Arturian Legend
Pre-Raphaelite's Vision
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Toward the middle of the 19th
century, a small group of young artists in England reacted vigorously
against what they felt was "the frivolous art of the day":
this reaction became known as the Pre-Raphaelite movement.
Their
ambition was to bring English art back to a greater "truth to nature".
They deeply admired the simplicities of the early 15th century, and they
felt this
admiration made them a brotherhood.
The body of stories and medieval romances, known as the matter of
Britain, centring on the legendary king Arthur (q.v.). Medieval writers,
especially the French, variously treated stories of Arthur's birth, the
adventures of his knights, and the adulterous love between his knight
Sir Lancelot and his queen, Guinevere. This last situation and the quest
for the Holy Grail (the vessel used by Christ at the Last Supper and
given to Joseph of Arimathea) brought about the dissolution of the
knightly fellowship, the death of Arthur, and thedestruction of his
kingdom.
Stories about Arthur and his court had been popular in Wales before the
11th century; European fame came through Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia
regum Britanniae (between 1135 and 1139), celebrating a glorious and
triumphant king who defeated a Roman army in eastern France but was
mortally wounded in battle during a rebellion at home led by his nephew
Mordred. Some features of Geoffrey's story were marvelous fabrications,
and certain features of the Celtic stories were adapted to suit feudal
times. The concept of Arthur as a world conqueror was clearly inspired
by legends surrounding great leaders such as Alexander the Great and
Charlemagne. Later writers, notably Wace of Jersey and Layamon, filled
out certain details, especially in connection with Arthur's knightly
fellowship.
Using Celtic sources, Chrétien de Troyes (q.v.) in the late 12th century
made Arthur the ruler of a realm of marvels in five romances of
adventure. He also introduced the theme of the Grail into Arthurian
legend. Prose romances of the 13th century began to explore two major
themes: the winning of the Grail and the love story of Lancelot and
Guinevere. An early prose romance centring on Lancelot seems to have
become the kernel of a cyclic work known as the Prose Lancelot, or
Vulgate cycle (c. 1225). The Lancelot theme was connected with the Grail
story through Lancelot's son, the pure knight Sir Galahad, who achieved
the vision of God through the Grail as fully as is possible in this
life, whereas Sir Lancelot was impeded in his progress along the mystic
way because of his adultery with Guinevere. Another branch of the
Vulgate cycle was based on a very early 13th-century verse romance, the
Merlin, by Robert de Boron, that had told of Arthur's birth and
childhood and his winning of the crown by drawing a magic sword (see
Excalibur) from a stone. The writer of the Vulgate cycle turned this
into prose, adding a pseudo-historical narrative dealing with Arthur's
military exploits. A final branch of the Vulgate cycle contained an
account of Arthur's Roman campaign and war with Mordred, to which was
added a story of Lancelot's renewed adultery with Guinevere and the
disastrous war between Lancelot and Sir Gawain that ensued. A later
prose romance, known as the post-Vulgate Grail romance (c.
1240),combined Arthurian legend with material from the Tristan romance.
The legend told in the Vulgate cycle and post-Vulgate romance was
transmitted to English-speaking readers in Thomas Malory's late
15th-century prose Le Morte Darthur. At the same time, there was renewed
interest in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia, and the fictitious kings of
Britain became more or less incorporated with official national
mythology. The legend remained alive during the 17th century, though
interest in it was by then confined to England. Of merely antiquarian
interest during the 18th century, it again figured in literature during
Victorian times, notably in Alfred Tennyson's Idylls of the King. In the
20th century an American poet, Edwin Arlington Robinson, wrote an
Arthurian trilogy, and in England T.H. White retold the stories in a
series of novels collected as The Once and FutureKing (1958). Camelot
(1960), a musical by Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe, was based on
White's work.
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
Group of young British painters who banded together in 1848 in reaction
against what they conceived to be the unimaginative and artificial
historical painting of the Royal Academy and who purportedly sought to
express a new moral seriousness and sincerity in their works. They were
inspired by Italian art of the 14th and 15th centuries, and their
adoption of the name Pre-Raphaelite expressed their admiration for what
they saw as the direct and uncomplicated depiction of nature typical of
Italian painting before the High Renaissance and, particularly, before
the time of Raphael. Although the Brotherhood's active life lasted less
than 10 years, its influence on painting in Britain, and ultimately on
the decorative arts and interior design, was profound.
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was formed in 1848 by three Royal Academy
students, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who was a gifted poet as well as a
painter, William Holman Hunt, and John Everett Millais, all under 25.
The painter James Collinson, the painter and critic F.G. Stephens, the
sculptor Thomas Woolner, and the critic William Michael Rossetti (Dante
Gabriel's brother) joined them by invitation. The painters William Dyce
and Ford Madox Brown were also notable practitioners of the
Pre-Raphaelite style.
The Brotherhood began immediately to produce highly convincing and
significant works. Their pictures of religious and medieval subjects
emulated the deep religious feeling and naive, unadorned directness of
15th-century Florentine and Sienese painting. The style that Hunt and
Millais evolved featured sharp and brilliant lighting, a clear
atmosphere, and a near-photographic reproduction of minute details. They
also frequently introduced a private poetic symbolism into their
representations of Biblical subjects and medieval literary themes.
Rossetti's work differed from that of the others in its use of blurred
lines, a more sculptural and suggestive chiaroscuro, and a hazy,
dreamlike atmosphere. Vitality and freshness of vision are the most
admirable qualities of these early Pre-Raphaelite paintings.
The Brotherhood at first exhibited together anonymously, signing all
their paintings with the monogram PRB. When their identity and youth
were discovered in 1850, their work was harshly criticized by the
novelist Charles Dickens, among others, not only for its disregard of
academic ideals of beauty but also for its apparent irreverence in
treating religious themes with an uncompromising realism. Nevertheless,
the leading art critic of the day, John Ruskin, stoutly defended
Pre-Raphaelite art, and the members of the group were never without
patrons.
The members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood had ceased to exhibit
together by 1854 and soon went their individual ways, but their style
had a wide influence and gained many imitators during the 1850s and
early '60s. In the late 1850s Dante Gabriel Rossetti became associated
with the younger painters Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris and
moved closer to a sensual and almost mystical romanticism. Millais, the
most technically gifted painter of the group, went on to become an
academic success. Hunt alone pursued the same style throughout most of
his career and remained true to Pre-Raphaelite principles.
Pre-Raphaelitism in its later stage is epitomized by the paintings of
Burne-Jones, in which a lyrical if slightly insipid medievalism is given
hauntingly sensuous overtones.
The Legend of the Holy Grail
Also called Holy Grail, object of legendary quest for the knights of
Arthurian romance. The term evidently denoted a wide-mouthed or shallow
vessel, though its precise etymology remains uncertain. The legend of
the Grail possibly was inspired by classical and Celtic mythologies,
which abound in horns ofplenty, magic life-restoring caldrons, and the
like. The first extant text to give such a vessel Christian significance
as a mysterious, holy object was Chrétien de Troyes's late 12th-century
unfinishedromance Perceval, or Le Conte du Graal, which introduces the
guileless rustic knight Perceval, whose dominant trait is innocence. In
it, the religious is combined with the fantastic. Early in the 13th
century, Robert de Borron's poem Joseph d'Arimathie, or the Roman de
l'estoire dou Graal, extended the Christian significance of the legend,
while Wolfram von Eschenbach gave it profound and mystical expression in
his epic Parzival. (In Wolfram's account the Grail became a precious
stone, fallen from heaven.) Prose versions of Robert de Borron's works
began to link the Grail story even more closely with Arthurian legend. A
13th-century Germanromance, Diu Krone, made the Grail hero Sir Gawain,
while the Queste del Saint Graal (which forms part of what is calledthe
Prose Lancelot, or Vulgate cycle) introduced a new hero, Sir Galahad.
This latter work was to have the widest significance of all, and its
essence was transmitted to English-speaking readers through Sir Thomas
Malory's late 15th-century prose Le Morte Darthur.
Robert de Borron's poem recounted the Grail's early history, linking it
with the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper and afterward by Joseph
of Arimathea to catch the blood flowing from Christ's wounds as he hung
upon the Cross. The Queste del Saint Graal went on to create a new hero,
the pure knight Sir Galahad, while the quest of the Grail itself became
a search for mystical union with God. Only Galahad could look directly
into the Grail and behold the divine mysteries that cannot be described
by human tongue. The work was clearly influenced by the mystical
teachings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the states of grace it describes
corresponding to the stages by which St. Bernard explained man's rise
toward perfection in the mystical life. The work gained an added
dimension by making Galahad the son of Lancelot, thus contrasting the
story of chivalry inspired by human love (Lancelot and Guinevere) with
that inspired by divine love (Galahad). In the last branch of the
Vulgate cycle, the final disasters were linked with the withdrawal of
the Grail, symbol of grace, never to be seen again.
Thus, the Grail theme came to form the culminating point of Arthurian
romance, and it was to prove fruitful as a theme in literature down to
the 20th century.
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Tapestry by Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898)
The Attainment of the Holy Grail by Sir Gallahad and Sir Percival
1898
(from left to right):
Sir Perceval, Sir Bors, Angels, Sir Galahad, Grail Chapel and the Holy
Grail
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Sir Perceval, Early Hero
In the later versions of the Grail legend, Sir
Galahad finds the Grail. But the earliest Grail hero was Sir
Perceval. Brought up by his mother in Wales, in ignorance of the
world, Perceval is inspired by a group of armed knights, whom he
takes for angels, to set out to seek his fortune. He comes to
the Grail castle, where he fails, out of politeness, to ask the
vital questions about the Grail and the lance. Later, he reaches
King Arthur's court, and an old woman curses him for this
failure, which has caused the land to become barren. The second
time Perceval goes to the Grail castle, he asks the right
questions: whom does the Grail serve? and why docs the lance
drip blood? In one of the most poetic Grail narratives, the
Perlesvaus or High Book of the Grail, Perceval takes the Grail
on a magic boat and comes to the Isle of Plenty, where he is to
be king. Beneath the Isle of Plenty is the Isle of Need, whose
people will be fed by the Grail.
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IN ONE VFRSION OF THF GRAIL LEGEND, the Fisher King is named as
Bron. This connects him with Bran the Blessed, legendary king of
England in the Welsh Mahinogion. Bran possessed both a horn of
plenty and cauldron of rebirth. After he was wounded with a
spear, his head was cut off and buried beneath the Tower of
London, to protect the land; but King Arthur dug it up to show
that Britain needed no other protection other than him.
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Depending on the source, the Holy Grail was
either the dish that Christ used at the Last Supper, or the
vessel used to catch his blood at the Crucifixion.
The Quest for the Holy Grail, which becomes a test of each
knight's purity and worth, is initiated when a vision of the
Grail appears to King Arthur and his knights. Although
Christian, this legend is built on a sub-structure of Celtic
mythology, which abounds in horns of plenty and cauldrons and in
quests in which the hero must venture into the otherworld to win
some precious prize. It is, therefore, no surprise that there
are several versions of the legend. But they all agree that
Arthur never went on the Quest and that only one knight (in
later versions, Sir Galahad - shown on the left) finally proved
worthy of finding this most precious object.
