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Everyman, I will go with thee, and be thy guide,
In thy most need to go by thy side.

This is No. 4^ of Everyman's Library. A
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EDITED BY ERNEST RHYS

ROMANCE

LE MORTE D'ARTHUR
BY SIR THOMAS MALORY INTRO-
DUCTION BY PROFESSOR RHYS
IN 2 VOLS. VOL, i

All rights reserved

Made in Great Britain

at The Temple Tress Letchworth

and decorated by Eric Ravilious

J. M. Dent &. Sons Ltd.

Aldine House Bedford St. London

First Published in this Edition 1906

Reprinted 1906, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1916,

1919
1923, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1935

PREFACE

SIR THOMAS MALORY has given us no account of himself or
his family, but he has left his name and his work. The name
Malory is found connected with estates in Yorkshire in the
sixteenth century, and with estates in Leicestershire in that
which follows. As the name of the knight to whom we owe
the Morte Darthur, it is found written not only Malory or
Malorye, but also Maleore. It occurred to me some years ago
that this fact lent countenance to the statement ascribed to
Leland and others, that Sir Thomas Malory was a Welshman ;
for Maleore reminded me of Maylawr, Maelawr or Maelor,
the name of two districts on the confines of England and
Wales : a * Welsh Maelor ' is included in the County of
Denbigh, and an 'English Maelor' in that of Flint. How such
a name could readily become a surname may be seen from the
designation, for instance, of a lord of the two Maelors in the
twelfth century, named Gruffud Maelawr. Literally rendered,
this would mean ' Griffith of Maelor.' Similarly, the name of
a Welsh poet of the fifteenth century, Edward ab Rhys Maelor,
might now be rendered * Edward Price of Maelor.'

Since then Dr. Sommer, in a Supplement to the second
volume of his great edition of the Morte Darthur, has called
attention to the following passage in Bale's Illustrium Maioris
Britannia Scriptorum, fol. 208 verso :

"Thomas Mailorius, Britannus natione, heroic! spiritus homo, ab
ipsa adolescentia uariis animi corporisque dotibus insigniter emicuit.
Est Mailoria (inquit in Antiquarum Dictionum Syllabo Joannes Le-
landus) in finibus Cambria regio, Deuse flumini uicina. Quam et
alibi a fertilitate atque armorum fabrefactura commendat. Inter multi-
plices reipublicae curas, non intermisit hie literarum studia, sed succisiuis
horis uniuersas disparsse uetustatis reliquias, sedulus perquisiuit. Vnde
in historiarum lectione diu uersatus, ex uariis autoribus undique selegit,
de fortitudine ac uictoriis inclytissimi Brytannorum regis Arthurii."

The first edition of Bale's work was published at Ipswich in
1548, while Malory s Morte Darthur was only completed by him
in 1469. These dates are not so far apart that we must suppose
either Bale or Leland unable to obtain reliable information
concerning Malory's history and origin. Bale's statement that
Malory was Britannus natione, that is to say, Welsh, brings

VU

viii Preface

with it the solution of what was my difficulty, to wit, the
relation between the name Malory and the dissyllabic form
Maleore j for one can hardly help seeing that while the latter
postulates the Welsh place-name Maelor, the former more
naturally connects itself with the derived Latin Mailorius.

Thus far of Malory's name : we now come to his work,
which, as already mentioned, was finished in 1469. It was,
however, not printed till 1485, when its publication was under-
taken by Caxton. Then followed two editions by Wynkyn de
Worde in 1498 and 1529, and before the middle of the seven-
teenth century four more editions appeared : all these seven
were in black letter. The eighteenth century appears to have
been content with what the three previous ones had done for
the text of Malory ; but the nineteenth century has already
seen it edited no less than six times, notably by Southey,
Wright, Sir E. Strachey, and H. Oskar Sommer. Dr. Sommer's
edition is comprised in three stately volumes, published in
London by David Nutt : the first volume, consisting of the
Text, appeared in 1889; then followed a volume of Introduction
in 1890, and one of Studies on the Sources in 1891. This
edition marks an era in the history of the Morte Darthur,
seeing that special pains have been taken to make it reproduce
the Caxton original, which is not known to exist in more than
two copies, one of which is not quite perfect. This latter copy
belongs to the Althorp Library, while the other, the perfect
copy, once belonged to the Harleian Library. As regards its
later history, we are told that it was purchased by the Earl of
Jersey for his library at Osterley Park, and that in 1885 it
became the property of a citizen of the United States, Mrs.
Abby E. Pope of Brooklyn. 1 Lastly, I must add that no trace
of Malory's own manuscript has ever been found.

The question of the sources of Malory's work is no new one,
and it had been to some extent discussed by M. Gaston Paris
and M. J. Ulrich, in the introduction to their Merlin, edited
from a manuscript belonging to Mr. Alfred Huth, London, and
published in Paris in 1888 by the Societi des anciens Textes
franqaisj but the exhaustive treatment of the subject was
reserved for Dr. Sommer, who has devoted to it his third
volume. The space at my disposal will only allow of my
mentioning his conclusions in the briefest manner possible.
Most of Malory's originals prove to have been romances written

1 See Sommer's Malory, ii. 1-3.

Preface ix

in French, which he, as a rule, reduced greatly in length in
the process of giving the work an English garb. His sources,
however, were not exclusively French ; thus, for instance, he
used for his fifth book of the Morte Darthur, a poem composed
by the Scotch poet Huchown, which is extant in a manuscript
of Thornton's in the library of Lincoln Cathedral. Here and
there Malory alters the sequence of the incidents given in his
originals, and in some cases he interpolates facts not contained
in them, while in other instances he omits certain incidents
which he did not find to his purpose ; but he is rarely found to
have inserted entire chapters of his own. Taking the work as
a whole, Dr. Sommer has succeeded in assigning with more or
less precision the originals forming the groundwork of the
whole, with one remarkable exception : I allude to Malory's
seventh book, which relates the adventures of Sir Gareth, the
story of his first coming to Arthur's court, of his being fed for
a year in the kitchen, and of his receiving the nickname of
Beaumayns at the hands of Syr Kay. Dr. Sommer admits that
he has failed to trace any part of the contents of this book in
any of the numerous manuscripts studied by him. He is in-
clined to regard it as a folk-tale which had no connection with
the Arthurian cycle, until Malory, or some unknown writer before
him, adapted it from a French poem now lost, as he conjectures.
After this brief reference to the works used by Malory, we
come to a much larger and harder question of source, namely,
the origin of the whole cycle of Arthurian stories and romances.
For the most fruitful speculations on this subject in our day,
one has to thank Dr. Zimmer, professor of Sanskrit in the
University of Greifswald. 1 He believes the romances to be
based on stories of Breton rather than of Welsh origin.
Briefly described, his theory 2 sets out with the facts of the
permanent conquest of a considerable tract of the east of
Brittany by the Normans in the first half of the tenth century,
and the intimate relationship which eventually grew up between
the great families of Brittany and Normandy. Now, if we
suppose the Bretons in their migration from Great Britain to
their new country, called after them the Lesser Britain, to have

1 Now professor of Celtic at Berlin.

2 See Zimmer's review of the thirtieth volume of the Hittoire littt-
raire de la France in the Gottingische gelehrte Anzeigen for October I,
1890, pp. 802-4. But M. Loth in the Revue Celtique, xiii. 480-503,
has justly charged Zimmer wkh underrating the Welsh element.

