at london toke hym to kyng knoght that he shold do with hem what his wyll were and tolde hym how queintly he had queld kyng Edmond for encheson loue of hym so that kyng knoght all Englond in his poer holly myght haue ¶ O thou fals traitour hast yâ— my trew brother slaynÌ„ for â—Ì„cheson of me a man that I most loued in the world Nowe be myne hede I shall for thy tranaille the well reward as thou hast deserued and anonÌ„ let hym take bynde honde feet in maner of a traitour and let cast hym in tho Thamyse and in this maner the false traitour ended his lyfe The kyng noÌ„me the ij children and toke hem to the Abbot of westmynster to warde and to kepe till he wyst what was best with hem to done ¶ How kyng knoght sent kyng Edmondes sones both in to denmark for to slee and how they were saued ¶ Ca. C.xix HIt befell sone afterward that kyng knoght had all the lande in his hande spoused the qnene Emme thurgh coÌ„sent of his Baronage for she was a fair woman yâ— was Eldredis wyfe and the dukes suster of NormaÌ„die they leued to gedre with moche loue as reson wolde The kyng axed vpon a day conceill of the quene what was best to done with the sones that were Edmond Irensides ¶ Sir qd she they be the right heires of the land and yf they be ven they wull do yowe moch sorwe with werre and therfor let send hem in to a strang land aferre to somme man that may hem defoylle and destroie The kyng anone let calle a danois that wâ—s called walgar coÌ„maunded hym that he shâ—â—d lede tho ij children in to Denmarke so do ordeyne for hem that neuer they herde moo tydynge of hem Sir said this walgar gladly your coÌ„maundement shall be done And noÌ„me tho ij children led hem in to Denmark Aâ—d for as moche as he saw that the children were wonder fair and also meke he had of hem grete pite and routh wold nat hem slee but let hem to the kyng of huÌ„gery for to norice For this walgar was welbeknowen with the kyng and welbeloued Anone the kyng axed whens the children were And walgare told hym said they were the right heires of eÌ„glond therfor men wold hem destroie and thâ—â— sir to yow they be comen mercy and helpe for to seche for soth if they mowe lyuen your men they shull becomen and of yow they shull holde all hir land The kyng of hungery hem vnderfenge with mochel honour and â—etâ— hem worthely to bene kepte And thus it befell afterward that Edwyne the yoÌ„ger brother died and Edward the elder brother lyued a fair maÌ„ a stronge large of body gentill courtois of condicions So that all men him loued And this Edward in the cronicles is called amonges englisshmen Edward the outâ—lawe And whan he was made knyght the kynges doughter of hungery so moche hym loued for his goodnesse and his fairnesse that she made and called him hir derlyng The kyng that was hir fadre ê‘ceyued well the loue that was bitwene hem two had none heir but that doughter the kyng vouched his doughter to no man as well as he did to hym that she loued and he hir and he yafâ— hâ—r vn to hym with good wyll and Edward hir spoused with mochel honour the kyng of hungerie sente after all his baronage and made a solempne fest riche weddyng and made all men to vnderstonde that he shold be kyng when that he were dede therfor all they maden grete â—oie of that tydynge they were full glad This Edward begate vpon this lady a sone was called Edgar helyng and afterward a doughâ— that was called Margarete that afterward was quene of Scotland by the kyng of Scotland that was called Mancolyn she had a doughter that was called Maude that was Quene afterward of Englond thurgh kyng Henry that was the first sone of the coÌ„querour that hir wedded And he begate on hir a doughter that was called Mande that after was Emê‘esse of Almayne And of this Maude come the kyng of Englond that vn to this day is called Henry the Emê‘esse sone And yit had this Edward an othir doughter by his wife that was called Cristian and she was a nonne ¶ How kyng knoght that was a proude man conquered Norwey how he become afterward meke and mylde ¶ Ca. C.xx NOwe haue ye herde of Edmondes sones with Irenside that kyng Knoght wende that they had bene dede as he had commaunded walgar before And this knoght had in his hond all Englond and Denmarke and after that he wente to Norwey that land to conquere But the kyng of the lande that was called Elaf come with his peple and wende his land we le haue kept and defended and so 〈◊〉 he faught with hym till at the last he was slayne in that bataille And tho this knoght noÌ„me all that land in his honde And when he had conquered Norewey and taken feautes homages ther he come after ayene in to England helde hym selfe so grete a lord that hym thought in all the world his pere no maÌ„ was become so proude hauteyn that it was grete wonder And so it befell vpon a day as he had herd masse at west mynster wold haue gone in to his palais the wawes of the thamyse soâ— wifâ—ely ayens him comen that all most they touched his 〈◊〉 ¶ Tho said the kyng with a proude hert I coÌ„maunde the water to turne ayene or elles I shall the mak◠¶ The wawes for his coÌ„maundement wold not spare but flowed ouer in hie more more The kyng was so proude of hert that he wold not flee the water but abode stille in the water And bete the water with a smale yerde that he helde in his honde and coÌ„maunded the water that it sholde wende no ferther but for all his coÌ„maundement the water wolde not cese but euer wax more more an high so that the kyng was all wete and stode depe in the water And when he saw that he had abyde ther to long the water wolde no thyng done his commaundement tho sone he withdrowe hym and tho stode he vpon a stone and helde his hondes an high and said this worde in hering all peple ¶ This god that maketh the see thus arise an high he is kyng of all kynges and of myghtes most and I am a caytyf and a man dedely and he may neuer die and all thyng doth his coÌ„maundement and to hym is obedient To that god I pray that he be my warrant For I knowlech me cayt yf feble and of no power and therfor I wull go to rome with outâ— any lettynge my wykkednesse to punysshe and me to amend ¶ For of that god I clayme my land for to hold of none othir And anonÌ„ made redy his heir hym selfe
