tooke order for the defence and sure kéeping of the Country of Flaunders in their subiection fearing least vppon the report of the losse of the King and Quéene there might be some alteration mooued either by some neighbour Potentate or the inhabitants themselues who at that time were giuen altogether to desire change and alteration Now amongst all these discourses wee must not forget the Lord Gwaltero the Lord Menew and Sir Henault whose heroicke mindes not being able to bee contained within the confines of Denmarke missing their onely comfort and solace their noble Prince whose presence was more déere to them then any thing in the world besides prouided according to their former determinations to trauell in his quest throughout the whole world but that they would either find him out or heare some certaine newes of him which being made knowne to diuers other Lords and Knights there were to the number of a hundred all of the minde bent either to find him out or neuer to returne Thus euery one in the best manner they could made preperation for their iourney fitting themselues both with armor and store of money for their néedefull expences in their trauell And being all in a readines to depart they deuided themselues some into one Country and some into another appointing where many times to méete being in strange Countries where wee will leaue them to declare what befell to the King and Martinus being in his enemies Country as is before mentioned CHAP. V. How King Fredericke was deliuered by Martinus into the the hands of Griffory by whom hee was imprisoned and how Martinus by the Duke was afterward put to death YOu haue heard before how Martinus had agréed with Griffory of Holland for the deliuery of the good King Fredericke in recompence whereof he should haue for tearme of his life the Cittie of Hanstance withall the customes and profits thereof The next day after this conclusion the Duke going along with him to Hanstance where being ariued was by Martinus brought into the Burgesses house where he left the King who according to his oath he found there still remaining little fearing that which suddenly hapned vnto him for Martinus comming vnto him and taking him by the hand as if hee would haue conferred with him about his raunsome brought him at length into a chamber whereas he had left the Duke accompanied with some few of his nobillitie vnto whom Martinus spake as followeth Most high and mighty Prince according vnto my faithfull promise made vnto your excellencie I héere before these your nobillity deliuer vp into your hands this vnfortunate and vnhappie King of Denmarke of whom you may now at any time be fully and sufficiently reuenged of any former wrong by him committed against you or of any displeasure which worthily you haue conceaued against him and likewise so clip his wings for euer héereafter being able to doe you the least offence whatsoeuer When the Duke had heard him speake this his pleasing and to him most delightfull speech scarce suffring him to make his conclusion hauing also in the meane time throughly viewed the King whom by diuers signes he verily knew to be the same he could scarce content himselfe but would immediatly haue slaine him with his owne hands so deadly was the hate he bare him and such the inciuillitie of his churlish and reuengfull nature yet being stopped by some of his nobilitie from killing him hee fell out into these or such like rayling speeches O thou most accursed and vild caitife whom were it not that I meane to put thée to more extreame paine torments I would with these my hands rent that detestable body of thine to peeces and with my téeth teare and gnaw the flesh from thy bones so endlesse is my malice against thée and so many thy wrongs and villanies committed which causeth me to muse and inuent what or how many kind of torments I might inflict vpon thée But would to God that disloyall strumpet that infernall Quéene the causer of all my miseries yea she whose bewitching beauty thou so much and with such a gréedinesse hast desired yea and by thy comurations and other thy detestable and execrable meanes thou hast hetherunto to thy content inioyed O that she were héere present to behold
and take part of those continuall paines and torments the which not only for the hate I beare thée but also to bee reuenged on her for her most odious whorish and execrable dissimulation towards me I meane to inflict vppon thy wretched carkas The good King being no longer able to forbeare these inhumane and oprobrious reuilings proffred him by his currish and spightfull enemie replied in this sort Griffory I cannot but muse how God hauing indued thée with reason and vnderstanding like vnto other men that thou notwithstanding shouldest abound in vicious wicked and detestable conditions aboue all other men which canst not be content with the miserie which thou séest me brought into being thy prisoner and at thy disposition to be either kept or ransomed wrought by the most base odious meanes that might be yea after such a sort that the beriest Infidell vnder the heauens would not so much as once haue gone about or imagined but also now contrarie to all humanitie reuilest me with such oprobrious spéeches whom héeretofore thou durst not to looke me in the face for feare and also reuile at her whom neither thy selfe nor no man liuing is able to touch with that least crime whatsoeuer and that would I make good against shée and thrée of the best of thy Knights with my body were I at libertie hauing horse and armor T is true t is true replied the Duke we knowe your vallor to be great but we will soone abate that your hote courage and place you where your Goddesse whom you so much estéeme shall neither haue power nor meanes to helpe you Doe thy worst replied the King and sith it is the will of God to inflict this punishment vpon me I will indeuor my selfe with patience to indure what torments soeuer shall happen hoping in the world to come to inioy therefore eternall blessednesse but in the meane time thinke not thou but that thou maist fall in like mishap and that I haue yet remaining in the Kingdome of Denmarke such Subiects that when they shall knowe of this my ill fortune and thy crueltie will not leaue bearing Armes till such time they shal haue layd wast this thy accursed Country not leauing thée any Towne or Fort to hide thy selfe from their reuengefull swords wherefore aduise thee and determine either to set