[fol. 6r] The first chapitre of this present boke conteyneth how Blanchardyn departed out of the court of his fader kynge of Fryse. Capitulo primo.

prose-textblock1That tyme when the right happy wele of peas flowrid for the most parte in all Christen realmes, and that moche peple dyde moche peyne to gadre and multyplye vertues, regned in Fryse a kynge of right benewred and happy fame, loved, doubted, and well obeyed of his subgettis. Ryght habundaunt of the goodes of fortune; but privated and voyde he was of the right desyred felicité in mariage, that is to wyte of lignage or yssue of his bodye, wherof he and the quene his wyffe were sore displesed. I leveto telle the bewayllyngis and lamentaciouns that the goode lady the quene made full often by herself al alone in solytary places of her paleys for this infortune.

prose-textblock2But she, knowyng the vertuouse effecte of devote and holy oryson, excercysed with al her strengthe her right sorowful grevous herte to this gloriouse occupacion. And after this fayre passetyme, by veraye permyssion devyne, conceyved a right faire sone whiche was named Blanchardyn. Now it is soo that atte his byrthe and comyng into this world, sourded and rose up one not acustomed joye and gladnesse of the kynge and of the quene, of the prynces and lordes, and of all the comyn people of the lande that judged hemself right happy of a successoure legytyme. Yf unto you I wold recounte and telle the joye and the myrthe that atte that daye was made, I myght overmoche lengthe oure matere. Blanchardyn the chylde was taken into the handes of a right noble lady of the lande for to norysshe and bryngen up. [fol. 6v] But well ye knowe that he was not hadde sore ferre from the kynge his fadre nor fro the quene his modre. For never daye nor owre the childe Blanchardyn toke noo fode of none others brestis, but all onely of the quene his modres owne brestis. The childe grew and amended sore of the grete beaulté wherof he was garnysshed. None can telle it you bycause that it was so grete, that God and nature had nothyng forgoten there.

prose-textblock3Blanchardyn grewe in beawté, wytte, and goode maners beyonde mesure and passed all other of his age. Thenne whan he came atte the yssue of his childhode he was take for to be endoctryned in lytterature and in goode maners to a clerck the whiche wythin short tyme made hym expert and able in many and dyvers sciences, that is to wyte in gramayre, logyke, and philosophie.

prose-textblock4Blanchardyn, emonge other passetymes, delyted hymself in hawkynge and hunting, whereas right moderatly and manerly mayntened hymself. Of the tables and ches playinge, and of gracyous and honeste talkynge, he passed them that were his elder in age. And for to speke the trouthe, he was naturelly inclyned and used alle that whiche the herte of a noble man appeteth and desyreth, reserved that he nevere had borne noon armes nor herde speke therof, nor also had not seen the manere and the usuage of joustynge and tournoyinge. And that was for bycause of the right expresse commandementes of the kynge his fadre, doon to theym that hadde the chylde in governaunce. Notwythstandyng, he lefte not to knowe theym, for it is sayde in comyn langage that the goode byrde affeyteth hirself, and so dyde Blanchardyn, as ye shall mowe here heraftre.

[fol. 7r] The seconde chapytre conteyneth how Blanchardyn byfore his departyng talked and devysed wyth his mayster, demaundynge of the bataylles of Troye, whiche he sawe fygured in tapysseryes, and the signyfycacion of the names of the knyghtes, of theyre armures and of theyre fayttes.

prose-textblock1It happed that on a daye emonge othre, Blanchardyn fonde hymself in advyses wyth his mayster walkynge wythin the paleys. And by adventure entred into a chambre hanged wyth right fayre and riche tapysserye of the destruttion of Troye, well and alonge fygured. Blanchardyn, that nevere had taken theratte noo hede, ryght instantly dyde advyse and sette his syghte toward the sayde tappysserye, and coude not merveylle hymself too moche in beholdynge upon the same of the dyverse and strange werkes that he perceyved.

prose-textblock2Thenne dylygently he demanded his mayster of the subtylnes of the werke of the historye, and of the personnages. And first recounted unto hym his mayster the puyssaunce, the right grete cyrcuyte, and the noblesse of the cyté of Troyes. And syn the horryble and merveyllous bataylles of the Grekes ayenst the Trojans, the right grete valyaunce of Hector, of Troylus, Parys, and Deyphebus brederen, and of Achilles and of many othre, of whom he sawe the representacyon in the sayde tappysserye that sore movyd and styryd his noble and hyghe corage, and gaffe hym a wylle for to be lyke unto those noble and worthy knyghtes wherof he sawe the remembraunces.

prose-textblock3After he demaunded of his mayster the names and blasure of the armes that the sayde knyghtes bare, that well and alonge dide advertyse [fol. 7v] the chylde. And for to abredge longe taryeng, tofore they departed fro the chambre, by the ynstruction of his mayster, he was sage endoctryned of the names and usages for the moost parte of the habylymentes necessary and servynge to the werre. From that oure forth on, the right noble jovencel Blanchardyn concluded in his corage that he shold fynde hymself, yf God graunted hym helthe, in som place where by experyence he shuld lerne to bere armes and shuld excercyce and take payne and dyligence upon hymself to knowe the wayes of the same for the grete plesure that he toke in herynge therof speke, thynkyng in hymself that the use therof shulde be to hym ryght moche agreable and plaisaunt. And so thenne departed from his mayster more pensefull than he had be byfore tyme.

The thirde chapitre conteyneth how Blanchardyn departed wythout the knowlege of his fadre, the kynge of Fryse, and bare awaye wyth hym his goode swerde, and toke his goode courser. And of the sorowe that the kynge and the quene made for his departynge.

prose-textblock1Blanchardyn, after the departynge that he made from his mayster, cam into his chambre al alone. And there al his thoughtes he concluded in one, for to fynde the manere and facyon for to departe out of his faders hous the kynge. And it is not to be doubted but or evere he myght come to the chyeff of his enterpryse for to make his departynge, that his mynde was full sore troubled wythal bycause of the dyverse and many conclusyons that his fantasyouse wylle dyde present byfore hym. Neverthelesse [fol. 8r] all rewthis, layde a departe as well for his fader as for his modre, kynrede , and fryndes, as other infynyte thynges that are wont to tarye the corages of some enterpryses, concluded by hymself his departynge wythout shewyng tyl onybody. And dyde so moche by his subtyll engyne that he gate a ryght goode and riche swerde that longed unto the kynge his fadre, whiche afterward was to hym wel syttynge. Whan he sawe hymself thus garnyssed therwyth he was ful glad. Thenne went he all fayre and softe donne fro the paleys evyn about the oure of mydnight; the mone shone bright and faire. Blanchardyn toward the stables tourned his waye where he fonde, standing aparte, the best courser of the kinge his fader, whiche was the fairest and the best that coude have ben founde in ony countrey at that tyme, so that for the fyersnes of the sayd courser he was kept in a litil stable by himself nere ynoughe the grete stables. The jovencel Blanchardyn, joyful and gladde, cam and entred into the stable and sette the sadell and the brydell to the riche and myghty courser, upon whiche right quykly he mounted and, smyting wyth the sporys, went his waye anone, to the ende that he shulde not be herde nor aspyed of noo man. So rode he all that nyght, that was to hym of avauntage for cause of the mone that spredde her bemes abrode, wythout that onybody coude telle ony tydynges where he was becomen.

prose-textblock2Thus as ye here, the jovencel Blanchardyn, all alone wythout companye, departed from the kynge his fader, the whiche God wyl kepe and guide. So shal we leve him drawing on his waye and shal retourne to helpe the sorowful kynge and quene for to complayne and wepe for the absence of theyre dere sone Blanchardyn.

The fourth chapitre conteyneth how the kynge of Fryse made to pursyew his sone Blanchardyn and of the grete sorowe that he and the quene his wyf made for hym.

prose-textblock1[fol. 8v] After the partynge that Blanchardyn made, that alone and wythout companye rode lighteli to the end he shold not be folowed of noo man, the nyght passed and the fayre daye came and the sonne rose up spredyng his bemes upon the erthe. The owre cam that every man was rysen up wythin the paleys. Right thus as many knyghtes and esquyers went there walkyng and spekynge one wyth other, cam the yomen and grommes of the stable makynge grete noyse and crye for that grete courser of the kynge whiche that night was stolen fro theim. So moche that the bruyt and the tydinge therof ranne thrughe all the pallays. The kynge and the quene his wyf atte that owre were rysen up, herynge the bruyt that there wythinne was made for that myschyef that so was fallen, and had grete merveylle. Dyverse there were that unto them brought the tydynge of the same, but not longe hit taryed whan tolde and recounted was to theim the harde departynge of theire right wel beloved sone Blanchardyn, that al alone was gon no man knewe where.

prose-textblock2Whan the good kyng and the quene understode the voyce of theym that the pyteouse tydynges brought unto theim, there nys no tonge humayn that coude to yow recounte ne saye the grete sorow and lamentacion that they bothe togidre made, and so dyde al they that were wythinne, for the grete love that they al had unto that jovencel. But the lamentable sorowynge that the king and the quene made passed all other for they were bothe fal in swone so that no lyf coude be perceved in theire bodyes. But trowed all they that were present that they had be bothe deed, wherof the pyteouse cryes, wepyng, and lamentacions bygan to be more grete, so that thurgh the cyté were herde the voyces wherby they were soone advertysed, wherfore suche a sorowe was made wythin the palays. In the cyté and thurgh al the [fol. 9r] royalme wept ladyes, maydens, men, and wymen. Within a short while the palays and the cyté were tourned from joye unto tristresse and replenysshed wyth sorowe ful byttir. The kynge and the quene, after that they had layen in a swoune a goode while, came ayen to theyme self. And the kynge ascryed hymself a-hyghe saynge, “O my right beloved sonn, the gladnes and joye of myn herte, who moved you to leve me and to parte soo? Certeynly I perceyve in me the shortynge of my dolaunt and sorowfull lyff.”

prose-textblock3After the rewthes and lamentacions of the kynge commaunded expressely to al his barons and knyghtes in the cyté and thurghe alle the realme that, upon the love that they ought to hym and upon as moche as they entended to do hym plasire, that they alle sholde mounte on horsbacke for to enquyre and seke after hys most dere and wel beloved sone, and to brynge hym ayen unto him. Thenne were anone steryng out of alle partyes knyghtes, noblemen, and burgeys, and they parted fro the cyté toke dyverse wayes, enquyrynge in every place where they passed by for to here and understande some goode and true tydynges of the jovencel Blanchardyn. But so moche they coude not seke nor enquyre that ever they coude lerne nor here ony tydynges of hym, wherof alle dolant and confuse tourned ayen to the kynge of Fryse that of this adventure was full sory and dolaunt, and so was his wyf the quene. I shal leve to telle yow of the kynge and the quene, suffryng theym to demayne their rewthis and complayntes unto that tyme and oure shal be for to retourne to the same.

The fythe chapitre speketh how Blanchardyn founde a knyght on his waye wounded to deth by another knyght that from hym had taken his lady awaye. And how by the [fol. 9v] same, Blanchardyn was made knyght that promysed to rescue his lady unto hym.

prose-textblock1As byfore ye have herde of, Blanchardyn, that alone was departed wythout leve of the kynge his fader, holdynge the covert wayes bycause that of his faders folke he shold not be folowed or overtaken. So moche and so longe a space he rode wythout fyndyng of ony adventure that ought to be recounted or tolde, that passyng forth on his waye thurghe the londe, founde hymself in a hyghewaye brode ynoughe that ladde hym unto the ende of a grete forest, in whiche he entred and rode styl tyl the morowe none wythout ony adventure wherof men ought to make mencion. And so rode all nyght unto the next morowe tenn of the clocke, and gooynge doune from a hylle into a valeye founde a knyght that lay there on the grounde armed of al pieces, the whiche full pyteouly complayned and made grete mone. Thenne Blanchardyn, seeyng the knyght there alone, taryed hymself, mervellyng why nor what cause moevyd hym thus to sorowe and complayne. He stode styl makyng humble salutacion unto hym and syth demaunded hym of the causes of his sayde sorowe and grevaunce. The knyght, right humbly, and wyth a right lowe voyce as he that hurt was to deth, rendryd hym ayen his salewyng and well alonge advertysed the jovencel Blanchardyn of his mysadventure, shewyng to hym the place and wounde that drue hym toward to dethe by the hande of a knyght that had taken his lady from hym, the whiche thynge was but late doon unto hym.

prose-textblock2Thenne Blanchardyn, moved of pyté, alyght from his courser and sette fote on erthe and disarmed the knyght from his armures, and syth wrapped his wounde wherof he so sore sorowed, [fol. 10r] and dyde covere hym wyth his mantell, axyng yf he that injurye had doon to hym myght be but lytyll ferre goon. The knyght answerd and sayde that he myght wel have goon a myle and nomore. After this, he toke hymself to syghe full sore saying, “Alas my right dere lady that so moche I loved, this day shal the separacion be made of the two hertes that so stedfastly loved eche other. I fele deth atte the entrance of my soroweful herte, prest and redy to make me pryvatod of the swete remembraunce of our entyre and feythfull love. But moche more werse and grevouse is to me that, by vyolent opressyon, that traytour that hath wounded me to deth shall enjoye youre youghthe unpolusshed.” To thees wordes sayde Blanchardyn to the knyght and prayed hym that he vousshesauff to helpe hym that he were doubed knyght wyth his armes. And that in favoure and compassion of his infortune, he sholde avenge hym of his enmye and that he shulde yelde ayen his lady unto hym. Thenne the knyght sore hurt to dethe, wyth grete peyne rose up on feet and armed Blanchardyn with his armes and gaaff hym the necstroke of knighthode, and dowbed knight for to strengthe the more the good wylle that he had toward hym.

prose-textblock3That tyme that Blanchardyn sawe hymself armed of all his armures, he was right gladde and joyous and sore desyrynge for to avenge the dsyhonnoure and shame that to the knyght had be late don. He cam toward his goode courser on whiche he lyght ful quykly, the shylde alonge the brest and the helmet wel clos laced, the spere on the rest and his goode swerde y-girded. Whan Blanchardyn sawe hymself on horsbacke and thus wel armed, made a tourne upon the playne therefor grete joye, and to the knyght began thus to say, “Vassell, enforce yourself and take [fol. 10v] ayen your corage, for, to the playsyre of our Lorde, your love and lady I shal yelde unto you this day, and also youre enmye taken or ded.” Thenne brocheth Blanchardyn forth wyth the sporys his ryche courser, takyng his leve of the knyght sore wounded and kept the way that the knyght dyde shewe. Ful wel and right fayre dyde Blanchardyn conteyne hymself in his harneys, seen that never had borne non armes afore, and right wel halpe hymself wyth his spere and handled and tourned hit at his playsyre.

The sixth chapytre conteyneth how Blanchardyn went after the knyght so longe that he founde him where he wold have enforced the lady of the wounded knyghte.

prose-textblock1Blanchardyn, that wyth all his herte desyred to fynde him that he went sekynge, rode forth wythin the forest so moche that he founde the foot of the hors of hym for whom he wente in enqueste, wiche he folowed ryght quyckly insomoche that fro ferre he entré herde the cryes ful piteouse of a mayden, wherby he thought and knewe for trouthe that it was she that he went sekynge. So tourned he that parte and soone chose, in the shadowe under a busshe, the knyght that he soughte and the gentyl mayde or damoysell dolaunt and ful sprenct wyth grete teerys, ryght fowly handled and sore beten by the sayde knyght for the reffuse that she made to his shameles concupyscence. Blanchardyn, herynge the cryes and seeynge the wepynges, the grete sorewe and doleaunce of the vertuose and noble mayden, broched wyth the spowrys and swyftli waloppyd that parte, tyl that he cam to the place whereas the sayde pucelle cryed so pyteously, whereas atte the approaches that he made said ful instantli to the knyght, “Vassal, kepe that ye nomore attouch that pucel and defende youreself from me. For hir sake I wyl fight with you in favoure of the good knight, her true lover, that whiche falsly as an untrewe knyght ye have betrayd and wounded vylaynously, wythout a cause goode or raysonable. So yelde ye her ayen lightli to me by love, and I shal lede [fol. 11r] her ageyn surely and saufly toward her right dere love.”

prose-textblock2The knyght thenne beholdynge the jovencell Blanchardyn that right yong was, and sawe hym alone, rose anone upon his feet all chaffed and full of yre, as half madde for the contraryté of his wylle that he founde in the same mayde. Moche fyersly behelde Blanchardyn and sayde unto him that in vayne he traveylled for to require her from him for another, in sainge to him that of suche purpose he wolde ceasse. And that he shulde noo more speke therof, or ellys he shulde shewe hym by his swerde that the pursyewte that he had made, and wolde yet make for her, shulde be to his shame, and that he shulde therfore dye shamefully in that place.

The seventh chapytre conteyneth and speketh of the bataylle that was made betwyx the sayde knyght and Blanchardyn. And so longe they fought that Blanchardyn slew hym sterke ded and rescued the pucelle, the whiche deyde for sorowe bycause that she founde her true lover ded.

prose-textblock1Whan Blanchardyn understode the knyght thus went thretnyng hym, and that so moche inhumaynly entreated the gentyll pucelle, sayde unto hym, “Vassell goo thou and lyght upon thy destrer, for syth that by fayre meanes thou wylt not yelde ayen the pucelle, thou most nedes deffende thee nowe ayenst me the right that thou pretendest upon her. And yf thou avaunce or haste not thyself, I shal doo passe this same spere thrughe the myddes of thy body, for thy lyffe is to me so gretly displeasaunte. But that it were for shame that I see thee afote, I sholde have separed alredy the sowle of thee from the body.” The [fol. 11v] knyght heryng the grete wordes of the jovencell Blanchardyn, answerd hym and sayde, “O thou proude berdles boye and full of arrogaunce, over grete haste thou makest to the purchas of thy deth, whiche is right sore nyghe, and the which I shal presente anone unto thee wyth the yron of my spere whiche is full sore trenchaunt.”

prose-textblock2Thenne, wythout moo wordes, the knyght mounted hastely on horsbake and toke his spere, whiche he cowched and cam gyvyng the spores ayenst Blanchardyn, that had his spere all redy prest in hande. Soo ranne the vasselles togyder and roughte eche other by suche a force upon the sheldes that they were brusen and broken all to peces; theire sperys, that sore bygge and stronge were, broke also all to pyces, and thenne toke theire swerdes wherof they gaaffe many a grete stroke tyl eche other.

prose-textblock3Blanchardyn, sore angry and evyl apayde of that he sawe the untrewe knyght to endure so longe, approched hymself ayenst hym and heved up his good swerde wyth bothe his handes, wherof he gaffe to the knyght suche an horryble and dysmesurable a strok, in whiche he had employed alle his strengthe and vertue, that he detrenched and cut his helmet and the coyffe of stele, in suche manere a wyse that the goode swerde entred into the brayne, porfended and clove his hed unto the chynne, and syn wringed his strock atte the pullyng out ayen that he made of his swerde. So fell the knyght doune from his hors that nevere moeved fote nor legge. The pucelle, thenne seeynge that she was delyvered by the dethe of the knyght, wyst not what a manere she shulde kepe nor how to thanke humbli ynoughe Blanchardyn, whiche made the pucelle to lyght upon the hors of the knyght so slayne and deed, fro the [fol. 12r] whiche incontynent he dyde cut of the hed and henged hit atte foreende of his sadel for to shewe hit to the knyght wounded, that he shulde take the more comfort wyth the ryght wysshed desyre of the syght of hys present maystresse.

prose-textblock4The noble pucelle, ryght desyrouse to here tydynges of her right true lover, demaunded of Blanchardyn whether he wyst not that her lover was alyve. “Bewtefull suster,” sayde Blanchardyn, “that owre that I parted from hym, I lefte hym strongly greved and sore hurt, but I hope that yet, to the plesure of our Lorde, we shal fynde hym alyve. So late us ryde a goode paas to the end we may gyve hym comfort.” “Alas syre,” sayde the mayden, “I make grete dowte, seen his grete sore, that never I shal see hym alyve. And yf thus it happed, that God forbede, I shuld quyte and gyve up the remenant of my lyffe. Syth that we two helde but one party, for our herte thenne shulde be departed, yf deth parted us asondre in takynge fro me my lover, and my parte shulde be wythout powere and as imperfyht, drawyng to the perfection of his partye.” In suche devyses as ye here, Blanchardin and the maiden rode forth tyl that they cam to the place where the knyght her lover laye, whiche they founde ded and the sowle departed fro the body. Whan the pucelle sawe her feythfull love dede, of the grete sorowe that she toke therof, she fell donne dyverse tymes in a swoune upon the corps or ever the usaunce of speche was in her restored, for to complayne the intollerable evyll that for this infortune envyroned her herte out of all sydes.

prose-textblock5And for to abredge, after the rewthes, syghes, and wepynges that so moche incessauntly or wythout ceasse made, the noble pucelle fell donne sterk ded upon the stomak of her moost dere lovere. This seeyng, [fol. 12v] Blanchardyn right moche abasshed hymself, and sayde in hymself that thees two persones loved eche other full truly. Wherof moche grete pyté toke hym in tendryng theym, so muche that the teerys ranne donne from his eyen, and right muche dyspleased hym that he muste leve them there. Ryght gladly, yf he had myght, wold have brought them bothe wythin some place for to gyve the corsses a sepultre, to the ende they shulde not abyde there to be fode for birdes and bestes. But so ferre he was from all townes that a grete day journay nyhe were there noo dwellers, wherfor it behoved hym for to leve hem there seeyng that noon otherwyse he myght doo. But disarmed hymself of the armures of the sayd knyght, toke ayen his mantell, and syn departed sore troubled atte herte for the pyteouse dethe of the two true lovers. And also had wel in remembraunce the knyght that he had slayne. Blanchardyn, all mournyng and pensefull, departed and went his waye. And from that tyme forthon began to fele a lytel of the state of love, and praysed and comended hit in his herte and was remembred of it allewayes.

The eighth chapitre conteyneth how Blanchardyn fonde the knyght that made hym to passe over the ryvere wythin a bote that he sent hym. And of the devyses that they had togydre and of the goode chere that the knyght made to hym.

prose-textblock1After that Blanchardyn was goon fro the place where he lefte the two lovers wythout lyffe, he began to ryde faste by the forest, in whiche he was bothe the daye and the nyght unto the morowe aboute the owre of pryme wythout adventure to fynde that doeth to be recounted. Ryght wery and sore travaylled he was for hunger and for thurste that he felte, for syn that he was departed from his fadres house, the kynge of Fryse, had nothre eten nor [fol. 13r] dronken but onely that whyche he fonde upon the trees growynge in the grete forest, as crabbes and other wylde frutes that are wonte to growe in wodes. So longe rode Blanchardyn by the forest that, in comynge doun from an hylle he sawe there under in a playn a moche ample and a grete medowe, thorugh whiche passed a grete ryver wyth a streme sore bigge and right grete. Blanchardyn, seeyng this rivere of so bigge a streme, so depe and so sore grete, was moche abasshed how nor by what manere he sholde mowe passe hit over.

prose-textblock2So descended and cam doune the hylle and rode thurgh the medowe tyl he cam to the banke of the ryvere whiche he fonde grete and large, wherof he was sore displeased, for impossyble was to hym for to passe over. Tyl that, by adventure, atte the other syde of the ryvere he sawe a knyght armed of al peces that went hastly rydynge along the ryvage, the whiche, whan he sawe Blanchardyn, anone escryed hymself hyghe sayeng, “Vassall, beware that ye putte not your self wythin this ryvere by noo manere for to passe hit over, for nother ye nor your hors sholde never departe out wythout ye sholde be bothe perysshed. Suffre a lytel whyle, for soone I shal sende you a vessell for to passe for you and your hors over.” Thenne Blanchardyn, herynge the knyght that to hym wolde do this curtosye to make hym pass over, alyghted from hys courser and sette fote on grounde. Not long he had ben there whan toward hym arryved a marener that brought hym a boote goode and sure that from the knyght of the fery was sent unto hym. He entred the vessell ledynge his hors by the brydell, thenne began they to rowe so that wythin a short whyle they were over. Whan they were passed over, they founde the [fol. 13v] knyght that awayted after theym that well and curtoysly saluted Blanchardyn, whiche thanked hym moche of his curtoysy that he had shewed unto hym of his goode advertysynge, and of the vessell that he had sent hym for to pass over the ryver.

prose-textblock3The knyght wyth grete merveyll bygan to byholde Blanchardyn, and the more he loked upon hym, the more lyked hym to be a childe comen of a hyghe extraction, saynge in hymself that never noo day of his lyffe a fayrer jovencell had he not seen, and that the disposicion of his membres judged hym to be a man of grete myght. After he mynded and dyde byholde his joyouse esperyte and his assured contenaunce and goodely manere that right moche pleased hym. So aproched himself nygh Blanchardyn and began to demaunde hym, axyng of whens he was and whyther he wold drawe to. Blanchardyn full curtoysly answerd hym sayeng that he was of the roalme of Fryse, and bycause, thanked be God, that the marches there werre in peas, he had sette hymself to journaye for to fynde som contreye where were was for to prove his barnag, excercisyng hymself in the noble crafte of armes for to aquire lawde and pryce, as tyl a knyght apparteyneth. Thenne the knyght, heryng the haulte corage and goode wylle that the yonge knyght Blanchardyn had, was ryght well apayed of that answere and praysed and comended hym ryght moche in his herte.

The ninth chapitre conteyneth and speketh of the devyses and fayre exortynges that the knyght of the feery made unto Blanchardyn and how he conveyed hym unto the the waye of Tormaday.

prose-textblock1After many dyvyses made betwene the knyght and Blanchardyn by the shorys of the ryvere, the knight . . . led him into his castle, where he was received with great reverence by the wife of the knight. If they thought well of him and his destrier, there is no need to ask. For of all the good things with which one could ease the body of a man, Blanchardyn was well served with as much as he needed. Blanchardyn, after he had eaten at his leisure and when they rose from the table, asked and enquired of the knight the name of the region and country where he had arrived. The knight, hearing the youth, answered him and said that he was in the service of the maid of Tormady, who was successor to the crown of the kingdom of Darye, of which Tormaday was the capital and leading city of the said kingdom, of which a near neighbor was a very old pagan king named Alimodes of Cassidonie, who by his force and presumption would have to wife the said damsel, l’orguilleuse d’amours , whom many great Christian princes wanted very much to have on account of her goodness and the nobleness of her kingdom, which is very rich.

prose-textblock2“But because of the refusals that the maiden has made to King Alimodes, he is prepared and arrayed to make a great war against the said young lady, because she was so much admired and prized for her very excellent beauty, and also for the great virtues with which she is adorned. She among the other young ladies of the world is reputed to be the best. If I wanted to tell the whole story of her beauty, humility, and virtues, it would keep you here too long. Nevertheless, though she be such as you hear me report, even as all the common report says, one could not too much praise and esteem her. The reason is because she never wanted or would open her ears to the offers, pleas, or requests that anyone had made in love, no matter how grand or well disposed. For this, she is called by all princes near and far ‘l’orguilleuse d’amours;’ even though she has the name Eglantine.”

prose-textblock3The knight marveled greatly hearing Blanchardyn speak. So graciously did he converse that the knight was amazed that the young knight could already have so many virtues, such as excellent beauty, graciousness, prudence, so that at this occasion he could not refrain from telling Blanchardyn, “Would that it pleased God, sir, that my mistress, l’orgeuilleuse d’amours, would make you her friend, for thus it would be your desire and obligation to defend her against King Alimodes.” Blanchardyn then responded to the knight and said to him, “Sir, I thank you for the goodness and the honor that you do me, but I know well enough that such a great bounty is not due to me. And it would be presumptuous for me to think of it, seeing that, as you say, so many good men have wished to ask for her and no matter what they did, she would not hear pleas [fol. 15r] nor requeste of noon of theym, be he never of so grete perfection.” “Certes,” sayde thenne the knyght, “me semeth not that this manere at long rennynge may endure. The arowes of love ne hir dartes right sharp, som daye, yf God be plesed, shall not be ydle about her. But peradventure she so quykly hitte atte her herte ther wythall, that daunger nor refuse shal have no more lawe for to rule nor governe hir prowde corage as touching love. God gyve grace that this may be soone, and that he to whom ye wolde wysshe moste good in this worlde because of the reformacion of suche an obstynate wylle.” Moche humbly remercyed Blanchardyn the knyght, excusynge hymself in dyvers facions by gracyouse langage of this thynge. How be it that within hymself alredy, by the admonestynge of the good knyght, byganne for to desyre the goode grace of the same proude pucelle in amours, wythout makynge of eny semblaunt not to dyscovere it to the knyght.

prose-textblock4After many wordes servyng to the purpos aforsayd and utteryd betwyxt them bothe, the knyght sayd unto Blanchardyn, “Syre, ye be a right fayre jovencell and of noble representacion, well syttyng on horsbacke and tyl a wysshe wel shapen of alle membres, and to my semynge ryght wel worthy to have the grace and favore of the right gentyll damoyselle the proude mayden in amours. Doo thenne after my counseyll; my advyse is that the effecte that shal procede therof shal be to you moche prouffytable. I have tolde you her byfore that the paynem Kynge Alymodes apparreylleth hymself to make werre to my lady, my maystresse the proude pucelle in amours, and commeth for to besyege the cyté of Tormaday. And for this cause departeth now my sayd lady from a castell of hers not ferre hens and draweth toward Tormaday, [fol. 15v] for to gyve a corage to the knyghtes and other men of werre that ben in the towne for the deffense of the same ayenst the Kynge Alymodes. Right well it were your fayt and welthe for to goo rendre your persoune unto her for to serve her as a soudyoure, for to acquyre praysynge of worthynesse and goode renomme that thurghe this cause shall mowe growe to you ward , so moche that the bruyt wherof haply shal come to her knowlege, unto the prejudyce of her pryde dampnable and to the felycyté of your benewred persoune, deservynge therby her goode grace. I doubte not but that ye shall fynde her by the waye, ryght nobly accompanyed of knyghtes and noble men, of servauntes, of ladyes and damoyselles. And bycause of her delyciouse custume and tendernes, of herself she rydeth the lytyl paas upon her swete and softe palfraye. And of her custome whan she rydeth by the feldes awaye, she commeth allewayes behynde ferre ynough from all her folke, havynge onely besyde her a goode auncyent damoysell whiche dyde norysshe her of her brestys in her moost tender and yonge age, and is called her nouryce and maystresse. Wherfore I counseylle you to fynde the waye and the manere for to have a kysse or cusse of her mouth, howsoever that it be. Yf ye doo so, I ensure yow ye shal be the happyest of alle other, for my herte judgeth yf ye may have that onely cusse. And ye wyll, but yf it be long on yow, hit shal be occasyon of a love inseparable betwyx her and you in tyme to come. How be it I knowe right well and make noo doubte at all but that first of all, hit shall tourne for pryde of her tyl a grete displeasire unto her and shal be therof wors apayed, more then reason requyreth. But care you not, for that ye be well horsed, [fol. 16r] passe forthe wyth the spore, wythout eny spekynge as for that tyme, and ryde fast awaye wythout taryeng tyl ye come to Tourmaday. And whan ye come there, thynke to do that wherby ye may be comended.”

prose-textblock5Whan Blanchardyn herd the knyght thus speke, he was ryght glad and promysed hym to do soo yf possyble were to hym, whatsomevere shold falle therof. And after the curteys thanke that wel coude make, Blanchardyn toke his leve of the knyght and of the lady his wyf, thankyng the knyght of the goode counseyll and advertysinge that he had gyven unto hym. Thenne departed forth the chylde Blanchardyn. But the knyght, that was right curteys, guyded hym and conduyted a whyle and shewed hym the waye that he muste holde for to furnysshe his enterpryse, prayeng our lord God that a gode adoventure he myght fynde as the herte of hym dyde desyre, and syn toke leve of Blanchardyn and tourned homward ageyne.

