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

CHAPTER XV.
EXPLOITS OF THE REBEL KINGS AGAINST THE SAXONS.

Whan the kynge Tradilyuant was come in to North Walys to his chief Citee, and hadde somowned to-geder his peple, that he hadde x^Ml, and he kepte his londe and his contrey the beste wise that he myght; and on an euen com a spie, that com fro the roche of the saisnes, and seide ther com x^Ml saisnes with grete cariage of vitaile, that were entred his londe and wente the streight wey to the grete Oste. And whan the kynge that vndirstode, he asked how fer thei myght be; and he seide thei myght be wele be-twene the roche and Arundell. Than comaunded the kynge his peple to arme hem hastely, and lepe to horse at the first Cok crowinge, and issed oute of the town alle armed; and whan thei were oute in the feilde thei were well x^Ml, and rode forth cloos, and renged a softe paas till thei com in to the hoste of the saisnes; and than departed her peple in tweyne, of which Polydamas condited the ton, that was nevew to the kynge, and was a yonge knyght of grete hardynesse. And as sone as thei were departed the firste parte yede towarde Arundell, that the kynge Arthur lete garnyssh er he departed [folio 80b] oute of the contrey, whan Polydomas was departed from his vncle he and his peple, and were nygh the tentes, thei rode in as faste as the horse myght renne. That tyme the saisnes made euell waich, for thei were nothinge war till these were euein a-monge hem; ther

were many mangled and slayn of the saisnes, for thei fonde hem vn-armed and slepinge, for thei were wery of traveyle, and therfore was a-monge hem grete occision, for on twey partes were thei a-baisshed, and thei hadde no leiser to take their armour, but turned to flight on horse and on foote towarde the roche and in the forestes that were nygh; and these other hem slowgh and martered all that thei myght reche, so that thei hadde slayn er thei myght come to the Castell of the roche more than xv^Ml. And whan the knyghtes of Carnyle saugh the grete disconfiture as thei were a-risinge, and saugh theire peple fle on euery side, and the grete slaughter that these made, thei cried "as armes." Than thei armed hem that were in the Castell with all theire myght, and com oute in all haste; and thei were moche peple and riche lordes of grete puyssance, and ther-to were thei well horsed; and whan thei were alle come oute thei were xiiij^Ml. Than thei lete theire horse renne, and smyten to-geder right harde the ton a-gein the tother; and ther be-gan a stronge bataile and harde; and many ther were leide to grounde of horse and men. And while thei foughten thus to-geder thei of Arundell com oute that were longinge to kynge Arthur, and were well v C, and thei sesed the vitaile wher-of thei founde in the hoste grete foyson; and ther thei wonne grete richesse, and repeyrede agein to the castell, and shetten the yates, and lokede how the bataile sholde ende, and alwey was the kynge Tradelyuant and his nevewe Polydomas sore be-sette on alle parties, and foughten sore a-gein the saisnes; and the kinge was at grete myschef, ffor ther com oute of the Castell the roche xiiij^Ml wele armed, and ronne vpon hem vigerously, for thei were full anguysshouse for the grete losse that thei hadden; and thie drof the kynge bakke more than the space of a bowe draught, ne neuer after myght thei holde grounde till thei com vnder Arundell, ther as where they moste a-bide by fin force, or elles playnly dye. Ther thei hem deffended harde and sore, but ther was grete slaughter of men and horse vpon bothe partyes, but at that enuaye loste the kynge Tradylyuant moche of his peple, for of x^Ml he loste vij^Ml, and the saisnes losten iij^Ml of the beste that were in the Castell

of the roche. And the kynge Tradilyuant faught sore; he and his peple were ar grete myschef, and it a-bode not longe er thei were alle disconfited; whan hem con to socour the kynge de Cent Chyualers, that hadde herde tydinges that the saisnes com robbinge the contrey.

As soone as the kynge de Cent Chiualiers com half a myle fro the bataile, he mette the peple that fledde from the kynge Tradilyuaunt, for nygh was he returned to disconfiture. [folio 81a] Whan the kynge de Cent Chiualliers mette with hem that fledde fro the bataile, he askede whens thei come; and thei abode and tolde hym the a-uenture that was fallen, and how he was dosconfited; and whan the kynge vnderstode that Tradilyuaunt was at so grete myschef, he cried, "Gentill knyghtes! now suewith me," and seide, "Seynt Marie, blissed lady, graunte me that I may hym fynde with-oute mayme."

Than the kynge rode formest hym-self a grete walop, for sore hym longed to wite how the kynge Tradilyuaunt hym contened; but he hadde be disconfited longe er than, or deed, or taken, hadde not be that thei of the castell of Arundell, that were Arthurs men, that hadde so grete pite vpon hem that were cristen, that thei com oute more than iiij^C vpon a sop, and be-gonne to helpe hem vigerously, and slowe many of the saisnes in her comynge; and thei recounforted moche the kynge Tradilyuant, for moche thei hym sustened. And ther was the crie and the noyse right grete; but whan the kynge de Cent chiuallires com be-gan the noyse to a-rise so grete that noon myght heren other, for he and his men leide down the saisnes with so grete randon, and smote hem so harde in her comyge, that thei leide iij^Ml to grounde that neuer roos after hool ne sounde. Ther was a stour anguysshouse and mortall bataile, and so grete slaughter of men and of horse, that the horse feet were couered with blode and brayn, ffor so moche hadde they foughten con a-gein a-nother, that of xv^Ml of the saisnes ne was not lefte ix^Ml. And the kynge de Cent chiualers was noble knyght and a sure, and maganors his stiwarde. Than thei ronne vpon the saisnes so fiercely that the shoute and the noyse a-roos so grete and huge that the

saisnes were alle a-baisshed, that thei for-gat all her defence; and whan thei saugh hem that were newe comen all fressh of here in-busshement, and saugh thei myght haue no socoure ne helpe on no partee, ffor thei were fer fro valdesbiry, where the siege was, and at the Castell of the roche thei wiste well nere not past CC defensable, for alle were issed oute for the cry; and saugh also well that nede moste hem dye but yef thei ascaped be flight.

