|b{The_Brut_or_The_Chronicles_of_England,_Part_1
|b_ed._Friedrich_W._D._Brie,_MS._Rawl._B_171,_Bodleian_Library
|b_EETS_OS_131_(1906),_pp._1-286.}



|p1


           The Brut, a Chronicle of England.

|r[MS._Douce_323,_Bodleian_Library.]

|r[The_Prolog.]

     |r[How_King_Dioclisian_wedded_his_33_Daughters_to_33_Kings
     |r_whom_they_afterwards_murderd;_and_how_these_Widows
     |r_came_to_England,_&_had_children_by_the_Giants_of_the
 |r4 |r_land.]
     |r[f.1r] |r<b> IN the noble lande of Surrye ther was a noble kyng and
        myghty, & a man of grete renoun, at me called Dyocli_cian,
        at wel and worthily hym gouernede, & rewlede
 |r8    thurgh his noble chiualrye, so at he conquered alle =e=
        landes abowte hym, so that almoste all =e= kynges of =e=
        world to hym were entendaunt.  Hyt befell thus, at
        this Dioclician spousede a gentyl damysele at was wondyr
|r12 fayr, at was hys Eemys doughter, Labana; & sche loued hym as
     reson wolde, so at he gate vpon here xxxiij doughtres, of =e= which
     =e= eldest me called Albyne. And ese Damysels, whan ey comyn
     in-to Age, bycomen so fayre at it was wondyr.  Wherfore
|r16 this Dioclician anon lete make A sompnyng, & comaundid by his
     lettres at Alle =e= kyngys at heldyn of hym schulde come at A
     certayn day, as in his lettres was conteyned, to make A ryal feste.
     At which day, edir ey comyn, & brought with hem Amyralles,
|r20 Prynces & Dukes, & noble Chiualrye. e feste was ryally Arayd;
     & ere ey lyved in ioy and merthe y-now, that it was wonder to
     wete.
         And hit befelle us, at is Dioclician oughte maryen his
|r24 Doughtres among all o knyghtys at tho were at that solempnite;



|p2


     and so they speken & dede, that Albyne, his eldest doughter,
     & alle here sustres, richely were maryed vnto xxxiij kynges that
     wer lordes of gret honour, & Also power, at is solempnite. And
 |r4 whanne =e= solempnite was done, euery kyng nome his wyf, & lad
     hem into here owne cuntre, and there maad hem quene.  And
     hit byfelle us aftyrward, at is dame Albyne bycome so stoute
     & so sterne, at sche told litel prys of her lord, And of hym hadde
 |r8 scorne and dyspite, and wolde not done his wylle, but wolde haue
     here owne wyll in diuerses maners. And all her other sustres,
     eche on bere hem so euel a-yens here lordes, at it was wonder
     to wete.  And for-as-mych as hem thought at here housebondes
|r12 were not of so hye parage comen as here fadyr.  But tho kynges
     at were her lordes, wolde haue chastysed with fayr speche &
     byhestes, & also fors iftes, and warnyd hem in fayr maner vpon
     all loue and frenschipe at ei scholde Amende hir lithir condi_cions;
|r16 but al it was for nout, for they deder her owne wil in all
     yng at hem lykede & hadde of power. wherfore o xxxiij
     kynges, vpon A tyme, and oftyn-tymes, beten here wyfes, for ey
     wende that ei wolde haue Amended here tacches and here wykkyd
|r20 thewes; but of such condicions ei were at, for fayr speche &
     warnyng, ei deden the |r[f.1v] wors, & for betynges eft-sone mych
     wors. Wherfore =e= kyng at hadde wedded Albyne, wrote =e=
     tacches & e condicions of his wyf Albyne, & =e= lettre sent to
|r24 Dioclician, her fader.  And whenne e other kynges herde that
     Albynes lord had sent lettre to Dioclician, anon ey sente lettres
     enseled with here seeles [of] =e= condicions and =e= tacches of here
     wyfes.
|r28     Whanne =e= Kyng Dioclician saw & herde so many pleyntes
     of his doughters, he was sore a-schamed, & bycome wonder Angry
     & wroth to-ward his doughters, & ought bo=e= nyght & day how
     he o myghte amende hit at ey so mysdede.  And anon sente
|r32 his lettres vnto o xxxiij kynges, at ey schulde come to hym,
     & brynge with hem here wyfes, euerychon at a certayn day, for he
     wolde ere chastise hem of here wikkydnes, if he myghte in eny
     maner wyse. So at =e= kynges comen All at e day & tyme at



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     o was sette bytwen hem; & =e= Kyng Dioclician hem vndir-fenge
     with mychel honour, & made A solempne feste to all at were
     vndir his lordschipe. And =e= thrid day of at solempnyte, e
 |r4 kyng Dioclician sente for his xxxiij doughtres, at ei schulde
     come & speke with hym in his chambre. & whenne ey were
     comen, he spak vn-to hem of here wikkydnes & of here cruelte,
     & dispitously hem reproued And vndirnam, & to hem he sayde
 |r8 at, if ei wolde not be chastised, ei schulde his loue lese for
     euermore.  And whanne =e= ladyes herd al this, ei becomen
     abasshed & gretly a-schamed; & to here fadir ey seyd at ei
     wolde make al amendes; & so ey departed out from here fadres
|r12 chambre. and Dame Albyne, at was =e= eldest suster, lad hem all
     into her chambre, & o made voide al at were erin, so at no
     lyf was among hem but sche & here sustres y-fere. =o= saide
     is Albyne  "My fair sustres, ful weel e knowi at =e= kyng
|r16 oure fadir, vs hath reprouyd, schamed & dispised, for encheson
     to make vs obedient vn-to oure housbandes; but certes at schal y
     neuere, whiles at I lyve, seth at I am come of a more hyere
     kynges blod an my housband is." & whan sche had so seyd,
|r20 all here sustres seyd e same.  And o seyd Albyne: "ful
     wel y wot, fayr sustres, at oure housbandes haue playned vnto
     owre fadir vpon vs, wherfore he hath us vs foul reproued
     & dispised. wherfore, sustres, my counseil is at, is nyght,
|r24 when owre housbandes ben abed, all we with on assent cutten
     here throtes, & an we mow be in pees of hem, & better we mowe
     do is ing vndir our fadres power an elles-where." & anon
     All =e= ladyes |r[f.2r] consentid and graunted vnto is counceil.  And
|r28 whan nyght was comyn, =e= lordes & ladies wente to bedde, & anon
     as here lordes were in slepe, ei cutte all here housbandes
     throtes, & so they slowen hem all.
         whan at Dioclician her fader herd of is ing, he by_come
|r32 hugely wroth A-ens his Doughtres, & anon wolde hem all
     haue brent; but Alle =e= barouns & lordes of Sirrye conceilyd hym
     not so for-to don suche sternys to his owne doughtres, but onlych
     schulde voide =e= land of hem for euermore, so at ei neuere
|r36 schulde come aen; & so he dede.  And anon Dioclician, at



|p4

     was here fadir, commaundid hem to gon in-to schipe, & deliueryd
     to hem vitailles for half a eer. and when is was don, all e
     sustryn went in to Shipe, & saylled forth in =e= See, & be-toke alle
 |r4 her frendes to Appolyn, at was her god. And so long ey sailled
     in =e= See, til at e laste ei come & aryued in an yle at was all
     wyldernes.  And when dame Albyne was come to at land, &
     all her sustres, is Albyne went ferst owt of =e= shipe, & sayde to
 |r8 here oer sustres: "for-as-mich," quod sche, "as I am =e= eldest
     suster of all is cumpanye, & ferst is land haue takyn, & for-as_meche
     as myn name is Albyne, y wil at is land be called
     Albyon, after myn owne name;" & anon all here Sustren her
|r12 graunted with a good wylle.
         Tho wenten owt all =e= Sustres of =e= Shippe, & tokyn =e= lond
     Albyon, as here Suster called hit; & ere ei wente vp and doun,
     and founde neier man ne woman ne child, but wylde bestes of
|r16 diuers kyndes.  And whan here vitaill were dispendid, & hem
     faylled, ei fedde hem with erbes & frutes in seson of =e= eer, &
     so ey lyued as ei beste myght. And after at, ei tokyn flessh
     of diuers beestys, and bycomen wondir fatte, and so ei desirid
|r20 mannes cumpanye and mannys kynde at hem faylled; and for
     hete they woxen wondir coraious of kynde at hem faylled, so at
     ey desirid more mannys cumpanye an eny other solas or merthe.
         Whanne e Deuyll that perceyued and wente by diuers
|r24 contres, & nome bodyes of =e= eyre & likyng natures shad of men,
     & come in-to =e= land of Albyon and lay by e wymmen, and
     schad tho natures vpon hem, & they conceiued, and after ei
     broughtem forth Geauntes, of e which on me called Gogmagog,
|r28 and anoer Laugherigan, & so ei were nompned by diuers
     names; & in is manere they comen forth, and werem boren
     horrible Geauntes in Albion; & ey dwellyd in Cauys & in hulles
     at here will, & had =e= lond of Albyon as hem liked, vn-to =e=
|r32 tyme at Brut Arryved & come to Tottenesse, at was in =e= Ile
     of Albyon. and ere is Brut conqueryd & scomfyted these |r[f.2v]
     geaunte aboueseyd.
     Here endeth e prolog of Albyon, at o was an Ile. and
|r36 herkeneth now how Brute was geten, & how he slow,



|p5


     ferst his Modir, & Afterward his fadir; & how he Con_quered
     Albyon, at After he nepued Brytaigne, after his
     name, at now is y-called Engelond, After e name of
 |r4 Engist of Saxoyne. Capitulo Primo.
     |r<b> IN the noble Cyte of gret Troye, er was a noble knyght & a
        myghty, & a man of gret power, at me callyd Eneas. And
        whan =e= Cytee of Troye was lost & dystroyed thurgh hem of
 |r8 Greek, is Eneas, with al his mayn fled thens, & come in-to
     Lumbardye, at o was lord & gouernour of at land a kyng at
     me called Latyme, and another kyng o was at me called
     Turocelyn, at stronglich werred vpon is Kyng Latyme, at
|r12 often-tymes ded hym mochesorowe & myche harm.  And
     whan is Kyng Latyme herde at Eneas was come, he vndirfonge
     hym with myche honour, and hym withhelde, for-as-myche as he
     had herd of hym, and wyst wel at he was a noble knyght, & a
|r16 worthy of body and of his dedes.  This Eneas helpe Kyng
     Latyme in his werre; & schortly for-to telle, so weel & worthyly
     he ded, at he slogh Turocelyn, & descomphyted al his peple.
     And whan al this was don, kyng Latyme af al at land at was
|r20 Turocelyns, & af it to Eneas in mariage with Lamane, his
     doughter, the moost fayr creature at eny manne wiste; & so ei
     louede to-gider in ioy & myrthe all here lyvys tyme.
         Hit bifel thus, at Eneas dide, as God wolde. & whanne
|r24 that he was ded, Asquanius his Sone, at come with hym from
     Troye, vudirfenge =e= land, and helde it al his lyvys tyme.  And
     after, he weddid A wyf, & vpon here begate A Sone at me
     callyd Sylveyn. And this Sylveyn, whan he conde some reson
|r28 of man, vnwetyng his fadir, & aens his wyl, aqueynted with a
     damysell at was Cosyn to Lamane at was Kyng Latymes
     doughter, the quen at was Eneas wyf, and brought =e= damysell with
     Chylde.  And whan Asquanius his fader yt wyste, anon he
|r32 lete enquere of the wysest maystres, & of =e= grettest Clerkys,
     what child =e= damysele schulde bryng forth. & ey Answered &
     seyde at sche schuld bryng forth a Sone at schuld qwelle bo=e=
     fader & moder; & so he dede; for his modir dyde in beryng of



|p6


     hym.  And whan is Child was born, his fadir lete calle hym
     Brut; and =e= maystres sayd at e Child schulde do mych harm
     & sorowe in many diuers places; & after, he schulde come to
 |r4 gret honour and worschipe.  This Kyng Asquanius deide whan
     god wolde; & Sylveyn his sone receyued e land, & made hym
     wonderlich wel be-louyd among his puple. |r[f.3r] And whan Brut,
     at was Sylveynes sone, was xv eer olde, he went vpon A day
 |r8 with his fadir to pley & solace; & as this Brut schulde schetes
     vnto an hert, his Arwe mys-happed & glacede; And so there Brut
     quelled his fader.
     How Brut was dryue out of =e= land, & held hym in Greke.
|r12 Capitulo ij=o=.
     |r<b> And whan this myschaunce byfalle was, =e= people of =e= land
        made sorowe ynow, & were an-Angrydn; & for encheson
        erof ei dreven Brut out of =e= land, & wolde not suffre
|r16    hym among hem. and he Saw at he moste not Abyde, & went
     fro thens in-to =e= Greek; & er he fonde vij=Ml= men at were of
     =e= lynage & kynrede of Troy, at weren come of gret blod, as
     =e= story telleth as of men and wommen & childryn, e wheche
|r20 weren all holden in thraldom and bondage [by]  the Kyng
     Pandras of Greek, for the deth of Achilles, at was betrayed and
     slayn at Troye.
        This Brut was a wondir fair man, & a strong, & A huge of his
|r24 Age, & of glad chere and semblaunt, and also worthy of body, &
     was wel beloued among his puple. This Kyng Pandras herde speke
     of his goodnesse & his condicions, & anon made hym dwell with
     hym, so at Brut be-come wondir ryve & mych belouyd with =e=
|r28 kyng, so at longtyme Brut dwellyd with e kyng.  So at last
     ei of Troy & Brut spoken to-gedre of kynrede & of lynage & of
     Aqueyntaunce, & er pleyned hem vnto Brut of her sorowe & her
     bondeage, & of meny other schames at =e= [Kyng] Pandras hem
|r32 don. & to Brut ei seyde vpon A tyme: "e ben A lord of oure



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     lynage, & A strang man & a myghty. be e oure Avowe & oure
     lord, & we wyl become oure men, & oure comandementes done
     in alle maner thyng; and brynge e vs out of this wrechidnes &
 |r4 bondage, & fyght we with =e= kyng; for thurgh =e= grace of =e= grete
     god we schul hym ouercome; & we schul make ou kyng of =e=
     land, & to ow done homage, & of ow we schullen holde euer_more."
     
 |r8    Brut hadde o gret pyte of hir bondage at ei were brought
     Inne, And pryvyly went hym from =e= kynges Court; & all o
     at were of Troy went & put hem in-to wodes and Into Moun_teynes, 
     and hem helde, & sent to Kyng Pandras at he schulde eue
|r12 hem leue safely for-to wende out of =e= londe, for ei nolde no
     lenger dwelle in his bondage.  The Kyng Pandras wax sosore
     anoyed, & o swore that he wolde sle hem echon, & ordeyned
     a gret power, & wente towardes hem all for-to fight. but Brut
|r16 & his men anon manly hem defended, & fersly foghten & quelled
     all e kynges men, at non of hem Ascaped, & took =e= kyng, &
     hym heldem in pryson, & ordeyned |r[f.3v] counceyl betwen hem what
     ei myght do. Sum seyd at he schuld be put to deth, &
|r20 summe seyd at he schulde be exyled out of =e= land, & summe
     seyd at he schulde be brent.  And =o= spak a wyse knyght at
     me cleped Menprys, & seyd to Brut & to all o of Troy: "yf
     Kyng Pandras wold elde hym, & haue his lyf, y counceyl at he
|r24 eue vnto Brut, at is our Duke & oure souerayn, his doughter
     Gennogen to wyf, & in Mariage with here an hundrid Shippes wel
     arayed, & al his tresour of gold & of syluer, of corn, of wyn, & as
     myche as vs nedith for to haue of o thing & of oer; & an go
|r28 we out of is land, & ordeine we vs land elles-wher; for we, ne
     non of our kynrede at comen after vs, schuld neuer haue pees
     in is land amonges hem of Grek; for we haue sleyn so meny of
     her knyghtes & of oer frendes, at euermor werre & contect
|r32 schuld be Amonges vs."  Brut o, & his folk, consentyd wel to
     is counceyl; & is ing ei tolden to Kyng Pandras.  And
     =e= kyng, for-to haue his lyf, graunted as meche as ei axed, & anon
     af vn-to Brut, Gennogen his Doughter, to wyf, & e hundred



|p8


     sheppes, with as myche as hem neded of all vitalles, as byfore was
     ordeyned.
        Brut o toke his wyf, & all his men at forsoke e lond of
 |r4 Greek, & wenten hem vnto =e= see & hadden wedir at wyll, &
     comen =e= rid day in-to An Ile at me calle Loegers.  Brut
     anon sent of his men a land, for-to aspye =e= maner of =e= Cuntre.
     & ey founden an olde Cyte al wasted & forlete, at nas er-in nor
 |r8 man ne woman, ne no thing dwellynge; & In =e= Myddyl of is
     Cytee ey founden an olde Temple of a fayr lady at me called
     Diane =e= Goddesse. and ei comen aen vnto Brut, & told hym
     what ei had seyn & founden, & counceyled hym to go & do
|r12 sacrifice to Dame Diane, for she was wont to eue answere of
     what ing at euere men prayed here, & namely vn-to hem at
     her honoured with sacrifice.  Brut went to at ymage, & seyd:
     "Dyane, noble goddes, lady at al ing hast in myght & in y
|r16 power, wyndes, watres, wodes, feldes, & al thinges of e world, &
     al maner bestes at er-In ben! to ow y make my prayer, at e
     me counceyle & telle where & in what place y schal haue a conuen_able 
     dwellynge for me & for my peple; & er y schal make, in
|r20 honour of ow, a wel fayr temple, & a noble, wheryn e schul
     euermore be honoured."  When he had don his prayer, Dyane
     Answerid in this manere: "Brut," quod sche, "go euenforth y
     wey ouer =e= see in-to Fraunce, toward =e= west, & er e schul fynde
|r24 an Ile at is called |r[f.4r] Albyon; and at Ile is bycompassed al with
     =e= see, & no man may come er-In but it be by schippes; and in
     at lond were wont to be Geaunt; but it is not so, but al wyldir_nesse;
     and at lande to ou is destynyed, & ordeigned for ow & for
|r28 oure peple."

     How Coryn bycome Brutes man, & how Kyng Goffar was dis_comfited. 
     Capitulo iij=o=.
     |r<b> Whan Brut herde is Auswere of Dyane =e= Goddes, anon he
|r32    lete =e= Ancres wynd vp, & sayled in-to =e= hye see. &
     whan he & his menad sayled xx dayes & more, ei founden fast
     bysyde a coste of =e= see thre hundred men of e lynage & kynrede
     of Troy, & her souerayn & her mayster of all, men Called Coryn.



|p9


         And when Brut wyste whens ei were, he o vndirfong hem
     with mychel ioy in-to his Shepys, & hem lad forth with hym. This
     Coryn o bycome Brutes man, & to hym dede fewte & homage.
 |r4 & so long ei sayled forth an in =e= See tul they come to Gas_coign;
     & anon ei arryued in =e= hauene of Liegers, & er ei
     dwellidde viij dayes, hem for-to rest, & her sayles to Amend,
     er as nede was.
 |r8    Tydyng sone come to Kyng Coffar, at was lord of =e= land, how
     at myche folk of straunge land weren Arryued in his land in =e=
     hauene of Liegiers; wher-fore he was sore Angred & anoyed at
     ey comen & aryued in his land withoute leue. and anon he
|r12 ordeigned power hem to dryven owt, & to shende; but Kyng
     Goffar was discomfyted, & als his folk, & hym-self fledde in-to
     ffraunce to seche help & socour.  And in at tyme regned in
     Fraunce xij kynges; & =e= elleueneth assembled a gret power for-to
|r16 helpe Goffar for-to fight aens Brut. Goffar dwelled withem of
     Fraunce half a ere & more. And Brut in =e= mene-tyme, & his
     cumpanye, destroyed al =e= land of Gascoigne, & lete take al =e=
     tresour at Kyng Goffar hadde, & lete brynge it in-to his Shippes.
|r20 And is Brut fonde in at lond a fayr place & a couenable; & er
     Brut made a fayr Castell & a strong. whan at was don, Kyng
     Goffar come fro Fraunce, & xj kynges with hym, & broughten
     xx M=l= men for-to fight with Brut & his cumpanye. And Brut
|r24 hadde but vij M=l= men & thre hundred. Netheles, whan =e= to ostes
     metten to-gider, Brutes folk -- thurgh help of hym-self, & of
     Turyn his Cosyn, & of Coryn at wel & manly hym defended &
     fought; so at in litil tyme ei hadde quelled of =e= Frenssh-men to
|r28 M=l= & mo; & o at were lyue fledden away.  And in this
     batayle Turyn, at was Brutes Cosyn, was sleyn, & Brut lete hym
     entere worthyly, |r[f.4v] whan he had space & leyser, in =e= Castell at
     he had made, & o lete [calle hit] Castel Tours after his owne
|r32 name at ere was entered. & it in-to is day er is a noble
     Cytee at is called Tours.
        Whan Kyng Goffar wiste at Turyn was ded, he come aen with
     his men, & after af a strong battaylle vn-to Brut; but Brut &
|r36 his men were so wery of fyghtynge at ey myghte no lengere



|p10


     endure; but maugre hym & al his, Brut & his men went in-to his
     Castell with all his men, and made =e= ates fast for-to saue hem-self,
     & for-to take counceill amonges hem what were best to done.
 |r4  Brut & Coryn nome counceill, & ordeigned at Coryn pryuyly
     shuld gon out at a Posterne of =e= Castell, with half his men, &
     schuld go & bussh hem in A wode til amorowe, so at in =e=
     mornyng, whan Brut schuld fyght with his enemyes, Coryn schulde
 |r8 come with hes folk in at o syde, & sle and do all =e= harme at he
     myght. And amorow in =e= dawnenge, Brut went out of =e= Castell,
     & faught with his euemyes, & ey hem fersly defendid. but with_Inne 
     a litil tyme Brut & his folk hadden slayn viij C of Goffars
|r12 men; And o come Coryn fro e busshement, & smote to grounde,
     he & his Cumpanye, al at wold stande or Abyde, so at Kyng
     Goffar & his folk were discomfited, & faste they gunne to fle.
         And Brut & Coryn, with here companye, fresshly hem pursued,
|r16 & quelled of hem mo in fleyng an ei dede in batayll. And in
     at manere Brut hadde =e= victorye. And neeles Brut made myche
     sorowe for his Cosyn Turyn, at er was slayn, & for oer also at
     he had lost of his men, at is to seyne, vij C and xv, e which
|r20 [he] noblich lete entere in =e= Castell of Tours, er at he had
     entered Turyn his Cosyn.
     How Brut Aryued at Tottenes in e Ile of Albyon; & of =e=
     Bataylle at was betwen Coryn & Gogmagog. Capitulo
|r20 quarto.
     |r<b> Whan al is was done, Brut wolde no lengere er dwelle for to
        fight, ne mo lese of his peple, for Kyng Goffarys peple
     myght euery day encrece mo & mo, & Brutes lassen; & therfore he
|r24 nome all his men, & went vnto =e= See, & hadde wynd & wedir at
     wille. and =e= v day afterward they aryued in an hauene of Tot_nesse, 
     & comen in-to =e= Ile of Albion; & er ey founde neier.
     man ne woman, as =e= story telle, but Geauntz; & ey woned in
|r32 hulles and in Caues. Brut saw =e= land was fayr, & at his likynge,
     & good also for hym & for his folk, as Dyane =e= goddes had hym
     behyght. o was Brut wonder glad, & lete assemble vpon a day
     al his folk, to make a solempne sacrifice & a gret feste in honour



|p11


     & reuerence of Dyane, urght whas counceill he was come in-to
     at land.
        And whan they had her solempnyte maad, as ey vpon a day
 |r4 were at mete, er come yn vpon hem sodenly xxx Geaunt, &
     quellyd |r[f.5r] of Brutes men xxx. Brut & his men anon stertyn vp,
     & his men foughten with =e= Geaunt, & quellyd hem euerychon
     but o Geaunt, at was Mayster of hem all, at me called Gogmagog,
 |r8 at was strenger & heyer an eny of =e= other Geaunt; & Brut
     kepte hym, & sauyd his lyf, for encheson at he schulde wrastle
     with Coryn, for Coryn was grettere & hugere an eny of Brutes
     men fro =e= gerdel stede vpward.  Gogmagog & Coryn vndirtook
|r12 to wrastelyn y-fere; & so to-gider ey wrasteled long tyme, but
     at e last Gogmagog helde Coryn so fast at he brak ij rybbys of
     his syde, wherfore Coryn was sore agreuyd, & nome o Gogmagog
     betwene his Armes, & cast hym doun vpon a roche, so at
|r16 Gogmagog brak al to peces, & so he dyde in evill deth; & erfore
     =e= place is called it in-to is day `e sawte of Gogmagog.'
     & o af Brute al at Cuntre to Coryn; & Coryn called
     [hit] after his name `Cornewayle'; & his men he called `Corne_wayles
|r20 ' & [so] schul men of at Cuntre be called for euermore.
     And in at Cuntre dwellyd Coryn & his men, & made Tounes
     & houses, & enhabited =e= land at her wylle.

     How Brut made London, & Called is land Brytaigne, &
|r24 Scotland Albyne, & Walys Camber. Capitulo quinto.
         |r<b> BRut and his men wenten forth & sought aboute in diuers
        places wher they myghte fynde a good place & a couenable
     at ey myghte [make] in a Cytee for hym and for his folk, so at =e=
|r28 laste ey come by a fayr Ryuer at is called =e= Tamyse; &
     er Brut be-gan a fayre Cyte for hym & for his folk, & lete calle
     it '=e= new Troye,' in mynde & remembraunce of e gret Troye, for
     which place all her lynage was comen.  And is Brut lete felle
|r32 adoun wodes, & lete erye & sowe londes, & done mow medes for
     sustinaunce of hym & of his peple. & he departed =e= land to hem,
     so at eche of hem had a certayn place for to dwelle vpon. And



|p12


     Brut lete Calle al is land Britaigne, after his owne name, & his
     folk he lete calle Britouns.  And is Brut had geten on his
     wyf Gennogen iij sones at were worthy of dedes: =e= firste me
 |r4 callyd Lotryn, =e= secounde Albanac, & =e= thryd kambyr.  And
     Brut bare Crowne in =e= Cyte of newe Troye xx eer after tyme
     the Cyte was made; & ther he made e lawes at =e= Britouns
     holde: & is Brut was wondirly weel byloued among all men;
 |r8 & Brutes Sones also loueden wonderly wel to-gydere.
         And whan Brut had sowte all =e= lond in lengthe & brede,
     he fonde A land at ioyned to Brytaigne in =e= north; and at
     land Brut af to Albanac his sone, and he lete calle yt Albanye
|r12 after his name, at now is called Scotland.  And Brut
     fonde anothir Cuntre toward =e= west; & at he af to Cambre
     his other |r[f.5v] sone, & he lete calle yt Cambre aftyr his name,
     & now is called Walys. And whan Brut had regnyd xx eer,
|r16 as byfore is sayd, he dyde in =e= Cytee of newe Troy, &
     ere his Sones hym entered with mychil honour. And Lotryn,
     Brutes sone, was Crowned kyng with myche solempnyte of
     all =e= land of Brytaigne. And after, whan he was Crouned,
|r20 Albanak & Camber, his too brethryn, went aen in-to here owne
     Cuntre, & leuedyn with myche honour, & Lotryn here brother
     regned & was kyng and gouerned =e= land wel & wysely, for he was
     a good man, & wondir wel belouyd of all his land.
|r24     And it befel so at Albanac dwelde in his owne land with
     myche honour & worschepe.
          And so come Kyng Humbar of Hunland with a gret power &
     strengthe, & Arryved in Albanye, & wolde haue conqueryd =e= land,
|r28 & bygan to werre vpon Albanak, & hym quelled in bataylle.
     Whan Albanac was slayn, e folk of =e= land flye vu-to Lotryn, &
     told hym, for he was Kyng of Brytaigne, how at his brother was
     slayn, & prayed hym of help for-to Auenge his brotherys deth.
|r32 Lotryn anon lete asemble all =e= Brytouns of Kent, of Douorre,
     vn-to Derewent, of Northfolk & Southfolc, of Kestefen & of
     Lyndeseye; & whan they were all Assembled, ei spedde faste
     toward her enemyes for to eue hem bataylle.  Lotryn had sent
|r36 to Camber, his Brother, at he schuld come also to hym with all
     =e= power that he myght, hym for-to helpe; & so he dede, with good



|p13


     will. So ei comen all to-gedres, & nome her wey priuyly for
     to seche Humbar wher ey myghte hym fynde.  And so it byfel
     at is Humbar was besides a water at was a gret Ryuer, with
 |r4 his folk, hym for to dysport; and o come Lotryn & Camber his
     brother, with all his folk sodeynly, or at eny of at oer it
     wyste.
         And whan Humbar saw hem come, he was sore adrad,
 |r8 forasmyche as his men wist it not, & also ey were vnarrayed.
     And anon Humbar for drede, lept in-to =e= water & drenchyd hym_self, 
     & so deide: he & his men weren all y-slayn, at non of
     hem ascaped. And erfore is at water called Humbar, & euer_more 
|r12 schalbe, for encheson at Kyng Humbar was er-In drenched.
         And after at, Lotryn wente to here shippes, & toke er
     gold & siluer, and as myche as he fand vn-to hym-self; & all at
     other pylfre he af vn-to other folk of =e= ost. & ei founden in
|r16 oon of o shippes A fayr Damysell at was Kyng Humbarys
     doughter, & me called her Estrilde.  And whan Lotryn saw
     here, he took here with hym for here fayrnesse, and for here, was
     on taken for loue, & wolde haue weddid here. |r[f.6r] is tydynges
|r20 come to Coryn: anon he thought to Auenge hym vpon Lotryn,
     for-as-meche as Lotryn had made couenaunt for-to spowsen
     Corynys doughter, at me called Guentolen.  And Coryn in haste
     wente to hym, vn-to =e= Newe Troye, & us sayd to Lotryn:
|r24 " Now certes," quod he, "e rewarden me ful euel for all =e=
     paynes at I suffryd & hadde many tymes for Brut, oure fader;
     & therfore I wyl now Auenge me vpon ow;" & drow his fauchon
     an hye, and wold haue slayn Lotryn, but =e= Damysell went
|r28 be-twen hem, & made hem acorded in is manere, at Lotryn
     schuld spouse Guentolen, at was Corynys doughter; and so
     Lotryn dede, and neeles, ei he had spoused Corynys doughter
     pryuylich, he come to Estrilde, & brought here with childe, & gate
|r32 ou here A doughter at me called Abraham.  hyt byfel anon
     after, at Coryn dide; & anon as he was ded, Lotryn forsook
     Guentolen his wyf, & made Estrylde quene. And Guentolen
     went ens al in wrathe in-to Cornewaylle, & seised all =e= land
|r36 in-to her hand, for-as-myche as sche was here Fadrys eyr, &
     vndirfonge feautes & homages of all =e= men of =e= land, and after



|p14


     Assembled a gret oste & a gret power, for-to be vpon Lotryn
     auenged, at was her lord, and to hym come, & af hym A Strong
     bataill. & er was Lotryn slayn, & his men descomfited, =e= v eer
 |r4 of his Reigne.  Guentolen lete take Estrilde, and Abraham here
     dougter, and bynde bo=e= hondes and fete, & caste hem in-to a
     water; & so ey were drenchyd; wherfore at water was euermore
     called after, 'Abraham,' after =e= name of =e= damysell at was
 |r8 Estrildes doughter; & englissh-men called at water Seuerne, &
     Walsshmen called at water Abraham, into is day.  And
     whan is was don, Guentolen lete Crowne her quene of at land,
     & gouerned =e= land ful well & wysely vnto =e= tyme at Madhon her
|r12 Sone, at Lotryn had begete vpon here, wer of xx er Age, at he
     myght be kyng; so at =e= qwen regned xv eer; & o lete she
     crowne here sone; & he regned & gouerned =e= land wel & honour_ably;
     & sche wente in-to Cornewaill, & er sche dwellid al her
|r16 lyves tyme.
     |r[f.1v] Of Kyng Madhan, how he regnede in pees al his lif; and of
     Menpris and of Maulyn his sones; and how Menpris slough
     Manlyn his broer, and how wolfes drow him al to peces.
|r20  Capitulo Sexto.
         |r<b> WHen Madhan hade regnede xxx=ti= ere, he deide, and li |r[f.2r] at
        newe Troye, and he hade ij sones: at on me callede
     Menpris, and at oere Manlyn; and ise ij breerne, after here
|r24 fadres deth, stryuen faste for e lande.; and Menpris, for enchesoun
     at he was eldest, wolde haue hade al at Londe; and Manlyn
     wolde nout suffren him, so at ai token a day of loue and of
     accorde; and at is day Menpris lete quelle his broer rou tresoun,
|r28 and him-self afterward helde e lande, and anone lete croune him
     kyng, and regnede, and after, he bicome so luer a man at he
     destroyede in a while alle e men of his lande.  and at e last
     he bicome so wickede and so leccherous, at he forsoke his owen
|r32 wif, & vsede e synne of Sodomye; wherfore almighty God was
     wro, and oppon him toke vengeance.  ffor vppon a day, as
     he went in a wode in huntyng, he loste his folc, and went



|p15


     allone vp and doun criyng after his men; and ere come wolfes,
     and alto-drowe him into pecis; and o he hade regnede xxiiij er.
     and when his peple wist at he was dede, ai made ioye ynow, and
 |r4 anone made Ebrak his sone kyng; and he regnede with michil
     honour.
     Of Kyng Ebrac, how he conquerede ffraunce, and bigate xx=ti=
     sones and xxiij doutres.  Capitulo  Septimo.
 |r8 |r<b> THis Ebrac regnede.lx. er, and stronge man was, & mity,
        and is Ebrac, rou his mit, and helpe of his Britons,
     conquerede al ffraunce, and wau ere so miche golde and siluer at,
     when he come aeyne iuto is lande, he made a noble citee, and
|r12 after his name lete calle it Ebrac, after his name, at now is
     callede Euerwik. and is king Ebrac made e castel of Maydenes
     at now is clepede Edenburght. This kyng hade xx sones and
     xxiij doutres |r[f.2v], be diuerse wymmen geten; and e sones were callede
|r16 as e shul hure; Brut Greneshal, Margand, Seisel, Morghwith
     Flenghan, Bladud, Iakyn, Kymbar, Rocelyn, Spadogh, Godeherl,
     Thormnan, Eldaugh, Iorkanghut, Haybor, Ketyn, Rother, Kaier,
     & Assaruth.  And e doughtres highten as e shul hur after:
|r20 Elegyue, Ymmogen, Oghdas, Guenbran, Guardiche, Angarel,
     Guentolde, Tangustel, Gorghon, Michel, Medham, Mailour, Ondur,
     Cambredan, Rogan, Reuthely, Neest, Cheghem, Scadud, Gladus,
     Heberhyn, Abalaghe, and Blandan: and ise were o xxiij
|r24 doutres; and e breerne bicome gode knytes and wori in meny
     contres.
     Of e Kyng Brut Greneshal, e ferste sone of Ebrac the
     kyng.  Capitulo  Octauo.
|r28 |r<b> After e deth of Kyng Ebrac, regnede Brut Greneshel, his sone
        xxx er, at was Ebrakes ferst sone, at wel and noblye
     regnede. and when tyme come, he deide, and  li at ork.
     Of kyng Leyl.  Capitulo.  Nono.
|r32 |r<b> ANd when Brut Greneshal was dede, regnede his sone
        Leil xxij ere; and he made a faire toune, and lete calle it
     Karleil after his name, and was a wori man, and miche bilouede



|p16


     of his people, and when he hade regnede xxij [years] he deide, and
     li at Karleil.  And in his tyme renede Kyng Salamon in
     Jerusalem, at made e noble temple; and to him come to Ierusalem,
 |r4 Sibille, Quene of Saba, for-to hure and see if it were soe at
     men spoken of e grete noblee and wisdome, and of witte of
     Kyng Salamon: and she founde it soth at men hade here tolde.
     Of Kyng Lud Ludibras, at was Kyng Leiles sone.  Capitulo
 |r8 x=mo=.
     |r[f.3r] |r<b> ANd after is Kyng Leil, regnede his sone Lud Ludybras, at
        made e citee of Kaunterbery and of Wynchestre; and he
     regnede xiij ere, and deide, and lith at Wynchestre.
|r12 Of e kyng Bladuc, at was Ludybras sone, regnede, and
     was a gode man and a nygromancer. Capitulo xi=mo=.
     |r<b> ANd after is Lud Ludebras, regnede Bladud his sone, a
        grete nigromancer; and rou his crafte of nigromancie
|r16 he made e meruailous hote bathe, as e gest telle, & he regnede
     xxj ere, and he lith at e newe Troye.
     Of Kyng Leir, and of e ansuere of his ongest douter, at
     graciousely was mariede to e Kyng of Fraunce. C. xij.
|r20 |r<b> After is Kyng Bladud, regnede Leir his sone; and is Leir
        made e toune of Leycestre, and lete calle e toune after
     his name; and he gouernede e lande wel and [nobly].  is kyng
     Leir hade iij doughtres: e ferst highte Gonorille, e secunde
|r24 Rigan, and e ridde Cordeile; and e ongest doughter was
     fairest and best of condiciouns.  e king here fader bicome an
     olde man, and wolde at his doughtres were mariede or at
     he deide. but ferst he ougt assaye whiche of ham louede
|r28 him most and best; for she at louede him best shulde best
     bene mariede. and he axede of e ferst dought[er] how miche she
     louede him; and she ansuerede and saide, 'bettre an here owen



|p17


     lif.' "Now certes," quod e fader, "at is a grete loue."
         o axede he of e secunde doughter, how miche she him louede;
     and she saide, 'more, and passing al e creatures leuyng of e
 |r4 worlde.' "ma foy," quod e fader, "y may no more axen."
         And o axede he of e pridde doughter, how miche she
     him louede. "certes, fader," |r[f.3v] quod she, "my sustres haue tolde
     ow glosyng wordes; but for-soe y shal tel ow treu: for y
 |r8 loue ow as miche as me owe to loue my fader; and forto
     bryng ow more in certeyne how loue go, I shal ow telle, for-as_miche 
     as e bene wore, as muche shal e bene louede."  The
     kyng here fader wende at she hade scornede him, and bicome
|r12 wonder wroth, and swore by heuen and ere at she shulde neuer
     haue goode of him; but his doutres at louede him so miche
     shulde be wel auauncede and mariede. and e ferste dougter
     he mariede to Mangles, King of Scotlande; And e secunde he
|r16 mariede to Hanemos, Erl of Cornewaile; and so ai ordeynede
     and speke bituene ham at ai shulde departe e reaune bituene
     ham too, after e de of Leir her fader',  So at Cordeil his
     ongest doughter shulde noing haue of his lande. but is Cordeil
|r20 was wonder faire, and of so goode condicions and maners, at e
     Kyng of Fraunce, Agampe, herde of here speke, and sent to e
     Kyng Leir, he[r] fader, for to haue her vnto wif, and prayede him
     erof. And Kyng Leir here fader sent him worde at he hade
|r24 departede the lande to his ij oere doutres, and saide he
     nade no more lande wherwi her forto marie.  And when
     Agampe herde is ansuere, he sent anone aeyne to Leir, and
     saide at he axede noing wi here, but oneliche heir cloing
|r28 and oneliche heir body; and anone Kyng Leire here fader sent
     here ouer e see to e Kyng of France; and he resceyuede here
     wi michel worship and wi michel solempnite, & made here
     Quene of Fraunce.



|p18


     How Kyng Leir was dryuen out of his lande rou his owen
     folye; and how Cordeil his ongest doughter halpe him in
     his nede.  Capitulo  Terciodecimo.
 |r4 |r[f.4r] |r<b> THus it bifel afterwarde, at o ij eldest doughtren wolde
        nout abide til at Leir here fader were dede, but werrede
     oppon him whiles at he leuede, and miche sorwe and shame him
     dede; wherfore ai binome him holly e reaume, and bituene ham
 |r8 hade ordeynede at one of ham shulde haue Kyng Leir to soiourne
     al his lif tyme, with xl knytes and heir squyers, at he might wor_shipfully 
     gone & ryde whider at he wolde, and into what
     contre at him likede, to playe and to solacen.  So at Managles
|r12 Kyng of Scotlande, hade Kyng Leir with him in e maner at is
     aboue-saide, and, or oere half ere were passede, Corneil his eldest
     douter, at was Quene of Scotland, was so annoyed wi him and
     wi his peple, at anone she and here lorde spoken to-gederes,
|r16 wherefor his knytes half, and his squyers, fram him were gone,
     and nomo lefte but oneliche xxx. And when is was done, Leire
     biganne forto make miche sorwe, for enchesoun at his state was
     enpeirede, and men hade of him more scorne and despite an euer
|r20 ai hade biforne; wherfore he nyst what forto done; and at e
     last out at he wolde wende into Cornewaile, to Rigan his oere
     doughter.  And when he was comen, e erl and his wif, at was
     Leires doughter, him welcomede, and with him made miche ioye;
|r24 and ere he duellede with xxx knytes and squyers. And he nade
     nought duellede ere scarsly tuelf mone, at his doughter of him
     nas ful, and of his company; and her lorde and she, of him hade
     scorne and despite, so at fram xxx knytes ai brouten
|r28 vnto x, and afterwarde v; and so ere lefte wi him nomo.  o
     made he sorwe ynow, and saide, sore wepyng, 'allas at euer
     he come into at Lande!' and |r[f.4v] saide, 'itte hade me bene bettre
     forto haue duellede with my ferst doughter [and anon went ens
|r32 aeyne to his ferst donter].' But anone as she saw him come,
     she swore by God and his holy names, and by as miche as she
     might, at he shulde haue nomo wi him but one knyt, if he



|p19


     wolde ere abide.  o bigan Leir aeyn to wepe, and made
     muche sorwe, and saide o: "allas! now to longe haue y leuede, at
     is sorwe and meschief is now to me falle; for now y am poer,
 |r4 and some tyme y was ryche; but now haue y no frende ne kyn
     at me wil do eny maner goode.  But when y was ryche, alle
     men me honourede and worsshepede; and now euery man hath
     of me scorne and despite! and now y wote wel at Cordeil, my
 |r8 onge doughter, saide me treu when she saide 'as michel as y
     hade, so michel shulde y be louede'; and all e while at y
     hade goode, o was y belouede and honourede for my rychesse; but
     my ij doughtres me glosede o, and now of me ai sette litel pris,
|r12 and so tolde me Cordeil, but y wolde nout bileue it, ne vnder_stonde, 
     and perfore y lete here gon fro me as a ing at y sette
     litel pris of; and now wote y neuer what forto done, se my
     ij doughtres have me us desceyuede, at y so michel louede;
|r16 and now moste me nedes seche here at is in an opere lande, at
     lighly y lete here go fro me without eny reward of iftes; and she
     saide at 'she louede me as miche as she outh here fader, bi al
     maner resoun'; and o y shulde haue axede of here no more; and
|r20 o at me oere-wise bihiten rou here faire speche, now haue
     me desceyuede!"
         In is maner Leir longe tyme him bigan to make his mone;
     and at e last he shoope him to e see, and passede ouer into
|r24 France, and axede and aspiede wher the Quene myt be founde;
     and men tolde where at she was. |r[f.5r]  And when he come to e
     citee at she was in, priueliche he sent his Squyer vnto e quene,
     to tel her at heir fader was comen to her for grete nede.  And
|r28 when e squyer come to e quene, he tolde her euery dele of heir
     sustres fram e bigynuyng vnto e ende.  Cordeil e Quene
     anone nome golde and siluer, grete plente, and toke it to e squyer,
     in conseile at he shulde go and bere it vnto here fader, and at he
|r32 shulde go into a certeyn Citee, and him arreyen, baen and wesshen,



|p20


     and an come aeyne to her, and bryng with him an honest
     company of knytes, xl. at e leste, with here meny; and enne he
     shulde sende to here lorde e kyng, and sayen at he was comen
 |r4 forto speke with his douter, and him to seene.  And when e
     kyng and e quene herde at, wi michel honour ai comen,
     and him resceyuede. e kyng of Fraunce lete sende o rou al
     his reaume, and commandede at alle men to him shulde bene
 |r8 entendaunt, to Leire, e Quenes fader, in al maner ing as it were
     to him-self.  when Leir hade duellede ere a mone and more,
     he tolde to e kyng and to e Quene his doughter, how his ij
     eldeste doutres hade him seruede.  Agampe anone lete ordeyne a
|r12 grete hoste of Fraunce, and sent it into Britaigne with Leir, e
     Quenes fader, forto conquere his lande aeyne, and his kyngdome;
     and Cordeil also come with her fader into Britaigne, forto haue e
     reaume after her fadres deth. And anon ai went to shippe, and
|r16 passede e see, and come into Britaigne, and faut wi e felons,
     and ham scomfitede & quellede. And Leir o hade his lande
     aeyne, and after leuede iij ere, and helde his reaume in pees, and
     afterwarde deide; & Cordeil his doughter him lete entere wi
|r20 michel honour at Leycestre.
     |r[f.5v] How Morgan and Conenedag at were Neveus to Cordeil,
     werrede oppon here, and put here into prison. C. xiiij.
     |r<b> WHen at Kyng Leir was dede, Cordeil his ongest doutre
|r24    helde and hade e lande v ere; and in e mene tyme
     deide here Lorde Agamp, at was Kyng of Fraunce; and after his
     deth she lefte widue.  And o come Morgan and Conenedag,
     at were Cordeiles sustres sones, and to here hade enuy, for-asmiche
|r28 at her aunt shulde haue e lande; so at bituene ham ai
     ordeynede a grete power, and vppon here werrede gretlich; and



|p21


     neuer ai rest til at ai hade here taken, and put her vnto
     deth.  And o Morgan and Conenedag seisede al e lande, and
     departede bituene ham, and ai helde it xij ere.  And when
 |r4 the xij ere were gone, ere bigon bituene ham a grete debate, so
     at ai werrede strongely in-fere, and eueryche of ham dede oere
     miche disese, ffor Morgan wolde haue hade alle e lande fram
     biende Humber, at Conedag helde; but he come aeynes him
 |r8 with a strong power, so at Morgan derst nout abide, but fley
     awaye into Walys; and Conenedag pursuede him, and toke him,
     and quelde him.  o come Conenedag aeyne, and seisede al e
     lande into his hande, and helde hit, and regnede after, xxxiij
|r12 ere, and o deide, and li at New Troye.
     Of Rynallo, at was Conedagus sone: how he regnede
     after his fader; and in his tyme it raynede bloode iij
     daies, in tokenyng of gret deth.  Capitulo  Quinto_desimo
|r16 .
     |r<b> ANd after is Conenedag, regnede Rynallo his sone, an
        Wise knyt, and an hardy and curteise, at wel and nobly
     gouernede e lande, and wonder wel made him bi*louede |r[f.6r] of al
|r20 maner folc. and in his tyme it raynede bloode at lastede iij
     dayes, as God wolde; and sone after ere come a gret deth of
     peple, for hostes with-out noumbre of peple fouten til at ai
     were dede, Wherof no man myt ham lette til at almity God erof
|r24 tok mercy and pitee; and tho gan it cesse. and is Raynolde
     regnede xxij ere, & deide, &  li at ork.

     How Gorbodian regnede in pees, at was Rynallo sone; and
     after, he deide, and li at ork C. xvj=o=.
|r28 |r<b> After is Ryuallo, regnede Gorbodyan his sone xv ere, and
        deide and lith at ork.



|p22


     How Gorbodian hade ij sones, & how at on slough at oere,
     forto haue e heritage; & how Ydoyne her moder quellede
     at oere, wherfore e lande was destroiede.  Capitulo
 |r4  xvij=mo=.
     |r<b> When is Gorbodian was dede, his ij sones at he hade,
        bicome stoute men and proude, & euer werrede to-geder
     for e lande: at one, men called Ferre, and at oere Porrex; and
 |r8 is Ferre wolde haue hade al the lande, but at oere wolde nout
     suffren him. Ferre hade a felounes hert, and out rou tresoun
     slee his broere; but priuely he went into Fraunce, and ere abode
     with e kyng Syward til oppon a tyme at he come aeyne, and
|r12 faut wi his broer Ferre; but ful euel it hapede o, for he was
     slayn ferst.  When Ydoyne, here moder, wist at Porrex was
     dede, she made grete sorwe, for enchesoun at she louede him more
     an at oere, and out him forto quelle. priuely she come
|r16 to here sone oppon a nyt wi ij knyfes, and erwi cotte his rote,
     and e body also into smale pecis. Who herde euer soche a cursede
     moder, at quellede with here |r[f.6v] owen hondes here owen sone! and
     Longe tyme after Laste e reprofe & shame to e moder at, for
|r20 enchesoun of at o sone, mordrede at oere, and so loste ham
     bothe.
     How iiij kynges curteisely helde al Britaigne; and whiche
     beth here names.  Capitulo  Octodesimo.
|r24 |r<b> WHen ise ij breerne were so dede, ai nade Lefte bihynde
        ham noo sone ne doughter, ne none oere of e kynrede
     at might haue e heritage. & for-asmiche as e strongest men
     dryuen and descomfitede e feblest, and token al here landes, so
|r28 at in euery contre ai hade grete werre and stryfe.  But amonge
     alle oere inges, ere were amonges ham in e contre at ouercome
     alle e oere; and rou heir streng and myt ai nomen and
     token al e landes; and eueryche of ham tok a certeyne contre;
|r32 and in his contre lete calle him kyng.  And on of ham, men



|p23


     callede Stater; and he was Kyng of Scotland; and at oere me
     callede Dunwal, and he was Kyng of Loegers, and of alle e
     landes at was Lotrynes, Brutes sone.  e ridde, men callede
 |r4 Rudak, and he was Kyng of Walys; and e iiijt=e= me callede Cloten,
     and he was Kyng of Cornewaile.  But is Cloten shulde haue
     hade al e lande, be resoun for ere was no man at wist none so
     rythful heire as he was; but o at were strongest sette litel by
 |r8 ham at were of lasse estate, and erfor is Cloten hade no more
     lande amonges ham an onliche  Cornewaile.
     Of Kyng Donewall, at was Clotene sone, and how he hade
     wonne e lande.  Capitulo xix=o=.
|r12 |r<b> THis Cloten hade a sone at me clepede Donewal, at, after e
        deth of his fader, bicome. an hardy man, and a faire and a
     curteise, so at he passede alle e kynges of Britaigne of fairenesse
     and of worinesse.  And as he was knyght, he |r[f.7r] Wiste wel
|r16 when his fader leuede he was moste ryghtful heire of al e lande,
     and shulde haue hade it by resoun; but oere kynges at were of
     more streng an he, binome him his lande.  And afterwarde is
     Donebande ordeynede him powere, and ferst conquerede al e lande
|r20 of Loegers; and after he wolde haue conquerede al Scotland
     and Walys; and Stater wi his men come, and af him bataile;
     and Rudak come aeyne wi his Walshemen forto helpe him; But
     so it bifel at Rudak was slayn, and Skater also, in pleyn bataile;
|r24 and so Donewal hade e victorye, and conquerede al e lande, and
     wel mayntenede it in pees and quyete, at neuer bifore it was so
     wel mayntenede.
     How Douewal was e ferst kyng at euere Werede crone of
|r28 golde in Britaigne.  Capitulo  Vicesimo.
     |r<b> THis Donewal lete make him a crone of golde, and werede
        e croune oppon his heuede, as neuer kyng dede bifore; and
     he ordeynede a statute at, hade a man done neuer so miche



|p24


     harme, and he might come into e temple, ere shulde no man him
     misdo, but gone erin sauf and in pees, and aftre gone into what
     contre at he wolde, withouten eny harme; and if eny man sette
 |r4 hande oppon him, he an shulde lese his lif.  And is Donewal
     made e toune of Malmesbury, and e toune of e Vise; & when
     he hade regnede wel and nobly.xl. ere, he deide, & li at newe
     Troye.
 |r8 How Brenne and Belyn departede bituene ham e lande, after
     e deth of Donewal, hir fader; & of e werre. Capitulo
     xxj=o=.
     |r<b> ANd after at is Donewal was [dede], his sones at he hade,
|r12    departede e lande bituene ham as her fader hade ordeynede;
     so at Belyn, his eldest sone, hade al the lande a is halfe Humber,
     and his broer Brenne hade al |r[f.7v] e lande fram Humber vnto
     Scotland; but for-asmich as Belyn hade e better parte, Brenne
|r16 erfor wax wro, and wolde haue hade more of e lande; and
     Belyn his broer wolde graunt him nomore; Wherfor contak and
     werre aroos bituene ham ij. But Brenne e onger broer hade no
     myte ne streng aeyn Belyn; and erfor Brenne, rou conseil of
|r20 his folc, went fram ens into Norway, to e Kyng Elsinges, and
     prayede him of helpe and of socoure forto conquere al e lande of
     Britayn vppon Belyn his bror, oppon at couenaunt, at he
     wolde haue his douter to wyf; and e Kyng Elsinges him
|r24 grauntede.  Belyn, anone as his broer was gone to Norway, he
     seisede into his hande al e lande of Northumberland, and toke al
     e castelles, and lete ham arraie, and also kepe e costes of e see,
     at Brenne shulde nout arryue in no side but at he were take.
|r28     The Kyng Elsinges lete assemble a grete hoste, and delyuerede
     his doughter to Brenne, and alle e peple at he hade ordeynede.
     And is damisel, Samye, hade longe tyme louede a kyng at me
     callede Gutlagh; and to him she tolde al here counseil, how at
|r32 Brenne shulde here haue, and here lede wi him for euermore, and
     so he shulde her lese, but if at she myt forsake Brenne.  And



|p25


     when Gutlagh herde ise tydynges, he lay forto aspie Brenne, wi
     alse meny shippes as he myt haue, so at o ij fletes metten
     to-gederes, and longe tyme foughten, so at Brenne and his shippes
 |r4 turnede aeyne, and were descomfitede; and Kyng Gutlagh toke
     Samye, and put here into shippe, and Brenne shamefully fleye
     ens as a man descomfitede.  And Gutlagh wolde haue went into
     his countree; but ere come oppon |r[f.8r] him a stronge tempest, at .v.
 |r8 dayes Laste, so at rou at tempest he was dryuen into Britaigne
     with iij shippes, and wi no mo. and o at kepte e costes of
     e see token Gutlagh and Samye, and alle his folc, and ham pre_sentede 
     vnto Belyn, and he put ham into prisoun.
|r12 How Belyn delyuerede out of is lande Kyng Gutlagh of
     Dennemarc, and Samye.  Capitulo  Vicesimo Secundo.
     |r<b> HIt was nout longe after, at Brenne ne come aeyne with a
        stronge meny, and sent to his broer Belyn, at he shulde
|r16 elde aeyne his lande to his wif and to his folc, & his castelles
     also, or elles he wolde destroye his lande. Belyn drade no ing
     his manace, and wolde no ing done after at he saide. Wher_fore 
     Brenne come with his folc, and faut with him; and Brenne
|r20 was descomfitede, and his folc slayne, and him-self fleede wi xij
     men into Fraunce.  And is Belyn, at was Brennes broere,
     went en vnto ork, and toke counseil what he myt done,
     wi Kyng Gutlagh; for Kyng Gutlagh proferede to bicome his
|r24 man, and to holde his lande of him, eldyng by ere M=l= li of siluer
     for euer-more; and for sikernesse of is couenaunt to bene holde,
     Gutlaghe shulde bryng him gode hostages, and to him shulde done
     homage, and al his folc, and itte he shulde suere oppon the book
|r28 at ise couenauntes shulde nout bene broken ne falsede.
         Belyn o, by counseil of his folc, grantede him his axing; and so
     Gutlagh bicome his man; and Relyn vnderfonge of him his homage
     by othe, and by wrytyng e same couenaunt.  And oppon



|p26


     is Couenant King Gutlagh tok Samye and his folc, and went
     ennes, and turnede aeyn |r[f.8v] to Dennemarc.  Euermore after were
     the couenauntes Halden, and e truage paiede, til e tyme at
 |r4 Hauelok was Kyng of Denmarc, and also of is lande, rou his wif
     Gildeburghe, at he hade spousede, for she was e ryt heire of is
     lande.  is Belyn duellede. o in pees, and worshepliche him
     helde amonges his barons; and he made iiij real waies, one fram
 |r8 e Est into West, and at was callede Watlyngstrete; and anoere
     fram e North into e South, at was callede Ikenyle strete; and
     ij oere waies he made in bossinge rou-oute the lande: at one is
     callede Fosse, and at oere Fossedik; and he mayntenede wel e
|r12 gode Lawes at Doneband his fader hade made and ordeynede in
     his tyme, as bifore is saide.
     How accorde was made bituene Brenne and Belyn, through
     Cornewenne, hire moder.  Capitulo  Vicesimo Tercio.
|r16 |r<b> BRenne, that was Belyness broer, hade longe tyme duellede in
        Fraunce, and ere hade conquerede a grete lordeship rou
     mariage, for he was Duc of Burgoyne. rou e donter of e duc
     Fewyn at he hade spousede, at was right heire of e lande. and
|r20 is Brenne ordeynede a grete power of his folc and also of Fraunce,
     and come into is lande forto feight with Belyn his broer. and
     Belyn come aeynes him with a stronge powere of Britons, and o
     wolde haue eue him bataile; but heir moder Cornewenne, at tho
|r24 Leuede, herde at e o broer wolde haue destroyede at
     oere, and went bituene here sones, and ham made accordede
     wi miche peyne; so at at e laste, o ij breerne, with miche
     blisse, went to-geder into newe Troye, at now is callede London,
|r28 and ere ai duellede al a ere; and after, ai toke |r[f.9r] Heire conseile
     forto go conquere al Fraunce; and so thai deden, & brent tounes,
     and destroyede al e lande boe in leng and in Brede. and e
     Kyng of Fraunce af ham bataile wi his powere; but he was
|r32 ouercomen, and af truage vnto Belyn and to his broer.  And



|p27


     after at, ai went fore to Rome, and conquerede Rome, and al
     Lumbardy and Germayne, and toke homages and feautees of e
     folc of e Erles, barons, and alle oere; and after, ai comen
 |r4 into is lande of Britaigne, and duellede with here Britounes in
     ioye and reste. and o made Brenne e toune of Bristow; and si
     he went ouer e see into his owen lordeshippe, and ere duellede
     al his lif. and Belyn duellede atte Newe Troye; and ere he made
 |r8 a faire gate at is clepede Billyngesgate, after his owen name. and
     when is Belyn hade regnede noble. xj ere, he deide, &  li at
     newe Troye.
     How Kyng Corinbatrus quellede e Kyng of Dennemarc, for
|r12 enchesoun at he wolde nout paye him his truage.
      Capitulo xxiiij=to=.
     |r<b> ANd after is Belyn, regnede his sone Corinbatrus, a gode man
        and a wori. and e Kyng of Denmarc wolde nout paye
|r16 him his truage, at is to seyn M=l= li, as he hade sworne by
     oth forto paye hit, and also be writyng of recorde, to Belyn his
     fader. wherfore he was euel paiede and wro, and assemblede a
     grete hoste of Britons, and went into Dennemarc and slough e
|r20 Kyng Gitclagh, and brout e lande in subieccioun al new, and toke
     of folc feautes and homages, and after went aeyne into his lande.
      And as he come forthe bi Orkeneye, he fonde xxx shippes ful of
     men and of wymmen, bisides e coste of e see, and e kyng
|r24 axede what ai were. an Erl, that was maistre of ham alle,
     curteisely ansuerede vnto the kyng, and saide at ai were exilede
     oute of Spaygne, |r[f.9v] and so ai hade trauailede half ere and more
     in e see, to weten if ai myt fynde eny kyng, or euy lorde,
|r28 at of ham wolde haue pitee or mercy, to eue ham eny lande in
     eny contre wherin ai might duelle and haue reste, and bicome his
     liege men, and to him wolde done homage and feautes whiles
     at he leuede, and to his heires after him, and of him and of his
|r32 heires holde at londe for euermore.  And when e kyng is



|p28


     herde, he hade pite of ham, and af ham an Ile al wildernesse,
     ere at noman was duellyng, saf oneliche wilde bestes. and e
     Erl ankede miche e kyng, and bicome his man, and dede him
 |r4 feaute and homage, and tok alle his folc, and went into e same
     Ile. and e Erl me callede Irlanyal; and erfore he lete calle e
     lande Irlande, after his owen name.  The kyng o, Corinbatrus,
     come aeyne into is Lande, and regnede xxv ere; & after, he
 |r8 deide, and li at newe  Troye.
     How e Kyng Guentolen regnede in godenesse, & wel gouernede
     e lande al his liftyme.  Capitulo vicesimo Quinto.
     |r<b> ANd when Corinbatrus was dede, regnede Gueutolen his sone,
|r12    a man of goode condiciouns, and wel bilouede; and he
     gouernede e lande wel and wiseliche, and he regnede xxvj ere,
     and after, deide, and lith at newe Troye.
     How Kyng Seisel regnede, and wel gouernede e lande after
|r16 Guentolen.  Capitulo xxvj=to=.
     |r<b> ANd after is Guentolen, regnede his sone Seisel wel and
        worely, and wel gouernede e lande as his fader hade
     done biforne him; and he regnede xv ere, and after, deide, and
|r20 lith at newe Troye.
     How Kymore regnede after Seisel his fader; and he bigate
     Howan, at |r[f.10r] regnede after him.  Capitulo  Vicesimo
      Septimo.
|r24 |r<b> ANd after is Seisel, regnede his sone Kymor wel and nobly
        xix ere in pees; and Howan his sone x ere, and deide,
     and li at Herbaldoun.
     How Kyng Morwith deide rou meschaunce, rou a beste
|r28 for his wickednesse.  Capitulo  Vicesimo  Octauo.
     |r<b> ANd after is Howan, regnede Morwith; and he bicome
        wickede, and so sterne, til at e laste, grete vengeaunce come
     to him; for as he went on a tyme bi e seeside, he mette a grete



|p29


     beste, at was blac, and horrible and hidouse; and he wende at
     it hade bene a whale of e see, and bent an Arweblast, and wolde
     haue slayne at best wi a quarell; but he mit nout smyte hit.
 |r4 and when he hade shotte alle his quarelles, e beste anone come
     to him in grete haste, and him deuourede alif; and so he deide
     for his wickednesse, rou vengeance of Gode, after at he hade
     regnede ix ere.
 |r8 Of Grandobodian, at was Morwithe sone, at made the toune
     of Cambruge.  Capitulo  Vicesimo Nono.
     |r<b> After is Morwith was dede, e Britouns cronede Grandobodian
        his sone; and is Grandobodian longe tyme regnede in
|r12 godenesse, and made temples and tounes; and is Grandobodian
     made e toune of Cambrugge and e toune of Grantham, and was
     wel bilouede of ryche and of pore, for he honourede e riche and
     halpe e poer.  This Grandobodian hade iiij sones, Artogaile,
|r16 Hesider, Higamus, and Petiter, and when he hade regnede xj ere,
     he deide, & li at newe Troye.
     Of Artogaile, at was Grandobodianus sone: how he was made
     kyng, & si put adoune for his wickednesse.  Capitulo
|r20 Tricesimo.
     |r[f.10v] |r<b> After Grandobodian, regnede his sone Artogaile v ere; and
        he bicome so wickede and so sterne, at e Britons wolde
     nout suffre him to bene kyng, but put him adoune, and made
|r24 Hesider his broer kyng; and he bicome so gode and mercyable
     at men him callede `kyng of pitee.' and when he hade regnede v
     ere, he hadc so[miche] pitee of his broer Artogaile, at was kyng
     bifore; and anone he forsoke his dignite, and toke his broer e
|r28 crone aeyne, and made him kyng aeynes al e barons wille of
     Britaigne. and afterwarde, is Artogaile bicome so gode of condi_ciouns 
     at he was wel bilouede of al e lande; for he bicome so
     debonoure and free, and dede right and resoun to alle maner
|r32 man; and he regnede vj ere, and deide, and lith at Grauntham.



|p30


     How Hesider was made kyng after e deth of Artogaile his
      broer. Capitulo xxxj=o=.
     |r<b> After e deth of Artogaile, the Britounes crounede an-oere
 |r4    tyme Hesider; but his ij breern Higamus and Petiter
     haden of him grete despite, and eke scorne, and ordeynede ham
     helpe forto werre oppon e kyng her broer. and so ai token him,
     and put him into prisoun, the secunde ere of his regne; and ai
 |r8 departede al Britaign bituene ham ij. but Higamus leuede but vij
     ere; and o hadde Petitur al e lande; and he made e toune of
     Pikeryng, and after deide, e secunde ere of his regne, & li at
     Pikeryng,
|r12 How e Britouns token Hesider oute of Prisoune, and made
     him kyng e ridde tyme.  Capitulo  Tricesimo
     Secundo.
     |r<b> ANd when is Petitur was dede, the Britons toke anone right
|r16    Hesider, and made him kyng e ridde tyme, and o
     regnede he in pees xiiij ere, & after deide, and li at Karleil.
     How xxxiij kynges regnede in pees, eche after oere, after |r[f.11r] e
     deth of Hesider.  Capitulo  Tricesimo Tercio.
|r20 |r<b> After e deth of Hesider, regnede xxxiij Kynges, eche after
        oere, in pees; and wiout eny longe tariyng y shal tel
     ham alle, and how longe euery of ham regnede, as e story
     telle.  The ferste kyng of o xxxiij me clepede Gorbodia,
|r24 and he regnede xij ere.  and after him regnede Morgan ij
     ere;  and after him regnede Eigamus vj ere;  and after
     him regnede Idwalan viij ere;  and after him regnede Rohugo
     xj ere;  and after him regnede Voghen xiij ere;  and
|r28 after him regnede Katil xv ere;  and after him regnede
     Porrex ij ere;  and after him regnede Cheryn xvij ere;
     [; & after him regned Coil xij er]  and after him regnede
     Sulgenis xiiij ere;  and after him regnede Esdad xx=ti= ere;



|p31


      And after him regnede Andragie xviij ere;  And after him
     regnede Vran v ere;  and after him regnede Elind ij ere;
      and after him regnede Eldagan xv ere;  and after him regnede
 |r4 Claten xij ere;  & after him regnede Quirgund viij ere;  and
     after him regnede Morian vj ere; and after him regnede Bledaghe
     iij ere;  and after him regnede Caph j ere;  and after him
     regned Gen ij ere;  and after him regnede Seisel and Kyng
 |r8 Bled xxj ere;  and Kyng Grabreth xj ere;  and Archinal
     xiiij ere; and Erol xxx ere;  And Rodengu xxxij ere; and
     Herter v ere,  and Hampir vj ere, And Carpoir vij ere,
      and Digneile iij ere,  and Samuel xxiiij ere,  and Rede
|r12 ij ere,  and Ely vij mounes; and is Ely hade iij sones, Lud,
     Cassabilam, and Enymyon.
     How Lud was made kyng after e de of Ely his fader.
      Capitulo  Tricesimo  Quarto.
|r16 |r[f.11v] |r<b> After e de of Ely, regnede Lud his sone, and gouernede wel
        e lande, and miche honourrede gode folc, and temprede
     and amendit wickede folc.  This Lud louede more to duelle at
     Troye an at eny oere place of e lande; Wherfore e name of
|r20 Troye was lafte, and o was callede e citee of Ludstan; but
     now at name is chaungede rou variance of lettres, and now is
     callede London.  and is kyng made in the citee a faire gate,
     and callede it Ludgate, after his name; and e folc of e citee lete
|r24 hight Loundres, and when he hade regnede xj ere, he deide, and
     li at London. and heade ij onge sones, Andraghen and
     Gormace; but ai cou neiere speke ne go, for euge; & erfore
     e Britons crounede a stronge knyt at me called Lud, at was
|r28 Cassibalamus broer, and made him kyng of Britagne.
     How e Britons grantede to Cassibalam, at was Ludes broer,
     e land: in whas time Iulius come if tymes forto con_quere 
     e lande.  Capitulo Tricesimo  quinto.
|r32 |r<b> After e de of Kyng Lud, regnede his broer Cassibalam, and
        bicome a goode man, and miche bilouede of his Britons, so
     at, for his godenesse and curtesye, ai grantede him e reaume for_euermore,



|p32


     to him and to his heires.  And the kyng, of his gode_nesse, 
     lete norisshe woriliche boe his broeres sones, e childerne
     of Lud; And after, made e eldeste sone Erl of Cornwaile, and at
 |r4 oere Erl of London~.  And while is kyng Cassibalam regnede,
     come Iulius Cesar, at was Emperoure of Rome into is lande, with
     a power of Romayns, and wolde haue hade is lande rou streng;
     but Cassibalam him ouercome in bataile, rou helpe |r[f.12r] of e
 |r8 Britons, and drof him oute of is Lande; and went aeyne to
     Rome, and assemblede grete power anoer tyme, and come aeyne
     iuto is lande forto eue bataile to Cassibalam; but he was des_comfitede 
     rou streng of e Britons, and rou helpe of e erle of
|r12 Cornwaile, and e Erl of london~, his broer, and rou helpe of
     Gudian, Kyng of Scotland, and of Corbande, Kyng of north Wales,
     and of Bretaile, Kyng of Southwalys. and in is bataile was slayne
     Nemion, at was Cassibalamus broer, wherfore he made miche
|r16 sorwe; and so went Iulius Cesar oute of is lande with a fewe of
     Romayns at were lefte a-lif; And o Cassibalam went aeyne to
     London~, and made a fest vnto alle his folc at o hade him
     holpen; and when e fest was done, eche man went into here
|r20 owen contree.
     Of e debate at was bituene Cassibalam and e Erle of
     London~; & of e truage at was payede to Rome.
      Capitulo xxxvj=to=.
|r24 |r<b> ANd after, hit bifelle us oppon a day, at e gentil-men of
        e kynges householde and e gentelmen of e Erles house_holde 
     of London~, after mete went in-fere forto playe; and rou
     debate at arose amonges ham, Euelyn, at was e erles broer
|r28 of London~, quellede Irenglas at was e kynges cosyn; wherfore e
     kyng swore at Enelyn shulde bene honget; but e Erle of
     London~, at was Enelynes lorde, wolde nout suffren hit; wher_fore 
     e kyng was wroth towarde e Erl, and out him destroye.
|r32 and priuely e Erl sent lettres to Iulius Cesar at he shulde come



|p33


     into is lande forto helpe him, and helpe avenge him |r[f.12v] oppon e
     Kyng, and he wolde helpe him with al his myte.  And when
     e Emperoure herde is tydynges, he was ful glade, and ordeynede
 |r4 a stronge power, and come aeyne e ridde tyme into is land;
     and e Erl of Londone halpe him wi vij M=l= men. and at e ridde
     tyme was Cassibalam ouercomen and descomfitede, and made pees
     to e Emperoure for iij M=l= li of siluer, eldynge by ere for
 |r8 truage for is lande for euermore. and after half ere passede, the
     Emperoure went to Rome, and e Erl of Loudon~ wi him, for he
     derste nout abide in is lande. and after, Cassibalam regnede xv j
     ere in pees, and o deide, e xxvij ere of his regne, and lithe atte
|r12 ork.
     How e lordes of e lande, after e deth of Cassibalam, for
     encheson at he hade none heire, made Andragen kyng.
     Capitulo  xxxvij=mo=.
|r16 |r<b> After e deth of Cassibalam, for-asmiche as he hade lone heire
        of his body, e lordes of e lande, by commune assent,
     cronede Androgen, Erl of Cornewaile, and made him kyng; and he
     regnede wel worthely, and was a gode man, and wel gouernede
|r20 e lande. and when he hade regnede viij ere, he deide, & li
     at London~.
     Of Kymbalyn, at was Andragenus sone, a gode man, and
     wel gouernede e lande. Capitulo xxxviij.
|r24 |r<b> After e deth of Audragen, regnede Kembelyn his sone, at was
        a gode man, and wel gouernede e lande in miche prosperite
     and in pees al his lifes tyme.  And in his tyme was born
     Ihesus Crist oure saueoure, of at swete virgine Marie.  is
|r28 Kyng Kembelyn hade ij sones, Ginder and Armoger, gode
     knytes and worthi. |r[f.13r] And when is Kyng Kembelyn hade regnede
     xxij ere, he deide, and li at London~.
     Of Kyng Gynder, at was Kembalynes sone, at wolde nout
|r32 paye e truage to Rome for the lande at Cassibalam
     hade grantede; & how he was slayne of a Romayne.
     Capitulo xxxix=o=.