kyng Salomon in IhrlmÌ„ and made the noble temple and to hym come Sibelle quene of Saba for to here and see yf it were soth that men speken of the grete and noble wit and wisdam of kyng Salamon and she fonde it soth that men had hir tolde ¶ Of kyng lud ludibras that was kyng leyles sone Ca. x ANd after this kyng leyl regned his sone lud ludibras that made the cite of Canterbury and of wynchestre and he regned xiij yere and died and lieth at wynchestre ¶ Of kyng Bladud that was ludibras sone how he regned was a good man and a nigromancer Ca. xj And after this lud ludibras regned Bladud his sone a grete nigromancer and thurgh hie craft of nigromancie he made the meruaillous hote bath as the gest telleth and he regned xxj yere and he lieth at the newe Troye ¶ Of kyng Leir and of the ansuere of his yongest doughter that graciously was maried to the kyng of fraunce Ca. xij AFter this kyng Bladud regned Leir his sone and this Leir made the toune of leycestre and let calle the toune aft his name and he gouerned the toune well nobely This kyng Leir had ij doughtres the fyrst was called Gonorill the secoÌ„d Rigan and the thridde Cordeill and the yongest doughter was fairest and best of condicions The kyng hir fadre became an olde man and wold that his doughtres were maried â—r that he deide but first he thought to assay whiche of hem loued hym most aud best for she that loued hym best shold best bene maried and he axed of the fyrste doughter how moche she hym loued and she ansuerd and said better than hir owne lyfe Nowe certes quod the fadre that is a grete loue Tho axed he of the second doughter how moche she him loued and she said more and passyng all the creatures of the worlde â— ma foy qd the fadre I may no more axe And tho axed he of the thridde doughter how moche she hym loued certes fadre quod she my sustres haue tolde yow glosing wordes but forsoth I shall telle trouth For I loue yow as moch as I ought to loue my fadre for to bring yow more in certain how I loue yow I shall yow telle as moche as ye bene worth so moche shall ye be loued ¶ The kyng hir fadre wente that she had scorned hym and become wonder wroth and swore by heuen and erth she sholde neuer haâ—e good of hym but his doughtres that loued hym so moche sholde bene well auaunced and maried And the first doughter he maried to Maugles kyng of Scotland and the second he maried to haneinos Erle of Cornewaille and so they ordeyned and spake bitwene hem that they sholde departe the Reame bitwene hem two after the deth of kyng Leir hir fadre so that Cordeill his yongest doughter shold no thyng haue of his land but this Cordeill was wonder faire and of so good condicions â—ud maners that the kyng of fraunce Agampe herde of hir speke sente to the kyng leir hir fadre for to haue hir vn to his wyfe and praied hym therof and kyng Leir hir fadre sent hym word that he had departed the londe vn to his two doughtres and said he had no more lande wherwith hir to marien ¶ And whan AgaÌ„pe herde this ansuer he sente anone ayene to leir and said that he axed no thyng with hir but onely hir clâ—thyng hir body And anone kyng leir sent hir ouer the see to the kyng of fraunce And he resseyned hir with moche wurshipp and with moche solempnite hir spoused and made hir quene of fraunce ¶ Howe kyng leir was driuen out of his land thurgh his folie and howe Cordeil his yougest doughter helpe hym in his nede ¶ Capitulo xiij WHus it fel afterward that tho ij eldest doughtren wolde nat abide till leir hir fadre was dede but werred vpon hym whiles that he leued and moche sorwe and shame hym did wherfor they benoÌ„men hym holy the roialme and bitwene hem had ordeyned that one of hem shold haue kyng leir to soiourne all his lyfe tyme with xl kâ—yghtes and squyers that he myght wurshippfully gone and ride whidder that he wolde in to what contre that hym liked to pley and to solace So that Managles kyng of Scotland had kyng leir with hym in the maner as is aboue said and or othir half yere wer passed Corneill that was his eldest dâ—ughter and quene of Scotland was so aÌ„noied of hym and of his peple that anone she and hir lorde spake to gedre wherfor his knyghtes half and his squyers from hym were gone and nomo left but only xxx and when this was done leir bigan for to make moche sorwe for encheson that his estate was empeired And men had of hym more scorne and despite then euer they had bâ—for Wherfor he nift what for to done and at the last thought that he wolde wende in to Corne waill to Rigan his othir doughter And when he was come the Erle and his wif that was leires doughter hym welcomed and with hym made moche Ioye ther he duelled with xxx knyghtes and squyers And he nad nought duelled ther scarsely tuelfmonth that his doughter of hym nas full and of his coÌ„panie and hir lorde and she of hym had scorne and despite so that from xxx knyghtes they bronghten vn to x. and afterward .v. and so ther left with hym no mo Tho made be forwe y nowâ— aud said sore wepyng Allas that euer he come in to that londe and said yit had me hetter to haue duelled with my fyrst doughter And anonÌ„ wene thennes to his fyrst doughter But anone as she saw hym come she swore by god and his holy names and by as moche as she myght that he shold haue no mo with hym but one knyght yf he wolde ther abide Tho bigan leir ayen weâ—e and made moche sorwe said tho allas nowe to long haue I lyuet that this sorwe and meschief is to me nowe falle For nowe am I porer that some tyme was riche but nowe haue I no frende ne kyn that me wull do any good ¶ But when I was riche all men me honoured and wurshipped and nowe euery man hath of me scorne and despite and nowe I wote well that Cordeill my yongeste doughter said me trougth when she said as moche as I had so moche shold I bene beloued and alle the whilâ— that I had good tho was I beloued and honoured for my ricchesse but my two doughtres glosed me tho and nowe of me they sette litell pris and soth tolde me Cordeill but I wolde nat beleue it ne vnderstond and therfore I let hir gone fro me as a thing that I sette litell pris of nowe wote I neuer what for to done sith my ij doughtres haue me thus disceyued that I so moche loued and nowe mot I nedes sechen hir that is in an othir land
