Barlaam and Josaphat: A Christian Tale of the Buddha

by Gui de Cambrai

  The night passed, day returned. From all sides, they rose and armed themselves. Their armor shone, their shields showed many colors, and the gleam from their helms and hauberks rivaled the sun’s rays. When the companions were all armed, they were divided into ranks. King Avenir joined them eagerly, for he wanted to be in the first attack. But the king of Britain took the honor from him when he asked permission to lead the advance.

  Both sides prepared carefully. The archbishop and Josaphat considered the assault seriously. They met to take counsel with each other, but first the archbishop sang the mass and Josaphat received God’s absolution. Then they debated what they should do. King Josaphat was confident and trusted God, and he vowed that nothing would prevent them from confronting their attackers. The archbishop agreed, and by the king’s commandment, they all armed themselves. The king was first to put on his armor. He had never before taken up arms, but he intended to demonstrate his power and strength to his enemies. A valet brought him a prized Greek horse (no count or king had a better one). He mounted skillfully, for he knew how to ride. With a loyal heart, he asked God his Creator to have mercy on him that day, and on his people who prepared for battle. He marveled to see them so joyful and happy to go to war. Everyone in the city was armed; they had all mounted their horses and taken ranks. They were ready for battle.

  King Avenir’s men rode toward the city and began the assault. King Josaphat’s men let sharp arrows fly from the parapets and defended themselves bravely. There was a fierce battle, and the knights from Britain attacked as hard as they could. They were very good archers, but Josaphat’s men came against them in strength and many were wounded. Any man who could pull a bow attacked or defended.

  King Josaphat cried to his people: “Open the gate so we can go outside. Let us see which of us will fall first in the battle.” They opened the gates, and the well-armed battalions went out in tight ranks. They immediately began to fight without pity or fear, and the battle was engaged from all sides. They broke hauberks and chain mail, and they cut horses’ reins. When their lances were broken, they immediately drew strong, sharp swords and trenchant axes. Vermillion blood bathed the steel, and the weapons looked as though they were bleeding. They fought hard and paid for their blows with their flesh—the field was strewn with bodies whose souls had departed, and with hands, feet, entrails, and heads without brains. Riderless horses roamed the field—many were wounded, many had escaped their reins, and many were killed. Wounded men cried out in dolorous laments. Some drowned in blood and many were trampled to death by horses.

  The battle was heavy and hard, and the engagement was long. The king of Britain fought well. He was a good knight and a pagan. He rode hard against the Christians, and he and his men attacked with force. This king thought hard about how to take the Christians, but they defended themselves well. They had many men, and they had God and his strength to help them. The two sides came against each other again and again, with great charges and blows. The battle was equal on both sides, it seems to me, and each side harmed the other.

  A castellan from Josaphat’s city had armed himself well. He was nobly attired with lance and shield, and he charged forward to do great damage. He encountered a well-armed duke who was weakened from the loss of blood and went to joust against him. The knights broke their lances, then drew their swords and struck each other relentlessly. The duke was brave and attacked with great strength, and the strong blows they exchanged damaged their shields.

  The battle was hard, and it was almost over when another echelon came at the defenders and revived the battle. The pagans ambushed the Christians, who would never have lasted if God had not helped them, for the battalion came upon them all at once. The battle was almost lost, I believe, when the archbishop and King Josaphat arrived to help the Christians. They returned to the battle with renewed courage and earned great honor. Each fought as well as he could, and the archbishop struck many strong blows. He knew if the battle were not won, Christianity would be lost. He fought well and broke many mail shirts; he split many helms and killed many pagans in the battle. His blood-drenched sword was twisted and dented, and his damaged shield had taken at least a hundred blows. He fought with courage, as did the entire army.

  The Christians defeated the king of Britain and Miradeus of Babylon, who was the son of Semiramis. (History records that she was the founder of Babylon, but she was not the first to build in that place, for in earlier times giants had foolishly built a great tower there to rival God. He punished them by giving them a language that troubled their thoughts so that they could not understand each other. This tower was called Babel, and the name Babylon came from Babel.) Miradeus and the king of Britain left the battle, but they had paid their dues. They left many of their men dead on the field, and there were many dead from our side too.

  Miradeus sat fully armed on his warhorse. He had done well that day and was reluctant to leave the field. He turned back repeatedly to charge against his enemy and rejoined the battle many times. He guided his men out of the battle with difficulty, trying to prevent the Christians from striking them down. He was very sorry that they had been pushed back so far. Then Arcelaus, a Christian knight, rode out of the ranks to confront him. Arcelaus was well armed and his horse was eager. When Miradeus saw him, he turned his horse toward him. Both men spurred forward and each tried to harm the other. They struck strong blows and pierced each other’s shields. Despite their armor, their bodies were also pierced. Miradeus was gravely wounded, and Arcelaus died. He was greatly to be lamented (he was a good Christian and a good lord), but he received martyrdom for our Lord. When the archbishop saw it, he was exceedingly sorrowful. He spurred his horse quickly toward Miradeus, who waited for him, immobile, on his horse. The wound on his thigh pained him greatly. Miradeus bandaged his wound with a sleeve his lady had given him as a love token.1

  The archbishop struck him on the side of his shield. The lance was strong, and he struck heavily and almost knocked Miradeus from his horse. The knight held firm despite the pain. He did not complain but was almost dead from his wound. Miradeus said, “You are wrong to attack me in this way when you see me so near death. It is not good chivalry if you take what little life I have in my body. Your valor will not increase if you kill me, for I am fatally wounded.”