|p34


     |r<b> ANd after e de of is Kembalyn, regnede Ginder his sone, a
        gode man and a wori; and he was of so hie hert at he
     wolde nout paye to Rome at truage at Kyng Cassibalam hade
 |r4 grantede vnto Iulius Cesar; wherfore e Emperoure at was o, at
     me callede Claudius Cesar, was sore annoyede, and ordeynede a
     grete power of Romay[n]s, and come into is lande forto conquere
     e truage rou streng, and haue it of e kyng; but e kyng
 |r8 Gynder, and Armoger his broer, gadrede a grete hoste ifere of
     Britouns, and af bataile to e Emperour Claudius, and quellede
     of Romains grete plente.  The Emperour hade a Stiwarde at
     me clepede Hamon, at saw at her peple was faste slayne:
|r12 priuelys he caste awai his owen armes, and toke the Armes of a
     dede Briton, and armede him wi his armure, and come into e
     bataile to e kyng, and saide in is maner: "Sire, beth of gode
     hert, for Godes loue, for e Romayns at bee our enemys anone
|r16 shullen bene slayn and descomfitede euerychon."s  and e
     kyng af no kepe ne rewarde to his speche, for encleson~ of e
     armes at he hade oppon him, and wende it hade bene a
     Britoune; but e traitoure euer helde him nexte e kyng, and
|r20 priueliche, vnder e shulders of his armure, he smote e kyng,
     Wherfore he was dede anone, and fel doune vnto e ere.
        When Armoger saw his broer dede, |r[f.13v] he caste away his Arme,
     and toke to him his broeres Armes, and come into e bataile
|r24 amonge e Britons, and bade hertly forto fyght, and faste laide
     adoune e Romaignes. and for e armes, ai wende it hade bene
     Kyng Gynder, at arst was slayne, at ai wist nout, and o gonne
     e Britons hertly feiten, and quellede e Romayns; so at e
|r28 last e Emperour forsokes e felde, and fley as faste as ai mit
     into e citee of Wynchestre. and e false traitour Hamonde, at
     hade quellede e kyng, faste anone gane forto flee in al e haste
     at he mit; and Armoger, e kynges broer, pursuede him ful
|r32 ferslys wi a ferse herte, and drof him vnto e water, and ere



|p35


     he toke him, and anone smote of boe heuede, hendes, and feete,
     and hewe e body halto pecis, and o caste it into e water;
     Wherfore at water was callede Hamondeshauen; and after, ere
 |r4 was made a faire toune at itte [standeth] at is callede South_ampton
     ~.  And afterwarde, Armoger went to Wynchestre forto
     seche Claudius Cesar e Emperour; and ere Armoger him toke.
            And Claudius e Emperour, rou conseil of his Romayns at
 |r8 with him were lefte alyf, made pees wi Armoger in is maner as
     e shulle hure, at is to seyne, how at Claudius e emperour
     shulde eue to Armoger, Gennen his douter, forto haue to wif,
     so at is lande fro at tyme afterwarde shulde be in e Emperoure
|r12 power of Rome, oppon~ suche couenant, at none Emperour of
     Rome shulde take none oere truage of is lande, but oneliche
     feaute; and so ai were accordede.  And oppon~ is couenant,
     Claudius Cesar sent to Rome for his douter Gennen; and when
|r16 she was comen, |r[f.14r] Claudius Cesar af her to Armoger to Wif;
     and Armoger spoused here at London~ with michel solempnite
     and mere; and o was Armoger cronede, and made Kyng of
     Britaigne.
|r20 Of Kyng Armoger, in whas tyme seynt Peter prechede in
     Antyoche, wi oere apostlis in diuerses contres. Ca_pitulo 
     xl.
     |r<b> THis Kyng Armoger regnede wel, and worthely e lande
|r24    gouernede, and Claudis Cesar, in remembrance of is
     accorde, and for reuerence and honour of his doughter, made in
     is lande a fare toune and a faire castel, and lete calle e
     toune after his owen name `Claucestre,' at now is callede
|r28 Gloucestr. and when is was al done, e Emperoure toke his
     leue, and went aeyne to Rome; and Armoger was o kyng,
     and gouernede e lande wel and nobli al his lif tyme.  and this
     Armager gete a sone on his wif, at was callede Westmere. and



|p36


     whiles at is Armoger regnede, seynt Peter prechede in Antioche;
     and ere he hade made a noble cherche, in e whiche he satte
     ferste in his chier, and ere he duellede vij ere. after, he went
 |r4 to Rome, and was made Pope, til at Nero e Emperour lete him
     martre. & o prechede openly al e Apostlis, in diuerses landes,
     e ryt fay.  And when Armoger hade regnede xxiiij ere, he
     deyde, and lith at London~.
 |r8 How Kyng Westmer af to Berynger an Ilande forlete; and
     ere is Beringer made e toune of Berwik. Capitulo xlj.
     |r<b> ANd after is Armoger, regnede his sone Westmer, a gode man,
        and a wori of body, and wel gouernede e lande.  Hit
|r12 bifelle so at tydynges come to him oppon~ |r[f.14v] a day, at e Kyng
     Rodrik of Gascoigne was comen into is lande wi an huge
     noumbre of peple, and was duellyng in Steynesmore. and when
     Kyng Westmer herde o tydyngus, he lete assemble a grete host
|r16 of Britons, and come to e Kyng Rodrik, and af him bataile. and
     Kyng Westmer quellede Rodrik wi his owen hondes in pleyne
     bataile; and when at kyng Rodrikes men saw at here Lorde was
     dede, ai olden ham alle to e Kyng Westmer, and bicome his
|r20 men for euermore; and he af ham a contre at was forlete, wher-in
     ai myt duelle; and ider ai went, and duellede ere al here lifes
     tyme; and ix C men ere were of ham, and nomo lefte alif at
     at bataile. Here gouernour and her prince, me callede Berynger;
|r24 and anone he biganne a toune, at ai myt erein duelle and haue
     resceyt, and lete calle e toune Berwik vp Twede; and ere ai
     duellede, and bicome riche. but ai nade no wymmen amonges
     ham, and e Britons wolde nout eue here doutres to o
|r28 Straungers; Wherfore ai went ouere e see into Irland, and brout
     with ham Wymmen, and ham o spousede; but e men coue
     nout vnderstonde e langage ne e speche of e wymmen,
     neyer e wymmen of e men, and erefore ai speken
|r32 to-gederes as scottes; and aftirwarde, rou chaungeyng of her



|p37


     langages, in al Fraunce ei were callede o Scottes: and so ai
     shal be callede for euermore.
     How Kyng Westmer Lete arere a stone in e entryng of West_merland,
 |r4 ere at he slout Rodrik; & ere he biganne
     ferste Housyng,  Capitulo  Quadragesimo  Secundo.
     |r<b> ANd after this bataile at is aboue-saide, when Rodrik |r[f.15r] Was
        dede, Kyng Westmer, in remembraunce of his Victorie, lete
 |r8 arere ere, bisides e way, a grete stone in hye, -- & itte it
     stande, and euermore shal stande, -- and Lete graue in e stone
     lettres at us saide: `The Kyng Westmere of Britaigne quellede
     in is place Rodrik his enemy.'  And is Westmere was e ferst
|r12 man at made tounes and hous in Engeland. and at at stone
     bigynneth Westmerland, at Westmer lete calle after his owen
     name. and when Westmer hade so done, he duellede al his Lif
     tyme in at contre of Westmerland, for he louede at contre more;
|r16 and when he hade regnede xxv ere, he deide. & li at  Karleie.
     Of Kyng Coil, at was Westmeres sone, at helde his lande in
     pees his lif-tyme.  Capitulo xl Tercio.
     |r<b> After is Kyng Westmer, regnede his sone Coil, a goode man
|r20    and a wori, and of gode condicions, and wel gouernede his
     lande, and of alle men he hade loue and pees; and in his tyme
     was neuer contak, debate, ne werre in Britayn; and he regnede and
     was kyng in pees al his lif-tyme. & When he hade bene kyng
|r24 xj ere, he deide, and li at ork.
     How Kyng Lucye regnede after Coel his fader, at was a
     gode man; and after, he bicome cristen.  Capitulo xl
      Quarto.
|r28 |r<b> After Kyng Coel, regnede Lucie his sone, at was a gode man
        to God and to al e peple. he sent to Rome, to Apostle
     Eulenchie, at o was, and seide at he wolde bicome a cristen
     man, and resceyue baptisme in e name of God, and turne to e



|p38


     ryt bileue.  Eulenchie sent ij legates, at me callede Pagan and
     Elibrayne, into is lande, and baptisede e kyng and alle his
     menye, and after went fro |r[f.15v] toune to toune, and baptisede e
 |r4 peple til al at Lande was baptisede, and is was in e c. lvj
     ere after e Incarnacion~ of Ihesu Crist. and is kyng Lucye
     made o in is lande ij erchebisshoppes, on at Kaunterbery and
     anoere at ork, and oere meny bisshopes at it bene in is
 |r8 lande.  And when ise ij legates hade baptisede al e lande,
     ai ordeynedes prestes forto baptisen childern and forto make e
     Sacrament; and after, ai went aeyne to Rome, and e kyng
     duellede in his lande, and regnede with michel honour xi j ere,
|r12 and after deide, and li at Gloucestre.
     How is lande was longe wiouten a kyng; and how e
     Britons chosen a kyng.  Capitulo  Quadragesimo.
      Quinto.
|r16 |r<b> THis kyng Lucie hade none heire of his body bigeten, at was
        afterwarde grete harme and sorwe to e lande; ffor, after
     is kyng Lucies deth, none of e grete lordes of e lande wolde
     suffren an-oere to bene kyng, but leuede in werre and debate
|r20 amonges ham l. ere wiouten kyng. but o it bifel aftirwarde
     at a grete Prince come fro Rome into is lande at me callede
     Seuerey; nout forto werr, but forto saue e ryght of Rome.
      But noeles, he nade nout duellede half ere in is lande, at
|r24 e Britons ne quellede him. when o of Rome wiste at Seuerey
     was so slayn, ai sent anoere grete lorde into is lande, at me
     callede Allec, at was a stronge man, and a myty of body, and
     duellede in is lande Longe tyme, and dede miche sorwe to e
|r28 Britons, so at after, for pure malice, ai chosen ham a kyng
     amonges ham, at me callede Astlepades, and assemblede a grete
     host of e Britouns, and went to London to seche Allec; and
     ere a founde |r[f.16r] him, and quellede him and alle his felawes at



|p39


     were wi him, but one of his felawes, at me clepede Waloun,
     defendet him fersly, and faut longe with e Britouns, but at e
     laste he was descomfitede; and e Britons token him, and bounde
 |r4 him Hondes and feete, and caste him into a water; wher-fore at
     water afterwarde was clepede euermore Walbroke.  o regnede
     is Astlepades in quiete, til one of his erles at me callede Coel,
     made a faire toune aeynes e kynges wille, and lete calle e toune
 |r8 Colchestre after his name, wherfore e kyng was ful wroth, and
     out destroie e erle, and bigan to werre vppon~ him, and brout
     grete power, and af bataile to e erl. and e erl defendede him
     fersly with his power, and slough e kyng him-self in at bataile;
|r12 and o was Coel cronede, and made kyng of is land.  is Coel
     regnede and gouernede e lande wel and nobly, for he was a noble
     man, and wel bilouede amonges e Britons.  When o of Rome
     herde at Astlepades was slayne, ai were wonder glade, and sent
|r16 anoere grete prince of Romayns, at me callede Constance; and
     he come to e Kyng Coil forto chalange e truage at was
     wont to bene paiede to Rome; and e kyng ansuerede wel and
     worely, and saide at he wolde paye to Rome al at ryt and
|r20 resoun~ wolde, wi godewil; and so ai accordede o wi goode
     wil, and wiouten eny contak; and boe ai duellede togeder in
     loue.  The Kyng Coel af his douter Elyne to Constance, forto
     haue here for his spouse, at was boe faire, wise, and gode, and
|r24 wel lettrede: and is Constance spousede here ere with michel
     honour. and it bifelle sone afterwarde, at is kyng Coel |r[f.16v] deide
     in the ere of his regne xiij, & Lith at Colchestre enterede.
     Of Kyng Constance, at was a Romayn, at was chosen kyng
|r28 after e deth of Coel, for-asmiche at he hade
     spousede Elyn, at was Kyng Coeles douter. Capitulo
     xlvj=o=.
     |r<b> After is Kyng Coel, Constance was made kyng, and cronede,
|r32    for-asmiche as he hade spousede Kyng Coele douter, at
     was heire of e lande. e whiche Constance regnede and worely



|p40


     gouernede e lande; and he bigate on his wif Elyn, a sone at me
     callede Constantyn. and is kyng bare trew fay, and trewly dede
     to ham of Rome al his lif. & when he hade regnede xv ere, he
 |r4 deide, and li atte ork.
     How Constantyne, at was Kyng Constance sone, & e sone of
     seynt Elyne, gouernede and rewlede e lande, & was
     Emperour of Rome.  Capitulo xl Septimo.
 |r8 |r<b> After Kyng Con[s]tance deth, Constantyne, his sone of seynt
        Elyne, at founde at croice in e holy londe, and how
     Constantyne bicome Emperoure of Rome.  Hit bifel so in at
     tyme ere was an Emperour atte Rome, a sarasyne, a tyraunt, at
|r12 me callede Maxence, at put to e deth alle at bileuede in God,
     and destroiede holy cherche by alle his power, and slought Cristen
     men at he myt fynde; and amonge alle oere, he lete martre Seynt
     Kateryne, and meny oere cristen peple at hade drede of deth,
|r16 ai fledden and comen into is lande to Kyng Constantyne, and
     tolde him of e sorwe at Maxence dede to al cristiente. Wherof
     Constantyn hade pite, and grete sorwe made, and assemblede a
     grete hoste and grete power, and went ouere see to Rome, and
|r20 toke e citee, and quellede al at erin were mescreaunt, at
     he myt fynde.  And o was he made Emperoure, |r[f.17r] And was a
     gode man, and gouernede him so wel, at al e Landes to him
     were entendaunt forto be vnder his gouernaile.  And is deuel
|r24 tyraunt Maxence, at o was in e lande of Greke, when he
     herde is tydynges, he bicome wode, and sodeynely deide, and
     so he endede his lif.
     When Constantyne went fro is land to Rome, he toke wi
|r28 him his moder Elyn, for e michel wisedome at she coue, and
     re oere grete lordes at he moste louede: at one me callede Hoel,
     anoere me callede Taberne, and e ridde Morhyn; and toke al
     his lande to kepe vnto e Erl of Cornwaile, at men callede
|r32 Octouyan.  anone as is Octouian wiste at his lorde was
     duellyng at Rome, he seisede al e lande into his honde, and erwi



|p41


     dede al his wil amonges heye and law, & o helde him for kyng.
      when is tydyng come to Constantyne e Emperoure, he woxe
     wonder wroe towarde e Erl Octouyan, and sent Taberne with xij
 |r4 m=l= men forto destroye the erl for his falsenesse, and arryuede at
     Portesmouthe.  And when Octouyan wiste at, he assemblede a
     grete power of Britons, and descomfitede Taberne.  And Taberne
     fledde ens into Scotlande, and ordeynede ere a grete power, and
 |r8 come aeyne into is lande forto eue bataile anoere tyme to
     Octouyan.  When Octouyan herde telle at, he assemblede a
     grete power, and come towarde Taberne as miche as he myt, so
     at o ij hostes metten oppon Staynesmore, and strongely smyte
|r12 to-gederes. and o was Octouyan descomfitede, and fledde ens
     into Norwaye; and Taberne seisede al e lande into his hande,
     Tounes, castelles, and as mich as ai ere hade.  And sienes
     Octouyan come aeyne fro Norway wi a grete power, & slough
|r16 Taberne, & seisede al e lande aeyne into his honde, & drof
     oute alle e Romayns, |r[f.17v] and was o made Kyng, and regnede.
     How Maximian, at was e Emperoure cosyn of Rome
     spousede Octouyane douter, and was made kyng,
|r20  Capitulo xlviij=o=.
     |r<b> THis Kyng Octouian gouernede is lande wel and nobly;
        but he nad none heire, saf a douter at was a onge
     childe, at he louede as miche as his lif. and forasmiche at he wax
|r24 sike, and was in poynt of de, and myt no lenger regne, he wolde
     haue made one of his Neveus to haue bene kyng, e whiche was
     a noble knyt and stronge man, at me callede Conan Merche_dok, 
     and he shulde haue kepte e kynges douter, & haue mariede
|r28 her when tyme hade bene; but e lordes of e lande wolde nout
     suffre hit, but af here conseile to bene mariede to some hye man
     of great honour, and an myt she haue al her wille at e conseile
     of e Emperoure Constantyne, here Lorde. and at is conseile, ai
|r32 accordede and chose o Cador, Erl of Cornewail, forto wende



|p42


     to e Emperour to done is message. and he toke e way,
     and went to Rome, and tolde e Emperour is tydynges wel
     and wiselich. and e Emperoure sent o into is lande with him
 |r4 his owen cosyn, at was his Vncles sone, a noble knyt and
     stronge, at me callede Maximian; and he spousede Octouyanus
     douter, and was cronede kyng of is lande.
     How Maximian, at was e Emperourres cosyn, conquerede the
 |r8 Lande of Amorican, and af it to Conan Meriedok.
      Capitulo xlix=o=.
     |r<b> THis Kyng Maximian bicome so real, at he out conquere e
        lande of Amorican for e grete richesse at he harde telle
|r12 at was in at lande; so at he ne lefte |r[f.18r] man at was of wori_nesse
     -- knyt, squyer, ne none oere man -- at he ne toke ham
     with him, to grete damage and harme to al e lande, but nome ham
     with him fram is lande, xxx M=l= knytes at were doughty mennes
|r16 bodyes, and went ouer into e lande of Amorican, and ere slough
     e kyng at me callede Imbal, and conquerede al e lande.  And
     when he hade so done, he callede Conan, and saide: "For-asmiche
     as e Kyng Octouyan wolde haue made ow kyng of Britaigne, and
|r20 rou me e were lette and destourblede, at e were nout kyng,
     I eue ow al is lande of Amorican, and ow erof make kyng.
      And for-asmiche as e beth a Britoun~, and oure men also, and
     bene comen fram Britaigne, I wille at is lande haue e same
|r24 name, and nomore bene callede Amorican, but bene callede `litel
     Britaigne'; and e lande fro whens e bee comen shal bene
     callede `michel Britaigne'; and so shul men know at one
     Britaigne fram at oere." Conan Meriedok ankede him hende_liche;
|r28 and so was he made kyng of litel Britaigne. and when
     al is was done, Maxence went ens to Rome, and ere was
     made Emperour after Constantyne.  Conan Meriedok duellede
     in litel Britaigne with michel honour, and lete ordeyne ij M=l=



|p43


     ploughmen of e lande forto erie e lande, to harwe it and sowe,
     and feffede ham alle rychely, after at ai were.  ands for_asmiche 
     at Kyng Conan, ne none of his knytes, ne none of his
 |r4 oere peple, wolde nout take wifes of e nacion~ of Fraunce, he o
     sent into grete Britaig[n]e, to e Erl of Cornewaile at me callede
     Dionotho, at chees rou-oute alle e lande xj M=l= |r[f.18v] of maydenes,
     at is to seyne, viij M=l= for the mene peple, and iij M=l= for e
 |r8 grettest lordes at schulde ham spouse.  And when Dionotho
     hade tak is commandement, he lete o seche rou-out al grete
     Britaigne as meny as e nombre come to, for noman derst wistande
     his commandement, for-asmichel as al e lande was taken him
|r12 to warde and kepe, to do al ing at him o likede.  And
     when alle e maydenes were assemblede, he lete ham comme
     bifore him to London~, and lete ordeyne for ham shippes hastely,
     as miche as ham nedet to at viage, and toke his owen doughter
|r16 at me callede Vrsula, at was e faireste creature at eny man
     wist, and wolde haue sent her to Kyng Conan, at shulde haue
     spousede here, and made here quene of litel Britaigne; but she
     hade made priuely to God a vow of chastite, at here fader wiste
|r20 it nout, ne noman elles at was leuyng oppon~ ere.
   
     How Vrsula, and xj M=l= of maydenes at were in here company,
     went towarde litil Britaigne, & al were martrede at
|r24 Coloigne.  Capitulo  Quinquagesimo.
     |r<b> THis Vrsula chees into her company xj M=l= maydenes at of
        al oere she was lady and maistres; and alle ai went into
     e shippis at on tynle, in e water at me calle Tamise; and
|r28 commandede her kyn and alle her frendes to almyty God, and
     sailede for towarde litel Britaigne. But when ai were comen in
     e hye see, a stronge tempest arose, as it was Goddes wil; and Vrsula,
     wi her shippis and here company, was dryuen, and o xj M=l=
|r32 maidenes, toward Hundelande, rou tempest, and arryuede in e



|p44


     hauen of |r[f.19r] e citee of Coloigne.  The kyng of e lande, at me
     callede Gowan, was o in e citee; and when he wist o tydynges,
     at so meny faire maydenes were ere arryuede, he tok Elga his
 |r4 broer, and oere of his householde, wi him, and went to e
     shippes to see at fair company. and when he sawe ham so faire,
     he and his company wolde haue ham ouerlayne, and bynome
     here maydenhode.  but Vrsula, at gode mayde, conseilede,
 |r8 prayede, warnede, and taute ham at were here felowes, at ai
     shulde defende ham wi al her myt, and raer suffre deth an
     suffre here bodyes bene defoulede.  So at alle e maydenes
     bicome so stedefast in God, at ai defendede ham rou his
|r12 grace, so at none of ham hade power to done ham eny shame;
     wherfore e kyng was so sore annoiede, at he, for wra, lete slee
     ham euerychon~ anone ryght; and so were alle e maidenes
     martrede for e loue of God, and ligget at Coloyn.
|r16 How Kyng Gowan come forto destroye is lande; and how
     aman of grete power, at me callede Gracian, defendede e
     lande.  Capitulo  Qui[n]quagesimo  Primo.
     |r<b> WHen al is was done, Kyng Gowan, at was a sarasyn,
|r20    callede his broer Elga, and saide to him at he shulde
     gone to conquere e lande at alle o faire maydenes were borne
     in. and he ordeynede o a grete power of Peihtes, of Denmarc, of
     Orkeneye, and of Norwaye, and ai comen into is lande, and brent
|r24 tounes, and slough folc, and caste adone cherches and houses of
     religioun~, and robbede the lande in lengh and in brede, and put
     to deth alle o at wolde noght forsake e ryght bileue and cristen_dome, 
     for-asmiche as ere was none souerayne in the lande at
|r28 myt ham helpe or |r[f.19v] defende.  For e Kyng Maximian hade
     taken wi him alle e wori men, when he went to conquere litil
     Britaigne. and in e same tyme at e hure now telle, was Seynt
     Albone martrede rou e wode tyraunt Diodician in e same place,
|r32 wherin is now an Abbay made of Seynt Albone, whiles at he was
     a paynyme.  But he conuertede him towarde God, rou e pre_dicacioun 
     of a grete clerc and a wyse, at me callede Ancibell, at



|p45


     was herburghede a nyght in hx is house; and is was after e Incar_nacion
     ~ of Ihesu Crist.ij C. iiij. vj ere. and men shullen vnder
     stonde at Seynt Albone soffrede his martredome bifore at Seynt
 |r4 Edmunde was martrede; and erfore is seynt Albone callede e
     ferst martre of Engelande.  This Gowanus broer, & his folk,
     at were Sarasynes, went rou-oute e Lande, and destroyede al
     ing at ai fonde; and no ing a ne sparede.  When is tyd_yng 
 |r8 come to Rome, how at Kyng Gowan hade bigonne forto
     destroye is lande, e Emperour and o of Rome sent a stronge
     man, and of grete power, at me callede Gracian, w[ith] xxiiij
     M=l= men wel feightyng, forto caste oute Sarasynes of is lande, and
|r12 alle ai arryuede at Portesmouthe. Maximian myt nout come
     him-self, for-asmiche as he was chosen Emperoure after e de of
     Constantyn, at was Seynt Elynes sone.  When is Gracian was
     arryuede wi his host, he lete aspie priuelys wher e Kyng Gowan
|r16 myt bene founden; and he come vppon him sodeynly, as
     ai Lay in her beddes, and descomfitede ham, and sloughe
     echeon, at non of hem Ascaped saf Gowan, at fledde with
     mych sorowe in-to his cuntre. Sone aftir yt byfel at Maximian
|r20 was slayn at Rome, urgh treson; And when Gracian wyst e
     tydynge, he let Croune hym kyng of is land.
     How Gracyan made hym kyng whan Maximian was slayn; &
     after, e Brytouns quelled hym for his wikkydnesse.
|r24 Capitulo quinquagesimo ij=o=.
     |r<b> This Gracian, when he gan forto regne, he bycome so wykked
        & so sterne, & so mych sorow wrought to e Britoun~s, at
     ey slow hym amonges hem.  Tho Kyng Gowan had vndirstande
|r28 at Gracian was do to deth, he Assembled a gret power, & come
     aen in-to is land; & yf he had arst don a grete harme, o dede
     he mych more; for o distroyed he al this land, & al Crysten peple
     at was in Myche Brytaigne, so at no man was so hardy for-to
|r32 nempne God; & ho at dede, anon he was put to strong deth.



|p46


      But e bysshop of London at was o, at me called Gosselyn,
     scaped, & went ens to hem of Rome, to seche socour for-to helpe
     dystroye e Sarain at had dystroyed is land.  And e
 |r4 Romayns seyde at ey hadde be so ofte anoyed for her sendyng
     after folk in-to Brytaigne, al for-to helpe e Britouns, & ey wold
     no more so do. And so e Bysshop Gosselyn went ens with-oute
     ony Socour or helpe; & o went he to e Kyng of litil Brytaigne,
 |r8 at me called Aldroye, & is was e iij kyng after Gowan Meridiok,
     as bifore is sayd. The bysshop prayed this Kyng Aldroye of socour
     & of helpe. the kyng hadde herd how e bysshop fledde, & how
     at e Crystene men were slayn in gret Brytaigne urgh Paynyms
|r12 & Sarain, & he graunted hym Constantyn his broer, hym for-to
     helpe, with Poer of folk, & hem dede arraye hors armure, &
     schippes, & al thing at hem neded to at viage. and when al
     thing was redy, he called e bysshop, & to hym seyd: "I take ou
|r16 here to helpe & socour Constantyn my broer, vpon this couenaunt,
     at if God ife hym grace, e Paynems & Sarain~s to schende &
     discomfite, at anne e make hym kyng of e land": & e bysshop
     yt graunted with good wyll.  Constantyn & e bysshop nome
|r20 leue o of e Kyng Aldroye, & by-took hym to God, & nome her
     men xij M=l=, & went in-to her schippes, & sayled toward e gret
     Brytaigne, & Arryued in Tottenesse. whan e Britouns herd e
     tydyng at to hem come socour, ey were stronglich holpyn, &
|r24 ordeigned hem an huge nombre of peple, |r[f.17v] & come to hem, & hem
     vndirfongen with mychel honour.  Gowan, anon as he wyste of
     this yng, he Assemblyd all e Sarain, & come aens hym, & af
     batayll. And Constantyn slow hym with his owne hand; & all e
|r28 othere Sarain were discomfited & slayn, at non aschaped but o
     at were conuerted vnto God.
     How Constantyn, at was e kynges broer of litel Britaigne,
     was Crouned kyng, for his worines, of mych Bretaigne.
|r32 Capitulo liij=o=.
     |r<b> Anon, aftir e batayll, alle ey went to London, & crowned ere
        Constantyn, & made hym kyng of is lond. And e bysshop
     Gosselyn sette e Croune vpon his hed, & anoynted hym, as



|p47


     falleth to A kyng for-to be; & o bygan Crystendom. This
     Constantyn, whan he was Crouned, anon aftir he spoused his
     wyf urgh counceil of e Britouns; & he begate iij Sones on her:
 |r4 e ferst me called Constaunce, at other Aurylambros, & e iij
     Vter.  Constance, e eldest brother, when he come to Age, made
     hym a monke at Wynchestre. Constantyn here fadir was slayn
     urgh treson; for it byfell vpon a tyme at a Pohete come to hym
 |r8 vpon a day, in Message as yt were, & seyd at he wolde speke
     with e kyng pryuyly in Counceyl. The kyng lete voyde his
     Chambre of o men at were with-Inne; & o Abides ere nomo
     but e kyng & e Pohete, & made a Contenaunce as ey wolde
|r12 speke to-gidere in his ere; & ere he qwelled hym with a long
     knyf; & after, went qweyntly out of e Chambre in-to anoer
     Chambre; so at e laste no man wyst wher he was bycome.
            When e kynges men it wyste, at here lord was so ded, ei made
|r16 so mych sorowe ey nyst all what for-to done, for-as-mych
     as his ij sones, Aurylambros & Vter, weren so yenge at non of
     hem myght be kyng; & e iij broer was monke at Wynchestre,
     as I sayd before.  But Vortiger, at was Erl of Westsex, ought
|r20 pryuylyl in his herte, thurgh queyntise, to be kyng; & went to
     Wynchestre er at Constaunce was monk, & to hym seyde:
     "Constaunce," quod he, "oure fadir is ded, & our ij breerin at
     ben with Gosselyn, e bysshop of London, to noryssh, beth so yeng,
|r24 at non of hem may be kyng; wherfore y counseyle at e forsake
     oure Abyte, & come with me, & I schal do so to e Brytouns at
     e schul be made kyng."
     Of Constaunce, at was Constantynus sone, at was Monk at
|r28 Wynchestr; & how he was made kyng after his faders
     deth, urgh Counceill of Vortiger, at was Erle of Westsex,
     for-as-mych as Aurilambros & Vter, his if breerin, were
     but of yonge age, & was slayn. Capitulo liiij=o=.
|r32 |r<b> This Vortiger counceyled is Constaunce so mych tyl he forsook
        his Abyte, & went with hym. & anon aftir, he was Crouned
     and made kyng by Assent of e Brytouns. This kyng Constance,



|p48


     whan he was crouned & made kyng, he wyst ne knew but litil of
     e world, ne cowde |r[f.18r] no thing as knyghthood axed, he made
     Vortiger his maister & his chef Counceillour, & yaf hym all his
 |r4 power, for-to ordeigne & do as myche as to e reaume perteyned, so
     at hym-self no ing entrauelled, but only bare e name of kyng.
      Whan Vortiger saw at he had al e land in his warde &
     gouernayle, at his owne wyll, he ought A pryue Treson, &
 |r8 ought to sle Constance e kyng, at he myght hym-self be
     Crouned & made kyng & regne, & lete sende after a C knyghttes
     of Pehetes, e worthiest of e land, & hem helde with hym, to
     duelle wi him, and |r[f.20r] to bene Kepers of his body, as he wolde
|r12 wende rou e lande to ordeyne inges at perteynede to a Kyng.
      And is Vortiger honourede so miche o C knytes, and so miche
     af ham of golde and siluer, & so ryche rewell, robes, hors, and
     oere noble plente, wherfore ai helde him more lorde an ai
|r16 deden e kyng.  And Vortyger tolde ham, if at he moste
     bene kyng, he, as it were rou tresoun, he wolde make ham
     richest of e lande. so at the laste, rou grete iftes at he hade
     eue largely, ai crieden rou e court at Vortiger were better
|r20 wori ben kyng an Constance; wherfore Vortiger made sem_blant 
     as au he hade bene wro, and departede ens fro e
     court, and saide he most gone elles-where for ing at he hade to
     done; and so e traitoure ede for enchesoun~ at ai shulde
|r24 slee him, at is to seyne, Constance.  When is Vortiger was
     gone, hit bifelle sone after at o C knyt of Peightes breken
     e dores of e kynges chambre, and ere ai him slough and smoten
     of his heuede, and bare it to Vortiger ere at he duellede. and
|r28 when Vortyger saw at heuede, he wepte ful tenderly wi his eye;
     and noelese he was some dele glade of his deth, and anone lete
     take o C knytes of Peightes, & bonde here hondes bihynde
     ham, and lade ham to London~; & ere ai were dampnede to deth



|p49


     as false traitoures.  and anone after, al e britons of e lande, by
     commune assent, cronede ere Vortiger, & made him kyng of e
     lande.
 |r4 How e wardeynes at hade o if childerne to kepe, at were
     |r[f.20v] Constantines sones, lade ham to litel Britaigne, for the
     tresoun~ and falsenesse of Vortiger.  Capitulo  Quin_quagesimo 
      Quinto.
 |r8 |r<b> THis kyng Vortyger, when he was cronede, o at hade e ij
        childerne in kepyng, Aurilambros and Vter, rou ordenance
     of Gosselyn, at was bisshop of London~ at his de, derst nout
     duelle in the lande wi e childerne, but lade ham to e kyng of
|r12 litel Britaigne, forasmiche as he o wiste e tresoun of Vortiger, at
     o was made Kyng, rou wham Constance here broer was slayn,
     wherfore o C knytes of Peightes were put to e deth, and bare
     al e blame, as eit Vortiger hade nout wiste erof, noer erto
|r16 consentede; and so e Kepers of o ij childerne drades laste
     Vortiger wolde put ham to deth, rou his tresoun~ and falsenesse, as
     he hade done her broer biforne; and erfor ai wer ladde ouer
     into litel Britaigne, and e kyng ham resceyuede wi michel
|r20 honour, and lete ham to norisshe; and ere ai duellede til ai
     bicome fair knyte, & st[r]ong and ferse, and out euer to
     bene avengede of e deth of Constantyne here broer, when
     ai saw here tyme; and so ai deden, as e shul hur aftirward.
|r24  Hit was nout long after, at e tydynges ne come ouer e see,
     to e kynrede of e C knyte of Peightes at were dampnede and
     put to e deth rou Vortiger in is lande; erfore ai weren
     wonderly wroe, & sworen at ai [would be avenged of her
|r28 kins death,] and comen into is lande wi a grete power, & rob_beden 
     in meny places, & slou, & dede al e sorw at ai
     myt.  When Vortyger hit wiste, he |r[f.21r] made sorw ynow and



|p50


     sore was annoyede; and in a-noer partie also tydynges come
     at Aurilambros & Vter ordeynede ham, and assemblede a grete
     hoste forto come into michel Britaigne, at is to seyne, into is
 |r4 lande, to bene avenged of Constance de her broers; so at
     in one half and in at oer he was brout into so miche sorwe
     at he nyst whider to wende.
     How Engist and xj M=l= men come into is lande, to whom
 |r8 Vortiger af a place at is callede Thongecastell.
     Capitulo lvj=to=.
     |r<b> ANd sone after is sorw, tidynges come to Vortiger, at a
        grete nauye of straungers were arryuede in Kent; but
|r12 ai wist nout whens ai were, ne wherfore ai were comen.
      The Kyng sent anone messagers ider, at somme of ham
     shulde come and speke wi him, forto wete what folc ai werne,
     and what ai axede, and into what contre ai wolde gone.  ere
|r16 were ij breerne, Prynces and maistres of at straunge company:
     at on me callede Engist, and at oere Horn~. Engist went o
     to e kyng, & tolde to him encheson~ wher-fore ai were ere
     arryuede in his lande, and saide: "sire! we beth of a contre
|r20 at is callede Saxoyne, at is, e Lande of Germayn, wherin is
     so miche sorw, at e peple is so myche at e lande may
     nout ham sustene ne suffice.  The maystres & Prynces at
     haue e lande to gouerne and rewele, shul done come bifore
|r24 ham men and wymmen, e boldest at bene amonges ham
     and best mowen trauaile into diuerse londes; and so ai
     |r[f.21v] shal ham eue Horse and harneyse, armure, and al ing at
     ham nede; and after ai say to ham at ai go into anoer
|r28 contre, wher at ai mowen leue, as here auncestres deden
     biforne ham. and erfore, sire kyng, if e haue out to



|p51


     done wi oure company, we bene comen into oure lande; and
     wi gode wille ow wil serue, and our lande helpe, kepe, &
     defende fram oure enemys, if at ow nede."  when Vortiger
 |r4 herde is tydynges, he saide he wolde gladeliche wihalde ham,
     oppon soche couenant, if ai myt delyuer his lande of his enemys,
     he wolde eue ham resonable landes, wher ai shulde duelle for
     euermore.  Engist ankede him godeliche; and in is maner he
 |r8 and his company,  xj. M=l= men, shulde duelle wi e Kyng
     Vortiger; and so miche ai deden rou here boldenesse, at ai
     delyuerede e lande clene of here enemys.  o praiede Engist
     e Kyng, of so miche lande at he myt make to him a citee, for
|r12 him and for his menye.  The kyng ansuerede & saide, `it
     was nout forto done wiouten conseile of his Brltons.'
      Engist prayede him eftesones of as miche place as he myt
     compasse wi a twonge of a skyn, wher-oppon he myt make him
|r16 a maner, and for his to duelle in; and e kyng grantede it
     frely.  o tok Engist a bole skyn, and cotte it as smale as he
     myt, al into a twonge al rounde, & er-wi compassede as miche
     lande as he compassede; wher-oppon he made a faire castel.
|r20 and when is castel was ymade, he lete calle it Twongecastel,
     for-asmiche as e place was merkede wi a twonge.
     Of Ronewenne, at was Engistes doughter, and how Kyng
     Vortyger [spou]sede her for here beaute. C. lvij=mo=.
|r24 |r<b> WHen is castel was makede, and ful wel arraiede, Engist
        priuely sent bi lettre into e contre at he come of, after
     an |r[f.22r] hundrede shippis fillede with strange men at were bolde
     and wel feityng in alle batailes; and at ai shulde bryng wi
|r28 ham Ronewenne, his douter, at was e fairest creature at eny
     man myt see.  And when e peple was comen, at he hade
     sende after', he toke ham into e castel wi michel ioye; and
     him him-self, vppon~ a day, went vnto e kyng, and prayede him
|r32 derworly at he wolde come and see his new maner, at he hade
     made in e place at he hade compassede wi e twong of e



|p52


     skyn. e kyng anone grantede him frely, and wi him went
     ider, and was wel payede wi e castel & wi e faire werk; and
     togederes ere ai eten and dranken wi michel ioye.  And
 |r4 when nyt come, at e kyng shulde go into his chambre forto
     take ere his nytes reste, Ronewenne, at was Engistes douter,
     come wi a coupe of golde in here honde, and knelede bifore e
     kyng, and saide to him "Whatsaile!" and e kyng wist nout
 |r8 what it was forto mene, ne what he shulde ansuere, for-asmiche as
     himself ne none of his Britons itte coue none Englisshe speke,
     ne vnderstonde it, but speken o at same langage at Britons
     itte done.  Noeles, a Latymer tolde e kyng e fulle vnder_stondyng 
|r12 erof 'whatsaill'; and at oer shulde ansuere
     `drynkehaile': and at was e ferst tyme at `whatsaile' and
     `drynkehaile' come vp into is lande; and fram at |r[f.22v] tyme into
     this tyme it Ha bene wel vsede.  The Kyng Vortiger saw e
|r16 fairenesse of Ronewenne, and his armes layde aboute here
     nek, and ries swetely cussede hir; and anone ryt he was
     vnarmerede oppon~ hire, at he desirede to haue here to wyf, and
     axede of Engist hir fader. and Engist grantede, oppon~ is
|r20 couenaunt at e kyng shulde eue him al the contre of Kent, at
     he myt duelle in, and al his peple. e kyng hym grantede priuely
     with a gode wille; and anone after he spousede e damisell. at was
     miche confusion to himself; and erfor al e Britouns bicome so
|r24 wro, for enchesoun~ at he hade spousede a womman of mysbileue,
     wherfore ai went al from him, and noing to him toke kepe,
     ne helpe him in inges at he hade to done.
     How Vortymere, at was Vortigers sone, was made kyng, &
|r28 Engist dryuen oute; & how Vortymer was slayn rou
     Ronewenne.  Capitulo lviij=o=.
     |r<b> THis Engist went into Kent, and seisede al e lande into his
        hande, for him and for al his men; and bicome in a litel
|r32 while of so grete power, & so miche peple hade, at men wist
     nout in litel tyme, whiche were e kynges men, & whiche were



|p53


     Engistes men. wherfore al Britaigne hade of ham drede, and
     saide amonges ham at, if ai ne toke oere counseil bituene
     ham, al e lande shulde be bitrayede rou Engist and his peple.
 |r4  Vortyger e kyng hade bigeten on his ferst wif iij sones: e
     ferst me callede Vortymer; e secunde, Catagren; and e ridde,
     Passent. e Britons, euerychon~ by one assent, chosen Vortymer
     forto bene here lorde, & here souerayne, and hir conseiler in
 |r8 euery |r[f.23r] bataile, and cronede him, and made him Kyng, and Wolde
     soffre Vortiger no longer to regne, for enchesoun~ of e alliance
     bituene Engist and him.  e Britons ordeynede a grete host to
     drif out Engist and his company of e lande, and af him iij
|r12 batailles: e ferst was in Kent, ere at he was lorde; e secunde
     was att Tetteford; and e ridde was in a shire a is half Cool, in
     a more. & in is batail ham mette Cattegren and Horn, Engistes
     broer, so at eueryche of ham slou oer; but for-asmiche as e
|r16 contre was euen longe bifore to Horn~, rou Vortyger, o he hade
     spousede his cosyn; ere he hade made a faire castel at me callede
     Horncastel, after his owen name.  And Vortymere was so
     annoiede for his broeres de, Cattegren, at he was dede in soche
|r20 a maner; wherfore anone he lete felle e castel to e grounde,
     and after at, he ne lefte nyt ne day til he hade dryuen out
     Engist and all his peple of e lande.  And when Engist was
     dryuen away, Ronewenne his douter made sorwe ynow, and
|r24 queyntly spake to ham at were nexte e kyng Vortymere, and
     priueest wi him. and so miche she af ham of iftes, at he was
     apoysenede, & deide at London e iiij ere of his regne; & ere
     he lith.
|r28 How e Britons chosen a-noere tyme Vortyger to bene here
     king; and Engist come into is lande aeyne, & ai fouten
     to-gedres.  Capitulo lix=o=.
     |r<b> After Vortymeres de, e Britons, by here commune assent,
|r32    Eftesones made Vortyger here kyng, vppon is couenaunt,
     at he shulde neuer after soffren Engist, ne none of his, eftesones
     shulde come into is lande.  And when al is was done,



|p54


     Ronewenne e Quene sent priuely by lettre to Engist, that she
     hade enpoisenede Vortymer, and at Vortyger her lorde aeyne
     bare e croune and regnede, and at he shulde come aeyne into
 |r4 at lande, wel arraiede wi miche peple, forto avenge him vppon
     e Britons, and to wynne his lande aeyne.  of is tydyng Engist
     made grete ioye, and apparailede him hastely wi xv M=l= men at
     were douty en euery batail. And when Vortyger herde telle at
 |r8 Engist was comen aeyne wi a grete power into is lande, he
     assemblede his Britons, and o went aeyns Engist forto haue eue
     him bataile, and his folc; but Engist drade him sore of e Britons,
     for ai hade descomfitede him biforn-hand, and dryuen him out
|r12 by streng; wherfore Engist prayede him of a loue-day, and
     saide he was nout comen forto fit, but forto haue his lande
     aeyne of Kent, if he might accorde wi e Britons, and of ham
     haue grace.  The Kyng Vortiger, rou conseile of his Britons,
|r16 grauntede a loue-day; and us it was ordeynede rou e Britons,
     at ilk loue-day shulde ben holden faste bisides Salesbury,
     vppon~ an hull; and Engist shulde come ider wi iiijc knytes,
     wiouten mo, and e kyng wi as meny of e wisest of is
|r20 lande.  And at at day e kyng come wi his conseil, as it was
     ordeynede; but Engist hade warnede his knytes priueliche, and
     ham commandede at eueryche of ham shulde put a Longe Knyf
     in his hose; and when he saide, "faire sires! now is tyme forto
|r24 speke of loue and pees," eueryche anone, eueryche shulde draw
     his knyf & slee a Britoun~. & so ai quellede xxx M=l= & lxj of
     knytes; and wi miche sorwe meny of ham ascapede; and
     Vortyger him-self was taken |r[f.24r] and Lade to Twongecastell, and put
|r28 into prisoun~; and somme of Engistes men wolde at e kyng
     hade bene brent al quyk.  And Vortiger o, to haue his lif,
     grauntede ham as miche as ai wolde axen, and af vp all e
     lande, tounes and castelles, citees and Burghes, to Engist and to
|r32 his folc. and alle e Britons fledde enns into Walys, and ere
     helde ham stille. and Engist went rou e lande, and seisede alle
     e lande with ffraunchises; and in euery place lete caste adoune



|p55


     cherche and houses of religioun~, and destroyede Cristendome
     rou e lande, and lete chaunge e name of e lande, at no man
     of his were so hardy after at tyme to calle is lande Britaigne,
 |r4 but calle it Engistes lande; and he departede alle at lande to his
     men, and ere made vij kynges forto streng e lande, at e
     Britons shulde neuer after come erin.  The ferst kyngdome
     was Kent, ere at Engist him-self regnede, and was lorde &
 |r8 maystre ouer al e oere;  Anoere kyng hade Southsex, where
     now is Chichestre;  The ridde kyng hade Westsex; The fere
     kyng hade Essex;  The v kyng hade Estangle, at now is callede
     Northfolc, Southfolc, Merchemeriche, at is to seynt, e Erldome
|r12 of Nichol;  e sixte hade Leycestreshire, Northamptonshire,
     Hereford and Huntyngdoune;  The vij hade Oxenford, Gloucestr,
     Wynchestre, Warwik and Darby-shire.
     How Vortiger went into Walis, and biganne ere a castel, at
|r16 wolde nout stande wiouten morter temprede wi
     mannes blode.  Capitulo  Sexagesimo.
     |r[f.24v] |r<b> WHen Engist hade departede al e lande in this maner
        bituene his men, he delyuerede Vortiger out of prison~,
|r20 and soffrede hym frely to gone whider at he wolde. and he
     toke his way, and went into Walys, ere at his Britons
     duellede, for-asmiche as at lande was strong and wikkede to
     wynne. and Engist neuer come ere, ne knew neuer bifore
|r24 at Lande.  Vortiger helde him ere wi his Britons, and axede
     conseil what him was best al forto done; and ai af him conseil
     to make a stronge castel at he myt him-self erin kepe and
     defende if it nede were. Masounes in hast ere were fette, and
|r28 bigonne e werk oppon~ e hull of Breigh; but certes us it bi-felle,
     at al the werk at e masounes made aday, adoune it felle
     anyt; and at ferede so iij tymes or iiij, wherof ai hadden grete
     wonder what it myt bene; & erof e kyng was sore annoiede of
|r32 at chaunce, and wist nout what to done; wherfore he lete sende
     after e wisest clerkes, and also lewede men at weren rou-out
     Walys, at myght bene fonde, for ai shulde telle wherfore e



|p56


     foundement so failede vnde[r] e werk, and at ai shulde him
     telle what was best to done. and when e wisest men longe tyme
     hade studiet, ai saide to e kyng at `he shulde done sike a
 |r4 childe borne of a woman at neuer hade wi man to done, & at
     childe he shulde sleen, & temper wi his blode e morter of e
     werk, & so shulle e werke endure euermore wiouten ende.'
     How e kyng lete seche Merlyn rou al Walys forto speke
 |r8 wi him. Capitulo lxj=o=.
     |r<b> WHen e kyng herde is, he commandede his messagers anone
        to wende rou-out al Walys, to seche at childe if ai
     myght him fynde, and at ai shulde |r[f.25r] brynge him forthwi
|r12 ham vnto him. and in recorde and witnesse of is ing, he toke
     ham his lettres, at ai ne were destourblede of no man, ne lette.
      And so faste spede ham the messagers, at ai come vnto a
     toune at me callede Kermerdyn; and as ai passede fourth in here
|r16 way, ai fonden ij childerne of xiiij ere age chiddyng togeder
     wi hastif wordes; and one of ham saide to at oer "Donebat,"
     quod he, "e done al wronge to chide or strif wi me, for e haue
     no witte ne resoun~ as I haue."  "Certes, Merlyn," quod at
|r20 oere, "of oure witte and of our resoun y make no forse, for men
     telle communeliche at e haue no ing of god, si e hade neuer
     fader, but alle men weten wel ho is oure moder."  The kynges
     messagers, when ai herde is strif bituene o ij gromes, ai axede
|r24 of men at stoden bituene ham, whens at Merlyn was born,
     & who him norisshede; and e folc ham tolde at a grete gentil_woman 
     him bare in Kermerdyne, at me callede Adhan, but neuere
     myt men wete who was e childes fader.  When e messagers
|r28 herde is tydynges, ai went anone to him at was wardeyne of e
     toune, and tolde him e kynges wille and his lettres, wherfore ai
     were comen ider.  Merlyn and his moder anone were sent
     bifore e wardeyne of e toune, and he commandede ham at ai



|p57


     shulde gone to e kyng, as hit was ordeynede by his messagers.
      Merlyn and his moder come vnto e kyng, and were vnder_fonge 
     wi michel honour; and e kyng axede of at lady `if at
 |r4 childe were her sone, and who him bigate.'  The lady ansuerede,
     ful tender wepyng, and saide she hade neuer company of man
     |r[f.25v] worldely'; "but, sire," quod shee, "as y was a onge maiden
     in my faderes chambre, and oere of grete lynage were in my
 |r8 company, at ofte were wont to playe and to solacen, I belefte
     allone in my chaumbre of my fader, & wolde nout gon~ out,
     for brennyng of e sone.  And oppon a tyme ere come a faire
     bachiler', and entrede into my chaumbre ere at I was allone; but
|r12 how he come into me, & wher, I wiste neuer, ne itte wote, for e
     dores were fast barrede; and wi me he dede game of loue, for I
     nade noer myt ne power him to defende fro me; and ofte he
     come to me in the forsaide maner, so at he bigate one me is same
|r16 childe; but neuer myt y wete of him what he was, ne whens he
     come, ne what was his name."
     Of e ansuere of Merlyn, wherfore e kyng axede whi his werk
     myght nout stande at he hade bigonne, myt nout
|r20 proue. Capitulo lxij=o=.
     |r<b> WHen Merlyn hade herde al at his moder hade saide, he
        spake to e kyng in this maner: "sire, how y was
     bigeten, axe e no more, for hit falle nout to ow ne to none
|r24 oere forto wete; but telle me e enchesone wherefore I ame
     to ow brout, and wherfore e haue sent after me."  "Certes,"
     quod e kyng, "my wise concelers hauen done me to vnderstonde
     at e morter of a werk at I haue done bigonne biheue, ben
|r28 temperede wi our blode, or e fundement shal faile for euermore."
      "Sire," quod Merlyn, "wille e slee me for my blode forto
     temper wi oure morter? "e," quod e kyng, "or elles shal
     neuer my castel stonde, as my conselers done me to vnderstonde."
|r32  o ansurede Merlyn to e kyng: "sire," he saide, "late ham
     come bifore |r[f.26r] me, o wise conselers, and I wil proue at ai say



|p58


     nout wel ne trewely. and when e wise were comen, Merly
     axede if his blode were e enchesoun to make e werke stande to
     endure. Alle ise wise were abasshede, and cou nout ansuere.
 |r4  Merlyn o saide to e kyng: "sire, I shal telle ow e encheson
     wherfore our werk us faile and may nout stande. ere is
     vnder e mountaigne ere at e haue bigonne our tour a grete
     ponde of water; and in e botume of e ponde, vnder e water,
 |r8 ere be ij dragons, -- at one is white, and at oere rede, -- at
     feiten to-geder ageyne oure werk. Do myne depe til our men
     come to the ponde, and doth our men take away e water al out,
     and an e shul see e dragons, as I haue ow tolde, o togederes
|r12 feiten ageyne our werk; and is is e encheson~, certes, wher_fore 
     our fundement faile."  the kyng anone lete degge
     vnder, til at men come to e ponde, & lete do away al e water;
     and ere ai fonde ij dragons, as Merlyn hade tolde, at egrely
|r16 fouten togederes; e white dragoun~ egrely assailede e rede, and
     laide on him so strong at he myt nout endure, but widrowe
     him, & hidde him in the same Cafe, and restede.  And when he
     hade awhile restede, he went bifore, and assailede e rede dragoun~
|r20 angrely, and assailede him so sore at he myt nout aeynes him
     endure, but with-drow him and restede. And after come aeyne
     e white dragoun~, and strongely fout wi e reede dragoune, and
     bote him euel, & him ouer-come, at he fley ens, and nomore come
|r24 aeyne.
     |r[f.26v] Of e significacions of o ij dragounes at were in e botume
     of e ponde, at fouten togederes. Capitulo Sexagesimo
     tercio.
|r28 |r<b> THe Kyng Vortiger and his men, at saw is bataile, hade
        grete mervaile, and praede Merlyn to telle him what it myght
     bitoken. "Sire," quod Merlyn, "y shal ow telle: the rede dragoun~
     bitokene oure-self, & e white bitokene e folc of Saxoine, at
|r32 ferst e toke and helde in is lande, at now feiten aeines ow,



|p59


     and ow haue dryuen and enchacede.  But e Britons at bene
     of our lynage ouercome ham, and dryuen ham awhile; and sien,
     at e comyng aeyne of e Saxoynes, ai recouerede is lande, and
 |r4 helde hit for euermore, and dryuen oute e Britouns, and dede wi
     is lande al her wille, & destriede cristendome rououte is lande.
      e hade ferst ioye of here commyng, but now it is turnede to
     ow grete damage & sorwe; ffor o ij breerne of Constance at was
 |r8 kyng, at e lete slee, shul comen bifore a Quinime passede wi
     a grete power fram litel Britaigne, and shul avenge e de of hire
     broer: ai shal brenne ow ferst wi sorwe, & after ai shul sle
     a grete partie of e Saxoynes, and shul dryue al e remanent
|r12 oute of the lande; and erfore abide e no longer to make no
     castell ne none oere werk, but anone gone elle-where, oure lif
     forto saue. to God I ow bitake, for treu I haue I-saide to ow
     of ing at shal bifalle. And vnderstonde wel at Aurilambros
|r16 shal bene kyng, but he shal bene enpoisenede, and litil
     while regne."
     Of Kyng Aurilambros; how he pursuede Vortiger and Engist,
     and how ai deiden. Capitulo Sexagesimo Quarto.
|r20 |r<b> MErlyn and his moder departede fro e kyng, and turnede
        |r[f.27r] aeyne to Kermerdyn. and so after tydynges come to
     e Britons at Aurilambros and Vter his broer were arryuede at
     Tottenesse wi a grete host, and e Britouns anone assemblede
|r24 ham, & went to vnderfong Aurilambros and Vter wi grete nobleye,
     & ladde ham to London~, and cronede ere Aurylambros, and
     made him kyng, and deden to him homage. and he axede
     wher Vortiger at was kyng myght bene founden, for he wolde
|r28 bene avengede of his broere de, and after he wolde werre
     oppon paynymes: and ai tolde him at Vortiger was in Walis;
     and so ai ladde him iderward.  Vortiger wist wel at o ij
     breerne come him to conquere, & fleye ens into a castel at me



|p60


     callede Generth, at stode vppon an hye mounteyne, & ere him
     helde.  Aurylambros, and Vter his broer, and hire folc, hade
     bisegede e castel longe tyme, for e castel was stronge and wel
 |r4 arraiede; so at e laste ai cast wilde fire, and brent hous and men,
     and al here arraye, & as miche as was wiin e castel, so at Vortiger
     was brent amonge alle oere; and so deide he with michel sorwe.
      o was Engist in Kent, and regnede ere, and herde is tydynges
 |r8 and anone fledde, and wolde haue wende into Scotland forto haue
     hade socour, but Aurilambros and his men mette wi him in the
     North contre, and af him bataile, & Engist and his men ham
     defendede whiles ai myght, but he and his folc were descom_fitede 
|r12 and slayn, and Otta his sone fley vnto ork, & Aurilam_bros 
     him folwede egrely. Otta, a litel while aeynes him stode, but
     afterwarde he put him to his mercy, and Aurilambros vnderfonge
     him; & to him and to his men he af e contre of Galway in
|r16 Scotland, and ere ai duellede.  The Kyng Aury |r[f.27v] lambros went
     o rou e lande, and put awaye e name of Engistes lande, at
     E[n]gist, after his owen name hade callede bifore, o lete he it calle
     aeyne Grete Britaigne, and lete make aeyne cherches, houses of
|r20 religioun~, castelles, citees, and burghes and tounes at e Saxoynes
     hade destroiede, and come to London~, and lete make aeyne the
     Wallis of e citee, whiche Engist & his folc hade caste adoune.
      e Britons ladde him to e mount of Anbrian, wher some tyme
|r24 was an house of religioun~ at o was destriede rou paynemys,
     whe[re]of a knyght at me callede Anbry, at some tyme was
     foundour of e hous, and erfor e hulle was callede e mount
     of Bryan, and after was callede Ambresbery, and shal for
|r28 eueremore.
     How Aurilambros dede redresse e lande of Grete Britaigne,
     at was destroiede rou Saxoynes.  Capitulo  Sexa_gesimo 
      Quinto.
|r32 |r<b> THe Kyng Aurilambros lete amende and redresse e hous of
        Ambresbery, and erin put monkes, but now ere beth
     nonnes; a litil fram e place at me calle Salesbury, ere at



|p61


     e Britouns were quellede in at place at Vortiger & Engist
     shulde haue made a loueday, in whiche place ere were slayne
     xxx M=l= knytes rou tresoun~ of Engist.  e kyng erof hade
 |r4 grete pitee, & out to make, in mynde of ham, a monument of
     stone at myt endure to e worldes ende. and of is ing ai tok
     here conseile what erof was best to done.  o spake to e kyng
     e bishop of London~ at me called Ternekyn, at he shulde enquere
 |r8 after Merlyn, for he coue best telle how is ing mit benes made.
     and merlyn after was sout and founde, & come to e kyng; and
     e kyng tolde him his wille of e monument at he wolde haue
     made.  o ansuerede Merlyn to e kyng, |r[f.28r] and saide: "ere be
|r12 grete stones in Irlande, and longe vppon~ the hulle of Kyan at men
     calle e geant caroll; and if ai were put in is place as ai
     be ere, here ai wolde endure euermore, in remembraunce of o
     knyghtes at here be enterede." "Par ma foy," quod e kyng,
|r16 "as herde stones beth in my londe as beth in Irland." "so," quod
     Merlyn, "but in all our lande beth non soche, for Geaunte sette
     ham for grete gode of hamself, ffor atte euery tyme at ai were
     wonded, or in eny maner hurt, ai wasshen e stones wi hote
|r20 water, & an wosshen ham erwi, and anone ai were hole."
     How e Britons went forto seche e grete stones in Irland.
     Capitulo lxvj=to=.
     |r<b> WHen e Britons hade herde of is ing, ai went and
|r24    sworen ifere amonges ham, at ai wolde gone to seche
     e stones; and toke wi ham Vter, e kynges broer, to bene
     here cheueteyne, & xv M=l= men; and Merlyn conseilede ham forto
     gone into Irlande, and so ai deden.  And when e Kyng
|r28 of Irland, at me callede Guillomer, herde telle at straungers
     were arryuede in his lande, he assemblede a grete power, and fout
     aeyns ham; but he & his folc were descomfitede. the Britons went
     four til ai come to e mount of Kylyan, and clymede vnto e
|r32 mount; but when ai saw e stones, and e maner how ai stoden,
     ai hadden grete mervail, and saide bituene ham at `noman shulde



|p62


     ham remeve, for no strenghe ne engyne, so huge ai weren, and so
     long.' But Merlyn, rou his crafte and queyntise, remevede ham,
     and brout ham into hire shippis, and come aeyn into is lande.
 |r4 and Merlyn sette e stones |r[f.28v] ere at e Kyng wolde haue ham,
     and sette ham in e same maner as ai stoden in Irland. and
     when e kyng saw at it was made, he ankede Merlyn, and
     rychely him rewardede at his owen wille; & at place he lete calle
 |r8 Stonhynges for euermore.
     How Passent, at was Vortiger sonne, & e Kyng Guillomer,
     come into is land; and how a traitoure at me callede
     Coppa, enpoisenede e Kyng Aurilambros.  Capitulo
|r12  Sexagesimo Septimo.
     |r<b> ANd men shul vnderstonde at Passent, at was Vortigers sone,
        leuede in e same tyme, and come into is lande wi a grete
     power, and arryuede in e Northcontre, & wolde bene avengede
|r16 of his fadere de Vortiger, and stronglich trust vppon e com_pany 
     at he hade brout wi him oute of e lande of Germayne,
     and hade conquerede al e Northcontre vnto ork.  And when
     Kyng Aurilambros herde is, he assemblede a grete power of
|r20 Britons, and went forto feit wi him; and Passent and his peple
     were descomfitede. But Passent ascapede ens, wi some of his folc,
     and fledde ennes into Irland, and come to Kyng Guillomer, and
     praede him of helpe and socoure.  The kyng grantede him wi
|r24 gode wil, and saide: "I wolde helpe ow oppon~ at couenaunt, at
     I my-self moste gon~ wi ow wi al my power into Britaigne, and
     I wolde me avenge vppon~ e Britons, for ai comen into my
     londe. and token e stones wi streng at is callede Geant
|r28 Caroil." e Kyng Guillomere lete ordeyne his shippis, and went to
     e see wi xv M=l= men, and arryuede in Walis, and bigonne to robbe
     and miche sorwe to done. hit bifelle so at Kyng Aurilambros
     lay sike at Wynchestre, and myght nout helpe |r[f.29r] himself, so at he
|r32 sent in his name Vter his broere, with a grete power, forto help
     Walys; and iderwarde he went as miche as he myt.  e



|p63


     Kyng of Irland, and Passent, herde telle at Aurylambros was sik;
     and to ham come a sarasine at me clepede Coppa, and saide:
     "sire, duelle e here al in pees wi oure hoste, and y bihote
 |r4 ow, rou my queyntise, at I shal slee e Kyng Aurylambros at
     li sike." "If e do," quod Passent, "y shal ow richely
     auaunce."  This traitoure Coppa put oppon~ him an habite of
     religioun~, and lete shaue him a brode crone, and come to e
 |r8 kynges court, and saide at he was a gode ffisician, and saide at he
     wolde hele e kyng of his malady.  Tho saide e traitour Coppa
     vnto e kyng: "sire, be of gode comfort, for y shal eue ow
     soche a medecyne at e shulle swete anone ryt, and softe slepe,
|r12 and haue gode reste." & e traitour af him soche a poysoun at
     he slepte anone ryght, and deide in his slepyng. and e traitoure
     saide at he wolde gone oute into e felde til e kyng were
     awakede; and so scapede he away, for noman to him hade
|r16 suspesion~, for enchesoun of his habit at he was in cloede, and
     also for his brode crone.  But when e kynges meny wist at he
     was dede, ai bicome wonder sory, and fast sout e traitour;
     but ai mit nout hem fynde, for Coppa turnede aeyne to e
|r20 host fro whens that he come.
     When Aurilambros was dede, a sterr in the morne was
     seyne with a clere light; & at the boute of e beeme was
     seye e heuede of an horrible Dragoun.  Capitulo
|r24  Sexagesimo  Octauo.
     |r<b> WHen the Kyng Aurilambros was us dede & enpysenede |r[f.29v] at
        Wynchestre, a morn, after at he was dede, aboute e
     tyme of prime, ere was seyn a sterr grete and clere; and e beeme
|r28 of e sterr was brighter an e sone; and at e bout of e beeme
     apperede a dragounes heuede, and oute of his mou comen ij huge
     lite at were as lit as eny fire brynnyng.  And at o beeme
     went towarde Fraunce, and straut ouere e see iderward; and
|r32 out of at beem comen vij beemes ful clere and longe, as it were
     e lit of fire.  is sterre was seyne of meny man; but none of



|p64


     ham wist what it bitokenede.  Vter, at was e kyngus broer,
     at was in Walys wi his hoste of Britouns, saw at sterre, and e
     grete lit at it af. he wondrede eron gretly, what it myt
 |r4 bitoken; he lete calle Merlyn, & praiede him forto telle what it
     myt bitokene.
     Of e bitokenyng of at sterr.  Capitulo Sexagesimo ix=o=.
     |r<b> MErlyn saw at sterre, and bihelde hit longe tyme, and
 |r8    sienes he quok and wepte tenderly; & saide: "allas,
     allas at so noble kyng and wori is dede. and I do ow to
     vnderstonde at Aurilambros, our broer, is enpoysenede, and at
     I se wel in is sterre. and oure-self bitokene bi e heuedes of e
|r12 dragoun at is seyne at e bout of e beeme: at is oureself, at
     shal bene kyng, and regne. and by e beem at stode towarde e
     Est, is vnderstonde at e shal geten a sone at shal conquere al
     Fraunce and alle e landes at be longeyng to e Kyng of
|r16 Fraunce, at shal bene a worier Kyng, and more of honoure
     an euer was eny of his ancestres.  And by e beem at stracchet
     towarde Irland, is bitokenede |r[f.30r] at e shul bigete a douter at
     shal be quene of Irland; and e vij beemes bitokenes at e
|r20 shul haue vij sones; and eueryche of ham shal bene kyng,
     and regne wi michel honououre. and abide e no longer here,
     but go and if batail to oure enemys, and feit wi ham
     boldely, for e shul ouercome ham and haue e victorie. "Vter
|r24 ankede hertly Merlyn, and tok his men, and went towarde his
     enemys; and ai fouten togeder mortaily; and so ai des_comfitede 
     his enemys alle, & destroiede ham; & him-self quel_lede 
     Passent, at was Vortiger sone; and his Britons quellede
|r28 Guillomer, at was Kyng of Irland, and alle his men. and Vter
     anone after at bataile tok his way toward Wynchestre fort[o]
     done entier Aurilambros kyng, at was his broer; but o was
     e body born to Stonhynge wi michel honoure, at he hade



|p65


     done made in remembrance of e Britons at ere were slayn
     rou tresoune of Engist, at same day at ai shulde haue bene
     accordede; & in the same place ai enterede Aurilambros, e
 |r4 secunde ere of his regne, wi al e worship at myght bene
     longyng to soche a kyng, of whos soule God haue mercy!
     Of Vter Pendragoun~; and wherfore he was callede so, after e
     shal here; & he was ouertake for e grete loue of Igerne,
 |r8 at was e Erles wif of Cornwaile.  Capitulo  Septua_gesimo
     .
     |r<b> After e deth of Aurylambros, Vter his broer was cronede,
        and regnede wel and worily; and in remembraunce of e
|r12 dragons at he was likenede to, he lete make ij dragounes rou
     conseile of his Britouns: at one to bene borne bifore him
     when he went into bataile, & at oere to abide at |r[f.30v] Wynchestre
     in the bisshoppes cherche; And for at enchesoun~ he was callede
|r16 euermore after', Vter Pendragoun~.  And Octa, at was Engistes
     sone, commendet litil Vter at was made newe kyng, and aeynes
     him biganne forto meve werr, and ordeynede a grete company of
     his frendes & of his kynne, and of Ossa his broer, and hade take
|r20 al e lande fro Humber vnto ork; but o of ork helde
     strongely agayne ham, and nolde soffre ham come into e toune,
     neyer to elde e citee to ham; and he bisegede e toune anone ryt,
     and af erto a stronge assaut, but tho of e citee ham keped wel
|r24 and strongely.  And when Vter herde erof, he come ider wi a
     stronge power forto helpe and rescue e toune, and put away e
     sege, & af a stronge bataile; and Octa & his company ham
     defendede as wel as ai myt, but at e last ai were descomfitede,
|r28 and e moste part of ham quellede; and Octa & Ossa were taken,
     and put into prisoun~ at London.  And Vter him-self duellede
     awhile at ork, and after, he went to London~. and at Ester after
     sewyng, he wolde bere crone, and helde a solempne feste, and
|r32 lete sompne alle e Erles and barons, at ai shulde come to at



|p66


     feste; and alle ai comen at e kynges commandement, as ai
     were commandede.  The feste was richely holden, and alle
     worely sette to e mette after at ai were of state, so at e
 |r4 Erl of Cornewaile & Igerne his wif setten aler next e kyng.
     and e kyng saw e fairenesse of at lady at she hade, and was
     rauisshede for here beaute; and after, he made towarde here
     nyce semblant in lokyng and leihyng. so at e laste e Erl
 |r8 perseuede e priue |r[f.31r] lokyng and Laughing, and e loue bituene
     ham, and arose vp fram e table al in wra, and tok his wif, and
     callede to him his knytes, and went ens al in wra, wiouten
     takyng Leue of e Kyng. e kyng anone sent after him at he
|r12 shulde come aeyne, & go nout ens in despite of him; and e
     Erl wolde nout come aeyne in no maner wise.  Wherfor e
     kyng was ful wro, & in wra him defiede as his dedelich enemy.
     and e Erl went ens into Cornewaile wi his wif, into e castel of
|r16 Tyntagell. and e kyng lete ordeyne a grete host, & come into
     Cornewaile forto destroie e erl, if he myt; but he hade put him
     in soche a castel at was stronge and wel arraiede, of Tyntagell,
     and wolde nout elde him to the Kyng.  The kyng anone
|r20 bisegede e castel, & ere duellede xv daies, at neuer myt spede,
     and euer out so miche of Igerne, and oppon~ her laide so miche
     loue, at he nyst what to done.  So at e laste he callede to
     him a knyt at me callede Vlfyne, at was priue wi him, and
|r24 tolde him al hes conseile, and axede of him what was best to done.
      "Sire," quod he, "do sende after Merlyn, for he can telle ow
     e best consel of eny man leuyng." Merlyn anone was sent after,
     and come to e kyng, and e kyng tolde him al his wille. "Sire,"
|r28 quod Merlyn, "I shal do so miche rou crafte at I can, at I
     shal make ow come is nyt into e castel of Tyntagell, & shal
     haue al oure wille of at Lady."
     How Vter bigate on Igerne, at was e Erle wif of Corne_waile,
|r32 Arthure e kyng.  Capitulo Septuagesimo primo.



|p67


     |r<b> MErlyn, rou crafte at he coue, chaungede e kyngus
        |r[f.31v] figure into e likenesse of Vlfyne his chaumberleyn, and
     to e figure of Iordan at was e erle chaumberleyn, so at eche
 |r4 of ham was transfigurede into oere likenesse. and when Merlyn
     hade so done, he saide to e kyng: "sire, now may e gone
     sodeynely to e castel of Tyntagel, and axen entre ere, and haue
     oure wille."the kyng tok priuelich, al e host to gouerne & lede,
 |r8 to a knyt at he miche louede, and toke his way toward e castel;
     and wi him went Vlfyne and Merlyn. and when at he come
     ider, e Porter wende at it hade bene his owen lorde. and
     when tyme come forto gone to bedde, the kyng went to bedde
|r12 wi Igerne, e Erle wif, and dede wi her al his wille, and o
     bigate on here a sone at me clepede Arthure.  Oppon~ e
     morwe e noble myty kyng toke his leue of e lady, and went
     aeyn to his hoste. and e same nyt at e kyng lay by Igerne in
|r16 bedde ifere wi e erle wif, e kynges men af a strong assaute
     to e castel. and e Erl and his men manliche ham defendede;
     but at e laste hit bifelle so at at at assaut e erl him-self was
     slayn, and e castel was taken. and e kyng anone turnede aeyne
|r20 to Tyntagell, and spousede Igerne wi michel honoure, & made
     hir Quene. & sone after, tyme come at she shulde bene
     delyuerede, and bare a sone at was callede Arthure. and
     after he gate on here a douter at me clepede Amya; and
|r24 when she come to age, she was nobly mariede to a noble
     Baroun~ at me callede Aloth, at was lorde of Leones.
      When Vter longe tyme hade regnede, ere come vppon him
     a grete sikenesse, as it were a sorwe. & in e mene |r[f.32r] tyme o at
|r28 haden to kepe Octa, at was Engistes sone, and Ossa his broer,
     at o were in prisoun~, men lete ham gone for grete iftes at ai
     ham af, and went wi ham.  And when o ij breerne were
     ascaped, and comen aeyne into hier owen contre, ai ordeynede
|r32 ham a grete host & as grete power, & bigon to werre eftesones
     vppon e kyng.



|p68


     How Kyng Vter chees Aloth to kepe e lande of Britaigne
     whiles at he was sik.  Capitulo  Septuagesimo
      Secundo.
 |r4 |r<b> ANd for-asmiche as Kyng Vter was sik, and myt nout helpe
        him-self, he ordeynede Aloth, e sone of Elyne, at o
     was to bene wardeyne and chyueteyne of al his folc; & he anone,
     and his Britons, assemblede a grete host, & af bataile to Octa and
 |r8 to his folc; but Octa at e laste was descomfitede.  Hit bifelle
     us afterwarde, at ise Britons haden indignacioun~ at is
     Aloth, & wolde nout to him bene entendant; wherfore e kyng
     was annoyede wonder sore, and lete put him in a liter in e hoste
|r12 amonges his folc; and ai ladde him to Veroleyne, at o was a
     faire citee, ere at seynt Albone was martrede; and after was at
     citee destroiede rou paynemys & rou werre. and ider went
     Ossa and Octa & her peple, & entrede into e toune, and lete
|r16 make faste e ates, & ere ai helde ham. & e kyng come,
     and ham bisegede, & made a stronge assaut; but o at were
     wiin, manliche ham defended.  The kyng lete ordeyne his
     gunnes & his engynes forto breke e wallys; & e wallis were so
|r20 stronge at noing myt ham misdo.  Octa & his peple hade
     grete despite at a kyng liggyng in a liter |r[f.32v] ham hade bisegede,
     & ai token conseil amonges ham, forto stande vp in e morwe, &
     come oute, and eue bataile to e kyng; and so ai deden. and in
|r24 at bataile were boe Octa & Ossa slayne; & al e oere at
     ascapede alif, fledde ens into Scotland, and made Colegryne
     her cheueteyne. & e Saxoynes at were alif, and ascapede fro e
     bataile, brout aeyne a grete streng, & amonges ham saiden
|r28 at, if the Kyng Vter were dede, ai shulde wel conquere e lande;
     and amonges ham ai out enpoysone e kyng, and ordeynede
     men forto done is dede, & af ham of iftes grete plente, is ing
     to done. & ai ordeynede ham iderward ere at e kyng was



|p69


     duellyng, & cloede ham in pore wede, e bettre forto spede hire
     luer purpos; but noelesse, for al her falsenesse & queyntise, ai
     myt neuer come ney e kyng. But at e laste ai aspiede at
 |r4 e kyng drank none oere licoure but oneliche water of a clere
     welle at was ney bisides; and ise false traitoures vppon~ a
     day priueliche went to at wel, and put erin poisoun, so at al e
     water was enpoysenede. And anone after as e Kyng hade dronke
 |r8 of at water, he biganne to swelle, & sone after deide; & alse
     meny as drank of at water deides also. And anone as is false_nesse 
     was aspiede, folc of e toune lete stoppe e welle for
     euermore.  When e Kyng was dede, his folc bare him to
|r12 Stonehynge wi grete solempnite of bisshopp and barons at were
     ere, at buriede him bisides Aurilambros his broer; and after
     turnede aeyne o euerycheon~, & lete sende after Arthure his sone;
     and ai made him Kyng of e lande wi |r[f.33r] michel reuerence, after
|r16 his faderes de, e xvij ere of his regne.
     How Arthure, at was e sone of Vter, was cronede after his
     faderes de; & how he drof Colegryn & e Saxoynes,
     and Chelduc of Almayne, out of is lande. Capitulo
|r20 lxxiij=o=.
     |r<b> WHen Arthure was made kyng of e lande, he was but
        onge, of xv ere age, but he was faire, and bolde, &
     douti of body, & to meke folc he was gode & curteise, & to prout
|r24 folc he was stout & sterne; & also he was gentil and curteise,
     and large of spendyng, & made him wel bilouede of al men
     ere at it was nede. And when he biganne to regne, he swore at
     Saxones neuer shulde haue pees ne reste til at he hade drif
|r28 ham out of his lande. & he lete assemble a grete host, & faut
     wi Colegrin, at, after tyme at Octa was dede, e Saxones
     mayntenede. And is Colegryne was descomfitede, & fley to ork,
     & tok e tone, & ere helde him. And e Kyng bisegede e tone;
|r32 but he mit noing spede, for e toune was so strong, & ai wiin



|p70


     kepte e toune wel & horpedly.  And in e mene tyme Colegryne
     lete e toune to Bladulf, & fley him-self to Cheldrik, at was
     Kyng of Almaigne, forto haue of him socour. and e Kyng as_semblede 
 |r4 a grete power, and come & arryuede in Scotland wi
     v. C. shippis. & when Arthure wist of is tydyngus, at he hade
     nout power ne streng ynow to feit aeyne Sheldrik, he lete
     bene e sege, and went to London~, and sent anone his lettres to e
 |r8 Kyng of Litil Britaigne, at me callede Hoel, his neveu, his
     sustress sone, at he shulde come to him wi |r[f.33v] al e power at he
     myt. And he assemblede a grete hoste, & arryuede at South_ampton
     ~.  And when Kyng Ar[t]hure hit wiste, he was glade
|r12 ynow, & went aeynes ham, & ham resceyuede wi michel honour,
     so at o ij hostes ham assemblede, and toke her way euen to
     Nichole, at Cheldrik hade bisegede but nout itte taken. And
     ai comen vppon Cheldrik & vppon~ his peple or ai hit wiste,
|r16 ere at ai werre, and ham egrely assailede. e Kyng Cheldrik
     and his meny defendede ham manly by here power, but Kyng
     Arthure and his men quellede so meny Saxones, at neuer er
     was seyne soche a slauter; and his men at were lefte alif,
|r20 fledden away, and Arthure ham pursuede, and drof ham into a
     wode at ai mit no ferer passe.  Cheldrik and his men saw
     wel at ai were brout into miche disesse, & ham olden to Arthure
     in is maner wise, at he shulde take here horse and Here armure,
|r24 & al at ai hadde, at ai most oneliche gone on fote to here
     shippes, and so ai wolde gone into here owen lande, & neuer
     come aeyne into is lande. And vppon assuraunce of is ing,
     ai euen him gode hostages; and Arthure, rou conseile of his
|r28 men, grauntede is ing, and resceyuede e hostages. & oppon~ is,
     ise oer went vnto here shippes: and when ai werne in e
     hye see, hir wille chaungede, as e deuel it wolde, & ai retournede
     hire nauye, & come aeyne into is land, & arryuede at Tottenesse,
|r32 & went out of here shippis, & toke e lande, & clene robbede hit,
     & michel peple slou, & token |r[f.34r] al e Armure at ai myt fynde;
     & so ai wenten forthe til ai comen to Bathe; but e men of



|p71


     e toune shitten faste here ates, and wolde nout suffren ham
     come er in e toune, and ai defendede ham wel and horpedly
     aeyn ham.
 |r4 How Arthure af bataile to e Saxones when ai comen
     aeyne, and bisegede e toune of Bae, & ham ouercome.
      Capitulo lxxiiij=to=.
     |r<b> WHen Arthure herde is tydynges, he lete honge anone e
 |r8    hostages, & lefte Hoel of Britaigne, his nevew, forto kepe
     e Marche toward Scotland wi half his peple, and him-self went
     helpe rescue e toune of Bathe. And when he come ider, he af a
     strong batail to Cheldrik, and quelde almost al e peple at he
|r12 hade; for no man myt him wistande, ne endure vnder e stroke
     of his swerde; and ere boe were slayn, Colegrin and Bladud his
     broer.  And Cheldrik fledde ens, and wolde haue gone to his
     shippis; but when Arthure hit wist, he tok xv M=l= knytes to
|r16 Cador, at was erl of Cornewaile, forto lette and stoppe his com_myng;
     and Arthure him-self went aeyne towarde e Marche of
     Scotland, ffor messagers tolde him at e Scottes hade bisegede
     Hoel of Britaign ere at he lay sike; and erfore he hastede
|r20 iderward; & Cador pursuede after Cheldrik, & toke him or at
     he myt come to his shippis, & quellede Cheldrik & his peple.
     And when Cador hade done is viage, he hastede him aeyne, as
     faste as he myt, towardes Arthure, and founde him in Scotland
|r24 ere at he hade res*cuede |r[f.34v] Hoel of Britaigne. But e Scottes
     were al feire wiin Mounref, and ere ai helde ham awhile; but
     Arthure ham pursuede, and ai fledde ens four into Lymoigne,
     at were in at contre lx Iles, & grete plente of briddes, & grete
|r28 plente of Egles, at were wont to crie and feiten to-gederes, and
     make grete noise when folc come to robbe at lande, and weren as
     miche as ai mit; and so ai deden, for e Scottes were so grete
     rauenours at ai token al at ai myt fynde in e lande of
|r32 Lymoigne wi-outen eny sparyng; and erwi ai chargede
     aeyne e folc, into Scotland forto wende.