x Preface

carried with them the stories current about Arthur in the
southern districts of this country, it may be further supposed
that, ages later, those of their descendants who submitted to
the Normans in the eastern portion of Brittany must have
translated their popular stories about Arthur into their adopted
Norman French. Thus a channel would be opened for Breton
stories to reach the ears of Normans and Frenchmen. It is
natural, further, to infer that, in the transition from the one
language to the other, the Celtic names of most importance in
the stories would inevitably undergo a considerable modification
of form. This would seem to be countenanced by the circum-
stance, that certain of these names in the romances cannot be
identified with the Welsh ones by merely allowing for the
errors in copying and reading incident to the manuscripts of
the time in question. Such is the fact, for example, with
Galvain, Perceval, Calibor? as compared with the Welsh
Gwalchmei, Peredur, and Caletvwlch. For my own part, I have
found this to be much less marked in the case, for example,
of the Grail legend, the proper names in which lend themselves.
on the whole, more readily to identification with their original,
in Welsh. In other words, Professor Zimmer's views led me
to draw the following two-fold conclusion : (i) The older
romances relating chiefly to Arthur and his Men are of Breton
rather than of Welsh origin, while (2) the reverse is the case
with the Grail romances. The Welsh origin of the Grail legend
has been discussed by me elsewhere, 2 so that I think it needless
to endeavour to prove it here. But as to the alleged Breton
origin of the romances about Arthur, it is to be observed that
if the picture presented in them of Arthur and his Men be
mainly Breton, one may expect to find those warriors repre-
sented differently in Welsh literature, especially such Welsh
literature as one finds to be fairly free from the influence of the
romances when they reached the Welsh. So one could, perhaps,
not do better than devote the rest of this introduction to a
review of the more important passages concerning Arthur in
manuscripts which have come down to us from Welsh sources.
I have, however, to confess at the outset that those of them
which happen to be in Welsh, as most of them are, prove to be
couched in very obscure language, so that my rendering must
be regarded as only tentative.

1 See Zimmer's review, ibid. p. 830.

2 See my Arthurian Legend, pp. 300-27.

Preface

XI

The first passage to demand attention is written in Latin,
for it occurs in the Historia Brittonum with which the name
of Nennius is associated. The year of the composition of the
Historia Brittonum was, according to M. A. de la Borderie, no
other than A.D. 822, 1 and the words relating to Arthur read as
follows 2 :

In illo tempore Saxones invalescebant in multitudine, et crescebant
in Britannia. Mortuo autem Hengisto, Octha ejusfilius transivit de
sinistrali parte Brittannia ad regnum Cantiorum, et de ipso orti sunt
rcges Cantiorum. Tune Arthur pugnabat contra illos in tilts diebus cum
regibus Brittonum, sed ipse dux erat bellorum. Primum bellumfuit in
ostium fluminis quod dicitur Glein ; secundum, et tertium, et quartum,
et quintum, super aliudflumen, quod dicitur Dubglas, et est in regione
Linnuis. Sexturn bellum super flumen quod vocatur Bassas. Septi-
nutm fuit bellum in Silva Celidonis, id est ^ Cat Coit Celidon. Octavum
f uit bellum in castello Guinnion, in quo Arthur port avit imaginem Sanctce
MaricE perpetua virginis super humeros suos, et pagani versi sunt in
fugam in illo die, et cades rnagnafuit super illos per virtutem Domini
nostri Jesu Christi, et per virtutem Sanctce Maria virginis genetricis
ejus. Nonum bellum gestum est in Urbc Legionis. Decimum gessit
bellum in littore fluminis, quod vocatur Tribruit. Undecimum factum
est bellum in montc, qui dicitur Agned. Duodecimu?n fuit bellum in
monte Badonis, in quo corrucrunt in uno die nongenti sexaginta viri
de uno impetu Arthur ; et nemo prostravit eos nisi ipse sohis, et in
omnibus bellis victor exstitit. Et ipsi t dum in omnibus bellis proster-
nebantur^ auxilium a Germania petebant, et augebantur multipliciter
sine intermissione, et reges a Germania deducebant, ut regnarent super
illos in Brittannia, usque ad tempus quo Ida regnavit, qui fuit Eobba
filius, ipse fuit primus rex in Beornicia^ id est, im Berneich.

As regards a historical Arthur, the words here cited are very
suggestive, for without explicitly saying that Arthur was one
of the kings of the Brythons, they make him the general or
dux bellorum, in whom one readily recognises the superior
officer, known in the time of Roman rule as the Comes
Britannia. This office, it may be presumed, was continued
after the Roman forces left, with the only difference that the

1 See t Historia Britonum attribute a Nennius et F Historia Bri-
tannica avant Geoffro de Monmouth, par Arthur de la Borderie (Paris
and London, 1883), p. 20. Since the above was written Zimmer's
work entitled Nennius Vindicatus (Berlin, 1893) has reached me, and
in it he gives it as his conclusion, p. 82, that the Historia Brittonum
was put together as early as the year 796.

2 Nennii Historia Britonum ad fidem codicum manuscriptorum re-
censtiit Josephus Stevenson (London, 1838), pp. 47-9.

xii Preface

man filling it would be himself supreme, having no longer any
lord, such as the Roman emperor, over him. This position
seems to have been Arthur's, and one has accordingly no
difficulty in understanding how he came to fight battles at
places so far apart from one another. For, though the majority
of the twelve battles were fought in what we now call the North
of England or the South of Scotland, some of them undoubtedly
took place in the south of the Island, such as the battle of Urbs
Legionis, which must have been either Chester on the Dee or
Caerleon on the Usk ; and still farther south must have been
that of Mons B adonis. In a word, Arthur moved about in
Britain just as Agricola or Severus would have done, and with-
out necessarily being one of the kings of the Brythons, he
would seem to have been over and above them. This must
have been a position which would in time cause all kinds of
heroic legends to be associated with the name of the man
filling it. Add to this the numerous opportunities for the
display of valour on behalf of a bleeding country provided by
the invasions of Germanic tribes from the Continent, and by
the incursions of Picts and Scots from the outlying portions of
the British Isles, and we have the full explanation of no in-
considerable part of the wondrous fame of Arthur and his Men
in subsequent ages.

The next references to Arthur, which deserve to be mentioned,
occur in the Annales Cambria, the oldest existing manuscript of
which was completed in 954 or 955. * The first entry occurs
under the year 516, and reads as follows :

Bellum Badonis in quo Arthur portauit criicem domini nostri Ihesu
Christi tribus diebus et tribus noctibus in humeros suos et Brittones
uictores fuerunt.

The next entry in point comes under the year 537, and runs
thus 2

Gueith cam lann [i.e., the Battle of Camlati\ in qua Arthur et Me-
draut corruerunt. et mortalitas in Brittannia et in Hibernia fuit.

The Bellum Badonis of the Annales Cambrics is the same
battle undoubtedly 33 Nennius' bellum in Monte Bado?iis. But
the statement as to Arthur carrying the cross of Christ on his
shoulders has been surmised to be a mistranslation of Welsh
words representing him carrying a figure of the cross in his
shield ; since the Welsh for shoulder would have been written

1 See Phillimore's edition in the Cymmrodor^ vol. ix. p. 144.

2 Ibid. p. 154.

Preface xiii

iscuit or iscttid which would also be spellings of the word for a
shield. 1 This seems to shew that there was a Welsh tradition
as to Arthur's personal appearance at one of his great battles.
The other entry is remarkable as representing the death of
Arthur and Medraut or Medrod (the Modred and Mordred of
the romances) as an ordinary event of war.

