Merlin : or, the early history of King Arthur : a prose romance / edited ... by Henry B. Wheatley

CHAPTER X.
THE BATTLE BETWEEN ARTHUR AND THE REBEL KINGS AT BREDIGAN.

Whan these thre kynges weren a-bedde and at her ese that nyght, the storye seith that they lay till on the morn, that thei ronge to messe right erly, for it was a litill a-fore halowmesse. Than com Merlin and a-woke hem, and opened the two windowes towarde the gardyn, for he wolde that hei hadde lyght ther-ynne, and they hem clothed and a-rayed and yede to the mynster, and the archebisshop sange the messe; and than Merlin dide swere be-fore the kynges that Arthur was the sone of Vterpendragon, and that he was be-geten on the quene Ygerne that nyght that the Duke was slayn, and that he was the moste rightfull heire that the londe myght holde. After that swore Vlfin that so god hym helpe and alle seyntes, that it was trewe all as Merlin hadde rehersed. Whan the two kynges hadde take the oth of these two, a-noon thei dide to kynge Arthur their homage full debonerly as was right, and the kynge he receyved with gode herte and sympilliche with wepynge, and than thei kiste with

gode herte for grete love, and than was the ioye more than before; and than thei yede vp in to the halle to mete, and thei were served as high men ought to be, and after mete Arthur and Merlin wente to-geder to counseile, and the two kynges that were brethern, and Vlfin and Bretell and kay the stywarde. Thanne seide Merlyn, "Feire lordynges, ye be alle worthy men and trewe, and I knowe yow alle as wele or better than ye do youreself; and lo! here youre lorde the kynge Arthur, þat is right a worthi man, and a gode knyght shall he be of his honde; and ye knowe well that grete wronge that is do to hym by his barouns of his londe, that will not resceyve hym for theire lorde, ne do to hym homage as thei ought to do of right, but besy hem to greve hym with all her power, and therfore I pray yow do as I shall yow counsell, and knowe it well that it shall be the beste counseile that I may yow yeve." [folio 47b] And they seide thei wolde do like as he wolde devise, and he thanked debonerly. And than he seide, "Lordinges, se here the kynge that hath no wif, and I knowe a mayden that is kynges doughtere and quenes, and of right high lynage, and also she is right feire, and of grete valoure, that no lady ne may haue more, and that is the doughter of kynge Leodegan, of Carmelide, that is now an olde man and hath no mo children but this doughter, whos name is Gonnore, to whom the londe moste falle after his discesse; and he hath grete werre a-gein the kynge Rion, that is of the lynage of Geauntes, and he is right riche and right puyssant, and yef it happe that he conquere the reame of Carmelide, that marcheth to the reame of Logres, that is Arthures, wite it well that Arthur ne shall not longe kepe his londe in pees, and alle the dayes of his lif he shall have werre on alle partees; and ne were the knyghtes of the rounde table, that deffende the reame of kynge Leodegan a-gein the Geauntes, thei sholde haue all his londe wasted and distroied, and ther-fore I counseile yow that ye take with yow certain of youre peple, and go with Arthur, and a-bide with the kynge Leodegan a yere or two, till that ye be with hym well a-queynted, and ye shull but litill while be ther, but he shall love yow better than theym that with him now ther; and knowe it wele that he

shall profer Arthur his doughter to be his wif, and ther-by shall he haue his reame all quyte. Ne neuer after that the Geauntes knowe, that he hath her wedded shull they not be so hardy to a-byde in the contre, ne nygh it by a Iourney."

Than ansuerde kynge Ban to Merlyn and seide, "Dere frende, yef we go in to straunge londe, and leve our londes in this manere as thei be, how shall ther-of falle, for we haue an euell and fell nyghbour that vpon vs werre, and brenneth oure townes and castelles? Ne this londe also is no-thynge sure, ffor the barouns that sholde be the kynges frendes and his liege men, thei do vpon hym werren, therfore it is grete pereyle to leve his owne reame for to deffende a-nother mannes." "Ha, sir," quod Merlin, "ye sey I-nough after youre in-tencion; but it is grete nede a man to go bak to recouer the better his leep, for wite it well, for a peny that ye less on this side, ye shall wynne tweyn on that side; ffor on this party shall ye neyther lese Castell ne Citee, and on that other side ther shall ye wynne an hool reame, tha euer after shall deffende this reame." "I wote neuer," quod kynge Ban, "what I shall sey, for ye beth more wyser than we alle, and a-gein me I will do that ye counseile, seth it is so as ye haue seide ther is no more, but lete vs gon, and therfore devise ye whan we shull meve, and ther-to lete eche of vs make hym redy." "All be- [folio 48a] tyme," seide Merlin, "for ye ne shall not meve before lenton, for er that tyme moste ye do a grete bataile in this contree agein the barouns, that assemble and gedere as moche peple as they may haue, and therfore we shull assemble as many as we may gete in the pryviest wise that we can, and lete hem be loigged in a launde that is in the forest of Bredigan, and ne doute not ther-of but that ye shall do hem more damage than they shall do to yow." "Merlin," seide the kynge Ban, "yef I and my brother sende for socour in to oure contree, may they come betyme?" "Ye, trewly," quod Merlin. "Than shall I sende thider?" quod Ban. "Certes," quod Merlin, "I shall go and do that is ther-to nede, and sonner shall I be ther than eny messager that ye can sende; but thei be-houe to haste, for the bataile shall be at Candilmesse, in the medowes of Bredigan, and therfore

youre peple moste ryde nyght and day for to haste hem; and knowe it verily that I shall be at Gannes be to-morowe at euen." And whan they herde that they merveiled gretly, and than thei hym clipt and made grete ioye. Than Merlyn cleped Arthur, and seide, "Sir, I go now on this message, for it is no tyme lenger to tarye. Now, sende and assemble knyghtes, and seriauntes, and arblasters, as many as ye may gete, and ordeyne that they be sente grete plente of vitaile in to the launde that I haue nempned, that ye may departe a-monge the peple, for it shall be grete nede, and make eche man to take vitaile for xv dayes. After that they be loigged, as mele and salteflyssh withoute more; and the gouernours to departe hem shall be Lucas, the boteller, and Gifflet, and Vlfin, and Bretell; and ye, sir," quod he to the kynge Ban, "yeve me youre rynge, that I may it take to Leonces de paerne, youre cosin, be the token that he telle me that I shall sey to yow."