nonnes a litell from the place that was called Salisbury ther tho the Saxones queld the britons wher Engist and he sholde haue made a loue day in which tyme ther were slayne a M.lxj. knyghtes thurgh treson of Engis◠¶ The kyng ther of had grete pite and thought to make in mynde of hem a monumeÌ„t of stone that myght endure to the worldes enâ—e And of this thyng they toke hir counceâ—â—â— what ther of was best foe to done ¶ Tho spake to the kyng the bisshopp of london that was called Cernekyn that he shold enquere after Merlyn for he coude beste telle how this thyng myÈt be made And Merlyn after was sought fouÌ„de come to yâ— kyng ¶ And the kyng toldâ— hym his wyll of the monumeÌ„t that he wold haue made ¶ Tho ansuerde Merlyn to the kyng and said Ther ben grete stones in Irland and longe vpon the hull of kyan that men called Geants karoll and yf they were in this place as they bene there here they wolde endure euermore in remembraunce of tho knyghtes that here ben entered ¶ Per ma foy ad the kyng as hard stones be in my land as in IrlaÌ„d ¶ Soth qd Merlyn ¶ But in all your land ben none suche For Eeaunts set hem for grete gode of hem selfe ¶ For at euery tymes that they were wouÌ„ded or in any maner hurte they wesshen the stones with hote wat and than wessh hem ther with anone they were hole ¶ Howe the britons went for to seche the grete stones in Irland Capitulo lxvj When this britons had herde of this thyng they weÌ„t swore among hem that they wolde gone seche the stones noÌ„me with hem Vter the kynges brother to ben hir cheueteyne xv M. men Merlyn conceilled hem for to gone in to Irland so they diden ¶ And when the kyng of Irland that was called Guillomer herd telle that strangiers were arriâ—ed in his lande he assembled a grete poer fought ayens hem but he his folk was discomfited ¶ The britons weâ—t biforne till they come to the moÌ„te of kylian climed vn to the moÌ„te ¶ But whenne they saugh the stones the maner howe they stounde they had grete merwille and said bitwene hem that no man sholde remeue for no strength ne engyue so huge they were so longe But Merlyn thurgh his craftâ— and queyntize remeued hem brought hem in to hir shippes and come ayene in to this land And Merlyn sette the stones ther that the kyng wolde haue hem and set hem in the same maner that they stoden in Irland ¶ And when the kyng saugh that it was made he thanked Merlyn richely hem re warded at his owne wyll and that place let calle stouhenge for euermore ¶ How Passent that was Vortigers sone the kyng Guillomer come in to this lande and howe a traitour that was called Cappa enpoysened the kyng Aurilambros ¶ Ca. lxvij ANd men shull vnderstond that Passant that was Vortigers sone leued in the same tyme and come in to this lande with a grete poer and arriâ—ed in the northcoâ—tre and wolde bene a veuged of his fodres deth Vortiger ¶ And strongly trusted vpon the companie that he had brought with hym out of the land of Germayne had conquerd all the northcontre vn to yorke ¶ And when kyng Aurilambros herd this he assembled a grete poâ—r of britons went for to befyght hym And he his peple were discomfited but passent ascaped thens with some of his folke and fledde thens in to Irland and come to kyng Guillomer and praied hym of helpe and socour The kyng graunted him with good wyll and said he wold helpe hym with good wyll vpon that couenant that I my selfe must gone with yow with alle my power in to Britaigne and I wolde me auenge vpon the britons rather than they in to my londe comeÌ„ and token the stones with strength that called is Geauntz karoll The kyng Guillomer let ordeyne his shippes and wente to the see with xv M. men and arriued in wales and begonne to robbe and moche sorwe don◠¶ Hit befell so that kyng Aurilambros lay sike at wynchestre and myÈt not helpe hym selfe So that he sent in his name Vter his brother with a grete power to helpe wales and thidderwarde he wente as moche as he myght The kyng of Irland and Passent had herd â—elle that Aurilambros was sike to hym come a sarazen that was called Coppa saide Sir qd he duelle ye here all in pees with your hoost and I behote yow thurgh my queyntize that I shall shee the kyng Aurilambros that is sike yif ye do so quod Passent I shall yow richely auaunce This traitour Coppa put vpon hym an abbyt of Religion and let shaue hym a brode croune and come to the kynges court and said that he wolde hele the kyng of his maladie Tho said the traitour Coppa vn to the kyng Sir ben of good comfort for I shall yeue yow such a medicine that ye shull swete anonÌ„ right and lusten to sleep and haue good rest and the traitour yaf hym suche poyson that he sleep anone right and died in his slepyng And the traitour said that he wold gone oute in to the felde till he were a waked and so scaped he away For no man had to hym suspection for encheson of his Abbyt that he was in clothed and also for his brode croune But when the kynges men wyst that he was dede they becomen wonder sory and fast sought the traitour But they myght not fynde hym For Coppa turued ayene to the host frowhens that he come ¶ When Aurilambros was dede a sterre in the morne was seyne with a clere light and at the bought of the beme was seyne the hede of an horrible dragon Ca. lxviij WHen the kyng Aurilambros was thus dede enpoisened at wynchestre amorne after that he was dede aboute the tyme of prime ther was seyne a stâ—rre grete and clere the beme of that sterre was brighter thaÌ„ the sonne and at the bouÈt of the beem apê‘ed a dragoÌ„s hede and out of his mouth come ij huge lightes that were as bright as any fire brennyg ¶ And that one beme till toward fraunce and straught ouer the see thidder ward ¶ And out of that beem come vij bemes full clere longe as it were the liÈt of fire ¶ This sterne was seâ—n of many a man but none of hem wyst what it betokened ¶ Vter that was the kynges brother that was in walys with his host of britoÌ„s saw that sterre the grete light yâ— yaf he wondred ther of gretly what it myÈt betoken let call Merlyn praied him for to telle what it myÈt betokeÌ„ ¶ Of the betokenyng of the sterre ¶ Ca. lxix MErlyn saw that sterre behelde hym loÌ„ge tyme sithene◠〈◊〉 qnoke wept tenderly And said Allas allas that so noble
