The First and second part of the history of the famous Euordanus Prince of Denmark With the strange aduentures of Iago Prince of Saxonie: and of both theyr seuerall fortunes in loue.

CHAP. XIX. How the Knight of the Lions, departing from the French Court with Adresto, landed in Holland, where comming to the Castle of Coruew, hee deliuered the King his Fa∣ther.

ANd now beeing ready prouided to depart, they came both into the great Hall, where with many ceremonious courtisies, they tooke their leaue of the King, y^e Quéene, the Princesse Emilia, and Oliua, with all the rest of the Nobles of the Court. The two Princes, Ed∣ward, and Iago, séeing they would néedes depart, accom∣panied them two daies iourny onwards on their way, during which time the Prince Iago desiring pardon of his brother, for not bearing him company, made knowne vnto him his loue to the Princesse Oliua, which by his abode in Court, he doubted not but to obtaine, considering the great loue and amity, which was betwéene him and her father. The Knight of the Lions being well contented héerewith, desired him at his returne, or sending into Saxonie, to re∣member his duty to the Duke, and Ductches, and his

beautifull sister the Princesse Egisena, whom hee intirely loued: assuring him that as soone as he could learne any certainty, of that which he now went to séeke for, he would returne thether likewise, which hee did not doubt but would hapen very shortly. Then taking their leaue of each other, with many kind imbracements, the Prince Ed∣ward most earnestly intreated him, to sée him at his re∣turne out of Spaine at the English Court, to which he easi∣ly consented. Thus they departed, y^e two Princes towards y^e Court, & the Knight of the Lions & Adresto, towards the Sea-side, where their ship remained for them: where bée∣ing arriued, and setting into Sea, they sailed merrily by the space of two daies, but on the third day the wind al∣tring, and the Seas growing very foule, they were forced to put to hull: and being thus tost to and fro by the wind and Seas, by the space of fiue daies, they were at last put on shore on the coast of the Dutchy of Holland: where go∣ing on shore, and taking their horses and Armor, minding a little to take the aire after their storme at Sea, they rode onwards in a narrow way, fast by a pleasant groues side, where they heard one very pittifully weeping, and listning attentiuely, they might heare these few words pronounced. And is it possible that God will suffer such cruell and iniust customes to continue, to the destruction of so many braue and hardie Knights, as haue béene by this wicked custome of Coruew destroyed. O false and disloy∣all Griffory, that fearing to shew thy malice openly, hast ordained so vild a custome.

The two Knights hearing this complaint, and imagi∣ning thereby y^t there was some cause extraordinary which mooued the party so to complaine, alighted, and went into the Groue, where they found a Squire lying on the earth, his face all blubbred with teares, and demaunding him the cause of his sorrow, was giuen by him to vnderstand of the custome of Coruew, where not long since the Duke of Lit∣senburge his Lord and Maister, hauing bin by the space of 20. yéeres trauelling in search of his soueraigne, the noble

King Frederick of Denmark, during which time he had ac∣complished many great and hardy déedes of Armes, and now returning home into his owne Country, with intent no longer to séeke after y^e which was impossible to be found, trauailing along by a Castle not passing a daies iourney hence, where the Duke of this Country hath erected a cu∣stome, that no Knight shall passe that way, but first he shall leaue his horse and Armor behind him, vnlesse hee conquer the Gardants, which is a thing impossible, because of the number: and then he declared the fame as it is more at large expressed in the first part of this history.

The Knight of the Lyons and Adresto hearing of this custome, and greatly pittying the losse of so many hardie Knights as were there daily imprisoned, beganne to grow into a great longing to make triall of the same: wherefore sending backe Gillimo vnto the ship for such things as they wanted, and to giue direction to the Marriners, that if with in ten dayes they did not returne, that then they should di∣rect their course for Spayne, whether they would peraduen∣ture trauell by Land: and willing Gillimo to follow them with as much spéede as hee could, they departed towards Coruew, that night lying at a Village not passing a league and a halfe from the Castle. And the next day early in the morning hauing heard Diuine seruice, and taking a small repast, they rode directly towards the Castle. Adresto ha∣uing desired to make the first triall of his vallour, and now beeing come vnto the place where the Shield hung at the bridge-foote, Adresto strooke the same so hard and rudely with the blunt end of his Launce, that he caused the whole Vally to resound with the noyse thereof. Presently issued foorth one of the Knights gardants, and mounting on his horse, came vnto Adresto demaunding what hee sought. Entrance aunswered Adresto, which if it be denied I will purchase with my sword. Then setting spurres to theyr horses, they met together with such fury, that the Knight of the bridge was sent headlong to the ground: and after him came foorth another, who was likewise sent to beare him

company, breaking his necke with the fall, Adresto neuer so much as once moouing in his saddle: and to be briefe, so good was his hap, that with one speare hee dismounted the first fiue Knights, not any of them béeing able to rise from the ground. Then taking choice of a fresh horse, and a new Launce, for that his old one was remaining broken in the body of him whom hee last dismounted, hee went on to the farther end of the Bridge, where he found two of the other fiue ready mounted, and vailing their Launces, they ranne together in such sort, that breaking both their Launces on his shield, it caused him a little to stagger: but he with whō Adresto met, was sent to measure his length on y^e ground, then encountring with the other againe, hee ran his launce cleane through his body, himselfe béeing a little wounded on the right side.