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The End of the Quest
Kneeling before the Grail. Sir Galahanasks the ritual questions,
"What is the Grail? Whom does the Grail serve?", thus
bringinging the quest to an end. The lilies surrounding Sir
Galahad indicate his pure and saintly character.
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Sir Galahanasks
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The Holy Grail
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LE MORTE D'ARTHUR
King Arthur and of his Noble Knights of the Round Table
By Sir Thomas Malory
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BOOK I
CHAPTER I. How Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of
Cornwall and Igraine his wife, and of their departing
suddenly again.
IT befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was
king of all England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty
duke in Cornwall that held war against him long time. And
the duke was called the Duke of Tintagil. And so by means
King Uther sent for this duke, charging him to bring his
wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a passing
wise, and her name was called Igraine.
So when the duke and his wife were come unto the king, by
the means of great lords they were accorded both. The king
liked and loved this lady well, and he made them great cheer
out of measure, and desired to have lain by her. But she was
a passing good woman, and would not assent unto the king.
And then she told the duke her husband, and said, I suppose
that we were sent for that I should be dishonoured;
wherefore, husband, I counsel you, that we depart from hence
suddenly, that we may ride all night unto our own castle.
And in like wise as she said so they departed, that neither
the king nor none of his council were ware of their
departing. All so soon as King Uther knew of their departing
so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to him
his privy council, and told them of the sudden departing of
the duke and his wife.
Then they advised the king to send for the duke and his
wife by a great charge; and if he will not come at your
summons, then may ye do your best, then have ye cause to
make mighty war upon him. So that was done, and the
messengers had their answers; and that was this shortly,
that neither he nor his wife would not come at him.
Then was the king wonderly wroth. And then the king sent
him plain word again, and bade him be ready and stuff him
and garnish him, for within forty days he would fetch him
out of the biggest castle that he hath.
When the duke had this warning, anon he went and
furnished and garnished two strong castles of his, of the
which the one hight Tintagil, and the other castle hight
Terrabil. So his wife Dame Igraine he put in the castle of
Tintagil, and himself he put in the castle of Terrabil, the
which had many issues and posterns out. Then in all haste
came Uther with a great host, and laid a siege about the
castle of Terrabil. And there he pight many pavilions, and
there was great war made on both parties, and much people
slain. Then for pure anger and for great love of fair
Igraine the king Uther fell sick. So came to the king Uther
Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and asked the king why he was
sick. I shall tell thee, said the king, I am sick for anger
and for love of fair Igraine, that I may not be whole. Well,
my lord, said Sir Ulfius, I shall seek Merlin, and he shall
do you remedy, that your heart shall be pleased. So Ulfius
departed, and by adventure he met Merlin in a beggar's
array, and there Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought. And he
said he had little ado to tell him. Well, said Merlin, I
know whom thou seekest, for thou seekest Merlin; therefore
seek no farther, for I am he; and if King Uther will well
reward me, and be sworn unto me to fulfil my desire, that
shall be his honour and profit more than mine; for I shall
cause him to have all his desire. All this will I undertake,
said Ulfius, that there shall be nothing reasonable but thou
shalt have thy desire. Well, said Merlin, he shall have his
intent and desire. And therefore, said Merlin, ride on your
way, for I will not be long behind.
CHAPTER II. How Uther Pendragon made war on the duke of
Cornwall, and how by the mean of Merlin he lay by the
duchess and gat Arthur.
THEN Ulfius was glad, and rode on more than a pace till
that he came to King Uther Pendragon, and told him he had
met with Merlin. Where is he? said the king. Sir, said
Ulfius, he will not dwell long. Therewithal Ulfius was ware
where Merlin stood at the porch of the pavilion's door. And
then Merlin was bound to come to the king. When King Uther
saw him, he said he was welcome. Sir, said Merlin, I know
all your heart every deal; so ye will be sworn unto me as ye
be a true king anointed, to fulfil my desire, ye shall have
your desire. Then the king was sworn upon the Four
Evangelists. Sir, said Merlin, this is my desire: the first
night that ye shall lie by Igraine ye shall get a child on
her, and when that is born, that it shall be delivered to me
for to nourish there as I will have it; for it shall be your
worship, and the child's avail, as mickle as the child is
worth. I will well, said the king, as thou wilt have it. Now
make you ready, said Merlin, this night ye shall lie with
Igraine in the castle of Tintagil; and ye shall be like the
duke her husband, Ulfius shall be like Sir Brastias, a
knight of the duke's, and I will be like a knight that hight
Sir Jordanus, a knight of the duke's. But wait ye make not
many questions with her nor her men, but say ye are
diseased, and so hie you to bed, and rise not on the morn
till I come to you, for the castle of Tintagil is but ten
miles hence; so this was done as they devised. But the duke
of Tintagil espied how the king rode from the siege of
Terrabil, and therefore that night he issued out of the
castle at a postern for to have distressed the king's host.
And so, through his own issue, the duke himself was slain or
ever the king came at the castle of Tintagil.
So after the death of the duke, King Uther lay with
Igraine more than three hours after his death, and begat on
her that night Arthur, and on day came Merlin to the king,
and bade him make him ready, and so he kissed the lady
Igraine and departed in all haste. But when the lady heard
tell of the duke her husband, and by all record he was dead
or ever King Uther came to her, then she marvelled who that
might be that lay with her in likeness of her lord; so she
mourned privily and held her peace. Then all the barons by
one assent prayed the king of accord betwixt the lady
Igraine and him; the king gave them leave, for fain would he
have been accorded with her. So the king put all the trust
in Ulfius to entreat between them, so by the entreaty at the
last the king and she met together. Now will we do well,
said Ulfius, our king is a lusty knight and wifeless, and my
lady Igraine is a passing fair lady; it were great joy unto
us all, an it might please the king to make her his queen.
Unto that they all well accorded and moved it to the king.
And anon, like a lusty knight, he assented thereto with good
will, and so in all haste they were married in a morning
with great mirth and joy.
And King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney then wedded
Margawse that was Gawaine's mother, and King Nentres of the
land of Garlot wedded Elaine. All this was done at the
request of King Uther. And the third sister Morgan le Fay
was put to school in a nunnery, and there she learned so
much that she was a great clerk of necromancy. And after she
was wedded to King Uriens of the land of Gore, that was Sir
Ewain's le Blanchemain's father.
CHAPTER III. Of the birth of King Arthur and of his
nurture.
THEN Queen Igraine waxed daily greater and greater, so it
befell after within half a year, as King Uther lay by his
queen, he asked her, by the faith she owed to him, whose was
the body; then she sore abashed to give answer. Dismay you
not, said the king, but tell me the truth, and I shall love
you the better, by the faith of my body. Sir, said she, I
shall tell you the truth. The same night that my lord was
dead, the hour of his death, as his knights record, there
came into my castle of Tintagil a man like my lord in speech
and in countenance, and two knights with him in likeness of
his two knights Brastias and Jordanus, and so I went unto
bed with him as I ought to do with my lord, and the same
night, as I shall answer unto God, this child was begotten
upon me. That is truth, said the king, as ye say; for it was
I myself that came in the likeness, and therefore dismay you
not, for I am father of the child; and there he told her all
the cause, how it was by Merlin's counsel. Then the queen
made great joy when she knew who was the father of her
child.
Soon came Merlin unto the king, and said, Sir, ye must
purvey you for the nourishing of your child. As thou wilt,
said the king, be it. Well, said Merlin, I know a lord of
yours in this land, that is a passing true man and a
faithful, and he shall have the nourishing of your child,
and his name is Sir Ector, and he is a lord of fair
livelihood in many parts in England and Wales; and this
lord, Sir Ector, let him be sent for, for to come and speak
with you, and desire him yourself, as he loveth you, that he
will put his own child to nourishing to another woman, and
that his wife nourish yours. And when the child is born let
it be delivered to me at yonder privy postern unchristened.
So like as Merlin devised it was done. And when Sir Ector
was come he made fiaunce to the king for to nourish the
child like as the king desired; and there the king granted
Sir Ector great rewards. Then when the lady was delivered,
the king commanded two knights and two ladies to take the
child, bound in a cloth of gold, and that ye deliver him to
what poor man ye meet at the postern gate of the castle. So
the child was delivered unto Merlin, and so he bare it forth
unto Sir Ector, and made an holy man to christen him, and
named him Arthur; and so Sir Ector's wife nourished him with
her own pap.
CHAPTER IV. Of the death of King Uther Pendragon.
THEN within two years King Uther fell sick of a great
malady. And in the meanwhile his enemies usurped upon him,
and did a great battle upon his men, and slew many of his
people. Sir, said Merlin, ye may not lie so as ye do, for ye
must to the field though ye ride on an horse-litter: for ye
shall never have the better of your enemies but if your
person be there, and then shall ye have the victory. So it
was done as Merlin had devised, and they carried the king
forth in an horse-litter with a great host towards his
enemies. And at St. Albans there met with the king a great
host of the North. And that day Sir Ulfius and Sir Brastias
did great deeds of arms, and King Uther's men overcame the
Northern battle and slew many people, and put the remnant to
flight. And then the king returned unto London, and made
great joy of his victory. And then he fell passing sore
sick, so that three days and three nights he was speechless:
wherefore all the barons made great sorrow, and asked Merlin
what counsel were best. There is none other remedy, said
Merlin, but God will have his will. But look ye all barons
be before King Uther to-morn, and God and I shall make him
to speak. So on the morn all the barons with Merlin came
to-fore the king; then Merlin said aloud unto King Uther,
Sir, shall your son Arthur be king after your days, of this
realm with all the appurtenance? Then Uther Pendragon turned
him, and said in hearing of them all, I give him God's
blessing and mine, and bid him pray for my soul, and
righteously and worshipfully that he claim the crown, upon
forfeiture of my blessing; and therewith he yielded up the
ghost, and then was he interred as longed to a king.
Wherefore the queen, fair Igraine, made great sorrow, and
all the barons.
CHAPTER V. How Arthur was chosen king, and of wonders
and marvels of a sword taken out of a stone by the said
Arthur.
THEN stood the realm in great jeopardy long while, for
every lord that was mighty of men made him strong, and many
weened to have been king. Then Merlin went to the Archbishop
of Canterbury, and counselled him for to send for all the
lords of the realm, and all the gentlemen of arms, that they
should to London come by Christmas, upon pain of cursing;
and for this cause, that Jesus, that was born on that night,
that he would of his great mercy show some miracle, as he
was come to be king of mankind, for to show some miracle who
should be rightwise king of this realm. So the Archbishop,
by the advice of Merlin, sent for all the lords and
gentlemen of arms that they should come by Christmas even
unto London. And many of them made them clean of their life,
that their prayer might be the more acceptable unto God. So
in the greatest church of London, whether it were Paul's or
not the French book maketh no mention, all the estates were
long or day in the church for to pray. And when matins and
the first mass was done, there was seen in the churchyard,
against the high altar, a great stone four square, like unto
a marble stone; and in midst thereof was like an anvil of
steel a foot on high, and therein stuck a fair sword naked
by the point, and letters there were written in gold about
the sword that said thus:—Whoso pulleth out this sword of
this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England.