The next two passages to be cited occur in the Mirabilia
usually associated with the Historia Brittonum; and most of
them are probably to be referred to the same date as the
Historia itself. a The words in point read as follows :

Est alind miracTilum in regione qtuz dicitur Buelt. Est ibi cumulus
lapidum, et unus lapis superpositus super congestum, cum vestigio cants
in eo. Qziando venatus esl porcum Troit* impressit Cabal, qui erat
cam's Arthuri militis, vestigium in lapide, et Arthur postea congregavii
congestum lapidum sub lapide in quo erat vestigium cants sui, et vocatur
Cam Cabal. Et veniunt homines et tollunt lapidem in manibus suis
per spacium diei et noctis, et in crastino die invenitur super congestum
siium.

Est aliud miraculum. in regione qua vocatur Ercing. Habefztr ibi
sepulchrum juxtajontem qui cogiiominatur Licat Amir, et viri nomen,
qui ispultus est in tuimilo, sic vocabatur. Amir* filius Arthuri militi^
erat, et ipse occidit eum ibidem, et sepelivit. Et veniunt homines ad
mensurandtim ttimulutn ; in longitudine aliquando sex pedes, aliquando
novem, aliquando quindecim. In qiia mensura metieris eum in isla
vice, itertim non invenies eum in una mensura ; et ego solus probavi.

The Porcus Troit occupies a great place, as Twrch Trwyth^
in the story of Kulhwch and Olwen, where Cabal & also occurs
in its ordinary Welsh form of Cavall j but the lesson these two

1 In later Welsh the words are ysgivydd, "a shoulder," and ysgwyd,
"a shield."

This is Zimmer's view in his Nennius Vindicatus, p. 115.

3 Stevenson seems to have found two readings of this word, namely,
Troit and Troynt, and he selected for his text the latter, which is
gibberish : see his Nennius, p. 60. In Welsh literature the word has
the two forms Trwyd and Trwyth.

4 The same manuscript E, which reads Troit, and is supposed by
Stevenson to have been written about the beginning of the thirteenth
century, reads here amirmur ; but, as was to be expected, he inserted
in his text a vox nihili, namely Anir : Amirmur = Amir mur "the
Great Amir," and in the Liber Landavensis, Amir is written Amyr ;
but a man's name Amhyr occurs also in that manuscript, while the
name of Arthur's son in question is given as Amhar in the Welsh
romance of Gereint and Enid: I do not recollect meeting with it elsewhere.

5 It is to be noticed that Cabal with its b and single / belongs to the
same school of orthography as the ninth century triplets beginning with
Noigrucosam : see Skene's Four anc. Books of Wales^ ii, 2.

xiv Preface

passages in common teach us is, that at a comparatively early
date Arthurian names had begun to figure in the topography of
Wales.

Attention is next claimed by some of the references to Arthur
in Welsh literature, and here the Black Book of Carmarthen
is entitled to the first place. The manuscript may be supposed
to have been written in the reigns of Stephen, Henry II., and
Richard. 1 One of the allusions to Arthur in this manuscript
consists of a triplet occurring in the Stanzas of the Graves,
apprising the reader of the futility of looking for Arthur's grave,
as follows 2 :

Bet y march, bet y guythur.

bet y gugaun cletyfrut.

anoeth bid bet y arthur.

A grave for March, a grave for Gwythur,
A grave for Gwgawn of the ruddy Sword,
Not wise (the thought) a grave for Arthur. 3

It might be objected that these lines are of no value here, as
the idea suggested by them might have been derived from the
romances which represent Arthur departing to the Isle of
Avallon to be healed of his wounds, and not dying at all. But
it may as reasonably be regarded as an expression of the native
belief fixed in various localities, that Arthur and his knights
were slumbering in a cave awaiting the destined hour of their
return. This prevailed among Arthur's countrymen from Cad-
bury to the Eildon Hills, and has never been more charmingly
sung than by the poet Leyden, when he speaks of the enchanted
sleep to be broken at length by somebody

" That bids the charmed sleep of ages fly,
Rolls the long sound through Eildon's caverns vast,
While each dark warrior rouses at the blast,
His horn, his falchion, grasps with mighty hand,
And peals proud Arthur's march from Fairyland."

The time likewise is not long past when the shepherds of North
Wales used to entertain one another with stories describing one

1 See Mr. J. G. Evans' preface (p. xvi.) to his Autotype Facsimile
of the Black Book, Oxford, 1888.

2 Ibid. fol. 34.

3 I believe that such is the sense of the third line of the triplet, but
I cannot attain to any certainty approaching the assurance with which
Prof. Zimmer categorically declares that, " sie sagt bloss aus, dass man
Arthur's Grab nichtkenne": see the Zeitschrift fur franzosische Spracht
und Litleratur, xij. 238.

Preface

xv

of their number finding his way to the presence of Arthur and
his Men, all asleep in a Snowdonian cave resplendent with
untold wealth of gold and other treasure : the armed sleepers
were believed to be merely awaiting the signal for their return
to take an active part in the affairs of this world. In South
Wales an elaborate but popular story lodges Arthur and his
Knights in a cave at Craig y Ddinas, in Glamorgan, 1 while the
peasanty of South Cardiganshire, relating the same story, locate
it elsewhere, and call the sleeping hero not Arthur but Owen, 2
a name the memory of which used to be kept fresh by ballad
singers, who made country fairs ring with such strains as the
following :

Yr Owen hwn yw Harri 'r Nawfed^

Sydd yn trigo ngwlad estronied.

This Owen is Henry the Ninth,
Who lives in the land of strangers.

The Owen of the Cardiganshire legend is known as Owen
Lawgoch or Owen of the Red Hand, and he is represented as
a man of seven feet in stature with a right hand which was all
red. The whole story reminds one of him of the red beard,
Frederic Barbarossa. I mention this lest anyone should sup-
pose such stories had anything originally to do with the
historical Arthur. Some light is shed on their genesis by a
passage in the writings of an ancient author who lived in the
first century of our era, namely Plutarch. In his work De
Defectu Oraculorum, xviij., he uses words to the following
effect 3 the Italics are mine:

"Demetrius further said, that of the islands around Britain many lie
scattered about uninhabited, of which some are named after deities and
heroes. He told us also, that, being sent by the emperor with the
object of reconnoitring and inspecting, he went to the island which*
lay nearest to those uninhabited, and found it occupied by few inhabi-
tants, who were, however, sacrosanct and inviolable in the eyes of the
Britons. Soon after his arrival a great disturbance of the atmosphere
took place, accompanied by many portents, by the winds bursting forth
into hurricanes, and by fiery bolts falling. When it was over, the.

1 The story is given in the Brython for 1858, p. 162.

2 Ibid. p. 179. The editor, who was, I believe, no other than the
Rev. Canon Silvan Evans, adds in a note that this sort of story might
be found current also in Cumberland.

3 For the original see the Didot edition of Plutarch, vol. iii. p. 511
{De Defectu Oraculorum, xviij.) ; it is also to be found printed in my
Arthurian legend ', p. 367.

xvi Preface

islanders said that some of the mighty had passed away. For as a
lamp on being lit, they said, brings with it no danger, while on being
extinguished it is grievous to many, just so with regard to great souls,
their beginning to shine forth is pleasant and the reverse of grievous,
whereas the extinction and destruction of them frequently disturb the
winds and the surge as at present ; oftentimes also do they infect the
atmosphere with pestilential diseases. Moreover, there is there, they
said, an island in which Cronus is imprisoned, with Briareus keeping
guard over him as he sleeps ; for, as they put it, sleep is the bond
forged for Cronus. They add that around him are many deities^ his
henchmen and attendants"

To return to the Black Book, I may mention that another of
the Stanzas of the Graves is worth citing here, though it does
not name Arthur. It alludes, however, to Camlan, the Camelot
of Malory and the romances, and that in the same strain of
apparently historical definiteness as the entry in the Annales
Cambrics cited as mentioning Camlan. The lines in question
run thus x

Bet mab csvran yg camlan.

gvydi llauer kywlavan.