  “You are wounded, friend? Where?”

  “In my body.”

  “Then lay down your arms, for your soul is more seriously wounded than your body, and your thoughts prevent its healing. You do not believe that you feel any pain there, but you will. Your soul will feel pain when your body dies.”

  “Master, tell me—why? I have kept my religion and remained faithful to my gods.”

  “Then you will die disloyally because you refuse to recognize your Creator. Friend, leave this day behind you and abandon those who attack us from outside the city! I will heal your body and your soul.”

  “How will you heal my body, Master? I am wounded so seriously that I can expect only death. I do not see any other outcome.”

  “Friend, I promise that if you become a Christian, I will heal your wound.”

  Miradeus said, “I put myself in your care, for I see that you are a wise man.” The archbishop led away into the city with great honor. Everyone who heard about it rejoiced.

  The Christians fought well and struck many good blows. The king of Britain was defeated—four counts captured him and sent him into the city, where the Christians disarmed him. Polidonus from Athens then joined the battle eagerly. He had more than ten thousand Greeks in his company. They forced the Christians back to the city, but they lost many men. When Josaphat saw the retreat, he armed himself and mounted a great warhorse. There were many knights with him, and they went out from the city in a great force, carrying one thousand shields. “God’s help!” was their battle cry.

  Josaphat went straight to the heart of the battle and struck down all he encountered. When his lance broke, he unshe
athed his sword and struck more blows as he moved forward, using both sides of the blade. His companions fought well too. Their banners and standards were deployed, and their warhorses whinnied from the middle of the field. The pagans would have been foolish to wait for the battle, for two thousand men spurred toward them in a resounding charge.

  The Saracens saw Josaphat’s men coming, but they did not fear them. The good knights greeted them with steel blades. A hard and heavy battle began again, and neither hauberk nor chain mail was worth a penny. Josaphat’s strength and anger took him into the center of the fighting. No one could endure the battle without courage. The knights did not stop to discuss land or inheritance; they used all their strength to destroy their opponents. This was no rhetorical disputation, nor was any judge present to hear arguments. They defended themselves with steel blades. Banners and standards were torn, and every knight struck blows as strongly as he could. Josaphat himself struck great blows to encourage the people he had called out to fight.

  Polidonus fought well. He rode toward the Christians with ardor and strength. What a shame that he was a pagan, for he was a handsome knight and sat his horse well. He went through the ranks, encouraging his men, then he went quickly to seek King Josaphat. If he could find him, he would joust with him to demonstrate his prowess. His heart was happy to see so many noblemen striking blows with strength and vigor, and he thought that he could prove his prowess and thereby bring honor to his lady.2 He fought well and defeated many Christians, killing most and wounding others. He shouted out his battle cry.

  Josaphat’s shield was pierced in many places, his casque was damaged, his mail shirt broken, and his blade covered in blood. He met Polidonus and they began to fight. The shields would pay dearly for the battle, for both fought hard. Josaphat landed a blow between Polidonus’s shield and casque, wounding him gravely, and the Greek was dismayed to find himself so badly harmed. Blood spurted from his wound and drenched him down to his heels. He wanted badly to avenge the blow, and if he could use his blade, he would exact a severe vengeance. He raised his arm, aimed well, and brought it down on Josaphat’s helm, knocking off the circle of gold. The blow glanced off the helmet and the sword broke. Josaphat would have been deeply wounded if the sword had not broken, and his blow would have been well avenged. The archbishop saw the king fighting with fervor, and he went into the middle of the field to watch the battle and see how the king fared as he pursued and tormented Polidonus, who continued to defend himself with what strength he had left. Josaphat showed his rival that he had been foolish to attack him.

  The Christians were defeating the Turks, who would not last through the battle.3 At noon the Turks’ army had turned back. The Christians had put them to flight, but Josaphat kept the defeated Polidonus in his prison. Then he turned back to his enemies. The destruction was great. The Christians chased the pagans back to the Byzantine tents; they killed a hundred and fifty men and took more than twenty prisoners. The young ruler of Byzantium entered the battle against the Christians and their king. The archbishop encouraged his men: “My lords, do not lose your strength, for Argeus is coming against you with his men. They have rested here all day while you exhausted yourselves in battle for God. For his sake, forget your fatigue! Your pursuers are close, and they descend on you with fury. Defend yourselves, for God’s sake, if you love your Lord and your life!” The archbishop blessed them, and the king exhorted them and offered them his help in the battle, his wealth, and anything they could want. When the Christians heard the exhortation, they were happy for the blessing that the archbishop gave them. Their courage returned, and they rushed toward the Saracens. Their hearts were noble, and loyalty was on their side and against their enemies. They advanced in well-ordered ranks and attacked all at once.