me at libertie or otherwise expect those euils which will surely fall on thy Country If thou consent to my inlargement for my ransome thou shalt receaue a whole million of gold which shall bee payed thée foorthwith out of my treasurie No no replied Griffory thy gold is but drosse and cannot worke in me that content which my hart shall inioy by thy imprisonment neither doe I feare thy power which thou so much vauntest of for thou shalt sée and that shortly that I will not onely possesse my selfe of thy darlings County of Flaunders but also by the strength of this right arme in despight of all thy power Crowne my selfe King of the Kingdome of Danske whilst thou in the meane time shall lie rotting thy bones in my prison Thē turning about to a Knight of his named Sir Ragdand hee willed him to conuay the vnhappie King prisoner vnto his Castle of Coruew and there to put him into the dungion of the sayd Castle and to alowe him euery day for the continuance of his most wretched life a quart of water and apound of bread made of the coursest branne thinking this that continually pining away by reason of his course faire would be a farre greater paine and torment vnto him then any present death whatsoeuer Likewise for the more sure keeping of him hee ordained a gard of fifty Knights alwaies to bee within the Castle who should sée that no Knight should enter therein This Castle of Coruew was of meruailous strength inuironed about with déepe ditches and mighty heigh walls and had but only one way in which was ouer a drawe bridge the which was alwaies defended by ten of the sayd fifty Knights fiue at the one end and fiue at the other this gard grew at length to a custome by reason of the hundred Knights of Denmarke which went in search of their King and was deuised only to intrap and imprison them as you may reade towards the latter end of this booke Héere now will we leaue the woful King inclosed in a miserable prison bewailing his crosse fortune where hee passed away many a yeare although his fare was as we haue sayd before both course and short yet did God so blesse him that he continued alwaies healthy and stronge of body neuer grieued with any kind of sicknes sauing onely discontentednesse of minde which with patience he much delayed returne we to speake of Martinus who had not long after the imprisonment of the King quietly inioyed the cittie of Hanstance withall the profits thereof before granted him to the extreame griefe of the chiefest of the Cittie who disdained much to bee in subiection to so base a person for the Duke some eight daies after possession deliuered fell in consideration with himselfe of the great benefit which hee had lost by giuing away the chiefe Citty in his Dukedome deuised which way he might with his honor recouer the same againe at length hauing resolued with himselfe he brought it thus to passe One day béeing with diuers of his Nobility and Martinus béeing in company the Duke fained himselfe to be very merry and in his mirth for his further content desired Martinus to declare how hee hapned to take Frederick prisoner Martinus not distrusting any thing began to make a large repetition beginning with his former life in France then the cause and manner of his banishment and their ariuing in Denmarke with their robbery and murder committed in the Forrest of Maiance with their cruell storme sustained at Sea as is before declared by which they were put on that Coast and lastly the profer of a hundred thousand pound by the King which hee refused onely to pleasure the Duke All which when Griffory had attentiuelie listned vnto hée suddenly start vp from the place where hée sate commaunding the standers by to lay hands on Martinus saying that it was not lawfull to suffer such a one who had so many waies deserued death as by his owne confession did appeare neither to liue nor to be accepted into the societie of men wherefore he willed thē forth-with to leade him to the place of execution Which when Martinus perceiued and saw that the Tyrant was fully minded to execute whatsoeuer he had said hee fell downe on his knees desiring mercy and offering for the safegard of his life to redeliuer his right of the Citty of Hanstance But hee who neuer was acquainted with mercy or compassion doubtting if he should pardon him his life the whole world would condemne him of iniustice and séeing he might as well by his death as his life inioy his will aunswered that by the Law hee had deserued
beautifull Lady thinke not that I goe about any way to dishonor you neither that those my former speeches to be fained but whatsoeuer I haue spoken to procéede from the sinceritie and bottome of my harf which is and for euer shall remaine yours whilst the fates shall permit me to inioy this breath which I wish no longer to continue then I remaine your faithfull and constant Knight protesting before the almighty God neuer to accept of any other wife so you thereto consent in witnesse whereof I héere deliuer you this ring then taking a faire Diamond from one of his fingers he would haue put it on hers but she withdrawing her hand made him answere that shee had made a solemne vowe to God which shée was minded to performe which was that for one whole yeare shee would neuer consent to marry with any one whatsoeuer but if it pleased his Lordship so to estéeme of her as to accept her for his wife at the end of that appointed time which she had set he should find her most ready willing to obey vnto his will in any that might not bée to her dishonor Gwaltero gladded to the hart with this heauenly conclusion and beeing as one newly reuiued out of some dead traunce tooke her in his armes and kissed her protesting that he would most willingly remaine so contented vntill the fixed time were expired and then God willing he would returne and espouse her in the meane time he intreated her to accept of that his small Ring which should be a cause for her to remember him by which she then most willingly accepted and in requitall thereof gaue vnto him a Iewell of hers which hee alwaies after either in Tilt or Turnie wore being fastned in the crest of his Helme and which at all times put him in minde of his Lady and Mistris Thus by the comming in of Sir Cadrus and Sir Brewes with diuers Gentlemen and Damsels which came to sée the Lord Gwaltero their loue talke gaue ouer for that time entertaining the others with diuers pleasant and merrie discourses wherewith they accustomed