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and the Earl of Valenciennes, and the Earl of Noyon, the Abbé of St Valerie, the Earl of Aumerle, the Earl of Julliers, the Earl of Eu, and other great Lords who held their lands of the Earl of Flanders; and so many assembled within fifteen days that there were twenty thousand armed men. Whereat the Earl of Flanders gave God thanks. And then they apparelled themselves nobly, and took the way right to Millan, and the sumpter horses were sent on before, and an hundred and twenty chargers. And there were the Lord of Tournay, the Chattellain of Berques, and William Lord of Gaulle. And the Earl of Flanders followed after all his people; but whilst the Earl was on his road, there came to him many other people who desired to go against the Sarrazins. And before that the Earl arrived at the mountains he found himself accompanied by more than forty thousand, whereat he gave God thanks. Earl of Flanders and his noble following passed the mountains, and took their way through Lombardy right to Millan. And all that time the Marquis of Millan marvelled greatly that his messenger came not. For they were dying of famine at Millan, and did eat their horses; and he thought that his messenger had been killed upon the road, for that he heard no news of the French; and he said, "Alas! never till now saw I the French slow in doing good deeds, and if I have not their help I shall die of grief; but I would rather die with my friends than deny my faith." And when the Sarrazins had made an assault upon the city, the Marquis lifted the vizor of his bassinet to breathe himself, and looked to the right, straight to the tents of the Sarrazins, who cried treason! treason! whereat the Marquis was much joyed. And he said to his people, that without fail the succour of the French had come; and he said to his people, "Let us go to help the French;" and full three thousand mounted on horseback, and rushed out and fell upon the Sarrazins. And there was a very hard battle, in the which the Marquis was slain by the hand of the

Soldan. But immediately thereafter were the Sarrazins defeated, and there was one of the sons of the Soldan slain. And it came to pass, that in the night the Sarrazins retreated, and moreover, in that retreat there was another son of the Soldan slain, and the Earl of Julliers slew him. The Earl of Flanders, after that he had thus done, entered into Millan, he and his people ; and the Soldan went into his tents; and he was much angered because of his two sons. And he swore by Mahommed, that if the Earl of Flanders would wait him he would joust with him man to man. And the next day Caquedant did arm himself very richly and went before Millan, and came to speech of the Earl of Flanders, and said to him, "To the end that our people should not be killed on one side or the other, I wish to fight with you man to man, to wit, upon this condition, that if you conquer me I will restore to you Rome and Constance, and all the treasures I have won; and I will return into Africa, I and my people, and I will trouble Christendom no more. And if you are conquered by me, by my valour, you shall render to me the city of Millan, and you shall return into Christendom, you and your people."

And when the Earl of Flanders heard him, incontinent he granted him the battle man to man, upon that condition; for he had good trust in God. And then had the Soldan great joy, for he thought to have conquered immediately; and in sign of his constancy, he tapt upon his tooth, for that is the custom of the Pagans beyond sea.*

How the Earl of Flanders conquered Caquedant in the Field of Battle.

The Earl of Flanders and the Soldan were presently prepared, and went forth into a meadow, completely armed.

And the Soldan bore the shield of the lion rampant, which was most nobly graven, and of it had the Earl of Flanders envy. Finally, they fought most cruelly together, in such ways that the Earl conquered the Soldan in

the fight, and cut off his hand and his foot, and left him there, and took the shield of the lion rampant. But he earried it not long, for the Sarrazins rushed from an ambush, where were the four sons of the Soldan, and there were there full twenty thousand men, and they enclosed the Earl so that he could not get out. And he was sore wounded; for Acquillan, one of the sons of the Soldan, overthrew him, and took from him the shield of his father. And then had the Earl been slain, had it not been for the Earl of Julliers, and the other Christians in the city, who rushed out fiercely, and came to suceour the Earl. And the Earl of Julliers showed such prowess, that he slew Acquillan, the son of the Soldan, and took from him the blazon which he had taken from the Earl of Flanders; and the Earl was carried to Millan, and the (other) Earl along with him, to have their wounds cured. And the Christians kept the battle against the Sarrazins, and they went fleeing into Rommenie. But there remained of them dead in the said Rommenie more than thirty thousand; and they dared not stay in Rommenie for fear of the Earl of Flanders; and they put to sea, and swore by Mahommed that Christendom should pay for it dearly.