The tenth chapitre conteyneth how Blanchardyn parted fro the knyght of the fery and rode on his waye al alone after the proude damoyselle in amours for to acomplysshe his desyrable entrepryse, as foloweth.

prose-textblock1After that the knyght was retourned home, Blanchardyn bygan to ryde on a good paas, desiring with all his herte to overtake the proude pucell in amours for to fulfylle his desyre and the promesse that he made to the knyght. So thought he moche in hymself by what manere he myght execute and brynge at an ende the werke that he hath undertaken, that is to wyte, to kysse the proude mayden in amours, wherof in this manere of [fol. 16v] thoughte was his noble herte all affrayed and replenysshed wyth grete fere lest he shold faylle of his entrepryse. For wel it was the advis of Blanchardyn that the thyng ought well to be putte in a proffe, syth his promesse was thus made to the knyght. And for this cause entred wythin his thoughte a drede as for to be so hardy that he sholde vaunce hymself for to kysse suche a pryncesse that never he had seen byfore, and wherof the acquentaunce was so daungerouse. But love, that wyth her dart had made in his herte a grete wounde, admonested hym for to procede constantly to his hyghe entrepryse, and after all varyablenes and debates y-brought at an ende wythin the mynde of this newe lover, his resolucion fynall was that he sholde putte peyne for to have a cusse of the proude pucelle in amours, althoughe deth sholde be unto him adjudged onely for this cause. And herupon went Blanchardyn sayenge, “O veraye God, how well happy shold myn herte be, that presently is overmoche pressed bycause of myn enterpryse yf I myght obteyne that one cussynge. And if myn infortune or feblenes of corage sholde lette me fro this adventure that so sore I desyre, deth make an ende of me.”

The eleventh chapitre speketh how Blanchardyn overtoke the proude mayden in amours and kyssed her, wherof she toke a grete anger.

prose-textblock1Thus as ye here, the jovencell Blanchardyn went stryvyng in herte for fere that he had lest he myght not brynge his enterpryse at an ende, and rode thus thynkinge a goode while, tyl that soone after he herde the bruyt and the voyces of the proude pucelle in amours folke, and in tornynge of a narowe waye, by the knowlege that the knyght of the fery had yeven to hym of her araye, knewe [fol. 17r] that it was she that he went sekynge, and thought it was tyme to endevoyre hymself. He gaf the spore to the hors and forced hym as moche as he coude for to overtake the fayre pucelle, soo that by his dylygence taken wyth an ardaunt desyre, fonde hymself nyghe her and of her maystres wythin a short space of tyme.

prose-textblock2Blanchardyn, seeyng the oure and the poynt that he sholde furnysshe hys enterpryse that ful sore he desyred to fynysshe, smote hys courser wyth the spore for to kysse her as he furth by her went. Wherof happed, by the bruyt that his hors made, that she loked bakward for to se what he was that so hastely rode after her. And so well it fortuned Blanchardyn that bothe theyre mouthes recountred and kyst eche other fast.

prose-textblock3Yf Blanchardyn was right glad of this adventure it is not to be axed, and of that other party, the proude mayden in amours coude not kepe her behavoure in this byhalve for the grete dyspleasyre that she toke therfore. But Blanchardyn, wyth a glad chere, waloped his courser as bruyauntly as he coude thurghe the thykkest of all the folke, lepyng alwaye here and there as hors and man had fowgthen in the ayer, and dyde so moche in a short while that he had passed ladyes and damoselles, knyghtes and squyers, and all the grete companye of this proude pucelle in amours, gyvyng a gracyouse and honourable salutacion to them all where he went forth by. It is not to be axed yf he was well loked upon of all them of the rowte. And in especall of the ladyes and gentyl women that, all in one, sayde he was a knyght right goode and fayre, and that it semed wel by countenauce to be a man comen of hyghe extraction, merveyllyng hemself what he myght be and fro whens he came there, thus alone wythout eny companye.

The twelfth chapitre conteyneth and speketh of the grete [fol. 17v] wrathe and anger that the proude mayden in amours had for the kysse that Blanchardyn had taken of her. And of the complayntes that she made therfore unto her maystres that peyned herself full sore for to pease her, as herafter foloweth.

prose-textblock1Whan Blanchardyn sawe that he had brought at an ende his enterpryse, and that he had passed alle the rowtes and compaynes of the proude pucelle in amours, he was ryght glad of this fayre adventure. Soo toke his waye, as right as he coude as was tolde hym by the knyght, and rode toward Tourmaday. A lytyl shal here ceasse oure matere to speke of hym, unto tyme and oure shal be for to retourne to the same. And shal shewe the sorowes and the complayntes of the proude pucelle in amours and the manyere that she kept after the kysse that Blanchardyn toke of her.

prose-textblock2Incontynente that she felte herself to be thus sodaynly kyst of a man straunger, out of her knowlege she fell doune from here amblere as a woman from herself and in a swone. And whan she myght, speke unto her maystres that he that this injurye had doon to her whatsoever he be, yf he may come in her handes or in her power, noon shal mowe save hym but he shal lese his hed for the same. Of the teerys that from her eyen fyll doune, her gowne that she had on was therof charged, as grete shoure of rayne had come doune from the hevens.

prose-textblock3Thenne her maystres, that sage and dyscrete was, comforted her, blamyng gretly the grete sorowe that she made for a cusse. But the proude pucelle in amours kept so hard that same kisse in her corage, whiche she reputed for an injurye doon to her that fayre speche nor non excusacion that her goode mastres coude make nor [fol. 18r] shewe to her for to pease her of her anger. Myght not in nothynge confort her, but semed that she sholde slee herself to be more hastely venged. Her maystres saide unto her, “Alas, my goode damoyselle, I have right grete merveylle how a prynces of so grete renomme as ye be of may make so grete a sorowe of a thynge of nought. Yf a gentylman hath kyst you, take we hit for a folye or dishonoure, whiche is not so; noon but I have seen it, and make no doubte that evere hit sholde be discovered nor knowen by me. Soo pray I you that ye wyl cesse your grete sorowe.” Thenne ansuered the pucell to her maystres, “How may ye requyre me to leve myn anger, but that I sholde complayne me? No lenger may suffre me God to lyve in suche a sorowe, yf that shame done to me be not right sone avenged. Now knowe I not yf he be a gentylman or not. Alas, that my knyghtes knowe not and my folke that marchen byfore me; this adventure soone ynoughe they wolde avenge me. Certaynly, I shal doo folow hym, and byleve for certayn that his laste daye is comen and shal deye.” “O madame,” said the maystresse unto the yonge damysell, “ye shal do more wyseli, for yf thys thynge shuld come oute and be knowen, your sorow ought to double sore therfor. Yf men sayden that of everi man ye had taken a kysse, yet ought ye to maynten and holde the apposite saynge strongly ayenst hit, and ye wyll scandalyze and uttre your mysfal that is now happed to you of one man. Lepe upon your palfraye, your folke ben ferre afore you, and put out of your ymaginacyon suche casuall fryvolles and that over moche do greve yourself, for it is for youre best and worship grete yf ye wol understande hit well.”

The thirteenth chapitre conteyneth how Blanchardyn, after he had [fol. 18v] kyst the proude mayden in love, went forth on his waye havyng styl his thought fast upon here beaulté, tyll that he cam to the cyté of Tourmaday where he alyghted at the provostis house for to be lodged there, as herafter foloweth.

prose-textblock1After many shewynges that the olde damoyselle had don unto her lady, the proude pucelle in amours, wyth what peyne and grief that it was, atte the ynstance and requeste of her sayde maystresse she mounted anon upon her whyte palfray amblyng, and sayde she sholde fynde at Tourmaday hym that had doon her this vyolence, and that by the morowe next she sholde make him to be hanged. Sore troubled of wyttis and gretly vexed wythin her mynde, as ye here, rode forthe the gentel pucelle after her folke towardes her cyté of Tourmaday. But we shal leve her sorowyng wyth her maystresse that conforteth her, and shal speke of Blanchardyn that alredy was nyghe comen unto the cyté of Tourmaday whiche he dyde beholde well, havynge merveylle of the comodyouse and riche contrey where the towne was sette. And hym semed the most fayre and most riche cyté that ever he sawe. The see was nyghe betyng on the walles atte one syde of the towne; at the other syde were the grete medowes, the fayre vynes, and the londe arable, the wodes, swete ryveres, and dyverse fountaynes. And sayde in hymself that he that had suche a noble cyté of his owne were a grete lorde. Blanchardyn exploytted so that he soone entred the cyté and rode a goode waye wythynne, beholding on eche syde the fayre houses and ryche palayces and the grete edyfyces as monasterys, chirches, and chapelles. And also he sawe the grete multytude of peple, the fayre stretes ample and large, tyl that he cam to the chyeff market place, where he dyde calle a man to hym for to brynge hym to a [fol. 19r] good lodygys for hymself and his hors. The man ansuered hym that wyth grete payne he sholde be lodged, and that the men of armes of the proude pucelle in amours were comyng in so grete nombre for to awayte on the siege that the kynge Alymodes wolde leye aboute the cyté there, that the towne was not suffysaunt for to lodge hem alle. But wel he tolde hym that he sholde be well lodged in the provostys house of the towne, yf he wolde receyve hym for his hoste.

prose-textblock2Blanchardyn thanked hym humbly and prayed hym that he wold shewe hym the provostys hous, and he wyth goode wylle dyde soo. Blanchardyn drue thytherward and fonde the provost syttyng at his gate. He salued hym, prayng that for to paye well and largely content him, he wold vouchsauf to take hym for his hoste and lodge hym in his place. The provost stode up anon and dede beholde Blanchardyn, whiche he praysed moche in his herte and sayde unto hym thus, “Syre, the manere of this lodgyse is suche that noon may lodge hymself here but yf he doth that whiche is wryton in that marbel stone above the yate.” Than casted Blanchardyn his sight upward and sawe writon graved wythin a marbel stone the verses that herafter folowen, wherof he was glad, for non other sporte nor non other thing he desired.

prose-textblock3Here foloweth the ballade that was wryton upon the gate of the provostis place of Tourmaday.

Who that wol lodge hymself herynne Most furst befyght the host of herynne Wyth spere, swerde, and eke of axe. Here nedeth non other craftes to gete ynne, For who that wol be receyved wyth chere fyn May thynke that nedes he muste therto. But God graunte hym grace herto To overcome his host, thylke hardy foo, He shal mowe lawfulle entre this inne.

[fol. 19v] The fourteenth chapitre conteyneth how the jovencell Blanchardyn josted and fought ayenst the prevost and overthrewe hym, and how two yonge damoselles doughters to the provost cam and toke Blanchardyn for to have hym to be lodged wythin her faders place.

prose-textblock1Whan Blanchardyn had wel loked and rede the verses that graven were in the marbell upon the gate and well understode theire sentence a lytyl, he bygan to smyle as he that lytyl dyde sette therby. And the provost axed hym yf he was counseylled for to fulfylle the construction of that texte. Blanchardyn ansuered that he was therof right wel content, so that he myght have harneys to arme hymself wythall. The provost sayd it sholde not lacke on that, and that gladly he sholde furnysshe hym of goode and mete harnoys to arme his body wythall. And he dyde soo, for he made to be brought unto hym by his folke al suche armures and harneys as to hym behoved to have and that to suche a caas apperteyneth. Blanchardyn sette fote a-gronde and made hym to be armed and well appoyntted by the provostis men, whiche was all prest and redy poyntted to the jouste.

prose-textblock2Whan Blanchardyn sawe hymself well armed of alle peces, right quykly he lept upon his courser, the helme on his hede, the shelde atte his necke, and the spere in his fyste, wythout takyng ony avauntage. Wherof all the assystents, that were comen there for to see hym joust with the provost of the toune, sayde that they nevere sawe no fayrer man of armes nor better pyght nor better syttyng on horsbak. Grete multytude of peple was there assembled for to see the joustynge of the two vasselles. The provost, seyng Blanchardin redy, monted upon his hors, the spere in his fyste, and lepte out of his place. He semed wel by his behavoure and mayntenaunce [fol. 20r] to be a man of right grete fayte, for to saye trouthe, he was a myghty man of body wel renommed of prowesse. And the valyant Blanchardyn, the spere couched on his thye, awayted for hym in the strete all redy for to assaylle hym. The provost sayde to Blanchardyn, from as ferre as he coude chuse hym, “Syre thynke to deffende yourself well, for, yf ye overcome me, I shal lodge you in my house where ye shal be right richely served wythout your cost. But yf I may, it shal not come therto, for I shal brynge you to dethe or to me ye shal yelde yourself.”

prose-textblock3Blanchardyn herkned to the provost, to whom boldly he answered that he shold doo the best and the worst that he coude, and that he shulde take noo thoughte but onely for hymself, and that he sholde putte peyne that his honoure sholde be kepte and his body ayenst hym. Thenne toke the provost his spere and so dyde Blanchardyn the his, whiche was strong and bygge that it was mervayll, and as moche as the horses myght renne, came eche ayenst other. The provost brak his spere upon Blanchardyn but he hurted hym not, for his goode shelde kept hym, and his stronge bones suffred hym not to bowe bakward by the right grete vertue wherof he was garnysshed. Blanchardyn hytt the provost in the myddys of his shelde so myghtly that it was perced all thourgh that the yron was seen at the other syde of the shelde. And yet the provostis harneis was hole and nought dommaged of nothyng. But notwythstandyng, the strok was so myghty grete and so sore peysaunt that hit lyfted the provost out of the sadel to the grounde more thenne tenn fot ferre bakward. And with that renne, Blanchardyn his courser ran over the provost that he tradd upon one of his armes so that it was hurt full sore. [fol. 20v] But he was so gretly astonyd of the myghty stroke wherby he was fallen doun that he wyst not where he was. Blanchardyn right quykly alyghted from his hors, his swerd in his hande for to cutte the laas fro the helmet of the prevost and so to smyte off his hede, yf he wolde not yelde hymself to Blanchardyn and gyve hym fre entré wythin his hous.

prose-textblock4But whan the two doughters of the provost, that right praty and full fayre were, dyde see this harde bataylle and theire fadre in parell of deth, lepte hastely out of their house and cam to the place, where as bothe of hem puttyng themself upon theyre knees byfore Blanchardyn, sayde unto hym, “O thou free knyght, replenysshed wyth prowesse and of grete wordynesse, have mercy upon our fadre.” And Blanchardyn, full of curtoysye, to them answered that, for the love of them, he sholde be sauf from all evyll. And evyn at these wordes cam the provost tyl his owne knowlege ageyne, and understandyng that he had lost the felde for cause of the stourdy stroke that he had receyved of the spere of Blanchardyn. And sayde in this maner, “A, right gentyl knyght, to whom none oughte to compare hymself, for that right grete vertue that in you is entred and sette, I yelde myself unto you and present my hous to your plesure and behouffe, prayeng right affectually that in pacyence ye wyl taken hit wyth suche as ye shall fynde in hit.” And thenne, wythout taryeng, drewe his swerde and toke it unto Blanchardyn, that wyth goode wyll gaff it hym ageyn and wythall pardoned hym alle that he myght have had mysprysed ayenst hym, in that that he wold fyght wyth Blanchardyn, wherof the provost thanked hym gretly.

[fol. 21r] The fifteenth chapytre conteyneth how Blanchardyn was moche richely lodged and receyved in the provostis hous of the two doughters of the provoste. And of the complayntes that the proude mayden in amours made unto her maystres of Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock1After this that Blanchardyn atte requeste of the two yong damoyselles had pardoned theyre fader the provost his evyll wylle, dyverse folke of the towne that had seen the valeauntnes and prowes, the grete humylyté and curtoysyes that were in Blanchardyn, praysed and commended hym right moche, sayeng comonly that a fayrer knyght they had not seen nor herd speke of in their tyme, and that by his behavoure and contenaunce men myght well knowe that he was departed and come of noble extraction and hyghe parentage.

prose-textblock2Soone after, Blanchardyn, havyng the two yong damoyselles by the handes, was lad by the provoste into his house where he was receyved and festyd, God knoweth how. So was he by the two doughters brought into a chambre full richely dressed and hanged wyth riche tapysserye, where he was desarmed by the two damoyselles that helped him, whiche toke him a longe gowne furred wyth fyn martrons that was her faders for to clothe hym wyth. And syth dyde sende for the wyn and made hym the best chere for the first acqueyntaunce that ever coude be made to a knyght.

prose-textblock3It is not to be tolde but that Blanchardyn mayntened hymself talkyng emonge hem more gracyously than evere dyde man, and shewed hymself of so goodly and honneste behavoure that right sone he conquered the hertes and goode wylle of the two forsayde praty maydens. That was not a lytell thyng, for moche fayre and gentyl they were, whiche, on that other part, sawe in [fol. 21v] Blanchardyn so grete a beaulté that nevere was seen by them noon suche in noo man, wherfore it was noo mervaylle yf they gladly behelde hym.

prose-textblock4We shal leve to speke of this matere and shal retourne to speke of the proude mayden in amours whiche alredy had exployted so moche that she entred wythin her towne of Tormaday, and, in a dyspleasans right bytter of her accustumed corage, descended into her paleys wyth her stoute rowte of folke of armes, and syth moche tryste and pensefull entred her chambre, callyng wyth her her mastres that fulle soone cam there. Wherfore that night, noon of them alle, were he never so moche her famyllyer, cam to see her, but onely the captayne of Tormaday that cam for to make unto hir the reverence. And, emonge other devyses that ynough brief were, recounted unto her how a knyght straunger was come to the cyté whiche was the fayrest gentylman that myght be seen, and had befought the provoste and overcomen hym.

prose-textblock5Thenne the proude pucelle in love, after a lytyl musyng, understode well by the wordes of the captayne and by the cognyssaunce that he tolde her of his horse, that he was that self knyght that the kisse had taken of her. But she therof made noo semblaunt. The captayne gaff the goode nyght to the damoyselle, toke his leve of her and went. The proude mayden in amours, seeyng the captayne goon from her presence, sayde anon unto her maystres, “I shal suffre, for this nyght, hym that so grete a dysplaysure hath don to me this day by the waye to be festyd in the provostis hous. But ther nys man alyve that so gretly be my frende that myght kepe me, but that I shal tomorowe make hym for to deye of an right evyll deth, yf I am woman alyve. And wyth this yf the provost wolde not delyver hym unto me, I shal destroye hym [fol. 22r] and shal make hym pryvated from all his tenementes that he holdeth of me.” Thus, as ye here, the proude pucelle in amours in her harde herted wyll abode all that nyght for to make Blanchardyn to deye. Wherof for this cause for grete anger that was in her, she had nother lust nor myght for to ete nor drynk, nor also to take the reste of slepe.

The sixteenth chapitre conteyneth yet of the complayntes and grete thretenynges that the proude pucelle in amours made unto her maystres of the knyght Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock1In suche a state and of the wrathe wherin she was, talked and devysed herself sore harde and angerly wyth her maystres, whiche dysconseylled her by al manere wayes of the deth of Blanchardyn. But what argument nor remonstrans that she coude make to the proude damoyselle in amours, coude not nor myght not moeve her for to have awaye her corage from the obstynacioun that she had toward Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock2Thenne sayde the fayre damoyselle that so fyers was ayenst the god of love, “Of what dethe myght I do make hym to deye for to tormente hym moost therby, other late hym be hanged, brente, or drowned, his hed to be smytten off from his shulders, or to make hym to be drawen and quartred, for to gyve unto hym his payment of the grete oultrage by hym commytted in my persone.” Her maystres, heryng her wylle, conclusion, and haulte corage insaucyble, that right sore touched the honesteté and honoure of alle pryncesses, was therof right impacient and bygan to saye suche or semblable wordes, “Alas madamoselle, he that ye so sore do hate hath not desserved dethe, thoughe he hath taken a kysse of you. To my semyng, ye sholde forclose and take awaye out of your herte all inutyle sorowfulnesse, wherof ye overmoche doo hurt hit, and garnysshef hit [fol. 22v] of a newe joye. The rayson wherby I so saye, I shal shewe hit unto you yf ye pleased to understande it. Al ynough ye may thynke and knowe that whatsomever he be, he hath a gentyll herte and is a man of hyghe facion . And where allredy ye have mowe knowen by the relacion of youre captayne of Tourmaday, ye may understande of his worthynesse. Ye may well knowe that yf he had not chosen you full praty and ryght fayre, and more than eny other accomplysshed in all manere of beaulté and faycture, byleve certaynly that he nevere wolde have vaunced hymself to take a kysse of you, nor had not put hymself in daunger of youre indyngnacion that gretly ought to be drad. Wherfore, atte my requeste and for the love that evere ye had to me, by all the servyces and pleasures that I have mowe doon unto you and that herafter I myght doo, beseche you that this evyll wylle and grete indygnacion that ye have to that yong knyght ye putte and chasse out from you, and that ye wyll ceasse youre sorowe and take ayen unto you the state of joyfull lyvyng, for upon my sowle, it is the beste that ye can doo in this world.”

The seventeenth chapytre conteyneth how the proude pucelle in amours after dyvers and many remonstracions made by her maystres unto her bygan to wexe moderate puttyng awaye from her the hate that she had upon Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock1After that the proude mayden in love had largely herde of her maystres, that all ynough semed her raysonnable, wyst nomore what to replyque nor gaynsaye, and bygan to lene her eerys thurghe a subtyl and soubdayne hete of love that perced the veray hert rote of her, for the delyverance of the yong knyght Blanchardyn. She helde herself [fol.23r] styl a longe whyle wythout speche and becam penseful with a contenaunce full sadde, more than ever she was byfore. But, at the ende of a whyle began for to saye wythin herself, “O veraye God, what bruyt of cruelnes and of tyrannye sholde be spred over all the worlde of me that am a woman, yf I, for by cause of a kysse onely sholde make to deye soo gentyll a knyght? I nedes muste saye that he loveth me truly, and overmoche straunge sholde be the reward of his love unto hym, yf deth sholde folowe therby by the sentence of me that may conforte hym. But alas, I make a grete doubte that overmoche sholde greve me, yf by adventure it happed that he fonde hymself somwhere, as he presently doth wyth the doughters of the provost, sholde boste hymself to have kyssed me. This remors prycketh me to the herte; how be it, I holde hym so curtoys and dyscret or wyse that noo bostyng shold not mowe come out of his mouthe, and in especyall of her unto whom he hath shewed so grete a token of love. It is force, and herto I am constrayned, that I confesse that he hath the corage areysed unto parfytte noblenesse, and that yf he were otherwyse, he sholde nevere have made force to kysse me. Men see atte ey his beaulté wherof he is endowed hyghly, his valyauntnes is alredy well preved, and therfore I chuse hym and make hym myn senescall and cheff of my werre, for he is a man worthy to be taken soo. And by al thus, but yf it holdeth on hym, yf eny malyvolence or evyll wylle I have had byfore this unto hym, I altogydre pardone hym. But alwayes, yf he hath eny love to me, it is for nought, for never daye of my lyffe hym nor other I wyll not love. So wot I never what love ment nor what it is of love, nor I loke not after to knowe it, for all syche thynges I repute and take for foly, as [fol. 23v] certaynly they be. And wol that every man knowe that it is and shal be allewayes my soverayne desyre and fynall conclusion.”

The eighteenth chapitre conteyneth how the proude pucelle in amours made her ordonaunces for the kepynge of her cyté, and how Kynge Alymodes arryved and toke lande nyghe the cyté of Tourmaday whiche he beseged wyth a myghty power of folke.

prose-textblock1In this dyversyté of purpos the proude pucelle in amours, to what a peyne that it was, passed the tyme of the nyght. And on the morowe she made the castell and her sayde cyté of Tourmaday to be garnysshed right wel of vytaylles, of men of warre and of al manere of artyllary, bycause that she had had tydynges that same daye that for certayn she sholde be beseged there. After whiche ordynaunces so made by her knyghtes and captaynes, she wythdrewe herself into her castell of Tourmaday. She entred in her chambre and cam toward a wyndowe out of whiche men sawe right ferre into the see, and there she had not be no longe whyle whan she had perceyved the playn choys and syght of a right grete and myghty navye, and of many a hyghe mast that bare grete saylles, and many penoncelles, baners, and standardes that the wynde shok here and there, wherof the golde and the azure was glysteryng tyl unto her eyen bycause of the bryght bemes of the sonne that spred were upon them. All the see was covered wyth shippes and galeyes that wyth a full sayll cam to take porte and to caste theire ankers byfore the cyté of Tourmaday.

prose-textblock2The damoselle, seeng that grete armee commyng, knewe all ynoughe that it was the excercyte of the sayd Kynge Alymodes, by the banners and cognyssaunce that she sawe appyere upon [fol. 24r] the see. She called to her them that were in her chambre to whiche incontynent she commaunded that they sholde goo arme themself for to resiste ayenst her enmyes at their commyng on lande, whiche she sawe approched alredy right nyghe. After this commaundement made, they all went to arme and arraye hemself, and thourgh all the cyté every man toke his harneys on hym and made grete haste toward the haven. Trompettes, claryons, and other instrumentes bygan to blowe thurgh every part of the towne, and were all in affraye for to lepe out, to the ende they myght be at the descendyng of theyr enemyes to lande.

prose-textblock3Never so soone they coude comen but that the kynge Alymodes had alredy taken lande, and his sone Daryus wyth hym, and one of his doughters that he had whiche was moche fayre and a praty mayden that it was mervaylle. So had he one kynge in his companye that hyght Rubyon, and wyth theym was come another kynge right myghty and grete beyonde mesure, whiche of heyght was fifteen fote long and wythall right foull and hydouse for to see. So moche they dede that they cam all out of their vesselles and had out all theyr horses, tentes and pavyllyons, artylleryes, and harneys, and sprade themselves thurgh the medowes that be there full ample and large. They of the cyté coude never lette hem nor defende, but that atte their pleasure they descended from their shippes and toke lande, for so grete a nombre they were that men called them about four score thousand men of werre or more, besyde thos that kept their shippes. Ryght grete bruyt and grete noyse they made at their comyng a-lande of hornes , bussynes, and of tambours, so that an horryble thyng it was to here. The kynge Alymodes and his son Daryus, acompanyed wyth the two other kynges, mounted upon theire coursers and palfreys and [fol. 24v] twenty thousand men wyth them and came tofore the cyté. The kyng Alymodes, so ferre that he was nyghe by the gate, hevyng upward his hand sayeng to them that kept theire warde that they sholde yelde up the cyté unto hym or ever that the lande aboute were wasted, sweryng upon all the goddes that he worshiped that he ne sholde departe from byfore the cyté unto the tyme that he had the proude pucelle in amours tyl his spouse and wyff. They of wythynne, thenne heryng Alymodes the kynge speke, that wel they knewe, ansuered unto hym that they had noo fere of hym and that theyre damoyselle and maystres doubted nor feered hym nought in noo thynge.

prose-textblock4This ansuere y-herde Alymodes the kynge, replenysshed wyth wrath and ire more than ever he was tofore, made his oost to approche as nyghe the cyté as he coude. He made there his tentes and his pavyllyons to be pyght and his folke to be lodged aboute hym, and made his chieff standard to be sette al on hyghe upon his riche pavyllyon, ayenst whiche they of the cyté casted full fast and often serpentynes and gunnes, wherof they dyde grete dommage unto their enemyes. But whatsomever thinge that men evere dyde unto them nor that of theire folke, was made grete occysion and slawghter. Nevertheles, they lefte not to lodge hemself there, what for daunger nor moleste that men coude do to them, and all as nyghe the cyté as myght be, makyng redy their canons and their bombardes for to bruse and bete doune the walles of the sayd towne.

