_How the Emperour Prester John when he goeth to batayle, he
hath three crosses borne before him of fine gold._
THIS Emperour Prester John, when he goeth to batayle, he hath no baner
borne before him, but he hath borne before him three crosses of fine
gold, & those are large & great, and well set with precious stones,
& for to kepe eche crosse, is ordeyned a thousand[1] men of armes,
in maner as men kepe a standerde in other countreys, and he hath men
without number when he goeth in any batayle against any other lord.
And when he hath no battayle but rydeth with privy company, then doth
he beare before him a crosse of tree[2] not painted, and without gold
or precious stones, and all playne in token that our lord Jesu Christ
suffered death on a cross of tree. And also he hath borne before him
a platter of gold ful of earth, in token y^t lordship and noblenesse
shal tourne to nought, & his flesh shall turne to earth. And also he
has borne before him another vessell full of Jewels, and golde and
precious stones, in token of his noblenes and of his might.
[Footnote 1: Others say 10,000.]
[Footnote 2: A wooden cross.]