How the Earl of Flanders and his people went to Rome to restore it.

The Earl of Flanders and his noble following were gone back to Millan, and there was some disagreement between him and the Earl of Julliers. And the Earl of Flanders said to the Earl of Julliers, that he ought to return to him the shield of the great lion rampant, which he had won of the Soldan by the grace of God; and also that he would have it, and would bear it while he lived, and his heirs after his death. But the Earl of Julliers would not render it, but said, that after he had won it he had lost it. (For Acquillan, one of the sons of the Soldan, had overthrown him, and had taken from him the shield, which the Earl of Julliers then had won of Acquillan, and had struck him dead.) And, therefore, the shield ought to be his, and he ought to bear it. And after these words, they agreed, that when they should return into their country, they would bring it to the settlement

of the King of France, and he would judge of it according to his will; and thus were they in accord.

Then the Earl of Flanders called his barons, and said to them, "My good Lords, I wish to go to Rome, which the Soldan has ruined, and to restore it. I pray you that you would come with me." The which answered him that they would fail him never. And they departed from Millan, and they were full twenty-thousand men, and they went to Rome; and the Earl of Flanders established a Pope at Rome, who had for name Ignoscent the Second, who was of the land of Spain, and was a good and skilful man, and governed very well the Papacy, and made rebuild the churches which the Sarrazins had destroyed. And the Earl of Flanders rested with his host eight months, and confessed himself to the Pope, who gave him pardon. And he made over to him all his treasures; but the Earl of Flanders would nothing take, but asked of the Pope a jewel from the relics of Rome, and the Pope gave him the kerchief of Saint James the Less.

Then took the Earl leave of the Pope, and thanked him, and departed from Rome, and carried the kerchief of Saint James the Less; and they passed Rome and Lombardie, and the mountains of Monjoust Lorraine, and Savoye, and the country round about, and then entered they into Bourgoigne. And the second day that they were therein, encountered they a horseman, and the Earl of Flanders asked of him if he had any news of King Philip of France. "Sire," said the horseman, "he is in Gascoigne with his host, where he will have a battle within brief time against King John of England." And when the Earl of Flanders heard the horseman, he was much grieved in his heart that he could not be at the battle; and he asked the Earl of Julliers, "What shall we do? I pray you let us go into Gascoigne to aid the King of France." And the Earl of Julliers agreed to it with him. But when the dastard Villains heard that reason, they said one to another, that they should never have any repose while the Earl of Flanders lived, and they said he was much too hardy. The Earl of Flanders presently heard the murmuring of the people of his host, and he issued a proclamation that he would enfranchise all those who

would go with him to Gascoigne to aid the King of France, and that all those who would not go thither, might return into their country, and that he would not take them thither against their will. Then departed many of the host most dishonourably. The Earl of Flanders and the Earl of Julliers departed, in all four thousand armed men (and the others went into their own country), and they carried the kerchief of Saint James, and they rode to Arras, where they housed themselves. But that night it rained marvellously; and in the morning they dislodged, and went to Baugi. And so when the sumpter-horses, which were more than a hundred, passed by Baugi, the water came on them suddenly, in so much, that there were full twenty sumpter-horses lost and drowned. And there was lost the kerchief of My Lord Saint James, whereat they were much grieved; but afterwards it was found by the grace of God.

How the Earl of Flanders and the Earl of Julliers went into Gascoigne to succour the King of France.

The Earl of Flanders and the Earl of Julliers rode in all haste into Gascoigne to succour the King of France. And at that time the Kings of France and of England had made a truce for two years; and they found the King, who paid his soldiers well and richly, and the two earls saluted him. And the King gave them good reception, and asked how they had prospered with the Sarrazins. And they recounted all to him; how the Soldan had been discomfited, and how they had established a Pope at Rome,whereat the King gave God thanks. The said Earls of Flanders and Julliers spoke to the King, and said to him," Sire, we are in dispute, one with another, about a thing, which we will tell."" It is true," said the Earl of Flanders," that I conquered Caquedant, man to man, and gained his shield of the great Lion Rampant, and I should have borne it, had it not been for the Sarrazins, who traitorously surrounded me, and took from me the shield, and they would have slain me had it not been the Earl of Julliers, whom you see here, and other barons, who came to succour me.

