The Prologue.
As the philosopher, in the fyrst booke of hys metaphysyque, sayth, that every man / naturally desireth to know / and to con newe thynges: And therfore have the Clerkes / & people / of great vnderstandynge desyred and concite to lerned sciences, and to know vertues of thinges. Some by Phylosophy, other by Poetrye, and other by Historyes / and cronyikes / of thynges passed. And vpon these three they have greatly laboured / in suche that thanked be God, by theyr good dylygence / and laboures, they have had greate knowledge by innumerable volumes of bookes, whiche have be made / and compyled by great studye and payne / vnto thys day. And bycause that above all thinges, the princes & lordes of hie estate and entendement / desyre to see thystoryes / of the ryght noble and hye vertues of the prodecessours / whiche ben digne, and worthy of remembraunce of perpetuall recommendation. Therfore, late at ye request and commaundement of the ryght noble and vertus Erle Iohn, Erle of Oxeforde, my good synguler / and especial lorde, I reduced and translated out of Frenche, into our maternall and Englyshe tongue, the lyfe of one of his predecessoures, named Robert, Erle of Oxeforde, tofore sayd, with