When a woman acts to the best of her nature you will not find me surveying her complexion or probing what shields her heart: if she be well proofed within her breast her good name is safe from harm.

Now if I were to judge of men and women as I know them a long story it would be. Hear, then, what manner of tale this is, telling of things both pleasant and sad, with joy and trouble for company. Grant there were three of me, each with skill to match mine: there would still be need of unbridled inspiration to tell you what, single-handed, I have a mind to tell †]

I will renew a tale that tells of great fidelity, of inborn womanhood and manly virtue so straight as never was bent in any test of hardness. Steel that he was, his courage never failed him, his conquering hand seized many a glorious prize when he came to battle. Dauntless man, though laggard in discretion! – Thus I salute the hero. – Sweet balm to woman’s eyes, yet woman’s heart’s disease! Shunner of all wrongdoing! As yet he is unborn to this story whom I have chosen for the part, the man of whom this tale is told and all the marvels in it.

There is a custom still observed today wherever our western neighbours’ laws prevail. It holds even on German soil in one odd corner – you don’t need me to tell you that! Whoever it was that held those territories yonder ruled – nor was it shame to him – that the eldest brother (strange though true) should have his father’s whole inheritance. That death should sever the rights of which their father’s life assured them was the cadets’ misfortune. Before, they held in common. Now, the eldest holds alone. Was that not a wise man who laid it down that age should have possessions? – ‘Youth has its fill of good things, eld of sighs and sorrows’! – ‘There never was a fate so pitiful as age cum poverty!’ I will not palter with the truth: that kings, counts, dukes should suffer dispossession of their acres, all but the oldest son – what an outlandish ordinance!

Thus it was that heroic Gahmuret, the daring yet restrained, lost lands and strongholds where his sire with pomp and royal sway had borne crown and sceptre till he met his death in knightly combat. He was bitterly lamented, having kept honour and faith entire till the end. His elder son then summoned the princes of the realm. They came in brilliant style, for they were entitled beyond question to receive great fiefs from him. Now when they had come to court and their claims had been heard and their fiefs confirmed, hear how they proceeded. Prompted by loyalty the whole assembly, rich and poor, humbly and earnestly petitioned the King to show his love for Gahmuret as a brother, and dignify himself by leaving him an Honour from his lands so that all might see whence the knight derived his freedom and his tide, and not utterly dispossess him.

The King received this gladly. ‘You know how to ask in reason,’ he said. ‘I will grant you this and more. Do you not call my brother “Gahmuret of Anjou”? Anjou is my country. Let both be named from it!’ And his majesty continued ‘My brother may look to me for staunch support in more than I can name at such short notice. He shall be a member of my Household. Truly, I shall prove to you that we two had one mother. He has little, I enough. This I shall share with him so liberally that my heavenly bliss shall not be at stake in the eyes of Him that giveth and taketh. – With justice to dispense He may do either!’

When they saw that their lord was loyal it was a happy day for those mighty princes. Each made his separate bow of thanks. Nor was Gahmuret slow to voice the assent which his heart had spoken.

‘My lord and brother,’ he said good-naturedly, ‘had I the wish to be an inmate of your noble House or that of any other man it would have been idle comfort I had secured. But loyal and discerning that you are, consider my reputation and advise me with an eye to present circumstances: it is here you can lend a helping hand. I own nothing but my equipment. Had I achieved more with it, such as had brought me wide renown, I should be remembered somewhere in the world.