Then taking a new Launce, hee prepared to runne a∣gainst the other thrée, but before he ranne, the Knight of the Lyons intreated him to giue ouer the Iousts to him, as be∣ing more fresh and lustie: but héereunto Adresto would not in any sort agrée, but desired him to permit him to end the aduenture if he could: and if hee did faile therein, then that he would procéede in the same himselfe. And héerewithall againe he sette spurres to his horse, and encountring with them all thrée at once, gaue him that was on the right side of him such a blow, that he caused him to fall ouer his horse taile: but the other two méeting him fully at one instant, brake theyr Launces in the midst of his shield, causing both horse and man to tumble to the ground, but soone had hee recouered his féete, and was againe remounted by his Squire, who brought him his owne horse, & presented him with a Launce. Then béeing mounted, he incountred a∣gaine with the other two, who at the second course he like∣wise sent to beare theyr fellowes company, himselfe béeing sore brused and wounded in two or thrée places of the body, wherby he lost a great deale of blood: and likewise his horse was so ouerwearied, that hee was no longer able to beare his body. Wherfore he dismounted, minding to haue chan∣ged

his horse, but as hee was so dooing, hee espied the fiue Knights with whom he was to deale withall comming to∣wards him on foote, wherfore drawing forth his sword, and dressing his shield on his arme, he went against them with a most bold and vndaunted courage: and béeing come to∣gether, was the first that gaue the onset, which hee perfor∣med with such inestimable prowesse, that within lesse then twenty blowes, he had sent one of them to séeke passage of old Caron: the rest perceiuing the death of theyr fellow, be∣gan with more furie to assault him, whereby he was driuen to his trumps, for they were all foure stoute and hardy Knights. Thus continued the fight by the space of an howre, many wounds béeing giuen on both sides, so that the ground was all couered with blood: and now Adresto féeling himselfe grieuously wounded, & his strength through wearisomnesse & losse of blood to decrease, minding to shew courage to the end, vnited all his forces together, and de∣termining to end his life with honour, ranne fiercely vpon them, giuing one of them such a blow on the head, that hée cleft him to the téeth: then turning to another of them who had wounded him behind, gaue him such a discharge, that for euer after he was frée from any more such combats, ha∣uing both his armes cut off. The other two séeing this, and fearing the like, would willingly if they could haue desisted frō the battel: but he pursued them with so mighty blowes, that at length they fell both at his féete, the one of thē starke dead, the other crying for mercy, which he obtained.

Then Adresto béeing very faint, sate downe on y^e grasse, which the Knight of the Lyons perceiuing, came towards him to helpe him, but before hée could come vnto him, A∣dresto was falne into a swound: wherefore commending him vnto their Squires, hee prepared himselfe against the other fiue Knights, which by this time were come euen vn∣to him: and at the first incounter, gaue one of them so rude a blow, that cutting away both shoulder and right arme, hée caused him to fall dead to the ground, then turning to ano∣ther, he tooke of at one blow his head.

The other thrée séeing this, beset him round about, lay∣ing at him withall their force, which was far weake to doe him any hurt: so impierceable was his Armor, which at this time stoode him in good stéede, for hee being sure from wounding, néeded not to take any paines but only in of∣fending, which he did with such agillity, that in lesse then halfe an houre, hee had sent them all to séeke passage into another world. Then had he time a little to breath himselfe, and also to sée Adresto, who by this time, by the carefull industrie of the Squires, was come to himselfe againe, and had his wounds bound vp, being somewhat weake and fainty, with his great losse of blood which he sustained. And now the Knight of the Lions, séeing there was no great doubt of his recouery, went towards the Castle, to prouoke the Gardants, if otherwise they would not com foorth, to the battaile.

But euen as hee was come to the gate, fiue whose lot was next to fight came foorth, and all at once set on him, but he like a second Hercules, amidst the eleauen Gyant-like brethren, first receaued al their blowes vpon his shield, to try the strength of their armes, and hauing once felt the weight of all their forces, he directed his sword against him, whose blowes hee thought might doe him the greatest da∣mage: and giuing him a full blow beneath the shield, par∣ted him right in the wast, then laying on amongst them with equall dole, he made from some their heads, from o∣thers their armes and legges to fly into the field. And now foure of them being kild in the place, the other beganne to fly as fast as he could towards the wicked, but before hée could attaine halfe of the way, the Knight of the Lions o∣uertooke him, & gaue him so full a blow vpon the head, that he cleft him downe to the girdle: to the amazement of the beholders, who stoode vpon the battlements of the Castle, almost fearing to goe foorth to fight with him, but being vrged, both by their oath, and also by the commaundement of their Captaine, the nex fiue went foorth, but were in a manner no sooner issued, but that they sought meanes to