Whan the two brethern herde how Merlin spake they hadde grete merveile, and were a-bassht, for thei wende that no creature lyvinge hadde knowen of that he seide; for he knewe alle thinges at oon worde as of soche thynges as hym liste to knowe, were thei neuer so prevy. And thei seide, "Seth it is so, we shall delyuer yow the rynge, and wite ye well that we love yow, and truste more than all the worlde." "Be my feith," quod Merlyn, "ye sey as wise men at this worde, and thus moche shull ye wynne ther-by, that ye shall se oon day how moche that I do yow love." With that the kynge toke hym the rynge, and Merlyn it toke and comaunded hem to god, and yede thider as I haue yow tolde, and com be Blase, and tolde hym alle these thynges, that nought he lefte vn-seide; and also tolde hym how he yede on message in to litill Bretein. And he wrote in this boke that Merlin hym tolde, and by his writynge haue we yet the knowinge ther-of. With that departed Merlin fro blase, that lenger ne wolde not tarie, but dide his message well and feire, ffor on the morowe by pryme he come to Citee of Gannes,

and tolde to Leonces that the two bretheren hym sente, and shewed hym the rynge that was the prevy token be-twene hym and the [folio 48b] kynge, and Leonces a-noon yaf credence to all that Merlin seide. Than a-noon he sente oute and purchased, and gedered so moche peple, that thei were well x^Ml, alle on horse bakke, armed, be-fore the Citee of Benoyk, viij dayes be-fore yoole. Than they sette kepers in the two Citees that were the two bretheren, soche as thei wiste was myster, and oon of the kepers was Lambeges, that was right a trewe knyght, and a gode man of his body, and hym thei sette in the forteresse of Gannes, and Pharien, his vncle, praide hym to do well, and he seide so he wolde to his power. And in the forteresse of benoyk sette they Rahier de haut mur, that was right a gode knyght and yonge at pryme barbe; and in the forteresse of Trebes thei lefte Bawdewyn, the sone of Grassien, that was the godsone of kynge Ban. And ther-ynne were the two susters lefte that were quenes, for that was the beste Castell, and the strengest of bothe reames. At Mouloir, a stronge castell of kynge Boors, thei lefte Placidas, that was a gode knyght and a trewe. Whan thei hadde thus garnysshed all the Contree, thei toke their wey be nyght, for the moone shone clere. And Merlin condited the hoste oute fro euyll passages, and so thei traueyled till thei come to the see and entred in to shippes. On the tother side Arthur a-raied hym in the beste wise that he myght, as Merlyn hadde hym taught, for he sente and somowned, in the previest wise he cowde, to alle tho that he knewe were his frendes, and so com grete plente of peple, more than he wende; and some come thider with gode will for the grete yeftes that he yaf, and some for to haue of hym a-queyntance for the grete bounte that thei hadde herde of hym speke. And whan thei were assembled, thei were well x^Ml on horsbak armed, for fotemen wolde thei noon lede. And on the tother side come all the cariage of the londe, that brought vitaile as Merlin hadde hem comaunded. And the kynge made the hoste to be ledde, in the stillest wise that he myght, in to the launde of bredigan, for it was oon of the wildeste places of that oon knewe, ffor whan thei were ther loigged, thei were, as who seith, loste. And the kynge dide oon thynge that Merlin

hilde grete wisdome, ffor as soone as the cariage and vitaile was ledde in to that place where thei were loigged, he sette in euery wey gode kepers thourgh the londe, that noon ne sholde passe that ne were take and brought be-fore hym, for that he wolde noon espye sholde entre in to his londe, for to discure to his enmys, and made defende oute thourgh his londe, that who ne heilde of the kynge Arthur ne ride not thourgh his londe be-fore that Candelmasse were passed, and yef eny ther were that passed, he dide hem to wite that he sholde other lese his lif or membre yef he myght be taken, ffor so hadde the kynge comaunded; and thei heilde hem so in pees that thei com not ther, and ther-of merveiled the mene peple what it myght mene. And thus was the chyuachie so privily kept, that noon wiste where thei be come, saf only thei of the kynges counseile. But now stenteth the tale of hem, and returneth to speke of the vij kynges that were discounfited at Clarion, and all her companye, as ye haue herde.

Now, seith the story, that sorowfull and full of hevynesse were the vij kynges, whan thei were discounfited ther as thei loste all here harneyse of hirs and of [folio 49a] her mayne. Than thei swore and assured to-geder that neuer shulde thei be gladde till thei were avenged of kynge Arthur and vpon his enchauntour, by whom thei hadde all that losse, yef thei in eny wise myght hym gete. In this wise yede the vij kynges, mat and sorowfull for thire discounfiture wherefore thei sholde be the werse all hir lyf tyme, and somme of hem were caried in horse lyters that myght not suffre to ryde, and so thei traueyled smale iournes, till thei come in to theire londes, and soiourned till thei were hool of her woundes. And at the monthes ende thei toke a parlement in a contre that is be-twene the reame of Gorre and Scotlonde, and the parlement was this: that eche of hem sholde sende after all his kyn and frendes, and so go vpon the kynge Arthur and be-reve hym his londe, and so exile hym fro all the contree; and so thei sette day to assemble at Bredigan, in the medowes. Thus thei departed, and sente for helpe bothe fer and nygh; and com hem to helpe the Duke Escam, of Cambenyk, with v^Ml men of armes,

and also come the kynge Tramelmens, of Northwales, with vj^Ml men, and the kynge Clarion with iij^Ml men, and the kynge with the hundred knyghtes, that was a noble knyght and an hardy, come with iij^Ml men, and also com the kynge Loth, of Orcanye, and Leonoys, with vij^Ml men, and the kynge Carados, of Strangore, com with vij^Ml men, and also the kynge Ventres, of Garlot, com with vij^Ml men, and the kynge Vrien, of Gorre, com with vij^Ml Men, and also come the kynge Ydiers, of Cornewaile, with vj^Ml men; and so thei rode forth smale iournes, as thei that wende well to distroye the contree. Than thei sente their espyes thourghoute the londe, for to knowe the rule of kynge Arthur; but the kepers that were sette in the contrey a-noon token hem alle, and sente hem to kynge Arthur, and were sette in prison that thei cowde heir tydynges. And these kynges spedde forth her iourney till thei mette, and were logged vnder the Castell of bredigan, and were mery and gladde, for thei wende well that they hadde all wonne. Thei sente theire forrears through the contrey, but litill thei fonde to take, ffor all was ledde in to Castelles and stronge townes, and this was do be the counseile of kynge ban and the kynge Broos, his brother, that were full wise knyghtes. And whan thei saugh that all was gon, and that the peple of the contrei hadde this don, thei sette all on fier and on flame, and distroied the londe all that thei myght, and made vitaile be brought to the oste of her owne londes; and when thei were alle to-geder thei were acompted lx^Ml. But now cesseth the tale to speke of hem, and speketh of Merlin, and of the socour that he bringeth oute of the litill Breteyne, as ye haue herde be-fore.