Then the people marvelled, and told it to the Archbishop. I
command, said the Archbishop, that ye keep you within your
church and pray unto God still, that no man touch the sword
till the high mass be all done. So when all masses were done
all the lords went to behold the stone and the sword. And
when they saw the scripture some assayed, such as would have
been king. But none might stir the sword nor move it. He is
not here, said the Archbishop, that shall achieve the sword,
but doubt not God will make him known. But this is my
counsel, said the Archbishop, that we let purvey ten
knights, men of good fame, and they to keep this sword. So
it was ordained, and then there was made a cry, that every
man should assay that would, for to win the sword. And upon
New Year's Day the barons let make a jousts and a
tournament, that all knights that would joust or tourney
there might play, and all this was ordained for to keep the
lords together and the commons, for the Archbishop trusted
that God would make him known that should win the sword.
So upon New Year's Day, when the service was done, the
barons rode unto the field, some to joust and some to
tourney, and so it happened that Sir Ector, that had great
livelihood about London, rode unto the jousts, and with him
rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was his
nourished brother; and Sir Kay was made knight at All
Hallowmass afore. So as they rode to the jousts-ward, Sir
Kay lost his sword, for he had left it at his father's
lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur for to ride for his
sword. I will well, said Arthur, and rode fast after the
sword, and when he came home, the lady and all were out to
see the jousting. Then was Arthur wroth, and said to
himself, I will ride to the churchyard, and take the sword
with me that sticketh in the stone, for my brother Sir Kay
shall not be without a sword this day. So when he came to
the churchyard, Sir Arthur alighted and tied his horse to
the stile, and so he went to the tent, and found no knights
there, for they were at the jousting. And so he handled the
sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out
of the stone, and took his horse and rode his way until he
came to his brother Sir Kay, and delivered him the sword.
And as soon as Sir Kay saw the sword, he wist well it was
the sword of the stone, and so he rode to his father Sir
Ector, and said: Sir, lo here is the sword of the stone,
wherefore I must be king of this land. When Sir Ector beheld
the sword, he returned again and came to the church, and
there they alighted all three, and went into the church. And
anon he made Sir Kay swear upon a book how he came to that
sword. Sir, said Sir Kay, by my brother Arthur, for he
brought it to me. How gat ye this sword? said Sir Ector to
Arthur. Sir, I will tell you. When I came home for my
brother's sword, I found nobody at home to deliver me his
sword; and so I thought my brother Sir Kay should not be
swordless, and so I came hither eagerly and pulled it out of
the stone without any pain. Found ye any knights about this
sword? said Sir Ector. Nay, said Arthur. Now, said Sir Ector
to Arthur, I understand ye must be king of this land.
Wherefore I, said Arthur, and for what cause? Sir, said
Ector, for God will have it so; for there should never man
have drawn out this sword, but he that shall be rightwise
king of this land. Now let me see whether ye can put the
sword there as it was, and pull it out again. That is no
mastery, said Arthur, and so he put it in the stone;
wherewithal Sir Ector assayed to pull out the sword and
failed.
CHAPTER VI. How King Arthur pulled out the sword divers
times.
Now assay, said Sir Ector unto Sir Kay. And anon he
pulled at the sword with all his might; but it would not be.
Now shall ye assay, said Sir Ector to Arthur. I will well,
said Arthur, and pulled it out easily. And therewithal Sir
Ector knelt down to the earth, and Sir Kay. Alas, said
Arthur, my own dear father and brother, why kneel ye to me?
Nay, nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so; I was never your
father nor of your blood, but I wot well ye are of an higher
blood than I weened ye were. And then Sir Ector told him
all, how he was betaken him for to nourish him, and by whose
commandment, and by Merlin's deliverance.
Then Arthur made great dole when he understood that Sir
Ector was not his father. Sir, said Ector unto Arthur, will
ye be my good and gracious lord when ye are king? Else were
I to blame, said Arthur, for ye are the man in the world
that I am most beholden to, and my good lady and mother your
wife, that as well as her own hath fostered me and kept. And
if ever it be God's will that I be king as ye say, ye shall
desire of me what I may do, and I shall not fail you; God
forbid I should fail you Sir, said Sir Ector, I will ask no
more of you, but that ye will make my son, your foster
brother, Sir Kay, seneschal of all your lands. That shall be
done, said Arthur, and more, by the faith of my body, that
never man shall have that office but he, while he and I live
Therewithal they went unto the Archbishop, and told him how
the sword was achieved, and by whom; and on Twelfth-day all
the barons came thither, and to assay to take the sword, who
that would assay. But there afore them all, there might none
take it out but Arthur; wherefore there were many lords
wroth, and said it was great shame unto them all and the
realm, to be overgoverned with a boy of no high blood born.
And so they fell out at that time that it was put off till
Candlemas and then all the barons should meet there again;
but always the ten knights were ordained to watch the sword
day and night, and so they set a pavilion over the stone and
the sword, and five always watched. So at Candlemas many
more great lords came thither for to have won the sword, but
there might none prevail. And right as Arthur did at
Christmas, he did at Candlemas, and pulled out the sword
easily, whereof the barons were sore aggrieved and put it
off in delay till the high feast of Easter. And as Arthur
sped before, so did he at Easter; yet there were some of the
great lords had indignation that Arthur should be king, and
put it off in a delay till the feast of Pentecost.
Then the Archbishop of Canterbury by Merlin's providence
let purvey then of the best knights that they might get, and
such knights as Uther Pendragon loved best and most trusted
in his days. And such knights were put about Arthur as Sir
Baudwin of Britain, Sir Kay, Sir Ulfius, Sir Brastias. All
these, with many other, were always about Arthur, day and
night, till the feast of Pentecost.
CHAPTER VII. How King Arthur was crowned, and how he
made officers.
AND at the feast of Pentecost all manner of men assayed
to pull at the sword that would assay; but none might
prevail but Arthur, and pulled it out afore all the lords
and commons that were there, wherefore all the commons cried
at once, We will have Arthur unto our king, we will put him
no more in delay, for we all see that it is God's will that
he shall be our king, and who that holdeth against it, we
will slay him. And therewithal they kneeled at once, both
rich and poor, and cried Arthur mercy because they had
delayed him so long, and Arthur forgave them, and took the
sword between both his hands, and offered it upon the altar
where the Archbishop was, and so was he made knight of the
best man that was there. And so anon was the coronation
made. And there was he sworn unto his lords and the commons
for to be a true king, to stand with true justice from
thenceforth the days of this life. Also then he made all
lords that held of the crown to come in, and to do service
as they ought to do. And many complaints were made unto Sir
Arthur of great wrongs that were done since the death of
King Uther, of many lands that were bereaved lords, knights,
ladies, and gentlemen. Wherefore King Arthur made the lands
to be given again unto them that owned them.
When this was done, that the king had stablished all the
countries about London, then he let make Sir Kay seneschal
of England; and Sir Baudwin of Britain was made constable;
and Sir Ulfius was made chamberlain; and Sir Brastias was
made warden to wait upon the north from Trent forwards, for
it was that time the most party the king's enemies. But
within few years after Arthur won all the north, Scotland,
and all that were under their obeissance. Also Wales, a part
of it, held against Arthur, but he overcame them all, as he
did the remnant, through the noble prowess of himself and
his knights of the Round Table.
CHAPTER VIII. How King Arthur held in Wales, at a
Pentecost, a great feast, and what kings and lords came to
his feast.
THEN the king removed into Wales, and let cry a great
feast that it should be holden at Pentecost after the
incoronation of him at the city of Carlion. Unto the feast
came King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney, with five hundred
knights with him. Also there came to the feast King Uriens
of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also there came
to that feast King Nentres of Garlot, with seven hundred
knights with him. Also there came to the feast the king of
Scotland with six hundred knights with him, and he was but a
young man. Also there came to the feast a king that was
called the King with the Hundred Knights, but he and his men
were passing well beseen at all points. Also there came the
king of Carados with five hundred knights. And King Arthur
was glad of their coming, for he weened that all the kings
and knights had come for great love, and to have done him
worship at his feast; wherefore the king made great joy, and
sent the kings and knights great presents. But the kings
would none receive, but rebuked the messengers shamefully,
and said they had no joy to receive no gifts of a beardless
boy that was come of low blood, and sent him word they would
none of his gifts, but that they were come to give him gifts
with hard swords betwixt the neck and the shoulders: and
therefore they came thither, so they told to the messengers
plainly, for it was great shame to all them to see such a
boy to have a rule of so noble a realm as this land was.
With this answer the messengers departed and told to King
Arthur this answer. Wherefore, by the advice of his barons,
he took him to a strong tower with five hundred good men
with him. And all the kings aforesaid in a manner laid a
siege to-fore him, but King Arthur was well victualed. And
within fifteen days there came Merlin among them into the
city of Carlion. Then all the kings were passing glad of
Merlin, and asked him, For what cause is that boy Arthur
made your king? Sirs, said Merlin, I shall tell you the
cause, for he is King Uther Pendragon's son, born in
wedlock, gotten on Igraine, the duke's wife of Tintagil.
Then is he a bastard, they said all. Nay, said Merlin, after
the death of the duke, more than three hours, was Arthur
begotten, and thirteen days after King Uther wedded Igraine;
and therefore I prove him he is no bastard. And who saith
nay, he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; and, or
he die, he shall be long king of all England, and have under
his obeissance Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms
than I will now rehearse. Some of the kings had marvel of
Merlin's words, and deemed well that it should be as he
said; and some of them laughed him to scorn, as King Lot;
and more other called him a witch. But then were they
accorded with Merlin, that King Arthur should come out and
speak with the kings, and to come safe and to go safe, such
surance there was made. So Merlin went unto King Arthur, and
told him how he had done, and bade him fear not, but come
out boldly and speak with them, and spare them not, but
answer them as their king and chieftain; for ye shall
overcome them all, whether they will or nill.
CHAPTER IX. Of the first war that King Arthur had, and
how he won the field.
THEN King Arthur came out of his tower, and had under his
gown a jesseraunt of double mail, and there went with him
the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain,
and Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias: these were the men of most
worship that were with him. And when they were met there was
no meekness, but stout words on both sides; but always King
Arthur answered them, and said he would make them to bow an
he lived. Wherefore they departed with wrath, and King
Arthur bade keep them well, and they bade the king keep him
well. So the king returned him to the tower again and armed
him and all his knights. What will ye do? said Merlin to the
kings; ye were better for to stint, for ye shall not here
prevail though ye were ten times so many. Be we well advised
to be afeared of a dream-reader? said King Lot. With that
Merlin vanished away, and came to King Arthur, and bade him
set on them fiercely; and in the meanwhile there were three
hundred good men, of the best that were with the kings, that
went straight unto King Arthur, and that comforted him
greatly. Sir, said Merlin to Arthur, fight not with the
sword that ye had by miracle, till that ye see ye go unto
the worse, then draw it out and do your best. So forthwithal
King Arthur set upon them in their lodging. And Sir Baudwin,
Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew on the right hand and on the
left hand that it was marvel; and always King Arthur on
horseback laid on with a sword, and did marvellous deeds of
arms, that many of the kings had great joy of his deeds and
hardiness.
