Here beginneth the lyf of the moste myscheuoust Robert the deuyll whiche was afterwarde called ye seruaunt of god

¶ Here beginneth the lyf of the moste myscheuoust Robert the deuyll whiche was afterwarde called the seruaunt of god .

IT befel in tyme past there was a duke in nor mandye whiche was called ouberte the whiche duke was passinge ryche of goodes & also vertuous of lyuynge and loued and dred god aboue al thinge and dede greate almosse dedes and exceded all other in ryghtwysnesse and iustice / and mooste cheualrouse in dedes of armes and noble actes doinge . this duke helde open hous vpon a cristmasse daye in a towne whiche was called Nauerne vpon the seyne To the whiche courte came al the lordes and noble blode of Normandye . And bycause this noble duke was not maryed his lordes and nobles with one assente besought hym to marye and take a wyfe / to th entente that his lygnage myghte be multyplyed there by / and that they myghte haue a ryghte heyre to enheryte his londes after his dyscese . To the whiche requeste this good duke answered and sayde . My lordes what thynge that ye thinke best for me to do shal be done / vpon a condicion in that ye wyl that I be maryed that ye puruey me a wyf accordinge to myne estate for and yf I shold coueyte ony heyer or noblyer of blode than I am my self that myght not stonde with ryght . and yf I take one that is not of so noble an house as I am that sholde be to me grete shame & al my lygnage wherfore me thynke it were better that I kepte me as I am than to do that thynge that sholde not be myne honeste and afterwarde repente me . Whan thise wordes were spoken & well consydered by the lordes that stode there present then there rose vp a wyse baron and sayde to the duke . My lorde ye speke very wysely and lyke a noble prince / but yf it please your hyenesse to gyue audience and here me speke I shal shewe you of a certayne persone / of whome ye shall enioye your self to here of her . and the whiche ye shal obteyne I knowe well . Than answered the duke and sayde . shewe me than who that persone is / gracious lorde sayd the baron vnto the duke . the duke of bourgone hath a doughter whiche excedeth all other in beaulte curtesye and debonayre wysdome & good maners the whiche ye may haue yf ye wyl desyre her . for I know well there wyll noo man saye naye therto . To the whiche the good duke answered and sayde . that lady playsed hym ryght well & that the baron had gyuen hym good and wyse counsell . And in shorte tyme after that this lady was demaunded of her fader the duke of bourgone . Whiche gaue hym her wyllyngly . And thenne theyr bridale was kept honourably whiche were to longe to wryte .

¶ How the duke of Normandy with grete royalte brought his wyfe the doughter of the duke of bourgon in to roan in Normandy after he had maried her .

woodcut scenes from the life of royal couple

AFter that the forsayde Duke hadde maryed the sayde lady he broughte her with a grete company of barons knyghtes & ladyes with greate triumphe and glorye in to the londe of normandye and in to the Cyte of Roan / in whiche Cyte she was honourably receyued and with grete melodye & there was grete amyte betwene the bourgonyons & the normans whiche I lete passe . for to come the soner to my mater . the forsayd duke and duchesse lyued to gyder the space of .xviii. yere withoute ony chylde whether it were goddes wyll it sholde be so . or it were thorowe theyr owne defaulte I can not Iuge it for it were better other whyle that some people had no chylderne . and also it were better for the fader & moder to gete no chyldern thenne for lacke of chastysynge / the chyldern and fader and moder sholde al go to the deuyll . yet were these duke and duchesse deuoute people whiche loued and drede god and gaue grete almes & what tyme this Duke wolde meddle with his lady he euer prayed to god to sende him a chylde to honoure and serue god and to multyplye and fortefye his lygnage / but nother with prayer nor with almes dedes this good duke and duchesse coude gete no chyldern .

¶ How roberte the deuyll was conceyued and how hys moder gaue hym to the deuyll in his concepcyon

woodcut couple in bed

THys duke vpon a tyme rode oute on hoūtynge in a grete angre and pensifnes for ough that he coude haue no chylde sore complaynage sayenge thus to hymselfe / I see many wymmen haue many fayre chyldren in whyche they enioye gretly them by whyche I see well that I am hated of god & meruayle it is that I fall not in dispayre for it greue the me so sore at my herte that I can gete no chyldren hen the deuyll whiche is alwaye redy to deceyue man kynde . tempted the good duke & troubled his mynde so that he wyst not what to do nor saye . thus moued he left his huntynge and went home to his palays were he founde his lady also vexed & moued as he come home he toke her in his armes & kyssed her and dyde his wyll with her sayenge his prayers to our lorde . in this wyse O lorde iesu I beseche the that I maye gete a chylde at this houre by the whiche thou mayste be honoured & serued . but the lady beinge sore moued spake thus folysshly & sayd in the deuyls name be it in soo moche as god hath not the power that I conceyue and yf I be conceyued with chylde in this houre I gyue it to the deuyl body and soule and this same houre that this duke & duches were thus moued the sayde lady was conceyued with a man chylde whiche in his lyf wrought moche mischefe as ye shall here after here / but afterwarde he was conuerted and dyde grete penaunce and dyed a holy man as is shewed here after .

¶ How robert the deuyll was borne and what grete payne his moder suffred in his byrth .

THis duchesse as ye haue herd before was conceyued with the forsayde chylde whiche she bare .ix. monethes as comunly women go with childe / and ye may well perceyue that this lady coude not be delyuered without grete payne for she traueylled more than a moneth . & yf good prayers had not ben and almes dedes good werkes & grete penaunce done for her / she had deyed of chylde for all the ladyes & gentylwomen that were with her wened she wolde haue perysshed & deyed in trauaylynge . wherfore they were gretly abasshed & aferde with the merueylouse noyse & tokens that they herde & se in the byrthe of the sayde Robert the deuyll in that this chylde was borne / the skye waxed as derke as though it had ben nyghte as it is shewed in olde cronycles that it thondred and lyghtned so sore that men thoughte the firmament had ben open & all the worlde sholde haue perysshed . And there blewe soo moche wynde oute of the .iiii. quarters of the worlde & was suche storme and tempest that al the hous trembled so sore that it shoke a grete pece of it to the erth in so moche that al they that were in the hous wened that the world had bene at an ende & that they with the hous & al shold haue sōken but in short tyme it pleased god that all this trouble ceased & the weder clered vp & the chylde was broughte to the chyrche to be crystned whiche was named Robert . This chylde was a large of stature at his byrth & he had ben a yere olde wherof the people had grete wonder . and as this chylde was a berynge to the chyrche to be crystened & home ayene it neuer seaced cryenge and houlynge . and in shorte space he had longe teeth wherwith he bote the norysshes pappes in suche wyse that there was noo woman durste gyue hym souke for he bote of the hede of theyr brestes . Wherfore they were feyne to gyue hym souke and to brynge hym vp with an horne and whan he was twelue moneth olde he coude speke and go allone better than other chylderne that were thre yere olde . and the elder that this chylde roberte waxed the more curster and wyckedder he waxed for as sone as he coude goo allone there was nother man nor woman that coude rule him and whan he founde or coude come by ony chylderne he smote and bote and caste stones at them and brake theyr armes and legges and neckes and scratte out their eyen oute of theyr heddes and there in was all his plesure and the lordes and gentylles that sawe this had grete delyte there in wenynge to them it hadde bene but the youthe and wantonesse .

¶ Howe all the chylderne with one assente named this chylde Roberte the deuyll .

THis chylde with in fewe yeres growe marueilously and more and more encresed of al and boldnes and shrewdnes / & set by no correccyon but was euer smytinge & castinge and cursed dedes doinge to all them that he myghte mete in the stretes in so moche that there was nother man ne woman nor chylde that durst mete with him but fled a waye for fere & drede as the deuyll fleeth frome the holy water . & some tyme there gadred to gyder al the boyes of the strete to fyghte with hym / but whan they see hym come they durste not abyde hym / but cried one to an other here cometh the wode Robert an other many cryed here cometh the cursed madde robert & some cryed here cometh robert the deuyl & thus cryenge & howlynge they voyded all the stretes for they durst not abyde & loke him in the face / and forth with the chylderne that knewe him with one assent called hym robert the deuyll whiche name he kepte duringe his lyf & shall do as longe as the worlde stondeth / whan this chylde was . seuen . yere olde or there aboute the duke his fader / seynge and consyderynge his wycked condicions called hym and sayde vnto him thus my sone me thynke it necessary and tyme / for me to gete you a wyse scole mayster and put you to scole / to lerne vertues and doctrine for ye be of age ynoughe and whan the duke had thus sayde / he betoke his sone to a good discret and wyse scole mayster to rule and teche hym al good condicions & maners

¶ How robert kylled his scole mayster .

