and it was done according to the king’s commandment. Then they marched out into the field, and the two armies faced each other.
Then the King of Naples called Stilfrid and said to him: “Now Stilfrid, counsel me what is best; for thou seest thyself that the King of England has thrice as many men as we.” Thereto said Stilfrid: “Since thou wilt not fight with him, again I will give thee another counsel. Command thy scribe to come before thee, and command him to write a letter in these words: ‘O thou King of England, Filosofus, thou art spoiling my people unrighteously; know that, please God, I intend to defend myself against thy unrighteousness. Therefore, if thou art a brave man, make a like covenant with me, as I with thee: choose out of thine army 2000 horses, the best thou hast, saddled; bind on the saddle of each a thousand marks of gold, and I will take as many out of my army and as much gold. And when thou doest this, choose also twelve knights or princes, the most valiant thou hast, and I will take one out of my army and command him to fight with the twelve, taking them one at a time; and if any of the twelve over-