The nineteenth chapytre conteyneth how the doughter of the provost brought to Blanchardyn a fayre coveryng all of whyte sylke to covere his hors wythall and one of her sleves prayng hym that he wold bere hit upon his helme. And he dyde so.

prose-textblock1[fol. 25r] When they of the cyté had seen the manere and the rewle of their enemyes, and that all wyth leyser they had seen their puyssaunce and their manere of doynge, the captayne and the provost of the towne dyde ordeyne a stronge and a bygge warde that they sette by a goode ordenaunce along the walles and into the yates for the defence of the towne. And this doon, toke wyth them two thousand men well chosen, and all in a goode array lept out of the cyté and sodaynly, wyth a grete cry that they made, charged upon theyre enmyes, wherof at their commyng on they dyde putte to deth grete foison of Kynge Alymodes folke, whiche was right sory for it. But soone ynough, by the provysion that he putte therto, reculed his enemyes abacke tyll wythin the barreys of the towne. Another posterne of the cyté was open, wherof the enemyes toke noo kepe, out of whiche yssued out a thousand men, goode and hardy fyghters, well shapen and strongly herted for to hurt their felon enmyes. So smot they hemself wythin, callyng up a hyghe crye into the thikkest of their enmyes where they slew and detrenched many one, and dyverse tentes and pavyllyons they pulled doune and brought to dethe theym that were wythynne. Soo that the cry and the callyng camen unto the kynge Alymodes pavyllyon, that hastely came there acompanyed wyth ten thousand of his men. The noyse and the cry bygan thenne to be efte as grete than it was tofore, so that the folke of the proude pucelle in amours were constrayned to wythdrawe themself ayen into that cyté, after that they had brought and slayne wel xiiiic of their enmyes wythout eny losyng of theire owne folke. Wherof Alymodes the kynge was right sory and dolaunt, and sore troubled and hevy wythdrewe hymself into his pavyllyon, commaundyng his folke that [fol. 25v] every man shold loke to lodge hymself, trowyng to be in a sewreté that his enmyes, as for that same day, sholde not comen nomore out of their cyté.

prose-textblock2Blanchardyn, that at the same owere was in the provostis hous, heryng the bruyt and the noyse that wythout the towne was made by Kynge Alymodes folke, the whiche he had seen and advysed from over the walles where he went up, and seen the battaylles and scarmysshynge that by them of the towne and their enmyes were made. So began he to be ful of thoughte and all annoyed of hymself bycause he was not armed tyl his plesure, and that he myght not yssue out upon the proude pucelle in amours enmyes wyth her folke. The provost, that ryght wyse was and subtyll, asked Blanchardin what moevyd hym to be so sore sad and pensefull and yf he was not well lodged at his ease and to his playsure, and yf he wanted eny thynge that myght be recoverd for gold or sylver, that he sholde telle it hym and that he shold late hym have hit incontynent, al sholde he putte in jeopardye bothe lyf and goode for to fulfille his wylle. “Alas,” said Blanchardyn, “sire, of your lodgis and goode chere I am right wel content and thanke you moche therfore, but one thynge wol I telle you syth that it playseth you to knowe the cause of my grete dysplaysaunce. Ye shall understande that I have habandonned and forsaken bothe fadre and modre, kynnesmen and frendes, and eke lyflode and lande where I toke my byrth and noureture, for to excercyse and able myself in the noble crafte of faytes of armes and to take and lerne the dyscipline of knyghthode. And I se nowe that for defaulte of armures I may not sette a-werke nor employe my good wylle, whiche full sore greveth me, and moche more than I telle.”

prose-textblock3The provoste, hering the goode wylle and grete affection that this yonge knyght had, was therof right glad and sayde unto hym, “Vassell, come wyth me [fol. 26r] and I shall delyvere you hors and eke harneys right goode so that ye shall have noo cause for fawte of armures, but that ye shal mowe prove your prowes whiche I holde right grete.” “Syre,” sayde Blanchardyn, “of the curtosye that ye have doon and proffre unto me, I thanke you moche.” Thenne the provost toke Blanchardyn by the hand smylyng and to hym sayde, “Come you wyth me and I shal gyve you the choys of suche armures as ye shal lyke.” They two went togidre and entred into a chambre that well garnysshed was of all manere of armes suche as atte that tyme were used.

prose-textblock4The provost dilygently armed Blanchardyn of suche armures as he wold chose, and syth made eche hemself to be armed hastely. Whan dressid and redy they were, they made theire coursers to be had forth out of the stable, whiche were brought anone to the mountyng place byfore the halle. Thenne one of the doughters of the provost, knowyng that Blanchardyn was armed and redy to goo out wyth her fader, she cam and brought wyth her a fayre whyte coveryng of damaske clothe wherof she made the hors of Blanchardyn to be covered wyth, and unto hym she gaffe one of her gowne sleves that was of damask blake, prayng hym that for her sake and love he wolde vochesauf to were and bere it upon his helmet. Blanchardyn toke the sleve of the damoysell sayng that he sholde fulfylle her request, and she, thankyng hym therof, sayde she sholde, because as her semed that God sholde gyve hym some goode fortune that day.

The twentieth chapitre speketh of the grete bataylle that was byfore the cyté of Tourmaday ayenst kyng Alymodes folke and of the grete prowes that Blanchardyn made there that day and how the proude mayden in amours becam sore enamoured over him and of the devyses or communyng that she made wyth her maystres.

prose-textblock1[fol. 26v] After that the provoste and Blanchardyn were armed of all peces and set upon the myghty coursers, the shelde at the necke, theire helmes bokled, and eythre of them the spere in the hande, toke leve of hem that were there and departed out of the place and cam to the towne gate where they fonde thre thousaund men alredy for to yssue out, the whiche, by the motion and warnyng of the provoste, had appareylled themself for to kepe hym felawship and folowe hym.

prose-textblock2When the provoste was come to the yate, hit was soone open, thurghe whiche they alle yssued out in goode and fayre ordynaunce. Blanchardin, whiche was sore desyryng for to prove hymself and shewe his strengthe and vertue, to have bruyt and comendacion and that he myght be knowen, dyde putte hymself in the forefront, havyng a ryght bygge spere in his hande.

prose-textblock3They bygan alle to vaunce and marche forth out of the barres of the towne, and syth all at ones gaaf a grete crye, wherof theire enmyes, that all redy awayted there for them, were alle affrayed. They byganne thenne to renne one upon other by so grete strengthe, that for the noyse and sowne that the erthe gaffe bycause of the horses that ranne harde upon it, semed to them of wythin and wythout that the foure elementes had fought theire togydre. The duste rose up fro the grounde that derked the lyght of the sonne wyth the shot that drawe was of bothe sides, one parte ayenst that other.

prose-textblock4Blanchardyn, that in the forefronte was the first man of all, had his spere in the rest and ranne upon Corbadas, that nevewe was to Kynge Alymodes. And so grete a stroke and so hevy he gaffe hym that the sperehed appiered at the backe thurgh the body of the sayd Corbadas, and, pulling ageyn his spere, he overthrew him doune sterke ded [fol. 27r] to the erthe. And syth anone he rought another of Kynge Alymodes knyghtes in suche a wyse that he made his spere to entre his body thurghe lunge and lyvre and so kyld hym. And so moche he made atte the first empraynte that, ar evere his swerde was broken, he threwe doune ded syx of his enemyes from their sadelles, the whiche emonge the horses fete fynisshed myserably theyre dayes. And syn aftre he lyghtly dyde sette hande on the swerde, of the whiche he smote here and there wyth bothe his handes by suche a strengthe that him that he rought wyth full stroke was all to-brused and cloven in two peces. He detrenched and kutte bothe horses and knyghtes, he clove and rent helmes and sheldes, and brake the grete routes and made his enemyes to sprede abrode. Moche better he semed to be a man of the fayré than a creature of the worlde. All fled byfore hym and made hym waye to passe. There was noo man, how hardy that he was, that durste mete hym, so sore fered and doubted hym his enmyes. Wythin a lytyl whyle, he made so moche of proesse that his enemyes were therof ryght sore abasshed and that his swerde was well beknowen emonge hem. Ryght grete and horryble was the battaylle, and so moche that they of Tourmaday and his enemyes merveylled gretly of the grete strengthe and hyghe proes that they sawe in Blanchardyn, the whiche his enmyes fledde as the larke doth the sperhawke.

prose-textblock5The howlyng and the noyse bygan to ryse up a-hyghe and so moche that the fayre proude mayden in amours, that lened atte a wyndowe seeyng the grete proesses and merveyllouse faytes of armes that by Blanchardin were there made, asked of her maystres that was nyghe her yf she [fol. 27v] knowe not the knyght that had his hors coverid with whit rayment, and syth she also perceyved the black sleve that upon his helmet was sette fast. Her maystres thenne wyst not what to thynke nor also what he myght be, but well ynough sayde that he was the most valyaunt and that dyde best that day of al bothe partyes. And she sayde, “A, madame, loke nowe ye may see that they all fle awaye byfore hym, and ye may well perceyve that no man dare abyde hym. Moche grete desyre I have to wyte and knowe what he may be.”

prose-textblock6Even atte this oure that the proude mayden in amours and her maystres were in suche talkyng, came unto them a squyer that cryed on hyghe and sayde, “O my right redoubted lady, yonder wythout may you chuse and see the floure of knyghthode, the subduer and sleer of your enemyes, not yet satysfyed nor fylled of the deth of many of hem but styl destroyeth them. He heweth and felleth doune right al byfore hym; his armes were not longe syth all clere and whyt, but now they be dyed in red wyth the blode of your enemyes that he hath slayne and brought to deth. Madame, knowe for a trouthe that it is the fayre knyght whiche is lodged at the provostis house.”

prose-textblock7Whan the proude lady in amours understode the squyer speke thus, the bloode ranne up at her face and wexed red as a rose. Well perceyved hit her sayde maystres and that the love of hym smote her, but no semblaunt she made therof to her. Right gladde and joyeful was the pucelle whan she knewe that it was Blanchardyn and bygan to thynke in herself that he was wel worthy to be beloved. Thenne she sayde to her maystres, “Certes that knyght that I see yonder dooth merveylles of armes. I see the provost that of nyghe foloweth him. It is to be thought that he shal wyl give him one of his doughters in mariage with [fol. 28r] a grete parte of his grete havoyre, but on my fayth it were dommage, for he is a man of noble corage and right valyaunt, and nought it is to be doubted but that he is come of som noble hous.” The maystres, that right sage was, dyd perceyve incontynent by her wordes that her indygnacion and evyll wylle that she byfore that had conceyved ayenst Blanchardyn was moderat in her herte, and wyst not what she therof shold thynke but that love had overcome her evyll erroure, wherof she shold have ben right glad. And lyke as her thought was to be, so it was indede happed. Among other comynyng and devyses, that she myght more playnly knowe how it was therof, right subtyly bygan to saye thus to the proude pucelle in amours, “Madame, as for this, I knowe and can perceyve youre pryde shal be cause, but yf ye take hede, of the totall distruction of your royalme. Concedere you not that ye be occasion and the cause movyng of the assemblé of the ostis that are for your towne, and of the shedyng of bloode that procedeth therof? Yf ye wolde wedde the kynge Alymodes, all your lande shal be in sureté, quyete, and peas.” Than the proude mayden in amours, after this exhortyng herde of her maystres, sayde that she sholde noo more speke therof unto her and that never the dayes of her lyff she sholde wedde paynem nor noo man infydele.

prose-textblock8And for this cause cessed a while their talkyng and loked bothe toward the felde where they saw the knygtes ful sore fyghtyng of bothe partyes. But Blanchardyn hath the praysyng over hem alle, for ther was no man of nother syde that of prowes and worthynes coude go beyonde hym, wherof Kynge Alymodes knyghtes had grete envye over hym, and grete cure and laboure toke upon them for to slee hym, but non of them, how hardy that he was, durste not proche nor nyghe [fol. 28v] hym, for as many as he myght reche unto, he feld hem doune or slew hem and wounded them grevously.

prose-textblock9The proude pucelle in amours folke bare themself right wel that day. This bataylle lasted tyl the nyght came, wherfore Kynge Alymodes, seeyng that he myght not by noo manere putte nor close them fro the cyté, bycause of the wyse wyt and worthynes of the goode knyght Blanchardyn that conduyted them, made to sowne and call the retreyte or wythdrawe his men to his losse and grete confusion, and wythdrewe hymself into his tente right wrothe and sorowfull for the losse of dyvers his knyghtes, and all thurgh the vertue and strengthe of one knyght onely. Blanchardyn and the provost wyth theire folke wyth grete glorye and tryumphe entred ayen into the cyté and brought wyth them many a riche prysonner. And to the provostis house toke Blanchardyn his waye, wherunto he was conveyed of the most parte of the noblemen, makyng to hym the gretest honoure that men can or may doo to a knyght, as to hym that best had doon that day. And to saye the trouthe, many of the gretest of hem had ben slayn or taken yf by the vertue and strengthe of Blanchardyn they had not be socoured and holpen that day. Some he helped ayen upon theire horses whan they were feld doune, some he rescued from the hande of theire enmyes that had hem as prysoners. So bare himself that wyth grete tryumphe and grete glorye he retourned fro the bataylle wyth them unto the sayde provostes place, to the grete benyvolence and gladnesse of the peple of the cyté. And there alyghted from his hors and the provost wyth hym, whos two doughters that were right fayre and praty came there ayenst them, for bothe of hem loved sore Blanchardyn and right enamored they were over hym. There [fol. 29r] abode twenty knyghtes at souper wyth Blanchardyn, for to chere and feste hym and to be acoynted of hym. Harpe, lute, sawtrye, and dyverse other instruments of melodyouse musyke were sent for, for to rejoysshe the noble felawship that was full fayre, for there were comen diverse ladyes, many a gentyl woman, maydens, and noble bourgeyses at the requeste and prayers of the provoste and of his two doughters, that were right besy for to chere and serve Blanchardyn wyth all dyligence.

prose-textblock10Atte the same owre that this joye and feste was in makyng in the provostis house, the proude pucelle in amours was in her castel lenyng upon one of her chambre wyndowes that had syght wythin the towne, and herde the noyse and the feste that was adoyng in the provostis house for love of Blanchardyn and for to doo hym worshipe and honoure, wherof she was advertysed alredy. And how be it that, as ye have herde anone, she had gyven herself in hir herte to the sayd Blanchardyn, allewayes at the same owre was taken the fynall and faste conclusion and altogydre was of her determyned to make of Blanchardyn her lover and her specyall, that a lytyl before that for one kysse onely was so ferre from her gode grace and in daunger of his lyf, yf the goddesse of love that is so myghty of her grace had not purveyed better for hym. At the begynnyng of this new alyaunce, amoures, or love, served her wyth a messe sharp and sowre ynoughe tyl her tast. That is to wyte of a lovely care that is as moche worthe as a suspecyouse jalousye of the doughters of the provoste and her specyall Blanchardyn. But she thought in herself that she sholde purvey therto of a remedye mete and goode to the cause, whiche thynge she dyde as ye shal here herafter. Love, that departeth wyth her goodes whereas it semeth her [fol. 29v] best employed, forgate not her newe servaunt, but atte her first comyng made her to be vysited and wayted upon by a servaunt of hers named Care, that well sore movyed and troubled her spyrites. And she that was not lernyd to receyve suche geestes, sore harde was his queyntaunce to her. And yet, wythin a whyle after, Love smote her ayen with a darte to the quycke tyll the herte of her, so that the fayer pucell wyst not her behavyng nor how to mayntene herself, and also had no power to drynke, nor ete, nor coude not slepe ne take no maner of reste. But held her hert so esprised and so over-pressid wyth love that she had to Blanchardyn, that she myght noo lenger hyde her falle.

prose-textblock11Thenne cam to her maystres and said to her in thys maner, “Alas, who shall mowe recover helth to this pacient sore syke, that suffreth wyth goode wyll of herte both grete thurste, honger, and shaketh for colde caused thrughe a hete intollerabyll?” The maystres perceyved anoone by her wordes and maner that she had ben in the chapiter of the god of love, and by his grace men shuld have gode accompte of the pryde that over longe a tyme had ruled her dismesurable herte. She thought that she had ben taken wyth Kyng Alymodes love and syth said unto her, “Madame, ye oughte to yelde grete graces and thankes to the myghty god of love, seyng the unknoulege that ye have had alwayes here byfore of his vertues, that hath dayned to vysite you and to altre and change your corage. I byleve now, that for cause of thys soudayn mutacion, ye be seke and sore passioned of one accident that nameth hymself the sore of love.” “Alas,” said the pucell, “the sore of love is ryght anguyssous and hevy forto bere, as me semeth.” “Madame,” sayd her maystres, “men must suffre for better to have. This evyll shalle be cause of your perfection, and knouleche that love is that thynge that [fol. 30r] moost embellisheth and decoreth the nobyl corages. And I can not thynke that ever man and woman havyng bruyt or name of some goode vertues passyng other, have come nor raughte therunto wythoute that they were or had ben in the service of love.” The proude mayden in amours herkened her maystres, but the fevere that love had takn her for to plucke oute the roote of pryde from her herte lettid here sore, and atte the ende of a whyle biganne to say, “Alas, amours I have longe defendyd mysylf ayenst the harde assautes and impetuous excitacions that often tymes thy messangers made unto me. Now have I nother power nor wyl to defende me eny more, unto thee I yelde me.”

The twenty first chapiter conteyneth how the proude pucell in love, by the grete love that she had sette upon Blanchardyn, bycam jalouse and douted leest he shuld sette his love on one of the doughters of the provoste, whom she hasteli sente for and spake to hym as it foloweth.

prose-textblock1The maystres, herynge the complayntes of the proude pucelle in amoures, had no lityl joye to here suche tydynges, and tyll her feete fell herself and sayd, “Thanked be God, madame, the werre wiche is cause of so many evilles shal ceasse in your realme, yf it please God, for from that owr that ye shal wold gyve your love unto Kynge Alymodes, the right happy wele of peas shal be publysshed thurgh alle the countrey. But and yf ye suffre the siege to abyde any lenger byfore youre cyté, ye ought to wyte that the countrey about shal utterly be dystroyed of Kyng Alymodes folke. Wherfore at my request, use youreself after the dyseyplyne of amours, to whome ye have made obeyssance , and take to youre lord and husbande the kynge Alymodes. How well [fol. 30v] he ys overraged, take no hede and care not therfore; he hath yet strenghe ynough ye see what it ys of warre.” And thenn the proude mayden in love answerd and sayde to her maystres, “I have absoluteli sayde to you ones for alle that, while I lyve, Kyng Alymodes shall never wedde me. I merveylle me gretli of you that ar ferre in age and ought wele to knowe so ferre, that a lesse evyll it were for to suffre all my lande to be wasted, than to wed and take to my lorde a kynge full of idolatrye acursed and apostata of oure holy Crysten feyth. Thynke not that I sorough for hym, but byleve that there is grete choys of Alymodes, and hym for whom love hath taken my fayth that never I shall change hym.” The maystres wyste not goodely what she shulde thynke, but ynoughe she doubted that Blanchardyn had that grace from whiche he was a lytyl afore sore ferre cast.

prose-textblock2Sone after, wythoute lityll taryeng, the proude pucelle in amoures sent for the provoste sayeng that she had nede of his counceyl. “He is sage, dyscrete, and experte in many thynges,” sayd she, “I am sure that he hath in his house a rote that, as to my semyng, shal gyf me help and shal lyght my herte of the soris wherof I am full sore passyonned.” Her maystres, wythout more enquyre to be made, sent one for the provost that cam sone toward the proude mayden in amours and made to her the reverence. She toke hym by the hande and made hym to syt doune by her for to breke her matere and to come to a conclusyon. She made her premysses for to speke of her werre, but she forgate not to telle hym how the knyght his hoste, that is to wyte, Blanchardyn, and he hymself, had borne hemself that day right valyauntly, wherof she was right well content, and that, yf it pleased God, she sholde have knowlege som day of thoos that helpeth her to mayntene [fol. 31r] her were ayenst the false Sarasyn Alymodes.

prose-textblock3She that ardauntly sought occasion to fynde matyere for to spek of Blanchardyn sayde unto the provost in this manyere, “Provost, I have founde you alwayes goode and trewe servaunt unto me, wherof I fele me moche beholden to yow, and wyl advertyse you of one thyng that dyspleseth me sore whiche is sayd of youre doughters, that is that they wyll enamoure hemself of that knyght youre ghest whiche is now lodged wyth yow. Whiche is a thynge of grete oultrage and grete dyshonoure unto them, knowyng that he is a man come of a grete house and extracted of hyghe parentage and a grete lorde in his contrey. I make no doubte, but holde myself wel certayn that he the lesse therfore setteth by them. And also, it is no merveylle theyre grete foly displayseth me moche, for it is to be presumed that this myght be cause to mynusshe your worship and their goode renomme.” “Madame,” sayd the provost, “I have not perceyved me of this that ye telle me, but yf it were soo that the knyght wherof ye speke were wyllyng to take one of hem, I sholde holde her to be employed to the most valiaunt knyght that men evere speke of, to the moost free , sage, and curteys that I trowed evere to be acqueynted of. Now wolde God that his wylle were suche, and that he had a grete desyre to take her as I sholde be wyllyng for to gyve her to hym, oure bargayne shold be all thus lyghtly doon. That sore lytyll that God hath lent me of goodes sholde not be straunged unto hym by me, for he is worthy to have mykel more. Hath he not taken this daye tenn knyghtes prysonners, besydes threty coursers that he hath conquered upon youre enemyes? And so many of them he hath cloven and slayne that grete merveylle it were to reherse the same. And, to my demyng, I trowe better that he is a man of the feyré than [fol. 31v] otherwyse, for his prowes and worthynes that ben hyghe are not to be tolde ne compared to the humayn or wordely werkes.”

The twenty second chapitre conteyneth and speketh of the devyses that were betwene the provost and the proude pucelle in amours, and of the grete love that she had sette to Blanchardyn the yonge knyght, as it folowed here.

prose-textblock1The proude pucel in love, heryng the provost, was right glad for she herkened not to the rewthes but onely to that loenge and praysynge of her lover and frende specyall. But well she bethought herself that the doughters of the provost sholde not longe trouble her heedes, for she sholde purveye therto of a remedy convenable. And whan she spake ageyne, her wordes were suche: “Provost, as byfore I have sayde unto you, the knyght of whom I speke paraventure is of byrth right hyghe, and suche and so vertuouse in armes as ye knowe. It nedeth not to be doubted that he is comme to his extremyté of prowes and valyantnes, wythout that amours hathe be the cause in the persone of some hyghe a pryncesse. And for to telle you I knowe well soo moche that he is this day in the goode favoure and grace of a kynges doughter, right ryche, myghty and well in lynage, and endowed, as men sayen, of all that that can be desyred in the body of a woman. And therfore grete foly it is to youre doughters to have suche an overwenyng wylle, wherof men gyven them a dysmesured proclame. Nevertheles, as dere as ye have my playsure to fulfylle, and above all to renne into myn indygnacion, holde the hande to this: that they forbere hemself to the smylynges and fayre shewes of their eyen whiche wauntonly thay caste full often upon that yonge knyght. And to the ende that ye may have them to [fol. 32r] soner awaye from the love of the sayd knyght, gyve me hem bothe and make them to be brought here wythin, and wythout enythyng to youre charge nor cost I shal mary hem right wel.”

prose-textblock2The provoste, heryng his lady soverayne, right humbly thanked her of the grete offre and curtosye that she wolde do to his doughters and was ryght glad. He toke his leve of her in his most goodly manere, as to suche a caas apparteyneth. After the fayre offres had don unto hym and at his partyng from her, she sayde unto hym that she wold wel see the knyght of whom they had spoken, and that he sholde brynge hym to her the next day for to make aqueyntance betwyx hem bothe. And sayde that she was wel holden to doo so, knowyng that he was in hir servyse, and that he exposed his body for the deffence of her countrey. “I wol,” saide she, “knowe yf he shal be wyllyng to dwelle wythin this my towne, takyng suche wages as ben acoustumed, or ellis, yf not soo, I shal doo so well reward hym that he shal by reason be well content of me, and be sure yf he serve me as he hath bygonne, yf God be pleased, I shal rewarde hym right well. And I hope that thurgh his ayde my werre shall take a good conclusion. And that doon, yf it pleaseth hym, he shal mowe take to his spouse hyr that so moche is his and that so truly hath gyven herself to hym. And yf it cometh to purpos, forgete not to say that it were yl don of hym for to forgete her. But on my fayth, this that I speke the cause is moved bycause that the forsayde, his specyall maystres and true lover, is my cosyn germayn. And also that she bereth in hir herte care ynough and dyspleysure for the love of hym and may nother slepe nor take no manere of naturall rest, so moche she is enamored on hym. I doubte not that yf by adventure she were out of his remembraunce and by hym putte [fol. 32v] in oblyvyon, that God forbede, but that sholde dey sodaynly after that suche pitteuouse tydynges were brought tyll her. Gryevous sore and payne tendreth to pité the very herte of myn owne body, and nedes muste I putte peyne to the relevyng of her grete sorowe. For wythout fawte, it were domage yf suche a lady that is so well condycioned and in all manere norreture right parfyt, sholde perysshe thorugh the coulpe of a knyght.”

The twenty third chapiter conteyneth how the provost retourned tyll his house and recounted unto Blanchardyn that the proude pucelle in amours had tolde hym, and how she sent for hym that she sholde come toward her, and how Blanchardyn went thither, and how they talked togydre at leyser to the grete pleasure of bothe partyes, and how theyr love was knytted and confermed.

prose-textblock1After the humble leve that the provost toke of the lady, he went homward agayn tyl his place all penseful of the wordes that he had herde of the pucelle. It was tyme to go to bed, so cam he toward Blanchardyn that was alredy goo into his chambre, and gaff hym the goode nyght. And on the morowe after the masse, the provost sayde unto Blanchardyn that he wold talke wyth him atte leyser, and Blanchardyn ansuered, “Fayre hoost, in good oure be it.” Thenne they two sette hemself upon a benche. The provost bygan hym to recounte and telle hou the proude mayden in amoures, the even last past, had spoken wyth hym of many thynges and emonge other tolde hym that she was right well content of his servyce and wolde reteyne hym in wages and gyve hym of her goodes, for he was worthy therof. “Morovere,” sayde the provost, “sire, she hath tolde [fol. 33r] me that ye be enamored of a hyghe and a riche pryncesse, wherof I merveyll me not for, on my feyth, ye be well the man that ought to chuse your specyall love in a hyghe place. But allewayes it is force that I bere you in hande that it is her owne silf, for it semeth me not wel possyble that yf it were in som other place, hit sholde not have comen to her knowlege. How wel that here is one doubte that retardeth myne ymagynacyon : she sette nevere nought by amours and love, but japeth and playeth herself of theym that ben amerouse. I wote not allewayes yf the god of love myght have shewed his vertues in her. Alas, we sholde wel desyre that it were so, to the ende she myght take a goode lord for to deffende us and her lande.”

prose-textblock2After that the provost had sayde to Blanchardyn all that semed him good to be tolde, Blanchardyn, curtoysly wyth a smylyng contenaunce, ansuered hym that God hath well kept hym from so moche an hap and so hyghe, as for to have the grace of so noble and so grete prynces as was the proude pucelle in amours. “And also I byleve,” sayde Blanchardyn, “that ye make yourself these tydynges. But I can not bythynke to what purpos ye have seen eny token ne apparence for to coloure your gracyouse suspecion. I never spake wyth her, nor never in my dayes I dyde see her. Wherof sholde to me come suche a wylle?” “I wot not,” sayde the provost, “I telle you that that I have herde of my lady. Yf ought be ther to your avauntage, soo take hit. Now pleased God that she were that woman that suffred so moche of sorowe and angwysshe at her herte for the love of you.” “I thanke you,” sayde Blanchardyn, “I wolde not that noobody sholde suffre for love of me anythyng to his dyspleasure whereas I myght [fol. 33v] by ony manere of waye putte a remedy. But alwayes,” sayde Blanchardyn, “I can merveyll me not too moche wherof suche langage commeth, and can not thinke that it shold come of the doughter of a kyng. For thus to say, she in a manere mocketh me; suffyse her yf I am come to serve her in kepyng my worship. And as to me, suche an use I seke not, but I wyl onely prove and adventure honorably my body as a gentyl man ought for to doo. Joustyng, tournoynge, and behourdyng are my passetyme, and no wyffe I thynke not to take.” “Aa, sire,” sayde the provost, “I wold well kepe me and be loth for to denounce thynge unto you that sholde tourne you to a displeasure, and praye you that ye wyll not take the thynge otherwyse than I have told hyt to you and thynke nomore upon it. But let us go see my lady, for in goode ernest she doth sende for you by me.” Blanchardyn graciously ansuered to his hoste that he was content, excusyng hymsilf alwayes of that love that he had spoken to hym of, howbeit he felt the contrary at his herte.

prose-textblock3They cam to the ladyes palays and went thourgh the grete halle into a fayre chambre, and after that announced was there comyng, men made them to entre into the chambre of parement wheras the right gracyouse and fayre the proude pucelle in amours was wyth many of her ladyes and other her gentyll women, and spake at that same owre wyth certayne of her counseyll upon the faytte of her werre. Blanchardyn and the provost entred into the chambre, and thenne, as Blanchardyn sawe and perceyved the noble pucelle, he dyde vaunce himself toward her and make unto her the reverence so gracyously and so boldly in all worship that non coude amende it, and consequently to all the lordes, ladyes, and gentyl women so goodely and wel that everyone saide good of hym. The noble [fol. 34r] mayden behelde hym moche humbly, whiche toke a right grete pleasure to see his gracyouse and assured behavyng that tysed and doubted in her herte the fyre of love, wherof she was sore esprysed. And thenne after the fayre and swete welcomynges, the lady wythdrewe her toward a couche that was in the sayd chambre and toke Blanchardyn by the hande and made hym to sytte besyde her. He made hymself to be prayed and drawen sore or ever he wolde vaunce hymself for to sytte hym doune by her, but force was to hym to obeye her commaundement. Wherof al they that thenne were wythin the chambre coude not tourne their eyen from Blanchardyn, for his right grete beaulté, fayre behavoure, and good manyere.

prose-textblock4And she to whome the dede most touched had grete joye at her herte to fynde herself in the presence of hym, and for to saye the trouth, she was so enbrased and taken wyth the brennyng fyre of love that she not coude kepe her contenaunce. And yf rayson had not restrayned her, wythout other premysses nor conclusyons she sholde have gladly of pryme face tolde unto Blanchardyn how love constrayned her for to love of hym. And at ende of a while, the best wyse that she coude, wyth a lowe voyce she sayde unto Blanchardyn, “Syre, ye knowe the werre that the untrewe kynge Alymodes hath alredy don to me dyverse tymes, wherfore I mystered gretly of the ayde and socours of you and of other. So praye I you that ye wyl helpe and conforte me in my said werre, and I shal rewarde you so that ye shal be content.” “Madame,” sayde Blanchardyn, “I ensure you on my feyth that in all that I shal mowe, I shal employe me in your servyce. I wyll not spare myself. I am come out of myn owne contrey for to fynde me in a place whereas I myght excercise the fayttes of armes as longeth tyl a knyght to doo, and thanked be [fol. 34v] God I am here right well arryved. I aske nothynge of you, but I praye you, syn that it pleaseth you to gyve me wages that ye wyl doo them to be delyvered unto myn hooste youre provost, for moche beholden I am to hym. And I shal gladly dwelle wyth you in the companye of your other knyghtes, and shal serve you truly.” “Syre,” sayde the pucell, “I promette you that youre hoste shal be altogydre contented of you and alle of myn owne.” And after thees wordes she dyde cast a profound syghe that proceded from the depnes of her herte that sore was pressed. She was so over perced and enflammed of love that she had so moche on it as the herte of eny lady myght bere or comprehende, unto the grete extremyté. And the reyson is goode, for the strenthes and vertues of the gode of love, that departeth wyth whereas hym semeth goode, are suche that the more that the persone is more harde to be convertysed and tourned to his lawe, the more ought she afterward, whan she is overcome, to be more constant and stedfast to kepe hit. This experyence was playnly shewed in this lady.

prose-textblock5Blanchardyn trowed to perceyve a lytyl her manere and remembred hymself of the wordes that his hooste had tolde hym the same daye, and syth sayde to the lady, “Madame, myn hoste hath tolde me this daye that ye knowe well my lady paramours and that she is of your lynage. By my feyth, this thynge semeth me right straunge.” Thenne the proude pucelle in amours byganne to ansuere and sayde, “The lady of whom I touched the provoste, your hoste, is well trusted wyth me, and I wolde doo for her as moche honoure as I wolde for myself.” “A, madame,” saide Blanchardyn, “pardoune me yf I desyre by manere of replycacyon to knowe the name of her of whom ye have made nowe mencyon, for I ensure you, madame, that whan [fol. 35r] I dyde that grete oultrage wherto I was constrayned by force, to nyghe and touche youre swete mouthe, I had not seen no lady nor non other gentylwoman of whom I desyred to be reteyned her servaunte. But syth I have ben fayne of the servyce of one whiche I repute to me a grete fredom, in suche a wyse, that yf I sholde deye for deffawte of her socours, yet coude I not nor wolde not departe nor be from her for no thyng of the worlde. And therfore, my ryght redouted lady, I beseche you in all humylyté that it please you of your grace to pardoune me my vayne wylle, for in you lyeth my bytter deth or my prosperouse lyf. I am and shal be, yf it pleayse you, youre feythful and true servaunt for to employe myself in youre servyse in al that shal please you to commaunde me, as longe as lyf shal be in me, whatsomever happeth to me for.”

prose-textblock6Whan the pucelle herde this swete and graciouse langage, of the heryng of whiche she toke no displeasure, wold no lenger suffre hym to be in peyne upon whom she had sette her herte, and in whom she hoped of goode servise for to brynge her werres tyl and ende, but saide unto him, “Aa, gentyl knyght, forced I am atte this houre present, syth it is your wylle, that I declare and saye that whiche my herte thynketh and suffreth for your sake. Be ye sure that all that I sayde unto the provost toucheth noobody but only to myself, for so helpe me God, as I love you wyth all my veraye herte, and am so esprysed wyth your love that reherce it to you I can not. I have debated the quarelle ayenst the god of love, but, at the last, I have ben subdued and uttirly overcome thourgh the graciouse maneres, honeste behaving, hardy and noble corage that I have perceyved in your persone, whiche I love moche better than alle the remenant of the world. And from hens forth I reteyne you myn onely true lover and goode frende, never to chaunge [fol. 35v] unto the oure of deth.” Wherof men may thynke al ynough that in spekyng and uttraunce of suche wordes they were not wythout mutacion of coloure, chaungyng of contenaunce, and suche other thynges in this caas acostumed. And whereupon is to byleve that Blanchardyn ws nevere in hys lyff half so glad, and not wythout a cause, as whan he understode this joyouse tydynge, and as that thinge whiche most he desyred in this world dyde accepte this gracyouse and desyrable ansuere. And how he thanked that noble mayden, it is not to be demaunded, for he forgate noo worde that therto served to be sayde.

prose-textblock7And thenne, thourghe a soubdayne fyre that descended from the hevens above, was theire love confermed togydre, and fro that oure abode bothe their hertes in one hole wylle. The provost at the same tyme perceyved well that Blanchardyns besynes was in non evyll waye, howbeit he coude knowe noo thynge therof but by suspecyon. Betwix the lady and Blanchardin were noo wordes more for that tyme, but that the yonge knyght toke a gracyouse leve of the fayre pucelle that myght not tourne her eyen from Blanchardyn.