IT fell vpon a daye that his scole mayster shold chastyse robert & wolde haue made him to haue left his cursed condicions & mischeuous dedes but robert gate a murderer or bodkin & thrast his mayster in the bely that his guttes fell at his fete and so fel downe dede to the erth . and robert threwe his boke ayenst the walles in despyte of his mayster saynge thus now haue I taughte the that neuer preste nor clerke shal correcte me nor be my mayster and from thens forth there coude noo scole mayster be founde that was so bolde to take in honde to teche and correcte this Robert but were gladde to let hym allone and haue his owne wayes / and he put hymselfe to vyce & myschef and curssidnes & to no maner of vertue nor grace nor none wolde ne lerne for noo man lyuynge / but mocked with god & holy chyrche and whan he came in to the chyrche & founde the prestes & clarkes singynge goddes seruyce / he came preuely behynde them & caste asshes or dust in to theyr mouthes in dispyte of god / And whan he sawe ony body in the chyrche besy in theyr prayers he wolde to me behynde them & gyue them a sowse in the necke that theyr hedes kyssed the grounde in soo moche that euery creature banned and cursed hym for his wycked dedes doynge / And the noble Duke his fader seynge this myscheuous disposicyon & cursed lyf of his sone he was so angry & sore vexed with hym selfe that he wysshed hym self many tymes dede & out of the worlde . And the duchesse in lyke wyse was gretly moued & moche sorowful / by cause of the mischeuous lyf of her sone . saynge to her lorde in this wyse my lorde our sone is now of sufficient age / and able to bere armes wherfore me thynke it were beste that ye made hym knyght yf than he wolde remembre th ordre of knighthode wherby he myght chaunge his condicyons and leue his wyckednesse . The Duke was here with all content . And Roberte had at that tyme but eyghtene yere of age .

¶ How robert the deuyll was made knyghte by the Duke his fader .

THis duke assembled vpon a hye feest of whitsontyde al his barons & nobles of his londe & the next of his kyn & frendes in the presence of whome he called his sone to hym saynge thus . herke my sone robert and take hede what I shall tell you . It is so that by th aduyse of my counsell and good frendes I am nowe aduysed to make you a knyghte to th entent that ye with other knyghtes sholde be conuersaunt occupye & haunte cheualrye and knyghtes condicyon to th entente that ye shall leue and foryete your vices & vylaynous werkes & moste hartful lyf Robert herynge this answered his fader the duke . I shall doo youre commaundement but as for the order of knyghthode I set no thynge therby . for there is no degre shall cause me leue my condicions nor make me to chaunge my lyfe nor to breke my wyl For I am not in that mynde to doo ony better than I haue done hetherto / nor alter myne olde costume nor to amende for no man lyuynge it was the costume of that londe that on whitsonyght the chyrche sholde be watched and tended with moche people . And theder ranne this robert lyke a madde man betinge and bonchȳge and ouerthrowynge al theym that came in his waye / feringe nother god nor the deuyll . and he was neuer styll of all that nyghte and in the mornynge whan it was daye Roberte was made knyghte . Thenne this duke commaunded a tournayment or iustynge to be made in whiche tornaymente the sayde robert wrought maystries & dede meruaylous dedes of armes in kyllinge and berynge doune horsse & man noo man refusinge nor ferynge / but bare alle to the grounde that came in his waye . of some he brake armes and some legges some theyr neckes or bare them thorowe and kylled them out of the honde . frome hym wente none vnmarked in whiche iustynge the sayd robert kylled x. horses / the duke heringe how his sone myscheued and murdred all that came in to his hondes he wente himself in to the tournaymente & commaunded vpon a grete payne / that euery mansholde sease & renne no more . thenne Robert rored for anger as he had ben wode & wolde not obeye his fader commaundement but abode styll in the fylde smytynge & no thynge sparinge moche worse than he dyde before . and had no pite nother of horse nor man so that he kylled of the moste valiauntes knyghtes that thether were comen to tournaye . than euery man cried vpon Robert to sese but it auailed not for he wold not sese for no man nor there was no man so bolde to encountre hym . for bycause that he was so stronge this robert dyde so moche mischefe that all the peple were in a rore & assembled all with one assent in a grete angre and ranne to the duke complaynynge saynge thus lord ye be gretly to blame that ye suffre youre sone to doo as he doth we beseche you for goddes sake to fynde some remedye for him to cause him to sease or leue his misrule .

¶ How Robert the deuyll rode aboute the countree of normandy robbynge stelinge morderynge & brennynge chyrches abbayes & other holy places of religion & forsynge of women & rauisshynge of maydens .

Than whan Robert se there was no man more left in the fylde & that he coude do no more mischefe there . than he toke his horse with the sporre to the countree to seke auentures & began to do euery daye more harme than other . for he forssed & rauysshed maydens & wyues withoute nombre he kylled murdred so moche peple that it was pyte / also he robbed chyrches abbayes hermitages & fermes . there was not an abbaye in all the countrey but he robbed chyrches abbayes hermitages & fermes . there was not an abbaye in all the countrey but he robbed & pylled them . these wycked dedes of Robert came to the eres of the good duke . & all they that were thus robbed & rebuked / came to complayne of the grete

woodcut monk and two gentlemen outrage and suppression done by Robert and stylle was doynge thorowe out all the countree . One sayd my lorde your sone hath forssed my wyfe . an other sayd he hath rauisshed my doughter . the other sayd he hath stolen my goodes & robbed my hous . & the other sayde he hath wounded me to deth with many semblable offences . Thus lay they greuously complaynynge before the good Duke that grete pyte it was there for to se the good duke herynge the greuous and lamentable complayntes of the great murdre done . by roberte his sone thorough oute all the londe of Normandye . Than his herte was subpressed with so greate sorowe and thoughte that the salte t●res breste oute of his eyen . & wepte tenderly & sayde . O ryght wyse god creatoure of heuen & erth . I haue so many tymes prayed the to sende me a chylde & all my delyte was to haue a sone . to th entente that I myght of hym haue grete Ioye and solace And nowe I haue one . the whiche doth my herte so moche payne sorowe and thoughte that I wote in no wyse what to begynn● nor to doo nor saye therto . but good lorde only I crye vpon the for helpe and remedye to be a lytell released of my payne and sorowe .

¶ How the Duke sent oute men of armes for to take roberte his sone the whiche robert toke them all and put oute theyr eyen in despite of his fader and sente them so home ayen .

woodcut battle scene

THere was a knyght of the dukes hous whiche perceyued that this good Duke was very sorowful & pensyfe & knewe no remedye thenc this knyghte spake & sayde to hym . My lorde I wold aduyse you to sende for youre sone robert & let hym be brought to your presence / and there before your nobles and nexte frendes to rebuke hym . and than commaunde him to leue his cursed lyf . & yf he wyll not / ye to do iustice vpon hym as on a straunge man / here to the Duke consented and thoughte the knyght gaue hym good counsell . and incontynent he sente out men to seke robert . and in ony wyse they to brynge hym to his presence this robert herynge of the complayntes made of alle the people vpon hym vnto his fader and that his fader hadde sent out men to take hym wherfore al theym that he coude gette he put out theyr cyen / and so he toke the men that his fader sende for hym and put out theyr eyen in despite of his fader and whan he had thus blynded his faders seruauntes he sayde to theym in mockynge syrs nowe shall ye slepe the better go nowe home to my fader and tell him that I set lytell by hym & bycause he sendeth you to brynge me to him therfore to his dispyte I haue put oute youre eyen . & therfore was robert hated both of god & of the worlde & his viceous and moost cursed werkes were openly knowen thorowe out all crystendome . These poore seruauntes whiche the Duke hadde sent for robert his sone / came home with grete payne and in grete heuynesse saynge thus o good lorde see how your sone robert that ye dede sende vs fore hath arrayd vs : & blynded vs . the good Duke seynge his men in this case / he wexed very angry and full of yre and began to compasse in his mynde how and by what meanes he might come by to take the said robert his sone

¶ How the duke of normandye made a proclamacion thorugh oute his londe . how men sholde take robert his sone with all his companye and brynge hym euerychone to prison .

