PRINCE EDWARD ad. 



1270. 



resistance against them, they retired againe from whence 

 they came : when thus the fame of prince Edward grew 

 amongst his enemies, and that they began to stand in 

 doubt of him, they devised among themselves how by 

 some pollicy they might circumvent him, and betray 

 him. Whereupon the prince and admirall of Joppa sent 

 unto him, faining himselfe under great deceit willing to 

 become a Christian, and that he would draw with him 

 a great number besides, so that they might be honorably 

 entertained and used of the Christians. This talke 

 pleased the prince well, and perswaded him to finish 

 the thing he had so well begun by writing againe, who 

 also by the same messenger sent and wrote backe unto 

 him divers times about the same matter, whereby no 

 mistrust should spring. 



This messenger (sayth mine author) was one ex caute 

 nutritis, one of the stony hearted, that neither feared 

 God nor dreaded death. 



The fift time when this messenger came, and was of 

 the princes servants searched according to the maner and 

 custome what weapon and armour he had about him, 

 as also his purse, that not so much as a knife could 

 be scene about him, he was had up into the princes 

 chamber, and after his reverence done, he pulled out 

 certaine letters, which he delivered the prince from his 

 lord, as he had done others before. This was about 

 eight dayes after Whitsuntide, upon a Tuesday, some- 

 what before night, at which time the prince was layed 

 upon his bed bare headed, in his jerkin, for the great 

 heat and intemperature of the weather. 



When the prince had read the letters, it appeared by 

 them, that upon the Saturday next following, his lord 

 would be there ready to accomplish all that he had 

 written and promised. The report of these newes by 

 the prince to the standers by, liked them well, who drew 

 somewhat backe to consult thereof amongst themselves. 

 In the meane time, the messenger kneeling, and making 

 his obeisance to the prince (questioning further with him) 



Z^3 



