his men him loved. Knights he had proud, and great in their mood, and
they spake to the king of marvellous thing, and thus the assemblage
said to the high king: "Lord Arthur, go we to the realm of France, and
win all the land to thine own hand, drive away all the French, and
their king slay; all the castles occupy, and set (garrison) them with
Britons, and rule in the realm with fierce strength" Then answered
Arthur, noblest of kings "Your will I will do, but ere (previously) I
will go to Norway, and I will lead with me Loth my brother-in-law, he
who is Walwain's father, whom I well love. For new tidings are come
from Norway, that Sichelm the king is there dead, his people has left,
and he hath ere bequeathed all his kingdom to Loth. For the king is of
all bereaved, son and eke daughter, and Loth is his sister's son—-the
better to him shall it befall—-for I will make him new king in Norway,
and well instruct him to govern well the people. And when I have done
thus, I will afterwards come home, and get ready my army, and pass
into France, and if the king withstandeth me, and will not yearn my
peace, I will fell him with fight to the ground"
Arthur caused to be blown horns and trumpets, and caused to be
summoned to the sea the Britons most bold. Ships he had good by the
sea-flood, fifteen hundred pushed from the land, and flew along the
sea, as if they had flight (wings), and bent their course into Norway,
with bold strength. So soon as they came, they took haven, with mickle
strength they stept (disembarked) on the realm Arthur sent his
messengers wide over the land, and ordered them to come soon, and have
Loth for king, and if they would not that, he would slay them all.
Then they took their messengers, the Norwegian earls, and sent to the
king, and bade him back go—-"And if thou wilt not depart, thou shalt
have here sorrow and care; for so long as is ever, that shall never
come to pass, that we shall raise a foreign man for king. For if
Sichelm is departed (dead), here are others choice, whom we may by our
will raise to be king. And this is the sooth; there is no other,
either move thee awayward, and turn thee right homeward, either to-day
a se'nnight, thou shalt have great fight."
The Norwegian earls betook them to counsel, that a king they would
have of their own race, for all Sichelm's words they held to be
folly.--"And so long as is ever, it shall not ever stand! But we shall
take Riculf, who is an earl exceeding powerful, and raise him to be
king--this is to us pleasing—-and assemble our forces over all this
country, and march towards Arthur, and defeat him with fight, and Loth
we shall chase, and drive from land, or else we shall fell him with
fight." They took Riculf, the Earl of Norway, and raised him to be
king, though it were not to him by right, and they assembled their
host over Norway's land. And Arthur on his part, over the land gan
march; the land he through passed, and the burghs he consumed, goods
he took enow, and much folk he there slew. And Riculf gan him ride
against Arthur anon; together they came, and fight they began. The
Britons advanced to them--woe there was rife! Swords exceeding long
they plucked out of sheath; heads flew on the field, faces paled; man
against man set shaft to breast; burnies there brake; the Britons were
busy, shivered shields, warriors there fell! And so all the daylight
lasted this great fight; moved they east, moved they west, there was
it the worse to the Norwegians; moved they south, moved they north the
Norwegians there fell. The Britons were bold, the Norwegians they
killed; the Norwegian men there fell, five-and-twenty thousand, and
Riculf the king was there slain, and deprived of life day; little
there remained of the folk; whoso had the wretched life, they yearned
Arthur's peace. Arthur looked on Loth, who was to him well dear, and
thus gan to him to call, Arthur the rich man: "Loth, wend hither to
me, thou art my dear relative. Here I give to thee all this kingdom;
of me thou shalt it hold, and have me for protector."
Then was Walwain thither come, Loth's eldest son; from the pope of
Rome, who was named Supplice, who long had him brought up, and made
him knight. Full well was it bestowed, that Walwain was born to be
man, for Walwain was full noble-minded, in each virtue he was good; he
was liberal, and knight with the best. All Arthur's folk was greatly
emboldened, for Walwain the keen, that was come to the host; and for
his father Loth, who was chosen to be king. Then spake Arthur with
him, and bade him hold good peace, and bade him love his peaceful
people, and those that would not hold peace, to fell them to ground.
The yet called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons?
