Chap. 8.
Meg's fellow servant pressed; her Usage of the
Constable; and of her taking Press Money to go to
Bologne.
In those days were wars between England and France, and a hot press about London. The Constables of Westminster pressed Meg's fellow servant and she told them if they took him her mistress was undone.
All this could not persuade the Constable, but Harry must go, on which she lent the Constable a knock—Notice being given to the Captain, he asked who struck him—Marry, quoth Meg, I did, and if I did not love soldiers, I'd serve you so too. So taking a Cavalier from a mans hand, she performed the exercise with such dexterity, that they wondered; whereupon she said, Press no man, but give me press money, and I will go myself. At this they all laughed, and the Captain gave her an Angel. Whereupon she went with him to Bologne.
Chap. 9.
Of her beating the Frenchmen off the walls of Bologne,
for which gallant behaviour she is rewarded by the
King with eight pence per Day for Life.
King Henry passing the seas took Bologne; hereupon the Dauphin with a great number of men surprised and retook it. Meg being a Laundress in the town, raised the best of the women, and with a halberd in her hand, came to the walls, on which some of the French had entered, and threw scalding water and stones at them, that she often obliged them to quit the town before the soldiers were up in arms—And at the sally she came out the foremost with her halberd in her hand to pursue the Chace.
The report of this deed being come to the ears of the King, he allowed her for life, eight pence a day.
Chap. 10.
Of her fighting and beating a Frenchman before
Bologne.
During this, she observed one who in a bravado tossed his pike; she seeing his pride, desired a drum, to signify that a young soldier would have a push at pike with him. It was agreed on, and the place appointed, life against life.
On the day the Frenchman came, and Meg met him, and without any salute fell to blows; and, after a long combat, she overcame him, and cut off his head. Then pulling off her hat her hair fell about her ears.