Bet bedwir in alld tryvan.

Osvran's son's grave (is) at Camlan,

After many a slaughter,

Bedwyr's grave (is) in Allt Tryvan. 2

We next come to a poem headed Gereint Jilius Erbin, which
describes a battle at a place called Llongborth. Gereint is the
poet's hero, but he introduces Arthur as Gereint's superior and
lord, as follows 3 :

En llogporth y gtteleise. y arthur

guir deur kymynint a d^lr.

ameraudur* llywiaudir ilawur.

At Llongborth saw I of Arthur's

Brave men hewing Avith steel,

(Men of the) emperor, 4 director of toil.

1 Evans' Facsimile, fol. 32*.

2 There are several mountain tops in the Snowdon district called
y Tryfan, "the Tryvan," and Moel Tryfan, "the round-topped
hill of Tryvan." Lady Charlotte Guest (Mabinogion, ii. 167) has
been misled by somebody to indulge in the impossible spelling Trivaen.

3 Evans" Facsimile, fol. 36*.

4 I am not certain what documents exactly Prof. Zimmer had in view
when he wrote as to Arthur, " Nirgends fuhrt er den Titel amherawdyr" ;
or whether he would regard ameraudur here as a title or not : see the
Gott. gel. Anz. for 1890, p. 524.

Preface

xvi i

En llogporth y lias y gereint.
euir deur o odir diwneint.
a chin rillethid ve. llatysseint.

At Llongborth there fell of Gereint's
Brave men from the border of Devon,
And ere they were slain they slew.

In these triplets the position of Arthur seems to be very
clearly indicated : the men fighting on his side are Gereint's
men from Devon. That is to say, Arthur is Gereint's superior :
he fills in fact the role assigned him in the Historia Brittonum
when he is there termed a Dux Bellorum. This raises the
question of Arthur's title ; for passing on from the description
of him as a Dux Bellorum, we have him twice in the Mirabilia
called Arthur Miles. Further the Vita Gildce, sometimes
ascribed to the twelfth century author, Caradoc of Llancarvan,
in giving the story of the carrying away of Guenever by
Mehvas, 1 speaks of the latter as rex, or king, reigning over
the sEstiva Regio or Somerset, while it styles Arthur a
tyrannies. To this must be added the fact that in the story
of Kulhwch and Ohven the hero salutes Arthur as Penteyrned
yr Ynys honn, or "the Head of the Princes of this Island," and
one should notice that, in common with all these, the passage
last cited from the Black Book avoids calling Arthur a king.
On the other hand the word ameraudur which it applies
to Arthur is one of the forms given in Welsh to the
Latin word iinperator borrowed ; but as it is used of him
commonly in the stories of Peredur, Owein, Gereint and others
which betray the influence of the French romances, it might
perhaps be supposed that its presence in Gereint's Elegy was
due to that influence. There is, however, no evidence, and the
way in which the word is used rather inclines me to regard it
as spontaneous on the part of the poet : I am only doubtful
whether instead of rendering, as I have done, " emperor,
director of toil," it would not have been more correct to write
" commander, director of toil " : that is to say, to suppose the
word to retain here the meaning which it had primarily in
Latin. In any case, the instances which have been adduced
will suffice, it seems to me, to shew that it was not due to
accident that other terms than that of king were thought more
suitable in speaking of Arthur. In that fact one seems to trace

1 For the text of that story, see San-Marte's Nennius et Gildas, pp. 122,
3, also the Romania, vol. x. 491, where it is given by M. Gaston Paris.
145 A

xviii Preface

one of the logical consequences of Arthur's having, as I have
ventured to suppose, occupied the historical position of the
Comes Britannia, in other words, that of the Imperator himself,
which it became when Britain ceased to form a part of the
dominions of Rome.

We next have a poem consisting of a dialogue between
Arthur and Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, who in the Welsh stories
about Arthur is represented as one of his chief porters ; but
here he seems to have a castle of his own, the gates of which
he appears in no hurry to open for Arthur and his companions.
He asks Arthur who he is and what followers he has, which
Arthur is made to seize as an opportunity for describing some
of them, especially Kei, Malory's Sir Kay the seneschal. Un-
fortunately, the poem is so obscure that I can only guess its
meaning, as follows l :

Pa gur yv y porthaur. Who is the porter?

Gleuluid gauaeluaur. Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr.

Pa gur ae gouin. Who asks the question ?

arthiir. a chci guin? Arthur and worthy Kei.

Pa imda genhid. What following (?) hast thou?

Guir goreti im bid. The best of men are mine.

Ym ty ny dot. To my house thou shalt not come

onys guaredi. Unless thou plead (?) for them.

Mi ae guar\_e~[di. I will plead (?) for them.

athi ae gueli. And thou shalt see them :

Vythneint elei. Wythneint of Elei,

Assivyon ell tri. And the wise men three

Mabon am mydron. Mabon son of Modron,

guas uthir pen dragon. (Uther Pendragon's man)

Kysceint ' mab ' Banon. Kyscaint son of Banon,

A guin godybrion. And Gwyn Godyvrion.

Oet rinn vy gueisson Sturdy would be my men

in amuin ev detvon. In defence of their laws

Manawidan ab llyr. Manawydan son of Llyr

oet duis y cusil. Profound in counsel ;

1 Evans' Facsimile, fol. 47 6 48*.

2 Guin, now written gwyn means as a colour adjective white, but it
is a very difficult word to render, one of its uses being somewhat like
that of French beau in beau fere. On the banks of the Dovey in Mid-
Wales a stepfather is respectfully called tad gwyn, literally "white
father," and I surmise that it had a somewhat similar force here. It is
to be borne in mind that Kei is, so far as I can remember, elsewhere
called Kei guin only in the story of Kulhwch. See Red Book Mabino-
gion, p. 105, and for further remarks on gwyn see my Hibbert Lectures,
pp. 527-8.

Preface

xix

Neustuc manauid
eis lull o tryivruid
A mabon am melld.
maglei guaed ar guelld,
Ac anguas edeinauc.
a Jluch * llauynnauc.
Oetin diffreidauc
ar eidin cyminauc
Argluit ae llochei
my nei ymtiwygei
Kei ae heiriolei.
trae llathei pop tri
Pan colled kelli.
caffad cuelli.
Aseirolei kei
kid trae kymynhei.
Arthur ced huarhei
y guaed gouerei.
In neuat awarnach
in imlat ew a gurach.
Ew a guant pen palach.
in atodeu dissethach.
Ym minit eidin
amiic ' a ' chinbin.
Pop cant id ctiitin.
id cuitin ' pop cant,
roc beduir bedrydant.
Ar traethev trywruid.
in amuin a garvlitid.
Oet guythir y annuyd.
o cletyw ac yscuid.
Oet gtcaget bragad
vrth kei ig kad.
Oet cletyw ighad.
oe lav diguistlad.
Oet hyneiw guastad
cr lleg ar lies gulad.
Bedtiir ' A Bridlav*
Nau cant guarandau.