The twenty fourth chapitre conteyneth how Blanchardyn toke leve and went ayen to the provostis house, and of the fayre whyt courser and of the sleve of cloth of gold that his lady dyde sende to him, and of the grete battayll that was byfore Tourmaday betwix Blanchardyn and a gyant whiche was dyscomfyte, and of the grete mervaylles of armes that Blanchardyn made there and of his takynge.

prose-textblock1After their devyses, the provost vaunced hymself for to take Blanchardyn by the arme and have hym to his house. But or they went, the proude pucelle in amours [fol. 36r] sayde to the provost that he sholde not leve to bringe her two doughters the next morowe, and that she holde marye hem right well, as she dyde unto two of her knyghtes right noble and gentyl wythin fewe dayes after. I saye not that jalousy was cause of this thynge, but I leve it in the jugement that in suche a caas can good skyle.

prose-textblock2After the gracyouse leve of the lady, Blanchardyn and the provoste came ayen in the sayd place and was dynertyme. The provost, that wyth all his herte loved Blanchardyn, conjured hym sayng it semed hym that he sholde be yet kynge and lorde of the londe of Tormaday, and that their lady had hym well in her grace. Thenne Blanchardyn, that well beholden was to the provost and that knewe hym for a trusty man and secret, mystrusted not hym but recounted and tolde hym al alonge the fayttes of his werkes in amours, wherof the provost was not lesse rejoysshed than Blanchardyn was. The dyner was redy and made an ende of theyr proces tyll another tyme. They sette hemself at the table, and had not be longe at their meet whan the lady sent to Blanchardyn a fayre whyte courser, and wyth it her right sleve whiche was of riche clothe of golde crymosyn, to the ende he sholde bere hit upon his helme whan he shold go upon her enmyes bycause she myght the better knowe hym emonge other.

prose-textblock3This present was not to be reffused, and the messanger sayde to Blanchardyn that well he ought to areyse his corage whan so gentyl a lady wolde sende him suche a present. Blanchardyn thanked the messager and prayed hym curtoysly that he wold have hym for humbly recomended to the goode grace of the noble pucelle that so fayre a present had sent to hym. Blanchardyn dyde putte his hand in to his aulmonere and drewe out of it [fol. 36v] a riche ouche of golde, upon whiche was sette a right riche ruby auyrouned wyth fyve grete perles, and gaffe hit to the messager, whiche thanked moche humbly Blanchardyn, of whom he toke his leve and departed. And taryed noowhere unto the tyme that he had tolde and reherced to the lady the joye that Blanchardyn had made at the recepcion of the present that she had sent unto hym. And syth recounted her of the riche gyfte that Blanchardyn had don to hym, wherof the proude mayden in amours was wel payd, sayng in herself that suche largesse proceded to hym of veraye noblenes.

prose-textblock4Here we shal leve to speke of her and shal retourne to speke of Blanchardyn, that in the provostis house was sette atte dyner. Right soone aftre the last messe was served, a lytyll affray and alarme roos wythin the towne for bycause of the kynge of geauntes, called Rubyon, that was in the playne wythout the cyté byfore the walles of the towne. And demaunded after the joustes for his ladyes sake that doughter was unto Kynge Alymodes, the whiche had taken hym a sleve that was of satyn vyolet and had sette hit upon his helme for the love of her. But bycause he was of so hyghe and bygge corpulence, and so stronge of body and renomme of grete proes, the proes was not grete of the knyghtes nor of other folke of Tourmaday for to furnysshe his apetyte nor fulfylle his requeste.

prose-textblock5The bruyt of this werke cam to the knowlege and understandyng of Blanchardyn, the whiche for this tydyng was gladde by over mesure, and sayde of a goode herte and a free wylle that he shal furnysshe Rubyon of his requeste and that he was comme in tyme. Redyly and soone he made hit to be knowen to Rubyon lest he sholde departe thens, whiche was right joyous of the tydynges, for right moche he desyred to shewe hymself [fol. 37r] for his ladys love, doughter to Kyng Alimodes, of whiche he was amorouse. And of that other partye, Blanchardyn made hymsylf to be armed quyckeli and syn mounted upon that myghty courser that the fayer the proude pucell in amours had sente to hym. He forgate not the sleve of cloth of gold that unto hym had be presented from her bihalf, the whiche he couched along his sholder in stede of gardebras. And for that daye he wold have therto noon other armour, wherof the provost was not wele content. Whan he was redy appareilled, mounted, and armured of all his armures except the haulte pece where the pucelles sleve kept stede, he made the signe of the crosse over hym and so departed oute of the provostes place and cam ridyng thorugh the toun, accompaned wyth the provoste and of many other knyghtes. He was sore loked upon and praysed of the ladyes and gentyll women as he passed by, for al prayd to our Lord that wyth honoure and joye he wolde brynge hym ayen.

prose-textblock6So long rydde Blanchardyn that he cam to the toun yates oute of whiche he yssued and parted, the spere in the hande, the shelde sette afore hym, the helmet lacid and clos, redy forto renne upon his ennemye that he sawe byfore hym that walked before the barres of the toun, awaityng after hym that shuld furnyshe hym of batayll, thynkynge that none shuld dare come bicause he had taryed there longe, whereof he bare hymself wel proude. Whan he see Blanchardyn, that all prest was to furnyshe hys enterprise, gaffe to hymself grete mervaylle and praised hym but litell. He asked hym of whens he was. Blanchardyn answerd that for no drede nor fere that he had of hym he shuld not kepe his name from hym, and tolde hym that he was of the realme of Fryse and his name was Blanchardin that unto him was sent by the fayer the proude [fol. 37v] pucell, his maystres in amours, for to juste and to aprove hymsylf upon hym. Thenne answerd Rubyon to Blanchardyn that the doughter of the myghty Kynge Alymodes the even byfore had gyven unto hym her sleve, the whiche in presence of her fader she had taken it from her ryght arme, to the ende that for the love of her he shuld doo some thynge wherby she myghte the better have hym in her grace. “Vassayll,” sayd Blanchardyn “thynke to do your werke. Ye see me here redy to furnysshe your requeste.” Thenne bothe of them went abacke for to take their cours and tourned ayen, brochynge their horses wyth their spores, that one ayenste the other, the speres in the rest, wherof they roughte eche other upon the sheldes by so grete a strengthe that nother of their sheldes abode there hole but were all quartred in peces. And in suche a wyse they recountred eche other that their speres brake unto their handes that the shyvers flowe upward, and syn passed beyonde for to parfurnyshe their enterprise. And in tornynge hemself ayen layde hande on their swerdes, wherwyth they began to smyte one upon that other by so grete and horrybyll strokes that the fire cam oute of their helmes.

prose-textblock7Evyn atte the same oure that the two vasselles befoughte eche other, the proude mayden in amours was lenyng at a wyndow thorugh whyche she sawe pleynli the bataylle of her speciall and of Rubyon. Wherfore all ynoughe ye maye byleve that she had grete fere that Blanchardyn shulde not retourne atte his honoure. How well she helde hym so valiaunt as he was, that her advyse was for ryghte grete and goode desire that she had that her beste biloved was alleredy com to his above overe Rubyon. The doughter of Alymodes the kynge was atte this owre setytnge byfore her pavillyon for to beholde the batayll of the two champions. [fol. 38r] She dyd prayse and commende so moche Blanchardyn, and prevely atte her herte whished hersilf hys lady peramours for the grete worthynes and proesse that she perceyvid in hym there, for he smote so grete strokes wyth his swerde and so ofte that he had all astonyed alredi his enmye Rubyon.

prose-textblock8Blanchardyn, seeng Rubyon in that plyght, lefte uppe his swerde, of the whiche he raughte Rubyon wyth a revers myght by the eere wyth suche a mervelous stroke that he overthrewe hym doun from his hors. The batayll had ben sone finyshed bytwyx them both and Rubyon ded, ne had ben Kynge Alymodes folke that cam for to socoure Rubyon, to whom Blanchardyn had smytten the hed off, yf they had not come right soone. But the proude pucell in amours, for the grete care that she had to sende socoure and helpe unto her lover, that she sawe in danger and enclosed with three score men that aboute hym were for to slee hym and brynge hym to deth, sent hastely her men for to socoure hym, for he was assaylled of eche side of good men of werre. But not wythstondyng thys, right vygoriously defendid hymsylf ayenst them all and yelded them ynoughe to do wythoute that they ever coude hurte nor wounde hym unto the tyme that socours cam to hym. For he detrenched and kyt them both legges and armes, and clove their heedes unto the brayne, and so fiersly mayntenid himself ther that none durst no more vaunce to approche nyghe hym. Whan they of Kyng Alymodes oost sawe them of the cité that were comen oute, they mounted on horsebacke and came towarde them as faste as they might come. And atte the reconntre that both partyes made one ayenst that other were many a spere broken, and many a knyghte broughte to grounde that were troden wyth the feete of the horses so that fewe of hem rose [fol. 38v] up alyve. And in conclusyon, all they of Alymodes partie had ben there slayne or taken, yf his son Daryus had not come the same tyme, that brought with him a grete companie of folke and assembled and called ayen togydre theym that fled fro the battaylle.

prose-textblock9And thenne entred hymself into the battaylle where he byganne to do merveylles of armes, for a ryght gode knyght he was yf he had ben a Crysten man. Grete slawghtyr he made of them of the cyté. But Blanchardyn, that sone was aware of his commyng, cam ayenst hym the swerde in hande by right on hyghe, whiche he lete fall upon Daryus wyth suche a stourdy strok and so grete that he amasyd hym wythall and overthrewe hym doune from his hors. And right sone wolde have taken the hede wyth the goode helmet from the body of hym, yf he lyghtly had not be socoured of his men that wyth right grete peyne, strong wounded and sore hurt, remounted hym on his hors and had hym to his pavyllyon wher he kept his bed the space of thre dayes. Rubyon, the kynge of gyauntes, that of Blanchardyn had ben overthrawen as it is sayde afore, faught full sore ayenst theym of Tourmaday beryng to them grete domage. But Blanchardyn, that alle his mynde and thoughte had sette to fynde hym to the ende he myght be avenged over hym, loked aboute at the right syde of hym whereas he chose Rubyon that made merveylles of armes and had overthrawen doune the goode provoste, whos hed he sholde have stryken off right soone yf Blanchardyn had not be, that hastely brake the presse and camen there and socoured hym, creynge upon Rubyon in this manere of wyse, “Ha, a thou false paynem and cursed man, this shall be thy laste daye, for by false and grete traysen, and by a watche thought before, wolde have madest me to be [fol. 39r] murdered. And by suche meanes thou escaped ones fro my handes, but to me nor to noon other thou shalt nevere werke trayson.” And thenne Blanchardyn, that had a stronge axe in his handes, smote atte Rubyon wyth al his strenthe and gaff hym suche a stroke that his goode armures coude not waraunt his lyff, but was feld doune sterk ded, wherof the cry and the noyse rose up ryght grete. Whan the Sarrasyns saw the kynge of the gyauntes dede, they were sore frayed and gretly abasshed, for in hym was alle their hope. They fled toward their tentes as faste as they myght.

prose-textblock10Blanchardyn and they of Tourmaday pursued them, smytyng and overthrawyng hem ded unto their tentes. And so moche that Blanchardyn cam to the kyng Alymodes tente, before the whiche he fonde his doughter syttyng that behelde the battaylle that was afore the sayde towne. Whan Blanchardyn sawe the yong damoysell that was there syttyng, he bowed hymself douneward upon his hors necke and toke the mayden by the myddes of her body and sette her up byfore hym wythout any resystence made by the pucelle whiche made therof noo refuse. And syth retourned ayen as fast as he myght toward the cyté of Tourmaday. But Alymodes, seyng this harde adventure so befalle, as a man madde and alltogyder from his wyttes, cam rennyng after Blanchardyn wyth more than foure thousand Sarrasyns wyth hym that folowed faste at the backe of hym for to socoure their lady. And Blanchardyn, that bare the pucelle byfore hym, sawe a Sarasyn that moche nyghe folowed hym. He tourned his horse hed toward hym, lyfte upward his swerde, and gaff suche a merveyllouse stroke to the Sarrasyn that he clove his hede [fol. 39v] to the harde tethe.

prose-textblock11Alas, why dyde he tary hymself for to slee that Sarrasyn? For so sore nyghe he was pursiewed by Kynge Alymodes and his folke that they closed hym anone rounde aboute. The provost and the other of the towne entred ayen into the cyté, wenyng to them that Blanchardyn had be wyth them. But he was not, but was enclosed from al sydes and in suche wyse opressed that they had all redy slayne his horse under hym and was afote amonge the Sarrasyns, where he fought wyth the swerde in the hande, wherof he made grete slawghter of them. But what occysion or defence that he made myght not warauntyse hym, for aboute him were more than foure thousand Sarrasins that desyred all for to purchasse hym his deth.

prose-textblock12The kynge Alymodes, seeyng the grete prowes that was in Blanchardyn and that non so hardy durste approche hym, he bygan to crye alowde on hyghe, “Fy on you all untrewe paynemys, cursed be the owre of youre natyvyté, whan for the body of one knyght alone, I see you, more than foure thousand men, to tourne and recule abacke. Full yl have I employed the godes that I have doon unto you. A full sory norysshyng I have doon over you.” Thenne the Sarasyns that herde their lorde soo speke to them, whiche they dyde ferre ryght sore, all att ones ranne upon Blanchardyn, that sore wery and traveylled was of the grete strokes that he had gyven and receyved soo that the blode ranne out of dyvers places of his body. Wel he saw that it was impossyble to hym to laste eny lenger but that he muste be other slayne or taken. Notwythstandyng this, Blanchardyn, lyke as other a tygre or a lyon that is broken loos from his boundes, heved upward his swerde wyth bothe the handes and smote a knyght therwyth, that nevewe was unto Kyng Alymodes, wyth suche [fol. 40r] a strengthe that he cleved hym unto the chynne bone. But as he wythdrewe his swerde toward hym from that grete and merveyllous stroke, his fotyng faylled hym for cause that the grasse wherupon he trad was sore weet and slyther , and so nedes he muste falle. Thenne cam upon hym sodaynly out of all sydes grete foyson of paynemys and toke and bonde hym full fast. Whan the Sarasyns dyde see hym thus fallen to the grounde, they made all at ones suche an horryble crye that ferre wythin the cyté was herde the sowne of hit.

prose-textblock13At the same owre, the proude pucell in amours that yet was styll at her wyndowe and had seen her folke turne agayn into the towne wyth grete haste, and syth herde the crye and the grete noyse that was made wythout the cyté, and of another part she sawe a grete nommbre of folke that retourned to the tentes, thoughte wel, and also her herte judged and gaf it to her, that that was the worthy Blanchardyn, her lover, that Sarasins ledde wyth them prysonner. Seyng this confusion thus to be happed, she wyst not how to conteyne herself and byganne full sore to wepe wyth grete teerys that fell doune alonge her swete vysage, and sayde, “Alas, my right dere and feythfyl lover, yf God thurgh his grace putteth noo provysion her unto, this day shal be broken and undoo oure sore desyred acqueyntaunce.”

prose-textblock14Thenne the provoste, right sorowfull and gretly dysplaysed, wyth a sad chere entred into the chambre where the right desolate the proude pucelle in amours made grete mone, whiche he fonde fallen in a swoune in the lap of one of her gentyl wymen. And syth whan she was come ayen to herself that she had the myght to speke, she sayde to the provost that soone and incontynent he shold go toward the kyng Alymodes for to wyte yf for golde or sylver he [fol. 40v] wolde take to raenson the knyght that was a straunger, whiche was but as her sowldyour in this her werre, and, yf his playsure was, to sende hym ayen to her, “I shal gyve him for his raenson seven dromadaryes al laden with fyn gold, so that he wyll sende hym to me sounde and hole.” Whan the provost sawe the grete amarytude, or, by termes, grete sorowe, whereas his lady, the proude pucelle in amours, was inne, and the promesse that she made for the delyveraunce of Blanchardyn, he, moeved wyth pyté, ansuered and sayde to the pucelle that wyth all possyble dilygence he sholde do so moche that, or ever the nyght sholde come, he sholde knowe the certeynté of that that Kynge Alymodes wolde doo in this behalve. He toke his leve of the proude pucelle, whiche he lefte sorowynge wythin her chambre wyth her maydens, and went anone hastly upon a hyghe toure that had syght toward Kyng Alymodes oost. And there he called out of the batelmentes as hyghe as he myght upon a knyght Sarrasyn that went forth by the same toure, to whom he prayed sore moche that he wold doo hym as moche curteysy toward the kynge Alymodes, that he myght undre gode surtye and saufcondyt goo to speke wyth hym for to shewe and annonce to hym certayn message from his lady, the proude pucelle in amours. The paynem knyght, that was full curteys, made a token to hym that his request he dyde graunte. Soo went he hastely and dyde so moche that he brought to hym a goode saufcondyt, where the provoste right moche thanked hym.

prose-textblock15The provost anone after made hymself redy toward his waye and cam nygh ynoughe to the tente of Kynge Alymodes, and as he passed by he saw Blanchardyn that was kept in holde of six squyers syttyng byfore a [fol. 41r] pavyllyon. That tyme that Blanchardyn perceyved the provost that passed forth by hym, he demaunded of hym what thyng he went there sekynge. The provost tolde hym that he went toward Alymodes the kyng for his delyveraunce, saynge to hym that he sholde not be abasshed of no thynge and that he sholde not care, but sholde make good chere, and that he sholde not abyde behynde so that for eny golde or sylver he coude be had. “Frende, of that ye telle me,” sayde Blanchardyn, “I am right glad and joye wel to thanke God therof. I praye you that ye wyl doo the beste that ye shal may toward the kynge Alymodes, for my confyance and trust is in you.” The provost toke leve of hym and dyde so moche that he cam and alyghted byfore Kynge Alymodes tente, and syth entred inne where he fonde Kynge Alymodes and his barons aboute hym. He right reverently salued hym, sayeng unto hym that he was come there for to beye ayen the straunge knyght that he helde prysonner, “whiche is a souldyour and reteyned into wages wyth the proude pucelle in amours. And the cause that moeveth her herto it is bycause that he is a straunger and that he is comen from ferre lande to take wages, thus right gladly she wolde have hym ayen yf your plesure were for to putte hym to raenson. And my lady the proude pucelle offreth you for hym seven dromadaryes al charged of fyn golde and a thousand coursers and as many amblynge horses and armures goode and fyn, ynoughe for to arme a thousaund knyghtes.”

prose-textblock16Whan the kynge herde the provoste that soo grete offre made for to have ageyne Blanchardyn, he gaf hymself grete merveylle and bethoughte in hymsilf a lytyl whyle. And syth dyde sende [fol. 41v] for Blanchardyn whiche he behylde so moche whan he was come afore hym, and sayde wythin hymself that never in his lyff he had not seen noo fayrer knyght, nor more better made and myghty of body. He dyde coveyte moche sore the grete havoyre that was proffred hym for his raencon, but a soubdayne sparkle of jalousye cam to hym byfore, that was lest this yonge and fayre knyght Blanchardyn were reteyned of the proude pucelle in amours as her owne specyall lover, the whiche thynge kept hym so sore at the hert of hym that he, movyd wyth grete wrath and yre, wold have ronne upon Blanchardyn for to have slayn hym, sayeng for to covere his right false jalousy that it was for the grete damage and grete slawghtir that he had don of his folke, and that, by the feyth that he owed to his goddes, he sholde not abyde longe alyve, for he sholde nother ete nor drynke tyll that he sholde see hym deed.

The twenty fifth chapiter conteyneth how Kynge Alymodes wolde make to be put to deth Blanchardyn, but at the request of the fayre Beatryx his doughter he respyted hym, and how the proude pucelle in amours had sent the provost toward the kynge Alymodes offryng to hym a grete raenson for the delyveraunce of Blanchardyn whiche he refused.

prose-textblock1Thus after as ye have herde, Kynge Alymodes made his avowe and sware his goddes that he sholde neyther ete not drynke tyl that Blanchardyn had lost his lyff. Wherof Daryus, the sone of the same Kynge Aymodes and many other barons that were there present had grete pyté, for the right grete beaulté and worthynes that they sawe and knewe in Blanchardyn. But the best of them all was not so hardy that he durste speke one worde nor praye for hym, bycause they [fol. 42r] drad and fered ever sore Kynge Alymodes.

prose-textblock2And thenne his doughter Beatryx that was there, whiche had taken goode hede and well over loked the grete beaulté of Blanchardyn, and well had also consydered the grete and merveyllous faytes of armes that she had seen hym do that day, prosterned or casted herself doune byfore her faders feet on her knees, humbly requyryng, wyth bothe handes heved up faste togydre, that pyté and compassyon he wolde have of the yonge knyght and that his lyff myght be saved. Kynge Alymodes, heryng the request and humble prayer of his doughter, whiche he loved tenderly, ansuered to her and sayde, “My ryght dere and right well beloved doughter, I wold for mekell goode that ye had not requyred me herof and that ye had not ben here at this tyme, for the presence and syght of hym for whom ye have caused your humble supplycacion reneweth alle my sorowes. But for to obtempre youre requeste, for this tyme I graunte hym his lyff. But ye shall wyte that I shall sende hym into the royalme of Salmandry unto the kynge of the geauntis brother, that is to wyte Rubyon, whiche he hath slayne and the whiche I loved as myn owne persone, for yf he had ben yet man alyve, I wolde have gyven you tyl his wyff. So may ye knowe that he shal doo goode justyce of hym and shal take cruelle vengeaunce, and noon other wyse wyll I doo.” And syth dyde caste his eyen upon the provoste full proudely as by grete despyte and tolde hym that he myght well go home ayen, and that he sholde not leve but that he sholde departe his presence incontynent, or ellys he sholde make hym soone deye an evyll deth. And that nother for noo golde nor for no yefte that myght be don to hym, nor for noo manere of raenson he shold not respyte nor yelde ayen Blanchardin, but he sholde sende hym into a suche place from [fol. 42v] whiche he sholde never retourne ayen.

prose-textblock3And thenne the provoste departed anone, and, full sory of the aunsuere that Kyng Alymodes had gyven to hym, ful sore wepyng went toward Blanchardyn and recounted hym the harde tydynges that had be made of hym. And evyn thus as they sholde never have seen eche other, they toke leve one of other. And after their leve taken, Blanchardyn, lokyng right pyteously upon the provost, prayed hym that he wold have hym for recomended unto the fayre the proude pucelle in amours, besechyng her on his byhalve that she wolde not putte in oblyvyon nor forgete hym that is in her servyse, for he whom God wolde preserve can not peryshe. The provost, heryng Blanchardyn speke that charged hym his eraunde to be do unto the proude pucelle in amours, departed sonn wythout eny morre that he coude say to Blanchardyn. For he had no power to speke no more for the grete pyté that he had over hym, but retourned to the cyté so ful of hertely sorowe that no man can expresse it to you. And rested hym not tyl he come to the paleys where he alighted doune and went forth into the halle and syth entred into the chambre wher the noble pucelle was, unto whom he recounted and tolde the harde and pytoyable tydynges and the proude ansueres that Kynge Alymodes had gyven unto him, wherof the right noble mayden made suche a sorowe and grete hevynesse that never was sen like. We shal leve her makynge her pytoyable complayntes and shal retourne to speke of Kynge Alymodes, the right and evyl tyraunt that all taken was wyth anger and wrathe.