to passe away the time euer thinking it long till they might be in their former quest which was the sooner for that Gwaltero being comforted with the hope of future pleasure and content was healed much the sooner of his wounds so that within fiftéene daies hee was able to beare Armor and finding himselfe indifferent strong tooke order with the rest of his companie the next day to depart onwards on their way towards the confines of Denmarke where they hoped to haue some ioyfull tidings of him whom they sought or at least waies to méete againe with the Lord Menew Sir Henault whom the Lord Gwaltero déerely loued Thus hauing taken order for the preparing of their iourny the next day they all tooke their leaue of their kind hostis and Gwaltero taking her aside desired her with the teares standing in his eyes to be mindefull of her former promise assuring her if God did grant him life and liberty hee would returne against the fixed time by her appointed to solemnize their marriage in the meane time he would commend her into the protection of the almighty God But she good Lady not being able to speake for wéeping held him about the necke often kissing him as one loth so soone to forgoe his companie yet at the last séeing no remedie intreated him to remember her and his promise vntill which time of his returne she would spend her daies in prayer for his safe and prosperous successe Thus departed these two Louers whom we will leaue for a while to speake of other matters CHAP. XI How the Lord of Menew and Sir Henault hapned to arriue in the Cittie of Parris of the Turnie there proclaimed by the Duke of Orleance THe Lord of Menew and Sir Henault taking the direct way which they were informed to rescue the Lady and her husband rode on a great pace till such time that comming vnto the place where the battaile had béene fought but a little before found the dead bodies of the auncient Knight and diuers of his seruants but for the murtherers they could not knowe what was become of them because they had taken a bie and vnknowne way which ledde them as before is sayd vnto their destruction Wherefore taking their way towards the next Towne they rode on hastily minding to stay there vntill they might heare some newes of the Lord Gwaltero whom they imagined would likewise arriue there the next day at the farthest But héereof being deceaued by reason of the occasions before recited after they had remained there some thrée daies looking for him they departed towards the Sea-side and comming to a Towne called Forefront they found diuers Ships bound to seueral coasts wherfore deuiding their selues some to one Country some into another the Lord of Menew Sir Henault being loth to part companie shipped thēselues for Fraunce hoping there either to find him whom they sought for or else to purchase fame by their prowesse within that Kingdome and sooner then in any other might it be obtained if they showed themselues valerous by reason of the continual turnaments which were dayly vsed there by the Nobles and Knights of tha region And being shipped and hauing wind at will they set saile so prosperously that within eight daies after they landed at Calice where they a while stayed as well to refresh themselues after their comming from the Sea as also to view the Towne and Country thereabouts and to make inquirie if peraduenture they might heare of him in whose Quest they went Thus hauing stayd there twelue or fourtéene daies not learning any newes at all of their infortunate King they tooke their way towards the royall Cittie of Paris where the King then kept his Court with a great assemblie of Lords and Ladies which were then drawne together to behold a great Turny proclaimed by the Duke of Orleance by the Kings consent against all strangers the occasion of which Turny grew by this meanes The Duke béeing a lustie young Knight was inamoured on the Kings eldest daughter a most beautifull and goodly Lady who for her grace vertues and beautie had not her equall in all the kingdome of Fraunce beeing called Emilia whose perfections had so intangled his hart that hee could not by any meanes frée himselfe from béeing thrall to her beautie and thinking no meanes better to winne a fayre Lady then by shewing himselfe valiant hee continually frequented Tylts and Turnyes oftentimes carrying away the cheefest prizes of valour which was a meanes not onely to obtaine great loue and fauour of the King but also drew to him some liking of his Lady and Mistris the Princes Emilia which she sometimes would make shewe of by her kind countenaunce and pleasant spéeches to him which curtesies put him in such an excéeding hope and pride withall that thinking himselfe halfe sure of her loue and that béeing grast
and béeing prickt in conscience with the guilt of his fault grew halfe into dispaire and would willinglie if it might haue béen with his honour haue desisted from the Combat But God who hardned the hart of Pharao likewise hardned his thereby the more euidently to make knowne vnto the world his mercy and louing kindnes towards them that feare him and his iustice on them which against their owne consciences commit sinne and iniquitie So that causing first the Lady to be conuayed towards the stake the trumpets were sounded but no Knight was séen to approch which caused him to grow more proude and insolent thinking then that no man dared to combat against him But at the second warning the Lord Gwaltero appeared mounted on a mighty Courser with his Launce on his thigh and his Helmet on in this sort came hee before the Iudges and lifting vp his beuer made a little shew of reuerence then procéeding on with his spéech he said that béeing accepted of Vitella as her Knight hee was come to defend her innocencie and that he marueiled that they being appointed Iudges of the fielde would contrary to all reason send her towards the place of execution before the Combat were ended then desiring that she might again be sent for he held his peace which they foorthwith caused to be done placing her whereas she might behold the issue of the battell In the meane time the Duke comming vnto Gwaltero demaunded what and of whence hee was who aunswered that he was a Knight arrant of the kingdome of Denmarke and passing through his Country had heard of his cruelty shewed vnto the distressed Lady and béeing mooued with pitty was come to vndertake her defence which he hoped so well to performe as before night to