(Manawyd brought home
A pierced buckler from Tryvrwyd).
And Mabon son of Mellt
Who stained the grass with gore ;
And Angwas the Winged,
And Llwch Llawynnawc,
Who were protective
Against Eidyn 1 the gashing.
His lord would shelter him,
My nephew would amend (?),
Kei would plead for (?) them,
While slaying them three at a time.
When Kelli was lost
Savagery was experienced.
Kei would plead for them (?)
Until he might hew them down.
Though Arthur was playing
The blood was dripping.
In Awarnach's hall
A-fighting with a hag,
He slew Pen-palach
In the tasks (?) of Dissethach.
On Eidyn's mountain
He combated with champions (?),
By the hundred they fell
They fell a hundred at a time
Before Bedwyr . . .
On the shores of Tryvrwyd ;
Combating with Garwlwyd.
Victorious was his wrath
Both with sword and shield.
It were vain to boast
Against Kei in battle.
His sword in battle was
Not to be pledged from his hand.
He was an equable lord
Of a legion for the state's good.
Bedwyr son of Bridlaw,
Nine hundred to watch,

1 Mention is made of this man in Triads i. 38, 39 ; iii. 47, 48 (Myv.
Arch. vol. ii. 9, 65), where he is described as the slayer of the bard
Aneurin.

2 This should probably give the parentage of Bedwyr, and it is
natural to suggest as an emendation Beduir ab Bridlav ; but in Gereint
and Enid 'he is described as son of Bedrawt: see Red Book Mab. p.
265.

XX

Preface

chuechant y eirthau.
a talei y ortinav.
Gueisson am buyini
oet guell ban tiitint.
roc ricu emreis.
gueleise ' kei ar uris.
Preitev gort.howis.
oet gur hir in ewnis.
Oet trum y dial,
oet tost y cynial.
Pan yuei o wual
yuei urth peduar
ygkad pan delhsi.
vrth cant id lathei.
Ny bei duv ae digonhci.
Oet diheit aghev kei.
Kei guin a llachev.
digonint we kadev.
kin glees glas verev.
yguarthaw ystawingun.
kei a guant nav guiton.
Kei -win aaeth von
y dilein lleuon.
y iscuid oet mymid
erbin cath paluc.
Pan gogiueirch tud.
Puy guant cath pahic.
Nau ugein kinlhtc.
a cuytei in y bityd.
Nau ugein kinran

Six hundred to attack

Was his onslaught (?) wcu'th.

The young men I have

It is well where they are

Before the kings of Emrys

Have I seen Kei in haste.

Leader of the harryings,

Long would he be in his wrath ;

Heavy was he in his vengeance ;

Terrible in his fighting.

When from a horn he drank

He drank as much as four men ;

When he came into battle

He slew as would a hundred.

Unless it should be God's act x

Kei's death would be unachieved.

Worthy Kei and Llacheu

Used to fight battles,

Before the pang of livid spears,

On the top of Ystavingun

Kei slew nine witches. 2

Worthy Kei went to Mona

To destroy lions.

His shield was small

Against Palug's Cat.

When people shall ask

"Who slew Palug's Cat?"

Nine score . . .

Used to fall for her food

Nine score leaders

A . . . Used to ...

The manuscript is imperfect, and it breaks off just where one
should have heard more about Cath Paluc, or " Palug-'s Cat," a
monster, said in the Red Book Triads to have been reared by

1 With this sentiment compare the following passage put into the
mouth of Llew in the Mabinogi of Math son of Mathonwy : Onym Had
i duw hagen nyt hawd vy Had i. " Unless God slay me, however, it is
not easy to slay me." See the Red Book Mabinogion, p. 75, also Lady
Charlotte Guest's Mab. iii. 242, where she imparts to her translation a
Christian tone not to be detected in the original, thus: "But until
Heaven take me I shall not easily be slain."

2 This looks as if it might be the incident in which the story of
Peredur makes that hero take a leading part; he encounters the witches
of Caer Loyw at a castle on a mountain, and he together with Arthur
and his Men afterwards kills them all at the end of the story : see the
Red Book Mab., pp. 210-1, 242-3, and Guest's Mab. i. 322-3, 369-70.

Preface xxi

the Sons of Palug, in Anglesey. The contests hsre mentioned
with monsters, hags and witches, form also a feature of the
story of Kulkwch and Oliuen, not to mention Irish stories, such
as that of Bricrius Feast?- which abound in them. Moreover,
the majority of Arthur's followers in the Black Book poem,
figure as such in the Kulhwch also, namely Glewlwyd, Kei,
Mabon son of Modron, Gwyn Godyvron, Mabon son of Mellt,
Angwas Edeinawc, Llwch Llawyniawc, Bedwyr, and Arthurs
son Llacheu ; not to mention Manawyddan, who is forced into
Arthur's train in both poem and story. On the other hand,
only two of Arthur's men enumerated in the former, evade
identification elsewhere, namely, Wythneint and Kysceint. 2
Perhaps the most remarkable thing in the Black Book poem,
is the position which it assigns to Kei, who there towers far
above all the rest of the Arthurian train : he is, in fact, not to
be conquered by man or beast, so that his death could only be
attributed to the direct interference of the Almighty. The next
in importance to Kei was Bedwyr, the Bedewere or Bedyuere
of Malory's Morte Darthur, and the positions of both heroes
are relatively the same in the Kulhwch story.

Another allusion to Arthur occurs in the Black Book, to wit
in an elegy to Madog son of Meredydd, prince of Powys, who
died in the year 1159. The poem is ascribed to Madog's con-
temporary, the well-known Welsh poet Cynddelw, who, in
alluding to the mourning and grief among Madog's men,
characterises the uproar as being Mai gavr toryw teulu
arthur?

" Like the shout of the multitude of Arthur's host."

This leads, however, to no inference of any importance in
this context. The same remark may be made concerning a
mention of Arthur in a poem called Gorchan Maelderw in the
Book of Aneurin, a manuscript of the latter part of the thir-
teenth or of the beginning of the fourteenth century: the
passage is unfortunately obscure. 4

1 The Irish text is given at length in Windisch's Irische Texte,

' 2 Kysceint is probably a raiscopying of Kysteint t the Welsh form of
Constantius ; a name Wytheint appears in the Book of Taliessin, as
that of one who fights with Gwydion son of D6n, see Skene's Four
anc. Books of Wales, ii. 158.

3 Evans' Facsimile, fol. 52".

4 For the text see Skene's Four anc. Books of Wales, vol. 11. 106,
and for the translation vol. i. 426. Both will also be found in Thomas

xxii Preface

The next manuscript to be mentioned is one of approximately
the same data as the last-mentioned : I allude to the Book of
Taliessin, where an obscure poem occurs, headed Kat Godeu.
There, near the end, we have the following couplet :
derwydon doethur. Druids erudite,

darogen-wch y Arthur. Prophesy for Arthur.

Another allusion to Arthur in the Book of Taliessin runs

thus l :

heilyn pascadiir. Heilyn of the Passover

(reded dofyn doethur One of three deeply wise

y vendigaw Arthur. To bless Arthur.

Arthur vendigan Arthur they will bless

ar gerd gyfaenat In elaborate song.

Who the Heilyn mentioned here was does not appear, but he
may be supposed to have been a priest or a bard.

Other references to Arthur occur in the Book of Taliessin,
but the most important by far is the poem known as Preiddeu
Annwfn, or the Harryings of Hades, which I subjoin, so far as
it is in point, with an attempt to translate into English, as
follows :

Golychaf wledic pendeuic gwlat ri.

py ledas y pennaeth dros traeth mundi.

bu kyweir karchar gweir ygkaer sidi.

trwy ebostol pwyll aphryderi.

Neb kyn noc ef nyt aeth idi

yr gadwyn tromlas kywirwas ae ketwi.

A rac preideu annwfyn tost yt gent.

Ac yt urawt parahawt yn bard ivedi.

Tri lloneit prytwen yd aetham ni idi.

nam seith ny dyrreith o goer sidi.

I adore the noble prince and high king
Who extended his sway over the world's strand.
Perfect was the captivity of Gwair in Caer Sidi,
Through the warning 2 of Pwyll and Pryderi.