And the Earl of Julliers slew one of the sons of Caquedant, and got back the shield, and his war-horse; this, indeed, he gave me, and for this reason demand I the shield, namely, that I won it first, and the Earl of Julliers demands it in like manner, for that afterwards he won it. Now we are

submitted to your judgment, if you will please to judge this matter rightly, so that we may have between us no anger nor ill-will."

How the King of France ordained and settled for each of them, that is to wit, the Earls of Flanders and Julliers, to bear the shield of the Lion Rampant.

Philip, King of France, replied to them very graciously"By my faith," said he, "I will judge well and loyally." And the King summoned his council, and demanded their advice on the matter; and then the King said to them, " My Lords these are the best words that I saw ever." And (he said) that each of the said Earls had gained it well and loyally; and he called the two Earls and said to them, "I will take away this strife between you two. Both of you shall bear the blazon-that is my judgment; but the Earl of Flanders shall bear it entier, without any difference, for he won it first, and the Earl of Julliers shall bear it orlè dun azure vif, and so I give you charge. Now be ye in future good friends together, for never till now was blazon so well shared." And thus were the two Earls in good accord.

How the King of France returned to Paris, and the Earl of Flanders likewise.

The King of France went to Paris, and the Earl of Flanders returned to his own country, and a son of his, named Baudoin, who was very proud, and to such a degree, that through his pride he refused for a wife the daughter of France. And afterwards he married the Devil, who was sent into the body of a dead damsel,-and they lived together full twelve years, and of her he had two daughters, of whom

the one was named Jehanne, and the other (born after) Marguerite. Soon after the deeds above set forth, in the year of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, one thousand one hundred and eighty-four, died the good Philip Earl of Flanders of that time, and afterwards Baudoin, his son, was Earl of the said earldom. And there were held of him fourteen earldoms, as is said before. And Baudoin went to Paris to King Philip, and did him homage for ten of these earldoms, and the others he held them of the King of Allemaigne. And when he had thus done homage to the King, the King reasoned with him very softly, and said to him, "Baudoin, it is full time that you were married, for it behoves you to have a wife of high degree."

How Baudoin, Earl of Flanders, through his pride, refused to take to wife a daughter of the King of France, and then married the Devil.

"Sire," said Baudoin, "of that I have no desire, for without fail never shall I take wife if she be not as rich in lands as I am, and in silver and in possessions."

Then replied to him the Duke of Bourgoigne, who was there, "Baudoin, my sweet friend, you must then look for a wife a good while, for you will not find any under the sky so rich as you; but to one as nobly born you may be married. The King has a daughter beautiful and young. you desire it we will speak of it to the King."

If

And Baudoin replied to him hotly, "By my faith I ask nothing of the sort; and I would not have her, not though she had larger possessions than myself."

The King, when he heard his answer, was much enraged thereat, notwithstanding he gave no sign of it. In that time came the Emperor of Constantinople to Paris, where he was greatly fêted.

How the Emperor of Constantinople came to Paris to ask of the King his daughter in marriage.

The Emperor of Constantinople came to Paris; and after that he had

been honourably received by the King of France, he said to him, "Sire, noble King, will you counsel me what I shall do, for the sons of Caquedant have formed enterprises against me, and of them am I in great doubt. And, Sire, for that I wish to marry, am I come to you to ask your daughter Beatrix; and I will espouse her willingly if it is your pleasure; and will make her Empress and lady of all my land. And I pray you, Sire, that you will not refuse me my request.'

And the King replied to it, "Sire, you do me a great pleasure, and I grant it to you.'

And immediately the Emperor of Constantinople, whose name was Henri, was married; and the feast lasted a month. There was the Earl Baudoin of Flanders, who was much enraged that he had not taken her. But it was too late, for the Emperor of Constantinople, who had her in marriage, departed, and carried his said wife to Constantinople, where they were together full twelve years ere that they had a child, whereat they were grieved and sorrowful.

Now leave I the subject of the fair Empress of Constantinople, and turn I to Baudoin, Earl of Flanders, who, after that feast, departed from Paris.