|p72


     How Kyng Arthure axede of Merlyn e aventures of vj the laste
     kynges at weren to regne in Engeland, and how e lande
     shulde ende.  Capitulo  Septuagesimo  Quinto.
 |r4 |r<b> "Sire," quod Merlyn, "in e ere of Incarnacioun~ of oure Lorde
        Ihesu Crist M=l= CC xv ere shal come a lambe oute of
     Wynchestre at shal haue a white tong and trew lippis, and he shal
     haue wryten in his hert `Holynesse.'  This lambe shal make
 |r8 meny Goddes house, and he shal haue pees e most parte of his
     lif, & he shal make one of e faireste places of e worlde at in
     hi tyme shal nout fully ben made an ende. And in e ende of
     his lif, a wolf of a straunge lande shal do him grete harme; but at
|r12 e ende e lambe shal be maistre, rou helpe of a rede Fox at shal
     come out of e Northwest, and him shal ouercome; and e wolfe
     shal dye [in] water; and after at tyme e lambe shal leue no
     while at he ne shal |r[f.35r] dye.  His sede an shal bene in strange
|r16 lande, and e lande shal bene wiout a gouernoure a litil tyme.
     |r<b> "ANd after hims shal come a dragoun~ mellede wi mercy and
        ek wodenesse, at shal haue a berde as a goot, at shal
     eue in Engeland shadewe, and shal kepe the lande from colde
|r20 and hete; and his o foote shal be sette in Wik, and at oere in
     London; and he shal vnbrace iij habitacions, and he shal oppen
     his mou toward Walys, and e tremblyng of e hidure of his
     moue, his heres shal strecche towarde meny habitaciouns and
|r24 contres, and his bre shal bene ful suete in straunge landes; &
     in his tyme shal ryuers renne wi bloode and wi brayne, & he
     shal make in places of his lande, walles, at shal done miche
     harnl to his seede after his tyme.
|r28  Than shal ere come a peple out of e Northwest duryng his
     regne, at shal bene lade rou an wickede hare, at e dragoun~
     shal done crone Kyng, at afterwarde shal flee ouer e see wiout
     comyng aeyne, for drede of e dragoun~.  In at tyme e sonne
|r32 shal bene also rede as blode, as meny men shul see rou al e
     worlde: at shal bitoken grete pestilence, and de of folc rou
     dent of swerde; and is peple shal bene faderles til e tyme at
     e dragon shal dye rou an hare at shal meve aeynes him werr



|p73


     in e ende of his lif, at shal nout bene fulliche endede in
     his tyme.  This dragoun~ shal bene holden in his tyme e best
     body of al e worlde; & he shal dye bisides e Marche of a
 |r4 straunge lande; and e lande shalle |r[f.35v] duelle fade[r]lesse, wiouten_a
     gode gouernoure; and me shal wepe for his de fram e Ile of
     Shepe vnto e hauen of Marcill; wherfore, `allas' shal bene e
     commune songe of faderles folc, at shal ouerleuen in his land
 |r8 destroiede.
     |r<b> "ANd after is dragone shal come a gote oute of a Kar, at shal
        haue hornes &s berde of siluer; and ere shal come out of
     his noserelles a drop at shal bitoken hunger & sorw, & grete_de 
|r12 of e peple; and miche of his lande in e bigynnyng of his
     regne shal be wastede.  This goot shal go ouer into Fraunce,
     & shal oppon~ e floure of lif and of de. In his tyme ere shal
     arise an Egle in Cornewaile at shal haue feeres of golde, at of
|r16 pride shal bene wiouten pere of alle e lande; and he shal
     despise lordes of blode; and after, he shal flee shamefully by a
     Bere at Gauersiche; and after shal bene made brigges of men
     oppon~ e costes of e see; and stones shal falle fram castelles,
|r20 and meny oere tounes shal ben made pleyne; and a bataile
     shalle bene done vppon~ an Arme of e see in a felde ordeynede
     as a shelde; and at at bataile shal dye meny white hedes; wher_fore 
     at bataile shal bene callede `e white bataile.'  And e_forsaide 
|r24 Beere shal done is goote michel harme, and it shal
     bene oute of e Southwest; & of his bloode an shal e goote lese
     miche of his lande til at e tyme at shendeship shal him ouer
     comen; & an shal he cloen him in a lyone skyn; and an
|r28 shal he wynne at he hade loste, and more erto, ffor a peple shal
     |r[f.36r] come out of e northwest at shal make e goot sore to bene
     adrade; and he shal avenge him oppon his enemys, rou conseil
     of ij oweles, at ferst shal bene in peril forto bene vndone; but
|r32 e olde owel shal wende ouer e se into a st[r]aunge lande, and
     ere he shal duelle vnto a certeyne tyme; and after, he shal come
     aeyne into is lande.  ise ij oweles shullen do grete harme



|p74


     to meny on; and so ai shullen counseil e gote at he shal arere
     werre aeynes e forsaid bere; and at e last, e goot and e oweles
     shullen come atte Bur vp Trent, and shullen wende ouer; and
 |r4 for drede, e Bere shal flee, and a swan wi him, for his company,
     to Bur towarde e North, & ere ai shal bene wi an harde
     shoure. And an e swan shal bene slayne wi sorwe, and e
     Bere taken & biheuedede, aler nexte his neste, at shal [stand]
 |r8 vppon~ a broken brigge, vp wham e sone shal caste his beemes;
     and meny shal him seche, for vertu at fro hym shal come.  In
     at same tyme shal dye, for sorwe and care, a peple of his lande, so
     at meny sshal bene oppon~ him e more bolder afterward. And
|r12 o ij oweles shullen do miche harme to e forsaide floure of lif,
     and here shul lede ill distresse, so at she shal passe ouer into
     Fraunce, forto make pees bituene e gote & e flour delice; and
     ere she shal duelle to a tyme at her sede shal come to seche
|r16 here; and ere ai shul bene stille til a tyme at ai shul ham
     cloe with grace: and ai shul seche |r[f.36v] the Owelyn, and put
     ham vnto despitous de. And after shal is goot bene brout
     to disese; and in grete anguisshe and sorwe he shal leue al
|r20 his lif.
     |r<b> "Aftre is goote, shal come out of Wyndesore a Boor, at shal
        haue an heuede of witte, a lyons hert, a pitouse lokyng;
     his vesage shal be reste to sike men; his bre shal bene stanchyn
|r24 of erst to ham at bene areste erof shal; his worde shal bene
     gospelle; his beryng shal bene meke as a Lambe. In e ferste
     ere of his regne he shal haue grete payne to iustifien ham at
     bene vntrew; and in his tyme shal his lande bene multipliede
|r28 wi Aliens.  And is Boor, rou fersenesse of hert at he shal
     haue, shal make wolfes bicome lambes; & he shal bene callede
     rou-oute e worlde `Boor of holynesse and of fersenesse, of
     nobeleye and of mekenesse,' and he shal do mesurabli al at he
|r32 shal haue to done vnto e Burgh of Ierusalem; and he shal whet
     his tei vppon~ e ates of Parys, and vppon~ iiij landes. Spayne
     shal tremble for drede of him; Gascoyne shal swete; in Fraunce
     he shal put his wynge; his grete taile shal reste in Engeland
     softely; Almayn shal quake for drede of him.  is Boor shal



|p75


     eue mantels to ij tounes of Engeland, and he shal make e ryuer
     rynne wi blode & wi brayn, and he shal make meny medowes
     reede, and he shal gete as miche as his auncestres deden; & er at
 |r4 he bene dede he shal bere iij crones; and he shal put on lande
     into gret subieccioun; and after hit shal bene releuede, but nout
     in his tyme.  This Boor, after at he is dede, |r[f.37r] for his douty_nesse 
     shal bene enterede at Coloigne, and his lande shal bene an
 |r8 fulfillede wi al goode.
     |r<b> "After is Boor shal come a lambe, at shal haue feete of leede,
        an heuede of bras, an hert of a loppe, and a swynes skyn,
     and herde; and in his tyme his land shal bene in pees. e ferst ere
|r12 of his regne he shal do make a citee, at al e worlde shal speke
     erof. is lambe shal lese in his tyme a grete parte of his lande
     rou an hidouse wolf; but he shal recouer it, an if an Lordeship
     to an Egle of his landes; and is Egle shal wel gouerne hit, til e
|r16 tyme at pride shal him ouergone, -- allas e sorwe! -- for he shal
     dye rou his broeres suorde. and after shal e lande falle to e
     forsaide lambe, at shal gouerne in pees al his lifes tyme; and
     after, he shal dye, and e lande bene fulfillede wi al maner
|r20 gode.
     |r<b> "After is lambe shal come a Moldewerpe acursede of Godes
        mou, a caitif, a cowarde as an here. he shal haue an
     elderliche skyn as a goot; and vengeance shal fal vppon~ him for
|r24 synne. In e ferst ere of his regne he shal haue of al gode grete
     plente in his lande, and toward him also; and in his lande he shal
     haue grete praising til e tyme at he shal soffre his peple lyuen
     in to miche pride wiouten chastisyng, wherfore God wil ben
|r28 wro.  Than shal arisen vp a dragoun~ in e North, at shal
     bene ful fers, and shal meve werre aeynes e forsaide Moldewerpe,
     and shal eue him bataile vppon~ a ston~. is dragoun~ shal gadre
     aeyne into his company a wolf at shal |r[f.37v] come oute of the West,
|r32 at shal bygynne werre aeynes e forsaide Moldewerp in his
     side; & so shal e dragoun and he bynde here tailes to-geder.
     "    an shal come a lyon oute of Irlande, at shal fal in
     company wi ham; and an shal tremble e lande, at an shal
     bene callede Engeland, as an aspe lef, and in at tyme shal



|p76


     castelles bene fellede adoune vppon~ Tamise; and it shal semen
     at Seuerne shal bene drye, for e bodyes at shal fallen dede
     erin.  e iiij chief flodes of Engeland shal rynne in blode;
 |r4 and grete drede shal bene, and anguisshe, at shul arisen after e
     Moldewerpe shal fle for drede; and e dragoun~, e lyoun~ and e
     wolf, him shal dryuen away, and the lande shal benes wiout ham,
     and e Moldewerpe shal haue no maner power, saf onely a shipp
 |r8 wherto he may wende; and after at, he shal come to lande when
     e see is widraw.  And after at he shal eue e ride part of
     his lande forto haue e fere part in pees & reste; and after he
     shal leue in sorw al his lif-tyme; and in his tyme e hote baes
|r12 shullen bicome colde; and after at shal e Moldewerp dye
     aventurly and sodeynely, -- allas e sorwe! -- for he shal bene
     drenchedes in a flode of e see, his seede shal bicome pure faderles
     in straunge lande for euermore, and an shal the lande bene
|r16 departede in iij parties, at is to seyn, to the Wolf, to e
     dragoune, & to e lioun~; and so shal it bene for euermore. And
     an shal is land bene callede `e lande of conquest,' & so shal
     e rit heires of Engeland ende."
|r20 |r[f.38r] How Arthure ouercome Guyllomer at was Kyng of Irland
     & how e Scottes bicomen his men. Capitulo lxxvj=to=.
     |r<b> WHen Guillomer, at was Kyng of Irlande, hade tidynges
        at Kyng [Arthur] was entrede at Glastenbery, he
|r24 ordeynede a grete power of Irisshemen, & come to e see wi his
     Yrisshe peple, and so come into Scotteland ouer e see, and
     arryuede faste by ere at Kyng Arthure was wi his hoste. and
     anone as he herde erof, he went towarde him & af him bataile,
|r28 and ouercome him anone ryt; and Guillomer fledde wi his men
     aeyne into Irland, and when is scomfiture was done, Arthure
     turnede him aeyne ere at he was, into e place at he hade lefte
     e Scottes, & wolde haue ham al slayne. But e bisshoppes,
|r32 Abbotes, & oere folc of e contre, and Ladies, openheuedede,
     comen bifore Kyng Arthure, and criede him mercy, & saide:



|p77


     "sire, gentil kyng & myty, haue mercy & pitee of vs! and as
     oure-self is of e rit lawe, to holde and mayntene cristendome,
     ful grete dishonour it shulde be to quelle ham at leue in almyty
 |r4 Gode as e done. & for Godes loue haue mercy and pitee of vs,
     and suffren vs forto lyuen, for we haue hade michel sorwe and
     pyne; for e Saxones hauen meny tymes rou oure lande passede;
     but at is nout ynout to ow; for often-tymes ai haue done vs
 |r8 miche sorwe & disese.  ffor oure castelles ai hauen taken, &
     oure bestes slayne & eten, & mich harme ai hauens vs done; and
     if e wolde vs now quelle, hit were |r[f.38v] none Honoure to a Kyng to
     quelle ham at crien him mercy; for ynow e haue y-done vs,
|r12 & vs ouercomen euerycheon~; &, for e  loue of God, soffre vs
     forto lyue, & haue mercy of Cristen peple at bileue in God
     as e done!"  when Kyng Arthure herde is sorwe, he hade pite
     of ham, and af ham lif and lyme; and alle ai felle adoune to his
|r16 feete, and bicome his lege men, and he toke of ham homages.
            And after at, Kyng Arthure turnede aeyne wi his host, and
     come aeyne to orke, and ere he abode duryng at Viage.
            And o af he al Loegers to Loth, at hade spousede his sustre,
|r20 and oere iftes grete plente. and o was Gaweyn, his cosyn, but
     ong of age; and to alle his oere men at him hade seruede in
     his werr, he af riche iftes, & he ankede ham miche of here gode
     seruise.
|r24 How Kyng Arthure spousede Gunnore, at was Cadore cosyn,
     Erl of Cornewaile; & after he conquerede of Guillomer all
     Irland.  Capitulo Septuagesimo  Septimo.
     |r<b> WHen Arthure hade brout his lande in pees and reste, & in
|r28    gode state, & reste was in euery contre, o toke he and
     wedede a wif at me callede Gunnore, & made here quene, a
     faire lady and a gentil, at Cador e erle of Cornewail hade longe
     tyme norisshede in his chaumbre, at was his owen cosyn; but
|r32 neuer ai haden childe to-gedres, and noelesse Kyng Arthure
     louede her wonder wel and derlich.  And anone as wynter was
     passede, he lete assemble a grete hoste, & alle his barons, and saide



|p78


     at he wolde wende into Irland forto conquere |r[f.39r] the Lande; and
     he tarede nout ful longe at he ne passede ouer into Irland.
      And Guillomer, e Kyng of Scotland, lete assemble a grete
 |r4 hoste, and af batail to Kyng Arthur; but Guillomer was descom_fitede, 
     & elde him to e Kyng Arthure, and bicome his man, and to
     him dede feaute & homage, and of him helde al at lande fro at
     tyme forward. and after passede Kyng Arthur ferer, and
 |r8 conquerede Gutland and Irland, and toke homages of folc of e
     lande, and ere duellede xij er in pees, & regnede wi ioye and
     mere, & werrede vppon no maner man, ne no man vppon~ him.
      And he bicome so curteys and large, and so honourable, at e
|r12 Emperoure court of Rome, ne none rou-out al e worlde, was
     none acountede to Kyng Arthures, at eny man wist, ne none so
     preisedes; and erefore e beste knytes of al maner landes
     comen to him forto duelle, & ham resceyuede wi gode wille and
|r16 reuerence; and alle e knytes weren so gode at no man knew
     e werst; and erefore Kyng Arthure made e rounde table, at
     when ai shulde sitte to e mete, alle shulde bene aliche hye, and
     euenlich seruede at e table, at none myt maken auant at
|r20 none were hyer an oere. and Kyng Arthure hade at at table
      Briton~s, Fraunchemen, Normannes, Flemynges, Burgoyners,
     Mansers, Loherin, and of alle e landes a is half e mount of
     Gorie, and of his lande of Britaigne, and of e grete Cornwaile, of
|r24 Walys, & of Irland, & of Scotland; and shortely to telle, of alle
     e landes at wolde worshipe and chyualry seche, comen to
     Kyng Arthurus court.
     How Kyng Arthure come into Fraunce, & conquered at |r[f.39v] londe
|r28 of Froll, at was a Romayn, & him quellede. Capitulo
     lxxviij=o=.
     |r<b> SIth hit bifelle at Kyng Arthure, rou conseile of his barons
        and lordes, wolde gone to conquere al Fraunce, at o was
|r32 clepede Galle, rou Romayns at o helde at lande in here
     powe[r] & in here lordeshipe. and e Romayns hade take at



|p79


     lande to a noble knyt, and a wori of body, at me calle Frolle.
     and when he wist at Arthure come, he ordeynede an host & grete
     power, & faut wi e kyng; & he & his folc weren descomfitede;
 |r4 and ens ai fledde vnto Parys, and entrede e toun~, & closede e
     ates, & ere ham helde. Arthure wist at Froll was gone to
     Parys, he pursuede after, & come ider, & him bisegede; but e
     citee was so strong and wel arraied; & o at were wiin defendede
 |r8 ham wel and manliche.  Kyng Arthu[r]e duellede ere more
     an a moune; & ere was so miche peple in e citee, & hade
     despendede al her vitailes at were wiin, & so grete hunger bicome
     amonges ham, at ai deide wonder ik wiin the citee for
|r12 hunger, and comen to Froll, & prayede him to bene accordede
     wi Kyng Arthure forto haue pees; & ai wolde elde ham to him,
     & e toun~ also.  Froll saw at no longer he myt holde e
     toun~ aeynes her wille, and truste greteli oppon~ his owen streng,
|r16 & sent to Kyng Authure at he shulde come to feit wi him, body
     for body, and so ai shulde departe Fraunce bituene ham ij.
      Kyng Arthure anone graunte hit, and wolde at none of his
     peple vndertoke e batail for him.  And oppon e morwe, boe
|r20 comen wel armede wiouten Parys, ere at ai shulde fit; and
     anone ai smyten togederes so fersely; and so wel, ai fouten in
     boe si |r[f.40r] des, at no man coue deme e bettre of ham. and so Hit
     bifelle at Froll af Arthure soche a stroke at he knelede to e
|r24 grounde, wolde he nolde he. & as Froll widrow his suerde, he
     wonded Kyng Arthure in e forheuede, at e blode felle adoune by
     his eyen and face.  Arthure anone sterte vp hertly,when he felede
     him hert, as a man at semede almoste wode; & he toke Tabourn,
|r28 his gode suerde & drowe it vp an hye, & af Froll soche a stroke
     at erwi he cleuede his heuede doun to e shuldres, so at his
     helme myt nout bene his warant; & so he felle adoun~ dede ere
     in e place, and o of e citee maden grete sorwe for Froll; and
|r32 anone euerycheon~ elde ham to Kyng Arthure, & e toune also, and



|p80


     bicome his men, and deden to him homage & feaute, & he vnder_fonge 
     ham & toke of ham gode hostages. & Kyng Arthure, after
     at, went fore wi his host, and conquerede Angon & Aungers,
 |r4 Gascoigne, Peihto, Nauerne, Burgoyne, Bery, Loherne, Turyn and
     Peihters; and alle e oere landes of Fraunce he conquerede
     hollich. and when he hade alle conquerede, & taken bi homages
     & feautes, he turnede aeyne to Parys, & ere duellede longe
 |r8 tyme, and ordeynede pees ouer al the contrey, & rou-out al
     Fraunce.  And when pees was made oueral, rou his noble
     knythode at he hade, & also for his owen worynesse, and no
     man, were he neuer so grete a lorde, derst nout meve werre
|r12 aeynes him, noer to arise and forto make e lande of Fraunce in
     quiete & pees, he wonede ere ix ere, & dede ere meny grete
     wonders, & reprouede meny prout men & luer tyraunte, & ham
     chastisede after her deseruise.
|r16 |r[f.40v] How Kyng Arthure auauncede alle his men at hade trauailed
     in his seruise.  Capitulo  Septuagesimo Nono.
     |r<b> ANd after, hit bifelle us at Ester, ere at he helde a feste at
        Parys; richely he gan auaunce his knytes for here seruise
|r20 at him hade holpen in his conquest; he af to his stywarde at
     men cleped Kay, Angon~ & Angers, and to Bedeler his boteler
     he af Normandye, at o was callede Neustrie; and to Holden his
     chaumberleyn he af Flaundres and Mance; and to Dorell his
|r24 cosyn he af Boloyne; and to Richard his Nevew he af Pountif;
     And to alle oere he af largely landes & fees after at ai were
     of state.  And when Arthur hade us his knytes feffede, at
     April after nexte sewyng he come aeyne into Britaigne, his
|r28 owen lande. And after, atte Whitsontide next sewyng, by conseil
     of his barons, he wolde bene cronede Kyng of Glomergon~, and
     halde a solempne fest, & lete sompne kynges, Erles and barons,
     at ai shulde come ider euerycheon~. Ther was Skater, kyng of
|r32 Scotland; Cadwere, kyng of South-walys; Guillomer, king of
     North Walys; Madede, kyng of Irland; Malgamus, kyng of



|p81


     Gutland; Achilles, kyng of Ikeland; Aloth, kyng of Denmerc;
     Gonewas, kyng of Norweye; and Hoel his cosyn, kyng of Dorke_neye;
     Cador, kyng of litel Britaigne;  Morwi, erl of Cornne_waile;
 |r4 Mauran, erle of Gloucestr; Guerdon~, erl of Wynchestre;
     Boel, erl of Herford; Vrtegi, erl of Oxenford; Cursal, erl of
     Bathe; Ionas, erl of Chestre; Eueral, erl of Dorcestre; Kymar, erl
     of Salesbury; Waloth, erl of Kaunterbery; Igern, erl of Checestre;
 |r8 Aral, erl of Leycestre, & e Erl of Warwik, & oere riche |r[f.41r] Lordes.
     Britons also ere were ynow, at is to seyn, Dippon, Donand,
     Genu; and meny oere at be nout here nempnede weren at
     at fest; and meny anoeres faire feste Kyng Arthure hade holden
|r12 biforn, but neuer none soche, ne so solempne; and at laste xv
     dayes wi michel Honoure and mere.
     Of e lettre at was sent fram e Citee of Rome for pride to
     Kyng Arthure  Capitulo  Octogesimo.
|r16 |r<b> THe ridde day, as kyng Arthure satte at his mete amonges
        his kynges, & amonges ham at seten at e fest biforne ham,
     comen in xij elderne men of age, rychely arraiede, and curteisly
     saluede e kyng, and saide at ai comen fro Rome, sent
|r20 messagers fram e Emperour, and tok to him a lettre at us
     miche was to vnderstounde:  "Gretely vs mervailes, Arthure,
     at ow art on so hardy, wi eyen in i heuede, to maken
     oppen werr and contak aeyns vs of Rome, at owen al e worlde to
|r24 deme; for ow haste neuer itte bifore is tyme prouede ne
     assaiede e streng of e Romayns, and erfor, ow it shalt in
     litil tyme. For Iulius Cesar conquerede al e lande of Britaigne,
     and tok erof truage, and oure folc longe tyme haue it hade; and
|r28 now, rou i pryde, ow hit witholdes; wherfore we commande
     e at ow elde aeyne.  and itte haste ow more folye
     done, at ow hast slayn Froll, at was oure baron of Fraunce, al
     wi wrong; and erfore alle e communes of Rome warnen and
|r32 commanden e, oppon~ lif and Lyme, at ow in haste bene at



|p82


     Rome, amendes to make of e misdede that ow haste done; and
     if hit so be at ow come nout, |r[f.41v] we shul passe e hull of Ioye
     wi streng, and we shul e seke wher-euer ow may ben
 |r4 founde, and ow shalt nout haue a foote of lande of yn owen
     at we ne shal destroy; and aftirward wi i body we shal done
     oure wille."  When is lettre was rade, & alle men hit herde,
     ai were annoyede, alle at were at e solempnite; and e Britons
 |r8 wolde haue slayne e messagers, but Arthure wolde nout soffre
     hit, and saide at e messagers shulde haue none harme, and mow
     by resoun~ none deserue; but he commanded hem to bene worely
     seruede. and after mete he toke conseil of kyngus, Erles and
|r12 Barons, what ansuere me myt eue to e messagers; and ai
     conseilede at ones at he shulde assemble a grete power of alle
     e landes of e whiche he hade lordeshipe, & manliche avenge him
     oppon~ e Emperour, of e despite at he hade sent to him soche
|r16 a lettre; and ai suoren bi God and by his names at ai wolde
     him pursue & brenne in-alsemiche as ai myt, & saide at ai
     wolde neuer faile Kyng Arture, and raere to bene dede: and
     ai lete writen a lettre to sende to e Emperour by e same
|r20 messagers in is maner:
     Of e bolde ansuere at Kyng Arthure sent to e Emperour
     of Rome & to e Romayns. Capitulo  iiij=xx= primo.
     |r<b> "UV[n]derstondes amonges ow of Rome, at I am Kyng
|r24    Arthure of Britaigne, and frely hit holde, and shal holde;
     and at Rome hastely y shal be, nout to eue ow truage, but
     forto axen truage; ffor Constantyne, at was Elynus sone, at was
     Emperour of Rome |r[f.42r] and of al e honour at ereto bilongede;
|r28 ffor Maxinians conquerede al Fraunce and Almaigne, & mount
     Ioye passede, & conquerede al Lumbardye; and ise ij were myn
     ancestres; and at ai hade and helde, I shulde haue, rou
      Godes wille."



|p83


     Of e reuerence at Kyng Authure dede to e Emperourre
     messagers of Rome. Capitulo  iiij=xx= Secundo.
     |r<b> WHen is lettre was made and enselede, Kyng Arthure to e
 |r4    messagers af grete iftes; and after at, e messagers
     toke here leue, & went ens to e court of Rome aeyne, and
     tolde e Emperour how worely ei were vnderfonge, & whiche
     real company he [K. Arthur] hade him forto serue, & how he was
 |r8 more really seruede an e Emperour, or eny kyng leuyng in e
     worlde.  And when e Emperour hade seyne e lettre of
     Arthure, & herde what was erin, and saw at Arthure wolde
     nout bene rewelede by him, he lete assemble & ordeyne an huge
|r12 hoste forto destroie Kyng Arthure if he myt. and Kyng
     Arthure, as tochyng his partye, ordeynede his power of knytes
     of e rounde table.
     Of e kynges & lordes at comen to helpe Kyng Arthure
|r16 aeyne e Emperour of Rome. Capitulo Octogesimo
      Tercio.
     |r<b> THe kynges of Scotland, & of Irland & of Gutland, of
        Denmarc and of Almaigne, eueryche of ham hade x M=l= of
|r20 men.  Thei of Normandye, Gascoigne & Spaigne, Flaundres &
     Pehito, & of Boloigne, hade iiij M=l=. Geryn of Chartres hade x M=l=;
     Hoel of Britaigne hade xij M=l=, and him-self [Arthur] |r[f.42v] hade of
     his owen Londe xij M=l=, & of Arblasters and of Archires, & of oere
|r24 folc on foote, at noman coue ham nombre. and when ai
     weren al redy forto wende, Kyng Arthur, his lande & Gunore his
     wif, he bitoke to one of his Nevewes at was a wise knyt, &
     an herdy, at me callede Mordrede; but he was nout al trewe,
|r28 as e shul here afterwarde. Kyng Arthure toke al his reame to is
     Mordrede, saue oneliche e crone.  And after at, kyng Arthure
     tok his host and went to Southampton~, ere at e shippes
     were brout. and e folc assemblede, and ai deden ham to e



|p84


     see, and hade gode wynde & weder at wille. and as sone as ai
     myten, ai arryuede at Berflete, & wenten oute of here shippis,
     and spraden al e contreye.
 |r4 How Kyng Arthure faut wi a Geaunt in Spaigne, at me
     callede Denab, at quellede Elyne, at was Kyng Hoele
     Cosyne, of litel Britaigne. Capitulo iiij=xx= iiij=to=.
     |r<b> KYng Arthure hade duellede in e contre but a litil while,
 |r8    at men ne tolde him at er was comen a grete Geaunt into
     Spayne, and hade rauesshede faire Elyne, at was cosyn to Hoel
     of Britaigne, & hade brout here vppon an hull at is clepede e
     Mount of seynt Barnard; & ere was noman in at contre so bolde,
|r12 ne so hardy, at derst wi him to feit, ne come ney e place
     ere e Geaunt duellede; and men callede him Dynab, at
     miche sorwe dede in e contre.  When Kyng Arthure herde is
     tydynges, he callede Kay & Bedewer, & commaundede ham at ai
|r16 shulde gon |r[f.43r] pryuely, and aspie Where e Geaunt myt bene
     founde. and ai come to e Ryuage ere at men shulde gon to
     e mount, at was al enclosede about wi water, and it is and
     euer shal be; and ai saw a brynnyng fire oppon~ e Hull; and
|r20 ere was also anoer hull ney, at ere was oppon anoere fire
     brynnyng.  Kay and Bedewer comen to e nexte hull, and
     founden a widowe openheuede, sittyng bisides a tounbe, sore
     wepyng, & grete sorwe made; and ofte she saide "Elyn! Elyn!"
|r24 and Kay & Bedwere axede what her ailede, & wherfore she made
     so miche sorwe, & who lay in at tombe.  "O," quod she, "what
     sorwe and what mysauenture, faire lordes, make e here? for if e
     Geant may ow here fynde, e wor dede anone." "ben stille,
|r28 gode wif," quod ai, "erof dismai e nout, but tel vs e soe whi
     ow makes so myche sorwe & wepyng."  "Sires," quod she,
     "for a damiselle at I norisshede wi my brest, at me callede



|p85


     Elyne, -- at was nece to Hoel, Kyng of litel Britaigne, and here li
     e bodye in is tombe, -- at to me was bitaken to norisshe. so ere
     come a deuel, a Geaunt, & rauasshede here, & me Also, & lade vs
 |r4 boe away; and he wolde haue forleyn is maide at was so
     onge & tendre of age, but she myt hit nout soffren, so grete and
     so huge e Geant is. and if he now come as he was wont to
     done, certes he wille ow quelle, boe ij; and erfore faste wende
 |r8 e hens." "and wherfore," saide ai, "go e nout hens?"
      "Certes, Sires," quod she, "When at Elyne was dede, e
     Geaunt made me to abide, |r[f.43v] to done and haunt his wille, and me
     most nedes it soffren. and God hit wote, I do hit nout wi my
|r12 godes wille, for leuer me were to bene dede an wi him to dele,
     so miche payne I haue when he me forlei."  When Kay and
     Bedwere hade herde al at is woman hade tolde, a turnede aeyne,
     and comen to Kyng Arthure, & tolde him al at ai hade seyne &
|r16 harde.  Arthure anone toke ham boe with him, and went
     priuely by nyt, at none of his hoste it wiste, and come on e
     morne to e Geaunt, and faut wi him strongely, and at e laste
     him slou. and Arthure bede Bedwere smyte of hes heuede, and
|r20 bryng it to e hoste to shewe ham for a wonder, for it was so
     grete & so huge.  When ai comen aeyne to e hoste, ai tolde
     wherfore ai hade bene out, and shewede to ham e heuede; &
     euery man was glade & ioyful of e wori dede at Kyng Arthure
|r24 hade done, her lorde.  And Hoel was ful sorweful for his nece
     at was so loste; and after, when he hade space, he lete make a
     faire chapel of oure Lady ouer Elyne Tumbe.
     How Kyng Arthure af bataile to e Emperour, in e whiche
|r28 bataile e Emperoure was slayn. Capitulo Octogesimo v=to=.
     |r<b> ARthure and his peple hade tydynges at e Emperour hade
        assemblede grete power, as wel of Sarasynes and of
     paynemys as of Cristen men, Wherof e noumbre was xxiiij M=l=
|r32 of horsemen and of fote men. Arthure and his peple ordeynede



|p86


     ham fast for in |r[f.44r] here Way towarde e Emperour, and passede
     Normandy & Fraunce vnto Burgoyne, and wolde euen haue gone
     to e host, for men tolde him at e Emperoure host was comen
 |r4 to Lucye.  The Emperour and his host, in e byginning of
     August, remevede fram Rome, and come fourth ryt e way
     toward e host.  tho comen Kyng Arthures aspie, and saide,
     if at Arthure wolde, he shulde fynde ere faste bisides, e
 |r8 Emperour; but ai saiden at e Emperoure hade so grete power
     wi him of kynges of e lande, & of Paynemys yfere, & also cristen
     peple, at it wers but grete folie to Kyng Arthure forto mete wi
     him, for e espies tolde at e Emperour hade v men or vj aeynes
|r12 one of his.  Kyng Arthure was bolde and hardy, and for noing
     him dismaiede, & saide: "go we for in Goddes name aeynes e
     Romayns, at wi ham lede Sarasines & Paynemes at no maner
     truste ai hauen to God, but oneliche oppon~ here streng!
|r16 Go we now, and seche ham sharpely in e name of almyty God,
     and slee we e paynemys and Cristen men at bene enemys wi
     ham forto destroe Cristen men; and God shal vs helpe, for we
     haue the ryt, & erfore haue we gode trust in God; & done
|r20 we so at e enemys at bene to Cristendome & to Gode mow
     bene dede & destroiede, & at men mow recorde e worinesse of
     knythode!"  When Kyng Arthure hade us saide, ai criden
     al wi an hye voice, "God, fader almity, |r[f.44v] Worsheppede be ine
|r24 name Wiouten ende, Amen! and grant vs grace welto done, and
     to destrie oure enemys at be aeynes Cristendome! In e name
     of e fader & of e sone and of e holy gost, Amen! And God
     eue ham neuer grace ne worshipp in the worlde, ne mercy of
|r28 him to haue, at is day shal feynten wel forto smyte, and
     egrely!" and so ai riden softly, and ordeynede her wenges wel
     and wisely.
            The Emperoure herde telle at Kyng Arthure & his folc were
|r32 redy arraiede forto feit wi him; and ider ai comen, wher he
     ordeynede his wenges in e best manere at he myt, and more



|p87


     trust oppon~ his streng an in God almyty. and at was seyn
     afterward, ffor when o ij hostes metten, the Emperour loste soche
     foure of his folc as dede Kyng Arthur; and so meny were slayne,
 |r4 what in o side and in at oere, at hit was grete pite to wete
     and to seen.  In is bataile were slayn rou Kyng Arthure, v
     kyng of paynemys, & of oere, Wonders miche peple.  And
     Kyng Arthures men fouten so wel, at e Romaines and paynemys
 |r8 hade no more power ne streng to wistande ham, an xx
     shepe aeynes v. wolfes.  And so hit bifelle at in is bataile,
     in a shoure at was wonder herde and longe duryng, in at o
     side and in at oere, e Emperour, amonges ham ere was slayn;
|r12 but noman wist forso who him slou.
     How Kyng Arthure lete entere his knytes at he hade Loste in
     bataile; and how he sent e Emperourre body |r[f.45r] to Rome,
     at ere was slayne in bataile. Capitulo Octogesimo vj=to=.
|r16 |r<b> WHen e Romayns wist at e Emperour was dede, ai for_       
soke e felde, and e paynemys also; and Kyng Arthure
     after ham chasede til it was nyt, and so meny of ham quellede
     at hit was wonder to telle; and o turnede Kyng Arthure aeyne
|r20 when it was nyt, and ankede almyty God of his Vittorie. And
     on e morwe he lete loke & seke al e felde for his knytes
     at he hade ere lost, at is to seyne, Borell, erl of Maans; Bed_were 
     & Kay, and Lygers, Erl of Boloigne; Vrtegi, erl of Baat,
|r24 Aloth, erl of Wynchestre; Cursale, erl of Chestre; and Holdeyn,
     erl of Flaundres: ise were e grete Lordes at Kyng Arthure Loste
     in at bataile amonges oere wori knytes; and somme he lete
     entere in Abbayes by e contre, and some he lete bene borne
|r28 into here owen contre; and e Emperourres body he lete take
     and put oppon a bere, & sent hit to Rome, and sent to say to e
     Romaynes at `as for Britaigne & Fraunce whiche at he helde,
     oere truage he wolde none paie; and if ai axend him eny
|r32 oere, rit suche he wolde ham paye.'  Kyng Arthur lete



|p88


     bere Kay to Kenen, his owen castel, and ere he was enterede;
     and Ligers was born to Boloyne, ere at he was lorde; and
     Holdeyn was borne to Flaundres, & ere he was enterede; and
 |r4 alle the oere he lete entier wi michel honour in Abbayes & in
     house of Religioun~ in e contrey ere at ai were dede.  And
     Arthure him-self soiournede e same ere in Burgoigne |r[f.45v] wi his
     host, and out at same ere follewyng passe e mount Ioye, &
 |r8 haue gone to Rome, forto haue take e citee, and haue put e
     Romayns in subieccion; but e wickede tiraunt Mordrede him
     lettede, as after e shul here.
     How Mordrede e traitour to whome Kyng Arthure tok his
|r12 lande to kepe, and his castelles, and helde hit aeynes
     him.  Capitulo  Octogesimo  Septimo.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Arthure hade taken to Mordrede his reaume
        to kepe, and was gone aeynes e Emperoure of Rome, &
|r16 was passede e see, Mordrede anone toke homages and feautes of al
     ham at were in is lande, and wolde haue hade e lande to his
     owen vse, and toke castelles about, and lete ham arraie; and
     after his falsenesse he dede anoere grete wrong, ffor, aeynes e
|r20 law of Cristiente, he toke his owen Emes wif, as a traitour shulde,
     and ordeynede him a grete hoste aeynes Arthures comyng, to halde
     the lande aeyns him wi streng for euermore, and to slee Kyng
     Arthure yf he myt; and lete sende by e Cee and lande, and lete
|r24 assemble Paynymes and cristen peple; and he sent to Saxones and
     to Danoys forto help him. and also Mordrede sende to Chel_drik, 
     to done men come to him out of Saxoyne, at was a wori
     Duc, and bihit him, if at he brout wi him peple, he wolde
|r28 graunt him al e lande fram bionde Humber vnto Scotland, and
     al e lande at Engist hade |r[f.46r] of Vortigers ifte, When at he hade
     spousede his douter. And Cheldrik come wi grete streng and
     power of Peple: and Mordrede him assemblede also in his half,
|r32 at ai hade xl M=l= of stronge knytes when at ai hade nede.



|p89


     How Arthure enchacede Mordrede e traitour, and how he
     was slayne, and Kyng Arthure also wondede to e
     dethe.  Capitulo  Octogesimo  Octauo.
 |r4 |r<b> WHen is tydynges come to Kyng Arthure ere at he was
        in Burgoyne, he was ful sore annoiede, and toke al
     Fraunce to Hoel forto kepe, wi haluendele his men, & praiede
     him at he wolde hit kepe til at he comen aeyne, ffor him-self
 |r8 wolde wende into Britaigne and avenge him oppon Mordrede at
     was his traitoure; and four went his waye, and come to Swit_sand, 
     & made his men to gone into shippe, & wolde haue arryuede
     at Sandewiche, and brout wi him an grete hoste of Fraunce also
|r12 wi his owen lande. but er at he myght come to lande wi his
     peple at were comen out of e shippis, Mordrede was comen wi
     all his power, and af a stronge bataile, so at Kyng Arthure loste
     meny a man er at he mit comen to land; ffor ere was Gaweyn
|r16 his Nevewe slayne, and Anguissel at helde Scotland, and meny
     oere, wherof Kyng Arthure was ful sory.  But after at ai
     were comen to lande, Mordrede myght nougt aeynes him endure,
     but anone was |r[f.46v] descomfitede, and flede ens at same nyt Wi
|r20 his men, and oppon e morwe come to London; but o of the
     citee wolde nout soffre ham come in; and fro ens he fledde to
     Wynchestre, and ere helde him wi his peple at with him
     come. Kyng Arthure lete take e body of Gaweyn his cosyn,
|r24 & e body of Anguissel, and lete ham bene borne into Scotland
     into her owen contre, and ere ai were enterede.
         And anone after at, Kyng Arthur toke his wey to
     destroie Mordrede; and he fledde fro ens into Cornewaile.  The
|r28 Quene Gunnore, at was Kyng Arthures wif, at o soiournede at
     ork, and herde at Mordrede was fledde ens at he was, and
     mit nout endure aeynes Kyng Arthure, she was sore adrade, and
     hade grete doute, and wist nout what was best al forto done, for
|r32 she wiste wel here lorde Kyng Arthure wolde nout of her haue



|p90


     mercy, for e grete shame at she to him hade done; and toke
     her wai priuely wi iiij men and wi no mo, & come to
     Kerlioun~, and ere she duellede al her lifes tyme, at neuer
 |r4 was seyn amonges folc, her lif duryng.  Arthure wist at
     Mordrede was fledde into Cornewail. he lete sende after his men
     into Scotland, & into Northumberland vnto Humber, and lete
     assemble folc wiout noumbre, & comes fro ens into Cornewaile to
 |r8 seche and pursue after Mordrede. and Mordrede hade assemblede
     al e folc of Cornwayle, and hade peple wioute nombre, & wist
     at |r[f.47r] Arthure Was comyng. he hade leuer to Dye and tak
     his chaunce, an lenger flee, and abode and af an harde bataile to
|r12 Kyng Arthur & to his peple, so at so miche peple was slayn, What
     in at one halfe and in at oer, -- at noman wiste who
     at hade e better partie.  But so hit bifelle at the laste, at
     Mordrede was slayn, and al his folc, and al e gode chiualry at
|r16 Kyng Arthure hade gaderede and norisshede of diuerse landes;
     and also e noble Knyghtes of e rounde table, at so miche were
     preisede rou al e worlde, weren ere slayn; and Arthure him_self 
     was wondede to e deth. but he lete him bene born in a liter
|r20 to Auyoun~, to bene helede of his wondes; and itte e Britons
     supposen at he Leue in a-noere lande, and at he shal come it
     and conquere al Britaigne; but certes is is e prophecie of
     Merlyn: he saide at his de shulde bene dotous; and he saide
|r24 sothe, for men erof itte hauen doute, and shal for euermore, as
     me sai, for men weten nout wheer at he leue or is dede.
      Arthure was born to Auyoun e xxij ere of his regne After
     e Incarnacioun~ of oure lorde Ihesu Crist v. C and xlvj=ti= ere.

|r28 How Kyng Arthure delyuerede e reame to Constantyn, e
     sone of Cador, his nevew.  Capitulo  Octogesimo
      Nono.
     |r<b> WHenne Kyng Arthure wist at he mit no longer regne, he
|r32    lete come bifore him Constantyne, at was Cadore sone,
     erl of Cornwail, his cosyn, and to him bitoke al his reaume, and to



|p91


     him saide, & bade him erof to bene Kyng til at he come aeyne,
     for-asmiche as he hade none heire of his body bigeten: and grete
     harme was hit at soche a noble Kyng, and so doughty, hade
 |r4 none childe of his body bigeten; |r[f.47v] but al ing at God wil haue
     done, moste bene done, Whos name bens blessede wiouten ende!
     Amen.

     How Kyng Constantyne was werrede of Mordredus ij sones.
 |r8 Capitulo Nonogesimo.
     |r<b> THis Constance was a noble knyght and a wori of body; and
        o ij sones at Mordrede hade bigeten, hade grete en[u]y to
     Constantyne, at o was cronede kyng; and so at ai bigonne to
|r12 meve werr aeynes him, and assemblede a grete hoste of ham at
     were to-fore wi Mordrede, and hade bene dryuen away.
     ai deden miche sorwe rou al at lande: at o broer
     ordeynede him to London~ forto take e citee, and at oere to
|r16 Wynchestre; but Constantyn come to London~ and slough him
     at was ere; and after, he went to Wynchestre, and slough him
     at ere was also, so at boe his enemys were dede. and when
     Constantyn had regnede worely iiij er, he deide, & li at London~.

|r20 Of e Kynges Adelbright and of Edelf. Capitulo Nono_gesimo 
     primo.
     |r<b> After Kyng Constantynus deth ere were ij kynges in Britaigne:
        at on me callede Adelbright, at was a Danoys, at helde
|r24 e contre of Northfolc and Southfolc; at oere hit Edelf, and
     was a Britoun, at helde Nichole, Lyndeseye, and al e lande
     vnto Humber.  ise ij kynges faste werrede to-gederes, but
     afterwarde ai were accorded, and louede to-geder as ai haden
|r28 bene borne of o body.  The Kyng Edelf hade a sustre at me
     callede Orewenne, and he af here rou grete frendeship to Kyng
     Adelbright to wif, and he bigate on here a doughter at me callede
     Argentill. and in e ridde ere after, him come vppon~ a stronge



|p92


     |r[f.48r] sikenesse, at nedes he moste dye; and he sent to Kyng Edelf
     his brother-in-lawe, that he shulde come and speke with him; & he
     come to him with gode wille.  Tho praiede he the [king], and
 |r4 coniurede also in the name of God, at after when he were dede, he
     shulde tak Argentill his douter, & e lande, & at he kepte here
     wel, and norisshede in his Chaumbre. and when she were of age
     he shulde done here bene marede to e strongest and worieste
 |r8 man at he myt fynde, and an he shulde elde vp her lande
     aeyne. Edelf hit grauntede, and by oth hit confermede at his
     power.  And when Adelbright was dede and enterede, Edelfe
     toke e damisel Argentil, and norisshede her in his chaumbre, and
|r12 she bicome e faireste creature at eny man myt fynde.

     How e Kyng Edelf mariede e damisel Argentil to a
     knaue of his Kechyne. Capitulo xxiiij & xij=o=.
     |r<b> THis Kyng Edelf, at was Vncle to the Damisel Argentil,
|r16    biout how at he myght falseliche haue e lande fram his
     nece for euermore; & falsely, aeynes his oth, out to desceyu e
     damisell, and mariede here to a knaf of his kechyne at me callede
     Curan; and he bicome e woriest man & strongest of body
|r20 at eny man wiste in eny lande at o leuede; and to him he out
     here shendefully haue mariede forto haue hade hir lande afterward;
     but he was clene desceyuede.  ffor is Curan was Hauelockes
     sone, at was Kyng of Kirkelane in Denmark; and is Curan con_querede 
|r24 his wifes landes, and slough Kyng Edelf at was his wifes
     Vncle, & hade al here lande as |r[f.48v] in anoer stede hit telle more
     oppenly; and he ne regnede but iij ere, for Saxoynes and Danoys
     him quellede; and at was grete harme to al Britaigne; and
|r28 Britons bere him to Stonehynge, and ere ai him enterede wi
     michel honoure and solempnite.

     Of Kyng Conan. Capitulo Nonogesimo Tercio.
     |r<b> After is Curan, regnede Conan, at was his cosyn, at was
|r32    a wonder proude knyt and regnede. he coue haue no
     maner loue, but euer he was medlyng wi his owen peple, and toke



|p93


     his Vncle wi werre, and helde his ij childerne.  The Saxoynes
     werrede aeynes him oftetymes, but he ham ouercome at e laste;
     & so he was in pees al his lifes tyme; and he regnede xiiij ere,
 |r4 and after, he deide, and  li at London~.

     Of Kyng Certif; and of Gurmonde, at come rou paynemys
     into Britaigne. Capitulo Nonogesimo Quarto.
     |r<b> After is Conan, regnede his cosyn Certif, at was bihatede of
 |r8    all his peple, and noing bilouede. and is Certif loste al
     Britaigne rou werre. And in his tyme felle at grete meschief
     in Britaigne, at Cristendome was destroede, and alle e Britons
     were dryuen oute, & e lande loste wiouten eny recoueryng;
|r12 but afterwarde lefte e lande to Saxoynes, as e shul afterwarde
     hure.  For in at tyme ere was a paynyme at me callede
     Gurmonde, at was e Kynges sone Daufrik, of e Paynymes folc,
     at hade e reaume after his fader, and was kyng, saf he biqua &
|r16 af hit to his broer, and saide at he wolde neuer bene kyng
     but if he might conquere and gete a reaume in a straunge
     contrey; for he was bolde, and ek stronge of body, & of him
     |r[f.49r] prophecied Merlyn, and saide at `he shulde bene a wolf of e
|r20 see'; and lete assemble paynymes wiout nombre, and lete
     apparaile shippis, and went by meny londes, and toke homages
     and feautes of meny. and so he went by e see fram lande to
     lande, & conquerede diuerses landes, so at he come to Irland,
|r24 and conquered at lande, at ofte-tymes werrede vppon Brit_aigne
     and Britons vppon~ ham; and often wonnen, & ofte
     losten, and euen hostages to Britons. and so ai senten to
     Gurmond, ere at he was in Irland, at he shulde come into
|r28 Britaigne, and helpe ham aeynes e Britons, to helpe ham
     deliuere at lande of ham; and ai wolde him holde gladly
     for her lorde; for he was a paynyme, and ai were paynemes, and
     e Britons were cristen: wel aut him an ham forto helpe, so as



|p94


     ai weren of on law.  When Gurmond herde is praier, he
     hastede him as miche as he mit, and arryuede in Scotland, and_come 
     into Northumberlond ere at e Saxones were duellyng; &
 |r4 ai confermede e couenaunte bituene ham, at were made by oes
     and by hostages, forto beren him trew fay, & halde him for lorde,
     and paye to him truage by ere.  Tho bigonne e Saxoynes &
     e Aufricans to destroye, robbe and brenne tounes, and destroye
 |r8 al ing, as michel as ai myt, and sparede neiere man, woman,
     ne childe, Lewede ne lernede, ans alle ai quellede, & caste adoun
     tounus, & castelle, & cherches, & so put ai al e lande to grete
     destruccioun~. And as sone as the Britons myt |r[f.49v] flee, ai
|r12 fledde ens, as wel poer as ryche, Bisshoppis, Abbotes, Chanons,
     & alle oere, grete and smale; somme into litel Britaign, & some
     into Cornwail; alle o at shippis mit haue.

     How Kyng Gurmonde drof e Kyng Certif to Chichestre,
|r16 and quellede e Britons, & rou quey[n]tise  gete
     the toune. [Capitulo nonagesimo quinto.]
     |r<b> SErtif e kyng, fleye ens into Chichestre, at o was a gode
        cite and a strong, and ere helde him xx daies. and is
|r20 Gurmonde hit bisegede; but e citee was so strong at he mit
     nout hit gete be no maner engyne at he myt done. o
     biout ai oppon a grete queyntise forto brenne the toune: ai
     maden engynes of glew and of nettes, and token peces of tunder
|r24 & fire, and bonde to sparwe feet, & afterward lete ham flee;
     and ai fley anon ryt, and loggede ham in e toune ere at her
     nestes were, and in stackes & in euesynges of house; & e fire
     biganne anone to tende and brenne al e toune. and whenne e
|r28 Britons saw e toune brenne on euery side, ai hiede ham out, and
     faut; but anone ai were slayn & descomfitede. and whiles e
     bataile durede, e kyng priuely shud him, & stale away into
     Walys, & men wiste neuer where he bicome; & so was e toun



|p95


     of Chichestre taken & destroiede. and after, went Gurmonde, &
     destroiede citees & tounes at neuer were afterward made aeyne, as
     it is seen itte in meny stedes.

 |r4 How is lande was clepede Engeland for e name of Engist;
     and how meny Kynges were |r[f.50r] made after in e Londe.
      Capitulo Nonogesimo Sexto.
     |r<b> WHen Gurmonde hade wastede and destroiede al e lande
 |r8    rou-out, he af e londe to e Saxones; and ai toke hit
     wi gode wille, for e Saxones longe tyme hade desirede hit, for-as_miche 
     as ai were of Engistes Kynrede, at first hade al e lande of
     Britain; and o lete ham bene callede Englisshemen, for-asmiche
|r12 as in his tyme hit was callede Engistes lande, when he hade con_querede 
     it of Vortiger at hade spousede his douter. but fram e
     tyme at Brut come ferst into Engeland, is land was callede
     Britaigne, & e folc Britons, til e tyme at is Gurmond eftesones
|r16 conquerede hit & af it vnto Saxonus, and ai anone rit chaunged
     e name, as bifore is saide.  And when is was done, Gur_mond 
     passede ouer into Fraunce, & ere conquered meny londes, &
     destroed all cristen peple ere at he come. and e Danois
|r20 duellede in is lande, & bigonne faste hit inhabit at here owen
     wille; and ai wolde haue made newe kynges and lordes, but ai
     myt neuer assenten to haue onelich o kyng, forto bene to him
     entendaunt: and erfore ai maden meny kynges in diuerses
|r24 shires, as hit was in Engistes tyme.  The ferst kyngdome was
     Kent. and at oere Southsex, and e ridde Westsex, and e fer
     Estsex, and e fifte Northumberland, and e sixte Estangle, at is
     to seyn Northfolc & Southfolc, and e seuene Merchenoroth, and
|r28 at is e Erl*dome |r[f.50v] of Nichole, Huntyngdon~ and Hereford, Glou_cestre, 
     Wynchestre, Warrwyk and Darby; and so departede se
     Englisshe-men al Engeland into vij parties.  And after, hit



|p96


     bifelle at o kynges werrede to-gederes ofte-tymes; and euer he
     at was strongest binome ham at were feblest; & so hit was
     longe tyme at ai nade no kyng cronede amonges ham, ne no cristen
 |r4 men was o amonges ham, ne cristendome neiere, but were pay_nemys 
     l. ere, til at seynt Gregori was pope of Rome, at hade
     seyne childerne of e nacioun~ in e citee of Rome, at were wonder
     faire creatures, & hade grete wille and desire ham forto biholde,
 |r8 and axede of e marchauntes whens a were, & of what nacioun~; &
     men tolde him at ai were of Engeland, & Englisshes ai were
     callede; but ai and all e peple of Engeland were paynemes, &
     bileuede nou in God.  "Allas," quod seynt Gregori, "wel
|r12 mow ai bene callede Englissh, for ai haue e visages of
     Angeles; and erfor wel aut ham en ben cristen men. "And
     for is enchesoun seynt Gregor sent seynt Austyne into Engeland,
     and xl. goode men wi him, at were of gode lif, and holy men, to
|r16 preche and teche, and to conuerte e Englisshe peple, and ham
     turne to God: and at was in e vj ere at seynt Gregor hade
     bene Pope, at is to seyne, after e Incarnacioun of oure Lorde
     Ihesu Crist, v. C. xxiiij and vij ere, as e cronicles telle.

|r20 How Seynt Austyne baptisede & conuertede Kyng Adelbright,
     and if bisshopis at he callede his felawes. Capitulo
     xxxiiij xvij=o=.
     |r<b> WHen Seynt Austyne come ferst into Engeland, he |r[f.51r] arryuede
|r24    in e Ile of Tenet, and so passede fourth, & come vnto
     Kaunterbery, and ere so ournede. And Kyng Adelbright of
     Kent, at was of e lynage of Engist, faire vnderfong seynt Austyn
     & his felowes wi michel honour, & ham fonde al at ham
|r28 nedede; & ferermore he af ham a faire place at now is callede
     e Abbay of seynt Austynus, in whiche place he li him-self
     shrinede.  This Kyng Adelbright was a gode man, and wi
     godewel herde seynt Austynus predicaciouns, and af him leue to



|p97


     preche rou al his lande of Kent, to tourne & to conuerte to
     him al e peple at he mit.  Hit bifelle so afterwarde, rou
     Goddes grace, at in litel tyme e kyng him-self was conuertede
 |r4 to Gode, and all his peple of his lande was baptisede. And in
     the mene-while at e peple turnede ham to God, seynt Austyn
     come to Rochestre, and ere prechede Goddes worde. e paynemys
     erfor him scornede, and caste on him righe tailes, so at al his
 |r8 mantel was hongede ful of righe tailes; and for more despite ai
     caste oppon him e guttes of ryghe & of ffisshe; wherfore e gode
     man seynt Austyn was sore agreuede, and prayede to God at alle
     e childerne at shulde bene borne afterwarde in at citee of
|r12 Rouchestre moste haue tailes.  And when e Kyng herde and
     wist of is vengeance at was falle rou seyl t Austynus praier,
     he lete make an house in e honoure of God, wher-in wymmen
     shulde haue childerne at e bruges ende, in whiche hous wymmen
|r16 it be delyuere of childe.  When seynt Gregory hade herde
     tel at e Englisshe-men were turnede to Gode, and conuertede,
     He sent to seynt Austyn his Pallyoun, by a bisshop at me callede
     Paulyn, and made him primate & Erchebisshop |r[f.51v] of al Engeland,
|r20 And sent him worde an at he shulde make bisshopis in e
     land. And anone as seynt Austyn hade e Pallioun~ of e dignite
     of e erchebisshop, he made ij bisshoppes of his felawes at come
     wi him fram Rome: on at me callede Mellite, & he duellede
|r24 at London~, And at oere me callede Iustyn, at helde e dignite
     of Rouchestre.  And is bisshop Mellyt went to preche into
     Essex, & baptisede e kyng of e contre, at me callede Sicwith,
     at was Kyng Adelbright cosyn, his sustres sone.  This
|r28 Iustyne went to preche in Southsex~, & turnede miche of e peple
     to god; and seynt Austyne went him-self prechyng rou-oute
     e lande.



|p98


     How seynt Austyne went into Walys, ere at e Britouns
     were; & how ai nolde nout bene obedient to e Erche_bisshop 
     of Kanterbury. Capitulo xxiiij=o= xviij=o=.
 |r4 |r<b> WHen al Engeland was baptisede and turnede to God, seynt
        Austyn went into at lande ere at e Britons were, and
     forto kepe ham fro Englisshe-men, at is to seyn, into Walys, &
     ere he founde monkes & Abbayes, & vij bisshoppes; for e
 |r8 Britons destroiede alwai e cristen peple at seynt Austyne hade
     baptisede, & saide to e bisshoppes at `he was a legate of Rome,
     & primat of al Engeland, & at ai shulde by al resoun to him
     bene obedient.' And ai saide at `ai nolde but to e Erche_bisshop 
|r12 of Kerlyoun~'; & saide `ai nolde neuer, for no maner
     ing, bene obedient vnto e Englisshe-men'; "ffor e Englisshe_men
     ," ai saide, "be oure aduersaries & oure enemys, and hauen
     dryuen vs out of oure owen contre; & we be Cristen men, and
|r16 euer ha bene; & e Englisshe-men |r[f.52r] haue euermore bene
     Paynymes, but now late at ai be conuertede."  Seynt
     Austyne myt of ham none oere ansuere haue, but saide
     apertely at `ai nolde neuer ham meke to him ne to e
|r20 peple of Rome.' And seynt Austyne turnede o aeyne to Kyng
     Adelbright, at was kyng of Kent, and tolde him at is folc
     wolde nout to no man bene obedient but to e Erche_bisshop 
     of Kerlyoun. and when e Kyng herde is, he was sore
|r24 annoiede, and saide at he wolde ham destroye, & sent to Elfride,
     Kyng of Northumberland, at was his frende, at he shulde come
     to him wi al e power at he myt, & at he wolde mete
     him at Leycestre, and fro ens ai wolde gone into Walys, &
|r28 destroye e Erchebisshop of Kerlyoun~, & alle o at hade refusede
     seynt Austyn.



|p99


     How Kyng Adelbr[i] ght and e Kyng Elfride quellede
     Brecyual, at was a Kyng of Britons at helde e contre of
     Leicestre. Capitulo Nonogesimo ix=o=.
 |r4 |r<b> HIt bifelle so at ere was a Kyng Britoun at helde e
        contre of Leycestre, and al e cuntre aboute him, of
     Brecyual. And is Kyng Briton herde telle at o ij Englisshe
     kyng wolde mete ere at Leycestre, forto wende into Walys.
 |r8 he lete ordeyne al e power at he hade, forto feit wi ise ij
     kynges; but litil hit availede him, for his folc at he hade was
     slayn, & him-self fledde, & loste his lande for euermore.  And
     ise ij kynges, Adelbright and Elfride, duellede awhile at
|r12 Leycestre, & departede e lande amonges ham, & toke homages
     & feautes of e folc of e cuntree; and after, ai wenten towarde
     Walys, & |r[f.52v] o of Walys hade herde telle of e scomfiture of
     Brecyual hade at Leycestre, and were wonder sore adrade of o ij
|r16 kynges, and toke and chose amonges ham gode men & holy, of
     heremytes, monkes and prestes, and oere folc grete plente, at
     wenten bare-fote and wolward, forto haue mercy of o ij kynges.
      But o kynges were so sterne and so wickede at ai nolde
|r20 neuer speke with ham, but quellede ham euerychon -- Allas e
     sorwe! -- for ai ne sparede ham nomore an e wolfe doth e
     shepe, but smyten of e heuedes of euerychon~; & so al were
     ere martrede at to ham come, at is to vnderstonde, v=c=. & xl.
|r24  And after, o ij kynges went to Bangor, forto quelle al o
     at ai myt ere fynde of e Britons. And when e Britons at
     herde, ai assemblede & ordeynede al here power forto fit wi
     ham.  o was ere a Britoun in Walys, at me callede Bledrik
|r28 of Cornwaile, at somme-tyme was lorde of Deuenshire, but e
     Kyng Adelbright hade dryuen him into Walys, and eue him
     bataile; and at at bataile was Kyng Adelbright slayne, & Elfride
     woundede sore, & forsoke e felde, & e most parte of his folc
|r32 slayn; and Elfride fleye into Northumberland, at was his owen



|p100


     lande; and afterwarde e peple of Leycestreshire made wi streng
     Cadwaladre, at was Brecyuale sone, Kyng of Leycestre, & he
     after regnede nobli & wi grete honoure.

 |r4 How Cadewaladre, at was Kyng of Leycestre, and Elfride,
     Kyng of Northumberland, weren frendes; & of e debate
     at after was bituene Edwyne & Cadewalayn, at were
     boe here sones. Capitulo Centesimo.
 |r8 |r<b> ANd after at is bataile was done, e Britons |r[f.53r] assemblede
        ham, and went ens, and come vnto Leicestre, & made
     Cadwaladre, at was Brecyuales sone, kyng of Leicestr and of all
     e contre. and he toke homages & feautes of e folc of at
|r12 contre; and after at, he assembled a grete hoste, and saide `he
     wolde go into Northumberland forto destroi Kyng Elfride, &
     slee him, if at he myght.' and when he was comen ider,
     frendes went so bituene ham, & made ham accordede in is
|r16 maner, at Elfride shulde holde al e lande fram Humber vnto
     Scotlande, and Cadwalader shulde halde al e lande ais half
     Humber vnto e South; and after at ai bicome gode frendes
     al here lif duryng, & louede to-gedre as [they] hade bene ij
|r20 breerne.  And is Elfride hade a sone at me callede Edwynne,
     at hade and helde al e lande of Northumbreland after his fadres
     deth, as his fader hade holde al his lif-tyme.  And Cadwaladre
     hade anoere sone at me callede Cadwalayn, at helde his fadres
|r24 lande as he it helde while he was alif; and ai louede to-gedre as
     ai hade bene breern. and e loue laste bituene ham but onely
     ij ere, and after biganne debate bituene ham rou a luer eneuious
     cosyne of Cadwalayn, at men callede Briens, so at ai
|r28 assemblede a grete hoste in boe parties; & at e laste hit bifelle
     at Cadewalayn was descomfitede, & Edwyne him pursuede, and
     drof fram place to place. so at e laste he fleye into Irlande;
     and is oere destroiede his lande, & caste adoune his castelles,
|r32 and brennede his maneres, and departede al Cadwalaynes lande
     amonge his frendes.  And longe tyme after come Cadwalayn



|p101


     aeyne fram Irlande, with a stronge power, and in pleyn bataile
     |r[f.53v] quellede Edwynne and alle his frendeshippes, & namely o at
     wihelde his landes rou Edwynes ifte.

 |r4 How Kyng Oswolde was quellede rou Kyng Cadwaleyne and
     Peanda; & how Oswy, at was seynt Oswoldes broer,
     regnede after him, & quelde Peanda. Capitulo Centesimo
     primo.
 |r8 |r<b> WHen at Edwynne was slayn, Offris his sone vnderfonge
        e werr aeyns Cadwaleyn his Eme, so at is Offris
     deide duryng e werre. and after e de of Offris, o regned a
     gentile Cristen man at m che louede God, -- at hade all e lande
|r12 of Northumberland by herytage, -- at me [called] Oswolde, and
     he was kyng of al at lande. but for-asmiche as he was frende to
     Edwyne, and helde a grete parte of e lande of Cadwalyn, e same
     Cadewalyn werred oppon him, and drof him toward Scotland.
|r16 and when Cadwalyn saw at he wolde nout abide, Cadwalyn
     wolde no longer him pursue, but toke some of his folc to Peanda,
     his broer-in-law, & praiede Peanda to pursue Oswolde til at he
     were take and slayne; and Cadwalyn turnede o home aeyn.
|r20  When Oswolde herde e tidynges at Cadwaleyn turnede home
     aeyne, he wolde no longer flee, but abode Peanda, & af him
     bataile; & Peanda was descomfitede and fley, and come aeyne to
     Cadwaleyn, & saide at `he wolde neuere holde a foote of lande
|r24 of him but if it were so at he wolde avenge him oppon~
     Oswolde.' Cadwaleyne lete assemble a grete host forto fit wi
     Oswolde; so at he and Peanda come into Northumberland, |r[f.54r] and
     euen bataile vnto Oswolde; and in at same bataile was Oswolde
|r28 slayn, & his heuede smyten of; & after he was enterede at e
     Abbay of Berdeneye, in whiche place God ha wrout for him
     meny a faire miracle, boe ere and elles-where.
          And anone Oswy his broer seisede into his hande al
|r32 e lande at was Oswoldes; & e folc of Northumberlande louede
     him wonder wel, and helde him for here lorde; but he hade men
     of his kyn wori ynow at wolde haue departede e lande; & ai



|p102


     werrede to-gedre. & for-asmiche as ai were nout stronge ynow,
     ai come to Peanda, & praiede him of helpe and socour, & bihight
     him of at lande largely, oppon~ at couenant at he wolde ham
 |r4 ghye, helpe, & conseile.  Peanda herde her praier, & so spake
     wi e Kyng Cadwalyn~ at he shulde ordeyne a grete hoste, and
     faste ordeyne him into Northumberland forto fit wi Oswy. and
     Oswy was a meke man, & miche louede pees and charite, &
 |r8 prayede Peanda of loue and pees, & proferede him of golde &
     siluer grete plente.  And is Peanda was so proude at he
     wolde graunt him no pees for no maner ing, but for al ing
     h[e] wolde wi him feit. so at e laste ere was sette a day
|r12 of ba[ta]ille; and Oswy euere hade truste oppon~ Gode, & is
     Peanda triste to miche oppon~ his pride & oppon~ his host at he
     hade. and to-gedre ai smyten egrely; but Peanda anone was
     descomfitede & slayn. And at was after e Incarnacioun of oure
|r16 lorde Ihesu Criste V. C. & lv.  And is Oswy o regnede
     xxviij ere. |r[f.54v] And a kyng at me callede Oswyn, at was
     Peandae cosyn, werrede oppon Kyng Oswy, and to-gedre fouten;
     but Oswy hade e victorie; and Oswyne was descomfitede & slayn,
|r20 and lith at Tynnemouthe.

     Of Kyng Ossa, at was sonereyne of alle e kynges of Engeland;
     & how eueryche werrede oppon~ oere in his tyme.
     Capitulo Centesimo Secundo.
|r24 |r<b> HIt bifelle so at alle e kynges in at tyme at were in e
        londe, as o of Westsex, Mercheneriche, Est Angle, of
     Kent, & of Southsex & of oere costes, eueryche werrede oppon~
     oere; and ai at were moste mytiest toke e lande of ham
|r28 at were moste feblest.  But ere was a kyng amonges ham
     at me callede Ossa, at was seynt Oswoldes broer. is Ossa
     conquerede alle e kynges of e lande, & regned aboue ham alle.
      And so grete was e werr in euery contre bituene kyngus, at
|r32 no man myt wete how e lande went. But Abbotes, prioures, &
     men of religioun~, writen e lifes and dedes of kynges, & how



|p103


     longe eueryche hade regnede, & in what contre; & in what
     maner eueryche kyng deide, and of bisshopp also, and erof
     made grete bokes, & lete calle ham e Cronicles: and e goode
 |r4 Kyng Alurede hade at boke in his warde, and lete brynge hit to
     Wynchestre, & lete hit faste bene tackede to a piler, at men
     myt hit nout remeve ne bere enns, so at euery man mit hit
     see and ereoppon~ loke, for erin be e lifes of alle e Kynges
 |r8 at euer wer in Engeland.