March ye now forth-right; prepare ye by the flood my good ships." All
did the knights as Arthur them ordered. When the ships were ready,
Arthur gan to the sea fare; with him he took his knights, his
Norwegian thanes, and his bold Britons, and proceeded forth with the
waves; and the doughty king came into Denmark; he caused his tents to
be pitched, wide over the fields; trumpets he caused to be blown, and
his coming to be announced.
Then was in Denmark a king of much might; he was named Æscil, the
highest over the Danes; he saw that Arthur won all that was to him in
will. Æscil the king bethought him what he might do; loath it was to
him to lose his dear people. He saw that with strength he might not
stand against Arthur, with ever any combat. He sent greeting to Arthur
the king; hounds and hawks, and horses exceeding good; silver and red
gold, with prudent words. And yet he did more, Æscil the great; he
sent to the highest of Arthur's folk, and prayed them to intercede for
him with the noble king; that he might his man become, and deliver his
son for hostage, and each year send him tribute of his land, a boat of
gold and of treasure, and of rich garments, filled from the top to the
bottom, in safety. And afterwards he would swear, that he would not
prove false. Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, that Æscil, King of
the Danes, would be his underling, without any fight, he and all his
knights. Then was gladdened Arthur the rich, and thus answered with
mild words: "Well worth the man, that with wisdom obtaineth to him
peace and amity, and friendship to hold! When he seeth that he is
bound with strength, and his dear realm ready all to destruction, with
art he must slacken his odious bonds." Arthur ordered the king to
come, and bring his eldest son; and he so did soon, the King of
Denmark. Arthur's will soon he gan to fulfill; together they came, and
were reconciled.
The yet said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Fare I will to France, with my
mickle host. I will have of Norway nine thousand knights; and of
Denmark I will lead nine thousand of the people; and of Orkney eleven
hundred; and of Moray three thousand men; and of Galloway five
thousand of the folk; and of Ireland eleven thousand, and of Britain
my knights bold shall march before me, thirty thousand; and of Gutland
I will lead ten thousand of the people; and of Frisland five thousand
men; and of Little Britain Howel the bold, and with such folk France I
will seek. And as I expect God's mercy, yet I will promise more; that
of all the lands, that stand in my hand, I will order each brave man,
that can bear his weapons, as he would wish to live, and have his
limbs, that he go with me, to fight with Frolle, who is King of the
French—-slain he shall be!--he was born in Rome, of Romanish kin."
Forth proceeded Arthur, until he came to Flanders, the land he gan
conquer, and set it with his men. And next he marched thence, into
Boulogne, and all Boulogne's land took it in his own hand.
And afterwards he took the way that in toward France lay. Then bade he
his command to all his men, that fare wheresoever they should fare,
they should take no whit, unless they might it obtain with right; with
just purchase, in the king's host. Frolle heard that, where he was in
France, of Arthur's speed (success), and of all his deeds; and how he
all won that he looked on, and how it all to him submitted that he saw
with eyes, then was the King Frolle horribly afraid! At the same time
that this was transacted, the land of the French was named Gaul; and
Frolle was from Rome come into France, and each year sent tribute of
the land, ten hundred pounds of silver and of gold. Now heard Frolle,
who was chief of France, of the great sorrow that Arthur did in the
land. He sent messengers soon the nearest way toward Rome, and bade
the Romanish folk advise them between, how many thousand knights they
thither would send, that he might the easier fight with Arthur, and
drive from the land Arthur the strong. Knights gan to ride out of
Rome-land; five-and-twenty thousand proceeded toward France. Frolle
heard this, with his mickle host, that the Romanish folk rode toward
the land. Frolle and his host marched against them, so that they came
together, keen men and brave, of all the earth an immense force.
Arthur heard that, noblest of kings, and assembled his army, and
advanced against them. But never was there any king, that was alive on
earth, that ever ere on land such folk (multitude) commanded; for from
all the kingdoms that Arthur had in hand, forth he led with him all
the keenest men, so that he knew never in the world how many thousands
there were. So soon as they came together, Arthur and Frolle; hardily
they greeted all that they met. Knights most strong grasped long
spears, and rushed them together, with fierce strength. All day there
were blows most rife; the folk fell to ground, and wrought
destruction; the angry warriors sought the grass-bed; the helms
resounded, murmured earls; shields there shivered, warriors gan fall.
Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons, my
bold thanes? The day it forth goeth; this folk against us standeth.
Cause we to glide to them sharp darts enow, and teach them to ride the
way toward Rome!" Even with the words that Arthur then said, he sprang
forth on steed, as spark doth of fire. Fifty thousand were following
him; the hardy warriors rushed to the fight, and smote upon Frolle,
where he was in the flock, and brought him to flight, with his mickle
folk; there slew Arthur much folk and innumerable.
Then fled into Paris Frolle the powerful, and fastened the gates, with
grief enow; and these words said, sorrowful in heart: "Liefer were it
to me, that I were not born!" Then were in Paris grievous speeches,
full surely, sorrowful cries; burghmen gan to tremble; the walls they
gan repair, the gates they gan to form; meat they took, all that they
came nigh; on each side they carried it to the burgh; thither came
they all, that held with Frolle. Arthur heard that, noblest of kings,
that Frolle dwelt in Paris, with an immense force, and said that he
would Arthur withstand. To Paris marched Arthur, of fear void, and
belay the walls, and areared his tents; on four sides he belay it (the
city), four weeks and a day. The people that were there within were
sore afraid, the burgh was within filled with men; and they ate soon
the meat that was there gathered.
When four weeks were gone, that Arthur was there stationed, then was
in the burgh sorrow extreme, with the wretched folk that lay there in
hunger, there was weeping, there was lament, and distress great. They
called to Frolle, and bade him make peace; become Arthur's man, and
his own honour enjoy, and hold the kingdom of Arthur the keen; and let
not the wretched folk perish all with hunger. Then answered
Frolle—-free he was in heart:—-"Nay, so help me God, that all dooms
wieldeth, shall I never his man become, nor he my sovereign! Myself I
will fight; in God is all the right!"
The yet spake Frolle, free man in heart: "Nay, so help me the Lord
that shaped the daylight, will I nevermore yearn Arthur's grace; but
fight I will, without any knight's aid, body against body, before my
people; hand against hand, with Arthur the king! Whetherso of us is
the weaker, soon he will be the leather; whetherso of us there may
live, to his friends he will be the liefer; and whether of us that may
of the other obtain the better (superiority), have he all this other's
land, and set it in his own hand. This I will yearn, if Arthur will it
grant; and this I will swear upon my sword. And hostages I will find,
three kings' sons, that I will hold firmly this covenant; that I will
it not violate, by my quick life! For liefer it is to me to lie dead,
before my people, than that I should see them on the ground perish
with hunger. For we have with fight destroyed our knights—-men felled
fifty thousand; and many a good woman have made miserable widow, many
a child fatherless, and bereaved of comfort; and now this folk with
hunger have wondrously harmed. It is better therefore betwixt
ourselves to deal and to dispose of this kingdom with fight; and have
it the better man, and possess it in joy!" Frolle took twelve knights,
with these words forth-right, and sent them in message to Arthur the
king, to know if he would hold this covenant, and with his own hand
win the kingdom, or lie dead before, to the harm of his people; and if
he it won, should have it in his power.
Arthur heard that, noblest of kings; was he never so blithe ere in his
life, for the tiding liked to him from Frolle the king; and these
words said Arthur the good: "Well saith Frolle, who is King of France;
better it is that we two contest this realm, than there should be
slain our brave thanes. This covenant I approve, before my people, at
an appointed day to do what he me biddeth; that shall be to-morrow,
before our men, that fight we shall by ourselves, and fall the worst
of us! And whether (which) of us that goeth aback, and this fight will
forsake, be he in each land proclaimed for a recreant! Then may men
sing of one such king, that his brag (or threat) hath made, and his
knighthood forsaken!"