Whan the kynge de Cent chiualers, and Tradilyuaunt, and marganors, and Polydomas saugh the saisnes so a-baisshed, thei settte vpon hem fresshly; and whan the saisnes saugh hem come thei durste not a-bide, but turned to flight to the castell of the roche; but er thei com thider thei were hasted to nygh, that of ix^Ml ne ascaped not iij^Ml, that alle were slayn and mangeled. But whan thei of the castell of Arundell saugh the saisnes discounfited, and saugh hem chased, thei with-heilde hem be the counseile of a yonge knyght was cleped Ewein with the white handes, and returned thider as the bataile hadde be, and toke horse, and somers, and golde, and siluer, and vitaile as moche as hem liked, [folio 81b] and of armour of the beste that thei founden, and stuffed hem so wele of alle thinges that neuer after hadde thei no suffraite ne nede of nothinge durynge the tyme of her beynge there; and whan thei were entred thei shette the yates and reyses vp the brigge, and after yede vpon the walles an high for to se how thei diden that made the chase, for the two kynges chased the saisnes till thei come to the castell of the roche full sore affraide, and smyten in ther as thei knewe the entre, but er thei were alle ynne ther were many slayn and for hewen; and whan thei were with-ynne the two kynges saugh thei were ascaped thei drough hem a-bakke, ffor moche thei douted the shotte of quarelles and of arowes; and whan thei were come fro the castell half a myle and the two kynges mette to-geder, thei made grete ioye, and dide of theire helmes, and kysten to-geder, and eche acoled other in armes for grete love, whan thei hadde longe tyme made her ioye in fere. Than seide the kynge Tradilyuant to the kynge de Cent chiualers, "Sir, I haue grete merveile how ye com this day hider, and therfore I

haue grete cause to thanke oure lorde god, for yef ye hadde taried eny lenger I myght not have ascaped, but that I sholde haue be taken or deed, and also alle my men that were me be lefte." "Sir," quod Aguysanx the kynge de Cent chiualers, "Oure lorde that is so gracious, ne foryeteth neuer his seruaunt in what he be, but paraventure it hym plesith that we shull suffre this martire for to enhaunce his lawes, and therfore hath he sent thise saisnes in to this londe, that euery day ne do but encrese more and more; and also we se well that for no peple that we haue in this contrey thei will not be chased oute; and therfore while that we may lyve lete vs avenge oure dethes, ffor that semeth me the beste; what-so-euer falle lete vs do so I sey, and wite it well that so shull we sonnest come to an ende than eny other way." "Why," quod Tradilyuaunt, "how is youre advys?" "That shall I well telle yow," quod Aguysanx, "we shull sende to alle oure fellowes, that ech of hem come with alle his hool power as privyly as thei may to the castell of wyndesore in brochelonde, and we also to assemble alle oure peple and ride vpon the saisnes, and yeve hem bataile in the name of god, that he graunte vs the victorie, ffor better is a gode ende and to dye with honour, than longe to endure and after all lese, and than dye with dishonour." "A god mercy, sir!" quod Tradilyuaunt, "what is it that ye sey? we knowe wele that thei be so grete plente of peple that for oon that we haue in oure remes thei haue euer xx a-gein oon of oures, and therfore in that manere ne may we not spede. Not-with-stondinge, I sey not, but as for me I will do as ye and alle the other will ordeyne; I am all redy it to pursue." "Certes," seide Aguysanx the kynge de Cent chiualers, "I will sende to hem my message on my be-halue, like as I haue yow siede, and that thei do me to wite what is is here willes, whether thei will do thus or noon." [folio 82a] "In goddes name," seide Tradilyuant, "for as for my part I will do as ye and alle other will assente, ffor I am but oon sool man as be ye, and ye ne shull nothinge do but I therto will acorde," With that

thei rode forth to Arundell ther the firste bataile hadde be, and ther thei fonde grete richesse of all that neded to mannes body; and ech man toke at his wille of that hym liked, and made noon other departynge. Thus was comen all the richesse and the vitaile; and in this maner departed the two kynges, that no more ne dide not at this tyme. And the kynge Tradilyuaunt rode in to North wales with vj^Ml men that were hym be lefte of the bataile; and the kynge Aguysanx rode to malohaut with vij^Ml men, and after toke his messagers, and sente to the lordes as he hadde seide to the kynge Tradilyuant.

Whan the kynge Aguysans was come to his Citee of Corenges in Scotlonde, he assembled his peple on horsebak and on foote, that he hadde xv^Ml. And it fill on a monday in the morowe that the saisnes were more than xv^Ml, and rode be-twene Corenges and lanneriur, and brandons a-gains the pray that Oriels, and meniadus, and Sorbaries, and margoires, and brandons, and Poigeres, and pyncenars, and Salubrius, and magloras, and Gondoffles the grete, diden condite towarde the hoste be-fore Valdesbiry; and as thei come, thei brent and distroyde all the londe, and brent bourghs, and townes, and castelles, and sette all on fier and flame, as thei that all the londe wolde haue brought to nought; and ther-to thei made so grete martire of peple thourgh the contrey, that ye myght haue hadde grete pite were youre herte neuer so harde, for ladies and maidenes that thei slowen and her childeren in her armes; and ther as the mene peple were fledde in to caves for socour, thei putt in fier, and brent hem ther-ynne; and the tidinges ran so thourgh the contrey that the kynge aguysanx it herde; and than he comaunded alle his barouns to armen hem; and thei dide his comaundement, and lepe to horse, and rode two myle er day; and than thei rode forth a softe pas till it was passed pryme. Than thei loked towarde lanneriur, and saugh the eyr trouble, and thikke of duste, and flames of fier that thei hadde sette in the contrey, and herde the noyse and the cry that the peple made of her losse and damage, and for her frendes þat thei saugh martired be-fore her yen; and thei ther-fore were full anguysshouse,

and rode forth a grete spede, and were well xiiij^Ml; and hem condited the kynge Anguysans in the formest fronte with vij^Ml, that were yonge bachelers and hardy. This Gaudius was cosin germain to Aguysans on his fadir side; and he dide after many feire chiualries be-fore the castell, for the damesell of brulent, that he wolde haue hadde be force to his wif, and was be-fore the riche town that was so moche preised er that Gaudius it conquered by his prowesse, as the storie shall telle here-after, for it is yet no tyme ther-to, but returne to the kynge aguysans of Scotlonde, that rode to-geder, he and Gaudius, till [folio 82b] thei fill a-monge the forriours and a-monge the cariage; and a-noon thei smote to-geder fercely, that ther was many oon ouerthrowen bothe horse and man; and thei dide the saisnes grete losse of her peple at the be-gynnynge, for thei were oute of aray and spredde a-brode in the contrey, oon here, a-nother ther; and the kynge aguysans and Gaudius and her peple slowe of hem moo than vij^Ml. And whan the kynge of the saisnes com in to the bataile where-as thei were fightynge, than was Gaudius and his companye at grete myschef, for the saisnes were moo than xl^Ml, what oon and other and of the cristen were but xiiij^Ml. Neuertheless, thei deffended hem right longe, but euer the saisnes encresed, that it was wonder to be-holde, for fro the bataile was but x myle fro the hoste; and the x kynges that I yow nempned com on the tother side wele horsed and armed with so grete plente of peple that all the contrey was couered on euery side, and thei drof the cristin a-wey whether thei wolde or noon. Ffull grete losse hadde ther the kynge Aguisans, and grete damage of his knyghtes and of his men, ffor er none was passed the saisnes mette hem so sharply that of xiiij^Ml that he brought in his companye ne myght he not assemble vj^Ml that alle ne were dede or taken, and ne hadde be oon a-venture that fill, ther hadde neuer of hem ascaped oon a-wey; but the kynge Vrien was comen oute in the morowe for the hete, he and his nevew Bandemagn, that was a noble knyght and an hardy and sure,