     How e Kyng of Northumberlond, Osbright, forleye e wif of
     Buerne Bocard rou streng; & after is Buerne con_querede 
     e Kyng wi stronge power. Capitulo Centesimo
|r12 tercio.
     |r<b> ANd us hit bifelle in the same tyme, at ere was a kyng in
        |r[f.55r] Northumberlond at me callede Ossebright, & soiournede
     in ork, and is kyng wente him oppon~ a day into a wode, him
|r16 forto desporte; and when he come aeyne, he went priuely into
     a gode manus house at me callede Buerne Bocard. & e gode
     man of at place was gone at tyme to e see, for ofte-tymes he
     was wonede ere aspie eues & robboures, at ofte-tymes were
|r20 wont to come into e londe to robbe & brenne and slee.  e
     lady at was is Buernes wif, was a wonder faire woman, and
     welcomede e Kyng wi michel honour, and worely him seruede
     in al ing.  When e Kyng hade eten, he toke e lady by
|r24 e hande, and lad her into chaumbre, & saide at he wolde speke
     wi here a counsele. and al e folc fram e chaumbre he made
     voyede, saf onely e lady and he. but e Lady wiste nout
     wherfore he it dede, til at he hade done wi here his wille. and
|r28 when he hade done is dede, he turnede aeyne to ork, & e lady
     he lefte ere wonder sore wepyng for e dede at he hade ydone.
      And when here lorde was come home, & saw here wepe, and
     soche mornyng make, he axede of here what she hade done, &
|r32 whi she made soche sorwe.  "Sire," quod she, "queyntly and



|p104


     falsely e Kyng Osbright me ha done shame and vilonye, aeynes
     my wille"; and tolde him treue, How the kyng hade her forleyn
     wi streng; wherfore she saide she hade leuer to dye an leue.
 |r4  "Faire leef, bistille," quod he, "for aeynes streng [febleness]
     is litel wor; & erfore of me shal yow neuer e lesse bene
     Louede, and namely for yow haste tolde me treue. and if
     Almyghty God grant |r[f.55v] me lif, y shal e wel avenge."
 |r8     This Buerne was a gret man and a mity lorde, and was
     wel bilouede, & grete frendes hade, and lete sende for e greteste
     lordes of e lande, & to ham made his compleynt of e despite at
     e kyng to him hade done, & saide at he wolde bene avengede,
|r12 how at euer it were. and alle his frendes conseilede
     and grantede to wende towarde ork, ere at e kyng was. &
     Buerne toke his menye, & come to e kyng. and when e
     kyng him saw, he callede him curtesly Buerne by name; and
|r16 Buerne him ansuerede & saide: "Sire, y ow defye, & elde op
     feautes, homages, and londes, and as miche as y haue holde of
     ow; and so, fro is tyme afterwarde, y wil no ing of e holde."
     & so he departede fram e kyng with-outen more speche or
|r20 eny abidyng, & toke leue of his frendes, and went to Denmarc,
     and pleynede to e Kyng Godryn, & tolde him of e dispite
     at Kyng Osbright to him hade done of his wif, & praiede him
     of socoure & of helpe, him to avenge.  When Kyng Godrin
|r24 of Denmarc & e Danoys, when ai hade herde e pleynt of
     is Buerne & of e praer at he bade, a were wonder glade in
     hert, for-asmiche as ai myt fynde cause forto gone into Enge_land 
     forto werr oppon e Englisshe-men, & also forto avenge
|r28 Buerne of e despite at e kyng hade done to his wif, & for_asmiche 
     as Buerne was sib to e Kyng of Denmarc.  Anone a
     lete ordeyne a grete hoste of men, & lete ordeyne shippis, and as
     miche as was nede to at Viage. and when alle e hoste was



|p105


     redy, e kyng made |r[f.56r] his ij breerne cheueteyns, at Were noble
     Knytes and bolde: at one me callede Humger, & at oere
     Hubba.
 |r4 How e Danoys toke ork & quellede Kyng Osbright,
     and afterwarde Kyng Elle.  Capitulo  Centesimo
      Quarto.
     |r<b> WHen al ing was aredy, o ij breerne tok leue of e Kyng
 |r8    Godrin, and went towarde e see, forto wende into
     Engelande as faste as ai myt spede.  Now is Buerne so wel
     comfortede, & faste h ede him wi e sDanoys; and ai arryues in
     e Northcontre, & come rou-out Holdernessc, & destroiede al
|r12 e contre, and brent tounes and robbede folc, & quellede al at
     ai myt take, til at ai come to orke.  And when Kyng
     Osbright saw ham come, he toke e peple at he hade, and come
     out of e citee, & with ham faute; but no foysoun he nade
|r16 aeynesam; & miche was e peple at ere was slayn in boe
     parties; and Kyng Osbright himself ere was slayn, and e citee
     anone was take, & e Danoys wenten in.  And ere was also
     anoere kyng in Northumberlond at Buernes frendes hade chosen,
|r20 & helde him for kyng, a man at me clepede Elle, for-asmiche as
     ai nolde nout to Kyng Osbright bene entendant, for e despite
     et hc hade done to Buerne here cosyn.  Hit bifelle us, at e
     Kyng Elle was gon~ to e wode him forto desporte: and of
|r24 venysoun~ somdele he hade tak. and as he satte in the wode at
     mete, to a knyght he saide: "we haue wel y |r[f.56v] spedde, & michel
     venysoun taken." and wi at worde ere come in a man, &
     to him saide: "Sire, if e so miche of venysoun~ haue y-wonne,
|r28 . an C. tymes so miche ere aeyns e hauen loste; for al is
     contre e Danois hauen gete, & take e cite of ork; & aeynes
     ow shal it holde, at neuer e shul come erln; & forsothe ai



|p106


     hauen slayn Kyng Osbright."  And when Kyng Elle ise
     wordes herde, he lete assemble al e folc of e cuntre, & ordeynede
     al e power at he mit haue, and wold haue getes e toune of ork
 |r4 wi streng. but e Danois comen out anon & af ham bataile,
     & quellede e kyng & e moste part of his men at he hade
     brout wi him: and e same place ere at ai were slayne shal
     euers bene callede Ellecrofte; and at place is a litel fram ork.
 |r8 and o abode e Danois neuer, til a hade conquerede al
     Northumberland. and in at contre a made Werdeynes, & went
     ferer into e lande, and token Notyngham. and ere a abiden
     al e wynter, and deden al e sorwe at ai myght. and after,
|r12 when somer tyme come, ai remevede fram Notyngllam, & come
     vnto Nichole, & to Lyndessey, & to Holand, for no man mit
     ham withstande, so miche power & streng ai hade.
     How Seynt Edmunde e Kyng was martrede. Capitulo Cen_tesimo 
|r16 v=to=.
     |r<b> ANd so ferre hade e Danois passede fram contre vnto
        contre, & euermore brennyng & robbyng, & destroiede al
     at a mit, til at a come vnto Tetteford. & in at contre
|r20 ai fonden a Cristen Kyng |r[f.57r] at miche louede God and his
     Werkes, at me callede Edmunde; & he was Kyng of Northfolc
     and Southfolc.  is Seynt Edmunde e kyng ordeynede as
     miche folc as he myt, & faut wi e Danois; but he and his folc
|r24 were scomfitede, & se kyng him-self dryuen vnto a castel
     of Framelyngham. & e Danois him pursuede, & comen vnto
     e same castel. and when Kyng Edmunde saw at e castel myst
     nout ham wistonde, he comen aeynes ham. with whame e
|r28 Danois ferst speken; and anone ai axede of him where Kyng
     Edmunde was. "now forsoth," quod he, "when y was in e
     castell, y was kyng; & when y went oute of e castel, he went
     out also; ahd wheer at he shal ascape or dye, at Godes wil



|p107


     most hit be."  When Seynt Edmunde hade nempr ede God, by
     at worde a wiste alle at it was he him-self. and anone
     Hubba & Hungar tok him, & saide at he shulde God forsake,
 |r4 & al cristen law, as alle oere hade done rou ham biforn. and
     Seynt Edmunde saide at 'he wolde ncuer, but raer he wolde
     suffre deth for Godes sone, and his law to kepe.'  o tok
     a Kyng Edmunde, & bounde hin vnto a tree, and made
 |r8 Arch res to him shote with Arwes, til at his body stickede
     alse ful of Arwes as an hirchone is ful of prickes; but for alle e
     payne at he hade, he wolde neuer God forsake. & in e same
     pyne he deide wi at turmentyng, & bitoke his soule to
|r12 almyty God. & when a saw at he was dede, a smyten of his
     heuede; & il is maner was Seynt Edmunde martrede.
     |r[f.57v] How Hubba & Hungar toke e toune of.Redyng. Capitulo
     Centesimo vj=to=.
|r16 |r<b> [W]Hen sent Edmunde was martrede, Hunguar and Hubba
        went ens, with al here Danoys, vnto Redyng. and
     as al went iderwarde, ai brent tounes & citees, & quellede al
     Cristen peple at wolde nout God forsake, and caste adoun~
|r20 cherches, and comen to Redyng, and toke e toun~, and ere
     holde ham til at e Kyng Edelf of Westsex come ider wi al
     his power forto take e toune.  o come oute e Danoys forto
     eue bataile to Kyng Elfride; and at at bataile was quellede an
|r24 Erl of Danoys at me callede Gydrak.  Oppon~ e morwe come
     e Kyng Eldrede, and his broer Alurede, with a stronge power
     and grete host. and e Kyng Edelf come aeyne (at hade
     fouten wi e Danois e day toforne ) to at bataile. & e
|r28 Danois o comen out forto feit wi ham. and at batale was
     wonder strong, for meny a man was ere slayn; and e Danois
     at day hade e vittori; and e Kyng Eldrede & his broer



|p108


     Alurede at day were descomfited. but e xiiij day afterwarde,
     e Danois and e Englisshe-men fouten to-gederes oppon~
     Elkelden, & ere was slayne a kyng of Denmarc at was callede
 |r4 Rasyng, and iiij Erles of grete power; and at day hade e
     Danoys shame, for a were dryuen vnto Engelfilde. and e xv
     day after, e Danois & e Englisshemen fouten anoere tyme at
     Rasyng [sic], and ere were e Englisshe-men descomfItede. and
 |r8 fram ens a Danois, at me callede Roynt, went to Redyng wi
     his hoste, & destro ede al at |r[f.58r] he myght tak; ands Kyng Eldrede
     faut wi him, but he was woundede so, wherfore he was dede;
     and he nade regnede but v. ere, and deide, and li atte
|r12 Wonburne.
     Of Kyng Alurede; & how e Danoys in his tyme praiede him
     of mercy, at ai moste gone out of e lande. Capitulo
     Centesimo vij=o=.
|r16 |r<b> After e deth of is Eldrede, regnede his broer Alurede, at
        Dolfynes was callede. o went e Danois, & assemblede
     han, and went forto seche Alurede, at o was e new kyng of
     Southsex. and ere ai fol de him at Wilton~, wi a litel peple;
|r20 & noeles he faut with ham; but at the laste he fledde ens
     fram e felde, and went vnto Westsex, and ordeynede so miche
     peple of his owen reaume & also of oere, so til at he hade a
     stronge host, so at e Danois hade non power aeynes him to
|r24 stande. and he come to London~ wi his host, ere as e Danois
     so ournede; and ere wolde he haue fouten wi ham, but e
     Danois derste nout wi him feit, but pra ede him of pees, &
     at ai most gone aeyne into her owen contre, & neuermore into
|r28 Engeland forto come aeyne, eny harme forto done, and oppon~ is
     couenant ai shulde eue him to plegge, gode hostages, & soche
     as e Englisshe men wolde axen.



|p109


     How Hubba & Hunguar were quellede at Chippenham; & how
     e Danoys brout hir kyng vnto oure kyng. Capitulo
     Centesimo Octauo.
 |r4 |r<b> ANd e same day at e Danois departede fram London~, so
        faste a riden, boe nyght and day, and neuer toke reste
     of goyng til at ai |r[f.58v] comen vnto Excestre, and token e toune,
     & ere helde ham.  When Kyng Alurede herde o tidynges,
 |r8 anone he lete tak e hostages, and went fram ens vnto Excestre
     wi al e power at he hade.  And when e Danois herde tel of
     his comyng, ai went fro ens forth into Westsex, and comen to
     Chippenham; and ere ai deden miche harme in e contre; a
|r12 robbede folc, & brout ham into prisoun. The Kyng Alurede
     ham pursuede, & come oppon ham, and fersly ham assailede; &
     ere were slayn boe Hubba, and Hunguar his broer, and Buerne
     ocard and in at bataile was michel folc slayn in at o partye
|r16 and in at oere, but e gree of e felde lefte wi e Danois, for_asmiche 
     as e kyng o come but with litel company.  The
     Kyng Hastede him as miche as he myght, forto wende aeyn; and
     when e Danois fonden Hubba his bodye liggyng dede, a
|r20 enterede hit, & made oppon him a grete logge, and lette calle hit
     Hubbeslaw; & so it is callede into is day; and at place is in
     Dcuenesshire.  e barons of Westsex, Wilteshire and Dorset,
     harde telle how at here kyng was descomfitede; and ordeynede
|r24 al e power at a m t haue, and come to e kyng ere at he
     was, & ankede God at ai hade him fonden alif, for a wende
     at e Danois hade him slayne.  o toke a a counseil, e
     kyng and his barons, & ai wolde gone seche e Danois,
|r28 with ham forto feit. and so a riden al at nyt ham forto
     seche, and come amorw, about prime, to Abyngdon~, ere at
     e Danois were.
         e kyng o, Alurede |r[f.59r] and his barons, assemblede, and ere



|p110


     assailede e Danois egrely, and ere af ham a stronger bataile
     an euere he dede bifore; and e Danois nobli put ham of, longe
     tyme, at no man wist in wheer partie more peple were slayn.
 |r4  ut us hit bifelle, as God wolde, at Kyng Alurede hade e
     vittorie with michel honoure; for e Danois were so dryuen at
     ai wist nouts whider to wende. xv dayes e kyng ham pur_suede 
     at his wille, at glade & fayne ai were forto speken of
 |r8 pees & of accorde, & toke him gode hostages, & saide at ai
     wolde neuer oppon him werre, ne debate arere.  And more_ouer 
     ai bihight to e Kyng Alurede at ai wolde go and brynge
     her owen kyng vnto him, and at her kyngs & ai all shulde
|r12 bene baptisede. & oppon~ is condicioun, Kyng Aluredeham
     grauntede lif and lyme, and saide to ham at ai shulde gon~ here
     kyng forto fecche, and at a certeyne day to come aeyne, at to
     ham was sette.  And so ai went for fast, and come aeyne at
|r16 here day at was assignede, and alle e Danois brout here kyng
     wi ham.  The Kyng Alurede anone lete ham ben baptisede,
     and here names chaunged, so at e kyng of Danois was
     callede Athelston~, & xxx=ti= of his felawe names were chaungede
|r20 also, & e oere were baptisede to e right bileue; and al is was
     done at Westmynstre. and after, Kyng Alurede helde wi
     him Kyng Athelstone & alle his Danois xij daies at soiune
     wi miche solempnite, and af ham grete iftes after at ai
|r24 were overcome, and so ai departede.  Tho was Kyng Alurede
     al at ese when he hade his enemys |r[f.59v] ouercomen, & at ai were
     turnede to e bileue of almity God.
     How e Danois at comen into Fraunce wi Gurmonde,
|r28 come aeyne into Engeland; & of e de of Kyng
     Alured.  Capitulo  Centesimo  Nono.



|p111


     |r<b> ANd us hit bifelle afterwarde, at e Danoys of Northumber_       
land, at were paynemys, comen with a grete host of
     Fraunce, at is to vnderstonde, with ham at went into Fraunce
 |r4 with Gurmonde of Aufrik, when he hade conquerede Engeland, &
     it af vnto Saxonus. and o at come fro Fraunce arryuede in
     Kent, and sent into Northumberlande at ai shulde come to ham.
     and whan o ij hostes were comen & assemblede, anone ai went
 |r8 to destroie e Cristen peple of Engeland fram place vnto place,
     and deden miche sorwe.  Hit bifelle us, as almity God hit
     wolde, an harde chaunce in Engeland; ffor e gode Kyng Alurede,
     at was wont to abate e Danois, deide in e mene-tyme. is
|r12 Alured regnede xxx=ti= ere, and a gode kyng hade bene, and wel
     coues chastice his enemys; And was a gode clerc, and lete mak
     menye bokes. & on boke he made of Englisshe, of Auentures of
     kynges and of batailes at hade bene done in e lande; and
|r16 meny oere bokes of gestes, he lete ham write, at were of grete
     wisdome and of gode lernyng, rou whiche bokes meny man
     may him amende at wille ham rede and oppon lok; oppon
     whos soule almighty God haue mercy! & is Kyng Alurede
|r20 li at Wynchestr.
     Of Kyng Edward, at was Kyng Aluredus sone. Capitulo Cen_tesimo 
     x=mo=.
     |r[f.60r] |r<b> ANd after is Alurede, regnede Edward his sone, at was a gode
|r24    man & a wise, at men callede [Edward], at was wonder
     curteise.  The Danois deden miche sorwe in e lande, and her
     power encresede, and biganne forto wexe fram day to day, for
     e Danois comen ofte wi here companies into is lande. and
|r28 when e kyng saw at he mit no bettre done, he tok trewes
     with ham, and granted ham his pees.  And noelesse e trewes
     durede nout longe, at e Danois ne bigonne strongliche forto
     wereoppon e Englisshe-men, & dede ham miche sorwe. Wher_fore 
|r32 Kyng Edwarde dede assemble a grete hoste forto f t with



|p112


     ham; and o is Kyng Edwarde deide when God wolde. This
     Kyng Edward regnede sxxiiij ere, & li at Wynchestre bisides
     his fader.
 |r4 Of Kyng Athel[s]tone, & of Edmunde, Eldrede, & of Edwynne
     his broer.  Capitulo Centesimo  Vndecimo.
     |r<b> After is Edward, regnede Athelston~ his sone; & when he hade
        regnede iiij ere, he helde bataile aeynes e Danois, and
 |r8 drof Kyng Gaufride, at was kyng of e Danois, and al his hoste
     vnto e see, & restede by Scotland, & nomen strongliche e
     contrey al a ere.  And after at, o of Cumberland, & e Scottes
     of Westmerlande, bigonne to werre oppon Kyng Athelston~; and he
|r12 ham af so strong bataile at he quellede so meny of ham at no
     man coue telle e nombre of ham. and after at he ne regnede
     but iij ere; & he regnede in al xxv ere and li at Malmesbery.
         And after is |r[f.60v] Athelston, regnede Edmund his broer, for-as_miche 
|r16 as Kyng Athelston hade none sone. and is Edmu[n]de
     was a wol-i knyt, and a douty man of body, and a noble
     knyght. and e ridde ere after at he was kyng, he went
     ouer Humber, in whiche place he hade ij Kynges of Danois:
|r20 at one me callede Enelaf, and at oer Renaud.  This Kyng
     Edmund drof ham boe fram e lande, and after went and tok
     grete preye in Comberland.  This Edmund ne regnede but vij
     er, and li at Glastynbery.
|r24     And after is Edmunde, regnede Eldrede his broer, at
     vengede Edwarde his fadre of his enemys at him quelde; and aftir_warde 
     he seisede Northumberland into his hand, and made
     e Scottes abowe and meke vnto his Wille.  And e secunde
|r28 ere at come Kyng Eldrede wi a grete power, and
     drof him oute of is lande.  And is Kyng Eldrede was a
     noble man and a goode, of whos godenesse seynt Dunston~ prechede.
     & is Kyng Eldrede regnede xj ere, & lip at Wynchestr.



|p113


         And after is Eldrede, Edwynne his broer regnede, & was
     a luer man towarde God and to e peple; for he hatede folc of
     his owen land, and louede & honourede strange men, & sette litel
 |r4 by holy cherche, and bynom of holy cherche all e tresoure at
     he myt haue: at was grete shame and velonye to himself, and
     perile of his soule, & erfore God wolde nout at he shulde regne
     no longer than iiij er, |r[f.61r] and after deide, and Lith at Wynchestre.
 |r8 Of Kyng Edgare, at regned aboue e kyngus of Scotland &
     of Walys; & how he was bigilede rou takyng of his
     wif.  Capitulo  Centesimo  Duodecimo.
     |r<b> ANd after is Edwynne, regnede Edgare his sone, a man at
|r12    miche louede God, and pees, & holy cherche also, and
     was a wori lorde, bolde and myghty, & mayntenede wel is land
     in pees.  And is Edgare was Kyng and lorde aboue alle e
     kynges of Scotland and of Walys: fram e tyme at Arthure
|r16 was gone, neuer was sien kyng of his power.  And is
     Edgare was seynt Edwardes fader. And when Edgarus wif was
     dede, at was seynt Edwardes moder, & enterede, he herde speke
     of e fairenesse of Estrilde, at was Orgarus douter, a baroun~ of
|r20 Deuenshire, at was so faire a woman at alle men spake erof.
     He callede one of his knytes at he miche louede & trust oppon~,
     and tolde him: "Go," quod he, "to e noble aron~ Orgar of
     Deuenshire, and se if his douter be so faire as men speke of; &
|r24 if it be so, y wil haue here vnto my wif."  is knyt, at me
     callede Edelwolde, went for ere at e lady o was; &
     when he saw her so faire, he out haue her himself to wif, and
     erfore spake to Orgar here fader. and Orgar was an olde man,
|r28 & hade no mo childerne but here on; and saw at Edelwolde was
     a faire onge knyt, and wori and riche, & was wel with e kyng.
     & out his douter shulde wel |r[f.61v] bene mariede, & wel bisette
     oppon~ him, and grauntede him his douter, if e gode lorde e
|r32 Kyng wolde assent erto.  is Edelwolde come aeyn to e



|p114


     Kyng, and saide 'she was faire ynow oppon~ to see, but of body
     she was wonder loly.'  o ansuerede e Kyng, and saide at
     he toke of her litel charge.  "Sire," quod Edelwolde o, "she is
 |r4 her faderes heire, and y am nout riche of londes, and if e wolde
     consent and grant at y most her haue, an shulde y be riche
     ynow." "In Godes name," quod e Kyng, "I assent erto."
      Edelwolde ankede o michel e Kyng, and went a eyne into
 |r8 Deuenshire, & spousede e damisel, and in at contre duellede.
      And us hit bifel oppon~ a tyme, at he tolde his conseil & al is
     ing vnto his wif, how & in what maner he hade bigilede his
     lorde e Kyng, at wolde haue hade her to wif. and anone as
|r12 she it wist, she louede him neuermore afterwarde as she hade
     done bifore.  is lady conseyuede by him a sone; and when
     tyme was at is childe shulde ben born, Eldelwolde come to
     e Kyng, & praede him to heue a sone of his at e fountston~. e
|r16 Kyng him grantede, and lete calle him Edgare, after his owen
     name.  And when is was ydon~, he out at he was siker
     ynow of e Kyng, for bifore at tyme is Edelwolde him drede
     lest Kyng Edgare wolde haue taken his wif, forasmiche |r[f.62r] as his
|r20 lorde was a Ioly man and an Amerus.
     How at Kyng Edgare wedede Estrilde afte e deth of
     Edelwolde.  Capitulo  Centesimo  terciodecimo.
     |r<b> THus hit bifelle, at al men in Kyng Edgares court o speken,
|r24    and saide at 'Edelwolde was richely auansede rou e
     mariage at he hade by his wif'; 'and it,' ai saide, 'he was
     auauncede an hundred-folde more, for he hade spousede e fairest
     woman at euer was seyn.' and when e Kyng herde speke so
|r28 miche of here beaute, he out o at Edelwolde hade him
     desseyuede & bigilede, & out priuely in his hert at he wolde
     gone into Deuenesshire, as it were forto hunt for hert and hynde
     and oere wilde bestes, and an he shulde see ere e lady or he
|r32 departede ens.  And is lady was duellyng at a manere bisides



|p115


     e forest ere at e Kyng wolde hunte, and at at maner was
     herburghede al nyght. and when tyme come at e Kyng shulde
     sope, and e sonne shoone, e Kyng axede after his Gossib and
 |r4 after his godsone, and Edelwolde made here come bifore e
     Kyng; and noeles, and it oer myt haue bene, she shulde
     nout haue comen in his sight bi his wille.  e lady welcomede
     e Kyng, and suetely him kissede; and he toke her by e
 |r8 hande, & o nexte him her sette, and so soppede ai togeder.
      And o was a custume and an vsage at, when a man drank
     vnto anoer, e drynker |r[f.62v] shulde say 'Wassaile,' and at oere
     shulde ansure 'drynkhaile': and us dede e Kyng & e lady
|r12 meny tymes, & also kiste.  And after soper, when tyme was to
     gone to bede, e Kyn[g] went vnto his bed, hertly enkyng
     oppon~ el ladies fairenesse; and o was ouercomen for here loue,
     at him out he wolde dye, but of here his wille he hade.
|r16  Oppon~ e morwe e Kyng aroos, and into e fforeste went, him
     ere to desporte & salace wi hertes and hyndes, and alle oer
     wilde bestes; & of e hertes grete plente, to e lady he sent;
     and rise he went to salace and speke wi at lady whiles he
|r20 duellede in at contre.  And after at, e Kyng remevede ens,
     and out how he myghte best delyuer Edelwolde f[r]am his wif,
     as he hade him ferste desceyuede. and e Kyng anone, after viij
     dayes, lete ordeyne a parlement at Salesbury of al his baronage,
|r24 conseile to haue, & forto ordeyn how e contre of Northumberland
     mit beste bene kepte, at e Danoys come nout ere, the
     londe forto destroye.  And is Edelwolde come also to e Kynges
     Parlement; and e Kyng sent him to ork forto bene keper of
|r28 at contre.  And us hit fel, at men at knews him nout,
     slow him by e waye.  And anone as e Kyng herde at he was
     dede, he lete sende after e lady Estrilde, at she shulde come to e
     citee of London~, and ere beneweded to e Kyng wi grete
|r32 solempnite & worshipe; and helde a solempne fest; and he
     werede a crone of [gold], and e Quene anoer.  And seynt



|p116


     Dunston~ on e morwe come vnto e Kyng into e Kyngus
     chaumbre, and fonde e Kyng abed, & e quene also in fere;
     and seynt Dunston~ axede who at she was.  e Kyng ansuerede,
 |r4 "is is e Quene Estrilde." and e Erchebisshop seynt Dunstan~
     saide at 'he dede grete wrong, and aeyns Godes wille to tak
     a woman to wif, whos childe he ha take at e funtston';
     and e Quene for at worde neuer after louede seynt Dunston~;
 |r8 and noeles e gode man warnede ham ofte-tymes at folie to
     lete; but his warnyng availede litel, for e loue bituene ham
     was so miche.  e Kyng bigate oppon her a sone at me callede
     Eldred; and when is childe was vj er olde, e Kyng his
|r12 fader deide; & aboute at tyme he hade regnede xvij er, and Iith
     at Glastynbery.
     Of seynt Edward e Martir; how Estrilde his stepmoder lete
     him quelle, forto make Eldred, her owen sone, Kyiig.
|r16 Capitulo Centesimo xiiij=o=.
     |r<b> ANd after is Edgare, regnede Edward his sone, at he bigate
        in his ferst wif, at wel and noble gouernede e lande;
     for he was ful of al maner godenesse, and lad ful holy lif; &
|r20 aboue al ing he louede God & holy cherche. & e quene
     Estrilde, his stepmoder, lete him slee, for enchesoun~ to make her
     owen sone Eldred kyng; and us was he slayn, as afterward e
     shul her.  Hit bifelle us oppon a day, at is Kyng Edwarde
|r24 went him into a wode forto play in e Southcontre, bisides a toune
     at is callede Warham; in e whiche forest was grete plente of
     Hertes & of hyndes. and as he hade bene awhile ere him forto
     playe, he out |r[f.63v] him oppon~ his broer Eldred, at Was wi jis
|r28 moder e quene, for her place was ney e forest; & oute forto
     go visite & see his broer; and tok wihim but a litel meny,
     and went him o toward his Stepmoders house, at in at tyme
     soiournede in e castel of Corf. and as he rode in e ickenesse
|r32 of e wode, to aspie his game, hit bifelle at he went amy-s, &
     loste his meny at were wi him. & at e last he come out of e



|p117


     wode; & as he lokede about, he saw ere faste bisides him e
     maner at his Stepmoder duelled in; & iderward he went allon~.
     and anone hit was tolde e Quene how at e Kyng was comen s
 |r4 allone wiout company; and erfore she made ioye ynow, &
     out how she myt do at he were slayn as priuely as she myt.
      And anone spriuely she called to her on of here knytes, to
     whom she hade tolde miche of here consel bituene ham. and
 |r8 boe ai come to e Kyng, and curtesly him resceyuede; & e
     Kyng tolde at he was comher to Visite, & also forto speke wi
     Eldrede his broer.  e Quene meny tymes him ankede, and
     him praiede to alit and herburgh wi her forto haue al at
|r12 nyght. e Kyng saide at he myght nout, but aeyne he wolde
     wende vnto his folc, if he myght ham fynde.  And when e
     Quene saw at he wolde nout abide, she praiede him at he
     - wolde ones drynk; & he grauntede her.l and anone as e drynk
|r16 come, e Quene drank to e Kyng, & e Kyng toke e coppe &
     sette hit to his mou. & in e mene-tyme whiles at he drank,
     e knyt at was wi e Quene, wi a knyf smote euen e Kyng
     to e hert, & ere he felle adoune dede of his palfray |r[f.64r] vnto e
|r20 ere.  the Quene, for is dede, af to e Knyt golde & siluer
     grete plente, and of oer richesse ynow. and e knyt, anone as is
     was do, went him overe e see; & so ascapede he oute of is
     lande.  When is Kyng Edward us was martrede, Hit was in
|r24 e ere after e Incarnacion~of oure Lorde Ihesu Crist, ix C. &
     iiij er, and he hade regnede xij ere & an half, & lith at Glastenbery.
     Of Kyng Eldrede; & how e Kyng Swyn~ of Denmarc helde
     Engelond; & how Eldrede, at was seynt Edwardes broer,
|r28 was nout bilouede in his reme, and erfore fledde into
     Normandye.  Capitulo  Centesimo  Quintodecimo.
     |r<b> After is Kyng Edward, regnede Eldrede his broer;
       and seynt Dunstan~ cronede him. & is seynt Dunstan
|r32 deide sone after at he hade foreue e Quene her trespasse,



|p118


     Estrild, for encheson~ at she was cause of Kyng Edwardes deth.
     and seynt Dunstan~ hade her assoilede, and penaunce her en_ioynede;
     and she leuede after, chaste lif & clene.  is Kyng
 |r4 Eldrede wedede an.Englisshe-woman; & on here he bigate
     Edmunde Irenside, and anoer sones at me callede Edwynne;
     and after, deide e Quene his moder.  And in at tyme come
     into Engeland Swyn, at was Kyng of Denmarc, forto chalange
 |r8 and conquere al at his Ancestres hade bifore at tyme. & so
     he conquerede, & hade it al at his axing; ffor e gode Erle
     Cuthbert of Lyndeseye, and al e peple of Northumberlond, &
     almost al e grete of Engeland, helde with Swyne  was Kyng
|r12 of Dennemarc, for-asmiche as ai louede nout Kyng Eldrede,
     ffor causes at his gode broer Edward was slayn falsely |r[f.64v] for
     en hesoun~ of him; and erfore no man sette but litil bi hym;
     Wherfore Kyng Swyn hade al his wille, and toke al e lande.
|r16  And Eldrede e Kyng o fledde into Normandye, and so
     spak to e Duk, at e Duc af him his sustre to wif; oppon~ e
     whiche he bigate ij sones: at on me callede Alrud, & at oere
     Edward. And when Swyn hade conquerede al e lande, he
|r20 regnede nobli, & leuede but xv er, & deide, and li at ork.
     How Kyng Eldrede come aeyne fram Normandye; & how
     Knoth e Danoys regnede; & of e werr bituene him
     & Edmunde Irenside.  Capitulo  Centesimo  Sexto
|r24 decimo.
     |r<b> After e de of Swyne, at was a Danois, Knoght, his sone,
        duellede in Engeland, and wolde haue bene kyng. and
     o come aeyn Eldrede out of Normandy, with miche peple &
|r28 wi stronge meny, at Knoght derst nout abide, but fley
     ens into Denmarc.  e Kyng Eldrede hade aeyn his reaume,
     & helde so grete lordeship at he bigan to destroi al at hade
     holpen Swyn, at was a Danois, aeynes him.  And after_warde 
|r32 come aeyn is Knoght fram Denmarc, with a grete power,
     so at Kyng Eldre[de] derst nout wi him fit, but fley fro



|p119


     ens vnto London~, & ere helde him.  o come Knoght, and
     him bisegede so longe til Kyng Eldrede diede in e cite of London~,
     and li at seynt Paules; & he regnede ix ere.
 |r4 Of Kyng Knoght.  Capitulo  Centesimo  Septuagesimo.
     |r<b> After e deth of is Eldred, Knoght, at was a Danois, bigan
        o forto regne, but Edmunde |r[f.65r] Irenside, at was Kyng
     Eldredus sone by his ferst wif, ordeynede a grete host, & bigan to
 |r8 werr oppon~ Kyng Knoght; and so he dede meny tymes and ofte;
     and e werre was so st[r]onge and harde, at wonder hit was to
     wete.  And e Quene Emme, at duelled o at Wynchestre,
     hade grete drede of her ij sones, fors e werr of Alured & Edward,
|r12 leste ai shulde ben defoulede & misdon~ rou is werre, wherfore
     she sent ham ouer e se into Normandy, to e duc Richard her
     Vncle; and ere ai duelled in safte and pees longe tyme.  is
     Edmunde Irenside & Knout werrede strongliche to-geder;
|r16 but at e laste ai were accorded in is maner, at ai shulde
     departe e reaume bituenes ham; and so ai deden; & after, ai
     bicome gode frendes, and so wel-louede togederes as ai hade
     bene brier, geten of o body, & of o moder born~.
|r20 How Kyng Edmunde Irenside traiterousely was slayn, rou
     a tratour at me callede Edrith of Statton. Capitulo
     Centesimo xviij=mo=.
     |r<b> ANd after, o regnede Kyng Edmunde Irenside and Knoght
|r24    e Danols. but us it fel aftirward, and in e same ere
     at ai were accorded, and somiche loueden togeder, wherof a
     false ef traitoure hade enuy vnto e loue at was bituene ham,
     and frendeship, whos name was Edrith of Stratton, at was a
|r28 grete lorde, at was Edmunde Irensides man, & of him helde all
     e londe at he hade.  And noeles he out his lorde to bitraie,



|p120


     & make Knoght kyng of e lande, to at entent richely to ben
     auauncede, & wi him bene wel bilouede.  Wherfore he praiede
     his lorde, Edmunde |r[f.65v] Irenside, oppon~ a day wi him forto eten,
 |r4 and wi him duelle. and e kyng curteisly him grantede, & to
     him come at his praier; and at e mete e kyng richely was
     seruede with diuerse metis & drynkes.  And when nyght come
     at he shulde gones to bede, e kyng tok his owen meny, & went
 |r8 into chambre. & as he lokedeaboute, he saw a wonder faire
     ymage, & wel made, & in semblant as it were an Archire,
     wi a bowe bent in his honde, & in e bowe a fyne Arwe.  Kyng
     Edmunde went o neir, to biholde hit bettr, what it mite bene;
|r12 and anone as his honde tochede e Arwe, anone e arwe him smote
     rou e body, & ere slough e kyng; for at engyne was made
     to quelle his lorde traiterousely.  And when e Kyn[g]
     Edmund us was dede & slayn, he nad regnede but x ere.
|r16 his peple for him made miche sorw, and his body ai bare to
     Glastenbury and ere ai him enterede.  And us traitour
     Edrik anone went to e Quene, at was Kyng Edmundes wif, at
     wiste of here lordes de. anone he toke fram her hir ij sones,
|r20 at were faire and ong, at her lorde hade oppon~ hier geten, -- &
     at on me callede  Edward, & at oer Edwyn, -- & lade ham wi
     him to London, and toke ham vnto Kyng Knoght, at he shulde
     done with ham what his willes were; & tolde him how queyntly
|r24 he hade quellede Kyng Edmunde, for enchesoun~ & loue of him,
     so at Kyng Knoght all Engeland in his power holly mit haue.
      "O ow false traitoure! haste ow my trewe wedbroer slayn
     for cause |r[f.66r] of me? a man at y moste Louede in e Worlde. now,
|r28 be myn heuede, I shal for i trauail e wel reward as ow hast
     deseruede!" and anone lete him take and bynde, hondes & feete
     in maner of a traitour', & lete caste him into Thamise; and in is



|p121


     maner e false traitour endede his lif.  e Kyng tok o ij
     childerne to e Abbot of Westmynstr, to warde and to kepe til
     he wiste what was beste wi ham to done.
 |r4 How Kyng Knoght sent Edmundes sones boe into Denmarc
     forto slee; & how ai were sauede. Capitulo Centesimo
     xix=mo=.
     |r<b> HIt bifelle sone after at Kyng Knoght hade al e lande into
 |r8    his hande and spousede e Quene Emme rou consent of
     his baronage, for she was a faire womman, & was Eldredes wif, and
     e dukes suster of Normandye: & ai sleueden to-geder with
     miche loue, as resoun wolde.  e Kyng axede oppon a day conseile
|r12 of e Quene, what was beste forto done wi the sones at wer
     Edmundes Irenside.  "Sire," quod she; "ai be e right
     heirs of e londe; & if ai leuen, ai wille do ow miche sorwe with
     werr; and erfor lete sende ham into a strange lande aferr to some
|r16 man at may ham defoule & destroie."  The Kyng anone lete
     calle a Danois at me callede Walgar, and commandede him at he
     shulde lede o ij childerne into Denmarc, and so do for ham
     at neuer ai herde more tydyngus of ham. "Sir," saide is
|r20 Walger, "gladely oure commandement shal bene done,"  And
     tok o ij childerne, & lad ham into Denmarc. & for-asmiche
     as |r[f.66v] he saw at e childern were wonder fair, and also meke,
     he had of ham grete pitee and reuthe, & wolde nout ham slee,
|r24 but lade ham to e Kyng of Hungrie forto norisshe: For this
     Walgar was wel knowen wi e Kyng, and wel bilouede.
      Anone e Kyng axede whens e childern were.  And Walger
     tolde him, & saide at 'ai were e right heirs of Engeland, &
|r28 erfor men wolde ham destroye'; "and erfore, sire, to ow ai be
     comen, mercy & helpe to biseche; & forso if a mowen leue,



|p122


     our men ai shullen becomen, and of ow ai shal holde
     al hire land.  The Kyng of Hungrie ham vnderfonge with
     michel honour, and lete ham worthely to bene kepte.
 |r4     And us hit bifelle afterwarde, at Edwyne, e onger broer,
     deide, and Edward e elder broer leuede, a fair man, a stronge,
     & a large of body, and gentil and curteise of condicions, so at alle
     men hiln louede.  And is Edward, in e cronicles is callede
 |r8 amonges Englisshemen, 'Edward e outelaghe.' And when he
     was inade knyght, e Kyngus doughter of Hungary so miche him
     louede, for his godenesse and his fairenesse, at she made & callede
     him her derlyng.  The Kyng at was her fader, perceyuede wel
|r12 e loue at was bituene ham too, And hade non heir but at
     doughter. And e Kyng fouchede his douter to no man so wel
     as he dede vnto him at her louede, & she him; & he af here to
     him wi gode wille; and Edward her spousede wi michel
|r16 honour.  The Kyng of Hungrie sent after al his baronage, &
     made a solempne |r[f.67r] fest and ryche weddyng, and made al men
     to vnderstonde at he shulde ben Kyng when ls he were
     dede; anderof ai maden al gret ioye; and of at tydyng
|r20 ai wer ful glade.  is Edwarde bigate oppon is lady a sone
     at nle callede Edgar Helyng, and afterward, a doughter at me
     callede Ma.garete, at afti[r]ward was Quene of Scotland; and,
     by e Kyng of Scotland at me callede Maucolom, she hade a
|r24 douter at was callede Maude, at afterwarde was Quene
     of Engeland rou Kyng Henry, at was e ferst sone of e
     Conqueroure, at her weded; & he big-ate on her a douter at
     me callede Maude, at afterward was Emperesse of Almaign~; and
|r28 of is Maude come Henry e Kyng of Engeland, at into is
     day is callede 'Henry, e Emperesse sone.'  And it hade is
     Edward anoer douter by his wif, at me called Cristian, and
     she was a none.



|p123


     How Kyng Knoght, at was a proude man, conquered Nor_waye;
     & how he bicome afterwarde meke. Capitulo
     Centesimo  xx=mo=.
 |r4 |r<b> NOw haue e herde of Edmundes sones wi e Irenside, at
        Kyng Knoght wende ai hade ben dede, as he hade com_mandede 
     Walger bifor.  And this Knoght hade in his honde al
     Engeland and Denmarc. And after at, he went to Norwaye,
 |r8 at londe to conquere.  ut e Kyng of e lande at me callede
     Elaf, come with his peple, & wende his lande wels haue kepte &
     defendede; & so ere he faut with ham, til at e laste he was
     slayn in at bataile; & o is Knoght toke al at lande |r[f.67v] into his
|r12 hande.  And when he hade conquerede al Norwaye, and taken
     feautes & homages ere, he come after aeyne into Engelond, and
     helde him-self so grete lorde, at him out in al e worlde no
     man his pier was; & bicome so prout & hautel at hit was grete
|r16 wonder.  And so hit bifelle, oppon~ a day as he hade herde
     masse at Westmynstre, and wolde haue gone into his palice, e
     water of Tamise so swiftely aeynes him comen, at Almost
     hit tochede his fete. o saide e Kyng with a prout hert, "y com_mande 
|r20 e water turne aeyn, or elles y shal e make." e wawys
     for his commandement wolde nout spare, but flowede euer on
     hye more & more.  The Kyng was so prout of hert at he wolde
     nout flee e water, but abode stille in e water, and bete e water
|r24 wi a smal erd at he helde in his hande, & comandede e water
     at it shulde wende no ferere; but for al his commandement e
     water wolde nout cesse, but euer waxe more & more an hye, so at
     e Kyng was al wete, and stode depe in e water.  And when he
|r28 saw at he hade abide ere or longe, & e water wolde noing
     done his commandement, o sone he widrowe him, and o stode
     oppon~ a stone & helde his hondess an hye, & saide is worde in
     heryng of al e peple: " is God at make e see us arise an



|p124


     hye, he is Kyng of alle Kynges, & of mvghtes most; & y ame a
     caitif and a man dedly, & he may neuer dye; & alle ing doth
     his commandement, & to him is obedient.  To at God Y praye
 |r4 |r[f.68r] at he be my waraunt, for y knowliche me caitif feble, & of none
     power; and erfore y wil gone to Rome wiout eny lettyng, my
     Wickednesse forto punisshe, and me to amende;  ffor of at
     God y cleyme my landess forto holde, and of none oere "; and
 |r8 anone made his heir, and him-self [went] to Rome wiouten eny
     lettyng, & by e way dede meny almes dedes, & when he come to
     Rome also.  And when he hade beneere, and for his synnes
     done penaunce, he come aeyne into Engeland, and bicome a gode
|r12 man and an holy, and lefte al maner pride & stoutenesse, & leuede an
     holy lif al his lif after, and made ij Abbayes of seynt enet, one
     in Engeland & at oere in Norway, for-asmiche as he louede
     specialy seynt enet bifore al oere seyntes; and miche he louede
|r16 also seynt Edmunde e kyng; & ofte he af grete iftes to e hous,
     wherfore it was made ryche. and when he had regnede xx ere,
     he deide, & li at Wynchestr.
     Of Kyng Harolde, at leuer hade gone in foot an ryde on
|r20 hors. Capitulo Centesimo xx[i]=mo=.
     |r<b> THis Knoght, of wham yl haue spoken bifor, hade ij sones
        by his wif; & at on me callede Herdiknoght, & at oere
     Harolde; and he was so li of fote at men callede him erfore
|r24 Harolde Harefote. & is Harolde hade noing e condicions ne
     maners of Kyng Knoght at was his fader, for he sette but litil
     pris of chyualry ne of curtesye, neyer of worship, but onely by
     his owen wille; & he bicome so wickede at he exilede his moder.
|r28 & o she went out of e land into Flaundres, & ere she
     duellede wi e Erl; whe.for after ere was neuer gode loue
     bituene him & his broer, for his broer him hatede dedely; and
     when he hade regnede ij [yere] & a litil |r[f.68v] more, he deide, & li at
|r32 Westmynstre.



|p125


     Of Kyng Hardiknoght, at was Haroldes broer. Capitulo
     Centesimo xx[i]j=mo=.
     |r<b> After is Harolde Harefoot, regnede his broer Hardiknoght, a
 |r4    noble Knyght & a wori, & miche louede chiualrye and al
     maner godenesse.  And when is Hardiknoght hade regnede a
     litil while, he lete vncouere his broer Harolde, and smote of his
     Heuede at was his broer, at Westmynstr, and lete caste e
 |r8 heuede into a gonge, and e body into e Tamyse. and after
     come fisshers, & toke e body wi her nettes by nyght, and bere
     him vnto seynt Clement cherche, & ere him buryede; and in is
     maner avengede him Hardeknoght of his broer, for in none oere
|r12 maner ai mygh nout shym avenge.  This Kyng Hardiknoght
     was so large euer of mete and of drynk, at his tables were sette
     euer re tymes ful wi real metes for his owen mayne, & for
     al at comen to his court to bene rychely seruede of real metes.
|r16  And is Kyng Hardeknoght sent after Emme his moder, & made
     hir come aeyne into Engeland, ffor she was dryue out of Enge_land 
     whiles at Harolde Harefote regnede, oru conseil of e Erl
     Godwyne, at o was e grettest lorde of al Engeland next e kyng,
|r20 and moste myght done what he wolde rou al Engeland rou
     his commaundement, for-asmiche as he hade spousede e doughfer
     of e gode Kyng Knoght at was a danoys, whiche doughter he
     hade by his ferst wif.  And when is quene was dryuen out of
|r24 Engeland, & come to e Erl of Flaundres at me callede Balde_wynne
     her cosyn, |r[f.69r] he fonde here ere al ing at hir nedede,
     Vnto the tyme at she went aeyne into Engeland, at e Kyng
     Hardiknoght hade sent for her, at was her sone, & made here
|r28 come aeyn wi michel honour.  This Kyng Hardeknoght,
     when he hade v ere regnede, he deide, & li at Wynchestre.
     Of e Vylonye at e Danoys dede to e Englisshe-men;
     wherfore fro at tyme afterward was none Danoys
|r32 made Kyng of Engeland.  Capitulo  Centesimo
     Vicesimo iij=o=.



|p126


     |r<b> After e deth of is Kyng Hardeknoght, forasmiche as he nad
        non heire of his body bigeten, e Erles and barons
     assembled and maden a counseil; and neuer-more after at tyme
 |r4 no man at was a Danois, ou he were ner so grete a man
     amonges ham, he shulde neuer bene Kyng of Engeland, for e
     despite at e Danois hade done to e Englisshemen.  For
     euermore biforne-honde, if it were so at Englisshe-men & Danois
 |r8 hapden to mete oppon~ a bruge, e Englisshe-men shulde nout
     bene so herdy to meve ne stere on foot, but stande still, til at
     e Danois were passede forth.  And more-ouer, if e Englisshe_men 
     hade nout bowede adoun here heuedes, to done reuerence
|r12 vnto e Danois, ai shulde haue bene bete & defoulede; & soche
     maner despites and Vilonyes deden e Danois to oure Englisshe_men;
     Wherfore ai were dryuen out of e lande after e tyme at
     Kyng Herdeknoght was dede, for ai had non lord at ham
|r16 myght mayntene. In is maner voided e Danois Engeland, at
     neuer ai comen aeyne.  e Erles and barouns, by here com_mune 
     assent & conseile, senten |r[f.69v] into Normandy forto seche o ij
     breern Alurede & Edward, at were duellyng wi e duk Richard
|r20 at was here eme, to at intent forto crone Alurede e elder
     broer, & him make Kyng of Engeland, and of is ing to make
     an ende, e erles & barons made her oth; But e Erl Godwyne of
     Westsex~ falsely out to slee o ij breerne anone as ai shulde
|r24 come into Engelonde, to at entente forto make his sone Harolde
     Kyng, e whiche sone he hade bigete oppon his wif, at was Kyng
     Knoghtes doughter, at was a Danoys.  And is Godwyn pryue_liche 
     went him to Southampton, forto mete ere o ij breern
|r28 when at ai shulde come to lande.  And us hit bifelle, at e
     messagers at wenten into Normandye, fonden nout but onely
     Alurede, at was e eldest broer; for Edward, his onger
     broer, was gone to Hungrie forto speke wi his cosyn Edward e
|r32 outelaw, at was Edmondes sone wi e Irenside.  e messagers



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     tolde & saide to Alurede, how at e Erles & barons of Engeland
     senten after him, and at he boldeliche shulde come into Engeland
     and vnderfonge e reaume; for Kyng Herdeknoght was dede, &
 |r4 alle e Danois were dryuen out of e lande.
     How Godewyne, e false traitoure, tok Alurede oppon~ Gildes_doun, 
     when he come fro Normandye to bene Kyng of
     Engeland, & dede him bene martrede in e Ile of Ely.
 |r8 Capitulo Centesimo xxiiij=to=.
     |r<b> WHen Alurede herde is tydynges, he ankede God, & into
        shipp went, wi al e hast at he myght, and passede e
     see, & arryuede at Southampton~, ere at Godewyne e traitour
|r12 was. And when is tr[a]itoure |r[f.70r] saw at he was comen, he wel_comede 
     him & vnderfonge him wi michel ioye, and saide at he
     wolde lede him to London~, ere at al e lordes & barons of
     Engeland him abode, forto maken him kyng. and so ai wenten
|r16 in her way toward London~. & when ai comen oppon Gildes_doune, 
     o saide e traitoure Godwyne to Alurede, "take kepe,"
     quod he, "aboute ow, bo on e lefte side & in e ryght side;
     and of all e shul bene kyng, & of suche an hundrede more."
|r20  "Now forsoe," quod Alurede, "I behote, & if y be kyng, I
     shal ordeyn & make soche lawes wherof God & all folc shullen
     holden ham wel paied.'  Now hade e traitoure comaunded
     alle his men at were wi him, at when ai were comen oppon
|r24 Gildesdoun~, at ai shulde slee alle o at were in Aluredes com_pany 
     at comen wi him fram Normandye, and after at, taken
     Alurede, & lede him into e Ile of Ely, & ere put out boe his
     eyne of his heued, and afterward bryng him vnto e deth. & so
|r28 ai deden, ffor ai quellede al his company at xij [hundred] were in
     nombre, of gentil-men at were comen wi Alurede fram Nor_mandye;
     And after token Alurede, & lade him into e Ile of Ely,
     & put out his eyen of his heuede, & rent his wombe, & token
|r32 e chief of his bowailes, & put a stake into e gronde, & an ende
     of his bowailes erto fastenede, & wi nedles of Iren pricked e
     body of e gode childe, and so made him gone aboute e stake



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     til at his bowales were alle drawen out: & so deide ere Alurede,
     rou treson~ of e Erl Godwyne.  When e lordes of Engeland
     |r[f.70v] hade herde & wist how Alured, at shulde have ben her kyng,
 |r4 was put to de rou e false traitoure, e Erl Godwynne, ai
     weren al wonder wroth, & swore bituene ham, by God & by
     his names, at he shulde die in mor worse deth an dede Edrik of
     Stratton~, at hade bitraiede his Lord E[d]munde Irenside. and
 |r8 ai wolde haue taken him, & put him vnto e de, but e ef
     traitoure fley ens into Denmarc, & ere helde him iiij ere &
     more, & loste all his londes in Engeland.
     Of Seynt Edward e Confessoure, at was Aluredes broer;
|r12 How he was Kyng of Engelande.  Capitulo  Cen_tesimo 
      xxv=to=.
     |r<b> ANd when is was done, alle e Barons of Enge[land] senten
        anoer tyme into Normandye, for at Edward shulde come
|r16 into Engeland with michel honour. And is Edward in his
     childehode louede al-myghty God, & him drade, & in honeste
     and clennesse leued his lif, and hatede synne as de.  And
     when he was cronede and annoyntede wi real power, he forate
|r20 nout his gode maners & condicions & custumes at he ferst
     vsede, for no maner honour, ne for no richesse, ne for no maner
     hyenesse, but euer more & more af him to godenesse, and wel
     louede God & al mekenesse, & louede God & holy cherche passyng
|r24 al maner ing, & pore men also, & ham helde as ai hade bene
     his owen breerne, & to ham ofte af grete almesse wi gode wille.
     Of e ferst specialte at God shewede for seynt Edwardes
     loue by his lif.  Capitulo  Centesimo  xxv[j]=to=.
|r28 |r[f.71r] |r<b> HIt bifelle oppon~ a day as he went fram e che[rch] of
        Westmynstre, & hade herde masse of seynt Iohan
     Euaungelist, for-asmiche as he louede seynt Iohan Euaungelist



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     most specialy after God and oure lady, an he dede eny oer
     seynt.  And so ere come to him a pilgrime, & praede him, for
     e loue of God & of seynt Iohan Euaungelist, some god him forto
 |r4 eue. And e Kyng priuely toke e ryng of his fenger, priuely
     at no man perceyuede hit, & af it e pilgrime; & he it vnder_fonge
     & went ens. is goode Kyng Edward made alle e gode, 
     lawes of Engeland at itte be most holden, & was so mercyable
 |r8 & ful of pite at no man myt bene more.
     How e Erl Godwyn come aeyn~ into Engeland, & hade aeyne
     al his land, & afterward Seynt Edward wedede his
     douter. Capitulo  Centesimo xxv[i]j=to=.
|r12 |r<b> WHen e Erl Godwyn, at was in Denmarc duellyng, hade
        michel herd of e godenesse of Edward, & at he was
     ful of mercy & of pitee, & out at he wolde gon~ aeyn into
     Engeland forto seche and to haue grace of him, & at he myght
|r16 haue e lande aeyn in pees, & arraiede him as miche as he might,
     & put him toward e see, & come into Engeland, to London~, ere
     at e Kyng was at tyme, & al e lordes of Engeland, & helde
     parlement.  Godewyn sent to ham at were his frendes, & were
|r20 e moste gretteste lordes of e londe, & praiede ham to biseche
     e Kynges grace for him, and at he wolde his pees & his
     londes graunt him. his frendes Ladehim bifore e Kyng
     forto biseche grace.  And anone as e Kyng him saw, he appelede
|r24 him of tresoun~, & of e de of Alurede his broer, ahd ise wordes
     vnto him saide:  "Traitour Godwyn!" quod |r[f.71v] e Kyng, "I e
     appele, at ow haste bitraede & slayne my broer Alurede."
      "Certes, sire," quod Godwyn, "saf our grace, our pees &
|r28 oure lorde-shippe, y neuer him bitraede ne sloughe; and erof
     y put me [in] rewarde of our cou[r]t."  "Now, faire lordes, e
     at be my lieges, erles & barons of e lande, at here bene alle



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     assemblede, -- wel e hauen herde myn appele, and e ansure of
     Godwyn; & erfore y wil at e award and do ryght."  e erles
     and barons o drowen ham al to-geder, forto done is award by
 |r4 ham-self. and so ai spoken diuerseliche amonges ham; for
     somme sayde at ere was neuer allyaunce by homage, serment,
     seruise, ne by lordeship, bituene Godwyn & Alurede, for which
     ing ai might him draw.  And at e laste ai demede at he
 |r8 shulde put him into e Kynges mercy altogeders.  o spake e
     Erl Leueryche of Couentre, a gode man to God & to alle e worlde,
     & tolde his resoun~ in is maner, & saide: "e Erl Godwyne is e
     best frendede man of Engeland after e kyng; and wel myt it
|r12 nout bene gaynsaide at, wiout consel of Godwyn, Alurede was
     neuer put vnto de; Wherefore y awarde, as tochyng my part,
     at him-self and his sone, and eueryche of vs xij Erles at be
     his frendes, wende bifore e Kyng chargede wi alse miche golde
|r16 and siluer as we mowe bere bytuene oure hondes, & prayng e
     Kyng foreue his euel wille to e Erle Godwyn, and resceyue his
     homage, & his landes elde aeyn." & alle ai accordede vnto at
     awarde, and comen in is maner as is aboue-saide, eueryche
|r20 of ham wi golde & siluer, |r[f.72r] as miche as ai myght bere bituenes
     here hondes, bifore e Kyng; and ai saiden e fou[r]me and e
     maner of her accord and of her awarde.  The Kyng wolde nout
     ham gayne-saie; but alse miche as ai wolde ordeyne, he
|r24 grauntede & confermede; And so was e Erl Godwyn accordede
     wi e Kyng, & hade aeyne al his lande; and aftirward he bar
     him so wel & so wiseliche at e Kyng louede him wonder myche,
     & with him was ful priue. And wiin a litel tyme e Kyng
|r28 louede him so miche at he spousede Godwynus doughter, and
     made her Quene; and neuereles, for al at, ou e Kyng hade
     a wif, he leuede euermore in chastite & in clennes of body, wi_outen 
     eny flesshely dede doyng with his wif; & e Quene also,
|r32 in her Halfe, lade holy lif ij ere, and deide; & afterward e



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     Kyng leuede al his lif wiouten eny wif.  The Kyng af e
     Erldome of Oxenford to Harolde, at was Godwynes sone, & made
     him Erle; and so wel ai were bilouede, boe e fader and e
 |r4 sone, & so pryue wi e Kyng, at ai myght do what ing
     ai wolde by righte, for aeynes ryght he wolde nouts done
     for no maner man, so gode and trew he was of consciens; and
     erfore our Lorde Ihesu Crist, grete special loue to him shewed.
 |r8 How seynt Edward saw Swyn, Kyng of Denmarc, drenche in
     e see at e sacrament, as he stode & herde masse.
     Capitulo Centesimo.  xxviij=mo=.
     |r<b> HIt bifelle oppon Whitsonday, as Kyng Edward herde his
|r12    masse in e grete cherch of Westmynstre, ryght at e
     leuacioun~ of Ihesu Cristes body, and as al men were gaderede into
     e cherche, & comen neyer |r[f.72v] e auter, sacring forto see,  The
     Kyng his hondes lifte vp an hye, and a grete laughter toke op;
|r16 wherfore all at aboute him stode, gretly gon wonder; & after
     masse ai axede whi e kyngus laughter was.  "Faire lordes,"
     quod e Kyng, "Swyn e onger, at was Kyng of Denmarc,
     come into e see wi al his power forto haue comen into
|r20 Engeland, oppon~ vs forto haue werrede; and y saw him and all
     his folc drenche in e hye see: & al is saw y in e eleuacioun
     of Ihesu Cristes body bytuene e prestes hondes; & y hade erof
     so miche ioye, at y myght nought my laughter wiholde."
|r24  And e Erl Leueriche bisides him stode at e leuacioun~, &
     openlich he saw e fourme of brede turne into e lickenesse of a
     knaf childe ong, and toke op his right hande, & ferst blessede
     e Kyng, and afterward e Erle. And e Erle turnede him
|r28 anone toward e Kyng, to make him see at holy sight.  And
     o saide e Kyng: "sir Erle," quod he, "I see wel at e see,



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     ankede be God at y haue honourrede my God, my saueoure,
     Visibili Ihesu Crist in fourme of man, whos name bene blessede
     in al worldes! Amen!"
 |r4 How e ryng at Sent Edward hade euen to a pore pilgrime,
     for e loue of seynt Iohan Euaungelist, come aeyn vnto
     Kyng Edward. Capitulo Centesimo xxix=mo=.
     |r<b> THis noble man Seynt Edwarde regnede xiij ere. & us hit
 |r8    bifelle oppon~ a tyme biforne er he deide, at ij men of
     Engeland were went to e Holy Lande, & haden done her
     pilgrimage, & wer goyng aeyne toward her owen contre.  And
     as ai went in e way, ai mette a pilgrime at curtesly haln
|r12 |r[f.73r] Saluede, and axede of ham in wh[a]t lande & in What contre ai
     were born; & ai saide "in Engeland."  o axede he who was
     Kyng of Engeland; and ai ansuerede & saide "e goode Kyng
     Edward." "Faire frendes," o saide e pilgrime, "when at e
|r16 come into our contre aeyne, y praye ow at e wolde gone
     vnto Kyng Edward, and ofte-tymes him grete in my name, &
     ofte-tymes ank him of his grete curtesye at he to me ha done,
     A[nd] nameliche for e ryng at he af me when he hade herde
|r20 masse at Westmynstre, for seynt Iohnes loue Euaungelist," and
     toke o e Ryng to e pilgrimes, and saide, "y pray ow forto
     gon & bere is ryng, & take hit to Kyng Edward, & telle him
     at y sende hit him; and a ful ryche ift y wil him eue; for
|r24 oppon~ e tuelfe day he shal come to me, & euermore duelle in
     blisse wiouten ende."  "Sir," saide e pilgrimes, "what man
     be e, & in what place is our duellyng?"  "Faire frendes,"
     quod he, "I ame Iohan Euaungelist & am duellyng wi Almyghty
|r28 God; & our Kyng Edward is my frende, & y loue him specialy
     for encheson~ at he ha euer Leuede in clennesse, and is clene
     maide; and y pray ow my message al forto done as y haue to
     ow saide."  When seynt Iohan Euaungelist hade us ham
|r32 chargede, sodeynly he voidede out of her sight.
        e pilgrimes o ankede Almyghty Gode, & went for in her
     way.  & when ai hade gon ij or iij myle, ai bigon to waxen



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     wery, & sette adoune ham forto reste; & so ai felle and slepte.
      And when ai hade slepte wel, one of ham |r[f.73v] awoke, & lifte vp
     is heuede & lokede aboute & saide vnto his felaw, "arise op, and
 |r4 wende we in oure way." "What," saide at on felaw to at
     oer, "where be we nowe?"  "Certis," saide at oere felawe,
     "it seme me at it is nout e same contreye at we laide vs in
     forto reste & slep, for we were o fro Ierusalem but iij mile."
 |r8  ai tok op her hondes, and blessede ham, & went for in her
     waye. & as ai went in here way ai saw sheperdes goyng
     wi her shepe, at spoken none oere langage but Englisshe.
      "Leue frendes," quod on of e pilgrimes, "what contre is is, &
|r12 who is lorde erof?" and one of e sheperdes ansurede: "is is
     e cuntre of Kent, in Engeland, of e whiche e gode Kyng
     Edward is lorde."  e pilgrimes ankede o Almyghty God &
     seynt Iohan euaungelist, & went for in her way, & come to
|r16 Kaunterbery, & fro ens vnto London~; and ere ai fonden e
     Kyng, & tolde him fro e bigynny[n]g vnto e ende as miche as
     seynt Iohan hade ham chargede, & of al ingus how ai spedden
     by e way, & toke e ryng to Kyng Edward; & he vnderfonge
|r20 hit, & ankede Almyghty God & seynt Iohan Euaungelist, & o
     made him aredy euery day, fram day to day, forto wende out of
     is lif when God wolde for him sende.
     How seynt Edwarde [de]ide on the xif day. Capitulo  Cen_tesimo 
|r24  Tricesimo.
     |r<b> ANd after hit bifelle us in Cristenmasse eve: as e
        holy man Edward was at Godes seruice, matynes forto
     hure of at holy fest, he bicome ful |r[f.74r] sik, and in e morwe
|r28 endurede wi michel payn masse forto here, & after lete him
     bene lade into his chaumbre, ere forto resten him; but into
     his halle amonges his barons and his knyghtes myght he nout



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     come, ham forto comfort and solace, as he was wonte forto
     done at at wori feste; Wherfore al his mer & comfort amongus
     alle at were in e halle was turnede into care and sorwe, for
 |r4 enchesoun~ at ai drade forto lese her gode Lorde e Kyng.
      And oppon~ seynt Iohn~es day Euaungelist at o come next,
     e Kyng vnderfonge his rightes of holy cherche, as falli to euery
     Cristen man, & abode e mercy & wille of God.  And o ij
 |r8 pilgrimes he lete bifore him come, and af ham riche iftes, &
     bitoke ham vnto God. And also e Abbot of Westmynstre he
     lete bifore him come, & toke him at ryng in honour of Gode
     & of Seynt Iohan Euaungelist. And e Abbot toke hit &
|r12 put hit amonge oere reliqes, so at it is at Westmynstre, &
     euer shal be. and so lay e Kyng sike to e xij eve; & o
     deide e gode Kyng Edward at Westmynstre; & ere he li, for
     whos loue God ha done meny miracles. And is was in e ere
|r16 of Incarnacioun~ of oure Lorde Ihesu Crist, M=l=.lxv. ere; &
     after he was translatede, & put into e shryne, rou e noble
     Martir Seint  Thomas of Kaunterbery.
     How Harolde, at was Godwynus sone, was made Kyng; &
|r20 how he scapede fro e Duc of Britaign. Capitulo Cen_tesimo 
     xxxj=o=.
     |r<b> WHen Seynt Edward was gone oute of is worlde, & was
        gone to God, & worely enterede, as perteynede to
|r24 soche a lorde forto bene, e barons |r[f.74v] of e Land Wolde haue
     hade Edward Helyngus, sone to Edward e Outlaghe, at was
     Edmundus sone Irensyde, to bene Kyng, for-asmiche as he was
     moste kyndest kynges blode of e reaume.  But Harold, sone
|r28 rou e Erle Godwyn, & e streng of his fader Godwyn, & rou
     oere grete lordes of e reaume at were of here Kyn & vnto him
     sib, seisede al Engeland into his Honde, & anone lete crone him
     Kyng, after e enterement of Seynt Edward.  This Harolde,



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     at was Godwynus sone, e secunde ere after at Seynt Edward
     was dede, Wolde haue gone into Flaundres, but he was dryuen
     rou tempest into e contre of Pountif, & ere he was take &
 |r4 brout vnto Duc William.  And is Harolde wende o at e
     Duc William wolde haue bene avenged oppon~ him, for encheson
     at e Erl Godwyn, at was Haroldes fader, hade done quelle
     Alurede, at was Seynt Edwardus broer, and principaly for
 |r8 Alurede, Quene Emmes sone, at was Richardes moder, Duk of
     Normandye, at was Aile to e Duc William.  And noeles,
     when e Duc William hade Harolde in prisoun~ & vnder his
     power, for-alses-miche as is Harold was a noble knyght, wise, &
|r12 wori of Body, & at his fader & he were accordede wi e gode
     Kyng Edward, & erfore wolde nout mysdone him, but al
     maner ingus at bituene ham were spoken & ordeynede, Harolde
     by his gode Wille suore oppon a boke & oppon Holy seynt, at he
|r16 shulde spouse and wedde Duc Williamus douter after e de of
     Seynt Edward, and at he shulde besely |r[f.75r] done His deuer forto
     Kepe & saue e reaume of Engeland, to e profite & auauntage of
     Duc William.  And when Harolde hade us made his oth vnto
|r20 Duc William, he lete him gone, & af him riche iftes; And he
     o went ens, & come into Engeland, & anone dede in is maner
     when Seint Edward was dede; and as man falsely forsuore, he
     lete crone him Kyng of Engeland, & falsely brac e couenaunt
|r24 at he hade made bifore wi Duc William; wherfore he was
     wi him wonder wroe, & swore at he wolde oppon~ him bene
     avengede, whateuer so him bifelle.  And anone William
     lete assemble a grete hoste, and come into Engeland, to avenge
|r28 him oppon Harolde, & to conquere e lande if at he myght.
      And in e same ere at Harold was cronede, Harold Hare_strenge
     Kyng of Denmarc, arryuede in Scotland, and ou[t] haue, 
     be kyng of Engeland. & he come into Engeland, & quellede &
|r32 robbede, & destroiede al at he might, til at he come to orke;
     & ere he quellede meny men of Armys M=l=, & an C prestes.



|p136


      When is tyding come to e Kyng, he assemblede a strong
     power, and went forto feit wi Harold of Denmarc, & wi his
     owen honde him quellede, and e Danois were descomfitede; &
 |r4 o at lafte alyue, wi myche sorwe went to her shippes; and
     us Kyng Harolde of Engeland quellede Kyng Harold of Denmarc.
     How William Bastard, Duc of Normandy, come into Engeland,
     & quellede Kyng Harold. Capitulo vj=xx= xij.
 |r8 |r<b> ANd when is bataile was done, Harolde bicome |r[f.75v] so prout, and
        wolde nout departe with his peple of ing at he hade
     gete, but helde it al towardes him-self; Wherfore e most part
     of his men were wro, and fram him departede, so at oneliche
|r12 wi him lefte no mo but his soudeours.  And oppon a day, as
     he sate at e mete, messagers comme to him, & saide at William
     Bastard, Duc of Normandye, was Arryuede in Engeland wi a grete
     host, and hade taken al e lande aboute Hastynge, & hade also
|r16 mynede e castell.  When e Kyng hade herde is tydynges,
     he went ider wi a litil peple in al e hast at he myght, for a
     litel peple was wi him lefte.  And when he was comen ider,
     he ordeynede forto eue bataile to e Duc William; but e Duc
|r20 axede him of ise iij ingus: if at he wolde haue his doughter
     to wif, as he hade made & swore his othe & bihight; or at
     he wolde halde e lande of him in truage; or at he wolde determine
     is ing bi bataile.  is Harold was a prout man & a stout, and
|r24 truste wonder miche oppon~ his owen streng, & faut wi the
     duc & wi his peple; but Harold & his men were descomfitede, &
     himself was ere slayn. & is bataile was endede at Tonbrigge,
     in e secunde ere of his regne, oppon~ seynt Kalixtes day; and
|r28 he li at Waltham.
     Of Kyng William Bastard, & how he gouernede him wel &
     wisely; & of e werr bituene him & e Kyng of Fraunce.
     Capitulo Centesimo xxxiij=o=.



|p137


     |r<b> WHen William Bastard, Duc of Normandye, hade conquerede
        al e land, oppon~ Cri[s]tenmasse day o next sewyng he
     lete crone him kyng at Westmynstre, & was a wori kyng, & af
 |r4 to Englisshemen largly landes, & to his knyghtes.  And after_ward 
     he went ouer e see, & come |r[f.76r] into Normandye, & ere
     duellede a while; & in e secunde ere of his regne he come aeyne
     vnto Engeland, and brout wi him Maude his wif, and lete
 |r8 crone here quene of Engeland, on Whitsonday.  And o anone
     after, e Kyng of Scotland at me callede Mancolum, bigon to
     werr and stryue wi Duc William; and he ordeynede him o
     toward Scotland wi his men, boe by lande and by see, forto
|r12 destroy e Kyng Mancolum. but ai were accordede, & e Kyng
     of Scotland, Mancolum, bicome his man, and helde al his lande of
     him; and Kyng William resceyuede of him his Homage, and come
     aeyne into Engeland.  And when Kyng William hade bene
|r16 Kyng xvij ere, Maude e Quene deide, on whom Kyng William
     hade geten meny faire cheldern, at is forto seyne, Robert Curthose,
     William le Rous, Richar also at deide, Henry Beauclerc, & Maude
     also, at was e Erles wif of leyns, and oere iiij doughtre.
|r20  And after his wifes deth, grete debate bigan bituene him & e
     Kyng of Fraunce, Philippe; but atte e laste ai were accordede;
     and o duellede e Kyng of Engeland in Normandye, and no man
     him werrede, ne he no man, longe tynle. a d e Kyng of Fraunce
|r24 saide oppon~ a day in scorne of Kyng William, & saide at `Kyng
     William hade longe leyen a childe bed, & longe tyme ha
     restede him.'  And is worde come to e Kyng of Engeland ere
     at he laye in Normandy, atte Roen; and for is word was o
|r28 euel paiede for at worde, & ek wonder wrothe toward e
     Kyng of Fraunce, and swore o by God at, when he were arise
     of his gisyne, he wolde lit a ousand candelles to e Kyng of
     Fraunce.  And anone lete assem*ble |r[f.76v] a grete hoste of Normandye
|r32 and of Engelisshe-men; and in e bigynnyng of Heruest he come
     into Fraunce, & brent alle e tounes at he come by, rou alle e
     contre, & robbed, & dede al e euel at he might rou-out al



|p138


     Fraunce. & at e laste he brent e toun~ of Mandes, & com_mandede 
     his peple forto bere wode, & as miche as myght brenne;
     & him-self halpe erto, al at he myghte, wi gode wille.  And
 |r4 ere was grete hete, what of fyre at was so grete, & of e sone at
     o was wonder hote, at al stuffled him-self was, & felle into a
     grete sikenesse. and when he saw at he was so stronge sike, he
     ordeynede and assignede al Normandy vnto Robert Curthese, his
 |r8 sone, and al Engeland to William e Rous, & biqua to Henry
     Beauclerc al his tresoure.  And when he hade us done, he
     vnderfonge alle his sacrament of holy cherche, & deide, e xxij
     ere of his regne, & li at Caam in Normandye.
|r12 Of Kyng William Rous, at was William Bastardes sone, at
     destroiede tounes & hous of religioun~ fort[o] make e
     new Foreste. Capitulo  Centesimo xxxiiij=to=.
     |r<b> ANd after is William Bastard, regnede his sone William
|r16    Rous, & was a wonder contrarious man to God and to holy
     cherche, & lete amende & make e toune of Cardeys at e
     paynemys hade destroied.  This Kyng William destroiede holy
     cherche and alle here possessions, in what partye he mit ham
|r20 fynde; and erfore ere was so miche debate bituene him & e
     Erchebisshope of Kaunterbery, Ancelyn, for enchesoun~ at he
     vnderfonge him of his Wickednesse, at he destroiede Holy
     cherche; & for encheson erof, e Kyng to him bare grete wra;
|r24 & for at cause he exilede him out of e lande; & e erchebisshop
     o |r[f.77r] Went to e courte of Rome, and ere du[e]llede wi e Pope.
      & is Kyng mx ade e new Forest, and caste doun~ & destroiede
     xxvj tounes & iiij house of religion~, al forto makeis foreste longer
|r28 & broder, & bicome wonder glade & prout of his wode & of his
     Forest, and of e wilde bestes at wer erin, at it was mervailous
     forto wete, so at men callede him `keper of wodes & of pastures.'
     & e lenger at he leuede, e more Wikkede he bicome, boe to



|p139


     God & to holy cherche, & to alle his men. & is kyng lete make
     e grete halle of Westmynstre; and so oppon a Whitsonday
     he helde erin his ferste feste, he lokede aboute him, & saide
 |r4 at e halle was to litel by haluendele.  And at e laste he
     bicome so contrarious, at al ing at plesede God, displesede him;
     and al ing at gode men louede, he hatede dedly.  And so
     hit befel at he dremede & mette oppon a nyt, bifore a litil or
 |r8 at he deide, at he was bloode, & bledde a grete quantite of
     bloode, and a streme of blode lepte an hye toward Heuen more
     an an hundred Venithe; and e clerenesse of e day was
     turnede al to derkenesse, and e firmament also.  And when he
|r12 awoke, he hade grete drede, so at he nyste what to done; & tolde
     his dreme to meny of his conseile, & saide at he hade grete drede,
     & supposede at him was some meschaunce to come.  And e
     secunde nyght bifore, a monke dremed of e househald, at e
|r16 kyng went into a cherche wi miche peple; and he was so prout
     at he despisede al e peple at was wi him; & so he toke e
     ymage of e crucifixe, & shamefully bote hit with his tei; and
     e crucifix mekely soffrede al at he dede; but e kyng, as a wode
|r20 man, rent of e Armys of e |r[f.77v] crucifixe and caste it vnder
     his feete, & defoulede it and rewe it al brode; and a grete
     flame of fire come out of e crucifixe mouthe; of e whiche
     dreem, meny a man hade grete wonder.  The gode man at
|r24 dremede is dreem tolde it to a knyght at o was moste priue wi
     e Kyng of al men; & e knyght me callede Hamundus sone; &
     e monke and he tolde e dreem to [the] Kyng, & saide at it
     shulde bitoken oere ing an gode; and noelesse e Kyng lauhede
|r28 erat ij or iij, & litil sette erof;  And out at he wolde
     gone Hunte & pleye in e forest. and his men conseiled him
     at he shulde nout at day, for no maner ing, come in e wode,



|p140


     so at he abode at home bifore mete.  But anone as he hade
     eten, noing might him lette but he wolde go to e wode forto
     haue his disporte.  And so hit bifelle at one of his knyghtes
 |r4 at hight Walter Tyrel, wolde haue shotte to an herte; & his
     Arwe glasede oppon a braunche, & rou misauenture smote e
     Kyng to e hert; & so he felle doune dede to e grounde, wi_outen 
     eny worde spekyng, & so he endede his lif.  And it was
 |r8 non grete wonder, for at day at he dede, he hade late to ferme
     e Erchebisshoppriche of Kaunterbery, and xij Abbays also, &
     euermore dede grete destruccioun~ to holy cherche rou wrongeful
     takynges and askyngus; for no man derst wisayen at he wolde
|r12 haue done; & of his luernesse he wolde neuer widrawe neyer,
     to amende his lif; and erfore God wolde suffre him no longer
     regne in his wickednesse. & he hade bene kyng xiij ere and vj
     wokes, & li at Wynchestre.
|r16 Of Kyng Henry Beauclerc, at was William |r[f.78r] le Rousus
     broer; & of e debate bituene him & Robert Curthose,
     his broer. Capitulo Centesimo  xxxv.
     |r<b> ANd when is William Rous was dede, Henry Beauclerc his
|r20    broer was made kyng, for enchesoun at William Rous
     hade non childe bigeten of his body. & is Henry Beauclerc
     was cronede kyng at London, e fere day after at his broer was
     dede, at is to seyne, e v day of August.  And anone as
|r24 Ancellyn, at was Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery, at was at e
     court of Rome, herde at William Rous was dede, he come aeyne
     into Engeland; & Kyng Henry Beauclerc welcomede him wi
     michel honoure.  & e ferst er at Kyng Henry was cronede,
|r28 he spused Maude, at was Margaretes douter, e Quene of Scot_land;
     & e Erchebisshop Ancellyn wedede ham.  And is
     Kyng bigate oppon his wif ij sones & a douter, at is to seyne,
     William, Richard, and Maude; & is Maude was afterward



|p141


     Emperesse of Almayne.  And in e secunde ere of his regne,
     his broere Robert Curthose, at was duc of Normandye, come wi
     an huge nauy into Engeland, forto chalange e land; but rou
 |r4 conseile of e wise men of e land, ai were accordede in is
     maner: at e Kyng shulde eue e Duc his broer a ousand li
     euery ere; and whiche of ham longeste leuede, shulde bene oeres
     heire; & so bituene ham shulde bene none debate ne stryf.
 |r8  And when ai were us accordede, e Duc went home aeyne
     into Normandy. And when e Kyng hade regnede iiij ere, aros a
     grete debate bituene him & e Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery,
     Ancellyn, for cause at e Erchebisshop wolde |r[f.78v] nout graunt e
|r12 Kyng forto take taliages of Holy cherche at his wille; and er_fore 
     e Erchebisshop eftesones went ouer e see vnto e court
     of Rome, & ere duellede wi e Pope.  And in e same ere e
     Duc of Normandye come into Engeland forto speke wi his broer.
|r16 And amonges oere inges, e duc of Normandy foraf to e
     Kyng, his broer, e forsaide M=l= li by ere ate shulde paie
     him; & wi gode loue e Duc went o into Normandye
     aeyn.
|r20     And when o ij ere were gone, rou enticement of e deuel
     & of a luer man, a grete debate aros bituene ham, e Kyng &
     e duc, so at e Kyng, rou conseile, went ouer into Normandye.
     And when e Kyng of Engeland was comen into Normandye,
|r24 alle e grete lordes of Normandye turnede o to e Kyng of
     Engeland, & helde aeyns e Duc, here owen lorde, & him
     forsoke, & to e Kyng ham olden, and alle e castelles & gode
     tounes of Normandye. And sone after was e Duc taken, & lad
|r28 wi e Kyng into Engeland, and e Kyng lete put e Duc into
     prisoun~. & is was e vengaunce of God; for when e Duc was
     in e Holy Land God af him suche might & honour ere,
     wherfore he was chose to ben Kyng of Ierusalem; and he
|r32 wolde nout bene hit, but forsoke it; & erfore God sende



|p142


     him at shame & despite, forto bene put into his broeres prisoun.
      o seisede Kyng Henry al Normandye into his hand, & helde
     hit al his lifes tyme. & e same ere come e bisshop Ancellyn
 |r4 fram e court of Rome into Engeland aeyne, & e Kyng & he
     were accorded.  And in e ere nexte comyng after, ere bigan
     a grete debate bytuene Kyng |r[f.79r] Philippe of Fraunce & Kyng Henrys
     of Engeland. Wherfore Kyng Henry went into Normandye;
 |r8 and e werr was stronge bituenes ham ij; and o deide e Kyng
     of Fraunce; & Lowys his sone was made Kyng anone after his
     de; and o went Kyng Henry aeyne into Engeland, & mariede
     Maude his doughter to Henry, e Emperour of Almayn.
|r12 Of e debate at was bituene Kyng Lowys of France &
     Kyng Henry of Engeland; & how Kyng Henrie ij sones
     were loste in e hye see.  Capitulo  Centesimo  Tri_cesimo 
      Sexto.
|r16 |r<b> WHen Kyng Henry had bene Kyng xvij ere, a grete
        debate aroos bitue[n] him & Kyng Lowys of Fraunce,
     for enchesoun~ at e Kyng hade sent into Normandy to his men,
     for ai shulde bene helpyng to e Erle of Bleynes as miche as
|r20 ai myght, in werre aeynes e Kyng of Fraunce, and at ai
     were as redy vnto him as ai wolde bene vnto here owen lord,
     for enchesoun~ at e Erle hade spousede his sustre, Dame Maude;
     for whiche enchesoun e Kyng of Fraunce dede miche harme
|r24 & sorwe to Normandye. wherfore e Kyng of Engeland was
     wonder wro, & in hast went ouer e see into Normandye wi a
     grete power, forto defende at londe; & e werre bituene ham
     laste ij ere, til at e laste ai ij fouten to-geder, & e Kyng of
|r28 France was descomfitede, & vnnee scapede away wi miche
     peyn; and e moste part of his men were taken, & dede wi
     ham what him liked; and some of ham he lete gon~ freliche, &



|p143


     some he lete put to de; but afterward o ij kyngus were
     accordede.  And when Kyng Henry hade holiche al e land
     |r[f.79v] of No[r]mandye, and scomfitede his enemys of Fraunce, he turned
 |r4 aeyne into Engeland wi michel honour. and his ij sones,
     William and Richard, wolde come after her fader, and went to e
     se wi a grete company of peple; but er at ai might come to
     lond, e shipp come aeyn a grete roche, and brake al into
 |r8 pices; and alle were drenched at were erin, saf one man at
     was in e same shipp at ascaped; and is was on seynt Kateryness
     day.  And ise were e names of ham at were drenchede, at
     is to seyn: William, e Kynges sone, Richarde his broer, e Erl
|r12 of Chestre, Octouyle his broer, Geffray Ridel, Walter Emurcy,
     Gedfreye Erchedeken, e Kynges doughter, e Countesse of Perches,
     e Kyngus nece, e Countesse of Chestre, and meny oer.
      When Kyng Henry and oere lordes arryued were in Engeland,
|r16 and harde ise tidyngus, ai made sorwe ynow; & al her mere &
     ioye was turnede o into sorwe & care.
     How Maude e Emperesse come aey[ne] into Engeland; and
     how she was afterward wedded to Gaufrey, e Erl of
|r20 Angoy. Capitulo Centesimo xxxvij.
     |r<b> ANd when at ij ere were gone, at e Erl hade duellede wi
        e Kyng, e Erl went o fro e Kyng, and biganne to
     werre oppon~ him, & dede miche harme in e lande of Normandye.
|r24 Wherfore Kyng Henry was sore annoiede when he herde e
     tydynges. wi al e haste at he myght, he passede e see, and
     come into Normandye, and toke ere a stronge castel, & ere
     helde him al at ere. And o come to him tydynges at
|r28 Henry, |r[f.80r] e Emperour of Almaigne, at hade spousede Mand his
     douter, was dede, and at she duellede no longer in Almaigne,
     and at she wolde come aeyne into Normandy to her fader.
      And when she was comen to him, he toke her o wi him,
|r32 and come aeyne into Engeland, & made e Englisshemen to
     done oth & feaute vnto e Emperesse.  And e ferst man at