THan spake a wyse lorde of the dukes counsell saynge thus my lord take no more thought nor be no more pensyfe . for ye shal neuer se the daye that robert your sone wyll come in your presence in so moche as he hath done so grete and greuouse offences to your commons and youre owne messengeres that ye sende for him but it were of necessyte for you to correcte and punysshe hym for his grete offences that he dayly doth & hath done for we fynde it wryten that the lawe byndeth you there to . The duke wyllynge to accomplysshe the councell of his lordes sende oute messangers in all the haste / vnto all portes good townes and barones / thorugh out all his dukedome commaundynge on his behalfe all shryues bayllifes or other offycers to do theyr vttermoste dylygence to take robert his sone prisoner & to holde and kepe hym surely in prison with all his company and affinite . whan robert herde of this proclamacion he with all his company were sore aferde of the Dukes malyce . and whan roberte see this was almooste oute of his wytte for wode angre and whetted his teeth lyke a bore and sware a grete othe sayenge thus that he wolde haue open warre ayenste his fader and subdewe and spyll all his lordshyppe

¶ Howe robert made him a stronge hous in a derke thycke wyldernes where he wroughte myschefe without comparison & aboue al mesure or naturell reason

woodcut of home construction

THen whan robert had herde & knowen of the forsayde thynges he lette make in a thycke wylde foreste a stronge hous where in he made his dwellynge place and in this place it was wylde and stronge & more meter for wylde beestes than for ony peple to abyde in / & there robert assembled and gadered for his company al the moste mischeuoste & falsest theues that he coude fynde or here of in his faders londe to wete morderes theues strete robers rebelles brenners of chyrches and houses forsers of women robbers of chyrches & the moste wyckedeste & cursedeste theuis that were vnder the sonne robert had gadered to do him seruice wherof he was capteyn & in the forsayde wyldernesse Robert with his companye dyd so moche mischefe that no tunge can tel he mordred marchauntes & al that came by the waye no man durst loke out nor come a brode for fere of robert & his companye of whom euery man was a ferde . for they robbed all the countree in so moche that no man durst loke oute / but that they were kylled of robert or his men also poore pylgremes that wente on pylgremage were murdred by robert & his companye in so moche that euery man fledde frome them lyke as the shepe fled frome the wolfe for they were as wode as wolues warrynge sleinge al that they coude come by . & thus robert & his companye led an vngracious lyf . also he was a grete glotten of etynge & drinkinge & neuer fastynge though it were neuer so grete a fastynge day . In lente or on ymberdayes heete flesshe as well on fridayes as on sondayes . but after he had done al this mischefe he suffred grete payne as here after ye shal here

¶ How robert the deuyll kylled .vii. heremytes .

IT befell vpon a tyme that robert whiche euer Imagened & studyed in his mynde how & by what meane he might do moste myschef & murdre as he had ben euer acustomed before he rode out of his hous or theuisshe neste to seke his pray . & in the myddel of the wode he sawe .vii. holy heremytes to whome he rode as faste as he coude with his sworde redydrawē lyke a man oute of his mynde & there he slewe this .vii. heremites the whiche were bolde & good men but they were so vertuous & holy that they suffred the marterdom for the loue of god & whan he had thus slayne these .vii. deuoute men he spake in mockage & sayd I haue founde here a neste of a many pope holy horsons whome I haue shauen them crounes I trow they be dronke they were wonte to knele vpon theyr knees and nowe they lye vpon theyr backes there dyde robert a cursed dede & blode shedynge in despyte of god and holy chirche . & after that he had done this myscheuous dede he rode oute of the wode lyke a deuyll out of helle semynge worse thanne wode & his clothes were all dyed rede with the blode of the peple that he had murdred & slayne . & thus arayed he rode ouer the feldes . & clothes hondes face all were rede of the blode of the holy heremytes . Whiche he had so pyteously murdred in the wyldernesse

¶ How robert the deuyll rode to his moder the Duchesse of normandye beynge in the castell of darques where she was come to a feste

ROberte rode so ferre & so longe that he came to the castell of darques / but he mette before with a shypherde whiche had tolde him that his moder the duchesse sholde come to the sayd castell to dyner . & so he rode thether but whan robert came there & the peple se him come they ranne away from hym lyke the hare frome the houndes one ranne & shet him in his house / an other ranne in to the chyrche for fere . Robert seynge this that al the people fled from hym for fere / he began to sygh in his herte and sayd to hymselfe . O almyghty god how maye this be the euery man thus fleeth frome me Nowe I perceyue that I am the mooste myscheuouste and curssedeste wretche of this worlde / for I sente better to be a Iewe or a sarasyne / than a cristen man and I see well that I am worste of all yll . Alas sayde robert the deuyll I maye well hate and curse myne vngracyous & cursed lyfe . wherfore I am worthy to be hated of god and the worlde in this mynde heuynesse came Robert to the castell gates & alyghte downe from his horse / But there was no man that durste abyde aboute hym nor come nygh hym to holde his horse and he had no seruaunte to serue him but let his hors stonde there at the gate / and drewe oute his sworde whiche was all blody . and incontinent toke the waye vnto the halle where the duchesse his moder was whan the duchesse sawe Roberte her sone come in this wyse with a blodysworde in his honde . she was sore a ferde & wolde haue fledde awaye frome him for she knewe well his condicions . Robert seynge that euery body dyde flee from hym & that his owne moder wolde haue fledde in lyke wyse . he called vnto her pyteously a ferre and sayd . swete lady moder be not aferde of me / but stonde stylle tyll I haue spoken with you & flee not from me in the worshyp of crystes passion . than roberts herte beinge full of thoughte and repentaunce wente nygher her . saynge thus : d●re lady moder I praye and requyre you tell me how and by what maner or by wherby commeth it that I am so vicyous and curste for I knowe well I haue it other of you or of my fader / wherfore incontinent I hertely desyre and praye you that ye shewe me the trouth here of .

¶ How the Duchesse desyrede / Robert her sone / to smyte of her hede . and than she tolde hym how she had gyuen hym to the deuyll in his concepcyon

THe Duchesse had gretly maruaylinge whan she herde her sone speke thyse wordes & pyteuously wepynge . With a sorowfull herte saynge thus to hym . My dere sone I require you hertely that ye wyll smyte of my hede . this sayde the lady for very grete pyte that she had vpon hym for bycause she had gyuen him to the deuyll in his concepcyon robert answered his moder with an heuy and a pyteuous there saynge thus . O dere moder why sholde I do so that so moche myschefe haue done and this sholde be the worste dede that euer I dyde . But I praye you to shewe me that I desyre to wete of you / then the Duchesse herynge his hertely desyre tolde vnto hym the cause why he was soo vicious and full of myschefe and how she gaue him to the deuyll in his concepcion . herself myspraysynge / sayde thus vnto robert . O sone I am the mooste vnfortunate woman lyuynge and I knowlege that it is all my faute that ye be so cursed and wycked a lyeuer .

¶ How robert the deuyll toke leue of his moder .

ROberte herynge his moders saynge he fell downe to the erthe in a swoune for very greate sorowe and laye styll a longe whyle . than he remeued ayene and came to hymself and began bytterly to wepe and complayne saynge thus . The fendes of hell be with grete diligence to applye them to gete and haue me body and soule . but now frome this tyme forth I forsake them & all theyr werkes and wyl neuer doo more harme but good . & amende my lyf & leue my synnes and do penaunce therfore than after this Roberte spake to his moder / the whiche was in greate sorowe & heuynesse saynge thus . O mooste reuerente lady moder . I hertly beseche & requyre you that it wyll plese you to haue me recommaunded vnto my fader for I wyll take the waye to Rome to be assoyled of my synnes / whiche be innumerable & to abhomynable to recounte . Therfore I wyll neuer slepe one nyght there I slepe an other tyll I come at Rome and god wyll .

¶ How robert departed frome his moder & rode in to the wyldernesse where he founde his companye .

RObert in grete haste lyghte vpon his horse & rode to the wode where he had lefte his companye the whiche he founde . The Duchesse made greate lamentacion for her sone robert whiche had taken his leue of her . And sayd many tymes to her self . Alas what shal I do for it is all my faute that robert my sone hath done so moche myschefe & in the meane whyle that the Duchesse made this sorowe & bewayllynge for her sone roberte in came the duke in to the chambre & as sone as she sawe hym she began to tell him of his sone robert piteuously wepynge / shewynge hym what he had sayd & done . than the good Duke axed her / whether robert were dysposed to leue his vicious lyfe . & yf he were sory for his greate offences / ye my lorde sayde she he is sore repentaunte . thenne began the duke sore to sygh & sayde Alas it is all in vayne that roberte thynketh to do for I fere he shall neuer haue power to make restytucyon / of the hurtes & harmes the whyche he hath done in his lyfe . but I beseche almyghty god to prolonge his lyf and sende him tyme & respyte that he maye amende his lyfe & do penaunce for his synnes

¶ How robert tolde his companye he wolde goo to Rome for to be assoyled of his synnes .