Stephens' Gododin, pp. 352-3 ; but I am convinced that the meaning
of the words still remains to be discovered.

1 See Skene, ii. 456 : vol. i. 259, gives a translation differing
considerably from the one proposed here with great diffidence.

2 As to this meaning of the word tbostol> see Llyvyr Agkyt
Llandeivivrevi (in the Anecdota Oxoniensia), p. 159. It is epistola
borrowed and sometimes confounded with abostol from apostolus: the
sequence of meanings seems to have been a letter, a message or
admonition by letter, a warning. See a note on the word by Prof.
Powel in the Cymmrodor, ix. 199.

Preface xxiii

Before him no one entered into it,
Into the heavy dark chain a trusty youth guarded ;
And at the harryings of Hades grievously did he sing,
And till doom will he remain a bard afterwards.
Three freights of Prydwen went we into it
Seven alone did we return from Caer Sidi.

Neut wyf glot geinmyn cerd o c/ilywtr.

ygkaer pedryuan pedyr y chwelyt.

vgkynneir or peir pan leferit.

Oanadyl naw morwyn gochyneuit.

Neu peir pen annwfyn pwy y vynut,

gwrym am yoror a mererit.

ny beirw bwyt llwfyr ny rytyghit.

dedyf lluch lleawc idaw rydyrchit.

Ac yn Haw leminawc yd edewit.

Arac drws forth vffern llugyrn lloscit.

Aphan aetham ni gan arthur trafferth lethrit.

namyn seith ny dyrreith o goer vedwit.

I am a seeker (?) of praise, if (my) song be heard :

In Caer Pedryvan . . .

. . . from the cauldron it would be spoken

By the breath of nine maidens it would be kindled.

The head of Hades' cauldron what is it like?

A rim it has, with pearls, round its border:

It boils not a coward's food : it would not be perjured.

The sword of Llwch Lleawc would be lifted to it.

And in the hand of Lleminawc was it left.

And before the door of Hell's gate lamps were burning,

And when we accompanied Arthur, a brilliant effort,

Seven alone did we return from Caer Veddwit.

Neut wyf glot geinmyn kerd glywanawr.

ygkaer Pedryfan ynys pybyrdor.

eckwyd amuchyd kymysgetor

gwin gloyw eu gwirawt rac eu gorgord.

Tri lloneit prytwen yd aetham ni ar vor.

namyn seith ny dyrreith o gear rigor.
I am a seeker (?) of praise, (my) song being (?) heard :
At Caer Pedryvan in Quick-door Island,
At dusk and in the blackness (of night) they mix
The sparkling wine, their drink before their retinue.
Three freights of Prydwen went we on sea :
Seven alone did we return from Caer Rigor.

Ny obrynafi lawyr lien llywyadttr

tra chaer wydyr ny welsynt wrhyt artlmr.

xxiv Preface

Tri vgeint canhwr a sezii arymur.
oed an haw d ymadrawd ae gwylyadur.
tri lloneit prytwen yd aeth gan arthur.
namyn seith ny dyrreith o gaer golnd.

I merit not the laurel of the ruler of letters

Beyond the Glass Fort they had not seen Arthur's valour.

Three score hundreds stood on the wall :

Hard it was found to converse with their sentinel.

Three freights of Prydwen (were they that) went with Arthur,

Seven alone did they return from Caer Goludd.

Ny obrynaf y lawyr llaes eu kylchwy.

ny wdant ivy py dyd peridyd pwy.

py awr ymeindyd y ganet cwy.

Pwy gwnaeth arnyt aeth doleu defwy,

Ny wdant ivy yr ych brych bras ypenrwy.

Seith vgein kygwng yny aervjy,

A phan aetham ni gan arthur aurydol gofwy.

namyn seith ny dyrreith o gaer vandwy.
I merit not the laurel of them of the long shields (?) :
They know not which is the ruler's day (or) who (he is),
At what hour of early day he was born (or) where (?),
Who made . . . went not . . .

They know not the Speckled Ox with the stout halter,
With seven score joints in his collar.
When we went with Arthur, anxious visit,
Seven alone did we return from Caer Vanddwy.

Ny obrynafy lawyr llaes eu goken

ny wdant py dyd peridyd pen.

Py awr ymeindyd y ganet perchen.

Py vil a gativant aryant y pen.

pan aetham ni gan arthur afyrdwl gynken

namyn seith ny dyrreith a gaer ochren.

I merit not the laurel of those of long . . .

They know not which is the day of the ruler (and) chief,

At what hour of early day was born the owner,

(Or) what myriad guards the silver of the head.

When we went with Arthur, anxious contest,

Seven alone did we return from Caer Ochren.

Of the eight castles or strongholds mentioned in this poem
not a single one has been identified with any real place, and the
Isle of the Active Door belongs probably to the same sort of
geography as Annwvyn or Hades, and Uffern or Hell. The
poem evidently deals with expeditions conducted by Arthur

Preface xxv

by sea to the realms of twilight and darkness ; but the one in
quest of the cauldron of the Head of Hades reminds me of that
described in the Kulhwch as having for its object the cauldron
of Diwrnach the Goidel : Arthur sets out with a small number
of men on board his ship Prydwen, and after severe fighting
brought away the cauldron full of the money of the country,
which was, however, according to the Kulhwch, not Hades but
Ireland. But with this difference the stories agree, not to
mention ihatyr Yc/i Brych, or "the Speckled Ox,'' of the poem
figures also in the Kulhwch. To do justice to this part of the
comparison, and to complete the outline which I have sug-
gested, I should have here to append at length the story of
Kulhwch ; but as that is out of the question, I will only add
that a translation of it into English will be found in the
second volume of Lady Charlotte Guest's Mabinogion, The
Kulhwch is contained in the Jesus College manuscript, the Red
Book of Hergest, which belongs to the latter half of the four-
teenth century ; but the present version carries with it some
evidence that it was copied from a manuscript written in the
Kymric hand usual in Wales before the Norman Conquest
and its influences had introduced another hand. On the
whole, one cannot go far wrong in supposing that it was
composed in the tenth century ; and as to its contents, it has
been pronounced purely 1 Kymric by Professor Zimmer, that
is to say, as contrasted with stories in which the influence of the
romances cannot, as he thinks, be mistaken.

It is not to be supposed, however, that other manuscripts,
whether belonging to the same period as that of the Kulhwch
or to later dates, relate nothing concerning Arthur but the echo
of incidents occurring in the French romances. Instances
could readily be cited to the contrary : take for example the
episode in which the Welsh Triads 2 bring Arthur in contact
with Drystan the gal-ofydd or "war-leader" of March and the
lover of Essyllt, that is to say, Malory's Tristram, kynge Mark,
and Isoud respectively. Drystan is represented sending March's
swineherd on an errand to Essyllt, Drystan in the meantime
taking upon himself the charge of the swine. The story then
makes Arthur, assisted by March, Kei and Bedwyr, attempt to
get possession of some of the swine by every means in their

1 In the Gottingische gel. Anzeigen for June 10, 1890, pp. 517, 523-4.

2 Triads i. 30, ii. 56, iii, IOI : see the Myv. Anh., vol. ii. pp. 6,
20, 72-3.

xxvi Preface

power, but all in vain, so that Drystan came to be styled one
of "the Three stout Swineherds of the Isle of Britain." Or
take another instance, namely the statement that Arthur had
not one wife Gwenhwyvar, Malory's Guenever, but three wives
in succession, all called Gwenhwyvar. This strange piece of
information likewise comes from the Triads, 1 and I should be
surprised to learn that it found its way into them from the
French romances rather than from some far older source.

Speaking generally of the Arthur of Welsh literature, one
may characterise him in few words : His first appearance is
found to conform itself with the role of a Comes Britannia^ on
whom it devolved to help the inhabitants of what was once
Roman Britain against invasion and insult, whether at the
hands of Angles and Saxons or of Picts and Scots : so we read
of him acting for the kings of the Brythons as their dux
bellorum. We next find his fame re-echoed by the topography
of the country once under his protection, and his name gather-
ing round it the legends of heroes and divinities of a past of
indefinite extent. In other words, he and his men, especially
Kei and Bedwyr, are represented undertaking perilous expedi-
tions to realms of mythic obscurity, bringing home treasures,
fighting with hags and witches, despatching giants, and destroy-
ing monsters. How greatly this rude delineation of the triumph
of man over violence and brute force differs from the more
finished picture of the Arthur of Malory's painting, it would be
needless to try to shew to any one bent on the pleasure of
perusing the Morte Darthur. Such a reader may be trusted
to pursue the comparison unassisted, in the fascinating pages

of this incomparable book.

JOHN RHYS.

The more important editions of the Morte Darthur have already been
mentioned in the foregoing introduction (see p. vii). But since Principal
Rhys wrote it (for the same publishers' large two- volume edition of 1893-
4) many popular reprints and volumes of selections and adaptations from
Malory's romance have appeared. A convenient pocket-guide to the
wider field it indicates may be had in Miss Jessie L. Weston's Survey
of Arthurian Romance (in Nutt's " Popular Studies in Mythology,
Romance and Folklore"). The best companion romance-book is '2 lie
Mabinogion t also republished in "EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY."

1906.

1 Triad i. 59, ii. 16, iii. 109 : seethe Myv. Arch., vol. ii. pp. 12, 14, 73.

LE MORTE D'ARTHUR

CAXTON'S ORIGINAL PREFACE

AFTER that I had accomplished and finished divers histories,
as well of contemplation as of other historical and worldly acts of
great conquerors and princes, and also certain books of en-
samples and doctrine, many noble and divers gentlemen of this
realm of England came and demanded me, many and ofttimes,
wherefore that I have not do made and imprinted the noble history
of the Sangreal, and of the most renowned Christian king, first
and chief of the three best Christian and worthy, King Arthur,
which ought most to be remembered among us English men
tofore all other Christian kings. For it is notoriously known
through the universal world that there be nine worthy and the
best that ever were. That is to wit three paynims, three Jews,
and three Christian men. As for the paynims they were tofore
the Incarnation of Christ, which were named, the first Hector of
Troy, of whom the history is come both in ballad and in prose ;
the second Alexander the Great ; and the third Julius Caesar,
Emperor of Rome, of whom the histories be well-known and
had. And as for the three Jews which also were tofore the
Incarnation of our Lord, of whom the first was Duke Joshua
which brought the children of Israel into the land of behest; the
second David, King of Jerusalem ; and the third Judas Macca-
basus : of these three the Bible rehearseth all their noble histories
and acts. And sith the said Incarnation have been three noble
Christian men stalled and admitted through the universal world
into the number of the nine best and worthy, of whom was first
the noble Arthur, whose noble acts I purpose to write in this
present book here following. The second was Charlemagne or
Charles the Great, of whom the history is had in many places
both in French and English ; and the third and last was Godfrey
of Bouillon, of whose acts and life I made a book unto the
excellent prince and king of noble memory, King Edward the
Fourth. The said noble gentlemen instantly required me to
imprint the history of the said noble king and conqueror, King
Arthur, and of his knights, with the history of the Sangreal, and
of the death and ending of the said Arthur ; affirming that I
ought rather to imprint his acts and noble feats, than of Godfrey
of Bouillon, or any of the other eight, considering that he was a
man born within this realm, and king and emperor of the same ;

2 Caxton's Original Preface

and that there be in French divers and many noble volumes of
his acts, and also of his knights. To whom I answered, that
divers men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and that
all such books as be made of him be but feigned and fables, by
cause that some chronicles make of him no mention nor remem-
ber him no thing, nor of his knights. Whereto they answered
and one in special said, that in him that should say or think
that there was never such a king called Arthur, might well be
credited great folly and blindness ; for he said that there were
many evidences of the contrary : first ye may see his sepulture
in the Monastery of Glastonbury. And also in Polichronicon,
in the fifth book the sixth chapter, and in the seventh book
the twenty-third chapter, where his body was buried and after
found and translated into the said monastery. Ye shall see also
in the history of Bochas, in his book De Casu Principum, part
of his noble acts, and also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his
British book recounteth his life ; and in divers places of England
many remembrances be yet of him and shall remain perpetually,
and also of his knights. First in the Abbey of Westminster, at
Saint Edward's shrine, remaineth the print of his seal in red
wax closed in beryl, in which is written Patricius Arthurus,
Britannie, Gallic, Germanie, Dacie, Imperator. Item in the
castle of Dover ye may see Gawaine's skull and Craddock's
mantle : at Winchester the Round Table : at other places
Launcelot's sword and many other things. Then all these
things considered, there can no man reasonably gainsay but
there was a king of this land named Arthur. For in all places,
Christian and heathen, he is reputed and taken for one of the
nine worthy, and the first of the three Christian men. And also
he is more spoken of beyond the sea, more books made of his
noble acts than there be in England, as well in Dutch, Italian,
Spanish, and Greek, as in French. And yet of record remain in
witness of him in Wales, in the town of Camelot, the great
stones and marvellous works of iron, lying under the ground,
and royal vaults, which divers now living hath seen. Wherefore
it is a marvel why he is no more renowned in his own country,
save only it accordeth to the Word of God, which saith that no
man is accept for a prophet in his own country. Then all these
things foresaid alleged, I could not well deny but that there was
such a noble king named Arthur, and reputed one of the nine
worthy, and first and chief of the Christian men ; and many
noble volumes be made of him and of his noble knights in French,

Caxton's Original Preface 3

which I have seen and read beyond the sea, which be not had
in our maternal tongue, but in Welsh be many and also in
French, and some in English, but no where nigh all. Where
fore, such as have late been drawn out briefly into English I
have after the simple conning that God hath sent to me, under
the favour and correction of all noble lords and gentlemen,
emprised to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said
King Arthur, and of certain of his knights, after a copy unto me
delivered, which copy Sir Thomas Malory did take out of certain
books of French, and reduced it into English. And I, accord-
ing to my copy, have done set it in imprint, to the intent that
noble men may see and learn the noble acts of chivalry, the
gentle and virtuous deeds that some knights used in those days,
by which they came to honour ; and how they that were vicious
were punished and oft put to shame and rebuke ; humbly
beseeching all noble lords and ladies, with all other estates, of
what estate or degree they be of, that shall see and read in this
said book and work, that they take the good and honest acts in
their remembrance, and to follow the same. Wherein they shall
find many joyous and pleasant histories, and noble and renowned
acts of humanity, gentleness, and chivalries. For herein may
be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardi-
ness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin.
Do after the good and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to
good fame and renown. And for to pass the time this book
shall be pleasant to read in ; but for to give faith and believe
that all is true that is contained herein, ye be at your liberty ;
but all is written for our doctrine, and for to beware that we fall
not to vice nor sin ; but to exercise and follow virtue ; by which
we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life,
and after this short and transitory life, to come unto everlasting
bliss in heaven, the which he grant us that reigneth in heaven,
the blessed Trinity. Amen.

Then to proceed forth in this said book, which I direct unto
all noble princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen,
that desire to read or hear read of the noble and joyous history
of the great conqueror and excellent king, King Arthur, sometime
king of this noble realm, then called Britain. I, William Caxton,
simple person, present this book following, which I have
emprised to imprint ; and treateth of the noble acts, feats of
arms of chivalry, prowess, hardiness, humanity, love, courtesy
and very gentleness, with many wonderful histories and adven-

4 Caxton's Original Preface

fares. And for to understand briefly the content of this volume,
I have divided it into twenty-one books, and every book
chaptered as hereafter shall by God's grace follow. The first
book shall treat how Uther Pendragon gat the noble conqueror
King Arthur, and containeth twenty-eight chapters. The second
book treateth of Balin the noble knight, and containeth nineteen
chapters. The third book treateth of the marriage of King
Arthur to Queen Guenever, with other matters, and containeth
fifteen chapters. The fourth book, how Merlin was assotted,
and of war made to King Arthur, and containeth twenty-nine
chapters. The fifth book treateth of the conquest of Lucius the
emperor, and containeth twelve chapters. The sixth book
treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel, and marvellous ad-
ventures, and containeth eighteen chapters. The seventh book
treateth of a noble knight called Sir Gareth, and named by Sir
Kay, Beaumains, and containeth thirty-six chapters. The eight
book treateth of the birth of Sir Tristram the noble knight, and
of his acts, and containeth forty-one chapters. The ninth book
treateth of a knight named by Sir Kay, La Cote Male Taile, and
also of Sir Tristram, and containeth forty-four chapters. The
tenth book treateth of Sir Tristram and other marvellous ad-
ventures, and containeth eighty-eight chapters. The eleventh
book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Galahad, and containeth
fourteen chapters. The twelfth book treateth of Sir Launcelot
and his madness, and containeth fourteen chapters. The
thirteenth book treateth how Galahad came first to King Arthur's
court, and the quest how the Sangreal was begun, and containeth
twenty chapters. The fourteenth book treateth of the quest of
the Sangreal, and containeth ten chapters. The fifteenth book
treateth of Sir Launcelot, and containeth six chapters. The six-
teenth book treateth of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel his brother,
and containeth seventeen chapters. The seventeenth book
treateth of the Sangreal, and containeth twenty-three chapters.
The eighteenth book treateth of Sir Launcelot and the queen, and
containeth twenty-five chapters. The nineteenth book treateth
of Queen Guenever and Launcelot, and containeth thirteen
chapters. The twentieth book treateth of the piteous death of
Arthur, and containeth twenty-two chapters. The twenty-first
book treateth of his last departing, and how Sir Launcelot came
to revenge his death, and containeth thirteen chapters. The
sum is twenty-one books, which contain the sum of five hundred
and seven chapters, as more plainly shall follow hereafter.

KING ARTHUR

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, where-
fore, 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 asked 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

I 45 C B

6 King Arthur

stuff him and garnish him, for within forty days he would
fetch him out of the biggest castle that he had. 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 pyght 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 hool. 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 then
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 entente 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 MEANS OF MERLIN HE LAY BY THE DUCHESS
AND GAT ARTHUR

THEN Ulfius was glad, and rode on more than a paas 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.

King Arthur 7

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 Jordans, a knight of the duke's. But wayte 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 or day came Merlin came 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.

8 King Arthur

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 child within her body ; then was 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 Jordans,
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

King Arthur 9

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 fyaunce
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 before the king ;
then Merlin said aloud unto King Uther, Sir, shall your

io King Arthur

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 B\ 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 rightways 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

King Arthur n

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 essay 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 and the commons together, 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 had 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 alit and tied his
horse to the stile, and so he went to the tent, and found no
knights there, for they were at 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 alit all three, and went into the
church. And anon he made Sir Kay to swear upon a

12 King Arthur

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. Where-
fore 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 rightways 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, there-
withal Sir Ector essayed 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 essay, 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 bitaken him for to nourish him,
and by whose commandment, and by Merlin's deliverance.
Then Arthur made great doole 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

King Arthur 13

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 essay to take the sword, who that would essay. 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 over-
governed 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 agrieved 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 Merlyn'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 essayed
to pull at the sword that would essay, 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

I 45 *B

14 King Arthur

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 therewith they all 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 part 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 incoro-
nation 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

King Arthur 15

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 bisene 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 there-
fore 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 tofore 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 Pendragons 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 weddsd
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

1 6 King Arthur

safe and to go safe, such assurance 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 jesseraunte 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 stynte, for ye shall not here prevail though ye were
ten times so many. Be we well advised to be afeard
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 marvel-
lous 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

King Arthur 17

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 on 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. AH 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, my advice ; there are
two brethren beyond the sea, and they be kings both and

1 8 King Arthur

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 if 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
straight 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 raundon, 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.

King Arthur 19

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 king 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 come 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 when 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 hali, with ladies and gentlewomen,
for to behold who did best, and thereon to give judgment.

2O King Arthur

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
embushment 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 come Ladinas and Gracian, two knights of
France, and did passing well, that all men praised them.
Then come there Sir Placidas, a good knight, and met with
Sir Kay, and smote him down horse and man, wherefore 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

King Arthur 21

and King Bors's ; and Gracian and Placidas should go again
and keep their castles and their countries, as King Ban of
Benvvick, and King Bors of Gaul had ordained them, and so
they 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 cordyng, 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 foot men 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 led
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 tofore 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 besene, 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

22 King Arthur

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 how 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 Northumber-
land 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 clene 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

King Arthur 23

they let burn and destroy all the country afore them, where
they should ride. The king with the hundred knights mette
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 embushment, 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

24 Kin" Arthur

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. When 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 horse 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. When 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 Gwimiart 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 Ulfias and
Brastias on foot, in great peril of death, that were foul
defoyled under horse-feet. Then King Arthur as a lion,
ran unto King Cradelment of North Wales, and smote him

King Arthur 25

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 Ulfias. 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 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
defoyled. When Brastias beheld Lucas the butler, that lay
like a dead man under the horse's 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 bad him
mount upon the horse and revenge his hurts. For Brastias
had slain a knight tofore 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

26 King Arthur

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 ferd 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 advise 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 embushment
of King Ban and King Bors, and Lyonses and Phariance
had the vanguard, and they two knights met with King
Idres and his fellowship, and there began a great medley of

King Arthur 27

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 Phari-
ance 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 marvel-
lously. When King Bors saw those knights put aback, it
grieved him sore ; then he came on so fast that his fellow-
ship 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 come 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 come 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.

28 King Arthur

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 ! ha ! 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 hurtle 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 threst 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 trappings 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 broched 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 horse, fighting on foot as a wood lion, that there

King Arthur 29

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
ye 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 cure 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

30 King Arthur

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 foot-men, 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 dresse 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
Kling 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 plompe 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, Flan-
nedrius of the Castle of Ladies, Annecians that was King
Bors' godson, a noble knight, Ladinas de la Rouse, Emer-
ause, 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

King Arthur 31

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 parts 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 to-day, 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 dare 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

32 King Arthur

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 stood 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 night, 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 Benvvick, all they would depart

King Arthur 33

for dread of King Claudas ; 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
shall 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

34 King Arthur

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, with-
out mercy, and have laid siege on the castle of Wandes-
borow. 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 to-
gether 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 was a mighty man
of men, 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 habili-
ments 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 departure of King Ban and of King
Bors, King Arthur rode unto Carlion. And thither came
to him, King Lot's wife, of Orkney, in manner of a mes-
sage, but she was sent thither to espy the court of King
Arthur ; and she came richly bisene, with her four sons

King Arthur 35

Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravine, and Gareth, with many other
knights and ladies. For she was a passing fair lady, there-
fore 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
ho