Knight of the Lyons with their cōpany some others to the number of two hundred would not at all ioyne themselues with any of the troopes but in a loose manner would make a tryall to breake in on the backs of their enemies as soone as the battell should begin each one of thē for their better knowledge to theyr friends wearing on their Helmes a crosse of gréene and corronation coloured silke in this sort was ranged the whole battell of the States On the contrary side the Earle Dowglasse placed his Army in another maner making as it were but one maine battaile of his whole Armie in the midst whereof he placed for his owne gard fiue thousand Scots the rest he intermixed with the Danes the greatest part whereof hee placed in the forefront of the battaile his wings consisted most of a light kind of people which did vse to cast Darts beeing armed onely with a short sword and target with which when they came to ioyne blowes they did great spoyle to theyr enemies And now both Armies béeing thus ranged in battaile aray the Drummes Trumpets sounded making a most ioyfull sound to them whose harts not daunted with feare desired to incounter with their enemies euery Captaine incouraging his men to fight valiantly and to doe their best to winne the victory The chiefe of the states incouraging theyr souldiers with the iustice of theyr cause as beeing vrged to fight for their fréedome and liberty of their Country By this time were both Armies come together the Lord Louden giuing the first charge vpon his enemies brake his Launce valiantly and drawing out his sword beeing followed by his company made way through his enemies ranks but soone he was stopped from going farre and had it not béene that the Duke of Litsenbege and the Lord of Opencade came with fresh succours they had béene all put to the sword For the Scots séeing the violent rashnesse of the Lord Louden and the Count Mildrope opened theyr ranks of purpose and hauing suffered them to enter inclosed them round about but now at the cōming of the Duke the battell began to grow very hote insomuch that there were many slaine of both sides The Scots euer kéeping themselues close together made themselues the stronger whereas the States for want of skill and knowledge suffered theyr troopes to breake theyr ranks to theyr great dammage Which the Earle Dowglasse perceiuing with some twelue or fouretéene thousand entred in amongst thē making great slaughter where they went The Earle this day shewing that his yéeres had not any way taken away the vallor which in his former dayes he had showed for it was thought that this day hee slew with his owne hands aboue thréescore Knights Now beganne the Danes to fly trusting rather to their héeles then the defence of their swords which the Lord Itzenho and the Lord Rensberge perceauing came in with the rereward and againe renewed the fight which before was almost ended gathering together the disperced troops of the Duke But alas to small purpose had this their new onset béene had it not béene that the King with his company of Venturers hauing fetched about a great hill which lay on the side of the battaile came at the same instant on the backe of their enemies and withall their might charging them entred pell mell amongst them killing a great many before such time as they could turne their faces to knowe from whence this mischiefe came The King accompanied with the Knight of the Lions Adresto and the Lord Gwaltero made a plaine way for the rest to follow them especially the Knight of the Lions who neuer strake stroke but was either the death or dismembring of some Knight The Lord of Menew and Sir Henault did likewise the part of noble Knights so as in short space the odds beganne to appeare on the side of the States who before were euen vanquished Which when the Earle Dowglasse sawe and grieuing to behold he with his elected company came to make head where he sawe most danger and perceauing that the Knight of their Lions was in a manner the whole ouerthrow of his Armie hée set spurres to his horse and comming vnto him gaue him a great blowe on his Helme causing him to bend his head forwards But he soone requited the same for lifting vp his sword he gaue the Earle such a blowe that had he not warded the same with his shield hee had ended therewith his life for notwithstanding his defence it caused him to fall from his horse in a traunce and so was taken prisoner to the great discouragement of the whole Armie who presently put themselues to flight but were so hotly persued that they were but few that escaped but were either slaine or taken prisoners Of men of name there was slaine of the States the Duke of Litsenburge the Lord Londen and the Count of Mildrope And of the Scots traytors there was slaine Sir Iames Lewrence the Earles Cosin the Lord Crecon a Scot and the Count Hermes with some twenty thousand of the Commons There was taken prisoners the Earle Dowglasse the Vicount Barwicke the Archbishop of Maiance and the Lord Harding which two latter were the next day executed for their rebellion Thus the victory béeing obtained by the States they gaue thanks to GOD with publique solemne prayers then causing the wounded to be cured they called a counsell to determine on their affaires where all the chiefe of the Armie béeing assembled euery man commended the great vallour of the Venturers but especially that of the Knight of the Lyons the gréene Knight which was Adresto and the two tawny Knights whereof the one was the King the other the Lord Gwaltero The King now séeing it was not good longer to conceale himselfe stoode foorth in the midst of the Assembly and taking of his Helme discouering his face spake with a resonable loude voyce My friends welbeloued Countrimen I perceaue the long absence of your King hath worne out in many theyr naturall loue obedience which they ought to haue to theyr natiue Country and also in most of you the knowledge of me who by the prouidence of God and vallour of this noble Knight poynting to the Knight of the Lyons am deliuered from a long and grieuous imprisonment which my Cosin Gwaltero and many others héere present can well witnesse and now am come vnto the ayde of you my true and louing Subiects Wherefore it is my will that the chiefe of those conspirators who haue raised this rebellion be to morrow next to the example of all others hangd drawne and quartered The whole Assembly hearing séeing theyr King who for the space of twenty yéeres they all imagined to be dead with one voyce cryed aloude Long liue King Fredericke to raine and rule ouer vs and withall ranne each striuing to come first to kisse his hands and welcome him into his kingdome greatly desiring to heare the cause of his long absence which was deferred till some other more conuenient time This newes was presently spred through the whole Army to the great ioy of all men which they euidently shewed by their shoutes and bonfires which they made that night The next day the King hauing séene the execution of the chiefe Traytors and pardoning the rest dismissing all his Army sauing some few which he sent to the Townes that were in rebellion which presently yéelded vnto his mercie he departed towards Maiance hauing still in his company the Knight of the Lyons and Adresto whom he intirely loued and to whom he made many large proffers if they pleased to haue stayed in his kingdome And being come to Maiance he was receiued with the greatest ioy that might be by the Cittizens where he remained by the space of a month in the greatest ioy that hart could wish saue onely the remembrance of his Quéene did something hinder the fulnes thereof which was awhile swéetned with the delightfull company of his vnknowne sonne where I will leaue them and so conclude the second part of this history FINIS
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
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
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
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
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