and lefte Ewein his sone in the Citee, that was a feire chielde and of high prowesse, that hadde be-geten on Arthurs suster, that was so goode a lady a-gein god and also to the worlde. With Ewein also was Meliagans, that at that tyme was a young childe, and was the sone of Bandemagn by his firste wif. These two childeren kepte the Citee right wele, but knyghtes were thei noon, for thei were to yonge of age; and with hem also was Ewein a-voutres, that was the kynges sone Vrien be the stiwardes wif, that was of grete bewte; and therfore the kynge lefte his owne wif more than fyve yere, and kepte her in his house maugre his stiwarde till that he hadde this childe. Whan that the childe was born ther rose so grete a scentence of cursinge that he most nedes leve her wheþer that he wolde or noon; but the childe he kepte and norisshed till it was feire well woxen and that he myght ride after to court; and the kynge that loved hym moche in his herte yaf hym of his londe grete plente, that he myght wele mayntene goode meyne a-boute hym. This Ewein, that was geten in advoutry, was gentill and curteyse and full of hardynesse, and for the grete love that the kynge hadde to hym, he brought hym forth in the companye of his son Ewein the grete; and for that he was geten in a-vouterye was he cleped Ewein the a-vouteres, and the tother, that was his right heir be his wif, was cleped Ewein the more; and this Ewein was a passinge feire childe and bolde and hardy; but after that he hadde herde speke of kynge Arthur he wolde not suffre that noon made hym knyght; [folio 83a] ne his fader, ne noon other, but seide ofte to his counseile and that was to Ewein his brother that he loved moche, and was yonger than he; and he tolde hym that he wolde neuer be knyght till that the kynge Arthur, his Oncle, yaf hym the ordere, and girde the swerde be hys syde; and the tother Ewein seide that right so wolde he do. Thus lefte thei for to kepe the town, and the kyng Vrien and Bandemagn hem spedde so till that thei com to the bataile euen as the kynge aguysanx was discounfited, and was merveillously sorowfull. Ne noon myght telle the maltalent that he hadde, and that after he shewde well semblant, for as soone as it come to the chase he smote a-monge the saisnes

so fiercely as a wode lyon; and he was wele horsed as to soche a man be-longeth, and hadde in his companye x^Ml men that were wele horsed. Than were the saisnes ascride a-lowde and harde I-smyten. Ther fill many in swowne that neuer after a-roos; ffull sharp and crewell was this stour, for the meyne that com with kynge Vrien were full profitable and hardy, and foughten all the day longe, and suffred grete travaile. And the kynge Aguysans wente in to his Cite disconfited, ffor the chace lefte of hym for to fight with the kynge vrien and his peple; and ther was grete slaughter of men and of horse bothe, for neuer so small a peple made so grete occision. But longe the kinge vrien and his men ne myght not endure, ffor a-gein hem were so grete foyson of peple that hem nothinge ne spared, but dide hem the greef that thei myght with all theire power; but the nyght com that made hem departe. And the kynge vrien wente to Sorhan, he and his peple, alle for brosed and full wery of trauayle and of strokes that thei hadde yeuen and resceyved; but the saisnes lefte in the place ther the bataile hadde I be, and laye that nyght stille armed; but to the kynge vrien com a feire a-venture that ought not to be for-yeten in the tale, for he fonde a rowte of saisnes in a launde a-boute mydnyght, that ledde grete richesse towarde the hoste of vitaile, and also of other harneyse, as robes and money and bestes, and were well iij^Ml that these richese dide condite; and thei were sette to theire soper with grete foyson of vitaile, and wende to haue hadde no drede of no man, ffor thei knewe well the disconfiture of hem and the kynge Aguysanx, and therfore were thei deseuered fro the grete companye for the hastier spede, and for to come the soner to the siege that was be-fore the town of valdesbery.

Whan the kynge vrien and Bandemagn, his nevew, saugh the saines in this manere, and the teintes and pavelons that thei hadde pight, and the gret light that was with-ynne the pavilouns, thei made a-noon to aske what peple it were; and thei that were with-ynne the pavylouns a-noon ansuerde, and seide thei were with the kynge Brangore of Saxon. Whan the kynge vrien and Bandemagn, his nevew, herde that thei were saisnes

that thei hadde founden, thei cried "as armes;" and her peple seide, [folio 83b] "Now as armes, for now it shall be preved who is goode and who is cowarde." And thei sette vpon hem, and founde hem vn-armed, and therfore was in hem but pore deffense; and the cristen be-gonne to ouerthrowe pavylouns vpon her heedes, and on her mete. Ther sholde ye haue sein grete trouble of tables downcaste and the vitaile I-spredde wide, and cuppes and pecys of siluer and bordclothes and towayles vnder the horse feet, but ther was grete occision of saisnes that the cristin peple hem dide, that hem hated of mortuall hate; and as the storie seith, that the cristin were yet viij^Ml, and of the saisnes ne were but iij^Ml, and alle vn-armed, as thei that were sette at soper, and wende not to haue hadde no drede. And the nyght was feire and clere, and a softe weder in the myddill of Aprill. And the saisnes were so hewen and martired in shorte tyme that of the iij^Ml ascaped not xl, and that ne were slain with speres, and swerdes, and axes; and thei that ascaped ronne in to wodes and in to grete forestes, and made so grete sorowe that no man cowde telle. And whan the saisnes were thus disconfited and fledde, the kynge vrien and his peple gedered vp that was lefte ther of the saines that was grete richesse, and wente the right wey to Sorhant with-oute eny other distrubier, and were gladde and mery after the aventure that was hem be-fallen.

After that the kynge vrien and Bandemagn were departed fro the bataile, as ye haue herde, ther com tydinges how that Gawein, and Agrauain, and Gaheret, and Gaheries, and Galashin were departed from theire faders so yonge childeren for to be made knyghtes with-oute takynge leve, and were goynge to logres for to take her armes of the kynge Arthur; but thei haue hym not founden, for he was gon in to the reame of Tamelide; and the childeren were lefte at logres, and kepte right wele the marches, and seiden thei wolde neuer remeve thens till theire oncle were come home, and also how thei hadden gete the richest prise that euer was sein in her comynge. And so these tydinges

ronne thourgh the londe that Ewein herde speke ther-of, that was Arthur suster sone; and than he seide to his moder in prive counseile, "Ffeire moder, my cosins beth gon to the court of kynge Arthur hym for to serue, and for to take theire armes of hym; and we ne mowe not be in no gretter myschef than we beth now ynne, and therfore I wolde haue youre counceile how that I sholde do, ffor in no manere will I do no thinge that sholde yow displese; and ye knowe wele that my fader hath yoven his londe that be com on his syde to Bandemagn, his nevew, after his discesse, in the tyme of Vterpendragon, and he may no more thynge fro me be-reve what wratth that euer I haue of hym, for the londe that cometh of youre be-halue ne may I not lese, but yef it be youre will; and though I lese all I will go with my cosins to serue myn oncle; and therfore a-ray me so that I go with worship, for [folio 84a] how-so-euer that it be I will go, for I haue lever ther to dye than here for to lyve as in prison, and therfore sey me lightly what is youre pleiser."