|p144


     made e oth was William e Erchebisshop of Kaunterbury, and
     at oere Kyng Dauid of Scotland, & after him, al e Erles &
     barons of Engeland.  And after at, e noble man, e Erl of
 |r4 Angoy, a wori knyt, sent to e Kyng of Engeland at he wolde
     grant him forto haue his doughter to spouse, Maude e Emperesse.
      And for enchesoun~ at her fader wist at he was a noble man,
     e Kyng grauntede him, & consentede erto, and o tok his
 |r8 doughter, and ladde her into Normandye, & come to e noble
     knyt e Erl Gaufrid; & he spousede e forsaide Maude wi
     michel honoure; & e Erl bigate oppon her a sone at men
     callede `Henry, e Emperesse sone.'  And after, when al is
|r12 was done, Kyng Henry duellede al at ere in Normandy. and
     after at, longe tyme, a grevous sikenesse toke him, wherfore he
     deide. & is Kyng Henry regnede xxxv ere & iiij mounes; &
     after he deide, as bifore is saide, in Normandy; & his hert was
|r16 enterede in e grete cherche of oure Lady of Roen, & his body was
     brout wi michel honour into Engeland, & enterede at Redyng
     in e Abbay; & of e which Abbay he was bigynner &
     Foundoure.
|r20 |r[f.80v] How Stephene, Kyng Henryes suster sone, Was made Kyng
     of Engeland. Capitulo  Centesimo  Tricesimo  Octauo.
     |r<b> After is Kyng Henry at was e ferst, was made Kyng his
        Nevew, his sustres sone, Stephen, Erl of Boloigne; For
|r24 anone as he harde e tidynges of his Vncles deth, he passede e
     see, and come into Engeland, rou conseil & streng & helpe
     of meny grete Lordes of Engeland (aeyn heir oth at ai hade
     made to Maude e Emperesse), tok e reaume, & lete crone
|r28 Stephen Kyng of e land.  And e erchebisshop William of
     Kaunterbery, at ferst made e oth to Maude e Emperesse,
     sette e crone ferst opon~ Kyng Stephenus heuede, & him annoyn_tede;
     and Bisshop Roger of Salesbery mayntenede e Kyngus



|p145


     partye in-as-miche as he might.  The ferst ere at Kyng
     Stephen biganne forto regne, he assembled a grete host, & went
     him toward Scotland, forto haue os werrede oppon e Kyng of
 |r4 Scotland; but he come aeynes him in pees & in gode maner, &
     to him trust; but he made to him none homage, for-asmiche as
     he hade made homage to e Emperesse Maude.  And e iiij
     ere of his regne, Maude e Emperesse come into Engeland; & o
 |r8 bigan debate bituene Kyng Stephen and Maude e Emperesse.
     is Maude went vnto e citee of Nichole; and e Kyng her
     bisegede longe tyme, & might nout spede, so wel e cite was kepte
     and defendede. and o at were wiin e citee queyntly scapedes
|r12 away wiouten eny maner harme; and o tok e Kyng e citee,
     & duellede erin to Candelmasse.  And o come e barons at
     helde wi e Emperesse, at is forto seyn, |r[f.81r] e Erl Randulf of
     Chestre, e Erl Robert of Gloucestre, Hughe Bigot, Robert of
|r16 Molleye, & brout wi ham a stronge power.
     How Maude e Emperesse Went fram Wynchestr vnto
     Oxenford; and after she ascapede to Wallyngford; &
     what sorwe & disese  she hade. Capitulo Centesimo
|r20 xxxix=o=.
     |r<b> WHen e Kyng was taken & brout into warde in e
        Castel of Bristow, is Maude e Emperesse anone was
     lady of Engeland, & alle men helde her for lady of e lande.
|r24  But o of Kent helde wi Kyng Stephenes wif; and also
     William of Pree & his retenue halpe ham, and helde werre aeynes
     Maude e Emperesse. & anone after, e Kyng of Scotland come to
     ham wi a grete nombre of peple; and o went ai in fere vnto
|r28 Wynchestre, ere at e Emperesse was, & wolde haue take here;
     but e Erl of Gloucestre come wi his power, & fout wi ham; &
     e Emperesse, in e menewhile at e bataile durede, scapede fro
     ens, & went vnto Oxenford, & ere her helde. & in at batail
|r32 was e Erl of Gloucestre descomfitede & taken, & wi him meny
     oere lordes.  And for his delyueraunce was Kyng Stephen



|p146


     delyuerede out of prison.  And when he was delyuerede out
     of prisoun, he went ens to Oxenford, & bisegede e Emperesse
     at was o at Oxenford; & e sege endurede fro Michelmasse vnto
 |r4 Seynt Andrewus tyde.  And e Emperesse lete o cloe her
     al in white lynen clo, for enchesoun~ at she wolde nout bene
     knowe, for in e same tyme ere was michel of snowe; and so she
     scapede by e Tamyse fram ham awaye at were her enemys;
 |r8 & fro ens she went to Wallyngford, & ere here helde.  And
     e Kyng wolde haue bisegede her; |r[f.81v] but he hade so miche to done
     wi e Erl Randulf of Chestre, & wi Hugh Bigot, at strongelich
     werrede oppon~ him in euery place, at he ne wist whider to
|r12 turne; and e Erl of Gloucestre halpe ham wi his power.
     How Gaufride, Erl of Angoy, af vp vnto Henry, e
     Emperesse sone, al Normandye. Capitulo Centesimo xl.
     |r<b> ANd after is, e Kyng went vnto Wilton~, & wolde haue
|r16    made a castel ere; but o come to him e Erl of Gloucestre
     wi a stronge power, & almost hade take e Kyng; but it e
     Kyng ascapede wi miche payn; & William Marcil ere was
     take, & for whos delyuerance e Kyng af to e Erl of Gloucestre
|r20 e gode castel of Shirburn at he hade tak.  And when is was
     done, e Erl Robert, & alle e Kynges enemys, went to Faryndon~,
     & bigonne forto make ere a stronge castel; but e Kyng, wi
     a stronge power, drof ham ens.
|r24    In at same ere  The Erl Randulf of Chestre was accorded
     wi e Kyng, and come to his court at his commandement; and e
     Erl went haue safliche comen; & e Kyng anone lete take
     him, and put him into prisoun, & most neuer for noing come out
|r28 erof til at he hade elde op to e Kyng e castel of Nichole,
     e whiche he hade tak fro e Kyng wi streng in e xv ere of
     e regne of Kyng Stephene.  & Gaufride, e Erl of Angoy,
     af vp to Henry al Normandy. In e ere at next sewede,



|p147


     deide e Erl Gaufrid; and Henry o anon turnede aeyn to
     Angoy, & ere was made Erl wi michel ioye & honour of his
     men of e lande; & to him deden feaute & homage e most parte
 |r4 of his land.  And o was is Henry, e Emperesse sone, Erl of
     Angoy & Duc of Nor*mandye |r[f.82r].
         And in e same ere Was made deuorse bituene e Kyng of
     Fraunce & e quene his wif, at was ryght heir of Gascoigne, for
 |r8 encheson~ at it was knowe & prouede at ai wer sib & ney of
     blode; & o spousede her, Henry e Emperesse sone; & o was
     he Erl of Angoy, Duc of Normandy, & Duc of Gascoigne.  e
     xviij ere of e regne of Kyng Stephen, is Henry come into
|r12 Engeland wi a stronge power, and bigan forto werre oppon~
     Kyng Stephen, & toke e castel of Malmesbery, & dede miche
     harme. And e Kyng Stephen hade so miche werre at he
     wist nout whider to wende; but at e laste ai wer accorded,
|r16 rou e Erchebisshope Theobalde and rou oer wori lordes of
     Engeland, oppon is condicioun~, at ai shulde departe e reaume
     of Engeland bituene ham, so at Henry, e Emperesse sone,
     shulde haue holliche halfe e reaume, and when Kyng Stephen
|r20 were dede, he shulde haue al e lande of Engeland; & us ai
     were accordede, & pees criede rou-out al Engeland.  And
     when e accord was made bituene o ij lordes, Kyng Stephen
     bicome so sori, for cause at he hade loste half Engeland, & felle
|r24 into soche a malaldy, & deide in e xix er, viij wokes & v dayes
     of his regne, al in werr & in contak; & he li in e Abbay of
     Feuersham, e whiche he lete make, e vj ere of his regne.
     Of Kyng Henry at was e Emperesse sone, in whos tyme
|r28 Seynt Thomas of Kaunterbery was Chaunceller.
      Capitulo  Centesimo xl primo.
     |r<b> ANd after is Kyng Stephen, regnede Henry |r[f.82v] e Emperesse
        sone, at Was cronede of e Erchebisshop Theobalde
|r32 e xvij day bifore Cri[s]tesmas. And in e same ere Thomas



|p148


     Beket of London~, Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery, was made e
     Kyngus Chanceller of Engeland.  e secunde ere at he was
     cronede, he lete caste doun~ alle e newe castelles at were longyng
 |r4 vnto e crone, e whiche Kyng Stephen hade eue vnto diuerse
     men~, & ham hade made erles & barons forto holde wi him, & him
     helpe aeyns Henry, e Emperesse sone.  And e iiij ere of his
     regne he put vnder his lordeship e Kyng of Walys. And in e
 |r8 same er, when e Kyng of Scotland had in his owen hande, at is
     to seyne, e citee of Kerlil, e castel of Bamburghe, e newe castel
     op Tyne, and e Erldome of Lancastre, e same ere e Kyng,
     wi gret power, went into Walys, & lete caste adoun~ wodes, &
|r12 make waies, and made stronge e castel of Rutland & Basynge_were;
     and amonge e castelles he made an house of e temple.
      And in e same ere was Richard his sone born, at afterward
     was Erl of Oxenford.
|r16     And e iiij ere of hes regne, he made Gaufride, Erl of
     Britaigne; & in at ere he chaungede his mone. And e vj ere
     of his regne he lade an huge host vnto Tolouse, & conquerede
     hit. And e vij er of his regne, deide Theobalde, e Erche_bissho
|r20 [p] of Kanterbery; and o al e citee of Kaunterbery, rou
     meschief, almost was brent.
     [Thomas a Becket is made Archbishop of Canterbury, and quarrels 
     with the King.]
|r24    e ix er of his regne, Thomas Beket, his Chaunceller, was
     chosen to |r[f.83r] ben Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery; and oppon~ seynt
     Bernardes day he was sacrede.  And in at ere, born was
     Alienore, e Kynges douter.  And e x ere of his regne, seynt
|r28 Edmund e Kyng was translatede wi miche honour.  And
     e xj ere of his regne he helde his parlement at Northampton~; &
     fro ens fled Seynt Thomas, Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery, for
     e grete debate at was bituen e Kyng and him; for if he hade
|r32 bene fonde on e morwe, he hade bene slayn; & erfore he



|p149


     fledde ens wi iij felawes, in fote oneliche, at no man wist wher
     he was, and went ouer e see to e Pope of Rome.  And is was
     e principal enchesoun~, forasmiche as e Kyng wolde haue put
 |r4 clerkes to deth at were atteint of felonye, wiouten eny pryuelege
     of holy cherche.  And e xij ere of his regne, was Iohn~, his
     sone, bore. And e xiij ere of his regne deide Maude e
     Emperesse, at was his moder; And in at same ere was Iohane
 |r8 his doughter born.  e xiiij ere of his regne, e Duc Henry of
     Saxoyne spousede Maude, his doughter; & he bigate on here iij
     sones, Henry, Othus, & William.  And in e xv ere of his
     regne, deide e gode Erle Robert of Gloucestre, at foundede e
|r12 Abbay of Nonnes of Eton.  And in e same ere, Marik, Kyng
     of Ierusalem, conquerede Babilon.  e xvj ere of his regne, he
     lete crone his sone Henry at Westmynstre; & him cronede, Roger,
     e Erchebisshop of ork, in harmyng of Thomas e Erchebisshop of
|r16 Kaunterbery; wherfore e same Roger was acursede of e Pope.
     |r[f.83v] Of Kyng Henry, at was e Emperesse sone; & of e debate
     at was bituene him & his fader whiles at he was in
     Normandye. Capitulo Centesimo xlij=do=.
|r20 |r<b> After e coronacioun~ of Kyng Henry, e sone of Kyng Henry,
        the Emperesse sone, at same Henry e Emperesse sone
     went ouer into Normandye; and ere he lete marie Elianore, his
     douter, vnto Dolfynes, at was Kyng of Almaigne. And in e
|r24 vij ere at e Erchebisshop Seynt Thomas hade bene outlaghed,
     e Kyng of Fraunce made e Kyng & e Erchebisshop accorded;
     and o come Thomas e Erchebisshop, to Kaunterbery aeyne to
     his owen cherche. And is accord was made in e bigynnyng of
|r28 Aduent, and afterward he was quellede & martirede, e v day of
     Cristusmasse at o next comme. For Kyng Henry out oppon~
     a day of Thomas, Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery, oppon~ Cristes_masse 
     day as he sate at e mete, and ise wordes saide: at if
|r32 he hade eny gode knyt with him, he hade bene, meny day go,



|p150


     avengede of the Erchebisshop Thomas.  And anone Sir William
     [Breton], Sire Hughe Morvile, Sir William Tracy, & Sir Reynold
     Fit-Vrse,Beressone in Engelisshe, went into e see, and come
 |r4 into Engeland, to e cherche of Kaunterbery, & him ere ai
     matrede, at seynt Benetes auter in e moder cherche; And at was
     in e ere of e Incarnacioun~ of Ihesu crist, M=l=. C. lxxij ere.
      And anone after, Henry, e new Kyng, biganne forto make werr
 |r8 oppon Henry, Kyng, his fader, & eke oppon~ |r[f.84r] his breern.
      And so oppon a tyme e Kyng of Fraunce and al e Kynges
     sones, & ek e Kyng of Scotland & e gretest lordes of Engeland,
     were arisen aeynes Henry e fader; & at last, as God wolde, he
|r12 conquerede his enemys; and e Kyng of Fraunce & he were
     accorded. and o sent Kyng Henr, e fader specialy vnto e Kyng
     of Fraunce, and praede him hertly, for his loue, at he wolde sende
     to him by lettre e names of ham at bigonne e werr oppon him.
|r16  And e Kyng of France sent aeyn to him by lettre e names
     of ham at bigon e werr: ferst was Iohn~ his sone, and Richard
     his broer, & Henry his sone, e newe Kyng.  o was Henry
     e Kyng wonder wro, & cursede e tyme at euer he ham bigate.
|r20 And while e werre durede, Henry his sone, e newe kyng,
      deide, sore repentyng his mysdede; and moste sorw made of eny
     man for cause of Seynt Thomas de of Kaunterbery; & prayede
     his fader, wi miche sorwe of hert, mercy of his trespasse; and
|r24 his fader foraf it him, & hade of him grete pite; & aft[er], he
     deide, e xxxvj ere of his regne, and li at Redynge.
     How e Cristen men loste e Holy Land in e forsaid Kyngus
     tyme, rou a false Cristen man at bicome a Sarasyne.
|r28 Capitulo Centesimo xliij=to=.
     |r<b> ANd while at Kyng Henry, e Emperesse sone, leuede &
        regnede, e grete batail was in e Holy Land bituene e
     Cristen men & e Sarasynus; but e Cristen men were ere quellede
|r32 oru grete tresoun~ of e Erl of Trype, at wolde haue hade to wyf



|p151


     e Quene |r[f.84v] of Ierusalem, at somme tyme was Baldewynus wif; but
     she forsoke him, & toke to her lorde a Knyt, a wori man at
     me called Sire Gy Perche. Wherfore e Erle of Trip was wro,
 |r4 and went anone ryght to Saladyn, at was Soudan of abilon, &
     bicome Saresyn, & his man, & forsoke Cristendome and all Cristen
     law; and e Cristen men wiste nout of is dede, but wende
     forto haue hade grete helpe of him, as ai were wont to haue
 |r8 bifore. And when ai comen to e batail, is false Cristen man
     turnede vnto e Sarasynes, and forsoke his owen naciounes; & so
     were e Cristen men ere quellede wi e Sarasynus; and us wer
     e Cristen men slayne & put to horrible de, and e citee of
|r12 Ierusalem destroiede, & e holy croice born away.  e Kyng of
     Fraunce & al e grete Lordes of e land lete ham croice forto
     go into the Holy Lande; and among ham went Richard, Kyng
     Henries sone, ferst after the Kyng of France at tok the crois of
|r16 e Erchebisshop of Toures; but he toke nou[t] e viage at at
     tyme, for enchesoun at he was lette by oere maner waies at
     nede moste bene done.  And when Kyng Henry e fader
     hade regnede xxxv=ti= ere & v mounes and iiij dayes, he deide,
|r20 & li [at] Founteuerard.
     Of Kyng Richard, at conquerede all e Holy Land at
     Cristen men hade loste. Capitulo Centesimo Quadragesimo
     quarto.
|r24 |r<b> ANd after is Kyng Henry, regned Richard his sone, a
        stronge man & a wori, & also bolde; & he was cronede at
     Wynchestre of e Erchebisshop Baldewynne, Erchebisshop of
     Kaunterbery, the rid day of Septembre; and the secunde ar of
|r28 his regne Kyng Richard him-self and Baldewyne the Erchebisshop
     of Caunterbury, & Huber[t], Bisshop of Salesbery, & Randulf, Erl



|p152


     of Gloucestre, & oere meny lordes of Engeland, went into e Holy
     Land. And in at viage deide e Erchebisshop |r[f.85r] of Kaunterbery;
     and Kyng Richard went bifore into e Holy Lond, & reste nout
 |r4 til at he come fore in his way vnto Cypres, and toke Cipres
     wi grete force. & sien he went four toward e Holy Land, &
     gete aeyn as miche as e Cristen men haden loste bifore, Kyng
     Richard conquerede & gete hit aeyn, saf onely e Holy Croice.
 |r8  And when Kyng Richard come to e toune of Acres, forto gete
     e citee, a grete debate aroos bituene him and e Kyng of
     Fraunce, so at Kyng Richard went aeyne into France, & was
     wro toward e Kyng of Fraunce; but er at Kyng Richard
|r12 went aeyne, he toke e Citee of Acres.  And when he hade
     taken e citee, he duellede erin awhile; but to him come
     tydynges at e Erl Iohn of Oxenford, his broer, wolde haue
     seisede al Engeland into hisonde, & Normandy also, and wolde
|r16 crone him Kyng of e lande.  And when Kyng Richard herde
     is tydynges, he went aeyn toward Engeland wi al e spede
     at he myght; but e Duc of Estriche mette wi him & tok him,
     & brout him to e Emperoure of Almaign~; & e Emperour
|r20 brout him into his prisoun~. And afterward he was delyuerede
     for an huge Raunsoun~, at is, for to paien an.C=M.= li.  And
     for whiche ransoun~ to bene payede, eche oere chalice of Engeland
     was molten & made into monye. And alle e monkes of e
|r24 ordre of Cisteaux euen alle her bokes rou Engeland, to
     done ham forto selle, and to at ranson~ forto paye.
     How Kyng Richard come aeyn fro e Holy Lande, & avenged
     him of his enemys. Capitulo Centesimo Quadragesimo
|r28 quinto.
     |r[f.85v] |r<b> WHiles is Kyng Richard was in prisoun~, e Kyng of
        Fraunce werrede oppon~ him strongeliches in Normandye,
     and Iohn~ his broer werrede oppon~ him in Engeland; but e



|p153


     bisshoppis & e barons of Engeland wistode ham wi al e
     power at ai hade & myght geten, & helde e castel of Wynde_sore 
     and alle oere castelles.  And e forsaide Iohn saw at he hade
 |r4 no might ne power aeynes e barons of Engeland forto feit; but
     anone him went ouer e see to e Kyng of Fraunce.  And
     when Kyng Richard come out of prisoun~, and was delyuerede, and
     come into Engeland, anone after Candelmasse, in grete haste he
 |r8 went vnto Notyngham, and e castel of Notyngham to him was
     olden; and o disheritede he Iohn, his broer, and alle at wi
     him helde; and after, he went vnto e citee of Wynchestre, and
     ere he lete him crone Kyng eftesones; and after, he went into
|r12 Normandy forto werr oppon e Kyng of Fraunce.  And e
     Kyng of France come wi vj C. knytes toward Gisers; -- and
     Kyng Richard mette him, & o wolde haue eue him bataile, but
     e Kyng of Fraunce fledde; & an C. knytes of his were take, & ij
|r16 C. stedes were trappede wi yren.  And anone after, went Kyng
     Richard forto bisege e castel of Gaillard.  And as he rode oppon~
     a day by e castel, forto take avisement of e castel, an Arwe_blaster 
     smote him wi a quarel at was e[n]venymede; and e Kyng
|r20 drow out e shafte of e quarel, but e quarelle hede abode stille in
     his heuede, & hit bigan forto rancle, at he might nout helpe
     him-self ne |r[f.86r] meve his Armes.  And o he wist at he hade
     dethe Wounde, at he might nout bene hole for no maner ing.
|r24 He commandede anone alle his men sharply forto assaile e
     castel, so at e castel was taken or at he deide. And so man_liche 
     his men deden, at e peple at were in e castel were al
     taken; and e Kyng dede wi ham what at he wolde, & com_mandede 
|r28 his men at ai shulde bryng tofore him e man at him
     so hade hurte & so hade wondede.  And when he come bifore
     e Kyng, e Kyng axed what was his name; & he saide "Sire,
     my name is Bertram Gurdon~." "Wherfore," saide e Kyng,
|r32 "hast ow me slayn, sl at y dede e neuer none harme ?"
      "Sire," said he, "ou e dede me neuer harme, e haue done
     to my frendes miche harme; For our-self, wi our owen honde,



|p154


     quellede my fader & my broer; and erfor now y han ow
     quytte oure trauaile."  o saide Kyng Richard: "He at deide
     oppon e croice to bryng mannus soule fram e pyne of helle,
 |r4 foreue ow my de! and y also foreue hit e." o commandede
     e Kyng at no man shulde him misdones; but for al e kyngus
     defendyng,  Somme of his men him folwed, & priuely him
     quellede. And e vj day after, e Kyng deide shryuen, and sore
 |r8 repentance hauyng of his misdedes, & was houselede &
     annoyntede. And is kyng ne regned but ix ere & xxxix
     wokes, & deide, & li bisides his fader at Founteuerard.
     Of Kyng Iohn~, at in e ferst ere of his regne loste al
|r12 Normandye. Capitulo Centesimo xlvj=mo=.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Richard was dede, for enchesoun~ at |r[f.86v] he hade
        none heir, noere sone ne doughter, his broer Iohan was
     made Kyng, an[d] cronede at Westmynstre of Hubert, at was o
|r16 Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery.  And when he biganne forto
     regne, he bicome so mervaillous a man, and went ouer into
     Normandye, & werrede oppon~ e Kyng of France. And so longe
     ai werrede to-gedre, til att e laste Kyng Iohn~ loste Normandye &
|r20 Angoy; wherfor he was sore annoiede, & was none mervaile.
      o lete he assemble byfore him at London~, Erchebisshoppis,
     bisshoppus, Abbotes & Pryours, Erles & barons, and helde ere a
     grete Parlement, & axede ere of e clergye e tene of euery
|r24 cherche of Engeland, forto conquere & gete aeyne Normandy &
     Angoy at he hade loste. and ai wolde nout graunt at ing;
     wherfore he was wonder wro.  And in e same tyme deide e
     Erchebisshop Hubert. And e Priour & e Couent of Kaunter_bery 
|r28 chosen, aeynes e Kyngus wille, to bene Erchebisshop,
     Maistre Stephen of Langeton~, a goode clerc at wonede at e court
     of Rome, & sende to e Pope here elleccioun~; & e Pope
     confermede hit, and sacred hit at Viterbe.  When e Kyng
|r32 wiste is tydyngus, he was wonder wro, & drof e Priour & e
     couent fro Kanterbery, & exilede ham out of Engeland, &



|p155


     commandede at no maner lettre at come fro e court of Rome,
     ne no comandement, shulde be vnderfong ne pledede in
     Engelond.  When ise tydyngus come to e Pope, he sent
 |r4 vnto Kyng Iohn~ by his lettre, & prayede him wi gode wille &
     gode hert at he wolde vnderfonge Stephen, |r[f.87r] Erchebisshop of
     Kaunterbery, vnto His cherche, & soffre e Priour & his monkes
     to come aeyn to her owen duellyng; but e Kyng wolde nout
 |r8 grant hit for noing.
     How Kyng Iohan wolde nout do for e Popes com_mandement;
     wherfore al Engeland was enterdite&
     suspended. Capitulo Centesimo xlvij=o=.
|r12 |r<b> ANd at e laste, e Pope sent by his autorite, and ennioynede
     to bisshoppis of Engeland at, if e Kyng wolde nout
     vnderfonge e Prioure of Kaunterbery and his monkes, at ai
     shulde do general enterdityng rou-oute al Engeland; & grantede
|r16 ful power to iiij bisshopis to pronounce e enterdityng, if it were
     nede:  e ferst was Bisshop William of London~, & at oer
     Eustace, Bisshop of Ely; e ridde was Walter, e Bisshop of
     Wynchestre; And e fer was Giles, e Bisshop of Herford.
|r20  And ise iiij bisshoppis praiede e Kyng, knelyng on here knees
     & sore wepyng, at he wolde do e Popis commandement, and
     shewede him e bullis of the enterdityng; but, for no prayer at
     ai myght praye, he wolde nout consent erto. And when e
|r24 bisshopes saw is, ai went fro e Kyng;  And in e morwe
     after e Annunsiacion~ of oure Lady, ai pronouncede e general
     enter-dytyng rou-oute al Engeland, so at e cherchedores were
     shitte wi Keyes & wi oer fastnyng, and wi wallys.  And
|r28 when e enterdyting was pronuncede, an e Kyng bigan forto
     wax al out of mesure, and toke into his hondes alle e possessions
     of o iiij bisshopis, and of al e clergye rou-out al e lande,



|p156


     and ordeynede men forto kepe ham, at e clerkes might nout
     haue here leuyng. Wherfore e biss[hopis curs]ede hami all at
     put, or shulde medle wi, holy cherche godes, aeins |r[f.87v] the Wille
 |r4 of ham at ham owede.
         And Whe[n] e Kyng Wolde nout cesse of his malice for
     no maner ing, e iiij bisshoppis aboue-saide went ouer e see,
     and went to e Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery, and tolde him al
 |r8 e tidyngus.  And e Erchebisshop to ham saide, at ai shulde
     go aeyn to Kanterbery, and he wolde come ider to ham, or
     elles he wolde sende ider certeyn persones in his stede, at shulde
     done as miche as him-self were ere.  And when e bisshopis
|r12 herde is, ai turnede aeyne vnto Engeland, & come vnto K[a]un_terbery. 
      the tydynges comen to the kyng at e bisshoppes
     wer come aeyne to Kanterbery, and [as] him-self might nout
     come ider at tyme, he sent ider bisshopes, Erles, Abbotes, forto
|r16 trete wi ham, at e Kyng shulde vnderfonge e Erchebisshop
     Stephen, & e priour and alle e monkes of Kaunterbery, and
     at he shulde neuer after at tyme noing take of Holy Cherche
     aeynes e wille of ham at owede e godes; and at e Kyng
|r20 shulde make ful amendes to ham of whame he hade eny godes
     taken, & at holy cherche shulde haue alle here Fraunchises as
     ferfor as she hade in Seynt Edwardus tyme e Confessoure.
     How Stephen of Langetone comme into Engeland rou e
|r24 Popis commandement, & the[n] went aeyn. Capitulo
     Centesimo xlviij=o=.
     |r<b> WHen e fourme of accorde us was ordeynede, hit was in a
        peire of endentures; & ai put her selx to at o party,
|r28 and ai at comen in e Kyngus name put her selx to at oere
     parte of e endentures. And e iiij bisshoppus aboue-saide toke



|p157


     at o parte of e endentures wi ham; And e oer parte of
     e endenture ai bare wi ham forto shew e Kyng.  When e
     Kyng saw e fourme, and hit |r[f.88r] vnderstode, he helde him ful wel
 |r4 paiede of al maner ing at ai hade ordeynede, saf as tochyng
     e restitucion~ of e godes forto make aeyne; to at ing he
     wolde nout accorde; and so he sent worde aeyne to e forsaide
     iiij bisshoppis, at ai shulde done out and put awey at o pynt
 |r8 of restitucion~; and ai ansuerede at ai nolde nout done out
     a word.  o sent e Kyng to e Erchebisshop by o iiij
     bisshopes, at he shulde come to Kaunterbery forto speke wi him
     ere, and sent vnto him saf condit, vnder plegges, at is to seyn,
|r12 his Iustice, Gilbert Peytevyn, William de la Breuer, & Iohn~ le
     fi[t]z Hugh, at in here condit safly he shulde come, & gon~ aeyn at
     his wille; & in is maner e Erchebisshop Stephen come vnto
     Kaunterbery.  And when the Erchebisshop was [come], e
|r16 Kyng come to Chilham, for he wolde come no nyer Kaunterbery at
     at tyme; but he sent by his tresorer, e bisshope of Wynchestre,
     at he shulde done out of e endentures e clause of restitucioun
     forto make of e godes.  And e Erchebisshop made his oth er,
|r20 at he wolde neuer do oute a worde erof, ne chaunge of at
     e bisshopes hade spoken & ordeynede. & so e Erchebisshope
     went aeyn to Rome, wi-outen eny more doyng.  Kyng [Iohn]
     was o miche wroer an euer he was bifore, and lete make a
|r24 comen crie rou-out al Engeland, at al o at haden holy
     cherche rentes, and wenten oner e see, at ai shulde come aeyn
     into Engeland at a certeyn day, and elle ai shulde lese her rentes
     for euermore; and at he commandede to euery shirryf rouout
|r28 Engeland, at ai shulde enquer if eny bisshop, Abbot, Pryoure,
     or eny oer prelate of Holy cherche, |r[f.88v] fro at day afterward
     resceyuede eny mandement at come fro e Pope, at ai shulde
     tak e body, & brynge hit bifore him; & at ai shulde take into
|r32 e Kynges hande al her londes of holy cherche at were euen



|p158


     to eny man rou e Erchebisshop Stephen or by e Pryour of
     Kaunterbery, fram e tyme of e eleccioun~ of e erchebisshope;
      And commandede at alle e wodes at were e erchebisshopus
 |r4 shulde bene cast adoun to e grounde, and all solde.
     How Kyng Iohn~ destroyed e ordre of Cisteaux. Capitulo
     Centesimo xlix=o=.
     |r<b> ANd in e same tyme e Irisshe-men bigon~ to werr oppon~
 |r8    Kyng Iohn~; and Kyng Iohn~ ordeynede him forto wende
     into Yrland, and lete arere an huge tax rou-out al Engeland,
     at is to seyn, xxxv Mt mar; & sent rou-out al Engeland to
     e monkes of e ordre of Cisteaux, at ai shulde helpe him of vj
|r12 M=l= marc of Siluer; and ai ansuerede & saide at ai derst
     noing done wiouten her chief Abbot of Cisteaux. Wherfore
     Kyng Iohn~, when he come aeyne fram Irland, he dede han
     so miche sorwe & care, at ai nist wher forto abide; for he toke so
|r16 miche ransoun of euery hous of ham, e somme amountede ix M=l=
     & iij C mar, so at ai were clene loste and destroyede, &
     voidede her hous & her landes rou-out al Engeland.  And the
     Abbot of Wauersey drade so miche his manace, at he forsoke al
|r20 his Abbay, & went ens, and pryuely ordeynede him ouer e
     see to e hous of Cisteaux.  When e tydynges come to e
     Pope, at e Kyng had done so miche malice, o was he toward
     e Kyng ful wro, and sent ij legates to e Kyng, -- at on me
|r24 callede Pandolf, & at oere Duraunt, -- at ai |r[f.89r] shulde warne e
     Kyng, in e Popis name, at he shulde cesse of his persecucion~
     at he dede vnto holy cherche, & amende e wrong and trespasse
     at he hade done to e Erchebisshope of Kanterbery, & vnto e
|r28 monkes of Kaunterbery, & to al e clergye of Engeland, and at
     he shulde restore e godes aeyn at he hade taken of ham aeyns
     her wille, & elles ai shulde curse the Kyng by name; and to
     done is ing, & to conferme, e Pope toke ham his lettres in



|p159


     bulles patent.  ise ij legates comen into Engeland, and comen
     to e Kyng to Northampton, ere at he helde his parlement; &
     ful curteisely ai him salued, and saide: "Sire, we bee comen
 |r4 fro e Pope of Rome, e pees of holy cherche & e lande forto
     amend; and we monest ow ferste in e Popis half, at e make
     ful restitucioun of e godes at e haue rauisshede of holy cherche
     & of e land, & at e vnderfonge Stephen Erchebisshop of
 |r8 Kanterbery, into his dignite, and e Priour of Kaunterbery & his
     monkes, & at e elde aeyn fo e Erchebisshope alle his landes
     & rentes, wiout eny wiholdyng.  And Sire, more-ouer, at
     e soche restitucioun~ ham make, as holy cherche shal holde her
|r12 paiede."
         o ansuerede e Kyng; "as tochyng e Priour & his
     monkes of Kaunterbery, al at e haue saide, y wille gladelyche
     do, & al ing at e wille ordeyne.  But as tochyng e
|r16 Erchebisshop, y shal telle ow in myn hert as it li, at e
     Erchebisshop lete his bisshopriche, & at e Pope an for him
     wolde praye, & an oppon~ aventure me shulde like some oere
     bisshopriche forto eue him in Engeland; and oppon~ is
|r20 condicioun~ y wil him resceyue and vnderfonge.  And noeles
     in Engeland, as Erchebisshop yf |r[f.89v] he abide, he shal neuer haue so
     gode saf condit at he ne shal ben tak."  o saide Pandolf
     vnto e Kyng: "holy cherche was neuer wont to disgrade
|r24 Erchebisshop wiouten cause resonable; but euer she was wont
     to chastice Pry[n]ces at to God & holy cherche were in-obedient."
      "What! how now?" quod e Kyng, "manace e me ?"  "Nay,"
     saide Pandolf, "but e now openly haue tolde as it stonde in
|r28 our hert; & to ow we wil tel what is e Popis wille; & us it
     stant: at he ha ow holiche enterditede & accursede for e
     wronges at e haue done to holy cherche & to e clergye. & for_as
     -miche as e duelli & be in wil to abide in our malice, and
|r32 wil nout come to none emendement, e shal vnderstond at fro
     is tyme afterward e centence is oppon~ ow euen, & halde stede



|p160


     & streng; and all o at wi ow ha communede or is tyme,
     Wheer at ai be Erles or barons, knyghtes or eny oer,
     what-so-euer at ai bene, we ham assoile safly vnto is day.
 |r4 And fro is tyme afterward, of what condicion so-euer he be, we
     ham acurse at wi ow communen, and do we sentence oppon~
     ham openly & specialy.  And we assoile quyte Erles & baron~s,
     knyt, & al oer maner men, of her homages, seruices & feaute,
 |r8 at ai shulde vnto ow done.  And ls ing to conferme, We
     eue pleyn power to e Bisshop of Wynchestre & to e Bisshop
     of Norwich;  And e same power we eue into Scotland to e
     Bisshop of Rouchestre & of Salesbery; & in Walys we eue e
|r12 same power to e Bisshop of seynt Dauid, of Landa & of
     Assa.  And more-ouer we sende rou al Cristendome, at al e
     bisshopis biend e see, at ai |r[f.90r] acurse alle o at helpe ow, or
     in eny conseile eue in eny maner nede at e haue forto done in
|r16 eny party of the world; and we assaile al ham at aeynes ow
     meue eny maner werre.  And we assoile ham al also, by e
     autorite of e Pope, & commanden ham also wi ow forto
     werr, as wi him at is enemy to al holy cherche."  o
|r20 ansuered e Kyng, "what mow e done more ?"  o saide 
     Pandolf: "we seyn to ow `in verbo Dei,' at e, ne none heir
     at e haue, neuer after is day may be cronede."  Tho saide e
     Kyng: "by Him at is Almyghty God, & y hade wist of is ing
|r24 er at e come into my land, at e me hade brout soche
     tidynges, y shulde haue made ow ride al an hool ere."  o
     ansuerede Pandolf: "ful wel wende we, at oure ferst comyng, at
     e wolde haue ben obedient to God and to holy cherche, & haue
|r28 fulfillede e Popys commandement; and nowe we haue shewede
     & pronuncede vnto ow e Popis wille, as we were chargede
     erwi.  And as now e haue saide at, if e hade wist e cause
     of oure commyng, at e wolde haue made vs ryde al an hool ere,



|p161


     and as wel e myght haue saide at e wolde haue take an hool
     ere of respite by e Popys leue.  But forto suffre what de
     at e coue ordeyne, we shulle nout spare forto tel ow holliche
 |r4 al e Popis message, & his wille at we wer chargede with."
     How Pandolf delyuerede a clerc at hade falsede & contre_fetede 
     e Kyngus monye bifore e Kyng. Capitulo
     Centesimo l=o=.
 |r8 |r<b> ANon o commandede e Kyng to the Shirrif & bailifs of
        Northampton at were in e Kynges presence, at ai
     shulde bryng forth alle |r[f.90v] e prisoners, at ai myt bene done
     to dee bifore Pandulf, for encheson e Kyng wende at ai
|r12 wolde haue gaynesaide here dedes for cause of de, al ing at
     ai hade spoken bifore.  When e prysoners were comen
     bifore e Kyng, e Kyng commanded somme to bene honget, &
     some to bene drawe, & somme to draw out her eyen of her
|r16 heued. and amonge alle oer, ere was a clerc at hade falsede
     e Kynges monye; & e Kyng commaundede at he shuld
     bene honged & drawe.  And when Pandolf herd is com_mandement 
     of e Kyng, he stert op smertly, and anone axed
|r20 a book & candel, and wolde haue cursed alle ham at sette
     oppon e clerc eny honde.  And Pandolf him-self went forto
     seche a croice; and e Kyng folwede him, and delyuerede him e
     clerc by e honde, at he shulde do wi him what-euer at he
|r24 wolde. And us was the clerc delyuerede, and went ens; and
     Pandolf & Duraunt went o fro Kyng Iohn~, & come aeyne to
     e Pope of Rome, and tolde him at Kyng Iohn~ wolde nout
     amendede ben, but euer abide so acursede.  And noeles e Pope
|r28 graunted at er rou-out Engeland, at men might synge masse
     in couenable cherches, & make Godes body, and if it to sik men
     at shulde passe out of e worlde, & also at men might cristen



|p162


     childern oueral.  And when e Pope wist & sawe at e Kyng
     wolde nout bene vnder e rewele of holy cherche for no maner
     ing, e Pope o sent to e Kyng of France, in remissioun~ of his
 |r4 synnes, at he shulde take wi him al e power at he myght, &
     wende into Engeland forto destroye Kyng Iohan.
                  [King John gives in to the Pope.]
        When is tydyngus come to Kyng |r[f.91r] Iohn~, o Was he sore
 |r8 annoyede, & sore drade Laste at he shulde lese his reaume, and
     him-self be done vnto e de.  o sent he to e Pope messa_gers, 
     & saide at he wolde bene iustifiede, & come to amende_ment 
     in al maner inges, atte his owen wille. e messagers comen
|r12 to e Pope, & tolde him e Kyngus wille, & saide at he wolde
     come to emendement in al maner inges, & wolde make satis_faccion 
     to al maner men after e Popys ordenaunce.  o sent
     e Pope aeyne into Engeland, Pandolf and oere messagers, &
|r16 comen to Kaunterbery ere e Kyng abode. and e xiij day of
     May, e Kyng made an hoth forto stande to e Popes ordenaunce,
     bifore Pandolf e legat, in al maner ingus for e whiche he was
     accursede; & at he shulde make ful restitucion~ to alle e men of
|r20 holy cherche and of religioun, of e gode at he hade take of ham
     aeyn heir wille. And alle e grete lordes of Engeland suore
     oppon~ a book & by e holy dome, at if e Kyng wolde nout
     holde his oth, a saide at ai wolde make him holde hit bi
|r24 streng.  And o put e Kyng him to e courte of Rome & to
     e Pope, and o af vp e reaume of Engeland & of Irland, for him
     & for his heires for euermore at shuld come after him, so at
     Kyng Iohan & his heires shulde tak o ij reaumes of e Popis
|r28 Hand, & shulde holde o ij reaumes of the Pope as to ferme, pay_ing 
     euery er to e court of Rome a ousand marc of siluer. And
     o toke e Kyng e croune of his Heued, and sette him on his
     knees, and ise wordes saide in heryng of alle e grete
|r32 lordes of Engeland: "Here y resyngn op e crone of e reaume
     of Engeland into e Popis Hande, Innocent e ridde, and put
     |r[f.91v] me Holliche in his mercy & ordenance."  o vnderfonge



|p163


     Pandolf e crone of Kyng Iohn, and kepte hit v dayes, as for
     seising-takyng of o ij reaumes of Engeland and of Yrland, and
     confermede al maner inges by his chartre at folewe after.
 |r4 Of e lettre obliga[to]rie at Kyng Iohn~ made to e court of
     Rome; wherfore e Petrus pens be gadrad rou al
     Engeland. Capitulo Centesimo Quinquagesimo primo.
     |r<b> "TO alle Cristen peple rou-out the worlde duellyng, Iohn~,
 |r8    by e grace of God, Kyng of Engeland, gretyng to our
     vniuersite! and knowen ing it be at, for-asmiche as we haue
     greuede & offendede God & our moder cherche of Rome, and
     forasmiche as we haue nede to e mercy of oure lord Ihesu Crist,
|r12 and we may noing so wori offre competent satisfaccioun to make
     to God & to holy cherche, but if it were our owen body, as wi
     oure reaumes of Engeland and of Irland, Thanne, by e grace of
     God, we desiren~ forto meken vs for e loue of Him at meked
|r16 Him to e de of e Croice, rou conseil of e noble erles &
     barons, we soffren and frely granten to God, and to e Apostoil
     seynt Petre & seynt Paule, & to oure moder cherche of Rome, &
     to our Holy fader e Pope, Innocent e ridde, & to alle e Popis
|r20 at come after him, al e reaume & patronages of cherches of
     Engeland and of Irland, wi alle e appurtenances, for remissioun~
     of oure synnes, and helpe & hel of oure Kyn soules, and of all
     Cristen soules, so at fro is tyme afterward, we wille resceyue &
|r24 holde of oure moder che[r]che of Rome, as fee ferme, doyng feaute
     to our holy fader |r[f.92r] e Pope, Innocent e ridde, and to alle e
     Popes at come after him, in maner abouesaide.  And in
     presence of e wise man Pandolf, e Popis Suthdekne, we make
|r28 liege homage, as it were in e Popes presence, & bifore him were;
     and we shul do al maner inges aboue-saide; and erfore
     we bynde vs, and al at comen after vs, & oure heirs for-euer_more, 
     wiouten eny gaynsaying, to e Pope, & eke e ward of



|p164


     cherche vacaunt. and in token of is ing euer forto last, we
     wille, conferme & ordeyn, at our special rent of e forsaide
     Reaumes, sauyng seynt Petrus pens, in al ing to e moder
 |r4 cherche of Rome, paying by er M=l= mar of siluer at ij termes of
     e ere, for al maner custumes at we shulde do to e forsaide
     Reaumes, at is to seyn, at Mighelmesse & at Ester, at is to s
     seyn, vij C mar for Engeland, & iij C mar for Irland,
 |r8 sauyng to vs and to oure heires, oure Iustice an oure oer
     ffraunchisis, and oer realtes at apperteyne to e crone. And
     alle ise inges at bifore ben saide, we wille at hit be ferme &
     stable wiouten ende; and to at obligacon~ we, and alle our
|r12 successoures & oure heires, in is maner be bonde, at if we, or
     eny of our heires, rou presumpcioun~ falle in eny poynt aeyne
     ise ingus abouesaide, & he bene warnede, & wille nout rit
     amende him, he shal an lese e forsaide reaumes for euermore.
|r16 and at ls chartre of obligacioun, & oure warant, for euermore
     be ferme and Stable wiouten gaynsaying, we shul fro is day
     afterward be trewe to God & to e moder cherche of Rome, and
     to e Pope Innocent e rid, and to al at |r[f.92v] come after him;
|r20 and e reaumes of Engeland & of Irland we shul mayntene
     trewely in al maner poynt aeyn al maner men by oure power,
     rou e grace of God."
     How e clerkes at werne outlawed of Engeland, come aeyn,
|r24 & how Kyng Iohn~ was assoiled. Capitulo Centesimo lij=o=.
     |r<b> WHen is chartre was made and enselede, e Kyng Vnder_       
fonge aeyn his crone of Pandolfes hondes, and sent
     anone vnto e Erchebisshop Stephen, and to al his oer clerkes
|r28 and lewed men at he hade exilede out of his lande, at ai
     shulde come aeyne into Engeland, & haue aeyn her londes &
     heir rentes, & at he wolde make restitucioun~ of e godes at he



|p165


     hade take of heres, aeyns her wille.  e Kyng him-self o,
     and Pandolf, & Erles & barons, went o vnto Wynchestre aein
     e Erchebisshop Stephen. & when he was comen, e Kyng went
 |r4 aeynes him, & felle adoun~ vnto his feet, & saide vnto him:
     "faire sir, e be welcomen; and y crie ow mercy, for encheson
     at y haue trespassede aeyn ow."  e Erchebisshop toke him
     vp o in his Armes, & cussede him curteisely ofte-tymes, and after
 |r8 lad him to e dore of Seynt Swythynus cherche by e honde, &
     assoilede him of e centence, and him reconselede to God and to
     holy cherche; and at was on seyn[t] Margarites day; and e
     Erchebisshop anone went forto synge e masse, and e Kyng offred
|r12 at e masse a mark of golde.  And when e masse was done, alle
     ai went forto vnderfonge her londes, wiouten eny maner
     gaynesaying; and at day ai made all mere and ioye ynow; but
     itte was nout e enterdit relessede, for enchesoun~ ai hade sent
|r16 at e enterdityng shulde nout bene vndone til e Kyng hade
     made ful restitucioun~ of e godes that he |r[f.93r] hade take of Holy
     cherche, and also at him-self shulde done homage to e Pope by
     a certeyne ligat at he shulde sende into Engeland.
|r20     o toke Pandolf his leue of e Kyng and of e Erche_bisshop, 
     and went aeyne vnto Rome. And e Erchebisshop
     anone lete come bifore him prelates of holy cherche at Redyng,
     forto trete and conseil how miche and what ai shulde axe of e
|r24 Kyng forto make restitucioun~ of e godes at he hade take of
     ham.  And ai ordeynede and saide, at e Kyng shulde eue to
     e Erchebisshope iij M=l= mar for e wronge at e Kyng hade
     done to him, and also to oer clerkes xv M=l= marc, by porcyons.
|r28 and in e same tyme Nicholas, bishop of Tuscan, Cardynal
     Penitauncer of Rome, come into Engeland rou e Popis com_mandement, 
     e v kalend of Ottobre, and come to London~ e v
     None of Octobre, for enchesoun at Kyng Iohn~, and alle e
|r32 kynges at comen after him, shulde euermore halde e reaumes of
     Engeland and of Irland of God & of e Pope, paing to e Pope
     by er as is aboue saide.



|p166


     How e enterditing was vndone  in Engeland; and of e debate
     at was bituene Kyng Iohn~ & e barons of e reaume.
      Capitulo Centesimo liij=o=.
 |r4 |r<b> WHen Kyng Iohn~ hade done his homage to e legat at
        shewede him e Popes lettre, at he shulde paye to Iulyan
     and elde aeyn, at was Kyng Richardes wif, e ridde part of
     e londe of Engeland & of Irland at he hade wiholde si at
 |r8 Kyng deide, --  when Kyng Iohn~ herde is, he was wonder wro,
     for vtterliche e enterdityng might nout bene vndone til at he
     hade made gree & restitucion to e forsaide Iulian of at she
     axed.  The legate went o aeyn to e Pope after |r[f.93v] Cristesmasse,
|r12 and e Kyng sent o messagers ouere see to Iulian, at was Kyng
     Richardes wif, forto haue a relesse of at she axede him.  And
     so hit bifelle at Iulian deide anone after Ester, and insomiche e
     Kyng was quyt of at she axede; but o, at e feast of Seynt
|r16 Iohn~ at come next after, rou e Popis commandement e
     enterdytyng was ferst relessede rou al Engeland e vij day of
     Iull; -- and seuen ere almost was e londe enterditede, -- and on
     e morwe men ronge, & songe masses rou-out London, and so
|r20 after rou-out all Engeland.
         And e next ere after, ere bigan a grete debate bituen
     Kyng Iohn & e lordes of Engeland, for encheson at he wolde
     nou[t] graunt e lawes, & halde, e which Selnt Edward hade
|r24 ordeyned, and hade ben vsede & holde vnto at tyme at he
     hade ham broken; for he wolde none lawe holde, but dede al
     ing at him likede, & disheritede meny men wi-outen consent
     of lordes & pire of e land; And he wolde haue disheritede e
|r28 gode erle Randolf of Chestre, for encheson at he vndername him
     of his wickednesse. & for cause at he dede so miche shame &



|p167


     vilony to God & holy cherche, & also for he helde & hauntede
     his owen broeres wif, & lay also by meny oere wymmen, grete
     lordes douters, -- for he sparede no womman at him likede forto
 |r4 haue, -- wherfore alle e lordes of e lande wer toward him wonder
     wro, and went wi him to London~, & toke e citee.
              [King John grants the Great Charter.]
         And forto cesse is debate and sorwe, e Kyng and e
 |r8 Erchebisshop, and oere grete lordes of Engeland, assemblede
     ham bifore e fest of Seynt Iohn~ e Baptiste, in a medowe bisides
     e toune of Stanes at is callede Rome -- |r[f.94r] mede. And e Kyng
     made ham ere a chartre of ffraunchise, soche as ai wolde axen;
|r12 & in soche maner ai were acordede; and at accordement laste
     nout ful longe, for e Kyng him-self sone after dede aeynes e
     poyntes of e same chartre at he hade made. Wherfore e moste
     party of e lordes of Engeland assemblede ham, & bigon~ to
|r16 were oppon~ Kyng Iohn~, and brent his tounes & robbede his folc,
     & dede al e sorwe at ai myght, and made ham alse stronge as
     a might, wi all her power, & out to dryuen him out of
     Engeland, and make Lewys, e Kynges sone of France, Kyng of
|r20 Engeland.  And Kyng Iohan sent o ouer e see, and ordeynede
     so miche peple of Normannes & of Picard, and of Flemynges, so
     at e lande mit nout ham sustene, but wi miche sorw.  And
     among Alle is peple ere was a Norman at me callede Frankes
|r24 of Brent; and is Norman & his company sparede neyer cherche
     ne house of Religon~, at ai ne brent & robbed hit, & bare away
     alle at ai might tak, so at e land was al destroiede, what in
     o side & in at oere.  e barons & e lordes o of Enge_land 
|r28 ordeynede amonges ham e best spekers & wisest men, &
     sent ham ouer e see to Kyng Philip of Fraunce, & prayed him
     at he wolde sende Lowys his sone into Engeland, to ben Kyng
     of Engeland, and vnderfonges e crone.



|p168


     How Lowys, e Kynges sone of Fraunce, come into Engeland
     wi stronge power of peple, to ben Kyng of Engeland.
     Capitulo Centesimo liiij=to=.
 |r4 |r<b> WHen Kyng Philip of Fraunce herde is tydynges, he made
     certeyn aliance bituene ham by her commune eleccion~, at
     Lowys, Kyng Philippis sone of Fraunce, shuld |r[f.94v] gone wi ham
     into Engeland, & dryue out Kyng Iohn~ of e land. And alle o
 |r8 at were in presence of Lowis made tos him homage, and bicome
     his men. And e barons of Engeland helde ham stille at
     London, & abode ere Lowys, e Kyngus sone of Fraunce. And
     is was e nexte Saturesday bifore e Ascencioun of our Lord at
|r12 Lowis come into Engeland wi a stronge power; & at tyme
     Kyng Iohn hade take alle e castelles of Engeland into Aliens
     hondes.  And Lowys come o to Rochestre, and bisegede e
     castel, & tok hit wi streng, & e oresday in Whitson weke,
|r16 lete honge alle e Aliens at were erin. And e oresday o next
     sewyng, he come to London~; & ere he was vnderfong wi
     michel honour of e lordes at aboden him ere; & alle to him
     ai maden homage.  And afterward, in e Tywesday o next
|r20 sewyng e Trinitee Sonday, he toke e castel of Ryegate, and
     in e morwe after, e castel of Gildeford, & e Friday o next
     sewyng, e castell of Farnham; and e Moneday next after, e
     cite of Wynchestre to him was olden; and in e morwe nexte
|r24 after seynt Iohn~s day, e maner of Wolneseye; And e Tiwesday
     next after e viij=tas= of Seynt Petre & seynt Poule, ai token e
     castel of Odyham.  And e Moneday next after seynt Margaretes
     day, he ordeynede him toward Beaumer, forto bisege e castel;
|r28 & ere he duellede xv dayes, & might nout gete e castel; &
     o went he ens, and come to London~, & e Toure to him
     was olde.



|p169


     And in e same tyme e Pope sent into Engeland a legate at
     me callede Swalo; & of Kyng Iohn~es de. Capitulo
     Centesimo lv=to=.
 |r4 |r<b> ANd in e same tyme e Pope sent into Englond a legate at
        me callede Swalo, and he was |r[f.95r] prest Cardinal of Rome,
     forto mayntene Kyng Iohnes cause aeyn e barons of Engeland;
     but e barons hade so huge partye and help rou Lowys, e
 |r8 Kyngus sone of Fraunce, at Kyng Iohn~ wist nout whider forto
     turne ne go.  And so it bifel, at he wold haue gon~ to Nichole;
     and as he went iderward, he come by e Abbay of Swyneshede,
     and ere he abode ij dayes.  & as he satte at e mete, he axede
|r12 a monk of e hous, 'how miche a lofe was wor, at was sette
     bifore him oppon~ e table.' & e monk saide at'e lof was
     wor but an halpeny.' "O," quod he, "o here is grete chepe of
     brede.  Now," quod e Kyng, "and y may leue, soche a lof
|r16 shal bene wor xxs., or halfe ere be gone." and when he hade
     saide is word, michel he out, and ofte-tyme sichede, and toke
     & ete of e brede, & saide: "by God, e worde at y haue saide,
     hit shal ben soth."  e monk at stode bifore e Kyng, for is
|r20 word was ful sory in hert, and ou[t], raer he wolde him-self
     soffre pitouse de, & out to ordeyn erfor somme maner remedy.
      And anone e monk went to his Abbot, and was shryuen of
     him, and tolde e Abbot al at e Kyng saide, and praiede his
|r24 Abbot forto assoile him, for he wolde eue e Kyng soche a
     wassaile at al Engeland shal be erof glade and ioyful.  Tho
     went e monk into a gardeyn, & founde a grete tode erin, & tok
     her vp, & put here in a coppe, & prickede e tode rou wi a
|r28 broche meny tymes, til at e venyme come out on eueryche
     side nto e coppe. and o tok he e coppe, and fellede hit
     wi god ale, & brou[t] hit bifore e Kyng, & knelyng saide:



|p170


     "Sir," quod he, "Wassaile! for neuer, dayes of our lyue, dranke
     e of soche |r[f.95v] a coppe." "Bygynne, monk," quod e Kyng, and e
     monk dranke a grete draut, and toke e Kyng e coppe; & e
 |r4 Kyng drank also a grete draute, and sette doune e coppe.
      e monk anone right went into e fermory, & ere deide anon,
     on~ whos soule God haue mercy, Amen! & v monkes singes for
     his soule, & shal whiles at Abbay stant.  The Kyng aros
 |r8 vp anone ful euel at ese, & commanded anon to remeve e table
     & axede after e monk; and men tolde him at he was dede, for
     his wombe was broken in sondre.  When e Kyng herde is
     tidynges, he comandede forto trusse; but al it was for nout, for
|r12 his bely biganne to swelle, for e drynk at he drank, at he
     deide wiin ij daies, e morwe after Seynt Lukes day.  And
     is Kyng Iohn hade fair childerne of his body bigeten, at is to
     seyn, Henry his sone, at was Kyng after his fader, & Richarde,
|r16 at was Erl of Cornewail, and Isabell, at was Emperesse of
     Rome, and Alienore, at was Quene of Scotland.  And is Kyng
     Iohn~, when he had regnede xvij ere v mounes & v dayes,
     he deide in e castel of Newere, & his body was buriede at
|r20 Wynchestre.
     Of Kyng Henry e ridde, at was cronede at Gloucestre.
     Capitulo Centesimo lvj=to=.
     |r<b> ANd after is Kyng Iohn, regnede Henry his sone, & was
|r24    cronede at Gloucestre when he was ix ere olde, on seynt
     Symondus day & Iude, of Swalo e legat, rou conseile of alle e
     grete lordes of Engeland at helde wi Kyng Iohn~, his fader,
     at is to saien, els Erl Randolf of Chestre, William, Erl Marchal,
|r28 William Erl of Penbrok, & William Breuere, |r[f.96r] Erl of Ferers,
     Serl de Maule, baron; & alle oere grete lordes of Engeland helde
     with Lowys, e Kynges sone of Fraunce. & anone after, when
     Kyng Henry was cronede, Swalo the legat helde his conseil at



|p171


     Bristow, at Seynt Martynes fest; & ere wer xj bisshopis of
     Engeland & of Walys, & of oer prelates of holy cherche a grete
     nombre, & Erles & barons, & meny knytes of Engeland; and alle
 |r4 o at were at at conseil swore feaute vnto Henry e Kyr g, at
     was Kyng Iohnes sone.
         And anone after, e ligate enterditede Walis, for enchesoun~
     at ai helde with e barons of Engeland; and also alle o at
 |r8 holpen or af conseil to meve werr aeyn e new Kyng Henry,
     he acursede ham; And in the bigynnyng he put in e sentence
     e Kyngus sone of Fraunce Lowys.  And noeles e same
     Lowys wolde nout spare forto werr for al at, but went anone,
|r12 & tok e castel of erkhamstede, & eke e castel of Hertford.
      And fram at day aftirward, e barons dede miche harme
     rou al Engeland, and principaly e Frenche-men at wer comen
     wi Lowys; wherfore e grete lordes of Engeland, & alle e
|r16 commune peple, lete ham croice forto dryue out Lowys & his
     company out of Engeland.  But somme of e barons, & ek of e
     Frenchemen, were gone to e cite of Nichole, & tok e Cite,
     & helde hit to Kyng Lowys profite. But ider come Kyng
|r20 Henryes men wi a grete power, at is to seyne, e Erl Randolf
     of Chestre, and William Erl Marchal, & William de la Bruer, Erl
     of Ferers, & meny oer lordes wi ham, & af Bataile |r[f.96v] vnto
     Lowyse men.  And ere was slayn e Erl of Perches; and
|r24 Lowys men were ere foule descomfitede; and ere was taken
     Serl, Erl of Wynchestre, & Humfray de Boun~, Erl of Herford,
     & Robert, e sone of Walter; & meny oer at hade bigonne werr
     aeyn e Kyng ere were taken, and lad to Kyng Henry at
|r28 was Kyng Iohnes [son].  When e tydyng of is scomfiture
     come vnto Lowys, he remevede ens, & went vnto London~,
     and lete shette e ates fast of e citee.  And anone after, e
     Kyng sent to e burgeys of London~, at a shulde elde ham
|r32 vnto him, & e citee also, and he wolde ham graunt alle e



|p172


     Fraunchises at ai were wont forto haue, & wolde conferme
     ham by his new chartr vnder his grete sele.  And in the
     same tyme a gret Lorde, at me callede Eustace e monk, come
 |r4 out of Fraunce wi a grete company of Lordes, & wolde haue come
     into Engeland forto haue holp Lowys, e Kyngus sone of Fraunce.
      But Hubert of Burgh and e v portes, wi viij shippis, & no
     mo, mette wi ham in e hye see, and assailede ham egrely, &
 |r8 ouercome ham rou streng, and smyten of Eustace-e-monkes
     heuede, & token also x grete Lordes of Fraunce, and put ham
     into prisoun~, & quellede almost alle e men at comens wi ham;
     and anone drenchede e shippis in e see.
|r12 How Lowys turned aeyn into Fraunce; and of e confirm_acioun
     ~ of Kyng Iohn~es chartre.  Capitulo Centesimo
     Septimo.
     |r<b> WHen Lowys herd is tydynges, he drade sore to ben dede
|r16 and loste, and lete ordeyne, & spok bituene e Kyng
     and Lowys by e legat Swalo, and oru e Erchebisshop |r[f.97r] of
     Kaunterbery, and rou oere grete lordes, at alle the prisoners
     of at one halfe and of at oer shulde bene delyuerede, &
|r20 gone quit, and Lowys him-self shulde haue for his costages a
     M=l=li of siluer, & shulde gone out of Engeland, and come neuer
     erin aeyne. and in is maner was e accord made bituene Kyng
     Henry & Lewys. And o was Lowys assoilede of e Popis legat
|r24 at me callede Swalo, of e sentence at he was in, and e barouns
     of Engeland also.  And after is, Kyng Henry & Swalo e legat,
     & Lowys, went vnto Merton~; and ere was e pees confermede, &
     bituen ham ordeynede. and afterward Lowys went fro ens vnto
|r28 London, & tok his leue, & was brout wi miche honoure at
     e see wi e Erchebisshop of Kaunterbery & wl oer bisshoppis,
     and also wi erles and barons; and so went Lowys into Fraunce.



|p173


      And aftirward e kyng & e Erchebisshope, & Erles & barons,
     assembled ham at London~, at Mchelmasse at next o sewede, &
     helde ere parlement. & ere were o renewede alle e Fraun_chises 
 |r4 at Kyng Iohn~ hade grauntede at Romemede; and Kyng
     Henry o confermede ham by his chartre, e which itte be holden
     rou-out Engeland.  And in at tyme e Kyng toke of euery
     ploughe of londe ij s~; and Hubert of Burgh was made o chief
 |r8 Iustice of Engeland.  And is was in e iiij ere of Kyng
     Henryes regne; & in e same ere was seynt Thomas of Kanter_bery 
     translatede e l ere after his martredome.  And after, it
     was ordeynede by alle e Lordes of Engeland, at alle Aliens shulde
|r12 gone out of Engeland, & come nomore erin.
        And e Kyng o toke alle e castelles into his honde, at
     |r[f.97v] Kyng Iohn his fader hade eue & taken vnto Aliens forto kepe,
     at helde wi him.  But e prout Frankes of rent, Richely
|r16 lete arraie his castel of Bedford, whiche he had of e Kyngus
     ifte Iohn~; & he helde at castel aeyns Kyng Henries wille
     wi might and streng.  And the Kyng come ider wi a streng
     power, & biseged e castel. And e Erchebisshop Stephen of
|r20 Langeton~ come to e Kyng wi a faire company of knyt, him
     forto helpe; and fra e Ascencioun~ vnto e Assumpcion~ of our
     Lady, laste e sege: & o was e castel wonne & tak, and e Kyng
     lete honge all o at were wiin e castel, at wi her gode wille
|r24 helde e castel aeyn e Kyng, at is forto seyn, foure score
     men.  And o afterward Fra[n]kes himself was fonde in a
     cherche of Couentre; and ere he forsuore al Engeland wi miche
     shame, and went o aeyn into his owen contre.
|r28     And whiles at Kyng Henry regned, Edmund of Abyndon~,
     at was tresorer of Salesbury, was consacrede Erchebisshop of



|p174


     Kanterbery. And is Kyng Henry sent ouer see vnto e Erle
     of Prouince, at he shulde sende him his douter into Engeland,
     at me called Alienore, & he wolde wedde her. And so she come
 |r4 into Engeland after Cristes-masse, and in e morwe after seynt.
     Hillary, e Erchebisshop Edmunde spousede ham to-gedre att
     Kaunterbery; and at e viij of seynt Hillary she was crounede at
     Westmynstre wi miche solempnite; & ere was a swete sight
 |r8 bituene ham, at is to seyn, Edmund, at was next Kyng after
     him, his broer, |r[f.98r] folour of curtessi and of Larges, and Margaret,
     at was afterward Quene of Scotland, & Beatrice, at was afterward
     Countesse of Britaign, & Katerine, at deide maide in religioun~.
|r12 Of e quinime of godes at were granted for e new charters;
     & of e puruyance of Oxenford. Capitulo  C=o= lviij.
     |r<b> ANd us hit bifelle at e lordes of Engeland wolde haue
        somme addicions mo in the Chartre of Fraunchises at ai
|r16 hade of e Kyng, & spoken us bituene ham; & e Kyng
     grauntede ham alle her axing, and made to ham ij Chartres: at
     on is callede 'e grete Chartre of Fraunchises' & at oer is
     callede 'e Chartre of e Forest'; and for e grante of ise
|r20 chartres, prelates, Erles and barons, & alle e communes of Enge_land, 
     af to e Kyng M=l= mar of siluer.
         When Kyng Henry hade bene Kyng xliij ere, at same ere
     he and his lordes, Erles, and barouns of e reaume, went to Oxen_ford,
|r24 & ordeynede a lawe in emendement of e reaume, and suore
     e Kyng him-self, & after, alle e lordes of e reaume, at ai wolde
     holde at statute euermore; and who at it brak shulde bene
     dede.  But e secunde er after at ordenance, e Kyng, rou
|r28 conseile of Sire Edward his sone, & of Richard his broer, at was
     Erl of Cornwail, & also of oere, repentede him of at oe at he
     hade made forto holde at lawe & ordynance, and sent to e court
     of Rome to bene assoilede of at oth at he hade made.  And in
|r32 at ere next comen after, was grete der of corne in Engeland,



|p175


     for a quarter of whete was wor xxiiij s~, & e pore peple ete
     netles for hunger, and oere wedes; & |r[f.98v] deide meny M=l= for
     defaute of mete.
 |r4     And in e xlviij ere of Kyng Henries regne, biganne werr
     and debate bituene him and his lordes, fo[r] enchesoun~ at he
     hade broken e couenaunte at were made bituene ham at
     Oxenford.  And in at same er, in Lent, was e scastel of
 |r8 Notyngham tak, and e folc slayne at were erin, for enchesoun~
     at ai hade ordeyned wilde fire forto haue brent e citee of London~.
         And in the morwe of May at come next after, oppon seynt
     Pancras day, was the batail at Lewes, at is to seyne, e Wed_nesday 
|r12 bifore seynt Dunstanus day; and ere was tak,
     Kyng Henry him-self, & Sire Edward his sone, & Sire
     Richard, Erl of Cornwail, & meny oere lordes.  And in at
     same ere next sewyng, Sire Edward, e Kynges sone, brak out of
|r16 e ward of Sire Symond of Mountford, Erl of Leicestre, at Here_ford, 
     and went to e barons of e Marche; and ai vnderfong him
     wi michel honour.  And in e same tyme Gilbert of Clare,
     Erl of Gloucestre, at was in e ward also of e forsaide Symond,
|r20 rou e commandement of Kyng Henry, at went fram him in
     grete wra, for enchesoun~ at he saide at e forsaide Gilbert was
     a fool in his conseile, wherfore he ordeyned him so, & helde wi
     Kyng Henry.  And e Saturesday next after e middes of
|r24 August, Sir Edward, e Kyngus sone, descomfitede Sire Symond
     de Mountford at Kemwor; but e grete lordes at were ere wi
     him wer taken, at is to seyn, Baldewyne Wake, William of Moun_chesye, 
     and meny oer grete lordes: and e Tywesday next after,
|r28 was e bataile done at Euesham; & ere was quellede Sire
     Symond de Mountford, Hughe e Spenser, and Mountford, at
     was Rauf Basset |r[f.99r] fader of Dratton~, & oer meny grete Lordes.
         And when is batail was don~, alle e gentiles at had be wi e



|p176


     Erl Symond, were disheritede; & ai ordeyned ham togedres,
     and dede miche harme to al e land, for ai destroiede her enemys
     in al at ai might.
 |r4  Of e sege of Kemwor; & how e gentilmen werr dis_heritede, 
     rou conseil of lordes of e reaume of
     Engeland; & how ai comen aeyn, & had her landes.
     Capitulo Centesimo lix=no=.
 |r8 |r<b> ANd in e er next sewyng, in May, ferst day bifore e fest
        of Seynt Dunstan, was bataile and scomfiture at Chesterfeld,
     of ham at were disheritede; & ere meny of ham were quellede;
     and Robert, Erl of Ferers, ere was take, and also Baldewyne
|r12 Wake; & Iohn de la Haye, wi miches sorwe scaped ens. and '
     in Seynt Iohnes Eve o next sewyng, bigan e sege of e castel
     of Kemworth; and e sege laste to Seint Thomas Eve e
     Postoil, in whiche day Sir Hughe Hastyngus had e castel forto
|r16 kep, at elde vp e castel vnto e Kyng in is maner, at him_self 
     and alle oere at were wiin e castel shulde haue her lif and
     lyme, and as miche ing as ai hade erin, boe hors & herneys,
     and foure dayes of respite forto delyuer clene e castel of ham_self,
|r20 & of al maner ing at ai hade wiin e castel; & so ai
     went fram e castel, and e kyng & his men went o into e castel.
      and Sir Symond e Mounford e onge, and e Countesse his
     moder, were fledde ouer e see into Fraunce, and ere helde ham
|r24 as peple at were exilede out of Engeland |r[f.99v] for euermore.  And
     sone after hit was ordeyned by the Legat Octobon~, & by oere
     grete lordes of Engeland, e wisest of e land, at alle o at
     hade bene aeyns e Kyng, & wer disheritede, shulde haue aeyn
|r28 her londes, and by greuous ransoun~, after at it was ordeyned;
     and us ai were accorded wi e Kyng, o was pees criede rou al
     Engeland; and us e werr was endede.
     And when is was done, e legat toke his leue at e Kyng,



|p177


     & of the Quene, & of alle e grete lordes of Engeland, & went o
     to Rome, e lv ere of Kyng Henryes regne.  And Edward,
     Kyng Iohnes sone of Britaigne, Iohn~ Vessy, Thomas of Clare,
 |r4 Roger of Clifford, Othus Grauntson~, Robert le Brus, Iohn~ of
     Verdon~, & meny oer lordes of Engeland & of byende e see,
     token her way toward e Holy Lond; and e Kyng Henry deide
     in e mene-tyme at Westminster, when he hade ben Kyng lv er
 |r8 & lx wokes, on seynt Edmundus day, e Erchebisshop of
     Kaunterbery; and he was enterede at Westminster on seynt
     Edmundes day, e Kyng,  In the er of Incarnacioun~ of oure
     Lord Ihesu Crist M=l= CC lxxij.
|r12 Prophecie of Merlyn of Kyng Henry, expounede, at was
     Kyng Iohnes sone.  Capitulo  Centesimo lx=mo=.
     |r<b> ANd of is Kyng Henry, propheciede Merlyn, & said at 'a
   lombe shulde come out of Wynchestre in e ere of Incar_nacion
|r16 ~ of our Lord M=l= CC & xvj, wi trew lippis, and holynesse
     wryten in his hert.' And he saide so, for e gode Henry e
     Kyng was born |r[f.100r] in Wynchestre in e ere abouesaide, and he
     spake gode wordes & swet, and was an holy man, and of god
|r20 conscience.  And Merlin said at 'is Henry shulde make e
     fairest place of [the] world, e whiche in his tyme shulde nout
     fulliche bene endede'; and he saide so, for he made e newe
     cherche of e Abbay of seynt Petre of Westminster, at is
|r24 fairer of sight an eny cherch at men knowe rou al Cristen_dome;
     but Kyng Henry deide er at were were ful made, & at
     was grete harme.  And itte saide Merlyn, at 'is Lambe shulde
     haue pees e most tyme of his regne'; and he saide ful so, for he
|r28 was ne[uer] annoiede rou werr, ne disesede in no maner wise, til a
     litel bifore his de.  And itte saide Merlin more in his prophecie,
     at 'in e regne & ende of e forsaide lambe, a wolf of a straunge
     land shulde do him grete harme rou his werr; and at he



|p178


     shulde at e last be maistre rou helpe of a reede ffox, at shulde
     come oute of e Northwest, and shulde him ouercome; & at he
     shulde dryue him vnto e water': and at prophecie ful wel was
 |r4 knowe, for wiin a litel tyme or e Kyng deide, Symond of
     Mountford, Erl of Leicestre, at was bore in Fraunce, bigonne
     aeyn him stronge werre; rou whiche doyng, meny a gode
     bachiler was shent and dede and disheritede.  And when Kyng
 |r8 Henry hade e vittori at Euesham, & Symond e Erl was slayn
     rou helpe & myght of Gilbert of Clare, Erl of Gloucestre |r[f.100v], at
     Was in Kepyng and ward of e forsaide Symund, rou orden_ance 
     of Kyng Henry, at went aeyn to e Kyng wi miche power,
|r12 wherfore e forsaide Symund was shent; and at was grete harme
     to e communes of Engeland, at so gode a man was shent for tru,
     & deide in charite, and for e commune profite of e same folc;
     and erfor Almighty God, for him ha siennus shewede meny
|r16 faire miracle to diuerse men and wymmen, of e sikenesse and
     disesse at ai haue had, for e loue of him.
         And Merlyn also tolde & saide in his prophesie, at 'after
     at tyme e lambe shulde leue no while; and an his sede shulde
|r20 be in straunge land wi-out pasture'; and he said so, for Kyng
     Henry leuede no while after at Symund Mountford was ded,
     at Kyng Henry ne deide anone after him.  And in e mene_tyme, 
     Sir Edward his sone, at was e best knyt of e world of
|r24 honour, was o in the Holy Land, and gete ere Acres.  And
     in [that] contre he bigate in Dame Alianore his wif, Iohne of
     Acres his doughter, at aftirward was countesse of Gloucestre.
     And he made in e Holy Land soche a viage, at alle e world
|r28 spok of his knyghthode, & euery man drade him, hye and lowe,
     rou-out al Cristendome, as e s[t]ory of him telle, as
     afterward e shul here more openly.  And fram the tyme at
     Kyng Henry deide, til at Sire Edward was croned Kyng, alle e
|r32 gret Lordes of Engeland were as faderles children, wiout eny
     socour at ham might mayntene and gouerne, and defende
     aeyn her dedeliche enemys.