NOw is robert come ayene to his companye whiche he founde syttinge at dyner & whan they sawe hym they rose vp & dyde him reuerence than roberte began to rebuke them for theyr vycyous lyuynge saynge thus my welbeloued felawes . I require you in the reuerence of god / that ye wyll herken and take hede to this that I shall shewe you / ye knowe well howe that we haue ledde hetherto an vngraciouse and mooste viciouse lyfe . robbed & pylled chyrches / forced women / rauysshed maydens / robbed and kylled marchauntes . We haue robbed and kylled nonnes holy aunkers preestes clerkes / and many other people withoute nombre haue we murdred and robbed . Wherfore we be in the waye of endles dampnacion except that god haue mercy vpon vs . Wherfore I require you euerychone for goddes sake that ye wyll chaunge youre opinion & leue your abhomynable synnes & do penaunce therfore for I wyll go to rome to be shryuen and to haue penaunce for my synnes . Whan Robert thus sayd one of the theues rose and sayd to his companye in mockage . nowe syrs take hede the foxe wyll be an aunker for he begynneth to preche . Robert mocketh fast with vs for he is our capiteyn & doth more harme allone than al we do how thinke ye wyll he be longe thus holy . yet sayd Robert gentyl felawes I praye you for goddes sake leue your condicions & thynke on your soule & do penaunce for your moste fellest stynkynge synnes & crye vpon our lorde for mercy & foryeuenesse & he wyll foryeue you whan Robert hadde sayd thus than spake to him one of the theues & sayde I praye you mayster be in pease / for it auayleth not what ye saye do but spende your tyme in waste / for I nor my company wyl not amende our lyf for no man lyuynge / And all his company commaunded his saynge and sayden all with one voyce he saythe trewe for and we sholde dye / we wyll not leue our olde condycyons and cursed lyfe . but and yf we haue done moche hurte hether to we wyll do moche more here after .

¶ How Robert the deuyll sente the key of his chefe hous or theuysshe lodginge to his fader the Duke . of normandye and how he wente to Rome .

THenne whan Robert had done all that sayd is he toke vp his honde & blessed him & rode thorowe the forest the nexte waye to Rome . Roberte rode that daye so longe tyl that the nyghte came on and was passynge sore enhongred for he had eten noo mete of all that daye / and fortuned to come rydyng by an abbaye whiche he had many tymes robbed . and the abbot was his kynnessman & Roberte rode in to this abbaye and sayd neuer a worde but whan the monkes se Robert come they were sore a ferde and ranne awaye . saynge one the an other here cometh the vngracyous Roberte . the deuyll hath broughte hym hether . whan Robert herde this and se them al renne awaye from hym than his sorowe began to renewe and sayd in hymselfe in sore syghinge & sorowfull herte . I may well hate my cursed lyfe for euery man fleeth from me & I haue spente my tyme vngracyously & in euyll and cursed werkes and there with all he rode streyghte to the chyrche dore & alyghte downe frome his hors deuoutly saynge his prayers to god in this wyse . O lorde Iesu cryste I moste synfull wretche and vessel of alle stinkinge synnes / I praye the that thou wylt haue mercy on me and preserue and kepe me frome all daungeres and peryll / And thenne he wente & spoke to the abbot and monkes so swetly and so pyteuously & amyably that they began to come toward him to whome robert sayde pytously wepinge knelynge on his knees . my lorde I knowlege myself that I haue greuously offended you . and haue done greate harme & iniurye vnto your abbay . Wherfore I require & praye you all in the honoure of crystes passyon of forgyuenesse . and than he spake to the abbot in this wise my lorde abbot I praye you hertely haue me recommaunded to my lorde my fader the duke of Normandye / & delyuer hym this keye of the chefe hous where I haue dwelled with my companye the whiche I haue all slayne . to th entent that they sholde do no more harme . & in that hous lyeth all the goodes & tresoure that I haue stolen frome you & other men wherfore I am ryghte sory . and beseche you of forgyuenesse / and I praye you that this good maye be rendred ayene vnto suche people as they haue ben longinge to before . robert abode the night in the abbay but in the mornynge erly he wente thens . and lefte behynde hym his horse and his swerde wher with all he had done grete myschefe . and so he wente allone towarde Rome . And on the same daye rode the abbot to the duke of normandye & gaue hym the keye that Robert had delyuered him / & tolde the duke how he was gone to Rome . than the duke gaue al the poore people theyr goodes ayen that they had loste before as ferre as it coude be founde in the chefe hous . we wyl sease of the duke & the abbot & speke of robert whiche gooth to rome warde allone with grete deuocion .

¶ How Roberte came to rome for remyssyon of his synnes

RObert went so longe ouer hylles & dales allone tyll at laste with grete payne & pouerte he came to rome in to the cyte vpon a shere thursdaye at nyght & on the fryday after the pope hymself sayd the deuyne seruice as the custome was in saynt peters chyrche / & Robert presed faste to haue comen to the pope / but the popes seruauntes se that robert presed so sore to come to the pope they smote him & had him go backe but the more they smote him the more he presed & thronge to gette nygh the pope & so at laste he gate to him & fel doune on his knees at the feet of the pope cryeng with a loude voyce saynge thus o holy fader haue mercy on me & thus lay robert cryenge longe whyle the people that were by the pope were angry that Roberte made suche a noyse & wold haue dryuen him thens but the pope seynge roberts grete desyre had pite vpon him & sayde to his peple late hym alone for in al that I can se he hath grete deuocion wherfore the pope commaunded them al to holde there pese that he might the betr here & vnderstonde robert than sayd Robert to the pope in this maner / o holy fader I am the moste and the greteste synner of all this worlde / the pope toke Robert vp by the honde and sayd to hym good frende what is your desyre & what eleth you to make all this noyse than sayd Roberte o holy fader I beseche you to here my confessyon / for and I be not by you assoyled I am dampned worlde withouten ende for it is meruayle that the deuyll bereth me not awaye body & soule seynge the foule innumerable & stynkynge synne that I am laden & bounden withall more than ony man lyuynge / and in so moche that ye are he that gyueth remedy helpe & comforte to them that haue nede / therfore I humbly beseche you for the passyon of our lorde Ihesu cryst to here & purge me of my moost mortall & abhomynable synnes wherby I am dereuered & departed fro all the Ioyes of heuen & am wors than a Iewe / the pope herynge this demed & thought in hymselfe whether this were roberte the deuyl / & axed him / sone be ye roberte the whiche I haue herde so moche spekynge of / the whiche is worst of al men / than roberte answered & sayd ye / than the pope sayd I wyll assoyle you but I coniure you in the name of god that ye do no man harme . The pope & all that were aboute him were aferde to loke vpon roberte / roberte fell on his knees with grete deuocion & repentaunce of his synnes saynge holy fader nay as longe as I lyue I promyse god & his blessyd moder / wyll I neuer hurte crysten creature / than in contynent the pope toke roberte aparte & herde his confessyon to whome roberte shroue hym deuoutly she wynge how his moder had gyuen him to the deuyl in his concepcyon wherof the pope was sore aferde .

¶ How the Pope sente Roberte thre myle without Rome to an holy heremyte .

woodcut hermit and man

THe Pope this herynge was gretly abasshed & blessyd him & sayd to roberte / my dere sone ye . muste go thre myle without the towne & there ye shal fynde an heremyte whiche is my goostly fader & to him ye shall confesse you & saye that I sende you to him & he shal asoyle you / roberte answered the pope I wyl go with a good wyll / & toke his leue of the pope saynge god gyue me grace to do that may be to the helth of my soule / so that nyght roberte abode in rome for it was late / & in the mornynge erly robert went out of rome towarde the place where he sholde fynde the heremyte & so he went so longe ouer hylles & dales with grete desyre to be shryuen of his synnes that at laste he come where the heremyte dwelled wherof he was glad / & came to the heremyte & tolde him how the pope had sente hym theder to be confessed of him than the heremyte sayde he was hertly welcome . & with in a whyle robert began to confesse & shewe his synnes & fyrste he shewed the heremyte how his moder had gyuen hym to the deuyl in his concepcion & how he smote the chylderne in his youth or he coude goo allone and how he kylled his scole mayster & how many knyghtes he kylled at the iustynge whan his fader made him knyght & he rode thorowe his faders londe robbyng & stelynge forsynge of women rauisshyng of maydens & how he chraste out the eyen of his faders men in dispyte of him . & how he had kylled .vii. heremites & shortly shewed hym al the offences that euer he dyde sethē the houre of his byrth tyll that tyme . Wherof the heremyte had maruayle . but he was glad that Robert was repentaunt for his synnes . whan robert had thus confessed him the heremyte sayd to him / sone this night ye shal a byde here & to morow I shal gyue you good councell of that ye haue to do robert that was so curst & furious mischeuous ferfull cruel & proude as a lyon . is now as gentyl & curteys & swete of wordes & wyse in his dedes as euer was ony duke or prynce lyuynge them Robert was so wery & ouercomen with goynge that he coude nother ete nor drynke . but wente aparte & sayde his prayers to almyghty god prayenge him thorow his endeles mercy / that he wolde kepe hym from the fendes temptacyon & deceyte . the heremyte made roberte to lye that nyght in a lytell chapell that stode nye his celle & the heremyte prayed al that nyght to our lord for Robert whiche sawe that he had grete repentaunce for his synnes and thus prayenge the heremyte fell a slepe .