The twenty sixth chapitre foloweth whiche conteyneth how Darius had a commaundement don unto hym in his faders byhalve that he shold have Blanchardyn forth into Salamaundrye. And how the ship in whiche Blanchardyn was inne was perysshed by fortune and tempeste [fol. 43r] of the see and were all drowned except Blanchardyn. And how he cam toward the kynge of Maryenbourgh that reteyned hym in servyse and of hym he made his constable.

prose-textblock1After the departynge of the provost, Alymodes the kynge gaaff commaundement unto his sonn Daryus that he sholde tourne ayen into Cassydonye, whiche is in the lande of Nourweye of whens he was kynge. And that he sholde take wyth him his suster and kepe wel his lande and countreye duryng the tyme that he sholde kepe his siege before Tourmaday. And that he sholde have wyth hym Blanchardyn, whome he sholde sende forth hastely, as sone as he were comen to Cassydonye, to be pressented on his byhalve to the kynge of Salamandrye whos brother Blanchardyn had brought to dethe, for to have wrake upon hym. Daryus, heryng his fadres commaundement, made to be redy a shippe right bygge and grete wherinne he and his suster entred, wel garnysshed wyth folke and vytaylle. And in another small shippe that was there redy he made Blanchardyn to be brought ynne wyth thre score men that had the kepyng of hym. Whan they were redy, thy wonde theyr saylles up and departed. Grete pyté it was to see and here the pyteouse rewthe and complayntes that Blanchardyn made, for well he wend that he sholde nevyr have seen ayen her for whom he was brought in suche angwysshe and sorowe.

prose-textblock2We shal at this tyme leve to speke of hym and shal retourne to speke of the proude pucelle in amours, and of the grete tyraunte Alymodes, that wasted al the countrey aboute the cyté of Tourmaday and greved sore the towne and them of wythynne wyth his engynes as moche as he coude, howbeit that the cytezeynes yssued oute often and slew fuson of their enmyes. And the [fol. 43v] fayre the proude pucelle in amours, that evermore had her sight that parte that she wyst her best beloved goon, whiche she wysshed sore agayne, lamentyng for hym for she sawe playn ynough whan he departed from the porte, toke in her herte her leve of hym full sore wepynge. She brought thenne in remembraunce how swetly he had kyssed her, wherof she had take so grete a dyspleasure. “But alas,” sayde she, “this displeasure passed over many folde that other and more than I can telle. Ha, a, fortune, shal I nevere have noon other but alwayes dysplaysure?” And after thes wordes she fel in a swone as half ded, and the ladyes and other gentyl women, full pyteously wepyng, toke her up anone and had her to bedde where fro she parted not six dayes after.

prose-textblock3Of that other part, Daryus and his folke, his suster wyth hym, and Blanchardyn in the lytyl shippe, saylled soo longe that they arryved in the lande of Northweye evyn at the havene of the cyté of Cassydonye where they ancred. But or that Daryus went out of his shippe, he commaunded and ordeyned to them that had kepynge of Blanchardyn that they shold have hym streyght forthe to the kynge of Salmaundrye, and that they sholde delyvere hym in his hande and telle hym that it was he that had slayne Rubyon, his brother, byfore Tourmaday where his fader, Kynge Alymodes, was yet kepyng the syege, whiche made hym a present of hym that had kylled his brother for to take vengeaunce therof atte his wylle. They that had the charge to doo this ansuered that they sholde doo hys commaundement. They departed from Cassydonye, but ye may be wel in certayne that this departynge dysplaysed moche unto Beatrix, Daryus suster, and ful fayne wolde have putte therunto a remedy yf [fol. 44r] by ony meanes she had coude, but atte that oure she had noo power to do soo. Blanchardyn, that in the lytyl ship was, was sore dolaunt whan he sawe hymself to be had forthe from the other, and thoughte well that a present sholde be made of hym in some straunge lande. He dyde reclame and calle upon oure Lord God, right devoutly beseching that, of His grace, He wold have pyté and mercy upon hym that he myght yet ones come to his sore desyred wylle, that is to wytte, to see his fayre lady, the proude mayden in love, and that He wold kepe her sauff from Kynge Alymodes handes. Ye may byleve well that Blanchardyn made grete sorowe and lamentacyon, wyshyng full often that he may yet see ones his lady that he loved truly above all other.

prose-textblock4And whan they were comen two dayes saylyng nyghe the coste of Salamandré, a grete tempeste roose in the see and so horryble that the saylle of their shippe was all to-rent in peces that all the maryners coude putte therto noo remedye. Suche and so grete was the tempeste that they muste gyve nedes to the wyndes and wawes of the see the kepynge and the gydynge bothe of their shippe and of them alle that were therinne, whiche soone were brought besyde a grete roche wherupon their ship smote by suche a force that she cloved anone in two peces. Wherby alle the mareners and the sayde thre score men were perysshed and drowned in the see and nevere non of them saved, but onely Blanchardyn, that couched hymself alonge upon the mast of the shippe whiche enbraced and colled sore fast wyth bothe his armes. They were nyghe the lande, as it is sayde, where as the sayd mast and Blanchardyn upon it was cast off the wawes unto the shores. Whan Blanchardyn felt hymself so nyghe agrounde and fast by the lande, he forsoke his maste and lept from hit [fol. 44v] to the lande. And whan he was come there he kneled doune right sone upon bothe his knees and havyng his handes heved up toward the hevens, rendred and gaff lovynge and thankes unto oure Lord that thus had delyvered hym from that grete parell where he was inne.

prose-textblock5After that he had made his oryson to our Lord, he toke on his waye all afote for to drawe hymself to that adventure that God wolde sende hym. And walked so longe tyl that he fonde not fer wythin the contrey a right fayre towne whiche is now called Maryenbourgh, and is in the lande of Pruce, wythin the whiche at the same tyme was a right myghty kynge that kept ther a grete feste wher atte he had called alle his barons and lordes and alle the gentylmen of thereaboute, whiche alle arryved there upon the daye that to them was prefyxed or poynted for to come.

prose-textblock6Blanchardyn thoughte wythin hymself that he wolde make black his vysage or of coloure suche that the folke of that contrey had hers atte that tyme. He toke and gadred som herbes that served hym therto and rubbed therwyth his vysage all aboute, and in lyke wyse his handes, bycause that of noobody he sholde not be knowen. He coude well speke dyverse langages, and in especyall the hyghe Duche tonge. He purveyed and dyde ordeyne hymself so that yf he had ben met of them that had seen hym afore, they myght not thenne have knowen hym.

prose-textblock7Whan he had apareylled hymself well, he toke his way forth on, and folke he met ynough by the waye of whom he asked the name of the towne that he sawe afore hym, and they tolde hym that it was the cyté of Maryenbourgh. He went so longe that he cam into the towne and asked whiche was the waye to the paleys, for right well he coude speke the langage of the contrey, as it is sayde. Men shewed [fol. 45r] hym the paleys, and he went in where he fonde the kynge amonge his barons, to whom he made the reverence righte humbly and honorable as ful wele coude he doo it. The kynge thenne demaunded of hym yf he was a yoman or els a squier. And Blanchardyn tolde hym that he was a knyght and that from his contree, that sore ferre was thens, he was departed for to come and serve hym for by cause of the grete renommee that he had herde speke of him. And how, thorugh fortune and tempeste of the see, his ship was perished and he only had saved hymsilf. The kynge ful besily behelde Blanchardyn that semed to hym a full faer yonge man and wele shapen of all membres. And wyth thys he praysed hym ryght gretly that he was a knyght, and so thought in hymself that he was come of som highe and nobyl extraccion, for his fayr behavore and assured contenaunce that the kynge sawe to be in hym gaffe demonstracion of the trouthe of what byrthe he was come of. Wherfore the kynge was right wele content, and reseyved hym of his hous and commaunded to his stewarde that he sholde be brought to a chamber that all suche thynges that necessarye were to hym shulde be delyverd wythoute onye gaynsaynge unto hym, the whiche thynge after the commaundement yoven was doon. He was ledde into a chambre fayre and clere where was raymentes and full riche clothynge were to hym delyverd, wherwyth he dyde araye hymsilf. Whan he was thus clothed and richely arayed, he semed wele to be a man comen of some nobyl hous. He cam ayen anon toward the kyng that ful gladli sawe hym and moche plesed him, and so dyd he to all the knyghtes and other of the kynges courte.

prose-textblock8The kynge, that gretli desired to knowe of his estate, asked of hym what he was, of what lande, and of what lynage. Blanchardyn aunsuerd that [fol. 45v] he was of the lande of Grece and sone to a kynge. “But sire, for cause of the right grete renomme and goode fame that renneth of you over all the world, is a wylle entred wythin me to departe secretly out of my countreye wyth a fewe men of myne, wythout license of the kynge my fader, and brought wyth me but thre score men. We toke the see and cam nyghe by the castell of Mocastre, byfore the whiche a right grete and impetuouse tempeste rose that lasted us thre dayes and thre nyghtes wythout ceasse, insomoche that fortune thrugh stormes of wyndes made our vessel to smite ayenst a grete roche and brake so that all my men were drowned and noon escaped sauf onely myself that ye see here. And wyth grete peyne and traveyl all afote I am come toward you hether. Yf I sholde all suche adventures as I have fonde by the waye reherce unto you, over moche myght let you the heryng of hem, but thanked be Mahon that this grace hath doon unto me. I am comen to do you servyse after my powere.” “Vassell,” sayde the kynge, “of your commynge unto me I am right glad, and wel pleaseth me your servyse and wyl not reffuse it. And for the grete losse and grete trouble and peyne that ye have had for to seke me, rayson requyreth that ye shold have a goode reward of me. Well ye are come to passe for to serve me in a were, whiche to us is happed of newe ayenst a kynge whos countrey is not fer hens. And for thys werke to conducte and brynge to an ende, I graunte you even now and chese you for to be in oure byhalve conestable and hed captayne of oure present armye, for the grete trust and hope that we have in your worthynes and personne.”

The twenty seventh chapitre conteyneth how a knyght all sore wounded cam and brought tydynges to the kynge of [fol. 46r] Maryenborugh that his enmye the kynge of Poleyne was entred wythin his royalme.

prose-textblock1Whan the kynge had precented this grete worship to Blanchardyn, it nedeth not to be asked yf he was therof gladde, or yf he forgate to thanke the kynge for the same, yet he dyde thrin his devoyer so well that none coude have doon it better, sayeng to hym in this manere, “Syr, sith that this grete honoure ye have proffred me, evyn now forth wythall I do accepte it, promyttynge you that all my strenghe, myght, and understondynge that the goddes have gyven to me I wyll putte and applie in your servyse.” The kynge thenne wyth a right glad chere receyvyd Blanchardyn and toke hym by the hande and sayd unto hym, “Vassel, yf ye serve me well a grete rewarde shal be redy yeven to you therfore of me.”

prose-textblock2Ryght thus as the kynge was talkynge so wyth Blanchardyn, cam there a knyghte armed of all peces that was sore hurt in dyverse places of his body, his shelde crasyd and broken, and his helmet all to-kutte. He cam byfore the kynges presence sayeng to hym all an hyghe, “Alas, noble kynge, where is now becomen the grete prowesses and hardynesse that were wont to be in thee, that soo well hast ruled and kept us of soo long tyme paste, whan thou suffrest now thyn enmyes to sette thy land al on a fyre and wymmen and children to be slayn of them are comen ferre wythin they royalme? And but yf thou putte a provysyon therto shortly, thou shalt are thre dayes be passed see thyself beseged wythin the cyté of Maryenbourgh. And knowe for certeyn that the kynge of Polonye, thy mortall adversarye, is there in his persone whiche hath avaunced hymself for to brenne and waste all the lande, the whiche thynge he shal mowe well doo yf remedy be not [fol. 46v] sone putte by thee therunto. And alredy thou mayste see by me that they be not fer from hens, for as I was commynge towarde thee I dyde fynde thyn enmyes byfore me whiche have broughte me to the plyght that thou seest me nowe ynne. And yf wele y-horsed I had not ben, I shulde never have escaped but other I muste deye or be taken of hem.” Whan the kyng herde the knyght speke, he understode wele by his wordes that the thynge wente evyll for hym. He asked hym in what countree of his realme he had lefte his enmyes. “Syr,” aunswerd the knyght, “hyt is wele thirty myle from hens to the place where I lefte them. But to myn advyse, or ever thre dayes be past, but yf ye se a remedy, ye shal se them lodged here byfore the toun in their tentys and pavyllyons.” The kynge thenne, after the knyght had thus spoken to hym, he gaff commaundement to his styward that he sholde be seen wele to, that he were helyd of his woundes that were grete by his owne leches, cyrurgyens, the whiche thynge was doon as he had commaunded. The kynge wyth grete haste assembled them of his counseyll for to see how a remedye shulde be had to the grete daunger that lykely was to comme, wythoute a goode provysion were had.

Chapter 28 How the kyng of Maryenborugh toke Sadoyne, his sone, to Blanchardyn and thre score thowsand men wyth for to goo ayenste his enmyes to fyghte wyth hem, and to caste hem oute of his realme.

prose-textblock1After that the kynge had herde the knyght that had rehersed to hym the commynge of his enmyes, he sent for his lordes and barouns whiche cam to hym in his paleys, and to them he shewed all that he had understonde of the sayd knyghte, prayenge them that they wolde gyve hym counseyll therupon, to the ende he myght resyste and goo ayenste the dampnable [fol. 47r] enterpryse of his enmyes. The barouns and counsellers answerde to the kynge that they shold speke togyder, for to advyse the manere and how this thynge myght be conducted. They wythdrewe themself asyde and assembled them in grete nombre to have consideracion upon this matere, the whiche they sore debatyd emonge themself by many and dyverse oppynyons. But, at the last, they dyde conclude togyder all of one accorde that the kyng shold sende his new conestable ayenst his adversaryes, acompanyed wyth thre score thousaund of the most valyaunt and best chosen men of his royalme, and that he sholde have wyth hym the kynges sone that called was Sadoyne, bycause that the barons and knyghtes of the sayd royalme sholde go wyth better wylle wyth hym. They went ayen to the kynge and proferred and tolde hym their advyse.

prose-textblock2Whan the kynge had herde speke his barons, the thynge was to hym right agreable. He called Blanchardyn, his new conestable, and tolde hym how by hym and his barons was ordeyned to hym the charge and conduyte of his werre, and that wyth thre score thousaund men he sholde go ayenst his enmyes for to fyght wyth hem and dryve hem oute of his royalme. Whan Blanchardyn understode the kynge, he was therof right glad and thanked hym of the grete honoure that he dyde unto hym. Thenne sent the kynge his letres myssyfe into al the partyes of his royalme, to be directed in all haste to his barons and knyghtes that they sholde wythout delaynge come hastely toward hym. The messagers were sone redy that bare the letters to them unto whom they were dyrected, and so grete a dilygence they made that wythin short terme dyde arryve in the cyté of Maryenbourgh. Fro the first to the last, wel thre score thousaund men of werre alredy prest and well apparelled for to deffende their royalme and to go ayenst their [fol. 47v] enmyes. And whan the kyng sawe his men that were comme, he was of them right glad and so was Blanchardyn that had the rule over hem all, to whome he gaff in commaundement that they sholde be redy on the morowe bytymes for to departe in the felaweship of Sadoyne, the kynges sone, and of hym.

prose-textblock3Whan the morne cam, trompettes and claryons byganne to blowe thourgh the towne and in the subarbes of the same. They alle departed from their lodgis and cam wel apparelled in gode araye to the felde, where they awayted after the conestable that shold be their ruler and their guyde, the whiche camm toward the kynge, and Sadoyne wyth hym, and to take their leve of hym. The kyng, seyeng his sonis departyng, saide to Blanchardyne, “Vassall, vassal, to whom I have taken in hande that thynge most dere to me in this world, that is my sone, my royalme, my knyghtes and my barons. I beseke and praye thee, in the worship of the goddes, that at tyme of nede for the defense of my royalme thou wylt uttir and shewe that whiche I see appiere wythin thee that callest thyself the sone of a kynge, in whom ought to be graffed and sette the floure of knighthode with proesse and hardynesse wherwith thou art armed, as I holde.” “Syre,” sayde Blanchardyn, “as for me thourgh the helpe of the goddes, I shal so moche do that wythin fewe dayes your enmyes shal have no cause to be glad therof. And in their folysshe pryde I shal succombe and brynge a-lowe their corage.” And thenne wythout mo wordes, Sadoyne and Blanchardyn toke leve of the kynge.

The twenty ninth chapitre conteyneth how Blanchardyn and Sadoyne and their folke discomfyted their enmyes, and how Blanchardyn toke prysoner the kynge of Polonye, the whiche he putte in the handes of the kynge of Maryenbourgh. And of the worship that they made to Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock1[fol. 48r] After their leve taken of the kynge, the two barons mounted on horsbacke and camen to the felde where they fonden their folke renged nyghe togydre, to whome they commaunded to departe holdyng their waye toward their enmyes, whiche they fonde two dayes after all redy aparailled for to fyght, for they were advertysed afore of the commyng of Blanchardyn. Whan they two oostes sawe eche other, the noyse and the cry began to be grete on bothe sydes. Soo beganne they to marche forth toward eche other in right fayr ordonnaunce made by Blanchardyn that conduyted the first bataylle, and had lefte Sadoyne in the seconde baytayllen the kepynge of two noble prynces that were there comen with hym. The shot beganne to fle of bothe partyes so fast and soo thycke that the lyght of the sonne was kept wythal from the fyghters. And syth cam to joyne hemself togyder wyth sperys, and wyth dartes, and wyth swerdes and axes, wherof they hewe eche other insomoche that the felde was sone coverd wyth the bodyes ded that were slayne there. The horses went travayllyng after theym their owne bowellys, rennyng over hylles and dales here and there. And Blanchardyn thenne, that in proesse and hardynes was entred, toke his spere doune and ranne ayenst the brother of the kynge of Polonye that grete damage had done to the Prusyens. He rought hym so sore and wyth so grete a strenghthe that he shoved and passed his spere alle thourgh and thourgh his body that he fel doune sterk ded, wherof the noyse and the cry rose up grete thourgh the batallof the Polonyens. Ful sone cam the tydynges therof to the kynge, that grete sorowe made for his brothers dethe. He sware and made his avowe that he shold never have joye at his herte unto the tyme his brothers deth were avenged; sore an angred and ful of wrath smote hymself into the thyckest of [fol. 48v] the bataylle, where he dyde upon the Prussyens grete merveylles of armes, so that there as he arryved no man durste not abyde nor come nyghe hym.

prose-textblock2Of that other parte was Blanchardyn that so many fayttes of armes had doon that, or ever his spere was broken, he had slayne and brought to deth and borne to the grounde more than twenty four of his enmyes, and syth toke in hande his swerde wher wythall he brake the grete presses. He kutte and clove the Polonyens by so grete fyersnes that his swerde and bothe his armes were dyed wyth red blode. He semed not to them that sawe hym to be a man mortall, but semed better to be a fende or a spiryte of the fayrye. He brake the arayes of them that were renged, and the grete presses he departed and made waye byfore hym. Alle fled and non durste abyde hym for the grete and merveyllouse faytes of armes that he made there, wherof they of Prusse that wyth hym were gaff hemself grete merveylle. They folowed after at the backe of hym as the yonge lambe do the sheep. Sadoyne and his bataylle dyde approche their enmyes. They smote hemself wythin them callyng a grete crye, wherfor they of Polonye lepte and reculed six passes or moo. But the kynge of Polonye, seeyng his folke go backe, was ful sory. He ascryed and dyde calle upon his mayster conestable that he sholde ryde forth upon his enmyes, the whiche thynge he dyde. Wherof the batayll began to be reforced ayen so that the Prussyens, wolde they or not, muste lose grounde and goo abak, and sholde have be full sore dealed wythall yf they had not be soone socoured of Blanchardyn, the whiche, seeyng his folke recuyelle abacke, gaffe the spore to his hors and cam ayenst hym that bare the cheff standarde of Polonye, to whom he gaaff soo merveylouse a stroke wyth his goode swerde that he clove hym unto the brest and fell [fol. 49r] doune emonge the hors feet.

prose-textblock3Thenne byganne the noyse and the crye to ryse up grete of the Polonyens that trowed to have taken up ayen their standarde. But Blanchardyn, whiche at that owre slept not, smot hymself emonge them. He kutte and clove them that nother helmet nor shelde coude helpe there, soo that none was so hardy to approche hym. His folke dyde folowe hym and putte hemself upon their enmyes, so that it was force the Polonyens to recule abak the space of an acre of lande or more. The kynge of Polonye, that sawe his folke recule and fle and his standarde y-brought to the grounde thourgh the valyauntnes and strengthe of one knyght alone, sware his goode goddes that he sholde nevere have joye at herte tyll that the deth of his brother and the domage that he had receyved were by hym avenged. He smote hymself into the bataylle and relyed his folke togyder as well as he coude. Soo chose he Blanchardyn, that grete slawghter dyde make over his men. He toke a bygge spere in his hande and drewe that part where he sawe hym that so moche of evyll and damage had borne to hym. Blanchardyn sawe hym right well commynge toward hym; he toke also a grete spere from the hande of a knyght of his that was nyghe hym and cam ayenst the kynge of Polonye that soone perceyved hym. They brought alowe their sperys and ranne sore one upon the other and gaff eche other soo unmesurable strokes that the kynge of Polonye spere brake al to peces, but that other spere that Blanchardyn had, that was of wode right stronge and harde, brake not but roughte the kynge of Polonye wythall by suche a strengthe and vertue that he bare hym from his horse doune to the grounde.

prose-textblock4Blanchardyn anon cast from [fol. 49v] hym his goode spere and syth toke his goode swerde in hande and cam to the kynge for to have smytten off his hed, but the kynge, seyenge that noon of his folke came for to socoure hym, dyde take his swerde to Blanchardyn, yeldynge hym up unto hym, and prayed hym to save hym his lyff. Thenne was the kynge redely taken to mercy of Blanchardyn, that toke hym by the hande and gaf hym to tenn knyghtes for to kepe hym, that had hym out of the presse bycause that they sholde be more sure of hym. Whan they of Polonye sawe and knewe their kynge to be take, they wyst wel ynough that he was not to be recovered of hem, wherfor gaffe up the place and fled awaye. And so fynably were all the Polonyens discomfyted, taken, or brought to dethe that fewe of them escaped. But grete gayne made there they of Prusse, whiche was departed by Blanchardyn to them that had hit deserved.

prose-textblock5After this bataylle doon and that they had chassed their enmyes oute of their royalme, Blanchardyn wyth grete glorye and grete tryumphe, and Sadoyne his trusty felawe wyth hym, retourned toward Maryenborugh and their folke wyth them, where they were receyved of the kynge wyth grete joye and praysynge. Thenne cam Blanchardyn to the kynge and to hym sayde, “Syre, I do yelde and delyvere into your handes the kynge of Polonye your enemye, whiche I have taken wyth the helpe of your sone and of your noble and worthy chevalrye. And ye may now doo wyth hym what youre goode plesure is or shal be.” The kynge, that herof was well advertysed by his sone and by his other barons, that the bataylle had ben overcome and the kynge of Polonye taken thourgh the right excellent and hyghe proesse of Blanchardyn, toke hym in his armes and syth sayde unto hym, “Ha, my right trusty frende and right noble knight, fulfylled with al gode maners [fol. 50r] and vertues, that hath be the pyler susteynynge under thy swerde bothe myself and all my royalme, I am not a power to reward thee after the meryte that ye have deserved to have of me. Well ye have shewed and doon perfytly to be understande the excellent vertu of humylité that is in you, and the right hyghe and noble lynage that ye be descended of. But fro this owre now I betake myself, my sone, and my royalme in your protection, and wol that all your commaundementes be obeyed and put to execucyon in all manere poyntes.” The noble Blanchardyn, thenne heryng the kynge that suche honoure made unto hym, sayd, “Sire, suche a worship apparteyneth not to be doon to me, for I am not to the value therof. And it suffyseth me right well to be symply taken and kept as one of youre knyghtes wyth you and youre soone.” The kynge wyst not to thanke hym ynough, that soo had delyvered hym from his enmyes and had put in his handes that kynge that moost he hated in this world. Wherfore he sayde unto Blanchardyn that he had a cosyn that was of a right excellent beaulté whiche he wolde gyve hym right gladly to be his wyff. But Blanchardyn dyde excuse himself, saynge that in his countrey he was trouthplyght tyl another. The kynge, herynge Blanchardyn, helde hym therof for excused. Right grete honoure was don unto hym of the kynge and of all his barons, but above al other he was most beloved and dere y-holde of Sadoyne, the kynges sone, that was a fayr knyght and yonge, right hardy and valyaunt. And also Blanchardyn loved hym moche, and yet more he wolde have do yf he had be a Crysten man, but nought he durste to hym speke therof.

prose-textblock6Here we shall leve to speke of Blanchardyn and shal leve hym wyth the kynge of Maryenbourgh in Prusse and wyth his sone Sodoyne, that soo dere loved hym [fol. 50v] that wythout he was alwayes wyth hym he myght not endure. But whatsoever goode sporte and pleysure that Blanchardyn sawe ther make for his sake, nothyng coude playse nor brynge hym tyll his hertys ease. But evermore reforced and redoubled his sorowe at alle tymes that he remembred wythin hymself his right swete lady and goode maystres, the whiche he had lefte beseged wythin her cyté of Tourmaday by the untrewe and crymynel tyraunt Alymodes, kynge of Cassydonye, that had made his othe nevere to departe thens into the tyme that he had tyl his wyf the right fayre and proude pucelle in amours.

The thirtieth chapitre conteyneth how Daryus the sone of Alimodes by fortune of the see arryved in the lande of Fryse where he dyde grete hurt damage and toke the kynge of Fryse the fader of Blanchardyn and had hym wyth hym prysoner unto Cassydonye.

prose-textblock1Well ye have herde byfore how Blanchardyn was taken and had prysoner by Kynge Alymodes folke, the whiche betoke hym to his soone Daryus for to brynge hym to Cassydonye, and the manere how he escaped the fortune of the see and cam and arryved in the lande of Prusse. Duryng the whiche tyme, Daryus the sone of Alymodes the kynge, beyng in his cyté of Cassydonye awaytyng after tydynges of them that had forth Blanchardyn toward the kynge of Salamandrye. But his awaytyng that he made was in vayne, for they were all perysshed and drowned in the see as ye have herde here above.

prose-textblock2Whan Daryus sawe noo tydynges he coude not understande of them, he made redy a grete navye laden wyth men of werre, and wyth artylary and vytaylles for to goo agayn to the syege of Tourmaday toward his fader. [fol. 51r] Whan all these thynges were redy, he toke his leve of his suster Beatryx, to whom he betoke his citye to kepe. He syn entred his shyp, made to drawe up ancres and began anoon for to sayle so that wythin a lytil whyle they were oute of syghte and fer from the haven. And so longe they saylled wyth goode wynde that they were anoon nyghe the realme of Tourmadaye. But as they shulde have taken lande, a storme began to come, grete and horribyll wynde to blowe that rose oute of the landes, soo that, wether they wolde or not, they must habandounne their barkes and galleys to the wyndes and wawes of the see, wherfor they were ful sore afrayed. The wynde and the see were so horryble to here and see that they wende all to peryshe anoon.

prose-textblock3They were full sone y-caste from the realme of Tourmaday, and the wynde brought them into a lytyl isle longyng to the realme of Fryse, the whiche was fruytfull and right fayr and replenyshed wyth all maner of goodes. So that bycause of the grete commodytees of that isle, Blanchardyns fader, kynge of Fryse, went for to sporte hym there thre or four tymes in the yere, that he shulde forgete therby the grete sorowe that was atte his herte for love of his sone Blanchardyn, of whom no tydynges he had syth his departynge from hym. And also for of the grete dysplesure that he had of the quene his wyffe, that suche a sorowe made for her entyerli beloved sone Blanchardin whiche she wyste not where he was becom, that nobody lyvyng myghte gyve her consolacion, nor brynge her herte oute of trystesse and sorowe. And therfor the noble kynge, wyth a fewe of his folke, was come to the sayde isle for to dysporte hym there and to dryve his fantassye away, in the whiche isle he had do make a fayre paleyce ryghte delectable.

prose-textblock4Duryng [fol. 51v] the tyme that he was thus there, the sayd adventure happed that Daryus, the sone of Kynge Alymodes, wyth his grete navé, by fortune of the see arryved there, as it is sayde, even at that same haven that was most nyghe to the sayde paleys where the kynge of Fryse lay. Daryus, that of his beynge ther was soone advertysed, came anone wyth his puissaunce of men to the paleys where they founde but litil resistaunce. Whan they were come there, they fonde there of the kynge of Fryses servauntes, to whom they asked to whom belongeth that paleys and how the lande was called. The sayd thre men ansuered them wyth grete fere that the paleyce and the ysle was bylongyng unto the kynge of Fryse that was come there thre dayes afore that. “Frendes,” sayde Daryus, “what lawe is there kept amonge you in this lande?” “Syre,” sayde one of hem, “we holden on the Crysten feyth and are bylevyng in Jhesu Cryste.” Thenne Daryus, knowyng that he was fortunatly arryved upon the Crysten peple enmye of his lawe, commaunded that they sholde be all slayne and brought to deth, the whiche thynge was putte to execucyon after his commaundement, except upon one of hem that escaped, that dyde soo moche that he went and entred into the paleys thurghe the wykettes of the gate that of a custume were allewayes lefte open. And whan he was come wythynne, he made a scrye and called alowde after the watche, so that every man cam forth for to doo his devoyre, eche of hem in his rowme in defending the place after their powere. And whan he was come as ferre as the halle wythin the paleys, he byganne to reforce his callynge, cryinge wyth a hyghe voyce sainge that they were al lost and that the Sarrasyns were descended from their shippes byfore the paleyce in grete nombre. Thenne rose and cam they of wythin out of all partyes of the place armed and arrayed [fol. 52r] as haste requyred and no bettre.

prose-textblock5Soone was the tydynges herof brought to the kynge, that at that owre was at his rest and slept fast as a man that doubted hymself of noo suche adventure to befalle. He awoke out of his slepe thurghe the pyteouse crye that of his men was made; notwythstandyng, he made hymself redy and made a goode ordynaunce as a prynce of hyghe corage and grete vertue, for in all poyntes he was a right valyaunt and a hardy prynce, but over sodanly he was taken. Neverthelesse, full nobly lyke a man of grete corage, he admonested his folke and trowed to have goon to the yate of his palayce, the whiche was allredy wonne and taken and Daryus and his folke were entred inne. The kynge of Fryse, seynge his paleys wonne, a grete sorowe toke hym at his herte of that he was so taken unbeware, and anone hastely he and his folke went and sought wythin the place where they myght save hymself best. But over sore oppressed they were, and of so nyghe chassed that never one of them escaped but he was taken or ded. The kynge was taken and seasid, the handes y-bounde, and the eyen y-blynded, and sent into the shippes by Daryus, and lykewyse was doon of all his barons that were there. After that this grete myshap was thus falle to the kynge of Fryse, Daryus and his folke serched the paleys. They robbed alle the richesses and goodes that were therinne, and were al brought into Daryus shippes.

prose-textblock6Thees pytoyable thynges thus y-happed, they made their horses to be had out of their shippes and anone over-ranne all the ysle and wasted and dystroyed all the countrey and slewe men, wymen, and children bothe yonge and olde. They toke and ravyshed alle the bestyall as oxen, kene, and shepe, wherof was wythout nombre, and had them into their shippes, whyche they [fol. 52v] charged wyth the praye and gayne that they made there in the sayd isle. And syn they dyde putte the palayce all in afire and toke wyth them grete nombre of prysoners and entred ayen into their shyppes wyth grete joye and gladnes for the goode adventure that they had fonde. All thus in grete dyspleasure and hevynes was taken that kyng of Frise and was broughte as a prisoner sore wepyng and sorowynge his byttirnesses. The poure, sorwfull kyng had his herte all replenished wyth sorowe and hevynes, of the whiche the nobel quene his wyff shall have parte whan thees pituable tydynges shall come to her eeris. For she toke in herself suche a sorow and so grete a displesure therfor, with that she sorowed before for the departynge of her dere sone Blanchardyn, that she was constrayned thorugh grete passion and bytternes of hert to falle in a swoune, for her legges nor feete myghte not bere her, and not wythoute a cause. And bycamme so sore febil and so full of sorowe that, atte the laste, what for her sone Blanchardyn as for the love of her goode husbonde and her lorde, she toke suche a sekenes that her soule departed from the body of her. And thus the noble ladye and goode quene of Fryse ended her dayes in hevynes and sorowe for the love of her lorde that she so myserably has loste.