Now, seith the boke, that so Merlin, and Leonces, and Pharien, and Antoynes, the stiwarde of Benoyk, com to the rochell, and entred in to the shippes, and so thei sailed till thei com to the bloy bretaigne, and it is reson that the boke do yow to vndirstonde whi it is so cleped. This is the trouthe: after that the distruxion of troye, it [folio 49b] fill so that two barouns departed and fledde the contrey, and oute of the londe, for doute of the Grekes. Of these two barouns that fledde the londe come grete plente of peple; and the name of that oon was Brutus, whiche dide a-ryve in

this contrey, and dide do make a Citee, that in his lyve was cleped the newe troye, for that he was come oute of troye, and the londe was cleped in worship of his name Bretaigne, for that his name was Brutus; and longe tyme after the dethe of this Brutus com a-nothir kynge in to this londe, that hight Logryns. This Logryn a-mended gretly the Citee, and made towres and stronge walles enbateiled, and whan he hadde thus amended it he chaunged the name and cleped it Logres, in breteigne, for that his name was Logryn, and this name dured in to the deth of kynge Arthur; but after his deth, and the deth of his barouns, that thourgh Mordred and Agrauayn eche slow other on the playn of Salisberi, as the boke shall reherse her-after, the deth of launcelot, that was the sone of kynge Ban, of benoyk. And so it fill after that ther was a grete pestelence and slaughter of barouns and of the mene peple, and for that the losse was so grete, the mene peple cleped it the bloy bretaigne, ffor that her hertes and her thoughtes were so bloy and so blake for theire frendes, that thei hade so loste for myschaunce of synne.

Now haue ye herde the cause why this londe was cleped the bloy bretaigne. The tother baron that fledde oute of troye was cleped Corneus. This Corneus was of the lynage of Geauntes, and in that contree that marched to bretaigne, and he was right a mervilouse knyght, and was moche and stronge, and made townes and Castelles, and men cleped the contrey Cornewaile in bretaigne, ne neuer after yet this name ne lefte. And of hym come the Geauntes, as seith the frenshe book, that moche harme haue don to the bretouns, wherof this book shall reherse yow here-after, and also of the merveiles that be-fill in their tyme. But now returneth the tale to Merlin, that cometh in the see, and with hym bryngeth the socour and helpe to kynge Arthur oute of the litill breteigne.

Now seith the boke that whan Merlin and his companye were arived in the grete breteigne, Merlin comaunded that all the harneise and armoure sholde be trussed in males and cloth sakkes, and in other cariage, ffor he wolde not that they sholde not loigge ne tarye on the wey, but that thei sholde

trauaile day and nyght till thei come in to the place where Merlin wolde hem loigge with the meyne of kynge Arthur. And thei dide his comaundement. And so thei spedde her iourneyes that the fifte day thei come in to the forest of bredigan, where thei fonde the hoste of kynge Arthur. And bothe hostes made to-geder ioye, as soone as eyder of hem myght sen other. Than thei loigged in tentes and pavilouns, and restede hem so viij dayes hool, and than was the vitaile departed as Merlin hadde devised. And than come Merlin to [folio 50a] the wardeyns of the hoste, and seide, "I go to fecche the thre kynges, for thei shull do beste at this nede than eny other." And thei seide to Merlin in game, "Loke ye be-war of the tother parti, for we here sey that thei do manace yow sore." "I knowe that well," quod Merlin, "but thei shall neuer haue ouer me no power; and I do yow to wete that thei haue reson to hate me, for thei haue no werse enmy, ne noon that may do hem so grete damage as I shall do, as longe as thei be enmyes to the kynge Arthur. But I haue it not yet be-gonne; but be well ware that noon isse oute of this hoste, ffor than the harme myght neuer be restored, ffor alle Arthurs enmyes ben loigged here faste by, vndir the castell of bredigan. And thei be acompted xl^Ml wele horsed men. And of oure party we be but xxv^Ml, and therefore we moste be wisely gouerned, or elles we sholde alle lese."

"Sir," quod Vlfin, "another ought rather to go on this massage than ye." "Nay," quod Merlin, "I can better lede hem in safte than eny other, so that thei shall not be seyn ne knowe of no man." "Now goth, a godes name," seide the barouns, "and as hastely as ye may come to vs a-geyn." And Merlin departed a-noon fro hem so sodenly, that thei knewe not where he was be-come. And than thei blissid hem for the grete merveyle that thei hadde ther-of. And than thei departed, and yede a-boute in the hoste and sette soche gouernaunce that noon was so hardy to meve ne to sette a fote oute of the hoste, ne of her loiggynge. And thus thei a-bode iiij dayes that thei ne herde

no tydinges of the thre kynges ne of Merlin. And, as the boke seith, the same nyght that Merlin departed fro the hoste, he come to logres be-fore euesonge, where as he fonde the thre kynges full pensif and hevy, for the contrey that was so wastid and distroyed. Than come Merlin so sodenly a-monge hem that thei wiste not fro whens he com. And a-noon thei hym clipt and made grete ioye, and after thei asked hym how he hadde spedde seth that he fro hem departed; and he seide right wele, and badde hem make redy to go in to the oste, ffor ther-after the barouns dide a-bide.

"How, sir," quod kynge ban, "is oure socour than I-come." "Ye," quod Merlin, "thei be loigged by Arthurs oste in the myddel of the launde, in the foreste of bredigan; and thei be xv^Ml horse-men, and also of Arthurs x^Ml. But on that other party is moche peple, for ther be x kynges crowned and a Duke, and thei haue in theire companye l^Ml horsemen." "Now god helpe vs," quod Arthur, "for this a grete peple." "Ye," quod Merlin, "yet is ther more with this myschef than all this, ffor thei be gode knyghtes and of high prowesse; but be the feith that I owe to kynge Arthur, that is my lorde, I hope, with the helpe of god to do so moche thourgh the [folio 50b] witte that he hath me sente, that in euyll tyme come thei ther, for thei shall haue so moche to done that thei shall not a-gein yow endure. But ther shall be a bateile, and that shall be grete, and moche slaughter ther shall be of men and horse; but on owre partye shull not be deed above xxiiij, but on their syde shall be deed the thowsandes, and that shall ye se. And therfore a-noon aray yow, for after soper we will ride. And also do lede with yow vitaile for iiij dayes, for it is not to a-bide lenger." And whan that thei vndirstode that Merlin hadde seide, a-noon thei made redy and araide hem of alle thynges that was nedefull, and than yede to soper at gode leyser. And than the kynge asked Merlin yef thei sholde hem arme. And he seide, "Nay," for it sholde do hem to moche gref, ne thei sholde haue no drede of no man lyvinge be that wey as he wolde hem lede.