¶ How god sent an aungel to the heremyte to shewe hym the penaunce that he sholde gyue to Roberte for his synnes .

THe heremyte beynge thus a slepe there came to hym an aungell saynge to hym in this wyse . holy fader here & take hede of the message that god commaundeth . yf that Robert wyll be shryuen of his synnes / he muste kepe and counterfete the wayes of a fole and be as he were dombe . & he may ete no maner of mete / but that he can take it from the dogges & in this wyse without spekynge & cōterfetinge the fole & no thynge etynge but what he can take from the dogges must he be tyll tyme that it shall please god to shewe hym that his synne be foryeuen & with this visyon the heremyte a woke oute of his slepe & began to remembre hymself of this that sayd is / & thanked our lorde of his gracious message done to him & whan the daye began to apere that heremyte called robert vnto hym . with fayre & confortable wordes saynge to hym my frende come hether to me . & incontynent robert came to hym with grete deuocion hym confessynge . and whan robert had shryuen hym the heremyte sayde thus vnto hym sone I haue thoughte & aduised me of the penaunce that ye shal haue to gete remyssyon of your synnes / In whiche ye haue greuously offended ayenst god that is to wete ye muste counterfayte & playe the fole / & ye maye ete no mete but that ye can take it from the dogges whan men gyue them ought / also ye must kepe you as dumbe without speche & lye amonge dogges for thus hath god this nyght commaunded me by his aungell to gyue you this for your penaunce and ye maye offende no man the whyle your penaunce be a doynge / and this penaunce ye must do for your synnes in maner and forme as I haue tolde you tyll suche tyme as it shall please our lorde to sende you worde that your synnes be forgyuen / roberte beynge mery and gladde thankynge our lorde Ihesu cryst that he was assoyled of his synnes & had therfore so lyght penaunce as hym thoughte that it was . Nowe taketh Roberte leue of the heremyte / and gooth to do his grete and sharpe penaunce whiche he helde but lyght remembrynge his grete abhomynable stynkynge synnes that he hath done all the dayes of his lyf this was a fayre myracle / for he that was so vycyous and so furyous a rebell & proude a synner / is now soo full of vertues and fayre condycyons and as tame as a lambe .

¶ How Roberte the deuyll toke his leue of the heremyte & wente agayne to Rome to do his penaunce that ●he heremyte had gyuen hym .

ROberte hathe taken leue of the heremyte & is gone towarde Rome there for to do his penaunce . And whan he came in to the cyte he began to lepe & renne aboute the stretes makynge hymselve as thoughe he had ben a fole / & the childeren in the stretes se Roberte renne in this wyse and they after hym shoutynge and cryenge & castynge with myre and derte and all suche fylth as they founde in the stretes and the Burgeyses of the cyte laye in theyr wyndowes and laughed and mocked with roberte Than whan roberte had thus played the fole in rome a certayne season he came on a tyme to the Emperours courte & se that the gate dyde stonde open & he ranne streyght in to the hall / & there he Ietted vp and downe from the one ende to the other somtyme he wente fast and somtyme softely and than he hopped and ranne and other whyle he stode euen stylle / but he stode not longe in one place . The Emperoure seynge Roberte thus playenge the fole . He sayd to one of his seruauntes / se yonder is a fayre and a well fauoured yonge man / me thynketh he is out of his mynde the whiche is greate domage / for he is fayre & a well made man / go & gyue him mete . ¶ This Emperours seruaunt dyde as he was commaunded & called roberte to hym & wolde haue gyuen him some mete / but roberte wolde nother ete nor drynke / & whyle roberte sate thus at the table th emperour sawe one of his houndes whiche was bytten with an other dogge / wherfore the Emperour cast hym a bone and the dogge caught the bone and began to gnawe there on & roberte seynge that lepte from the table & toke it from hym / but the dogge fought with roberte for the bone & helde faste the one ende & roberte the other ende / but roberte se it wolde be no better / but set hym downe on the grounde & gnewe on the one ende of the bone & the dogge on the other th emperoure and they that loked here on / laughed at robert and the dogge . but Robert dyde so moche that he gatte the bone allone & laye and gnewe it for he was sore enhongred . th emperoure seynge that Robert was so sore enhongred he caste to an other dogge an hoole lofe . but robert toke it frome hym & brake it in two peces & gaue the dogge half for by cause he gatte it for the dogges sake . th emperour seynge this lough there at & sayd to his seruauntes . We haue here nowe the moste folysshe fole and the verayst nedy that euer I sawe for he taketh the dogges mete from them & eteth it hymself therby a man may perfytely knowe that he is a naturell fole all that were in the hal gaue the dogges as moche mete as they myght ete to th entente that robert myght fyll his belye with them & whan he had filled his belly while he rose vp and walked vp and doune in the hall with a staffe in his honde / smytynge vpon stoles and benches lyke as & yf he had bene a very innocente fole . And thus walkynge he loked on euery syde & sawe adore where men wente in to a fayre gardyne in the whiche gardyne there stode a fayre fontayne or wel and theder went Robert to drynke for he was euyll churste and whan nyghte came on / robert folowed the forsayde dogge where so euer he wente the whiche was acustomed to lye euery nyghte vnder a steyre & there he went and layde him downe & robert folowed hym vnder the steyre and layde hym doune by the dogge . th emperoure seynge this had compassyon on Robert and commaunded that men sholde bere hym a bedde / that he myght lye there vpon to slepe anone two seruauntes brought robert a bedde to slepe there on but he pointed to bere it away ayene for he had leuer to lye vpon the hard and colde erth than vpon a softe bedde where of th emperour had greate maruayle / and commaunded that men shold bere hym clene strawe whiche they dyde than robert whiche was feynte and wery of goynge leyde hym downe to slepe on the strawe . now haue this in youre myndes ye proude hertes & synners thynke on robertes greate penaunce & wylfull pouerte and how he so greate a gentylman borne forsoke his fader and his moder and al his frendes and his countrey and londe / & al his dylycate metes & drinkes & gaye raymentes & wordly plesure with all that of suche astate aperteyneth how wyllyngly he hath alle forsaken for the saluacyon of his soule & is gone out of a dukes bedde to dogges canell . and with dogges he ete & dronke & slepte & rose whan they rose . & in this penaunce lyued roberte .vii. yeres or there aboute . & the dogge that he comunly slept with all perceyued that he foure the better & had more mete for robertes sake than he was wonte to haue before & that no man dyde bete hym for his sake wherfore he began to loue robert passynge well in so moche men myght as soone haue kylled hym as dryuen hym from robert

¶ How robert made a Iewe to kysse his dogges arse at the Emperours table .

IT befell vpon a tyme that th emperour helde a grete feste in his palays in the cyte of rome to whiche feste were assembled all the chefe of the londe amonge whome there was a Iewe whiche was receyuer of the moste parte of all th emperours londes . and whan euery man was sette at the table robert walked vp & doune in the hall hauynge his dogge in his armes playenge the fole as he was wonte to do . & thus came to the table behynde that foresayde Iewe whiche was sette at th emperours table and Robert come behynde his backe and knocked hym on the sholder the Iewe felte hym and tourned his face shortly behynde hym and robert hadde vp his dogges arse redy and sette it vpon the Iewes face . Th emperoure & his lordes this scynge / laughed & had good game there at . but the Iewe was wroth & foule ashamed but he durst saye no thynge at that tyme . Than robert set doune his dogge & incontinent the dogge lepte vpon the table & dyde so moche with his mouth & fete that he caste downe al the mete vnder the table . And in this maner Robert spente his tyme euer withoute spekynge . lyke as the heremite had commaunded him . & euer he dyde som madde or mery conceyte to cause the Emperour to laugh or to be mery .