Then King Lot brake out on the back side, and the King
with the Hundred Knights, and King Carados, and set on
Arthur fiercely behind him. With that Sir Arthur turned with
his knights, and smote behind and before, and ever Sir
Arthur was in the foremost press till his horse was slain
underneath him. And therewith King Lot smote down King
Arthur. With that his four knights received him and set him
on horseback. Then he drew his sword Excalibur, but it was
so bright in his enemies' eyes, that it gave light like
thirty torches. And therewith he put them a-back, and slew
much people. And then the commons of Carlion arose with
clubs and staves and slew many knights; but all the kings
held them together with their knights that were left alive,
and so fled and departed. And Merlin came unto Arthur, and
counselled him to follow them no further.
CHAPTER X. How Merlin counselled King Arthur to send for
King Ban and King Bors, and of their counsel taken for the
war.
SO after the feast and journey, King Arthur drew him unto
London, and so by the counsel of Merlin, the king let call
his barons to council, for Merlin had told the king that the
six kings that made war upon him would in all haste be
awroke on him and on his lands. Wherefore the king asked
counsel at them all. They could no counsel give, but said
they were big enough. Ye say well, said Arthur; I thank you
for your good courage, but will ye all that loveth me speak
with Merlin? ye know well that he hath done much for me, and
he knoweth many things, and when he is afore you, I would
that ye prayed him heartily of his best advice. All the
barons said they would pray him and desire him. So Merlin
was sent for, and fair desired of all the barons to give
them best counsel. I shall say you, said Merlin, I warn you
all, your enemies are passing strong for you, and they are
good men of arms as be alive, and by this time they have
gotten to them four kings more, and a mighty duke; and
unless that our king have more chivalry with him than he may
make within the bounds of his own realm, an he fight with
them in battle, he shall be overcome and slain. What were
best to do in this cause? said all the barons. I shall tell
you, said Merlin, mine advice; there are two brethren beyond
the sea, and they be kings both, and marvellous good men of
their hands; and that one hight King Ban of Benwick, and
that other hight King Bors of Gaul, that is France. And on
these two kings warreth a mighty man of men, the King
Claudas, and striveth with them for a castle, and great war
is betwixt them. But this Claudas is so mighty of goods
whereof he getteth good knights, that he putteth these two
kings most part to the worse; wherefore this is my counsel,
that our king and sovereign lord send unto the kings Ban and
Bors by two trusty knights with letters well devised, that
an they will come and see King Arthur and his court, and so
help him in his wars, that he will be sworn unto them to
help them in their wars against King Claudas. Now, what say
ye unto this counsel? said Merlin. This is well counselled,
said the king and all the barons.
Right so in all haste there were ordained to go two
knights on the message unto the two kings. So were there
made letters in the pleasant wise according unto King
Arthur's desire. Ulfius and Brastias were made the
messengers, and so rode forth well horsed and well armed and
as the guise was that time, and so passed the sea and rode
toward the city of Benwick. And there besides were eight
knights that espied them, and at a strait passage they met
with Ulfius and Brastias, and would have taken them
prisoners; so they prayed them that they might pass, for
they were messengers unto King Ban and Bors sent from King
Arthur. Therefore, said the eight knights, ye shall die or
be prisoners, for we be knights of King Claudas. And
therewith two of them dressed their spears, and Ulfius and
Brastias dressed their spears, and ran together with great
raundom. And Claudas' knights brake their spears, and theirs
to-held and bare the two knights out of their saddles to the
earth, and so left them lying, and rode their ways. And the
other six knights rode afore to a passage to meet with them
again, and so Ulfius and Brastias smote other two down, and
so passed on their ways. And at the fourth passage there met
two for two, and both were laid unto the earth; so there was
none of the eight knights but he was sore hurt or bruised.
And when they come to Benwick it fortuned there were both
kings, Ban and Bors.
And when it was told the kings that there were come
messengers, there were sent unto them two knights of
worship, the one hight Lionses, lord of the country of
Payarne, and Sir Phariance a worshipful knight. Anon they
asked from whence they came, and they said from King Arthur,
king of England; so they took them in their arms and made
great joy each of other. But anon, as the two kings wist
they were messengers of Arthur's, there was made no
tarrying, but forthwith they spake with the knights, and
welcomed them in the faithfullest wise, and said they were
most welcome unto them before all the kings living; and
therewith they kissed the letters and delivered them. And
when Ban and Bors understood the letters, then they were
more welcome than they were before. And after the haste of
the letters they gave them this answer, that they would
fulfil the desire of King Arthur's writing, and Ulfius and
Brastias, tarry there as long as they would, they should
have such cheer as might be made them in those marches. Then
Ulfius and Brastias told the kings of the adventure at their
passages of the eight knights. Ha! ah! said Ban and Bors,
they were my good friends. I would I had wist of them; they
should not have escaped so. So Ulfius and Brastias had good
cheer and great gifts, as much as they might bear away; and
had their answer by mouth and by writing, that those two
kings would come unto Arthur in all the haste that they
might. So the two knights rode on afore, and passed the sea,
and came to their lord, and told him how they had sped,
whereof King Arthur was passing glad. At what time suppose
ye the two kings will be here? Sir, said they, afore All
Hallowmass. Then the king let purvey for a great feast, and
let cry a great jousts. And by All Hallowmass the two kings
were come over the sea with three hundred knights well
arrayed both for the peace and for the war. And King Arthur
met with them ten mile out of London, and there was great
joy as could be thought or made. And on All Hallowmass at
the great feast, sat in the hall the three kings, and Sir
Kay seneschal served in the hall, and Sir Lucas the butler,
that was Duke Corneus' son, and Sir Griflet, that was the
son of Cardol, these three knights had the rule of all the
service that served the kings. And anon, as they had washen
and risen, all knights that would joust made them ready; by
then they were ready on horseback there were seven hundred
knights. And Arthur, Ban, and Bors, with the Archbishop of
Canterbury, and Sir Ector, Kay's father, they were in a
place covered with cloth of gold like an hall, with ladies
and gentlewomen, for to behold who did best, and thereon to
give judgment.
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CHAPTER XI. Of a great tourney made by King Arthur and
the two kings Ban and Bors, and how they went over the sea.
AND King Arthur and the two kings let depart the seven
hundred knights in two parties. And there were three hundred
knights of the realm of Benwick and of Gaul turned on the
other side. Then they dressed their shields, and began to
couch their spears many good knights. So Griflet was the
first that met with a knight, one Ladinas, and they met so
eagerly that all men had wonder; and they so fought that
their shields fell to pieces, and horse and man fell to the
earth; and both the French knight and the English knight lay
so long that all men weened they had been dead. When Lucas
the butler saw Griflet so lie, he horsed him again anon, and
they two did marvellous deeds of arms with many bachelors.
Also Sir Kay came out of an ambushment with five knights
with him, and they six smote other six down. But Sir Kay did
that day marvellous deeds of arms, that there was none did
so well as he that day. Then there came Ladinas and Gracian,
two knights of France, and did passing well, that all men
praised them.
Then came there Sir Placidas, a good knight, and met with
Sir Kay, and smote him down horse and man, where fore Sir
Griflet was wroth, and met with Sir Placidas so hard, that
horse and man fell to the earth. But when the five knights
wist that Sir Kay had a fall, they were wroth out of wit,
and therewith each of them five bare down a knight. When
King Arthur and the two kings saw them begin to wax wroth on
both parties, they leapt on small hackneys, and let cry that
all men should depart unto their lodging. And so they went
home and unarmed them, and so to evensong and supper. And
after, the three kings went into a garden, and gave the
prize unto Sir Kay, and to Lucas the butler, and unto Sir
Griflet. And then they went unto council, and with them
Gwenbaus, the brother unto Sir Ban and Bors, a wise clerk,
and thither went Ulfius and Brastias, and Merlin. And after
they had been in council, they went unto bed. And on the
morn they heard mass, and to dinner, and so to their
council, and made many arguments what were best to do. At
the last they were concluded, that Merlin should go with a
token of King Ban, and that was a ring, unto his men and
King Bors'; and Gracian and Placidas should go again and
keep their castles and their countries, as for [dread of
King Claudas] King Ban of Benwick, and King Bors of Gaul had
ordained them, and so passed the sea and came to Benwick.
And when the people saw King Ban's ring, and Gracian and
Placidas, they were glad, and asked how the kings fared, and
made great joy of their welfare and cording, and according
unto the sovereign lords desire, the men of war made them
ready in all haste possible, so that they were fifteen
thousand on horse and foot, and they had great plenty of
victual with them, by Merlin's provision. But Gracian and
Placidas were left to furnish and garnish the castles, for
dread of King Claudas. Right so Merlin passed the sea, well
victualled both by water and by land. And when he came to
the sea he sent home the footmen again, and took no more
with him but ten thousand men on horseback, the most part
men of arms, and so shipped and passed the sea into England,
and landed at Dover; and through the wit of Merlin, he had
the host northward, the priviest way that could be thought,
unto the forest of Bedegraine, and there in a valley he
lodged them secretly.
Then rode Merlin unto Arthur and the two kings, and told
them how he had sped; whereof they had great marvel, that
man on earth might speed so soon, and go and come. So Merlin
told them ten thousand were in the forest of Bedegraine,
well armed at all points. Then was there no more to say, but
to horseback went all the host as Arthur had afore purveyed.
So with twenty thousand he passed by night and day, but
there was made such an ordinance afore by Merlin, that there
should no man of war ride nor go in no country on this side
Trent water, but if he had a token from King Arthur, where
through the king's enemies durst not ride as they did
to-fore to espy.
CHAPTER XII. How eleven kings gathered a great host
against King Arthur.
AND SO within a little space the three kings came unto
the castle of Bedegraine, and found there a passing fair
fellowship, and well beseen, whereof they had great joy, and
victual they wanted none. This was the cause of the northern
host: that they were reared for the despite and rebuke the
six kings had at Carlion. And those six kings by their
means, gat unto them five other kings; and thus they began
to gather their people.
And now they sware that for weal nor woe, they should not
leave other, till they had destroyed Arthur. And then they
made an oath. The first that began the oath was the Duke of
Cambenet, that he would bring with him five thousand men of
arms, the which were ready on horseback. Then sware King
Brandegoris of Stranggore that he would bring five thousand
men of arms on horseback. Then sware King Clariance of
Northumberland he would bring three thousand men of arms.
Then sware the King of the Hundred Knights, that was a
passing good man and a young, that he would bring four
thousand men of arms on horseback. Then there swore King
Lot, a passing good knight, and Sir Gawain's father, that he
would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also
there swore King Urience, that was Sir Uwain's father, of
the land of Gore, and he would bring six thousand men of
arms on horseback. Also there swore King Idres of Cornwall,
that he would bring five thousand men of arms on horseback.
Also there swore King Cradelmas to bring five thousand men
on horseback. Also there swore King Agwisance of Ireland to
bring five thousand men of arms on horseback. Also there
swore King Nentres to bring five thousand men of arms on
horseback. Also there swore King Carados to bring five
thousand men of arms on horseback. So their whole host was
of clean men of arms on horseback fifty thousand, and a-foot
ten thousand of good men's bodies. Then were they soon
ready, and mounted upon horse and sent forth their
fore-riders, for these eleven kings in their ways laid a
siege unto the castle of Bedegraine; and so they departed
and drew toward Arthur, and left few to abide at the siege,
for the castle of Bedegraine was holden of King Arthur, and
the men that were therein were Arthur's.