make an hous in honour of almyghty god wherin women sholde be deliuered of hir children at the brugges ende in which hous yit women of the Cite bene deliuered of childe when seint Gregorie had herde telle how the Englisshmen were turned to god and conuerted he sent to seint Austyn his pallione by a bishopp that was called Paulyn and made hym â—mat and Erchebishopp of England and sent word that he than sholde ordeyne and make bishoppes in the land And anone as Austyn had the pallione of the dignite of the Erchebishoppe he made ij bishoppes of his felaws that come with hym from Rome that one was called Mellit he duelled at london And that othir was called Iustyn that held the diguite of Rouchestre this bishopp mellit tho went to preche in to Essexe baptised the kyng of the contre that was called Sicwith that was kyng adelbrightes cosin his susters sone This Iustine went to preche in southsexe turned moche of the peple to god And seint Austyn weÌ„t hym selfe prechyng thurgh out Englond ¶ Howe seint Austyn went in to wales ther that the britons were and howe they nold nat be obbedient to the Erchebishopp of Canterbury Ca. xcviij WHen all Englond was baptised turned to god Seint Anstyn went in to that lond ther that the britons were for to kepe hem from EnglisshmeÌ„ that is to seyne in to walis And ther he founde monkes abbeis vij bishoppes ¶ For the britons destroied all way the cristen peple that seint Austyn had coÌ„uerted said to the bishoppes that he was a legat of rome â—mat of all Englond that they shold by all reson to hym be obedient they said that they nold ¶ But to Erchebishopp of CarlionÌ„ said they nold neuer for no maner thyng bene obedient to the englishmeÌ„ ¶ For the englishmen they said ben our adâ—saries our enemies haue driueÌ„ vs out of our owne coÌ„tre we ben cristen meÌ„ euer haue bene the englishmen haue euer ben paynyms but now late that they bene conuerted ¶ Seint Austyn myÈt of hem none ansuere haue othirwyse but saiden apertely that they nolde neuer heÌ„ meke to hym ne to the pope of Rome And seint Austyn turned a yen tho to kyng Adelbright that was kyng of kent tolde hym that his folk nolde not be to no man obedient but to the Erchebishopp of karlionÌ„ And when the kyng herde this he was sore aÌ„noied and said that he wolde hem destroie and sent to Olferide kyng of RorthumberlaÌ„d that was his frende that he shold come to hym with all the poer that he myght and that he sholde mete hym at leycestre and from thens they wolde gone in to wales and destroie the Erchebishopp of Carlione and all tho that had refused Seint Austyn ¶ How kyng Adelbright and the kyng Olfride queld Breâ—male that was a kyng of britons that helde the contre of leicestre Capitulo lxxxxix HIt befell so that ther was a kyng BritonnÌ„ that helde the contre of leicestre all the coutre aboute named Brecmaâ— And this britonÌ„ herde telle yâ— tho ij englissh kynges wolde meâ—e ther at leicestre for to wende in to walis He let ordeyne all the poer that he had for to fight with thees ij kynges but litell it a vailled hym for his folk that he had were slayne hym self fled lost his landes for eâ—more ¶ And these ij kynges Adelbright Elfride duelled a while at leicestre deê‘ted the lande amonges heÌ„ token homages feautes of folk of the contre And after they weÌ„ten toward wales tho of walys had herd telle of the scomfiture that Brecmal had at leicestre were wonder sore adrad of tho â— kynges And noÌ„me chose amonges hem good men holy of here mites monkes prestes of othir folk grete pleute that wenten baarfoot wellewerd for to haue mercy of the ij kynges But tho kynges were so sterne so wykked that they nold neu neuer speke with hem but queld hem euerichone Allas for sorwe for they ne spared hem no more than the wolf dothe the shepe but smyton of the heedes of euerichoue so all were there martred that to hem come that is to vnderstonde v. C. xl afterward tho ij kynges weÌ„t fro theÌ„s to Baugore for to quelle all tho that they myÈt there fynde of the britons And when the britons that herde that assembled ordeyned all hir poer for to fight with hem Tho was ther a baronÌ„ in wales that was called Bledrik of Cornewaille that somÌ„e tyme waz lord of Denenshire but the kyng Adelbright had driuen hym in to walys yeue hym bataille And at that bataille was kyng adelbright slayne Elfrid wouÌ„ded sore forsoke the felde the most part of his peple slayne And Elfrid fled in to northumberland that was his owne land ¶ And afterward the peple of leicestreshire made with strength Cadewan yâ— was Brecynalis sone kyng of leicestre he after regned nobely with grete honour ¶ How Cadewan kyng of leicestre and Elfride kyng of northuÌ„berlande were frendes and of the debate that after was bitwene Edwyn and Cadwalyn that were both hir sones Capitulo Centesimo ANd after that this bataille was done the britons assembled hem and went thens comeÌ„ vn to leycestre made Cadewan that was Brecinales sone kyng of leycestre of all the contre he toke homages feautes of all the folk of the contre after that he assembled a grete host said he wold gone in to Northumberland to destroie kyng Elfride slee him if he myght when he was comen thidder frendes went so bitwene hem made hem accorded in this maner That Elfrid shold holde all the lande from humber vn to Scotland Cadewan sholde haue all the land athis side humber vn to the south and after that they becomeÌ„ good frendes all hir lyfes during loued to gedre as they had be ij bretheren And this Elfride had a sone that was called Edwyne yâ— hâ—d helde all the land of Northumberland after his fadres deth as his fadre had holde all his lyfes tyme And Cadewan had an othir sone that was called Cadâ—alyn that helde his fadres lande as he it helde whiles he was a lyfe and they loued to gedre as they had be bretheren And the loue last bitwene hem but only ij yere And after began debate bitwene hem thurgh a lither eniuons cosin of Cadwalyne that was called Bâ—â—ens so that they assembled a grete host in both ê‘ties and at the last it befelle that Cadwalyne was discomfited and Edwyn him pursued and drofe him fro place to place so at last he fley in to Irland And this othir destroied his land and cast a doune castelles and brent his maners and deê‘ted all Cadwalyns land amonge his frendes And longe tyme after come Cadwalyn ayene from Irland