Frolle heard that, who was King of France, that Arthur would fight
himself, without any knight. Strong man was Frolle, and stark man in
mood; and his boast he had made, before all his people, and he might
not for much shame disgrace himself; quit his bold bragging that he
had said in the burgh. But said he whatever he said, in sooth he it
weened, that Arthur would it forsake, and no whit take to (accept) the
fight. For if Frolle, who was King in France, had it known, that
Arthur would grant him that he had yearned, he would not have done it
for a shipful of gold! Nevertheless was Frolle to the fight exceeding
keen; tall knight and strong man, and moody in heart; and said that he
would hold the day, in the island that with water is surrounded—-the
island standeth full truly in the burgh of Paris.--"There I will with
fight obtain my rights, with shield, and with steel, and with knight's
weed; now to-morrow is the day; have it he that may it win!"
The tiding came to Arthur the king, that Frolle would with fight win
France; was he never so blithe ere in his life! And he gan to laugh,
with loud voice; and said these words Arthur the keen: "Now I know
that Frolle will with me fight, to-morrow in the day, as he himself
determined, in the island that with water is surrounded; for it
becometh a king, that his word should stand. Let the trumpets blow,
and bid my men, that every good man watch to-night for that, and pray
our Lord, that all dooms wieldeth, that he preserve me from Frolle the
fierce, and with his right hand protect me from disgrace. And if I may
obtain this kingdom to mine own hand, every poor man the easier shall
be, and work I will the great God's will! Now aid me thereto that all
things may well do; the high heavenly king stand me in help; for him I
will love (or praise), the while that I live!"
There was all the long night songs and candle-light; loudly sung
clerks holy psalms of God. When it was day on the morrow, people gan
to stir. His weapons he took in hand, Arthur the strong; he threw on
his back a garment most precious, a cheisil shirt, and a cloth kirtle;
a burny exceeding precious, embroidered of steel. He set on his head a
good helm; to his side he suspended his word Caliburn; his legs he
covered with hose of steel, and placed on his feet spurs most good.
The king with his weeds leapt on his steed; men reached to him a good
shield; it was all clean of elephant's bone (ivory). Men gave him in
hand a strong shaft; there was at the end a spear most fair; it was
made in Caermarthen by a smith that hight Griffin; Uther it possessed,
who was ere king here. When that the stern man was weaponed, then gan
he to advance; then might he behold, who were there beside, the mighty
king ride boldly; since this world was made, was it nowhere told, that
ever any man so fair rode upon horse, as Arthur he was, son of Uther!
Bold chieftains rode after the king; in the foremost flock forty
hundred, noble warriors, clad in steel, bold Britons, busy with
weapon. After that marched fifty hundred, that Walwain led, who was a
bold champion. Afterwards there gan out follow sixty thousand Britons
most bold; that was the rearward. There was the King Angel; there was
Loth and Urine; there was Urine's son, named Ywain; there was Kay and
Beduer, and commanded the host there; there was the King Howel, noble
man of Britanny; Cador there was eke, who was keen in flock; there was
from Ireland Gillomar the strong; there was Gonwais the king, Orkney's
darling; there was Doldanim the keen, out of Gothland, and Rumaret the
strong, out of Winet-land; there was Aescil the king, Denmark's
darling. Folk there was on foot, so many thousand men, that was never
a man in this worlds-realm so wise, that might tell the thousands, in
ever any speech, unless he had with right wisdom of the Lord, or
unless he had with him what Merlin he had.
Arthur forth gan march, with innumerable folk; until he came full
surely unto the burgh of Paris; on the west side of the water, with
his mickle folk. On the east side was Frolle, with his great force,
ready to the fight, before all his knights. Arthur took a good boat,
and went therein, with shield and with steed, and with all his weeds
(armour); and he shoved the strong ship from the land, and stept upon
the island, and led his steed in his hand; his men that brought him
there, as the king commanded, let the boat drive forth with the waves.
Frolle went into ship; the king was uneasy that he ever thought with
Arthur to fight. He proceeded to the island, with his good weapons; he
stept upon the island, and drew his steed after him; the men that
brought him there, as the king commanded them, let the boat drive
forth with the waves; and the two kings alone there remained.
