 | The Metrical Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester |  |
495
II. Part II.
Seint edward broȝte in to engelond out of normand[ye]
Men þat him adde fleme ydo god & corteysye
& Roberd an clerc he louede mest vor he ȝef him þe bissop[riche]
Of londone & suþþe of kanterbury þe erchebissopriche
Þo he was erchebissop luþer he was & prout
Þe king him louede & alle is dedes þoru him dude al out
Þer was vpe þe quene emme þe kinges moder ydo
A luþer sclandre & vpe þe bissop of winchestre al so
Þat hii in contenance to folliche hom bere
Þe erchebissop tolde þe king more þan þer were
Þat þer was foul lecherye bituene hom ydo
& þat þoru þe quene hire sone was Alfrede to deþe ido
& he ne miȝte noȝt bileue bote he amendment toke
Of so vil dede wanne he adde hor soules to loke
Þe king leuede him wel ynou & suor he nolde abide
Þat he nolde uerst nyme vengaunce in is side
Þe bissop he binom verst al is lay fe
& suþþe he broȝte him in prison & bi nom him is se
His moder he dude ek in warde & scars liflode ire fond
In þe abbeye of worewelle & binom hire al ire lond
Þis quene made deol ynou & ire lettres wide sende
To bissopes þat he truste to ire stat uorto amende
& þat heo wolde þoru furi yre ȝif me wolde þat heo bere
Oþer trede ssewi þat heo gulteles were
Þe king was mek & milde ynou & as þe bissopes him bade
Wolde is moder do al out bote as þe oþer it made
& naþeles hii were at on as hii wolde desire
Þat is moder ire skere ssolde wiþ fury ire
Þe erchebissop roberd hurde of þis dom
& þei he nere noȝt ibede to þis conceil he com
Þe bissopes he ladde a conseil louerdinges he sede
Ich wene vor is moder mi louerd þe king ȝe bede
Þat nis as no womman ac as þe deuel ich doute
Þat uorto ssende ire owe sone þe king is aboute
Þat seiþ he is amansed vor ire copinere
Þe bissop he deþ in warde of wan heo wole hire skere
Men þat him adde fleme ydo god & corteysye
& Roberd an clerc he louede mest vor he ȝef him þe bissop[riche]
Of londone & suþþe of kanterbury þe erchebissopriche
Þo he was erchebissop luþer he was & prout
Þe king him louede & alle is dedes þoru him dude al out
Þer was vpe þe quene emme þe kinges moder ydo
A luþer sclandre & vpe þe bissop of winchestre al so
Þat hii in contenance to folliche hom bere
Þe erchebissop tolde þe king more þan þer were
Þat þer was foul lecherye bituene hom ydo
& þat þoru þe quene hire sone was Alfrede to deþe ido
496
Of so vil dede wanne he adde hor soules to loke
Þe king leuede him wel ynou & suor he nolde abide
Þat he nolde uerst nyme vengaunce in is side
Þe bissop he binom verst al is lay fe
& suþþe he broȝte him in prison & bi nom him is se
His moder he dude ek in warde & scars liflode ire fond
In þe abbeye of worewelle & binom hire al ire lond
Þis quene made deol ynou & ire lettres wide sende
To bissopes þat he truste to ire stat uorto amende
& þat heo wolde þoru furi yre ȝif me wolde þat heo bere
Oþer trede ssewi þat heo gulteles were
Þe king was mek & milde ynou & as þe bissopes him bade
Wolde is moder do al out bote as þe oþer it made
& naþeles hii were at on as hii wolde desire
Þat is moder ire skere ssolde wiþ fury ire
497
& þei he nere noȝt ibede to þis conceil he com
Þe bissopes he ladde a conseil louerdinges he sede
Ich wene vor is moder mi louerd þe king ȝe bede
Þat nis as no womman ac as þe deuel ich doute
Þat uorto ssende ire owe sone þe king is aboute
Þat seiþ he is amansed vor ire copinere
Þe bissop he deþ in warde of wan heo wole hire skere
Ȝif heo skerþ hire of him hou wole heo verþore mo
Skere of þat heo aþ ido hire sones gret wo
Of þat heo alfred hire sone radde to deþe bringe
& þat heo porueyde poyson to hire sone þe kinge
Ac ȝif heo hire skeri wole of ech of þis þinge
And heo hire skeringe do after mi lokinge
And heo of scapie harmles þe gultes echon
Icholle nime vor me & vor þe king þat gult naþ þerof non
& grante þat mi dignite me be al binome
& þat heo & þe bissop ek to hor state aȝen come
Lat nime foure yrene ssares vor hire sulue al a fure
& fiue uor þe bissop & ȝif heo it mai dure
Wanne hii liggeþ in þe flor to steppe vp echon
After oþer bareuot þat heone bileue noȝt on
Þat heo ne steppe mid folle vot wiþoute quakinge
& ȝif hire vet beþ þanne sauf wiþoute wemminge
Graunteþ hom alle quit ac ȝif heo quakieþ out
Oþer stepþ biside oþer hire vet in eny wemme be ybroȝt
Holdeþ hom gulti of þe dede & lateþ hom al so
Al hor lif as wikked men in strong prison be ydo
Þo me tolde þe quene vore heo was glad ynou
So þat þoru al engelond þis word sone drou
Þat þo dai was icome so muche folc þer com
Þat me nuste ware hom Inny vor to yse þis dom
And þe heyemen ney of engelond were þere ech one
To se godes grace of þe quene bote þe erchebissop one
Ac he feinede him somdel sik and ney þe se to be
He bileuede at douere ȝif ned were to fle
Þe quene þoru þe kinges heste ybroȝt was al so
Fram worewelle to winchestre þis Iugement to do
To sein swithines ssrine þen wei heo nom wel riȝt
Gladliche þo heo þuder com & bileuede þer al niȝt
In wop & in orisons þat reuþe it was to se
And euere bed þe holimon hire help uor to be
As heo vel in a lute slep sein swiþin to hire com
Doȝter he sede be studeuast to vnderuonge þis dom
Ich am swithin wam þou bidst & uorȝif þi sone þis dede
And to passe þe fury yre naue þou none drede
Þe quene was glad þo heo awok of þat þis godemon sede
Þat folc com þikke amorwe to se þis wonder dede
And þe heyemen come echon þen dom to hure sone
And þe king þen dom uor to ȝiue an hey sat on is trone
Biuore him uor to auonge hir dom þe quene me broȝte al so
Þe king hire esste sturneliche wer heo wolde þe dom do
Þe quene wepinde wel sore þe king ansuerede þis
Sire king þou art mi louerd and mi sone ywis
Ich emme þat þe ber and uor þe gronede ylome
Þe wule þou in mi wombe were & ar þou fram me com[e]
A sclaundre is vp me ibroȝt of min children tueye
Of þe & of alfred þi broþer þat my sones were beye
Þat ich ssolde atte rede be þin broþer to deþe bringe
And þe vor to apoisony & ȝut of þe þridde þinge
Þat ich sunne of lecherie Mid aylwine al so
Þat is bissop of winchestre ssolde abbe ydo
Ich clupie god to witnesse þat he me to day yhure
Þat ȝif ich of eni gulti am þat ich mote þoru þis fure
Brenne bi neþe & perissy þat me mowe yse þe wreche
& ȝif ich gultles am þer of god þat soþe teche
Þe quene was þo vorþ ilad mid moni a wepinde eye
Of bissopes & of heyemen & of oþere þat it yseye
Hire riche cloþes were of ydo bote þat heo was bi weued
Hire bodi wiþ a mantel a wimpel aboute hire heued
Hire legges bare bineþe þe kne þat me miȝte ech stape ise
A wey vuele bicom it quene so bar uor to be
Me broȝte vorþ þis fury ssares and leide is al arewe
In þe bar erþe isuope godes grace to ssewe
Þe bissopes blessede þe ssares and þe quene al so
And ladde ire uorþ in eiþer alf þis Iugement to do
Þe quene þoȝte al on god an to heuene caste ire eye
And ne lokede noþing donward & as hii alle yseie
Heo stap vpe þis furi yre euerich stape al clene
Nuste heo hire sulf hou it was ne bleincte noȝt ene
Þer was ioye & blisse ynou & moni a wepinde eye
Verst uor fere & suþþe vor Ioye þo hii þis iseye
Þe bissopes þat hire ladde vor ioye wepe al so
& herede god & sein swithin þo þis miracle was ydo
An ladde ire outward of þe chirche þe quene bigan to crie
Vor þe loue of ihesu crist ne doþ noȝt þe vileinie
To do my penaunce wiþoute ac in alle manere
As it me it iloked was In holi chirche here
Ma dame quaþ þis bissopes þou it ast ido iwys
So helpe me god quaþ þe quene Inuste noȝt er þis
No fur ine velede ne ne sei in þis place
Bote nou ich it verst ise ihered be godes grace
Ledeþ me þanne to mi sone þat he mowe yse
Min fet aboue & ek bineþe wer hii ywemmed be
Þo hii broȝte hire to þe king þe king ligginge hii founde
Wepinde & ope heued to sprad al to þe grounde
Hit was longe ar he miȝte speke vor deol þat he made
Atte laste he ros vp as þe bissopes him bade
& vel to is moder vet aduun anon akne
Moder he sede ich abbe misdo aȝen god & þe
Þat i nam noȝt wurþi to be þi sone ac par seinte charite
Vor pite þat of þe Magdalein god adde uor ȝif it me
Sone quaþ þe moder þo as al þis men iseþ
God aþ vaire issewed þat we gultelese beþ
Atte biginninge þeruore aȝen þe bissop ich rede
Amendement do þat is gultles of þe dede
& suþþe þou miȝt aȝen me vor ich mot nede be milde
As kunde of moder wole & blod aȝen my childe
Þo þe bissop was icome wepinde wel sore
Þe king vel doun to is vet & criede him milce & ore
Þe bissop wepinde al so uorȝef it him anon
So þat þoru þe kinges bone þe bissopes ech on
Ech after oþer asoilede þe king of þis trespas
Mid ȝerden in is naked rug and þat gret pite was
Þre strokes þe moder ek wepinde wel sore
Skere of þat heo aþ ido hire sones gret wo
Of þat heo alfred hire sone radde to deþe bringe
& þat heo porueyde poyson to hire sone þe kinge
Ac ȝif heo hire skeri wole of ech of þis þinge
And heo hire skeringe do after mi lokinge
498
Icholle nime vor me & vor þe king þat gult naþ þerof non
& grante þat mi dignite me be al binome
& þat heo & þe bissop ek to hor state aȝen come
Lat nime foure yrene ssares vor hire sulue al a fure
& fiue uor þe bissop & ȝif heo it mai dure
Wanne hii liggeþ in þe flor to steppe vp echon
After oþer bareuot þat heone bileue noȝt on
Þat heo ne steppe mid folle vot wiþoute quakinge
& ȝif hire vet beþ þanne sauf wiþoute wemminge
Graunteþ hom alle quit ac ȝif heo quakieþ out
Oþer stepþ biside oþer hire vet in eny wemme be ybroȝt
499
Al hor lif as wikked men in strong prison be ydo
Þo me tolde þe quene vore heo was glad ynou
So þat þoru al engelond þis word sone drou
Þat þo dai was icome so muche folc þer com
Þat me nuste ware hom Inny vor to yse þis dom
And þe heyemen ney of engelond were þere ech one
To se godes grace of þe quene bote þe erchebissop one
Ac he feinede him somdel sik and ney þe se to be
He bileuede at douere ȝif ned were to fle
Þe quene þoru þe kinges heste ybroȝt was al so
Fram worewelle to winchestre þis Iugement to do
To sein swithines ssrine þen wei heo nom wel riȝt
Gladliche þo heo þuder com & bileuede þer al niȝt
In wop & in orisons þat reuþe it was to se
And euere bed þe holimon hire help uor to be
500
Doȝter he sede be studeuast to vnderuonge þis dom
Ich am swithin wam þou bidst & uorȝif þi sone þis dede
And to passe þe fury yre naue þou none drede
Þe quene was glad þo heo awok of þat þis godemon sede
Þat folc com þikke amorwe to se þis wonder dede
And þe heyemen come echon þen dom to hure sone
And þe king þen dom uor to ȝiue an hey sat on is trone
Biuore him uor to auonge hir dom þe quene me broȝte al so
Þe king hire esste sturneliche wer heo wolde þe dom do
Þe quene wepinde wel sore þe king ansuerede þis
Sire king þou art mi louerd and mi sone ywis
Ich emme þat þe ber and uor þe gronede ylome
Þe wule þou in mi wombe were & ar þou fram me com[e]
501
Of þe & of alfred þi broþer þat my sones were beye
Þat ich ssolde atte rede be þin broþer to deþe bringe
And þe vor to apoisony & ȝut of þe þridde þinge
Þat ich sunne of lecherie Mid aylwine al so
Þat is bissop of winchestre ssolde abbe ydo
Ich clupie god to witnesse þat he me to day yhure
Þat ȝif ich of eni gulti am þat ich mote þoru þis fure
Brenne bi neþe & perissy þat me mowe yse þe wreche
& ȝif ich gultles am þer of god þat soþe teche
Þe quene was þo vorþ ilad mid moni a wepinde eye
Of bissopes & of heyemen & of oþere þat it yseye
Hire riche cloþes were of ydo bote þat heo was bi weued
Hire bodi wiþ a mantel a wimpel aboute hire heued
502
A wey vuele bicom it quene so bar uor to be
Me broȝte vorþ þis fury ssares and leide is al arewe
In þe bar erþe isuope godes grace to ssewe
Þe bissopes blessede þe ssares and þe quene al so
And ladde ire uorþ in eiþer alf þis Iugement to do
Þe quene þoȝte al on god an to heuene caste ire eye
And ne lokede noþing donward & as hii alle yseie
Heo stap vpe þis furi yre euerich stape al clene
Nuste heo hire sulf hou it was ne bleincte noȝt ene
Þer was ioye & blisse ynou & moni a wepinde eye
Verst uor fere & suþþe vor Ioye þo hii þis iseye
Þe bissopes þat hire ladde vor ioye wepe al so
& herede god & sein swithin þo þis miracle was ydo
503
Vor þe loue of ihesu crist ne doþ noȝt þe vileinie
To do my penaunce wiþoute ac in alle manere
As it me it iloked was In holi chirche here
Ma dame quaþ þis bissopes þou it ast ido iwys
So helpe me god quaþ þe quene Inuste noȝt er þis
No fur ine velede ne ne sei in þis place
Bote nou ich it verst ise ihered be godes grace
Ledeþ me þanne to mi sone þat he mowe yse
Min fet aboue & ek bineþe wer hii ywemmed be
Þo hii broȝte hire to þe king þe king ligginge hii founde
Wepinde & ope heued to sprad al to þe grounde
504
Atte laste he ros vp as þe bissopes him bade
& vel to is moder vet aduun anon akne
Moder he sede ich abbe misdo aȝen god & þe
Þat i nam noȝt wurþi to be þi sone ac par seinte charite
Vor pite þat of þe Magdalein god adde uor ȝif it me
Sone quaþ þe moder þo as al þis men iseþ
God aþ vaire issewed þat we gultelese beþ
Atte biginninge þeruore aȝen þe bissop ich rede
Amendement do þat is gultles of þe dede
& suþþe þou miȝt aȝen me vor ich mot nede be milde
As kunde of moder wole & blod aȝen my childe
Þo þe bissop was icome wepinde wel sore
Þe king vel doun to is vet & criede him milce & ore
505
So þat þoru þe kinges bone þe bissopes ech on
Ech after oþer asoilede þe king of þis trespas
Mid ȝerden in is naked rug and þat gret pite was
Þre strokes þe moder ek wepinde wel sore
Ȝef him him to asoily & ne miȝte uor reuþe more
Þo custe þe king is moder & þe bissop suþþe al so
& herede ȝerne seint swithin þat such miracle adde ido
Þe king þo mid gode herte deliuery het anon
Boþe quene & bissop hor maners echon
Nine tounes þe quene anon of þat ire owene was
Þo custe þe king is moder & þe bissop suþþe al so
& herede ȝerne seint swithin þat such miracle adde ido
Þe king þo mid gode herte deliuery het anon
Boþe quene & bissop hor maners echon
Nine tounes þe quene anon of þat ire owene was
Ȝef þe house of sein swithin vor þis holi cas
& þe bissop oþer nine of is eritage ywis
Vor þe nine fury ssares iȝiue was al þis
Þe king confermede hor ȝiftes & him sulf ȝef al so
Tueie gode maners sein swithin þer to
Þat wolde be tuenty vnder al and þat nas noȝt lute þere
Vor it wolde finde hom lec & worten inowe bi þe ȝere
Vor gode þe nexte king Edward þat after him suþþe com
Ne ȝef hom noȝt folliche so muche wiþinne is kinedom
Þe abbey of sein denis seint edward ȝef al so
Þe priorie of derheste & londes þat þer beþ to
Þe erchebissop of kanterbury sori ynou was þo
Þo he hurde of þe quene al hou it was igo
Him þoȝte wel longe ar he were ouer se
& bileuede al is bissopriche & ne com neuer eft aȝe
Þe quene & eke þe bissop þe wule hii aliue wer
Muche honourede sein swithin fram ȝere to ȝer
Þo wende heo out of þisse liue emme þe gode quene
In þe aþousend ȝer of grace & tuo & fifti ich wene
Seint edward held at windelsore a uair feste wiþ alle
An as ȝong mon biuore him seruede in þe halle
He spornde wiþ is o vot þat he vel almest abrod
Ac he hente mid is oþer vot so þat he abod
Þe erl godwine þe false mon sede þo þat þe on broþer
As ȝe seþ in nede helpeþ þere þat oþer
Þo ansuerede þe king & sede so miȝte me
Mi broþer helpe godwine ȝif he moste uor þe
Þo was þis luþer godwine of ssamed suiþe sore
Sire he sede ȝut me þincþ þat in ortrou þou art more
To me of þi broþer deþ & leuest hom ich ise
Þat in falsnesse þe tolde þat ich ssolde þi traytour be
As wis deme god þat soþe þat of ech þing wot ende
& al so late þis mossel bred þoru mi þrote wende
Wiþoute harm as inadde neuere in no cas
Gult of þi broþer deþ ne þi traitour neuere inas
Þe mossel he dude in to is mouþ ac þe king it blessed er
Hit bileuede amidde is þrote astrangled he was riȝt þer
& deide atte borde al stif wiþ ssendnesse ynou
Out al bineþe þe borde harald is sone him drou
A þousend in þe ȝer of grace & þre & fifti þis was
Lute harm þei ech traitor endede in þis cas
Of al is kunne in engelond seint edward nad noȝt on
Vor is breþeren were aslawe oþer iflemd ech on
Þeruore þo þis holimon as in to elde wende
To þe emperour of rome after is neueu he sende
Edward edmondes sone þat was yrenside
Þat is eir were after him ȝif he miȝte aliue abide
Þis emperour him sende mid gode loue & fre
Edward and agace is wif and hor children þre
Þe ȝonge edward adeling and al so margarete
And cristine hire soster þat gode were & suete
Þo hii come to engelond glad was þe king þo
Vor he nadde in is fader half kunnesmen nammo
Þis was in aþousend ȝer & seuene & fifti þer to
As in þe ȝer of grace þat þis dede was ydo
Ac edward deide sone & ibured was wiþ grete prute
At sein poules at londone as is bones beþ ȝute
And is sone edward bote ȝong and tendre nas
Þer uore þe king uor is deþ þe soriore was
Vor þet child was wel ȝong eir & king to be
& he wuste wel þat in þe lond muche wo me ssolde ise
And vor is vncle in normandie him adde susteined er
Þo he was fleme & frendles mo þan þritty ȝer
He wolde þat is sone sone after him king were
Willam duc of normandie riȝt lawe þei it nere
Vor he was in is moder alf next of is blod
And þer nas non in is fader alf þat þer to was so god
Þeruore þis willam bastard engelond he bi het
And biqueþ in is deþ vuel ar he þat lif let
And þat muche uor þe londes prou uor is neueu so ȝong was
Hou willam bastard was biȝite icholle telle þat cas
Richard duc of normandie emme broþer þe quene
Adde an sone þat het roberd þat duc was suþþe ich wene
Roberd þis noble duc as he wende ouerlond
A wel vair maide as him þoȝte In a tresche he vond
Þis maide him paide suiþe wel mid god herte he ire nom
And huld ire as is lefmon as wo seiþ in hordom
& biȝet on hire þis willam & uor he was so ibore
Out of spoushod me clupede him william bastard þeruore
Ar þat child were ibore a wel wonder cas
Þe moder matte bi hore childe þat in ire wombe was
Þat is gottes were to drawe aboute al normandie
And eke aboute al engelond & þat was to signefye
Þat he ssolde be duc of normandie and king of engelonde
And boþe as it suþþe vel holde in is honde
Þat child ek þo it was ibore & to grounde com
Out of is moder wombe uerst is honden boþe it nom
Vol of þe poudre of þe erþe sturneliche ynou
An closed is to gadere & is vestes boþe adrou
Þo was it iIugged þat he ssolde be wiþoute fayle
Hardi kniȝt & stalwarde & muche do of bataile
Al it com to soþe suþþe he bigan ȝong ynou
To kuþe wat he wolde be þat so ȝonge is fustes adrou
Þis child wax so wel & þeu as iseie fremde & sibbe
Þat he wolde be a noble mon ȝif he moste libbe
His fader adde of him ek gret ioye & pris
Þat so god signe adde so ȝong to be stalwarde & wis
Ar he were seue ȝer old þoru out moni a lond
Þe pope sende croiserie in to þe holi lond
Roberd duc of normandie þe crois nom atten ende
And ȝarkede him wiþ oþere to þe holy lond to wende
At fescamp ar he wende uorþ he made al normandie
Suerie helde is ȝonge sone as to seignorie
506
Vor þe nine fury ssares iȝiue was al þis
Þe king confermede hor ȝiftes & him sulf ȝef al so
Tueie gode maners sein swithin þer to
Þat wolde be tuenty vnder al and þat nas noȝt lute þere
Vor it wolde finde hom lec & worten inowe bi þe ȝere
Vor gode þe nexte king Edward þat after him suþþe com
Ne ȝef hom noȝt folliche so muche wiþinne is kinedom
Þe abbey of sein denis seint edward ȝef al so
Þe priorie of derheste & londes þat þer beþ to
Þe erchebissop of kanterbury sori ynou was þo
Þo he hurde of þe quene al hou it was igo
Him þoȝte wel longe ar he were ouer se
& bileuede al is bissopriche & ne com neuer eft aȝe
Þe quene & eke þe bissop þe wule hii aliue wer
Muche honourede sein swithin fram ȝere to ȝer
507
In þe aþousend ȝer of grace & tuo & fifti ich wene
Seint edward held at windelsore a uair feste wiþ alle
An as ȝong mon biuore him seruede in þe halle
He spornde wiþ is o vot þat he vel almest abrod
Ac he hente mid is oþer vot so þat he abod
Þe erl godwine þe false mon sede þo þat þe on broþer
As ȝe seþ in nede helpeþ þere þat oþer
Þo ansuerede þe king & sede so miȝte me
Mi broþer helpe godwine ȝif he moste uor þe
Þo was þis luþer godwine of ssamed suiþe sore
Sire he sede ȝut me þincþ þat in ortrou þou art more
To me of þi broþer deþ & leuest hom ich ise
Þat in falsnesse þe tolde þat ich ssolde þi traytour be
As wis deme god þat soþe þat of ech þing wot ende
& al so late þis mossel bred þoru mi þrote wende
508
Gult of þi broþer deþ ne þi traitour neuere inas
Þe mossel he dude in to is mouþ ac þe king it blessed er
Hit bileuede amidde is þrote astrangled he was riȝt þer
& deide atte borde al stif wiþ ssendnesse ynou
Out al bineþe þe borde harald is sone him drou
A þousend in þe ȝer of grace & þre & fifti þis was
Lute harm þei ech traitor endede in þis cas
Of al is kunne in engelond seint edward nad noȝt on
Vor is breþeren were aslawe oþer iflemd ech on
Þeruore þo þis holimon as in to elde wende
To þe emperour of rome after is neueu he sende
Edward edmondes sone þat was yrenside
Þat is eir were after him ȝif he miȝte aliue abide
Þis emperour him sende mid gode loue & fre
Edward and agace is wif and hor children þre
509
And cristine hire soster þat gode were & suete
Þo hii come to engelond glad was þe king þo
Vor he nadde in is fader half kunnesmen nammo
Þis was in aþousend ȝer & seuene & fifti þer to
As in þe ȝer of grace þat þis dede was ydo
Ac edward deide sone & ibured was wiþ grete prute
At sein poules at londone as is bones beþ ȝute
And is sone edward bote ȝong and tendre nas
Þer uore þe king uor is deþ þe soriore was
Vor þet child was wel ȝong eir & king to be
& he wuste wel þat in þe lond muche wo me ssolde ise
And vor is vncle in normandie him adde susteined er
Þo he was fleme & frendles mo þan þritty ȝer
He wolde þat is sone sone after him king were
Willam duc of normandie riȝt lawe þei it nere
510
And þer nas non in is fader alf þat þer to was so god
Þeruore þis willam bastard engelond he bi het
And biqueþ in is deþ vuel ar he þat lif let
And þat muche uor þe londes prou uor is neueu so ȝong was
Hou willam bastard was biȝite icholle telle þat cas
Richard duc of normandie emme broþer þe quene
Adde an sone þat het roberd þat duc was suþþe ich wene
Roberd þis noble duc as he wende ouerlond
A wel vair maide as him þoȝte In a tresche he vond
Þis maide him paide suiþe wel mid god herte he ire nom
And huld ire as is lefmon as wo seiþ in hordom
& biȝet on hire þis willam & uor he was so ibore
Out of spoushod me clupede him william bastard þeruore
511
Þe moder matte bi hore childe þat in ire wombe was
Þat is gottes were to drawe aboute al normandie
And eke aboute al engelond & þat was to signefye
Þat he ssolde be duc of normandie and king of engelonde
And boþe as it suþþe vel holde in is honde
Þat child ek þo it was ibore & to grounde com
Out of is moder wombe uerst is honden boþe it nom
Vol of þe poudre of þe erþe sturneliche ynou
An closed is to gadere & is vestes boþe adrou
Þo was it iIugged þat he ssolde be wiþoute fayle
Hardi kniȝt & stalwarde & muche do of bataile
Al it com to soþe suþþe he bigan ȝong ynou
To kuþe wat he wolde be þat so ȝonge is fustes adrou
512
Þat he wolde be a noble mon ȝif he moste libbe
His fader adde of him ek gret ioye & pris
Þat so god signe adde so ȝong to be stalwarde & wis
Ar he were seue ȝer old þoru out moni a lond
Þe pope sende croiserie in to þe holi lond
Roberd duc of normandie þe crois nom atten ende
And ȝarkede him wiþ oþere to þe holy lond to wende
At fescamp ar he wende uorþ he made al normandie
Suerie helde is ȝonge sone as to seignorie
Ȝong duc he was on of seue ȝer vnneþe
Vor þe fader ne com neuere aȝen ar he was ido to deþe
And þis ȝonge child bileuede duc & gret þing adde an honde
Þis was ar seint edward were king of engelond
& seint edward bileuede uorþ mid him as he adde er ido
Mid is fader in is nede and mid is grantsire al so
Þeruore þo he was king gret loue he gan bede
Þis willam uor hii susteinede him so in is nede
So þat suþþe in is elde þo is lif was nei ido
As in þe ȝer of is kinedom tuenty & tuo
Of þe croune of engelond he nuste wat best do
Vor edgares neueu is sone wel ȝong was þer to
To be king of engelond & is owe lif ssort was
& he dradde of gret contek alonde uor þat cas
Him þoȝte to ȝiue willam þat lond it was best ido
Vor he was wurþe & of o blod & best it couþe wite al so
Þeruore he ȝaf it him as he bihet him biuore
& sende to him mid þe ȝifte to normandie þeruore
Þe erl harald þe quene broþer as me wende & oþer mo
Ac soþ it is þat þe erl harald passede þe se þo
Wiþ gret poer & folc inou so þat as god it wolde
Wiþ winde he was in strange londe idriue þer he nolde
Þere hii were as strange men grimliche vnderuonge
& inome to abbe of hore & ibroȝt in bendes stronge
Sire gwy of pountin was is name þat hom broȝte in bende
& askede hom gret raunson of prison vor to wende
Harald was of heye herte & suor raþer he wolde
Vor þe fader ne com neuere aȝen ar he was ido to deþe
And þis ȝonge child bileuede duc & gret þing adde an honde
Þis was ar seint edward were king of engelond
513
Mid is fader in is nede and mid is grantsire al so
Þeruore þo he was king gret loue he gan bede
Þis willam uor hii susteinede him so in is nede
So þat suþþe in is elde þo is lif was nei ido
As in þe ȝer of is kinedom tuenty & tuo
Of þe croune of engelond he nuste wat best do
Vor edgares neueu is sone wel ȝong was þer to
To be king of engelond & is owe lif ssort was
& he dradde of gret contek alonde uor þat cas
Him þoȝte to ȝiue willam þat lond it was best ido
Vor he was wurþe & of o blod & best it couþe wite al so
Þeruore he ȝaf it him as he bihet him biuore
& sende to him mid þe ȝifte to normandie þeruore
Þe erl harald þe quene broþer as me wende & oþer mo
Ac soþ it is þat þe erl harald passede þe se þo
514
Wiþ winde he was in strange londe idriue þer he nolde
Þere hii were as strange men grimliche vnderuonge
& inome to abbe of hore & ibroȝt in bendes stronge
Sire gwy of pountin was is name þat hom broȝte in bende
& askede hom gret raunson of prison vor to wende
Harald was of heye herte & suor raþer he wolde
Ȝiue þe duc of normandie of tresour & of golde
Þat al so noble duc was & god þan a such half mon as he was
To þe duc he sende sone to helpe him in þat cas
Þe duc sende to sire gwy so þat sire gui anon
Ladde harald to þe duc & is felawes ech on
Þe duc vaire him vnderueng & onoured him ynou
So þat as riȝt was gret loue bituene hom drou
Harald uor to paye him wel sede him sone is sonde
Hou þe king him made after him is eir of engelonde
& þat he wolde take him to wite þat lond he vnder stod
To is bihefþe & þat he wolde wardein be him god
As strong uorewarde as hii miȝte hii made & as hard
& vpe holi relikes harald suor to willam bastard
Treuliche to wite engelond to him vorte he come
& þat he is one doȝter to wiue al so nome
Þat ȝong was at þulke time so þat þis þinges tuo
Mid as gret oþ he suor hom as mon miȝte do
Þo þis vorewarde was ymad hard & strong ynou
Harald toward engelond wiþ gode loue drou
Þe king he tolde al þat cas þat bituene hom was ydo
Hou he wolde willam trewe be & is doȝter spousi al so
Þo was þe king glad ynou þat he wel to him truste
& bitok him þat lond þat he wel to þis willam it wuste
Seint edward wuste of is deþ ar he henne wende
Vor seint Ion þe ewangelist biuore longe him word sende
& sende him tokne bi a ring þat at westmunstre ȝut is
Þat seint edward þer biuore sein Ion ȝef ywis
Þe king þo þet word him com & þen ring isey
He þonkede god þat he wuste þat is deþ was so ney
His god he delde pouere men & made is bernes bare
& is tresorie al so god & made him to god al ȝare
Glad he was of westmunstre þat he let him sulf rere
Þat biuore him was to grounde ibroȝt þoru luþer kinges þat þer were
Ac vor þe chirche vn halewed was þeruore him was wo
He þoȝt lete it halwy to Midewinter anon þo
Þei seinte peter him sulf ihalwed him adde er
Þat al so noble duc was & god þan a such half mon as he was
To þe duc he sende sone to helpe him in þat cas
Þe duc sende to sire gwy so þat sire gui anon
Ladde harald to þe duc & is felawes ech on
Þe duc vaire him vnderueng & onoured him ynou
So þat as riȝt was gret loue bituene hom drou
515
Hou þe king him made after him is eir of engelonde
& þat he wolde take him to wite þat lond he vnder stod
To is bihefþe & þat he wolde wardein be him god
As strong uorewarde as hii miȝte hii made & as hard
& vpe holi relikes harald suor to willam bastard
Treuliche to wite engelond to him vorte he come
& þat he is one doȝter to wiue al so nome
Þat ȝong was at þulke time so þat þis þinges tuo
Mid as gret oþ he suor hom as mon miȝte do
Þo þis vorewarde was ymad hard & strong ynou
Harald toward engelond wiþ gode loue drou
Þe king he tolde al þat cas þat bituene hom was ydo
Hou he wolde willam trewe be & is doȝter spousi al so
516
& bitok him þat lond þat he wel to þis willam it wuste
Seint edward wuste of is deþ ar he henne wende
Vor seint Ion þe ewangelist biuore longe him word sende
& sende him tokne bi a ring þat at westmunstre ȝut is
Þat seint edward þer biuore sein Ion ȝef ywis
Þe king þo þet word him com & þen ring isey
He þonkede god þat he wuste þat is deþ was so ney
His god he delde pouere men & made is bernes bare
& is tresorie al so god & made him to god al ȝare
Glad he was of westmunstre þat he let him sulf rere
Þat biuore him was to grounde ibroȝt þoru luþer kinges þat þer were
517
He þoȝt lete it halwy to Midewinter anon þo
Þei seinte peter him sulf ihalwed him adde er
Ȝut he moste ef sone vor þe nywe worke þer
He sende after is barony at midewinter mid him to be
Þo þe feste igadered was deol me miȝte ise
Vor þo it ssolde Murgost be þe king vuelede anon
& naþeles glad he was him sulf vor he wuste wuder gon
& uor ioye of is deþe & uor þe heye feste al so
Þe trauail he nom to him al þat him wolde valle to do
He ber þe croune & huld þe deis mid oþer atil al so
& mid gret semblant þe feste huld vorte þre dawes were ydo
A sein Iones day he sey þat al com to god endinge
He made a confermement to westmunstre of ech þinge
Þat þoru him hom iȝiue was oþer þoru eni oþer kinge
So þat no king after him ne dude no destourbinge
Þe chirche he let halwy as a childermasse day
Wel feble he was þere him sulf as al þat folc isay
In a þousend ȝer of grace & six & sixti þer to
Hit was þat þis holimon þis dede let do
Þo it was al wel ido & ibroȝt to god ende
Þe king feble & sik ynou to is bed gan wende
Þo was þer deol & sorwe ynou of men þat wuste þat cas
Vor hii wuste þat to engelond muche wo to come was
Worre & slaȝt & oþer wo & honger & gret wou
Þe quene vel bi him adoun & biclupte him vaste ynou
Vor to hete is colde limes þat non hete ne com to
Þoru hete of ire owe bodi & of ire cloþes al so
Þe king lai as he were isuowe al mest dawes tuo
He gan as he awoke of slepe is eyen þo vndo
He sat him vpward vp is bed is honden huld vp an hey
Louerd he sede þat ech þing madest quointe & sley
& changest poer & kinedom al at þin owe rede
& mannes sones wreche sendst of hor fader misdede
He sende after is barony at midewinter mid him to be
Þo þe feste igadered was deol me miȝte ise
Vor þo it ssolde Murgost be þe king vuelede anon
& naþeles glad he was him sulf vor he wuste wuder gon
& uor ioye of is deþe & uor þe heye feste al so
Þe trauail he nom to him al þat him wolde valle to do
He ber þe croune & huld þe deis mid oþer atil al so
& mid gret semblant þe feste huld vorte þre dawes were ydo
518
He made a confermement to westmunstre of ech þinge
Þat þoru him hom iȝiue was oþer þoru eni oþer kinge
So þat no king after him ne dude no destourbinge
Þe chirche he let halwy as a childermasse day
Wel feble he was þere him sulf as al þat folc isay
In a þousend ȝer of grace & six & sixti þer to
Hit was þat þis holimon þis dede let do
Þo it was al wel ido & ibroȝt to god ende
Þe king feble & sik ynou to is bed gan wende
Þo was þer deol & sorwe ynou of men þat wuste þat cas
Vor hii wuste þat to engelond muche wo to come was
Worre & slaȝt & oþer wo & honger & gret wou
Þe quene vel bi him adoun & biclupte him vaste ynou
Vor to hete is colde limes þat non hete ne com to
Þoru hete of ire owe bodi & of ire cloþes al so
519
He gan as he awoke of slepe is eyen þo vndo
He sat him vpward vp is bed is honden huld vp an hey
Louerd he sede þat ech þing madest quointe & sley
& changest poer & kinedom al at þin owe rede
& mannes sones wreche sendst of hor fader misdede
Ȝif þing þat ich nou ysey come of þin owe soþnesse
Ȝif me poer hit to telle in al mi feblesse
Vor to ssewy þi poer þat hii þat it yseþ
Douti þe of þe sunne þat hii inne beþ
Repenti mowe & þer of hom amendi so
Þat hii ssilde hom fram þe harm þat þou þencst hom do
Anon as þis holiman adde is orison ydo þere
Stalwarde mon of speche he was hol as þei he were
Þo gan he to tellen þis þat vlke tyme ich was
As man fleme in normandie me com mani god cas
Men of religion ich louede wel ynou
And to hom þat beste were at uor alle oþere ich drou
An tueye holimen at uore alle oþere mest ich louede þere
Nou wot ich wel þat mani day in heuene boþe hii were
Nou come hii boþe to me and þe anguisses some
Hii tolde me þat to engelond after me ssolle come
Hii sede me of þe wrechede þat alond aþ ȝare ibe
Þe wreche hieþ & comeþ sone & þat me ssal yse
Vor prustes mid vnclene honden & mid lechors mod
Al isoyled sacrieþ godes fless & is blod
Ssephurdes hii beþ luþere vor hii ne witeþ noȝt
Hor ssep fram þe wolues vor be hom ibroȝt
Þe milc & þe wolle clene of oþer þing hii nolleþ telle
Þe ssephurdes & þe ssep al so ssolleþ to þe pine of helle
As god heiemen of þe lond robbeors felawes beþ
Poueremen þat hii moweþ ouer hii huldeþ as ȝe iseþ
Nou wole vr louerd ssake is suerd is bowe is ibend
& prest aþ imad uor to smite men þat beþ mis wend
Þo sede ich mid dreri mod ȝif hii wolle turne hor þoȝt
& sori be & bete hor sunne wole vr louerd uor ȝiue hom oȝt?
Þat is uor noȝt þe oþer sede vor þe folkes herte is
So iharded þat hii beþ deue & blinde iwys
Þat hii nolleþ no god þing ihure ne yse
Þo sede ich were vr louerd wolle euere wroþ be
Wer he nolle grace do & be of milce more
Wanne þat lond after so gret ioye so uol worþ of sore
Wat ende ssal þer of be & wanne eni blis
Oþer confort after such wo þo sede þe oþere þis
A grene wexinge tre þat is fram þe more
Ismite adoun & þe brede of þre londes þer fram ybore
Wanne it is eft bi him sulue wiþoute ech monnes red
Itornd aȝen to is riȝte more þat er was as ded
& biginþ to blowe & suþþe to bere frut
Vor to ssewy þi poer þat hii þat it yseþ
Douti þe of þe sunne þat hii inne beþ
Repenti mowe & þer of hom amendi so
Þat hii ssilde hom fram þe harm þat þou þencst hom do
Anon as þis holiman adde is orison ydo þere
Stalwarde mon of speche he was hol as þei he were
520
As man fleme in normandie me com mani god cas
Men of religion ich louede wel ynou
And to hom þat beste were at uor alle oþere ich drou
An tueye holimen at uore alle oþere mest ich louede þere
Nou wot ich wel þat mani day in heuene boþe hii were
Nou come hii boþe to me and þe anguisses some
Hii tolde me þat to engelond after me ssolle come
Hii sede me of þe wrechede þat alond aþ ȝare ibe
Þe wreche hieþ & comeþ sone & þat me ssal yse
Vor prustes mid vnclene honden & mid lechors mod
Al isoyled sacrieþ godes fless & is blod
521
Hor ssep fram þe wolues vor be hom ibroȝt
Þe milc & þe wolle clene of oþer þing hii nolleþ telle
Þe ssephurdes & þe ssep al so ssolleþ to þe pine of helle
As god heiemen of þe lond robbeors felawes beþ
Poueremen þat hii moweþ ouer hii huldeþ as ȝe iseþ
Nou wole vr louerd ssake is suerd is bowe is ibend
& prest aþ imad uor to smite men þat beþ mis wend
Þo sede ich mid dreri mod ȝif hii wolle turne hor þoȝt
& sori be & bete hor sunne wole vr louerd uor ȝiue hom oȝt?