returne againe, such incredible feare had they of his weigh∣ty blowes. But hée séeing their intent, and minding to pre∣uent the same, got lighty betwéene the gate and them: and now hauing already slaine thrée of them, and woun∣ded the other two, hee beganne to fall into consideration with himselfe, that if he did not take the time, whiles it pre∣sented it selfe vnto him to enter into the Castle, he might when he would, peraduenture be bard of the like oportu∣nitie. And considering withall the goodnesse of his Armor, & vnwillingnesse of the defendants to come foorth, determi∣ned to enter whilst the wicket was open: wherefore step∣ping a little to the right hand, he gaue one of them so sore a blow on the left shoulder, that caused him to fall to the ground, and héerewithall hee lept suddenly to the wicket, and got in thereat: which they of the Castle perceauing, and with all fearing the sequell, bee ganne to arme them∣selues, and all at once to assault him, some with swords, o∣ther with Launces, some others againe betooke them to throwing of stones, & diuers engines of iron at him, where with he was greatly troubled. But seeing no remedy, but either to conquer or die, he couered himselfe with his shield, and with his trusty blade in his hand, hee made such way amongst them, that he thought himselfe surest, that was farthest off from him: so that within y^e space of two houres, he had not left aboue sixe of them liuing: all which were likewise very sore wounded, & beeing vtterly voyd of hope to escape his conquering arme, determined to submit themselues to his mercy, hoping thereby to saue their liues, which otherwise they could not long preserue. Wherefore falling on their knées, with one voice they cra∣ued mercy, which he soone graunted vnto them, being as I haue many times before said, naturally inclined to pitty. And willing them to stand vp, hee demaunded what priso∣ners there were in the Castle, and for what occasion that custome was there erected: all which one of them at large recounted, declaring how that the King of Denmarke as yet remained there, with diuers other noble and gallant

Knights. Which when the Knight of the Lions heard, hée commaunded straight waies to be conducted vnto the pri∣son: and likewise that Adresto should be brought in, and his wounds dressed by the Surgian of the Castle, which was a man greatly experienced in that science, all which was presently performed. And one of the Knights running to one of them that was slaine, tooke from him a bunch of keyes, wherewith he opened a little iron doore, and discen∣ding downe a narrow paire of staiers, they came to a dun∣gion vnderground, at the entry whereof was another iron doore, which they likewise opened: then hauing a torch lighted in their hands, they vnchained all the prisoners, amongst whom they found King Frederick, y^e Lord Gwal∣tero his Cosin: the Duke of Litsenburge, the Lord of Me∣new, Sir Henault, and diuers others, to the number of a hundred, all or most part Knights of Denmarke. Many of which were sore pined away, and almost famished through their extreame griefe and course fare: but the King, the Lord Gwaltero, & Sir Henault, were little or nothing altred for all their long imprisonment. And now being all brought foorth into the great Hall of the Castle, they with one ac∣cord gaue harty thankes vnto the Knight of the Lions, and then falling on their knées, with one consent they gaue praises to almighty God, which being ended: the King with the noble men came vnto the Knight of the Lions, desiring him to declare who hee was, that they were so much bound vnto for their deliuerance. To which hee aun∣swered, that hee was commonly called the Knight of the Lions: But as touching his parents or Country, he knew not, only this he had heard, that being a child, he was ta∣ken vp in a Forrest, in the Kingdome of Denmarke, by the Duke of Saxonie, who since that time had carefully brought him vp as his sonne. Which when the King had heard hée imbrast him in his armes, desiring him to accompany him into his Kingdome, where hee would showe himselfe so thankfull vnto him, as hee should not thinke his labour ill bestowed. The Knight beeing by the instinct of nature,

greatly affected vnto the King, soone consented héereto, al∣though it were farre out of his way towards Spaine, whe∣ther he was trauelling. For which the King gaue him har∣ty thankes, and withall beganne to haue an inward loue towards him: héere continued they by the space of eight or tenne daies, to refresh their weake bodies, as also for the curing of the wounds of Adresto, and making preparation for their Armors, whereof they had great store in the Ca∣stle, & some horses: others they got abroade in the Coun∣try néere adioyning for their monies. And now hearing that Grifforie was gathering his forces to come against them, they departed towards Flaunders, where hearing of the warres and rebellion in Denmarke, they determined vnknowne to hasten thether, and naming themselues to be all Knights arrant, met together by chance: and hea∣ring of these warres were, minded to entertaine them∣selues in the armie of the States. With this determination arriued they at the Citty of Gaunt, which was still held by the Danes: and héere they remained, to prouide themselues of such things as they néeded.