The thirty first chapiture conteyneth howe Daryus arryved into the ooste of kynge Alymodes his fader, wher he was receyvyd wyth grete joye for love of the vitaylles that he broughte unto them there.

prose-textblock1Whan Daryus entred ayen in his ship, he thanked moche his goddes of adventure and goode fortune the was happed to hym. He made the ancres to be drawen up and the sayles to be haled alofte. The wynde and the see were apeased and a softe wynde goode for them byganne to ryse oute of [fol. 53r] the west that droef forth their shypes there as they wolde, and wythoute lettyng arryved on the therde daye byfore the cytye of Tourmaday whereas the oost of Kyng Alymodes was lodged. They cast their ancres and ful sone they were knowen of Kynge Alymodes, that hastly cam wyth hys barons toward the haven for to welcom Daryus, his sone, whiche was com a-lande and fonde his fader that wyth grete joye and gladnes receyved, askyng of hym how he had doon syn his partyng from hym. Daryus al alonge recounted to hym how by fortune of the see they arryved and entred into an isle of the see whiche was Crysten, where they dyde fynde a kyng ryght puyssaunt, whiche he had broughte wyth hym prysoner. And also tolde hym how he had dystroyed the sayd isle and brente the paleys that was there, and had brought wyth them a grete praye and vytayll ynough, as wyne and corne, sheepe and oxen for to susteyn his ooste the space of thre monthes and more. Wherof Kyng Alymodes and they of his oost were oute of mesure glad. But and yf God wol kepe the goode provost of Tourmaday, he shall have, or thys two days be paste, his parte of the sayd praye, wherof the joye shal be renewed emonge the knyghtes and pepyll of Tourmaday, that grete scarcenes had of fleshe and of other vytaylle.

prose-textblock2After that Daryus had thus recounted to his fader his adventure that to hym was of late happed, they two both togyder cam toward theire tentes talkyng of many thynges. Daryus demaunded of his fader how they of the cytye dyd and yf hit was longe agoo that they made eny yssue oute of their toun. Alimodes aunsuerd to hym and sayd that it was more than a monthe ago that they never made noo yssue wherof men sholde take eny hede, and that he thought wele that grete defaulte of vytaylles they had wythin. “And that they were [fol. 53v] made full symple syth that the yonge knyght was taken, whiche I betok you for to be brought unto the kynge of Salamandrye.” “Syre,” sayde Daryus, “I have doon of hym as ye commaunded me, but never syth that they parted from me I have herde noo tydynges of hem nor of hym nor of thre score men of myne owne that I dyde sende for to make present of the knyght Crysten, wherof I have gyven me full ofte grete merveylle.” They thenne seased their wordes. He was al nyght wyth his fader Alymodes, unto the morowe that Daryus made hymself redy by the ordonnaunce of his fader for to retourne in his cyté of Cassydonye. Ryght grete joye and gladnes made they of the oost, for they made no doubte at all of their enmyes. Daryus, after the feste and joyouse talkyng that he had wyth his fader and wyth his barons, he toke his leve for to retourne and take his shippynge. The kynge and the barons dyde conveye hym unto the ship where he entred ynne, comaundyng hym in the kepyng and protection of all their godes. The maronners bygan to saylle and seaced never tyl that he camen into the havone of Cassydonye where he was receyved wyth grete joye.

The thirty second chapitre conteyneth how the goode provost yssued out of Tourmadaye and cam to fet bestyall that Daryus had brought in the oost whiche was brought into the cyté wyth grete joye.

prose-textblock1Evyn at the same owre that Daryus toke shippyng upon the see, and that his fader the kynge Alymodes and a grete parte of his barons were goon to conveye hym, and were there tyll he was departed from the haven and ferre fro the cleves, the provost of Tourmadaye and many other barons of the cyté were upon the walles beholdynge the manere and the governauns of them of the oost. [fol. 54r] And were alredy advertysed of a spye howe that, the daye byfore, Darius, the sone of Kyng Alymodes, was arryved in the oost and had broughte wyth hym grete plenté of vytayles, and that he retorned into his countree and toke the see that same daye. And wyth this they sawe the grete nombre of bestes that toke their pasture in a grete medowe not ferre thens, and that noo body kept hem, for they went to have be sure thourgh all the ooste, bycause that they of the cyté had not made longe tyme afore that no manere of entrepryse nor dyde not come out of their towne. And also that the custume of them of wythin was that they never made non yssue but it were in the mornyng or at evyn. And for this cause, the provost, that thought upon the same, delybered in hymself consideryng that whiche he sawe at eye: how all the oost was styll and that Kyng Alymodes, nor his barons, nor his princypal capitaynes were not comen yet from the seesyde, where they were all gon for to conveye and see Daryus take his shippynge.

prose-textblock2Of that other part, he sawe also afore hym nyghe by the walles of the towne the grete multytude of bestes that were wythout kepynge, whiche was the thynge wherof they had most nede wythin the cyté. He, seeng and consyderyng this that he sawe at his eye, descended hastely from the walles and dyde calle to hym al the capitaynes, barons, knyghtes, and noblemen, whiche he made to come byfore theyr lady the proude pucell in amours. And byfore her he declared unto them all his purpos and what he entended for to doo. Whan the lady wyth her barons had well understande the provost, they all in generall accorded wyth him for to putte to execucion the wordes afore spoken. And for to do the same they went prevely and armed themself. And whan they were redy, they fonde six thousand of [fol. 54v] hem all a-horsebak the whiche were conducte by the provost, and another of the capitayns had the charge of the foure thousand archers fotemen, whiche yssued oute at a posterne that was nyghe the see and lepte anon into the medowe where the sayd bestes were fedyng.

prose-textblock3And of that other partye, the provost and his felauship wente oute of the gate whereas they were wonte to goo oute whan they made their issues. Whan the capitayne of fotemen was wele advertysed and that he wyste the provost to be come oute of the toun, he made his folke to vaunce hemself forth softly and by order alonge by the toune dyches whiche were drye at that syde of the toun, and so made them to walke al under coverte unto the seesyde all along the dyches, tyl that they cam and saw the bestes that wythoute eny kepyng were enclosed wythin a maner of a parke. And after they had putte hemself betwyx the bestes and the oost, they taryed and herkened there after there men on horsbacke, the whiche they herde full sone makyng their cryes in their enmyes tentes whereas they foughte wyth hem. The fotemen thenne entred wythin the close medowe where the bestes were pasturyng, whiche they brought all togydre on a flok and byganne to chasse them afore hem to the towneward, where they brought inne bothe oxen, kyen, and sheep wyth all other manere of bestyall that was there. Wherof the peple of the cyté was gretly rejoiced and syth cam and put hymself byfore the yate of the towne in fayre ordennaunce, awaytyng that the provost and his folke sholde tourne ayen whiche were wythin their enmyes tentes and pavyllions, whiche they powlyd and brought doune, and slewe many of their enmyes or ever that Kynge Alymodes nor his folke coude be garnysshed of their armures. And whan the provost sawe that it was tyme for to departe, and that the [fol. 55r] bestes myght well be brought into the cyté by that tyme, he made his trompette to be sowned that every man shold withdraw hymself. And so cam ayen wythin the cyté wythout eny losse of his men, to their grete glorye and praysynge, and grete confusion to theyr enmyes to whom they had born so grete domage that never byfore that they had receyved suche. Wherby the kynge Alymodes and alle his oost was right sore affrayed and in grete hevynes of the grete losse that they had susteyned by the sayd provost and his folke. And also of that other part, whan they knewe how alle their bestes were had aweye fro the medowe and brought into the towne, their sorowe redoubled them full sore.

prose-textblock4The provost, that lytyl dyde care therfore, hymself and all his folke bothe a-fote and a horsback, in gyvyng thankes and graces unto our Lord entred agayne into the cyté wyth grete gladnes and joye, where they were ful curtoysly receyved of their lady that graciously thanked theym. The cyté of Tourmaday was purveyed of vytaylles of the same for a hole yere, and their enmyes oost sore dysgarnyshed therby, wherfor they made emonge hemself grete sorowe. But whatsoever joye and gladnes that they made wythin the towne, the fayr pucelle and proude in amours myght not seasse nor leve her sorowe therfore that she contynually made for her right dere frende Blanchardyn, that for the love of her she trowed that he had other be lost or ded and wyst not what she sholde thynke therof. But sawe wel that, yf by proces of tyme she had som socours, that force sholde be to her to yelde up and deliver her cyté unto Kynge Alymodes, but rather she wolde deye than she sholde see suche a sorowe to befalle to her. And for to see a remedy to the same, she dyde sende for the provost to whome she sayde thus, “Provoste, oure cyté is nowe garnyshed, thanked be [fol. 55v] oure Lorde, both of vytaylles and of artyllerye for a grete space of tyme, and wyth this for the defence of the same, hit ys wele and suffysaunly furnyshed of goode knyghtes and of goode souldyors grete foyson. Wherfore ryght instantly I praye you that ye doo make redy a galleye, and I shal furnysshe her welle wyth vytaylles and wyth goode artylerye for the defence of yourself and of them that shall be wyth you, and ye shal goo as myn ambassatour toward myn uncle, the kyng of Grete Norweyghe, to whom ye shall declare and shewe in my behalf the estate where presently I am inne, prayeng hym in my behalf that now, atte my grete nede, he wolde sende me folke for to helpe and socoure me, or els that mysylf and my royalme are in wey of perdycion.” “Madame,” sayde the provost, “wyte ye for certeyn that, to the pleasure of our Lorde, I shall doo therin my best wyth all deligence unto me possyble. And I hope I shall brynge you good tydynges and suche a socours that shal not be pleysaunt unto Alymodes the false kyng.” The provost, after many other devyses, toke his leve of the pucel and cam to hys hous. He made a galee to be dressyd wyth all her apereylle, and whan all his thynges was redy and preste, he went oute of a posterne pryvely wyth suche as he wolde take in his companye toward the seesyde, and entred his ship so prevely in the mornyng that none of his enmyes coude see hym tyl that they were gon awaye from the lande and wythoute fere of them.

prose-textblock5Whan Kyng Alymodes knew the same, he wexed sore angry and wroth, but no remedy he myght not put therto, for or ever he was advertysed therof, the provost and his felauship were almost oute of syght. Well he had wold that they myght be met wythall by Daryus his sone, but he oughte not to care for it, for Daryus and hys navey helde their waye toward Cassydonye wher they arryved in fewe dayes [fol. 56r] wythout eny fortune. And the provost saylled and rowed toward the costes of Nourthweghe. Whan Daryus was come to lande into the haven of Cassydonye, where he arryved wythin short tyme wythout ony fortune, as it is sayd, he made the kynge of Fryse and other his prysoners to be had out from the shippes into a grete and strong toure whereas was a tenebrouse and derke dongeon, wherin the poure sorowfull kynge, replenysshed and sore beten wyth the flayel of fortune, was cast in pryson there to consume his olde dayes ful myserably, unto the tyme that by his right wel beloved sone Blanchardyn he be had out from this grete poverté and myserye. So shal we leve hym thus makyng his sorowfull complayntes tyl that tyme befor to speke of hym, and shal retourne to speke of his sone the goode yonge knyght Blanchardyn, whiche we have left wythin the paleys of Maryenborugh wyth Sadoyne.

The thirty third chapyter conteyneth how Blanchardyn made pyteouse complayntes for his lady wythin a gardyne, and of the grete recomforte that was made to hym of Sadoyne.

prose-textblock1Ye have all ynoughe understande here afore how Blanchardyn had the goode grace of the kynge of Prusse, of Sadoyne his sone, and the love of all the barons of the sayde royalme. And how he had reffused the kynges cosyne for to have her in maryage, but the grete love and fydelyté that he had toward his lady the proude pucelle in amours kept hym there fro. For rather he wold have deyed than to have falsed his feyth ayenst her for whome he had at herte so many a sorowful and hevy thought for to bere. For nother nyght nor daye he dyde non other thinge but thynke how and what manere he myght departe out of the contrey where he was inne for to go to gyve socoure unto the proude pucell [fol. 56v] in amours, his fayre love, that was his soverayn desyre and his right besy and contynually thoughte. Wherof it happed upon a daye amonge other, as Blanchardyn was entred in a gardyne wythin the kynges paleys alone, wythout eny feliship, for to complayne the better his hertes sorowes that in beholdyng upon the fayre flouris wherof nature had fayre appareylled the gardyne. And amonge other he sawe a rosier tree laden wyth many a fayr rose that had a smel ful swete, emonge whiche one was ther that of flagraunt odoure and of beaulté passed all the other. Wherfore upon her he dyde arrest his eyen and said in this maner, “Ha, noble rose, preelect and chosen byfore all other flouris that ben about thee, howbeit they be right fayre. Thou puttest into my remembraunce, thurgh the fayrnes that I see in thee, the right parfyt and excellent beaulté of myn owne goode lady, the proude mayden in amours, whom God gyve all that whiche her noble herte wysheth and desyreth. I am so ferre from her that advyse it is to me, and also I byleve the same, that I never shal see her nomore. I can not curse too moche myn unfortune that hath brought me, whiche was come to have the goode grace of the most parfyt creature that God and nature wythout comparison wold ever make, into the grete sorowes where I am now inne. Now most I be ferre from her; wolde God now that ye, myn owne swete lady, wyst that I am alive and how goode a wyll I have to socoure you yf it were to me possible.” And in proferryng this wordes, the teeris fel grete from his eyen in grete haboundaunce without ceasse.

prose-textblock2Sadoyne, that coude not dure nor be without Blanchardyn, went him seking in al the place so longe that, at the last, he cam and sawe hym wythin the gardyne, and cam there as he was or ever Blanchardyn was aware of hym. He fonde him, the terres at the eyes of hym, makynge his full pituouse complayntes, the whiche Sadoyne had herde a part of [fol. 57r] hem. He cam and set hymself doun besyde Blanchardyn and prayed hym that he wolde telle him the cause of his sorowe and grete lamentacion, promyttyng to hym that it sholde never be told nor knowen by him. And saide unto him, “My right trusty felawe, ye do sobbe and make grete sorowe, wherfor I true and thinke for veray trouth, that it is love that so ledes you.” “Certes, Sadoyne,” sayde Blanchardyn, “ye may byleve well for certayn that the god of love werreth ayenst me right sore to holde and kepe me here in this contrey. And to myn advyse, yf he wolde be content wyth reason, he sholde suffre that som worde were brought here to me to the comforte of one parte of my grete sorowe, from her for whos sake they be sore grounded wythin my penseful herte. I loke styl over the mountaynes and valeye als ferre as my sight can comprehende, but alas, I can not chuse nor see the toure wherynne she holdeth herself.” “O my right trusty frende and dere felawe,” sayde Sadoyne, “is it the toure of Babylonye where she doth holde her, or of Rome, of Spayne, or of Almanye?” “Certes,” sayde Blanchardyn, “it is not so ferre as ye wene, but syth that ye desyre so sore to knowe myn angwyshe and sorowe I shall telle you what is me befal. I am a servaunt reteyned wyth the lady of Tourmaday that is called of every man the proude mayden in amours. She is beseged wythin her cyté by Kynge Alymodes, a cruel tyraunt kynge of Cassydonye that hath had me as his prysoner here before, but by fortune of the see and the goode adventure, thanked be oure Lord I am escaped. He wold have, by strengthe and puyssaunce, to his spouse my sayd lady, but bycause that she wil not have him tyl her lord, he hath purposed to kepe his power men of werre byfore her cyté of Tourmaday unto tyme that he have her at his wylle.” After the wordes the teeres ranne doune from his eyen.

prose-textblock3And whan Sadoyne sawe his true and feythfull felawe Blanchardyn make suche a sorowe, his herte bygan to quake wythin hymself [fol. 57v] for pyté that he had of Blanchardyn. And sayde thus unto hym, “Certaynly, dere felawe myne, yf ye wol do after me, we shal go wyth all pouer and myght to helpe and socoure your lady for whos love ye take suche a sorowe, and shal delyvere her from Kynge Alymodes handes.” Blanchardyn, thenne beholdyng ful pyteously upon his felawe Sadoyne, sayde unto hym, “O the right grete recomforte of my sorowful lyf, wolde God it were so as ye saye, for the kyng Alymodes hath a doughter of his owne whiche is so fayr that God and nature can not amende her, nor in no lande can be choson no fayrer. Certaynly, yf we coude bringe this werke at an ende, she sholde be yours wythout faylle.” “My frende dere,” sayde Sadoyne, “it lieth in the wylle of the goddes. We have goode men of werre ynough for to furnysshe this enterpryse, whiche I sore do desyre for to gyve helpe to youre sorowes. I wyll go toward the kynge my fader for to have leve for you and for me.” Whether Blanchardyn of this tydynge was glad, it is not to be asked.

The thirty fourth chapiter conteyneth how Sadoyne toke leve of his fader the kyng and so dyde Blanchardyn and toke the see wyth a grete navé charged wyth men of were for to go gyve socoure to the proude pucelle in amours, and of the provost of Tourmaday whiche they founde by the waye.

prose-textblock1After many wordes proferred and sayde betwene the two yonge knyghtes, Sadoyne departed and cam tofore the kynge his fader. To whome, in the best wyse that he myght or coude, dyde shewe unto him his wyll, requiring of him that it myght be accomplisshed, shewyng unto him how that his royalme was in peas and tranquilité that tyme and that it was not lyke that werre shold happe there to befal. And bycause he was a yonge man, he wolde yet faine excercyse himself in the noble crafte of armes, and that a lawfull and juste cause he had [fol. 58r] to do soo, for to gyve socoure and helpe the yonge knyght straunger, “that thourgh his prouesse and grete worthynes hathe socoured you, and holpen to putte out your mortall enmyes that were ferre come wythin this your royalme, and hath brought into your handes as prysonner your enmye, the kynge of Polonye, for to do your owne wylle upon hym, of the whiche good servyse he ought of rayson to be well rewarded.” Whan the kynge of Prusse understode his son, he gaf to hymself grete marveylle and was wel abashed of that soudayne a wylle that was come to him. Nevertheles, whan he knewe and that he was advertysd by his son al alonge of the cause and quarelle of Blanchardyn, he was al ynough content and graunted hym his request. Wherof his son and eke Blanchardyn cam and fel bothe doune humbly at the fote of hym and thanked him of that grete curtosye.

prose-textblock2And for to see and furnysshe that this were doon, the kynge dyde make redy suche shippes as apparteyned therunto and made them to be garnished well of vytaylles and of artyllery nedeful to suche an enterpryse. Upon whiche navye he sent wyth his son and wyth Blanchardyn the nombre of twelve thousand knyghtes of the most approved and best chosen of al his royalme, and other men of werre in grete nombre. Al their arraye was made redy and the daye come that they sholde departe. The kynge, seenge the barkes and shippes of his sone to be furnysshed of men of werre and of vytaylles, of golde and sylver, and of alle thynge that were necessary to them, he was therof right glad. And syth dyde doo putte wyth the shippes foure ydoles his goddes that were all of fyne golde and garnyshed full richelly wyth grete perles and precyouse stones. And after this he entred hymself wythin the ship and toke his leve of his sone [fol. 58v] Sadoyne, prayng unto Blanchardyn that he shold have him for recomended, and toke his leve of them. Whan the kynge was come out of the ship where he had lefte his sone Sadoyne wyth Blanchardyn, he beganne to wepe. And after that he was gon from hem, they made to take up the ancres and to hale up their saylles wher in the wynde entred that had them soone ferre from the lande out of syght and toke the hyghe see as sone as they myght, sayllyng by the costes of many a strange regyon wythout fyndyng of eny adventure that is to be recounted.

prose-textblock3And so longe they saylled bothe daye and nyght that they cam nyghe Tourmaday as two dayes journay, byfore whiche cyté was yet Kyng Alymodes at siege wyth his oost, wherof the fayr the proude pucell in amours was sore displeysaunt. And in especyall she was sore discomfited at her herte for the love of her frende Blanchardyn that was the same tyme wyth his felawe Sadoyne sayllyng upon the see in grete gladnesse for the wynde and the see that were peasible. And saylled so longe that they perceyved a galeye from ferre that made fast waye ther as they went hemself, in whiche vessell was the provost of Tourmadaye and other servauntes to the proude pucelle in amours. And cam ayen from the oncle, the kyng of the Grete Norweghe, whiche they fonde but late ded whan they cam there, where they retourned wythout expedicyon of that wherfore they were goon thyder. Whan the provost and they of the galeye dyde perceyve the shippes of Blanchardyn, they were full sore affrayed bycause they knewe well anoon that they were all Sarrasyns.

prose-textblock4And of that other parte, Blanchardyn and Sadoyne perceyved sone that they of the galleye were Crysten. They made anon after the sayd galleye for to enclose and take her, and whan they cam nyghe by her they called and asked of [fol. 59r] whens was the vessell, what they were and fro whens they came. And thenne the provost, wyth a grete drede and feer of his lyfe, lept forthe and sayde, “Lordes, we see wel that we can not escape you, but for drede of noo deth I shal not leve to tell unto you the trouth of all oure affayre. We all that be here come from the Grete Northweghe and were sent toward the kynge of the lande whiche was oncle to the proude mayden in love, whiche is oure lady and maystresse.”

prose-textblock5Blanchardyn right joyouse knewe ful sone the provost and thought that sone ynought he sholde here of hym som goode tydynges of that thynge whiche he most desyred in this worlde. But the provost knewe not Blanchardyn the same tyme bycause he was made blak, disfygured, and sore chaunged of face by strengthe of the sonne, but trowed that he had ben a Sarrasyne as other were. Thenne cam Blanchardyn nyghe the bordours of the galley and toke the provoste by the hand and made hym to come wythin his ship. Of dyverses thynges he questyoned hym, but the provost ansuered ferfully for he doubted them sore. So prayed he to Blanchardyn after he had exposed unto hym of whens he cam and what he was, that he wolde doo them no harme. Blanchardyn right humbly aysuered hym and sayde, “Frende, take no feere at all, for nother damage nor evyl shal not be don to you nor to non of yours, for I shal myself conveye you yf nede be.” The provost thanketh hym moche and was right glad. “Sir,” sayde Blanchardyn to the provost, “ye have tolde me that ye be of the cité of Tourmaday. I praye you that ye wyl telle me in what regyon and what marche it is sette and who is lord there. I praye you telle me the trouth of it.”

prose-textblock6The provost thenne seeng that feabli he myght speke without doubte or feer, he dyde reherce unto Blanchardyn al alonge how the royalme of Tourmaday was come to a doughter [fol. 59v] full fayre and goode that made herself to be called the proude pucelle in amours, that never wolde wedde kynge, duc, nor erle, how grete that he were, and that for the love of a gentyl knyght that not longe agoo cam and socoured her in her werre that she had and yet hath ayenst the kynge Alymodes that wolde have her to his wyff. “But sire,” sayde the provost, “by grete infortune, the worthy knyght wherof I do speke to you and the most valyaunt and most fayre that ever man myght or coude seke noowher in all the worlde, was taken of Kynge Alymodes folke byfore the cyté of Tourmaday. Whiche kynge hath sent hym into exile in ferre landes that none can not knowe where. But that men saye that of hym sholde be made a present to a kynge Sarrasyne whos brother the sayd knyght had slayen. Wherfor my sayd lady is in grete displaysure and ceaseth not nyght nor day to wysshe hym wyth her, prayng God for his retourne agayne. The sayd Kynge Alymodes is alwaye kepynge his siege byfore her cyté of Tourmaday and wasteth and distroyeth al the contrey about, for other harme can he not do to her. The towne and the castel are strong ynoghe and are vytayled alle ynough so that or ever he coude have them, my sayde lady sholde be for aaged.” Blanchardyn herde wel gladly the provost, and sayde to Sadoyne his felowe in his ere that of his lady in amours thees wordes were sayde. Sadoyne dyde here hem gladly and the devyses wyth Blanchardyn to the said provost of many thynges concernyng this matyre. And Blanchardyn coude understande noo thynge by the provost but that all was at his avantage, wherby he knewe that he was in his ladys grace as well as he was ever afore.

prose-textblock7The provost thenne, seeng soo many fayre men of armes, he pryvely demaunded of Blanchardyn yff [fol. 60r] they wolde be souldyours of the fayre the proude mayden in amours ayenst the kyng Alymodes and they shold be right well payed. Thenne ansuered to hym Blanchardyn and sayde, “I byleve al ynough well that yf she wolde make of one of us a kyng, she myght of lyght be served of us and of oure men.” “Syre,” sayde the provost, “it is no nede to speke more herof, for she shal never take, I am well sure, non other man tyl her lord but that self knyght of whom I spake right now to you of, nor non shal have her royalme of her but only hymself.”

prose-textblock8“How thenne,” sayd Blanchardyn, “thynke ye that her love be so stedfastly and so truly sette upon hym that Kynge Alimodes hath sent to be presented as ye saye? Is it your advyse that, yf of adventure he cam ayen to her, that she wolde sette ought by hym? For it is sayde of a custume that the herte of a woman is mutable and inconstaunt and not in purpos stedfast.” “Ha ha, sire,” sayde the provoste, “pleysed God that he myght come to her ayen. Never happed so goode a daye to the contrey, nor to hym also, for he shold renewe manyfold the goode grace of her that so truli loveth hym.” “Frende,” sayde Blanchardyn, “I praye you telle me the name of the knyght of whom ye doo speke so moche.” “Sir,” sayde the provost, “the knyght of whom my sayde lady is so sore enamored upon hath to his name Blanchardyn. Ye may well be sure that she shal never forgete hym nor sette her herte from hym, though she were insured never to see hym, for she wol not here nother prayer nor requeste of no man in this world, al be he never so grete a kyng or prince. She dremeth often that her frende Blanchardyn cometh ayen and that they enbrace and kysse eche other in reconpence of the right evyl tyme in whiche they have be longe in grete displaisure one from another. And for to telle you the troughi of it, it [fol. 60v] were not possyble to love more tenderly nor more truly than she doth hym. So oughte wel the said knyght to have her ryght dere yf he lyve yet.” “Frende,” sayd Blanchardyn “I doute not but he doth so, and advyse is to me that wyth al dilygence he shold himsilf come to socoure her at her nede after his power, yf he applye him is to do soo.”

The thirty fifth chapter speketh of the grete devyses of the provost and of Blanchardyn and of the lettres that he sent to his lady the proude pucell in amours, and of the joye that she made whan she had red them.

prose-textblock1Affter all the devyses above sayd, Blanchardyn drew hymsylf aside wythin his vessell and toke both ynke and paper and wrote a letter with his owne hande unto the fayer proude mayden in love, whiche lettres he toke to the provost for to be presented unto his lady. The provoste toke them, promyttyng to do therwyth his devoyr. And thenne Blanchardyn sayd unto the provoste, “Frende, all these shyppes and the armye that is herin are Sarasyns and I am a paynem, and ful well I knowe Blanchardyn, wyche is enprysoned in paynems land where he suffreth grete evyls and grete sorowe. But so moche do I knowe of his doynge that he doth not care so moche for all that, as he doth of that he knoweth wel, that the proude pucell in amours is for his sake sore greved atte her hert.” “Syr,” sayd the provoste, “I praye to our Lorde that the knyght, for whos love my said lady taketh suche an hevynes atte herte more than I can tell you, maye retorne ayen wythin shorte tyme, for the pytyuoes complayntes that she daily maketh for her lover maketh us al to lyve in grete dyscomforte.”

prose-textblock2After dyverse talkynke don by Blanchardyn and the provost, they sepayred hemsylf and toke leve of eche other. So went the provost and entred ayen into his galee holdyng [fol. 61r] goode fortune and a goode wynde, wherby wythin a whyle he was ferre a-fore the shyp where Blanchardyn was inne. And so sore exployted wyth sayles and oores that at the ende of thre dayes he arryved wythin the haven of Tourmaday wyth his felyshyp, wythoute eny lette were don to them. But a lytyl afore they had be ryght sore afrayed leste they shold be recountred by Kynge Alymodes folke, howbeyt that there was no ship that waye that coude have hurte theym. Notwythstandyng this, there were smal rennyng vesselles that oftymes dyspoyled and robbed theym that cam to the sayd haven of Tourmaday, as well by lande as upon the see.

prose-textblock3Whan the provost was arryved, or ever he went in his owne hous nor noowhere, he and all his felyship went into our Ladyes chirche of Tourmaday for to yelde unto her thankes and praysynges of the goode adventure that was com to hym, they made theyr offrynges and syn departed. Ye may wele thynke that the provost was that tyme full well accompanyed of the barons, nobyl men, and bourgeys of the sayd cyté for the grete love that they had unto hym and also that he was worthy therof. And thus accompanyed he cam into the paleys, where he fonde the proude pucell in amours that welcomed hym and made hym grete chere and was ryght glad of his commynge ayen.

prose-textblock4And then the pucell asked hym tydynges of the kynge her uncle and how he had exployted and furnyshed her message. “Madame,” sayd the provost, “I have ben in the Grete Norweyghe, wenyng to fynde ther the kynge your uncle, but thre dayes byfore my comyng thyder it pleased God that your uncle the kyng termyned his lyff by deth that then toke hym. Wherby the barons of the realme ben in grete troubyl and have noo recomforte but in you, that are theyr lady by verey successyon as heyre of the land most nexte parent. Wherfore [fol. 61v] they sende worde to you by me that after the obsequyes and fyneralles of your sayd uncle be doon, they shall approche puttyng theymself in ordynaunce for to helpe and socoure you as they ought for to do to their natural lady and soverayn prynces.” Whan the nobyl mayden herde and understode the provost, she began to make grete sorowe, but the provost sayde unto her for to recomforte her, “Madame, ther nys so grete sorowe but that it may be forgoton at the laste, and afterwarde cometh som other message that is cause to rejoyse and brynge the creatures into consolacion. I saye this therfor, that after the pyteous tydynges that I have brought unto you of your uncles deth, I shall now telle you one thynge that of reason ought to please you well. Loke, here is a letter that a paynem knyght hath taken to me, whiche ful sore prayed me that I shulde dyrecte them unto you.” The lady that wepte ryght sore toke the letter and red yt, wherof the tenore was suche as foloweth.

prose-textblock5“My ryght redoubted lady, the supportans of my poure lyff, the gladnes of the hert of me and the thynge whiche in this worlde I most desyre, I me recomende ryght humbly unto your good grace. After the harde fortune that I had to be prysoner unto Kynge Alymodes, God my swete creatour, whom I yelde praysynges and lovynge, hath long preserved and kept me from deth and hath delyverd me from the peryles of the see, wherof I all alone am escaped. But myn enmyes that led me forth wyth them were all drowned and peryshed in the see, and not one that escaped alyve sauf myself alonely, to whom our Lord hath don thys grace, wherof I ought wel to joye myself in yevyng unto hym thankes and praysynges evermore. After thys fortune I have ben syn, as force compellyd me therto, servaunt unto a kynge Sarasyn as I had ben one of theym. Fro the whiche kyng, [fol. 62r] to myn worship and wyth grete love, I am departed, and hath taken me in my kepyng his sone and twelve thousand knyghtis right expert in armes, and other souldyours in grete nombre, for to come and socoure you and to take vengeaunce upon Kynge Alymodes the tyraunt. That was the thynge that most I dyde desyre in this world as of reason my dutye was. And to the surplus to the playsure of oure Lorde and hym playsed, ye shal understande by mouthe ferthere of myn astate. And bycause ye shall gyve credence and feyth to this myn owne handewrytyng, I do now bringe to your remembrance that one onely kyssyng that I toke of yow not ferre wythout youre cyté of Tourmaday, afore that I was of you reteyned into youre noble servyse. My right redoubted lady, I praye to God to gyve you the complyshement of your noble desyres. Wryton upon the see by the hande of the knyght infortunate, thus signed Blanchardyn.”