¶ How the senesshal had gadred a greate armye of men of warre of sarasins & layde syege to Rome be cause the Emperour wolde not gyue hym his doughter in maryage .

woodcut battle

IN the mene season whyle Roberte was thus in Rome doinge his penaunce as is forsayde whiche dured seuen yeres or there aboute in the Emperours courte . the whiche emperoure hadde a fayre doughter . but she was borne dombe & neuer spake / & th emperous seneschall dyuerse tymes had desyred this doughter in maryage of the Emperoure but he wolde neuer graunte hym her / wherfore the seneschall was gretly moued and angry therwith th emperoure . for he thoughte he myght haue won of hym his empyre by forse and myght in so moche the seneschal came vpon a tyme with a greate hoste of sarasyns & layde syege to the cyte of Rome where of th emperour had grete maruayle . & wondred than th emperour gadred & assembled al the lordes barons askynge of them counsell saynge thus my lordes gyue me good counseyll that we maye withstonde this hethen dogges whiche haue layde syege here to oure Cyte wherfore I take greate thoughte for they kepe all my londe vnder theyr subieccyon & they wyll brynge vs to confusion yf that god not of his endles mercy helpe vs not . wherfore I praye you eurychone to go fyght with them with al our power & myght & dryue them away than answered the lordes & knyghtes all with one assente saynge souerayne lord your counceyll is good & wyse . Wherfore we be all redy to go with you . & gyue them batayle & defende our ryghte both londe & cyte th emperoure thanked them of this answere & was glad therof & made proclamacion thorowe out all his londes & cytees that euery man olde & yonge that were able to bere armes shold make them redy to go fyght ayenst theyr moost cruell enmyes the sarasyns whiche were comen in to the londe . & incontinent whan this proclamacyon was done amonge the comyns euery man was wyllynge & redy to go with th emperour to fyght & defend theyr ryght and so they went forthe in a fayre ordinaunce with th emperoure to fyghte vpon theyr mortal enmyes the hethen dogges / And for all the th emperour had moche mo people than the senshal yet the seneshal had wonne the felde / hadde not god of his greate marcy sent theder Robert to resyste and helpe the romaynes in theyr exstreme necessyte .

¶ How our sauyour ihesu hauynge compassion on the crysten blod sente Robert by his aungell a white hors & harneys commaundinge hym to go resewe and helpe the romayns ayenst the hethen dogges the sarasyns .

THe Emperour & the romayns wente to the batayle as sayd is ayenst the sarasyns . & roberte was at home . Where he was accustomed to walke in the gardyne to a fontayne or well to drinke . & this was on the same daye that the emperour with his hoste sholde gyue batayle ayenste the sarasyns . than there came a voyce out of heuen sent frome our lorde aboue saynge in this maner . Roberte god commaundeth you by me that ye incontynent arme you with this harneys and lyghte vpon this horse that god hath sente you . & ryde in all haste possyble and rescue the emperour & his people . Robert herynge the commaundement of god was abasshed in his mynde . and durst not do ayenst goddes commaunde but in contynent he armed hym & lepte on that hors without ony taryenge and rode his waye / the Emperours doughter whiche I tolde you of before stode at a wyndowe & sawe Roberte thus armed on hors backe than yf she coude haue spoken she wolde haue tolde it but she coude not speke for she was dombe but she remembred and bare it surely in her mynde roberte thus horst & harnayst rode in to th emperours hoost whiche he sawe was sore ouerpressed with theyr enemyes the Turkes in so moche that had not god & roberte rescued them the crysten men had ben all slayne / but whan roberte was come in to t hoost he put him in the moost presse of the turkes & faught & layde on eche syde on these cursed houndes / there a man myght haue sene / armes / legges / heedes tomble on the grounde / he smote to the grounde both hors & man that neuer rose after / it was a worlde to se the murdre that roberte dyde amonge the dampned dogges the sarasyns / so to make short tale roberte dyde so moche that the sarasyns were cūstrayned to flye awaye & th emperour helde the felde & had the vyctorye of them .

¶ How Roberte torned agayne to the forsayd fontayne & there vnarmed him / whan he had thus subdued & vaynquysshed the sarasyns & put them to flyght .

NOw hath the Empererour goten the felde & the honoure thanked be god & roberte is torned agayne to the sayd fontayne & there vnarmed hym & layde the harnays on the hors whiche incontynent was vanysshed awaye that no man coude knowe nor perceyue where he become and Roberte bode styll stondynge by the fontayne / th emperours doughter seynge this had grete meruayll of this & wolde haue tolde it forthe but she was dombe & coude not speke / roberte had a race in his face whiche he gote in the batayll / but he was none otherwyse hurte / the Emperour was glad & thanked god of his vyctory ayenst the false dogges the sarasyns & thus beynge mery he came home to his palays & whan they were al set to dyner roberte presented hymselve before th emperour as he was wonte to do playnge the fole & makynge him dombe as afore rehersed is th emperour reioysed in hymselve whan he se roberte for he loued him passynge well & than he perceyued roberts hurte in his face & thought that some of his seruauntes had hurte hym whyle he was out / wherfore he was angry & sayd / here in this courte be some enuyous men / for whyle we haue ben out at batayle they haue beten & hurte this poore Innocente creature in his face whiche is grete synne for thoughe he be a fole he doth no man harme so th emperour commaunded them all vpon a grete payne that no man sholde do him harme / yf they dyde they shold be punysshed that all other shold beware by them / than th emperour began to axe his knyghtes yf there were ony of them that coude tell of the knyght with the whyte hors that came preuely in to the felde & so valyauntly rescued them th emperours doughter this herynge poynted th emperour her fader that it was roberte / but th emperour vnderstode not what his doughter mente what she poynted / for she coude not speke / wherfore he called her maystres to hym & axed her what his doughter mente by her poyntynge / & her maystresse answered and sayde your doughter menes by her pointynge that this daye ye haue gotten the bataylle and victorye thorowe the helpe of youre fole robert & the race that is in his face he hathe gotten it in the batayle . the Emperoure vnderstondyng the mynde and intent of his doughter he was angry and sayde to her maysters . ye sholde teche & lerne my doughter wysdome & no folye ne peuyshnesse wher with all I am myscontent the doughter seynge that her fader was angry pointed no more not withstondynge she wyst well that it was trewe that she pointed and mente / for in as moche as she had sene the aungell brynge him the hors & harneis This remaynde in this wyse a certeyne season and after that the sarasyns were put to flyghte by the romayns as sayde is yet came the senesshal agayne with moche more company & layde syege to Rome & the romaynes sholde haue lost the fylde ayen had not the knyghte on the white horse bene to whome god sent horsse and harnays as he had done before to make shorte tale this knyght dyde so moche that the sarasyns were put to flyght & the romayns wonne the felde & victorye as they dyde before . there were some of the emperours meyny layde wayte where this knyghte became . But as soone as the batayle was done he was gone noo man coude tell were he was become saue oonly the Emperours doughter whiche se him at the fontayne agayne vnarmynge him

¶ How Robert gatte the thyrde batayle as he dyde before whiche she kepte secrete .

IN a shorte tyme after this the senesshal tourned ageyne with a moche greter power than he hadde before & layd syege to rome and yet that th emperoure rode to the batayle he commaunded his knyghtes & barones to take good hede fro whens that knyghte came with the white horsse and what he was and where he became for he hadde grete desyre to knowe what he was / The knyghtes answered it sholde be done the daye came that they must ryde forth to the batayle and serteyne of that best knyghtes rode pryuely into a wood that stode a lytell there besyde & there they wayted whiche waye the knyghte on the white horsse sholde come to the batayle but they loste theyr laboure for they coude not tell whens he come / But whan they sawe hym in the batayle they rode towarde him to helpe hym and receiue him this same batayle was sore foughten on both partyes / but the sarasyns loste there courage for robert layde on so greate and myghty strokes that no man myght stonde vnder his honde so that in conclusyon Robert dyde so moche and so valyantly that the sarasyns were put to the dyscomfyture where of the Emperour was greatly enioyed and the senesshall with the sarasyns were passynge angry and sore moued therwith all .

¶ How one of the emperoures knyghtes hurte Robert in the thyghe with a spere .