|p179


      Of Kyng Edward, at was Kyng Henrie sone. Capitulo
     [Centesimo] lx primo.
     |r[f.101r] |r<b> ANd after is Kyng Henry, regned his sone Edward, e
 |r4 worthiest knyght of e worlde, of honour, for Godes
     grace was in him, for he hade e vittorie of his enemys. And
     as sone as Kyng Henry deide, he come to London~ wi a faire com_pany 
     of prelates, & of Erles & barons; & al maner men dede him
 |r8 michelle honour; for in euery place ere Sir Edward rode in
     London~, e stretes wer couered ouer his heueds wi riche cloes of
     silk, wit[h] tapit of riche coueryng.  And for ioie of his
     comyng, e noble burgeys of e cite of London~ cast out at her
|r12 wyndowes, golde and siluer handes-ful, in tokenyng of loue and
     of worship, seruices & reuerence.  And out of e condit in
     Chepe ran reed wyne & white, as stremes do of water; and
     euery man might drynk erof at her owen wille.  And is
|r16 Kyng Edward was cronede and annointede as right heire of Enge_land 
     with michel honoure; and after masse e Kyng went into his
     palice, forto halde a real fest amonges ham at him had done
     honour.  And when he was sette vnto his mete, the Kyng Alis_ander 
|r20 of Scotland come forto done him honour and reuerence wi
     a queyntise: an hundred Knyghte wi him wel horsede and
     arraiede; & when ai were light done of her stedes, ai lete ham
     goo whider ai wolde; & ai at might tak ham, tok ham at
|r24 her owen wille, wiout eny chalange.  And afterward co[me] Sir
     Symond, Kyng Edwardus broer, a curteise Knyght, and a gentil
     of renoun~, and e Erl of Cornewaile & e Erl of Gloucestre; and
     after ham come e Erl of |r[f.101v] Penbrok and e Erl of Garrein; and
|r28 eche of ham by him-self lade in his hond an hundred
     knyghte gayliche disgisede in her Armes.  And wen ai were
     light of her horse, ais lete ham go whider at ham liked; and



|p180


     who at might ham take, holde ham stille, with-outen eny lette.
      And when al is was done, Kyng Edward dede his diligence and
     his might forto emende and redresse e wrongus of e reame in
 |r4 e beste maner at he might, to the honour of God & holy cherche,
     and to mayntene his honour, and to amende e noyaunce of e
     commune peple.
     How Ydoyne, at was Lewelynus douter, Pri e of Walis,
 |r8 & Aymer at was e Erles broer Mounford, wer taken
     in e see. Capitulo Centesimo lxij.
     |r<b> THe ferst ere afters at Kyng Edward was cronede, Lewelyn,
     Prince of Walys, sent into Fraunce to e Erl Mountford
|r12 at, rou conseile of his frendes, e Erl shulde wedde his douter.
     And e Erl o avisede him of is ing, and sent aein to Lewelyn,
     & saide at he wolde send after his douter. And so he sent
     Aymer, his broer, after e damisel. And Lewelyn arraiede shippis
|r16 for his doughter and for Sir Aymer, & for her faire company at
     shulde wende wi her. And is Lewelyn dede grete wronge, for
     hit was couenant at he shulde eue his doughter to no maner man
     wiouten consel and consent of Kyng Edward.  And so hit
|r20 bifelle, at a burgeys of Bristow come in e see wi wyn lade,
     and mette ham, & ham toke wi might & power; and anone e
     bu[r]geys sent ham to e Kyng.  And when Lewelyn herde this
     |r[f.102r] tydynges, he Was Wonder Wro & eke sorweful, and bigon
|r24 o forto werre oppon~ Kyng Edward, & dede miche harme vnto
     Englisshe-men, and bete adoune e Kyngus castelles, & biganne
     fast to destroi Kyng Edwardes lande.  And when tydyngus
     come to Kyng Edward of is ing, he went into Walys; and so
|r28 miche he dede, by Godes grace & his grete power, at he drof
     Lewelyn vnto miche meschif, at he fleye al maner streng, and
     come & elde him to Kyng Edward, and af him l M=l= mar of
     siluer fortoaue pees, and toke e damisel & al his heritage, and
|r32 made an obligacion vnto Kyng Edward, and come to his
     pa[r]lament ij tymes of e ere.



|p181


         And e secunde ere after at Kyng Edward was cronede,
     he helde a general parlament at Westminster, and ere he made e
     statutes for defaut of lawe, by commune assent of al his baronage.
 |r4 And at Ester nexte sewyng, e Kyng sent by his lettre to Lewelyn,
     Prince of Walis, at he shulde come to parlement for his londes
     and for his holdyng in Walys, as e streng of e lettre obligatorie
     witnessede.  o Lewelyn hade scorn and despite of e Kynges
 |r8 commandement; & for pur wra biganne aeyn forto werr opon~
     Kyng Edward, & destroied [his lands].  And when Kyng
     Edward herd is tydynges, he was wonder wro toward
     Lewelyn, & in haste assembled his peple, and went him toward
|r12 Walys, and werred so oppon~ Lewelyn e prince, til at he hade
     brout him miche sorw and disese;  And Lewelyn saw that his
     defence myght nout availe, and come aeyne, & |r[f.102v] elde him to e
     Kyngus grace, and criede him mercy, and Longe tyme knelede
|r16 bifore e Kynges feete.  The Kyng had of him pite, and com_maundede 
     him forto arise; and for his mekenesse foraf him his
     wra, and to him saide, that 'if he toke on amys aeyns him
     anoer tyme, at he wolde destroie him for euer-more.'  Dauid,
|r20 at was Lewelynus broer, duellede at same tyme wi Kyng
     Edward, & was a felle man & a sotil, & enuyous, & ferre castyng,
     and miche tresoun out, and euermore helde him stille for[to] wete
     & aspie e Kynges wille, and euermore made god semblaunt, and
|r24 semede so trew at no man myght perceyue his falsenesse.
     How Lewelyn, rou enginge of Dauid his broer, Werrede
     aeyne vppon~ Kyng Edward. Capitulo Centesimo lxiij=o=.
     |r<b> HIt was nought longe after at tyme, at Kyng Edward ne af
|r28    vnto Dauid, at was Lewelynus broer, e lordeship of
     Frodesham, and made him a knyght; and so miche honour dede he
     neuer to no man of Walys after, for encheson~ of him.
         Kyng Edward helde his parlament at London~, when he hade
|r32 done in Walys all at he wolde, and chaungede his mony, at o
     was foule cotte & rounded; wherfore e commune peple pleynede



|p182


     ham wonder sore, so at e Kyng lete enquere of ham at soche
     trespasse deden; and iij C~ were atteynt of soche maner falsenes;
     wherfore somme were honged, and some draw, and afterward
 |r4 hongede.  And afterward, the Kyng ordeynede at e sterlinge
     halfpeny and ferthinge shulde go rou-out his lande, and com_mandede 
     at no man, fro at day afterward, |r[f.103r] af ne feffede hous of
     Religioun~ with lande and tenement wiouten special leue of e
 |r8 Kyng; and he at dede hit, shulde ben punisshede att e
     Kynges wille, and the ifte shulde be for nout.
         And hit was nout longe after, at Lewelyn, Prince of Walys,
     rou ticement of Dauid his broer, and by boe here consent, ai
|r12 out disherite Kyng Edward in-asmiche as ai might, so at rou
     ham boe e Kynges pees was broken.s  And when Kyng
     Edward herde is, anone he sent his barons into Northumberland,
     and e Shirreyues also, at ai shulde gone & take her Viage
|r16 oppon~ e traitoures Lewelyn and Dauid.  And wonder herde
     was forto werr o, for it [is] wynter ln Walis when in oer cuntres
     it is somer. And Lewelyn lete ordeyn and wel arraie his gode
     castel of Swandon~, and was erin an huge nombre of peple &
|r20 plentee of vitailes, so at Kyng Edward wist nout wher forto
     entre.  And wen e Kynges men hit perceyuede, and also e
     streng of Walys, ai lete come in e see, barges and botes, and
     grete plankes, as meny as ai might ordeyn and haue, forto gone to
|r24 the forsaide castell of Swayndon wi men on foot and eke on hors.
     But e Walshemen hade so miche peple, and were so strong, at
     ai dryuen e Englisshe-men aein, so at ere was so miche
     presse of peple at the turnyng aeyne, at e charge & e berdeyn
|r28 of ham made e barges and botes synk; and ere was drenchede
     ful meny a gode Knyght, at is to seyn: Sir Roger of Clifford, Sir
     William of Lyndesey, at was Sire Iohnes sone Fit Robert, and
     Sire Richard Tauny, and an huge nombre of oere folc; and al was
|r32 |r[f.103v] rou her owen folye; for yf ai had hed gode espies, ai had
     nout bene harmed.



|p183


         When Kyng Edward harde tel at his peple were so ydrench_ede
     he made sorwe ynow.  But o come Sir Iohn~ of Vessy, 
     frams e Kyng of Aragoun~, and brout with him miche folc of
 |r4 bachilers & of Gascoignes, and wer soudioures, and duellede
     wi e Kyng, and tok of him wages, & wi him were wiholde,
     & noble-men; hit were forto fite, & brenne meny tounes, & quelle
     miche peple of Walshemen, al at a myght take.  And alle o,
 |r8 wi pure streng & might, madens assaute to e castel of Swandon~,
     & gete the castel.
         And when Dauid, e Prynce broer, herde o tidinges, he
     ordeined him to flight.  And Lewelyn e Prynce saw at Dauid
|r12 his broer was flowen, [and] sore he was abasshed, for he had
     none power o, his werr forto mayntene.  And so Lewelyn gan
     forto flee, and wend wel forto haue scaped; but on a morwe Sir
     Roger e Mortymer mette wi him oneliche wi x knytes, and
|r16 sette him rounde aboute, and to him went, and smote of his
     heuede, & presentede him vnto Kyng Edward: & in is maner
     e Prince of Walys was taken, and his heued smyten of, and
     alle his heires disherited for euermore, rou right dome of e
|r20 lordes of e reaume.
      How Dauid, at was Lewelynes broer, Prynce of Walys,
     was put to de. Capitulo  Centesimo lxiiij=to=.
     |r<b> DAuid, at was Lewelynus broer, rou pride wende forto
|r24 haue bene Prince of Walis after his broeres deth; and
     oppon~ at, he sent after Walshemen to his parlement at Denbegge,
     and fulliche made Walys |r[f.104r] arise aeynes the Kyng, and biganne
     to meve Werr aeyns e Kyng, and dede al e sorwe and dissese
|r28 at he myght by his power.
         When Kyng Edward harde of is ing, he ordeyned men to
     pursue oppon~ him; and Dauid ferseliches him defended til at he



|p184


     come to e toun~ of Seynt Morice; and ere was Dauid take as he
     fley, and lad to e Kyng; & e Kyng commanded at he shulde
     ben hongede & ydraw, & smyten of his heuede, & quarter
 |r4 him, & sende his heuede to London~, and e iiij quarters sende to
     the iiij chief tounes of Walys, for ai shulde take ensample, &
     erof be-war.
         And afterward Kyng Edward lete crie his pees rou Walys,
 |r8 & seisede al the londe into his honde; and alle e grete lordes of
     Walys at were lefte alif, come o to done feaute and homage
     vnto e Kyng as to her Kynde Lord; and o lete Kyng Edward
     amende e lawes of Walys at were defectif.  And after, he
|r12 sent to alle e lordes of Walys, by his lettre patent, at ai
     shulde comme alle to his parlement. And when ai were comen,
     e Kyng saide to ham ful curtesly: "Lordyng, e be wel_comen;
     and me bihoueth our conseile and our helpe forto
|r16 wende into Gascoigne, forto amende e trespasse at to me was
     ere done when at y was ere, and forto entrete of Pees bituene
     e Kyng of Aragon~ & e Prynce of Morrey."  And alle e
     Kynges lege-men, Erles & barons, consentede and granted
|r20 ereto. And o went e Kyng into Gascoign~, and lete amende e
     trespasse at him was ere don~, and of e debat at was bituene
     e Kyng of Arragon~ & the Prynce of Morrey, he cessede, & made
     ham accordede.
|r24     And while the |r[f.104v] Gode Kyng Edward and Alianore his Quene
     was in Gascoigne, e gode Erl of Cornwaile was made Wardeyn
     of Engeland til at Kyng Edward come aeyn. And o enquerede
     he of his traitoures at coniectede falsenesse aeyn him; and eche
|r28 of ham alle vnderfonge his dome, after at ai hade deserued.
      But in the mene-tyme, while Kyng Edward was bionde e see,
     to done ham forto make amendes at aeyns him hade trespas_sede
     a false efs traitour at me callede 'Rys ap Meriedok,' bigan, 
|r32 forto make werr aeyns the Kyng Edward; and at was for
     enchesoun~ at Sire Payn Tiptott wrongefully greuede & disesede e



|p185


     forsaid Rys ap Meriedok.  And when Kyng Edward herd al is,
     he sent by his lettres to Rys ap Meriedok, at he shulde bigin to
     make non werr, but at he shulde be in pees, for his loue; and
 |r4 when at he come aeyn into Engeland, he wold vndertake e
     querel, and wolde done amende al at was misdone.  The for_saide 
     Rys ap Meriedok dispisede the Kynges commandement, and
     sparede nout forto done alle e sorwe at he might to e Kyngus
 |r8 men of Engeland; but anone after he was taken, and lad to orke,
     and ere he was drawe and hongede for his folye.
     Of e redressing at Kyng Edward made of his Iustice & of
     his clerkes, at ai had done for her falsenesses; & how
|r12 he drof e Gewes out of Engeland, for her Vsurye and
     her mysbileue. Capitulo Centesimo lxv=to=.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward had duellede iij er in Gascoigne, ful
     wel hit bicome vnto him forto Wende aeyn into Enge_land
|r16 . And when he was comen |r[f.105r] aeyne, he toke so meny
     pleyntes made to him of his Iusttice and of his clerkes, at had don
     so meny wronges & falsenesse, at wonder hit was forto wete;
      and for whiche falsenesse, Sir Thomas of Weylond, e Kyngus
|r20 Iustice, forsuore Engeland at thc Toure of London~, for falsenesse at
     men put oppon~ [him]; wherfore he was teint, & prouede false.
      And anone after, when e Kyng had don~ his wil of e Iustice,
     o lete he enquere & aspie how e Gewys desceyuede & bigilede
|r24 his peple, rou here synne & falsenesse of Vsurie; and lete
     ordeyn a priue parlement amonges his lordes; and al ordeynede
     amongus ham at 'alle e Gewes shulde voide Engeland, for here
     misbileue, & also for her false Vsurye at ai deden vnto Cristen
|r28 men.'  And forto spede and make an ende of is ing, al e
     communite of Engeland eue to e Kyng e l. peny of alle
     here Godes moeble: and so were e Gewis dryuen out of Engeland;
     and o went e Gewis into Fraunce, [and there dwelled], rou e
|r32 leue of Kyng Philip at o was Kyng of Fraunce.



|p186


     How Kyng Edward was seisede in al e lond of Scotland, rou
     consent & graunt of alle e lordes of Scotland. Capitulo
     Centesimo  l[x]vj=to=.
 |r4 |r<b> HIt was nout longe after, at Alisander, Kyng of Scotland,
     nas dede, and Dauid Erl of Huntyngdon~, at was e Kynges
     broer of Scotland, axede and chalangede e Kyngdome of
     Scotland, for encheson~ at he was rightful heir.  But meny
 |r8 grete lordes of Scotland saide 'nay'; wherfore grete debate arose
     bituene ham & her frendes, for-asmiche as ai wolde nout
     consent to his coronacion~; and in the |r[f.105v] mene-tyme e forsaid
     Dauid deide.  And so hit bifelle at e same Dauid had iij
|r12 doughtres, at woriliche wer maried: e ferst doughter was
     mariede to Bailoille, e secunde to Brus, e ridde to Hastinges.
      And e forsaide Bailol & Brus chalangede e land of Scotland;
     and grete debate and strif aroos bituene ham re, for enchesoun~ at
|r16 eche of ham wolde haue bene Kyng.  & when e lordes of e
     land saw e debate bituene ham re, ai come to Kyng Edward
     of Engeland, and seisede him in alle e land of Scotland as [t]heir
     chief lord.  And when e Kyng was seisede of alle e lordes
|r20 of Scotland, e forsaide Bailol, Brus, and Hastyngus, comen to
     e Kyngus court, and axede of e Kyng 'whiche of ham shulde
     be Kyng of Scotland.'  And Kyng Edward, at was fulle
     gentil and trewe, lete enquere by e Cronicles of Scotland, and of
|r24 e gret lordes of Scotland, whiche of ham was the Eldeste blood;
     and it was founde at Bailoil was e eldest, and at e Kyng
     of Scotland shulde holde of the Kyng of Engeland, and do him
     feaute and homage.  & after at is was don~, Bailoil went into
|r28 Scotland, and ere was cronede Kyng of Scotland.
        And e same tyme was oppon~ e see grete strif bituene e
     Englisshe-men and the No[r]mannes.  But oppon~ [a tyme] e
     Normans arryuede al at Douer; and ere a martrede an holy
|r32 man at me calle seynt Thomas of Douer. And aftirwarde



|p187


     were e Normans quellede, at ere scapede none of ham.
      And sone afterward, Kyng Edward shulde lese e Duchee of
     |r[f.106r] Gascoign~, rou Kyng Philipp of Fraunce, rou false castyng
 |r4 of e Dossepere of e lond; wherfore Sir Edmund, at was sire
     Edwardes broer, af vp his homage vnto the Kyng of Fraunce.
     And in at tyme e clerkes of Engeland [granted] vnto Kyng
     Edward haluendel holy cherche godes, in helpyng forto recouer
 |r8 his land aeyn in Gascoign~.  And e Kyng sent ider a noble
     company of his bachilers; and himself wolde haue went to
     Portesmouthe, but he was lette rou on Maddok of Walys, at
     hade seisede e castel of Swandon~ nto his honde. And for at
|r12 enchesoun~ the Kyng turnede aeyn into Walys at Cristus-masse.
      And for enchesoun~ at e noble lordes of Engeland at were sent
     into Gascoign, had no comfort of here lord e Kyng Edward,
     ai wer take of Sire Charles of Fraunce, at is to seyn, Sir Iohn~
|r16 of Britaigne, Sire Robert Tiptott, Sire Rauf Tauny, Sir Hughe
     ardolf, & Sir Adam of Cretingus. And ryt at e Ascencion~
     was Maddok taken in Walys, and anoer at me callede Morgan;
     and ai were sent to e Toure of London~, and ai wer honget.
|r20 How Sir Iohn~ of Balol, Kyng of Scotland, wisaide his
     homoge; and of Sir Thomas Tourbeluile. Capitulo
     Centesimo lxvij=o=.
     |r<b> ANd when sir Iohn~ Bailol, Kyng of Scotland, vnderstode at
|r24 Kyng Edward was werrede in Gascoign~, to whom e
     reaume of Scotland was delyuerede, falseliche o aeyn his oth,
     wit[h]saide homage, rou procuryng of his folc, and sent to the
     court of Rome, rou a false suggescioun~, to bene assoiled |r[f.106v] of at
|r28 oth at he swore vnto the Kyng of Engeland; and so he was,
     by lettres enbullede.  o chose ai of Scotland Dossepers forto
     bynime Edward his right.



|p188


        & in at tyme com ij Cardinalles fro e court of Rome, fram
     e Pope Celestyne, forto trete of accorde bituene e Kyng of
     Fraunce & e Kyng of Engeland.  And as o ij Cardinalles
 |r4 speken of accord, Thomas Tourbeluile, at was take at Ryouns,
     made feaute and homage to the Wardeyn of Parys, and to him
     put his ij sones in hostage, for at he out gon~ into Engeland
     forto aspie the contre, and telle ham when he come into Engeland,
 |r8 at he hade broken e Kynges prisoun of Fraunce by nyght, and
     saide at he wolde done, at alle Englisshe-men and Walshe-men
     shulde abowe to e Kyng of Fraunce: and is ing forto brynge to
     e ende, he swore; and oppon~ is couenaunt, dedes wer made
|r12 bituene ham, and at he shulde haue by ere an hundrede
     poundes wor of land, to bryng is inge to e ende.  This
     false traitour toke his leue, and went ens and come into Engeland
     vnto e Kyng, & saide at he was broken out of prisoun~, and at
|r16 he had put him in soche perile for his loue. Wherfore e Kyng
     cou him miche ank, & ful glade was of his comyng.  And
     e false ef traitoure fro at day aspiede al the Doyng of e Kyng
     and also his Conseile, for e Kyng louede him ful wel, & was wi
|r20 him ful priuee.  But a clerk of Engeland, at was in the Kynges
     hous of France, herde of is tresoun~ & of the falsenesse, and wrote
     to anoere |r[f.107r] clerk at Was duellyng wi e Kyng of Engeland, al
     how Thomas Tourbeluile hade done his false coniettyng. And al
|r24 e Conseil of Engeland was writen forto haue sent vnto e Kyng
     of Fraunce; and rou e forsaide lettre at e clerc hade sent fro
     Fraunce, hit was founden oppon him; wherfor he was lade to
     London~, & drawen & honged ere for his tresoun~; and his ij sones,
|r28 at he hade put in Fraunce for hostages, were o biheuedede.
     Of e Conquest of Berwik. Capitulo Centesimo Sexagesimo
     viij=o=.
     |r<b> WHen o ij Cardinales wer gone aeyn into France, forto
|r32 trete of pees at Cambrey, e Kyng sent ider of his
     Erles and baron~s, at is to seyn, Sire Edmund his broer, Erl of



|p189


     Lancastre & of Leycestre, Sir Henr Lacy, Erl of Nichole, and
     William Vessy, a baron~; & of oere baronettes, aboute xiiij of e
     best and wisest of Engeland.
 |r4    And in e same tyme Kyng Edward tok his viage in
     Scotland, forto werr oppon Iohn~ Bailol, Kyng of Scotland.  And
     Sir Robert Roos at Berwik fley fro e Englisshe-men, & went to
     e Scottes.  And Kyng Edward went him toward Berwik, and
 |r8 bisegede e toun~; and o at were wiin manliches ham
     defendede, and sette afire and brent ij of Kyng Edwardes shippis,
     and saide, in despite and in reprofe of him: " Wenes Kyng
     Edward, wi his longe shankes, forto wyn Berwik, al our
|r12 vnankes ? gas pikes him! and when he ha hit, gas diche
     him! " When Kyng Edward herd is scorn~, anone rou his
     mightynesse he passede ouere e diches, and assailede e toun, &
     |r[f.107v] come to e ates, and gete and conquered e toune, and, rou his
|r16 gracious power, quellede xxv M=l= & vij C~ of Scottes. & Kyng
     Edward loste of his men, no man of renoun~ saue Sir Richard of
     Cornwaile; and him quellede a Flemyng out of the Reede Halle
     wi a quarel, as e forsaid Richard dede of his helme; and
|r20 commandede ham forto elde ham, and put ham into the Kyngus
     grace; and e Scottes wolde nout; wherfore at halle was brent,
     and cast adoune, and alle o at were within were brent. And
     Kyng Edward loste no man at at viage, of simple State,
|r24 but xxviij Englisshe-men; and e wardeyn of e castel af vp e
     keyes wiouten eny assaut. And ere was take, William
     Douglas, and Sir Symond Frisel; and e Erl Patrik elde him to
     e pees; but Ingham of Hunfreuil and Robert of Brus, at were
|r28 wi e Kyng Edward, forsoke Kyng Edward, & helde wi e
     Scottes: and afterward ai were tak, and put into pryson~; &
     afterward e Kyng foraf ham her trespasse, & deliuered ham out
     of prisoun~; and o lete Kyng Edward close in Berwik wi wallis
|r32 and wi diches.  And aftirward, Robert Brus went to Tyndale,
     and sette Woxebryge afire, and Excelham and Lamerstok, and



|p190


     quellede & robbit e folc of e contrey; and aftirward he went fro
     ens vnto Dunbarr.
         And e ferst Wedenesday of Marche, e Kyng sent e Erl
 |r4 of Garreine, Sir Hughe Percy and Sir Hught Spenser, wi a
     faire company, forto bisege e castel. But on at me called Sir
     Richard Siward, a traitour, a false man, ymagynede forto bigile
     e Englisshe-men, & sent to the |r[f.108r] Englisshemen, ham forto
 |r8 desceyue, and saide at he wold elde to ham e castel if ai
     wolde graunt him viij dayes of respite, at he might sende & tells
     to Sir Iohn~ Bailol, Kyng of Scotland, how e Englisshe-men
     ferde, as ai werr in e castell, and sende him word 'if at he
|r12 nolde remeve e sege of e Englisshe-men~, at ai wolde e
     castel elde to e Englisshemen.'  The messanger o come to
     Iohn Bailol, Kyng of Scotland, ere at he was wi his host; and
     e messager tolde him.  And Sir Iohn tok o his host, and
|r16 come in e morwe erly toward e castel. & Sir Richard Syward
     saw him come, at was maistre of e Conseile and keper of e
     castel, and saide vnto e Englisshemen: "O God!" quod he,
     "now y se of folc a fair company, and wel apparailed, y wil go
|r20 aeynes ham, & wit[h] ham to mete and ham assaile."  And
     Sir Hugh e Spenser saw the falsenesse of him & e tresoun~, and
     saide to him: "O traitour, tak and prouede, our falsenesse
     shal nout ow availe."  And Hugh the Spenser com_mandede 
|r24 anon forto bynde him, and in al haste went aeins
     her enemys, & quelled of e Scottes xxij M=l=; for e Scottes
     had wi ham at tyme no man of honour, saf Sir Patrik
     Graham, at manliche faut, and Longe tyme, and at e last he
|r28 was quelled. & o saide e Englisshe-men in reprof of e Scottis:



|p191


                        Thus staterand Scottes,
                         holde y for sottes,
                         of wrenches vnwar,
 |r4                    Erly in a mornyng,
                         in an euel tyming
                         went e fro Dunbarr.
         o at wer in the castell saw e comfiture, and elde e
 |r8 castel to e Englisshemen, and bonden her bodyes, londes &
     castelles to Kyng Edward: and so ere wer take in e castel,
     |r[f.108v] iij Erles, and vij barons, & xxviijti Knyghtes, & xj clerkes,
     and xij Picardes; and alle were presentede vnto Kyng Edward,
|r12 and he sent ham to e Toure of London~, to ben kepte ere.
     How Kyng Edward, of his grete grace, delyuered aein e
     Scottes out of prison~, at were cheueteyns of the londe;
     and ay drow ham o to e Frenchemen, rou conseil
|r16 of William Waleys. Capitulo Centesimo Sexagesimo
     Nono.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward hade made o an ende of the werre,
     and taken the chyueteyns of Scotland, o come Sir Iohn~
|r20 Bailol, and elde him vnto Kyng Edward, and put ham in his
     grace; and he was lad to London~. And when Kyng Edward was
     comen ider, a were brout bifore him; and e Kyng axede of
     ham how ai wolde make amendes of at trespasse and losse at ai
|r24 hade done him; and ai put ham in his mercy.
         "Lordynges," quod e kyng, "y wille nout our landes, ne
     none of our godes, but y wille at e make to me an oth, oppon~
     Godes body, forto bene trewe to me, and neuer after is tyme
|r28 aens me bere Armes." And alle ai consentede to e Kynges
     wille, and swore oppon Godes body,  at is to seyn, Sir Iohn~ of
     Comyn and e Erl of Stratthorn~, e Erl of Carryk; and also iiij
     bisshopus vndertoke for alle e clergye; & so e Kyng delyuerede
|r32 ham, and af ham saf condit to wende into her owen Land.  And



|p192


     hit was nout longe after, at ai ne risen aeyns Kyng Edward,
     for enchesoun at ai wist at Kyng Edwardus folc were take
     in Gascoigne, as bifore is saide; but Sir Iohn Bailloil, |r[f.109r] Kyng of
 |r4 Scotland, wiste wel at his lande shulde haue sorwe and shames
     for her falsenesse, and in haste went him ouer e see vnto his owen
     londes, and ere helde him, and come neuer aeyne. Wherfore e
     Scottes chosen to bene her kyng, William Walis, a rybaude, an
 |r8 harlot, comen vp of nout, and miche harme dede to e Englisshemen.
         And Kyng Edward out how he myght haue deliuerance
     of his peple at were tak in Gascoigne, and in hast went ouer
     e see into Flaundres, forto werr oppon e Kyng of Fraunce. And
|r12 e Erl of Flaundres vnderfonge him wi michel honour, and
     grauntede him alle his landes at his owen wille.  And when e
     Kyng of Fraunce herde telle at e Kyng of Engeland was
     arryuede in Flaundres, and come wi an huge power, him forto
|r16 destroye, he prayede him of trewes for ij ere, so at Englisshe
     marchaunt, and also Frenche, myt safliche gon in boe sides.
      The Kyng Edward grantede hit, so at he mit haue his men
     out of prisoun~ at were take in Gascoigne; and e Kyng of
|r20 Fraunce grauntede anone; and so ai wer Delyuerede.
         And in the same tyme e Scottes sent by e Bisshop
     of seynt Andrewes into Fraunce, to e Kyng, and to Sir Charles,
     his broer, at Sir Charles shulde come wi his power, & ai of
|r24 Scotland wolde come wi her, and so ai shulde gone into Enge_land
     at lande forto destroye, fram Scotland, til at ai come, 
     into Kent. And e Scottes truste ful miche oppon e
     Frensshe-men; but of at ing ai hade no maner graunt. and
|r28 |r[f.109v] noeles e Scottes bigon~ to robbe and quelle in Northumberlond,
     and dede miche harme.
     How William Wallis lete slee Sir Hughe of Cressingham;
     and of e batail of Foukirk. Capitulo Centesimo Septua_gesimo
|r32 .



|p193


     |r<b> WHen is tydyng was comen to Kyng Edward, at William
        Walis hade ordeynede soche a stronge power, and at al
     Scotland to him was entendant, and redy to quelle Englisshemen
 |r4 & destroye his lande, he was sore annoied, and sent anone by his
     lettres to e Erl of Gerrein~, and to Sir Henry Percy and to Sir
     William Latomer, and to Sir Hugh of Cressingham his Tresorer,
     at a shulde take power, and wende into Northumberlond, & so
 |r8 for into Scotland, forto kepe e contres.  And when William
     Waleys herde of her comyng, he gan~ forto flee; & Englisshe-men
     him folwede, and drof him til at he come to Streuelyn~; & ere
     he helde him in e castell; and e Walshemen euery day ham
|r12 ascriede & manacede, & dede al e despite at ai myght.  So
     at e Englisshe-men oppon~ a tyme in a morwenyng, went
     out fram e castel e mountance of x mile, and passede ouer a
     bruge; and William Walys come wi a stronge power, and drof
|r16 ham abak, for e Englisshe-men hade aeynes him o no myght,
     but fledde; and o at might take e brugge scapede.  But Sir
     Hughe, e Kyngus Tresorer, ere was slayn, and meny oere also;
     wherfore was made miche sorwe.
|r20    o hade Kyng Edward spedde alle his nedes in Flaundres,  and
     was comyng aeyn into Engeland, |r[f.110r] and in haste toke his Way
     toward Scotland, and come ider at e Ascencioun~; and al at he
     founde, he sette on fire & brent. But e pore peple of Scotland
|r24 come to him wonder ik, and prayed him, for Godes loue, at he
     wolde haue on ham mercy and pitee; wherfore e Kyng o
     commandet at no man shulde done harme to ham at were
     olden to ham, ne to no man of ordre, ne to no hous of religion~,
|r28 ne no maner cherche;  But lete aspie al at he myght, where
     at he myght fynde eny of his enemys. o come an espie to
     e Kyng, and tolde wher e Scottes were assembled forto abide
     bataile.
|r32 And on seynt Marie Magdaleynus day, e Kyng come to



|p194


     Foukirk, and af bataile to e Scottes; and at at bataill ere wer
     quellede of Scottes xxxiij M=l=, and of Englisshemen but xxviij
     and no mo; of e whiche was a wori Knyght slayn, at was a
 |r4 knyght of the Hospitall, at me called Frere Brian Iay; for, when
     William Waleys fley fram e bataile, at same Frere Brian~ him
     pursuede ferslys; and as his hors ran, hit sterte into a mere of
     marreys vp to e bely; and William Waleys turnede o aeyn,
 |r8 and ere quellede e forsaide Brian~; and at was miche harme.
      And while Kyng Edward went rou Scotland forto enquere if
     he might fynde eny of his enemys; and in at lande he duellede
     as longe as him likede, and ere was none enemy at derst him
|r12 abide.
         And so aftirward Kyng Edward went to Southampton~, for
     he wolde nout abide in Scotland in wynter seson, for esement of
     his peple.  And when he come to London, he lete amende meny
|r16 misdedes at were done aeynes |r[f.110v] his pees Whiles at He Was
     in Flaundres.
     Of e laste mariage of Kyng Edward; and how he went e
     ridde tyme into Scotland. Capitulo Centesimo Septua_gesimo 
|r20 primo.
     |r<b> ANd after, hit was ordeynede rou e court of Rome, at
        Kyng Edward shulde wedde Dame Margarete, Kyng
     Philippus suster of France; and e Erchebisshop Robert of
|r24 Wynchelse spousede ham togedre; rou whiche mariage pees was
     made bituene Kyng Edward of Engeland and Kyng Philippe of
     Fraunce.  Kyng Edward went o e ridde tyme into
     Scotland; and o, with-inne e ferst ere, he had enfamenede e
|r28 land so at ere ne lefte nout on but ai come to his mercy,
     saf o at were in e castel of Estreuelyn, at was vitailede &
     storede for vij ere.



|p195


     How e castel of Estreuelyn was bisegede.  Capitulo Cent_esimo 
     lxx secundo.
     |r<b> Kyng Edward come with an huge power to e castel of
 |r4    Estreuelyn, and bisegede e castell; but hit litil availede,
     for he myght do the Scottes none harme, for e castel was so
     stronge an[d] wel Kepte.  And Kyng Edward saw at, & out
     him oppon a queyntise, and lete make ere anone ij peire of hye
 |r8 Galwes bifore e toure of e castell, and made his oth at, as meny
     as were in e castell, were he Erle or baron~, and he were take
     wi streng, but if he wolde e raer him elde, he shulde bene
     hongede ons o Galwes.  And when o at were in e castel
|r12 herde is, ai come and elde ham alle to e Kynges mercy & grace;
     and e Kyng foraf ham al his maletalent. And ere were alle
     e grete lordes of |r[f.111r] Scotland sworne to Kyng Edward, at ai
     shulde come to London to euery parlement, and shulde stonde to
|r16 his ordenaunce.
     How Troillebastoun~ was ferste ordeynede. Capitulo Cente_simo 
     lxx iij=o=.
     |r<b> THis Kyng Edward went ens to London~, and wende haue
|r20    hade rest and pees of his werr, wi whiche werre he was
     ocupiede xx=ti= er, at is to seyn, in Walys, in Gascoign~, and in
     Scotland, and out how he myght recouere his tresoure at he
     hade spendede about his werre, and lete enquere rou e reaume
|r24 of alle e mistakyngus and wrongus done rou misdoers in Enge_land
     of alle e tyme at he hade bene out of his realme, at me, 
     callede 'Troylebaston~'; and ordeynede erto Iustices. And in is
     maner e Kyng recouered tresoure wiout noumbre.  And his
|r28 encheson was, for he hade out forto haue went into e Holy
     Land forto haue werrede oppon Godes enemys, for enchesoun~
     at he was croisede longe tyme bifore; and noeles, at law at he
     had ordeynede dede miche gode rou al Engeland, to ham at were



|p196


     mysbode; for o at trespassede were wel chastisede, and after_ward 
     e meker and e bettre; and e pore comunes were in e
     more reste and in pees.
 |r4     And e same tyme Kyng Edward enprisonede his owen sone
     Edward, for encheson at Walter of Langeton~, Bisshop of Chestre,
     at was e Kyngus tresorer, hade made oppon~ him compleynt, and
     saide at e forsaide Edward, rou conseil and procurment of on,
 |r8 Piers of Gauaston, a squyer of Gascoigne, had broke e parke of
     e forsaide bisshope, and e forsaide Piers conseilede and ladde e
     same Edward, e kynges sone; and for is cause |r[f.111v] Kyng Edward
     exilede him out of Engeland for euermore.
|r12 Of e de of William Waleys, e false traitoure. Capitulo
     Centesimo lxxiiij.
     |r<b> ANd when is god Kyng Edward hade his enemys ouercome
        in Walis, Gascoign~, & in Scotland, and destroyede his
|r16 traitoures, but oneliche at rybaude William Waleys, at neuer
     to e Kyng wolde him elde. and at e laste, in e toune of Seynt
     Dominic, in e er of Kyng Edwardus regne xxxiij er, at false
     traitoure was take, and presentede to e Kyng; saf e Kyng wolde
|r20 nout seen him, but sent him to London to vnderfonge his iuge_ment
     []. And on Seynt Bartholomeus Eve he was honget and
     drawe, and his heuede smyten of, & his bowailes take out of
     his body, and brent, and his body quartarede & sent to iij e
|r24 best tounes of Scotland, and his heued sette oppon~ a spere, and
     sette oppon~ London~ Brugge, in sample at e Scottes shulde
     haue in mynde forto bere ham amys aeyn her lorde eftesones.
     How e Scottes come to Kyng Edward, forto amende here
|r28 trespasse at ai had done aeyns him. [Capitulo] Cen_tesimo 
     lxxv=to=.
     |r<b> ANd at Michelmasse o next coming, Kyng Edward helde his
        parlement atte Westmynstre; and ider come e Scottes,
|r32 at is to seyn, e Bisshop of Seynt Andrewus, Robert e Brus, Erl



|p197


     of Carrik, Symond Frisell, Iohn~, Erl of Athell; and ai were
     accordede with e kyng, and bonden by her oth sworn~, at
     after, if eny of ham misbare ham aeyns Kyng Edward, at ai
 |r4 shulde bene disheritede for euermore. And when here pees was
     us made, ai toke her leue priueliche, |r[f.112r] and went Home into
     Here owen contree.
     How Robert e Brus chalanged Scotland. Capitulo Centesimo
 |r8 lxxvj=to=.
     |r<b> ANd after, Robert e Brus, Erl of Karrik, sent by his lettre
        to e Erles and barons of Scotland, at ai shulde come to
     him to Scone, in the morwen aftir e concepcioun~ of oure Lady,
|r12 for hye nedes of e land; and e lordes come at e day assignede.
      And at e same day, Sir Robert e Brus saide: "Faire lordes!
     ful wel e wete at in my persone du[e]lle e ryght of e
     reaume of Scotland; and as e wete wel, as rytful heir, si
|r16 at Sir Iohn Bailoil, at was our Kyng, ha vs forsak, &
     also lefte his lande.  And ou it so be at Kyng Edward
     of Engeland, wi wrongeful power ha made me to him assent
     aeyns my wille, -- yf at e wil grant at y be Kyng of Scotland, y
|r20 shal kepe ow aeyns Kyng Edward & aeyns alle maner men."
     And wi at worde, e Abbot of Scone aros, and bifore ham alle
     saide, at hit was resoun~ forto helpe him, and e lande to kepe and
     defende; and o saide, in presence of ham alle, at he wolde eue
|r24 him a ousand pound forto mayntene at land. and alle e
     oere grantede e lande to him, and wi hir power him forto
     helpe, and defiede Kyng Edward of Engeland, and saide at
     Robert e Brus shulde bene Kyng of Scotland.
|r28 How Sire Iohn~ Comyn gaynesaide e crounyng of Robert
     e Brus. Capitulo Centesimo Septuagesimo Septimo.



|p198


     |r<b> "LOrdynges," saide Sir Iohn~ of Comyn~, "enketh oppon e
        treuthe and e oth at e made vnto Kyng |r[f.112v] Edward of
     Engeland! and as tochyng myself, y Wil nout breke myn oth
 |r4 for no man." And so he went fram at company at at tyme;
     wherfore Robert e Brus, and alle at to him consentede, were
     wonder wroe, & o manacede Sir Iohn~ of Comyn~.  o
     ordeynede ai anoer conseil at Dumfrys, to e whiche come e
 |r8 forsaide Sir Iohn~ Comyn, and duelledes but ij mile fram
     Dunfris, ere at he was wont to soiourne and abide.
     How Sir Iohn~ Comyn was traiterousely slayn. Capitulo Cent_esimo 
     lxxviij=o=.
|r12 |r<b> WHen Robert e Brus wiste at al e grete of Scotland
        were comen to Scone, saf Sir Iohn Comyn, at soiourned
     o ney Scone, he sent after him specialiche, at Sir Iohn~ Comen
     shulde com & speke wi him; and oppon~ at he sent after him
|r16 Sir Iohn Comynus ij breerne, and praiede him forto come and
     speke wi him atte e Gray Freres at Donfris; and at was e
     Thoresday after Candelmasse; & Sir Iohn grauntede ham forto
     wende wi ham. And when he had herde masse, he toke a sop
|r20 and drank, & afterwarde he bistrode his palfray and rode his way,
     and so come to Dunfris. & Robert Bruys sawe him comme atte
     a wyndow, as he was in his chaumbre, and o made ioye ynow, &
     come aeyn him, and halsed him aboute e nek, & made wi
|r24 him gode semblaunt. And when alle e Erles & barons of
     Scotland were present, Robert e Brus spake and saide: "Sires,"
     quod he, "e weten wel the enchesoun~ of is comyng, & wherfore
     hit is: if at e wil Graunt at Y mote be Kyng of Scotland,
|r28 |r[f.113r] as ryght heire of the londe." And al e lordes at were ere,
     saide wi on voys at he shulde bene crouned Kyng of Scot_land, 
     and at ai wolde him help and mayntene aeyns al maner
     men on lif; and for him, if it wer nede, dye.  e Gentil knyt o,



|p199


     Sir Iohn of Comyn, ansuerede & saide: "certes, neuer for me, ne
     forto haue of me as miche helpe as e value of a botoun~; for, at
     oth at y haue made to Kyng Edward of Engeland, y shal holde e
 |r4 while my lif laste." And with at worde he went fro e company,
     and wolde haue went oppon his palfray. And Robert the Brus
     pursuede him wi a drawen sworde, and bare him rou the body,
     and Sir Iohn~ Comyn felle adoune vnto the Ere.  But when
 |r8 Roger, at was Sir Iohn~ Comines broer, saw e falsenesse, he
     stert vp to Sir Robert the Brus, and smote him wi a knyf; but
     e false traitoure was armed vnder, so at e stroke myght done
     him none harme; and so miche helpe come aboute Sir Robert the
|r12 Brus, so at Roger Comyn was ere quellede and alto-hewe into
     smale pices.  And Robert e Brus turnede aeyn ere at Sir
     Iohn~ Comyn e noble Baron lay woundede and pynede towardes
     his de, bisides e hye auter in the cherche of e Gray Freres, and
|r16 saide vnto Sir Iohn~ Comyn: "O traitour! ow shalt be dede, &
     euer after lette myn avauncement"; and shooke his suorde at
     e hye auter, and smote him on the heuede, at e brayn
     felle adoune oppon~ e Gronde, and e blode stert vnto the
|r20 wallis; and itte into is Day that blode |r[f.113v] is seyne ere, and
     no Water may wasshe it away; and so deide at noble knyt in
     holy cherche.
     How Robert e B[r]us was cronede, and made Kyng of
|r24 Scotland. Capitulo Centesimo lxxix=o=.
     |r<b> ANd when e intrusour Robert e Brus saw at no man o
        wolde lete his coronacioun, he commandede alle ham at
     were of power shulde come to his crounyng, to Seynt Iohnes
|r28 toun~ in Scotland.  & so hit bifelle at on oure Lady Day,
     e Anunciacioun~, e Bisshop of Glascowe and e Bisshop of
     Seynt Andrewus crounede for her Kyng, Robert the Brus, in
     Seynt Iohnes toune, & made him Kyng. And anone after he



|p200


     drof out al e Englisshe-men out of Scotland; & ai fledde, and
     come & pleynede vnto Kyng Edward, how Robert e Brus hadde
     dryuen ham out of the lande, & disherite ham.
 |r4 How Kyng Edwarde dobbit at Westminster xiiij score knyghte.
     Capitulo Centesimo Ottogesimo.
     |r<b> ANd when Kyng Edward herde of is meschief, he suore
        at he wolde erof bene avenged, and saide at `alle e
 |r8 traitours of Scotland shulde bene hongede and draw, and at ai
     shulde neuer bene raunsonede.'  And Kyng Edward out
     oppon is falsenesse at e Scottes hade done, and sende after alle
     e bachilers of Engeland, at ai shulde come to London~ at
|r12 Whitsontyde; and he dobbit at Westminster xxiiij knytes.
      o ordeynede him e noble Kyng Edward forto wende into
     Scotland, to werr oppon~ Robert e Brus; and sent bifore him
     into Scotland |r[f.114r] Sir Aymer of Valance, Erl of Penbrok, & Sir
|r16 Henry Percy, wi a fair company, at pursewede e Scottes and
     brenede tounes & castilles; & afterwarde come the Kyng him_self, 
     wi Erles and barons a fair companye.
     How Robert e Brus was scomfitede in bataile; and how
|r20 Symond Frisell was slayn~. Capitulo Centesimo Ottogesimo
     primo.
     |r<b> THe Fryday next bifore e Assumpcicion~ of our Lady, Kyng
        Edward mette Robert the Brus bisides Seynt Iohnes toun~ in
|r24 Scotland, & with his company; of e whiche company Kyng
     Edward quelled vij M=l=.  When Robert e Brus saw is mes_chief, 
     he gan to flee, and hudde him at men myght nout
     him fynde; but Sir Symond Frisell pursuede him so sore, so at he
|r28 turnede & abode bataile, for he was a wori knyt and a bolde
     of body; and e Englisshe-men pursuede him sore on euery



|p201


     side, and quellede e stede at Sir Symond Frisell roode oppon~;
     and ai toke him and lade him into e hoste.  And Sir
     Symond bigan forto flater and speke faire, and saide: "lordes, y
 |r4 shal eue ow iiij M=l= mar of Siluer, and myn horse and myn
     herneys, and all myn armure, and bicome a begger." o ansuerede
     Theobalde of Peuenes, at was e Kyngus Archir, "Now God
     me so helpe, hit is for nout at ow spexte; for alle e golde of
 |r8 Engeland y wolde nout lete e gone with-out commaundement
     of Kyng Edward." And o was he lade to e Kyng; but e
     Kyng wolde nout |r[f.114v] see him, but commaundede him to ben ledde
     away to haue his dome at London~. In oure Ladies Eve, e
|r12 Natiuitie, he was hongede and drawe, & his heuede smyten
     of, and hongede aein wi cheynes of yren oppon e Galwes; &
     his heuede was sette oppon London~ Brugge vppon~ a spere; and
     aeyns Cristenmasse e body was brent, for enchesoun~ at e men
|r16 at kepte e body by nyght, saw meny deueles raumpande wi
     yren crokes rynnyng oppon~ e galwes, and horribliche turmentede
     e body; and meny at ham sawe, anone after ai deide for drede,
     or woxen made, or sore sikenesse ai had.  And in at bataile
|r20 was taken e Bisshop of Glascowe, e Bisshope of Seynt
     Andrewes, e Abbot of Scone, all armede wi yren as men of
     Armes, & false traitoures and false prelatis aeyns her oth; and
     ai were brout to e Kyng, and e Kyng sent ham to e Pope of
|r24 Rome, at he shulde done wi ham what his wille were.
     How Iohn~, Erl of Atheles, was take, & put to de. Capitulo
      Centesimo Ottogesimo secundo.
     |r<b> ANd at at bataile fledde Sire Iohn Erl of Ateles, and went
|r28    into a cherche, & ere hudde him for drede. But he mit
     haue ere no refute, for enchesoun at e cherche was enterditede
     rou a general sentence; and in e same cherche he was take.
      And is Sir Iohn~ wende wel haue scapede fram e deth, for
|r32 enchesoun~ at he cleymede kynrede of Kyng Edward. And



|p202


     Kyng Edward wolde no longer bene taried of his traitoures,
     and sent him to London~ in haste; & ere he |r[f.115r] was Hongede, and
     his Heuede smyten of, and his body brent al into smal
 |r4 asshes.  But at e prayer of e Quene Margarete, for
     enchesoun~ at he cleymede of Kyng Edward kynrede, his
     drawyngwas foreuen him.
     How Iohn~, at was William Waleys broer,was put to e
 |r8 de. Capitulo Centesimo iiij=xx= iij=o=.
     |r<b> WHen e gretteste maistres of Scotland were us done to
        euel dee, & shent for her falsenesse, Iohn~, at was
     William Waleys broer, was tak as Sir Iohn~, Erl of Atheles, was.
|r12 How Robert e Brus fley fro Scotland to Norwaye. Capi_tulo 
     Centesimo ottogesimo iiij=to=.
     |r<b> ANd at at same tyme, was Robert e Brus miche hatede
        amonges e peple of Scotland; so he wist nout what to
|r16 don~; and forto hide him, he went into Norway, to e Kyng at
     had spousede his sustre, and ere helde him, socour forto haue.
      And when Robert e Brus might nout bene founde in Scot_land, 
     Kyng Edward o lette crye his pees rou al e land, &
|r20 his were vsede, and his ninistres seruede rou-out al e land.
     How Kyng Edward deide. Capitulo Centesimo Ottogesimo
     quinto.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward hade abatede his enemys, he turnede
|r24    aeyn Southward, and a maladye toke him at Burgh op
     Sande, in e Marche of Scotland. And he wiste wel at his de
     was ful ney, and callede to him Sir Henry e Lacy, Erl of
     Lyncoln, Sir Gy, Erl of Warrwyk, Sir Aymer Valence, Erl of
|r28 Penbrok, and Sir Robert of Clifford, baroun, and prayede ham,
     oppon e faie at ai to him owede, at ai shulde make Edward



|p203


     |r[f.115v] of Carnaryuan, Kyng of Engeland, his sone, as rae as ai
     myght;  and at al shulde nought suffre Piers of Gauaston~ come
     aeyn into Engeland forto make his sone vse ryaute. And ai
 |r4 grantede him wi god wille; and e Kyng toke his sacrament of
     holy cherche, as a gode Cristen man shulde, and deide in Verray
     repentaunce.  & when he hade bene Kyng lv er, he deide, &
     was buried at Westminster wi miche solempnite: oppon~ whos
 |r8 soule, God haue mercy!
     Of Merlynus prophecies, at were declarede of Kyng Edward,
     at was Kyng Henries sone. Capitulo Centesimo iiij=xx= vj=to=.
     |r<b> ANd of is Kyng Edward, propheciede Merlyn, and callede
|r12    him a dragon~, e secunde kyng of e vj laste kynges at
     shulde bene forto regne in Engeland; and saide at `he shulde
     ben mellede wi mercy & also wi sternesse, at shulde kepe
     Engeland fram colde and fram hete; and at he shulde oppen
|r16 his moue toward Walys, and at he shulde sette his on foot in
     Wyk, and at he shulde closen wi Wallis, at shulde do miche
     harme to his seed'; and he saide so, for e gode Kyng Edward
     was medled wi mercy & with fersnesse; wi mercy aeyns his
|r20 enemys of Walis, & after of Scotland; wi fersenesse, when he
     put ham to the deth for her falsenesse & traiter, as ai had
     diserued hit; And wel kepte he Engeland fram colde and fram
     hete, si he kepte hit fram alle maner enemys at, ronne oppon~
|r24 him to done him eny harme or wronge.  And wel openede he
     his mou toward Walys, and made hit |r[f.116] quake rou e hidour of
     his mouthe, When he conquerede hit rou dent of suerd; for e
     Prynce Lewelyn, and his broer Dauid Rys and Morgan,
|r28 wer put vnto de for her falsenesse and her folie.  And he
     sette his one foot in Wik, and conquered Berwik; at e whiche
     conquest was slayn xxv M=l= and vij C~, out-take ham at wer
     brent in e Rede Halle; and e wallis at he lete make shulde
|r32 ben noious to his seede, as men shal hure after in e lif of
     Sire Edward his sone.



|p204


         And itte saide Merlyn, at `he shulde make Ryuer rynne
     in bloode and wi brayn': and at semede wel in his werres,
     ere at he hade e maistry.  And itte saide Merlyn: at
 |r4 `ere shulde come a peple out of e northwest, duryng e regne of
     e forsaide dragoun~, at shulde bene lad be an euel grehounde,
     at shulde e dragoun~ croune Kyng, at aftirward shulde flee
     ouer e see wiout comyng aeyn, for drede of e dragoun~':
 |r8 and at was prouede by Sir Iohn~ Baloil, at Kyng Edward made
     forto bene Kyng of Scotland, at falsely aroos aeynnes him
     and after, he fledde to his owen landes in Fraunce, and neuer
     come aeyne into Scotland for drede of King Edward.  And
|r12 itte said Merlyn, `at e peple at shulde lede e forsaide
     grewhonde shulde bene faderles vnto a certein tyme': & he
     saide soth, ffor e peple of Scotland gretliche wer disessede sith at
     sir Iohn~ Baloil, her Kyng, fley fro Scotland.
|r16     And itte saide Merlyn~, `at e sone shulde bicome in his
     tyme as rede as |r[f.116v] eny blode, in tokening of grete mortalite of de
     of peple': and at was wel knowen when e Scottes was slayne.
      And si saide Merlyn, `at ilk dragoun shulde norisshe a fox
|r20 at shulde meve werr aeynes him, at in his tyme shulde
     nout bene endede': and at semede wel by Robert e Brus, at
     Kyng Edward norisshe in his chambre, at siennes stale away,
     and mevede grete werr aeynes him wliche wer was nout
|r24 endede in his tyme.  And after ward, Merlyn tolde at `is
     dragoun~ shulde ben holde e best body of al e world': and he
     saide so, ffor e gode Kyng Edward was e worthiest knyght of al
     e worlde in his tyme.
|r28     And it saide Merlyn at `e dragoun~ shulde dye in e
     marche of anoer land, and at his londe shulde be longe wiouten
     a gode keper, and at men shulde wepe for his deth, fram e yle
     of Sheepe vnto e Ile of Marcylle, wher (allas!) shal be her
|r32 commune songe amonge peple faderles, in e lande wastede': and



|p205


     at prophecie was know oueral ful wel ffor e goode Kyng
     Edward deide at Burgh op Sandes, at is oppon~ e marche of
     Scotland wherfore e Englisshe-men gretlch were descomfitede
 |r4 & gouernede in Northumberlond, ffor enchesoun~ at Kyng
     Edwardes sone sette by e Scottes non force, for e ryaute of
     Piers of Gauaston~; wherfore (allas!) was e songe rou-oute
     Engeland for defaute of a gode warde fram e Ile of Sheepey
 |r8 vnto e yle of Marcile, e peple made miches sorw for gode
     Kyng Edwardes deth; ffor ai wende at gode Kyng Edward
     shulde haue gon~ into e Holy Land; |r[f.117r] for at was holliche his
     purpos: oppon~ whos soule, God of hiss blisse haue mercy!

|r12 Of Kyng Edward, at was Kyng Edwardes sone. Capitulo
     Centesimo Octogesimo Septimo.
     |r<b> ANd after is Kyng Edward, regnede Edward his sone, at
     was born in Carnaryvan and went info Fraunce, and
|r16 spousede Isabell, e Kyngus douter of Fraunce, e xxv day of
     Ianuer at e cherche of our Lady of Boloign, in e er of our
     Lorde M=l= CCC vij.  & e xx day of Februer, e nexte er at
     come after, he was cronede solempliche at Westminster of e
|r20 Erchebisshope Robert of Wynchelse, of Kanterbery; and ere was
     so grete prees of peple at Sir Iohn~ Bakwelle was dede and
     mordrede.  And anone as e gode Kyng Edward was dede, Sir
     Edward his sone, Kyng of Engeland, sent after Piers of Gauaston~
|r24 into Gascoigne and so miche louede him at he callede him his
     'broer' and anone after he af him e lordeshipp of Wallyng_ford 
     and hit was nout longe after at he ne af him e Erldome
     of Cornwaile, aeynes alle e lordes wille of e reaume.  And
|r28 o brought he Sir Walter of Langeton~, Bisshop of Chestre, into
     prisoun~, into the Toure of London~, with ij knafes allone him to
     serue, for enchesoun~ at e Kyng was wro with him, for cause
     at Sir Wa[l]ter made pleint vppon~ him to his fader; wherfore
|r32 he was put into prisoun~ in e tyme of trailbaston~.



|p206


         And is Piers of Gauaston~ made so grete maistries, at he
     went into e Kyngus tresorie in e Abbay of Westminster, and
     toke e table of golde, |r[f.117v] wi e tresteles of e same, and meny
 |r4 oere riche gewelles at some tyme wer e noble Kyng Arthures,
     and toke ham to a marchant at me clepede Aymery of Friscom_bande, 
     for he shulde bere ham ouer e see into Gascoigne: and
     ai come neuer aeyne after; wherfore hit was grete losse vnto
 |r8 is land.
         And when is Piers was so rychely auauncede, he bicome so
     proude and so stout, wherof alle e grete lordes of e reaume had
     him in despite for his grete beryng. Wherfore Sir Henry e
|r12 Lacy, Erl of Lyncoln, and Sir Guy Erl of Warrwyk (e whiche
     gode lordes e gode Kyng Edward chargede, at Piers of Gauaston~
     shulde nout come into Engeland forto brynge his sone into ryot),
      And alle e lordes of Engeland, assemblede ham at a certeyn day
|r16 at e Frere Prichoures of London~, and speken of e dis_honour 
     at e Kyng dede to his reaume and to his crone. and so
     ai assemblede alle, boe Erles, baron~s and communes, at e for_saide 
     Piers of Gauaston shulde ben exilede out of Engeland.
|r20 And so hit was done; for he forsuore Engeland, and went into
     Irland; and ere e Kyng made him chiefteyn and Gouernour of
     e lande by his commissioun~; and ere is Piers was chefteyn of
     al e land, and dede ere all at him liked, and had ere al what
|r24 he wolde.  And at tyme were e templeres exilede rou al
     cristendome, ffor enchesoun~ at men put oppon~ ham at ai
     shulde done ing at was aeynes e fai and gode bileue.
      Kyng Edward louede Piers of Gauaston~ so miche |r[f.118r] at he might
|r28 nout forlete his company; and so miche e Kyng af and bihight
     to e peple of Engeland, at e exiling of e forsaide Piers shulde
     bene reuokede at Staunford, rou ham at him hade exilede.
      Wherfore Piers of Gauaston~ come aeyne into Engeland; and
|r32 when he was comen aeyn into is lande, he despisede e grettest
     lordes of is lande, and callede Sir Robert Clare Erl of Gloucestre,



|p207


     'Horessone,' and e Erl of Lyncoln~, Sir Henry e Lacy, 'Broste
     bely,' and Sir Guy Erl of Warrwyk, 'blanke hounde of Arderne.'
     And also he callede e noble Erl and gentil, Thomas of Lancastre,
 |r4 'Cherl,' and meny othere shames and scorn ham saide, & by
     meny oere grete lordes of Engeland, wherfore ai were towardes
     him ful angri and sore annoiede.
         And in e same tyme deide e Erl of Lyncoln; but he
 |r8 charged, or he was dede, Thomas of Lancastre, erl, at was his sone_in
     -lawe, at he shulde mayntene his querell aeyns e same Piers
     of Gauaston~, oppon~ his benison~.  And so hit was ordeynede,
     rou helpe of e Erle of Lancastr and of e Erl of Warrwyk,
|r12 at e forsaide Piers was biheuedede at Gauersiche bisides
     Warwik, e xix day of Iun, in e ere of grace M=l= CCC &
     xij; wherfore e Kyng was sore annoiede, and prayede God at
     he might see at day to bene avengede of e de of e forsaide
|r16 Piers.  And so hit bifelle aftirward, as e shul hure, -- allas e
     tyme! -- ffor e forsaide Erl of Lancastre & meny oere |r[f.118v] grete
     baroun~, wer put to pitouse de, and martrede, for enchesoun of
     e forsaide querell.
|r20     The Kyng was o at London~, and helde a parlement, and
     ordeynede e lawes of Sir Symond Mountford; wherfor the Erl of
     Lancastre, and alle e Erles & all e clergye of Engeland, maden an
     oth, rou conseile of Robert of Wynchelse, forto maintene e
|r24 ordenaunces for euermore.

     How Robert e Brus come aeyne into Scotland, and Gaderede
          a grete power of men forto werr oppon~ Kyrig Edward.
         Capitulo  Centesimo Ottogesimo viij=o=.
|r28 |r<b> ANd when Sir Robert e Brus, at made him Kyng of Scot_land, 
     at was fledde into Normandy for drede of de of
     e goode Kyng Edward, and herd of e debate at was in Enge_land 



|p208


     bituene e Kyng and his lordes, he ordeynede an hoste, and
     come nto Engelond, into Northumberland, and clenly destroiede e
     contreye.  And when Kyng Edward herde is tidynges, he lete
 |r4 assemble his host, and mette e Scottis at Streuelyn, in e day of
     e Natiuite of Seint Iohn e Baptiste, in e vij er of his regne,
     and in e ere of our Lorde Ihesu Crist, M=l= CCC & xiiij. Allas
     e sorw and losse at ere was done! for ere was slayn, e noble
 |r8 Erl Gilbert of Clare, Sire Robert of Clifford, a baroun~, and meny
     oere; & of oere peple at no man cou nombre; and ere
     Kyng Edward was scomfitede. And Sir Edmund of Maule, e
     kynges stiward, for drede went and drenchede him-self in a
|r12 fresshe ryuer at is callede Bannokesbourn~; erefore |r[f.119r] e Scottes
     saide, in reprofe and despite of Kyng Edward, foralsemiche as he
     louede forto go by watere, and also for he was descomfitede at
     Bannokesbour[n]e, erfore maidenes made a songe erof, in at
|r16 contre, of Kyng Edward of Engeland and in is maner ai
     songe:
           Maydenes of Engelande, sare may e morne,
           For tynt e haue [lost] oure lemmans at Bannokesborn~
|r20                      wi hevalogh.
          What wende e Kyng of Engeland haue ygete Scotlande
                          wi Rombylogh.
        When Kyng Edward was descomfitede, he was wonder sory,
|r24 and faste fledde wi his folc at was lafte alif, and went
     to Berwik, and ere helde him.  And after, he toke hostages, at is
     to seyne, vij childerne, of e rychest of e toun~; and e Kyng
     went to London~, and toke conseile of inges at were nedeful
|r28 vnto e reaume of Engeland.
         And in e same tyme hit bifelle at ere was in Engeland
     a rybaude at men callede Iohn~ Tanner; and he went and saide
     at he was e goode Kyng Edwardus sone, and lete him calle
|r32 'Edward of Carnaruan~'; and erfore he was take at Oxenford,
     and ere chalangede e frere Carmes chirche at Kyng Edward
     hade eue ham, e whiche cherch some tyme was e Kyngus



|p209


     Halle.  And afterwarde was is Iohn~ ladde to Northampton~, and
     draw, and ere hongede for his falsenesse. and er at he was
     dede, he confessede, and saide bifore al e folc, at 'e deuel
 |r4 bihighte him at he shulde be Kyng of Engeland'; and at 'he
     hade seruede e deuel iij ere.'

     How e toun~ of Berwik was taken rou treson~; & how if
         Cardynales wer robbet in Engeland. Capitulo Centesimo
 |r8     iiij=xx= ix=o=.
     |r[f.119v] |r<b> ANd in myd Lenton~ Sonday in e ere of our Lord Ihesu
        Crist M=l= CCC xvj, Berwik was loste, rou false tresoun~ of
     on, Piers of Spaldyng; e whiche Piers, e Kyng had put ere
|r12 forto kepe e same toune wi meny burgeys of e toun~.  Wher_fore 
     e childerne at were put in hostages rou e burgeys of
     Berwik, folwede e Kyngus Marchalcie meny daye, fetrede in
     stronge yrenes.
|r16     And after at tyme ere come ij Cardinales into Engeland,
     as e Pope hade ham sende forto mak pees bituene Scotland and
     Engeland. and as ai went toward Duresme forto haue sacrede
     maistre Lowys of Beaumond, Bisshop of Duresme; and as ai went,
|r20 ai were taken and robbit oppon e more of Wigelesdon~; of
     whiche robrye, Sir Gilbert of Midelton~ was atteint, and take, and
     hongede & drawe at London, and his heuede smyten of, and
     his bowales taken out of his body, and brent, & his body quar_tarede,
|r24 and his heuede smyten of, and sette oppon~ a spere, and
     sette oppon~ Newegate; and e iiij quarters sent to iiij citees of
     Engeland.
         And at same tyme bifelle meny meschyues in Engeland; for
|r28 e pore peple deide in Engeland for hunger; and so miche and
     so faste folc deiden, at vnnees men m[i]ght ham bury; for a
     quarter of whete was wore xls., and ij ere and an halfe a
     quarter of whete was wore ij mar; and ofte-tymes e pore



|p210


     peple stale childern and ete ham, and ete also alle e houndes
     at ai might take, and ek Horse & cattes; and after, ere felle a
     grete |r[f.120r] pestilence amonges bestes in diuerse contrees of Engeland
 |r4 duryng Kyng Edwardes lif.

     How e Scottes robbede Northumberland. Capitulo Centesimo
         Nonogesimo.
     |r<b> ANd in e same tyme come e Scottes aeyne into Engeland,
 |r8    and destroiede Northumberlond, and brent at lande, &
     robbet hit, and quellede men and wymmen, & childern at laye
     in cradell, and brent also holy cherche, and destroiede Cristen_dome, 
     and toke & bare awaye Englisshe-mennes godes, as ai
|r12 hade bene Sarasins or paynemes. and of e wickednesse at ai
     deden, all e worlde spake erof, rou al Cristendome.

     How e Scottes wolde nout amende her trespasse; and erfore
         Scotland was enterditede.  Capitulo Centesimo Nono_16     
|rgesimo primo.
     |r<b> ANd when Pope Iohn~, e xxij after seynt Petre, herde of e
        grete sorwe and meschief at e Scottes wrought, he was
     wonder sory at Cristendome was so destroiede rou e Scottes,
|r20 and nameliche for ai destroiede so holy cherche; Wherfore e
     Pope sent a general sentence, vnder his bullis of leade, vnto e
     Erchebisshope of Kaunterbery, and to e Erchebisshope of ork,
     at 'if Robert e Brus of Scotland wolde nout be iustifiede, and
|r24 make amendes vnto kyng Edward of Engeland, his lorde, &
     make amendes of his losse, and his harmes at ai hade done in
     Engeland, and also to restore e godes at a hade take out
     of holy cherch, at e sentence shulde be pronouncede rou all
|r28 Engeland.  And when e Scottes herde is, ai wolde nout
     |r[f.120v] cesse of her malice for e Popes commaundement; Wherfor



|p211


     Robert e Brus, Iamys Douglas, and Thomas Randolf Erl of
     Morref, and alle o at wi ham communede, or ham halp in worde
     or in dede, were accursed rou euery cherche rou Engeland,
 |r4 euery [day] at masse iij tymes; and no masse shulde be songen in
     holy cherche rou-out al Scotland, but if e Scottis wolde make
     restitucion~ of e harmes at ai hade made vnto holy cherche.
     Wherfore meny a gode preste and holy man, erfore were slayn
 |r8 rou al e reme of Scotland, for enchesoun~ at ai wolde singe
     no masse aeynes e Popes commaundement and aeynes his wille,
     and to done and fulfille e tiraunt wille.

     How Sir Hughe, e Spenseres sone, was made e Kyngus
|r12     Chamberlein; and of e bataile of Miton~. Capitulo
         Centesimo Nonogesimo secundo.
     |r<b> ANd hit was nout longe afterward, at e Kyng ne ordeynede
        a parlement at ork; and ere was Sir Hugh, e Spensere
|r16 sone, made Chamberlein~. And in e mene-tyme, while e werr
     last, the Kyng went aeyne into Scotland, at hit was wonder
     forto wete, and bisegede e toun~ of Berwik; but e Scottes went
     ouer e water of Solewath, at was iij mile fram e Kyngus host,
|r20 and priuely ai stele awaye by nyght, and comen into Engeland,
     and robbede and destroiede al at ai myght, and sparede no
     maner ing til at ai comen to ork. And when e Englisshe_men 
     at were lafte at |r[f.121r] home Wist of is ing, alle o at might
|r24 trauaile-as wel monkes and prestes and ffreres & Chanouns and
     seculers, -- and come and mette wi e Scottes at Miton~ op Swale,
     e xij day of Ottobre. Allas! what sorwe for e Erglisshe
     hosbonde-men at coue noing in werr, ere were quellede and
|r28 drenchede in e Ryuer of Swale. And her chyueteynes, Sir
     William of Melton~, Erchebisshop of ork, & e Abbot of Selby
     with her stedes, fledde, & come vnto ork. And at was her
     owen folie at ai had at meschaunce, for ai passede e water of



|p212


     Swale; and e Sccottes sette in fire iij stackes of hey; and e
     smoke erof was so huge at Englisshe-men myght nought see e
     Scottes.  And when e Englisshe-men were gon ouer e water, o
 |r4 come e Scottes wi her wenge, in maner of a shelde, and corne
     toward e Englisshe-me in a rawe; and e Englisshe-men fledde,
     for vnnees ai hade eny men of Armes; for e Kyng hade ham
     alle almost loste atte e sege of Berwik; and e Scottes
 |r8 hobilers went bituix e brigge & e Englisshe-men.  And when
     e grete host had aim mette, e Englisshe-men fledde bituene e
     hobilers and e grete host; and e Englisshe-men almost alle were
     ere slayn. And he at might wende ouer e water was sauede;
|r12 but meny were drenchede, Allas, for sorwe! for ere was
     slayne meny men of Religioun~, and seculers, and ek prestes and
     clerkes; and wi miche sorw the Erchebisshop scapede; and er_fore 
     e Scottes callede hit 'the White ataile.'

|r16 How Kyng Edward dede all maner |r[f.121v] ing as Sire Hugh e
         Spenser Wolde. Capitulo Centesimo Nonogesimo tercio.
     |r<b> ANd when Kyng Edward herde is tydynges, he remevede his
        sege fram Berwik, & come aeyne into Engeland. But Sir
|r20 Hugh e Spenser, e sone, at was e Kynges chaumberlein, kepte
     so e Kyngus chaumbre, at no man might speke wi e Kyng,
     but if he made wi him a frett forto done his nede, & at ouer
     mesure. And is Hugh bar him so stoute, at alle men hade of
|r24 him scorn and despite; and e kyng him-self wolde nout be
     gouernede by no maner man, but oneliche by his fader and by
     him.  And yf eny knyght of Engeland hade wodes, maneres, or
     lande, at ai wolde couette, anone e Kyng moste eue it ham, or
|r28 elles e man at owede hit shulde falsely be enditede of
     fforfet or of ffelonye; and rou soche doynges ai disheritede
     meny a grete bachiler, and so meny landess geten, at hit was
     miche Wonder.



|p213


         And when e lordes of Engeland saw e couetise and e
     falsenesse of Sir Hugh e Spenser, his fader, and of Sir Hugh
     his sone, ai comen to e gentil Erl of Lancastre, and axede
 |r4 him of conseile of e disese at was in the reame rou Sir Hugh
     e Spenser and his sone. And in haste, by one assent, ai made
     a priue assemble at Shirborn in Elmede; and alle a[i] maden ere
     an oth forto breke and destourble e doyng bituene e Kyng and
 |r8 Sir Hugh e Spenser and his sone, oppon~ her power. And ai
     went into e Marche of Walys, & destroiede e Lande of e
     forsaide Sir Hughes.

     |r[f.122r] How sir Hughe e Spenser and his fader Were exilede out
|r12     of Engeland. Capitulo Centesimo Nonogesimo iiij=to=.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward saw e grete harme and destrucioun~ at
        e barons of Engeland deden on Sir Hugh e Spensers
     Landes, and to his sones, in euery place at ai comen oppon~. And
|r16 e Kyng o, rou his Conseile, exilede Sir Iohn~ Mounbray, Sire
     Roger of Clifford, and Sir Gosselyn Dauill, and meny oer lordes
     at wer to ham consent. Wherfore e barons dede o more
     harme an ai dede bifore.  And when e Kyng saw at e
|r20 barons wolde nout cesse of her cruelte, e Kyng was sore adrade
     leste ai wolde destroy him and his reame for his mayntenance,
     but yf at he assentede to ham; and so he sent for ham by
     lettre, at ai shulde come to London~ to his parlement at a
|r24 certeyne day, as in his lettres were conteynede.
         And ai come wi iij batailes wel armed at alle poynt; &
     euery bataile hade cote-armur of grene cloe; and erof e right
     quarter was alwe, wi white bendes; Wherfore at parlement was
|r28 callede 'e parlment wi e whit bende.'  And in at company
     was Sir Humfray de Bohon~, Erl of Herford, and Sir Roger of
     Clifford, Sire Iohn~ Mounbray, Sire Gosselyn Dauill, Sire Roger
     Mortymer, Vncle of Sir Roger Mortymer of Wigemore, Sire Henry
|r32 of Tyeys, Sire Iolln~ Giffard, and Sir Bartholomew Badelesmere
     at was e Kynges Stiward, at e Kyng hade sent to Shirborn



|p214


     in Elmede, to e |r[f.122v] Erl of Lancastre and to alle at Wi him Were,
     forto trete of accorde at him aliede to e barons, and come wi e
     company, And Sir Roger Dam~ory and Sir Hugh sof Audeley at
 |r4 hade spousede e Kynges neces, susters to Sir Gilbert of Clare,
     Erl of Gloucestre, at was quellede in Scotland, as aboue is saide.
      And o ij Lordes hadde e ij partes of e Erldome of Gloucestre;
     and Sir Roger e Spenser, e sonne, hadde e ridde part on
 |r8 his Wifes behalue, 'the ridde suster. And o ij lordes went to
     e barouns wi al her power, aueynes Sir Hugh, her broer-in_Law;
     and so er come with ham, Sir Roger of Clifford, Sir Iohn~
     Mounbray, Sir Gosselyn Dauill, Sir Roger Mortymer of Werk,
|r12 Sir Roger Mortymer of Wygemore, his nevew, Sir Henry Trays,
     Sir Iohn~ Giffard, Sir Bartholomew of Bedelesmere, wi alle her
     company, & meny oere at to ham wer consent.
         Alle is grete Lordes comen to Westminster, to e Kynges
|r16 parlement; and so ai spoken and dede, at boe Sir Hugh e
     Spenser, e fader & e Son~, were outlawede of Engeland for euer_more.
      And Sir Hughe e fader went to Douer, and made
     miche sorwe, and felle adoun~ by e see bank, & clipped acros
|r20 wi his Armes, and sore wepyng, saide: "now, farewele Enge_land
     ! & gode Engeland, to Gode y e bitak!" and ries cussede
     e grounde, and wende neuer haue comen aein, and Wepyng
     ful sore, cursede e tyme at euer he bigate Sir Hugh his sone, &
|r24 saide 'for him he hade loste Engeland'; and in presence of
     ham at were him |r[f.123r] aboute, he af him his curse, and went ouer
     e see to his landes. But Sire Hugh e son~e wolde nout go out
     of Engeland, but helde him in e see; and he & his company
|r28 robbede ij Dormondes bisides Sandewiche, & toke and bar awaye
     all e gode at was in ham, e Value of xl M=l= li.

     How e Kyng Exilede e Erl Thomas of Lancastre, & alle at
         helde wi him; and how e Mortymer come & elde him
|r32     vnto e Kyng; & of e lordes siege. Capitulo Centesimo
         Nonogesimo Quinto.



|p215


     |r<b> HIt was nought longe after, at e Kyng ne made Sir Hugh
        e Spenser e fader, and Sir Hugh e sonne, come aein
     into Engeland, aeyns e lordes wille of e reaume.  And sone
 |r4 after, e Kyng, wi strong Power, come and bisegede e castel of
     Leedes: and in at castel was e Lady of Badelesmore, for enchesoun~
     at she wolde nout grant e castel to e Quene Isabell, Kyng
     Edwardes wif.  But e principal cause was, for encheson~ at Sir
 |r8 Bartholomev Badelesmere was aeins e Kyng, & helde with the
     lordes of Engeland. And noeles, e Kyng, by helpe and socoure of
     men of London~, and also rou helpe of Southern~ men, e Kyng gate
     e castel, maugre ham alle at wer wiin, and tok wi him al at he
|r12 might fynde.  And when e barons of Engeland herd of is ing,
     Sir Roger Mortymer & oere meny lordes toke e toune of
     Brugeworth with strengh; Wherfore e Kyng was wonder wro,
     and lete outelawe Thomas of Lancastre & Hounfray de Bohoun~,
|r16 |r[f.123v] Erl of Hereford, and alle at Were assent to e same querell.
      And e Kyng Assemblede an host, & come aeynes e lordes of
     Engeland; wherfor e Mortymers put ham to e Kynges mercy &
     his grace; and anone ai wer sent to e Toure of London~, and ere
|r20 kepte in prisoun~.  And when e barons herd of is ing, ai
     comen to Pontfret, ere at e Erl Thomas soiornede, and tolde him
     how e Mortymers had elde ham boe vnto e Kyng, &
     put ham in his grace.

|r24     Of e sege of Tikhulle.  Capitulo Centesimo iiij=xx= xvj=o=.
     |r<b> WHen Thomas, Erl of Lancastre, herde is, ai were
        wonder wro, & alle at were of his company, and gretly
     ai were descomfortede, & ordeinede her power togeder, and
|r28 bisegede e castell of Tykhull. But o at were wiin, so man_liche 
     defendede ham, at e barons might nout gete e castell.
      And when e Kyng herde telle at his castell was bisegede, he
     suore, by God and by his crowne, at e sege shulde be remevede,
|r32 and assemblede an huge power of peple, and went iderward forto



|p216


     rescue e castell; and his power encressede fram day to day,
      When e Erle of Lancastr and e Erl of Hereford, and e
     barons and her company, herde of is ing, ai assemblede al her
 |r4 power, and went ham to Burton~ op Trent, and kepte e bruge, at
     e Kyng shulde nout come ouer.  But hit bifell so, at on e
     x day of Marche, in e ere of grace M=l= CCC xxj e Kyng and
     e Spensers, Sir Aymer Valaunce, Erl of Penbrok, & Iohn~, Erl of
 |r8 Arundel, and her power, went ouer e |r[f.124r] Watere, and descomfitede
     e Erl Thomas & his company; and a fledde to e castell of
     Tuttebery; and fro enns ai went to Pountfret. And in at
     Viage deide Sir Roger Dammory, in e Abbay of Tuttebery.
|r12     And in at same tyme, e Erl Thomas hade a traitour with
     him at men callede Robert of Holonde, a Knyght at e Erl
     hade brout vp of nout, and hade norisshede hirn in his botelerie,
     and had euen him ij M=l= mar of rent by ere. And so
|r16 miche e Erl louede him, at he might doo in e Erles court
     what him likede, boe amonges hye & law; and so queyntely
     euer he bare him aeynes his lord, at he truste more oppon~ him
     an oppon~ eny man alyue.  And e Erl hade ordeynede him
|r20 by lettre forto wende nto e Erldome of Lancastr, forto make
     a rise to helpe him at viage, at is to seyn, v=c= men of Armes.
     But e said Holand come nout ere, no maner men forto
     warne, ne to make a rise to helpe his lord.  And when Holand
|r24 herde telle at his lord was scomfitede at Burton~, as an vntrew
     man he stale away, and robbede in Rauenesdale his lordes men
     at come fra e scomfiture, & tok of ham horse and harneys, and
     al at ai hade, & quellede of ham alle at he myght tak, and o
|r28 come and elde him vnto e Kyng.  When e gode Erl Thomas
     wist at he was so bitraiede, he was sore abasshede, and saide to
     him-self, "O almyghty god!" quod he, "how might Robert
     Holonde fynde in his hert me to bitraye, siens at y |r[f.124v] haue
|r32 Louede him so miche ? O God, wel may now a man see by



|p217


     him at no man may desceyue anoer, raere an he at he most
     trust oppon~. He ha ful euel eldede me my godenesse, and e
     worship at y to him haue done, and rou my kyndenesse haue
 |r4 him avauncede, and made him hie fram lowe; & he make me go
     fram he into lowe; but itte shal he dye in euel de."