The thirty sixth chapiter conteyneth and speketh of the joye that the proude pucelle in amours made for love of the commyng of her specyall frende Blanchardyn, and of the grete sorowe that she made anone after whan she see that fortune so lyghtly had hym and his navye ayen into the see ferre from the haven of Tourmaday.

prose-textblock1Whan the proude mayden in amours had red the saide lettres al alonge and wel understand the tenoure therof, the joye was not lytyl that she made for the reception of the same. She demaunded of the provost yf he knewe not hym that had taken the letters unto hym. He sayde, “nay,” but unto her he recounted and tolde the manere and how as by a happe he had fonde and met wyth a myghty navey, “upon whiche was a right grete excercyte of folke of armes, but they were alle [fol. 62v] Sarrasyns and had theyre byleve upon their ydolles, and emonge them all was one knyght that coude speke to me.” “Ha ha, provost,” sayde the lady, “well ye have be deceyved whan ye dyde not knowe hym that somtyme ye have lodged in your house wyth you. It was, I ensure you, my moost dere frende Blanchardyn, that at my grete nede cometh to socoure and helpe me. How thenne have ye not knowe hym, a grete merveylle I have therof.” “Madame,” sayd the provost, “as to the body of hym, he may be lykened well ynough to Blanchardyn, but the face of hym was dyed and blake as all other of his felyship were. Moche grete merveylle I gyve to myself that he dyde not dyscovere hymself unto me.” The pucelle, heryng the provost speke, beganne to smyle and lawhe strongly. Full sone was forgoton her onclis deth for cause of the right joyfull tydynges that she had herd of Blanchardyn, the whiche were full soone knowen thourgh all the cyté, whiche thynge brought a newe joye to alle the enhabytantes there. But whosomever made joye therof, the proude pucell in amours rejoysshed herself above all other bycause that this nyghed her at herte. All ynough she red and overed the sayd letters whiche she dyde kysse full ofte, soo sore was her thoughte upon Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock2The nyght passed and the fayr day cam, and erly in the mornyng the pucelle rose from her bed. And whan she was clothed and opened the wyndowe and loked ferre upon the see, yf evere, by adventure, she myght see ne chuse the navye of Blanchardyn. She behelde so longe on every syde that she byganne to chuse and perceyve the saylles of the shippes of hym that so sore moche she had desyred. She was thenne recomforted of all thynges and remembred herself of non evyll that she had suffred byfore that. An hundred tymes she salued and made obeyssaunce to the shippes, prayng to God that they may arryve sauf and sounde. [fol. 63r] Atte that hour her maystres was beside her, whiche was ful glad to see her thus mery and ful of joye, to whom the lady sayd that sone she shuld have socours of thirty thousand knyghtes and souldyors that ayenst King Alymodes shold helpe her.

prose-textblock3As she was thus talkyng wyth her maystres and that the vessayls beganne to com nyghe and made redy all thynges to take lande, a south wynd rose up sodanly horryble and gret. The see byganne to ryse and swelle, and the wawes wexed so bygge and so grete that they semed to be mountayns. And was the tempeste so perelouse that they were constreyned to enter into the brode see agayne leste they sholde have smytten hemself agrounde, and so wythdrew hemsylf fro lande. They were so sore tourmentyd that the cordes and the saylles breke of all their shyppes or of the most partye, and were fayne to cutte off their mastes, habandounnynge to the wynde and wawes of the see the conducte of them alle. And were caste so ferre into the hyghe see that, in a shorte whyle, they knewe not in what marche of the see they were. The proude pucell in amours, seeng thys grete infortune, wende to have deyd anone for the grete dyspleasure that she toke of thys cursed adventure and reputed herself indygne to have eny helpe nor socours. Whan she see her fortune thus torned ayenst her, she began to crye aloude sayng in thys wyse, “Alas my ryght trusty and feythful lover, I perceyve well that I shall never see you more. I am the cause of your inconvenyent, ye were taken in my servyse.” She made so grete mone and so pytefull complayntes as anybody in thys worlde myghte doo, alwayes dyscomfortyng her owne self wythouten mesure.

prose-textblock4We shall leve to speke of the proude pucell in amours unto the tyme be comen that her sorowe be lefte [fol. 63v] and her joye recovered and renewed, and shal shewe you of Blanchardyn and of Sadoyne, his feythful felawe.

The thirty seventh chapiter conteyneth how Blanchardyn and Sadoyne arryved byfore the cyté of Cassydonye wher they founde Daryus that cam to speke wyth them.

prose-textblock1Well ye have herde here above the ryght merveyllouse and horrybyl fortune that happed to Blanchardyn and to Sadoyne that daye they shold have taken lande atte the haven of Tourmadaye, whiche were all redy caste ferre from all costes and waited but the hour whan they shold be drowned, wherof they were in a grete fere. Then sayd Blanchardyn to Sadoyne that he doubted ryght sore lest God were wroth upon theym bycause they had brought wyth theym theys cursed ydolles, and that hym semed yf he wold be baptysed and all his folk, and to byleve in our feith, that the tempeste shold breke. He preched so longe Sadoyn and his folke, that they all of one assent and accorde promytted unto Blanchardyn that they sholde devoutly do baptyse hemself and shold byleve in the holy Crysten feyth, whan they shold come to lande or in place where hit myght be doon. The whyche thynge evyn so as they promysed it full devoutly, they ded accomplyshe hit afterward. They toke awaye the preciouse stones and the gold and sylver from theyre ydolles and maumetys and syn cast them in the see wyth goode herte. Soo taryed not long after thys was doon that the tempeste ceassed and the see became swete and amyable, and became as a lytyll ryver.

prose-textblock2After the ceasse of thys tempest, that had broughte theym so ferre oute of theyre knowleche that they wyste not where they were, fortune ledde theym in atte the havon of Cassydonye, where Daryus, the sone of Kyng Alymodes, was that daye [fol. 64r] and the fayre Beatryx his suster wyth hym, whiche was uttyrly fayre and replenysshed of all goode condicyons and maners that may be in a creature. Blanchardyn and Sadoyne, seeyng that they were comen tyl a sure havene and they and their folke all sauf, they were right glad. They thanked our Lord and had doune their saylles, cast their ancres and syth lepte a-lande, and their men of armes wyth them, whiche they renged and dyde set hem in gode ordonaunce of battaylle al alonge the medowes that were there full fayre and grete, bycause that they knewe not in what marche they were arryved nor whether they of the contrey were frendes or enmyes. Sadoyne wende at fyrst that it had be Tourmaday, but they fonde a man and asked hym the name of the towne and who was lord of it. He ansuerd to them that it was the cyté of Cassydonye, wherof Alimodes is lord and kynge of this royalme, that for the tyme beyng was wyth a right grete puyssaunce of men of werre before Tourmaday kepyng there his siege, and that his sonn Daryus and the fayre Beatryx, his doughter, werre bothe togyder wythinne the towne of Cassydonye.

prose-textblock3Blanchardyn was joyfull and glad to here these tydynges, and sayde all lawghyng to Sadoyne that they were well arryved upon their enmyes, and that every man sholde thynke to prove hymself well, for they must assaylle the towne bycause that the lady that he dyde promytte to hym was within Cassydonye. “And morover,” he sayde unto Sadoyne, “my right trusty felawe, we ben come to a goode haven. It is to us force that this cyté be wonne and conquested by oure strengthe and after that we shal go, to the playsure of God, for to socoure and helpe myn owne dere lady, the proude pucelle in amours.” Sadoyne, heryng Blanchardyn that sayde [fol. 64v] to hym that the fayre Beatryx, whiche he had so sore desyred afore, was wythin the cyté of Cassydonye, was right glad that they were arryved there. He toke and gadred all newe corage wythin hymself and, mounted togyder on horsbacke, Blanchardyn and he and alle theyr folke dyde so and poynted hemself for to fyght or for to gyve assawte to the towne. Evyn at that same houre that the sayde barouns were in the medowe renged one nyghe another and redy for to fyght, Daryus, Kynge Alymodes sone, was at a wyndowe of a grete toure wythin his paleys out of whiche he loked and behelde over and over the medowes and over the playne, whiche he see all coveryd with men of armes that were afore the towne, wherof he was right sore merveylled and wyst not yf they were frendes or foos.

prose-textblock4He made hymself to be armed hastely and dyde publishe thourgh alle the towne and to them of his house that all sholde be armed on horsbacke and redy for to goo wyth hym wythout makynge eny delaye. For he sayde that he wold go to understande what folke they were that camen in armes so nyghe his towne. And after that Daryus commaunded was publyshed, ther were tenn thousand Cassydonyens soone redy, right well in harneys wel appoynted, that folowed hym and yssued out of the towne wyth Daryus, that was rydyng before hem all upon a right myghty courser. And Blanchardyn and Sadoyne, that sawe hym comen, made on her bataylles and cam ayenst Daryus that sore hyghe byganne to calle and sayde, “Ye lordes that are here comen and have seased my haven and taken lande, and that shewe tokens that your purpos is for to werre upon me, telle me yf ye be Sarrasyns.”

prose-textblock5Thenne Blanchardyn, his spere in [fol. 65r] hande and all armed fro top to too byfore his bataylle, ansuered hym that they were not Sarrasyns. “But we ben,” sayde he, “Crysten men that wyl go to gyve socoure and helpe unto that mayden the lady of Tourmaday, whereas the tyraunt Alymodes kepeth now his siege byfore the towne. But I wyl wel that thou know that in an evyl houre he cam ever there, for yf we may fynde hym we shall make hym to deye a shamefull dethe. And wyth this, yf it pleyseth unto Jhesu Cryst in whom we byleve, we shal this daye take by strengthe his cyté of Cassydonye. And see here by me Sadoyne, the sone of the kynge of Prusse, that shal mary his doughter thy suster the fayr Beatryx. So shall he rengne in this lande, where he shal soone be obeyed, loved, and dred as a lord soverayne. And we shal not ceasse unto tyme that, to the playsure of Jhesu Cryst, we shall have all our wylle in this byhalve.”

The thirty eighth chapiter conteyneth how the valyaunt Blanchardyn slewe Daryus and of the grete bataylle where the Cassydonyens were dyscomfyted and overthrawen and the cyté taken. And the fayr Beatryx was taken to mercy, and how Sadoyne and the fayre Beatryx made hemself to be baptyzed, and their folke wyth them.

prose-textblock1Whan Daryus understode thees wordes, he knewe all ynough that it was Blanchardyn the worthy knight, wherof he gaff hymselff moche grete merveylle of the manere nor how he was escaped from thre score men to whom he had taken the charge to kepe hym and to have presented hym unto the kynge of Salamandrye. He wende to have tourned the brydell of his horsse, for he was right sore affrayed to see hym there byfore hym. [fol. 65v] But Blanchardyn perceyved it anone, and he, that well lerned was in all poyntes of werre, kept Darius therfro. He gaff his hors the spore and cam and kutte the waye betwene their two bataylles, for he was right wel horsed. He folowed Darius of so nyghe that he over reched hym with his swerde as he was fleyng at the right syde of hym, soo that his riche cote of maylle myght not warauntyze hym. But he cutte bothe fleshe and bone and made in his body a grete wounde mortall, and syth recovered another stroke so that he smote hym doune ded to the grounde from his horse. Atte that oure were the Cassydonyens sore abasshed whan they sawe their lorde that laye upon the grounde sterk ded. They wyshed and complayned hym sore but neverthelesse, they avaunced themself full proudely and ranne upon their enmyes.

prose-textblock2Thenne byganne the bataylle grete and cruell of bothe partes. Blanchardyn and Sadoyne made there merveylles of armes; they brake and cutte Cassydonyens on all sydes. No man was there so hardy that durste approche hem, where al as they came they made the presse to sprede abrode. Blanchardyn dyde espye a knyght that bare the standarde of the Cassydonyens; he ranne upon hym and gaaff hym suche an horryble stroke upon his helme that he all to-brayned hym wyth his swerde. And thus he overthrewe doune bothe man and standarde so that the Cassydonyens had not syth the powere for to have dressyd it up ayen, but were slayne and all to-cutte and cloven that all the wayes were covered of bodyes ded and wounded men.

prose-textblock3The same tyme was the fayre Beatryx at a wyndowe wythin the paleys lokyng upon the batayll, that sone perceyved and knewe that the losse was tourned upon her party. Wherfore she wyst [fol. 66r] well for certayne that impossyble was to her for to kepe the towne ayenst so grete a puyssaunce as she dyde see byfore her, consyderyng that the best defense and the moost worthy knyghtes of the lande were wyth her fader, the kynge Alymodes, at the siege byfore Tourmaday, and that suche as were issued out there were almost all overthrowen. Wel saw the fayre Beatryx that she muste yelde up herself. The same tyme passed Sadoyne byfore the wyndowe, that wyth bothe handes smote upon his enmyes. The fayre Beatryx called hym sayng in this manere, “Alas, right noble knyght, I gyve myself up unto you, prayeng that ye wol save bothe me and my cyté, and to take us into your mercy and pyté, havyng compassyon upon a yong mayden that yeldeth herself unto you.” Sadoyne, lokyng toward the wyndowe, heved right soone his hande upward and sayde and promysed her that he sholde warauntyse her from all harme. He was right glad of these tydynges.

prose-textblock4It was not longe after this that Blanchardyn and Sadoyne dyde mete togyder, havyng their swerdes in their fystes all dyed wyth the blode of their enmyes that they had al to-hewen and cloven. And fynably dyde so moche by their prouesse that, wythin a whyle, they made the Cassydonyens to fle, and discomfyted them and so nyghe they chassed them that they entred into the cyté wyth them. It was grete horrour to see the horryble occysion and slawghter that was made in the playne byfore the towne, where the bodyes lay by ded grete hepes here and there in many places. Whan Blanchardyn saw that they were com to their above of their enmyes, and that noo resystence at all was made ayenst hem, he made by a trompette to be proclamed that the slawhter sholde ceasse wythin the [fol. 66v] towne, syth that they were lordes and maysters of the same, the whiche thyng was don as yt was commaunded.

prose-textblock5Sone after thys, Blanchardyn and Sadoyne cam to the paleys wythoute to fynd enybody that wold hem lete or gaynsey the entré therof. They went into the hall, where they founde the fayer Beatryx that cam ayenst them and yelded herself to them, prayng that they wold have pyté upon her. Blanchardyn toke the mayden by the hande sayng to her, “Fayer damesel, God forbede that evyl nor harme sholde be don to you.” He cam toward Sadoyn and sayd unto hym, “My ryght trusty felawe, the promysse that byfore this tyme I made unto you, I wol now quyte myself therof toward you. Take thys pucell; I geve her to you by suche a condycion that ye shal helpe me to socoure the proude pusell in amours.” Sadoyne, ryght glad all laughyng, aunsuerd to Blanchardyn, “Frend myn, yt is wel reson that I do so and wyth ryght a good hert I shal goo to helpe you, for wel I am bounde therunto. Your promysse ye have ryght wele acquyted unto me, and an houndred thousand thankes I gyve you therfor.” Sadoyne behelde the pucell Beatryx that so gentyl was and so odly fayr. He enbraced and kyssed her sayeng, “Fayr dameseyll, ye and I myself shal be babtysed, and after that I shall take you to myn own dere spouse and wyff; for I woll that thys false lawe and unabyl byleve and thys perverse sacryfyces that ben to this false idoles, ye leve and forsake.” She aunswerd full mekely that she shulde so do wyth ryghte a goode wylle.

prose-textblock6Wythin the same cyté of Cassydonye were the same tyme certeyne Crysten men that dwelled there under trybute, that were ryghte glad whan they sawe that by the Crysten men the town was take. But by the comaundement of Blanchardyn, the preeste of the Crysten [fol. 67r] men that were dwellynge there assembled anone and made redy many tubbys and other vesselles full of fayre water whiche he blessed and halowed therynne. Sadoyne and Beatryx and all their people made hemself to be baptyzed, and namely all the people of that contrey were converted into our holy feythe. After these thynges thus happed and doon, Sadoyne wedded the fayre Beatryx, the doughter of Kynge Alymodes. The solemnytez of the wedlok were made grete and notable, where the knyghtes and ladyes of the lande were. All of the noble clothyng wherof the pucelle was ornated wythall, it is no nede to telle you of it, but wel I dare saye that never in thoo dayes nor an hondred yere afore, men had not seen eny quene nor pryncesse more richely arayed. For so many a ryche jewell, so grete haboundance of precyouse stones and so grete a tresoure was there wythin the paleys y-gadred by the kyng Alymodes that it was a thyng infynyte, bycause that all the dayes of his lyff he had be a grete tyraunt. Soo had he taken and ravysshed and by stronge hande upon his neyghbours bothe ferre and nere, all that he fonde of grete value.

prose-textblock7Thre dayes hool lasted the feste, and syth after Sadoyne byganne to enquyre of the governaunce and astate of the lande, as to hym was nedefull to be doo. The evyll custumes he dyd brynge doune and sette up the goode, and syth putte goode provysyon for the justyse, and dyde stablysshe provostes, ballyffes, and rulers of the lande, and putte sure watche in all the townes and castelles. And by all the counseyll and goode advyse of Blanchardyn that was right wyse.

The thirty ninth chapiter conteyneth how Blanchardyn fonde his fader the kynge of Fryse that was prysoner wythin [fol. 67v] Cassydonye and of the pyteouse devyses that the fader and the sone had togydre.

prose-textblock1After these tydynges don and brought at an ende, it happed that one a day Blanchardyn, Sadoyne, and his wyff the fayer Beatryx were sittyng at the bord takynge their recreacyon. The same tyme herde Blanchardyn a voyce of a man that full pyteuosly lamented hymself, wherof he toke grete merveylle, for he alredy had herde hym crye by whiles thre tymes. He demaunded of theym that were there byfore the table who myght be that wayled and cryed so pyteously.

prose-textblock2Ther was a knyght that ansuered hym and sayde, “Syre it is not long agoo that Daryus made a coursse into Fryse wyth a grete nombre of shippes, insomoche that by tempeste of the see he was cast into an haven of the see of the sayde lande where he made grete wast, toke, and slewe many men, and many he dyde brynge wyth hym prysoners. Wherof emong other is one that called hymself lord of them alle, and the same is he that ye have herde crye so pyteously.” Whan Blanchardyn herde speke of Fryse, he doubted hym well sone that it was som man of his lynage and sybbe, and was sore dyspleased for the dystruction of his lande, and wel glad to be avenged wyth his owne hande upon the personne of Darius that the said distruction had commytted and don. Sadoyne thenne dyde sende incontynent toward the prysen and made to be brought out of it the noble kynge of Fryse. The tables were alredy taken up whan he was brought into the halle. Whan Blanchardyn sawe the noble kynge, his fader, he knewe hym anone, how well that he was ryght sore chaunged of face for grete sorowe and hardness of the pryson.

prose-textblock3Blanchardyn coude not kepe hymself but that the grete [fol. 68r] teerys dropped fast out of his eyen for grete pyté that he had of his fader, and myght kepe his counteynaunce nor behave hymself. And whan he was come ayen to his manere, he demaunded of his fader what lande he was of. The goode kynge ansuered hym and sayde, “I am a power caytyf kyng that somtyme regned in Fryselande, but thourgh fortune changeable my lande hath be wasted and lost by Darius, the sone of Kyng Alymodes. And after that he had uttirly dystroyed a grete part of my royalme, he brought me wyth hym to be here his prysoner lyvyng full pourly wythin a derke dongeon, and wold never putte me to noo raenson. A fayr sone I had somtyme of myn owne spouse my wyff, whiche I helde and had full tenderly dere, but bycause I wolde not make hym a knyght, yongthe movid hym and departed from me. And syth, as I have tolde you, myself, my royalme, and my folke have be thus dystroyed and wasted, what wol ye doo of me, I am but a man lost for ever more. I requyre you that ye wyl slee me for to brynge my grete myserye at an ende, and nought to putte me ayen into the harde and tenebrouse pryson where I and my knyghtes have be so longe, shortyng oure dayes in suche poverté as ye may see.” The goode kynge thenne, that thus reherced his angwysshe and displaysirs, byganne to wepe and sobbe right sore. Blanchardyn asked of the kynge yf he sawe his sone, whether he sholde knowe hym. “Alas,” sayde the kyng, “wel am I sure that I shall never see hym.”

prose-textblock4Blanchardyn myght not conteyne hymself and sobbed full sore in his herte, and syth sayde unto the kynge his fader, “Syre, I spake wyth your sone not longe agoo whan he departed from us. We two felawes, this gentyllman and I, have ben alonge espace wyth hym, and nothyng was partyd amonge us lyke as the one [fol. 68v] of us wold have yt that other was therof content. He loved me as he dyde hymself and I heeld hym as dere as myself. We were long tyme togyder, insomoche that for grete love that he had to me, he gaff me this rynge of gold that ye now see on my fynger.” The kyng loked upon the rynge and knew yt ryght well, but he knew not the fynger nor the hande that had yt on. “Certaynly,” sayd the kyng, “I see and knowe right wel by the tokens that ye shewe unto me that ye have seen hym. Wherfor, sire, I requyre and praye you, for the recomforte of me that am a poure olde man and replenyshed wyth bytternes, that ye wol telle me where my sone Blanchardyn may be.” Then Blanchardyn wyth grete payne spake wyth a lowe voyce aunswerde him and sayd, “Syr, ye muste knowe that he that ye askd for is ded.” Whan the nobyl kyng understode hym, from a hyghe as he was he lete hymself falle donn to the erthe all in a swoun before all them that were there, for the grete dyspleasure that he toke atte his hert whan he herd that bytter and pytous tydynge that of new joyned unto his olde trybulacons. And then Blanchrdyn, seeng the sorow where the kyng his fader was ynne, toke repentaunce of that he had so longe hyd hymself, and wyth eyen all tempred wyth teerys dyde put hymself upon his knees byfore the kynge his fader and ryght swetly cryed hym mercy sayeng in thys wyse, “My ryght doubted lord and fader, byfore you ye maye see your sone Blanchardyn that from you did departe wythoute your knowyng and lycense, wherof he asketh of you mercy and grace, and the offence that I dyde take and brynge wyth me your good courser, whiche ys wythoute pyere amonge al other, wyth your good swerde, of whiche I have brought to deth Daryus your enmye.”

prose-textblock5Whan the kyng of Fryse, that alredy was come ayen to hymsylf, herde his son Blanchardyn speke, the [fol. 69r] whiche he knewe not atte that tyme well, for his sighte that was sore troubled of the derknes of the pryson in whiche he had suffred grete peyne and grete sorow. There nys no tounge of no creature mortall that unto you coude telle, wryte, or do to be rehersed the grete joye that the same howre entred into the hert of that nobyl kyng prysoner, and of all the assystens that were there the same daye, for theyr terys were parted among them. And in especyal Sadoyne and his wyff had of hit their parte, in suche a wyse that the teerys fell from their eyen al alonge their faces in so grete habondaunce that theyr ryche raymentes that they hadde on that daye were all wete wythall. The nobel kyng of Fryse was enbrased and kyssed of his sone Blanchardyn. The reverence and honoure that Sadoyne and his wyff made for love of Blanchardyn to his fader sholde be longe for to be recounted here. Wyth ryght grete joye and gladnes they had hym into the chamberes where was a bayne redy made where they made hym to be wasshed clene, and syth toke hym clothyng accordyng to hys royal astate. And in lykewyse they ded to all the knyghtes that had be prysoners wyth hym, every man after hys degree.

prose-textblock6Blanchardyn, thenne seeng the adventure that was happed to hym, came toward the kyng hys fader and sayd unto hym, “My ryghte dere and honoured lorde and fader, I beseke you that ye woll telle me howe the quene my moder dyd byfore your harde infortune.” “My ryght dere sone,” said the kynge, “knowe now that never syth thy departyng thy sorowfull moder had no joye at her herte, and noon was there, myself nor noon other, that myghte recomforte her. Wherof thou mayst thynke wele that after that grevouse sorowe that she hath had of my takynge, and that she had never no worde from me [fol. 69v] syth that I was take and broughte here of the Sarasyns, wherby I knowe certeynli as I fere me that she ys rather ded than alyve.” After thees wordes, the kynge byganne full sore to wepe and so ded Blanchardyn, so that Sadoyne nor Beatryx his wyff coude do no thynge to stynte them.

The fortieth chapytur conteyneth how Blanchardyn and Sadoyne and the good kynge of Fryse toke the see wyth a grete excercyte of folke for to gyve socours unto the proude pucelle in amours.

prose-textblock1After their teeris and pytuable reconyssaunce were past and chassed, they taryed the space of a moneth wythin the cyté of Cassydonye, abydyng that the kyng of Fryse fader unto Blanchardyn were hole and brought ayen into the astate of his owne strength, that was yet that tyme of resonabel age for to suffer the excercise of armes. Blanchardyn, that all his hert and his thought had sette upon his ladye the proude pucell in amours, ryght sore desiryng to have her oute of thraldom and power of Alymodes the kynge, and also seeng his fader broughte up ayen in good convalescence and helth, cam byfore Sadoyne and sayd, “My feythfull felawe and ryght trusty frende, God and fortune hath helped you so that ye be come to that thynge that ye moost dyd desire byfore this tyme, for the whiche thynge to be complete accordyng to my promyse I have holpen you the beste that I coude. So thanked be our Lord, ye are therof come to your above. Wherfore I praye you that in lyke case ye woll do so to me, as in you ys my verey truste and parfyte confydence, whyche certaynly I knowe welle that ye woll doo. It ys soo that I beseke you now that ye woll helpe and socoure me now ayenste the kynge Alymodes, that by his grete crueltee and tyrannye kepeth shette and [fol. 70r] closed that thynge that I oughte moste to be desirouse of in thys worlde, for to have her oute of servytude into franchyse. It is my ryghte doubted ladye the proude pucell in amours.” Whan Sadoyne understode the wordes of Blanchardyn, all smylyng he ansuerde unto hym and sayde, “My ryghte verey frende and goode felawe, your desyer and your wylle is myn own and nevere whyle I am man alyve nothynge shall be parted fer bytwene us. Your wylle and my wyll is but one wylle, so stedfasteli knytted that hit shall be lefte for an ensample to them that shal come herafter in perpetuall memorye. And your commaundementys and myn shal be wyth us two persones but one thynge. Late oure shyppes be made redy and appareyled. So shall we thenne goo for to gyve socoure and helpe unto her whos presence we so sore do desyre.”

prose-textblock2Thenne Blanchardyn, heryng the gracyous ansuer of Sadoyne his feythful felaw, he thanked hym right moche. And syn afterward, by ordenance of Sadoyne and Blanchardyn, the navey was apparelled and redy made, stored and garnyshed wyth good men of werre and wyth artylarye as was perteynyng to suche a thyng. And made hemself redy in fayr araye for to goo to socour and helpe her that passed all other of beauté that beseged was by Kyng Alymodes and his folke wythin her cyté of Tourmaday. After this that Blanchardyn and Sadoyne sawe their shyppes redy and well stored wyth vytaylles and of other thynges necessare to fynyshe their enterpryse to the socours and helpe of the proude pucel in amours. Sadoyne toke leve of his wyff, the fayre Beatryx, and so dyd Blanchardyn, whiche they shall never see tyll that she and her husbonde Sadoyne have ben in grete peryll of their lyves, as hereafter ye shall mowe here.

prose-textblock3Sadoyne, thorugh the counseyll of his felaw Blanchardyn, [fol. 70v] lefte wythin his cyté of Cassydonye foure thousand of goode knyghtes chosen for to defende and kepe it ayenst Kynge Alymodes yf by eny adventure he cam thider ayen, as he dyd afterwarde. After their leve thus taken of the fayr Beatryx, they departed and toke the see levynge behinde theym the fayr Beatryx that made so grete sorowe for her goode husbonde Sadoyne. Whan the barons were upon the see, the maryners made saylle. The wynde was ryght goode that broughte theym forth by suche a wyse that, wythin a whyle, they were ferre fro the lande, and were togyder thirty grete shyppes and four score galeys subtyl. Duryng the tyme that the goode kynge of Fryse, Blanchardyn, and Sadoyne and their folke shall be thus saylynge towarde Tourmaday, we shall retorne to speke of the tyraunte the kynge Alymodes and the proude pucell in amours.

