## The Anonymous Short English Metrical Chronicle

### Publication Statement:

This file is part of the facsimile-edition of the Auchinleck Manuscript was co-edited by Professor David Burnley and Dr Alison Wiggins. The HTML versions of the resource are freely available at http://www.nls.uk/auchinleck/

### Notes:

This manuscript file was originally supplied as smc.html and the header file was located in heads/smc_head.html both of which were converted to TEI XML by Dr James Cummings of the Oxford Text Archive. The notes below were taken from the header file and each HTML paragraph placed in a separate note.

Scribe 1

Short couplets. 2361 lines, including a 7-line passage in French on f.310rb, but excluding 9-line lacuna on f.317ra.

Seven other manuscripts representing three different redactions (Auchinleck is from the C-redaction):
A-redaction:
BL Royal MS 12.c.xii. 1320-40. W. Midlands.
B-redaction:
CUL MS Ff.5.48. 15th century. W. Midlands. Writen by Gilbert Pilkington.
C-redaction:
BL Additional MS 19677. 1390-1400.
CUL Dd.14.2. 15th century, completed before 1432.
Bodleian Library MS 15432 (Rawlinson poet. 145). Fist half of the 14th century. Zettle xxiii: '...It now forms part of a slender volume consisting of 13 leaves ... fols. 6-12 are the actual MS, seven mutilated leaves of vellum, disarranged by the binder...'.
BL Cotton Caligula A.ix. Single leaf. First half of the 14th century. (Note: Zettl has 'A.xi').
olim Phillipps (Sotheby Sale Cat., June 29, 1936, Lot 105). Present owner unknown.

Related MS:
CUL Gg.I.1. Translation of the Chronicle into Anglo-Norman prose, early 14th century.

Edition:
E. Zettl, An Anomymous Short English Metrical Chronicle, EETS OS 196 (London: Oxford University Press, 1935). (With all variants).

Another edition:
M. C. Carroll and R. Tuve, 'Two Manuscripts of the Middle English Anonymous Riming Chronicle', PMLA, 46 (1931): 115-154. (Edition of Auchinleck and Rawlinson 145; Auchinleck: 117-148).

Index 1105.

### Source:

The Auchinleck Manuscript (NLS Adv MS 19.2.1) is one of the National Library of Scotland’s greatest treasures. Produced in London in the 1330s, it provides a unique insight into the English language and literature that Chaucer and his generation grew up with and were influenced by. It acquired its name from its first known owner, Lord Auchinleck, who discovered the manuscript in 1740 and donated it to the precursor of the National Library in 1744.