Þat is uor noȝt þe oþer sede vor þe folkes herte is
So iharded þat hii beþ deue & blinde iwys
522
Þo sede ich were vr louerd wolle euere wroþ be
Wer he nolle grace do & be of milce more
Wanne þat lond after so gret ioye so uol worþ of sore
Wat ende ssal þer of be & wanne eni blis
Oþer confort after such wo þo sede þe oþere þis
A grene wexinge tre þat is fram þe more
Ismite adoun & þe brede of þre londes þer fram ybore
Wanne it is eft bi him sulue wiþoute ech monnes red
Itornd aȝen to is riȝte more þat er was as ded
& biginþ to blowe & suþþe to bere frut
Ȝut me may wo it isucþ to bote hopie ȝut
Þo þe quene & ire broþer harald hurde þis
& roberd þat wardein was of þe paleys ywis
Hii wepe & made deol ynou vor hii seye þe soþnesse
In wuch lecherie & oþer sunne þe prestes songe hor messe
& hou þe heiemen of þe lond þe pouere to grounde broȝte
Þe wreche þat god wole do nas noȝt uor noȝt hii þoȝte
Þe siȝte bitokneþ þus as it was vnder stonde
Þis tre þe noble kinedom bitokneþ of engelonde
Þe more bitokneþ þe riȝte kunde þat ech of oþere come
Fram king alfred þe kunde more þat uerst was yeled at rome
To seint edwardes fader & to him sulue al so
Ac þo he deide wiþoute riȝt eir þe wexinge was ydo
& þat tre ismite fram þe more ouer þre londes brede
Vor þre kinges were of engelond of vnkunde sede
Verst harald þe quene broþer & willam bastard al so
& suþþe is sone willam þe rede king þer to
Ac after þat willam þe rede king issote was bi cas
& þe gode henry is broþer after him king was
Seint edwardes nece þat of is fader kunde com
& of þe riȝte kunde of engelond king henry to wiue nom
Þat was mold þe gode quene þat in gode time was ybore
Þo smot uerst þis tre aȝen to is kunde more
& normandie þoru þe king & þoru þe quene engelond
Iioyned were þo kundeliche as in one monnes hond
Þo seint edward adde þis itold he closede boþe is eye
In þe verþe day of Ieniuer In þis manere he gan deye
In a þousend ȝer of grace & sixe & sixti riȝt
After þat vr suete louerd in is moder was aliȝt
King he was þre & tuenti ȝer & six monþes þer to
& þre wouke & six dawes ar is lif were ydo
Al þe franchise of engelond & al þe ioye of blis
Mid him was uaste ibured þo me burede him ywis
& þat me vond sone afterward mid moni deoluol cas
At westmunstre a tuelfte day þis godemon ibured was
Þo þe quene & ire broþer harald hurde þis
& roberd þat wardein was of þe paleys ywis
523
In wuch lecherie & oþer sunne þe prestes songe hor messe
& hou þe heiemen of þe lond þe pouere to grounde broȝte
Þe wreche þat god wole do nas noȝt uor noȝt hii þoȝte
Þe siȝte bitokneþ þus as it was vnder stonde
Þis tre þe noble kinedom bitokneþ of engelonde
Þe more bitokneþ þe riȝte kunde þat ech of oþere come
Fram king alfred þe kunde more þat uerst was yeled at rome
To seint edwardes fader & to him sulue al so
Ac þo he deide wiþoute riȝt eir þe wexinge was ydo
& þat tre ismite fram þe more ouer þre londes brede
Vor þre kinges were of engelond of vnkunde sede
Verst harald þe quene broþer & willam bastard al so
& suþþe is sone willam þe rede king þer to
524
& þe gode henry is broþer after him king was
Seint edwardes nece þat of is fader kunde com
& of þe riȝte kunde of engelond king henry to wiue nom
Þat was mold þe gode quene þat in gode time was ybore
Þo smot uerst þis tre aȝen to is kunde more
& normandie þoru þe king & þoru þe quene engelond
Iioyned were þo kundeliche as in one monnes hond
Þo seint edward adde þis itold he closede boþe is eye
In þe verþe day of Ieniuer In þis manere he gan deye
In a þousend ȝer of grace & sixe & sixti riȝt
After þat vr suete louerd in is moder was aliȝt
King he was þre & tuenti ȝer & six monþes þer to
& þre wouke & six dawes ar is lif were ydo
Al þe franchise of engelond & al þe ioye of blis
Mid him was uaste ibured þo me burede him ywis
525
At westmunstre a tuelfte day þis godemon ibured was
Harald þis false erl þo seint edward ded lay
Him sulue he let crouni king þulke sulue day
Falsliche uor seint edward so wel to him truste
Þat he bitok him engelond þat he it wel wuste
To willames biofþe bastard duc of normandie
Ac him sulue he made king mid such tricherie
Ac þe gode trywemen of þe lond wolde abbe ymad king
Þe kunde eir þe ȝonge child edgar aþeling
Wo so were next king bi kunde me clupede him aþeling
Þeruore me clupede him so vor bi kunde he was next king
Ac harald made his wey biuore as mid suikedom
Mid ȝiftes & mid uaire biheste aueng þe kinedom
So þat some him chose al out & some hom hulde stille
And sofrede as hii noȝt ne miȝte al þe oþeres wille
So þat harald was king to wroþerhele þe kinedom
And seint edwardes siȝte bi him to soþe com
Vor þo bigan þe wowe verst as me miȝte yse
Þat ssolde as seint edward sede bi þre kinges daye be
Vor coste haraldes broþer þat he drof in to flaundre
Bi þe kinges daye edward him sulf to grete sclaundre
He com anon þo upen him mid gret poer & heye
Mid harald darfager king of norþweye
& mid gret poer of norþhumber to euerwik hii come
& muche folk in þe souþ side boþe slowe & nome
King harald com to hom aȝen mid poer strong ynou
Bi side euerwik his ost aȝen him drou
In a stude þat me clupede staunford brugge þo
Ac nou me clupeþ it bataile brugge uor þe bataile þat was þo
Þere hii smite to gadere & made a sori pley
Vor þere was þis cost aslawe & þe king of norþwey
& hor side al bineþe to ende it com so
Þat seint edward biuore sede of þulke breþeren tuo
Þat hii ssolde to gadere fiȝte & harald aboue be
Þer me miȝte of þulke word þe soþnesse yse
Fram anon amorwe uorte mid ouer non
Þe bataile ilaste strong ar he were idon
Þe englisse ouer þe brugge driue þe oþere atte laste
Ac þo þat water was bituene hii stode aȝen vaste
O bodi þer was of norþwey betere nare þer none
Vor he at stod vpe þe brugge mid an ax alone
& drof þe englisse men aȝen him ne miȝte non at stonde
& slou mo þan vourty of hom mid is owe honde
& wuste hom so uorte after non vor te on mid gile nom
A ssip and ar he were iwar vnder þe brugge com
& smot him ar he were ywar vnder þe fondement lowe
Mid a spere & so an hey þat he deide in an þrowe
A stalwarde pece þat was nou god cuþe is soule loue
Þo þoȝte þe englisse uor is deþ þat hii were al aboue
& passede þe brugge anon & slowe to grounde
So þat þe oþer partie bineþe was in a stounde
Þo harald isey is broþer aslawe & þe king arfager
Of norþweie & hor folc he ne held no mon is per
He ne ȝeld noȝt wel hor mede þat wiþ him is fon slowe
Þeruore is men þe lasse hor herte to him drowe
& þat hii kudde him afterward aȝen willam bastard
As ȝe ssolle sone ihure vor he was euere a ssreward
Him sulue he let crouni king þulke sulue day
Falsliche uor seint edward so wel to him truste
Þat he bitok him engelond þat he it wel wuste
To willames biofþe bastard duc of normandie
Ac him sulue he made king mid such tricherie
Ac þe gode trywemen of þe lond wolde abbe ymad king
Þe kunde eir þe ȝonge child edgar aþeling
Wo so were next king bi kunde me clupede him aþeling
Þeruore me clupede him so vor bi kunde he was next king
Ac harald made his wey biuore as mid suikedom
Mid ȝiftes & mid uaire biheste aueng þe kinedom
526
And sofrede as hii noȝt ne miȝte al þe oþeres wille
So þat harald was king to wroþerhele þe kinedom
And seint edwardes siȝte bi him to soþe com
Vor þo bigan þe wowe verst as me miȝte yse
Þat ssolde as seint edward sede bi þre kinges daye be
Vor coste haraldes broþer þat he drof in to flaundre
Bi þe kinges daye edward him sulf to grete sclaundre
He com anon þo upen him mid gret poer & heye
Mid harald darfager king of norþweye
& mid gret poer of norþhumber to euerwik hii come
& muche folk in þe souþ side boþe slowe & nome
King harald com to hom aȝen mid poer strong ynou
Bi side euerwik his ost aȝen him drou
527
Ac nou me clupeþ it bataile brugge uor þe bataile þat was þo
Þere hii smite to gadere & made a sori pley
Vor þere was þis cost aslawe & þe king of norþwey
& hor side al bineþe to ende it com so
Þat seint edward biuore sede of þulke breþeren tuo
Þat hii ssolde to gadere fiȝte & harald aboue be
Þer me miȝte of þulke word þe soþnesse yse
Fram anon amorwe uorte mid ouer non
Þe bataile ilaste strong ar he were idon
Þe englisse ouer þe brugge driue þe oþere atte laste
Ac þo þat water was bituene hii stode aȝen vaste
O bodi þer was of norþwey betere nare þer none
Vor he at stod vpe þe brugge mid an ax alone
528
& slou mo þan vourty of hom mid is owe honde
& wuste hom so uorte after non vor te on mid gile nom
A ssip and ar he were iwar vnder þe brugge com
& smot him ar he were ywar vnder þe fondement lowe
Mid a spere & so an hey þat he deide in an þrowe
A stalwarde pece þat was nou god cuþe is soule loue
Þo þoȝte þe englisse uor is deþ þat hii were al aboue
& passede þe brugge anon & slowe to grounde
So þat þe oþer partie bineþe was in a stounde
Þo harald isey is broþer aslawe & þe king arfager
Of norþweie & hor folc he ne held no mon is per
He ne ȝeld noȝt wel hor mede þat wiþ him is fon slowe
Þeruore is men þe lasse hor herte to him drowe
529
As ȝe ssolle sone ihure vor he was euere a ssreward
Mvche aþ þe sorwe ibe ofte in engelonde
As ȝe mowe her & er ihure & vnderstonde
Of moni bataile þat aþ ibe & þat men þat lond nome
Verst as ȝe abbeþ ihurd þe emperours of rome
Suþþe saxons & englisse mid batayles stronge
& suþþe hii of denemarch þat hulde it al so longe
Atte laste hii of normandie þat maisters beþ ȝut here
Wonne hit & holdeþ ȝut icholle telle in wuch manere
Þo willam bastard hurde telle of haraldes suikelhede
Hou he adde ymad him king & mid such falshede
Vor þat lond him was bitake as he wel wuste
To wite hit to him wel & he wel to him truste
As þe hende he dude verst & messagers him sende
Þat he vnderstode him bet is dede vor to amende
& þoȝte on þe grete oþ þat he him adde er ydo
To wite him wel engelond & to spousi is doȝter also
& hulde him þerof vorewarde as he bihet ek þe kinge
& bote he dude bi time he wolde sende him oþer tidinge
& seche him out ar tuelf monþe & is riȝtes winne
Þat he ne ssolde abbe in al engelond an herne to wite him Inne
Harald him sende word þat folie it was to truste
To such oþ as was ido mid strengþe as he wel wuste
Vor ȝif a maide treuþe ipliȝt to do an fole dede
Al one priueliche wiþoute hire frendes rede
Þulke vorewarde were uor noȝt & watloker it aȝte her
Þat ich suor an oþ þat was al in þi poer
Wiþ owte conseil of al þe lond of þing þat min noȝt nas
Þeruore nede oþ isuore nede ibroke was
& ȝif þou me wolt seche in engelond ne be þou noȝt so sturne
Siker þou be þou ne ssalt me finde in none hurne
Þo willam hurde þat he wolde susteini is tricherie
He let of sende is kniȝtes of al normandie
To conseili him in þis cas & to helpe him in such nede
& he gan of hor porchas largeliche hom bede
As hii founde suþþe in engelond þo it iwonne was
Þe betere was toward him hor herte uor þis cas
Þe duc willam is wille among hom alle sede
Þat four þinges him made mest biginne þulke dede
Þat godwine haraldes fader to deþe let do
So villiche alfred is cosin & is felawes al so
& uor harald adde is oþ ibroke þat he suor mid is riȝt hond
Þat he wolde to is biofþe witie engelond
& uor seint edward him ȝef engelond al so
& vor he was next of is blod & best wurþe þer to
& uor harald nadde no riȝt bote in falshede
Þes þinges him made mest biginne þulke dede
& uor he wolde þat alle men iseye is trewehede
To þe pope alisandre he sende in such cas him to rede
Haraldes falshede þo þe pope ysey þere
& parauntre me him tolde more þan soþ were
Þe pope asoilede & blessede willam & alle his
Þat into þis bataile mid him ssolde iwis
& halwede is baner þat me at uore him bere
Þo was he & alle his gladdore þan hii er were
So þat þis duc adde aȝen heruest al ȝare
His barons & kniȝtes mid him uorto fare
To þe hauene of sein walri þe duc wende þo
Mid þe men þat he adde & abide mo
After heruest þo hor ssipes & hii al preste were
& wind hom com after wille hor seiles hii gonne arere
& hiderward in þe se wel glad þen wei nome
So þat biside hastinge to engelond hii come
Hom þoȝte þo hii come alond þat al was in hor hond
As sone as þe duc willam is fot sette alond
On of is kniȝtes gradde hold vaste willam nou
Engelond uor þer nis no king bote þou
Vor siker þou be engelond is nou þin iwis
Þe duc willam anon uor bed alle his
Þat non nere so wod to robby ne no maner harm do þere
Vpe þe lond þat it was bote hom þat aȝen him were
Al an fourtene niȝt hii bileuede þer aboute
& conseilede of batayle & ordeinede hor route
King harald sat glad ynou at euerwik atte mete
So þat þer com a messager ar he adde iȝete
& sede þat duc willam to hastinges was icome
& is baner adde arerd & þe contreie al inome
Harald anon mid grete herte corageus ynou
As he of nomon ne tolde þuderward uaste he drou
He ne let noȝt clupie al is folc so willesfol he was
& al for in þe oþer bataile him vel so vair cas
Þo duc willam wuste þat he was icome so nei
A monek he sende him in message & dude as þe sley
Þat lond þat him was iȝiue þat he ssolde him vp ȝelde
Oþer come & dereyni þe riȝte mid suerd in þe velde
As ȝe mowe her & er ihure & vnderstonde
Of moni bataile þat aþ ibe & þat men þat lond nome
Verst as ȝe abbeþ ihurd þe emperours of rome
Suþþe saxons & englisse mid batayles stronge
& suþþe hii of denemarch þat hulde it al so longe
Atte laste hii of normandie þat maisters beþ ȝut here
Wonne hit & holdeþ ȝut icholle telle in wuch manere
Þo willam bastard hurde telle of haraldes suikelhede
Hou he adde ymad him king & mid such falshede
Vor þat lond him was bitake as he wel wuste
To wite hit to him wel & he wel to him truste
530
Þat he vnderstode him bet is dede vor to amende
& þoȝte on þe grete oþ þat he him adde er ydo
To wite him wel engelond & to spousi is doȝter also
& hulde him þerof vorewarde as he bihet ek þe kinge
& bote he dude bi time he wolde sende him oþer tidinge
& seche him out ar tuelf monþe & is riȝtes winne
Þat he ne ssolde abbe in al engelond an herne to wite him Inne
Harald him sende word þat folie it was to truste
To such oþ as was ido mid strengþe as he wel wuste
Vor ȝif a maide treuþe ipliȝt to do an fole dede
Al one priueliche wiþoute hire frendes rede
531
Þat ich suor an oþ þat was al in þi poer
Wiþ owte conseil of al þe lond of þing þat min noȝt nas
Þeruore nede oþ isuore nede ibroke was
& ȝif þou me wolt seche in engelond ne be þou noȝt so sturne
Siker þou be þou ne ssalt me finde in none hurne
Þo willam hurde þat he wolde susteini is tricherie
He let of sende is kniȝtes of al normandie
To conseili him in þis cas & to helpe him in such nede
& he gan of hor porchas largeliche hom bede
As hii founde suþþe in engelond þo it iwonne was
Þe betere was toward him hor herte uor þis cas
Þe duc willam is wille among hom alle sede
Þat four þinges him made mest biginne þulke dede
532
So villiche alfred is cosin & is felawes al so
& uor harald adde is oþ ibroke þat he suor mid is riȝt hond
Þat he wolde to is biofþe witie engelond
& uor seint edward him ȝef engelond al so
& vor he was next of is blod & best wurþe þer to
& uor harald nadde no riȝt bote in falshede
Þes þinges him made mest biginne þulke dede
& uor he wolde þat alle men iseye is trewehede
To þe pope alisandre he sende in such cas him to rede
Haraldes falshede þo þe pope ysey þere
& parauntre me him tolde more þan soþ were
Þe pope asoilede & blessede willam & alle his
Þat into þis bataile mid him ssolde iwis
& halwede is baner þat me at uore him bere
Þo was he & alle his gladdore þan hii er were
So þat þis duc adde aȝen heruest al ȝare
His barons & kniȝtes mid him uorto fare
533
Mid þe men þat he adde & abide mo
After heruest þo hor ssipes & hii al preste were
& wind hom com after wille hor seiles hii gonne arere
& hiderward in þe se wel glad þen wei nome
So þat biside hastinge to engelond hii come
Hom þoȝte þo hii come alond þat al was in hor hond
As sone as þe duc willam is fot sette alond
On of is kniȝtes gradde hold vaste willam nou
Engelond uor þer nis no king bote þou
Vor siker þou be engelond is nou þin iwis
Þe duc willam anon uor bed alle his
Þat non nere so wod to robby ne no maner harm do þere
Vpe þe lond þat it was bote hom þat aȝen him were
Al an fourtene niȝt hii bileuede þer aboute
& conseilede of batayle & ordeinede hor route
534
So þat þer com a messager ar he adde iȝete
& sede þat duc willam to hastinges was icome
& is baner adde arerd & þe contreie al inome
Harald anon mid grete herte corageus ynou
As he of nomon ne tolde þuderward uaste he drou
He ne let noȝt clupie al is folc so willesfol he was
& al for in þe oþer bataile him vel so vair cas
Þo duc willam wuste þat he was icome so nei
A monek he sende him in message & dude as þe sley
Þat lond þat him was iȝiue þat he ssolde him vp ȝelde
Oþer come & dereyni þe riȝte mid suerd in þe velde
Ȝif he sede þat he nadde none riȝte þer to
Þat vpe þe popes lokinge of rome he ssolde it do
& he wolde þer to stonde al wiþoute fiȝte
Wer seint edward hit him ȝaf & wer he adde þer to riȝte
Harald sende him word aȝen þat he nolde him take no lond
Ne no lokinge of rome bote suerd & riȝt hond
Þo hit oþer ne miȝte be eiþer in is side
Conseilede & ȝarkede hom bataile uor to abide
Þe englisse al þe niȝt bi uore uaste bigonne to singe
& spende al þe niȝt in glotonie & in drinkinge
Þe normans ne dude noȝt so ac criede on god uaste
& ssriue hom ech after oþer þe wule þe niȝt ylaste
& amorwe hom let hoseli mid milde herte ynou
& suþþe þe duc wiþ is ost toward þe bataile drou
An stounde he gan abide & is kniȝtes rede
Þat vpe þe popes lokinge of rome he ssolde it do
& he wolde þer to stonde al wiþoute fiȝte
Wer seint edward hit him ȝaf & wer he adde þer to riȝte
535
Ne no lokinge of rome bote suerd & riȝt hond
Þo hit oþer ne miȝte be eiþer in is side
Conseilede & ȝarkede hom bataile uor to abide
Þe englisse al þe niȝt bi uore uaste bigonne to singe
& spende al þe niȝt in glotonie & in drinkinge
Þe normans ne dude noȝt so ac criede on god uaste
& ssriue hom ech after oþer þe wule þe niȝt ylaste
& amorwe hom let hoseli mid milde herte ynou
& suþþe þe duc wiþ is ost toward þe bataile drou
An stounde he gan abide & is kniȝtes rede
Ȝe kniȝtes he sede þat beþ of so noble dede
Þat nere neuere ouercome ne ȝoure elderne naþemo
Vnder stondeþ of þe kunde of france þat ȝoure elderne dude so wo
Hou mi fader in paris amidde is kinedom
Mid prowesse of ȝoure faderes mid strengþe him ouercom
Vnderstondeþ hou ȝoure elderne þe king nome also
& held him uorte he adde amended þat he adde misdo
& richard þat was þo a child iȝolde normandie
Þat was duc herbiuore & þat to such maistrie
Þat at eche parlement þat he in france were
Þat he were igurd wiþ suerd þe wule he were þere
Ne þat þe king of france ne his so hardi nere
Ne non atte parlement þat knif ne suerd bere
Vnder stondeþ ek þe dedes þat þulke richard dude al so
Þat he ne ouercom noȝt kinges alone ac wel more þer to
Ac he ouercom þe deuel & adoun him caste
To gadere as hii wrastlede & bond is honden vaste
Bihinde at is rugge of such prowesse ȝe þenche
Ne ssame ȝe noȝt þat harald þat euere was of luþer wrenche
& bi uore ȝou was uor suore þat he wolde mid is taile
Turne is wombe toward vs & is face in bataile
Vnderstondeþ þe suikedom þat is fader & he wroȝte
& hii þat mid him here beþ þo hii to deþe broȝte
So villiche alfred mi cosin & my kunesmen al so
Hou miȝte in eny wise More ssame be ido
Monie þat dude þulke dede ȝe mowe her ise
Hou longe ssolle hor luþer heued aboue hor ssoldren be
Adraweþ ȝoure suerdes & loke wo may do best
Þat me ise ȝoure prowesse fram est to þe west
Vor to awreke þat gentil blod þat so villiche was inome
Of vr kunesmen vor we mowe wel vr time is nou icome
Þe duc nadde noȝt al ised þat mid ernest gret
His folc quicliche to þe bataile sscet
A suein þat het taylefer smot uorþ biuore þer
& slou anon an engliss mon þat a baner ber
& ef sone anoþer baneur & þe þridde almest al so
Ac hom sulf he was aslawe ar þe dede were ydo
Þe uerst ende of is ost biuore harald mid such ginne
So þikke sette þat no mon ne miȝte come wiþinne
Wiþ stronge targes hom biuore þat archers ne dude hom noȝt
So þat normans were nei to grounde ibroȝt
Willam biþoȝte an quointise & bigan to fle uaste
& is folc uorþ mid him as hii were agaste
& flowe ouer an longe dale & so vp anhey
Þe engliss ost was prout ynou þo he þis isey
& bigonne him to sprede & after þen wey nome
Þe normans were aboue þe hul þe oþere vpward come
& bi turnde hom aboue al eseliche as it wolde be donward
& þe oþere bineþe ne miȝte noȝt so quicliche vpward
& hii were biuore altosprad þat me miȝte bitwene hom wende
Þe normans were þo wel porueid aboute in eche ende
& stones adonward slonge vpe hom ynowe
& mid speres & mid flon vaste of hom slowe
& mid suerd & mid ax uor hii þat vpward nome
Ne miȝte no wille abbe of dunt as hii þat donward come
& hor vantwarde was to broke þat me miȝte wiþinne hom wende
So þat þe normans uaste slowe in ech ende
Of þe englisse al uor noȝt þat þe valeie was nei
As heie ifuld mid dedemen as þe doune an hei
Þe ssetare donward al uor noȝt vaste slowe to gronde
So þat harald þoru þen eie issote was deþes wounde
& a kniȝt þat isei þat he was to deþe ibroȝt
& smot him as he lay bineþe & slou him as uor noȝt
Fram þat it was amorwe þe bataile ilaste strong
Vorte it was hei midouernon & þat was somdel long
Moni was þe gode dunt þat duc willam ȝef aday
Vor þre stedes he slou vnder him as me say
Vorpriked & uor arnd aboute & uor wounded also
& debrused aȝen dedemen ar þe bataile were ido
& ȝut was willames grace þulke day so god
Þat he nadde no wounde war þoru he ssedde an drope blod
Þus lo þe englisse folc vor noȝt to grounde com
Vor a fals king þat nadde no riȝt to þe kinedom
& come to a nywe louerd þat more in riȝte was
Ac hor noþer as me may ise in pur riȝte nas
& þus was in normannes hond þat lond ibroȝt iwis
Þat anaunter ȝif euermo keueringe þer of is
Of þe normans beþ heyemen þat beþ of engelonde
& þe lowemen of saxons as ich vnderstonde
So þat ȝe seþ in eiþer side wat riȝte ȝe abbeþ þerto
Ac ich vnderstonde þat it was þoru godes wille ydo
Vor þe wule þe men of þis lond pur heþene were
No lond ne no folc aȝen hom in armes nere
Ac nou suþþe þat þet folc auenge cristendom
& wel lute wule hulde þe biheste þat he nom
& turnde to sleuþe & to prute & to lecherie
To glotonie & heyemen muche to robberie
As þe gostes in auision to seint edward sede
Wu þer ssolde in engelond come such wrecchede
Vor robberie of heiemen vor clerken hordom
Hou god wolde sorwe sende in þis kinedom
Bituene Misselmasse & sein luc a sein calixtes day
As vel in þulke ȝere in a saterday
In þe ȝer of grace as it vel al so
A þousend & sixe & sixti þis bataile was ido
Duc willam was þo old nyne & þritti ȝer
& on & þritti ȝer he was of normandie duc er
Þo þis bataile was ydo duc willam let bringe
Vaire is folc þat was aslawe an erþe þoru alle þinge
Alle þat wolde leue he ȝef þat is fon an erþe broȝte
Haraldes moder uor hire sone wel ȝerne him bisoȝte
Bi messagers & largeliche him bed of ire þinge
To granti hire hire sones bodi an erþe vor to bringe
Willam hit sende hire vaire inou wiþoute eny þing ware uore
So þat it was þoru hire wiþ gret honour ybore
To þe hous of waltham & ibroȝt an erþe þere
In þe holi rode chirche þat he let him sulf rere
An hous of religion of canons ywis
Hit was þer vaire an erþe ibroȝt as it ȝut is
Willam þis noble duc þo he adde ido al þis
Þen wey he nom to londone he & alle his
As king & prince of londe wiþ nobleye ynou
Aȝen him wiþ uair procession þat folc of toune drou
& vnderueng him vaire inou as king of þis lond
Þus com lo engelond in to normandies hond
& þe normans ne couþe speke þo bote hor owe speche
& speke french as hii dude atom & hor children dude also teche
So þat heiemen of þis lond þat of hor blod come
Holdeþ alle þulke speche þat hii of hom nome
Vor bote a man conne frenss me telþ of him lute
Ac lowe men holdeþ to engliss & to hor owe speche ȝute
Ich wene þer ne beþ in al þe world contreyes none
Þat ne holdeþ to hor owe speche bote engelond one
Ac wel me wot uor to conne boþe wel it is
Vor þe more þat a mon can þe more wurþe he is
Þis noble duc willam him let crouny king
At londone amidwinter day nobliche þoru alle þing
Of þe erchebissop of euerwik aldred was is name
Þer nas prince in al þe world of so noble fame
Of þe heyemen of þe lond þat hii ne ssolde aȝen biturne
He esste ostage strong inou & hii ne ssolde noȝt wurne
Ac toke him ostage god at is owe wille
So þat ȝif eny aȝen him was huld him þo stille
Þat nere neuere ouercome ne ȝoure elderne naþemo
Vnder stondeþ of þe kunde of france þat ȝoure elderne dude so wo
536
Mid prowesse of ȝoure faderes mid strengþe him ouercom
Vnderstondeþ hou ȝoure elderne þe king nome also
& held him uorte he adde amended þat he adde misdo
& richard þat was þo a child iȝolde normandie
Þat was duc herbiuore & þat to such maistrie
Þat at eche parlement þat he in france were
Þat he were igurd wiþ suerd þe wule he were þere
Ne þat þe king of france ne his so hardi nere
Ne non atte parlement þat knif ne suerd bere
Vnder stondeþ ek þe dedes þat þulke richard dude al so
Þat he ne ouercom noȝt kinges alone ac wel more þer to
Ac he ouercom þe deuel & adoun him caste
To gadere as hii wrastlede & bond is honden vaste
537
Ne ssame ȝe noȝt þat harald þat euere was of luþer wrenche
& bi uore ȝou was uor suore þat he wolde mid is taile
Turne is wombe toward vs & is face in bataile
Vnderstondeþ þe suikedom þat is fader & he wroȝte
& hii þat mid him here beþ þo hii to deþe broȝte
So villiche alfred mi cosin & my kunesmen al so
Hou miȝte in eny wise More ssame be ido
Monie þat dude þulke dede ȝe mowe her ise
Hou longe ssolle hor luþer heued aboue hor ssoldren be
Adraweþ ȝoure suerdes & loke wo may do best
Þat me ise ȝoure prowesse fram est to þe west
Vor to awreke þat gentil blod þat so villiche was inome
Of vr kunesmen vor we mowe wel vr time is nou icome
538
His folc quicliche to þe bataile sscet
A suein þat het taylefer smot uorþ biuore þer
& slou anon an engliss mon þat a baner ber
& ef sone anoþer baneur & þe þridde almest al so
Ac hom sulf he was aslawe ar þe dede were ydo
Þe uerst ende of is ost biuore harald mid such ginne
So þikke sette þat no mon ne miȝte come wiþinne
Wiþ stronge targes hom biuore þat archers ne dude hom noȝt
So þat normans were nei to grounde ibroȝt
Willam biþoȝte an quointise & bigan to fle uaste
& is folc uorþ mid him as hii were agaste
& flowe ouer an longe dale & so vp anhey
Þe engliss ost was prout ynou þo he þis isey
539
Þe normans were aboue þe hul þe oþere vpward come
& bi turnde hom aboue al eseliche as it wolde be donward
& þe oþere bineþe ne miȝte noȝt so quicliche vpward
& hii were biuore altosprad þat me miȝte bitwene hom wende
Þe normans were þo wel porueid aboute in eche ende
& stones adonward slonge vpe hom ynowe
& mid speres & mid flon vaste of hom slowe
& mid suerd & mid ax uor hii þat vpward nome
Ne miȝte no wille abbe of dunt as hii þat donward come
& hor vantwarde was to broke þat me miȝte wiþinne hom wende
So þat þe normans uaste slowe in ech ende
540
As heie ifuld mid dedemen as þe doune an hei
Þe ssetare donward al uor noȝt vaste slowe to gronde
So þat harald þoru þen eie issote was deþes wounde
& a kniȝt þat isei þat he was to deþe ibroȝt
& smot him as he lay bineþe & slou him as uor noȝt
Fram þat it was amorwe þe bataile ilaste strong
Vorte it was hei midouernon & þat was somdel long
Moni was þe gode dunt þat duc willam ȝef aday
Vor þre stedes he slou vnder him as me say
Vorpriked & uor arnd aboute & uor wounded also
& debrused aȝen dedemen ar þe bataile were ido
& ȝut was willames grace þulke day so god
Þat he nadde no wounde war þoru he ssedde an drope blod
541
Vor a fals king þat nadde no riȝt to þe kinedom
& come to a nywe louerd þat more in riȝte was
Ac hor noþer as me may ise in pur riȝte nas
& þus was in normannes hond þat lond ibroȝt iwis
Þat anaunter ȝif euermo keueringe þer of is
Of þe normans beþ heyemen þat beþ of engelonde
& þe lowemen of saxons as ich vnderstonde
So þat ȝe seþ in eiþer side wat riȝte ȝe abbeþ þerto
Ac ich vnderstonde þat it was þoru godes wille ydo
Vor þe wule þe men of þis lond pur heþene were
No lond ne no folc aȝen hom in armes nere
Ac nou suþþe þat þet folc auenge cristendom
& wel lute wule hulde þe biheste þat he nom
& turnde to sleuþe & to prute & to lecherie
To glotonie & heyemen muche to robberie
542
Wu þer ssolde in engelond come such wrecchede
Vor robberie of heiemen vor clerken hordom
Hou god wolde sorwe sende in þis kinedom
Bituene Misselmasse & sein luc a sein calixtes day
As vel in þulke ȝere in a saterday
In þe ȝer of grace as it vel al so
A þousend & sixe & sixti þis bataile was ido
Duc willam was þo old nyne & þritti ȝer
& on & þritti ȝer he was of normandie duc er
Þo þis bataile was ydo duc willam let bringe
Vaire is folc þat was aslawe an erþe þoru alle þinge
Alle þat wolde leue he ȝef þat is fon an erþe broȝte
Haraldes moder uor hire sone wel ȝerne him bisoȝte
Bi messagers & largeliche him bed of ire þinge
To granti hire hire sones bodi an erþe vor to bringe
543
So þat it was þoru hire wiþ gret honour ybore
To þe hous of waltham & ibroȝt an erþe þere
In þe holi rode chirche þat he let him sulf rere
An hous of religion of canons ywis
Hit was þer vaire an erþe ibroȝt as it ȝut is
Willam þis noble duc þo he adde ido al þis
Þen wey he nom to londone he & alle his
As king & prince of londe wiþ nobleye ynou
Aȝen him wiþ uair procession þat folc of toune drou
& vnderueng him vaire inou as king of þis lond
Þus com lo engelond in to normandies hond
& þe normans ne couþe speke þo bote hor owe speche
& speke french as hii dude atom & hor children dude also teche
544
Holdeþ alle þulke speche þat hii of hom nome
Vor bote a man conne frenss me telþ of him lute
Ac lowe men holdeþ to engliss & to hor owe speche ȝute
Ich wene þer ne beþ in al þe world contreyes none
Þat ne holdeþ to hor owe speche bote engelond one
Ac wel me wot uor to conne boþe wel it is
Vor þe more þat a mon can þe more wurþe he is
Þis noble duc willam him let crouny king
At londone amidwinter day nobliche þoru alle þing
Of þe erchebissop of euerwik aldred was is name
Þer nas prince in al þe world of so noble fame
545
He esste ostage strong inou & hii ne ssolde noȝt wurne
Ac toke him ostage god at is owe wille
So þat ȝif eny aȝen him was huld him þo stille
Ȝif toward edgar aþeling eni is herte drou
Þat was kunde eir of þis lond him huld þo stille ynou
So þat þo þis edgar wuste al hou it was
Þat him nas no þing so god as to feky cas
His moder & is sostren tuo mid him sone he nom
To wende aȝen to þe lond fram wan he er com
A wind þer com þo in þe se & drof hom to scotlonde
So þat after betere wind hii moste þere at stonde
Macolom king of þe lond to him sone hom drou
& vor þe kunne fram wan hii come honoured hom ynou
So þat þe gode Margarete as is wille to com
Þe eldore soster of þe tuo in spoushod he nom
Bi hire he adde an doȝter suþþe þe gode quene mold
Þat quene was of engelond as me aþ er ytold
Þat goderhele al engelond was heo euere ybore
Vor þoru hire com suþþe engelond in to kunde more
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & sixti þer to
King Macolom spousede Margarete so
Ac king willam þerbiuore aboute an tuo ȝer
Wende aȝen to normandie fram wan he com er
As in þe verste ȝere þat he ueng is kinedom
Ac sone aȝen to engelond a sein nicolas day he com
& kniȝtes of biȝonde se & oþer men al so
He ȝef londes in engelond þat liȝtliche come þer to
Þat ȝute hor eirs holdeþ alonde monion
& deseritede moni kundemen þat he huld is fon
So þat þe mestedel of heyemen þat in engelond beþ
Beþ icome of þe normans as ȝe nou iseþ
& men of religion of normandie al so
He feffede here mid londes & mid rentes al so
So þat vewe contreies beþ in engelonde
Þat monekes nabbeþ of normandie somwat in hor honde
King willam bi þoȝte him ek of þe folc þat was uor lore
& aslawe ek þoru him in þe bataile biuore
& þere as þe bataile was an abbeye he let rere
Of sein Martin uor hor soulen þat þere aslawe were
& þe monekes wel inou feffede wiþoute fayle
Þat is icluped in engelond abbey of þe batayle
Þe abbeye al so of cam he rerde in normandie
Of seinte steuene þat is nou ich wene a nonnerye
He broȝte vp moni oþer hous of religion also
To bete þulke robberie þat him þoȝte he adde ydo
& erles eke & barons þat he made here also
Þoȝte þat hii ne come noȝt mid gode riȝte þer to
Hii rerde abbeis & priories vor hor sunnes þo
As teoskesburi & oseneye & aboute oþer mo
King willam was to mildemen debonere ynou
Ac to men þat him wiþ sede to alle sturnhede he drou
In chirche he was deuout inou vor him ne ssolde no day abide
Þat he ne hurde masse & matines & euesong & ech tide
So varþ monye of þis heyemen in chirche me may yse
Knely to god as hii wolde al quic to him fle
Ac be hii arise & abbeþ iturnd fram þe weued hor wombe
Wolues dede hii nimeþ vorþ þat er dude as lombe
Hii to draweþ þe sely bonde men as hii wolde hom hulde ywis
Þey me wepe & crie on hom no mercy þer nis
Vnneþe was þer eni hous in al normandie
Of religion as abbey oþer priorie
Þat king willam ne feffede here in engelonde
Mid londes oþer mid rentes þat hii abbeþ here an honde
As me may wide aboute in moni contreye ise
Ware þoru þis lond nede mot þe pouerore be
King willam adde ispoused as god ȝef þat cas
Þe erles doȝter of flaundres mold hire name was
Sones hii adde to gadere & doȝtren boþe tuo
As roberd þe courtehese & willam þe rede king al so
Henry þe gode king was ȝongost of echon
Doȝtren he adde al so cecile het þat on
Þe eldoste þat was at cam nonne & abbesse
Constance þe oþer was of brutayne contesse
Þe erles wif alein adele ȝongost was
To steuene bleis ispoused as god ȝef þat cas
& bi him adde ek an sone steuene was is name
Þat suþþe was king of engelond & endede mid ssame
Macolom king of scotlond & edgar aþeling
Þat best kunde in engelond adde to be king
Hulde hom euere in scotlond & poer to hom nome
To worri vpe king willam wanne god time come
& gret compainie of heyemen here in engelonde
Þat ne louede noȝt king willam were þo in scotlonde
Vor king Macolom vnderueng þat aȝen king willam were
& drou hom to him in scotlond & susteinede hom þere
Vor edgar is wiues broþer was kunde eir of þis londe
So þat hii adde of boþe þe londes gret poeir sone anhonde
Ar king willam adde ibe king volliche þre ȝer
Þat folc of denemarch þat þis lond worrede er
Greiþede hom mid gret poer as hii dude er ilome
& mid þre hondred ssipuol men to engelond hii come
Hii ariuede in þe norþ contreye & edgar aþeling
& king Macolom were þo glade þoru alle þing
To hom hii come at homber mid poer of scotlond
& were alle at o conseil to worri engelond
Hii worrede al norþhomberlond & uorþ euere as hii come
So þat þe toun of euerwik & þe castel ek hii nome
& monye heyemen al so of þe contreie aboute
So þat þet folc binorþe ne dorste nour at route
& þo hii adde al iwonne þe contreie þer bi side
Hii ne come no uer souþward ac þer hii gonne abide
Bi tuene þe water of trente & of ouse al so
Þere hii leuede in hor poer vorte winter were ido
Þe king willam abod is time vorte winter was al oute
& þo com he mid gret poer & mid so gret route
Þat hii nadde no poer aȝen him uor to stonde
Ac lete þe king þe maistrie & flowe to scotlonde
& hom to hor owe lond þe deneis flowe aȝe
Þe king destruede þe contreie al aboute þe se
Of frut & of corne þat þer ne bileuede noȝt
Sixti mile fram þe se þat nas to grounde ibroȝt
& al þat þe deneis no mete ne founde þere
Wanne hii come to worri & so þe feblore were
So þat ȝute to þis day Muche lond þer is
As al wast & vntuled so it was þo destrued ywis
King willam adauntede þat folc of walis
& made hom bere him truage & bi hote him & his
Þe seueþe ȝer of is kinedom an alle soule day
Þe quene mold is wif deide þat er longe sik lay
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & seuenti & þre
Anon in þulke sulue ȝere as it wolde be
Þe king willam uorto wite þe wurþ of is londe
Let enqueri streitliche þoru al engelonde
Hou moni plou lond & hou moni hiden al so
Were in euerich ssire & wat hii were wurþ þer to
& þe rentes of ech toun & of þe wateres echone
Þet worþ & of wodes ek þat þer ne bileuede none
Þat he nuste wat hii were worþ of al engelonde
& wite al clene þat worþ þer of ich vnder stonde
& let it write clene ynou & þat scrit dude iwis
In þe tresorie at westmunstre þere it ȝut is
So þat vre kinges suþþe wanne hii raunson toke
Iredy wat folc miȝte ȝiue hii founde þere in hor boke
Þer was bi king willames daye worre & sorwe inou
Vor no mon ne dorste him wiþsegge he wroȝte muche wou
To hom þat wolde is wille do debonere he was & milde
& to hom þat wiþsede strong tirant & wilde
Wo so come to esse him riȝt of eni trespas
Bote he payde him þe bet þe wors is ende was
& þe more vnriȝt me ssolde him do ac among oþere naþeles
Þoru out al engelond he huld wel god pes
Vor me miȝte bere bi is daye & lede hardeliche
Tresour aboute & oþer god oueral aperteliche
In wodes & in oþer studes so þat no time nas
Þet pes bet isusteined þan bi his time was
Game of houndes he louede inou & of wilde best
& is forest & is wodes & mest þe niwe forest
Þat is in souþhamtessire vor þulke he louede inou
& astorede wel mid bestes & lese mid gret wou
Vor he caste out of house & hom of men a gret route
& binom hor lond ȝe þritti mile & more þer aboute
& made it al forest & lese þe bestes uor to fede
Of poueremen deserited he nom lutel hede
Þeruore þerinne wel mony mis cheuing
& is sone was þer inne issote willam þe rede king
& is o sone þat het richard caȝte þer is deþ al so
& richard is o neueu brec þere is nekke þer to
As he rod an honteþ & par auntre is hors spurnde
Þe vnriȝt ido to poueremen to such mesaunture turnde
Wo so bi king willames daye slou hert oþer hind
Me ssolde pulte out boþe is eye & makye him pur blind
Heyemen ne dorste bi is day wilde best nime noȝt
Hare ne wilde swin þat hii nere to ssame ybroȝt
Þer nas so heymon non þat him enes wiþ sede
Þat me ne ssolde him take anon & to prison lede
Monye heyemen of þe lond in prison he huld strong
So þat muchedel engelond þoȝte is lif to long
Bissopes & abbodes were to is wille echon
& ȝif þat eni him wraþþede adoun he was anon
Þre siþe he ber croune aȝer to midewinter at gloucestre
To witesonetid at westmunstre to ester at wincestre
Þulke festes he wolde holde so nobliche
Wiþ so gret prute & wast & so richeliche
Þat wonder it was wenene it com ac to susteini such nobleye
He destruede þat pouere folc & nom of hom is preye
So þat he was riche him sulf & þat lond pouere al out
Sturne he was þoru out al & heiuol & prout
Suiþe þikke mon he was & of grete strengþe
Gret wombede & ballede & bote of euene lengþe
So stif mon he was in armes in ssoldren & in lende
Þat vnneþe enimon miȝte is bowe bende
Þat he wolde him sulf vp is fot ridinge wel vaste
Liȝtliche & ssete also mid bowe & arblaste
So hol he was of body ek þat he ne lay neuere uaste
Sik in is bed vor non vuel bote in is deþ vuel atte laste
As he wolde some time to normandie wende
Al þat aȝt was in engelond he let somony in ech ende
To salesburi to uore him þat hii suore him alle þere
To be him triwe & holde þe wule he of londe were
Þer to he nom gret peine of hom & fram salesburi to wiȝt
He wende & fram þanene to normandie riȝt
& þe wule he was out of engelond edgar aþeling
Þat riȝt eir was of engelond & kunde to be king
Made is ȝonge soster as god ȝef þat cas
Nonne in þe hous of romeseye cristine hire name was
Þat folc com þo of denemarch to engelond sone
& robbede & destruede as hii were iwoned to done
Þat word in to normandie to king willam com
So gret poer of þulke lond & of france he nom
Mid him in to engelond of kniȝtes & squiers
Speremen auote & bowemen & al so arblasters
Þat hom þoȝte in engelond so muche folc neuere nas
Þat it was wonder ware þoru isousteined it was
Hii of denemarch flowe sone vor hii nadde no poer
Ac þet folc of biȝonde se bileuede alle her
Þat vnneþe al þat lond sustenance hom vond
& þe king hom sende her & þer aboute in engelond
To diuerse men to finde hom mete more þan hor poer was
So þat in ech manere þat lond destrued was
Frut & corn þer failede tempestes þer come
Þondringe & liȝtinge ek þat slou men ilome
Manne orf deide al agrounde so gret qualm þer com þo
Orf failede & eke corn hou miȝte be more wo
Seknesse com ek among men þat aboute wide
Wat vor honger wat uor wo men deide in ech side
So þat sorwes in engelond were wel mony volde
Þe king & oþer riche men wel lute þer of tolde
Vor hii wolde euere abbe ynou wanne þe pouere adde wo
Sein poules chirche of londone was ek vor barnd þo
King willam to normandie þoȝte suþþe atte laste
He sette is tounes & is londes to ferme wel vaste
Wo so mest bode þeruore & þei a lond igranted were
To a man to bere þeruore a certein rente bi ȝere
& anoþer come & bode more he were inne anon
So þat hii þat bode mest broȝte out monion
Nere þe vorewarde no so strong me boȝte is out wiþ wou
So þat þe king in such manere suluer wan ynou
Þo he adde iset is londes so mid such tricherye
So heye & al is oþer þing he wende to normandie
& þere he dude wowe ynou mid slaȝt & robberye
& nameliche vpe þe king of france & vpe is compainie
So þat in þe toun of reins king willam atte laste
Vor eld & uor trauail bigan to febli vaste
Þe king phelip of france þe lasse þo of him tolde
& drof him to busemare as me ofte deþ þan olde
Þe king he sede of engelond halt him to is bedde
& liþ mid is grete wombe at reins a child bedde
Þo king willam hurde þis he made him somdel wroþ
Vor edwit of is grete wombe & suor anon þis oþ
Bi þe vprisinge of ihesu crist ȝif god me wole grace sende
Vor to make mi chirchegong & bringe me of þis bende
Suche wiues icholle mid me lede & such liȝt atten ende
Þat an hondred þousend candlen & mo icholle him tende
Amidde is lond of france & is prute ssende
Þat a sori chirchegong ichcholle him make ar ich þanne we[nde]
Vorewarde he huld him wel inou vor to heruest anon
Þo he sey þat feldes were vol of corne echon
Al þe contreie vol of frut wanne he miȝte mest harm do[n]
He let gadery is kniȝtes & is squiers al so
& þat were is wiues þ at he wiþ him ladde
He wende him in to france & þe contreie ouer spradde
& robbede & destruede him ne miȝte noþing lette
Þe grete cite of medes suþþe afure he sette
Vor me ne miȝte no chirchegong wiþoute liȝte do
Þe cite he barnde al clene & an chirche al so
Of vr leuedi þat þer inne was & an auncre godes spouse
Þat nolde vor no þing fle out of hire house
& monimon & womman ek þer vel in meschaunce
So þat a sori chirchegong hit was to þe king of france
King willam wende aȝen þo al þis was ido
& bigan sone to grony & to febly al so
Vor trauail of þe voul asaut & vor he was feble er
& par auntre vor wreche al so vor he dude so vuele þer
Þo he com to reins aȝen sik he lay sone
His leches lokede is stat as hor riȝt was to done
& iseye & sede al so þat he ne miȝte ofscapie noȝt
Þere was sone sorwe ynou among is men ybroȝt
& he him sulf deol inou & sorwe made al so
& nameliche uor þe muche wo þat he adde anerþe ydo
He wep on god vaste ynou & criede him milce & ore
& bihet ȝif he moste libbe þat he nolde misdo nammore
Er he ssolde þat abbe ydo vor it was þo late ynou
Atte laste þo he isei þat toward is ende he drou
His biquide in þis manere he made biuore is deþ
Willam þe rede al engelond is sone he bi queþ
Þe ȝongore al is porchas ac as lawe was & wone
Normandie is eritage he ȝef is eldoste sone
Roberd þe courtehese & henry þe ȝongoste þo
He biqueþ is tresour vor he nadde sones nammo
He het dele ek poueremen Muche of is tresorie
Vor he adde so muche of hom inome in robberye
Chirchen he let rere al so & tresour he ȝef ynou
To rere vp þe chirche of france þat he barnde wiþ wou
Þe prisons he let of engelond Deliuery echone
& of normandie al so þat þer ne leuede none
Þo deide he in þe ȝer of grace a þousend as it was
& four score & seuene as god ȝef þat cas
He was king of engelond four & tuenti ȝer al so
& duc er of normandie vifty ȝer & tuo
Of elde he was nyne & fifty ȝer þo god him ȝef such cas
Þe morwe after seinte mari day þe later ded he was
In þe abbey of cam ibured was þis king
& henry is ȝonge sone was at is buriing
Ac noþer of is oþer sones vor in france þo
Roberd courtehese was in worre & in wo
& willam anon so is fader engelond him bi queþ
He nolde noȝt abide vor te is fader deþ
Ac wende him out of normandie anon to engelonde
Vorto nime hastiliche seisine of is londe
Þat was him þo leuere þan is fader were
So þat þer nas of is sones bote þe ȝonge henry þere
Þat was kunde eir of þis lond him huld þo stille ynou
So þat þo þis edgar wuste al hou it was
Þat him nas no þing so god as to feky cas
His moder & is sostren tuo mid him sone he nom
To wende aȝen to þe lond fram wan he er com
A wind þer com þo in þe se & drof hom to scotlonde
So þat after betere wind hii moste þere at stonde
Macolom king of þe lond to him sone hom drou
& vor þe kunne fram wan hii come honoured hom ynou
546
Þe eldore soster of þe tuo in spoushod he nom
Bi hire he adde an doȝter suþþe þe gode quene mold
Þat quene was of engelond as me aþ er ytold
Þat goderhele al engelond was heo euere ybore
Vor þoru hire com suþþe engelond in to kunde more
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & sixti þer to
King Macolom spousede Margarete so
Ac king willam þerbiuore aboute an tuo ȝer
Wende aȝen to normandie fram wan he com er
As in þe verste ȝere þat he ueng is kinedom
Ac sone aȝen to engelond a sein nicolas day he com
& kniȝtes of biȝonde se & oþer men al so
He ȝef londes in engelond þat liȝtliche come þer to
Þat ȝute hor eirs holdeþ alonde monion
& deseritede moni kundemen þat he huld is fon
547
Beþ icome of þe normans as ȝe nou iseþ
& men of religion of normandie al so
He feffede here mid londes & mid rentes al so
So þat vewe contreies beþ in engelonde
Þat monekes nabbeþ of normandie somwat in hor honde
King willam bi þoȝte him ek of þe folc þat was uor lore
& aslawe ek þoru him in þe bataile biuore
& þere as þe bataile was an abbeye he let rere
Of sein Martin uor hor soulen þat þere aslawe were
& þe monekes wel inou feffede wiþoute fayle
Þat is icluped in engelond abbey of þe batayle
Þe abbeye al so of cam he rerde in normandie
Of seinte steuene þat is nou ich wene a nonnerye
He broȝte vp moni oþer hous of religion also
To bete þulke robberie þat him þoȝte he adde ydo
& erles eke & barons þat he made here also
Þoȝte þat hii ne come noȝt mid gode riȝte þer to
548
As teoskesburi & oseneye & aboute oþer mo
King willam was to mildemen debonere ynou
Ac to men þat him wiþ sede to alle sturnhede he drou
In chirche he was deuout inou vor him ne ssolde no day abide
Þat he ne hurde masse & matines & euesong & ech tide
So varþ monye of þis heyemen in chirche me may yse
Knely to god as hii wolde al quic to him fle
Ac be hii arise & abbeþ iturnd fram þe weued hor wombe
Wolues dede hii nimeþ vorþ þat er dude as lombe
Hii to draweþ þe sely bonde men as hii wolde hom hulde ywis
Þey me wepe & crie on hom no mercy þer nis
549
Of religion as abbey oþer priorie
Þat king willam ne feffede here in engelonde
Mid londes oþer mid rentes þat hii abbeþ here an honde
As me may wide aboute in moni contreye ise
Ware þoru þis lond nede mot þe pouerore be
King willam adde ispoused as god ȝef þat cas
Þe erles doȝter of flaundres mold hire name was
Sones hii adde to gadere & doȝtren boþe tuo
As roberd þe courtehese & willam þe rede king al so
Henry þe gode king was ȝongost of echon
Doȝtren he adde al so cecile het þat on
Þe eldoste þat was at cam nonne & abbesse
Constance þe oþer was of brutayne contesse
Þe erles wif alein adele ȝongost was
To steuene bleis ispoused as god ȝef þat cas
& bi him adde ek an sone steuene was is name
Þat suþþe was king of engelond & endede mid ssame
550
Þat best kunde in engelond adde to be king
Hulde hom euere in scotlond & poer to hom nome
To worri vpe king willam wanne god time come
& gret compainie of heyemen here in engelonde
Þat ne louede noȝt king willam were þo in scotlonde
Vor king Macolom vnderueng þat aȝen king willam were
& drou hom to him in scotlond & susteinede hom þere
Vor edgar is wiues broþer was kunde eir of þis londe
So þat hii adde of boþe þe londes gret poeir sone anhonde
Ar king willam adde ibe king volliche þre ȝer
Þat folc of denemarch þat þis lond worrede er
Greiþede hom mid gret poer as hii dude er ilome
& mid þre hondred ssipuol men to engelond hii come
Hii ariuede in þe norþ contreye & edgar aþeling
& king Macolom were þo glade þoru alle þing
551
& were alle at o conseil to worri engelond
Hii worrede al norþhomberlond & uorþ euere as hii come
So þat þe toun of euerwik & þe castel ek hii nome
& monye heyemen al so of þe contreie aboute
So þat þet folc binorþe ne dorste nour at route
& þo hii adde al iwonne þe contreie þer bi side
Hii ne come no uer souþward ac þer hii gonne abide
Bi tuene þe water of trente & of ouse al so
Þere hii leuede in hor poer vorte winter were ido
Þe king willam abod is time vorte winter was al oute
& þo com he mid gret poer & mid so gret route
Þat hii nadde no poer aȝen him uor to stonde
Ac lete þe king þe maistrie & flowe to scotlonde
552
Þe king destruede þe contreie al aboute þe se
Of frut & of corne þat þer ne bileuede noȝt
Sixti mile fram þe se þat nas to grounde ibroȝt
& al þat þe deneis no mete ne founde þere
Wanne hii come to worri & so þe feblore were
So þat ȝute to þis day Muche lond þer is
As al wast & vntuled so it was þo destrued ywis
King willam adauntede þat folc of walis
& made hom bere him truage & bi hote him & his
Þe seueþe ȝer of is kinedom an alle soule day
Þe quene mold is wif deide þat er longe sik lay
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & seuenti & þre
Anon in þulke sulue ȝere as it wolde be
Þe king willam uorto wite þe wurþ of is londe
Let enqueri streitliche þoru al engelonde
553
Were in euerich ssire & wat hii were wurþ þer to
& þe rentes of ech toun & of þe wateres echone
Þet worþ & of wodes ek þat þer ne bileuede none
Þat he nuste wat hii were worþ of al engelonde
& wite al clene þat worþ þer of ich vnder stonde
& let it write clene ynou & þat scrit dude iwis
In þe tresorie at westmunstre þere it ȝut is
So þat vre kinges suþþe wanne hii raunson toke
Iredy wat folc miȝte ȝiue hii founde þere in hor boke
Þer was bi king willames daye worre & sorwe inou
Vor no mon ne dorste him wiþsegge he wroȝte muche wou
To hom þat wolde is wille do debonere he was & milde
& to hom þat wiþsede strong tirant & wilde
554
Bote he payde him þe bet þe wors is ende was
& þe more vnriȝt me ssolde him do ac among oþere naþeles
Þoru out al engelond he huld wel god pes
Vor me miȝte bere bi is daye & lede hardeliche
Tresour aboute & oþer god oueral aperteliche
In wodes & in oþer studes so þat no time nas
Þet pes bet isusteined þan bi his time was
Game of houndes he louede inou & of wilde best
& is forest & is wodes & mest þe niwe forest
Þat is in souþhamtessire vor þulke he louede inou
& astorede wel mid bestes & lese mid gret wou
Vor he caste out of house & hom of men a gret route
& binom hor lond ȝe þritti mile & more þer aboute
& made it al forest & lese þe bestes uor to fede
Of poueremen deserited he nom lutel hede
555
& is sone was þer inne issote willam þe rede king
& is o sone þat het richard caȝte þer is deþ al so
& richard is o neueu brec þere is nekke þer to
As he rod an honteþ & par auntre is hors spurnde
Þe vnriȝt ido to poueremen to such mesaunture turnde
Wo so bi king willames daye slou hert oþer hind
Me ssolde pulte out boþe is eye & makye him pur blind
Heyemen ne dorste bi is day wilde best nime noȝt
Hare ne wilde swin þat hii nere to ssame ybroȝt
Þer nas so heymon non þat him enes wiþ sede
Þat me ne ssolde him take anon & to prison lede
Monye heyemen of þe lond in prison he huld strong
So þat muchedel engelond þoȝte is lif to long