The forty first chapyter sheweth how Blanchardyn recounted to his fader and to Sadoyne the beaulté and the godnes of his lady the proude pucell in amours and of the provoste that cam ayenste hem.

prose-textblock1We have herde heretofore howe Kynge Alymodes had beseged the nobel cyté of Tormaday where was the nobel lady the proude mayden in amours. Byfore whiche cyté he made gounes and other engynes to be caste ayenste the walles bothe nyghte and daye for to brynge hem adoun, and wyth the same he made the toun sawted ofte tymes ful sore, where he made grete losse of his folke. But yt is all ynough to be bylevyd for a trouth that it was not donn wythoute slaughter and damage to theym of the towne. The proude pucell in amours, seeng herself so sore expressyd, her knyghtes and her men slayne, was ryght sory. And of that other partye, she had no hope of eny socours, but only of [fol. 71r] Blanchardyn in whom was al her trust. But by no manere she myght not knowe into what parte of the worlde he was dryven, and was in a grete feer lest he had ben drowned in the grete tempeste of wyndes that had reculed them into the hyghe see from the costes of Tourmaday. Full often nyght and day she wyshed hym wyth her, and was so sory for hym that she wyst not what she sholde doo, and noo playsure she coude taken in no thynge but was evermore sorowyng at the herte of her. Insomoche that one daye, amonge other, erly in a mornyng, Kynge Alymodes made the towne to be assayled and was there made grete alarme and grete fray so that the noyse and the callynge that was made of bothe partyes cam unto the eerys of the proude pucelle in amours, wherfor she rose out of her bed and bygan to wyshe sore after Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock2She cam toward a wyndowe whiche opened herself and as she dyde cast alwayes her syght toward the see. She trowed to have seen a grete nombre of shippes that were appyeryng upon the water and com sayllynge as her advyse was toward Tourmaday. She, seeng that thynge, for grete joye that she toke she wyst not what she sholde saye or thynke therof, whethr she was awakyng or aslepe, and for to be better in certaynté of the trouth she went up at a hyghe wyndowe and loked so longe tyl that she myght perceyve clerly that they were shyppes and vesselles of werre. “Ha, God,” saide she, “myght som socours come to me of eny souldyours, for of noo man of my sybbe I awayte for none syth that the kynge of the Grete Nourthweghe, myn oncle, is decessed that wold helpe me ayenst the tyraunt Kynge Alymodes.” Atte the same houre Blanchardyn was upon the borde of his ship and talked wyth the kynge of Fryse, his fader, [fol. 71v] and as they were thus in devyses, Blanchardyn loked on the see and byganne to espye the toures of the paleys of Tourmaday and shewed them to his fader and to Sadoyne his felawe. He recounted to his fader the kynge of Fryse the beaulté, goodnes, and other goode vertues and maners that were in his lady, the proude pucelle in amours, and how he was in her goode grace and she lykewyse in his. And that yf God gaff hym that hap that he myght come to bataylle ayenst her enmye, the kyng Alymodes, he sholde shewe to hym the benevolence that he ought to his lady, and the grete malyvolence or evyll wylle that he had for her sake toward the tyraunt that by so grete wronge and wythout laufull cause made to her suche force and injurye. Thus talkyng of many thynges they exploytted so by a goode wynde that they had, that they cam so nyghe the lande that they see playnly the tentes and the pavyllyons of Kynge Alymodes, the whiche Blanchardyn dyde shewe unto the kynge his fader and to his felawe Sadoyne.

prose-textblock3The proude pucelle in amours, that at this houre was lenyng upon her wyndowe, sent hastely for the provost that he sholde come and speke wyth her, whiche cam anone to her. He entred into her chambre and right humbly salued the pucelle. She called hym nyghe her and shewed hym the right myghty navye that cam to arryve there. The provost, that was right wyse and subtyll, perceyved and knewe full sone that they were Crysten and sayde to his lady that he sholde go to them to wyte what folke they were, and yf he coude doo so moche by eny wyse that they wolde take her wages and serve her. He toke his leve and went oute of the chambre and cam streyght to the haven, where he toke a bote prest and garnyshed wyth eyght goode felawes, eche of them an ore in his [fol. 72r] hande, whiche wythin a short whyle brought the provost nyghe to the galleyes. And so wel they stered that they cam and borded the ship wherin Blanchardyn was that desyred sore to knowe what they were that so fast rowed toward his vessel. Thenne the provost, seeyng hymself arryved where he wolde be, right highly he salued theym that were wythin the ship. Blanchardyn, that lened upon the borde of it, rendred to hym his salutacion. The provost thenne al on hyghe exposed and sayde the charge that he had of his maystres byhalve, the lady of Tourmaday. Blanchardyn, that wel knewe the provost, ansuered demaundyng of hym yf his lady was so sore oppressed by her enmyes as he sayde, and whether she might holde the towne longe ayenst them that had layde siege to it byfore her.

prose-textblock4The provost ansuered to hym and sayde, “Ye right wel, but one thynge there is, that she may not have nother helthe nor joye but alweyes she most be chaunged upon her bed where she can not have rest nor noo goode slepe by night nor by daye.” “Frende,” saide Blanchardyn, “wherof may come this dysease unto her that so traveylleth and tourmenteth her? For myn advyse is this that at all endes she ought to force herself from her bed for to shewe herself, admonestyng her folke to do wel bycause they sholde take a better corage for the persone and sight of her.” “Syre,” sayde the provost, “be ye sure and knowe for a trouthe that, so moche I knowe by my lady, that she shal never have no parfytte joye at her herte for love of a knyght of whom she is enamored whiche she weneth to be peryshed and ded. But my hope is in God that he shall yet come ayen hyther, for men sayen comynly that he whome God wyll have kept may not be peryshed. Syre, I saye the same for the knyght that is the most parfyt in all beaulté and condicyons, that his lyke can not be founde. How be [fol. 72v] it that not long ago we herde tydynges of hym of a pylgryme that passed here byfore, that sayde to us for veray trouth that he and his felawe Sadoyne were arryved into the cyté of Cassydonye whiche they had taken and goten by force of armes, for the whiche tydynge my sayde lady hath be wel asswaged of her dysplaysure, trustyng in God that shortly she shal understande more playnly the certaynté therof.”

prose-textblock5Whan Blanchardyn understode the provost, he sayde unto hym that this whiche the pylgryme had sayd was true, and that Blanchardyn had sent hem there for to socoure and help his maistres. But som men wyl saye that he shal wedde the doughter of Kynge Alymodes, whiche is lady of the lande where he is, and that he shal maynteyne and kepe the contrey with her. “Ha, ha, sire, what is that that ye saye? What a grete synne and untrouth it were to Blanchardin to take nor have to his wyf another than the proude pucell in amours, that loveth him so truly and that so longe hath wayted and taryed after hym, and that for the grete love that she hath to him she hath reffused so many kynges and so hyghe prynces that dayly do requyre her. Certes, whosomever brought her this sorowfull and pyteuose tydynge, I doubte not but that she shold slee herself for grete displaysir for suche. And so true I knowe her. Now God forbede that I be the brynger of thys tydynges, that so sore displaysaunt shal be to me for to uttir and declare hem that I had almost as lief to deye as to reherce them unto my said maystresse. But sire, syth it is therof as ye saye, and that ye come from Blanchardyn, I praye you to telle me yf he wryteth or sendeth eny wordes to my sayde lady by you. For nothyng coude make me to byleve that this grete and lothely untrouthe sholde be in Blanchardyn, to leve and forsake her of whom he is so parfytly beloved for to take the doughter of [fol. 73r] a kynge, her enmye.” “Frende,” sayde Blanchardyn, “as for wrytyng or eny worde that he sholde sende, I knowe of none.” “That rewyth me,” sayde the provost, “so am I wel sore abashed how he can have a wylle to chose another lady than the proude pucelle in amours, whiche is the most fayr and the most noble and the most complet a lady and most plesaunt of all the remenaunt of the world. How thenne doeth not he remembre hymself of the courser and of the sleve of clothe of golde that she dyde send unto hym after the fyrst acqueyntaunce? Certaynly my herte can not judge to me that ever of suche a knyght as is Blanchardyn shold growe suche a wille to be do. Ha ha, madame,” sayde the provost, “see here sore harde tydynges that shal be cause to brynge at an ende full myserably your laste dayes.”

prose-textblock6Whan Blanchardyn herde the provost speke thus, he bygan to smyle. Thenne the provost behylde hym ful ententyfly and knewe hym, wherof he had so grete and so parfyt a joye that it can not be recounted. And after many wordes of reconyssaunce, the provoste tolde to hym of all how he was ever truly byloved and how his lady, the proude pucelle in amours, had borne and as yet bare suche a displeasure for and by the occasyon of hym, and that never syth that she receyved the letter that he dyde sende to her by hym, “she had no joye at her herte nor shal never have unto the tyme that she see you ayen.” Blanchardyn sayde to hym, “Lat her take no care of nothing nor no doubte of my parte, for as to me I have alwayes be and evermore shall as longe I shall lyve her true and feythfull lover, and shall never fayle her of noo thyng that is or shal be in my power to doo for her. As to her that I more desire to complayse than all the worlde, ye shal recomende me to her gode grace and from me ye shal presente unto her this rynge of golde. And as to the faytte [fol. 73v] of our men of werre that ben here, we have brought hem alle hyther only for to gyve unto her helpe and socoure. We shal kepe ourself wythin our vesselles bycause it is as now too late, and tomorne erly, whan we see houre and tyme goode and alle redy, we shal do sowne oure trompettes, hornes, and busynes. And ye that shal be wythin the cyté, see that ye be redy and appareylled for to yssue out at the same owre for to come ayenst oure enmyes, for from oure syde we shal assaylle them so quykly that they shal cursse the owre of oure commyng. And thus they shal be fought wythal of bothe sydes by suche a manere that wyth grete peyne they shal have leyser to graunte unto us the victorye, yf God woll.”

Here foloweth the forty second chapiter that conteyneth in hitself and speketh of the grete joye that the proude pucelle in love made whan she herde reherce by the provost the gracyouse tydynges of the commynge of here frende Blanchardyn.

prose-textblock1The provost, herynge Blanchardyn speke so truly and benyngly, he ansuered unto hym and sayde that, as to thier parte, suche a dyligence sal be made therupon that their enmyes shal knowe soone by grete strokes the grete corage of them of the towne. And thenne right joyouse he departed from Blanchardyn and toke leve of hym, sore desyryng of all his herte to fynde hymself byfore his sayde lady for to announce and telle to her this glad tydyng, and wend never to have come tyme ynoughe there. He exployted so and made suche a dilygence that wyth grete joye and gladnesse he entred wythin the haven of Tourmaday without eny delaye nor lettyng by no maner, and cam to the towne where he fonde the noble mayden right nobly acompanyed of her knyghtes, ladyes, and gentyl women that were wyth her in grete nomber.

prose-textblock2She, seeng the provost com a-land out of his bote makyng a mery [fol. 74r] contenance, was sore desired to know of hym som gode tydynges, for her hert judged her that he brought som. So taryed she not tyll that the provost were com toward her, but a grete pas marched ayenst hym. The provost made unto her the reverence, puttyng hymself upon his knee and sayd to her, “My ryght redubted lady, knowe ye for certayn that I have be wyth the ryght puyssaunt navye wyche is laden wyth men of armes that are come to helpe you. Of the whiche ben conducters and chieff rulers the kynge of Fryse, the nobyl knyght Blanchardyn, his sone, and Sadoyne, his felaw. Madame, see here a rynge of gold that Blanchardyn sendeth to you by me wyth recommendacyons manyfold. Knowe, madame, that a grete joye ought to be encresed wythin you whan suche a socours is come to your grete comforte, for thes thre hyghe pryncys have brought wyth theym grete nomber of folkes, and they have a ryght perfyte desire to avenge your quarell upon Alymodes the tyraunt. And ye maye byleve for certeyn that the goode kynge of Fryse hath noon other desire than to avenge hymself, whan he shall com to the feelde, for the grete hurt, injurye, and damage that hath be doon unto hym by Daryus, the sone of Kyng Alymodes. Tomorowe by the mornyng shall the bataylle bygynne, wherfor Blanchardyn prayeth you by me that ye commaunde your captayns and men of armes that they be redy all to the ende that, whan the houre shall come that the trompettes and bussynes of the oost of Blanchardyn shall begyn to soune, that your folke be redy for to take the feelde, and that quyckly they assaylle your enmyes of all sydes. And as to that parte of the prynces that come to your socours, they shal be redy att the same owre. And by all thus your enmyes shal fynde hemself oppressed both byfore and behynd, wherof Kyng Alymodes shal be in grete affray, and ye shal be avenged upon him to the [fol. 74v] playsure of God. For he shal have a double displaysure, and in especyall whan the tydynges shal be recounted unto him of Daryus his sone, that hath be slayne and brought to his deth by the handes of Blanchardyn. And wyth this he shal fynde his cité of Cassydonye and all his grete royalme conquested and goten, and his doughter wedded, whiche by Blanchardyn hathe be yeven unto his felaw Sadoyne.”

prose-textblock3That tyme that the proude pucelle in amours had herd and understande the provost, never in her dayes had she so moche of displeasire but that these tydynges dyde redouble her joye over mesure, and thanked God of this goode adventure. So is there non that coude telle nor wryte the joye that the same tyme was in her and emonge all the people of the towne. She went ayen into her paleys replenysshed wyth joye and gladnesse and made to be cryed thurgh all the stretes and common places of the towne that all the stretes of the cyté sholde be hanged wyth clothes the next day folowyng. And that, at the comyng in of Blanchardyn, every man sholde were his best clothyng, and that myrth and melody sholde be made thurgh al the cyté that same night, whereas were al maner of musical instrumentes. Whiche thing was don, for suche noyse and suche sowne was there made al that night, what of tambours, trompettes, claryons, harp, lute, clavicordes, and other diverse instrumentes, wyth the swete voyces of the ladyes and gentyl women that sange there, that it semed that God had descended among them from heven. And so grete was the joye wythin the cyté that the sowne therof was herde unto Kynge Alymodes oost. Merveylles it was to here the thankes, the lovenges and the praysynges, and the ryngyng of belles that were doon in all the chirches of the towne, yeldyng graces unto oure Lorde.

prose-textblock4The kynge Alymodes, that was [fol. 75r] that same tyme wythin his tentes wyth his barons, gaff hymself grete merveylle of the joye and feste that he herde don wythin the cyté. He wyst not what he sholde thynke and doubted lest they had herde eny tydynges of som socours comyng unto them. For by no meanes he myght not see the socours that was come bycause that the paleys and the towne were bytwene hym and the see that he myght not loke ferre toward the seesyde. And also Blanchardyn and his navye, after that the provost was gon from hym, wythdrewe hem into the see, wherfor Alymodes nor his folke coude not see hem nor here them for the grete revyll and joye that was made by them of the cyté that made grete noyse. And at that self houre, Blanchardyn, wyth all his shippes and galeyes, cam and arryved wythin the haven and descended on lande wythout their enmyes were aware of hem, for the joye and noyse that wythin the towne was thus grete.

The forty third chapiter folowed whiche conteyneth and speketh of the grete beaulté that was byfore Tourmaday ayenst the kynge Alymodes that was discomfyted, and of the takynge of Sadoyne wherof Blanchardyn was right sory as rayson was.

prose-textblock1Well ye have herde heretofore the grete joye and gladnesse that was made wythin the cyté for the goode tydynges that the proude pusell in love had understand of Blanchardyn her lover, whiche that nyght made grete diligence for to accomplysshe that whiche Blanchardyn had sent her worde of. For she was herself that nyght in the towne house where she made to come al her captaynes tofore her, to whome by the provost she made to be tolde and related al alonge that was charged unto her by Blanchardyn. The captaynes and hedes of her werre were all glad of thees tydynges, right [fol. 75v] desyryng to putte it into execucyon. At the commaundement of ther lady they made hem all redy and putte hemself in araye for to sprynge out the next mornyng upon their enmyes, as by Blanchardyn was sent worde.

prose-textblock2Of that other part, Kynge Alymodes, that was in grete affraye to knowe the cause and occasion wherfore they of the cyté were makynge suche a gladnesse, assembled his barons for to have advyse and counseyll upon this matiere. He commaunded that goode watche sholde be made al that nyght, and sette the scout watche wyth grete nombre of men that he sholde not be overtaken unbeware. And that same nyght, he sent for his shippes that were two mylle thens wythin an haven for to have theym brought nerer his oost that he myght entre in them yf eny infortune happed to hym, and to wythdrawe his folke therinne yf nede were. Thus passed Kynge Alymodes the nyght over tyl the fayre daye came that the sonne byganne to ascende, castyng his bemes abrode upon the erthe. And as he was musyng upon the werke, lokyng to and fro upon the see, he perceyved a right myghty navey wherof they that were come upon lande. He sawe hem in grete nombre alredy renged in a fayr ordeynaunce of batayll for to fyght nyghe by the see shoris a lytyl beyonde his ooste, wherof he was not awar afore that. And he was sore abashed and gretely merveylled how they were so soone landed wythout that he knewe therof. So fered he soone of this that was true, that it was Blanchardyn and his folke that were come there.

prose-textblock3The worthy knyght Blanchardyn had ordeyned his folke in thre bataylles wherof he led the formest, the seconde he betoke to Sadoyne his felawe, and the thirde he gaf to be conducted to his fader, the kynge of Fryse. Whan Blanchardyn had al this thynges redy and all his ordeynaunces y-made, he made his trompettes, hornes, olyfauntes, and busynes to be [fol. 76r] rongen and blowen so highe that it was wonder to here them. They of the cyté thenne, that herde the sowne therof, yssued anone out of their towne by commaundement of their lady the proude mayden in amours, that sore admonested and prayed them to do wel to the ende that som goode tydynges might be reported by them. Alimodes, seeng his enmyes com a-lande and in so fayre ordonaunce y-sette of that one part, and of that other syde he sawe them of the cyté that cam wyth a grete puyssaunce upon hym and his folke, it is well ynough to be byleved that he was not wel assured. But nought therfore, as a sharp and hardy knyght as he was, the best wyse that he myght or coude he ordeyned his bataylles, whiche he toke to be conducted and guyded to theym that semed hym worthy therof. The oostes beganne to approche eche other. The callyng and the crye arose so grete and hyghe betwyx them what by the sowne of trompettes, hornes, and bussynes as of the stour dynnyng and noyse that their horses made treddyng and wallopyng hyghe and harde upon the grounde, that it semed that all the foure elementes had fought there togyder. The duste byganne to ryse so hyghe aboute them and so thykke that it toke away the bryghtnes of the sonne, so that they that were wythin the cyté sawe nother frendes nor enmyes.

prose-textblock4They went to the chirche in grete devocyon, makyng their prayers to our Lord that he wolde helpe their frendes, and namely that noble lady, the proude pucelle in amours, alle barefote went from one chirche to another, prayng God that He wold graunte the victorie to her true lover Blanchardyn and to them that were with hym. And syth cam ayen to her paleys and mounted up to a highe toure for to see and beholde the batayl that was alredy bygonne. Right grete murdre and slaughter was ther made at settyng [fol. 76v] upon of bothe partyes. Many a knyght ded and brought to the grounde that never syn had power to releve hemself, the horses of whom went rennyng upon the playn and into the medowes, the raynnes of their brydels hangyng and drawyng upon the grounde.

prose-textblock5Blanchardyn, at his comynge on that he made, recounted a duke cosyn germayn to Kynge Alymodes, upon whom he sette the sharpe hed of his spere by so grete force that he perced his body thorugh and thorugh, so that the spere was seen from the breste to the backe of hym more than thre fote longe. And syn cam to the second, to the thyrd, and to the fourth, and never he rested nor ceassed hymself as long as the spere abode hole, whiche was sore bygge and oute of mesure grete, to slee and overthrawe his enmyes to the grounde. And or ever his spere was crased or broken, he overthreu and slew seven of theym that deyd myserable ther amonge the horses fete. Then toke Blanchardyn his good swerde into his fyste wherof he brak salletes and helmettes of fyn stele, and so brayned ther many one. He alto hewe his enmyes and made legges, armes, and fete to flee from the body of theym, that all the grounde aboute hym was dyed in red wyth blode of his adversaryes. He dyd so moche of armes that wythin a while his swerde was wele beknowen among his enmyes, insomoche that they made hym waye, fleeng.

prose-textblock6They dyd so moche by their ryght excellent proues that they made to recule theyr enmyes unto their tentes. And sore yll yt had ben wyth theym yf Kyng Alymodes had not socoured them, that cam of freshe wyth ten thousaund of his men. And to them he began to call and saye forth for the nobel barons, “Have thys daye rememberaunce of your wyves and chyldren that ye have lefte at home in care and myserye for dred that they have to lese you. Take ayen wythin yourself a good and vygoryus corage in [fol. 77r] shewynge of your force and vertue ayenste your enmyes.” They began than to caste a crye amonge hem sore grete and wonderfull, tournynge their faces toward their enmyes.

prose-textblock7Blanchardyn smote hymselfe wythynne theym fyrst of all, whom they knew full wele bycause that by hym and thorughe his cause they had receyved all the most losse that they had donn there, wherfore all their desire was for to close hym all aboute and slee hym yf they myghte have doon soo. And they, seenge that he had embated hymself amonge them, dyde putte hemself togyder and enclosed hym rounde aboute, launchynge and castyng to hym speres and dartes insomoche that they wounded hym ful sore in many places of his body. And under him they slew his horse, but as a preu knyght ryght valiante and hardy lepte lyghtli on his fete, enbrasyng his sheelde, his swerde heved up in his fyste, wherwyth he smote and hewe bothe legges and armes from the bodyes of theym by suche a myghte and fyersnes and thorughe so grete strokes of hym, so that noon was so hardy of all his enmyes that durste abyde a full stroke of his handes.

prose-textblock8Of that other partye was the kyng of Fryse and Sadoyne, that made the bataylles of hys enmyes to trembel full fast and made roume where grete preses were. Ryghte preu and valiant was the kyng of Fryse, for whomsoever he aryved upon he dyd shewe suche a puyssaunce that he had no power to escape but that he slew hym or wounded hym full ylle. Sadoyne, that was of grete corage and full of brennyng desire to acquyer to hymself the name of famouse proesse, chose Corboraunt, the brother of Kyng Alymodes, to whom he gaff suche a grete stroke wyth his swerde upon his helme that he overthrew hym from his horse doun to the grounde. And had kylde hym and broughte to his ende lightly yf he had not ben ryghte sone socoured by King Alymodes, [fol. 77v] his brother, that cam upon Sadoyne acompanyed wyth six thousaund of his folke, wherof the battayl beganne of fresshe to be sore fyers and grete. Right grete was the effucyon or shedyng of blode there of bothe partyes, but more of Alymodes parte that was assaylled and befought on eythre syde bothe behynde and before. Blanchardyn made there ryght a wondryng of worthines and goode conducte. The kyng, his fader, folowed hym nyghe, and so dyde his felawe Sadoyne, for to confounde and overcome their enmyes, the whiche sawe hym fyghtyng and destroyeng and sleynge his enmyes in suche wyse that he raughte noon upon the salate, how stronge that he was, but that he claaf hym doun unto the tethe.

prose-textblock9But his grete corage and grete prouesse had ben but lytell worthe to hym yf he had not be socoured anone of Sadoyne, his true felawe, that had herde the cry and the noyse that they made aboute Blanchardyn that trowed to have slayne hym. Sadoyne, seeng his true felawe Blanchardyn that faught on fote ayenst his enmyes, broched his hors wyth the spore, full of anger and of wrathe, his swerde in his hande dyed and all blody of the blode of his enmyes. Smot hymself into the presse where he dyde see it moost thyk, accompanyed wyth suche knyghtys as he well trustyd upon, callyng hygh after his baner. Wherby ten thousaund men of his feliship folowed right soone the bak of hym, and namely the noble kynge of Fryse, that ful quykly cam to the rescue of his son Blanchardin. So smot they hemself all at one weyght upon Kynge Alymodes folke and byganne to hewe and slee them, so that wythin a short tyme they brake the presse and made grete occycyon upon their enmyes. To the rescue of Blanchardyn cam also the gode provost, and wyth him were they of the towne that ful wel dyde [fol. 78r] and bare hemself right wel, for so moche they deyde that, in a lytyl while, wolde their enmyes or not, that Sadoyne gat the place and brought a right myghty courser unto his felaw Blanchardyn, upon whiche he mounted up anone.

prose-textblock10The kyng of Fryse, seeng his son Blanchardyn rescued and on horsbake ayen, brought his horse nere hym and demanded of hym how he dyde, and yf he felt hymself wounded or hurt in ony place where eny doubte were of his lyf. “Syre,” sayde Blanchardyn, “no sore at all I fele wythin my body that can let me to kylle and sle myn enmyes and yours.” They thenne wythout eny moo wordes entred ayen bothe togyder into the bataylle toward them of the towne where Sadoyne was wyth them fyghtyng ayenst Alymodes and Corboraunt his brother. Blanchardyn, seeng them of the towne by the baner that they bare, in whiche was portrayed a fygure in lykenes of a mayde that represented the proude pucell in amours, he dyde shewe it unto his fader and to his felawe Sadoyne. He thenne toke corage and fyersnes more than ever he had don afore, admonestyng his fader and Sadoyne to do wel their parte. Soo putte themself into the thyckest of the batayll where they overthrewe and casted doune alle that founde hemself byfore them, wherby Kynge Alymodes folke reculed abak more than is the lengthe of an acre of lande. Alymodes, seeng his folke lese grounde and were smytten ded doun right by the hyghe prouesse and grete worthynes of Blanchardyn, desyred sore wythal his herte to joyne hymself wyth hym and so cam he at the one syde of Blanchardyn, his swerde in the hande for to slee hym yf he myght. But Blanchardyn, that ware was and wel taught of all poyntes of werre, perceyved soone his manere of commyng ayenst hym and tourned brydel and went hymself upon Kynge Alymodes. And suche a stourdy stroke [fol. 78v] he gaf him upon the helmet that he brought him doune from his hors all astonyed, the whiche Blanchardin had taken right sone the hed from the body of hym, if socours and help had not come to hym of his folke that brought his hors to him ayen and remounted him on horsbak. Whan he see hymself on his hors, he cam ayen upon Blanchardyn, the swerde in his hande, requyryng to Blanchardyn that he wolde drawe out of the prese and that he had grete desyre to prove hymself upon hym. Whan Blanchardyn understode Kynge Alymodes, he was right glad and right lyberaly graunted to hym his requeste.

prose-textblock11They two drewe themself out of the bataylle and byganne to bete and smyte one upon other so ofte and so thyk that the fyre came out of their armures that were of fyn stele, but Blanchardyn dyde serve hym wyth so peysaunt and hevy strokes and so horryble, that Alymodes sholde never have departed from the place quyk yf he had not be socoured of Corboraunt his brother. The batayll of thyem two dyde see playnly the proude pucell in amours, that was upon her highe toure where she praied God for the prosperyté of Blanchardyn. She called a yong knyght, a servaunt of hers, to whom she toke a sleve of whyt damaske and commaunded hym to presente hit hastely from her behalve unto Blanchardyn, prayng hym that for her sake and love to dye the whyt coloure into red wyth the blode of her enmyes. The gentylman, sore desyryng to accomplyshe his maystres commaundement, toke of his lady the sleve of whyt colour. He departed and made suche diligence that a present was therof made to Blanchardyn, rehersyng unto hym that that his lady, the proude pucelle in amours, had charged him to saye unto Blanchardyn. Whiche was right glad of the saide present, more than he sholde have be yf the messenger had brought to hym a mylyon of fyn golde. And thanked moche [fol. 79r] his lady the proude pucelle in amours that behylde hym from her tour as ferre as she myght chuse hym, and enforced his power for to parfurnysshe her requeste. He smote upon his enmyes as it had be the thonder, and confoundyng and overthrawyng them ded to the grounde, for who that was that tyme y-raught of hym, his dayes were fynyshed.

prose-textblock12Fynably, the batayll lasted so longe that Kynge Alymodes and his Cassydonyens were rebuked, wold they or no, to their grete losse, hurt, and dommage. For of thre score thousand men that they were at the begynnyng, there abode of them that laye ded upon the playne more then thirty six thousaund. The remenaunt that myght be saved wythdrewe themself wyth Kynge Alymodes, that toke hastely the waye toward his shippes for to entre and save hymself therinne. But Sadoyne folowed hym of so nyghe at bak of hem that with grete peyne gaf them leyser to save hemself. And so ferre he folowed and chassed them that he overtoke Kynge Alymodes brother, called Corboraunt, to whome he gaff a reverse wyth his swerde so grete that he made fle bothe the helme and the hed from the body of hym. Kynge Alymodes, seeng his brother slayne of a knyght alone, was full sory and an angred. He ascryed to his folke that traytoure that had slayne his brother Corberaunt sholde be taken by them. “For he hath doon to us this daye so moche of evyl, bothe he and his felawes, that I shal never have joye at my herte tyl that I have hym ded or taken.” They thenne from al sydes tourned upon Sadoyne and slewe his horsse and enclosed hym rounde aboute, so that his defendyng had nought proffyted to hym nor holpen, but that he shold have be there slayn, yf Kynge Alymodes had not ascryed and commaunded to his men that they sholde not sle hym but sholde take hym quyk, [fol. 79v] whiche thynge was don of hem.

prose-textblock13Grete crye, noyse, and houlyng made the Sarasyns at the takyng of Sadoyne, insomoche that Blanchardyn herde them, whiche cam rennyng there as the medlé was wyth a grete nombre of folkys. But the kyng Alymodes, seeng hym comyng wyth puyssaunce, for fere that he had of hym, he departed and went hastely wyth suche as wold be saved wyth hym and entred hys shyppes, and brought wyth hym Sadoyne. For Blanchardyn coude never come tyme ynough to the rescue of hym, but or ever they were entred into theyr vessels they made grete losse of their men. But the sorow was ryght grete of Blanchardyn and of hys folke whan he wyste that the paynemys had wyth hem his trew felawe Sadoyne, wherof he was so dolaunt and so replenyshed wyth sorow and hevynes that nobody coude pease hym by eny manere. He smote his hors wyth the spore alonge by the shores of the see, escryeng as loude as he myght unto Kyng Alymodes that he wold take to hym ageyn his felaw Sadoyne, and that for his raensom he shulde geve hym thre score thousand pound of fyne gold wyth six thousand men of his folke that he had prysoners. Alymodes ansuerd that yf he wolde delyver the proude pucell in amours to hys wylle, that he shulde take hym ayen Sadoyne. Blanchardyn ansuerd that he was content and that whan he sholde have ayen Sadoyne and had delyverd the proude pucell in amours in his hande, he shold rather slee hymself than that she shold abyde wyth hym no while.

prose-textblock14After these wordes, Alymodes, the kyng of Cassydonye, that was ryghte sore an angred, rose upon his fete and sayd to Blanchardyn that he loste his wordes and that he sholde never see Sadoyne, but sholde have hym wyth hym into Cassydonye where he sholde make hym to be hanged byfore Beatryx, his [fol. 80r] doughter, sayeng that suche sholde be the rewarde of his folyshe love and that noon other raenson he sholde take for hym. And the sorowefull Sadoyne, that was that tyme upon the wale of the ship sore harde y-bounde wyth yrons, bygan to calle and sayde wyth a hyghe voyce, “Farwel, my true felawe Blanchardyn. Ye shall never see me more, as I byleve.” And thus they departed wythout eny more speche. The wynde was goode for them that sone brought them ferre from the coste of Tormaday and drewe towarde Cassydonye.