cause him confesse his treason against her The Duke raging hereat replied that doubtlesse he was some one of her Minions that béeing weary of his life was come for company to be burnt with her which should be performed with all the torments that might be Now by this time Vitella béeing brought backe and placed the Iudges caused both Knights to be sworne then being warned by a Herault euery one to doe his best they set spurres to theyr horses and incountred so rudely that the Duke was throwne out of his saddle béeing wounded a little vnder the right breast and sore brused with the fall Gwaltero was not wounded at all but yet by reason of the mightinesse of the encounter his horsebacke brake vnder him wherefore he was in like sort driuen to alight and being both on foote they began a cruell and fierce fight cleauing their shields and hewing their armor in péeces so that euery blow caused the blood to trickle downe dying the gréne grasse into a scarlet hue Thus continued the fight a long time very vncertaine no man knowing to whō victory would incline some-whiles the one tryumphing in the others losse and by and by againe the other reioycing to sée his enemy stoope Thus continued they the space of thrée houres the beholders meruailing they could indure so long at length standing to breathe themselues the Duke spake vnto him saying Knight thou séest that as yet I haue the aduantage but the great vallour which I haue found in thée makes me to pitty thy estate wherefore I am contented to remit thée the Combat conditionally that thou wilt remaine with mee and also I will giue vnto thée halfe of her lands whom thou defendest Nay nay replied Gwaltero I scorne thy proffers but if thou wilt restore the Lady and her goods and confesse héere before this company thy treason committed against her I will grant thee thy life otherwise looke for no mercy at my hands Then taking theyr swords in their hands and couering themselues with the remnants of their shields they fell againe to their former conflict which cōtinued not long before that Gwaltero deliuered a mighty blowe on his head which cleft his Helme in two and wounded him so sore that hee fell to the ground which Gwaltero séeing stept vnto him and would haue slaine him out-right had not he intreated mercy promising to confesse the whole circumstance of the treason Then the Iudges cōming vnto him hee confest first his loue to Vitella then the murder of Hostinius and lastly his hate towards her for refusing him from whence grew this manner of reuenge which be intended No sooner had he made his confession but turning about his face he immediatly dyed Then the Iudges caused his body to be carried away to the intent to haue him interred but they were saued of that labour for a flock of Wolues comming from out of the woods there adioyning deuoured his accursed carkasse to the great admiration of all the beholders Then immediatly was Vitella brought downe and greatly honored and Estonio being apprehended was burned in the fire prepared for his Lady Gwaltero béeing conducted to his lodging by the Nobility and Vitella was by them vnarmed his wounds very carefully looked vnto where hee remained the space of eyght wéekes during which time hee had many great prosfers made him by Vitella as the inioying both of herselfe all her inheritance and by the Nobilitie hee was proffered to be accepted as theyr soueraigne Prince and Duke if so be hee would accept of Vitella to be his wife But hee who had setled his minde in another place gaue thē all harty thanks for theyr good wills towards him excusing himselfe as well as hee might and desiring them to bestowe it on some one more worthy then himselfe with whom Vitella might be coupled in marriage Thus excusing himselfe from receiuing that which most men would haue coueted hee remained there till his woūds were throughly whole then taking his leaue of Vitella and the rest he departed towards the confines of Belgica hauing receiued of Vitella both horse and Armor for a remembrance of her in steed of his owne which in the battell against the Duke was broken and spoyled CHAP. XVIII How Gwaltero passing through Belgica arriued in Holland and comming to the Castle of Coruew was taken prisoner THus being departed from Viena hee was accompanied by diuers of the Nobilitie till such time as passing the bounds of Austria hee directed his iourny towardes Flaunders at which time the Austrians commending him to God and desiring him at his returne to come that way they departed againe towards Viena by whom Gwaltero commended to Vitella In this sort being departed hee rode onwards towards Flaunders disguising himselfe because he would not be knowne in that Country where he was beloued of many at last comming to the Citty of Gaunt he found it still defended and kept vnder the Subiection of the Danes there likewise he heard of the custome of the Castle of Coruew in the Duchie of Holland made by the Duke Griffory Which was that whosoeuer would enter the sayd Castle must first alone Iust with the fiue Knights
féet out of the stirrups lightly recouered himselfe againe and adressing his shielde on his arme with his sword in his hand hee marched towards the Castle gate minding séeing that he had procéeded so farre either to enter or die in the pursute But before hee was come fully to the entrance the fiue Knights who were appointed to combat first with him came foorth and all at once assaulted him then beganne there a most fierce and bloody fight very hard and vnequall by reason they béeing fiue and he but one and also before ouerlabored with his former trauell was not able to doe as otherwise he would yet notwithstanding he layd on such cruel blowes that euery one iudged himselfe happiest when as he was farthest from him the lookers on admiring how it was possible for one alone Knight to shewe such prowesse as by defending himselfe against so many but at last being ouer-wearied wounded in many places hauing lost much of his blood was forced through faintnes to fal to the ground hauing before his fall slaine two of them out-right and very sorely wounded the others then béeing no longer able to resistance he was carried prisoner into the Castle where he had his wounds bound vp dressed being pittied of many who had beheld his vallor but béeing cured of his wounds and examined of whence he was hee was committed prisoner into the dungion where the wofull King lay thereby thinking the more to