556
& ȝif þat eni him wraþþede adoun he was anon
Þre siþe he ber croune aȝer to midewinter at gloucestre
To witesonetid at westmunstre to ester at wincestre
Þulke festes he wolde holde so nobliche
Wiþ so gret prute & wast & so richeliche
Þat wonder it was wenene it com ac to susteini such nobleye
He destruede þat pouere folc & nom of hom is preye
So þat he was riche him sulf & þat lond pouere al out
Sturne he was þoru out al & heiuol & prout
Suiþe þikke mon he was & of grete strengþe
Gret wombede & ballede & bote of euene lengþe
So stif mon he was in armes in ssoldren & in lende
Þat vnneþe enimon miȝte is bowe bende
557
Liȝtliche & ssete also mid bowe & arblaste
So hol he was of body ek þat he ne lay neuere uaste
Sik in is bed vor non vuel bote in is deþ vuel atte laste
As he wolde some time to normandie wende
Al þat aȝt was in engelond he let somony in ech ende
To salesburi to uore him þat hii suore him alle þere
To be him triwe & holde þe wule he of londe were
Þer to he nom gret peine of hom & fram salesburi to wiȝt
He wende & fram þanene to normandie riȝt
& þe wule he was out of engelond edgar aþeling
Þat riȝt eir was of engelond & kunde to be king
Made is ȝonge soster as god ȝef þat cas
Nonne in þe hous of romeseye cristine hire name was
558
& robbede & destruede as hii were iwoned to done
Þat word in to normandie to king willam com
So gret poer of þulke lond & of france he nom
Mid him in to engelond of kniȝtes & squiers
Speremen auote & bowemen & al so arblasters
Þat hom þoȝte in engelond so muche folc neuere nas
Þat it was wonder ware þoru isousteined it was
Hii of denemarch flowe sone vor hii nadde no poer
Ac þet folc of biȝonde se bileuede alle her
Þat vnneþe al þat lond sustenance hom vond
& þe king hom sende her & þer aboute in engelond
To diuerse men to finde hom mete more þan hor poer was
So þat in ech manere þat lond destrued was
Frut & corn þer failede tempestes þer come
Þondringe & liȝtinge ek þat slou men ilome
559
Orf failede & eke corn hou miȝte be more wo
Seknesse com ek among men þat aboute wide
Wat vor honger wat uor wo men deide in ech side
So þat sorwes in engelond were wel mony volde
Þe king & oþer riche men wel lute þer of tolde
Vor hii wolde euere abbe ynou wanne þe pouere adde wo
Sein poules chirche of londone was ek vor barnd þo
King willam to normandie þoȝte suþþe atte laste
He sette is tounes & is londes to ferme wel vaste
Wo so mest bode þeruore & þei a lond igranted were
To a man to bere þeruore a certein rente bi ȝere
& anoþer come & bode more he were inne anon
So þat hii þat bode mest broȝte out monion
560
So þat þe king in such manere suluer wan ynou
Þo he adde iset is londes so mid such tricherye
So heye & al is oþer þing he wende to normandie
& þere he dude wowe ynou mid slaȝt & robberye
& nameliche vpe þe king of france & vpe is compainie
So þat in þe toun of reins king willam atte laste
Vor eld & uor trauail bigan to febli vaste
Þe king phelip of france þe lasse þo of him tolde
& drof him to busemare as me ofte deþ þan olde
Þe king he sede of engelond halt him to is bedde
& liþ mid is grete wombe at reins a child bedde
Þo king willam hurde þis he made him somdel wroþ
Vor edwit of is grete wombe & suor anon þis oþ
Bi þe vprisinge of ihesu crist ȝif god me wole grace sende
Vor to make mi chirchegong & bringe me of þis bende
561
Þat an hondred þousend candlen & mo icholle him tende
Amidde is lond of france & is prute ssende
Þat a sori chirchegong ichcholle him make ar ich þanne we[nde]
Vorewarde he huld him wel inou vor to heruest anon
Þo he sey þat feldes were vol of corne echon
Al þe contreie vol of frut wanne he miȝte mest harm do[n]
He let gadery is kniȝtes & is squiers al so
& þat were is wiues þ at he wiþ him ladde
He wende him in to france & þe contreie ouer spradde
& robbede & destruede him ne miȝte noþing lette
Þe grete cite of medes suþþe afure he sette
Vor me ne miȝte no chirchegong wiþoute liȝte do
Þe cite he barnde al clene & an chirche al so
562
Þat nolde vor no þing fle out of hire house
& monimon & womman ek þer vel in meschaunce
So þat a sori chirchegong hit was to þe king of france
King willam wende aȝen þo al þis was ido
& bigan sone to grony & to febly al so
Vor trauail of þe voul asaut & vor he was feble er
& par auntre vor wreche al so vor he dude so vuele þer
Þo he com to reins aȝen sik he lay sone
His leches lokede is stat as hor riȝt was to done
& iseye & sede al so þat he ne miȝte ofscapie noȝt
Þere was sone sorwe ynou among is men ybroȝt
& he him sulf deol inou & sorwe made al so
& nameliche uor þe muche wo þat he adde anerþe ydo
563
& bihet ȝif he moste libbe þat he nolde misdo nammore
Er he ssolde þat abbe ydo vor it was þo late ynou
Atte laste þo he isei þat toward is ende he drou
His biquide in þis manere he made biuore is deþ
Willam þe rede al engelond is sone he bi queþ
Þe ȝongore al is porchas ac as lawe was & wone
Normandie is eritage he ȝef is eldoste sone
Roberd þe courtehese & henry þe ȝongoste þo
He biqueþ is tresour vor he nadde sones nammo
He het dele ek poueremen Muche of is tresorie
Vor he adde so muche of hom inome in robberye
Chirchen he let rere al so & tresour he ȝef ynou
To rere vp þe chirche of france þat he barnde wiþ wou
564
& of normandie al so þat þer ne leuede none
Þo deide he in þe ȝer of grace a þousend as it was
& four score & seuene as god ȝef þat cas
He was king of engelond four & tuenti ȝer al so
& duc er of normandie vifty ȝer & tuo
Of elde he was nyne & fifty ȝer þo god him ȝef such cas
Þe morwe after seinte mari day þe later ded he was
In þe abbey of cam ibured was þis king
& henry is ȝonge sone was at is buriing
Ac noþer of is oþer sones vor in france þo
Roberd courtehese was in worre & in wo
& willam anon so is fader engelond him bi queþ
He nolde noȝt abide vor te is fader deþ
Ac wende him out of normandie anon to engelonde
Vorto nime hastiliche seisine of is londe
565
So þat þer nas of is sones bote þe ȝonge henry þere
Willam þe rede king anon so he adde tiþing
Of is fader deþe he let him crouni king
Biuore Misselmasse he was icrouned þre dawes & namm[o]
Of þe erchebissop of Kanterbury lanfranc þat was þo
At westmunstre it was ido wiþoute long targinge
Vor it nas noȝt fourtene niȝt after is fader buriinge
He sende anon as quicliche as he miȝte is sonde
Holde oþes þat men him suore þoru al engelonde
Vor of is eldore broþer he was euere in doute
So þat me suor him holde oþes Into al þe lond aboute
From londone to winchestere he wende to se þere
Þe vaire halle & oþer bold þat is fader let rere
Of is fader tresorie þat was in þulke stude
He delde uor is soule as he adde him sulf ibede
To chirchen & to poueremen he ȝef verst as he ssolde
To abbeys & to priories largeliche of is golde
& to eche chirche of þe lond vif ssillinges me ber
& to eche contreie an hondred pound to dele poueremen þer
Vor me nom it er muchedel of pouere monne god
& þe sone þei he were ssrewe þen vader wel vnderstod
Vor strengþe of wisdom vr louerd him here sende
& atte biginninge þulke tuo to gode al he it wende
Þe wule þe erchebissop lanfranc broȝte him to god red
Ac to vuel he it turnde al þo lanfranc was ded
Ar is fader wonne engelond longe he was ibore
Ac ȝut roberd courtehese þe eldore broþer biuore
Stalwarde was & hardi & god kniȝt þoru alle þing
In batayle & in tornemens er þan he were king
Þe verste ȝer þat he was king worre gret & strong
Bituene him & roberd courtehese þer sprong
Vor muche of þis lond willede roberd courtehese
To be king of engelond ȝif hii miȝte chese
& vor roberd was eldore & eir gret folc he sende al so
Fram normandie to worry & is fader biquide vndo
Ac þe vif pors of engelond kepte hom in þe se
& adreinte & slowe þat hii ne come nammore aȝe
Freinsse men in engelond þer were þere monion
Bissopes & kniȝtes mid king willam echon
Þe bissop ode wiþ him was so wel ich vnder stonde
Þat he tok him poer as wo seiþ of al engelonde
& he bigan mid treson mest to be is fo
& to drawe to him þe heyemen þat in poer were þo
As in þe ȝer of grace a þousend ȝer it was
And four score & eiȝte þat bigan þis cas
In þe gote time of leinte þis false bissop ode
& þe frensse kniȝtes of engelond of þis trayson vnderstode
& heyemen monye of engelond were ek at one rede
Anon after estere hii gonne hom to sprede
And robbi aboute & berne & tounes adoun caste
And wo so eni castel adde astored him wel vaste
A bissop þat het geffray & oþer heyemen mo
Þat þe castel wuste of bristowe such castel as was þo
Baþe & al þe contreie hii robbede in hor route
& þe oþer side berkeleye & þe contreye al aboute
& þe castel of bristowe astorede vaste ynou
Þe barons of herefordssire dude al so gret wou
& þat folc of ssropssire vor hii nome hom alle to rede
& robbede wircestressire In lengþe & in brede
& al þe contreie aboute & to þe toune riȝt
Ac hii founde in þe toun mony a god kniȝt
Vor þe bissop of wurcestere þat þo was seint wulston
In þe castel was of wurcestre & bissopes monion
Sein wulston cride on god to ssulde hom fram hor fon
Þe kniȝtes wel iarmed wende hom out anon
& þoru bone of sein wolston & þoru godes grace
Hii slowe & ouercome vif þousend in þe place
A uerde þer was binorþe þat robbede al so uaste
Þe contreye of norþhumberlond & þe tounes adoun caste
An oþer þer was more souþ þat leicestre ssire
Robbede & destruede & norþhamtessire
So þat engelond was vol of eche wrechede
& to soþe com þat seint edward biuore is deþe sede
Þe bissop ode þat was of þis wowe cheuentein
In kent was & robbede þere mid al is mayn
King willam isei þat he was in alle sorwe ibroȝt
& bote he adde help of is men is fare nas riȝt noȝt
To is barons he sende aboute þat he mest truste to
& bed hom helpe him in is nede oþer is poer were ido
He bihet hom þe beste lawes þat euere were ifounde
To be is help aȝen is fon þat he nere ibroȝt to grounde
Þe heyemen of engelond to abbe hor lawes gode
Come to him in is nede þo hii him vnderstode
& mid gret ost wende uorþ & mid stourdi mode
Toward þe castel of roucestre to seche þe bissop ode
To þe castel of tonebrugge bi þe wey hii come
& asailede him vaste inou & attelaste him nome
Þo tolde me þat bissop ode at pewneseye was
Þis ost wende þuderward mid wel quic pas
& bisegede þen castel six wuke wel vaste
So þat þet folc wiþinne ȝolde hom atte laste
& bissop ode uerst þo þe king him vond
He made him vor is treson vorsuerie engelond
Ac uor þe castel of roucestere & þe toun al so
In þe bissopes poer was & is folc þer inne ido
Þe king him made þuder wende mid is owe folc to Make
Þe folc þat þer Inne was þen castel him vp take
Þo þe bissop & þe kinges men to roucestere come
Hii wiþinne turnde aȝen & hom alle nome
& þe kinges men echone In strong prison caste
Þo þet word to þe king come þuderward he wende vaste
& þen castel bisette & hom wiþinne agaste
So þat hii ȝolde þe king vp þen castel atte laste
& þe king hom made echone þat he þer Inne vond
& þe bissop ode al so vorsuerie engelond
Þo hii were out of engelond hii were bineþe ybroȝt
& alle þat hulde wiþ hom er vor hor poer nas noȝt
Þo þe king was al aboue of noþing he nas aferd
He suor he wolde awreke be of is broþer roberd
To normandie mid is ost in gret wraþþe he gan wende
Vor to winne normandie & is broþer ssende
His broþer gaderede is poer & aȝen him vaste stod
So þat þe worre strong was & gret ssedinge of blod
Hii acordede atte laste in such fourme þere
Þat weþer of hom tueye lengore aliue were
Þat he ssolde be oþeres eir of al þat he adde
Of is fader deþe he let him crouni king
Biuore Misselmasse he was icrouned þre dawes & namm[o]
Of þe erchebissop of Kanterbury lanfranc þat was þo
At westmunstre it was ido wiþoute long targinge
Vor it nas noȝt fourtene niȝt after is fader buriinge
He sende anon as quicliche as he miȝte is sonde
Holde oþes þat men him suore þoru al engelonde
Vor of is eldore broþer he was euere in doute
So þat me suor him holde oþes Into al þe lond aboute
From londone to winchestere he wende to se þere
Þe vaire halle & oþer bold þat is fader let rere
Of is fader tresorie þat was in þulke stude
He delde uor is soule as he adde him sulf ibede
566
To abbeys & to priories largeliche of is golde
& to eche chirche of þe lond vif ssillinges me ber
& to eche contreie an hondred pound to dele poueremen þer
Vor me nom it er muchedel of pouere monne god
& þe sone þei he were ssrewe þen vader wel vnderstod
Vor strengþe of wisdom vr louerd him here sende
& atte biginninge þulke tuo to gode al he it wende
Þe wule þe erchebissop lanfranc broȝte him to god red
Ac to vuel he it turnde al þo lanfranc was ded
Ar is fader wonne engelond longe he was ibore
Ac ȝut roberd courtehese þe eldore broþer biuore
Stalwarde was & hardi & god kniȝt þoru alle þing
In batayle & in tornemens er þan he were king
567
Bituene him & roberd courtehese þer sprong
Vor muche of þis lond willede roberd courtehese
To be king of engelond ȝif hii miȝte chese
& vor roberd was eldore & eir gret folc he sende al so
Fram normandie to worry & is fader biquide vndo
Ac þe vif pors of engelond kepte hom in þe se
& adreinte & slowe þat hii ne come nammore aȝe
Freinsse men in engelond þer were þere monion
Bissopes & kniȝtes mid king willam echon
Þe bissop ode wiþ him was so wel ich vnder stonde
Þat he tok him poer as wo seiþ of al engelonde
& he bigan mid treson mest to be is fo
& to drawe to him þe heyemen þat in poer were þo
As in þe ȝer of grace a þousend ȝer it was
And four score & eiȝte þat bigan þis cas
568
& þe frensse kniȝtes of engelond of þis trayson vnderstode
& heyemen monye of engelond were ek at one rede
Anon after estere hii gonne hom to sprede
And robbi aboute & berne & tounes adoun caste
And wo so eni castel adde astored him wel vaste
A bissop þat het geffray & oþer heyemen mo
Þat þe castel wuste of bristowe such castel as was þo
Baþe & al þe contreie hii robbede in hor route
& þe oþer side berkeleye & þe contreye al aboute
& þe castel of bristowe astorede vaste ynou
Þe barons of herefordssire dude al so gret wou
& þat folc of ssropssire vor hii nome hom alle to rede
& robbede wircestressire In lengþe & in brede
569
Ac hii founde in þe toun mony a god kniȝt
Vor þe bissop of wurcestere þat þo was seint wulston
In þe castel was of wurcestre & bissopes monion
Sein wulston cride on god to ssulde hom fram hor fon
Þe kniȝtes wel iarmed wende hom out anon
& þoru bone of sein wolston & þoru godes grace
Hii slowe & ouercome vif þousend in þe place
A uerde þer was binorþe þat robbede al so uaste
Þe contreye of norþhumberlond & þe tounes adoun caste
An oþer þer was more souþ þat leicestre ssire
Robbede & destruede & norþhamtessire
So þat engelond was vol of eche wrechede
& to soþe com þat seint edward biuore is deþe sede
Þe bissop ode þat was of þis wowe cheuentein
In kent was & robbede þere mid al is mayn
570
& bote he adde help of is men is fare nas riȝt noȝt
To is barons he sende aboute þat he mest truste to
& bed hom helpe him in is nede oþer is poer were ido
He bihet hom þe beste lawes þat euere were ifounde
To be is help aȝen is fon þat he nere ibroȝt to grounde
Þe heyemen of engelond to abbe hor lawes gode
Come to him in is nede þo hii him vnderstode
& mid gret ost wende uorþ & mid stourdi mode
Toward þe castel of roucestre to seche þe bissop ode
To þe castel of tonebrugge bi þe wey hii come
& asailede him vaste inou & attelaste him nome
Þo tolde me þat bissop ode at pewneseye was
Þis ost wende þuderward mid wel quic pas
& bisegede þen castel six wuke wel vaste
So þat þet folc wiþinne ȝolde hom atte laste
571
He made him vor is treson vorsuerie engelond
Ac uor þe castel of roucestere & þe toun al so
In þe bissopes poer was & is folc þer inne ido
Þe king him made þuder wende mid is owe folc to Make
Þe folc þat þer Inne was þen castel him vp take
Þo þe bissop & þe kinges men to roucestere come
Hii wiþinne turnde aȝen & hom alle nome
& þe kinges men echone In strong prison caste
Þo þet word to þe king come þuderward he wende vaste
& þen castel bisette & hom wiþinne agaste
So þat hii ȝolde þe king vp þen castel atte laste
& þe king hom made echone þat he þer Inne vond
& þe bissop ode al so vorsuerie engelond
Þo hii were out of engelond hii were bineþe ybroȝt
& alle þat hulde wiþ hom er vor hor poer nas noȝt
572
He suor he wolde awreke be of is broþer roberd
To normandie mid is ost in gret wraþþe he gan wende
Vor to winne normandie & is broþer ssende
His broþer gaderede is poer & aȝen him vaste stod
So þat þe worre strong was & gret ssedinge of blod
Hii acordede atte laste in such fourme þere
Þat weþer of hom tueye lengore aliue were
Þat he ssolde be oþeres eir of al þat he adde
Ȝif he of him sulf biȝite non oþer eir nadde
Þis acord was vaste imad þoru strong treuþe inou
Vaste ipliȝt in eiþer side þat noþer ne wiþ drou
So þat þis tueye breþeren gode frend were þo riȝt
Þoru god fourme & strong inou þoru strong treuþe ipliȝt
Þe wule hii were in normandie & engelond so bar
Macolom king of scotlond þer of was iwar
& edgar al so aþeling vor mid gret poer
Hii wende her in to engelond & robbede ver & ner
& barnde & destrude þe norþ contreie vaste
Þer of com to normandie þe tiþinge attelaste
Þe king & Roberd is broþer hor beire poer nome
& wiþ gret ost & strengþe inou to engelond come
& sette vaste aȝen hom so þat in lute stounde
Hor poer of scotlond was ibroȝt to grounde
Þo wende uorþ roberd courtehese & edgar aþeling
& acordede Macolom & willam ur king
So þat þis Macolom nere he no so prout
Dude king willam omage & bicom is man al out
And acorded hii were alle voure as willam vr king
And king Macolom & roberd & edgar aþeling
Þo bileuede roberd almest uorte cristemasse
Mid is broþer in engelond bote tueye dawes lasse
Ac in wiȝt he wende þo & so to normandye
& edgar aþeling mid him as in god compaynie
Þo adde willam vr king in pes al engelond
& to him vaste iobliged þe king of scotlond
Luþer he was arst inou & wel wors he was þo
He dude abbeys & priories in þat lond wel wo
His strengþe & is wisdom as ich abbe er ised
He turnde to luþernesse þo lanfranc was ded
Tweye luþer lawes he adde wiþ him al out
In speninge he was fol large In herte þoru out prout
Vor is prute he ne tolde of god ne of man riȝt noȝt
Ne after no red he nolde do bote after is luþer þoȝt
Milce nas þer mid him non ne no Manere Mekhede
Ac as a tirant tormentor in speche & ek in dede
Vor he was no fol large as robbeour he was
And destruede al þat lond þat no god alonde nas
Þer ne ssolde no mete ne drinke bote it ouer dere
Come wiþinne is wombe ne cloþ ouer is suere
Wanne it come biuore him he nolde þer of noȝt
Nere it no so lute worþ bote it were ouerdere yboȝt
As is chanberlein him broȝte ar he aros aday
Amorewe uor to werie a peire hosen of say
He esste wat hii costnede þre ssillinges þe oþer sede
Fi a debles quaþ þe king wo sey a so vil dede
King to werye eny cloþ bote hit costnede more
Buy a peire of a marc oþer þou ssalt acorie sore
A worse peire of inou þe oþer suþþe him broȝte
& sede hii were of a marc & vnneþ so ibouȝte
Þis acord was vaste imad þoru strong treuþe inou
Vaste ipliȝt in eiþer side þat noþer ne wiþ drou
So þat þis tueye breþeren gode frend were þo riȝt
Þoru god fourme & strong inou þoru strong treuþe ipliȝt
Þe wule hii were in normandie & engelond so bar
Macolom king of scotlond þer of was iwar
573
Hii wende her in to engelond & robbede ver & ner
& barnde & destrude þe norþ contreie vaste
Þer of com to normandie þe tiþinge attelaste
Þe king & Roberd is broþer hor beire poer nome
& wiþ gret ost & strengþe inou to engelond come
& sette vaste aȝen hom so þat in lute stounde
Hor poer of scotlond was ibroȝt to grounde
Þo wende uorþ roberd courtehese & edgar aþeling
& acordede Macolom & willam ur king
So þat þis Macolom nere he no so prout
Dude king willam omage & bicom is man al out
And acorded hii were alle voure as willam vr king
And king Macolom & roberd & edgar aþeling
Þo bileuede roberd almest uorte cristemasse
Mid is broþer in engelond bote tueye dawes lasse
574
& edgar aþeling mid him as in god compaynie
Þo adde willam vr king in pes al engelond
& to him vaste iobliged þe king of scotlond
Luþer he was arst inou & wel wors he was þo
He dude abbeys & priories in þat lond wel wo
His strengþe & is wisdom as ich abbe er ised
He turnde to luþernesse þo lanfranc was ded
Tweye luþer lawes he adde wiþ him al out
In speninge he was fol large In herte þoru out prout
Vor is prute he ne tolde of god ne of man riȝt noȝt
Ne after no red he nolde do bote after is luþer þoȝt
Milce nas þer mid him non ne no Manere Mekhede
Ac as a tirant tormentor in speche & ek in dede
Vor he was no fol large as robbeour he was
And destruede al þat lond þat no god alonde nas
575
Come wiþinne is wombe ne cloþ ouer is suere
Wanne it come biuore him he nolde þer of noȝt
Nere it no so lute worþ bote it were ouerdere yboȝt
As is chanberlein him broȝte ar he aros aday
Amorewe uor to werie a peire hosen of say
He esste wat hii costnede þre ssillinges þe oþer sede
Fi a debles quaþ þe king wo sey a so vil dede
King to werye eny cloþ bote hit costnede more
Buy a peire of a marc oþer þou ssalt acorie sore
A worse peire of inou þe oþer suþþe him broȝte
& sede hii were of a marc & vnneþ so ibouȝte
Ȝe belamy quaþ þe king þes were wel iboȝt
In þis manere serue me oþer þou ne ssalt me serue noȝt
Þe tour he made of londone willam þe rede king
& þe muchel halle of westmunstre þat so noble is þoru alle þing
Þo he to þis halle com he chidde & made him wroþ
Vor he was bi þe haluendel to lute he suor is oþ
Him ne roȝte hou he spende ne wat he was so prout
Þeruore he destruede þat londfolc al out
So þat in is luþerhede to gloucestere he wende
& þere þei it lute were siknesse god him sende
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & four score & þrettene
Hit was þat he lay sik at gloucestre ich wene
Þo dradde he sore of is deþ & is misdede of þoȝte sore
& bi het god þat he nolde be luþermon nammore
Ac þat he wolde to engelond & to holi chirche also
Be god & amendi þat he adde misdo
King Macolom hurde telle þerof in scotlonde
To him to gloucestere sone he sende is sonde
& bed him vor is trywenesse þe vorewarde abbe in þoȝt
Þat bituene hom was ymad þat he breke it noȝt
Þe king him sende word aȝen to be triwe & hende
And bed him al sauf to him to gloucestre wende
And Make him obligacion & ostage him gan sende
Þat he ssolde to him come al sauf in ech ende
Macolom ileuede þis & to gloucestere þen wey nom
Ac þe king he vond in such point þo he þuder com
Þat he ne miȝte wiþ him speke aȝen he wende wroþ
& þer of he wolde be awreke he suor is more oþ
Vaste he ȝarkede is poer þo he com to scotlonde
& wende aȝen to worri her vp engelonde
& robbede & barnde & sone þoru godes sonde
He vond hard encontre in norþhumberlonde
Vor þe erl of norþhomberlond sire roberd de Mounbrey
Nas noþing wel ipaid mid king Macolomes pley
Þat he destrued so is lond he ȝarkede vaste
His poer & ȝef him bataile atte laste
Þer was king macolom aslawe & edward is sone al so
Þat was is sone & is eir & muche of is folc þer to
Þe tiþinge sone com to Margarete is wif
Þat boþe ire louerd & ire sone adde ilore þat lif
Heo let hire ssriue & hoseli & vnneþe out et
Ar heo uor deol & sorwe & anguisse þat lif let
Þo was willam oure king al quit of þulke fon
Vor þer ne bileuede of hor children aliue bote on
Mold þat was þe gode quene þat euere worþ in munde
Vor þoru hire com uerst engelond aȝen to riȝte kunde
Kyng willam keuerede aȝen to hele al to sone
& dude alonde wou inou as is wone was to done
576
Þe tour he made of londone willam þe rede king
& þe muchel halle of westmunstre þat so noble is þoru alle þing
Þo he to þis halle com he chidde & made him wroþ
Vor he was bi þe haluendel to lute he suor is oþ
Him ne roȝte hou he spende ne wat he was so prout
Þeruore he destruede þat londfolc al out
So þat in is luþerhede to gloucestere he wende
& þere þei it lute were siknesse god him sende
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & four score & þrettene
Hit was þat he lay sik at gloucestre ich wene
Þo dradde he sore of is deþ & is misdede of þoȝte sore
& bi het god þat he nolde be luþermon nammore
577
Be god & amendi þat he adde misdo
King Macolom hurde telle þerof in scotlonde
To him to gloucestere sone he sende is sonde
& bed him vor is trywenesse þe vorewarde abbe in þoȝt
Þat bituene hom was ymad þat he breke it noȝt
Þe king him sende word aȝen to be triwe & hende
And bed him al sauf to him to gloucestre wende
And Make him obligacion & ostage him gan sende
Þat he ssolde to him come al sauf in ech ende
Macolom ileuede þis & to gloucestere þen wey nom
Ac þe king he vond in such point þo he þuder com
Þat he ne miȝte wiþ him speke aȝen he wende wroþ
& þer of he wolde be awreke he suor is more oþ
Vaste he ȝarkede is poer þo he com to scotlonde
& wende aȝen to worri her vp engelonde
& robbede & barnde & sone þoru godes sonde
He vond hard encontre in norþhumberlonde
578
Nas noþing wel ipaid mid king Macolomes pley
Þat he destrued so is lond he ȝarkede vaste
His poer & ȝef him bataile atte laste
Þer was king macolom aslawe & edward is sone al so
Þat was is sone & is eir & muche of is folc þer to
Þe tiþinge sone com to Margarete is wif
Þat boþe ire louerd & ire sone adde ilore þat lif
Heo let hire ssriue & hoseli & vnneþe out et
Ar heo uor deol & sorwe & anguisse þat lif let
Þo was willam oure king al quit of þulke fon
Vor þer ne bileuede of hor children aliue bote on
Mold þat was þe gode quene þat euere worþ in munde
Vor þoru hire com uerst engelond aȝen to riȝte kunde
Kyng willam keuerede aȝen to hele al to sone
& dude alonde wou inou as is wone was to done
579
A god pope was þulke time at rome þat het vrban
Þat prechede of þe croyserie & croysede moni a mon
Þer of he sende prechors þoru al cristendom
& him sulf a þes half þe mouns & to france com
And prechede so vaste & wiþ so gret wisdom
Þat aboute in eche londe þe crois vaste me nom
In þe ȝer of grace aþousend & fourscore & sixtene
Þis grete croiserie bigan þat longe was isene
Of so muche folc nyme þe croys ne to þe holy londe go
Me ne sey no tyme biuore ne suþþe naþemo
Vor sulue wimmen ne bileuede þat hii ne wende þuder vaste
Ne ȝong folc þei hii feble were þe wule þe veage ilaste
So þat roberd courtehese þuderward is herte caste
& among oþere gode kniȝtes ne þoȝte noȝt be þe laste
He wende here to engelond vor þe croiserye
& leide willam is broþer to wedde normandye
& borewede þer uppe of him an hondred þousend mare
To wende wiþ to þe holy lond & þat was somdel stare
He adde arst duc of normandie nye ȝer ybe
Þo he adde þis tresour he gan him bet bi se
Þe erl roberd of flaundres mid him wende al so
& eustans erl of boloyne & moni god kniȝt þer to
Þer wende þe due geffray & þe erl baldewine þere
& þe oþer baldewine al so þat noblemen were
& kinges suþþe alle þre of þe holy lond
Þe erl steuene þe bles wende ek þat gret poer adde an hond
Þat roberdes soster courtehese ispoused adde to wiue
Þer wende ȝut oþer kniȝtes þe beste þat were aliue
As þe erl of sein gile þe gode reimond
& vel þe kinges broþer of france & þe erl beaumond
& tancred is neueu & þe bissop al so
Of podie & sire hue þe grete erl þer to
& folc also wiþoute tale of al þis west ende
Of engelond of france þuderward gonne wende
Of normandie of denemarch of norþweye of brutayne
Of walis & of yrlonde of gascoyne & of spayne
Of prouence & of saxoyne & of alymayne
Of scotlond & of grece of rome of Aquitayne
Me ne hurde neuere þat god so vair grace an erþe sende
Þat so muche folc at o tyme to þe holy lond wende
Þis folc at constantinoble biuore þe emperour
Alex þat was þo come wiþ gret honour
Suþþe hii dude hom in þe se and ariuede atte laste
Suþþe þe toun of nyce hii bisegede vaste
Hii departede verst hor ost as in vour partye
And at ech of þe vour ȝates sette an compaynie
Vor roberd courtehese Mid þe poer þat was his
& þe erl of flaundres were iset at þe est ȝate ywis
Atte norþȝate was tancred & þe duc biaumond
Atte souþȝate was þe bissop & þe gode erl reimond
And þe duc godefray & steuene de bleys al so
And sire hue þe grete erl atte west ȝate were ido
Hii bigonne an hal þores euen þen toun to asaili þere
Stalwardliche & vaste inou noblemen as it were
Hit þoȝte þat al þe eir aboute vol was of cri anon
& þat me ne miȝte noȝt ise bote arwen & flon
& stones out of liþeren & of magnels al so
Muche was þe manslaȝt þat þere was ido
Vor hii wiþinne versse were wiþoute trauail & tene
& adde hor ginnes to sseten out & þe wal hom was bitwene
Þe cristine failede of al þis war þoru in a stounde
Alas muchedel of hom was ibroȝt to grounde
And naþeles as noblemen hii assailede euere vaste
So þat to þe toun walle hii come atte laste
And þe oþere hadde ilore hor ssute of bowe & of arblaste
Ne hii ne miȝte vor oþer ginnes stones vp hom caste
Þe cristinemen dolue vaste & þen wal velde adoun
So þat þe sarazins ȝolde hom þen toun
Þat was þe chef cite of þe lasse asye
So þat þe cristinemen adde þer þe maistrie
& tresour founde & stor inou hii astorede hom wel þere
& reste hor gode bodies þat wel wery were
After six wouke & þre dawes þat hii þuder come
Hii greiþede hom & þen wey to antioche nome
Out of nyce hii wende þo of Iul þe verste day
Ich wene a uair compainie neuere mon ne say
Vor aboute seue hondred þousend of gode bodies þer were
& ȝut þer was al to muche bihinde aslawe þere
As hii wende toward antioche hii bihulde an hey
So þat in þe firmament þat folc hom þoȝte hii sey
A long suerd red as fur þe point ssarp inou
& ouer painime estward þat point hom þoȝte drou
Of þis siȝte hii were glad vor hom þoȝte it was tokninge
Þat god wolde þe sarazens In hor poer bringe
Hor compainie þat was þo wair hii delde verst atuo
In þe one roberd cortehese cheuentein was ido
& þe erl beumond & tancred & þe gode kniȝt richard
De prices & euerard de ponsat & achard
De monmerloy & mony oþere & þo þis was al ȝare
Vorþ hii wende & þe oþer folc bi an oþer wei elles ware
As þis gode compainie þen riȝte wey uor nome
Þe heþene were of hom iwar & aȝen hom come
Þre hondred þousend & sixty þousend wiþoute folc of arabie
So muche þat þer nas non noumbre of hor compainye
Þe cristine were of þe sarazins an onywar biset
& vor þe sarazins were ywar hom spedde wel þe bet
Batayle hii smite strong inou ac as icholde noȝt
Vor þe cristinemen were nei to grounde ibroȝt
Of trompes & of tabors þe sarazins made þere
So gret noyse þat cristinemen al destourbed were
Vor hor hors were al astoned & nolde after wille
Siwe noþer spore no bridel ac some stode stille
& some lepte her & þer so þat hii were icome
In wille to fle cristinemen & bigonne to fle some
Þo arnde uorþ þe noble kniȝt roberd courtehese
Kniȝtes he sede wat wolle ȝe vuele ȝe doþ chese
Ne se ȝe þat ȝare hors beþ suiftore þan ȝoure be
Þat ȝe beþ dede anon ȝif ȝe wolle fle
Deie we raþer wiþ onour & siweþ me in þis place
Vor icholle mi lif dere inou sulle þoru godes grace
He turnde is stede wiþ god eir & atte biginninge
He smot þoru out wiþ a launce on of hor hexte kinge
And an oþer gret maister he slou & ef sone þe þridde
His felawes smite uorþ wiþ him & were sone amidde
Boþe tancred & biaumond & Richard de prince al so
And þis oþere gode kniȝtes gode herte hom nome to
& smite al anywe bataile & to grounde slowe vaste
So þat fram þe oþer ost þer com atte laste
Sire hue þe grete erl & auncel de ripemond
Mid an hondred kniȝtes pur versse & sound
& þe sarazines ost wax al so vaste
So þat tueie of oure princes aslawe were atte laste
Vor willam tancredes broþer an heþene king com to
& smot him þoru mid a lance & he him al so
So þat hii were boþe dede & al so sire godefray
De mount scabiouse was aslawe weilaway
Vor as he an kniȝtes heued of arabie of smot
& he & his armure were þoru out hot
On sset him þoru out mid an arwe þere
So þat þis tueye gode kniȝtes of cristine aslawe were
Þis batayle laste þus fram morwe vor to non
So þat þe verste cristine ost was nei wat ydon
Vor þer adde vewe aliue ofscaped in þe place
Þat prechede of þe croyserie & croysede moni a mon
Þer of he sende prechors þoru al cristendom
& him sulf a þes half þe mouns & to france com
And prechede so vaste & wiþ so gret wisdom
Þat aboute in eche londe þe crois vaste me nom
In þe ȝer of grace aþousend & fourscore & sixtene
Þis grete croiserie bigan þat longe was isene
Of so muche folc nyme þe croys ne to þe holy londe go
Me ne sey no tyme biuore ne suþþe naþemo
Vor sulue wimmen ne bileuede þat hii ne wende þuder vaste
Ne ȝong folc þei hii feble were þe wule þe veage ilaste
So þat roberd courtehese þuderward is herte caste
& among oþere gode kniȝtes ne þoȝte noȝt be þe laste
580
& leide willam is broþer to wedde normandye
& borewede þer uppe of him an hondred þousend mare
To wende wiþ to þe holy lond & þat was somdel stare
He adde arst duc of normandie nye ȝer ybe
Þo he adde þis tresour he gan him bet bi se
Þe erl roberd of flaundres mid him wende al so
& eustans erl of boloyne & moni god kniȝt þer to
Þer wende þe due geffray & þe erl baldewine þere
& þe oþer baldewine al so þat noblemen were
& kinges suþþe alle þre of þe holy lond
Þe erl steuene þe bles wende ek þat gret poer adde an hond
Þat roberdes soster courtehese ispoused adde to wiue
Þer wende ȝut oþer kniȝtes þe beste þat were aliue
As þe erl of sein gile þe gode reimond
& vel þe kinges broþer of france & þe erl beaumond
581
Of podie & sire hue þe grete erl þer to
& folc also wiþoute tale of al þis west ende
Of engelond of france þuderward gonne wende
Of normandie of denemarch of norþweye of brutayne
Of walis & of yrlonde of gascoyne & of spayne
Of prouence & of saxoyne & of alymayne
Of scotlond & of grece of rome of Aquitayne
Me ne hurde neuere þat god so vair grace an erþe sende
Þat so muche folc at o tyme to þe holy lond wende
Þis folc at constantinoble biuore þe emperour
Alex þat was þo come wiþ gret honour
Suþþe hii dude hom in þe se and ariuede atte laste
Suþþe þe toun of nyce hii bisegede vaste
Hii departede verst hor ost as in vour partye
And at ech of þe vour ȝates sette an compaynie
Vor roberd courtehese Mid þe poer þat was his
& þe erl of flaundres were iset at þe est ȝate ywis
582
Atte souþȝate was þe bissop & þe gode erl reimond
And þe duc godefray & steuene de bleys al so
And sire hue þe grete erl atte west ȝate were ido
Hii bigonne an hal þores euen þen toun to asaili þere
Stalwardliche & vaste inou noblemen as it were
Hit þoȝte þat al þe eir aboute vol was of cri anon
& þat me ne miȝte noȝt ise bote arwen & flon
& stones out of liþeren & of magnels al so
Muche was þe manslaȝt þat þere was ido
Vor hii wiþinne versse were wiþoute trauail & tene
& adde hor ginnes to sseten out & þe wal hom was bitwene
Þe cristine failede of al þis war þoru in a stounde
Alas muchedel of hom was ibroȝt to grounde
583
So þat to þe toun walle hii come atte laste
And þe oþere hadde ilore hor ssute of bowe & of arblaste
Ne hii ne miȝte vor oþer ginnes stones vp hom caste
Þe cristinemen dolue vaste & þen wal velde adoun
So þat þe sarazins ȝolde hom þen toun
Þat was þe chef cite of þe lasse asye
So þat þe cristinemen adde þer þe maistrie
& tresour founde & stor inou hii astorede hom wel þere
& reste hor gode bodies þat wel wery were
After six wouke & þre dawes þat hii þuder come
Hii greiþede hom & þen wey to antioche nome
Out of nyce hii wende þo of Iul þe verste day
Ich wene a uair compainie neuere mon ne say
Vor aboute seue hondred þousend of gode bodies þer were
& ȝut þer was al to muche bihinde aslawe þere
584
So þat in þe firmament þat folc hom þoȝte hii sey
A long suerd red as fur þe point ssarp inou
& ouer painime estward þat point hom þoȝte drou
Of þis siȝte hii were glad vor hom þoȝte it was tokninge
Þat god wolde þe sarazens In hor poer bringe
Hor compainie þat was þo wair hii delde verst atuo
In þe one roberd cortehese cheuentein was ido
& þe erl beumond & tancred & þe gode kniȝt richard
De prices & euerard de ponsat & achard
De monmerloy & mony oþere & þo þis was al ȝare
Vorþ hii wende & þe oþer folc bi an oþer wei elles ware
As þis gode compainie þen riȝte wey uor nome
Þe heþene were of hom iwar & aȝen hom come
585
So muche þat þer nas non noumbre of hor compainye
Þe cristine were of þe sarazins an onywar biset
& vor þe sarazins were ywar hom spedde wel þe bet
Batayle hii smite strong inou ac as icholde noȝt
Vor þe cristinemen were nei to grounde ibroȝt
Of trompes & of tabors þe sarazins made þere
So gret noyse þat cristinemen al destourbed were
Vor hor hors were al astoned & nolde after wille
Siwe noþer spore no bridel ac some stode stille
& some lepte her & þer so þat hii were icome
In wille to fle cristinemen & bigonne to fle some
Þo arnde uorþ þe noble kniȝt roberd courtehese
Kniȝtes he sede wat wolle ȝe vuele ȝe doþ chese
Ne se ȝe þat ȝare hors beþ suiftore þan ȝoure be
Þat ȝe beþ dede anon ȝif ȝe wolle fle
586
Vor icholle mi lif dere inou sulle þoru godes grace
He turnde is stede wiþ god eir & atte biginninge
He smot þoru out wiþ a launce on of hor hexte kinge
And an oþer gret maister he slou & ef sone þe þridde
His felawes smite uorþ wiþ him & were sone amidde
Boþe tancred & biaumond & Richard de prince al so
And þis oþere gode kniȝtes gode herte hom nome to
& smite al anywe bataile & to grounde slowe vaste
So þat fram þe oþer ost þer com atte laste
Sire hue þe grete erl & auncel de ripemond
Mid an hondred kniȝtes pur versse & sound
& þe sarazines ost wax al so vaste
So þat tueie of oure princes aslawe were atte laste
Vor willam tancredes broþer an heþene king com to
& smot him þoru mid a lance & he him al so
587
De mount scabiouse was aslawe weilaway
Vor as he an kniȝtes heued of arabie of smot
& he & his armure were þoru out hot
On sset him þoru out mid an arwe þere
So þat þis tueye gode kniȝtes of cristine aslawe were
Þis batayle laste þus fram morwe vor to non
So þat þe verste cristine ost was nei wat ydon
Vor þer adde vewe aliue ofscaped in þe place
Ȝif vr louerd hom nadde isend help þoru is grace
Vor hor felawes of þe oþer ost al versse to hom drowe
Verst þe duc godefray mid gode kniȝtes ynowe
& in þe riȝthalf of is ost þe baldewines tueye
Were & gouernede þe ost mid hor poer beye
& steuene þe bleis mid is ost þe luft side nom
& Roberd erl of flaundres after þulke ost com
Mid is poer gret inou ac þe ost in þe riȝt side
Sywede þe gode reimond mid is ost wel wide
& vot folc wiþoute noumbre & þanne þe bissop drou
In anoþer alf of an hul wiþ gret poer ynou
Þe sarazins in no bataile neuere ȝut so uaste
Foȝte ne so stifliche þe wule hor poer ylaste
Ac þo þis noble kniȝtes al verss up hom come
Hii þat miȝte of scapie sone hor red nome
& hor duc soliman & bigonne to fle vaste
So þat þis cristinemen bileuede atte laste
Maistres in þe velde mid gret wo þei it were
& of armes & of oþer þinge gret preye awey bere
So þat hii were þe bet astored & hor ost al so
In þe bigininge of Iul þis bataile was ido
Þo wende uorþ þis compainye wiþ moni a noble man
& wonne tars wiþ strengþe & suþþe toxan
& to yrenebrugge fram þanene hii wende
& vr louerd atte laste to antioche hom sende
Þat in þe biginning of þe lond of sirie is
Anon vpe sein lukes day þuder hii come ywis
& bisegede þe cite & asailede vaste
& hii wiþinne aȝen hom stalwardeliche caste
So þat after cristemasse þe sarazins red nome
& þat folc of ierusalem & of damache come
Of alef & of oþer londes gret poer ynou
& to socouri antioche uaste þuderward drou
So þat þe erl of flaundres & beumond atte laste
Mid tuenti þousend of men aȝen hom wende vaste
& smite an bataile wiþ hom & þe ssrewen ouercome
& þe cristine wende aȝen mid þe preye þat hii nome
In þe monþe of feuerer þe sarazins ef sone
Vor hor felawes of þe oþer ost al versse to hom drowe
Verst þe duc godefray mid gode kniȝtes ynowe
& in þe riȝthalf of is ost þe baldewines tueye
Were & gouernede þe ost mid hor poer beye
& steuene þe bleis mid is ost þe luft side nom
& Roberd erl of flaundres after þulke ost com
588
Sywede þe gode reimond mid is ost wel wide
& vot folc wiþoute noumbre & þanne þe bissop drou
In anoþer alf of an hul wiþ gret poer ynou
Þe sarazins in no bataile neuere ȝut so uaste
Foȝte ne so stifliche þe wule hor poer ylaste
Ac þo þis noble kniȝtes al verss up hom come
Hii þat miȝte of scapie sone hor red nome
& hor duc soliman & bigonne to fle vaste
So þat þis cristinemen bileuede atte laste
Maistres in þe velde mid gret wo þei it were
& of armes & of oþer þinge gret preye awey bere
So þat hii were þe bet astored & hor ost al so
In þe bigininge of Iul þis bataile was ido
Þo wende uorþ þis compainye wiþ moni a noble man
& wonne tars wiþ strengþe & suþþe toxan
589
& vr louerd atte laste to antioche hom sende
Þat in þe biginning of þe lond of sirie is
Anon vpe sein lukes day þuder hii come ywis
& bisegede þe cite & asailede vaste
& hii wiþinne aȝen hom stalwardeliche caste
So þat after cristemasse þe sarazins red nome
& þat folc of ierusalem & of damache come
Of alef & of oþer londes gret poer ynou
& to socouri antioche uaste þuderward drou
So þat þe erl of flaundres & beumond atte laste
Mid tuenti þousend of men aȝen hom wende vaste
& smite an bataile wiþ hom & þe ssrewen ouercome
& þe cristine wende aȝen mid þe preye þat hii nome
In þe monþe of feuerer þe sarazins ef sone
Ȝarkede hom a gret ost as hii were iwoned to done
& wende toward antioche to helpe hor kunde blod
Þe compainie of cristinemen þis wel vnderstod
To bisegi þis castel hor votmen hii lete
& þe kniȝtes wende uorþ þe sarazins to mete
Iarmed & an horse wel & in six partye
Ar hii wende to ver hii delde hor compainye
Of þe verste roberd courtehese hii chose to cheuentein
& of þe oþer þe noble duc godefray of alimain
Of þe þridde þe gode remound þe verþe þe gode manne
Þe erl of flaundres hii bitoke & þe vifte þanne
Hii bitoke þe bissop of podye þe sixte partie þo
Þe gode tancred & beumond þo nere þer nammo
Þes tueye adde þe meste ost þat as standard was þere
Vor to helpe hor felawes wanne hii weri were
Þis cristine & þis sarazins to gadere hom sone mette
& as stalwardemen to gadere vaste sette
& slowe to grounde her & þer ac þe heþene side
Wax euere verss & verss of folc þat com wide
So þat þis cristinemen were al at grounde nei
Þo beumond wiþ is ost þis grete sorwe isei
He & tancred & hor men þat al versse were
Smite vorþ as noblemen in to þe bataile þere
& sturede hom so nobliche þat Ioye it was to se
So þat hor felawes þat were vpe þe point to fle
Nome to hom gode herte & voȝte vaste inou
Robert uerst courtehese is gode suerd adrou
& smot anne vpe þe helm & an such stroc him ȝef
Þat þe scolle & þe teþ & nekke & ssoldren he to clef
Þe duc godefray al so god vpe þe scolle smot on
& uorclef him al þat bodi to þe sadel anon
Þe on half vel adoun anon þe oþer bileuede stille
In þe sadel þei it wonder were as it was godes wille
Þis hors bere uorþ þis haluemon among is felawes anon
& hii uor þe wonder cas in drede velle echon
Wat uor drede þer of & uor strengþe of hor fon
More ioye þan þer was nas neuere iseie non
In biginninge of leinte þis bataile was ydo
& ȝut sone þer after an oþer com al so
Vor þe sarazins in paynime ȝarkede volc inou
& þat folc þo it ȝare was to antioche drou
Þo þe cristine it vnderȝete aȝen hii wende vaste
So þat hii mette hom & smite an bataile attelaste
Ac þe cristine cride al on god & god ernest nome
& þoru þe grace of ihesu crist þe paens hii ouercome
& slowe to grounde here & þer þe oþer flowe anon
So þat at a narwe brugge þer adreintte monion
Þer ofscapede vewe aliue so narw þe brugge was
Þat hii nere adreint oþer aslawe & þat was a uair cas
Þe vrninde water was of hor blod al red
Wat adreint wat aslawe tuelf princes þer were ded
Þat me clupeþ amirails a uair cas it was on
Þe cristinemen adde of hom of armure gret won
Of gold & of seluer ek & þer after hii nome
Þe haueden of þe hexte Maisters & to antioche come
& leide is in hor ginnes & in to þe cite is caste
Þo hii wiþinne iseie þis sore hii were agaste
Þat hor maistres were so aslawe hii gonne drede sore
Hii hulde it lute worþ þen toun to wite More
Þe cristine men hom wuste ek so vaste wiþoute
Þat hom ne miȝte come no mete þe more was hor doute
A maister þat was wiþinne sende to þe erl beumond
To ȝelde vp is warde to ben hol & sound
Ar his felawes were iwar he ȝeld him vp þere
Þre toures of þe cite þat in is warde were
Þo beumond þer inne was is baner anon let rere
Þo sarazins it iseie hii were somdel in fere
& hulde hom al ouercome þe cristine anon come
& þis toun vpe þis luþermen as vor noȝt hii nome
& slowe al þat hii founde bote wuch so miȝte fle
& astorede hom of hor tresour as me miȝte ise
Þus was þe þridde day of Iun antioche inome
& as al in þulke side þe sarazins ouercome
Þis was sone wide in painime ibroȝt
So þat þe princes of painime were in gret þoȝt
& sende euerich to oþer so þat corboran
Þat was maister of þe grete ost vnder þe soudan
& þe king of Ierusalem & of damache al so
Gaderede as gret poer as hii miȝte do
& come vpe þis cristinemen mid gret ost atte laste
Mid þe grete strengþe of painime & bisege hom uaste
Her adde lo þis cristinemen as ȝe ssolle ihure
Muche wo þe wule god wolde þat it ssolde dure
Hii bisegede vaste þe toun so þat þe þridde day
Þe cristine ost smot him out þo he time isay
& hopede do gode nede ac bote lute worþ it nas
Vor of þe luþer sarazens so gret poer þer was
Þat þe cristinemen aȝen flowe In wel vawe
& ȝute manie ar hii come in were ibroȝt of dawe
In þe toune hii hulde hom & vawe þat hii miȝte
Vor hii nadde poer ynou wiþoute vor to fiȝte
Þe sarazins wiþoute wuste so euerich ende
Þat no maner liflode ne miȝte to hom wende
So þat þo hii adde ispend þat wiþinne was
More honger þan hii adde neuere iseye nas
Vor an ey to tueie ssillinges wel vawe þo hii boȝte
& an hen vor viftene & vawe þat me is broȝte
& a note vor a peni so þat hii ete
Hor hors & hor hiden & assen ar hii lete
Wo þat miȝte weodes abbe & þe roten gnawe
Oþer seþe & Make potage was þer of wel vawe
Vor honger deide monion hou miȝte be more wo
Muche was þe sorwe þat among hom was þo
No maner hope hii nadde to amendement to come
Vor hii ne miȝte armes bere so hii were ouercome
Atte laste vr suete louerd þoȝte on þis dede
& com to an holi man & þes wordes sede
Go seye þe cristinemen of þe west ende
Þat ich abbe her biuore ibe hom god & hende
& þat ich made hom verst winne of nice þe cite
& moni oþer bataile þe wule hii seruede me
& þe cite of antioche þat so strong was in ech ende
& þo ichom adde al þis ido fram me hii gonne wende
& dude sunne of lecherie & þat is mest in mi munde
Mid wimmen of painime hii dude hor foule kunde
War of þe stench com in to heuene an hey
Þe godemon to vr louerdes vet vel þat þis isey
Louerd ȝif it is þi wille In þis grete nede he sede
Help hom & vorȝif hom þulke sunuol dede
Ich hom abbe quaþ vr louerd iholpe er ywis
& ȝut icholle her after more go & seie hom þis
Þat hii turne aȝen to me & icholle to hom saun faile
& wiþinne vif dawes mid hom be mi sulf in bataile
Here ȝe mowe ise þat an vewe wiþ sunne of lecherie
Mowe binime grace of god to al an compaynie
Þis holimon wende vorþ & tolde þis men vore
Þat hii adde iwonne grace & wy hii it adde vor lore
Þo hii adde iwonne grace gret Ioye was þere
In vastinge & in orisons þre dawes hii were
Massen & processions hii made monion
Wiþ wop & god deuocion hii lete hom ssriwe echon
Þo hii were wel issriue wiþ god deuocion
Wepinde hii armed hom þe teres orne adoun
Hor ost hii delde a seuene & þe verst hii toke
Þe erl of flaundres & sire hue þe gret erl to loke
Þe oþer þe due godefrai & þe erl baldewine al so
Þe þridde roberd courtehese þat best it couþe do
Vor he was best kniȝt of alle no felawe hii nolde him loke
Þe bissop of podye þe verþe ost hii toke
& sire willam de Monpeilers þe vifte hii toke riȝt
Sire Richard de prince & tancred þe gode kniȝt
Þe sixte þe erl of rusinole & þe erl beumond al so
Hii bitoke to gouerni þo al þis was ydo
In onour of þe holi gost þe seueþe hii made þo
& made þer of cheuentein sire Reinaud & nammo
Sire reinaud wiþ god compainie þen toun wuste bihinde
Þat hor men ȝif hii nede adde recet miȝte vinde
Þo al was prest as hii wolde hii blessede hom echon
& toke hom alle to godes grace & to bataile wende anon
Þer was gret criinge on god & moni a wepinde eye
Of hom þat bileuede at om & þe bataile iseye
Of bissopes & prestes & men of religion
& clerkes þat þer were mid gret deuocion
Reuestede hom in chirche & on god gonne crye
Wepinde wiþ procession & songe þe letanye
& oþer gode orisons to bidde vor hom alle
& vor to se þe bataile stode vpe þe tour walle
Þe heþenemen in hor alf so glade neuere nere
As hii were uor þis bataile in so gret hope hii were
Þo hii were al ȝare in hor half & cristine men come
Þe ssrewen in þe wind half gret plente of hei nome
& sette it aȝen þe cristinemen afure in ech ende
Þat þe smoke þer of ssolde boþe stenche & blende
Ac vr louerd þat aȝen hom was bigan þe winde wende
& þe smoke þat hii made cristinemen to ssende
Riȝt in hor owe teþ bigan hom euene sende
So þat it was hor owe harm þat hii it lete tende
Þe cristine Men vpe hom come mid god ernest ynou
& vor þe smoke so euene In hor teþ drou
& vor vr louerd him sulf was þere mid is sonde
Þe ssrewen nadde no poer no wule to atstonde
& a uair compainie al so þer com
Of holimen þat wule þoleden Martirdom
Vpe vaire wite stedes & in vair armure al so
Sein George þe verste was & oþer martir þer to
Of montaines hii come adoun driue vaste inou
In eiþer alf þe compainie vpe þe ssrewene þo drou
Þat hii were to grounde aslawe & hii flowe þat miȝte
Þus vr louerd & seint George hor fon couþe diȝte
Þe cristine men leide euere on & slowe euere to grounde
Al clene þe ssrewen were confounded in a stounde
Of gode hors ne of armes þe cristinemen ne founde
So gret plente neuere as hii founde in þulke stounde
Anon after midsomer þis bataile ido was
A seinte peteres eue ywis as god ȝef þat cas
In þe ȝer of grace aþousend & four score & eiȝtetene
Betere bataile þeraboute nas neuere ido ich wene
An amirail þer biside þat a castel wuste
& wende toward antioche to helpe hor kunde blod
590
To bisegi þis castel hor votmen hii lete
& þe kniȝtes wende uorþ þe sarazins to mete
Iarmed & an horse wel & in six partye
Ar hii wende to ver hii delde hor compainye
Of þe verste roberd courtehese hii chose to cheuentein
& of þe oþer þe noble duc godefray of alimain
Of þe þridde þe gode remound þe verþe þe gode manne
Þe erl of flaundres hii bitoke & þe vifte þanne
Hii bitoke þe bissop of podye þe sixte partie þo
Þe gode tancred & beumond þo nere þer nammo
Þes tueye adde þe meste ost þat as standard was þere
Vor to helpe hor felawes wanne hii weri were
Þis cristine & þis sarazins to gadere hom sone mette
& as stalwardemen to gadere vaste sette
591
Wax euere verss & verss of folc þat com wide
So þat þis cristinemen were al at grounde nei
Þo beumond wiþ is ost þis grete sorwe isei
He & tancred & hor men þat al versse were
Smite vorþ as noblemen in to þe bataile þere
& sturede hom so nobliche þat Ioye it was to se
So þat hor felawes þat were vpe þe point to fle
Nome to hom gode herte & voȝte vaste inou
Robert uerst courtehese is gode suerd adrou
& smot anne vpe þe helm & an such stroc him ȝef
Þat þe scolle & þe teþ & nekke & ssoldren he to clef
Þe duc godefray al so god vpe þe scolle smot on
& uorclef him al þat bodi to þe sadel anon
Þe on half vel adoun anon þe oþer bileuede stille
In þe sadel þei it wonder were as it was godes wille
592
& hii uor þe wonder cas in drede velle echon
Wat uor drede þer of & uor strengþe of hor fon
More ioye þan þer was nas neuere iseie non
In biginninge of leinte þis bataile was ydo
& ȝut sone þer after an oþer com al so
Vor þe sarazins in paynime ȝarkede volc inou
& þat folc þo it ȝare was to antioche drou
Þo þe cristine it vnderȝete aȝen hii wende vaste
So þat hii mette hom & smite an bataile attelaste