Whan the lady herde Ewein her sone so speke, she be-gan to wepe for ioye and for pitee, ffor well she knewe that the herte com fro the high lynage on hir syde, and seide, "Ffeire some Ewein, wher haue ye take that talent and that herte for to leve me and to serue another?" And he ansuerde, "Ha, dame! for goddes love, mercy! I reporte me to all the worlde, and my herte also telleth me, that he is youre brother and myn oncle, and also my cosins beth go in to his londe, and therfore were I a grete cowarde to a-bide here, where as I may no profite do ne availe, and yef I helpe not hym for to mayntene his londe as my cosins do; and therfore, thaugh ye yeve me no leve I will go; and now ordeyne so for me that I may go in soche that it be youre worship and myn." "Ffeire sone," seide the lady, "a-bide a-while, and I shall a-paraile yow so prively that youre fader shall it not wite, for and he it wiste, all youre iourney were loste; and gete yow soche felship as ye will haue, and I shall purveye for horse and armes, and robes and money I-nowgh to spende." "Madame," seide Ewein, "gramercy;" and than he com to his brother Ewein a-voutres, and discouered to hym his

corage; and whan he hadde all seide, the tother ansuerde and seide that he sholde neuer go in to no strange londe with-oute hym yef god wolde, and that he was redy to move what tyme that euer he wolde. Quod Ewein, "I will that we departe withynne these viij dayes." And with that the bretheren departed, and made hem redy; and Ewein the a-voutres so purchased as he that was manly and wise, that he hadde in his companye an hundred felowes, and Ewein the more hadde CC; and his moder hym ordeyned robes, and money, and horse, and armure grete plente. And on an euenynge after soper thei departed a-boute mydde-nyght, at the firste cok crowinge, by leve of the lady; and hem condited ffragien, a yonge gentilman, that knewe alle the estres of the forestes and the weyes; but now of hem resteth the tale, and returned to speke of kynge ventres of Garlot.

Whan the kynge Ventres of Garlot vndirstode that he hadde loste his sone Galashin, he was right hevy and wroth, and in especiall toward his wif Basyne, so that he spake not to hir all a moneth nother goode ne badde. Than fill it on a thursday at even in the moneth of Aprille, in the tyme that these erbes and trees be-gynne to florissh, and the briddes singen with ther voys for the swetnesse of the newe mery seson, that a messanger com and tolde hym the grete distruxion where-as the kynge Aguysanx hadde I-be, and how the saisnes hadde hym disconfited, and how that he hadde be deed or take, ne hadde be the kynge vrien that com hym [folio 84b] for to socour, wher-fore the chase sessed of the kynge Aguysanx; and after com a-nother messager, that tolde hym of the grete distruxion of the saisnes that the kynge Tradyliuant and the kynge de cent chiualers hadde don be-twene Randoul and the roche, where-as thei hadde riche enprise. And whan the kynge ventres herde these tydinges he was right hevy for the distresse of the kynge Aguysanx, and on the tother side he was right gladde of the kynge Tradilyuaunt and of the kynge de Cent chiualers, than he be-thought in hys herte that he wolde go serche the marches be-twene Northwalis

and Sorloys, where-as the passage was right grete; but he hadde not longe be in this stodye whan in his owne contrey he herde so grete noyse and clamor of peple that fledde on euery side.

A noon the kynge lete aske what the peple eiled. And thei seide that alle the saisnes of the worlde were entred in to his londe, and brente, and distroied, and slowgh alle that thei myght atteyne. And ther-to ther was of hem so grete multitude that it was merveile, and were loigged vpon the river of sourne be-fore the castell of brolende in the medowes; and ther thei a-bide the grete carriage of vitaile, and of hem is captein the kynge Magondes, that was cosin to Aungis; and the kynge ffansobres, and the kynge Groales, and the kynge Pyngnores, and the kynge fforreyours cometh be-fore more than with xx^MI, that be spredde thourgh all youre londe, and brenne and distoie and sle the peple; and yef ye will not this be-leve, ye may it bothe heere and see. And whan the kynge ventres saugh his londe thus turne to distruxion, he knewe wele that he myght not a-bide longe with-out grete damage.

A noon the kynge cryed with high voys, "Gentill knyghtes, now as armes, for now shall be shewed youre worthynesses, ffor he nys no knyght that will not deffende his londe and his contrey a-gein his mortall enmyes." Than ronne thei to armes knyghtes and squyres grete foyson bothe oon and other thourgh the town; and when thei were redy thei were xij^Ml. And the kynge ventres toke of hem vj^Ml, and yaf hem to Doriax for to lede, and moche hym requered for to well and to be gode knyght, and so in trouthe he was a noble knyght, and right nygh cosin to the kynge. And he rode that wey as he saugh the mene peple come fleynge, and spedde hym so that he com ther as thei made the martire and the Occision of the peple, and were in the formest frounte v^Ml; but thei were not alle in array, for thei were spredde a-brode in the contrey down by the river, that brent and robbed. And whan dorilas saugh with his iye that thei dide so grete damage that were soche mysbelevynge peple, he rode vpon hem full Irously. And whan he com nygh bothe he and his men lete reine as faste as the horse myght hem bere, and

smote hem so with sharp speres and trenchaunt, that many of the saisnes [folio 85a] ther-with were throwe to grounde, and many slayn, ffor thei were so supprised that thei were not ware till thei were ynne a-myd monge hem that thei slowgh of hem more than two partes er the kynge ventres was come; and the remenaunt turned to flight in to the hoste of briolors, where as the iiij kynges were loged. And dorilas hem enchased and slough and martired, and dide hem gret turment; and whan he hadde hem pursude to the tentes and the pauylouns, and it was noone passed of the day, and whan the saisnes saugh hem so fle, thei ronne to armes, but for all theire haste thei myght not be so soone armed er ther were v^C tentes and pavilouns ouer-throwen vpon theire hedes, and moo than a thousande me slayn.

