Read "Stories of Charlemagne and the Twelve Peers of France" by Alfred John Church online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
On the feast of St. Thomas, which is four days before Yule, King / Charles rode out of the city of Paris with a great company of princes / and nobles. As they rode across the moor a great tempest from the / east fell upon them. So fierce was the wind and so heavy the rain, / that they were scattered over the country, nor could they tell, the / day being well nigh as dark as night, whither they were going. Of / what befell the rest of the company there is no need to tell; this / tale concerns King Charles only.
As he rode in sore plight, not knowing where he might find shelter, / he was aware of a churl, who was leading a mare carrying two great / panniers. "Now tell me your name," said the King. "They call me / Ralph the Charcoal-burner," said the man. "I live in these parts -- my / house is seven miles hence -- and I earn my bread with no little toil, / selling coals to such as need them. " "Friend," said the King, "I / mean you no ill, for I judge you to be an honest man. " "Judge as you / will," answered Ralph, "I care not. " "I am in sore need of a / friend," said the King; "for both my horse and I are ready to perish, / the storm is so fierce. Tell me then where I can find shelter. " / "Shelter! " said Ralph, "I know of none, save in my own cottage, and / that is far hence in the forest. But to that you are welcome, if you / care to come with me."