Ac þe cristine cride al on god & god ernest nome
& þoru þe grace of ihesu crist þe paens hii ouercome
& slowe to grounde here & þer þe oþer flowe anon
So þat at a narwe brugge þer adreintte monion
Þer ofscapede vewe aliue so narw þe brugge was
593
Þe vrninde water was of hor blod al red
Wat adreint wat aslawe tuelf princes þer were ded
Þat me clupeþ amirails a uair cas it was on
Þe cristinemen adde of hom of armure gret won
Of gold & of seluer ek & þer after hii nome
Þe haueden of þe hexte Maisters & to antioche come
& leide is in hor ginnes & in to þe cite is caste
Þo hii wiþinne iseie þis sore hii were agaste
Þat hor maistres were so aslawe hii gonne drede sore
Hii hulde it lute worþ þen toun to wite More
Þe cristine men hom wuste ek so vaste wiþoute
Þat hom ne miȝte come no mete þe more was hor doute
A maister þat was wiþinne sende to þe erl beumond
To ȝelde vp is warde to ben hol & sound
594
Þre toures of þe cite þat in is warde were
Þo beumond þer inne was is baner anon let rere
Þo sarazins it iseie hii were somdel in fere
& hulde hom al ouercome þe cristine anon come
& þis toun vpe þis luþermen as vor noȝt hii nome
& slowe al þat hii founde bote wuch so miȝte fle
& astorede hom of hor tresour as me miȝte ise
Þus was þe þridde day of Iun antioche inome
& as al in þulke side þe sarazins ouercome
Þis was sone wide in painime ibroȝt
So þat þe princes of painime were in gret þoȝt
& sende euerich to oþer so þat corboran
Þat was maister of þe grete ost vnder þe soudan
& þe king of Ierusalem & of damache al so
Gaderede as gret poer as hii miȝte do
& come vpe þis cristinemen mid gret ost atte laste
Mid þe grete strengþe of painime & bisege hom uaste
595
Muche wo þe wule god wolde þat it ssolde dure
Hii bisegede vaste þe toun so þat þe þridde day
Þe cristine ost smot him out þo he time isay
& hopede do gode nede ac bote lute worþ it nas
Vor of þe luþer sarazens so gret poer þer was
Þat þe cristinemen aȝen flowe In wel vawe
& ȝute manie ar hii come in were ibroȝt of dawe
In þe toune hii hulde hom & vawe þat hii miȝte
Vor hii nadde poer ynou wiþoute vor to fiȝte
Þe sarazins wiþoute wuste so euerich ende
Þat no maner liflode ne miȝte to hom wende
So þat þo hii adde ispend þat wiþinne was
More honger þan hii adde neuere iseye nas
Vor an ey to tueie ssillinges wel vawe þo hii boȝte
& an hen vor viftene & vawe þat me is broȝte
596
Hor hors & hor hiden & assen ar hii lete
Wo þat miȝte weodes abbe & þe roten gnawe
Oþer seþe & Make potage was þer of wel vawe
Vor honger deide monion hou miȝte be more wo
Muche was þe sorwe þat among hom was þo
No maner hope hii nadde to amendement to come
Vor hii ne miȝte armes bere so hii were ouercome
Atte laste vr suete louerd þoȝte on þis dede
& com to an holi man & þes wordes sede
Go seye þe cristinemen of þe west ende
Þat ich abbe her biuore ibe hom god & hende
& þat ich made hom verst winne of nice þe cite
& moni oþer bataile þe wule hii seruede me
& þe cite of antioche þat so strong was in ech ende
& þo ichom adde al þis ido fram me hii gonne wende
597
Mid wimmen of painime hii dude hor foule kunde
War of þe stench com in to heuene an hey
Þe godemon to vr louerdes vet vel þat þis isey
Louerd ȝif it is þi wille In þis grete nede he sede
Help hom & vorȝif hom þulke sunuol dede
Ich hom abbe quaþ vr louerd iholpe er ywis
& ȝut icholle her after more go & seie hom þis
Þat hii turne aȝen to me & icholle to hom saun faile
& wiþinne vif dawes mid hom be mi sulf in bataile
Here ȝe mowe ise þat an vewe wiþ sunne of lecherie
Mowe binime grace of god to al an compaynie
Þis holimon wende vorþ & tolde þis men vore
Þat hii adde iwonne grace & wy hii it adde vor lore
598
In vastinge & in orisons þre dawes hii were
Massen & processions hii made monion
Wiþ wop & god deuocion hii lete hom ssriwe echon
Þo hii were wel issriue wiþ god deuocion
Wepinde hii armed hom þe teres orne adoun
Hor ost hii delde a seuene & þe verst hii toke
Þe erl of flaundres & sire hue þe gret erl to loke
Þe oþer þe due godefrai & þe erl baldewine al so
Þe þridde roberd courtehese þat best it couþe do
Vor he was best kniȝt of alle no felawe hii nolde him loke
Þe bissop of podye þe verþe ost hii toke
& sire willam de Monpeilers þe vifte hii toke riȝt
Sire Richard de prince & tancred þe gode kniȝt
Þe sixte þe erl of rusinole & þe erl beumond al so
Hii bitoke to gouerni þo al þis was ydo
599
& made þer of cheuentein sire Reinaud & nammo
Sire reinaud wiþ god compainie þen toun wuste bihinde
Þat hor men ȝif hii nede adde recet miȝte vinde
Þo al was prest as hii wolde hii blessede hom echon
& toke hom alle to godes grace & to bataile wende anon
Þer was gret criinge on god & moni a wepinde eye
Of hom þat bileuede at om & þe bataile iseye
Of bissopes & prestes & men of religion
& clerkes þat þer were mid gret deuocion
Reuestede hom in chirche & on god gonne crye
Wepinde wiþ procession & songe þe letanye
& oþer gode orisons to bidde vor hom alle
& vor to se þe bataile stode vpe þe tour walle
Þe heþenemen in hor alf so glade neuere nere
As hii were uor þis bataile in so gret hope hii were
600
Þe ssrewen in þe wind half gret plente of hei nome
& sette it aȝen þe cristinemen afure in ech ende
Þat þe smoke þer of ssolde boþe stenche & blende
Ac vr louerd þat aȝen hom was bigan þe winde wende
& þe smoke þat hii made cristinemen to ssende
Riȝt in hor owe teþ bigan hom euene sende
So þat it was hor owe harm þat hii it lete tende
Þe cristine Men vpe hom come mid god ernest ynou
& vor þe smoke so euene In hor teþ drou
& vor vr louerd him sulf was þere mid is sonde
Þe ssrewen nadde no poer no wule to atstonde
& a uair compainie al so þer com
Of holimen þat wule þoleden Martirdom
601
Sein George þe verste was & oþer martir þer to
Of montaines hii come adoun driue vaste inou
In eiþer alf þe compainie vpe þe ssrewene þo drou
Þat hii were to grounde aslawe & hii flowe þat miȝte
Þus vr louerd & seint George hor fon couþe diȝte
Þe cristine men leide euere on & slowe euere to grounde
Al clene þe ssrewen were confounded in a stounde
Of gode hors ne of armes þe cristinemen ne founde
So gret plente neuere as hii founde in þulke stounde
Anon after midsomer þis bataile ido was
A seinte peteres eue ywis as god ȝef þat cas
In þe ȝer of grace aþousend & four score & eiȝtetene
Betere bataile þeraboute nas neuere ido ich wene
602
Ȝeld him vp to cristinemen þo he nuste war to truste
& auenge cristendom & oþer castles al so
Me ȝeld hom vp wel astored þo al þis was ido
So þat þis cristinemen so wel astored nere
Of armes ne of tresorie neuere as hii so were
Þo ȝarkede hii hor ost vorþ uor to wende
Toward ierusalem as god hom wolde sende
Biuore seint andrewes day to Marra atte laste
Hii come wiþ hor poer & asailede him vaste
An quointe tour hii lete make eueridel of tre
Vpe four woeles al so strong as he miȝte be
Vpe þe weoles it was idriue & gode kniȝtes þer Inne
Hii asaylede so þe toun wiþ strengþe & wiþ ginne
Þe endleueþe dai of decembre þe toun hii wonne so
& bileuede þer inne vorte midewinter were ido
Vor þer wax þere a strif bituene þe erl beumond
Vor þe toun of antioche & sire reimond
Weþer ssolde abbe þe cite so þat hii bileuede þere
A monþe & four dawes ar hii acorded were
So muche honger hii adde þer ar hii þen toun lete
Þat hii sode þe saracens & þat fless ete
Þe vourteþe day of Ieneuer vor honger þanne hii wende
& vr louerd wel bitime bote þer of hom sende
Vor hii wonne tueye castles þat muche god was inne ido
& suþþe þe toun of Zephaile þat muche god was Inne also
& In þe valeie of desem an riche castel hii nome
To þe castel of arches In feuerer suþþe hii come
& bisegede him vaste mid strengþe & mid ginne
Þre monþes ar hii miȝte mid strengþe come þer inne
Þer was auncel of ripemond a god kniȝt to deþe ido
& sire willam picard & moni oþere al so
Þere hii helde hor ester & vorþore hii wende þo
Wannc þe castel iwonne was & tounes nome mo
Þe king of camele made pays & an amirail al so
& ȝeue hom gret garison hom non harm to do
So hii wende to triple & þen toun nome
& slowe so moni sarazins þo hii þuder come
Þat alle þe wateres in ech ende aboute þe toun were
& diches & puttes rede of blode þere
Viftene hors of pris þe king of þe londe
& viftene þousend besans he sende hom bi is sonde
Þat hii lete is lond in pes & hii vawe it nome
So þat in þe monþe of Iun to ierusalem hii come
Þe seueþe day of þe Monþe anon hii bigonne
Vor to sette hor folc ariȝt þat þe cite were iwonne
Hii sette Robert courtehese & his poer al so
As hor beste kniȝt in þe est side þe asaut vor to do
Þe duc godefray & tancred In þe west ende iwis
In þe souþhalf sire Reimond as þe hul of syon is
Þe cite hii asailede mid strengþe & mid ginne
Ac so strong he was þat hii ne miȝte so liȝtliche him winne
Hii lete hom ginnes make as verst of þe toure
Of tre imad strong inou vpe weoles foure
A gyn þat me sowe clupeþ hii made ek wel strong
Muche folc Inne vor to be boþe wid & long
In roberdes side courtehese & þe duc Godefray
As it vel of þe monþe of Iun þe vifteþe day
Hii asailede þe toun mid þis tour wel uaste
& wilde fur wiþ pich & grece wiþ ginnes In caste
& vorbarnde hous & oþer & muche folc al so
& god sende wind gret inou þat þe bet it was ido
Þat wiþinne was sorwe inou hor poer wanede vaste
Þe cristine were riȝt atte walle so þat atte laste
Mid laddren hii clomme vp & þen toun nome
& slowe þe ssrewen to grounde þo hii in come
In þe temple salomon ten þousend hii slowe
In eche stude ware hii were monie & ynowe
& some adoun of þe walles velle vor fere
& debrisede oþer adreinte so þat hii ded were
So þat godes kniȝtes made þo as at ene
Ihesu cristes cite of þe deueles limes clene
Þo hii were alle aslawe þat hii ne founde quic non
Þe bodies hii gaderede & vorbarnde hom echon
Vor stenche wanne hii rotede so þat hii were
Wiþoute soylure in clannesse al out maisters þere
Þo wende hii to þe sepulcre þat god was on ido
& to oþer gode holi studes þat hii miȝte come to
Vor wan so muche trauail hii adde isoffred er
& onourede þe gode holi studes wiþ gode wille þer
Wiþ wop & deuocion so þat man aliue
Ne ssolde telle þe teres þat hii lete so riue
Þo hii adde iwonne þo as wo seiþ þat lond
Hii þoȝte uor to make it vast in cristinemonne hond
& among hom alle hii bigonne an king to chese
Þo chose hii as uor þe beste bodi Roberd courtehese
To be king of þe holi lond & chef of cristendom
& me wende þoru godes wille such grace hom to com
Roberd him biþoȝte þo & gan him vnder stonde
Þat it was wel gret trauail to be king of þulke londe
& somdel toward engelond he ber al so is þoȝt
War þoru he sede al out þat he nolde be it noȝt
& vorsoc it al out in luþer time ich drede
Vor gode wate afterward he nadde in none dede
Vor þe beste kniȝt of þe world he was iholde þo
& god hap þer afterward ne com him neueremo
Vor wanne god wolde þat he were þer in is seruise
& he vorsok it vor trauail he ne dude noȝt as þe wise
He was willames sone bastard as ich abbe ised ilome
& wel iwoxe ar is fader to engelond come
Þikke mon he was inou bote he nas noȝt wel long
Quarre he was & wel ymad vor to be strong
Þeruore is fader in a time isey is stourdi dede
Þe wule he was ȝong & bihuld & þes wordes sede
Bi þe vprisinge of god Robelin me ssal ise
Courtehese mi sone her stalwarde kniȝt be
Vor he was somdel ssort he clupede him courtehese
& he ne miȝte neuereft afterward þulke name lese
Oþer lak nadde he non bote he nas noȝt wel long
He was quointe of conseil & speke & of bodi strong
Neuere ȝut mon in cristendom ne miȝte ne in painime
In bataile bringe adoun of is hors none time
Vor þe prowesse of is bodi & uor he kinges sone was
Ichose he was þe hexte prince in þe world in þes cas
& he it vorsok vnhendeliche & in vaire manere none
To segge he was vnwurþe þerto bote uor trauail one
Þeruore vr louerd it vnderstod as ȝe ssolle sone ihure
& sende him reste in prison þe wule is lif wolde dure
Þet folc þo in ierusalem þe duc godefrai tok
& made him king of þe lond þo Roberd it uorsok
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & nientene & niene
Þis stalwarde cristine volc þis worre broȝte to fine
After þe duc godefray baldewine was king
& after him þe oþer baldewine god kniȝt þoru alle þing
& after him gaufrid duc of aungeo
& Gaufrid is sone after him þat god kniȝt was al so
& helde euerich after oþer þe boru & þat lond
Mid strengþe & mid chiualerie in cristine monne hond
Ac Roberd courtehese & þe erl Roberd of flaundres
& þe erl Reimond wende hom hom to grete sclaundres
Ac roberd courtehese þo he hom com
Willames doȝter conuersance in poile to wiue nom
& nom wiþ hire gret garison to bringe hom out of tene
An sone þat het willam hii adde hom bituene
& auenge cristendom & oþer castles al so
Me ȝeld hom vp wel astored þo al þis was ido
So þat þis cristinemen so wel astored nere
Of armes ne of tresorie neuere as hii so were
Þo ȝarkede hii hor ost vorþ uor to wende
Toward ierusalem as god hom wolde sende
Biuore seint andrewes day to Marra atte laste
Hii come wiþ hor poer & asailede him vaste
An quointe tour hii lete make eueridel of tre
Vpe four woeles al so strong as he miȝte be
Vpe þe weoles it was idriue & gode kniȝtes þer Inne
Hii asaylede so þe toun wiþ strengþe & wiþ ginne
Þe endleueþe dai of decembre þe toun hii wonne so
& bileuede þer inne vorte midewinter were ido
603
Vor þe toun of antioche & sire reimond
Weþer ssolde abbe þe cite so þat hii bileuede þere
A monþe & four dawes ar hii acorded were
So muche honger hii adde þer ar hii þen toun lete
Þat hii sode þe saracens & þat fless ete
Þe vourteþe day of Ieneuer vor honger þanne hii wende
& vr louerd wel bitime bote þer of hom sende
Vor hii wonne tueye castles þat muche god was inne ido
& suþþe þe toun of Zephaile þat muche god was Inne also
& In þe valeie of desem an riche castel hii nome
To þe castel of arches In feuerer suþþe hii come
& bisegede him vaste mid strengþe & mid ginne
Þre monþes ar hii miȝte mid strengþe come þer inne
604
& sire willam picard & moni oþere al so
Þere hii helde hor ester & vorþore hii wende þo
Wannc þe castel iwonne was & tounes nome mo
Þe king of camele made pays & an amirail al so
& ȝeue hom gret garison hom non harm to do
So hii wende to triple & þen toun nome
& slowe so moni sarazins þo hii þuder come
Þat alle þe wateres in ech ende aboute þe toun were
& diches & puttes rede of blode þere
Viftene hors of pris þe king of þe londe
& viftene þousend besans he sende hom bi is sonde
Þat hii lete is lond in pes & hii vawe it nome
So þat in þe monþe of Iun to ierusalem hii come
605
Vor to sette hor folc ariȝt þat þe cite were iwonne
Hii sette Robert courtehese & his poer al so
As hor beste kniȝt in þe est side þe asaut vor to do
Þe duc godefray & tancred In þe west ende iwis
In þe souþhalf sire Reimond as þe hul of syon is
Þe cite hii asailede mid strengþe & mid ginne
Ac so strong he was þat hii ne miȝte so liȝtliche him winne
Hii lete hom ginnes make as verst of þe toure
Of tre imad strong inou vpe weoles foure
A gyn þat me sowe clupeþ hii made ek wel strong
Muche folc Inne vor to be boþe wid & long
In roberdes side courtehese & þe duc Godefray
As it vel of þe monþe of Iun þe vifteþe day
Hii asailede þe toun mid þis tour wel uaste
& wilde fur wiþ pich & grece wiþ ginnes In caste
606
& god sende wind gret inou þat þe bet it was ido
Þat wiþinne was sorwe inou hor poer wanede vaste
Þe cristine were riȝt atte walle so þat atte laste
Mid laddren hii clomme vp & þen toun nome
& slowe þe ssrewen to grounde þo hii in come
In þe temple salomon ten þousend hii slowe
In eche stude ware hii were monie & ynowe
& some adoun of þe walles velle vor fere
& debrisede oþer adreinte so þat hii ded were
So þat godes kniȝtes made þo as at ene
Ihesu cristes cite of þe deueles limes clene
Þo hii were alle aslawe þat hii ne founde quic non
Þe bodies hii gaderede & vorbarnde hom echon
Vor stenche wanne hii rotede so þat hii were
Wiþoute soylure in clannesse al out maisters þere
607
& to oþer gode holi studes þat hii miȝte come to
Vor wan so muche trauail hii adde isoffred er
& onourede þe gode holi studes wiþ gode wille þer
Wiþ wop & deuocion so þat man aliue
Ne ssolde telle þe teres þat hii lete so riue
Þo hii adde iwonne þo as wo seiþ þat lond
Hii þoȝte uor to make it vast in cristinemonne hond
& among hom alle hii bigonne an king to chese
Þo chose hii as uor þe beste bodi Roberd courtehese
To be king of þe holi lond & chef of cristendom
& me wende þoru godes wille such grace hom to com
Roberd him biþoȝte þo & gan him vnder stonde
Þat it was wel gret trauail to be king of þulke londe
& somdel toward engelond he ber al so is þoȝt
War þoru he sede al out þat he nolde be it noȝt
608
Vor gode wate afterward he nadde in none dede
Vor þe beste kniȝt of þe world he was iholde þo
& god hap þer afterward ne com him neueremo
Vor wanne god wolde þat he were þer in is seruise
& he vorsok it vor trauail he ne dude noȝt as þe wise
He was willames sone bastard as ich abbe ised ilome
& wel iwoxe ar is fader to engelond come
Þikke mon he was inou bote he nas noȝt wel long
Quarre he was & wel ymad vor to be strong
Þeruore is fader in a time isey is stourdi dede
Þe wule he was ȝong & bihuld & þes wordes sede
Bi þe vprisinge of god Robelin me ssal ise
Courtehese mi sone her stalwarde kniȝt be
Vor he was somdel ssort he clupede him courtehese
& he ne miȝte neuereft afterward þulke name lese
609
He was quointe of conseil & speke & of bodi strong
Neuere ȝut mon in cristendom ne miȝte ne in painime
In bataile bringe adoun of is hors none time
Vor þe prowesse of is bodi & uor he kinges sone was
Ichose he was þe hexte prince in þe world in þes cas
& he it vorsok vnhendeliche & in vaire manere none
To segge he was vnwurþe þerto bote uor trauail one
Þeruore vr louerd it vnderstod as ȝe ssolle sone ihure
& sende him reste in prison þe wule is lif wolde dure
Þet folc þo in ierusalem þe duc godefrai tok
& made him king of þe lond þo Roberd it uorsok
In þe ȝer of grace a þousend & nientene & niene
Þis stalwarde cristine volc þis worre broȝte to fine
610
& after him þe oþer baldewine god kniȝt þoru alle þing
& after him gaufrid duc of aungeo
& Gaufrid is sone after him þat god kniȝt was al so
& helde euerich after oþer þe boru & þat lond
Mid strengþe & mid chiualerie in cristine monne hond
Ac Roberd courtehese & þe erl Roberd of flaundres
& þe erl Reimond wende hom hom to grete sclaundres
Ac roberd courtehese þo he hom com
Willames doȝter conuersance in poile to wiue nom
& nom wiþ hire gret garison to bringe hom out of tene
An sone þat het willam hii adde hom bituene
Uillam þe rede king of wan we abbeþ ised
Bileuede here in engelond luþer euere & qued
Vor abbeyes & priories al to gronde he broȝte
& holi chirche & þat lond he destruede al to noȝte
Vor wanne eny bissop oþer abbod deide in engelond
Hor londes & hor rentes þe king huld in is honde
& oþer wile to ferme tok vorte þerafter longe
Þat is gode wille com vp an heued vor to auonge
Wo so were of take mid hert oþer hinde
Me ssolde smite of is heued ȝif me him miȝte finde
Þikke mon he was ynou round & noȝt wel long
Þoru out red mid grete wombe wel iboned & strong
Renable nas he noȝt of tonge ac of speche hastif
Boffinde & mest wanne hii were In worre oþer in strif
God sende uor is luþernesse moni deoluol cas
In þis lond & wonderuol þe wile he aliue was
Vor in þe secunde ȝer as it vel of is kinedom
Þoru out al engelond so gret erþgrine com
Þe enlefte day in heruest þat it caste adoun
Hous & chirchen monyon & in mony a toun
Frut failede al þulke ȝer & heruest late al so
Þat it was seint andrewes tid ar heruest were ydo
Þe verþe ȝer of is kinedom so gret liȝtinge þer was
& þondre aboute sein lukes day þat wel grislich it was
& a wind a sein lukes eue at londone in þe toun
So gret it com þat it fulde moni hous adoun
Bileuede here in engelond luþer euere & qued
611
& holi chirche & þat lond he destruede al to noȝte
Vor wanne eny bissop oþer abbod deide in engelond
Hor londes & hor rentes þe king huld in is honde
& oþer wile to ferme tok vorte þerafter longe
Þat is gode wille com vp an heued vor to auonge
Wo so were of take mid hert oþer hinde
Me ssolde smite of is heued ȝif me him miȝte finde
Þikke mon he was ynou round & noȝt wel long
Þoru out red mid grete wombe wel iboned & strong
Renable nas he noȝt of tonge ac of speche hastif
Boffinde & mest wanne hii were In worre oþer in strif
God sende uor is luþernesse moni deoluol cas
In þis lond & wonderuol þe wile he aliue was
612
Þoru out al engelond so gret erþgrine com
Þe enlefte day in heruest þat it caste adoun
Hous & chirchen monyon & in mony a toun
Frut failede al þulke ȝer & heruest late al so
Þat it was seint andrewes tid ar heruest were ydo
Þe verþe ȝer of is kinedom so gret liȝtinge þer was
& þondre aboute sein lukes day þat wel grislich it was
& a wind a sein lukes eue at londone in þe toun
So gret it com þat it fulde moni hous adoun
Ȝe mo þan six hondred & chirchen þerto
& seinte Marie chirche of þe arches gret arm it dude also
Vor þe rof it ber al awei & tueie men it slou
& þoru out al þat lond it dude sorwe inou
So gret liȝtinge was þe vifte ȝer so þat al to noȝte
Þe rof of þe chirche of salesburi it broȝte
Riȝt euene þe vifte day þat he ihalwed was
Þe sixte ȝer þer com also a wel wonder cas
Vor so gret rein Me ne sei vale ȝer ne flod
& so gret forst in winter þer com al so god
Þat þer nas non so heuy charge of wayn ne of oþer þinge
Þat me ne miȝte ouer grete wateres boþe lede & bringe
Gret wonder & dere of þing þe seueþe ȝer me sai
& so gret manqualm þat monimon al vnbured lay
Þe teþe ȝer a sterre þat comete icluped is
At alle halwen tid him ssewede viftene niȝt ywis
Þat þe taylede sterre men clupeþ mid riȝte
Vor þer comþ fram hire a lem suiþe cler & briȝte
As a tayl oþer a launce as me may ise
Þulke sterre is selde iseye bote it bodiinge be
Þe tuelfte ȝer temese moni toun aseincte
Vor so heye þat flod aros & mony mon adreincte
In a toun in barcssire þat hamstede icluped is
In somer out of þe erþe pur blod sprong ywis
Viftene dawes & wende aboute brode & wide
Þat it made blod red þet water þer bi side
Wanne me sede him of suche wondres þat god on erþe sende
Þat it was vor is luþernesse to trufle he it wende
Vor þe luþernesse of him no tonge telle ne mai
Vor so cruel ne so tirant ich wene no mon ne say
Vor þe worste men of þe lond & mest cruel al so
He wolde make is conseilers & bi hor red al do
Þe erchebissop of kanterbury anselin þat was þo
Fleu out of engelond vor is vnriȝt and wo
So þat þe king þo he deide þulke erchebissopriche
Of kanterburi adde in is hond þat so god is & riche
& þe bissopriche of salesbury & of winchestre al so
& abbeies in engelond enleuene þer to
Ech riche clerc þat deide is eir he wolde be
Bote More vnriȝt þat he dede ne miȝte nomon ise
Atte laste ihesu crist nolde hit þolie noȝt
So þat þei it late were to deþe he was ibroȝt
A monek þe niȝt þerbiuore þat he aslawe was
Matte as he lai aslepe bi hum a wonder cas
Þat þe king com in to an chirche as fers mon & wod
& wel hokerliche bihuld þe folc þat þer stod
To þe rode he sturte & bigan to frete & gnawe
Þe armes vaste & þies & mid is teþ to drawe
Þe rode hit þolede longe ac suþþe attelaste
He pulte him mid is vot & adoun vpriȝt him caste
Þe king me tolde þis ac he ne tolde þer of noȝt
Ac naþeles sone to soþe þe tokninge was ibroȝt
Vor anon amorwe þe king adde wille best
Vor to wende an honteþ in þe nywe forest
Þat was in souþhamptessire & naþeles he was in drede
To wende uor such auisions & is luþerhede
Vor þe deuel was þer biuore þer aboute yseie
In fourme of bodi & spek al so mid men of þe contreye
So þat þe king was adrad & bileue vor such cas
To wende er anhonteþ þe wule he vastinge was
Ac after mete þo he adde iete & idronke wel
He nom on of is priues þat het water tirel
& an vewe oþer of is men & nolde no leng abide
Þat he nolde to is game tide wat so bitide
Vor he was somdel hait as is herte was best
He wende him vorþ an honteþ to þe niwe forest
So þat he vond sone an hert he sset him sulf anon
& þe hert vorþ wiþ þe arwe bigan vaste awei gon
He prikede after vaste inou toward þe west riȝt
His hond he huld biuore is eien vor þe sonne liȝt
So þat þis water tirel þat þere biside was ney
Wolde ssete an oþer hert þat as he sede he sey
He sset þe king in atte breste þat neuereft he ne spek
Bote þe ssafte þat was wiþoute grisliche he to brek
& anowarde þe wombe vel adoun & deide wiþoute speche
Wiþoute ssrift & hosel anon þer was godes wreche
Þo water tirel isei þat he was ded anon
He at arn as vaste as he miȝte þat was is beste won
In þe endleue hondred ȝer as in þe ȝer of grace
Þus was þe king willam issote in þulke place
& ȝut he adde king ibe þrettene ȝer biuore
& more þan a fourtiȝer it was þat he was ibore
In a þoresdai it was & þe morwe al so
After lammasse day þat þis dede was ydo
To winchestre he was ilad al mid is grene wounde
Þat euere as me him ladde þe blod orn to grounde
Amorwe anon he was ibured In þe munstre ywis
Riȝt biuore þe heye weued as is bodi ȝut is
At is buriinge was moni a mon ac wepinde vewe
He adde endinge as he wurþe was & such it is to be ssrewe
Þe erchebissop auncelin þat biȝonde se þo was
He tolde þat in auision he sei bi him a cas
Þat he was biuore god ibroȝt is dom vorto auonge
& þat he was þere idemd to þe pine of helle stronge
& seinte Marie chirche of þe arches gret arm it dude also
Vor þe rof it ber al awei & tueie men it slou
& þoru out al þat lond it dude sorwe inou
613
Þe rof of þe chirche of salesburi it broȝte
Riȝt euene þe vifte day þat he ihalwed was
Þe sixte ȝer þer com also a wel wonder cas
Vor so gret rein Me ne sei vale ȝer ne flod
& so gret forst in winter þer com al so god
Þat þer nas non so heuy charge of wayn ne of oþer þinge
Þat me ne miȝte ouer grete wateres boþe lede & bringe
Gret wonder & dere of þing þe seueþe ȝer me sai
& so gret manqualm þat monimon al vnbured lay
Þe teþe ȝer a sterre þat comete icluped is
At alle halwen tid him ssewede viftene niȝt ywis
614
Vor þer comþ fram hire a lem suiþe cler & briȝte
As a tayl oþer a launce as me may ise
Þulke sterre is selde iseye bote it bodiinge be
Þe tuelfte ȝer temese moni toun aseincte
Vor so heye þat flod aros & mony mon adreincte
In a toun in barcssire þat hamstede icluped is
In somer out of þe erþe pur blod sprong ywis
Viftene dawes & wende aboute brode & wide
Þat it made blod red þet water þer bi side
Wanne me sede him of suche wondres þat god on erþe sende
Þat it was vor is luþernesse to trufle he it wende
615
Vor so cruel ne so tirant ich wene no mon ne say
Vor þe worste men of þe lond & mest cruel al so
He wolde make is conseilers & bi hor red al do
Þe erchebissop of kanterbury anselin þat was þo
Fleu out of engelond vor is vnriȝt and wo
So þat þe king þo he deide þulke erchebissopriche
Of kanterburi adde in is hond þat so god is & riche
& þe bissopriche of salesbury & of winchestre al so
& abbeies in engelond enleuene þer to
Ech riche clerc þat deide is eir he wolde be
Bote More vnriȝt þat he dede ne miȝte nomon ise
Atte laste ihesu crist nolde hit þolie noȝt
So þat þei it late were to deþe he was ibroȝt
616
Matte as he lai aslepe bi hum a wonder cas
Þat þe king com in to an chirche as fers mon & wod
& wel hokerliche bihuld þe folc þat þer stod
To þe rode he sturte & bigan to frete & gnawe
Þe armes vaste & þies & mid is teþ to drawe
Þe rode hit þolede longe ac suþþe attelaste
He pulte him mid is vot & adoun vpriȝt him caste
Þe king me tolde þis ac he ne tolde þer of noȝt
Ac naþeles sone to soþe þe tokninge was ibroȝt
Vor anon amorwe þe king adde wille best
Vor to wende an honteþ in þe nywe forest
Þat was in souþhamptessire & naþeles he was in drede
617
Vor þe deuel was þer biuore þer aboute yseie
In fourme of bodi & spek al so mid men of þe contreye
So þat þe king was adrad & bileue vor such cas
To wende er anhonteþ þe wule he vastinge was
Ac after mete þo he adde iete & idronke wel
He nom on of is priues þat het water tirel
& an vewe oþer of is men & nolde no leng abide
Þat he nolde to is game tide wat so bitide
Vor he was somdel hait as is herte was best
He wende him vorþ an honteþ to þe niwe forest
So þat he vond sone an hert he sset him sulf anon
& þe hert vorþ wiþ þe arwe bigan vaste awei gon
He prikede after vaste inou toward þe west riȝt
His hond he huld biuore is eien vor þe sonne liȝt
618
Wolde ssete an oþer hert þat as he sede he sey
He sset þe king in atte breste þat neuereft he ne spek
Bote þe ssafte þat was wiþoute grisliche he to brek
& anowarde þe wombe vel adoun & deide wiþoute speche
Wiþoute ssrift & hosel anon þer was godes wreche
Þo water tirel isei þat he was ded anon
He at arn as vaste as he miȝte þat was is beste won
In þe endleue hondred ȝer as in þe ȝer of grace
Þus was þe king willam issote in þulke place
& ȝut he adde king ibe þrettene ȝer biuore
& more þan a fourtiȝer it was þat he was ibore
In a þoresdai it was & þe morwe al so
After lammasse day þat þis dede was ydo
619
Þat euere as me him ladde þe blod orn to grounde
Amorwe anon he was ibured In þe munstre ywis
Riȝt biuore þe heye weued as is bodi ȝut is
At is buriinge was moni a mon ac wepinde vewe
He adde endinge as he wurþe was & such it is to be ssrewe
Þe erchebissop auncelin þat biȝonde se þo was
He tolde þat in auision he sei bi him a cas
Þat he was biuore god ibroȝt is dom vorto auonge
& þat he was þere idemd to þe pine of helle stronge
henricus primus
And þat was to leue wel wanne þe godemon it adde ised
Sone þer after me tolde þat þe ssrewe was ded
Sone þer after me tolde þat þe ssrewe was ded
620
Henry king willames broþer þe ȝongost of þe þre
Anon after is broþer deþe as þe barons gonne bi se
Ymad was king of engelond at winchestre in þe place
At is broþer buriinge þoru oure louerdes grace
In engelond he was ibore henry þis noblemon
Þe þridde ȝer þat is fader engelond biwan
He was þulke of alle is sones þat best bicom king to be
Of vairost fourme & best maneres & mest gentil & fre
Vor þat he ȝongost was to boc is fader him drou
Þat he was as to him biuel god clerc ynou
So þat neuereft afterward þo he king was
He nolde is clergie bileue vor nobleye ne oþer cas
A time þe wule he ȝong was is o broþer him smot ywis
And he wep & is fader stod & bihuld þis
Ne wep noȝt he sede leue sone vor it ne comþ noȝt to þe
Vor þou ssalt ȝute be king & þat me ssal ise
His fader him made at westmunstre kniȝt is owe honde
In þe nienteþe ȝere of is elde & ladde him out of londe
Mid him into normandie & bileue mid him þere
Riȝt ney vorte he deide in þulke sulue ȝere
Noþer of is breþeren þo is fader was ded
Nas nei him bote he one as ich abbe er ised
Þeruore he ȝef him is blessinge & al is tresour þer to
& he adde is moder eritage al clene of ȝifte al so
So þat he was riche ynou wiþoute þe king & is broþer
& nadde none nede to þe on ne to þe oþer
Ac þe king vor is vnriȝt wel ofte wiþ sede
And more he louede roberd vor is more mekhede
At winchestre he was ichose king of þe heyemen monion
Þo is broþer was ibured & þo wende he anon
To westmunstre & was icrouned king þe verþe day
Of þe bissop of londone as to him bilay
Mid þis gode crouninge þe suiþor hi gonne hye
Vor roberd courtehese was icome to normandye
Þeruore monie heyemen ne dude him none manhede
Some feynede a delay & some al out wiþ sede
Þo he was ycrouned king at westmunstre ywis
He bihet god & þat folc an biheste þat was þis
To alegge alle luþer lawes þat iholde were biuore
& þe betere make þan hii were suþþe be was ibore
Maister willam gyffard he ȝef þe bissopriche
Of winchestere & maister anselin þe erchebissopriche
Þe soneday he was ycrouned & of heruest þe vifte day
& þe verþe after is broþer deþ as is conseil bi say
He let grede þoru al þe lond þe vnriȝte lawes vndo
Þat is fader & is broþer helde & prisons deliueri al so
Þer was Ioye in to al þat lond þo men miȝte abbe lawe
& libbe in Ioye & in riȝte þat er were al to drawe
Special loue þer adde ibe er ich vnder stonde
Bituene him & þe kinges doȝter Mold of scotlonde
So þat he willede hire to wiue & þe bissopes al so
& þe heyemen of þe lond radde ek wel þer to
So þat sone so he was king a sein Martines day ich wene
He spousede hire þat was icluped Mold þe gode quene
Þat was kunde eir of engelond as ichabbe itold biuore
Vor er was þe kunde eritage of engelond vorlore
Vor edward was þe kinges sone þat me specþ of wide
Þe stalwarde king þat was Edmond yrene side
& þo was edwardes doȝter Margarete ich vnder stonde
Þe kinges wif Macolom king of scotlonde
Þo was mold þe gode quene hor doȝter ywis
& kunde eir of engelond as ich abbe ised ar þis
& so com þoru hire engelond in to is kunde More
After seint edwardes deþe as ich abbe ised biuore
& pais al so verst mid hire vor arst nas þer non
Bi þis þre kinges daye þat vnkunde were echon
Seint edwardes auision of þe tre þat was so hey
Was þo to soþe icome þat biuore is deþe he sey
Monie were þe gode lawes imad in engelonde
Þoru Mold þis gode quene as ich vnder stonde
Hit ne likede noþing wel Roberd courtehese
Þoru is ȝongore broþer so engelond to lese
& monie heiemen of þe lond mid roberd hulde al so
Vor he was þe eldore broþer & god kniȝt þer to
& naþeles henry adde þo best riȝt vor þe cas
Þat þe gode mold was is wif þat kunde eir þo was
So þat in þe verste ȝer þat king henry ber croune
Roberd him biþoȝte to bringe him al þer doune
Biuore lammasse þe tuelfte day at an hauene her bisouþe
Mid is ost he ariuede þat me clupeþ portesmouþe
King henri al so god aȝen him vaste drou
Mid is kniȝtes & barons & poer ynou
Gode kniȝtes þat þere were bet hom vnderstode
Þat bituene tueie breþeren batailes nere noȝt gode
An fourme hii made þat eiþer helde is owe lond in is hond
Roberd normandie & henry engelond
& vor roberd eldore broþer was þat henry to rente him bere
Al is lif þre þousend Marc fram ȝere to ȝere
& weþer of hom also lengore were aliue
Were oþeres eir bote he adde eir bi is wiue
Her of was god sikernesse in eiþer alf ido
& þus mid gode loue hii departede a tuo
& roberd was vorte Misselmasse mid is broþer þe kinge
Suþþe he wende to normandie to is owe þinge
Þis king henry & is wif þe gode quene Mold
So wel diȝte engelond þat it was wide itold
Pouere hous of religion þat luþer kinges ssende
Þat were biuore hom hii gonne vaste amende
Þe abbeye of redinges & of cirencestre al so
Hii rerde verst of smeþe ground & ȝut mo þerto
In þe enleue hondred ȝer of grace & in þe vifþe itold
Vr louerd hom sende an doȝter þat icluped was mold
Hii nadde nammo children bote þe king adde biuore
An sone þat het roberd þat was abast ybore
Þe acord þat was er ymad bituene vr king so vaste
& roberd is broþer courtehese lute wile it laste
Vor vr king þe verste ȝer þat vr louerd a child him sende
Mid gret ost & poer to normandie wende
A lute biuore heruest & vpe roberd is broþer
Vaste bigan to worri & hor eiþer aȝen oþer
So þat a Misselmasse eue mid hor ost hii come
To gadere mid gret strengþe & þe bataile nome
Þe king adde wel þe more folc ac roberd þat was so god
In batailes in þe holi lond þere it vnderstod
Vor so wel he vaȝt & is men hardissede echon
Þat he drof verst þe king aȝen & is oþer fon
Ac þe king adde so muche folc & he so lute alas
Þat is men bigonne to fle þo mest ned was
So þat atte laste he was vaste inome inou
Moni was þe gode bodi þat he arst slou
Oþer kniȝtes þer were inome þat mid him were al so
& ilad in to engelond & in strong prison ido
In prison was roberd al is lif & ȝut ich vnderstonde
Him adde betere abbe ibe king of þe holi londe
Þat he vorsoc uor he nolde in gret trauail be
Þo adde he reste inou wanne he ne miȝte fle
Awey seli Robelin seli courtehese
In vuele time þou miȝt sege reste þou dust chese
& þe hexte prince of cristendom vor to be vorsoke
Vor trauail þat god wolde & to reste toke
Þo þou vorsoke such trauail to be in godes seruise
& wraþþedest so muche god þou ne dust noȝt as þe wise
Wat was þi strengþe wurþ & þi chiualerie
Þo þou lore grace of god ywis noȝt wurþ a flye
Ech mon be bi þe ywar be wuch so he be
Anon after is broþer deþe as þe barons gonne bi se
Ymad was king of engelond at winchestre in þe place
At is broþer buriinge þoru oure louerdes grace
In engelond he was ibore henry þis noblemon
Þe þridde ȝer þat is fader engelond biwan
He was þulke of alle is sones þat best bicom king to be
Of vairost fourme & best maneres & mest gentil & fre
Vor þat he ȝongost was to boc is fader him drou
Þat he was as to him biuel god clerc ynou
So þat neuereft afterward þo he king was
He nolde is clergie bileue vor nobleye ne oþer cas
A time þe wule he ȝong was is o broþer him smot ywis
621
Ne wep noȝt he sede leue sone vor it ne comþ noȝt to þe
Vor þou ssalt ȝute be king & þat me ssal ise
His fader him made at westmunstre kniȝt is owe honde
In þe nienteþe ȝere of is elde & ladde him out of londe
Mid him into normandie & bileue mid him þere
Riȝt ney vorte he deide in þulke sulue ȝere
Noþer of is breþeren þo is fader was ded
Nas nei him bote he one as ich abbe er ised
Þeruore he ȝef him is blessinge & al is tresour þer to
& he adde is moder eritage al clene of ȝifte al so
So þat he was riche ynou wiþoute þe king & is broþer
& nadde none nede to þe on ne to þe oþer
622
And more he louede roberd vor is more mekhede
At winchestre he was ichose king of þe heyemen monion
Þo is broþer was ibured & þo wende he anon
To westmunstre & was icrouned king þe verþe day
Of þe bissop of londone as to him bilay
Mid þis gode crouninge þe suiþor hi gonne hye
Vor roberd courtehese was icome to normandye
Þeruore monie heyemen ne dude him none manhede
Some feynede a delay & some al out wiþ sede
Þo he was ycrouned king at westmunstre ywis
He bihet god & þat folc an biheste þat was þis
To alegge alle luþer lawes þat iholde were biuore
& þe betere make þan hii were suþþe be was ibore
Maister willam gyffard he ȝef þe bissopriche
623
Þe soneday he was ycrouned & of heruest þe vifte day
& þe verþe after is broþer deþ as is conseil bi say
He let grede þoru al þe lond þe vnriȝte lawes vndo
Þat is fader & is broþer helde & prisons deliueri al so
Þer was Ioye in to al þat lond þo men miȝte abbe lawe
& libbe in Ioye & in riȝte þat er were al to drawe
Special loue þer adde ibe er ich vnder stonde
Bituene him & þe kinges doȝter Mold of scotlonde
So þat he willede hire to wiue & þe bissopes al so
& þe heyemen of þe lond radde ek wel þer to
So þat sone so he was king a sein Martines day ich wene
He spousede hire þat was icluped Mold þe gode quene
624
Vor er was þe kunde eritage of engelond vorlore
Vor edward was þe kinges sone þat me specþ of wide
Þe stalwarde king þat was Edmond yrene side
& þo was edwardes doȝter Margarete ich vnder stonde
Þe kinges wif Macolom king of scotlonde
Þo was mold þe gode quene hor doȝter ywis
& kunde eir of engelond as ich abbe ised ar þis
& so com þoru hire engelond in to is kunde More
After seint edwardes deþe as ich abbe ised biuore
& pais al so verst mid hire vor arst nas þer non
Bi þis þre kinges daye þat vnkunde were echon
Seint edwardes auision of þe tre þat was so hey
Was þo to soþe icome þat biuore is deþe he sey
Monie were þe gode lawes imad in engelonde
Þoru Mold þis gode quene as ich vnder stonde
625
Þoru is ȝongore broþer so engelond to lese
& monie heiemen of þe lond mid roberd hulde al so
Vor he was þe eldore broþer & god kniȝt þer to
& naþeles henry adde þo best riȝt vor þe cas
Þat þe gode mold was is wif þat kunde eir þo was
So þat in þe verste ȝer þat king henry ber croune
Roberd him biþoȝte to bringe him al þer doune
Biuore lammasse þe tuelfte day at an hauene her bisouþe
Mid is ost he ariuede þat me clupeþ portesmouþe
King henri al so god aȝen him vaste drou
Mid is kniȝtes & barons & poer ynou
Gode kniȝtes þat þere were bet hom vnderstode
Þat bituene tueie breþeren batailes nere noȝt gode
An fourme hii made þat eiþer helde is owe lond in is hond
Roberd normandie & henry engelond
626
Al is lif þre þousend Marc fram ȝere to ȝere
& weþer of hom also lengore were aliue
Were oþeres eir bote he adde eir bi is wiue
Her of was god sikernesse in eiþer alf ido
& þus mid gode loue hii departede a tuo
& roberd was vorte Misselmasse mid is broþer þe kinge
Suþþe he wende to normandie to is owe þinge
Þis king henry & is wif þe gode quene Mold
So wel diȝte engelond þat it was wide itold
Pouere hous of religion þat luþer kinges ssende
Þat were biuore hom hii gonne vaste amende
Þe abbeye of redinges & of cirencestre al so
Hii rerde verst of smeþe ground & ȝut mo þerto
627
Vr louerd hom sende an doȝter þat icluped was mold
Hii nadde nammo children bote þe king adde biuore
An sone þat het roberd þat was abast ybore
Þe acord þat was er ymad bituene vr king so vaste
& roberd is broþer courtehese lute wile it laste
Vor vr king þe verste ȝer þat vr louerd a child him sende
Mid gret ost & poer to normandie wende
A lute biuore heruest & vpe roberd is broþer
Vaste bigan to worri & hor eiþer aȝen oþer
So þat a Misselmasse eue mid hor ost hii come
To gadere mid gret strengþe & þe bataile nome
Þe king adde wel þe more folc ac roberd þat was so god
In batailes in þe holi lond þere it vnderstod
628
Þat he drof verst þe king aȝen & is oþer fon
Ac þe king adde so muche folc & he so lute alas
Þat is men bigonne to fle þo mest ned was
So þat atte laste he was vaste inome inou
Moni was þe gode bodi þat he arst slou
Oþer kniȝtes þer were inome þat mid him were al so
& ilad in to engelond & in strong prison ido
In prison was roberd al is lif & ȝut ich vnderstonde
Him adde betere abbe ibe king of þe holi londe
Þat he vorsoc uor he nolde in gret trauail be
Þo adde he reste inou wanne he ne miȝte fle
Awey seli Robelin seli courtehese
In vuele time þou miȝt sege reste þou dust chese
& þe hexte prince of cristendom vor to be vorsoke
Vor trauail þat god wolde & to reste toke
629
& wraþþedest so muche god þou ne dust noȝt as þe wise
Wat was þi strengþe wurþ & þi chiualerie
Þo þou lore grace of god ywis noȝt wurþ a flye
Ech mon be bi þe ywar be wuch so he be
Ȝif he leseþ godes grace he ne ssal neuere iþe
In þe endleue hondred ȝer & six ȝer þer to
Of þe ȝer of grace was þis roberd inome so
In þe ȝer þat he was inome men iseie iwis
Þe tailede sterre þat gret bodiinge is
Þo was vre king henry þoru out king alone
& nadde in neuere a side destorbance none
Biuore alle oþere god him ȝef þre þinges as richesse
& wisdom & maistrie & þis was gret heinesse
In þis þre þinges þer nere none him iliche
Ne none of is eldore neuere biuore him so riche
Wisore king biuore him þer nas iseie non
Mek he was to Mildemen & cruel to his fon
Sparie he wolde Mildemen & harde chasty þe proute
So hard he was vpe þeues þat hii ne durste nour at route
Mid is wisdom þat was so muche he hom out drou
& false serians of assise & dude hom ssame ynou
False elnen & mesures he broȝte al clene adoun
In þe endleue hondred ȝer & six ȝer þer to
Of þe ȝer of grace was þis roberd inome so
In þe ȝer þat he was inome men iseie iwis
Þe tailede sterre þat gret bodiinge is
Þo was vre king henry þoru out king alone
& nadde in neuere a side destorbance none
Biuore alle oþere god him ȝef þre þinges as richesse
& wisdom & maistrie & þis was gret heinesse
630
Ne none of is eldore neuere biuore him so riche
Wisore king biuore him þer nas iseie non
Mek he was to Mildemen & cruel to his fon
Sparie he wolde Mildemen & harde chasty þe proute
So hard he was vpe þeues þat hii ne durste nour at route
Mid is wisdom þat was so muche he hom out drou
& false serians of assise & dude hom ssame ynou
False elnen & mesures he broȝte al clene adoun
Ȝif enie of is men misdude þe pouere in eni toun
Oþer eni richemon þe pouere vengance he nom stronge
& ne sparede noȝt ȝif he were wurþe to ben an honge
Vor in trauail he was gret inou of þoȝte day & niȝt
Vor to saui poueremen vram richemenne vnriȝt
Lengore man he was somdel þan is breþeren were
Vair mon & þikke inou & of broune here
Ballede he was & þikke of breste of bodi vat al so
So hende þat he ne ssolde In so gret anuy be ido
Of tiþinge ne oþer anuy þat he ssolde is corteisie
In eni dede bileue & he were in compainye
Worri he wolde watloker mid worde þan mid arme
Wiþoute blode ȝif he miȝte & wiþoute harme
Entempre he was of mete & drinke & of slep þerto
Abbeyes he rerde in normandie & in engelonde al so
Bituene tueye wateres he rerde redinge
Bituene kenet & temese & let þer inne bringe
Monekes of cloyni þat hende were wel longe
Þeruore hom come mo gistes þat vaire were vnderuonge
An sone he adde an wis child bi Mold is gode wiue
Þat was willam icluped þat to lute was aliue
Vor ar he were vol woxe In þe se adreint he was
& þat was to al engelond a wel deoluol cas
King henry in þe seueþe ȝer of is crouninge
& enleuene hondred ȝer & seuene of ur louerdes aliȝtinge
Þo he adde ido is broþer in siker warde inou
& is doȝter was an tuo ȝer old to conseil þo he drou
In a witesonetid a gret parlement he nom
At westmunstre noble inou þat muche folc to com
Alle þe bissopriches þat deliuered were
Of normandie & engelond he ȝef al clene þere
& alle þe abbeies þer to so þat iȝiue me nuste
So vale neuere at o tyme as me þo wuste
Engelond & normandie in god point he broȝte
& holi chirche þoru out al þat eode er to noȝte
Þer was þo in engelond a suiþe gret louerding
On of þe grettost þat þer was wiþoute henri king
Sire roberd le fiȝ haym þat let verst arere
Þe abbeye of teoskesbury & monekes broȝte þere
He deyde aboute þulke tyme & ibured was ywis
In þe abbeye of theoskesbury as is bodi ȝut is
Mabile is doȝter was eir of al is londe
Þe king vor ire eritage him gan vnderstonde
To bringe roberd is sone abast in is warison þere
Þoru spousinge of þis mayde þat he avanced were
He sede þat heo ssolde is sone to hire spousinge auonge
Þis mayde was þer aȝen & wiþ sede it longe
Þe king of soȝte hire suiþe ynou so þat atten ende
Mabile him ansuerede as god maide & hende
Sire heo sede wel ichot þat ȝoure herte vpe me is
More vor min eritage þan vor mi sulue ywis
So vair eritage as ich abbe it were me gret ssame
Vor to abbe an louerd bote he adde an to name
Sire roberd le fiȝ haim mi fader name was
& þat ne miȝte noȝt be his þat of is kunne noȝt nas
Þeruore sire uor godes loue ne let me nomon owe
Bote he abbe an tuo name war þoru he be iknowe
Damoysele quaþ þe king þou seist wel in þis cas
Sire Roberd le fiz haym þi fader tuo name was
& as vair tuo name he ssal abbe ȝif me him may bi se
Sire Roberd le fiz rei is name ssal be
Sire quaþ þis maide þo þat is a vair name
As wo seiþ al is lif & of grete fame
Ac wat ssolde is sone hote þanne & oþere þat of him come
So ne miȝte hii hote noȝt þer of nimeþ gome
Þe king vnderstod þat þe maide ne sede non outrage
& þat gloucestere was chef of ire eritage
Damaisele he sede þo þi louerd ssal abbe an name
Vor him & vor is eirs vair wiþoute blame
Vor Roberd erl of gloucestere is name ssal be & his
Vor he ssal be erl of gloucestre & is eirs iwis
Sire quaþ þis maide þo wel likeþ me þis
In þis fourme icholle þat al mi god be his
Þus was erl of gloucestre verst ymad þere
As þis Roberd of alle þulke þat longe biuore were
Þis was endleue hondred ȝer & in þe niþe ȝer riȝt
After þat vr louerd was in is moder aliȝt
& of þe kinges crounement In þe niþe ȝer
Þat þe verste erl of gloucestere þus was ymad þere
Roberd þat sposede þe riȝt eir king henryes sone
Þat vor is gode dedes worþ ich wene euere in Mone
& bristowe þoru is wif was þo al so his
& he broȝte in gret stat þe toun as he ȝut is
& arerde þer an castel mid þe noble tour
Þat of alle þe toures of engelond is iholde flour
Þe priorye of seint Iames In þe norþ side a lute
He rerde of blake monekes as is bodi liþ ȝute
Vor he is biuore þe heye weued ibured þere iwis
& of þe hous of theoskesburi þulke couent is
& is sone after him þat het þe erl willam
Bigan verst & arerde þe abbey of keynesham
Þe emperour of alimayne willede to wiue
Mold þe kinges doȝter & to riȝte liue
Heo nas bote of vif ȝer old þo heo was to the emperour
Ispoused þat hext was & of al cristendom flour
Wiþ gret nobleye & richesse to alimayne heo com
& þe king of al engelond gret raunson nom
Vor to marie is doȝter vor he nadde nammo
Of eche hide of engelond þre ssillinges he nom þo
Hit was ido in þe teþe ȝer of þe kinges kinedom
& enleue hondred & þe tiþe þat vr louerd anerþe com
Þe godnesse þat þe king henry & þe quene Mold
Dude here to engelond ne may neuere be told
Vor þis Mold þe wule heo was ȝong to norisy was ido
In þe abbeye of rameseye & of willtone al so
& lernede þer clannesse & of godes seruise
So þat hire fader ire wolde Marie an alle wise
In diuerse studes ofte & heo clanliche it vorsok
& uor to be siker of ire stat þe abit of nonne heo tok
Ac me nolde hire profes noȝt make anone wise
Vor cas þat miȝte come vor hire gentrise
& þat was wel iproued & ech cas of ire liue
Biuore þe erchebissop auncelin þat spousede hire to wiue
Vair womman heo was inou & þoru out al pur clene
Vor me ne miȝte hire neuere ise vnclannesse do ene
Bote on þat heo nede moste to hire louerdes bedde go
& siker ȝif heo it miȝte bileue hire was þeruore wel wo
Godes seruise he hurde al out & werede harde here
& bareuot eode alle lente bote it vor ssame were
Poueremen wel ofte in to hire chambre heo drou
Boþe meseles & oþere & greiþede hom vaire inou
& wess hor vet & clene þe quiture out soȝte
& kuste þe sore limes & to þe mete hom broȝte
Some time as þis gode mold in to halle com
A kniȝt þat hire priue was In to chambre heo nom
Þo sete þer in þe chaunbre meseles monyon
Þo caste þis gode mold hire mantel of anon
& gurde aboute hire middel a uair linne ssete
& wess þe meseles vet echone ar heo lete
& wipede is nessce afterward & custe is wel suete
Hire maidens broȝte hire clene water euere wanne heo lete
Hou miȝte of an quene be a more milsfol dede
Þe kniȝt stod & bihuld & an vewe wordes sede
Madame he sede uor godes loue is þis wel ido
Þat þou þes vnclene limes handlest & kust so
Vil wolde mi louerd þe king telle wanne he þi mouþ cusste
Þat so villiche isoiled is me þincþ ȝif he it wuste
Sire sire quaþ þe quene be stille wy seistou so
Vre louerd him sulf vs ȝef ensample such þing vor to do
Þeruore ich clupede þe ek vp þat þou it ssost ise
To nime ensample afterward milsfol & mek to be
Þis was lo a god leuedi as it was þere isene
Heo was wurþe to be icluped Mold þe gode quene
Vor alle þe godnesse þat heo dude here to engelonde
Ne mowe noȝt alle be here ywrite ne of o mon vnderstonde
Þo deide mold þis gode quene enleue hondred ȝer
& eiȝteten after þat god an erþe aliȝte her
At westmunstre heo was ibured a sein philippes day
And seint Iacob as it valþ þe verste day of may
Hit biuel þer aboute þat þe erl thebaud þe bleys
Þat was king henries soster sone destourbede þe peys
& þoru king henries rede made destourbance
& bigan to rere worre vpe þe king of france
Ware vore þe king of france & þe erl of flaundres al so
Were alle at one rede & þe erl of aungeo
To make þe king henry normandie to lese
& saysi þer wiþ willam Roberdes sone courtehese
Þo king henry wuste þis he passede attelaste
Þe se & ȝarkede is ost vpe is fon wel vaste
Wiþ him he adde in is poer þe erl of brutayne
& sire tebaud de bleys al so mid al is mayne
Þo hii were to gadere icome þis bataile to do
Þe king of france verst is ost partede atuo
Willam courtehese he made of þe verste wardein
& in þe oþer bihinde he was him sulf mid al is main
Ac þe king henri is ost a þre delde þere
Vor þe erl of flaundres & aungeo in þe verste were
& him sulf in þe oþer was as wo seiþ amidde
& þanne is tueie sones were wardeins of þe þridde
Vor is sones were ȝut aliue þat adreint were atte laste
Þo hii adde hor ost iset hii smite to gadere vaste
Þe vantwardes hom mette verst as riȝt was to done
Hii smite to gadere & foȝte vaste ac oure ost al to sone
Bigan to sprede & eode adoun ac oure middel ost ywis
As oure king Inne was ne likede noȝt þis
Hii smite vorþ ar hor time were & þis oþer ost mette