Then men might behold, that were there beside, the folk on the land,
exceedingly afraid; they climbed upon halls, they climbed upon walls;
they climbed upon bowers, they climbed upon towers, to behold the
combat of the two kings. Arthur's men prayed with much humility to God
the good, and the holy his mother, that their lord might have there
victory; and the others eke prayed for their king. Arthur stept in
steel saddlebow, and leapt on his steed; and Frolle with his weeds
leapt also on his steed; the one at his end, in the island, and the
other at his end, in the island; they couched their shafts, the royal
knights; they urged their steeds--good knights they were. Never was he
found in ever any land, any man so wise, that should know it ere that
time, whether (which) of the kings should lie overcome; for both they
were keen knights, brave men and active, mickle men in might, and in
force exceeding strong. They made ready their steeds; and together
they gan ride; rushed fiercely, so that fire sprang after them! Arthur
smote Frolle with might excessive strong, upon the high shield, so
that it fell to the ground; and the steed that was good leapt out in
the flood. Arthur out with his sword—mischief was on the point—and
struck upon Frolle, where he was in the flood, ere their combat were
come to the end. But Frolle with his hand grasped his long spear, and
observed Arthur anon, as he came nigh, and smote the bold steed in the
breast, so that the spear pierced through, and Arthur down drove. Then
arose the multitudes' clamour, that the earth dinned again, the welkin
resounded for shout of the folk. There would the Britons over the
water pass, if Arthur had not started up very quickly, and grasped his
good shield, adorned with gold, and against Frolle, with hostile
glances cast before his breast his good broad shield. And Frolle to
him rushed with his fierce assault, and up heaved his sword, and
struck down right, and smote upon Arthur's shield, so that it fell on
the field; the helm on his head, and his mail gan to give way, in
front of his head; and he received a wound four inches long;—-it
seemed not to him sore, for it was no more;—-the blood ran down over
all his breast. Arthur was enraged greatly in his heart, and his sword
Caliburne swung with main, and smote Frolle upon the helm, so that it
parted in two; throughout the burnyshood, so that at his breast it
(the sword) stopt. Then fell Frolle to the ground; upon the grass-bed
his ghost he left. Then laughed the Britons, with loud voice; and
people gan to fly exceeding quickly.
Arthur the powerful went to land, and thus gan to call, noblest of
kings: "Where art thou, Walwain, dearest of men to me? Command these
Rome-men all with peace to depart hence; each man enjoy his home, as
God granteth it him; order each man to hold peace, upon pain of limb
and upon life; and I will it order to-day a se'nnight; command this
folk then to march all together, and come to myself—-the better it
shall be for them. They shall perform homage to me with honour, and I
will hold them in my sovereignty, and set laws most good among the
people. For now shall the Romanish laws fall to the ground, that
before stood here with Frolle, who lieth slain in the island, and
deprived of life-day. Hereafter full soon shall his kindred of Rome
hear tidings of Arthur the king, for I will speak with them, and break
down Rome walls, and remind them how King Belin led the Britons in
thither, and won to him all the lands that stand unto Rome."
Arthur proceeded to the gate, before the burgh wise men that took
charge of the burgh, came, and let Arthur within, with all his men;
delivered to him the halls, delivered to him the castles; delivered to
him, full surely, all the burgh of Paris—there was mickle bliss with
the British folk! The day came to burgh, that Arthur had set; came all
the populace, and his men became. Arthur took his folk, and divided
them in two; and the half part gave to Howel, and bade him march soon,
with the mickle host, with the British men to conquer lands.
Howel did all thus as Arthur him bade; he conquered Berry, and all the
lands thereby; Anjou and Touraine, Alverne and Gascony, and all the
havens that belonged to the lands. Guitard hight the duke, who
possessed Poitou; he would not submit to Howel, but held ever against
him; he would ask no peace, but Howel fought with him; oft he felled
the folk, and oft he made flight. Howel wasted all the land, and slew
the people. When Guitard saw, who was lord in Poitou, that all his
people went him to loss, with Howel he made peace, with all his host,
and became Arthur's man, the noble king. Arthur became gracious to
him, and loved him greatly, and bade him enjoy his land, for (because)
he bowed to his feet;--then had Howel nobly succeeded!
Arthur had France, and freely it settled; he took then his host, and
marched over all the territory; to Burgundy he proceeded, and set it
in his hand; and afterwards he gan fare into Loraine, and all the
lands set to himself in hand, all that Arthur saw, all it submitted to
him; and afterwards he went, full truly, again home to Pans.