Whan thei hadde souped thei cloded hem warme as thei myght, for the froste was grete, and the mone shone

clere; and they passed on her iourney. And ne were no mo than xxv^Ml what oon and other. Whan thei were alle on horse bakke, Merlin rode be-fore, and the thre kynges and Antor, that satte vpon a grete stede, whiche the kynge made hym on to ryde, to be with hem in company; but he wolde haue abiden with gode chere yef the kynge wolde. In this maner thei rode all nyght; and Merlin was Guyde till thei com in a grete foreste, where thei a-lighte till here mete was made redy. Than thei ete and dronke of soche as thei hadde brought with hem, for thei hadde I-nough. And whan thei hadden ete, Merlin yede to the thre kynges in counseile, and seide, "Sir," quod he to kynge Arthur, "wote ye what I shall sey: ye be a yonge man, and haue a grete reame to maynteyne, and the barouns ne deyne not to yow obbeye; and also the mene peple ne knowe yow but litill ne were the great yeftes that ye have yoven. And, ther-fore, I say yef euer ye haue be large of yeftes here be-fore, loke now that ye be larger hens-forth, ffor ye may not so wele gete the hertes of youre peple as for to be fre and gentill in yevinge; and ye shull haue I-nough whereof, and I will telle yow how."

"I do yow to wite that in this grounde, ther we be now, is the grettest tresour that may be founde in eny place; but ye shall not take it till ye be repeired fro the bateile, for ye shall haue I-nough of other thinges to departe. And, loke ye, take gode hede of this plotte of grounde that ye now sitte on, whan that ye be agein repeired." Than he shewde hem a welle, and made ther a signe. And the kynges were gretly a-merveiled of that he hadde seide. And whan thei hadde longe spoke togeder thei lepe to horse, and rode day and nyght till thei come in to the hoste, in the foreste of bredigan. And ther thei pight the kynges teynte, by the feirest welle and the moste clere that thei hadde seen. And it yaf so gret foyson of water that the brooke ran down the launde, that was right feire and delectable. And the weder was right colde, for, as the boke seith, it was in the moneth of Janever, viij dayes before [folio 51a] Candelmesse. And whan thei were loiged thei rested, and right her armours, and soiourned so two dayes hool. Than com Merlin

to hem, and seide that "Now fro hens-forth may we go vpon youre enmyes, and ther-fore devise now who shall haue the vaunt garde, ffor ye shull go in soche manere that thei shall not knowe till ye be vpon hem, and that shall be two oures be-fore day erly; ffor and thei a-perceyve yow thei be so moche peple that ye may not agein hem endure. And haue ye no drede, for ye shall haue the victorye." Than thei hem armed, and a-raide in the beste manere, and devised her batailes, and deliuered to kay the kynges banere, for to bere, that condited the firste bateile. And with him was Gifflet and Lucas the boteller, and marke de la roche, and Aguyuas li blois, and drias de la forest sauage, and belias the amerouse, and flaundrins le bret. These viij knyghtes were in the firste sheltron, and were iiij^Ml horsemen; the secunde ledde Bretell, that was of grete bounte and a trewe knyght, and a sure of his honde, and he hadde iij^Ml wele horsed. The thirde he delyuered to Vlfin, that moche knewe of werre, and was a full noble knyght. In this warde was kynge Arthur, and iiij^Ml of gode men that neuer wolde faile their lorde for no drede of deth, and eueriche of these wardes drough by hym self a-sonder like as was devised. And so rode forth a softe pas kepynge clos, as Merlin dide hem guyde, whiche rode before vpon a grete courser. After that the kynge Ban devised and ordeyned his peple and his brothers, and delyuered the firste warde to Pharien for to lede, and also to bere the ensigne of kynge Boors, as he that was a noble knyght and wele a-vised, and with hym was Moret de la veye, and ladunas, and Pales de trebes, and grassiens li bloys, and blioberis and meliadus the blake, and in her company iij^Ml horsmen. The seconde warde of kynge ban ledde leonce of Paerne, that was a noble knyght and an hardy, and in his company iiij^Ml wele arayed. The thirde warde lede the kynge Boors of Gannes, that full wele cowde hem guyde, and were in his company iiij^Ml men wele horsed. The forthe bataile ledde the kynge Ban of Benoyk, whiche was the beste kyght of alle other that was in the hoste. And he

delyuered his signe to Aliaume his stiwarde for to bere, that was a gode knyght, and in his company iiij^Ml of gode men, that for no fer of deth wolde not faile their lorde. And whan they were all a-raide and discevered a-sonder, thei rode forth be the mone light that was full bright shynynge. Now cesseth the tale to speke of hem at this tyme, and returne to telle of the Danes, and of the kynges that marcheden to the londe a-boute, that become to werre vpon the kynge Arthur.

Now, seith the boke, that whan the kynge Brangore and the kynge Margans, and the kynge hardogabran, that was nevewe to the kynge Amynadus, that was kynge of the Danes, that was oncle to Aungier, the danoys that Arthurs fader dide slee like as ye haue herde here fore whan thei herde sey how these vij barouns dide werre vpon kynge Arthur. Than thei dide somown her peple fer and nygh, till [folio 51b] thei were xxx^ti M^l of men on horse bakke with-oute fotemen wherof was grete plente, and so thei entred in to the londe, and toke many prayes and brent townes and vilages and distroyed all the contrees as thei passeden, and slow peple grete plete, and sette a sege be-fore a castell that was called Vandelers, in cornewaile, and ther thei were longe tyme, that neuer ne myght be put oute, for all the power that the xj kynges hadden, till that the kynge Arthur chased hem oute after that his barouns were acorded with hym. But now of hem no more speketh the boke at this tyme till the mater it asketh, but repaireth to kynge Arthur and to Merlin, and to kynge Ban, of Benoyk, and kynge boors, of Gannes, and telleth how thei were in-batailed a-gein the xj kynges that were be-fore the castell of bredigan.

The boke seith that while kynge Arthur and kynge Ban, of benoyk, and kynge Boors, of Gannes, ordeyned her batailes in this wise, as ye haue herde; that nyght the xj kynges ne toke noon hede to sette no wacche in thayr hoste, but wente to their bedde, and slepte as thei that no-thynge knewe that her enmyes were so nygh, but oon feire fortune for thei hadde, that alle the xj kynges lay in the kynges teynte, that was cleped Roy de Cent Chiualiers, and thei ne wende not to haue no drede of