CHAPTER XIII. Of a dream of the King with the Hundred
Knights.
So by Merlin's advice there were sent fore-riders to skim
the country, and they met with the fore-riders of the north,
and made them to tell which way the host came, and then they
told it to Arthur, and by King Ban and Bors' council they
let burn and destroy all the country afore them, there they
should ride.
The King with the Hundred Knights met a wonder dream two
nights afore the battle, that there blew a great wind, and
blew down their castles and their towns, and after that came
a water and bare it all away. All that heard of the sweven
said it was a token of great battle. Then by counsel of
Merlin, when they wist which way the eleven kings would ride
and lodge that night, at midnight they set upon them, as
they were in their pavilions. But the scout-watch by their
host cried, Lords! at arms! for here be your enemies at your
hand!
CHAPTER XIV. How the eleven kings with their host fought
against Arthur and his host, and many great feats of the
war.
THEN King Arthur and King Ban and King Bors, with their
good and trusty knights, set on them so fiercely that they
made them overthrow their pavilions on their heads, but the
eleven kings, by manly prowess of arms, took a fair
champaign, but there was slain that morrowtide ten thousand
good men's bodies. And so they had afore them a strong
passage, yet were they fifty thousand of hardy men. Then it
drew toward day. Now shall ye do by mine advice, said Merlin
unto the three kings: I would that King Ban and King Bors,
with their fellowship of ten thousand men, were put in a
wood here beside, in an ambushment, and keep them privy, and
that they be laid or the light of the day come, and that
they stir not till ye and your knights have fought with them
long. And when it is daylight, dress your battle even afore
them and the passage, that they may see all your host, for
then will they be the more hardy, when they see you but
about twenty thousand men, and cause them to be the gladder
to suffer you and your host to come over the passage. All
the three kings and the whole barons said that Merlin said
passingly well, and it was done anon as Merlin had devised.
So on the morn, when either host saw other, the host of the
north was well comforted. Then to Ulfius and Brastias were
delivered three thousand men of arms, and they set on them
fiercely in the passage, and slew on the right hand and on
the left hand that it was wonder to tell.
When that the eleven kings saw that there was so few a
fellowship did such deeds of arms, they were ashamed and set
on them again fiercely; and there was Sir Ulfius's horse
slain under him, but he did marvellously well on foot. But
the Duke Eustace of Cambenet and King Clariance of
Northumberland, were alway grievous on Ulfius. Then Brastias
saw his fellow fared so withal he smote the duke with a
spear, that horse and man fell down. That saw King Clariance
and returned unto Brastias, and either smote other so that
horse and man went to the earth, and so they lay long
astonied, and their horses' knees brast to the hard bone.
Then came Sir Kay the seneschal with six fellows with him,
and did passing well. With that came the eleven kings, and
there was Griflet put to the earth, horse and man, and Lucas
the butler, horse and man, by King Brandegoris, and King
Idres, and King Agwisance. Then waxed the medley passing
hard on both parties. When Sir Kay saw Griflet on foot, he
rode on King Nentres and smote him down, and led his horse
unto Sir Griflet, and horsed him again. Also Sir Kay with
the same spear smote down King Lot, and hurt him passing
sore. That saw the King with the Hundred Knights, and ran
unto Sir Kay and smote him down, and took his horse, and
gave him King Lot, whereof he said gramercy. When Sir
Griflet saw Sir Kay and Lucas the butler on foot, he took a
sharp spear, great and square, and rode to Pinel, a good man
of arms, and smote horse and man down, and then he took his
horse, and gave him unto Sir Kay. Then King Lot saw King
Nentres on foot, he ran unto Melot de la Roche, and smote
him down, horse and man, and gave King Nentres the horse,
and horsed him again. Also the King of the Hundred Knights
saw King Idres on foot; then he ran unto Gwiniart de Bloi,
and smote him down, horse and man, and gave King Idres the
horse, and horsed him again; and King Lot smote down
Clariance de la Forest Savage, and gave the horse unto Duke
Eustace. And so when they had horsed the kings again they
drew them, all eleven kings, together, and said they would
be revenged of the damage that they had taken that day. The
meanwhile came in Sir Ector with an eager countenance, and
found Ulfius and Brastias on foot, in great peril of death,
that were foul defoiled under horse-feet.
Then Arthur as a lion, ran unto King Cradelment of North
Wales, and smote him through the left side, that the horse
and the king fell down; and then he took the horse by the
rein, and led him unto Ulfius, and said, Have this horse,
mine old friend, for great need hast thou of horse.
Gramercy, said Ulfius. Then Sir Arthur did so marvellously
in arms, that all men had wonder. When the King with the
Hundred Knights saw King Cradelment on foot, he ran unto Sir
Ector, that was well horsed, Sir Kay's father, and smote
horse and man down, and gave the horse unto the king, and
horsed him again. And when King Arthur saw the king ride on
Sir Ector's horse, he was wroth and with his sword he smote
the king on the helm, that a quarter of the helm and shield
fell down, and so the sword carved down unto the horse's
neck, and so the king and the horse fell down to the ground.
Then Sir Kay came unto Sir Morganore, seneschal with the
King of the Hundred Knights, and smote him down, horse and
man, and led the horse unto his father, Sir Ector; then Sir
Ector ran unto a knight, hight Lardans, and smote horse and
man down, and led the horse unto Sir Brastias, that great
need had of an horse, and was greatly defoiled. When
Brastias beheld Lucas the butler, that lay like a dead man
under the horses' feet, and ever Sir Griflet did
marvellously for to rescue him, and there were always
fourteen knights on Sir Lucas; then Brastias smote one of
them on the helm, that it went to the teeth, and he rode to
another and smote him, that the arm flew into the field.
Then he went to the third and smote him on the shoulder,
that shoulder and arm flew in the field. And when Griflet
saw rescues, he smote a knight on the temples, that head and
helm went to the earth, and Griflet took the horse of that
knight, and led him unto Sir Lucas, and bade him mount upon
the horse and revenge his hurts. For Brastias had slain a
knight to-fore and horsed Griflet.
CHAPTER XV. Yet of the same battle.
THEN Lucas saw King Agwisance, that late had slain Moris
de la Roche, and Lucas ran to him with a short spear that
was great, that he gave him such a fall, that the horse fell
down to the earth. Also Lucas found there on foot, Bloias de
La Flandres, and Sir Gwinas, two hardy knights, and in that
woodness that Lucas was in, he slew two bachelors and horsed
them again. Then waxed the battle passing hard on both
parties, but Arthur was glad that his knights were horsed
again, and then they fought together, that the noise and
sound rang by the water and the wood. Wherefore King Ban and
King Bors made them ready, and dressed their shields and
harness, and they were so courageous that many knights shook
and bevered for eagerness. All this while Lucas, and Gwinas,
and Briant, and Bellias of Flanders, held strong medley
against six kings, that was King Lot, King Nentres, King
Brandegoris, King Idres, King Uriens, and King Agwisance. So
with the help of Sir Kay and of Sir Griflet they held these
six kings hard, that unnethe they had any power to defend
them. But when Sir Arthur saw the battle would not be ended
by no manner, he fared wood as a lion, and steered his horse
here and there, on the right hand, and on the left hand,
that he stinted not till he had slain twenty knights. Also
he wounded King Lot sore on the shoulder, and made him to
leave that ground, for Sir Kay and Griflet did with King
Arthur there great deeds of arms. Then Ulfius, and Brastias,
and Sir Ector encountered against the Duke Eustace, and King
Cradelment, and King Clariance of Northumberland, and King
Carados, and against the King with the Hundred Knights. So
these knights encountered with these kings, that they made
them to avoid the ground. Then King Lot made great dole for
his damages and his fellows, and said unto the ten kings,
But if ye will do as I devise we shall be slain and
destroyed; let me have the King with the Hundred Knights,
and King Agwisance, and King Idres, and the Duke of
Cambenet, and we five kings will have fifteen thousand men
of arms with us, and we will go apart while ye six kings
hold medley with twelve thousand; an we see that ye have
foughten with them long, then will we come on fiercely, and
else shall we never match them, said King Lot, but by this
mean. So they departed as they here devised, and six kings
made their party strong against Arthur, and made great war
long.
In the meanwhile brake the ambushment of King Ban and
King Bors, and Lionses and Phariance had the vanguard, and
they two knights met with King Idres and his fellowship, and
there began a great medley of breaking of spears, and
smiting of swords, with slaying of men and horses, and King
Idres was near at discomforture.
That saw Agwisance the king, and put Lionses and
Phariance in point of death; for the Duke of Cambenet came
on withal with a great fellowship. So these two knights were
in great danger of their lives that they were fain to
return, but always they rescued themselves and their
fellowship marvellously When King Bors saw those knights put
aback, it grieved him sore; then he came on so fast that his
fellowship seemed as black as Inde. When King Lot had espied
King Bors, he knew him well, then he said, O Jesu, defend us
from death and horrible maims! for I see well we be in great
peril of death; for I see yonder a king, one of the most
worshipfullest men and one of the best knights of the world,
is inclined unto his fellowship. What is he? said the King
with the Hundred Knights. It is, said King Lot, King Bors of
Gaul; I marvel how they came into this country without
witting of us all. It was by Merlin's advice, said the
knight. As for him, said King Carados, I will encounter with
King Bors, an ye will rescue me when myster is. Go on, said
they all, we will do all that we may. Then King Carados and
his host rode on a soft pace, till that they came as nigh
King Bors as bow-draught; then either battle let their horse
run as fast as they might. And Bleoberis, that was godson
unto King Bors, he bare his chief standard, that was a
passing good knight. Now shall we see, said King Bors, how
these northern Britons can bear the arms: and King Bors
encountered with a knight, and smote him throughout with a
spear that he fell dead unto the earth; and after drew his
sword and did marvellous deeds of arms, that all parties had
great wonder thereof; and his knights failed not, but did
their part, and King Carados was smitten to the earth. With
that came the King with the Hundred Knights and rescued King
Carados mightily by force of arms, for he was a passing good
knight of a king, and but a young man.
CHAPTER XVI. Yet more of the same battle.
BY then came into the field King Ban as fierce as a lion,
with bands of green and thereupon gold. Ha! a! said King
Lot, we must be discomfited, for yonder I see the most
valiant knight of the world, and the man of the most renown,
for such two brethren as is King Ban and King Bors are not
living, wherefore we must needs void or die; and but if we
avoid manly and wisely there is but death. When King Ban
came into the battle, he came in so fiercely that the
strokes redounded again from the wood and the water;
wherefore King Lot wept for pity and dole that he saw so
many good knights take their end. But through the great
force of King Ban they made both the northern battles that
were departed hurtled together for great dread; and the
three kings and their knights slew on ever, that it was pity
on to behold that multitude of the people that fled. But
King Lot, and King of the Hundred Knights, and King
Morganore gathered the people together passing knightly, and
did great prowess of arms, and held the battle all that day,
like hard.