& slowe & broȝte hom to grounde & veirore hor wei vette
To þe kinges owe ost of france so þat hii come
Þo þe smite of lance was ido to þe suerd hii nome
& slowe to grounde vaste inou & dasste mony a sseld
Þat longe it was ar oþer alf miȝte winne þe feld
Willam crispin þat hatede vr king of engelonde
Vor to sle him ȝif he miȝte vaste bigan to fonde
He smot vpe þe heued tuye luþere inou
Þat þei it ne percede noȝt þat yre þat blod vaste adoun drou
Þe king was þo wroþ inou is mede he him bihet
He smot him vp on þe helm þat he vel doun to is vet
Þere he was inome anon & monye oþere al so
Þo com þe þridde ost al verss bataile uor to do
As þe kinges sones Inne were & smite to grounde anon
Þo þe frensse iseye þis hii ne couþe oþer won
Bote turnde hom þe rug & bigonne to fle echon
Ac ynome & aslawe þer was arst monyon
Þer was ioye þat þe king of france was ouercome
& so monye of is kniȝtes islawe & inome
Þo þe frensse were al bineþe mid Ioye & blisse ynou
Þe king henry mid is poer to engelond drou
Ac hom com a deoluol cas in þe se þere
Vor boþe willam & Richard is sones adreint were
& is paniter & is chamberlein & is botiler al so
& sire Richard erl of chestre & monie oþer þerto
In þe tuentiþe ȝer of is kinedom þis dede was ydo
Ac wreche of god & sunne hom broȝte þer to
Vor mid þe vile sunne of sodomye yproued hii were echon
Þeruore þoru wreche of god þer nas ybured non
Ne miȝte be founde in þe se Of al þat hii were isoȝt
Vor god nolde þat such sunne were vnder erþe ybroȝt
Þe king held at bromtone þer after al in pes
Is feste at midewinter mid tebaud þe bles
His ester suþþe at berkeleye & at windelsore iwis
His witesonetid he huld þat so noble stude is
Þat he let bulde him sulf & wodestoke al so
& þe parc of wodestoke & der þer Inne do
King henry þes tueye studes verst bulde iwis
Suþþe he weddede anoþer wif þo ido was al þis
Þe witesonetid at windelsore a womman of gret fame
An hei dukes doȝter adelyne was hire name
Me nuste womman so vair non in þe middel erde
He spousede hire at windelsore þat he him sulf rerde
Þo was þoru þe king arerd þe abbey of redinge
In þe tuo & tuentiþe ȝer of is crouninge
Suþþe wende þe king aȝen in to normandie
To sousteine aȝen þe king of france is noble seignorie
Þat he adde er ywonne & þo deide bi cas
Þe emperour of alimaigne þat is oþom was
& þo þe king al adde iconfermed vaste ynou
Bituene him & þe king of france aȝen to þis lond he drou
& is doȝter wiþ him þat widewe was he nom
In þe sixe & tuentiþe ȝere of is kinedom
He louede hire vor heo was eir & hei emperesse
He broȝte hire þo to engelond aboute Mielmesse
Þo spousede ire sire geffray þat was erl of aungeo
In þe endleue hondred ȝer of grace & seuene & tuenti þer to
& in þe seueþe & tuenti ȝer of þe kinges crouninge al so
Mid nobleye & prute inou þis spousinge was ydo
Hous of religion as ich sede er ich wene
King henry louede muche as it was isene
Vor þe ordre of greye monekes þoru him me broȝte
Verst here in to engelond as par auntre me him bi soȝte
As in þe abbey of wauerle þat it verst to com
As in þe eiȝte & tuentiþe ȝere of is kynedom
& þe verst hous þer after founteins me let rere
As it vel of is kinedom tuo & þrittiþe ȝere
& it vel enleue hondred ȝer as in þe ȝer of grace
& tuo & þritti þat me rerde founteins in þulke place
Vr leuedy in decembre þer biuore was
Þoru þe aungel verst bifounde as ȝe witeþ þat cas
As in þe endleue hondred ȝer & tuenty & nyne
After þat god anerþe com to bringe vs out of pyne
Ac þe ordre of greye monekes was bigonne er
At cisteus ar he hider come nyene & tuenti ȝer
As in þe tuelfte ȝer of willames kinedom
Þe ȝer þat cristine folc ierusalem nom
Mold þe kinges doȝter þat emperesse was also
Þat ispoused was to geffray Erl of aungeo
God hom sende a child bi tuene after hor spousing
Þe sixte ȝer þat het henry þat was suþþe oure king
In þe endleue hondred ȝer þat oure louerd an erþe com
& þre & þritti þer to & of vr kinges kinedom
In þe þre & þrittiþe ȝere þis child ibore was
Þoru wan was suþþe ymartred þe godemon sein tomas
Glad was þe king henry þo þe tiþinge him com
Of þulke child to ben is eir of is kinedom
Nobliche is ester feste he huld vor þis cas
In is vaire halle at oxenford þat þo nywe was
An bissopriche he made þo & an bissop þer
Biside scotlond at cardoil as nas non neuer er
Þo wende he to normandie & al þe nexte ȝer
Vor loue of þis ȝonge child he bileuede þer
Suþþe þoru som heye herte þer wax a lute strif
Bituene þe erl of aungeo & þe emperesse is wif
Þe king adde gode wille hider to wende ich wene
Ac he bileuede uor is doȝter hire to soustene
Heo was to prout aȝen ire louerd vor ire heyenesse
Vor heo was eir & kinges doȝter & eke emperesse
Þe king hire fader was old mon & drou to feblesse
& þe anguisse of is doȝter him dude þe more destresse
& akelde him wel þe more so þat feble he was
So þat he wende an honteþ aday to abbe solas
& þo he com he willede of an lampreye to ete
Ac is leches him vorbode vor it was vnholsom mete
Ac he nolde it noȝt bileue vor he louede it wel ynou
& et as in luþer cas vor þulke lampreie him slou
Vor anonriȝt þer after into an ague he drou
& deide vor þis lampreie þoru is owe wou
He sede ofte mid deþ vuel ar he were ded
Alas alas of engelond ne can ich nanne red
Vor ȝif ichim bitake mi soster sone steuene þe bleis
Vor he nis noȝt riȝt eir it ne worþ neuere peys
& ȝif ichim bitake þe riȝt eir henry mi doȝter sone
Þat nis noȝt ȝut þre ȝer old hit worþ him sone bi nome
& naþeles al engelond & steuene þe bleis al so
To þe emperesse & ire sone holde oþes adde ido
Þe verste day of decembre king henri þen deþ nom
In þe sixe & þrittiþe ȝer of is kinedom
& in enleue hondred ȝer & sixe & þritti al so
Of vr louerdes burtime deþ com him þus to
Ac roberd courtehese as god wolde let þat lif
Aboute þre ȝer biuore at prison at kerdif
& biuore þe heye weued in þe abbeye of gloucestere ibured is
& willam þe gode kniȝt is sone was also ded ywis
& aslawe biȝonde se ar king henri ded were
So þat of þulke kunne þer nas þo no fere
Oþer eni richemon þe pouere vengance he nom stronge
& ne sparede noȝt ȝif he were wurþe to ben an honge
Vor in trauail he was gret inou of þoȝte day & niȝt
Vor to saui poueremen vram richemenne vnriȝt
631
Vair mon & þikke inou & of broune here
Ballede he was & þikke of breste of bodi vat al so
So hende þat he ne ssolde In so gret anuy be ido
Of tiþinge ne oþer anuy þat he ssolde is corteisie
In eni dede bileue & he were in compainye
Worri he wolde watloker mid worde þan mid arme
Wiþoute blode ȝif he miȝte & wiþoute harme
Entempre he was of mete & drinke & of slep þerto
Abbeyes he rerde in normandie & in engelonde al so
Bituene tueye wateres he rerde redinge
Bituene kenet & temese & let þer inne bringe
Monekes of cloyni þat hende were wel longe
Þeruore hom come mo gistes þat vaire were vnderuonge
632
Þat was willam icluped þat to lute was aliue
Vor ar he were vol woxe In þe se adreint he was
& þat was to al engelond a wel deoluol cas
King henry in þe seueþe ȝer of is crouninge
& enleuene hondred ȝer & seuene of ur louerdes aliȝtinge
Þo he adde ido is broþer in siker warde inou
& is doȝter was an tuo ȝer old to conseil þo he drou
In a witesonetid a gret parlement he nom
At westmunstre noble inou þat muche folc to com
Alle þe bissopriches þat deliuered were
Of normandie & engelond he ȝef al clene þere
& alle þe abbeies þer to so þat iȝiue me nuste
So vale neuere at o tyme as me þo wuste
633
& holi chirche þoru out al þat eode er to noȝte
Þer was þo in engelond a suiþe gret louerding
On of þe grettost þat þer was wiþoute henri king
Sire roberd le fiȝ haym þat let verst arere
Þe abbeye of teoskesbury & monekes broȝte þere
He deyde aboute þulke tyme & ibured was ywis
In þe abbeye of theoskesbury as is bodi ȝut is
Mabile is doȝter was eir of al is londe
Þe king vor ire eritage him gan vnderstonde
To bringe roberd is sone abast in is warison þere
Þoru spousinge of þis mayde þat he avanced were
He sede þat heo ssolde is sone to hire spousinge auonge
Þis mayde was þer aȝen & wiþ sede it longe
634
Mabile him ansuerede as god maide & hende
Sire heo sede wel ichot þat ȝoure herte vpe me is
More vor min eritage þan vor mi sulue ywis
So vair eritage as ich abbe it were me gret ssame
Vor to abbe an louerd bote he adde an to name
Sire roberd le fiȝ haim mi fader name was
& þat ne miȝte noȝt be his þat of is kunne noȝt nas
Þeruore sire uor godes loue ne let me nomon owe
Bote he abbe an tuo name war þoru he be iknowe
Damoysele quaþ þe king þou seist wel in þis cas
Sire Roberd le fiz haym þi fader tuo name was
& as vair tuo name he ssal abbe ȝif me him may bi se
Sire Roberd le fiz rei is name ssal be
635
As wo seiþ al is lif & of grete fame
Ac wat ssolde is sone hote þanne & oþere þat of him come
So ne miȝte hii hote noȝt þer of nimeþ gome
Þe king vnderstod þat þe maide ne sede non outrage
& þat gloucestere was chef of ire eritage
Damaisele he sede þo þi louerd ssal abbe an name
Vor him & vor is eirs vair wiþoute blame
Vor Roberd erl of gloucestere is name ssal be & his
Vor he ssal be erl of gloucestre & is eirs iwis
Sire quaþ þis maide þo wel likeþ me þis
In þis fourme icholle þat al mi god be his
Þus was erl of gloucestre verst ymad þere
As þis Roberd of alle þulke þat longe biuore were
636
After þat vr louerd was in is moder aliȝt
& of þe kinges crounement In þe niþe ȝer
Þat þe verste erl of gloucestere þus was ymad þere
Roberd þat sposede þe riȝt eir king henryes sone
Þat vor is gode dedes worþ ich wene euere in Mone
& bristowe þoru is wif was þo al so his
& he broȝte in gret stat þe toun as he ȝut is
& arerde þer an castel mid þe noble tour
Þat of alle þe toures of engelond is iholde flour
Þe priorye of seint Iames In þe norþ side a lute
He rerde of blake monekes as is bodi liþ ȝute
Vor he is biuore þe heye weued ibured þere iwis
& of þe hous of theoskesburi þulke couent is
637
Bigan verst & arerde þe abbey of keynesham
Þe emperour of alimayne willede to wiue
Mold þe kinges doȝter & to riȝte liue
Heo nas bote of vif ȝer old þo heo was to the emperour
Ispoused þat hext was & of al cristendom flour
Wiþ gret nobleye & richesse to alimayne heo com
& þe king of al engelond gret raunson nom
Vor to marie is doȝter vor he nadde nammo
Of eche hide of engelond þre ssillinges he nom þo
Hit was ido in þe teþe ȝer of þe kinges kinedom
& enleue hondred & þe tiþe þat vr louerd anerþe com
Þe godnesse þat þe king henry & þe quene Mold
Dude here to engelond ne may neuere be told
638
In þe abbeye of rameseye & of willtone al so
& lernede þer clannesse & of godes seruise
So þat hire fader ire wolde Marie an alle wise
In diuerse studes ofte & heo clanliche it vorsok
& uor to be siker of ire stat þe abit of nonne heo tok
Ac me nolde hire profes noȝt make anone wise
Vor cas þat miȝte come vor hire gentrise
& þat was wel iproued & ech cas of ire liue
Biuore þe erchebissop auncelin þat spousede hire to wiue
Vair womman heo was inou & þoru out al pur clene
Vor me ne miȝte hire neuere ise vnclannesse do ene
639
& siker ȝif heo it miȝte bileue hire was þeruore wel wo
Godes seruise he hurde al out & werede harde here
& bareuot eode alle lente bote it vor ssame were
Poueremen wel ofte in to hire chambre heo drou
Boþe meseles & oþere & greiþede hom vaire inou
& wess hor vet & clene þe quiture out soȝte
& kuste þe sore limes & to þe mete hom broȝte
Some time as þis gode mold in to halle com
A kniȝt þat hire priue was In to chambre heo nom
Þo sete þer in þe chaunbre meseles monyon
Þo caste þis gode mold hire mantel of anon
& gurde aboute hire middel a uair linne ssete
& wess þe meseles vet echone ar heo lete
640
Hire maidens broȝte hire clene water euere wanne heo lete
Hou miȝte of an quene be a more milsfol dede
Þe kniȝt stod & bihuld & an vewe wordes sede
Madame he sede uor godes loue is þis wel ido
Þat þou þes vnclene limes handlest & kust so
Vil wolde mi louerd þe king telle wanne he þi mouþ cusste
Þat so villiche isoiled is me þincþ ȝif he it wuste
Sire sire quaþ þe quene be stille wy seistou so
Vre louerd him sulf vs ȝef ensample such þing vor to do
Þeruore ich clupede þe ek vp þat þou it ssost ise
To nime ensample afterward milsfol & mek to be
641
Heo was wurþe to be icluped Mold þe gode quene
Vor alle þe godnesse þat heo dude here to engelonde
Ne mowe noȝt alle be here ywrite ne of o mon vnderstonde
Þo deide mold þis gode quene enleue hondred ȝer
& eiȝteten after þat god an erþe aliȝte her
At westmunstre heo was ibured a sein philippes day
And seint Iacob as it valþ þe verste day of may
Hit biuel þer aboute þat þe erl thebaud þe bleys
Þat was king henries soster sone destourbede þe peys
& þoru king henries rede made destourbance
& bigan to rere worre vpe þe king of france
642
Were alle at one rede & þe erl of aungeo
To make þe king henry normandie to lese
& saysi þer wiþ willam Roberdes sone courtehese
Þo king henry wuste þis he passede attelaste
Þe se & ȝarkede is ost vpe is fon wel vaste
Wiþ him he adde in is poer þe erl of brutayne
& sire tebaud de bleys al so mid al is mayne
Þo hii were to gadere icome þis bataile to do
Þe king of france verst is ost partede atuo
Willam courtehese he made of þe verste wardein
& in þe oþer bihinde he was him sulf mid al is main
Ac þe king henri is ost a þre delde þere
Vor þe erl of flaundres & aungeo in þe verste were
643
& þanne is tueie sones were wardeins of þe þridde
Vor is sones were ȝut aliue þat adreint were atte laste
Þo hii adde hor ost iset hii smite to gadere vaste
Þe vantwardes hom mette verst as riȝt was to done
Hii smite to gadere & foȝte vaste ac oure ost al to sone
Bigan to sprede & eode adoun ac oure middel ost ywis
As oure king Inne was ne likede noȝt þis
Hii smite vorþ ar hor time were & þis oþer ost mette
& slowe & broȝte hom to grounde & veirore hor wei vette
To þe kinges owe ost of france so þat hii come
Þo þe smite of lance was ido to þe suerd hii nome
644
Þat longe it was ar oþer alf miȝte winne þe feld
Willam crispin þat hatede vr king of engelonde
Vor to sle him ȝif he miȝte vaste bigan to fonde
He smot vpe þe heued tuye luþere inou
Þat þei it ne percede noȝt þat yre þat blod vaste adoun drou
Þe king was þo wroþ inou is mede he him bihet
He smot him vp on þe helm þat he vel doun to is vet
Þere he was inome anon & monye oþere al so
Þo com þe þridde ost al verss bataile uor to do
As þe kinges sones Inne were & smite to grounde anon
Þo þe frensse iseye þis hii ne couþe oþer won
Bote turnde hom þe rug & bigonne to fle echon
645
Þer was ioye þat þe king of france was ouercome
& so monye of is kniȝtes islawe & inome
Þo þe frensse were al bineþe mid Ioye & blisse ynou
Þe king henry mid is poer to engelond drou
Ac hom com a deoluol cas in þe se þere
Vor boþe willam & Richard is sones adreint were
& is paniter & is chamberlein & is botiler al so
& sire Richard erl of chestre & monie oþer þerto
In þe tuentiþe ȝer of is kinedom þis dede was ydo
Ac wreche of god & sunne hom broȝte þer to
Vor mid þe vile sunne of sodomye yproued hii were echon
Þeruore þoru wreche of god þer nas ybured non
Ne miȝte be founde in þe se Of al þat hii were isoȝt
Vor god nolde þat such sunne were vnder erþe ybroȝt
646
Is feste at midewinter mid tebaud þe bles
His ester suþþe at berkeleye & at windelsore iwis
His witesonetid he huld þat so noble stude is
Þat he let bulde him sulf & wodestoke al so
& þe parc of wodestoke & der þer Inne do
King henry þes tueye studes verst bulde iwis
Suþþe he weddede anoþer wif þo ido was al þis
Þe witesonetid at windelsore a womman of gret fame
An hei dukes doȝter adelyne was hire name
Me nuste womman so vair non in þe middel erde
He spousede hire at windelsore þat he him sulf rerde
Þo was þoru þe king arerd þe abbey of redinge
In þe tuo & tuentiþe ȝer of is crouninge
647
To sousteine aȝen þe king of france is noble seignorie
Þat he adde er ywonne & þo deide bi cas
Þe emperour of alimaigne þat is oþom was
& þo þe king al adde iconfermed vaste ynou
Bituene him & þe king of france aȝen to þis lond he drou
& is doȝter wiþ him þat widewe was he nom
In þe sixe & tuentiþe ȝere of is kinedom
He louede hire vor heo was eir & hei emperesse
He broȝte hire þo to engelond aboute Mielmesse
Þo spousede ire sire geffray þat was erl of aungeo
In þe endleue hondred ȝer of grace & seuene & tuenti þer to
648
Mid nobleye & prute inou þis spousinge was ydo
Hous of religion as ich sede er ich wene
King henry louede muche as it was isene
Vor þe ordre of greye monekes þoru him me broȝte
Verst here in to engelond as par auntre me him bi soȝte
As in þe abbey of wauerle þat it verst to com
As in þe eiȝte & tuentiþe ȝere of is kynedom
& þe verst hous þer after founteins me let rere
As it vel of is kinedom tuo & þrittiþe ȝere
& it vel enleue hondred ȝer as in þe ȝer of grace
& tuo & þritti þat me rerde founteins in þulke place
Vr leuedy in decembre þer biuore was
Þoru þe aungel verst bifounde as ȝe witeþ þat cas
649
After þat god anerþe com to bringe vs out of pyne
Ac þe ordre of greye monekes was bigonne er
At cisteus ar he hider come nyene & tuenti ȝer
As in þe tuelfte ȝer of willames kinedom
Þe ȝer þat cristine folc ierusalem nom
Mold þe kinges doȝter þat emperesse was also
Þat ispoused was to geffray Erl of aungeo
God hom sende a child bi tuene after hor spousing
Þe sixte ȝer þat het henry þat was suþþe oure king
In þe endleue hondred ȝer þat oure louerd an erþe com
& þre & þritti þer to & of vr kinges kinedom
In þe þre & þrittiþe ȝere þis child ibore was
Þoru wan was suþþe ymartred þe godemon sein tomas
650
Of þulke child to ben is eir of is kinedom
Nobliche is ester feste he huld vor þis cas
In is vaire halle at oxenford þat þo nywe was
An bissopriche he made þo & an bissop þer
Biside scotlond at cardoil as nas non neuer er
Þo wende he to normandie & al þe nexte ȝer
Vor loue of þis ȝonge child he bileuede þer
Suþþe þoru som heye herte þer wax a lute strif
Bituene þe erl of aungeo & þe emperesse is wif
Þe king adde gode wille hider to wende ich wene
Ac he bileuede uor is doȝter hire to soustene
Heo was to prout aȝen ire louerd vor ire heyenesse
Vor heo was eir & kinges doȝter & eke emperesse
Þe king hire fader was old mon & drou to feblesse
& þe anguisse of is doȝter him dude þe more destresse
651
So þat he wende an honteþ aday to abbe solas
& þo he com he willede of an lampreye to ete
Ac is leches him vorbode vor it was vnholsom mete
Ac he nolde it noȝt bileue vor he louede it wel ynou
& et as in luþer cas vor þulke lampreie him slou
Vor anonriȝt þer after into an ague he drou
& deide vor þis lampreie þoru is owe wou
He sede ofte mid deþ vuel ar he were ded
Alas alas of engelond ne can ich nanne red
Vor ȝif ichim bitake mi soster sone steuene þe bleis
Vor he nis noȝt riȝt eir it ne worþ neuere peys
652
Þat nis noȝt ȝut þre ȝer old hit worþ him sone bi nome
& naþeles al engelond & steuene þe bleis al so
To þe emperesse & ire sone holde oþes adde ido
Þe verste day of decembre king henri þen deþ nom
In þe sixe & þrittiþe ȝer of is kinedom
& in enleue hondred ȝer & sixe & þritti al so
Of vr louerdes burtime deþ com him þus to
Ac roberd courtehese as god wolde let þat lif
Aboute þre ȝer biuore at prison at kerdif
& biuore þe heye weued in þe abbeye of gloucestere ibured is
& willam þe gode kniȝt is sone was also ded ywis
653
So þat of þulke kunne þer nas þo no fere
[S]teuene þe bleis þat god kniȝt & stalwarde was al so
Þo þe king was ded is vncle an oþer he þoȝte do
He vorȝet al þe stronge oþ þat he adde biuore
To þe emperesse & to henry hire ȝonge sone isuore
Ac wende vorþ hasteliche to late him crouny anon
Þe heiemen of þe lond helde wiþ him echon
Boþe bissopes & oþere þat þe oþ suore al so er
A seinte steuenes day anon þe croune verst he ber
& þe erchebissop of kanterbury willam þat þo was
Sacred him as was riȝt wel sunuolliche alas
Vor he was þe verste as riȝt was & wone
Þat holde oþes to þe emperesse suor & to ire sone
Þeruore sone þerafter wreche of god him com
Vor in þe verste ȝer is lif god binom
& þe bissop roger of salesbury after him suor anon
& preched vaste þat folc þen oþ to holde echon
& þo was þe principal þe sacringe vor to do
& vor ensample of hom oþere encentede þer to
Ac þe king sulf ȝef him suþþe is mede vor he nom him vast[e]
& in prison him huld wrecchedliche he deide atte laste
Bote ssortliche alle þo þat þen oþ suore biuore
To þe emperesse turnde þo to king steuene & were vorsuore
& wonder it was þat al þe lond In a stounde anon
Turnde to him so verliche & were vorsuore echon
King henryes brain & gottes & eyen ibured were
At reins in normandie & suþþe þe bones hii bere
Wel iselt & isode to þe abbeye of redinge
& bured is þere vaire inou as vel to an kinge
Þo þe king was ded is vncle an oþer he þoȝte do
He vorȝet al þe stronge oþ þat he adde biuore
To þe emperesse & to henry hire ȝonge sone isuore
Ac wende vorþ hasteliche to late him crouny anon
Þe heiemen of þe lond helde wiþ him echon
Boþe bissopes & oþere þat þe oþ suore al so er
A seinte steuenes day anon þe croune verst he ber
& þe erchebissop of kanterbury willam þat þo was
Sacred him as was riȝt wel sunuolliche alas
Vor he was þe verste as riȝt was & wone
Þat holde oþes to þe emperesse suor & to ire sone
Þeruore sone þerafter wreche of god him com
Vor in þe verste ȝer is lif god binom
& þe bissop roger of salesbury after him suor anon
& preched vaste þat folc þen oþ to holde echon
& þo was þe principal þe sacringe vor to do
& vor ensample of hom oþere encentede þer to
654
& in prison him huld wrecchedliche he deide atte laste
Bote ssortliche alle þo þat þen oþ suore biuore
To þe emperesse turnde þo to king steuene & were vorsuore
& wonder it was þat al þe lond In a stounde anon
Turnde to him so verliche & were vorsuore echon
King henryes brain & gottes & eyen ibured were
At reins in normandie & suþþe þe bones hii bere
Wel iselt & isode to þe abbeye of redinge
& bured is þere vaire inou as vel to an kinge
Ȝut biuore tuelfte day king steuene as þe hende
Fram is crouninge of londone aȝen is vncle gan wende
& þe erchebissop of kanterbury & þe hext of þe lond al so
& þe bones burede vaire inou as riȝt was to do
Þo wende þe king þanene to oxenford anon
& þe gode lawes þat he bihet confermede echon
As ȝif bissop oþer abbod in þis lond ded were
He grantede þat þoru king no destorbance nere
Þat me ne chose in riȝte fourme an oþer anon
& þat wanne he were vnderuonge is londes alle echon
& oþer monye luþer lawes þat is eldore adde ywroȝt
He bihet þat he wolde abate & naþeles he ne dude noȝt
Þe wule he was þus at oxenford tiþinge him com
Þat dauit king of scotlond mid treson nom
Þe cite of karloil & þe nywe castel al so
Fram is crouninge of londone aȝen is vncle gan wende
& þe erchebissop of kanterbury & þe hext of þe lond al so
& þe bones burede vaire inou as riȝt was to do
Þo wende þe king þanene to oxenford anon
& þe gode lawes þat he bihet confermede echon
As ȝif bissop oþer abbod in þis lond ded were
He grantede þat þoru king no destorbance nere
Þat me ne chose in riȝte fourme an oþer anon
& þat wanne he were vnderuonge is londes alle echon
655
He bihet þat he wolde abate & naþeles he ne dude noȝt
Þe wule he was þus at oxenford tiþinge him com
Þat dauit king of scotlond mid treson nom
Þe cite of karloil & þe nywe castel al so
Ȝe quaþ þe king þo an oþer we ssolle do
Þat he aþ inome wiþ trayson we ssolle wiþ maistrie
Anon he wende þuderward wiþ vair compainie
Þo þe king of scotlond it wuste aȝen him he com
& grantede him al is wille & þe acord nom
Ac is mon nolde he noȝt bicome vor he was biuore
As monye oþere in engelond to þe emperesse isuore
So þat þe verste tuo ȝer god cas & hap inou
In ech alf com to king steuene ac suþþe it wiþ drou
Vor in þe þridde ȝere þe king of scotlonde
Worrede him bi norþe & orn vpon is londe
Þe erl roberd of gloucestre as mon wiþoute fere
Þe stronge castel of bristowe þat he let him sulf rere
Astorede wel inou & al so þe slede
& huld hom boþe aȝen þe king to þenche on kundhede
Vor þe emperesse was is soster & he louede ire wel wel
& þe castel of caryl held on willam louel
& þe castel of lodelowe held sire paynel
& sire roberd of lincolne held of waram þe castel
& þe castel of donsterre held sire willam de Moun
Þat þe priorie as ich wene rerde of brentoun
Eustas le fiz Ion held þe castel of Miltone
& þe castel of ssrofsburi held willam aleines sone
Alle þes were aȝen þe kinge as veruorþ as hii couþe
So þat he adde fon bi norþe & bi souþe
He bigan to be luþer inou vor verst holichirche
He bigan to worri & made him þe worse wurche
Vor he wende to oxenford & þo he þuder com
Þe bissop of salesbury & of lincolne he nom
Þe bissop of Salsbury he ladde mid gret wo
To þe castel of diuises þat þe bissopes was þo
An rop me dude aboute is nekke he suor honge he ssolde
Anon bote he þe castel anon vp him ȝolde
Þe bissop him tok þe castel þo oþer bote nas
He nom þere al is tresour þat wiþoute noumbre was
& held him vorþ in prison ȝut & ȝeld him is godnesse
Þat he dude him & was vorsuore aȝen þe emperesse
Aȝen wende þe king to oxenford & þe bissop vette
Alisandre of lincolne þat he in prison sette
& ladde him to nywe worc to a uair castel & god
Þat þe bissop was þat vpe trente stod
Þer he suor þat þe bissop neuere ete ne ssolde
Ne drinke naþemo ar þe castel him were iȝolde
Þe bissop was wo inou vor he wuste wel þei he wolde
Þat he aþ inome wiþ trayson we ssolle wiþ maistrie
Anon he wende þuderward wiþ vair compainie
Þo þe king of scotlond it wuste aȝen him he com
& grantede him al is wille & þe acord nom
Ac is mon nolde he noȝt bicome vor he was biuore
As monye oþere in engelond to þe emperesse isuore
So þat þe verste tuo ȝer god cas & hap inou
In ech alf com to king steuene ac suþþe it wiþ drou
Vor in þe þridde ȝere þe king of scotlonde
Worrede him bi norþe & orn vpon is londe
Þe erl roberd of gloucestre as mon wiþoute fere
Þe stronge castel of bristowe þat he let him sulf rere
Astorede wel inou & al so þe slede
& huld hom boþe aȝen þe king to þenche on kundhede
656
& þe castel of caryl held on willam louel
& þe castel of lodelowe held sire paynel
& sire roberd of lincolne held of waram þe castel
& þe castel of donsterre held sire willam de Moun
Þat þe priorie as ich wene rerde of brentoun
Eustas le fiz Ion held þe castel of Miltone
& þe castel of ssrofsburi held willam aleines sone
Alle þes were aȝen þe kinge as veruorþ as hii couþe
So þat he adde fon bi norþe & bi souþe
He bigan to be luþer inou vor verst holichirche
He bigan to worri & made him þe worse wurche
Vor he wende to oxenford & þo he þuder com
Þe bissop of salesbury & of lincolne he nom
Þe bissop of Salsbury he ladde mid gret wo
To þe castel of diuises þat þe bissopes was þo
An rop me dude aboute is nekke he suor honge he ssolde
Anon bote he þe castel anon vp him ȝolde
Þe bissop him tok þe castel þo oþer bote nas
He nom þere al is tresour þat wiþoute noumbre was
657
Þat he dude him & was vorsuore aȝen þe emperesse
Aȝen wende þe king to oxenford & þe bissop vette
Alisandre of lincolne þat he in prison sette
& ladde him to nywe worc to a uair castel & god
Þat þe bissop was þat vpe trente stod
Þer he suor þat þe bissop neuere ete ne ssolde
Ne drinke naþemo ar þe castel him were iȝolde
Þe bissop was wo inou vor he wuste wel þei he wolde
Ȝelde him vp þe castel is men wiþinne nolde
He bed hom & criede on hom ac al it was vor noȝt
So þat þis bissop was ney to grounde ibroȝt
Mid honger þat me adde reuþe þat him iknewe
He wep & cride on is men þat hii ssolde on him rewe
Þat he nere to deþe ipined as hii seye wel he ssolde
So þat to saui is lif þe castel vp hii ȝolde
Þe king nom þer inne þe bissopes tresorie
& in þis manere lo bigan is worre mid robberye
Þat laste here in engelond boþe gret & strong
Wel an seuentene ȝer & þat was al to long
Þe erchebissop of kanterburi & oþer bissopes al so
So sori were vor þis dede þat hii nuste wat do
At winchestre a parlement hii hulde of þis þinge
So þat wel pitosliche hii wende alle to þe kinge
& velle adoun to is vet & pitosliche bede
Þat he ssolde vor godes loue amendi suche dede
Ac al it was þo vor noȝt vor to worse euere he drou
Þe bissopes ne couþe oþer red bote were wo inou
Þe bissop of salesbury deide sone þo
Of wan we abbeþ er ispeke in pur meseise & wo
Vnder þat þe emperesse to engelonde com
To calangy after ire fader bi riȝte þe kinedom
In þe castel of arundel verst he gan abide
To loke wat were best to do & to conseili in eche side
Þo king steuene it wuste þuder sone he com
Mid poer gret inou & þen castel nom
& þis leuedy þer inne so þat for franchise
He let ire go ware heo wolde & ne dude noȝt as þe wise
& heo wende to bristowe & bileuede þere
In ire broþer castel strong inou vor te betere cas were
Sire rauf erl of chastre adde ispoused iwis
Þe erl Roberdes doȝter of gloucestere of wan we tolde ar þis
So þat he huld mid þe emperesse vor elles it were amis
& ladde ost gret ynou aȝen þe king & his
He wende & nom lincolne & þe kinges men out caste
& sette þer Inne folc ynou & wende aboute vaste
Þe king þo þe sixte ȝer of is kinedom
Mid is poer to lincolne to midewinter com
Vor to nime þen toun vpe hom þat were þer Inne
& asayled hom vaste mid strengþe & mid ginne
So þat þe erl of chestre & þe erl Roberd al so
Of gloucestre hom ȝarkede & moni god kniȝt þer to
& wende toward lincolne bataile vor to abide
So þat hii ȝarkede hor ost in eiþer side
Þe erles ordeined hor ost þo hii were isuore
Þe erl of chestre hii made wardein of þe ost biuore
Hii sette þe deserites In þe middel ost þo
Þat þe king adde binome hor lond & ido so muche wo
Þe erl roberd of gloucestre of þe þridde was ido
& ȝut þer was of welssemen þe verþe ost þer to
Iordeined wel inou in a place biside
Þat liȝte were & hardi muche folc to abide
Þo þis compainie was þus idiȝt þe erl of chastre anon
Spec toward þe erl of gloucestere & þe kniȝtes echon
Sire noble erl he sede & ȝe noble kniȝtes al so
Wiþ gode wille ich þonke ȝou as ich wel aȝte do
Þat ȝe me so muche loue sseweþ & kundhede
& syweþ me in such peril & in deþes drede
& wanne ich am encheson of such peril ywis
Verst icholle þer inne do mi sulue vor riȝt it is
& verst asayli þen false king & bringe him to ȝoke
Þat þe grete oþ þat he suor so villiche aþ to broke
On mi sulue ich truste muche & þe more vor is vnriȝt
My wei icholle make sone as a stalwarde kniȝt
Sywet me þat go biuore & smiteþ al so
After me vor ich ise al hou icholle do
Hou icholle percy þe ost & kniȝtes adoun caste
& bete wiþ þis suerd þen false king vaste
Þe erl roberd of gloucestere spec þo þus ywis
Sire ȝonge bacheler he sede wel we witeþ þis
Þat þou art strong & corageus & noȝt vnwurþe al so
Þe verste chiualerie in þe bataile to do
& naþeles þou ne miȝte it esse noȝt bote vor þinges tuo
Oþer uor nobleye of heye kunne oþer vor prowesse ido
He bed hom & criede on hom ac al it was vor noȝt
So þat þis bissop was ney to grounde ibroȝt
Mid honger þat me adde reuþe þat him iknewe
He wep & cride on is men þat hii ssolde on him rewe
Þat he nere to deþe ipined as hii seye wel he ssolde
So þat to saui is lif þe castel vp hii ȝolde
Þe king nom þer inne þe bissopes tresorie
& in þis manere lo bigan is worre mid robberye
Þat laste here in engelond boþe gret & strong
Wel an seuentene ȝer & þat was al to long
Þe erchebissop of kanterburi & oþer bissopes al so
So sori were vor þis dede þat hii nuste wat do
At winchestre a parlement hii hulde of þis þinge
So þat wel pitosliche hii wende alle to þe kinge
658
Þat he ssolde vor godes loue amendi suche dede
Ac al it was þo vor noȝt vor to worse euere he drou
Þe bissopes ne couþe oþer red bote were wo inou
Þe bissop of salesbury deide sone þo
Of wan we abbeþ er ispeke in pur meseise & wo
Vnder þat þe emperesse to engelonde com
To calangy after ire fader bi riȝte þe kinedom
In þe castel of arundel verst he gan abide
To loke wat were best to do & to conseili in eche side
Þo king steuene it wuste þuder sone he com
Mid poer gret inou & þen castel nom
& þis leuedy þer inne so þat for franchise
He let ire go ware heo wolde & ne dude noȝt as þe wise
& heo wende to bristowe & bileuede þere
In ire broþer castel strong inou vor te betere cas were
Sire rauf erl of chastre adde ispoused iwis
Þe erl Roberdes doȝter of gloucestere of wan we tolde ar þis
659
& ladde ost gret ynou aȝen þe king & his
He wende & nom lincolne & þe kinges men out caste
& sette þer Inne folc ynou & wende aboute vaste
Þe king þo þe sixte ȝer of is kinedom
Mid is poer to lincolne to midewinter com
Vor to nime þen toun vpe hom þat were þer Inne
& asayled hom vaste mid strengþe & mid ginne
So þat þe erl of chestre & þe erl Roberd al so
Of gloucestre hom ȝarkede & moni god kniȝt þer to
& wende toward lincolne bataile vor to abide
So þat hii ȝarkede hor ost in eiþer side
Þe erles ordeined hor ost þo hii were isuore
Þe erl of chestre hii made wardein of þe ost biuore
Hii sette þe deserites In þe middel ost þo
Þat þe king adde binome hor lond & ido so muche wo
Þe erl roberd of gloucestre of þe þridde was ido
& ȝut þer was of welssemen þe verþe ost þer to
Iordeined wel inou in a place biside
Þat liȝte were & hardi muche folc to abide
660
Spec toward þe erl of gloucestere & þe kniȝtes echon
Sire noble erl he sede & ȝe noble kniȝtes al so
Wiþ gode wille ich þonke ȝou as ich wel aȝte do
Þat ȝe me so muche loue sseweþ & kundhede
& syweþ me in such peril & in deþes drede
& wanne ich am encheson of such peril ywis
Verst icholle þer inne do mi sulue vor riȝt it is
& verst asayli þen false king & bringe him to ȝoke
Þat þe grete oþ þat he suor so villiche aþ to broke
On mi sulue ich truste muche & þe more vor is vnriȝt
My wei icholle make sone as a stalwarde kniȝt
Sywet me þat go biuore & smiteþ al so
After me vor ich ise al hou icholle do
Hou icholle percy þe ost & kniȝtes adoun caste
& bete wiþ þis suerd þen false king vaste
Þe erl roberd of gloucestere spec þo þus ywis
Sire ȝonge bacheler he sede wel we witeþ þis
Þat þou art strong & corageus & noȝt vnwurþe al so
Þe verste chiualerie in þe bataile to do
& naþeles þou ne miȝte it esse noȝt bote vor þinges tuo
Oþer uor nobleye of heye kunne oþer vor prowesse ido
661
Ȝif þou seist it vor noble kunne þou nart noȝt wel vnderstonde
Vor ich was þe kinges sone þou wost wel of þis londe
Vor þi prowesse ne worþ it noȝt vor kniȝtes her beþ some
Þat mid oþer prowesse of kniȝtes nere neuere ouercome
Ac an oþer reson wel ver meueþ more me þer to
Þat þe king aȝen þat oþ þat he adde mi soster ydo
Mid vnriȝt halt þis kinedom & destourbeþ þat lond ywis
& of monie þousend monnes deþe encheson he is
He binimþ men hor riȝtes & hor kunde eritages al so
& deliuereþ it oþer men þat no riȝt nabbeþ þer to
Ac o þing ich ȝou segge soþ þat þoru þe luþer weye ywis
Þat ȝe come vnneþe hider þoru non hope þer ne is
Vor to fle he is so luþer as ȝe alle iseye
Þanne ne beþ þer bote tueye weyes oþer her riȝt deye
Oþer ouercome vr fon as we ssolle & bringe hom þer doune
Make we þanne mid vr suerdes vr wey to þe toune
Vor min herte seiþ þus to soþe þat we worþe maisters here
Vor as muche as we ne mowe fle in none manere
Vor vre prowesse we mote nede ssewe to day ywis
Wanne me mote oþer day vor non oþer wey þer nis
Ac nimeþ atte biginninge among alle oþere gome here
Aȝen wat men ȝe ssolle fiȝte & wuch is hor manere
Alein erl of brutaine aȝen ȝou iarmed is
Of falsnesse & of tricherie in þe world is per nis
Þe erl of meles is al so þat fol is of luþerhede
Maister he is to bi traye is word is al falshede
In word he is god inou & coward in dede
Slou to fiȝte & quic to fle & þat nis no manhede
Þe erl hue comþ ek aȝen ȝou þat fals is & vorsuore
Þat luþer trichour aþ ibe suþþe he was ybore
Þe erl symond of hamtone com aȝen ȝou al so
Þat muche wole segge & bihote & lute þer to do
Þe erl of amarle comþ ek & þe kinges kniȝtes þer to
Þat robbeors beþ & manquellers & vorsuore al so
Nou ȝe stalwarde kniȝtes þat þe king henry vp broȝte
& honourede & þes king vondeþ bringe to noȝte
Vor ich was þe kinges sone þou wost wel of þis londe
Vor þi prowesse ne worþ it noȝt vor kniȝtes her beþ some
Þat mid oþer prowesse of kniȝtes nere neuere ouercome
Ac an oþer reson wel ver meueþ more me þer to
Þat þe king aȝen þat oþ þat he adde mi soster ydo
Mid vnriȝt halt þis kinedom & destourbeþ þat lond ywis
& of monie þousend monnes deþe encheson he is
He binimþ men hor riȝtes & hor kunde eritages al so
& deliuereþ it oþer men þat no riȝt nabbeþ þer to
Ac o þing ich ȝou segge soþ þat þoru þe luþer weye ywis
Þat ȝe come vnneþe hider þoru non hope þer ne is
Vor to fle he is so luþer as ȝe alle iseye
Þanne ne beþ þer bote tueye weyes oþer her riȝt deye
Oþer ouercome vr fon as we ssolle & bringe hom þer doune
Make we þanne mid vr suerdes vr wey to þe toune
Vor min herte seiþ þus to soþe þat we worþe maisters here
Vor as muche as we ne mowe fle in none manere
662
Wanne me mote oþer day vor non oþer wey þer nis
Ac nimeþ atte biginninge among alle oþere gome here
Aȝen wat men ȝe ssolle fiȝte & wuch is hor manere
Alein erl of brutaine aȝen ȝou iarmed is
Of falsnesse & of tricherie in þe world is per nis
Þe erl of meles is al so þat fol is of luþerhede
Maister he is to bi traye is word is al falshede
In word he is god inou & coward in dede
Slou to fiȝte & quic to fle & þat nis no manhede
Þe erl hue comþ ek aȝen ȝou þat fals is & vorsuore
Þat luþer trichour aþ ibe suþþe he was ybore
Þe erl symond of hamtone com aȝen ȝou al so
Þat muche wole segge & bihote & lute þer to do
Þe erl of amarle comþ ek & þe kinges kniȝtes þer to
Þat robbeors beþ & manquellers & vorsuore al so
Nou ȝe stalwarde kniȝtes þat þe king henry vp broȝte
& honourede & þes king vondeþ bringe to noȝte
Ȝoure herten hebbeþ vp & ȝoure stronge miȝte
Hopieþ al on god & eke on ȝoure riȝte
& nimeþ þe wreche of ȝoure fon þat vr louerd ȝou bed nouþe
Þat ȝoure dede mowe be couþ bi norþe & bi souþe
Þat it be onour to ȝou & to ȝoure eirs al so
& ȝif ȝe abbeþ herte god þis noble dede to do
Hopieþ al on god & eke on ȝoure riȝte
663
Þat ȝoure dede mowe be couþ bi norþe & bi souþe
Þat it be onour to ȝou & to ȝoure eirs al so
& ȝif ȝe abbeþ herte god þis noble dede to do
Ȝoure riȝt honden holdeþ vp to god & ȝoure þoȝt
& bihoteþ him to be stable & þat ȝe ne fleþ noȝt
Hor honden hii helde vp alle þo & bihete god to be
Trywe & stable in bataile & neuere vor to fle
Þe king steuene aȝen þis dede to holi chirche drou
& is masse hurde verst mid deuocion inou
Þe bjssop of lincolne is masse song þo
& at tyme as he wolde to offringe go
& is taper þat he offrede in þe bissopes hond do
Bodiinge as it were þe taper berst a tuo
Þe box þat heng ek ouer þe weued Mid godes fless & is blod
Þe streng brac & he vel adoun such signe nas noȝt god
Me Iuggede wat it ssolde be to tokni þis cas
Þat þe king ssolde be ouercome & al so it was
Þe king after masse wende toward þe batayle sone
He ordeinede is folc & is ost as he þoȝte to done
Þo bed he on sire baldewine þat folc ariȝt rede
Vor he spec wel & couþe al so & he þes wordes sede
Louerdinges jȝe wute wel þat wo so wole do such þing
Þre þinges he mot bi se atte biginning
Verst þe riȝte of is cause & suþþe þe nombre al so
Of is men & suþþe þenche hor prowesse þer to
Riȝt of men þat peril of þe soule me ne se
Þe noumbre þat vor defaute hor fon aboue ne be
Of prowesse me mot take gome þat me bineþe ne go
Vor pur meseise & vor hope þat þer beþ mo
Þes þre þinges beþ mid vs vor þe riȝte al oure is
Wanne we abbeþ isuore holde oþes to þe king ywis
Riȝt is aȝen is vorsuorene þat we wiþ him gon
Vr noumbre is ek of oure men as muche as vor vr fon
Þe prowesse of þis noblemen wo miȝte telle mid mouþe
Þat in armes iproued beþ binorþe & bisouþe
Þe prowesse verst of oure king is as wiþoute ende
Vor setteþ him one hardeliche aȝen an hondred to wende
& wanne vr lige louerd þat yeled is
& ismered to ihesu crist þat such bodi non nis
Is here amidde us alle to susteini is riȝte
Muche þonc were it vs of god mid him vorto fiȝte
We trewe & in soþnesse aȝen hom þat false beþ
Aȝen wat men ȝe ssolle viȝte wel ȝe seþ
Of þe erl roberd of gloucestre ȝe ne dorre noþing drede
Mid word he þretneþ muche & lute deþ in dede
Is mouþ is as a leon is herte arn as an hare
Al so of þe erl of chastre ȝe ne dorre abbe no care
Fol hardi he is inou ac al wiþoute rede
Hastif wiþoute proveance oþer wisdom in dede
Vorþ he wole as him þincþ ac mid lute manhede
Is brayn & wit is so feble þat þer nis of him no drede
Vor wat he aþ Manliche bigonne he it aþ bileued
Wommanliche as vor defaute of wit in his heued
Of þe welsse þat mid him beþ ne dorre ȝe noȝt drede
Vor fol hastif hii beþ ek inou & al so wiþoute rede
Lepe hii conne as naked men no dunt bileueþ wiþoute
We ssolle as so monye ssep to driue al þe route
Oþer kniȝtes þat þer beþ lute beþ worþ ywis
Vor euere þe mo þer beþ of hom þe betere to vs it is
Nou ȝe noble kniȝtes of wat ȝe abbeþ ido
Of prowesse vnderstondeþ & of ȝoure elderne al so
Cuþeþ to day ȝoure manhede þat it mowe wende
To ȝou & to ȝoure children to honour wiþouten ende
Þe wone & hus þat ȝe abbeþ euere ibe aboue
Þat aȝte make ȝou abbe to fiȝte þe betere loue
& þat ȝoure fon abbeþ euere bineþe ybe
Þat ssal him bringe sone in wille vor to fle
Ichot inam noȝt bigabbed þat it ne of þincþ hom bi þis
Wel sore þat hii here com vor hii biþencheþ hom iwis
Hou hii miȝte best fle ȝif hii wuste in wuche side
Ac wanne hii nute ware fle ne hii ne dorre abide
Wat miȝte hii þanne more do bote ȝelde hom al stille
& hor ors & hor armes beþ & hom sulue at oure wille
Þanne ȝe noblemen anhansieþ ȝoure þoȝt
& auongeþ nouþe godes grace þat god ȝou aþ ibroȝt
He ne miȝte of is reson noȝt come to þe laste
Þat hor fon toward hom ne come prikie vaste
Þe erþe dunede vnder hom vor stapes þat harde were
Þe hors neyde & lepte þat it was gret fere
Þe bataile gon strong inou þe deserites gonne chese
Raþer þan to lese hor lond hor lif þere to lese
Hii pulte hom vorþ biuore þe oþere as godemen & aȝte
Hii asailede þe verste ost & broȝte almest to naȝte
Þat þe erl alein of bruteine as chef was Inne ido
& hue þe erl of estangle & þe erl of meles al so
& þe erl of wareine ek alle þes in a stounde
& hor folc deserites broȝte iwis to grounde
In þre partie hii were to deld vor þer flowe some
& some iwonded & aslawe & some were inome
Þe secunde ost of þe kinges alf þat þe erl inne was
Of ammar & willam of ypre ne likede noȝt þis cas
To þe welsse ost hii smite & to grounde slowe vaste
& hii velle here & þere & flowe atte laste
Þe erl of chestre mid is ost þo he sey þis
Þat is walssemen eode adoun he smot vorþ iwis
& to drof hom al to noȝte þat hom adde ouercome
Vor þer slowe monion & þer flowe some
So þat þe king steuene bileuede al one þere
Mid an vewe of is men þat wel stalwarde were
To gadere hii turnde hor rugges & fouȝte vaste aboute
& ne þolede noȝt þat hor fon percede hor route
Þe oþere wende al aboute vaste wiþoute faile
As it were aboute a castel þat me wolde asaile
Duntes þer were strong inou þat þet fur out sprong
Of þe helmes al aboute & some velde among
Þer me miȝte of o body ise gret prowesse
Þe king þat so defended him as in such destresse
Þo þe erl of chastre him isei to him anon he drou
Mid al þe power þat was his & asailed him inou
Þere bigan a niwe bataile al vpe þe king one
& he him sulf wiþ vewe mo as wo seiþ aȝen echone
Tueye suerdes þe king adde þe beste of eni lond
Þe on bi is side þe oþer in is hond
Here to gronde men he slou & here he woundede al so
Atte laste þoru stronge duntes is suerd berst a tuo
He drou out is oþer sone as stalwarde kniȝt inou
Moni was þe gode body þat he þerwiþ slou
Atte laste it barst a tuo as it nede moste ywis
Sire willam de keines þo he sey þis
He sturte to & hente him bi þe suere anon
Loude he gan to grede comeþ uorþ echon
Vor þe king ichabbe anhonde ich im holde vaste
Þe folc com þikce abouten him & nom him atte laste
& sire baldewine al so þat is conseiler was þere
& sire richard le fiz ourz þat gode kniȝtes were
& alle þe oþere afterward hii slowe oþer nome
In to lincolne mid þe king atte laste hii come
Þo þis bataile was ido & hii were al out of howe
Hii sende þe king mid gode warde to þe tour of bristowe
Þere as þe emperesse was þat was is meste fo
Þere hii wuste him uaste inou & somdel in wo
Þe emperesse huld ire þo boþe king & quene
& wende aboute in þe lond & ire poer made isene
Of þe bissop of winchestre & oþer bissopes al so
As prince heo was vnderuonge & of þe londreis þer to
& so þoru out al engelond bote of þe contreye of kent
Vor sire willam of ypre was þuderward iwent
& þe quene al so þe kinges wif & oþere of þulke side
& þulke contreye hulde vaste betere vor to abide
Þo þe emperesse was in such poer ibroȝt
So luþer & prout heo was þat me ne miȝte it þolie noȝt
Heyemen heo let nime vaste & in strong prison do
Þe londreis heo dude ssame inou & monie oþere þer to
Þe king in strong yre heo het sette vaste
So þat heo wende mid poer to winchestre atte laste
& king dauid of scotlond þat was ire moder broþer
& roberd erl of gloucestere & al so moni an oþer
& þe bissopes castel bisegede þat wende be al hor owe
Wanne wimmen al maistres beþ hii beþ vuel to knowe
Þo þe godemen of þe lond hire luþerhede iseye
Hii gonne turne aȝen hire boþe lowe & heye
After sire willam of ypre & þe quene poer al so
Þe bissop sende þat hii come socour him to do
Hii come þo mid gode wille & heyemen monion
& þe londreis mid hor poer & hor ost greiþede echon
& smite þere an bataile & monie broȝte to deþe
Þe emperesse bigan to fle & of scaped vnneþe
Monye of hire godemen fleinde inome were
& þe erl roberd of gloucestre was ek inome þere
Vor ire luþerhede þe emperesse al bineþe þo was
Heo miȝte wanne heo come hom segge si haut si bas
Of þe kinges crounement as in þe sixte ȝere
Boþe as ich abbe itold þis bataile ido were
Þe erl deliuerede þo þe king & þe king him bi god oþe
Bi such vorewarde imad þat hii were deliuered boþe
Þo king steuene was deliuered he fondede is prowesse
& bihoteþ him to be stable & þat ȝe ne fleþ noȝt
Hor honden hii helde vp alle þo & bihete god to be
Trywe & stable in bataile & neuere vor to fle
Þe king steuene aȝen þis dede to holi chirche drou
& is masse hurde verst mid deuocion inou
Þe bjssop of lincolne is masse song þo
& at tyme as he wolde to offringe go
& is taper þat he offrede in þe bissopes hond do
Bodiinge as it were þe taper berst a tuo
Þe box þat heng ek ouer þe weued Mid godes fless & is blod
Þe streng brac & he vel adoun such signe nas noȝt god
Me Iuggede wat it ssolde be to tokni þis cas
Þat þe king ssolde be ouercome & al so it was
Þe king after masse wende toward þe batayle sone
He ordeinede is folc & is ost as he þoȝte to done
664
Vor he spec wel & couþe al so & he þes wordes sede
Louerdinges jȝe wute wel þat wo so wole do such þing
Þre þinges he mot bi se atte biginning
Verst þe riȝte of is cause & suþþe þe nombre al so
Of is men & suþþe þenche hor prowesse þer to
Riȝt of men þat peril of þe soule me ne se
Þe noumbre þat vor defaute hor fon aboue ne be
Of prowesse me mot take gome þat me bineþe ne go
Vor pur meseise & vor hope þat þer beþ mo
Þes þre þinges beþ mid vs vor þe riȝte al oure is
Wanne we abbeþ isuore holde oþes to þe king ywis
Riȝt is aȝen is vorsuorene þat we wiþ him gon
Vr noumbre is ek of oure men as muche as vor vr fon
Þe prowesse of þis noblemen wo miȝte telle mid mouþe
Þat in armes iproued beþ binorþe & bisouþe
Þe prowesse verst of oure king is as wiþoute ende
Vor setteþ him one hardeliche aȝen an hondred to wende
& wanne vr lige louerd þat yeled is
& ismered to ihesu crist þat such bodi non nis
665
Muche þonc were it vs of god mid him vorto fiȝte
We trewe & in soþnesse aȝen hom þat false beþ
Aȝen wat men ȝe ssolle viȝte wel ȝe seþ
Of þe erl roberd of gloucestre ȝe ne dorre noþing drede
Mid word he þretneþ muche & lute deþ in dede
Is mouþ is as a leon is herte arn as an hare
Al so of þe erl of chastre ȝe ne dorre abbe no care
Fol hardi he is inou ac al wiþoute rede
Hastif wiþoute proveance oþer wisdom in dede
Vorþ he wole as him þincþ ac mid lute manhede
Is brayn & wit is so feble þat þer nis of him no drede
Vor wat he aþ Manliche bigonne he it aþ bileued
Wommanliche as vor defaute of wit in his heued
Of þe welsse þat mid him beþ ne dorre ȝe noȝt drede
Vor fol hastif hii beþ ek inou & al so wiþoute rede
Lepe hii conne as naked men no dunt bileueþ wiþoute
We ssolle as so monye ssep to driue al þe route
666
Vor euere þe mo þer beþ of hom þe betere to vs it is
Nou ȝe noble kniȝtes of wat ȝe abbeþ ido
Of prowesse vnderstondeþ & of ȝoure elderne al so
Cuþeþ to day ȝoure manhede þat it mowe wende
To ȝou & to ȝoure children to honour wiþouten ende
Þe wone & hus þat ȝe abbeþ euere ibe aboue
Þat aȝte make ȝou abbe to fiȝte þe betere loue
& þat ȝoure fon abbeþ euere bineþe ybe
Þat ssal him bringe sone in wille vor to fle
Ichot inam noȝt bigabbed þat it ne of þincþ hom bi þis
Wel sore þat hii here com vor hii biþencheþ hom iwis
Hou hii miȝte best fle ȝif hii wuste in wuche side
Ac wanne hii nute ware fle ne hii ne dorre abide
Wat miȝte hii þanne more do bote ȝelde hom al stille
& hor ors & hor armes beþ & hom sulue at oure wille
Þanne ȝe noblemen anhansieþ ȝoure þoȝt
& auongeþ nouþe godes grace þat god ȝou aþ ibroȝt
667
Þat hor fon toward hom ne come prikie vaste
Þe erþe dunede vnder hom vor stapes þat harde were
Þe hors neyde & lepte þat it was gret fere
Þe bataile gon strong inou þe deserites gonne chese
Raþer þan to lese hor lond hor lif þere to lese
Hii pulte hom vorþ biuore þe oþere as godemen & aȝte
Hii asailede þe verste ost & broȝte almest to naȝte
Þat þe erl alein of bruteine as chef was Inne ido
& hue þe erl of estangle & þe erl of meles al so
& þe erl of wareine ek alle þes in a stounde
& hor folc deserites broȝte iwis to grounde
In þre partie hii were to deld vor þer flowe some
& some iwonded & aslawe & some were inome
Þe secunde ost of þe kinges alf þat þe erl inne was
Of ammar & willam of ypre ne likede noȝt þis cas
To þe welsse ost hii smite & to grounde slowe vaste
& hii velle here & þere & flowe atte laste
Þe erl of chestre mid is ost þo he sey þis
Þat is walssemen eode adoun he smot vorþ iwis
668
Vor þer slowe monion & þer flowe some
So þat þe king steuene bileuede al one þere
Mid an vewe of is men þat wel stalwarde were
To gadere hii turnde hor rugges & fouȝte vaste aboute
& ne þolede noȝt þat hor fon percede hor route
Þe oþere wende al aboute vaste wiþoute faile
As it were aboute a castel þat me wolde asaile
Duntes þer were strong inou þat þet fur out sprong
Of þe helmes al aboute & some velde among
Þer me miȝte of o body ise gret prowesse
Þe king þat so defended him as in such destresse
Þo þe erl of chastre him isei to him anon he drou
Mid al þe power þat was his & asailed him inou
Þere bigan a niwe bataile al vpe þe king one
& he him sulf wiþ vewe mo as wo seiþ aȝen echone
Tueye suerdes þe king adde þe beste of eni lond
Þe on bi is side þe oþer in is hond
Here to gronde men he slou & here he woundede al so
Atte laste þoru stronge duntes is suerd berst a tuo
669
Moni was þe gode body þat he þerwiþ slou
Atte laste it barst a tuo as it nede moste ywis
Sire willam de keines þo he sey þis
He sturte to & hente him bi þe suere anon
Loude he gan to grede comeþ uorþ echon
Vor þe king ichabbe anhonde ich im holde vaste
Þe folc com þikce abouten him & nom him atte laste
& sire baldewine al so þat is conseiler was þere
& sire richard le fiz ourz þat gode kniȝtes were
& alle þe oþere afterward hii slowe oþer nome
In to lincolne mid þe king atte laste hii come
Þo þis bataile was ido & hii were al out of howe
Hii sende þe king mid gode warde to þe tour of bristowe
Þere as þe emperesse was þat was is meste fo
Þere hii wuste him uaste inou & somdel in wo
Þe emperesse huld ire þo boþe king & quene
& wende aboute in þe lond & ire poer made isene
Of þe bissop of winchestre & oþer bissopes al so