grieue him Who no sooner was let in-the dungion but they one knew the other making the greatest lamentation and sorrow that might be but at length comforting themselues as well as they might they made relation of their fortunes each to other hoping that in time God would send them deliuerance from all theyr troubles Héere will we leaue them to tell a little what hapned in the Kingdome of Denmarke through the mallice of the Gouernours one to another CHAP. XIX How the Archbishop of Maiance the County Hermes the Lord Harding disliking the gouernment went about to make a King amongst them THe Kingdome of Denmarke hauing béene without their King by the space of 17 yeares and vnder the gouernment of a certaine company of States elected as is before declared many beganne to dislike with the gouernment therof amongst whom the chiefe and principall were the Archbishop of Maiance a man very well learned but giuen altogether vnto nouelties and change the County Hermes and the Lord Harding all thrée great men and such as were in a manner the only Authors of that gouernment and the first yeare were themselues chiefe gouernours in that established estate as appeareth in the fourth Chapter of this present Booke Yet notwithstanding al this and their solemne vowes ratified vnder their hands and seales for the continuance and performance of that kind of state and gouernment they were in a manner the first that repined against it séeking by all the meanes they could to ouerthrow and extinguish the same either for the enuy they bare towardes those who were Gouernors or for that themselues had neuer since the first yeare hapned to be of the twelue or else and that which I thinke to be most likeliest beeing stirred vp by the deuill they desired greater superiority then either became them or by any waies they were worthy of yet doubting to agrée within themselues being but thrée hauing the gouernance in their owne hands determined therefore to elect and chuse a King who beeing by them so raised could not chuse likewise but to be rulde by them and that vnder the cullour of the King they might reuenge themselues of their enemies and likewise preferre their friends to honor and dignitie And hauing thus resolued betwéene themselues they solicited the Scottish King to accept of the Diadem promising him by their letters that if he would but send ouer tenne thousand Souldiers vnder the conduct of some expert Leader or Captaine that then they would so ayde him that in lesse then a yeare he should haue all Denmarke in his subiection conditionally that they thrée might continually haue and inioy to themselues the chiefe offices belonging to that Kingdome The Scottish King harkning vnto this iolly proffer at the first made small account thereof but afterwards waying with himselfe the great benefits and proffits which thereby might rise not onely to him but to all his Kingdome and Subiects if he might so easily obtaine the same as in their letters they made showe of and beeing againe by them solicited anew writing vnto him in their letters that vnlesse he accepted thereof they would giue it vnto the King of England or some other Prince whom they knew would more thankefully accept of their kind offer The County Hermes in a priuate letter besides wrote how that if his Maiestie would hauing conquered the Kingdome make him Viceroy or Deputy thereof he would send ouer his eldest sonne to remaine as pledge vntill such time as he had performed whatsoeuer hee made promise of and that then he would render him such tribute as by his Maiestie should be thought fit Now when he had himselfe perused these letters and cast all doubts he could he made them knowne to his priuy Counsell who after long deliberation at length gaue him this answere that they were also of the minde his Maiestie should accept their proffer of the Kingdome a gift well worth the acceptance and farther to graunt them their owne desires in that which they should demaunde till such time as beeing Maister of the Country hee might at his pleasure then alter any thing that he would In the meane time to receaue pledges of their meaning least otherwise he might repent too late Thus hauing determined the King sent ouer secretly vnto them to certifie them of his intent assuring each of them the greatest dignities and honor that the Kingdome would yéeld intreating thē likewise to send ouer their Hostages vpon whose arriuall his forces should be ready to be shipped vnder the conduct of his Cosen the Lord Douglasse a man for his experience and vallor excellent These letters being thus secretly conuaied were most welcome newes vnto those arch Traytors to their Country who foorthwith sent for Hostages the County Hermes his eldest sonne a gallant young youth and one whom in time might haue prooued an honorable man The Lord Harding had but one only daughter and her he sent vnder cullour to be brought vp with the Scottish Princesse for the Arch Traytor Archbishop I would say was sent an Nephew of his an excellent good Scholler a notable Pollitician These being sent into Scotland they appointed the Kings forces to be ready by the tenth of May then next insuing and they in the meane time made all the prouision that might be where we will likewise leaue them CHAP. XX. Of a strange aduenture hapning in the Court of Saxonie and how the Gentleman of the Forrest and Iago were Knighted and how the aduenture was ended THere was in the
turning to the Squire hee intreated him to tarry till the next day séeing the two young Gentlemen were so desirous The Squire to satis-fie the Duke willingly consented although he had no great hope of theyr successe The two Princes carefull of their charge hauing theyr Armor and other necessaries prouided kept theyr deuout watch all night sometimes accompanied by the young Princesse and diuers other Ladies they passed away the time till the morning at what time the Duke cōming vnto them accompanied with many Lords Knights with his owne hands buckled on theyr spurres and then drawing foorth their swords gaue them the gentle Accolado Then raysing them vp desired GOD to make them both good and valiant Knights Then hearing deuine seruice they returned into the great Hall to make triall of the inchaunted Sword where first the Prince Iago as the elder made tryall but by no meanes was able to draw it then taking it to the Gentleman of the Forrest he said Brother God giue you better luck then I or else this Squire