Than thei be-gonne to blowe hornes and trompes nexte to the teinte of kynge Margondre, and ther assembled and gadered so grete plente of peple that thei were more than xxx^Ml. And than rode the iiij kynges; and it fill that thei mette first with the kynge Galagnes with iiij^Ml men or moo, and mette with dorilas, that moche hym peyned to greve the saisnes, and hadde right wele do all the day; and heilde stronge spere that he hadde take from a saisne. And as sonne as dorilas and Maglans saugh ech other, thei lette renne and mette to-geder so sore vpon the sheldes that thei perced, and the haubrekes were stronge that no maile ne brake, but the speres splyndered on peces; and thei passed thourgh and hurteled to-geder so harde with the horse myght that bothe fill to grounde, and their horse vpon theire bodies.

Whan dorilas and Maglans thus hadde eche other ouerthrowen, bothe partess pressed to the rescu; and ther were many hurte, and sharpe medle ther was a stronge bataile and grete man slaughter on bothe sithes; and with grete labour were bothe dorilas and Maglaans horsed; but grete losse of peple fill vpon the saisnes side, ffor thei were many of hem vn-armed, but yet hadde thei had gretter lose ne hadde the kynge ffalsadres come with vij^Ml men, that faught with the cristin right harde. But the kynge ventres was a goode knyght and a sure a-bove alle

that were in the feilde, ffor he dide merveilouse prowesse in armes, and gretly he hym peyned, for he saugh the grete nede. And so, thourgh the helpe of god and his knyght-hode, the vij^Ml were discounfited and putt to flight; but as the kynge Pyngnores com with vij^Ml saisnes, that hem recounforted and moche sustened, for thei smyten in a-monge the kynge Ventres meyne and made hem to remeve more than a bowe draught from the tentes and the pavilouns be-twene the wode and the rivere. And whan the kynge ventres saugh his men go in soche manere, he cried his ensigne, and seyde, "Gentill knyghtes, whether ar ye a-wey? returne and selle your deth while that ye may lyuen, for neuer shull ye comen to better pointe, and ther-fore haue in mynde what ye be, ffor better is it for yow for to deffend youre- [folio 85b] self manly than to be slayn shamefully in flight, for as me semeth whiche wey that we turne ther nys but deth." And whan thei herde her lorde thus speke thei returnede and fill to-gedir on a companye streite and close, that noon myght entre hem withynne but a-noon he were slain. And thus thei hem kepte withoute remevynge, and suffred and endured till these other vpon hem hadde broke theire speres and till thei hadde a-gein recovered her breth; and so a-bode theire strokes that the to-ther were somwhat wery and thei hem-self ther-with re-freisshed; and whan thei saugh the saisnes well chased and short wynded, thei lete renne at hem and be-gonne to do soche maistries that the saisnes were alle a-baisshed of the merveile that thei saugh hem do. And on the tother side dorilas faught so a-gein the peple of Maglaans that he droff hem a-wey discounfited, and made hem to rebounde vpon the warde of ffalsabres and vpon the warde of Pyngnoras, that right sore faught agein the kynge ventres and his peple, so that the ton smote thourgh the tothers companye. Ther was a stour merveilouse and stronge bataile, and dured so longe till it was euensonge tyme. Than meved the kynged Margondes with grete plente of saisnes, for thei were more than xv^Ml, and he hadde grete dispite that so small a peple sholde endure so longe agein so many as thei weren, for he saugh wele that thei were not so manye by the haluendell as the saisnes. Than Margondres

cried to his men and comaunded hem that thei sholde sette so sore vpon the cristen that ther sholde leve noon in the feilde a-live. And whan the kynge ventres saugh comynge a-gein hym so many saisnes, he gedered his men a-boute hym close, and drough hym litill and litill towarde the foreste. And the saisnes hem hasted faste as thei wende haue all taken and confounded, and vpon them they brake theire speres; and the kynge ventres and his meyne hadde gete the wode at her bakkes at a streite weye that was right depe, and the forest high on bothe sithes of the wey, and so thikke that nothinge might entre but it were wilde bestes. And the kynge ventres and Dorilas haue hem so spedde that thei haue their men enbusshed in that streite passage, and pight theire speres in the erthe, and the sharpe hede of steil vpwarde, and were well a-raied hem to deffende. And the saisnes com vpon hem in grete haste full wroth and angry for the grete damage that thei hadde don, and assailed hem right sore; and these hem deffended right vigerously till that it was derke nyght that vnethe myght oon se a-nother; and more hadde the saisnes loste than wonne.

Whan the kynge Ventres saugh the saisnes gon, than he and his men rode forth all the nyght till thei come to wyndesore, and well it semed by their armes that thei hadde not soiourned, ffor theire sheildes were hewen and to daissht, and theire [folio 86a] haubrekes rente in many places, and hem-self all be-soiled with bloode, and her brondes of stiell croked and bente for the strokes that thei hadde smyten, that for a merveile thei were be-holden thourgh the town, and ech seide to other that these peple hadde not leyen at soiourne, and preide to god for hem bothe ladyes and maidenes in the chirches vpon theire knees and elbowes, that god sholde hem spede and defende fro deth. And thise yede to theire loginges, and hem vn-armed, and wente to bedde, and rested hem, for longe hadde they waked. And whan thei hadde slepte the mete was redy, and thei that myght ete yede to dyner. But now cesseth to speke of hem a-while, and retourne to the kynge Brangore.

Now seith the storye that whan the kynge Brangore was come to Eastrangore, his stronge place, that he dide it stuffe with knyghtes and vitaile, that he hadde of oon and other xv^Ml men; and longe he kepte wele the marches a-boute hym that litill harme the saisnes dide. Till on a tyme the saisnes were entred in to the marche of Strangore and of south walis, where-of kynge Belynans was lorde, that was brother to the kynge Tradilyuaunt, that have herde spoken of be-fore. And this Belynans was a riche kynge, and hadde a riche contrey that was feire and esy; and his wif was a feire yonge lady of grete bewte, and her was Esclence, and she was doughter to kynge Natan de lille perdue, and hadde a childe be his nece that was of grete bewte, and was xiiij yere of age, that was cleped by his right name, Dodynell the sauage. And the cause whi he was cleped Dodynell was for euer was in the feeldes and forestes for to hunte at the herte and other deer and wylde swyn, and for he haunted it so moche ther-fore, thei cleped hym Dodynell the sauage. And the kynge ventres was brother to his moder Esclence, and Galaishin was cosyn to Dodynell on his moder syde. This Dodynell was after in the kynge house Arthur, and was a knyght of grete prowesse, and oon of the rounde table, and oon of the most preised; but at this tyme we shall not speke no more of hym, but speke of the kynge Brangore and of the saisnes that be entred in to hys londe, and was wroth and sory for his frendes that he hadde loste be-twene Arondell and the roche of saisnes that heilde theire wey from wynsore be the castell of the streyte wey; and thei were grete plente of peple; and as thei passed thourgh the contrey thei brente, and robbed, and wasted, and dide grete harme to the lordes of the weyes and to the lorde of the streite marche, and to the castellein of Wyndesore, and to the kynge Belynant of sought walis, and to the kynge Brangore more than eny other. And whan he wiste it he gedered all his peple, and armed hem, and lepte to horse for to a-venge hem of the shame and of the harme that thei hem diden. And the saisnes com so many and so thikke that all the contrey was of hem covered the length of a walshe myle, that brent and slowe

euer as thei come. And on the tother syde the kynge Belynant com [folio 86b] ridynge with grete plente of peple till he com to the saisnes that thus distroied the contrey and made soche martire of the mene peple that men myght se the smolder of the fire x myle longe, so trouble ther-of was the aire.

