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And þat was to leue wel wanne þe godemon it adde ised
Sone þer after me tolde þat þe ssrewe was ded

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

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

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

[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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[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