As prince heo was vnderuonge & of þe londreis þer to
670
Vor sire willam of ypre was þuderward iwent
& þe quene al so þe kinges wif & oþere of þulke side
& þulke contreye hulde vaste betere vor to abide
Þo þe emperesse was in such poer ibroȝt
So luþer & prout heo was þat me ne miȝte it þolie noȝt
Heyemen heo let nime vaste & in strong prison do
Þe londreis heo dude ssame inou & monie oþere þer to
Þe king in strong yre heo het sette vaste
So þat heo wende mid poer to winchestre atte laste
& king dauid of scotlond þat was ire moder broþer
& roberd erl of gloucestere & al so moni an oþer
& þe bissopes castel bisegede þat wende be al hor owe
Wanne wimmen al maistres beþ hii beþ vuel to knowe
Þo þe godemen of þe lond hire luþerhede iseye
Hii gonne turne aȝen hire boþe lowe & heye
After sire willam of ypre & þe quene poer al so
Þe bissop sende þat hii come socour him to do
671
& þe londreis mid hor poer & hor ost greiþede echon
& smite þere an bataile & monie broȝte to deþe
Þe emperesse bigan to fle & of scaped vnneþe
Monye of hire godemen fleinde inome were
& þe erl roberd of gloucestre was ek inome þere
Vor ire luþerhede þe emperesse al bineþe þo was
Heo miȝte wanne heo come hom segge si haut si bas
Of þe kinges crounement as in þe sixte ȝere
Boþe as ich abbe itold þis bataile ido were
Þe erl deliuerede þo þe king & þe king him bi god oþe
Bi such vorewarde imad þat hii were deliuered boþe
Þo king steuene was deliuered he fondede is prowesse
Ȝif he miȝte eni time hente þe emperesse
At oxenford þe emperesse was þo in þe castel
Þe kinges poer & is ost ȝarkede þo vol wel
& wende vorþ to oxenford aboute mielmesse
& vorte midewinter ney biseged þe emperesse
So gret vorst þer com in auent þat men miȝte of agrise
Þat me miȝte boþe ride & go In temese vpe þe yse
& gret snou þer was al so þeruore an quointyse
Þe emperesse biþoȝte & dude as þe wise
Wite cloþes heo dude hire on as wo seiþ ilich þe snowe
Þat me ne ssolde hire uor þe liknesse ise ne iknowe
& vpe þe ise of temese wende vorþ & so out of oxenford
Al souþward in to þe med & so to walingford
In þe seueþe ȝer of is kinedom þe king þe castel nom
Ac þe emperesse ne fond he noȝt þo he In com
Muche robberie me dude aboute in euerich toun
& bounde men & enprisonede vor te hii finede raunson
Hii ne sparede nammore clerkes þan lewed men iwis
So þat þe bissopes vorto amendi þis
In þe eiȝteteþe ȝere of þe kinges kinedom
At londone hii hulde a parlement þat monion to com
& þe king him sulf was þerate hii amansede þo
Alle þulke þat clerkes such despit dude & wo
Þat no mon bote þe pope one hom asoyli ne miȝte
So þat me huld clerkes þer after bet to riȝte
& king stefne is luþernesse wiþ drou an ȝeres vewe
Ac ar vif ȝer þer after he bicom eft a ssrewe
Vor he wende aboute & robbede & þat lond to grounde broȝt
& þe toun of wircestre brende al to noȝte
In endleue hondred ȝer of grace & vifti ȝer al so
Wircestere was þus ibarnd and oþer harm ido
Roberd erl of gloucestere of wan we speke er
An alle halwe eue deide þulke sulue ȝer
& in þe priorie of seint iame at bristowe ibured was
King stefne was þe boldore & þe prottore uor þis cas
Ac god sende an oþer cas vor in þe nexte ȝer anon
In endleue hondred ȝer of grace and vifti and on
Deide geffre plantaginet erl of aungeo
Henri is sone and is eyr erl was imad þo
Of aungeo & duc of normandie þo was it muche is munde
To come & winne engelond uor he was next of kunde
And to helpe is moder þat was her ofte in feble chaunce
And he was aquointe muche to þe quene of fraunce
And somdel to muche as me wende so þat in som þing
Þe quene louede as me wende more him þan þe king
So þat it was uorþ ipult þat þe king and heo
So sibbe were þat hii ne miȝte leng to gadere beo
Þe kunrede iproued was so þat king lowis þere
& elianore is quene vor kunrede departed were
Some were þo glade inou as it was isene
Vor henri þe emperesse sone spousede þo þe quene
Þe quene richesse inou hadde vnder ire hond
War þoru þis henri miȝte þe bet winne engelond
Endleue hondred ȝer and fifti & tuo
After þat god an erþe com þis spousinge was ido
Þe nexte ȝer þer after henry is poer nom
& mid sixe & þritti ssipes to engelonde com
Biuore seint hillaries day and wiþ ioye inou
Aȝen him þe erl of wareine wiþ gret power drou
And in þe castel of wareine wiþ gret ioye him nom
Muche hey folk of þe lond sone to him com
As to hor kunde louerd so þat king steuene
Vor lute poer & feblesse huld him al an euene
Hii nadde iworred bote a lute þat hii acorded were
At winchestre & king steuene in þe nexte ȝere
Þer after deide sone Endleue hondred ȝer it was
Of grace & foure & fifti þat among hom vel þis cas
Ac þe croune ne leuede he noȝt þo hii acorded were
Bote þat henry þe croune after is daie bere
Vor þe acord was so imad & henri þe lasse strengþe
Made uor þat he isei is lif of lute lengþe
Nintene ȝer king steuene of þis londe was king
And þis was al þulke time in worre & striuing
At oxenford þe emperesse was þo in þe castel
Þe kinges poer & is ost ȝarkede þo vol wel
& wende vorþ to oxenford aboute mielmesse
& vorte midewinter ney biseged þe emperesse
So gret vorst þer com in auent þat men miȝte of agrise
Þat me miȝte boþe ride & go In temese vpe þe yse
672
Þe emperesse biþoȝte & dude as þe wise
Wite cloþes heo dude hire on as wo seiþ ilich þe snowe
Þat me ne ssolde hire uor þe liknesse ise ne iknowe
& vpe þe ise of temese wende vorþ & so out of oxenford
Al souþward in to þe med & so to walingford
In þe seueþe ȝer of is kinedom þe king þe castel nom
Ac þe emperesse ne fond he noȝt þo he In com
Muche robberie me dude aboute in euerich toun
& bounde men & enprisonede vor te hii finede raunson
Hii ne sparede nammore clerkes þan lewed men iwis
So þat þe bissopes vorto amendi þis
In þe eiȝteteþe ȝere of þe kinges kinedom
At londone hii hulde a parlement þat monion to com
& þe king him sulf was þerate hii amansede þo
Alle þulke þat clerkes such despit dude & wo
673
So þat me huld clerkes þer after bet to riȝte
& king stefne is luþernesse wiþ drou an ȝeres vewe
Ac ar vif ȝer þer after he bicom eft a ssrewe
Vor he wende aboute & robbede & þat lond to grounde broȝt
& þe toun of wircestre brende al to noȝte
In endleue hondred ȝer of grace & vifti ȝer al so
Wircestere was þus ibarnd and oþer harm ido
Roberd erl of gloucestere of wan we speke er
An alle halwe eue deide þulke sulue ȝer
& in þe priorie of seint iame at bristowe ibured was
King stefne was þe boldore & þe prottore uor þis cas
Ac god sende an oþer cas vor in þe nexte ȝer anon
In endleue hondred ȝer of grace and vifti and on
Deide geffre plantaginet erl of aungeo
Henri is sone and is eyr erl was imad þo
Of aungeo & duc of normandie þo was it muche is munde
To come & winne engelond uor he was next of kunde
674
And he was aquointe muche to þe quene of fraunce
And somdel to muche as me wende so þat in som þing
Þe quene louede as me wende more him þan þe king
So þat it was uorþ ipult þat þe king and heo
So sibbe were þat hii ne miȝte leng to gadere beo
Þe kunrede iproued was so þat king lowis þere
& elianore is quene vor kunrede departed were
Some were þo glade inou as it was isene
Vor henri þe emperesse sone spousede þo þe quene
Þe quene richesse inou hadde vnder ire hond
War þoru þis henri miȝte þe bet winne engelond
Endleue hondred ȝer and fifti & tuo
After þat god an erþe com þis spousinge was ido
Þe nexte ȝer þer after henry is poer nom
& mid sixe & þritti ssipes to engelonde com
Biuore seint hillaries day and wiþ ioye inou
Aȝen him þe erl of wareine wiþ gret power drou
And in þe castel of wareine wiþ gret ioye him nom
Muche hey folk of þe lond sone to him com
As to hor kunde louerd so þat king steuene
Vor lute poer & feblesse huld him al an euene
675
At winchestre & king steuene in þe nexte ȝere
Þer after deide sone Endleue hondred ȝer it was
Of grace & foure & fifti þat among hom vel þis cas
Ac þe croune ne leuede he noȝt þo hii acorded were
Bote þat henry þe croune after is daie bere
Vor þe acord was so imad & henri þe lasse strengþe
Made uor þat he isei is lif of lute lengþe
Nintene ȝer king steuene of þis londe was king
And þis was al þulke time in worre & striuing
[H]enri þe emperesse sone þo king stefne ded lay
At westmunstre let him crouny king þe nexte soneday
Biuore midewinter day wiþ nobleye ynou
& þe heyemen of þis lond vaste aboute him drou
Þo wende he mid gret poer aboute here & þere
& nom castles & tounes þat his mid riȝte were
Castles þat were nywe ymad he broȝte alle to grounde
& out of londe drof is fon wan he eny founde
& nameliche hom of flaundres vor hii were mest is fon
Henri is eldoste sone ibore was þo anon
Þe laste day of feuerer ac endleue hundred ȝer
& fiue & fifti vr louerd an erþe aliȝte her
At londone he was ibore ac an eldore broþer þer was
Willam þat deide sone as god ȝef þat cas
Mold was after henry & suþþe þe gode kniȝt
King richard þat ibore was in septembre riȝt
Geffray þo & suþþe Ion & elianore last
Þat to þe king de chastles was suþþe ispoused vast
& to þe king of sesonie mold ispoused was
Þis was lo a uair tour ac newe hadde god cas
Þe king let henri is sone as god ȝef þe cheaunce
Lowis doȝter spousi þat was king of fraunce
King henri wondede muche to abbe men in offis
Mid him þat of conseil were god & wis
Ercedekne of kanterbury sein tomas þo was
Þe king him made is chaunceler at is wille it nout nas
To him þe king truste mest ne þer nas non so hey
Þat so muche wuste is priuite ne þat him were so ney
So muche he truste on him þat in is warde he let do
Henri is eldoste sone & is eir al so
At westmunstre let him crouny king þe nexte soneday
Biuore midewinter day wiþ nobleye ynou
& þe heyemen of þis lond vaste aboute him drou
Þo wende he mid gret poer aboute here & þere
& nom castles & tounes þat his mid riȝte were
Castles þat were nywe ymad he broȝte alle to grounde
& out of londe drof is fon wan he eny founde
& nameliche hom of flaundres vor hii were mest is fon
Henri is eldoste sone ibore was þo anon
676
& fiue & fifti vr louerd an erþe aliȝte her
At londone he was ibore ac an eldore broþer þer was
Willam þat deide sone as god ȝef þat cas
Mold was after henry & suþþe þe gode kniȝt
King richard þat ibore was in septembre riȝt
Geffray þo & suþþe Ion & elianore last
Þat to þe king de chastles was suþþe ispoused vast
& to þe king of sesonie mold ispoused was
Þis was lo a uair tour ac newe hadde god cas
Þe king let henri is sone as god ȝef þe cheaunce
Lowis doȝter spousi þat was king of fraunce
King henri wondede muche to abbe men in offis
Mid him þat of conseil were god & wis
Ercedekne of kanterbury sein tomas þo was
Þe king him made is chaunceler at is wille it nout nas
To him þe king truste mest ne þer nas non so hey
Þat so muche wuste is priuite ne þat him were so ney
So muche he truste on him þat in is warde he let do
Henri is eldoste sone & is eir al so
677
henricus
Þat he were his wardein & al is ordeinourTo is wille to wissi him & to þe kinges honour
Þe king wende to normandie to soiorni þere
& mid sein tomas dude is sone þat he is wardein were
Þo tebaud þe erchebissop suþþe ded was
Þe king & monekes ek chose seint tomas
Þo he was erchebissop he huld ȝut in is hond
Þat child uort þat þe king come in to engelond
Þe child louede him inou more nas neuere iseye
Ne he nadde of no man more loue ne eye
Þo þe king to londe com sein tomas nom is sone
& vel vawe aȝen him wende to souþhamtone
Þer was ioye & blisse inou þo hii to gadere come
Hii custe hom & bi clupte & herede god ilome
It was enleue hundred ȝer & sixti & tuo
Of grace þat sein tomas was erchebissop þo
Þe nexte ȝer þer after as it wolde be
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & sixti & þre
He halwede as þe king him bed þe churche of redinge
Þat verst ifounded was þoru henri þe oþer kinge
He ssrinede þulke sulue ȝer seint edward iwis
Þat was king of engelond at westmunstre þat is
Þe king ȝef þulke sulue ȝer henri is sone aungeo
Tours & al normandie & richard is sone al so
678
King lowis of france þeruore wiþoute outrage
Geffray is sone he made erl of brutaine al so
Þe wule is children ȝonge were al þis was ido
Noman ne miȝte þenche þe loue þat þer was
Bituene þe king henri & þe gode man sein tomas
Þe deuel adde enuie þer to & sed bituene hom seu
Alas alas þulke stounde vor al to wel it greu
Vor þer adde er ibe kinges of luþer dede
As willam bastard & is sone willam þe rede
Þat luþer lawes made ynou & helde in to al þe lond
Þe king nolde nouȝt bileue þe lawes þat he fond
Thomas
Ne þat is elderne hulde ne þe godeman sein tomas
Þouȝte þat þing aȝe riȝte neuere lawe nas
Ne soþnesse ac costume mid strengþe vp iholde
& he wuste þat vr louerd in þe gospel tolde
Þat he him sulf was soþnesse & costume nout
Þeruore luþer costumes he nolde graunti nouȝt
Ne þe king nolde bileue þat is elderne adde iholde
So þat contek sprong bituene hom mani volde
Þe king drou to riȝte lawe mani luþer costome
Sein tomas hom wiþsede & grantede some
Þe lawes þat icholle nou telle he grauntede vawe
Þouȝte þat þing aȝe riȝte neuere lawe nas
Ne soþnesse ac costume mid strengþe vp iholde
& he wuste þat vr louerd in þe gospel tolde
Þat he him sulf was soþnesse & costume nout
Þeruore luþer costumes he nolde graunti nouȝt
Ne þe king nolde bileue þat is elderne adde iholde
So þat contek sprong bituene hom mani volde
Þe king drou to riȝte lawe mani luþer costome
Sein tomas hom wiþsede & grantede some
Þe lawes þat icholle nou telle he grauntede vawe
Ȝuf a þuman haþ a sone to clergie idrawe
He ne ssal wiþoute is louerdes [wille] icrouned nouȝt be
Vor þuman ne may nouȝt be imad aȝen is louerdes wille fre
Anoþer þing he grauntede ek as ȝe mowe nou ise
679
Vor þuman ne may nouȝt be imad aȝen is louerdes wille fre
Anoþer þing he grauntede ek as ȝe mowe nou ise
Ȝuf a man of holichirche halt eni lay fe
Person oþer wat he be he ssal do þeruore
Kinges seruise þat þer valþ þat is riȝte ne be uorlore
In playdinge & in asise be & in Iugement also
Bote war man ssal be bilemed oþer to deþe ido
He grantede ek ȝuf eni man þe kinges traytour were
& eni man of is chateus to holi churche bere
Þat holi churche ne ssolde nouȝt þe chateus þere lette
Þat þe king þere oþer is as is owene is ne vette
Vor al þat þe felon haþ þe kinges it is
& ech man mai in holi churche is owene take ywis
He grantede ek þat a churche of þe kinges fe
In none stede ene & euere ne ssolde iȝiue be
As to hous of religion wiþoute þe kinges leue
& þat he oþer þe patron þe ȝifte verst ȝeue
Seint tomas grantede wel þes & oþer mo
Ac þis oþere he wiþsede þat dude him wel wo
Person oþer wat he be he ssal do þeruore
Kinges seruise þat þer valþ þat is riȝte ne be uorlore
In playdinge & in asise be & in Iugement also
Bote war man ssal be bilemed oþer to deþe ido
He grantede ek ȝuf eni man þe kinges traytour were
& eni man of is chateus to holi churche bere
Þat holi churche ne ssolde nouȝt þe chateus þere lette
Þat þe king þere oþer is as is owene is ne vette
Vor al þat þe felon haþ þe kinges it is
& ech man mai in holi churche is owene take ywis
He grantede ek þat a churche of þe kinges fe
In none stede ene & euere ne ssolde iȝiue be
As to hous of religion wiþoute þe kinges leue
& þat he oþer þe patron þe ȝifte verst ȝeue
Seint tomas grantede wel þes & oþer mo
Ac þis oþere he wiþsede þat dude him wel wo
Ȝuf bituene tueie lewedemen were eni striuing
Oþer bituene a lewede & a clerc vor holichurche þing
As vor voweson of churche weþer ssolde þe churche ȝiue
Þe king wolde þat in is court þe ple ssolde be driue
Oþer bituene a lewede & a clerc vor holichurche þing
680
Þe king wolde þat in is court þe ple ssolde be driue
Thomas
Vor as muche as a lewed man þat þe o partie was
Clanliche was vnder þe king & vnder no bissop nas
An oþer was þat no bissop ne clerc naþemo
Ne ssolde wiþoute kinges leue out of þis lond go
& þanne hii ssolde suerie vpe þe bok ywis
Þat hii ne ssolde purchasy non uvel þe king ne non of his
Þe þridde was ȝuf eni man in mansinge were ibrouȝt
& suþþe come to amendement ne aȝe riȝte nere noȝt
Þat he ne suore nouȝt upe þe boc ac borewes finde ssolde
To stonde to þat holichirche þer of him loky wolde
Þe verþe was þat no man þat of þe kinge hulde ouȝt
In chef oþer in eni seruise in mansinge nere ibroȝt
Bote þe wardeins of holichirche þat broȝte him þer to
Þe king sede oþer is bailifs wat he adde misdo
& lokede verst wer hii wolde to amendement it bringe
& bote hii wolde bi hor leue do þe mansinge
Þe vifte was þat bissopriches & abbeies al so
Þat vacauns were of prelas in þe kinges hond were ido
& þat þe king ssolde al þe lond as is owe take
Vort atte laste þat him luste eni prelat þer make
& þanne þulke prelat ssolde in is chapele ichose be
Of is clerkes wuche he wolde to such prelat bi se
& þanne wan he were ichose in is chapele riȝt þere
Homage he ssolde him do ar he confermed were
Þe sixte was ȝuf eni play to chapitle were idrawe
& eni man made is apel ȝuf me dude him vnlawe
Þat to þe bissop fram ercedekne is apel ssolde make
& fram bissop to erchebissop & suþþe non herre take
& bote þe erchebissopes court to riȝte him wolde bringe
Þat he ssolde fram him bi clupe biuore þe kinge
& fram þe king non herre mo so þat atten ende
Plaininge of holi churche to þe king ssolde wende
& þe king amendi ssolde þe erchebissopes dede
& be as in þe popes stude ac sein tomas it wiþsede
Þe seueþe was þat plaidinge þat of dette were
To ȝelde wel þoru treuþe ipliȝt & nouȝt iholde nere
Al þei þoru treuþe it were þat ple ssolde be ibroȝt
Biuore þe king & is bailifs & to holi churche noȝt
Þe eiȝteþe was þat in þe londe citacion non nere
Þoru bulle of þe pope of rome ac clene bileued were
Þe niþe was þat peires panes þat me gadereþ manion
Þe pope nere nouȝt on isend ac þe king echon
Þe teþe was ȝuf eni clerc as felon were itake
& vor felon iproued & ne miȝte it noȝt uorsake
Þat me ssolde him uerst desordeini & suþþe þoru pur lawe
& þoru Iugement of þe lond honge him oþer to drawe
Vor þes & vor oþer mo þe godemon seint tomas
Fleu verst out of engelond & suþþe ymartred was
Vor he sei þer nas bote o wey oþer he moste stif be
Oþer holi churche was issent þat mid riȝte was so fre
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & foure & sixti þerto
It was þat sein tomas of londe wende so
Þe nexte ȝer þer after þe amperesse mold
Wende out of þis liue as þe boc aþ itold
Þe king let crouni to kinge an vif ȝer after þis
Henri is eldoste sone at westmunstre ywis
As endleue hundred ȝer of grace & sixti & tene
& sixtene ȝer he was old þo he was icrouned ich wene
Þe erchebissop of euerwik & þe bissop of londone
& of salesbury him crounede aȝen riȝt & wone
Vor þe erchebissop of canterburi mid riȝte it ssolde do
Þo sein tomas it wuste gret deol he nom him to
Þat þe churche of kanterbury in such vnriȝt was ibroȝt
He nolde vor to þolie deþ leng þolie it noȝt
He drou him toward engelond to is martirdom
As godes kniȝt he bigan þo he hider com
He amansede alle þulke þat such vnriȝt adde ido
To þe churche of canterbury & þe king icrouned so
Þe þre bissopes wroþe were & nome hom to rede
& wende vorþ to normandie & þe olde king it sede
Þe king was nei vor wraþþe wod & sede ȝuf þat he
Amanseþ alle þulke men þanne amanseþ he me
He acorsede alle þulke men þat he adde uorþ ibrouȝt
Þat of an false preste ne abbe eke him nouȝt
Þat word he sede ofte in hastinesse ywis
Foure of þe deueles limes is kniȝtes hurde þis
Sire Reinaud le fiȝ ours sire roger brut al so
Sire hue de moruile sir willam traci þer to
Hii nome hom to rede & uor to paye is wille
Wende uorþ to engelond hasteliche & stille
Þo þe king com to is mete & is kniȝtes mid him were
He bihuld & nuste þulke foure þere
Is herte him ȝef anon wuderward hii wende
In anguisse & sor ynou after hom he sende
Toward þe se hasteliche þat hii come aȝe
Ar þe messager come hii were in þe se
Hii wende hom vorþ to kanterburi & in þe churche riȝt
Hii martreden sein tomas an tiwesday at niȝt
Þis godeman sat adoun akne & is heued buyede adoun
& wel softe as some hurde sede þis orison
God & seinte marie & sein denis al so
& alle þe avowes of þis churche in was ore ich am ido
Ich bitake min soule & holi churche riȝte
Clanliche was vnder þe king & vnder no bissop nas
An oþer was þat no bissop ne clerc naþemo
Ne ssolde wiþoute kinges leue out of þis lond go
& þanne hii ssolde suerie vpe þe bok ywis
Þat hii ne ssolde purchasy non uvel þe king ne non of his
Þe þridde was ȝuf eni man in mansinge were ibrouȝt
& suþþe come to amendement ne aȝe riȝte nere noȝt
Þat he ne suore nouȝt upe þe boc ac borewes finde ssolde
To stonde to þat holichirche þer of him loky wolde
Þe verþe was þat no man þat of þe kinge hulde ouȝt
In chef oþer in eni seruise in mansinge nere ibroȝt
Bote þe wardeins of holichirche þat broȝte him þer to
Þe king sede oþer is bailifs wat he adde misdo
681
& bote hii wolde bi hor leue do þe mansinge
Þe vifte was þat bissopriches & abbeies al so
Þat vacauns were of prelas in þe kinges hond were ido
& þat þe king ssolde al þe lond as is owe take
Vort atte laste þat him luste eni prelat þer make
& þanne þulke prelat ssolde in is chapele ichose be
Of is clerkes wuche he wolde to such prelat bi se
& þanne wan he were ichose in is chapele riȝt þere
Homage he ssolde him do ar he confermed were
Þe sixte was ȝuf eni play to chapitle were idrawe
& eni man made is apel ȝuf me dude him vnlawe
Þat to þe bissop fram ercedekne is apel ssolde make
& fram bissop to erchebissop & suþþe non herre take
& bote þe erchebissopes court to riȝte him wolde bringe
Þat he ssolde fram him bi clupe biuore þe kinge
& fram þe king non herre mo so þat atten ende
Plaininge of holi churche to þe king ssolde wende
& þe king amendi ssolde þe erchebissopes dede
& be as in þe popes stude ac sein tomas it wiþsede
682
To ȝelde wel þoru treuþe ipliȝt & nouȝt iholde nere
Al þei þoru treuþe it were þat ple ssolde be ibroȝt
Biuore þe king & is bailifs & to holi churche noȝt
Þe eiȝteþe was þat in þe londe citacion non nere
Þoru bulle of þe pope of rome ac clene bileued were
Þe niþe was þat peires panes þat me gadereþ manion
Þe pope nere nouȝt on isend ac þe king echon
Þe teþe was ȝuf eni clerc as felon were itake
& vor felon iproued & ne miȝte it noȝt uorsake
Þat me ssolde him uerst desordeini & suþþe þoru pur lawe
& þoru Iugement of þe lond honge him oþer to drawe
Vor þes & vor oþer mo þe godemon seint tomas
Fleu verst out of engelond & suþþe ymartred was
Vor he sei þer nas bote o wey oþer he moste stif be
Oþer holi churche was issent þat mid riȝte was so fre
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & foure & sixti þerto
It was þat sein tomas of londe wende so
683
Wende out of þis liue as þe boc aþ itold
Þe king let crouni to kinge an vif ȝer after þis
Henri is eldoste sone at westmunstre ywis
As endleue hundred ȝer of grace & sixti & tene
& sixtene ȝer he was old þo he was icrouned ich wene
Þe erchebissop of euerwik & þe bissop of londone
& of salesbury him crounede aȝen riȝt & wone
Vor þe erchebissop of canterburi mid riȝte it ssolde do
Þo sein tomas it wuste gret deol he nom him to
Þat þe churche of kanterbury in such vnriȝt was ibroȝt
He nolde vor to þolie deþ leng þolie it noȝt
He drou him toward engelond to is martirdom
As godes kniȝt he bigan þo he hider com
He amansede alle þulke þat such vnriȝt adde ido
To þe churche of canterbury & þe king icrouned so
Þe þre bissopes wroþe were & nome hom to rede
& wende vorþ to normandie & þe olde king it sede
Þe king was nei vor wraþþe wod & sede ȝuf þat he
Amanseþ alle þulke men þanne amanseþ he me
684
Þat of an false preste ne abbe eke him nouȝt
Þat word he sede ofte in hastinesse ywis
Foure of þe deueles limes is kniȝtes hurde þis
Sire Reinaud le fiȝ ours sire roger brut al so
Sire hue de moruile sir willam traci þer to
Hii nome hom to rede & uor to paye is wille
Wende uorþ to engelond hasteliche & stille
Þo þe king com to is mete & is kniȝtes mid him were
He bihuld & nuste þulke foure þere
Is herte him ȝef anon wuderward hii wende
In anguisse & sor ynou after hom he sende
Toward þe se hasteliche þat hii come aȝe
Ar þe messager come hii were in þe se
Hii wende hom vorþ to kanterburi & in þe churche riȝt
Hii martreden sein tomas an tiwesday at niȝt
Þis godeman sat adoun akne & is heued buyede adoun
& wel softe as some hurde sede þis orison
God & seinte marie & sein denis al so
& alle þe avowes of þis churche in was ore ich am ido
Ich bitake min soule & holi churche riȝte
Ȝut he bed vor holi churche þo he nadde oþer miȝte
Sir reinaud le fiȝ ours mest ssrewe of echon
Vor to smite þis holi man is suerd drou anon
Ac edward grim þat was is clerc of grantebrugge ibore
To helpe is louerd ȝuf he miȝte pulte is arm biuore
He wounde is arm suiþe sore þut blod orn adoun
Mid þulke dunt ek he smot sein tomas vpe þe croun
Þat þut blod orn bi is face in þe riȝt half of þe wounde
Loude gradde þe luþer kniȝt smiteþ alle to grounde
In þulke sulue wounde an oþer him smot þo
Þat he abuyde is face adoun vort þer come mo
Þe þridde in þulke sulue stede þer after smot anon
& made him aloute al adoun is face vpe on þe ston
In þulke stede þe verþe smot þat þe oþere adde er ydo
& þe point of is suerd brec in þe marbreston a tuo
Sir reinaud le fiȝ ours mest ssrewe of echon
Vor to smite þis holi man is suerd drou anon
685
To helpe is louerd ȝuf he miȝte pulte is arm biuore
He wounde is arm suiþe sore þut blod orn adoun
Mid þulke dunt ek he smot sein tomas vpe þe croun
Þat þut blod orn bi is face in þe riȝt half of þe wounde
Loude gradde þe luþer kniȝt smiteþ alle to grounde
In þulke sulue wounde an oþer him smot þo
Þat he abuyde is face adoun vort þer come mo
Þe þridde in þulke sulue stede þer after smot anon
& made him aloute al adoun is face vpe on þe ston
In þulke stede þe verþe smot þat þe oþere adde er ydo
& þe point of is suerd brec in þe marbreston a tuo
Ȝut þulke point at canterbury þe monekes lateþ wite
Vor honour of þe holi man þat þerwiþ was ismite
Wiþ þulke stroc he smot al of þe scolle & ek þe croune
Þat þe brain orn al abrod in þe pauiment þer doune
Þo þis holi man imartred was þe kniȝtes gradde echon
Þis traitor is to deþe ibroȝt wende we henne anon
Syweþ vs þe kinges men & alle þat mid him beþ
Of þis traitor we beþ awreke as ȝe nou iseþ
He þouȝte be herre þan þe king & binime him is croune
& to nouȝte bringe al engelond & nou he liþ þer doune
In endleue hundred ȝer of grace þis godeman sein tomas
& sixti & endleuene þus imartred was
Þo þe king it wuste he made deol ynou
So þat vor anguisse nei him sulue he slou
In þe castel of argentein vourty dawes he was
In a chaumbre al one wiþoute eni solas
In wop & sorwe & deol inou & confort non him nas
Ac euere on þe holiman criede sein tomas
So þat tueie cardinals þe pope him sende iwis
& hii him asoilede of þat was ido amis
& he vndude þe luþer lawes & grauntede alle þe gode
Þat sein tomas esste as hii vnderstode
Of forest & of oþer þing þat is elderne nome amis
He vndude & þer to is chartre made iwis
Ac after is daye iholde febliche it was
Of king Ion & of oþere & naþeles þer nas
Non of hom þat some time Mid wille þei it nere
Ne grauntede & confermede it þei it lute wurþ were
Vor mani is þe gode bodi þat aslawe is þeruore
To betere ende god it bringe þat vor vs was ibore
After sein tomas deþe aboute an ȝeres to
Þer sprong contek suiþe strong þei it luþer were ido
Bituene king henri þe olde & þe ȝonge mid wou
Vor þe sone aros aȝe þe fader & dude him ssame ynou
Þoru þe king of france was doȝter was is wif
Vor þoru a vowe of him þe sone bigan þat strif
Vor þe king of fraunce & þe erl of flaundres þer to
& sir roberd erl of leicestre & sire hue bigod al so
& þe king of scotlond ek & manie oþer kniȝt
Wiþ þe sone aȝe fader hulde wiþ vnriȝt
Hii destruede & robbede þe fader londes mid wou
Þe fader was in normandie & deol made ynou
He huld it al wreche of god vor sein tomas martirdom
& naþeles wiþ gret poer to engelond he com
Þe erl willam of gloucestere huld mid him vaste
& mani oþer trewe kniȝt so þat atte laste
Ac þe olde king at canterbury mid gode herte & wille
Hurde is masse of sein tomas & cride him merci stille
Is ost & is sone ost þe wule masse ilaste
Smite an stronge bataile so þat attelaste
Þoru grace of sein tomas is men ouercome
Hor fon & þe king of scotlonde nome
& sir hue bigod ek & þe erl of leicetre
Inome was þoru willam erl of gloucestre
Manion þer was aslawe so þat þis uair cas
Þe king it þonkede eueridel þe godeman sein tomas
So þat þe fader & þe sone acorded were þo
Ac þe sones herte aȝe þe fader was euermo
& þe breþeren hulde al so aȝen hor fader vaste
Vorte þe ȝonge king henri deide attelaste
A sein barnabes day & as it wolde be
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & eiȝteti & þre
In normandye he deyde & þulke ȝer al so
Seint egwine at euesham in ssrine was verst ido
Glastingburi was þer after and to ȝer ibroȝt to grounde
Vorbarnd & of king arþure þe bones uerst ifounde
Þe king after is sone deþ þe croune aȝen nom
& in contek muchedel huld þe kinedom
Vor vnkundede of is sones muche to harm him com
& sunne vor he leuede muche in hordom
& huld vnder þe quene rosemounde ywis
Þat so vair womman was & at godestowe ibured is
A bourgeis at bristowe Roberd Harding
Vor gret tresour & richesse so wel was mid þe king
Þat he ȝef him & is eirs þe noble baronie
Þat so riche is of berkele mid al þe seignorie
& þulke roberd harding arerde suþþe ywis
Þe abbeye at bristowe þat of seint austin is
In þe holi londe þo gret worre þer sprong
Bituene cristine & heþene & bataile suiþe strong
Þe king of ierusalem sir guy was þer inome
& þe patriarc aslawe & þe cristine ouercome
Þe heþene king saladin mid poer gret inou
Wende aboute in sirie & cristine vaste slou
& hii þat were of ierusalem gret raunson him ȝeue
In þraldom as vnder him þere to bileue
& saladin nom þe holi croys & to heþenesse it ber
& let witie þe sepulcre þat no cristine ne com þer
So þat cristendom þere ibrouȝt to naȝte was
& þer was þoru al cristendom gret deol þoru þat cas
Heþacli þe patriarc fram ierusalem þo drou
& com here in to engelond mid deol & sorwe inou
& bisouȝte þe king oþer is sones þat som þe warde toke
To be king of ierusalem & hii it alle vorsoke
& naþeles hii croicede hom þuder vor to wende
Þe king & richard is sone & manion in ech ende
& þe emperour freþeric & freþeric is sone al so
& king filip of fraunce & mani bissop þer to
Ac hii sende þuder muche folc & hom sulue nolde wende
Þerwiþ nas noȝt god ipaid oþer þing he gan hom sende
& worre hom bituene vor þe king of fraunce
Cudde vpe þe king of engelond gret destourbance
& richard þe kinges sone þat so god kniȝt was
Aȝen is fader turnde to þe king of france alas
& dude him omage anon alas alas þe stounde
& fondede mid worre to bringe is fader to grounde
Þe olde man in normandie worrede aȝen hom vaste
& slou & barnde vp is fon þe wule is lif ilaste
Vor honour of þe holi man þat þerwiþ was ismite
Wiþ þulke stroc he smot al of þe scolle & ek þe croune
Þat þe brain orn al abrod in þe pauiment þer doune
Þo þis holi man imartred was þe kniȝtes gradde echon
Þis traitor is to deþe ibroȝt wende we henne anon
Syweþ vs þe kinges men & alle þat mid him beþ
Of þis traitor we beþ awreke as ȝe nou iseþ
He þouȝte be herre þan þe king & binime him is croune
& to nouȝte bringe al engelond & nou he liþ þer doune
In endleue hundred ȝer of grace þis godeman sein tomas
& sixti & endleuene þus imartred was
686
So þat vor anguisse nei him sulue he slou
In þe castel of argentein vourty dawes he was
In a chaumbre al one wiþoute eni solas
In wop & sorwe & deol inou & confort non him nas
Ac euere on þe holiman criede sein tomas
So þat tueie cardinals þe pope him sende iwis
& hii him asoilede of þat was ido amis
& he vndude þe luþer lawes & grauntede alle þe gode
Þat sein tomas esste as hii vnderstode
Of forest & of oþer þing þat is elderne nome amis
He vndude & þer to is chartre made iwis
Ac after is daye iholde febliche it was
Of king Ion & of oþere & naþeles þer nas
Non of hom þat some time Mid wille þei it nere
Ne grauntede & confermede it þei it lute wurþ were
Vor mani is þe gode bodi þat aslawe is þeruore
To betere ende god it bringe þat vor vs was ibore
After sein tomas deþe aboute an ȝeres to
Þer sprong contek suiþe strong þei it luþer were ido
Bituene king henri þe olde & þe ȝonge mid wou
Vor þe sone aros aȝe þe fader & dude him ssame ynou
687
Vor þoru a vowe of him þe sone bigan þat strif
Vor þe king of fraunce & þe erl of flaundres þer to
& sir roberd erl of leicestre & sire hue bigod al so
& þe king of scotlond ek & manie oþer kniȝt
Wiþ þe sone aȝe fader hulde wiþ vnriȝt
Hii destruede & robbede þe fader londes mid wou
Þe fader was in normandie & deol made ynou
He huld it al wreche of god vor sein tomas martirdom
& naþeles wiþ gret poer to engelond he com
Þe erl willam of gloucestere huld mid him vaste
& mani oþer trewe kniȝt so þat atte laste
Ac þe olde king at canterbury mid gode herte & wille
Hurde is masse of sein tomas & cride him merci stille
Is ost & is sone ost þe wule masse ilaste
Smite an stronge bataile so þat attelaste
Þoru grace of sein tomas is men ouercome
Hor fon & þe king of scotlonde nome
& sir hue bigod ek & þe erl of leicetre
Inome was þoru willam erl of gloucestre
Manion þer was aslawe so þat þis uair cas
Þe king it þonkede eueridel þe godeman sein tomas
688
Ac þe sones herte aȝe þe fader was euermo
& þe breþeren hulde al so aȝen hor fader vaste
Vorte þe ȝonge king henri deide attelaste
A sein barnabes day & as it wolde be
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & eiȝteti & þre
In normandye he deyde & þulke ȝer al so
Seint egwine at euesham in ssrine was verst ido
Glastingburi was þer after and to ȝer ibroȝt to grounde
Vorbarnd & of king arþure þe bones uerst ifounde
Þe king after is sone deþ þe croune aȝen nom
& in contek muchedel huld þe kinedom
Vor vnkundede of is sones muche to harm him com
& sunne vor he leuede muche in hordom
& huld vnder þe quene rosemounde ywis
Þat so vair womman was & at godestowe ibured is
A bourgeis at bristowe Roberd Harding
Vor gret tresour & richesse so wel was mid þe king
Þat he ȝef him & is eirs þe noble baronie
Þat so riche is of berkele mid al þe seignorie
& þulke roberd harding arerde suþþe ywis
Þe abbeye at bristowe þat of seint austin is
689
Bituene cristine & heþene & bataile suiþe strong
Þe king of ierusalem sir guy was þer inome
& þe patriarc aslawe & þe cristine ouercome
Þe heþene king saladin mid poer gret inou
Wende aboute in sirie & cristine vaste slou
& hii þat were of ierusalem gret raunson him ȝeue
In þraldom as vnder him þere to bileue
& saladin nom þe holi croys & to heþenesse it ber
& let witie þe sepulcre þat no cristine ne com þer
So þat cristendom þere ibrouȝt to naȝte was
& þer was þoru al cristendom gret deol þoru þat cas
Heþacli þe patriarc fram ierusalem þo drou
& com here in to engelond mid deol & sorwe inou
& bisouȝte þe king oþer is sones þat som þe warde toke
To be king of ierusalem & hii it alle vorsoke
& naþeles hii croicede hom þuder vor to wende
Þe king & richard is sone & manion in ech ende
& þe emperour freþeric & freþeric is sone al so
& king filip of fraunce & mani bissop þer to
Ac hii sende þuder muche folc & hom sulue nolde wende
Þerwiþ nas noȝt god ipaid oþer þing he gan hom sende
690
Cudde vpe þe king of engelond gret destourbance
& richard þe kinges sone þat so god kniȝt was
Aȝen is fader turnde to þe king of france alas
& dude him omage anon alas alas þe stounde
& fondede mid worre to bringe is fader to grounde
Þe olde man in normandie worrede aȝen hom vaste
& slou & barnde vp is fon þe wule is lif ilaste
Ricardus rex
Ac he deide in þe worre sone in anguisse & in pine
As endleue hundred ȝer of grace & eiȝteti & nine
Þe sixte day of Iul he deide & mid gret onour & prute
At founte ebraud he was ibured as he liþ ȝute
Ac gefray erl of brutaine is sone þre ȝer biuore
Deide þat bituene richard & king Ion was ibore
& bileuede bihinde him is sone þat het arþure
& is doȝter elianore as ȝe ssolle her after ihure
As endleue hundred ȝer of grace & eiȝteti & nine
Þe sixte day of Iul he deide & mid gret onour & prute
At founte ebraud he was ibured as he liþ ȝute
Ac gefray erl of brutaine is sone þre ȝer biuore
Deide þat bituene richard & king Ion was ibore
& bileuede bihinde him is sone þat het arþure
& is doȝter elianore as ȝe ssolle her after ihure
[R]ichard king henries sone to engelonde com
And after is fader deþe aueng þe kinedom
Þe verþe day of septembre he let him crouny iwis
At westmunstre hasteliche as þe riȝte crouninge is
Of þe erchebissop of kanterbury baldewine þat was þo
In a sonenday as it vel gywes to muche wo
Vor among alle þe noble þat to suiche feste drowe
Of erles & of barons & of oþere heyemen inowe
& of noble presauns þat þer come al so
Þe wrecche luþer giwes wende wel to do
& a riche presant ȝarkede wiþ gret prute
& sende þis noble kinge ac hor þonc was lute
Vor þe king was somdel awlated & to gret despit it nom
Þat fram so vnclene þinges eni mete him com
& het it do out of is court & þe wrecches ssame do
Þer was mani a wilde hine þat prest was þer to
& wende in to þe gywerie & woundede & to drowe
& robbede & barnde hous & manie of hom slowe
Ac sone in þulke sulue ȝer in to þis kinedom
Hunger & deiinge of men & muche wrechede com
Richard þo he was king he ȝef is broþer Ion
Þe erldom of gloucestre & let him spousy anon
Isabel þat was eir & grete londes þer to
And after is fader deþe aueng þe kinedom
Þe verþe day of septembre he let him crouny iwis
At westmunstre hasteliche as þe riȝte crouninge is
Of þe erchebissop of kanterbury baldewine þat was þo
In a sonenday as it vel gywes to muche wo
691
Of erles & of barons & of oþere heyemen inowe
& of noble presauns þat þer come al so
Þe wrecche luþer giwes wende wel to do
& a riche presant ȝarkede wiþ gret prute
& sende þis noble kinge ac hor þonc was lute
Vor þe king was somdel awlated & to gret despit it nom
Þat fram so vnclene þinges eni mete him com
& het it do out of is court & þe wrecches ssame do
Þer was mani a wilde hine þat prest was þer to
& wende in to þe gywerie & woundede & to drowe
& robbede & barnde hous & manie of hom slowe
Ac sone in þulke sulue ȝer in to þis kinedom
Hunger & deiinge of men & muche wrechede com
Richard þo he was king he ȝef is broþer Ion
Þe erldom of gloucestre & let him spousy anon
Isabel þat was eir & grete londes þer to
Ȝef him here in engelond & biȝonde se al so
Þer was þo in þe holi lond a strong bataile ido
Bi tuene þe luþer saladim & cristine men al so
A sein leonardes eue in þe ȝer of grace ywis
Endleue hundred & ninty ydo was al þis
Þe maister of þe temple was aslawe & sir willam de breus al so
& sire ingerard de fenes & oþer cristine þer to
Saladines eldoste sone þat het mirasalin
Islawe was & is neueu þat het goekedin
& migenal is mareschal & no noumbre nas
Of cristin folc & heþene þat þere aslawe was
Me prechede of þe croyserye wide ich vnderstonde
& þe bissop willam of ely here in engelonde
King richard him ȝarkede to þe holi lond to wende
& bitok þe bissop of eli þis lond in ech ende
To wardi uor he trewe was & þe erchebissop al so
Baldewine of canterburi & mani wende þer to
As roberd erl of leicetre þe erl willam de ferers
Sir richard de glanuille & mani oþere heye & fers
Þe aumperour frederic & þe king philip of france
Alle hii wende to ierusalem to do gode chaunce
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninti & on
Hii wende to þe holi lond þis noblemen echon
Som of king richardes folc to þe lond of cypre com
& þe prince of þe lond anon hom vaste nom
& in strong prison hom caste & king richard as man wod
Þo he it wuste wende þuder mid wel stourdi mod
To þe hauene al bi watere he com mid poer god
Þe prince mid al is poer vaste aȝen him stod
& nolde noȝt deliuery þe men þat were inome
Þe bataile was sone ido & þe prince ouercome
Þe nobleman king richard sturede him þer so vaste
& þe mare of hor rugge wiþ kene suerd agaste
So þat al out þe lond he wan atte laste
Some he slou & some of hom in strong prison he caste
So he dude þulke time as ich vnderstonde
Þat cipre is euereft iholde of þe king of engelonde
Gode wardeins he sette vor to wite þut lond
& adde at is owe wille al cipre in is hond
& þe prince he nom wiþ him ibounde vet & honde
Wiþ veteres of seluer toward þe holi londe
Þer was þo in þe holi lond a strong bataile ido
Bi tuene þe luþer saladim & cristine men al so
A sein leonardes eue in þe ȝer of grace ywis
Endleue hundred & ninty ydo was al þis
692
& sire ingerard de fenes & oþer cristine þer to
Saladines eldoste sone þat het mirasalin
Islawe was & is neueu þat het goekedin
& migenal is mareschal & no noumbre nas
Of cristin folc & heþene þat þere aslawe was
Me prechede of þe croyserye wide ich vnderstonde
& þe bissop willam of ely here in engelonde
King richard him ȝarkede to þe holi lond to wende
& bitok þe bissop of eli þis lond in ech ende
To wardi uor he trewe was & þe erchebissop al so
Baldewine of canterburi & mani wende þer to
As roberd erl of leicetre þe erl willam de ferers
Sir richard de glanuille & mani oþere heye & fers
Þe aumperour frederic & þe king philip of france
Alle hii wende to ierusalem to do gode chaunce
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninti & on
Hii wende to þe holi lond þis noblemen echon
Som of king richardes folc to þe lond of cypre com
& þe prince of þe lond anon hom vaste nom
& in strong prison hom caste & king richard as man wod
Þo he it wuste wende þuder mid wel stourdi mod
693
Þe prince mid al is poer vaste aȝen him stod
& nolde noȝt deliuery þe men þat were inome
Þe bataile was sone ido & þe prince ouercome
Þe nobleman king richard sturede him þer so vaste
& þe mare of hor rugge wiþ kene suerd agaste
So þat al out þe lond he wan atte laste
Some he slou & some of hom in strong prison he caste
So he dude þulke time as ich vnderstonde
Þat cipre is euereft iholde of þe king of engelonde
Gode wardeins he sette vor to wite þut lond
& adde at is owe wille al cipre in is hond
& þe prince he nom wiþ him ibounde vet & honde
Wiþ veteres of seluer toward þe holi londe
Ricardus
So þat to sir philip king of france hii come
& as stalwarde noblemen þe toun of acres nome
King Richard & king philip vpe þe heþene men þere
Mani was þe gode dunt þat king richard ȝaf er
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninti & to
King richard þis noble kniȝt acres nom so
& harlede so þe sarazins in eche side aboute
Þat þe ssrewen ne dorste in non ende at route
So þat king philip was anuyd þor alle þing
Þat þer nas of him word non bote al of richard þe king
Vaste he let trossi to france uor to drawe
Sori was þe king richard to lese is felawe
He bed him ȝerne vor to abide þoru him al to do
Ac þe oþer nolde vor no þing ac to fraunce wende so
King richard bileuede þer & so nobliche he wroȝte
Þat al þut lond þer aboute In is poer he broȝte
Me nuste longe þer biuore neuer eft in heþenesse
Of so noble kniȝt ne prince ne do so muche prowesse
Me ne mai noȝt al telle her ac wo so it wole iwite
In romance of him imad me it may finde iwrite
So þat þe deuel adde þer to gret envie
& in is broþer herte Ion broȝte an tricherie
Vor he esste of heyemen of þis lond sikernesse ilome
& homage to be king bote is broþer aȝe come
Þe bissop of eli þat þis lond adde to loke
& þe triwemen of þe lond vaste it vorsoke
& sede þat arþure of brutaine is eldore broþer sone
Kundere eir was þan he bi pur lawe & wone
Þe erl Ion worrede vpen hom þat aȝen hom were out
He wuste þat þe king of france ne louede is broþer noȝt
Þeruore he wende ouer se & is man he bicom
To helpe him aȝen is broþer to winne the kinedom
So þat þe king & he king richardes lond
Destruede vaste in normandie & here in engelond
Þis word com to king richard in sirie as he was
He suor he wolde awreke be of þis vil trespas
He bileuede is noble dede of þe holi lond alas
& triwes nom of saladin vor þis luþer cas
Þre ȝer þat ech þing were in peis hom bituene
& wende him toward engelond to awreke him of is tene
Alas alas þulke stounde uor he ne dude neuereft note
In þe holi lond ne com aȝen ar he was issote
Sir Marchion de mount ferre a gret louerd islawe was
In alimaine þer biuore in a wonder cas
Þer uore as king richard þoru alimaine com
Þe duc of ostrich anon mid is poer him nom
& sede þat sir Marchion aslawe was þoru is rede
To þe king of alimaine vaste he let him lede
Þe beste bodi of þe world in bendes was ibrouȝt
Ac þe king of fraunce ne þe erl Ion it ne of þoȝte noȝt
Vor hii destruede in engelond is lond þoru alle þing
& in normandie also vor Ion wolde be king
King henri of alimaine bed king richard þo
To deliueri him ȝuf he wolde be is man euere mo
& bere him truage eche ȝer ac uor none þinge
King richard nolde is lond ne him sulue in þraldom bringe
Oþer vorewarde he bed him ek ac he it euere vorsok
So þat atte laste þe vorewarde me tok
Þat an hundred þousend marc & vifti þousend þerto
King Richard ssolde ȝiue of prison to ben ydo
Þe hundred þousend marc were ipaid biuore hond
& wel narwe igadered here in engelond
Vor broches & ringes & ȝimmes al so
& þe calis of þe weued me ssolde þerto
& greye monekes þat newe come & pouere þo were
& as stalwarde noblemen þe toun of acres nome
King Richard & king philip vpe þe heþene men þere
Mani was þe gode dunt þat king richard ȝaf er
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninti & to
King richard þis noble kniȝt acres nom so
& harlede so þe sarazins in eche side aboute
Þat þe ssrewen ne dorste in non ende at route
694
Þat þer nas of him word non bote al of richard þe king
Vaste he let trossi to france uor to drawe
Sori was þe king richard to lese is felawe
He bed him ȝerne vor to abide þoru him al to do
Ac þe oþer nolde vor no þing ac to fraunce wende so
King richard bileuede þer & so nobliche he wroȝte
Þat al þut lond þer aboute In is poer he broȝte
Me nuste longe þer biuore neuer eft in heþenesse
Of so noble kniȝt ne prince ne do so muche prowesse
Me ne mai noȝt al telle her ac wo so it wole iwite
In romance of him imad me it may finde iwrite
So þat þe deuel adde þer to gret envie
& in is broþer herte Ion broȝte an tricherie
Vor he esste of heyemen of þis lond sikernesse ilome
& homage to be king bote is broþer aȝe come
Þe bissop of eli þat þis lond adde to loke
& þe triwemen of þe lond vaste it vorsoke
& sede þat arþure of brutaine is eldore broþer sone
Kundere eir was þan he bi pur lawe & wone
695
He wuste þat þe king of france ne louede is broþer noȝt
Þeruore he wende ouer se & is man he bicom
To helpe him aȝen is broþer to winne the kinedom
So þat þe king & he king richardes lond
Destruede vaste in normandie & here in engelond
Þis word com to king richard in sirie as he was
He suor he wolde awreke be of þis vil trespas
He bileuede is noble dede of þe holi lond alas
& triwes nom of saladin vor þis luþer cas
Þre ȝer þat ech þing were in peis hom bituene
& wende him toward engelond to awreke him of is tene
Alas alas þulke stounde uor he ne dude neuereft note
In þe holi lond ne com aȝen ar he was issote
Sir Marchion de mount ferre a gret louerd islawe was
In alimaine þer biuore in a wonder cas
Þer uore as king richard þoru alimaine com
Þe duc of ostrich anon mid is poer him nom
& sede þat sir Marchion aslawe was þoru is rede
To þe king of alimaine vaste he let him lede
Þe beste bodi of þe world in bendes was ibrouȝt
Ac þe king of fraunce ne þe erl Ion it ne of þoȝte noȝt
Vor hii destruede in engelond is lond þoru alle þing
& in normandie also vor Ion wolde be king
696
To deliueri him ȝuf he wolde be is man euere mo
& bere him truage eche ȝer ac uor none þinge
King richard nolde is lond ne him sulue in þraldom bringe
Oþer vorewarde he bed him ek ac he it euere vorsok
So þat atte laste þe vorewarde me tok
Þat an hundred þousend marc & vifti þousend þerto
King Richard ssolde ȝiue of prison to ben ydo
Þe hundred þousend marc were ipaid biuore hond
& wel narwe igadered here in engelond
Vor broches & ringes & ȝimmes al so
& þe calis of þe weued me ssolde þerto
& greye monekes þat newe come & pouere þo were
Ȝeue al hor wolle þerto of one ȝere
Þo þe hundred þousend were ipayd biuore hond
King richard of þe oþer del god ostage fond
& deliuered was of prison & hiderward wende bliue
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninty & fiue
Ac god sende wreche gret in þulk sulue ȝere
Vpe þe duc of ostrich uor verst vorbarnd were
Þe hexte tounes of is lond & suþþe maniman
& no man ne miȝte wite war of þat fur bigan
Þat water suþþe heye aros & muche is lond asencte
& mo þan ten þousend men wonderliche adrencte
Þe þridde time þo grene corn in somer ssolde curne
To foule wormes muchedel þe eres gonne turne
Þe heiemen suþþe of is lond bigonne deye vaste
& þe meste miscas com to him sulf attelaste
Vor he vel of is palefrey & brec is fot bi cas
So suart so eni crowe amorwe is fot was
Þo þat is leches sede þer nas red bote on
Oþer smite of is fot oþer he was ded anon
He het it do hasteliche ac non me ne fond
Of alle is men þat wolde sette þer on hond
A kene ax him sulf he huld þerto atte laste
& mid strengþe het is chamberlein þer on smite vaste
Þer on he smot þrie þe wrecche to gret pine
So þat he smot of þan vot mid gret wo atte fine
Þer after he adde sorwe ynou ne miȝte noman more
& attelaste deide in sorwe ynou & sore
Ac þe vifti þousend marc he uorȝef er
Of king richard & is ostages deliuerede þer
Þo king richard com to engelond þer was ioye inou
Mid ioye & procession þat folc aȝen him drou
He pleyede nywe king at ome þo he hom com
Verst þe castel of notingham vpe is broþer he nom
& suþþe is oþer londes & deseritede him al clene
& alle þat wiþ him hulde hii nere noȝt to bimene
& nom wuche he miȝte finde ac biȝonde se
Erl Ion was sore adrad & ne dorste come aȝe
Þo þe king adde al ido & ibroȝt is fon þer doune
Is estre he huld at winchestere & nobliche ber croune
& tok þe erchebissop of canterburi þis lond to wardi her
& wende to normandie mid al is poer
Vor þer was þe king of france & dude him ssame ynou
Ac þo he wuste he was icome to fraunce sone he drou
Þo þe hundred þousend were ipayd biuore hond
King richard of þe oþer del god ostage fond
& deliuered was of prison & hiderward wende bliue
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninty & fiue
Ac god sende wreche gret in þulk sulue ȝere
Vpe þe duc of ostrich uor verst vorbarnd were
Þe hexte tounes of is lond & suþþe maniman
& no man ne miȝte wite war of þat fur bigan
697
& mo þan ten þousend men wonderliche adrencte
Þe þridde time þo grene corn in somer ssolde curne
To foule wormes muchedel þe eres gonne turne
Þe heiemen suþþe of is lond bigonne deye vaste
& þe meste miscas com to him sulf attelaste
Vor he vel of is palefrey & brec is fot bi cas
So suart so eni crowe amorwe is fot was
Þo þat is leches sede þer nas red bote on
Oþer smite of is fot oþer he was ded anon
He het it do hasteliche ac non me ne fond
Of alle is men þat wolde sette þer on hond
A kene ax him sulf he huld þerto atte laste
& mid strengþe het is chamberlein þer on smite vaste
Þer on he smot þrie þe wrecche to gret pine
So þat he smot of þan vot mid gret wo atte fine
Þer after he adde sorwe ynou ne miȝte noman more
& attelaste deide in sorwe ynou & sore
Ac þe vifti þousend marc he uorȝef er
Of king richard & is ostages deliuerede þer
Þo king richard com to engelond þer was ioye inou
Mid ioye & procession þat folc aȝen him drou
He pleyede nywe king at ome þo he hom com
Verst þe castel of notingham vpe is broþer he nom
698
& alle þat wiþ him hulde hii nere noȝt to bimene
& nom wuche he miȝte finde ac biȝonde se
Erl Ion was sore adrad & ne dorste come aȝe
Þo þe king adde al ido & ibroȝt is fon þer doune
Is estre he huld at winchestere & nobliche ber croune
& tok þe erchebissop of canterburi þis lond to wardi her
& wende to normandie mid al is poer