no man; and as thei thus were slepynge be-fill that kynge looth was in a ferfull dreme, ffor hym semed that he saugh so grete a wynde a-rise that it caste down howses and stepelis of chirches, and after that ther come a thounder so grete and merveilously sharpe, that hym thought all the worlde trembled for fere and drede, and after that com a water so sharply, that drof down the howsynge and a grete parte of the peple, and hym semed how hym self was in grete pereile to drowne; and as the kynge loth was in this affray, he dede a-wake, and hym blissed and was sore a-baisshed of this dreme that he was in, and a-roos and a-pareiled hym, and yede to his felowes, and hem dide a-wake and tolde hem his a vision. And thei asked hym fro whiche part com the water, and he seide from the foreste com all the rage and the tempeste as hym semed. And thei seide thei knewe verily that thei sholde hastely haue bataile, and that merveillouse. And ther-with thei a-risen, and a-woke alle the knyghtes ther-ynne, and comaunded hem to serche all the contre environ, that thei were not supprised of no peple. And thei armed hem right wele, and lepte on ther horses, and rode serchynge the contrey. And the xj kynges hem armed and a-raide in the beste maner that thei cowden. And than Merlin be-gan to haste Arthurs peple, that well knewe the gouernaunce of the tother party, and thei com so faste on, that thei toke noon hede till thei were euen fallen on hem that the contrey serched. And whan thei saugh hem armed, thei hadde grete drede, and asked Merlin, that mette with hem formeste, what peple thei were, and Merlin seide [folio 52a] it was the kynge Arthur that was come to chalange his londe a-gein alle hem that ther-with wolde be greved. Whan thei herde these wordes thei turned bakke, and smote the horse with spores, and whan thei come in to the hoste, thei cryde "Treson, treson. Now as armes lordes, gentill knyghtes, for ther was neuer so grete nede, for lo! here cometh Arthur euen at youre teyntes." And thei ronne to here armes, that yet were in her beddys, and hadde no leyser hem to clothe, and that was yet a faire happe for hem that her horses were redy sadellyd; but yet for all that thei myght hem hasten, thise other were vpon hem er thei myght

be half a-raied of her harneyse. And ther-with hem fill a grete encomberaunce, that Merlin sente hem soche a wynde and tempeste, that her tentes fill vpon their hedes, and a-monge hem was soche a truble that vn-ethe myght eny of hem se other ne heren. And that was a thynge that gretly hem distrubled in her armynge, and ther-ynne thei caught grete damage, ffor Arthurs peple smote in a-monge hem, and ouerthrewe and slowgh all that thei myght a-reche. But the xj kynges were departed and deseuered, and yeden oute in to the playn feldes with-oute the tentes, and made blowe a trompe high and clere. And that was don for that all theire men sholde drawe towarde hem. And thei dide so as many as myght aschape fro hem that of hem hadde no pyte, ffor ther was of hem so many slayn in that grete myschef, that of the thirde parte thei were well delyuered, and ther-to thei saugh hem of so grete puyssaunce, that thei turned to flight towarde her baner where as thei herde the trompe sowne, ffor the kynges were stynted at the entre of the forest by a river, and ther assembled alle her peple that thei myght haue. And so thei encresed litill and litill, till thei were xx^ti M^l that fledde, some heere and some there, that ne myght come to here baner but with harde peyne. And so were thei sory and wroth for theire grete damage and losse, and sore thei compleyned their grete annoye. And x^Ml lefte liggynge in the felde what dede and wounded, that no power hadde hem to diffende ne for to greve noon other.

Whan the kynge Arthur saugh that all the herbegage was to hym be-lefte, than he com to Merlin, and asked hym how he sholde do. Quod Merlin, "I will telle yow what ye shall do. Ye shall go here be-fore to the passage at the forde, where as be gadered xx^ti M^l men, and ye shall fight with hem and make hem entende to yow. And the kynge ban and his brother shull go a-bowte, and come on the tothir syde of hem, and com on hem fro the foreste. And thei shull so be astoneed that in hem shall be but litill defence." Than thei departed the toon fro the tother. And the kynge yede thedir as the barouns were a-bidynge that ne wende to haue no drede of noon other, saf of hym; and of hym thei ne drede but litill, for thei trowed

hem wele to diffende agein gretter peple than ther was with hym. And the kynge Ban torned towarde the foreste, and Arthur rode with his company till he com ther as the xj kynges were to-geder assembled. Whan thei come to the passage [folio 52b] of the forde ther sholde ye haue seyn speres perce thourgh sheldes, and many knyghtes liggynge in the water, so that the water was all reade of blode. And kay heilde so the pas with the baner, and payned that his company gate ouer. And whan the xj kynges saugh so small a peple, hem thourgh preced and rused, for thei were but iiij^Ml, and thei were more than xx^ti M^l, thei hadde ther-of grete despite and shame, and diffended hem apperly. And kay and his feliship kepte hem so clos that noon ne myght hem persch, but longe thei myght it not suffre; but than com Vlfyn hem to socour, that gretly hem conforted, and passed the water delyuerly. And whan thei were ouer thei smyten in a-monge hem so vigorously that oon myght here the crassinge of speres half a myle longe. Grete and crewell was the bateile at this assemble, and the noyse grete and huge vpon the helmes and sheldes. And many a noble man lay ther deed and wounded, wher-of was grete damage. But longe thei myght not this endure; but than com Bretell, and hem sustened, and moche he hem comforted. And as soone as bretell was passed the water he saugh hys company at grete myschef, for he saugh Vlfin drowen down of his horse in the presse, that heilde his swerde in his honde and strongly hym deffended, that noon was so hardy his strokes to a-bide. And whan bretell that perceyved he was sorowfull and pensif, for he hym loved full hertely. He let his horse renne, and smote him so sore that he first mett that he threwe hym and his horse to the erthe. And whan Clarion saugh that he hadde grete sorow at his herte, and seide that he wolde his felowe a-venge yef he in eny wyse cowde. And whan bretell saugh kynge Clorion come, he sette his horse hym a-geyn, and mette so sore to-geder that the sheldes perced, for bothe the knyghtes were stronge and of grete pris and grete maltalente, so that her speres splyndered in peces, and that their passage hurtlid so to-geder with their bodyes and sheldes

and helmes, that her yen sparkeled that thei semed thei were fallen from their heedes so were thei astoned. And the horses bar hem so harde that the skyn of the horse knees and legges were all to rente, that the blode ran to the erthe. Longe tyme lay the barouns at erthe with-oute remevynge, so astonyed that thei ne wiste whethir it was nyght or day; so thei that it behelden wende eche hadde slayn other. Thider preced bothe partyes to the rescowe, and ther was grete losse on bothe parties. Than com kay the stiward to the rescowe, and on the tother side come thre kynges. Ther sholde ye haue sein fres encountre, for on Arthurs side was viij, and on the tothir side were xj; and thei smeten to-geder fiersly. Ther was Gifflet vn-horsed, and lucas the botiller, and the kynge brangore, and the kinge Ydiers, and the kynge Vrien, and the kynge aguysas. Ther be-gan the medle grete and merveillouse, and longe it endured, for thei remounted Gifflet be fyn force a-monge his enmyes, and that made kay the stiwarde, for he sette Gifflet on the kynge Ventres horse; and also he smote [folio 53a] down the kynge loot with a tronchown of a spere that he was sore hurte. And with that stroke com the kynge cleped the roy de Cent chyualers, and hadde in his compayne lx knyghtes of the beste chosen oute. And whan he saugh kay the stiwarde hadde smyte down the kynge loot, hit hym for thought sore, and seide, "But I hym a-venge I am litill to preyse!" He spored his horse that wey and hitte kay so sore that he bar hym vp-right to the erthe, and ledde his horse to kynge loot, and seide, "Sir, haue heer and thenke to a-venge youre annoye, for moche haue we loste this day." And the kynge loot lepte vp lightly. And whan Gifflet saugh kay fallen, and also lucas the botiller, he was sorowfull and hevy, and hadde recouered a stronge spere, and spored the horse, and smote a knyght of the kynge de Cent chyualers that he bar hym to grounde vp-right, and than hente the horse be the reynes, and presented it to kay; and he lepte vp lightly as he that hadde grete mystere. And the kynge de cent chiualers and kynge loot haue so medled that by fyn strengthe thei haue horsed the kynge Ventres of Garlot vpon the horse of moret de

la roche, and the kynge ydiers vpon the horse of Guyuas le bloy, and the Duke Escam of Cambanyk vpon the horse of drias de la forest sauage. And whan these lordes were horsed, thei seide thei wolde be a-venged vpon the losse that thei hadde received, or elles thei wolde be deed.