one of hir knyghtes to whom she had told moch of hir counceill bitwene hem both they comen to the kyng and courtously him resseyued and the kyng told that he was come hir to visite and also for to speke with Eldred his brother The Quene many tymes him thanked and him praied for to aliÈte and herburgh with hir all that nygâ—t ¶ The kyng said that he myght not but ayene he wolde wende vn to his folke if he myght hem finde ¶ And when the Quene saw that he wolde nat abide she praied him that he wold ones drynke he graunted hir and anone as the drinke come the quene dranke vn to the kyng and the kyng toke the cuppe and set it to his mouth and in the mene tyme whiles that he dranke the knyght that was with the Quene with a knyfe smote euen the kyng vn to the hert and there he fyll a doune dede of his palfray vn to the erâ—h The quene for this dede yaf to the knyght gold and siluer grete plente and of othir ricchesse y nowe And the knyght anone as this was done he went him ouer the see and so escaped he oute of this land ¶ When this kyng Edward thus was matred Hit was in the yere of incarnacion after our lord â—hesu crist ix C.lxxx yere and he had regned xij yere and an halfe and lieth at Glastâ—nbury ¶ Of kyng Eldred and how the kyng Swyne of denmarke helde Englond and how Eldred that was seint Edwardes brother waâ— nat beloued in his reame and therfor he fledde in to Normandie Capitulo Centesimo decimoquintâ— AFter this kyng Edward regned Eldred his brother seint dunston crouned hym his seint dunston died sone after that he had foryeue the quene hir trespace Estrild for encheson that she was cause of kyng Edwards deth seint duÌ„ston had hir assoyled penaunce hir emoyued she lyved aft chast lyfe clen◠¶ This kyng Eldred wedded an Englissh woman and on hir begate Edmond Irenside an othir sone that was called Edewyne And after died the quene hir modre And in that tyme come in to England Swyn that was kyng of denmark for to chalenge and conquer all that his auncestres had before that tymÌ„ and so he conquered had it all at his axyng ¶ For the good erle Cutbert of lyndesey all the peple of northumberland and almost all the grete of England helde with Swyne that was kyng of deÌ„mark for as moche as they loued not kyng Eldred for encheson that his good brother Edward was slayne falsely for enâ—heson of hym and therfor no man sette but litell by hym Wherfor kyng Swyne had all his wylle and toke all the land And Eldred the kyng fledde tho in to Normandie and so spake to the duke richard that the duke yaf hym his sustre Emma to wyfe vpon the whiche he begate ij sones that one was called Alured and that othir Edward And when Swyn had conqâ—ered all the land he regned noâ—ely and leued but xv yere died and lieth at york ¶ Howe kyng Eldred came ayene from Normandie and how knoght the danois regned and of the werre bitwene hym and Edmond Irenside Ca. C.xvj. AFter the deth of Swyne that was a danois knoght his sone duelled in Englond and wolde haue be kyng and â—ho come ayene Eldred oute of Normandie with moche peple and with a strong meynye that knoght durst nat abyde but fley thens in to denmark The kyng Eldred had ayene his reame helde so grete lordshipp that he began to destroie all tho that holpe Swyn that was a danois ayens hym ¶ And afterward come ayene this knoght from denmark with a grete power so that kyng Eldred durst nat with hym fight but fledde fro thens in to london and ther held hym Tho come knoght and hym beseged so long till kyng Eldred died in the cite of london and lieth at seint paulus he regned ix yere Of kyng knoght Ca. C.xvij AFter the deth of this Eldrâ—d knoght that was a danois â—â—gan tho for to regne but Edmond Irenside that waâ— kyng Eldredis sone be his fyrst wif ordeyned a gretâ— host and began to werre vpon kyng knoght so he did many tymes ofte the werre was so stronge hard that wonder it was to wite and the Quene Emme that dnelled tho at westmynstre had grete drede of hir ij sones of the werre Alured and Edward lest they shold be defoilled mysdone thurgâ— this werre whâ—â—for she sente heÌ„ ouer see in to Normandie to the duke Richard hir vncle and ther they duelled in saâ—fte and pees longe tym◠¶ This Edmond Irenside knoght werred stroÌ„gely to gedres but at the last they were accorded in this maner that they shold depart the reame bitwene heÌ„ and so they diden and after they becomen good frendes so well loued that they becomen sworne brethren so well loued to gâ—dres as they had he bretheren geten of o body and of one moder y borne ¶ How kyng Edmond â—renside traitoursly was slayne thurgh a traitour that was called Edrich of stratton ¶ Ca. C.xviij. ANd after tho regned kyng Edmond Irenside knoght the danois but thus it befell afterward that in the same yere that they were accorded so moch loued to gedre wher for a false thef traitour had enuie vn to the loue that was bitwene hem frendshipp whos name was Edrik of stâ—atton that was a grete lord that was Edmond Irensides man and of him helde alle the land that he had and notheles he thought his lord to bitraie make knoght kyng of the land in entent richely to benâ— auaunced and with hym â—ene welbeloued wherfor he praied his lord Edmond Irenside vpon a day with him for to eten and to duellâ— and the kyng courtously him graunted and to him come at his praier and at the mete the kyng rially was serued with diuerse metes and drinkes And whan nyght come that he shold goo to bedde the kyng toke his owne meyne wente in to chambre aâ— he loked aboute he saw a wondre fair Image well made in semblaÌ„t as it were an archier with a bowe bent in his hond in yâ— bowe a fyne arwe Kyng EdmoÌ„d went tho nerre to behold it better what it myght bene and anone the arwe him sâ—ote thurgh the body and ther slowe the kyng for that eugyn was made to quelle his owne lord traitoursly And when kyng Edmond this was dede and slayne he nad regned but y. yere and his peple for him made moch sorwe and his body they bere vn to Glastenburi and ther they hym entered And this fals traitour Edrith anone went to the Quene that was kyng Edmondes wife that wyst of hir lordes deth anonÌ„ he noÌ„me from hir ij sones that were fair yong that hir lord had vpon hir goten that one was called Edward and that othir Edewyne lad hem with hym
