--- title: How It Fared With the Brethren — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: How It Fared With the Brethren, «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: At Pentecost King Charles held a court at Paris to which with others came Duke Aymon and his sons. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/5/) [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 It Fared With the Brethren # How It Fared With the Brethren How It Fared With the Brethren of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 148 sentences and 2872 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/5/page/2/) At Pentecost King Charles held a court at Paris to which with others came Duke Aymon and his sons.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") Said the King to Aymon, "You and your sons are very dear to me.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Therefore I am minded to make Reynaud my steward." "[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") I thank you," answered the Duke; "yet this I will say that you did a grievous wrong in that you suffered my brother Benes to be slain, when he had a safe-conduct under your hand.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless I forgive you." "[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Remember," said the King, "that Benes slew my son Lothair.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Let us set one deed against the other, and speak of them no more." "[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") So be it," answered the Duke.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") But his sons were not so minded, for they came forth out of the company, and Reynaud spake for them, "Sire," he said, "we are not of our father's mind, for we hate you with a great hatred."[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") The King, being very angry, cried, "Away out of my sight, foolish boy; were it not for this company I would set you so fast in prison that you should not move hand or foot."[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") After these things the whole company went to the Church to hear mass; and after mass they sat down to dinner, but Reynaud would not sit down, so angry was he.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") After dinner, Berthelot, that was nephew to the King, said to Reynaud, "Come here, play me at chess."[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") So these two sat down to play.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") When they had played awhile, there arose a dispute between them.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") So hot was the dispute that Berthelot called Reynaud by an ill name, and smote him on the face, whereupon Reynaud, lifting the chess board, that was of massy gold, smote Berthelot upon the head so strongly that he fell down dead.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") When the King knew this he cried in great wrath, "Lay hold on this Reynaud.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") By St. Denis he shall not go out of this place alive."[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the King's knights would have laid hold on him, but his brothers and kinsfolk defended him, and there was such a strife in the palace as had never before been seen.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") In the end Reynaud and his brothers, with Mawgis their cousin, escaped out of the palace, and mounting their horses fled to Dordogne, the King's knights following hard upon them.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") As for Reynaud he was in no peril, for his horse Bayard was as swift as the wind, but with the others it went hard.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Reynaud turned upon the knights that pursued and slaying four of them, gave their horses to the others.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") So they came safe all of them to Dordogne, where dwelt their mother the Duchess.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") She, fearing greatly for their lives, would have them take all her treasure, and depart.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") So they departed, with many tears, and coming into the forest of Ardennes built for themselves a castle which they called Montanford.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") A great fortress was it and a strong, for it was built upon a rock and defended on all sides with great walls, and furnished with a great store of provisions.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") When the King heard of what they had done, he required of his barons that they should help him to take vengeance for his nephew Berthelot.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") This they promised to do. "[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Only," said they, "let us go to our own land that we may make ready."[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") To this the King consented.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") So they departed and came back to Paris in due time with their men.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") After this the King departed and marched as quickly as he might to the castle of Montanford.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Now it chanced that Reynaud's three brothers were returning from the hunt when they saw the King's host. "[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Who are these?" said Guichard.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Richard, who was the youngest of the brethren, answered, "This is the King's host, for I heard it said that he was coming to take vengeance upon us.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") But now let us show ourselves to be men."[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") So they and their companions rode to meet the vanguard of the King's army.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") And Guichard laid his spear in rest, and charged at the Earl Guyon, who was leader of the vanguard, and smote him so strongly that he fell dead to the ground.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereafter there was a fierce battle, and it went hard with the King's vanguard, so that scarce one of them escaped.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") But the three brothers got back safe into the tower, and were greatly commended by Reynaud for their valour.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") And now the King besieged the castle. "[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") I will take it," he said, "by force or by famine."[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Duke Naymes counselled him to demand Guichard of his brother. "[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") If Reynaud yield him up," said he, "then this matter shall be settled peaceably and without loss." "[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") That is good counsel," said the King, and he sent the Duke Naymes with Ogier the Dane to make their demands.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") But when Reynaud heard it, he was full of anger, and said, "My lords, but that I love you, surely I had cut you to pieces for bringing so evil a message.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Think you that I will do so base a thing as to yield up my own brother?[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell the King that I care not a penny for his threatenings; as for you, get you away out of my sight."[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") So the two peers departed with all speed, and told the words of Reynaud to the King.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the King set guards at each of the three gates of the castle, and the commander of the guards at the third gate was the Duke Aymon himself, for, of his loyalty to the King, he made war against his own sons.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") When Reynaud saw the guards that the King had set at the gates, he said to his men, "These men are worn and weary with travel, and it were but small glory to overcome them now.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") But when they are somewhat rested, then we will set upon them."[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") And when the men heard him so speak, they judged that he was a very gallant, noble knight.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") After a while, Reynaud said, "The time is come, else the King will think that we fear him.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Sound the trumpet, and we will let him see what manner of men we are."[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") So the trumpet was sounded, and Reynaud and his men issued from the castle gate, and the King's men on the other hand made themselves ready for the fight, and there was a very terrible battle.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Reynaud and his men suffered much that day, for first the Duke Aymon wrought great damage to his sons' army, and then the Duke Fulk slew many, and the defenders of the castle had much ado to hold their own.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless they did so valiantly that at the last the King was fain to withdraw his men.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Nor did he do this without great damage, for Reynaud came upon the army as it retreated, and slew many, and took certain prisoners.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") This done, the four brothers went back to their castle at Montanford.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") But it passed the skill of man to hold the place against such odds as were brought against them.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") For the King, having gathered together a great multitude of men, surrounded the castle on all sides, and kept it close for a year and more.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Reynaud sent a messenger to the King, saying, "I will surrender this fortress and myself also with my brothers, if the King will promise on his part that we shall have our lives and goods."[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") But the King, moved by certain of his counsellors, would promise no such thing.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") And so for a while the matter stood; neither could the King win the castle, nor could the brethren go free.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") After a while there came to King Charles a certain knight, Herneger by name, who said, "Sire, if you will give me this castle of Montanford for my own, and all the goods that are within, and the land about it for five miles, I will deliver to you Reynaud and his brothers within the space of a month from now." "[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") Do this," answered the King, "and you shall have what you ask."[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Herneger, after he had first disposed a thousand knights in the mountains round about, rode up to the castle gates and said, "I pray you to let me enter, for the King seeks my life.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") I have something to tell Sir Reynaud that he will be right glad to hear."[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") So the porter opened the gate, and let Sir Herneger pass within.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") When Reynaud heard that there was a strange knight in the castle, he came and inquired of his business.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Herneger said, "The King seeks my life, because I spake on your behalf." "[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") How does the King fare?" said Reynaud. "[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Has he good store of victuals?"[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") Herneger answered, "He and his army are well-nigh famished.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") They will not tarry long in this place, and when they depart you may get much spoil by pursuing them." "[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") That is good to hear," answered Reynaud. "[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") If the King fail of his purpose this time, the opportunity will not soon come again."[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he and his brethren and Herneger the traitor sat down to supper and made good cheer.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/5/page/2/) - ← previous: [How the Duke Benes Came By His End](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/4/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/5/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)