Than these viij barouns yaf a newe a-saute, but ther was grete losse of men and horse, whan that Arthur com that gretly hem comforted and hem sustenyd, for as soone as he was passed the forde, he smote the horse with spores, and fonde Vlfyn on fote, and his swerde in his hande, and bretell, that with grete peyne lepte on horse, wherfore Arthur was sore greved. He heilde a grete square spere and smote in to the presse where he saugh thikkest, and mette with Tradilyuaunt, the kynge of wales, that com a-gein hym all fressh, and he hym hitte so harde, that he smote hym thourgh the shelde, that he yaf hym a wounde in the lifte syde, and hym threwe to the erthe so rudely, that he hym all to brosed, and Arthur hente the horse by the gilte reynes and yaf it to Vlfyn, and bad hym lepe vp delyuerly vpon that stede and thenke to a-venge the shame and the vilony that ye haue hadde. And so he dide lightly, and seide, "Sir, gramercy." And a-noon as Vlfyn was vp he smote in to the presse, and leide on so harde that he brake the presse, he and kynge and her helpes that newe were come oute of her enbusshement. And thei on the tother side were wroth for the grete damage that thei hadde, and yet were thei more peple be the haluendell than hadde Arthur. Than be-gan the medle right stour, and grete and mortall, wherefore many a fre moder wepte salt teeres. Ther dide kynge Arthur many merveiles in armes, that by his dedis he was knowe in shorte tyme of many oon that neuer hadde hym sein, and they yaf hym place alle the moste hardy of hem, for they ne durste not of hym a-byde a stroke.

Whan the kynge, that was called le roy de Cent Chiualers, saugh the kynge Tradelyuanunt [folio 53b] reuerse to the erthe he was right wroth, for he hym loved with grete love, and he was merveilously wele horsed, and he rode fiercely to kynge Arthur, and smote hym so sore vpon the helme that he was astonyed.

And whan the kynge felte the stroke, hym for thought it sore, and so dide kay that was in his company. The kynge cam formest grypynge his swerd for to smyte hym thourgh the helme. And whan he saugh the stroke come, he coured hym with his shelde, and the kynge hym smote so harde, that the haluendell fley in to the felde; and the stroke glenched vpon the horse hede, and smote it of be the eres. And so thei fill to grounde, the horse and his maister. And kay be-heilde and saugh an horse go a-stray, and he caught it and yaf it to Antor. And he lepte vp lightly, and after caught a spere, and smote margnam, the stiwarde of the kynge cleped roy de Cent chiualers, so harde thourgh the shelde and the lifte shulder, that the spere hede shewed thourgh, and he fill to the grounde vp-right, and ther-with brake the spere. And he leyde honde on the horse, and ledde it to Bretell be the reyne, that ther-of hadde grete nede. And he lepte up delyuerly, and than he be-heilde a-boute in the presse, and saugh lucas the botiller lye a-monge the horse feet full doelfully. And Gifflet a-bode by hym, and deffended hym right vigerousely, and moche hym preysed and comended, for ther was a-geyn hym xiiij, and he but sool by hym-self; and yet myght thei not gete on hym no grounde for powert hat thei hadden. And whan bretell saugh this he com thider, and smote the first that he mette so harde thourgh the helme that he slyt hym to the teth, and after he smote the seconde on the arme, that he made it fle in to the felde with all the shelde; and than the thirthe so harde vpon the lifte shulder that he it deseuered from the body. Whan Gifflet saugh he hadde socour, he smote oon so harde on the temple that he slyt it to the nekke; and he fill down deed. And Gifflet toke the horse, and ledde it to lucas the boteller. And he lept vp angry and wroth, as he that wolde fayne a-venge his shame. And than he hente a spere grete and sharpe grounde, and saugh Aguysans, the kynge of Scotlonde, and rode a-gein hym full egerly, and smote hym with all his myght thourgh the coler of his haubrek so sore that he fill to the erthe. And whan Mares saugh hym so delyuered he lepte vpon the horse delyuerly, and rode in to the bataile, that

not dide but enforce more and more, and fonde belias and flaundryns, that were arested vpon diras, and on dionas tweyne of her felowes, and peyned hem for to remounte hem on her horse; but so grete was the presse that thei hadde no leyser hem to be-holde. And so thei foughten so strongely that it was merveile to be-holde. And thei smyten in monge hem, and be-gonne to do so wele, that the two felowes were agein sette on horse. And on the tother side faugh the kynge Arthur and his meyne so longe and the noyse and the cry aros of the two kynges that thei hadde vn-horsed. And so thei ronne to the rescowe on bothe sides, that oon for to socour, and the [folio 54a] tother to helpe the kynge Arthur. Ther was the medle grete. Ther eche wounde and kylde other; but with grete payne were the two kynges rescued and sette on horse. But first was ther grete occision, for the kynge Arthur kepte hem so shorte that thei myght not hem socour for power that thei hadden; and ne hadde be on a-uenture that fill thei sholde neuer haue be rafte from Arthur, for he ran the rescow of kay and Gifflet, that kynge Ventres, and kynge brangores, and kynge Vrien, and the kynge Abigans, hadde ouer-throwen from theire horse, and hem defouled vnder the horse feet full lothly, and hadde no mo hem to deffende but lucas the botiller, that these all so moche greved. Whan the kynge Arthur saugh this nede, he turned that wey as wroth as a lyon, and leide a-boute hym on bothe sides, and slow all that he raught with a full stroke, so that thei voyded hys strokes and hym rome. And kay and Gifflet pressed to the kynges, that moche hem hadde greved, and with hem sore foughten. And on the tother side faught bretell and Vlfyn and Antor with the duke Escam of Cambenyk, and a-geyn Tradilyuaunt, and a-gein clarion, of Northumberlonde, and agein Carados, that was a noble knyght; so thei made hem to blenche thider, as kynge Arthur faught, that dide merveilouse prowesse of werre. Ther thei stynte that oon agein the tother, for ther was the maister baner, and ne hadde be the kynge Arthur hym-self. Alle thei hadden be discounfited, for these kynges were odde noble knyghtes, and more peple be the toon half than on Arthurs syde; and, therfore,