How Baudoin, Earl of Flanders, departed from Paris and went to Noyon, with his barons; and how he married the Devil.

Baudoin, Earl of Flanders, took leave of the thrice-powerful and noble King of France, and went, he and his barons, into his city of Noyon, which at that time was held by him, and tarried there three days. And the fourth day he had a desire to go and hunt in the forests of Noyon, and he took his huntsmen, and his master of the hunt, and took in his hand a very strong spear, and also his dogs; and they found when they were in the forest, a boar, which was very great, strong, and black as a Moor. And when he heard the dogs, he took to flight, and the huntsmen pressed him hardly; but he slew four of the best dogs that were in the pack, whereat the Earl w much angered, and vowed to God] would never thence depart, till that

again. She was in life, and knew well how to behave, according to the dictates of that which was in her body; for she had no other spirit than me, for her soul had gone thither where she ought to have gone. And she was a Sarrazin, and I brought her to the Earl to deflower her body, and he knew not how to refuse to marry her. And I have made him misuse his existence, for the space of full thirteen years, and I have done much evil to the country of Flanders, which he shall dearly pay for yet; but of that which shall come of this I will not determine, for I always thought to overreach the Earl. But never let him forget to bethink him of his Creator, and to sign himself night and morning, and better he cannot arm himself. And I have lost his two daughters by reason that he had them baptized. Other things will I not say, and I go back to the Orient to carry this body to repose beneath the tomb."

drinking and eating, and that they were in great peril), " And be ye not astonished before that the time shall come, for of that which ye shall presently see each one shall have great fear. But have ye good faith in God; --and if God pleases this thing shall not hurt you. Then were they all amazed, and each one kept himself quiet, and the Earl and all of them left off their eating and drinking. And then the hermit conjured the lady in the name of God all-powerful, and said to her, "Thou devil which art in the body of this woman, I adjure thee, by God who died for us on the cross, who also debarred thee from his holy paradise, and all the wicked angels who suffered loss for the sin of pride which Lucifer entertained; and by the holy sacraments which he hath ordained; and by his great power which always shall endure, that thou depart from this company; and before thou goest, that thou declare, before all these people, for what cause this Earl of Flanders has been thus taken by thee, to the end that all may understand, and may hear of thee whence thou comest, without hurting ought that may be in this land; and thereto I adjure thee by the God of Paradise.'

When the lady heard herself thus adjured, and knew she could do no more, nor torment the Earl any more, nor stay in Flanders any more, but that she now must go; then began she to speak, and to confess aloud that she could conceal herself no more, and that she dared not disobey the commandment of God, nor the adjuration. "For," said she, "thus must we also fear God as men do, for we have yet hope to find mercy before him when he shall come to judge all the world. I am," said she," an angel whom God expelled from his paradise, and we have all such dolour as none can think. And would that all others were of our mind, that to all together God might pardon our sins; and if we seek for aid, no one ought to blame us. The Earl who is here knew not how to guard himself when he let himself be conquered by the sin of pride. He did not deign to marry the daughter of the King of France, and God suffered me to enter into the body of the daughter of a king in the Orient who was dead-the loveliest damsel that one could find. I entered into her corpse at night, and made her rise

Then departed she without hurting any one, except that she carried off a little pillar of the windows of the hall. And of this thing were the Earl and the others greatly 'mazed, and they rose from table, and the Earl bent before the hermit, and prayed that he would counsel him what to do. the good hermit counselled him that he should go to the Pope, and that he should get absolved of his sin. And then he took leave of him.

And

The Earl of Flanders stayed for three days in his palace very pensive; and then on the fourth day he went to Burges. But when he was there he was much talked at and mocked, and they pointed the finger at him in the streets. And the children cried, "Let us run, for here is the Earl that married the Devil." And the Earl was much grieved because of the words they said of him; but he took no notice of it, and on the next day he went to Gant; but if at Burges he had been well mocked, at Gant was he still more. And when he saw himself thus scoffed at every where, he vowed to God that he would collect his power, and would go over sea to conquer Jerusalem. Then summoned he his people of his fourteen earldoms. And he told them that to do penance, and for the absolution of his sins, he would go over sea: And he called the Canon of Cambray (and he was brother to the Earl of Blois),