### The Anonymous Short English Metrical Chronicle

Here may men rede whoso can [f.304ra] [Image]
Hou Jnglond first bigan.
Men mow it finde jn Englische
As þe Brout it telleþ, ywis.
Herkeneþ hiderward lordinges,[5]
ȝe þat wil here of kinges,
Ichil ȝou tellen as y can
Hou Jnglond first bigan.
Sitteþ stille grete & smale
& ȝe schal here a wel fair tale.[10]
A king þer was in heþen lond,
Of Grece he was ich vnderstond.
He was a swiþe noble kniȝt,
Duhti man he was in fiȝt,
Riȝt stalworþ & strong:[15]
Þe best bodi jn ani lond.
In þat time þat was yfounde
His enemis al he brouȝt to grounde;
Man he was of grete nobleye.
A wiif he hadde soþ to say,[20]
A riȝt swiþe feir quen,
Non feirer no miȝt ben.
Children he wan on hir tventi,
Al maiden childer witterly,
Feir of siȝt on to se,[25]
Þe feirest maidens of þat cuntre.
When þe maidens wer of age
Þai wer ȝeuen to mariage
To hem þat wer of gret honour.
Noiþer to king no to emperour,[30]
Al þai were maride wel,
Als to swiche wimen bifel.
¶ Afterward sone anon
Þeldest soster of euerichon -
Hir name forsoþe hiȝt Albin -[35]
Sche hir biþouȝt in iuel tim
Of tresoun al for to do,
Hou sche miȝt hir lord slo.
Þe deuel jnto hir hert aliȝt
& consey[l]d hir anonriȝt[40]
After hir sostren for to sende
& tel hem alle ord & ende
Hou sche hadde yþouȝt to do,
Hir lord wiþ tresoun for to slo.
¶ A messanger sche cleped anon [f.304rb] [Image] [45]
& bad him swiþe he schuld gon
To hir sostren al bidene,
Þat wer wimen briȝt & schene,
& to hem al for to say
Þat þai come at a certeyn day[50]
To hir, al wiþ hir to speke.
Wiþ tresoun þat wold ben awreke
Of hir lord curteys & fre
Þe fairest kniȝt þat miȝt be.
Þe messanger him went anon[55]
To hir sustren euerichon
& his message he gan telle
As to a messanger bifelle.
Hir sustren han her way ynome,
Sone to Albin þai ben ycome;[60]
Þo þai com toforn hir alle
& were asembled in þe halle
Albin þan to hem seyd,
'Sostren' sche seyd 'ich am bitreyd, [ sche: h altered from e.] [']
Mi lord me holdeþ so in eye[65]
Þat y dar nouȝt oȝain hi[m] say
Word no half in halle no bour.
Þat is to me gret desanour,
Þerfor ichil awreken be
Of him when ich mi time se.'[70]
¶ At þat word þai spoken alle
Anon toforn hir in þe halle
& seyden al by & by,
'So fare we al witterly.[']
Of hem we haue miche grame [75] [ grame: MS reads garme .]
To ous al it is gret schame
For we ben al of heye parage
& ycomen of heye linage.'
¶ Albin hem answerd anon,
80 'Sostren, wite ȝe what we schul don?[80']
Wele schul we awreken be
ȝif ȝe wil don after me;
ȝe schul me pliȝten al ȝour fay
Þat ȝe schal don as y ȝo[u] say
Þis ich day a seuen niȝt.[85]
Lokeþ wele bi al ȝour miȝt
ȝour lordes to maken glad chere
Al þat day as nouȝt no were.
At euen lokeþ sone & swiþe [f.304va] [Image]
Þat ich of ȝou haue a kniue,[90]
& when þat ȝe schul go to rest
Loke þat ȝe be redy & prest
& to þe hert swiþe hem smite
Þat neuer man þerof no wite.
& afterward wel priueliche[95]
Bidelue hem in a foule diche;
Þan may we liue in gret anour
& maisters ben & comandour,
Erliche & late, loude & stille,
Euerich man to don our wille.'[100]
¶ When þis wordes weren yseyd
Al þerwiþ þai weren ypeyd
& seyden al wiþouten fayl
Þat þis was a gode conseyl
& after her rede þai wald do[105]
Her hosbondes al for to slo.
Ac þe ȝinges[t] of hem euerichon
Þouȝt sche nold nouȝt so don,
Hir lord to slen wiþ trecherie;
Arst sche þouȝt hem al biwreye[110]
Ar sche wald do þat wicke dede.
'Crist' sche seyd, it forbede[']
Mi lord ani tresoun do;
Crist nold neuer it wer so.'
Hir lord þat was a ȝongling[115]
Sche loued mest of al þing
Also schuld ich gode wiman -
Ac mani on so do no can.
Þe sustren al wenten home
Vnto her stedes þat þai come[120]
& þouȝtten al haue don þat dede
Þurth trecherie & þurth falshede.
Þe ȝong soster, when sche hom cam,
Anon hir lord warn sche gan
& told him of þat foule meschaunce[125]
& of þat wicked puruiaunce
Þat hir sostren had made.
Þerfore in hert sche was vnglade.
¶ 'Leman' sche seyd 'hende & fre,[']
Of o þing ichil warn þe:[130]
Mine sostren al þurth wicked rede
Han ordeyned an iuel dede
Her lordes al to bring of dawe, [f.304vb] [Image]
Oȝaines riȝt, oȝaines lawe,
& eren men of gret anour;[135]
It were a foule mesauentour.
God þat heyest sitt of alle
No lat it neuer so bifalle.'
'Leman' he seyd 'may þis be soþ?'[']
'ȝa, sir, wiþouten oþ.[140]
Þat schaltow wele wite & se.
Þe next sonne niȝt þat schal be,
Þat niȝt schal þe ded be don,
Þat slayn þai schal ben euerichon;
& for þi loue, dede y schal be[145]
Þat ichaue wraied her priuete.'
'Leman' he seyd 'of gret valour,[']
Þou schalt be kept wiþ gret anour,
Erliche & lat, loude & stille,
Þine hertes wil to fulfille.[150]
Of þis wordes þai leten her pas
& made togider grete solas
Wiþ joie & blis al þat niȝt
What it sprong þe day liȝt.
Amorwe when þe day gan spring[155]
& þe foules miri sing,
Þe kniȝt aros anonriȝt
& atired him, wele apliȝt.
His steward he gan to him calle
& charged him biforn hem alle[160]
Þat he schuld wiþ gret anour
His lef to serue in halle & bour
Of al þing sche wald craue;
Rediliche sche schuld it haue.
¶ 'Sir' he seyd 'bi God almiȝt,[165]
Sche schal be serued, wel apliȝt,
Of what þing it be her wille,
Erliche & lat, loude & stille,
As falleþ to wiman of gret anour,
Boþe in halle & in bour.'[170]
¶ Þe kniȝt was atired in riche wede
& sadeld was his gode stede.
He girt him wiþ a gode brond,
Into þe sadel sone he wond,
& forþeward bigan to ride,[175]
Kniȝtes & sweynes bi his side.
Al þat day his way he nome [f.305ra] [Image]
What he to þe palays come
Þat was lord & emperour
Þat ȝaf him wiif wiþ grete anour.[180]
Atte gates he gan aliȝt
& went him in hastiliche, apliȝt;
Þurthout þe halle, into þe bour,
Þer he fond þat emperour,
& hendiliche he him grett.[185]
When þai togider mett,
'Sir' seyd þe kniȝt 'in priuete[']
O word ichil speke wiþ þe;
Why & wharfor hider ich com
Þou schalt it wite son anon.'[190]
¶ Þemperour þo gan vpstond
& tok þe kniȝt bi þe hond
& wiþ semblant glad & bliþe
To chamber lad him also swiþe
His message for to here,[195]
To wite what his wille were.
'Sir' seyd þe kniȝt 'in priuete,[']
O þing ichil warni þe:
Þine douhtern euerichone
Han puruayd a foule tresone[200]
Her lordes al for to sle.
Þe next sonne niȝt þat schal be,
Þat niȝt schal þe dede be done,
Þat slayn þai schal ben euerichon;
Þus þai han her conseyl take[205]
Eueriche to slen her make
Þurth trecherie & þurth falshed. [ Þurth: MS reads þruth.]
Þat is a swiþe wicked dede.
Þe king answerd 'hou may þis be?
Is it soþ þou tel it me?'[210]
'ȝa, sir' he seyd 'bi mi trewþe;[']
Þat is swiþe miche rewþe.'
Þe king seyd 'what is best to don?'
'Sir, after þine douhtern send anon;[']
Do hem al bifor þe come[215]
To wite þe soþ of þis tresone,
& when þai beþ ycomen alle,
Þe ȝongest schaltow to þe calle
& charge hir in priuete
Þat sche þe soþe tel þe[220]
Of her tresoun & her trecherie, [f.305rb] [Image]
No word to þe þat sche no lye.'
Wiþ þat conseyl þe king was peyd
& dede as þe kniȝt had seyd.
Swiþe he cleped a messanger[225]
& bad hem go boþe fer & ner
His douhtern al to warni
Þat hij come to him hastily,
Vnto her fader sone anon,
To wite his conseyl & his dom[230]
O þing þat he wald to hem telle.
'Go' he seyd '& nouȝt no duelle.'['']
¶ Þe messanger swiþe went
& dede þe kinges comandment; [ kinges: MS reads kniges.]
Fro toun to toun he ran bliue[235]
His message he dede swiþe.
Þo þe sostren euerichon
Toforn her fader þai comen anon,
& when þai wer toforn him come
He spac to hem atte frome.[240]
Þe ȝingest of hem euerichon
He cleped to him sone anon
& seyd 'douhter, y bid þe
O þing me telle in priuete,
As tow louest þine anour,[245]
Or þou schalt haue gret deshonour,
Þou & þine sostren alle,
Miche schame ȝou schal bifalle,
Wiþ vile deþ to ben yschent,
Yboiled quic or ben ybrent.'[250]
On knes swiþe sche gan to falle
& merci sche crid biforn hem alle.
'Sir' sche seyd wiþ reweful cri,[']
'On me now ȝe haue merci.[']
Of al þing ichil ben aknowe,[255]
Toforn boþe heye & lowe,
Of what þing so it euer bifalle
Of me & of min sostren alle.'
Hir fader hir gan vpbreyd
& þis wonder to hir he seyd:[260]
'Is it soþ þat ȝe han byþouȝt,[']
Þou & þine sostren - leyȝe me nouȝt -
ȝour lordes al for to sle
Þis next sonne niȝt schal be,
Wiþ trecherie & wiþ treson? [f.305va] [Image] [265]
Þe soþe þou tel me anon.'
'Sir' sche seyd 'ieo vus dy,[']
It is soþ witterly.
Our lordes al we schuld haue slawe
& ybrouȝt of liif dawe.[270]
[I]t was our conseyl & our rede
Hem alle haue don to ded.
Þan schuld we liue in gret anour
& ich of ous be comandour,
Erliche & late, loud & stille,[275]
Euerich man to don our wille.'
When hij was þis word aknowe,
Biforn hem alle heye & lowe,
Þemperour ȝaf jugement
Euerichon to ben ybrent;[280]
Ac for þai were of his linage
& ycomen of heye parage,
He comaund swiþe a schip to make,
Þat it wer redi for her sake,
& his douhtren euerichon[285]
Swiþe anon þerin to don,
Wiþouten seyl, wiþouten ore.
Þerin þai wer don, lasse & more;
Bot þe ȝingest of hem ichon,
Þilke was bileued at hom.[290]
Þai wer ystired fro þe lond
& rode forþ bi þe se strond
Day & niȝt, wike & oþer,
Wiþouten seyl, wiþouten roþer.
Þe winde hem drof fer & wide,[295]
Vp & doun bi euerich side.
Miche sorwe þai gun to make
& eueriche wepe for oþer sake.
Þe winde fast bigan to blowe
& þe wawes vp & doun hem þrowe;[300]
Sori wimen weren he,
Adrenched þai wende for to be,
Ac God þat sitt in heuen-trone
Al þat he wil it schal be done.
Þus þai riden bi þe strond[305]
What þai com to þis lond,
& whan þai gun here ariue
In hert þai wer glad & bliþe.
Asclaundred þai were euerichon, [f.305vb] [Image]
Þerfore þai made michel mone.[310]
¶ Þo bispac þeldest, Albin,
'Listeneþ sostren þat be min,[']
Y schal ȝou telle hou it schal be:
Þis lond ichil sese to me,
After mi name Albion[315]
ȝe schullen it clepe euerichon.'
Opon þis lond þai gun riue
& gras & rotes gadred bliue,
Frout & acren to her mete;
Oþer þing miȝt þai non gete.[320]
Loges swiþe þai gun hem make
To resten hem in arliche & lat.
In þat time in al þis lond
An acre of lond þai ne fond,
Bot wode & wildernisse;[325]
Þai no fond tilþe more no lesse.
Ac sone anon after swiþe
Þai biþouȝten hem bliue
Hou þai venisoun miȝt take,
Gode mete þerof to make.[330]
Þai gun to make mani gin
Þe wilde bestes for to win, [ bestes: final s is superscript.]
& so þai dede day & oþer;
Þermid þai gun hem frouer
& made hem boþe glad & bleþe[335]
& her hunger gan wele liþe.