derewent of Northfolk and Southfolke of keftefen and of lyndessey and when they were all ensembled they sped fast to ward their enemies for to yeue hem bataill Lotrine had sent to Camber his brother that he shold come also to hym with alle the power that he myght make hym for to helpe and so he did with good wyll and so they comen all to gedres and toke her wey preuelich for to seche Humbar wher they myght hym fynde ¶ And so it befell that this Humbar was besides a water that was a grete Riuer with his folke hym for to disporte and tho come Lotrine and Camber his brother with all hir folke sodenly er that any of that othir wist ¶ And whan Humbar saw hem come he was sore adrad For as moche as his men wist it not and also they were vnarmed And anone Humbar for drede lept in to the water and drenched hym selfe and so died he and his men were alle slayne that none of hem ascaped and therfore is that water called Humbar and euermore shall be called thus for encheson that kyng humbar was therynne drenched ¶ And after that Lotryne wente to his shippes and toke there gold and siluer and as moche as he fand vn to hym selfe aud all that othir pilfre he yaf vn to othir folke of the hoost and they founden in one of the shippes a faire damisell that was kyng humbars doughter and was called Estrilde ¶ And whan Lotryne saw hir he toke hir with hym for hir fairnesse and for her was oâ—â— taken with loue and wolde haue wâ—dded hir This tydynges come to Corin anonâ— he thought to auenge hym vpon Lotrine For as moche as Lotrine had made couenaunt for to spousen Corines doughter that was called Guentolen And Coryn in haste wente to hym vn to the newe Troye and thus said to Lotryne nowe certes quod he ye rewarde me full euell for all the peynes that I suffred and haue had many tymes for Brute your fadre and therfore I wull nowe auenge me vpon yowe and drowe his fauchon an high and wold haue slayne Lotryne but the damisell wente bitwâ—nâ— hem and made hem acorded in this maner that Lotrine sholde spouse Guentolen that was Corynes doughter And so Lotryne did And nethelees that he had spoused Guentolen Corynes dought preuelich he come to Estrilde and brought hir with childe and gate on hir a doughter thas was called Abren ¶ Hit befell anone after that Corin died and anone as he was dede Lotrine for soke Guentolen his wife and made Estrilde quene And Guentolen wente thens all in wrath in to Cornewaille and seised all the londe in to hir honde for as moche as she was hir fadres eir and vnderfong feaultes and homages of all the men of the land and after assembled a grete host a grete poer for to ben vpon lotryne auenged that was hir lorde and to hym come yaf hym a strong bataill and ther was lotryn slayne and his men discomfited the v. yere of his regne Guentelon let take Estrild and Abram hir doughter and bynde bothe hondes fete and cast hem in to a water and so they were drenched wherfor that water was euermore called aftir abram aftir the name of the damisel that was Estril dys doughter and Englisshmen calleth that water seuerne and walshmen calle it abram in to this day ¶ And when this was done Guentelon let croune hir quene of that lande and gouerned the land full wel wisely vn to the tyme that Madhon hir sone that lotryne had beget vpon hir were of xx witer age that he myght be kyng so that the quene regned xv yere and tho let she croune hir sone and he regned and gouerned the land wel and honourabely she went in to corn waille ther she duelled all hir lyfes tyme. ¶ Of kyng Madan howe he regned in pees all his lyfe and of Menpris and of Maulyn his sones and howe Menpris slowe Maulyn his brother how wolues drou hym al to peces Ca. vj WHen Madan had regned xxx yere he died and lieth in newe troie and he had ij sones that one me called Menpris and yâ— othir Maulyn and thes ij bredren after hir fadreâ— deth strinen fast for the lande And menpris for encheson that he was the eldest sone wolde haue had all that londe and Maulyn wold not suffre hym so that they token a day of loue and acorde And at this day MeÌ„pris let quelle his brother thurgh treson and hym self afterward helde the londe and a none let croune hym kyng and regned and after bicame so lither a man that he destroied in a while all yâ— men of his londe And at the last he bicame so wikked and so lecherous that he forsoke his ownÌ„ wif and vsed the synne of sodomie wher for almyghty god was wroth and vpon hym toke vengeamice For on a day as he went in a wode an huntyng he lost his folke and went allone vp and doune crieng after his men and ther comÌ„ wolfes and all to drou hym in to peces whenÌ„ he had regned xxiiij yere and when his peple wist that he was dede they made â—oy y nowe and anone made Ebrac his son kyng and he regned with mochel â—onour ¶ Of kyng Ebrac how he conquerd frannce and bigate xx sones and xxiij doughtres Ca. vij THis Ebrac regned lx yere and a strong man was and a myghty And this Ebraâ— thurgh his myght and helpe of his bretons conquerd all fraÌ„nce and wan ther so moche gold and siluer that whan he come ayen in to this lande he made a noble cite and after his name let calle it Ebrac that is called euery wik and this kyng made the castell of maidenes that now is called Edenburgh This kyng had xx sones and xxiij doughtres by diuerse wymen goten and the sones wer called as ye shall here Brute Grâ—nescheld Margand Seisel Morgh wyth Flengham Bladud Iakâ—n â—â—ymbar Rocelm Spadogh Godeherl Thormnan Gldaugh Iorkanghut Haibor ketin Rother kaier and assaruth And the doughtres highten as ye shull here after Elegyne ymogen oghdas Guenbran gnardich Augarel guenthold Tangustel gorghon michel medhan mailour Ondur Cambredan Ragan Renthely Neesâ— Cheghan Skaldud Gladus Heberhyn Abalaghe and Blandan and thees were tho xxiij doughtres and the bretheren bicame good knyghtes and worthy in meny contres ¶ Of the kyng brute grenesheld the fyrst sone of Ebrac the kyng Capitulo octauo AFter the deth of kyng Ebrac regned Brute grenesheld his sone xxx yere that was Ebrakes fyrst sone that wel and nobly regned and whan tyme came he died and lieth at york ¶ Of kyng leyl Ca.ix. ANd whan Brute grenesheld was dede regned his sone leyl xxij yere and he made a fair towne and let calle it karlille after his name and was a worthy man and moche beloued of his peple and whan he had regned xxij yere he died and lieth at Carlille And in his tyme regned
