--- title: How the Bridge Mantryble Was Won — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: How the Bridge Mantryble Was Won, «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: When King Charles and his men had hidden themselves in a wood that was hard by, Duke Richard and his --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/25/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/) / How the Bridge Mantryble Was Won # How the Bridge Mantryble Was Won How the Bridge Mantryble Was Won of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 75 sentences and 1432 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. When King Charles and his men had hidden themselves in a wood that was hard by, Duke Richard and his company came to the bridge, driving pack-horses before them, laden, as has been said, with false merchandise.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") But when the knights saw the River Flagot, how swiftly it ran and with how great a roaring, and the bridge how perilous it was to pass, and the gates how they were barred with iron, they were not a little troubled.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Richard said, "I will go before.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Do you follow me, and when you have passed the first gate throw off your cloaks and smite with your swords.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") And whatever may happen, see that you fail not one another."[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") And to this they all agreed.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Gallafer, the keeper of the bridge, stood by the first gate holding a great axe in his hand that had an edge on every side.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") He was a giant of great stature, with fiery eyes and skin as black as pitch, more like to a devil than to a man.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") The Admiral was his nephew, and loved him greatly, trusting him so that he made him warder of the bridge and ruler of all the countryside.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") When the French knights came near he said to them, "Strangers, who are you?"[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") Duke Richard answered, "We are merchants who travel to the fairs, Mahomet helping us, with drapery and other goods for sale.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") We would fain tarry awhile at Aygremore; also we have gifts, many and precious, for the Admiral.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") These others that you see are my servants, and know not your language.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell me, therefore, what we had best do and by what way we should go."[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Gallafer answered, "Know now that I am appointed by the Admiral of Spain to be keeper of this bridge.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") And because there have passed over it certain knights who paid no toll, and also a messenger who won his way in wonderful fashion across the river, and slew also my own kinsman King Clarion, my master has straitly charged me that I should not by any means suffer any man to pass the bridge unless he be known to me."[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") When Gallafer had said so much, Duke Richard bowed his head to him right courteously, and having so done, passed through the first gate, three others, of whom Duke Reyner was one, following him.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") When Gallafer saw them he doubted what this might mean. "[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") You are overbold," said he, "to come so far without leave of me."[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") And he drew up the bridge. "[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") And now," said he, "do you four surrender yourselves.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") I will send you prisoners to my lord the Admiral, who will deal with you as he shall please.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") And now let me see what you have under your cloaks, for you seem to me to have some evil design."[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") When he had so spoken he laid hold of one of the four, and turned him about four times.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Then another, Raoul by name, who was cousin to him on whom Gallafer had laid hands, cried, "Why do you deal so with my kinsmen?"[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") And he struck at the giant with his sword, but could not hurt him, save to cut off a portion of his ear.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon the two dukes, Reyner and Richard, drawing their swords, smote him with all their might.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") But they also availed nought, for the giant was clad in the skin of a serpent, that was harder than any coat of mail.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") The giant, on the other hand, smote at Raoul with his axe.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") But Raoul saw the stroke coming, and leapt lightly aside, so that the axe fell and hurt him not; but it cleft a stone of marble on which it lighted into two parts.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said Duke Reyner, "What shall we do with this giant, for a sword avails nothing against him?"[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") And he took in his hand the great branch of a tree, and smote him to the ground.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereat the giant made a great and terrible cry, and the Saracens that followed him came running.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon Richard let fall the drawbridge, and the five hundred sought to pass over it.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Saracens met them at the gate, and there was a great fight, wherein many were wounded and many slain.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Duke Richard sounded his horn three times.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") When King Charles heard it he rose up forthwith from his ambush in the wood, and all the Frenchmen with him, and made for the bridge with all the speed they might use.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") And foremost of all was Ganelon, that was afterwards the traitor.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Foremost he was, and gallantly did he bear himself that day.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") King Charles also showed himself a good man-at-arms.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") They died that day whomsoever he smote with his good sword Joyous.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") The King saw the giant Gallafer on the ground with his great axe in his hand wherewith he had slain thirty Frenchmen, and he commanded that he should be slain, for he yet breathed.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") But not yet was the bridge won, for a great multitude of Saracens came up to help them that kept it.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Among them was a giant, Amyon by name, who called to King Charles, saying, "Where is the King?[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") It were better for him, dotard that he is, to be at Paris than here."[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") When the King heard this he dismounted in great wrath, and ran at the giant, and smote him with Joyous so rudely that he fell to the ground nigh cut in twain.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") At this the Saracens were not a little confounded.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless, they pressed upon the King and his men with darts and bullets and arrows.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the King cried to his lords and knights for help.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Many answered his call; nevertheless he was so hard pressed that there was scarce any hope left to him.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the Duke Richard bade him be of good cheer, "for," said he, "if every man will but do his utmost this day we shall not fail."[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") And he pressed on, and his comrades with him.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Nor did Ganelon hold back, though there were some that gave him evil counsel, as Aloys, who said to him, "See, now, how the King is beset.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") It were well for us if he should not find deliverance.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Leave him now, and let us go back to France, where we shall be masters without contradiction from any man."[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") But Ganelon answered, "Now, may God forbid that we should betray our lord, of whom we hold all that we possess."[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Aloys said, "You are but a fool, seeing that you will not take your revenge when you may."[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") But Ganelon would have none of his counsel.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") As these two were talking, Fierabras came up, being now healed of his wounds, and asked where was the King.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Aloys answered, "He is within the gate, and I take it by this time that he is dead."[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") Fierabras cried, "What do you standing here?[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Why do you not help him in his need?"[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") And he cried out, "Come all of you to the help of the King!" and a great multitude of Frenchmen came at his call.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Great deeds did Fierabras that day, and Ganelon also, so that they two did more than any other to win the town.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless there yet remained something to be done.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") For when Amyot, the giantess that was wife to Amyon, heard the cry of the townsfolk, she ran forth from her house, having a sharp scythe in her hand, and fell upon the Frenchmen in a great rage, and slew many of them.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") When King Charles saw what destruction she wrought he called for a cross-bow, and shot a bolt at her, aiming it so nicely that it struck her between the brows and slew her.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") It was seen that as she lay upon the earth she vomited forth fire from her throat, but she never moved more.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") So the town of Mantryble was won.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") King Charles found much treasure therein, which the Admiral had laid up there, trusting that it should never be taken.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Of this he made a bountiful distribution to his army, so that all were well content.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") This done, he appointed Havel and Raoul to keep the town, with five thousand men under them.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Also he caused all his army to be assembled, and went to the top of a hill to survey them.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") And when he saw how many there were--for there were a hundred thousand men--he thanked God that had given him such power.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") And he made ready to march against the Admiral.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Of Richard of Normandy](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/24/) - next →: [Of the End of Balan the Admiral](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/26/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)