In the romance, the knight, Sir John of Bourdeaux, divides his estate among his three sons, Saladyne, Fernandine, and Rosader. The latter is the Orlando of Shakespeare's comedy. Saladyne, the eldest brother, is resentful that more property has been bequeathed to the younger sons than to himself. Fernandine may be ignored, for he is a scholar intent only upon Aristotle. His portion, therefore, may be easily rifled. Upon Rosader, Saladyne's chief anger falls, and he makes of him a footboy for the space of two or three years. After Rosader has borne his treatment in patience for a time, one day he encounters his brother in the garden and charges him with ill-treatment. Saladyne, fearing Rosader's wrath, promises to make amends. Soon after this episode, Torismond, King of France, appoints for his pleasure a day of wrestling, lest the common people, being idle, should let their thoughts run upon the remembrance of their old banished king, Gerismond. A Norman champion is found to stand against all comers. Saladyne, hearing of this, secretly plots with the Norman that if Rosader come within his claws he may never more return to quarrel with Saladyne over the inheritance. Saladyne then urges Rosader to enter the wrestling match for the honor of his famous father. Rosader is easily persuaded and sets forth for the court of Torismond.
'At last . . . the wrastling began, and the Norman presented himselfe as a chalenger against all commers; but he looked like Hercules when he aduaunst himselfe against Acheloüs; so that the furie of his countenance amased all that durst attempt to incounter with him in any déede of actiuitie: till at last a lustie Francklin of the Countrie came with two tall men, that were his Sonnes of good lyniaments and comely personage: the eldest of these dooing his obeysance to the King entered the lyst, and presented himselfe to the Norman, who straight coapt with him,