When the King of the Hundred Knights beheld the great
damage that King Ban did, he thrust unto him with his horse,
and smote him on high upon the helm, a great stroke, and
astonied him sore. Then King Ban was wroth with him, and
followed on him fiercely; the other saw that, and cast up
his shield, and spurred his horse forward, but the stroke of
King Ban fell down and carved a cantel off the shield, and
the sword slid down by the hauberk behind his back, and cut
through the trapping of steel and the horse even in two
pieces, that the sword felt the earth. Then the King of the
Hundred Knights voided the horse lightly, and with his sword
he broached the horse of King Ban through and through. With
that King Ban voided lightly from the dead horse, and then
King Ban smote at the other so eagerly, and smote him on the
helm that he fell to the earth. Also in that ire he felled
King Morganore, and there was great slaughter of good
knights and much people. By then came into the press King
Arthur, and found King Ban standing among dead men and dead
horses, fighting on foot as a wood lion, that there came
none nigh him, as far as he might reach with his sword, but
he caught a grievous buffet; whereof King Arthur had great
pity. And Arthur was so bloody, that by his shield there
might no man know him, for all was blood and brains on his
sword. And as Arthur looked by him he saw a knight that was
passingly well horsed, and therewith Sir Arthur ran to him,
and smote him on the helm, that his sword went unto his
teeth, and the knight sank down to the earth dead, and anon
Arthur took the horse by the rein, and led him unto King
Ban, and said, Fair brother, have this horse, for he have
great myster thereof, and me repenteth sore of your great
damage. It shall be soon revenged, said King Ban, for I
trust in God mine ure is not such but some of them may sore
repent this. I will well, said Arthur, for I see your deeds
full actual; nevertheless, I might not come at you at that
time.
But when King Ban was mounted on horseback, then there
began new battle, the which was sore and hard, and passing
great slaughter. And so through great force King Arthur,
King Ban, and King Bors made their knights a little to
withdraw them. But alway the eleven kings with their
chivalry never turned back; and so withdrew them to a little
wood, and so over a little river, and there they rested
them, for on the night they might have no rest on the field.
And then the eleven kings and knights put them on a heap all
together, as men adread and out of all comfort. But there
was no man might pass them, they held them so hard together
both behind and before, that King Arthur had marvel of their
deeds of arms, and was passing wroth. Ah, Sir Arthur, said
King Ban and King Bors, blame them not, for they do as good
men ought to do. For by my faith, said King Ban, they are
the best fighting men, and knights of most prowess, that
ever I saw or heard speak of, and those eleven kings are men
of great worship; and if they were longing unto you there
were no king under the heaven had such eleven knights, and
of such worship. I may not love them, said Arthur, they
would destroy me. That wot we well, said King Ban and King
Bors, for they are your mortal enemies, and that hath been
proved aforehand; and this day they have done their part,
and that is great pity of their wilfulness.
Then all the eleven kings drew them together, and then
said King Lot, Lords, ye must other ways than ye do, or else
the great loss is behind; ye may see what people we have
lost, and what good men we lose, because we wait always on
these foot-men, and ever in saving of one of the foot-men we
lose ten horsemen for him; therefore this is mine advice,
let us put our foot-men from us, for it is near night, for
the noble Arthur will not tarry on the footmen, for they may
save themselves, the wood is near hand. And when we horsemen
be together, look every each of you kings let make such
ordinance that none break upon pain of death. And who that
seeth any man dress him to flee, lightly that he be slain,
for it is better that we slay a coward, than through a
coward all we to be slain. How say ye? said King Lot, answer
me all ye kings. It is well said, quoth King Nentres; so
said the King of the Hundred Knights; the same said the King
Carados, and King Uriens; so did King Idres and King
Brandegoris; and so did King Cradelment, and the Duke of
Cambenet; the same said King Clariance and King Agwisance,
and sware they would never fail other, neither for life nor
for death. And whoso that fled, but did as they did, should
be slain. Then they amended their harness, and righted their
shields, and took new spears and set them on their thighs,
and stood still as it had been a plump of wood.
CHAPTER XVII. Yet more of the same battle, and how it
was ended by Merlin.
WHEN Sir Arthur and King Ban and Bors beheld them and all
their knights, they praised them much for their noble cheer
of chivalry, for the hardiest fighters that ever they heard
or saw. With that, there dressed them a forty noble knights,
and said unto the three kings, they would break their
battle; these were their names: Lionses, Phariance, Ulfius,
Brastias, Ector, Kay, Lucas the butler, Griflet le Fise de
Dieu, Mariet de la Roche, Guinas de Bloi, Briant de la
Forest Savage, Bellaus, Morians of the Castle [of] Maidens,
Flannedrius of the Castle of Ladies, Annecians that was King
Bors' godson, a noble knight, Ladinas de la Rouse, Emerause,
Caulas, Graciens le Castlein, one Blois de la Case, and Sir
Colgrevaunce de Gorre; all these knights rode on afore with
spears on their thighs, and spurred their horses mightily as
the horses might run. And the eleven kings with part of
their knights rushed with their horses as fast as they might
with their spears, and there they did on both parties
marvellous deeds of arms. So came into the thick of the
press, Arthur, Ban, and Bors, and slew down right on both
hands, that their horses went in blood up to the fetlocks.
But ever the eleven kings and their host was ever in the
visage of Arthur. Wherefore Ban and Bors had great marvel,
considering the great slaughter that there was, but at the
last they were driven aback over a little river. With that
came Merlin on a great black horse, and said unto Arthur,
Thou hast never done! Hast thou not done enough? of three
score thousand this day hast thou left alive but fifteen
thousand, and it is time to say Ho! For God is wroth with
thee, that thou wilt never have done; for yonder eleven
kings at this time will not be overthrown, but an thou tarry
on them any longer, thy fortune will turn and they shall
increase. And therefore withdraw you unto your lodging, and
rest you as soon as ye may, and reward your good knights
with gold and with silver, for they have well deserved it;
there may no riches be too dear for them, for of so few men
as ye have, there were never men did more of prowess than
they have done today, for ye have matched this day with the
best fighters of the world. That is truth, said King Ban and
Bors. Also said Merlin, withdraw you where ye list, for this
three year I dare undertake they shall not dere you; and by
then ye shall hear new tidings. And then Merlin said unto
Arthur, These eleven kings have more on hand than they are
ware of, for the Saracens are landed in their countries,
more than forty thousand, that burn and slay, and have laid
siege at the castle Wandesborow, and make great destruction;
therefore dread you not this three year. Also, sir, all the
goods that be gotten at this battle, let it be searched, and
when ye have it in your hands, let it be given freely unto
these two kings, Ban and Bors, that they may reward their
knights withal; and that shall cause strangers to be of
better will to do you service at need. Also you be able to
reward your own knights of your own goods whensomever it
liketh you. It is well said, quoth Arthur, and as thou hast
devised, so shall it be done. When it was delivered to Ban
and Bors, they gave the goods as freely to their knights as
freely as it was given to them. Then Merlin took his leave
of Arthur and of the two kings, for to go and see his master
Bleise, that dwelt in Northumberland; and so he departed and
came to his master, that was passing glad of his coming; and
there he told how Arthur and the two kings had sped at the
great battle, and how it was ended, and told the names of
every king and knight of worship that was there. And so
Bleise wrote the battle word by word, as Merlin told him,
how it began, and by whom, and in likewise how it was ended,
and who had the worse. All the battles that were done in
Arthur's days Merlin did his master Bleise do write; also he
did do write all the battles that every worthy knight did of
Arthur's court.
After this Merlin departed from his master and came to
King Arthur, that was in the castle of Bedegraine, that was
one of the castles that stand in the forest of Sherwood. And
Merlin was so disguised that King Arthur knew him not, for
he was all befurred in black sheep-skins, and a great pair
of boots, and a bow and arrows, in a russet gown, and
brought wild geese in his hand, and it was on the morn after
Candlemas day; but King Arthur knew him not. Sir, said
Merlin unto the king, will ye give me a gift? Wherefore,
said King Arthur, should I give thee a gift, churl? Sir,
said Merlin, ye were better to give me a gift that is not in
your hand than to lose great riches, for here in the same
place where the great battle was, is great treasure hid in
the earth. Who told thee so, churl? said Arthur. Merlin told
me so, said he. Then Ulfius and Brastias knew him well
enough, and smiled. Sir, said these two knights, it is
Merlin that so speaketh unto you. Then King Arthur was
greatly abashed, and had marvel of Merlin, and so had King
Ban and King Bors, and so they had great disport at him. So
in the meanwhile there came a damosel that was an earl's
daughter: his name was Sanam, and her name was Lionors, a
passing fair damosel; and so she came thither for to do
homage, as other lords did after the great battle. And King
Arthur set his love greatly upon her, and so did she upon
him, and the king had ado with her, and gat on her a child:
his name was Borre, that was after a good knight, and of the
Table Round. Then there came word that the King Rience of
North Wales made great war on King Leodegrance of Cameliard,
for the which thing Arthur was wroth, for he loved him well,
and hated King Rience, for he was alway against him. So by
ordinance of the three kings that were sent home unto
Benwick, all they would depart for dread of King Claudas;
and Phariance, and Antemes, and Gratian, and Lionses [of]
Payarne, with the leaders of those that should keep the
kings' lands.
CHAPTER XVIII. How King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors
rescued King Leodegrance, and other incidents.
AND then King Arthur, and King Ban, and King Bors
departed with their fellowship, a twenty thousand, and came
within six days into the country of Cameliard, and there
rescued King Leodegrance, and slew there much people of King
Rience, unto the number of ten thousand men, and put him to
flight. And then had these three kings great cheer of King
Leodegrance, that thanked them of their great goodness, that
they would revenge him of his enemies; and there had Arthur
the first sight of Guenever, the king's daughter of
Cameliard, and ever after he loved her. After they were
wedded, as it telleth in the book. So, briefly to make an
end, they took their leave to go into their own countries,
for King Claudas did great destruction on their lands. Then
said Arthur, I will go with you. Nay, said the kings, ye
shall not at this time, for ye have much to do yet in these
lands, therefore we will depart, and with the great goods
that we have gotten in these lands by your gifts, we shall
wage good knights and withstand the King Claudas' malice,
for by the grace of God, an we have need we will send to you
for your succour; and if ye have need, send for us, and we
will not tarry, by the faith of our bodies. It shall not,
said Merlin, need that these two kings come again in the way
of war, but I know well King Arthur may not be long from
you, for within a year or two ye shall have great need, and
then shall he revenge you on your enemies, as ye have done
on his. For these eleven kings shall die all in a day, by
the great might and prowess of arms of two valiant knights
(as it telleth after); their names be Balin le Savage, and
Balan, his brother, that be marvellous good knights as be
any living.