Þai ferd wele þo hem among,
After lecherie hem gun long,
& seyd among hem euerichon
Hem failed nouȝt bot mannes mon.[340]
Þe fende of helle, þat foule wiȝt,
Amonges hem al þer aliȝt
& engenderd þo on hem
Geauntes þat wer strong men,
& of hem come þe geauntes strong[345]
Þat were byȝeten in þis lond.
Forsoþe to say, on þis maner
Were þe geauntes biȝeten here,
& ȝeres after mani & long
Þai kept þis lond in her hond[350]
Eyȝte hundred winter, al bidene;
Þai kept þis lond hem bitvene
Euer til þat Brut him come, [f.306ra] [Image]
Þat was filius Brutus sone,
& he forsoþe, wiþouten feyle,[355]
Ouercom hem al in batayle,
& þus þis lond hiȝt Albyone.
To þat Brut fram Troie come,
Þat was a þousand & tvo hundred ȝer
Er þan Ihesu Mari bere.[360]
Þo cam Brutt fram Troye, ywis,
Þat was filius sone Brutis;
Douhti man com wiþ him also,
Þat Cornius was ycleped þo.
In þat time in al þis lond, ywis,[365]
Nas þer tilþe, more no lesse,
Toun no hous neuer non
Er þan Brutt fram Troye com;
Al was wode & wildernisse,
Her no was tilþe, more no lesse. [370] [ Her: r is superscript.]
Geauntes her woned swiþe strong
Þat wer boþe gret & long.
Gomagog was her king;
He no hadde non euening.
He was of swiþe grete strengþe,[375]
Fourti fot he was of lengþe,
.xii. fram his helbowe to his hond,
& .xx. on brede men him fond.
In grete hilles þai woned here
& liued bi erbes & bi wilde dere;[380]
Milke & water þai dronk nouȝt elles,
As þe Broutt ous siggeþ & telleþ.
Schepe þai hadde as hors grete
Þat bere wolle so doþ þe gete;
Þerof þai made hem sclauines[385]
So palmers weren & paynimes. [ &: MS reads in.]
Þo (þe) Brutt com þis lond to win[(]
Þe geauntes þat her wonden in, [ wonden corrected from woneden.]
¶ Þo þai herd of Brutus come,
Þai com togider al & some[390]
To ȝiuen hem bateyl anon,
& to slen hem euerichon.
Brutus folk wer wel kene,
& þat was wonder wele ysene:
Þe geauntes þai ouercome[395]
& her gret king þai nome,
Gomagog þat was so strong [f.306rb] [Image]
& so wonderliche long.
Cornious þe champioun,
Þat wiþ Brutt fram Troye com,[400]
He seye Co[g]magog so sterne,
He desired swiþe ȝernne
To wrastli wiþ þat foule þing
Þat was þe geauntes king.
Of Brutus he bad a bone[405]
& he him graunted swiþe sone.
Cornius anon forþ schete
To þe geaunt þat was so grete,
Al day wrastli þay gunne
Fort hem failed liȝt of sunne.[410]
Gomagog was atened strong
Þat o man him stode so long
& Cornius he prest so fast
Þat to ribbes in his side tobrast.
Brut biheld Cornius[415]
& to him he seyd þus,
'Cornius, what dostow nouþe?[']
Nas neuer, bi norþ, no bi souþe,
No bi water, no bi londe,
Er now þi per yfounde;[420]
& ȝif þe word of þe sprong
Þat o man þe stode so long,
Geaunt oþer champioun,
Al þine anour wer leyd adoun,
& nameliche to þi leman[425]
Þat is so feir a wiman.'
¶ When Cornius herd þat
Þat Brut of his leman spac,
Of Ernebourwe þat maiden hende,
To Gomagog he gan wende[430]
& him pelt wiþ swiche strengþe
Þei he wer more þan he o lengþe,
Þat fourti fot roume & gret,
Into þe se he made him lepe.
Cornius þat was so fre[435]
He wode into þe salt se
& wiþ a swerd þat wald wele bite [ bite: MS reads bide.]
Þe geauntes heued he gan ofsmite
& dede it hong bi a cheyne
In Cornewaile for certeyne.[440]
When þe geauntes wer ouercome [f.306va] [Image]
& Brut hadde þis lond ynome,
Cornius him was so lef
Þat al a cuntre he him ȝef
& cleped þat cuntre for þat bateyle[445]
After Cornius, Cornewayle.
¶ Brut hadde miche folk wiþ him,
Boþe of fremde & of kin,
Þat wer tiliers gode;
Þai falwede erþe & felled wode[450]
Of þis lond þat was so wilde.
Þai bigun tounes to bilde:
Brut made Londen first wiþ game
& ȝaf it his houne name,
Newe Troye, for he cam[455]
First fram Troye & it bigan.
Brut sett Londen ston
& þis wordes he seyd anon,
'ȝif ich king þat after me come[']
Make þis cite wide & rome[460]
As ichaue bi mi day,
ȝete herafter men sigge may
Þat Troye nas neuer so fair cite
So þis cite schal be.'
Þilke time, þurth Brutus mouþe,[465]
Newe Troye it was name couþe.
¶ Brut hadde þre sones,
Þat wer swiþe fair gomes:
Þeldest men cleped Lokerin,
He regned after his fader fin;[470]
Camber hiȝt þat oþer,
He was þe midel broþer,
He was born in Deuenschire,
Of al Wales Brut made him sire; [ Wales corrected from Walles.]
Albanak þe þridde cleped wes,[475]
Scotlond to him he ches,
Al Brut wan to his hond
Inglond, Wales & Scotlond.
¶ Brut was king & regned her,
Forsoþe, vþer halfhundred ȝer;[480]
Biside Newe Troye he was ded
& ybirid þer so he bed,
Wel neye Temes on þe lond
Þer þat Westeminster stond.
Westeminster was nouȝt bigun þo [f.306vb] [Image] [485]
No ȝeres after mani & mo.
And sone anon after him
Regned his sone Lokerin.
Of þis lond þat was so wi[l]de
He bigan tounes to bilde.[490]
Lokerin regned her
Seuen & fiȝti ful ȝer
Bi his fader men him leyd,
As þe philosophus ous seyd.
After regned Eboras[495]
Þat swiþe wise & crafti was -
He was Lokerines sone.
He made ȝorke wide & rome
O lengþe & brede he it mete
More þan Londen bi seue[n] strete,[500]
& Newerk & Maidens Castel bo,
& Mondelrose he dede also.
In þat time Dauid & his tem
Regned in Ierusalem.
¶ Eboras regned her[505]
Tvo & sexti ful ȝer;
Bot of þat ich king
Finde we no biriing,
For he was ded in a forest
Huntende after a wilde best.[510]
& so after þat ich king
Was swiþe grete siching.
To ȝer oþer more
Þis lond was in gret sore,
So þat oft & ylome[515]
To chese a king conseyl þai nome;
Þo þai acorded in al þing
Þat Eboras sone was crouned king.
Lud hete þat gode gome
Þat was Eboras sone.[520]
He was a swiþe wise man,
Canterbirye he first bigan
Lakok & Totbirie
& oþer tounes þat ben so mirie,
& þe Vise also[525]
& oþer tounes mani mo.
& sone anon after þat
At Londen he made a gat
& ȝaf it his owhen name, [f.307ra] [Image]
Ludgate, in his game.[530]
¶ King Lud regned here
Four score & sex ȝer,
At Ludgate liþe his bon
Yloken in a marbel ston.
After þe king Lud[535]
Regned his sone Bladud.
He was a clerk of nigramacie,
Þat is an art of gret maistrie.
He made a wonder þing, ywis,
Þe hote baþe ycleped it is.[540]
¶ Herkeneþ al þat beþ hende
& y schal tel word & ende
Hou þe hote baþe ymaked is,
Al for soþ, wiþouten mis.
Tvay tonnes þer ben of bras[545]
& oþer tvay þer ben of glas;
Seuen maner saltes þer ben in
& oþer þing ymade wiþ ginne,
Quic brimston & oþer also,
& wild fure ymeynd þerto,[550]
Sal gemme & sal petre, [ gemme: MS reads gemine, altered from gimine.]
Sal armoniak þer is eke,
Sal arbrut, sal arkelin -
Sal gemme is meynt wiþ him -
Sal kemim, sal nitre briȝt,[555]
Þat brinneþ boþe day & niȝt.
Al þis ben in þe tonnes ydon
& oþer þinges mani on
Þat brenneþ boþe niȝt & day,
Þat neuer quenche it no may.[560]
In four welle springes þe tonnes liggeþ, [ springes: final s is superscript.]
So þe philosophus ous siggeþ,
Þe hete wiþin þe water wiþoute
Makeþ it hote al aboute.
Þe to welle springes herneþ yfere,[565]
Ac þe oþer to be mare clere;
Þerof for soþe mid ywis
Þe kinges baþe ymaked is.
¶ Þilke king Bladud,
Þat was þe kinges sone Lud,[570]
Þo he hadde þis baþe ywrouȝt,
& him failed þerto ouȝt
Of þing þat þer schuld to, [f.307rb] [Image]
Herkeneþ w[h]at he wold do:
Fram Baþe to Londen he wald fle[575]
& þat day comen oȝe
& feche þing þat þerto bifel,
So swift he was & so snel;
Swiche wer al his meistrie,
For he couþe of nigromacie.[580]
¶ Þilk Bladud þe king
ȝete dede a meruaylous þing,
He ȝaf þe deuel, bi verray enscent,
Euerich ȝer a man to rent,
To haue & dele to her owe,[585]
Euermore þe fire to blowe;
& for þat rent þai blowen it ay,
& so schal do til domesday.
¶ King Bladud regned here
An hundred & fifti ful ȝere. [590] [ fifti: MS reads fiȝti.]
& when þat Bladud was ded
His soul went to þe qued,
For Ihesu nas nouȝt ȝet ybore
No deþ suffred him nouȝt fore.
At Ludgate liþe his bon[595]
Biside his fader depe in a ston.
When Bladud was ded her
Regned his sone Fortiger,
& was a douhti man at nede
& wele couþe fiȝt opon a stede.[600]
His per nowhar he fond
Wher þat he come in ani lond,
For he was boþe war & wise
& a man of miche priis.
In þe tour of Eldwerk he was ded,[605]
In þe wal ybirid in lede,
Þat stont opon Houndesdiche
Bitvene Algat & þe Tour sikerlich.
After regned a king bold
Þat was yhoten Denewold.[610]
He was stalworþ & gode
On lond & on þe salt flod.
In mani a lond he went ful wide
Auentours to seke & abide.
He was a man of gret anour,[615]
In euerich a side conquerour,
& in þis lond þat was so wilde [f.307va] [Image]
He bigan tounes to bilde;
Þerin he sett men wel ȝepe
Þis lond riȝt for to kepe.[620]
¶ Þat ich king Denewold,
Þat ichaue of ytold,
Tvay sones he hadde þenne
Þat on hete Belin & [þat] oþer hete Brenne.
Þai were men of gret maistrie:[625]
Þai wan Fraunce & Normandye [ Normandye: r is superscript.]
& al þat lond swiþe sone
Fram Fraunce to þe court of Rome.
Þilke Belin & þilke Brenne
Four wayes þai made þenne[630]
Þurth Þe strengþe of her hond
Þat goþ þurthout Jnglond;
Þat on to þis day ȝete
Is ycleped Watelingstrete,
Þat oþer is cleped Fosse[635]
Þat goþ fram Cornewaile into Scosse.
Þe þridde Ikelingstrete cleped is, [ Ikelingstrete: r is superscript.]
Þat oþer Fossedike, ywis.
¶ King Denewold regned here
Al hole an hundred ȝere;[640]
At Scheftesbirie, wiþouten lesing,
Is ymaked his biriing.
After him, witterli,
Hadde Belin þis lond ȝeres fifti [ fifti: MS reads fiȝti .]
He was Breteines derling,[645]
Ac he ne was nouȝt þerof king,
For he no wald noþing owe,
Noiþer of heye ne of lowe,
Bot of his propre rent
Spended he, verray ascent; [650] [ ascent: MS reads astent.]
Þo nold noiþer heye no lowe
Noþing Belin wiþ honour knowe.
Þo þurth pride & gret meschaunce
Þis lond was in gret destaunce,
After þat, wiþ gret vigour,[655]
Into þis lond come a conquerour,
Hingist, þe strong king,
Wele doinde in al þing.
He was conquerour of pris
& king he was ȝepe & wiis.[660]
To þe riche he was gode [f.307vb] [Image]
& wiþ þe pouer mild of mode.
Of godenes was al his fame,
Sterne in wretþe & glad in game.
Of belding he was wise man:[665]
Lyncoln first he bigan,
Herforþ & Wircestre,
Schrowesbirye, Staford & Chestre,
Oxenford & Reding;
Of Walingford he made þe gining,[670]
Grauntebrige & Huntingdone,
Bedeford & Norhamtone,
Gloucester & Þrekingham,
Dudele & Euesham.
¶ Hingist wan to his hond[675]
Inglond, Wales & Scotlond.
After his barouns swiþe he sent,
As þai wald ben vnschent,
Þai schuld come to his parlement
To here þe kinges comandment.[680]
He sent hem bode al þurth & þurth
Þat þai schuld be at Londen burth