     Of e Scomfiture of Burbrigge.  Capitulo  Centesimo Nono_        
gesimo Septimo.
 |r8 |r<b> THe gode Erl Thomas of Lancastre, Hunfray de Bohon, Erl
        of Herford, and e barouns at wi ham wer, toke a
     conseile bituene ham at e Frere Prechoures at Pountfrett. o
     out Thomas vppon e traitour Robert Holond, and saide in
|r12 reprofe, "Allas! Holonde me ha bitraiede! Ay is in e rede of
     somme euel shrede."  And by commune assent ai shulde alle
     gone to e castel of Dunstanburghe, the whiche perteynede to e
     Erldome of Lancastre, and at ai shulde abide ere til e Kyng
|r16 hade foreue ham his male-talent. but when e gode Erl Thomas
     is herde, he ansuerede in is maner, and saide: "Lordes," quod
     he, "if we gone toward e north, men wil seyn at we gon~
     toward e Scottes; and so we shul be holde traitoures, for cause
|r20 of distaunce at is bituene Kyng Edward and Robert e Brus,
     at made him Kyng of Scotland. And erfore y say, as tochyng
     myself, at y wil go no ferer into e North an to myn owen
     castel of Pountfrett."  And when Sire Roger Clifford herde is,
|r24 he aros vp anone in wra, |r[f.125r] and drow his suorde, & swore by
     Almygty God and by his holy names, but if at he wolde go
     wi ham, he shulde be dede, and at he wolde slee him ere.  e
     noble Erl Thomas of Lancastre was sore adrade, and saide:
|r28 "faire sires, y wil go wi ow whider-so-euer e me lede." o
     went ai togederes into e North; and wi ham ai hade vij=c= men
     of Armes, and come to Burbrig.
         And when Sire Andrew of Herkela-at was in e North_contre 
|r32 rou ordenance of e Kyng, forto kepe e cuntre of Scotland



|p218


     -- herde telle how at Thomas of Lancastre was descomfitede,
     and his company were descomfitede at Burton vp Trent, he
     ordeynede him a stronge power, and Sir Symond Ward also, at
 |r4 o was shirryf of ork, & come & mette e barons at Burbrig; &
     anone ai breken e brige, at was made of tre.  And when
     Sir Thomas of Lancastre herde at Sire Andrew of Herkela hade
     brout wi him soche a power, he was sore adrade, & sent for Siri
 |r8 Andrew of Herkela, & wi him spake, and saide to him in is
     maner: "Sire Andrew," quod he, "e mow wel vnderstonde how
     at our Lord e Kyng is ladde and misgouernede by miche false
     conseil, rou Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader, & Sir Hugh 
|r12 sone, & Sir Iohn~ Erl of Arundel, and rou Maistre Robert Baldok,
     a false pilede clerc, at is in e Kyngus court duellyng; wherfore y
     praye ow at e wil come wi vs, wi al e power at e haue
     ordeynede, and helpe to destroie e venyme of Engeland, and e
|r16 traitoures at bene erin, and we wil if vi to ow e best part
     |r[f.125v] of v Erldomes ar We haue & holde; and We wil mak vnto
     ow an oth at we wil neuer do ing wiout our consel, and so e
     shul bene as wele at ese wi vs as euer was Robert Holande."
|r20  o ansuerede Sir Andrew of Herkela, and saide: "Sir Thomas!
     at wolde y nout do, ne consent erto, for no maner ing at
     yhe might me eue, wiouten e wil and commaundement of
     our lord e Kyng; for an shulde y be holde a traitoure for euer_more
|r24 ."  And when e noble Erl Thomas of Lancastre saw at he
     nolde consent to him for no maner ing, "Sir Andrew," he saide,
     "wil e nout consent to destroye e venyme of e reaume, as we
     bene consented ? At on worde, Sir Andrew, y telle e, at or is
|r28 er be gon~, at e shal be take and holde for a traitoure, and
     more an e holde vs nowe; and in worse deth e shul die, an
     euer dede Knyght of Engeland; and vnderstonde wel at
     neuer e dede ing at sorer ow shal repent. And now
|r32 go and do whats ow gode likes; and y wil put me to



|p219


     e mercy and grace of God." And so went e false traitoure,
     Sir Andrew of Herkela, in his way as a false traitour, a tiraunt,
     & forsuore man. for rou e noble Erl Thomas of Lancastre he
 |r4 vnderfonge e armes of chiualry, and rou him he was made
     knyght.
         Thoo might men seen Archieres drawen ham in at on side
     and in at oere; and Knytes also fouten togeder wonder sore;
 |r8 and amonge oere, Sir Hunfray de Bohoun~, Erl of Herford, a
     wori knyght of renoune rouout al Cristendome, stode & faut
     with his enemys apon e brigge. |r[f.126r] And as the noble lorde stode
     and faut oppon~ e brugge, a ef, a ribaude, scolkede vnder e
|r12 brigge, and fersly wi a spere smote the noble knyght into e fonde_ment, 
     so at his bowailles comen out ere. Allas e sorwe! for
     ere was slayn e floure of solace and of comfort, & also of curtesye.
     and Sire Roger of Clifford, a noble knyght, stode euer, and faught,
|r16 & wel and nobly him defendede as a wori baron; but at e laste
     he was sore wounded in e heuede, & Sire William of Sulley &
     Sir Roger of Bernesfelde were slayn in at bataile.  And
     Sir Andrew of Herkela sawl Sir Thomas men of Lancastre laske
|r20 and slake. Anone he & his company comen to the Gentil Knyght,
     Thomas of Lancastre, & saiden "elde e, traitour! elde e!"
      The gentil Erl ansuerede o, and saide: "nay, lordes! traitour
     be we none, and to ow wille we neuer vs elde while at our
|r24 lifes lasten; but leuer we hauen to be slayn in oure treu, an
     elde vs to ow." And Sir Andrew aein criede oppon Sir
     Thomas company, ellynge as a wolfe and saide: "elde ow,
     traitour taken! elde ow!" and wi an hye voice saide: "be
|r28 ware, sires, at no man of ow be so hardy, oppon~ lif and lyme,
     to mysdo Thomas body of Lancastre."  And wi at worde, e
     gode Erl Thomas went into a chapel, and saide, knelyng doun~
     oppon~ his knees, and turnede his visage toward e crois, and saide:
|r32 "almyghti God! to e y me elde, and holliche put me into i



|p220


     mercy."  And wi at, e vileins ribaudes lepten about him,
     on euery side at Gentil Erl, as tiraunt |r[f.126v] and Woode turmentures,
     and despoilede him of his Armure, & cloede him in a robbe of
 |r4 Ray, at was his sq[u]yers liueray, and four lade him vnto
     York by water. ere might men see miche sorwe and care, for e
     gentil knyghtes fledden ons euery side, and e ribaudes and vileins
     egrely ham descriede, and criede in hye, "elde ow, traitoures!
 |r8 elde ow!"
         And when ai were olden, ai wer robbed, and bonde
     as eues. Allas e shame & despite, at e gentil ordre of
     Knyghthode ere hade at at bataile! And e land o was wi_outen 
|r12 Law, for holy cherche o hade nomore reuerence an hit
     hade bene a bordel hous. And in at bataile was e fader aeins
     e sone, and e vncle aeins his nevew; for so miche vnkynde_nesse 
     was neuer seyne bifore in Engeland amonges folc of on
|r16 nacioun~; for o kynrede had no more pite of at oer, an an
     hundred wolfes haue on o shepe; and hit was no wonder, for
     e grete lordes of Engeland were nout alle of o nacioun~, but were
     mellede wi oere nacions, at is forto seyn, somme Britons,
|r20 somme Saxones, somme Danois, somme Peghtes, somme Frenche_men, 
     somme Normans, somme Spaignardes, somme Romayns, some
     Henaudes, some Flemyngus, and of oere diuerse naciouns, e
     whiche nacions acorded nout to e kynde bloode of Engeland.
|r24  And if e grete Lordes of Engeland hade bene onelich wedded
     to Englisshe peple, an shulde pees haue bene, and reste amongus
     ham, wiouten eny envy. And at at bataile was Sir Roger
     Clifford tak, Sire Iohn~ Mounbray, Sire William |r[f.127r] Tuchet, Sir
|r28 William Fit-William, and meny oer wori Knyghtes; and Sir
     Hugh Dauill e next day after was taken and put into prisoun~, &
     shulde haue ben done to e de if he hade nou spousede e
     Kynges nece, at was e Erl Gilbertus sustre of Gloucestre.



|p221


     And anone after, was Sir Bartholomev of Bedelesmer taken att
     Stawe Park, a maner of e Bisshoppes of Lincoln~, at was his
     nevew, and meny oer barons and baronettes; Wherfore was made
 |r4 miche sorwe.

     How Thomas of Lancastre was biheuedede atte Pountfrett, &
         v barons hongede and Draw ere.  Capitulo Centesimo
         Nonogesimo Octauo.
 |r8 |r<b> ANd now y shal telle ow of e noble Erl Thomas of Lancastre.
        When he was taken & brout to ork, meny of e citee
     were ful glade, and oppon~ him criede wi hye voice, "A, sire
     traitoure! e arne welcome, blessed be God! for now shal e
|r12 haue e reward at longetyme e haue diserued!" and caste oppon~
     him meny snoweballes, and meny oer reproues dede him. But
     e gentil Erl at soffrede, and saide neer on ne oere.
         And in at same tyme e Kyng herde of at scomfiture,
|r16 and was ful glade, and in haste come to Pountfrett; and Sir Hugh
     e Spenser, and Sir Hugh his sone, and Sir Iohn~, Erl of Arundel,
     and Sir Edmund of Wodestok, e Kyngus broer, Erl of Kent,
     and Sir Aymer of Valance, Erl of Penbrok, & maistre Robert of
|r20 Baldok, a false pilede clerc, at was priue & duellyng in e
     Kynges court; and alle ai come ider wi e Kyng.  And
     Sir Rauf of Beeston af vp the |r[f.127v] castel to the Kyng; and e Kyng
     entrede into e castel; & Sir Andrev of Herkela, e false tiraunt,
|r24 rou e Kynges commandement tok with him e gentil Erl
     Thomas to Pountfret; and ere he was prisonede in his owen
     castel at he hade new made, at stode aeins e Abbay of Kyng
     Edward.
|r28    And Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader, and Sir Hugh his sone,
     caste and out how and in what maner e God Erl Thomas of
     Lancastre shulde bene dede, wiouten iugement of his peris;
     wherfore hit was ordeinede rou e Kynges Iustice, at e Kyng
|r32 shulde put oppon~ him poyntes of traitery.  And so hit bifelle



|p222


     at he was ladde to e barr bifore e Kynges Iustice, bare-heuede
     as a ef, in a faire halle wiin his owen castel, at he hade made
     erin meny a faire fest, bo to riche and eke to pore.  And ise
 |r4 were his Iustice:. Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader, Sir Aymer of
     Valance, Erl of Penbrok, Sire Edmund of Wodestok, Erl of Kent,
     Sire Iohn~ of Britaign~, Erl of Richemond, & Sir Robert of Maleme_rop, 
     iustice; and Sir Robert him acoupede in is maner:
 |r8  "Thomas! atte e ferst, oure lord e Kyng & is court
     exclude ow of al maner ansuere.  Thomas! oure lorde e
     Kyng put oppon~ ow at e haue in his lande riden wi baner dis_plaiede, 
     aeynes his pees, as a traitour."  And wi at worde,
|r12 e gentil Erl Thomas, wi an hie voice saide, "Nay, Lordes! forso,
     and by Seint Thomas, y was neuer traitoure."  The iustice saide
     aein o: "Thomas! our Lord e Kyng put oppon~ e at e
     hauen robbede his folc, and mordred his |r[f.128r] folc, as a ef.
|r16  Thomas! e Kyng also put oppon~ you at he descomfitede ow
     and our peple wi his folc in his owen reaume; Wherfore e went
     and fley to e wode as an outlawe, and also e were taken as an
     outlaw.  & Thomas, as a traitoure e shull be hongede by
|r20 resoun~, but e Kyng ha foreue ow at gewys for e loue of
     Quene Isabell.  And, Thomas, resoun~ wolde also at e shulde
     ben hongede; but e Kyng ha foreue at gewys for cause and
     loue of our lynage.  But, Thomas, for-asmiche as e were tak
|r24 fleyng, & as an outlaw, e Kyng wil at our heued be smyten
     of, as e haue wel deseruede. Anone doth him out of pres,
     and bringe him to his iugement!"  e gentil knyght, when he
     hade herde alle ise wordes, wi an hye voice he criede, sore wep_ing,
|r28 and saide: "Allas, Seint Thomas, faire fader! Allas! shal
     y be dede us ? graunt me now, blisseful God, ansuere!" but al it
     availede him noing; for e cursede Gascoignes put him hider
     and ider, and on him criede wi an hye voice, "O Kyng
|r32 Arthur, most dredeful! wel knowen now is in open traitery!



|p223


     in euel de shalt ow dye, as ow hast wel diseruede."  o
     sette ai oppon~ his heuede in scorn an olde chapelet, al-to
     rent & torn, at was nout wor an halpeny; & after ai
 |r4 sette him oppon~ a lene white palfray, ful vnsemeliche, and ek
     al bare, wi an olde bridel; and wi an horrible noyse ai drow
     him out of e castel toward his de, and caste on him meny
     balles of snowe.  And as e turmentoures lade him out of e
 |r8 castel, o saide he ise |r[f.128v] pitouse wordes, and his Handes helde
     vp in hye toward heuen: "Now, e Kyng of Heuen eue vs
     mercy, for e erely Kyng ha vs forsak!" And a frere prech_oure 
     went wi him oute of e castel, til at he come to e place
|r12 at he endede-in his lif; vnto whom he shroue him al his lif.
      And e gentil Erl helde e frere wonder faste by e cloes, and
     saide: "fair fader, abide wi vs til at y be dede; for my
     flesshe quake for drede of de." And so forto saie, e gentil Erl
|r16 sette him oppon~ his Knees, & turned him toward e East; but a
     Ribaude at men~ callede Hugon~ of Moston~, sette hande oppon~ e
     gentil Erl, and said in despite of him: "Sir traitoure, turne e
     toward e Scottes, in foule deth to vnderfonge"; and turnede e
|r20 Erl toward e North.  The noble Erl Thomas ansuered o wi a
     milde voice, and saide: "Now, fair Lordes, y shal do al our owen
     wille." And wi at worde e frere went fram him ful sore;
     and anone a ribaude went to him, and smote of his heuede, e xj
|r24 Kalendus of April, in e er of grace M=l= CCC xxj. Allas at
     euer soche a gentil blode shulde ben don to de with-outen cause
     and resoun~!  And traiterousely was e Kyng conseilede when
     he, rou false conseil of e false Spensers, soffrede Sir Thomas,
|r28 his vncles sone, bene put to soche a de, & so ben-heuedede
     aeyns al maner resoun~. And grete pitee hit was also, at soche a
     noble Kyng shulde ben desceyuede and mysgouernede rou
     false Spensers, e whiche he mayntenede rou loselry aeins his
|r32 honour and ek profit; for afterward ere felle grete vengeaunce in



|p224


     |r[f.129r] Engeland for enchesoun of e forsaide Thomas de.  When e
     gentil Erl of is lif was passede, e Prioure and e monkes of Poun_frett 
     geten Sir Thomas body of e Kyng, and ai buriede hit
 |r4 bifore e hye auter in the right side.
         Ands at same day at e gentil lord was dede, ere wer
     honged and draw for e same querel at Pountfrett, Sir
     William Tuchet, Sir William Fit-William, Sire Warein of Ysillee,
 |r8 Sire Henry of Bradboure, Sir William Cheyne, baron~s alle, &
     Iohn~ Page, Squyer.  And sone after at ork, wer draw and
     Honget, Sire Roger ofs Clifford, Sir Iohn~ of Mounbray, barons, &
     Sire Gosselyn Dauil, Knyght.  And at Bristow were draw and
|r12 honged, Sire Henry of Wynington~, and Sire Henry of Mounford,
     barons.  And at Gloucestre wer draw and hongede, Sire Iohn~
     Giffard & Sire William of Elmebruge, barons.  And at London~
     wer Honget & draw, Sir Henry Tyeys, baron~; & at Win_chelse,
|r16 Sir Thomas Culpeper, knyght; & at Wyndesore, Sir
     Fraunceys of Waldenham, baron; & at Kaunterbury was draw
     and honged, Sire Bartholomew of Badelesmer & Sir Bartholomev
     of Assheburnham, barons; And at Kerdif in Walys, Sir William
|r20 Flemynge, baron~.

     How Kyng Edward went into Scotland wi an C=ml= men of
         Armes, and might nout spede.  Capitulo Centesimo
         Nonogesimo  Nono.
|r24 |r<b> ANd when Kyng Edward of Engeland hade brout e flour of
        chiualry vnto is de, rou conseil of Sir Hughe e
     Spensers e fader, & Sir Hugh his sone, he bicome as wood
     as a lyoun~; and what-so-euer the Spensers wolde haue done, it
|r28 was don~. And so wel the |r[f.129v] Kyng louede ham, at ai might do
     wi him al at ai wolde; wherfore the King af vnto Sir
     Hugh e Spenser e fader, e Erldome of Wynchestre, and to Sir
     Androv of Herkela e Erldome of Carlele, in preiudice and
|r32 harmyng of his croune.  And Kyng Edward o, rou conseil of



|p225


     e Spensers, disheritede alle ham at hade bene aeins him in eny
     querell wi Thomas of Lancastre; and meny oere wer disherited
     also, for encheson~ at e Spensers coueitede forto haue her londes;
 |r4 and so ai hade al at ai wolde desire, wi wronge, and aeyns al
     resoun~.
         o made e Kyng, Robert of Baldok, a false pilede clerc,
     Chaunceller of Engeland, rou conseil of e forsaide Spensers;
 |r8 and he was a false rybaude and a couetous; and so ai conselede
     e Kyng so miche, at e Kyng lete take to his owen ward alle e
     godes of e lordes at wrongefully were put vnto e de, into
     his owen honde; and aswel ai token e godes at were in
|r12 holy cherche, as e godes at were wiout, and lete ham ben put
     into his tresorie a[t] London~, and lete ham calle his forfait;
     and by her conseile e Kyng wrought, and disheritede al ham
     at e gode oweden; and rou her conseil lete arere als talliage
|r16 of alle e godes of Engeland; wherfore he was e richest Kyng
     at euer was in Engeland, after William Bastard of Normandy,
     at conquerede Engeland.  And itte, rou consell of ham,
     him semede at he hade nout ynou, but made itte euery toun~
|r20 of Engeland fynde a man of Armes oppon~ her owen costages,
     forto gon~ and werr oppon the |r[f.130r] Scottes at Wer his enemys.
        Wherfore e Kyng went into Scotland wi an hundred
     ousande men of Armes at Whitsontide, in the ere of our Lord
|r24 God M=l= CCC & xxij. But e Scottes went and hud ham in
     Mounteyns and in Wodes, and tariede e Englisshe-men fro day
     to day, at e Kyng myght for no maner ing ham fynde in pleyn
     felde; wherfore meny Englisshe-men, at few vitailes hade, for
|r28 hunger ere deiden wonder faste, and sodeynly, for hunger in
     goyng and in comyng, and nameliche o at hade bene aeyns
     Thomas of Lancastre, and hade robbet his men oppon~ his landes.
      When Kyng Edward saw at vitailes failede him, he was o
|r32 wonder sore discomfortede, for enchesoun~ also at his men so
     deide, and also for he might nout spede of his enemys; so at e



|p226


     last he come aeyne into Engeland. And anone after come Iames
     Douglas and Thomas Randolf wi an huge ost into Engeland,
     into Northumberland, and wi ham e Englisshe-men at wer
 |r4 dryuen out of Engeland, & come and robbet the contre, and
     quellede e peple, and also brent e toun~ at was callede North_allertoun, 
     and meny oer tounes vnto ork.  And when e Kyng
     herd is ing, he lete [sompne] alle maner men at might trauaile.
 |r8 And so e Englisshemen mette e Scottes atte e Abbay of Beihe_land, 
     e xv day after Michelmasse in e same er abouesaide; And
     e Englisshe-men wer ere descomfited; & at at scomfiture was
     tak Sir Iohn~ of Britaygn, Erl of |r[f.130v] Richemonde, at helde e
|r12 contre and the Erldome of Lancastre; and after, he paiede an
     huge raunsoun~, and was lete gone; and after at he went into
     Fraunce and come neuer after aeyn.
     How Sir Andrew of Herkela was taken, and put vnto e
|r16 de, at was Erl of Cardoile. Capitulo CC=mo=.
     |r<b> ANd at at tyme Sir Andrew of Herkela, at newe was made
        Erl of Cardoile, for cause at he hade taken e goode Erl
     of Lancastre, he hade ordeyned, rou e Kyngus commandement
|r20 of Engeland, forto bryng him all e power at he might, forto
     helpe him aeyns e Scottes atte e Abbay of Behigland.  And
     when e false traitoure hade gadrede all e peple at he might, and
     shulde haue comen to e Kyng to e Abbay of Biegland, e
|r24 false traitoure lad ham by anoer contre rou Copeland, and
     rou e Erldome of Lancastr, and went rou e contre, and
     robbit and quellede folc, al at he might.  And ferermore
     e false traitour hade take a gret some of golde of Sir Iamys
|r28 Douglas, forto bene aeyns e Kyng of Engeland, and to bene
     helpyng and holdyng wi e Scottes; rou whos tresoun~ e Kyng
     of Engeland was scomfitede at Biheland er at he come ider;
     wherfore e Kyng was toward him ful wro, and lete priuely
|r32 enquere in e contre about, how hit was. and so men



|p227


     enquerede and aspiede, so at at the laste treu was founde, and
     sought, and he atteint and taken as a false traitour, -- as e noble
     Erl Thomas of Lancastre him tolde, er at he were don~ to dede
 |r4 at his takyng |r[f.131r] att Burbrig, and to him saide, at 'or at ere wer
     Don~, he shulde ben take and holde a traitour': and so hit was, as
     e holy man saide. Wherfore e Kyng sent priuely to Sire
     Antoyn of Lucye, a knyt of e contre of Cardoile, at he shulde
 |r8 tak Sir Andrew of Herkela, and put him vnto e de. And to
     bryng is ing to e ende, e Kyng sent his commission~, so at e
     same Andrew was take at Carleel, & ledde vnto e barr in maner
     of an Erl, worthely arraied, and with a suorde gert aboute him,
|r12 and hosede and spored.  o spak Sir Antoyn in is maner,
     "Sir Andrew," quod he, "e Kyng put oppon~ e at, for-asmiche as
     e haue bene orpede in our dedes, he dede vnto ow michel
     honour, and made ow Erle of Carlele; and ow, as traitoure
|r16 vnto i lord e Kyng, laddest his peple of is contrey, at
     shulde haue holpe him at e bataile of Bihiland; and ow laddest
     ham away by e contre of Copeland, and rou e Erldome of
     Lancastr, wherfor our lord e Kyng was scomfitede in bataile
|r20 ere of the Scottes, rou i tresoun and falsenesse. And if ow
     hadest come betyme, he hade yhade e maistre; and al at
     tresoun ow dedest, for e grete somme of golde and siluer at
     ow vnderfong of Iames Douglas, a Scott, e Kynges enemy.
|r24  And our Lorde e Kyngus wille is, at e, e ordre of Knyght_hode,
     -- by e whiche ow vnderfonge al in honour and worship
     oppon~ i body, -- be al brout to nout, and i state vndone,
     at oere knyghtes of lawer Degre mowe after e be-ware; e
|r28 whiche lorde ha e auancede hugely in diuerses |r[f.131v] contrees of
     Engeland; and at alle may take ensample by e, her lord
     aftirwards trewely forto serue."
         o commanded he a knaf anone to hew of his spores ofhis



|p228


     heles; & after he lete breke e suerde ouer his heuede, e whiche
     e Kyng him af to kepe and defende his lande erwi, when
     he made him Erl of Cardoile; and after he lete him vncloe of his
 |r4 furrede mantel and of his hood, and of his furrede Cotes and of
     his gerdell. And when is was don, Sire Antoyne saide vnto
     him: "Andrew," quod he, "now art ow no knyt, but a knaue;
     and for i treson~ e Kyng wille at ow bene honged & drawe,
 |r8 and in heuede smyten of, and i bowelles taken out of i body,
     and i bowelles brent, and i body quarterede, and in heuede
     smyten of, and sent vnto London; and ere hit shal be sette
     oppon~ London~ Brigge; and i iiij quarters shal be sent to iiij
|r12 tounes of Engeland, at alle oere mowe be-ware and chastisede by
     e." And as Antoyne saide, so hit was done, al maner ing, on
     e last day of Ottobre, in e er of grace M=l= CCC xxij ere;
     and e sonne o turnede into blode, as e peple it saw.  and
|r16 at durede fro e morne, til hit was xj of e Clokke of e day.
      Of e miracles at God wrout for Seint Thomas loue of
     Lancastre; wherfore e Kyng lete close e cherche dores
     of Pountfrett, of e Prioury, for no man shulde come
|r20 erin to e body forto offre. Capitulo Ducentesimo
      Primo.
     |r<b> ANd sone after the Gode Erl Thomas of Lan*castr |r[f.132r] was
        martrede, a preste, at Longe tyme hade ben blynde,
|r24 dremede in his slepyng at he shulde gone vnto e hull ere at
     e gode Erl Thomas of Lancastre was don~ vnto de, and he
     shulde haue his sight aein: and so he dremede iij nyghtes sewyng.
     And e prest o lete lede him to e same hull.  And when he
|r28 come to at place at he was martred on~, deuoutely he made ere
     his prayer, and prayede God and Seynt Thomas at he might
     haue his sight aeyne. And as he was in his prayers, he laide his
     right hand oppon e same place ere e Gode man was martred



|p229


     on; and a drope of dry bloode and smal sande cleued on his
     honde, and erwi he striked his eyne, and anone, rou e might
     of God and of Seynt Thomas of Lancastre, he hade his sight aeyn,
 |r4 and ankede o Almighty God and Seynt Thomas.  And when
     is miracle was cud amonges men, e peple come ider on euery
     side, and knelede, and made her praiers at his tombe at is in the
     Priori of Pountfrett, and praiede at holy martr, of Socour and of
 |r8 helpe, and God herd her prayer.  Also ere was a onge childe
     drenchede in a welle in e toun~ of Pountfrett, and was dede iij
     daies and iij nyghtes; and men come and laide e dede childe
     oppon~ seint Thomas tombe, e holy martr; and e childe aros
|r12 ere fram e de vnto lif, as meny a man hit saw; & also
     miche peple wer out of here mynde, & God ha sent ham her
     mynde aeyn rou vertu of at holy martr. |r[f.132v]  And also God
     ha euen to creples hir goyng, and to crokede her hondes and
|r16 her feet, and to blinde also her sight, and to meny sike folc her
     hele, at hadde diuerse maladyes, for the loue of his gode martre.
      Also er was a riche man in Coundon in Gascoigne; and soche a
     maladie he had, at al his right side rotede, and felle awaie fram
|r20 him; and men might se his Lyuer and also his hert; and so he
     stank, at vnne men might come nei him; Wherfore his frendes
     for him were ful sory.  But at e last, as God wolde, ai
     prayede to Seint Thomas of Lancastre, at he wolde praye to
|r24 Almighty God for at prisoun~, and bihight to gon~ to Pountfrett
     forto done her pilgrimage. And e goode man sone after slepte
     ful softe, and dremed at e martre Seynt Thomas come vnto him,
     and enoynted oueral his sike side. And erwi e gode man
|r28 awoke, and was al hole; and his flesshe was restorede aein, at
     bifore was rotede and felle away; for whiche miracle e good
     man & his frendes louede God and Seint Thomas euermore after.
      And is gode man come into Engeland, and toke with him iiij
|r32 felawes, and come to Pountfrett, & come to at holy martr, and
     dede her pilgrimage; but e gode man at was sik come ider al



|p230


     naked, saf his breche; and when ai hade done, ai turnede home
     aeyne into her contre, and tolde of e miracle wher-so at ai come.
      And also ij men haue bene helede ere of e morimal, rou helpe
 |r4 of at holy martre, ou at euel be holde incurable.
         When e Spensers herde at God wrout soche miracles for
     his holy martre, and ai wolde nout bileue hit in no maner wise,
     but saide openly |r[f.133r] at hit was grete heresie, soche vertu of him
 |r8 to bileue.  And when Sir Hugh e Spenser, e sone, saw al
     is doyng, anone he sent his messagers fram Pountfret er at
     he duellede o, to e Kyng Edward, at o was at Grauene atte
     Skipton~, for cause at e Kyng shulde vndo his pilgrimage.
|r12  And as e rybaude at was messager come to e Kyng forto
     don~ his message, he come by e hull ere e gode man was done
     vnto deth; and in e same place he made his ordur; and when he
     hade ydon~, he went toward e Kyng; and a stronge flux him come
|r16 oppon~ er he come to ork, and shedde all his bowailles at his
     fundement.
         And when Sir Hugh e Spenser herde is tydyngus, somdel
     he was adrad, and out forto vndo e pilgrimage, if he might by
|r20 eny maner way; And to e Kyng went, and saide at ai shulde
     be in grete sclaundre rou-out al Cristendome for the de of Thomas
     of Lancastre, if at he soffrede e peple done her pilgrimage at
     Pountfrett. And so he conseilede e Kyng, at he comandede to
|r24 close e cherche dores of Pountfrett, in e whiche cherch e holy
     martre Seynt Thomas was enterede; and us ai deden, aeyns al
     fraunchise of holy cherche, so at iiij er after myght no pilgrime
     come vnto at holy body.  And for enchesoun~ at monkes
|r28 soffred men come & honour at holy body of Seynt Thomas e martre,
     rou conseile of Sir Hugh e Spenser e Sone, and rou conseile
     also of Maistre Robert Baldok, a false piled clerk at was e
     Kynges Chanceller, e Kyng consented that ai shulde be sette |r[f.133v] to
|r32 her wages, and Lete make Wardeynes ouer her owen Godes longe
     tyme.  And rou e commandement of e forsaide Sir Hugh e
     Sepenser, xiiij Gascoignes wel armed kepte e hull er at e gode



|p231


     Seint Thomas was don vnto his de and biheuedede, so at no
     pilgrime might come. By at way ful wel wende he forto haue
     binome Cristus might and his power, and e grete loos of miracles
 |r4 at he shewede for his martre Thomas ou-out al Cristendome.
         And at same tyme e Kyng made Robert of Baldok, a
     pilede clerc and a false, rou conseile & praier of Sir Hugh e
     Spenser e sone, Chanceller of Engeland. And in e same tyme
 |r8 was e castel of Wallingford holden aeyness e Kyng, rou e
     prisoners at were wiin e castel, for Seint Thomas querell of
     Lancastre. Wherfore e pep[l]e of e contre come & tok the castel
     oppon e prisoners; wherfore Sire Iohn of Goleinton~, knyt, and
|r12 Sir Edmunde of Bech, parson~, and a squyer at me callede Roger
     of Walton~, wer taken and sent to the Kyng to Pounfrett; and
     ere ai wer done into prison; and e forsaide Roger was sent vnto
     ork, and ere he was draw and honged.
|r16     And aftirward, Sir Roger Mortymer of Wygemore brak out
     of e Toure of London~ in is maner: e forsaide Sir Roger
     herde at he shulde bene draw and hongede at London~, in e
     morne after Seint Laurence day; and on e dai bifore, he helde
|r20 a fair fest in e Tour of London~, and o was Sir Stephen |r[f.134r] Segraue,
     Conestable of London~, and meny grete men wi him.  And
     when ai shulde sopen, e forsaide Stephen sent for alle e officers
     of the Tourre; and ai come and soppede wi him; and when ai
|r24 shulde take her leue of him, a squyer at me callede Stephen, at
     was ful priue wi e forsaide Roger, rou heir conseile af ham
     alle soche a drynk, at e lest of ham alle slepte ij dayes & ij
     nightes; and in e mene-tyme he scapede away by water, at is to
|r28 seyn, by e Tamise, and went ouer e see, and helde him in
     Fraunce; wherfore e Kyng was sore annoied, and o put e same
     Stephen out of his Conestablery.
     How e Quene Isabell went into Fraunce forto treten of pees
|r32 bituene her lord, e Kyng of Engeland, & e Kyng of
     Fraunce, her broer. Capitulo Ducentesimo Secundo.



|p232


     |r<b> He Kyng went o vnto London, and ere, rou counseil of
        Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader, and of his sone, and of maistre
     Robert of Baldok, a false pilede clerc, his Chanceller, lete seise o
 |r4 alle e Quenes landes into his owen honde, and also alle e landes
     at were Sir Edward his sones, and were o put to her wages,
     aeins al maner reson~; and at was rou e falsenesse of e
     Spensers.  And when e Kyng of Fraunce, at was e Quene
 |r8 Isabelles broer, herde of is falsenesse, he was sore annoyed
     aeyns e Kyng of Engeland and his false conseilers; wherfore he
     sent a lettre vnto Kyng Edward, vnder his seal, at he shulde
     come into Fraunce att a certeyn day forto |r[f.134v] done His homag; and
|r12 erto he sompnede him; and elles he shulde lese al Gascoigne.
      And so Hit was ordeynede in Engeland, rou e Kyng and his
     Counseil, at Quene Isabell shulde wende into Fraunce, forto
     trete of pees bituene her lord and her broer; and at Olyuer of
|r16 Yngham shulde wende into Gascoigne, and shulde haue wi him
     vij M=l= men and mo of Armes, to bene Senescal and wardein of
     Gascoign~. And so hit was ordeynede at Quene Isabel went o
     ouer e see, and come into Fraunce, and wi her went Sir Aymer
|r20 of Valence, Erl of Penbrok, at was er mordrede sodeynly on a
     priue sege: but at was rou Godes vengeaunce, for he was on of
     e Iustice at consentede to Seint Thomas de of Lancastre, &
     wolde neuer afterward repente him of at wicked dede.  And at
|r24 at tyme Sir Olyuer of Yngham went ouer into Gascoigne, and
     dede miche harme to e Kyng of Fraunce, and o gete aein at
     Kyng Edward hade loste, & more erto.
     How Kyng Edward sent Sir Edward his sone, e eldest, into
|r28 Fraunce. Capitulo Ducentesimo Tercio.
     |r <b> THe Quene Isabel nad nout bene but a quarter of a er in
     Fraunce duellyng, at Sir Edward, his eldest sone, ne
     axede Leue forto wende into Fraunce forto spek wi his moder,
|r32 Isabel e quene. And e Kyng his fader grantede him with
     gode wille, and saide to him, "go, my fair sone, in Godes blessing
     and myn; and enk forto come aein as hasteli as ow maiste."



|p233


     and he come ouer the see into Fraunce; and e Kyng of
     Fraunce, his Vncle, |r[f.135r] vnderfonge Him wi michel honour, and
     saide to him, "faire sone, e ben welcomen; and for cause at
 |r4 our fader come nout forto done his homage for e Duchee of
     Ghyen, as his auncestres were wont forto done, y eue ow at
     lordeship, to holde hit of me in heritage as oure auncestre
     deden bifore ow." Wherfore he was callede Duk of Gyene.
 |r8 How Kyng Edward exilede his Quene, and Edward his eldest
     sone. Capitulo CC quarto.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward of Engeland herde telle how the Kyng
        of France hade eue e duche of Gien~e vnto Sire Edward
|r12 his sone, wiouten consent and wille of him, and at his sone
     hade vnderfonge e Duchie of him, he bicome wonder wro, and
     sent to his sone bi his lettre, & to his wif also, at ai shulde
     come into Engeland wi al e haste at ai might.  The Quene
|r16 Isabell, & Sire Edward her sone, were wonder sory and drade of
     the Kyngus manace and of his wra, and principally of the false
     traitoures e Spensers, boe of e fader and of the sone, & at his
     commandement ai wolde nout come. Wherfore Kyng Edward
|r20 was ful sore annoiede, and lete make a crie at London at, if Quene
     Isabell and Edward her sone come nout into Engeland, at ai
     shulde bene holden as enemys, boe to e reaume & to e
     croune; and for at ai wolde nout come into Engeland, but bo
|r24 were exilede, e moder and her sone.  Whe[n] Quene Isabell
     herd is tidingus, she was sore adrad to bene shente rou e
     false coniettyng of e Spensers, and went wi e knyghtes at wer
     exilede out of Engeland for |r[f.135v] Seint Thomas querell of Lancastre,
|r28 at is to seine, Sire Roger Mortymore, Sire William Trussell, Sire
     Iohn of Cromwell, & meny oer grete knites.  Wherfore ai
     tok her conseill, & ordeined amonges ham forto make a mariage



|p234


     bituene e Duc of Gyene, e Kyngus sone of Engeland, and the
     Erles douter of Henaud, at was a noble knyt of name, and a
     douty in his tyme. And if at ing might be brout about and
 |r4 stand, ai trowede, wi e helpe of God, and wi his helpe, to
     recouere heir heritage in Engeland, wherof a were put out
     rou the coniettyng of e false Spensers.
      How Kyng Edward, rou conseile of e Spensers, sent to e
 |r8 Dusipiers of Fraunce, at ai shulde helpe at Quene
     Isabell, and hire sone Sir Edward, weren exilede out of
     Fraunce. Capitulo CC=o= v=to=.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward and e Spensers herde how Quene
|r12    Isabel, and Sir Edward her sone, hade Aliede ham to e
     Erle of Henaud, and to ham at were exilede out of Engeland for
     encheson~ of Thomas of Lancastre, ey were so sory at a nist what
     to done. Wherfore Sir Hugh e Spenser, e sone, saide vnto Sir
|r16 Hugh his fader, in is maner wise, and saide: "Fader, accursede
     be e tyme & e conseil at euer e consentede at Quene Isabel
     shulde gone into Fraunce forto treten of accorde bituene e
     Kyng of Engeland & her broer e Kyng of Fraunce, for at was
|r20 our conseile, for at at tyme for-soe our witte faillede; for Y
     drede me sore lest, rou her & her |r[f.136r] sone, We shul be
     shent, but if we take e better consel."
         Now, fair sires, vnderstonde how mervaillous folie and
|r24 falsehede e Spensers ymagynede & caste; for priuely ai lete fille
     v barelles ferers wi siluer, -- e somme amontede v M=l= li, -- and ai
     sent o barelle oue[r] e se priuely by an Alien at me callede
     Arnolde of Spaign, at was a brocour of London~, at he shulde go
|r28 to e Dusipiers of France, at ai shulde procuren and speken
     to e Kyng of Fraunce, at Quene Isabel and Edward her sone
     were dryue and exilede out of Fraunce, and, amonge al oer
     ingus, at ai were brou to e de as priuely as ai might.



|p235


     But Almighty God wolde nout so;  ffor when is Arnolde was,
     in e hye see, he was taken wi Selanders at mette him in e see,
     and toke him, & lad him to her Lord, e Erl of Henaud; & miche
 |r4 ioye was made for at takyng.  And at e laste, is Arnolde
     priuely stale away fro ens, and come to London~. And of is
     takyng, and of oer inges, e Erl of Henaude saide to e Quene
     Isabel: "dame, make ow mery and be of gode chier, for e
 |r8 be more riche an e wende forto haue bene; & tak e ise v
     barelles of Siluer at were sent to e Dusepiers of Fraunce forto
     quelle ow & our sone Edward; and enke hastely forto wende
     into Engeland; and tak e wi ow Sir Iohn~ of Henaude, my
|r12 broer, and v C men of Armes; for meny of ham of Fraunce, in
     whom e haue |r[f.136v] hade grete truste, hade grete deintee ow forto
     scorne: and Almighty God grant ow grace, our enemys forto
     ouercome."  e Quene Isabel sent o rou Henaud and Flaundres
|r16 for her sodioures, and ordeinede her euery day forto wende into
     Engeland aeine; and so she had in her company Sire Edmund of
     Wodestoke, at was Erl of Kent, at was Kyng Edwardes broer
     of Engeland.
|r20 How Kyng Edward lete kepe e costes bi e see, & lete
     trie alle the pris men of Armes & footmen also rou al
     Engeland. Capitulo CC=o= vj=to=.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward herde telle at e Quene Isabel and
|r24    Edward hir sone wolde come into Engeland wi meny
     Alienus, and wi ham at were outlawede out of Engeland for her
     rebelnesse, he was sore adrade to bene put adoune and lese his
     kyngdome. Wherfore he ordeynede forto kepe his castelles, in
|r28 Walis as wel as in Engeland, wi vitailles and her apparale, and
     lete kepe his ryuers, and also e see costes, wherof e v Portes
     token to kepe ham, & also e see.  And also he commandede
     ferermore, & by his lettres ordeynede, at euery hundred &
|r32 wapentache of Engeland, ij triors, as wel of men of Armes as of



|p236


     men of foote, and at ai shulde bene put in tuentysome and
     in hundredesome; and commandet at al o men wer aredy, when
     eny outesse and crie wer made, forto pursue and tak e Aliens at
 |r4 comen into Engeland forto binime him e land, and forto put him
     out of his kyngdome.  And more-ouer he lete crie, rou his
     patent, |r[f.137r] in euery faire and in euery marcat of Engeland, at e
     Quene Ysabell, and Sir Edward his eldest sone, and e Erl of Kent,
 |r8 at ai were take, and safly kepte, wiout eny maner of harme
     vnto ham doyng; and alle oer peple at come wi ham, anone
     smyte of her heuedes, wiout eny maner raunson~.  And
     what man at might bryng Rogeres heede, e Mortymer, of
|r12 Wigemore, shulde haue a C~ li of monee for his trauaile. And
     ferermore he ordeynede by his patent, & commande, to mak a fire
     on euery hye hull bisides e ryuers and in low contres, forto
     make hye bikenes of tymbre, at if it so were at e Aliens come
|r16 to e lande by nyght, at men shulde tende e bikenes, at e
     contre mit ben warnede, and come and mete her enemys. And
     in e same tyme deide Sir Roger Mortymer, his Vncle, in e
     Toure of London~.
|r20 How Quene Isabell & Sir Edward, Duc of Gyene, her Sone,
     come to land at Herwiche;. and how ai deden.
      Capitulo  Ducentesimo  Septimo.
     |r<b> THe Quene Isabell and Sir Edward hir sone, Duc of Gyene,
|r24    Sir Edmunde of Wodestok, Erl of Kent, and Sir Iohn e
     Erles broer of Henaud, and her company, drade nout e
     manace of e Kyng ne of his traitoures, for ai truste al in
     Godes grace, & come vnto Herwiche in Southfolc, e x day in e
|r28 mounthe of Ottobr, And in e ere of grace M=l= CCC xxvj.
      And at e same tyme, at London~, ere was Kyng Edward



|p237


     in the Toure at his metee; and a messenger come into e hall,
     |r[f.137v] and saide at Que[en] Isabell was comen to lande at Herewiche,
     and hade brout in her company Sire Iohn~ of Henaude, and wi
 |r4 him men of armes wioute nombre. And wi at worde, Sir
     Hugh e Spenser, e fader, spake & us to e Kyng saide:
     "my most worshipful Lorde, Kyng of Engeland, now mow e
     make gode chere, for certeinly ai ben al oures."  The Kyng saw
 |r8 is worde comfortable; itte he was ful sorweful & pensif in hert.
     And e Kyng hade nout itte fulliche eten, at ere ne come
     into e halle anoer messager, and saide at e Quene Isabel was
     arryuede at Herewich, bisides Skipwich in Southfolc. Sir Hugh
|r12 e Spenser, e fader, spake to e messager, and saide: "telle e
     so in goode fay," quod he to e messager, "my faire frende, is
     she comen wi a grete streng ?"  "Certis, sir, so forto say,
     she ha in her company but vij C~ men of Armes." And wi at
|r16 worde, Sire Hughe e Spenser, e fader, criede wi an hye voice,
     and saide: "Allas, Allas! we be alle bitraiede; for certes wi
     so litil power she nad neuer comen to londe, but folc of is
     lande were to her consentede." And erfore, after mete ai
|r20 toke her conseile, and went toward Walys, forto arere e Walshe_men 
     aeins Quene Isabell and Edwarde her sone, al forto fight;
     and so ai were in purpos, euerycheon.
     How Maistre Walter of Stapleton~, Bisshop of Excestre, at
|r24 was e Kyngus Tresorer, was biheuedede at London~.
     Capitulo Ducentesimo Ottauo.
     |r<b> ANd in e same tyme, Kyng Edward was sore adrade leste men
        of London~ wolde elde ham |r[f.138r] vnto e Quene Isabel and to Sir
|r28 Edward her sone. Wherfore he sent maistre Walter of Stapleton~,
     his Tresorer, forto bene wardein and keper of e citee of London~
     wi e Mair. and so he come to e Gildehall of London~, and axede
     e keies of e ates of e citee, rou vertue and strengh of his com_mission
|r32 ~, and wolde haue hade e Kepyng of e citee.  And e
     communes ansurede and saide, at 'ai wolde kepe e citee to e



|p238


     honour of Kyng Edward, and of Isabel e Quene, and of e Duc,
     e Kyngus sone, wiouten eny mo.'  e Bisshop was o sore
     annoiede, and suore his oth at ai alle shulde abie, anone as e
 |r4 Kyng were come out of Walys; and e communers anon~, alle
     of e citee, toke e Bisshope, and lade him amids Chepe; and
     ere ai smyten of his heuede, & sette his heede in his right
     hand; and after, ai biheuedede ij of his Squyers at helde wi e
 |r8 Bisshope; and one of ham me callede William of Walle, at was
     e Bisshoppes Nevew; & at oer me callede Iohn~ of Padyngton~.
     and also ai toke a burgeis of London~, at me callede Iohn~
     Marchal, at was Sir Hugh e Spensers aspie, e fader, and smyten
|r12 of his heede also.
         And in at same tyme at same Bisshop hade in London~
     a fair Toure in making, in his cloos oppon~ e ryuer of Tamise, at
     was wiout e Temple-Barr, and him failede stone forto make
|r16 erof an ende; wherfore he commandede his men forto gone to
     e cherche of e Frere Carmes; and ere ai toke stone and
     made erwi e tour; and miche sande and morter, and olde
     robons er was lefte.  And for |r[f.138v] e despite at e Bisshop Hade
|r20 done to holy cherche, he and his if squyers were buriede in at
     sande, as au ai hade bene hondes; and ere ai leyen xj wokes
     til at e Quene Isabel sent her lettres to e communers, and
     praiede ham at ai wolde soffre and grant at e Bisshop moste
|r24 bene take out of at place, & buriede at Excestr, at his owen
     cherche; and so he was; and his ij squyers were buriede at seynt
     Clementis cherche wiout Temple-Barr.
         And Hit was snout ful grete wonder au at Bisshop
|r28 deide in euel de, for he was a couetouse man, and hade wi him
     no mercy, and euel conseilede e Kyng. And sone ereafter was
     Arnold of Spaigne taken, he at was assentant to haue ladde o v
     M=l= li of Siluer in v barelles ferers vnto e Dussipiers of Fraunce,
|r32 forto helpe and haste the Quene Isabel to hir de, & Edward her
     sone also: and is Arnolde was done vnto e de wiout e citee
     of London~.



|p239


     How Kyng Edward and Sir Hugh e Spenser were taken, and
     e Erl of Arundel. Capitulo CC=o= ix=o=.
     |r<b> WHen Kyng Edward hade sent Maistre Walter of Staple_ton~,
 |r4 his Tresorer, into London~, forto kepe e citee vnto
     him aein e Quene Isabel his wif, & aeyn Edward her sone,
     anon him-self tok wi him Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader, and
     Sir Hugh his sone, & Sir Iohn~, Erl of Arundell, & Maistre Robert
 |r8 Baldok, a false pilede clerc, his Chaunceller, and toke here
     way towarde Bristowe; And ere e Kyng abode a litil |r[f.139r] terme.
     and made Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader, Keper and Conestable
     of e castel. And e Kyng and e oer aboue-saide went into
|r12 shipp, and sailede toward Walys, and toke no leue of e Styward,
     ne of none of e Kynges Householde; and went ouer into Walys
     forto arere e Walshe-men aeynes Dame Isabel e Quene, &
     Edward, Duc of Gyene, her sone, & her company.  But e
|r16 Quene, & e Duc her sone, and e Erl of Kent, and Sir Iohn~ of
     Henaude, went and pursuede after ham; and her power come and
     encressede euery day; so at e laste e Kyng was taken oppon~
     an hulle in Walys, and Sir Hugh e Spenser e sone, in at oer
|r20 side of at same hull, and e false pilede clerc,  Maistre Robert
     of Baldok, ere fast bisides ham, and were brout aeyne into
     Engeland, as Almighty God wolde. And e Kyng him-self was
     in saf kepyng in e castell of Kenyworth; and him kepte Sir
|r24 Henry, at was Seint Thomas broer of Lancastre.
        & Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader come and put him vnto e
     Quenes grace, and to Sir Edward her sone, Duc of Gyene.  But
     Sir Hugh e Spenser e sone, after at he was taken, wolde
|r28 ete no maner mete, ne drynk no maner drynk, for he wist to
     haue no mercy, but onelich he wiste he shulde bene dede. And
     e Quene and her conseil ordeynede o at he shulde bene
     done to de at London; but he was so feble for his michel



|p240


     fastyng, at he was dede almost for fastyng; and erfore hit was
     ordeynede at he shulde haue his iugement at Hereford; and at
     a place of e toune his |r[f.139v] hode was taken fram his heued, and
 |r4 also fro Maistre Robert Baldok, at was a false pilede clerc,
     & e Kyngus Chanceller. And men sette vppon~ her Heuedes
     chapelettes of sharpe netles, and ij squyers blow in her eres wi
     ij grete bugles hornes, oppon~ o if prisoners; and men might
 |r8 her o blowyng out wi hornes, mo an a ousand and one.
     Symunde of Redyng, bifore ham bar her armes oppon~ a spere
     reuersede, in token at ai shulde be vndone for euermore.
         And oppon~ e morwe was Sir Hugh e Spenser e sone
|r12 dampnede to de; and was draw and hongede, biheuedet, & his
     boweiles taken out of his body, and his bowelles brent. And
     after he was quarterede, & his quarteres sent to iiij tounes of
     Engeland, and his heuede sent to London~ Brigge. And is
|r16 Symond, for encheson~ at he despisede e Quene Isabel, he was
     draw and hongede on a stage made in mydes e forsaide Sir
     Hughes galwes. And e same day, a litil fro ens, was Sir Iohn~
     of Arundel biheuede; for he was on of Sir Hugh e Spensers
|r20 conseilers. And anone after wa[s] Sir Hug[h] e Spenser draw &
     hongede, & biheuedede at Bristow, and after hongede aeyn bi
     e Armes bi ij strong ropes; and e iiij day after, he was hew
     al to peces; & hundes eten him. And for at enchesoun~ at e
|r24 Kyng hade euen him e Erldom of Winchestre, his heedes
     was lad ider, and put oppon~ a spere; and e false Baldok was sent
     to London~, & ere he deide in prisone amonges eues, for men
     dede him no more reuerence an me wolde dos vnto an hunde:
|r28 and so deide the traitours of Engeland, blissede be Almyghty



|p241


     God! & |r[f.140r] hit Was no wonder, for rou her conseil th[e] gode Erl
     Thomas of Lancastr was done unto deth and al at helden with
     Thomas of Lancastre rou o traitoures were vndon~, and alle
 |r4 her heires disheritede.
     How Kyng Edward was put adoune.  Capitulo  Ducen_tesimo 
      Decimo.
     |r<b> ANon after is was done, e Quene Isabel, and Edward hir
 |r8    sone, and alle e grete lordes of Engeland, at on assent sent
     to Kyng Edward to e castel of Kenylwor, ere at e kyng was
     in kepyng vnder e warde of Sir Iohn Hothum, at was e
     bisshop of Ely, & of Sir Iohn~ of Parcy, a baron~, for enchesoun at
|r12 he shulde ordein his parlement att a certein place in Engeland,
     forto redresse [and] amende e state of e ream. And Kyng
     Edward ham ansuerede and saide: "Lordes," quod he, "e see
     ful wel how hit is. Lo! haue her my seal. y eues ow my
|r16 power to ordeine a parlement wher e wille." And ai toke her
     leue of him, and come aeyne to e barons of Engeland, and
     when ai hade e Kyngus patent of is ing, and ai shewede hit
     to e lordes, and o was ordeynede at e parlement shulde be at
|r20 Westmynstre, at e Vtas of Seint Hillari. And alle e grete lordes
     of Engeland lete ordein for ham ere aeins at tyme at e parle_ment 
     shulde bene.  And at e whiche day at e parlement
     was assignede,l e Kyng wolde nout come ere, as he hade sette
|r24 himself and assignede. And noelesse e barons sent to him, on
     tyme and oer, and he suore by Godes soule, at he nolde come
     ere on foote. Wherfore hit was ordeynede by al e grete lordes
     of |r[f.140v] Engeland, at he Shulde no Longer bene Kyng, but bene
|r28 deposede; and saide at 'ai wolde crone Edward his sone
     Kyng, e eldeste, at was Duk of Gyene'; and sent so tyd_ynges 
     to e Kyng ere at he was in ward vnder Sir Iohn, Erl of



|p242


     Gerrein, and Sire Iohn~ of Bothun, at was Bisshop of Ely, and Sir
     Henry Percy, baroun~, and Sire William Trussell, a knyt, at was
     wi e Erle Sir Thomas of Lancastr, forto elde vp her homages
 |r4 vnto him for all ham of Engeland.  And Sire William Trussel
     saide ise wordes: "Sir Edward! for encheson~ at e haue traiede
     our peple of Engeland, and haue vndone meny grete Lordes of
     Engeland wiouten eny cause, but now e be wistand, ankede 
 |r8 be God! -- and also for e wolde nout come to e parle_ment 
     as e ordeynede at Westmynstre, as in our owen Lettre
     patent is conteinede, forto trete wi our lige men as a Kyng
     shulde; and erfore, rou all e commune assent of alle e lordes
|r12 of Engeland, y telle vnto ow ise wordes:  e shul vnderstonde,
     Sir, at e barons of Engeland atte on assent wille at e bene
     nomore Kyng of Engeland, but vtterly haue put ow out of
     our realte for euermore."  And e bisshop of Ely saide o to e
|r16 Kyng, "Sir Edwarde! here y elde vp feautess & homage for alle
     e Erchebisshoppes and Bisshopes of Engeland, and for al e
     clergye."  o saide Sir Iohn~, Erl of Garrein, "Sir Edward! y
     elde vp her vnto ow feaute and homage, for me, and for al e
|r20 Erles of Engeland."  And Sir Henry |r[f.141r] e Percy af vp also ere
     his homag, for him and for alle e barons of Engeland.  And
     o saide Sir William Trussel: "y elde vp, Sir, now vnto ow
     my homage, fo[r] me & also for alle e knytes of Engeland, and
|r24 for ham alle at holden by seriauntrye or by eny oer maner ing
     of ow, so at fro is day afterward e shulle nout be cleymede
     Kyng, neier for Kyng bene holde; but fram is tyme after_ward 
     e shul benes holde a singuler man of all e peple." And so
|r28 ai went ens vnto London~, ere at e lordes of Engeland ham
     abode; and sir Edward abode in prysoun vnder gode keping;
     and at was e day of e Conuersion~ of seynt Poule in e xx
     ere of his regne.
|r32 Prophecie of Merlyn declarede of Kyng Edward, e sone of
     Kyng Edward. Capitulo CC vndecimo.



|p243


     |r<b> Of is Kyng Edward, propheciede Merlyn, and saide at ere
        shulde come a gote out of a car, at shulde haue hornes of
     siluer and a berde as white as snowe; and a drop shulde come out
 |r4 at his noserelles at shulde bitokne miche harme, hungre, and
     de of e peple, and gret losse of his lande; and at in e bigyn_nyng 
     of his regne shulde ben hauntede michel lecherie; and saide
     soi, allas e tyme! ffor Kyng Edward, at was Kyng Edwardus
 |r8 sone, at was born in Carnariuan in Walys, for so he hade
     Hornes as siluer, and a berd as snowe, when he was made Prynce
     of Walys, & to miche he af him vnto realte and folie. And
     so saide Merlyn in his prophecie |r[f.141v] at ere shulde come out of
|r12 His nose a drop; ffor in his tyme was grete hunger amonges e
     pore men, and stronge de amonge e ryche, at deiden in strange
     lande wi miche sorw, and in Scotland; and afterwarde he loste
     Scotland and Gascoigne; and whiles at him-self was Kyng, er
|r16 was miche lecherie hauntede. and also Merlyn tolde and saide
     at is goote shulde seche e floure of lif & of de; ande saide
     so, for he spousede Isabel, e Kyngus douter of Fraunce.
         & in his tyme Merlyn saide at ere shulde be made
|r20 briges of folc oppon diches of e see; and at was ful wel sein at
     Bannokes-born~ in Scotland, when he was descomfitede ere of e
     Scottes.  And Merlyn tolde also at stones shulde falle fram
     castelles, and meny tounes shulde be made playn; and he saide
|r24 so, ffor when Kyng Edward was scomfitede in Scotland, and
     come o Southward, e Scottes bisegede castelles, and dede ham
     miche ha[r]me, and brent tounes vnto e herde ere.  And
     aftirward Merlyn saide and tolde at an Egle shulde come out
|r28 of Cornwaile, at shulde haue feeres of golde, at of pride shulde
     haue non pier, and shulde despice Lordes of bloode, and after
     he shulde dye rou a beer at Gauersiche: and at prophecie was
     ful wel knowe, ffor by e Egle is vnderstonde Sir Piers of
|r32 Gauaston, at was Erl of Cornewaile, at was a wonder prout man



|p244


     at dispisede e baronage of Engeland; |r[f.142r] but aftirward he was
     biheuede at Gauersiche, rou e Erl of Lancastr and e Erl of
     Warwik.  And Merlyn tolde at in his tyme it shulde seme
 |r4 at e bere shulde brenne, & at a bataile shulde be done oppon~
     an Arme of e See in felde arraiede like a shilde, wher shulde
     dye meny white heuedess: & he saide so; for, by e brynnyng
     of e bere is bitokenede grete drede rou cotting of suorde.
 |r8 at at bataile, ordeynede in a felde as a shelde oppon an Arme of
     e see, is bitokenede e bataile of Mitone. ffor ere come e
     Scottes in maner of a shelde, in maner of a wynge, and quellede
     oppon~ Swale, men of Religioun, prestes & seculers; wherfor e
|r12 Scottes callede at bataile, in despite of Englisshe-men, `e white
     bataile.'
         And after, Merlyn saide at e forsaide Beer shulde do
     e forsaide goot miche harme, and at shulde be oppon e
|r16 Southwest, and also oppon his bloode; and saide also at e goot
     shulde lese miche of his lande, til e time at shame shulde
     him ouercome; And an he shulde cloe him in a lyons skyn,
     and shulde wynne aeyne at he hade loste, and miche more, rou
|r20 a peple at shulde come out of e Northwest, at shulde make him
     bene drade, and him avenge of his enemys, rou conseile of ij
     Oweles, at ferst shulde be in peril to bene vndone; and at o
     ij oweles shulde wende ouer e see into a straunge |r[f.142v] lande, and
|r24 ere ai shulde duelle til a certein time; and after ai shulde
     come into Engeland aeyne, and o ij oweles shulde done miche
     harme vnto meny on~, and at ai shulde conseile e goot to
     meve werr aeynes [e] Bere, and at goot shulde come, and e
|r28 Oweles, vnto an Arme of e Se at Burton op Trent, and shulde
     wende ouer, and at for drede e bere shulde flee, wi a swyne in
     his company, vnto Bur, toward e North, rou an vnkynde
     out-puter; and at e Swyn an shulde be slay with sorwe;
|r32 and e bere shulde be slayn ful nei his owen nest, at shal



|p245


     stonde oppon~ Pountfrett, vppon~ wham e sone shal shede his
     beemes, & meny folc him shal seche for e miche vertue. and
     he saide ful so; ffor e gode Erl Thomas of Lancastr was born
 |r4 in e Northwest, and cosyn to e Kyng, sone of his vncle; and
     by lawe he made e Kyng lese miche lande e whiche he hade
     purchasede wel foliche, til at e laste e Kyng erof tok shame,
     and him-self fillede wi cruelte; and after he gate aeyne at he
 |r8 hadde lost, and miche more, rou folc at he lete assemble out of
     e Northwest, at made him to bene adrade, and avengede him
     of his barons, rou conseile of Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader,
     and of Sir Hugh his sone, at biforne were outlawede out of
|r12 Engeland for her wickidnesse.  But afterward come aeyne into
     Engeland Sir Hughe e Spenser the fader, out of Fraunce, and so
     miche conseilede the |r[f.143r] Kyng at He Shulde Werr oppon~ Thomas,
     erl of Lancastr, so at e Kyng and e Spensers, and e Erl of
|r16 Arundel and her power, mete wi Thomas of Lancastr atte Burton~
     op Trent, and him ere descomfitede; and Hunfrai, erl of
     Hereford, was in her company. and after, fledde e forsaide
     Thomas and Hunfray, wi her company at Burbrig, wi sir
|r20 Andrew of Herkela, at is callede e vnkynde out-putter, and
     also sir Symond Warde, Shirref of ork: ai come and mette wi
     Thomas of Lancastre wi an huge company, and ham ere descom_fitede.
     and in at Scomfiture e E.l of Hereford was slayn oppon~
|r24 e brige, cowardly, wi a spere, in the fundement; and e Erl
     Thomas was taken & ladde vnto Pountfrett; and er he was
     biheuedede bisides his owen castel. But aftirward, many a
     man him sout, for miracles at God dede for him.
|r28     And in at tyme Merlyn saide for sorwe and harme [shuld
     die] a peple of his land, wherfore meny landes shulde bene on
     him e bolder: and he saide so, ffor by enchesoun~ of his barouns
     at were done vnto e de for Seint Thomas loue of Lancastre,
|r32 peple of meny londes bicome e bolder forto meve werr aeyns
     e Kyng, for her bloode was turnede into meny naciouns.



|p246


         And afterward Merlyn tolde and saide at e forsaide Oweles
     shulde done miche harme vnto e flour of lif & of de, & ai
     shulde |r[f.143v] bring Her vnto miche disese, so at she shulde wende
 |r4 ouer e see into Fraunce for to make pees to e flour de lice,
     and ere she shulde abide til a tyme at her seede shulde come
     & seche her; and ere ai shulde abide til a tyme at ai shulde
     cloen ham wi grace; and o ij Oweles she shulde seche, and
 |r8 put ham vnto Spitouse de, and at prophecie was wel knowen
     and was ful so; for, Sir Hugh e Spenser e fader, and sir Hugh
     e sone, dede miche sorwe and persecucion~ vnto e Quene Isabel,
     rou her procurment, to her Lorde e Kyng.  and so ai
|r12 ordeinede amonges ham at she was put vnto hir wages, at is to
     seyn, xxs on e day. Wherfore e Kyng of Fraunce, her
     broer, was wonder sore annoiede, and sent into Engeland by his
     lettres vnto Kyng Edward, at he shulde come to his parlement
|r16 to Parys in Fraunce; but Kyng Edward was sore adrade forto
     come ere, for he wende to bene arest til at he hade made Gode
     for e trespasse at e Spensers hade done, and also grete harme
     at ai hade done vnto e Quene Isabel, his sostre: Wherfore,
|r20 rou here ordenance & her consent of e Spensers, the Quene Isabel
     went ouer e see into Fraunce, forto make accorde bituene Kyng
     Edward and e Kyng of Fraunce, hir broer.  And ere
     duellede she in Fraunce til Edward, her Eldeste sone, come her
|r24 to seche; and so ai duelled |r[f.144r] ere boe til at Aliaunce was
     made bituene Ham and e gentil Erl of Henaud, at if ai wi his
     helpe mygh[t] destroi and ouercome e venyme and the falsenesse
     of e Spensers, at Sir Edward shulde spouse Dame Philipp, e
|r28 worshipful lady, e Erles Doughter of Henaud.  wherfore e
     Quene Isabel, and Sir Edward her [son], and Sir Edmund of
     Wodestok, e Kynges broer of Engeland, and Sir Iohn~ of
     Henaud, and Sir Roger Mortymer of Wygemore, and Sir Thomas
|r32 Rocelyn, and sir Iohn of Cromwel, and Sire William Trussell, and
     meny oere of e Aliaunce of e gentil Erle Thomas of Lancastre,



|p247


     at wer exilede out of Engeland for his querelle, and wer
     disheritede of her londes, ordeynede ham a grete power, and
     arryuede at Herewiche in Southfolc. and sone after ai
 |r4 pursuede e Spensers til at ai wer take and put vnto spitouse
     de, as bifore is saide, and her company, and also for e grete
     falsenesse at ai deden vnto Kyng Edward & to his peple.
         And Merlyn saide also more, at e goote shulde bene put
 |r8 into grete disese; & in grete anguisshe & in grete sorwe he shulde
     lede his lif. ande saide so: for after e tyme at Kyng
     Edward was tak, he was put into warde til at e Spensers were
     put vnto de.  and also, for encheson~ at he wolde nout come
|r12 vnto his owen parlement at London~, as he had ordeyned and
     assignede him-self, and to his |r[f.144v] Baronage, and also wolde nout
     gouerne ne reule his peple ne his reaume as a kyng shulde done,
     somme of e barons of Engeland come & elden vp her homage
|r16 vnto him, for ham and for alle e oer of e reaume, in e day of
     e Conuersioun~ of Seint Poule, and in e er of his regne xx;
     and ai put him out of his realte for euermore; & euer he leuede
     his lif aftirward in miche sorw and anguisse.
|r20 Of Kyng Edward e ridde after e conquest. Capitulo
      Ducentesimo  Duodecimo.
     |r<b> ANd after is Kyng Edward of Carnariuan, regnede Sire
        Edward of Wyndesore his sone, e whiche was cronede
|r24 Kyng, and annoyntede, at Westminster, rou consent and wille of
     alle e grete Lordes of e reaume, e Sonday in Candelmasse
     eve of oure Lady, In e er of grace M=l= CCC xxvi, at was at
     tyme of age but xv er. and for enchesoun at his fader was
|r28 in warde in e castel of Kenylwor, and eke was put doun of his
     realte, e reaume of Engeland was as wiout Kyng, fro e feste of
     Seynt Kateryne in e er aboue-saide, vnto e fest of Candelmasse;



|p248


     and o were al maner plee of e Kyngus Benche astent.  And
     o was commandede to alle e shirreffes of Engeland oru write
     to warne e partie defendand rou somp[n]ing aein, and also
 |r4 ferermore at alle e prisoners at were in e Kyngus Gayole at
     were atachede rou shirrefs shulde |r[f.145r] be Late go quiet.  The Kyng
     Edward, after His coronacioun~, at e prier and biseching of his
     lieges of e reaume, grauntede a chartre of stedefast pees to alle
 |r8 ham at wolde it axe.  And Sire Iohn~ of Henaude and his
     company toke his leue of e Kyng and of e lordes of his reaume,
     & turnede home to her owen contre aeyn; and eueryche of ham
     hade ful riche iftes, euery man as he was of value and of State.
|r12  And o was Engeland in pees and in rest, & grete loue
     bituene e Kyng and his lordes; and communeliche Englisshe_men 
     saide amongus ham at e deuel was dede.  But e tresour
     of e Kyng his fader, and of the Spensers, bo of e fader and
|r16 of e sone, and e tresour of e Erl of Arundel, and of Maistre
     Robert Baldok at was e Kyngus chaunceller, was departede
     after e Quene Isabels ordenaunce, and Sir Roger Mortymer of
     Wigemore, so at e Kyng hade noing erof but at her wille and
|r20 her deliueraunce, neier of hir landes, as afterward e shul here
     more openly.
     How Kyng Edward went to Stanhop forto mete e Scottes.
      Capitulo  Ducentesimo  xiij.
|r24 |r<b> ANd itte in e same tyme was Kyng Edward in e castel of
        Kenylworth, vnder e kepyng of Sir Henry at was Erl
     Thomas broer of Lancastr, at o was Erl of [Leycestre; and e
     Kyng grantede him the erldome of] Lancastre at e Kyng hade
|r28 seisede into his hande, and put out Thomas of Lancastre his
     broer, and o was he Erl of Lancastre & |r[f.145v] of Leicestre, and eke
     Stiward of Engeland, as his broer was in his tyme.  but Sir
     Edward, at was Kyng Edwardes fader, made sorw wiouten
|r32 ende, for cause at he might nout speke wi his wif ne wi his
     Sone; wherfor hit was miche meschief; ffor au hit were so at



|p249


     he were ladde & reulede rou false conseile, itte he was Kyng
     Edwardus sone, & come of e woriest bloode of al e worlde;
     and ilk to whom he was wonede forto eue grete iftes and
 |r4 large, were most pryue wi e Kyng, his owen sone; and ai were
     his enemys boe by nyght and by day, and procurede forto make
     debate and contak bituene him and his sone, and Isabel his wif.
     but e ffrer Prechoures to him were gode frendes euermore, and
 |r8 caste and ordeynede, boe nyght and day, how ai might bryng
     him out of prison~.  And amonge her company at e ffreres
     priueliche hade brout, ere was a ffrere at me callede Dun_heuede;
     and he hade ordeynede an[d] gaderede a grete company
|r12 of folc forto helpe at at nede; but e ffrere was take a[nd] put
     into e castel of Pountfrett, and er he deide in prisone.  And
     Sir Henry, Erl of Lancastr, at hade e Kyngus fader in
     kepyng, rou commandement of e Kyng, delyuerede Edward,
|r16 e Kingus fader, by endentur vnto Sire Thomas of Berkelee, and to
     Sir Iohn~ Mautrauers; & ai lad him fram e castell of Kenyl_worth 
     vnto e castell of Berkelee, |r[f.146r] and kepte him ere safly.
      And at Este[r] nexte after his coronacioun~, e Kyng ordeynede
|r20 an huge host forto feit aeins e Scottes; and Sir Iohn~, e Erles
     broer of Henaud, from byonde e see, come forto helpe Kyng
     Edward, and brout wi him v C men of Armes, and arryuede at
     Douer; and ai hade leue forto gone forth til at ai come
|r24 vnto ork, ere at e Kyng abode ham.  And e Scottes
     comen ider vnto e Kyng forto make pees and accorde, but e
     accordement bituene ham laste but a litel while. and at at tyme
     e Englisshe-men were cloe alle in cotes & hodes, peyntede wi
|r28 lettres & wi floures ful sembli, wi longe berdes; and erfore
     e Scotes made a bille at was fastenede oppon~ e cherche dores of
     Seint Peres toward Stangate. & us saide e Scripture in despite
     of the Englisshe-men  Longe berde hertles, peyntede Hode
|r32 witles, Gay cote graceles, make Engl[i]ssheman riftles.
         And on e Trinite day next comyng, bigannes e contak



|p250


     in e citee of ork bytuene e Englisshemen and e Henaudres. and
     in at debate were quellede of e Erldom of Nichole and Mordrede,
     iiij; and after, ai wer buriede vnder a stone in Seynt Clementis
 |r4 cherche haw in Fossegate. And for enchesoun~ at e Henaudres
     come forto helpe e Kyng, hir pees was criede, oppon~ payne of
     lif and lime. and in at oere Half, it was |r[f.146v] fonden by enquest of
     e citee, at e Englisshe-men biganne e debate.
 |r8 How e Englisshe-men Stoppede e Scottes in e park of
     Stanhope, and How ai turnede aeyne into Scotland.
     Capitulo CC xiiij.
     |r<b> ANd at at tyme e Scottes hade assemblede al her power, and
|r12    come into Engeland, and quellede & robbede alle at ai
     might tak, and brent and destroiede al e North contre rou-out,
     til ai come to e Parke of Stanhope in Wyredale: and er e
     Scottes helde ham in a busshement.  But whe[n] e Kyng hade
|r16 herde rou certeyne aspie wher e Scottes were, anone right wi
     his host he bisegede e forsaide park, so at e Scottes wiste neuer
     wher forto gon~ out, but onliche vnto her armes, and ai abiden
     in e parke xv daies; and vitailes ham failede on euery side, so
|r20 at ai wer gretly empeyrede of her bodyes.  And si at Brut
     come ferst into Britaigne, vnto is tyme, was neuer seyne seenes
     so fair an host, what of Englisshemen and of Aliens, and of men
     on foot, whiche ordeyned ham forto feit wi e Scottes, rou
|r24 egging of Sire Henry, Erl of Lancastr, and of Sir Iohn of
     Henaude, at wolde haue gone ouer e water of Wythe forto haue
     fout wi e Scottes; but Sir Roger of Mortymer consentede nout
     erto, for he hade priueliche tak mede of e Scottes, ham forto
|r28 helpe, at ai myght wende aeyne into hir owen contre.  And
     e same Mortymer counseilede miche Thomas of Broerton, at
     e Erl Marchal, at was Kyng Edwardes vncle, at the |r[f.147r] forsaide
     Thomas shulde nout assemble at at tyme vnto e Scottes; and
|r32 he assentede; but he wiste nout e doyng bituene e Scottes and
     e forsaide Mortymer. and for enchesoun~ at he was Marchal of



|p251


     Engeland, and to him perteynede euer e vauntward. he sent
     hastely to e Erl of Lancastre and to Sire Iohn~ of Henaude, at
     ai shulde nout feit oppon~ e Scottes, in preiudice and in harm_yng 
 |r4 of him and his fee, and if ai dede, at ai shulde stande to
     her owen peril. and e forsaide Erl Marchal was al aredy wi
     his bataile at e redose of e Erl of Lancastre forto haue fouten
     wi him and wi his folc, if he hade meuede forto feit wi e
 |r8 Scottes. and in is maner he was desceyuede, and wiste no
     maner inge of is tresoun~; and us was e Kyng Principaly
     desceyuede.
         And when it was nyt, Mortymer, at hade e wacche forto
|r12 kepe of e host, at nyght destourblede e wacche at noing most
     be done. and in e meny-while e Scottes stele by nyt
     toward her owen contre, as fast as ai myght; and so was e Kyng
     falsely desceyuede & bitraiede, at wende at alle e traitoures
|r16 of his land had bene brout vnto an ende, as it was saide bifore.
      Now here, e lordes, how traterousely Kyng Edward was
     desceyuede, and how mervailously and boldely e Scottes dede of
     werr; ffor e same nygh[t] Iames Douglas, wi CC men of Armes,
|r20 ryden rou-out e host |r[f.147v] of Kyng Edward, e same nyght at e
     Scottes were scapede toward her owen contre, as is aboue [said], til
     at ai comen to e Kyngus Pauylon~, and quellede ere men in
     her beddes; and criede somme "Noward, Noward!" and anoere
|r24 tyme, "A Douglas, A Douglas!" wherfore the Kyng, at was in
     his pauyloun~, and miche oer folc, were wonder sore afraiede; but,
     -- blessede be Almyghty God! -- e Kyng was nout taken; and in
     grete perile was o e reaume of Engeland.  And at nyght the
|r28 mone shone ful clere and brit; and for al e Kyngus men, e
     Scottes ascapede harmeles. and in e morwe, when e Kyng wist
     at e Scottes were ascapede, he was wonder sory, and ful hertly
     wepte wi his onge eyne; and itt wist he nout who had
|r32 done him at tresoun~; but at treson~ was wel knowe a gode



|p252


     while after, as e story telle.  The Kyng Edward come o
     aeyne vnto ork, ful sorweful, and his hoste departede, and euery
     man went into his owen contre wi ful heuy and mornyng sem_blant
 |r4 . and e Henaude toke her leue, and went into her owen
     contre; and e Kyng, for her trauaile, hugely ham rewarded, and
     for enchesoun~ of at viage, e Kyng had despended miche of his
     tresour, and wastede.
 |r8     And in at tyme wer seyne ij mones in e firmament: at on
     was clere, and at oer was derc, at men myt hit o see [r]ou_out 
     al e worlde. and Grete debate was at same tyme aeyn
     |r[f.148r] e Pope Iohn~ e xxij after at Seynt Petre was Pope, and e
|r12 Emperoure of Almaigne, at made him Emperour aeins e Popes
     wille, at o helde his see at Avy[n]oun; wherfore e Emperour
     made his crie at Rome, and ordeynede anoer Pope at hight
     Nicholas, at was a ffrer menour; and at was aeynes e right
|r16 of holy cherch, wherfore he was cursede; and e power of at
     oer Pope sone was laide; and for encheson~ at soche mervailes
     were seyne, men saide at e wor[l]de was nei at an ende.
     Of e de of Kvng Edward of Carnaruan, sometyme Kyng of
|r20 Engeland. Capitulo Ducentesimo Quintodecimo.
     |r<b> ANd now [go] we aeyne vnto Sir Edward of Carnaruan, at
        was some-tyme Kyng of Engeland, and was put adoune
     of his dignite. allas for his tribulacioun~! and sorwe him bifelle
|r24 rou false consel at he leuede, & truste oppon ham to miche, at
     afterward was destroyede rou her falsenesse, as God wolde.
      And is Edward of Carnaryuan was in e castel of Berkele, vnder
     e kepyng of Sir Morice of Berkeley and of Sire Iohn~ of Mau_trauers
|r28 . and to ham he made his compleynt of his sorwe and of
     his disese; and oftetymes he axede of his wardeyns what he hade
     tressepassede aeins Dame Isabel his wif, and Sir Edward his sone,
     at was new made Kyng, at ai wolde nout visite him.  [o
|r32 ansuerede one of his wardenes]  "My wori lord, displese ow
     nout at y shal ow telle; e enchesoun is, for it is done ham to
     vnderstonde at, if my Lady our wif come eny ing nei ow, at e



|p253


     wolde |r[f.148v] her strangle and quelle, and al so at e Wolde do to my
     Lord our Sone."  o ansuerede he wi simple chere, and saide:
     "allas, allas! am y nout in prisoun~, and all at our owen wille ?
 |r4 Now God it wote, y out it neuer; and now y wolde at y were
     dede! so wolde God at y were! for an were al my sorwe
     passede."  Hit was nout longe after at e Kyng, rou conseil
     of e Mortymer, grantede e ward and e kepyng of Sire Edward
 |r8 his fader, to Sire Tllomas Toiourneye and to e forsaide Sir Iohn~
     Mautrauers, rou e Kyngus lettre, and put out holliche e for_saide 
     Sir Morice, of e warde of e Kyng. and ai tok and lad
     him to e castel of Corf, e whiche castel e Kyng hatede as
|r12 eny de; and ai kepte him ere safly til at it come to Seint
     Matheus day in Septembre, in e ere of Grace M=l= CCC xxvij, at
     e forsaide Sir Roger Mortymer sent e maner of e de, how
     and in what maner he shulde be done to de.  And anone as e
|r16 forsaide Thomas and Iohn Hade seyne e lettre and e commande_ment, 
     alladen Kyng Edward of Carnaruan gode chere and gode
     solace, as a myght atte at soper; and noing e Kyng wiste of
     her traitoure.  And when tyme was forto gone to bed, e
|r20 Kyng went vnto his bed, and laye, and slepte faste. And as e
     Kyng lay and slepte, e traitoures, false forsuorne aeins her
     homage and her feaute, come priueliche into e Kyngus
     chaumbre, and her company |r[f.149r] wi Ham, and Laiden an Huge
|r24 table opponis Wombe, and wi men pressede and helde fast
     adoune e iiij corners of e table oppon his body: wherwi e gode
     man awoke, and was wonder sore adrade to bene dede ere, and
     slayn, and turnede his body opsadoun~.  e tok e false
|r28 tiraunt, and as wode traitoures, an horne, and put hit into
     his fundement as depe as ai might, and toke a spete of Copur
     brennyng, & put hit rou e horne into his body, and ofte_tymes 
     rollede erwi his bowailes; and so ai quellede here
|r32 Lorde, at noing was perceyuede; and after, he was enterede at
     Gloucestr.