Vor þer was þe king of france & dude him ssame ynou
Ac þo he wuste he was icome to fraunce sone he drou
Iohannes
Erl Ion is broþer bisende him al so
& bisouȝte is grace of þat he adde misdo
So þat þe king þoru gode men is grace him ȝef þere
& in gode fourme acorded hii were
Þo þe king adde normandie in god stat ibrouȝt al
Þut lond he tok to loke willam þe mareschal
Þat was erl of penbroc & is broþer erl Ion
& wende wiþ is poer to aquitayne anon
Þere he broȝte al bineþe hom þat were is fon
So þat he adde al in peis is londes echon
& nobliche wuste is londes & nobel kniȝt was
Atte laste he deide in a pitous cas
Vor as he wolde at limosin bi sege þe castel
& he com þer aboute Iarmed nouȝt uol wel
Þe morwe after seinte marie day in leinte wiþ a quarel
Issote he was þat he ne et neuereft a god mel
Þe tuelfte day he deide of aueril þe sixte day
Bi is fader he was ibured as is fader lay
Riȝt at is fader uet in þe nonnerye
Of fount ebraud richeliche þat is in normandie
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninti & nyene
Þus þe noble king richard broȝte is lif to fine
& bisouȝte is grace of þat he adde misdo
So þat þe king þoru gode men is grace him ȝef þere
& in gode fourme acorded hii were
Þo þe king adde normandie in god stat ibrouȝt al
Þut lond he tok to loke willam þe mareschal
Þat was erl of penbroc & is broþer erl Ion
& wende wiþ is poer to aquitayne anon
Þere he broȝte al bineþe hom þat were is fon
So þat he adde al in peis is londes echon
& nobliche wuste is londes & nobel kniȝt was
Atte laste he deide in a pitous cas
Vor as he wolde at limosin bi sege þe castel
& he com þer aboute Iarmed nouȝt uol wel
699
Issote he was þat he ne et neuereft a god mel
Þe tuelfte day he deide of aueril þe sixte day
Bi is fader he was ibured as is fader lay
Riȝt at is fader uet in þe nonnerye
Of fount ebraud richeliche þat is in normandie
Endleue hundred ȝer of grace & ninti & nyene
Þus þe noble king richard broȝte is lif to fine
I on king richardes broþer after is broþer deþe
Ne abod noȝt wel longe seue wouke vnneþe
Ar he let him crouni king an holi þorsday iwis
At westmunstre in þe abbeye as þe riȝte crouninge is
Of þe erchebissop of kanterbury hubert þat was þo
Þer after deide sein hue an half ȝer & nammo
Þat was bissop of lincolne & þer after þe werste ȝer
Þe ordre bigan of frere prechors þat nas neuere er
Sein dominic it bigan þo in þe ȝer of grace ywis
A þousend & tuo hundred ȝer vor nammore it nis
Þulke ȝer þe king him let vor sibrede to dele
Fram is wif þe contesse of gloucetere ysabele
& spousede anoþer wif Isabele het ich wene
An grete erles doȝter & let hire crouni quene
Þe ȝonge erl of brutaine arþure hadde riȝte
To be king of engelond þeruore mid al is miȝte
He orn vpe þe king ion bi ȝonde se vaste
& he & sir hue de brun come atte laste
& sire geffray de limesi & þre hundred kniȝtes al so
& elianore þe olde quene bisegede in peyto
In þe kinges o castel it com þe kinge to ere
He wende to is moder to deliuery ir þere
& nom þere þis arþure & þe hexte þat mid him were
In tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & þe secunde ȝere
Þo þat king arþure ne com nammore aȝe
Me sede uor is eritage þat þe king him let sle
Vor þis slaȝt þe king of france orn vpe þe king Ion
& is londes biȝonde se seisede anon
Aquitayne & normandie so þat hii ne come nammore
To þe croune of engelond & þat was to rewe sore
Þis sunne & oþer mo king Ion sore aferde
So þat þe abbeye of beulu of greye monekes he arerde
& þe baronie of farendone & oþer londes ȝef þer to
In tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & foure þis was ido
Þe nexte ȝer þer after deide þe olde quene
& hubert þe erchebissop of canterbury ich wene
& peres de la roche was bissop of wincetre ywis
& þe king made peni chaunge In o ȝer was al þis
Þo þis peris was ichose he wende uor þis cas
To rome & of þe pope þere isacred was
Fram rome he broȝte an heste þat me here nome
Petres peni of ech hous þat smoke out of come
Ac þe king & heyemen wiþ sede it ilome
War þoru þe king adde þe worse grace at rome
Of þe erchebissop of kanterbury þer wex a striuing
Weþer him ssolde chese þe couent oþer þe king
Þe sousprior of hor hous þe monekes chose echon
& þe king ches þe bissop of norþwich þat het Ion
To rome hii were boþe isent þis louerdinges tueye
To be isacred of þe pope ac he vorsok hom beye
Ac maister stefne of langetone ibore of engelonde
He made erchebissop & sacrede wiþ is hond
Ne abod noȝt wel longe seue wouke vnneþe
Ar he let him crouni king an holi þorsday iwis
At westmunstre in þe abbeye as þe riȝte crouninge is
Of þe erchebissop of kanterbury hubert þat was þo
Þer after deide sein hue an half ȝer & nammo
Þat was bissop of lincolne & þer after þe werste ȝer
Þe ordre bigan of frere prechors þat nas neuere er
Sein dominic it bigan þo in þe ȝer of grace ywis
A þousend & tuo hundred ȝer vor nammore it nis
Þulke ȝer þe king him let vor sibrede to dele
Fram is wif þe contesse of gloucetere ysabele
& spousede anoþer wif Isabele het ich wene
An grete erles doȝter & let hire crouni quene
Þe ȝonge erl of brutaine arþure hadde riȝte
To be king of engelond þeruore mid al is miȝte
700
& he & sir hue de brun come atte laste
& sire geffray de limesi & þre hundred kniȝtes al so
& elianore þe olde quene bisegede in peyto
In þe kinges o castel it com þe kinge to ere
He wende to is moder to deliuery ir þere
& nom þere þis arþure & þe hexte þat mid him were
In tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & þe secunde ȝere
Þo þat king arþure ne com nammore aȝe
Me sede uor is eritage þat þe king him let sle
Vor þis slaȝt þe king of france orn vpe þe king Ion
& is londes biȝonde se seisede anon
Aquitayne & normandie so þat hii ne come nammore
To þe croune of engelond & þat was to rewe sore
Þis sunne & oþer mo king Ion sore aferde
So þat þe abbeye of beulu of greye monekes he arerde
& þe baronie of farendone & oþer londes ȝef þer to
In tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & foure þis was ido
Þe nexte ȝer þer after deide þe olde quene
& hubert þe erchebissop of canterbury ich wene
& peres de la roche was bissop of wincetre ywis
& þe king made peni chaunge In o ȝer was al þis
Þo þis peris was ichose he wende uor þis cas
To rome & of þe pope þere isacred was
Fram rome he broȝte an heste þat me here nome
Petres peni of ech hous þat smoke out of come
Ac þe king & heyemen wiþ sede it ilome
War þoru þe king adde þe worse grace at rome
Of þe erchebissop of kanterbury þer wex a striuing
Weþer him ssolde chese þe couent oþer þe king
Þe sousprior of hor hous þe monekes chose echon
& þe king ches þe bissop of norþwich þat het Ion
701
To be isacred of þe pope ac he vorsok hom beye
Ac maister stefne of langetone ibore of engelonde
He made erchebissop & sacrede wiþ is hond
Iohannes
Þe couent was wel ipaid ac þe king nouȝtVor he suor in engelond he ne ssolde ariui nout
Ne erchebissop be bi is daye þei he ssolde þeruore deye
Þo þe pope þis ihurde he nom it wel heye
He sende to alle þe bissopes of þis lond is sonde
Þat entredit in is name hii dude in al þis londe
Þe king was þo he hurde þis wroþore þan he was er
Þe monekes of canterbury alle þat he vond þer
Þat miȝte go he drof out of is kinedom
& al þe erchebissopriche in is hond he nom
Henri is eldoste sone ibore was in þis wo
As in tuelf hundred ȝer & eiȝte & nammo
At winchestre at alle halwetid þat suþþe was vr king
Þe king vorbed ek in þis lond al þe popes playdinge
Of bullen & of oþer þing þat he nadde poer non
Þe bissops wende ek ofte to þis king Ion
& lettres þat þe pope hom sende him ssewede monion
& felle adoun to is fet wepinde echon
& criinde pitosliche þat he ssolde hom vnderstonde
& abbe reuþe of cristendom & of engelonde
Ac al ne miȝte it helpe noȝt so þat atten ende
Þis bissopes to londone echone gonne wende
A lute biuore candelmasse & abbodes al so
& conceil made general þis entredit to do
Ac þoru bisokne of þe king delayed it was ȝute
Vorte wiþinne leinte ac it was wurþ lute
Vor þe king was euere þe leng þe wors & þo it ne miȝte oþer be
Þe bissopes as hi nede moste bi gonne hom bi se
702
Þat avilede so holichirche þat mid riȝte was so fre
Þe morwe as þe monenday an seinte Marie eue
Þe holi time þat þo was hii nolde leng bileue
Þis bissopes wende to churche as to nime þer hor leue
& ef sone pitosliche þis mansinge ȝeue
& entreditede al þis lond & walis al so
Þat noþing of cristendom þer inne nere ido
Vort of is luþer dede þe king him wiþdrowe
Out of churche men hii driue wepinde ynowe
Iohannes
& pitosliche hom sulue wende out atte laste& þe doren after hom wepinde loke vaste
& binome al cristindom þe holi time alas
Hou miȝte be of cristinmen more wo þan þis was
Þe king þo as vor wraþþe wod let nime in is hond
Alle þe erchebissopes god þat he vond in þis lond
Maners & oþer þing & is medes let mowe
& vorbed þat me ne ssolde non of is lond sowe
Persones þing he solde men þat mest wolde þeruore ȝiue
Þat hii nadde þer of nout bote vnneþe hor biliue
& hor bernes dores acelede & al clene out hom caste
Þe bissopes þo in hor alf amansede vaste
Alle þat suich dede dude king & quene boþe
& hor Iustizes ek þo were þer manie wroþe
Þe bissop of londone of eli of roucestre
& þe bissop of hereuorde & þe bissop of wurcestre
Of þis mansinge were principals & susteinede it vaste
& wende uort it betere were ouer se atte laste
Alle clerkene lefmen in prisoun þe king brouȝte
Vort at is owe wille hor maistres hom out bouȝte
So þat in ech half sorwe ynou þer com
Ac þe meste was alas þat þer nas no cristendom
Þe king þo he sey þe wo þat was in his londe
To þe erchebissop he sende over se is sonde
703
To speke so þat þut lond in þe betere were ibrouȝt
Ac þe erchebissop nolde come vor it ne ssolde amounti noȝt
Ac þre bissopes wende vor to fondi is þoȝt
Þe bissop of wurcetre of eli of londone
Ac þo hii come hii nadde of him bote is olde wone
Glosinde wordes & false so þat hii wende aȝe
& hor wey hulde uorlore & bileuede biȝonde se
Þe king of alimayne sende specialliche inou
To king Ion þat he wiþdrowe him of is wou
& vnderuenge þe erchebissop & holichurche al clene
Lete abbe ir franchise & al nas wurþ a bene
Þe king suþþe mildeliche to þe erchebissop sende
Þat he bote he verrore wolde to douere to him wende
To vinde him gode borewes & sauf condut al so
To bringe him sulf eft aȝen so þat it was ido
Iohannes
& after sein Micheles day þe þridde day he com
To douere & þe bissop of londone wiþ him nom
& þe bissop of eli & þe king sone wende
To a maner þer biside & to hom anon sende
Is heye Iustice of is lond sir G le fiȝ peris
Þat ȝuf þe erchebissop oþer eni of his
Wolde eni þing toward him þat hii sende him libel
& esste ek articles þat nere noȝt to graunti wel
Ac vor it nas bote al þe mase þe erchebissop sone
Wende aȝen ouer se as best was to done
Þo was richard ibore þe kinges sone ich wene
As in þe ȝer of grace tuelf hundred & tene
Þat suþþe was king of alemayne þat at hailes ibured is
Þe ordre bigan of frere menors þulke sulue ȝer ywis
Þe king bigan þo more wo vor he harlede vaste
Þe gywes verst of þis lond & in prison caste
Vort sixe & sixti þousend marc hii paiden him atten ende
He bigan ek greye monekes vaste aboute ssende
Vor gret raunson he esste of hom to helpe him spene
Vor defendi is lond & is worre to soustene
Hii ansuerede alle at o word þat no tresour hii nadde
Þat hii adde poer of bote as godemen hadde
Bitake hom in warde uor hor soule to do
In almesdede & orisouns & to sousteini pouere al so
& nouȝt to sosteini worre & þo þe king hurde þis
Vor wraþþe he let in al is lond þat alle hor chartren ywis
Þat adde of is fader & of oþere heiemen al so
Of franchise & of oþer þing al clene were vndo
& alle þat wolde him ssame do aday oþer aniȝt
Robbi oþer quelle þat nomon ne dude hom riȝt
Ne þat bailif ne forester ne soffrede hom nower come
To sowe ne to oþer þing þat hor bestes nere inome
So harde hii were iharled þat hii ne miȝte at om abide
Bote wende to purchasy hor mete aboute ech in is side
Þe erchebissopes wodes ek þe king het echon
Þat me morede al clene vp þat þer ne bileuede non
Þat ech tre were vp mored þat it ne spronge namore þere
He het ek alle þe bissopes þat biȝonde se were
Þat ar missomer day in to þis londe come
Oþer þat his bailifs hor londes hom bi nome
And asailede al in his hond & rentes þer to
So þat al þis atte daye & wel worse was ido
Vor þer nas bissopriche non in is lond
Bote winchestre & norþwich þat he ne huld in is hond
& abbeyes monion so þat cristindom
Was as clanliche al uor ȝite in is kinedom
& þer nas oþer red as alle men iseye
Bote holi churche go adoun oþer som god man þeruore deie
Þer on þoȝte tueye men legates of rome
Pandulf and þe duraund & to engelonde come
As godes kniȝtes baldeliche at gemes tid iwis
Vor to deie vor holi churche oþer amende þat was amis
Þun wei in heruest to þe king baldeliche hii nome
& to him at norþhamtone biuore is conseil come
Sir king hii sede we beþ icome fram verre londe iwis
Vor þe pais of holi churche & þis lond þat þin is
Vorto wite þin ansuere hou þou it wolt bi se
Inot nout quaþ þe king wat ower demande be
Commune riȝt quaþ pandulf we esseþ & nammore
Þat þou suerie vpe þe bok clanliche to restore
Holi churche þat þou hast him binome mid wronge
& þat þe erchebissop in þis lond in pes þou auonge
Nou icholle quaþ þe king þat ȝe min wille ise
To douere & þe bissop of londone wiþ him nom
& þe bissop of eli & þe king sone wende
To a maner þer biside & to hom anon sende
Is heye Iustice of is lond sir G le fiȝ peris
Þat ȝuf þe erchebissop oþer eni of his
Wolde eni þing toward him þat hii sende him libel
& esste ek articles þat nere noȝt to graunti wel
Ac vor it nas bote al þe mase þe erchebissop sone
Wende aȝen ouer se as best was to done
Þo was richard ibore þe kinges sone ich wene
As in þe ȝer of grace tuelf hundred & tene
Þat suþþe was king of alemayne þat at hailes ibured is
Þe ordre bigan of frere menors þulke sulue ȝer ywis
704
Þe gywes verst of þis lond & in prison caste
Vort sixe & sixti þousend marc hii paiden him atten ende
He bigan ek greye monekes vaste aboute ssende
Vor gret raunson he esste of hom to helpe him spene
Vor defendi is lond & is worre to soustene
Hii ansuerede alle at o word þat no tresour hii nadde
Þat hii adde poer of bote as godemen hadde
Bitake hom in warde uor hor soule to do
In almesdede & orisouns & to sousteini pouere al so
& nouȝt to sosteini worre & þo þe king hurde þis
Vor wraþþe he let in al is lond þat alle hor chartren ywis
Þat adde of is fader & of oþere heiemen al so
Of franchise & of oþer þing al clene were vndo
& alle þat wolde him ssame do aday oþer aniȝt
Robbi oþer quelle þat nomon ne dude hom riȝt
Ne þat bailif ne forester ne soffrede hom nower come
To sowe ne to oþer þing þat hor bestes nere inome
So harde hii were iharled þat hii ne miȝte at om abide
Bote wende to purchasy hor mete aboute ech in is side
Þe erchebissopes wodes ek þe king het echon
Þat me morede al clene vp þat þer ne bileuede non
Þat ech tre were vp mored þat it ne spronge namore þere
He het ek alle þe bissopes þat biȝonde se were
705
Oþer þat his bailifs hor londes hom bi nome
And asailede al in his hond & rentes þer to
So þat al þis atte daye & wel worse was ido
Vor þer nas bissopriche non in is lond
Bote winchestre & norþwich þat he ne huld in is hond
& abbeyes monion so þat cristindom
Was as clanliche al uor ȝite in is kinedom
& þer nas oþer red as alle men iseye
Bote holi churche go adoun oþer som god man þeruore deie
Þer on þoȝte tueye men legates of rome
Pandulf and þe duraund & to engelonde come
As godes kniȝtes baldeliche at gemes tid iwis
Vor to deie vor holi churche oþer amende þat was amis
Þun wei in heruest to þe king baldeliche hii nome
& to him at norþhamtone biuore is conseil come
Sir king hii sede we beþ icome fram verre londe iwis
Vor þe pais of holi churche & þis lond þat þin is
Vorto wite þin ansuere hou þou it wolt bi se
Inot nout quaþ þe king wat ower demande be
Commune riȝt quaþ pandulf we esseþ & nammore
Þat þou suerie vpe þe bok clanliche to restore
Holi churche þat þou hast him binome mid wronge
& þat þe erchebissop in þis lond in pes þou auonge
Nou icholle quaþ þe king þat ȝe min wille ise
Ȝe mowe me makie suerie wat owe wille be
Ac inel neuere þe erchebissop in engelonde auonge
Þat inelle wan he comþ late him heye an honge
Woltou sire quaþ pandulf eni oþer telle
Ichabbe ised quaþ þe king & non oþer segge inelle
Þou hast nou quaþ pandulf þe pope bisout
Þat he relesi þe entredit ac me þincþ it is uor noȝt
Ac it is to holden vp & vastore more to do
Nai sire quaþ þe king ine willi noȝt so
Ac vor loue of mi louerd þe pope icholle do þis
Ac inel neuere þe erchebissop in engelonde auonge
Þat inelle wan he comþ late him heye an honge
Woltou sire quaþ pandulf eni oþer telle
Ichabbe ised quaþ þe king & non oþer segge inelle
Þou hast nou quaþ pandulf þe pope bisout
Þat he relesi þe entredit ac me þincþ it is uor noȝt
706
Nai sire quaþ þe king ine willi noȝt so
Ac vor loue of mi louerd þe pope icholle do þis
Ȝiue þe erchebissopriche wan so is wille is
& icholle wan so he it ȝifþ vawe auonge þerto
An Maister steuene of langetone may so wel do
& icholle wan so he it ȝifþ vawe auonge þerto
An Maister steuene of langetone may so wel do
Iohannes
Her after þat par auntre ich may him ȝiue ȝuteAnoþer uor þe popes loue & þat nis noȝt lute
Holi churche quaþ pandulf so riȝtuol is & was
Þat he ne ssal no prelat sette adoun wiþoute apert trespas
Ac he ssal princes chasti þat hom doþ eni wou
Nou sir clerc quaþ þe king ȝe mowe þretni ynou
Ower dede ne may be no wors þan ower word is
Nou sir king quaþ pandulf þou sedest vs ar þis
Þe priuete of þin herte & ich þe segge iwis
Þe priuete of oure & wat oure erinde is
Þe pope þe amanseþ & alle þat serueþ þe
Is þer more quaþ þe king pandulf sede ȝe
Þe pope of alle hor sunnes asoileþ alle þe
Barons & kniȝtes þewemen & fre
Clerkes & lewede þat fram þi seruise wol fle
Of sunnes þat hii abbeþ ido ȝuf hii wolle gode be
& to sywi þis mansinge & þe asoylinge al so
We asigneþ þe bissop of winchestre þer to
& of norþwich here in engelond & in scotlonde þer to
Of roucetre & of salesburi þe siwinge to do
In walis þe þre bissopes þat beþ of þe londe
Þoruout al cristindom þe pope send er sonde
To erchebissops & bissops & ȝifþ ech poer
In is bissopriche þe & þine to amansi ver & ner
& of hor misdede to asoyli alle þo
Þat aȝe þe vaste beþ as godes fo
707
& erles & barons & kniȝtes þer to
Habbeþ bi souȝt þe pope croiserie biginne
Vpe [þe] & þine & hii wolle þi lond winne
& deliueri it vp þe pope þat he is wille ssewe
& make king wan he wole vor þou ast frend vewe
& we hoteþ in is half & he deþ in his ende
Alle þat cristine beþ þat hii vpe þe wende
& asoileþ hom clene of alle hor misdede
Wat miȝte ȝe more ssame do me þe king sede
& in soþnesse we segeþ þe pandulf sede þo
Þat þou ne berst neuereft croune ne þin eir naþemo
Iohannes
Ich ise wel quaþ þe king þat ȝe ne louieþ me nouȝtTo binime me mi kinedom me þincþ ȝe abbeþ iþouȝt
Ac bi him þat made al þe world ȝuf ich adde iwust þis
Þo ȝe verst come in þis lond ich ȝou wolde iwis
Habbe imad heie ride al þis ȝer longe
As wel þou miȝt segge quaþ pandulf þat þou vs wost abbe an honge
Wan þou seist quaþ þe king þat þat was mi þouȝt
So gret louerd as þou art Ine wiþsegge þe nouȝt
Ac ich sende to rome to abbe help of þe
& of þe pope & is poer & ȝe beþ aȝen me
Þine cause quaþ pandulf in riȝte & nouȝt in wou
We auauncieþ as in god & louieþ þe inou
& vor þi loue hider we come þe bet uor to lere
Þat þou to god & to holichirche obeysant were
& þou seist þat þou vs wost habbe ilate an honge
Siker we ne weneþ of þe non oþer mede auonge
Ne in non oþer entente we hider ne come
Bote þat we vor holi churche þun deþ of þe nome
708
Þat uor þufþe were inome & uor oþer þinge
& demde hom biuore pandulf & let hom honge heye
As him vorto afere riȝt biuore is eye
A clerc þat was among hom þe king het anon
Þat me ssolde him honge hecst of echon
Pandulf þei he wende wel himsulf to honge sone
Ne sparede he noȝt þeruore to do wat was to done
In þe popes half he sede ich uorbede vpe mansinge
Þat no man ne touchi þulke clerc to him to deþe bringe
He esste boc & candle þe sentence to do bliue
Þe king þo him wiþdrou & let him gon aliue
& vewe wordes þer were mo & þo al þis was ido
Mid such loue þe king & pandulf departede a tuo
And þe king bileuede amansed & ech þat mid him was
Pandulf wende to rome & tolde al þis cas
Þe pope & is cardinals In þe ȝer of grace ywis
Tuelf hundred & þretene ido was al þis
Þe pope ȝut him biþoȝte ar he verrore nome
& alle þe bissops of engelond let someni to rome
Iohannes
Bote tueie oþer þre & abbodes al so
& grete clerkes to loki wat were best to do
Þe verste day of octobre þis conseil bigan
Vor to trety of is lond þer was mani a man
Þe pope & þe bissopes amansede verst þere
Ion king of engelond & alle þat mid him were
Fram daye to daye hii dude þe mansinge
& grete clerkes to loki wat were best to do
Þe verste day of octobre þis conseil bigan
Vor to trety of is lond þer was mani a man
Þe pope & þe bissopes amansede verst þere
Ion king of engelond & alle þat mid him were
Fram daye to daye hii dude þe mansinge
Ȝuf hii miȝte þer þoru in amendement him bringe
A croiserie þo ȝut hii ne made vpe him non
Vor ne adde enchesoun ibe of manslaȝt manion
Ac þe king of france mid poer inou
Þoru leue of þe pope hiderward him drou
So þat drede in eche half was vpe þis king Ion
Of mansinge & entredit & al so of is fon
Peris þe wise was a man of poumfreit ibore
Muche þing þat suþþe vel he sede ofte biuore
So þat he sede þat þe king ne ssolde king leng be
Þen holi þorsdai at non bote he wolde him bet bise
& aȝe god & holi churche amendi is misdede
Vor þis word þe king was wel in þe more drede
At corf he let þis peris in strong prison bringe
Vorte he wuste of þis wo wat were þe endinge
To rome gode messagers to þe pope he sende
Vort aȝen holichurche is trespas amende
Anon after easter toward douere he drou
To wite þe hauene mid poer inou
& gaderede of al engelonde þe beste of ech toune
& were uorte holi þoresday vpe berhaundoune
To kepe þe king of france vor king Ion adde drede
Of mansinge & of þe word þat peris þe wise sede
In þe monþe of aueril is messagers come
& pandulf þe legat wiþ hom fram þe court of rome
Pandulf him sede anon þat he amansed was
Þis lond to lese he & is vor is vile trespas
Þe king was nei for drede wod vor wowe in ech ende
Laste þe king of fraunce & mansing him ssolde ssende
& vor holi þorsday was ney þouȝtes he adde inowe
Leste þe deuelen of helle al quic to helle him drowe
Þe king suor vpe þe boc & caucion vond god
Þat he al clanliche to þe popes loking stod
A croiserie þo ȝut hii ne made vpe him non
Vor ne adde enchesoun ibe of manslaȝt manion
Ac þe king of france mid poer inou
Þoru leue of þe pope hiderward him drou
709
Of mansinge & entredit & al so of is fon
Peris þe wise was a man of poumfreit ibore
Muche þing þat suþþe vel he sede ofte biuore
So þat he sede þat þe king ne ssolde king leng be
Þen holi þorsdai at non bote he wolde him bet bise
& aȝe god & holi churche amendi is misdede
Vor þis word þe king was wel in þe more drede
At corf he let þis peris in strong prison bringe
Vorte he wuste of þis wo wat were þe endinge
To rome gode messagers to þe pope he sende
Vort aȝen holichurche is trespas amende
Anon after easter toward douere he drou
To wite þe hauene mid poer inou
& gaderede of al engelonde þe beste of ech toune
& were uorte holi þoresday vpe berhaundoune
To kepe þe king of france vor king Ion adde drede
Of mansinge & of þe word þat peris þe wise sede
In þe monþe of aueril is messagers come
& pandulf þe legat wiþ hom fram þe court of rome
Pandulf him sede anon þat he amansed was
Þis lond to lese he & is vor is vile trespas
Þe king was nei for drede wod vor wowe in ech ende
Laste þe king of fraunce & mansing him ssolde ssende
& vor holi þorsday was ney þouȝtes he adde inowe
Leste þe deuelen of helle al quic to helle him drowe
Þe king suor vpe þe boc & caucion vond god
Þat he al clanliche to þe popes loking stod
Iohannes
To amendi aȝen holichirche al þat he adde misdo& to vnderfonge þe erchebissop & to ȝelde aȝen al so
Him & oþer bissopes al þat he nom of hore
& al þat eni clerc adde þoru him oþer his ilore
710
At douere biuore al þut folc þis oþ was isuore
& ȝe heyemen of þis lond vpe bok suore also
Þat ȝuf he wolde aȝe þis oþ eueremor out do
To turne alle aȝen him vort he to betere come
Þe king made ek is chartre to þe court of rome
To bicome þe popes man & homage him do
& eche ȝer him bere rente & is eirs al so
Eche ȝer a þousend marc & nouȝt a verþing lasse
Half to paye at estre & half at misselmasse
Seue hundre[d] marc to paye uor engelond
& walis & þre hundred marc to paye vor irlond
Al wiþoute petres peni so þat he nom
Þe croune of is heued þo holi þorsdai com
& tok is pandulf þe legat to ȝelde him sulue ywis
To þe pope innocent al clene & alle his
Of seinte peter & of him & of is successours of rome
To holde euere engelond & is eirs þat of him come
& ȝuf eni king it wiþsede þat after him com
Anon vor þulke trespas lore þe kinedom
& þus pleide þe king Ion to him & alle his
Verst to lese normandie & suþþe to paye þis
Þo it was al siker inou þat nouȝt nas bileued
Pandulf nom þe croune aȝen & sette vp on is heued
& pur was þe pes ymad he lokede arst wel rowe
More uor eye þan vor loue maniman serueþ howe
After þe erchebissop hii sende þo anon
& after þe oþer bissop ek þat hii come hom echon
At winchestre at sein swithines þo þe erchebissop co[m]
Þe king was & pitosliche aȝen him þun wey he nom
& riȝt atte churche dore he vel adoun akne
To þe erchebissopes fet as þut folc miȝte ise
& sede leue fader wel come mote þou be
God wot wuch is herte was vor he nolde him noȝt vnwr[e]
Þe erchebissop him asoilede at is vet as he lay
& wende vp & song þe masse a seinte margrete day
711
Ac þe entredit of þis lond nas noȝt þo ȝut vndo
Vor þe pope nolde it nout vndo ar þe king ȝolde
Al þat he of clerkes nom wolde he so nolde
As he bi is lettres sende & ȝuf eni clerc vorȝeue out
Þe king of suich mis niminge þat it were al uor noȝt
So þat at sein bartelmewes tid þe bissopes come
& þe erchebissop to westmunstre & conseil þer of nome
Þere hii made ech clerc segge wat him binome were
& þe king enquerede of is men al wat hii awei bere
& þo hii were al at on he suor is oþ iwis
To ȝelde at sein nicholas tid at redinge ech man his
Ac ferlich it was iholde vor þe hexte þer was ibrouȝt
Somwat as uor hore del & þe pouerore nouȝt
Peris þe wise þat at corf in prisoun þo lay
Vor þe king of scapede holi þorsday
Harmles me him nom & mid hors to drou
& suþþe anhunge him & is sone at warham as mid wou
In þe ȝer of grace tuelf hundred & fourtene al so
A gret conseil at londone of bissopes was ido
& of þe legat of rome so þat þe king & he
Were þere so at on as hii miȝte bise
Þat hii vndude þe entredit a sein swithines day þer
Wodnesday as was þo þat adde ilast er
Six ȝer & þre monþes þer was ioye inou
Me rong bellen in al þe toun & vaste þe ropes drou
Þo þe king hadde pays aȝe þe pope iwis
Þe baldore he was uor to do is barons amis
As in þe ȝer of grace tuelf hundred & fiftene
Contek bigan bi tuene hom & noȝt vor noȝt ich wene
Vor hor wiues & hor doȝtren þe king ofte vorlay
& hangede men gultles vor wraþþe al longe day
712
Nome hor conseil & sede þat hii nolde it þolie noȝt
Ne þe luþer lawes þat he huld ac bede him wiþdrawe
Is luþer wille & granti hom þe gode olde lawe
Þat was bi seint edwardes day & suþþe adoun ibroȝt
Þoru him & þoru oþere þat were of luþer þouȝt
Þe king glosede her & þer & made it somdel touȝt
Ac þo it com to þe strengþe he nolde it graunti nouȝt
Iohannes
Þe contesse isabel þat þerl mareschales douȝter was
To gileberd erl of gloucestre ispoused was in þis cas
Maister alixandre nequam þat canon was er
Imad was of cirencestre abbod þulke ȝer
Þe barons orne vpe king mid hor poer so vaste
Þat he made of þe olde lawes is chartre atte laste
To holde uor him & uor is eirs & aselede is vaste inou
Ac suþþe as vnstable man wiþ sede & wiþ drou
& wanne him muche strange folc of biȝonde se
& some as god it wolde ne come neuere aȝe
& largeliche hom ȝef inou of is barones londe
& is castles aboute tok hom vaste an honde
In diuerse contreies & þut lond to bitraye
Ordeinede þat hii ssolde alle in one daye
& in one time wende out ech in is side
& robbi so an oniwar þe contreie aboute wide
Riȝt al so it was ido þat in one time riȝt
Hii smite out of hor castles Iarmed wel apliȝt
& robbede þe contreies al an oniwar
& of [orf] & tresour made is sone bar
& wo so nolde aȝen hom at hor wille fine
Hii barnde hous & oþer god & defoulede louerd & hine
Some at hor horsetaile villiche hii to drowe
& some hii nome and tormentede in diuerse tormens inowe
To gileberd erl of gloucestre ispoused was in þis cas
Maister alixandre nequam þat canon was er
Imad was of cirencestre abbod þulke ȝer
Þe barons orne vpe king mid hor poer so vaste
Þat he made of þe olde lawes is chartre atte laste
To holde uor him & uor is eirs & aselede is vaste inou
Ac suþþe as vnstable man wiþ sede & wiþ drou
& wanne him muche strange folc of biȝonde se
& some as god it wolde ne come neuere aȝe
& largeliche hom ȝef inou of is barones londe
& is castles aboute tok hom vaste an honde
In diuerse contreies & þut lond to bitraye
Ordeinede þat hii ssolde alle in one daye
& in one time wende out ech in is side
& robbi so an oniwar þe contreie aboute wide
Riȝt al so it was ido þat in one time riȝt
Hii smite out of hor castles Iarmed wel apliȝt
& robbede þe contreies al an oniwar
& of [orf] & tresour made is sone bar
& wo so nolde aȝen hom at hor wille fine
Hii barnde hous & oþer god & defoulede louerd & hine
713
& some hii nome and tormentede in diuerse tormens inowe
Ȝe þat vil it is to telle some hii lete honge
Bi hor membres an hey in pines wel stronge
Vort hii adde fin imad some deide vaste
& þulke in priue chaumbres villiche hii caste
& al a ȝer largeliche þis wrechede ilaste
& þe baron was wo inou so þat atte laste
Hii wende & nome londone þe boldore hii were þo
Þe king robbede bi norþe & dude wel muche wo
So þat þe barons sende to þe king philip of france
Þat he hom sende socour in þis luþer destance
& bote he wolde oþer do þat he sende wiþ poer
Lowis is sone & hii wolde make him king her
Þis forewarde was vaste imad so þat lowis com
Wiþ poer gret inou in to þis kinedom
Þe barons him dude homage & some mid suikedom
So þat of roucestre þe castel verst he nom
Bi hor membres an hey in pines wel stronge
Vort hii adde fin imad some deide vaste
& þulke in priue chaumbres villiche hii caste
& al a ȝer largeliche þis wrechede ilaste
& þe baron was wo inou so þat atte laste
Hii wende & nome londone þe boldore hii were þo
Þe king robbede bi norþe & dude wel muche wo
So þat þe barons sende to þe king philip of france
Þat he hom sende socour in þis luþer destance
& bote he wolde oþer do þat he sende wiþ poer
Lowis is sone & hii wolde make him king her
Þis forewarde was vaste imad so þat lowis com
Wiþ poer gret inou in to þis kinedom
Þe barons him dude homage & some mid suikedom
So þat of roucestre þe castel verst he nom
Iohannes Henricus
& worre was in to al þis lond þat longe worþ in mone
Þe sone was aȝe þe fader þe fader aȝen þe sone
Þe þorsdai þe witesonewouke to londone lowis com
& þat folc of þe toun wiþ gret honour him nom
Þe castel he nom of ferham þe friday þat is
Next after þe trinite & suþþe he nom iwis
Winchestere aboute missomer & suþþe he nom iwis
Þe castel of odiham & þo he adde ido al þis
Þe tour he nam of londone & wan al þis souþside
& euere robbede þe king Ion in þe norþ contreie wide
& dude þe londe wo inou & more bihet
He ne brouȝte noȝt al to ende ar here þat lif let
At newework he deide a sein lukes day
He was ihasted þat vnneþe þre dawes sik he lay
Þe sone was aȝe þe fader þe fader aȝen þe sone
Þe þorsdai þe witesonewouke to londone lowis com
& þat folc of þe toun wiþ gret honour him nom
Þe castel he nom of ferham þe friday þat is
Next after þe trinite & suþþe he nom iwis
Winchestere aboute missomer & suþþe he nom iwis
Þe castel of odiham & þo he adde ido al þis
Þe tour he nam of londone & wan al þis souþside
& euere robbede þe king Ion in þe norþ contreie wide
& dude þe londe wo inou & more bihet
He ne brouȝte noȝt al to ende ar here þat lif let
714
He was ihasted þat vnneþe þre dawes sik he lay
Ȝuf eni man þer to help god it him vorȝiue
Vor he adde er þis lond to muche wrechede idriue
In þe ȝer of grace he deide tuelf hundred & six tene
& seuentene ȝer he was king & fif monþes ich wene
& fif dawes & þat þouȝte mani man longe iwis
At wircetre in þe munstre vaire ibured he is
Vor he adde er þis lond to muche wrechede idriue
In þe ȝer of grace he deide tuelf hundred & six tene
& seuentene ȝer he was king & fif monþes ich wene
& fif dawes & þat þouȝte mani man longe iwis
At wircetre in þe munstre vaire ibured he is
Henri was king imad after is fader Ion
A sein simondes day & sein Iude at gloucestre anon
Nye ȝer old he was þo & in warde he was þere
& me nolde nouȝt þat is crouninge leng delaied were
Þer was þe legat of rome & þe bissop of winchetre
Þe bissop of chestre & of baþe & þe bissop of wurcestre
& þe erl willam þe marschal & þe erl of ferers
& þe erl of penbroc & þe erl of storgoil þat was so fers
Þes crounede þe ȝonge king þere as he founde was
Ac þe kinges home at gloucestere & so mid glad pas
To þe abbeie churche hii bere him þat of sein peter is
& offrede him as vor hor king to þe heie weued iwis
Þe oþer erles & barons mid lowis þo ȝut were
As hii vaste him bi hete þeruore hii nere noȝt þere
Þo bigan þer in þis lond a newe destourbance
Vor men louede bet hor kunde louerd þan lowis of france
Þoru conseil of holi churche vndo ȝut hii þoȝte
Þe uore warde þat hii made him þo hii him hider broȝte
Þeruore þe legat galon & þe barons of þis londe
A conseil hii made at martinmasse at bristowe ich vnderstonde
A sein simondes day & sein Iude at gloucestre anon
Nye ȝer old he was þo & in warde he was þere
& me nolde nouȝt þat is crouninge leng delaied were
Þer was þe legat of rome & þe bissop of winchetre
Þe bissop of chestre & of baþe & þe bissop of wurcestre
& þe erl willam þe marschal & þe erl of ferers
& þe erl of penbroc & þe erl of storgoil þat was so fers
Þes crounede þe ȝonge king þere as he founde was
Ac þe kinges home at gloucestere & so mid glad pas
To þe abbeie churche hii bere him þat of sein peter is
& offrede him as vor hor king to þe heie weued iwis
Þe oþer erles & barons mid lowis þo ȝut were
As hii vaste him bi hete þeruore hii nere noȝt þere
Þo bigan þer in þis lond a newe destourbance
Vor men louede bet hor kunde louerd þan lowis of france
Þoru conseil of holi churche vndo ȝut hii þoȝte
Þe uore warde þat hii made him þo hii him hider broȝte
715
A conseil hii made at martinmasse at bristowe ich vnderstonde
Henricus
Þe legat þere asoilede heye & lowe al soOf homage þat hii adde þis lowis ido
He made ek seue bissops vor nammo þer nere
& erles & barons & kniȝtes suerie þere
Holde oþes þe ȝonge king þat hii him treuþe bere
& amansede alle of engelond þat aȝen him were
Manie in hor bare fless hom lete croici vaste
To libbe uor him & deie lowis out to caste
Heyemen of engelond þat mid lowis were
Vor kundede hor herte to king henry bere
So þat anon to somere hii gonne to vrne vaste
& þe eue of þe trinite hii mette hom atte laste
A sein dunstones day at lincolne iwis
& smite þer an bataile þat wel couþ is
Ac so it was þat englisse þat mid Lowis were
Toward king henri & is muche hor herte bere
& þo it com to þe strengþe hii fouȝte feinteliche
& inome were of hor frend & hii ȝolde hom liȝtliche
So was þe erl of winchestre sir saer de quinci
Inome & of hereforde þe erl sire henri
& sir Roberd le fiz water & mani oþer al so
& mani was þe gode bodi þat þer was to deþe ido
Vor þe ȝonge erl of peithes þun deþ þere nom
Þat was iholde ȝong kniȝt þe beste of cristendom
He nas þo bote of þretti ȝer þe erl marchal him slou
Wan tueye stronge comeþ to gadere it is somdel tou
Þo lowis hurde telle þat is men bineþe were
He wende him to londone & huld him vaste þere
716
Tuelf hundred ȝer & seuentene þis was of ȝer of grace
So þat gret poer of france dude hom in þe se
Aboute an hundred ssipuol ac hii ne come noȝt alle aȝe
Vor sir Richard fiȝ le rei þe kinges sone Ion
& sir huber de boru & oþere kniȝtes manion
& þe sink pors scarseliche mid ssipes eiȝtetene
& ȝeue hom bataile in þe se þat was sone isene
Vor sir Eustas þe moine was þere to deþe ido
& mani oþer of france & þer were inome al so
Ten grete louerdinges & oþere manion
So þat inome oþer aslawe oþer adreinct hii were echon
Henricus
To þe castel of douere me ladde þat were inomeÞo was þe frensse poer as here ouercome
Þo þouȝte lowis þat is poer him moste nede faile
& þe englisse preste were londone vp him asaile
So þat me spac of acord vor þe baronie
Vor loue him broȝte hiderward & þat was cortesie
& þe king him ȝef ten þousend marc vor is meschaunce
& he as in gode leue wende hom to fraunce
Sir Richard fiz le rei of wan we speke biuore
Gentil man was inou þei he were abast ibore
Vor þe erles douȝter of wareine is gode moder was
& is fader þe king Ion & biȝete him a porchas
Sire morisse of berkeleye weddede suþþe bicas
Is doȝter & biȝet on hire þe kniȝt sir tomas
Þo þis lond þoru godes grace to god pays was ibroȝt
Vor to abbe þe olde lawes þe heiemen turnde hor þoȝt
717
Þat wiþ þe ȝonge king hii speke þat was isene
Vor to abbe as we sede er þe gode olde lawe
Þe king made is chartre & grantede it wel vawe
Þe gode lawes of forest & oþere þat wule were
Þe legat & þe erchebissop amansede þo þere
& alle þe bissopes of þis lond alle þat þer were aȝe
Þe legat þo it was aceled wende uorþ ouer se
& pandulf com in is stede & fram ȝere to ȝere
Me amansede alle þoru þe lond þat aȝe þe chartre were
Tuelf hundered as in ȝer of grace & nintene ich vnderstonde
Þe eire of iustize wende aboute in þe londe
& sir hubert de boru was hext Iustice of al þe route
& þere þis gode lawes hii despeplede al aboute
Þe olde quene ysabel þe kinges moder henri
Hir let to þe erl of þe march þulke ȝer spousi
& willam marchal deide þo þat longe worþ in mone
& atte nywe temple was ibured at londone
Þer after at westmunstre ar þe baronie bi sai
Hii crounede þe king ariȝt a witesoneday
It was as in þe ȝer of grace & tuelf hundred & tuenti ȝer
& as in þe verþe ȝer þat he verst croune ber
Þe newe worc of wesmunstre þe king bigan þo anon
After is crouninge & leide þe uerste ston
Þe king wende þo to canterbury & þe heiemen al so
To nime vp sein tomas body & in to ssrine do
Arst he adde ileye an erþe vnssrined vifti ȝer
Of engelond & of fraunce so muche folc þer com þer
718
Þeruore hii nome him vp priueliche bi niȝte
Þe nexte ȝer þer after as in þe ȝer of grace
Tuelf hundred & to & tuenti in þe vaire place
Of þe noble munstre of salesburi hii leide þe uerste ston
Þat me not in cristindom vairore work non
Þer was pandulf þe legat & as hext of echon
He leide viue þe verste stones as uor þe pope þut on
Þe oþer uor vr ȝonge king þe þridde as me sey
Vor þe gode erl of salesburi willam þe longespei
Þe verþe uor þe contesse þe uifte he leide þo
Vor þe bissop of salesburi & he ne leide nammo
Þe nexte ȝer þer after was Richard of clare ibore
Þat was erl of gloucetre after is fader þat was biuore
Þe ȝongore willam þe marschal þat erl marschal was
Spousede þe kinges soster as god ȝef þut cas
As in tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & foure & tuenti þer to
Suþþe sir simond de mounfort spousede hire al so
Faukes de breute þat in engelond was longe
Mid king Ion & adde of him bedeuorde auonge
He astorede þe castel þulke ȝer wel þoru alle þinge
& sette þer uolk inou to holde him aȝe þe kinge
Þe king & heiemen of þe lond mid strengþe & mid ginne
& bilaye þe castel longe ar hii him miȝte iwinne
719
Four score gode kniȝtes hii an henge alas
& sir faukes broþer sir willam de breute
In gibet hii were anhonge as to more vilte
A seinte marie day in heruest þat reuþe it was to se
& so hii miȝte lerni traitour to be
Henricus
Sir faukes þat fleu aboute wide gan to fleAtte laste he was ifounde in þe churcde of couentre
Þe churche sauede is lif ac villiche inou
He uorsok þe kinges lond & to is owe contrei drou
Þo was þe king him þoȝte quit of al is fon
Of god stat to þe lond he spek þo anon
Vor þe gode olde lawes of wan we abbeþ ispeke
He confermede vaste þo þat me ne ssolde it breke
& made þer of chartres on ich vnderstonde
Of þe forest & anoþer of franchise of þe londe
& aselede is boþe & þe erchebissop þere
& oþer bissops amansede alle þat þer aȝen were
It was tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & fiue & tuenti þere
Þer uore þe men of þis lond gret raunson him bere
720
Vnder al to þousend marc him ȝeue uor al þis
& þe giwes vif þousend marc iconfermed it was vaste
& ȝut as me ssal ihure lute wule it laste
King lowis of fraunce & willam þe longespei
Þe eldore deide suþþe as in oȝer ney
& after king lowis com is holi sone lowis
& after him com is sone willam þat was so wis
Þe gode erchebissop steuene broȝte is lif to fine
As in tuelf hundred ȝer of graee & tuenti & nine
& maister Richard þe grant in is stede was ido
& wende uorþ to rome to sacri him þer to
Þe king wende to brutaine mid gret ost þulke ȝer
Vor to winne aȝen þing þat is fader les er
Ac he wende hom aȝen in þe uerste ȝere
& bileuede þe erl marschal & þe erl of chestre þere
Vor to winne is riȝtes uor him sulf lute he wan
In brutaine deide þo Gilebert þe nobleman
Erl of gloucetre & richard is ȝonge sone was þo
In þe kinges warde uor he was of eiȝte ȝer & nammo
& sir peris de roches bissop of wincestre
Þe king ȝef þe warde of him & of þe erldom of gloucestere
Richard erl of cornwaile þe nexte ȝer after þis
As in tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & on & þritti iwis
721
Willam þe erl marschal deide þulke ȝer alas
& at londone was ibured & Richard is broþer
Vnderueng þe eritage vor he nadde eir non oþer
Þe king him vaire vnderueng & þe erldom of penbroc
& al is oþer eritage wel vaire him tok
Randulf þe noble erl of chestre deide suþþe al so
As in tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & þretti & to
Sir hubert de boru erl of kent þe noble iustise
Þat as þe kinges poer hadde an alle wise
Acused was to þe king of mani luþer prise
So þat he was in prison in þe castel of þe vise
& was bitake four erles to witie wiþoute faile
Þe erl of wareine & Richard erl of cornwaile
& Richard þe marschal & þe erl of chestre Ion
So þat hii founde kniȝtes ech of hom on
To witie him in prison & ȝut uor echon
He of scapede to churche as him þoȝte best won
Wiþ strengþe he was out idrawe & suþþe to þe castel
Of scorgoil he was ilad & iwust þere wel
Vor he was of churche inome þo clergie bispek it vaste
So þat he was þoru þe pope deliuered atte laste
722
In sire hubertes stude de boru þut lond wel to wise
Þo sprong þer a gret contek & strong þoru out al
Bituene vr king henri & richard þe marschal
& sir gilberd basset & sir richard stiward þer to
Vor to uor sir hubert de boru & uor þe bissop al so
Of winchestre sir peris de roches uor þe king as me sede
Dede þoru is conseil mani luþer dede
As in tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & þritti & þre
Aȝe þis þre louerdinges þe king gan luþer to be
Destruede hor londes ouer al & dude hom ssame inou
Ac þe erl Richard þe marsschal soffrede euere inou
& vaire þe king bisende þat he him ssolde wiþdrawe
Bi men of religion & al nas wurþ an hawe
Þo þer nas oþer red he wende to walis
& ber him þere vaire inou & lute dude amis
Vor þe kinges londes þer he miȝte abbe al destrud
Ac vor he ne dude is felawes were wel sore anuid
Ac sire gilebert basset & sir Richard syward
Hii destruede þere vaste inou & suþþe hiderward
723
Ac þe bissop of winchestre & þe erl of cornwaile
& nameliche þe bissops vor sir Richard siward vaste
Barnede is courtes oueral & walles adoun caste
So þat maister edmund of abendone was
Erchebissop of canterbury as god sende þat cas
As tuelf hundred in ȝer of grace & four & þretti also
Þis holi man seint edmund in suich poer was ido
Þo wende Richard þe marschal þat of penbroc erl was
Into irlonde to worri in luþer time alas
Vor þoru treson of is owe men to bataile he wende adai
So þat þe ost of is fon ouer muche he sai
& muche of is owe folc bigan vor to fle
Sire quaþ þo þo kniȝt þou most þe bi se
Þou sucst þis folc ouer muche þat aȝe þe is
& þin owe ouer lute betere it is iwis
As me þincþ turne aȝe uort god sende betere iwon
Vor vr poer is to lute aȝe þus manie fon
Wat seiste quaþ þis gode erl wan richard þe marschal
Vpe is stede iarmed is & atiled þoru out al
& toward is fon in þe feld haþ is wombe iwent
Ssold he turne hom is rugh he nas neuere so issent
Vor he ne dude it neuere ne neuere iwis ne ssal
Fram such ssendnesse crist ssulde Richard þe marssal
724
He slou to grounde her & þer vaste in eiþer side
More prowesse ne miȝte of o bodi be
Þan me miȝte of richard þe marschal þere ise
Hii ne miȝte him one felle al þat to him drowe
Ar hii mid som felonie is stede vnder him slowe
& ȝut ne miȝte hii him ouercome ar on him smot bicas
In aboute þe fondement as he vnarmed was
& so vp toward þe gottes & þus was of lif dawe
Richard þe marchal ibroȝt & þoru treson aslawe
Henri[cus]
At kildar he was aslawe þat in yrlonde is& at þe frere prechors ibured at kilkenni iwis
Þo vr king henri hurde of is deþ telle
& of þe prowesse þat he dude ar me him miȝte quelle
& he vnderstod of is wit & of is wisdom
Him þoȝte it was a gret lere to al is kinedom
Vor is deþ he made deol inou & vor is soule he let do
Almesdede manion & mani masse al so
Is broþer sir gileberd þat eir was of þe lond
He bitok mid gode wille þe eritage an hond
725
He let nime & in prison do vor he wuste of þis cas
& concentede as me sede to þe luþer treson
He let al so uor is loue deliueri of prison
Sir hubert de boru & oþere þat in prison were ido
& hom þat iweiued were is pes he ȝef al so
& hii a sein swithines eue of Iun þe verste day
To him come at gloucetre as mani man isay
Vn hosed & bareuot & vngurt al so
Hor armes to þe elbowe naked hor heued bar þer to
Hii velle to þe kinges fet & merci him criede vaste
Þe king ne miȝte þo uorbere þat he ne wep atte laste
& bigan nei vor pite isuowe vpriȝt toumbe
Bote as þe erl of hereforde him huld & sir geffrey of crancoumbe
Þo he it miȝte uor deol do he nom hom in is hond
& custe hom wiþ milde herte & ȝef hom al hor lond
Þo was þe bissop of winchestre & sir peris doriual
Remued þoru seint edmund out of þe court al
& to late þouȝte mani man uor god is wel to do
Maister roberd groce teste þulke ȝer w as also
726
Seint edmund þo at canterburi spousede to vr kinge
Þe erles doȝter of prouence elianore to wiue
Tuelf hundred as in ȝer of grace & þretti & fiue
Sir henri of alimaine þe erles sone of cornwaile
Þulke ȝer ibore was al so wiþoute faile
Sir simond de mounfort of wan gret munde is
As in tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & seuene & þretti ywis
Elianore þe kinges soster willames loue þe marschal
Contesse of penbroc spousede god womman þoru out al
Henricus
Þe erl of gloucestre þulke ȝer Richard þat was so boldÞe erles doȝter of lincolne spousede þat het mold
Þo com þe legat sir otes to engelond fram rome
& made a conseil at londone to wan þe bissopes come
& suþþe he wende to oxenford to þe abbeie of oseneye
& þere clerkes him made climbe somdel heye
As tuelf hundred in ȝer of grace & eiȝte & þritti þer to
To him hii wende to oseneie hor nedes uor to do
So þat on of is men a sein gregories day
Caste broþ up a clerc as þut folk it sai
727
& asailede þe legat & on of is men slowe
In to þe stepel of oseneye þe legat fleu vor fere
Is men mid strokes flowe al so & of þouȝte hii come þere
Suþþe þo it com to pes & folie bileued was
Þe legat esste amendment of þe vil trespas
So þat vor þe manslaȝt & uor þe oþer wou
Þe clerkes finede wiþ him gret raunson inou
Þat ech clerc in þe toune him ȝef atten ende
As muche as he in þe wouke in is commune spende
Þe king sir simond de montfort þe erldom ȝef & his
A candelmasse day þo of leicestre iwis
In þe kinges chaumbre at wodestoke atte welle was
A clerc ifounde wonderliche þulke ȝer bi cas
He made him as bi wit so þat it was ifounde
Þat it was bi speke to sle þe king wan he sei stounde
To couentre he was isend todrawe he was þere
& a four half engelond is quarters isend were
Þe kinges eldoste sone sir edward ibore was
A seint botulfes tid as god ȝef þut cas
Tuelf hundred as in ȝer of grace & nine & þritti riȝt
Þat suþþe vr king was & so noble kniȝt
728
At missomer to þe holi lond & mani god kniȝt þer to
Þer after in Ieniuer Isabel is wif
Contesse of gloucestre let at bercamstude þat lif
Ibured heo was at beulu & ir herte ibured is
At teukesburi & ir gottes at messendene iwis
Þo sprong þer gret contek bituene henri vr king
& þe erchebissop seint edmund & noȝt vor lute þing
Henricus
Vor þe king þo he adde iwiued & an eir adde al soHe drou to oþer conseil þan he was iwoned to do
& of þe riȝtes of holichurche & of þe gode olde lawe
Þat he adde of is chartre ymad he him gan wiþ drawe
Seint edmond pitosliche wel ofte him bi souȝte
Þat he wiþdrowe of is dede & bet him bi þoȝte
Ac it was euer þe leng þe wors so þat atte laste
Seint edmond him huld stedeuast & amansede vaste
Alle þat holichurche in suich vnriȝt broȝte
& wende uorþ ouer se vort þe king him bet biþoȝte
& deide ar he come aȝe & ibured was ek þer
As in ȝer of grace tuelf hundred & fourti ȝer
Þo Richard erl of cornwaile to þe holi lond com
Þe soudan somdel uor fere Triwes wiþ him nom
& alle prisons & sarazins þat in heþenesse were
Inome & in prison ido he deliuerede him þere
729
Defouled was þoru mesauntre & debrused al
& deide as tuelf hundred ȝer & fourti & on
Of grace & þo were dede þe four breþeren echon
As þe tueie willames & richard & gileberd atten ende
& god nolde non of hom eir of is bodi sende
Ac to four sostren & hor eirs þe eritage was þo
To deled & to gadere ne comþ neuer eft mo
Elianore of brutaine deide ek þulke ȝer
Þat was arþures soster þat king Ion let sle er
Suþþe was gileberd ibore þat richardes sone was
Of clare erl of gloucestre as god ȝef þut cas
As tuelf hundred in ȝer of grace & þre & fourti þer to
Þo was is fader verst of elde & out of warde ido
Erchebissop of canterburi imad was þulke ȝer
Boneface & þe erl of cornwaile of wan we speke er
Weddede dame ssenche þat vr quene soster was
& þe quene soster of france as god ȝef þut cas
& þe erles doȝter of prouince & ir moder þe contesse
Brouȝte hire hider in to þis lond & was her in gladnesse
Fouke basset was suþþe imad bissop of londone
& sein Richard of chichestre & edmond þe kinges sone
730
Tuelf hundred & foure & fourti idon was al þis
Henricus
Suþþe deide þe olde quene biȝonde þe se wiþoute faileÞat vr kinges moder henri was & þe erl of cornewaile
Hir sone bigan to rere þe abbeie of hailes
As in ȝer of grace tuelf hundred & six & fourti iwis
Þe erles sone of gloucestre beues was suþþe ibore
& newe peni chaunge imad & þe olde bileued biuore
& erþgrine strong inou aboute leinte al so
Tuelf hundred as in ȝer of grace & seuene & fourti þer to
Þe nexte ȝer þer after þe gode king lowis
Of france to þe holi lond wende & þoru paris
Bareuot eode & open heued & þen holi wey bigan
Wiþ procession of freres & of mani god man
& þe nexte ȝer suþþe as me telle can
Þe stronge cite of damiet vpe saracens he wan
As tuelf hundred in ȝer of grace & fourti & nine
Þulke gode lowis is nou seint & ileid in ssrine
Þe erles douȝter of gloucetre ibore was þulke ȝer
Margrete & dame ssenche of wan we speke er
Þe nexte ȝer þer after a seinte steuenes niȝt
As tuelf hundred & fifti in ȝer of grace riȝt