Þo þe parlement was ynome,
& al þe barons þider come.
Þe king made hem swere oþes hold[685]
Þat for her lord him held þai schold. [ him: MS reads hem.]
Ordenaunce he lete make
Þat neuer seþ þe wer forsake:
ȝif ani þef þat men fond
In ani stede of his lond,[690]
Non abide no schuld be þer
Þat þe þef honged no wer
ȝif þe þift so miche wold be
Þritti plates of þe mone.
¶ King Hingist he was a sire,[695]
He made boþe hundred & schire
& afterward, wiþouten gile,
He made boþe forlong & mile.
He sett a stent, riȝt verray,
Þat a grome schuld gon o day:[700]
In winter day he schuld go
Tventi miles & namo,
& in somer, wiþouten gile,
He schuld go to & þritti mile.
In winter he schuld take penis þre - [f.308ra] [Image] [705]
Bi no lesse no schuld he be -
Þe tvay in mete & drink & fere,
Þe þridde for to glad his chere;
I[n] somer four penis he schuld haue -
No lasse no schuld he take no kraue - [710] [ kraue: MS reads knaue.]
Þe þre penis in mete & drink
For trauail & his sore swink,
Þe ferþe peni spende he schold
On fair wimen ȝif he wold.
¶ King Hingist made as men mai se[715]
A gret meruaile in þe west cuntre,
Wiþ messangers stark & strong. [ stark: MS reads strak.]
In o niȝt out of Jrlond
Opon þe Pleyn of Salesbirye,
A mile out of Hambesbirie,[720]
He dede it clepe in his game
Hingiston in his name.
¶ In þat ston was made a sete;
To eueriche man it is mete, [ is is written superscript, and the original was is underdotted.]
To al men þat come þere,[725]
ȝif þai of loue trewe were.
Þo went Hingist sone anon
Into Londen sone he come;
Þe buriays alle curteys & fre
Welcomed him fair into þat cite.[730]
Hingist hem answerd anon,
'Wele be ȝou, gode men ichon,[']
Þo Brut first þis cite ches
Newe Troye ycleped it wes,
& seþ þe þo þat went her þurth[735]
For king Lud, Luddesburth.
¶ & nov, lordinges, ich warn ȝou alle
Hingisthom ȝe schullen it calle.'
¶ King Hingist, as y ȝou telle,
Coniourd þre hundred fendes of helle[740]
Þat þai schuld make a brigge
Ouer þe se for to ligge.
Aday þai schuld to helle gon
& fram þennes bring þe ston
Þat schuld to þe brigge go,[745]
& þe siment þat fel þerto,
& euermore o niȝt in derke
Opon þe brigge þai schuld werke,
On þis maner it to diȝt: [f.308rb] [Image]
Þe brigge to make & wirke o niȝt[750]
So al in a litel while
Þe brigge was maked .xx. mile.
& þo anon þe conquerour
Þer lete make a strong tour,
Wele yhoused & wele ybeld,[755]
(T)chambers & halles wiþ mani teld,[()]
ȝif he oþer his went ouer þe se
Þat he miȝt þer herberwed be.
¶ Anon þe king Selmin of Fraunce,
When he herd þat meschaunce,[760]
Swiþe anon he sent his sond
To king Hengist of Jnglond
& seyd him þo, wiþ gode skele,
Þe se was his, bot þe haluendele,
& bad him þat he schuld late[765]
On þe brigge no ferþer to make,
& elles he seyd, wiþouten feyle,
Þat he wald ȝif on him batayle
& into Jnglond come
& destruen al & some.[770]
Hingist seyd he schuld liȝe,
He schuld ȝeld him Normundye
As his ancesters hadde bifore -
He wald it were nouȝt forlore -
'Oþer in Fraunce þurth me[775]
Strong bateyl schal þer be.'
¶ Þe messangers went oȝain
& told þe king for certeyn
Þat he miȝt drede & quake
For wer þat Hingist walde make.[780]
At Moustrel, wiþouten lesing,
Selmin mett wiþ Hingist our king,
& Hingist þo þe conquerour
Spak to him wiþ gret honour
& bad king Selmin hastily[785]
Deliuer him vp al Normundye
For þe wrong he hadde him do,
& more raunson þerto.
Þo wiþ solempnite & pris
Selmin ladde Hingist into Paris;[790]
Wiþ largesse & solempnete
A moneþ þer fest held he,
& þo þurth grete loue al sone [f.308va] [Image]
Selmin ȝaf Hengist al Gascone
& Normundye also,[795]
Wiþ al þe anour þat lay þerto.
Selmin made þe charter as Hengist wold
& seled it al wiþ red gold
& seyd as long as schineþ þe sonne
Þe londes wer his, wiþ riȝt ywonne.[800]
When þe fest was yhold
An hole moneþ as ich er told
Hingist went into Gascone
& tok þerin sesyn sone.
In Gascoyne he gan sesin hold[805]
xii moneþes & fourti days ytold.
Þo he had in Normondye be
To ȝer & more biȝond þe se
& in fele londes þe pris ywonne,
More þan ani man vnder sonne.[810]
Wiþ tresore & wiþ gret maine
He com into Litel Bretayne.
¶ Selmin bisouȝt Hengist our king
Þat he him graunted a litel þing
Of þe brigge of to late[815]
No forþer þat he no dede it make.
Hengist him seyd, bi his leute,
No forþer no schuld it maked be.
¶ Þo Hingist com into þis lond
Feyr presentes him com to hond,[820]
Tventi mules charged wiþ gold
Selmin him sent to hauen in wold,
& a þousand tonnes of win
Him sent to present king Selmin.
Hingist seyd to hem anon:[825]
'Welcome be ȝe euerichon.[']
Þanke ȝour lord þat is so hende
Þat he wald me þis present sende.
Say him þus in al þing,
As ich am trewe kniȝt & king,[830]
In al þat y may & can
While ich liue, ich am his man,
& trewþe euer y schel him held,
Saue omage nil y non him ȝeld,
To him no to liuiand man[835]
Whiles y mi riȝt witt can.
¶ Hingist þo þat was so strong [f.308vb] [Image]
Went him þan into Scotlond,
Þurthout al þat lond þere,
& duelled þerin seuen ȝere.[840]
Of þat lond wast & wilde
Gode tounes he lete bilde,
& as he come Scotlond fram
He bigan furst Durham;
Carlel he dede also[845]
& riȝt wele biwalled hem bo.
Þe Newe Castel he lete aginne
& on Tine it sett wiþ ginne.
Into Wales þo swiþe he sent
Þurth al þat lond his comandment,[850]
& of her londes wast & wilde
Strong tounes he dede hem bilde.
Þo went þe king to Hengisthom
& al þe lond folk þider come;
Þer he comand heye & lowe[855]
Her wast londes tile & sowe.
Þre score bateyls Hingist ouercam,
Tvelue kingdome into his hond he nam.
He was a long man o liue,
Fife & þritti childer he wan on seuen wiue.[860]
Þe seuen & tventi wer kinges strong,
Þe best bodis in ani lond;
Werrours þai were & fair men,
Kinges oþer erles Hingist made hem.
Maidens children he hadde eyȝte,[865]
Fair leuedis & wele yteyȝte;
Al he gan his londes þurth gon,
Quenes he made hem euerichon.
Caues he made mani on
At Glastingebirie vnder þe ston,[870]
Woninge stede gode & sounde
Wel depe in þe hard grounde.
¶ King Hingist regned here
To hundred & fifti ȝer.
At Glastingbiri wiþouten lesing[875]
Þer was made his biriing.
After him regned his eir,
His sone, þat men cleped Leyr.
He made Leycester wiþ game,
& ȝaf it his owen name.[880]
¶ King Leir regned here [f.309ra] [Image]
Nouȝt bot þrettene ȝer
For he dede as vnwise man:
Wiþ his douhter he ȝaf his kingdam
To a wicked fals couward [885] [ To: MS reads Þo.]
¶ Þat was his owen steward.
So his douhter & hir hosbond
Drof king Leir out of lond.
King Leir him went ouer se
In wel grete pouerte;[890]
He went about euerywher
Fif & tventi ful ȝer.
¶ So to a kinges court come he
& bad þe mete par charite.
Þe steward bifor þe king[895]
Anon him brouȝt, wiþouten lesing,
& feir cloþes he him fett
& to þe mete he him sett.
Opon þe king he gan bihold
& oft to himself he told,[900]
'Whilom ich was won king to be.[']
Allas, þis grete pouerte.
Wheþer y schal while ich libbe
Wiþ pouerte mi mete bidde.'
When he hadde wele y-ete[905]
Þe king anon to him gan speke,
'Tel me' he seyd 'now atte frome[']
Fram wiche lond artow come
& what maner man hastow be.
Al þe soþe telle þou me.'[910]
¶ 'Sir' he seyd 'when ich was diȝt,[']
Soþ to seyn, ich was a kniȝt,
& forsoþe, wiþouten lesing,
In Michel Breteyne y was king.'
Anon, wiþouten ani destaunce,[915]
He told þe king of his meschaunce
& al hou he hadde ybe
Fif & tventi ȝer fram his cuntre.
¶ Þe king anon him lete diȝt
Ten hundred of gode kniȝt[920]
& gode armour þat hem fel to;
Fif þousand of fot men also.
Þo com Leir into þis lond
Wiþ his ost gret & strong;
Þurth al þis lond ner & fer [f.309rb] [Image] [925]
He arered strong wer.
Þurth batayle of kniȝtes strong
His reume he wan into his hond,
Ac his douhter er þan was ded,
& þat forsoþe was no qued.[930]
Anon after, wiþ londes lawe,
His steward was hong & drawe.
Fourti wiken, wiþouten lesing,
Leir regned þerafter king.
Þo he was ded men leyd his bon[935]
At Leicestre in a marble ston.
After regned his derling,
His sone þat hete Cole king;
He made Colchester wiþ game
& ȝaf it his owhen name.[940]
ȝernemouþe he arered þo
& Dunstaple he dede also.
¶ Col king regned here
Almest to & fifti ȝer.
Who so wil se his graue[945]
It is at Colchestre in a kaue.
After him come a miche man,
He was yhote Casseribalan. [ Casseribalan: MS reads Cassesibalan.]
In his time wiþ grete vigour
Com Julius Cesar þemperour[950]
Wiþ his folk into þis lond
& sesed miche into his hond.
Hingisthom to him he wan,
& er þan died mani a man.
Þurth falsnisse, tresoun & pride[955]
Gret folk was sleyn bi ich a side.
Þurth gret strengþe þe cite he nom [ he: e is written superscript.]
Þat was ycleped Hingis[t]hom.
For it was wiþ strengþe ygete,
Londen þe cite he dede clepe,[960]
& so it schal be cleped ay
Til þat it be domesday.
Þurth strengþe of hond & g[r]et tresour
At Londe[n] he dede make a tour.
Þe castel of Bristow he ded also,[965]
Rouchester opon Medeway þerto.
¶ Cassibalan went into Scotlond
& purvayd him ost ich vnderstond.
He come to aseyl Julius Cesar; [f.309va] [Image]
Er þat he were þerof war,[970]
& er þe tiding was to him come,
Cassibalan was in Londone.
He drof Julius Cesar out of lond
Wiþ kniȝtes stef & strong.
Cassibalan he[m] drof wiþ meistrie[975]
Þurth Fraunce, Borgoyne & No[r]mondye,
& in Romaine ouercom him to siþe.
& at þe þride time in þis wise
Cassibalan þurth his men sauage
Was nome to Julius ostage,[980]
& er þat he most out come
He ȝaf gret trolliage to Rome:
Þre hundred pound ich ȝer,
Er þat he most be quite & sker.
Þat was sexti ȝer bifore,[985]
Er Ihesu was of Marie bore;
Cassibalan regned here
Four & fifti ful ȝer.
Forsoþe at Winchester liþe his bon
Biloken in a marbel ston.[990]
Utred regned after þan
Anon after Cassibalan.
He was adrad swiþe strong
Of wer in his owhen lond,
He lete castels sone arere[995]
To duelle in ȝif it nede were.
He no wold non londes craue
Bot þat he auȝt wiþ riȝt to haue,
& to hauen in weld
Þat his auncestres held:[1000]
Gascoyne & Normondye,
As Hingist it wan wiþ meistri.
¶ King Vntred regned here
To & sexti ful ȝer.
At Glastinbirie he was ded[1005]
& ybirid, for so he bed,
For þat Hingist þer birid was,
He wold ligge bi him in þat plas.
Anon after þat ich time
Regned a king þat hiȝt Hine.[1010]
He was a swiþe wise man,
Heye wayes þurth þis lond he gan
Jn lengþe & brede & enviroun; [f.309vb] [Image]
He lete make wayes bitven eueri toun,
& þer þe way ouer þe water schuld ligge[1015]
