ed with weather in the wild sea, and left in this land
their wives and their children, and Vortiger the king, who loved them
through all things. With much grief of mind Vortiger gan away fare; so
long they proceeded, that in Saxland they were (arrived). Then were in
Britain the Britons most bold; they assumed to them mickle mood, and
did all that seemed good to them; and Vortimer, the young king, was
doughty man through all things. And Vortiger, his father, proceeded
over this Britain, but it was no man so poor, that did not revile him,
and so he gan to wander full five years. And his son Vortimer dwelt
here powerful king, and all this nation loved him greatly. He was mild
to each man, and taught the folk God's law, the young and the old, how
they should hold Christendom.

He sent letters to Rome, to the excellent Pope, who was named Saint
Romain--all Christendom he made glad.--He took two bishops, holy men
they were both, Germain and Louis, of Auxerre and of Troyes; they
proceeded out of Rome, so that they hither came. Then was Vortimer so
blithe as he was never ere here; he and all his knights went
forth-right on their bare feet towards the bishops, and with much
mirth mouths there kissed. Now mayest thou hear of the King Vortimer,
how he spake with Saint Germain,--for their coming he was glad.
"Listen to me, lordings, I am king of this people; I hight Vortimer,
my brother hight Catiger; and Vortiger hight our father--miscounsel
followeth him! He hath brought into this land heathen people; but we
have put them to flight, as our full foes, and felled with weapon many
thousands of them, and sent them over sea-stream, so that they never
shall come again. And we shall in land worship our Lord, comfort God's
folk, and friendly it maintain, and be mild to the land-tillers;
churches we shall honour, and heathendom hate. Each good man shall
have his right, if God it will grant, and each thral and each slave be
set free. And here I give to you in hand each church-land all free;
and I forgive to each widow her lord's testament, and each shall love
other as though they were brothers. And thus we shall in our day put
down Hengest's laws, and him and his heathendom that he hither
brought, and deceived my father through his treacherous crafts;
through his daughter Rowenne he betrayed my father. And my father so
evilly began, that he shunned the Christendom, and loved the heathen
laws too much, which we shall avoid the while that we