Whan the kynge Brangore saugh the distruxion and the grete martire, he toke ther-of grete pitee, and gan to wepe watir with his iyen, and than he requerid his men to haue in mynde to do well, and to defende holy cherche and the cristin feith; and the saisnes com faste ridinge with baner sprad, and were moo than fifty thousande, and hem condited Barahans, and Cornyax, and lydarus, and hardrans, and kyngnenans. These v kynges were riche and myghti, and eche of hem hadde in company x^Ml, and alle were thei kyn to Aungis, that Vterpendragon slough; and whan the kynge Brangore sye the grete nombre of saisnes, he merveiled fro whens alle myght come. And than he gan to prey his men, and require to thynke vpon her worship and to do well her devers, and a-bode hem at a passage at a brigge ther thei moste come ouer that lay ouer the river of arson, that was brode and dep?? and as soone as thei were mette, thei lete theire horse renne, and smyten harde to-geder the toon vpon the tother. Ther was gret noise and crakkynge of speres, and many oon throwe to grounde bothe horse and man, and that dured longe till that thei come to the brigge, that may fill in to the water, and many a tronchon of speres and sheldes that the sharpe streme bar down the ryver, and it was not fully the houre of pryme.

The booke seith that the river ran down be-fore Strangore that the kynge Carados helde in his baile, and he was lenynge oute at the wyndowes of the paleise a-bove, and be-heilde the medowes and the river, and the gardins that were grene florisshed, and saugh the water that was clier and sharp rennynge brought down sheldes and speres fletynge grete foyson; and he loked that wey that he saugh it come fro, and saugh the aire all troble of the fire and duste, and vpon the watir fletynge the harneys of knyghtes and of horse that were deed and drowned, and dought a-noon how the kynge Brangore faught with the

saisnes. Than he lepe hastely vpon his feet, and cried to his men, "Now as armes, gentill knyghtes, ffor he that is not hardy at this nede is not worthi to be a knyght," and ther was a yonge squyre that was noble and hardy that brought the kynge his armes. This squyer was cleped Kay destranx, this squyer hadde ofte Carados somoned to be a knyght, and he seide that ther-to hadde he no talent, and that he seide for he purposed to serue the kynge Arthur, and to take of hym the ordre of knyght. Whan the kynge was armede, he asked yef alle the other knyghtis were redy, and thei seide how alle were an horse bakke a-bidynge with-oute the yates. And than the kynge asked his horse, and ther-on lepte and rode oute of the town a grete spede, and come to the bataile a-boute mydday. And whan [folio 87a] thei come nygh thei herde the noise and the strokes at the passage of the brigge, ffor the kynge Brangore with-stode hem with xv^Ml men, and the saisnes were so many and so thikke that of fin force thei made hym to remeve fro the brigge in to the playn feelde; but than sholde soone the kynge Brangore haue hadde grete losse, but as the kynge Carados com in fresshe with x^Ml men and leide in a-monge hem fercely; and ther be-gan the stoure to encrese right harde, and grete mortalite of the saisnes, for thei were not alle right wele armed, and so thei foughten all the day, fro that it was passed noone till evensonge, and than disparbled the cristin, for thei were so sore over-leide with grete multitude of saisnes; and than a-roos the shoute and the noise so grete, that iiij myle of a man myght haue herde the sounde. But longe myght not the men of kynge Brangore ne of kynge Carados endure, but as the kynge Belynans com with viij^Ml men of armes wele horsed, that ronne in a-monge hem fiercely, that made hem remove and departe. Whan the kynge Belynans com to the bataile, as was grete nede to the kynge Brangore and to the kynge Carados, ffor thei were so distrussed that thei were euen at flight; but whan Belynans com he smote so fiercely vpon hem that these other cristin myght well recouer be goode leyser, for with the kynge Belynans were many goode men and noble knyghtes, ffor ther was the lorde of Wyndesore and the lorde of the streite marche,

and the Castelein of Glocedon and the Castelein of Galeince, and of the more, and of Rostok, and ther was Carados of the dolerouse toure, and ther was drias le gais of the forest perilouse, and eche of these hadde in his companye CC knyghtes of the beste of the londe, and thei slough and made soche martire of the saisnes that the river of arson be-com all reade of the blode and of the brayn that was ther sheed of men and of horse, and hadde not the nyght come on so soone ther hadde neuer a-schaped a-wey saisne, and thei were moo than fifti thousande, and of the cristen ne were but xxxiij^Ml; but the nyght com that made hem departe, and eche partye drought fer from other, till on the morowe that thei wolde be-gynne a-gein to fight, but the counseile of the kynge of Saxoyne, the saisnes traueiled all nyght to-warde the roche, but moche thei loste of her harneys, for thei hasted hem so faste oute of the contrey, that thei hadde not with hem the half of her thinges, and thus lefte it till on the morowe that it was day, and than com the kynge Carados, and the kynge Belynans, and the kynge Brangore, whan thei were redy armed, and alle the barouns of theire companye were come to deffende the cristin feith, ffor ther were many full noble men and trewe that hadden grete drede that for the faute of her prowesse that holy cherche and cristin feith were disavaunced; and thei renged and set their batailes in ordenaunce, and rode that wey as thei trowed to mete their enmyes, but whan thei founde that thei were goon, thei were sorye and wroth that thei were so ascaped, ffor well thei wiste that thei were gon to the [folio 87b] Castell of Vandesbyry, and whan thei saught it myght be noon other thei returned, and eche lorde made to other grete ioye and feeste, and departed togeder the richesse that was lefte be-hynde of the saisnes in soche maner that eche toke that hym liked, so that the moste pore of hem was riche I-nowgh.