kyng worthy is dede ¶ And I do yowe to vnderstonde that Aurilambros your brother is enpoysened that I see well in this sterre your self betokened by the hede of the dragonÌ„ that is seynÌ„ at the bought of the beem that is your self that shall be kyng regne And by the beem that stoÌ„t towardes the Est is vnderstonde that ye shall gete a sone that shall conquere all frauÌ„ce all the landes that ben lougyng to the crounâ— of fraunce that shall be a worthier kyng of more honour than euer was any of his auncestres ¶ And by the beem that streyght toward Irland is betokened that ye shall geten a doughter that shall be quene of Irland ¶ And the vij bemes betokened that she shall haue vij sones euery of hem shall be kyng regne with mochell honour abyde ye no lenger here but goth yeue bataille to your enemies fyghted with hem boldely for ye shull ouercome hem haue the victorie ¶ Vter thanked hertely Merlyn and noÌ„me his men and went toward his enymie they foughten to gedre mortaly so he discomfited his enymies all destroied hym self quelled passent that was Vortigers sone ¶ And his britons queld Guillomer that was kyng of Irland all his men ¶ And Vter anonÌ„ after that bataill toke his way toward wynchestre for to done eÌ„tier Aurilambros kyng thas wat his brother ¶ But tho was the body borne to stonhenge with mochel honour that he had done made in remeÌ„brauÌ„ce of the britons that ther ware slaynÌ„ thurgh treson of Engist that same day that they shold haue bene accorded in the same place they entered Aurilambros the seconde yerr of his regne with all the wurshipp that myÈt belongen to such a kyug of whos soule god haue mercy ¶ Of Vter pendragon and wherfor he was called so after ye shall here and how he was ouer take with the grete loue of Igerne that was the erle of Cornewailles wife Ca. lxx AFter the deth of Aurilambros Vter his brother was crouned and regned well and worthely and in remembraunce of the dragon that he was liked to he let make two dragons thurgh counceill of his britons that one to be bore before hym whenne he went in to bataille and that othir to abide at wynchestre in the bisshoppes chyrche ¶ And for that encheson he was called euer after Vter pendragon ¶ And Otta that was Engistes sone commended but litell Vter that was made newe kyng and ayens hym began to meue werre and ordeyned a grete companie of his frendes and of his kynne and of Ossa his brother and had take all the land from humber vn to yorke but tho of yorke helde strongely agayne hem nold not suffre hem to come in to the toune nothir to yelde the Cite to hem And he beseged the toune anone right yafe ther to a stronge assaute but they of the Cite hem kepte well and strongly ¶ And when Vter herde ther of he come thidder with a grete power for to helpe rescue the toune and put away the siege yafe a stronge bataille and Otta his companie hem defended as well as they myght but at the last they were discomfited the most part of hem aueld and Otta Ossa were taken put in to prison at london ¶ And Vter hym selfe dnelled a while at yorke after he went to london and at the Ester after sueng he wolde bere corone and holde a solempne fest and let sompne all his Erles and Barons that they shold come to that fest and all tho that had wyfes sholde bring hem also to that feste and all comen at the kynges coÌ„maundement as they were commaunded The fest was richely holden and all worthely set to mete after that they weren of estate so that erle Gorloys of Corne waill and Igerne his wyfe seten alther next the kyng and the kyng saw the fairnesse of that lady that she had And was ranysshed for hir beaute and ofte he made to hir nyce semblant in lokyng laughyng so at the last the Erle ê‘ceyued the â—ue lokyng laughyng the loue bitwene hem aroos â—p froÌ„ the toble all in wrath toke his wyfe called to him his knyghtes went thens all in wrath withoute takyng bene of the kyng The kyng anone sent after hym that he shold come ayene and goo not thens in despite of hym ¶ And the Erle wold not come ayene in no maner wyse ¶ Wherfor the kyng was full wroth and in wrath hym deffied as his dedely eÌ„nymy And the Erle weÌ„t 〈◊〉 in to Cornewaille with his wif in to the Castell of Tyntagell ¶ And the kyng let ordeyne a grete host come in to Cornewaill for to destroie the Erle yf he myght But he had put hym in such a castell that was stronge well araied of Tyntagell and wold not yeld hym to the kyng The kyng anone beseged the castell and ther duelled xv dayes that neuer myght spede and euer thought vpon ygerne and vpon hir laid so moche loue that he nyst what to donÌ„ So at the last he called to hym a knyght that was called Vlfyn that was priue with hym and told hym all his conseill and axed of hym what was best for to done ¶ Sir qd he dothe send aftâ—r Merlyn for he can telle yowe the best couÌ„ceill of any man lyuyng Merlyn anone was sent after and come to the kyng and the kyng told hym all his wyll ¶ Sir qd Merlyn I shall done so moche thurgh crafte that I can that I shall make yowe come this nyÈt in to the castell of Tyntagell and shall haue all your wyll of that lady ¶ Howe Vter bigate on Igerne that was the Erles wif of Cornewaille Arthur kyng Ca. lxxj MErlyn thurgh craft that he coude chaÌ„ged the kynges figuâ— in to the likenesse of the erle vlfyn garloys his chaÌ„birâ—ayne to the figure of Iordan that was the Erles chambirlayne So that eche of hem was transfigured to othir likenesse ¶ And when Merlyn had so done he said to the kyng Sir qd he nowe mowe ye gone sodeynly to the castell of Tyntagell axen entre ther haue your wyll The kyng toke priuely all the host to go â—ne lede to a knyÈt that he moche loued noÌ„me his way toward the castell with hym vlfin his chambirlaynÌ„ Merlyn ¶ And when they come thidder the Portier went that it had bene his ownÌ„ lord when tyme come for to go to ledde ¶ The kyng weÌ„t to bedde with Igerne the Erles wyf did with hir all his wyll bigate vpon hir a sone that was called Arthur ¶ Vpon the mor we the noble myghty kyng noÌ„me his leue of the lady went ayen to his host ¶ And the same nyght that the kyng lay by ygerne in bedde y fere with the Erles wif the kynges men yeuen a stronge assaut