Þe contre schuld make a brigge.
& þurth his lond euerichwhere
He lete chepeinges arere
For to selle & for to bigge,
Who so wold bi chafar libbe.[1020]
He went him into Cornewaile
& fast beldeþ þer, saun fayle.
He made Launsetone & Tintagel
Bodemyn & Lostwiþiel.
Þilke cuntre he gan þurth gon[1025]
& made tounes mani on.
King Hine regned here
Fif score & seuen ȝere.
His hert wiþ his entreyle
Was leyd at Bodemyn, saun faile.[1030]
At Glastingbiri, wiþouten lesing,
Was of his bodi þe biring.
King Fortiger after him cam
Into þis lond & it wan
Wiþ ost & wiþ wer strong.[1035]
He went þurthout þis lond -
Men þai wer riȝt sauage -
& nom gret ransoun þurth taliage.
Wiþ men & wiþ schippes strong
Þe tresour was lad out of þis lond,[1040]
Corn vestes out of þis lond was sent.
Þo was þis lond yschent.
Þerls & barouns to Wales went
& to king Arthour þai sent
& seyd al þat he schold[1045]
Breteyne win ȝif he wold.
¶ Þo agan grete wer & strong
In euerich a side in þis lond
Þurth a strong conquerour
Þat was ycleped king Arthour.[1050]
Of lond he drof Fortigerne [ drof: MS reads dorf.]
& al his folk swiþe ȝernne.
Arthour dede sle al his men
& þis lond he tok to him.
Ac Fortiger er þat regned here[1055]
Þre score & four ȝere.
After him [wiþ] gret anour [f.310ra] [Image]
Regned þe king Arthour; [ Arthour: first r is superscript, with caret mark.]
Fif hundred & sexti ȝer
After þat Marie Ihesu bere.[1060]
At Glastingbiri verrament
Was Arthours cronement,
Wiþ grete anour also he wold
In a chaier al of gold.
He was þe best kniȝt at nede[1065]
Þat miȝt ride on ani stede
Or wepen bere or folk out lede;
Of man no hadde he neuer drede.
He was of wer swiþe wise,
In ich bateyle he had þe prise.[1070]
Al þat Fortiger hadde nome
Swiche (to) he made oȝain come,
& al þat gode he delt among
To pouer men wer in his lond.
¶ Þerafter aros wer strong[1075]
Þurth þe quen in þis lond.
Launcelot de Lac held his wiif,
Forþi bitven hem ros gret striif.
Lancelot was a queynt man,
For þe quen sake he made Notingham;[1080]
Þe castel wiþ mani selcouþe wonder
Caues mani he made þervnder
Riȝt in þe hard ston.
Chambers he made mani on
Þat þe quen miȝt in wone[1085]
ȝif þe king wald þider come.
Þre ȝere & moneþes ten
Wiþ strengþe he held Gwinore þe quen.
King Arthour lete forbede him
His reume for to wonen in.[1090]
Launcelot was curteys & hende,
To Glastingbiri he gan wende,
& þe quen wiþ gret honour
Þider he brouȝt to king Arthour.
Launcelot spak wordes bold:[1095]
Bot he wald hir wiþ honour hold,
Wiþ strong wer he wald on him come
Til he wer sleyn oþer ynome.
He seyd 'ȝif Arthour þe king
Makeþ eni reproueing,[1100]
Wiþ bateyle strong y schal him ȝeld, [f.310rb] [Image]
ȝif God wil mi liif held.'
¶ At Glastingbiri was made a fest -
After neuer non so honest -
& þer was þe fest hold[1105]
Of þe Rounde Table, so men told.
A messanger to þat fest was come
Þat hete Cradoc, Craybonis sone.
He hadde a mantel wiþ him brouȝt,
To no cokkewold wiif nas it nouȝt.[1110]
Who so wil to Glastingesbiri gon ariȝt
Þat mantel he mai se wele ydiȝt.
¶ King Arthour regned here
To & tventi ful ȝere.
At Glastingbiri he was ded[1115]
& ybirid, for so he bed.
After him, wiþouten lesing,
Regned Aþelberd þe king.
He was a swiþe wise man,
Of Seynt Austin Cristendom he nam[1120]
After þe berþe of Ihesu here
.V. hundred & four score & lx ȝer.
In þat time seynt Albon
For Godes loue þoled martirdome,
& fourti ȝer wiþ schame & schonde[1125]
He was driuen out of Jnglond.
¶ In Tenet Seyint Austin gan ariue
& preched Cristendome bliue.
In Canterbiri he gan arere
An hous of order & duelled þere.[1130]
Aþelberd þe gode king
Al Tenet him ȝaf at þe gining
& seyd he schuld þerwiþ gye
His monkes wiþouten folie.
¶ Aþelberd regned here[1135]
After he was cristened viij ȝer;
At Caunterbiri, wiþouten lesing,
Was ymade his biriing.
After him regned Seberd þe king,
A gode man, wiþouten lesing.[1140]
Of bischop Milit Cristendom he nam
& Westminster first he bigan
In þe honouraunce of Ihesu & of Marie
& Peter & Paule vnder her baylie. [ baylie: i is superscript, with position marked.]
To bischop Milite he sent swiþe [f.310va] [Image] [1145]
He schuld com & halwe it bliue.
Þe bischop gan him wel feir diȝt
& his men his pauilouns piȝt.
¶ It was opon a satersday,
Forsoþe as y ȝou tel may,[1150]
A pouer fischer bi Temes side
Heyed wel ȝerne after þe tide,
Whiche time he miȝt to water wende,
ȝif God him wold ani fische sende,
He herd a man grede 'hale, hale',[1155]
& euer he wende it hadde ben duale.
Þo he hadde long ystond
His bot he schef fro þe lond.
Þe fischer spac to þe man
& seyd 'wiltow ouer gan?'[1160]
'ȝa' he seyd 'for ichaue long['']
Crid after þe opon þis strond.'
It was a quarter o þe niȝt
Þat þe fischer him ouer diȝt
Þo he come at Westenmister side.[1165]
Out of þe bot þe man gan stride,
'Fischer' he seyd 'wiþouten gile,[']
Ichil ȝeld þe þi while.
Fischer no þenke þe nouȝt long
To abide me on þis strond.[1170]
Er þat ich fram þe wende
Sum fische God may þe sende;
Ac for noþing þatow miȝt se
Aferd nouȝt þou no be.'
¶ Þe man to Westenmister gan wende[1175]
& gret liȝt þer he tende;
Si(n)gnes he made on þe wal[(]
& on þe grounde ouer al
Þat al men miȝt wele se.
Of Gru he made an a. b. c.[1180]
& þo þe chirche halwed was. [ chirche: second c is superscript.]
Toward Temes he made his pas
& whan þat he at Temes come
Þe fischer he cleped son anon,
'Bring' he seyd 'þi bot to me,[1185]
Anon fischen wil we.
Hastow ani fische ynome?'
'Nay' he seyd 'bi Godes sone.'[']
Into þe bot he went him swiþe, [f.310vb] [Image]
To fische her nett þai diȝt bliue.[1190]
He seyd 'cast þe nett on þe riȝt side
ȝif we miȝt þe beter bitide.
In þe name of þe fader & þe sone
Þat sum fische wald to ous come,
& in þe honour of þe holy gost,[1195]
Ihesu Crist of miȝt most,
As he is curteys & hende,
Þat sum fische he ous sende.'
Into þe water her nett þai kest
Þat vnneþe it wald lest.[1200]
So miche fische hem com to hond
Þe fischer wende neuer haue com to lond;
So miche fische þan hade he
Þe fischer wende adrenched be.
Ac þo he com to lond[1205]
Ful of fische his bot he fond.
Þe nombre of saumnes witterli
Were four hundred & fifti.
¶ A samoun þer was swiþe gret,
Þe fairest fische of al þe hepe.[1210]
He seyd 'þe saumoun þat liþe here,
To bischop Milit þou it bere,
& say þarf him nouȝt hasty
Westeminster chirche to halwey;
Sai þat Peter, on of þe tvelue,[1215]
Þat chirche haþ halwed to himselue:
Þe tokne þai may wele se,
Of Gru þai han an a. b. c.
Say him he þerin sing,
& ȝif þe peple mi bliscing.[1220]
Loke þat neuer bi al þi miȝt
No fische nouȝt on þe sonne niȝt,
& say to þe king Seberd,
Þe best king of þis midnerd,
Þat þurth Ihesu his swete miȝt[1225]
His sete is made in heuen-liȝt.'
He blisced him wiþ gode wille
& passed fram him swiþe stille.
¶ Sone so þe day him come
Þe fischer to þe bischop nom.[1230]
Al þat he hadde sen he told
To þe bischop wiþ wordes bold.
'Bischop' he seyd 'wiþ miȝt & mayn, [f.311ra] [Image] [']
Wiþ þine pauilouns turn oȝain.
Today at Westemister þou schalt sing[1235]
& ȝif þe pople þe bliscing
Of Peter, prince of þe apostels tvelue;
Þat chirche haþ halwed to himselue.
Vnderstond þis swiþe wel,
For it is soþe as godspel.[1240]
In his name to ȝou present y make.
Himselue þis saumoun he gan take.'
& anon for þat tiding
Þat ich stede is cleped Chering.
¶ Þe fischer went to þe king[1245]
& told him of Peters fischeing,
Of him & of þe bischop bo.
Þe king in hert was ioieful þo
& seyd 'couenaunt ichil þe hold
For þe tiding þou hast me told;[1250]
Riche man þan schaltow be
& al þine ofspring after þe.'
¶ Seberd regned here [ Seberd: MS repeats reberd.]
Tvo & þritti ful ȝer.
Westeminster he lete arere[1255]
& seþ þe he was birid þere.
Heȝte hundred ȝer it is agon
Þat he was loken in a ston;
& seþ þe as hole he was founde
As þo he was leyd in grounde,[1260]
& ȝif ȝe wil nouȝt leue me
Go to Westeminster & ȝe may se.
In þat time wite ȝe wel
Com first 'wesseyl & drinkheyl'
Into þis lond, wiþouten wene,[1265]
Þurth a maiden briȝt & schene.
Sche was yhoten maiden Jnge;
Of hir men can rede & sing.
Lordinges, corteys & fre,
Þis lond haþ hadde names þre:[1270]
First men cleped it Albion
& seþ þe, for Brut, Breteyne anon,
& now Jnglond icleped it is
After maiden Inge, ywis.
Þilke Jnge fram Speyne come[1275]
& wiþ hem mani moder sone;
For gret hunger, ich vnderstond, [f.311rb] [Image]
Inge went out of hir lond,
For þer was grete defaute of mete
Þat vnneþe miȝt þai ani gete.[1280]
Þo was folk loked of to go
Or to deþ haue ben ydo.
Inge a kinges douhter sche was,
In þat time non feirer nas.
At hir fader sche bad a bone[1285]
& he hir graunted swiþe sone:
Sche asked him sone anon
Al þo þat to deþ schuld gon,
& dede hir come schippes swiþe
For out of lond sche wold driue, [1290] [ driue: r is superscript.]
& er it come to þre dayes ende
Out of lond sche wold wende.
Gode schipes þai diȝte hem hastily
Þre [s]core bi tale & fifti.
Mete & drink þai had non,[1295]
Þerfore þai made miche mon;
Þo þai to schipp gun go
Miche folk for hem was wo.
Winde þai hadde gode, apliȝt,
& seylde boþe day & niȝt;[1300]
In Michel Breteyne þai gun riue
& out of schip þai went bliue.
Tiding to þe king it sprong
Þat miche folk was comen on his lond. [ his: s is superscript.]
¶ Þe king went him þider anon[1305]
To se þo maidens euerichon.
Þe king seyd wiþ glad chere,
'Welcome be þou, maiden, here.'[']
& sche answerd in hir language,
'Trauaile somes par mere sauage [1310]
Enfebli somes de graunt feym
Kar y nous defaut vin & peyn
Ore e argent aseȝ auoms
Puruiaunce de ceo feroms
De vostre seygnorie prioms endos[1315]
En vostre reume auer repos.'
As michel lond sche bad him at nede
As a bul hide miȝt ouersprede.
Þe king graunted hir þat bone.
A þwong-castel sche made sone,[1320]
& now men clepeþ it bi þis day [f.311va] [Image]
Horncastel in Lindesay,
& who so wil þider gon
Þe walles he may sen of ston.
& when þe castel was made[1325]
Þe king to þe mete sche bade.
Þe king graunted hir anon;
He nist nouȝt what sche wald don.
When þe king was þennes went
Þe maiden after hir men sent.[1330]
Sche seyd to hem in þis maner,
'Þe king tomorwe schal ete here,[']
& he & al his men;
Euer on of ous anoþer of hem
Togider schul we sitten atte mete.[1335]
& when we han almest y-ete
Y schal say 'wessayl' to þe king
& slen him, wiþouten lesing;
& loke þat ichon of ȝou in þis maner
Wiþouten delay sle his fer.[1340]
In swiche maner wroȝten he;
Þai slouȝ þe king & his meyne.