it myght not longe endure with-oute grete damage. Than com vpon hem the kynge Ban and the kynge Boors from the foreste, where thei wende to haue no drede of no man lyvinge. And whan thei were come an thei hem sye, thei yaf ascry that all the foreste and the river resounde; and thei saugh well that the losse and the damage moste nede falle vpon hem. Thanne the princes and the barouns drowen a-part to-geder in the medowes, and devised a-monge hem self what thinge that thei myght do. Than seide the kynge loot, "I wote neuer how ye be a-vised to do, but as for me I shall vpon iij or iiij of hem ben a-vengid of myn annoye, sith that all shall be loste. And whan the kynge cleped Roy de Cent chiualers vndirstode how kynge loot hadde seide, he preisede hym moche, and seide that in the same maner wolde he do; and so dide kynge Carados, and the Duke Escam seide the same, and the kynge Clarion of Northumbirlonde seide also in the selue maner. "Now than," quod kynge loot, "I shall telle yow what we shull do. Lete vij of us go a-gein hem that come fressh oute of her enbusshment from the foreste, and fight with hem while we may endure; and the tother v abide here in this bataile. And we shall go a-gein hem with xij^Ml men, and viij^Ml shull a-bide in this stour; and we shull holde this bataile nygh this wode, vpon the river, vn-to the nyght, in soche manere that they may not vs enclose; and than may we beste departe, for yef we now do fle, we shull lese more than to a-bide stille." To this counseile that kynge loot hadde yove a-corded wele all the prynces; and drough hem a-parte, and disseuerede her [folio 54b] peple. And the kynge loot, and the kynge de Cent Chiualers, and the Duke escam of Cambenyk. And the kynge Aguysans of Scotlonde toke xij^Ml in her companye, and made vj wardes, and in euerich of hem ij^Ml men. And so thei rode forth the softe pas straite and clos till they come to the straite be-twene the wode and the river, as the kynge loot hadde hem taught; and that was the beste counseile that any man myght hem yeve. Thus thei were redy hem to deffende; and the tother v lefte in the bataile that full vigorously hem deffended a-gein the kynge Arthur. Of these v that a-bide

stille was the kynge Brangore, that oon, and the kynge Vrien, and the kynge Ventres, and the kynge Clarion, of Northumbirlond, and Tradilyuaunt, the kynge of North wales, and hadde in her company vij^Ml men, and heilde her enbuschement in a litill grove, and ther thei hem diffended right sore, as thei that were full noble knyghtes and of grete renoun; and grete doel and pite was it for the euyll will be-twene hem and the kynge Arthur. And here was sore bataile, and endured till it was even toward nyght. And on the tother side come the kynge Ban and the kynge boors, and leonce and Pharien, that ledde the firste bataile, and come clos a softe pas, and full longe hem thought er thei were mette to-geder. And on the tother parte com a-gein hem the kynge ydiers. And when thei aproched nygh thei lete renne and smyte to-geder so harde that ye myght here the strokes half a myle of length. Ther was a merveillouse stoure and harde bataile, and grete occision of men and of horse, but thei myght not suffre longe, ne endure the peple of kynge ydiers, but were driven bak vpon the warde of kynge Aguysans of Scotlonde, that gretly hem counforted and sustened. Here be-gan the bataile merveilouse and harde. And the peple of Pharien were sore ouerleide; but as leonces of Paerne com hem to socoure, and a-sailed hem so fiercely, that noon ne abode in the place, but drof hem bak vpon the warde of the Duke escam of Cambenyk. Whan the Duke saugh hem come, he cride his ensigne, and lete renne to theym that he sye comynge, and smote in amonge hem fiercely. Than recouered thei that fledden, and returned a-gein to hem that hadde hem enchased. And ther thei stalleden and foughten the ton vpon the tother till thei were bothe wery for travaile. And so longe endured the fight betwene hem that her strokes ne peysed but light. Than com on the kynge Boors with the grete baner, wher-of the feilde was ynde, bende of golde. And whan the kynge ydiers saugh hym comynge, he seide, "Ha! now god vs deffende fro deth this day and fro mayme, ffor now I se well that we be alle in pereile of deth, for I se yonder comynge the baner of the man that most is dredde of his enmyes thourgh the worlde. And ther-to he is so

gode a knyght that alle other be but as hares as in comparison to hym, saf only his brother, to whom no comperison may be made."

Whan the kynge that was cleped Roy de Cent chiualers vndirstode the wordes of kynge [folio 55a] Ydiers, he asked what he was. And he ansuerde, "It is the kynge Boors of Gannes; and I ne wote how, ne whan, he com in to this contre; but, lo, hym yonder, for I knowe well his baner." Than seide the kynge of the Cent cheualers, "How com he in to this londe?" "So helpe me god," quod kynge loot, "I wote neuer; but now it shall be knowe who is knyght." Than seide the kynge Carados, "I wote not what eche of yow will do; but as for me, I will go hym a-geyns, and yef I haue nede of socour and helpe, so do ye youre dever." And thei seide so thei wolde, and be-taught hym to god that from euell hym sholde diffende. Than departed Carados from these other, and rode clos a softe pase a-gein the kynge Boors. And whan thei approched to-geder nygh a bowe draught, thei lete bothe her horse renne the ton a-gein the tother as faste as horse myght hem bere, and brake their speris in her metynge. And many ther were that were throwen to grownde, and many wounded to the deth, and many ther were that passeden thourgh and come with-oute stroke of spere, and after drough theire swerdes and be-gonne stronge bataile, and harde and merveilouse. Than com the kynge Boors to a knyght that was his godsone, and his name was Blaaris, and comaunded hym to bere his baner. And he was a merveilouse gode knyght, and durste not refuse it. And the kynge Boors seide he wolde assay how the bretouns cowde bere armes. Than he hente a grete spere, and rode in a-monge hem that alle the renges fremysshed, and smote a knyght so sore that ther was noon armoure myght hym warante, but that he sente the heede and the shafte thourgh the body and threw hym to grounde so rudely that in the fall he brake his nekke, and the spere fley on peces; and than he pulled oute his swerde, and be-gan to do so merveilouse of armes that alle thoo it syen were sore a-basshed, and made hym wey and fly from his strokes as soone as thei saugh hym come towarde hem. And ther hadde the kynge Carados loste to

moche; but as the kynge de Cent chiualers hym socoured anoon with ij^Ml men, whiche was a worthi knyght and desirouse in armes. And as soone as thei were mette thei heilde hem peryngall; but the prowesse of kynge boors was passynge alle other, for he dide merveiles. And on the tother side dide well the kynge Carados, and the kynge de Cent Chiualers; these suffred many myscheves. And thus thei endured longe tyme.