|p254


     How Kyng Edward spousede Philippe, e Erles doughter of
     Henaude, at ork. Capitulo Ducentesimo xvj=to=.
     |r<b> ANd after cristes-masse o next sewyng, sir Iohn of Henaude
 |r4    brout wi him Philipp, his broere Douter, at was
     Erl of Henaud, his nece, into Engeland; and Kyng Edward
     spousede her at ork wi michel honour; and Sir Iohn~ of
     Hothum, Bisshop of Ely, and Sir William of Melton~, Erche_bisshop 
 |r8 of ork, songe o e masse, e Sonday in e Eve of e
     Conuersion~s of Seynt Poule, in e er of grace M=l= CCC xxvij.
      but for enchesoun~ at e kyng was but onge and tender of age
     when he was cronede, and meny wrongus were Done whiles his
|r12 fader leuede, for enchesoun~ at he trowede e counseilers at
     were false aboute him, at conseilede him to done oerwise an
     resoun~ wolde, wherfore grete harme was o vnto the |r[f.149v] reaume
     and to e Kyng, and al men directede e Kyngus dede, and
|r16 hit was nout-so Almyghty God hit wote, -- wherfor it was
     ordeynede att e Kyngus crounyng, at e Kyng, for tendre of
     his age, shulde be gouernede be tuelf grete Lordes of Engeland,
     wiouten e whiche noing shulde be done, at is forto seyne,
|r20 e Erchebisshoppe of Kanterbery, e Erchebisshop of ork, e
     Bisshopp of Wynchestre and e Bisshop of Hereford, And e
     Erl of Lancastre, and e Erl Marchal, and e Erl of Kent, at
     were e Kyngus vncles, and e Erl of Gerreint, Sir Thomas
|r24 Wake, Sir Henry of Parcy, Sire Olyuer of Yngham, and Iohn~ of
     Roos, barons.  Alle ise were suore treweliche forto conseil
     e Kyng, and ai shulde ansuere euery ere in e parlement of
     at shulde be done in e tyme of at gouernaile.  But at
|r28 ordenance was sone vndone, and at was miche slosse and
     harme to al Engeland; ffor e Kyng and alle e lordes at
     shulde gouerne him, were gouernede & reulede after e Kyngus
     moder, Dame Isabel, and by r Roger e Mortymer; and as
|r32 ai wolde, al ing was done, boe amonges hye and lawe.  And



|p255


     ai toke vnto ham castelles, tounes, Landes and rent, in grete
     harme and losse vnto the croune, and of e Kyngus state also, out
     of mesur.
 |r4 How e pees was made bituene e Englisshemen and e Scottes;
     & also ofs e iustifiyng of Troilebaston~. Capitulo  Du_centesimo 
      Septuadecimo.
     |r[f.150r] |r<b> THe Kyng Edward, at Whitsontide, e secunde ere of his
 |r8    regne, rou conseile of his moder and of Sir Roger Mor_tymer, 
     ordeynede a parlement at Nor[t]hampton~; at e whiche
     parlement e Kyng -- , rou her conseil and none oere of e land
     wiin age, grantede to bene accordede wi e Scottes in is
|r12 maner, at al e feautes and homages at e Scottes shulde done
     to e croune of Engeland, foraf ham vnto the Scottes for euer_more, 
     by his chartre ensealede.  and ferermore an endenture
     was made of e Scottes vnto Kyng Edward, at was Kyng
|r16 Henries sone, whiche endenture ai callede his Ragemain, in the
     whiche were contenede alle e homages and feautes, ferst of e
     Kyng of Scotland, and of alle e prelates, Erles and barons of
     all e reaume of Scotland, wi her seals sette eron, and oer
|r20 chartres and remembrance at Kyng Edward and his barons had
     of her right in e reaume of Scotland, hit was foreue ham aein
     holliche, and also wi e blac crois of Scotland, e whiche e
     gode Kyng Edward conquerede in Scotland, and brout hit out of
|r24 e Abbay of Scone, at is a ful preciouse relique.  And also
     ferermore he relessede and foraf alle e landes at e barons of
     Engeland had in Scotland by olde conqueste. and is pees forto
     halde and laste, e Scottes were bonden to e Kyng in xxx M=l=
|r28 li of siluer, to ben paiede wiin iij ere, at is to seyne, euery
     ere x M=l= li, by even porcion~s. |r[f.150v]  And ferermore, ouer al is,
     ai spake bituene e Par[t]ies [a]boue-saide, at Dauid Drito_nanter, 
     at was Robert Brus sone, -- e false tirant and traitour,
|r32 and false forsuorne aeynes his oth, at aroos aeynes his liege
     Lord, e noble Kyng Edward, and falseliche made him Kyng



|p256


     of Scotland, as is saide bifore, -- & his sone shuld be Kyng of Scot_land, 
     at was of age but v ere.  & so, rou hir cursede
     conseil, is Dauid spousede at Berewik Dame Iohn~e of e
 |r4 Toure, at wa Kyng Edwardus sustre, as e geste telle, oppon
     Marie Magdalein day In e er of grace M=l= CCC xxviij, to
     grete harme and enpeiryng to al e Kyng-us bloode, Wherof at
     gentil lady come, Allas e time! for wonder miche was at fair
 |r8 Dan ysell disparage, si at she was mar ede wiout e commune
     assent of alle e lordes of Engeland.  And fro e tyme at
     Brut hadde conquerede Albyon~, and nempnede e land after his
     owen name Brytayngn, at now is callede Engeland, after e name
|r12 of Engist; and so was e reaume of Scotland holden of e
     reaume of Engeland, and of e croune, by feaute and homage.
     For Brut conquerede at lande, and af it to Albanac, his
     secunde sone; and he callede e land Albany after his name, so
|r16 at e heires at comen after him helde of Brut, and of his helres,
     e Kyngus of Britaign~, by feaute and homage; and fro at tyme
     vnto is Kyng Edward,  e reaun e of Sotland was holden
     |r[f.151r] of e reaume of Engelond by feaute and by seruices aboue_saide,
|r20 as e cronicles of Engeland and of Scotland bere witnesse
     more plenerly. and acursede be e tyme at is parlement was
     ordeynede at Northamton~! for ere, rou false conseile, e Kyng
     was ere falsely disherited; and itt he was wiin age.  And
|r24 ette, when Kyng Edward was put doune of his realte of
     Engeland, itte men put him nout out of e feautes and seruises
     of e reaume of Scotland, and of e Fraunchises Disheritede for
     euermore.  And noeles e grete lordes of Engeland were aeins
|r28 to conferme e pees & the trewes abouesaide, saf oneliche e
     Quene Isael, at was e Kynges moder Edward, and e Bisshop
     of Ely, and e Lorde Mortymer.  But resoun~ and law wolde
     nout at a final pees shulde be made bituene ham, wioutn
|r32 commune assent of Engeland.



|p257


     Of the debate at was bituene Qene i sabell and Sire Henry,
     Erl of Lancastre and of Leyestre; and of the ryding of
     Bedford. Capitulo Duentesimo xviij=o=.
 |r4 |r<b> WHen e forsaide Dauid hade spousede Dame Iohne of e
        Tour in e toune of Berwik, as bifore is saide, e Scottes,
     in despite of e Englisse-men, callede Dame Iohn~ e Countesse
     'make pees,' for e cowardise pees forto ordeyne; but e Kyngus
 |r8 person bare e wite & e blame, wi wrong, of e makyng
     of e accorde; and al was done rou e Quene & Roger
     e Mortymer.  And hit was nout longe after, at e quene
     Isabel |r[f.151v] ne toke into Her Honde al e Lordeshipp of Pountfrett,
|r12 and almost al e landes at were of value, at perteynede vnto
     e croune of Engeland, so at e Kyng had nout forto dispende,
     but of his Vsues and of his escheker; ffor e Quene Isael and
     e Mortymer had a grete manie of her retenue, at folwede
|r16 euermore e Kyngus courte, and went and tok e Kyngus prises
     for er penyworthes at gode chepe; wherfore e contre at ai
     comen in were ful sore adrade, and almost destroiede.  o
     bigan e coimunite of Engeland forto hate Isael e Quene,
|r20 at so miche louede her when she come aein forto pursue the false
     traitoures e Spensers fro Fraunce, at same tyme e false traitour
     Robert of Holand at biraede his lorde Thomas of Lancastre was
     o deliuerede out of prison, and was wonder pryue wi e Quene
|r24 Isabell and also wi e Mortymer; but at availede him but litel,
     for he was tak at Michelmasse at next come after, as he rode
     toward e Quene Isael to London~; and Sir Thomas Whither
     smote of his heede bisides e toune of Seynt Albanus. and is
|r28 Sir Thomas duellede o wi Sir Henry, Erl of Lancastre; and he
     put him in hidyng for drede of e Quene, for she louede him
     wonder miche, and praiede vnto e Kyng for him, at e same
     Thomas most ben exilede out of Engeland.
|r32     And e noble Erl, Sir Henry of La[n]castr, had ofte-tymes
     |r[f.152r] Herde e conmune clamour of e Englisshe-men, of e michel
     disese at were done in Engeland, and also for diuerse wronges



|p258


     at were done amonges e commune peple, of whiche e Kyng
     bare e blame wi wrong, for he nas but ful onge and tendre of
     age, and out, as a gode man, forto done away.and slake e
 |r4 slaundre of e Kyngus persone, if at he might in eny maner_wise, 
     so as e Kyng was erof noing gulti, wherfore he was in
     perel of lif and lyme.  And so he assemblede al his retynance,
     and went & spake vnto ham of e Kyngus honour, and also forto
 |r8 amende his estate. and Sir Thomas of Broerton, Erl Marchal,
     and Sir Edmunde of Wodestok, at were e Kyngus vncles, and
     also men of London~, maden her oth, him forto mayntene in at
     same querele.  And her cause was is, at e Kyng shulde holde
|r12 his householde and his many as perteynede a Kyng forto done,
     and haue alsois realte; and at e Quene Isabel shulde delyuer
     out of her honde, into e Kyngus honde, al maner lorde_shippe,
     rentes, tounes, and castelles at perteynede to e
|r16 croune of Engeland, and at she shulde leue wi e ridde part of
     e rentes of Engeland, as oere Quenes hade done or is tyme,
     and wi none oer ing.  And also at Sir Roger Mortymer
     shulde duelle oppon~ his owen Londes, for e whiche landes he
|r20 hade holpen disherite miche peple, so at e commune peple were
     nout destroiede rou hir |r[f.152v] wrongeful takyng.  And also to
     enquere How, and by whome, e Kyng was bitraiede and falsely
     deseyuede at Stanhope, and rou whos conseil at e Scottes
|r24 went away by nyght fram e Kyng.  And also how, and rou
     whos conseil, e ordenance at were made at e coronacion~ of
     Kyng Edward wer put adoun, at is to seyne, at e Kyng, for
     helpyng and amendement of e reaume, and in honour of him,
|r28 shulde be gouernede and reulede by xij, e grettest & wiseste
     Lordes of e reaume; and wiouten ham shulde noing be
     grauntede ne done, as bifore is saide; the whiche gouernances
     maliciou[s]ly were put adoun~ fro e Kyng; wherfor me[ny]
|r32 harmes, shames and reprofes haue falle vnto e Kyng and to his



|p259


     reaume. And at is to vnderstonde, for-asmiche as Kyng
     Edward, some-tyme Kyng of Engeland, was ordeynede, by assent
     of e communite in plein parlement, forto bene vnder e warde
 |r4 and Gouernance of Henry, Erl of Lancastre, his cosyn, f r_saluacion
     ~ of his body he was taken out of e castel of Kenyl_worth, 
     ere at he was in ward, and rou colour of e Quene
     Isabel and of e Mortymer, wiout consent of eny parlement,
 |r8 ai tok and lad him er at never after none of his Kynrede
     myt wi him speke ne see, and after traiterously toke and
     mordrede him; for whos de a foule sclandre a.oos rou-out all
     Cristendome, when hit was done.  And also al e tresoure at
|r12 Sir Edward of Carnaryuan hade lefte |r[f.153r] in meny places of
     Engelond and in Walys, were wastede and born away wiouten
     e wille of Kyng Edward his sone, in destruccioun~ of him and of
     his folc.  Also, rou whos conseile at e Kyng af vp e
|r16 Kyngdome of Scotland, for e whiche reaume e Kyngus ancestres
     hade ful sore trauaile and so dede meny a nobleman for her
     ryght; and was diliuerede al e right vnto Dauid, at was
     Robert le Brus sone, at no right hade vnto at reaume, as al e
|r20 worlde hit wiste.  And also, by whom e chartres & remem_brances 
     at ai hade of e right of Scotland were take out of e
     tresorie, and taken to e Scottes, e Kyngus enemys, to disheriteson~
     of him and of his successoures, and to grete harme to his lieges,
|r24 & grete reprofe to alle Englisshe-men for euermore.  Also,
     wherfore Dame Iohn~ of e Toure, e Kyngus sustre Edward, was
     disparaged and mariede vnto Dauid, at was Robert e Brus
     sone, at was a traitour and enemy vnto Engeland; and rou
|r28 whos conseil she was tak into our enemys Hondes, out of
     Engelond.
         And in e mene-tyme, while the Gode Erl Henry of
     Lancastr and his company tok conseile how ise poynte[s] aboue_saide 
|r32 might bene amendede vnto e worshipp of e Kyng, and
     to his profite, and to e profite also of his lieges, e Quene Isabel,



|p260


     rou conietting and sotelte of e Mortymer, Lete ordein a
     parlement at Salesbury; and at e same Parlement e Mortymer
     was made Erl of Marche, aeins alle e barons wille of Engeland,
 |r4 in preiudice of e Kyng and of his croune; & |r[f.153v] Sir Iohn~ of Eltham,
     e Kynge.s broer, was gert wi a suerd of Cornwail, and o
     was callede Erle of Cornwaile; and euermore e Quene Isabel so
     miche procurede aein hir sone e Kyng, at she hade e warde
 |r8 of e forsaid Sir Edward and of his Landes.  And at at
     parlement e Erl of Lancastre wolde nout come, but ordeyned al
     his power aeins e Quene Isabel and the Mortymer; and men
     of London~ ordeynedeam wi vj C men of armes him forto
|r12 helpe.
         When e Quene Isabell wist of the Doyng, she suore by
     God and by his names ful angrely, at in euel tyme he ou[t]
     on o poyntes.  Tho sent e Quene Isabel and e Mortymer
|r16 after her retenue, and after e Kyngus retenue, so at ai hade
     ordeynede amongus ham an huge ost; and ai conseilede e
     Kyng so at oppon a nyght ai ryden xxiiij [myle] toward
     Bedford, ere at e Erl of Lancastr was wi his company, and
|r20 out haue him destroiede. and at night she rode biside the
     Kyng her sone, as a knyt armede, for drede of De.  And hit
     was done e Kyng Edward to vnderstond, at e Erl Henry of
     Lancastre & his company wolde haue destroiede e Kyng and his
|r24 conseil for euermore, wherfor e Kyng was somedel towardes
     him heuy & annoiede.  When e Erl Marchal and e Erl of
     Kent, e Kyngus broer, herde of is ing, ai ryden so in message
     bituene ham, at e Kyng grantede him his pees to e Erl Henry
|r28 of Lancastre for a certeyn raunson of xj M=l= li; but at was
     neuer |r[f.154r] paiede afterward.  And ise were e Lordes at Helde
     wi Sir Henry of Lancastre: Sir Henry Beaumond, Sir Fouk
     fit -- Warein, Sir Thomas Rooselyn, Sir William Trussel, Sir
|r32 Thomas Wyther, and about an C of knyte mo, at were to
     ham consenting; and alle o were exilede rou conseile of Quene
     Isabel & of e Mortymer, for e Mortymer couetede forto haue



|p261


     her londes, if he might rou eny maner coniettyng; for he was
     so couetous, and hade to miche his wille, and at was Grete pitee.
     How Kyng Edward went ouer e see forto Don his homage vnto
 |r4 e Kyng of France for e Duchee of Gyene.  Capitulo
     Ducentesimo Decimo nono.
     |r<b> HIt was nout longes after, at e Kyng of France, rou
        conseile of his Dusepirs, sent to Kyng Edward of
 |r8 Engeland, at he shulde conle to Parys, and do his homage, as
     resoun~ hit wolde, for e Duchee of Gyene.  And so, rou
     consent of e lordes of Engeland, Kyng Edward went ouer e
     see; [and] at Ascencioun he come vnto Parys e iij ere of his
|r12 regne, forto done his homage vnto e Kyng of Fraunce. and e
     Kyng vnderfonge his homage] and made michel ioye and
     worship. But or Kyng Edward hade made his homage vnto e
     Kyng of France, hastely he was sent aeyne into Engeland
|r16 rou e Quene Isabel his moder; and anone hastely he come
     aeyne into Engeland oppon Whitsonday, wiout eny takyng
     leue of e Kyng of Fraunce; wherfore he was wonder wor
     [ = wroth].
|r20 How Sir Roger Mortymer bare him so proudely & hie.
     Capitulo CC xx.
     |r[f.154v] |r<b> ANd now shul e hure How sir Roger e Mortymer of
        Wygemore, at desirede and couetede to bene at an hye
|r24 state, so at e Kyng grantede him to bene callede e Erl of
     Marche rou-out al his Lordeship.  And he bicome o so
     prout, at he wolde lese and forsake e name at his Ancestre
     haden euer bifore; And for at enchesoun~ he lete him calle Erl
|r28 of Marche; And none of e communes of Engeland derste calle
     him by none oer name, for he was callede so, rou e Kyngus
     crie at men shulde calle him e Erl of Marche.  And e
     Mortymer o bare him so hauten and so proude, at wonder hit
|r32 was to wete; and also disgisede him wi wonder ryche cloes
     oute of al maner resoun~, boe of shaping and of wering; Wherof



|p262


     the Englisshe-men hade grete wonder, how and in what maner
     he might contreue or fynde soche maner pride; and ai saide
     amonges ham alle communeliche, at his pride shulde nout
 |r4 longe endure.  And e same tyme, Sire Geffray e Mortymer
     e onge, at was e Mortymers sone, lete him calle Kynge of
     Folye; and so hit bifelle aftirward indede, ffor he was so ful of
     pride and of wrecchednesse, ate helde a rounde table in Walys
 |r8 to alle men at ider wolde come, and countrefetede e maner
     & doyng of Kyng Arthure table; but openly he failede, ffor e
     noble Knyt Arthure was e moste wori lord of renoun at
     was in al e worlde in his tyme, and |r[f.155r] itte come neuer non soche
|r12 after him, for alle e noble knytes [r]ou Cristendome of dede
     of Armes alosede, du[e]llede wi Kyng Arthure, and helde.him for
     her lord; and at was wel sene, for he conquerede a Romayn at
     me callede Frolle, & gete of him e reaume of France, and quellede
|r16 im wi his owen hande.  And also he faut wi a Geaunt
     at me callede Dynabus and quellede him, at hade rauisshede
     Elyne, at was Kyllg Hoeles nece, Kyng of Litil Britaign~; and
     afterward he quellede in bataile e Emperour of Rome, at me
|r20 callede Lucye, at had assemblede aeyns Kyng Arthur forto feit
     wi him so miche peple of Romayns and of Peites and of
     Sarasynus, at no man cou ham nombre; and he descomfitede
     ham alle, as e story of him more pleynloker telle.  And in
|r24 e same tylne, commune loos sprong in Engeland, rou conietting
     and ordenaunce of e ffrere Prechoures, at Sir Edward of Car_naryuan, 
     at was Kyng Edwardus fader, of whom e geest telles,
     saide at he was alif in the castel of Corf; wherfore alle e
|r28 commune[s] almost of Engeland were in sorwe and drede
     wheer hit were so or nou; ai wist neuer how e Mortymer
     traiterousely hade done him mordre.



|p263


     How Edmunde of Wodestok, at was Erl of Kent, and e
     Kyngus broer, Edward of Carnaryuan, was biheuedede
     at Wynchestr, Capitulo CC=o= xxi=o=.
 |r4 |r<b> ANd oppon a tyme hit was so, at Sir Edmunde of Wodestok,
        A Erl of Kent, spake vnto e Pope Iohn~ e xxij at Auy[n]on,
     and said at Almyghty God hade meny tymes done, for Tl omas
     loue of Lancastre, meny Gret miracles to meny men and |r[f.155v] wymen
 |r8 at Were rou diuerse sikenesse vndon~ as to the world, and
     rou his praier a were brout vnto her hele.  And so Sir
     Edmund pra ede e Popeertly at he wolde graunt him grace
     at e forsaide Thomas might bene translated; but e Pope
|r12 saide, `nay, he shulde nout bene translatede, e same Thomas,
     Erl of La[n]castre, vnto e tyme at he were bettre certefied of e
     clergie of Engeland, and seyne by hir obediens what ing God
     had done for e loue of Thomas of Lancastre, after e suggestion~
|r16 at e forsaide Edmunde of Wodestoke, Erl of Kent, had vnto
     him made.'  And when is Edmund saw at he mit nout
     spede of his purpos as tochyng e translacioun~, He praiede him o
     of his conseile as toching Sir Edward of Carnaryuan, his broer,
|r20 O a d saide nout longe gon at he was Kyng of [England], what
     ing mygh[t] beste bene done as tochyng his delyuerance, si at
     a commune fame is rou-out al Engeland at he was alif, and
     llole and saf.  When e Pope herde him telle at Sir Edward
|r24 was alif, he commanded e Erl, oppon~ his benison~, at he shulde
     helpe, wi al e power at he might, at he were delyuerede out
     of prlson, and saf his body in al maner at he myght; and, forto
     bryng is ing vnto an ende, he assoilede him and his company a
|r28 pena & a culpa, and alle o at halpen to his delyuerance.
         Tho tok Edmund of Wodestoke, Erl of Kent, his leue of
     e Pope, and comme aeyn into Engeland. And when Edmunde
     was comen somme of e ffrere prechoures come and saide at Sir
|r32 Edward his broer itte was alyf in e |r[f.156r] Castel of Corf, vnder the
     kepyng of Sir Thomas e Gurnay.  o spede him e forsaide



|p264


     Edmund, asi faste as he might, til at he come to e castel of
     Corf, and acqueyntede him, and spake so faire wi Sir Iohn~
     Daueril, at was conestable of e forsaide castel, and af him riche
 |r4 iftes forto haue acqueyntance of him, and forto know of his
     conseil. and us hit bifelle, at e forsaide Sir Edmund praiede
     specialy forto telle him priuely of his lorde his broer, Sir Edward,
     if at he leuede or were dede. if at he were on lif, he
 |r8 praiede of him ones to haue a sight.  And is Sir Iohn~
     Daueril was an hye-hertede man, & ful of corage, and ansurede
     shortely vnto Sir Edmund, and saide, at Sir Edward his broer
     was in hele & vnder his kepyng,  and derst shew him vnto no
|r12 man, si it was defendede him in the Kyngus half, Edward, at was
     Edward sone of Carnauan, and also rou commandement of e
     Quene Isabel, e Kyngus moder, and of Sir Roger e Mortymer,
     at he shulde shew his body to no man of e worlde, saf
|r16 onely vnto ham, oppon~ peyne of lif and lyme, and to disherite_soun 
     of his heires for euermore. but e false traitour falsely liede,
     for he was nout in his ward, but he was tak ens, and lade to
     e castel of Berkelee rou Sir Thomas Gurnay, rou commande_ment 
|r20 of e Mortymer, til at he was dede, as bifore is saide more
     plenerly.  But Sir Edmund of Wodestok wist noing at his
     broer was dede. Wheroppon he toke a lettre vnto e forsaide
     Sir Iohn~, and praiede him hertly at |r[f.156v] he wolde take hit to Kyng
|r24 Edward his broer, as to His wori Lorde; and he toke e lettre
     of him, and bihight to him forto done his message wi-outen
     eny maner faile. and wi at, Sir Edmund to[k] of him his
     leue, at is to seyne, of e forsaide Iohn~, and went o into his
|r28 owen contre and Lordeship in Kent, at he hade er.  And
     anon as is same Iohn wist at Sir Edmund of Wodestoke was
     Gone into Kent, his owen Lordeship, anone he went in al the
     haste at he might fro e castel of Corf, and come to Sir Roger
|r32 Mortymer, and toke him e lettre at Sir Edmund of Wodestoke,
     Erl of Kent, hade take him closede, & enselede wi his owen seal.



|p265


      And when Sir Roger hade vnderfonge e lettre, he vnclosede
     e lettre, and saw what was conteynede erin, and gan Hit
     forto rede;  Wherof e bigynning was is:
 |r4    "Worshippis and reuerence, wi broeres liegeance and sub_ieccioun.
     Sir knyght, worshipful and dere broer! if it ow
     plese, y pray hertly at e bene of gode comfort, ffor y shal so
     ordeyne for ow, at sone e shul come out of prisoun~, and bene
 |r8 deliuerede of that disese at e be in. and vnderstonde of our
     Grete lordeshipe, at y haue vnto me assentant almoste al e grete
     [lordes] of Engeland, wi al her apparail, at is to seyne, wi
     Armure, wi tresour wiout nombre, forto mayntene and helpe
|r12 our querell so ferfourth that e shul ben Kyng aein as e were
     biforne; and at ai alle haue suorne to me oppon~ a boke, and
     alsewel prelates as Erles & baron~s."
         when Sir Roger e Mortymer saw and vnderstode e myght
|r16 and the |r[f.157r] streng of the Lettre, anone for wra his hert gan bolne,
     and euel hert bare toward Sir Edmund of Wodestok at was Erl
     of Kent.  and so, wi al e haste et he might, he went vnto
     Dame Isabel e Quene, at was e Kyngus moder, and shewede
|r20 her Sir Edmundus Lettr, Erl of Kent, and his wille and his
     purpos, and how he hade coniettede & ordeynede to put adoun~
     Kyng Edward of Wyndesore, hire sone, of his realte and of his
     Kyngdome.  "Now certes, sir Roger," quod she, "ha Edmund
|r24 done so ? be my faderes soule," quod she, "y wil bene erof
     avengede, if at God graunt me my lyf, and at in a shorte
     tyme."  And anone wi at, e Quene Isabet went vnto Kyng
     Edward here sone, ere at he was at e parlement at Wynchestre
|r28 forto haue amendede e wronges & trespasses at were done
     amongus e peple in his reaume.  And o toke she and
     shewede him e lettre at Sir Edmund of Wodestok, Erl of
     Kent, hade made, and ensealede it wi his seal, and bade him.
|r32 oppon~ her benyson~, at he shulde avel gede bene oppon~ him, as
     oppon~ his dedeliche enemy.  Tho was e quene so wro toward
     Sir Edmund, Erl of Kent, and cessede neuer to pray vnto her



|p266


     sone at he shulde sende in haste after him. and oppon at, e
     Kyng sent by his lettres after Sir Edmunde of Wodestok, at he
     shulde come & speke wi him at Wynchestre, alle maner inges
 |r4 lafte.  And when Sir Edmund saw at e Kyng sent after him
     wi his lettre enselede, he hastede him in all e hast at he
     myght, til at he come to Wynchestre.  But |r[f.157v] o e Quene
     Wist at Edmund was come vnto Wynchestre, and anone she
 |r8 praiede so faste vnto Edward her sone, at e gode Erl was
     arrestede anone, & ladde vnto the barr bifore Robert of Hamond,
     at was crouner of e Kyngus Household; and he associede
     vnto him Sir Roger e Mortymer. and o spake e forsaide
|r12 Iohn vnto him and saide: " Sir Edmund, Erl of Kent, e shul
     vnderstond at it is done vs to wete, and principalli vnto oure
     liege lord, Sir Edward, Kyng of Engeland -- at Almyghty God
     saue and kepe! -- at e bee his dedely enemy & his traitour,
|r16 and also a commune enemy vnto e reaume; and at e haue
     bene about meny a day forto make priuelichel deliuerance of Sir
     Edward, some-tyme Kyng of Engeland, our broer, e whiche
     was put adoune of his realte by commune assent of alle e lordes
|r20 of Engeland, in enpeiring of our Lord e Kyngus Estate, and also
     of his reaume."  o ansuerede e gode man and saide: "For-so,
     Sir, vnderstande wel at y was neuer assenting forto enpeir e
     state of our Lorde e Kyng, ne of his croune, and at y put me
|r24 to ben demede oppon my pires."  And wi at word, Sir
     Roger e Mortymer shewede him e Erles lettre & his seal, and
     saide o: "Sir Edmun~de, knowe e nout e prynt of is lettre
     at he hade take vnto Sir Iohn~ Daueryll?" and he saw e
|r28 print of his seal, but he saw nout what was contenede erin;
     and e Erl him-self wende at hit hade bene on of his lettres at
     hade bene of no [charge]. |r[f.158r]  o saide e Erl to Sir Roger
     Mortymer, at He wolde nout fo[r]sake e lettre, and at was
|r32 e prynt of his seal, and anone wi at word, e wile and false



|p267


     Mortymer bygan to vndo e lettre, and gan hit forto rede in
     audience of al e court.  And o saide Sire Robert of Hamull,
     "Sir Edmunde," quod he, "si at e haue made knowyng openly
 |r4 in is court at is is our lettre ensealede wi our seal, and e
     tenour of e lettre sei at e wolde haue bene aboute forto haue
     delyuerede e body of at worshipful knyt Sir Edward, some_tyme 
     Kyng of Engeland, our broer, and forto helpe him at he
 |r8 shulde haue bene Kyng aeyne, and gouerne his peple as he
     was wont bifore tymes, in empeiring of our liege lorde e Kyngus
     state, at is now, -- wham God kepe fram alle desese! --  And
     is court wil at e bene vndone of lif and lyme, and at our heires
|r12 bene disheritede for euermore, Saf e grace of our lorde e Kyng."
     o was e Erl, Sir Edmund of Wodestok, put aeyne into prisoun~,
     vnto ful saf ward til oppon~ e morwe; and o come e Mortymere
     vnto e Kyng, ere at he satte at his mete, and tolde him how
|r16 e Erl was Dampnede by wai of lawe, and also of lyf and lyme,
     and his heires disheritede for euermore, rou oppen knowe_liching 
     in plein court; wherfore him out hit were gode at e
     forsaide Erl were hastely quellede, wiouten wetyng of e Kyng;
|r20 for elle |r[f.158v] the Kyng wolde foreue him his de, and at shu[l]de
     turne ham vnto miche sorwe so as he was enpechede.  Anone
     e Quene Isabet, rou conseile of e Mortymer, and wiout eny
     oere conseile, sent in haste to e baliffys of Wynchestr, at ai
|r24 shulde smyte of Sir Edmundes heede of Wodestok, Erl of Kent,
     wiout eny maner abidyng or respite oppon~ peyne of lif and
     lyme.  o tok e bailliffes Sir Edmund of Wodestok out
     of prisoun~, and lade him bisides the castell att Wynchestr, and
|r28 ere ai made a gonge-fermer smyte of his heuede for none oer
     man derst hit done; & so deide he ere-allas the tyme! -- at is
     to seyne, the x Day of Ottobre, e ridde er of Kyng Edwardes
     regne. And when e Kyng wist erof, he was wonder sory, and
|r32 lete entere him at e ffrere menoures at Wynchestre.



|p268


     Of the De of Sir Roger Mortymer, Erl of e Marche.  Capitulo
      Ducentesimo  Vicesimo  Secundo.
     |r<b> ANd so hit bifelle at at tyme, at Sir Roger the Mortyn er, Erl
 |r4    of the Marche, was so prout & so hauten, at he helde no
     lorde of the reaume his pier; and o bicome he so couetouse, at
     he folwede Dame Isabell e Quenes court, e Kyngus moder
     Edward, and bisette his penyworthe wi e officers of e Quenes
 |r8 househalde in e same maner as e Kyngus officeres deden; & so
     he made his takyngus as tochyng vitailes, and also of cariages;
     and al he dede for enchesoun~ of Spenses, and forto gadre tresoure;
     and so he dede wiout nombre in al at he myght.  Tho made
|r12 he him wonder priuee |r[f.159r] with e Quene Isabell; and so miche
     Lordeshippe And retenue hade, so at alle e grete Lordes of
     Engeland of him wer adrade. wherfore e Kyng and his Conseile
     towarde him wer agreuede, and ordeynede amongus ham forto
|r16 vndo him be pure resoun~ and lawe, ffor enchesoun at Kyng
     Edward, at was e Kyngus fader, traterousely rou him was
     mordred in the castel of Berkelee, as bifore is saide more plenerly,
     in the CC and xvij Chapiter of is book.  And somme at were
|r20 of e Kyngus Conseil louede e Mortymer, and tolde him in
     priuetee how at e Kyng and his conseil wer about fram day
     to day hym forto shende and vndo; Wherfore e Mortymer was
     sore annoiede, and angry as e Deuel aeynes ham at wer of e
|r24 Kyngus Conseil, and saide at he wolde on ham bene avengede,
     how-se-euer he toke on.  Hit was nout longe afterward, ati
     Kyng Edward and Dame Philipp his wif, and Dame Isabell e
     Kynges moder, and Sir Roger Mortymer ne went vnto Notyngham,
|r28 ere forto soiourne.  and so hit bifell, at e Quene Isabell,
     rou conseile of the Mortymer, toke to her e keyes of e ate
     of e castelle of Notillgham, so at no man might come neer in
     ne out by nit, but rou e commandement of e Mortyn er, ne
|r32 e Kyng, ne none of his Conseil.  And at tyme Hit felle so
     at e Mortyme[r], as a Deuel for wra, bolnede for wra at



|p269


     he hade toward the Kynges men Edward, and principally aeins
     ham at hade hims accusede to e Kyng of e de of Sire Edward
     his fader.  And priueliche a conseile |r[f.159v] was taken bituene
 |r4 Quene Isabel and the Mortymer, and e Bisshop of Lincolne,
     and Sir Symond of Bereford and Sir Hughe of Trompeton~, and
     oer priue of hir conseile, forto vndo ham alle at hade accusede
     e Mortymer vnto the Kyng of his fadres de, Sir Edward, of
 |r8 tresoun~ and of ffelonye. Wherfore alle o at were of the Kynges
     Conseile, when ai wlst of the Mortymeres castyng pryuely, comen
     to e Kyng Edward, and saide at e Mortymer wolde ham
     destroie, for cause at ai had accusede him of Kyng Edwardus
|r12 De, his fader, & praiede him at he wolde maintene ham in her
     trew querell; and e Kyng granted ham hir bone, and saide at
     he wolde maintene ham in hir right.  And ise were e lordes
     at pursuede is querell: Sire William Montagu, Sire Hunfray
|r16 de Boungh, Sire William his broer, Sire Rauf of Stafford, Sire
     Robert of Hufford, Sir William of Clynton~, Sir Iohn~ Neuyl of
     Horneby, and meny oere of her consent; and alle ise suorne
     oppon a bok to mayntene e querell in-asmiche as thei
|r20 might.
         And hit bifelle so after, at Sir William Mountagu ne none
     of e Kynges frendes moste nout bene herburghede in the
     castel, for the Mortymer, but went & toke her herbugage in
|r24 diuerse places in the toune of Notingham; and o were ai sore
     adrade leste e Mortymer shulde ham destroie.  And in haste
     ere come vnto Kyng Edward, Sir William Mountagu ere at he
     was in his castel, |r[f.160r] and priuely tolde him at he ne none of his
|r28 company shulde nout take e Morty ner wiout conseil & helpe of
     William of Eland, Conestable of e same castell.  "Now certes,"
     quod e Kyng, "y leue ow ful wel; and erfore y conseile ow at
     e go to e forsaide conestable, and commande him in my name
|r32 at he be our frende and our helpe forto take the Mortymer, al



|p270


     ing lafte, oppon~ peril oflyf and lyme." "Sir," quod Mountagn,
     "Sir, my lord, graunt mercy!"  Tho went forth the forsaide
     Mountagu, and come to e conestable of e castell, and tolde him e
 |r4 Kyngus wille. and he ansuerede and saide e Kynges wille shulde
     be done, in-asmichel as he might, and wolde nout spare for no
     maner de; and so he suore and made his oth.  o saide Sir
     William of Mountagu to e conestable, in hering of alle ham
 |r8 at were Helpyng to e same querell: "Now certes, dere
     frende, vs bihoue forto werche and done by our queyntise, to
     take e Mortymer, si at e bene keper of e castell, and haue
     e keyes in our [warde]."  "Sir," quod e conestable, "wil
|r12 e vnderstonde at e gates of e castel be loked wi e lokes
     at Dame Isabel sent hider; and by nyght she ha e keyes erof,
     and lei ham vnder e cheuesel of her bede vnto the morne; and
     so y may nout come into e castel by e ates in no maner wise;
|r16 but y know a Alie at stracches out of the ward, vnder ere,
     vnto the castel, at goe into e weste, the whiche alie Dame
     Isabel |r[f.160v] e Quene, ne none of her men, nee Mortymer, ne
     none of his company knowe hit nout; and so y shal lede ow
|r20 rou at Alie; and so e shul come into e castel wiout aspies
     of eny man at be our enemys."
         And at same nyght Sir William Mountagu, & alle the
     lordes of e querell, and e same Conestable also, went ham to
|r24 horse, and madesl semblant as hit wer forto wende out of e
     Mortymeres sight; but ano le as e Mortymer herde is tydyngus,
     he wende at ai wolde haue gone ouer e see for drede of him;
     & anone he and his company toke conseile amonges ham forto lette
|r28 hir passage, and sent lettres anone vnto the portes, so at none of
     the grete lordes shulde wende ham home into her owen contre,
     but if he were areste & taken.  And amonge oere ingus,
     William Eland, Conestable of e forsaide castel, priueliche lade
|r32 Sir William Mountagu and his company by e forsaide way vnder



|p271


     the er, so til at ai comen into the castel, and went vp into
     the Toure ere at e Mortymer was in. But Sir Hnghe of
     Trompiton~ ham ascriede hidously, and saide, "A, traitoures! hit
 |r4 is al for nout at e be comen into is castel. e shul dye
     itte in euel de euerychon~." And anone on of ham at was in
     the Mountagues company, vp wi a mace, and smote the same
     Hughe oppon~ e heuede, at e bray[n] barst out and felle on
 |r8 e Ground; and so was he dede in euel de.  Tho toke ai e
     Mortymer, as he Armede him atte e toures |r[f.161r] dore, When he
     herde e noise of ham for drede. And When Quene Isabell saw
     at e Mortymer was taken, she made miche sorwe in hert, and
|r12 ise wordes vnto ham saide:  "Now, fair sires, y ow praye at
     e done non harme vnto his body; a wori knyt, our wel
     bilouede frende and our dere cosyn."  Tho went ai ens, and
     come & brout the Mortymer, and presentede him vnto Kyng
|r16 Edward, and commaundede to brynge him into sauf ward.
      But anone as ai at were consent vnto e Mortymeres doyng
     herde telle at he was taken, ai went and hid ham, and
     priueliche by nit went out of the toune, eueryche on
|r20 his side, wi heuy hert and mornyng, & leuede oppon~ her
     owen~ londes as wel as ai myght.  And so e same er at
     e Mortymer was taken, he hade at his retynu x knyght,
     wiouten squyers & serieant of Armes and footmen. And o
|r24 was e Mortymer lade to London, and Sir Symond of Bereford
     was lad wi him, and was take to e conestable to kepe,  But
     afterward was e Mortymers lif examynede at Westminster bifore
     e Kyng & bifore alle e grete Lordes of Engeland for peril at
|r28 might falle to e reaume, & fortos enquer also whiche wer assent_yng 
     vnto Sir Edwardes de, e Kyngus fader, and also rou
     whom e Scottes askaped at Stanhope into Scotland wiout e
     wille of Kyng Edward;  And also how the chartre of Ragaman
|r32 was delyuerede vnto e Scottes, wherin |r[f.161v] e Homages and feautees



|p272


     of Scotland were contened, at e Scottes shulde do euermore
     to e Kyngus of Engeland for e reaume of Scotland. Wherfore
     in his absence he was dampnede to bene honget & draw for
 |r4 his tresoun~. And is meschief come to him on Seint Andrewes
     eve, In e ere of e incarnacion~ of our Lord Ihesu Criste, M=l=
     CCCC xxx.
     How Kyng Edward gete aeyn into his hondes graciouseliche
 |r8 e feautes and e homages of Scotland, wherof he was
     put out rou e false conseil of Isabell his moder, & of
     Sir Rogere Mortymer at was made Erl of e Marche.
     Capitulo Ducentesimo xxiij=to=.
|r12 |r<b> NOw e haue [herde] Lordes, how Sir Iohn of Bailoil, in
        tyme of pees, was chosen to bene Kyng of Scotland, for
     encheson at he come of e eldest douter of e Erl Dauid of
     Huntingdon~, at was Kyng Alisaundres broer of Scotland, at
|r16 deide wiouten heir of his body bigeten;ls and how is Iohn~ made
     feaute & homage to Kyng Edward, at was Kyng Henries sone e
     rid, for his landes of Scotland; and how he afterward wisaide
     his homages, rou conseile of e Scottes, In e ere of the
|r20 Incarnacion M=l= cclxxij=o=, and sende vnto e pope, rou false
     suggestion~ at he made his oth vnto e forsaid sir Edward, ouer
     his estate and his wille, of e whiche oth e Pop assoilede
     him, rou his bulles to him sent.  And anone as Kynge
|r24 Edward wiste erof, he ordeynede anone his |r[f.162r] barons, and come
     Vnto Berewike, and conquerede e toune; at e whiche conqueste
     ere were slayn xxv M=l= & vijc. and Bailoil, at was Kyng of
     Scotland, come & elde him vnto Kyng Edward; and e Kyng
|r28 afterward delyuerede him out of e tour of London~, and alle e



|p273


     grete lorde[s] of Scotland wi him,at were taken at Berwike,
     and af ham sauf condit to gon~ into Scotland. And the Scottes
     seenes, rou her falsenesse, werrede oppon Kyng Edward.
 |r4  And when Sir Iohn~ Bailoile, Kyng of Scotland, saw al is, he
     went & put him ouer e see vnto Dompier, and leuede ere
     oppon~ his owen landes as wel as he might, til at e Scottis wolde
     amende ham of hir misdedes & trespasse, and lad with him Sir
 |r8 Edward, his sone. Wherfore e Scottes, in despite of him, callede
     him "Sir Iohn~ Turnetabard," for cause at he wolde nout
     offende ne trespasse aeynes Kyng Edward of Engeland; and so
     he forsoke his reaume of Scotland, and sette erof but litil pris.
|r12  And is Sir Iohn, Longe duellede in Fraunce, til at he deide ere;
     and Sir Edward his sone vnderfonge his heritage, and dede
     homage vnto e Kyng of France for his landes of Dunpier.
         And so hit felle afterward at Edwarde, at was Iohn
|r16 Bailoilles sone, hads wi him a squyer of Engeland at was born
     in ork-shire, at men callede Iohn~ of Barnaby; and is Edward
     Bailoil louede him miche, & was nei him, and wi him ful
     pryuee. |r[f.162v]  And so is Iohn~ of Bernaby was in debate with a
|r20 Frenche-man in e toune of Dounpier; and so he quellede him,
     and went in his way, in al the haste at he might, into e castel
     fortill haue socoure and helpe of his lord.  And anone come e
     Officeres of e toune forto take Iohn~ of Barnaby as a feloun~.
|r24 and Sir Edward, his lorde, halpe him, and rescuede him, and by
     nyt made him wende out of the castel; and so he went his way,
     and come into Engeland with-oute eny harme.  And when
     e Kyng of Fraunce saw at Sir Edward had rescuede his
|r28 feloun~, he bicome wonder wro aeyns Sir Edward, and anon~
     lete him bene arest, and toke into his hande alle his landes.
      Tho duellede Sir Edward in prison vnto e tyme at Sir Henry
     Beaumond come into Fraunce; e whiche Henry some-tyme
|r32 was Erl of Angos in Scotland, rou his wif, and was put
     out of e forsaide Erldome when e accord was made bituene
     Engeland & Scotland, rou e Quene Isabell & Sir Rogere e



|p274


     Mortymer & her companye, for e mariage at she made bituene
     Dauid, at was Robert e Brus sone, and Dame Iohn of e toure,
     Kyng Edwardus sustre of Engeland, and wel vnderstode is, at
 |r4 at the ende he shulde con e to his ryght, but if [it] were rou e
     Edward Bailloill, at was right heir of the reaume of Scotland.
      And e Kyng of Fraunce, Lowys, louede wel is Sir Henry,
     and was wi hirn ful priuee, and |r[f.163r] out forto make delyuerance
 |r8 of Sir Edward Bailoiles body, if he might in eny maner.  Tho
     praiede he e Kyng, at he wolde graunt him of his grace Sir
     Edward Bailoilles body vnto e next parlement, at he mit leue
     wi his owen rentes in e mene-tyme, and at he nyt stande to
|r12 bene Iugede by his pieris at the parlement.  the Kyng
     grantede him his praleres, and made e forsaide Sir Edward ben
     delyuerede out of prisoun in the maner aboue-saide. and a one
     as he was out of prisoun~, Sir Henry toke him forth wi him, & lad
|r16 him into Engeland and made him duelle priueliche in the
     Maner of Sandhal oppon~ Owes in orke-shire, wi e Lady Vescy_and 
     so he ordeynede him ere an Huge retenance of peple of
     Englisshemen, and also of Aliens, forto conquere aeyne his
|r20 heritage.  And so he af miche siluer v to soudeoures and to
     Alienes forto helpe him; and ai bihight him forto helpe in al
     at ai might, but ai failede him at his most nede.
        And at at tyme Donalde, Erl of Morref, herde telle how at
|r24 Sir Edward was comen nto Engeland, and come to him, and
     made wi him grete ioye of his commyng aeyne, and saide to
     him, and bihigh[t] at alle grete lordes of Scotland shulde
     bene to him entendant, and holde him for hir Kyng, as right
|r28 heir of Scotland. and so miche ai wolde done, at he shulde
     be crounede Kyng of at lande, and to him dede feaute &
     Homage. |r[f.163v] o come Sir Henry of Beaumond to Kyng Edward of
     Engeland, and praiede him, in way of charite, at he wolde grant



|p275


     of his grace vnto Sir Edwarde Bailoil, at he moste safliche gone
     bi land frams Sandllall vnto Scotland, forto conquere his rit
     heritage in Scotland.  the Kyng Edward ansuerede and saide
 |r4 vnto him: "yf at y soffre e Bailoil wende rou my londe
     toward Scotland, an e peple wolde say at y were assenting
     to e company."  "Now, Sir, y praie ow at e wolde grant
     him leue to take vnto [him] soudeoures of Englisshe-men, at ai
 |r8 myt safly lede him rou our land vnto Scotland; and, Sir,
     oppon~ is couena[n]t, at if it so bifalle-at God hit forbede! -- at
     ai bene descomfited in bataile rou e Scottes, at y and alle e
     lordes at holden with Bailoil ben for euermore put out of oure
|r12 rent at we haue in Engeland."  and e Kyng, oppon is
     couenant, grantede hir bone, as toching him and o at were of
     e same querell, e whiche cleimede forto haue londes & rent
     in e reaume of Scotland.  And ise were e names of e same
|r16 Lordes at pursuede is mater, at is to seyn, Sir Edward
     Bailoil, at chalangede e reau-me of Scotland; Sir Henry
     Beaumond, Erl of Angos; Sir Dauid of Stroboly, Erle of Atheles;
     Sire Geffl-ay of Mountbray, Walter Comyn, and nleny oere at
|r20 were put out of hir heritage in Scotland when e pees was
     |r[f.164r] made bituene Engeland and Scotland, as bifore is saide.
         And e shal vnderstond at ise lordes toke wi ham v C
     men of Armes and ij M=l= Archires of footmen, and o went vnto
|r24 ship atte Rauenesere, and sailede by e see til at ai conle vnto
     Scotland, and come to lande at Kynkecorne, xij mile fro Seint
     Iohnes toune, and sende oute hier shippes aeine, for ai shulde
     nout ben hurt ne apairede, neier at no man shulde gone into
|r28 shippe aeyne, ou at ai hade nede, but abide at al periles, and
     nout flee, but stande, and raer soffre de an flee, to mayntene
     hir trew querelle.  when e Erl of Fif, a fers man and a sterne,
     herde telle at e Bailoil was comen forto take e lande of
|r32 Scotland,e come in haste vnto Kynkecorn wi x M=l= Scottes,
     forto destourblc him, at he shulde nout come to land.  But
     Sir Edward Bailoil and his conlpany had taken e land, maugre



|p276


     him and his company, and him descomfitede; at e whiche
     scomfiture Sir Alisandre of Seton~ was er quellede, and meny
     oer.  The Erl of Fif. was o wonder sory, and ful euel
 |r4 shamede at so litil company hade him descomfitede, and shame_fulliche 
     put him & alle his company at was alif forto flee.
     o come Sir Edward the Bailoil, and toke e contre al about him,
     til at he come to e Abbay of Dunfermelyn; and ere he fonde
 |r8 vitailes for him and |r[f.164v] for his men. and amonge all oer inges,
     He fonde in a chambre aboue v C of grete stafes of fyne oke,
     with longe pikes of yren and of stele: he fok and delyuerede
     ham to e most strongeste of his company.  And anone after
|r12 he went fro ens, and loggede him in a felde ij nile fro Seint
     Iohn~ toune. and when e burgeys of e toune herde how e Erl
     was descomfitede rou Sir Edward Bailloile, ai were sore
     adrade, and broken e brigge at ai had made ouer e water of
|r16 Erne, so at e Bailoil might nout gon~ ouer; Wherfore he
     loggede him ere al at nyght, but litel hede he toke to reste, and
     saide vnto his peple,  "Now, dere lordes, e knowe ful wel at
     we bene now loggede bltuene oure enemys; and if ai mow vs
|r20 hampre, ere nys but litil de; whe[r]fore if we abide here all
     is nyght stille, y leue at hit shal turne vs to miche harme; for e
     power of Scotland may euery day wax and encresce, and we may
     nout so; and we bene ful litel peple as aeins ham. whefore y
|r24 praye ow, for the loue of Almyghty God, make we vs bolde and
     hardy, and at we mow mightely fake e Scottes is nyght, and
     boldely werr oppon~ ham; and late vs pu[r]sue ham is nit; and
     if ai bene trauailede rou vs, and ai see oure hardynesse, so
|r28 at oere Scottis at comen, and mete ham & see ham so trauailede
     and wery, e sorer wil bene adrade wi vs forto feiten; and
     fressheliche an we shullen |r[f.165r] feit, and oppon~ Ham pursue, so
     at, rou the grace of Almighty God, al the worlde shal speke of
|r32 e doutynesse of our chaiualry."  And, sires, vnderstondes



|p277


     wel at all the company at come with Sir Edward Bailoile
     grauntede wel vnto is conseil, and were erof glade, and anone
     pursuede oppon e Scottes at wer bicomen wonder wery. and
 |r4 e Bailoile and his company sore folwede ham, and dede l,am
     miche sorwe rou her assaut, so at ai myght nout, for feble,
     ham helpe, and for litel peple.  But o saide an ongus ham:
     "what is vs now bifalle, at so litel peple as e Bailoil ha in
 |r8 wenge, done vs so miche trauaile and sorwe? now certes hit
     seme vs at he werches by grace, for he is wonder graciouse in
     his querelle, and al we certes shul bene dede er at we may
     come to him, vs forto elde, si at his fader sette of vs no pris."
|r12     And amonge alle oere engus, e Bailoil & his peple passede
     e watere of Erne, so at Sir Roger of Suynerton~, e sone, was
     fers and angri, and went forth; and ai saw miche peple of men
     of armes ful wel arraiede; and for a went vnto ham, and wi
|r16 hanl fouten, and quellede as meny as wolde abide, and toke;
     and noelesse at at assaut ai wende at hit hade bene e grete
     host of Scotland. and when hit come to e morlle, ai gadrede
     ham and restede a while.  But e while at e Englisshe_men 
|r20 restede, e noble Baron~ Thomas of Vescy, and e noble
     baron~ of Stafford, prekeden hir |r[f.165v] horse vp and doun by e hulles,
     forto Kepe e estres of e contreye.  and as ai prekeden vp
     and doun, ai saw a grete hoste of gode arraye, ordeynede in iij
|r24 wenges, wi helmes and shelde shynyng, comyng oppon ham,
     and o come o ij lordes aeyne vnto e Bailoiles folc, and saide,
     "Now, for the loue of Almyghty God, be of gode con fort, for e
     shul haue bataile anone right!"  And o spake Sir Fouk, e
|r28 sone of Gerrein, a baroun~ of grete renoun~ and of dede of Armes:
     "Sires lordynges, vnderstonde []at y wil saien y haue seyne
     meny diuerse wenges, as wel amonges Sarasynus and Gewes as
     amonge e Scottes; and itt see y neuer e feres part of e
|r32 wenge feiten. and erfor, ands we wil abide our enemys, we be



|p278


     ynow forto feit aeynes ham; but if we be nout of gode hert
     and of gode wille forto feit wi ham, for certes we ben ful
     fewe aeyns is company.  And erfore, for the loue of God,
 |r4 take we vnto vs gode hert, and lete vs bene bolde; and enke we
     neier oppon~ oure wifes ne oppon~ our cheldren, but oneliche to
     conquer ham in bataile; and, rou e helpe of our Lord God,
     oure enemys.we shul ouercome."
 |r8     And with at, come e hoste of e Scottes toward ham ful
     sorely, & aeins Sir Edward of Bailoile, in iij baitailes wel
     aralede in Armure;.and wonder fressheliche ai comen toward
     e Bailoiles men. But when Sir Donalde, Erl of Marcile, saw al
|r12 |r[f.166r] is, he saide to Robert e Brus, e sone of Robert e Brus,
     ise wordes: "Sir Robert," quod he, "ful sore me forenke at myn
     hert at is folc, at e Bailoile ha brout wi him, shulde dye
     wi dent of Scottisshe mene suorde, si at ai bene Cristen
|r16 men as wel as we bene; and erfore me enke at hit were
     grete charite to sende vnto ham forto elde ham vnto our mercy
     and grace, and raunsoun ham rou greuous raunson~s, forasmiche
     as ai haue take our land and done ille."  "Now, certes,"
|r20 quod Sir Roberts Danolde, "y haue wel perceyuede at ow art
     an enemy and traitour vnto Scotland, si at ow wils consent to
     saue oure dedely enemys at haue done vs miche sorwe and
     shame; and nowe hit seme wel at e be of her assent."
|r24  "Certes, Robert," quod Sir Donald, "falseliche e lye! y am
     nout of her company ne of her consent; and at hastely e shul
     see, for y wil feit wi ham raer an eny of iss company." "And
     certes," Sir Robert saide, "y shal, magre in heede, assaile ham
|r28 or ow."  And wi at ai prekedel her stedes ferselyss oppon~
     Caskemore, and her wenges ham folewede on a renge. and o
     come ai, and mette e Bailloil and his company at an hongen
     bout of e more i a streite passage. and so faste ai hastede ham
|r32 vnto e Englisshemen, so at ousandes felle to e gronde, eche



|p279


     oppon~ oer, into on hepe, boe horse and man.  The Bailoil
     and his men o |r[f.166v] mighghtely stoden aeynes Ham, and faste
     quellede e Scottis vnto e grounde, & meny sore woundede, so longe
 |r4 til at ai stoden oppon~ ham, and foynede ham witl her suordes
     & speres rou-out here bodyes; and so sore traua lede oppon~ ham
     til ai bicome ful wery, and wist nout what to done. and e
     Scottes at were lafte alif fledden to saue ham-self, in the best
 |r8 maner at ai myght.  And o pursuede Edward Bailoile & his
     men, and quellede of ham til at hit was nyght. and fro ens ai
     went vnto Seint Iohn~es Toune, and toke hit, and helde ham ere
     and vitailede ham-self atte her owen wille, for ai fonden ynou
|r12 wherwith to make ham mery.  o made e Bailoile his men at
     wer wou dede gone to shippe forto wende into Engeland, forto
     hele her woundes.
        And in at same tyme ere was a Flemyng in e see, a strong
|r16 ef robour at me callede 'Crab'; and is Flemyng was dryuen
     out of Flaundres for his wickednesse; and erfore he come into
     Scotland, and helde him wi e Scottis, and dede as miche
     harme vnto the Ellglisshe-men as he myght.  And is Crab
|r20 mette in e see is Bailoiles men at wer wondede in bataile,
     at were sent aeyn il to Engeland forto hele her woundes. and
     is Crab af vnto ham a grete assaut, and wolde haue quellede
     ham euerychon~; but e Englisshe-men defendet ham wel and
|r24 manliche, |r[f.167r] and descomfitede Crab and his company; and o gan
     he forto flee into Scotland.  And as he come towarde Seint
     Iohnes toune, he fonde a grete company of Scottis, at were comen
     aeyn to-geder after e scomfiture of Gaskemore, e whe[ch]
|r28 bisegede Bailoil and his men in e same toune of Seint Iohn~; and
     anone tolde to e Scottis how at he descomfitede of e
     Englisshe-men at weie sore wondet at Gaskemore, & went
     toward Engeland forto hele her wonde; and saide vnto e
|r32 Scottes, at ai shulde haue no grace ne might aeynes Edward



|p280


     Bailoile, for enchesoun~ at he had scomfitede & empairede al the
     chiualrye of Scotland wi an handeful of men, as to acount aeins
     e Scottis at wer slayn. Wherfore he conseilede ham to remeve
 |r4 e sege fram Seynt Iohnes toune, and kepe ham in e best
     maner at ai coue or myght.  The Scottes vnderstode at
     Crab saide ham so, and forsoke e sege and went ens by nyght,
     and halpe ham-self in the beste maner at ai might.
 |r8     When is tidyng was know rou Scotland, how at e
     lordes and knyghtes were scomfitede at Gaskemore of Scotland
     rou Sir Edward Bailoil, e shullen vnderstonde at the Lordes
     and ladies & gentiles of Scotland comen wonder faste vnto Seynt
|r12 Iohnes toune, and elde ham v to Baloile, and to ham dede
     feaute and homage for hir londes, and elden ham vnto his pees,
     [a d helde him for heir lord. and he vnderfonge of ham heir
     homages, and grauntede ham his pees; and fro ens he went to e
|r16 Abbay of Scone, and ere he was cronede Kyng of Scotland. and
     after, he lete crie his pees] rou-*out |r[f.167v] e Land. and at at same
     tyme Hit bifelle at Kyng Edward of Engeland helde his parle_ment 
     amongus his Lieges at e Newe-Castell oppon Tyne, forto
|r20 amende e trespasses and e wronges at had ben done in his
     land. and Sir Edward e Bailoil, Kyng of Scotland, come to him
     ider, and dede vnto hiln feaute and homage for e reaume
     of Scotland.  And in is maner Kyng Edward of Engeland
|r24 gaderede aeyn e homages and feautes of Scotland, wherof he was
     put out oru conseil and assent of Dame Isabell his moder, and of
     Sire Rogere Mortymer, Erl of e Marche.
         Tho toke Sir Edward Bailoil, Kyng of Scotland, his leue of
|r28 Kyng Edward of Engeland, and went ens into his owen lande of
     Scotland, and sette but litil be ham at hade conseilede him and
     holpen him in his querell; wherfore ai went from him, and went
     & leuede by her owen londes and rent in Scotland.  And so
|r32 llit bifelle afterward nout longe, at e Kyllg of Scotland ne



|p281


     remevede and come to e toune of Anand, and ere toke his
     duelyng. and ider come to him a company of knytes, stronge
     men and worthy, & elde ham vnto e kyng, and bare ham so
 |r4 faire in dede, and in contynaunce so at he trust miche oppon
     ham. [and anone as e traitoures sawe at he trust miche oppon
     ham], a ordeynede amongus ham l. in o company, and wolde
     haue slayn her Kyng; but, rou e grace of Almyghty God he
 |r8 brake out rou a walle [by] |r[f.168r] an Hole in his chambre; and, as
     God wolde, scaped her traitery. and alle his men wer
     quellede; and he ascapede wi miche drede to e Toune of
     Cardoile, and ere helde him, sore a noiede: and is bifelle on
|r12 oure Ladyes eve e Concepcloun~.
         Tho sent Kyng Edward Bailoil to Kyng Edward of
     Engeland, how falsely and traiterousely he was in litel while put
     vnto shame and sorwe, rou his lige men, oppon~ whom he truste
|r16 wonder miche and praiede him, for e loue of Almyghty God
     at he wolde mayntene him and helpe [hiln] aeyns his enemys.
      the Kyng of Engeland hade of him o grete pite, & bihight
     him helpe and socour, and sent him worde at he shulde halde
|r20 him in pees stille in the citee of Cardoile, til at he hade gaderede
     his power.  Tho ordeynede Kyng Edward of Engeland a conseil
     at London~, and lete gader his men in diuerses shires of Engeland,
     and when he was redy, he went toward e toune of Berwik-vp_Twyde;
|r24 and ider come to him Kyng Edward of Scotland, wi
     his power, and bisegede the toune, and made wiout e toune a
     fair toune of pauylouns, and dikede ham wel al aboute, so at ai
     hade non drede of e Scottes; & made meny assautes wi gonnes
|r28 and wi oere engynes to e toune, wherwi al destroiede meny
     a fair hous; and cherches also were beten adoune |r[f.168v] vnto the
     ere, wi gret stones, and spitouse comyng out of gonnes and
     of oere gynnes. and noeles e Scottes kepte wel e toune, at o
|r32 ij kyngus mit nout come erin longe tyme. and noeles the



|p282


     Kynges abiden ere so longe, til o at were in e toune faillede
     vitailes; and also a were so wery of wakyng at a wiste nout
     what to Done.  And e shulle vnderstonde at o at wer in
 |r4 the toune of Berwik, rou hir comune conseile and her assent, lete
     cr e oppon e walles at a mit haue pees of e Englisshe-men;
     and erof a pralede e Kyng, and of his grace, and pralede him
     of trewes for viij dales, oppon is couenant, at, if ai were nought
 |r8 rescuede in at side of e toune toward Scotland, of e Scottis,
     wiin viij daie, at a wolde elde han vnto the Kyng, and e
     toune also. and to holde ise couenaunt, al profurede to e
     Kyng xij hostages oute of e toune of Berwik.  When the
|r12 hostages wer delyuerede vnto e Kyngus, anone o of e toune
     sent vnto e Scottes, and tolde ham of hir sorwe & meschief. and
     e Scottes comen o pryueliche ouer e water of Twyde, to e
     bout of e Abbay; and Sir William Dikett, at was e Styward
|r16 of Scotland, and meny oer at comen wi him, put ham erein
     grete perile of hamself att at tyme of hir lif; for a comen ouer
     a bruge at |r[f.169r] was to-broken, and e stones away. and meny of
     hir company were ere drenchede; but e forsaide William we t
|r20 ouer, and oere of his company, and come by e Englisshe
     shippis, and quellede in a barge of Hulle xvj men; and after ai
     went nto the toune of Berwik by the water side; Wherfore e
     Scottis helde o e toun~ rescuede, and axede hir hostages aeyne of
|r24 e Kyng of Engeland.  And e Kyng se t ham worde aeyne at
     a askede the hostages wi wronge, si at a comen nto the
     toune by Engeland syde; for couenaunt was bituene ham at e
     toune shulde be rescuede by the half of Scotland. anon Kyng
|r28 Edward o commanded ham to elde e toune or he wolde haue
     e hostages. and e Scottis saide at e toune was rescuede wel
     ynow, and erto a woldellolde ham.  When Kyng Edward saw
     e Scottis breke her couenaunt at a made, he was wonder wrothe,
|r32 and anone lete take Sire Thomas fit and Sire Alisaundre of Seton,
     Wardeyne of Berwik, -- the whiche Thomas was person~ of Dun_barr,
     -- and lete ham be taken ferst bifore e oer hostages, for



|p283


     enchesoun at Sir Alisaundres fader was keper of e toune. and
     e Kyng commandede euery day forto take sij hostages of e
     toune til at a were alle done, vnto e de, but if ai wolde
 |r4 elde e toun~; and so he wolde teche ham to breke her coue_naunt
     .  And when o of e toune hel-de is tydynges, ai bicome
     wonder sory, and sent to e Kyng of Engeland, at he |r[f.169v] wolde
     graunt ham oer viij dayes of respite, so at bituene CC men of
 |r8 Armes and xx=ti= men of Armes mygh[t] by streng gon~
     bituene ham vnto e toune of Berwik, ham forto vitaile, so at e
     toune moste be holde for rescuede.  And if it so were at xxj
     or xxij or mo were slayn of o CC biforesaide, at e toune shulde
|r12 nout beni halde for rescuede. & is couenaunt forto holde, ai
     sent to him oere xij of e toune in hostage.  The Kyng of
     Engeland grantede ham her praier, and tok e hostages. on Seynt
     Margaretes eve, In the er of grace M=l= CCC xxxij, e Scottis
|r16 comen ferseliche in iiij wengus wel arraiede in Armes, forto mete
     Kyng Edward of Engeland and Edward e Kyng of Scotland, &
     wi hir power, and come fast and sharpely aeynes evesong tyme.
     and e same tyme was flode at Berwik, in the water of Twede, at
|r20 no man myght wende ouer, on horse neier on foote, and e water
     was bituene o ij kyngus and e reame of Engeland: and at tyme
     abyden the Scottis ln at oer side, for enchesoun~ at e E glisshe_men 
     shulde haue bene drenchede or slayn~.
|r24 |r<b> THis was e arraie of the Scottis as ai comen in bataile
        aeynes e ij Kyngus of Engeland & of Scotland: In e
     vant-ward of Scotland were ise Lordes:--
      The Erl of Morrif, Iames Frisell, Symond Frisell, Walter
|r28 Stiward, Raynolde Cheyne, Patrik of Graham, Iohn le Graunt,
     Iames of Cardoile, |r[f.170r] Patrik Parkeres, Robert Caldecotes, Philip
     of Meldrum, Thomas Gilbert, Wiseman, Adam Gurdoun, Iamys
     Gramat, Robert Boyde, Huglle Park, wi xl knytes newe dobbede,
|r32 and vj C men of Armes, & iij M=l= of commune.



|p284


     In e ferst partie of e halfe bataile of Scotland wer ise
        lordes:--
      The styward of Scotland, e Erl of Moneteth, Iames his
 |r4 Vncle, William Douglas, Dauid of Lyndeseye, Maucolyn Flemyng,
     William of Keth, Dunkan Kambok, wi xxx bachilers new
     dobbede.
     In e secunde part of e half Lien-warde of the bataile of
 |r8    Scotland, were ise lordes:
      Iames Stiward of Colden~, Aleyne Styward, William Abbre_hyn, 
     William Morice, Iohn~ fit William, Adam le Mose, Walter
     fit Gilbert, Iohn~ of Cherlton, Robert Walham, wi vlj C men
|r12 of armes, & xvij M=l= of communes.
     In e ridde ward of e bataile of Scotland were ise
        Lordes:
      The Erl of Marr, e Erl of Roff, e Erl of Straherne, e Erle
|r16 of Sotherland, William Kirkeleye, Iohn~ Cambron, Gilbert de
     Haye, William of Ralneseye, William Proudegest, Kirstyn Hard,
     William Gurdon, Arnolde Garde, Thomas Dolfyn, wi xl knyghtes
     new dobbede, x C men of Armes, and xv [M=l= of] communes.
|r20 In e fer warde of e bataile of Scotland were ise lordes:
      Archebald Douglas, Erl of Leneux, Alisaunder le Brus, Erl
     of Fiff, Iohn~ Cambel, Erl of Atheles, Robert Lawether, William
     Vipount, William of Lonston~, Iohn~ de Labelles, Gros de She_|r[
|r24 |r_f.170v] renlowe, Iohn~ of Lyndescye, Alisaunder de Gray, Ingam De
     Vmfreuil, Patrik de Pollesworth, Dauid de Wymes, Michel Scott,
     William Landy, Thomas de Boys, Rogere de Mortymer, with xxx
     bachilers, x C men of Armes, and xviij M=l= communes.ls
|r28 [In =e= v=te= warde of =e= bataile of Scotlond were these lordis: --]
         The Erl of Dunbarre, keper of e castel of Berwik, halpe e
     Scottis wi l. men of Armes. And Sir Alisaundre of Seton~, keper
     of e toune of Berwik, wi C men of Armes, [and the comon~s of
|r32 e toun with CCCC men of armes],  and x M=l= & viij C of fote_mell:
     e somme of e Erles and lordes amonte lv; e somme of



|p285


     bachileres newe dobbede amounte C and xl; e some of men
     of Armes amounte iij M=l= vj C & l; e [som of e comon~samounte 
     amountith lxiiij M=l= & CC, The]s somme of commune peple aboue_saide
 |r4 lxviij M=l= & xlv.  And ise lv grete Lordes
     ladden alle e oere lordes aboue-saide in iiij batailes, as
     tolde bifore, alle on foote.
         And e Kyng Edward of Engeland and Edward, Kyng of
 |r8 Scotland, hade wel apparalede her folc in iiij batailes, forto feit
     on foot aeynes her Enemys. And e Englisshe mynstralles
     blow her trompis  and hir p pes, and hidousely ascrlede e
     Scottis. and o hade euery Englisshe bataile ij we ges of pris
|r12 Archiers, e whiche at at bataile shotten Arwes so faste and sore
     at e Scottis myght nout helpe hamself; and so ai smyten [e]
     Scottis, ousandes to e grounde; and ai gon~ forto fle fro e
     Englisshe-men forto saue hamselfe.  And when e English
|r16 knafes saw e scomfifure, |r[f.171r] and e Scottis falle faste to the
     ground, ai prikeden hir maistres hors wi e Spores forto kepe
     ham fro perile, and sette her maistres at no force.  And when
     e Englisshe-men saw at, a lopte on her hors, and fast pursuede
|r20 e Scottis; and alle at abiden, ai quellede doune ryght. ere
     might men see e doutynesse of e noble Kyng Edward and of
     his men, how manliche a pursuede e Scottis, at flowen for
     drede.  And ere might men see meny a Scottisshe-man caste
|r24 doun vnto e erthe dede, and hir baneres displaiede, & hackede
     into pices, and meny a gode habrlgoun~s of stele in hir blode
     baede; and meny a tyme e Scottes were gadrede in companyes,
     but euern ore ai were descomfitede.  And us hit bifelle, as
|r28 God wolde, at e Scottis hades at day no more foisoun~ ne
     myght aeynes e Englisshe-men, an xx shepe shulde haue aeyns
     v wolfes; and so were e Scottis descomfitede; and itte e



|p286


     Scottes men had v men aeyns on Englisshe-man. And at
     bataile was done at Halydounhill bisides e toune of Berwik: at
     e whiche bataile were slayn of e Scottis xxxv M=l= &s vij=o= & xif,
 |r4 and of Englisshemen but vij oneliche, & o were footemen. & is
     Victorie bifelle to e Englisshe-men on Seynt Margaretes eve,
     In e er of our lord Ihesu Crist M=l= CCC xxxij. And while
     is doyng laste, e English knafes tok e pilfre of e Scottes
 |r8 at were quellede, euery man at he myght take, wiout eny
     chalange of eny man. Deo gracias!