& after hir name, ich vnderstond,
Sche cleped þis lond Jnglond
Seþ þe anon sone & swiþe[1345]
Inglond was delt afiue,
To fiue kinges treweliche
Þat wer noble & swiþe riche. [ & is written superscript.]
Þat o king hadde þe lond of Kent
Þat is noble & swiþe gent,[1350]
& in his lond bischopes tvay,
Noble men for soþ to say:
Þe erchebischop of Canterbiri
& he of Rouchester þat is so miri.
¶ Þe king of Esex was riche man,[1355]
He hadde to his porcian
Al Wiltschire [&] Barrocschire,
Souþesex, Souþhamtonschire.
Þilk king hadde in his lond
Fiue bischopes riche & strong:[1360]
Of Salesbiri was þat an,
He was a swiþe gode man,
At Cridington was his se
& now at Salesbiri is he;
Þilke of Baþe he hadde also, [f.311vb] [Image] [1365]
Þat at Welles wonede þo;
Þilke of Chichester & of Winchester,
& eke þe bischop of Excester
Þe fift was, wiþouten feyle,
At Seyn Jermain in Cornewaile.[1370]
¶ Þe king of Merken merche,
Þer nas non to him yliche.
He hadde Gloucesterschir & Pinokschire,
Worþcesterschire, Warwikeschire,
Staforþschire & Derbischire,[1375]
Chesterschire, Schropschire,
Al þe Marche Herforþschire,
Oxenforþschire, Bokinghamschire,
Norhamtonschire, Leycesterschire,
Lincolnschire [&] Notinghamschire.[1380]
& in his lond þat was so miche
He hadde four bischopes riche:
Þilke of Lincoln & of Chester
& of Herforþ & of Worcester.
¶ Þe king of hest lond was sire.[1385]
He hadde Grauntebrigeschire,
Norþfolk & Bedeforþschire
Hertforþschire & Blakinburnschire
Suþfolk & Huntingdunschire [Line 1389 written at the end of the column, and its correct position marked by a-b and small crosses.]
Lancastre & Richemond schire,[1390]
& in his lond bischopes þre,
Noble men curteys & fre:
Þe bischop of Londen & of Norwike
& þe bischop of Ely eke.
¶ Þe king of Norþhumberlond[1395]
Hadde al þe lond, ich vnderstond,
Bitvix a water men clepeþ Humber
& Scotlond þat erneþ þervnder,
& in his lond bischopes þre,
Alle curteys & fre:[1400]
Þe erchebischop of Euerwike,
Þilke of Durhem & of Carlel eke.
So þat euer þe strenger
Ouercom þe febler
& euer þe richer[1405]
Ouercom þe pouerer
Euer fort þat Edriȝt
Stabled Jnglond wiþ fiȝt. [Catchword: he made þe reume hole.]
He made þe reawme hole & sounde [f.312ra] [Image]
Þurth dent of swerd & deþes wounde.[1410]
Al Jnglond to him he wan
Ac er died mani a man.
Seyn Fromond & Kenelmi bo
In þat bateyl wer slawe þo.
Kenelmin lay in Cowdale .xl. ȝer þer in grounde[1415]
& ȝete his heued spac in þat stounde;
To lewed men þo spac þat heued,
'Her liþ Kenelmi ybiried.'[']
Fromond at Donstaple schewed is,
Kenelmin at Winchecoumbe, ywis.[1420]
¶ Edriȝt regned here
Four & tventi ful ȝer. [MS writes lines 1421 and 1422 as a single line, separated by two vertical dots.]
A[t] Winchester liþe his bon
Ybiride in a marbel ston.
After him regned Edulf, his sone.[1425]
He hadde his londes al & some.
Edulf jn his time sone
Went to þe court of Rome,
Þer he woned wiþ þe Pope.
He dede his lond litel note,[1430]
For he arered a costome her:
Þre hundred pounde ich ȝer,
Þat o hundred to store þe liȝt
Of Seynt Peter, þe Pope briȝt,
& he ȝaf þat oþer[1435]
To Seyn Poule, his broþer;
Þe þridde he ȝaf, saunfail,
To þe selue apostolie.
ȝete he dede more qued:
Edulf, er he wer dede,[1440]
Of Jnglond he rered a lok
Of ich hous þat come out smoke,
To Rome ȝif a peni, ywis.
Þat Rome Peni cleped is.
Edulf in þat maner[1445]
Liued at Rome seuen ȝer,
& seþ þe he com hole & sounde
Þurth Fraunce towar[d] Jnglond
& weded þer a swete þing,
Charles douhter þe riche king.[1450]
Damisel Ediþ was hir name,
Michel sche loued solas & game.
Þilke Edulf wan bi his wiife [f.312rb] [Image]
Fiue sones bi his liue:
Þeldest hiȝt Aþelstan,[1455]
He was a swiþe gode man;
Þat oþer hiȝt Aþelbriȝt,
He was a stalworþ kniȝt;
Þe þridde hiȝt Aþelwalt,
In wer he made mani saut;[1460]
Þe ferþ hiȝt Achelred, [ Achelred: the scribe first wrote Aþelred, then cancelled it.]
Þe fift king Alfred.
Þo Edulf come to þis lond here
He no liued bo[t] tvo ȝer.
At Hide of Winchester liþe his bon[1465]
Biloken in a marbel ston.
After him regned Achelred;
In his time, her he wer ded,
Com þe king of Danma[r]k,
Hauelok þat was strong & stark,[1470]
Al Jnglond to winne
& sle þat þer wer inne.
Achelred & Alfred bo
Hem gun þer ymete so
Þat in a litel stounde[1475]
Þe Danismen wer feld to grounde.
¶ After þat batayle seuen ȝer
Achelred regned here.
At Wobourn abeye is write, ywis,
His gode body ybirid is.[1480]
After him regned king Alfred,
Þe wisest man þat euer ete brede.
He was a man of miche pris,
Of al þing he was wiis.
For he made þurth Godes sond[1485]
Þe gode lawes in Jnglond.
Þilke king Alfred
Slepe wel litel in his bed.
For soþe, he hadde trauail miche,
Anon ichil ȝou tel whiche.[1490]
Þe four & tventi tiden ariȝt
Þat ben in þe day & niȝt
Þilke he deled on þre.
Ful wele he bisett þe:
Þe eyȝte he spent as men nede[1495]
In bedes & in almosdede;
Þe oþer eyȝte his bodi to rest; [f.312va] [Image]
Þe þridde eyȝte wer þe best,
Þilke he spended, saun dotaunce,
About þouȝt & puruiaunce,[1500]
Hou he miȝt him wis & rede,
His lond ariȝt for to lede.
He hadde a man in his chapel
Þus his tides he gan dele
He made þre candels, bi wiȝt,[1505]
Þat schuld bren day & niȝt.
When þat o candel was ydo
Þe eyȝte tide was also.
Þe king he warned bi þan
His riȝt purpos for to don.[1510]
¶ Þe wise Alfred þe king
ȝete he dede more þing:
Al his riȝt trewe purchas
He ȝaf to pouer abbeys at þat cas;
His rentes he delt euen a tvo -[1515]
Ne worþ neuer his soule wo.
Þe haluendel he delt a þre,
Ful wele he bisett þe:
Þat o parti he ȝaf hem
Þat in his court serued him,[1520]
Þat oþer parti he ȝaf þenne
To vncouþe pouer menne.
¶ Seþ þe he delt fair & wel
O four þat oþer haluendel.
Þat o parti he sent bi sond[1525]
To pouer men in his lond;
Þat oþer to religions
& to pouer clergions;
Þe ferþe parti þan ȝaf he
To pouer spitels biȝond þe se.[1530]
Þus liued þe gode Alfred
Euer til he was ded.
He regned viii & xx ȝer
To seyn Poules men him bere.
After þe gode Alfred þe king[1535]
Regned Edward his sone ȝing.
He was boþe war & wiis,
In ich batayle he hadde þe priis.
Þerfore þe folk of Danmark,
Þat wer boþe stout & stark,[1540]
Of hym þai wer agast sore, [f.312vb] [Image]
Þat in his time neuer more
No durst þai com into þis lond
Lest hem tit harm or schond.
¶ Þilke Edward hadde in his liue[1545]
Fourten children bi þre wiue:
Eyȝte douhtren & fiue sones,
Þat were swiþe fair gomes. [ were added at the line end, and correct position marked.]
Of his douhtren, þre wimen
To religioun ȝolden hem.[1550]
Alfled hete þat o leuedi,
Sche was abbesse of Romesi;
Ediþ hete þat oþer may,
Sche was abbesse a[t] Wilton abbay;
Þe þridde hiȝt seynt Albourth,[1555]
An holi woman þurth & þurth;
Þe ferþe soster, gent & fre,
Non fairer leuedi no miȝt be,
Ne wiser in al þing. [Line 1558 is written at the end of the column, and its correct position marked by a-b and small crosses.]
Sche halpe hir broþer Edward þe king, [1560] [ Edward: final d is superscript.]
Wiþ hir witt & wiþ hir rede,
His lond ariȝt for to lede,
Þe gode lawes for to hold,
Oȝain his enemis bold.
& ar hir broþer was ded[1565]
Sche was ȝouen to þerl Alfred,
Þat was a gode holy man.
On his wiif a child he wan,
Ac er þat child ybore was,
Þat leuedi, briȝt so ani glas,[1570]
So hard schoures com hir opon
Þat ded sche wend haue ben anon.
In hir anguis sche was wroþ
& ȝaf a ȝift & swore hir oþ
Bi Ihesu, seynt Mari sone,[1575]
Þat sche neuer wald come
In þat bed, niȝt no day,
To ligge þer hir lord lay.
¶ Edward king regned her
Four & tventi ful ȝer.[1580]
At Winchester liþ his bon
Wel fair in a marbel ston.
After him regned king Aþelston,
A gode kniȝt & an hardi mon,
Boþe bi day & bi niȝt. [f.313ra] [Image] [1585]
Wele he held his lond in riȝt.
Al þe kniȝtes of Wales lond
He made hem bowe to his hond;
He leyd swiche trowage on hem
& on al þe Walismen[1590]
Þat þre hundred pounde of sterling
Þai ȝouen to Aþelston þe king,
& eke tventi pounde of gold.
Scotlond him ȝeld sold,
ȝete Wales ȝelt more [to] him:[1595]
Fif þousand of fat kin
To þe king iche ȝere
Er þai most be quic & skere.
Þilke king Aþelston
Hadde a soster white so swan.[1600]
In al þe warld men wist non
So fair a leuedi of flesche & bon.
Ilde hiȝt þat maiden fre,
Þat hadde so michel of beaute, [ beaute: a is superscript.]
Men nist non in þis kingriche,[1605]
Leuedi of beaute hir liche.
Þe king of Fraunce, þat hiȝt Howe,
Herd tel of þat maiden trowe
Þat was so fair & so hende,
& after hir he gan sende[1610]
Þerl Edulf of Boloyne,
Þerles sone Baldwine of Coloine.
He was þe kinges messanger
In his lond fer & ner.
Þo he was to þis lond ycome[1615]
Þe king he fond at Abindone.
Þer þe king he mett
& swiþe fair he him gret.
A noble present he him brouȝt [ noble: o is written superscript.]
& of his soster him bisouȝt[1620]
To his lord þe king
Þat is in Fraunce woniing.
& fro him verrament
He brouȝt a noble present
Þat was precious & dere.[1625]
Wiche it was ȝe mow now here:
C. c. c. hundred stedes milke white,
In al þis world nas her like.
Þe bridles wer for þe nones [f.313rb] [Image]
Ful of precious stones.[1630]
ȝete he present him also
Oþer riches mani mo:
Þemperour swerd Costentin,
Þe schawberk was of gold fin,
Þerin was closed a nail gret[1635]
Þat was ydriuen þurth Godes fet.
¶ ȝete he present him þe spere
Þat Charlmain was won to bere
Oȝaines Sarraȝines jn bataile.
Mani swore & seyd, saunfaile,[1640]
Þat wiþ þat spere smert
Ihesu was stongen to þe hert.
ȝete he present him, ywis,
Þe baner of seyn Moris
Þat he was won to bere[1645]
Oȝain þe Sarraȝines here,
& a parti of þe holy crois
In a cristal don inclos,
& þre of þe þornes kene
Þat were in Godes heued y wene,[1650]
& a riche croun of gold -
Non richer king wer no schold -
Ymaked wiþin & wiþout
Wiþ precious stones al about.
To make frendes þat wer fon[1655]
A better croun nas neuer non
To non erþelich man ywrouȝt
Seþ þe þis warld was made of nouȝt.
¶ King Aþelston was glad & bliþe
& þonke þe king of Fraunce swiþe[1660]
Of þis ȝiftes noble & riche.
In al þis warld was non swiche.
In Aþelstonis time, ich vnderstond,
Was Gij of Warwike in Jnglond
& for Aþelston he dede a bateyle[1665]
Wiþ a geaunt gret, saunfaile.
Þe geaunt hiȝt Colbro[n]d,
Gy him slouȝ wiþ his hond.
At Winchester þe bataile was don
& seþ þe dede Gij neuer non.[1670]
Seuen ȝer king Aþelston
Held þis iche kingdom.
In Jnglond þat is so miri [f.313va] [Image]
He dyed & liþ at Malmesbiri.
After him regned Edmund his sone[1675]