THan whan this batayle was done euery man rode home and Roberte wolde haue tourned agayne to the fontayne to vnarme him as he was wonte to do before / but the foresayd knyghtes were torned agayne in to the wode / to a wayte for the knyght with the whyte hors and whan they sawe hym come they rode all at ones out of the wode & cryed with a loude voyce saynge vnto hym . O noble knyght tarye & speke with vs / and tell vs who that ye be & whens & out of what londe ye come / to the entent that we maye shewe it to the Emperour whiche specyally he desyreth for to knowe . Roberte this herynge was sore a shamed & smote his whyte hors with his sporres flyngynge ouer hylles and ouer valeyes for bycause he wolde not be knowen but there folowed hym a bolde knyght / well horsed with a spere wenynge to haue kylled his whyte hors but be myste and smote roberte in the thyghe with his spere / and the spere heed brake of & stacke styll in his thyghe but yet for all this he coude gete no knowlege of the knyght with the whyte hors for he rode from them all euerychonc / wherof they were passynge sory . Roberte rode so sore tyll at the last he came to the fontayne & vnarmed hym & layde the harnays on the hors as he had done before whiche in contynent was vanysshed awaye & gone & he drewe out the spere heed out of his thyghe & hyd it bytwene two grete stones by the fontayne than he layde grece & mosse vpon his wounde for he durst let no man loke therto / for fere he sholde haue bene knowen . And all this sawe & marked the Emperours doughter / for bycause she se that Roberte was a fayre & wel fauoured yonge knyght she began to cast her loue vnto hym . And whan Roberte had dressed his wounde he came in to the halle / to gete hym some mete & he halted as lytel as he coude & kepte it secretely that almoost no man coude perceyue it & suffred more payne a thousande tymes than it semed by him Shortly after this came home the knyght that had hurte Roberte . And began to recounte to th emperour how the knyghte with the whyte hors had out ryden him & how he had hurte him sore ayenst his wyll . And sayd to the Emperour . I beseche you my lorde Emperour here what I shall tell you how / and in what maner ye shall knowe who he is that hath holpen you it is best ye make a proclamacyon & publysshe thrughe out your Empyre / & yf there be ony knyght in whyte harnays and a whyte hors that he be brought to your presence and that he brynge with hym the spere heed where with all he was hurte in his thyghe shewynge the wounde / & that ye gyue hym your doughter to wyfe and halfe your Empyre with her / th emperour this herynge was of his counseyll very glad and in contynent in all haste proclamed and puplyshed thrughe out all his Empyre and thought that the knyght had gyuen hym good counseyll .

¶ How the Seneshall thruste a spere heed in to his thyghe wenynge to haue begyled th emperour and to haue wonne his doughter therby .

IT befell in shorte tyme after that the Seneshal hadde knowlege and vnderstandynge of the Emperoures proclamacyon and howe he myghte wynne th emperoures doughter whiche he had many tymes bene aboute he dyde grete dylygence and caused to be sought & goten a whyte hors and whyte harnays & thryste a spere heed in his thyghe wenynge therby to deceyue th emperoure and to gete his doughter to wyfe / and whan this was done he commaunded all his men to arme theym and rode with hym to the Emperour and he rode so sore tyll he came to Rome with grete royalte and solace & without ony taryenge he rode streyght to the Emperour saynge to hym in this wyse / my lorde I am he that you so valyauntly many tymes receyued thre tymes I haue caused you to haue honour & vyctory ayenst the cursed sarasyns / th emperour thynkynge vpon no treason nor dysseyte sayd ye be a valyaunt & a wyse knyght but I had wente the contrarye for we haue taken you for a vylayne and a forsworne knyght / the Seneshall was very angry & sore moued here withall and answered th emperour shortly and angerly / my lorde Emperour meruayll you nothynge here of for I am not suche a cowarde as ye wene that I be & thus saynge he toke out the spere heed and shewed it the Emperoure and vncouered the wounde the whiche he had made hym selfe in his thyghe the knyght stode by whiche that hurte Roberte before and began to compasse in his mynde for he se well that it was not the heed of the spere but he durst saye nothynge for fere leest the Seneshall wolde haue kylled him we wyll leue now of the Seneshall & speke of Roberte whiche is amonge doggers sore wounded as ye haue herde .

¶ How god sente his aungell to the heremyte that he sholde go to rome and seke Roberte for he had full done his penaunce .

THe heremyte whiche ye haue herde of before that shroue and sette Roberte his penaunce laye on a nyght in his selle and slepte and thus slepynge there came to hym a voyce / and badde hym lyghtly a ryse and go to Rome to the place where Roberte was doynge his penaunce / and the aungell tolde the heremyte all the doynges of Roberte shewynge how that his penaunce was fuldone and that god hadde forgyuen hym his synnes wherof the heremyte was verye gladde and in the mornynge eerly he rose and wente to Romewarde / and in lyke wyse in the same mornynge the Seneshal rose be tyme and wente to Rome to the Emperoure to desyre and haue his doughter accordynge to the publycacyon and crye / the whiche the Emperour consented her to hym without ony longe aduysement / But whan the doughter vnderstode that she was gyuen to the Seneshall she raylled and raged as though she hadde ben wood and madde she tare her here from her heed and all to tore her clothes but it myght nothynge auayll her for she was constrayned and must be arayed lyke a bryde and an Emperoures doughter whiche sholde be maryed and the Emperour ladde her by the hande hymselfe to the chyrche royally accompanyed with lordes and ladyes and gentylwomen but the doughter made the gretest sorowe of the worlde in so moche that no man coude content her mynde .

¶ How the Emperours doughter thrughe the grace of god began for to speke the fyrst that euer she spake in her lyfe .

THan as the Emperour with all his estate was come in to the chyrche the Emperures doughter whiche was dumbe sholde marye the Seneshall there dyde our lorde a fayre myracle for the loue of the holy man Roberte to the entente he sholde be exalted / whome euery body helde for a fole and with hym mocked whan the preest sholde begyn the seruyce & to marye the Seneshall and this yonge mayde togyder / the doughter thoroughe the grace of god began to speke to the Emperour her fader in this wyse / fader I holde you not wyse but fer ouer sene in that ye byleue / that this proude folysshe traytour telleth you / for all that he telleth you it lyes / but here in this towne is a holy and deuoute persone / for whose sake god hath gyuen me my speche wherfore I loue hym in my herte for I haue all waye sene and marked his valyaunce and holynes but noo man wolde byleue me what poyntynge or sygnes that I made / than the Emperour this herynge was almoost out of his mynde for Ioye whan he herde his doughter speke whiche neuer spake before / wherby he knewe well ynoughe the Seneshal this herynge was wood angry and foule ashamed and lyghte vpon his hors and rode awaye and all his companye the pope there beynge presente axed the mayde who the man was that she spoke of / than the mayde ladde the pope and the Emperoure her fader to the fontayne where Roberte was wonte to arme and vnarme hym and there she toke out the spere heed from bytwene the two stones where Roberte had hydde it / and than she caused the spere to be brought forth where of this heed was broken / whiche was lyghtly broughte to her and that heed & the spere Ioyned togyder in one as cloes as they had not be broken / than sayd the mayde to the pope we haue had thre tymes vyctorye by his noble valyaunce ayenst the myscreaunt Sarasyns / for I haue thre tymes sene his hors and harnays wherwith he hath thre tymes armed and vnarmed hym / but I can not tell who brought hym that hors and harnays nor vnto whome he delyuered it / but I knowe well that whanke hadde done he layde hym selfe downe by the dogges / and the mayden sayd vnto the Emperour her fader in this wyse / this is he that hath saued your londes and your honoure and gate you vyctorye of the hethen houndes the Sarasyns wherfore ye ought of deute to rewarde hym / and yf it please you we wyll go all to hym and speke with hym / than wente they for the pope the Emperour and the doughter with all the Lordes and Ladyes vnto Roberte whome they founde lyenge amonge dogges they folowed hym and dyde hym reuerence but Roberte answered them not .