  The contest was harsh. They gave each other great blows on their shields, many hauberks were broken, and many good knights were killed. Ten Christians were taken prisoner, and five Turkish dukes who held great domains. The Christians struck so many blows that the Saracens left the field first, defeated, a little before vespers. Many were killed and their bodies lay on the field. Armed knights lay gravely wounded, and riderless horses moved across the battlefield. The ruler of Byzantium lay dead under his steed. No tongue could describe the great suffering experienced in that day’s battle. Feet, heads, and entrails were strewn across the field, and many wounded lay in the meadow alongside dead bodies with gaping mouths.

  Nightfall separated the armies. The exhausted Christians returned to their city and went to their lodgings to remove their armor. King Avenir called for a truce, and the battle was suspended for three days. At dawn each side went to look for the dead on the field and bring back the wounded.

  Prince Aracin plots to betray Josaphat

  King Avenir looked on the destruction. He had lost so many of his nobles that he did not know where to address his sorrow. Josaphat, the king’s son, also had good reason for lament. He had lost many of his friends and was most sorrowful, but he was comforted to know that the dead were saved. He had all the dead buried, and the wounded cared for.

  The archbishop did not forget about Miradeus. He sent for the prisoner, and the guards brought him quickly. The archbishop admonished Miradeus and invited him to become a Christian. “Sire,” Miradeus said, “I need no further instruction. Baptize me, by your mercy.” The archbishop rejoiced when he heard him recognize the true belief, and Miradeus received baptism that day. But before he was baptized, Josaphat, the archbishop, and all the Christians, young and old, knelt to pray to God that Miradeus might be healed of the wound that threatened him. Immediately the bells of the Church of the Holy Cross began to ring, and the archbishop and the king crossed themselves. Miradeus was healed: his flesh sealed over the wound. No wise man should have been surprised by it, for Miradeus believed in the Creator! He no longer felt any pain because a good doctor had healed him. They praised and thanked God, and all the city rejoiced because God had cured Miradeus and he had been baptized. When the ruler of Britain heard of it, he too converted immediately. Polidonus of Athens did the same, and all the other prisoners repented of their sins and were baptized. The city was full of rejoicing, and the Christians said that it was a great fortune to recover the loss of those killed in the battle through the conversion of their enemies. They thought it was a good day.

  King Avenir heard the news, and his heart was very heavy at the loss of his men. He cursed the gods he served because every day he lost more of his people. He had proposed the truce in anger and sent for more of his men.

  Aracin came to him. “Sire, I will go into the city and demand that they give you this land.”

  “Friend, you should think of another plan,” the king replied. “They have no reason to give back the land. They have defended their position and continue to win more people to their side. Go quickly and arm yourself, for we must attack and vanquish them or we will all be dead or taken prisoner.” King Avenir’s entire army prepared for battle, as did the defenders, and when they were all armed they went out in tight ranks. Josaphat’s men waited outside the city’s walls as the enemy came toward them. There was great noise from both sides. They were all armed, and they attacked each other as enemies. The battle was harsh and strong, and each side fought hard. Miradeus was armed and mounted on a war horse to fight as a soldier of our Lord. Aracin fought well and led a great host into the battle. Many Christians were killed or wounded, and the field was strewn with dead pagans, including some of the highest born. If you had been present, you would have claimed never to have seen such a hard battle, or so many great blows given and so many received, so many men crying out from wounds, or so many dying in pain. Miradeus jousted against Aracin and struck him on his shield. His lance was straight and his arm was strong, and Miradeus knocked Aracin to the ground. He dropped his lance to draw his sword; he harried Aracin from all sides and cut the laces of his helm. Aracin cried to him, “Miradeus, my lord, have mercy! I yield in good faith. Make m
e your prisoner.”

  “I grant it,” said Miradeus. He let him rise and had him taken to prison.

  The scrimmage was fierce and the knights were exhausted. The battle had grown more intense but the Christians had almost won it. The new Christians fought well; they could no longer tolerate the pagans. King Avenir was very sorrowful when he saw that he had lost both the battle and the land. He left the field with great regret. “Alas,” he said, “my great love for my son has led me to misfortune. My love was misplaced and our religion has been shamed.” The Christians pursued the pagans and attacked them. While the king lamented, the Saracens were almost overcome. The battle lasted until the two sides separated at dusk. The Christians returned joyfully to their city. King Avenir was very angry and took shelter in his lodging.

  Aracin plotted a betrayal from inside Josaphat’s prison. He sent for the archbishop and the king, and asked them what they planned to do with him. The good archbishop began to preach to him and Aracin began to sigh. He pretended to be repentant, in order to betray them. “My heart is sincere,” he said. “I am a wealthy man, the master counselor of the king and his lords. You should baptize me. If the men on the other side know that I am a Christian and a believer, I believe they too will be baptized. King Avenir’s people will come to God, and his religion will grow and prosper.” The archbishop rejoiced to see Aracin turn into the right path. He thought the war would be ended by his conversion and peace would return.