Than com the kynge Ban of Benoyk, that thought it was longe tyme till he were mette with his enmyes. The kynge com in to the stour with hys baner in his honde, and it delyuered to his stiwarde. Crownes of goolde and asure bendes entrauerse lysted as grene as a mede, and the stremers down to the handes of Antony his stiwarde, and also he spredde ouer the eres of his horse and the nekke. And whan the barouns saugh the baner of kynge Ban, thei wyste well that with-ynne short tyme thei moste voyde the feilde, or elles dye yef thei longe a-bide. And a-noon as thei were assembled [folio 55b] thei on the tother part ne heilde no place. Than the kynge loot com and assembled his company, wepinge with his yen, for he saugh wele that all was loste on his party. Thanne sholde ye haue seye brekynge of speres on bothe sides vpon sheldes, and the erthe to tremble vnder the stedes, and the wode to resounde of the grete strokes that ther was yove to-geder, that men myght haue herde it half a myle longe. And whan the kynge Ban was come the tother party ne a-bode not longe, but were dryven bakke that thei were made to resorte to the fyve kynges and vpon her peple. Here was full grete dolour and grete mortalite of men and of horses, for as soone as the kynge Ban com in to the medlee he be-gan to do so grete martirdom of peple, and so grete occision, that on alle partyes thei fledde from his swerde. And he serched the renges thourgh, and his swerde in his honde, and leide on bothe sydes that ther nas noon so thikke presse but he it disseuered full moche; and gretly was the kynge Ban and his company I-douted. Than com the kynge loot and the kynge de

Cent chiualers and margamour, alle thre; and the bateilles were entermedled that oon with the tother. And whan thei saugh the kynge Ban, that dide hem so moche damage, loot was right wroth, and so were the tother kynges. Than he smote the horse with the spores that wey, his swerde in his honde; and he was a noble knyght and an hardy, and smote the kynge Ban vpon the shelde a grete stroke, that a cantell fleygh in to the feilde. And whan Ban saugh this it a-noyed hym sore; and than he lifte vp the bronde, and ficched hym in the styropes so harde that the Iren bente, and wende to smyte the kynge de Cent Chiualers vpon the helme, and he that douted, and the stroke blenched, and smote the steede with the spores, and the stroke descended be-hynde, and smote a-sonder the trappure of mayle, and thourgh the horse to the erthe; and so thei frussht bothe on an hepe, the horse and his maister. And whan the kynge was fallen he lepe vp delyuerly on fote, his swerde in his honde, and his shelde coverynge hys side. When the kynge Brangore saugh the kynge de Cent chiualers falle, he ran vpon the kynge Ban, and smote hym so grete a stroke thourgh the shelde that he slit a-wey a grete quarter. And the kynge ban hym yaf so grete a stroke thourgh the helme that he slyt the sercle and the koyf of Iren to the heed, and yef the swerde hadde not glenched he hadde be deed. And he fill to grounde astonyd. Whan the two kynges were releved thei be-gonne the medle a-gein the kynge Ban; but he hym deffended so wele that thei hadde more damage than he; ne ther nas noon of the two kynges but thei hadde loste a grete part of her blode, for the woundes that thei hadde resceyved. And it a-bode not longe er ther come grete damage and losse to the thre kynges, whan the batailes were medled to-geder, and he made hem departe wheder thei wolde or noon. Than fill it that the kynge Arthur fonde the kynge ban on fote, in myddell of the presse, his swerde in his fiste, that hym deffended [folio 56a] so vigerously that noon ne durst hym a-proche. And he was a moche knyght, and a stronge oute of mesure. And he lepe vpon hem thourgh the presse; and whan he neyghed ner thei made hym wey, for so thei douted his strokes

that ther was noon so hardy that durst hem a-byde. Ther-with com the kynge Arthur, brekynge the presse, gripynge his swerde, all be-soyled with blode of men and of horse, for he dide many merveiles of armes with his body. And whan he saugh the kynge Ban at so grete myschef, he wax wode for Ire. Than he rode to a knyght that richely horsed; and Arthur lifte vp the swerde, and smote hym thourgh the helme soche a stroke that he slyt hym to the teth, and he fill to grounde. Than he toke the horse be the reynes, and ledde it to kynge ban, and seide, "Frende, lepe on lightly, for in euell tyme ben oure enmyes entred; anoon shall ye se hem for-sake the felde."

Whan the kynge ban was horsed be the helpe of kynge Arthur, he was gladde of that hadde hym founden. And than thei two smyten in a-monge her enmyes. And whan the tother perceyved the grete damage that the kynge arthur and the kynge ban hem dide her peple, that were so loste and discounfited, and that thei hadde loste all talent of wele doynge, and turned the bakkes. And thei hem chased to the wode; but ther were many slayn and defouled. So were thei distreyned be-twene the wode and the river. Ther thei stalled and a-bode, and knewe well yef thei hadde be in the playn thei hadde be in pereyle of deth. Than the kynge loot, and the kynge ventres, and the kynge de C. chiualers, and the kynge Carados, and the kynge vrien and the kynge ydiers, and the kynge brangore, and the kynge of Northumbirlonde, helde hem to-geder; whan marganors hem seide, and badde hem suffre and a-bide, while thei myght for to socour theire peple; for yef thei be thus disconfite, oure peple shull be all loste and distroied.

Thus chased hem the kynge Arthur and the kynge ban be-fore alle other, till thei come to a grete water and a depe, where as thei that fledde hadde made a brigge of tymber and of plankes. And thei passed over the water after the tother, and so enchased hem the kynge Arthur and the kynge Boors, that thei come to that brigge that was so made, and wolde passe ouer after hem. And than com Merlin and seide, "Kynge Arthur, what wilt thow do? haste thow ouercome thyn enmyes?

Go in to thi londe, and lede with the thy frendes that thow haste brought with the, and hem serue and worschipe at theire pleiser, ffor I moste go in to the wode for to my distynes aboute blase, that right moche is my frende." Anoon he departed from Arthur, and entred in to the forest, and fonde blase, that longe after hym hadde desired. And than he asked hym where he hadde so longe a-biden. And Merlin tolde hym how he hadde be a-boute the kynge Arthur for to counseile hym. And blase seide he dide but foly to a-bide so moche a-bowte hym, saf only for to counseile the crowne royall. Than Merlyn tolde hym alle thynges that were falle to the kynge Arthur seth he departed [folio 56b] fro hym, and how he yede for to fecche socour in the litill breteyne. And than he tolde hym how the hethen peple were entred in to the londes of the barouns, and how thei werred. And blase wrote alle these thinges that Merlin hym tolde, and sette hem in his boke; and ther-by haue we the knowleche ther-of. But now leueth the tale to speke of Merlyn and of blase, and speketh of kynge Arthur and of the twey other kynges that ben in his company.