And at theire departinge a-sonder, eche promysed other theire seruyse yef nede were, and eche of hem sholde lete other wite whan thei hadde eny mystere. And the kynge Carados repeired hom to his stronge place; and the kynge Brangore rode to Estrangore, that was a goode town and a riche and full of

goode Burgeises, and dwelled ther in pees and in ioye longe tyme; and than com tidinges that the sones of kynge loot hadde lefte theire fader, and were go to logres to serue the kynge Arthur, and the sone of kynge Ventres and the sones of kynge Vrien. And whan Dodynell herde these tithinges, he seide to hym-self that he wolde do the same wise, and tolde to his prevy counseile that he wolde go to court; and than he ordeyned to be redy in the pryveest maner that he myght, and sente to seche kay destranx with the kynge Carados his oncle, and sent hym worde to speke with hym at Thorne Castell, and that he faile not in no wise to come and bringe with hym his nevew kehedin. The Messager toke leve, and rode till he come to strangore, and fonde kay, and seide to hym in counseile as Dodynell hadde hym comaunded, and that he sholde com to speke with hym at the Castell of the thorn, araiede redy to ride on his iourne. And he ansuerde that he sholde be ther redy with-ynne the thirde day. Than the messenger toke leve of kay destranx, and com to Dodynell the sauage, and tolde hym the ansuere of kay destranx. And whan Dodinell herde what the messenger hadde seide, he vndirstode a-noon what that kay ment, and made hym redy, and warned his felowes as many as he myght haue, that thei were well xxiiij alle yonge bachelers of xiiij or xv yere of age, and com to the Castell of Thorn, he and his companye richely be seyn of golde and siluer and robes, and ther a-bode till kay com and his nevew kehedin li bens. And thei brought in her companye xl yonge gentilmen that alle were bolde and hardy. Whan the childeren were mette thei made to-geder grete ioye the ton to the tother as thei that longe tyme ne hadde not mette. And than seide Dodinell, "Feire frende kay, I sente to yow for to come speke with me, and I thanke yow that ye be now I-come, and I shall telle yow the cause. I haue herd tydinges that Gawein and Agrauain, and Gaheret, and Gaheries, and Galashin, and Ewein ben gon to the courte of kynge Arthur for to take theire armes, and therfore I will go in the same manere; and I love yow so moche that I will nought do with-oute youre leve, and that ye haue ther-of wytinge; and ther-fore sey youre advise yef [folio 88a] ye will come also,

for to my fader I will not returne in no manere, ffor I haue made redy all my purpos and am vpon my weye." "Sir," quod kay, "and ther-fore am I come to yow, ffor I supposed in partye what ye ment, and I haue me so purveied that me nedeth for nothinge returne, ffor I haue in my companye iiij yonge gentilmen that be right hardy, and heire is also my nevew kehedin; and ther-fore lete us meve whan ye like." "Ye say well," seide Dodinell, "for we shull meve to-morowe be-tyme." Thus a-bode the childeren all that nyght in grete ioye, and erly on the morowe thei toke theire wey be the moste prive and disvsed weyes that thei wiste, and wente to logres in this manere. But of hem cesseth the tale and returneth to the kynge Clarion of Northumbirlonde.

Now seith the booke that the kynge Clarion of Northumbirlonde hadde gadered alle the peple that he myght, and he stuffed well his Citee with vitaile and with men of armes, and after he sente thurgh all his londe to hem that hadde oxen or sheep or lambe, or eny other bestes, that thei sholde hem lede in to the depe of the forestes, that were wilde and sauage. And thei dide as he hem comaunded, and sente with hem hierdes for to kepe the bestes. And whan thei hadde alle thus do, alle the that myght bere armes or wepen defensable drowgh to the kynge in Northumbirlonde, and thei were counted xiiij^Ml, and gretly peyned the kynge to kepe well the contrey, and lay many nyghtes in the forestes to wayte vpon the passages, and a-noon as he myght take eny asspye he lete hym take and put in prison.

Upon a day the saisnes were assembled at the tente of kynge Brangu of Saxoyne, and at the teynte of Maglaas the riche kynge of Iselonde, that was cosyn germain to the kynge of Denmark and brother to amadas, the riche kynge of Ostrich and of a pertie of Denmarke [A small part of the MS. is here burnt out.] and of Iselonde was he lorde. And ther thei complayned gretly of the losse and the damage [A small part of the MS. is here burnt out.] that the cristin hadde doon hem at the Castell de la roche, and the harme that thei dide euery day; and on the tother side thei playned

gretly for defaute of vitaile that was scant in the hoste. Than sterte vp a yonge knyght vpon his feet, that was bolde and hardy as of his age, and spake so high that he myght wele be herde, and seide, "Ha! Brangue, feire oncle, yef ye will suffre me to go on forrey in to a londe that I knowe, I shall bringe yow vitaile plente, for the contre is full of all goode; and I shall take with me soche of youre peple as I shall chese, yef nunadus my fader will suffre that I goo, and maglaans myn oncle, for with-oute theire leve I will not go in no manere." "Ffeire nevewe," seide the kynge Brangue, "I here yow sey nothinge but well of this that ye desire to vndirtake; but telle me now be- [folio 88b] fore in to what londe desire ye for to go." "That shall I wele telle yow," seide Orienx, "I desire to go in to Northumbirlonde, and to the yates of the Citee of Cambenek, and witeth it wele that it is the plentevousest contrey of this londe, and yef we shull fynde eny vitaile in this londe ther shull we haue plente." "And I grante yow, feire nevewe," seid Brangue, "and ther-for cheseth with yow soche as yow pleseth." "Sir," seide he, "gramercy." Than Orienx chese oute of peple as many as hym liked, that were wele xl^Ml with-outen the petaile that after hem folowed, that desired the wynnynge, and com right be-fore Norham, and robbed and brent and distroied the londe; but of hem I shall stinte, and telle of the parliament that kynge Brangue heilde.

Whan that Orienx was departed fro the hoste, the kynge cleped Sorioundes, his nevew, and seide, "Feire cosin, how is it that ye will not go no wey. Take of my men as many as ye will, and go in to the londe of kynge ydiers, of Cornewaile, and brynge with yow thens what yow liketh, and yef any man yow with-stonde, take with yow soche peple that ye take of hem vengeaunce." And whan he herde his oncle thus speke he lepe on his feet gladde and mery, for he was of grete prowesse, and seide, "Sire, gramercy." Than he chese at his volunte in the hoste xl^Ml, and whan thei were redy thei to theire wey towarde cornewaile, and robbed the londe as thei wente, and distroied-the contrey and brente. But of hem ne speketh the boke no more yet a while, but speketh of the parliament in the hoste of saisnes.

Now whan Sorioundes, that was the nevew of maglaans, was departed oute of the hoste as ye haue herde, that Mynadus, the kynge, called hurtant, his nevew, and side, "Hurtant, nevew, ye moste go in to leonoys, and in to Orcanye, in to the londes of kynge loot, and take with yow of my men at youre wille, and loke that ye do so, that I maye conne yow thonke." And he lepte vpon foote and seide, "Sir, gramercy," and toke soche company as hym liste; and whan thei were redy thei were lx^Ml, and rode till thei come in to the londes of kynge loot, and begonne to waste and distroie all that thei myght. But here leventh to speke more of hem and returneth agein to Br [A small portion of the MS. is here burnt out.] angue, and Maglaans, and mynadus and other.