is like to indure more labour True replied he I doubt it greatly séeing that you haue mist then putting his hands on the Hilts he drew it foorth as easily as if it had béene an ordinary sword to the great wonder of the Duke and all the beholders Then the Squire falling on his knees tolde him that the boone which he required was to goe into Ireland with him where he should combat with a Knight béeing the falsest Louer that might be and therewith declared the whole discourse of his Lady and Adresto as is before recited Héere wee will leaue the Gentleman of the Forrest preparing himselfe to goe with the Squire into Ireland to combat Adresto concluding the first part of our History FINIS The second part of the famous History of the two Princes Euordanus Prince of Denmarke and Iago Prince of Saxonie with their seuerall aduentures and fortunes in Loue. CHAP. I. How Euordanus called the Gentleman of the Forrest hauing receaued order of Knighthood departed towards Ireland with the Squire of Lenarda Dutches of Toledo YOu may remember how that in the former part of this historie the young Princes Euordanus and Iago hauing receaued the order of Knighthoode and the aduenture of the inchaunted sword being finished by Euordanus he was thereupon to trauell into Ireland to combat with Adresto and now hauing stayed by the Duke and Dutches intreaty some thrée or foure daies in which time there was a small Barke prepared for his better transporting himselfe and such necessaries as in his iourny should be néedefull vnto him and now the winde seruing fitly for their intended course he was hastned on by the Squire to depart who declared vnto him the great griefe and heauines which in this meane time his noble and excellent Lady the Dutches Lenarda indured then which hée was sure there could be no greater torment possible And now all things béeing fitted in readinesse for their departure hee came before the Duke to take his leaue where falling downe on his knées proffering to kisse his graces hands the Duke lift him vp from the ground imbracing him in his armes and with teares trickling downe his manly chéekes commended him to God desiring him that he would returne againe vnto his Court his aduenture being finished with as much spéede as might bee whereas he should be as hartily welcome as his owne natural son the prince Iago These many other such like spéeches the Duke then vsed vnto him which draue the Knight into a great admiration especially of the words that hée should be as welcome vnto him as the Prince Iago By which and the strange name he was called by it was to be doubted whether hee were the Dukes sonne or not which before this time he had neuer heard nor so much as once dreampt of so secret had his finding béene consealed from him And being about to demaunde the same of the Duke he was put from his purpose by a messenger which was sent vnto him by the Dutches to will him to come vnto her in her chamber where hearing of his taking leaue of the Duke she attended his comming being accompanied with her daughter the Princesse Egisena who was now attained to the age of 15 yeares and by continuall frequenting the company of the Gentleman of the Forrest somewhat touched with loue towards him and vnderstanding by her mother who desired nothing more then to sée them ioyned together in marriage that they were no kin had set downe her rest if he thereto consented to accept of no other husband Thus leauing the Duke not a little grieued for his departure he came vnto the Dutches her chamber where as he found both the mother and daughter so ouercharged with sorrow for his departure that of a long time they were not able to vtter a word But at length the Dutches recouering the former vse of her tongue with a déepe sigh procéeding from her hart which manifestly showed the inward griefe she sustained for his departure and with her eyes stedfastly fixed on him spake as followeth Gentleman of the Forrest for sonne I may no longer call you the great loue which I haue alwaies borne vnto you I am sure you know to be no lesse then that either to your supposed brother the Prince Iago or your sister Egisena although as by my former spéeches you may perceaue you were not my owne naturall childe but in your infancy found by my Lord the Duke in a Forrest in the Kingdome of Denmarke of which place you haue euer since béene called the Gentleman of the Forrest no man knowing of what parentage you are discended nor what other name then this which the Duke gaue you to call you by These things I haue now thought good to declare vnto you before your departure that béeing absent you may the better if occasion so happen to find out your true and naturall parents whom I doubt not but to be such as your selfe shall haue no cause to grieue at nor we cause to be sorrowfull for the education bestowed vpon you your vertues already manifesting the same Farther would she haue procéeded but the teares trickling downe her chéekes stopped the passage of her farther spéeches when the young Knight hauing attentiuely listned vnto her former words to the which those of the Duke séemed to concure Replied most worthy Princesse these your spéeches hath strooke such an amazednesse into my vnderstanding that I knowe not well what to speake or thinke but my vntowardlinesse did alwaies foreshowe that I was not discended of so royall an ofspring as my Lord the Duke yet notwithstanding my minde foretelleth me I am not so basely descended but that I may hope for to challendge my selfe to be a Gentleman and make knowne this high order which my Lord the Duke hath bestowed vpon mee of Knighthoode not to surpasse my estate wherefore I vow and protest before God héere in your Graces presence