Now turn we to the eleven kings that returned unto a city
that hight Sorhaute, the which city was within King Uriens',
and there they refreshed them as well as they might, and
made leeches search their wounds, and sorrowed greatly for
the death of their people. With that there came a messenger
and told how there was come into their lands people that
were lawless as well as Saracens, a forty thousand, and have
burnt and slain all the people that they may come by,
without mercy, and have laid siege on the castle of
Wandesborow. Alas, said the eleven kings, here is sorrow
upon sorrow, and if we had not warred against Arthur as we
have done, he would soon revenge us. As for King
Leodegrance, he loveth Arthur better than us, and as for
King Rience, he hath enough to do with Leodegrance, for he
hath laid siege unto him. So they consented together to keep
all the marches of Cornwall, of Wales, and of the North. So
first, they put King Idres in the City of Nauntes in
Britain, with four thousand men of arms, to watch both the
water and the land. Also they put in the city of Windesan,
King Nentres of Garlot, with four thousand knights to watch
both on water and on land. Also they had of other men of war
more than eight thousand, for to fortify all the fortresses
in the marches of Cornwall. Also they put more knights in
all the marches of Wales and Scotland, with many good men of
arms, and so they kept them together the space of three
year, and ever allied them with mighty kings and dukes and
lords. And to them fell King Rience of North Wales, the
which and Nero that was a mighty man of men. And all this
while they furnished them and garnished them of good men of
arms, and victual, and of all manner of habiliment that
pretendeth to the war, to avenge them for the battle of
Bedegraine, as it telleth in the book of adventures
following.
CHAPTER XIX. How King Arthur rode to Carlion, and of his
dream, and how he saw the questing beast.
THEN after the departing of King Ban and of King Bors,
King Arthur rode into Carlion. And thither came to him, King
Lot's wife, of Orkney, in manner of a message, but she was
sent thither to espy the court of King Arthur; and she came
richly beseen, with her four sons, Gawaine, Gaheris,
Agravine, and Gareth, with many other knights and ladies.
For she was a passing fair lady, therefore the king cast
great love unto her, and desired to lie by her; so they were
agreed, and he begat upon her Mordred, and she was his
sister, on his mother's side, Igraine. So there she rested
her a month, and at the last departed. Then the king dreamed
a marvellous dream whereof he was sore adread. But all this
time King Arthur knew not that King Lot's wife was his
sister. Thus was the dream of Arthur: Him thought there was
come into this land griffins and serpents, and him thought
they burnt and slew all the people in the land, and then him
thought he fought with them, and they did him passing great
harm, and wounded him full sore, but at the last he slew
them. When the king awaked, he was passing heavy of his
dream, and so to put it out of thoughts, he made him ready
with many knights to ride a-hunting. As soon as he was in
the forest the king saw a great hart afore him. This hart
will I chase, said King Arthur, and so he spurred the horse,
and rode after long, and so by fine force oft he was like to
have smitten the hart; whereas the king had chased the hart
so long, that his horse lost his breath, and fell down dead.
Then a yeoman fetched the king another horse.
So the king saw the hart enbushed, and his horse dead, he
set him down by a fountain, and there he fell in great
thoughts. And as he sat so, him thought he heard a noise of
hounds, to the sum of thirty. And with that the king saw
coming toward him the strangest beast that ever he saw or
heard of; so the beast went to the well and drank, and the
noise was in the beast's belly like unto the questing of
thirty couple hounds; but all the while the beast drank
there was no noise in the beast's belly: and there with the
beast departed with a great noise, whereof the king had
great marvel. And so he was in a great thought, and
therewith he fell asleep. Right so there came a knight afoot
unto Arthur and said, Knight full of thought and sleepy,
tell me if thou sawest a strange beast pass this way. Such
one saw I, said King Arthur, that is past two mile; what
would ye with the beast? said Arthur. Sir, I have followed
that beast long time, and killed mine horse, so would God I
had another to follow my quest. Right so came one with the
king's horse, and when the knight saw the horse, he prayed
the king to give him the horse: for I have followed this
quest this twelvemonth, and either I shall achieve him, or
bleed of the best blood of my body. Pellinore, that time
king, followed the Questing Beast, and after his death Sir
Palamides followed it.
CHAPTER XX. How King Pellinore took Arthur's horse and
followed the Questing Beast, and how Merlin met with Arthur.
SIR knight, said the king, leave that quest, and suffer
me to have it, and I will follow it another twelvemonth. Ah,
fool, said the knight unto Arthur, it is in vain thy desire,
for it shall never be achieved but by me, or my next kin.
Therewith he started unto the king's horse and mounted into
the saddle, and said, Gramercy, this horse is my own. Well,
said the king, thou mayst take my horse by force, but an I
might prove thee whether thou were better on horseback or
I.—Well, said the knight, seek me here when thou wilt, and
here nigh this well thou shalt find me, and so passed on his
way. Then the king sat in a study, and bade his men fetch
his horse as fast as ever they might. Right so came by him
Merlin like a child of fourteen year of age, and saluted the
king, and asked him why he was so pensive. I may well be
pensive, said the king, for I have seen the marvellest sight
that ever I saw. That know I well, said Merlin, as well as
thyself, and of all thy thoughts, but thou art but a fool to
take thought, for it will not amend thee. Also I know what
thou art, and who was thy father, and of whom thou wert
begotten; King Uther Pendragon was thy father, and begat
thee on Igraine. That is false, said King Arthur, how
shouldest thou know it, for thou art not so old of years to
know my father? Yes, said Merlin, I know it better than ye
or any man living. I will not believe thee, said Arthur, and
was wroth with the child. So departed Merlin, and came again
in the likeness of an old man of fourscore year of age,
whereof the king was right glad, for he seemed to be right
wise.
Then said the old man, Why are ye so sad? I may well be
heavy, said Arthur, for many things. Also here was a child,
and told me many things that meseemeth he should not know,
for he was not of age to know my father. Yes, said the old
man, the child told you truth, and more would he have told
you an ye would have suffered him. But ye have done a thing
late that God is displeased with you, for ye have lain by
your sister, and on her ye have gotten a child that shall
destroy you and all the knights of your realm. What are ye,
said Arthur, that tell me these tidings? I am Merlin, and I
was he in the child's likeness. Ah, said King Arthur, ye are
a marvellous man, but I marvel much of thy words that I must
die in battle. Marvel not, said Merlin, for it is God's will
your body to be punished for your foul deeds; but I may well
be sorry, said Merlin, for I shall die a shameful death, to
be put in the earth quick, and ye shall die a worshipful
death. And as they talked this, came one with the king's
horse, and so the king mounted on his horse, and Merlin on
another, and so rode unto Carlion. And anon the king asked
Ector and Ulfius how he was begotten, and they told him
Uther Pendragon was his father and Queen Igraine his mother.
Then he said to Merlin, I will that my mother be sent for
that I may speak with her; and if she say so herself then
will I believe it. In all haste, the queen was sent for, and
she came and brought with her Morgan le Fay, her daughter,
that was as fair a lady as any might be, and the king
welcomed Igraine in the best manner.
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CHAPTER XXI. How Ulfius impeached Queen Igraine,
Arthur's mother, of treason; and how a knight came and
desired to have the death of his master
revenged.
RIGHT SO came Ulfius, and said openly, that the king and
all might hear that were feasted that day, Ye are the
falsest lady of the world, and the most traitress unto the
king's person. Beware, said Arthur, what thou sayest; thou
speakest a great word. I am well ware, said Ulfius, what I
speak, and here is my glove to prove it upon any man that
will say the contrary, that this Queen Igraine is causer of
your great damage, and of your great war. For, an she would
have uttered it in the life of King Uther Pendragon, of the
birth of you, and how ye were begotten ye had never had the
mortal wars that ye have had; for the most part of your
barons of your realm knew never whose son ye were, nor of
whom ye were begotten; and she that bare you of her body
should have made it known openly in excusing of her worship
and yours, and in like wise to all the realm, wherefore I
prove her false to God and to you and to all your realm, and
who will say the contrary I will prove it on his body.
Then spake Igraine and said, I am a woman and I may not
fight, but rather than I should be dishonoured, there would
some good man take my quarrel. More, she said, Merlin
knoweth well, and ye Sir Ulfius, how King Uther came to me
in the Castle of Tintagil in the likeness of my lord, that
was dead three hours to-fore, and thereby gat a child that
night upon me. And after the thirteenth day King Uther
wedded me, and by his commandment when the child was born it
was delivered unto Merlin and nourished by him, and so I saw
the child never after, nor wot not what is his name, for I
knew him never yet. And there, Ulfius said to the queen,
Merlin is more to blame than ye. Well I wot, said the queen,
I bare a child by my lord King Uther, but I wot not where he
is become. Then Merlin took the king by the hand, saying,
This is your mother. And therewith Sir Ector bare witness
how he nourished him by Uther's commandment. And therewith
King Arthur took his mother, Queen Igraine, in his arms and
kissed her, and either wept upon other. And then the king
let make a feast that lasted eight days.
Then on a day there came in the court a squire on
horseback, leading a knight before him wounded to the death,
and told him how there was a knight in the forest had reared
up a pavilion by a well, and hath slain my master, a good
knight, his name was Miles; wherefore I beseech you that my
master may be buried, and that some knight may revenge my
master's death. Then the noise was great of that knight's
death in the court, and every man said his advice. Then came
Griflet that was but a squire, and he was but young, of the
age of the king Arthur, so he besought the king for all his
service that he had done him to give the order of
knighthood.
CHAPTER XXII. How Griflet was made knight, and jousted
with a knight
THOU art full young and tender of age, said Arthur, for
to take so high an order on thee. Sir, said Griflet, I
beseech you make me knight. Sir, said Merlin, it were great
pity to lose Griflet, for he will be a passing good man when
he is of age, abiding with you the term of his life. And if
he adventure his body with yonder knight at the fountain, it
is in great peril if ever he come again, for he is one of
the best knights of the world, and the strongest man of
arms. Well, said Arthur. So at the desire of Griflet the
king made him knight. Now, said Arthur unto Sir Griflet,
sith I have made you knight thou must give me a gift. What
ye will, said Griflet. Thou shalt promise me by the faith of
thy body, when thou hast jousted with the knight at the
fountain, whether it fall ye be on foot or on horseback,
that right so ye shall come again unto me without making any
more debate. I will promise you, said Griflet, as you
desire. Then took Griflet his horse in great haste, and
dressed his shield and took a spear in his hand, and so he
rode a great wallop till he came to the fountain, and
thereby he saw a rich pavilion, and thereby under a cloth
stood a fair horse well saddled and bridled, and on a tree a
shield of divers colours and a great spear. Then Griflet
smote on the shield with the butt of his spear, that the
shield fell down to the ground. With that the knight came
out of the pavilion, and said, Fair knight, why smote ye
down my shield? For I will joust with you, said Griflet. It
is better ye do not, said the knight, for ye are but young,
and late made knight, and your might is nothing to mine. As
for that, said Griflet, I will joust with you. That is me
loath, said the knight, but sith I must needs, I will dress
me thereto. Of whence be ye? said the knight. Sir, I am of
Arthur's court. So the two knights ran together that
Griflet's spear all to-shivered; and there withal he smote
Griflet through the shield and the left side, and brake the
spear that the truncheon stuck in his body, that horse and
knight fell down.
CHAPTER XXIII. How twelve knights came from Rome and
asked truage for this land of Arthur, and how Arthur fought
with a knight.
