_Of the ordynaunce of the lordes of the Emperour when he rideth
from one countrey to another to warre._
AND when this great Caane shall ryde from one countrey to another
they ordeyne foure hostes of people, of which the fyrst goeth before
a daies journey; for that hoste lyeth at even where the Emperour shall
lye on the morow, and there is plenty of vitailes. And another host
commeth at the right side of hym and an other at the left side, and
in eche hoste is muche folke. And then commeth the fourth hoste behind
hym a bowe draught, and there is more men in that than in any of the
other. And ye shall understande that the Emperour rideth on no horse,
but when hee will go to any seacrete place with a privy meyny[1] where
he will not be knowne, but he rideth in a chariot with four wheles &
there uppon is a chamber made of a tree that men call _Lignum aloes_
that commeth out of Paradise terrestre, & that chamber is covered
with plates of fyne gold, and precious stones and perles, and foure
Olyfants & foure Oxen all white go therein, and five or sixe great
lordes ride about him, so that none other men shal come nigh him,
except the Emperour call any, and in the same manner with a chariot
& such hostes rideth the Empres by another side, and the Emperours
eldest sonne in that same aray, and they haue so much people that it
is a great marvaile for to see.
[Footnote 1: Private retinue.]