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1587

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Compare 1577 edition: 1 This Curcie translated the church and prebenda|ries Translation, of prebenda|ries to monk [...]. of the trinitie in Downe, to an abbeie of blacke moonks brought thither from Chester, and caused the same to be consecrated vnto saint Patrike: for which alteration, taking the name from God to a creature; he déemed himselfe woorthilie punished. Not long after (as saie the Irish) certeine French knights came to king Iohns court, and one among them required the combat for triall of the right to A chalenge for a combat made by certeine French knights. the duchie of Normandie. It was not thought expe|dient to ieopard the title vpon one mans lucke, yet the chalenge they determined to answer. Some friend put them in mind of the earle imprisoned, a warrior of notable courage, and in pitch of bodie like a giant. King Iohn demanded Curcie, whether he Curcies an|swer to king Iohn. could be content to fight in his quarrell? Not for thee said the erle, whose person I etéeme vnworthie th'ad|uenture of my bloud, but for the crowne & dignitie of He taketh vp|on him to de|fend the cha|lenge. the realme, in which manie a good man liueth against thy will, I shall be contented to hazard my life.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 EEBO page image 61 These words were not construed in the worst part, as procéeding from an offended mind of him that was therein estéemed more plaine than wise. There|fore being cherished and much made of, he was fed so woonderfullie (now he came to so large allowance in diet after hard keeping) that the French chalen|ger tooke him for a monster: and fearing to deale with him, priuilie stole awaie into Spaine. It is further reported, that the French king, being desi|rous to sée Curcie, requested king Iohn that he might come before them, and shew of what strength he was by striking a blow at an helmot. Herevp|on foorth he was brought, and presented before the kings, where was an helmet set vpon a blocke. Cur|cie taking a sword in his hand, and with a sterne & srowning countenance cast vpon the kings, gaue such a stroke to the helmet, that cleauing it in sun|der, the sword sticked so fast in the log, that no man there was able to plucke it foorth, except Curcie him|selfe. When he therefore had plucked foorth the sword, the kings asked him what he meant to looke vpon them with such a grim & froward countenance be|fore he gaue the blow to the helmet? He answered, that if he had missed in his stroke, he would haue killed all the whole companie, as well the kings as others. Then was he released of bonds, and crossing the seas towards Ireland whither he was bound, was fiftéene times beaten backe againe to the Eng|lish shore, & going into France to change the coast died there. This Curcie was white of colour, migh|tie Curcie depar|teth this life. The descrip|tion of Cur|cie. of lims, with large bones and strong of sinews, fall & broad in proportion of bodie, so as his strength was thought to excéed, of boldnesse incomparable, and a warrior euen from his youth; the formost in the front of euerie battell where he came, and euer readie to hazard himselfe in place of most danger, so forward in fight, that oftentimes forgetting the of|fice of a capteine, he tooke in hand the part of a soul|dior, pressing foorth with the formost, so that with his ouer rash violence, and desire of victorie, he might seeme to put all in danger. But although he was thus hastie and hit in the field against his enimies, yet he was in conuersation modest and sober, and verie religious, hauing churchmen in greate reuerence, ascribing all to the goodnesse of God, when he had atchiued anie praise-woorthie enterprise, yeelding thankes to his diuine maiestie accordinglie. But as seldome times anie one man is found perfect in all things, so these vertues were spotted with some vices; namelie, too much nigardnesse in sparing, and inconstancie. He maried the daughter of Godred king of Man, and after manie conflicts and battels had against the Irish, he conquered (as before ye haue heard) the countrie of Vlster, and building diuers strong castels therin, he established the same vnder his quiet rule and gouernment, till he and Lacie fell out, as before is expressed.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 After Curcies decease, because he left no heires, the earledome of Vlster was giuen vnto Hugh Lacie in recompense of his good seruice. There was one of the Curcies remaining in Ireland that was lord of Rathermie and Kilbarrocke, whome (as an espiall of all these practises and informer thereof to the king) Walter and Hugh the sons of Hugh Lacie slue, by reason whereof great trouble and disquietnesse insued: those Lacies bearing themselues (now after the decease of their father) for gouernors out of checke. To set the realme in quiet, king Iohn was faine to passe thither himselfe in person with a maine armie, King Iohn went into Ireland. banished the Lacies, subdued the residue of the countrie yet not conquered, tooke pledges, punished malefactors, established the execution of Sée more [...]ereof in En|gland. English lawes, coined monie of like value currant sterling in both realmes. The two Lacies repenting their misdemeanors, fled into France disguised They fled in|to France. in poore apparell, and serued there in an abbeie as gardeners, till the abbat by their countenance and behauior began to gesse their estates, and opposed them so farre that they disclosed what they were; be|seeching the abbat to keepe their counsels, who com|mending their repentant humblenes, aduised them yet to make sute for their princes fauor, if it might be had, promising to doo what he could in the matter, and so tooke vpon him to be a suter for them vnto the king that was his godcept and well acquainted with him. He trauelled so earnestlie herein, that at length he obteined their pardons: but yet they were fined, They are pardoned, and put to their fines. Walter at foure thousand, and Hugh at fiue and twentie hundred markes: and herevpon Walter was restored vnto the lordship of Meth, and Hugh to the earledome of Ulster.

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