Whan Orienx, and Sorioundes, and hurtant were thus departed fro the hoste as ye haue herde, the hethen kynges helde a gret parliament how thei sholde take the town of vandesbiry that was so stronge, ffor the booke seith that it stode vpon a plain grounde, ne ther was nother hill ne mounteyne ny it of two myle, and it was well diked, large, and well watered, and depe, and the marysse grete and brode of a bowe shot, and be-twene the town and the diche stode the walles, and the towres of ston en-batailed rigth thikke, and in to the town were but two entrees, and at eche entre two porte colyses and stronge yates covered with Iren nailed, that shet with the two leves well and strongly barred. Wher-to sholde I longe devise yow the strenghe [folio 89a] of the town, ffor ther-to it sat so esely vpon the river that com rennynge vpon the oon side of the town be-twene the drie londe and the maras, and envirouned the contrey on alle parties, that the town myght not be made drie but on that oon part, and on that syde were two paire diches so depe and brode, and the maras so brode and depe as an arblast myght shete, and on that side was the grete seege of saisnes, that it lasted more than iiij myle, and thei wente be-holdynge on whiche side thei myght it beste take and in what manere, and ther-of thei toke amonge hem grete counseile how thei sholde do, ffor thei saugh that it myght not

be wonne but by famyn. Ther was a knynge that was hight Margoundres, that dressed hym vpon his feet and seide to the kynge Brangue, "Sir, sir, me semeth than that ye most be so longe in this londe that the town be take be famyn, and in the tyme that we ly be-fore this town ther may be taken a-nother town other be famyn or be other engyne, for as soone shall we take tweyne as oon." "Trewly," quod Maglaans, "ye sey trouth, and ther-fore who that will assent to my counseile let vs sende the thirde part of oure peple be-fore the town of Clarence, and alle tho that come oute of oure contrey shull go with hem to the seege, ffor in this reame is not the fowrthe part of the peple to oure that myght vs remeve from that place."

"Sir," quod Brangue, "who shall go with yow? a-corde ye who shall go." "That shall I well telle yow," quod Mynadus the kynge. "Ther shall go thider the kynge hardogobrans, and the kynge Synagons, and the kynge Sorbares, and the kynge Margoundres, and the kynge Maglaans, and the kynge Mycenes, and the kynge Pyngres, and the kynge Saphirus, and the kynge Thoas, and the kynge Semptipres, and the kynge Plantamore, and the kynge Sonygrex, and the kynge Mathucus, and eche of these haue at his baner xx^Ml men, and holde the seege be-fore the town that noon entre ne isse oute." And this was the ende of her counseile, and to this thei be alle a-corded; and than thei a-raide hem meny and rode to the town of Clarence, and distroied all the contrey a-boute as thei wente, and whan thei were come be-fore Clarence thei pight teintes and pavilouns alle a-boute the town, and a-bode there right longe. But resteth the processe of hem till efte soone, and speketh of kynge Clarion, of Northumbirlonde.

Whan the kynge Clarion saugh hem distroie his londe and his contrey he was right wroth, and he toke aspie and sente hym to wite yef thei were grete plente of peple, and whan hadde hem alle sein he returned gretly affraied, and seide to the kynge that thei were moo than fifty thousande. Whan the kynge herde these tidinges he toke a damesell and sente to the Duke Escam, of Cambanyk, and sente hym worde to mete with hym at

the streite of the roche magot, vpon the river of Sauarne, [folio 89b] with as moche peple as he myght assemble, ffor the saisnes be entred in to the londe that alle distroieth. Whan the Duke herde these tidinges he somowned his people, all that the myght haue, so that the hadde xij^Ml or moo, and rode forth till that he com to the roche vpon the river of Sauarne, and whan he com there he fonde Clarion, the kynge of Northumbirlonde, with thre thousande men of armes; and whan thei were mette thei made grete ioye, and soone ther-after thei saugh fire and flame lepe thourgh the contrey, and the duste and the powder a-roos so grete that all the aire ther-of semed trouble. Whan the kynge Clarion and the Duke Escam saugh this grete distruxion, it was no nede to aske yef thei were wroth and angry. Than thei rode that wey as thei saugh the fire a-rise, and mette peple that fledde criynge and makinge grete sorow for her losse, and ther-of hadde thei grete pite, and rode forth till thei mette with hem that thei hadde sought, but than thei made no lenger a-bidinge but mette to-geder fiercely, and ther was grete slaughter bothe of men and of horse, and the saisnes loste moche of her men at the firste metynge, ffor thei were spredde a-brode vpon and down the contrey and gadered the prayed towarde the hoste, and were of the forreyours xv^Ml, and to hem the Duke Escam and the kynge Clarion yaf grete bataile, and fought from prime to mydday, and the frenshe booke seith thei slough x^Ml of the saisnes of the pytaile; but whan grete chiualrie com thei were gretly affraied, ffor thei were so grete nombre. And whan the kynge Clarion and the Duke saugh the saisnes come so grete foyson it was no nede to aske yef thei were affraied, and yet hadde thei in her company noble knyghtes grete plente, ffor with Clarion was ladris de la dolerouse garde with a C of gode knyghtes, and ther was Sensadoyns the Castelien of Nohant with a thousande men of armes, and Bruns saunz pitee that heilde the Castell of the depe slade in Northumbirlonde; and with the Duke Escam was Serebruns, the lorde of Salerne, with viij^Ml men wele horsed, and with hym also was marke, the lorde Roestok, that brought a feire companye of two thousande men of armes, and ther was also

the lorde of Taumdes with viij^Ml men noble and hardy, and ther was also the lorde of the white tour, that was a noble knyght and an hardy, with vij hundred knyghtes vpon startelinge stedes, and ther was Canagus, the nevew of kynge Arthur, wele armed and richely, with thre hundred felowes, and ther was also Agrauadins, lorde of the stronge Castell, with foure hundred knyghtes wele horsed, and whan thei alle assembled thei were aymed what oon what other xxxv^Ml, and thei heilde hem alle cloos to-geder vpon the river of Sauarne, and the saisnes com rennynge vpon hem with so grete foyson that [folio 90a] litill while sholde thei haue dured ne hadde be the straytenesse of the grounde ther thei were, ffor the saisnes were of grete pride, and grete lordes, and the beste knightis of all the hoste, and ther-to of hem were so grete foyson, that litill thei sette be the cristin, and hem assailed full harde. Ther was anguyshous medley and harde stour, and on the tother side thei defended so well that on hem thei gat no grounde, and thei launched at hem speres and dartes sharp grounde, and eche of hem hurte and wounded other dispiteously. And thus thei endured thre dayes, that neuer thei dide of haubrek ne helme from their hedes till the nyght that thei ete soche vitaile as thei hadde, but it was full small. But now turneth the tale a litill fro hem and returneth to Merlin and to the kynge Arthur, that be in Toraise, in Tamelyde, in ese, and right moche honoured of the kynge leodogan.