The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc | Page 8

a very cruel
battle where many Christians died, and those whose lives were spared
fled with the unfortunate king, while the Moorish king remained in the
camp.
Great was the misfortune of this Christian king who lost nine battles,
one after another, and had to withdraw to the city of London. When the
Moors learned of it they laid siege to the city. Every day there was
heavy fighting until finally the poor king was forced to leave London,
and he went toward the mountains, passing through the city of
Warwick.
When the countess heard that the king was fleeing to that city, she had
food and everything necessary prepared for the night. The countess,
who was a very prudent woman, began to think of how she could
strengthen her city so that it would not be lost so quickly, and as soon
as she saw the king she said to him:
"Virtuous king, I see that your grace, and all of us on this island, are in
great danger. But Sire, if Your Highness would like to remain in this
city, you will find it abundant in provisions and everything necessary
for war. My lord and husband, William of Warwick, who was count in
this land, provided this city and his castle with arms as well as
bombards, cross-bows and culverins, and many other kinds of artillery.
And divine Providence, in its mercy, has given us a great abundance of
fruit from the land for the last four years. So your grace may be safe
here."
"I am very happy", said the king, "to stay here, and I pray you, countess,
to arrange things so that my army will have everything they need."
The countess and two of her ladies immediately left the king, and went
with the magistrates of the city through the houses, making them bring
wheat and barley and everything necessary. When the king and his men
saw what a great abundance there was of everything, they were very

pleased.
When the Moors discovered that the king had left the city of London,
they pursued him until they learned that he had taken refuge in the city
of Warwick. On the way the Moors attacked and took a castle called
Killingworth, two leagues from where the king was. Since they had
now conquered a great part of the kingdom, the Moorish king appeared
with all his forces before the city of Warwick. The wretched Christian
king, seeing that there was no hope, did not know what to do: he
climbed to the top of a tower in the castle, and watched the huge body
of Moors burning and destroying villas and castles, killing as many
Christians as they could, both women and men. Those who were able to
escape came running and shouting toward the city. Their terrible
screams could be heard a good half league away, and it would have
been better for them to die than to become captives of the infidels.
As the king watched the immense suffering and destruction, he thought
he would die from all the grief he felt. Unable to look any longer at the
desolation, he came down from the tower and went into a small
chamber where he began to sigh deeply. Tears ran from his eyes, and
he lamented more gravely than any man had ever done. The stewards
were outside the chamber listening to the king's agony, and when he
had cried and lamented at length, he said:
"Lord, Thy compassion and pity will not allow for this. Thy mercy will
not allow Thy Christian people, great sinners though they may be, to be
afflicted by the scourge of the Moors. Rather, defend and preserve them
and let them be returned to Thy holy service so that they may serve
Thee and praise Thee and return glory unto Thee."
While the poor king was lamenting, he put his head down on the bed,
and it seemed to him that he saw a very beautiful lady coming through
the doorway to his chamber, dressed in white damask, holding a small
child in her arms. Following her were many other ladies, all singing the
Magnificat. When he had finished his prayer, the lady walked toward
the king, and placing her hand upon his head, she said:
"Oh, king, be doubtful of nothing. Be very confident that the Son and

the Mother will help you in this great trial. The first man you see with a
long beard who asks you for alms in the name of God, kiss him on the
mouth as a sign of peace, and beg him graciously to put aside the habit,
and make him captain over all the people."
The poor king awoke and saw nothing. He was astonished at the dream,
and he thought