deliuered him out of this iminent danger of death Then calling for his Armor he foorthwith armed himselfe and giuing Gillimo thankes for his good seruice willed him to tel by what meanes he came to the knowledge of this treason to whom Gillimo declared the forme before recited Then went hée vp and downe the Castle killing such as hee thought any way culpable in the same and comming into the chamber where Adresto was in the company of the Lady and her daughters who by this time had heard of all that which was hapned they came and fell downe at his féete pittifully wéeping beséeching him to haue compassion of them and not to reuenge the fault committed by one vpon them all assuring him they were not any way priuy to the which had hapned The Knight partly through compassion which he alwaies bare towards Ladies and Damsells and partly at the intreaty of Adresto whom had hee not intirely loued hee should likewise haue suspected to be consenting to this treason willed them to stand vp and warning them euer héereafter for attempting the like treason against any one he forgaue them then taking order for their safety that night they betooke them to their rests where they slept soundly vntill the next day when taking their leaue of the Lady and her daughters whom they left busie in burying of the dead bodies they departed onwards on their iourny towards Waterford where within two daies they safely arriued not hauing met with any aduenture worth the reciting comming to the Harbor they found the Barke in a readinesse all the company earnestly expecting his comming Where we will for a while leaue them looking for a winde for Spaine CHAP. XIIII How the Scottish King sent ouer into Denmarke vnder the conduct of his Cosin the Earle of Douglasse tenne thousand Souldiers and how the Arch-Bishop and the other Traytors ioyned their forces with him YOu may remember how in the former part of this History that the Arch-Bishop of Maiance the Count Hermes and others of the chiefe states of Denmarke disliking the gouernment whereof themselues were in a manner the chiefe and first beginners had practised with the Scottish King for the sending ouer forces promising to deliuer the Kingdome of Denmarke into his hands and farther to that end had deliuered pledges for sure performance thereof Now therefore the King of Scots hauing mustred vp his forces made choise of tenne thousand of his approoued and best men of Armes and hauing fitted them of all things néedfull for that warre gaue them in charge vnto his kinsman the Earle of Douglasse a man for his vallour and courage highly to bee commended and for his wisdome and pollicie to bee compared with most in Christendome as hauing great experience especially in matters of affaires wherein he had spent the greatest part of his time being now about the age of forty eight or fifty yeares vnto him did the King deliuer this Armie with frée commission to dispose thereof of the whole affaires of Denmarke With this Armie he departed towards the Sea-coast accompanied with many braue and hardy Knights who vollentary went to beare him company with hope in these warres to gaine same by their vallour and being come to the towne of Helfue they tooke shipping and the winde seruing thē they directed their course towards Denmarke hauing before hand sent intelligence of their comming vnto the traytors to their Country their confedrats who likewise vpon this newes vsed all the dilligence they could for the leauying of their forces to ioyne with the forren power causing Libels and other meanes to be wrote to seduce others likewise from their loyaltie towards their Gouernors and Country and to fall into the same treason with them Of which sort there were a great many who for diuers causes were soone drawne into the same especially such as by any meanes had offended the lawes and feared the penaltie thereof which by the Gouernors was seuerely executed Who now vpon this rumor and hurliburly were not a little troubled and perceauing such great men to be actors héerein feared a generall reuolt wherefore drawing themselues together into counsell they deuised all the meanes they could to preuent the same and hauing sent vnto the Arch Bishop and his complices by faire meanes to haue caused them to lay downe their weapons and not like madmen as it were to rip their owne bowels which they must néedes doe in stirring vp this ciuill contention which is the greatest enemie that possible may happen to any common-wealth and that in calling in forren powers was not only to bring into bondage their Country and natiue soyle but also themselues and their whole posteritie for what Conquerer is there that hauing brought into subiection any Kingdome or Prouince will not cause his owne lawes customes to be imbraced by the vanquished which he cannot well doe except first he not only roote out those whom he thinkes may be any way a hindrance vnto his procéedings then likewise must hee place as Gouernors and Rulers ouer his people such as he shall thinke readiest to obey and fulfill his commaundements which can be no other but of his owne natiue Country and then how grieuous it will bee vnto you to be commaunded by strangers doe but consider But peraduenture you will say that the King of Scots hath promised not only to continue you in your former estates but also preferre you to higher dignities and you will relie vppon his royall promise Consider wee beséech you how that he nor no man liuing whatsoeuer he be hath any terme or assurance of his life in this world and that though hee kéepe his promise with you yet your felicity is of no longer assurance then his life but suppose he should liue a long time knowe you not that he that by ambition gaineth a Crowne no sooner commeth to the possessions thereof but he presently cutteth downe the prope by which himselfe did clime thereunto fearing by the same likewise to fall as he did rise This or the like exhortation the Gouernors at the first vsed towards the rebellious Traytors which could nothing at all mooue them to giue ouer theyr pretended treachery and then séeing there was no way but by force to withstand their fury knowing also that the Scottish forces were on the coast and daily expected to land they tooke order forth-with for the leauying of forces placing new and great supplies in their garrison Townes furnishing them both with munition and vittailes as well as the shortnes of the time would permit them And now hauing gathered togethers thirty thousand souldiers the greatest part whereof were men taken from the Plow and Cart fitter with the sharpe Colter to teare vp the ground then with sword and speare to incounter with the enemy in the fielde and their Leaders most of them as vnskilful as theyr soldiers knowing how better to daunce a galliard or a Pauine in a Ladies Chamber then to marshall a band