Ac sone his liif was him binome,
For he no liued here
Bot vnneþ þre ȝere.
Seþ þe bifel at on fest
At Caunterbiri þat was vnwrest.[1680]
As þe king atte mete sat
He biheld & vnderȝat
Of a þef þat was degise
Among his kniȝtes hende & wise.
Þe king was stef & stirt vp[1685]
& hent þe þef bi þe top
& cast þe þef to þe ston.
Þe þef breyd out a kniif anon,
To þe hert þe king he þrest
Er ani of his kniȝtes it wist.[1690]
Þe barouns stirt vp anon
& slouȝ þe þef swiþe son
Ac raþer he wounded mani on
Þurth þe flesche into þe bon.
To G[l]astinbiri men bar þe king[1695]
& þer made his biriing.
After Edmund, when he was ded,
Regned his sone Athelred;
Ac he no regned here
Bot vnneþe tvo ȝer.[1700]
¶ & sone anon after him
Regned his sone Edwin.
He was a man of swiþe gret pris,
Bot of his bodi he was nouȝt wiis.
Þe first day þat he croun nam[1705]
He bireft a ful gode man
Of his wiif for hir fairhed -
Of Crist he hadde litel mede -
& þei sche was his cosyn.
Þerfore he suffred þe more pine.[1710]
¶ He regned tvelue ȝer,
To Winchester men him ber.
After him regned seynt Edgar,
A wise king & a war.
Þilke niȝt þat he was bore[1715]
Seyn Dunston was glad þerfore
For he herd þe steuen [f.313vb] [Image]
Of angels þat were in heuen
In her song bi rime:
'Blisced be þat time[1720]
Þat Edgar y born wes,
For in his time schal be pes
Euermore in his kingdom
Þer while he liues & seyn Dunston.'
& so þer was gret fousoun[1725]
Of mete & dring in euerich toun
Of al þe time þat lest his liif.
No loued he noiþer fiȝt no striif:
Þer nas man non so heye,
In his lond fer no neye,[1730]
Þat tre[s]passed bi day or niȝt,
Oȝain þe lawe ani wiȝt,
He schuld fong his mede
Riȝt after þe selue dede.
Hou schuld he spare ani man[1735]
When he of bestes wreche nam?
¶ At Londen he made a parlement
Wharþurth he was to Wales went.
Þider he made to him come
Þe Walis kniȝtes, al & some,[1740]
Him to swere oþes hold
& for her lord held him schold,
& him to bring present þere,
Þre hundred wolues ich ȝere;
& so þai dede treweliche[1745]
Þre ȝer pleynerliche.
Þe ferþe ȝer no fond þai non,
So clene þai wer al agon,
& þe king it hem forȝeue.
He nold hem nomore greue.[1750]
¶ Edgar was a gode holy man
Þat our lord him kepe gan.
After þat he was werþe
& þat he had liue in erþe
Sexti winter vnder mold[1755]
An abbot him take vp schold;
Ailward hete þilke abbot.
As he walde take him vp
& legge him in a þrouwe of ston,
He fond him wiþ flesch & bon[1760]
Also hole & also sounde [f.314ra] [Image]
So he was leyd ferst in grounde.
Þai nome him vp anon
& wald legge him in a ston
Þat þe abbot lete make[1765]
For anour & for his sake.
Al to schort it was ywrouȝt;
Þerin miȝt he legge nouȝt.
His legges þai koruen of anon
Fast bi þe kne bon[1770]
Ac þai no dede it for non harm
Ac þe blod also warm
As hot stert hem opon
As he were a quic man.
¶ Þabbot þat þer bistode,[1775]
He seye þe miracle feyr & gode,
He lete him in a schrine don
Boþe wiþ flesche & wiþ bon,
& as men him in schrine dede
Mani man hadde bot in þat stede.[1780]
At Glastinbiri, for soþe ywis,
Seynt Edgar schrined is.
After him regned Edward his sone
Sone his liif was him binome,
For he no regned here[1785]
Bot vnneþe þre ȝer
For Estirnild his stepmoder -
Seld be þer ani gode -
ȝaf him pousoun, þat he was ded,
To make hir sone Achelred[1790]
King to be in Jnglond;
& so he was, wiþ schame & schond,
For in his time no pes nas
Bot while seyn Dunston aliue was.
Þe king hadde a steward[1795]
Þat was a feloun coward,
His nam was yhoten Edriche.
Nas neuer treytour to him yliche;
He was fals & fikel & fel,
& for þe king him loued wel[1800]
& told him al his conseyl,
Þe traitour hit wrot sau[n]fail [ sau[n]fail written on an erasure.]
& sent it into Danmark
Wiþ messangers strong & stark. [ messangers: final s is superscript.]
Þe Danismen com into þis lond [f.314rb] [Image] [1805]
Wiþ her ost gret & strong
& slouȝ þe king Achelred;
At Westminster he was ded.
ȝete þe Jnglische oft ylome
Wiþ bateyl þe Danis ouercome,[1810]
& crouned at Norhamtone
Seint Edmund, Achelred sone.
For his prouwes & his strengþe -
He was a brede & a lengþe -
Cleped in al þis lond wide[1815]
Edmund wiþ þe yren side.
¶ Riȝt in þe somer afterward [ Riȝt: MS reads Rirȝt.]
Comeþ þe Danismen hiderward
& gun fiȝt wiþ seynt Edmond
Þat her was king in Jnglond.[1820]
Ones þai him ouercome
& he hem ofsent sone
Þat hij acordeden
& þis lond todeleden
Riȝt fulliche euen atvo[1825]
Bitven þe tvay kinges þo
Þurth þe conseyl of Edriche -
Traitour was neuer non swiche.
& seþ þe dyed seynt Emon
Þurth Edriches tresoun.[1830]
Ich ȝou wil tel hou.
Al gode men listen now.
A king he was jn Jnglond
Knoud he hete, ich vnderstond.
Of Jnglond he hadde þe haluendel[1835]
& seynt Edmound þat oþer del.
& seþ þe þurth envie
& Edriche trecherie
Seynt Edmund was þurth-schote -
Þat dede her soules litel note.[1840]
Þe arwes on him so þik þai schett
Þat ich point oþer mett,
For þat Jnglond þurthout
Schuld falle to king Knoud.
Seþ þe his heued was of smite,[1845]
Y wil wele þat ȝe it wite,
Þan he was birid in Cristchirche
Þer men Godes werkes wirche
& now at Biri, ywis, [f.314va] [Image]
Seynt Edmund schrined is.[1850]
Þo men seynt Edmund souȝt
Ihesu for him miracles wrouȝt:
Þe heued seyd 'ich am her.'
A wolf in his clowes it bere
Ac þe heued non harm he no dede[1855]
Bot wiþ his fet pleyd þermide.
¶ Þo hadde þe king Knoud
Al þis lond þurthout.
He bicome a gode man;
He no loued no swikedam.[1860]
Þo com þe traitours of Jnglond
Þat hadde bitraid seynt Edmond
& yslawe him to þe ded,
Þurth Edriche conseyl & his red,
Þai wer jolif & proud[1865]
& told it to þe king Knoud
Of her foule tresoun.
Þai wende to han hadde her warisoun.
Þe king was riȝtwise man;
He dede hem tel her swikedam[1870]
Biforn heye & lowe;
He made hem ben aknowe.
He lete hem drawe wiþ stede,
For swiche is traitours mede.
¶ Seþ þen sone after þas[1875]
Þer bifel a wonder cas
Bitvix þe king & Edriche -
Nas no traitour to him yliche -
Bitvix Edriche & þe king
Þer ros a gret sturbling.[1880]
At Londen in a soler
Aniȝt after þe soper
Striif & chest þer aros;
Mani kniȝt þerof agros.
'Sir king' seyd Edriche,[1885]
'Who wende þatow wer swiche?[']
Vnderstondestow nouȝt
Hou dere jchaue þi loue bouȝt?
Ich lete bitray mi lord
Þat made me his steward[1890]
Of al his kingriche.
Ichim dede biswike
& sle wiþ tresoun & wiþ gin [f.314vb] [Image]
To make þe king after him,
& now þou striuest wiþ me.[1895]
To wroþerhele leued y þe.'
¶ Þe king was aschamed
& of his wordes sore agramed
& seyd, 'Edriche, ich wene wel
Þatow no leyest neuer a del;[1900]
Of þatow art biknowe,
Biforn heye & lowe,
Þat wiþ gile & swikedom
Þou lete þi lord to deþ don,
Þat dede þe so michel anour,[1905]
& tow were his treytour,
& after tresoun & gile,
Men schal ȝeld þe þi wile.'
Þer he lete him binde,
His honden him bihinde,[1910]
& his fet also
He lete binde boþe tvo,
& atte windowe kest him out
Riȝt into Temes flot.
Þus ended he his day -[1915]
God his soule iuge may.
King Knoud regned tventi ȝer,
To Winchester men him bere.
After king Knoud
Regned his sone Hardknoud.[1920]
He was a wel duhti kniȝt
& a man of miche miȝt
He was a kniȝt swiþe strong
& wele defended Jnglond
He regned ix and tventi ȝer[1925]
& was birid at Westminster.
After him as y ȝou told
Regned his sone bold.
Arod, he regned her
Bot þre mones of a ȝer.[1930]
At seynt Clementes he lis
Wiþouten Temple Bar, ywis.
After him regned seynt Edward,
Knowdes sone bastart. [ bastart: MS reads bastast .]
He was a blisced king,[1935]
He loued God þurth al þing.
He loued to wirche gode dede, [f.315ra] [Image]
Þerfore in heuen he haþ his mede.
¶ It was opon a somers day
At Westminster as y ȝou tel may[1940]
Seynt Edward stode at his messe
& sey into heþenesse [ sey: MS reads seþ.]
Hou þe king of Danmark
Wiþ his ost store & stark
At ȝernmouþe cum seyland[1945]
To fiȝt wiþ him [in] Jnglond.
He seye an angel fram heuen liȝt
Cum adoun þat was so briȝt
He smot her mast ropes atvo
Þat al þai gradde walewo.[1950]
After þat he seye anon
A storm of weder rise sone
& drof so in her sayles
Þat þai drenched eueri tayles.
Seint Edward seye hem end wiþ schame,[1955]
Þerfore he lowe & hadde gode game.
Þe prest atte masse was wel wo,
He wende þe king him scorned þo.
As Seynt Edward atte masse stod
He seye our lord in flesche & blod,[1960]
Atte prestes leuacioun,
& hou he suffred passioun
For him & for al mankinde.
Of dedelich sinne God ous vnbinde
ȝif ani of ous þerin be.[1965]
Amen siggeþ par charite.
¶ Seynt Edward wepe swiþe sore
& crid 'lord, merci, þin ore.'
Seynt Edward regned þritti ȝer
& was schrined at Westminster.[1970]
Seþ þe regned a gode gome,
Harold Godewines sone.
He was cleped Harefot
For he was rennere gode.
Willam bastard of Normondye[1975]
Him slouȝ, & þat was vilanie.
Harold liþe at Waltham.
& Willam bastard þat þis lond wan
He regned here
On & tventi ful ȝer[1980]
& seþ þe he dyed at ham [f.315rb] [Image]
In Normondye at Cam.
After his ending
Regnede William þe red king. [ William: second i is superscript, with caret below.]
He was his eldest sone,[1985]
& a wel sterne lokeand gome.
He was liþer & vnwrest
For in þe Newe Forest
Fifti moder chirche & to
He lete doun felle & chapels bo,[1990]
& clene kest al adoun,
& made wode þat er was toun.
He dede his soule litel note:
In þat forest he was yschote
Wiþ an arwe ken & smert[1995]
Þat was yd[r]awe to an hert.
Water Tirel þat arwe drouȝ,
& þerwiþ þe king he slouȝ.
& for þat ich foule meschaunce
In Jnglond was gret destaunce.[2000]
Þurth fals conseyl & wiked red
Mani a man suffred ded,
Þurth falsnis & procouring
Of William broþer þe red king.
¶ Þilke William regned here[2005]
On & tuenti ful ȝer.
At Winchester liþe his bon
Ybirid in a marbel ston.
After him regned anoþer,
Sir Henry his owen broþer.[2010]
He was a swiþe duhti kniȝt
& al men he held to riȝt.
He regned tventi ȝer,
To Redinges men him ber.
After him wel euen[2015]
Regned king Steuen
Þerl sone Bloyes he was.
Al to sone he died, allas,
For he no loued no vilanie [ he is written at the end of the line, and its correct position marked.]
No falsnisse no trecherie[2020]
Bot al godenisse þat was to do,
Gladeliche he asent þerto.
¶ Ac he no regned bot ten ȝer
To Feuersam men him ber.
After him regned king Harry [f.315va] [Image] [2025]
A gode man & an hardy,
Þerls sone of Champeyne.
He was a man of miche mayn.
He regned þritti ȝer;
To Winchester men him ber.[2030]
Seþ þe regned anoþer,
Henry his owhen broþer.