WHEN the knight saw him lie so on the ground, he
alighted, and was passing heavy, for he weened he had slain
him, and then he unlaced his helm and gat him wind, and so
with the truncheon he set him on his horse, and so betook
him to God, and said he had a mighty heart, and if he might
live he would prove a passing good knight. And so Sir
Griflet rode to the court, where great dole was made for
him. But through good leeches he was healed and saved. Right
so came into the court twelve knights, and were aged men,
and they came from the Emperor of Rome, and they asked of
Arthur truage for this realm, other else the emperor would
destroy him and his land. Well, said King Arthur, ye are
messengers, therefore ye may say what ye will, other else ye
should die therefore. But this is mine answer: I owe the
emperor no truage, nor none will I hold him, but on a fair
field I shall give him my truage that shall be with a sharp
spear, or else with a sharp sword, and that shall not be
long, by my father's soul, Uther Pendragon. And therewith
the messengers departed passingly wroth, and King Arthur as
wroth, for in evil time came they then; for the king was
passingly wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet. And so he
commanded a privy man of his chamber that or it be day his
best horse and armour, with all that longeth unto his
person, be without the city or to-morrow day. Right so or
to-morrow day he met with his man and his horse, and so
mounted up and dressed his shield and took his spear, and
bade his chamberlain tarry there till he came again. And so
Arthur rode a soft pace till it was day, and then was he
ware of three churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain
him. Then the king rode unto them, and bade them: Flee,
churls! then were they afeard when they saw a knight, and
fled. O Merlin, said Arthur, here hadst thou been slain for
all thy crafts had I not been. Nay, said Merlin, not so, for
I could save myself an I would; and thou art more near thy
death than I am, for thou goest to the deathward, an God be
not thy friend.
So as they went thus talking they came to the fountain,
and the rich pavilion there by it. Then King Arthur was ware
where sat a knight armed in a chair. Sir knight, said
Arthur, for what cause abidest thou here, that there may no
knight ride this way but if he joust with thee? said the
king. I rede thee leave that custom, said Arthur. This
custom, said the knight, have I used and will use maugre who
saith nay, and who is grieved with my custom let him amend
it that will. I will amend it, said Arthur. I shall defend
thee, said the knight. Anon he took his horse and dressed
his shield and took a spear, and they met so hard either in
other's shields, that all to-shivered their spears.
Therewith anon Arthur pulled out his sword. Nay, not so,
said the knight; it is fairer, said the knight, that we
twain run more together with sharp spears. I will well, said
Arthur, an I had any more spears. I have enow, said the
knight; so there came a squire and brought two good spears,
and Arthur chose one and he another; so they spurred their
horses and came together with all their mights, that either
brake their spears to their hands. Then Arthur set hand on
his sword. Nay, said the knight, ye shall do better, ye are
a passing good jouster as ever I met withal, and once for
the love of the high order of knighthood let us joust once
again. I assent me, said Arthur. Anon there were brought two
great spears, and every knight gat a spear, and therewith
they ran together that Arthur's spear all to-shivered. But
the other knight hit him so hard in midst of the shield,
that horse and man fell to the earth, and therewith Arthur
was eager, and pulled out his sword, and said, I will assay
thee, sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the honour on
horseback. I will be on horseback, said the knight. Then was
Arthur wroth, and dressed his shield toward him with his
sword drawn. When the knight saw that, he alighted, for him
thought no worship to have a knight at such avail, he to be
on horseback and he on foot, and so he alighted and dressed
his shield unto Arthur. And there began a strong battle with
many great strokes, and so hewed with their swords that the
cantels flew in the fields, and much blood they bled both,
that all the place there as they fought was overbled with
blood, and thus they fought long and rested them, and then
they went to the battle again, and so hurtled together like
two rams that either fell to the earth. So at the last they
smote together that both their swords met even together. But
the sword of the knight smote King Arthur's sword in two
pieces, wherefore he was heavy. Then said the knight unto
Arthur, Thou art in my daunger whether me list to save thee
or slay thee, and but thou yield thee as overcome and
recreant, thou shalt die. As for death, said King Arthur,
welcome be it when it cometh, but to yield me unto thee as
recreant I had liefer die than to be so shamed. And
therewithal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took him by
the middle and threw him down, and raced off his helm. When
the knight felt that he was adread, for he was a passing big
man of might, and anon he brought Arthur under him, and
raced off his helm and would have smitten off his head.
CHAPTER XXIV. How Merlin saved Arthur's life, and threw
an enchantment on King Pellinore and made him to sleep.
THEREWITHAL came Merlin and said, Knight, hold thy hand,
for an thou slay that knight thou puttest this realm in the
greatest damage that ever was realm: for this knight is a
man of more worship than thou wotest of. Why, who is he?
said the knight. It is King Arthur. Then would he have slain
him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up his sword, and
therewith Merlin cast an enchantment to the knight, that he
fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King
Arthur, and rode forth on the knight's horse. Alas! said
Arthur, what hast thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain this
good knight by thy crafts? There liveth not so worshipful a
knight as he was; I had liefer than the stint of my land a
year that he were alive. Care ye not, said Merlin, for he is
wholer than ye; for he is but asleep, and will awake within
three hours. I told you, said Merlin, what a knight he was;
here had ye been slain had I not been. Also there liveth not
a bigger knight than he is one, and he shall hereafter do
you right good service; and his name is Pellinore, and he
shall have two sons that shall be passing good men; save one
they shall have no fellow of prowess and of good living, and
their names shall be Percivale of Wales and Lamerake of
Wales, and he shall tell you the name of your own son,
begotten of your sister, that shall be the destruction of
all this realm.
CHAPTER XXV. How Arthur by the mean of Merlin gat
Excalibur his sword of the Lady of the Lake.
RIGHT SO the king and he departed, and went unto an
hermit that was a good man and a great leech. So the hermit
searched all his wounds and gave him good salves; so the
king was there three days, and then were his wounds well
amended that he might ride and go, and so departed. And as
they rode, Arthur said, I have no sword. No force, said
Merlin, hereby is a sword that shall be yours, an I may. So
they rode till they came to a lake, the which was a fair
water and broad, and in the midst of the lake Arthur was
ware of an arm clothed in white samite, that held a fair
sword in that hand. Lo! said Merlin, yonder is that sword
that I spake of. With that they saw a damosel going upon the
lake. What damosel is that? said Arthur. That is the Lady of
the Lake, said Merlin; and within that lake is a rock, and
therein is as fair a place as any on earth, and richly
beseen; and this damosel will come to you anon, and then
speak ye fair to her that she will give you that sword. Anon
withal came the damosel unto Arthur, and saluted him, and he
her again. Damosel, said Arthur, what sword is that, that
yonder the arm holdeth above the water? I would it were
mine, for I have no sword. Sir Arthur, king, said the
damosel, that sword is mine, and if ye will give me a gift
when I ask it you, ye shall have it. By my faith, said
Arthur, I will give you what gift ye will ask. Well! said
the damosel, go ye into yonder barge, and row yourself to
the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you, and I will
ask my gift when I see my time. So Sir Arthur and Merlin
alighted and tied their horses to two trees, and so they
went into the ship, and when they came to the sword that the
hand held, Sir Arthur took it up by the handles, and took it
with him, and the arm and the hand went under the water. And
so [they] came unto the land and rode forth, and then Sir
Arthur saw a rich pavilion. What signifieth yonder pavilion?
It is the knight's pavilion, said Merlin, that ye fought
with last, Sir Pellinore; but he is out, he is not there. He
hath ado with a knight of yours that hight Egglame, and they
have foughten together, but at the last Egglame fled, and
else he had been dead, and he hath chased him even to
Carlion, and we shall meet with him anon in the highway.
That is well said, said Arthur, now have I a sword, now will
I wage battle with him, and be avenged on him. Sir, you
shall not so, said Merlin, for the knight is weary of
fighting and chasing, so that ye shall have no worship to
have ado with him; also he will not be lightly matched of
one knight living, and therefore it is my counsel, let him
pass, for he shall do you good service in short time, and
his sons after his days. Also ye shall see that day in short
space, you shall be right glad to give him your sister to
wed. When I see him, I will do as ye advise, said Arthur.
Then Sir Arthur looked on the sword, and liked it passing
well. Whether liketh you better, said Merlin, the sword or
the scabbard? Me liketh better the sword, said Arthur. Ye
are more unwise, said Merlin, for the scabbard is worth ten
of the swords, for whiles ye have the scabbard upon you, ye
shall never lose no blood, be ye never so sore wounded;
therefore keep well the scabbard always with you. So they
rode unto Carlion, and by the way they met with Sir
Pellinore; but Merlin had done such a craft, that Pellinore
saw not Arthur, and he passed by without any words. I
marvel, said Arthur, that the knight would not speak. Sir,
said Merlin, he saw you not, for an he had seen you, ye had
not lightly departed. So they came unto Carlion, whereof his
knights were passing glad. And when they heard of his
adventures, they marvelled that he would jeopard his person
so, alone. But all men of worship said it was merry to be
under such a chieftain, that would put his person in
adventure as other poor knights did.
CHAPTER XXVI. How tidings came to Arthur that King
Rience had overcome eleven kings, and how he desired
Arthur's beard to trim his mantle.
THIS meanwhile came a messenger from King Rience of North
Wales, and king he was of all Ireland, and of many isles.
And this was his message, greeting well King Arthur in this
manner wise, saying that King Rience had discomfited and
overcome eleven kings, and everych of them did him homage,
and that was this, they gave him their beards clean flayed
off, as much as there was; wherefore the messenger came for
King Arthur's beard. For King Rience had purfled a mantle
with kings' beards, and there lacked one place of the
mantle; wherefore he sent for his beard, or else he would
enter into his lands, and burn and slay, and never leave
till he have the head and the beard. Well, said Arthur, thou
hast said thy message, the which is the most villainous and
lewdest message that ever man heard sent unto a king; also
thou mayest see my beard is full young yet to make a purfle
of it. But tell thou thy king this: I owe him none homage,
nor none of mine elders; but or it be long to, he shall do
me homage on both his knees, or else he shall lose his head,
by the faith of my body, for this is the most shamefulest
message that ever I heard speak of. I have espied thy king
met never yet with worshipful man, but tell him, I will have
his head without he do me homage. Then the messenger
departed.
Now is there any here, said Arthur, that knoweth King
Rience? Then answered a knight that hight Naram, Sir, I know
the king well; he is a passing good man of his body, as few
be living, and a passing proud man, and Sir, doubt ye not he
will make war on you with a mighty puissance. Well, said
Arthur, I shall ordain for him in short time.
CHAPTER XXVII. How all the children were sent for that
were born on May-day, and how Mordred was saved.
THEN King Arthur let send for all the children born on
May-day, begotten of lords and born of ladies; for Merlin
told King Arthur that he that should destroy him should be
born on May-day, wherefore he sent for them all, upon pain
of death; and so there were found many lords' sons, and all
were sent unto the king, and so was Mordred sent by King
Lot's wife, and all were put in a ship to the sea, and some
were four weeks old, and some less. And so by fortune the
ship drave unto a castle, and was all to-riven, and
destroyed the most part, save that Mordred was cast up, and
a good man found him, and nourished him till he was fourteen
year old, and then he brought him to the court, as it
rehearseth afterward, toward the end of the Death of Arthur.
So many lords and barons of this realm were displeased, for
their children were so lost, and many put the wite on Merlin
more than on Arthur; so what for dread and for love, they
held their peace. But when the messenger came to King
Rience, then was he wood out of measure, and purveyed him
for a great host, as it rehearseth after in the book of
Balin le Savage, that followeth next after, how by adventure
Balin gat the sword.
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