of men readie to incounter theyr enemies so much had the lacke of vse of Armes since the losse of theyr King altered that florishing kingdom which in former time did greatly abound with many stout hardy Knights a great number whereof were either dead or lost in the search of their King The one halfe of which Armie béeing giuen in charge vnto the Lords of Opencade Londen marched towards the Archbishop and his confederates who with the number of 12 or 14. thousand souldiers being on the other side the riuer of Estate began to spoyle and sack the Country putting to sword all those that made any resistance against them and hauing taken Cargue and Londen two Townes of great strength placed therein garrisons then marching towards Opencade they heard of the comming of the Lords of Opencade Londen and fearing to be taken at aduantage they altered theyr course towards Rensborge where the Earle Dowglasse with his forces was landed hoping to ioyne with him which the Lords of Opencade Londen vnderstanding pursued him so eagerly that béeing come within sight almost of the Scots they set vpon their rereward putting a great number of them to the sword and euen at the same instant was the other Army which which was ledde by the Lord Itsenho and the County of Mildrop likewise come in sight which caused a great feare in the harts of the Traytors so that had it not béene for a company of two thousand Scots which came to their rescue vnder the conduct of Sir Iames Lewrence Cosin german vnto the Earle they had béen all eyther slaine or put to flight but the comming of this succor so animated theyr almost fainting courages that where before they were in a manner ready to turne theyr backes they now began to recouer theyr ground that they had lost the fight growing very hote and bloody on both sides there béeing slaine of the States aboue a thousand souldiers and of the Rebels 800. Longer had the fight continued but that the Lord Harding and the Count Hermes fearing the comming of the other power which was hard at hand caused the retraite to be sounded and so with an easie pace marched to the Scottish Campe not minding if they could chuse to fight in two or thrée daies because of the wearines of his souldiers who comming newly from Sea were many of them distempered The States likewise hauing ioynd both theyr Armies intrenched themselues thus lay they by the space of seauen dayes within view of each other daily skyrmishing together in which the States alwaies had the worst through theyr vnskilfulnesse in martiall discipline where we will for a while leaue them and returne to speake of other matters CHAP. XV. Howe the Prince Iago naming himselfe the Knight of Fortune departed out of England and arriuing in Fraunce trauailing through the Forrest of Towers hee deliuered a Lady from a mighty Giant PRince Iago hauing deliuered the Lady Beleriza naming himselfe the Knight of Fortune was greatly honoured in the English Court where at the intreatie of the King hee stayed by the space of a month where daily hee heard many strange reports of the Inchaunted Castle in the Kingdome of Fraunce and beeing desirous to try the aduenture thereof his Squire giuing him to vnderstand that there was a shippe ready bound for the Riuer of Nainse determined to passe ouer therein wherefore taking his leaue of the King and Quéene and others who had shewed him great honour during his abode in England the Lady Beleriza hauing made him many large proffers for the vnspeakeable kindnesse which shee had receiued at his hands all which hee refused but because hee would not shew himselfe altogether discurteous hee receiued a fayre Diamond which he promised alwaies for her sake to weare vpon his finger And now hauing prouided all such things as he had néed of and agréeing with the Maister of the ship for his passage he went aboord and hauing the wind fayre they set to Sea in so happy a time that within sixe dayes they arriued at a Port called Old-bay where going on shore they directed theyr course towards the Citty of Nanse where he staying awhile to rest himselfe he vnderstood that the Quéene with a great trayne of Lords Ladies were lately arriued at the Citty of Towels whether because it lay not much out of his way he determined to trauell to sée the fashion of the French Court which then florished with noble Dames among whō was the Princesse Emilia and her fayre daughter Oliua whom as before wee haue saide was begotten by the famous Prince Edward her betrothed husband the night before he departed towards the inchanted Castle together with a goodly sonne called Hendritio both which Children were very carefully educated by the good King Carolus theyr grand-father And béeing nowe come vnto the age of sixtéene yéeres the young Hendritio was exercised in riding of horses running at tylt wherin he shewed himselfe not any way vnlike to the noble Prince his Father hauing a great desire to be knighted whcih by no meanes his Grand-father would permit fearing least he would hazard himselfe in that aduenture whereof there had so many failed The Princesse Oliua in like sort béeing of most singuler and rare beautie could scarce be suffered to be once out of the sight of her Grand mother who loued her more then any of her owne Children and being now as we haue said at the Citty of Towers the Quéene partly for her owne content but chiefely for to delight the Princesse Emilia her Daughter who continually since the losse of the English Prince had spent her time in great sorrow onely the comfort which shée had in her children did a little mittigate the same did daily vse to ride foorth on hunting into the forrest which was euen hard adioyning to the Citty in which forrest there was great store of all manner of wilde Beastes And béeing the same day that the Knight of Fortune was comming to the Court gone foorth very early the Huntsmen had roused a mighty Hart which making way before the hounds caused all the Lords and Ladies to follow after and gallopping very swiftly through the Forrest had quickly separated themselues into many companies so that with the Quéene there was left no more but the Princesse Oliua and two or thrée other Ladies and some three or foure Knights when suddenly a mighty great Giant all armed issued out from the thickest of the wood and with a meruailous fierce countenance came towards them to the great astonishment of the Quéene the other Ladies who began to flie as fast as their horses could carry them One of the Knights that was with the Quéene béeing more hardie then his fellowes stayd to make resistance whilst the others escaped but alas small was the defence which hee could make being vnarmed against so mighty a foe whose huge Armour he was not able to pierce although thereon he brake his Borespeare which