In his time seyn Thomas
For Godes loue martird was
At Caunterbiri toforn þe auter ston.[2035]
He doþ miracles mani on.
Þilke Henry liþe at Fonteneurard,
& seþ þe regned king Richard;
For soþe, as ich vnderstond,
He wan Acres into his hond,[2040]
& ichil ȝou tel in what maner.
Listeneþ al þat ben here
He purueyd him of kniȝtes strong
Of þe best þat weren in lond
& men þat couþe of wer & fiȝt,[2045]
Boþe bi day & bi niȝt,
& after þat, wiþouten faile,
He purueyd him vitaile,
Bred & flour win & ale.
He charged schippes gret & smale,[2050]
& afterward of timber long
He lete make a castel strong
To stonden in þe tour an heye
& se w[h]at men doþ fer & neye.
Þer he seye in priuete[2055]
What Sarraȝines dede in þe cite.
When it was wrouȝt fair & wel
He lete charge schipes þerwiþ eueri del
& al þing þat fel þerto;
Al þiis he dede þo.[2060]
Afterward he purueyd him
Of led a wel queint gin,
Joyned wel wiþ yren & stiel.
Þerin was sett þe castel
Wel depe in þe se grounde,[2065]
Þer he kept it hole & sounde;
Boþe in eb & in flowe
Fro þe castel þe wawes gan stowe.
ȝete he purueyd him o be hiue, [f.315vb] [Image]
Schippes ful seuen score & fiue,[2070]
& drouȝ vp her seyles gode
& passed ouer þe salt flod.
King Richard lift vp his hond
& seyd 'lord ous be among,
And al þe compeynie of heuen.[2075]
Ihesu Crist, þou here mi steuen.
For þi loue y make þis viage,
To ȝeld þine enemis her wage,
Þat stedefast nil nouȝt leue on þe.
Þerfore, Ihesu, help þou me.' [2080] [ help: l is written superscript.]
Whan he com neye at Acres toun
Þe gin þan he lete adoun
Into þe ground of þe flod
& made þeron a castel gode.
It was boþe gode & strong.[2085]
Swiche nas non in al þat lond;
Of tventi stages it was heye,
Men miȝt þerin se fer & neye.
When it was wrouȝt fair & wel
He sett þerin a mangonel[2090]
Þat þurth queyntise of mannes strengþe
It miȝt cast þre mile o lengþe.
Þe joinour þat it hadde to ȝeme
He purueyd king Richard to queme.
Anon he tok him þe be hiue[2095]
& into Acres slong hem biliue.
Of þe hiues gret plente
He slong into þat fair cite.
Þe weder was hot in somers tide,
Þe ben brust out bi ich a side[2100]
Þat wer anoied & ful of grame;
Þai dede þe Sarraȝins miche schame,
For þai hem stong in her vissage
Þat al þai bigun to rage
& hedde hem al in depe celer[2105]
Þat þai durst com no nerer.
Þilke Richard our king
Dede make a queynter þing,
Windemilles in schippes houend on water
Sailed about wiþ brenand tapre,[2110]
Hongend wiþ vice made wel queynt
Þat non of hem miȝt out teynt.
Þe sailes wer red ȝalu & grene, [f.316ra] [Image]
Wel griseliche þing ariȝt to sen. [ ariȝt: is written superscript with on written below but underdotted.]
Þe Sarraȝins seye þat mervaile,[2115]
Þai no durst abide to ȝif batayle.
Þai seyden hem ichon among,
'Lordinges, to dyen it wer strong,[']
For þis is þe deuel of helle
Þat wil ous euerichon aquelle;[2120]
Þerfore fle we al bi time
Oþer we schul haue iuel fine.'
Of hem alle nas lasse no more
Þat longer durst abide þore.
Fast þai gun oway to drawe[2125]
For dout of deþ to ben yslawe.
¶ King Richard þo vp stode
& bad his kniȝtes of hert gode
For to liue & for to daye,
Þus he gan to hem to say,[2130]
'Lordinges curteys & hende [ Lordinges: MS reads lorgindes.] [']
Now is time þat we wende
To awreke our lord of his fon.
Oliue no late ȝe neuer on,
& wiþ þe grace of Marie sone[2135]
His enemis we schal ouercome.'
King Richard ariued to þe lond,
Ac first he smot a dint wel strong
Wiþ his ax a cheyne of þre;
Al þat þer were miȝt it se.[2140]
Swiche a dent as he smot þer
In lond nas smiten neuer er.
Þo went king Richard into þe toun
He no fond Sarraȝin, ȝalu no broun,
Heye no lowe, non so kene[2145]
Þat he ne orderd hem al bidene.
When þai were slawe euerichon
He seyd to king Philip anon
& to his kniȝtes hende & fre,
'Lordinges, wonne is þis cite.[2150]
Now it is in Cristen hond.
Lord, y þanke him of his sond.
Ac wende we forþ to Ierusalem
& to þe toun of Bedelem
& winne it into Cristen hond.[2155]
Our lord ous euer be among.
¶ King Philip & king Richard [f.316rb] [Image]
Went hem þo þiderward,
& as þai went bi þe way
King Richard to him gan say,[2160]
'ȝif ich may win þis fair cite,[']
Who schal þerof lord holden be?'
King Philip oȝain a[n]sword
Þerof he wald be holden lord.
Schortliche he seyd at wordes þre[2165]
He wald haue þerof þe dignite
& lord be of al þat þing
'As ich am trewe kniȝt & king.'[']
¶ King Richard seyd 'schal it so be.
Þine owhen men þou take wiþ þe[2170]
& wende now forþ & it winne
Wiþ þi queyntise & þi ginne.'
King Richard tok an alblast strong
& bent it wiþ his owen hond;
A quarel clouen þerin he sett[2175]
& in þe clift a besant do he lete.
He sent it in signifiaunce
God himselue to honouraunce.
Þe quarel he squached to Ierusalem.
To Acres he turned oȝen[2180]
& stabled it in Cristen hond
& seþ þe com toward Jnglond.
He was a duhti kniȝt & bold,
In ich lond wele of told.
Seþ þe he was schoten allas[2185]
In Castel Gailar þer he was.
¶ King Richard regned here
Fourtene ful ȝer.
After him sone anon
Regned þe king Jon.[2190]
In his time al Jnglond
Was entredit in his hond,
For an erchebischop,
A wise man & no sot,
Steuen he hete of Langtone,[2195]
Þe king him nold not vnderfone.
Sone anon after þat
He com ride in at Bischopesȝat
He seye a flecher sitt þerat.
He biheld & vnderȝat[2200]
Hou he gan to prie [f.316va] [Image]
& tvincle wiþ þat oþer eye.
King Jon seyd þo,
'Flecher, whi lokestow so?'[']
Þe flecher answerd oȝain,[2205]
'Sir, for soþe, ichil ȝou seyn.[']
So help me God & seynt Miȝhel
For it schuld be euen & wel.
So help me God & Seyn Austin
Y no dede it for non oþer gin.'[2210]
¶ King Jon dede as a schrewe
He de[de] put out his on eyȝe
For he no schuld nomore prinke
No wiþ þat oþer eyȝe winke.
ȝete he dede more schrewednisse:[2215]
For a prest nold nouȝt sing his messe
In þat time þat Jnglond
Was entreditt jn his hond,
He dede him held al quic wiþ mayn
Þat was a swiþe hard payn.[2220]
Þe folk made þerfore miche sorwe
Þerfro miȝt him no man borwe.
It was a swiþe wicke dede,
Þerfore in helle he has his mede.
He was ful wroþ & grim[2225]
For no prest wald sing for him.
He made þo his parlement
& swore his croyde verrament
Þat he schuld make swiche a saut
To fede al Jnglond wiþ a spaud[2230]
& eke wiþ a white lof;
Þerfore ich hop he was God loþ.
¶ A monk it herd of Swinesheued
& of þis wordes he was adred
He went hom to his fere[2235]
& seyd to hem in þis maner,
'Þe king has made a sori oþ[']
Þat he schal wiþ a white lof
Fede al Jnglond, & wiþ a spaud.
Ywis it were a sori saut,[2240]
& better is þat we dye bo
Þan al Jnglond be so wo.
ȝe schul for me belles ring
& afterwardes rede & sing,
So helpe ȝou God heuen-king. [f.316vb] [Image] [2245]
Graunteþ me alle now min asking
& ichim wil wiþ puseoun slo.
No schal he neuer Jnglond do wo.'
His breþer him graunt alle his bone,
He lete him schriue swiþe sone[2250]
To make his soule fair & clene
Tofor our leuedi, heuen-quen,
Þat sche schuld for him be
Toforn hir sone in trinite. [ trinite: second i added superscript.]
¶ Dan Simound ȝede & gadred frut,[2255]
Forsoþe were ploumes white;
Þe steles he puld out euerichon,
Pusoun he dede þerin anon
& sett þe steles al oȝen
Þat þe gile schuld nouȝt be sen.[2260]
He dede hem in a coupe of gold
& went to þe kinges bord.
On knes he him sett,
Þe king ful fair he gret,
'Sir' he seyd 'bi seynt Austin,[2265]
Þis is frout of our gardin;
& ȝif þat ȝour wille be
Asayet hereof after me.'
Dan Simound ete frut on & on
& al þo oþer ete king Jon.[2270]
Þe monke aros & went his way.
God ȝif his soule wel go[de] day -
He ȝaf king Jon þer his pu[i]soun,
Himselue hadde þat ilke doun.
He dede it noiþer for niþe no ond[2275]
Bot for to saue al Jnglond.
¶ As king Jon sat atte mete
His wombe gan to wex grete,
He swore his oþ, par la croyde,
His wombe wald brest a þre.[2280]
He wald haue risen fram þe bord
Ac he no spac neuer more word.
Þus ended his time,
Ywis, he hadde an euel fine.
¶ King Jon regned tvelue ȝer,[2285]
To Worcestre men him ber.
After him regned king Henri,
A gode man & an holy;
He loued better for to wirche [f.317ra] [Image]
Boþe chapels & holy chirche[2290]
Þan he dede castels oþer tours
Oþer heye halles peynted wiþ floures.
Of al time þat he ledde his liif
He loued noiþer fiȝt no striif.
ȝete þer was wer strong[2295]
& miche striif in Jnglond.
Þurth fals conseyl & wicked red
Simond Mufort was brout to ded,
For he wald haue þe gode lawe,
Þerfore he was brouȝt o liue dawe.[2300]
King Henry regned here
Seuen & fifti ful ȝer. [Line 2302 is written at the foot of the column and its correct position marked by a-b and crosses.]
At Westminster liþ his bon
Biloken in a marbel ston.
After þis king ichaue of told[2305]
Regned a king swiþe bold,
Edward he hete sikerly,
Þe kinges sone Henri.
He was a wel duhti kniȝt
For wele he held Jnglond to riȝt,[2310]
For þat Brut wan to his hond,
Inglond, Wales & Scottlond,
He nold forlese non of hem alle
For noþing þat miȝt bifalle.
First Wales he wan to him[2315]
& slouȝ Dauid & Lewlin,
& seþ þe forsoþe, ich vnderstond,
He wan to him Scotlond.
Jch ȝou telle, wiþouten faile,
Wiþ dent of swerd in bataile[2320]
Þer nas no kniȝt of hem so strong
Þat he ne made hem bowe to his hond;
Oþer wiþ loue oþer wiþ eyȝe
Forsoþe he dede as y ȝou say.
He wald haue won more þan so[2325]
ȝif he miȝt haue hadde liif þerto.
Y no can telle ȝou wiþ no voice
Hou lef him hadde ben to win þe croice
Þat is in þe heþen lond.
God sende it into Cristen hond.[2330]
Alle þat for his soule pray
& wiþ gode hert say
{about 9 lines lost}
Of cristendom he bar þe flour
In wer no com he neuer, ywis,
Þat he no bar oway þe priis.[2335]
¶ He regned fif & fifti ȝer
& was ybirid ad Westminster.
After him regned a stalworþ man,
Edward his sone of Carnervan.
He les his lond, saun faile,[2340]
Þurth his wicked conseyle,
Þurth sir Howe þe Spenser,
Þat was his wicked conseyller.
¶ He no regned here
Bot eyȝtetene ȝere.[2345]
At Berkele dyed þe king,
At Glowcester is his biriing.
Now Ihesu Crist & seyin Richard
Saue þe ȝong king Edward
& ȝif him grace his lond to ȝeme[2350]
Þat it be Ihesu Crist to queme
& leue him so for to wirche
Þurth þe lore of holi chirche
Þat God þermid apaied be [ þermid: MS reads þermiþ.]
Þer he sett in his trinite;[2355]
& ȝif him miȝt & grace
Him to venge in eueriche place
Oȝaines his enemis wiche þat it be.
God it him graunt par charite
Þurth his hates þat be ten.[2360]
Say we now alle amen.