of kente the kynges brother herde of this tydyng they ridden so in message bitwene hem that the kyng 〈◊〉 hym his peâ—s to Erle Henry of Lancastre fo a certayne 〈◊〉 of xj M. pounde but that was neuer paid afterward ¶ And these were the lordes that helde with sir Henry of Lancastre Sir Henry Beaumont Sir fouke fitzwaren Sir Thomas rocelyn Sir william Trussell Sir Thomas wyther and aboute an houndred knyghtes moo that were to hym consenting and all tho were exiled thurgh counceill of Quene Isabell and of the Mortimer for the Mortimer weited for to haue hir landes yf that he myÈt thurgh any maner coniecting for he was to couetous and had to moche his wylle and that was grete pite ¶ How kyng Edward went ouer the see for to do his homage vn to the kyng of frauÌ„ce for the duchie of Enyhenne Ca. cc.xix HE was nat longe after that the kyng of feauÌ„ce thurgh couÌ„ceill of his douzepiers sent to kyng Edward of Englond that he sholde come to Parys and done his homage as reson it wolde for the duchie of Gnyhenne And so thurgh counceill of the lordes of englond kyng Edward went oâ— the see at ascencion tyde he come vn to Parys the iij. yere of his regne for to do his homage vn to the kyng of fraunce the kyng vnderfong his homage and made of hym moche â—oye wurship But whaÌ„ kyng Edward had made his homage hastely he was asente in to Englond thurgh the Quene Isabell his modre and anone hâ—stely he come ayenâ— in to Englond vpon withsonday withoute any takyng leue of the kyng of fraunce wherfor he was wonder wrothe ¶ How sir rogier mortimer bare him proudely so hie ¶ Ca. cc.xx ANd now shull ye here of sir Rogier mortimer of wigmore that desired and coueyted to be at an hie astate so that the kyng grauuted hym to be called erle of the marche thurgh oute all his lordshipp ¶ And he become so proude so hauteyne yâ— he wolde lese forsake the name that his auncestres had euer befor And for that encheson he let hym calle Erle of the marche none of the coÌ„munes of englond durst calle hym by none othir name for he was called so thurgh the kynges crie that men shold call hym erle of the marche ¶ And the mortimer bare hym tho so hauteynÌ„ so proude that wonder it was for to wit also disgysed him with wâ—Ì„dre riche clothes oute of all maner reson both of shapyng of wering Wher of the englishmen had grete wonder how in what maner he myght contreue or fynde suche maner pride they said amonges hem all coÌ„munely that his pride shold not longe endure And the same tyme sir Gieffrey mortimer the yong that was the mortimers sone let him call kyng of folie so it befell afterward in dede for he was so full of pride of wrecchednesse that he helde a rouÌ„de table in walys to all men that thidder wold come countrefete the maner the doyng of kyng Arthures table but openly he failled For the noble kyng Arthure was the most worthy lord of renonÌ„e that was in all the world in his tyme yit come neuer none suche after For all the noble knyghtes in cristendome of dede of armes a losed duelled with kyng Arthure helde him for hir lord And that was well sene for he conquered in bataille a romayne that was called Frolle gete of hym the reame of fraunce quelled hym with his hondes And also he faught with a gâ—aunt that was called dinabus quelled hym that had rauysshed faire Eleyne that was kyng hoeles nece kyng of litell Britaigne ¶ And afterward he queld in bataill the Emê‘our of rome that was called Lucie that had assembled ayens kyng Arthure for to fight with hym so moch peple of romayns phehis of sarazyns that no man coude heÌ„ noÌ„bre he discomfited hem all as the stroy of hym telleth And in yâ— same tyme coÌ„mune loos sprong in englond thurgh coÌ„iectyng ordinaunce of the freris prechours that sir Edward of Canariuan that was kyng edwardes fadre of whom the geest telleth faiden yâ— he was a lyve in the castell of Corfe wherfor all the communes all most of englond were in sorwe in drede wether that it were so er not For they wyst not how traitouresly the mortimer had him done mordred ¶ How Edmond of wodestoke that was Erle of kent the kynges brother Edward of Carnariuan was beheded at wynchestre Capitulo ducentesimo xxj ANd vpon a tyme it befell so that sir Edmond of wodestoke Erle of kent spake vn to the pope Iohan the xxij at Auinion said that almyÈty god had ofte tymes done for Thomas loue of lancastre many grete miracles to many men women that were thurgh diuerse maladies vndone as vn to the world thurgh his praier they were brought vn to hir he le ¶ And so Sir Edmond praied the pope hertely that he wolde grauÌ„te him grace yâ— the forsaid Thomas myght be translated but the pope said nay that he shold not be translated vn to the tyme that he were better certified of the clergie of englond seyne by hir obediâ—ce what thyng god had done for the loue of Thomas of lancastre aft the suggestion that the forsaid Edmond Erle of kent had vn to hym y made ¶ And whan this Edmond saw that he myght not spede of his purpose aâ— touching the translacion he praied hym of his couÌ„ceill as touching sir edward of Carnariuan his brother said that not longe agone he was kyng of englond what thing myÈt best be done as touching his deliueraunce sith that a coÌ„mune fame is thurgh englond that he is in lyfe hole sauf whan the pope herde hym telle that Sir Edward was a lyue he coÌ„maunded the erle vpon his benyson that he shold helpe with all the power that he myght that he were deliuered oute of prison saue his body in all maner that he myght for to bring this thing to an ende he assoilled hym his companie a pâ—na culpa all tho that halpe to his deliueraunce ¶ Tho toke EdmoÌ„d of wodestoke his leue of the pope come ayene in to englond And whan sir Edmond was come somme of the frere prechours come said that Sir Edward his brother yit was a lyue in the Castell of Corff vnder the kepyng of Sir Thomas Gurnay ¶ Tho sped hym the forsaid Edmond as fast as he myght till that he come vn to the Castell of Corff and acqueynted and spake so faire with Iohan Dauerill that was Conestable of the same Castell and yafe hym riche yiftes for to haue acqueyntaunce of hym and to knowe of hiâ— counceill And thus it befell that the forsaid Sir Edmond praied specially to telle hym preuely of his lord his brother Sir Edward yf that he lyued or were dede and yf