¶ How the heremyte founde Roberte and commaunded hym to speke saynge to hym that his penaunce was full done and his synnes forgyuen .

woodcut hermit and man

THe Emperoure spake to Roberte & sayd I praye you swete frende come to me & shewe me youre thyghe for I wyll nedes se / whan Roberte herde th emperour saye these wordes he wyst well ynoughe wherfore he was comen to him / but he lete him as thoughe he had not vnderstonden hym & Roberte dyde many madde conceytes to make the pope & th emperour to laughe & forgate that they spoke of / but the pope spake to Roberte & coniured hym in the name of god that on the crosse dyed for our redemcyon that yf it be goddes wyll that thou hast spoken that thou speke now vnto vs / and than Roberte rose vp tyke a toie and gaue the pope his blessynge and here withall Roberte loked behynde hym & sawe the heremyte that set hym his penaunce & as soone as the heremyte se Roberte whiche he had longe sought he cryed to hym with a loude voyce that euery man myght here him that were there my frende harken vnto me I knowe well that ye be Roberte that men calle the deuyll but now ye be in grace and conceyte with almyghty god and for that foule and hydeous name ye shall haue a fayre name & be called the seruaunt of god ye be he that hath saued this londe from the Sarasyns / wherfore I praye you that ye serue and worshyp god as ye haue done hyder to / for our lorde sendeth me now to you commaundynge you to speke and no more to conterfeyte the fole / for it is goddes wyll & commaundement / for he hath forgyuen you all your synnes for bycause ye haue made satysfaccion & ful done your penaunce / whan Roberte herde this he fell lyghtly on his knees & lyfte vp his hondes towarde heuen saynge thus . I gyue lande & thankes to god creature of heuen & erth that it hath pleased the to forgyue me myne abhomynable & grete synnes thrughe so lytell & lyght penaunce that I haue done therfore / whan the pope the Emperour & the doughter & all that were there presente herde Roberte speke thus swetely they were all here of gretely enioyed & had grete meruayll here of / th emperour seynge his noble valyaunce vertue & curtesye that in hym was & wolde haue gyuen hym his doughter to wyf / but the heremyte wolde not it sholde be so / wherfore euery man departed and wente home .

¶ Howe Roberte tourned agayne to Rome for to marye the Emperours doughter by the commaundement and wyll of god .

NOw the storye telleth as after that Roberte had remyssyon of his synnes & was gone towarde his countre / than out of Rome god commaunded hym thre tymes by an aungell that he sholde tourne agayne to Rome and to marye the Emperours doughter whiche loued hym passyngly well and he sholde haue by her a sone wherby the crysten byleue sholde be encreased and fortefyed and defended Roberte at the commaundement of god tourned agayne to Rome and maryed th emperours doughter with grete tryumphe & solace / for th emperour & all the Romayns were therof very gladde / this brydale was royally kepte and euery man that se Roberte loued and lyked hym aboue all other / and the people sayd one to an other that they were gretely beholdynge to Roberte that he had redemed them from theyr mortall enmyes the sarasyns this feest was grete and notable and deured .xiiii. dayes and whan the feest and brydale was done Roberte wolde departe with his lady in to Normandye to vysyte his fader and moder / and toke his leue of th emperour whiche gaue hym many royall and greate gyftes as gold & syluer & precyous stones of dyuers colours / also th emperour gaue hym knyghtes and squyers to ryde & conduyte hym in to his countre .

¶ How Roberte & his lady came to rowane in Normandye with grete honour and worshyp .

ROberte & his lady rode so ferre tyll they came in to Normandye in to the noble Cyte of rowane with grete myrth & solace / where they were receyued with greate tryumphe for the comyntees of the countre were sorye and in grete heuynes that theyr duke . Robertes fader was dyscesed for bycause that he was a wyse and a renomed prynce . A lytell besyde Rowane dwelled a cursed knyghte whiche had done the duchesse grete wronge and suppressed many knyghtes after her husbondes dyscease . But whan Roberte was comen euery man drad hym & dyde hym grete reuerence and worshyp / than some sayd we wende he had ben deed and all the lordes and burgeys of Rowane gadred them togyder and with greate honoure and reuerence they receyued Roberte and helde hym as theyr lorde and souerayne . And whan they had receyued hym honourably they shewed hym of this before sayd knyghte / he had many tymes suppresse & done wronge to his moder sythen the deth of his fader / than whan roberte herde & vnderstode this he sente lyghtly men of armes to take the sayd knyght / the whiche dyden so moche that they toke hym / and brought him to Roberte whiche made hym to be hanged wherfore the duches was ryght gladde / but she was moche more gladder that Roberte her sone was come home for she wende he had ben deed / & whan roberte and his moder were thus togyder / he recounted vnto her howe the Emperoure hadde gyuen hym his doughter in maryage / and how he hadde done his penaunce / the duchesse herynge her sones wordes she began to wepe very sore / for bycause he had suffred so grete pouerte and penaunce / thoroughe his defaute .

¶ How the Emperour sente a messanger vnto the duke Roberte that he sholde come and rescue hym ayenst the Seneshall .

IN the meane season whyles Robert was thus at Rowane with his moder and his ladye in grete Ioye and solace / there came a messanger fro the Emperour vnto Roberte / whiche dyde hym reuerence and saynge thus vnto hym / my lorde duke the Emperour hath sente me hyther to you and he prayeth you for to come and rescue hym ayenst the false traytoure the Seneshall with the sarasyns whiche haue layde syege to Rome / whan Roberte herde these wordes he was sorye in his mynde for th emperour / and shortly assembled as many men of armes as he coude gete in his londe of Normandy / & forth withall rode with them towarde Rome to helpe and socoure the Emperoure / but before he coude come thyder the false traytour the Seneshal had slayne the Emperour / whiche was grete pyte / but Roberte wente streyght in to Rome / & lyghtly with all his power and myght wente ayenst the Seneshall . And whan Roberte aspyed the false traytour he descryed him saynge thus / abyde thou false traytoure / now thou shalte neuer escape my hondes yf thou abyde me in the felde / for thou arte now nygh thy lyues ende / thou dydest put ones a spere heed in thy thyghe for to haue deceyued the Romayns / defende now thy lyfe ayenst me for thou shalte neuer escape myn hondes / and thou hast also slayne my lorde the Emperour / wherfore thou shalte be well rewarded after that thou haste deserued . And with these wordes Roberte with a greate desyre / and myghty courage rode in contynent vnto the Seneshall and gaue hym suche a stroke on the helmette that he cloue helmet and heed vnto the teeth / and in contynent the traytour fell downe deed vnto the erth / and Roberte made hym to be brought in to Rome to the entente that he sholde there be slayne to reuenge the romaynes / the whiche was done in the presence of all the people that were in Rome / and in this wyse fynysshed that traytoure the Seneshall his lyfe and had a shamfull deth / wherby men maye make and take hede that it is greate folye to coueyte or desyre thynges passynge theyr degre / for & the Seneshall had not desyred the Emperours doughter the whiche passed and exceded ferre aboue his degre / he had not dyed this shamful deth / but myght haue lyued and the Emperour also / & haue dyed good frendes .

¶ How that the duke Roberte tourned agayne to Rowane after he had made the Seneshal to be slayne .

ROberte the duke defended the cyte of Rome from theyr enemyes . And than he tourned agayne with all his companye vnto Rowane to his wyfe whiche was passynge sorowfull and pensyfe But whan she herde that the traytoure the Seneshall hadde slayne her fader / she was almoost out of her mynde . But Robertes moder comforted her in the best maner that she coude or myght . And for to make shortly an ende of our matre & so to fynysshe this booke we wyll lette passe to wryte of the grete dole and sorowe of the yonge duchesse / and speke of the duke Roberte whiche in his youth was abte to all myschefe and vyce and all vngracyousnes without ony measure or reason for he was a more deuourer and a more vengeable than ony lyon nothynge sparynge / nor on no man hauynge mercy nor pyte . And after this he lyued .vii. yere in grete penaunce lyke a wylde man without ony speche and lyke a dumbe beest etynge and drynkynge with dogges and there after was he exalted and honoured of them whiche before dyde holde him for a fole or an innocente and mocked with hym . This Roberte lyued longe in vertue and honoure with that noble lady his wyfe / and he was beloued and dradde of hygh and lowe degre / for he dyde ryght and Iustyce / as well ouer the ryche as ouer the poore kepynge his londe in reste and in peace / and he begotte a chylde with her / the whiche he called Rycharde / whiche dyde afterwarde many noble actes and dedes of armes with grete Charlemayne kynge of fraunce / for he dyde helpe hym for to gete and fortefye the crysten fayth and he made alwayes grete warre vpon the Sarasyns . And he lyued in his londe in reste & peace / and was beloued of poore and ryche / and all his comente loued hym / in lyke wyse as Roberte his fader was beloued / for they lyued both deuoutly and in vertue / wherfore I praye god that we may so lyue in this lyfe / that after this lyfe we may optayne and come to euerlastynge lyfe . To the whiche brynge vs he / that bought vs and all mankynde / with his precyous blode & bytter passyon . Amen .