731
Þat spousede þulke margrete suþþe as god ȝef þat cas
& was erl of cofnwaile þulke ȝer al so
Þer was in þe holi lond strong bataile ido
At seinte marie tid in leinte & þe beste kniȝtes þat þer were
Of cristinmen alas aslawe were þere
As sir willam de longespey & þe erl of artois al so
& þe king lowis was inome & in prison ido
Vort he was out ibouȝt mid raunson of is lond
& damiet i ȝolde aȝen in to heþene manne hond
Þe king ȝef sir edward is sone gascoine suþþe al so
As in tuelf hundred ȝer of grace & fifti & tuo
Þulke ȝer was þut somer so druye & so hot
Þat ȝut to þis daye of none hattore me not
Sein Richard of chichestre & roberd iwis
Groce teste deide þe nexte ȝer after þis
Suþþe vr quene of engelond & ir sone sir edward
& þe bissop water of wircetre ȝarkede hom ouerward
& to makie mariage wende hom ouer se
Henri[cus]
& sir edward spousede ar hii come aȝeÞe kinges soster of spaine elianore iwis
As in ȝer of grace ido was al þis
Tuelf hundred & four & fifti & þere þis noble king
Made sir edward kniȝt þo nobliche þoru alle þing
732
At lincolne þat het hue & in þe rode him slowe
Þe erl Richard of cornwaile suþþe was imad king
Of alemayne & þer icrouned nobliche þoru ech þing
An holi þorsdai in alimaine & made so noble feste
Þat of alle þat me wuste it was þe richoste & þe meste
As tuelf hundred in ȝer of grace & seuene & fifti riȝt
Þulke ȝer he made sir henri is sone kniȝt
Bituene vr king & lowelin gret worre þer was þo
In walis & me dude in eiþer half gret wo
& gode kniȝtes of engelond of wan was gret pite
Aslawe were þer alas þe eue of þe trinite
As sir steuene bausein & sire patric de chaus also
& mani oþer god bodi was þere to deþe ido
Þe meste wo þat here vel bi king henries day
In þis lond icholle biginne to telle ȝuf ich may
He adde þre breþeren þat is moder sones were
& þe king of alimaine þe verþe þat to heie hom bere
Ac sir willam de valance & sir eimer þer to
Elit of wincetre & sir gui de lisewi al so
733
Þat of englisse men me tolde as riȝt nouȝt
& þe king hom let hor wille þat ech was as king
& nome poueremenne god & ne paiede no þing
To eni of þis breþeren ȝuf þer pleinede eni wiȝt
Hii sede ȝuf we doþ ou wrong wo ssal ou do riȝt
As wo seiþ we beþ kinges ur wille we mowe do
& manie englisse alas hulde mid hom al so
So þat þoru godes grace þis erles atte laste
& þe bissop of þis lond & barons bispeke it vaste
Þat þe kunde englissemen of londe hii wolde out caste
& þut lond bringe adoun ȝuf hor poer ilaste
Þer of hii nome conseil & to þe king hii sende
To abbe pite of is lond & suiche maners amende
Henricus
So þat atte laste hii broȝte him þer toTo makie a porueance amendement to do
Imad it was at oxenford þut lond uor to seyte
Tuelf hundred as in ȝer of grace & fifti & eyȝte
Riȝt aboute missomer fourten niȝt it laste
Þe erles & þe barons were wel studeuaste
Vor to amendi þat lond as þe erl of gloucetre
Sir Richard & sir simond erl of leicetre
734
So þat atte laste þe king her to hii drowe
To remue þe frensse men to libbe bi ȝonde se
Bi hor londes her & þer & ne come noȝt aȝe
& to graunti gode lawes & þe olde chartre al so
Þat so ofte was igraunted er & so ofte vndo
Her of was þe chartre imad & aceled vaste þere
Of þe king & of oþere heye men þat þer were
Þo nome tende taperes þe bissops in hor hond
& þe king him sulf & oþere heyemen of þe lond
Þe bissops amansede alle þat þer aȝen were
& euereft vndude þe lawes þat iloked were þere
Mid berninde taperes & suþþe atte laste
Þe king & oþere sede amen & hor taperes adoun caste
To confermi þe mansinge & þo þoute it stable ynou
Þer after ech as in pes toward is owe drou
& þe kinges þre breþeren & oþer frensse þere
Flowe & þoȝte al to longe þat hii in þis lond were
Þe newe churche was of salesburi ihalwed þulke ȝer
Þoru giles of brute post þat bissop was þo þer
A sein Misseles dai of þe erchebissop boneface þat was þo
Þer was boþe king & quene & heiemen mani mo
Þe quene ssenche deide suþþe of alemaine iwis
At bercamstede in nouembre & ibured was & is
735
Tuelf hundred & on & sixti as in ȝer of grace
Al þis time was sir edward biȝonde se aboute
& hauntede torneimens wiþ wel noble route
Wiþ gascoine þat was his & gode kniȝtes adde
As sir warin of bassingbourne þat him aboute ladde
Henric[us]
& sir hamond þe strange & sir gemes of audeleSir roger of clifford & oþere uort he com aȝe
Þe quene was ek biȝonde se & þe kinges breþeren al so
& euere þoȝte hou hii miȝte þe purueance vndo
Hii porchasede þat þe pope asoilede iwis
Of þe oþ & of þe mansinge þe king & alle his
Þo was it þe kinges wille & is conseilers also
Al out ȝuf hii miȝte þe purueaunce vndo
It was euere þe quene þoȝt so muche so heo miȝte þenche
Mid conseil oþer mid sonde oþer mid wimman wrenche
& þo sir edward was iproued hardi kniȝt & god
Aȝe þe porueaunce al so he turnde al is mod
So þat þe erl of gloucetre Richard deide þo
Þo was þe baronie wel in þe more wo
Þe king gaderede is poer & sir edward al so
& þe king of alimaine his & mani oþer þerto
736
A freinss kniȝt was at gloucetre þe sserreue þoru þe king
Sir maci de besile and constable also
Þe barons it bispeke þat it nas noȝt wel ido
Ac aȝe þe pourueance vor hii nolde frenss man non
An oþer sserreue hii made þoru commun conseil echon
A kniȝt of þe contreie sir willam traci
& of þulke poer clene pulte out sir maci
Ac sir willam ssire huld in a monenday
Sir maci com iarmed as mani man isay
Wiþ poer isend fram þe court iarmed wel inou
& euene as þe ssire sat to þe tounes ende him drou
Hii aliȝte wiþ drawe suerd wiþ macis manion
& wiþ mani an hard stroc rumede hor wey anon
Vort hii come vp to þe deis & þe sserreue vaste
Bi þe top hii hente anon & to þe grounde him caste
& harlede him vorþ villiche wiþ mani stroc among
In a foul plodde in þe stret suþþe me him slong
& orne on him mid hor hors & defoulede him vaste
& bihinde a squier suþþe villiche hii him caste
& to þe castel him ladde þoru out þe toun
Þat reuþe it was vor to se & caste him in prison
737
Hii þoȝte in time amendi suich vileinie
Henricus
So þat sir roger de clifford & sir Ion giffard nomeGret poer in somer & to gloucetre come
Hii sende to sir maci þat he þun castel ȝolde
To hom & to þe baronie oþer hii him nime wolde
Sir maci hom sende aȝen þat þe king him tok biuore
Þun castel him to loki mid trewe oþ isuore
Ne þat he nolde traitour be ne þen castel neuere ȝelde
Bote þe king oþer is sone þe wule he him miȝte welde
He adde wiþinne lute folk þun castel to defende
Arblastes sone & ginnes wiþoute me bende
& ssote inward vaste inou atte laste hii sende
Al þe brutaske wiþoute & þe brugge brende
Vor he was al of tre & sir maci & his
Flowe in to þe tour an hey þo hii seye þis
& defendede hom vaste þe wule hii miȝte iwis
Ac vor defaute of helpe mani man issend is
Wiþ an quarel on wiþinne an squier þer oute slou
Sir Ion giffard uor is deþ made deol inou
738
An carpenter þat hii sede þat sset þe ssute hii nome
& ladde him vpe þe tour an hei & made him huppe to grounde
He hupte & debrusede & deide in an stounde
& sir Roger of clifford þo þe castel in warde hadde
& hii nome sir maci & in to marc him ladde
& sir Ion giffard nom to him is quic eiȝte echon
& al þat he fond of is & nameliche at sserston
A freinss bissop þer was at hereforde þo
Sir peris de egeblaunche þat hii dude al so wo
Hii come vor to nime him Iarmed manion
Þe godeman vor drede to churche wende anon
& reuestede him bi þe auter ac sir roger ne sir Ion
Vor honour of holichurche nolde wiþinne gon
Ac sir tomas torbeuille & oþer ssrewen mo
Wende vp & wiþ strengþe made him out go
Þo he sei þat he ne moste habbe churche peis
Par crist he sede sir tomas tu es Maveis
Meint ben te ay fet vor he adde muche god
Þer biuore him ido & he it vuele vnderstod
Hii harlede him out of churche þat lute pite adde
& is god nome vaste inou & to erdesleye him ladde
739
Henricus
& him & sir maci ek in god warde dude þereIn þe castel of erdesleye uor te it betere were
So it ferde oueral ware me freinsse fond
Me harlede hom villiche aboute in to al þe lond
& þe kinges men robbede hom þat aȝen hom were
& þe barons ek hor fon þat aȝen hom armes bere
Atte biginninge þer hulde wiþ þe king vewe wel
Bote sir Robert walrond & sir Ion Mauncel
Ac suþþe þo sir edward so wel armes ber
He drou to him manion þat wiþ þe barons were er
Þe marcheis he adde sone as sir Roger þe Mortimer
& sir warin of bassingbourne & of clifford sir Roger
Sir gemes de audele sir haumond þe strange al so
Sir roger of leibourne & mani oþer þer to
Þo was þe castel of gloucetre & þe toun al so
Þoru sir roger of clifford in þe kinges hond ido
& he astorede þe castel wiþ poer inou
& to is castel of brumesfeld sir Ion giffard vaste drou
& astorede him wel inou & goinde adde is route
To driue & to gaderi þuder god of neiȝebores aboute
Þe stalwardeste men þat me fond to him vaste he drou
& of porchas of neiȝebores ssipede hom wel inou
740
Þer was ofte biker gret & muche harm ido
Ac þe constable of gloucetre as mid þe kinges poer
Held ofte in þe kinges name courtes ver & ner
So þat at quedesle wiþoute þe toun to mile
He let someni an hundred & þer he hente an gile
Vor as he huld þis hundred mid gret folk & onour
& Adam of arderne was is chef countour
Hii clupede sir Ion giffard þat siwte ssolde þer to
To come oþer he ssolde in þe merci be ido
He com bi asoyne vor is men inowe
Come out of brumsfeld & Iarmed to hom drowe
& asoynede hor louerd & to grounde slowe
Glad he was þat miȝte fle ar þat suerd is nekk gnowe
Manie flowe to churche & þe constable vnneþe
At arnde aliue & manie were ibroȝt to deþe
Þis luþer bailifs þat poueremen so gret wo doþ ilome
Suich giffardes asoyne icholde hom ofte come
Henricus
Wel a ȝer & an half þus it ferde abouteÞat ech heiman dude is fon ssame mid is route
Atte laste þo winter towarde ende drou
At candelmasse ech of hom gret ost nom inou
& sir roger of clifford gloucetre wuste al so
& at ech ȝat of þe toun god warde let do
Sir Ion giffard com aday & sir Ion de balun þere
Ride vpe tueye wolpakces chapmen as hii were
741
To late in tueie wolmongers hor chaffare in to lede
Biweued hii were boþe mid welsse mantles tueie
Þo þe ȝates were vndo hii hupte adoun beye
Of hor hors & caste hor mantles awei anon
& þo stode hii Iarmed fram heued to þe ton
Þo were þe porters agrise sore of þulke siȝte
& caste hom þe keyen vawe þat hii miȝte
Poer þer was inou atte brugge ende
Þo þe ȝates were vndo hii gonne þuder wende
Sir simondes sone de monfort sir henri þe hende
& mani god bodi ek as god þuder sende
Þo þe barons adde þe toun & þe castel þe king
Þer was ofte bituene hom gret bikering
Sir edward was bi este þo mid poer gret inou
Sone toward leinte toward þe march he drou
Is wei he nom bi oxenford ac þe borgeis anon
Þe ȝates made aȝen him of þe toune echon
He wende & lai wiþoute toun atte kinges halle
& wende vorþ amorwe mid is men alle
Þe ȝates þo he was iwend were alle vp ibroȝt
Sone bote smiþe gate ac þat nas vndo nouȝt
742
To pleye toward beumound anuid hii were þeruore
Þe bailif hii bede ofte to graunti hor solas
To pleie & vndo þut ȝat ac vor noȝt it was
So þat an vewe wilde hinen a liȝt red þer of nome
& a dai after mete wiþ axes þuder come
& þat ȝat to hewe & to dasse þere
& suþþe þoru beumond to hare welle it bere
& subuenite sancti vaste gonne singe
As me deþ wan a ded man me wole to putte bringe
Willam þe spicer & geffray of hencsei þat þo were
Portreuen & nicole of kingestone þat was mere
Nome of þis clerkes & in prison caste
& nolde hom nouȝt deliueri ȝut þe chaunceler bed vaste
Þe clerkes were þo wroþe þe burgeis were þo bolde
& þretnede to nime mo & of hor wraþþe lute tolde
Þe verste þorsdai in lente þe burgeis were wel fers
& þe wule men were atte mete arerde tueie baners
& wende hom vorþ iarmed mid al hor poer þere
To defouli alle þe clerkes ar hii iwar were
As hii come aȝen alle halwen mid poer so strong
At seinte marie churche a clerc þe commun belle rong
Þis clerkes vp fram hor mete & to godes grace truste
& seie þat hii were issend bote hii þe bet hom wuste
743
I wounded þer was manion ac þe borgeis atte laste
Hii bigonne to fle vaste hom þoȝte longe er
So þat þe clerkes adde þe stretes sone iler
Þe bowiares ssoppe hii breke & þe bowes nome echon
Suþþe þe portereues house hii sette afure anon
In þe souþhalf of þe toune & suþþe þe spicerie
Hii breke fram ende to oþer & dude al to robberie
Vor þe mer was viniter hii breke þe viniterie
& alle oþere in þe toun & þat was lute maistrie
Hii caste awei þe dosils þat win orn abrod so
Þat it was pite gret of so muche harm ido
Þeruore þo þe king com & wuste suich trespas
Alle þe clerkes out of þe toun he drof vor þut cas
Ne vort after misselmasse hii ne come namore þer
Telle we nou of sir edward of wan we bigonne er
Sir edward toward lente toward þe march gan wende
So þat an axwednesdai al bi þe weste ende
To gloucetre he wende mid gret poer inou
& al ouer þe brugge to þe west ȝate he drou
& asailede þen toun ac þe barons wiþinne
Defendede hom so wel þat he ne miȝte hom winne
744
Toward þe ȝat to helpe sir edward wiþoute
Ac grimbaud pauntefot aȝen hom sone com
& mid poer hom turnde aȝen & some of hom nom
Sir edward turnde in to þe med þo he ne sei oþer cas
& a ssip of teuskesburi þat þe abbodes was
Henricus
Bi seuerne wende þer sone he it nom& þerinne bi þe water in to þe castel com
Anon so he was wiþinne vpe þe tour an hey
He arerde is baner þat me wide isey
Þo þe baruns þat isei sori hii were echon
In þe toun half þun castel hii asailede anon
& hii wiþinne casten out mid hor ginnes vaste
So þat bituene hom þe biker longe ilaste
Sir Ion giffard fram brumesfeld þuder sone com
To þe castel med wiþoute toun þun wei sone he nom
& þe castel brugge out of þe med he barnde fram þen ende
To þe tubrugge along vor me ne ssolde out wende
Mani was þe vair biker & þe vair asaut al so
Þat bituene þe castel & þe toun ofte was ido
Sir edward & is poer ofte were wiþinne
Vpe þe point to smiten out bataile to biginne
745
& þe abbod reinaud of gloucetere as god hom grace sende
& destourbede þe bataile ac non acord þer nas
Ac biker & slaȝt & ssetinge bituene hom ofte was
So þat sir edward aday & is men hom lete arme
To wende out & bataile do al mest to grete harme
Þo seie hii out of þe tour þe erl roberd of ferers
Atte tounes ende come wiþ noble men & fers
As framward teuskesburi iarmed wel echon
Hors & men al preste bataile to do anon
Þo sir edward þis isey no þing nas he glad
Vor me sede þat he nas of noman so sore adrad
Vn iarmed out he wende to þe barons wel stille
& anon made acord & graunted al hor wille
& made fourme god inou & suor is wel to holde
Þo hii adde al hor wil þe barons were wel bolde
Þe erl roberd of ferers þo he þuder com
He was nei uor wraþþe wod þat me eni acord nom
He smot stede wiþ þe spore & al is compainie
& wende him vor wraþþe aȝen so quic so he miȝte hie
Ech bar him ek amorwe out of toune drou
& of þe fourme þat hii made wende be siker inou
Þo sir edward & is folc were al maistres þer
Vor þe burgeis of þe toun lete in baruns er
He let crie in to al þe toun þat bourgeis þat wolde
In þe castel come to is peis god pais habbe he ssolde
746
Þan vor þis gode word hii hiede þuder bliue
Þo hii were alle icome þe ȝates me made vaste
& brouȝte hom biuore sir edward þo were hii sore agaste
Me acoupede hom harde inou & suþþe attelaste
As þeues & traitours in strong prison me hom caste
Wiþoute mete & drinke þere hii laie longe
In sorwe & care & lokede wan hii were anhonge
Sir roger of clifford þe porters vaste nom
Þat porters were atte ȝate þo Ion giffard in com
As hobekin of lodelowe & is felawes al so
& let hom vpe þe west ȝate anhonge boþe to
Euere lokede þis burgeis wan hii were vorþ idriue
Prestles hom was wel wo þat hii nere issriue
Roberd of caumpedene þat hosebonde was on
Vor he was a lute clerc he ssrof hom echon
Atte laste sir edward of hom gret raunsoun
Nom & let hom go aliue & destruede al þen toun
Ac þe fourme þat he made aȝe þe barons biuore
He bileuede al clene þei þe oþ were isuore
To oxenford he wende vorþ as is fader was þo
& is men bi þe weye dude wel muche wo
Þe king sone in leinte to oxenforde com
& is in wiþ is folc atte frere prechors nom
Aboute an þre wouke þere he gan abide
Vor to gaderi is ost þat isprad was wide
747
Þat wiþinne þe ȝates of oxenford dorste ride ne gon
Þe king was among þe freres & hii manion
Radde him vor to wenden in & nameliche frer Ion
Of balsam & þat he miȝte þoru godes grace hii sede
In wiþ god deuocion go wiþoute drede
Þe king hadde þer to g[o]de wille þoru frerene rede
& hii massen & orisons uaste uor him bede
So þat vastinde a day a uote he dude þis dede
& in eiþer half to sikeri him freres him gonne lede
Henricus
& he wende to seinte freþeswiþe as no king ne com erSuþþe seinte friþeswiþe was vale hundred ȝer
& wel vaire is offringe to þe heye weued ber
& suþþe ofte wan he þuder com he offrede þer
So he bileuede in oxenford & is conseil nom
Vort is sone & is folc mid poer to him com
Þo is poer ȝare was wiþinne þe passion
Wiþ is ost he wende uorþ & arerde is dragon
Is ost was gret & suiþe long he wende to norþ-hamtone
& wiþ strengþe nom þe toun & somdel wiþ treson
748
Tuelf hundred in ȝer of grace & foure & sixti iwis
Sir simond þe ȝonge mountford þere hii nome þo
& sir osebern giffard & oþere manimo
In strong prison sir simon hii dude at windelsore
Vort þe bataile of lewes ac suþþe no leng more
Þo wende þe baruns uorþ & oþere manion
& barnde court & oþer ech man vpe is fon
Sir Ion giffard mid is route nas noȝt þo þe laste
Vor he barnde aboute oxenford þe ester wouke vaste
Curt lincolne & berkele & oþer courtes also
Were aboute in þe lond þo afure ido
Þe king so sone in mai estward euere drou
As toward þe hauenes wiþ gret poer inou
Sir simond de mountfort & sire gilebard
Þe ȝonge erl of gloucetre come euere afterward
& barons ek manion as sir Ion giffard
& mani god bodi þat ne com neuereft aȝenward
At lewes þe king bigan mid is poer abide
Þe barons astunte wiþoute toun biside
& vaire sende in to þe toun to þe king hor sonde
Þat he ssolde vor godes loue him bet vnderstonde
& graunti hom þe gode lawes & habbe pite of is lond
& hii him wolde serui wel to vote & to hond
749
Þat he ne kepte noþing of hor seruise iwis
& þat out of loue & treuþe he dude hom echon
& þat he wolde hom seche out as is pur fon
Þe barons ne couþe oþer red þo hii hurde þis
Bote bidde godes grace & bataile abide iwis
Henricus
Hii wende & auisede hom somdel vp an dounÞat hii miȝte be war of hor fon & ise to toun
Some radde þat hii ssolde wende in at on hepe
To habbe inome hom vn armed & some abedde aslepe
Þe godemen sede þat hii nolde suich vileinie do non
Ac abide vort hii come Iarmed out echon
Hii houede vnder boskes & newe kniȝtes made
& armede & atired hom & hor bedes ȝerne bade
Sir simon de mountford conseilede hom vaste
Hou hii ssolde hom conteini þe wule þe bataile ilaste
Þo com þe ost smite out vaste out of þe toune
Mani was þe gode bodi þat þer was ibroȝt þer doune
Vor þe londreis þer biuore a gret despit wroȝte
To þe quene at londone sir edward þer on þouȝte
& vor to awreke is moder to hom vaste he drou
& brouȝte hom to grounde & some of hom al fleinde he slou
Þo he adde þis loundreis al ibroȝt to grounde
Wiþ gret Ioye he turnde aȝen ac lute ioye he founde
750
Þe king of alemaine was in a windmulle inome
Vor a ȝong kniȝt him nom kniȝt ymad þo riȝt
Sir Ion de befs icluped þat was suiþe god kniȝt
Þat muche prowesse dude adai & þe king him ȝeld in doute
To þe erl of gloucetre as to þe hexte of þe route
& to þe frere menors in to toun sir edward fleu vaste
& þere as he nede moste ȝeld him atte laste
Manion stilleliche hor armes awei caste
& chaungede hom vor herigaus somdel hii were agaste
& manie flowe in to þe water & some toward þe see
& manie passede ouer & ne come neuere aȝe
Aboute a four þousend & fif hundred me sede
Atte bataile were aslawe þat was a pitos dede
Sir philip basset þe gode kniȝt worst was to ouercome
He hadde mo þan tuenti wounde ar he were inome
Sir simond de mountfort þo ido was al þis
Vorþ mid him þe king huld as in warde iwis
& þe king of alemaine & sir edward al so
In þe castel of walingford in warde he let do
751
Henricus
& oþer men þat were inome he let bringe abouteIn oþer castels vaste inou þat þer nas no doute
Tokninge ȝut of more wo þat ȝut to comene was
Vr louerd sende in siȝte bi a wonder cas
Vor a sterre wiþ a launce þat comete icluped is
Aros þo aȝe dai biuore þe sonne iwis
Fram seinte margarete tid vort misselmasse nei
Þat ech man miȝte wondri þat þe sterre isei
Þer wende of him a lem þat toward þe norþ drou
Euene as it were a launce red & cler inou
Þulke sterre is selde iseie bote it be to tokninge
& suþþe þer after com muche blod ssedinge
Hii þat hulde mid þe king & nere nouȝt inome
Wende aboute her & þer as hii miȝte best bicome
In þe castel of bristowe hii come atte laste
Wel an seuene baners & hulde hom þere vaste & sir warin al so
Of bassingbourne & sir Ion de muchegros þer to
Sir pain de chaus & sir roberd tipetot iwis
& oþer mo & hor wiues þat ne likede noþing þis
As to wite hor bodies vort hii betere iseie
Hii hulde hom þere defensables to libbe oþer to deie
So þat þe quene aspide þat bote feble warde it nas
In þe castel of walingford þat aboute hir sone was
To bristowe he sende word þat þe kniȝtes miȝte wel
Wiþ lute strengþe winne him out of þulke castel
So þat þis kniȝtes to rede hom nome
& mid an þre hundred hors to walingford hii come
In a fridai iarmed riȝt as þe sonne aros
Þe castel hii asailede þat mani man agros
752
& brake þe otemoste wal & wiþinne come
Hii þat wiþinne were þe castel wuste vaste
Mid arblast and mid oþer ginnes vaste aȝen hom caste
& sede to hom wiþoute bote hii wolde aȝen wende
Þat hii wolde sir edward vawe out to hom sende
Iliþered wiþ a mangenel hom wiþ hom to lede
Sir edward vpe wal wiþinne com al so & sede
Henricus
& bed hom wende hom aȝe oþer he was ded iwisÞis oþer wende þus hom þo hii hurde þis
Þo sir simon de mountfort hurde of þis dede
He let þe king of alemaine & sir edward lede
& sir henri þe kinges sone of alemaine al so
To þe castel of keningeswurþe in betere warde to do
& þe kinges soster þe contasse sir simondes wif was
Þer mid hom & wat he miȝte dude hom of solas
Sir simon de mountfort in castles adde ido
Maistres of biȝonde se & vpe is londes al so
As in þe castel of walingford of douere of windelsore
Wardeins he made of frensse men þat of þoȝte þut lond sore
Þe erl of gloucetre it bi spek so þat þere was
A parlement at londone to amendi suich trespas
So þat þis tueie erles acorded were þere
Þat iremewed al clene þe frenssemen were
753
Þer was þe erl of ferers ibrouȝt in hard cas
Vor he hadde after þe pais robberie iwroȝt
Þe king wolde in ech manere þat he were to deþe ibroȝt
Sir simon de mountford wisliche dude inou
Vor he wolde in eiþer half riȝt do & no wou
In þe tour of londone in prisoun he let him bringe
Vor to saui is lif & to paye þe kinge
Þo was þe erl of gloucetre anuid uor mani dede
Þat he huld so prisons al wiþoute is rede
Vor suich man as he was me tolde of him to lute
& him þouȝte þat þer was mid sir simon to gret prute
& me sede he was adrad þat me him nome al so
Wiþ treson vor he was hext & in prison him lete do
Sir Ion giffard þo verst aȝe sir simond turnde
Vor he askede prisouns þat me mid riȝte wurnde
Vor he was him sulf at lewes sone inome bi cas
Ac sir willam matrauers a kniȝt þat mid him was
In þe bataile suþþe inome sir reinaud le fiȝ peris
& sir alein de la souche þat barons were iwis
Ac he let hom suþþe go & sir reinaud was þer
In þe bataile suþþe inome Iarmed as he was er
754
Henricus
Sir alein was ek inome in monekene wedeIn þe priorie suþþe arst he was in drede
& vor sir willam mautrauers hom let so quit gon
Sir simond nolde nouȝt deliueri hom sir Ion
To þe forest of dene sir Ion wende þo
& turnde aȝe sir simond & procurede oþer mo
Lewelin prince of walis robbede mid is route
Þe erles lond of gloucetre in walis aboute
Þo wende þe erl fram londone priueliche & stille
As to socori is lond aȝe sir simondes wille
In þe forest of dene to gadere sone hii come
He & sire Ion giffard & stable conseil nome
To holde aȝe sir simond stabliche hii were at on
& boreforde & beghwurþe þe erl ȝef sir Ion
Wiþ him to holde stabliche aȝe sir simon in ech cas
Sir roger ek de mortimer in is owe londe was
In þe contreie of wigemor & wuste him vaste þere
Prest wan he seie time baner vor to arere
Seue baners also þat aȝe sir simond were
In þe castel of bristowe hulde hom vaste þere
As sir warin of bassingbourne man of gret los
& sir roberd tipetot sir Ion de mussegros
& sir pain de chawurþe & sir patric is broþer
& þe oþer banerets & kniȝtes mani oþer
Þe king sende ofte is lettres þat hii deliueri ssolde
Þe castel vp sir simond & naþeles hii nolde
755
To ȝelde vp þe castel & þat hii þanne wende
Þo was among hom deol inou vor hii ne dorste leng abide
Hii ȝolde vp þe castel & wende ech in is side
A certein day hom was iset of londe vor to fle
& sir roger ek de mortimer deserited vor to be
Sir simon de Mountfort out of warde nom
Sir edward him to solaci þat to lute þonc him com
He bitok him sir henri is sone to be is compainoun
Wiþ him to wende aboute to sywe him vp & doun
So þat after estre þe king & sir simoun
Wende hom toward þe march to bringe hor fon adoun
Henricus
& sir edward & sir henri & sir vmfray de bounTo gloucetre hii wende to enfermi þen toun
Þer hii bigonne mid hor ost fourten niȝt abide
Þe erl of gloucetre was in þe forest biside
& sir Ion giffard al so vpe an hei hul lai
Þat me clupeþ erdlond boþe niȝt & dai
Gret fur he made þer aniȝt of wode & of sprai
& tresche ladde þer aboute þat me wide sai
& in to gloucetre al so þat is fon iseie
Ware hii ssolde him finde vpe þulke hul heie
756
& sir simon de Mountford hor herte vor to amende
So þat hii were acorded þe tuelfte dai of mai
Þei it were lute wurþ as in a tywesday
To stonde atte lokinge of þe bissop water
Of wircetre & al so of sir hue þe spencer
Of sir willam de Mounchalsi of sir Ion le fiȝ Ion
Vpe þe lokinge of þes foure to bringe hom aton
Þo wende sir simon be siker & toward þe march wende
Ac vnneþe he of scapede þat is fon him ne ssende
Þat þe erl of gloucetre mid is poer him ne nom
& naþeles þoru godes grace to hereforde he com
Þere he bileuede mid is ost betere cas to abide
Þe erl of gloucetere was þe wule in mani wilde side
Wan me wende he were fer ofte he was ner
& sir Ion giffard mid him & sir Roger de mortimer
Vuele hii were alle þre vorto finde ilome
& messagers bituene hom & sir edward ofte come
So þat þer was bituene hom god fourme inome
Hou sir edward miȝte best out of warde come
Sir simond de montfort wisman þei he were
Het þat me sir edward gret reuerence bere
Vor to pleie vp & doun as in compainie
So þat þer was a gile yspeke as þoru god aspie
757
To a prikie stedes wiþoute toun leue
Leue him was igraunted god wot to wuch ende
So þat sir edward wiþoute toun gan wende
Henricus
An stede he gan aprikie wel vor þe maistrie& wiþ him adde of kniȝtes a vair compainie
& suþþe he nom an oþer & weri hom made anon
& suþþe he nom þe þridde best of echon
As it was er bispeke to wuch he ssolde truste
He prikede it verst softe as him lute luste
Þo he was a lute fram þut folk wiþ spore he smot to grounde
Þe sides orne ablode in a lute stounde
Þere as of stedes a god & quic me fond
Vorþ wende þis gode kniȝt þo he was out of hond
Louerdinges he sede habbeþ nou god dai
& greteþ wel mi fader þe king & icholle ȝuf ich mai
Ise him wel bitime & out of warde him do
Wat halt it long tale he ofscapede so
& to þe castel of wigemor þun wei sone he nom
Þere was ioye & bl[i]sse inou þo he þuder com
758
Sone þut word was isend to ir louerd sir Roger
To þe erl ek of gloucetre þe lettres sone come
So þat priue parlement bituene hom hii nome
Hou þat hii best miȝte sir simond to grounde bringe
To þe barons deserites me sende ek tiþinge
So þat ech in is half gadere ost vaste
& to sir edward come in þe march attelaste
So þat sir edward & þe erl of gloucetre
& oþer poer inou come to wurcetre
& fram þanene hii wende & hor worre bigonne
At gloucetre & þun toun vpe sir simond wonne
An þre wouke biuore missomer þuder hii gonne wende
& asailede þun toun al in þe norþ ende
At seint oswaldes ȝat & hii wiþinne vaste
Defendede hom wel inou þe wule hor poer ilaste
[A]c bituene seint oswaldes ȝat & þe norþ ȝat iwis
Is a long wal inou as þe abbodes orchard is
& wiþinne þe orchard nas no folk þun toun to defende
Þeruore in þe asaut some wiþoute wende
& breke a pece of þe wal ar me were wiþinne iwar
Sir Ion giffard þe verste was þat in wende þar
759
Þe wardeins of þe castel of scapede in vnneþe
As grimbaud pauncefot & is felawes echon
Þe tu brugge hii drowe vp & þe ȝates made anon
Sir edward & is poer wiþoute sette vaste
Stronge ginnes & þer wiþ to þe castel caste
& þe oþer hom defendede & lutel were agaste
Þat aboute an þre wouke þe asaut bituene hom ilaste
& euere hii wiþinne abide of sir simon socour
Vor elles hii moste nede þe castel ȝelde & tour
& þo þat hom non ne com þe castel vp hii ȝolde
To sir edward in a fourme þat hii bere ne ssolde
Vourti dawes aȝen him armes in no place
& sir edward hom ȝef lif & lime & ȝut more grace
Hor armes & al hor oþer þing & hor hors echon
Þo turnde grimbaud pauncefot to sir edward anon
& was imad kniȝt & armes aȝe sir simond ber
Ac þer nas neuereft of him so god word as was er
Þo sir edward & þe erl gileberd hor wille hade also
Hii wende in toward þe march more harm to do
Bruggen hii breke oueral hii ne bileuede ssip non
Bi weye ne bi seuerne þat hii ne remuede echon
760
Ne nameliche toward bristowe vor þer of was hor fere
Vor bristowe was al in is hond castel & þe toun
Sir simond þouȝte anoþer red & dradde of tresoun
To þe prince of walis lewelin þat was
He wende after more help in is harde cas
& he tok him of fot men gret poer iwis
Ac þerof come wel vewe aȝen to walis
Sir simondes sone de montfort þat sir simond het al so
Bisegede þo an castel as he longe adde ido
Þe castel of peuneseye & is fader him word sende
Þat he bileuede þulke sege & toward him wende
Sir simond þe ȝonge þis heste vnderstod
He gaderede him of god folc vair ost & god
& þen wey fram peuneseie toward is fader he nom
A sein kenelmes eue to winchestre he com
Henricus
Þut folc þat was in þe toun þe ȝates made vaste& wuste þe toun aȝen him þe biker longe ilaste
So þat mid strengþe sir simon þen toun nom
& robbede & slou vaste þo he wiþinne com
Alle þe gywes of þe toun he let sle echon
Þat me in eni stede fond he ne leuede aliue non
761
Lute god cas him biuel as messal ihure sone
Fram þenne he wende to oxenford þre dawes he was þere
Vairore folc ne miȝte be þan wiþ him was þere
Þe gywes he let seche uor to quelle echon
Ac me ne miȝte vor no þing in þe toune finde on
Fram þanene to keningwurþe wiþ is ost he wende
& þere as it fel alas is heie herte him ssende
Vor so muche he tolde of him sulf & of is grete miȝte
Þat him ne deinede noȝt to ligge in þe castel bi niȝte
Sir edward & is ost at wircetre þo were
Hii adde gode aspies hou hii hom þo bere
So þat sir edward & þe erl of gloucetre al so
& sir roger de mortimer & mani god kniȝt þerto
In a lammasse niȝt saterniȝt þat was
Out of wurcetre he wende mid wel god pas
To keningwurþe hii come in þe dawiinge
Hii broȝte sir simon & is men an feble tiþinge
In hor bed hii founde hom in toune þo hii come
Of softe awakiinge hii toke lute gome
Vor to wel cloþi hom hii ne ȝeue hom no tome
Manie hii slowe of hor fon & heie men some hii nome
762
De mountchalsi & sir adam de neumarch al so
& sir water de coleuile & oþer manion
Ac sir simond him sulf among alle is fon
In to þe castel of scapede an naked man vnneþe
Ac manion þer was inome & mani ibroȝt to deþe
& þus sir simond þe ȝonge was verst to grounde ibrouȝt
Ac naþeles he ne les þo al is poer nouȝt
Ac gret ost huld inou & ȝarkede in ech ende
Him & al is poer aȝen is fader to wende
Henricus
Þo was sir simond is fader at hereforde iwisMid mani god man of engelond & al so of walis
He wende him out of hereford mid vair ost inou
& toward keningwurþe aȝen is sone he drou
& was hor beire porpos to biclosi hor fon
As wo seiþ in eiþer half & to ssende hom echon
So þat sir simon þe olde com þe monendai iwis
To a toun biside wircetre þat kemeseie ihote is
Þe tiwesday to euesham he wende þe morweninge
& þere he let him & is folc prestes massen singe
& þoȝte to wende norþward is sone vor to mete
Ac þe king nolde a vot bote he dinede oþer ete
& sir simon þe ȝonge & is ost at alcestre were
& nolde þanne wende a vot ar hii dinede þere
763
Vor mani was þe gode bodi þat þer þoru islawe was
Sir edward & is poer sone come þo ride
To þe norþhalf of þe toun bataile uor to abide
Þo sir simon it iwuste & hii þat wiþ him were
Sone hii lete hom armi & hor baners arere
Þe bissop water of wurcetre asoiled hom alle þere
& prechede hom þat hii adde of deþ þe lasse fere
Þen wei euene to hor fon a godes half hii nome
& wende þat sir simo[nd] þe ȝonge aȝen hom c[ome]
Þo hii come in to þe feld & sir simond isei
Sir edwardes ost & oþere al so nei
He avisede þe ost suiþe wel & þoru godes grace
He hopede winne a day þe maistrie of þe place
Þo sei he þer biside as he bihuld aboute
Þe erles baner of gloucetre & him mid al is route
As him vor to close in þe oþer half ywis
Ouȝ he sede redi folk & wel iwar is þis
& more conne of bataile þan hii couþe biuore
Vr soules he sede abbe god vor vr bodies beþ hore
Sir henri he sede to is sone þis haþ imad þi prute
Were þi broþer icome hope we miȝte ȝute
764
& in to bataile smite vaste among hor fon
& as gode kniȝtes to grounde slowe anon
Þat hor fon flowe sone þicke manion
Sir warin of bassingbourne þo he þis isei
Biuore he gan prikie & to grede an hei
Aȝen traitors aȝen & habbeþ in ower þoȝt
Hou villiche at lewes ȝe were to grounde ibroȝt
Turneþ aȝen & þencheþ þat þut power al oure is
& we ssolle as vor noȝt ouercome vr fon iwis
Þo was þe bataile strong in eiþer side alas
Ac atten ende was bineþe þulke þat feblore was
& sir simond was aslawe & is folk al to grounde
More murþre ȝare nas in so lute stounde
Vor þere was werst simond de mountfort aslawe alas
& sir henri is sone þat so gentil kniȝt was
& sir hue þe despencer þe noble iustise
& sir peris de mountfort þat stronge were & wise
Sir willam de verous & sir Rauf basset also
Sir [John] de sein ion sir Ion diue þerto
Sir [William] trossel sir gileberd of eisnesfelde
& mani god bodi were aslawe þere in þulke felde
& among alle oþere mest reuþe it was ido
Þat sir simon þe olde man de membred was so
765
Carf him of fet & honde & is limes manion
& þat mest pite was hii ne bileuede nouȝt þis
Þat is priue membres hii ne corue of iwis
& is heued hii smiten of & to wigemor it sende
To dam Maud þe mortimer þat wel foule it ssende
& of al þat me him bilimede hii ne bledde noȝt me sede
& þe harde here was is lich þe nexte wede
Suich was þe morþre of einesham uor bataile non it nas
& þerwiþ Iesu crist wel vuele ipaied was
As he ssewede bi tokninge grisliche & gode
As it vel of him sulue þo he deide on þe rode
Þat þoru al þe middelerd derkhede þer was inou
Al so þe wule þe godemen at euesham me slou
As in þe norþwest a derk weder þer aros
So demliche suart inou þat mani man agros
& ouer caste it þoȝte al þut lond þat me miȝte vnneþe ise
Grisloker weder þan it was ne miȝte anerþe be
Henricus
An vewe dropes of reine þer velle grete inouÞis tokninge vel in þis lond þo me þis men slou
766
Þat verst þis boc made & was wel sore aferd
Louerdinges þer were inome at euesham manion
As sir vnfrai de boun sir Ion le fiz Ion
& simondes sone de mountfort sir gwy
Sir baudewine de wake sir Ion de vescy
Sir henri de hastinges & sir Nicole iwis
De segraue was þere inome & al so sir peris
& sir roberd þat sir peris de mountfort sones were
Þuse & wel mo were inome in þulke morþre þere
Ac þe welsse fot men þat þer were manion
At þe biginninge of þe bataile bigonne to fle echon
& come þoru teuskesburi & þere men of þe toune
Slowe hom al to grounde þat þere hii leie þer doune
So þicke bi strete þat reuþe it was to se
& grace nadde non of hom to fiȝte ne to fle
Þo þe bataile was ido & þe godemen aslawe were
Sir simond þe ȝonge com to mete is fader þere
He miȝte þo at is diner abbe bileued al so wel
As me seiþ wan ich am ded make me a caudel
& þo me tolde him bi þe wei wuch þe ende was þer
He turnde aȝen to keningwurþe wel longe him þouȝte e[r]
767
Ich mai honge vp min ax febliche ich abbe agonne
Þe king of alemaine þat was is moder broþer
& sir reinaud le fiz peris & ek mani anoþer
Þat in is prison were at kenigwurþe þo
Þo he ne sei oþer red he let hom quit go
Þe sixte day of septembre þat þo was sonenday
He let hom go a godes half þo he oþer ne say
Þe king þoȝte þe loundreis bringe al to nouȝte
& hii ofte pitosliche is grace bisouȝte
So þat at misselmasse an fourti of hom come
To him to windelsore & to is grace hom nome
As vor al þe toune þe beste ichose echon
Þe king hom let bringe in strong prison anon
Henricus
Hii ȝolde þe king vp þo þe keien of þe touneSo þat þe toun was þo al clene ibroȝt þer doune
At þe feste of seint edward þe king huld þo anon
At londone a parlement & heiemen manion
Þere hii lokede þo þat alle þat armes bere
Aȝen þe king in þe worre oþer aȝen him were
At norhamtone at lewes oþer at euesham
Barun erl oþer kniȝt burgeis oþer freman
768
Were alle deserited & hor eirs al so
Ac manie of þe heiemen ne grauntede it noȝt al
As þe king of alemaine ne þe erl marschal
Ne sir philip basset ne oþer manion
Ne grauntede noȝt þe lokinge ac wiþsede it echon
Þe contesse of leicestre þat sir simondes wif was
De montfort & þe kinges soster þo heo ne sei oþer cas
Þe castel of penneseie heo ȝolde vp þe kinge
At sein simondes tid & sein Iude as wiþoute striuinge
Þat heo hadde iholde er suþþe estre biuore
& þo heo hadde al clene ir ioye al vorlore
Me flemde ir out of engelond wiþoute aȝe coming
Alas ir tueie breþeren þat eiþer of hom was king
& nadde bote ir one soster & hire wolde so fleme
Alas were was loue þo suiche domes to deme
Þo com fram bi ȝonde se to alle halwe tid anon
Þe quene wiþ a legat þat het sir otebon
Wiþ þe popes poer to do þe kinges wille
Þe legat þo he was icome lute wule was stille
Of þe clergie at londone at seint andrewes feste
A conseil he made & ssewede þere þe popes heste
769
Þat hulde wiþ sir simon he greuede manion
Þe bissop of londone & þe bissop of wircetre
& þe bissop of lincolne & þe bissop of cicetre
Wiþoute eni grace he suspendede echone
Þat no man hom ne asoilede bote þe pope one
Þo þer nas oþer red hii wende uorþ to rome
Þe bissop deide of wincestre ar hii aȝen come
Henricus
Þe oþere were asoiled elles it were wou
& come aȝen to engelond wiþ ioye & blisse inou
Sir simond þe ȝonge huld al awey vaste
Þe castel of kenigwurþe þe wule is poer ilaste
Þe kniȝtes were deserites in þe lond aboute wide
Sir simond him bi þoȝte it nas nouȝt god abide
In þe castel to longe laste he were bi set
Him þoȝte þe wide contreie wolde him liki bet
To þe deserites to an yle he wende
Þat me clupeþ exholm þe bet him to defende
Sir edward wiþ is poer afterward him drou
& to pais vor to come bi sende him vaire inou
As vor kundede of blode & ostage vor him tok
Sir simond him ileuede & is felawes uorsok
So þat atte laste to londone hii come
Þe king & is kniȝtes conseil of him nome
So þat him was iloked out of londe wende
& þe king of is tresorie eche ȝer him sende
A certein summe of sterlings to is liues ende
Þe wule he were aȝe þe king of is dedes hende
Þe wule hii speke her of to confermi þis cas
Of is frend priueliche iwarned he was
Þat it was al gile & þat hii him þoȝte caste
In strong prison to bileue þe wule is lif ilaste
So þat vor drede her of he wende him ouer se
& stilleliche stel awei & ne com neuere aȝe
Sir roberd erl of ferers þat nas noȝt þe ȝut itake
& sir henri de hastinges & sir baudewine de wake
& sir Ion deruile & oþere hor red nome
& to þe toun of chastelfeld in dorbi ssire come
Sir Ion erl of wareine & sir henri of alemaine
& sir warin of bassingbourne wende mid al hor maine
& oþer kniȝt manion toward chaster felde
& a witsonen eue hii come þer in þe felde
& come aȝen to engelond wiþ ioye & blisse inou
Sir simond þe ȝonge huld al awey vaste
Þe castel of kenigwurþe þe wule is poer ilaste
Þe kniȝtes were deserites in þe lond aboute wide
Sir simond him bi þoȝte it nas nouȝt god abide
In þe castel to longe laste he were bi set
Him þoȝte þe wide contreie wolde him liki bet
To þe deserites to an yle he wende
Þat me clupeþ exholm þe bet him to defende
Sir edward wiþ is poer afterward him drou
& to pais vor to come bi sende him vaire inou
As vor kundede of blode & ostage vor him tok
Sir simond him ileuede & is felawes uorsok
So þat atte laste to londone hii come
Þe king & is kniȝtes conseil of him nome
So þat him was iloked out of londe wende
& þe king of is tresorie eche ȝer him sende
A certein summe of sterlings to is liues ende
Þe wule he were aȝe þe king of is dedes hende
Þe wule hii speke her of to confermi þis cas
Of is frend priueliche iwarned he was
Þat it was al gile & þat hii him þoȝte caste
In strong prison to bileue þe wule is lif ilaste
So þat vor drede her of he wende him ouer se
& stilleliche stel awei & ne com neuere aȝe
770
& sir henri de hastinges & sir baudewine de wake
& sir Ion deruile & oþere hor red nome
& to þe toun of chastelfeld in dorbi ssire come
Sir Ion erl of wareine & sir henri of alemaine
& sir warin of bassingbourne wende mid al hor maine
& oþer kniȝt manion toward chaster felde
& a witsonen eue hii come þer in þe felde
Sir baudewine de wake & sir henri de hastinge
& oþere were in hor dedut iwend an hontinge
Sir gregori of caldewelle sir Ion of clintone
Sir richard de mandeuile þat longe worþ in mone
& oþere were in hor dedut iwend an hontinge
Sir gregori of caldewelle sir Ion of clintone
Sir richard de mandeuile þat longe worþ in mone
Henricus
Sir Richard of caldewelle so þat þer were
To & tuenti kniȝtes vnder a spere
& me hontede after hom in þulke manere nouȝt
& hii al an oniwar were to ssame ibroȝt
Þe erl of ferers was ilate blod riȝt þo
& he was al so sik mid goute & oþer wo
Þo sir Ion deiuile wuste in chastor felde
Þat is fon were icome wiþoute in þe felde
Wiþ a lute compainie he smot out of toune
Wiþ a lance he broȝte a kniȝt atte verste saut þer doune
To & tuenti kniȝtes vnder a spere
& me hontede after hom in þulke manere nouȝt
& hii al an oniwar were to ssame ibroȝt
Þe erl of ferers was ilate blod riȝt þo
& he was al so sik mid goute & oþer wo
Þo sir Ion deiuile wuste in chastor felde
Þat is fon were icome wiþoute in þe felde
Wiþ a lute compainie he smot out of toune
Wiþ a lance he broȝte a kniȝt atte verste saut þer doune
Ȝut he percede þe ost & woundede manion
& aliue & vn nome of scapede among echon
Þo hii come wiþinne toun muche folc hii slowe
Sone to þe sike erl of ferers hii drowe
& nome him as ilate blod he was & fol of goute
& to þe tour of londone hii ladde him wiþ gret route
Þere he lai in prison as he adde ido er
Þe king vor him & vor his he grauntede is lond þer
Vort he him miȝte oþer his of sterlinges paie
To & fifti þousund pound al in one daye
& so he was deliured wiþoute lond & fe
God wite in o dai wan it aquited be
Sir henri de hastinges to keningwurþe him drou
& vond þer vair compainie of god folc inou
Sir Ion de eiuile & mani oþer kniȝt
To wodes & to feldes hulde hom day & niȝt
Of castel of keningwurþe wardeins þer were
Sir willam de la cowe þat constable was þere
& sir Ion de la warre maister of echon
Hii adde of stalewardemen mid hom manion
Hii adde wel astored þen castel in ech side
Of corn & fless igadered in þe contreie wide
Sir henri de hastinges mid hom was al so
& sir Nicole de bois & mani god kniȝt þer to
Maister peris of radenore þat was ich vnder stonde
Þe stalwardeste clerc on of al engelonde
Mani was þe gode bodi þat þer al so was
& leuedies & maidenes þat no þe betere it nas
& aliue & vn nome of scapede among echon
Þo hii come wiþinne toun muche folc hii slowe
Sone to þe sike erl of ferers hii drowe
& nome him as ilate blod he was & fol of goute
& to þe tour of londone hii ladde him wiþ gret route
Þere he lai in prison as he adde ido er
Þe king vor him & vor his he grauntede is lond þer
771
To & fifti þousund pound al in one daye
& so he was deliured wiþoute lond & fe
God wite in o dai wan it aquited be
Sir henri de hastinges to keningwurþe him drou
& vond þer vair compainie of god folc inou
Sir Ion de eiuile & mani oþer kniȝt
To wodes & to feldes hulde hom day & niȝt
Of castel of keningwurþe wardeins þer were
Sir willam de la cowe þat constable was þere
& sir Ion de la warre maister of echon
Hii adde of stalewardemen mid hom manion
Hii adde wel astored þen castel in ech side
Of corn & fless igadered in þe contreie wide
Sir henri de hastinges mid hom was al so
& sir Nicole de bois & mani god kniȝt þer to
Maister peris of radenore þat was ich vnder stonde
Þe stalwardeste clerc on of al engelonde
Mani was þe gode bodi þat þer al so was
& leuedies & maidenes þat no þe betere it nas
Henricus
& hii suore hii nolde ȝelde þe castel man aliueBote þe contesse of leicestere sir simondes wiue
So wel hii were astored of eche gode store
& of stalwardemen bold hii were þe more
Þe king anon to missomer mid strengþe & mid ginne
To keningwurþe wende þen castel to winne
He suor he nolde þanne ar he were wiþinne
So longe hom spedde baddeliche þat hii miȝte as wel blinne
Hor ȝates hii wiþinne none closi nolde
Vppe hii stode niȝt & day come in wo so wolde
Out hii smite wel ofte wan me to nei come
& slowe vaste in eiþer half & prisuns nome
772
Mid mangenels & ginnes hor eiþer to oþer caste
Þe legat & þe erchebissop wiþ hom al so nome
Tueie oþere bissops & to keningwurþe come
To makie acord wiþ þe king & þe deserites al so
& hom of þe castel ȝuf it miȝte be ido
Ac þe deserites nolde noȝt do al after þe kinge
Ne hii of þe castel naþemo ne stonde to hor lokinge
Þe legat mid is rede cope amansede þo
Hom þat in þe castel were & ȝut þer to wel mo
Alle þat hom holpe oþer were at hor rede
Oþer to hom ensentede in wille oþer in dede
Hii of þe castel tolde her of gret despit
Cope & oþer cloþes hii lete make of wit
& maister philip porpeis þat was a quointe man
Clerc and hardi of is dedes & hor cirurgian
Hii made a wit legat in þis cope of wit
Aȝe þe oþer rede as him in despit
& he stod as a legat vpe þe castel walle
& amansede king & legat & hor men alle
Suich game ilaste longe among hom in suich striue
Ac wel god nas it noȝt to soule ne to liue
Sir Ion deiuile & oþere þat deserited were
Nome þe yle of eli & hulde hom vaste þere
& in grauntebrugge ssire of oþer mannes inov
Vette & astorede hom þei it were mid wou
Henricus
Þe gywes hii slowe ek þat hii miȝte findeHor tresor ne hor oþer god hii ne lete nouȝt bihinde
Þe king at sein bartelmeus tid made ich vnder stonde
At keningwurþe a parlement of heiemen of þe londe
773
Þre bissops & þre barons þe wisoste þat þer were
& hii wan hiiwere isuore oþer sixe toke
Gode fourme among hom of þe lond to loke
& of þe deserites so þat a voreward
Þe bissop hii chose of baþe water giffard
& maister nicole of eli bissop of wurcetre
Þe þridde was þe bissop water of excetre
Þe þre baruns were wisemen of þe lond
Sir roger de someri sir roberd walrond
Sir alein de la souche & þus sixe iwis
Chose þo hii were isuore sixe oþere after þis
Þe erl gileberd of gloucetere þe erl vmfrai al so
Of hereforde & þe bissop of sein dauid þer to
Sir Ion de bailol sir philip basset
Sir warin of bassingbourne hii ne miȝte chese no bet
& bote hii miȝte acordi þat hii þe legat toke
& sir henri of alimaine riȝt & lawe to loke
& þe tuelf eode to gadere & ofte were ato
It was nei alle halewe tid ar it were ido
Þo let þe king someni aȝe þe tiwesday
Next biuore alle halwe tid as is conseil bi sai
Bissopes & abbodes & priores þer to
Erles & barons & kniȝtes al so
Þat hii were at norþhamptone to hure & at stonde
To þe lokinge of þis tuelfe of þe stat of þe londe
Þere it was despepled þe edit ywis
Þat was þe ban of kenigwurþe þat was lo þis
Þat þer ne ssolde of heiemen deserited be none
Þat hadde iholde aȝe þe king bote þe erl of leicetre one
Ac þat alle þe oþere adde aȝen al hor lond
Oþer hor eirs þat dede were bote þat þe king in is hond
It hulde to an terme þat þere iloked was
Vif ȝer some & some foure euere vp is trespas
774
Henricus
& some þre þat lest was & wan al were idoÞat ech man hadde is londes þat riȝt adde þer to
Þis lokinge was riȝt fol in such destresse iwis
Ac euere þe sege of keningwurþe ilaste vor al þis
In siknesse hii wiþinne velle atte laste
Of menison & oþer vuel þat hii feblede vaste
& þat hom ne com no socour hii seie al so wel
So þat as hii nede moste hii ȝolde vp þen castel
Saue euerich lif & lime & chateus al so
Ne þat non nere deserited ne in prison ido
In þis fourme aboute midewinter þe castel iȝolde was
Meseise men hii come out as no wonder nas
Þo wende þe king al in pes to holde is kinedom
Ac ȝut sone þer after a nywe cas him com
Vor þe erl gileberd of gloucetere somdel mid suikedom
Gret poer & inou priueliche him nom
& þe teþe day of lud in to londone he drou
& made þo he was wiþinne þe ȝates vaste inou
& huld aȝe þe kinge þun toun & alle his
Sore was þe king anuid þo he hurde þis
Þe legat was þo in þe tour him he bilay
& bisegede him þer boþe niȝt & day
Þe legat was sore adrad vor to be inome
Noþer mete ne drinke ne moste in to him come
Manie deserites to þe erle drowe
Þat he adde mid him auȝte men inowe
Þe king wende to londone to helpe þe legat
Ac he ne moste come wiþinne neuer a ȝat
Þe deserites wolde bataile him ȝiue anon
Ac þe erl nolde nout ac destourbede echon
Þe king wende to stratford to abide more miȝte
& aboute londone is pauilons piȝte
775
Hii broȝte to stratford wiþoute londone to mile
Þe king aboute londone was mid is route
A monþe vorto abbe is toun & euere he was wiþoute
& eiȝte wouke wiþinne þe erl him huld [þere]
Þoru þe king of alimaine acorded suþþe [hii were]
Henricus
& þoru sir philip basset & þis me huld þoAn ende of a foxes wrenche vor ȝut he couþe mo
Þo was þut lond in pes wiþoute destourbance
& þe worre nas no leng þoru þe pourueance
Þer after sone sir edward as ich vnder stonde
Þe crois nom at norhamptone to þe holi londe
Suþþe þer was at londone a lute destance ich wene
In ȝer of grace tuelf hundred & sixti & tene
So þat þe erl of wareine slou atte verste touche
Biuore þe iustises atte bench sir alein de la souche
Þe king was þer of anuid vor þe grete wou
Þe erl hadde so gret help þat he of scapede wel inou
Vor þe sonendai after lammasse biuore þe king he com
At winchestre as him was iset to avonge is dom
Mid him viue & tuenti kniȝtes þun oþ suore þer
Þat he ne dude it vor non vuel ne malice bi speke er
Ne in no despit of þe king & vor þis trespas
He ȝef þe king tuelf hundred marc & ipaised was
Þo wende sir edward toward þe holi londe
Þulke heruest nobliche as ich vnderstonde
& after þe assumpcion þe vifte day iwis
He dude him in þe se at douere he & his
776
Sir willam de valance & al so sir thomas
Of clare & sir pain de chaus & of clifford sir roger
& sir roberd tipetot & mani oþer þer
Sir henri of alemaine þerafter sone alas
Wende to þe court of rome to make som purchas
In þe monþe of lude as he com hamward bi cas
In þe toun of biterbe aspied he was
Vor in a friday þe morwe vp sein gregories day
As he stod at is masse as þut folk isay
Biuore þe weued in is bedes at þe secre riȝt
Com sir gui de mountfort þat was stalwarde kniȝt
& is aunte sone alas Iarmed wel inou
& comp[ain]ie wiþ him & to him euene drou
& s[mot h]im þoru out wiþ is suerd & villiche him slou
& [[OMITTED]]tat of holichurche me þincþ wiþ vil wou
| The Metrical Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester | |