The Metrical Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester :: :: University of Virginia Library

Engelond his a wel god lond ich wene ech londe best
Iset in þe on ende of þe worlde as al in þe west
Þe see geþ him al aboute he stond as in an yle
Of fon hii dorre þe lasse doute bote hit be þorȝ gyle
Of folc of þe sulue lond as me haþ iseye ȝwile
Fram souþe to norþ he is long eiȝte hondred Mile
& tuo hundred mile brod fram est to west to wende
Amidde þe lond as hit be & noȝt as bi þe on ende

Plente me may in engelond of alle gode ise
Bote volc hit vorgulte oþer ȝeres þe worse be
Vor engelonde is vol inoȝ of frut & ek of tren
Of wodes & of parkes þat ioye hit is to sen
Of foweles & of bestes of wilde & tame also
Of salt fichȝ & eke verss of vaire riuers þer to
Of wellen swete & colde inouȝ of lesen & of mede
Of seluer or & of gold of tyn & ek of lede
Of stel of yre & of bras of god corn gret won
Of wit & of wolle god betere ne may be non
Wateres he haþ ek inouȝ ac at uore alle oþere þre
Out of þe lond in to þe se armes as þei it be

Ȝware bi þe ssipes mowe come fram þe se & wende
And bringe alonde god inoȝ aboute in eche ende

Severne & temese homber is þet þridde
& þanne is as ȝwo seiþ þat pur lond amidde
Homber bringȝ bi norþe muche god & wide
Severne bi west souþ temese bi þe est side
So þat of god inoȝ þat in oþer londes his
Þer bi comeþ to engelond þat non defaute nis
Yles þer beþ manion aboute engelonde
Ac þer beþ at uore alle oþere þre ich vnder stonde

Commendacio Anglie.

Þe yle of man þat me clupeþ bitvene vs & irelonde
& þe gret yle of orkeneye bi ȝonde scotlonde
Þe þridde is toward normandie þe yle of wiȝt bi souþe
Þre þe beste yles þese beþ & mest couþe
Þe werste louerdes & maistres þat in engelond were
Þe chef tovnes hii lete in engelonde arere
Londone & everwik lincolne & leicestre
Golchestre & kanterbury bristowe & wircestre

Chichestre & grantebrugge and þanne cirencestre
Derccestre & winchestre and suþþe Gloucestre
& oþer grete tovnes þat were þo in wales
Þis was þo in engelond brutons were iwis
Engelond haþ ibe inome & iwerred ilome
Verst þoruȝ grete louerdes þe emperours of rome
Þat wroȝte & wonne engelond & þat lond nome
Suþþe þorȝ picars & scottes þat to engelond come
Þat werrede & destruede ac al clene ne wonne it noȝt
Suþþe þorȝ engliss and saxons þat hider were ibroȝt
Þorȝ brutons for to helpe hem & suþþe hom over come
Þe brutons þat hom heder broȝte & þat lond hom binome
Suþþe haþ engelond ibe iwerred ilome
Of þe folc of denemarch þat ne beþ noȝt ȝvt isome

Þat ofte wonne engelond and helde it bi maistrie
Þe vifþe time ȝwan engelond þat folc of normandie
Þat among vs wonieþ ȝvt & ssulleþ euere mo
We ssulleþ her after in þise boc telle of al þis wo
Brutons was þe verste folc þat to engelonde com
Voure kinges hii made þo in þis kinedom
Þe king of westsex and of kent & of norþhomber þe þridde
& þe kyng of þe march þat was here amidde

Commendacio Anglie.

Þe saxons & þe englisse þo hii hadde al an honde
Viue & þritti ssiren hii made in engelonde
Souþsex & soþereye kent & estsex
Barcssire & hamptessire & þanne middelsex
Dorsete & wiltessire & somersete al so
Deuenessire & cornewaille & gloucestre þer to

Ssropssire & wurcestressire & al so hereford
Chestressire & warewikssire Derbi & stafford
Lincolne & hontindone & al so bedeford
Bokingham & norþhamtone & of oxenford
Norfolc & souþfolc & grantebrugge al so
Hertford & leicestre & notingham þer to
Euerwik & cardoyl & norþhomberlond
Þes ssiren wiþ oute walis beþ alle in engelond
Seventene bissopriches in engelond beþ al so
Cardoyl & duram & everwik þer to
Of ely & of kanterburi of norþwik & of roucestre
Of londone & of salesbury of chichestre of wincestre
Of lincolne & of chestre & ek of wrcestre
Of hereford & of baþe & al so of eccestre
Þanne beþ þer in walis þre wiþ oute Mor
Sein dauid & landaf & suþþe bangor

Of everwik & kanterbury beþ erchebissopes tvo
Duram beþ & cardoyl vnder everwik ido
& alle þe oþere of engelond & also of walis
Vnder þe erchebissop beþ of kanterbury iwis
Þe saxons þo in her poer þo hii were so riue
Seve kynges made in engelond & suþþe bote viue
Þe king of norþhomberlond & of estangle al so
Of kent & of westsex & of þe march þer to

Descripcio Anglie.

Þe kyng of þe march þulke time hadde wel þe beste
Muchedel of engelond þe on half al bi weste
Wircestressire & warewik & also of gloucestre
Þat neiȝ is al o bissopriche þe bissopes of wrcestre
He hadde ek þer to chestre ssire & derbi ssire al so
& stafford ssire þat beþ alle in o bissopriche ido
Þe bissopriche of chastre & ȝut he hadde þer to
Scropssire som & aluendel of warewik ssire al so

Þis king hadde ek herefordssire þat o bissopriche is
Ac ssropssire ȝeldþ haluendel to þulke bissopriche iwis
& som of gloucestressire & of warewikssire al so

Ȝut hadde þe kyng of þe march wel more lond þer to
Norhamtessire & bokingham & þe ssire of oxenford
Leicestre ssire & lincolne & þe ssire of hertford
Þat is al o bissopriche þat of lincolne is
Þat ȝwile was at dercestre biside oxenford iwis

Ȝvt hadde þe king of þe march notingham ssire þer to
In þe bissopriche of everwik ac þo nas hit noȝt so
& al walis ȝvt þer to þat a gret lond is
Al þis was ȝwile icluped þe march of walis
Vor þe lond bitvene homber & þe water of temese iwis
Ich wene in þe bissopriche of lincolne hit is

And þe bissopriche of lincolne & bi weste al þat lond
Þe king wule of þe march adde al in his hond
Þe king of westsex adde þo al wiltessire iwis
& dorsete & barcssire þat a bissopriche his
Þe bissoprich of salesburi & al souþsex þer to
Þe welde & al þe bissopriche of chichestre al so
& souþhamtessire & souþereye þat on bissopriche is
Þe bissopriche of winchestre þat ȝvt is þere iwis

Descripcio Anglie.

& somersete þat to welles þulke time drouȝ
& nou it is þe bissopriche of baþe ȝe weteþ wel inoȝ

Ȝvt adde þe king of west sex al deuenessire iwis
& cornewaille þat in þe bissopriche of eccestre is
Þe king of kent was þo louerd of al þe lond of kent
Þat were tvo bissopriches & ȝvt nis it noȝt ivent
Þe bissopriche of kanterbury þat of engelond is hext
& þe bissopriche of roucestre þat in þe west side is next

Þe king of estangle king was of norþfolc
Þe bissopriche of norþwik & al so of souþfolc
& þe bissopriche of ely þat þe yle of ely is
& of grantebrugge ssire þat þer to valþ iwis
Þe kyng of norþhomberlond was king ich vnder stonde
Of al þe lond bi ȝonde homber anon in to scotlonde
Alle þes kinges were þo ac bote on nov þer nis
Vor þe king of westsex alle þe oþere wan iwis
& was suþþe al one kyng as oure kyng nov is
Her after in þis boce me ssal ihere al þis
In þe contrey of kanterbury mest plente of fiss is
& mest chas a boute salesbury of wilde bestes iwis
At londone ssipes mest & win at winchestre
At herevorde ssep & orf & frut at wircestre
Sope aboute couentre & ire at gloucestre
Metal as led and tyn in þe contreie of eccestre

Euerwik of fairest wode lincolne of feirest meN
Grantebrigge & hontendone mest plente of dep ven
Ely of fairest place of fairest siȝt roucestre
Evene est aien france stont þe contrei of cicestre
Norwich aien denemarch chestre aȝen irlonde
Duram aȝen norþwey as ich vnder stonde

Mirabilia Anglie.

Þre wondres beþ in engelond none more inot
Þat water of baþe is þat on þat euere is iliche hot
& verss & newe & euere springeþ ne be þe chele so gret
Swiche baþes þer beþ fale in clos & in þe stret
Vpe þe plein of salesbury þat oþer wonder is
Þat ston heng is icluped non more wonder nis
Evene vp riȝt & sviþe heiȝ þat wonder hit is to se
Þe stones stondeþ þere so grete none more ne mowe be
& oþere liggeþ heie aboue þat man may be of aferd
Þat eche man wondry may hou hii were ferst arered

Vor noþer gyn ne mannes strengþe it þencheþ ne may it do
Telle me ssal herafterward of þes wondres boþe tvo
& hou hii were verst imaked Þat oþer wonder is
Vpe þe hul of þe pek þe wind þere iwis
Vp of þe erþe ofte comþ of holes þei hit were
& blouþ vp of þulke holes so þat it wolde arere
& bere vp grete cloþes ȝif hii were þer nei
& bloue hom here & þere vp in þe luft anhei
Veire weies manion þer beþ in englonde
Ac voure mest of alle þer beþ ich vnderstonde
Þoru þe olde kinges imad ȝwar þorȝ me mai wende
Fram þe on ende of engelond vorþ to þe oþer ende
Fram þe souþ tilþ to þe norþ erninge stret
& fram est to þe west ykenilde stret
Fram douere in to chestre tilleþ watelinge stret
Fram souþest to þe norþwest & þat is somdel gret

Þe verþe is mest of alle þat tilleþ fram totenas
Fram þe on ende of cornewaille anon to cattenas
Fram souþwest to þe norþest to engelondes ende
Fos me clupeþ þilke wei þat bi mani a god toun deþ wende

De Mundicia et pulcritudine gentis terre.

So clene lond is engelond & so cler wiþ outen hore
Þe veireste men in þe world þer inne beþ ibore
So clene & vair & pur ȝwit among oþere men hii beþ
Þat me knoweþ hem in eche lond bi siȝte þar me hem seþ
So clene is al so þat lond & mannes blod so pur
Þat þe gret evel ne comeþ naȝt þer þat me clupeþ þat holi fur
Þat vorfreteþ menne limes riȝt as it were ibrend
Ac men of france in þulke vuel sone me sucþ amende

Ȝif hii beþ ibroȝt in to engelond ȝware þorȝ me may iwite
Þat engelond is londe best as hit is iwrite

Fram þe biginning of þe world to þe time þat now is
Seuene ages þer habbeþ ibe as seue times iwis
Þe verste age & time was fram oure ferste fader adam
To noe & suþþe þe oþer fram noe to abraham
Þe þridde was fram abraham vor te moyses come
Þe verþe was fram moyses to dauid þes kinedom
Þe vifþe was fram dauid to þe transmigracion
Of babiloyne & þe sixþe to þe incarnacion
Þat was vorte god was ibore þe seueþe was & is
Fram oure louerdes bur tyme to þe worldes ende iwis
Þo adam was verst imaked & his ofspreng wax wide
Hii begonne at on ende of þe world as al in þis est side

Suþþe it wax wide aboute fram londe to londe
So þat in þridde age it was ar it com to engelonde
For in þe time bi tvene abraham & moyses hit was
Men come verst to engelond ich wille telle þat cas

A bataile þer was ȝwile in þe contrey of rome
Þe meste þat euere was as me haþ iherd ilome
Þe bataile of troye þat ilast vale ȝer
Mani was þat gode bodi þat aslawe was þere

De excidio troie & genelogia bruti.

Vor þer nas god kniȝt in mani lond ne stalworþe man
Þat in þe on side þere nas & al vor a woman
Þat heleine was icluped þis bataile verst bigan
An hei man was þer bi vore þat me clupede dardan
Of him com þe gode brut þat was þe verste man
Þat louerd was in engelond as ich ȝow telle can

Dardan biȝet troye þat god man was & wis
Troye byȝet priamus & also anchis
Þes were in þisse bataile of mest miȝt & mayn
Anchis biȝet enias & enias ascayn
Ascayn biȝet silvi of ȝwan þe brut com
Vor enias after þe bataile ascayn is sone nom
& silui ascaynes sone & oþere þat þer were
& to þe lond of lombardie wende & wonede vorþ þere
Þo silui hadde biȝete a child wane he wolde iwite
ȝwat man þe child ssolde be þat he adde bi ȝete
A clerc þorȝ enchantement him bigan þo telle
Þat þat child ssolde verst fader & moder quelle
& suþþe he ssulde mani lond over passi & wende
& mani bataile over com & suþþe at þen ende
To a noble lond he ssolde come and þere a louerd be
& kynges come of his blod & þat me ssulde ise

Þat eneas bi gan is of spring to lombardie verst bringe
Þre þousend & sixe & twenti þer was fram þe worldes biginninge
Þo þe clerc adde iseid his enchanterie
Þer vore silui him let sle ac þat was lute maistrie
Vor hit com no þe later as he hadde iseyd
Vor in travail of his beringe is moder was verst ded
Þo þis child was ibore me let hit clupie brut
Verst louerd he was in engelond of ȝwam me spekeþ ȝvt

Brutus occidit patrem et exulat.

Þe child wax & wel iþeȝ as þe clerc seide er
Suþþe þo hit adde þe elde of viftene ȝer
As he wolde ssete an hert al aȝen is wille
To deþe he sset his owe fader þat he lai þer stille
Hit him of þoȝte sore inou & naþeles ȝvt he was
Out of þe lond idriue vor þe deolvol cas

In to þe lond of grece he wende & þo vond he þere
Of þe kinde of priamus mani men þat þere were
Þat were of his nexte blod þat were þer in seruage
Vor her eldrene were þer biuore inome in ostage
Fram þe bataile of troye wreche as hit were
Vor þe grete slaȝt and wo þat hore kunde dude þere
Þo brut among hom com to such prowesse he drou
Þat al þe kun þat him iseiȝ adde of him ioye inou
So þat atte laste þo he in stat was
& him þoȝte þat is per in þe world nas
Þat folc al of þulke blode to him drowe vaste
Þat he ssolde is owe kunde of þulke seruage caste
Hii come alle aboute him so þat brut isey
Þat þer was of hom gret poer & noble volc & hey

Hii ȝarked hom to gadere þat vair ost it was
To þe king of grece he sende þat ihote was pandras
Þat he ssolde þe noble folc þat of so noble blod com
Oout of seruage lete & out of þraldom
Oþer him ne ssolde noȝt wondri þei hii dede hor miȝte
Wiþ hor bodies þat aȝte be so fre vor to winne hor riȝte
Þis king adde in is þoȝt gret bisemare of þis þinge
He ȝarkede is ost anon him to gronde bringe
Þis brut aien him wiþ is ost wel wisliche drou
Hii smite þer an bataile hard an strong inou

Brutus vicit pandrasum regem grecorum.

Þe prouesse þat brut dede no tunge telle ne may
Mani was þe gode bodi þat him self slou a day

Ȝwat halt hit longe to telle his fon he ouercom
& pandras þe stronge king as prison he þer nom

Þis king þo he was inome her wille dede a non
& broȝte hom out of þraldom þo he ne sey oþer won
He bigan to loue brut so muche vor is faire cheance
Þat he wilnede mest of alle þing to him eliance
Brut he seide þou art nou þe beste bodi þat is
Vor þe noble kinne þat þou art of & vor þi prowesse iwis
Ich wille obligi me to þe & mi kinedom þer to
An doȝter ich abbe of gret pris noble & god al so
Ich ȝivis þe to þi wif & ȝif þou wolt bileue here
Þe þriddedel mi kinedom ich ȝiue þe to be mi fere

Ȝif þou wilt noȝt here be ac wolt fonde more
Gold & seluer icholde ȝiue þe & inou of eche store

And take þe mi doȝter vor man þou art iwis
To winne ȝvt a kinedom wel betere þan min is
Þis king & brut were at on þat to wiue he tok
His doȝter þat het Innogen ac his lond he vorsok
Þe king tok brut is oue bodi in ostage as it were
Vorte it were to gadere ibroȝt al þat hii wolde arere
He let sende is messagers into al grece wide
He let fulle corn & oyl & win bi eche side
Me chargede þre hondred ssipes & foure & twenti þer to
Þer wiþ & al oþer gode þat me miȝte þer inne do
Þo þis ssipes ȝare were & fol of alle gode
& þis mayde ispoused was of so heye blode
Þe king deliurede þat folc out of seruage
& brut deliurede þene king out of hostage

Brutus.

& nom is leue vaire of him & þonkede him alle god
& nom wiþ him al þat folc þat he vond þere of his blod

& his wif Innogen & to ssipe wende
Hii nuste to wuche londe bote as god hem sende
Þat deol þat made Innogen no tonge telle ne may
Heo criede & wep mid sorwe inou & ofte iswowe lay
Þat heo wende fram al hire kun & fram ech þat heo knew
& nuste an erþe ȝwderward bote as þe wind blew
& wuste þat heo ne ssolde neuere aȝen come ne go
Ne see vader ne oþer kun louerd þat hire was wo
Brut hire clupte & kuste & confortede hire inou
Ac he ne miȝte here herte change þat heo to sorwe ne drou
Tweie dawes hii wende in þe see fram þe lond of grece
So þat hii come to an yle me clupede leogece

Þere hii gonne ariue & brut sende vp þere
Þre hondred men iarmed wel to loke ȝwat lond þat were
Þis men wende aboute wide & man ne fonden hii non
Bote vair contre & bestes wilde manion
A temple hii vovnde vair inou & a maumet amidde
Þat ofte tolde wonder gret & ȝwat men bitidde
Þes men of þis wilde bestes slowe & caȝte inowe
& to astori hem of mete vaste to ssipe drowe
Of þe maumet hii tolde brut þat hii fonde þere
& he nom wiþ him twelf men þe hexte þat wiþ him were
& a clerc þat couþe of enchantement & to þis temple drow
& offrede to þis maumet & honoured it inow

Vor to wite in ȝwiche stede is woniigge were
Þo he adde is bone ido he werþ aslepe riȝt þere
Him þoȝte þe ymage in is slep tolde him is chance
Brut he sede passe vorþ al biȝonde france

Brutus.

Westward toward þulke stede as þe sonne drawþ aȝen eue
Þer þou ssalt finde an place god inne to bileue
An yle god & riche inou þe se geþ al aboute

Ȝwile þat lond was ifulde wiþ geans suiþe proute
& now it is as a wildernesse vor noman þer inne nis
To þe it wole be god & riche & to alle þine iwis
& it worþ as an oþer troye to þe & so god
Þat þer ssolle kinges come and springe of þi blod

Þo brut awok of is slep al þis he vnder stod
His men he tolde of þat cas wiþ wel bliþe mod
Hii ȝarkede hom & wende vorþ þe wind was god inou
So þat toward þe west þe ssiprene drou
So þat wiþinne þritti dawes to affric hii come
& arst hii wende ofte alond & fette hom preie ilome
& foȝte & slowe muchel folc vor noman hom at stod
Fram affric hii wende vorþ mid þe wind þat was so god
So þat hii found in a stede hor kinrede bi cas
Of þe noble man hercules þat wule of troye was
Corineus het hor souerein þat so strong was of honde
Þat him ne miȝte no man ne no geant at stonde
Þo þis folc to gadere com & brut corineus fond
Þe strengost man & mest him þouȝte of eni lond

Hii aqueynted hom a non & bi come frend riȝt gode
Boþe vor hor prowesse & vor hii were of one blode
Þo was þe compaynie strong & strengore þan it was er
Al in one compainie hii wende vorþ riȝt þer
In þe se wiþ god wind so þat atte laste
In to þe on ende of gascoine þe wind hor ssipes caste
Corineus þe stronge man þre hondred men nom
& wende alond to honti þo he to londe com

Brutus.

Vor to porchassi hom mete & þe king goffar
Þat was king of þe lond þo he was iwar
Þat such folc was ariued as me sede vp his londe
& nuste wat folc it was to hom he sende is sonde
To wite ȝweþer hii wolde pais oþer hii nolde non
His messagers as hii wende vorþ comen & mette echon

Corineus mid is compaignie as hii wende an honteþ þere
Hii esste anon at corineus hou hii so hardi were
To honti ope þe kinges lond bote þe king hom ȝeue leue
Corneus seyde þat he nolde noman esse leue
To honti & to winne is mete & to abbe solas & game
Þe maister of þe messagers Imberd was is name
He bende is bowe & sset anon to corineus to gronde
Corneus nom is bowe of him & ȝaf him ane wounde
Anowarde is scolle mid his owe bowe anon
Þat is scolle to brec in peces manion
His felawes þo hii seie þis bigonne to fle echon
& tolde þe king vore hou þe gome was al igon

Þe king made him vroþ inou & lute wonder it was
Þat strange men in is owe lond dude a such trespas
Þat asaileden is lond & to robberie drowe
& robbed is bestes & is game & is men so slowe
He wende viþ al is poer & asailed hom anon
Brut & corineus preste were & hor men echon
& smite an bataille strong þat no tunge telle ne may
Þe folc þat þer was aslawe in eiþer side a day
Corineus suerd sone brac so strong he smot & vaste
Vor no suerd ne miȝte mid is dunt longe dure ne laste
Mid him he adde an strong ax þat maniman broȝte to deþe
So strong & gret þat an oþer hit ssolde hebbe unneþe

Brutus.

Corineus herwiþ harde smot & stured him aboute
& made is wey bi eiþer side & percede þe route
Mid þre hondred kniȝtes a duc þat het syward
Asaylede corineus him sulf a uorþ ward
He smot corineus harde inou þat he it stronge velde
& ȝut he hente þene stroc muchedel mid is sselde
Corineus was þo somdel wroþ is ax an hei he drou
& smot him anowarde þat heued mid god ernest inou
& vor clef him al þat heued & þe bodi to gronde
Þo miȝte siward segge þat he adde is per ifounde
Þo corineus was alles wroþ so strong dunt he ȝef
Þat ech bodi þat he smot oþer heued he to clef

Oþer he smot of þen arm oþer hond oþer heued
No lim nas þat he smot mid þe bodi bileued
Amty place he made aboute þat folc fley him vaste
A wonder maister he was on þat hom so couþe agaste
So vaste hii slowe of þis men & adoun hom caste
Þat þe king mid a vewe men him self fleiȝ atte laste
Þo þis bataile was ido brut & corineus
& astored hom aboute mid richesse & chateus
Of corn & win & alle gode & to ssipe vaste drowe
& barnde al þe contreie & þat folc vaste slowe
Þo hii adde al bar imad þe contrei al aboute
& hii were hom sulf wel astored of no þing hii nadde doute

Hii wende hom to ssipe anon & euene hii gonne driue
To þe contreie of tours & þere hii gonne ariue
A veir place hii chose hom & þere hii gonne arere
Walles wide & stronge inou castles as it were
& astored it wel inou & hor god þuder in bere
& abide þen king ȝif he wolde asaily hom þere

Brutus.

Þe king goffar þuderward gret poer & ost nom
Of france & of oþer londes & toward tours com
Þo he sei þe grete walles castles as it were
Ouȝ he sede þe gret despit þat i se to me here
Þat þis vile cumelinges castles leteþ rere
Vpe min londe baldeliche as me vor to afere
Ne doþ hii me ssame inou hou miȝte hii do me more
Bote ich be þer of awreke ich ssal deie wel sore

Vor godes loue stalwarde men armieþ ȝow vaste
To sle þis proute cumelinges & hor castles adoun caste
Þis folc armed hom anon & hor baners gonne arere
& departede hor ost in tuelf parties þere
Brut ordeinede is ost & sette hom wisliche
& mid god herte aȝen þis folc wende baldeliche
Þere hii smite an bataile hard & strong inou
Þe stalworþe folc of troye of þe frensse vaste slow

Ȝe two þousend & mo in a lute stonde
So þat þe frensse were neiȝwat ibroȝt to gronde
& naþeles hor ferde wax vaste aboute & wide
Vor hii hadde suche þritti men as were in hor side

Vor hor poer & hor ost wax euere so vaste
Þat þis gode folc of troye ouercome were atte laste
& flowe in to hor castles vor hii nadde oþer won
Þe ost wiþoute of france biseged hom anon
& bi leye hom so vaste þat neȝ to gronde hom broȝte
So þat brut & corineus an quointise hom bi þouȝte
Þat þis corineus bi niȝte wende out wiþ gret route
At a posterne stilleliche þat hii nuste it noȝt wiþoute

A morwe brut wiþinne wiþ is ost out drou
& smot wiþ þis frensse men strong bataile inou

Brutus.

Þer were mani a þousend islawe in a stounde
Brut adde a neuew þat mony broȝte to gronde
Vor he slow mid is poer & broȝte to ssame
Six hondered as me seiþ tours was is name

Atte laste he was him sulf aslawe þer was deol inou
Þo þe bataile was ne do corineus vorþ him drou
Mid six þousend wiȝtemen out of an wode þere
& come vpe þis frensse men as hii al weri were
& slou hom to gronde al vor noȝt so þat atte laste
Hii þat miȝte ofscapie bigonne to fle vaste
Hii of troye siwede wiþ oute eni feintise
Vor ȝwanne strengþe faileþ me mot nime vorþ quointise
Þo brut & corineus adde hor wille of þis þinge
Hii lete hor men þat were aslawe veire an erþe bringe
& tours þe gode kniȝt þat so muche folc er slow
Brut let bringe an erþe wiþ honur inou

& let vair tabernacle in honur of him rere
& vair hous aboute him & þe cite bigan þere
Þat noble cite was & his & vor tours þat þere lai
Þe cite me clupeþ tours as me deþ ȝut to þis day

Brut & corineus þo hii adde hor wille of al þe lond
Hii wende aboute & preide hom ne miȝte noȝt atstonde
Hii chargeden hor ssipes vaste & wel mid alle gode
& wende vorþ mid god wind mid wel driuinde flode
& driue euere westward wiþ wel god pays
Hii come here to engelond to þe hauene of totteneis
To þe on ende of engelond as in þe west souþ
A lute bi norþe cornewaile as in an hauene mouþ

Þis was þre þousend & four score & þre ȝer
Fram þat þe world was verst imad þat hii ariuede þer

Brutus.

Ar god was ibore euene it was also
Enleue hondred ȝer & þritti þar to
Þus come verst to engelond þe verste men iwis
Þat euere wonede in engelond þat were brut & his
Þo brut & is men þus come verst to londe
Hii wende aboute wide inou þe contreies vor to fonde
Gret plente hii founde of fiss as hii wende bi þe weie
Of wodes & of riuers as is in þe contreie
Lond hii founde god inou to tulye on alle god
So þat to bileue þer hor herte wel astod
Hii founde an vewe geans vorbroide men as it were
Into cornewaile hii driue hom in to olde diches þere

Hii housede & bulde vaste & herede & sewe
So þat in a lute stounde gode cornes hom grewe
Corn & frut hom wax inouȝ & fiss inou hii founde
& of fless so þat hii were riche inou in a stounde
Brut bad corineus for to chese of ech contrei iwis

Ȝwich him were leuest abbe to him & to his
Cornewaile him likede best þer vore he ches þere
To him & to his of spring & vor þer geans were
Vor he willede to fiȝte mid geans & do hom ssame
Þat lond he clupede cornwaile after is owe name
Cornewaile after corineus & in þis manere iwis
Corineus bi wan cornwaile to him & to his
Brut huld him to engelond he ne dorste him naȝt pleine
& after brut his owe name he clupede hit brutaine
Brutons me clupede alle men þat were in engelonde
As me clupede hom longe suþþe vor te nou late ich vnder stonde

Gogmagog was a geant suiþe gret & strong
Vor aboute an twenti vet me seiþ he was long

Brutus rex.

A gret ok he wolde braide adoun as it a smal ȝerd were
& bere vorþ in is hond þat volc vor to afere
He com mid tventi geans & asailled brut vaste
Brut wiþ is poer slou þis geans atte laste
Alle bote gogmagog vor him ne slou he noȝt
Vor he ssolde mid corineus wrastli he adde iþoȝt
So þat corineus & he to gadere were ibroȝt
Þe wrastlinge bitvene hom was somdel toȝt
Þer was moni a strong breid so þat ribbes þre
Þe geant brac of corineus as me miȝte ise
In þe riȝt side tuo & in þe luft side on
Þo was corineus somdel vroþ he stured him anon

And kipte þis geant & to an hei roche him drou
Þat stod aboue þe se an hei & þere riȝt adoun him slou
So þat he was al to ranced pecemele in a stounde
Ech lime fram oþer among þe roches ar he com to gronde
Corineus was alone louerd of cornwaile þo

Ȝwanne þe geans were alle aslawe þat þer ne bileuede na mo
Brut wende vorþ in to engelond & aspiede vp & doun
Vor to seche an eysi place vor to rere an heued toun
He com & vond al vpe temese an place vair inou
In god contreie & plentiuous þat is herte muche to drou
Þat þe ssipes miȝte fram eche londe bringe to god iwis
Þere he rerede is heued toun þat londone icluped is
Ac so ne clupede he him noȝt ac þe niewe troye
Þer abbeþ kinges & mani oþere ofte ibe in ioie

Brut þis noble prince sones adde þre
His wif Innogen noble men & fre
Lotrin & kamber & albanac al so
& attelaste deide brut þo al þis was ido

Locrinus rex.

After þat he com to engelond In þe foure & twentiþe ȝere
Ibured he was in londone þat he let verst rere
Þis lond was þo ideled a þre amang þre sones iwis
Bi weste seuerne kember adde & so al walis
Albanac biȝonde homber ac lotrin adde best
Al out bitwene hom fram est to þe west
Vor þat he was eldest me lokede him mest bi riȝte
Þes were as þre kinges & men of muchel miȝte
Þe king of hongerie suþþe com homber was is name
Into scotlond to worri & to do albanac ssame

& werred vpe him vaste & atte laste him slou
Þo lotrin iseiȝ þis he was sori inou
After his broþer kamber hastiliche he sende
& beye mid gret ost toward þe king wende
& smite bataile strong inou strengore ne miȝte non be
So þat homber king of hongri suþþe bi gan to fle
In to a gret water þere & adreinte him silue mid ssame
Þer vore me clupede þat water þo homber after is name
As me deþ ȝut & euermo wule vor þis cas
Þat homber king of hongrie þer inne adreint was
Þo lotrin adde al is wille he astore wel is lond
Wiþ homber kinges god þat me of his wond
Þo vond he þere damaiseles gent & vair inoȝ
Þat homber wiþ him brouȝte to þe ones herte drouȝ
Þat was of hom cheuentein & þe kinges doȝter was
Of germain & as him þouȝte in þe worlde her pere nas

So ȝwit ne of suich color ne in eche manere so gent
King lotrines herte was al & clene vp hire iwent
He nom hire vorþ mid him mid gret honur inou
& þouȝte hire to spousi so his herte to hire drou

Locrinus rex.

Ac corineus duc of cornwaile wroþ inou was
Toward þe king lotrin þo he herde of þis cas
Vor he adde him a vorewarde is doȝter abbe to wiue
His gret ax he nom in is hond & toward him hiede bliue
His ax þo he to him com so grisliche he ssoc & vaste
Þat þe king kwakede & is men so sore hii were agaste
Seie he sede lotrin wat þencstow vor to do
Þencstow me corineus vor to bitraye so
Hastow vorȝute þe grete wo & moni harde wounde
Þat ich abbe iþoled for þi fader & þe mani harde stounde

Vor to winne him lond & ȝow & þou wost now vorsake
Mi doȝter þat ssolde be þi wif & to a kumeling take
Þou ne ssalt bi him þat made me ofskapie so liȝte
Þe ȝwile þer is in mi riȝt hond eni strengþe or miȝte
& þe ȝwile ich mai þer wiþ min handax vp a drawe

Ȝware wiþ ich abbe geans & maniman aslawe
He bigan to ssake is handax & bigan to adrawe anon
& kniȝtes cride & eode bitwene hom manion
So þat king lotrin vnder veng wel vain
& spouse is doȝter þat het gvendolein
& dude al is wille vor he lokede so rowe
More vor eye þane vor loue maniman serueþ howe
Ac noȝt vor þan þat oþer maide he louede more of inou
Astrild hire name was & more to hire he drou

He made hire vnder erþe a woniinge quointeliche
& huld hire þere to is wille longe priueliche
& drou to hire wanne he wolde þat noman it nuste
Bote it were eni priueman þat is priuete al wuste

Ȝwanne he wolde to hire go to his meine he sede
Þat he wolde to is godes his offringe lede

Locrinus rex.

And þat he adde to honouri hom an priue stude þere
To sacrefize to is godes þat noman iwar nere
Segge he wolde ek also to þe quene is spouse
& naþeles such sacrefice I ne kepte noȝt at min house
So longe hii dude such sacrefise & pleide such game
Þat hii adde an doȝter averne was hire name
& þe quene adde also in spoushod biȝite
An sone þat het madan as it is iwrite
Sone so þe quene fader corineus was ded
Þe king adde þer after wel sone inome is red

He vorsoc is owe wif & astrild made quene
He ne dradde noȝt þo þe handax as it was isene
Þo wende þe quene vorþ to cornewaile anon
& ȝonge stalwardemen gaderede manion
Þe poer þat was hire faderes & also of engelonde
So þat sso hadde sone gret poer an honde
& gret ost made & strong & vpe þe king sette
& þe king also aȝen hire so þat hii hom mette
& an bataile vpe stoure smite strong inou
& þe quene folc þe king lotrin slou
& muche of is folc ek bote hom þat flowe
So þat a luþer beuerege to hare biofþe hii browe
Þe king miȝte segge er þe wule he was oliue
Þat in a luþer time he striuede wiþ his wiue

Ȝif alle luþer holers were iserued so
Me ssolde vinde þe les such spousbruche do
Enleue hondred ȝer þis king was þus biuore
& eȝtetene ȝer aslawe ar god were ibore
Þo was þis sturne womman guendolein þe quene
King imad in þis manere vor heo was somdel kene

Madan rex. Mempricius rex. Eboracus rex. Brutus rex. Leil rex.

Astrild ire bedsoster hire louerdes concubine
& ire doȝter auerne heo let nime atte fine
& adreinte hom boþe tuo in þe water of seuerne
& vor it was ire louerdes doȝter þe maide þat het auerne
& vor honour of ire louerde & vor heo was of is kunde

Ȝo wolde þat ire name were eueremo in munde
& let clupie þe water after hire auerne
& suþþe þoru diuerse tonge me clupeþ it seuerne

& deþ a lettre þer to & namore iwis
In þis manere þulke water seuerne icluped is
Guendolein was king viftene ȝer þo
& ire louerd was king biuore hire ten ȝer & namo
& madan hire sone fourti ȝer þulke time þat samuel
Þe prophete wardede þat folc of israhel
Mempris madanes sone kyng was an tventi ȝer
Þo kyng saul was of israhel king & non er
Þis was as me may in bok reden & ise
Ar god were ibore a þousend ȝer & four score & þre
Ebrau meinprises sone sixti ȝer was king
He made þe toun of euerwik þat strong is þoru alle þing
After is name ebrau euerwik cluped it wel
Þulke time þat king dauid king was in israhel

Brut is sone king was þrettene ȝer & nanmo
& leir king vif & tuenti ȝer brutes sone was þo
He bigan þen toun of leicestre & nemnede is owe name
Þo þat salomon þe wise man of gret fame
King was of israel þat king dauid is sone was
Þat rerede þe temple of ierusalem such temple neuere nas
Leires sone þritti ȝer king was & nyne also
He rerede verst kanterbury & winchestre þer to
Baþulf is sone after him king was tventi ȝer
He bigan þe toun of baþe & þe hote baþes þer
In þe veines of þe water as þe water deþ vp walle
He let closy fur in metal quoynteliche wiþ alle

Þat as þe water comþ þer bi þer of it cacþ hete
Þe metal is nou iturnd al in to roches grete
Þat beþ euere iliche hote & þe wateres þer of al so
& eke þoru enchantement hit was verst ido
& vor þe king baþulf þat it made gret enchanteor was

Bladud rex. Leir rex.

& þat him miȝte suþþe rewe ich wolle telle þat cas
Vor þat men ssolde is enchantement se
He let him makie wengen an hei vor to fle
& þo he was iflowe an hei & ne couþe noȝt aliȝte
Adoun mid so gret eir to þen erþe he vel & piȝte
Þat al to peces he to rod þat betere him adde ibe
Abbe bileued þer doune þan ilerned vor to fle
Þis was þulke time þat þe prophete elye
In israhel prophete was & on vr louerd gan crie
Þat þer ne ssolde þre ȝer ne six monþes þer to
No rein come on erþe & it bi vel al so

After king baþulf leir is sone was king
& regnede þritti ȝer wel þor alle þinge
Vpe þe water of soure an cite of gret fame
He rerede & cluped it leicestre after is owe name
Þre doȝtren þe king adde þe eldost het gornorille
Þe midmeste het regan þe ȝongeste cordeille
Þe fader hom louede alle inou & þe ȝongost mest
Vor heo was best & veirest & to hautesse drou lest
Þo þe king to elde com alle þre he broȝte
Þe doȝtren bi vore him to witen of hor þoȝte
Vor he þoȝte his kinedom dele among hom þre
& lete hom spousi wel ȝwar he miȝte bise
To þe eldeste he sede verst doȝter bidde ich þe
Seie me al clene þin herte hou muche þou louest me

Min heie godes quaþ þis maide to wittnesse ich drawe echone
Þat ich louie more in min herte þi leue bodi one
Þane my soule oþer mi lif þat in mi bouke is
Þe fader was þo glad inou þo he hurde þis
Mi leue doȝter he sede þo vor þou ast in loue ido
Min olde lif biuore þin & biuore þi soule also
Ich þe wole marie wel mid þe þriddedel of mi londe
To þe nobloste bacheler þat þin herte wile to stonde
Þe oþer doȝter he esste þo þulke sulue askinge
Sire heo sede bi þe heie godes louerdes of alle þinge
Ich louie more þi swete [lif] þan al þat in þe worlde is
& þei al þe world were min & al þe richesse iwis

Al & eke min owe lif leuere me were lese
Þan þi lif þat me is so lef ȝif ich miȝte chese

Leir rex.

Þe fader was þo glad inou & bad ire vnderstonde
To ȝwan sse wolde imaried be mid þe þriddedel of is londe
Þe ȝongeste he esste þo as he adde þe oþere ido
Heo ne couþe of no vicelinge & ne ansuerede noȝt so
Sire heo sede ine leue noȝt þat min sostren al soþ sede
Ac auorneȝe me icholle soþ segge of þis dede
Ich þe louie as þe man þat my fader is
& euere abbe iloued as mi fader & euere wole iwis
& ȝif þou wole ȝut þer vppe more esse & wite of me
Al þe ende of loue & þe ground icholle segge þe

As muche as þou ast al so muche ȝou art worþ iwis
& as muche ich louie þe þe endinge lo is þis
Þe king was þo wroþ inou vor ȝo sede al þat soþ
& sede vor þou ne louest me noȝt as þin sostren doþ
Ac despisest me in min olde liue þou ne ssalt neuere iwis
Part abbe of mi kinedom ne of lond þat min is
Ac þine sostren ssolleþ abbe al vor hor herte is so kunde
& þou ssalt vor þin vnkundhede be out of al min munde
Ac ine segge noȝt ȝif ich may to mariage þe bringe
Þat inele wiþ oute lond wiþ some lutel þinge
Vor þou art mi doȝter & ich abbe more þan þin sostren boþe
I loued þe one þou ȝelst nou my loue wroþe

Þer after euene a tuo he delede is kinedom
& ȝef is tueie doȝtren half & half him sulf nom
& þe eldeste doȝter wiþ here del ȝef viþ oute faile
Þe king of scotlonde & þe oþer þe king of cornwaile
To abbe half is lond wiþ hom atte biginninge
& suþþe al is kinedom after is endinge
& þe gode cordeile vnmaried was so
Vor ȝo nolde vikeli as ire sostren adde ido
Ac god þouȝte ȝut on hire vor hire triwenesse
Vor þe king of france hurde telle of ire godnesse
& bed hire fader granti him þe gode cordeile
Þe king sende word aȝen þat it was wel is wille
Ac he nolde wiþ hire ȝiue tresor ne lond
Vor is tuo eldore doȝtren hit adde al an hond
Þo þe king of france hurde þis he ansuerede þer to
Þat he adde him sulf lond inou & tresour al so

& þat he ne kepte bote hire one wiþ oute alle oþer þinge

Leir rex.

Þat some eirs & children bituene hom miȝte bringe
So þat atte laste þis maide ispoused was
To þe heie king of france as god ȝef þat cas
Þo þis king leir eldore was he bigan to loþe
Vor he so longe liuede is leue doȝtren boþe
Hor louerdes hii entissede þat hii hulde to gadere vaste
& wonne al þis lond to hom & hor fader out caste
Þis tueie kinges nome hor ost & endede þis dede
& binome þis oldemannes lond as hor wiues hom bede
Ac þe king of scotlonde vor reuþe & for kundhede
[Hym nom to hym in to his hows aȝeyn ys wyues rede]

Sixti kniȝtes wiþ honour to vinde him al his lif
As wo seiþ vor a kinedom & vor honur of is wif
Wiþ inne tuo ȝer after hit of þouȝte þe luþer quene
Þat hire fader adde to muche & þat he wolde to muche spene
Heo made þat of sixti kniȝtes hire louerd wiþ drou
& made him holde to þritti & hom þouȝte inou
Þis leir was assamed þo & in wraþþe atte nende
To is doȝter quene of cornwaile gan wende
& plainede of þe unkundhede of is doȝter gornorille
& wende þer amendement abbe after is wille
Þulke doȝter him aueng mid honur as þe hende
Ac he was al vol of him ar þe ȝeres ende
Vor he entisede hire louerd þo þat he is kniȝtes echone
Vor coust binome him bote an vif men one

Wuche so hii were to serui him & þat was inou
Þo þis oldeman þis ihurde to sorwe is herte he drou
He nuste to ȝweþer doȝter betere truste þo
& naþeles he wende aȝen to þe oþer mid muche wo
& hopede vor to finde of hire betere mulce & grace
& heo suor bi hire heie godes anon in þe place
Þat he ne ssolde mid hire be bot it one were

Leir rex.

Wiþ one kniȝte wiþ oute mo þe ȝwile he him wel bere
& esste ȝwat sorwe him were wanne he nadde him sulf no god
To wilni so gret coust & be of so gret mod
Þis word dude muche wo to þis seli olde king
Þat heo atweste him is stat þat he nadde no þing
Þat word brac nei is herte muche he it onderstod
Þat is child atweste is pouerte þat adde al is god

Nere neuere king ne quene glad wanne hii him seie
Ac to þe Ioiuol day hopede wanne he ssolde deie
He bileuede as he nede moste vorþ mid one kniȝte
& þe quene is doȝter alle wo him dude fram dai to niȝte
So þat he moste vor fin miseise awey atten ende
Þe oþer doȝter þat he adde ifonded he ne dorste to hire wende
Þe quene of france þe þridde him þoȝte mid vnriȝte
Vor he misdude hire þat he ne dorste comen in hire siȝte
Ac attelaste þo he isei þat he moste attenende
Vor pur meseise vorfare leuere he adde wende
& bidde is mete ȝif he ssolde in a strange londe
Þan þere as he him sulf king was & such þing adde an honde

Attelaste in sorwe inou to þe se he wende
To do is beste in meseise ware so god him sende
In þe ssip oþer princes in gret prute he biheld
& he nadde mid him bote tueie men him þoȝte is herte veld
[He þoȝte on þe noblei þat he hadde in ybe
He wep þe terus ronne doun þat deol it was to se]
Mid ȝoxinge & gret wop þus he bigan is mone
Alas alas þou luþer wate þat vilest me þus one
Þat þus clene bringst me adoun woder ssal ich be broȝt
Vor wel more sorwe it deþ me wan it comþ in mi þoȝt
Þe nobleye þat ich abbe iheued & þat ich was iwoned to wende
Mid so moni hondred kniȝtes aboute in ech ende

& castles nime & tounes & min fon bringe to grounde
Þanne do al þe meseise þat ich am on ibounde

Leir rex.

Leue doȝter cordeille to soþ þou seidest me
Þat as muche as ich adde ich was worþ þei ine leuede þe
Þe wile ich oȝt adde ich was worþ & nou it is al agon
Min children þat ich ȝef mi god beþ min meste fon
Vor my god hii louede me & nou hii abbeþ eueridel
Hii nolleþ me ȝiue of min owe mid gode herte a mel
A wey doȝter cordeille woder ssal ich nou fle
So muche ichabbe þe misdo þat ine dar þe ise
Mid woch bodi dar ich come in þin siȝt ene
Þat bi nom þe My frendssipe vor þi soþnesse al clene

Þis men mowe her ensample nime to lete hor sones wiue
& ȝiue hom vp hor lond al bi hor liue
Vor wel may a simple frankelein in miseise him so bringe
Of lute lond wanne þer biuel such cas of an kinge
Þo þis king adde iwend aboute in such soruol cas
Attelaste he com to carric þer is doȝter was
He bileuede wiþ oute toun In wel grete fere
He sende þe quene is doȝter word wuch is aunters were
& þat pur meseise him þuder drof & defaute of biliue
& bad hire vor þe loue of god hire wraþþe him vorȝiue
Þe quene þo ȝo ihurde þis nei iswowe was
Alas heo sede is mi fader ibroȝt in such cas
Mid hou mani kniȝtes is he come þe oþer aȝen sede
Ma dame bote mid o man & ȝut þulke in feble wede

Alas quaþ þe quene þo is it nou mid him so
Nimeþ anon tresor inou þat he aþ neode to
& cloþeþ him mid þe beste cloþ þat ȝe mowe bise
& vourti kniȝtes wiþ him þat of is siwte beo
& doþ hom alle wel an horse as king bicomþ to
& wanne no defaute nis þat al nis wel ido
Sendeþ mi louerd word & me þat mi fader in þis lond is

Leir rex. Cordoille regina.

Wat halt it to telle longe ido was al þis
Þo þe king leir atired was & me hom word sende
Þe king & quene vaire inou aȝen þis oþer king wende
& mid gret honur him avenge þo he to hom come
& toke to is owe wille al clene þe kinedom
Þis was þo þe gode doȝter þat nolde vikeli noȝt
Ofte þing þat is ivikeled to worse ende is broȝt

Þe kying of fraunce after folc wide aboute sende
To awreke him of þe luþere men þat is frend so ssende
Þo he adde poer inou þe kyng leir he nom
& þe quene is doȝter & to þis londe com
Many kundemen of þis lond Mid king leir hulde also
Vor þe vnkunde suikedom þat is doȝtren adde ido
So þat of france & of þis lond poer he adde inou
& toward is fon mid hom alle mid god herte he drou
& ouercom þis false kynges & hor wiues also
& aȝen was in is kinedom mid grete honur ido
Cordeile is leue doȝter eir of al is lond
After is daye he made þo þat he so kunde fond
Bi þis tale me mai ise þat men triwest we seþ
& best me mai to hom truste þat of lest wordes beþ
Wiþinne þe ȝer þe king of france deide & þe king leir
& cordeille þe kinedom aueng as þe riȝt eyr

& hire fader let burie wiþ gret prute & honour
At leicestre þat he made him sulf bi side þe water of sour
Þis gode cordeille as king & quene þo
Bileuede her in þis lond vif ȝer & nanmo
Ar hire tweie soster sones stalwarde men þat were
Hennin & Morgan worre hire gonne arere
& adde despit þat womman king ssolde alonde beo
& naþeles wan mid all ritȝe hii were ner þan heo

Cunedag rex.

Hii gaderede vp hor aunte hor ost aboute wide
& destruede hire londes eiþer in is side
So þat attelaste to bataile hii come
& þe quene hor aunte in bataile hii nome
& in stronge prison broȝte & þe kinedom
Delde bitwene hem two & eiþer is del nom

Morgan king of scotlond as hii dele couþe
Adde al is lond bi norþe & þe oþer bi souþe
Wiþinne tuo ȝer þer after some to morgan come
& vor he of þe eldor soster was bed him nime gome
& sede him it was gret despit þat were in þis londe
Tueie kinges wanne it riȝt was þat he it adde al an honde
Þis king was entised so þat he nom atte last
His ost & upe is cosin bigan to werri vaste
& bigan berne & quelle & atte laste iwis
Þe oþer bigan to torne aȝen & drof him in to walis
& þer hii smite an bataile in þe souþ half of þe londe
& þere was morgan aslawe þat longe worþ vnder stonde
Þe stude þat he was on slawe me clupeþ ȝut Morgan
& euere wolle after him vor he was so worþe man

Cunedag was þo one & þat lond to him nom
& nobliche þre & þritti ȝer huld þis kinedom
Þe tweie holi prophetes were ose & ysaye
Þulke time in israhel & dude hor prophecie
Romulus & remeus þe tweie breþern iwis
Bigonne þo verst rome þat noble cite is
Four hondred ȝer it was & fourtene also
After þe bataile of troye þat þis was al ido
& rome was vif hondred þus imad bifore
& þre & vifti ȝer ek ar god were ibore
After þis king kunedag his sone þat het riual

Gorgont rex.

King was imad after him wisman þoru out al
After him gurgust is sone & suþþe anoþer sicille
& monion suþþe afterward of wan we mote be stille

So þat atte laste gurguont was kyng
Stalwarde man & hardy & god þorȝ alle þing
Muche þing þat is eldore lore þoru feintise
Mid strengþe he wan suþþe aȝen & þorȝ is quoyntise
Þe kyng of denemarch ber eche ȝer wiþ lawe
Truage to engelond & bigan him to wiþdrawe
Þe kyng him porueide of poer inou
& þere wiþ in gode ssipes to denemarche he drou
& þen king of denemarch in bataile slou
& wan þe truage aȝen þat he at huld wiþ wou

As þe king gurguont fram denemarch wende aȝe
Here toward engelond he mette in þe se
Þritti ssipuol of men & of wimmen al so
Of children & of oþer god þat hii adde wiþ hom ido

Þe king eschte wat hii were hii were adrad wel sore
Þe maister vel adoun akne & cride him milce & ore
Louerd he sede we beþ men wide idriue aboute
Fram contreie to contreie þat we ne dorre nower atroute
Of þe kunde of egipt vr verste more com
Vor þo þe folc of israhel moyses wiþ him nom
& ladde hom out of egipt in to þe liuerede se
& þe king adreinte & alle his þat hii ne come neuere aȝe
Among hom þat bileuede aliue strif me miȝte ise
Woch mest maisters were & louerdes ssolde be
So þat hii þat maisters were adde wel gret honde
To þe kun þat we come of & driue vs out of londe

Vor drede þat hii ne scholde noȝt hor maistres be
Þus hii were idriue awey & nuste wuder te

Gorgont rex.

Hii dude hom vorþ in to þe se & bi moni a londe wende
So þat in to spaine atte nende hom sende
Þere hii bileuede & woxe & alle þat of hom come
Vorte now þis oþer day þat we ne miȝte noȝt be isome
Vor þe kunde volc of þe lond adde to hom onde
& þat we to grete maistres were driue us out of londe
Oþer half ȝer we abbeþ now iwend wiþ oute reste
In þe grete se of occean vorto seche oure beste
Þat oure owe lif ous is loþ þat we nuste ware bileue
Þer vore we wolde bidde þe þat þou vs som place ȝeue

Þat were ampty In þine londe ware þou wost bi þenche
Þat we miȝte biswinke oure mete & libbe bi oure swenche
Þe kyng hom nolde granty no þing of is lond
Ac he sende hom bi god condut In to yrelond
Þat al ampty was of men þat no mon ne wonede þere
& þis were þe verste men þat in yrlonde were
A þousend ȝer hit was & tuo þat ido was al þis
After þat folc of israel of egipt wende iwis
Seue hondred ȝer & nyenty hit was ek biuore
Er þan oure louerd crist anerþe was ibore
Hit biuel þerafterward suiþe long inou
Þat out of þe lond of scicye oþer folc þuder drou
Vor in to þe grete se of occean a gret compainie
Of picars wende some time out of scicie

Fram londe to londe wide hii gonne wende
So þat hii come attelaste to yrlondes norþ ende
Aȝen þat folc of scotlond & þat folc þat hii founde þere
Of þis eldore kunde scottes icluped were
Þe picars bede þe scottes an ende of hor londe
To ȝiue hom to libbe by bi suench of hor honde
Þe scottes sede þat þet lond noȝt inou be
To hom boþe to libbe by as hii miȝte ise

Gorgont rex.

Ac þat hii miȝte ofte ise in cler weder þere
Estward as þe sonne aros a lond as it were
Murie & vair hit þoȝte inou & þat hii þuder wende
To wonie & to libbe þer & þat hii hom word sende

Ȝif enimon hom destourbede & þat hii wolde hii sede
Wardi hom fram alle men þat hom ne tidde no drede

Þis picars hom wende euere vorþ estward euere vaste
To þe norþende of engelonde hii come attelaste
Þulke ende hii founde al bar hii bileuede þere
& swonke & tylede hor liflode & al maistres were
Hii founde hom sustenance inou & liuede þus vorþ
Þe britons in þe souþhalf & hii In þe norþ
Þe picars founde ese inou & defaute none
To libbe in plente inou bote of wimmen one
Vor þer nere none among hom þeruore Into yrlonde
Hii wende to scottes þat þer were þat hii hom ssolde vnder stonde
& lene hom wimmen þat hii miȝte hor ospring eche so
Vor þing þat woneþ & noþing wexþ sone it worþ ido
Scottes hom sende wimmen In þis fourme þere
Þat wan a child were ibore & me in doute were

Wo were þe fader þat it ssolde name & eritage
Boþe abbe in þe moder half vor drede of outrage
Leste it heode out of kunde þorȝ child mis bi ȝite
Vor me mai bet soþnesse of þe moder þan of þe fader iwite
In þis manere picars mid scottes mengd hor blod
So þat it siwede þe wimmen wanne me out vnder stod
& wanne man wiþoute eir of him sulue to deþe were ibroȝt
His moder kun was is eir & is fader riȝt noȝt
& vor þe modres scottes were so vorþ it is icome
Þat þe scottes name is al aboue & þe picars bi nome
Þus scottes among picars come out of yrlonde
& þat lond me clupede after hom scotlonde

Gorgont rex. Lud rex.

Yrlonde is alre yle best wiþoute engelonde
Þe se geþ al aboute him ek as ich vnder stonde

More he is þan engelond & in þe souþhalf he is
Braddore & more of inou þanne in þe norþhal iwis
Aȝen þe lond of spaine he stont in þe norþ side riȝt
Selde snow þer inne liþ & nameliche þre niȝt
So euene hot þat lond is þat men dorre selde
Hor orf in house a winter bringe out of þe welde
Lese last þer alle winter bote more wonder be
Selde me ssal in þe lond eny foul worm ise
Vor neddren ne oþer wormes ne dorre þer be noȝt
Ac ȝif hii beþ þuder bicas fram oþer londe ibroȝt
Hii deieþ þoru smul of þe lond oþer þorȝ torchinge iwis
Ech gras þat þerinne wexþ aȝen venim is
Vor men þat beþ enuenimed þoru graces of þe londe
Idronke hii beþ iclansed sone þoru godes sonde

Hony & milc þer is muche Muche folc & bold
Þis is þe stat of yrlonde as ich abbe itold

After kyng gurguont kinges monion
Þer were here in engelond me ne may noȝt telle echon
Aboute ane four hondred ȝer after him þer com
A kyng þat was lud icluped þat wel huld þis kinedom
Grete tounes in engelond he amendede inou
& londone aller mest vor þer is herte mest drou
& folc he het of þe toune so noble bold arere
Þat in al engelond so noble cite þere
Walles he let make al aboute & ȝates vp & doun
& after lud þat was is name he clupede it ludes toun
Þe hexte ȝate of þe toun þat ȝut stont þere & is
He let hit clupie ludegate after is owe name iwis
He let him þo he was ded burie at þulke ȝate
Þer vore ȝut after him me clupeþ it lodegate

Cassibel rex.

Þe toun me clupeþ ludestoun þat is wide couþ
& now me clupeþ it londone þat is liȝtore in þe mouþ
& niwe troye hit het er & nou it is so ago
Þat londone it is now icluped & worþ euere mo

Engelond aþ ibe mid strengþe iwonne ilome
& verst as ich telle can þoru þe emperors of rome
After king lud þer was king his broþer cassibel
Þat noble prince was inou & þat lond gouerned wel
Iuly þe emperour of rome bi his daye com
& muchedel of þe world bi este to is poer nom
So þat he drou him westward & worrede in mony londe
& wan lond after oþer him ne miȝte non at stonde
Þo he adde iwonne france þe se he wende nei
& bihuld west & somdel of engelond isey

He eschte at men wat lond it were & wat folc þerinne was
Me sede him þat it was brutaine no betere lond nas
& þat þe folc was of troye & of brut icome
Þanne beþ hii quaþ þe emperour of þe kunde of rome
Vor after þe bataile of troye þe nobleman eneas
To lombardie com þat nou is rome & vre ferste fader was
& brut also com of him þat his fader slow
& þeruore was þenene idriue & to þulke lond drou
Þanne be we of one kunde ac bote ich þerto lie
Aȝen kunde hii beþ aȝen vs & of chiualerie
Vor þerof ne mowe hii conne noȝt Inot hou hii miȝte
To be bi hom sulue in an herne as þerof wiþ oute siȝte
Vor noȝt we ssolle hom ouercome ac naþeles as þe hende
We ssolle hom warni of oure þoȝt ar we þanne wende

Þe emperours messagers to engelonde come
Þat þe king abude is herte to þe noble stude of rome
As alle oþere kinges dude & is noble seruage
Dude to þe heye emperour & sende him is truage

Cassibel rex. Iuli[us] imperator p[ri]m[us] perquisitor Anglie.

& his lond huld of him & dude him omage
Laste þe heie emperour vor is outrage
Come & destruede al is lond & ȝut þat worse were
Þe blod schedde of is owe kunde & defoulede so þere
& þe olde heinesse of priamus worrede so
Of was kunde hii come echone & þat were him loþ to do
Vor þer ne scholde in al þe world no lond be uer bore
Þis was euene sixti ȝer ar god were ibore
Þe kyng sende þis word aȝen þo he hurde þis tiþinge
Cassibel king of brutaine to Iuly send gretinge

Wonder it is sire emperour of þi noble gentrise
Þat is so noble anerþe iwolt wiþ so vil coueitise
Þat worles nobleye as so muche alle manne mest
& vor coueitise art icome so ver fram þen est
To wilny oure lute god þat god vs wolde sende
Þat beþ here bi vs sulue at þe worles ende
& þat þou nart one ipaid vr tresour to nime at ene
Bote þou þerafter vs binime vr franchise al clene
To bringe us so fre as we beþ In to so gret seruage
Þat we bere þe & þine eueremo truage
Gret vilte þou askest ous wanne we of one kunde
Beþ icome ȝe & we as þou ast þi sulf in munde
Þanne aȝt it be inou wanne we beþ of one blode
Loue & frendssipe to aski us ȝif þou þe wel vnderstode

Þei þou ne askedest þer vppe þralhede euere mo
Siker þou be we ne conne noȝt of þralhede ne of wo
So muche we abbeþ euere ibe in franchise ȝut her to
Þat þei vr owe god vs wolde in þralhede do
Fondi we wolde aȝen hom vor oure franchise wiþstonde
Þei þou þer vore sire emperour gret poer abbe an honde

Cassibel rex.

Wite to soþe þat we wulleþ vor oure franchise fiȝte
& vor oure lond raþer þan we lese it wiþ vnriȝte
Þis was ek four hondred ȝer & four score & þrittene
After þat þe boru of rome verst was bigonne ich wene
Þo þe emperour hurde þis to schipes he wende vaste
& al is poer vorþ wiþ him & hor seiles vp caste

Hii entred In at temese mouþ & þere hii gonne ariue
Þo cassibel hurde þis he ȝarkede him wel bliue
Þo adde king lud is broþer ȝonge sones tueie
Androge & tennant þat to ȝonge were beie
Þo ȝare fader deide to holde þe kinedom
Þer vore cassibel þat lond to him nom
Ac þo nolde cassibel þat hii ssolde allinge faile
Tennant þe ȝongore he made erl of cornwaile
& androge erl of kent & ȝef him londone þer to
Beie hii were noble men þo þis dede was ido
Þe king adde ek an broþer nenni was is name
Stalwarþe kniȝt & hardi & mon of grete fame
Þe kinges chef conselers þes þre were of þis þinge
Alle hii come to kaunterbury atte biginninge
Þere þe king & is poer such conseil to gadere nome
To kepe þe emperours folc ar hii to ver in come
Vor ȝif hii adde o þing iwonne of castel oþer of toune
Wel þe worse it wolde be to bringe hom þer doune

Þe king wende toward þe se mid vair ost inou
& as þe emperour adde ipiȝt his pauilons he drou
Þo hii adde iordeined hor ost in eiþer side
Þe bataile hii smite strong inou þat couþ was wel wide
Mid arwen & mid quarels so muche folc verst me slou
And suþþe mid speres smite adoun þat deol it was inou
Þo hii were þoru out imengd mid suerd & mid mace
Mid ax & mid anlas so muche folc in þe place

Cassibel rex.

Me slou þat al þe erþe aboute stod as in flode
Ar þe bataile were ido al of rede blode
Nenny þe kinges broþer & þe erl of kent al so
Mid al þe poer of kent & mid londreis þer to
Abated hom to þulke ost þat þe emperor Inne was
So þat nenny isey þe emperour bicas

Anon he willede in is herte wiþ a so hei man to fiȝte
He asailede him & drou is suerd & smot mid al is miȝte
Ac þe emperour mid is suerd þen stroc hente inou
& adrou is suerd an hei & to grounde harde slou
& smot nenny þoru þe helm somdel toward þe braine
& suþþe toward þulke stude he smot mid more maine
To abbe icloue him al þat heued ac nennin is sseld nom
& dude bituene þat þe stroc so dep þer inne ne com
Þat þe emperour ne miȝte it out drawe mid al is mayn
Nennyn caste is owe swerd awei anon wel vain
& nom þat suerd to him þat so noble was & riche
Vor þer nas in al þe world suerd him iliche
Vor þer non wiþ him iwonded þat euere keueri miȝte
Þer vore it was rede deþ icluped & mid riȝte

Þo nennyn adde þis gode suerd aboute he smot to grounde
Ech man þat he þer wiþ smot he ȝef deþes wounde
Þe romeins leie sone adoun he made ampti place
& þe brutons arise vaste so þat þoru godes grace
Hii adde þe maistrie of veld þe romeins flowe bliue
Ac mony was þe moder child þat arst was ibroȝt of liue
Þe emperour & is poer to schipe flowe vaste
& to france flowe aȝen somdel hii were agaste
Hor folc hii lore in þe se þoru tempest monion
Wat in bataile wat in þe se & hore hors nei echon

Cassibel rex.

Cassibel was glad inou þo he adde þe maistrie
Vaire he þonkede is gode folc & gret corteisie
Of ȝiftes delde among hom euere as hii worþe were
So þat ioye & murþe inou among hom was þere

Ac þer was among hom deol inou vor nennin ibroȝt
Þat þe emperour þe wounde ȝef þat he miȝte hele noȝt
He lai uorpined in þe wounde & toward þe deþe drou
& deide þe vifte day mid sorwe & deol inou
At þe norþ ȝate of londone hii birede þis gode kniȝt
& burede wiþ him in is cheste þat swerd þat was so briȝt
Þat he wan of þe emperour wiþ onour inou
Þat rede deþ was icluped warewiþ he him slou
Ibured it was uorþ wiþ him as in tokninge
Of is prowesse þat he it wan of an so heie kinge
Cassibel þis gode king him gan euere vnderstonde
Þat þe emperour þoȝte ȝut worrie in is londe
Þe vif tounes of þe vif pors he let walli aboute
& so gode kniȝtes dude þer þat he nadde þer of no doute
Stakes of ire monion he piȝte in temese grounde
Aboue ssarpe & kene inou bineþe grete & rounde

Þat ȝif þer eni ssipes come ar me iwar were
Hii ssolde piche hom þoru out & adrenche so þere
Her was quointise inou he let also arere
Vpe þe water stronge hous þat hii vnwarned nere
& of þe ȝonge folc of þe lond þerinne dude inowe
To be prest to kepe hor fon wenne hii þuder drowe
Iulius þe emperour wiþ strong poer inou
Tuo ȝer after þe bataile to engelond aȝen drou
& þoȝte to sle al þat folc & winne þe kinedom
Ac he caste ambesas þo he to londe com

Cassibel rex.

Vor as þe ssipes wiþ gret eir come toward londe
In temese as þei al þe world ne ssolde hom atstonde
Þe pikes smite hom þoru out ar hii wuste wat hit were
& to dasste & drainte vourti ssipes þere
& a þousend gode kniȝtes þerinne were adreint
& al hor atir & tresour was also aseint

& so hii miȝte lerni wiche brutons were
Betere hom adde ibe at rome þan iiousted þere
Þe emperour wiþdrou him þo & bi anoþer ende
To londe he com wroþ inou þis lond vor to ssende
Þo king cassibel isei so muche folc vorlore
& adreint of is fon glad he was þeruore
& naþeles he was sori & made gret imone
Of hom þat ofscapede þat hii nere adreint echone
Þo þe romeins were icome to londe attelaste
Cassibel wiþ his poer aȝen hom sette vaste
Hii smite bataile strong inou þer was ido gret wo
& muche folc aslawe in eiþer half & of þe romeins mo
Vor þe brutons woxe vaste þe romeins bineþe were
Þo þe emperour isei þat his fare nas noȝt þere
Wiþ lute folc þat him was bileued to ssipe hii flowen vaste
Hit was folc of an gode londe þat hom so couþe agaste

Þe king cassibel anon vor ioie made his heste
Þat alle þe kniȝtes of is lond come to is feste
To londone at a certein day & hore wiues al so
Hor sacrefize to hor godes as riȝt was to do
Vourti þousend of ruþeren he let quelle þer to
& of fatte weþeren an hondred þousend al so
Of wilde bestes he let þritti þousend quelle
Of wilde foweles & of tame ne miȝte no tonge telle

Cassibel rex.

Þo þis feste ȝare was þat folc verst in is wise
To hor godes as hii wolde dude hor sacrefice
Þer after hii sete at hor mete wiþ gret nobleie echon
Þat me nuste þer biuore so noble feste non
After mete as riȝt was þe menestraus eode aboute
& kniȝtes & swaines In karole gret route

So þat þe kinges neueu & þe erles neueu of kent
Þe tueie ȝonge bachelers þat noble were & gent
In þat noble tresche strif bigonne arere
So þat þe herles neueu þen oþer slou riȝt þere
Þo was al þe court anuyd as he moste nede
Þe king verde ek vor wraþþe as he wolde awede
Androge he sende word þat he is neueu toke
& broȝte him vorþ to auonge þat þe court him wolde loke
Androge was adrad vor he nuste þe kinges wille
& loþ he adde is neueu to hongi oþer spille
Þe king he sende word aȝen þat he adde is franchise
In is owe court vorto loke domes & assise
& þat ȝif is neueu adde misdo In is owe court he ssolde
Ansuerie þat echman to him siwi wolde
Þo þe king hurde þis þat he ne miȝte bi no lawe
Iugi him þat his neueu broȝte of lifdawe

He greiþede is ost faste vpe þis erl of kent
To bringe is neueu mid strengþe to stonde to Iugement
Oþer mid fure oþer mid swerd bringe he wolde al out
Him to noȝte & al is þing nere he no so proute
Þis erl bi grete louerdes to þe king ofte sende
Þat he ssolde vor godes loue is herte somdel amende
& þat he vor is neueu wolde vorto abatie strif
Do hey amendement sauue lume & lif

Cassibel rex.

Þo þer nas oþer wey bote stonde al out to dome
Þe erl of anoþer wei bi þouȝte him ilome
& as he & is conseil stable conseil nome
Þe lettres he sende to Iuli þe emperour of rome
To Iuli emperour of rome androge erl of kent
Gretinge & stable loue after wraþþe sent

Sire wite to soþe þat sore ofþinkþ it me
Þat ich abbe vor oure kinges loue iholde aȝen þe
Þat ȝif mi poer nadde ibe þou addest him ouercome
Ac vor he aþ now þe maistrie such prute him haueþ inome
Þat nou me þoru wam he aþ of þe þe maistrie
Driue he wolde out of his lond mid grete vileinie
Ich him abbe iholde in is lond & mi mede þer of is
Þat he me wole driue of is lond vnofserued iwis
Vor oure godes ich take to witnesse þat oþer gult non þer nis
Bote þat inelle mi neueu þat a lute dude amis
Bitake him to Iugement to hongi oþer to drawe
Ac ich wolde to sauui lif & lume bringe him to ech lawe

Þer vore ich bidde þat ich mowe mi stat holde þoru þe
& þat þou vp him brutaine mowe winne þoru me
& ne þench þou sire noþing þat ich treson þenche
Vor siker þis is þe soþe wei wiþ oute eni mis wrenche
& god wole þat men ofte be in wraþþe & in sore
Þat after hor grete wraþþe hor loue be þe more
Þo þe emperour hurde þis he ne truste wel þer to
Wiþ oute siker ostage such þing to do
Þe erl þritti noble men þat were of is blode
Sende him & is owe sone þat were ostages gode

Cassibel rex.

Siker was þo þe emperour he ne leuede noȝt bihinde
Ac com here to engelond mid þe nexte winde
Þe king þe wule londone bisegede uaste
& destruede þe erles lond & is courtes adoun caste

Ac þo he hurde þat þe romeins icome were to þis londe
To hom he wende hasteliche & let londone stonde
Þo he com nei kaunterburi In a valeie biside
He sei þe emperours ost sprad aboute wide
Þe emperour verst in is half & he in is also
Ordeinede verst hor ost þe bataile to do
Ac mid vif hondred hors iwrie as it was bispeke
Þe erl of kent was in a wode him vor to awreke
Þer of nas noȝt þe king iwar ac wiþoute faile
Mid gode herte he wende vorþ to smite þis bataile
Bituene þe se & kaunterburi þis bataile was
Neuere ich wene more slaȝt in so lute wude nas
Þat folc vel doun vorwounded & aslawe in eiþer side
As þicke as leues doþ of tren aȝen winteres tide
Ac þo þe folc of þis lond nei adde þe maistrie
Com þe erl of kent mid is ost þoru is tricherie

Al verss bi hinde þe brutouns alas þulke stounde
So þat þis lond was ibroȝt þoru treson verst to grounde
Ac þe king & some of is defended hom so vaste
Þat hii vor hom alle aliue ofscapede atte laste
& nolde hom ȝelde for no þing ac among al or fon þere
Ofscapede vp an hei hul þer moni roches were
& þer hii kudde hor prowesse vor hii wuste hom þere anhei
Mid stones þat no mon ne dorste come hom nei
Ou louerd þe noble folc þat is of þis londe
Wanne hii þe emperour of rome þat no lond ne miȝte at stonde

Cassibel rex.

In bataile & al is ost ouercome twie
& euere wolde as ich wene ȝif nadde ibe tricherie

Þer vore ich wene þat þis lond neuere iwonne nere
Bote it þoru treson of þe folc of þe londe were
Þo þe emperour ne miȝte þe king mid strengþe ouercome
Þen hul he wuste vorte he adde mid honger him inome
Atte laste þo þe king was al ibroȝt to grounde
Þoru honger & defaute of mete alas þulke stounde
& he sei wel þat he moste nede vor honger deie
Oþer ȝelde him to þe emperour as al is men iseie
& þe emperours prison he dradde ek wel sore
Þer vore þe erl of kent he bisoȝte milce & ore
Þat he adde reuþe of him & uor is gentrise
Hadde is pes wiþ þemperour wiþ oute feintise
& þat þe kunde blod of þis lond of wam we boþe come
Nere þoru him ibroȝt to ssame & þat he toke gome
& þat ȝif he adde ouȝt misdo aȝen him mid wou
Þat he it wolde amendi aȝen him wel inou

Þo androge hurde þis somdel he was in þouȝt
Þe prinse he sede oþer king nis to preisi noȝt
Þat in time of worre as a lomb is boþe mek & milde
& in time of pes as leon boþe cruel & wilde
Min godes of heuene & of erþe wat segge nou ȝe
Mi louerd bisecþ nou mi grace þat miȝte er hote me
Mid þe emperour & me pes he secþ drawe
& we boþe of him biuore pes wilnede vawe
Þer vore he ssolde abbe biþoȝt þat þoru me he was aboue
& þoru me he miȝte abbe icome adoun & abbe ikud me loue

Cassibel rex.

Vor it is ech prince iwis & king vileinie
To defouli is kniȝtes þoru wam he aþ þe maistrie

Vor þe maistrie nis noȝt a kinges ne be no so god
Ac kniȝtes þat vnder him viȝteþ & ssedeþ hor blod
Naþeles icholle fondi to bringe him of is sore
Vor ichabbe of him wreche inou wanne he bisecþ min ore
Þe erl wende to þe emperour & sat adoun a kne
Sire he sede al þi wille þou ast þou miȝt ise
Of þe king þat is min vncle he is al at þin wille
Haue merci of him ich þe bidde & ne let him noȝt aspille
Wat wostou more of him bote þat he truage þe bere
Þe emperour was stille þo & ne ȝaf him non ansuere
Sire emperour quaþ þe erl þo ne be ȝe no so bolde
Vnder þat voreward ichabbe þe al iholde
To bringe þe king bineþe & þat þou wonne al is londe
Wat ssolde ich þe more do nastou al þis an honde

Nolde god þat ich soffrede mi louerd þat is & was
Þat bit me vorȝifnesse & to amendi is trespas
Þat he in þine bendes come god it ssilde me
Vor þou ne ssalt so liȝtliche him nime i segge þe
Þe wle ich libbe vor ich wolle in ech manere fonde
To helpe mi louerd & min vncle bote þou me vnderstonde
Þo þe emperour hurde þis he bigan him biþenche
& is wraþþe toward þe king [for drede of þe erl quenche
Þe emperour & þe king] in þis fourme acorded were
Þat þe king of þis lond to þe emperour bere
Þre þousend pound of seluer fram ȝere to ȝere
As þe truage to rome þat non vorbore nere
In þis manere was engelond Ibroȝt verst in seruage
& þoru treson of þe sulue lond verst ȝef truage
Þeruore a king ne mai noȝt among is kniȝtes be
To sturne of is iugement ac somdel him bise

Cassibel rex. Tennanci[us] rex.

Þat he aþ to hom nede he not wuche stounde
Vor a such wille as ȝe iseþ broȝte verst þis lond to grounde
Þe emperour þo & þe king to grete loue drowe
& hor eiþer oþer bitwene hom ȝiftes ȝeue inowe
& bileuede alne winter to gadere in þis londe
Ac aȝen somer þe emperour þo he adde al anhonde
Wende hom toward rome & mid grete loue
Nom wiþ him þe erl of kent þoru wane he was aboue
& þoru nobleie þat he was man of so gret fame
He let an monþe in þe ȝere clupie after is name
Iulius as he het him sulf þe monþe þat next is
Biuore heruest as me ȝut clupeþ þe monþe iwis

Cassibel þe gode king as god ȝef þat cas
Deide after seue ȝer þat he ouercome was

100

& ibured was at ȝork & þis kinedom
Tennaunt is broþer sone after him nom
Þat was erl of cornewaile & þe erles broþer of kent
Androge þat was to rome mid þe emperour iwent

Augustus was emperour after Iulij of rome
Þe truage fram þis lond fram ȝere to ȝere come
Þe kinges sone tennant kimbel was is name
He huld wiþ him at rome Man of noble fame
He ȝef him armes & made him kniȝt is owe honde
Þis kimbel after is fader king was of þis londe
So muche he louede þe emperour þat þei he miȝte oȝt
His truage atholde aȝen vor loue he nolde noȝt
Þo august adde ibe emperour tuo & fourti ȝer
He let make a descriuinge þat ido nas neuere er
He sende aboute is messagers as it is iwrite
To ech lond in to al þe world a certein vor to wite

101

Kymbel rex.

Hou mony ssire were in ech lond & tounes in eche ssire
& hou monimen in eche toune he was a gret sire
& þat echman paide a peni & me him þe panes bere
War þoru he wuste hou moni men in al þe worlde were
& me made þis descriuinge in þis lond as wel
As in eni oþer londe bi þe kinges daie kimbel
& naþeles ine leue it noȝt þat he ne dude it as wel þanne
Vor loue of þe panes as to wite þe noumbre of eche manne
Aboute ierusalem þis noumbringe he bigan
As in þe middel of þe world to noumbri eche man
Þulke time vr louerd was in bedleem ibore
Of marie to saui men þat were arst vorlore
Bi kimbeles dai þat was king of brutaine here
& in þe emperours august two & fourtiþe ȝere

102

Þat was icluped octouian in anoþer name
Þis emperour august was of so gret fame
Þat vor Iuli þe emperour þat biuore him was er
Hadde after him icluped an monþe in þe ȝer
Þe nexte monþe þerafter þat heruest monþe is
He let after him clupie august iwis
Þo august adde ibe emperour fourti ȝer & fiue
& wel iholde is poer he wende out of þis liue

Tibery is stepsone after him com
Þat nobliche huld is poer & is kinedom
Þe gywes & herodes þat hore king was
He adauntede hard inou & non harm it nas
Pilatus he sende þuder hor Iustise to be þere
Vorto holde hom harde inou as hii wel wrþi were
& ȝut for al þan bi is daie þoru hor luþer mode
Hii broȝte oure louerd ihesu crist to deþe on þe rode

Gwyþer rex.

Þre & tuenty ȝer emperour he was biuore is deþe
& after him was gayus vif ȝer vnneþe

103

Kymbel vr king of þis lond sones adde tweie
Gwider & aruirag noblemen beie
Gwider after is fader king was of þis londe
& claudius emperour after gay ich vnder stonde
Ymad he was emperour sixti ȝer ich wene
After god was ibore & aboute an eiȝtetene
& after vr louerdes deþ seue hondred ȝer
& euene eiȝte & nienti rome was imad er

Gwider vr king of þis lond is truage athuld sone
Of rome þat is eldore were iwoned to done
Claudius þe emperour þer of him gan bi se
Þe verþe ȝer þat he adde emperour ibe
Mid gret ost he wende in to engelonde
In þe contreie of souþhamptone hii ariuede ich vnder stonde
Þo king gwider vnderȝet þat hii ariuede þere
Him þouȝte imete mid is ost ar he at hom were

104

Hii mette hom togadere mid poer inou
Muche folc in eiþer half to gronde me slou
Þe king gwider more folc slou is owe honde
Þan muchedel of is folc as ich vnder stonde
Þis romeins were vor noȝt ouercome atte laste
Þat þe emperour mid is ost bigan to fle vaste
A cheuentein þat was wiþ him haym was is name
He sei þat hor partie ibroȝt was nei to ssame
He biþoȝte him of felonie & let him armi þere
Mid armes of brutons as he of þis lond were
He siwede ope þe romeins mid þe brutons so vaste
Þat oure king him louede wel & is herte al vpe him caste

Aruiragus rex.

He spac engliss vor he was at rome inorssed biuore
Mid ostages of þis lond me leued him þe bet biuore

105

He was euere oure kinge next & atte laste he adrou
His swerd ar me were iwar & oure king aslou
Þer was tricherie inou vor no mon ne mai bet do
Gile anoþer þan þulke þat he truste mest to
To his felawes he wende anon & bed hom hardi be
So þat þe brutons were vpe þe pointe to fle
Aruirag vr kinges broþer wende vorþ anon þere
& dude him on þe kinges armes he im sulf as it were
He lep on is stede & siwede & slou vaste is fon
& þe brutons wiþ him vor hii wende it were þe king echon
Hii were alle þo so hardi & þat folc slowe so vaste
Þat þe emperour bigan to fle mid is folc atte laste
To scipes & in to þe se mid wrechede inou
Ac þe luþer haym & is folc toward wode drou

106

Aruirag him siwede & to grounde slou
Atte laste is tricherie wel lute he bilou
He of tok him at an hauene & slou him riȝt þere
Lute harm þei trichors so alle iserued were
Þe hauene þer he was aslawe after haym is name iwis
Haymtone was icluped as he ȝut icluped is
Vor souþhamtone he is icluped & worþ euere mo
In þis manere þe brutons þis lond wuste þo

Claudius þe emperour nolde noȝt ȝut bileue

Ȝef he com mid is ost in to þis lond weue
Aruirag at winchestre mid is men was echon
Wiþ is poer þe emperour biseged him anon
Aruirag greiþed him & is folc aboute
& wende vorþ to ȝiue him bataile wiþoute

107

Aruiragus rex qui desponsauit filiam imperatoris Claudii.

Þo he com outward wiþ is folc þe emperour atstod
& dradde is hardiesse & þoȝte it nas noȝt god
To don is lif an aunter & is men al so
He þoȝte to speke of acord ȝif it miȝte be ido
To þe king he sende word þat he ssolde him bise
& make fourme of acord ȝif it miȝte so be
Vor wanne hii adde al ifoȝte & hor lif anauntre ido
& hor folc aslawe in eiþer side & peraunter hom sulf al so
Al vor a lute coueitise þe biȝete were þanne lute
Betere hit were acordi & bileue hor prute
Vor he was so god kniȝt & al so so noble king
He bed vor to ȝiue him is doȝter in spousi[n]g
Þe nobloste damaisele þat was in eni londe
& to spousy þe emperours doȝter hit nere him no ssonde

108

Vor wat he bere is truage as riȝt were to rome
As alle oþere kinges dude & is eldore ilome
Þe king vor his heie herte anon it wiþ seide
Ac naþeles is conseil him gan þer to rede
& sede þat it was to him gret prou & honour
To be in such mariage alied to þe emperour
Þe heiest prince of al þe world & þe maide so noble al so
& þat it nere him no ssame his truage to do
To þe noble stude of rome wanne þe oþer kinges echon
Hit dude þoru al þe world & in so noble fourme non
Þe king þei he hautein were ches þe beste won
& vnderstond is conseil so þat hii were at on
Þat he bere is truage as oþere dude to rome
& þat he þe emperoures doȝter in spoushod nome
Þis maide was to londe ibroȝt of so noble gentrise
Vairor wommon nas þo non ihote heo was gewise

109

Imperator Claudius. Aruiragus rex.

At a lute toun þat was þo bi este walis
Þat vpe seuerne stod ispoused hii were iwis
Þe king louede is wif anon so purliche & so vaste
Þat al is herte onliche on hire on he caste
Vor honur of þe mariage þe emperour & he
Þere as heo was ispoused rerde a gret cite
& after þe emperoures name þat claudius was
He let þis cite clupie claucestre vor þis cas
& þe emperour biȝet suþþe in þulke toun bicas
An sone þat me clupede glou þat gret man suþþe was
& hei duc of al þulke stude he clupede þen toun iwis
After his name gloucestre as he ȝut icluped is
Aboute foure & twenty ȝer as þis clerkes vnderstode
After þat oure louerd was idon on þe rode
Gloucestre þoru þe emperour verst þus arerd was
& souþhamptone þer bivore ȝe abbeþ ihurd þat cas

110

Seinte peter þer biuore so muche so it were
Pope was at rome verst cristendom to lere
& sende seint Marc þe ewangelist in to egypt vor to preche
Þen gospel þat he adde imaked & cristendom to teche
Seint poul ek þulke time to cristendom wende
Seint denis & monye oþer as oure louerd aboute him sende
Seinte peter vif & twenti ȝer pope bileuede so
Vorte it was þe laste ȝer of þe emperour nero
Þo þe emperour adde in þis lond is wille ido inou
He let þe king al iworþe & to rome aȝen drou
Þe king let diȝte þo þis lond nobliche wiþ alle
& let bulde vp grete tounes þat were ney adoun ivalle
Þo claudius þe emperour to is ende was ido
After him was emperour þe luþer man nero

Imperator Nero. Aruiragus rex.

Þrettene ȝer & an half & þat was longe inou
Vor seinte peter & seinte poul in his laste ȝer he slou

111

He bicom sone þer after pur gidy & wod
& vor he was in is moder wombe as he vnderstod
He þoȝte he wolde wite & ise hou vair þe chamber were
War inne he was ikenede ar is moder him bere
His moder he let quelle anon vor to se wiþinne
Hou vair þe inewarde was þat he kened was inne
Þo is moder aslawe was me blamed him þeruore
& sede þat heo him boȝte dere ar he were ibore

Ȝe is it quaþ he so strong mid childe to be bistonde
Bi þe fei þat ich owe to mahoun þat soþe icholle fonde
His fisicians he clupede & suor is oþ anon
Bote hii made him mid childe he wolde hom sle echon
Hii bispeke hom bitwene & þen deþ vor to fle
Hii ȝeue him an quointe drench mid childe vor to be

112

His wombe bigan to greti & euere þe leng þe more
So longe þat it þoȝte strong his wombe ok wel sore
He clupede is fisicians & suor gret oþ anon
Bote hii made him bere child he wolde hom honge echon
Hii ȝeue him anoþer drench to abbe child þer
So þat atte laste a sori child he ber
Vor þo it alles com vorþ it was a foul frogge
Vor gode me þinkþ lute harm þei it adde ibe a dogge

Ȝut þis gidie wrecche louede þis foule best
As wommon deþ hire child alle þing mest
& let hit rere a noble court mid gret quointise & ginne
At þe on ende of rome to norssi þe ssrewe þer inne

113

& clupede laterane after þe frogge iwis
Vor in þe langage of rome rane a frogge is

Imperator Vespasianus. Domicianus Imperator.

So is þe stude icluped nou & euere worþ wor þis cas
Feble was þe godfader after wam þe name was
Þe verste churche þat me let in þe world rere
Seint Iones de lateran me rerde suþþe þere
Þat stont ȝute & heued churche of al cristendom is
Ac betere chef þer is now þan þe frogge was iwis
Suþþe þe luþer emperour In is herte adde Ioye
To þenche of fure þat was in þe bataile of troye
Þo me barnde grete tounes & courtes day & niȝt
& þoȝte it was murie Ioie to se so vair liȝt
Þe gidie wrecche let sette þe toun of rome a fure
To abbe game of þat liȝt þe wile it wolde dure

114

Þo wende vorþ þe toun folc as hii moste nede
& nolde namore þolie þan ssrewe among hom a wede
& slowe þo þe ssrewe in vile deþ inow
& þus him vel vrecche of god vor he þe apostles slou

Vaspasyan þe emperour after nero com
Þat betere man was þan he & ne worrede noȝt cristendom
Þe gywes he worrede inou & broȝte hom verst to noȝte
Vor as muche as þe luþermen vr louerd to deþe broȝte
Vor he & titus is sone of vr louerd vnderstode
Vourty ȝer after þat he deide on þe rode
& wende to ierusalem & þen toun velde to gronde
& slowe þe luþer gywes alle þat hii founde
Bote a ssipuol þer of scapede þat were to fale ywis
War of com þat luþer brod þat among men ȝut is

115

Ten ȝer vaspasian Emperour was þo
& titus is sone after him tuo ȝer & nanmo

Domician tytusus broþer emperour þo was
Viftene ȝer after him no more ssrewe nas

Nerua imperator. Adrianus Imperator. Antoninus Imperator.

Vor he worrede cristendom as þe luþer nero
& let martri seint denis & moni oþere al so

Nerua was þo emperour a ȝer & somdel more
Traian com after him mon of grete lore
Nientene ȝer & an half emperour he was
Þe nobloste þat miȝte be bote þat he cristine nas
So riȝtuol he was þat þo he adde an dede him sulf ydo
Þat aȝen is lawes was & is sone al so
Vor woch dede a man ssolde þat is adde iwroȝt
Lese is on eye & he him sulf ne sparde him sulue noȝt

116

Ac let pulte out is owe eye & is sones al so
Vol vewe kinges me sucþ þat it wolde do
Þer uore seint gregori þo he alonde was
More þan vif hundred ȝer after þis riȝtuol cas
Þat a such mon ssolde in helle be he carede in is þoȝte
Þe soule þoru godes grace out of helle he broȝte
& to is bodi is ioinede & ȝef him cristendom
Ware wiþ as he worþe was to þe ioye of heuene com

A drian com þo next & tuenti ȝer & on
After him emperour he was of gywes ne louede he non
Þe boru of ierusalem he let somdel aȝen rere
Þat vaspasyan velde adoun þo he slou þe gywes þere
Ac he nolde þe gywes leue ȝiue uor no þing þat hii miȝte
Þat hii moste of þe boru enes abbe an siȝte

117

He dude hom ssame ynou & temprede hom vol wel
& made hom sone milde ynou þo hii were rebel

Antoyn was þo emperour & tuenti ȝer & tuo
& after him tueye breþeren in þe aumperye were ydo
Marcus & aurelius nientene ȝer hii were
Cristendom by hor daye me gan vaste lere
Vor eleutherie a god mon was þo pope of rome
Þoru wan verst cristenmen to engelond come
Icholle ȝou sone telle hou as ich vnder stonde
& telle after þis emperours of kinges of þis londe

After king aruirag of wan we abbeþ itold
Marin is sone was king quoyntemon & bold
& is sone was after him coyl was is name
Boþe it were quoyntemen & of noble fame
& hor truage dude to rome as hom þouȝte hii aȝte do
Vor þer nas non so noble prince þat ne dude al so

118

Lucie colyes sone after him king was
Vor as me may to soþe segge biuore him no betere nas
Vor he hurde ofte telle of miracles þat Come
Þoru cristen men wide aboute as wel as at rome
He wilnede and in is herte to auonge cristendom
Þer vore is messagers mid gode herte he nom
Þat to þe pope Eleuthery hasteliche hii wende
Þat he quic in to is lond cristendom him sende
Þat he miȝte serui god almiȝti vor he willede moche þer to
& he ne ssolde noȝt be glad ar þe dede were ido
Þe pope was her of glad & tweie holi men him sende
Fagan & diman is soule vor to amende
Þat riȝte bileue him teiȝte & ȝeue him cristendom
Þat folc vaste aboute wide þer to com
Þis was an hundred ȝer & sixti ȝer & tuo
After þat god was ibore þat þis dede was ido

119

Þus com lo verst here in to þis lond cristendom
Bote it were eny holi mon þat stilleliche arst it nom
Þer were arst in engelond hor false lawes to lere
Eiȝte & twenti chef studes bissopriches as it were

lucius rex.

& þre erche temples as it were hext of echon
Londone & Euerwik & in glanmorgan was on
Þis gode king & þis holimen let velle hom alle þere
& eiȝte & twenty bissopriches in hor stede lete rere
& þre erchebissopriches as þe erche temples were
As it were of alle chef cristendom to lere
Al þe bissopriches vnder Euerwik were ido
Þat binorþe humber beþ as hii beþ ȝut al so
Londone adde þo al þis lond þat bi souþe humber is
Fram douere to seuerne & al cornwaile iwis

120

Þe þridde erchebissopriche was at kayrleon in walis
Vpe vske in glanmorgan ac þe se adoune is
Ac endes of olde walles þer stondeþ ȝut euerne
Vnder him walis þulke adde & al bi weste seuerne
Þus com lo in to þis lond verst cristendom
Ac þoru a luþer emperour þat þer after com
Þat het dioclician it was suþþe ibroȝt to grunde
& heþenesse ybroȝt aȝen uort seint austin it adde vnbounde
Lucie þis gode king þat þus cristene bicom
Deyde aboute four ȝer after is cristendom
At gloucestre he deide ac eyr nadde he non
Þat acorede al þis lond & þe men echon

Seuer was emperour þulke tyme at rome
So þat þe tydinge sone to him come
Þat þe king of bruteyne wiþoute eyr was ded
Sone he þoru al is court þer of nom is red

121

& wende hider hasteliche wiþ poer ynou
& folc þat stod aȝen him to gronde vaste he slou
A duc þer was of þis lond fulgence was is name
He stod aȝen him mid is ost & dude him grete ssame

Fulgencius.

& vorto be þe sikerore he wende to scotlonde
& made him þere gret ost of landfolc in þe londe
& wende ofte vpen him & slou & barnde vaste
Ac euere adde þe emperour þe maistrie atte laste
Þe emperour here in þise lond weddede a wif
Þat was fulgences soster al in þis strif
Bi hire he adde an gode sone icluped basian
Anoþer he adde ihote gec þat he at rome biwan
Þo fulgence isei þat he ne miȝte aȝen stonde
To þe lond of scicye he wende out of þis londe

122

& a gret ost of picars was cheuentein he was
Of stalwardemen he gaderede to helpe him in þis cas
Þo he adde imad him a vair ost of þis ȝonge bachelerie
He com aȝen in to þis lond out of scicye
He bilay verst euerwik vpe þe emperour vaste
So þat þe emperour him ȝef bataile atte laste
Ac Mochedel of þis lond To fulgence toke
Vor he more of kunde was & þe emperour vorsoke
Bataile hii smite strong inou & slowe vaste to gronde
So þat fulgence þere adde deþes wounde
Ac þe emperour was al aslawe & ibured at euerwik
Ac fulgence deide suþþe þo he adde ileye sik
Þo þis men were boþe ded me moste abbe an king
Bituene þe romeins & þis lond þer wax þo striuing
Gec þe emperoures sone þe romeins to kinge nome
Vor he was of fader & moder of þe kunde of rome
Ac þe brutons of þis lond nome basian þer to
Vor is moder was of þis lond & is vncle al so

123

Þo þer were tueie kinges þus þer nas noȝt wel gret loue
Ne miȝte þei hii breþren were ar þe on was aboue
So þat hor eiþer vp oþer worrede vaste
& an bataile strong inou smite atte laste
& basian & is poer slowe get is broþer
& basian bileuede king þo þer nas non oþer

Carausius rex.

A Stalwarde ȝong bacheler in þis lond was þo
Coraus was icluped þat couþe of muche wo
Vor þo he adde moche in worre ibe & ido gret maistrie
& him sulf moche ifonded he þoȝte do tricherie
He wende & bed leue þo of þe emperour of rome
To wite þe se aboute þis lond fram strange men þat come
& bi het hom þat ȝif þer of wel avouwed hii were
To ȝelde more god to rome þan al brutaine þuder bere

124

Þo þe conseil of rome leuede is vair biheste
& þat he was stalwardeman of gret poer mid þe meste
Þe emperour mid gode chartre & mid is owe ceel
Him ȝef of þe se aboute þe warde eueridel
Þis false man wende þo mid is chartre aboute
& of willeuol men him gaderede a gret route
& bi het hom god inou of porchas þat god hom sende
& porueiede hom gode ssipes & in to þe se wende
& wonne hom sone Moche god mid strengþe & quointise
& suþþe mid robberie bote hii miȝte in oþer wise
Of is porchas so large he was to men þat hem founde
Þat he adde a gret ost in a lutel stounde
Þe yles he robbede in þe se & þe hauenes suþþe aboute
So þat men of porchas come to him so gret route
Þat þer nas no prince vnneþe þat him miȝte at route
His poer wax Euere so þat ech lond him gan doute

125

So þat he spac mid heie men here of þisse londe
& bi het hom vaire inou & dude hom to vnderstonde
Þat ȝif hii buyde to him & to hor king him nome
Þat he wolde hom al out bringe of þe daunger of rome
& deliueri þis lond of romeins & of straunge men echon
Þat so fre lond as þis ne ssolde be naur non
Þat folc him made þo hor king vor he was so quointe man
& he bigan to worri anon vpe þe king basian
& hor eiþer aȝen oþer gaderede hor ost vaste
So þat hii come & smite an bataile atte laste

Asclepiod rex.

Ac caraus of felonie him gan vnder stonde
& þouȝte þat picars were of strange londe
Þat were wiþ basian þe king þat fulgence is vncle broȝte
Þat hii wolde liȝtliche to him tourne he þoȝte

126

Mid hom he spac so quointeliche & mede hom gan bede
So þat þe king basian hii bitraiede in is nede
Vor þo hii come into bataile hii turnde aȝen him echon
Hii nuste woche were hor frend ne woche were hor fon
Ac basian & al is folc ȝede anon to gronde
& he him sulf & mani oþere islawe were in a stounde
Þo was þis false caraus king of þis londe her
Vuele it com him of kunde to be of such poer
Þis tidinge com to rome þat he dude hom such ssame
Hii nome an grete louerding allect was is name
& sende him here to þis lond & men wiþ him inowe
So þat in bataile þis caraus hii slowe
Þo þis bataile was ido hii bigone arere
Worre vpe men of þis lond vor hii mid caraus were

127

Þe brutons þo of þis lond to ssulde ȝam fran ssame
Chose hom a niwe king asclepiod was is name
Þat was erl of cornwaile he gaderede is ost anon
To worry & to stonde aȝen þe romeins is fon
He wende him to londone as king allect þo was
To honoury hor false godes as it vel þo bi cas
Þo þis king it vnderȝet þat þis folc þus com
He bileuede is sacrefize & is folc wiþ him nom
& wende out aȝen hom & strong bataile hii smite
So moche folc þer was aslawe þat deol it was to wite
Þis brutons were so egre & woxe euere so vaste
Þat þe romeins & hor king gonne fle atte laste
Þe brutons sywede after as hii aȝte to do
& slowe mani þousend & allect þe king al so
A louerding of þe romeins þat ihote was galle
Com & ȝelde him to ur king & is men nei wat alle

128

Asclepiod rex.

Þe king him nom to prison to londone he was ybroȝt
Þe king him wolde ȝiue lif ac is men nolde noȝt
Ne þolie þat þer were aliue eny of hor fon
Ac ladde him to londone & is men echon
To an vrninde water þat ȝut is þer ich wene
& smite of alle hor heued to bringe hom out of tene
And þe broc þere hii were aslawe Me clupede galbroc
After galle þulke prince þat þer is deþ tok
Þo was bruteine þis lond of romeins al mest lere
Ac albusy were it ten ȝer ar hii here aȝen were
Asclipiod him let þo crouny to kinge anon
& wuste aboute ten ȝer þis lond wel mid fon
Ac þoru romeins þat here come þat heþene were echon
þoru oþere cristendom was neiȝ wat al agon

129

Tueie emperours of rome Dioclician
& anoþer is felawe þat het maximian
Were boþe at one time þe on in þe est ende
& þe oþer in þe west of þe world cristendom to ssende
Vor þe luþer maximian westward hider soȝte
& cristen men þat he vond to stronge deþ he broȝte
Chirchen he velde al adoun þer ne moste non stonde
& alle þe bokes þat he miȝte finde in eni londe
He wolde lete berne echon amidde þe heie strete
& þe cristenmen alle sle & non aliue lete
Suþþe god was ibore þer nas uor cristendom
In so lute stounde ido so gret martirdom
Vor þer were wiþinne one monþe seuentene þousend & mo
Ymartred uor vre louerdes loue nas noȝt here gret wo

130

Wiþoute grete halwen þat hii helde longe in torment
As seinte cristene & seinte fei & al so seint vincent
As seint sebastian & mony oþere as me may in chirche rede
& Monion turnde aȝen to heþenesse uor drede
& among alle þes in þis lond þer were monion
Ymartred as þulke time Seint albon was on

Cole rex.

Þat was þe verste martir þat to engelond com
Dere aþ louerd monymon aboȝt cristendom
Vnder þis luþer emperours þer was a luþer man
& of hor luþer lawe þat moche vnder hom wan
Constance was is name he conquerde of spaine
Þe truage & of france & suþþe here of brutaine

Cole was a noble mon & gret poer adde an honde
Erl he was of colchestre here in þisse londe

131

& Colchestre after is name icluped is ich under stonde
Vre louerd among oþer þinges him sende a uair sonde
Þat he adde an holi doȝter at colchestre in þis lond
Þat Seint eleyne is icluped þat þe holi rode vond
Bituene ure king asclepiod & þis erl wiþoute faile
Þer wex a gret worre & þat hii smite bataile
& þe erl cole slou þen king & þo he adde þun ouer hond
King he let him crouni here of þis lond
Þat folc was þo of þis lond ypaid wel ynou
Þat he adde ywonne þe kinedom & he þe oþer slou
Þe tydinge to rome com þat þe king aslawe was
Þat hom adde ido so moche ssame hii were glad of þat cas
Þe noble prince hii sende hider þe gode kniȝt costance
Þat wan hom alle poer of spaine & ek of france

132

Þat he ssolde ek þis lond winne aȝen to rome
So þat þis noble prince and is men hider come
Þo þe king cole it vnderȝet he dradde in is mod
Vor he was so noble kniȝt þat nomon him ne wiþstod
To him he sende of acord ȝif it were is wille
Þat he wolde to rome abuye & lete al contek be stille
& þuder bere is truage as oþer dude biuore
Vor wat he hulde þe kinedom wanne þe truage were ybore
Constaunce it grauntede & nom is truage
& nom al so to be siker of him god ostage
& granted him þat kinedom & þat pes of rome
& bileuede in þis lond to gadere boþe isome

Constans rex & imperator. Constantinus rex & imperator.

A monþe it was þer after þat cole wel sik lay
& deide as god it wolde wiþinne þe eiȝteþe day

133

& oþer eir nadde he non bote seint eleyne þe gode
His doȝter þat suþþe fond þe swete holi rode
Constance uor ir eritage þis maide to wiue nom
& nom wiþ ire so þis lond & þis kinedom
& let him crouni to king & god king was afin
Bi hire he adde an gode sone icluped constantin
Þo constance adde ibe enleue ȝer king iwis
He deide at euerwik & ibured was þer & is

Constantin is ȝonge sone ikrouned was þo king
& noble mon he bicom & wis þoru alle þing
King he was þritti ȝer he ladde is kinedom
Riȝtuolliche & suiþe wel wiþ quoyntise & wisdom
A luþer emperour biuore þat het maximian
Þat was upe cristinemen as we sede so luþerman
An sone he adde ssrewe inou maxencius bi name
Him he made emperour monimon to ssame

134

He was as luþer as is fader gret ssrewe inou
Vor in strong martirdom seinte katerine he slou
& moni oþer martir & þat folc of rome al so
He vondede to deseriti & moni ssame do
So þat deserites into þis londe come
To constantin þe gode king uor defaute fram rome
& he hom vaire vnderueng so þat mo & mo
Þer come uor enlegeance to abbe of hor wo
So þat deserites bigonne alle on him grede
Sire hii sede vor godes loue bring us of þis wrechede
Of þe kunde blod of aunperie þer nis bileued nou
Ne þat bi kunde were emperour non bote þou
Hou longe woltou soffri þe ssrewes outrage
Go & win þi kunde lond & þin eritage

135

Þou ssalt abbe þer help inou of þin kunde londe
Wel þou wost þat lute wile þe ssrewe þe ssal at stonde

Constantinus.

Constantin him vnder stod of is kunde londe
& god it were to abbe boþe þis & þat an honde
Moche þat poer of þis lond mid him uorþ he nom
& suþþ ef sone of france as he þer uorþe com
& wende toward rome to winnie þe aumperie
& to bringe þen ssreue adoun þat dude such robberie
As he wende he bi huld toward heuene an hey
& þo vp in þe firmament an aungel he sey
Þat huld an croiz & þer on ywrite was lo þis
Constantin þoru þes signe þou ssalt be Maister iwis
Constantin þis vnderstod heþene þei he were
An croiz in stede of is baner is men at vore him bere

136

Maxencius þo he wste him come he adde of him gret doute
He let at rome an stronge dich make al aboute
& Deop aȝen constantin & aȝen is route
Vor to holde hom þer þoru wanne hii come wiþoute
As he was aboute þis dich he ne gan noȝt muche winne
Vor he velle an alle midde & adreinte þer Inne
Þere þoru vertu of þe croiz he was sone ouercome
& constantin adde also sone þen toun inome
Constantin ne com nour in bataile non
Þat he nadde þoru þe croiz þe maistrie of is fon
So þat he him vnderstod of þe beste won
& of seint siluester þe pope he let him baptisi anon
& he was as it is iwrite pur mesel þo
& he bicom in is baptizinge hol of al is wo
Sein seluester was pope þo & þe verste þat þer com
Of alle popes þat deyde wiþoute martirdom

137

Vor þer nas non biuore him þat ymartred nas
Of þe luþer emperours vor ech heþene was
An churche of seint Ion þe baptist constantin let rere
& cluped is constantiniane vor he ybaptized was þere
Of seinte peter & seinte poul anoþer he rerde also
& in strong mastling he aþ þerinne boþe hor bones ido

Octauus rex.

Of Seint laurence he rerde anoþer of Seint anne ek on
& of oþer halwen þat ȝute stondeþ he rerde monion
Þo sende he seint eleine ys moder þat wis was wide ikud
To ierusalem to seche þe croiȝ þat þer was yhud
So þat he was þer yfounde þe biginingge of may
As ȝe abbeþ ofte yhurd þe holi rode day

138

Constantin let also In ierusalem cherchen rere
& wide aboute elles ware cristendom to lere
So þat þoru godes grace so noble mon he was
Þat þer nas prince in al þe world þat vnder is poer nas
Þre vnclen is moder adde þat on het leonyn
& traen þe oþer het & þe þridde marin
Alle þre constantin nom wiþ him to rome
& grete louerdes þoru him alle þre þer bi come

An erl þer was in þis lond octaui was is name
Romeins þat here were bileued he dude ofte ssame
& Slou vaste her & þer & þat me ssolde vewe ise
Þe brutons hii hin crounede þo hor king vor to be
Þo þis word com to constantin he þoȝte wat was to done
Traen is moder vncle hider he sende sone
Wiþ gret poer ynou to winne þis kinedom
At an hauene bi souþe þis folc alonde com

139

Þe king was of hom iwar aȝen hom he sette
Bi side winchestre in a feld to gadere hii hom mette
Bataile hii smite þer & to grounde slowe vaste
So þat octaui king aboue was atte laste
& traen & moche of is folc ywounded ney to deþe
Flowe to se in hor ssipes & ofscapede vnneþe
To scotlonde hii wende al bi watre & þer hii gonne ariue
& gaderede þere al niwe ost aȝen þis kinge bliue
& robbede uaste & barnde al þe contreie aboute
Vre king wende þuderward uast mid is route

IN westmorlond hii mette hom & gonne fiȝte bliue
Þat vre king octaui of scapede vnneþe aliue
Ac ofscapede in to norwei to winne him help vaste
Þo was traen al a louerd þe wule it wolde ylaste
Ac as he out of londone wende in an tyde
A gret erl him kepte þer in a wode bi syde

140

Mid an hondred kniȝtes yarmed wel ynou
Þis prince al an onywar toward hom drou
Hii come aȝen him onywar & slowen him al vor noȝt
Þis tidinge was ouer se to þe kinge ibroȝt
He com hider sone aȝe ioiuol inou
& þe romeins þat he vond to grounde vaste slou
Þo gaderede he so gret tresour & also so gret route
& so gret poer þat he nadde of no prince in þe world doute
Vor þer nas prince non þat him durste arere strif
So þat he huld þo þis lond in pes al is lif
He esste of is conseilers þo he to elde com
Hou he miȝte best do of þis kinedom
Vor he nadde bote an doȝter wo miȝte is eir be
Some of is conseilers hom gonne þus bise
Þat he ssolde nyme is neveu þat het conan
& Crouny him king of þis lond vor þat he was man

141

& lete is doȝter spousi mid richesse ynou
To anoþer prince ellesware þere as is herte to drou
[O]þer radde þat he ssolde al mid þe kinedome
[L]ete is doȝter spousy to an prince of rome
[&] þenne vor þe eliance þat were ȝam so bituene
[H]ii miȝte þis lond al in pes holde wiþoute tene
So þat þer was among hom gret strif vor þis dede
Craddok erl of cornwaile is auis sede
Þat a senatour of rome yhote maximian
Was of þe kunde of þis lond a suiþe noble man
Vor he was leolines sone þat eleyne vncle was
Þe gode constantines moder vor no betere nas
& wanne he was a prince of rome & he were ek þer to
King here of þis lond suiþe wel it were ido
Siker me miȝte þanne be to abbe here pays god
Vor he was ibore at rome & of þis londes blod

142

& vor he was of þis kinges kunde þat of þis londe was
Þe betere pays þer ssolde be uor þe riȝtuol cas
Conan þe kinges neueu þo he hurde þis
Was wroþ & destourbede al þe court iwis
& naþeles craddoc him held al euene & stille
& þen king stilleliche broȝte al to is wille
To rome he sende morice þat is owe sone was
Stilleliche to maximian to telle him of þis cas
Þer was þo contek at rome bituene maximian
& þe emperour þat was þo þat het gracian
Þo morice þuder com & vaire was vnderfonge
& yhurde þis contek þat ylaste longe
To þis senatour he sede Sire maximian
Wy artou so Sore adrad of þis gracian
Wanne þou miȝt of him god wey in to al þin wille yse
Vor com mid me to britaine & þou ssalt þere king be

143

Vor þe king nou in is elde naþ non eyr ywis
Kunde bote is doȝter one þat him vol lef is
& he aþ god wille to þe as me deþ him to vnderstonde
Þat þou ire spousedest uor þou art of kunde of þe londe
& Such miȝte wan it so is þou miȝt þer þoru avonge
Þat þou miȝt perauntre rome winne ar come ouȝt longe
Vor þi gode cosin constantin Rome wan al so
& mani oþere of ure kinges in þis manere com þerto
Þo þis maximian vnderstod al þis
He dude him sone hiderward mid gret poer ywis
He ariuede at souþ hamptone as þe wind hom adde ylad
Þo vre king hurde þer of he was somdel glad
Laste he vor vuel icome ac þo he wste wat he was
He vnderueng him vaire ynou & conseilede of þis cas

144

Some sede þat him betere were take is neueu conan
Þe kinedom of þis lond & some maximiaN
& some an heymon of þis lond þat he is doȝter toke
& þis kinedom wiþ ire vor he it wolde best loke
Ac is nexte conseil naþeles þat he mest vnder stod
Radde him to maximian þat was of so hey blod
Of þe gode quene eleyne & of þe gode constantin
Þat was king here of þis lond & emperour atte fin
& of þe kinges blod cole king of þis londe he com
Þat god it were to al þe lond to take him þe kinedom
Þe king & þe meste men hulde al þis wisdom
So þat þe kinges doȝter mid þis lond he nom
Ac conan þe kinges neueu ne likede noȝt þis game
He ȝarkede poer aȝen him to don him alle ssame
Ac is poer lute was vor þe king was euere aboue
So þat atte laste hii were ybroȝt in loue

145

Bi gracianes day þe emperour al þis was ich wene
Aboute þe ȝer of grace þre hundred & sixti & seuentene
Wiþinne vif ȝer her after þe king so prout bicom
Vor þe grete tresour nameliche þat he al day nom
Þat he nas noȝt one ypayd to abbe þis kinedom
Bote he adde france al so wiþ sstrengþe wiþoute dom
He nom wiþ him of is lond gret pore ynou
& to þe lond þat was icluped armore he drou
Þat bruteine is nou ycluped as he it nemde þo
Viftene þousend hors ywrie þer were aȝen him & mo
Of þe lond of france & of oþer lond bi syde
Þere hii smite a bataile þat couþ was wel wide
Þere was þe duc of france aslawe & al is folc ney
Þo þe king maximian þis grete slaȝt ysey
He was glad uor he wuste wel to winne al is wille
Conan þe quene cosin he clupede þo al stille

146

He bigan somdel to lyhe we abbeþ nou he sede
Ywonne an ende of france of þe oþer nis no drede
Þei ich be king of Bruteine þat was þin vncle lond
Ne be noȝt sori þer uore uor icholle abbe more an hond
Icholle þe make of þis lond king þou ssalt yse
& þis lond al be þin & þe oþer bruteine be
Vor honour of bruteyne to wan þou addest kunde
Þe oþer brutainel hit ssal hote as to abbe of þe munde
Deliuery we ssolle it of þis folc þat her Inne is
& of folc velle it vol of ure kunde ywis
Conan buyde adoun to him & þonkede uaste
& bihet him to serui triweliche þe wule is lif ylaste

147

Hii wende aboute in to al þat lond & heye tounes nome
& alle þe men þat hii founde hii slowe as hii come
& lete þe wimmen go aliue & þo hii adde al an honde
& adde yslawe al clene aboute þat folc of þe londe
In eche stude hii sette þer strong warnesture & god
Of folc of þis londe here & of hor owe blod
Þe king an hondred þousend men of þis londe ek let uett[e]
& þritti þousend kniȝtes hor wardeins hii sette
& delde among hom al þe lond & ȝef ech diuerse þing
& made conan of hom alle & of þe londe king
& þus was brutaine ywonne þoru vre princes here
& after þis lond britaine ycluped in þis manere
Maximian wende vorþ þoru is grete maistrie
& wan mid strengþe al france & suþþe normandie
Vor he ȝef echmon þat to him com is porchas in ech londe
So moche poer him com to þat him ne miȝte no þing atstonde

148

& gracian þe emperour at rome suþþe he slow
Þat uor is ardy dedes of him uor dradde ynou
Ac þoru þe emperour þat suþþe com yhote teodose
Maximian was suþþe aslawe maugre is nose
& so þei ssrewe robeours abbe hor wille an stounde
& cheui in hor robberie atte laste hit geþ to grounde
Þe brutons þat maximian of þis lond broȝte þo
In þe lasse bruteine bileueþ ȝut & worþ euere mo
& so þulke bruteine of þis londe com
More þoru strengþe as ȝe seþ þan þoru riȝt dom
Of þe lasse bruteine conan þat was þus king
Among hom nolde of þulke lond abbe non menging
Þe childern of þulke kunde þeruore he let sende
To heye men in þis lond aboute in ech ende
Þat of heie menne doȝtren maidens me nome
Enleue þousend atte leste & to him þat hii come

149

& of simple manne doȝtren sixti þousend god
Þat hii miȝte make hor kunde al clene of hor blod
Þis maidens were igadered & to londone come
Mani were glade þer of & wel sori some
Þat hii ssolde of londe wende & neuer eft hor frend yse
& some to lese hor maidenhod wiues vor to be
Þo hii were in ssipes ydo & in þe se ver were
So gret tempest þer com þat drof hom here & þere
So þat þe mestedel adreincte were in þe se
& to oþer londes some ydriue þat ne come neuere aȝe
A king þer was of hungry guayn was is name
& melga king of picardie þat couþe ynou of ssame
Þe wateres uor to loki aboute þe se hii were
A compaynie of þis maydens so þat hii mette þere

150

To hor folie hii wolde hom nime & hor men al so
Ac þe maydens wolde raþer deye þan encenty þer to
Þo wende uorþ þe luþermen & þe maidens slowe echone
So þat to þe lasse brutaine þer ne come aliue none

Of þe wowe þat þer aþ in þis lond ybe
Þoru þe emperours of rome here ȝe mowe yse
In oþer manere of scottes & picars as ich sede
Habbeþ iworred þis lond icholle telle þe dede
Guayn þe king of hungri & þe king of pycardie
Þo hii adde as ichabbe ysed mid so gret vileinie
Yslawe of þis maidens þat swete compaynie
Hii þoȝte to do þis lond more tricherie
Hii vnderstode þat þis lond was ymad al clene
Of god folc þoru maximian & conan as at ene

151

& þat hii miȝte þis lond al vor noȝt winne
Hii gaderede folc vaste þis worre to biginne
To þe se hii wende mid hor folc þat hii adde an honde
& come as hom leuest was verst in to scotlonde
Toward þis lond hii bigonne vorto robby vaste
Þat folc to sle & tounes & castles adoun caste
Þe simple men þat here were hor red þer of nome
& sende after beter help to þe emperour of rome

AN duc þat het gracian fram rome me sende
Þat mid gret poer ynou to þis lond hider wende
Þe lond volc þo he hider com to him turnede vaste
So þat þer was slaȝt gret þe wule it wolde ylaste
& þis king of picardye & al so is felawe
Were of come atte laste þat hii nuste wuder drawe

152

Villiche hii were & wiþ strengþe idriue in to yrlonde
Þo adde gracian þis lond al clanliche anhonde
He let him crouny king & þo he al louerd was
Nomore ssrewe þan he bicom ich wene non nas
Þat lond folc ȝede vorþ & to gadere drowe
& ar he dude to muche wo þan foule ssrewe slowe
Þat þe king was aslawe it was sone wide couþ
In ech half fram londe to londe norþ & eke souþ
So þat it to þe kinges come þat wende to yrlonde
Hii porueyde þat hii adde folc ynou an honde
Of norwey of denemarch & also of scotlonde
& barnde & to grounde slowe vast in þisse londe
So þat þat folc of þis londe al clene was ouercome
For þe king adde arst of þis lond al clene þis kniȝtes inome

153

Eft sone he sende ȝut to rome wepinde wel sore
Þat hii ssolde hem in hore wo ȝut helpe more
& hii hom wolde obligi & sikernesse vinde gode
To bere hom clene hor truage ȝe wule þe worlde stode
Eft sone ȝut þe romeins hider poer sende
Kniȝtes & oþer worreours þat to þis londe wende
& in þe souþhalf ariuede & in þis londe her
Hii gaderede folc ynou þat hii adde gret poer
& wende eft sone vp hor fon þat ne miȝte ȝam noȝt at stonde
Vor some were a slawe sone & some flowe out of londe
Þo þis louerdinges of rome al hor wille adde
Hii nome hore conseil & þis folc of þis londe radde
Þat hii bitwene þis lond & scotlond ssolde an wal rere

154

Strong & hey in eche stude þer no water nere
Fram þen on se to þen oþer þat were ȝam bitwene
To lette ȝam wanne hii come hom to saui fram alle tene
Vor scotlond aþ euere ybe a luþer recet ylome
Wanne þer eni worreours toward þis lond come
Þe romeins sede ek þat hii nolde in none manere so wende
Out of hor lond hiderward ne hor poer so sende
Ne to rokky hom so in þe se ne hor lif an auntre do
Ac witye hor owe lond atom & hor god al so
& þat hii ssolde of hor ȝunge folc teche vor to fiȝte
Vor hii na more in þis lond nolde come ne miȝte
Þat folc þo of þis lond þo hii nuste oþer red
Bigonne to rere þon stronge wal as it was hom ised

155

Yrered he was strong ynou as þe stede is ȝut ysene
Muche me moste suinke er & þer aboute spene
Þo þe wal was ȝare ymad a conseil hii nome
Þat al þat conseil of þis lond to londone come
Þo hii were alle ycome wisliche to Rede
Þe bissop of londone in þis manere hom sede
Mi leue frend to telle ȝou as þis heie men me bede
Betere wille ich abbe to wepe þan to do oþer dede
Vor pite it is of þis lond & of vre wrechede
After þat maximian vre folc gan awey lede
Alle vre kniȝtes & swaines & alle vre ȝonghede
& astored þer wiþ oþer lond alas þe deluol dede
Vor ȝe beþ men bet iteiȝt to ssofle & to spade
To cartstaf & to ploustaf & a wissinge to wade
To hamer & to nelde & to mercandise al so
Þan wiþ suerd oþer hauberc eny bataile to do

156

Vor wanne ȝoure fon to ȝou comeþ ȝe ne conne bote fle
Ase ssep to vore wolues hou miȝte more wo be
& þe se biset ȝou al aboute bote tweie weies ȝe ne mowe þenche
Oþer ligge adoun & be aslawe oþer fle & adrenche
Worþ þer eni hope of ȝou bote clanliche of al þis lond
Al þe help & lokinge is in oþer mannes hond
& þe romeins beþ anud of hor trauail so sore
Of peril a se & eke a lond þat hii nolleþ come here nanmore
Hii wolleþ raþer bileue hor truage þat ȝe hom bereþ aȝere
Ne conne ȝe noȝt lerni þing þat ȝe ne dude neuer er

157

Change ȝoure hond & to þe vs of suerd & lance is do
Vor none men ne beþ strengor þen ȝe ȝif ȝe turnde þerto
Me may yse a bondemannes sone oþer wule kniȝt bi come
& some gromes squiers & suþþe kniȝtes some
Wanne ȝe abbeþ fourme of men beþ men an alle wise
& tourneþ ȝoure hond to manhede & wyteþ ȝoure franchise
Þis bissop þat het goscelin þoru hor alre rede
To þe lasse brutayne wende uor þis dede
King conan he uondede & anoþer of grete fame
King he vond in is stede andrew was is name
Sire king quaþ þe bissop ȝif þou wolt under stonde
Deol þou miȝt abbe in þin herte of þin kunde londe
Of þe more brutaine as þin elderne were ybore
Vor þou wost wel maximian & þe king conan her biuore

158

Þe bachelerie al þat aȝt was out of þulke lond nome
& astorede here þis lond & þe poer of rome
& þe londes abouten vs abbeþ wel under ȝite
Þat þer nis no volc bileued þat lond vor to wite
Hii slexþ & destrueþ al þat þer nis no þing bi leued
Ware bi men mowe libbe & al vor defaute of heued
& þer nis no mon þat kunde abbe þer to bote þou on
Help þin kunde eritage & þou worst þer king anon
Þe king bigan somdel to lyhe þo he hurde þis
Ich abbe he sede sire bissop such time yseye ywys
Þat inolde noȝt abbe uorsake þat lond wo me adde ibroȝt þerto
Ac so moche wrecchede þer is þat it nis noȝt nou so
& nameliche uor þe folc of rome þat so moche seruise abbeþ þere
Þat in such þralhede uor to be ech god man loþ were

159

Þis lond ichabbe so fre her þat ine ssal to non herre abuye
Bote wite me fram þe kinge of france þat me deþ ofte anuye
& vor to wite me fram him inele noȝt henne wende
Ac uor min eldore adde þulke lond ich segge þe attenende
To bringe it aȝen to hore kunde icholle þuder sende
Constantin my broþer þat god kniȝt is & hende
& wel yfonded in armes & tuo hondred kniȝtes al so
Wel ywrie wiþ þe atyl þat god dede mowe do
Mid þe folc of þe lond ȝif hii aȝtes beþ
& ȝe mowe him makie ȝoure king wanne ȝe tyme yseþ
Þis constantin was of send & þis kniȝtes al so
& ssipes & hor atyl prest such prowesse to do

160

Ac hii ne miȝte so raþe come þat þe kinges tueye
Nere icome out of yrlond wiþ gret poer beye
Of scottes & of picars of Denemarch of norþweye
Þat euere abbeþ þis lond yhated bote it were vor eye
Ver binorþe hii bigonne & hiderward vaste slowe
& caste adoun þis stronge wal & tounes grete ynowe
Þe brutons þat miȝte of scapie bigonne vaste to fle
Some in roches some in wodes þat reuþe it was to se

Constantin & is poer annon al þis wrechedom
Atte hauene of totenais stilleliche alond com
Glade were þo þis brutons & ioyuol & proute
Hii come out of þe wodes sone & of þe roches aboute
So þat constantin adde sone poer ynou
& toward þis luþer men norþward sone drou

161

Hii cudde þat hii were men & slowe to grounde
& þe prute of scottes & of picars abatede in an stounde
Vor hii flowe þat miȝte fle & some velle to grounde
Hii miȝte segge wan hii come hom þat hii hor per founde
To yrlonde hii flowe aȝen & elles woder hii miȝte
Hii ne þouȝte noȝt a gode wile wiþ brutons to fiȝte
Þe brutons nome constantin & glade þoru alle þinge
In þe toun of cicestre crouned him to hor kinge
Þat lond was þo wel iwust in pes wiþoute strif
Þer ne come no scottes þuder ne picards al is lif

162

Þre sones he adde al so constance was on
& aurel & ambrose gode children echon
Constance is eldoste sone in godes seruice
Monek he made at winchestre & dude as þe wyse
Godman he was ynou & gode lawes uorþ caste
& god pays was al is lif & to lute wule it laste
Vorþ þer com a pycard þat is maners wel wuste
Þat he louede wel ynou & muche to him truste
He ladde him in to an orchard as it gret neod were
To speke wiþ him priueliche þat no mon ywar nere
Ac þo hii were al bi hom sulue & no mon hom ney
He drou is knif & slou þe king þat no mon it ne sey
He was sone vorþ iwent ar eny mon were iwar
Þo me adde al isouȝt þe kinglai ded þar

163

Þo was þis lond king les wat halt it to telle longe
Gret word was among þat folc wo miȝte þe croune auonge
Vor þe eldoste sone monek was & þe tueie to ȝonge were
& to nime verrore of is kunne no riȝt it nere

V tiger þe quoynte suike þat was erl of cornwaile
Vor to do a suikedom no conseil ne ssolde faile
To þe eldoste sone þat was monek to winchestre he wende iwys
Lo he sede nou þou sucst þat þi fader ded is
& þine briþeren to ȝonge beþ uor to auonge þe croune
& þei þou be in oþer cloþes þi riȝte nis noȝt þer doune
Wel me wot eldost þou art & mid best riȝt king also

Ȝif þou wolt wel be mi frend & bi mi red al do
Icholle bringe al þat folc in wille to crouni þe to kinge
& þei þin ordre þer aȝen be þer to icholle þe bringe

164

Þe monek was ioyuol inou þo he hurde þis
& bihet him ȝif it were so euere mo to be his
Out of is abit anon vortiger him drow
& cloþes as to kinge bicome dude on him uaire ynow
& to vore al þe parlement to londone he gan him bringe
& sede he was purost eyr to be icrouned to kinge
Nomon ne miȝte it wel wiþ segge me may riȝt yse
Wanne he was þer & was pur eir þei he adde monek ybe
Vpe is owe peril it were bote he it miȝte wel do
Þe heiemen þoru vortiger auenge him alle þer to
Þe erchebissop of londone goscelin was þo ded
& non oþer him nolde crouni uor al þat þe erl hom bed
Vor he adde so longe in ordre ybe & he was so out ybroȝt
Vor as þan vortiger nolde bileue it noȝt

165

Ac him sulf him crounede & made him king so
His sacringe was lute worþ & naþeles it was ydo
Þo he was king ymad is heste he made anon
Þat clanliche to vortiger is men buyde echon
Vor him sulf nolde þenche noȝt bote take him al an honde
Vor he couþe wel bet þan he gouerny such a londe
Þo biþoȝte vortiger mest of alle þing
Hou he miȝte do quoyntelucst þat he him sulf were king
Vor þat was alwei is þoȝt & þeruore þe monek he nom
To be king vor he was nyce & ne couþe no wisdom
Þis tueie breþeren were ibroȝt out of cradele vnneþe
& þe heie men mest of þe lond were ibroȝt to deþe
Wiþ batailes & oþer wo þer fore he was so prout
& þe king nas him sulf bote as a ssade & let im worþe al out

166

To þe king he sede þat he moste is castles astore
Þanne wolde is fon aboute douty him þe more
& for þe picards were is fon somme he wolde take
To be priue wiþ þe king vor þulke ssolde make
Hor felaus þat were bileued at hom louie þat lond þe bet
Ac naþeles þer vore nas it noȝt þo it was al by set
Ac vor hii ne louede noȝt þe king & in trayson were cointe
Þat hii ssolde þen king sle wan hii come vpe pointe
Þe king graunted al his wille & for is gode he wende
After an hondred picars into scotlond he sende
Bi certeine messagers so þat hii gonne bringe
An hondred kniȝtes of picars þat bileuede mid vr kinge
Of is meste priue men þoru þis luþer vortiger
Of þe kinges tresour he delde eke aboute ver & ner
& mest of þe picars vor to hom mest loue he drou
Mid alle þat he wolde him sulf he made him beloued inou

167

Alle þat seruede þe king þoru him were echon
Þat ech mon were aboute vor to paye him on
& songe al day bi þe stret ase vor is onour
Worþ were vortiger to be king oþer emperour
Þo þis vortiger adde þis folc al in is hond
He sede he moste wende a wule out of þis lond
To porchaci more tresour þe king vor to spene
Vor he nadde noȝt inou is kniȝtes to soustene
At þe picars he nom is leue & at þe oþere þere
& wende hom to is In sori as he þeruore þo were
Þer was sor & del ynou among al þulke mayne
Þat he ssolde fram hom wende uor þer nas no king bote he
& nameliche among þe picars þat were of so luþer þoȝt
Þat he adde ido so muche honour & ne loued þe king noȝt

168

Wat hii sede wat is vs to lete þis badde king
Go þus aliue as a ssade þat nis worþ no þing
War to targe we so long to quelle him attenende
Þat vortiger were king þat aȝen us is so hende
In gret wraþþe & hastinesse to þe kinges chambre hii wende
& smite þer riȝt of is heued & to vortiger hit sende
Vortiger made deol inou & sori was þer uore
Ac naþeles so glad he nas suþþe he was ybore
Vor icompaced he adde þat atte biginningge
Verst þo he broȝte a so nyce man to kinge
& suþþe þo he let al is fon & picars to court bringe
Þat hatede þen king al it was for þis þinge
& þat he was so large & hende of is ȝiftes al so
Þo adde he al is wille uor wan it was al ido

169

& to such ende it was riȝt icome as he compaced in is þoȝt
& naþeles he fenede him þat me ne vnderȝete it noȝt
At londone þis king was aslawe he let nyme anon
Þe picars & þoru Iugement let smite of hor heueden echon
Þere he kudde wat he was vnkunde ssrewe & quoynte
& al it was þat me ne vnderȝete is suikedom in no poynte
And naþeles wel me it ortrowede & ne leuede noȝt is glose
Þe kinges ȝonge breþeren aurel & ambrose
Dradde vor hor eritage ymorþred to be
& hii þat hom adde awarde þeruore hom gonne bi se
& to þe lasse brutayne wende to þe kinge
& he sousteined hom wel uor drede of þis þinge

170

Þo vortiger alone was & non er nadde alonde
Sone he let him crouny king & þe poer nom anhonde
Princes oueral aboute of ech kinedom
Speke him vuel & hated him vor is suikedom
Þe picars were wroþe ek & þretnede him ynou
Þat he wiþ such vnkundehede hor felawes slow
Fram þe lasse bruteyne ek him com word ylome
þat þe tueie children gret poer to him nome
& þat it stalwarde children were of hor age
& þat hii wolde hider come to winne hor eritage
Such stronge tidinge in sorwe & in sore
Broȝte þis false king & euere þe leng þe more

Hors & hengist tueie men þat tuey breþeren were
Come to kent þulke tyme & ariuede þere

171

Mid þre ssipuol kniȝtes yarmed wel ynou
Þo þis folc com alond vorþ in to kent he drow
Þe king was þo at kaunterbury & herde her of anoN
Biuore him he let bringe þis kniȝtes euerichon
Þe king bi huld hom vaste ynou vor it mochel men were
& Nameliche þe tueie breþeren vor so grete none nere
He esste hom wanen hi were & wo him þider broȝte
& vor wat encheson hii come & wat þing hii soȝte
Sire heye king quaþ hengist þat vor alle oþer spac iwys
Of saxoyne we beþ ibore þat of germaine is
Þe manere is of þulke lond þat wanne þer is uorþ ybroȝt
So moche folc of men þat þe lond ne mowe hom susteny noȝt

172

Heye men of þe lond ssolle come biuore þe kinge
& alle þe ȝongemen of þe lond lete among hom bringe
Þe stalworþest me ssal bi choys & bi lot al so
Chese out & sende into oþer lond hor heste uorto do
& hii ssolle be such þat no prince ne dorre hom vorsake
Ac vor hor prowesse gladliche in to hor seruise hom take
Þis cas is to us ycome ychose we beþ þer to
Vor so moche folc is in þe lond vre beste we mote do
& vor to be maistres of þis folc we beþ ychose & ynome
Mi broþer & ich vor we beþ of dukes kunne ycome
Vor þoru ure godes in to þe se we wende ich vnderstonde
& mercurius us aþ ylad in to þin londe

173

Þo þe king hurde nemne mercurius in þis cas
He esste wat god & wat þing mercurius was
Oure bileue quaþ þis oþer in þe heye godes is ido
Saturnus & Iubiter & alle þe oþere al so
Þat holdeþ up þen world & in mercurius mest ywis
Þe heye god þat in vre tonge woden icluped is
Þer uore vr eldore him bitoc of þe wouke þen verþe day
In oure tonge ycluped in honour of him is wodnes day
After him we honoureþ venus mest þat frie ycluped is
In vre tonge & in þe wouke fryday uor him iwys
Her of ȝe ssolle vnderstonde þat in þe firmament beþ
Planetes yliche clere sterren seuene as ȝe seþ

174

Saturnus & Iubiter Mars & þe sonne ywis
Venus & Mercurius & þe Mone lowest is
After ech of hom in þe wouke ycluped is a day
Verst þe sonne & so þe oþere & þe seueþe saturday
& vor weder & oþer þing on erþe after hom moche is
Þis misbileuede men hom clupede godes wule ywis
Sori ich am quaþ vortiger þo he hurde þis
Vor ȝoure bileue þat ȝe seggeþ vor non bileue it nis
Ac of vor ȝoure kumes ich am glad wo so ȝou hider ladde
Were it god were it oþer vor al nede ichadde
Vor ich am mid min fon in eche half biset
& ȝif ichom may ouercome þoru ȝou þe bet
Ich ȝou wolle mid me atholde & in gret richesse ȝou do
Of ȝiftes & of chateus & of londes al so

175

Hii made certein couenant þat hii were al at on
So þat hii bileuede uorþ mid þe king echon
Hit nas naȝt longe þer after þat þe picars ne come
Out of scotlond souþward & tounes vaste nome
Þo þe tiþing her of to oure kinge com
Þen wey mid al is poer aȝen hom vaste he nom
So stronge bataile hii smite & þe saxons anon
So gode were þat þe oþere bigonne to fle echon
Þo vortiger þoru hom adde þe maistrie
He ȝef hom ȝiftes gret ynou & dude is corteysye
Hengist þat hor maister was he ȝef him lindeseye
Londes vaire & Rentes & tounes grete & heye
Ware þoru him & is men in vair warison he broȝte
Þo hengist adde þis vorþere more he þoȝte
Þo he adde þen king in priuete al clene at is wille
Sire he sede of derne cas icholle þe warny stille
Þin fon beþ in eche alf & þat he is mest to doute
Þat þin owe men ne loueþ þe noȝt þat þe beþ aboute

176

Hii þretneþ þe stilleliche & seggeþ hii wolleþ bringe
Þe tueie breþeren fram brutayne & crouni þe oþer to kinge
Þeruore ich rede þat me sende into my contreie iwis
To saxoyne after more help vor help ynou þer is
Vor abbe þou poer ynou þou miȝt be glad & bliþe
Ac o þing icholde bidde þe ȝif þou me woldest tiþe
Send after help quaþ þe king þat þou me noȝt bitraye
& icholle hor wule ȝelde so þat ichom wole wel paye
& bid of me wat þou wolt & icholle þe granty iwis
Vor elles ich were vnkunde ȝif it to granty is
Hengist vaire him þonkede & is heued lotte adoun
Þou hast he sede ȝiue me mony a uair toun
& naþeles such þing nabbe ich noȝt as it to duc bicome
Vor wanne ich am dukes sone it bicome to me

177

Vor to abbe som gret cite oþer castel me to ware
War Inne ich miȝte to þin nede mi folc abbe ȝare
Þer uore as ich am þi kniȝt & prest to þin nede al so
Graunte me castel oþer cite þin nede inne to do
Hengist hengist quaþ þe king hit nere me noȝt to done
Such þing as þou me bist to grante þe so sone
Vor þou art mon of strange londe & cristine mon non
& eke þei icholde myne barons hit wolde wiþ sege echon
Sire graunte me þanne quaþ hengist ȝif it is þi wille
As moche place as mid a þuong ich may aboute tille
Þat ich þeruppe mowe a siker bold rere
Þat ich me mowe in þine seruise wite ȝif it ned were
Þe king ne huld þat bote lute he grantede is bone
Hengist sende in to is contreie after more poer sone

178

Þo carf he an hole hude smal to an þuong
Þoru out þe wule it wolde ileste þo was it somdel long
In an harde rochi stede is þuong aboute he drou
& þer wiþinne al to is wille Markede place inou
& rerde þer an castel god ynou & strong
Þat þuongcaster oþer tangcaster icluped was for þis þuong
Þer come out of germaynie vnder þat ich wene
Ycharged mid gode kniȝtes ssipes eiȝtetene
& rowen hengistes doȝter among hom ybroȝt was
Þat vairor womman nour aboute in none londe nas
Þo þis castel ȝare was hengist þen king bisoȝte
To come to is castel & yse þe kniȝtes þat he broȝte

179

Þis king com þuder priueliche & þes kniȝtes ysey
& þis castel so sone arerd so strong & so hey
Mid al he was wel ypayed & bileuede atte mete
Þis maide out of chambre com þo hii adde neiȝ yȝete
Mid a coupe of golde vol of win side drou hire tail
Akne to þe king ȝo sede Louerd king washayl
Þe king bi huld hire suiþe ynou & bi huld hire vairhede
Vor so vair wommon nuste he non & askede wat ȝo sede
Men þat knewe þe langage sede wat was washail
& þat he ssolde to hire þat broȝte ansuerie drink hail
Drink hail quaþ þe king aȝen & bad hire drinke anon
Þe coupe he nom suþþe of hire & among hom eurichon

180

Kuste hire & sette hire adoun & glad dronk hire heil
& þat was lo in þis lond þe verste washail
As in langage of saxoyne þat me miȝte euere iwite
& so wel he paiþ þat folc aboute þat he nis noȝt ȝut vorȝute
No sire ne be þe day so long þe wule hii sitteþ abenche
& som of þe niȝt nimeþ þer to þe drinke vor to ssenche
Of an holi prechors word hii nolde noȝt so ofte þenche
As of þe murye word as hom þincþ of þe seli wenche
So foul lechour was þe king þat anon in þe house
He wilnede vor foul lecherie þis mayde abbe to spouse
Hengist wuste wel is wille & þat he was hastif
He him grantede in is felonie is doȝter abbe to wif

181

Vor ȝwat þe king ȝeue him þe contreie of kent ywis
Þe king in is foule wille grantede al þis
& weddede þis mayde in wel luþer cas
Vor þat he was cristine & ȝo payene was
Þat lond was vuel ypaid þer wiþ & is þre sones al so
Vortimer & castigen & passen þer to
Four hondred ȝer & fourty & nyne ich vnder stonde
Hit was of grace þat þe saxoyns þus com verst to londe
Þo were among cristinemen þis paiens þus imengd
Þat misbileue in to al þis lond among men was ysprengd
Hengist sede to þe king sire þou miȝt yse
Þat ich am in stede of þi fader & þi conseiler ssal be
Do al after Mi conseil & þou ssalt þoru me

182

Ouercome al þin fon to soþe ich segge it þe
Sende we ȝute after mi sones octo & ebyse
Þat quointe werreours beþ & stalwarde & wyse
In þe norþhalf ȝif hom lond ware þou wolt bise
Þat hii mowe bituene þe & þe scottes be
Þanne þou miȝt siker be bisouþe homber ywis
Þe king he sende after hom & grantede al þis
So þat wiþ þre hondred ssipes hii ariuede þer
Vol of armes & of men her was gret poer
Þe king wel vawe ȝef hom lond as hengist him bisoȝte
& hengist euere mo & mo ssipes hider broȝte
Þo þe brutons þis yseye of trayson hii were in drede
Vor þe lond was al of hom yfuld þer uore þe king hii bede
Þat he ssolde him vnderstonde & out of londe hom do
Vor it ne bicome noȝt to payens among cristine men be so

183

Vor it was aȝen hor cristendom & in moni studes me nuste
Woch was on ne woch was oþer & hii nuste to wuch truste
Some faderes were cristine & þe moderes heþene were
Me nuste to weþer hii bicome þe children þat hii bere
Þe king louede saxons uor loue of is wiue
& nolde uor al þe brutons out of is lond hom driue

Seint germayn þe bissop to þis londe com
Vor misbileue at þulke tyme & to amendy cristendom
& prechede as ned was & vair miracle wroȝte
So þat þe cristinemen in betere stat he broȝte
& hii aforcede hom þe more þe heþene awey to driue
Hii nolde bileue hor porpos vor þe king ne uor is wiue
Hii vorsoke þe king alout & binome him is poer
& is eldoste sone made king þat het vortimer

184

Þis vortimer wiþ gret poer & wiþ gret ernest ynou
Þoru conseil of seint germain aȝen þis heþene drou
Þe seueþe ȝer it was after þat hii to londe come
Þe king was gode þonk aboue in four batailes þat hii nome
Alle hii were In one ȝere & atte verste wiþoute one
Castigen þe kinges broþer mid is men echone
Asaylede hors & is ost so þat hii foȝte vaste
So þat þis castigen aslawe was atte laste
Þe king uor is broþer deþ sori was ynou
To þis hors he smot anon & amidde al is folc him slou
Þo þis stronge mon was aslawe þat so strong was in fiȝte
His men bigonne sone to fle & vawe þat hii miȝte
Þe þridde bataile þat hii smite was riȝt upe þe se
Þer com þe king mid is ost & hengist him aȝe
Þer was batayle strong ynou & mest was upe tweye
Vpe þe king & hengist þat were so stronge beye

185

Þe stronge duntes þat hii smite grisliche were to se
So þat hengist bigan atte laste to fle
He þat neuer er ne fley founde þer is per
He fley in to þe yle of tenet he ne durste astunte no ner

Ȝut eft hii foȝte in þe se & bi side þere
Ac þe brutons at eche tyme þe maistrie awey bere
Þe saxons yseye suþþe þat hii ne miȝte no leng astonde
To þe king hii sende þat hii moste wende to hor owe londe
Þo hii were alle henne ywend here was ioye inou
Þe king ȝef is men grete ȝiftes & gret loue to hom drou
& let rere chirchen vp þat þe ssrewen adoun caste
& bigan to makie a nywe lond ac to lute wule it laste

186

Þe deuel adde enuie þer to þat he susteinede cristindom
& in is stepmoder herte is woniinge he nom
So þat þe luþer womman of poyson hire biþoȝte
& apoysonde þe gode mon & to deþe him broȝte
Þe king þo he sey is deþ is kniȝtes he let of sende
& ssewede hom alle þen wey woder he ssolde wende
& ȝef hom gold & seluer & ȝiftes riche & gode
& bed hom vor þe loue of god þat hii hom vnderstode
& stabeliche helde to gadere to sauy þat lond
Þat neuere þe luþer payens it adde eft anhond
& ȝif he miȝte libbe leng he nolde drede noȝt
& wanne it alles so was þat he was to deþe ybroȝt
He bad þat wanne he were ded þat me is bodi nome
& bured it atte hauene þere þe paiens come

187

In an tumbe suiþe hey þat hii miȝte hit ver yse
Þat hii vor drede of þe siȝte miȝte sone fle
Hardy was is herte to hom wanne he wolde þat hii adde
Drede of is bodi ded wanne hii aliue adde
Þer was del & sorwe ynou þo þis godemon was ded
& naþeles hii ne bured him noȝt as he him sulf bed
Vor hom þoȝte it nas bote an wile ac as hii hom biþoȝte
In londone mid gret honour þis bodi an erþe hii broȝte

Vortiger þe luþer man þo is sone ded was
Vnder veng aȝen to him þe kinedom alas
Vor sone þoru is wiues red after hengist he sende
Þat he hider to him mid simple uolc wende
Vor he dradde ȝif he adde to gret poer an honde
Þat þer ssolde arise strif bituene him & þe londe

188

Þo hengist hurde telle þat vortimer was ded
He gaderede poer ynou & sone nom is red
& þre hondred þousend men mid him yharmed he nom
& mid al þe atyl þer to in to þis lond he com
Þo þe king & is conseil wuste of so gret compainye
Hii biþoȝte & dradde sore þat it were uor tricherye
& naþeles he sende hom word aȝen in is felonye
Þat in gret loue hider he com & ne þoȝte no vileinye
Bote uor drede of vortimer leste he aliue were
Such folc wiþ him he broȝte vor he adde of him fere
Ac wanne he nas aliue noȝt he bad þe king be hende
Þat he miȝte mid is folc upe is lond wende
Biuore him & is conseil at a certein time & place
Wiþoute eni maner harme to fondi is grace
& þat þe king of is men at helde woch he wolde
& driue aȝen ouerse þulke þat he nolde

189

Þe king was her of wel ypayd & sette him a day
& al is owe folc þat hii come þe uerste day of may
At ambresbury vor to speke of þis þing som ende
To atholde woch he wolle of hom & þe oþere aȝe sende
Þo þat folc in eyþer syde ywar were of þat daye
In a nywe maner hengist þoȝte þe king & is bytraye
He het al is kniȝtes þat mid hin þere were
Þat in is hose stilleliche ech of hom a knif bere
& wanne hii his semble among þis brutons come
Þat ech of hom an heyman In conseil to him nome
& suiþe vaire speke wiþ him & wanne he þanne sede
Nimeþ ȝour soxes þat ȝe anon mid þe dede

190

Drou is knif & slowe anon al an onywar
Þat hii miȝte of þe hexte men þat lond makie bar
Þis word was wel vnderstonde so þat þo hii come
In eiþer side to ambresbury þen day þat hii nome
& þe brutons al simpleliche In god pays hii vnderstode
& hengist spac wiþ þe king as it were uor gode
& þo he sei is time wel he bigan to grede anon
Nimeþ ȝoure sexes & is men þer wiþ Echon
Kipte hor longe kniues & slowe vaste to gronde
So þat hii slowe four hondred & sixti in an stounde
Of erles & of barons of þe hexte þat þer were
Alas þe deol to þis lond woch treson was þere
Nou ne couþe þe brutons non engliss ywys
Ac þe saxons speche it was & þoru hom ycome it is

191

Hengist anon wiþ þe word þen king hente vaste
Bi þe mantel & anon to is fet him caste
So þat þis godemen were ybroȝt mid trayson to grounde
Ac some þat ofscapede mid stones þat hii founde
& mid staues of hegges defended hom aboute
& slowe of þis luþer men manion in þe route

Eldol erl of gloucestre þat stalwarþe kniȝt was
Hente an stronge leuour þat him com anhonde bicas
Þo he sei is felawes ymorþred so villiche
God ernest he nom to him & sturede him hardeliche
He smot to gronde & liȝtliche he ne ȝef stroc non
Þat he ne brac heued oþer arm oþer som oþer bon
He ne ȝef of is lif noȝt is felawes to awreke
So þat he slou in þe place ar is staf gonne breke

192

Sixtimen & tene & woundede monyon
& ȝute he of scapede aliue uor hom echon
Þat luþer folc þat slou þus þat folc mid tricherie
Þun king hii bounde uaste ynou þat reulich he gan crie
& defoulede him mid bendes vorte he suor is oþ
Al hor wille euer eft to do nere him no so loþ
Þo wende vorþ þis luþer folc & nome londone
& Euerwik & Lincolne al þoru þis traysone
& suþþe winchestre bisouþe & oþer grete tounes mo
& robbede as hii wende & slowe & dude muche wo
Þis were lo vre faderes of wan we beþ suþþe ycome
Þat wiþ such trayson abbeþ þis lond þus ynome

Vortiger vre feble king þat lute was worþ þo
As he it adde of serued ynou he adde of wo

193

He fley in to walis þuder he com sone
He esste at is conseilers wat were best to done
Me radde him uor is castels al bi nome him were
Þat in some syker stude an castel hulde þere
Þere he miȝte sikerliche wite him fram is fon
Þe king an gode stude þer to let seche out anon
& bigan an strange castel of lym & of ston
& of quoynte vorcmen let bringe monion
Þo hii bigonne þis castel al þat hii made aday
A morwe wanne hii come þer to al clene adoune it lay
No betere sped hii nadde nere þe worc no so strong
Þe king esste at enchantors war on it were ylong
Þe enchantors sede þat me a child soȝte
Þat were biȝete wiþoute fader þat me it þuder broȝte

194

& slowe it & mid þe blod bi sprengde wel hor ston
& hor morter & it ssolde stonde þenne anon
Hom þoȝte it was vuel to do ac þei hii ne bileuede it noȝt
Þat in many a contreye a such child nas ysoȝt
So þat some þe messagers to kermerdin come
& hou children biuore þe ȝate pleyde hii toke gome
Þo sede on to an oþer merlin wat is þe
Þou faderlese ssrewe wy misdostou me
Vor icham of kinges icome & þou nart noȝt worþ a fille
Vor þou naddest neuere nanne fader þeruore hold þe stille
Þo þe messagers hurde þis hii astunte þere
& esste at men aboute wat þe child were
Me sede þat he ne bod neuere fader þat me miȝte vnder stonde
& is moder an kinges doȝter was of þulke londe

195

& wonede at seinte petres In an nonnerie þere
Þo þe messagers hurde þis Ioyuol ynou hii were
To þe baylif of þe toun hasteliche hii wende
Þat hii þe moder & þe sone to þe king sende
Þo hii wuste wat hii were hi ne dorste wiþ segge noȝt
So þat þe moder & þe sone to þe king were ybroȝt
Þe king bad þe womman to segge soþ & uor no þing lete
Þat heo ne sede in soþnesse wo þat child biȝete
Louerd king quaþ þis oþer to soþe ich segge þe
Þat neuere mon ney me ne com þat it biȝete on me
Ac of one þinge ichot wanne ich ofte was
In chambre mid mine felawes þer com to me bi cas
A suiþe vair man mid alle & bi clupte me wel softe
& semblant made vair ynou & custe me wel ofte

196

Þanne wende he vorþ as in ssade inuste hou ne ware
Þo he adde ysywed me longe in þisse fare
Attelaste in fourme of man ofte he lay by me
Ac oþermon neuere non to soþe ich segge þe
Þo þe king hurde þis gret wonder him þoȝte þere
He esste at is clerkes were it to leue were
Þe clerkes sede þat it is in philosofie yfounde
Þat þer beþ in þe eyr an hey ver fram þe grounde
As a maner gostes wiȝtes as it be
& me may ȝem ofte an erþe in wilde studes yse
& ofte in mannes forme wommen hii comeþ to
& ofte in wimmen fourme hii comeþ to men al so
Þat men clupeþ eluene & parauenture in þis manere
On of hom in þis womman biȝet þis child here
Þo Merlin adde al þis yhurd to þe king he wende nede
Sire king wi lete ȝe mi moder & me biuore þe lede

197

Min enchantors quaþ þe king me abbeþ þer to yrad
Þat a child þat nadde neuere fader biuore me were ylad
& þat þe worc mid is blode þat we abbeþ an honde
Bi sprengde þat ualþ al adoun & þanne it ssolde stonde
Let þine chantors quaþ merlin biuore me sone bringe
& icholle prouy biuore þe þat hii telleþ al lesinge
Þes enchantors were ybroȝt sone biuore þe kinge
Wat segge ȝe quaþ merlin of þis nywe þinge
Radde ȝe þat me by sprengd þat morter mid my blod
Here me ssal sone yse þat ȝe ne conne no god
Seggeþ me ȝif ȝe conne wat is binuþe þe gronde
Þat makeþ þat þe fondement ne stont none stounde
Þe oþer ne couþe ansuerie noȝt as it is iwrite
Louerd king quaþ merlyn ȝif þou wolt þat soþe ywite

198

Let delue vnder þe foundement & me ssal bineþe finde
A water pol þat aþ ymad þat þe worc is þus bihinde
Me dalf bineþe & founde þat water as merlin adde ysed
Wat segge ȝe maistres quaþ merlin þat ȝeue þan colde red
To binime my blod & mi lif wat is bineþe þere
Þe maistres sete stille ynou riȝt as hii doumbe were
Doþ out þis water quaþ merlin & wanne it is aweye

Ȝe ssolleþ ȝute bineþe finde holwe stones tweye
& in eiþer a dragon þer inne slepe vaste
Me let sone out of þis pol þat water al clene caste
Hii founde al as he adde ysed men wondrede ynou
& þoȝte þat is manhede to godhede drou
As þis king vortiger & þis men toke gome
Tueye grete dragons out of þis stones come

199

Þe on was red þe oþer wyt hii gonne to fiȝte vaste
Strong batale & þat fur out of þe mouþ caste
So þat þe wite was aboue as al þat folc ysey
& Drof þen rede al abac out of þe putte ney
Þe rede as vor sorinesse bi turnde him attenende
& asaylede þen wite & made him abac wende
As þe dragons foȝte þus þe king het merlin þere
Vor to segge ȝif he couþe wat þe signe were
Merlin bigan to wepe þo & bigan is prophecie
A wey he sede þe rede dragon uor is ende biginþ to hye
& þe wite dragon ssal in to is holes wende
Þat bitokneþ þe saxons þat þou lete after sende
Þe rede bitokneþ þe brutons & ȝoure kunde þat is
Þat þe saxons ssolde ȝut ouercome & bi nime hor lond ywis
Grete wateres worþen ȝut red of mannes blode
Cristendom worþ icast adoun & chirchen þat er stode

200

Ac ȝute ssolleþ þe brutons som tyme aȝen stonde
Vor þe bor of cornewaile ssal helpe þis londe
& þe saxons newen vnder is fet to trede
Mani yles winne he ssal lond & oþer stude
Louerd he worþ of france rome ssal is sturnede
Douty & quaky þeruore ac is lif worþ in drede
Þat folc ssal euere speke of him and is noble dede
Worþ to hom a suete mete þat it conne arede
Sixe þat comeþ after him ssolleþ holde þe seignorie
Ac after hom þer ssal arise a worm of germanye
& þe se wolf him ssal bringe vp & þanne þe religion
& holi chirche worþ ef sone ybroȝt al adoun
Change worþ of bissopriches & þe digne sege iwis
Worþ ybroȝt to kaunterbury þat at londone nou is
Al þis biuel afterward as ȝe ssolleþ ihure
Þe cornwelisse bor of wan he spek þat was þe king arþure

201

Þat so nobliche huld vp þis lond & is fon ouercom
& þoru is nobleye wan mani a kinedom
Of þe prophecye of merlin we ne mowe telle namore
Vor it is so derc to simplemen bote me were þe bet in lore
Gret wonder adde al þat folc of wisdom þat he sede
Of þing þat to comene was & of is ȝonghede
Þe king bed þo merlin þat he him tolde an dede
In wat deþ he ssolde deye & merlin him þis sede
Constantines sones fur fle ȝif þou miȝt
Vor hii ȝarkeþ hor ssipes toward þis lond riȝt
Hii bileueþ þe lond of armore þat þe lasse brutayne is
Hor seiles hii spredeþ in þe se & hider hii comeþ iwis
Þe saxons hii willeþ asayly & to grounde bringe
Ac hii wolleþ þe in þin owe tour sle atte biginninge
Þoru þi trayson luþermen hor fader slowe
& þoru þi trayson saxons in to þis lond þou drowe

202

Þou bede hom uor to helpe þe ac to þin wo hii beþ icome
Tweye sorwes beþ þe vpon & þe ne worþ noþer bi nome
Vor þe saxons destruyes þi lond in þe on ende
Þe tueye breþeren in þe on half vpe þi lond wole wende
To awreke on þe hor fader deþ þe ne tit no peys
Vor hii wolleþ tomorwe ariue at te hauene of toteneys
& wanne hengist is aslawe aureli worþ king
Pays he wole bringe aȝen & chirchen þoru alle þing
Apoysoned he worþ atte laste & after him worþ ido
His broþer in þe kinedom þat apoisond worþ al so
So gret trayson worþ among hom þat after þe ssolle come
Ac þe cornwaillisse bor hom ssal chasti some

203

Avreli & vter þe tueye breþern corteys
Wiþ gret poer amorwe ariued at totteneys
Þo þe tidinge sprong þat hii come attelaste
Þe brutons þat were helples aboute hom drowe vaste
Þat were to sprad her & þer hii were þo glad inou
Þat folc also of holi chirche aboute hom vaste drou
Þere hii made aureli king & omage him dude echon
& bede þat hii moste vpe þe saxons wende anon
Ac þe king aurely þer aȝen gan speke
Vor he þoȝte on vortiger is fader verst awreke
Vor is herte was so gret uor is fader deþe þere
Þat he ne miȝte glad be ar he awreke were
Vortiger was iflowe vor drede of him ywis
To an castel in irchenveld in þe est ende of walis
Aboue þe water of weye vpan hul an hey
Þe king aureli þuder com & þun castel isey
To eldol erl of gloucestre he spec in þis manere
Sire noble erl nim god ȝeme of þis castel here

204

Were he mowe þe luþer vortiger witie fram þe deþe
Þat ich in is Ineward mid suerd make a sseþe
Þat is alre manne worst þat ich euere ne sey mid eye
Þe deþ ne miȝte be to luþer þat he ssolde Inne deye
Vor mi fader constantin verst he bitraide amis
Þat sauede him & al þat lond fram þe picars ywys
Suþþe mi broþer constance he broȝte to kinge
Vor he him wolde bitraye & to deþe bringe
& suþþe þoru is tricherie þo he adde þis lond an honde
He mengde þe luþer paiens among ȝou in þis londe
Vor to holde me & mi broþer out of oure eritage
Ac al vpe is owe heued ybroȝt is is outrage
Vor þo þe luþer saxons vnder ȝete is luþer dede
Hii binome him is kinedom & þat is a riȝtuol dede

205

Ac of one þinge ichabbe deol þat þis payns þat luþer beþ
Þat he broȝte verst to londe as ȝe alle yseþ
Þe noblemen of þis lond þus to ssame broȝte
& þis lond þat was so riche wastede al to noȝte
& holi chirche & cristendom abbeþ ibroȝt to gronde
Fram þen on se to þen oþer alas þulke stounde
Nouþe kundemen of þis lond cuþeþ ȝoure manhede
& awrekeþ ȝou of þis luþermen of wan com þis wrechede
& suþþe turne we oure hond vpe ur oþer fon
& deliueri we þis lond of þe luþermen echon
Þis folc mid gode herte þen castel asaylede
Ac vor þe castel was so strong hor wille þo failede
Wiþ quointise hii caste fur & barnde þe castel wiþinne
& þe king vortiger was ybarnd to doust wiþinne

206

& þo miȝte he finde soþ þat merlin him er sede
Þat he constantines sones fur ssolde fle & drede
Þo was hengist sore adrad of þe king aureli þere
& nameliche vor þe noble los þat he hurde of him ere
Vor þer nas in non ende of france ne in no lond þer aboute
Þat in ioustes & in tornemens echmon him nolde doute
Vor þer nas so god kniȝt non nour aboute france
Þat in ioustes ssolde sitte þe dunt of is lance
Þat he ssolde adoun oþer is hors oþer boþe anon
Oþer þe lance ssolde breke in peces monion
Þeruore hengist was adrad to mete wiþ is lance
Ouer homber he fley anon to wite him fram meschance
& castles & cites astorede uaste þere
& In scotlond al so vor þulke londes were
A luþer recet euere aȝen engelonde
Vor ech þat wolde hider harm þere miȝte at stonde

207

Þo aureli wuste þat hii were yflowe to hurne
He was glad þat hii were aferd & þoȝte be hom sturne
He ȝarkede is ost & sywede after hom uaste norþ
& þo he sey þe contreys as he passede vorþ
& destrued & bar in eche half gret deol hii made þere
& nameliche uor chirchen þat icast adoun were
He bihet god almiȝti ȝif he sende him þe ouer hond
To rere vp aȝen þe chirchen aboute in to al þat lond
Þo hengist wuste þat he com toward scotlonde
He ȝarkede is ost uaste aȝen him uor to stonde

Eldol erl of gloucestre as he wende in þis verhede
Toward bataile to þe king þes wordes he sede
Sire king uor al þe dawes þat ichabbe anerþe y go
O day me wolde þinche ynou to libbe wiþ oute mo

208

Þat ich þe luþer hengist in bataile miȝte mete
Vor on of vs ssolde deye ar þe bataile lete
So moche sor ichabbe in min herte wenne ich þer on þenche
Þo we come to makie pais of is luþer wrenche
Þat of vre erles & ure barons þat noblemen were
Four hondred & four score mid treson he slou þere
Of hom þat were onywar & wiþ oute arme al so
Nou god leue þat þe wreche þer of bituene vs mote go
Þe king aurely is felawes confortede to fiȝte
& al is hope in godes sone dude & al is miȝte
As þe ost in eyþer side toward þe bataile drou
Hii come & mette hom baldeliche mid god ernest ynou
Hii smite harde & made moni an strange wounde
Hii ssedde blod & slowe in eiþer side to grounde

209

Aureli confortede þe cristinemen aboute
& hengist in is half þe heþenemen is route
Ac þe cristine þoru godes grace adde þe betere ende
So þat toward cornebury þe heþene gonne wende
& þe cristine afterward & to grounde broȝte ynowe
Vor al þat hii miȝte of take hii nome oþer slowe
Þo hengist ysey þe cristinemen sywi him so vaste
& þat he moste nede turne aȝen oþer deye attelaste
He bigan ordeiny is folc & to bataile aȝen drou
In eiþer side as me dude er to grounde me slou
Þe cri of þe folc þat me slou þe oþer broȝte in drede
Attelaste þe heþenemen bigonne ȝam to sprede
Þe cristine were þe baldore þe king harde sette
Vor to conforti is men & slou al þat he mette
Eldol erl of gloucestre al so in is syde
Barnde & kepte her & þer & slou aboute wyde
& moche his entente was hengist uor to mete
Hii mette hom atte laste ar þe bataile lete

210

Ou louerd þe duntes stronge þat bituene hom was þere
Þat fur smot out of þen yre liȝtinge as it were
So stronge kniȝtes boþe hii were & eke þe herte gret was
Gorlois erl of cornwaile bi hom com bi cas
As sone as eldol him ysey is herte vpward drou
Hengist bi þe helm bineþe he hente vaste ynou
& mid strengþe him drou adoun & loude bigan to grede
Cristinemen viȝteþ nou of noþing ȝe ne drede
God me aþ mi wille yȝiue vor ich im abbe nouþe
Him þat made al þis wo bi norþe & eke bi souþe
Cuþeþ nouþe þat ȝe beþ men vor þe maistrie al vre is
Þe cristine men to grounde slowe þo hii hurde þis
Hii ne finede neuermo ar þe oþere were at grounde
Some flowe to hulles & to wodes þat hii founde

211

Ac octa hengistes sone & is poer attelaste
Of scapede to euerwik & of strengþede þen toun vaste
Hengist was aliue ynome & yholde uaste
Þo þis bataile was ydo þis brutons attelaste
Nome þen toun of corneboru & þer Inne adde reste
Þre dawes & þre niȝt vor to þenche hor beste
Þe king let þe wule burie þe dede men þere
& do vnder lechecraft hom þat iwounded were
Þe king let bringe þer after hengist biuore him sone
& esste at erles & barons wat were mid him to done
Eldad þat bissop of gloucestre was
& þe erles broþer eldol hii were þere bi cas
Þo he sey hengist stonde biuore þe king þere
He stod vp & sede þe verdit vor al oþere þat þere were

Ȝif oþere he sede þat here beþ him wolde deliueri echone
To smale peces ichim wolde hakky alone

212

Vor icholde þe prophete wule samuel vnder stonde
Þat þo he adde þe luþer king agag vnder honde
He let him hewe to peces & al so he sede
As þou ast ymad mony wif deoluol lif lede
& moni child wiþoute fader & moni wif louerd les
Al so icholle make to day þine sones fader les
Also doþ bi þis mon þat so moche wo aþ ydo
So mony child ymad faderles diȝteþ him al so
Þis word was for dom yholde þe erl eldol him drou
& ladde him wiþoute þe toun mid god herte ynou
& smot of is heued þat so moche wo adde ydo
Þer was monimon awreke & monimon glad al so
Þis was euene vourty ȝer þat he adde is dom
After þat he mid is folc verst to þis londe com
Þo wende þe king mid is ost to euerwik anon
Vor to sle hengistes sone & is men echon
Þo octa it adde vnderȝet þat hii cominde were
He sey wel þat is poer nas noȝt aȝen hom þere

213

An raketeie of hire in is hond he nom
& wiþ þe hext of is men aȝen þe kinge he com
Sire he sede myne godes al ouercome beþ
& þi god is louerd one as we to soþe iseþ
& þat þus noblemen to þin wille bringþ in þisse manere
Þer uore us wiþ þis veteres vnder vong nou here
Þat to ech torment þat þou wolt us do we beþ ȝare in þis place
Bote þou wole of vs abbe here pite & grace
Þe king adde pite of him & as is conseil him ȝef þo
Nom of him sikernesse to be is þral euere mo
& of ech þat wiþ him was & in gret destresse
Biside scotlond hom ȝef an place al in wildernesse
To wonie þer inne in þralhede vnder þe king euer mo
Þo eosa & mony oþere þat yflowe were þo

214

Yseie þat þe king adde such milce hom ydo
To þe king hii wende as prisons & bede him milce al so
Þe king al in one manere hom ȝef milce & grace
To wonye al in þralhede in þulke wilde place
To wroþe hele al þis lond was he so milde þo
Vor þe ssrewen dude seþþe to þis lond suiþe moche wo
Þo al þis was ido þe king ar he wende
Let ordeiny in euerwik þis lond vorto amende
& let rere up chirchen & to al þat lond aboute
& bissopes dude in hor poer þat er were al wiþoute
After viftene dawes þat he adde yordeined þis
To londone he wende uor to amende þat þer was amys
He let amendy al þen toun of hous þat were adoune
& in þe contreye chirchen let rere & in þe toune

215

Gode lawes þat were aleyd nywe he let make
Þe londes þat were arst binome þe riȝt eyres he let take
Bote is wille clene was is lond uor to amende
& after al þis to winchestre fram londone he wende
Vor to amendy þulke syde & so to salesbury
& so vor to amendy more to þe doune of ambresbury
Þo he com to þulke place þat þe heye men inne laye
Þat hengist mid is sexes let sle & bi traye
Of þe morþere he adde deol & bigan to wepe sore
He þoȝte in is herte hou he miȝte þe place worþi more
Vor þer leye so gode men hit was wel ydo
Þat vor to defendi þat lond ymorþred were so
His conseil he nom þo hou he miȝte makie þere
Som wore in honour of hom þat euere in munde were
Þe erchebissop of walis sede is avys
Sire he sede ȝif þer is Enymon so wis

216

Þat beste red conne rede merlin þat is
Vor þer nis in þis kinedom so wisman iwys
To segge soþ of þinges þat to comene beþ
Ne of quoynte gynnes uor to rede as we al day iseþ
Merlin was þo in walis he was sone of soȝt
Mid messagers & yfounde & to þe kinge ybroȝt
Þe king made him Ioye inou & among alle
Bad him telle of som þing þat him ssolde biualle
Sire king quaþ merlin þo such þinges ywis
Ne beþ uor to ssewy noȝt bote ȝwanne gret ned is
Vor ȝif ich it sede in busemare oþer bote it ned were
Sone fram me he wolde wende þat gost þat deþ me lere
Þe king þo non oþer nas bad him som quoyntyse
Bi þenche aboute þulke cors þat were so noble & wyse
Sire king quaþ merlin þo ȝif þou wolt here caste
In honour of hom a work þat euere ssal ylaste

217

To þe hul of kylar send in to yrlonde
After þe noble stones þat þer abbeþ longe ystonde
Þat was þe treche of geans vor a quointe worc it is
Of stones al wiþ art ymad In þe world such non is
Ne þer nis noþing þat it ssolde wiþ strengþe adoun caste
Stode hii here as hii doþ þere euere hii wolde laste
Þe king bigan somdel to liyhe þo he hurde þis tale
Hou miȝte he sede suche stones so grete & so uale
Be ybroȝt fram so ver lond & ȝut þat mest of were
Me wolde wene þat in þis lond no ston to worke nere
Sire king quaþ merlin ne make noȝt an idel such lyhinge
Vor it nis an ydel noȝt þat ich telle þis tydinge
Vor in þe verroste stede of affric geans wule vette
Þulke stones vor medicine & in yrlond hom sette

218

Þe wule hii wonede in yrlonde to makie hor baþes þere
Þer vnder vor to baþie wanne hii sike were
Vor hii wolde þe stones wasse & þer inne baþie ywys
Vor þer nis no ston þer among þat of gret vertue nys
Þe king & is conseil radde þo þe stones vor to vette
& wiþ gret poer of bataile ȝif enimon hom lette
Ambrose þe kinges broþer þat vter het al so
In an oþer maner name Ichose was þer to
Wiþ viftene þousend men yarmed þis dede uor to do
& merlin vor is quoynte wit þuder wende al so
Gyneman was þulke tyme king of yrlonde
Þo me tolde him of þis brutons þat icome were in þis londe
Aȝen hom he wende anon mid gret poer ynou
Þo me tolde him hor erande he astunte & lou

219

No wonder he sede þei bruteine al day go to grounde
Wanne hii þat þer inne beþ such foles beþ yfounde
Wo as yhurd such folye wer þer ne be in non ende
Stones þat aȝte be bote hii hider sende
Armeþ ȝou vaste nou & witeþ ȝoure lond
Vor hii ne ssolleþ abbe þe leste ston þe wule ich may weld min hond
Vter & is compaynie yredy aȝen hom were
& a stronge bataile smite & þe yrisse to driue þere
& wende vorþ mid strengþe þo no mon ne lette
To þe hul of kylar þe stones vor to vette
Þo hii seye þe stones hom wondrede ynou
Of þe worc þat was so gret & wo hit þuder drou

220

Ȝe ȝongemen quaþ merlin cuþeþ ȝoure miȝte
Hou ȝe mowe þis stones best to ssipe diȝte
Hii stode & biþoȝte hom bet & cables vette ynowe
& laddren & leuours & uaste ssoue & drowe
Ac hii ne miȝte uor noþing come to ende mid hor wille
Merlin ysei þis & lou & bed hom stonde stille
He sette ys ginnes as he wolde & is quointise dude stille
Þat folc mid þe stones þo dude al hor owe wille
& let hom to ssipe bringe & so in to þis londe
Ac þer was som enchanterie þer to ich vnder stonde
To þe doune of ambresbury þes stones ybroȝt were
Aȝen þe feste of witesontyd as merlin gan lere
Four hondred ȝer & fourscore & aboute þe teþe ȝere
After þat god an erþe com yset hii were þere

221

Alle þe heyemen of þe lond þe king let of sende
Erles & barons & kniȝtes in ech ende
Bissopes & abbodes & oþere þat þere were
Þat þe feste of witesonetyd mid him were þere
Þe king a witesoneday þo hii come alle to is heste
Sette þe croune on is heued & huld noble feste
& alle þe foure dawes þe feste he huld þere
Bissopriches al so þat deliuered were
In onour of þulke stude þere he ȝef hom þo
As of euerwik & of walis & of oþere mo
Merlin mid enchantement & mid is quointise þer
Sette vp þe stones riȝt al so as hii stode in yrlond er
Þus was stonheng uerst ymad þat men al day yseþ
In onour of þe noblemen þat þere ibured beþ

Pascence vortigeres sone þo is fader ybarnd was
Fley in to germayne mid wel hastif pas

222

Þere he gaderede folc of saxons ynowe
Vor to awreke him of hom þat is fader slowe
In þe norþ ende of þis lond hii bigonne ariue
& vaste slowe & barnde & robbede bliue
Þat word to vre king com so þat he wende
Mid is poer among hom & hor prute ssende
Pascence & is men þat of scapede þer aliue
To ssipes flowe aȝen ech wule hom þoȝte viue
Aboute hii wende by þe se to yrlonde þo hii come
Gyneman þe king of yrlonde & hii gret conseil nome
& þis lond vorto ssende alle hii suore an oþ
Vor gyneman vor stonhenge was ȝut hyderward wroþ
So þat þe yrisse & hii mid gret poer ywis
Wende toward þis lond & ariuede in walis
In þe toun of seint dauit hii bileuede & aboute
& vor to asayli þis lond greiþed hor route
Kyng aureli at winchestre to gret syknesse drou
Gynemon & pascence were þeruore glad ynou
A quointe mon of þe saxons eope was is name
To pascence he wende anon þat god ȝiue him ssame

223

Wat woste he sede þulke mon to is mede ȝiue uawe
Þat þe king aurely broȝte sone of lifdawe

Ȝif ich miȝte quaþ pascence such mon vinde on
A þousend pound of seluer ichim wolde ȝiue anon
& make him euere vnder me maister of al mi lond
& þat ich im wolde mid treuþe sikery him vaste an hond
Þis vorewarde was uaste ymad nou couþe þis luþer man
Langage of þis londe as he were a cristineman
& þe manere of brutons as he adde among hom er ygo
& þe art of lechecraft al to moche as þo
His berd he let ssere verst & is croune al so
& suþþe monekes abit on him he let do
& nom wiþ him spicerie þat to fysike drou
& wende him to winchestre quointeliche ynou

224

& sede þe kinges meine þat he wolde him to hele bringe
Þat folc was sone glad ynou vor þe tydinge
So wisliche he made hit & so wel þat me leuede him uaste
Þe king ek in is syde is herte up on him caste
He ȝef him a luþer drench & þo he adde ydronke so
He bad him ligge & slepe wel þat it miȝte þe bet do
Þe king hopede wel to him & let him helie vaste
& stille was wiþoute noyse & lay & slep is laste
Vor þe poyson in is slep þe veines so þoru soȝte
Þat it of eode al þat body & to deþe him sone broȝte
Þe wule he slep þe traytor þen wey aweyward nom
Stilleliche bi halues þat me nuste ware he bicom
Riȝt aboute þe kinges deþe in þe firmament an hey
An sterre gret & vair ynou suiþe cler me sey

225

Vter.

O cler leom wiþoute mo þer stod fram him wel pur
Yfourmed as a dragon as red ase fur
Out of þe dragons mouþe tueye leomes þer stode þere
Þe grettore tylde euene est ouer france as it were
Þe oþer adde seue branches alle clere ynowe
& toward þe yrisse se westward euene drowe
Þo þis sterre was yseye men wondrede ynou
Vter þe kinges broþer mid is ost þo drou
To walis to þis strange men to asayli hom & fiȝte
Adrad he was sore ynou of þis wonder siȝte
Merlin he clupede & esste anon hou it miȝte þer of be
Merlin wep anon so vaste þat reuþe it was to se
Alas he sede þe deoluul harm þat ys endeles
Alas þat folc of brutaine þat is nou help les
Ded he is þe noble king aurely þi broþer
Ac þe sterre þat me ysey bitokneþ anoþer

226

Hye nou þou noble duc þat þe batayle were ysmite
Vor king þou worst of brutayne & þe maistrie bi ȝite
Vor þe sterre bitokneþ þe & þe fury dragon al so
Þe lem þat out of is mouþ ouer france is ydo
Þat bitokneþ a child þat þou ssalt biȝite ywis
Þat ssal biȝite france & oþer londes in þe world such mon nis
Þe lem þat tylþ westward a doȝter þat is
Þat þou ssalt biȝite & ȝo ssal abbe sones ywis
Þat ssal ech after oþer king of bruteine be
Of som oþer al in contek & þis me ssal yse
Þe noblemon of wam he spac þat he ssolde biȝite
Þat was þe king arþure as ȝe ssolleþ ywite
Vter let al þis be vor he ne leuede it noȝt anon
& wende toward seint dauid to mete wiþ is fon
Þe oþer were of hom ywar & ȝarkede in hor side
Hor ost & let hom army wel bataile uor to abide

227

Hii come & smite þis bataile & vaste slowe to grounde
In eyþer side moche folc in a lutel stounde
Kniȝtes & oþer folc ac attelaste vre louerd þoȝte
In is cristine folc & þe maistrie hom broȝte
Vor þer was gynemon aslawe king of yrlonde
& pascence vortigeres sone þat so moche poer adde an honde

Vter

& moche of hor folc wiþ hom so þat vewe atten ende
Aliue þer of scapede þat to ssipe miȝte wende
& so hii ssolde lerny mid cristinemen to fiȝte
Vor vre louerd wole among is men euere cuþe þe riȝte
To vter of is broþer deþ þer com word atte laste
After þis bataile he wende to winchestre uaste
Ac arst was þe king ybured ar he miȝte come þere
Wiþinne þe place of stonheng þat he let him sulf rere

228

Vor he let þen stede halwy vor þe gode cors þat þer were
& bissopes & wurþe men is bodi þuder bere

Vter after is broþer deþ þe croune to him nom
& þoru þe heyemen of þis lond aueng þe kinedom
Of þe dragon he vnderstod þat yseie was an hey
& of þat merlin adde ysed & of siȝte þat me sey
Tueie riche dragons of golde he let makye anon
At þe heye munstre of winchestre he offrede þat on
Þe oþer he let biuore him bere in bataile wan he was
Me cluped him vter pendragon þer after vor þis cas
Þat was vter dragon heued & þat was to singnefie
Þat merlin him clupede dragon in is prophecye
Occe hengistes sone þe luþer saxon
& eose is cosin hii þoȝte of treson

229

Þe oþ þat to king aureli hii suore biuore
Hii þoȝte þo he was ded þat he were al uor lore
Hii þoȝte to do þis lond ssame to germayne hii sende lome
Þat is a lond of alemaine fram wan hii alle come
After more folc of hor kunde so þat þer come ynowe
At scotlond hii bigonne & vaste barnde & slowe
& so þat toward euerwik þe contreye adoun caste
Hii bi segede euerwik þo hii þuder come vaste
Þe king vter hurde her of þuderward vaste he drou
To gadere hii come & smite bataile strong ynou
Hii slowe & smite in eiþer side þat reuþe it was to se
Atte laste þis saxons bigonne vorto fle
& þis brutons after & slowe to grounde vaste
So þat some of scapede vpe monteyns atte laste
& some in to tounes & it drou to niȝte
So þat hii ne miȝte noþer leng yse to fiȝte

230

Vter

& þe brutons hom wiþdrowe & þe saxons hom reste
King vter nom is conseil woch red were þe beste
Gorloys erl of cornwaile þat wysost was iholde
& old & mest adde yseie is red verst he tolde
We mote he sede be hardy & stalwarde & wyse

Ȝif we wolleþ abbe vre lif & holde vre franchise
Wexinge euere beþ vre fon bi water & bi londe
& ȝif we abideþ longe we ne ssolleþ hom noȝt at stonde
Nou hii beþ al onywar hii wolleþ yswyke by daye
Þeruore I ne rede in no manere þis nede leng delaye
We ssolleþ hom abbe al uor noȝt I ne rede no leng abyde
Vor hii beþ naked & onywar & ysprad wyde
Þis conseil was wel yhurd hii heolede her to echon
Al by niȝte hii wende uorþ & soȝte out hor fon

231

Some hii founde ligge slepe hii demayde hom anon
Some hom wolde army ac wule nadde hii non
So þat hii slowe þere a þousend & mo
& nome octa & eose þat made al þe wo
& dude hom at londone in prison & þat was to rywe sore
Þat hii nadde hom aslawe uor sorwe hii dude ȝut more

Atte feste of estre þo þe king sende is sonde
Þat hii come alle to londone þe heyemen of þis londe
& þe leuedies also god to is feste wide
Vor he wolde croune bere vor þe heye tyde
Alle þe noblemen of þis lond to þis feste come
& hor wiues & hor doȝtren moni wiþ hom nome
Þis feste was noble ynou & nobliche ydo
Vor mony was þe vayre leuedi þat icome was þer to

232

Igerne gorloyses wyf was vairost of echon
Þat was contasse of cornwayle vor vairor nas þer non
Þe king bi huld ire vaste ynou & is herte up ire caste
& þoȝte þei ȝo were wif to do folie atte laste
He made ire semblant vair ynou to non oþer so gret
Þe erl nas noȝt þer wiþ ypayd þo he it vnder ȝet
After mete he nom is wif mid stourdi mod ynou
& wiþoute leue of þe kinge toward is contreye drou
Þe king sende to him þo to bileue al niȝt
Vor he moste of gret conseil abbe som in siȝt

Vter

Þat was vor noȝt nolde he noȝt þe king sende ȝut is sonde
Þat he were at is parlement vor neode of þe londe

233

Þe king was þo he nolde noȝt anguisous & wroþ
Vor þe despit he wolde be awreke he suor is oþ
Bote he come to amendement is poer attelaste
He ȝarkede & wende uorþ to cornwayle uaste
Gorloys is castles astorede uaste aboute
In a strong castel he dude is wif vor of hire was al is doute
In anoþer him sulf he was vor he nolde noȝt

Ȝif cas come þat hii were boþe to deþe ibroȝt
Þe castel þat þe erl inne was þe king bisegede uaste
Vor he miȝte is ginnes vor ssame to þen oþer caste
Þo he was þere seueniȝt he ne spedde noȝt
Igerne þe contesse so moche was in is þoȝt
Þat he nuste non oþer wit ne he ne miȝte ssame
Telle it bote a priue kniȝt vlfin was is name
Þat he truste mest to & þo þe kniȝt hurde þis
Sire he sede I ne can wite wat red her of is

234

Vor þe castel is so strong þat þe leuedi is Inne
Þat ich wene al þis lond mid strengþe ne ssolde it winne
Vor þe se geþ al aboute & entreie bote on þer nis
& þat is vpe harde roches & so nare wey it is
Þat þer ne may go on & on þat þre men wiþinne
Miȝte sle al þat lond ar hii come þer Inne
& noȝt for þan ȝif merlin at þi conseil were

Ȝif eni miȝte he couþe þe beste red þe lere
Merlin was sone of send ysed it was him sone
Þat he wolde þe beste red segge wat were to done
Merlin was sori ynou vor þe kinges folye
& naþeles sire king he sede her mot to maistrie
Þe erl aþ tueie men him next briȝthoel & Iordan
Icholle make þi sulue ȝif þou wolt þoru art þat ich can
Abbe al þe fourme of þe erl as þou were purliche he
& vlfin as Iordan & as briȝthohel me

235

Þis art was al clene ydo þat ychanged hii were
Hii þre in þe oþeres fourme hom sulue as it were
Aȝen eue hii wende vorþ nuste no mon þat cas
To þe castel hii come ariȝt as it eue was

Vter

Þe porter ysei is louerd come & is mest priue tueye
Wuþ god herte he let is louerd in & is serians beye
Þe contasse was glad ynou þo hire louerd to hire com
& hor eiþer in oþer armes mid gret ioye hom nom
& þo hii to bedde come þat so longe atuo were
Bituene hom was so gret delit þat bituene hom þere
Biȝite was þe beste bodi þat euere was in þis londe
King arthure þe noble mon þat euere worþ vnderstonde
Þo þe kinges men nuste amorwe were þe king was bicome
Hii verde as wodemen hii wende hii were ynome

236

Hii asaylede þen castel riȝt as he ssolde adoun anon
Hii þat wiþinne were ȝarkede hom echon
& smite out in an fole wille & foȝte wiþ hor fon
So þat þe erl was aslawe & of is men monion
& þe castel was ynome & þat folc to sprad þere

Ȝute þo hii adde al ydo hii ne founde noȝt þe king þere
Þe tyding to þe contasse sone was ycome
Þat here louerd was aslawe & þe castel ynome
Ac þo þe messager ysey þan erl as him þoȝte
Þat he adde so foule ilowe wel sore him of þoȝte
Þe contasse made somdel del for no soþnesse ȝe nuste
Þe king vor to gladye hire biclupte hire & kuste
Dame he sede ne sikstou wel þat les it is al þis
Ne sixtou wel icham aliue icholle segge hou it is

237

Out of þe castel stilleliche ich wende in priuete
Þat none of mine men it nuste vor to speke wiþ þe
& þo hii myste me to day & nuste war ich was
Hii verde ichot as gydie men mid wan no red nas
& foȝte wiþ þe folc wiþoute & abbeþ in þisse manere
Ilore þen castel & hom sulue ac wel þou wost icham here
Ac vor mi castel þat is ylore sori ich am ynou
& for mine men þat þe king & is poer slou
Ac oure poer is nou to lute þer fore ich drede sore
Leste þe king vs nime here & sorwe þat were more
Þerfore icholle hou so it be wende aȝen þe kinge
& make my pays wiþ him ar he to ssame vs bringe

238

Forþ he wende & het þe men ȝif þat þe king come
Þat hii ssolde him þe castel ȝelde ar he wiþ strengþe him nome

Vter

Þo he com toward is men is owe fourme he nom
& bileuede þe erles fourme & þe king vter bi com
Sore him of þoȝte þe erles deþ ac in oþer halue he founde
Ioye in is herte uor þe contasse of spoushod was vnbunde
Þo he adde diȝt al þat he wolde & ypaised wiþ is fon
To þe kontasse he wende aȝen me let him in anon
Wat halt it to telle longe bote hii were suþþe aton
In gret loue longe ynou wan it nolde oþer gon
& adde to gadere þis noble sone þat in þe world is per nas
Þe king arthur & an doȝter anne her name was

Octe & eose þis luþer saxoynes tueie
In prison were in londone as ich ȝou tolde beye

239

Mid hor wardein hii speke so þat hor wardein & hii ywys
Flowe in to germaynie þat in alymayne is
& gret poer gaderede of saxons þer

Ȝut it adde betere ybe þat me adde yslawe hom er
In scotlond hii ariuede & worrede vaste
& barnde & slowe to grounde & tounes adoun caste
Þe king lay þo sore syk hii were glad uor þis cas
An erl þer was of leicestre lot is name was
Þat stalwarþe kniȝt was & god þe king bi tok him is miȝte
& þe poer of þis lond wiþ þe heþene men to fiȝte
Also anne is doȝter he ȝef him to wiue
Þis noble erl wiþ þe brutons aȝen is fon wende bliue
& euere uaste slou & þe heþene al so god

240

Ac naþeles þe heþen folc vaste aȝen stod
Vor þe brutons nolde uor prute after þe erl do
Vor he nas noȝt king & þeruore þe worse hom com to
Þo þe tydinge com to þe king þat hom so febliche spedde
He was so sori & so wroþ þat he ney awedde
Biuore him he let bringe is men & bigan hom vaste blame
Þat hii vor hor prute broȝte þe lond to ssame
Þuder he sede he wolde him sulf þei he ne miȝte an fot go

Ȝif eny horsbere him wolde bere to awreke him of is fo
Mid gode wille he wende uorþ in an hors bere
& is folc vorþ wiþ him þat he baldere vor him were
Þe saxons were so proute vor þe king com so
Þat vnneþe hii wolde armes on hom do

241

Vter

Vor him hii sede it were ssame þat we yharmed were
Nis he more þan half ded ylad in an bere
Þe king sette up is herte hey & ordeined is folc uaste
Þe saxons he asaylede & to grounde hom caste
So þat sone dawes hom of þoȝte hor prute
Þat hii of þe noble mon þe king tolde so lute
Vor þer was octe aslawe & is cosin eose al so
& so it adde ybe betere þat me adde er ydo
Þe saxons þat miȝte fle bigonne to fle uaste
Þus þe samdede king couþe hom agaste
Lo he sede hii clupede me samdede king some
& ȝut ichabbe leuere samded hom ouercome
Þan hol & sound be ouercome & leuere al so me is
Vor to deye myd honour þan libbe in ssame ywys

242

Þe saxons were þo ouercome ac hii ne bileuede ȝut noȝt
Hor ssrewhede ac to wroþerhele were hii to deþe ybroȝt
Vor hor ost euere wax þer come euere mo & mo
Boþe by este & by norþe hii dude wel muche wo
Þe king wolde aȝen hom wende ac he ne moste uor is conseil
Vor þe feblore he was vor þe eror trauail
Þe saxons hom adde ymad in þis lond ywis
Kinges in þre stede þat al to on ycome ys
Hengist was verst king in kent & elle in souþsex
& suþþe last was certik king of west sex
Vor he & kenryk is sone com vp at ȝarnemouþe
& suþþe a gret duc þat het port com vp at portesmouþe
Hit was as In þe ȝer of grace þat god was ybore ich wene
Þat certyk com verst four hondred ȝer & four score & tene

243

King he was of westsex & is of spring al so
& atte laste þulke kunde alle þe oþere wan þer to
Vor port þulke grete duc com vp her bi souþe
Me clupeþ it þer he uerst com up after him portesmouþe
Þus were in worre & in wo ymeng þe saxons
Some tyme aboue & some bineþe her myd þe brutons
Ac al aboue neuere hii nere ar after þe king arþure
Ac suþþe hii wonne al clene out as ȝe ssulle after yhure
Vter þe gode king of wan we speke biuore
Was feble after þat he was in þe hors bere ybore

Vter Arthure

Þat he moste vor feblesse nede holde him stille
Þer uore þe luþer saxons so moche adde hor wille
& ȝute þo hii ne miȝte him sle hii þoȝte wiþ trayson
In some manere him bringe of liue oþer wiþ poyson

244

Hii sende hor felle messagers in pouere manne wede
Þat at doles in þe court mete wiþ oþere bede
Hii aspyede in þe court oueral of þinges alle
So þat hii vnder ȝete a welle ney þe halle
Of wan þe king ofte dronk uor he ne dronc in such cas
Lute þing bote þer of vor þat water so cold was
Wanne he dronc ek eni wyn þer among it was ydo
& me made metes in þe court mid þulke water al so
Þo þe traytors it vnderȝete hii enuenimed wiþinne
Þe welle aboute in eche stude mid hor luþer gynne
Þat þet water þat þer of com poyson was wel strong
Þe king was sone apoisoned þo he þer of drong
& mo þan an hondred of is men ar me wuste wer of it com
Moche ssame were hii worþe þat doþ such suikedom

245

Soþ him sede merlyn er þat he ssolde þoru poyson deye
Þe heye men of þe lond þo hii þis deþ iseye
Del & sorwe hii made ynou & þo þer nas non oþer red
Hii lete him burye by is broþer as he him sulf bed
Atte munstre of ambresbury at stonheng ywis
Wel aȝte þat be a wurþe stude wanne þer such sepulture ys

Arthure vteres sone of wam we tolde biuore

Ȝe abbeþ yhurd hou he was biȝite & ybore
Þo þis king was þus ded þe heye men alle come
Of þe londe to cilicestre & conseil þer of nome
Vor to make hom a king uor nede hom drof þer to
Vor þe saxons wuste þat þe king was ded so
Hii sende uorþ to alymayne after more poer bliue
& þoȝte þis brutons al clene out of londe driue
So þat hii adde ywonne al clene þe norþ lond
Fram homber to totenays & adde al in hor hond

246

Arþure was þo ȝong mon of viftene ȝer vnneþe
& ȝut al þe lond made him king after is fader deþe
& he bigan anon & eke er such mon vor to be
Þat me ne solde in no lond is per nour yse

Arthure

So large he was & so hende & al so debonere
So hardi & so gentil & of so vair manere
Þat so moche folc to him com of kniȝtes ȝonge & olde
Þat he nadde noȝt wel war wiþ such menie up to holde
Ac is herte was euere god ȝong þei he were
Vor he þoȝte of þe saxons is spense vp arere
He bigan þo wel sone to arere vp is baner
Vor is prowesse he adde sone gret folc & poer
He wende toward euerwyk wiþ vair compaynye ynou
Þo þe saxons it vnderȝete þat he þuderward drou
Of scottes & of pycars & of hom sulue hii nome
Gret poer ynou & strong & aȝen hom come

247

Þer was slaȝt in eyþer syde no mercy þer nas
Ac king arthure atte laste as god wolde aboue was
& sywede in to euerwyk colgrim hor cheuenteyn
& him þo he was wiþinne by segede mid al is mayn
Baldulf colgrymes broþer six þousend men mid him nom
& is broþer uor to helpe toward euerwyk com
Þo he was fram euerwyk aboute an ten myle
He at stunte & þoȝte þat he wolde mid gyle
Vpe þe king arthure come an onywar bi niȝte
& so him & al is folc ssende ȝif he miȝte
Þe king was þer of ywar he þoȝte to do bote
Mid six hondred kniȝtes & þre hondred men auote
Cadur erl of cornwayle aȝen hom he sende
Þat aȝen hom com an onywar by a wey þat hii wende
& slowe & euere woundede & monye broȝte to deþe
So þat þis baldulf of scapede aliue vnneþe

248

Þe wule þat þe king arthure by segede euerwyk
Me tolde him of a gret duc þat het theldryk
Þat out of alymayne com to scotlonde so
Mid six hondred ssipuol of kniȝtes & al þe atyl þer to
Þer was lo gret poer yn to a londe ylad
Þo þe kinges conseil wuste þis hit was somdel adrad
Þe king arþure hii radde anon to londone to wende
To nyme þer is conseyl woch were þe best ende
Leste such poer come vpe him & him ssende
Þe king dude after hor red & to londone wende

Arthure

Þere he huld is parlement wat were best to done
So þat he & is conseil at o red were sone
So þat to þe lasse brutaine þe king sone sende
To howel king of þe lond þat he to him wende
To helpe him in suche nede & þat he him vnderstode
Þat kunde it wolde þat he dude vor hii were of one blode

249

King arthures soster sone þe king howel was
& þe kinges sone of þe lasse brutayne no wer kunde þer nas
Þo þe messagers wiþ þe tydinge to king howel come
His conseil wol hastiliche in suche nede he nom
Vor to helpe is neveu & is kynedom
Wiþ fiftene þousend kniȝtes in to þis londe he com
At souþhamtone hii come vp & þo hii to gadere come
Þis tueye kinges hii custe hom & bi clupte ylome
Þo hii adde hor folc yset as riȝt was in such cas
Norþward toward lincolne hii wende mid god pas
Þere hii come & mette hom & strong bataile smite þere
So þat mo þan six þousend of þe saxons islawe were
Wat aslawe wat adreint so þat atte laste
Þo hii ne seye oþer won hii gonne to fle vaste
In to an wode þer by side þo hii þer inne come
Hem þoȝte hii were siker ynou & toke þe lasse gome

250

Þe king sywede vaste & bi segede hom aboute
Ac among þe tren hii wuste hom þat hii nadde no doute
Þo þe king arthure ysey þat hii nolde out come
Aboute þe wode he let fulle þe grete tren some
& leide ech ech vp oþer aboute in eche ende
Þat it was as it were a wal þat hii ne ssolde out wende
Þre dawes & þre niȝt meteles hii wuste hom so
Þat hii nuste hou on take ne wat for honger do
Þe king arthure hii bisoȝte mercy attenende
Þat he grantede hom in pes out of þisse londe wende
& hii grantede him al here god þat hii hider ladde
Gold & seluer & tresour al clene þat hii adde
Hii bihete him ek eche ȝer to bere him truage
Out of hor londe & þer to take him god ostage
Þe king þoru is conseil assentede wel þer to
& god ostage of hom nom þe truage vor to do

251

Arthure

& at huld al hor god & let hom al bar wende
& ȝut him of þoȝte sone þat he was hom so hende
Mid hor gold & seluer & mid hor tresour hii miȝte
Sousteini a god ȝuile is ost aȝens hom wor to viȝte
& ȝut þis luþer false men in þe se come
& tornde aȝen to suikedom & an oþer red nome
Atte hauene of tottenays hii gonne arst ariue
& dude hom alond & robbede in deuenissire bliue
& so vorþ in somersete moche wo gonne do
Al anon to seuerne & to baþe al so
& bisegede þene toun ac wiþ oute hii were
Vor þe king bi norþe was hii gonne hor werre arere
Vor þe king was toward scottlond & awreke him he þoȝte
Of scottes & of picars þat euere euele him wroȝte
Þo þe tyding him com of þe saxons is fo
He nuste in weþer ende turne so uol he was of wo

252

Of scottes he wolde awreke be ȝif time him þer to ȝeue
Ac he nolde uor no þing þe saxons bileue
& howel is soster sone king of þe oþer brutayne
Mest in is herte was uor anguysse to playne
Vor he lay binorþe sik þat he ssolde bileue him þere
Leste þe scottes him dude ssame oþer þat he þe wule ded were
He bileuede him poer ynou & toward somersete
Wende toward þe saxons vor þat nolde he noȝt lete
Þo he com to somersete & þe saxons ysey
He houede & spac wiþ is men þes wordes al an hey
Vor þis luþer saxons abbeþ gret dedeyn
Vor to holde me treuþe ȝif ich abbe eny mayn
Icholle holde to ihesu crist treuþe ȝif ich may
& þat blod of my kunde folc awreke ȝut to day
Armyeþ ȝou nou hasteliche armeþ ȝou anon
Vor we ssolle to day mid godes help ouercome vr fon

253

Ac þe king atte biginninge let hangy echon
Hor ostages uor þe treson he ne bileuede noȝt on
Þo þis gode folc ȝare was in batayle to Ride
Sein dubric þe erchebissop of carleon gan abide
& wende vp a lutel hul amidde þe compaynie

Ȝe cristinemen he sede of so noble seynorye

Arthure

Þat beþ godes owe lumes þoru ȝoure cristendom
Þencheþ on god þat vor us deide & on þis kinedom
Viȝteþ uor ȝoure kunde & defendeþ ȝoure riȝte
Þencheþ of þe nede of þe lond & of vre louerdes miȝte
& ȝif eny of ȝou is aslawe in þis ulke fiȝte
To saui þat lond folc & uor þe londes riȝte
He syweþ purliche god þat ȝef is owe lif her
To savy us sinuol men fram þe deueles poer
& wo so her is aslawe is deþ him sal be
In lesnesse of al is sinne & is soule ssal fle

254

& be ybroȝt biuore god ar þat bodi be cold
He asoylede al þat folc þat he adde þus ytold
Þat folc þoru is prechinge so god wille nom þere
Þat hom þoȝte ech wule viue ar hii in bataile were
Þe king was aboue yarmed wiþ auberc noble & riche
Wiþ helm of gold on is heued was non him yliche
Þe fourme of a dragon þer on was ycast
His sseld þat het þridwen was þonne yhonge vaste
Aboute is ssoldren & þeron ypeint was & ybroȝt
Þe ymage of vre leuedy on wam was al is þoȝt
Mid is suerd he was igurd þat so strong was & kene
Calibourne it was icluped nas nour no such ich wene
In is riȝt hond is launce he nom þat was ycluped Ron
Long & gret & strong ynou him ne miȝte at sitte non

255

He þoȝte al on ihesu crist & is men echon
Vpe þe doune aboue baþe hii mette mid hor fon
Hii smite bataile strong ynou þat al longe day ilaste
Þe saxons in hor syde stode euere aȝen vaste
Moche folc þer was ynou aslawe in eyþer side
Þo þe niȝt vpe hom com þat hii ne miȝte no leng abide
Vpe þe torret of an herre hul þe saxons wende þere
Þat þe heye hul to hom was a castel as þey it were
A morwe þo it day was adoun eft hii aliȝte
& in batayle strong ynou bigonne eft sone to fiȝte
& sloue uaste in eyþer alf þat reuþe it was ynou
Þo þe king arþure ysey þat me is men so uaste slou
His herte he gan vp arere þat he nadde þe maistrie
& dude is wille al to god & on is moder marie

256

Arthure

& calybourne is gode suerd mid god ernest he drou
& smot aboute in eiþer side to grounde harde ynou
& four hondred men ar he reste is owe honde he slou
& sixti & tene al so þe asaut was somdel tou
& þerto nadde he oþer help bote god & seinte marie
& calibourne is gode suerd to do such maistrie
Þo is men iseye þis after vaste hii drowe
& to gronde aboute smite & þe saxons uaste slowe
& colgrim þat hor maister was & baldulf is broþer
Aslawe were at þulke asaut & al so moni an oþer
Vor mony a þousend þer were aslawe & teldrich attelaste
His felawes þo he sey aslawe bi gan to fle vaste
Þo þis batayle was ydo to þe king com message
Þat þe scottes & þe picars dude him gret outrage
& sire howel is neueu king of þe oþer brutayne
Þat sik lay as ich sede er bisegede mid al hor mayne

257

Þo þe king hurde þis him longede þuder sore
He ne miȝte þere longe abide þe saxons to sywy more
Cadour erl of cornwayle he bileuede þere
Mid ten þousend men uor to sywe hom þat ofscaped were
Þe erl sywede mid is men þe saxons uaste ynou
& strong batayle smite & teldric þe prince slou
& is compaynie þe mestedel bote an vewe atten ende
Mercy him cryde þat hii moste Into hor owe londe wende
& suore & toke him ostage þat hii ne ssolde neuere ywys
Þis lond eft asayly ne ssame do ne amys
So þat þet folc of saxons namore hider ne come
Þe wule þat þe king arthure wiste þis kinedome

Cadour erl of cornwayle þo he adde ydo al þis
To þe king is louerd wende to scotlond ywis

258

Þe king adde er among þe scottes ystured him uol wel
& deliuered of hom ar he come is neueu sire howel
& yslawe of hom monyon so þat in an yle
Hii of scapede atte laste bi norþe mony a myle
Þet water geþ al aboute & þer inne eke beþ
Sixti grete roches as men al day yseþ
Þer Inne nomon ne woneþ ac in ech roche þer is
In tyme of ȝere an ernes nest þat hii bredeþ inne ywis

Arthure

Ech is in a roche him sulf vor hii ne mowe noȝt ney be
Vor hom by houeþ moche mete & hii ne mowe noȝt wel fle
Vor feblesse of hor brode ac wanne hor briddes rype beþ
Þer hii findeþ more mete in londes aboute hii fleþ

259

Þe king bilay þes scottes þere mid alle wo
Þat þer deide of hom vor honger a þousend & mo
& ȝut nolde þe ssrewen to none pays go
Gillam þe king of yrlonde to hom wende þo
Wiþ gret poer in þe water to helpe hom of þis cas
Þo þe king arthure it wuste prest aȝen him he was
& slou of hom to grounde so þat hii gonne wiþ drawe
& hii þat miȝte come aȝen aliue were wel vawe
Ac þe king hom adde afayted so þat hii ne kepte nanmore him mete

Ȝut he þoȝte afayty þe scottes ar he hom lete
He bi sette hom vaste ynou so þat attelaste þere
Þe bissops & oþer prelats þat of þe londe were
Com wiþ gret procession wiþ gret anguisse & fere
Wepinde biuore þe kinge & hor relikes wiþ hom bere

260

& oþer holy chirche þinges bareuot echon
Hii velle alle adoun akne biuore þe kinge anon
& bede him uor is suete loue þat deide on þe rode
Þat he adde reuþe of hom & is soule vnder stode
Wanne he adde þer biuore of hom aslawe ynowe
Þat he soffrede þulke libbe þat he folliche alle ne slowe
& þat he som hurne of þe lond grantede hom þere
Warinne hii leuede & eueremo seruage him bere
Þe king vor pite her of bigan to wepe sore
& nom of hom sykernesse þat hii ne ssolde mis do nanmore
& grantede hom an end lond to libbe inne in seruage
To bere þer of him & is euere mo truage
Nou wer þer wiþ him þre men þat of þe riȝte kunde come
Of kinges of þulke lond vor te saxons hom bi nome

261

Auncel & vrian & lot þe þridde was
Þat spoused þe kinges soster ȝe abbeþ yhurd þat cas
& adde bi hire tueie sones sire waweyn þe hende
Þe oþer het modred þat þe king bytrayde attenende
Þe keng arthure þes þre men kinges made þere
Ech of is riȝt eritage as hor elderne were

Arthure

Auncel king of scotlond & vrian is broþer
King of þe lond of murifens vor he was ner þan an oþer
Of þe contreie of lodenesie Lot he made king
& of al þe contreie þat þer to uel & þat was gret þing
Þo he adde al þis lond ybroȝt & scotlond al so
Al clene in riȝte to is wille an oþer he moste do
He spousede a noble wif gwenwar ire name was
Of þe heye kunne of rome no vairor womman nas

262

As sone as somer com to yrlond he gan wende
Vor to afayti þat lond & to winne ech ende
Gillam king of þe lond ar he þuder com
Volc as it were wiþ oute noumbre aȝen him he nom
Hii come & mette hom sone & gret bataile smite
Ac þe king arthure was aboue as me may wel ywite
& þe king gyllam was inome & so al þat lond
Bi certein couenant was in king arthures hond
Fram þanne he wende sone to þe lond of yrlonde
& wan it al clene to him & al þat he vonde
Þo such tydinge aboute com as ech sende oþer sonde
Þat so noble mon he was þat him ne miȝte no lond at stonde
Deldam wende anon to him þat was king of godlonde
& ginnas king of orcadas his grace for to fonde

263

& bicome is men & bihete him to bere him truage
Ech ȝer & holde of him & of his in seruage
Of þisse brutaine he was king & adde al so scotlonde
& yslonde & orcadas vnder him & yrlonde
Þo winter was al ydo to þisse londe he wende
To bringe þe lond in god pais & þe lawes amende
Tuelf ȝer he bileuede þo here mid nobleye ynou
& þe hexte men of mani londes aboute him uaste drou
& bigan to strengþe is court & to eche is mainie
Mid so gret plente huld is hous & mid so gret corteisie
Þat me ne miȝte of so noble los man neuer vnderstonde
& þat þer nas nour aboute kniȝt of none londe
Þat me tolde of eny þing bote hii of sute were
Of king arthures hous oþer som signe þer of bere

264

Of robes oþer of armes & þe gode mon was so hende
Þat he aueng vawe echon þat to him wolde wende

Arthure

Bote to sigge ssortliche þer nas ver ne ner
Of prowesse ne of corteisie in þe world is per
Is los sprong so wide sone of his largesse
Of strengþe & of is corteisie & off is prowesse
To þe verrost ende of þe world þat such nas nour non
So þat oþere grete kinges doutede him echon
Biȝonde þe se in ech stude & dradde ver & ner
Þat hii come & binome hor londes oþer hor poer
Hii bigonne hor heiȝe tounes & strengþede vaste aboute
Hor castles & astori þat hii miȝte be Inne in doute
Þo þis gode tidinge com to þis noble arthure
Mid gode herte he wolde such tydinge yhure

265

He þoȝte come bi hom & bringe some to lure
& to winne al europe ȝif he miȝte dure
Þe þridde del of al þe world europe icluped is
Þat tylþ ver fram biȝonde rome to þe west worles ende ywis
Him þoȝte he adde yrest ynou no leng he nolde abyde
Is poer he let someny þat ysprad was wel wyde
& greiþede is noble ost & dude him in þe weye
& dude him so in to þe se & verst to norþweye
Nou was þe king of norþwey ded þerbiuore bi cas
& Lot þat was is oþom þulke kinges neueu was
& þe king him adde ymad is eyr þerbiuore longe
Ac þe men of norweye nolde vor prute him vnder uonge
Ac adde ymade anoþer mon king of þe londe
Þat aȝen þe king arthure hopede wel at stonde

266

Child wawein lotes sone þulke time nas
Bote tuelf ȝer & þe pope of rome þat child bitake was
To norisy þoru þe king arthure & þulke time riȝt
Þe pope bitok him armes & is owe honde made him kniȝt
As þe king arthure as ich sede to norþweye com
Þe king of þe lond aȝen him sone þen wey nom
Mid is poer & smite an bataile strong ynou
& ssedde blod in eiþer side & moche folc me slou
Ac hor poer of norweye ydo was anon
Þe king him sulf was sone aslawe & is men monyon
Þe brutons hom sturede þo & slowe & barnde uaste
So þat hii wonne al clene norþwey atte laste

Arthure

Þer after hii wonne denemarch uor to do seruage
To þe king arthure euermo & to bere him truage

267

He made Lot is oþom king of norþweye
Þer after toward france hii dude hom in þe weye
Nou adde france þulke tyme þe emperour leon
& he bi tok in warde an duc þat het ffollon
Þat hardy bodi was & god & poer adde ynou
Þo he wuste þat þe king arthur þuder drou
Alle þe kniȝtes & þat folc þat in is poer were
He nom & mette þe brutons & smite batayle þere
Ac al þat hom was lute worþ vor aȝen þe king arthure
& is poer hii miȝte lutel wule dure
Vor euere wan he nom a lond al þe bachelerie
Þat aȝt was in þe lond he nom in is compaynie
& of is mayngnage vp is coust & uor he was so hende
Ech noblemon vawe was mid him uor to wende
& þe beste party of france to him al so he drou
Vor he was so large & hende þat him com poer ynou

268

Vor me ne tolde wel ney of nomon noþer here ne þere
Bote he mid þe kinge arthure In som manere were
Þo þe duc follon ysey þat is poer no þing nas
He fley into paris mid wel quic pas
& astorede þen toun & strengþede him aboute
King arthure & is poer asegede hom wiþoute
So þat wiþinne a monþe þe duc follon ysey
Þat is men vor defaute & uor hunger deyde ney
& þat is poer nas noþing aȝen þe king arþure
He þoȝte do is owe body wat he miȝte dure
Vor he was strong ynou & hardy þe strengost of þis londe
To þe king arthure he sende þat he ssolde him vnder stonde
To do an batayle hom sulue tuo mid hor owe honde
& weþer so miȝte aboue be were louerd over oþeres londe

269

Þe king arthure hurde þis no gladdore mon nas
He sende word þat al prest to such batayle he was
Sikernesse & treuþe ypliȝt of þis voreward hii nome
So þat a certein day yset to þe batayle hii come
A lute wiþ oute paris atyled wel ynou
Moche was þat folc aboute þat to þis batayle drou

Arthure

Hii fondede hor steden uerst hor lances suþþe hii nome
& wiþ hard dunt & gret eir to gadere sone hii come
King arthure aȝen þe brest is felawe verst ahitte
Aȝen þe brust þat a vul & ne miȝte no leng sitte
Ase sone as he miȝte turne is hors is suerd he drou þere
Vor to asaile him þerwiþ ac þe oþer was vp ere
& ȝef his stede wiþ þe spere aȝen þe brest deþes wounde
So þat boþe stede & king leye sone atte grounde

270

Þo þe brutons seye þis hii vorbere vnneþe
Þat hii ne breke couenant & broȝte þan oþer to deþe
Ac þe king arthur keuerede vp & asailede fullon vaste
& smite hor eiþer oþer her & þer & harde duntes caste
So þat fullon wiþ a stroc þe brutons sore agaste
Vor þe king arthur aȝen þe frount he smot atte laste
Þat ȝif he nadde wiþ þe sseld somdel þe dunt yhent
Siker he im adde aslawe oþer al out yssent
Þo king arthure it ivelede & ysei al so is blod
Vpe is hauberc & is sseld he was ney uor wraþþe wod
He adrou sire calibourne is suerd þat was so god
& anowarde þe helm mid wel stourdy mod
Þen oþer he smot & to clef þe heued mid þe wounde
He vel & ssoc þe helm & deide in a stounde

271

Þo þis dede was ydo & þe oþer was ded
Þe conseil of france sone nom hor red
& to þe king arthure hom ȝolde ech man þat was wys
& ȝolde him vp al þat lond & þe keyen of parys
Þis was lo þe cornwelisse bor of wan merlin spac ynou
& þe cler leom of þe sterre þat ouer france drou
Som was ycome as he sede of þis noble king arthure
Wel more me ssal herafter of him ȝut yhure
Þo he adde ywonne france þus & al þis was ido
Þis noble king arþure delde is men atuo
Þe king howel he bitoc & oþer princes al so
Þe o del of is ost to wende to peyto
Vor to winne þat lond & him sulf he wolde wende
Vor to winne seygnorie aboute in oþer ende
King howel wiþ is poer wan sone peyto
Al to king arthures wille & gascoyne al so

272

Arthure

Þe king wan normandye & al so god angeo
& wiþinne a nye ȝer al þis was ydo
Þe king wende þo to parys þo he adde ydo al þis
& alle þe heye men of þe lond þuder come ywis
Hor omage of hom & hor seruise he nom
& lawes as he wolde im sulf sette in þe kinedom
He ȝef þat lond of normandye bedwer is boteler
& þat lond of aungeo kaye is paneter
& oþer þing oþer heyemen & syker it made ynou
& suþþe aboute leinte toward þis londe drou
Þo þe king arþure com here in to þis londe
& so moche lond adde ywonne & adde al so an honde
In ioye & blisse he was ynou & alle þat wiþ him were
& aȝen witesontyd hit was in þe ȝere

273

He þoȝte þe heye feste of wytesonetyd do
Wiþ honour among is men & þat alle come þerto
Boþe kinges & dukes & erles echon
Barons & kniȝtes & squiers monyon
Leuedies & maidens & ech mon þat aȝt were
In eny lond þat it was þat hii were alle þere
Of þis rounde table is ban aboute he sende
Þat ech a witesonetyd to carleon wende
A toun þat is in glammorgan vpe þe water of osk ydo
A lute bisyde seuerne in murye stude al so
Vor me may þere in þe souþhalf al bi þe se lede
Fram oþer londes god ynou to endy such a dede
In þe oþer half beþ grete wodes lese & mede al so
So þat þer nas non defaute such noble þing to do
Þer come to þis rounde table as he sende is ban
Auncel king of scotlond & al so vryan
Þat was king of murifens & king of norþwalis
Cadwal & al so scater king of souþwalis
Cador king of cornwayle & erchebissopes al so
Of Londone & of euerwyk & of carleon þer to

274

Erles þer come ek monion as þe erl of gloucestre
Moroud & Ingemer erl of leicestre
Mauron erl of warewik & cursal of cicestre
Gallut erl of salesbury Ionatal of dercestre

Arthure

Kyninnar erl of kanterburi of baþe sire vrgen
Bose erl of oxenford þat were alle noblemen
Þe barons & kniȝtes þat of þis londe a day
At þis rounde table were noman telle ne may
Kinges þat were of yles as king of yrlonde
Gillam & al so malueys king of yslonde
Lot king of norþwey & doldam of godlonde
& þe king of orcadas & of denemarch ich vnder stonde
Kinges ek of byȝonde se as kay of aungeo
Bedwer of normandye Gwider of peyto
Ligger of coloyne & al so þe dosse pers
Of france were þer echon þat so noble were & fers
His neueu king howel of þe lasse brutayne al so
Mid so vair uolc þuder com & mid so gret charge þer to

275

Of mules & of cartes & of hors mid alle gode
Þat þer nas non so wyttimon þat it al vnder stode
Þer nas bituene þis & spayne no prince wiþoute al þis
Þat nas at þis rounde table & at is feste ywis
& no wonder uor þe kinges los so wyde sprong ynou
Of godnesse & of cortesye þat hor herte to him drou
Þo þis heymen were alle ycome & þe heye tyme al so
Of þe wytesonetid þe feste uor to do
Þe erchebissopes were ybroȝt to sette þe kinges croune
On is heued ac sein dubric of þe sulue toune
Was erchebissop him biuel þe croune on him do
& þe seruise ek of holi chirche þat biuel þer to
Þo þe croune was on is heued & ydo ech oþer þing
Tueye erchebissopes ladde þis noble king
To þe chirche of þe heye munstre & þat ȝede biuore him þere
Four kinges & four suerdes of golde biuore him bere

276

Verst þe king of scotlond & þe king of norþwalis
& þe king of cornwaile & þe king of souþwalis
Oþer bissopes & prelats biuore þis king arþure
& clerkes songe as riȝt was þat ioye it was to hure
In þe oþer half þe quene was of erchebissops al so
Ylad & ycrouned ek as riȝt was uor to do
& to anoþer munstre ylad & vour quenes biuore hire wende
Þe voure kinges wiues þat we biuore nemde

Arthure

& foure wite colfren al so biuore hire bere
Þe compainye of leuedies wel gret al so were
Þo hii were to chirche ybroȝt eyþer in is side
So murye & so gret was þat song þat me song þerinne wyde
Þat þet folc stod þat þer was as hii were ynome
Ne hii nuste to weþer chirche murgore it was to come

277

Þe king was to is paleys þo þe seruise was ydo
Ylad wiþ is meyne & þe quene to hire al so
Vor hii hulde þe olde vsages þat men wiþ men were
Bi hom sulue & wymmen bi hom sulue al so þere
Þo hii were echon yset as it to hor stat bicom
Kay king of aungeo a þousend kniȝtes nom
Of noble men ycloþed in ermine echon
Of o sywte & seruede at þis feste anon
Bedwer þe boteler king of normandye
Nom al so in is alf a uayr compaynie
Of o sywte uor to serui of þe botelerye
Biuore þe quene it was al so wiþ a such corteisye
Vor to telle al þe nobleye þat þer was ydo
Þey my tonge were of stel me ssolde noȝt dure þer to
Womman ne kepte of no kniȝt as in druerye
Bote he were in armes wel yproued & atte leste þrie

278

Þat made lo þe wimmen þe chastore lif lede
& þe kniȝtes þe stalwordore & þe betere in hor dede
Sone after þis noble mete as riȝt was in such tyde
Þe kniȝtes atyled hom aboute in eche syde
In feldes & in medes to prouy hor bachelerye
Some wiþ launce & some wiþ suerd wiþoute vileynie
Wiþ pleyn de atte tables oþer atte chekere
Wiþ castinge oþer wiþ ssetinge oþer in som manere
& woch so of eny game adde þe maistrie
Þe king hom of is ȝiftes dude large corteysie
Vpe þe alures of þe castles þe leuedyes þanne stode
& bihulde þis noble game & wuche kniȝtes were gode
Alle þe þre hexte dawes laste þis nobleye
In halles & in veldes of mete & eke of pleye
Þis men come þe verþe day biuore þe kinge þere
& he ȝef hom large ȝiftes euere as hii worþe were

279

Arthure

Bissopriches & chirches clerkes he ȝef some
& castles & tounes kniȝtes þat were ycome
Sein dauit was þe kinges vncle him he ȝef aday
Þe erchebissopriche of karleon as he him wel by say
Vor he was suiþe holyman & an munstre he let rere
Þat me clupeþ in walis sein dauid & ȝut he liþ þere
Þe bissopriche of wincestre a god mon he ȝef þo
Of chichestre an oþer & ȝut oþer mo
Þe wule þe king & is men aboute þis nobleye were
Þer come in tuelf olde men wiþ euene pas þere
Men of wel vair semblant & branches hii bere
Of oliue as in signe þat hii aȝen pays nere
A lettre hii toke þe kinge þat þo he hit let rede
Fram þe senatour of rome hii come & þus sede

280

Lucye senatour of rome to arþure þe kinge
Send þat he of serued aþ wiþoute gretinge
Moche me wondred & ouermoche of þine reuerye
Of þin cruel luþerhede & of þin robberye
& nameliche of þin vnriȝt ichabbe gret dedeyn
Þat þou to þe noble stude of rome dest mid al þi mayn
& þat þou nelt him iknowe ne do þin seruage
Ne vnderstonde hou luþer it is to do eny outrage
Oþer winny out þe noble stude þat al þe world abueþ to
Vor þine auncetres hit dude al þat we þe hoteþ do
& þou as in gret despit of so noble seignorie
Ne at halst noȝt one þi truage ac mid þi reuerye
Rauissest france & oþer londes þat bi weste beþ echon
Þat bere truage to rome & þoru þe ne deþ nou non

281

Vor þanne of þe gret despit þe noble court of rome
Riȝt wol abbe of þe ywis þat þou hom misdest ylome
Amidde haruest we þe setteþ day of þis nexte ȝere
At rome uor to ansuerye & þat þou be þi sulf þere
We þe hoteþ uor to auonge þat þe court þe wole deme
& bote þou do of one þinge nym wel god ȝeme
Þat icholle þe mi sulf seche out & þoru suerd restore
Al þat þi reuerye vs aþ binome & more
Þis was a prout mandement & an heiuol dede
Þe king adde þer of gret despit þo he hurde it rede

Arthure

Vor þe uerste truage þat he sende to rome of seluer oþer of golde
Þat was lucyes body aslawe burye ȝif hii it wolde
Þe king clupede noȝt uor þan is conseil sone
To ansuere to þis mandement wat were best to done

282

Cadour erl of cornwayle stod & somdel lou
& verst sede is auys mid god wille ynou
Sire he sede her biuore ich abbe ybe sore adrad
Leste þat ydel lif þat þine men abbeþ ylad
Nou moni day out of los & in sleuþe hom broȝte
Vor wanne men beþ al ydel þat er batailes soȝte
Hor ydelnesse hom ssal bringe to sunne of lecherye
To tauerne & to sleuþe & to hasardrie
Hit is ney vif ȝer þat we abbeþ yliued in such vice
Vor we nadde noȝt to done & in such delice
& þer wiþ nis noȝt god ypaid þeruore he aþ ibroȝt
Þe romeins in such wille þat we nere to ydel noȝt
Ac þat we come to vr stat aȝen of vre verste prowesse
Leste we velle in dedlich sunne vor vre ydelnesse
Þo he adde ysed is auys & oþere him bere witnesse
Þe king arþure sede is al in gladnesse

283

Ȝe louerdinges he sede þat ich abbe in conseil & in batayle
Ifonded as uor anante me þat nolde me neuere faile
Doþ nouþe al ȝour wit þer to me wel to consayle
& ich hopie we ssolleþ þe lasse recche of þe romaynes tayle
Vor me þincheþ mid vnriȝt hii escheþ vs truage
Vor Iuli cesar hit nom verst mid strengþe & outrage
Vor descord & contek þat bituene vr eldorne was þo
He nom it verst mid vnriȝt & broȝte þat lond in wo
& þing þat is mid strengþe inome hou miȝte it be mid riȝte
Vor he naþ reson non bote robberie & miȝte
& mid as god reson mowe we of hom esse ywis
Bere he þanne þe truage þat bineþe is

284

Vor Iuli & oþere emperours hii seggeþ come þer to
Þat emperours were of rome ich may segge al so
Þat min auncetres of þe lond wule wonne rome
As bely þe noble king þat ȝe abbeþ yhurd ylome
& constantin eleyne sone ȝe witeþ wel rome nom
& suþþe maximian þat of hor beyre blod ich com

Arthure

Min auncetres hii were alle þre & kinges of þis londe
& wonne þe aumperye of rome & boþe adde an honde
Of france & of oþer londes þat we wonne mid vre miȝte
We mowe segge þat we nabbeþ to ansuerye noȝt mid riȝte
Wanne hii vorsoke is & uorslewede & to none defense ne come
Þo we þoru chiualerie out of hor poer is nome

285

Vor hii ne mowe noȝt segge þat wiþ treson oþer stalþe it were ydo
Vor wiþinne nye ȝer non of hom ne com enes þer to
Howel king of þe oþer brutayne þo he hurde þis he sede
Þei ech of vs sete al day þe beste red to rede
Betere ansuere we ne ssolde vinde þen ȝe abbeþ nou ysed
Þeruore we aȝte onoury wel of so noble wit þi red
For ȝif we in þisse manere wendeþ we ne fayleþ on none wyse
Þat we ne wolleþ abbe þe maistrie wanne we defendȝ vre franchise
& wo so an oþer mannes god bi nime wole mid vnriȝte
Wiþ riȝte he may is owe lese ȝif þe defendour aþ þe miȝte
& wanne þe romeins aboute beþ vs to binyme vr riȝte
Wiþ reson we wolleþ hom bi nime ȝif we mowe to gadere fiȝte

286

Nou it worþ iended þat Sibile þe sage sede biuore
Þat þer ssolde of brutayne þre men be ybore
Þat ssolde winne þe aumperye of rome of þe tueye ydo it is
As of bely & constantin & þou art þe þridde ywis
Hye nou vaste uor to auonge þis noble honour al
To bringe hom vnder þe þat þe wolde makie þral
Hye to anhansi vs alle & inele noȝt be bi hinde
Ten þousend hors ywrye icholle þe þer to vinde
Auncel þat þe king adde ymad king of scotlonde
Glad ynou was mid þis word & uor ioye huld vp is honde
Vor þat he sede ich abbe yhurd so gret ioye ich abbe & blis
Þat inabbe no tonge þat mowe hit al ssewe ywis
Vor al þat we abbeþ of londes & of kinges her biuore
Ywonne mid chiualerie it þincþ me al uorlore

287

Bote we of romeins be awreke & of saxons al so
Þat vre elderne er þis so moche ssame abbeþ ydo
& nou þe time is icome þat we mowe be awreke
So glad ich am þat inot wat vor ioye speke
Vor ine wilnede neuere þing so moche as ich do hor blod
Ou iesu þat þulke day worþ me suete & god

Arthure

Swete wolleþ þe wounden be to me & noþing stronge
Suete wole ek my deþ be ȝif ich im auonge
Vor to awreke vre faderes & to holde vp vre fraunchise
& vorto anhansy vre king as we ssolle on alle wyse
Seche we out þulke haluemen ne abyde we noȝt to longe
Þat we after hor wrecche deþ hor londes auonge

288

& icholle vre ost eche & vre bachelerye
Wiþoute archers & votmen wiþ tuo þousend hors ywrye
Of þe men here of þis lond þe king adde her wiþoute
Sixti þousend hors ywrye & þat was a uair route
Þe kinges of six yles ek as norþwey & yrlonde
Godlond & orcadas denemarch & yslonde
Seue kinges ek aboute france as brutayne & normandye
Gascoyne & aungeo & al so of pycardye
Of peyto & of oþer to & þe dosse pers of france
Among hom alle hii were siker al wiþ oute balance
Of an hondred þousend hors & four score þousend þer to
& þre þousend wel yrwye & tuo hondred al so
Wiþ oute votmen þat were so vale þat þer nas of non ende
Þis was a uair compaynye þoru al þe world to wende
Þo þis was syker & bi speke þe king hom het echon
Þat hii wende ech in is syde to hor contreye anon

289

& þat hii a lanmasse day mid hor poer come
Euerichone to barbesflet & þes veiage nome
Þe king sede to þe messagers þat hii þe senatour sede
Þat he wolde to rome come ac no truage him to lede
Ac vorto conquery of hom þulke sulue seruage
Þat hii askieþ of him villiche & mid outrage
& þat he wolde to rome come þe day þat he sette
Þe riȝte abbe weþer so miȝte wanne hii to gadere hom mette
Þus departede þo þe cour & ech in is syde

Ȝarked him aȝen þe day vor hii ne miȝte leng abyde

Lucye þe senatour þo he wuste þis mandement
Son he adde wide aboute is messagers ysent
Vor to gadery to is help al þat poer of rome
So þat aȝen lanmasse alle þes kinges to him come
Of affric & of grece of spayne & of scyrye
Of medes & of parkes of ytours of libye

290

Arthure

Of egypt of babiloyne & of frygie
Of mesepoc of bytynie & of boecye
Alle þes kinges & alle oþere þat were bi este rome
& alle þat to rome ssolde seruise to him come
So þat fourty þousend hors & sixty hondred al so
Þat were þo hii ȝare were þis chiualerye to do
King arthure bitok modred is soster sone ich wene
Þis lond to loke þo he wende & gwenwayr þe quene
Vor he truste to hom mest as me þincþ he wel aȝte
Ac as ȝe ssolle her after yhure hii broȝte him suþþe to naȝte
Mid al is ost of þis lond to souþhamtone he wende
& dude him in to þe se mid wind þat god him sende
Þo he com ver in þe se & he aslepe was
At tyme of midniȝt of þe niȝt him mette a greuous cas

291

Him þoȝte he sey a grislich bere fle in þe eir an hey
Þat alle þe hauenes quakede of is fliȝt him þoȝte ek he sey
& a dreduol dragon fram þe west com mid him to fiȝte
Þat þe leom of is eyen al þe contreye liȝte
Ac þe dragon velde þulke bere & to grounde him caste
An oþer dragon com fram þen est & mid þulke dragon faȝt uaste
Þo þe king awok he tolde his meyne of þis cas
& some þoȝte & tolde wat þe bitokne was
Þat þe dragon of biweste bitokneþ þe king arþure
& þe bere som foul geant þat me ssolde of yhure
Þat he ssolde ouercome þe geant & þe dragon bi este
Bi toknede þe emperour of rome & þe bataile of þe beste
Ouercome bitoknede & þe romeins ssolde al so
Ac þe king ne Iugede noȝt þat it ssolde be so ydo
Þer after hii come to barbesflet & piȝte þer bi syde
Hor tentes & hor pauilons hor compaynie to abide

292

Vnder þat þer com word to þe king arþure
Þat þe meste geaunt þat mon ssolde of yhure
Out of þe lond of spayne come & adde ynome eleyne
Þat was so vair þe kinges nece howel of brutayne
& vpe þe mount of sein michel hire ladde atte laste
& þe kniȝtes of þe lond sywede after vaste
Ac hii ne miȝte noȝt aȝen hym do no weþer so hii wende
Bi water oþer bi londe anon riȝt he hom ssende

Arthure

Mid gleyue oþer mid roches & vewe aliue he let
& some he mid strencþe nom & al quic hom vret
& al stilleliche wiþinne niȝt þe king nom is boteler
Bedwer þat no mon it nuste & kay is paneter
Vor he truste to hom mest & wende vorþ alone
Vor he nolde to such geant verdes lede none

293

Vor o body as wo seiþ & so moche ek he truste
To him sulue & to hardysi is men wan hii it wuste
Þo he com toward þis hul a gret fur þeruppe he sey
& anoþer vp a lasse hul þat þer bi syde was ney
Nou nuste hii to soþe vpe weþer þe geant were
Bedwer he sende vorto aspye stilleliche verst þere
Verst to þe lasse hul he wende by a ssip þat he vond
He wende al bi watere vor he ne miȝte noȝt alond
Þo he com vpe þe hul an hey he hurde atte biginninge
Of a womman a deoluol cry & a pitos wepinge
Verst he was sore adrad þat þe geaunt were þer ney
& naþeles he hente herte & drou more an hey
Þo vond he þere þat fur & a lute þer bi syde
A buryels al nywe ymad & a womman þat so cryede
Al uor olded sitte þere & anon so ȝo ysey
Þe king bedwer ȝo siȝte & bi gan to grede an hey

294

Alas alas þou wrecche mon woch mesaunture
Aþ þe ybroȝt in to þis stede alas hou ssalt tou dure
Alas þo pynes þat þou ssalt sone þolie of deþ
Þe pyte þat ich abbe of þe þoru out min herte geþ
Vor þis vorbroyde geant abbe he of þe an siȝt
Þi faire body so gentil vor swolwe he wole to niȝt
Vor he wole sone come þulke vorbroyde pece
Þat nom eleyne þat noble mayde king howeles nece
Þat ichabbe nouþe riȝt here ybured was norice ich was
Þat was al mi soule & al mi lif ich wene no such nas
& þe wule he wolde þis tendre þing wemmy foule ynou
& heo ne miȝte sofry noȝt Mid lecherye he hire slou
Þo eode he to me olde wrecche to endi þis foule case
To witnesse god ich take þat aȝen my wille it was

295

& dude bi me is lecherye alas þulke stounde
Þeruore fle þou hendy mon vor siker be þou yfounde

Arthure

Wanne he comþ binne to ligge he wole þe limemele
To drawe & uorsuolwe par auenture at one mele
Bedwer bigan to conforti þe wommon In þe place
& bihet hire bote of hire wo bi tyme þoru godes grace
& wende aȝen to þe king & tolde al þis cas
Þe king was sori þo he wuste þat þet maide aslawe was
Ac anauntre he þoȝte him do & dude him in þe weye
Þis clene maide uorto awreke & is felawes beye
Ar hii come vpe þe hul arst he was ycome
Þis grisliche geant & adde an vatte barn ynome
& yspited him þoru out mid an yrene spite
& rostede in þis grete fur to abbe þe volle bite
Arthure bed is felawes to late him yworþe al one
Ac ȝif hii seye him in nede þat hii ne made targinge none

296

King arthure him blessede & baldeliche ynou
Toward þis grisliche fourme mid god herte him drou
Þis geant þo he sey him come bigan is mace adrawe
Þat tueye stalwarde men ne ssolde noȝt enes wawe
Toward þe heued þe king he smot ac he hente mid is sselde
Ac ȝut he buyde al adoun & wel harde it yvelde
Vor hit þoȝte al þe hul mid þe stroc was astoned
Arþure was liȝt ynou as he was ywoned
He hupte þo he ywraþþed was & is suerd adrou
& smot þen ssrewe in þe frount mid god ernest ynou
& þe vel & fless was so hard & þe scolle hard & þikke
Þeruore þei it ne come noȝt þoru þe dunt nas noȝt wikke

297

& is male he dude ek bituene ac þat blod adoun wende
So vast in eye & in face þat hit him ney ablende
Þe king hupte her & þer & leyde on euere vaste
So strong was þe ssrewe þat no dunt ne miȝte him adoun caste
He vemde & grunte & stod aȝen as it were a strong bor
Þat euere wole aȝen þe stroc vor te he ne may nammor
Þe king smot euere her & þer so þat atte laste
Ernest of herte he nom to him & adrou so vaste
Calebourne is gode suerd þat he þut scolle clef a tuo
Þat þat suerd was al þer Inne Ihud þat brayn orn out al so
So grisliche ȝal þat ssrewe þo & grislich was is bere
He vel adoun as a gret ok þat bineþe ykorue wer

298

Arthure

Þat it þoȝte þat al þe hul mid þe vallinge ssoc
Þo stod þe king & lou & þei ech lime him ok
Vor he was wery yfaȝt bedwer he bed þere
Þat he corue of þe grislich heued & to þe castel it bere
So þat hii come to hor felawes in þe dawiinge
So noble los nas neuere yhurd as me bar þo þe kinge
His men truste þe bet to him & mony a blessinge
He adde uor he deliuerede men of an so voule þinge
Þo king arþures men ycome were echon

Sone hii drowe hom to ward france vor to seche hor fon
Hom com tydinge þat þe emperour of rome ycome was
Mid so gret folc him to seche þat such neuere yseye nas

299

Þeruore nas noȝt þe king adrad ac vorþore he wende by syde
& bigan to picche is pauilons him vor to abyde
Þe erl of oxenford he nom & an oþer erl al so
& sire wawein is soster sone þo al þis was ydo
& to lucye þe senatour in þis manere hom sende
To hote him þat he hasteliche out of france wende
Oþer þat he com amorwe batayle uor to do
Vor to cuþe weþer adde betere riȝt þer to
Þis noble kniȝtes wende vorþ & hete lucye al so
Vor to wende out of france oþer þe batayle do
Quintylian is neueu ansuerede atten ende
Þat he nas noȝt þuder ycome out henne uor to wende
Ac to gouerni france þat of riȝte of rome was
& þat bote ȝelpinge & bost mid brutons noþing nas

300

Sire wawein þe gode kniȝt was þo wroþ ynou
& among al þat folc hupte ner & is suerd adrou
& smot of þat heued anon & þat heued wiþ him nom
& wiþ is felawes to is hors vor hom alle ȝut he com
Ac wat an horse wat auote þe romeyns hom sywede ynou
Vor to awreke hor grete mayster þat sire wawein slou
Geryn erl of carcoys þat mid king arþure was
He biturnde him þo he sey þe romeins luþer pas
& on þoru out þat body he smot mid is lance
Þe erl of oxenford ek þoȝte of is cheance
He biturnde him & mid is launce þoru þe þrote smot on
& þus þis þre gode kniȝtes sturede hom among hor fon

301

Arthure.

Þo was þer on þat het marcel þat fonded mid al is mayn
Vor to awreke quintylian to quelle sire waweyn
Sire wawein him biturnde & an stroc him ȝef
& al þat heued & þe breste al clanliche him to clef
Go he sede to quintilyan in helle þer he is
& seye him þat sire wawein him sende word þis
Þat suiche strokes þe brutons conne ȝiue ywis
Þat he seiþ þat mid hom bote ȝulpinge & bost nis
Vor ichot þuder þou ssalt þin del þou miȝt him ssewe
His felawes he bad turne aȝen al þei hii were vewe
Hii turnde aȝen ech of hom atte laste on slou
Ac euere þe romeins after sywede uaste ynou

302

So þat þer com out of an wode as it was bi speke
An six þousend of brutons hor felawes uor to awreke
Hii come out mid god eyr & asaylede uaste
Þe romeins & monye slowe & some adoun caste
Þo to petreye a gret romeyn þes tydinge com
Ten þousend hors ywrye mid him sone he nom
Vor te helpe is felawes & þo þe oþer ne miȝte be
Toward þe wode wanene hii come þe brutons gonne to fle
Ac þo hii come among narwe hegges hii stode aȝen anon
& turnde þe brest aȝen & vaste slowe hor for
& þe romeins stode aȝen so þat þer was gret slaȝt
Þe erl of oxenford ysey þat þis fare nas naȝt
Þulke þat he mest truste to as a gret compaynye
He bed hom sywy treweliche to do chiualerye

303

Þo þis voreward was ymad þoru out þis ost he drou
& percede þe ost þoru out & uaste aboute slou
So þat to hor maister petreye he com
& uaste as he adde iþoȝt bineþe þe nekke he him nom
& wraste him adoun of is hors & him sulf al so
Anoward him he vel adoun as he adde iþoȝt to do
Þe romeyns sturte to anon hor prince vor to arere
Þe brutons to helpe hor alf vaste aboute were
Þer was pultinge & ssouinge & stroc monyon
So þat þe brutons atte laste among al hor fon
Mid strengþe ladde vorþ petreye hor prince þere
Þo þe romeyns were wiþoute chef desconforted hii were

Arthure

& to spradde hom her & þer & þe oþere after vaste
& slowe & despoylede & to grounde hom caste

304

& astorede hom mid hor armes & þe hexte aliue nome
So þat mid gret prowesse to þe king arþure hii come
Welle þat þe king vor he nuste her of noȝt
Vayre ȝifte he hom ȝef & wel mo he adde iþoȝt
Þe prisons amorwe to parys he sende
To holde in prison & wiþ hom god condut þer wende
Þe romeins þoȝte þis wel & as þe maystres hete
Viftene þousend þer wende þis prisons to mete
Þo þe brutons come mid þe prisons þar
Þe romeins come aȝen hom al an onywar
& wende hom to ssende anon ac þe brutons aȝen stode
& defended hom þe wule hii miȝte wiþ wel stourdy mode
So þat vor defaute of help hii were wel ney issend
Ac þo com þe duc of peyto as god adde þe grace ysend

305

Mid þre þousend hors ywrye & her of was ywar
Þo were þe brutons glade ynou & þen feld made bar
& þen king of Scyrie & mony oþere hii slowe
& louerdinges þat hii nome to prison vaste hii drowe
Þo hii to þe king come & ssewede hor stalwardhede
Þe king was þo glad ynou vor him þoȝte he nadde no drede

Lucye þe senatour in gret þoȝt was sone
In such hard cas as him biuel wat were best to done
So þat he þoȝte stilleliche In to a strong cyte to wende
Vorte þe emperour him miȝte more poer sende
King arþure was þer of ywar & þoȝte ar he slepe
Wiþ al is poer bi þe wey somwar him kepe

306

Vorþ he wende mid is ost & þo he was ycome
To þe stude þer he wolde be cheuenteins he made some
As þe king of cornwayle & of scotlond al so
Of norþweye of denemarch of bruteyne of peyto
Of gascoyne of normandye & erles ȝut þer to
Of carcois of oxenford of leicestre al so
& sire wawein is neueu flour of corteysye
His ost he delde a seuene & in ech compaynye
Vif þousend & vif hundred he dude of hors ywrye
& vifti & viue & þat was vair seignorie

Arthure

Þe eiȝteþe ost to him sulue he adde þer wiþoute
Six hundred & six þousend þer were in þulke route
& sixti & sixe & is dragon arerd of golde
As in stude of is baner & þanne ȝif eni wolde
Come as to defense þat vorwounded were
Oþer wery as in castel recetted were þere

307

Þo he adde þis ost yset he bigan hom Rede
& in þis batayle to conseyli & þes wordes sede
Min leue priue kniȝtes þat euere abbeþ god ybe
Vor nou as wide as is þe world me ne ssal ȝoure pers yse

Ȝe abbeþ ymad leuedy brutayne ȝoure owe lond
Of þrettene kinedoms þat we abbeþ in vre hond
Vor þer ȝe abbeþ nou vif ȝer of batayle vn vsed be

Ȝut in ȝoure noble prowesse wel durinde ich ȝou se
Þat so gret folc of romeins ȝe vewe made fle
In to þis toun her biuore þat sone wolleþ out te
& ȝe ssolleþ hom mete & quelle as so mony ssep uor naȝt
Hii wende wel hor owe sleuþe on ȝou abbe ycaȝt

308

Wanne hii wolde of ȝoure lond so villiche habbe truage
& so noblemen as ȝe beþ bringe in so vil seruage
Nuteþ hii noȝt þe chiualerye þat ȝe abbeþ in france ydo
In norþweye & in denemarch & in oþer londes al so
Of hor stinkinge seruise þat ȝe abbeþ out ybroȝt
Þis haluemen ȝe ssolle winne wel liȝtloker & uor noȝt
Woch honours wolde ȝou come ȝif ȝe hom ouercome
Vor we wolde anon þer after vorþ & winne rome
Of tresours þat ȝou þanne worþ ne of tounes ne of tours
Ne of londes non ende ne worþ ne of oþere honours
Þat folc bi het him þo echon prest vor to be
To deye raþer in þe felde þan þe bataile fle
Lucye þe senatour al so in is dede
Ordeynede & radde is ost & þes wordes sede

309

Mine noble kniȝtes to was poer & heste
Alle londes ssolle abuye to by este & bi weste
Þencheþ on ȝoure elderne þat were so noble on miȝte
Þat ne dradde noȝt vor to ssede hor blod vor to winne hor riȝte
Ac euere vouȝte as hom nere deþ issape non
& so hii wonne hor seignorye & ouercome hor fon

Arthure

& adde seruage of al þe world were it nou wel bi gonne
Þat we lore þe nobleye þat hii so nobliche wonne
Oure fon al ȝare beþ bote we vaste hye
Seche we hom in þe feld vor vre is þe maystrye
An ern in stude of is baner he sette vp of golde
& wende toward þis batayle abyde wo so wolde

310

Hii made hor cry in eyþer half & to gadere smite
Wo so nuste neuere of slaȝt þere he miȝte ywyte
Þat folc vel to grounde aslawe as leues doþ of tre
Þe brutons adde þe worse verst vor hom was loþ to fle
Þe king bedwer was þer aslawe vor þe king of medes him slou
Mid an launce þoru þe þrote as he toward him drou
Kay is felawe him wolde awreke king of aungeo
& to deþe was in þulke verde ywounded al so
& ȝut as a noble kniȝt is felawes body he nom
& þer wiþ ded as it was to þe kinges dragon com
Ou louerd þe deol þat þer was of hom of normandye
Þo hii seye hor king aslawe flour of chiualerye
Þe deol of hom ek of aungeo þo hii hor king yseye
Wiþ woundes to Raunced so þat he moste nede deye

311

Hyrel bedweres neueu þo is vncle aslawe he sey
He verde as a witles mon hit was deol to be him ney
Mid þre hundred hors ywrye In is wod rage he wende
Vor to awreke is vncle deþ as fur is herte tende
He percede ost & oþer vorte he ysey ynou
Þe kinges baner of medes þat is vncle slou
So gret was is herte þat of deþ he ne roȝte no þing
To grounde he smot him & is & a slou þen king
& þere as is vncle ded lay is foule caroyne he broȝte
& riȝt þer bi pecemele hakked it al to noȝte
Þo gradde he to is felawes mid god herte þere
To legge on vaste þe luþermen þe wule hii versche were
Vor þe prowesse þat he adde ydo hii sturede hom alle vaste
& foȝte & in eyþer half þat folc adoun caste

312

In þe romeyns alf to deþe þer were ydo
Þe king of babiloyne & þe king of spaine al so
& tueye grete senatours & oþer folc wiþ oute ende
In is half þer were aslawe noblemen & hende

Arthure.

Sire leger duc of boloyne & an oþer duc al so
& þe erl of salusbury & of cycestre þer to
& þe erl of baþe al so so þat þoru þis cas
Þe compaynie of þis alf moche aneþered was
Þo com þe king of brutayne & sire wawein þe hende
Mid hor nywe ost al verss & stured hom in ech ende
So þat þer were among hom þo to deþe ydo
A gret duc & tuo þousend of oþer men al so

313

Þe king howel & sire wawein þat so gode bodyes were
Euere hii were yliche versse & slowe her & þere
Bote hii som mon broȝte adoun vewe duntes hii smite
Weþer of hom betere were strong it were to wite
Sire waweyn willede euere mid al is miȝte
Mid lucye þe senatour in batayle to fiȝte
Lucye ne wilnede noþemo no þing somoche alonde
As to fiȝte mid a such kniȝt him sulue uorto fonde
So þat hii mette hom þere boþe hii were wel vawe
Þere were duntes ariȝt & suerdes wel adrawe
Þe romeins come to hor maistres sone to helpe him in such cas
So ney þat sire wawein ney ybroȝt to grounde was
Þe king arthure it vnderȝet & com sone in an stounde
Wat doþ ȝe he sede sire kniȝtes quelleþ on to grounde

314

Wy lete ȝe þis haluemen þus longe aliue go
Þencheþ on þe batailes þat ȝe abbeþ ar þis ydo
On vre elderne þat þes wrecches worrede mid vnriȝte
On vre franchise þat hii wolde binime vs ȝif hii miȝte
Ne leteþ non aliue go to grounde smiteþ ȝoure fon
Sire calibourne is suerd he bi gan to ssake anon
& slou to grounde her & þer ac he ne smot noȝt on
Þat he ne slou him oþer his hors & among hom echon
Þe king of lybye & of bytynie him sulf gan to quelle
Mid calibourne & sende hor heþene soule to helle
Þe brutons as hii versse were to grounde þo slowe
& þe romeins in hor alf uaste ek aȝen drowe

315

Lucye to hardissi is men prikede here & þere
& bigonne as a nywe batayle riȝt as hii versse were
Moroud erl of gloucestre mid is ost bi syde
In an valeye houede þe endinge uor to abyde

Arthure

Atte laste mid is versse volc to hom he com þar
& biclosede þis romeins bi hinde an onywar
Þo were þe brutons al aboue hii slowe þo to grounde

Ȝe mony þousend of þe romeins in a lutel stounde
Lucye þe senatour was mid a spere þoru ysmite
Þo adde þe brutons þe maistrie al bi ȝite
Þe romeins þat miȝte of scapie flowe uaste some
& þe brutons after vor te hii were al ouercome
Armes hii adde þere & hors & alle richesse ynou
Þe king þo al þis was ydo toward reste drou

316

& let þe bodies of is men þat aslawe were
Gaderye out & burye nobliche ynou þere
Kinges in to hor owe lond he let lede al so
As bedwer in to normandye & kay in to aungeo
& an oþer in to flaundres & oþere of þe route
Kniȝtes he let burye in abbeyes þer aboute
Men bysyde of þe lond he let burye is fon
Vor he ne kepte uor reuþe þat þer were vnbured non
Ac lucyes body he sende hom to rome
& bed hom hor maystres body vor is truage þat hii nome
& þat he nolde neuermo oþer truage hom sende
Ac he wolde him sulf ȝut þuder & seche hom in echende
Grettore batayle þan þis was ich wene nas neuere non
Bote it were þulke of troye vor þer nas vnneþe non

317

Prynce in al þe world þat ne moste be þere oþer sende
Fram þe west syde of þe world to þe est most ende
Þo adde king arþure ywonne fram þe west moste se
Anon to þe mouns al þat lond & ar he come aȝe
He þoȝte winne al clene rome & al þat lond þer aboute
& vor to passy vorþ þe mouns he ȝarkede uaste is route
& as he was prest to do þulke noble dede
A messager com fram þis lond & nywe tydinge sede
Þat modred is neueu wam he bitok þis lond
Hadde ynome þis kinedom clanliche in is hond
& ycrouned him sulue king þoru þe quene rede
& huld hire in spousbruche in vyl flesses dede

318

Alas þe luþer trycherye hou miȝte be more
Þo was þe king arþure vol of sorwe & sore

Arþure.

In woch half turne he nuste þo weþer est þe west
Ac to awreke him of is luþer neueu his herte bar alre best
Þe veage toward rome he bileuede vor þis cheance
& þe king howel of brutayne mid þe poer of france
He bileuede þer to wardy is londes bi ȝonde þe se
& hopede to wyinne rome wanne he com eft aȝe
Mid þe poer of þe lond hiderward he drou
& mid þe kinges her bisyde hom þoȝte er longe ynou
Ac modred þe luþer suike þer biuore bi soȝte
Chelrik king of saxons þat he help þuder broȝte

319

& he bi het him & his al kent ver & ner
Al þat hengist adde wule bi þe kinges day vortiger
He bi het him & is al so al nor homber lond
& al þat lond fram homber anon in to scotlond
So þat eiȝte hundred ssipes in to þis londe he broȝte
Vol of saracens yarmed as he him bi soȝte
Gret poer of yrlonde Modred him wan al so
Of picars & of scottes & of ech maner men þer to
Þat he wuste þat no loue to þe king arþure ne bere
So þat eiȝte score þousend of hors ywrye þer were
In is ost þo hii were ygadered in þis cas
Wat of cristine wat of payens & al to moche þat was
Þo arþure mid is poer ariuede in þis lónde
Modred bi gan mid is ost aȝen him uaste at stonde
Atte hauene an batayle hii smite wiþ gret mayn
Þer was aslawe þe hende kniȝt þe noble sire wawein

320

& auncel þe king of scotlond & mony þousend al so
& þe luþer modred attelaste þo al þis was ydo
Fleu mid al is poer to winchestere uaste
So þat þe king arþure þe veld adde atte laste
Þo gwenwar þe luþer quene hurde of þis cas
Fram euerwik to karleon ȝo fleu mid quic pas
& bicom nonne þere to libbe in chaste liue
Som wat ȝo was er adrad ar he hiede so bliue
Heo ne hiede noȝt aȝen hire louerd to welcome him to londe

Ȝut hire was betere nonne to be þen come vnder is honde
Þo king arþure adde ybured is folc þat ded was
He sywede after þe traytour mid wel quic pas

Arþure

Þe ssrewe ȝarkede is ost & aȝen him com
& wiþoute winchestre anoþer batayle nom

321

Þere hii dude sorwe ynou & slowe to grounde uaste
Ac þe traytour was bineþe & fley atte laste
To cornwaile mid gret eyr he ne dorste no ner abyde
Þere he gaderede him nywe ost aboute in eche side
So þat he adde vnder al wiþ þat him bileuede er
Sixti þousend hors ywrye al to moche was þer
His ost he diȝte suiþe wel al hou it ssolde be
& suor he wolde raþer deye þan euere eft fle
King arþure was anguisous in is compaynye
Þat þe luþer traytour adde ofscaped so tuye
He sywede mid is folc to cornwayle uaste
Bisyde þe water of tamer hii mette hom atte laste
Þere hii smite an batayle deoluol ynou
Þat deol it was so muche volc in eyþer syde me slou
Vor þer ne bileuede in noþer syde non heymon vnneþe

322

King ne duc ne oþer þat nas ybroȝt to deþe
Ac modred þe traytour adde more folc of ynou
Þo þe king arþur ysey þat me is folc so slou
& þe king of denemarch was aslawe & þe king al so
Of norweye & of is oþer men mony a þousend þer to
& he sey þat is fon stode euere aȝen vaste
To þe lutel folc þat he adde he spac atte laste
Sulle we he sede vre lif dere ar we be ded
& icholle sulle min dere ynou wanne þer nis oþer red
Habbe ich aslawe þe false suike þe luþer traytour
Hit worþ me þanne vor to deye gret ioye & honour
He drou calibourne is suerd & in eyþer side slou
& vorte he to þe traytour com made him wey god ynou

323

He hente verst of is helm & suþþe mid wille god
Anne stroc he ȝef him mid wel stourdy mod
& þoru hauberc & þoru is coler þat nere noþing souple
He smot of is heued as liȝtliche as it were a scouple
Þat was is laste chiualerye þat vaire endede ynou
Vor þat folc so þikke com þe wule he hor louerd slou
Aboute him in eche half þat among so mony fon
He aueng deþes wounde & wonder nas it non

Arþur

Ac ouercome nas he noȝt þei is wounden dedlich were
Þo he adde is laste chiualerye þus nobliche ydo þere
He ȝef þe croune of þis lond þe noble constantin
Þe erl cadoures sone of cornwayle þat was is cosin

324

& he let him lede in to an yle vor to hele is wounde
& deide as þe beste kniȝt þat me wuste euere yfounde
& naþeles þe brutons & þe cornwalisse of is kunde
Weneþ he be aliue ȝut & abbeþ him in munde
Þat he be to comene ȝut to winne aȝen þis lond
& naþeles at glastinbury his bones suþþe me fond
& þere at uore þe heye weued amydde þe quer ywis
As is bones liggeþ is toumbe wel vair is
In þe vif hundred ȝer of grace & vourty & tuo
In þis manere in cornwaile to deþe he was ydo

Constantin was þo king after þe king arþure
Ac þe saxons sette aȝen him þe wule hii miȝte dure
& modredes tueye sones þe wule hii durste abide
Ac constantin hom to drof eyþer in is syde

325

Þen anne in to winchestre & þere wiþ sorwe ynou
In chirche at uore þe heye weued constantin him slou
Þe oþer fley to londone & þoru constantin al so
Þere biuore þe heye weued to deþe he was ydo
Conan slou suþþe constantin in þe þridde ȝere
At stonhenge he was ybured as is elderne were
Seint dauid deyde þer biuore bissop of walis
& þere he was vaire ybured in is owe chirche ywis
Constantines neueu aurely was king þo
& leuede in is kinedom tuo ȝer & nammo
Vortipor was þo king vour ȝer vnneþe
Þe saxons he broȝte al bineþe & monyon to deþe
Malgo com þo after him þat þe vairost king was
Þat me wuste euere in þis lond & al so þer nas
Strengore man bi is daye vor he wan ek to þis londe
Þe six yles þat beþ aboute & heoldis al an honde

326

As godlond & orcadas & al so yrlonde
Norþweye & denemarch & al so god yslonde

Carrik was king after him þat stalwarde man was
Ac to prout he was & to fals þat ssende þis lond alas
Vor þe saxons & englissemen were euere in þis londe
& adde aȝen þe brutons euere worre an honde
Þo hii seye þe falshede of þis king karrik
Hii wende after godmound þat was king of affrik
To helpe hom winne þis lond & bihete hom vaire ynou
Þe king godmound mid is ost hiderward sone drou
& mid an hondred þousend men & sixti þousend þer to
He com here mid þe saxons þis worre vor to do
Þe saxons & þat grete folc þat com so of affrik
Asaylede vaste þe brutons & hor king carrik
Mony bataile hii smite & sywede vpe him vaste
& fram toune to toune him driue so þat atte laste

327

Hii driue him to cirencestre & biseged him þer inne
Þen toun hii barnde vpe him ar hii him miȝte winne
Þere hii smite an bataile & suþþe hii driue ywis
Carrik in to seuerne west in to walis
Vor þe kunde men of þis lond recetted were þere
Euere wanne of straunge men yworred hii were
Þe luþer heþene volc barnde þo so vaste
& destruede al þis lond & þe tounes adoun caste
Wat mid fure wat mid suerd hii destruede al þat hii founde
Hii ne sparede prest ne chirche þat hii ne broȝte to grounde
Hii þat miȝte of scapie vaste flowe þere
To walis & to cornwaile & hudde hom vor fere
Þe erchebissop of londone & of euerwik al so
Þo hii seye þat cristendom to grounde was al ydo
& þe chirchen ycast adoun þe relikes hii nome ywis
Þat hii adde of holy men & flowe in to walis

328

Þe relikes nolde hii noȝt bileue ac bere wiþ hom vor fere
Vor raþer hii wolde ymartred be þan hii yperissed were
& in to þe lasse brutaine men flowe so þikke
So þat here nas noȝt bileued bote heþene & wikke
So þat fram norþ in to þe souþ no cristendom nas
Ne fram seuerne in to þe est se ac pur heþenesse was
Alas þe gode arþure to ver he was þo
His deþ broȝte to þis lond moche sorwe & wo

Saxones plene Dominantes.

Saxons þe englisse & hor compaynye
Adde þo of þis lond al clene þe maystrie
& made hom kinges of þis lond as hii adde biuore
Ac þe brutons nadde neuer er so clene hor miȝte vor lore

329

Þe saxons & þe englisse in pes hulde þo
Ech king is kinedom þat hii dude er in wo
Six kinges þer were in some time as of kent & of estsex
Of estangle of norþhumber of þe march of west sex
In þe biginning of þis boc me may rede & noȝt lye
Hou moche lond ech of hom adde to is partye
Þe verste king þat of saxons was þat was king of kent
Hengist þoru wan þis lond verst was yssent
Hit was eiȝte & vifty ȝer after hengistes kinedom
Ar eny king of saxons In westsex com
Vor hengist was king vourty ȝer & in þe eiȝteþe ȝere
After is deþ at ȝarnemouþe ariued þer were
Vif ssipuol of saxons yarmed wel ynou
Certik het hor cheuentein þat to þis lond hom drou

330

Wel seue ȝer þer after a duc þat was wide couþ
Ycluped port mid is ost atte hauene of portesmouþ
& after port þat was is name þe hauene me clupede so
So þat hor poer euere wax þe brutons ssame to do
& moni a bataile hii smite so þat atten ende
Þe saxons wonne al þe lond as al þe souþ ende
Euere bi souþe tamese fram est in to þe west
Certik hii made þere king vor he was þer to best
Westsex hii clupede is kinedom as ȝe abbeþ yhurd ylome
Þis was a lute biuore ar þe king arthure come
Þe verste king of norþhumber in þe ȝer of grace bigan
Vif hundred & seuene & fourty as me telle can
After king arþure it was & þo was kinrik
Noble king of westsex after is fader certik

331

Vor þo þe englissemen in þis lond adde poer
Hii worrede norþward & wonne ver & ner
So þat hii wonne humberlond & an bacheler
Þat het yde hii made king þer nas nour þo is per
He com of woden þe olde louerd as in þe teþe kne
Þat þe saracens weneþ þat he an hey god be
Vor þulke woden þe grete louerd sones adde þre
Weldeg & wiȝtleg & beldeg þat was so fre
Of weldeg com þe king of kent & þe king of march of þe oþer
Þe king of westsex & of humber of þe þridde þat was hor broþer
Þulke woden adde a wif þat ycluped was dame frye
A latin dame venus as ich abbe ysed nou tuye

332

Þeruore þe englisse clupede after woden wodenesday
Þat is a day in þe wouke & after frye fryday
Vor þe heþene englissemen þat misbileued were þo
Bileuede þat in heuene godes hii were bo
& þat to tueye sterren þat me sucþ ylome
Venus & Mercurius hii weneþ þat hii bicome
Þe saxons & þe englisse come in to þis londe
As wo seiþ at o tyme as ich vnder stonde
Hor londes suþþe as hii miȝte hii delde as hii couþe
Þe englisse in þe norþhalf þe saxons bi souþe
As estsex & middelsex & souþward al souþhsex
& so al west bi souþe temese al clene westsex
Þe englisse norþfolc & souþfolc adde al in hor honde
& al west binorþe temese & al norþhumberlonde
Ac þe kinges of westsex lengost gonne dure
& alle þe oþere wonne to hom as ȝe ssolle her after yhure

333

Þe brutons as ich abbe ytold in west walis were
& worred euere as hii dorste fram ȝere to ȝere
Vor bi þe kinges daye chenling þat was kenrikes sone
Hii dude hom vorþere in þis lond þan hii were in wone
& wonne þe middel of þis lond to bedeford anon
& strengþede castles & astorede monyon
So þat at bedeford come þe saxons
& smite an batayle & to driue þe brutons
& nome þre of hor castles þat stronge were al so
Eynesham & bunsintone & axlesbury þer to
So þat cristendom was al clene vor lore
& heþenesse in to al þis lond as ich sede biuore
& ylaste aboute an fourti ȝer vor te seint austin com
& þoru sein gregory þe pope broȝte cristendom

334

Seint austin mid is felawes to engelonde com
Þoru þe pope seint gregori to prechi cristendom
Maurice was þo emperour & þer adde ybe biuore
Vifty emperours at rome suþþe god was ybore
In þe vif hundred ȝer of grace seint austin hider com
& four score ȝer & tuo to prechi cristendom
& aboute an hondred ȝer it was & fyfty al so
After þat saxons & englisse verst come þis lond to
& after king arþures deþe aboute an fourty ȝer
Þat so noble king was of þis lond as we abbeþ ytold er
Þo seint austin & is felawes þus come to þis lond
Wippe was king of þe march & adelfred of humber-lond
Colrik was king of westsex & of kent king aylbriȝt
Of estsex is sostersone þat me clupede king selbriȝt
Wel an fourti holy men & monekes echone
Seint austin adde wiþ him & þo nas he noȝt alone

335

Þo hii come in to þis lond to king aylbriȝt of kent
In was lond hii ariuede hii sende hor maundement
Þat hii were fram rome ycome In hey messages ywis
Þat to gret ioye ssolde turne to him & to alle his
& to ioye wiþouten ende ȝif he him vnder stode
Suche bi hestes quaþ þe king me þenches beþ gode
Leteþ hom vinde mete ynou & þat hii abbeþ nede to
Vor te ich abbe wiþ hom yspeke & wite wat hii wolleþ do
Vor þe king wel vnderstod of þe cristendom
Þat biuore hom was in þis lond & þoru hom to grounde com
So þat atte laste wat halt to telle longe
Þe king bigan & is volc cristendom auonge

336

& of Seint peter & seint pol an chirche he let rere
At þe est ende of kaunturbury þat þe chef chirche were
Erchebissop of kaunterbury seint austin was þer
Þe verste þat euere was vor at londone þe se was er
Þo com merlynes word to soþe atte nende
Þat þe dingne sege to canterbury of londone ssolde wende
At roucestre þat is a toun In kent of gret fame
Seint austin made a bissop sein Iuste was is name
Þat was a monk is felawe so þat atte fin
Seint Iuste was þe verste bissop after seint austin

Seint Mellit þe holymon In to est sex wende
To prechi þere cristendom as seint austin him sende
Nou departeþ euere temese est sex fram kent
Sebriȝt he vond þere king þo he was þuder ywent

337

He turnde him to cristendom & þe contreye al so
Sebriȝt & þe king of kent þo al þis was ydo
At londone of seint poul an heued chirche gonne arere
Þat ȝut is & seint Mellit bissop made þere
Þus com lo cristendom aȝen in to þis londe
Among þe heþene saxons as ich vnder stonde
Ac among þe brutons in walis was euere cristendom
Suþþe it verst þoru þe king lucye hider com
& þat was biuore þis tyme vour hundred ȝer
& aboute & foure & tuenti as we abbeþ ywrite er
Þe pope eleuthery þat sende verst hider cristindom
Was þe þretteþe pope þat after seinte peter com
Þe deciples þat he hider sende cristendom to bringe
Bileuede in an wildernesse after hor prechinge
Þat me clupeþ nou glastingbury þat desert was þo
& þere hii bigonne monekes & nome to hom mo

338

& þere mid hor owe honde hii rerede verst an chirche
Of herdles & of ȝerden as hii couþe wurche
& þat was þe verste chirche þat in engelond com
& þe eldost hous al so as in lawe of cristendom
Þeruore me it aþ euere ycluped þe olde chirche ywis
Moni is þe holi halwe þat þere ybured ys
Nour so moni in engelond to soþe y segge þis
& as me aþ wule ysed grettere oþ non nis
Þan bi þe holde chirche of glastingbury wo so dep oþ nome
Vor þer was chirche four hondred ȝer ar seint austin hider come
& seint patric was þere monek & suþþe abbot þer

Ȝe ar seint austin come mo þen an hundred ȝer
& in þe riȝt alf of þe weued ybured was þer al so
Six score ȝer & on he was old ar deþ him come to

339

Þus was at glastinbury verst yholde vp cristendom
& suþþe þer after þat þet folc of englich hider com
& þe brutons were ydriue al in to west walis
Hii hulde uorþ cristendom & bissopes ywis
So þat seint austin com among hom he vond
Bissopes & monekes manyon in þe lond
In þe cite of bangor a gret hous þer was
Þat were vnder seue cellen & þer of non nas
Þat þre hondred monekes nere Inne oþer mo
& alle leuede bi hor suench loke ȝif hom nas wo
Dinoc het hor abbot þat gret clerc was & god
Seint austin was wel ypayd þat hor bileue was so god
& naþeles he hom enioynede bocsomnesse do
To þe erchebissop of kaunterbury & to englisse men al so
& among englissemen vorþ mid him cristendom to amende
Wende aboute & prechi as þe pope hom sende

340

Þe bissopes him ansuerede & þe abbot dinoc
Al wiþ grete reysons & wit of hor boc
Þat wanne hii adde hom sulue erchebissop & king
Hii ne ssolde to englissemen abuye riȝt no þing
Vor þe folc of englisse & saxons hor lond hom bi nome
& hor kunde eritage mid trayson & suikedome
Ware uore hii nolde uor no mon nammore to hom wende
Þan to so moni houndes bote hit were hom to ssende

Ȝif ȝe nolleþ quaþ seint austin mid ȝoure breþeren in peys be
Þat beþ as ȝe witeþ wel cristine as wel as ȝe
& ȝif ȝe nolle englissemen godes lawes teche
& vorþ mid me among hom cristendom preche

Ȝoure fon ssolle hor poer among ow wide reche
& bringe ȝou to deþe monion & þat ssal be ȝoure wreche

341

After seint austines day to soþe come al þis
Ac þe wule he was aliue noȝt as ȝe mowe yhure ywis

Kyng aylbriȝt gret despit adde in þis þoȝt
Þat þe brutons nolde Seint Austin abuye noȝt
Edelfred þat was king of norþhumberlond
He enticede oþer kinges here of þis lond
Þat hii wende to walis & þe brutons ssende
Þe kinges þo hii preste were mid hor poer þuder wende
Atte cite of kairleon þe ost of brutons was
Þe englisse anon þuderward drowe mid god pas
A gret bataile hii smite þer In a lutel stounde
Ac brocmayl duc of brutons was þere ybroȝt to grounde
Vor he fley & bileuede is folc þo he nuste oþer won
Some aslawe & some ywounded & bineþe echon

342

Nou were þer icome fram bangor monekes monion
In vastinge & in orisons to bidde aȝen hor fon
& ermites & monekes of oþer studes bi syde
Bede god þat þe brutons þe maystrie moste by tyde
Þo such folc of þis holymen king edelfred ysey
Sitte & bidde vor hor folc & crie on god an hey
& me sede him þat hii bede vor þe brutons echon

Ȝif it so is quaþ þe king þat hii biddeþ vor vre fon
Þanne viȝteþ hii aȝen vs as moche as is hor miȝte
Mid hor armes toward god þei hii mid arme ne fiȝte
Sleþ hom hastiliche anon as oure puyre fon
Þat folc was prest þerto & to grounde slou anon
So þat tuelf hondred of holymen hii martrede þere
& aboute an vifti ofscapede aliue vor fere

343

Þo was hit to hom ycome þat seint austin hom sede
& noȝt vorþan god dude wreche of þe luþer dede
Vor þe king edelfred wende toward bangor þo
To destruye þe brutons wat he founde mo
Þe louerdinges þat þere were ȝarkede hom anon
& ordeynede hor ost to fiȝte mid hor fon
So þat mo þan ten þousend were of þe englisse ybroȝt to deþe
& þe king edelfred vorwounded þat ofscapede aliue vnneþe
Ac bedwer duc of cornwayle aslawe was þo
& moni of þe brutons ac of þe englisse wel mo
& þe englisse flowe ouer humber uaste
A parlement þe brutons made þo atte laste
To chese hom a nywe king & chose hom þe king cadwan
Þat was among hom alle þe stalwordoste man

344

Þo þis king ycrouned was hii ȝarkede hom anon
& in to homberlonde sywede vp hor fon
Þe king edelfred in is half mid þe poer of is londe
& of oþer londes ȝare was aȝen hom vor to stonde
Þo hii were to þis batayle prest in eyþer syde
Som frend biþoȝte him bet & bituene hom gan ride
& made acord bituene hom þat þe king adde al þat lond
Edelfred biȝonde homber al clene in his hond
& king cadwan bi souþe homber & al is owe lond walis
Þoru hard oþ & god ostage yconfermed was al þis
Bituene þis tueie kinges anon so gret loue þer was
Þat hor noþer nadde noþing þat to oþeres wille nas
Bituene þe king edelfred & þe quene is wif
Þerafter þoru luþer wille wax a gret strif
Þat þe king hire drof awey mid childe as ȝo was
& nom him an oþer wif & þat was a deoluol cas

345

To þe king cadwan þe quene wende þo
& cryede on him þat he ssolde helpe hire in hire wo
Þe king cadwan was þo aboute bituene hire & þe kinge
To make acord bi his poer & ne miȝte uor none þinge
So þat he huld vor þe quene In is owe house
Mid childe helples as ȝo was mid þe quene is owe spouse
Þat mid childe was as wel as heo & of one time ney
& þo þe children were ybore þat of kunne were so hey
Hii clupede edwyne þe kinges sone of norþhomberlond
& cadwal þe kinges sone here of þis souþ lond
Þis children were wel ȝonge ysend to salamon þe kinge
Of þe lasse bruteyne to gode norrissinge
Þe king hom noryssede wel & mid him priue ynou
& þo hii to elde come to armes hom drou
So þat stalwarde kniȝtes boþe hii bi come
& wel yfonded in armes & in batailes ylome

346

Eylbriȝt king of kent þat þoru seint austin nom
As we abbeþ ytold biuore verst cristendom
Deide as in þe ȝer of grace six hundred & sixtene
& he was six & fifty ȝer king as ich wene
His sone was king after him Edbal was is name
Þat spousede suþþe is fader wif him to grete ssame
& ne tolde noȝt of is cristendom & þe king sebriȝt al so
Cristine king of est sex þo he was of liue ydo
His þre sones he bileued eyrs of is kinedom
Þat were payns alle þre & aȝen cristendom
So þat hii come at one tyme in hor luþer Rede
To seint Mellit bissop of þe lond & at is masse sede
Sire bissop wu ne ȝifstus of þine wite brede
Þat þou est þi sulf at þi masse in þine vayre wede

347

Þat þou ȝeue vre fader wule & ȝut ȝifst þat folc al so

Ȝif ȝe wolleþ quaþ þe bissop as ȝoure fader dude do

[_]

152 lines omitted in Cotton MS. after 4920. Copied from Harleian MS.

[& be yuolled in holy water & myd cristendom monge

Ȝe mowe sauflyche þet holy þyng as he dude auonge
We nolleþ noȝt quaþ þys oþer þey þou vs bede
Wyþynne þulke water come for we nabbeþ non nede
Ac in alle manere we wolleþ ete of þulke brede
Þe byssop yt nolde grante ac outlych yt wyþ seyde
To ȝyue hym þulke holy þyng bote hii y uolled were
Hii suore anon in wraþþe ȝyf he ensentan nere

348

To ȝyue hem so lute þyng & bote he yt hem ȝeue
Þat he ne ssolde in her lond in non manere byleue
Hii dryue hym out of her lond & ys men echon
Þys holy man seyn Mellyt to Kent wende anon
To speke wyþ þe erchebyssop laurence & al so
Wyþ yuste byssop of rouchestre wat were best to do
Seynt austyn nou al by ys daye to erchybyssop nom
Laurence & made after hym to susteyne Cristendom
Þys þre byssopes bytueyne hem nom hem þus to rede
Þat hii myȝte in her owe lond holyor lyf lede
And wyþoute peryl sykerore þan to byleue þere
Among mys bylyuede men bote þer eny bote were
So þat seynt Iuste & seynt mellyt to france þo wende
& lete þe luþer men yworþþe vorte God yt wolde amende
Ac nas noȝt long þer after aþ god wreche of hem nome
Þat after her fader deþe worrede cristendom

349

For aȝen þat folc of westsex hii nome an batayle
& þere hii were ybroȝt to grounde & yssend wyþoute fayle
Vor her folc was muche aslawe & ybroȝt to deþe
& hii vor her luþerhede of scapede alyue vnneþe
Laurence þe erchebyssop al prest hym made also
Vorto wende out of þys lond as ys felawes adde ydo
Þe nyȝt þet he adde imund vort abbe ywend amorwe
He lay muchedel of þe nyȝt in wo & in sorwe
To bydde god vor holy chyrche and vor cristendom
So þat aslep atte laste vor werynysse hym nome
Seynt Petur to hym come as þe slep hym toke
& tormented hym sore ynou þat hech lyme hym oke

350

& esste of hym wy he adde so vyllyche ys ssep vorsake
Wyþoute warde among þe wolues þat in warde hym were bytake
& wy of god ne of hym ensample he ne nom
Þat deyde boþe in rode to susteyny cristendom
Þys erchebyssop was adrad wel sore þo he awok
He hyede to þe kyng vor ech lyme hym ok
& ssewed hym al þat cas & ys wounden some
& bed hym ys lyf amende oþer vp hym sulf yt ssolde come
Þe kyng anon for drede ys false wyf vor soke
Þat he huld in such hordom & cristendom toke
And after Seyn Iust & Seynt Mellyt þe tueye byssopes sende
So þat aȝen to þys lond þys gode men boþe wende

351

& hii of rouchestre Seyn Iust to her byssop vayre toke
Ac þe Londres Seyn Mellyt al clanlyche versoke
Ac huld hem to her heþenesse & in þys manere com
Kyng edbald after ys fader vorst to cristendom
After Laurences deþe as god ȝef þat cas
Erchebyssop Seyn Mellyt of Kanterbury was
Erchebyssop he was vyf ȝer & after hym me nom
Seyn Iust to erchebyssop to sauy crystendom
Cadwal þe kynges sone þat was of þys lond
As ych seyde er & edwyne of norþhomberlond
Þat in brutayne were hom hii gonne wende
After her fader deþe eyþer in ys ende
& auonge her erytage & louede hem wel boþe
Atte bygynnynge wel ynou & suþþe somdel wroþe
For þo hii adde an tuo ȝer ybe louerdes in her londe
Edwyne sende to cadwal þat hym ssolde vnderstonde

352

& soffry hym in ys owe lond þat he ycrouned were
As veruorþ as he in ys & as ryȝt was croune bere
Kyng cadwal nom ys conseyl & sende hym word so
Þat ys conseyl ne ȝef hym noȝt ne ensentede þerto
Þat in one kynedom þat of one croune were
Þat yt were departed & þat me tueye crounen bere
Edwyne was wroþ vor þys & suor ys more oþ
To be ycrouned wyþoute hym ner hym no so loþ
Cadwal suor ys oþ aȝen ȝyf he croune bere
Vorto smyte of ys heued vnder ys croune þere
Þus wax stryf bytuene hem hii greyþed her host vaste
And by norþe homber mette hem atte laste

353

Mony þousend þer were ybroȝt of cadwales men to deþe
& he hym sulf wyþ vewe men of scapede alyue vnneþe
& fleu hym vorþ in to þe see al þoru scotlond
& so vorþ euere in to þe see vorte he com to yrlond
Edwyne wende þo anon out of ys owe lond
& destrude wyde aboute þat cadwal adde an honde
Alle ys stedes ver & ner & to grounde caste
Cadwal in yrlonde ys ost ȝarkede vaste
& vorþ toward þys lond þe veage nome
Ac euere wanne he myd ys ost to eny hauene com
Edwyne was aȝen hym & drof hym aȝe
So þat he ne myȝte aryue ac huld hym in þe see
Ac anchanteor edwyne adde of Spayne wyþ hym þo
Þat couþe hym segge of ys dedes al hou yt ssolde go

354

Þoru ys chantement so þat cadwal
Ne dude noþyng þat edwyne þoru hym yt nuste al
Cadwal nuste þo oþer rede bote myd al ys mayne
Wende to porchacy hym help to þe lasse brutayne
Tempest hym drof in þe see here and þer vaste
So þat in þe yle of gerneseye hii aryued atte laste
Þo cadwal com to reste þer so gret deol he nome
Þat he adde so ys folc vorlore & ys kynedom
Þat he lay syke in ys bed vor deol & vor sore
Þat he ne ete non mete þre dawes þer vore
Þe verþe day to veneson hym þoȝte ys herte drou
Bryan ys owe priue man was þerof glad ynou
Hys bowe he nom & soȝte a best aboute mony a myle
& he ne myȝte ssolde he deye vynde non in al þe yle

355

Sory was þys bryan þo þat he non grace nadde
For he hopede yt were ys louerdes hele vor þe wylle þat he adde
He ne vnderstod of non oþer fless þat þe kyng yknowe ne couþ
Þat yt nere non veneson wanne yt were in ys mouþe
He byþoȝte hym of harde ynou to abbe ys louerdes lyf
A gret pece of ys owe þy he kerf out wyþ a knyf
And helde þe wounde wanne he myȝte loke ȝyf he nas trewe
Þe kyng he broȝte yt wel yrosted vor veneson newe
Newe and verss yt was ynou þe kyng ete þerof anon
Hym þoȝte þat so suete mete he ne ete neuere non
Ne so sauery in ys mouþ so þat he turnde to hele
& hol was þe þrydde day vor þulke suete mele

356

Hym longede after veneson þer after longe sore
Ac uer gode of þulke beste ne com in ys mouþ nanmore
To þe lasse brutayne wyþ ys folc þo he drou
& of þe kyng Salomon was vnderuonge vayre ynou
& byleuede wyþ hym alle wynter vorte after þe ȝeres ende
& greyþede her poer hyder vorto wende
Kyng edwyne adde ywonne er al out þe Brutons lond
More þan eny englyss kyng euere er adde an hond
Al byȝonde seyn dauid & al walys al out
By uore hym nas non englyss kyng so ryche ne so prout
Heþen man he was ywys & to Cristendom
Þoru erchebyssop of euerwyk seyn paulyn he com

357

Cadwal kyng þat aȝte be of brutons londe
Myd poer þat kyng Salomon hym adde ytake an honde
Þat was ten þousend knyȝtes & myd ys owe poer
Aryuede bysyde toteneys come somdel ner
In þe toun of exestre mony brutons were
& a luþer kyng of þe marche byseged hem þer
Penda þat heþene was vnder edwyne þe kyng
Cadwal þo he wuste þys ne made no targyng
Ac smot to hym myd ys ost & þer wyþoute fayle
At eccestre strong ynou hij smyte an batayle
Penda þys heþene kyng was sone ouercome
& ys folc muche aslawe & he hym sulf ynome
Þo he in prison was ydo & oþer couþe ne yse
He byhet cadwal myd hym myd al ys poer be
& þat he ssolde vor hym þe bet kyng edwyne ouercome
Of þys was sykernesse ydo & ostages ynome

358

Penta ȝarked ys poer & cadwal ek ys route
Of brutons þat vor defaute of help to sprad were wyde aboute
Þo þys ost al ȝare was vorþward vaste hij drowe
And in norþhomberlond þat folc vaste hij slowe
Kyng edwyne adde al so in ys half gret poer
Igadered of englysse kynges & of ys owe ver & ner
In to þe veld of haduele ech of hem drow
Myd her ost & smyte þer an batayle strong ynou]
King edwine was þer aslawe & offrid is sone al so
& godbold king of orcadas & hor folc ney þer to
Cadwal was al aboue þe wule it wolde ylaste
Þe englisse & þe saxons he slou þo wel vaste
He ne sparde old ne ȝonge ne womman mid childe
Þat he ne slou wanne he vond he nas no þing milde
An oþer bataile suþþe he smot aȝen osric strong ynou
Þat king was after edwine & þere he him slou

359

& is tueie neueus þat after him kinges ssolde be
& cadan king of scotlond aslawe hii were alle þre
Enfryd edwines broþer þo he sey þis wo aboute
To cadwal he wende & mercy him cryede vor doute
Cadwal him & tuelf þousend þat mid him come slou
Þis ȝer was among hom of feble grace ynou
& þat was of hom gret harm vor after hor cristendom
To heþenesse hii turnde aȝen & þo such wreche hom nom
King cadwal & þe brutons hor wille adde al so
& stured hom among hor fon þat hom adde er ssame ydo

Seint oswald enfrides broþer king was ymad þo
Of al norþhomberlond among al þis wo
Þat holimon was & god þe betere is grace was
& king cadwal to him to sturne verst nas

360

Þis was in þe ȝer of grace six hundred ȝer ywis
& aboute vour & þritti þat ydo was al þis

Seint birin þe bissop an holimon was
Þat in to þis lond þoru þe pope honory ysend was
To turne þe king of west sex kingilf to cristendom
& þat lond of west sex in to þis lond he com
Sein birin him to cristendom turnde þoru godes grace
& as god wolde seint oswald was in þulke place
& of þe holi vantston þis grete king nom
& is godfader was in is cristendom
Seint oswald & þis oþer king þoru vre louerdes grace
Purueyde seint birin to is wille an place
Þat dercchestre is ycluped þat biside oxenford is
As in þe estesouþ an seue mile ywis

361

Þere sein birin bissop was þe uerste þat was ywis
Vor þe se was þere of bissop þo þat at lincolne nou is
Þere he deyde & þere he lay vorte suþþe þer after longe
Þat he was to winchestere ylad as he ȝut is uaire auonge
Cadwal king of brutons worred euere uaste
& penda vpe seint oswald vorte suþþe atte laste
Þat at þe toun of mersfeld binorþe baþe hii come
Seint oswald & þe duc penda an bataile nome
Penda þere þe luþer duc in batayle slou
& Martrede seint oswald & al is body to drou
& mony a þousend of is men aslawe ek þer were
Þis was of þe ȝer of grace In þe six hundred ȝere

362

& vour hondred vor seint oswald in þe ȝer king was
& of eiȝte & þriȝti ȝer old þo him biuel þis cas

Oswy seint oswaldes broþer king was ymad þo
He biþoȝte him of pes to libbe wiþoute wo
He acordede wiþ king cadwal & tresour him ȝef ynou
Vorto be is priue frend wiþoute worre & wou
Þe fourme of pes was vaste ymad bituene hom & hore
Þat ne miȝte noȝt wel be ybroke bote treuþe were uorlore
Ac penda þe heþene duc adde euere god wille
To worry him & don him ssame & þoȝte in is herte stille
Ac he ne dorste vor cadwal & naþeles atten ende
To þe king at is parlement to londone he gan wende

363

& alle þe dukes of brutayne & þe englisse kinges echone
Ycome were to þis parlement bote king oswi one
Penda esste þe king anon wy king oswy nere þere
Þe king sede he vnder stod þat he sik were
Sire quaþ þe oþer to soþe hit nis noþing so
Ac he gadereþ uaste is poer us ssame to do
& he aþ ysend biȝonde se after saxons mo
& wole awreke is broþer deþ he suereþ on vs tuo
Þeruore ȝif me mid poer leue þuder to wende
& bringe him to ssame & bineþe er þan he vs ssende
To breke is triwe couenaunt þe king was loþ þer to
& naþeles is conseil him ȝef þat he it moste nede do
Þo penda þis leue adde he nom poer ynou
& toward þis king oswy over homber drou

364

& barnde vaste & robbede & to grounde slou
Þe king oswy him let esse wy he dude him so wou

Cadwallad

& bed him vor godes loue abbe of him reuþe
& of is lond & þenche bet of foreward & of treuþe
Þo penda nolde oþer do þe oþer aȝen him sette
& dude him al in godes grace & mid is ost him mette
& an bataile smite strong ynou & þoru godes grace
King oswy þe cristinemen bileuede in þe place
Vor penda þe heþene duc aslawe was þere
& þritti oþer dukes þat mid him al so were
Six hundred ȝer it was of grace & in þe viftiþe ȝere
Þer biȝet penda lute cristinemen to afere

365

Þo cadwal king of brutaine nobliche adde ynou
Ybe king eiȝte & fourty ȝer & to elde drou
He deide after martin masse riȝt þe sixte day
Þe brutons made deol ynou þo he ded lay
& made a kinges fourme of bras al holu wiþinne
Vpe an hors ride of bras & þat bodi dude wiþinne
& vpe þe west ȝate of londone sette hit wel heye
In signe of is nobleie þat men wel wide yseie
& þe siȝte þer of þe saxons aferde
An chirche of sein Martin þer bineþe hii rerede
War inne me ssolde godes seruise do
& singe vor is soule & vor alle cristine al so

Cadwallad is sone was þer after ymad king
ȝong bacheler & stalwarde atte biginning

366

& þoru out wel wuste is lond & sauede þe brutons
Stifliche al an tuelf ȝer aȝen þe saxons
Ac þo vel he in siknesse & sorwe vpen oþer
Þe brutons voȝte her & þer ech vpon oþer
& lore as wo seiþ grace of god & þat he gan hom ssewe
Vor he sende hom so moche hunger & luþer ȝeres arewe
Þat þet folc was meteles bote wo so couþe myd ginne
Oþer mid bowe & arwe eny wilde best winne
So gret qualm com ek among mon þat hii þat bileuede aliue
Ne miȝte noȝt al burye þat folc þat deide so Riue
Vol of siknesse & of qualm & sorwe þis lond was þo
Of hunger & of vuele ȝeres hou miȝte be more wo

367

Þat folc gret compainye & oþer mid sorwe & wop ynou
Wanne hii miȝte abbe ssipes in to oþer londe drou

Cadwallad

Þe king him let ek in sorwe & in siknesse lede
Toward þis lasse brutaine & þis deoluol pleinte sede
Awey awey we sunuol men Alas vre wrecchede
Þat we abbeþ þus god agult mid moni a sunuol dede
We & vre elderne ek þe wreche ich vnder stonde
Þat þus wrecchedliche vs drifþ out of vre kunde londe
Þat þe romeins ne miȝte mid bataile neuere do
Ne scottes ne picars ne þe saxons þer to
Nou we beþ þoru wreche of god vor vre sunuol dede
Y Driue out al clene wiþoute hope wiþ sorwe & wrechedhede

368

Vor naȝt we abbeþ so ofte vpe hom ywonne þat lond
Wanne god nel noȝt þat it be lengore in vre hond
Vor þe soþuast god þo he ysey þat we nolde uor no þing
Fram vre sunnes vs wiþdrawe ne þat no prince ne king
Ne miȝte us bringe out of þe lond he þat miȝtfol is
Deþ after vre decerte & pult us out ywis
Comeþ nou aȝen ȝe romeins & ȝe scottes also
Pycars & saxons & englisse þer to
Þat so moche abbeþ desired þat lond ȝe mowe hit finde nouþe
Al bar wiþoute defence binorþe & eke bisouþe
& al þat þoru wreche of god & þoru our poer noȝt ydo
Vor poer þat ȝe alle adde ne miȝte it bringe þer to

369

Ac þoru þe miȝte of ihesu crist we beþ ybroȝt to grounde
Þat we wraþþede euermo & nou we it abbeþ yfounde
Alas þat by myne daye suche wreche ssolde come
Þat y nadde be dedbore bote god adde þe soule ynome
Þe deol ne may no tonge telle þat þe king to him nom
So þat to þe lasse brutayne mid þis sorwe he com
To þe kinges neueu salomon Aleyn þat was king þo
& vaire of him was vnderuonge in is mochele wo
Þo þe brutons þer after were al as out of munde
After volc þe saxons sende of hor kunde
To come & wonye in þis lond þat no mon aȝen hom nas
& þut lond to hor wille al bar aȝen hom was
Þo þis strange men hurde þis ynou of folc hii nome
Of men & of wimmen ek & to þis londe come
& anon fram cornwayle to norþhumberlond
Bote it were of pouerayl al bar hii founde þat lond

370

Cadwallad

Þe pouerail ouer Seuerne fley þat þer was þo
& bileuede vorþ in walis in sorwe & in wo
Wel longe þer afterward þo it com to amendement
& bote of hunger & of qualm vre louerd adde ysent
Som help of þe king alein þe king cadwallad bisoȝte
& þat he in to is kunde lond þoru help of him him broȝte
Þe king him grantede anon & as hii were aboute
Eyþer in is half to gadery gret ost & gret route
To king cadwallad an angel in auision broȝte
Fram heuene & bad him wiþdrawe of þat he þoȝte
Vor it nas noȝt godes wille þat of þe brutons kunne
Regnede more in engelond & al uor hor sunne
& nameliche at þulke tyme þat in is prophecye
Merlin sede to arþure þat nolde noþing lye

371

Vor he sede þat þe brutons me ssolde ȝut yse
Winne hor riȝte kinedom ac it ssolde arst longe be
Wanne þe relikes of halwen yfounde were & ykud
Þat vor drede of saxons er wide were yhud
To sergi þe pope þat þo was to rome he bed him wende
& do þere is penance þat god him wolde sende
& bileue al erþlich þoȝt þen deuel vor to ssende
& he ssolde among holimen to heuene atten ende
Þe king þis auisyon þat þe aungel him sede
Þe oþer king tolde priueliche him þer of to rede
Þe king alein let þo anon in is bokes aspye
Boþe of sybile þe sage & of merlines prophecye
Were hii to is auision acorded in eche þinge
& þo he vond þat bituene hom nas non discordinge
He radde þe king cadwallad to þenche nammore
Of engelond ac do al out þe angeles lore

372

& wende to rome holy lif to lede
Þe king cadwal dude al out þat þe aungel & he him bede
& at rome was of þe pope vayre vnder vonge
& In penance & holy lif liuede þere longe
& þe nyenteþe day of aueryl out of þis worl he wende
To þe Ioye of heuene as god after him sende
Hit was seue hondred ȝer bote on ȝer lasse vnneþe
After þat god an erþe com þat þis king com þus to deþe
Þe englisse þo & saxons þat al one þo were
Grete tounes & castles bigonne bulde & rere
Þat hii adde er ycast adoun & louerdes were þo
& þe brutons clene al out mid sorwe & mid wo
& lore þo boþe al clene name & eke lond
Vor þat was bruteyne ycluped er me clupeþ nou engelond

373

Þe vewe þat were of hom bileued as in cornwaile & walis
Brutons nere namore ycluped ac waleys ywis
After walon þat was hor duc hii adde verst þe name
& ne miȝte neuere eft þis lond keuere ac libbeþ mid alle ssame
Bote hii þus mid scolkinge vpe þe englisse wende
& doþ eni skek feble ynou & abbeþ þe worse ende
Ac as þe angel sede er & merlin ek biuore
Hii ssolleþ ȝut keuery moche lond þat hii abbeþ y lore
Al walis & al þe march & al middel lond ywis
Þat is al þat bituene temese & homber is
Al est toward londone þis me ssal ȝut yse
Ac vpe godes wille it is wanne it ssal be
Here we englisse men mowe yse some
Mid woche riȝte we beþ to þis lond ycome

374

Ac þe wrecche welissemen beþ of þe olde more
In woche manere ȝe abbeþ yhurd hou hii it abbeþ ylore
Ac þe feble is euere bineþe Ivor hii þat abbeþ miȝte
Mid strengþe bringeþ ofte þat wowe to þe riȝte

Po brutayne was þus ylore & þe londes name
To þe name of engelond yturnd hom to gret ssame
Seue kinges hii adde longe as þe king of est sex
Of kent of homberlond of estangle of souþsex
Of þe march of westsex of alle þes echon
Wule þer were kinges þat nis nou bote on
Vor eche bigan to worre mid oþer & oþeres lond bi nom
& hii of denemarch among hom vorte alle to one com

375

Þe king of west sex adde euere þe ouere hond
So þat atte laste he won alle þe oþeres lond
Ac souþsex ne laste noȝt longe ne est sex naþemo
Þe king of westsex sone hom wan bote viue nere þer þo
Þe kinedom of þe march ylaste longe & wel ynou
Vorte þe kunde king seint kenelm in martirdom me slou
King kenulf is fader god mon was þat þe hous of winchecoumbe
Rerde uerst & þere liþ him sulf in an coumbe
Þo sein kenel ymartred was is vncle seowulf
King was after him ymad þe kinges broþer kenulf
He nas king bote on ȝer ar on bernulf com
& þoru strengþe him caste out of is kinedom

Egbriȝt was king ymad as oþer biuore him were
Of west sex in þe ȝer of grace eiȝte hondred ȝere

376

Bi is daye seint kenelm to deþe ybroȝt was
Þe kinedom was þer after lute vor wreche of þat cas
Vor bernolf of wam we tolde noȝt þre ȝer king nas
Ar egbriȝt king of westsex made him fyki pas
Vor an bataile at elendone hii smite mid hor ost
Þe king bernulf was þer bineþe & binome him al þis bost
& is folc moche aslawe & he fley mid moche wo
In king egbriȝtes poer is kinedom was ydo
Eiȝte hundred ȝer & tuenty & sixe þer to
As in þe ȝer of grace þis batayle was ydo
Þe king of westsex her after adde al þe kinedom
Of þe march oþer eche ȝer truage of hom nom
In egbriȝtes kinedom þe four & tuentiþe ȝere
Hit was ar þis batayle at elendone were
Bernulf suþþe in est angle of men of þe londe
& þoru egbriȝtes poer was aslawe ich under stonde

377

& þat folc of estangle vnder uenge þere
King egbriȝt to hor souereyn & truage him bere
King egbriȝt was þo prout vor is seygnorye
Adelwolf is sone he sende mid vair bachelerye
To winne kent & estsex & soþereye mid maystrie
To þe lond of kent hii wende verst mid hor chiualerye
Kent hii wonne timeliche & balred þe king
Fley ouer temese & bileuede is owe þing
Estsex & souþsex & soþereye al so
Hii wonne ar hii come aȝen & þo al þis was ydo
Egbriȝt king of westsex al þis to him nom
Al to be vnder him & vnder is kinedom
Al þat lond bisouþe clene he adde þo
Vnder him oþer in is hond winne he þoȝte mo

Adelwolf

Aȝen hom of norþhumberlond mid ost he com at dore
Hii dude him anon hor manhede & ne contekede nammore

378

Þo þe king egbriȝt adde ybe king þre & þritti ȝer
Þat folc of denemarch hider com as it adde ydo er
Scheþeye hii robbede verst & suþþe Innore mo
Ac þe king egbriȝt hom drof aȝen ar hii dude to moche wo
Þo king egbriȝt adde ybe king seuene & þritti ȝer
He deyde as a noble mon ac is londes he delde er
Adelwolf is eldore sone he ȝef þo al west sex
Þat was as is eritage & suþþe al souþsex
His ȝongore sone aþelston he ȝef & kinedom
Of kent & of estsex þat of is porchas com
Hit was eiȝte hundred ȝer & nyene & þritti þer to
As in þe ȝer of grace þat he deyde so

Of þe batayles of denemarch þat abbeþ ybe in þis londe
Þat worst were of alle oþere we mote abbe an honde

379

Worst hii were vor oþere somwanne adde ydo
As romeins & saxons & wel wste þat lond þer to
Ac hii ne kepte hit holde noȝt bote robby & ssende
& destrue & berne & sle & ne couþe abbe non ende
& bote lute it nas worþ þei hii were ouercome ylome
Vor mid ssipes & gret poer as prest ef sone hii come
King adelwolf of þis lond king was tuenty ȝer
Þe deneys come bi him riuore þan hii dude er
Vor in þe allor verste ȝer of is kinedom
Mid þre & þritti ssipuol men hor prince hider com
& at souþhamptone ariuede & at an hauene bisouþe
An oþer gret ost þulke tyme ariuede at portesmouþe

380

Þe king nuste weþer kepe is ost he delde atuo
Þe deneys adde þe maystrie þo al þis was ydo
& bi estangle & ludeseye hii wende vorþ atte laste
& so hamward al by kent & slowe & barnde vaste
Aȝen winter hii wende hom anoþer ȝer eft hii come
& destruede kent al out & londone nome
Þus al an ten ȝer þis lond hii broȝte þer doune
So þat in þe teþe ȝer of þe kinges croune
Al bisouþe hii come alond & þat folc of somersete
Þoru þe bissop alcston & þat londfolc of dorsete

Adelwolf

Hii come & smite an batayle & þere þoru godes grace
Þe deneys were al bineþe & þat lond folc adde þe place
& more prowesse dude þo þan þe king miȝte biuore
Þeruore gode bonde men ne beþ noȝt al vor lore

381

Þe king was þe boldore þo & þe more aȝen hom drou
& is foure gode sones woxe uaste ynou
Adelbold & adelbriȝt adelred & alfred
Þis was a stalwarde tem & of gret wisdom & red
& kinges were alle foure & defended wel þis lond
& þe deneys dude ssame ynou & þat me vol wel fond
In þe sixteþe ȝere of þe kinges kinedom
Is eldoste sone adelbold gret ost to him nom
& is fader also god & oþer heyemen al so
& wende aȝen þis deneys þat moche wo adde ydo
Vor mid tuo hondred ssipes & an half at temese mouþe hii come
& londone & kaunterbury & oþer tounes nome
& so vorþ in to soþereye & slowe & barnde vaste
Þere þe king & is sone hom mette atte laste

382

Þer was batayle strong ynou ysmite in an þrowe
Þe gode kniȝtes leye adoun as gras þat me doþ mowe
Heueden þat were of ysmite & oþer lymes al so
Flote in blode al fram þe grounde ar þe batayle were ydo
Wanne þe blod stod al abroc nas þere wo ynou
Nis it reuþe vorto hure þat so me folc slou
Ac vre suete louerd atte laste ssewede is suete grace
& sende þe cristine englisse men þe maystrie in þe place
& þe heþene men of denemarch bineþe were echon
Nou nas þer ȝut in denemarch cristendom non

383

Þe king þer after to holy chirche is herte þe more drou
& teþegede wel al is lond as hii aȝte wel ynou
Seint swithin at winchestre bissop þo was
& alcston at ssirebourne þat amendede moche þis cas
Þe king was wel þe betere man þoru hor beyre red
Tventi winter he was king ar he were ded
At winchestre he was ybured as he liþ ȝut þere
His tueye sones he ȝef is lond þat eldoste were
Adelbold þe eldore þe kinedom of estsex
& souþsex adelbriȝt & kent & westsex

Aldred Alfred

Eiȝte hundred ȝer it was & seuene & fifty al so
After þat god an erþe com ar þis dede were ydo

384

Boþe hii wuste bi here time wel hor kinedom
Ac þe vifte ȝer adelbold god of liue nom
Ac at ssirebourne he was ybured & is broþer adelbriȝt
Þis kinedom adde after him as lawe was & riȝt
Bi is daye þe worre com of þe heþene men wel prout
In hampte ssire & destruede wincestre al out
& þat folc of hamtessire hore red þo nome
& of barcssire & foȝte & þe ssrewen ouercome
Adelbriȝt was king ȝeres folle tene
& of westsex bote viue þo he deyde ich wene

Edelred was after him king ymaked in þe place
Eiȝte hundred ȝer & seuene & sixty as in þe ȝer of grace
Þe verste ȝer of is kinedom þe deneys þikke come
& robbede & destruede & cites faste nome

385

Maistres hii adde of hor ost as it were dukes tueie
Hinguar & hubba þat ssrewen were beye
In estangle hii bileuede to reste hom as it were
Mid hor ost alle winter of þe verste ȝere
Þe oþer ȝer hii dude hom vorþ & ouer homber come
& slowe to grounde & barnde & euerwik nome
Þer was bataile strong ynou vor islawe was þere
Osric king of humberlond & monio þat wiþ him were
Þo humberlond was þus yssent hii wende & tounes nome
So þat atte laste to estangle aȝen hii come
Þere hii barnde & robbede & þat folc to grounde slowe
& as wolves among ssep reuliche hom to drowe
Seint edmund was þo hor king & þo he sey þat deoluol cas
Þat me morþrede so þat folc & non amendment nas

386

He ches leuere to deye him sulf þan such sorwe yse
He dude him vorþ among is fon nolde he noþing fle
Hii nome him an scourgede him & suþþe naked him bounde
To an tre & to him ssote & made him mony a wounde
Þat þe arwen were on him so þikke þat no stede nas on him bileued
Atte laste hii martred him & smite of is heued
Þe sixteþe ȝer of þe cournement of aldred þe king
A nywe ost com in to þis lond gret þoru alle þing

Aldred Alfred

& anon to Redinge robbede & slowe
Þe king & alfred is broþer nome men ynowe

387

& mette hom & ane batayle smite vpe assesdoune
Þer was many moder child þat sone lay þer doune
Þe batayle laste uorte niȝt & þere were aslawe
Vif dukes of denemarch ar hii wolde wiþdrawe
& mony þousend of oþer men & þo gonnen hii to fle
Ac hii adde alle be ssent ȝif þe niȝt nadde ybe
Tueye batayles her after in þis sulfe ȝere
Hii smite & at boþe þe heþene maystres were
Þe king aldred sone þo þen wey of deþe nom
As it vel þe vifte ȝere of is kinedom
At wymbourne he was yburd as god ȝef þat cas
Þe god alfred is broþer after him king was

Alfred þis noblemon as in þe ȝer of grace he nom
Eyȝte hundred & sixty & tuelue þe kinedom

388

Arst he adde at Rome ybe & uor is gret wisdom
Þe pope leon him blessede þo he þuder com
& þe kinges croune of þis lond þat in þis lond ȝut is
& elede him to be king ar he were king ywis
& he was king of engelond of alle þat þer come
Þat verst þus yeled was of þe pope of rome
& suþþe oþer after him of þe erchebissop echon
So þat biuore him pur king nas þer non
In þe souþside of temese nye batayles he nom
Aȝen þe deneys þe verste ȝer of is kinedom
Nine ȝer he was þus in þis lond in batailes & in wo
Ofte siþe aboue he was & bineþe ofter mo
So longe þat him nere bileued bote þre ssiren in is hond
Hamtessire & wiltessire & somersete of al is lond

389

A day as he weri was & a suoddringe him nom
& is men were ywent a visseþ seint cuthbert to him com
Icham he sede cuthbert to þe icham ywent
To bringe þe gode tydinges fram god ich am ysent
Vor þat folc of þis lond to sunne hor wille al ȝeue
& ȝut nolleþ hiderto hor sunnen bileue
Þoru me & oþer halwen þat in þis lond were ybore
Þat for ȝou biddeþ god wan we beþ him biuore

Alfred

Vre louerd mid is eyen of milce on þe lokeþ þeruore
& þi poer þe wole ȝiue aȝen þat þou ast ney vorlore
& þat þou þerof soþ yse þou ssalt abbe tokninge
Vor þine men þat beþ ygo to day avissinge

390

In lepes & in coufles so moche viss hii ssolleþ hom bringe
Þat ech mon ssal wondry of so gret cacchinge
& more vor þe harde vorst þat þut water yurore is
Þat þe more aȝen þe kunde of fissinge it is
Of serue it wel aȝen god & lef me is messager
& þou ssalt þi wille abide as ich þe abbe ytold her
As þis king her of awok & of þis sixte þoȝte
His vissares come to him & so gret won of fisse him broȝte
Þat wonder it was & nameliche vor þat weder was so cold
Þo leuede þe godemon wel þat seint cuthbert adde ytold
In deuenissire þer after þer ariuede of deneys
Þre & tuenti ssipuol men al aȝen þe peys

391

Þe kinges broþer of þe march duc of þe ost was
Oure kinges men of engelond mette hom bi cas
& smite þer an batayle & hor grete duc slowe
& eiȝte hundred & fourty men & hor caroines to drowe
Þo king alfred hurde þis is herte gladede þo
Þat londfolc to him com so þikke so it miȝte go
Of somersete of wiltessire of hamtessire þer to
Euere as he wende & of is owe folc al so
So þat he adde poer ynou & atte laste hii come
& an batayle at edendone aȝen þe deneys nome
& slowe to grounde & wonne þe maystrie of þe velde
Þe king & is grete dukes bigonne hom þo ȝelde
To king alfred to is wille & ostage him toke
Vor to wende out of is lond ȝif he it wolde loke
& ȝute þerto uor is loue vor to auonge cristendom
King gurmund hor hexte king verst þer to com

392

King alfred is godfader was & baptized ek þer were
Þritty of hor hexte dukes & moche of þat folc þere
King alfred hom huld wiþ him tuelf dawes as þe hende
& suþþe he ȝef hom large ȝiftes & let hom hom wende
Hii þat nolde cristine be of londe flowe þo
& biȝonde se in france dude wel moche wo

Alfredus Edwardus

Ȝut þe ssrewen come eft aȝen & moche wo here wroȝte
Ac king alfred atte laste to ssame hom euere broȝte
King alfred was wisost king þat longe was biuore
Vor þey me segge þat lawe s beþin worre tyme uorlore

393

Nas it noȝt so bi is daye vor þei he in worre were
Lawes he made riȝtuolore & strengore þan er were
Clerc he was god ynou & ȝut as me telþ me
He was more þan ten ȝer old ar he couþe is abece
Ac is gode moder ofte smale ȝiftes him tok
Vorte bileue oþer pley & loky on is bok
So þat by pur clergye as riȝte lawes he vond
Þat neuere er nere ymad to gouerny is lond
& vor þe worre was so moche of þe luþer deneys
Þe men of þis sulue lond were of þe worse peys
& robbede & slowe oþere þeruore he by vond
Þat þer were hondredes in ech contreye of is lond
& in ech toune of þe hondred a teþinge were al so
& þat ech man wiþ oute gret lond In þe teþinge were ydo

394

& þat ech man knewe oþer þat in teþinge were
& wuste somdel of hor stat ȝif me þefþe vpe hom bere
So streit he was þat þei me leyde amidde weyes heye
Seluer þat nomon ne dorste hit nyme vor beye hor eye
Abbeys he rerde monion In mony studes ywis
At winchestre he rerde on þat nywe munstre ycluped ys
His lif eyȝte & tuenti ȝer in is kinedom ylaste
After is deþ he was ybured at winchestre atte laste

Edward is gode sone king was ymad þo
In þe ȝer of grace nyen hundred ȝer & on & nammo
Foure & tuenty ȝer he was king & to more poer com
Þan euere is fader dude ac noȝt to so gret wisdom

395

He wan þe kinedom of þe march mid is dedes bolde
So þat of him he was after warde yholde
& þat lond of estangle & of norþhomberlond
& walis he wan þoru batayle al vnder is hond
& he nas neuere in batayle bineþe in þis londe
He biuond uerst an quoyntise aȝen þe deneys to at stonde
Vor þe heye tounes in þe lond & þe castles þer to
Mid gode kniȝtes let astory & mid sustinance al so

Edwardus

So þat ware þe king were & þer come hor fon
In eche contreye prest hii were mid þe lond folc anon
& smite mony batayle þat þe king it nuste
So þat þoru strengþe of heye tounes ech contrey him sulf wuste
His soster he let spousy þat yhote was elfled
To þe king þat huld þe march of him þat yhote was eþelred

396

So þat heo mid childe was & þoȝte hire so sor
Ar þat child were ybore þat he ne willed it nammor
Come nammor to þulke stoupe vor me ne miȝte hire bringe
Þat ȝo wolde euere eft in monnes bedde come vor eny þinge
Ac euere sede wanne ȝo was of such þinge bisoȝt
Þat kinges doȝter as ȝo was hit ne bi com noȝt
Such fol delit for to do ne such dede naþemo
Þat were encheson afterward of such pine & wo
Ac ȝif þe biginninge were ȝut as strong as is þe ende
Ich wene ȝut moni womman þulke wey wolde wende
Þe luþer ed wolf was þe kinges broþer edward
& vor pur hate aȝen is broþer held as a ssreward

397

Þe deneys were in homberlond to hom he gan drawe
Hii auenge him vayre ynou & were wiþ him wel vawe
& made him hor king anon is broþer uor to ssende
Sone hii greyþede hor ost þo souþward vor to wende
& asaylede estsex & nome þat lond anon
Vor þe maystres of þe lond ȝolde hom to hom echon
Þo wende hii in to þe march & moche sorwe made
& robbede & destruede uaste anon to crekkelade
So hii passede temese & dude wo ynou
King edward sone mid is ost toward hom drou
& drof hom in to humberlond mid wel quic pas
Ac king edwolf þer after sone aslawe was
Vor þe king edward & is men hamward ywend were
Þat folc of kent aȝen is wille bileuede bihinde þere

398

Þo edwolf & þe deneys wuste hom so bileue
To hom hii smite anon & batayle hom ȝeue
Þe kenteys stode vaste aȝen & þe king edwolf slowe
Heye & lowe þer were aslawe in eyþer alf ynowe
King edward þe niþe ȝer of is kinedom
Þe castel made of hereford & to god ende com

Edward Aþe[l]ston

Þe ȝer þerafter þe deneys wende fram leycestre to norhamtone
Toward oxenford vaste & at hogenortone
Slowe moche volc ynou & in þe contreye aboute
Atte laste þe contreye folc com mid gret route
& driue hom al to noȝte & hor preye nom
Suþþe in þe endlefte ȝer of þe kinedom

399

Þe deneys come & robbede norþ walis vaste
So þat to yrchenefeld hii come atte laste
Out of þe castel of hereford þat folc uaste þo com
& of þe contreye al aboute & batayle wiþ hom nom
& slowe of hom þe hexte duc & oþer men monyon
Hii þat miȝte ofscapie aliue of londe flowe echon
Alfled quene of þe march strong wommon was & quoynte
In batayle & yholde as king In eche poynte
Al walis ȝo ouercom & þe march þer to
Stafford ȝo wan & leycestre & warewik al so
& bruges & euerwik & þe contreye al so
Of euerwik to hire com hire wille vorto do
At tamewurþe heo deyde suþþe & ybured heo was ywis
In seinte petres porche at gloucestre as þe abbey ȝut is

400

Þe kinedom þo of þe march king edward to him nom
As in þe sixe & tuentiþe ȝere of is owe kinedom
King edward adde þre sones þe eldost aþelston
& edmund & eldred þat kinges were echon
& suþþe he deyde at farendone as god ȝef þat cas
& in þe munstre at winchestre bi is fader ybured was

Aþelston was þo king þat was edwardes sone
& þoru þe heymen of þe lond ycrouned at kingestone
In þe nyen hundred ȝer & four & tuenty of grace ycrouned he was
& bote aboute vourtene ȝer king þer after he nas
Holi chirche he louede wel & rerde manyon
Þe verste ȝer of is kinedom ybore was seint dunston

401

Nywe abbeys he made vaste þe gode aþelston
& þer nas of olde house in þe londe non
Þat he ne amendede wiþ som lond oþer mid buldinge
Oþer mid boc oþer riche cloþ oþer som oþer riche þinge
Norþhomberlond he wan & walis & scotlond
& þe kinges & hor lond heold al in is hond

Aþelston

Him þoȝte it was more nobleye þo he adde an honde al þis
Vor to maky kinges þan to be king ywis
Aȝen he made kinges þat kinges er were
Bote þat hii were vnder him & truage him bere
Þo hii adde hor lond aȝen þe king of scotlond
Constantin & analf king of homberlond

402

Vpe þis king aþelston gaderede men ynowe
& here bisouþe humber mid hor ost drowe
Analf was god kniȝt & stalwarde & quoynte
Menestral he was god ynou & harpare in eche poynte
To aþelstones pauylon mid is harpe he wende
& so wel wiþoute harpede þat me after him sende
Þere he harpede so wel þat he payde al þe route
Ac euere were is eyen in eche hurne aboute
After mete þo hii nolde nammore of is pley
Hii ȝeue him siluer uor is gle & lete him go is wey
Of þe siluer he adde hoker vor he ne com þuder vor non
Ac is wille he adde þo he sey þe stat of is fon
On þat adde ybe mid him þe king tolde þer
Þe king him blamede þo þat he nadde ytold him er

403

Sire he sede ich was ysuore to him ar to þe
& ȝif ichadde him bisuike þe wors þou wost leue me
Ac remwe in to anoþer stude þi pauilon bi mi rede
Oþer þou miȝt ȝut to niȝt of som treson drede
Þe pauilon was remewed þo & þe king & alle his
Ac a bissop & is men þer uorþ come ywis
& piȝte þere hor pauylon & bileuede al niȝt þere
& þis luþer men come aniȝt & wende þe king it were
& slowe bissop & al is men þat gult nadde non
& suþþe hii wende vorþore mo & soȝte aþelston
Of hom nas he noȝt ywar ar þo atte laste
Ac sone he & is men armede hom wel vaste

404

& edmund is broþer mid him & þo hii preste were echon
Hii wende vorþ to þis batayle & mette mid hor fon
Þe king to is suerde drou & þo ne vond he non
Ac was mid treson him binome hard cas was þat on
On god al miȝti & seint aldelm þe king cryde vaste þo
& hii sende him bi uair miracle bote of is wo

Aþelston

To is scauberc he pulte is hond al prest a suerd he vond
Þerinne þoru god ysend no betere nas in þe lond
In þe kinges tresorie þat suerd iwust ys
As uor noble relike ȝut to þis daye ywis

405

Yegged it is in þe on half & in þe oþer noȝt
Þer ne miȝte neuere gold ne seluer þer on ben ybroȝt
Þis noble king aþelston þo þis gode suerd to him com
Nobliche & wel he faȝt & so god ernest to him he nom
Þat fram þat þe sonne aros vorte hit derc niȝt was
Þe batayle ylaste & neuere wery he nas
Wat þoru is stalwardhede wat þoru godes grace
Mony was þe gode body þat he slou in þe place
Þe batayle was at brymesbury & þer were of deneys
& of scottes aslawe & al so of yreis
Vif ȝonge kinges proute þoru alle þing
& þe proute constantin þat of scotlond was king

406

& of oþere þat were aslawe me ne miȝte non ende yse
Hii þat of scapede aliue bigonne vaste to fle
Þus þe king aþelston agaste þo is fon
& vor hii ne ssolde in is lond abbe recet non
Þe castel of euerwik to grounde he let caste
Vor is fon were ofte þer inne þe wule he ylaste
Þat hii nadde no recet vor to greuy is lond
Also of ech maner purchas þat com bi is hond
Oþer þat eny of is as in purchas nome
He vorbed þat neuere more among is spence ne come
Ac to hous of religion þat me hit al clene bere
& to poueremen aboute þat meseyse were
Alle þe kinges of walis he broȝte al to lawe
To hereford al vnder him to is wille uawe

407

Þat tuenty pound of golde ech of hom bere
& þritti pound of seluer fram ȝere to ȝere
& tuenti þousend oxen ek to þis golde
& hauekes & houndes as mony as he wolde
To certein woniinge he hom broȝte boþe lowe & heye
So þat hor woniinge were al bi weste weye
& no þing in þe est alf so þat weye ywis

Ȝut to þis day to delþ engelond & walis

Edmond

& þoru king aþelston þat was verst ydo
Men of cornwayle he broȝte to certeyn stude al so
Vor biȝonde þe water of tamer he hom adde alle ybroȝt
To wonye þer as in hor owe & a þis alf noȝt

408

Vor hii wonede þer biuore anon to excestre riȝt
& þe welisse ver in engelond vorte he it adde ydiȝt
King aþelston louede moche malmesbury ywis
He ȝef hom of þe holy croys som þat ȝut þere is
& he was at is ende day vaire ybured þer
King he arst adde ybe aboute an viftene ȝer

Edmond aþelstones broþer after him was king
Godmon & doutede god þoru alle þing
In þe ȝer of grace it was nyen hondred & fourty ȝer
Þat he was king ymad & old he was er
Eyȝtetene ȝer he was king & six ȝer & a day
Vour & tuenti ȝer he was old ar he aslawe lay

409

Saracens þat were þer ȝut bileued in engelonde
In lincolne & in leycestre & in derby ich vnder stonde
In stafford & in notingham he hom drof al to noȝte
& cristine men aboute in hor studes broȝte
Þat hous of glastingbury he louede wel ynou
& made seint dunston abbot þer & to is conseil him drou
& þoru is conseil chirchen wide he let rere
& abbeys & prioryes aboute her & þere
Into þe hous of glastingbury gret þing he ȝef þo
& gret franchise hom grantede þat lasteþ euermo
Þat hii adde hor franchise as veruorþ as þe king
& mid god chartre þat ȝut is þer made þe conferming
Edwyne is sone was þat luþer was ynou
& Edgar þe ȝongore þat to alle godnesse drou

410

King Edmund atte laste mid luþer deþes wounde
Pitosliche was aslawe alas þulke stounde
Vor a traytour of is lond lof was is name
Yflemd was out of engelond mid wrecchede & ssame
Suþþe aday as þe king sat at is mete
At pokelchirche bi side bristowe & somdel adde yȝete
Lof þis luþer traytour mid is cloþes ychanged þere
Com in & biuore him et anoþer mon as it were

Edmond Edred

At seint austines day it was as it valþ in may
Þe king bi huld aboute & þe traytour ysay
& auisede him suiþe wel wat man it were
& þo he sey þat þis lof þis traytour sat þere
He hupte him vp fram þe bord in gret wraþþe ynou
& hente þis lof bi þe top & fram þe bord him drou

411

& defoulede him vnder him mid hond & mid fote
Þis þef þat lay bi neþe þoȝte on luþer bote
& smot þen king þat lay bineþe in þe brust dep ynou
To grete harm of al þe lond þe gode king so slou
Þat folc to drou þat traytour ech lime pece mele
Þe king bigan bi is lif is god wol wyde dele
& þe toun of pokele chirche & oþere þat þer were
He ȝef in to glastingbury & let him burye þere
& þere he liþ ȝut to þis day ac ynot to wuche dome
Þe toun suþþe of pokel chirche fram glastingbury come
Seint dunston was at glastinbury þo þe king ywounded was

Ȝut þoru ioye of þe deuel he wuste of þat cas

412

Vor þe deuel com biuore him & hoppede & lou
& saylede & pleyde & made ioye ynou
Þis holy mon wuste anon wy is ioye was
& þat for some meschaunce of þe king he made so glad pas
Toward pokele chirche he wende hastiliche & bliue
& me tolde him bi þe weye þat he was out of þis liue

Edred was þo king anon after edmund is broþer
Vor is tueye sones so ȝonge were þat me ne miȝte abbe hor noþer
God man edred was ynou & to godnesse drou anon
& moche louede holy chirche & þe godemon sein dunston
Men of norþhumberlond were aȝen him vaste
& of scotlond al so ac hor poer lute ylaste
Vor wat wiþ loue wat wiþ eye he broȝte hom alle to is wille
& hor olde seruage made hom holde al stille

413

Vourtene ȝer he was king & at is ende day
Me tolde sein dunston vore þat he sik lay
To him he wende hastiliche bi þe weye ywis
He hurde angles singe an hey bi þe luft þis
Þe king edred nou aslepe in our louerd is
Þo wuste seint dunston þat he was ywent to heuene blis

Edwinus

Suiche gode kinges me ssolde non finde among
Þat angles of hor ending miȝte make hor song

Edwyne Edmundes sone after edred king was
Fals & luþer vor no worse in is kunde nas
Ase a nywe herodes in such poer he com
& vpe is poer destruede & apeyrede cristendom
A fol womman in spousbruche he huld vnder is wif
Sein dunston him sede wel þat it was a luþer lif

414

Ase seint Ion þe baptist calanged hore misdede
Wroþ was þe king & is hore þat he hor folie wiþsede
& þe womman fondede him to deþe bringe
So þat seint dunston was þoru hire & þoru þe kinge
Yflemed out of engelond & to flaundres wende
Þe gode man ne tok neuere gome þat me him so foule ssende
Abbeys þis luþer mon broȝte ek in alle wo
& þe hous of malmesbury þat an old hous was þo
Of tuo hundred ȝer & seuenty he arerd þer biuore
He made hit stable to his hors as it were al uor lore
So luþer man was þis king þat þe heye men of þe londe
Bigonne ase hii nede moste aȝen him vaste at stonde
& binome him moche of is lond & bitok edgar is broþer
Vor he drou to alle godnesse & betere was þan þe oþer

415

Þis edwine was þus king þre ȝer & somdel more
& þat lond vor is deþe ne wep no þing sore
& ȝut for alle ssrewede as it ywrite is
Þoru biddinge of seint dunston is soule com in to blis

Edgar edwines broþer & edmondes sone þe king
King was after Edwin god man þoru alle þing
No licchere is broþer him nas þane wolf is a lomb
Of manere ne of dede þei hii were in one womb
Vor þulke tyme þat edgar of is moder was ybore
Seint dunstan was at glastingbury þer after & biuore
Þo hurde he þulke tyme angles singe ywis
Vpe in þe luft a murye song & þat song was þis
To holy chirche & to þe lond pays ys ybore & blis
Bi þulke childes time þat nouþe ybore is

416

Suþþe þo seint dunston wuste þat child ybore riȝt þo
He wuste þat al engelond he ssolde bringe of wo

Edgar

& so he dude for þo he was after is broþer king
He broȝte al þat lond in pes þat er was in striuing
He vndude alle þe luþer lawes þat me huld biuore
& gode lawes broȝte vorþ þat er were as uorlore
Scotlond & norþhumberlond & walis al so
Wiþoute heste to him come is wille vor to do
Þe erþe ȝeld betere & þet weder was murgore bi is daye
& lasse tempeste in þe se þan me er ysaye
Me tolde him of seint dunston þat is broþer drof of londe
After him he sende anon & he com þoru is sonde
& is abbeye aueng in pes fram wan he was so longe
& was þe kinges conseiler & vaire was vnderuonge

417

Erchebissop of kaunterbury þoru þis gode kinge
Sein dunston was suþþe ymad þe more god to bringe
Þis king also at glastingbury as he þeruorþ com
Seint aþelwold þat was þere monek out of þe house he nom
& ȝef him an place in barkssire þat moche is in mone
Vif mile bisouþe oxenford þat me clupeþ abindone
Þis holy mon seint aþelwold bulde þere uaste
& a uayr abbeye þer bigan þat euereft aþ ylaste
Verst abbot he was þere him sulf & monekes to him nom
In þis manere abindone verst to abbeye com
Hit biuel þat þe bissop of winchestre was ded
Þe king him made bissop þer þoru sein dunstones red
Atte heye chirche of winchestre þere is se was ydo
Þat me clupede chirche cathedral & ȝut me deþ al so

418

Canons þer were seculers þo he verst þuder com
Ferce men & proute þat moche were in hordom
Þe king & seint aþelwold aȝen hom sette vaste
& out of hor hous & of hor rentes ech after oþer caste
& made an hous of monekes to holde hor ordre bet
Þe monekes out of abendone verst were þuder yuet
Of seint swithin þat hous was as it is ȝut al so
So þat out of abendone hit was verst ydo
In þe secunde ȝere þat he verst bissop was
Þis gode king & he dude þis gode cas
& ek in þe vifteþe ȝere of þe kinges kinedom
Seint aþelwold verst bissop was & þe bissopriche nom

Edgare

Þis gode king Edgar & he sein swithin atte fine
Þat longe adde vnder erþe ybe verst broȝte in to ssryne

419

Yssryned he was nyn hondred & on & seuentiþe ȝere
After þat vre louerd aliȝte in is moder here
King edgar & seint aþelwold In winchestere arerde al so
An oþer hous of Monekes þat ȝut stondeþ boþe tuo
& ȝut þat þridde þere al so hii rerde of seinte marie
Of womman of religyon & made a nonnerye
Þe priorie of hely þere a bissopriche is
& þe abbeye of petresboru hii rerde al so ywis
& þorneye & rameseye & oþere monyon
Vor eyȝte & fourty abbeys hii rerde in þis londe echon
Ar vre king þat we abbeþ nou adde yrerd so vale
To monye him wolde þenche viftene bi tale

420

As þis king edgar an honteþ ywend was
Al one he com fram is men as god ȝef þat cas
So þat he aliȝte adoun & aslepe lay
Þo þoȝte him in is slep þat he an hey tre ysay
Stonde þere bi syde him & as he bi huld an hey
Vpe þe hexte bowe tweye applen he sey
& þe bowes of þe on appel smite þe oþer vaste
So harde þat he vel adoun in þe water atte laste
A voys sede as him þoȝte þes wordes þoru þe soun
Wel is þe wel is þe as he vel adoun
Þo he awok him þoȝte wonder of þis cas
His gode moder alfife he tolde al hou it was

Ȝe leue sone quaþ þe moder þe tokninge her of is
Þat heye tre þat þou yseye bitokneþ þe ywis

421

Þe tueye applen bitokneþ ȝif þou wolt ywite
Tueie heye sones of þe þat þou ssalt biȝite
Þat þe ones bou smit þen oþer adoun to grounde
Þat is þat þe ones frend ssal sle þen oþer mid wounde
Þe voys þat sede wel is þe to tokny þat is
Þat him worþ wel ynou vor to heuene he wend ywis
Al þis biuel afterward vor sones he adde tweye
Seint edward & aeldred þat kinges were beye
& þe ones kinrede þen oþer suþþe slou
& he wende to heuene & was wel ynou

Edgar

He adde Edward bi is uerste wyf as ich abbe ysed
& bi alfred is oþer wif he adde aeldred

422

& alfiue is gode moder let rere ywis
Verst þat hous of ssaftesbury as seint edwardes body is
King edgar adde vnder him alle þe kinges here aboute
Vor þer nas non ywis þat nadde of him doute
Þer uore þe king of walis as in gret seygnorye
He het þat he him sende ech ȝer by maystrye
Þre þousend of wolues in name of truage
Þe welisse king vpe is poer dude him þe seruage
& sende him þes wolues fram ȝere to ȝere
Þre þousend at certein terme vor te þat lond deliuered were
Þre ȝer he huld is rente ac þe verþe was bihinde
Vor he sende þe kinge word þat he ne miȝte namo vinde
& þat was lute wonder vor to vale þer were by viue
Vor al þat lond were þe wors adde hii bileued aliue

423

Boþe walis & engelond þe betre is þeruore ȝute
& þeruore þe godeman it dude more þan vor prute
Þis gode king edgar þat so stalwarde kniȝt was
& wys & hardi þoru out al bote lute of body he nas
Þeruore þe king of scotlond enuye adde þer to
& as he sat atte mete & mony oþer kniȝt al so
He sede a wel hey word among is gustes echon
Þat he adde gret hoker & wonder nas it non
Of a so lute half man as king edgar was
Þat þer nas lond ne prince non þat of him adrad nas
Þis word com to king edgar þeruore he þoȝte him teche
Woch were þe haluemon ȝif he him miȝte of reche
He com & mette him in a wode & bed him abyde
& he adde uor þe nones tueye suerdes bi is syde

424

He drou out boþe to & bed him nime an honde
& chese weþer he wolde & þen aluemon fonde
& loke weþer þe aluemon him miȝte oȝt at stonde
Vor dereyny hii wolde hom sulue tuo & take godes sonde
Þe oþer vel adoun akne anon Riȝt vor drede
& cryede him mercy uor godes loue of þat þat he mis sede
Kyng edgar adde reuþe of him so reulich he gan crye
Sire king he sede ech god mon hit is vileynye
To be of bold word atte mete & coward in þe velde
Vnderstond þe bet ef sone & hold me þin helde
Þe godnesse al of king Edgar no tonge telle ne may
Mony was þe gode abbey þat he rerede bi is day

425

Seint Edward þe martir as ich sede er was is sone
Bi is raþere wiue & seint Edithe of wiltone
He deyde & wende to heuene nyen hundred ȝer ich wene
As in þe ȝer of grace & sixty & viftene

Seint Edward þe martir is eldore sone
After him was king ymad as lawe was & wone
Þe godnesse of þis ȝonge king ne may no tonge telle
Vor he was meok & mylde ynou & vair of flesse & felle
Debonere to speke wiþ & wiþ pouere men mest
Chaste & wis of conseyl & prute he louede lest
Wylde men ne louede he noȝt þat recheles were of þoȝte
Ac wisemen he drou to him & after hom he wroȝte
Ech gret dede þat he dude þe mestedel ssolde go
After þe erchebissop sein dunston þat was þo
God pais þer was in engelond & loue & Ioye ynou
& richesse bi is daye vor elles it were wiþ wou
To þe godnesse of þe holymon þe deuel adde enuye
& þe luþer quene is stepmoder þat vol was of tricherye

426

Vor heo þoȝte niȝt & day ȝif heo miȝte þoru eny þing
Þat seint edward were aslawe & hire sone ymad king
Þe ȝer þat he ymartred was þe hexte men of þe londe
In þe toun of calne were as ich vnder stonde
As hii sete in an chaumbre an hey in conseil of speche
Þe flor to brac vnder hom as it were uor wreche
& hii velle & to brusede some anon to deþe
& some ymaymed & some yhurt so þat eny vnneþe
Wiþ oute gret harm of scapede bote sein dunston bicas
Þat hente him by a bem and ysaued was
Wat bitoknede þis þat þis heyemen velle so
Bote þat hii & al þat lond bineþe ssolde be ydo
Þoru folc of strange londe & þat me ssolde yse
Vor hii soffrede hor king so villiche ymartred be
Vor a day as seint Edward an honteþ wende bi cas
In an wode in dorsete þat byside warham was

427

Þat vair wode was þulke tyme a gret wille him com to
Vor to se is ȝonge broþer vor anon he þoȝte it do
Vor he was a lute þer bi side as is stepmoder was
In a toun þat me clupede corf þat bote þre myle þanne nas

Sanctus Edwardus

A strong castel þer is nou ac þo nas þer non þere
Longe þoȝte seint edward at is broþer ar he were
An vewe men mid him he nom & þuderward gan Ride
His men pleyde bi þe wey & spradde aboute wyde
So þat þis holy king al one was sone
& alone wende vorþ as he þoȝte to done
Þo is luþer stepmoder al one ysey him come
Heo þoȝte do hire wille of him as heo adde hire red ynome
Þo þis holymon was ney ycome þe quene aȝen him ȝeode
Wiþ noble mayne ynou & gret loue him gan beode

428

Þe feste þat heo wiþ him made no tonge telle ne may
Heo suor þat he ssolde aliȝte & bileue wiþ hire al day
Certes ma dame quaþ þe king so ne may it noȝt be
Ac lat me speke mid my broþer vor me longeþ him to se
Vor ar ich him abbe yseye ine worþ noȝt bliþe ywis
Min herte is so moche on him & no wonder it nis
A sire quaþ þis luþer quene wanne it ne may oþer be
Verst icholle to þe drinke & suþþe þou ssalt him yse
As me him drinke tok on was prest ynou
& þoru is wombe smot a knif & is gottes to drou
A long knif it was & smal ynou as me may ȝut yse
Atte churche of kaueresham as he aþ ȝare ybe

429

Þis holi man sat vpriȝt & ysei is deþes wounde
He ne rod bote lute wey ar he vel to grounde
& let þere is suete lif & to heuene wende
Awey lute vuel þoȝte he þo me is wombe rende
Þo þis holymon ymartred was hii þat him broȝte þer to
Biþoȝte hou hii miȝte best mid þe holy bodi do
Hii porueiede an derne stude & þer inne hit caste
Villiche & stilleliche & burede it þere vaste
Þo þis dede was al ydo þe quene adde al ire wille
Vor me halt euere mid þe quike þe dede was sone stille
Seint Edward þe vifte ȝer of is kinedom
Aȝen eue aday aslawe was in such martirdom

Aeldred þe quene sone þat king was ymad þo
Nas bote of ten ȝer old þo is moder dude þis wo
Ne of þis dede nuste he noȝt bote as god ȝef þat cas
In þe luft he hurde an hey as he al one was

430

His broþer þat was aslawe pitosliche grede
Þat child criede & sore wep & is moder þat cas sede

Aeldred

Welle þat þis luþer quene anguisous was þo
Þat child heo hente vaste anon he ne moste an vot go

Ȝerd ne vond heo preste non þat child uorto bete
An hondfol heo hente of condlen longe & grete
Þat child heo bet so stronge mid þe condlen longe & towe
Heo ne bileuede noȝt ar he lay at hire vet yswowe
War þoru þis child afterward such heymon as he was
Was þe worse wan he ysey candlen vor þis cas
Wat halt it to telle longe þis child me made king
Ac sein dunstan wel vnneþe wolde do þe sacring

431

Vor þe godemon spek ȝut þerof wel longe þer biuore
Þo he baptised þis aeldred sone so he was ybore
Vor þat child fuled in is hond þat water & þe vantston
Biuore bissops þat þer were & heyemen monyon
& dude is kunde fulþhede seint dunston sede anon
Þat he ssulde of sunne encheson be & of wrecchede monion
& þo he ssolde king be þis godemon seint dunston
Hatede muche to crony him ȝif he it miȝte vorgon
Ac þo he it moste nede do þoru pur londes lawe
Sire king he sede uor þou art mid vnriȝt her to ydrawe
Vpe þin owe heued it ssal come þi moderes luþer plawe
Þoru ssedinge of þi broþer blod þat þus is ybroȝt of dawe

432

& uor englisse men were wel ypayd
In ssedinge of þi broþer blod þat so was bi trayed
Þeruore hor poer ssal al clene hom be bi nome
& þou al so uor strange uolc of strange londe ssal come
& þis lond worþ in seruage & to grounde ybroȝt
& al þat ssal come bi þine daye & bi myne noȝt
& atte laste vr louerd wole of hom vnder stonde
& al þis word to soþe com suþþe to engelonde

Ȝut elfred þe luþer quene þat seint Edward slou
Of ire trespas biuore ire deþ repentant was ynou
& rerede tuo nonneryes worewelle þe on was
& ambresbury þat oþer to bete hire trespas
& adde grace ȝif god wole hir sunnes vor to bete
& com to god amendement ar heo þat lif lete
Þe þridde ȝer as it wolde be of aildredes kinedom
Þe biginning of þis sorwe to engelonde verst com
Vor of þe volc of denemarch þer ariuede þo
Atte hauene of souþhamtone seue ssipuol & nammo

433

Aeldred

& robbede þen toun vaste ac hor poer noþing nas
Þis was as a tokne þat to comene was
Ac bi sein dunstones daye nammore þer ne com
Vor he deyde þe teþe ȝere of þe kinges kinedom
& nyn hondred ȝer & eiȝte & eiȝtety after þat god was ybore
& þe bissop seint aþelwold was ded þer biuore
& seint oswald þe bissop after þre ȝer
As in þe þritteþe ȝer þat þe king croune ber
Þe betere pays it was uor hom þe wule hii were aliue
Ac after hor daye sone þe sorwes spronge bliue
Þe king adde bi is verste wif an stalwarde sone
Þat uor is stalwardhede euere worþ in mone
Vor me ne vond non so god kniȝt ware so he wende wide
Me clupede him uor is stalwardhede Edmund yrensyde

434

Þe sorwes as ich abbe ytold spronge aboute ylome
Vor þat folc of denemarch sone to londe come
As a uour alf þis land þe hauene hii adde ysoȝt
So þat norþhumberlond was al to grounde ybroȝt
Kent hii destruede al so god & þe est contreye wide
Eccestre hii barnde al adoun & in þe west syde
Vr king worrede ofte aȝen as he miȝte do
Ac wreche of is broþer deþ wel harde him com to
Vor is poer was lute worþ ac he ȝef hom atten ende
Four þousend pound of sterlinges hom aȝen to wende
So þat is quene deide & of sorwe & sore
Him com in ech half euere þe leng þe more
Vor þe deneis come aȝen & in euerich ende
Him worrede her & þer þat he nuste wuder wende
He biþoȝte him wel narwe ȝif þer miȝte be eny red
Þoru wiuinge oþer þoru eny þing vor is wif was ded

435

He vnderstod þat richard duc of normandye
Was mon of gret poer & of gret seygnorye
Vor emme is gode doȝter he sende ofte is sonde
To spouse hire & to make hire quene of Inglonde
Þat he miȝte þoru þe aliance eny help vndergo
To wite him fram hem of denmarch þat dud them such wo
So þat þo hii were at one þis spousing was ydo
As in þe ȝer of grace a þousend ȝer & two
& of þe kinges corouning in þe foure & twenty yere
Þo þoȝte þe king þat he adde of is fon ye lesse fere

Aeldredus

& here sprong lo þe uerste more as of hom of normandye
Ware þoru hii come in to þis lond & abbeþ þe maystrye
Vor þe kynge adde bi þis emme tueie sones ywis
Alfred & seint edward þat at westmunstre yssrined is

436

& þoru þulke blode suþþe willam bastard com
As ȝe ssolle her after ihure & wan þis kinedom
Þat poer muche of denemarch in pes wiþoute strif
Was hom ywent to denemarch ar þe king weddede wif
Þe king uor is grete poer as of is wiuinge
Alle þe deneis þat were bileued he let to deþe bringe
In a seinte bryce day & in one day echon
Þat non nere of oþer ywar ne þat þer ofscapede non
Suan þe duc of denemarch þo he hurde of þis cas
Made him wroþ & wod ynou & ech þat wiþ him was
Hii greiþede hom mid gret poer & to engelond come
As in þe vif & tuentiþe ȝere of þe kinges kinedome
& in þe ȝer of grace a þousend & þre
Hii slowe & sorwe dude ynou non more ne miȝte be
Þo þikce hii come þat þet lond oueral hii gonne fulle
As þikke as ameten crepeþ in an amete hulle

437

Bi norþe & bi souþe in þe est & in þe west
So þicke hii come þat me nuste in wuche alf kepe best
Hii ne sparede prest ne clerc þat hii ne slowe to grounde
Ne men of religion ware so hii eni founde
Ne wommon ne soukinde child ne doȝter ne sone
Hii vorbarnde norþwich & þe toun of wiltone
Þat a reulich lond was engelond & vol of sorwe ynou
Hii miȝte acorci þe fole quene þat seint Edward slou
Vor suan þe luþer duc adde euere is yuere
Þre velawes þat next him were ech in þat manere
Brenningge & robberye & quellinge atte laste
Þis were is þre felawes þat he huld euere vaste
Wanne at an gode monnes house is men were at inne
Verst hii wolde ete & drinke þat hii founde þer inne
& suþþe þe louerd of þe hous quelle & alle his
& suþþe brenne al is hous al uor hor scot ywis

438

Suche were lo þe gistes þat hider come þo
Moche aþ þis lond ar þis idrive in sorwe & wo
Mest wo hii dude in barcssire & vpe assesdoune
& so aboute quichelmeslewe & so in mani a toune

Aeldred

Atte laste king aildred þo he was to grounde ybroȝt
& Muche of þe lond aslawe & destrued al to noȝt
Suan þe duc of denemarch he ȝef atten ende
Folle þritti þousend pound to denemarch to wende
& bileue þis lond in pes so þat þis was ydo
Ac lute it was ar þer com wel more wo þer to
Vor þe king aildred isey is lond al bar
Of þe folc of denemarch he nolde noȝt ȝut be ywar
Ac let gadery a nywe ost þoru al engelond wel wide
Of heyemen & of lowe ek ygadered bi þe hide
Þat euere eiȝte hide lond an man him ssolde finde
Wiþ helm & hauberc & þe atil þat non nere bihinde

439

& greiþede him ssipes in þe se ac al nas worþ a fille
Vor þo is coust was al ydo he miȝte bet abbe be stille
To suan þe duc of denemarch þe tidinge sone com
His ost & is poer wiþ him sone he nom
& in þe a þousend ȝer of grace & þe teþe ȝer al so
& of vr kinges crounement þritti ȝer & tuo
In an haly þoresday to þis lond he com
& þen toun of gypeswich mid strengþe sone nom
& robbede aboute in þe lond & tounes adoun caste
Ac þe contreye of grantebrugge aȝen hom stod uaste
& foȝte ase stalwardemen þe wule hor poer ylaste
Ac hii were as hii nede moste bineþe atte laste
& þer was þe kinges soster sone islawe aþelston
& barons & kniȝtes & heiemen monion

440

Aboute heruest þis deneis as rotes arnde
Bi chilterne & to oxenford & þen toun barnde
Þo wende hii vorþ of denemarch & robbede al est sex
& grantebruggessire & estangle & al so middelsex
Bokinghamssire & oxenfordssire & hertfordssire al so
Bedeuord ssire & haluendel hontindone ssire þer to
Norþhamtone & bisouþe temese barcssire
& soþereye & souþsex & souþhamtessire
& muchedel of wiltessire & þo al þis was ydo
Hii drowe hom toward kanterbury to robbi þere al so
In þe a þousend ȝer of grace & endlefte þer to
Þis folc com to kanterbury robberye to do
Bituene vre leuedi day þe late & misselmasse day
Þis folc bisette kaunterbury & uaste it bi lay

441

Aeldred

& gret raunson of hom wiþinne esste to be out of wo
Ac þe erchebissop of þe toun seint alfe þat was þo
Was vaste þer aȝen to ȝiue eni raunsoun
Þe deneis vor wraþþe þo asailede uaste þen toun
& wonne him & vaste slowe & þo hii wiþinne come
Heye men þat inne were & seint alfey hii nome
& monekes & þen toun barnde & adoun caste
Þe erchebissop seint alfe hii hulde & bounde uaste
& ladde him biside londone to þe toun of greneswich
& helde him þere in prisoun þat he nas no mon ilich
Half ȝer & somdel more & suþþe in þe ȝer of grace
A þousend & tuelf ȝer hii ladde him in an place

442

Wiþoute þe toun of greneswich & henede him wiþ stones
As me henede seinte steuene & tobrusede is smale bones
Atte laste mid an deueniss ax me smot him to gronde
In þe heued þat he lay & deyde in an stounde
Þe saterday þe ester wouke þis holy man hii slowe
Ac vewe þer were atte dede þat þe beuerege bilowe
Vor some bicome cancrefrete & some blinde oþer wode
& som deyde verlich vpriȝt as hii stode
So þat vor drede of þis wreche þe deneis were agaste
& wiþ drowe hom of hor luþerhede þe wule it wolde ylaste
& þer was þe betere pays a ȝer & vnneþe
Vor in þe ȝer of grace a þousend & þretteþe
Suan þe duc of denemarch bigan to turne is hond
& after þat he adde destrued þe souþhalf of þis lond

443

He wende & robbede of þis lond al þe norþ side
Norhumber & lindeseye & destruede wyde
Euere fram watelinge stret & so bi oxenford
Hii come & nome winchestre & so walinford
Fram walingford hii wende & þen toun of baþe nome
So þat suan was king yholde ware so he euere come
Ac þe king of engelond in such sor & morninge
Carede of is ȝonge sones mest of alle þinge
Leste hii were defouled oȝt vor hii ne couþe of fiȝtinge
Þeruore in to normandie he let hom sone bringe
Boþe alfred & seint edward & þe quene hor moder also
Wiþ þe duc richard þe quene broþer vorte such wo were ydo
Ac is eldoste sone Edmond yrene syde
Vor he was hardi & god kniȝt at hom he let abide

444

Aeldred

Þat luþer folc of denemarch robbede & slowe uaste
Chirchen & abbeys barnde & adoun caste
Men leye vnbured to drawe þat reuþe it was ynou
Þat feble folc to wildernesse & to wodes faste drou
Aildred king of Engelond ysei al þis wou
Hou me destruede is lond & is folc so slou
To midewinter he wende anon þo he ne sey oþer red
To normandie & huld him þer uorte þe duc suan was ded
Suan deide in þe ȝer of grace a þousend & fourteþe
His folc made euere uaste worre ȝut after is deþe
& made is sone king after him knout was is name
Þat dude as wel as is fader engelond gret ssame
& false kniȝtes of engelond hulde mid him vaste
Ac hii þat trewe & gode were aȝen hom hor herte caste
& sende after king aildred in to normandie stille
& he com sone to engelond & wende abbe is wille

445

Ac þo king knout it vnder ȝet he was vol of rage
He wende anon to sandwich & men þere in ostage
Þat were bitake is fader vor heye men of þe londe
He nom & let hom smite of boþe vet & honde
Nou adde heyemen of þe lond itake þer bi uore
His fader ostage god ynou & deop oþ ysuore
Wiþ him to holde treweliche & breke þo hor oþ
Þer uore þe king knout wiþ hom was þo so wod wroþ
& for wraþþe let bilimie hor ostages þat were
Suþþe he wende in to westsex & robbede þere
& in dorsete dude & wiltessire & somersete gret wo
King aildred lay sik in þe toun of cosham þo
In þe west ende of wiltessire vor he was feble & old
& wiþ care & sorwe ouercome as me aþ itold
& fram cosham to londone he ofscapede vnneþe
Vor to witie him fram is fon þat hii ne broȝte him to deþe

446

Þere he huld him in þe toun mid muche sorwe & sore
Þat of al is lond of engelond he nadde an vot more
Þe ȝates he made vaste & wuste him wiþinne
His fon asailed þene toun wiþ oute mid al hor ginne
Atte laste þis king aildred as in al þis strif
In a seint gregories day wende out of þis lif
As in þe ȝer of grace a þousend & sixteþe
Febleliche he liuede al is lif & deyde in feble deþe

Edmund iren side

In such sorwe he was king seuene & þritti ȝer
He adde moni a sori day & mochel anguisse her
& for wreche of is broþer deþ al such sorwe him com
Þat lute ioye he adde al is lif of is kinedom

Edmond yren syde king aildredes sone
So god kniȝt of bodie was þat he worþ longe in mone

447

Me nuste so god in none londe & atte biginninge
After is fader deþ me ches him to kinge
Þe heye men of þe lond þat fals ne luþer nere
Ac monie hulde mid king knout þat false & trichors were
EDmond vor is strengþe was ycluped yrensyde
Dreduol he was to is fon þat him dorste vewe abide
Debonere & milde he was to alle þat gode were
Quointe & suiþe hardimon as mon wiþoute fere
Verst he wende to westsex & þere ech contreye
Abuyede al to is wille boþe uor loue & eye
As leon hardi ynou he wende aboute wide
& wan contreye & oþer aboute in eche side
Þat knout nadde poer non aȝen him vorto stonde

Ȝif false traytors nadde ybe here of engelonde
Þat hulde mid þe king knout traytours as hii were
So þat noþer of þis kinges abuyinde to oþer nere

448

Ac eiþer gaderede gret ost & of oþeres men slowe
Atte laste mid hor ost to gadereward hii drowe
& mette hom after midsomer þe feste of seint Ion
A gret bataile smite bi side þe toun of sserston
& slowe to grounde muche folc & þo al was ydo
Þe kinges & muche of hor folc aliue partede atuo
Þo wende king Edmund to londone mid is route
& al þat folc of denemarch destruede þer aboute
& drof hom out of þis lond & ȝut nolde he noȝt blinne
Ac wende in to westsex þulke contreis to winne
Þo he was fram bi este ywent þe deneis mid al hor ginne
Bisegede londone ac hii ne miȝte noȝt come wiþinne
So wel he was wiþinne ywust þoru men þat þer were
Þat þe deneis hom wiþdrowe þo hom ne spedde noȝt þere
& wende estward in to kent & robbede þere vaste
& hor preye at medeweie in to ssipes caste

449

King edmond hom sywede þo he hurde þis
& passede temese at breinford ywis

Edmundus

& slou aboute vaste ynou moni þat he vond
& Monie flowe her & þer aboute in þe lond
Batailes hii smite monion as we bigonne to telle er
Vor eiȝte batailes hii dude ney wat wiþinne half ȝer
As at sserston & elleswere & þe sixte bataile was
Vpe þe hul of assesdoune icholle telle þat cas
Þis tueye noble kinges mid hor poer hom mette
& smite þer an bataile & faste to gadere sette
Iordeined hii adde hor ost wel in eyþer syde
& edmond diȝte is stondard ware he ssolde him sulue abide
& is dragon vp sette & þis bataile ysmite
Hii slowe to grounde in eiþer side þat deol it was to wite

450

In is standard edmund was as riȝt was uor to abide
He sey þat me slou is folc aboute in eche syde
His herte him nolde soffri noȝt abide uor te time were
Ac to þe bataile smot anon as man wiþoute fere
& bileuede dragon & standard & sturede vaste is honde
& slou to grounde as noþing him ne ssolde at stonde
Sone adde is gode body yperced þe ost þoru out
He made is wei roume ynou vorte he com to king knout
Þer were duntes ariȝt ismite bituene hom tueie
Of þe helmes þat fur sprong out vor hii were stronge beye
A duc þer was mid king Edmund Edric was is name
Þat was traytour & louerd suike þat god ȝiue him ssame
Vor he fondede him bitraie vor king knoutes loue
Þo he sey þat Edmund was as he dradde al aboue

451

& king knout ney ouercome vp an hul an hey
He wende wiþ is suerd adrawe þat þet folc him al ysey
He adrou is blodi suerd & loude bigan to grede
Englissemen englissemen fleþ anon ich rede
Vor edmond vre noble king to deþe he is ydo
Him sulf he gan uerst to fle vor oþere ssolde al so
Englissemen him leuede wel & flowe after bliue
& al it was to bitraye is louerd þat was aliue
Þo king Edmond þis isey þat is folc vnderstod
Þat he was to deþe ybroȝt & þeruore hii flowe vor wod
He arnde vpe a lute hul & gradde in þe place
Is folc & dude of is helm & ssewede is face
& sede turneþ faste aȝen ich am aliue ywis
Is folc turnde anon aȝen þo hii hurde þis

Edmundus

& smite vorþ þis bataile grettore ne miȝte non be
& foȝte uorte it was niȝt þat hii ne miȝte no leng ise

452

Ac þe englisse adde ybe aboue ȝif it nadde ybe uor niȝte
Ac hii departede as hii nede moste as uor defaute of siȝte
Hii greiþede hom þer after an oþer bataile to do
& ef sone come to gadere up assedoune al so
& bataile smite strong ynou ac knoutes poer uaste
Wexinge was þat he wan þe maistrie atte laste
Sori was edmond þo to gloucestere he wende
To porueye him more help ȝif god him grace sende
King knout sywede after mid an longe tayle
So þat aboute gloucestre þe eiȝteþe batayle
Vpe seuerne hii smite in a stude & so vaste me slou
Þe gode bodies in eiþer half þat it was deol ynou
Mid blod þe erþe was iheled þat pite it was to wite
& noþer partye ne miȝte þe maistrie al bi ȝite

453

Ne hii ne miȝte yse uor þe niȝte þe batayle to fol ende
Hii departede mid sor ynou amorwe aȝen to wende
& king edmond of seuerne was in þe west side
& king knout bigan mid is ost in þe est alf abide
& seuerne was bituene hom & knoutes poer
Of folc of bi ȝonde se wax euere ver & ner
As edmond sat mid is ost aniȝt in such solas
As folc miȝte þat vorwounded & sor & wery was
& speke of þis batayle hou it miȝte be god
An old kniȝt þer ros vp & biuore þis folc stod
Ich am he sede mest fol þeruore as foles wolle
Mi fole red ȝif ȝe wolle ihure uerst ssewi icholle
Muche þing we abbeþ yseye & vr elderne vs ek sede
Anguisse & sorwe we abbeþ ynou of wel more we mowe drede
We fiȝteþ & beþ ouercome & no maistrie we ne seþ
Hou miȝte we be bote ouercome þat þus defouled beþ

454

Despoiled & vorwounded & vr strengþe leseþ vaste
Vre felawes & vre owe lif we dredeþ ek atte laste
Wanne ssal vre reste come & þe endinge of vre wo
& among vs sikernesse & pais ich drede neuere mo
Edmond ne mai be ouercome uor is strengþe ywis
Ne þe king knout vre fo uor he so quoynte ys
Wat may þanne vre ende be bote wanne þis kniȝtes echone
In eyþer side beþ aslawe & vr maystres bileued one

Edmundus

Oþer hii mote þanne acordi oþer fiȝte hom sulue tuo
Wat reson is þat hii ne mowe as wel nouþe so
Þe wule hii abbeþ eni aliue þat hom mowe serui & drede
Nere hom noȝt boþe uairor so wuwat is þis gidihede
Þer were wule in engelond at on time kinges fiue
& alle hii were riche ynou & of noble liue

455

& nou to lute to hom tueye al engelond is
& ofte wo so coueiteþ al al leseþ ywis

Ȝif eiþer king so moche wilneþ to be louerd her
Þat hor noþer nele abbe felawe ne per
Fiȝte hom sulue tueye þat louerd wole be one
Wy nere hom noȝt so betere nou þane wanne hor kniȝtes echone
& hor folc were aslawe al & hii bileued al bare
& ne founde wo hom seruede in anguisse ne in care
Ne wo mid hom in nede þat lond defendi miȝte
Her of þat soþe seggeþ ȝe as bi ȝoure in siȝte
Nadde þis kniȝt folliche is reson ysed
Þat is felawes nadde sone ynome hor red
& sede alle mid one mouþe we ensenteþ þer to
Þat þis tueie kinges acordi oþer bataile hom sulue do

456

Þis king edmund þo he hurde þis fol was of ioye & blis
Þe bataile he sede he wolde nime mid god herte ywis
Þat word he sende amorwe to knout among is fon
& he grauntede is owe bodi þe batayle to do anon
Hii lete hom armi beye & in to an yle mid god pas
Amidde seuerne hii wende þat olenege icluped was
Þerinne hii were hom sulue tuo & þat water al aboute
Hor ost was eiþer in is side alonde bileued wiþoute
Mid gret ernest & god ynou hor suerdes hii adrowe boþe
Þis kinges þo hii to gadere come & mad hom boþe wroþe
To grounde hii smite & harde mid stalwarde honde
Þat wonder was hou oþer miȝte oþeres dunt at stonde

457

Þo king edmond ywraþþed was & wiþinne hot
He ssoc is suerd & gronte & mid such ernest smot
Þat þat fur sprong out mid ech dunt out of þe helm so þere
Þat it þoȝte mid ech dunt þat þat heued afure were
As þonder þat soun was þe siȝt as liȝting
So þat ech dunt þoȝte liȝt as it were & þondring
Me seiþ of a stalwarde kniȝt ac me wondred on þere
Yblessed be þe moder wombe þat him to monne bere

Edmundus

Þe king knout was so debrused þat he stod vnneþe
He dradde wanne he lore þat lif & were ybroȝt to deþe
He adde leuere þan eni þing þat hii acorded were
Ac he ne dorste is feblesse telle edmund vor fere

458

Laste ȝif he vnderȝete þat he were so ouercome
Þat he nolde fine ar he adde is lif him binome
Þo he him adde an wule yrest is armes he gan to caste
& wiþ gret ernest step ner & asailede edmond vaste
Mid al þe strengþe þat he miȝte & ssewede more þer to
& al uor he ne ssolde wene þat he were ouercome so
Þis knout bigan to reste þo is asaut was ydo
& bed edmond as in pes a word hure oþer tuo
King edmond him grauntede & somdel him wiþ drou
& lenede vp is sseld & herknede him ynou
Ichabbe quaþ knout ywilned þi kinedom ar þis
& nou wel more þan þi lond þi sulue ich wilni ywis

459

Vor þou nart noȝt one worþe be of engelond king her
Ac to be prince of al þe world uor in þe world nis þi per
Ich abbe al þat lond of norþweye & of denemarch anhonde
Ine wende noȝt þat eni mon min dunt ssolde atstonde
Ac þou ne atstonst it noȝt one ac art al clene aboue
Ware uore ich desiri mest þin grace & þin loue
Þat þou of alle min londes me be felawe & per
& ich mot ek of engelond be þi parciner
Vor ȝif we to gadere beþ & al clene of one rede
Norþwey & ech oþer lond & ech prince vs wole drede
Þeruore ich biseche þe haue half mi lond mid me
& ich as þi parciner half engelond mid þe
Edmond þo he hurde þis is grete herte wiþ drou
& ensentede to is red & bi com milde ynou

460

& abuide to is milde word þat mid suerd was aboue
Hii caste awei sseld & suerd & turnde al to loue
& biclupte hom & custe & hor folc in eyþer side
Þo hii seye hom acorded uor ioye loude hii cride
& songe te deum laudamus eiþer in is route
& to gadere wende & custe hom ech oþer aboute
Bi tuene þis tueye kinges was a certein fourme ydo
& forewarde among al hor folc ar hii departed atuo
Wat eiþer adde to is del of lond & oþer þinges
& departede wiþ loue atuo & bileuede boþe kinges

Edmond

& ȝif hii adde in gode loue longe iliued beye
Me adde þoru al cristendom yspeke of hom tueye
& ech prince & ech lond ydouted hom tuo
Ac edmond was al to raþe alas to deþe ydo
Vor þe luþer duc edric þoȝte euere to bitraye
King edmond is owe louerd knout uor to paye

461

A luþer gadeling was is sone boþe at one rede
Hii fondede mid alle gile to do þis luþer dede
Þo hii ne miȝte anoþer wise þis dede bringe to ende
In to an chaumbre foreine þe gadeling gan wende
Þat king edmond com ofte to & in þe dunge þar
Hudde him bineþe in þe dunge þat nomon nas ywar
Þo þe king þer to com is nede uor to do
Þe luþer þef ȝare was mid is arme þer to
& smot him þoru þe fondement & þoru þe gottes riȝt
Edmond þe noble king þat was so noble kniȝt
Wiþ a long ipointed knif iegged in eiþer side
Þus senduolliche he him slou aboute seint andrewes tide
At oxenford he was aslawe þoru þis luþer lore
Mid treson & gile ynou inot hou miȝte be more
Þe beste bodi & noblost þat in eni lond þo was
Islawe was þoru a gadeling so villiche alas

462

Ar men miȝte aboute come þen þef to seche þare
Of scaped he was & iflowe nomon nuste ware
Me greiþede þis gode king wanne non oþer nas
& broȝte him vaire an erþe as he wel wurþe was
In þe abbey of glastingburi biuore þe heye weued an hey
Vor he wilnede vorto ligge is grantsire ney
Þe king edgar þe gode king þat þere ybured is
Þere hii liggeþ uaire ynou boþe ȝut ywis
Ac þis luþer gadeling þat þe king so slou
To king knout wende anon glad & prout ynou
He grette him anon & sede hail þou be king one
So nis it noȝt quaþ þe king uor mi kinedom is ymone
Vor an felawe ich abbe þer to þat ich louie ynou
Vor gode sire king quaþ þis þef uor þi loue ich him slou
Here is þat knif al blodi þat ich broȝte him wiþ of dawe

463

& smot in þoru þe foundement & so in to þe mawe
Þi loue ich abbe wel dere aboȝt & mi lif an auntre ydo
Þer nis non aliue nou þat þe abbe yserued so

Edmundus

Þeruore vnder stond þe wel & ȝeld min mede bliue
Vor ich abbe ydo þe more god þan alle men aliue
Þou seist soþ quaþ þe king þou ast muche ydo vor me
Icholle wel þin mede ȝelde bi þe treuþe ich ou to þe
Icholle make þe hey mon bi time ich abbe iþoȝt
Þat þou ne ssalt of þin liflode neuere carie noȝt
Edric þe luþer suike is fader com al so
Sire king he sede ich abbe muche loue þe ydo
Vor sake edmond min owe louerd & bitrayd uor þe
& let him sle uor þi loue hou woltou it ȝelde me

464

Þo sede king knout aȝe traytour þou art ywis
& muche aȝen god & aȝen me þou ast ydo amys
Wanne þou ast þin owe louerd as þou me tellest vore
To so vile deþe ybroȝt þat was mi broþer ysuore
His blod þat þou madest ssede ssal harde come on þe
Vor þin owe mouþ þe aþ ydemd bi þat þou seist me
He let caste þis traitour in þe eueninge late
At an fenestre in temese noise vorto abate
& let him stilleliche adrenche uor monnes speche þere
& þat was lo is noble mede to lute þei it were
Þe luþer traitour is sone auaunced was ȝut bet
Vor is robe & is dignete was al wel bi set
He ȝef him such auauncement as he wolde he suor is oþ
Þat he ne dorste neuer eft carie of mete ne of cloþ

465

A robe he let him ssape uerst of blod red scarlet þere
Þe ssarpe stones bi þe stret is tailors were
Vor he let him mid hors to drawe fram strete to strete
Þat þe peces folle of is ffless aboute moni & grete
Þe tailors corue so moni peces uor is robe ne ssolde powȝe
He ne dorste carie noȝt of þe winter cowȝe
Suþþe he let smite of is heued bi þe ssoldren as me sey
& let it sette vp on þe tour of londone an hey
& so he was hey man ymad as he bihet him to is mede
Alle traitours & louerd suiken god late hom so spede

Knout was þo al one king as wo seiþ of engelonde
Of norþwei of denemarch & gret poer adde an honde

466

Ac edmond þe gode king þat so villiche me slou so
Adde tueye ȝonge sones ar he were to deþe ydo
Edward & edmond & breþeren also tueye
Seint edward & alfred þat in normandie were beye
Vor þes were king edmond next & is eirs al so
King knout þoȝte hou he miȝte best her offe do
To binime hom hor eritage & mid woch wrong he miȝte
& mid woch treson bote he adde som colour of riȝte
Vor wanne man may do wat he wole & vnriȝt ynou
Ofte he bringþ uor coueitize to riȝt þe pur wou
He made a gret parlement & broȝte heyemen þer to
As wo seiþ inele no þing wiþoute lokinge do
Þo bed he þe court segge soþ & riȝt vnderstonde
Wat vorewarde þer were ymad & fourme of engelonde
Bituene him & king edmund þe wule he was aliue
& wan edmond made is eir of is lond wiþoute striue

467

& wan of is ȝonge sones wardein ek ydo
& wat þing he adde asigned to is breþeren al so
Her of he let hom segge soþ as it were in glosinge
Vor he ne kepte he sede mid vnriȝt of none monnes þinge
Þo stode þer some vp þat adde inome hor rede
Vorto paye king knout & noȝt edmond þat was ded
& sede biuore al þe court þat king edmond biqueþ
Is kinedom & al is lond king knout biuore is deþ
& þe warde of is tueye sones vor te hii of elde were
Alas alas þe tricherie þat me miȝte ise þere
Vor þe dede was vorȝite & þe quike uor to paye
Hii bitoke þe qued hor soule þe kunde eirs to bitraye
Þis word was iholde stable & iloked uor dom
King knout of edmondes londes anon seisine nom

468

& huld him þo al clene king of al engelonde
Of norþwey & of denemarch gret poer he adde an honde
Ech þoȝte he was gode next þat miȝte abbe is grace
Of so gret poer þer biuore me ne kneu non in no place
Þo he was of al engelond king wiþoute mone
He bigan to cuþe anon þat he was king one
Alle þat were þo oȝt isibbe edmond þe kinge
Oþer in aliance of eni loue to deþe het bringe
Oþer flemde hom out of engelonde none bileued nere
Bote is tueye ȝonge sones þat so feble & tendre were
He ne miȝte uor worldes ssame hom to deþe bringe
He sende out of engelond to an heie kinge
Of biside denemarch þat he hom to deþe broȝte
So ver in vnekoþe lond þat no mon of hom ne roȝte
Awey seli ȝonge þinges frendles were hii þere
Þat so uer as milde lomb to deþe ylad were

469

Þo hii to þe kinge come þat he hom to deþe broȝte
Vor þe heie blod of wan hii come þe king him bi þoȝte
& adde gret reuþe of hom & is wille gan wiþdrawe
& ne miȝte uor reuþe uor no þing bringe hom of lif dawe
To þe king of hongri þis seli children tueie
He sende uor to norisi þat he wardede hom wel beye
Þe king hom vaire vnderueng & anourede in eche wise
& gret deinte tolde of hom uor hor gentrise
So longe þat he let edmond þat was þat o broþer
Spousi is owe doȝter & suþþe he made þe oþer
Þat het edward spousi þe emperours mowe
Þo adde hii boþe iwiued wel & noȝt to lowe
Ac edmond leuede lute wule & no child nadde aliue
Ac edward þe oþer adde þre children bi is wiue

470

An sone þat het edward & doȝtren al so tueie
Margarete & cristine þat gode wimmen were beye
Þis gode children aȝte be eueremore in munde
Vor engelond ȝif hii nere were ȝut out of kunde
As ȝe mowe ihure herafterward in king henries lif
Hou engelond com to kunde aȝen þoru þe gode quene mold is wif
Þat þes margarete doȝter was mold þe gode quene
Vor þis lond were ȝut out of kunde ȝif heo nere ich wene
King knout of al engelond was þo king al out
Me ne dar noȝt esse weþer he were kene þo & prout
Þo he was of edmondes sone & of alle þat mid him were
Deliuered he was fers ynou ac somdel he was in fere
Of edmondes tueie breþeren þat wonede in normandie
Alfred & seint edward leste hii gonne astie

471

Þoru þe duc of normandie þat hor vncle was
Him þoȝte were he siker of hom him ne doutede in no cas
Seint edwardes moder þeruore he of sende
Emme quene of engelond þat heo hider wende
Þoru conseil of ire broþer þat was þe duc richard
& þoru ensent of ire tueie sones alfrèd & seint edward
& were ispoused him to wiue & vre quene were also
Wat halt it to telle longe þis dede was ido
Vor king edmond was aslawe at seint andrewes tide ich wene
As in þe ȝer of grace a þousend & sixtene
& to þe lammasse þer after he spousede þe quene
As in þe ȝer of grace a þousend & seuentene

Ȝut to be þe sikerore after þe spousinge
He let is barons of engelond to oxenford bringe
A þousend in þe ȝer of grace & þe eiȝteteþe ȝere
& a parlement uor is stat of hom made þere

472

So þat ȝif þer eni was þat aȝen him herte bere
Him þoȝte is poer noþing nas ac uor noȝt as it were
Ac was to him al clene ysuore þer nas non bi hinde
Þo was he al clene louerd to binde & unbinde
A wif þat het ailiue he adde er of gret fame
Bi hire he adde an sone harald was is name
Þat of þe kunde was of denemarch in eiþer half al out
Bi emme he adde an oþer sone þat het hardeknout
Þat beye were kinges after him as me ssal sone rede
Þis king was þo þoru out al mon of noble dede
Þo he was al one king of þe grete londes þre
Him þoȝte al þe world ne miȝte aȝen is poer be
& naþeles he bigan is herte in bocsomnesse amende
& þoȝte on þe vaire grace þat vr louerd him sende
& louede englissemen & engelond þer to
& muche louede holi chirche & susteinede al so
& restorede abbeis þat destrued were biuore
& chirchen let vp arere þat were arst as uorlore

473

& let arere moni anywe & in studes mest þer
As he adde men aslawe & batailes ydo er
& vp assedoune & þer aboute mest chirchen he let rere
As uor hore soulen þat islawe were þere
Vor he & þe king edmond mest armes þere bere
& mest manslaȝt þoru hom & batailes þere were
Sein alfeyes body þat ymartred was
At grenewich þoru is fader as we tolde þat cas
At seint poules of londone as it was anerþe ydo
His owe honde nom it up & as it biuel þer to
He let it uaire anouri & sende it atte fine
To þe munstre of kaunterburi as he liþ in ssrine
Þe þridde ȝer ich vnderstonde þat he was al one king
Fram is lond of denemarch me broȝte him tiding
Þat he was þere iworred uaste of is fon

474

He nom wiþ him of engelond kniȝtes gode monion
& mid gret poer & muche folc þuderward wende anon
& so þat he sone com bi side is fon Echon
& bileuede him þere al niȝt & is ost al so
& þoȝte anon amorwe strong bataile to do
A gret erl of þis lond godwine was is name
Mid is poer mid him was þat monimon dude ssame
Vor þis lond as me ssal ihure ofte he dude bi traie
He þoȝte þo hou hii miȝte king knout best paye
Bi niȝte him & is poer he let armi þere
& wende so an onywar as þe kinges fon were
& fond hom as aslepe he leyde on hom to grounde
& slou & to drof hom alle in a lute stounde
A morwe þo þe king wolde wende vp is fon
& miste godwine & is men of gile he dradde anon

475

Þat englisse men him bitraye wolde he þoȝte of luþer won
Vor to sle þis godwine & þe englisse men echon
& naþeles he wende to is fon mid al is poer uaste
Vor to smite an bataile & þo ne vond he atte laste
Noȝt of hom bote caroine & þe bodies dede also
Þo he vond þat godwine such an dede adde ydo
& deliuered of is fon & ibroȝt him al so aboue
Euereft he louede him þe more & al englisse uor is loue
Þo he sey þat englissemen so god in nede uere
& is fon ouercome of noþing he nas in fere
Þo he adde one þe kinedom of grete londes þre
Him þoȝte al þe world ne miȝte aȝen is poer be
Of alle is proute dedes ine may uorbere noȝt
Þat ine mot ȝou telle of on nou it comeþ in mi þoȝt
A þousend as in þe ȝer of grace & on & tuenti þer to
& in þe vifte ȝer þat king knout in such poer was ydo

476

He wende aboute as noble sire fram londe to londe
Þat him þoȝte al þe world ne ssolde him at stonde
As he wende aboute bi þe se & such poer adde an honde
Vppe a chaere he sat adoun al vpe þe se sonde
& enresonede is men as hii biuore him stode
So þat þe time com of þe se flode
Þat it bigan to wexi uaste ase it deþ atte tide
Þe king bihuld þe wexinge an hoker al an side
So þat þe water uaste wax vpward hei & wide
Þoȝte þis grete louerd ȝut icholle abide
Þo it was nei to him icome baldeliche he spac
& sturneliche to þis water þo it alles out brac
Water he sede wat þencst þou ich rede ne com no ner
Vnderstond þat þou art al clene in mi poer

477

Vor þat lond vp wan þou ernst & vp wan ich sitte her
Is clene min al aboute vor þou wost inabbe no per
Þeruore ich hote þe þin wexinge þat þou lete
Þat þou ne be so hardi noȝt þin louerdes cloþes to wete
No is limes ac vp min owe let me in pes sitte
Oþer bi þe fey ich owe to god icholle rekeni mitte
Þat water dude uorþ is kunde & wax euere uaste
So þat to þis grete louerd it com atte laste
& watte is sson & is vet so longe it wax an hey
Þat it watte is brech al aboute & euere vpward it stey
So þat is hupes smorte & of cale were ney
Þis grete louerd sturte him vp þo he oþer ne sey

478

& wod him vp to londe him þoȝte late inou
& bi held toward þe water & is grete herte wiþ drou
Wite he sede alle men þat an erþe wonieþ her
Þat it nis bote þe pure mase eni kinges poer
Ne þat no mon nis wurþe to be icluped king
Bote þe heie king of heuene þat wroȝte alle þing
Þat haþ heste of water & of erþe al so
Of heuene of helle of ech þing mot nede is heste do
& abowe him as louerd vor man non ywis
Þeruore me to clupie king mid vnriȝt it is
Þeruore ich bihote god þat ine ssal kinges croune
Neuere bere an erþe vor mi poer is þer doune
He wende him uorþ to chirche & biuore þe rode com
& mid mek herte pitoslicche is kinges croune nom

479

& sette is vpe þe rode heued & sede þat he alone
Was worþe to croune bere & oþer kinges none
He bileuede þe croune þere sikinge wel sore
& þer after vp is heued ne com he nammore
& me seiþ þat he ne bar neuere þe croune of engelonde
Ac he ne bar þulke ne non oþer þer after ich vnder stonde
Suiþe god mon he bi com & aforcede him ynou
& bihet god euereft afterward to bileue wou
& god & holi chirche to louie mid al is miȝte
& to make gode lawes & to sosteine ech riȝte
Þis biheste he huld vol wel & gode lawes ynou
He made þe beste þat miȝte be & to eche godnesse drou
Vor þe manslaȝt þat he adde ydo & þe vnriȝt ilome
& vor þe moni god cas þat him ofte come

480

He bihet god to wende þen holi wei to rome
So þat he & is kniȝtes wiþ gode herte þen wei nome
& as he toward rome wende bi moni londe
Wanne he eny luþer lawes in eni stude vonde
Þe prince oþer louerd of þe stude sone he ne oȝt soȝte
& bote he grantede him amendement mid is tresour he it boȝte
& vor he was mon of such poer vewe aȝen him wroȝte
So þat euere ware he com gode lawes he broȝte
Gentil men þat he vond in prison ek ydo
Oþer in warde mid vnriȝt he boȝte hom out al so
At rome he was vaire auonge & asoiled al so
Aȝen he wende to engelond þo al þis was ydo
Þo he com aȝen at glastingbury him longede ar he were
Vor loue of king edmund þat yburyed was þere

481

Þat he clupede is broþer uor þe treuþe þat bituene hom was er
Þat bodi he onourede ynou þo he com þer
& al þe stude uor is loue & dude uair offringe
& amendede þat hous mid moni riche þinge
& ȝef hom lond & rentes & confermede al so
Þe ȝiftes þat oþer kinges adde er iȝiue þer to
Of rentes & of londes as þe king cuþred
& king crutwine & Iue & suþþe king alfred
Edward & aþelston Edmund & edgar
Hor ȝifte he confermede to make ech mon ywar
He confermede hor londes as frelich to holde ywis
Bi gode chartre & hor rentes as þe king huld is
Þis king knout was tuenti ȝer king of engelonde
& in þe a þousend ȝer of grace & þritti ich vnder stonde
& sixe he deide at ssaftesburi & at winchestre wiþ gret prute
At sein swithines he was ibured þere as he liþ ȝute

482

Harald þe kinges sone knout after him was king
Ykrouned he was at oxenford a ssrewe þoru alle þing
Of þe kunde he was of denemarch of þe eror wif ybore
Þe lasse he louede englissemen & engelond þeruore
Þe verste ȝer þat he was king Emme þe gode quene
He drof out of engelond & is ssrewede made isene
Is stepmoder is fader wif þat quene adde ybe tueie
Of engelond & þat is fader let vette in normandie
Þo þis quene was of londe ydriue þoru hire wiþerwine
Heo wende to þe erl of flaundres þat het baldewine
Þis erl hire vaire vnder veng þat was hende & fre
& toc hire þe castel of bruges Inne vorto be
Þere was þis gode quene wiþoute eni striuing
Vorte hire stepsone was ded harald þe luþer king
Vor he was king bote four ȝer & six monþes vnneþe
Ar he lay at oxenford & drou toward þe deþe
& deide þer in pine inou & suþþe is bodi me ber
To þe abbei of westmunstre & burede it uaire þer

483

In þe ȝer of grace an þousend & on & fourtiþe ȝere
Þis king deide in aueril moni glad mon was þere

Hardeknout is broþer þo þen wei sone nom
Fram denemarch to engelond & to sandwich com
Þoru þe baronie of engelond & of denemarch al so
Ichose he was to be king uor hii encentede þerto
Vor he adde somdel to engelond More kunde þan þe oþer
Vor he was in is moder half seint edwardes broþer
Sone so he was king ymad after is moder he sende
Þe quene emme to flaundres & bigan hire stat amende
& huld hire uaire as riȝt was is moder & quene al so
Ac þis hardeknout nas king noȝt folliche ȝeres tuo
Vor þer failede of ten dawes þat he ne deide ywis
At lamhuþe he was ded & ybured he was & is
At seint suithines at winchestre bi is fader þat liþ þere
Kinges of denemarch in þis manere were

484

Kinges here of þis lond kinges ech after oþer
Þe sone verst after þe fader þe broþer after þe broþer
& engelond was out of kunde six & tuenti ȝer
In pine & worre & sorwe inou as seint dunston bi het er
Ac þo þis þre kinges were ded of denemarch þer nere
Bileued nammo in engelond þat of þe kunde were
Þo moste it nede come aȝen to þe riȝt eir of kunde
Þe holimon seint edward þat euere worþ in munde
Vor aldred is eldore broþer was arst aslawe here
Wiþ treson in engelond icholle telle in wuch manere
A time to speke mid is moder to engelond he com
& gret folc of normandie wiþ him hider nom
& þe ualse erl of engelond godwine was is name
Þat euere adde wiþ treson þis londe ydo ssame
An doȝter he adde god he þoȝte he wolde fonde
To make hire ȝut ȝif he miȝte quene of engelonde

485

Þat aldred nolde noȝt spousi is doȝter he was in fere
Vor prute & is heynesse ȝif þat he king were
To þe ȝongore broþer seint edward is hope was more inome
Vor he was simple & milde & eþ to ouercome
Þeruore þo he sei alfred so gret heinesse drawe
He þoȝte hou he miȝte do þat he were of lifdawe
To þe heie men of engelond uaste he wende aboute
& sede engelond miȝte be of aldred in gret doute
Vor he þoȝte ȝif he were king þat folc of normandie
Al maistres make in engelond þoru strengþe & tricherye
& deseriti hom also þoru normannes he þoȝte
Þeruore mid him of normens so muche folc he broȝte
So þat heie men of þe lond he broȝte al to is wille
Þat hii nome aldred & is folc mid tricherie & stille
& ladde hom uaste ibounde to guldeforde al so
Awei seli gultelese men lute hadde hii mis do

486

Þo hii come to guldeforde þe erl godwine þe ssrewe
Let þis gultelese men sette al arewe
& telle out euere þe teþe mon & þe nine þoru out he nom
& let smite of hor alre heued & made a reufol dom
Þo þe teþe was aliue he þoȝte of more wou
Him þoȝte þer were to monye aliue of ynou
Alle þat were aliue bileued arewe ef sone he drou
& tolde of hom þe teþe out & þe nine slou
So þat þer bileuede aliue vewe þo
& þulke out of engelond he drof mid muche wo
Alfred hii ladde to ely & pulte out boþe is eye
& huld him þere in prison vorte þe selimon gan deye
Nas þis of þis godwine a ssrewe & luþer dom

Ȝut our louerd ar he deide gret wreche þer of nom

487

Seint Edward in normandie was þo bileued al one
As bar as wo seiþ of þe kunde as he sprong of þe stone
He dradde uor he was al one of þe tem bileued there
& uor þe traitours of engelond so ualse & luþer were
Leste he were of is fon þoru treson iboȝt
& vor loue of is eritage so to deþe ybroȝt
To god he made is pleinte ofte wepinde wel bliue
& nameliche þe wule is fon of denemarch were aliue
Help me he sede in þis wo louerd bidde ich þe
Vor min frend & mi nexte ney stondeþ aȝe me
My fader þat leuede here in worre & in strif
In worre & sorwe & sor ynou he endede is lif
Min breþeren beþ boþe aslawe þoru treson al so
Min neueus beþ boþe yflemd & out engelond ido
& mi moder iwedded to mi meste fo
& ich al one bileued woder ssal ich louerd go

488

Hii þat of min eritage al louerdes beþ
Wilneþ alle þinge mest min deþ as men yseþ
& al pouere louerd ich am to þe bileued ywis
& þou wolt louerd help be to him þat faderles is
Al to soþe it is icome þat sein dunston gan telle
Þe wreche of min vncle deþ þat is stepmoder let quelle
Mi fader aboȝte it dere ynou & min breþeren bo
So þat þer nis non bileued bote ich louerd & nammo
Nis it viue & sixti ȝer louerd nou non ago
Þat to engelond uor þulke deþ uerst com such wo
Hou longe ssal hit ylaste louerd wiþ draw þin hond
Of þi wreche send sum ende and reu of engelond
Þo þis kinges of denemarch alle þre were dede
& alfred al so aslawe þe barons nome to rede
And oþer heiemen as god ȝef þat cas
And chose seint edward to king þat kunde eyr þo was

489

As he was þer to ichose er þan he was ibore
Þo was it to soþe icome þat ised was biuore
Þat seinte peter at glastinbury to bissop briȝtwold sede
Þo com verst pais to engelond after þe wrecchede
Me sende after him to normandie to engelond þat he come
& lute folc of normandie mid him hider nome
So þat mid lute onekeþ folc to engelond he drou
Þe heiemen come aȝen him mid ioye & prute inou
& vnderuenge him as hor louerd vaire þoru alle þing
& an esterday at winchestre crouned him to king
Isacred he was þo to king of erchebissopes tuo
Of kanterbury of euerwik & of oþere al so
Hit was in a þousend ȝer & fourti & tuo
After þat god an erþe com þat he was icrouned so
Þo was ioye in engelond aboute in eche side
His godnesse & is gode los aboute sprong so wide

490

Þat þer nas no god prince ne king in none londe
Þat ne wilnede enqueintaunse of him ich vnderstonde
Þe emperour of rome to him in god loue iwis
Obligede bi his messagers alle þing þat was his
Vor þat edmundes sone yrenside þat his broþer was
Hadde ywedded is cosine he was glad of þut cas
& seint edward nei kun was þe king of france al so
Þat ech þing clene þat is was obliged him to
So þat nas prince nour þat at his wille nas
Bote he one of denemarch þat euere is fo was
Seint edward vor al is god debonere was ynou
& nameliche to pouere men to none prute he ne drou
Reufol he was to nedi men of is almes large & fre
Of more deuocion nomon in chirche ne miȝte be
He was selde iseie wroþ ne in glotonie ne in prute
Þei is tresour were ilore þer of he tolde lute

491

So holi lif he ladde & god so chast & so clene
Þat þe heiemen of þe lond wolde hom al day mene
Þat hii nadde non eir of him & þat gret peril it was
Vor þer miȝte come to al þe lond gret wo uor such cas
Vor ȝif he adde an kunde eir biȝite bi is wif
Þe sikerore were þat lond wiþoute worre & strif
Þerl godwine þe false mon þat þe kinges broþer slou
Aldred as ich tolde er an doȝter god ynou
Of holi lif & clene adde Edithe was hire name
Þat as it is of hire iwrite & of ire holi fame
Þat as þe rose springþ of þe brer þat ssarp & kene is
Also com þat clene maide of þe luþer man iwis
Þis luþer mon was uaste aboute to heiemen ylome
To bringe it þer to ȝif it miȝte þat þe king is doȝter nome

492

Me sede þe king þat he moste nede wedde wif
& þat þet maide was him best uor hire clene lif
Þe king him bi þoȝte priueliche & stille
Þat in such cas god it was to do þe londes wille
& uor heo was so clene maide & of so clene liue
Þat betere him were in holinesse nime hire to wiue
Þan an heie kinges doȝter of veire londe ybroȝt
Þat to is holi liue nolde acordi noȝt
& weddede þis maide þat so holi & clene was
More uor to paie þat lond þan vor eni oþer cas
Longe hii were to gadere þis gode king & quene
Ac of oȝt bote of holinesse lute it was isene
Vor god as hii sede ofte hii toke to witnesse
Þat bituene hom neuere nas no þing bote clannesse
Boþe hii were at one worde to libbe in clene liue
So þat hii were wiþoute eir me þincþ vor al is wiue

493

Þe king of denemarch & is men þretnede him wel vaste
So þat hii greiþede hom hiderward atte laste
A witesoneday as seint edward at is masse stod
& bed vor þe pes of þe lond þat god it sende god
Riȝt atte sacringe he stod as he lowe
In þe churche at westmunstre as men bihulde ynowe
Hii þat him were mest priue askede wy it were
Þe king þo he hom com & wy he made such chere
Certes sires quaþ þe king ihered be godes sonde
Þe luþer men of denemarch mid hor king of þe londe
To hor olde luþerhede iturnd adde hor þoȝt
To worry vr suete pais þat ur louerd vs aþ ibroȝt
& to day in þis gode tyme hor poer clene hii nome
& þe wind hom paide wel & to þe se hii come
Vor to destrue engelond as hii abbeþ ofte ydo
& þulke time þat ȝe iseye þat ich somdel lou so

494

Þe king bi an laddre to þe ssip clam an hey
& þreu vp to doun in þe se & adreincte as ich sey
& is men as in wanhope wende hom aȝen bliue
So þat ich hopie to god pais þe wule ich am aliue
Messagers to denemarch sone isend were
& as þe king adde ised al clene hii founde þere
Neuereft hii of denemarch hiderward ne come
Vor god prince al a lond varþ þe bet ylome
Vor þe lond was viue & sixti ȝer in worre & in sore
As ȝe abbeþ ihurd biuore is day & afterward ȝut more
As ȝe ssolle yhure her after ac þe wule he was king
Þat lond was in god loue & pes wiþoute ech striuing
Ac ȝut eir nadde he non ywis uor al is liue
Vor he nadde neuere bote in clannesse to doiinge wiþ is wiu[e]